5. Mut. ter. 40, 45 31. 'He that oppresseth the poor, reproacheth his maker: but he that honoureth him, hath mercy on the poor. God is the poor man's patron, and regards with indignation, every unkindness shewn them as an affront done to himself, who made them what they are. Whoever therefore means to honour God, must shew it in mercy to the poor; and the kindness done to them shall be rewarded by him, who is the friend of their friends, and the enemy of their enemies. 32. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. Death will make strange alterations. The wicked, who lived thoughtless and careless, will be surprised thereby, and no gifts can bribe, no persuasions delay this executioner of judgment: he shall be driven away in his wickedness, in the midst of his sins; fudden as the whirlwind, and terrible as the thunderbolt, shall the storm of wrath overtake him; his struggles are vain: reluctantly as he parts with earth, go be must, God's patience is at an end, the last hour is come: but the righteous hath hope in his death, a hope full of immortality, that enables him to rise superior to his fears, and count it his privilege to die: no longing, lingering looks are cast behind on a world he is loath to part with, but gladly he quits a scene of sorrow for eternal joys, a miserable abode on earth for a manhood of glory, and weeping friends for congratulating angels. 33. Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. In the deep recesses of his heart, the wise man stores up divine knowledge and understanding, abidingly fixed on the pursuit, and making no obsession of his gains: but all that is in the soul's heart drops out at his mouth; he takes a pride in displaying the pittance he is possessed of, and by his vanity discovers his folly. 34. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Righteousness, valseeth a nation; either the profession and practice of pure religion, which, securing God's blessing, brings prosperity along with it; or the impartial administration of justice, which contributes greatly to national security and felicity; or the faithful observance of treaties with foreigners without, and honestly and charity exercised by the fellow-subjects within: but sin is a reproach to any people, it offends God, whose support withdrawn, their own vices quickly ruin them, expose them for a prey, and render them despicable in the eyes of their neighbours. 35. 'The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame. When kings reign in wisdom, real worth and merit, not favour and partiality, will be the road to distinction; the unqualified, the negligent, and the infamous, will be disgraced; and under the marks of displeasure driven from the Royal presence. Happy the nation that finds such a Monarch! 1. Through desire a man having separated himself, fucketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. This may be interpreted in a bad sense, as descriptive of a conceited person, who affects singularity, and the chew of universal learning; forward in every company to advance his own opinions: or, in a good sense, it may respect the man who, ardent in his thrift for knowledge, separates himself from all other avocations, that he may be at leisure to give himself up to the study of universal wisdom. 2. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. All the little pains a fool is driven to take, is not thro' the love of wisdom, for that he hath no delight in; but merely to be able to make a parade of it, and appear knowing. Thus a hypocrite in religion takes no real pleasure in communion with God in prayer, or the scriptures: all his labour is by fair speeches to keep up a creditable profession. 3. When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. Either the sense is, That when the wicked hath advanced far in evil, he begins to fooff at and contempt the glorious truths of God, and treats its profession with ignominy and reproach: or, That the wicked themselves are contemptible and vile in the eyes of God and of all good men; are a reproach to their families and friends, and will shortly awake to everlasting shame and contempt. 4. 'The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the well-spring of wisdom as a flowing brook. A wise man's heart is full of wisdom; his words, as deep waters, flow silently, and cannot be easily fathomed when he speaks the deep things of God; and as a flowing brook from the good reservoir within, he is ever sending forth those streams of instruction, which are refreshing, quickening, and conducive to the fruitfulness of all around him. 5. 'It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. It is exceeding great wickedness to pervert justice, and, through favour or interest, to connive at, and acquit the wicked; or to give the cause against a righteous man, through prejudice, respect of persons, party, or partiality. Woe to such unjust judges! 6. A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. 7. 'A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his foul. v. 6, 7. To meddle in other people's quarrels, or by idle and insolent prating to give provocation, is the height of folly; and they who do so will smart for it with many a hard blow. Caught in his own contradictions, a fool often here ruins himself, and eternal destruction assuredly awaits him. 8. 'The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Vile and detestable is the character of the tale-bearer. His words are as wounds, mortal and incurable, flaking into the heart, and rankling there: or, as of those that are wounded; pretending to be bitterly affected with what they represent, and that it gives them pain to be obliged to mention it: or, as crafty geredity swallowed by a hungry man; so eagerly heard, and so incorporating with us as our foals. 9. He also that is slothful in his work, is brother to him that is a great waiter. Idleness and prodigality are near allied, and the effects the same, issuing in the ruin of the slothful and extravagant. Thus negligence about the soul is as fatal as open and aroused ungodliness. He thus will not pray, must perish, as lately as the profane. 10. 'The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. The name of the Lord includes all his perfections, by which he makes himself known to us; and all who fly to him through Christ, by whom alone he is approachable, as their strong tower, will find deliverance from the power of evil. Whatever enemies attack, or dangers threaten, his almighty power, his unchangeable faithfulness, his infinite love, will be their support, stability, and comfort. No guilt can condemn, no corruption enslave, no wrath overtake, no fear dismay them: they are safe, eternally safe, leaning on his everlasting arms. My foul, seek this sure refuge. 11. 'The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. How poor and wretched a defence is the rich man's wealth, compared with the righteous man's refuge! In conceit indeed he thinks his riches an impregnable fortress, and a wall so high that no enemy can scale it, and therefore says to his soul, Take those eats; till late conviction detects his folly; the flood of providential judgments here descends, and sweeps away his refuge of lies: or, in a day of wrath hereafter, to his terrible difappointment he finds that riches profit not. 12. 'Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. Pride is the prelude of perdition. They who are puffed up with worldly wealth, high conceit of their own attainments, either of nature or grace, stand on slippery ground, and are on the precipice of ruin: whilst humility, a low opinion of ourselves, and a humble use of what we possess, is the prelage and preparative for true honour both before God and man. 13. 'He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. A precipitate answer exposes a man's folly; a weakness, into which quick parts are apt to betray us. It is wise to hear every circumstance before we decide, and not judge by the representation of one party, lest we should afterwards have reason to take shame for our rathness. 14. 'The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear!' All outward evils, whether afflictions of our bodies, crosses in our families, losses of our goods, reproaches on our character, &c. are supperable, by those at least who are endured with power from no high, and, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, are injured to hardship. But the severest of our trials are within, when the spirit, which should sustain outward infirmity, is itself wounded with melancholy, dejection, or that sharpest sword, the intellectable wrath of God, a sense of which is ready to sink us Before Christ 1000. 6. Chap. 2. 14. &xii. 15. &xiii. 5. Recd. 2. 16. 6. Chap. xii. 18. &xix. 21. Heb. Chamber. 7. Sam. xxii. 11. Pl. xxiii. 1. &xxiv. 1. &xxv. 1. &xxvi. 1. &xxvii. 1. &xxviii. 1. &xxix. 1. &xxy. 1. &xxz. 1. &xxxi. 8. Chap. xii. 15. 9. Chap. xii. 1. &xx. 15. &xvi. 18. 1. John vii. 2. Heb. Resumeth a word. 2. Job vii. 1. 3. Job vii. 4. into despair, till Jesus comes with his blood and grace to heal the broken-hearted. 15. The heart of the prudent geteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise ferketh knowledge. The wise and prudent, whatever their attainments are, continually desire an increase therein; and attentive to every means of improvement, in private conversation, or the public ministry of the word, hear, that their fools may live, growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 16. A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. In this wicked world money goes much farther than merit: it maketh room, or enlarge a man; will often buy off punishment, and open his prison-doors, or procure him a favourable hearing in a bad cause. It gains him acceth at the gates of the great, when, but for the lee, the door would be but half opened; or puts him in the way for preferment, sooner than every qualification. 17. He that is first in his own cause, ftemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and fearcheth him. And alteram partem, Hear the other side, is an approved maxim both in law and private conversation. A matter may be very plausibly told, which, on cross examination, enquiring into circumstances, and hearing other witnesses, may appear grossly misrepresented, or utterly false. 18. The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. When contentions arise, and the mighty quarrel, where the calc is of difficult determination, an appeal to God by lot should end the strife. By lot was Canaan divided; and if in some important concerns we solemnly, by prayer, as Atti. 20. reflect the matter to the divine determination, we should have caust to rejoice in our quiet acquiescence in his decisions. In matters of doubtful right, the lot may be a wiser recourse, than the law or the sword. 19. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. Where love is turned to hatred, and nearest relations quarrel, the resentment is ever most exasperated, and the anger most implacable. Let near relatives cultivate a spirit of forbearance and forgiveness, and, seeing the evil which would arise from a breach, be more careful to maintain the bonds of peace. 20. A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. A gracious heart will appear in gracious speech, which will not only yield satisfaction and edification to others, but be a testimony for good to our own souls; for by our own words we shall be justified, and as we sow we shall reap the condoms of our good conversation. v. Mat. xii. 17. 21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it, shall eat the fruit thereof. Much good, or much evil, necessarily ensues from a right or wrong use of our tongues. By the tongues of false teachers and false witnesses, the hands, and finish of men are destroyed; whilst lips full of grace are the life of those who hear, and the comfort of those that speak. As men love the one or the other, so will the issue be to them, either life or death. 22. Whose findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. Of all earthly bleedings a good wife is the chief; and a singular influence it is of God's favour, when, guided by his providence, we meet with such an helpmate. v. J. m. ii. 3. 23. The poor useth intreaties, but the rich answereth roughly. Mat. (1.) It becomes those who are poor, to have their spirit humbled to their condition; and when we draw near to God, we cannot have too lowly a sense of our spiritual wants and distress. (2.) Affluence is apt to elate; and they who grow rich, too often grow arrogant; but then their greatness becomes their share and curse. 24. A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that farketeth clofer than a brother. Friendship must be mutual: they who love, have some title to a return in kind; and where true regard is in the heart, it will make us ready for every act of kindness. And we shall find the comfort of so doing; for the hands of affection are even stronger than those of blood; and we shall often find from a faithful friend instances of kindness and zeal for our welfare, which we never met from our nearest relations. But the best of friends is the friend of sinners, whose forpassing faithfulness and regard all who cleave to him prove by blessed experience. The great secret of family comfort is to live in love and peace, thus a dry crust is sweet, a cottage a palace; and every meal a feast. But thrift embitters all our enjoyments, and a house full of sacrifices affords no delight where mutual disgust and discord reign. 2. A wise servant shall have rule over * a son that cauceth shame: and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. 1. Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, &chap. xviii. 6. &xviii. 6. &xviii. 6. Poverty is usually despised; yet, better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, upright before God, and honest towards men; than be that is of perverse lips, however great his affluence may be, and is a fool, destitute of that divine wisdom the poor man possesses, and therefore despicable. 2. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet fineth. It is not birth but wisdom which makes the nobles distinction. A wise servant will be made tutor over a foolish son, and, as the reward of his fidelity, be adopted, to receive an inheritance among the brethren. 3. * The sining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. Two things are here condemned, ignorance and precipitation. He that knoweth not the way, cannot but err; and he who doth not allow himself time to consider, will take many a false step. 3. The foolishness of a man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. God is the only teacher of hearts, and he is pleased to prove his people in the furnace of affliction: as gold and silver are tried and purified in the fire, he proves and refines them from the dross of corruption. 4. A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips: and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. All our misery comes from our perverseness: we go out of God's way, and thereby involve ourselves in trouble. And such is our corruption, that we are ever ready to lay the blame upon God, and fret and murmur against those dissensions of his providence which are the punishment of our own sin and folly. 4. Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. A wicked man bent on mischief is glad to catch at every thing which can further his designs; his ears are open to any false story, and he is pleased to hear and propagate the lies of others, as well as invent fasthoods himself. 5. Whoso mocketh the poor, reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities, shall not be unponished. Mammon is the shrine at which men bow. All affect to be friends of those from whom they hope to gain: but, is a man reduced? his neighbour grows shy of him. Like leaves in autumn, worldly friends fall off; and every one is willing to pass by on the other side, and overlook wants he hath no inclination to relieve. 5. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and be that speaketh lies shall not escape. It is a reflection upon God to mock the poor, and insult him because of his indulgence: seeing this is the condition God hath been pleased to allot him, and he, as the poor man's friend, will be the avenger of his wrongs: as wicked alio is it to sport with the calamities of others, and take pleasure in their fall, such a malignant spirit shall not be unpunished. 6. * Childrens children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. Perjury and lying shall meet their recompense. However undetected the authors of them may now pass, the day is sour, when they will be unveiled, and eternal vengeance overtake the perjured and the lying tongue, Rev. xxi. 8. 6. Many will intreat the favour of the prince; and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. 7. All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. It is a singular blessing shown to old men, to see their childrens children; and twice fathers, they are often doubly fond of them, especially when their gracious dispositions render them amiable; and reciprocally as children to parents, so are godly parents the glory of their children, spared to watch over them, instruct and guide them; and a good child, so far from wishing their removal to enjoy their estate, thinks it the greatest blessing, that God is pleased to continue them so long, and makes it his study and delight to require them in filled duty and affection for all their parental cure. 7. Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less Heh. A by of civilintery. 7. These are maxims too sadly verified by the experience of all ages. The great are courted, flattered, castified; and, because they have much to give, crowds of petitioners attend their levee, professing affection and service, whilst meaning only to serve themselves. But the poor, neglected and despised, is universally slighted: his very relations look upon him as a scandal to the family, would fain disown him, and rid themselves of the burden of providing for him; and no marvel therefore, if other friends, bound by less ties, forsake him. Vain are his entreaties; they turn a dead ear: or if he can get a fair word, or a promise, they are mere evasions to be rid of his importunity, and will be found to mean nothing. Let it be our care then to make the blessed God our friend, who is greater than the greatest, and able to supply all our wants, and to gracious and kind, that he will never turn away the prayer of the poor unanswered. 8. He that geteth wisdom, loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding, shall find good. If a wicked man affects to speak excellently on divine subjects, his life gives the lie to his doctrine; and if a fool pretends to make a true harangue, it is absurd, seeing his understanding is defective: as therefore these things are unsuitable, much more are lying lips unbecoming a prince, or a great man, whole truth and integrity should be an example for inferiors to imitate. 8. * A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. He that geteth wisdom, the true knowledge of God's mind and will, or a heart, a right spirit, a renewed heart, loveth his own soul; for he thereby provides for its pretext and eternal b. Pl. xxxvii. 7. v. Chap. xiv. 6. v. Chap. vii. 14. &xii. 18. Ver. 2. 9. Heb. Heid man- cant. v. Chap. xvii. 16. 7. Heb. xviii. 8. &xviii. 16. &xviii. 14. 9. Heb. A man of gifts. v. Chap. xix. 16. 9. Heb. An heart. Babes Christ's eternal bleshedness. He that Joseph underfunding, holds fast God's truth, and acts under the influence of it, shall find good, both now and for ever. 8 Ver. 5. 9. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. Lying and slander are son so common, so offensive to God, so prejudicial to society, and so eternally destructive to men's souls, that we need repeated admonitions against them. 1 Chap. xxx. 10. Delight is not seemly for a fool: much less for a servant to have rule over princes. Delight is not seemly for a fool; he hath more reason to weep than laugh, to mourn than rejoice; and all his mirth is madness, the wrath of God abiding on him: much less for a servant to rule over princes; for the influence of mean spirits in office is usually intolerable. 8 Chap. xix. 11. The discretion of a man defereth his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. 9. 11. To feel the risings of anger is natural to every bosom; to refferate and suppress it, is the proof of a wise man. Cool reflection can only dictate the proper method to rectify real injuries. Nothing can be right that is done in a passion: nor should we be hasty to take offence. The greatest glory of man is not to refoat injuries, but with charity pass them over; not to revenge, but to forgive them. 9 Chap. xvi. 12. The king's wrath is as the roring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. 1. b. xxx. 2. 12. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for ' the throne is established by righteousness. As kings are by their station more exalted, they should in party be more exemplary, and these their abhorrence of all wickedness, not only by abstaining from the practice of it themselves, but by discountenancing it in others; and this is much for the security of their throne, as under such a government the subjects will pay ready obedience, and the blessing of God will be around them as a protection. As terrible as the wrath, and desirable as the favour of an earthly prince may be; yet, infinitely more terrible is the wrath, and more desirable the favour of the King of kings: not to offend him therefore, but by every means to engage and secure his regard, must appear our highest wisdom. 8 Chap. x. 13. A foolish son is the calamity of his father; and the contentions of a wise are a continual dropping. 2. b. xxx. 3. 13. * Righteous lips are the delight of kings: and they love him that speaketh right. About courts sincerity and truth are too rarely found; therefore value the more a faithful adviser, and love those best, not who make their approach with batteries, but who speak right, what is most conducive to the people's good, which is the monarch's true glory. From what we promised ourselves would afford us the most substantial comfort, often proceeds our bitterest anguish, and the disappointment aggravates our misery. A great calamity is a foolish son, impoverishing his father by his extravagance, bringing a reproach on his family, and breaking his aged parent's heart with his disobedience and wickedness: but a greater still is a stubborn, self-willed, fretful, scolding wise. This is a continual dropping; for such a son's tongue will never rest, nor matter be wanting to exercise it. Miserable is the man unequally yoked with such a mate! 8 Chap. xviii. 14. House and riches are the inheritance of fathers; and a prudent wise is from the LORD. 3. b. xx. 4. 14. * The wrath of a king is as mefengers of death, but a wise man will pacify it. In despotic governments, as those are in the East, life and property are more immediately at the mercy of the king; a bown or an angry word were therefore as mefengers of death; yet such is the force of wisdom and such ardents, that it can pacify even a tyrant's rage. See 1 Sam. xix. 6. 15. In the light of the king's countenance is life, and his favour is ' as a cloud of the latter rain. Parents are in duty bound to lay up for their children, and from them by descent the inheritance comes; but the comfort of enjoying it must be from God, who only can give the prudent wife, without which we are but half ourselves. And herein God must be especially acknowledged; for with all the circumspection we can use, it is easy to deceive, and be deceived; and we must own it a singular blessing from God, if on experience we find a gracious partner, circumspect in her conduct, careful in her family, making it her study and delight to please. 8 Chap. x. 15. Slosthfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. As fearful as is the wrath, so desirable is the favour of a king; if he seldom graciously on those who have offended him, it is as life given to the dying malefactor, and his favour showers down honour and affluence, as the cloud of the latter rain covered the land with plenty: but if so terrible the wrath, so desirable the favour of a dying worm like ourselves, how much more to be feared is the King of kings, whose wrath extends to body and soul in hell? and much more eagerly to be sought the light of his countenance, which ensures all blessings to us in time and eternity! 16. ' How much better is it to get wisdom than gold? and to get understanding, rather to be chosen than silver? Slosth is destructive both to soul and body: the soul by it is kept in stupid insensibility; the faculties unemployed; the time sided away; opportunity lost; and want, the merciless consequence, ensues: but the sleep of slosth will be at last disturbed by the pinchings of hunger, or by those sharper pains, which will give the sinner no rest day nor night for ever. 8 Chap. x. 16. He that keepeth the commandment, keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways, shall die. Christ and his grace are the invaluable treasures; get them, you get all; compared with this, gold is as dust, and silver as dung; yet few there are who do not prefer gold to godliness, and riches on earth to treasures in heaven. Amazing folly! In eternity at least men will be undeceived. 17. The high-way of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way, preserveth his soul. The path of duty is the way both of comfort and safety, and whoever hath a real regard to his soul's true good, will make conscience of observing God's commandments, and will find the present and eternal advantage of it: whilst the careless sinner, who regards not his ways, but lives at large, unconcerned whether God's laws are kept or broken, is in the road to ruin, and will die eternally. 8 Chap. x. 17. He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given, will he pay him again. The highway of holiness is the path of the upright, and whilst they keep in this road, the forms of old have road, they depart from evil, neither fall into the evil of sin, nor provoke the evil of punishment; but persevering steadily, through Divine grace, in this Strait road, they preserve their souls from the pollutions of the world, from the paths of the destroyer, and for the eternal enjoyment of God. In this way may my soul be kept a follower of those who now, through faith and patience, inherit the promises. 18. * Pride goth before destruction; and an haughty spirit before a fall. The best hands in which we can place our money, are those of the poor, for them God graciously regards himself as our debtor, and we shall not fail of being repaid with interest. Not that it is merely the money given, but the temper with which we give, that makes the work real charity. A compassion to them, wrought by a sense of the divine compassion to us, makes the acceptable service. 18. Chatten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. The proud are often too high for the arm of flesh to humble, but the arm of Omnipotence shall seize them; God delights in humbling the holy looks of man, and when most elated arrogance hurts him down the presence of destruction, Dan. iv. 30, 31. Are we by grace exalted? let us fear to abuse God's gifts to vain glorying, it will be the sure prelude of some moralizing fall. 19. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Ill weeds must not be suffered to take deep root; the sinner we begin to use the rod of correction, the likelier is the hope of success in restraining those evils in a child, which indulgence and habit would render inveterate. Nor ought any foolish fondness and pity at their tears or intreaties to restrain us, but rather by the needful severity should we show true love to their souls, and consult their best interests, and our own as well as their future comfort. 19. A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. The world looks down in general on the meek as mean, and on the lowly as despicable; yet their state is to be envied. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly; content in our station, submissive to God's will, defining not high things, but seeking to be diligent followers of the humble Jesus; this will afford us a more solid satisfaction now, and be infinitely more happy for us hereafter, than to divide the spoil of oppression, or worldly gain and preferment, with the proud, who are ever grabbing after these, and prize them as their chief good. 20. He that handleth a matter wisely, shall find good: and ' whose trutheth in the LORD, happy is he. An angry man will be ever in bruils: extricate him from them to-day, and he will be involved again to-morrow. So useless is every kind interposition, where the spirit remains unabducted and unmortified. 20. Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayst be wise in thy latter end. They who speak, write, or act with acuteness and wisdom, find good, are esteemed, and successful in their undertakings: and whose trutheth in the Lord, renouncing his own wisdom, righteousness, and strength, and depending on Christ alone, happy is he in the present support and comfort he experiences, and in the glorious hopes which are before him. 21. The wise in heart shall be called prudent, and the sweetness of the lips increased learning. They are truly wise, who are wise in their latter end, and shew they have made a provision for eternity their great concern. The way to be so is to possess an obedient ear, attentive to the advice and injunctions of parents, ministers, mothers, and, above all, to Jesus Christ and his word, for that shall bring a man peace at the last. 21. There are many devices in a man's heart: nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. The wise in heart, deep read in the knowledge of themselves, the mysteries of grace, and experimental acquaintance with the word of God, shall be called prudent; all who converse with them will respect and reverence them; and the sweetness of the lips, that, with pleasing education, and clearness of expression, communicate instruction, necessitate learning, their disciples improve fast under their tuition. 22. ' Understanding is a well-faring of life unto him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly. Deep laid and secret are often the devices of men, opposing God's will, or without any regard to his blessing, as if the success depended on their cunning. Nay, when, as in duty bound, in the ordinary affairs of life, we use our reason to plan the proper method of accomplishing our designs, God overrules all, according to the counsels of his own will; and his eternal decrees the craft of men or devils can never disappoint; his people therefore may be comforted, and his enemies despair. 22. The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. Understanding, to know Christ Jesus and his salvation, is a well-faring of life: from this fountain Streams of wisdom how continually, and the possessor of it hath in himself the beginning and earnest of life eternal; but from a fool nothing can be got; when he pretends to read lectures of wisdom he but exposes his own emptiness. 23. The Before Christ 1 Don. 2. Chap. xix. 3. Pl. xxx. 4. Pl. xxx. 5. The desire of a man is his kindness; either God's kindness and love, which is to the gracious soul most highly desirable; or he wishes to have it in his power to shew kindness to others, his soul, like God, delighting in doing good: and a poor man is better than a liar, however rich and great, who hath the ability without the desire to do good, and is liberal of promises which he never means to perform. 23. The fear of the LORD tendeth to life, and he that hath it shall abide satisfied: he shall not be visited with evil. 9. &ex. 21. 23. It is a sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom. Malicious wickedness takes a pleasure to do mischief; and in nothing do men more resemble devils; or, to commit sin, at which fools make a jest, or glory in their shame, which is the pinnacle of daring impiety: but a man of understanding hath wisdom, to abhor such wickedness; or, is his wisdom to a man of understanding; it is his delight. 24. The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. The advantages accruing from the fear of the Lord are repeated, to engage our hearts in the pursuit of real godliness. It tendeth to life; hath the promise of this life, as well as that which is to come. It affords the most substantial satisfaction, as bringing an habitual and abiding evidence of the divine love and favour, and that contentment which is the greatest gain: and it is a preservative from every evil, from sin and suffering, God being the keeper of his people, and therefore under the shadow of his wings they are safe. 24. A slosthful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. The terrors of guilt often haunt the consciences of the wicked; nor are they bughaar fears, but terrible realities, that in all their bitterness will quickly seize upon them: but the desire of the righteous, his prayers for preventing, rethinking, sanctifying, comforting grace, shall be granted; no fear disturb his peace, nor guilt terrify his spirit. 25. As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no user: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation. 1. Chap. xix. 2. Chap. xix. 3. Chap. xix. 4. 24. He that spareth his rod, hateth his son : but he that loveth him chathoeth him berimess. Parents, by sparing the rod from their children, often make a rod for themselves; and their foolish fondness is in truth the greatest injury they can do them. Every child of Adam needs correction ; there is that folly bound up in the heart, which nothing but this rod can let out, and the sooner the better : the tenderest twig is most easily bent. This is the best mark of real love to them ; indulgence is only dishonest, pleasing ourselves to their ruin, which is in fact to hate them : only in the severity of chastisement, let no passion appear, but let it be seen to be the rod of love, lest we provoke their wrath, instead of curing their wickedness. Helen Chaff 1000. 25. The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul : but the belly of the wicked shall want. Pl. exile. 10 &11. 1. Slosth is a most besetting and most pernicious evil, ruinous to ourselves, as well as offensive to God. The slosthful, averse to every labour, loves to saunter with his hand in his bosom; and, when he hath meat before him, will not be at the pains of raising it from the platter (as the word we read before may be rendered) to his mouth. 25. Smite a scornor, and the simple will beware; and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. Sudden and eternal destruction is ready to seize the wicked, secure as he may appear, and confidently as he builds himself: but the righteous, being built on Christ, the everlasting foundation, stands fast for ever, and no shores or tempests can ever shake his confidence, or move him from the hope of the gospel. 26. As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the fluggard to them that send him. Godliness with contentment is great gain ; this is the portion of the righteous. Whatever he hath, his soul is satisfied and thankful, and that is a continual feast ; and the Lord takes care he shall want no manner of thing that is truly good for him ; especially he breaks the bread of life to his soul, filling his heart with this best food and gladness : but the belly of the wicked, infatuate in their desires, and extravagant in the abusive of their plenty, shall want, indigent in the midst of abundance, or reduced to the distresses of poverty ; and as the prodigal son, there shall be none to pity or give unto them. Incorrigible sinners should be punished, if for no good to themselves, yet as a warning to others: and they who scoff at religion, though our reproods may be left upon them, yet may they serve to warn others in company, and prevent the evil such men might otherwise do. But on a man of understanding Before Christ 1. He who is not to rebuke is lost; he will hear and fear, and grow wiser and better by the admonition. Chap. xvii. 26. He that walteth his father, and chafeth away 1. his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. A fluggard is a plague to those who employ him: as vinegar sets the teeth on edge, and smoke causes the eyes to water, so doth his dilatoriness and neglects vex and provoke those who send him. The sin and shame of a prodigal son are great. By his extravagance he beggars his parents, wastes their disfortance, alimizes their affections: if they have put themselves in his power, they are perhaps turned out of doom, and their grey hairs brought with sorrow to the grave. All cry out shame upon him; he is a scandal to his relations, abhorred of man, and odious in the sight of God. 27. Cease, my son, to hear the instruction, that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. 29. When men are hardened in sin, they rush on without fear. Thus an ungodly witness forbears himself, advances lies, or false doctrine, and feareth judgment; despising alike the laws of man, and the wrath of God: and with as much pleasure as the hungry eats, so greedily doth he swallow down iniquity: but his career is short, for vengeance is ready to overtake forewry, when they will find the wrath of an extended God is not to be mocked; and with the stripes of human punishment, or the stonks of divine and inexorable justice, they shall eternally suffer the just reward of their folly and wickedness.