The Argument of the Sapiential Books

THE THIRD PART OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, CONTAINING SAPIENTIAL BOOKS.

The¹ argument of Sapiential Books.

Hitherto the Law, and History of God's peculiar people are set forth in the former parts of the holy Bible: after which followed the Book of Psalms, which in manner of style, being all in verse, is a distinct part, but in substance of matter, is an Epitome or brief Sum of all holy Scripture: most conveniently therefore placed in the midst of the rest, as the Sun amongst other Planets, a shining great light in a large house. Now ensueth the third part, containing Divine Instructions, or Rules of good life. A doctrine most agreeable to God's high wisdom, and most fitly commended to Man, his reasonable creature in earth. But besides this principal subject,²³ as before is noted ( that each part participateth with others in their proper contents ) so here be many precepts of the Law renewed; sundry examples of men, and things past repeated; and divers prophecies uttered of things to come: though in this part more specially is shewed the ground, and as it were, the very life or soul of the Law, which is Reason, the true Rule or Directory wherein all good laws are grounded.

For⁴ it both sheweth what ought to be done, or avoided, & directeth man's judgement to embrace that is good, and to flee from all evil, not only illuminating the understanding to see that is right and just, but also disposing the internal affection to desire, love, choose, and prefer the right path of God's law, before whatsoever otherwise seemeth pleasant or profitable: & so, notwithstanding all dangers, difficulties, distresses, worldly calamities, and death itself, effectually persuading to persevere to the end in holy conversation. All which by a general name is called Wisdom:⁵ comprising in one word, all good desires, holy virtues, supernal gifts, godly endeavours, and the whole means whereby God is rightly known, & duly served; whereof these five Books, teaching this most excellent and most necessary manner of life, are called Sapiential. Nevertheless four of them have also other particular names, as appeareth in their titles. Only the fourth is called the Book of Wisdom, by appropriation of the general name.

All five are Canonical and assured holy Scripture: as is shewed before:⁶ and may be further proved of the two later, which Protestants deny. It is also evident that King Salomon was Author of the three former: as S. Jerome, S. Augustine,⁷ and other Fathers prove by the holy text itself. As it is likewise certain that he either wrote, or at least by divine inspiration uttered, much more than is now extant. For the holy Scripture (3. Reg. 4.) testifieth, that he spake three thousand Parables: and his Songs were a thousand and five.⁸ He disputed of the trees from the cedar that is in Libanus, unto the hyssop which cometh out of the wall: and he discoursed of beasts, and fowls, and creeping worms, and fishes. Josephus (li. 8. c. 2. Antiq.) following some other Edition, saith his songs were five thousand, and parables (as the ordinary text hath) three thousand. For he deduced a parable (saith Josephus) through out every kind of trees, from the hyssop to the cedar. In the same manner he treated of beasts, and other living creatures of the earth, water, and air. For he was not ignorant of any natural thing, neither omitted to treat thereof, but clearly explicated all their natural proprieties. Most briefly S. Jerome declareth both⁹¹⁰ the Author, and matter of these three books, saying: Salomon the Peaceable, and amiable of our Lord a correcteth manners: b teacheth the nature (of creatures) c joineth the Church and Christ; and singeth the sweet bridal song of the holy Marriage.