1. I shall speak concerning wisdom in general. Solomon saith, " Wisdom is the principal thing," Prov. iv. 7. It is better than riches, Prov. iii. 13., " Happy is the man that findeth wisdom ; for the merchan- dise of it is better than the merchandise of silver." If the mountains were pearl, if e- very sand of the sea was a diamond, they were not comparable to wisdom. Without wisdom, a person is like a ship without a j)ilot, in danger to split upon rocks. Job sets forth the encomium and praise of wis- dom. Job. xx\dii. 13, 18., " The price of wisdom is above rubies." The ruby is a precious stone, transparent, of a red fiery colour. It is reported of one of the kings of India, that he wore a ruby of that big- ness and splendour, that he might be seen by it in the dark : but wisdom casts a more sparkling colour than the ruby, it makes us shine as angels. No chain of pearl you wear doth so adorn you as wisdom. Wis- dom consists chiefly in three things :
(1.) Knowledge to discern wherein hap- piness lies.
(2.) Skill to judge what will be the fit- test means to conduce to it.
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(3.) Activity to prosecute those things which will certainly accomplish that end. So much for wisdom in general.
2. More particularly : wisdom is various- ly distinguished. 'Tis either natural, mo- ral, or theological.
(1.) A natural wisdom, which is seen in findinjr out the arcana natura, the secrets of nature. Aristotle was by some of the ancients called an eagle fallen from the clouds, because he was of such raised in- tellectuals, and had so profound an insiglit into the causes of things. This natural wisdom is adorning, but it is not sufficient to salvation. St. Ilierom brings in Aristo- tle with his syllogisms, and Tully with his rhetoric, crying out in hell.
(2.) A moral wisdom, whicli consists in two things malum respuendo, honum eligendo. Moral wisdom lies in the rejection of those things which are prejudicial, and the elec- tion of those things which are beneficial ; this is called prudence. Knowledge with- out prudence may do hurt ; many a man's wit hath undone him, for want of wisdom.
(3.) A theological or sacred wisdom, which is our knowing of God, who is the supreme and sovereign good. Greece was counted the eye of the world, for wisdom ; and Athens the eye of Greece ; but neither of them knew God, Acts xvii. 23., " I found an altar with this inscription. To the un- known God." To know God, in whom is both verum et homtm, truth and goodness, is the master-piece of wisdom, 1 C'hron. xxviii. 9., " And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father." And this knowledge of God is tlirough Christ ; Christ is the glass in which the face of God is seen, Col. i. 15. And then wc know God aright, wlien we know him not only with a knowledge of specuLation, but ap- propriation, Ps. xlviii. 14., " Tiiis God is OUR God." This knowledge of God is the most sublime wisdom, therefore it is called, " Wisdom from above," James iii. 17.
3. But to come nearer to the text, and speak of the wisdom of the serpent : " Be ye wise as serpents."
Quest. But must we in every thing be like the serpent ?
Ans. No : our Saviour meant not that in every thing we should imitate the serpent.
I shall show you, 1. ^Vhcrein we should not be like the serpent ; 2. Wherein we should be like the serpent.
1. Whei'ein we should not be like the serpent.
(1.) The serpent eats dust, Tsa. Ixv. 25., " Dust shall be the serpent's moat." It was a curse upon the serpent. Thus we should not be like the serpent, to feed im- moderately upon earthly things. It is ab- surd for him that hatli an heaven-born soul, capable of communion with God and an- gels, to eat greedily the serpent's meat ; a Christian hath better food to feed on, — the heavenly manna, the precious promises, the body and blood of Christ. 'Tis counted a miracle to find a diamond in a golden mine ; and it is as great a miracle to find Christ, the pearl of price, in an earthly heart. The lapwing wears a little coronet on its head, yet feeds on dung : to have a crown of profession on the head, yet feed inordinately on these dunghill-comforts, is unworthy of a Christian. W^hat a poor contemptible thing is the world ! It can- not fill the heart. If Satan should take a Christian np to the top of the pinnacle, and shew him all the kingdoms and glory of the world, wliat could lie shew him, but a shew, a pleasant delusion ? There is a lawful use God allows of these outward things, but the sin is in the excess. The bee may suck a little honey from the leaf, but put it in a barrel of honey, and it is drowned. The wicked are thus characterized, Phil, iii. 19., "Who mind earthly things." They are like Saul, " hid among the stuff." We should be as eagles flying aloft towards heaven, and not as serpents, creeping upon the earth, and licking the dust.