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1994-03-02
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24401
#10-22 If we are truly wise, we shall be careful to avoid all
evil company and evil practices. When wisdom has dominion over
us, then it not only fills the head, but enters into the heart,
and will preserve, both against corruptions within and
temptations without. The ways of sin are ways of darkness,
uncomfortable and unsafe: what fools are those who leave the
plain, pleasant, lightsome paths of uprightness, to walk in such
ways! They take pleasure in sin; both in committing it, and in
seeing others commit it. Every wise man will shun such company.
True wisdom will also preserve from those who lead to fleshly
lusts, which defile the body, that living temple, and war
against the soul. These are evils which excite the sorrow of
every serious mind, and cause every reflecting parent to look
upon his children with anxiety, lest they should be entangled in
such fatal snares. Let the sufferings of others be our warnings.
Our Lord Jesus deters from sinful pleasures, by the everlasting
torments which follow them. It is very rare that any who are
caught in this snare of the devil, recover themselves; so much
is the heart hardened, and the mind blinded, by the
deceitfulness of this sin. Many think that this caution, besides
the literal sense, is to be understood as a caution against
idolatry, and subjecting the soul to the body, by seeking any
forbidden object. The righteous must leave the earth as well as
the wicked; but the earth is a very different thing to them. To
the wicked it is all the heaven they ever shall have; to the
righteous it is the place of preparation for heaven. And is it
all one to us, whether we share with the wicked in the miseries
of their latter end, or share those everlasting joys that shall
crown believers?
24414
* Exhortations to obedience and faith. (1-6) To piety, and to
improve afflictions. (7-12) To gain wisdom. (13-20) Guidance of
Wisdom. (21-26) The wicked and the upright. (27-35)
#1-6 In the way of believing obedience to God's commandments
health and peace may commonly be enjoyed; and though our days
may not be long upon earth, we shall live for ever in heaven.
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; God's mercy in promising,
and his truth in performing: live up to them, keep up thine
interest in them, and take the comfort of them. We must trust in
the Lord with all our hearts, believing he is able and wise to
do what is best. Those who know themselves, find their own
understandings a broken reed, which, if they lean upon, will
fail. Do not design any thing but what is lawful, and beg God to
direct thee in every case, though it may seem quite plain. In
all our ways that prove pleasant, in which we gain our point, we
must acknowledge God with thankfulness. In all our ways that
prove uncomfortable, and that are hedged up with thorns, we must
acknowledge him with submission. It is promised, He shall direct
thy paths; so that thy way shall be safe and good, and happy at
last.
24420
#7-12 There is not a greater enemy to the fear of the Lord in
the heart, than self-conceit of our own wisdom. The prudence and
sobriety which religion teaches, tend not only to the health of
the soul, but to the health of the body. Worldly wealth is but
poor substance, yet, such as it is, we must honour God with it;
and those that do good with what they have, shall have more to
do more good with. Should the Lord visit us with trials and
sickness, let us not forget that the exhortation speaks to us as
to children, for our good. We must not faint under an
affliction, be it ever so heavy and long, not be driven to
despair, or use wrong means for relief. The father corrects the
son whom he loves, because he loves him, and desires that he may
be wise and good. Afflictions are so far from doing God's
children any hurt, that, by the grace of God, they promote their
holiness.
24426
#13-20 No precious jewels or earthly treasures are worthy to be
compared with true wisdom, whether the concerns of time or
eternity be considered. We must make wisdom our business; we
must venture all in it, and be willing to part with all for it.
This Wisdom is the Lord Jesus Christ and his salvation, sought
and obtained by faith and prayer. Were it not for unbelief,
remaining sinfulness, and carelessness, we should find all our
ways pleasantness, and our paths peace, for his are so; but we
too often step aside from them, to our own hurt and grief.
Christ is that Wisdom, by whom the worlds were made, and still
are in being; happy are those to whom he is made of God wisdom.
He has wherewithal to make good all his promises.
24434
#21-26 Let us not suffer Christ's words to depart from us, but
keep sound wisdom and discretion; then shall we walk safely in
his ways. The natural life, and all that belongs to it, shall be
under the protection of God's providence; the spiritual life,
and all its interests, under the protection of his grace, so
that we shall be kept from falling into sin or trouble.
24440
#27-35 Our business is to observe the precepts of Christ, and to
copy his example; to do justice, to love mercy, and to beware of
covetousness; to be ready for every good work, avoiding needless
strife, and bearing evils, if possible, rather than seeking
redress by law. It will be found there is little got by
striving. Let us not envy prosperous oppressors; far be it from
the disciples of Christ to choose any of their ways. These
truths may be despised by the covetous and luxurious, but
everlasting contempt will be the portion of such scorners, while
Divine favour is shown to the humble believer.
24449
* Exhortation to the study of wisdom. (1-13) Cautions against
bad company. Exhortation to faith and holiness. (14-27)
#1-13 We must look upon our teachers as our fathers: though
instruction carry in it reproof and correction, bid it welcome.
Solomon's parents loved him, therefore taught him. Wise and
godly men, in every age of the world, and rank in society, agree
that true wisdom consists in obedience, and is united to
happiness. Get wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy
corruptions; take more pains to get this than the wealth of this
world. An interest in Christ's salvation is necessary. This
wisdom is the one thing needful. A soul without true wisdom and
grace is a dead soul. How poor, contemptible, and wretched are
those, who, with all their wealth and power, die without getting
understanding, without Christ, without hope, and without God!
Let us give heed to the sayings of Him who has the words of
eternal life. Thus our path will be plain before us: by taking,
and keeping fast hold of instruction, we shall avoid being
straitened or stumbling.