with them as others of very inferior abilities, who, under the influence of such a disposition, have studied them but a short time : to the one, the Bible is " a sealed book ;" its contents are dark, intricate, and unintelligible : to the other, it is clear, perspicuous, and easy to be understood : the one meets with nothing but difficulties and stumbling-blocks ; the other has a clew to every truth contained in it. And whence is it that the one knows the mysteries of the kingdom, while the other sees nothing but dark and obscure parables ? Our Lord enables us to solve this difficulty ; " If any man," says he, " will do my will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God ;" his disposition and desire to do my will shall operate in such a manner as greatly to facilitate the understanding of my word.
On the other hand, the indisposition which others feel to- wards the ways of God will prevent the introduction of Divine knowledge into the soul : " the transgressors will fall therein." The pillar and the cloud by which God led the Israelites, may serve to illustrate the operation of his word, by which he leads us : the cloud was a pillar of fire to give light to the Israelites by night, while it was a cloud of darkness towards the Egyptians, insomuch that they could not advance, but were obstructed in their inarch by means of it. Now so it is with the word of God : to God's people, it exhibits a bright and luminous appearance, so that they can walk in the light of it: but to transgressors, who do not desire above all things to be conformed to it, it is an offence : to the former it is " a savour of life unto life ;" but unto the latter it is " a savour of death unto death :" yea, Christ himself, who is the sum and substance of the Bible, is to the former " a sanctuary;" but to the latter " a snare and a gin, and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence," by means of which " many are snared, and taken, and fall," to their more aggravated condemnation. Daily experience shews us that the strictness and purity of God's ways are an offence unto many : they take occasion from what they hear to shew their enmity against God, more than ever they would have done, if the light had not been thus set before them : Christ being set forth, they make him only " a sign to be spoken against; and thus the thoughts of their hearts are revealed." And that this vile and wicked disposition blinds them more than ever, we are sure from the testimony of our Lord : the Pharisees had shut then- hearts against conviction, and then were incensed against our Lord for intimating that they were blind; " Are we blind also?" Upon which our Lord answers them, " If ye were blind, ye would have no sin : but now ye say, We see ; therefore your sin remaineth." It is evident therefore, that the very opposite uses which different persons make of the ways of God, must ne- cessarily, and of themselves, as well as by Divine appointment^