IlI. A MATTER oF GREAT MOMEN'r ENl"ORCED. This is the cherishino- of the truth by th~ spirit which has received it in t~e love of it. "My son, forget not my law; ... let thme heart keep," etc. (ver. 1); "Bmd them about thy neck; write them upon the tablet of thine heart" (ver. 3). If these precepts are to be duly carried out and there is thus to be a continuance in well-doing, and even a g1·owth therein, then ~ust there be: _l. The dw~l)ing up~n them by the mind; that_must be a mental ha.bit carefully cultivated. 2. lhe placing ourselves where they w11l be urged on our attention and commer.ded to o~r affection (the sanct~ary, the L?rd's ta?le, the society of the holy, etc.). 3. The wise study of them as illustrated m the hveij of the worthiest of our race. 4. The use of any and every means by which they will be seen by us to be the beautiful aud blessed things they are. The children of Wisdom will not only receive gladly the truth of_God, but they will cherish_ it carefully; they will water with diligent hand the plant which has been sown aud which has sprung up in the soul. "Let not the workman lose what he has wrought." If we continue in the word of Christ, then are we his disciples indeed (see John viii. 31; xv. 9; Acts xiii. 43). IV. A LARGE BLESSING PROMISED. (Vers. 2, 4.) Under the Law, temporal bless- ings were more abundantly held in view; then the wise were promised lon<T life comfort and human estimation, as well as the favour of God. Under the go;pel, 'temporai prosperity takes the second place, spiritual and heavenly well-being the first. But we may urge that conformity to the will of God as revealed in his Word: 1. Tends to bodily health and strength ; if that does not secure it, assuredly disobedience will not. 2. Tends to secure a life of tranquillity. "Peace," as well as "length of days," it is likely to add; equanimity of mind and the comfort which is the consequence of right and kind behaviour. 3. Tends to win the esteem and the affection of our neighbours. "Favour in the sight of man." 4. Ensures the love nnd the blessing of Almighty God.-C.
Vers. 5, 6, 7 (first part).-Self-distrust and trust in God. If we would realize God'a thought concerning us, we shall- L CHERISH A DEEP DISTRUST OF OURSELVES. We are not to "lean unto our own understanding," or to" be wise in our own eyes" (vers, 5, 7), 1, We shall certainly have a sense of our own insufficiency if we weigh our own human weakness; if we consider how little we know of (1) human nature generally; and of (2) our own hearts in particular; of (3) the real character and disposition of those connected with us; of (4) the whole circle of law by which we are surroUDded on every side; of (5) the events which are in the (even) near future; of (6) the ultimate effect of our decisions on our circumstances and our character. 2. So also if we consider the disastrous results that have followed presumption in this matter. How often have we seen men, confident of their own capacity, staking everything on their own judgment, and miserably disap- pointed with the issue! Men of this Rpirit, who oarry self-reliance (which is a virtue) to an exaggerated and false assurance of their own sagacity, not only dig a deep grave for their own happiness, but usually involve others also in their ruin. Neither in (1) the affairs of this life, nor (2) in the larger issues of the spiritual realm, should we lean a.ll the weight of our own a.nd of others' prosperity on our own poor finite under- standing. • II. LooK DEVOUTLY UPWARD. We a.re to maintain: 1. A whole-hearted trust in God (ver. 5). A profound assurance that (1) he is regarding us; (2) he )s divinely interested in our welfare; (3) he will see that we have all we need, and go ID the way in which it is best for us to walk. 2. A continual acknowledgment (ver. 6). We are to acknowledge God (1) by referring everything to him in our own heart; (2) by consulting and applying his will as revealed in his Word; (3) by praying for and expecting bis Divine direction;. so shall we acknowled~e him "in all ?ur_ ~ays." '!'his trust and acknowledgment are inclusive and not exclusive of our own md1v1dual endea- vour. We are to think well, to consult wisely, to act diligently, and then to trust wholly. Whoso dots the last without the first is guiltily and daringly presumptuous; whoso does the firBt without the last is guiltily irreverent and unbelieving. III. RECKON ooNFIDENTLY ON DIVINE DIRECTION. "He shall direct thy paths", (ver. 6). As a very little child, left alone in the streets of a groat city, can but wander• aiwlei;sly about, and will surely fail of reaching home, so we, lost in the maze of thie OH, III.1-35,] THE PROVERBS. 79