ntal
knowledge is already imparted to all its members; the [Greek:
parakletos], the Holy Ghost, alone teaches them, John xiv. 26; He leads
them into all truth, John xvi. 13. But, just because this is the case,
the teaching by means of those whom God has given, in His Church, as
apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers (Eph. iv. 11), to whom He has
communicated His [Greek: charismata], is quite in its place. The
apostle writes just _because_ they know the truth. If it were
otherwise, his efforts would be altogether in vain. Of what use is it
to give instruction about colours to him who is blind? In things
divine, the truth becomes truth to the single individual, only because
his knowledge of God is founded on his being in God; and that can be
accomplished only by his being connected to God through God. Being,
life, and hence, also, real living knowledge, can proceed only from the
fountain of all being and life. But in the case of those who are in
God, who possess the fundamental knowledge, this knowledge must be
developed, carried on, and brought to full consciousness through the
instrumentality of those to whom God has granted the gifts for it. A
glance into the deep meaning of our passage was obtained by the author
of the book _Jelammedenu_, which is quoted by _Abarbanel_ (in
_Frischmuth_, S. 863); he says: "Under the present dispensation, Israel
learns the Law from mortal men, and therefore forgets it; for as flesh
and blood pass away (comp. [Pg 444] Matt. xvi. 17, where the antithesis
existing between a knowledge of divine things which rests on human
ground, and that which rests on divine ground, is brought before us in
its strictest form), so also its instruction passes away. But a time
shall come when a man shall not learn from the mouth of a man, but from
the mouth of the blessed God, for it is written: 'All thy children
shall be taught by God.'In these words, it is implied that hitherto
the knowledge of the Law was an artificial one obtained by mortal men.
But for that reason, it cannot stand long, for the effect stands in
proportion to its cause. At the time of the deliverance, however, the
knowledge of the Law will be obtained in a miraculous manner." It is,
however, quite obvious that this promise, too, must be understood
relatively only. All the pious men of the Old Covenant were [Greek:
theodidaktoi]; and under the New Covenant, the number of those is
infinitely great who, through their own guilt, stand to t