mh_parser/vol_split/20 - Proverbs/Chapter 19.xml

<div2 id="Prov.xx" n="xx" next="Prov.xxi" prev="Prov.xix" progress="81.72%" title="Chapter XIX">
<h2 id="Prov.xx-p0.1">P R O V E R B S</h2>
<h3 id="Prov.xx-p0.2">CHAP. XIX.</h3>
<h4 id="Prov.xx-p0.3">The Disadvantages of
Poverty.</h4>
<scripCom id="Prov.xx-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19" parsed="|Prov|19|0|0|0" passage="Pr 19" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Prov.xx-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.1" parsed="|Prov|19|1|0|0" passage="Pr 19:1" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.1">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p1">1 Better <i>is</i> the poor that walketh in his
integrity, than <i>he that is</i> perverse in his lips, and is a
fool.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p2">Here see, 1. What will be the credit and
comfort of a poor man, and make him more excellent than his
neighbour, though his poverty may expose him to contempt and may
dispirit him. Let him be honest and <i>walk in integrity,</i> let
him keep a good conscience and make it appear that he does so, let
him always speak and act with sincerity when he is under the
greatest temptations to dissemble and break his word, and then let
him value himself upon that, for all wise and good men will value
him. He is better, has a better character, is in a better
condition, is better beloved, and lives to better purpose, than
many a one that looks great and makes a figure. 2. What will be the
shame of a rich man, notwithstanding all his pomp. If he have a
shallow head and an evil tongue, if he is <i>perverse in his lips
and is a fool,</i> if he is a wicked man and gets what he has by
fraud and oppression, he <i>is a fool,</i> and an honest poor man
is to be preferred far before him.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p2.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.2" parsed="|Prov|19|2|0|0" passage="Pr 19:2" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.2">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p3">2 Also, <i>that</i> the soul <i>be</i> without
knowledge, <i>it is</i> not good; and he that hasteth with
<i>his</i> feet sinneth.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p4">Two things are here declared to be of bad
consequence:—1. Ignorance: <i>To be without the knowledge of the
soul is not good,</i> so some read it. Know we not our own selves,
our own hearts? <i>A soul without knowledge is not good;</i> it is
a great privilege that we have souls, but, if these souls have not
knowledge, what the better are we? If man <i>has not understanding,
he is as the beasts,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.49.20" parsed="|Ps|49|20|0|0" passage="Ps 49:20">Ps. xlix.
20</scripRef>. An ignorant soul cannot be a good soul. That the
soul be without knowledge is not safe, nor pleasant; what good can
the soul do, of what is it good for, if it be without knowledge? 2.
Rashness. <i>He that hastes with his feet</i> (that does things
inconsiderately and with precipitation, and will not take time to
ponder the path of his feet) <i>sins;</i> he cannot but often miss
the mark and take many a false step, which those prevent that
consider their ways. As good not know as not consider.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.3" parsed="|Prov|19|3|0|0" passage="Pr 19:3" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.3">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p5">3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and
his heart fretteth against the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.xx-p5.1">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p6">We have here two instances of men's
folly:—1. That they bring themselves into straits and troubles,
and run themselves a-ground, and embarrass themselves: <i>The
foolishness of man perverts his way.</i> Men meet with crosses and
disappointments in their affairs, and things do not succeed as they
expected and wished, and it is owing to themselves and their own
folly; it is their own iniquity that corrects them. 2. That when
they have done so they lay the blame upon God, and their hearts
fret against him, as if he had done them wrong, whereas really they
wrong themselves. In fretting, we are enemies to our own peace, and
become self-tormentors; in <i>fretting against the Lord</i> we
affront him, his justice, goodness, and sovereignty; and it is very
absurd to take occasion from the trouble which we pull upon our own
heads by our wilfulness, or neglect, to quarrel with him, when we
ought to blame ourselves, for it is our own doing. See <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.50.1" parsed="|Isa|50|1|0|0" passage="Isa 50:1">Isa. l. 1</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.4" parsed="|Prov|19|4|0|0" passage="Pr 19:4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.4">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p7">4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is
separated from his neighbour.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p8">Here, 1. We may see how strong men's love
of money is, that they will love any man, how undeserving soever he
be otherwise, if he has but a deal of money and is free with it, so
that they may hope to be the better for it. Wealth enables a man to
send many presents, make many entertainments, and do many good
offices, and so gains him many friends, who pretend to love him,
for they flatter him and make their court to him, but really love
what he has, or rather love themselves, hoping to get by him. 2. We
may see how weak men's love of one another is. He who, while he
prospered, was beloved and respected, if he fall into poverty is
<i>separated from his neighbour,</i> is not owned nor looked upon,
not visited nor regarded, is bidden to keep his distance and told
he is troublesome. Even one that has been his neighbour and
acquaintance will turn his face from him and pass by on the other
side. Because men's consciences tell them they ought to relieve and
succour such, they are willing to have this excuse, that they did
not see them.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.5" parsed="|Prov|19|5|0|0" passage="Pr 19:5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.5">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p9">5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and
<i>he that</i> speaketh lies shall not escape.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p10">Here we have, 1. The sins
threatened—bearing <i>false witness</i> in judgment and
<i>speaking lies</i> in common conversation. Men could not arrive
at such a pitch of impiety as to bear false witness (where to the
guilt of a lie is added that of perjury and injury) if they had not
advanced to it by allowing themselves to speak untruths in jest and
banter, or under pretence of doing good. Thus men <i>teach their
tongues to speak lies,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Jer.9.5" parsed="|Jer|9|5|0|0" passage="Jer 9:5">Jer. ix.
5</scripRef>. Those that will take a liberty to tell lies in
discourse are in a fair way to be guilty of the greater wickedness
of false-witness-bearing, whenever they are tempted to it, though
they seemed to detest it. Those that can swallow a false word
debauch their consciences, so that a false oath will not choke
them. 2. The threatening itself: They <i>shall not go
unpunished;</i> they <i>shall not escape.</i> This intimates that
that which emboldens them in the sin is the hope of impunity, it
being a sin which commonly escapes punishment from men, though the
law is strict, <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.19.18-Deut.19.19" parsed="|Deut|19|18|19|19" passage="De 19:18,19">Deut. xix. 18,
19</scripRef>. But it <i>shall not escape</i> the righteous
judgment of God, who is jealous, and will not suffer his name to be
profaned; we know where all liars will have their everlasting
portion.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.6-Prov.19.7" parsed="|Prov|19|6|19|7" passage="Pr 19:6-7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.6-Prov.19.7">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p11">6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince:
and every man <i>is</i> a friend to him that giveth gifts.   7
All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his
friends go far from him? he pursueth <i>them with</i> words,
<i>yet</i> they <i>are</i> wanting <i>to him.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p12">These two verses are a comment upon
<scripRef id="Prov.xx-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.18.4" parsed="|Prov|18|4|0|0" passage="Pr 18:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>, and show, 1.
How those that are rich and great are courted and caressed, and
have suitors and servants in abundance. The prince that has power
in his hand, and preferments at his disposal, has his gate and his
ante-chamber thronged with petitioners, that are ready to adore him
for what they can get. <i>Many will entreat his favour,</i> and
think themselves happy in it. Even great men are humble suppliants
to the prince. How earnest then should we be for the favour of God,
which is far beyond that of any earthly prince. But, it should
seem, liberality will go further than majesty itself to gain
respect, for there are many that court the prince, but <i>every man
is a friend to him that gives gifts;</i> not only those that have
received, or do expect, gifts from him, will, as friends, be ready
to serve him, but others also will, as friends, give him their good
word. Prodigals, who are foolishly free of what they have, will
have many hangers-on who will cry them up as long as it lasts, but
will leave them when it is done. Those that are prudently generous
make an interest by it which may stand them in good stead; those
that are accounted benefactors exercise an authority which may give
them an opportunity of doing good, <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.22.25" parsed="|Luke|22|25|0|0" passage="Lu 22:25">Luke xxii. 25</scripRef>. 2. How those that are poor and
low are slighted and despised. Men may, if they please, court the
prince, and the princely, but they may not trample upon the poor
and look at them with disdain. Yet so it often is: <i>All the
brethren of the poor do hate him;</i> even his own relations are
shy of him, because he is needy and craving, and expects something
from them, and because they look upon him as a blemish to their
family; and then no marvel if others of his friends, that were
nothing akin to him, <i>go far from him,</i> to get out of his way.
<i>He pursues them with words,</i> hoping to prevail with them by
his importunity to be kind to him, but all in vain; they have
nothing for him. <i>They pursue him with words</i> (so some
understand it), to excuse themselves from giving him any thing;
they tell him that he is idle and impertinent, that he has brought
himself into poverty, and therefore ought not to be relieved; as
Nabal said to David's messengers: "<i>There are many servants now a
days that run away from their masters;</i> and how do I know but
that David may be one of them?" Let poor people therefore make God
their friend, pursue him with their prayers, and he will not be
wanting to them.</p>
<h4 id="Prov.xx-p12.3">Domestic Grievances.</h4>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.8" parsed="|Prov|19|8|0|0" passage="Pr 19:8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.8">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p13">8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he
that keepeth understanding shall find good.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p14">Those are here encouraged, 1. That take
pains to <i>get wisdom,</i> to get knowledge, and grace, and
acquaintance with God; those that do so show that they <i>love
their own souls,</i> and will be found to have done themselves the
greatest kindness imaginable. No man ever <i>hated his own
flesh,</i> but loves that, yet many are wanting in love to their
own souls, for only those love their souls, and consequently love
themselves, aright, that <i>get wisdom,</i> true wisdom. 2. That
take care to keep it when they have got it; it is health, and
wealth, and honour, and all, to the soul, and therefore he that
<i>keeps understanding,</i> as he shows that he <i>loves his own
soul,</i> so he shall certainly <i>find good,</i> all good. He that
retains the good lessons he has learnt, and orders his conversation
according to them, shall find the benefit and comfort of it in his
own soul and shall be happy here and for ever.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.9" parsed="|Prov|19|9|0|0" passage="Pr 19:9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.9">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p15">9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and
<i>he that</i> speaketh lies shall perish.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p16">Here is, 1. A repetition of what was said
before (<scripRef id="Prov.xx-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.18.5" parsed="|Prov|18|5|0|0" passage="Pr 18:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), for we
have need to be again and again warned of the danger of the sin of
lying and false-witness-bearing, since nothing is of more fatal
consequence. 2. An addition to it in one word; there it was said,
<i>He that speaks lies shall not escape,</i> and intimated that he
shall be punished. Here it is said, His punishment shall be such as
will be his destruction: he <i>shall perish;</i> the lies he forged
against others will be his own ruin. It is a damning destroying
sin.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.10" parsed="|Prov|19|10|0|0" passage="Pr 19:10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.10">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p17">10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less
for a servant to have rule over princes.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p18">Note, 1. Pleasure and liberty ill become a
fool: <i>Delight is not seemly for</i> such a one. A man that has
not wisdom and grace has no right nor title to true joy, and
therefore it is unseemly. It ill becomes those that do not delight
in God to delight in any thing, nor how to manage themselves, and
therefore they do but expose themselves. It becomes ungracious
fools to be afflicted, and mourn, and weep, not to laugh and be
merry; rebukes are more proper for them than delights. Delight is
seemly for a man of business, to refresh him when he is fatigued,
but not <i>for a fool,</i> that lives an idle life and abuses his
recreations. <i>The prosperity of fools</i> discovers their folly
and <i>destroys them.</i> 2. Power and honour ill become a man of a
servile spirit. Nothing is more unseemly than <i>for a servant to
have rule over princes;</i> it is absurd in itself, and very
preposterous, for none are so insolent and intolerable as a beggar
on horseback, <i>a servant when he reigns,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.30.22" parsed="|Prov|30|22|0|0" passage="Pr 30:22"><i>ch.</i> xxx. 22</scripRef>. It is very unseemly for
one that is a servant to sin and his lusts to rule over and oppress
those that are God's freemen and made kings and priests to him.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.11" parsed="|Prov|19|11|0|0" passage="Pr 19:11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.11">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p19">11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger;
and <i>it is</i> his glory to pass over a transgression.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p20">A wise man will observe these two rules
about his anger: 1. Not to be over-hasty in his resentments:
<i>Discretion</i> teaches us to <i>defer our anger,</i> to defer
the admission of it till we have thoroughly considered all the
merits of the provocation, seen them in a true light and weighed
them in a just balance; and then to defer the prosecution of it
till there be no danger of running into any indecencies. Plato said
to his servant, "I would beat thee, but that I am angry." Give it
time, and it will cool. 2. Not to be over-critical in his
resentments. Whereas it is commonly looked upon as a piece of
ingenuity to apprehend an affront quickly, it is here made a man's
<i>glory to pass over a transgression,</i> to appear as if he did
not see it (<scripRef id="Prov.xx-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.38.13" parsed="|Ps|38|13|0|0" passage="Ps 38:13">Ps. xxxviii.
13</scripRef>), or, if he sees fit to take notice of it, yet to
forgive it and meditate no revenge.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.12" parsed="|Prov|19|12|0|0" passage="Pr 19:12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.12">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p21">12 The king's wrath <i>is</i> as the roaring of
a lion; but his favour <i>is</i> as dew upon the grass.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p22">This is to the same purport with what we
had <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.16.14-Prov.16.15" parsed="|Prov|16|14|16|15" passage="Pr 16:14,15"><i>ch.</i> xvi. 14,
15</scripRef>, and the design of it is, 1. To make kings wise and
considerate in dispensing their frowns and smiles. They are not
like those of common persons; their frowns are very terrible and
their smiles very comfortable, and therefore it concerns them to be
very careful that they never frighten a good man from doing well
with their frowns, nor ever give countenance to a wicked man in
doing ill with their smiles, for then they abuse their influence,
<scripRef id="Prov.xx-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.13.3" parsed="|Rom|13|3|0|0" passage="Ro 13:3">Rom. xiii. 3</scripRef>. 2. To make
subjects faithful and dutiful to their princes. Let them be
restrained from all disloyalty by the consideration of the dreadful
consequence of having the government against them; and let them be
encouraged in all good services to the public by the hopes of the
favour of their prince. Christ is a King whose wrath against his
enemies will be <i>as the roaring of a lion</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.xx-p22.3" osisRef="Bible:Rev.10.3" parsed="|Rev|10|3|0|0" passage="Re 10:3">Rev. x. 3</scripRef>) and his favour to his own people as
the refreshing dew, <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p22.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.72.6" parsed="|Ps|72|6|0|0" passage="Ps 72:6">Ps. lxxii.
6</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p22.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.13" parsed="|Prov|19|13|0|0" passage="Pr 19:13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.13">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p23">13 A foolish son <i>is</i> the calamity of his
father: and the contentions of a wife <i>are</i> a continual
dropping.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p24">It is an instance of the vanity of the
world that we are liable to the greatest grief in those things
wherein we promise ourselves the greatest comfort. It is as it
proves. What greater temporal comfort can a man have than a good
wife and good children? Yet, 1. <i>A foolish son is</i> a great
affliction, and may make a man wish a thousand times he had been
written childless. A son that will apply himself to no study or
business, that will take no advice, that lives a lewd, loose,
rakish life, and spends what he has extravagantly, games it away
and wastes it in the excess of riot, or that is proud, foppish, and
conceited, such a one is the grief <i>of his father,</i> because he
is the disgrace, and is likely to be the ruin, of his family. He
hates all his labour, when he sees to whom he must leave the fruit
of it. 2. A cross peevish wife is as great an affliction: Her
<i>contentions are continual;</i> every day, and every hour in the
day, she finds some occasion to make herself and those about her
uneasy. Those that are accustomed to chide never want something or
other to chide at; but it is <i>a continual dropping,</i> that is,
a continual vexation, as it is to have a house so much out of
repair that it rains in and a man cannot lie dry in it. That man
has an uncomfortable life, and has need of a great deal of wisdom
and grace to enable him to bear his affliction and do his duty, who
has a sot for his son and a scold for his wife.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.14" parsed="|Prov|19|14|0|0" passage="Pr 19:14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.14">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p25">14 House and riches <i>are</i> the inheritance
of fathers: and a prudent wife <i>is</i> from the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.xx-p25.1">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p26">Note, 1. A discreet and virtuous wife is a
choice gift of God's providence to a man—a wife that is
<i>prudent,</i> in opposition to one that is contentious, <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.18.13" parsed="|Prov|18|13|0|0" passage="Pr 18:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. For, though a wife that
is continually finding fault may think it is her wit and wisdom to
be so, it is really her folly; <i>a prudent wife</i> is meek and
quiet, and makes the best of every thing. If a man has such a wife,
let him not ascribe it to the wisdom of his own choice or his own
management (for the wisest have been deceived both in and by a
woman), but let him ascribe it to the goodness of God, who made him
a help meet for him, and perhaps by some hits and turns of
providence that seemed casual brought her to him. Every creature is
what he makes it. Happy marriages, we are sure, are made in heaven;
Abraham's servant prayed in the belief of this, <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.24.12" parsed="|Gen|24|12|0|0" passage="Ge 24:12">Gen. xxiv. 12</scripRef>. 2. It is a more valuable gift
than <i>house and riches,</i> contributes more to the comfort and
credit of a man's life and the welfare of his family, is a greater
token of God's favour, and about which the divine providence is in
a more especial manner conversant. A good estate may be <i>the
inheritance of fathers,</i> which, by the common direction of
Providence, comes in course to a man; but no man has a good wife by
descent or entail. Parents that are worldly, in disposing of their
children, look no further than to match them to <i>house and
riches,</i> but, if withal it be to <i>a prudent wife,</i> let God
have the glory.</p>
<h4 id="Prov.xx-p26.3">Circumspection and Charity.</h4>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p26.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.15" parsed="|Prov|19|15|0|0" passage="Pr 19:15" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.15">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p27">15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and
an idle soul shall suffer hunger.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p28">See here the evil of a sluggish slothful
disposition. 1. It stupefies men, and makes them senseless, and
mindless of their own affairs, as they were <i>cast into a deep
sleep,</i> dreaming much, but doing nothing. Slothful people doze
away their time, bury their talents, live a useless life, and are
the unprofitable burdens of the earth; for any service they do when
they are awake they might as well be always asleep. Even their
souls are idle and lulled asleep, their rational powers chilled and
frozen. 2. It impoverishes men and brings them to want. Those that
will not labour cannot expect to eat, but must <i>suffer hunger: An
idle soul,</i> one that is idle in the affairs of his soul, that
takes no care or pains to work out his salvation, shall perish for
want of that which is necessary to the life and happiness of the
soul.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.16" parsed="|Prov|19|16|0|0" passage="Pr 19:16" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.16">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p29">16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his
own soul; <i>but</i> he that despiseth his ways shall die.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p30">Here is, 1. The happiness of those that
walk circumspectly. Those that make conscience of <i>keeping the
commandment</i> in every thing, that live by rule, as becomes
servants and patients, <i>keep their own souls;</i> they secure
their present peace and future bliss, and provide every way well
for themselves. If we keep God's word, God's word will keep us from
every thing really hurtful. 2. The misery of those that live at
large and never mind what they do: Those <i>that despair their ways
shall die,</i> shall perish eternally; they are in the high road to
ruin. With respect to those that are careless about the end of
their ways, and never consider whither they are going, and about
the rule of their ways, that will walk in the way of their hearts
and after the course of the world (<scripRef id="Prov.xx-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.11.9" parsed="|Eccl|11|9|0|0" passage="Ec 11:9">Eccl. xi. 9</scripRef>), that never consider what they
have done nor what they are concerned to do, but <i>walk at all
adventures</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.xx-p30.2" osisRef="Bible:Lev.26.21" parsed="|Lev|26|21|0|0" passage="Le 26:21">Lev. xxvi.
21</scripRef>), right or wrong, it is all one to them—what can
come of this but the greatest mischief?</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p30.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.17" parsed="|Prov|19|17|0|0" passage="Pr 19:17" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.17">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p31">17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.xx-p31.1">Lord</span>; and that which he hath
given will he pay him again.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p32">Here is, I. The duty of charity described.
It includes two things:—1. Compassion, which is the inward
principle of charity in the heart; it is to <i>have pity on the
poor.</i> Those that have not a penny for the poor, yet may have
pity for them, a charitable concern and sympathy; and, if a man
<i>give all his goods to feed the poor</i> and have not this
charity in his heart, <i>it is nothing,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.13.3" parsed="|1Cor|13|3|0|0" passage="1Co 13:3">1 Cor. xiii. 3</scripRef>. We must <i>draw out our souls
to the hungry,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p32.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.58.10" parsed="|Isa|58|10|0|0" passage="Isa 58:10">Isa. lviii.
10</scripRef>. 2. Bounty and liberality. We must not only pity the
poor, but give, according to their necessity and our ability,
<scripRef id="Prov.xx-p32.3" osisRef="Bible:Jas.2.15-Jas.2.16" parsed="|Jas|2|15|2|16" passage="Jam 2:15,16">Jam. ii. 15, 16</scripRef>. <i>That
which he has given.</i> Margin, <i>His deed.</i> It is charity to
do for the poor, as well as to give; and thus, if they have their
limbs and senses, they may be charitable to one another.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p33">II. The encouragement of charity. 1. A very
kind construction shall be put upon it. What is given to the poor,
or done for them, God will place it to account as lent to him,
<i>lent upon interest</i> (so the word signifies); he takes it
kindly, as if it were done to himself, and he would have us take
the comfort of it and to be as well pleased as ever any usurer was
when he had let out a sum of money into good hands. 2. A very rich
recompence shall be made for it: <i>He will pay him again,</i> in
temporal, spiritual, and eternal blessings. Almsgiving is the
surest and safest way of thriving.</p>
<h4 id="Prov.xx-p33.1">Miscellaneous Maxims.</h4>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p33.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.18" parsed="|Prov|19|18|0|0" passage="Pr 19:18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.18">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p34">18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let
not thy soul spare for his crying.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p35">Parents are here cautioned against a
foolish indulgence of their children that are untoward and
viciously inclined, and that discover such an ill temper of mind as
is not likely to be cured but by severity. 1. Do not say that it is
all in good time to correct them; no, as soon as ever there appears
a corrupt disposition in them check it immediately, before it gets
head, and takes root, and is hardened into a habit: <i>Chasten thy
son while there is hope,</i> for perhaps, if he be let alone
awhile, he will be past hope, and a much greater chastening will
not do that which now a less would effect. It is easiest plucking
up weeds as soon as they spring up, and the bullock that is
designed for the yoke should be betimes accustomed to it. 2. Do not
say that it is a pity to correct them, and that, because they cry
and beg to be forgiven, you cannot find in your heart to do it. If
the point can be gained without correction, well and good; but if
you find, as it often proves, that your forgiving them once, upon a
dissembled repentance and promise of amendment, does but embolden
them to offend again, especially if it be a thing that is in itself
sinful (as lying, swearing, ribaldry, stealing, or the like), in
such a case put on resolution, <i>and let not thy soul spare for
his crying.</i> It is better that he should cry under thy rod than
under the sword of the magistrate, or, which is more fearful, that
of divine vengeance.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p35.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.19" parsed="|Prov|19|19|0|0" passage="Pr 19:19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.19">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p36">19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment:
for if thou deliver <i>him,</i> yet thou must do it again.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p37">1. As we read this, it intimates, in short,
that angry men never want woe. Those that are of strong, or rather
headstrong, passions, commonly bring themselves and their families
into trouble by vexatious suits and quarrels and the provocations
they give; they are still smarting, in one instance or other, for
their ungoverned heats; and, if their friends deliver them out of
one trouble, they will quickly involve themselves in another, and
they <i>must do it again,</i> all which troubles to themselves and
others would be prevented if they would mortify their passions and
get the rule of their own spirits. 2. It may as well be read, <i>He
that is of great wrath</i> (meaning the child that is to be
corrected and is impatient of rebuke, cries and makes a noise, even
that wrath of his against the rod of correction) <i>deserves to be
punished; for, if thou deliver him</i> for the sake of that, thou
wilt be forced to punish him so much the more next time. A
stomachful high-spirited child must be subdued betimes, or it will
be the worse for it.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p37.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.20" parsed="|Prov|19|20|0|0" passage="Pr 19:20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.20">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p38">20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that
thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p39">Note, 1. It is well with those that are
<i>wise in their latter end,</i> wise for their latter end, for
their future state, wise for another world, that are found wise
when their latter end comes, wise virgins, wise builders, wise
stewards, that are wise at length, and <i>understand the things
that belong to their peace, before they be hidden from their
eyes.</i> A carnal worldling <i>at his end shall be a fool</i>
(<scripRef id="Prov.xx-p39.1" osisRef="Bible:Jer.17.11" parsed="|Jer|17|11|0|0" passage="Jer 17:11">Jer. xvii. 11</scripRef>), but
godliness will prove wisdom at last. 2. Those that would <i>be wise
in their latter end</i> must <i>hear counsel</i> and <i>receive
instruction,</i> in their beginnings must be willing to be taught
and ruled, willing to be advised and reproved, when they are young.
Those that would be stored in winter must gather in summer.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p39.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.21" parsed="|Prov|19|21|0|0" passage="Pr 19:21" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.21">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p40">21 <i>There are</i> many devices in a man's
heart; nevertheless the counsel of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.xx-p40.1">Lord</span>, that shall stand.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p41">Here we have, 1. Men projecting. They keep
their designs to themselves, but they cannot hide them from God; he
knows the <i>many devices that are in men's hearts,</i>—devices
against his counsels (as those, <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p41.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.2.1-Ps.2.3 Bible:Mic.4.11" parsed="|Ps|2|1|2|3;|Mic|4|11|0|0" passage="Ps 2:1-3,Mic 4:11">Ps. ii. 1-3; Micah iv. 11</scripRef>),—
devices without his counsel (no regard had to his providence, as
those <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p41.2" osisRef="Bible:Jas.4.13" parsed="|Jas|4|13|0|0" passage="Jam 4:13">Jam. iv. 13</scripRef>, this and
the other they will do, and not take God along with them),—devices
unlike God's counsels; men are wavering in their devices, and often
absurd and unjust, but God's counsels are wise and holy, steady and
uniform. 2. God overruling. Various men have various designs,
according as their inclination or interest leads them, but <i>the
counsel of the Lord, that shall stand,</i> whatever becomes of the
devices of men. His counsel often breaks men's measures and baffles
their devices; but their devices cannot in the least alter his
counsel, not disturb the proceedings of it, nor put him upon new
counsels, <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p41.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.14.24 Bible:Isa.46.11" parsed="|Isa|14|24|0|0;|Isa|46|11|0|0" passage="Isa 14:24,46:11">Isa. xiv. 24; xlvi.
11</scripRef>. What a check does this give to politic designing
men, who think they can outwit all mankind, that there is a God in
heaven that laughs at them! <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p41.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.2.4" parsed="|Ps|2|4|0|0" passage="Ps 2:4">Ps. ii.
4</scripRef>. What comfort does this speak to all God's people,
that all God's purposes, which we are sure are right and good,
shall be accomplished in due time!</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p41.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.22" parsed="|Prov|19|22|0|0" passage="Pr 19:22" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.22">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p42">22 The desire of a man <i>is</i> his kindness:
and a poor man <i>is</i> better than a liar.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p43">Note, 1. The honour of doing good is what
we may laudably be ambitious of. It cannot but be <i>the desire of
man,</i> if he have any spark of virtue in him, to be kind; one
would not covet an estate for any thing so much as thereby to be
put into a capacity of relieving the poor and obliging our friends.
2. It is far better to have a heart to do good and want ability for
it than have ability for it and want a heart to it: <i>The desire
of a man</i> to be kind, and charitable, and generous, <i>is his
kindness,</i> and shall be so construed; both God and man will
accept his good-will, <i>according to what he has,</i> and will not
expect more. <i>A poor man,</i> who wishes you well, but can
promise you nothing, because he has nothing to be kind with, <i>is
better than a liar,</i> than a rich man who makes you believe he
will do mighty things, but, when it comes to the setting to, will
do nothing. The character of the men of low degree, that they
<i>are vanity,</i> from whom nothing is expected, is better than
that of men of high degree, that they <i>are a lie,</i> they
deceive those whose expectations they raised.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p43.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.23" parsed="|Prov|19|23|0|0" passage="Pr 19:23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.23">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p44">23 The fear of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.xx-p44.1">Lord</span> <i>tendeth</i> to life: and <i>he that hath
it</i> shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with
evil.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p45">See what those that get by it that live in
the fear of God, and always make conscience of their duty to him.
1. Safety: They <i>shall not be visited with evil;</i> they may be
visited with sickness or other afflictions, but there shall be no
evil in them, nothing to hurt them, because nothing to separate
them <i>from the love of God,</i> or hurt to the soul. 2.
Satisfaction: They <i>shall abide satisfied;</i> they shall have
those comforts which are satisfying, and shall have a constant
contentment and complacency in them. It is a satisfaction which
will abide, whereas all the satisfactions of sense are transient
and soon gone. <i>Satur pernoctabit, non cubabit
incoenatus</i>—<i>He shall not go supperless to bed;</i> he shall
have that which will make him easy and be an entertainment to him
in his silent and solitary hours, <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p45.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.16.6-Ps.16.7" parsed="|Ps|16|6|16|7" passage="Ps 16:6,7">Ps.
xvi. 6, 7</scripRef>. 3. True and complete happiness. Serious
godliness has a direct tendency <i>to life;</i> to all good, to
eternal life; it is the sure and ready way to it; there is
something in the nature of it fitting men for heaven and so leading
them to it.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p45.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.24" parsed="|Prov|19|24|0|0" passage="Pr 19:24" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.24">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p46">24 A slothful <i>man</i> hideth his hand in
<i>his</i> bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth
again.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p47">A sluggard is here exposed as a fool, for,
1. All his care is to save himself from labour and cold. See his
posture: He <i>hides his hand in his bosom,</i> pretends he is lame
and cannot work; his hands are cold, and he must warm them in his
bosom; and, when they are warm there, he must keep them so. He hugs
himself in his own ease and is resolved against labour and
hardship. Let those work that love it; for his part he thinks there
is no such fine life as sitting still and doing nothing. 2. He will
not be at the pains to feed himself, an elegant hyperbole; as we
say, A man is so lazy that he would not shake fire off him, so
here, He cannot find in his heart to take his hand out of his
bosom, no, not to put meat into his own mouth. If the law be so
that those that will not labour must not eat, he will rather starve
than stir. Thus his sin is his punishment, and therefore is
egregious folly.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p47.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.25" parsed="|Prov|19|25|0|0" passage="Pr 19:25" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.25">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p48">25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware:
and reprove one that hath understanding, <i>and</i> he will
understand knowledge.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p49">Note, 1. The punishment of scorners will be
a means of good to others. When men are so hardened in wickedness
that they will not themselves be wrought upon by the severe methods
that are used to reclaim and reform them, yet such methods must be
used for the sake of others, that <i>they may hear and fear,</i>
<scripRef id="Prov.xx-p49.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.19.20" parsed="|Deut|19|20|0|0" passage="De 19:20">Deut. xix. 20</scripRef>. If the
<i>scorner</i> will not be recovered from his sin, the disease
being inveterate, yet <i>the simple will beware</i> of venturing
upon the sin which exposes men thus. If it cure not the infected,
it may prevent the spreading of the infection. 2. The reproof of
wise men will be a means of good to themselves. They need not be
smitten; a word to the wise is enough. Do but <i>reprove one that
has understanding and he will</i> so far understand himself and his
own interest that he will <i>understand knowledge</i> by it, and
not miss it again through ignorance and inadvertency when once he
has been told of it; so kindly does he take reproof and so wisely
improve it.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p49.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.26" parsed="|Prov|19|26|0|0" passage="Pr 19:26" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.26">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p50">26 He that wasteth <i>his</i> father, <i>and</i>
chaseth away <i>his</i> mother, <i>is</i> a son that causeth shame,
and bringeth reproach.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p51">Here is, 1. The sin of a prodigal son.
Besides the wrong he does to himself, he is injurious to his good
parents, and basely ungrateful to those that were instruments of
his being and have taken so much care and pains about him, which is
a great aggravation of his sin and renders it exceedingly sinful in
the eyes of God and man: <i>He wastes is father,</i> wastes his
estate which he should have to support him in his old age, wastes
his spirits, and breaks his heart, and brings his gray head <i>with
sorrow to the grave.</i> He <i>chases away his mother,</i>
alienates her affections from him, which cannot be done without a
great deal of regret and uneasiness to her; he makes her weary of
the house, with his rudeness and insolence, and glad to retire for
a little quietness; and, when he has spent all, he turns her out of
doors. 2. The shame of a prodigal son. It is a shame to himself
that he should be so brutish and unnatural. He makes himself odious
to all mankind. It is a shame to his parents and family, who are
reflected upon, though, perhaps, without just cause, for teaching
him no better, or being in some way wanting to him.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p51.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.27" parsed="|Prov|19|27|0|0" passage="Pr 19:27" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.27">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p52">27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction
<i>that causeth</i> to err from the words of knowledge.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p53">This is a good caution to those that have
had a good education to take heed of hearkening to those who, under
pretence of instructing them, draw them off from those good
principles under the influence of which they were trained up.
Observe, 1. There is that which seems designed for instruction, but
really tends to the destruction of young men. The factors for vice
will undertake to teach them free thoughts and a fashionable
conversation, how to palliate the sins they have a mind to and stop
the mouth of their own consciences, how to get clear of the
restraints of their education and to set up for wits and beaux.
This is <i>the instruction</i> which <i>causes to err from the</i>
forms of sound words, which should be held fast in faith and love.
2. It is the wisdom of young men to turn a deaf ear to such
instructions, as the adder does to the charms that are designed to
ensnare her. "Dread hearing such talk as tends top instil loose
principles into the mind; and, if thou art linked in with such,
break off from them; thou hast heard enough, or too much, and
therefore hear no more of the evil communication which corrupts
good manners."</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p53.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.28" parsed="|Prov|19|28|0|0" passage="Pr 19:28" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.28">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p54">28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the
mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p55">Here is a description of the worst of
sinners, whose <i>hearts are fully set in them to do evil.</i> 1.
They set that at defiance which would deter and detain them from
sin: <i>An ungodly witness</i> is one that bears false witness
against his neighbour, and will forswear himself to do another a
mischief, in which there is not only great injustice, but great
impiety; this is one of the worst of men. Or <i>an ungodly
witness</i> is one that profanely and atheistically witnesses
against religion and godliness, whose instructions seduce <i>from
the words of knowledge</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.xx-p55.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.18.27" parsed="|Prov|18|27|0|0" passage="Pr 18:27"><i>v.</i>
27</scripRef>); such a one <i>scorns judgment,</i> laughs at the
terrors of the Lord, mocks at that fear, <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p55.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.15.26" parsed="|Job|15|26|0|0" passage="Job 15:26">Job xv. 26</scripRef>. Tell him of law and equity, that
the scriptures and an oath are sacred things, and not to be jested
with, that there will come a reckoning day; he laughs at it all,
and scorns to heed it. 2. They are greedy, and glad of that which
gives them an opportunity to sin: <i>The mouth of the wicked</i>
eagerly <i>devours iniquity, drinks it in like water,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p55.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.15.16" parsed="|Job|15|16|0|0" passage="Job 15:16">Job xv. 16</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xx-p55.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.19.29" parsed="|Prov|19|29|0|0" passage="Pr 19:29" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.19.29">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xx-p56">29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and
stripes for the back of fools.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xx-p57">Note, 1. Scorners are fools. Those that
ridicule things sacred and serious do but make themselves
ridiculous. <i>Their folly shall be manifest unto all men.</i> 2.
Those that scorn judgments cannot escape them, <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p57.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.18.28" parsed="|Prov|18|28|0|0" passage="Pr 18:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>. The unbelief of man shall not
make God's threatenings of no effect; those that <i>devour
iniquity</i> swallow the hook with the bait. The civil magistrate
has <i>judgments prepared for scorners,</i> for otherwise he would
<i>bear the sword in vain;</i> but if he be remiss, and connive at
sin, yet God's judgments slumber not; they are prepared, <scripRef id="Prov.xx-p57.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.25.41" parsed="|Matt|25|41|0|0" passage="Mt 25:41">Matt. xxv. 41</scripRef>.</p>
</div></div2>