Every wise woman buildeth her house
Not only by her fruitfulness, as Leah and Rachel built up the
house of Israel; but by her good housewifery, prudent economy;
looking well to the ways of her household; guiding the affairs of
her house with discretion; keeping all things in a good decorum;
and bringing up her children in virtue, and in the fear and
admonition of the Lord. So Christ, who in this book goes by the
name of "Wisdom", or the wise woman, builds his house upon
himself, the Rock; and all his people on their most holy faith,
by means of the ministry of the word, and administration of
ordinances: he guides and governs his house, where he is, as a
Son in it and over it; and of whom the whole family in heaven and
earth is named, taken care of, and wisely and plentifully
provided for: and so Gospel ministers, who are wise to win souls,
being well instructed in the kingdom of God; these "wise women"
F25, so it is in the original text, or
wise virgins; these wise master builders lay the foundation
Christ ministerially, and build souls on it; and speak things to
the edification of the church and people of God, and the building
of them up in faith and holiness; but the foolish plucketh
it down with her hands;
the Vulgate Latin version adds, "being built"; this she does by
her idleness and laziness; by her lavish and profuse way of
living; by her negligence and want of economy; by her frequenting
playhouses, and attention to other diversions; and so her family
and the affairs of it go to wreck and ruin. Thus the apostate
church of Rome, who is called a "woman", and may be said to be a
"foolish" one, being a wicked one and a harlot; see ( Revelation
17:2 Revelation
17:3 ) ; pulls down the true church and house of God with
both hands, as much as in her lies, by her false doctrines, and
superstitious worship and idolatry; and by her murders and
massacres of the saints, with the blood of whom she is said to be
drunk; nay, not only pulls it down with her hands, but treads
upon it with her feet, ( Revelation
11:2 ) . So likewise all false teachers do as this foolish
woman does, by their impure lives and impious doctrines, defile
the temple of God, subvert the faith of many; by means of whom
the tabernacle of David, or house of God, is fallen down; the
ruins and breaches of which Christ will repair in the latter day.