Exposition of Proverbs 1-3, Expositions · Chapter 3 · Verse 14
VER. 14. For the Merchandiſe of it is better then the Merchandiſe of ſilver: and the gain thereof then fine gold.
THE good that comes by wiſdom is ſet out.
1. Comparatively by preferring it before the beſt trading and commodities in the word. ver. 14, 15.
2. By the effects of true wiſdom. ver. 16, 17, 18. In the former it is preferred.
1. Before ſilver and gold. ver. 14.
2. Before rubies, ard all deſirable things. ver. 15. The men of the world think their happineſſe to conſiſt in ſtore of gold, and ſilver. But God accounts it to bee in wiſdom, to which merchandiſe being compared, whereby pure ſilver, and ſhining gold is gotten, ought to be had in no account.
For the words. For. See on Chap. 1.9.
The merchandiſe of it. The profit, that is gotten by it, or with it, as Merchants lay out their mony to get gain by it, and by the commodities purchaſed with it. Merchandiſe is one of the moſt profitable trades in the World, and the dearer the commodities, in which Merchants trade, the greater is the gain. Therefore the gain gotten by wiſdom here is compared to the richeſt merchandiſe, yea, preferred before it to draw mens affections to purſue more eagerly after ſpirituall, and heavenly wiſdom. Ths word foreign fignifi…s a going about or compaſſing of Sea or Land to get wiſdom, as Merchants do for gain. So the Phariſaicall Merchants did to get a Proſelyte. Math. 23.15.
Is better. See on Chap. 2.9. on the word. Good.
Then the Merchandiſe. See before in this Verſe.
Of Silver. See on on Chap. 2.4.
And the gain thereof. It is tranſlated, Increaſe. ver. 9. For Merchandiſe brings greater income, or increaſe, or benefit, then husbandry.
foreign Then fine gold. The word comes from cutting in the Originall, either becauſe gold is, as it were, cut out of the Earth at firſt, or elſe becauſe after it is purified by the fire it is cut to make rings or Coin.
Figures. Two Metaphors. One in Marchandiſe: The other in gain. Merchants lay out their mony for gain: ſo may wiſdom be improved to ſingular benefit.
Note. 1. The Trade.
2. The gain of it. Both ſet out by a compariſon from precious things. A ſilver trade is very profitable; a trade of wiſdom is more profitable. Gold is excellent; yet more is gotten by wiſdom.
1. Doct. Men naturally ſeek ſtill for encreaſe of what good things they have. So it is intimated in the text, that they who are wiſe, having obtained ſome wiſdom deſire to increaſe it, as he that hath gotten ſome worldly wealth by Merchandiſe, deſires the ſame way to increaſe it. God ſhews it by Parables taken from men, as of the Vineyard. Iſa. 5.1.1. &c Good fruit was lookt for from it. Of the talents Luk 19.11. Gain was expected thence.
Reaſon. 1. Becauſe God hath put into all living creatures a naturall principle of deſire of increaſe, and growth, as in trees, and beaſts.
2. Man hath more help to put this principle in practiſe by the benefit of reaſon.
Uſe. It condemns thoſe that care not for increaſe in heavenly wiſdom. It is an ill ſigne, that nature is ſtrong in them, and grace weak. We would grow in the world, but not toward Heaven. We croſſe Solomons ſcope here, which is to perſwade us to labour for increaſe in true wiſdom.
2. Doct. Wiſdome drives the greateſt trade in the world. More to be deſired are (wiſdoms precepts) then gold, yea, then much fine gold. Pſ. 19.10. Wiſdom is better then rubies: and all the things, that may be deſired, are not to be compared unto it. Prov. 8.11.
Reaſon. 1. Becauſe it trades in greater commodities, then any Merchant. In ſoules of men, the laſt, and greateſt commodity mentioned, Rev. 18.12, 13. one whereof is more worth then a world, and the loſſe of it not to be recovered by the gain of the whole world. Math. 16.26. when the quinteſſence, and ſpirits are drawn out of herbs. and flowers, what are they good for? and how comfortable and profitable are thoſe extracted ſpirits? So mens ſouls are immortall, their bodies without them are but dead carkaſſes.
2. This trade extends it ſelf further, then any trade in the world. Silver will paſſe in all Countries, Trades, Profeſſions: Merchants can trade with it by ſea, and land, and all the world over. But wiſdom trades in Heaven, and Earth. We by it trade with God by prayer, he with us by heavenly inſpiration.
Uſe. To perſwade all to become wiſdoms ſcholars. If any man could tell you of a trade, that would in time put down all other trades, every man would be for it. This trade will do it. Jeſus Chriſt will put down the four great Empires of the world, and wiſdome will put down all worldly affaires in the end.
Doct: 3. Wiſdome brings more profit then any worldly riches. My fruit is better then gold (ſaith wiſdome) yea then fine gold, and my revenues then choice ſiluer. Chap. 8.19.
Reaſ. Becauſe it brings better things then riches can. We eſteem the goodneſſe of things by their own worth, or our eſteem, or deſire, or their effects. The profit of wiſdome is better then of riches.
1. In its own value. Nil aliud ſunt aurum, et argentum, quàm terra rubra & alba. Gold and ſiluer are nothing elſe, but red and white earth. Bern. Wiſdome is as much better then theſe things, for which men fight ſo ſtoutely, and which they ſeek to obtain with ſuch huge labour, as the good things of the ſoul are better then outward things.
2. In mens eſteem and account it is better, if they be wiſe. A dunghill Cock may prefer a barly corn before a pearl, a Jeweller will not.
3. In regard of deſire: it is more deſireable, and ſhould be more deſired then any thing in the world.
4. In regard of the effects of it.
1. It can quiet a mans mind, which no wealth can do. Rich men have many cares, and griefs; Crownes are crownes of thor…s, nothing but wiſdome can give tranquillity of ſpirit, and poize the ſhip of the ſoule in all tempeſts.
2. It affords a ladder to climbe to eternall things, like Jacobs ladder, that did reach from Bethel on earth, to Bethel (Gods houſe) in heaven. Men with their money may periſh, Act. 8. ſo may houſes, ſtuffe, fields, friends; but unperiſhable things may be gotten by wiſdome, no poſſeſſion then, how large ſoever, no ſtore of gold or ſilver is comparable to wiſdome.
Ʋſe. To engage us yet further in the ſearch of true wiſdom. We ſhall be rich in God. Et quem ille divitem fecerit, nemo pauperem faciet. Cyprian. Epiſt. ad Donatum. And whom God makes rich, no man ſhal make poor. Si aliqua amiſiſtis ga…dia, negotiatio est aliquid amittere, ut majora lucremini. Tertul. ad Martyres. cap. 2. If ye have loſt ſome joyes, it is a good trading to loſe ſomewhat, that ye may get greater matters. If men undergo ſo many labours, griefs, wants, dangers of life for ſeeming riches, & gilded pearles, what ſhould we do for true riches? Si tanti vitrum, quanti verum margaritum? Tertul. in Scorpiac. cap. 4. If glaſs be ſo dear, what is the true pearle? Sure that is worth much more. We ſhould think it no labour to take pains for wiſdome. foreign, ſaith a Father, while we gain, we feel no pain. Sing a ſong of profit, and men will hearken. The Jaſſians in Strabo, delighted with the muſick of an excellent harper, ran all away aſſoon as the marken bell rang, ſave a deaf old man, and he went away alſo aſſoon as he heard of it. What is gold and ſilver, but the guts and garbage of the earth? And what is all the pomp and glory of the world, but dung and dogs meat? Phil. 3.7, 8 labour then more for wiſdome, then for the choiceſt ſilver, or for the fineſt gold, and be rich to eternity.