side in our interpretation of the text, than ground upon it any observations which may appear forced, or unwarranted by the text itself.
Two things then we shall be led to notice ;
I. The benefit of seekini? true wisdom —
Wisdom, whether relating to temporal or eternal things, is never found by chance : it must be sought by persevering inquiries, and be obtained as the fruit of diligent research. To those who do find it, it will be productive,
1. Of present happiness —
[By " life " we may understand hapiyiness ; and then the first clause of our text will exactly correspond with what is more diffusely stated in the third chapter*''. Till we have attained true wisdom, we know not what real happiness means: " There is no peace," saith God, "to the wicked." As for the mirth which the men of this world enjoy, it is only " like the crackling of thorns under a jiot ;" it blazes for a moment, and then goes out in spleen and melancholy. He who knows per- fectly what is in man, says, " Even in mirth their heart is sorrowful, and the end of that mirth is heaviness ''." But when once they have just views of Christ, and are truly devoted to him, they are filled with " a peace thatpasseth all understand- ing," and, at times, with "joy unspeakable and glorified." Now they begin to know what life is: " they truly pass from death unto life." Their former was little better than a state of mere animal existence ; but now they see the true end, and taste the true enjoyment, of life : they participate in a measure the blessedness of heaven itself. We appeal to those who have ever known what it is to " live by faith on the Son of God," and to feel the constraining influence of his love, whether one hour of " fellowship with the Father and the Son " does not outweigh whole years of fellowship with sin and sinners.]
2. Of future happiness —
[" No favour can we find with God," till we are brought to the possession of true wisdom '^. But, instantly on our embracing his dear Son as he is revealed in the Gospel, we are numbered amongst " his peculiar people," whom " he has set apart for himself," and esteems as " his jewels." Then there is no favour that he will not shew them : he will come down and " make his abode with them, and sup with them." He will
^ Prov. iii. 13 — 18. In this sense llie term occurs elsewhere. See Prov. xxii. 4. 1 Thcss. iii. 8.
^ Prov. xiv. 33. *= Isai. xxvii. 11.