very great offence by their injudicious proceedings ; yes, and involve themselves, too, in many troubles, which they might, by a greater exercise of wisdom, have avoided. Our blessed Lord cautions us on this head : " Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine ; lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend yous." There may, indeed, be a carnal wisdom, to whose dictates we ought not to listen; for flesh and blood are but blind counsellors to confer withh: but there is a sound wisdom and discretion, which is highly commendable, and greatly conducive to good. Hence St. Paul says, " Walk in wisdom towards them that are without1." I cannot but recommend, therefore, to all who are possessed of piety, to take heed how they exercise it ; lest, by their weaknesses and follies, they make religion itself to be accounted foolishness, and involve in one common reproach all who profess to serve their God. The resolution of David should be that of every one amongst us : "I will behave myself wisely in a perfect wayV]
3. Consistency —
[It is clear that Daniel attended to all his duties; as well those which concerned his intercourse with men, as those which had a more immediate reference to God. Happy would it be if the same care prevailed amongst the religious pro- fessors of our day! But, in too many instances, religious people set the two tables of the law in opposition to each other; as though a fulfilment of the one necessarily precluded an observance of the other. How common is it for young- people to set at nought parental authority, under an idea that obedience to God must swallow up every other consideration. It must, doubtless, swallow up all regard for authority that is directly opposed to it ; but many concessions may be made, and should be made too, in relation to matters which involve in them no moral guilt, no direct opposition to a divine command : and where the path of duty is clear, the greatest tenderness should be shewn to the feelings and prejudices of a parent, in the prosecution of it. Filial obedience stands, in God's esti- mation, second only to that which we owe to him. There is frequently a great fault in servants also, who, from a pretended regard for God, neglect the duties of their station; and, in- stead of exercising a becoming respect for their masters, are petulant, and impatient of reproof, and ready on every occasion to " answer again1." In the conduct of superiors, too, there
s Matt. vii. 6. h Gal. i. 16. ; Col. iv. 5. * Ps. ci. 2.
1 Here the case of Students was adverted to ; and a conscientious observance of academic discipline, together with a diligent prosecu- tion of their academic studies, was strongly enforced.