Buy the truth, and sell [it] not; [also] wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
Ver. 23. Buy the truth and sell it not.] Every parcel of truth is precious, as the filings of gold, as the bezar stone, when beaten, are carefully looked to and preserved. "Hold fast the faithful word," as with both hands. Tit 1:9 "Strive together for the faith of the gospel." Php 1:27 Be zealous for it; Jdg 1:3 η ταν η επι ταν, Either live with it, or die for it. As we have received it as a legacy from our forefathers (who sealed it with their blood, and paid dear for it), so we must transmit it to our posterity pure and entire, whatever it stands us in. They were so religious that they would not exchange a letter or syllable of the faith wherewith Christ had be trusted them. a So zealous in buying the truth, that they would give five marks and more for a good book - and that was more money than ten pound is now. Some gave a load of hay for a few Chapter s of St James or of St Paul in English, sitting up all night in reading and hearing, &c. b What a deal of charge was the Queen of Sheba at for Solomon's wisdom! The wise merchant for the pearl of price! Jerome and Reuchlin for their Hebrew learning! Pro singulis horis singulos aureos numerabant. Reuchlin gave a crown an hour to the Jew that read to him. Jerome ventured his life to visit by night to a Jewish doctor. See Matthew 13:44 .
a Arii ομοιουσιος. Nestorii θεοδοχος .
b Acts and Mon., fol. 756.