20. “I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment.’ For! set their minds and hearts aright; and in rich them with excellent thoughts; which teach them how to use those earthly goods, and govern themselves with such exactness in all their private transactions or public administrations; as never to swerve from the steady rules of justice and equity
21. “That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.” In order to their happy settlement in a state of eternal peace and substantial satisfaction; which 1 Confer on all those that sincerely love me and adhere unto me: whose souls I will fill as full with abundance of inestimable riches, as their treasuries are with silver, and gold, and all other stores.
22. “The Lord possessed me in the beginning of His way, before His works of old.” For the Lord Himself hath no greater riches than me, who lead men to a participation of Him and communion with Him with whom I was ever present (as well as always most dear unto Him) not only when He began to create this world; but before He made any of His works: when as yet there was nothing but Himself.
23. “I was set up from everlasting, front the beginning, or ever the earth was.” My sovereignty and dominion is from everlasting; and hath no superior to it: all antiquity comes infinitely short of mine; who was before the earth itself.
24. “When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.” When as yet there were no depths I, Wisdom, was in God long before the sources and springs: whose excellent waters, which are of greater value than any other, owe their rise unto me, the unexhausted fountain of all things.
25. “Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth.” Who had a being before the mountains, from whence those waters run, were settled; or there was so much as a hillock to be seen in the earth.
26. “While as yet He had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.” For as yet the Lord had not made the earth itself, much less adorned it, and put it into this form of lofty mountains and spacious plains: no, there was not so much as the first atom of this globe whereon you tread.
27. “When He prepared the heavens, I was there: when He set a compass upon the face of the depth.” But why do I speak of the earth alone? I was present when He disposed the heavens into this wonderful) order, wherein we behold them; as well as when He moved upon that confused abyss which they enclosed, and fashioned the earth into a regular shape.
28. “When He established the clouds above: when He strengthened the fountains of the deep.” When He made the warty clouds also, with admirable wisdom, so firm in the air, that they shall not fall down all together, but by drops upon the earth: and provided strong cisterns for the waters pent up there; from whence they gush out forcibly, and yet wear not away the passages He hath opened for them.
29. “When He gave to the sea His decree, that the waters should not pass His commandment: when He appointed the foundations of the earth.” When He prescribed also to the sea its limits, that the waters thereof (though they swell and toss up and down) shall not pass over the shores wherein He hath confined them: and when He settled the earth so steadfastly, like a building upon sure foundations, that it remains unmovable in the place He appointed for it.
30. “Then I was by Him, as one brought up with Him: and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him.” Then was I with Him, nay, very near unto Him; contriving all these things: nor had He any higher pleasure than me, who day by day, during the creation of the world, produced some lovely work or other; in which He rejoiced, to see how good and agreeable they were.
31. “Rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth; and may delights were with the sons of men.” More particularly, I displayed my skill in the vast variety of creatures, wherewith I have beautified this earth, wherein you dwell; which afford a most delightful! spectacle unto me, and unto all wise observers: who may see, that, above the rest, my principal thoughts were fixed upon the children of men in whom I delighted exceedingly (as the Lord doth in me), beholding them made in the image of God, and after His likeness, capable to converse with me.
32. “Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.” Who may therefore justly expect (all these things considered) that you should cheerfully embrace my repeated counsels; and, as dutiful children, take the greatest pleasure in being obedient to them: for blessed, you cannot but see, blessed beyond all expression, are they who observe (as all other creatures do) the laws that I have prescribed them.
33. “Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.” Hearken, I beseech you, and yield to the voice of your own reason, and of God’s Holy Word and Spirit: which checks the irregular motions which you find at any time in you: and be so wise and considerate, as not to slight and reject it.
34. “Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.” But rather invite such instructions, by giving them thankful entertainment, and going thither where you may meet with them: for happy, more happy than can be expressed, is that man who not only hearkens obediently when he is told his duty, but makes it his business to be rightly informed; neglecting no opportunity, but constantly and diligently attending there, where he may be taught how he ought to live; most earnestly desiring to become my disciple, and to be governed by me.
35. “For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord.” In which, whatsoever pains he bestows, he shall not lose his labor: for as he shall not fail to find what he seeks, so he shall find with all, that I will make his life a perpetual pleasure to him; for I have demonstrated that he must needs be beloved of the Lord, to whom I am most nearly allied, and from Him shall obtain his heart’s desire.
36. “But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they flint hale tote love death.” From whence it is manifest, that he who violates my laws, doth the greatest injury unto his own soul: and whosoever they be that hate to be reproved for it, and can neither endure to be told of their faults, nor receive any good advice, they love to be miserable, and willfully bring upon themselves utter destruction.