_He that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck._ THE DOOM OF THE INCORRIGIBLE SINNER This proverb may be accommodated to all the affairs of life. In whatever course a man blunders on, headstrong and regardless of advice and admonition, it will ruin him at last, as far as the matter is capable o... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice._ THE HAPPINESS OF THE PEOPLE Man is, for the most part, equally unhappy when subjected, without redress, to the passions of another, or left, without control, to the dominion of his own. Government is necessary to the safety of particular m... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet._ FLATTERY. I. What flattery is. The nature and property of it is to put on all forms and shapes, according to the exigence of the occasion. He that would paint flattery must draw a picture of all colours, and frame a universal face... [ Continue Reading ]
_Scornful men bring a city into a snare._ THE SNARES OF THE METROPOLIS As residents in London we ask, Is there as much wickedness here as in other great cities? Are there snares and temptations of a peculiar character, and highly dangerous to the rising youth of the age? 1. One of the snares is t... [ Continue Reading ]
_The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame._ A NEGLECTED EDUCATION, THE PARENT’S DISHONOUR I. Look at the child left to himself. That is, without reproof, and that grave advice which gives wisdom. The original term is applied to the unbridled impetuo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Where there is no vision, the people perish._ THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD What makes a people very unhappy with respect to the concerns of their souls? The want of vision puts a people in very unhappy circumstances. By vision is understood prophecy. By prophecy is meant the preach... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words?_ IMPETUOSITY OF TEMPER The Adige at Verona appears to be a river quite broad and deep enough for navigation, but its current is so rapid as to make it quite unserviceable. Many men are so rash and impetuous, and at the same time so suddenly angry and e... [ Continue Reading ]
_A man’s pride shall bring him low._ ON PRIDE Pride, though it implies an assumption of superiority, has a manifest tendency to degradation. 1. A man’s pride will bring him low because it subjects him to the imputation of folly. There is no condition of life that can warrant the indulgence of this... [ Continue Reading ]
_The fear of man bringeth a snare._ THE MISCHIEFS OF SLAVISH COMPLAISANCE AND COWARDICE Every passion of the soul may be of use to us, but is capable also, by being perverted, of causing much vexation and misery to ourselves and injury to our fellow-creatures. Year, while it proceeds from right pr... [ Continue Reading ]