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I. THE NATURE OF CHRISTIAN SIMPLICITY AND OF FLESHLY WISDOM.

1. Christian simplicity. There are six things which we are to take for certain marks of it.

(1)  Veracity in our speech.

(2)  Honesty in our actions.

(3)  Purity in our intentions.

(4)  Uniformity of righteousness in our whole conversation,

(5)  Constancy in that way of universal righteousness to the end.

(6)  An impartial regard to truth and right in causes depending between men and men.

2. The fleshly wisdom to which simplicity is here opposed. Of these wise of this world there are three sorts.

(1) Those who will be under the restraints of religion so far as they think is in any respect requisite for their worldly welfare.

(2) Those who will take more liberty in serving their worldly designs, only still with a care to be safe from the laws of men and the punishment they inflict.

(3) Those who have their full swing, and allow themselves the utmost latitude of expedients for their ends, without any check from human laws at all.

II. THE GREAT COMFORT AND JOY IT AFFORDS TO GOOD MEN, WHOSE CONSCIENCES NO WITNESS IT OF THEM. All the advantages that can be made in this world by fleshly wisdom are nothing comparable to the pleasure of simplicity and honesty, and to the joy that ariseth from the conscience of such virtue.

1. It sets a man above the opinion of the world.

2. It is a certain support to a man under all the adversity that befalls him in the world.

3. It gives him a comfortable prospect and good assurance when he is leaving the world.

(Archdeacon Clagett.)

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KJV: For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

WEB: For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.