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I. AN ENCOMIUM OF WISDOM. She is commended to us as the most excellent of all things. She holds the principality amongst those virtues that ennoble, enrich, and adorn the mind of man.

II. AN EARNEST PERSUASION, backed with arguments, to endeavour the acquisition and improvement of this excellent virtue. Wisdom is an excellent, energetical virtue of the mind of man, whereby, upon a clear apprehension and right judgment of things, the whole soul is carried Out, in a well-governed order, in an earnest and constant pursuit of the most excellent attainments. There is a threefold act of wisdom.

1. To propose the most excellent end.

2. To elect the best means.

3. To engage the most earnest endeavours in the diligent use of these means.

III. WHEREIN DOES THE EXCELLENCY OF WISDOM LIE?

IV. THIS EXCELLENCY IS ATTAINABLE. It cannot be commended in vain. Man's work in the world cannot be done without wisdom. God has given man a rational soul. Wisdom may be attained by —

1. A due government of man's self.

2. A serious consideration of a man's state.

3. A diligent study of the Holy Scriptures.

(Thomas Willis, D.D.)

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KJV: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

WEB: Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.