of all around us : " it is a light that is to be set on a candlestick, and not to be hid under a bushel." If then, through the dis- tinguishing grace of God, we have been called to the knowledge of the truth, it becomes us to " shine as lights m the world," and so to " hold forth the word of life," that others may be " guided into the way of peace."]
1 Cor. ii. 15, 16. He that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For ivho hath knoivn the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him ? But we have the mind of Christ.
TO claim, in the behalf of any person, a pre-emi- nence and distinction which does not belong to him, is invidious and unvv^ise ; but to prefer such a claim in behalf of persons on account of some peculiarity in their religious sentiments or feelings, would be an act of palpable impiety. In proclaiming, therefore, the advantages of a spiritual man above those who are only carnal, I would proceed with extreme cau- tion, lest I should appear to arrogate in his behalf what does not truly and properly belong to him. Yet we must not dissemble, that the Scriptures do paint in very bright colours the privileges of the true Christian ; and that he is represented as a " child of hght," whilst others are " children of darkness ;" yea, and as " a child of God" too, whilst others are de- clared to be " the children of the wicked one."
It is evident that there is in the passage before us a comparison drawn between the natural and the spiritual man. The natural man is he who has no- thing but what he possesses by nature, or has ac- quired by his natural powers : the spiritual man is one who has been enlightened and renewed by the Spirit of God. The former, in all his views, desires, and pursuits, is circumscribed by the things of time and sense : the latter soars to spiritual things, and lives, as it were, in a subhmer atmosphere, the element of heaven.