THE O�LY TRUE A�D SUFFICIE�T GROU�D OF GLORYI�G.

BY REV. CHARLES SIMEO�, M. A.

Jer. ix. 23, 24. Thus saith the Lord^ Let not the wise man glory

in his zvisdom., neither let the mighty man glory in his might;

let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that

glorieth, glory in this^ that he understandeth and know eth me^

that Jam the Lord,, which exercise loving-kindness ,, judgment,,

and righteousness in the earth*

WE need no other introduction to our subject than

that of the Prophet' —

Bearing in mind therefore the Saviour's repeated ad-

monitions,'' we shall

I, Remove the false and insufficient grounds of glorying

Wisdom^ Power,, and RicheSy are highly esteemed

amongst men —

And, if rightly improved, they certainly are valuable

tulents

\Wisdom enables a man to conduct his own affairs with

discretion —

It qualifies him also for instructing his fellow-creatures —

It may lead a person to make many valuable discoveries —

Thus it may profit individuals and the community at large—

Might also is useful for the preserving of order in society—-

And it may be improved to suppress vice, and encourage

virtue —

Riches too may serve for the rewarding of industry —

Or they may be imployed in relieving the necessitous—

�one of these things therefore ought to be depreciated — ]

But they are by no means proper objects of glorying

To glory in any thing, is, to value it highly, pursue it

eagerly, and seek our happiness in it —

a Isai. i. 2. Mark iv. 9. 2.3.

244 THE O�LY TRUE A�D SUFFICIE�T (1.)

But we musi not thus glory in iVisdom

[The wisest know that they know but little —

Their best concerted plans they often want power to ac-

complish —

Disease or accident may soon reduce them to a level with

the beasts — ]

�or should we glory thus in Might

[Power is a source of temptation to those who are in-

vested with it —

It indisposes a man to comply with reasonable restraints—-

It generally excites opposition in those who are subjected to

it~]

�or are Riches at all more worthy objects of our

glorying

[Wealth is very apt to produce covetous and sordid

tempers —

It frequently renders its possessors proud and oppi-essive —

At best it can furnish us with little more thtm food and

raiment —

And we are liable to be deprived of it in a thousand

ways*^ — ]

To glory therefore in any of these things would be

absurd*^ —

Having removed these common but insufficient grounds

of glorying, we shall

II. Propose such as are true and sufficient

The knowledge of God in Christ Jesus is the only

object of glorying

[The knowledge that there is a God is not the knowledge

here spoken of —

�or is it the knowledge of God as He is seen in the works

of creation —

But the knowledge spoken of in the text is a view of him

in redemption —

•^ Prov. xxiii. 5.

'' Who that considers what Wisdom is, would ever glory in it; so

limited as it is in its extent — so defective in its operations — and

so uncertain in its continuance? Or who in Mighty the possession

of which is so dangerous— and the exercise of Avhich is so vexa-

tious to themselves and others? Or who in Riches, which are so de-

filing in their influence — so contracted in their benefits^and so

precarious in their tenure? If to this we add, that all these things

perish and depart at death, and are utterly useless in the day of

judgment, we can have no doubt but that the prohibition in the

text is as reasonable as it is decisive.

(1.) GROU�D OF GLORYI�G. 245

It is in the Gospel only that God's loving-kindness to his

friends appesrs —

In that too especially He denounces his judgments on his

enemies'" —

And in both He displays equally his unspotted righteous-

ness*" —

�ot that a speculative knowledge even of this will suffice^ —

The words " understand and know" imply a practical know-

ledge — ]

This is a just ground of glorying to all who possess it

1. It IS free from all the defects which are found in the

foreg:oin_^ grounds

[Thetj render the mind low and groveling; This elevates

and ennobles it-^-

T/iet/ never satisfy the soul; This affords it perfect satisfac-

tions —

They may become sources of craft, tyranny and avarice ;

This always changes us into God's image'^ —

They end with our present existence; This is perfected at

death — ]

2. It transcends all the excellencies that are in the fore-

going grounds

It imparts fnore excellent wisdom

[It rectifies our judgments about more important objects —

It teaches us to seek the ends by the fittest means — ]

It endues us with more excellent might

[It renders us mighty to mortify our lusts and passions' —

It qualifies us to conflict with all the powers of darkness'' — ]

It conveys to us more excellent riches

[It puts into our hands " the unsearchable riches of

Christ"—

It makes us rich in possession, and in reversion too' — 1

3. It comprehends all the foregoing grounds in th&

highest degree

Wisdom

[This knowledge of God unfolds the deepest myste-

ries"' —

It shews how sin may be punished, and yet the sinner

saved —

It shews how mercy is exalted in punishing^ and Justice in

rewarding- — ]

« Mark xvi. 16. f Ps, Ixxy. 10. s Isai. Iv. 2.

^ 2 Cor. iii, 18. * 2 Cor. x. 3 — 5. "^ Eph. vi. 11, 12.

1 Eccl. vii. 12. •" Col. ii. 2, 3.

THE O�LY TRUE GROU�D OF GLORYI�G.

Might

[The salvation of a ruined world is a marvellous display

of power —

Hence Christ is called " the Wisdom of God, and the Power

of God '—

We have no idea of almighty power, 'till we know a redeem-

ing God — ]

Riches

[Infinite are the riches of divine grace —

In the glorious mystery of redemption they are all con-

tained —

The knowledge of God exhibits them all to our view" — ]

In this we cannot possibly glory too much

[We cannot possibly set too high a value on this know-

ledge" —

We cannot pursue it with top much earnestness —

We cannot delight in it with too exalted joy —

Let us therefore seek to know God as He is revealed in the

Gospel —

Let us take encouragement from that declaration of our

Lord!' —

Let the fixed purpose of our hearts resemble that of the

apostle^ — ]

'? Eph.ii. 7. o 1 Cor. ii. 2. p John xvii. 3. 'i Gal. vi. 14.