,·icw of his work, does it become any preacher of the gospel to be self-confident? ~Ium:m power at its best can produce no spiritual result. 'l'bo most highly gifted nro 'Jmpotent to convert a single sinner. To bo confident in our own strength is to be weak; for this confidence prevents the exercise of Divine power. To bo solf-emptiod self-distrustful, consciously wt•ak, is to be really strong; for then God can work by -us. Whilst we preach the Word, we are to stand still in impotence and see the salvation of God. This is a negative source of po1ver to tho preacher, a keeping of the field clear to let the Di "ine force have full play. Here also tho law holds, "He that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humblet.h himself shall be exalted." 2. The 1wesence of the Holy Spirit. 'l'he apostle's preaching was "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." The truth he uttered was carried home to men's minds and hearts by the Spirit of Christ, and consequently with a power of conviction which no force of reasoning could produce. HertJ lies the preacher's strength. Great results may be wrought by human power on a lower level: logic may convinco the intellect rhetoric may dazzle the imagination, pathos may touch the heart; but the Holy Spirit alone can convert, and nothing short of conversion should satisfy us. As the 11owr1er t0 the hall, as the strong arm to the sword (Heb. iv. 12), so is the Spirit.to the ·word. "Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" (Zech. iv. 6). This was the secret of the apostle's power, and all workers for Christ must depend on the same source of strength if they would "be strong and do exploits." III. THE CHIEF END OF PREACHING. Paul aimed at producing faith in Christ, and lie was careful that this "faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, bnt in the 11ower of God." Belief in Jesus Christ may rest upon evidence addressed to the -;mderstanding, or upon the authority of a teacher or Church; and this is important in its own place. But such belief implies no more than a mental assent to certain facts or truths, and requires for its production nothing beyond the natural force of proof. 'l'he faith which saves is the product of the Holy Spirit working effectually in the hearers of the Word, aud is based upon his "demonstration" of the truth. It is, therefore, a stable and abiding thing, upheld by him who produced it; and it is an -operative thing, affecting the heart and life of the believer. '!'he end of gospel preaching is to bring men to exercise this living faith. Let the preacher pray aud work for this; let the he>1rer ask himself if he has obtained it.-B.
Vers. G-10.-Spiritual wisdom. While disclaiming a gospel based on the wisdom of men, Paul is careful to show that he does not disparage true wisdom. 'fhe facts of Christianity are the embodiments of great principles; the story of the cross has behind it the sublimest philosoi,hy. Hence the gospel is at once milk for babes and meat for men (eh. iii. 2); and a wise teacher knows how to adapt his teaching to the capacities of his pupils. Among the newly converted, the apostle confined himself to a simple presentation of truth; but among the "perfect," or more advanced, ho exhibited that truth in its higher relations. 'l'he Epistles to the Romans and the Ephesians are examples of the wisdom which he communicated to the full-grown in the Christian Churches. The child and the philosopher fiud a common poiut of interest in Christ crucified. L THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SPIRITUAL WISDOM. These are set forth negatively and positively. 1. It is "not of this world." It is not a natural product springini out of earthly soil. It is not the invention of this world's princes, the leaders of thought and the wielders of power, who control the ongoings of the age. '!'hey and their works belong to a state of things that is coming to nuught. They havo no place as such within the kingdom of God, and their wisdom lihall perish with them. Christianity derived nothing from this source, and all attempts to improve upon it ·i,y human wisdom have been futile. 2. This wisdom is of God. The plan of i;alvation is a product of the Divine mind. At every step in it we mark his impress. Its conception as a whole, and all its details, speak of him. The characteristics her€ enumerated nre in keeping with its Divine origin. (1) It is" a mystery." '!'his is a (avourite wor<l with Paul in describing the way of re<lemption (cf. eh. iv. 1; Eph. i. 9; vi. 19, etc.). Some ancient religions had their so-called mysteries, into which their votariPs required to he iuitiated; and the wisdom of God so far rc,embles theso ihat it needs a Divine preparation in order to understand it. Mere natural reason cm. u. 1-16.J THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE COnIKTHL\NS. 71