612 lines
43 KiB
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612 lines
43 KiB
XML
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<div2 id="Prov.xxiii" n="xxiii" next="Prov.xxiv" prev="Prov.xxii" progress="83.32%" title="Chapter XXII">
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<h2 id="Prov.xxiii-p0.1">P R O V E R B S</h2>
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<h3 id="Prov.xxiii-p0.2">CHAP. XXII.</h3>
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<h4 id="Prov.xxiii-p0.3">Miscellaneous Maxims.</h4>
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<scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22" parsed="|Prov|22|0|0|0" passage="Pr 22" type="Commentary"/>
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<scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.1" parsed="|Prov|22|1|0|0" passage="Pr 22:1" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.1">
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<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p1">1 A <i>good</i> name <i>is</i> rather to be
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chosen than great riches, <i>and</i> loving favour rather than
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silver and gold.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p2">Here are two things which are more valuable
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and which we should covet more than great riches:—1. To be well
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spoken of: <i>A name</i> (that is, <i>a good name,</i> a name for
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good things with God and good people) <i>is rather to be chosen
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than great riches;</i> that is, we should be more careful to do
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that by which we may get and keep a good name than that by which we
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may raise and increase a great estate. Great riches bring great
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cares with them, expose men to danger, and add no real value to a
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man. A fool and a knave may have <i>great riches,</i> but <i>a good
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name</i> makes a man easy and safe, supposes a man wise and honest,
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redounds to the glory of God, and gives a man a greater opportunity
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of doing good. By great riches we may relieve the bodily wants of
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others, but by a good name we may recommend religion to them. 2. To
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be well beloved, to have an interest in the esteem and affections
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of all about us; this is better <i>than silver and gold.</i> Christ
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has neither silver nor gold, but he <i>grew in favour with God and
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man,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p2.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.52" parsed="|Luke|2|52|0|0" passage="Lu 2:52">Luke ii. 52</scripRef>. This
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should teach us to look with a holy contempt upon the wealth of
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this world, not to set our hearts upon that, but with all possible
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care to <i>think of those things that are lovely and of good
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report,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p2.2" osisRef="Bible:Phil.4.8" parsed="|Phil|4|8|0|0" passage="Php 4:8">Phil. iv. 8</scripRef>.</p>
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</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p2.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.2" parsed="|Prov|22|2|0|0" passage="Pr 22:2" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.2">
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<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p3">2 The rich and poor meet together: the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.xxiii-p3.1">Lord</span> <i>is</i> the maker of them all.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p4">Note, 1. Among the children of men divine
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Providence has so ordered it that some are <i>rich</i> and others
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<i>poor,</i> and these are intermixed in societies: <i>The Lord is
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the Maker of both,</i> both the author of their being and the
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disposer of their lot. The greatest man in the world must
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acknowledge God to be his Maker, and is under the same obligations
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to be subject to him that the meanest is; and the poorest has the
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honour to be the work of God's hands as much as the greatest.
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<i>Have they not all one Father?</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Mal.2.10 Bible:Job.31.15" parsed="|Mal|2|10|0|0;|Job|31|15|0|0" passage="Mal 2:10,Job 31:15">Mal. ii. 10; Job xxxi. 15</scripRef>. God
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makes some rich, that they may be charitable to the poor, and
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others poor, that they may be serviceable to the rich; and they
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have need of one another, <scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.12.21" parsed="|1Cor|12|21|0|0" passage="1Co 12:21">1 Cor. xii.
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21</scripRef>. He make some poor, to exercise their patience, and
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contentment, and dependence upon God, and others rich, to exercise
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their thankfulness and beneficence. Even <i>the poor</i> we <i>have
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always with</i> us; they shall never cease out of the land, nor the
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rich neither. 2. Notwithstanding the distance that is in many
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respects between <i>rich and poor,</i> yet in most things they
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<i>meet together,</i> especially before <i>the Lord,</i> who <i>is
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the Maker of them all,</i> and <i>regards not the rich more than
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the poor,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.34.19" parsed="|Job|34|19|0|0" passage="Job 34:19">Job xxxiv.
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19</scripRef>. <i>Rich and poor meet together</i> at the bar of
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God's justice, all guilty before God, concluded under sin, and
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shapen in iniquity, the rich as much as the poor; and they meet at
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the throne of God's grace; the poor are as welcome there as the
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rich. There is the same Christ, the same scripture, the same
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Spirit, the same covenant of promises, for them both. There is the
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same heaven for poor saints that there is for rich: Lazarus is in
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the bosom of Abraham. And there is the same hell for rich sinners
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that there is for poor. All stand upon the same level before God,
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as they do also in the grave. <i>The small and great are
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there.</i></p>
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</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.3" parsed="|Prov|22|3|0|0" passage="Pr 22:3" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.3">
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<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p5">3 A prudent <i>man</i> foreseeth the evil, and
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hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p6">See here, 1. The benefit of wisdom and
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consideration: <i>A prudent man,</i> by the help of his prudence,
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will <i>foresee an evil,</i> before it comes, <i>and hide
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himself;</i> he will be aware when he is entering into a temptation
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and will put on his armour and stand on his guard. When the clouds
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are gathering for a storm he takes the warning, and flies to the
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name of the Lord as his strong tower. Noah foresaw the deluge,
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Joseph the years of famine, and provided accordingly. 2. The
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mischief of rashness and inconsideration. <i>The simple,</i> who
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believe every word that flatters them, will believe none that warns
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them, and so they <i>pass on and are punished.</i> They venture
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upon sin, though they are told what will be in the end thereof;
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they throw themselves into trouble, notwithstanding the fair
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warning given them, and they repent their presumption when it is
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too late. See an instance of both these, <scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.9.20-Exod.9.21" parsed="|Exod|9|20|9|21" passage="Ex 9:20,21">Exod. ix. 20, 21</scripRef>. Nothing is so fatal to
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precious souls as this, they will not take warning.</p>
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</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.4" parsed="|Prov|22|4|0|0" passage="Pr 22:4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.4">
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<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p7">4 By humility <i>and</i> the fear of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.xxiii-p7.1">Lord</span> <i>are</i> riches, and honour, and
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life.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p8">See here, 1. Wherein religion does very
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much consist—in <i>humility and the fear of the Lord;</i> that is,
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walking humbly with God. We must so reverence God's majesty and
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authority as to submit with all humility to the commands of his
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word and the disposals of his providence. We must have such low
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thoughts of ourselves as to behave humbly towards God and man.
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Where the fear of God is there will be humility. 2. What is to be
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gotten by it—<i>riches, and honour,</i> and comfort, <i>and</i>
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long life, in this world, as far as God sees good, at least
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spiritual <i>riches and honour</i> in the favour of God, and the
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promises and privileges of the covenant of grace, <i>and</i>
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eternal <i>life</i> at last.</p>
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</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.5" parsed="|Prov|22|5|0|0" passage="Pr 22:5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.5">
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<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p9">5 Thorns <i>and</i> snares <i>are</i> in the way
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of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from
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them.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p10">Note 1. The way of sin is vexatious and
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dangerous: <i>In the way of the froward,</i> that crooked way,
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which is contrary to the will and word of God, <i>thorns and snares
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are</i> found, thorns of grief for past sins and snares entangling
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them in further sin. He that makes no conscience of what he says
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and does will find himself hampered by that imaginary liberty, and
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tormented by his pleasures. Froward people, who are soon angry,
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expose themselves to trouble at every step. Every thing will fret
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and vex him that will fret and vex at every thing. 2. The way of
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duty is safe and easy: <i>He that keeps his soul,</i> that watches
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carefully over his own heart and ways, is <i>far from</i> those
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<i>thorns and snares,</i> for his way is both plain and
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pleasant.</p>
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</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.6" parsed="|Prov|22|6|0|0" passage="Pr 22:6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.6">
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<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p11">6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and
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when he is old, he will not depart from it.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p12">Here is, 1. A great duty enjoined,
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particularly to those that are the parents and instructors of
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children, in order to the propagating of wisdom, that it may not
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die with them: <i>Train up children</i> in that age of vanity, to
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keep them from the sins and snares of it, in that learning age, to
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prepare them for what they are designed for. <i>Catechise</i> them;
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initiate them; keep them under discipline. <i>Train</i> them as
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soldiers, who are taught to handle their arms, keep rank, and
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observe the word of command. <i>Train</i> them up, not in the way
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they would go (the bias of their corrupt hearts would draw them
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aside), but <i>in the way they should go,</i> the way in which, if
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you love them, you would have them go. <i>Train up a child
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according as he is capable</i> (as some take it), with a gentle
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hand, as nurses feed children, little and often, <scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.6.7" parsed="|Deut|6|7|0|0" passage="De 6:7">Deut. vi. 7</scripRef>. 2. A good reason for it, taken
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from the great advantage of this care and pains with children: When
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they <i>grow up,</i> when they <i>grow old,</i> it is to be hoped,
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they <i>will not depart from it.</i> Good impressions made upon
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them then will abide upon them all their days. Ordinarily the
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vessel retains the savour with which it was first seasoned. Many
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indeed have departed from the good way in which they were trained
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up; Solomon himself did so. But early training may be a means of
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their recovering themselves, as it is supposed Solomon did. At
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least the parents will have the comfort of having done their duty
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and used the means.</p>
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</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.7" parsed="|Prov|22|7|0|0" passage="Pr 22:7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.7">
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<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p13">7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the
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borrower <i>is</i> servant to the lender.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p14">He had said (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.2" parsed="|Prov|22|2|0|0" passage="Pr 22:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>.), <i>Rich and poor meet
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together;</i> but here he finds, here he shows, that, as to the
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things of this life, there is a great difference; for, 1. Those
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that have little will be in subjection to those that have much,
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because they have dependence upon them, they have received, and
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expect to receive, support from them: <i>The rich rule over the
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poor,</i> and too often more than becomes them, with pride and
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rigour, unlike to God, who, though he be great, yet despises not
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any. It is part of the affliction of the poor that they must expect
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to be trampled upon, and part of their duty to be serviceable, as
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far as they can, to those that are kind to them, and study to be
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grateful. 2. Those that are but going behindhand find themselves to
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lie much at the mercy of those that are before hand: <i>The
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borrower is servant to the lender,</i> is obliged to him, and must
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sometimes beg, <i>Have patience with me.</i> Therefore it is part
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of Israel's promised happiness that they should lend and borrow,
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<scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.28.12" parsed="|Deut|28|12|0|0" passage="De 28:12">Deut. xxviii. 12</scripRef>. And it
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should be our endeavour to keep as much as may be out of debt. Some
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sell their liberty to gratify their luxury.</p>
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</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.8" parsed="|Prov|22|8|0|0" passage="Pr 22:8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.8">
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<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p15">8 He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and
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the rod of his anger shall fail.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p16">Note, 1. Ill-gotten gains will not prosper:
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<i>He that sows iniquity,</i> that does an unjust thing in hopes to
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get by it, <i>shall reap vanity;</i> what he gets will never do him
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any good nor give him any satisfaction. He will meet nothing but
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disappointment. Those that create trouble to others do but prepare
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trouble for themselves. Men shall reap as they sow. 2. Abused power
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will not last. If the rod of authority turn into a <i>rod of
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anger,</i> if men rule by passion instead of prudence, and, instead
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of the public welfare, aim at nothing so much as the gratifying of
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their own resentments, it <i>shall fail</i> and be broken, and
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their power shall not bear them out in their exorbitances,
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<scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Isa.10.24-Isa.10.25" parsed="|Isa|10|24|10|25" passage="Isa 10:24,25">Isa. x. 24, 25</scripRef>.</p>
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</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.9" parsed="|Prov|22|9|0|0" passage="Pr 22:9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.9">
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<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p17">9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed;
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for he giveth of his bread to the poor.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p18">Here is, 1. The description of a charitable
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man; he has a <i>bountiful eye,</i> opposed to the evil eye
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(<scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.6" parsed="|Prov|23|6|0|0" passage="Pr 23:6"><i>ch.</i> xxiii. 6</scripRef>) and
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the same with the <i>single eye</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.6.22" parsed="|Matt|6|22|0|0" passage="Mt 6:22">Matt. vi. 22</scripRef>),—an eye that seeks out objects
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of charity, besides those that offer themselves,—an eye that, upon
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the sight of one in want and misery, affects the heart with
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compassion,—an eye that with the alms gives a pleasant look, which
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makes the alms doubly acceptable. He has also a liberal hand: <i>He
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gives of his bread</i> to those that need—<i>his bread,</i> the
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bread appointed for his own eating. He will rather abridge himself
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than see the poor perish for want; yet he does not give all <i>his
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bread,</i> but <i>of his bread;</i> the poor shall have their share
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with his own family. 2. The blessedness of such a man. The loins of
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the poor will bless them, all about him will speak well of him, and
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God himself will bless him, in answer to many a good prayer put up
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for him, and he <i>shall be blessed.</i></p>
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</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.10" parsed="|Prov|22|10|0|0" passage="Pr 22:10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.10">
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<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p19">10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go
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out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p20">See here, 1. What <i>the scorner</i> does.
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It is implied that he sows discord and makes mischief wherever he
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comes. Much of the <i>strife and contention</i> which disturb the
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peace of all societies is owing to <i>the evil interpreter</i> (as
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some read it), that construes every thing into the worst, to those
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that despise and deride every one that comes in their way and take
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a pride in bantering and abusing all mankind. 2. What is to be done
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with the scorner that will not be reclaimed: <i>Cast</i> him
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<i>out</i> of your society, as Ishmael, when he mocked Isaac, was
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thrust out of Abraham's family. Those that would secure the peace
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must exclude the scorner.</p>
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</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.11" parsed="|Prov|22|11|0|0" passage="Pr 22:11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.11">
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<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p21">11 He that loveth pureness of heart, <i>for</i>
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the grace of his lips the king <i>shall be</i> his friend.</p>
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<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p22">Here is, 1. The qualification of an
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accomplished, a complete gentleman, that is fit to be employed in
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public business. He must be an honest man, a man <i>that loves
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pureness of heart</i> and hates all impurity, not only pure from
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all fleshly lusts, but from all deceit and dissimulation, from all
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selfishness and sinister designs, that takes care to approve
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himself a man of sincerity, is just and fair from principle, and
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delights in nothing more than in keeping his own conscience clean
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and void of offence. He must also be able to speak with a good
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grace, not to daub and flatter, but to deliver his sentiments
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decently and ingeniously, in language clean and smooth as his
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spirit. 2. The preferment such a man stands fair for: <i>The
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king,</i> if he be wise and good, and understand his own and his
|
|||
|
people's interest, <i>will be his friend,</i> will make him of his
|
|||
|
cabinet-council, as there was one in David's court, and another in
|
|||
|
Solomon's, that was called the <i>king's friend;</i> or, in any
|
|||
|
business that he has, the king will befriend him. Some understand
|
|||
|
it of the King of kings. A man <i>in whose spirit there is no
|
|||
|
guile,</i> and whose speech is always with grace, God will be his
|
|||
|
friend, Messiah, the Prince, will be his friend. <i>This honour
|
|||
|
have all the saints.</i></p>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.12" parsed="|Prov|22|12|0|0" passage="Pr 22:12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.12">
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p23">12 The eyes of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.xxiii-p23.1">Lord</span> preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the
|
|||
|
words of the transgressor.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p24">Here is, 1. The special care God takes to
|
|||
|
<i>preserve knowledge,</i> that is, to keep up religion in the
|
|||
|
world by keeping up among men the knowledge of himself and of good
|
|||
|
and evil, notwithstanding the corruption of mankind, and the
|
|||
|
artifices of Satan to blind men's minds and keep them in ignorance.
|
|||
|
It is a wonderful instance of the power and goodness of <i>the eyes
|
|||
|
of the Lord,</i> that is, his watchful providence. He preserves
|
|||
|
<i>men of knowledge,</i> wise and good men (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.16.9" parsed="|2Chr|16|9|0|0" passage="2Ch 16:9">2 Chron. xvi. 9</scripRef>), particularly faithful
|
|||
|
witnesses, who speak what they know; God protects such, and
|
|||
|
prospers their counsels. He does by his grace <i>preserve
|
|||
|
knowledge</i> in such, secures his own work and interest in them.
|
|||
|
See <scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.7-Prov.2.8" parsed="|Prov|2|7|2|8" passage="Pr 2:7,8">Prov. ii. 7, 8</scripRef>. 2. The
|
|||
|
just vengeance God takes on those that speak and act against
|
|||
|
knowledge and against the interests of knowledge and religion in
|
|||
|
the world: <i>He overthrows the words of the transgressor,</i> and
|
|||
|
<i>preserves knowledge</i> in spite of him. He defeats all the
|
|||
|
counsels and designs of false and treacherous men, and turns them
|
|||
|
to their own confusion.</p>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p24.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.13" parsed="|Prov|22|13|0|0" passage="Pr 22:13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.13">
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p25">13 The slothful <i>man</i> saith, <i>There
|
|||
|
is</i> a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p26">Note, 1. Those that have no love for their
|
|||
|
business will never want excuses to shake it off. Multitudes are
|
|||
|
ruined, both for soul and body, by their slothfulness, and yet
|
|||
|
still they have something or other to say for themselves, so
|
|||
|
ingenious are men in putting a cheat upon their own souls. And who,
|
|||
|
I pray, will be the gainer at last, when the pretences will be all
|
|||
|
rejected as vain and frivolous? 2. Many frighten themselves from
|
|||
|
real duties by imaginary difficulties: <i>The slothful man</i> has
|
|||
|
work to do <i>without</i> in the fields, but he fancies <i>there is
|
|||
|
a lion</i> there; nay, he pretends he dares not go along the
|
|||
|
streets for fear somebody or other should meet him and kill him. He
|
|||
|
does not himself think so; he only says so to those that call him
|
|||
|
up. He talks of <i>a lion without,</i> but considers not his real
|
|||
|
danger from the devil, that <i>roaring lion,</i> which is in bed
|
|||
|
with him, and from his own slothfulness, which kills him.</p>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.14" parsed="|Prov|22|14|0|0" passage="Pr 22:14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.14">
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p27">14 The mouth of strange women <i>is</i> a deep
|
|||
|
pit: he that is abhorred of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.xxiii-p27.1">Lord</span>
|
|||
|
shall fall therein.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p28">This is designed to warn all young men
|
|||
|
against the lusts of uncleanness. As they regard the welfare of
|
|||
|
their souls, let them take heed of <i>strange women,</i> lewd
|
|||
|
women, whom they ought to be strange to, of <i>the mouth of strange
|
|||
|
women,</i> of the kisses of their lips (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.7.13" parsed="|Prov|7|13|0|0" passage="Pr 7:13"><i>ch.</i> vii. 13</scripRef>), of the words of their
|
|||
|
lips, their charms and enticements. Dread them; have nothing to do
|
|||
|
with them; for, 1. Those who abandon themselves to that sin give
|
|||
|
proof that they are abandoned of God: it <i>is a deep pit,</i>
|
|||
|
which those <i>fall</i> into that are <i>abhorred of the Lord,</i>
|
|||
|
who leaves them to themselves to enter into that temptation, and
|
|||
|
takes off the bridle of his restraining grace, to punish them for
|
|||
|
other sins. Value not thyself upon thy being in favour with such
|
|||
|
women, when it proclaims thee under the wrath of God. 2. It is
|
|||
|
seldom that they recover themselves, for it <i>is a deep pit;</i>
|
|||
|
it will be hard getting out of it, it so besots the mind and
|
|||
|
debauches the conscience, by pleasing the flesh.</p>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p28.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.15" parsed="|Prov|22|15|0|0" passage="Pr 22:15" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.15">
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p29">15 Foolishness <i>is</i> bound in the heart of a
|
|||
|
child; <i>but</i> the rod of correction shall drive it far from
|
|||
|
him.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p30">We have here two very sad considerations:—
|
|||
|
1. That corruption is woven into our nature. Sin is
|
|||
|
<i>foolishness;</i> it is contrary both to our right reason and to
|
|||
|
our true interest. It <i>is in the heart;</i> there is an inward
|
|||
|
inclination to sin, to speak and act foolishly. It <i>is in the
|
|||
|
heart of children;</i> they bring it into the world with them; it
|
|||
|
is what they were shapen and conceived in. It is not only
|
|||
|
<i>found</i> there, but it is <i>bound</i> there; it is annexed to
|
|||
|
the heart (so some); vicious dispositions cleave closely to the
|
|||
|
soul, are bound to it as the cion to the stock into which it is
|
|||
|
grafted, which quite alters the property. There is a knot tied
|
|||
|
between the soul and sin, a true lover's knot; they two became one
|
|||
|
flesh. It is true of ourselves, it is true of our children, whom we
|
|||
|
have begotten in our own likeness. <i>O God! thou knowest</i> this
|
|||
|
<i>foolishness.</i> 2. That correction is necessary to the cure of
|
|||
|
it. It will not be got out by fair means and gentle methods; there
|
|||
|
must be strictness and severity, and that which will cause grief.
|
|||
|
Children need to be corrected, and kept under discipline, by their
|
|||
|
parents; and we all need to be corrected by our heavenly Father
|
|||
|
(<scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.6-Heb.12.7" parsed="|Heb|12|6|12|7" passage="Heb 12:6,7">Heb. xii. 6, 7</scripRef>), and
|
|||
|
under the correction we must stroke down folly and kiss the
|
|||
|
rod.</p>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p30.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.16" parsed="|Prov|22|16|0|0" passage="Pr 22:16" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.16">
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p31">16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his
|
|||
|
<i>riches, and</i> he that giveth to the rich, <i>shall</i> surely
|
|||
|
<i>come</i> to want.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p32">This shows what evil courses rich men
|
|||
|
sometimes take, by which, in the end, they will impoverish
|
|||
|
themselves and provoke God, notwithstanding their abundance, to
|
|||
|
bring them to want; they <i>oppress the poor and give to the
|
|||
|
rich.</i> 1. They will not in charity relieve the poor, but
|
|||
|
withhold from them, that by saving that which is really the best,
|
|||
|
but which they think the most needless part of their expenses, they
|
|||
|
may <i>increase their riches;</i> but they will make presents <i>to
|
|||
|
the rich,</i> and give them great entertainments, either in pride
|
|||
|
and vain-glory, that they may look great, or in policy, that they
|
|||
|
may receive it again with advantage. Such <i>shall surely come to
|
|||
|
want.</i> Many have been beggared by a foolish generosity, but
|
|||
|
never any by a prudent charity. Christ bids us to invite the poor,
|
|||
|
<scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.14.12-Luke.14.13" parsed="|Luke|14|12|14|13" passage="Lu 14:12,13">Luke xiv. 12, 13</scripRef>. 2.
|
|||
|
They not only will not relieve <i>the poor,</i> but they
|
|||
|
<i>oppress</i> them, rob the spital, extort from their poor tenants
|
|||
|
and neighbours, invade the rights of those who have not wherewithal
|
|||
|
to defend themselves, and then <i>give</i> bribes <i>to the
|
|||
|
rich,</i> to protect and countenance them in it. But it is all in
|
|||
|
vain; they <i>shall come to want.</i> Those that rob God, and so
|
|||
|
make him the enemy, cannot secure themselves by <i>giving to the
|
|||
|
rich,</i> to make them their friends.</p>
|
|||
|
<h4 id="Prov.xxiii-p32.2">Serious Attention
|
|||
|
Inculcated.</h4>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p32.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.17-Prov.22.21" parsed="|Prov|22|17|22|21" passage="Pr 22:17-21" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.17-Prov.22.21">
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p33">17 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the
|
|||
|
wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18 For <i>it
|
|||
|
is</i> a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall
|
|||
|
withal be fitted in thy lips. 19 That thy trust may be in
|
|||
|
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.xxiii-p33.1">Lord</span>, I have made known to thee
|
|||
|
this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee
|
|||
|
excellent things in counsels and knowledge, 21 That I might
|
|||
|
make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou
|
|||
|
mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p34">Solomon here changes his style and manner
|
|||
|
of speaking. Hitherto, for the most part, since the beginning of
|
|||
|
<scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p34.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.10.1" parsed="|Prov|10|1|0|0" passage="Pr 10:1"><i>ch.</i> x.</scripRef>, he had laid
|
|||
|
down doctrinal truths, and but now and then dropped a word of
|
|||
|
exhortation, leaving us to make the application as we went along;
|
|||
|
but here, to the end of <scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p34.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.17-Prov.24.34" parsed="|Prov|22|17|24|34" passage="Pr 22:17-24:34"><i>ch.</i> xxiv.</scripRef>, he directs his speech
|
|||
|
to his son, his pupil, his reader, his hearer, speaking as to a
|
|||
|
particular person. Hitherto, for the most part, his sense was
|
|||
|
comprised in one verse, but here usually it is drawn out further.
|
|||
|
See how Wisdom tries variety of methods with us, lest we should be
|
|||
|
cloyed with any one. To awaken attention and to assist our
|
|||
|
application the method of direct address is here adopted. Ministers
|
|||
|
must not think it enough to preach before their hearers, but must
|
|||
|
preach to them, nor enough to preach to them all in general, but
|
|||
|
should address themselves to particular persons, as here: Do
|
|||
|
<i>thou</i> do so and so. Here is,</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p35">I. An earnest exhortation to get wisdom and
|
|||
|
grace, by attending to <i>the words of the wise</i> men, both
|
|||
|
written and preached, the words of the prophets and priests, and
|
|||
|
particularly to that <i>knowledge</i> which Solomon in this book
|
|||
|
gives men of good and evil, sin and duty, rewards and punishments.
|
|||
|
To these <i>words,</i> to this <i>knowledge,</i> the ear must be
|
|||
|
<i>bowed down</i> in humility and serious attention and the heart
|
|||
|
<i>applied</i> by faith, and love, and close consideration. The ear
|
|||
|
will not serve without the heart.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p36">II. Arguments to enforce this exhortation.
|
|||
|
Consider,</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p37">1. The worth and weight of the things
|
|||
|
themselves which Solomon in this book gives us the <i>knowledge</i>
|
|||
|
of. They are not trivial things, for amusements and diversion, not
|
|||
|
jocular proverbs, to be repeated in sport and in order to pass away
|
|||
|
time. No; they are <i>excellent things,</i> which concern the glory
|
|||
|
of God, the holiness and happiness of our souls, the welfare of
|
|||
|
mankind and all communities; they are <i>princely things</i> (so
|
|||
|
the word is), fit for kings to speak and senates to hear; they are
|
|||
|
things that concern <i>counsels and knowledge,</i> that is, wise
|
|||
|
counsels, relating to the most important concerns; things which
|
|||
|
will not only make us knowing ourselves, but enable us to advise
|
|||
|
others.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p38">2. The clearness of the discovery of these
|
|||
|
things and the directing of them to us in particular. "They are
|
|||
|
<i>made known,</i> publicly known, that all may read,—plainly
|
|||
|
known, that he that runs may read,—<i>made known this day</i> more
|
|||
|
fully than ever before, in this day of light and
|
|||
|
knowledge,—<i>made known in this thy day.</i> But it is only a
|
|||
|
little while that this light is with thee; perhaps the things that
|
|||
|
are <i>this day made known to thee,</i> if thou improve not the day
|
|||
|
of thy visitation, may, before to-morrow, be <i>hidden from thy
|
|||
|
eyes.</i> They are <i>written,</i> for the greater certainty, and
|
|||
|
that they may be received and the more safely transmitted pure and
|
|||
|
entire to posterity. But that which the emphasis is here most laid
|
|||
|
upon is that they are <i>made known to thee, even to thee,</i> and
|
|||
|
<i>written to thee,</i> as if it were a letter directed to thee by
|
|||
|
name. It is suited to thee and to thy case; thou mayest in this
|
|||
|
glass see thy own face; it is intended for thee, to be a rule to
|
|||
|
thee, and by it thou must be judged." We cannot say of these
|
|||
|
things, "They are good things, but they are nothing to us;" no,
|
|||
|
they are of the greatest concern imaginable to us.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p39">3. The agreeableness of these things to us,
|
|||
|
in respect both of comfort and credit. (1.) If we hide them in our
|
|||
|
hearts, they will be very pleasing and yield us an abundant
|
|||
|
satisfaction (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p39.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.18" parsed="|Prov|22|18|0|0" passage="Pr 22:18"><i>v.</i>
|
|||
|
18</scripRef>): "<i>It is a pleasant thing,</i> and will be thy
|
|||
|
constant entertainment, <i>if thou keep them within thee;</i> if
|
|||
|
thou digest them, and be actuated and governed by them, and
|
|||
|
delivered into them as into a mould." The form of godliness, when
|
|||
|
that is rested in, is but a force put upon a man, and he does but
|
|||
|
do penance in that white clothing; those only that submit to the
|
|||
|
power of godliness, and make heart-work of it, find the pleasure of
|
|||
|
it, <scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p39.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.10" parsed="|Prov|2|10|0|0" passage="Pr 2:10"><i>ch.</i> ii. 10</scripRef>. (2.)
|
|||
|
If we make use of them in our discourse, they will be very
|
|||
|
becoming, and gain us a good reputation. <i>They shall be fitted in
|
|||
|
thy lips.</i> "Speak of these things, and thou speakest like
|
|||
|
thyself, and as is fit for thee to speak considering thy character;
|
|||
|
thou wilt also have pleasure in speaking of these things as well as
|
|||
|
in thinking of them."</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p40">4. The advantage designed us by them. The
|
|||
|
<i>excellent things</i> which God has <i>written to</i> us are not
|
|||
|
like the commands which the master gives his servant, which are all
|
|||
|
intended for the benefit of the master, but like those which the
|
|||
|
master gives his scholar, which are all intended for the benefit of
|
|||
|
the scholar. These things must be kept by us, for they are written
|
|||
|
to us, (1.) That we may have a confidence in him and communion with
|
|||
|
him. <i>That thy trust may be in the Lord,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p40.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.19" parsed="|Prov|22|19|0|0" passage="Pr 22:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. We cannot trust in God except
|
|||
|
in the way of duty; we are <i>therefore</i> taught our duty, that
|
|||
|
we may have reason to trust in God. Nay, this is itself one great
|
|||
|
duty we are to learn, and a duty that is the foundation of all
|
|||
|
practical religion, to live a life of delight in God and dependence
|
|||
|
on him. (2.) That we may have a satisfaction in our own judgment:
|
|||
|
"<i>That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of
|
|||
|
truth;</i> that thou mayest know what is truth, mayest plainly
|
|||
|
distinguish between it and falsehood, and mayest know upon what
|
|||
|
grounds thou receivest and believest the truths of God." Note, [1.]
|
|||
|
It is a desirable thing to know, not only <i>the words of
|
|||
|
truth,</i> but <i>the certainty of</i> them, that our faith may be
|
|||
|
intelligent and rational, and may grow up to a full assurance. [2.]
|
|||
|
The way to <i>know the certainty of the words of truth</i> is to
|
|||
|
make conscience of our duty; for, <i>if any man do his will, he
|
|||
|
shall know</i> for certain that the doctrine is of God, <scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p40.2" osisRef="Bible:John.7.17" parsed="|John|7|17|0|0" passage="Joh 7:17">John vii. 17</scripRef>. (3.) That we may be
|
|||
|
useful and serviceable to others for their instruction: "<i>That
|
|||
|
thou mayest</i> give a good account <i>of the words of truth to
|
|||
|
those that send to thee</i> to consult thee as an oracle," or (as
|
|||
|
the margin reads it) "<i>to those that send thee,</i> that employ
|
|||
|
thee as an agent or ambassador in any business." Knowledge is given
|
|||
|
us to do good with, that others may light their candle at our lamp,
|
|||
|
and that we may in our place serve our generation according to the
|
|||
|
will of God; and those who make conscience of keeping God's
|
|||
|
commandments will be best able to <i>give a reason of the hope that
|
|||
|
is in</i> them.</p>
|
|||
|
<h4 id="Prov.xxiii-p40.3">Caution against Oppressing the
|
|||
|
Poor.</h4>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p40.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.22-Prov.22.23" parsed="|Prov|22|22|22|23" passage="Pr 22:22-23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.22-Prov.22.23">
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p41">22 Rob not the poor, because he <i>is</i> poor:
|
|||
|
neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 23 For the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.xxiii-p41.1">Lord</span> will plead their cause, and spoil the
|
|||
|
soul of those that spoiled them.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p42">After this solemn preface, one would have
|
|||
|
expected something new and surprising; but no; here is a plain and
|
|||
|
common, but very needful caution against the barbarous and inhuman
|
|||
|
practices of oppressing poor people. Observe,</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p43">I. The sin itself, and that is <i>robbing
|
|||
|
the poor</i> and making them poorer, taking from those that have
|
|||
|
but little to lose and so leaving them nothing. It is bad to rob
|
|||
|
any man, but most absurd to rob the poor, whom we should
|
|||
|
relieve,—to squeeze those with our power whom we should water with
|
|||
|
our bounty,—<i>to oppress the afflicted,</i> and so to add
|
|||
|
affliction to them,—to give judgment against them, and so to
|
|||
|
patronise those that do rob them, which is as bad as if we robbed
|
|||
|
them ourselves. Rich men will not suffer themselves to be wronged;
|
|||
|
poor men cannot help themselves, and therefore we ought to be the
|
|||
|
more careful not to wrong them.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p44">II. The aggravations of the sin. 1. If
|
|||
|
their inability, by reason of their poverty, to right themselves,
|
|||
|
embolden us to rob them, it is so much the worse; this is
|
|||
|
<i>robbing the poor because he is poor;</i> this is not only a base
|
|||
|
and cowardly thing, to take advantage against a man because he is
|
|||
|
helpless, but it is unnatural, and proves men worse than beasts. 2.
|
|||
|
Or, if it be done under the colour of law and justice, that is
|
|||
|
oppressing <i>the afflicted in the gate,</i> where they ought to be
|
|||
|
protected from wrong and to have justice done them against those
|
|||
|
that oppress them.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p45">III. The danger that attends this sin. He
|
|||
|
that robs and oppresses the poor does it at his peril; for, 1. The
|
|||
|
oppressed will find God their powerful patron. He <i>will plead
|
|||
|
their cause,</i> and not suffer them to be run down and trampled
|
|||
|
upon. If men will not appear for them, God will. 2. The oppressors
|
|||
|
will find him a just avenger. He will make reprisals upon them,
|
|||
|
will <i>spoil the souls of those that spoil them;</i> he will repay
|
|||
|
them in spiritual judgments, in curses to their souls. He that robs
|
|||
|
the poor will be found in the end a murderer of himself.</p>
|
|||
|
<h4 id="Prov.xxiii-p45.1">Prudential Maxims.</h4>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p45.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.24-Prov.22.25" parsed="|Prov|22|24|22|25" passage="Pr 22:24-25" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.24-Prov.22.25">
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p46">24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and
|
|||
|
with a furious man thou shalt not go: 25 Lest thou learn his
|
|||
|
ways, and get a snare to thy soul.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p47">Here is, 1. A good caution against being
|
|||
|
intimate with a passionate man. It is the law of friendship that we
|
|||
|
accommodate ourselves to our friends and be ready to serve them,
|
|||
|
and therefore we ought to be wise and wary in the choice of a
|
|||
|
friend, that we come not under the sacred tie to any one whom it
|
|||
|
would be our folly to accommodate ourselves to. Thought we must be
|
|||
|
civil to all, yet we must be careful whom we lay in our bosoms and
|
|||
|
contract a familiarity with. And, among others, a man who is easily
|
|||
|
provoked, touchy, and apt to resent affronts, who, when he is in a
|
|||
|
passion, cares not what he says or does, but grows outrageous, such
|
|||
|
a one is not fit to be made a friend or companion, for he will be
|
|||
|
ever and anon angry with us and that will be our trouble, and he
|
|||
|
will expect that we should, like him, be angry with others, and
|
|||
|
that will be our sin. 2. Good cause given for this caution: <i>Lest
|
|||
|
thou learn his way.</i> Those we go with we are apt to grow like.
|
|||
|
Our corrupt hearts have so much tinder in them that it is dangerous
|
|||
|
conversing with those that throw about the sparks of their passion.
|
|||
|
We shall thereby <i>get a snare to our souls,</i> for a disposition
|
|||
|
to anger is a great snare to any man, and an occasion of much sin.
|
|||
|
He does not say, "Lest thou have ill language given thee or get a
|
|||
|
broken head," but, which is must worse, "Lest thou imitate him, to
|
|||
|
humour him, and so contract an ill habit."</p>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p47.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.26-Prov.22.27" parsed="|Prov|22|26|22|27" passage="Pr 22:26-27" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.26-Prov.22.27">
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p48">26 Be not thou <i>one</i> of them that strike
|
|||
|
hands, <i>or</i> of them that are sureties for debts. 27 If
|
|||
|
thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from
|
|||
|
under thee?</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p49">We have here, as often before, a caution
|
|||
|
against suretiship, as a thing both imprudent and unjust. 1. We
|
|||
|
must not associate ourselves, nor contract an intimacy, with men of
|
|||
|
broken fortunes, and reputations, who need and will urge their
|
|||
|
friends to be bound for them, that they may cheat their neighbours
|
|||
|
to feed their lusts, and by keeping up a little longer may do the
|
|||
|
more damage at last to those that give them credit. Have nothing to
|
|||
|
do with such; be not thou among them. 2. We must not cheat people
|
|||
|
of their money, by <i>striking hands</i> ourselves, or <i>becoming
|
|||
|
surety for others,</i> when we <i>have not to pay.</i> If a man by
|
|||
|
the divine providence is disabled to pay his debts, he ought to be
|
|||
|
pitied and helped; but he that takes up money or goods himself, or
|
|||
|
is bound for another, when he knows that he has not wherewithal to
|
|||
|
pay, or that what he has is so settled that the creditors cannot
|
|||
|
come at it, does in effect pick his neighbour's pocket, and though,
|
|||
|
in all cases, compassion is to be used, yet he may thank himself if
|
|||
|
the law have its course and his <i>bed</i> be <i>taken from under
|
|||
|
him,</i> which might be taken for a pledge to secure a debt,
|
|||
|
<scripRef id="Prov.xxiii-p49.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.22.26-Exod.22.27" parsed="|Exod|22|26|22|27" passage="Ex 22:26,27">Exod. xxii. 26, 27</scripRef>. For,
|
|||
|
if a man appeared to be so poor that he had nothing else to give
|
|||
|
for security, he ought to be relieved, and it was honestly done to
|
|||
|
own it; but, for the recovery of a debt, it seems it might be taken
|
|||
|
by the <i>summum jus</i>—<i>the strict operation of law.</i> 3. We
|
|||
|
must not ruin our own estates and families. Every man ought to be
|
|||
|
just to himself and to his wife and children; those are not so who
|
|||
|
live above what they have, who by the mismanagement of their own
|
|||
|
affairs, or by encumbering themselves with debts of others, waste
|
|||
|
what they have and bring themselves to poverty. We may <i>take
|
|||
|
joyfully the spoiling of our goods</i> if it be for the testimony
|
|||
|
of a good conscience; but, if be for our own rashness and folly, we
|
|||
|
cannot but take it heavily.</p>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p49.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.28" parsed="|Prov|22|28|0|0" passage="Pr 22:28" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.28">
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p50">28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy
|
|||
|
fathers have set.</p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p51">1. We are here taught not to invade another
|
|||
|
man's right, though we can find ways of doing it ever so secretly
|
|||
|
and plausibly, clandestinely and by fraud, without any open force.
|
|||
|
Let not property in general be entrenched upon, by robbing men of
|
|||
|
their liberties and privileges, or of any just ways of maintaining
|
|||
|
them. Let not the property of particular persons be encroached
|
|||
|
upon. The land-marks, or meer-stones, are standing witnesses to
|
|||
|
every man's right; let not those be removed quite away, for thence
|
|||
|
come wars, and fightings, and endless disputes; let them not be
|
|||
|
removed so as to take from thy neighbour's lot to thy own, for that
|
|||
|
is downright robbing him and entailing the fraud upon posterity. 2.
|
|||
|
We may infer hence that a deference is to be paid, in all civil
|
|||
|
matters, to usages that have prevailed time out of mind and the
|
|||
|
settled constitutions of government, in which it becomes us to
|
|||
|
acquiesce, lest an attempt to change it, under pretence of changing
|
|||
|
it for the better, prove of dangerous consequence.</p>
|
|||
|
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiii-p51.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.22.29" parsed="|Prov|22|29|0|0" passage="Pr 22:29" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.22.29">
|
|||
|
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiii-p52">29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he
|
|||
|
shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean
|
|||
|
<i>men.</i></p>
|
|||
|
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiii-p53">Here is, 1. A plain intimation what a hard
|
|||
|
thing it is to find a truly ingenious industrious man: "<i>Seest
|
|||
|
thou a man diligent in his business?</i> Thou wilt not see many
|
|||
|
such, so epidemical are dulness and slothfulness." He is here
|
|||
|
commended who lays out himself to get business, though it be but in
|
|||
|
a very low and narrow sphere, and is not easy when he is out of
|
|||
|
business, who loves business, is quick and active in it, and goes
|
|||
|
through it, not only with constancy and resolution, but with
|
|||
|
dexterity and expedition, a man of despatch, who knows how to bring
|
|||
|
a deal of business into a little compass. 2. A moral
|
|||
|
prognostication of the preferment of such a man; though now he
|
|||
|
<i>stands before mean men,</i> is employed by them and attends upon
|
|||
|
them, yet he will rise, and is likely enough to <i>stand before
|
|||
|
kings,</i> as an ambassador to foreign kings or prime-minister of
|
|||
|
state to his own. <i>Seest thou a man diligent</i> in the business
|
|||
|
of religion? He is likely to excel in virtue, and shall stand
|
|||
|
before the King of kings.</p>
|
|||
|
</div></div2>
|