Bridges on Proverbs 8:1-4
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 8:1-4
 
 1-4 
 5-11 
 12 
 13 
 14 
 15-16 
 17 
 18-21 
 22-31 
 32-33 
 34-36 
 
1. ¶ Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? 2. She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. 3. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. 4. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
 
LISTEN we now to the calls of heavenly Wisdom — to the voice of the Son of God.† Careless soul! shall thy Divine call be slighted, when the allurements of sin and vanity have had power to arrest thine ear?† Can ignorance be pleaded? Doth not wisdom cry? and that — not in the hour of darkness, and in the secret corners, but in the high places — the paths of the city — the doors of thy house? Has she not followed thee to thy places of business — of diversion — of sin? Has she not put forth her voice in the Bible — in the family — in the preached word? The loudness — the perseverance of the cry betokens earnestness in thy friend, and danger in thy condition. For would she have cried so loud, or continued so long, if she had not loved thy soul; if she had not known the wrath that was hanging over thee — the hell that was before thee?
The call is unfettered; not to devils, but to men: not to the righteous, but to the sons of men. Every child, therefore, of guilty Adam has his name in the warrant. It is the proclamation of the Gospel “to every creature.” (Mark 16:15.) Wherever the word reaches, the offer is made. Wherever a lost sinner be found on this side of the grave, the free welcome of the Gospel meets him. If he be not saved, he is more lost than ever. His ruin lies at his own door. (Matthew 23:37.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
We assume the speaker to be personal — essential Wisdom. Apart from the general reasons before given (Notes on Chapter 1:20, 21, 24), this description could not without unnatural force apply to an attribute. It set out, I. Personal existence — brought forth — brought up — in conjunction with Deity — by Him (verses 24, 30.) II. Personal properties (1.) set up (anointed, Heb.) from everlasting, for distinct office (verse 23), (2.) The efficient cause in the work of creation (verses 27-30), (3.) Having wisdom (verse 14) which, as an attribute itself, could not be the property of an attribute; and strength (verse 14) an independent quality, not a property of wisdom, (4.) Personal authority (verses 15, 16), (5.) Leading into the ways of truth (verses 19, 20), (6.) Causing to inherit. (Verse 21.) III. Personal affections — hatred (verse 13), love (verse 17), joy. (Verses 30, 31.) IV. Giving personal promises. (Verse 21.) V. Commanding obedience as a matter of life and death. (Verses 32-36.) Whether Solomon fully understood his own words, may be a question. 1 Peter 1:10, 11. But receiving the words as from God; weighing their natural force; comparing them with Scripture parallels, we doubt not that they describe — not an attribute, but a Person — Eternal — Omniscient — in the most endearing relation to man — his Creator — Mediator — Savior.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Peter 1:10, 11
10 ¶ Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 7. ‘Imagination cannot form to itself a more exquisite and affecting piece of scenery, than that exhibited by Solomon in the Book of Proverbs. In his seventh chapter he introduces the world, by its meretricious blandishments alluring the unwary to the chambers of destruction. In the succeeding chapter, by way of perfect contrast, appears in the beauty and majesty of holiness, the Son of the Father, the true and eternal Wisdom of God, with all the tender love and affectionate concern of a parent, inviting men to the substantial joys and enduring pleasures of immortality, in the house of salvation.’ — Bishop Horne's Sermon on the Tree of Knowledge.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mark 16:15
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Matthew 23:37
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!