John Trapp on Proverbs 8:17

Verſ. 17. I love them that love mee] The Philoſopher could ſay, that if moral vertue could bee ſeen with mortal eyes, ſhee would ſtir up wonderful loves of her ſelf in the hearts of the beholders. How much more then would the Wiſdome of God in a Myſtery? 1 Cor. 2.7. that eſſential wiſdome of God eſpecially, the Lord Jeſus, who is totus deſiderabilis, altogether lovely, Cant. 5.16. the deſire of all Nations, Hag. 2.7. whom whoſoever loveth not, deſerves to bee double accurſed, [non-Latin text not transcribed]. 1 Cor. 15.22. My love was crucified, ſaid Ignatius, who loved not his life unto the death, Rev. 22.11. Neither was there any love loſt, or can be; For I love them that love mee. And if any man love mee, my Father will love him, and I will love him, and will manifeſt my ſelf unto him, and wee will come unto him, and make our abode with him, Joh. 14.21, 23. Men do not alwayes reciprocate, nor return love for love. For my love, Pſal. 109.4, 5. they are mine adverſaries; Yea, they have rewarded mee hatred for my love. David loſt his love upon Abſolom. Paul upon the Corinthians. Old Andronicus the Greek Emperor upon his graceleſs Nephew of the ſame name. But here is no ſuch danger, it ſhall not bee eaſie for any man to out-love Wiſdome.

For whereas ſome one might reply, You are ſo taken up with States, Ob. and have ſuch great Suters, Kings, Princes, Nobles, Judges, as verſ. 15, 16. that it is not for mean men to look for any love from you.

Not ſo, ſaith Wiſdome, for I love them that love mee, Sol. bee they never ſo much below mee. Grace bee with all them that love the Lord Jeſus inſincerity. Tantum velis, & Deus tibi praeoccurret, ſaith Nazianzen. Ambulas, ſi amas: Eph. 6.23. Non enim paſſibus ad Deum, ſed affectibus curritur, ſaith Auguſtin, Thou walkeſt if thou loveſt; Thou acteſt if thou affecteſt.

They that ſeek mee early] As Students ſit cloſe to it in the morning. Aurora muſis amica.