Let us magnify liim for such distinguished favours ; and turn to him " to-day, while it is called to-day, lest he swear in his wrath that we shall never enter into his rest."]
2. Let all tremble at the divine justice —
[Though God be so full of compassion, " not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and live," yet is he a just and sin-avenging God : "he will by no means clear the guilty*^." He sometimes " repays the wicked to their face" even in this life; but there is a day which he has appointed for the full display of his own righteousness ; a day, wherein he will render to every man according to his deeds ; to those, who have sought for immortality, eternal life; but to the despisers of his truth, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish''. Let us then get our minds impressed with this thought, that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God'^ : and let us instantly comply with his invitations here, that we may be partakers of his promises in a better world.]
e Exod. xxxiv. 7. ^ Rom. ii. 6 — 9. ^ Heb. x. 31.
Prov. ii. 1 — 6. My son, if thou unit receive my ivords, and hide my commandments ivith thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding ; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding ; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures ; then shall thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom ; out of his mouth cometh knoioledge and understanding.
WISDOM is justly considered as the first of human attainments. It is that which elevates us in the scale of being, and to it we are indebted for all the most refined comforts of civilized society. But there is a spiritual wisdom totally distinct from that which is merely intellectual, and as much superior to it both in its qualities and effects, as reason is superior to in- stinct. What this is, and how it is to be attained, we are informed by Solomon in the words before us. Let us then consider, I. Wherein true wisdom consists —
The nature of true wisdom is plainly declared in the text —