Dwellers in Marshes

“In marshy countries we do 7tot expect a clear airj so sensual persons have seldojii any clear and elevated thotights of God. Men given to pleasures can taste meats and drinks, but not doctrines Hence the folly of being swayed by their censures. Learned men are to be respected when they express opinions upon subjects which they understand; but when they are known to be without grace and spiritual light their opinions upon divine truth are not to be regarded. They have not the capacity to appreciate such things, and they had better let them alone. A bHnd man may be a first-rate musician, and in his own department he may be a master, but if he ventures to dogmatize upon colour and artistic portraiture he is more worthy of ridicule than of reverence. Carnal men have not the needful taste by which divine doctrine is discerned. Their minds are as to religion a mere marsh land, breeding fog and mist, and to hope for clear and expansive views of the gospel from them is in vain. May God of his great mercy uplift the great, sunken intellects of our day, and give a holy taste and discernment to those who now know nothing of the bread of heaven or the new wine of the gospel. Meanwhile it will be as well to take as little notice as possible of their opinions upon religion, which must of necessity be valueless.