by Thomas Boston
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
For whoso findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord. PROVERBS 8:35,
THIS chapter represents to us Wisdom speaking openly and most earnestly to her hearers. The discourse begins, ver. 4, and goes on to the end of the chapter.
It may here he enquired, 1. Who or what is this wisdom that speaks? I answer, Jesus Christ, the personal Wisdom of God; Luke 11:49; 1 Cor. 1:24, in both which passages Christ is expressly called "the Wisdom of God." This appears from the personal properties ascribed to this Wisdom, as, (1.) Subsistence, ver. 30, "Then I was by him, as one brought up with him; and I was daily his delight." Compare John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (2.) The manner of subsistence, namely, eternal generation: vers. 22–24, "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there was no depths, I was brought forth; when there was no fountains abounding with water." (3.) Personal attributes and effects; vers. 14–17, &c., "Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength," &c.
It may be inquired, 2. To whom he speaks? I answer, "To men," ver. 4, "Unto you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men;" sinful and ruined men, who stand in need of salvation.
3. It may be inquired, What he speaks? I answer, The sum of it all is to commend itself to their souls, from their eternal happiness, ver. 11, and downwards, "for wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired, are not to be compared to it," &c.
4. What is the application of this discourse? It is an exhortation to hear his voice, comply with it, and close with him, ver. 32, and downwards, "Now therefore hearken auto me," &c.
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Table of Contents
Christ to be Found in the Ordinances, with the Import and Happy Effects of Finding Him
Sinners Interested in Christ, Obtaining Favor of the Lord
Unbelief the Sin Against Christ by Way of Eminence, and the Wrong Done to the Soul Thereby
Bellievers a Mystery, with a Description of the their Travels from the Wilderness of this World, to the Heavenly Canaan, Leaning Upon Christ
Enoch's Character and Translation Explained, with a Description of Walking with God, as that in which the Life of Religion Lies