Thoughts on Pure Wisdom and Human Policy

To have our Trust settled in the Lord, and not to seek after, nor desire outward Treasures, any further than his Holy Spirit leads us therein, is a happy State, as saith the Prophet, Blessed is the Man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose Hope the Lord is.

It is a happy state to place our trust in the Lord. We should neither seek nor desire material riches beyond what his Holy Spirit leads us to seek. As the prophet says, Blessed is the person who trusts in the Lord and whose hope is in the Lord.

Pure Wisdom leads People into Lowliness of Mind, in which they learn Resignation to the Divine Will, and Contentment in suffering for his Cause, when they cannot keep a clear Conscience without suffering.

Pure wisdom leads people to humility. In humility, they learn to accept God’s will. They also learn to be content to suffer for his cause when they cannot keep a clear conscience without suffering.

In this pure Wisdom the Mind is attentive to the Root, and original Spring of Motions and Desires; and as we know the Lord to be our Refuge, and find no Safety but in humbly walking before him, we feel an Holy Engagement, that every Desire which leads therefrom may be brought to Judgment.

In this pure wisdom, the mind attends to the root and original source of its impulses and desires. As we know the Lord to be our refuge, we find safety only in walking humbly before him. And we feel a holy duty to bring every desire that leads us away from him to judgment.

While we proceed in this precious Way, and find ardent Longings for a full Deliverance from every thing which defiles, all Prospects of Gain, that are not consistent with the Wisdom from above, are considered as Snares, and an inward Concern is felt, that we may live under the Cross, and faithfully attend to that Holy Spirit, which is sufficient to preserve out of them.

As we follow this precious way, we long deeply to be fully freed from everything that defiles us. We see all prospects of gain that are not consistent with wisdom from above as traps. We also feel a deep concern to live under the Cross and faithfully listen to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is able to keep us from falling into those traps.

When I have considered that Saying of Christ, Mat. vi. 19, Lay not up for yourselves Treasures upon Earth, his Omnipotence hath often occurred to my Mind.

When I have reflected on Christ's saying in Mat. vi. 19, Lay not up for yourselves Treasures upon Earth, his almighty power has often come to mind.

While we believe that he is every where present with his People, and that perfect Goodness, Wisdom and Power are united in him, how comfortable is the Consideration.

As we believe that he is everywhere with his people, and that perfect goodness, wisdom, and power are united in him, how comforting this thought is.

Our Wants may be great, but his Power is greater. We may be oppressed and despised, but he is able to turn our patient Sufferings into Profit to ourselves, and to the Advancement of his Work on Earth. His People, who feel the Power of his Cross, to crucify all that is selfish in them, who are engaged in outward Concerns, from a Convincement that it is their Duty, and resign themselves, and their Treasures, to him; these feel that it is dangerous to give way to that in us, which craves Riches and Greatness in this World.

Our needs may be great, but his power is greater. We may be oppressed and despised, but he can turn our patient suffering to our own benefit. He can also use it to advance his work on earth. His people feel the power of his cross crucifying all that is selfish in them. They take part in worldly affairs because they are convinced it is their duty. They surrender themselves and their treasures to him. They feel that it is dangerous to give way to the desire in us for riches and greatness in this world.

As the Heart truly contrite, earnestly desires to know Christ, and the Fellowship of his Sufferings, Phil. iii. 10. so far as the Lord for gracious Ends may lead into them; as such feel that it is their Interest to put their Trust in God, and to seek no Gain but that which he, by his Holy Spirit, leads into; so, on the contrary, they who do not reverently wait for this Divine Teacher, and are not humbly concerned, according to their Measure, to fill up that which is behind of the Afflictions of Christ, Col. i. 24. in patiently suffering for the promoting Righteousness in the Earth; but have an Eye toward the Power of Men, and the outward Advantage of Wealth, these are often attentive to those Employments which appear profitable, even though the Gains arise from such Trade and Business which proceeds from the Workings of that Spirit, which is estranged from the self-denying Life of an humble contrite Christian.

A truly contrite heart earnestly desires to know Christ and share in his sufferings, Phil. iii. 10. It desires this only as far as the Lord, for gracious purposes, may lead it into those sufferings. Those with contrite hearts feel that it is in their interest to trust in God. They seek only the gain that he leads them to through his Holy Spirit. In contrast, others do not wait reverently for this divine teacher. Nor are they humbly concerned, according to their measure, to fill up what remains of the afflictions of Christ, Col. i. 24. They are not concerned to do this by patiently suffering to promote righteousness on earth. Instead, they look to human power and the outward advantages of wealth. They often pay attention to work that appears profitable. They do so even when the gains come from trade and business driven by a spirit estranged from the self-denying life of a humble, contrite Christian.

While I write on this Subject, I feel my Mind tenderly affected toward those honestly disposed People, who have been brought up in Employments attended with those Difficulties.

As I write about this subject, I feel tenderly toward honest people who grew up in work involving these difficulties.

To such I may say, in the feeling of our Heavenly Father's Love, and number myself with you, O that our Eyes may be single to the Lord! May we reverently wait on him for Strength, to lay aside all unnecessary Expence of every Kind, and learn Contentment, in a plain simple Life.

To such people, I may say, feeling our Heavenly Father's love and counting myself among you: Oh, may we focus only on the Lord! May we reverently wait on him for strength to give up all unnecessary expenses of every kind. May we learn to be content with a plain, simple life.

May we, in Lowliness, submit to the Leadings of his Spirit, and enter upon any outward Employ which he graciously points out to us, and then whatever Difficulties arise, in Consequence of our Faithfulness, I trust they will work for our Good.

May we humbly follow the guidance of his Spirit and take up any work he graciously directs us to do. Then, whatever difficulties arise because of our faithfulness, I trust they will work for our good.

Small Treasure to a resigned Mind is sufficient. How happy is it to be content with a little, to live in Humility, and feel that in us, which breathes out this Language, Abba! Father.

A little wealth is enough for a person who accepts what comes. How happy it is to be content with a little and live humbly. How happy it is to feel within us what breathes out these words: Abba! Father.

If that, called the Wisdom of this World, had no Resemblance of true Wisdom, the Name of Wisdom, I suppose, had not been given to it.

If what is called the wisdom of this world bore no resemblance to true wisdom, I suppose it would not have been called wisdom.

As wasting outward Substance, to gratify vain Desires, on one hand; so Slothfulness and Neglect, on the other, do often involve Men and their Families in Trouble, and reduce them to Want and Distress; to shun both these opposite Vices, is good in itself, and hath a Resemblance of Wisdom; but while People thus provident, have it principally in View to get Riches, and Power, and the Friendship of this World, and do not humbly wait for the Spirit of Truth to lead them into Purity; these, through an anxious Care to obtain the End desired, reach forth for Gain in worldly Wisdom, and, in regard to their inward State, fall into divers Temptations and Snares. And though such may think of applying Wealth to good Purposes, and to use their Power to prevent Oppression, yet Wealth and Power is often applied otherwise; nor can we depart from the Leadings of our Holy Shepherd, without going into Confusion.

Wasting material possessions to satisfy empty desires often brings trouble to people and their families. So do laziness and neglect. Both can leave them in poverty and distress. Avoiding these opposite vices is good in itself and resembles wisdom. But some careful people are mainly concerned with gaining riches, power, and the friendship of the world. They do not humbly wait for the Spirit of Truth to lead them into purity. In their anxiety to gain what they desire, they seek profit through worldly wisdom. In their inner lives, they fall into various temptations and traps. Though they may intend to use wealth for good purposes and power to prevent oppression, wealth and power are often used otherwise. We cannot turn away from the guidance of our Holy Shepherd without falling into confusion.

Great Wealth is frequently attended with Power, which nothing but Divine Love can qualify the Mind to use rightly; and as to the Humility, and Uprightness of our Children after us, how great is the Uncertainty! If, in acquiring Wealth, we take hold on the Wisdom which is from beneath, and depart from the Leadings of Truth, and Example our Children herein, we have great Cause to apprehend, that Wealth may be a Snare to them; and prove an Injury to others, over whom their Wealth may give them Power.

Great wealth often comes with power, and only divine love can prepare the mind to use that power rightly. And how uncertain it is whether our children will be humble and upright after us! Suppose we seek worldly wisdom in acquiring wealth, stray from the guidance of truth, and set this example for our children. Then we have great reason to fear that wealth may be a snare to them. It may also harm others over whom their wealth gives them power.

To be redeemed from that Wisdom which is from beneath, and walk in the Light of the Lord, is a precious Situation; thus his People are brought to put their Trust in him; and in this humble Confidence in his Wisdom, Goodness and Power, the Righteous find a Refuge in Adversities, superior to the greatest outward Helps, and a Comfort more certain than any worldly Advantages can afford.

To be freed from the wisdom that comes from below and to walk in the Lord’s light is a precious state. In this way, his people come to trust him. With humble confidence in his wisdom, goodness, and power, the righteous find refuge in adversity. This refuge is greater than any outward help, and the comfort it brings is more certain than any worldly advantage can offer.