home with power to our own hearts and consciences, will furnish abundant matter to increase our admiration.
And must not the consideration of this be a rich encou- ragement to ministers under all the contempt and obloquy with which they and their ministrations are regarded ? Yes, they know that what the world account foolishness is indeed the wisdom of Godb; and that " if they be beside themselves, it is to Godc."]
Moreover, the children of wisdom will assuredly receive their testimony —
[They are " the children of wisdom" who are willing to " sit at wisdom's gates," and to obey her dictates ; and, such are to be found in every place, notwithstanding the generality prefer the ways of sin and folly. Now " of all these " the Gospel will be approved, embraced, " justified." They will shew to the world, both by their profession and conduct, that it is indeed " worthy of all acceptation." While others pour con- tempt upon it, these will be nourished by it ; and while others make it a stumbling-block, over which they fall and perish, these will be rendered by it " wise unto salvation."
What can a faithful minister wish for more ? He knows that his labours shall not be altogether in vain, but that there shall be some who shall be saved by his means, and be " his joy and crown of rejoicing" for evermore: and this far out- weighs all the injuries and insults, which in the discharge of his office, he meets with at the hands of a perverse ungrateful world.]
To improve this subject, observe,
1. What enemies are men to their own happiness!
[What end had the Baptist or Christ in view, when they preached to the people ? Was it to raise a party ? to get a name ? to gratify their own vanity ? Was it not rather to instruct and save mankind ? Yet, men every where set them- selves against them. And of what concern was it to John or Christ that they were called by opprobrious names ? But to those who thus despised them it was of infinite moment ; be- cause they thereby ensured and aggravated their own eternal condemnation. Thus it is of small concern to us to be loaded with ignominy and reproach : but to those who thus requite our labours, it is an awful matter ; for they despise their own mercies, and accomplish their own ruin. Let those who are thus disposed, remember, that they are far greater enemies to themselves than they are to us.]
2. What a blessing is "an honest and good heart!"
b 1 Cor. i. 23, 24. c 1 Cor. iv. 10. and 2 Cor. v. 13.