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2 lines
1.8 KiB
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<p>Note, 1. The reason why some people seek wisdom, and do not find it, is because they do not seek it from a right principle and in a right manner. They are scorners, and it is in scorn that they ask instruction, that they may ridicule what is told them and may cavil at it. Many put questions to Christ, tempting him, and that they might have whereof to accuse him, but they were never the wiser. No marvel if those who seek wisdom, as Simon Magus sought the gifts of the Holy Ghost, to serve their pride and covetousness, do not find it, for they seek amiss. Herod desired to see a miracle, but he was a scorner, and therefore it was denied him, <a class="bibleref" title="Luke.23.8" href="/passage/?search=Luke.23.8">Luke 23:8</a>. Scorners speed not in prayer. 2. To those who understand aright, who <i>depart from evil</i> (for <i>that is understanding</i>), the <i>knowledge</i> of God and of his will <i>is easy</i>. The parables which harden scorners in their scorning, and make divine things more difficult to them, enlighten those who are willing to learn, and make the same things more plain, and intelligible, and familiar to them, <a class="bibleref" title="Matt.13.11,Matt.13.15,Matt.13.16" href="/passage/?search=Matt.13.11,Matt.13.15,Matt.13.16"><span class="bibleref" title="Matt.13.11">Matt. 13:11</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Matt.13.15">15</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Matt.13.16">16</span></a>. The same word which to the scornful <i>is a savour of death unto death</i> to the humble and serious <i>is a savour of life unto life</i>. He <i>that understands</i>, so as to <i>depart from evil</i> (for <i>that is understanding</i>), to quit his prejudices, to lay aside all corrupt dispositions and affections, will easily apprehend instruction and receive the impressions of it.</p>
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