To these the Gospel is revealed ; and they have such a perception of it as brings peace into their souls, and holiness into their hearts and lives. Of course, we must not suppose that the mere circumstance of any person's being weak in understanding will procure for him this blessing: but if he seek this blessing in God's appointed way, the circumstance of his being of weak understanding shall not preclude him from the benefit. And in this respect persons of this description have an advantage, which is, that they are more easily con- vinced of their need of Divine teaching than persons of learning and refinement are ; and are thereby more easily induced to seek of God the teaching of his good Spirit : and hence it is that many of them attain divine knowledge, whilst from the great mass of others it is hid.
That this preference is shewn to them is evident, both from the records of God's word and from daily observation. Whom did our blessed Saviour choose for his Apostles? Not the learned of the Scribes and Pharisees, but a few poor fishermen. To the proud he spoke in parables ; which afterwards to his child-like Disciples he explained ; saying to them, " Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to others in parables ; that seeing, they might not see, and hearing, they might not understand" :" and hence of the Rulers and of the Pharisees it is asked, " Have any of them believed in him0?" In like manner the Apostles themselves found little success among the great and learned : " Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble were called : but God chose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and the weak things to confound the mighty, yea, and things base and despised to bring to nought those which were high in worldly estimation, that no flesh might glory in his presence13." And is it not so at this day? Who are the people that experience the enlightening, com- forting, and transforming efficacy of the Gospel now ? Are they the rich, and the great, and the learned ? Would to God they were ! But it is not so : it is to " babes, and not to the wise and prudent, that the Gospel is revealed" at this hour, as well as in former days : the Gospel has still the same stamp and character upon it as ever, in that " it is preached chiefly, if not exclusively, to the poorq," and that " the common people hear it gladly1."]
That the Divine conduct in this respect may not be an offence unto us, let us consider, II. The dispositions with which it should be con- templated by us —
11 Luke viii. 10. ° John vii. 48. P 1 Cor. i. 27 — 29.
a Matt. xi. 5. r Mark xii. 37.