mh_parser/vol_split/20 - Proverbs/Chapter 23.xml

<div2 id="Prov.xxiv" n="xxiv" next="Prov.xxv" prev="Prov.xxiii" progress="83.85%" title="Chapter XXIII">
<h2 id="Prov.xxiv-p0.1">P R O V E R B S</h2>
<h3 id="Prov.xxiv-p0.2">CHAP. XXIII.</h3>
<h4 id="Prov.xxiv-p0.3">Cautions against Luxury and
Covetousness.</h4>
<scripCom id="Prov.xxiv-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23" parsed="|Prov|23|0|0|0" passage="Pr 23" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Prov.xxiv-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.1-Prov.23.3" parsed="|Prov|23|1|23|3" passage="Pr 23:1-3" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.23.1-Prov.23.3">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiv-p1">1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler,
consider diligently what <i>is</i> before thee:   2 And put a
knife to thy throat, if thou <i>be</i> a man given to appetite.
  3 Be not desirous of his dainties: for they <i>are</i>
deceitful meat.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p2">The sin we are here warned against is
luxury and sensuality, and the indulgence of the appetite in eating
and drinking, a sin that most easily besets us. 1. We are here told
when we enter into temptation, and are in most danger of falling
into this sin: "<i>When thou sittest to eat with a ruler</i> thou
has great plenty before thee, varieties and dainties, such a table
spread as thou has seldom seen; thou are ready to think, as Haman
did, of nothing but the honour hereby done thee (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p2.1" osisRef="Bible:Esth.5.12" parsed="|Esth|5|12|0|0" passage="Es 5:12">Esth. v. 12</scripRef>), and the opportunity thou hast of
pleasing thy palate, and forgettest that there is a snare laid for
thee." Perhaps the temptation may be stronger, and more dangerous,
to one that is not used to such entertainments, than to one that
always sits down to a good table. 2. We are here directed to double
our guard at such a time. We must, (1.) Apprehend ourselves to be
in danger: "<i>Consider diligently what is before thee,</i> what
meat and drink are before thee, that thou mayest choose that which
is safest for thee and which thou art least likely to eat and drink
of to excess. Consider what company is before thee, the ruler
himself, who, if he be wise and good, will take it as an affront
for any of his guests to disorder themselves at his table." And, if
when we sit to eat with a ruler, much more when we sit to eat with
the ruler of rulers at the Lord's table, must we <i>consider
diligently what is before us,</i> that we may not in any respect
<i>eat and drink unworthily,</i> unbecomingly, lest that table
become a snare. (2.) We must alarm ourselves into temperance and
moderation: "<i>Put a knife to thy throat,</i> that is, restrain
thyself, as it were with a sword hanging over thy head, from all
excess. Let these words, <i>Take heed lest at any time your hearts
be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and so that day
come upon you unawares</i>—or those, <i>For all these things, God
shall bring thee into judgment</i>—or those, <i>Drunkards, shall
not inherit the kingdom of God,</i> be a knife to the throat." The
Latins call luxury <i>gula</i>—<i>the throat.</i> "Take up arms
against that sin. Rather be so abstemious that thy craving appetite
will begin to think thy throat cut than indulge thyself in
voluptuousness." We must never <i>feed ourselves without fear</i>
(<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p2.2" osisRef="Bible:Jude.1.12" parsed="|Jude|1|12|0|0" passage="Jude 1:12">Jude 12</scripRef>), but we must in
a special manner fear when temptation is before us. (3.) We must
reason ourselves into a holy contempt of the gratifications of
sense: "<i>If thou be a man given to appetite,</i> thou must, by a
present solution, and an application of the terrors of the Lord,
restrain thyself. When thou art in danger of falling into any
excess <i>put a knife to thy throat;</i> that may serve for once.
But that is not enough: lay the axe to the root; mortify that
appetite which has such a power over thee: <i>Be not desirous of
dainties.</i>" Note, We ought to observe what is our own iniquity,
and, if we find ourselves addicted to flesh-pleasing, we must not
only stand upon our guard against temptations from without, but
subdue the corruption within. Nature is desirous of food, and we
are taught to pray for it, but it is lust that is desirous of
dainties, and we cannot in faith pray for them, for frequently they
are not food convenient for mind, body, or estate. They are
deceitful meat, and therefore David, instead of praying for them,
prays against them, <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p2.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.141.4" parsed="|Ps|141|4|0|0" passage="Ps 141:4">Ps. cxli.
4</scripRef>. They are pleasant to the palate, but perhaps rise in
the stomach, turn sour there, upbraid a man, and make him sick.
They do not yield men the satisfaction they promised themselves
from them; for those that are given to appetite, when they have
that which is very dainty, are not pleased; they are soon weary of
it; they must have something else more dainty. The more a luxurious
appetite is humoured and indulged the more humour some and
troublesome it grows, and the more hard to please; dainties will
surfeit, but never satisfy. But especially they are upon
<i>this</i> account deceitful meat, that, while they please the
body, they prejudice the soul, they overcharge the heart, and unfit
it for the service of God, nay, they take away the heart, and
alienate the mind from spiritual delights, and spoil its relish of
them. Why then should we covet that which will certainly cheat
us?</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiv-p2.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.4-Prov.23.5" parsed="|Prov|23|4|23|5" passage="Pr 23:4-5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.23.4-Prov.23.5">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiv-p3">4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own
wisdom.   5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?
for <i>riches</i> certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as
an eagle toward heaven.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p4">As some are given to appetite (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.2" parsed="|Prov|23|2|0|0" passage="Pr 23:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>) so others to
covetousness, and those Solomon here takes to task. Men cheat
themselves as much by setting their hearts on money (though it
seems most substantial) as by setting them on dainties.
Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p5">I. How he dissuades the covetous man from
toiling and tormenting himself (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.4" parsed="|Prov|23|4|0|0" passage="Pr 23:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>). "Do not <i>aim to be rich,</i>
to raise an estate, and to make what thou hast in abundance more
than it is." We must endeavor to live comfortably, and provide for
our children and families, according as our rank and condition are,
but we must not seek great things. Be not of those that will be
rich, that desire it as their chief good and design it as their
highest end, <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.6.9" parsed="|1Tim|6|9|0|0" passage="1Ti 6:9">1 Tim. vi. 9</scripRef>.
Covetous men think it is their wisdom, imagining that if they be
rich to such a degree they shall be completely happy. <i>Cease from
that wisdom,</i> for it is a mistake; <i>a man's life consists not
in the abundance of the things which he possesses,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.12.15" parsed="|Luke|12|15|0|0" passage="Lu 12:15">Luke xii. 15</scripRef>. 1. Those that aim at
great things fill their hands with business more than they can
grasp, so that their life is both a perfect drudgery and a
perpetual hurry; but be not thou such a fool; <i>labour not to be
rich.</i> What thou hast, or doest, be master of it, and not a
slave to it as those that <i>rise up early, sit up late,</i> and
<i>eat the bread of carefulness,</i> and all to be rich. Moderate
labour, <i>that we may have to give,</i> is our wisdom and duty,
<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Eph.4.28" parsed="|Eph|4|28|0|0" passage="Eph 4:28">Eph. iv. 28</scripRef>. Immoderate
labour, that we may have to hoard, is our sin and folly. 2. They
fill their heads with projects more than they understand, so that
their life is a constant toss of care and fear; but do not thou
thus vex thyself: <i>Cease from thy own wisdom;</i> go on quietly
in the way of thy business, not contriving new ways and setting thy
wits to work to find out new inventions. Acquiesce in God's wisdom,
and cease from thy own, <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.3.5-Prov.3.6" parsed="|Prov|3|5|3|6" passage="Pr 3:5,6"><i>ch.</i>
iii. 5, 6</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p6">II. How he dissuades the covetous man from
cheating and deceiving himself by an inordinate love and pursuit of
that which is vanity and vexation of spirit; for,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p7">1. It is not substantial and satisfying:
"<i>Wilt thou</i> be such a fool as to <i>set thy eyes,</i> to
cause thy eyes to fly with eagerness and violence, <i>upon that
which is not?</i>" Note, (1.) The things of this world are things
that are not. They have a real existence in nature and are the real
gifts of Providence, but in the kingdom of grace they are things
that are not; they are not a happiness and portion for a soul, are
not what they promise to be nor what we expect them to be; they are
a show, a shadow, a sham upon the soul that trusts to them. They
are not, for in a little while they will not be, they will not be
ours; they perish in the using; the fashion of them passes away.
(2.) It is therefore folly for us to set our eyes upon them, to
admire them as the best things, to appropriate them to ourselves as
our good things, and to aim at them as our mark at which all our
actions are levelled, to fly upon them as the eagle upon her prey.
"Wilt thou do a thing so absurd in itself? What thou, a reasonable
creature, wilt thou dote upon shadows? The eyes are put for
rational and intellectual powers; wilt thou throw those away upon
such undeserving objects? To set the hands and feet upon the world
is well enough, but not the eyes, the eyes of the mind; those were
made to contemplate better things. Wilt thou, my son, that
professest religion, put such an affront upon God (towards whom the
eyes should ever be) and such an abuse upon thy soul?"</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p8">2. It is not durable and abiding. Riches
are very uncertain things; certainly they are so: <i>They make
themselves wings, and fly away.</i> The more we cause our eyes to
fly upon them the more likely they are to fly away from us. (1.)
Riches will leave us. Those that hold them ever so fast cannot hold
them long; either they must be taken from us or we must be taken
from them. The goods are said to flow away as a stream (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.20.28" parsed="|Job|20|28|0|0" passage="Job 20:28">Job xx. 28</scripRef>), here to flee as a bird.
(2.) Perhaps they may leave us suddenly, when we have taken a great
deal of pains for them and begin to take a great deal of pride and
pleasure in them. The covetous man sits hatching upon his wealth,
and brooding over it, till it is fledged, as the young ones under
the hen, and then it is gone. Or, as if a man should be fond of a
flight of wild-fowl that light in his field, and call them his own
because they are upon his ground, whereas, if he offers to come
near them, they take wing immediately and are gone to another man's
field. (3.) The wings they fly away upon are of their own making.
They have in themselves the principles of their own corruption,
their own moth and rust. They are wasting in their own nature, and
like a handful of dust, which, if it be grasped, slips through the
fingers. Snow will last awhile, and look pretty, if it be left to
lie on the ground where it fell, but, if gathered up and laid in
the bosom, it is dissolved and gone immediately. (4.) They go
irresistibly and irrecoverably, as <i>an eagle toward heaven,</i>
that flies strongly (there is no stopping her), and flies out of
sight and out of call (there is no bringing her back); thus do
riches leave men, and leave them in grief and vexation if they set
their hearts upon them.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiv-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.6-Prov.23.8" parsed="|Prov|23|6|23|8" passage="Pr 23:6-8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.23.6-Prov.23.8">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiv-p9">6 Eat thou not the bread of <i>him that hath</i>
an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:   7 For as
he thinketh in his heart, so <i>is</i> he: Eat and drink, saith he
to thee; but his heart <i>is</i> not with thee.   8 The morsel
<i>which</i> thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy
sweet words.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p10">Those that are voluptuous and given to
appetite (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.2" parsed="|Prov|23|2|0|0" passage="Pr 23:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>) are
glad to be where there is good cheer stirring, and those that are
covetous and saving, that they may spare at home, will be glad to
get a dinner at another man's table; and therefore both are here
advised not to be forward to accept of every man's invitation, but
especially not to thrust themselves in uninvited. Observe, 1. There
are those that pretend to bid their friends welcome that are not
hearty and sincere in it. They have a fair tongue, and know what
they should say: <i>Eat and drink, saith he,</i> because it is
expected that the master of the feast should so compliment his
guests; but they have <i>an evil eye,</i> and grudge their guests
every bit they eat, especially if the eat freely. They would seem
to be liberal in making the entertainment, and would have the
credit of it, but they have so great a love to their money, and so
little to their friends, that they cannot have the comfort of it,
nor any enjoyment of themselves or their friends. The miser's feast
is his penance. If a man be so very selfish, and sordid, and mean
that he cannot find in his heart to bid his friends welcome to what
he has, he ought not to add to that the guilt of dissimulation by
inviting them, but let him own himself to be what he is, that
<i>the vile person may not be called liberal nor the churl
bountiful,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.32.5" parsed="|Isa|32|5|0|0" passage="Isa 32:5">Isa. xxxii.
5</scripRef>. 2. One can have no comfort in accepting the
entertainments that are given grudgingly: "<i>Eat not thou the
bread</i> of such a man; let him keep it to himself. Do not sponge
upon those that are bountiful, nor make thyself burdensome to any;
but especially scorn to be beholden to those that are paltry and
not sincere. Better have a dinner of herbs, and true welcome, than
<i>dainty meats</i> without it. Therefore," (1.) "Judge of the man
as his mind is. Thou thinkest to pay thy respect to him as a
friend, so thou takest him to be, because he compliments thee, but
<i>as he thinks in his heart so is he,</i> not as he speaks with
his tongue." We are that really, both to God and man, which we are
inwardly; and neither religion nor friendship is worth any thing
further than as it is sincere. (2.) "Judge of the meat as the
digestion is and as it agrees with thee. He bids thee eat freely,
but, first or last, he will discover his sordid covetous humour,
and <i>as he thinks in his heart</i> so will he look, and give thee
to understand that thou art not welcome, and then <i>the morsel
thou hast eaten thou shalt vomit up;</i> the very thought of that
will make thee even to vomit the meat thou hast eaten, and eat the
words thou has spoken in returning his compliments and giving him
thanks for his civilities. Thou shalt <i>lose thy sweet words,</i>
which he has given thee and thou has given him."</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiv-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.9" parsed="|Prov|23|9|0|0" passage="Pr 23:9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.23.9">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiv-p11">9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will
despise the wisdom of thy words.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p12">We are here directed not to <i>cast pearls
before swine</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.7.6" parsed="|Matt|7|6|0|0" passage="Mt 7:6">Matt. vii.
6</scripRef>) and not to expose things sacred to the contempt and
ridicule of profane scoffers. It is our duty to take all fit
occasions to speak of divine things; but, 1. There are some that
will make a jest of every thing, though it be ever so prudently and
pertinently spoken, that will not only despise a wise man's words,
but despise even the wisdom of them, that in them which is most
improvable for their own edification; they will particularly
reproach that, as if it had an ill design upon them, which they
must guard against. 2. Those that do so forfeit the benefit of good
advice and instruction, and a wise man is not only allowed, but
advised, not to <i>speak in the ears</i> of such fools; let them be
foolish still, and let not precious breath be thrown away upon
them. If what a wise man says in his wisdom will not be heard, let
him hold his peace, and try whether the wisdom of that will be
regarded.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiv-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.10-Prov.23.11" parsed="|Prov|23|10|23|11" passage="Pr 23:10-11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.23.10-Prov.23.11">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiv-p13">10 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not
into the fields of the fatherless:   11 For their redeemer
<i>is</i> mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p14">Note, 1. The fatherless are taken under
God's special protection; with him they not only find mercy shown
to them (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Hos.14.3" parsed="|Hos|14|3|0|0" passage="Ho 14:3">Hos. xiv. 3</scripRef>) but
justice done for them. He is <i>their Redeemer,</i> their
<i>Goël,</i> their near kinsman, that will take their part and
stand up for them with jealousy, as taking himself affronted in the
injuries done to them. As their Redeemer <i>he will plead their
cause</i> against those that do them any injury, and, one way or
other, will not only defend their right, and recover it for them,
but avenge the wrongs done to them. And he <i>is mighty,</i>
almighty; his omnipotence is engaged and employed for their
protection, and their 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>
<h4 id="Prov.xxiv-p14.2">Parental Duties.</h4>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiv-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.12-Prov.23.16" parsed="|Prov|23|12|23|16" passage="Pr 23:12-16" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.23.12-Prov.23.16">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiv-p15">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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p16">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> <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:3John.1.4" parsed="|3John|1|4|0|0" passage="3Jo 1:4">3 John 4</scripRef>. "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>
<h4 id="Prov.xxiv-p16.2">Parental Advice.</h4>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiv-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.17-Prov.23.18" parsed="|Prov|23|17|23|18" passage="Pr 23:17-18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.23.17-Prov.23.18">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiv-p17">17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but <i>be
thou</i> in the fear of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.xxiv-p17.1">Lord</span> all
the day long.   18 For surely there is an end; and thine
expectation shall not be cut off.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p18">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 (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.12.14" parsed="|Ps|12|14|0|0" passage="Ps 12:14">Ps. xii. 14</scripRef>), nay, it is their
poison," <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.1.32" parsed="|Prov|1|32|0|0" passage="Pr 1:32">Prov. i. 32</scripRef>. 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> (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.38" parsed="|Ps|119|38|0|0" passage="Ps 119:38">Ps. cxix.
38</scripRef>); 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 (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.18" parsed="|Prov|23|18|0|0" passage="Pr 23:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>):
<i>Surely there is an end,</i> an end and expectation, as <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p18.5" osisRef="Bible:Jer.29.11" parsed="|Jer|29|11|0|0" passage="Jer 29:11">Jer. xxix. 11</scripRef>. <i>There will be an
end of the prosperity of the wicked,</i> therefore <i>do not envy
them</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p18.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.73.17" parsed="|Ps|73|17|0|0" passage="Ps 73:17">Ps. lxxiii. 17</scripRef>);
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>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiv-p18.7" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.19-Prov.23.28" parsed="|Prov|23|19|23|28" passage="Pr 23:19-28" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.23.19-Prov.23.28">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiv-p19">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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p20">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 class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p21">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> <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.19" parsed="|Prov|23|19|0|0" passage="Pr 23:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.22" parsed="|Prov|23|22|0|0" passage="Pr 23:22"><i>v.</i>
22</scripRef>): "<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, <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.30.17" parsed="|Prov|30|17|0|0" passage="Pr 30:17"><i>ch.</i> xxx.
17</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p22">II. An argument to enforce this call, taken
from the great comfort which this will be to their parents,
<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.24-Prov.23.25" parsed="|Prov|23|24|23|25" passage="Pr 23:24,25"><i>v.</i> 24, 25</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p23">III. Some general precepts of wisdom and
virtue.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p24">1. <i>Guide thy heart in the way,</i>
<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.19" parsed="|Prov|23|19|0|0" passage="Pr 23:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p25">2. <i>Buy the truth and sell it not,</i>
<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.23" parsed="|Prov|23|23|0|0" passage="Pr 23:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p26">3. <i>Give me thy heart,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.26" parsed="|Prov|23|26|0|0" passage="Pr 23:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p27">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 class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p28">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, <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.20-Prov.23.21" parsed="|Prov|23|20|23|21" passage="Pr 23:20,21"><i>v.</i>
20, 21</scripRef>. 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>
(<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p28.2" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.5.23" parsed="|1Tim|5|23|0|0" passage="1Ti 5:23">1 Tim. v. 23</scripRef>), 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,
<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p28.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.8.13" parsed="|1Cor|8|13|0|0" passage="1Co 8:13">1 Cor. viii. 13</scripRef>. <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, <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p28.4" osisRef="Bible:Hos.4.11" parsed="|Hos|4|11|0|0" passage="Ho 4:11">Hos. iv.
11</scripRef>. He shows the danger which attends that sin,
<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p28.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.27-Prov.23.28" parsed="|Prov|23|27|23|28" passage="Pr 23:27,28"><i>v.</i> 27, 28</scripRef>, (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>
<h4 id="Prov.xxiv-p28.6">Cautions against
Intemperance.</h4>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxiv-p28.7" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.29-Prov.23.35" parsed="|Prov|23|29|23|35" passage="Pr 23:29-35" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.23.29-Prov.23.35">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxiv-p29">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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p30">Solomon here gives fair warning against the
sin of drunkenness, to confirm what he had said, <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.20" parsed="|Prov|23|20|0|0" passage="Pr 23:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p31">I. He cautions all people to keep out of
the way of temptations to this sin (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p31.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.31" parsed="|Prov|23|31|0|0" passage="Pr 23:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>): <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> <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p31.2" osisRef="Bible:Song.7.9" parsed="|Song|7|9|0|0" passage="So 7:9">Cant. vii. 9</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p32">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> <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.32" parsed="|Prov|23|32|0|0" passage="Pr 23:32"><i>v.</i>
32</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p33">1. It embroils men in quarrels, makes them
quarrel with others, and say and do that which gives others
occasion to quarrel with them, <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p33.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.29" parsed="|Prov|23|29|0|0" passage="Pr 23:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p33.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.30" parsed="|Prov|23|30|0|0" passage="Pr 23:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p34">2. It makes men impure and insolent,
<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p34.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.33" parsed="|Prov|23|33|0|0" passage="Pr 23:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>. (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 class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p35">3. It stupefies and besots men, <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p35.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.34" parsed="|Prov|23|34|0|0" passage="Pr 23:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>. 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> (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p35.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.31.5" parsed="|Prov|31|5|0|0" passage="Pr 31:5"><i>ch.</i> xxxi. 5</scripRef>): <i>they err through
wine</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p35.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.28.7" parsed="|Isa|28|7|0|0" passage="Isa 28:7">Isa. xxviii. 7</scripRef>),
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 class="indent" id="Prov.xxiv-p36">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> <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p36.1" osisRef="Bible:Jer.2.25" parsed="|Jer|2|25|0|0" passage="Jer 2:25">Jer.
ii. 25</scripRef>. This is <i>adding drunkenness to thirst,</i> and
<i>following strong drink;</i> those that do so may read their doom
<scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p36.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.29.19-Deut.29.20" parsed="|Deut|29|19|29|20" passage="De 29:19,20">Deut. xxix. 19, 20</scripRef>,
their <i>woe</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xxiv-p36.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.5.11" parsed="|Isa|5|11|0|0" passage="Isa 5:11">Isa. v.
11</scripRef>, 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>
</div></div2>