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SERM. principles, and the ways it recommends. It is VI. the defign of the undertaking in this book of

Proverbs, as declared at the begining, (as it is alfo the defign of all other like attempts,) to give knowledge to the fimple, to the young man knowledge and difcretion. And in this eighth chapter: All the words of my mouth are in righteoufneffe. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. That is, the knowledge of them is easie to be attained by those who are attentive. And they who have fo much understanding, as to prife Wisdom, will foon perceive, how right and reasonable all it's rules and precepts are.

my

Again, in the second chapter of this book: My fon, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto Wisdom, and apply thy heart to understanding: Yea if thou crieft after knowledge, and lifteft up thy voice for 'underStanding: if thou feekeft for her, as for filver, and fearcheft for her, as for hid treasure: that is, if thou be fincere and diligent in feeking after wisdom, as what thou esteemeft very valuable: then halt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge

of

of God. Then fhalt thou understand righteouf SERM nesse, and judgement, and equity, yea every VI. good work.

They who feek knowledge and understanding, who are fincerely defirous to be informed in the principles of Wisdom, will certainly become acquainted with all the rules and precepts, which are of general importance, and fuited to their rank and condition.

2. lf

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love and feek wisdom, you will become wife, difcreet and virtuous, and make it's maxims the rule of your conduct. So Solomon fays in the just cited fecond chapter of this book: When Wisdom enters into thy heart, and knowledge is pleasant to thy foul; difcretion fhall preferve thee, understanding fhall keep thee: to deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things: who leave the paths of uprightnelle, to walk in the ways of darknesse.

He who loves wifdom, and labors fincerely to be acquainted with it's principles, and perceives how right, and reasonable they are, must be disposed to obferve and follow them: and will be prepared for, and fortified against the enticements of finners, and the fpecious

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SERM. pretenfes of thofe, who speak froward and VI. perverfe things.

Prov. iii.

Ver. 13.

3. Another thing included in this encouragement is, that they who love and feek wifdom, shall have the many advantages, that are annexed to the knowledge, and practise, or obfervation of wife rules and maxims. This must be implied in the expreffions here used of Wisdom's loving them that love her, and being found of them that seek her. She will favor, prefer and advance fuch, and chearfully bestow upon them all the gifts and bleffings, which are in her difpofal, and which indeed are great and manifold.

These are oftentimes affectionatly set before men, in a variety of expreffions, in order to determine their right choice: which cannot but be much for their benefit.

My fon, forget not my law: but let thy heart keep my commandments. For length of days, and long life, and peace shall they add unto thee. Let not mercie and truth forfake thee. Bind them about thy neck, write them upon the table of thy heart. So fhalt thou find favour and good understanding, or acceptance, in the fight of God and man. And afterwards: Happy is the man that getteth under

VI.

derftanding. For the merchandise of it is bet- SERM. ter than the merchandise of filver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies. And all the things thou canft defire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantneffe, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold of her, and happy is every one that retaineth her.

Again: Keep my commandments, and live. Ch. iv. 4. Get wisdom, get understanding. Forget it not, neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forfake her not, and she shall preferve thee. She fhall bring thee to honour, when thou shalt embrace her. She shall give to thy head an ornament of grace.

fhe give unto thee.

A crown of glorie shall Hear, my fon, and receive my fayings: and the years of thy life Shall be many.

Peace and tranquility is one great advantage, mentioned in paffages already cited. Again it is faid: Thou shalt walk in thy way iii. 23. fafely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou lyeft down, thou shalt not be afraid: Yea thou shalt lye down, and thy fleep fhall be fweet.

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SERM. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and fhall keep thy foot from being taken.

VI.

Pl. xxxvii.

16.

Prov. xxxiv; 3. 4.

And though it be true, that a little, which a righteous man has, is better than the treasures of many wicked: yet virtue and difcretion do alfo tend to fecure a competence and often add, or give, great abundance: as it is faid in a place before cited: Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and bonour. And, Through wisdom is an house builded, and by understanding it is eftablished. And by knowledge fhall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches: that is, with all things, both for use and ornament. A wife man is ftrong: yea a wife man encreafeth ftrength.

All these bleffings are often, and with great affurance, fpoken of, as advantages, ufually attending Wisdom: or as the happy lot and portion of those who value and feek it and obferve and obey it's rules and directions; health, and long life, riches and honour; that is, a competence, and fometimes abundance, and credit and honour therewith; safety and fecurity, peace and quietneffe, and great fatisfaction of mind,

V. I fhall

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