purposes for which they were originally given ? To this we answer, that man does not want any new faculty, but only a new direction to the faculties he already possesses. We have a film upon the organs of vision, which needs to be removed : and for this end we must go to him who has said to us, " I counsel thee to buy of me eye -salve that thou mayest see ^" To the same effect is the advice given us in the text : " If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise ;" let him acknowledge, that he cannot see clearly at present ; and let him submit to the operation of God's word and Spirit : thus shall the film be purged away from his eyes, and he shall " walk in the light, as God is in the lights"
This direction we would now submit to your con- sideration ; and, for the fuller understanding of it, we will endeavour to set before you,
I. Its meaning.
II. Its reasonableness.
III. Its importance. I. Its meaning.
It cannot be supposed that we are to lay aside our reason: that were to "become fools" indeed. Rea- son, in those things that are within its sphere, is an useful, though not an infallible, guide. And, in the things that are beyond its sphere, it has its oflfice : it ceases to be a guide indeed; but it becomes a companion, that must attend us every step we take, and often interpose its counsel in difficult con- junctures.
To become a fool, in the sense it is enjoined in the text, implies two things ; first, a consciousness of the weakness and fallibility of our reason, especially in things relating to God: and secondly, a willingness to submit our reason to the teachings of God's word and Spirit.
That our reason is weak and fallible, we see every
*' Rev, iii. 18 ''1 John i. 7.