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An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (Classic Reprint)
An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs - Classic Reprint Author:Charles Bridges It was well adapted to the rudeness and simplicity of the first ages, when books were few, and philosophy little understood. The mind, unpractised to the slow process of reasoning, would be much more easily arrested by terse sentences, expressing a striking sentiment in the fewest words. The wise man himself has given the best definition of thes... more »e sententious maxims. Their elegance he describes under the figure of apples of gold in pictures (network) of silver. 1T heir force and permanent impression are as goads and nails fastened by the Master of assemblies 2driven closely home to the heart and conscience, and fastened in the memories by the appointed instructor of the people. The antiquity of this teaching was Recognized in the Church even before the age of Solomon.3 Classic annals have recorded aphorisms similarly constructed from men of wisdom. All of these however were of a later date. Some possibly might be dim scintillations from this foun tain light; so that he was, as an old expositor has remarked the disciple of none, but the instructor of them all.54 Indeed his mind largely dealt in this intellectual exercise. He spake three thousand proverbs. 5A nd from this valuable mass of thought he was directed under Divine mspiration, to set in order a collection for the instruction of the Church k) the end of time.6 Possibly some would rather have desired the preservation of his dis courses on Natuval History7 than on Practical Wisdom. But this Sover eign discrimination shows the real intent of the Scriptures not to teach philosophy, but religion; not to make men of science, but men of sound godliness. All competent judges will admit this Book to be eminently fitted for this great end. What the Roman Orator pronounced of Thucydides applies far more truly to this King of Jerusalem so full of matter, that he comprised as many sentences as words. 8T his wonderf
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)« less