1 Corinthians 2:16

REFLECTIONS

READER! behold the great Apostle in his fervent zeal to the cross of Christ! Think, in what view that cross appeared to his mind! He knew it's value. He hath felt, and experienced, the blessedness of it, to his own soul; and as such, he could not remain silent, in holding it forth to others. And his own weakness, and feebleness, in preaching Christ, and him crucified, he considered as nothing, while he kept in remembrance that divine strength was rendered the more conspicuous in human nothingness. Nay, the Apostle rejoiced in the consciousness, that the more feeble his ministry was in itself, the more evident would appear Christ's glory : and their faith be found, not to stand in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God.

Blessed be God the Holy Ghost, for the sweet instruction communicated to the Church, in this precious Chapter. Yes! thou Almighty Teacher! we do find cause to bless thee, for the very clear, and decisive line thou hast drawn, between natural knowledge and divine; between the wisdom which is from beneath, and that which is from above. None, indeed, of the princes of this world, knew the Lord of glory : neither will they ever, by mere human intellect, discover the hidden wisdom of God. But, while these things are hidden from the wise and prudent; oh! the graciousness of our God, to reveal them to babes! Lord! may thy people know their sonship, and adoption - character, by thy divine instruction; and may we have all grace, while thou art condescending to be our Teacher, to know the things which are freely given to us of God, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.