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.

Even if we reject the direct Messianic interpretation of this chapter, and understand Wisdom here to be only a poetical personification of an abstract attribute of God, it would be impossible, we think, for any minister of the New Testament to teach from it, and not find his way to Him who was "in the beginning with God" (John i. 2), to the Christ who is the "Wisdom of God" (1 Cor.