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23 plished and brought to a good issue. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth and a word [spoken] in due season, how 24 good [is it,] both to himself and others ! The way of life [is] above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath, though an up hill road and difficult, yet this balances all, that it preserves a man from hell (as some understand it ;) or rather, the way of life, or true religion, leads a man's thoughts upwards, to an holy 25 and heavenly conversation. The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, who trample on the poor: but he will establish the 26 border of the widow, who is afflicted and oppressed. The thoughts of the wicked [are] an abomination to the LORD, who sees and hates them but [the words] of the pure [are] pleasant words, that is, pleasing to God. Let us therefore guard our thoughts and $7 maintain good and useful discourse. He that is greedy of gain, or eager in the pursuit of it, troubleth his own house; throws them into a continual hurry, will not allow them proper sleep or relaxation, is a burden to children and servants, and brings the curse of God upon them: but he that hateth gifts shall live; he who hateth bribery, dishonesty, and all mean tricks, shall live in 28 reputation and comfort. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; he thinks before he speaks, and studies what may be useful but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things, with29 out any consideration of the consequences. The LORD [is] far from the wicked; and thus what was his crime is his punishment : there will be a time when every man will desire that God may be near him: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 80 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart, gives pleasure and vigour to the body: [and] a good report maketh the bones fat. This should teach us to be thankful if God continues the light of 31 our eyes, and the brightness of our reputation. The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise; he is admitted into their company as a teachable person, though he cannot bear 32 a part in the conversation. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul; is not sufficiently sensible of his rational, immortal nature, and prefers the body to it: but he that heareth 33 reproof getteth understanding, and so preserveth his soul. The fear of the LORD [is] the instruction of wisdom; the most important precept of wisdom; and before honour [is] humility. Learn this, that the true, the sure, and the readiest way to be wise and honourable, is to be devout and humble.

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CHAP. XVI.

HE preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue [is] from the LORD; it depends on him whether they shall speak with such elocution or success as they intended. 2 All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits; God has as perfect a knowledge of men's

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designs as they have of those things which they weigh in the 3 balance with the greatest exactness. Commit thy works unto the LORD, ask his direction, and seek a blessing from him, and thy thoughts shall be established, without distressing cares or 4 fears. The LORD hath made all [things] for himself; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil; he has made all things to answer the purposes of his providence and glory, and even wicked men to be executioners of his vengeance; or rather, the Lord hath made all things suited to each other, and proportioned the punishment of the wicked to their crimes; he hath established the connec5 tion between vice and misery in the future world. Every one without exception, [that is] proud in heart, [is] an abomination to the LORD, though he may admire and applaud himself: [though] 6 hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged; fidelity and charity are the ready way to avert the wrath of God: and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil; where true religion is there will be reformation. 7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him; he can calm their spirits and dis8 arm their resentment. Better [is] a little with righteousness than great revenues without rignt; it is more lasting and more 9 satisfying. A man's heart deviseth his way: but after all the LORD directeth his steps, therefore there is reason for prayer and 10 thankfulness. A divine sentence [is,] or should be, in the lips of the king his mouth transgresseth not in judgment, in giving orders and executing judgment; or, if the dictates of God's word be in his lips, a religious regard to the scripture will have a good 11 influence on his administration. A just weight and balance [are] the LORD's all the weights of the bag [are] his work, are appointed and commanded by him; justice ought to be observed in the least instances, and a regard to God will be an engagement to uni12 versal integrity. [It is,] that is, it should be, an abomination to kings to commit wickedness : for the throne is established by righteousness; it tends to engage the affections of the people and 13 the favour of God, and is the surest defence of a prince. Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right; an intimation to Solomon's subjects what behav14 iour would please him. The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of death, especially in such arbitrary monarchies as those in the east; how much more dreadful is the wrath of God; but a wise man will pacify it; he will take the most wise and prudent time 15 and methods in doing it. In the light of the king's countenance [is] life; there is a transport attending the smile of a prince; and his favour [is] as a cloud of the latter rain; how valuable then is 16 God's favour! How much better in every respect [is it] to get wisdom than gold? and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver? How foolish then is their conduct who spend all their days in getting wealth, without improving their own or 17 their children's minds. The highway, that is, the straight and easy path, of the upright is to depart from evil; this is his con

stant aim and endeavour: he that keepeth his way, looks well to his actions, preserveth his soul from sorrow and destruction. 18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, in this world and in the next, and an haughty spirit before a fall; to be proud of any thing is 19 the way to lose it. Better [it is to be] of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud; an humble man is happier in afflictions, than an haughty, insolent man in the midst of prosperity and triumph. Here Solomon not only opposes the blessings of virtue to the rewards of vice, (that would be doing vice too much honour;) but he opposes the naked virtue, and that the least magnificent of all others, to the advantages of the most exalted vice; the spirit of meekness to the spoils of pride. 20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good, respect and success and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy [is] he; true re21 ligion only can make a man happy. The wise in heart shall be called prudent, that is, have the honour of their wisdom and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning; eloquence adds a new value to it; makes it more agreeable, diffusive, and instructive. 22 Understanding [is] a wellspring of life unto him that hath it; it streams forth for the instruction of others: but the instruction of fools [is] folly; they only betray their own folly, and no good is to 23 be got by them. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips; he speaks from experience, which 24 makes what he says the more regarded. Pleasant words, such words of wisdom as before described, [are as] an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones, are not only pleasant, but wholesome; like honey, they have an agreeable taste, 25 and a medicinal virtue. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof [are] the ways of death; this is 26. repeated to teach us not to deceive ourselves. He that laboureth, laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him; honest industry is necessary for the preservation of life, but more neces27 sary in the concerns of the soul. An ungodly man diggeth up evil; is always contriving to do mischief; with great labour and industry diving into what is secret by surmises and suspicions: and in his lips [there is] as a burning fire; his lying, slanderous 28 speeches are very mischievous. A froward man soweth strife where there is love and peace; and a whisperer separateth chief 29 friends, by carrying tales and misrepresentations. A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way [that is] not good; contrives to do him the greatest injury. Let us aim at a contrary character, and attempt to draw our friends into the 30 ways of religion. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things; he does it with deliberation and contrivance: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass; giving signs to his associates, that they 31 may execute their wicked projects. The hcary head [is] a crown of glory, [if] it be found in the way of righteousness; it is an horourable thing to be an aged saint : such should be reverenced, and young people should be engaged to be good betimes, that they may 32 have this honour if they should live to be old. [He that is] slow to VOL. V.

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anger, not easily put into a passion, nor resents a provocation, [is] better than the mighty: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city; some of the most glorious conquerors amidst the greatest success and triumph, have been, through the violence of their own passions, the objects of pity to all who read their his 33 tory; as Alexander, and others. The lot is cast into the lap: but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD; his provi dence determines the most casual events, therefore we should be reconciled to our condition, and patient and contented in every

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CHAP. XVII.

BETTER [is] a dry morsel, a dry crust, and quietness there

with, than an house full of sacrifices [with] strife; than the greatest feast upon the remains of the most costly sacrifices: all families, especially the poor, should cultivate peace, and thus secure the 2 most valuable enjoyment of life. A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame: and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren; a wise servant often gets money sufficient to 3 buy the estate which foolish children are obliged to sell. The fining pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold but the LORD trieth the hearts; afflictions discover the dross, and prove what is good. 4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; it is a sign of a wicked disposition to give credit to every malicious story raised and spread: [and] a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue; liars love 5 to strengthen and justify one another. Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker who made him so, who has taken the poor under his protection, and will punish the reproachers: [and] he 6 that is glad at calamities shall not go unpunished. Children's children [are] the crown of old men; it is an honour to live to be old and see many descendants: and the glory of children [are] their fathers; it is an honour for children to be descended from 7 worthy parents. Excellent speech becometh not a fool; his 3 manners contradict it much less do lying lips a prince. A

gift [is as] a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it, scattering its rays from every side, is sparkling and beautiful: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. This intimates the unhappy influence which interest has to make men act against reason, con9 science, and the public good. He that covereth a transgression, maketh the best of every thing, seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter, and probably aggravates it, separateth [very] friends; such talebearers as these are very hernicious persons, and should be checked by those who are friends to peace and love 10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man, maketh a greater im11 pression upon him, than an hundred stripes into a fool. An evil

[man] seeketh only rebellion, or mischief: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. This is a warning not to

entertain seditious councils and designs, lest the prince should send 12 an executioner, as was customary in the east. Let a bear robbed

of her whelps, the most mischievous animal in enraged circum. stances, meet a man rather than a fool in his folly; rather than a 13 man under the influence of strong and vicious passions. Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house; 14 it may be punished in the next generation. The beginning of strife [is as] when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with; a beautiful allusion to a well known fact, when a breachis once made in a dam no one can tell where it will stop, it will grow wider and larger, therefore let us not med15 dle with it at all. He that justifieth the wicked, treating him as, and pronouncing him to be righteous, and he that condemneth the just, censures and condemns those who are sincere and upright for some little indiscretions, even they both [are] abomination to 16 the LORD. Wherefore [is there] a price in the hand of a fool,

an opportunity and advantage to get wisdom, seeing [he hath] 17 no heart, neither skill, resolution, nor desire [to it?] A friend

loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity; they only 18 are true friends who stick to us and help us in adversity. A man

void of understanding striketh hands, [and] becometh surety in 19 the presence of his friend, who is able to answer for himself. He loveth transgression that loveth strife, that is, brawling, contertions, law suits, and disputes in religion : [and] he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction; he who affects grandeur and magnificence, his substance and his estate all run out at his pompous gate, and make way for destruction to enter in this is the ruin of 20 multitudes of young people. He that hath a froward heart, a per

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verse, fretful disposition, findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue, a deceitful, ill natured tongue, falleth into mis21 chief, brings it upon himself by his own perverseness. He that begetteth a fool, a wicked son, [doeth it] to his sorrow and the father of a fool hath no joy in any thing else. Such parents are greatly to be pitied; and in order to prevent this, they cannot be 22 100 careful in the education of their children. A merry heart, that is, a cheerful temper, doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones; weakens the strength, and con23 sumes the vital parts. A wicked [man] taketh, or accepteth, a gift out of the bosom of the giver, he does it secretly, to pervert 24 the ways of judgment. Wisdom [is] before him that hath un-. derstanding; he has his thoughts about him, looks before him, and considers the consequences of things: but the eyes of a fool [are] in the ends of the earth; he hath a roving, dissipated spirit, meddling with things that he hath no concern in, and that are of no im25 poriance. A foolish son [is] a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him: this is a maxim that Solomon often repeats; probably he had his own son Rehoboam in his eye. It is of great im26 portance for parents and children to attend to it. Also to punish the just [is] not good, [nor] to strike princes for equity; it is a crime in a magistrate to punish the just, but for a king to punish,

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