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discerned by a power which the natural man has not, which he does not even desire to have.

Now compare attentively, chap. i. ver. 30, and chap. ii. verses 7, 8; and then compare both these passages, with the description in Prov. viii. particularly verses 22-31.

What is the "wisdom of God"-in a mystery? Is it not Wisdom, in the person of the Son of God, of Him who was ❝ ordained before the world unto our glory?" Is it not "Christ Jesus," who "of God is made to us wisdom?"-Christ and the Spirit are One.

We have referred to Prov. viii. Here Wisdom is personified in Jesus Christ.-And will the Lord Jesus Christ bestow upon us the spirit of wisdom?-How may we obtain it?

Let us listen to the voice of divine Wisdom, thus addressing us, "Hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD."

TALENTS.

What is usually meant by the word talent? [Its primary signification is a certain weight; or, a sum of money, the value of which differed in different countries :—the word is now used to signify a natural gift or faculty.]

In what sense are talents spoken of, Matt. xxv. 15?

We will consider talents, as gifts or advantages, bestowed by God. Has God made us proprietors, or stewards?

Mention some different kinds of talents.

There are talents which relate to outward circumstances.

There are intellectual talents.

There are moral talents.

There are spiritual talents.

Is there a different distribution of these talents? Is there design and wisdom in this difference?

To whom is every talent to be referred? 1 Cor. iv. 7.

Have the young a talent? The rich? The aged? The poor?

Do we always improve our talents?

Amongst outward advantages, we may consider the talent of wealth-is wealth always improved?

What may we learn from Mark x. 23-25;

and from the parables in Luke xii. (ver. 16— 21); and xvi. 19-31 ?

Intellectual talents include every faculty of the mind are these always improved? Are they improved for God?

Moral talents may include every amiable disposition, every power of doing good; of influencing others by instruction, and by example : -spiritual talents, every outward means of grace, every inward drawing of the Holy Spirit. They also include every imparted grace and virtue; all the powers and privileges of the Christian life.

What talents have you received?

How have you employed them?

Every talent may be used either for God, or for ourselves; to use talents of any kind for ourselves alone, or without reference to God, is a perversion.

It is a mistake to suppose talents confined to a few all have talents; the least remarkable are often the most valuable :-all can love God -all have opportunities of shewing kindness, of promoting the spiritual good of their neighbour-all have the privilege of prayer.

For every talent we must render an account to God.-We are not accountable for the kind, or measure of the talents with which we are entrusted; but we are accountable for their use.

TRIALS.

What are we to understand by the word trial? We usually call those things which are grievous or afflictive to us, trials. We will consider the word in the sense of probation, proof, or test-from the manner in which refiners try their metals.

By what is gold refined?

This world is a school of trial.-Why? And how?

Trials may be considered as outward and inward—who are particularly the subjects of the latter?

Where will the blessedness of trial be fully experienced?

Point out some examples of trial recorded in Scripture.

What was the great trial of Abraham ?
Of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego?
Of Daniel?

What were the trials of Job?

In each of these cases, what was manifested by means of trial?

Mention some of St. Paul's trials? [2 Cor. xi. 23-28.]

What is said of the trials of those, "of whom the world was not worthy?" Heb. xi. 32-38. Were the first Christians tried?

What is that example of trial to which no other can be compared?

PART III.

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Why was Jesus tried? Consider Heb. ii. 14-18.

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The first Adam was tried, and fell; and his fall brought death. The second Adam stood the trial, and through Him, we emphatically live;-live the life of the Spirit here, and to all Eternity in the presence of God.

When the effects of Christ's Redemption shall be fully manifested, the fall itself will be subservient to the increased happiness of the creature, and the higher glory of God.-Such will be the closing scene; but during this present time, sin and conflict, pain and misery overspread the earth-ages of suffering still remain for the unrestored children of Adam. [Rom. viii. 21, 28, &c; xi. 32, 33, 36.]

We have spoken of some of the trials which are endured by the servants of God-how are they endured? In whose strength-their own, or an imparted strength?

Who was with the three holy children in the furnace? [Dan. iii. 25.]

Who was with Daniel? [Dan. vi. 22.]

There is strength for every trial: 1 Cor. x. 13. -under what circumstance is the strength of Christ made perfect? 2 Cor. xii. 9, 10.

What shall be the portion of those who endure trial to the end? James i. 12. (And Dan. xii. 10-12; Matt. xxiv. 13.)

What is said by St. Peter of the trial of our faith? (1 Pet. i. 7.) And of its result? (same verse.)

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