3. We must become _teachable_ as little children. This amiable disposition is one principal branch of true humility, and essentially consists in submitting our reason to the authority of revelation. A point this, not so easy to be accomplished, when we reflect on the pride of the human heart, and see multitudes propagating such tenets, as if they meant to teach the scriptures, and not that the scriptures should teach them. This more especially happens, when the pride of reason and the parade of learning unite their influence to puff men up with a fond conceit of the superiority of their wisdom. But how mortifying to the vanity of these sons of science to hear the following declaration from the mouth of the Son of God! “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto _babes_.” Mat. xi. 25. Were a man possessed of all the learning of Greece and Rome, he may, notwithstanding, be a fool in God’s account; and, until he is so, in his own estimation, his profound wisdom is nothing but foolishness, and, instead of aiding him in the investigation of truth, often proves a dreadful bar in his way. “If any man among you seem to be wise in this world,” says St. Paul, “let him become a fool, that he may be wise.” 1 Cor. iii. 18. And the reason which the apostle urges for this extraordinary requisition, is, that “the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God.” Verse 19. Conceive human nature at the very summit of secular wisdom, and you see it elevated to the very pinnacle of pride; from whence men find it very difficult to descend into the valley of self-abasement. And yet descend they must, if ever they would know themselves or Christ Jesus the Lord; and instead of going to the throne of divine grace with philosophic pride and conscious wisdom, they must approach it as children, and as fools. The language of this humble temper is, “That which I see not, teach thou me.” Job, xxxiv. 32.—“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psal. cxix. 18. And he who has been enabled to adopt it, like a child under tutors and governors, submitting to their instruction, and acquiescing in their discipline, sits at the feet of JESUS, to learn the mysteries of his kingdom, and receive the fulfilment of that promise, “It is written in the prophets, _And they shall be all taught of God_.” John, vi. 45.