valuable "gain he counted as dung and dross" for "the true wisdom"-"the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord." Never will solid happiness be known without this singleness of judgment and purpose. This inestimable blessing must have the throne. The waverer-the half-seeker-falls short. Determined perseverance wins the prize.2 16. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honor; 17. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace; 18. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. Behold this heavenly Queen dispensing her blessings on the right hand and on the left! Her right hand presents the promise of both worlds3-the rich enjoyment of this world's lawful comforts and the yet higher joy of serving the Lord and his churcha privilege, for which the apostle was content for a while to be detained from heaven.5 Add eternity to the balance-length of days, without end-and the amount sets at naught all computation. Her left hand offers riches and honor, so far as may be for her children's good; yet, in their highest splendor, only a feeble picture of her more "durable riches," and of the honor of a heavenly crown. But what say we of her ways? Often is she described ‘as a sullen matron, who entertains her followers only on sighs and tears; so that to obtain the joys of the next life, we must bid eternal adieu to the contents of this life; that we must never more expect a cheerful hour, a clear day, a bright thought to shine upon us." This is the world's creed. And hence their wish--" Torment me not before the time." But this must be a slander of the great forger of lies to deter us from wisdom's ways. They must be ways of pleasantness, because-" Thus saith the Lord." And if we feel them not to be so, we know them not. The man of pleasure utterly mistakes both his object and his pursuit. The only happiness worth seeking is found here; that which will live in all circumstances, and abide the ceaseless changes of this mortal life. The ways may be thorny, painful, dark and lonely. Yet how does the sunshine of reconciliation beam upon their entrance! Every step is lighted from above; strewed with promises; a step in happiness; a step to heaven. Wisdom's work is its own rewards strictness without bondage.' God rules children, not slaves. They work neither from compulsion, nor for hire; but from an ingenuous principle of love and gratitude to their Benefactor; filial delight in their Father. Pleasant there 1 Phil. iii. 7, 8. 4 1 Tim. vi. 17. 2 Ibid. ver. 12-14. See the treasures of the right and left Bishop Hopkins' Works, iv. 354, 355. 3 Ver. 2. Psalm xci. 16. 1 Tim. iv. 8. 5 Phil. i. 23, 24. hand promised to the wise man himself, 1 8 Psalm xix. 11. Isa. xxxii. 17. fore must be the labor-yea-the sacrifices, of love; short the path, cheerful the way, when the heart goes freely in it. It is saying far too little, that the trials of these ways are not inconsistent with their pleasantness. They are the very principles of the most elevated pleasure. The verdict of Christ,' says Dr. South, 'makes the discipline of self-denial and the cross-those terrible blows to flesh and blood-the indispensable requisite to the being his disciples." And yet, paradoxical as it may appear, in this deep gloom is the sunshine of joy. For if our natural will be enmity to God," it must be the enemy to our own happiness. Our pleasure, therefore, must be to deny, not to indulge, it. Never are we more happy, than in the mortification of sinful appetites, that only "bring forth fruit unto death." Even what may be called the austerities of godliness are more joyous than "the pleasures of sin." Far better to cross the will, than to wound the conscience. The very chains of Christ are glorious. Moses endured not "his reproach" as a trial. He "esteemed it as a treasure— greater riches than the treasures of Egypt." Never do we so enjoy the comfort of our principles as when we are making a sacrifice for them. Hannah yielded up her dearest earthly joy. But did she sink under the trial? Did she grudge the sacrifice? She took up her song, and prayed, and said "My heart rejoiceth in the Lord" while-to shew that none serve him for naught-for one child that was resigned, five were added. In fact, the world see only half the prospect. They see what religion takes away. But they see not what it gives. They cannot discern that, while it denies sinful, it abounds in spiritual, pleasure. We drudge in the ways of sin. But we "shall sing in the ways of the Lord." The But ways of pleasantness are not always safe. Yet all wis dom's paths are peace. The deadly breach is healed. The cloud vanishes. Heaven smiles. And peace, the Saviour's last bequest, is realized even in the heat of "this world's tribulation."2 feet are shod" for the rugged path "with the preparation of the Gospel of peace." The subjugation of the will-the sorrow of contrition-the weariness of the cross-all end in peace.1 11 Yet nothing can make wisdom's ways palatable to a carnal mind. "They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh;" so that-as "they cannot please God," God's ways cannot please them.12 Nor again-though wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness-are wisdom's children always happy. Sometimes a naturally morose temper gives a gloomy tinge to religion. Professors forget, that it is no matter of option, whether they should be happy or not; that it is their obligation, no less than their priv ilege to be so; that the commands of God on this duty' carry weight, and demand obedience. The prophets in the burst of their rapture search heaven and earth, bring forth the most beautiful objects of nature; nay-call the inanimate creation into glowing sympathy with the joys of the Gospel. The character of the servants of God3--especially in affliction-sets a seal to this rejoicing spirit. Is then thy happiness clouded? Has there not been some deviation from wisdom's paths? Does not thy God call thee to search-to humble thyself to return 25 Lastly-to the glory, beauty, and fruitfulness of wisdom, the Paradise of God alone can furnish the full counterpart. The tree of life was the means ordained of God for the preservation of lasting life and continual vigor and health, before man sinned. So true wisdom maintains man in the spiritual life of God's grace, and the communion of his Spirit." Once our way was barred up, and none could touch her. Now our way is open to her in a better paradise. We "sit down under her shadow with great delight." Her branches bend down upon this world of sin and misery. Her clusters hang within the reach of the youngest child, and "the fruit is sweet to the taste."10 For what is so refreshing as near communion with God; access to him; boldness in his presence; admission to his most holy delight? And if the earthly shadow and fruit be so rich, what will be "on the other side of the river" her monthly fruits-her healing leaves! And yet only the weeping, wrestling soul can lay hold upon the beloved object, 12 and embrace it in despite of all the enemy's struggle to loosen the grasp.13 And even when Almighty power has enabled us to lay hold; the same continual miracle of grace-the same continually renewed effort of faith-is needed to retain it. There must be "continuance in the ways"5" settled-rooted and grounded." "Keeping the works" holding the beginning of our confidence steadfast "unto the end." Happy is every one that retaineth her. The promises are to him that overcometh.' God honors perseverance in the weakest saint. 15 2718 What think we of this lovely description of wisdom's blessings? It is no fancy picture, but Divine reality. Rest not, till thy heart is filled with its substance. Take it to the Lord in prayer, and ere long, thou shalt rejoice in thy portion. 19. The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth: by understanding hath he established (Marg. prepared,) the heavens. 20. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. 1 Such as Psalm xxxii. 11; xxxvii. 4. Phil. iv. 4. 1 Thess. v. 16. Comp. the warning Deut. xxviii. 47. 2 Psalm xcvi. 11-13; xcviii. Isa. xliv. 23; lv. 12, 13. 3 Phil. ii. 3. Comp. Acts ii. 46, 47. 5 Jer. ii. 17-19. Hos. v. 15; vi. 1. 42 Cor. vi. 10; viii. 2. 1 Peter i. 6-8. 9 Heb. x. 19-22. 6 Rev. ii. 7. 10 Can. ii. 3. 13 Matt. xi. 12. 16 Col. i. 23; ii. 7. 18 Rev. ii. iii. We have seen wisdom, as it is in man, with all its enriching blessings. Here we behold its majesty, as it is in the bosom of God and gloriously displayed in his works. Hereby he sheweth, that this wisdom, whereof he speaketh, was everlasting; because it was before all creatures, and that all things-even the whole world -were made by it." Behold it founding the earth" upon nothing;" and yet so sure, that it cannot be moved."2 See how this great architect hath established the heavens, fixing all their bright luminaries in their respective orbits-such a glorious canopy set with such sparkling diamonds." Each of these departments declares his knowledge. In the earth-breaking up the depthsgathering them up into rivers and streams for the refreshment of man. In the heavens-collecting the moisture into dew-dropping down fatness upon the parched ground; each of these countless drops falling from this Fountain of life. Thus does every particle of the universe glitter with infinite skill. The earth-its pavement, and the heavens-its ceiling-" declare the glory of God." How beautiful is the uniformity of the two great systems of God! Both are the work of the same architect. Both display the wisdom and knowledge of God. The universe is a parable -a mirror of the gospel. Does not the manifestation of these Divine Perfections in the field of Creation open a rich provision for our happiness? And does not their more glorious exhibition in the great work of redemption, fill us with adoring praise? the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God."11 10 21. My son, let them not depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discrction; 22. So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace unto thy neck. Again we listen to wisdom's voice. Her repetitions are not "vain repetitions;" but well fitted to impress upon youth1 the 1 Notes to the Reformers' Bible. 2 Job xxvi. 7. Psalm xciii. 1. 3 Gen. i. 14-16. Psalm cxxxvi. 5. Jer. x. 12; li. 15. 4 Leighton's beautiful fragment on Psalm viii. Works, Vol. ii. 5 Chap. viii. 24-29. Gen. i. 9, 10. Job xxxviii. 8-12. Psalm civ. 8-13. 6 Gen. xxvii. 28, 29. There is a philosophical difficulty in supposing "the clouds to drop down the dew," which is known to be the moisture rising from the lower region, sometimes a very few feet from the earth. Perhaps, however, the original may mean the air generally, thereby including the lower region.-See Geier in loco. 7 Job xxxviii. 28. 9 Psalm xix. 1. 8 Psalm civ. 24. 10 John i. 1-14. Eph. i. 8; iii. 9. Col. i. 13-17. 11 Rom. xi. 33. Full of profound thought are the words of our admirable Hooker"That which moveth God to work is goodness; that which ordereth his work is wisdom; that which perfecteth his work is power. All things, which God in these times and seasons hath brought forth, were eternally and before all time in God; as a work unbegun is in the artificer, which afterwards bringeth it into effect. Therefore whatsoever we do behold now in this present world, it was enwrapped within the bowels of Divine mercy, written in the book of eternal wisdom, and held in the hands of Omnipotent power; the first foundations of the earth being as yet unlaid. So that all things which God hath made are in that respect the Offspring of God. They are in him, as effects in their highest cause. He likewise is actually in them, the assistance and influence of Deity being their life.'-Book V. Ivi. 12 Isa. xxviii. 9, 10. |