it make us " wise as serpents, it will keep us harmless as doves4." Every measure of deceit must be banished; all falsehood, either in word or deed, abhorred ; and truth and equity must stand confessed in the whole of our dealings. This is true wisdom ; and, " whosoever walks according to this rule, peace shall be upon him, and mercy, even upon all the Israel of Godu."]
We conclude with one or two directions for the attainment and increase of this wisdom :
1. Let a conformity to its dictates be your con- stant aim —
[" The wisdom of the prudent is, to understand his way x." If we walk at random, and without a due consideration of our ways, we never shall attain any true wisdom. We must be aware that folly is bound up in our hearts, and that we are constantly liable to err. We must take our rule of action from the unerring words of truth. We must measure our senti- ments and actions by that rule. We must in particular set the Lord Jesus Christ before us, and endeavour to drink into his spirit, and to walk in his steps. This must be our constant habit. Whether our actions be more or less important, they must all be referred to this standard, and be regulated by this principle. Then we shall gradually have our minds enlightened : we shall see with increasing evidence our former deviations from the right path. We shall see, how erroneously we judged on many occasions ; and how unwisely we acted, whilst yet we thought that we were acting right. Thus our judgment will be matured; our consciences be preserved tender; and our ways be conformed to the perfect will of God. " Who then is wise and endued with knowledge amongst you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdomy."]
2. Pray earnestly to God to inspire you with it —
[It is " the Lord alone that give th wisdom2:" and to him David directed his supplications, in the words of our text, " O when wilt thou come unto me?" David felt his insufficiency for that great work which lay before him, and he panted after an increase of grace to fit him for it. Thus should we pant after the influences of the Holy Spirit, to " open the eyes of our understanding," and to " guide us into all truth." Without the aid of the Holy Spirit we .cannot hope to fill up our several stations in life with true wisdom. David, as a monarch, felt his need of divine aid to execute the resolution he had formed. Solomon desired this aid beyond either riches or honour : and God, in answer to his prayer, " gave him a wise and under-
* Matt. x. 16. » Gal. vi. 16. x Prov. xiv. 8.
y Jam. iii. 13. z Prov. ii. 6.