Twentieth Day. Of ivorldly wisdom

I. The wisdom of wordly minded men must needs be great, since our Lord assures us, that it is greater than that of the children of God; yet with all its pretensions and fair appearances, it is fatal to those who follow it. This crooked and subtle wisdom is most opposite to that of God, which is ever plain acd simple; and wliat does it avail its professors, seeing thej are always taken in their own devices? The apostle St. James saith of this kind of wisdom, that it is earthly, animal, (or sensual) and devilish. James iii. i5. EartMy, because it conilnes its care to the acquisition and possession of earthly things. S.nimal or sensual, becaue it seeks only to make provision for gratifying the passions of sensual appetites- And devilish, because to the subtlety and penetration of a demon it joins also his malice. Men so qualified, think to impose upon others, but in the event they deceive only themselves.

11. Blind, therefore, are all those who think themselves wise without the grace of Jesus Christ, which only can make us truly wise. They are like those who in a dream think themselves avvake, aud believe imaginary objects to be true and real: and while they are pursuing their Yain projects of pleasure or ambition, (so great is the infatuation that possesses them) they see not that sometimes disgrace, always death, judgment and eternity, lie in the way before them. These great objects daily advance, and approach nearee to profane men; yet they see them not. I'heir political skill foresees every thing, but the inevitable fall and annihilation of all they set their hearts upon, O mad and infatuated, when will ye open yoar eyes to the light of Jesus Christ, which discovers the emptiness of all the grandeur which mortals possess.