was exposed. Certain I am, that " true wisdom and knowledge" have a proper tendency to promote our national welfare : as it is said, " Righteousness ex- alteth a nation ; but sin is the reproach of any peo- ple1"." Mere science may be associated with every thing that is evil : but piety, so far as it is true and genuine, will diffuse, through all ranks of people, a due attention to their respective duties, calling forth from Rulers equity and benevolence, and generating amongst subjects the habits of industry and content. Formed as human nature is, we cannot expect these things to be universal : but I hesitate not to say, that, in proportion as piety is the predominant feature of any people, there will be among them a patriotic ardour for the benefit of the community, and a simul- taneous effort for the promotion of it.
But, to bring the matter more home to our own business and bosoms, I proceed to observe,
II. That " wisdom and knowledge, when attended with a fear of the Lord," will advance the prosperity of the soul.
" The fear of the Lord" is an essential part of true wisdom : as the Psalmist has said, " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom1." And this is indeed " a treasure," an inestimable treasure, to every one that possesses it : it is, in fact, a mine of wealth, of intellectual wealth, of moral wealth, of spiritual wealth, and of eternal wealth.
It is a source of intellectual wealth. However this wisdom may, by many, be reputed folly, and con- sidered as an indication of a weak mind, it most as- suredly enlarges the understanding, and elevates its possessor above his fellows; yea, and above others also, who in natural capacity, and in literary attain- ments, are far his superiors. If we set before us two persons, one illiterate, and the other versed in arts and sciences, we should suppose, of course, that there can be no comparison between the two in point of intellect : and this is true, so far as arts and sciences are concerned ; but let the weaker of them be
k Prov. xiv. 34. ' Ps. cxi. 10.