•> Eph. iii. 10. ' Prov. xxviii. 4.
this ! Admirable is that advice of Solomon, " Prepare thy work w^ithout, and make it fit for thyself in the field ; and afterwards build thine house''." This is what any prudent builder will do, though he is only constructing a temporary habitation for the body : and how much more should toe do it, who are building for the immortal soul ! Adopt this plan then : think what you have to do for God : think by what means you may best advance the interest of your souls ; and redeem, as it were, every hour in preparation for eternity. *' Walk, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."]
2. A life of real piety —
[Nothing but this will inspire true wisdom : nothing but this wall enable us to counteract with effect the assaults of our great adversary. Let us seek from above " a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and of might:" then, whether we be poor or rich, we shall assuredly be victorious. Indeed the poor are for the most part more highly favoured than the rich. The rich are too apt to be self-confident and self-sufficient ; whilst the poor accept thankfully the proferred aids of the Gospel. Hence " the things which are hid from the wise and prudent, are frequently revealed to babes ;" and hence, whilst the rich are vanquished, the poor are crowned with victory. Let it not be forgotten, that " in the Lord alone we have either righteousness or strength." " Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts :" yes, by the Spirit of the living God revealing the Saviour to us, and com- municating strength out of his fulness, we shall be " enabled to withstand in the evil day," and shall have that joyful song put into our mouths, " Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!"]
^ Prov. xxiv. 27.