Exposition of Proverbs 1-3, Expositions · Chapter 3 · Verse 15
VER. 15. She is more pretious then Rubies, and all the things thou canſt deſire, are not to be compared unto her.
THe wiſeman in the former verſe had preferred wiſdome before ſilver and gold. But ſome man might object, pretious ſtones may be better then wiſdome. No, ſaith Solomon, wiſdome is of greater price then they. It might be further objected, there may be more deſirable things in the world then Rubies, though we know them not, and they may be better then wiſdome. He anſwers, nothing can be more deſirable then wiſdome, of all things that can be imagined. For the words.
She is more pretious. Of greater valew. For the word, ſee on Chap. 1.13.
Then Rubies. A pretious ſtone of great price, and account, of a ruddy collour. It is likely our engliſh word Ruby, comes from rubedo, redneſſe in Latine. Her Nazarites were more ruddy in body then Rubies. Lam. 4.7. If the mountaines were pearl, the huge rocks, rubies, and the whole globe a ſhining chryſolite, yet all this were not to be named the ſame day with wiſdome.
And all the things thou canſt deſire. Heb. And all thy deſires. That is, all that thou canſt deſire; or, any thing that thou canſt deſire, be it the choiſeſt thing in the world. So foreign is uſed without a negative particle added to it, though not obſerved by any Grammarian, or dictionary, that I have met withall. Surely in vain the net is ſpread in the ſight of any bird. Prov. 1.17. It withereth before any herb. Job 8.12. So that it is a climax from one particular thing deſirable to another ſtill better, and better; but not a generall ſum of all things deſireable. By deſire here is not meant the act of deſiring, but the thing deſired, as the tranſlation intimates. So faith is put for the thing believed, and hope for the thing hoped for: What is the faith once delivered to the Saints, Jude ver. 3. But the Doctrine of the Goſpell, the Object of faith? And what is the hope laid up for us in Heaven. Col. 1.5. but the glory of Heaven, the object of hope?
Are not to be compared unto her. They are not equall to her, much leſſe of greater value. The value of things is beſt known by comparing them together. Wiſdom will appear to be better then whatſoever is laid againſt it. Figures. Deſires. Things deſired. A figure of the adjunct for the object. Wiſdome is preferred
1. Before jewells.
2. Before all other deſirable things in the world, if there be any thing better then jewells.
1. Doct. Jewells and pearls are of great account among men. One may be better then a merchants eſtate. The merchant ſold all he had to buy one pearle of great price. Mat. 13.44, 46. Therefore are they called pretious stones. Rev. 18.12.
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe of their beauty. They are of divers colours, and very ſpecious.
2. Becauſe of their vertue. They are good to ſtench blood, and heal diſeaſes.
3. Becauſe of their price. A little ſilver is worth more then much coyn. A little Gold then much ſilver. A pretious ſtone then much Gold.
Uſe. Let us ſee and admire Gods power, and wiſdom, that hath put ſo much beauty, vertue, value into a little ſtone. A fly is more wonderfull then an Elephant. It hath eyes, wings, body, feet in a little compaſſe. In artificiall things many faces in a cherry ſtone are moſt admired, and ſuch like other ſmall things. It is a wonder to ſee ſo much vertue within a little glaſſe of ſtrong waters. Give the great God all the glory.
2. Doct. The beſt things in the world are not comparable unto wiſdom, How much better is it to get wiſdom then gold? and to get underſtanding rather to be choſen then ſilver? Chap. 16.16. See Job 28.15, 16, 17, 18, 19. verſes.
Reaſon. 1. Becauſe wiſe men have really ſo eſteemed wiſdom, and parted with all for it, as in the parables of the treaſure, and pearle. Math. 13.44, 45, 56. and in Pauls account, and practiſe, who had ſuffered the loſſe of all things for it. Phil. 3.7, 8. They would not caſt away outward comforts, if they looked not for better in ſo doing. Ye took joyfully the ſpoiling of your goods, knowing in your ſelves, that ye have in heaven, a better, and an enduring ſubſtance. Heb. 10.34.
2. Becauſe it loſeth nothing by communicating to others. The more mony we give, the leſſe we have: but it is not ſo in communicating wiſdom. It is like the Sun, that hath given light to all men ſince the world began, and is as bright ſtill, as ever it was. Hence comes the Arabian Proverb, Get Wealth in meaſure, but wiſdom without meaſure. Get as much wealth as may ſerve for this life, but get wiſdom in infinitum.
3. Becauſe it cannot be taken away from us, as wealth, honour, pleaſures may: and therefore while we have it, wee are both rich and happy. Omnia mea mecum porto. All mine I carry with me, ſaid Bias, giving a reaſon, why hee carried none of his goods out of his Country, as counting nothing his own, but his wiſdom, which the Enemies could not take from him.
4. It alone can ſatisfie the ſoul. Wealth, and all worldly comforts cannot give content. He that loveth ſilver, ſhall not be ſatisfied with ſilver, nor he that loveth abundance with increaſe. This is alſo vanity. Eccl. 5.10. Wiſdom containes all treaſures virtually in it ſelf. Rich men have not all good things. Concupiſcentia plùs longè stimulatur ab his, quas nondum peperit, quam partes expletur. Salazar. Concupiſcence is more stung with the things it hath not gotten, then ſatisfied with what it hath. But men may ſay with David, I have rejoyced in the way of thy teſtimonies, as much as in all riches. Pſal. 119.14.
Uſe. To condemn the folly of thoſe men, who endanger life, and ſoul for tranſitory wealth, and neglect that which is far more precious then any riches. This argues blindneſſe, and blockiſhneſſe. For ſuch men ſee not that wiſdom is more worth ſeeking, then all ſublunary comforts. Delights, and riches are periſhing comforts, and nothing in compariſon of heavenly wiſdome.
Doct. 3. Nothing can be imagined that is comparable to wiſdom. So Solomon thought, who being put to his choice, deſired nothing elſe of God. 2 Chron. 1.7. &c. So Paul thought, who deſired not to know any thing ſave Jeſus Chriſt the wiſdom of the Father. 1 Cor. 2.2. A man may deſire meat, drink, ſilver, gold, yea his fancy can imagine new worlds, but all is not comparable to true wiſdome.
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe none of thoſe things man can imagine, or deviſe, or deſire, can free him from Hell. No ranſom can doe it, nor force. It is a warning from Heaven muſt direct us how to eſcape Hell: Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Math. 3.7. Sure none but God.
2. No ſuch thing can ſhew us the way to Heaven. OnelyOnly true wiſdom out of Gods word can do it. The ſcriptures onelyonly can make a man wiſe unto ſalvation. 2 Tim. 3.15.
Uſe. Ceaſe deſiring, and imagining how to find out meanes of happineſſe in the World, and labour for true wiſdom, which onelyonly can make thee happy. A diver that ſtops his breath longeſt, gets moſt pearles; ſo he that breaths leaſt for the world, gets moſt wiſdom.