thou art in the gall of bitterness, | Solomon passed all the kings of
and in the bond of iniquity.
the earth in riches and wisdom.

Rom. ii, 12. For as many as have sinned without law, shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law, shall be judged by the law.

1 Cor. viii, 1. Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that We all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifleth.

INSTANCES.

1 Kings iv, 30-32, 34. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrabite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. And he spake three thousand proverbs; and his songs were a thousand and five. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom."

2 Chron. ix, 1-8, 22. And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and, when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all

that was in her heart. And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not. And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and

Neh. x, 28. And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding.

Dan. 1, 18, 19. Now, at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they Lefore the king.

Dan. viil, 23. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

Dan. x, 1. In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed

1 Cor. iii, 18-21. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God: for it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they

are vain. Therefore let no man

glory in men: for all things are yours.

Col. ii, 8. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

WISDOM THE GIFT OF
GOD.

1 Kings iv, 29. And God gave Solomon wisdom and understandunto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; ing exceeding much, and largeand the thing was true, but theness of heart, even as the sand time appointed was long: and he that is on the sea-shore. understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.

Acts vil, 22. And Moses was learned in' all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in

words and in deeds.

1 Thess. iv, 2. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

WISDOM OF THE WORLD.

1 Kings v, 12. And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solo mon; and they two made a league together.

1 Kings x, 24. And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

2 Chron. 1, 7-12. In that night did gaid unto him, Ask what I shall God appear unto Solomon, and give thee.

And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed the devices of the crafty, so that in his stead. Now, O LORD God, Job v, 12. 13. He disappointethther, and hast made me to reign great mercy unto David my fatheir hands cannot perform their let thy promise unto David my enterprise. He taketh the wise father be established: for thou in their own craftiness; and the hast made me king over a people counsel of the froward is carried like the dust of the earth in mulheadlong.

the house that he had built, And Ps. xlix, 20. Man that is in
the meat of his table, and the sit-honour, and understandeth not,
ting of his servants, and the is like the beasts that perish.
attendance of his ministers, and
their apparel; his cup-bearers
also, and their apparel; and his
ascent by which he went up into
the house of the LORD; there was
no more spirit in her. And she
said to the king, It was a true re-
port which I heard in mine own
land of thine acts, and of thy wis-
dom: Howbeit I believed not
their words, until I came, and
mine eyes had seen it; and, behold,
the one half of the greatness of
thy wisdom was not told me: for
thou exceedest the fame that I
heard. Happy are thy men, and
happy are these thy servants,
which stand continually before
thee, and hear thy wisdom.
Blessed be the LORD thy God,
which delighted in thee, to set
thee on his throne, to be king for
the LORD thy God: because thy
God loved Israel, to establish
them for over, therefore made he
thee king over them, to do judg-
ment and justice. And king

1 Cor. i, 19-22. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom.

1 Cor. ii, 1, 6. And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not

titude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king; Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that

have been before thee, neither | understand a proverb, and the in- | unwise, but understanding what

shall there any after thee have the like.

Prov. il, 6, 7. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth Cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

James 1, 5. If any of you lack wisdom, lét him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

IMPERFECTION OF KNOWLEDGE.

Eccles. iii, 11. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart; so that no man can find

out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

Eccles. vii, 23-25. All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. That which is far off, and exceed ing deep, who can find it out? I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness.

terpretation; the words of the wise,
and their dark sayings.

Prov. ii, 1-5, 21, 22. My son, if
thou wilt receive my words, and
hide my commandments with
thee; So that thou incline thine
ear unto wisdom, and apply thine
heart to understanding: Yea, if
thou criest after knowledge, and
liftest up thy voice for under-
standing, If thou seekest her as
silver, and searchest for her as
for hid treasures; Then shalt thou
understand the fear of the LORD,
and find the knowledge of God.
For the upright shall dwell in the
land, and the perfect shall re-
main in it. But the wicked shall
be cut off from the earth, and the
transgressors shall be rooted out

of it.

That thou

Prov. v, 1, 2. My son, attend unto
my wisdom, and bow thine car to
my understanding,
mayest regard discretion, and
that thy lips may keep know-

ledge.

Prov. xviii, 1. Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

Prov. xix, 20, 27. Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

Eccles. viii, 16, 17. When I applied mine heart to know, wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night Prov. xxvii, 22. Though thou seeth sleep with his eyes:) Then I shouldest bray a fool in a mortar beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work among wheat with a pestle, yet that is done under the sun: be-will not his foolishness depart from him. cause though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find t; yea, further, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

1 Cor. viii, 2. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

1 Cor. xiii, 12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part;

but then shall I know even as also I am known.

EARNEST EFFORTS TO
OBTAIN IT.

Job v, 27. Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.

Job xxxiv, 4. Let us choose to us judgment; let us know among ourselves what is good.

Ps. xciv, 8. Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?

Eccles. vi, 9, 12. Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

Jer. vi, 8. Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest make thee

late, a land not inhabited.

the will of the Lord is.

James i, 16. Do not err my beloved brethren.

PERSONIFICATION OF WISDOM IN SCRIPTURE

ITS VALUE AND BLESSING.

Job xxvii, 12-28. But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; nether is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It is not in me; and the sea saith, It is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it; and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. No mention

shall be made of coral, or of

pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. The topaz of Ethi

opia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold. Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.

Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with

our ears. God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven: To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure. When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder: Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out. And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Prov. 1, 20-23. Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in

the streets: She crieth in the

chief place of concourse, in the deso-openings of the gates; in the city

Rom. xvi, 19. For your obedience
is come abroad unto all men. I
am glad therefore on your behalf:
but yet I would have you wise
unto that which is good, and sim-
ple concerning evil.

spiritual gifts, brethren, I would
1 Cor. xii, 1. Now concerning
not have you ignorant.

Gal. ili, 24, 25. Wherefore the
law was our schoolmaster to bring
us unto Christ, that we might be
justified by faith. But after that

she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

Prov. ill, 13--20. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding: For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine

Prov. i, 5, 6. A wise man will faith is come, we are no longer gold. She is more precious than

hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To

under a schoolmaster.

rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be com. Eph. v, 17. Wherefore be ye not pared unto her. Length of days

is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is every one that retaineth her. The LORD by wisdom bath founded the earth; by understanding bath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

Prov. iv, 5-13. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy get ting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her, for she is thy life.

no

Prov. xxiv, 7. Wisdom is too high for a fool; he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

Prov. xxvi, 1, 4-6. As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest; so honour is not seemly for a fool. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. He that sendeth a inessage by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage,

Prov. xxix, 9. If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is

no rest.

WISDOM IN CONTRAST WITH FOLLY. Prov. xii, 8. A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

silver. I lead in the way of right-
eousness, in the midst of the paths
of judgment; That I may cause
those that love me to inherit sub-
stance; and I will fill their trea-
sures. The LORD possessed me in
the beginning of his way, before
his works of old. I was set up
from everlasting, from the begin
ning, or ever the earth was. When
depths, I was
there were
brought forth; when there were no
fountains abounding with water.
Before the mountains were settled;
before the hills was I brought forth:
While as yet he had not made
the earth, nor the fields, nor the
highest part of the dust of the
world. When he prepared the
heavens, I was there: when he set
a compass upon the face of the
depth: When he established the
clouds above: when he strength-
ened the fountains of the deep:
When he gave to the sea his de-
cree, that the waters should not
pass his commandment: when he
appointed the foundations of the
earth: Then I was by him, as one
brought up with him; and I was
daily his delight, rejoicing always
before him; Rejoicing in the
habitable part of his earth; and
my delights were with the sons
of men. Now therefore hearken
unto me, O ye children; for blessed
are they that keep my ways.
Hear instruction, and be wise,
and refuse it not. Blessed is the
man that heareth me, watching
daily at my gates, waiting at the
For whoso
posts of my doors.
Prov. xvi, 22. Understanding is
findeth me findeth life, and shall
obtain favour of the LORD. But a well-spring of life unto him that
he that sinneth against me wrong-hath it: but the instruction of fools
is folly.
eth his own soul: all they that
hate me love death.

Prov. xiv, 8, 15, 18, 33. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. The simple inherit folly: but the pru dent are crowned with knowledge. Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

Prov. xv, 21. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

Prov. xvii, 24. Wisdom is before him that hath understanding: but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Prov. xxii, 8. A prudent man fur-foresecth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Prov. viil, 1-5, 8-14, 17-36. Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths: She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors: Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons Prov. ix, 1--6. Wisdom hath of man. O ye simple, understand builded her house, she hath hewn wisdom; and, ye fools, be ye of an out her seven pillars; She hath understanding heart. All the killed her beasts; she hath minwords of my mouth are in right- gled her wine; she hath also eousness; there is nothing froward nished her table: She hath sent or perverse in them. They are forth her maidens; she crieth all plain to him that understand-upon the highest places of the eth, and right to them that find city, Whoso is simple, let hin knowledge. Receive my instruc- turn in hither: as for him that tion, and not silver; and know- wanteth understanding, she saith ledge rather than choice gold to him, Come, eat of my bread, For wisdom is better than rubies; and drink of the wine which I and all the things that may be have mingled. Forsake the tooldesired are not to be compared to ish, and live; and go in the way of it. I wisdom dwell with prudence, understanding. and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil, pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice

FOLLY.

Prov. x, 23. It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

Prov. xiii, 19. The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

Prov. xvii, 16. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, secing he hath no heart to it?

384

Prov. xxvi, 12. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Prov. xxviii, 5. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

Eccles. 11, 12, 13. And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the

king? even that which hath been already done. Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

Dan. xil, 10. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand: but the wise shall understand.

Dan. vi, 20. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamthe king spake and said to Daniel, entable voice unto Daniel: and O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

Dan. vii, 19, 20. Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, others, exceeding dreadful, whose which was diverse from all the teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

came the disciples unto Jesus, Matth. xviii, 1. At the same time saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Peter, and said unto him, Behold, Matth. xix, 27. Then answered ed thee; what shall we have therewe have forsaken all, and follow

fore?

the great commandment in the Matth. xxii, 36. Master, which is law?

scribes came, and having heard Mark xll, 28. And one of the them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

Mark xiii, 3, 4. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, over against the temple, Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, asked him privately, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

asked him, saying, What shall we Luke lil, 10. And the people

do then?

Luke xlii, 23. Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them. John ix, 10-15, 18-21. Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, Pharisees him that aforetime was I know not. They brought to the blind.

day when Jesus made the clay, And it was the sabbaththe Pharisees also asked him how and opened his eyes. Then again he had received his sight. He said

the son of Haggith came to Bath- MAN'S MORAL NATURE.

what is thine occupation? and a man whose labour is in wisdom, himself: and when he came home,