heart is filled with hatred and ill designs, and that flattery should be banished from our conversation. Christians should abhor all these vices, as utterly unworthy of our Christian calling; studying meekness, charity, humility, and sincerity, in their words and actions. CHAPTER XXVII. THIS chapter treats of the uncertainty of life and of all events; of the praises men give themselves, of jealousy, of reproofs, of the excellence and the duties of true friendship, of bad women, of the effects of praise and flattery, of incorrigible persons, and of economy. Reflections. THIS sentence of Solomon, Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth, warns us of the vanity of life, and the uncertainty of events, and therefore that it is great folly to depend upon the future. The Wise Man observes next, that to praise one's self is not consistent with prudence or humility; that we ought studiously to avoid anger and passion; that those who reprove us with sincerity are our best friends; that, on the contrary, those, who are flattering and insincere, are our enemies; that true friends are a very great treasure, and that we ought never to forsake them. Women are taught in this chapter to avoid a sharp and quarrelsome, and to be clothed with a peaceable and quiet spirit. We likewise learn here, that there are some people so incorrigible, that neither warnings nor corrections can alter them. Lastly, The rules about industry and economy, which Solomon here gives us, should be well observed, not only because industry is profitable to this life, but chiefly because application to some lawful business is a means of living innocently; and a plain and industrious life is a help to piety, and an instrument of salvation. CHAPTER XXVIII. THIS chapter contains excellent sentences upon the state of a good and bad conscience; about government, oppression, and integrity: Upon children who apply themselves to piety and virtue, or depart from them; on justice, usury, and the observation of God's commands; on the exaltation of good men, the fear of God, tyranny, diligence, sincerity, and respect of persons; on the miseries which envious and covetous men are exposed to; on reproof, and the sin of children robbing their parents; and lastly, on presumption, and charity to the poor. Reflections. THIS sentence, The wicked flee when no man pursueth; and the righteous are bold as a lion, deserves to be well considered, as it shows, that an evil conscience is generally in fear, whereas a good man is always calm and steady. This chapter teaches us farther, that God sometimes punishes a people by their governors, therefore that good princes and magistrates are a peculiar blessing to a state; that a poor and honest man is more worthy of esteem, than a rich man without virtue; that wise children are a glory to families, but wicked children a disgrace; that he who increases his goods by injustice and extortion, heaps up riches for others; that the Lord rejects the prayers of those who transgress his law; that every body ought to be glad when the righteous are exalted, but that it is a great misfortune when the wicked bear rule. This sentence deserves our particular attention: He that covereth his sins, shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them, shall have mercy: And this other; Happy is the man that feareth alway. These words teach us, that without confession of sins, there is no forgiveness to be obtained, and that the fear of God is a fountain of true happiness. In this chapter we learn also, that idleness produces misery; that justice is to be exercised without partiality; that envy and avarice only make men miserable; that those who reprove us are most deserving of our love; that it is a great sin in children to steal from their parents; that a good opinion of one's self is a sign of extreme folly; and lastly, that those who give to the poor will never want, while the uncharitable are accursed. CHAPTER XXIX. THE Wise Man speaks of those that love not to be reproved; of the advancement of the righteous, and of the wicked; of the impure; of kings and governors, and of flatterers; of the good that wise men do to others, and of the evil occasioned by the wicked; of the care which every one should take to procure peace, and command his temper; of the punishment it is to any people to be deprived of God's word; of the necessity of correcting servants; of men that are hasty and rash in their words and actions; and lastly, of anger, pride, and injustice. Reflections. WHAT we are to gather from this chapter is, that those who will not bear reproof are their own enemies; that the impure are exposed to great miseries; that a nation governed by good princes is very happy, but no less miserable when its rulers and magistrates are lovers of bribes, and have under them men without virtue; that flattery is a snare which every wise man should shun; that wise and pious men are very useful in the world, but that wicked men do much mischief in it, and are enemies to the righteous. This chapter teaches us also, that it is wise and prudent to shun disputes, to calm our passions and refrain anger; that we ought to undertake to defend good men; that children, duly corrected, are a joy to their parents; that people without instruction and the fear of God, are corrupted and deserve our pity; that we ought to behave with prudence towards our servants; that we ought never to engage ourselves in the society of wicked men: and that those who partake with them, and make advantage of their injustice, become partners of their crimes. Lastly, Solomon teaches us, that anger hurries men to the commission of many sins; that pride brings men low, while humility exalts them; and that the surest way to be always in a settled condition, is to trust in God, and to walk uprightly. CHAPTER XXX. IN this chapter Agar confesses man's meanness and the majesty of God, and prays him to give him neither poverty nor riches. Reflections. WE are chiefly to observe from this chapter these two things: I. That what is here said of man's meanness and God's omnipotence, should produce in us a lively sense of our own weakness; of the Divine Majesty, and our dependance on God. II. That a middling station in life is the most happy and desirable; which Agar has expressed in this beautiful prayer: Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me. CHAPTER XXXI. THIS chapter may be divided into two parts; the first of which contains instructions, which the mother of king Lemuel (supposed to be Solomon) gave him to restrain him from sensuality, from unjust wars, and from drunkenness; and to engage him to protect the weak and to govern justly. And the second part contains the praises of a virtuous woman. Reflections. THE instructions, which are contained in the first part of this chapter, relate chiefly to kings and governors, and tend to restrain them from impurity, from unjust wars, and from intemperance; and to inspire them with sentiments of equity and justice; yet there is no one who is not bound to follow these good instructions, and to study chastity, sobriety, and the love of peace and justice. The second part of this chapter teaches us, that the qualities which render women praise-worthy, are diligence and industry, good housewifery, love of their husbands and children, charity to the poor, discretion and wisdom in their discourse, and above all, the fear of God. Here we learn, that the life of the women in those times, even of those that were rich, was plain and industrious; and that they laboured with their hands to supply the necessities of their families. However, we must not suppose, that what is said in this chapter regards only the maxims and duties of economy. Religion requires of women the same duties and qualities which Solomon praises in persons of that sex, and which recommend them in the sight of God. This St. Paul shows, when he praises women who take care of their children, who stay at home and guide the house, who exercise charity, and who practise with care all manner of good works; and when he blames, on the other hand, those that are idle tatlers, and busy-bodies, wandering about from house to house. Wherefore Christian women ought to give particular attention to what is said in this place. The end of the Book of Proverbs. |