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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Proverbs III].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1710)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>P R O V E R B S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. III.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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This chapter is one of the most excellent in all this book, both for
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argument to persuade us to be religious and for directions therein.
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I. We must be constant to our duty because that is the way to be happy,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
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II. We must live a life of dependence upon God because that is the way
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to be safe,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:5">ver. 5</A>.
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III. We must keep up the fear of God because that is the way to be
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healthful,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:7,8">ver. 7, 8</A>.
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IV. We must serve God with our estates because that is the way to be
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rich,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:9,10">ver. 9, 10</A>.
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V. We must hear afflictions well because that is the way to get good
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by them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:11,12">ver. 11, 12</A>.
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VI. We must take pains to obtain wisdom because that is the way to gain
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her, and to gain by her,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:13-20">ver. 13-20</A>.
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VII. We must always govern ourselves by the rules of wisdom, of right
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reason and religion, because that is the way to be always easy,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:21-26">ver. 21-26</A>.
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VIII. We must do all the good we can, and no hurt, to our neighbours,
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because according as men are just or unjust, charitable or
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uncharitable, humble or haughty, accordingly they shall receive of God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:27-35">ver. 27-35</A>.
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From all this it appears what a tendency religion has to make men both
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blessed and blessings.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Pr3_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr3_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr3_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr3_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr3_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr3_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Communion Conferred by Wisdom.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my
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commandments:
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2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add
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to thee.
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3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy
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neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
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4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight
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of God and man.
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5 Trust in the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> with all thine heart; and lean not unto
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thine own understanding.
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6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy
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paths.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We are here taught to live a life of communion with God; and without
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controversy great is this mystery of godliness, and of great
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consequence to us, and, as is here shown, will be of unspeakable
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advantage.</P>
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<P>
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I. We must have a continual regard to God's precepts,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>.</P>
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<P>
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1. We must,
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(1.) Fix God's law, and his commandments, as our rule, by which we will
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in every thing be ruled and to which we will yield obedience.
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(2.) We must acquaint ourselves with them; for we cannot be said to
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forget that which we never knew.
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(3.) We must remember them so that they may be ready to us whenever we
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have occasion to use them.
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(4.) Our wills and affections must be subject to them and must in every
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thing conform to them. Not only our heads, but our hearts, must <I>keep
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God's commandments;</I> in them, as in the ark of the testimony, both
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the tables of the law must be deposited.</P>
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<P>
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2. To encourage us to submit ourselves to all the restraints and
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injunctions of the divine law, we are assured
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>)
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that it is the certain way to long life and prosperity.
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(1.) It is the way to be long-lived. God's commandments <I>shall add to
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us length of days;</I> to a good useful life on earth, they shall add
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an eternal life in heaven, <I>length of days for ever and ever,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+21:4">Ps. xxi. 4</A>.
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God shall be our life and the length of our days, and that will be
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indeed long life, with an addition. But, because length of days may
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possibly become a burden and a trouble, it is promised,
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(2.) That it shall prove the way to be easy too, so that even the days
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of old age shall not be evil days, but days in which thou shalt have
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pleasure: <I>Peace shall they</I> be continually <I>adding to thee.</I>
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As grace increases, peace shall increase; and <I>of the increase of
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Christ's government and peace,</I> in the heart as well as in the
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world, <I>there shall be no end. Great</I> and growing <I>peace have
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those that love the law.</I></P>
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<P>
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II. We must have a continual regard to God's promises, which go along
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with his precepts, and are to be received, and retained, with them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
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"<I>Let not mercy and truth forsake thee,</I> God's mercy in promising,
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and his truth in performing. Do not forfeit these, but live up to them,
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and preserve thy interest in them; do not forget these, but live upon
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them, and take the comfort of them. <I>Bind them about thy neck,</I> as
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the most graceful ornament." It is the greatest honour we are capable
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of in this world to have an interest in the mercy and truth of God.
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"<I>Write to them upon the table of thy heart,</I> as dear to thee, thy
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portion, and most delightful entertainment; take a pleasure in applying
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them and thinking them over." Or it may be meant of the mercy and truth
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which are our duty, piety and sincerity, charity towards men, fidelity
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towards God. Let these be fixed and commanding principles in thee. To
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encourage us to do this we are assured
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>)
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that this is the way to recommend ourselves both to our Creator and
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fellow-creatures: <I>So shalt thou find favour and good
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understanding.</I>
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1. A good man seeks the favour of God in the first place, is ambitious
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of the honour of being accepted of the Lord, and he shall find that
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favour, and with it a good understanding; God will make the best of
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him, and put a favourable construction upon what he says and does. He
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shall be owned as one of Wisdom's children, and shall have praise with
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God, as one having that <I>good understanding</I> which is ascribed to
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all those <I>that do his commandments.</I>
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2. He wishes to have favour with men also (as Christ had,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:52">Luke ii. 52</A>),
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to be <I>accepted of the multitude of his brethren</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+10:3">Esth. x. 3</A>),
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and that he shall have; they shall understand him aright, and in his
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dealings with them he shall appear to be prudent, shall act
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intelligently and with discretion. <I>He shall have good success</I>
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(so some translate it), the common effect of good understanding.</P>
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<P>
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III. We must have a continual regard to God's providence, must own and
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depend upon it in all our affairs, both by faith and prayer.
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1. By faith. We must repose an entire confidence in the wisdom, power,
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and goodness of God, assuring ourselves of the extent of his providence
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to all the creatures and all their actions. We must therefore <I>trust
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in the Lord with all our hearts</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>);
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we must believe that he is able to do what he will, wise to do what is
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best, and good, according to his promise, to do what is best for us, if
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we love him, and serve him. We must, with an entire submission and
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satisfaction, depend upon him to perform all things for us, and not
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<I>lean to our own understanding,</I> as if we could, by any forecast
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of our own, without God, help ourselves, and bring our affairs to a
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good issue. Those who know themselves cannot but find their own
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understanding to be a broken reed, which, if they lean to, will
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certainly fail them. In all our conduct we must be diffident of our own
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judgment, and confident of God's wisdom, power, and goodness, and
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therefore must follow Providence and not force it. That often proves
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best which was least our own doing.
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2. By prayer
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>):
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<I>In all thy ways acknowledge God.</I> We must not only in our
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judgment believe that there is an over-ruling hand of God ordering and
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disposing of us and all our affairs, but we must solemnly own it, and
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address ourselves to him accordingly. We must ask his leave, and not
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design any thing but what we are sure is lawful. We must ask his advice
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and beg direction from him, not only when the case is difficult (when
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we know not what to do, no thanks to us that we have our eyes up to
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him), but in every case, be it ever so plain, We must ask success of
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him, as those who know <I>the race is not to the swift.</I> We must
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refer ourselves to him as one from whom our judgment proceeds, and
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patiently, and with a holy indifferency, wait his award. <I>In all our
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ways</I> that prove direct, and fair, and pleasant, in which we gain
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our point to our satisfaction, we must acknowledge God with
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thankfulness. <I>In all our ways</I> that prove cross and
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uncomfortable, and that are hedged up with thorns, we must acknowledge
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God with submission. Our eye must be ever towards God; to him we must,
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in every thing, make our requests known, as Jephthah <I>uttered all his
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words before the Lord in Mizpeh,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+11:11">Judg. xi. 11</A>.
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For our encouragement to do this, it is promised, "<I>He shall direct
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thy paths,</I> so that thy way shall be safe and good and the issue
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happy at last." Note, Those that put themselves under a divine guidance
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shall always have the benefit of it. God will give them that wisdom
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which is profitable to direct, so that they shall not turn aside into
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the by-paths of sin, and then will himself so wisely order the event
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that it shall be to their mind, or (which is equivalent) for their
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good. Those that faithfully follow the pillar of cloud and fire shall
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find that though it may lead them about it leads them the right way and
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will bring them to Canaan at last.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr3_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr3_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr3_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr3_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr3_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr3_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Consecration to God.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and depart from
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evil.
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8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
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9 Honour the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> with thy substance, and with the firstfruits
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of all thine increase:
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10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses
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shall burst out with new wine.
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11 My son, despise not the chastening of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; neither be
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weary of his correction:
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12 For whom the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> loveth he correcteth; even as a father the
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son <I>in whom</I> he delighteth.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here before us three exhortations, each of them enforced with a
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good reason:--</P>
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<P>
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I. We must live in a humble and dutiful subjection to God and his
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government
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>):
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"<I>Fear the Lord,</I> as your sovereign Lord and Master; be ruled in
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every thing by your religion and subject to the divine will." This must
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be,
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1. A humble subjection: <I>Be not wise in thy own eyes.</I> Note, There
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is not a greater enemy to the power of religion, and the fear of God in
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the heart, than conceitedness of our own wisdom. Those that have an
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opinion of their own sufficiency think it below them, and a
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disparagement to them, to take their measures from, much more to hamper
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themselves with, religion's rules.
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2. A dutiful subjection: <I>Fear the Lord, and depart from evil;</I>
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take heed of doing any thing to offend him and to forfeit his care. To
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<I>fear the Lord,</I> so as to <I>depart from evil,</I> is true
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<I>wisdom</I> and <I>understanding</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+28:28">Job xxviii. 28</A>);
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those that have it are truly wise, but self-denyingly so, and not
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<I>wise in their own eyes.</I> For our encouragement thus to live in
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the fear of God it is here promised
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>)
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that it shall be as serviceable even to the outward man as our
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necessary food. It will be nourishing: <I>It shall be health to thy
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navel.</I> It will be strengthening: It shall be <I>marrow to thy
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bones.</I> The prudence, temperance, and sobriety, the calmness and
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composure of mind, and the good government of the appetites and
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passions, which religion teaches, tend very much not only to the health
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of the soul, but to a good habit of body, which is very desirable, and
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without which our other enjoyments in this world are insipid. Envy is
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<I>the rottenness of the bones;</I> the sorrow of the world dries them;
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but hope and joy in God are marrow to them.</P>
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<P>
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II. We must make a good use of our estates, and that is the way to
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increase them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:9,10"><I>v.</I> 9, 10</A>.
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Here is,</P>
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<P>
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1. A precept which makes it our duty to serve God with our estates:
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<I>Honour the Lord with thy substance.</I> It is the end of our
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creation and redemption to honour God, to be to him for a name and a
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praise; we are no other way capable of serving him than in his honour.
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His honour we must show forth and the honour we have for him. We must
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honour him, not only <I>with our bodies and spirits which are his,</I>
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but with our estates too, for they also are his: we and all our
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appurtenances must be devoted to his glory. Worldly wealth is but poor
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substance, yet, such as it is, we must honour God with it, and then, if
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ever, it becomes substantial. We must honour God,
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(1.) <I>With our increase.</I> Where riches increase we are tempted to
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honour ourselves
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+8:17">Deut. viii. 17</A>)
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and to set our hearts upon the world
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+62:10">Ps. lxii. 10</A>);
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but the more God gives us the more we should study to honour him. It is
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meant of the increase of the earth, for we live upon annual products,
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to keep us in constant dependence on God.
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(2.) <I>With all our increase.</I> As God has prospered us in every
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thing, we must honour him. Our law will allow a prescription for a
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<I>modus decimandi--a mode of tithing,</I> but none <I>de non
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decimando--for exemption from paying tithes.</I>
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(3.) <I>With the first-fruits of all,</I> as Abel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+4:4">Gen. iv. 4</A>.
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This was the law
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+23:19">Exod. xxiii. 19</A>),
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and the prophets,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:10">Mal. iii. 10</A>.
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God, who is the first and best, must have the first and best of every
|
|
thing; his right is prior to all other, and therefore he must be served
|
|
first. Note, It is our duty to make our worldly estates serviceable to
|
|
our religion, to use them and the interest we have by them for the
|
|
promoting of religion, to do good to the poor with what we have and
|
|
abound in all works of piety and charity, <I>devising liberal
|
|
things.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. A promise, which makes it our interest to serve God with our
|
|
estates. It is the way to make a little much, and much more; it is the
|
|
surest and safest method of thriving: <I>So shall thy barns be filled
|
|
with plenty.</I> He does not say thy bags, but thy barns, not thy
|
|
wardrobe replenished, but thy presses: "God shall bless thee with an
|
|
increase of that which is for use, not for show or ornament--for
|
|
spending and laying out, not for hoarding and laying up." Those that do
|
|
good with what they have shall have more to do more good with. Note, If
|
|
we make our worldly estates serviceable to our religion we shall find
|
|
our religion very serviceable to the prosperity of our worldly affairs.
|
|
<I>Godliness has the promise of the life that now is</I> and most of
|
|
the comfort of it. We mistake if we think that giving will undo us and
|
|
make us poor. No, giving for God's honour will make us rich,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Hag+2:19">Hag. ii. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
What we gave we have.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. We must conduct ourselves aright under our afflictions,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:11,12"><I>v.</I> 11, 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
This the apostle quotes
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:5">Heb. xii. 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
and calls it <I>an exhortation which speaks unto us as unto
|
|
children,</I> with the authority and affection of a father. We are here
|
|
in a world of troubles. Now observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. What must be our care when we are in affliction. We must neither
|
|
despise it nor be weary of it. His exhortation, before, was to those
|
|
that are rich and in prosperity, here to those that are poor and in
|
|
adversity.
|
|
|
|
(1.) We must not despise an affliction, be it ever so light and short,
|
|
as if it were not worth taking notice of, or as if it were not sent on
|
|
an errand and therefore required no answer. We must not be stocks, and
|
|
stones, and stoics, under our afflictions, insensible of them,
|
|
hardening ourselves under them, and concluding we can easily get
|
|
through them without God.
|
|
|
|
(2.) We must not be weary of an affliction, be it ever so heavy and
|
|
long, not <I>faint</I> under it, so the apostle renders it, not be
|
|
dispirited, dispossessed of our own souls, or driven to despair, or to
|
|
use any indirect means for our relief and the redress of our
|
|
grievances. We must not think that the affliction either presses harder
|
|
or continues longer than is meet, not conclude that deliverance will
|
|
never come because it does not come so soon as we expect it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. What will be our comfort when we are in affliction.
|
|
|
|
(1.) That it is a divine correction; it is <I>the chastening of the
|
|
Lord,</I> which, as it is a reason why we should submit to it (for it
|
|
is folly to contend with a God of incontestable sovereignty and
|
|
irresistible power), so it is a reason why we should be satisfied in
|
|
it; for we may be sure that a God of unspotted purity does us no wrong
|
|
and that a God of infinite goodness means us no hurt. It is from God,
|
|
and therefore must not be despised; for a slight put upon the messenger
|
|
is an affront to him that sends him. It is from God, and therefore we
|
|
must not be weary of it, for he knows our frame, both what we need and
|
|
what we can bear.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That it is a fatherly correction; it comes not from his vindictive
|
|
justice as a Judge, but his wise affection as a Father. The father
|
|
corrects <I>the son whom he</I> loves, nay, and because he loves him
|
|
and desires he may be wise and good. He delights in that in his son
|
|
which is amiable and agreeable, and therefore corrects him for the
|
|
prevention and cure of that which would be a deformity to him, and an
|
|
alloy to his delight in him. Thus God hath said, <I>As many as I love I
|
|
rebuke and chasten,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:19">Rev. iii. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
This is a great comfort to God's children, under their afflictions,
|
|
|
|
[1.] That they not only consist with, but flow from, covenant-love.
|
|
|
|
[2.] That they are so far from doing them any real hurt that, by the
|
|
grace of God working with them, they do a great deal of good, and are
|
|
happy means of their satisfaction.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_20"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Excellency of Wisdom; Happiness of Those Who Find Wisdom.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>13 Happy <I>is</I> the man <I>that</I> findeth wisdom, and the man <I>that</I>
|
|
getteth understanding.
|
|
14 For the merchandise of it <I>is</I> better than the merchandise
|
|
of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
|
|
15 She <I>is</I> more precious than rubies: and all the things thou
|
|
canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
|
|
16 Length of days <I>is</I> in her right hand; <I>and</I> in her left
|
|
hand riches and honour.
|
|
17 Her ways <I>are</I> ways of pleasantness, and all her paths <I>are</I>
|
|
peace.
|
|
18 She <I>is</I> a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and
|
|
happy <I>is every one</I> that retaineth her.
|
|
19 The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding
|
|
hath he established the heavens.
|
|
20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds
|
|
drop down the dew.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Solomon had pressed us earnestly to seek diligently for wisdom
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+2:1"><I>ch.</I> ii. 1</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c.), and had assured us that we should succeed in our sincere and
|
|
constant pursuits. But the question is, What shall we get by it when we
|
|
have found it? Prospect of advantage is the spring and spur of
|
|
industry; he therefore shows us how much it will be to our profit,
|
|
laying this down for an unquestionable truth, <I>Happy is the man that
|
|
findeth wisdom,</I> that true wisdom which consists in the knowledge
|
|
and love of God, and an entire conformity to all the intentions of his
|
|
truths, providences, and laws. Now observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. What it is to find wisdom so as to be made happy by it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. We must get it. He is the happy man who, having found it, makes it
|
|
his own, gets both an interest in it and the possession of it, who
|
|
<I>draws out understanding</I> (so the word it), that is,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Who derives it from God. Having it not in himself, he draws it
|
|
with the bucket of prayer from the fountain of all wisdom, <I>who gives
|
|
liberally.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Who takes pains for it, as he does who draws ore out of the mine.
|
|
It if do not come easily, we must put the more strength to draw it.
|
|
|
|
(3.) Who improves in it, who, having some understanding, draws it out
|
|
by growing in knowledge and making five talents ten.
|
|
|
|
(4.) Who does good with it, who draws out from the stock he has, as
|
|
wine from the vessel, and communicates to others, for their
|
|
instruction, <I>things new and old.</I> That is well got, and to good
|
|
purpose, that is thus used to good purpose.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. We must trade for it. We read here of the merchandise of wisdom,
|
|
which intimates,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That we must make it our business, and not a by-business, as the
|
|
merchant bestows the main of his thoughts and time upon his
|
|
merchandise.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That we must venture all in it, as a stock in trade, and be
|
|
willing to part with all for it. This is that pearl of great price
|
|
which, when we have found it, we must willingly sell all for the
|
|
purchase of,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:45,46">Matt. xiii. 45, 46</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Buy the truth,</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:23">Prov. xxiii. 23</A>);
|
|
|
|
he does not say at what rate, because we must buy it at any rate rather
|
|
than miss it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. We must lay hold on it as we lay hold on a good bargain when it is
|
|
offered to us, which we do the more carefully if there be danger of
|
|
having it taken out of our hands. We must apprehend with all our might,
|
|
and put forth our utmost vigour in the pursuit of it, lay hold on all
|
|
occasions to improve in it, and catch at the least of its dictates.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. We must retain it. It is not enough to lay hold on wisdom, but we
|
|
must keep our hold, hold it fast, with a resolution never to let it go,
|
|
but to persevere in the ways of wisdom to the end. We must <I>sustain
|
|
it</I> (so some read it), must embrace it with all our might, as we do
|
|
that which we would sustain. We must do all we can to support the
|
|
declining interests of religion in the places where we live.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. What the happiness of those is who do find it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. It is a transcendent happiness, more than can be found in the wealth
|
|
of this world, if we had ever so much of it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:14,15"><I>v.</I> 14, 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is not only a surer, but a more gainful merchandise to trade for
|
|
wisdom, for Christ, and grace, and spiritual blessings, than for
|
|
silver, and gold, and rubies. Suppose a man to have got these in
|
|
abundance, nay, to have all the things he can desire of this world (and
|
|
who is it that ever had?), yet,
|
|
|
|
(1.) All this would not purchase heavenly wisdom; no, it would
|
|
<I>utterly be contemned;</I> it <I>cannot be gotten for gold,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+28:15">Job xxviii. 15</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c.
|
|
|
|
(2.) All this would not countervail the want of heavenly wisdom nor be
|
|
the ransom of a soul lost by its own folly.
|
|
|
|
(3.) All this would not make a man half so happy, no, not in this
|
|
world, as those are who have true wisdom, though they have none of all
|
|
these things.
|
|
|
|
(4.) Heavenly wisdom will procure that for us, and secure that to us,
|
|
which silver, and gold, and rubies, will not be the purchase of.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. It is a true happiness; for it is inclusive of, and equivalent to,
|
|
all those things which are supposed to make men happy,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:16,17"><I>v.</I> 16, 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Wisdom is here represented as a bright and bountiful queen, reaching
|
|
forth gifts to her faithful and loving subjects, and offering them to
|
|
all that will submit to her government.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Is length of days a blessing? Yes, the most valuable; life
|
|
includes all good, and therefore she offers that <I>in her right
|
|
hand.</I> Religion puts us into the best methods of prolonging life,
|
|
entitles us to the promises of it, and, though our days on earth should
|
|
be no more than our neighbour's, yet it will secure to us everlasting
|
|
life in a better world.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Are riches and honour accounted blessings? They are so, and them
|
|
she reaches out with <I>her left hand.</I> For, as she is ready to
|
|
embrace those that submit to her with both arms, so she is ready to
|
|
give out to them with both hands. They shall have the wealth of this
|
|
world as far as Infinite Wisdom sees good for them; while the true
|
|
riches, by which men are rich towards God, are secured to them. Nor is
|
|
there any honour, by birth or preferment, comparable to that which
|
|
attends religion; it makes the <I>righteous more excellent than his
|
|
neighbour,</I> recommends men to God, commands respect and veneration
|
|
with all the sober part of mankind, and will in the other world make
|
|
those that are now buried in obscurity to <I>shine forth as the
|
|
sun.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) Is pleasure courted as much as any thing? It is so, and it is
|
|
certain that true piety has in it the greatest true pleasure. <I>Her
|
|
ways are ways of pleasantness;</I> the ways in which she has directed
|
|
us to walk are such as we shall find abundance of delight and
|
|
satisfaction in. All the enjoyments and entertainments of sense are not
|
|
comparable to the pleasure which gracious souls have in communion with
|
|
God and doing good. That which is the only right way to bring us to our
|
|
journey's end we must walk in, fair or foul, pleasant or unpleasant;
|
|
but the way of religion, as it is the right way, so it is a pleasant
|
|
way; it is smooth and clean, and strewed with roses: <I>All her paths
|
|
are peace.</I> There is not only peace in the end, but peace in the
|
|
way; not only in the way of religion in general, but in the particular
|
|
paths of that way, in all her paths, all the several acts, instances,
|
|
and duties of it. One does not embitter what the other sweetens, as it
|
|
is with the allays of this world; but they are all peace, not only
|
|
sweet, but safe. The saints enter into peace on this side heaven, and
|
|
enjoy a present sabbatism.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. It is the happiness of paradise
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>She is a tree of life.</I> True grace is that to the soul which the
|
|
tree of life would have been, from which our first parents were shut
|
|
out for eating of the forbidden tree. It is a seed of immortality, a
|
|
<I>well of living waters, springing up to life eternal.</I> It is an
|
|
earnest of the New Jerusalem, in the midst of which is <I>the tree of
|
|
life,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+22:2,Re+2:7">Rev. xxii. 2; ii. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
Those that feed and feast on this heavenly wisdom shall not only be
|
|
cured by it of every fatal malady, but shall find an antidote against
|
|
age and death; they shall <I>eat and live for ever.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. It is a participation of the happiness of God himself, for wisdom is
|
|
his everlasting glory and blessedness,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:19,20"><I>v.</I> 19, 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
This should make us in love with the wisdom and understanding which God
|
|
gives, that <I>the Lord by wisdom founded the earth,</I> so that it
|
|
cannot be removed, nor can ever fail of answering all the ends of its
|
|
creation, to which it is admirably and unexceptionably fitted. <I>By
|
|
understanding he has</I> likewise <I>established the heavens</I> and
|
|
directed all the motions of them in the best manner. The heavenly
|
|
bodies are vast, yet there is no flaw in them--numerous, yet no
|
|
disorder in them--the motion rapid, yet no wear or tear; the depths of
|
|
the sea are broken up, and thence come the waters beneath the
|
|
firmament, and <I>the clouds drop down the dews,</I> the waters from
|
|
above the firmament, and all this by the divine wisdom and knowledge;
|
|
therefore <I>happy is the man that finds wisdom,</I> for he will
|
|
thereby be <I>thoroughly furnished for every good word and work.</I>
|
|
Christ is that Wisdom, by whom the worlds were made and still consist;
|
|
happy therefore are those to whom he is <I>made of God wisdom,</I> for
|
|
he has wherewithal to make good all the foregoing promises of long
|
|
life, riches, and honour; for all the wealth of heaven, earth, and
|
|
seas, is his.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_26"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Excellency of Wisdom.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound
|
|
wisdom and discretion:
|
|
22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
|
|
23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall
|
|
not stumble.
|
|
24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou
|
|
shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
|
|
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of
|
|
the wicked, when it cometh.
|
|
26 For the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy
|
|
foot from being taken.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Solomon, having pronounced those happy who not only lay hold on wisdom,
|
|
but retain her, here exhorts us therefore to retain her, assuring us
|
|
that we ourselves shall have the comfort of doing so.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The exhortation is, to have religion's rules always in view and
|
|
always at heart,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. To have them always in view: "<I>My son, let them not depart from
|
|
thy eyes;</I> let not thy eyes ever depart from them to wander after
|
|
vanity. Have them always in mind, and do not forget them; be ever and
|
|
anon thinking of them, and conversing with them, and never imagine that
|
|
thou hast looked upon them long enough and that it is time now to lay
|
|
them by; but, as long as thou livest, keep up and cultivate thy
|
|
acquaintance with them." He who learns to write must always have his
|
|
eye upon his copy, and not let that be out of his sight; and to the
|
|
words of wisdom must those, in like manner, have a constant respect,
|
|
who will walk circumspectly.
|
|
|
|
2. To have them always at heart; for it is in that treasury, the hidden
|
|
man of the heart, that we must <I>keep sound wisdom and discretion,</I>
|
|
keep to the principles of it and keep in the ways of it. It is wealth
|
|
that is worth keeping.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The argument to enforce this exhortation is taken from the
|
|
unspeakable advantage which wisdom, thus kept, will be of to us.
|
|
|
|
1. In respect of strength and satisfaction: "It will be <I>life to thy
|
|
soul</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>);
|
|
|
|
it will quicken thee to thy duty when thou beginnest to be slothful and
|
|
remiss; it will revive thee under thy troubles when thou beginnest to
|
|
droop and despond. It will be thy spiritual life, an earnest of life
|
|
eternal." Life to the soul is life indeed.
|
|
|
|
2. In respect of honour and reputation: It shall be <I>grace to thy
|
|
neck,</I> as a chain of gold, or a jewel. <I>Grace to thy jaws</I> (so
|
|
the word is), grateful to thy <I>taste and relish</I> (so some); it
|
|
shall infuse <I>grace into all thou sayest</I> (so others), shall
|
|
furnish thee with acceptable words, which shall gain thee credit.
|
|
|
|
3. In respect of safety and security. This he insists upon in
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:23-26">four verses</A>,
|
|
|
|
the scope of which is to show that <I>the effect of righteousness</I>
|
|
(which is the same with <I>wisdom</I> here) is <I>quietness and
|
|
assurance for ever,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+32:17">Isa. xxxii. 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
Good people are taken under God's special protection, and therein they
|
|
may have an entire satisfaction. They are safe and may be easy,
|
|
|
|
(1.) In their motions by day,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
If our religion be our companion, it will be our convoy: "<I>Then shalt
|
|
thou walk in thy way safely.</I> The natural life, and all that belongs
|
|
to it, shall be under the protection of God's providence; the spiritual
|
|
life, and all its interests, are under the protection of his grace; so
|
|
that thou shalt be kept from falling into sin or trouble." Wisdom will
|
|
direct us into, and keep us in, the safe way, as far as may be, from
|
|
temptation, and will enable us to walk in it with holy security. The
|
|
way of duty is the way of safety. "We are in danger of falling, but
|
|
wisdom will keep thee, that <I>thy foot shall not stumble</I> at those
|
|
things which are an offence and overthrow to many, but which thou shalt
|
|
know how to get over."
|
|
|
|
(2.) In their rest by night,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
In our retirements we lie exposed and are most subject to frights. "But
|
|
keep up communion with God, and keep a good conscience, and then
|
|
<I>when thou liest down thou shalt not be afraid</I> of fire, or
|
|
thieves, or specters, or any of the terrors of darkness, knowing that
|
|
when we, and all our friends, are asleep, yet <I>he that keeps
|
|
Israel</I> and every true-born Israelite <I>neither slumbers nor
|
|
sleeps,</I> and to him thou hast committed thyself and taken shelter
|
|
under the shadow of his wings. <I>Thou shalt lie down,</I> and not
|
|
need to sit up to keep guard; having lain down, thou shalt sleep, and
|
|
not have thy eyes held waking by care and fear; and <I>thy sleep shall
|
|
be sweet</I> and refreshing to thee, being not disturbed by any alarms
|
|
from without or from within,"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+4:8,116:7">Ps. iv. 8; cxvi. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
The way to have a good night is to keep a good conscience; and the
|
|
sleep, as of the labouring man, so of the wise and godly man, is sweet.
|
|
|
|
(3.) In their greatest straits and dangers. Integrity and uprightness
|
|
will preserve us, so that we need <I>not be afraid of sudden fear,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
The harms that surprise us, unthought of, giving us no time to arm
|
|
ourselves by consideration, are most likely to put us into confusion.
|
|
But let not the wise and good man forget himself, and then he will not
|
|
give way to any fear that has torment, be the alarm ever so sudden. Let
|
|
him not fear the <I>desolation of the wicked, when it comes,</I> that
|
|
is,
|
|
|
|
[1.] The desolation which the wicked ones make of religion and the
|
|
religious; though it comes, and seems to be just at the door, yet be
|
|
not afraid of it; for, though God may make use of the wicked as
|
|
instruments of his people's correction, yet he will never suffer them
|
|
to be the authors of their desolation. Or rather,
|
|
|
|
[2.] The desolation which wicked men will be brought into in a moment.
|
|
It will come, and timorous saints may be apprehensive that they shall
|
|
be involved in it; but let this be their comfort, that though judgments
|
|
lay waste generally, at least promiscuously, yet God knows who are his
|
|
and how to separate between the precious and the vile. Therefore be not
|
|
afraid of that which appears most formidable, for
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>)
|
|
|
|
"<I>the Lord shall be</I> not only thy protector to keep thee safe, but
|
|
<I>thy confidence</I> to keep thee secure, so that thy foot <I>shall
|
|
not be taken</I> by thy enemies nor ensnared by thy own fears." God has
|
|
engaged to keep the feet of his saints.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr3_35"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Justice and Kindness Recommended; Caution against Envy.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in
|
|
the power of thine hand to do <I>it.</I>
|
|
28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to
|
|
morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
|
|
29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth
|
|
securely by thee.
|
|
30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no
|
|
harm.
|
|
31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
|
|
32 For the froward <I>is</I> abomination to the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: but his secret
|
|
<I>is</I> with the righteous.
|
|
33 The curse of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>is</I> in the house of the wicked: but
|
|
he blesseth the habitation of the just.
|
|
34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto
|
|
the lowly.
|
|
35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the
|
|
promotion of fools.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
True wisdom consists in the due discharge of our duty towards man, as
|
|
well as towards God, in honesty as well as piety, and therefore we have
|
|
here divers excellent precepts of wisdom which relate to our
|
|
neighbour.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. We must render to all their due, both in justice and charity, and
|
|
not delay to do it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:27,28"><I>v.</I> 27, 28</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Withhold not good from those to whom it is due</I> (either for want
|
|
of love to them or through too much love to thy money) <I>when it is in
|
|
the power of thy hand to do it,</I> for, if it be not, it cannot be
|
|
expected; but it was thy great fault if thou didst, by thy
|
|
extravagances, disable thyself to do justly and show mercy, and it
|
|
ought to be the greatest of thy griefs if God had disabled thee, not so
|
|
much that thou art straitened in thy own comforts and conveniences as
|
|
that thou hast not wherewithal to give to those to whom it is due."
|
|
<I>Withhold</I> it not; this implies that it is called for and
|
|
expected, but that the hand is drawn in and the <I>bowels of compassion
|
|
are shut up.</I> We must not hinder others from doing it, not be
|
|
ourselves backward to it. "If thou hast it by thee to-day, hast it in
|
|
the power of thy hand, say not to thy neighbour, <I>Go thy way for this
|
|
time,</I> and come at a more convenient season, and I will then see
|
|
what will be done; <I>to-morrow I will give;</I> whereas thou art not
|
|
sure that thou shalt live till to-morrow, or that to-morrow thou shalt
|
|
<I>have it by thee.</I> Be not thus loth to part with thy money upon a
|
|
good account. Make not excuses to shift off a duty that must be done,
|
|
nor delight to keep thy neighbour in pain and in suspense, nor to show
|
|
the authority which the giver has over the beggar; but readily and
|
|
cheerfully, and from a principle of conscience towards God, give good
|
|
to <I>those to whom it is due,</I>" to the <I>lords and owners of
|
|
it</I> (so the word is), to those who upon any account are entitled to
|
|
it. This requires us,
|
|
|
|
1. To pay our just debts without fraud, covin, or delay.
|
|
|
|
2. To give wages to those who have earned them.
|
|
|
|
3. To provide for our relations, and those that have dependence on us,
|
|
for to them it is due.
|
|
|
|
4. To render dues both to church and state, magistrates and ministers.
|
|
|
|
5. To be ready to all acts of friendship and humanity, and in every
|
|
thing to be neighbourly; for these are things that are due by the law
|
|
of doing as we would be done by.
|
|
|
|
6. To be charitable to the poor and necessitous. If others want the
|
|
necessary supports of life, and we have wherewithal to supply them, we
|
|
must look upon it as due to them and not withhold it. Alms are called
|
|
<I>righteousness</I> because they are a debt to the poor, and a debt
|
|
which we must not defer to pay, <I>Bis dat, qui cito dat</I>--<I>He
|
|
gives twice who gives speedily.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. We must never design any hurt or harm to any body
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Devise not evil against thy neighbour;</I> do not contrive how to
|
|
do him an ill-turn undiscovered, to prejudice him in his body, goods,
|
|
or good name, and the rather because <I>he dwells securely by thee,</I>
|
|
and, having given thee no provocation, entertains no jealousy or
|
|
suspicion of thee, and therefore is off his guard." It is against the
|
|
laws both of honour and friendship to do a man an ill-turn and give him
|
|
no warning. <I>Cursed be he that smites his neighbour secretly.</I> It
|
|
is a most base ungrateful thing, if our neighbours have a good opinion
|
|
of us, that we will do them no harm, and we thence take advantage to
|
|
cheat and injure them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. We must not be quarrelsome and litigious
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>):
|
|
|
|
"Do not <I>strive with a man without cause;</I> contend not for that
|
|
which thou hast no title to; resent not that as a provocation which
|
|
peradventure was but an oversight. Never trouble thy neighbour with
|
|
frivolous complaints and accusations, or vexatious law-suits, when
|
|
either there is no harm done thee or none worth speaking of, or thou
|
|
mightest right thyself in a friendly way." Law must be the last refuge;
|
|
for it is not only our duty, but our interest, <I>as much as in us
|
|
lies, to live peaceably with all men.</I> When accounts are balanced,
|
|
it will be found there is little got by striving.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. We must not envy the prosperity of evil-doers,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
This caution is the same with that which is so much insisted on,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+37:1,7-9">Ps. xxxvii.</A>
|
|
|
|
"<I>Envy not the oppressor;</I> though he be rich and great, though he
|
|
live in ease and pleasure, and make all about him to stand in awe of
|
|
him, yet do not think him a happy man, nor wish thyself in his
|
|
condition. <I>Choose none of his ways;</I> do not imitate him, nor
|
|
take the courses he takes to enrich himself. Never think of doing as he
|
|
does, though thou wert sure to get by it all that he has, for it would
|
|
be dearly bought." Now, to show what little reason saints have to envy
|
|
sinners, Solomon here, in the
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:32-35">last four verses</A>
|
|
|
|
of the chapter, compares the condition of sinners and saints together
|
|
(as his father David had done,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+37:22">Ps. xxxvii.</A>),
|
|
|
|
sets the one over against the other, that we may see how happy the
|
|
saints are, though they be oppressed, and how miserable the wicked are,
|
|
though they be oppressors. Men are to be judged of as they stand with
|
|
God, and as he judges of them, not as they stand in the world's books.
|
|
Those are in the right who are of God's mind; and, if we be of his
|
|
mind, we shall see, whatever pretence one sinner may have to envy
|
|
another, that saints are so happy themselves that they have no reason
|
|
at all to envy any sinner, though his condition be ever so prosperous.
|
|
For,
|
|
|
|
1. Sinners are hated of God, but saints are beloved,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
The froward sinners, who are continually going from-ward him, whose
|
|
lives are a perverse contradiction to his will, are <I>abomination to
|
|
the Lord.</I> He that hates nothing that he has made yet abhors those
|
|
who have thus marred themselves; they are not only abominable in his
|
|
sight, but an abomination. The righteous therefore have no reason to
|
|
envy them, for they have his secret with them; they are his favourites;
|
|
he has that communion with them which is a secret to the world and in
|
|
which they have a joy that a stranger does not intermeddle with; he
|
|
communicates to them the secret tokens of his love; his covenant is
|
|
with them; they know his mind, and the meanings and intentions of his
|
|
providence, better than others can. <I>Shall I hide from Abraham the
|
|
thing that I do?</I>
|
|
|
|
2. Sinners are under the curse of God, they and their houses; saints
|
|
are under his blessing, they and their habitation,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
The wicked has a house, a strong and stately dwelling perhaps, but
|
|
<I>the curse of the Lord</I> is upon it, it is <I>in it,</I> and,
|
|
though the affairs of the family may prosper, yet the very blessings
|
|
are curses,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+2:2">Mal. ii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
There is <I>leanness in the soul,</I> when the body is fed to the full,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+106:15">Ps. cvi. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
The curse may work silently and slowly; but it is as a fretting
|
|
leprosy; it will consume the <I>timber thereof and the stones
|
|
thereof,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+5:4,Hab+2:11">Zech. v. 4; Hab. ii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
The just have a habitation, a poor cottage (the word is used for
|
|
sheep-cotes), a very mean dwelling; but God blesses it; he is
|
|
continually blessing it, from the beginning of the year to the end of
|
|
it. The curse or blessing of God is upon the house according as the
|
|
inhabitants are wicked or godly; and it is certain that a blessed
|
|
family, though poor, has no reason to envy a cursed family, though
|
|
rich.
|
|
|
|
3. God puts contempt upon sinners, but shows respect to saints,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Those who exalt themselves shall certainly be abased: <I>Surely he
|
|
scorns the scorners.</I> Those who scorn to submit to the discipline of
|
|
religion, scorn to take God's yoke upon them, scorn to be beholden to
|
|
his grace, who scoff at godliness and godly people, and take a pleasure
|
|
in bantering and exposing them, God will scorn them, and lay them open
|
|
to scorn before all the world. He despises their impotent malice,
|
|
<I>sits in heaven and laughs at them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+2:4">Ps. ii. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
He retaliates upon them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+18:26">Ps. xviii. 26</A>);
|
|
|
|
he <I>resists the proud.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) Those who humble themselves shall be exalted, for <I>he gives
|
|
grace to the lowly;</I> he works that in them which puts honour upon
|
|
them and for which they are <I>accepted of God and approved of men.</I>
|
|
Those who patiently bear contempt from scornful men shall have respect
|
|
from God and all good men, and then they have no reason to envy the
|
|
scorners or to choose their ways.
|
|
|
|
4. The end of sinners will be everlasting shame, the end of saints
|
|
endless honour,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Saints are wise men, and act wisely for themselves; for though
|
|
their religion now wraps them up in obscurity, and lays them open to
|
|
reproach, yet they are sure to inherit glory at last, the far more
|
|
exceeding and eternal weight of glory. They shall have it, and have it
|
|
by inheritance, the sweetest and surest tenure. God gives them grace
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>),
|
|
|
|
and therefore they shall inherit glory, for grace is glory,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Co+3:18">2 Cor. iii. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is glory begun, the earnest of it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+84:11">Ps. lxxxiv. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Sinners are fools, for they are not only preparing disgrace for
|
|
themselves, but at the same time flattering themselves with a prospect
|
|
of honour, as if they only took the way to be great. Their end will
|
|
manifest their folly: <I>Shame shall be their promotion.</I> And it
|
|
will be so much the more their punishment as it will come instead of
|
|
their promotion; it will be all the promotion they must ever expect,
|
|
that God will be glorified in their everlasting confusion.</P>
|
|
|
|
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