mh_parser/vol_split/20 - Proverbs/Chapter 4.xml

<div2 id="Prov.v" n="v" next="Prov.vi" prev="Prov.iv" progress="74.03%" title="Chapter IV">
<h2 id="Prov.v-p0.1">P R O V E R B S</h2>
<h3 id="Prov.v-p0.2">CHAP. IV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Prov.v-p1">When the things of God are to be taught precept
must be upon precept, and line upon line, not only because the
things themselves are of great worth and weight, but because men's
minds, at the best, are unapt to admit them and commonly prejudiced
against them; and therefore Solomon, in this chapter, with a great
variety of expression and a pleasant powerful flood of divine
eloquence, inculcates the same things that he had pressed upon us
in the foregoing chapters. Here is, I. An earnest exhortation to
the study of wisdom, that is, of true religion and godliness,
borrowed from the good instructions which his father gave him, and
enforced with many considerable arguments, <scripRef id="Prov.v-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.1-Prov.4.13" parsed="|Prov|4|1|4|13" passage="Pr 4:1-13">ver. 1-13</scripRef>. II. A necessary caution against
bad company and all fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, <scripRef id="Prov.v-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.14-Prov.4.19" parsed="|Prov|4|14|4|19" passage="Pr 4:14-19">ver. 14-19</scripRef>.
III. Particular directions for the attaining and preserving of
wisdom, and bringing forth the fruits of it, <scripRef id="Prov.v-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.20-Prov.4.27" parsed="|Prov|4|20|4|27" passage="Pr 4:20-27">ver. 20-27</scripRef>. So plainly, so pressingly, is
the case laid before us, that we shall be for ever inexcusable if
we perish in our folly.</p>
<scripCom id="Prov.v-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4" parsed="|Prov|4|0|0|0" passage="Pr 4" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Prov.v-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.1-Prov.4.13" parsed="|Prov|4|1|4|13" passage="Pr 4:1-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.4.1-Prov.4.13">
<h4 id="Prov.v-p1.6">Parental Instructions.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Prov.v-p2">1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a
father, and attend to know understanding.   2 For I give you
good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.   3 For I was my
father's son, tender and only <i>beloved</i> in the sight of my
mother.   4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine
heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.   5 Get
wisdom, get understanding: forget <i>it</i> not; neither decline
from the words of my mouth.   6 Forsake her not, and she shall
preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.   7 Wisdom
<i>is</i> the principal thing; <i>therefore</i> get wisdom: and
with all thy getting get understanding.   8 Exalt her, and she
shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost
embrace her.   9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of
grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.   10 Hear,
O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall
be many.   11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have
led thee in right paths.   12 When thou goest, thy steps shall
not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
  13 Take fast hold of instruction; let <i>her</i> not go:
keep her; for she <i>is</i> thy life.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p3">Here we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p4">I. The invitation which Solomon gives to
his children to come and receive instruction from him (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.1-Prov.4.2" parsed="|Prov|4|1|4|2" passage="Pr 4:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1, 2</scripRef>): <i>Hear, you
children, the instruction of a father.</i> That is, 1. "Let my own
children, in the first place, receive and give good heed to those
instructions which I set down for the use of others also." Note,
Magistrates and ministers, who are entrusted with the direction of
larger societies, are concerned to take a more than ordinary care
for the good instruction of their own families; from this duty
their public work will by no means excuse them. This charity must
begin at home, though it must not end there; for he that has not
his children in subjection with all gravity, and does not take
pains in their good education, how shall he do his duty as he ought
<i>to the church of God?</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.3.4-1Tim.3.5" parsed="|1Tim|3|4|3|5" passage="1Ti 3:4,5">1 Tim.
iii. 4, 5</scripRef>. The children of those that are eminent for
wisdom and public usefulness ought to improve in knowledge and
grace in proportion to the advantages they derive from their
relation to such parents. Yet it may be observed, to save both the
credit and the comfort of those parents whose children do not
answer the hopes that arose from their education, that Rehoboam,
the son of Solomon, was far from being either one of the wisest or
one of the best. We have reason to think that thousands have got
more good by Solomon's proverbs than his own son did, to whom they
seem to have been dedicated. 2. Let all young people, in the days
of their childhood and youth, take pains to get knowledge and
grace, for that is their learning age, and then their minds are
formed and seasoned. He does not say, <i>My</i> children, but
<i>You</i> children. We read but of one son that Solomon had of his
own; but (would you think it?) he is willing to set up for a
schoolmaster, and to teach other people's children! for at that age
there is most hope of success; the branch is easily bent when it is
young and tender. 3. Let all that would receive instruction come
with the disposition of children, though they be grown persons. Let
all prejudices be laid aside, and the mind be as white paper. let
them be dutiful, tractable, and self-diffident, and take the word
as the word of a father, which comes both with authority and with
affection. We must see it coming from God as <i>our Father in
heaven,</i> to whom we pray, from whom we expect blessings, the
Father of our spirits, to whom we ought to be in subjection, that
we may live. We must look upon our teachers as our fathers, who
love us and seek our welfare; and therefore though the instruction
carry in it reproof and correction, for so the word signifies, yet
we must bid it welcome. Now, (1.) To recommend it to us, we are
told, not only that it is the <i>instruction of a father,</i> but
that it is <i>understanding,</i> and therefore should be welcome to
intelligent creatures. Religion has reason on its side, and we are
taught it by fair reasoning. It is a law indeed (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.2" parsed="|Prov|4|2|0|0" passage="Pr 4:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), but that law is founded upon
doctrine, upon unquestionable principles of truth, upon <i>good
doctrine,</i> which is not only faithful, but worthy of all
acceptation. If we admit the doctrine, we cannot but submit to the
law. (2.) To rivet it in us, we are directed to receive it as a
gift, to attend to it with all diligence, to attend so as to know
it, for otherwise we cannot do it, and not to forsake it by
disowning the doctrine or disobeying the law.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p5">II. The instructions he gives them.
Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p6">1. How he came by these instructions; he
had them from his parents, and teaches his children the same that
they taught him, <scripRef id="Prov.v-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.3-Prov.4.4" parsed="|Prov|4|3|4|4" passage="Pr 4:3,4"><i>v.</i> 3,
4</scripRef>. Observe, (1.) His parents loved him, and therefore
taught him: <i>I was my father's son.</i> David had many sons, but
Solomon was his son <i>indeed,</i> as Isaac is called (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.17.19" parsed="|Gen|17|19|0|0" passage="Ge 17:19">Gen. xvii. 19</scripRef>) and for the same
reason, because on him the covenant was entailed. He was his
father's darling, above any of his children. God had a special
kindness for Solomon (the prophet called him <i>Jedidiah,</i>
because the Lord loved him, <scripRef id="Prov.v-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.12.25" parsed="|2Sam|12|25|0|0" passage="2Sa 12:25">2 Sam.
xii. 25</scripRef>), and for that reason David had a special
kindness for him, for he was a man after God's own heart. If
parents may ever love one child better than another, it must not be
till it plainly appears that God does so. He was <i>tender, and
only beloved, in the sight of his mother.</i> Surely there was a
manifest reason for making such a distinction when both the parents
made it. Now we see how they showed their love; they catechised
him, kept him to his book, and held him to a strict discipline.
Though he was a prince, and heir-apparent to the crown, yet they
did not let him live at large; nay, therefore they tutored him
thus. And perhaps David was the more strict with Solomon in his
education because he had seen the ill effects of an undue
indulgence in Adonijah, whom he had not <i>crossed in any thing</i>
(<scripRef id="Prov.v-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.1.6" parsed="|1Kgs|1|6|0|0" passage="1Ki 1:6">1 Kings i. 6</scripRef>), as also in
Absalom. (2.) What his parents taught him he teaches others.
Observe, [1.] When Solomon was grown up he not only remembered, but
took a pleasure in repeating, the good lessons his parents taught
him when he was a child. He did not forget them, so deep were the
impressions they made upon him. He was not ashamed of them, such a
high value had he for them, nor did he look upon them as the
childish things, the mean things, which, when he became a man, a
king, he should put away, as a disparagement to him; much less did
he repeat them: as some wicked children have done, to ridicule
them, and make his companions merry with them, priding himself that
he had got clear from grave lessons and restraints. [2.] Though
Solomon was a wise man himself, and divinely inspired, yet, when he
was to teach wisdom, he did not think it below him to quote his
father and to make use of his words. Those that would learn well,
and teach well, in religion, must not affect new-found notions and
new-coined phrases, so as to look with contempt upon the knowledge
and language of their predecessors; if we must keep to the good old
way, why should we scorn the good old words? <scripRef id="Prov.v-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:Jer.6.16" parsed="|Jer|6|16|0|0" passage="Jer 6:16">Jer. vi. 16</scripRef>. [3.] Solomon, having been well
educated by his parents, thought himself thereby obliged to give
his children a good education, the same that his parents had given
him; and this is one way in which we must requite our parents for
the pains they took with us, even by showing piety at home,
<scripRef id="Prov.v-p6.6" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.5.4" parsed="|1Tim|5|4|0|0" passage="1Ti 5:4">1 Tim. v. 4</scripRef>. They taught us,
not only that we might learn ourselves, but that we might teach our
children, the good knowledge of God, <scripRef id="Prov.v-p6.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.78.6" parsed="|Ps|78|6|0|0" passage="Ps 78:6">Ps. lxxviii. 6</scripRef>. And we are false to a trust if
we do not; for the sacred deposit of religious doctrine and law was
lodged in our hands with a charge to transmit it pure and entire to
those that shall <i>come after us,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p6.8" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.2.2" parsed="|2Tim|2|2|0|0" passage="2Ti 2:2">2 Tim. ii. 2</scripRef>. [4.] Solomon enforces his
exhortations with the authority of his father David, a man famous
in his generation upon all accounts. Be it taken notice of, to the
honour of religion, that the wisest and best men in every age have
been most zealous, not only for the practice of it themselves, but
for the propagating of it to others; and we should therefore
<i>continue in the things which we have learned, knowing of whom we
have learned them,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p6.9" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.3.14" parsed="|2Tim|3|14|0|0" passage="2Ti 3:14">2 Tim. iii.
14</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p7">2. What these instructions were, <scripRef id="Prov.v-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.4-Prov.4.13" parsed="|Prov|4|4|4|13" passage="Pr 4:4-13"><i>v.</i> 4-13</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p8">(1.) By way of precept and exhortation.
David, in teaching his son, though he was a child of great capacity
and quick apprehension, yet to show that he was in good earnest,
and to affect his child the more with what he said, expressed
himself with great warmth and importunity, and inculcated the same
thing again and again. So children must be taught. <scripRef id="Prov.v-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.6.7" parsed="|Deut|6|7|0|0" passage="De 6:7">Deut. vi. 7</scripRef>, <i>Thou shalt whet them
diligently upon thy children.</i> David, though he was a man of
public business, and had tutors for his son, took all this pains
with him himself.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p9">[1.] He recommends to him his Bible and his
catechism, as the means, his father's <i>words</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.4" parsed="|Prov|4|4|0|0" passage="Pr 4:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), the <i>words of his
mouth</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.5" parsed="|Prov|4|5|0|0" passage="Pr 4:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), his
<i>sayings</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.10" parsed="|Prov|4|10|0|0" passage="Pr 4:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>), all the good lessons he had taught him; and perhaps
he means particularly the book of Psalms, many of which were
<i>Maschils—psalms of instruction,</i> and two of them are
expressly said to be <i>for Solomon.</i> These, and all his other
words, Solomon must have an eye to. <i>First,</i> He must <i>hear
and receive them</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.10" parsed="|Prov|4|10|0|0" passage="Pr 4:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>), diligently attend to them, and imbibe them, <i>as
the earth drinks in the rain that comes often upon it,</i>
<scripRef id="Prov.v-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Heb.6.7" parsed="|Heb|6|7|0|0" passage="Heb 6:7">Heb. vi. 7</scripRef>. God thus
bespeaks our attention to his word: <i>Hear, O my son! and receive
my sayings. Secondly,</i> He must <i>hold fast the form of sound
words</i> which his father gave him (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.4" parsed="|Prov|4|4|0|0" passage="Pr 4:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>): <i>Let thy heart retain my
words;</i> and except the word be hid in the heart, lodged in the
will and affections, it will not be retained. <i>Thirdly,</i> He
must govern himself by them: <i>Keep my commandments,</i> obey
them, and that is the way to increase in the knowledge of them,
<scripRef id="Prov.v-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:John.7.17" parsed="|John|7|17|0|0" passage="Joh 7:17">John vii. 17</scripRef>.
<i>Fourthly,</i> He must stick to them and abide by them:
"<i>Decline not from the words of my mouth</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.5" parsed="|Prov|4|5|0|0" passage="Pr 4:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), as fearing they will be too great
a check upon thee, but <i>take fast hold of instruction</i>
(<scripRef id="Prov.v-p9.9" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.13" parsed="|Prov|4|13|0|0" passage="Pr 4:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>), as being
resolved to keep thy hold and never let it go." Those that have a
good education, though they strive to shake it off, will find it
hang about them a great while, and, if it do not, their case is
very sad.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p10">[2.] He recommends to him wisdom and
understanding as the end to be aimed at in the use of these means;
that <i>wisdom</i> which is the <i>principal wisdom,</i> get that.
<i>Quod caput est sapientia eam acquire sapientiam—Be sure to mind
that branch of wisdom which is the top branch of it,</i> and that
is the <i>fear of God,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.1.7" parsed="|Prov|1|7|0|0" passage="Pr 1:7"><i>ch.</i> i.
7</scripRef>. Junius and Tremellius. A principle of religion in the
heart is the one thing needful; therefore, <i>First,</i> Get this
<i>wisdom,</i> get this <i>understanding,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.5" parsed="|Prov|4|5|0|0" passage="Pr 4:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. And again, "<i>Get wisdom,</i> and
<i>with all thy getting, get understanding,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.7" parsed="|Prov|4|7|0|0" passage="Pr 4:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. Pray for it, take pains for it,
give diligence in the use of all appointed means to attain it.
<i>Wait at wisdom's gate,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.8.34" parsed="|Prov|8|34|0|0" passage="Pr 8:34">Prov.
viii. 34</scripRef>. Get dominion over thy corruptions, which are
thy follies: get possession of wise principles and the habits of
wisdom. Get wisdom by experience, get it <i>above all thy
getting;</i> be more in care and take more pains to get this than
to get the wealth of this world; whatever thou forgettest, get
this, reckon it a great achievement, and pursue it accordingly."
True wisdom is God's gift, and yet we are here commanded to get it,
because God gives it to those that labour for it; yet, after all,
we must not say, <i>Our might and the power of our hand have gotten
us this wealth. Secondly, Forget her not</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.5" parsed="|Prov|4|5|0|0" passage="Pr 4:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), <i>forsake her not</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.6" parsed="|Prov|4|6|0|0" passage="Pr 4:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), <i>let her not go</i>
(<scripRef id="Prov.v-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.13" parsed="|Prov|4|13|0|0" passage="Pr 4:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>), <i>but keep
her.</i> Those that have got this wisdom must take heed of losing
it again by returning to folly: it is indeed a good part, that
shall not be <i>taken from us;</i> but then we must take heed lest
we throw it from us, as those do that forget it first, and let it
slip out of their minds, and then forsake it and turn out of its
good ways. That good thing which is committed to us we must keep,
and not let it drop, through carelessness, nor suffer it to be
forced from us, nor suffer ourselves to be wheedled out of it;
never let go such a jewel. <i>Thirdly, Love her</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p10.8" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.6" parsed="|Prov|4|6|0|0" passage="Pr 4:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), and <i>embrace her</i>
(<scripRef id="Prov.v-p10.9" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.8" parsed="|Prov|4|8|0|0" passage="Pr 4:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), as worldly men
love their wealth and set their hearts upon it. Religion should be
very dear to us, dearer than any thing in this world; and, if we
cannot reach to be great masters of wisdom, yet let us be true
lovers of it; and what grace we have let us embrace it with a
sincere affection, as those that admire its beauty. <i>Fourthly,
"Exalt her,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p10.10" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.8" parsed="|Prov|4|8|0|0" passage="Pr 4:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>.
Always keep up high thoughts of religion, and do all thou canst to
bring it into reputation, and maintain the credit of it among men.
Concur with God in his purpose, which is to magnify the law and
make it honourable, and do what thou canst to serve that purpose."
Let <i>Wisdom's</i> children not only justify her, but magnify her,
and prefer her before that which is dearest to them in this world.
In honouring those that fear the Lord, though they are low in the
world, and in regarding a <i>poor wise man,</i> we exalt
wisdom.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p11">(2.) By way of motive and inducement thus
to labour for wisdom, and submit to the guidance of it, consider,
[1.] It is the main matter, and that which ought to be the chief
and continual care of every man in this life (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.7" parsed="|Prov|4|7|0|0" passage="Pr 4:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>): <i>Wisdom is the principal
thing;</i> other things which we are solicitous to get and keep are
nothing to it. It is the <i>whole of man,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.12.13" parsed="|Eccl|12|13|0|0" passage="Ec 12:13">Eccl. xii. 13</scripRef>. It is that which recommends us
to God, which beautifies the soul, which enables us to answer the
end of our creation, to live to some good purpose in the world, and
to get to heaven at last; and therefore it is the principal thing.
[2.] It has reason and equity on its side (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.11" parsed="|Prov|4|11|0|0" passage="Pr 4:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>): "<i>I have taught thee in the
way of wisdom,</i> and so it will be found to be at last. <i>I have
led thee,</i> not in the crooked ways of carnal policy, which does
wrong under colour of wisdom, but <i>in right paths,</i> agreeable
to the eternal rules and reasons of good and evil." The rectitude
of the divine nature appears in the rectitude of all the divine
laws. Observe, David not only taught his son by good instructions,
but led him both by a good example and by applying general
instructions to particular cases; so that nothing was wanting on
his part to make him wise. [3.] It would be much for his own
advantage: "If thou be wise and good, thou shalt be so for
thyself." <i>First,</i> "It will be thy life, thy comfort, thy
happiness; it is what thou canst not live without:" <i>Keep my
commandments and live,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.4" parsed="|Prov|4|4|0|0" passage="Pr 4:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>. That of our Saviour agrees with this, <i>If thou wilt
enter into life, keep the commandments,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.19.17" parsed="|Matt|19|17|0|0" passage="Mt 19:17">Matt. xix. 17</scripRef>. It is upon pain of death,
eternal death, and in prospect of life, eternal life, that we are
required to be religious. "Receive wisdom's sayings, <i>and the
years of thy life shall be many</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.10" parsed="|Prov|4|10|0|0" passage="Pr 4:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), as many in this world as
Infinite Wisdom sees fit, and in the other world thou shalt live
that life the years of which shall never be numbered. <i>Keep
her</i> therefore, whatever it cost thee, <i>for she is thy
life,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p11.7" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.13" parsed="|Prov|4|13|0|0" passage="Pr 4:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. All
thy satisfaction will be found in this;" and a soul without true
wisdom and grace is really a dead soul. <i>Secondly,</i> "It will
be thy guard and guide, thy convoy and conductor, through all the
dangers and difficulties of thy journey through this wilderness.
Love wisdom, and cleave to her, and she shall <i>preserve thee, she
shall keep thee</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p11.8" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.6" parsed="|Prov|4|6|0|0" passage="Pr 4:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>) from sin, the worst of evils, the worst of enemies;
she shall keep thee from hurting thyself, and then none else can
hurt thee." As we say, "Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep
thee;" so, "Keep thy wisdom, and thy wisdom will keep thee." It
will keep us from straits and stumbling-blocks in the management of
ourselves and our affairs, <scripRef id="Prov.v-p11.9" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.12" parsed="|Prov|4|12|0|0" passage="Pr 4:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>. 1. That our steps be not straitened when we go, that
we bring not ourselves into such straits as David was in, <scripRef id="Prov.v-p11.10" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.24.14" parsed="|2Sam|24|14|0|0" passage="2Sa 24:14">2 Sam. xxiv. 14</scripRef>. Those that make
God's word their rule shall walk at liberty, and be at ease in
themselves. 2. That our feet do not stumble when we run. If wise
and good men be put upon sudden resolves, the certain rule of God's
word which they go by will keep them even then from stumbling upon
any thing that may be pernicious. Integrity and uprightness will
preserve us. <i>Thirdly,</i> "It will be thy honour and reputation
(<scripRef id="Prov.v-p11.11" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.8" parsed="|Prov|4|8|0|0" passage="Pr 4:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>): <i>Exalt</i>
wisdom (do thou but show thy good-will to her advancement) and
though she needs not thy service she will abundantly recompense it,
<i>she shall promote thee, she shall bring thee to honour.</i>"
Solomon was to be a king, but his wisdom and virtue would be more
his honour than his crown or purple; it was that for which all his
neighbours had him so much in veneration; and no doubt, in his
reign and David's, wise and good men stood fairest for preferment.
However, religion will, first or last, bring all those <i>to
honour</i> that cordially <i>embrace her;</i> they shall be
accepted of God, respected by all wise men, owned in the great day,
and shall inherit everlasting glory. This he insists on (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p11.12" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.9" parsed="|Prov|4|9|0|0" passage="Pr 4:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>): "<i>She shall give to thy
head an ornament of grace</i> in this world, shall recommend thee
both to God and man, and in the other world <i>a crown of glory
shall she deliver to thee,</i> a crown that shall never totter, a
crown of glory that shall never wither." That is the true honour
which attends religion. <i>Nobilitas sola est atique unica
virtus—Virtue is the only nobility!</i> David having thus
recommended wisdom to his son, no marvel that when God bade him ask
what he would he prayed, Lord, <i>give me a wise and an
understanding heart.</i> We should make it appear by our prayers
how well we are taught.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.v-p11.13" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.14-Prov.4.19" parsed="|Prov|4|14|4|19" passage="Pr 4:14-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.4.14-Prov.4.19">
<h4 id="Prov.v-p11.14">Cautions against Bad
Company.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Prov.v-p12">14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go
not in the way of evil <i>men.</i>   15 Avoid it, pass not by
it, turn from it, and pass away.   16 For they sleep not,
except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away,
unless they cause <i>some</i> to fall.   17 For they eat the
bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.   18 But
the path of the just <i>is</i> as the shining light, that shineth
more and more unto the perfect day.   19 The way of the wicked
<i>is</i> as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p13">Some make David's instructions to Solomon,
which began <scripRef id="Prov.v-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.4" parsed="|Prov|4|4|0|0" passage="Pr 4:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>, to
continue to the end of the chapter; nay, some continue them to the
end of the ninth chapter; but it is more probable that Solomon
begins here again, if not sooner. In these verses, having exhorted
us to walk in the paths of wisdom, he cautions us against the path
of the wicked. 1. We must take heed of the ways of sin and avoid
them, every thing that looks like sin and leads to it. 2. In order
to this we must keep out of the ways of sinners, and have no
fellowship with them. For fear of falling into wicked courses, we
must shun wicked company. Here is,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p14">I. The caution itself, <scripRef id="Prov.v-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.14-Prov.4.15" parsed="|Prov|4|14|4|15" passage="Pr 4:14,15"><i>v.</i> 14, 15</scripRef>. 1. We must take heed of
falling in with sin and sinners: <i>Enter not into the paths of the
wicked.</i> Our teacher, having like a faithful guide shown us the
<i>right paths</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.11" parsed="|Prov|4|11|0|0" passage="Pr 4:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>), here warns us of the by-paths into which we are in
danger of being drawn aside. Those that have been well educated,
and trained up in the way they should go, let them never turn aside
into the way they should not go; let them not so much as enter into
it, no, not to make trial of it, lest it prove a dangerous
experiment and difficult to retreat with safety. "Venture not into
the company of those that are infected with the plague, no, not
though thou think thyself guarded with an antidote." 2. If at any
time we are inveigled into an evil way, we must hasten out of it.
"If, ere thou wast aware, thou didst enter in at the gate, because
it was wide, <i>go not</i> on <i>in the way of evil men.</i> As
soon as thou art made sensible of thy mistake, retire immediately,
take not a step more, stay not a minute longer, in the way that
certainly leads to destruction." 3. We must dread and detest the
ways of sin and sinners, and decline them with the utmost care
imaginable. "<i>The way of evil men</i> may seem a pleasant way and
sociable, and the nearest way to the compassing of some secular end
we may have in view; but it is an evil way, and will end ill, and
therefore if thou love thy God and thy soul <i>avoid it, pass not
by it,</i> that thou mayest not be tempted to enter into it; and,
if thou find thyself near it, <i>turn from it and pass away,</i>
and get as far off it as thou canst." The manner of expression
intimates the imminent danger we are in, the need we have of this
caution, and the great importance of it, and that our watchmen are,
or should be, in good earnest, in giving us warning. It intimates
likewise at what a distance we should keep from sin and sinners; he
does not say, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance, the
further the better; never think you can get far enough from it.
<i>Escape for thy life: look not behind thee.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p15">II. The reasons to enforce this
caution.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p16">1. "Consider the character of the men whose
way thou art warned to shun." They are mischievous men (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.16-Prov.4.17" parsed="|Prov|4|16|4|17" passage="Pr 4:16,17"><i>v.</i> 16, 17</scripRef>); they not only
care not what hurt they do to those that stand in their way, but it
is their business to do mischief, and their delight, purely for
mischief-sake. They are continually designing and endeavouring to
<i>cause some to fall,</i> to ruin them body and soul. Wickedness
and malice are in their nature, and violence is in all their
actions. They are spiteful in the highest degree; for, (1.)
Mischief is rest and sleep to them. As much satisfaction as a
covetous man has when he has got money, an ambitious man when he
has got preferment, and a good man when he has done good, so much
have they when they have said or done that which is injurious and
ill-natured; and they are extremely uneasy if they cannot get their
envy and revenge gratified, as Haman, to whom every thing was
unpleasant as long as Mordecai was unhanged. It intimates likewise
how restless and unwearied they are in their mischievous pursuits;
they will rather be deprived of sleep than of the pleasure of being
vexatious. (2.) Mischief is meat and drink to them; they feed and
feast upon it. <i>They eat the bread of the wickedness (they eat up
my people as they eat bread,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.14.4" parsed="|Ps|14|4|0|0" passage="Ps 14:4">Ps.
xiv. 4</scripRef>) <i>and drink the wine of violence</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.17" parsed="|Prov|4|17|0|0" passage="Pr 4:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>), <i>drink iniquity like
water,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.15.16" parsed="|Job|15|16|0|0" passage="Job 15:16">Job xv. 16</scripRef>. All
they eat and drink is got by rapine and oppression. Do wicked men
think the time lost in which they are not doing hurt? Let good men
make it as much their business and delight to do good. <i>Amici,
diem perdidi—Friends, I have lost a day.</i> And let all that are
wise, and wish well to themselves, avoid the society of the wicked;
for, [1.] It is very scandalous; for there is no disposition of
mind that is a greater reproach to human nature, a greater enemy to
human society, a bolder defiance to God and conscience, that has
more of the devil's image in it, or is more serviceable to his
interests, than a delight to do mischief and to vex, and hurt, and
ruin every body. [2.] It is very dangerous. "Shun those that
delight to do mischief as thou tenderest thy own safety; for,
whatever friendship they may pretend, one time or other they will
do thee mischief; thou wilt ruin thyself if thou dost concur with
them (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p16.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.1.18" parsed="|Prov|1|18|0|0" passage="Pr 1:18"><i>ch.</i> i. 18</scripRef>) and
they will ruin thee if thou dost not."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p17">2. "Consider the character of the way
itself which thou art warned to shun, compared with the right way
which thou art invited to walk in."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p18">(1.) The way of righteousness is light
(<scripRef id="Prov.v-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.18" parsed="|Prov|4|18|0|0" passage="Pr 4:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>): <i>The path
of the just,</i> which they have chosen, and in which they walk,
<i>is as light;</i> the <i>light shines on their ways</i>
(<scripRef id="Prov.v-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.22.28" parsed="|Job|22|28|0|0" passage="Job 22:28">Job xxii. 28</scripRef>) and makes
them both safe and pleasant. Christ is <i>their way</i> and he is
<i>the light.</i> They are guided by the word of God and that is
<i>a light to their feet;</i> they themselves are <i>light in the
Lord</i> and they <i>walk in the light as he is in the light.</i>
[1.] It is a <i>shining light.</i> Their way shines to themselves
in the joy and comfort of it; it shines before others in the lustre
and honour of it; <i>it shines before men, who see their good
works,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.5.16" parsed="|Matt|5|16|0|0" passage="Mt 5:16">Matt. v. 16</scripRef>. They
go on in their way with a holy security and serenity of mind, as
those that <i>walk in the light.</i> It is as the morning-light,
which <i>shines out of obscurity</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.58.8 Bible:Isa.58.10" parsed="|Isa|58|8|0|0;|Isa|58|10|0|0" passage="Isa 58:8,10">Isa. lviii. 8, 10</scripRef>) and puts an end to the
<i>works of darkness.</i> [2.] It is a growing light; it <i>shines
more and more,</i> not like the light of a meteor, which soon
disappears, or that of a candle, which burns dim and burns down,
but like that of the rising sun, which goes forward shining, mounts
upward shining. Grace, the guide of this way, is growing; <i>he
that has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.</i> That joy
which is the pleasure of this way, that honour which is the
brightness of it, and all that happiness which is indeed its light,
shall be still increasing. [3.] It will arrive, in the end, at
<i>the perfect day.</i> The light of the dayspring will at length
be noon-day light, and it is this that the enlightened soul is
pressing towards. The saints will not be perfect till they come to
heaven, but there they shall themselves <i>shine as the sun when he
goes forth in his strength,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p18.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.13.43" parsed="|Matt|13|43|0|0" passage="Mt 13:43">Matt.
xiii. 43</scripRef>. Their graces and joys shall be all consummate.
Therefore it is our wisdom to keep close to <i>the path of the
just.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p19">(2.) The <i>way of</i> sin <i>is as
darkness,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.19" parsed="|Prov|4|19|0|0" passage="Pr 4:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>.
The works he had cautioned us not to have fellowship with are
<i>works of darkness.</i> What true pleasure and satisfaction can
those have who know no pleasure and satisfaction but what they have
in doing mischief? What sure guide have those that cast God's word
behind them? <i>The way of the wicked is dark,</i> and therefore
dangerous; for they stumble and yet <i>know not at what they
stumble.</i> They fall into sin, but are not aware which way the
temptation came by which they were overthrown, and therefore know
not how to avoid it the next time. They fall into trouble, but
never enquire wherefore God contends with them; they <i>consider
not that they do evil,</i> nor what will be in the end of it,
<scripRef id="Prov.v-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.82.5 Bible:Job.18.5-Job.18.6" parsed="|Ps|82|5|0|0;|Job|18|5|18|6" passage="Ps 82:5,Job 18:5,6">Ps. lxxxii. 5; Job xviii. 5,
6</scripRef>. This is the way we are directed to shun.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.v-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.20-Prov.4.27" parsed="|Prov|4|20|4|27" passage="Pr 4:20-27" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.4.20-Prov.4.27">
<h4 id="Prov.v-p19.4">Parental Instructions.</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Prov.v-p20">20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear
unto my sayings.   21 Let them not depart from thine eyes;
keep them in the midst of thine heart.   22 For they
<i>are</i> life unto those that find them, and health to all their
flesh.   23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it
<i>are</i> the issues of life.   24 Put away from thee a
froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.   25 Let
thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight
before thee.   26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy
ways be established.   27 Turn not to the right hand nor to
the left: remove thy foot from evil.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p21">Solomon, having warned us not to do evil,
here teaches us how to do well. It is not enough for us to shun the
occasions of sin, but we must study the methods of duty.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p22">I. We must have a continual regard to the
word of God and endeavour that it may be always ready to us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p23">1. The sayings of wisdom must be our
principles by which we must govern ourselves, our monitors to warn
us of duty and danger; and therefore, (1.) We must receive them
readily: "<i>Incline thy ear to them</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.20" parsed="|Prov|4|20|0|0" passage="Pr 4:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>); humbly bow to them; diligently
listen to them." The attentive hearing of the word of God is a good
sign of a work of grace begun in the heart and a good means of
carrying it on. It is to be hoped that those are resolved to do
their duty who are inclined to know it. (2.) We must retain them
carefully (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.21" parsed="|Prov|4|21|0|0" passage="Pr 4:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>); we
must lay them before us as our rule: "<i>Let them not depart from
thy eyes;</i> view them, review them, and in every thing aim to
conform to them." We must lodge them within us, as a commanding
principle, the influences of which are diffused throughout the
whole man: "<i>Keep them in the midst of thy heart,</i> as things
dear to thee, and which thou art afraid of losing." Let the word of
God be written in the heart, and that which is written there will
remain.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p24">2. The reason why we must thus make much of
the words of wisdom is because they will be both food and physic to
us, like <i>the tree of life,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Rev.22.2 Bible:Ezek.47.12" parsed="|Rev|22|2|0|0;|Ezek|47|12|0|0" passage="Re 22:2,Eze 47:12">Rev. xxii. 2; Ezek. xlvii. 12</scripRef>. Those
that seek and find them, find and keep them, shall find in them,
(1.) Food: <i>For they are life unto those that find them,</i>
<scripRef id="Prov.v-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.22" parsed="|Prov|4|22|0|0" passage="Pr 4:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. As the
spiritual life was begun by the word as the instrument of it, so by
the same word it is still nourished and maintained. We could not
live without it; we may by faith live upon it. (2.) Physic. They
are <i>health to all their flesh,</i> to the whole man, both body
and soul; they help to keep both in good plight. They are <i>health
to all flesh,</i> so the LXX. There is enough to cure all the
diseases of this distempered world. They are <i>a medicine to all
their flesh</i> (so the word is), to all their corruptions, for
they are called flesh, to all their grievances, which are as thorns
in the flesh. There is in the word of God a proper remedy for all
our spiritual maladies.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p25">II. We must keep a watchful eye and a
strict hand upon all the motions of our inward man, <scripRef id="Prov.v-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.23" parsed="|Prov|4|23|0|0" passage="Pr 4:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. Here is, 1. A great duty
required by the laws of wisdom, and in order to our getting and
preserving wisdom: <i>Keep thy heart with all diligence.</i> God,
who gave us these souls, gave us a strict charge with them: Man,
woman, <i>keep thy heart; take heed to thy spirit,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.4.9" parsed="|Deut|4|9|0|0" passage="De 4:9">Deut. iv. 9</scripRef>. We must maintain a holy
jealousy of ourselves, and set a strict guard, accordingly, upon
all the avenues of the soul; keep our hearts from doing hurt and
getting hurt, from being defiled by sin and disturbed by trouble;
keep them as our jewel, as our vineyard; keep a conscience void of
offence; keep out bad thoughts; keep up good thoughts; keep the
affections upon right objects and in due bounds. <i>Keep them with
all keepings</i> (so the word is); there are many ways of keeping
things—by care, by strength, by calling in help, and we must use
them all in keeping our hearts; and all little enough, so deceitful
are they, <scripRef id="Prov.v-p25.3" osisRef="Bible:Jer.17.9" parsed="|Jer|17|9|0|0" passage="Jer 17:9">Jer. xvii. 9</scripRef>. Or
<i>above all keepings;</i> we must keep our hearts with more care
and diligence than we keep any thing else. We must keep our eyes
(<scripRef id="Prov.v-p25.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.31.1" parsed="|Job|31|1|0|0" passage="Job 31:1">Job xxxi. 1</scripRef>), keep our
tongues (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p25.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.34.13" parsed="|Ps|34|13|0|0" passage="Ps 34:13">Ps. xxxiv. 13</scripRef>),
keep our feet (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p25.6" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.5.1" parsed="|Eccl|5|1|0|0" passage="Ec 5:1">Eccl. v. 1</scripRef>),
but, above all, keep our hearts. 2. A good reason given for this
care, because <i>out of it are the issues of life.</i> Out of a
heart well kept will flow living issues, good products, to the
glory of God and the edification of others. Or, in general, all the
actions of the life flow from the heart, and therefore keeping that
is making the tree good and healing the springs. Our lives will be
regular or irregular, comfortable or uncomfortable, according as
our hearts are kept or neglected.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p26">III. We must set a <i>watch before the door
of our lips,</i> that we offend not with out tongue (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.24" parsed="|Prov|4|24|0|0" passage="Pr 4:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>): <i>Put away from thee a
froward mouth and perverse lips.</i> Our hearts being naturally
corrupt, out of them a great deal of corrupt communication is apt
to come, and therefore we must conceive a great dread and
detestation of all manner of evil words, cursing, swearing, lying,
slandering, brawling, filthiness, and foolish talking, all which
come from a <i>froward mouth and perverse lips,</i> that will not
be governed either by reason or religion, but contradict both, and
which are as unsightly and ill-favoured before God as a crooked
distorted mouth drawn awry is before men. All manner of tongue
sins, we must, by constant watchfulness and stedfast resolution,
<i>put from us,</i> put <i>far from us,</i> abstaining from all
words that have an appearance of evil and fearing to learn any such
words.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p27">IV. We must make a covenant with our eyes:
"Let them <i>look right on and straight before thee,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.v-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.24" parsed="|Prov|4|24|0|0" passage="Pr 4:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. Let the eye be fixed and
not wandering; let it not rove after every thing that presents
itself, for then it will be diverted form good and ensnared in
evil. Turn it from beholding vanity; let thy eye be single and not
divided; let thy intentions be sincere and uniform, and look not
asquint at any by-end." We must keep our eye upon our Master, and
be careful to approve ourselves to him; keep our eye upon our rule,
and conform to that; keep our eye upon our mark, the <i>prize of
the high calling,</i> and direct all towards that. <i>Oculum in
metam</i>—<i>The eye upon the goal.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p28">V. We must act considerately in all we do
(<scripRef id="Prov.v-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.26" parsed="|Prov|4|26|0|0" passage="Pr 4:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>): <i>Ponder
the path of thy feet, weigh it</i> (so the word is); "put the word
of God in one scale, and what thou hast done, or art about to do,
in the other, and see how they agree; be nice and critical in
examining whether thy way be good before the Lord and whether it
will end well." We must consider our past ways and examine what we
have done, and our present ways, what we are doing, whither we are
going, and <i>see that we walk circumspectly.</i> It concerns us to
consider what are the duties and what the difficulties, what are
the advantages and what the dangers, of our way, that we may act
accordingly. "Do nothing rashly."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.v-p29">VI. We must act with steadiness, caution,
and consistency: "<i>Let all thy ways be established</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.v-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.4.26" parsed="|Prov|4|26|0|0" passage="Pr 4:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>) and be not unstable in
them, as the double-minded man is; halt not between two, but go on
in an even uniform course of obedience; <i>turn not to the right
hand not to the left,</i> for there are errors on both hands, and
Satan gains his point if he prevails to draw us aside either way.
Be very careful to <i>remove thy foot from evil;</i> take heed of
extremes, for in them there is evil, and <i>let thy eyes look right
on,</i> that thou mayest keep the golden mean." Those that would
approve themselves wise must always be watchful.</p>
</div></div2>