III. Its importance —
Every word of God deserves our deep attention. But the exhortation in the text is singularly impor- tant ; for first, It declares the only zvay in which we can ever attain true wisdom.
If we could attain the end by different means, it would be of the less consequence whether Vv^e used these means or not. But here is the door of know- ledge ; and the only question is. Whether we will enter in by it or not. It requires us to stoop, yea, to stoop much lower than we wish : but stoop we must ; or else we can never gain admission to " the secrets of God's covenant^" God holds the key of knowledge in his own hand : " he alone can give wisdom and understanding*^ :" we may compass sea and land ; we may learn all languages, and explore all sciences, and repeat the very Scriptures themselves from beginning to end ; and yet never attain true wisdom. If any man will be wise, he must become a fool, in order that he may be wise. The most learned man in the universe can know nothing savingly in any other way : and the weakest man in the universe shall know all that is needful for him, if he will but enter in at this door : " God will reveal to babes the things which he has hid from the wise and prudent^ :" and " a wayfaring man, though a fool, shall not err therein ^"
Can any thing more strongly shew the importance of this precept, than the consideration, that none can remain destitute of true wisdom who obey it, or obtain true wisdom who despise it ?
We are aware that some may ask. Are there not many persons learned in the Scriptures, who yet never attained their wisdom in this way? We answer, Either they attained their wisdom in this way, or their wisdom is no other than " the wisdom of the world, which is foolishnesss with God." We have nothing to do with individuals. The point to be resolved is,
<= Ps. XXV. 14. ^ Prov. i. 6.
e Matt. xi. 25. f Tsai. xxxv. 8.