Verse 1: A woman who has no fear of God, who is wilful and wasteful,
and indulges her ease, will as certainly ruin her family, as if
she plucked her house down. (2). Here are grace and sin in their
true colours. Those that despise God's precepts and promises,
despise God and all his power and mercy. (3). Pride grows from
that root of bitterness which is in the heart. The root must be
plucked up, or we cannot conquer this branch. The prudent words
of wise men get them out of difficulties. (4). There can be no
advantage without something which, though of little moment, will
affright the indolent. (5). A conscientious witness will not
dare to represent anything otherwise than according to his
knowledge. (6). A scorner treats Divine things with contempt. He
that feels his ignorance and unworthiness will search the
Scriptures in a humble spirit. (7). We discover a wicked man if
there is no savour of piety in his discourse. (8). We are
travellers, whose concern is, not to spy out wonders, but to get
to their journey's end; to understand the rules we are to walk
by, also the ends we are to walk toward. The bad man cheats
himself, and goes on in his mistake. (9). Foolish and profane
men consider sin a mere trifle, to be made light of rather than
mourned over. Fools mock at the sin-offering; but those that
make light of sin, make light of Christ. (10). We do not know
what stings of conscience, or consuming passions, torment the
prosperous sinner. Nor does the world know the peace of mind a
serious Christian enjoys, even in poverty and sickness. (11).
Sin ruins many great families; whilst righteousness often raises
and strengthens even mean families. (12). The ways of
carelessness, of worldliness, and of sensuality, seem right to
those that walk in them; but self-deceivers prove
self-destroyers. See the vanity of carnal mirth. (14). Of all
sinners backsliders will have the most terror when they reflect
on their own ways. (15). Eager readiness to believe what others
say, has ever proved mischievous. The whole world was thus
ruined at first. The man who is spiritually wise, depends on the
Saviour alone for acceptance. He is watchful against the enemies
of his salvation, by taking heed to God's word. (16). Holy fear
guards against every thing unholy. (17). An angry man is to be
pitied as well as blamed; but the revengeful is more hateful.
(18). Sin is the shame of sinners; but wisdom is the honour of
the wise. (19). Even bad men acknowledge the excellency of God's
people. (20). Friendship in the world is governed by
self-interest. It is good to have God our Friend; he will not
desert us. (21). To despise a man for his employment or
appearance is a sin. (22). How wisely those consult their own
interest, who not only do good, but devise it! (23). Labour of
the head, or of the hand, will turn to some good account. But if
men's religion runs all out in talk and noise, they will come to
nothing. (24). The riches of men of wisdom and piety enlarge
their usefulness. (25). An upright man will venture the
displeasure of the greatest, to bring truth to light. (26,27).
Those who fear the Lord so as to obey and serve him, have a
strong ground of confidence, and will be preserved. Let us seek
to this Fountain of life, that we may escape the snares of
death. (28). Let all that wish well to the kingdom of Christ, do
what they can, that many may be added to his church. (29). A
mild, patient man is one that learns of Christ, who is Wisdom
itself. Unbridled passion is folly made known. (30). An upright,
contented, and benevolent mind, tends to health. (31). To
oppress the poor is to reproach our Creator. (32). The wicked
man has his soul forced from him; he dies in his sins, under the
guilt and power of them. But godly men, though they have pain
and some dread of death, have the blessed hope, which God, who
cannot lie, has given them. (33). Wisdom possesses the heart,
and thus regulates the affections and tempers. (34). Piety and
holiness always promote industry, sobriety, and honesty. (35).
The great King who reigns over heaven and earth, will reward
faithful servants who honour his gospel by the proper discharge
of the duties of their stations: he despises not the services of
the lowest.
