Proverbs 8

Does not wisdom It is a great Question what this Wisdom is, of which Solomon discourseth so largely and profoundly in this Chapter. Some understand it of that attribute or perfection of the Divine nature which is called Wisdom, whereby God perfectly knoweth all things, and maketh known to men what he judgeth necessary, or expedient for them to know. Others understand it o... the second Person in the Godhead, the Son of God, who is called the Wisdom of God, Luk. 11. 49. And it cannot fairly be denied that some passages do best agree to the former, and others to the latter Opinion. Possibly both may be joined together, and the Chapter may be understood of Christ considered partly in his Per... onal capacity and partly in regard of his Office which was to impart the mind and will of God to Mankind, which he did, 1. by revealing it to, and writing it upon the mind of Man, at his first Creation; for it was Christ who then gave being, and life, and... ight to Mankind, as is undeniably evident from Ioh. 1. 1, 2, 3, 4, &c. 2. By publishing it unto the holy Patriarchs and Prophets in the time of the Old Testament; for it was Christ who spake and discovered things to them from time to time, as is manifest from 1 Pet. 1. 11. & 3. 18 19, 20. and from many other Scriptures both of the Old Testament, as I have formerly noted in their proper places, and in the New Testament, as we shall see hereafter. 3. By declaring it from his own mouth and by his Apostles and Ministers under the Gospel. cry? and understanding put forth her voice Clearly and audibly instruct men how to avoid those fleshly lusts? He opposeth the inviting words of VVisdom to the seducing speeches of the Harlot.!

She standeth in the top of high places VVhere she may be best seen and heard, not in corners and in the dark, as the Harlot did.: by the way in the places of the paths VVhere many paths meet, where there is a great concourse, and where Travellers may need direction..

She crieth at the gates The places of Judgment, and of the confluence of People., at the entry of the City To invite Passengers at their first coming, and to conduct them to her House., at the coming in at the doors To wit, of her House, as the Harlot stood at her Door to invite Lovers..

Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men To all men without exception, even to the meanest, who are thus called, Psal. 49. 2..

O ye simple VVho want knowledge and experience, and are easily deceived., understand wisdom; and ye fools Wilful and obstinate Sinners., be ye of an understanding heart.

Hear, for I will speak of excellent things Heb. of Princely things: worthy of Princes to learn and practice them. Or, such as excel common things as much as Princes do ordinary Persons.; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

For my mouth shall speak Heb. shall meditate, i. e. shall speak not rashly, and hastily, but what I have well considered and digested. truth, and wickedness is an abomination to my lips I hate to speak it; therefore you may be assured that I shall not deceive you..

All the words of my mouth All my Precepts, Promises, Threatnings, &c. are in righteousness, there is nothing froward or perverse in them Not the least mixture of vanity, or error, or folly in them, as there is in the words of the wisest Philosophers, &c..

They are all plain Evident and clear to their minds or, right, just and good to him that understandeth Either to him who with an honest mind applies himself to the study of them in the diligent use of all the means appointed by God to that end: or to him whose mind God has enlightned by his Spirit, though they seem otherwise to ignorant and carnal-minded men., and right to them that find knowledg That are truely wise and discerning Persons and taught of God..

Receive my instruction, and not silver i. e. Rather than Silver, as such negative expressions are understood, Gen. 45. 8. Exod. 16. 8. Ier. 7. 22. & 16. 14, 15. and in many other places. Though withal he seems to intimate the inconsistency of these two studies and designs, and the great hinderance which the love of Riches gives to the study of Wisdom.; and knowledg rather than choice gold.

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired, are not to be compared to it.

I wisdom dwell with prudence I do not content my self with high Speculations, but my unseparable Companion is Prudence to govern all my own actions and to direct the actions of others, by good counsels. This he says, because some Persons have much wit and knowledge, and nothing of discretion., and find out knowledg i. e. I know them as clearly and certainly as if I had found them out by diligent searching. Or, I find out, is put for I help men to find out, as the Spirit is said to intercede, Rom. 8. 26. when it helpeth us to do so. of witty inventions Of all ingenious designs and contrivances for the service and glory of God, and for the good of our selves and others. But why may it not be rendred, of wicked devices, as this very word is translated, Prov. 12. 2. & 14. 17. & 24. 8. For surely this is one great work of Prudence to discover and so avoid all evil counsels or devices, and the effects of them But this I propose with submission, because I have not the concurrence of any Interpreter in this Exposition..

The fear of the LORD Which he had before noted to be the beginning of Wisdom Ch. 1. 7. is to hate evil It consists in a careful abstinence from all sin, and that not from carnal or prudential Motives, but from a true dislike and hatred of it.; pride Which he mentions first as that which is most hateful to God, and most opposite to true Wisdom and to the fear of God, which constantly produce humility. and arrogancy, and the evil way All wicked actions, especially sinful customs and courses., and the froward mouth False Doctrines, and bad Counsels and Deceits. do I hate.

Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom All solid and substantial and usefull, yea essential Wisdom is natural and essential to me, for the word properly signifies essence.: I am understanding By my nature and essence, as was now said. Or, I am the Author of Understanding; as Iob. 17. 3. This is life Eternal i. e. this is the cause or means of it., I have strength Courage and resolution to execute all my Counsels and to conquer all difficulties..

By me kings reign Either 1. They get their Kingdoms by mine appointment and providence. Or rather 2. they rule their Kingdoms wisely, and justly, and happily by my counsel and assistance. For this best suits with the next Clause., and princes decree justice Their injustice or wickedness is from themselves, but all the just and good things which they do, they owe to my conduct..

By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

I love them that love me I do not despise their love, though it be but a small and inconsiderable thing to me, but I kindly accept it and will recompence it with my love and favour., and those that seek me early i. e. With sincere affection, and great diligence, and above all other persons or things in the world. VVhich he mentions as the effect and evidence of their love: for otherwise all men pretend to love God. shall find me.

Riches and honour are with me: yea, durable riches and righteousness Which he mentions here either 1. as the best and surest way to get and to keep Riches, for Estates unjustly gotten quickly vanish, as is manifest both from Scripture and from common observation. Or 2. to signifie that this Wisdom gives both Worldly, and Spiritual or Heavenly Blessings together to its followers, whereas God gives Riches alone to ungodly men, and they are to expect no other Portion..

My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment Keeping at an equal distance from both extreams, and from the very borders of them: which is called a putting away iniquity far from us, Job 22. 23..

That I may cause those that love me, to inherit substance Substantial, and true, and satisfying happiness: which is here opposed to all worldly enjoyments, which are said not to be, Prov. 23 5. which are but mere shadows and dreams of felicity.: and I will fill their treasures.

The LORD possessed me As his Son by Eternal Generation, who was from Eternity with him, as is said, Ioh. 1. 1. and in him as he also was in me, Joh. 14 10. in the beginning Yea and before the beginning, as it is largely expressed in the following Verses. of his way Either 1. of his counsels or decrees. Or rather 2. of his works of Creation, as it follows., before his works of old.

I was set up Heb. anointed, ordained or constituted to be the Person by whom the Father resolved to do all his works, first to create, and then to uphold and govern and judge, and afterwards to redeem and save the world; all which works are particularly ascribed to the Son of God, as is manifest from, Ioh. 1. 1. &c. Col. 1. 16, 17. Heb. 1. 3. and many other places, as we may see hereafter in their several places. from everlasting, from the beginning Before which there was nothing but a vast Eternity., or ever the earth Which he mentions because this together with the Heaven, was the first of God's visible works. was.

When there were no depths No abyss or deep Waters either mixed with the Earth, as they were at first, or separated from it., I was brought forth Begotten of my Fathers Essence.: when there were no fountains abounding with water.

Before the mountains were settled Or, fixed by their Roots in the Earth.; before the hills, was I brought forth.

While as yet he had not made the earth i, nor the fields The plain and open parts of the Earth distinguished from the Mountains and Hills, and the Valleys inclosed between them., nor the highest part Or, the first part or beginning: or, the best part, Heb. the Head: that which exceeds other parts in riches or fruitfulness: which he seems to distinguish from the common Fields. of the dust of the world Of this lower part of the World which consisteth of dust.. z i. e. The dry Land called Earth after it was separated from the Waters, Gen. 1. 10.

When he prepared the heavens, I was there Not as an idle Spectator, but as a co-worker with my Father.: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth i. e. Of that great and deep abyss of Water and Earth mixed together, which is called both Earth and Water and the deep, Gen. 1. 2. When he made this lower World round, or in the form of a Globe agreeable to the form of the upper World.:

When he established Heb. strengthned, by his Word and Decree, which alone upholds the Clouds in the Air, which of themselves are thin and weak Bodies and would quickly be dissolved or dispersed. the clouds above; when he strengthned the fountains When he shut up the several Fountains in the Cavities of the Earth, and kept them there as it were by a strong hand for the use of Mankind. of the deep Which have their Original from the deep, either from the Sea, or from the Abyss of Waters in the Bowels of the Earth.:

When he gave to the sea his decree Or, his bound or limits, to wit, those parts of the Earth which border upon it., that the waters should not pass his commandment i. e. Not overflow the Earth.: when he appointed Or, laid. the foundations of the earth Either, 1. the Center of the Earth: Or, 2. the Earth it self which is the Foundation of the World: Or rather, 3. the firm standing of the Earth upon its Foundations notwithstanding all the Assaults which the Waters of the Sea or within the Earth make against it: which is a singular work of God's Providence..

Then I was by him Conversant with him, and united to him, as was said before., as one brought up with him As one tenderly and dearly beloved by him.: and I was daily his delight, rejoycing always before him He and I had constant and intimate and sweet converse together.:

Rejoycing in the habitable part of his earth In contemplating the wonderful wisdom and goodness of God in the making and ordering of all his Creatures, and of Man especially., and my delights were with the sons of men To uphold them by my Power and Providence, to reveal my Self and my Fathers mind and will to them from Age to Age, to assume their Nature and to redeem and save them, which I would not do for the fallen Angels..

Now therefore Seeing I have such a true love to you, and seeing I am so thoroughly acquainted with my Fathers mind, and so excellently qualified to be your Counseller and Ruler. hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not Or, do not make it void, or unprofitable to you by your own sloth or wilfulness..

Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors As Servants and Clients, and others wait at the doors of Princes or Persons of eminency for place, or power, or wisdom, that they may be admitted to speak or converse with them..

For who so findeth me, findeth i life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

But he that sinneth against me By the neglect or contempt of, or rebellion against my commands., wrongeth his own soul Is guilty of self murder and of Soul murder.: all they that hate me i. e. Who reject and disobey my counsels and live wickedly, which in God's account is an hating of him, as is here implyed and elsewhere, as Exod. 20. 5. Deut. 7. 10. & 32. 41., love death Not directly or intentionally, but by consequence, because they love those practices which they know will bring certain destruction upon them..