24 The wise Christian sets his affections upon things which are above. The LORD will destroy the but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! 24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. The thoughts of the wicked are an abominatiɔn to the LORD but the words of the pure are pleasant words. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. 29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 33 29 God draweth not near to comfort the wicked. 30 A good reputation gladdeneth the heart. O what a motive to virtue is the prospect of that "Well done!" with which the Judge of all shall welcome his good and faithful servants! He that refuseth 33 Blessed are the poor in spirit. God exalteth the humble and meek. instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. 3 EVENING. PROVERBS xvi. 1 Man may think his own thoughts, and prepare to utter them; but God can control the tongue, as in the case of Balaam. 3 Act for the best-and then boldly commit the event to the Lord, with prayer for his blessing. THE preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. 4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little The final punishment of the impenitent, being the triumph of justice, shall tend to the honour of a just and holy God. with righteousness than great revenues without right. A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. 10 1o A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgmen. "A just weight and balance are the LORD's: all the weights of the bag are his work. 12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. 16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold? and to get understanding silver? "The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good : and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. 21 The wise in heart 21 A sweet eloquence maketh relishall be called prudent: and gious truth to increase, by making the sweetness of the lips in- it acceptable. 10 Pious princes look for the divine blessing to direct their counsels aright. Prayer is their refuge. 11 Injustice to man is sin before God, chap. xi. 1. 12 Sin is hateful in all men-in kings and men of renown it is abomination; its hatefulness and its danger being increased by the eminence of the sinner *. 16 Riches will fail us at last religion never faileth. rather to be chosen than 17 The upright man habitually turns away from the path of evil, and walks as becometh a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. creaseth learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. An ungodly man diggeth up evil and in his lips there is as a burning fire. 28 : 28 How fearful a state is that of the "A froward man soweth whisperer, with his idle words, for * When therefore good and righteous men are in authority, kings and their subjects may alike rejoice. They exercise authority under the blessing of the Most High. strife and a whisperer se- which he must give account! He is mean, yet daring; cruel, yet timid; reckless, yet anxious :— surely he becomes his own tormentor. He shutteth his eyes to devise lips he bringeth evil to pass. 31 Honourable old age wins respect from all. 32 Self-control is the highest magnanimity, and the truest sign of a faithful soldier of the cross. 33 The Christian is freed from all fear of chance. God ordereth a good man's way; and not a hair of his head perisheth but the Almighty knoweth it altogether. Praised be his name! The twenty-sixth Sunday aftec Trinity. MORNING. PROVERBS Xvii. BETTER is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. 2 A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance the brethren. among The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the 1 As competence, and even luxury, cannot give happiness, unless a spirit of quietness reign in the family cir cle; so no worldly discomfort, no worldly disappointment, can rob them of peace, where they live together in unity and love. Husband, wife, children, friends-beware the strife of tongues! 2 The errors of the young not only bring sorrow on themselves, but cover their parents with shame. LORD trieth the hearts. A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. Children's children are the crown of old men ; and the glory of children are their fathers. 7 Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. A gift is as a precious hath it whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. He that covereth a transgression 9 7 A prince should be so clear and bright in nobleness of spirit and conduct, that all men may regard him as the mirror of truth. stone in the eyes of him that 9 Whilst the true Christian concealeth from others any injuries he may have suffered; the tale-bearer seeketh love; but he that walketh like a pestilence in noon repeateth a matter separateth day, separating very friends. 17 13 The Gospel forbids to return evil even for evil-how much more are we forbidden to return evil for good! 16 Unless men desire the wisdom of God, and have a heart for it, in vain is it freely offered to them. 17 One of the good effects of afflictions is, that they call forth and exercise the sympathy and benevolence of others. very friends. A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. An evil man seeketh only rebellion therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. 13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD. 16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. A man void of understanding striketh the presence of his friend. 19 He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow and the father of a fool hath no joy. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment. "Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth. 25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him. Also to punish the just 24 hands, and becometh surety in 19 By "his gate" is meant, his state of life and condition. 24 The good can all see traces and proofs of the divine wisdom in providence and grace, but the foolish, or wicked, are either wilfully blind to them, or obstinately overlook them. "Having eyes, they see not." 25 My young reader ! love and reverence your parents, for conscience' sake toward God. is not good, nor to strike princes for equity. He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and 28 Sound counsel this for all; espe cially for the young. he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. 4 3 EVENING. PROVERBS xix. 5 1 An honest man, however poor, has Almighty God as his friend. In this Christian country, all, however unlearned in worldly wis dom, may gain true wisdom, if they receive meekly the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. Do nothing rashly. 3 When a foolish man has brought himself into trouble, he is apt to fret, and charge it upon Providence. 4 Such is the way of worldly men: a Christian spirit teacheth better things. 5 A lie never prospers; and at last it is surely found out. 1 BETTER is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. The foolishness of man perverteth his way and his heart fretteth against the LORD. Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. All the brethren of the poor do hate him how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. The discre11 Self-control springs from no coward feeling it is the truest magnanimity ! 11 tion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. 13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father and the contentions of a wife are a continual : 13 A twofold sorrow. It were sad for a man that a son should be a calamity to him; but sadder still is it when to this is added a contentious wife *. dropping. House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. 16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own 16 How many, alas! perish from a stupid carelessness about God and * Each sorrow is more grievous, being unnatural. Nature points out a son as an honour to his parents, and a wife as the sweet soother of her husband's cares. Art thou a wife? lay this truth to heart! Art thou a child? honour thy parents! |