unconverted character, whoever he might be, had no higher wisdom than that which was human ; whilst the man who was taught by the word and Spirit of God, possessed a wisdom that was truly divine. In this view, then, I propose to vindicate the language of my text ; and to shew, that David, in obeying the word of God, was " wiser than his enemies? with all their subtlety; and " wiser than his teachers" notwith- standing all their learning; and " wiser than the ancients" in despite of all their experience. Of every one who is obedient to God's word this may be said :
I. In that he answers more fully the ends for which
the Holy Scripture was given —
[For what was the Scripture given, but to be a light to
our feet and a lantern to our paths ? This being the
case, what shall we say of the man who neglects to study the Inspired Volume ? What should we say of a mariner, who, in navigating a sea that was full of rocks and quicksands, should neglect to consult Iris chart and his compass, or should proceed in his voyage with the same kind of confidence, in opposition to their dictates, as he would if he were following the course which they prescribed ? Let him in other respects be ever so wise, no one would hesitate to commend the circumspect sailor as wiser than he. Then in this view, may the divinely-instructed follower of Christ account himself wiser than others, whether friends or enemies, if, when they enjoy the advantage of this infallible guide, they refuse to consult its dictates, or to follow its directions. If no one would hesitate to pronounce this judgment in a case where only the bodily life was concerned, much less would any one doubt where the interest at stake is nothing less than that of the immortal soul ]
II. In that he manifests a more becoming regard to
the wonders revealed in it —
[Let any one contemplate the wonders of redemption
and say, whether he can be wise who neglects to
search into them, and to improve them for the good of his soul? But the man who receives "the testimony of Christ," and labours to have it " confirmed in his own soul," is wise ; and, when comparing himself with those who despise the Gospel, whatever superiority they may possess in other respects, may, without any undue arrogance, account himself wiser than they. "The very angels in heaven are desiring to look into these unsearch- able mysteries ;" and, " if we disregard them, what wisdom can be in us e?"]
e Jer. viii. 9.
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III. In that he consults supremely those interests, which the Scriptures declare to be alone worthy of his attention —
[What can the whole world offer to a man, that is worthy to be put in competition with his soul ? The concerns of the soul are declared by our blessed Lord to be " the one thing needful." Let the most learned man upon the face of the earth neglect these concerns, and the most unlettered man make them the great objects of his undivided attention ; shall we hesitate to say which of the two is the wiser man? He who is wise for time only, is a fool : but he who is wise for eternity, is truly wise. " The fear of the Lord is the very beginning of wisdom ;" and he who possesses it not, has not ever yet passed the threshold of Wisdom's porch : but " a good understanding have all they who cultivate the fear of the Lord; and the praise of their conduct shall endure for ever."]
Let me, in conclusion, give you,
1. A word of caution —
[Take not occasion, from these words of David, to think lightly of self-complacency and self-applause. David was no boaster : on the contrary, no one was ever lower in his own estimation than he : and you will find humility the most pro- minent feature of all the Scripture saints. " Less than the least of all saints" was the character which Paul assumed ; and, " if he gloried at any time, it was of his infirmities alone," that his Lord and Saviour might be the more glorified in himf: so likewise I would recommend to you to " take the lowest place," and, instead of exalting yourselves above others, to "prefer others inhonourbeforeyourselves,"and "to esteem others better than yourselves8:" " for not he that commendeth himself shall be approved, but he whom the Lord commendeth11."]