Verse 1: A poor man who fears God, is more honourable and happy,
than a man without wisdom and grace, however rich or advanced in
rank. (2). What good can the soul do, if without knowledge? And
he sins who will not take time to ponder the path of his feet.
(3). Men run into troubles by their own folly, and then fret at
the appointments of God. (4). Here we may see how strong is
men's love of money. (5). Those that tell lies in discourse, are
in a fair way to be guilty of bearing false-witness. (6). We are
without excuse if we do not love God with all our hearts. His
gifts to us are past number, and all the gifts of men to us are
fruits of his bounty. (7). Christ was left by all his disciples;
but the Father was with him. It encourages our faith that he had
so large an experience of the sorrows of poverty. (8). Those
only love their souls aright that get true wisdom. (9). Lying is
a damning, destroying sin. (10). A man that has not wisdom and
grace, has no right or title to true joy. It is very unseemly
for one who is a servant to sin, to oppress God's free-men.
(11). He attains the most true glory who endeavours most
steadily to overcome evil with good. (12). Christ is a King,
whose wrath against his enemies will be as the roaring of a
lion, and his favour to his people as the refreshing dew. (13).
It shows the vanity of the world, that we are liable to the
greatest griefs where we promise ourselves the greatest comfort.
(14). A discreet and virtuous wife is more valuable than house
and riches. (15). A sluggish, slothful disposition makes men
poor; it brings them to want. And this applies both to the
present life and that which is to come. (16). If we keep God's
word, God's word will keep us from every thing really hurtful.
We abuse the doctrine of free grace, if we think that it does
away the necessity and advantage of obedience. Those that live
at random must die. This truth is clearly taught in words enough
to alarm the stoutest sinner. (17). God has chosen the poor of
this world, to be rich in faith, and heirs of his kingdom. (18).
When parents keep under foolish tenderness, they do their best
to render children a comfort to them, and happy in themselves.
(19). The spared and spoiled child is likely to become a man of
great wrath. (20). Those that would be wise in their latter end,
must be taught and ruled when young. (21). What should we
desire, but that all our purposes may agree with God's holy
will? (22). It is far better to have a heart to do good, and
want ability for it, than to have ability for it, and want a
heart to it. (23). Those that live in the fear of God, shall get
safety, satisfaction, and true and complete happiness. (24).
Indolence, when indulged, so grows upon people, that they have
no heart to do the most needful things for themselves. (25). A
gentle rebuke goes farthest with a man of understanding. (26).
The young man who wastes his father's substance, or makes his
aged mother destitute, is hateful, and will come to disgrace.
(27). It is the wisdom of young men to dread hearing such talk
as puts loose and evil principles into the mind. (28). Those are
the worst of sinners, who are glad of an opportunity to sin.
(29). The unbelief of man shall not make God's threatenings of
no effect. Christ himself, when bearing sins not his own, was
not spared. Justice and judgment took hold of our blessed
Surety; and will God spare obstinate sinners?
