Exposition of Proverbs 1-3, Expositions · Chapter 2 · Verse 7
Verſ. 7. He layeth up ſound wiſdome for the righteous, he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
The two next reaſons follow, why right ſearchers ſhall obtain true wiſdome. The one from Gods plentifull proviſion. The other from his protection from errors.
For the words.
He layeth up, Heb. he hideth. He had ſaid before that wiſdome muſt be ſought like an hidden treaſure, now he ſhews where it is hidden, not with men, nor in the bowels of the earth, but with God. Men lay up treaſure, God layes up wiſdome, and that in Chriſt, in whom are all the treaſures hid of wiſdome and knowledge, Col. 2.3. And who is the wiſdome of God, 1 Cor. 1.24. Now, God doth not hide it to deprive men of it, but that as a treaſure he may keep it ſafe, and bring it out to give to his children, as they need it. And it ſhews withall that God hath abundance of wiſdome, enough to ſerve himſelf, and all creatures, becauſe he layes it up as men do riches, who have much more then they have preſent uſe of. And he layes it up for the good of his, as he doth goodneſſe. O how great is thy goodneſſe which thou haſt laid up for them that fear thee! Pſal. 31.19. So it is ready and at hand for them upon all occaſions. So we keep things carefully, that we lay up for our children. As the men of China do hide matter to make China diſhes, in the earth, to make portions for their children.
Sound wiſdome. The word foreign, ſignifies,
1. Eſſence, or being or ſubſtance of a thing. Hence may come the Greek word foreign. That they are double to that which is, Job 11.6. How haſt thou plentifully declared the thing as it is? Job 26.3. Thou diſſolveſt my ſubſtance, Job 30.22. And ſo it ſtands in oppoſition to that which is not. So riches are deſcribed, Wilt thou ſet thine eyes upon that which is not? ch. 23.5. Heaven onelyonly hath a foundation, earth hath none, but is hanged upon nothing. Abraham looked for a City which hath foundations, Heb. 11.10. But God hangeth the earth upon nothing, Job 26.7. Wiſdome hath ſolid ſubſtance in it, and true worth, whereas opinion onelyonly ſets the price upon all outward things.
2. The word ſignifies working or operation, which is an effect of eſſence. Things muſt be, before they can work, and are to ſmall purpoſe, if they work not. God i… excellent in working, Iſa. 28.29.
3. Wiſdome, which is one of the moſt excellent things that have a being. Keep ſound wiſdome, ch. 3.21. Other things paſſe away, when it remains and ſupports many things beſides. Sapientia eſſentiae appellationem ſortita eſt, quòd ſit, at que ad omnem aeternitatem duret. Ab. Ezr. Wiſdome hath got the name of eſſence, becauſe it is, and endures to all eternity. It is alſo learned from things that have a being, and is excellently ſeen in them. Some take it in the firſt ſenſe, and interpret it of that glorious being which God reſerves for the righteous in heaven. But it is beſt to underſtand it of ſound wiſdome, which is ſaid to be Gods gift in the former verſe. God is not like a bad Father, which waſteth his goods, but like a provident one, who layes up treaſure for his children.
For the righteous. He had ſhewed before what God gave, namely, Wiſdome. Now he ſhews to whom he gives it, not to all, but to the righteous. He layes it up for them that will make a good uſe of it. Rectus eſt, qui ſuam voluntatem divinae conformat volens de omni re id quod Deus vult eum v…lle. Ambroſ. He is right, who conforms his will to G…ds, willing in every thing that which God would have him to will. It may be tranſlated, For the upright. So, gladn…ſſe for the upright in heart, Pſal. 97.11.
He is a buckler. The Lord, mentioned before verſ. 6. Others read, which is a buckler. To wit, ſound wiſdome, mentioned in the beginning of this verſ. The former is the better. God as a ſhield ſets himſelf between his, and all dangers, eſpecially ſpirituall. It might have been objected, The godly are ſubject to many dangers and errors. The text anſwers, God will be their buckler to ſtand between them, and what might hurt them. The Hebr. word foreign, comes from a word that ſignifies to cover and defend. A Buckler defends men againſt blows and weapons. It ſignifies,
1. A ſhield or buckler, literally, ſuch as are uſed in wars. Was there a ſhield ſeen? Judg. 5.8. There the ſhield of the mighty i… vilely caſt away, 2 Sam. 1.21.
2. By a Metaphor it ſignifies a protection or protector from dangers. I am thy ſhield, Gen. 15.1.
3. Rulers, who are the protectors of the people. Her rulers (Heb. her ſhields) with ſhame do love, Give ye, Hoſ. 4.18. The ſhields of the earth belong unto God, Pſal. 47.9.
Here it is taken in the ſecond ſenſe, and ſo God protects his from innumerable dangers, and ſo doth Wiſdome alſo. But it may better be underſtood according to the coherence, that God wil be a buckler to defend them againſt all ſophiſtry and errors that would wound their ſouls, and rob them of that wiſdome which God hath laid up for them. There is no want with God, neither is he ſparing in giving wiſdome to his. As he layes it up plentifully for them, ſo he will bring it out plentifully to them, and make it a buckler to keep them ſafe from all hurt of errors, eſpecially ſuch as might endanger their ſalvation.
To them that walk. See on ch. 1.15.
Ʋprightly, or aright. Whoſe lives and actions are ſincere and agreeable to Gods Word.
Figures. He layeth up. A Metaphor from parents laying up treaſure, or portions for children, 2 Cor. 12.14.
A buckler. A Metaphor from War, wherein Souldiers uſe bucklers to prevent wounding.
To them that walk. A Metaphor from Travellers, to ſet out a conſtant courſe of piety.
Note 1. Gods proviſion.
2. Gods protection.
In the former note,
1. The perſon, He; that is, the Lord.
2. The act, layeth up.
3. The object, ſound wiſdome.
4. The ſubject, for the righteous.
In the latter obſerve,
1. The benefit, He is a buckler.
2. The perſons to whom, to them that walk uprightly.
1. Doct. God hath ſtore of wiſdome. His underſtanding is infinite, Pſal. 147.5. O the depth of the riches, both of the wiſdome and knowledge of God, Rom. 11.33. Men have ſtore of gold that can ſpare it to treaſure it up. So hath God of wiſdome.
Reaſon. It appears,
1. By Gods works. Of Creation. In wiſdome haſt thou made them all, Pſal. 104.24. Of Providence, in upholding the world, wherein there are are ſo many contrary diſpoſitions in all ſorts of creatures, that threaten ruine to it.
2. In his Writings. The Law and Goſpel, Old Teſtament and New, the beſt books in the world, if mens eyes were open to ſee the myſteries of them. Open mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law, Pſal. 119.18.
3. In his Scholars. Bezaleel and Aboliab filled by God with underſtanding in all manner of curious works, Exod. 31.2, &c. David by Gods Word made wiſer then his enemies, teachers, ancients, Pſal. 119.98, &c. The Prophets, Apoſtles. We count them beſt Schoolmaſters, and wiſeſt, out of whoſe Schools come rare Phyſicians, Lawyers, Divines. All learned men come out of Gods School. His is the heavenly Academy.
Ʋſe. Let us admire at Gods infinite wiſdome, and ſeeing our owne ſmall ſtore, let us ſubmit our judgement to his in all things, for he is wiſeſt. It ſeems ſtrange to fleſh and blood to be ſaved by the Croſſe of Chriſt. It ſeemed ſo to Jews and Greeks. Chriſt crucified is unto the Jews a ſtumbling-block, and unto the Greeks fooliſhneſſe, 1 Cor. 1.23. That is, to all the wiſe men of the world. For the reſt of the world had little learning then, and were counted Barbarians. Let us look for ſalvation no way elſe but from the Croſſe of Chriſt. It ſeems ſtrange to us, that death ſhould be deſtroyed by death, yet it is eafie to God. It ſeems no leſſe ſtrange, that God ſhould work by contraries. Yet he doth ſo. He brings light out of darkneſſe, and leads many to heaven through an hell of conſcience. It ſeems ſtrange to us that we ſhould be fick or poor, when others are well or rich; but God in his wiſdome ſees ſome good in it to us, which we ſee not. Let us therefore be patient.
2. Doct. God provides wiſdome for others. Parents, as they provide food and apparell, ſo alſo they lay up portions for their children. God hath wiſdome ſufficient for himſelf to guide the world, and layes up enough to make others wiſe. He layes it up,
1. In the Creatures. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament ſheweth his handy work, Pſal. 19.1.
2. In his Word. Theſ. are written, that ye might beleeve that Joſus is the Chriſt the Son of God, and that beleeving ye might have life through his mine, Joh. 20.31.
3. In the Sacraments. They are myſteries, 1 Cor. 11.23, &c.
4. In Chriſt. He is made of God unto us wiſdome, 1 Cor. 1.30. And of his fulneſſe we all have received, and grace for grace, Joh. 1.16.
5. In the government of the World. He brings down great men, diſappoints their plots, delivers his people, Exod. 15.
6. In the government of the Church. He makes his people to increaſe under perſecution, as the Iſraelites did in Aegypt, Exod. 1.12. Sanguis Mirtyrum ſemen Eccleſiae. The blood of the Martyrs was the ſeed of the Church.
7. In Heaven. Eye hath not ſeen, nor ear heard, neither have entred into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him, 1 Cor. 2.9.
Ʋſe. Deſpair not of getting ſtore of knowledge, if ye dig where and how God appoints. We are ill keepers of wiſdome. Adam ſoon loſt it. Therefore God keeps it for us. Otherwiſe it would ſoon be loſt out of the world. Witneſſe barbarous times. Seek therefore for true wiſdome in …ſte Creatures, by Obſervation; in the Word, by Auſcultation; in the Sacraments, by Meditation; in Chriſt, by Supplication; in the World, by Contemplation; in the Church, by Conſideration; in Heaven, by Premeditation.
3. Doct. Upright men ſhall not want neceſſary wiſdome. God hath laid up ſtore for them. If any man will do his will, he ſhall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I ſpeak of my ſelf, Joh. 7.17. What man is he that feareth the Lord? him ſhall be teach in the way that he ſhall chooſe. The ſecret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will ſhew them his covenant. Or, as your marg. reads, And his covenant to make them know it, Pſal. 25.12, 14.
Reaſon 1. Becauſe God is liberal, and like to great Princes, uſeth not to give one gift alone unto his Favourites. They give riches and honour. He gives righteouſneſſe and wiſdome. He bleſſeth us with all ſpirituall bleſſings, Eph. 1.3.
2. Becauſe he knows, that they will uſe it well. To ſuch children as uſe clothes well, and other gifts, Parents give more. So doth God.
Ʋſe. It comforts Gods people. They have an heart to do well, but often complain, that they cannot underſtand what is right in many particulars. Be of good comfort, God that hath given thee that heart, will give thee convenient knowledge.
4. Doct. God will keep his from dangerous errors. So he kept the Antiochians by the Apoſtles and Councell at Jeruſalem, Act. 15.1, 2, 31. The Galatians, by Paul's Epiſtle, Gal. 1.8, &c.
Reaſon 1. Becauſe God would not be diſhonoured, nor have his way nor himſelf be evil ſpoken of by them. A Father had rather any ſhould think ill of him then his children.
2. He would not have them periſh. Men may periſh by damnable errors, as well as by wicked lives, 2 Pet. 2.1. A Father would not have his children take ſuch courſes as ſhould lead them to the gallows. God hath more care to keep his from hell.
Ʋſe. Let us praiſe God for keeping us free from the damnable errors of the time about God, his Word, Reſurrection, into which others run greedily. It is not our care, but Gods, that keeps us pure.
5. Doct. True wiſdome is a great means to keep men from errors. So ſome read it, which is a buckler, meaning wiſdome. By them is thy ſervant warned, Pſal. 19.11. What to do? To take heed of errors, which himſelf ſees not, verſ. 12. Beware, leſt ye be led away with the error of the wicked. How ſhall we avoyd it? By growing in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Pet. 3.17, 18.
Reaſon. Becauſe wiſdome takes away thoſe things that make us go out of the way. As,
1. Ignorance of the right way. This makes a Traveller take the wrong way for the right. Ye do erre, not knowing the Scriptures, Matt. 22.29. Wiſdome removes this, and ſhews us the right way.
2. Darkneſſe. He that knows the way beſt, may erre in the dark. So may Gods ſervants in difficult things, not ſo cleerly revealed in Scripture. Here alſo wiſdome helps them out.
Ʋſe. It diſcovers to us a way how to diſcover errors, and avoyd them, which is by getting wiſdome. Verum eſt index ſui, & obliqui. Truth diſcovers what is right, and what it wrong. Men that have true weights at home, weigh things they buy, and are not couſened by falſe weights abroad. So wiſe men weigh opinions by the Scripture, and are not deceived.
6. Doct. Uprightneſſe both of heart and life is needfull for them that would be kept from errors. Witneſſe David's preſervation, and Solomon's failing in religion.
Reaſon. Becauſe God takes no care of keeping ſuch who deny him heart or life.
Ʋſe. Behold another means of keeping you from errors, that may endanger your ſalvation. Get upright hearts and lives, and ye ſhall be ſafe.