ends, and to the choice of the best means for their attainment; and _prudence,_ or _discretion,_ teaches to shun whatever might, in any way or degree, interfere with and impede, or mar their accomplishment. This is precisely what wisdom, as an attribute or quality, does. And it is worthy of remark, that this association of wisdom with prudence, is introduced by the Apostle as characterising the greatest of the Divine inventions and works--that of our redemption. Wisdom was associated with prudence in framing and perfecting that wonderful scheme (Ephes. i. 7, 8). (5) It is very true that there are many things here, especially in the latter part of the chapter--indeed through the whole--that are, in a very interesting and striking manner, applicable to the Divine Messiah. But this is no more than might have been anticipated, that things which are true of a _Divine attribute_ should be susceptible of application to a _Divine person._" We quote, in conclusion, the remarks of Dr. Aiken, the American editor and translator of this portion of Lange's Commentary: "The error in our English exegetical and theological literature with respect to our passage has been, we think, the attempt to force upon it more of distinctness and precision in the revelation of the mysteries of the Divine Nature than is disclosed by a fair exegesis. . . . If it be not unworthy of the Holy Spirit to employ a bold and graphic personification, many things in this chapter may be said of and by the personified Wisdom which these authors regard as triumphantly proving that we have here the pre-existent Christ, the Son of God. . . . We can, to say the least, go no farther than our author has done in discovering here the foreshadowings of the doctrine of the Logos. We are inclined to prefer the still more guarded statements, _e.g.,_ of Dr. Pye Smyth (_Scripture Testimony to the Messiah_), that this beautiful picture cannot be satisfactorily proved to be a designed description of the Saviour's person; or that of Dr. John Harris (Sermon on chap. viii. 30-36): 'At all events, while, on the one hand, none can _demonstrate_ that Christ is here directly intended, on the other, none can prove that He is not contemplated; and perhaps both will admit that, under certain conditions, language such as that in our text may be justifiably applied to Him. One of these conditions is, that the language be not employed _argumentatively,_ or in _proof_ of anything related to Christ, but only for the purpose of illustration; and another is, that when so employed, it be only adduced to illustrate such views of the Son of God as are already established by such other parts of Scripture as are admitted by the parties addressed.'" _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 1-3. THE NATURE OF WISDOM'S CALL.