Proverbs 8
SIBProverbs 8:1-11
And why, to your ruin, should you listen to the flattering enticements of whorish women, when Jesus Christ, the wisdom of God, by himself and his messengers, in the most open and earnest manner, calls you, and every one of mankind, even the most simple and foolish, to the study of true and spiritual wisdom;—to listen to, consider, and believe, the excellent, pure, holy, substantial, faithful, precious, and infinitely useful, oracles of his word: 12—31. And, in order to enforce his call, and recommend his instructions, represents himself as the infinitely wise God, the source of all wisdom and prudence; the infinitely holy One, who detests every thing proud, polluted, or perverse;—and the Almighty God, able to execute all his purposes, and by whose deputed authority all the magistrates on earth govern their subjects;—the infinite lover, and rich rewarder, of all that seek him, particularly in youth;—the inexhaustible portion, and unerring guide, of all those who receive him by faith;—the eternal and only begotten Son of JEHOVAH, appointed to be our Mediator;—the almighty Maker of all things in heaven and earth;—and who, from his infinite and peculiar love to mankind, took a distinguished pleasure in forming the earth as a theatre, whercen he should appear, save, and hold intimate fellowship with, the sons and daughters of Adam
Proverbs 8:32-36
On account of all which excellencies and kindness, he, in the most earnest and condescending manner, entreats and charges you to hear, receive, and practically observe, his instructions, attend his ordinances, and receive himself in them, as the free gift of God, and as the only mean of true and everlasting happiness;—and warns you, that, if you refuse and hate him, you will infallibly and eternally ruin yourselves
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. VIII.—How public, earnest, and extensive, are the calls of the gospel! Infinitely excellent is that Jesus Christ and his salvation, therein exhibited and offered, and that religion which is therein prescribed. And happy, in the blessings of time and eternity, are those persons, families, and nations, in which the knowledge of Christ and his truths prevail and reign! They are enriched with the fruits of his mediation, and filled with all the fulness of God. But is it not infinitely amazing that God’s eternal Son, the Creator and Preserver of all things, should have, from everlasting, entered into the room of, and fixed his thoughts, his delights, upon the children of men? Surely then he deserves our strictest attention, our earliest and strongest affection. And just and righteous is the sorest punishment which can be inflicted upon those self-runners, who refuse him, and neglect and despise the ordinances of his grace. Let me consider this great Apostle and High Priest of my profession; this great ALL and IN ALL. Let my heart seek him early, earnestly, and above all things else. Let me love him, who first loved me, with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let me rejoice and delight in him as my exceeding joy and all my consolation. Let me carefully attend his ordinances, watching daily at his gates, at the posts of his doors: and, if I find him who is the great God my Saviour, and the eternal life, my pains will be infinitely more than rewarded