The Lark and the Fowler

“Men of abstracted conceits and snblime spec2tlatio7is are but wise fools; like the lark, that soareth high, pce-ring a7id peeri7ig, but yet falleth into the 7iet of the fowler. Knowledge without wisdom may be soon discerned; it is usually curio2is a?ul censorious y This is abundantly seen in many who pretend to interpret seals and vials and yet neglect family devotion and the plain precepts of the Word. Such are found occupying their time in hair-splitting over difficult points, but they do not labour to maintain the unity of the body of Christ. They are very acute upon speculative topics of no consequence whatever, but they divide on the slightest pretext from the rest of the brotherhood. We have enough to do with watching over our own hearts and endeavouring to bring sinners to Christ without becoming more nice than wise upon matters of theological subtlety and wordspinning. The wide difference between wisdom and knowledge is forgotten by many: they hoard up knowledge of a peculiar sort like collectors of coins, and yet they use it not as merchants use money, but keep it for show, a rarity to be looked at, labelled, put away in a glass case and exhibited to those who are admirers of curios and rarities.

Lord! help me to soar like the lark, but keep me clear of the net. Make me practical, and let not my head swim with airy notions till I rush upon my own destruction.