Many things are done, but not having _counsel_ for the foundation of them, are weak and rotten and fall again to nothing. Many have _understanding_ what is to be done, and how to do it, but have not _strength_ to effect it: again many have _strength_ of effecting, but have not _understanding_ how to go about it. But the eternal wisdom hath all. It is no strength which by His strength is not supported, no understanding which by His understanding is not enlightened, no counsel which by His counsel is not guided.--_Jermin._ "Knowledge is power," and knowledge in union with wisdom--the ability to use knowledge aright--multiplies the power. In proportion as there is "understanding" and "wisdom," is there "strength"--moral and spiritual strength--strength to act and to suffer, to _do_ and to _bear._--_Wardlaw._ Verses 15, 16. The chief monarchs of the world come unto their sceptres by the power and permission of the Son of God. Lawgivers and counsellors, by His direction and inspiration, give advice and invent politic laws. Inferior rulers keep their places, countenance, and authority by His assistance, whereunto they also rise by His secret disposing of matters. Finally, judges and justices who used to keep courts and sit on benches, do by Him, from Him, and for Him, pronounce sentence, handle matters of state, execute laws, and finally determine all cases.--_Muffet._ Here is a Divine prophecy concerning Him who said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matt. xxiii. 18), and who has "on His head many crowns" (Rev. xix. 12), and "on his vesture and on His thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords" (Rev. xix. 16), and of whom it is written, "that by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist" (Col. i. 16, 17).--_Wordsworth._ Kings are kings only as they are wise, that is, wise in the sense of holiness. It does not mean holiness as altogether distinct from virtue, but holiness as that moral right which belongs to all ranks of moral intelligences. The virtue that belongs to God, and the virtue that belongs to Gabriel, and the virtue that remains in man, and the virtue that is wrecked in hell, are not all different qualities of moral right, but are all identically the same. One moral quality inheres in all. Government being a moral work, the man that governs must have a moral heart. And, as there are no two sorts of virtue, he truly exercises his kingship just in proportion as he is holy, _i.e.,_ in the language of this inspired book, just in proportion as he is spiritually wise.--_Miller._ Every kingdom is a province of the universal empire of the "King of Kings." Men may mix their own pride, folly, and self-will with this appointment. But God's providential counter-working preserves the substantial blessing.--_Bridges._