invariably elevates and ennobles it : they leave us still longing for something unpossessed; this supplies all the wants, satisfies all the desires, and fills all the capacities of our immortal souls : they, through the depravity of our nature, often become means and instruments of pride, oppression, and avarice; this changes the proud, tyrannical and avaricious man into the image of God in righteousness and true holiness : they are destroyed at death ; but this is perfected.
Again we may glory in this knowledge of God, because it transcends all their excellencies. Human wisdom may enable us to discharge the duties of civil life with advantage ; but the knowledge of God recti- fies our judgments about things of far greater moment ; it makes us both see and feel the evil of sin, the beauty of holiness, the vanity of time, and the im- portance of eternity. It teaches us (which is indeed the very essence of wisdom) to pursue the best ends by the fittest means ; to seek a crown of glory by a renunciation and abhorrence of every known sin, a firm reliance on the Saviour's merits, and an uniform obedience to his commands. Power also may be improved for the good of the community ; but the knowledge of God endues us with might for better purposes ; it renders us mighty to resist temptations, mighty to subdue our evil tempers, mighty to mortify our lusts and passions, mighty to endure the bitterest afflictions, and mighty to vanquish the united forces of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Riches, too, it is granted, are highly beneficial ; but the knowledge of God imparts more profitable riches : through it we are rich in possession, and in reversion too ; it brings into our souls a sense of pardon, it fills us with a peace which passeth all understanding, and entitles us to all the blessings which God himself can bestow : for Solomon, on making this very comparison, observes that " wisdom is a defence, and money a defence, but the excellency of knowledge (i.e. of spiritual know- ledge) is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it." And a greater than Solomon still more plainl} affirms, that " to know God, and Jesus Christ whoir