mh_parser/vol_split/20 - Proverbs/Chapter 3.xml

<div2 id="Prov.iv" n="iv" next="Prov.v" prev="Prov.iii" progress="73.38%" title="Chapter III">
<h2 id="Prov.iv-p0.1">P R O V E R B S</h2>
<h3 id="Prov.iv-p0.2">CHAP. III.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Prov.iv-p1">This chapter is one of the most excellent in all
this book, both for argument to persuade us to be religious and for
directions therein. I. We must be constant to our duty because that
is the way to be happy, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.1-Prov.3.4" parsed="|Prov|3|1|3|4" passage="Pr 3:1-4">ver.
1-4</scripRef>. II. We must live a life of dependence upon God
because that is the way to be safe, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.5" parsed="|Prov|3|5|0|0" passage="Pr 3:5">ver.
5</scripRef>. III. We must keep up the fear of God because that is
the way to be healthful, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.7-Prov.3.8" parsed="|Prov|3|7|3|8" passage="Pr 3:7,8">ver. 7,
8</scripRef>. IV. We must serve God with our estates because that
is the way to be rich, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.9-Prov.3.10" parsed="|Prov|3|9|3|10" passage="Pr 3:9,10">ver. 9,
10</scripRef>. V. We must hear afflictions well because that is the
way to get good by them, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.11-Prov.3.12" parsed="|Prov|3|11|3|12" passage="Pr 3:11,12">ver. 11,
12</scripRef>. VI. We must take pains to obtain wisdom because that
is the way to gain her, and to gain by her, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.13-Prov.3.20" parsed="|Prov|3|13|3|20" passage="Pr 3:13-20">ver. 13-20</scripRef>. VII. We must always govern
ourselves by the rules of wisdom, of right reason and religion,
because that is the way to be always easy, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.21-Prov.3.26" parsed="|Prov|3|21|3|26" passage="Pr 3:21-26">ver. 21-26</scripRef>. VIII. We must do all the good
we can, and no hurt, to our neighbours, because according as men
are just or unjust, charitable or uncharitable, humble or haughty,
accordingly they shall receive of God, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.27-Prov.3.35" parsed="|Prov|3|27|3|35" passage="Pr 3:27-35">ver. 27-35</scripRef>. From all this it appears what a
tendency religion has to make men both blessed and blessings.</p>
<scripCom id="Prov.iv-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3" parsed="|Prov|3|0|0|0" passage="Pr 3" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Prov.iv-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.1-Prov.3.6" parsed="|Prov|3|1|3|6" passage="Pr 3:1-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.3.1-Prov.3.6">
<h4 id="Prov.iv-p1.11">Communion Conferred by
Wisdom.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Prov.iv-p2">1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart
keep my commandments:   2 For length of days, and long life,
and peace, shall they add to thee.   3 Let not mercy and truth
forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table
of thine heart:   4 So shalt thou find favour and good
understanding in the sight of God and man.   5 Trust in the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.iv-p2.1">Lord</span> with all thine heart; and lean
not unto thine own understanding.   6 In all thy ways
acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p3">We are here taught to live a life of
communion with God; and without controversy great is this mystery
of godliness, and of great consequence to us, and, as is here
shown, will be of unspeakable advantage.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p4">I. We must have a continual regard to God's
precepts, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.1-Prov.3.2" parsed="|Prov|3|1|3|2" passage="Pr 3:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1,
2</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p5">1. We must, (1.) Fix God's law, and his
commandments, as our rule, by which we will in every thing be ruled
and to which we will yield obedience. (2.) We must acquaint
ourselves with them; for we cannot be said to forget that which we
never knew. (3.) We must remember them so that they may be ready to
us whenever we have occasion to use them. (4.) Our wills and
affections must be subject to them and must in every thing conform
to them. Not only our heads, but our hearts, must <i>keep God's
commandments;</i> in them, as in the ark of the testimony, both the
tables of the law must be deposited.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p6">2. To encourage us to submit ourselves to
all the restraints and injunctions of the divine law, we are
assured (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.2" parsed="|Prov|3|2|0|0" passage="Pr 3:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>) that it
is the certain way to long life and prosperity. (1.) It is the way
to be long-lived. God's commandments <i>shall add to us length of
days;</i> to a good useful life on earth, they shall add an eternal
life in heaven, <i>length of days for ever and ever,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.21.4" parsed="|Ps|21|4|0|0" passage="Ps 21:4">Ps. xxi. 4</scripRef>. God shall be our life and
the length of our days, and that will be indeed long life, with an
addition. But, because length of days may possibly become a burden
and a trouble, it is promised, (2.) That it shall prove the way to
be easy too, so that even the days of old age shall not be evil
days, but days in which thou shalt have pleasure: <i>Peace shall
they</i> be continually <i>adding to thee.</i> As grace increases,
peace shall increase; and <i>of the increase of Christ's government
and peace,</i> in the heart as well as in the world, <i>there shall
be no end. Great</i> and growing <i>peace have those that love the
law.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p7">II. We must have a continual regard to
God's promises, which go along with his precepts, and are to be
received, and retained, with them (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.3" parsed="|Prov|3|3|0|0" passage="Pr 3:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>): "<i>Let not mercy and truth
forsake thee,</i> God's mercy in promising, and his truth in
performing. Do not forfeit these, but live up to them, and preserve
thy interest in them; do not forget these, but live upon them, and
take the comfort of them. <i>Bind them about thy neck,</i> as the
most graceful ornament." It is the greatest honour we are capable
of in this world to have an interest in the mercy and truth of God.
"<i>Write to them upon the table of thy heart,</i> as dear to thee,
thy portion, and most delightful entertainment; take a pleasure in
applying them and thinking them over." Or it may be meant of the
mercy and truth which are our duty, piety and sincerity, charity
towards men, fidelity towards God. Let these be fixed and
commanding principles in thee. To encourage us to do this we are
assured (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.4" parsed="|Prov|3|4|0|0" passage="Pr 3:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>) that
this is the way to recommend ourselves both to our Creator and
fellow-creatures: <i>So shalt thou find favour and good
understanding.</i> 1. A good man seeks the favour of God in the
first place, is ambitious of the honour of being accepted of the
Lord, and he shall find that favour, and with it a good
understanding; God will make the best of him, and put a favourable
construction upon what he says and does. He shall be owned as one
of Wisdom's children, and shall have praise with God, as one having
that <i>good understanding</i> which is ascribed to all those
<i>that do his commandments.</i> 2. He wishes to have favour with
men also (as Christ had, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.52" parsed="|Luke|2|52|0|0" passage="Lu 2:52">Luke ii.
52</scripRef>), to be <i>accepted of the multitude of his
brethren</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p7.4" osisRef="Bible:Esth.10.3" parsed="|Esth|10|3|0|0" passage="Es 10:3">Esth. x. 3</scripRef>),
and that he shall have; they shall understand him aright, and in
his dealings with them he shall appear to be prudent, shall act
intelligently and with discretion. <i>He shall have good
success</i> (so some translate it), the common effect of good
understanding.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p8">III. We must have a continual regard to
God's providence, must own and depend upon it in all our affairs,
both by faith and prayer. 1. By faith. We must repose an entire
confidence in the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, assuring
ourselves of the extent of his providence to all the creatures and
all their actions. We must therefore <i>trust in the Lord with all
our hearts</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.5" parsed="|Prov|3|5|0|0" passage="Pr 3:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>);
we must believe that he is able to do what he will, wise to do what
is best, and good, according to his promise, to do what is best for
us, if we love him, and serve him. We must, with an entire
submission and satisfaction, depend upon him to perform all things
for us, and not <i>lean to our own understanding,</i> as if we
could, by any forecast of our own, without God, help ourselves, and
bring our affairs to a good issue. Those who know themselves cannot
but find their own understanding to be a broken reed, which, if
they lean to, will certainly fail them. In all our conduct we must
be diffident of our own judgment, and confident of God's wisdom,
power, and goodness, and therefore must follow Providence and not
force it. That often proves best which was least our own doing. 2.
By prayer (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.6" parsed="|Prov|3|6|0|0" passage="Pr 3:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>):
<i>In all thy ways acknowledge God.</i> We must not only in our
judgment believe that there is an over-ruling hand of God ordering
and disposing of us and all our affairs, but we must solemnly own
it, and address ourselves to him accordingly. We must ask his
leave, and not design any thing but what we are sure is lawful. We
must ask his advice and beg direction from him, not only when the
case is difficult (when we know not what to do, no thanks to us
that we have our eyes up to him), but in every case, be it ever so
plain, We must ask success of him, as those who know <i>the race is
not to the swift.</i> We must refer ourselves to him as one from
whom our judgment proceeds, and patiently, and with a holy
indifferency, wait his award. <i>In all our ways</i> that prove
direct, and fair, and pleasant, in which we gain our point to our
satisfaction, we must acknowledge God with thankfulness. <i>In all
our ways</i> that prove cross and uncomfortable, and that are
hedged up with thorns, we must acknowledge God with submission. Our
eye must be ever towards God; to him we must, in every thing, make
our requests known, as Jephthah <i>uttered all his words before the
Lord in Mizpeh,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.11.11" parsed="|Judg|11|11|0|0" passage="Jdg 11:11">Judg. xi.
11</scripRef>. For our encouragement to do this, it is promised,
"<i>He shall direct thy paths,</i> so that thy way shall be safe
and good and the issue happy at last." Note, Those that put
themselves under a divine guidance shall always have the benefit of
it. God will give them that wisdom which is profitable to direct,
so that they shall not turn aside into the by-paths of sin, and
then will himself so wisely order the event that it shall be to
their mind, or (which is equivalent) for their good. Those that
faithfully follow the pillar of cloud and fire shall find that
though it may lead them about it leads them the right way and will
bring them to Canaan at last.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.iv-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.7-Prov.3.12" parsed="|Prov|3|7|3|12" passage="Pr 3:7-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.3.7-Prov.3.12">
<h4 id="Prov.iv-p8.5">Consecration to God.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Prov.iv-p9">7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.iv-p9.1">Lord</span>, and depart from evil.   8 It
shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.   9
Honour the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.iv-p9.2">Lord</span> with thy substance,
and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:   10 So shall
thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out
with new wine.   11 My son, despise not the chastening of the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.iv-p9.3">Lord</span>; neither be weary of his
correction:   12 For whom the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.iv-p9.4">Lord</span> loveth he correcteth; even as a father the
son <i>in whom</i> he delighteth.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p10">We have here before us three exhortations,
each of them enforced with a good reason:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p11">I. We must live in a humble and dutiful
subjection to God and his government (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.7" parsed="|Prov|3|7|0|0" passage="Pr 3:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>): "<i>Fear the Lord,</i> as your
sovereign Lord and Master; be ruled in every thing by your religion
and subject to the divine will." This must be, 1. A humble
subjection: <i>Be not wise in thy own eyes.</i> Note, There is not
a greater enemy to the power of religion, and the fear of God in
the heart, than conceitedness of our own wisdom. Those that have an
opinion of their own sufficiency think it below them, and a
disparagement to them, to take their measures from, much more to
hamper themselves with, religion's rules. 2. A dutiful subjection:
<i>Fear the Lord, and depart from evil;</i> take heed of doing any
thing to offend him and to forfeit his care. To <i>fear the
Lord,</i> so as to <i>depart from evil,</i> is true <i>wisdom</i>
and <i>understanding</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.28.28" parsed="|Job|28|28|0|0" passage="Job 28:28">Job xxviii.
28</scripRef>); those that have it are truly wise, but
self-denyingly so, and not <i>wise in their own eyes.</i> For our
encouragement thus to live in the fear of God it is here promised
(<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.8" parsed="|Prov|3|8|0|0" passage="Pr 3:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>) that it shall
be as serviceable even to the outward man as our necessary food. It
will be nourishing: <i>It shall be health to thy navel.</i> It will
be strengthening: It shall be <i>marrow to thy bones.</i> The
prudence, temperance, and sobriety, the calmness and composure of
mind, and the good government of the appetites and passions, which
religion teaches, tend very much not only to the health of the
soul, but to a good habit of body, which is very desirable, and
without which our other enjoyments in this world are insipid. Envy
is <i>the rottenness of the bones;</i> the sorrow of the world
dries them; but hope and joy in God are marrow to them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p12">II. We must make a good use of our estates,
and that is the way to increase them, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.9-Prov.3.10" parsed="|Prov|3|9|3|10" passage="Pr 3:9,10"><i>v.</i> 9, 10</scripRef>. Here is,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p13">1. A precept which makes it our duty to
serve God with our estates: <i>Honour the Lord with thy
substance.</i> It is the end of our creation and redemption to
honour God, to be to him for a name and a praise; we are no other
way capable of serving him than in his honour. His honour we must
show forth and the honour we have for him. We must honour him, not
only <i>with our bodies and spirits which are his,</i> but with our
estates too, for they also are his: we and all our appurtenances
must be devoted to his glory. Worldly wealth is but poor substance,
yet, such as it is, we must honour God with it, and then, if ever,
it becomes substantial. We must honour God, (1.) <i>With our
increase.</i> Where riches increase we are tempted to honour
ourselves (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.8.17" parsed="|Deut|8|17|0|0" passage="De 8:17">Deut. viii. 17</scripRef>)
and to set our hearts upon the world (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.62.10" parsed="|Ps|62|10|0|0" passage="Ps 62:10">Ps. lxii. 10</scripRef>); but the more God gives us the
more we should study to honour him. It is meant of the increase of
the earth, for we live upon annual products, to keep us in constant
dependence on God. (2.) <i>With all our increase.</i> As God has
prospered us in every thing, we must honour him. Our law will allow
a prescription for a <i>modus decimandi—a mode of tithing,</i> but
none <i>de non decimando—for exemption from paying tithes.</i>
(3.) <i>With the first-fruits of all,</i> as Abel, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.4.4" parsed="|Gen|4|4|0|0" passage="Ge 4:4">Gen. iv. 4</scripRef>. This was the law (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.23.19" parsed="|Exod|23|19|0|0" passage="Ex 23:19">Exod. xxiii. 19</scripRef>), and the prophets,
<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Mal.3.10" parsed="|Mal|3|10|0|0" passage="Mal 3:10">Mal. iii. 10</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p14">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, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Hag.2.19" parsed="|Hag|2|19|0|0" passage="Hag 2:19">Hag. ii. 19</scripRef>. What we gave we
have.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p15">III. We must conduct ourselves aright under
our afflictions, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.11-Prov.3.12" parsed="|Prov|3|11|3|12" passage="Pr 3:11,12"><i>v.</i> 11,
12</scripRef>. This the apostle quotes (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.5" parsed="|Heb|12|5|0|0" passage="Heb 12:5">Heb. xii. 5</scripRef>), 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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p16">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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p17">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>
<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.3.19" parsed="|Rev|3|19|0|0" passage="Re 3:19">Rev. iii. 19</scripRef>. 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>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.iv-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.13-Prov.3.20" parsed="|Prov|3|13|3|20" passage="Pr 3:13-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.3.13-Prov.3.20">
<h4 id="Prov.iv-p17.3">The Excellency of Wisdom; Happiness of Those
Who Find Wisdom.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Prov.iv-p18">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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.iv-p18.1">Lord</span> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p19">Solomon had pressed us earnestly to seek
diligently for wisdom (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.1" parsed="|Prov|2|1|0|0" passage="Pr 2:1"><i>ch.</i> ii.
1</scripRef>, &amp;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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p20">I. What it is to find wisdom so as to be
made happy by it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p21">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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p22">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,
<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.13.45-Matt.13.46" parsed="|Matt|13|45|13|46" passage="Mt 13:45,46">Matt. xiii. 45, 46</scripRef>.
<i>Buy the truth,</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.23" parsed="|Prov|23|23|0|0" passage="Pr 23:23">Prov. xxiii.
23</scripRef>); he does not say at what rate, because we must buy
it at any rate rather than miss it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p23">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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p24">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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p25">II. What the happiness of those is who do
find it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p26">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, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.14-Prov.3.15" parsed="|Prov|3|14|3|15" passage="Pr 3:14,15"><i>v.</i> 14,
15</scripRef>. 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>
<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.28.15" parsed="|Job|28|15|0|0" passage="Job 28:15">Job xxviii. 15</scripRef>, &amp;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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p27">2. It is a true happiness; for it is
inclusive of, and equivalent to, all those things which are
supposed to make men happy, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.16-Prov.3.17" parsed="|Prov|3|16|3|17" passage="Pr 3:16,17"><i>v.</i> 16, 17</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p28">3. It is the happiness of paradise
(<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.18" parsed="|Prov|3|18|0|0" passage="Pr 3:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>): <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> <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p28.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.22.2 Bible:Rev.2.7" parsed="|Rev|22|2|0|0;|Rev|2|7|0|0" passage="Re 22:2,Re 2:7">Rev. xxii. 2;
ii. 7</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p29">4. It is a participation of the happiness
of God himself, for wisdom is his everlasting glory and
blessedness, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.19-Prov.3.20" parsed="|Prov|3|19|3|20" passage="Pr 3:19,20"><i>v.</i> 19,
20</scripRef>. 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>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.iv-p29.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.21-Prov.3.26" parsed="|Prov|3|21|3|26" passage="Pr 3:21-26" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.3.21-Prov.3.26">
<h4 id="Prov.iv-p29.3">The Excellency of Wisdom.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Prov.iv-p30">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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.iv-p30.1">Lord</span> shall
be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p31">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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p32">I. The exhortation is, to have religion's
rules always in view and always at heart, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.21" parsed="|Prov|3|21|0|0" passage="Pr 3:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p33">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> (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p33.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.22" parsed="|Prov|3|22|0|0" passage="Pr 3:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>); 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 <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p33.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.23-Prov.3.26" parsed="|Prov|3|23|3|26" passage="Pr 3:23-26">four verses</scripRef>, 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>
<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p33.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.32.17" parsed="|Isa|32|17|0|0" passage="Isa 32:17">Isa. xxxii. 17</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p33.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.23" parsed="|Prov|3|23|0|0" passage="Pr 3:23"><i>v.</i>
23</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p33.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.24" parsed="|Prov|3|24|0|0" passage="Pr 3:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. 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," <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p33.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.4.8 Bible:Ps.116.7" parsed="|Ps|4|8|0|0;|Ps|116|7|0|0" passage="Ps 4:8,116:7">Ps.
iv. 8; cxvi. 7</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p33.7" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.25" parsed="|Prov|3|25|0|0" passage="Pr 3:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p33.8" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.26" parsed="|Prov|3|26|0|0" passage="Pr 3:26"><i>v.</i>
26</scripRef>) "<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>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.iv-p33.9" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.27-Prov.3.35" parsed="|Prov|3|27|3|35" passage="Pr 3:27-35" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.3.27-Prov.3.35">
<h4 id="Prov.iv-p33.10">Justice and Kindness Recommended; Caution
against Envy.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Prov.iv-p34">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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.iv-p34.1">Lord</span>: but his secret <i>is</i> with the
righteous.   33 The curse of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.iv-p34.2">Lord</span> <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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p35">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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p36">I. We must render to all their due, both in
justice and charity, and not delay to do it (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p36.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.27-Prov.3.28" parsed="|Prov|3|27|3|28" passage="Pr 3:27,28"><i>v.</i> 27, 28</scripRef>): "<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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p37">II. We must never design any hurt or harm
to any body (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p37.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.29" parsed="|Prov|3|29|0|0" passage="Pr 3:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>):
"<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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p38">III. We must not be quarrelsome and
litigious (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p38.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.30" parsed="|Prov|3|30|0|0" passage="Pr 3:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>):
"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 class="indent" id="Prov.iv-p39">IV. We must not envy the prosperity of
evil-doers, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.31" parsed="|Prov|3|31|0|0" passage="Pr 3:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>.
This caution is the same with that which is so much insisted on,
<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.37.1 Bible:Ps.37.7-Ps.37.9" parsed="|Ps|37|1|0|0;|Ps|37|7|37|9" passage="Ps 37:1,7-9">Ps. xxxvii.</scripRef> "<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 <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.32-Prov.3.35" parsed="|Prov|3|32|3|35" passage="Pr 3:32-35">last four verses</scripRef> of the chapter, compares
the condition of sinners and saints together (as his father David
had done, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.37.22" parsed="|Ps|37|22|0|0" passage="Ps 37:22">Ps. xxxvii.</scripRef>),
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, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.32" parsed="|Prov|3|32|0|0" passage="Pr 3:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>.
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, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.6" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.33" parsed="|Prov|3|33|0|0" passage="Pr 3:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.7" osisRef="Bible:Mal.2.2" parsed="|Mal|2|2|0|0" passage="Mal 2:2">Mal. ii. 2</scripRef>. There is <i>leanness in the
soul,</i> when the body is fed to the full, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.8" osisRef="Bible:Ps.106.15" parsed="|Ps|106|15|0|0" passage="Ps 106:15">Ps. cvi. 15</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.9" osisRef="Bible:Zech.5.4 Bible:Hab.2.11" parsed="|Zech|5|4|0|0;|Hab|2|11|0|0" passage="Zec 5:4,Hab 2:11">Zech. v. 4; Hab. ii. 11</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.10" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.34" parsed="|Prov|3|34|0|0" passage="Pr 3:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>.
(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> <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.11" osisRef="Bible:Ps.2.4" parsed="|Ps|2|4|0|0" passage="Ps 2:4">Ps. ii. 4</scripRef>. He
retaliates upon them (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.12" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.26" parsed="|Ps|18|26|0|0" passage="Ps 18:26">Ps. xviii.
26</scripRef>); 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,
<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.13" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.35" parsed="|Prov|3|35|0|0" passage="Pr 3:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>. (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 (<scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.14" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.34" parsed="|Prov|3|34|0|0" passage="Pr 3:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>), and
therefore they shall inherit glory, for grace is glory, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.15" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.3.18" parsed="|2Cor|3|18|0|0" passage="2Co 3:18">2 Cor. iii. 18</scripRef>. It is glory begun,
the earnest of it, <scripRef id="Prov.iv-p39.16" osisRef="Bible:Ps.84.11" parsed="|Ps|84|11|0|0" passage="Ps 84:11">Ps. lxxxiv.
11</scripRef>. (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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