THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON, ARGUMENT. This Book of Proverbs, which has king Solomon for its author, consists of two parts: I. The nine first chapters, which is the first part, contain the exhortations, instructions, and advices, which Wisdom dictates to mankind. II. The other part, which begins at the tenth chapter, is a collection of Proverbs and moral Sentences, upon all manner of subjects. It appears that Solomon wrote the first twenty-four chapters: The sentences of that prince, contained in the succeeding chapters, were collected together about 280 years after, in the time of king Hezekiah. The two last chapters seem to have some other author. The sentences of this Book are short, their style figurative, after the manner of the Eastern Writers; but their meaning is of the greatest importance, as they furnish us with excellent instructions upon every kind of duty, and suited to all persons and conditions. CHAPTER I. THE first chapter contains three parts: I. A preface, which shows the design of this Book, with an exhortation to acquire wisdom. II. A warning to shun wicked men, and not to suffer ourselves to be seduced by them. III. An invitation which Wisdom addresses to sinners, in order to their conversion, with severe threatenings against those that harden their hearts, and refuse to be converted. Reflections. THERE are three things in this first chapter, which demand our particular attention. I. We are to observe, that the chief design of this Book, is to teach men prudence and understanding, and enable them to attain true wisdom, which consists in the fear of the Lord; that this is what all young people especially ought chiefly to apply themselves to; and that this heavenly wisdom is attended with every blessing and advantage. These considerations should dispose us to improve by the instructions contained in this Book. II. Solomon teaches us, that in order to arrive at true wisdom, we should shun wicked men, and those who seek the hurt of their neighbours, lest they should draw us into evil by their solicitations, and by their examples, and we should be involved in the miseries that threaten them. III. We ought to hearken seriously to that wise and grave remonstrance which Wisdom, at the end of this chapter, addresses to sinners, who, like fools, err from the right way. We here see very plainly, that God seeks sinners, and makes them hear his voice: that he omits nothing to withdraw them from evil; and that he is ready to give them his grace and Holy Spirit; that he does not forsake them till after they have despised his counsels, and abused his patience; after which it is no longer time for them to have recourse to his mercy. This sets the goodness and justice of God in a clear light, and shows that men may be happy if they will; and that if they are not, their perdition proceeds from themselves; and therefore, that they ought to hearken to the voice of God, and to the wholesome instructions he gives them, and make good use of his long-suffering, and proffers of mercy, before it be too late. CHAPTER II. Solomon exhorts us, above all things, to labour for the attainment of true wisdom. I. He shows, that it is the most valuable thing in the world, and that God gives it to those who seek it sincerely. II. He teaches us, that they who seek after wisdom, and attain it, are filled with good, and are secured from temptation; but that they who depart from it to follow evil, and particularly such as give themselves up to impurity, hurry themselves into the greatest miseries. Reflections. THE instructions which Solomon here gives us are, I. To hearken to the words of wisdom, to be attentive to its counsels, to seek it with all our heart; that, in order to attain it, we are to beg it of God, who is the author and fountain of it; that it is not hard to attain, and that God gives it to all who sincerely desire it. II. This chapter sets before us the advantages which accrue from the possession of this divine wisdom; it communicates the knowledge and prudence we stand in need of, procures peace and tranquillity, preserves from all evil, and particularly from the evil of temptation. By wisdom we may avoid the snares of the wicked, need not fear the effects of their malice, nor are we in danger of perishing with them. Lastly, Solomon teaches us, that one of the advantages which wisdom procures to mankind is, that it prevents them particularly from falling into uncleanness, and preserves them from those miseries which men who follow sensuality, and the inordinate desires of the flesh, are exposed to. CHAPTER III. I. Solomon exhorts men to follow the instructions of wisdom, to fear God, to trust in him, to honour him, and to submit to his corrections. II. That prince next describes the excellence of wisdom, and the great happiness it procures. Lastly, he exhorts us to do good to all, to hurt nobody, and to walk uprightly. Reflections. On this chapter, we are to consider, in general, the grave and affecting exhortations which Solomon here addresses to mankind, and his description of the happiness of those who give themselves up to the guidance and direction of wisdom. On this head he informs us, that he who fears God, and departs from iniquity, is more happy than if he possessed all the treasures, and every thing that the world esteems at the highest rate; that wisdom makes men enjoy the most exalted pleasures, gives length of days, and is a spring of life and blessing; that with it we need fear no evil, but may walk securely, rising up and lying down without terror, having God always for our protector. Besides this, Solomon here recommends many particular duties: such are, I. To trust in God, and not in our own wisdom. II. To look up to God in all our ways, to fear him, and to depart from evil. III. To honour God by a holy and religious use of our substance, and of all the temporal advantages he confers on us. IV. To submit to his corrections, remembering, that whom the Lord loveth, he correcteth ; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. V. Never to do an unjust action, or injure your neighbour, or to go to law with him without reason or necessity; but, on the contrary, to delight in doing him good, never deferring our assistance when we have it in our power. The last duty is, not to envy the wicked; and to remember, that they who walk not uprightly are an abomination to the Lord, and that this curse is in their houses; whereas God always blesses them that live in uprightness. CHAPTER IV. I. Solomon continues to exhort men to the study of wisdom, and to show that it brings true glory and happiness to those who apply themselves to it. II. He warns men to shun the company of the wicked, and their evil examples, and to follow constantly the rules of piety and justice. Reflections. ALL, especially young people, find in this chapter very wholesome lessons, and powerful motives to lay hold of the instructions which are here given them, to form in them a habit of piety and virtue. Solomon exhorts us to esteem and love wisdom, and to labour above all things to acquire and keep it, assuring us that this makes men happy, and raises them to the highest pitch of glory. He teaches us moreover, that, in order to attain true wisdom, it is highly necessary that we avoid the company and allurements of the wicked, since the ways they take lead to death. Lastly, He charges us to attend to the divine instructions of wisdom, to have them albefore our eyes, to keep our heart from every thing that may corrupt or seduce it, and so to order our actions, our discourses, and all our ways, that we may never turn away from the right path. ways CHAPTER V. THIS chapter contains exhortations to shun the irregular desires of the flesh, and to abstain from uncleanness. Reflections. On this chapter it must be remarked, that, among other wholesome advice given unto men, wisdom recommends in a very particular manner, to abhor uncleanness, and to shun persons who live in debauchery. Solomon speaks of the strange woman, because as the nations bordering on the land of Israel lived very dissolute lives, the Israelites were in great danger of being seduced by women coming from those countries. He exhorts men very strenuously, and young men particularly, to avoid all such persons: He sets before them the folly and stupidity of |