_Few. As none can arrive at the perfect knowledge of God, they should be reserved in speaking of Him. (Worthington) --- De Deo etiam vera loqui periculosum. (Cicero, de Nat.) --- In prayer, (Calmet) we must not pretend to give him any information, like the heathens, Matthew vi. 7. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Folly. Under anxiety a person is naturally disturbed with dreams, in which some true ideas may present themselves; in like manner, as a great talker will say some things respecting God, which may not be reprehensible, though the greatest part of his discourse will be nothing to the purpose. This is... [ Continue Reading ]
_Pay it. Deuteronomy xxiii. Vows must be fulfilled. (Worthington) --- God requires that we should keep the commandments; (Luke x. 28.) and if we engage ourselves to perform some work of supererogation, he expects that we should be faithful. To vow is of counsel; but to comply with it is of precept.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sin by making a vow, above thy strength, (Chaldean; Pineda) or by speaking what may excite the passions. (Thaumat.; Bossuet) --- Angel guardian assigned to each one, (Worthington) or the priest, who took cognizance of vows. (Calmet) --- Providence, or "foresight" in me to avoid the evil. Hebrew and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Number. Those who observe dreams, are filled with apprehension. The Jews were very subject to this superstition. (Calmet) --- As dreams are vain, so are many words or excuses to evade a vow. (Junius; Grotius) --- Such pretences must not be made. (St. Jerome) (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_These. God will bring the wicked to judgment, (Calmet) and shew for what design he left them in power. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Him. An appeal may be made to the king or to God. Reges in ipsos imperium est Jovis. (Horace, iii. ode 1.) --- Hebrew, "the king serves, (Montanus) or is served by the field." (Protestants) (Haydock) --- All have a mutual dependence on each other, and thus the vanity of men and the order of Provide... [ Continue Reading ]
_Money. Avarice is like a dropsy, (Calmet) or poison, infecting all the person. (Sallust.) --- The miser is the slave, and not the possessor, of his riches, (St. Chrysostom) like Tantalus, who could not drink, though in the midst of waters. (Horace, i. Sat. 1.) --- Nescis quo valeat nummus, quem præ... [ Continue Reading ]
_Them. He shews the vanity of the great._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sleep. Is not the health and content of the poor to be preferred?_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Owner. When they are taken away, they bring greater sorrow, (Calmet) and even when present, they fill the mind with anxiety. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Affliction. Hebrew, "by an evil affair," or accident. (Calmet) --- Who. Hebrew, "and there is nothing in his hand." (Haydock) --- As temporal riches prove detrimental to their owners, so do false philosophy and heresy to those who follow them. (St. Jerome) (Worthington)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Labour. All must die in this manner. But it is most afflicting that he was formerly rich, and must leave his son indigent. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sorrow. The person whose riches have been taken away, had made a bad use of them, (Calmet) living like a miser. It would be more rational to indulge in the pleasures which they afford, though this is also vain, chap. iii. 14._... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER V.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Delight, while he observes due moderation. His life passes away sweetly. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]