Simon Patrick on the Proverbs
1683
Chapter 2
1. "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee.”
And now, my son, whose happiness I most heartily desire, let me tell thee for thy further encouragement that if thou dost entertain these exhortations, which I have now given thee, and keep these precepts in remembrance, for the same end that corn is sown and covered in the ground.
2. "So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding.”
Listening with diligent attention, not to the enticements of such evil men as I have described, but to the counsels and instructions of wisdom; with sincere affection applying thy mind to understand thy duty
3. "Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding.”
And moreover, if thou expresses such a desire of it, as men do of that which they most need, and without which they are in danger to perish: praying those that are able to inform thee, and beseeching God likewise with ardent devotion, that He would bring [make] thee acquainted with it.
4. "If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures.”
If thou dost value this wisdom above the greatest treasures, and show [show] thy esteem of it by studious seeking for it, as covetous men do for money: laying hold upon all occasions of profiting in knowledge, and pursuing thy advantages (as they do) when thou meetest with them; not giving over thy labor presently, if thou findest not what thou desirest, but inquiring still, and sparing no pains to know what the will of the Lord is.
5. "Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.”
Then thou shalt not fail to understand what it is to be truly religious; and that there is no wisdom comparable to it: and shalt find also what reason there is to reverence, worship and solicitously obey Him, who is the Almighty Creator, Governor, and Judge of all the world.
6. "For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.”
For as wisdom, no less than all other good things is the gift of the Lord (without whom all our pains and study about it will be ineffectual) so there is no doubt He will bestow it on those who esteem it above all worldly goods, especially this most necessary part of it: which He hath already imparted to us by His prophets and men inspired, who have given us a true knowledge and understanding of Him.
7. "He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.”
And have assured us, that He hath solid and durable blessings (transcending all the transitory things of this life) reserved in store for upright men: and will protect all those by His Almighty Providence, whose care it is to perform and complete obedience to Him in all things.
8. "He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of His saints.”
That so He may preserve them in their integrity, and encourage them neither to swerve from the rules of justice, nor to cease to exercise mercy and kindness: for He hath a great favor to such pious persons, and will be their keeper and defender in such proceedings.
9. "Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.”
By which thou shalt understand that justice and mercy in thy private dealings, and faithful discharge of thy trust in all public offices, and uprightness in every other virtue; and all of them the best, the most plain, easy, and natural way a man can take to be happy.