mh_parser/vol_split/20 - Proverbs/Chapter 2.xml

<div2 id="Prov.iii" n="iii" next="Prov.iv" prev="Prov.ii" progress="73.01%" title="Chapter II">
<h2 id="Prov.iii-p0.1">P R O V E R B S</h2>
<h3 id="Prov.iii-p0.2">CHAP. II.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Prov.iii-p1">Solomon, having foretold the destruction of those
who are obstinate in their impiety, in this chapter applies himself
to those who are willing to be taught; and, I. He shows them that,
if they would diligently use the means of knowledge and grace, they
should obtain of God the knowledge and grace which they seek,
<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.1-Prov.2.9" parsed="|Prov|2|1|2|9" passage="Pr 2:1-9">ver. 1-9</scripRef>. II. He shows them
of what unspeakable advantage it would be to them. 1. It would
preserve them from the snares of evil men (<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.10-Prov.2.15" parsed="|Prov|2|10|2|15" passage="Pr 2:10-15">ver. 10-15</scripRef>) and of evil women, <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.16-Prov.2.19" parsed="|Prov|2|16|2|19" passage="Pr 2:16-19">ver. 16-19</scripRef>. 2. It would direct them
into, and keep them in, the way of good men, <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.20-Prov.2.22" parsed="|Prov|2|20|2|22" passage="Pr 2:20-22">ver. 20-22</scripRef>. So that in this chapter we are
taught both how to get wisdom and how to use it when we have it,
that we may neither seek it, nor receive it in vain.</p>
<scripCom id="Prov.iii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2" parsed="|Prov|2|0|0|0" passage="Pr 2" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Prov.iii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.1-Prov.2.9" parsed="|Prov|2|1|2|9" passage="Pr 2:1-9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.2.1-Prov.2.9">
<h4 id="Prov.iii-p1.7">The Search after Wisdom
Encouraged.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Prov.iii-p2">1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and
hide my commandments with thee;   2 So that thou incline thine
ear unto wisdom, <i>and</i> apply thine heart to understanding;
  3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, <i>and</i> liftest up
thy voice for understanding;   4 If thou seekest her as
silver, and searchest for her as <i>for</i> hid treasures;   5
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.iii-p2.1">Lord</span>, and find the knowledge of God.   6
For the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.iii-p2.2">Lord</span> giveth wisdom: out of
his mouth <i>cometh</i> knowledge and understanding.   7 He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: <i>he is</i> a buckler to
them that walk uprightly.   8 He keepeth the paths of
judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.   9 Then shalt
thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity;
<i>yea,</i> every good path.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p3">Job had asked, long before this, <i>Where
shall wisdom be found? Whence cometh wisdom?</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.28.12 Bible:Job.28.20" parsed="|Job|28|12|0|0;|Job|28|20|0|0" passage="Job 28:12,20">Job xxviii. 12, 20</scripRef>) and he had
given this general answer (<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.28.23" parsed="|Job|28|23|0|0" passage="Job 28:23"><i>v.</i>
23</scripRef>), <i>God knoweth the place</i> of it; but Solomon
here goes further, and tells us both where we may find it and how
we may get it. We are here told,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p4">I. What means we must use that we may
obtain wisdom.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p5">1. We must closely attend to the word of
God, for that is the word of wisdom, <i>which is able to make us
wise unto salvation,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.1-Prov.2.2" parsed="|Prov|2|1|2|2" passage="Pr 2:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1,
2</scripRef>. (1.) We must be convinced that the words of God are
the fountain and standard of wisdom and understanding, and that we
need not desire to be wiser than they will make us. We must
<i>incline our ear</i> and <i>apply our hearts</i> to them, as to
<i>wisdom</i> or <i>understanding</i> itself. Many wise things may
be found in human compositions, but divine revelation, and true
religion built upon it, are all wisdom. (2.) We must, accordingly,
receive the word of God with all readiness of mind, and bid it
welcome, even the commandments as well as the promises, without
murmuring or disputing. <i>Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears.</i>
(3.) We must hide them with us, as we do our treasures, which we
are afraid of being robbed of. We must not only receive, but
retain, the word of God, and lodge it in our hearts, that it may be
always ready to us. (4.) We must incline our ear to them; we must
lay hold on all opportunities of hearing the word of God, and
listen to it with attention and seriousness, as those that are
afraid of letting it slip. (5.) We must apply our hearts to them,
else inclining the ear to them will stand us in no stead.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p6">2. We must be much in prayer, <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.3" parsed="|Prov|2|3|0|0" passage="Pr 2:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. We must <i>cry after
knowledge,</i> as one that is ready to perish for hunger begs hard
for bread. Faint desires will not prevail; we must be importunate,
as those that know the worth of knowledge and our own want of it.
We must cry, as new-born babes, after <i>the sincere milk of the
word.</i> <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.2.2" parsed="|1Pet|2|2|0|0" passage="1Pe 2:2">1 Pet. ii. 2</scripRef>. We
must <i>lift our voice for understanding</i> lift it up to heaven;
thence these good and perfect gifts must be expected, <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Jas.1.17 Bible:Job.38.34" parsed="|Jas|1|17|0|0;|Job|38|34|0|0" passage="Jam 1:17,Job 38:34">Jam. i. 17; Job xxxviii.
34</scripRef>. We must <i>give our voice to understanding</i> (so
the word is), speak for it, vote for it, submit the tongue to the
command of wisdom. We must consecrate our voice to it; having
applied our heart to it, we must employ our voice in seeking for
it. Solomon could write <i>probatum est—a tried remedy,</i> upon
this method; he prayed for wisdom and so obtained it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p7">3. We must be willing to take pains
(<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.4" parsed="|Prov|2|4|0|0" passage="Pr 2:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>); we must
<i>seek it as silver,</i> preferring it far before all the wealth
of this world, and labouring in search of it as those who dig in
the mines, who undergo great toil and run great hazards, with
indefatigable industry and invincible constancy and resolution, in
pursuit of the ore; or as those who will be rich rise up early, and
sit up late, and turn every stone to get money and fill their
treasures. Thus diligent must we be in the use of the means of
knowledge, following on to know the Lord.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p8">II. What success we may hope for in the use
of these means. Our labour shall not be in vain; for, 1. We shall
know how to maintain our acquaintance and communion with God:
"<i>Thou shalt understand the fear of the Lord</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.5" parsed="|Prov|2|5|0|0" passage="Pr 2:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), that is, thou shalt know
how to worship him aright, shalt be led into the meaning and
mystery of every ordinance, and be enabled to answer the end of its
institution." <i>Thou shalt find the knowledge of God,</i> which is
necessary to our fearing him aright. It concerns us to understand
how much it is our interest to know God, and to evidence it by
agreeable affections towards him and adorations of him. 2. We shall
know how to conduct ourselves aright towards all men (<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.9" parsed="|Prov|2|9|0|0" passage="Pr 2:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>): "<i>Thou shalt
understand,</i> by the word of God, <i>righteousness, and judgment,
and equity,</i> shalt learn those principles of justice, and
charity, and fair dealing, which shall guide and govern thee in the
whole course of thy conversation, shall make thee fit for every
relation, every business, and faithful to every trust. It shall
give thee not only a right notion of justice, but a disposition to
practise it, and to render to all their due; for those that do not
do justly do not rightly understand it." This will lead them in
<i>every good path,</i> for the scripture will <i>make the man of
God perfect.</i> Note, Those have the best knowledge who know their
duty, <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.111.10" parsed="|Ps|111|10|0|0" passage="Ps 111:10">Ps. cxi. 10</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p9">III. What ground we have to hope for this
success in our pursuits of wisdom; we must take our encouragement
herein from God only, <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.6-Prov.2.8" parsed="|Prov|2|6|2|8" passage="Pr 2:6-8"><i>v.</i>
6-8</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p10">1. God has wisdom to bestow, <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.6" parsed="|Prov|2|6|0|0" passage="Pr 2:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. <i>The Lord</i> not only
is wise himself, but he <i>gives wisdom,</i> and that is more than
the wisest men in the world can do, for it is God's prerogative to
open the understanding. All the wisdom that is in any creature is
his gift, his free gift, and he gives it liberally (<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Jas.1.5" parsed="|Jas|1|5|0|0" passage="Jam 1:5">Jam. i. 5</scripRef>), has given it to many, and
is still giving it; to him therefore let us apply for it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p11">2. He has blessed the world with a
revelation of his will. <i>Out of his mouth,</i> by the law and the
prophets, by the written word and by his ministers, both which are
his mouth to the children of men, <i>come knowledge and
understanding,</i> such a discovery of truth and good as, if we
admit and receive the impressions of it, will make us truly knowing
and intelligent. It is both an engagement and encouragement to
search after wisdom that we have the scriptures to search, in which
we may find it if we seek it diligently.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p12">3. He has particularly provided that good
men, who are sincerely disposed to do his will, shall have that
<i>knowledge and</i> that <i>understanding</i> which are necessary
for them, <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:John.7.17" parsed="|John|7|17|0|0" passage="Joh 7:17">John vii. 17</scripRef>. Let
them seek wisdom, and they shall find it; let them ask, and it
shall be given them, <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.7-Prov.2.8" parsed="|Prov|2|7|2|8" passage="Pr 2:7,8"><i>v.</i> 7,
8</scripRef>. Observe here, (1.) Who those are that are thus
favoured. They are <i>the righteous,</i> on whom the image of God
is renewed, which consists in righteousness, and those who <i>walk
uprightly,</i> who are honest in their dealings both with God and
man and make conscience of doing their duty as far as they know it.
They are <i>his saints,</i> devoted to his honour, and set apart
for his service. (2.) What it is that is provided for them. [1.]
Instruction. The means of wisdom are given to all, but wisdom
itself, <i>sound wisdom,</i> is laid <i>up for the righteous,</i>
laid up in Christ their head, in whom <i>are hidden all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge,</i> and who <i>is made of God to
us wisdom.</i> The same that is the Spirit of revelation in the
word is a Spirit of wisdom in the souls of those that are
sanctified, that wisdom of the prudent which is to understand his
way; and it is sound wisdom, its foundations firm, its principles
solid, and its products of lasting advantage. [2.] Satisfaction.
Some read it, He <i>lays up substance for the righteous,</i> not
only substantial knowledge, but substantial happiness and comfort,
<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.8.21" parsed="|Prov|8|21|0|0" passage="Pr 8:21">Prov. viii. 21</scripRef>. Riches are
things that are not, and those that have them only fancy themselves
happy; but what is laid up in the promises and in heaven for the
righteous will make them truly, thoroughly, and eternally happy.
[3.] Protection. Even those who <i>walk uprightly</i> may be
brought into danger for the trial of their faith, but God is, and
will be, <i>a buckler to them,</i> so that nothing that happens to
them shall do them any real hurt, or possess them with any terrific
apprehensions; they are safe, and they shall think themselves so.
<i>Fear not, Abraham; I am thy shield.</i> It is their way, the
paths of judgment in which they walk, that the Lord knows, and
owns, and takes care of. [4.] Grace to persevere to the end. If we
depend upon God, and seek to him for wisdom, he will uphold us in
our integrity, will enable us to <i>keep the paths of judgment,</i>
however we may be tempted to turn aside out of them; for he
<i>preserves the way of his saints,</i> that it be not perverted,
and so preserves them in it safe and blameless to his heavenly
kingdom. The assurances God has given us of his grace, if duly
improved, will excite and quicken our endeavours in doing our duty.
<i>Work out your salvation,</i> for <i>God works in you.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.iii-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.10-Prov.2.22" parsed="|Prov|2|10|2|22" passage="Pr 2:10-22" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.2.10-Prov.2.22">
<h4 id="Prov.iii-p12.5">The Benefits Conferred by
Wisdom.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Prov.iii-p13">10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and
knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;   11 Discretion shall
preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:   12 To deliver
thee from the way of the evil <i>man,</i> from the man that
speaketh froward things;   13 Who leave the paths of
uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;   14 Who rejoice
to do evil, <i>and</i> delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
  15 Whose ways <i>are</i> crooked, and <i>they</i> froward in
their paths:   16 To deliver thee from the strange woman,
<i>even</i> from the stranger <i>which</i> flattereth with her
words;   17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and
forgetteth the covenant of her God.   18 For her house
inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.   19 None
that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths
of life.   20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good
<i>men,</i> and keep the paths of the righteous.   21 For the
upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in
it.   22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and
the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p14">The scope of these verses is to show, 1.
What great advantage true wisdom will be of to us; it will keep us
from the paths of sin, which lead to ruin, and will therein do us a
greater kindness than if it enriched us with all the wealth of the
world. 2. What good use we should make of the wisdom God gives us;
we must use it for our own guidance in the paths of virtue, and for
the arming of us against temptations of every kind. 3. By what
rules we may try ourselves whether we have this wisdom or no. This
tree will be known by its fruits; if we be truly wise, it will
appear by our care to avoid all evil company and evil
practices.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p15">This wisdom will be of use to us,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p16">I. For our preservation from evil, from the
evil of sin, and, consequently, from the evil of trouble that
attends it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p17">1. In general (<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.10-Prov.2.11" parsed="|Prov|2|10|2|11" passage="Pr 2:10,11"><i>v.</i> 10, 11</scripRef>), "When wisdom has entire
possession of thee, it will <i>keep thee.</i>" And when has it an
entire possession of us? (1.) When it has dominion over us. When it
not only fills the head with notions, but <i>enters into the
heart</i> and has a commanding power and influence upon that,—when
it is upon the throne there, and gives law to the affections and
passions,—when it <i>enters into the heart</i> as the leaven into
the dough, to diffuse its relish there, and to change it into its
own image—then it is likely to do us good. (2.) When we have
delight in it, when knowledge becomes <i>pleasant to the soul:</i>
"When thou beginnest to relish it as the most agreeable
entertainment, and art subject to its rules, of choice, and with
satisfaction,—when thou callest the practice of virtue, not a
slavery and a task, but <i>liberty</i> and <i>pleasure,</i> and a
life of serious godliness the most comfortable life a man can live
in this world,—then thou wilt find the benefit of it." Though its
restraints should be in some respects unpleasant to the body, yet
even those must be pleasant to the soul. When it has come to this,
with us, <i>discretion shall preserve</i> us and keep us. God keeps
<i>the way of his saints</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.8" parsed="|Prov|2|8|0|0" passage="Pr 2:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>), by giving them discretion to keep out of harm's way,
to keep themselves that the wicked one touch them not. Note, A
principle of grace reigning in the heart will be a powerful
preservative both against corruptions within and temptations
without, <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.9.16 Bible:Eccl.9.18" parsed="|Eccl|9|16|0|0;|Eccl|9|18|0|0" passage="Ec 9:16,18">Eccl. ix. 16,
18</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p18">2. More particularly, wisdom will preserve
us,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p19">(1.) From men of corrupt principles,
atheistical profane men, who make it their business to debauch
young men's judgments, and instil into their minds prejudices
against religion and arguments for vice: "It will <i>deliver thee
from the way of the evil man</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.12" parsed="|Prov|2|12|0|0" passage="Pr 2:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), and a blessed deliverance it
will be, as from the very jaws of death, <i>from the way</i> in
which he walks, and in which he would persuade thee to walk." The
enemy is spoken of as one (<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.12" parsed="|Prov|2|12|0|0" passage="Pr 2:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>), an <i>evil man,</i> but afterwards as many
(<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.13" parsed="|Prov|2|13|0|0" passage="Pr 2:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>); there is a
club, a gang of them, that are in confederacy against religion, and
join hand in hand for the support of the devil's kingdom and the
interests of it. [1.] They have a spirit of contradiction to that
which is good: They <i>speak froward things;</i> they say all they
can against religion, both to show their own enmity to it and to
dissuade others from it. They are advocates for Satan; they plead
for Baal, and <i>pervert the right ways of the Lord.</i> How
peevishly will profane wits argue for sin, and with what
frowardness will they carp at the word of God! Wisdom will keep us
either from conversing with such men or at least from being
ensnared by them. [2.] They are themselves apostates from that
which is good, and such are commonly the most malicious and
dangerous enemies religion has, witness Julian (<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.13" parsed="|Prov|2|13|0|0" passage="Pr 2:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>): <i>They leave the paths of
uprightness,</i> which they were trained up in and had set out in,
shake off the influences of their education, and break off the
thread of their hopeful beginnings, <i>to walk in the ways of
darkness,</i> in those wicked ways which hate the light, in which
men are led blindfold by ignorance and error, and which lead men
into utter darkness. The ways of sin are ways of darkness,
uncomfortable and unsafe; what fools are those that leave the
plain, pleasant, lightsome paths of uprightness, to walk in those
ways! <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p19.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.82.5 Bible:1John.2.11" parsed="|Ps|82|5|0|0;|1John|2|11|0|0" passage="Ps 82:5,1Jo 2:11">Ps. lxxxii. 5; 1 John
ii. 11</scripRef>. [3.] They take a pleasure in sin, both in
committing it themselves and in seeing others commit it (<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p19.6" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.14" parsed="|Prov|2|14|0|0" passage="Pr 2:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>): They <i>rejoice</i> in
an opportunity <i>to do evil,</i> and in the accomplishment and
success of any wicked project. It is sport to fools to do mischief;
nor is any sight more grateful to them than to see <i>the
frowardness of the wicked,</i> to see those that are hopeful drawn
into the ways of sin, and then to see them hardened and confirmed
in those ways. They are pleased if they can discern that the
devil's kingdom gets ground (see <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p19.7" osisRef="Bible:Rom.1.32" parsed="|Rom|1|32|0|0" passage="Ro 1:32">Rom.
i. 32</scripRef>), such a height of impiety have they arrived at.
[4.] They are resolute in sin (<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p19.8" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.15" parsed="|Prov|2|15|0|0" passage="Pr 2:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>): Their <i>ways are crooked,</i>
a great many windings and turnings to escape the pursuit of their
convictions and break the force of them; some sly excuse, some
subtle evasion or other, their deceitful hearts furnish them with,
for the strengthening of their hands in their wickedness; and in
the crooked mazes of that labyrinth they secure themselves from the
arrests of God's word and their own consciences; for they are
<i>froward in their paths,</i> that is, they are resolved to go on
in them, whatever is said against it. Every wise man will shun the
company of such as these.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p20">(2.) From women of corrupt practices. The
former lead to spiritual wickednesses, the lusts of the
unsanctified mind; these lead to <i>fleshly lusts,</i> which defile
the body, that living temple, but withal <i>war against the
soul.</i> The adulteress is here called <i>the strange woman,</i>
because no man that has any wisdom or goodness in him will have any
acquaintance with her; she is to be shunned by every Israelite as
if she were a heathen, and a stranger to that sacred commonwealth.
A strange woman indeed! utterly estranged from all principles of
reason, virtue, and honour. It is a great mercy to be delivered
from the allurements of the adulteress, considering, [1.] How false
she is. Who will have any dealings with those that are made up of
treachery? She is a strange woman; for, <i>First,</i> She is false
to him whom she entices. She speaks fair, tells him how much she
admires him above any man, and what a kindness she has for him; but
she <i>flatters with her words;</i> she has no true affection for
him, nor any desire of his welfare, any more than Delilah had of
Samson's. All she designs is to pick his pocket and gratify a base
lust of her own. <i>Secondly,</i> She is false to her husband, and
violates the sacred obligation she lies under to him. He was <i>the
guide of her youth;</i> by marrying him she chose him to be so, and
submitted herself to his guidance, with a promise to attend him
only, and forsake all others. But she has <i>forsaken</i> him, and
therefore it cannot be thought that she should be faithful to any
one else; and whoever entertains her is partaker with her in her
falsehood. <i>Thirdly,</i> She is false to God himself: She
<i>forgets the covenant of her God,</i> the marriage-covenant
(<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.17" parsed="|Prov|2|17|0|0" passage="Pr 2:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>), to which God
is not only a witness, but a party, for, he having instituted the
ordinance, both sides vow to him to be true to each other. It is
not her husband only that she sins against, but her God, who
<i>will judge whoremongers and adulterers</i> because they despise
the oath and break the covenant, <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.17.18 Bible:Mal.2.14" parsed="|Ezek|17|18|0|0;|Mal|2|14|0|0" passage="Eze 17:18,Mal 2:14">Ezek. xvii. 18; Mal. ii. 14</scripRef>. [2.]
How fatal it will prove to those that fall in league with her,
<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.18-Prov.2.19" parsed="|Prov|2|18|2|19" passage="Pr 2:18,19"><i>v.</i> 18, 19</scripRef>. Let the
sufferings of others be our warnings. Take heed of the sin of
whoredom; for, <i>First,</i> The ruin of those who are guilty of it
is certain and unavoidable, if they do not repent. It is a sin that
has a direct tendency to the killing of the soul, the extinguishing
of all good affections and dispositions in it, and the exposing of
it to the wrath and curse of God and the sword of his justice.
Those that live in forbidden pleasures are dead while they live.
Let discretion preserve every man, not only from the evil woman,
but from the evil house, for the <i>house inclines to death;</i> it
is in the road that leads directly to eternal death; <i>and her
paths unto Rephaim,</i> to the <i>giants</i> (so some read it), the
sinners of the old world, who, living in luxury and excess of riot,
were cut down out of time, and their foundation was overthrown with
a flood. Our Lord Jesus deters us from sinful pleasures with the
consideration of everlasting torments which follow them. <i>Where
the worm dies not, nor is the fire quenched.</i> See <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p20.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.5.28-Matt.5.29" parsed="|Matt|5|28|5|29" passage="Mt 5:28,29">Matt. v. 28, 29</scripRef>. <i>Secondly,</i>
Their repentance and recovery are extremely hazardous: <i>None,</i>
or next to none, <i>that go unto her, return again.</i> It is very
rare that any who are caught in this snare of the devil recover
themselves, so much is the heart hardened, and the mind blinded, by
the deceitfulness of this sin. Having once lost their <i>hold of
the paths of life,</i> they know not how to take hold of them
again, but are perfectly besotted and bewitched with those base
lusts. Many learned interpreters think that this caution against
the <i>strange woman,</i> besides the literal sense, is to be
understood figuratively, as a caution, 1. Against idolatry, which
is spiritual whoredom. Wisdom will keep thee from all familiarity
with the worshippers of images, and all inclination to join with
them, which had for many ages been of such pernicious consequence
to Israel and proved so to Solomon himself. 2. Against the
debauching of the intellectual powers and faculties of the soul by
the lusts and appetites of the body. Wisdom will keep thee from
being captivated by the carnal mind, and from subjecting the spirit
to the dominion of the flesh, that notorious adulteress which
<i>forsakes its guide,</i> violates the <i>covenant of our God,</i>
which <i>inclines to death,</i> and which, when it has got an
undisturbed dominion, makes the case of the soul desperate.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.iii-p21">II. This wisdom will be of use to guide and
direct us in that which is good (<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.20" parsed="|Prov|2|20|0|0" passage="Pr 2:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>): <i>That thou mayest walk in the
way of good men.</i> We must avoid the way of the <i>evil man,</i>
and the <i>strange woman,</i> in order that we may walk in good
ways; we must <i>cease to do evil,</i> in order that we may
<i>learn to do well.</i> Note, 1. There is a way which is
peculiarly the way of good men, the way in which good men, as such,
and as far as they have really been such, have always walked. 2. It
will be our wisdom to walk in that way, to ask for the good old way
and walk therein, <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Jer.6.16 Bible:Heb.6.12 Bible:Heb.12.1" parsed="|Jer|6|16|0|0;|Heb|6|12|0|0;|Heb|12|1|0|0" passage="Jer 6:16,Heb 6:12,12:1">Jer.
vi. 16; Heb. vi. 12; xii. 1</scripRef>. And we must not only walk
in that way awhile, but we must keep it, keep in it, and never turn
aside out of it: <i>The paths of the righteous</i> are the paths of
life, which all that are wise, having taken hold of, will keep
their hold of. "That thou mayest imitate those excellent persons,
the patriarchs and prophets (so bishop Patrick paraphrases it), and
be preserved in <i>the paths of those righteous</i> men who
followed after them." We must not only choose our way in general by
the good examples of the saints, but must also take directions from
them in the choice of our particular paths; observe the track, and
go forth by the footsteps of the flock. Two reasons are here given
why we should thus choose:—(1.) Because men's integrity will be
their establishment, <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.21" parsed="|Prov|2|21|0|0" passage="Pr 2:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>. It will be the establishment, [1.] Of their persons:
<i>The upright shall dwell in the land,</i> peaceably and quietly,
as long as they live; and their uprightness will contribute to it,
as it settles their minds, guides their counsels, gains them the
good-will of their neighbours, and entitles them to God's special
favour. [2.] Of their families: <i>The perfect,</i> in their
posterity, <i>shall remain in it.</i> They shall dwell and remain
for ever in the heavenly Canaan, of which the earthly one was but a
type. (2.) Because men's iniquity will be their destruction,
<scripRef id="Prov.iii-p21.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.22" parsed="|Prov|2|22|0|0" passage="Pr 2:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. See what
becomes of <i>the wicked,</i> who choose the way of <i>the evil
man;</i> they <i>shall be cut off,</i> not only from heaven
hereafter and all hopes of that, but <i>from the earth</i> now, on
which they set their affections, and in which they lay up their
treasure. They think to take root in it, but they and their
families <i>shall be rooted out of it,</i> in judgment to them, but
in mercy to the earth. There is a day coming which <i>shall leave
them neither root nor branch,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.iii-p21.5" osisRef="Bible:Mal.4.1" parsed="|Mal|4|1|0|0" passage="Mal 4:1">Mal.
iv. 1</scripRef>. Let that wisdom then <i>enter into our
hearts,</i> and be <i>pleasant to our souls,</i> which will keep us
out of a way that will end thus.</p>
</div></div2>