in another, above wealth'^; in another, above soldiers'^, and weapons of war ^ Thus in our text he exalts it above strength ; " Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength." Hence the subject for our conside- ration is two-fold ;
I. The excellency of wisdom —
Wisdom is practical understanding, or knowledge regulated by sound judgment. Now this is greatly superior to physical force, in every point of view :
1. In relation to temporal concerns —
[The particular instance here adduced, the deliverance of a city by some extraordinary devices, will lead us to notice the operations of wisdom in the different departments of civi- lized life.
Li war and politics it prevails far bej^ond mere bodily strength, however great. It is from superior skill in arms that we, who are so few in number, have been enabled to conquer an immense extent of territory, and by a very small army to keep in subjection eighty millions of people, who have scarcely one feebng, or one sentiment, in common with ourselves. And it is from the wisdom of our Constitution, and of our Gover- nors, that we, under God, have rode out the storm which overwhelmed the rest of Europe, and have been enabled to rescue from their bondage the prostrate nations all around us. Had there been less wisdom at our helm, we, and all the nations of Europe, should probably at this moment have been sunk in the lowest state of degradation and misery.
In arts and inanufactures the excellency of wisdom also most eminently appears. See the machinery that is used in every branch of trade ! A few children are enabled to effect in a month what thousands of grown people could not by mere manual labour accomplish in a year.
Nor is the excellency of wisdom less visible in science and philoso'phy . Who can calculate the benefits that have arisen from the study of astronomy, and the invention of the com- pass ? How light is all human strength when placed in the balance against these products of intellectual research !
In truth, it is wisdom which most elevates us above the beasts ; and draws as broad a line of distinction between man and man, as light and darkness do in the material world.]
2. In relation to spiritual affairs —
[Here wisdom is all. See what mere human efforts can effect in heathen lands : what penances, what pilgrimages, what
<= Eccl. vii. 12. d Eccl. vii. 19. ^ ver, 18.
812.] WISDOM TO BE PRACTICALLY REGARDED. o93
sufFerings of different kinds, will men have recourse to, in order to obtain peace in their own souls ! yet can they never obtain it. They may weary themselves even unto death, yet can they never secure to themselves any spiritual benefit whatever. But let a man attend to the councils of wisdom given him by our blessed Lord, and all that he can desire is attained at once. Peace will flow into his soul, as soon as ever his con- science is sprinkled with the blood of Christ. His powers are invigorated with preter-natural strength, the moment he by faith apprehends the Lord Jesus : from being so weak as not to be able to do a/ii/ thing, he becomes instantly so strong as to be " able to do all things^." A new set of energies are deve- loped, and such as Satan is not able to withstand. That enemy, who with assured confidence of success besieged the soul, is constrained, like Sennacherib, to flee with precipitation and disgrace^. In a word, the simple device of a " life of faith upon the Son of God" effects every thing, liberating the soul from all its bondage, and making it victorious over all its enemies.]
But from daily observation, we are constrained to lament,
IL The disregard shewn it, notwithstanding its ac- knowledged worth.
By how few are its dictates attended to as they ought to be ! Alas ! they are neglected and despised, by the great mass of mankind.