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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1710)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>P R O V E R B S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXIII.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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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>Cautions against Luxury and Covetousness.</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="Pr23_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr23_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr23_3"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently
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what <I>is</I> before thee:
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2 And put a knife to thy throat, if thou <I>be</I> a man given to
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appetite.
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3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they <I>are</I> deceitful
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meat.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The sin we are here warned against is luxury and sensuality, and the
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indulgence of the appetite in eating and drinking, a sin that most
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easily besets us.
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1. We are here told when we enter into temptation, and are in most
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danger of falling into this sin: "<I>When thou sittest to eat with a
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ruler</I> thou has great plenty before thee, varieties and dainties,
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such a table spread as thou has seldom seen; thou are ready to think,
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as Haman did, of nothing but the honour hereby done thee
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+5:12">Esth. v. 12</A>),
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and the opportunity thou hast of pleasing thy palate, and forgettest
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that there is a snare laid for thee." Perhaps the temptation may be
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stronger, and more dangerous, to one that is not used to such
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entertainments, than to one that always sits down to a good table.
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2. We are here directed to double our guard at such a time. We must,
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(1.) Apprehend ourselves to be in danger: "<I>Consider diligently what
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is before thee,</I> what meat and drink are before thee, that thou
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mayest choose that which is safest for thee and which thou art least
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likely to eat and drink of to excess. Consider what company is before
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thee, the ruler himself, who, if he be wise and good, will take it as
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an affront for any of his guests to disorder themselves at his table."
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And, if when we sit to eat with a ruler, much more when we sit to eat
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with the ruler of rulers at the Lord's table, must we <I>consider
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diligently what is before us,</I> that we may not in any respect <I>eat
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and drink unworthily,</I> unbecomingly, lest that table become a snare.
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(2.) We must alarm ourselves into temperance and moderation: "<I>Put a
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knife to thy throat,</I> that is, restrain thyself, as it were with a
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sword hanging over thy head, from all excess. Let these words, <I>Take
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heed lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and
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drunkenness, and so that day come upon you unawares</I>--or those,
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<I>For all these things, God shall bring thee into judgment</I>--or
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those, <I>Drunkards, shall not inherit the kingdom of God,</I> be a
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knife to the throat." The Latins call luxury <I>gula</I>--<I>the
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throat.</I> "Take up arms against that sin. Rather be so abstemious
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that thy craving appetite will begin to think thy throat cut than
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indulge thyself in voluptuousness." We must never <I>feed ourselves
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without fear</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jude+1:12">Jude 12</A>),
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but we must in a special manner fear when temptation is before us.
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(3.) We must reason ourselves into a holy contempt of the
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gratifications of sense: "<I>If thou be a man given to appetite,</I>
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thou must, by a present solution, and an application of the terrors of
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the Lord, restrain thyself. When thou art in danger of falling into any
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excess <I>put a knife to thy throat;</I> that may serve for once. But
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that is not enough: lay the axe to the root; mortify that appetite
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which has such a power over thee: <I>Be not desirous of dainties.</I>"
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Note, We ought to observe what is our own iniquity, and, if we find
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ourselves addicted to flesh-pleasing, we must not only stand upon our
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guard against temptations from without, but subdue the corruption
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within. Nature is desirous of food, and we are taught to pray for it,
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but it is lust that is desirous of dainties, and we cannot in faith
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pray for them, for frequently they are not food convenient for mind,
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body, or estate. They are deceitful meat, and therefore David, instead
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of praying for them, prays against them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+141:4">Ps. cxli. 4</A>.
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They are pleasant to the palate, but perhaps rise in the stomach, turn
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sour there, upbraid a man, and make him sick. They do not yield men the
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satisfaction they promised themselves from them; for those that are
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given to appetite, when they have that which is very dainty, are not
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pleased; they are soon weary of it; they must have something else more
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dainty. The more a luxurious appetite is humoured and indulged the more
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humour some and troublesome it grows, and the more hard to please;
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dainties will surfeit, but never satisfy. But especially they are upon
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<I>this</I> account deceitful meat, that, while they please the body,
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they prejudice the soul, they overcharge the heart, and unfit it for
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the service of God, nay, they take away the heart, and alienate the
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mind from spiritual delights, and spoil its relish of them. Why then
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should we covet that which will certainly cheat us?</P>
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<A NAME="Pr23_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr23_5"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
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5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for <I>riches</I>
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certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward
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heaven.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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As some are given to appetite
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>)
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so others to covetousness, and those Solomon here takes to task. Men
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cheat themselves as much by setting their hearts on money (though it
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seems most substantial) as by setting them on dainties. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. How he dissuades the covetous man from toiling and tormenting
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himself
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>).
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"Do not <I>aim to be rich,</I> to raise an estate, and to make what
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thou hast in abundance more than it is." We must endeavor to live
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comfortably, and provide for our children and families, according as
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our rank and condition are, but we must not seek great things. Be not
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of those that will be rich, that desire it as their chief good and
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design it as their highest end,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+6:9">1 Tim. vi. 9</A>.
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Covetous men think it is their wisdom, imagining that if they be rich
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to such a degree they shall be completely happy. <I>Cease from that
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wisdom,</I> for it is a mistake; <I>a man's life consists not in the
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abundance of the things which he possesses,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:15">Luke xii. 15</A>.
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1. Those that aim at great things fill their hands with business more
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than they can grasp, so that their life is both a perfect drudgery and
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a perpetual hurry; but be not thou such a fool; <I>labour not to be
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rich.</I> What thou hast, or doest, be master of it, and not a slave to
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it as those that <I>rise up early, sit up late,</I> and <I>eat the
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bread of carefulness,</I> and all to be rich. Moderate labour, <I>that
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we may have to give,</I> is our wisdom and duty,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+4:28">Eph. iv. 28</A>.
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Immoderate labour, that we may have to hoard, is our sin and folly.
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2. They fill their heads with projects more than they understand, so
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that their life is a constant toss of care and fear; but do not thou
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thus vex thyself: <I>Cease from thy own wisdom;</I> go on quietly in
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the way of thy business, not contriving new ways and setting thy wits
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to work to find out new inventions. Acquiesce in God's wisdom, and
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cease from thy own,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+3:5,6"><I>ch.</I> iii. 5, 6</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. How he dissuades the covetous man from cheating and deceiving
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himself by an inordinate love and pursuit of that which is vanity and
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vexation of spirit; for,</P>
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<P>
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1. It is not substantial and satisfying: "<I>Wilt thou</I> be such a
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fool as to <I>set thy eyes,</I> to cause thy eyes to fly with eagerness
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and violence, <I>upon that which is not?</I>" Note,
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(1.) The things of this world are things that are not. They have a
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real existence in nature and are the real gifts of Providence, but in
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the kingdom of grace they are things that are not; they are not a
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happiness and portion for a soul, are not what they promise to be nor
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what we expect them to be; they are a show, a shadow, a sham upon the
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soul that trusts to them. They are not, for in a little while they will
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not be, they will not be ours; they perish in the using; the fashion of
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them passes away.
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(2.) It is therefore folly for us to set our eyes upon them, to admire
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them as the best things, to appropriate them to ourselves as our good
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things, and to aim at them as our mark at which all our actions are
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levelled, to fly upon them as the eagle upon her prey. "Wilt thou do a
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thing so absurd in itself? What thou, a reasonable creature, wilt thou
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dote upon shadows? The eyes are put for rational and intellectual
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powers; wilt thou throw those away upon such undeserving objects? To
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set the hands and feet upon the world is well enough, but not the eyes,
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the eyes of the mind; those were made to contemplate better things.
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Wilt thou, my son, that professest religion, put such an affront upon
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God (towards whom the eyes should ever be) and such an abuse upon thy
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soul?"</P>
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<P>
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2. It is not durable and abiding. Riches are very uncertain things;
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certainly they are so: <I>They make themselves wings, and fly away.</I>
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The more we cause our eyes to fly upon them the more likely they are to
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fly away from us.
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(1.) Riches will leave us. Those that hold them ever so fast cannot
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hold them long; either they must be taken from us or we must be taken
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from them. The goods are said to flow away as a stream
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+20:28">Job xx. 28</A>),
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here to flee as a bird.
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(2.) Perhaps they may leave us suddenly, when we have taken a great
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deal of pains for them and begin to take a great deal of pride and
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pleasure in them. The covetous man sits hatching upon his wealth, and
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brooding over it, till it is fledged, as the young ones under the hen,
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and then it is gone. Or, as if a man should be fond of a flight of
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wild-fowl that light in his field, and call them his own because they
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are upon his ground, whereas, if he offers to come near them, they take
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wing immediately and are gone to another man's field.
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(3.) The wings they fly away upon are of their own making. They have in
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themselves the principles of their own corruption, their own moth and
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rust. They are wasting in their own nature, and like a handful of dust,
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which, if it be grasped, slips through the fingers. Snow will last
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awhile, and look pretty, if it be left to lie on the ground where it
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fell, but, if gathered up and laid in the bosom, it is dissolved and
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gone immediately.
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(4.) They go irresistibly and irrecoverably, as <I>an eagle toward
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heaven,</I> that flies strongly (there is no stopping her), and flies
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out of sight and out of call (there is no bringing her back); thus do
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riches leave men, and leave them in grief and vexation if they set
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their hearts upon them.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr23_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr23_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr23_8"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>6 Eat thou not the bread of <I>him that hath</I> an evil eye,
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neither desire thou his dainty meats:
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7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so <I>is</I> he: Eat and drink,
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saith he to thee; but his heart <I>is</I> not with thee.
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8 The morsel <I>which</I> thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and
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lose thy sweet words.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Those that are voluptuous and given to appetite
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>)
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are glad to be where there is good cheer stirring, and those that are
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covetous and saving, that they may spare at home, will be glad to get a
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dinner at another man's table; and therefore both are here advised not
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to be forward to accept of every man's invitation, but especially not
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to thrust themselves in uninvited. Observe,
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1. There are those that pretend to bid their friends welcome that are
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not hearty and sincere in it. They have a fair tongue, and know what
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they should say: <I>Eat and drink, saith he,</I> because it is expected
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that the master of the feast should so compliment his guests; but they
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have <I>an evil eye,</I> and grudge their guests every bit they eat,
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especially if the eat freely. They would seem to be liberal in making
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the entertainment, and would have the credit of it, but they have so
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great a love to their money, and so little to their friends, that they
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cannot have the comfort of it, nor any enjoyment of themselves or their
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friends. The miser's feast is his penance. If a man be so very selfish,
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and sordid, and mean that he cannot find in his heart to bid his
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friends welcome to what he has, he ought not to add to that the guilt
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of dissimulation by inviting them, but let him own himself to be what
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he is, that <I>the vile person may not be called liberal nor the churl
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bountiful,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+32:5">Isa. xxxii. 5</A>.
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2. One can have no comfort in accepting the entertainments that are
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given grudgingly: "<I>Eat not thou the bread</I> of such a man; let him
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keep it to himself. Do not sponge upon those that are bountiful, nor
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make thyself burdensome to any; but especially scorn to be beholden to
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those that are paltry and not sincere. Better have a dinner of herbs,
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and true welcome, than <I>dainty meats</I> without it. Therefore,"
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(1.) "Judge of the man as his mind is. Thou thinkest to pay thy respect
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to him as a friend, so thou takest him to be, because he compliments
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thee, but <I>as he thinks in his heart so is he,</I> not as he speaks
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with his tongue." We are that really, both to God and man, which we are
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inwardly; and neither religion nor friendship is worth any thing
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further than as it is sincere.
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(2.) "Judge of the meat as the digestion is and as it agrees with thee.
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He bids thee eat freely, but, first or last, he will discover his
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sordid covetous humour, and <I>as he thinks in his heart</I> so will he
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look, and give thee to understand that thou art not welcome, and then
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<I>the morsel thou hast eaten thou shalt vomit up;</I> the very thought
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of that will make thee even to vomit the meat thou hast eaten, and eat
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the words thou has spoken in returning his compliments and giving him
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thanks for his civilities. Thou shalt <I>lose thy sweet words,</I>
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which he has given thee and thou has given him."</P>
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<A NAME="Pr23_9"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the
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wisdom of thy words.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We are here directed not to <I>cast pearls before swine</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+7:6">Matt. vii. 6</A>)
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and not to expose things sacred to the contempt and ridicule of profane
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scoffers. It is our duty to take all fit occasions to speak of divine
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things; but,
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1. There are some that will make a jest of every thing, though it be
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ever so prudently and pertinently spoken, that will not only despise a
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wise man's words, but despise even the wisdom of them, that in them
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which is most improvable for their own edification; they will
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particularly reproach that, as if it had an ill design upon them, which
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they must guard against.
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2. Those that do so forfeit the benefit of good advice and instruction,
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and a wise man is not only allowed, but advised, not to <I>speak in the
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ears</I> of such fools; let them be foolish still, and let not precious
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breath be thrown away upon them. If what a wise man says in his wisdom
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will not be heard, let him hold his peace, and try whether the wisdom
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of that will be regarded.</P>
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<A NAME="Pr23_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Pr23_11"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields
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of the fatherless:
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11 For their redeemer <I>is</I> mighty; he shall plead their cause
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with thee.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Note,
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1. The fatherless are taken under God's special protection; with him
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they not only find mercy shown to them
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+14:3">Hos. xiv. 3</A>)
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but justice done for them. He is <I>their Redeemer,</I> their
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<I>Goël,</I> their near kinsman, that will take their part and
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stand up for them with jealousy, as taking himself affronted in the
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injuries done to them. As their Redeemer <I>he will plead their
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cause</I> against those that do them any injury, and, one way or other,
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will not only defend their right, and recover it for them, but avenge
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the wrongs done to them. And he <I>is mighty,</I> almighty; his
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omnipotence is engaged and employed for their protection, and their
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proudest and most powerful oppressors will not only find themselves an
|
|
unequal match for this, but will find that it is at their peril to
|
|
contend with it.
|
|
|
|
2. Every man therefore must be careful not to injure them in any thing,
|
|
or to invade their rights, either by a clandestine removal of the old
|
|
land-marks or by a forcible entry into their fields. Being fatherless,
|
|
they have none to redress their wrongs, and, being in their childhood,
|
|
they do not so much as apprehend the wrong that is done them. Sense of
|
|
honour, and much more the fear of God, would restrain men from offering
|
|
injury to children, especially fatherless children.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Parental Duties.</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="Pr23_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_15"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_16"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>12 Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the
|
|
words of knowledge.
|
|
13 Withhold not correction from the child: for <I>if</I> thou
|
|
beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
|
|
14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul
|
|
from hell.
|
|
15 My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even
|
|
mine.
|
|
16 Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right
|
|
things.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is,
|
|
|
|
1. A parent instructing his child. He is here brought in persuading him
|
|
to give his mind to his book, and especially to the scriptures and his
|
|
catechism, to attend <I>to the words of knowledge,</I> by which he
|
|
might come to know his duty, and danger, and interest, and not to think
|
|
it enough to give them the hearing, but to apply his heart to them, to
|
|
delight in them, and bow his will to the authority of them. The heart
|
|
is <I>then</I> applied to the instruction when the instruction is
|
|
applied to the heart.
|
|
|
|
2. A parent correcting his child. A tender parent can scarcely find in
|
|
his heart to do this; it goes much against the grain. But he finds it
|
|
is necessary; it is his duty, and therefore he dares not <I>withhold
|
|
correction</I> when there is occasion for it (<I>spare the rod and
|
|
spoil the child</I>); he <I>beats him with the rod,</I> gives him a
|
|
gentle correction, the <I>stripes of the sons of men,</I> not such as
|
|
we give to beasts. <I>Beat him with the rod and he shall not die.</I>
|
|
The rod will not kill him; nay, it will prevent his killing himself by
|
|
those vicious courses which the rod will be necessary to restrain him
|
|
from. For the present <I>it is not joyous, but grievous,</I> both to
|
|
the parent and to the child; but when it is given with wisdom, designed
|
|
for good, accompanied with prayer, and blessed of God, it may prove a
|
|
happy means of preventing his utter destruction and <I>delivering his
|
|
soul from hell.</I> Our great care must be about our children's souls;
|
|
we must not see them in danger of hell without using all possible
|
|
means, with the utmost care and concern, to snatch them as brands out
|
|
of everlasting burnings. Let the body smart, so that the spirit be
|
|
<I>saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.</I>
|
|
|
|
3. A parent encouraging his child, telling him,
|
|
|
|
(1.) What was all he expected, nothing but what would be for his own
|
|
good, that <I>his heart be wise</I> and that his <I>lips speak right
|
|
things,</I> that he be under the government of good principles, and
|
|
that by those principles he particularly maintain a good environment of
|
|
his tongue. It is to be hoped that those will do <I>right things</I>
|
|
when they grow up who learn to <I>speak right things</I> when they are
|
|
young, and dare not speak any bad words.
|
|
|
|
(2.) What a comfort it would be to him if herein he answered his
|
|
expectation: "<I>If thy heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice,</I>
|
|
shall rejoice in thee, <I>even mine,</I> who have taken so much care
|
|
and pains about thee, my heart, that has many a time ached for thee,
|
|
for which thou shouldst study thus to make a grateful requital." Note,
|
|
The wisdom of children will be the joy of their parents and teachers,
|
|
who have no greater joy than to see them <I>walk in the truth,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=3Jo+1:4">3 John 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
"Children, if you be wise and good, devout and conscientious, God will
|
|
be pleased with you, and that will be our joy: we shall think our
|
|
labour in instructing you well bestowed; it will be a comfortable
|
|
answer for the many prayers we have put up for you; we shall be eased
|
|
of a great deal of care, shall not need to be so strict and severe in
|
|
watching over you, and shall consequently be the easier both to you and
|
|
to ourselves. We shall rejoice in hope that you will be a credit and
|
|
comfort to us, if we should live to be old, that you will bear up the
|
|
name of Christ in your generation, that you will live comfortably in
|
|
this world and happily in another."</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Parental Advice.</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="Pr23_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_18"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but <I>be thou</I> in the fear
|
|
of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> all the day long.
|
|
18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not
|
|
be cut off.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is,
|
|
|
|
1. A necessary caution against entertaining any favourable thoughts of
|
|
prospering profaneness: "<I>Let not thy heart envy sinners;</I> do not
|
|
grudge them either the liberty they take to sin or the success they are
|
|
to be pitied rather than envied. Their prosperity is their portion
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+12:14">Ps. xii. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
nay, it is their poison,"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+1:32">Prov. i. 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
We must not harbour in our hearts any secret discontent at the
|
|
providence of God, though it seem to smile upon them, nor wish
|
|
ourselves in their condition. "<I>Let not thy heart imitate
|
|
sinners</I>" (so some read it); do not as they do; walk not in the way
|
|
with them; use not the methods they take to enrich themselves, though
|
|
they thrive by them.
|
|
|
|
2. An excellent direction to maintain high thoughts of God in our
|
|
minds at all times: <I>Be thou in the fear of the Lord</I> every day
|
|
and <I>all the day long.</I> We must be in the fear of the Lord as in
|
|
our employment, exercising ourselves in holy adorings of God, in
|
|
subjection to his precepts, submission to his providences, and a
|
|
constant care to please him; we must be in it as in our element, taking
|
|
a pleasure in contemplating God's glory and complying with his will. We
|
|
must be <I>devoted to his fear</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:38">Ps. cxix. 38</A>);
|
|
|
|
and governed by it as our commanding principle in all we say and do.
|
|
All the days of our life we must constantly keep up an awe of God upon
|
|
our spirits, must pay a deference to his authority, and have a dread of
|
|
his wrath. We must be always so in his fear as never to be out of it.
|
|
|
|
3. A good reason for both of these
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Surely there is an end,</I> an end and expectation, as
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+29:11">Jer. xxix. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>There will be an end of the prosperity of the wicked,</I> therefore
|
|
<I>do not envy them</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+73:17">Ps. lxxiii. 17</A>);
|
|
|
|
there will be an end of thy afflictions, therefore be not weary of
|
|
them, an end of thy services, thy work and warfare will be
|
|
accomplished, <I>perfect love will shortly cast out fear,</I> and
|
|
<I>thy expectation</I> of the reward not only will be <I>not cut
|
|
off,</I> or disappointed, but it will be infinitely outdone. The
|
|
consideration of the end will help to reconcile us to all the
|
|
difficulties and discouragements of the way.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_28"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>19 Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the
|
|
way.
|
|
20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:
|
|
21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and
|
|
drowsiness shall clothe <I>a man</I> with rags.
|
|
22 Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy
|
|
mother when she is old.
|
|
23 Buy the truth, and sell <I>it</I> not; <I>also</I> wisdom, and
|
|
instruction, and understanding.
|
|
24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he
|
|
that begetteth a wise <I>child</I> shall have joy of him.
|
|
25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare
|
|
thee shall rejoice.
|
|
26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my
|
|
ways.
|
|
27 For a whore <I>is</I> a deep ditch; and a strange woman <I>is</I> a
|
|
narrow pit.
|
|
28 She also lieth in wait as <I>for</I> a prey, and increaseth the
|
|
transgressors among men.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is good advice for parents to give to their children; words are
|
|
put into their mouths, that they may <I>train them up in the way they
|
|
should go.</I> Here we have,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. An earnest call to young people to attend to the advice of their
|
|
godly parents, not only to this that is here given, but to all other
|
|
profitable instructions: "<I>Here, my son, and be wise,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
This will be an evidence that thou art wise and a means to make thee
|
|
wiser." Wisdom, as <I>faith, comes by hearing.</I> And again
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Hearken unto thy father who begot thee,</I> and who therefore has
|
|
an authority over thee and an affection for thee, and, thou mayest be
|
|
sure, can have no other design than thy own good." We ought to <I>give
|
|
reverence to the fathers of our flesh,</I> who begot us, and were the
|
|
instruments of our being; much more ought we to obey and be in
|
|
subjection to the <I>Father of our spirits,</I> who made us and is the
|
|
author of our being. And since <I>the mother</I> also, from a sense of
|
|
duty to God and from love to her child, gives him good instructions,
|
|
let him not <I>despise her,</I> nor her advice, <I>when she is old.</I>
|
|
When the mother was grown old we may suppose the children to be grown
|
|
up; but let them not think themselves past being taught, even by her,
|
|
but rather respect her the more for the multitude of her years and the
|
|
wisdom which they teach. Scornful and insolent young men will make a
|
|
jest, it may be, of the good advice of an aged mother, and think
|
|
themselves not concerned to heed what an old woman says; but such will
|
|
have a great deal to answer for another day, not only as having set at
|
|
nought good counsel, but as having slighted and grieved a good mother,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+30:17"><I>ch.</I> xxx. 17</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. An argument to enforce this call, taken from the great comfort
|
|
which this will be to their parents,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:24,25"><I>v.</I> 24, 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note,
|
|
|
|
1. It is the duty of children to study how they may gladden the hearts
|
|
of their good parents, and do it yet more and more, so that they may
|
|
<I>greatly rejoice</I> in them, even when the <I>evil days come and the
|
|
years of which they say they have no pleasure in them</I> but this, to
|
|
see their children do well, as <I>Barzillai</I> to see <I>Chimham</I>
|
|
preferred.
|
|
|
|
2. Children will be a joy to their parents if they be <I>righteous and
|
|
wise.</I> Righteousness is true wisdom; those who do good so well for
|
|
themselves. Those are completely such as they should be who are not
|
|
only <I>wise</I> (that is, knowing and learned), but <I>righteous</I>
|
|
(that is, honest and good), and not only <I>righteous</I> (that is,
|
|
conscientious and well-meaning), but <I>wise</I> (that is, prudent and
|
|
discreet) in the management of themselves. If such the children be,
|
|
especially all the children, the father and mother will be glad, and
|
|
think nothing too much that they have done, or do, for them; they will
|
|
please themselves in them, and give God thanks for them; particularly
|
|
she that bore them with pain, and nursed them with pains, will rejoice
|
|
in them, and reckon herself well requited, and the sorrow more than
|
|
forgotten, because a wise and good man is the product of it, who is a
|
|
blessing to the world he was born into.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. Some general precepts of wisdom and virtue.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. <I>Guide thy heart in the way,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is the heart that must be taken care of and directed aright; the
|
|
motions and affections of the soul must be towards right objects and
|
|
under a steady guidance. If the heart be guided in the way, the steps
|
|
will be guided and the conversation well ordered.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. <I>Buy the truth and sell it not,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Truth is that by which the heart must be guided and governed, for
|
|
without truth there is no goodness; no regular practices without right
|
|
principles. It is by the power of truth, known and believed, that we
|
|
must be kept back from sin and constrained to duty. The understanding
|
|
must be well-informed with wisdom and instruction, and therefore,
|
|
|
|
(1.) We must buy it, that is, be willing to part with any thing for it.
|
|
He does not say at what rate we must buy it, because we cannot buy it
|
|
too dear, but must have it at any rate; whatever it costs us, we shall
|
|
not repent the bargain. When we are at expense for the means of
|
|
knowledge, and resolved not to starve so good a cause, then we <I>buy
|
|
the truth.</I> Riches should be employed for the getting of knowledge,
|
|
rather than knowledge for the getting of riches. When we are at pains
|
|
in searching after truth, that we may come to the knowledge of it and
|
|
may distinguish between it and error, then we buy it. <I>Dii laboribus
|
|
omnia vendunt--Heaven concedes every thing to the laborious.</I> When
|
|
we choose rather to suffer loss in our temporal interest than to deny
|
|
or neglect the truth they we buy it; and it is a pearl of such great
|
|
price that we must be willing to part with all to purchase it, must
|
|
make shipwreck of estate, trade, preferment, rather than of faith and a
|
|
good conscience.
|
|
|
|
(2.) We must not sell it. Do not part with it for pleasures, honours,
|
|
riches, any things in this world. Do not neglect the study of it, nor
|
|
throw off the profession of it, nor revolt from under the dominion of
|
|
it, for the getting or saving of any secular interest whatsoever.
|
|
<I>Hold fast the form of sound words,</I> and never let it go upon any
|
|
terms.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. <I>Give my thy heart,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
God in this exhortation, speaks to us as unto children: "Son, Daughter,
|
|
<I>Give my thy heart.</I>" The heart is that which the great God
|
|
requires and calls for from every one of us; whatever we give, if we do
|
|
not give him our hearts, it will not be accepted. We must set our love
|
|
upon him. Our thoughts must converse much with him, and on him, as our
|
|
highest end. <I>The intents of our hearts</I> must be fastened. We must
|
|
make it our own act and deed to devote ourselves to the Lord, and we
|
|
must be free and cheerful in it. We must not think to divide the heart
|
|
between God and the world; he will have all or none. <I>Thou shalt love
|
|
the Lord thy God with all thy heart.</I> To this call we must readily
|
|
answer, "<I>My father, take my heart,</I> such as it is, and make it
|
|
such as it should be; take possession of it, and set up thy throne in
|
|
it."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. <I>Let thy eyes observe my ways;</I> have an eye to the rule of
|
|
God's word, the conduct of his providence, and the good examples of his
|
|
people. Our eyes must observe these, as he that writes observes his
|
|
copy, that we may keep in the right paths and may proceed and persevere
|
|
in them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. Some particular cautions against those sins which are, of all sins,
|
|
the most destructive to the seeds of wisdom and grace in the soul,
|
|
which impoverish and ruin it.
|
|
|
|
1. Gluttony and drunkenness,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:20,21"><I>v.</I> 20, 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
The world is full of examples of this sin and temptations to it, which
|
|
all young people are concerned to stand upon their guard against and
|
|
keep at a distance from <I>Be not a wine-bibber;</I> we are allowed to
|
|
drink <I>a little wine</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ti+5:23">1 Tim. v. 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
but not much, not to make a trade of it, never to drink to excess.
|
|
<I>Be not a riotous eater of flesh,</I> as the Israelites were, who
|
|
lusted exceedingly after it, saying, <I>Who will give us flesh to
|
|
eat?</I> Whereas Paul, though he is free to eat flesh, yet resolves
|
|
that <I>he will eat no flesh while the world stands rather than make
|
|
his brother to offend;</I> so indifferent is he to it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+8:13">1 Cor. viii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>Be not an</I> excessive <I>eater of flesh.</I> Intemperance must be
|
|
avoided in meat as well as drink. <I>Be not a</I> luxurious <I>eater of
|
|
flesh,</I> not pleased with any thing but what is very nice and
|
|
delicate, savoury dishes, and forced meat. Some take not only a
|
|
pleasure, but a pride, in being curious about their diet, and, as they
|
|
call it, eating well; as if that were the ornament of a gentleman,
|
|
which is really the shame of a Christian, making a God of the belly.
|
|
"<I>Be not a wine bibber,</I> and <I>be not a riotous eater;</I> and
|
|
therefore, <I>be not among wine-bibbers</I> nor <I>among riotous
|
|
eaters;</I> do not give them countenance, lest thou learn their ways
|
|
and insensibly fall into those sins, or at least lose the dread and
|
|
detestation of them. They covet to have thee among them; for those that
|
|
are debauched themselves are very desirous to debauch others; therefore
|
|
do not gratify them, lest thou endanger thyself." He fetches an
|
|
argument against this sin from the expensiveness of it and its tendency
|
|
to impoverish men: and if men will not be deterred from it by the ruin
|
|
it brings on their secular interests, which lie nearest their hearts,
|
|
no marvel that they are not frightened from it by what they are told
|
|
out of the word of God of the mischief it does them in their spiritual
|
|
and eternal concerns. <I>The drunkard and the glutton</I> hate to be
|
|
reformed, though they are told they <I>shall come to poverty,</I> nay,
|
|
though they are told they shall come to hell. Drunkenness is the cause
|
|
of <I>drowsiness;</I> it stupefies men, and makes them inattentive to
|
|
business, and then all goes to wreck and ruin: thus men that have lived
|
|
creditably come to be <I>clothed with rags.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. Whoredom. This is another sin which <I>takes away the heart</I> that
|
|
should be given to God,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+4:11">Hos. iv. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
He shows the danger which attends that sin,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:27,28"><I>v.</I> 27, 28</A>,
|
|
|
|
(1.) It is a sin from which few recover themselves when once they are
|
|
entangled in it. It is like <I>a deep ditch</I> and <I>a narrow
|
|
pit,</I> which it is almost impossible to get out of; and therefore it
|
|
is wisdom to keep far enough from the brink of it. Take heed of making
|
|
any approaches towards this sin, because it is so hard to make a
|
|
retreat from it, conscience, which should head the retreat, being
|
|
debauched by it, and divine grace forfeited.
|
|
|
|
(2.) It is a sin which bewitches men to their ruin: <I>The adulteress
|
|
lies in wait as a robber,</I> pretending friendship, but designing the
|
|
greatest mischief, to rob them of all they have that is valuable, to
|
|
strip them both of their armour and of their ornaments. Even those
|
|
who, being virtuously educated, endeavour to shun the adulteress, she
|
|
will <I>lie in wait</I> for, that she may assault them when they are
|
|
off their guard and she has them at an advantage. Let none therefore be
|
|
at any time secure.
|
|
|
|
(3.) It is a sin that contributes more than any other to the spreading
|
|
of vice and immorality in a kingdom: It <I>increases the transgressors
|
|
among men.</I> One adulteress may be the ruin of many a precious soul
|
|
and may help to debauch a whole town. It increases the treacherous or
|
|
perfidious ones; it not only occasions husbands to be false to their
|
|
wives and servants to their masters, but many that have professed
|
|
religion to throw off their profession and break their covenants with
|
|
God. Houses of uncleanness are therefore such pest-houses as ought to
|
|
be suppressed by those whose office it is to take care of the public
|
|
welfare.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Cautions against Intemperance.</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="Pr23_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Pr23_35"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who
|
|
hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of
|
|
eyes?
|
|
30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed
|
|
wine.
|
|
31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth
|
|
his colour in the cup, <I>when</I> it moveth itself aright.
|
|
32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an
|
|
adder.
|
|
33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall
|
|
utter perverse things.
|
|
34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the
|
|
sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
|
|
35 They have stricken me, <I>shalt thou say, and</I> I was not sick;
|
|
they have beaten me, <I>and</I> I felt <I>it</I> not: when shall I awake? I
|
|
will seek it yet again.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Solomon here gives fair warning against the sin of drunkenness, to
|
|
confirm what he had said,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He cautions all people to keep out of the way of temptations to this
|
|
sin
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Look not thou upon the wine when it is red.</I> Red wine was in
|
|
Canaan looked upon as the best wine, it is therefore called <I>the
|
|
blood of the grape.</I> Critics judge of wine, among other indications,
|
|
by the colour of it; some wine, they say, looks charmingly, looks so
|
|
well that it even says, "Come and drink me;" <I>it moves itself
|
|
aright,</I> goes down very smoothly, or perhaps the roughness of it is
|
|
grateful. It is said of generous strong-bodied wine that it even
|
|
<I>causes the lips of those that are asleep to speak,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+7:9">Cant. vii. 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
But <I>look not thou upon it.</I>
|
|
|
|
1. "Be not ruled by sense, but by reason and religion. Covet not that
|
|
which pleases the eye, in hopes that it will please the taste; but let
|
|
thy serious thoughts correct the errors of thy senses and convince thee
|
|
that that which seems delightful is really hurtful, and resolve against
|
|
it accordingly. Let not the heart walk after the eye, for it is a
|
|
deceitful guide."
|
|
|
|
2. "Be not too bold with the charms of this or any other sin; <I>look
|
|
not,</I> lest thou lust, lest thou take the forbidden fruit." Note
|
|
Those that would be kept from any sin must keep themselves from all the
|
|
occasions and beginnings of it, and be afraid of coming within the
|
|
reach of its allurements, lest they be overcome by them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He shows the many pernicious consequences of the sin of
|
|
drunkenness, for the enforcement of this caution. Take heed of the
|
|
bait, for fear of the hook: <I>At the last it bites,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
All sin will be bitterness in the end, and this sin particularly. <I>It
|
|
bites like a serpent,</I> when the drunkard is made sick by his
|
|
surfeit, thrown by it into a dropsy or some fatal disease, beggared and
|
|
ruined in his estate, especially when his conscience is awakened and he
|
|
cannot reflect upon it without horror and indignation at himself, but
|
|
worst of all, at last, when the cup of drunkenness shall be turned into
|
|
a cup of trembling, the cup of the Lord's wrath, the dregs of which he
|
|
must be for ever drinking, and shall not have a drop of water to cool
|
|
his inflamed tongue. To take off the force of the temptation that there
|
|
is in the pleasure of the sin, foresee the punishment of it, and what
|
|
it will at last end in if repentance prevent not. In <I>its latter end
|
|
it bites</I> (so the word is); think therefore what will be <I>in the
|
|
end thereof.</I> But the inspired writer chooses to specify those
|
|
pernicious consequences of this sin which are present and sensible.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. It embroils men in quarrels, makes them quarrel with others, and say
|
|
and do that which gives others occasion to quarrel with them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
He asks, <I>Who hath woe? Who hath sorrow?</I> Who has not, in this
|
|
world? Many have woe and sorrow, and cannot help it; but drunkards
|
|
wilfully create woe and sorrow to themselves. Those that have
|
|
<I>contentions</I> have <I>woe and sorrow;</I> and drunkards are the
|
|
fools whose <I>lips enter into contention.</I> When the wine is in the
|
|
wit is out and the passions are up; and thence come drunken scuffles,
|
|
and drunken frays, and drunken disputes over the cups; many a vexatious
|
|
ruining law-suit has begun thus. There is <I>babbling,</I> quarrels in
|
|
word and the exchanging of scurrilous language; yet it rests not there:
|
|
you shall have <I>wounds without cause,</I> for causes are things which
|
|
drunkards are in no capacity to judge of, and therefore they deal blows
|
|
about without the least consideration why or wherefore, and must expect
|
|
to be in like manner treated themselves. The wounds which men receive
|
|
in defence of their country and its just rights are their honour; but
|
|
<I>wounds without cause,</I> received in the service of their lusts,
|
|
are marks of their infamy. Nay, drunkards wound themselves in a tender
|
|
part, for they have <I>redness of eyes,</I> symptoms of an inward
|
|
inflammation; their sight is weakened by it, and their looks are
|
|
deformed. This comes,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Of drinking long, <I>tarrying long at the wine,</I> and spending
|
|
that time in drunken company which should be spent in useful business,
|
|
or in sleep, which should fit for business,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
O the precious hours which thousands throw away thus, every one of
|
|
which will be brought into the account at the great day!
|
|
|
|
(2.) Of drinking that which is strong and intoxicating. <I>They go</I>
|
|
up and down <I>to seek wine</I> that will please them; their great
|
|
enquiry is, "Where is the best liquor?" <I>They seek mixed wine,</I>
|
|
which is most palatable, but most heady, so willingly do they sacrifice
|
|
their reason to please their palate!</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. It makes men impure and insolent,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) The <I>eyes</I> grow unruly and <I>behold strange women</I> to
|
|
lust after them, and so let in adultery into the heart. <I>Est Venus in
|
|
vinis--Wine is oil to the fire of lust. Thy eyes shall behold strange
|
|
things</I> (so some read it); when men are drunk the house turns round
|
|
with them, and every thing looks strange to them, so that them they
|
|
cannot trust their own eyes.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The tongue also grows unruly and talks extravagantly; by it the
|
|
<I>heart utters perverse things,</I> things contrary to reason,
|
|
religion, and common civility, which they would be ashamed to speak if
|
|
they were sober. What ridiculous incoherent nonsense men will talk when
|
|
they are drunk who at another time will speak admirably well and to the
|
|
purpose!</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. It stupefies and besots men,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
When men are drunk they know not where they are nor what they say and
|
|
do.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Their heads are giddy, and when they lie down to sleep they are as
|
|
if they were tossed by the rolling waves <I>of the sea,</I> or <I>upon
|
|
the top of a mast;</I> hence they complain that their heads swim; their
|
|
sleep is commonly unquiet and not refreshing, and their dreams are
|
|
tumultuous.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Their judgments are clouded, and they have no more steadiness and
|
|
consistency than he that sleeps <I>upon the top of a mast:</I> they
|
|
<I>drink and forget the law</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+31:5"><I>ch.</I> xxxi. 5</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>they err through wine</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+28:7">Isa. xxviii. 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
and think as extravagantly as they talk.
|
|
|
|
(3.) They are heedless and fearless of danger, and senseless of the
|
|
rebukes they are under either from God or man. They are in imminent
|
|
danger of death, of damnation, lie as much exposed as if they slept
|
|
<I>upon the top of a mast,</I> and yet are secure and sleep on. They
|
|
fear no peril when the terrors of the Lord are laid before them; nay,
|
|
they feel no pain when the judgments of God are actually upon them;
|
|
they cry not when he binds them. Set a drunkard in the stocks, and he
|
|
is not sensible of the punishment. "<I>They have stricken me, and I was
|
|
not sick; I felt it not:</I> it made no impression at all upon me."
|
|
Drunkenness turns me into stocks and stones; they are scarcely to be
|
|
reckoned animals; they are dead while they live.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. Worst of all, the heart is hardened in the sin, and the sinner,
|
|
notwithstanding all these present mischiefs that attend it, obstinately
|
|
persist in it, and hates to be reformed: <I>When shall I awake?</I>
|
|
Much ado he has to shake off the chains of his drunken sleep; he can
|
|
hardly get clear of the fumes of the wine, though he strives with them,
|
|
that (being thirsty in the morning) he may return to it again. So
|
|
perfectly lost is he to all sense of virtue and honour, and so
|
|
wretchedly is his conscience seared, that he is not ashamed to say,
|
|
<I>I will seek it yet again. There is no hope; no, they have loved</I>
|
|
drunkards, and <I>after them they will go,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+2:25">Jer. ii. 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
This is <I>adding drunkenness to thirst,</I> and <I>following strong
|
|
drink;</I> those that do so may read their doom
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+29:19,20">Deut. xxix. 19, 20</A>,
|
|
|
|
their <I>woe</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+5:11">Isa. v. 11</A>,
|
|
|
|
and, if this be the end of the sin, with good reason were we directed
|
|
to stop at the beginning of it: <I>Look not upon the wine when it is
|
|
red.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
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