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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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<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. XIV.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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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>Wisdom and Folly.</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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<A NAME="Pr14_1"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh
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it down with her hands.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Note,
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1. A good wife is a great blessing to a family. By a fruitful wife a
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family is multiplied and replenished with children, and so built up.
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But by a prudent wife, one that is pious, industrious, and considerate,
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the affairs of the family are made to prosper, debts are paid, portions
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raised, provision made, the children well educated and maintained, and
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the family has comfort within doors and credit without; thus is the
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house built. She looks upon it as her own to take care of, though she
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knows it is her husband's to bear rule in,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:22">Esth. i. 22</A>.
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2. Many a family is brought to ruin by ill housewifery, as well as by
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ill husbandry. A <I>foolish</I> woman, that has no fear of God nor
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regard to her business, that is wilful, and wasteful, and humoursome,
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that indulges her ease and appetite, and is all for jaunting and
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feasting, cards and the play-house, though she come to a plentiful
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estate, and to a family beforehand, she will impoverish and waste it,
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and will as certainly be the ruin of her house as if she <I>plucked it
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down with her hands;</I> and the husband himself, with all his care,
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can scarcely prevent it.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr14_2"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>: but <I>he
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that is</I> perverse in his ways despiseth him.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here are,
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1. Grace and sin in their true colours. Grace reigning is a reverence
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of God, and gives honour to him who is infinitely great and high, and
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to whom all honour is due, than which what is more becoming or should
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be more pleasing to the rational creature? Sin reigning is no less than
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a contempt of God. In <I>this,</I> more than in any thing, sin appears
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exceedingly sinful, that it despises God, whom angels adore. Those that
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despise God's precepts, and will not be ruled by them, his promises,
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and will not accept of them, despise God himself and all his
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attributes.
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2. Grace and sin in their true light. By this we may know a man that
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has grace, and the fear of God, reigning in him, <I>he walks in his
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uprightness,</I> he makes conscience of his actions, is faithful both
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to God and man, and every stop he makes, as well as every step he
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takes, is by rule; here is one that honours God. But, on the contrary,
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<I>he that is perverse in his ways,</I> that wilfully follows his own
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appetites and passions, that is unjust and dishonest and contradicts
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his profession in his conversation, however he may pretend to devotion,
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he is a wicked man, and will be reckoned with as a despiser of God
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himself.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr14_3"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>3 In the mouth of the foolish <I>is</I> a rod of pride: but the lips
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of the wise shall preserve them.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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See here,
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1. A proud fool exposing himself. Where there is pride in the heart,
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and no wisdom in the head to suppress it, it commonly shows itself in
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the words: <I>In the mouth there is pride,</I> proud boasting, proud
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censuring, proud scorning, proud commanding and giving law; this is the
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<I>rod,</I> or branch, <I>of pride;</I> the word is used only here and
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+11:1">Isa. xi. 1</A>.
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It grows from that root of bitterness which is in the heart; it is a
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rod from that stem. The root must be plucked up, or we cannot conquer
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this branch, or it is meant of a smiting beating rod, a <I>rod of
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pride</I> which strikes others. The proud man with his tongue lays
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about him and deals blows at pleasure, but it will in the end be a rod
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to himself; the proud man shall come under an ignominious correction by
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the words of his own mouth, not cut as a soldier, but caned as a
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servant; and herein he will be beaten with his own rod,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+64:8">Ps. lxiv. 8</A>.
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2. A humble wise man saving himself and consulting his own good: <I>The
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lips of the wise shall preserve them</I> from doing that mischief to
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others which proud men do with their tongues, and from bringing that
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mischief on themselves which haughty scorners are often involved
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in.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr14_4"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>4 Where no oxen <I>are,</I> the crib <I>is</I> clean: but much increase
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<I>is</I> by the strength of the ox.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Note,
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1. The neglect of husbandry is the way to poverty: <I>Where no oxen
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are,</I> to till the ground and tread out the corn, <I>the crib</I> is
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empty, <I>is clean;</I> there is no straw for the cattle, and
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consequently no bread for the service of man. Scarcity is represented
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by <I>cleanness of teeth,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+4:6">Amos iv. 6</A>.
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<I>Where no oxen are</I> there is nothing to be done at the ground, and
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then nothing to be had out of it; <I>the crib</I> indeed <I>is
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clean</I> from dung, which pleases the neat and nice, that cannot
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endure husbandry because there is so much dirty work in it, and
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therefore will sell their oxen to keep the crib clean; but then not
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only the labour, but even the dung of the ox is wanted. This shows the
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folly of those who addict themselves to the pleasures of the country,
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but do not mind the business of it, who (as we say) keep more horses
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than kine, more dogs than swine; their families must needs suffer by
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it.
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2. Those who take pains about their ground are likely to reap the
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profit of it. Those who keep that about them which is for use and
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service, not for state and show, more husbandmen than footmen, are
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likely to thrive. <I>Much increase is by the strength of the ox;</I>
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that is made for our service, and is profitable alive and dead.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr14_5"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will
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utter lies.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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In the administration of justice much depends upon the witnesses, and
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therefore it is necessary to the common good that witnesses be
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principled as they ought to be; for,
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1. A witness that is conscientious will not dare to give in a testimony
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that is in the least untrue, nor, for good-will or ill-will, represent
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a thing otherwise than according to the best of his knowledge, whoever
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is pleased or displeased, and then judgment runs down like a river.
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2. But a witness that will be bribed, and biassed, and browbeaten,
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<I>will utter lies</I> (and not stick nor startle at it), with as much
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readiness and assurance as if what he said were all true.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr14_6"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and <I>findeth it</I> not: but knowledge
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<I>is</I> easy unto him that understandeth.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Note,
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1. The reason why some people seek wisdom, and do not find it, is
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because they do not seek it from a right principle and in a right
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manner. They are scorners, and it is in scorn that they ask
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instruction, that they may ridicule what is told them and may cavil at
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it. Many put questions to Christ, tempting him, and that they might
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have whereof to accuse him, but they were never the wiser. No marvel if
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those who seek wisdom, as Simon Magus sought the gifts of the Holy
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Ghost, to serve their pride and covetousness, do not find it, for they
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seek amiss. Herod desired to see a miracle, but he was a scorner, and
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therefore it was denied him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+23:8">Luke xxiii. 8</A>.
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Scorners speed not in prayer.
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2. To those who understand aright, who <I>depart from evil</I> (for
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<I>that is understanding</I>), the <I>knowledge</I> of God and of his
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will <I>is easy.</I> The parables which harden scorners in their
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scorning, and make divine things more difficult to them, enlighten
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those who are willing to learn, and make the same things more plain,
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and intelligible, and familiar to them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:11,15,16">Matt. xiii. 11, 15, 16</A>.
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The same word which to the scornful <I>is a savour of death unto
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death</I> to the humble and serious <I>is a savour of life unto
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life.</I> He <I>that understands,</I> so as to <I>depart from evil</I>
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(for <I>that is understanding</I>), to quit his prejudices, to lay
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aside all corrupt dispositions and affections, will easily apprehend
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instruction and receive the impressions of it.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr14_7"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest
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not <I>in him</I> the lips of knowledge.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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See here,
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1. How we may discern a fool and discover him, a wicked man, for he is
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<I>a foolish man.</I> If we <I>perceive not in him the lips of
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knowledge,</I> if we find there is no relish or savour of piety in his
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discourse, that his communication is all corrupt and corrupting, and
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nothing in it <I>good and to the use of edifying,</I> we may conclude
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the treasure is bad.
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2. How we must decline such a one and depart from him: <I>Go from his
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presence,</I> for <I>thou perceivest</I> there is no good to be gotten
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by his company, but danger of getting hurt by it. Sometimes the only
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way we have of reproving wicked discourse and witnessing against it is
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by leaving the company and going out of the hearing of it.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr14_8"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>8 The wisdom of the prudent <I>is</I> to understand his way: but the
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folly of fools <I>is</I> deceit.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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See here,
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1. The good conduct of a wise and good man; he manages himself well. It
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is not the wisdom of the learned, which consists only in speculation,
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that is here recommended, but <I>the wisdom of the prudent,</I> which
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is practical, and is of use to direct our counsels and actions.
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Christian prudence consists in a right <I>understanding of our way;</I>
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for we are travellers, whose concern it is, not to spy wonders, but to
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get forward towards their journey's end. It <I>is to understand our own
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way,</I> not to be critics and busybodies in other men's matters, but
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to look well to ourselves and <I>ponder the path of our feet,</I> to
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understand the directions of our way, that we may observe them, the
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dangers of our way, that we may avoid them, the difficulties of our
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way, that we may break through them, and the advantages of our way,
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that we may improve them--to understand the rules we are to walk by and
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the ends we are to walk towards, and walk accordingly.
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2. The bad conduct of a bad man; he puts a cheat upon himself. He does
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not rightly understand his way; he thinks he does, and so misses his
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way, and goes on in his mistake: <I>The folly of fools is deceit;</I>
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it cheats them into their own ruin. The folly of him that built on the
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sand was deceit.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr14_9"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous <I>there is</I>
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favour.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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See here,
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1. How wicked people are hardened in their wickedness: they <I>make a
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mock at sin.</I> They make a laughing matter of the sins of others,
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making themselves and their companions merry with that for which they
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should mourn, and they make a light matter of their own sins, both when
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they are tempted to sin and when they have committed it; they <I>call
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evil good and good evil</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+5:20">Isa. v. 20</A>),
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turn it off with a jest, rush into sin
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+8:6">Jer. viii. 6</A>)
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and say they shall have peace though they go on. They care not what
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mischief they do by their sins, and laugh at those that tell them of
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it. They are advocates for sin, and are ingenious at framing excuses
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for it. <I>Fools make a mock at the sin-offering</I> (so some); those
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that make light of sin make light of Christ. Those are fools that make
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light of sin, for they make light of that which God complains of
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+2:13">Amos ii. 13</A>),
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which lay heavily upon Christ, and which they themselves will have
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other thoughts of shortly.
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2. How good people are encouraged in their goodness: <I>Among the
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righteous there is favour;</I> if they in any thing offend, they
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presently repent and obtain the favour of God. They have a goodwill
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one to another; and among them, in their societies, there is mutual
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charity and compassion in cases of offences, and no mocking.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr14_10"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth
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not intermeddle with his joy.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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This agrees with
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+2:11">1 Cor. ii. 11</A>,
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<I>What man knows the things of a man,</I> and the changes of his
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temper, <I>save the spirit of a man?</I>
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1. Every man feels most from his own burden, especially that which is
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a burden upon the spirits, for that is commonly concealed and the
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sufferer keeps it to himself. We must not censure the griefs of others,
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for we know not what they feel; their stroke perhaps is heavier than
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their groaning.
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2. Many enjoy a secret pleasure, especially in divine consolations,
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which others are not aware of, much less are sharers in; and, as the
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sorrows of a penitent, so the joys of a believer are such as a
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<I>stranger does not intermeddle with</I> and therefore is no competent
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judge of.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr14_11"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the
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tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Note,
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1. Sin is the ruin of great families: <I>The house of the wicked,</I>
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though built ever so strong and high, <I>shall be overthrown,</I> shall
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be brought to poverty and disgrace, and at length be extinct. His hope
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for heaven, the house on which he leans, shall not stand, but fail in
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the storm; the deluge that comes will sweep it away.
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2. Righteousness is the rise and stability even of mean families: Even
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<I>the tabernacle of the upright,</I> though movable and despicable as
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a tent, <I>shall flourish,</I> in outward prosperity if Infinite Wisdom
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see good, at all events in graces and comfort, which are true riches
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and honours.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr14_12"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end
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thereof <I>are</I> the ways of death.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here an account of the way and end of a great many self-deluded
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souls.
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1. Their way is seemingly fair: It <I>seems right</I> to themselves;
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they please themselves with a fancy that they are as they should be,
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that their opinions and practices are good, and such as will bear them
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out. The way of ignorance and carelessness, the way of worldliness and
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earthly-mindedness, the way of sensuality and flesh-pleasing, seem
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right to those that walk in them, much more the way of hypocrisy in
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religion, external performances, partial reformations, and blind zeal;
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this they imagine will bring them to heaven; they flatter themselves in
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their own eyes that all will be well at last.
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2. Their end is really fearful, and the more so for their mistake: It
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|
is <I>the ways of death,</I> eternal death; their iniquity will
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certainly be their ruin, and they will perish with a lie in their right
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hand. Self-deceivers will prove in the end self-destroyers.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr14_13"> </A>
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<P>
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|
<FONT SIZE=+1>13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that
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mirth <I>is</I> heaviness.
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|
</FONT></P>
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<P>
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This shows the vanity of carnal mirth, and proves what Solomon said of
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laughter, that <I>it is mad;</I> for,
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1. There is sadness under it. Sometimes when sinners are under
|
|
convictions, or some great trouble, they dissemble their grief by a
|
|
forced mirth, and put a good face on it, because they will not seem to
|
|
yield: they cry not when he binds them. Nay, when men really are merry,
|
|
yet at the same time there is some alloy or other to their mirth,
|
|
something that casts a damp upon it, which all their gaiety cannot keep
|
|
from their heart. Their consciences tell them they have no reason to be
|
|
merry
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+9:1">Hos. ix. 1</A>);
|
|
|
|
they cannot but see the vanity of it. Spiritual joy is seated in the
|
|
soul; the joy of the hypocrite is but from the teeth outward. See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:22,2Co+6:10">John xvi. 22; 2 Cor. vi. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. There is worse after it: <I>The end of that mirth is heaviness.</I>
|
|
It is soon over, like the crackling of thorns under a pot; and, if the
|
|
conscience be awake, all sinful and profane mirth will be reflected
|
|
upon with bitterness; if not, the heaviness will be so much the greater
|
|
when <I>for all these things God shall bring the</I> sinner <I>into
|
|
judgment.</I> The sorrows of the saints will end in everlasting joys
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+126:5">Ps. cxxvi. 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
but the laughter of fools will end in endless weeping and wailing.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1> <! -- Date --> </FONT></TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_14"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways:
|
|
and a good man <I>shall be satisfied</I> from himself.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
1. The misery of sinners will be an eternal surfeit upon their sins:
|
|
The <I>backslider in heart,</I> who for fear of suffering, or in hope
|
|
of profit or pleasure, forsakes God and his duty, shall be <I>filled
|
|
with his own ways;</I> God will give him enough of them. They would not
|
|
leave their brutish lusts and passions, and therefore they shall stick
|
|
by them, to their everlasting terror and torment. <I>He that is filthy
|
|
shall be filthy still. "Son, remember,</I>" shall <I>fill them with
|
|
their own ways,</I> and set their sins in order before them.
|
|
Backsliding begins in the heart; it is the evil heart of unbelief that
|
|
departs from God; and of all sinners backsliders will have most terror
|
|
when they reflect on <I>their own ways,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+11:26">Luke xi. 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. The happiness of the saints will be an eternal satisfaction in their
|
|
graces, as tokens of and qualifications for God's peculiar favour: <I>A
|
|
good man shall be</I> abundantly <I>satisfied from himself,</I> from
|
|
what God has wrought in him. He has <I>rejoicing in himself alone,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+6:3">Gal. vi. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
As sinners never think they have sin enough till it brings them to
|
|
hell, so saints never think they have grace enough till it brings them
|
|
to heaven.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_15"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent <I>man</I>
|
|
looketh well to his going.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
1. It is folly to be credulous, to heed every flying report, to give
|
|
ear to every man's story, though ever so improbable, to take things
|
|
upon trust from common fame, to depend upon every man's profession of
|
|
friendship and give credit to every one that will promise payment;
|
|
those are <I>simple</I> who thus <I>believe every word,</I> forgetting
|
|
that all men, in some sense, are liars in comparison with God, all
|
|
whose words we are to believe with an implicit faith, for he cannot
|
|
lie.
|
|
|
|
2. It is wisdom to be cautious: <I>The prudent man</I> will try before
|
|
he trusts, will weigh both the credibility of the witness and the
|
|
probability of the testimony, and then give judgment as the thing
|
|
appears or suspend his judgment till it appears. <I>Prove all
|
|
things,</I> and <I>believe not every spirit.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_16"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>16 A wise <I>man</I> feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool
|
|
rageth, and is confident.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
1. Holy fear is an excellent guard upon every holy thing, and against
|
|
every thing that is unholy. It is wisdom to depart <I>from evil,</I>
|
|
from the evil of sin, and thereby from all other evil; and therefore it
|
|
is wisdom to fear, that is, to be jealous over ourselves with a godly
|
|
jealousy, to keep up a dread of God's wrath, to be afraid of coming
|
|
near the borders of sin or dallying with the beginnings of it. A wise
|
|
man, for fear of harm, keeps out of harm's way, and starts back in a
|
|
fright when he finds himself entering into temptation.
|
|
|
|
2. Presumption is folly. He who, when he is warned of his danger,
|
|
<I>rages and is confident,</I> furiously pushes on, cannot bear to be
|
|
checked, bids defiance to the wrath and curse of God, and, fearless of
|
|
danger, persists in his rebellion, makes bold with the occasions of
|
|
sin, and plays upon the precipice, he is a fool, for he acts against
|
|
his reason and his interest, and his ruin will quickly be the proof of
|
|
his folly.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_17"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>17 <I>He that is</I> soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of
|
|
wicked devices is hated.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
1. Passionate men are justly laughed at. Men who are peevish and
|
|
touchy, and are <I>soon angry</I> upon every the least provocation,
|
|
<I>deal foolishly;</I> they say and do that which is ridiculous, and so
|
|
expose themselves to contempt; they themselves cannot but be ashamed of
|
|
it when the heat is over. The consideration of this should engage those
|
|
especially who are in reputation for wisdom and honour with the utmost
|
|
care to bridle their passion.
|
|
|
|
2. Malicious men are justly dreaded and detested, for they are much
|
|
more dangerous and mischievous to all societies: <I>A man of wicked
|
|
devices,</I> who stifles his resentments till he has an opportunity of
|
|
being revenged, and is secretly plotting how to wrong his neighbour and
|
|
to do him an ill turn, as Cain to kill Abel, such a man as this is
|
|
hated by all mankind. The character of an angry man is pitiable;
|
|
through the surprise of a temptation he disturbs and disgraces himself,
|
|
but it is soon over, and he is sorry for it. But that of a spiteful
|
|
revengeful man is odious; there is no fence against him nor cure for
|
|
him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_18"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with
|
|
knowledge.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
1. Sin is the shame of sinners: <I>The simple,</I> who love simplicity,
|
|
get nothing by it; they <I>inherit folly.</I> They have it <I>by
|
|
inheritance,</I> so some. This corruption of nature is derived from our
|
|
first parents, and all the calamities that attend it we have by kind;
|
|
it was the inheritance they transmitted to their degenerate race, an
|
|
hereditary disease. They are as fond of it as a man of his inheritance,
|
|
hold it as fast, and are as loth to part with it. What they value
|
|
themselves upon is really foolish; and what will be the issue of their
|
|
simplicity but folly? They will for ever rue their own foolish choice.
|
|
|
|
2. Wisdom is the honour of the wise: <I>The prudent crown</I>
|
|
themselves <I>with knowledge,</I> they look upon it as their brightest
|
|
ornament, and there is nothing they are so ambitious of; they bind it
|
|
to their heads as a crown, which they will by no means part with; they
|
|
press towards the top and perfection of knowledge, which will crown
|
|
their beginnings and progress. They shall have the praise of it; wise
|
|
heads shall be respected as if they were crowned heads. They <I>crown
|
|
knowledge</I> (so some read it); they are a credit to their profession.
|
|
Wisdom is not only justified, but glorified, of all her children.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_19"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>19 The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of
|
|
the righteous.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
That is,
|
|
|
|
1. The wicked are oftentimes impoverished and brought low, so that they
|
|
are forced to beg, their wickedness having reduced them to straits;
|
|
while good men, by the blessing of God, are enriched, and enabled to
|
|
give, and do give, even to the evil; for where God grants life we must
|
|
not deny a livelihood.
|
|
|
|
2. Sometimes God extorts, even from bad men, an acknowledgement of the
|
|
excellency of God's people. The evil ought always to <I>bow before the
|
|
good,</I> and sometimes they are made to do it and <I>to know that God
|
|
has loved them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:9">Rev. iii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
They desire their favour
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+7:7">Esth. vii. 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
their prayers,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+3:12">2 Kings iii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. There is a day coming when the upright shall have the dominion
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+49:14">Ps. xlix. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
when the foolish virgins shall come begging to the wise for oil, and
|
|
shall knock in vain at that gate of the Lord at which the righteous
|
|
entered.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_20"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>20 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich
|
|
<I>hath</I> many friends.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
This shows, not what should be, but what is the common way of the
|
|
world--to be shy of the poor and fond of the rich.
|
|
|
|
1. Few will give countenance to those whom the world frowns upon,
|
|
though otherwise worthy of respect: <I>The poor,</I> who should be
|
|
pitied, and encouraged, and relieved, <I>is hated,</I> looked strange
|
|
upon, and kept at a distance, even <I>by his own neighbour,</I> who,
|
|
before he fell into disgrace, was intimate with him and pretended to
|
|
have a kindness for him. Most are swallow-friends, that are gone in
|
|
winter. It is good having God our friend, for he will not desert us
|
|
when we are poor.
|
|
|
|
2. Every one will make court to those whom the world smiles upon,
|
|
though otherwise unworthy: <I>The rich have many friends,</I> friends
|
|
to their riches, in hope to get something out of them. There is little
|
|
friendship in the world but what is governed by self-interest, which is
|
|
no true friendship at all, nor what a wise man will either value
|
|
himself on or put any confidence in. Those that make the world their
|
|
God idolize those that have most of its good things, and seek their
|
|
favour as if indeed they were Heaven's favourites.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_21"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath
|
|
mercy on the poor, happy <I>is</I> he.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
See here how men's character and condition are measured and judged of
|
|
by their conduct towards their poor neighbours.
|
|
|
|
1. Those that look upon them with contempt have here assigned them a
|
|
bad character, and their condition will be accordingly: <I>He that
|
|
despises his neighbour</I> because he is low in the world, because he
|
|
is of a mean extraction, rustic education, and makes but a mean figure,
|
|
that thinks it below him to take notice of him, converse with him, or
|
|
concern himself about him, and sets him with the dogs of his flock,
|
|
<I>is a sinner,</I> is guilty of a sin, is in the way to worse, and
|
|
shall be dealt with as a sinner; unhappy is he.
|
|
|
|
2. Those that look upon them with compassion are here said to be in a
|
|
good condition, according to their character: <I>He that has mercy on
|
|
the poor,</I> is ready to do all the good offices he can to him, and
|
|
thereby puts an honour upon him, <I>happy is he;</I> he does that which
|
|
is pleasing to God, which he himself will afterwards reflect upon with
|
|
great satisfaction, for which the loins of the poor will bless him, and
|
|
which will be abundantly recompensed in the resurrection of the
|
|
just.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_22"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>22 Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth <I>shall
|
|
be</I> to them that devise good.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
See here,
|
|
|
|
1. How miserably mistaken those are that not only do evil, but devise
|
|
it: <I>Do they not err?</I> Yes, certainly they do; every one knows it.
|
|
They think that by sinning with craft and contrivance, and carrying on
|
|
their intrigues with more plot and artifice than others, they shall
|
|
make a better hand of their sins than others do, and come off better.
|
|
But they are mistaken. God's justice cannot be out-witted. Those that
|
|
devise evil against their neighbours greatly err, for it will certainly
|
|
turn upon themselves and end in their own ruin, a fatal error!
|
|
|
|
2. How wisely those consult their own interest that not only do good
|
|
but devise it: <I>Mercy and truth</I> shall be to them, not a reward of
|
|
debt (they will own that they merit nothing), but a reward of mercy,
|
|
mere mercy, mercy according to the promise, mercy and truth, to which
|
|
God is pleased to make himself a debtor. Those that are so liberal as
|
|
to devise liberal things, that seek opportunities of doing good, and
|
|
contrive how to make their charity most extensive and most acceptable
|
|
to those that need it, <I>by liberal things they shall stand,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+32:8">Isa. xxxii. 8</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_23"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips
|
|
<I>tendeth</I> only to penury.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
1. Working, without talking, will make men rich: <I>In all labour</I>
|
|
of the head, or of the hand, <I>there is profit;</I> it will turn to
|
|
some good account or other. Industrious people are generally thriving
|
|
people, and where there is something done there is something to be had.
|
|
<I>The stirring hand gets a penny.</I> It is good therefore to keep in
|
|
business, and to keep in action, and what our hand finds to do to do it
|
|
with all our might.
|
|
|
|
2. Talking, without working, will make men poor. Those that love to
|
|
boast of their business and make a noise about it, and that waste their
|
|
time in tittle-tattle, in telling and hearing new things, like the
|
|
Athenians, and, under pretence of improving themselves by conversation,
|
|
neglect the work of their place and day, they waste what they have, and
|
|
the course they take <I>tends to penury,</I> and will end in it. It is
|
|
true in the affairs of our souls; those that take pains in the service
|
|
of God, that strive earnestly in prayer, will find profit in it. But if
|
|
men's religion runs all out in talk and noise, and their praying is
|
|
only the labour of the lips, they will be spiritually poor, and come to
|
|
nothing.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_24"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>24 The crown of the wise <I>is</I> their riches: <I>but</I> the
|
|
foolishness of fools <I>is</I> folly.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. If men be wise and good, riches make them so much the more
|
|
honourable and useful: <I>The crown of the wise is their riches;</I>
|
|
their riches make them to be so much the more respected, and give them
|
|
the more authority and influence upon others. Those that have wealth,
|
|
and wisdom to use it, will have a great opportunity of honouring God
|
|
and doing good in the world. <I>Wisdom is good</I> without <I>an
|
|
inheritance,</I> but better <I>with</I> it.
|
|
|
|
2. If men be wicked and corrupt, their wealth will but the more expose
|
|
them: <I>The foolishness of fools,</I> put them in what condition you
|
|
will, <I>is folly,</I> and will show itself and shame them; if they
|
|
have riches, they do mischief with them and are the more hardened in
|
|
their foolish practices.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_25"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful <I>witness</I>
|
|
speaketh lies.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
See here,
|
|
|
|
1. How much praise is due to a faithful witness: He <I>delivers the
|
|
souls</I> of the innocent, who are falsely accused, and their good
|
|
names, which are as dear to them as their lives. A man of integrity
|
|
will venture the displeasure of the greatest, to bring truth to light
|
|
and rescue those who are injured by falsehood. A faithful minister, who
|
|
truly witnesses for God against sin, is thereby instrumental to deliver
|
|
souls from eternal death.
|
|
|
|
2. How little regard is to be had to a false witness. He forges
|
|
<I>lies,</I> and yet pours them out with the greatest assurance
|
|
imaginable for the destruction of the innocent. It is therefore the
|
|
interest of a nation by all means possible to detect and punish
|
|
false-witness-bearing, yea, and lying in common conversation; for truth
|
|
is the cement of society.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_27"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>26 In the fear of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>is</I> strong confidence: and his
|
|
children shall have a place of refuge.
|
|
27 The fear of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> <I>is</I> a fountain of life, to depart from
|
|
the snares of death.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In these two verses we are invited and encouraged to live in the fear
|
|
of God by the advantages which attend a religious life. The <I>fear of
|
|
the Lord</I> is here put for all gracious principles, producing
|
|
gracious practices.
|
|
|
|
1. Where this reigns it produces a holy security and serenity of mind.
|
|
There is in it a <I>strong confidence;</I> it enables a man still to
|
|
hold fast both his purity and his peace, whatever happens, and gives
|
|
him boldness before God and the world. <I>I know that I shall be
|
|
justified--None of these things move me;</I> such is the language of
|
|
this confidence.
|
|
|
|
2. It entails a blessing upon posterity. The children of those that by
|
|
faith make God their confidence shall be encouraged by the promise that
|
|
God will be a God to believers and to their seed to flee to him as
|
|
their refuge, and they shall find shelter in him. The children of
|
|
religious parents often do the better for their parents' instructions
|
|
and example and fare the better for their faith and prayers. "<I>Our
|
|
fathers trusted in thee,</I> therefore we will."
|
|
|
|
3. It is an over-flowing ever-flowing spring of comfort and joy; it is
|
|
<I>a fountain of life,</I> yielding constant pleasure and satisfaction
|
|
to the soul, joys that are pure and fresh, are life to the soul, and
|
|
quench its thirst, and can never be drawn dry; it is a <I>well of
|
|
living water,</I> that is springing up to, and is the earnest of,
|
|
eternal life.
|
|
|
|
4. It is a sovereign antidote against sin and temptation. Those that
|
|
have a true relish of the pleasures of serious godliness will not be
|
|
allured by the baits of sin to swallow its hook; they know where to
|
|
obtain better things than any it can pretend to offer, and therefore it
|
|
is easy to them <I>to depart from the snares of death</I> and to keep
|
|
their foot from being taken in them.</P>
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|
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<A NAME="Pr14_28"> </A>
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|
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>28 In the multitude of people <I>is</I> the king's honour: but in
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|
the want of people <I>is</I> the destruction of the prince.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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|
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|
Here are two maxims in politics, which carry their own evidence with
|
|
them:--
|
|
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|
1. That it is much for the honour of a king to have a populous kingdom;
|
|
it is a sign that he rules well, since strangers are hereby invited to
|
|
come and settle under his protection and his own subjects live
|
|
comfortably; it is a sign that he and his kingdom are under the
|
|
blessing of God, the effect of which is being fruitful and multiplying.
|
|
It is his strength, and makes him considerable and formidable; happy is
|
|
the king, the father of his country, who has his <I>quiver full of
|
|
arrows;</I> he <I>shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with his enemy
|
|
in the gate,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+127:4,5">Ps. cxxvii. 4, 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is therefore the wisdom of princes, by a mild and gentle government,
|
|
by encouraging trade and husbandry, and by making all easy under them,
|
|
to promote the increase of their people. And let all that wish well to
|
|
the kingdom of Christ, and to his honour, do what they can in their
|
|
places that many may be added to his church.
|
|
|
|
2. That when the people are lessened the prince is weakened: <I>In the
|
|
want of people is the leanness of the prince</I> (so some read it);
|
|
trade lies dead, the ground lies untilled, the army wants to be
|
|
recruited, the navy to be manned, and all because there are not hands
|
|
sufficient. See how much the honour and safety of kings depend upon
|
|
their people, which is a reason why they should rule by love, and not
|
|
with rigour. Princes are corrected by those judgments which abate the
|
|
number of the people, as we find,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+24:13">2 Sam. xxiv. 13</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_29"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
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|
<FONT SIZE=+1>29 <I>He that is</I> slow to wrath <I>is</I> of great understanding: but
|
|
<I>he that is</I> hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
1. Meekness is wisdom. <I>He</I> rightly understands himself, and his
|
|
duty and interest, the infirmities of human nature, and the
|
|
constitution of human society, who <I>is slow to anger,</I> and knows
|
|
how to excuse the faults of others as well as his own, how to adjourn
|
|
his resentments, and moderate them, so as by no provocation to be put
|
|
out of the possession of his own soul. A mild patient man is really to
|
|
be accounted an intelligent man, one that learns of Christ, who is
|
|
Wisdom itself.
|
|
|
|
2. Unbridled passion is folly proclaimed: <I>He that is hasty of
|
|
spirit,</I> whose heart is tinder to every spark of provocation, that
|
|
is all fire and tow, as we say, he thinks hereby to magnify himself and
|
|
make those about stand in awe of him, whereas really he <I>exalts his
|
|
own folly;</I> he makes it known, as that which is lifted up is visible
|
|
to all, and he submits himself to it as to the government of one that
|
|
is exalted.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_30"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>30 A sound heart <I>is</I> the life of the flesh: but envy the
|
|
rottenness of the bones.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The foregoing verse showed how much our reputation, this how much our
|
|
health, depends on the good government of our passions and the
|
|
preserving of the temper of the mind.
|
|
|
|
1. A healing spirit, made up of love and meekness, a hearty, friendly,
|
|
cheerful disposition, is <I>the life of the flesh;</I> it contributes
|
|
to a good constitution of body; people grow fat with good humour.
|
|
|
|
2. A fretful, envious, discontented spirit, is its own punishment; it
|
|
consumes the flesh, preys upon the animal spirits, makes the
|
|
countenance pale, and is the <I>rottenness of the bones.</I> Those that
|
|
see the prosperity of others and are grieved, let them <I>gnash with
|
|
their teeth and melt away,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+112:10">Ps. cxii. 10</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<CENTER>
|
|
<TABLE BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD>Rumpatur, quisquis rumpitur invidia.
|
|
<BR>
|
|
<BR>Whoever bursts for envy, let him burst.
|
|
</TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
</CENTER>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_31"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he
|
|
that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
God is here pleased to interest himself more than one would imagine in
|
|
the treatment given to the poor.
|
|
|
|
1. He reckons himself affronted in the injuries that are done them.
|
|
Whosoever he be that wrongs a poor man, taking advantage against him
|
|
because he is poor and cannot help himself, let him know that he puts
|
|
an affront upon his Maker. God made him, and gave him his being, the
|
|
same that is the author of our being; we have all one Father, one
|
|
Maker; see how Job considered this,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+31:15">Job xxxi. 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
God made him poor, and appointed him his lot, so that, if we deal
|
|
hardly with any because they are poor, we reflect upon God as dealing
|
|
hardly with them in laying them low, that they might be trampled upon.
|
|
|
|
2. He reckons himself honoured in the kindnesses that are done them; he
|
|
takes them as done to himself, and will show himself accordingly
|
|
pleased with them. <I>I was hungry, and you gave me meat.</I> Those
|
|
therefore that have any true honour for God will show it by compassion
|
|
to the poor, whom he has undertaken in a special manner to protect and
|
|
patronise.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_32"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the
|
|
righteous hath hope in his death.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is,
|
|
|
|
1. The desperate condition of a wicked man when he goes out of the
|
|
world: He <I>is driven away in his wickedness.</I> He cleaves so
|
|
closely to the world that he cannot find in his heart to leave it, but
|
|
is driven away out of it; his soul is required, is forced from him, And
|
|
sin cleaves so closely to him that it is inseparable; it goes with him
|
|
into another world; he <I>is driven away in his wickedness,</I> dies in
|
|
his sins, under the guilt and power of them, unjustified, unsanctified.
|
|
His wickedness is the storm in which he is hurried away, as chaff
|
|
before the wind, chased out of the world.
|
|
|
|
2. The comfortable condition of a godly man when he finishes his
|
|
course: He <I>has hope in his death</I> of a happiness on the other
|
|
side death, of better things in another world than ever he had in this.
|
|
<I>The righteous</I> then have the grace of hope in them; though they
|
|
have pain, and some dread of death, yet they have hope. They have
|
|
before them the good hoped for, even the blessed hope which God, who
|
|
cannot lie, has promised.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_33"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding:
|
|
but <I>that which is</I> in the midst of fools is made known.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. Modesty is the badge of wisdom. He that is truly wise hides his
|
|
treasure, so as not to boast of it
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:44">Matt. xiii. 44</A>),
|
|
|
|
though he does not hide his talent, so as not to trade with it. His
|
|
<I>wisdom rests in his heart;</I> he digests what he knows, and has it
|
|
ready to him, but does not unseasonably talk of it and make a noise
|
|
with it. The heart is the seat of the affections, and there wisdom must
|
|
rest in the practical love of it, and not swim in the head.
|
|
|
|
2. Openness and ostentation are a mark of folly. If fools have a little
|
|
smattering of knowledge, they take all occasions, though very foreign,
|
|
to produce it, and bring it in by head and shoulders. Or the folly that
|
|
<I>is in the midst of fools is made known</I> by their forwardness to
|
|
talk. Many a foolish man takes more pains to show his folly than a wise
|
|
man thinks it worth his while to take to show his wisdom.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_34"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin <I>is</I> a reproach to
|
|
any people.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
1. Justice, reigning in a nation, puts an honour upon it. A righteous
|
|
administration of the government, impartial equity between man and man,
|
|
public countenance given to religion, the general practice and
|
|
profession of virtue, the protecting and preserving of virtuous men,
|
|
charity and compassion to strangers (<I>alms</I> are sometimes called
|
|
<I>righteousness</I>), these <I>exalt a nation;</I> they uphold the
|
|
throne, elevate the people's minds, and qualify a nation for the favour
|
|
of God, which will make them high, as a <I>holy nation,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+26:19">Deut. xxvi. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. Vice, reigning in a nation, puts disgrace upon it: <I>Sin is a
|
|
reproach to any</I> city or kingdom, and renders them despicable among
|
|
their neighbours. The people of Israel were often instances of both
|
|
parts of this observation; they were great when they were good, but
|
|
when they forsook God all about them insulted them and trampled on
|
|
them. It is therefore the interest and duty of princes to use their
|
|
power for the suppression of vice and support of virtue.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr14_35"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>35 The king's favour <I>is</I> toward a wise servant: but his wrath
|
|
is <I>against</I> him that causeth shame.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
This shows that in a well-ordered court and government smiles and
|
|
favours are dispensed among those that are employed in public trusts
|
|
according to their merits; Solomon lets them know he will go by that
|
|
rule,
|
|
|
|
1. That those who behave themselves wisely shall be respected and
|
|
preferred, whatever enemies they may have that seek to undermine them.
|
|
No man's services shall be neglected to please a party or a favourite.
|
|
|
|
2. That those who are selfish and false, who betray their country,
|
|
oppress the poor, and sow discord, and thus <I>cause shame,</I> shall
|
|
be displaced and banished the court, whatever friends they may make to
|
|
speak for them.</P>
|
|
|
|
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