good abilities, an opportunity of cultivating them to advan- tage. Nor can great industry united with great talents, always ensvu'c success'^; but no man ever sought this in vain. The poor fishermen of Galilee were as capable of comprehending it, as the philosophers of Greece and Rome. We attain it, not by the mere exertion of our own powers, but by the teachings of God's Spirit^ Nor will he ever refuse that heavenly gift to any who seek it with a teachable and childlike disposition™. This thought may well encourage all. May we be stirred up by it to seek the unction that shall teach us all things"! Then will God bestow upon us his promised blessing"; and make us wise unto salvation through faith in ChristP.]
2. There is nothing else which will so conduce to
our presefit happiness —
[The creature is justly represented as a cistern that will hold no water '1. All who seek happiness in it are disappointed. Even science itself, which is the most rational of all earthly pleasures, is often a source of sorrow and vexation'"; but true wisdom is an overflowing fountain of joy. In prosperity, it adds a zest to all our comforts; and in adversity, a balm to all our sorrows. In a time of pain and trouble more especially its excel- lency appears. What can earthly things do to assuage our anguish or compose our minds ^? But religion enables us to see the rod in our Father's hand, and to know that all is working for our good*. St. Paul found it to be wealth in poverty, joy in sorrow, life in death ". And such will every Christian expe- rience it to be in the hour of trial''. Shall not this consideration then quicken our diligence in the pursuit of it?]
3. There is nothing besides this that can in the least promote our eternal welfare —
[Our duties, when performed with an eye to God, are a part of religion itself; but, independent of the respect which we have to him in the performance of them, they are of no value in his sight. A person may do many things that are beneficial to society, and yet be dead in trespasses and sins. But Solomon, specifying the supreme excellency of wisdom, affirms, that it giveth life to them that have it^. No man can perish that possesses wisdom ; nor can any man be saved who is destitute of it^ Shall w^e not then be prevailed vipon to seek it? Shall we disregard the commendations that David and Solo- mon have given of it ? And shall their importunity be treated
^ Eccl. ix. 11. 1 Johni. 13. andvi.45. »" Jam. i. 5.
n 1 John ii. 20. " Prov. ii. 1—6. P 2 Tim. iii. 15.
q Jer. ii. 13. ' Eccl. i. 17, 18. « Eccl. v. 17.
t Rom. viii. 28. " 2 Cor. vi. 9, 10. ^ Prov. iii. 21 — 26.
y Eccl. vii. 12. ^ Rom. viii. 0, 13.
703.] THE christian's path. 49
by us with coldness and neglect? Surely such a conduct may well expose us to the most severe of all reflections '\]
*' Suffer then a word of exhortation " —
[The wisdom here spoken of is not the only thing in the world that is desirable ; nor the only thing that you may laudably pursue. There are innumerable other things which demand our attention ; and which our several conditions in life render necessary. The text itself supposes, or rather enjoins, that we should labour to get other things; but wisdom is indisputably " the principal thing ; " and " ivith all our getting we must be mindful to get understanding." Whatever else be neglected, this must not: it is " the one thing needful." Therefore, " get it, get it, get it, get it''." " Forsake it not, neither forget it ; exalt it, love it, and embrace it ; so shall it be an ornament of grace to your head, and a crown of glory to your soul." For whoso findeth it findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord^]"