25 Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.

26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

27 For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit.

28 She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men. 29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.

31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.

32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.

33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.

34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.

35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and 'I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

(1) Heb. Wilt thou cause thine (5) Heb. of their flesh.

TRUE wisdom ought to be as extensive in its operation, as it is beneficial in its nature; and to make a man wise in the regulation of his life, as for the salvation of his soul. Taken in this twofold sense, who can tell the invaluable nature of true wisdom?

The opening proverb in this chapter teaches us, how to moderate our appetite; and how to demean ourselves aright, when we are in the presence of those, who may be watching for our halting, and would be glad of an excuse to depreciate our character, or to countenance their evil ways? Are you a man given to appetite? You have need to be cautious at all times. You have need to be doubly so, if sitting at the table of a ruler, or one superior to yourself. All food is given for the support of our life. Whatever exceeds that needful support, is wrong in itself, and hurtful to the body; excessively indulged, and, when it injures and destroys the soul. You should, therefore, consider what is set before you. Consider

what nature requires; and what may be most agreeable to your character and health. Avoid all excess. Put a guard upon your desires. Act, as if a knife were put to your throat; that is, as if you were in danger of doing wrong, injuring yourself or falling into

sin.

There may be more necessity for the exercise of this caution on some occasions. Suppose you were invited to be guest of a man who, there might be reason to think, regarded you with no very friendly eye; or who invited you to his house with no very friendly feeling. It would be clear that, in this case, you might be treated with civility; but you would meet with no cordiality. Indeed, your safest course would be to keep at a distance. Not only is his table furnished with deceitful meat; but the whole scene would be clothed with artful deception. Under an apparently easy and friendly exterior, there lays concealed an evil eye and an evil heart. Such a man is not as he speaks openly to you; but as he secretly thinketh in his heart. Your reception would not be according to the words which may be uttered; but according to the feeling cherished in the heart when he invites you to partake of his provision. His heart is not with you. There is language, but no feeling. There is an urgent entreaty, but no sincerity. You are invited to his house; but he wishes you were gone. How common is this duplicity at the tables of multitudes in the land!

Is such the place, for a wise man to be found in? Is such the society, which a wise man should keep? Is such the table, where a wise man should sit? Will not every morsel, so eaten, be unpleasant; and every sweet word, so spoken, be lost? Can the wise and consistent believer make such scenes the object of. his choice; or feel any pleasure in such places as these? Is not this the world? Does not this hollow insincerity universally prevail? Ought not they, who know better, to choose and act a better part? Surely the haunts and revelries of the world are not the places for growing in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The plain path of duty is, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord." (2 Cor. vi. 17.) And who is he that will dare

to controvert that supreme authority? If you are wise, you will be fixed and decided; and his is the safest course, who follows the Lord with singleness of eye and uprightness of heart (v. 1-8).

Is

Nor let us ever forget, that the way of the glutton and the drunkard is strewed with the sharp thorns of misery and death. not a whore a deep ditch; and a strange woman a narrow pit? Who escapes, that falls therein? Besides, "who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright." There is the poisoned shaft concealed beneath its sparkling appearance, and exhilarating taste. However it may please for the moment, its effects are fatal. "At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." Every bad and wicked deed is sure to follow this intemperate pursuit. “Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea; or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again." Thus the drunkard goes on, perverted, stupified, enflamed, and besotted, till at length death ends his career, and he falls into the depths of hell to rise no more! (v. 29-35.)

BE

CHAPTER XXIV.

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

8 He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

9 The thought of foolishness is sin and the scorner is an abomination to men..

10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is 'small.

11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;

12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet *to thy taste:

14 So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

15 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:

16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

18 Lest the LORD see it, and 'it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the 'candle of the wicked shall be put

24 He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

25 But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

10

26 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

28 Be not a witness against thy neighbour

without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.

29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

32 Then I saw, and "considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. 33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as "an armed man.

How many useful lessons are laid before us in these proverbs! We have seen the necessity of caution and temperance. We have seen the peril of drunkenness and excess. Let us now turn our attention to another evil, and learn to be wise for ever.

You have here a caution against envy. "Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief." David gave the same caution; and here it is repeated. (Ps. xxxvii.)

Is there danger of envying evil men? If so, when may the temptation to do so assault the mind; or what danger is there that it may prevail? Such a danger there evidently is. Such temptations may certainly arise. When is this likely to be the case? and how? Let us see.

Wicked men are often at ease, while godly people are much afflicted. Wicked men are often living in prosperity, while godly persons meet with many reverses. Wicked men often succeed in their designs, while godly persons are frequently disappointed. There is a wise providence in this unequal state of things; but, when we lose sight of the promises, and judge only from what we see, the heart may sometimes be so drawn aside from the right way, as to feel discontent at our own lot, and desirous of possessing the good estate,

VOL. II.

or the good things, which we see others have.

It is a sin to

It is a direct

But this is very wrong. murmur. It is a sin to covet. infraction of that part of the divine law which taught the apostle what a sinner he was before God (Rom. vii. 7-11); and which teaches us an essential part of our moral duty towards God and man. Wherever this feeling exists, it is hateful and wicked. But it is still more so, when found in a Christian; who ought, above all others, to be happy and contented. It is not only wicked. It shews great forgetfulness and want of faith. Could any person really desire the portion of the wicked, if he only considered? Is there not a curse upon all their prosperity, and all their abundance, even now? Will they not perish for ever under the wrath of God hereafter, unless they repent? Is that a thing to be desired? Seriously speaking, would you really wish to change places and portions with them? What, if they have more of this world's goods or enjoyments than you possess? Or what, if they live at ease and in pleasure, while you shed tears of grief, and feel pangs of sorrow? of sorrow? Does that alter the case? Look forward a little. Would you

wish to die as they die? Would you wish to stand, where they will be found, in the last day? Would you wish to hear that sentence pronounced on you, which will be passed on them? Would you wish to be cast into hell with them, and perish with all the people that forget God?

Learn, then, to walk by faith, and not by sight. Look less at things seen and temporal; and more at the things which are not seen and eternal. Who would not rather be like Lazarus, were the will of God so, and be carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom; than like Dives, clothed with purple and fine linen, and faring sumptuously every day; and then, after all these things are over, and death closes the scene, to open our eyes in hell, in the torments of eternal fire? May the Lord of his infinite mercy give us all grace to choose that good part which shall never be taken away! set on things above! heaven! Believing in peaceful and content;

May our affection be May our hearts be in Christ, may we be free from anxious

2 M

cares and envious feelings; and look forward to our never-ending portion in the realms. above!

CHAPTER XXV.

of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

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. 21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him

TH

quarrels, and sundry causes thereof.

HESE are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a

matter.

7 For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine have seen. eyes

8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and 'discover not a secret to another: 10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

11 A word 'fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

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.

14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift

is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time

water to drink :

22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. 23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and

without walls.

(1) Heb. there is no searching. (2) Heb. Set not out thy glory. (3) Or, discover not the secret of

another.

(4) Heb. spoken upon his wheels. (5) Heb. in a gift of falsehood.

ALL these proverbs are wise and deep sayings. Consideration and prayer are requisite for their right understanding and due im provement. Let us gather here and there from these fair fields; and seek to profit by every word of wisdom that comes before us.

Are the heavens high; and is the earth deep; and the heart of kings unsearchable? How much more so must He be, who spread abroad the heavens; and made the earth; If man's puny ways are often inexplicable; and is the King of kings, and Lord of lords? where is the wonder, if the understanding of the eternal mind be infinite? (v. 1-3.)

Again, "take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. Take away the wicked from. before the king; and his throne shall be established in righteousness." In like manner, take away error from the truth; and the Word of God will shine with the purest lustre. Take away the wicked from the godly; and the righteous will shine with greater beauty. Take away sin from the heart; and

the life will become more consistent with a holy and godly conversation (v. 4, 5).

Again, "put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men." Do not think more highly than you ought to think. Remember, you are a sinner; and learn to be humble. "For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen." God resisteth the

(v. 6, 7).

Take another. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver" (v. 11). Such a word must be spoken in its season. It must be appropriate in itself, or suited to the case of him whom you address. It must aim for his good. It must seek the glory of God. Words not so spoken, are like taking away a garment in cold weather; or like pouring vinegar upon nitre; or as he that singeth songs to Penitent words must be a heavy heart. spoken to penitent souls. Consoling words should be spoken to those who need comfort. Warnings and cautions should be given to the heedless and unwatchful. Every thing should be in its place. Every thing in its season. Such words are great blessings: for as the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is the faithful messenger to them that send him, and to them to whom he is sent; for he refresheth the soul of his masters, and the souls of others around him (v. 13).

See, then, the value of the gospel message. We are unto God a sweet savour in them that are saved, and in them that perish. To the one we are the savour of death unto death. To the other we are the savour of life unto life. (2 Cor. ii. 15, 16.) Glad tidings of great joy are the happy burden of our song; and the substance of that theme is, Christ the Lord. Who believes our report? Who comes to that Saviour? Who receives him for the life of his soul? Who casts his burden upon the Lord? Who washes away his sins in the blood of the Lamb? To

whom is Jesus precious? Shall we repeat the invitation? "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters." Shall we renew the promise, "Whosoever shall call upon the name

so honour is not seemly for a fool. 2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not

10 The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool 'returneth to his folly.

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. 13 The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

14 As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

15 The slothful hideth his hand in his

bosom; 'it grieveth him to bring it again to

his mouth.

16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18 As a mad man who casteth 'firebrands, arrows, and death,

bour, and saith, Am not I in sport? 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neigh

20 10 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out so where there is no "talebearer, the strife 12 ceaseth.