d
substantial argument, an intimate token, of the truth of the Gospel,
quite independent of the authority of his parents and teachers; nay,
that were all the world, even were his teachers, to tell him that
religion was a dream, still he would have a good reason for believing
it true.

This reason, I say, is contained in the text--"I have more
understanding than the aged, _because_ I keep Thy commandments." By
obeying the commands of Scripture, we learn that these commands really
come from God; by trying we make proof; by doing we come to know. Now
how comes this to pass? It happens in several ways.

1. Consider the Bible tells us to be meek, humble, single-hearted, and
teachable. Now, it is plain that humility and teachableness are
qualities of mind necessary for arriving at the truth in any subject,
and in religious matters as well as others. By obeying Scripture,
then, in practising humility and teachableness, it is evident we are at
least _in the way_ to arrive at the knowledge of God. On the other
hand, impatient, proud, self-confident, obstinate men, are generally
wrong in the opinions they form of persons and things. Prejudice and
self-conceit blind the eyes and mislead the judgment, whatever be the
subject inquired into. For instance, how often do men mistake the
characters and misconstrue the actions of others! how often are they
deceived in them! how often do the young form acquaintances injurious
to their comfort and good! how often do men embark in foolish and
ruinous schemes! how often do they squander their money, and destroy
their worldly prospects! And what, I ask, is so frequent a cause of
these many errors as wilfulness and presumption? The same thing
happens also in religious inquiries. When I see a person hasty and
violent, harsh and high-minded, careless of what others feel, and
disdainful of what they think,--when I see such a one proceeding to
inquire into religious subjects, I am sure beforehand he cannot go
right--he will not be led into all the truth--it is contrary to the
nature of things and the experience of the world, that he should find
what he is seeking. I should say the same were he seeking to find out
what to believe or do in any other matter not religious,--but
especially in any such important and solemn inquiry; for the _fear_ of
the Lord (humbleness, teachableness, reverence towards Him) is the very
_beginning_ of wisdom, as Solomon tells us; it leads us to think over