least, in a much greater degree than it now is, and people would be benefited by it in proportion to the strength and clearness of their intellect. But the reverse of this is nearer the truth : for the poor and weak receive the Gospel, while the wise and noble reject it*. And daily experience proves, that the word then only comes with power, when it comes in the Holy Ghost u.
Next, it is not the knowledge of the word that benefits us, but the knowledge of Christ in the word. We might be able to repeat the whole Bible, and yet perish at last. Christ must be known by us; and that, not speculatively, but experimentally: for " there is no other name given under heaven whereby we can be saved, but the name of Jesus Christ V
Lastly, our " uprightness " is not the meritorious cause of the good we receive, but the qualification necessary for the reception and enjoyment of what is good. Nor is this a trifling distinction; for if we be not careful to disclaim all idea of merit, we shall make void the grace of the Gospel, and deprive ourselves of all the benefits to be obtained by ity.]
2. Enforce it in a way of appeal to your con- sciences—
[The text is an appeal, an appeal of God to the con- sciences of his enemies. We therefore boldly appeal to you, and defy any man living to answer in the negative ; " Do not God's words do good to him that walketh uprightly?"
Judge ye, who have despised the word : look at those of your acquaintance who have obeyed the word ; compare their lives with what you remember them to have been, or with what yours are at this present time ; and say, whether the word have not done them good ?
But ye, after all, are very incompetent judges: we there- fore appeal rather to those who have received the benefit. Ye know what ye have received: say then, whether ye would exchange it for all that the world can give you ? Reflect on the good ye have obtained ; the pardon, the peace, the strength, the holiness, the glory; and say, whether it do not exceed the powers of the first archangel to compute its worth ?
But we need not dwell on this : it admits not of any doubt : all that is requisite is, that you press forward for the attain- ment of more good. Let the ungodly world say, that the word has done you harm; but regard them not. Only let your growth in every thing that is amiable and praise-worthy confirm the truth in our text, and justify the appeal which God himself has made.]
* 1 Cor. i. 28—30. " 1 Thess. i. 5.
x Acts iv. 12. y Rom. iv. 14.