[Study, doubtless, even a study of the holy Scriptures, is necessary ; because it is only by the written word that we are to regulate our course. But to study we must add humble and fervent supplication ; according to that direction of Solo- mon, "If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; thenshalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God : for the Lord giveth wisdom; out of his mouth cometh knowledge and un- derstanding ^" Accordingly we find the apostle Paul crying to God in behalf of the Ephesian Church, that " God the Father would give unto them the Spirit of wisdom and revela- tion in the knowledge of Christ';" and, for the Colossians he prayed, that they also might by the same Spirit " be filled with the knowledge of God's will, in all wisdom and spiritual under- standing '"."
And to seek it in this way we are all encouraged, both yrom a general view of God's goodness j and from a partiailar and ex- press promise. ••
" God giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not :" " he opens his hand, and filleth all things living with plenteous- ness;" he " gives alike to the evil and the good, to the just and to the unjust." If then he give so abundantly to those who seek him not, " will he refuse his Holy Spirit unto them that ask him P" True, they are unworthy of so rich a bless- ing : and, as Jephthah upbraided those who requested his as- sistance against the Ammonites, saying to them, " Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father's house ? and why are ye come unto me, now ye are in distress ?" so might God re- ply to them ; " Ye have resisted my Spirit, and rebelled against the light, times without number ; and how can you expect that I should aid you any more ?" But he will not so treat the weeping suppliant ; but will surely impart unto him the bless- ing he desires. Of this he assures us by an express promise : " Let him ask of God ; and it shall be given him." This pro- mise may be relied on, as may many others which he has given
us to the same effect " The time, and the manner, and
the measure \n which it shall be fulfilled, must be left to God; but fulfilled it shall be to all who rest upon it. Not that a man shall be rendered infallible, or have such wisdom imparted to him as shall keep him from every degree of error; tjut so much as his necessities require, God will assuredly vouchsafe to all who seek it of him in sincerity and truth.]
That no man shall seek wisdom in vain, St. James adds a caution, from which we learn,
II. How
■ " Prov. ii. 2—6. ' Eph. i. 16, 17. " Col. i. 9.
" John xiv. 13, H. «& xv. 7. & xvi. 23, 24-.