(13) Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. (14) В¶ The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. (15) It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. (16) It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. (17) The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. (18) No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. (19) The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
Supposing (what the Reader will plainly perceive is the humble, but firm belief of the writer) that JESUS be indeed the wisdom the sacred writer was speaking of before, how sweetly corresponding, to the other parts of the Bible, concerning the invaluable and unpurchaseable blessings of JESUS, and redemption by him, do these comparative statements appear? Gospel mercies are too costly to be sold, or indeed to come within the purchase of all creation. They are bought without money, and without price. Ye are redeemed (saith the HOLY GHOST by Peter) not with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of CHRIST, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. What pearl, what topaz, what onyx, or all the golden wedges of Ophir, can bear mentioning, in the contemplation of the blood of JESUS! Oh! thou LAMB of GOD! thou precious gift of thy FATHER, and of thyself, who shall appreciate thy worth, or count thy love, or speak thy value! Reader, Is this JESUS thine? Ask then thine heart, Were he to be sold, what wouldest thou part with for him? Were he to be bought, what shouldest thou think too much for him? And hath GOD thy father given then this JESUS to thee?-to thee?-Given him too in such a way as never, never to be recalled. There is nothing else thy GOD hath given to thee, what the LORD may, whenever he thinks fit, recall again; for it is only in reality lent. Health, strength, faculties, wealth, children; all these are only held during a term. But JESUS, once given, is forever given, and never, never to be taken back. Reader! pause again. Is JESUS thine? Blessed LORD! how lost in wonder, love, and praise!