tle speaking of the things of the Spirit, observes, which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory. (a) Now the men referred to, were skilful enough in other things, in abstruse science, in politics, and the stratagems of war, and various languages; but were ignorant of God and the things of God. It is still the same with all natural men; they receive not the things of the spirit of God, neither do they know them because they are spiritually discerned. This censure does not fall upon the rash, or the profligate part of the human race only; but even upon the candid enquirer after the things of God till enlightened from above, as we see in the case of Nicodemus. When our Lord stated the new birth unto him, he cried out in astonishment, how can these things be? (b) The refined Athenians were as ignorant as the Jewish Rabbi, when the Apostle' preached Jesus and the resurrection unto them, they mocked him as a senseless babbler, and would hear him no longer. 3. THE world is full of enmity against the blessed Spirit of Truth, and that is the source of all that violence and cruelty which has raged against true religion, from Cain, the first human murderer, down to the last persecutor which has existed. And there (a) 1 Cor. ii. 8. (b) John iii. 9. fore, he that is born after the flesh will persecute him that is born of the Spirit. It is the old spirit of rebellion which was in the first murderer. And if it is under any. restraint, either by wholesome laws, or the tie of natural affection, or any secret cause which the mercy of God may lay in the way; yet, there is a secret dislike at the bottom, to the heart-searching work of the Spirit. For they who are after the flesh will mind the things of the flesh; their love and affections will cleave to them, but there is a deadness to the things of the Spirit; so that they do not hunger and thirst after them, any more than a dead man thirsts for the living spring, or longs for an entertain ment. WE see this in our nearest friends; they will converse freely upon indifferent things, as trade, politics, war, agriculture, or any thing but serious, experimental religion. IN this often-times we find either a pointed opposition, or profound silence; or if they carry their compliance so far as to assent and consent, it is easy to observe that it is mere constraint, and does not sit easy; it is not their element, the stream has met with an obstruction, it does not flow freely. The learned world find innumerable objections against the work of the spirit; it does not accord with their system of reason, and refined researches; they must have demonstration for every thing, or it is rejected with learned scorn, as being fit for nothing but idiots, porters and washerwomen. The plodding busy, drudges in trade and commerce cannot receive the Comforter; they see no prospect of the increase of wealth; which is their chief good. Did the promised Comforter assure them of thousands of gold and silver, increase of lands and cattle, it would engage their attention; but as it leads them to him that had not where to lay his head, he has no form nor comeliness, nor is there any beauty that they should desire him. THE gay dissipated world hold every thing belonging to the Spirit quite needless; very unsuitable to their turn and disposition. Divine things may suit the sick, the aged and the gloomy; they may suit cloisters, workhouses, infirmaries and almshouses; but quite out of character to the young, the sprightly, the wellbred, especially people of fortune who can enjoy life. THE honourable man of the world looks down with sovereign contempt upon the work of the Spirit. There is nothing said concerning titles and honours; no glittering stars and garters, the dignity of stile and honour of precedency. The Spirit leads in the dull path of self denial and the cross; the low creeping road of humility, patience and resignation; putting up with affronts, forgiving injuries, a mean spirited life indeed! What man of honour will deign to cast an eye into such an inauspicious region? But then, I would say to such, do not profess yourselves to be the servants of him who was despised and rejected of men, and had not where to lay his weary head! THE religious world care as little for the blessed spirit as any of the former. They thank God, they are not as other men; they are free from gross, scandalous immoralities, attend their place of worship, pay their debts, live honestly and quietly among their neighbours, and therefore all is well; for if that will not do, they know not what will; therefore, they hold Christ and his salvation, the divine operations of the Spirit in as little estimation as did their predecessors, the scribes and pharisees, in the days of old. All these rejected the bleeding Ransomer of the nations, and in the general continue to do so still; in this respect, as it was in the beginning, is now, and we must believe it will continue to be so till the glorious millenium shall take place, then, indeed, all shall bow to him. who bowed his head upon the cross. As for the common herd of sensualists, strange as it may seem, yet many of these are brought to the knowledge of the truth much sooner than the classes described above. It was so in the days of our Saviour. The poor had the gospel preached to them, and many of them received it; and even |