Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

the death of the wicked, the evils they occasion in the world, and the good which upright men do in it; sincerity and discretion; the fruits of righteousness; the punishment of the wicked; the woman without virtue; covetousness, usury, and the folly of those that trust in their riches; and, lastly, what befals good and bad men in this world.

Reflections.

WHAT we learn in this chapter is as follows: I. That God abhors deceit and injustice, and that we ought inviolably to adhere to integrity and uprightness, both in our words and actions. II. That pride is attended with shame, whereas humility leads to glory. III. That the wicked do much mischief in the world, and when they die their hopes perish; but that the righteous procure great happiness to cities and states, and that their happiness is always immoveable. IV. That wise men avoid slander and tale-bearing, and are prudent in their discourses; but that great evils happen both to public and private persons, for want of prudence and good counsel. V. That sooner or later the wicked will be punished. VI. That a virtuous woman ought to be esteemed: but a woman without virtue deserves contempt. VII. That it is a great folly to love riches, and to put our trust in them; and particularly, that those who rejoice in times of scarcity and dearth, and take advantage from it to enrich themselves, shall be accursed. And lastly, that if even the righteous man is exposed to afflictions in this world, the sinner shall not escape divine vengeance, but shall infallibly receive what he has deserved.

CHAPTER XII.

THIS chapter contains sentences concerning correction, and the usefulness of it; the divine blessing on good men, and the punishment of the wicked; concerning virtuous women, prudence, modesty, humanity, sloth, sincerity, the prosperity of the righteous,

and the happiness of those that give themselves up to fraud and injustice.

Reflections.

pru

WE are to learn from hence, I. To love instruction and correction; and always to follow that which is right, since that procures the divine favour. II. What is here said of the worth of prudent and virtuous women, warns Christian women of their duty. III. Solomon charges us to live modestly, and not to affect grandeur and show; to avoid cruelty and inhumanity; to be diligent and industrious; to abhor fraud and deceit, and never to wrong any one; to be dent and sincere in our words; to love peace and to procure it; and constantly to follow justice and the fear of God, that being the way that leads to life. These are maxims of the greatest importance, which we ought to practise, not only because they may contribute to our happiness in this life, but chiefly because they are in themselves right, and in keeping them we do what is acceptable to God, and procure his favour.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE lessons of instruction in this chapter regard prudent children, sincerity and caution in our words and actions, diligence and labour, modesty, pride, goods unjustly gotten, the advantage of hearing the instructions of the wise, good and bad company, the necessity of correcting children, and the blessing that attends good men.

Reflections.

THIS chapter contains divers sentences; the chief of which tend to inform us, how profitable it is to young people to be reproved and instructed; how important it is to be sincere, and at the same time prudent and reserved in our words; the great advantages of diligence and humility; and, on the contrary, the evils that proceed from sloth, negligence, and pride;

the curse that follows goods unjustly gotten; the advantage we reap from the company of persons fearing God, and the danger of frequenting the company of the wicked. Lastly, Solomon teaches us, that God blesses the substance and posterity of the upright; and those who love their children ought to chastise them betimes; that the righteous shall see the accomplishment of their wishes, and enjoy solid peace; but that misery will be the portion of sinners who depart from their duty.

CHAPTER XIV.

THIS chapter treats about virtuous women, uprightness, prudence, false witness, wisdom, and the blindness of men in judging of themselves; of false joy, credulity, wrath, liars; of imprudence; despising the poor, and respect paid to the rich; of compassion towards the miserable; of sincerity, the effects of the fear of God, of meekness, and of what occasions the happiness or unhappiness of kingdoms.

Reflections.

AMONG the reflections which this chapter suggests, these particularly deserve our attention. Here we learn, that women do much good or much harm in families; that the mark of a man who fears God, is to walk in uprightness; that we ought always to speak in truth, and with prudence, and to avoid insincerity, lying, and imprudence, in our discourse; that men are apt to be deceived, and to think themselves in the right way, when they are in the road to destruction; that the joy of the wicked ends in sorrow and misery; that credulity, as well as wrath and envy, make men fall into many faults; and that it is great wisdom to be meek and moderate; that rich men are usually honoured, but that poor and mean men are neglected and despised; that it is affronting God to despise the poor, but he that has compassion on them honours the Lord; that where the fear of God is, there is a

spring of life, a firm assurance, and a preservative against the snares of death. Lastly, That justice and uprightness are the true glory of kings, and the greatest security of states; but, on the contrary, injustice becomes their shame and misery.

CHAPTER XV.

THE Wise Man makes mention of meekness and prudence in our words; of the knowledge God has of the behaviour of all men ; of the prayers of the righteous, and those of the wicked; of the manner in which the wise and the foolish receive corrections; of joy and contentment of mind; of a mean estate; of wrath; of idleness; of wise children; of the destruction of the proud and unjust; and of the happiness of men of integrity and humility.

Reflections.

FROM this chapter we may gather, that meekness and discretion in words produce much good; that God knows and examines the conduct and the hearts of all, both good and bad men ; that instructions and corrections are very useful; that wise men receive them willingly; but that it is a sure mark of folly and blindness not to be able to endure them; that God blesses the righteous and hears their prayers, but rejects those of the wicked; that joy and content is the greatest blessing of our lives, when joined with piety; that a little, with the fear of God, and with peace, is better than riches that bring trouble and wickedness along with them; that anger and idleness are attended with fatal consequences; that wise children are a comfort to their parents; that God destroys the impious and the proud; that the family of those who love dishonest gain shall come to ruin; but that God prospers those that fear him, and do righteously, and walk humbly before him.

CHAPTER XVI.

Solomon shows, that God knows and directs the actions and thoughts of men; that in him we ought to put our trust; that he does every thing with wisdom; that he forgives sins; and that those who turn to him and fear him, obtain his favour; that we ought to possess nothing unjustly; and that God hates pride and injustice: he treats likewise of the power and duty of kings, of the worth of wisdom, of pride and humility, of prudence, of labour, of evil speaking, of an honourable old age, of moderation, and of casting of lots.

Reflections.

THE lessons of instruction which the Wise Man here gives us, are, I. That God knows the hearts of men; and in him alone we ought to place our trust; that he disposes all things with profound wisdom and perfect justice; and that the miseries and calamities of the wicked are an effect of his justice. II. That from God we may obtain pardon of sin, and a reconciliation, provided we have recourse to him by repentance, and fear him, and depart from evil. III. That since a little with righteousness is better than great revenues without right; and pride goeth before destruction; we cannot too studiously avoid injustice, deceit, and haughtiness. IV. Solomon exhorts those that are exalted above others, to hate injustice, to love virtue, and upright men, and to make a good use of their authority. V. He exhorts us to apply ourselves to the study of true wisdom, and of the fear of God, since that is more worth than all the riches in the world; to be prudent, meek, moderate in our discourse and actions; and to abstain from slander, malice and wrath. VI. He teaches us, that a virtuous old age is very honourable, and that this blessing is usually bestowed by God on the godly. Lastly, He declares that God presides over the lot, which plainly proves that he knows every thing; that he directs all things by his providence; and that nothing happens in the world but by his will.

« AnteriorContinuar »