Such is the folly of pride. With the lowly is wisdom. What a splendour of wisdom shone in the lowly child, "sitting at the doctors' feet, astonishing them at his understanding and his answers!" (Luke 2:47). And will not this spirit be to us the path of wisdom? For the Divine Teacher "reveals to the babes, what he hides from the wise and prudent" (Ib. 10:21). There is no greater proof of proud folly, than believing only what we understand. Faith is thus grounded on knowledge, not on testimony: as if the word of God could not be implicitly received, except as corroborated by other witnesses. Happy is that lowliness of spirit, that comes to God's revelation, as it were without any will or mind of our own; humbly receiving what he is pleased to give; but willing-yea-thankful-to be ignorant, when he forbids us to intrude! (Col 2:18). Prov 16:33b and before honour is humility. Most wise therefore is our Father's discipline-Humility before honour. Indeed, without humility, honour would be our temptation, rather than our glory. Had not the Apostle been kept down by a most humbling trial, his honour would have been his ruin (2 Cor 12:7-9). The exaltation of the Lord's people in Providence, is therefore often conducted through the valley of Humiliations. Joseph was raised from the prison to the throne. Moses and David were taken from the Shepherd's fold to feed the Lord's inheritance. Gideon acknowledged himself to be of "the least of the families of Israel." Ruth was humbled by adversity, ere she was raised to the high hounour of a Mother in Israel, and progenitor of the Saviour. Abigail confessed herself unworthy to wash the feet of her lord's servants, before she was honoured to be his wife. And in the daily walk of life, the lowest place is the path-way to honour.

The same principle obtains in the dispensations of grace. "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted in due time." Not that in the forgetfulness of our high privileges and confidence, we are to be weighed down in a sense of degradation. The true humility, which realizes our vileness, casts us most simply upon the full resources of the gospel, so that the most humble is the most triumphant believer. 'The lower then any descend in humiliation, the higher they shall ascend in exaltation. The lower this foundation of humility is laid, the higher shall the roof of honour be over-laid.'

And was not this the track of our beloved Lord-Before honour, humility-the cross before the crown? How deep was that descent, by which he, who was infinitely more than man, became "a worm and no man!" (Psa 22:6). And yet the honour, which rewarded this humility, what tongue can tell! (Phil 2:9). 'We must not disdain to follow Jesus Christ.' Is it a light privilege to follow in the pathway consecrated by his steps, irradiated by his smile? (Matt 11:29; 20:28; John 13:14).

Prov 16:18, 19 Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better is it to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

What more vivid exposition of these Proverbs is needed, than our own ruined condition? Our father's pride, desiring to "be as God," hurried his whole race to destruction. 'O Adam'-was the exclamation of a man of God, 'what hast thou done!' 'I think,'-said another holy man-'so far as any man is proud, he is kin to the devil, and a stranger to God and to himself.' The most awful strength of Divine eloquence seems to be concentrated to delineate the character and ruin of pride. Example abounds throughout the Scripture; each sounding this solemn admonition-"Be not high-minded, but fear." Fearful indeed is our danger, if the caution be not welcomed; if the need for it be not deeply felt!

The haughty spirit carries the head high. The man looks upward, instead of to his steps. What wonder therefore, if, not seeing what is before him, he falls? He loves to climb. The enemy is always at hand to assist him (Matt 4:5, 6); and the greater the height, the more dreadful the fall. There is often something in the fall, that marks the Lord's special judgment. God smites the object, of which the man is proud. David gloried in the number of his people, and the Lord diminished them by pestilence. Hezekiah boasted of his treasure, and the Lord marked it to be taken away. At the moment that Nebuchadnezzar was proud of his Babel, he was banished from the enjoyment of it. "The vain daughters of Zion," priding themselves on their ornaments, were covered with disgrace (Isa 3:24). Yet after all, the state of heart that prepares man for the fall' is the worst part of his condition. For what is our pride is our danger, 'Why'-a wise man asks-'is earth and ashes proud? Pride was not made for man.'

But have we been preserved from open disgrace? Examine secret faults. Trace them to their source-a subtle confidence in gifts, attainments, and privileges. And then praise thy God for his painful discipline-the preserving mercy from ruinous self-exaltation. Truly the way down to the valley of Humiliation is deep and rugged. Humility, therefore, is the grand preserving grace. The contrite publican was safe, when the boasting Pharisee was confounded (Luke 18:14). Better then-more happy, more honourable, more acceptable to God and man-is a humble spirit, companying with the lowly, than the spoil of the haughty conqueror, ministering only to his destruction (James 1:9). Better is an humble spirit, than a high condition; to have our temper brought down, than our outward condition raised. But who believes this? Most men strive to rise; few desire to lie low! May thy example-blessed Saviour-keep me low! 'When Majesty'-said pious Bernard-'humbled himself, shall the worm swell with pride?'