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"and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” * AMEN.

THEREFORE-

HE THAT COMETH TO GOD Must believe THAT HE IS, AND THAT HE IS THE REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM.

* Is. xxxii. 17.

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SERMON VI.

1 COR. VIII. 2.

If any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."

I...IT is not strange, perhaps, that the maxim, or axiom, which is contained in these words, has not received the attention which its importance commands; that the truth itself is not generally perceived, or, at least, the perception of that truth very ill represented in the actions of men.

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II...In the preceding verse, St. Paul says, Knowledge puffeth up; but charity edifieth: or (to use the word nearest in our language to the expression of the apostle), love edifieth. That is, mere "knowledge" in any mind, not joined to, not accompanied with that which is the base of all virtue-the bond of all perfection-the principle of true religion— namely, LOVE; mere knowledge, not joined

with this, puffeth up; but, when joined with this, (for it appears we should thus understand the passage), then it edifieth. And the whole passage, when we introduce that which the original language implies, runs thus:

Knowledge, apart from the love of God, puffeth up: that is, tends only to engender PRIDE in him who possesses it; but knowledge, joined with that which St. Paul explains in another place, is "the fulfilling of the law," * which he calls "the bond of perfectness," + which St. John tells us is the very nature of God: KNOWLEDGE, joined with LOVE, EDIFIETH. But if any man thinks that he knoweth any thing, and has not this principle, he, surely, knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. He is ignorant of that which it is most important for him to know, for the sake of his own welfare, and that of others. §

III...This appears to be the utmost implied meaning of the passage.

But, as the majority of those into whose hands the word of God is placed, have not the

*Rom. xiii. 8-10.

+ Col. iii. 14.

1 John iv. 8.-" He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love."

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8" Scire ut oportet.' Est scientia uti ad suam, et aliorum salutem.-Hardy.

opportunity, or the leisure, of examining the comments which learning has made towards bringing to light the fullest scope of meaning to be attached to the expressions of those who wrote in the more ancient languages of the world; as all have neither the opportunity nor the need of doing this; it becomes important to explain the lessons given to us in the words of the inspired writers, as they stand in the translation of those writings which we possess: and while we set forth, to the best of our power, the fullest and widest. interpretation, which a knowledge of ancient languages has brought upon the texts of Scripture; to give, at the same time, if possible, the plainest illustration of those lessons, as they have been left by the wisdom of the translators.

IV...From the words of my text, as they stand, the most important lesson may be drawn; they form an axiom, or rule, by themselves which rule receives the fullest confirmation from other passages of Scripture the truth of which rule is borne out, most simply and thoroughly, by our own reflections; and which, when proved, brings with it the immediate inference, implied in

the words of the text, as they stand in the original language, namely, that to have knowledge without charity, is to know nothing as we ought to know.

To consider then the words of the text: "If any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."

"When I applied mine heart to know wisdom," says Solomon, says Solomon," and to see the business that is done upon the earth......then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun because, though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea, farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it."*

Similar to this has been the confession of all the wisest men who, at different periods, have graced the history of the world.

Similar to this has been the conclusion arrived at by the mightiest intellects which have ever been employed in the path of human inquiry.

It may appear strange to some, that ignorance should be the boon which wise men have attained unto.

* Eccles. viii.

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