The reproofs of life are those which are drawn from the life-giving word, urged with affectionate warmth upon the conscience, and tending to the spiritual and eternal life of those who receive them; they that with attentive ear regard them, are in the way to be numbered with the wise. 32. He that refuseh instruction, despiseh his own soul: but he that heareth reproof, § geteth understanding. He that refuseh instruction, or correction, whether from God, or those let in authority over him, dispiseh his own soul; shows his ignorance of the value of it, and for the indulgences of the perishing flesh, willfully destroy his spirit, which is immortal: but he that heareth reproof, and submits to it, geteth understanding, and grows wise and better thereby. 33. ' The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and ' before honour is humility. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, by it we are taught how to walk and please God; and before honour is humility; the lower we lie in our own eyes, the more certain and eminent will be our exaltation of God. C H A P. XVI. 1. ' THE preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. 1. Who loeth instruction, loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. A teachable spirit is among the best symptoms of a gracious heart. Who loeth instruction, desires to learn of Christ, and out of his word, or from those whom he hath appointed to teach, whether ministers, parents, or teachers, loveth knowledge, and proves it by such a childlike spirit; but he that hateth reproof, and will not bear to be told of his faults, or warned to amend them, is brutish; void of sense as grace, and stupid and hardned to his ruin. 2. A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD; but man of wicked devices will he condemn. God's favour is towards the good and gracious, not that absolutely there is any good but one; yet he makes some to differ from others: only let it be remembered, that whatever measure we have of grace or goodness, it is his gift. But a man of wicked devices, whose thoughts are bent on mischief, he will condemn, to suffer the just desert of his deeds. 3. A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. The prosperity of the wicked is short-lived: though they may seem to flourish for a while, there is no solidity nor stability in their possessions; so soon shall they vanish as a dream when one awaketh: but the rest of the righteous, deep struck into the rock Christ, shall not be moved, whatever storms of temptation, persecution, affliction, or corruption blow upon them; though they may bow, they shall not break, or be rooted up, but stand fast for ever and ever. 4. A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed, is as rottenness in his bones. Among the greatest of human blefings, is a virtuous wife; whose prudence, industry, modesty, and submissiveness, adorn her station; whose cheerfulness under trials enables us more steadily to sustain them, and who is a crown to her husband, a credit and honour to the relation she bears: but of all pleagues, the heaviest is a bad wife, whose folly, extravagance, wantenness, pervishness, and ill humours, shame him when abroad, torment him at home; and like an inveterate and walting disease, leave him no rest, nor hopes of a cure. 5. The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. God sees and observes the rising thoughts of our hearts; in the righteous they are right; being made partakers of a divine nature, his very thoughts are under divine government, and not an evil suggestion allowedly entertained: he ever means and purposes God's glory, and his neighbour's good; but the counsels of the wicked are deceit; he is ever casting about in his mind how to accomplish his crazy designs, and so to cover his purposes as to prevent suspicion, but his detection is at hand. 6. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. J. &v. 18. They who make for themselves crooked paths, shall be plagued in them. The ways of sin, however pleasing in appearance, will be found full of vexation, anguish, and sorrow; whilst he who carefully takes heed to walk and please God. Sinds finds rest to his soul, and is delivered from all those miseries which embitter the ways of wickedness. 1 Or, conchase. 2 Sch. vi. 4. 3 Heb. in fin. way. 6. Train up a child § in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. A man's words will be as his thoughts. The malice of the wicked leads them to persecute unto death, by perjury and oppression, those they hate; but the upright is the advocate of injured innocence, and pleads in its defense. Not, They who kill the body are bad, but they who by false doctrine murder the soul are worse; against them, every faithful minister is bound to rise up, and plead for God and truth. 7. The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. The blessing of a good education is inestimable, and parents will never have cause to regret the pains they bestow in early inculcating upon their children the fear of the Lord, and instructing them in the word of his truth. God often blesses such labours with immediate good effects, and they see their children growing in wisdom as stature: may, if they turn away, as too many do, they cannot sin so easily as others; their confidence is more tender, and open to divine conviction, in order to their recovery. Jan. ii. 6. 7. The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. Like the rainbow, though the sinner shone in wealth and affluence, it is a momentary greatness, and quickly vanishes away; but the house of the righteous shall stand, his seed be blessed upon earth, himself live long to see it, and when he is gone hence, he shall enter a house eternal in the heavens. 8. A man shall be commended according to his wildom: but he that is + of a perverse heart shall be despised. The rich ruleth over the poor. Such is the constitution of this world by the divine Providence; and if superiors rule well, and consult the good of their inferiors, they would have no cause to complain: but if, taking advantage of their measures and wants, they trample on them severe and tyrannical, then is this among the great evils under the sun: and the borrower is present to the lender, must speak him fair, and do as he bids. Now, They who would maintain their independence must keep out of debt. Joh. iv. 8. Hof. v. 13. Or, which the red of he anger he shall be contained. 8. He that soweth iniquity, shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. The love of fame is the universal passion, and here we are taught how to secure it in a right way; not by desiring to be great, so much as to be good; not from riches, preserent, nobility, or science, but from that wisdom which maketh wise unto salvation, which God and all good men will highly honour; whilst he that is foolishly perverse, in following the ways of his own corrupted heart, shall bring himself into present and everlasting contempt. 9. He that is despised and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. Before Christ man. As a man sows, he must reap; and the harvest of iniquity will be vanity and vexation, deceiving the expectations of those who promised themselves they should reap much profit and pleasure thereby; and their abused power, which was exercised with anger and severity, shall be taken from them, and they degraded with shame. 1 Cor. ix. 6. Heb. Thos. shall of eye. 9. He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed: for he giveth is his bread to the poor. To cut a figure in the world, and appear elegant in the eyes of men, with equipage and attendants, many are driven to miserable shifts; to run in debt, and want bread rather than their finery. Far better is he, who though dequised as poor or mean, content with a single servant, or a servant to himself, keeps within the bounds of his income, and hath enough and to spare. 1 Dept. exs. Or bowels. 10. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beaft: but the + tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 17. &xiv. 24. &xviii. 25. Heb. A woman of contention. 9. It is better to dwell in a corner of the house-top, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. A brawling and contentious woman may justly be reckoned among the bitterest afflictions. Her sin is ever heard; the largest house echoes throughout with it; the least accident or very word causes her fury to rise, and all authority or argument to refrain her rage is as useless as talking to the wind. A wise man, burdened with such a cross, chutes therefore rather to retire, than answer railing for railing; and rather sits in a corner of the house-top, where he can be quiet, though exposed to all the inclemency of the sky without, than under such a perpetual storm within. Jem. ix. 5. Heb. a not favoured. 10. The soul of the wicked defeceth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. The eye is the door to the heart; the charitable and compassionate are ever seeking objects to relieve, and no sooner behold distress, than they melt over it, and the pleasure and kindness they express in their countenance makes the relief they offer doubly obliging. Nor shall they lose their reward: this man shall be blessed in his deed; blessed with the prayers of the poor, blessed with favour of a gracious God, blessed in time, blessed in eternity. Pl. vi. 5. 10. Cast out the scourer, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. God's compassions to the brute creation must engage ours. The life of his beaft, and whatever is needful for the comfort of it, is regarded by the righteous; he provides it with proper food and rest, neither works it too hard, nor strikes it in anger: but to unfeeling are the wicked, and, without bowels, shroud in their nature, that the very tender mercies they affect to shew, prove the innate barbarity of their minds. a Chap. until. 19. 11. He that tilieth his land, shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons, is void of understanding. It is the very heart's desire of a wicked man, to see his neighbour fall into sin or misfortune; and so hard-hearted is he, that in the greatest need he will afford him no assistance; or if any repudiate with him on his conduct, they will receive for it only abude. b Chap. xii. 25. 11. When the corner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. Scourers are the troublers of society: scuffing at godliness and good men, they seek to raise perpetual strife in the church, the state, and among friends. The only way to be safe and at peace, is to be separate from them. Pl. vi. 6. Diligent industry will be crowned with abundance, but idleness and bad company will bring a man to want, and too late to rue the fruits of his folly. Or fasttrists. 12. The wicked desfreth the + net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. 25. &25. 16. Heb. Baldock, or baldock-up Job xxviii. 25. Chap. Jer xviii. 19. Heb. 11. 15. Heb. The buldly of the This was observed, chap. xix. 25. The punishment of sorrows, scoffers at religion, and blasphemers of God and godliness, either by divine judgment or the fraud of the magistrate, will serve to deter the simple, who might have been influenced by their wickedness; and a wise man, when instructed, far from scorning to be taught, sensible of his own deficiencies, hears attentively, and grows in knowledge. Or, when the wise is instructed, he, the simple, who is a by-stander, receiveth knowledge, and profits by what is spoken. 12. The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. All wicked men are not alike crafty; but they who are vile in spirit, look on the wiser knave with secret envy, and long for his net, to be like him; or his fortress, to be as secure in iniquity: but the rest of the righteous yieldeth fruit, more excellent than what is got by knavery, and a more enduring substance. Heb. The fear of the forth is in the transf. graffion of lips. Chap. a sub. 7. 13. The wicked is feared by the transfgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. These words bear a twofold interpretation. The righteous, the good man, when looking upon the affluence of the wicked he might be tempted to envy, wisely considereth how ill it was got, and how fearfully it will end, when God will utterly overthrow the place of their abode, and punish them for their wickedness. Or, the righteous magistrate examines the house of the wicked, for flutes or contrational goods, or to discover his treasonable practices; and, convicting him of his wickedness, executes deserved judgment upon him. 13. Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Julius Christ's foliation; the provision Jesus himself hath made, and freely offers to every poor and hungry fiance. 2. An invitation is sent to them. The hath sent forth her maidens, the ministers of the gospel, ordained and sent to publish the glad tidings of salvation. She wretch upon the high places of the city, as our Lord himself did at Jerusalem, and his servants continue to lift up their voice, with zeal and earnestness delivering their message. Who is simply, for him turn in his/her; ever every soul, who, conscious of his spiritual ignorance, desires to be taught the lessons of divine truth. As for him that hath an understanding, at least not distinguished by any attainments of science, the faith unto him, Come, out of my bread, feed upon the dainties provided, and drink of the wine I have mingled; with come to the fellal board, to the wine and milk of gospel grace. But, O my friends; yea, drunk abundantly, O beloved; for here no excess is to be feared. They who feed upon Christ and his love, cannot come with desires too enlarged; yea, blessed are they that hunger and thirst, for they shall be filled. 3. An admonition is given to the guests. Perside the fools, and fear; the company of sinners, whose works are fools, and their wages death: these we must leave, have no fellowship with them, that we may live unto God, quickened by his Spirit, and go in the way of understanding; the way of grace, peace, holiness, and glory, which the word of God lays open and plain before us, and in which all who come to Jesus Christ ought henceforth to walk, even as he also walked. 4. Directions are given, to those sent forth to bid the guests, whom to address, and whom to avoid. Reprere not a farmer, who scoffs at all religion, and ridicules the professors of it; who, so far from hearkening to the warnings and calls of the ministers of the gospel, turn them and their message into derision, or persecute them for their zeal and importunity; for he that reproach a farmer, geteth to himself thorns and hatred, is it. These we may regard not the pearls, but turn and rent those who proffer them, sending them away disappointed and ill-used for their pains. And he that rebukeeth a wicked man, geteth himself a blat: their evil spirits but the more exasperated, will abude and revile, and cast some infamous reflection on their kind reprovers. Some indeed would give their message a more welcome reception: Rebuke a wise man, and he will bear thee; thankful for such an instance of friendship, and growing wiser and better by the rebuke, v. 9. Note, (1.) None are too wise to learn, or too good to amend; for in the best there still remains much ignorance and folly, and of this they who are deepest read in self-knowledge, will be most sensible. (2.) They who are angry at rebuke, prove the defectiveness of their understanding, as well as their want of grace. (3.) Fidelity in repowing is the sureth proof of genuine friendship. 5. The instructions which wisdom's servants must give are these: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a filial reverential fear of offending; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding; of the Holy Ones, the three divine persons, their officers, and relation to us: or, of holy things, the gospel, and all the mysteries of grace therein revealed. This is the best and most valuable knowledge; for by me thy day shall be multiplied; it being life eternal to know the true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent: and the years of thy life shall be conceded. Often in this world such is the blessed effect of true godliness, and certainly in the world to come, when life and immortality shall reign. If thou be wise, thou find he wise for this self; thou wilt be thyself the gainer thereby. It is not that our goodness can profit God, that he invites us to come to him, but that we may be made happy: but if thou foresy the gracious invitation, thou alone shall bear it; the guilt of rejecting the gospel will lie on the sinner's conscience, and ruin everlasting be brought on his foolish soul. The damned sinner will have none to blame but himself for his misery: God called, and he refused to answer: he would not come to Christ that he might have life; his blood therefore is upon his own head. ¶ 13. A foolish woman is clamorous, she is simple, and knoweth nothing. 14. For she fitteth at the door of her house, on a feat in the high places of the city, 15. To call passengers who go right on their ways. 16. Who is simple, let him turn in his/her: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she faith to him, 17. Sholen waters are heers, and bread ye eaten in secret is pleasant. 18. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. Folly is here setting up her standard in opposition to wisdom, which some interpret of carnal reason opposing divine revelation; others, of the arch tempter Satan; others, of the antichristian church of Rome; but it seems to be the same person before spoken of, chap. ii. v. vii. the seducing forceress, whose wily tongue deceives the unstable and unwary. 1. Her character is, that she is clamorous; either talkative and noisy at home and abroad, or importunate in urging her paramount to comply with her ridicunations. She is simple, and knows nothing; nothing as she ought to know; wise enough to work wickedness, but to do good hath no knowledge, nor desire after it. She fitteth at the door of her house, idly bountering, and gazing after her prey: on a feat in the high places of the city, frequenting all public places, and seen at the most thronged and fashionable assemblies, to catch with her toils some unhappy object: to call passengers who go right on their ways; who have been trained up in the ways of truth, and wanted to promise fair to follow them: with a malicious pleasure she seeks to debauch such, and turn them aside from the paths of virtue and religion. 2. Her address is most inviting and enslaving, with every agreeable pretence of profit and pleasure. Who is simple, assured with the ridicunations of education, and wealth in superstitions, as she terms it; afraid to taste the delights of pleasure; let him turn in his/her, and learn the joys which leads us give. And as for him that wanteth understanding, and hath not seen or known the world, she faith to him, Satan mourns are poor: unlawful pleasures, such is the powerlessness of man's fallen nature, are most tempting; not that they are really most satisfactory: and bread eaten in secret is pleasant, where the confidence of security gives a relish to the indulgence. But let the sinner know, whatever the tempter promises, she cannot make good: the curie of God will enslave the joy, and the eye of God will pierce the shades of darkness; yea, often the most secret iniquities shall be produced to the eye of day, to the perpetual shining and reproach of the deluded sinner. And therefore, 3. A warning is given, as an antidote to the poison. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; that he who liveth in such guilty pleasures, is dead whilst he liveth, and each day exposed to eternal death, the wages of sin; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. Thousands thus beguiled are now in torments: all who continue under the power of these will: affections have a hell in their conscience; or if feared, as with a hot iron, v. 4: their damnation is more inevitable and sure: and as these deeds of lewdness brought down a deluge of water upon the Sophocles, the sinners of the old world, so surely shall they bring a deluge of fire upon all who follow their deftensive ways: they who burn together in their lusts, must burn together in hell. The tongue of the wicked often proves his snare; his treasons, perjuries, lies, or calumnies, are detected and punished; and as liars have not always the best memories, his own contradictions bring him to shame: but the just, though they may come into troubles, yet God will save them harmless, and extricate them out of them. 1 Chap. xii. 2 Rom. ii. 6. 14. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him. The hard-hearted and uncharitable stop their ears to the cry of the poor; drive them from their door empty; nor can be moved by the impetuosity of water: but God will make such feel the miseries they disregard: reduced to abject wretchedness, themselves shall cry; either on earth, and be refused a bit of bread; or, like Dives, in hell, and be denied a drop of water. 14. A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom, strong wrath. 12. 13. 'As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. As the cold of snow (which, in the Eastern countries was preserved, as ice with us, to cool their liquors) is most refreshing in the salty days of harvest, so pleasing to those who send him, is a faithful messenger; who, anxious for his master's good, discharges the trust reposed in him, to his fullest satisfaction. They who have so great a master as the Lord of glory, and so important a message at that, on which the salvation of immortal souls depends, need approve their fidelity, and will then find gracious acceptance, 2 Cor. xi. 15. 14. 'Who's boasteth himself of a false gift, is like clouds and winds without rain. Not a gracious speech, nor one labour of love shall be forgotten in the day of recompense: and even at present, the good advice we give to others, may not only prove a blessing to them, but instructive to ourselves, and the works of faith produce a righteous harvest here below. a Chap. iii. 7. Luke xiii. 11. 15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearseth unto counsel is wise. Raging is the passion of anger; yet, stronger is the love of money. Few, however offended, are good against a well-judged present, by way of satisfaction, when given secretly, and timed opportunely. Some refer it to a bride, to prevent the execution of justice; but the first sense seems preferable. 15. It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. All boasting is a sure sign of emptiness. They who puff their own great benevolence, and make a talk of what is they intend to do, when in fact they do nothing, see like the clouds that pass away, raise our expectations of rain, but let down not a drop. 15. 'By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. Conceit is the most incorrigible folly. The self-righteous and the careless flatter themselves all is well, and scorn to be advised; but the wise are dishonest of their own abilities, and willing to hear the counsels of age and experience. a Chap. xii. 11. Heb. In that day. 16. A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. It is a pleasure to a good man to do good; to a just magistrate, to administer justice; and they rejoice in seeing others do the same: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity; either when judgment is ministered by upright magistrates, or at last, when God shall recompense them according to their deeds. 16. The man that wandreth out of the way of understanding, shall remain in the congregation of the dead. The good advice which princes reject in heat, if we wait a while, and humbly offer our reasons with patience, may prevail at last. And when anger rises, a soft answer does more than the most obstinate resistance; and bends the most violent to yield. 16. 'Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. The bosom of fools is full of wrath, and easily provoked; but he is twice a fool, who, instead of restraining it, bursts forth into rage and passion, and exposes his own weakness. A prudent man, if he finds his anger rising, will curb it, ashamed to let it appear, or covers the provocation given him; willing rather to overlook the offence, than to resent it. a Chap. xiv. Pl. Ibid. 4. &Isa. 7. &Ibid. 9. Pl. Ibid. 5. 17. He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness; but a false witness, deceit. 18. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is health. 19. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. The way of understanding is the path of life, marked out in the gospel-word, from which whoever departs, through unbelief and the love of sin, will meet his ruin. He shall remain in the congregation of the dead; spiritually dead in trespasses and sins, and deposed to eternal death. And great is this congregation; for wide is the gate that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat. 17. He that loveth pleasure, shall be a poor man: Or, (pint. he that loveth wine and oil, shall not be rich. The creature comforts we possess, God wills we should enjoy, not abuse; enough is a feast, excess is its own punishment. This must be extended to all lawful pleasures; with temperance used, they are good; when inordinately, they engage our affections, or waste our time; they cease to be innocent, and forfeit the soul. 17. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house: lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. We have here the commendation of a good tongue, and the censure of a bad one. 1. A good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, (1.) Speaketh truth, shewing all fidelity, representing things as they are, whether before a magistrate on oath, or in private conversation. (2.) His words are healing, v. 18. Healing to compose disputes, soften the spirits of the exasperated, and bring about friendly reconciliation. (3.) Such lips of truth shall be established for ever; they will be our credit among men, and acceptable before God, and they who thus speak, need fear no shame. 2. An evil may, out of the evil treasure of his heart, bringeth forth evil things. (1.) As a false witness in judgment, he prevaricates, conceals, or misrepresents the truth; in private translations, uses deceit in his dealings and in his conversation. (2.) His words are bitter, sharp, and hurtful, as the piercings of a sword, grieving those to whom they are addressed; and wounding with flats of calumny and evil surmises, against which no armour of innocence is proof. (3.) Though a liar may gain present credit, it is but for a moment; his falsehood and deceit will soon be detected, his own tongue will fall upon him with some inconscience; or God in judgment bring to light his wickedness, as furthest in the day of recompense, when liar shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire. 20. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy. Inordinate love of pleasure, and luxurious indulgence of appetite, are the way to ruin both of body and soul. To relish and enjoy the blethous God bellows, he never forbids; to abude them to recede, or to place our chief happiness in them, is to provoke him to deprive us of them. He will make those feel in pining want the loss of what they squandered away in sensuality and profusion. 18. The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous; and the transgressor for the upright. To maintain a friendly intercourse with our neighbours, is pleasing; but too frequent visits are troublesome, and will render our room more agreeable than our company. 18. 'A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is a maid, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. By the punishment inflicted by the sword of justice on the wicked, the wrath of God is severed from the nation, as in the case of Achan: and God himself by his providence turns upon the malicious their own devices; and ransoms his upright sons, by bringing the wicked into the pit they have digged, as Haman was hung on the gallows erected for Mordecai. 19. It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. The most dangerous and mortal weapon is the tongue of a false witness, against which, the purest innocence affords no protection. 19. Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble, is like a broken tooth and a foot out of joint. This is similar to v. 9. It were well if those whom this character suits, were admonished of the great sinfulness of their conduct, and led to amend it. Wretched beyond expref- Before Chall 1000. b Chap. x. 8. 8. &xviii. 16. Chap. x. 8. Ho. xiii. 3. Before Christ 1. On: "The man thus unequally yoked with a contentious and angry woman: every comfort in his family is embittered; the solitude of the desert is preferable to such perpetual brewing; and the company of wild beasts more eligible than such a termagant." 2. Cf. col. 3. 20. "There is a treasure to the desired, and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up." Such a one will not only disappoint our expectations from him, but our trust upon him will add to our anguish; or the words may be rendered, the confidence of an unfaithful man, whatever was the object of it, his wealth, his wisdom, or his righteousness, in time of trouble, and that time is near, will fail, and leave him in anguish to bewail (too late) his folly. They who would have a support which will not fail them, must cease from all besides, and stay themselves on the rock of ages; none ever trusted in him, and were confounded. 20. As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre: 'so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. They who imagine evil, fret by craft and deceit to gain their ends, but are often found to impose upon themselves; whilst to those, who with openness of heart meditate no guide, consult their neighbour's peace, and study to promote it, joy will be their happy portion. 21. There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. The wise preserve with care what they gain by industry. In their house there is abundance of good things; enough, and to spare: yea, though but a cottage, as the word signifies, there is that most desirable of all treasures, grace; and that greatest gain, godliness with contentment; but a foolish man spendeth it up; either squandering the flore which his wise father had provided; or, by living up to the height of his income, depriving his children of the provision he ought to make for them. Chap. xx. 21. "He that followeth after righteousness and mercy, findeth life, righteousness, and honour." It is cruel to exasperate the griefs of the afflicted, and mock at their miseries; and absurd with unfeasurable mirth to entertain the heavy heart. We must rather weep with those that weep, and with sympathetic tenderness seek to alleviate the sorrows of the miserable. 21. 'If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat: and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22. For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and 'the LORD shall reward thee. v. 21, 22. To love our enemies, is no new commandment; and that not in word and tongue only, but expressed in every act of kindness to them, in the time of their distress: and hard must that heart be, that is not melted with such generosity; at least, our labour shall not be in vain: if they continue inveterate, God will reward us with a sense of his love here, and an inheritance in his kingdom hereafter. 23. 'The north-wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. In the Chord June God will be the protection of the just; no evil shall happen to them; his grace shall preserve them from sin, his providence from suffering: yea, though they may fall into divers temptations, they shall all work together for their good. But misery haunts the wicked, close as their shadow; their mischief shall be visited on their own heads, and given up to their own evil hearts; they shall be left to fill up the measure of their iniquities, till wrath come upon them to the uttermost. 22. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. Behold, 1. The business of the wise; to follow after righteousness and mercy; righteousness, both that which is by faith in Jesus Christ imputed to us, and by the Spirit of Jesus implanted in us. Mercy, or grace, which, as poor and perishing, we need, and must seek at God's hands, and, according to our ability and measure, exercise towards our brethren. 2. The blessing of so doing. Such an one findeth life; for none thus earnestly seek in vain: life spiritual, with all the blessings and comforts of it, is their present portion; life eternal, hereafter secured to them. Righteousness in Jesus Christ, both his title to glory, and his merenees for it, is given him; and honour, the highest conceivable, even to reign with God in glory, is his sure reward. Eccles. ix. 22. "A wise man isleath the city of the mighty, and calleth down the strength of the confidence thereof." We cannot have too many warnings against lying, to which the fallen nature is so prone, and the consequences of which are so fatal. The lying lips are abomination to the Lord, and he will sharply rebuke them with but burning coals: whilst truth is his delight, and they who in all their words and dealings make conscience to speak it from their heart, will find God's blessing upon them. 23. A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. William is better than strength, Eccles. ix. 16. Nothing is impregnable where consummate prudence plans, and cost fortitude with steady perseverance executes the design. The sinners heart is like this city of the mighty, kept by the power of Satan and in-dwelling sin; but Christ calls down the strong-holds, and, by the power of the Spirit of wisdom and grace which he implants, brings the whole man, body, soul, and spirit, into subjection to his blessed self. Chap. xii. 23. "Whoo keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from troubles." Though a wise man is not backward to communicate instruction, he is careful to avoid all ostentation of knowledge, or his prudence appears in concealing what would not be proper to be divulged: but fools betray their ignorance, by their pompous attestation to appear wise. 24. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the + stothful shall be under tribute. 2a. 23. Much food is in the tillage of the poor : but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. Diligence and industry will make a little much ; the poor need not want if they will work : but when men are without prudence to manage, and activity to execute, a great effort is really made away with ; extravagance, carelessness, and over-grabbing, hath ruined multitudes ; or there is that is destroyed through injustice, dishonestly being the ready way to beggars. The tongue is a world of iniquity, and needs a sharp restraint, that nothing impure, false, profane, rash, injurious, may be uttered. Its ungovernableness is the fruitful source of most of our present troubles, and God hath threatened it with eternal condemnation; and there is no way of avoiding these but by keeping that with all diligence. Heb. the 24. Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. Diligence is the way to life. Riches, and consequently dominion, are the natural fruits thereof; but stoth and slavery are twin filters. The stothful shall be under tribute, or the deceitful, for they are close allied; they who hate to work, usually live by knavery. 25. Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. Pride is usually the parent of passion; and they who are high in their own conceit, construe every inadvertence into a flight, and a misplaced word is an affront. Thus wrath is their trade, so habitually are they given to it. But though they may think their hectoring and hard words make them look great and be feared, they are deceived; it will only procure them an ill name, and render them truly contemptible. Chap. xiii. 25. "The desire of the stothful killeth him: for his hands refuse to labour. 26. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not." v. 25, 26. Vexed with unsatisfied desires, the stothful pines away, because he refuseth to labour to supply his wants: or covering greedily what is the property of others, to save himself from labour, he robs, or steals, and that brings him to an untimely end. But the righteous, having by honest industry obtained enough and to spare, giveth to the truly needless with a liberal hand. Cf. 1. p. 27. "The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?" Chap. xx. 1. p. 27. Though sacrifice was of divine appointment, it never was because of any delight God had in the blood of bulls or goats, or any outward forms of ritual devotion; but because they were typical of the one great oblat on of Jesus; and without faith and simplicity of heart in the offeror, were not only useless, but an abomination. Thus all the prayers, alms, and outward appearances of piety, in the wicked and self-righteous, are merely hypocritical; and their perfons being not accepted, their services must be rejected of God, especially when offered with a wicked mind, as Balsam's sacrifices, or the Pharise's prayers were, in order to be subservient to their wickedness. 28. "A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth, speaketh constantly." Heaviness in the heart of MAN, arising from over anxiety about a worldly provision, the dread of wars, the pacifures of adversity, natural dejection of spirits, and above all, from a sense of sin lying upon the conscience, maketh it stoop, removes the soul for labour, and keeps the miserable wretch paving, disconsolate, over his wretchedness; but a good word, encouraging, seasonable, drawn from God's word, and applied by the spirit to the soul, maketh it glad, removes the fears of unbelief, revives the drooping spirits, and fills the soul with joy and peace in believing. 26. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. 25. ' The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but ' he will establish the border of the widow. Pride, men's capital fog, will prove their ruin: God delights to abate such, overturn the lofty fabrics their vanity reared, and ruin their families, whose grandeur they meant to establish: but for the poor, the oppressed, and the widow, he will appear, protect them from injuries, avenge their wrongs, and establish them in the earth. The church of God, though at present in its widowed state, shall rise shortly above the power of the enemy, and every proud antichristian foe be destroyed for ever. Men's excellence is to be rated not from their possessions, but their piety. The righteous is more excellent than his graceless neighbour, however in external shew and greatness he may be his inferior; or more abundant, not in worldly wealth indeed, but what is infinitely better, in the graces of God's spirit; but the way of the wicked seduceth them, they promise themselves profit and honour in their evil ways, but in the issue find themselves deceived and undone. 27. The stothful man roafteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. The Before Christ room. a Rom. xii. 11. a Chap. xii. 17. Rom. xxii. 15. a Chap. xii. 20. a Chap. x. 17. Rom. xxii. a Chap. xx. 15. a Lit. 1. 4. Or aboutdent. 14. 26. In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27. 'The fear of the LORD is the fountain of life, to depart from the sinners of death. v. 26, 27. The fear of God comprehends the substance of true godliness, and great is the blessedness thereof. (1.) It gives strong confidence; for they who walk in God's fear, may be assured of his protection. (2.) In every day of trial, God's children have a fair refuge from all the storms of wrath, and the rage of earth and hell. (3.) This fear is a fountain of life, it is what brings present comfort and satisfaction to the soul, and will spring up to everlasting life hereafter. (4.) All who are governed by it, depart from the sinners of death; it keeps us from sin with all its allurements, and thereby shields us from the sufferings which are the wages of sin. Lord, put this fear in my heart! 28. In the multitude of people is the king's honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. As numbers are the great security of a kingdom, it is the labour of every good king, by the mildness and equity of his administration, to encourage trade, manufactures, and agriculture; and the flourishing condition of his subjects redounds to his honour. Whilst, where the government is rigorous, tyrannical, and arbitrary, property is insecure, the spur to industry is lost, the land uncultivated and deserted, and the nation's forces weakened, leave it a prey to every invader. Heb. Short of Spirit. 29. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit, exalteth folly. A deliberate liar is an undone soul; but a man of integrity speaketh the truth from his heart; suffices what he hath heard and knows, without wavering or variation. 29. A wicked man hardneth his face: but as for the upright, he directed his way.