not in feeling suitable emotions, but in having a practical con- viction of those truths which ai-e calculated to excite them. This practical conviction none but God can give ; and he is as able to give it to one as to another. Indeed God does prefer those who are babes, in knowledge at least*^, and sometimes also in years; for David says, that " God had ordained strength, and perfected praise out of the mouth of babes and suck- lings'':" and our blessed Lord made it a matter of joy and thanksgiving, that his heavenly Father had " hid divine things from the wise and prudent, and revealed them unto babes^." Do we desire instances of early conversion? Josiah sought the Lord at eight years of age^. Samuel was devoted to him at a still earlier period of life^. John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother's womb'. But, if there were no other instance upon record, it would be suf- ficient that we are told, that Timothy knew the Holy Scrip- tures ^^ from a cliildr'\
We shall, with the Apostle, congratulate Timothy, if we consider,
II. The excellency of that knowledge —
It was "able to make him wise" —
[Wisdom is that which is most of all coveted, and for the attainment of which no expense or trouble are accounted too great. Now the wisdom contained in the inspired volume infinitely surpasses all that can be collected from other books. It shews us what we were in our original formation, and what we now are. It shews us wherein the chief good consists, and how we may attain it. It shews us every thing, whether good or evil, in its true light, and enables us to form the very same judgment respecting it that God himself does. It teaches us how to fill every station and relation of life to the greatest possible advantage. It even draws aside the veil of heaven itself, and exhibits to us God in all his glorious perfections. It reveals to us the three persons of the Godhead, co-operating in the work of man's salvation, and executing distinct offices for our eternal good. What is all the boasted wisdom of philosophers, when compared with this?]
It was able to make him "wise unto salvation" —
[All wisdom that stops short of this is only splendid folly. How vain will the wisdom of philosophers or statesmen appear, when once we are entered into the eternal world ! Nothing
^ 1 Cor. i. 2G — 28. <= Ps. viii. 2. with Matt. xxi. 16.
f Matt. xi. 2.5. e 2 Chron. xxxiv. 3.
1' 1 Sam. ii. 18, 26. i Luke i. 15.
2256. 1 T»l^ EARLY KNOWLEDGE OF TIMOTHY. 69
will then be of any value, but that which led us to the enjoy- ment of God, and to a meetness for glory. Then the excel- lency of Scripture knowledge will appear in all its brightness.
But it must be inquired, How is it that the Scripture effects this? Is there any thing meritorious in the knowledge of its truths; or any thing which by its own power can save the soul? The text informs us respecting these things, and points out the precise way in which the Scriptures make us wise unto salvation. Christ is the only Saviour of sinful man. His obedience unto death is the only groimd of our hope.
But how are we to be interested in him? There is but one way; and that is, by faith. " He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life."
From hence then it may be seen how the Scriptures make us wise unto salvation. They reveal Christ to us as the Saviour of the world. They commend him to us under every image that can convey an idea of his suitableness to our wants, and his sufficiency for our necessities. They hold forth the promises of God to those who believe in Christ; and encourage us by every possible ai'gument to rely upon him. In this manner they work faith in our hearts : and by that faith we become interested in all that Christ has done and suffered for us.