Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither
Into Wisdom's house, so well built and furnished; the church of
Christ, as a house of instruction; a school, where such who are
"simple", weak, and foolish, may learn. Here are many
instructors; saints instruct one another; ministers of the word
are teachers; yea, Father, Son, and Spirit, here teach and
instruct, and none teach like them. Here many lessons are to be
learned concerning themselves, concerning Christ, and concerning
their duty to God and men; all sorts of persons may learn here,
such who know ever so much or ever so little. Or let him turn in
here, as into an inn, into which passengers or travellers turn
for accommodations; see ( Proverbs
9:15 Proverbs
9:16 ) . The saints are travellers here, at a distance from
their Father's house, and need refreshment by the way; the church
of God is an inn of good accommodations; here is room enough to
entertain them; here are good lodgings for rest and safety, and
good provisions, and all of free cost. And now these are the
words of Wisdom, or Christ, either in person, or by his maidens,
his ministers, inviting such who are "simple" to turn in hither,
and partake of the provisions in it; that is, not such who are
quite stupid and insensible, sottish, incorrigible, and
irreclaimable; but who are sensible of their folly and
simplicity; who are but of weak capacities, apt to be credulous,
and so easily imposed upon and deceived; [as for] him that
wanteth understanding;
not the natural faculty of the understanding, nor an
understanding of things natural and civil; but of things
spiritual and evangelical, as of the grace of God; of salvation
by Christ; of the work of the Spirit; of themselves and their
state; of the Gospel, and the mysteries of it; and who are
sensible of their ignorance and want of understanding; which is
the first thing the Spirit of God convinces men of; or who are so
in comparison of others, are weak in knowledge and experience.
Now these Christ does not despise, but invites them into his
house for instruction; and where can they be better? and who so
fit and proper to be here, and be with Wisdom, than such as
these? she saith to him:
as follows.