seems to have been an inequality in his dispensations, he has shewn an impartiality, making- up to the one in spiritual bless- ings what he has withheld in temporal; and giving advantages in reference to eternity to those who have the less favourable lot in respect of the things of time and sense.
And is not this a ground, a just ground, of joy ? Who, that sees what privations are often experienced by the poor, must not rejoice to be informed, that, taking both worlds into the account, there is a preponderance in their favour? Our blessed Lord rejoiced in this; yea, and leaped for joyd: and we also, if our minds be constituted like his, shall from our inmost souls contemplate it with gratitude and thanksgiving.]
Let us learn then,
1. Rightly to appreciate divine knowledge —
[We would on no account utter a word that should detract from the excellence of human knowledge. We readily allow that learning does elevate and expand the mind, so as to raise its possessor far above his fellows in many respects : but when compared with spiritual knowledge, it is a poor, and low, and grovelling attainment. St. Paul was excelled by none of his contemporaries in mental attainments : yet, valuable as he once esteemed them, he, when truly converted to God, said, " What things were gain to me, those I count but loss for Christ ; yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lorde." And such must be your estimate also of this knowledge ; for it is this only that will render us truly happy, either in this world or in that which is to come ]
2. To seek it in God's appointed way —
[Human sciences are to be attained by study ; but the knowledge of the Gospel must be gained by prayer. In the words immediately following my text, our Lord says, " No man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father ; or who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son shall reveal him." Know ye then that, though the study of the Holy Scriptures is necessary, it is not sufficient : for in the same place where you are told to " seek for wisdom as for hid treasures," you are told to " lift up your voice, and to cry unto God for it ; for that it is God alone who gives itf." Meditation and prayer must go hand in hand : and if you will seek for knowledge in this way, though you be but a babe, you shall attain it ; and, though you be a mere " fool in all other respects, you shall not err therein6" ]
d })ya\Xid(TaTo. e Phil. iii. 7, S.
f Prov. ii. i. 6. s Isai. xxxv. 8.