It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed [for] the price thereof.
Ver. 15. It cannot be gotten for gold] Non emitur, nec aestimatur, it is not purchased or procured with money, as other learning may (en precium et praestantiam sapientiae). "With a great sum obtained I this freedom," said that colonel, Acts 22:28. So may many say of their learning, they have sufficiently paid for it. Cleanthes parted with all he had for learning; Plato gave thirty thousand florins for three books; Reuchlin gave the Jew that taught him Hebrew a crown for every hour's pains; Jerome got his skill in that language with the hazard of his life, and held it a good bargain. But here is no such trading. See Acts 8:18,20. Fie (quoth that rich and wretched cardinal, when he saw he must die), will money do nothing? will not death be hired? may not heaven be purchased? No, no, God is no money merchant; his kingdom is not partum, wealthy, but paratum, the prepared, Matthew 25:34, his grace is gratuitous; Matthew 13:11, To you it is given (and what more free than gift?) to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. And to you it is given, freely given, on behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, &c., Philippians 1:29. That proud merit monger that said, Gratis non accipiam, I will not have grace or glory of free cost, could not but go without both (Vega).