he invitations of Wisdom. (1-12) The invitations of folly.
(13-18)
Verses 1-12: Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are
admitted, and by which nourishment is given here to those that
believe in him, as well as mansions in heaven hereafter. The
ministers of the gospel go forth to invite the guests. The call
is general, and shuts out none that do not shut out themselves.
Our Saviour came, not to call the righteous, but sinners; not
the wise in their own eyes, who say they see. We must keep from
the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly, or we never
can enjoy the pleasures of a holy life. It is vain to seek the
company of wicked men in the hope of doing them good; we are far
more likely to be corrupted by them. It is not enough to forsake
the foolish, we must join those that walk in wisdom. There is no
true wisdom but in the way of religion, no true life but in the
end of that way. Here is the happiness of those that embrace it.
A man cannot be profitable to God; it is for our own good.
Observe the shame and ruin of those who slight it. God is not
the Author of sin: and Satan can only tempt, he cannot force.
Thou shalt bear the loss of that which thou scornest: it will
add to thy condemnation.
Verses 13-18: How diligent the tempter is, to seduce unwary souls into
sin! Carnal, sensual pleasure, stupifies conscience, and puts
out the sparks of conviction. This tempter has no solid reason
to offer; and where she gets dominion in a soul, all knowledge
of holy things is lost and forgotten. She is very violent and
pressing. We need to seek and pray for true wisdom, for Satan
has many ways to withdraw our souls from Christ. Not only
worldly lusts and abandoned seducers prove fatal to the souls of
men; but false teachers, with doctrines that flatter pride and
give liberty to lusts, destroy thousands. They especially draw
off such as have received only partial serious impressions. The
depths of Satan are depths of hell; and sin, without remorse, is
ruin, ruin without remedy. Solomon shows the hook; those that
believe him, will not meddle with the bait. Behold the wretched,
empty, unsatisfying, deceitful, and stolen pleasure sin
proposes; and may our souls be so desirous of the everlasting
enjoyment of Christ, that on earth we may live to him, daily, by
faith, and ere long be with him in glory.
he invitations of Wisdom. (1-12) The invitations of folly.
(13-18)