and we shall have reason to bless our God for the peculiar benefits which we here enjoy. Let me not, however, be thought to undervalue science. I am far from wishing to detract from its merits. It is, as I have before said, of exceeding great value, both to the State, and to the person enriched by it. It has in the world a just pre-eminence above rank or wealth, and deservedly raises the possessor of it in the estima- tion of all around him. It is not the man of splendid title, or of great estate, that stands high in the esteem of his countrymen ; but the man who, by his wisdom and knowledge, is enabled to explore the depths of philosophy, and to instruct mankind in the different departments of learning and science. I therefore would earnestly press upon my auditors, a diligent prosecution of knowledge in all those branches which are held in repute amongst us, and which administer to the improvement both of ourselves and others. But yet, as God, without intending to depreciate the sacrifices which he had enjoined, says, " I will have mercy, and not sacrifice;" so, without intending to disparage human learning, I would say, " Wisdom, divine wisdom, is the principal thing : therefore get wisdom ; and with all your getting, get understand- ing"1." Follow David in this respect : " One thing have I desired of the Lord," says he, " which I will seek after, even that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple11." And, if for this you are called to make any sacrifice, learn from St. Paul to say, " What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ ; yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord0." I would further say, Spare no pains for the attainment of this knowledge. We well know what labour many endure in the pro- secution of earthly knowledge ; and shall we do less for the attainment of that which is divine ? Nor let us be satisfied with a superficial view, and a slight experience, of these things ; but rather, whatever we
m Prow iv. 7. » Ps. xxvii. 4. ° Phil. iii. 7, 8.