Humiliating, no doubt, this declaration is: never- theless it is one which we shall do well, III. To improve —
We may learn from it —
1. How to appreciate divine knowledge — [Valuable as human knowledge is, it bears no comparison with that which is divine. So superior is " the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord," that St. Paul accounted all things but as dross " and dung in comparison of it." It is more excellent in its nature, more exalted in its origin, and more beneficial in its use. Into the mystery of
f Matt. xi. 25, 26. s 1 Cor. xii. 6, 11. ''I John v. 20.
• 1 John ii. 20, 27. ^ John vi. 45, VOL. XVI. H
redemption the very " angels themselves desire to look." To understand it, we must be taught, not of man, but of God ; and, when we have received it aright, it will renew and sanc- tify us after the Divine image. Let it then be sought by us, not exclusively indeed, but supremely. Let us not be satisfied with any knowledge which the natural man can attain : but let us seek that which shall carry its own evidence along with it as divine, by its renewing, sanctifying, and comforting influence upon the soul.]
2. How to seek it —
[Nothing is to be attained without diligence : but it is not by study only that the knowledge of divine things is to be acquired : we must " cry after knowledge," at the same time that we " search for it as for hid treasures." It is " the Lord alone who giveth wisdom ;" and therefore we must seek it from him by earnest prayer. We must beg him " to give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him," that the eyes of our understanding being enlightened, we may see "the deep things of God." He first "commanded light to shine out of darkness" in the material world; and a snnilar process must take place in our minds through the operation of his word and Spirit. We must be " taught of God, as all his children are :" and then only shall we behold " the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, when he shines into our hearts to give it us'." Our studies therefore must all be accompanied with prayer, and we must never take up the Holy Scriptures without crying, like David, " Lord, open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."]
3. How to employ it —
[Has God in his unbounded mercy opened our eyes, and enabled us to see what the natural man is not able to receive ? Surely we should endeavour to employ that light in the way that shall most conduce to his glory. We should make use of it as the means of searching out his glorious perfections, and of discovering the heights and depths of his unsearchable love. We should also employ it for the rectifying of all our own views, and spirit, and conduct: and, finally, for the diffusing, to the utmost of our power, the knowledge of him throughout the world. As it was said to Peter, " When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren ;" so is it said to us, " Freely ye have received, freely give." No one gift is bestowed on us for ourselves alone, but for the good of others : and knowledge in particular is a talent entrusted to us for the benefit
1 2 Cor. iv. 6.