Apostle's days. St. Paul appealed to those at Corinth : " Ye see your calling, Brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called : but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise ; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty ; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that that are; that no flesh should glory in his presence1." And to all who come to Christ for instruction, it is promised that their eyes shall be opened to see the truth, since God had determined that " the things which were hid from the wise and prudent should be revealed unto babes k." Thus is provision made, even for the weakest, to guide them into all truth ; and an assurance is given, that " the way-faring man, though a fool, shall not err therein1."]
Are any weak in grace ?
[They need not despond : for " it is not the will of our Father that one of his little ones should perish™.' " Christ will carry the Lambs in his bosom, and gently lead that which is with young"." Weakness, if felt and deplored, shall never prevent the ultimate success of any soul whatever. Indeed conscious weakness is, if I may so speak, a source of strength, since it will constrain a man to look unto Christ for strength ; and " Christ will perfect his own strength in his people's weak- ness :" So true is that paradoxical expression of St. Paul, "When I am weak, then am I strong0." When did we ever hear of one "who was plucked out of the Saviour's hands??" We are assured by the prophet, that, however violently God's people may be sifted, " not so much as the smallest grain shall ever fall to the earth q." The weakest person in the universe shall " be able to do all things, through the strength of Christ1;" and however numerous his trials be, he shall be more than conqueror, through Him that loved him s."]
Are any weak in faith? [This is the most discouraging state of all; because a person strong in faith cannot fail of obtaining all that he can desire1; whereas a person of a wavering and doubtful mind has but little reason to expect such ready communications as his necessities may require". Still, however, if our faith be genuine, it shall prevail ; and though it be only as a grain of mustard-seed, yet shall it enable its possessor to pluck up a
1 1 Cor. i. 26—29. k Matt. xi. 25. » Isai. xxxv. 8.
m Matt, xviii. 14. " Isai. xl. 11. ° 2 Cor. xii. 8—10.
P John x. 28. i Amos ix. 9. r Phil. iv. 13.
s Rom. viii. 37. 4 Matt. xxi. 22. u Jam. i. 6, 7.