Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary · Proverbs 第29章

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Proverbs 29章

1-14

Miscellaneous Maxims

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¹ 人屡次受责罚,仍硬着颈项,必顷刻败坏,无法可治。

这里,1. 许多恶人在恶道上的顽梗,是极当哀叹的。他们屡次被父母朋友、被官长牧者、被神的护理、被自己的良心*责罚,他们的罪已陈列在他们面前,又得了关乎其后果的充分警戒,却全然无济于事;他们硬着颈项。*或许他们拂袖而去,连耐心听一听责备也不肯;或纵然听了,仍旧行在他们因之受责的罪中;他们不肯把颈项放在轭下,倒作了匪类之子;他们弃绝责备(箴 10:17),藐视责备(箴 5:12),恨恶责备,箴 12:1。2. 这顽梗的结局是极当惧怕的:那些不顾劝戒、仍旧行在罪中的人,*必被败坏;那些不肯受感化的人,必料定要被毁灭;杖若不能成就其目的,就当料定有斧子临到。他们必顷刻败坏,*正当他们安稳之时,*且无法可治;他们既得罪了那预防的医治,就别指望有任何挽回的医治了。地狱乃是无可救治的毁灭。他们必被败坏,无人医治,*原文如此。神若伤害,谁能医治呢?

² 义人增多,民就喜乐;恶人掌权,民就叹息。

这是先前所说过的,箴 28:12,28。1. 百姓将有缘由喜乐或叹息,视乎他们的官长是义是恶;因为义人若居权位,罪就被惩治、被约束,信仰与美德就得扶持、得保其声誉;但若恶人握权在手,邪恶就要泛滥,信仰与敬虔之人就要遭逼迫,治理的目的因而被颠倒。2. 百姓将实在地喜乐或叹息,视乎他们的官长是义是恶。连寻常百姓也深深确信美德与信仰的卓越,以致他们见美德与信仰被高举、被嘉许,便要喜乐;反之,人无论有何等的尊荣或权柄,倘若是邪恶败坏、滥用其权的,就在众民面前使自己被藐视、被卑贱(如玛拉基书中那些祭司,玛 2:9),臣民也要自觉在这样的治理之下何等可怜。

³ 爱慕智慧的,使父亲喜乐;与妓女结交的,却浪费钱财。

这一节的两半,都在重述屡次说过的话,但将二者相比,其意义便从彼此中得着扩充。1. 当注意,一个有德的少年人,爱慕智慧,他是一位哲士(因这字的意思就是智慧的爱慕者),因为信仰乃是最上乘的哲学;他远避恶友,尤其远避淫妇的同伙,这正是他的荣耀所在。他借此使父母喜乐,得着作他们安慰的满足,又增益自己的家业,并有指望安然度日。2. 当注意,一个败坏的少年人,竟恨恶智慧;他与那些必败坏他身心二者的败德妇人结交,这正是他的羞辱所在;他使父母忧伤,又像那浪子一样,与妓女耗尽他们的产业。没有什么比污秽的情欲更能使人沦为乞丐的了;而防范这些败坏之欲的最佳良方,就是智慧。

⁴ 王借公平使国坚定;索要贿赂的,使国倾覆。

这里有,1. 处于良善治理之下的百姓的福分。君王的关切与本务,当是使国坚定,维持国家的根本律法,安定臣民的心使他们安然无虑,保障他们的自由与产业,使之免遭仇敌侵害并惠及后裔,又将欠缺的事整理妥当;这一切他必须借公平而行,借明智的策略,借不偏待人地稳定施行公义,如此就必产生这些美好的果效。2. 处于败坏治理之下的百姓的悲惨:索要供物的人(旁注如此)*使国倾覆;*一个或亵渎圣物、或迷信、或僭越祭司之职的人,如扫罗和乌西雅——又或一个除了敛财别无所图、肯为一笔厚贿而纵容罪大恶极之人、又指望得贿而逼迫无辜之人的人——这样的官长必使一国败亡。

⁵ 谄媚邻舍的,就是设网罗绊他的脚。

凡称赞、夸奖邻舍身上某种实际并不存在、或并不如其所形容那般美好的良善(无论是其所行的善,或其所有的善),又表白其实并无的敬重与情谊的,便可说是在谄媚邻舍;这些人设网罗绊脚。1. 是绊那受其谄媚之邻舍的脚。他们存着不良的居心;他们若非指望从邻舍身上得着什么好处,断不会如此称赞他;所以,对那谄媚我们的人心存疑虑,乃是智慧之举,要疑心他们暗中正为我们布下圈套,并据此而存戒备。又或这谄媚对受谄之人产生恶果;它使他们心里发胀骄傲,使他们自负、自满自信,因而成为一张网罗,使他们陷入罪中。2. 是绊他们自己的脚;有人如此理解。那谄媚他人、指望他人也回敬恭维、谄媚于己的人,不过是使自己显为可笑可憎,连在他所谄媚之人眼中也是如此。

⁶ 恶人犯罪,自陷网罗;惟独义人欢呼喜乐。

这里有,1. 罪恶之道的危险。在它的尽头不单有刑罚,在它的途中更有网罗。一桩罪是另一桩罪的试探;又有些祸患,如同网罗,在恶人正行其过犯之时,骤然临到他们身上;不但如此,他们的过犯本身,也常使他们陷于愁苦之中;他们的罪就是他们的刑罚,他们被自己罪孽的绳索缠绕,箴 5:22。2. 圣洁之道的甘美。那存在于恶人过犯中的网罗,败坏了他们一切的欢乐,惟独义人得蒙保守、不入这些网罗,或得蒙拯救脱离这些网罗;他们得享自由而行,得享安稳而行,所以他们*欢呼喜乐。那些以神为至上喜乐的人,便有他作他们极大的喜乐,他们若不常常喜乐,*乃是自己的过错。在天堂这边若有任何真实的喜乐,那存心在天的人无疑必享有之。

⁷ 义人知道查明穷人的案;恶人却没有聪明,不肯查明。

凡以贫民身分起诉的,但愿人人都有正当的理由(他们若没有,便比众人都更无可推诿),因为圣经已如此周全地预备,使这案件得着公平的审理,并使审判官自己亲为之筹谋,如同为囚犯、也为贫民筹谋一般,这真是可惜的事。1. 此处以查明穷人的案作为一位公义审判官的标记。眷顾穷人乃是人人的本分(诗 41:1),但穷人的案件,则当由那些坐在审判位上的人来查明;他们在穷人的案上,必须像在富人的案上一样竭力查明其中的是非。公义之心必使审判官与讼师在穷人的案上,如同指望得着极大利益一般地殷切勤勉。2. 此处以一件事作为恶人的标记,就是因为这是穷人的案、无利可图,他便不肯按其真实的情形去查明,因为他全不在乎这案是公是枉。参见伯 29:16。

⁸ 亵慢人使城陷入网罗;惟独智慧人挽回众怒。

请看这里,1. 谁是危害公众之人——就是*亵慢人。这等人一旦受任办理国事,便鲁莽行事,因为他们不屑深思,不肯花工夫斟酌商议;他们行违法、不可辩护之事,因为他们不屑受律法与典章的约束;他们背信弃义,因为他们不屑受自己言语的束缚,又激怒百姓,因为他们不屑取悦于民。如此,他们便因其恶劣的治理使城陷入网罗,*或(如旁注所读)*放火烧城;他们在城中众民中间散布纷争,使他们陷入混乱。那些讥诮信仰、讥诮良心的约束、讥诮来世的畏惧,以及讥诮一切神圣严肃之事的,就是亵慢人。这等人是他们那世代的祸患;他们使神的审判临到一地,使人彼此相争,因而使万事陷入混乱。2. 谁是一地的福气——就是那智慧人,他们借着推广信仰(这才是真智慧),挽回神的忿怒,*又借着明智的策略,调解相争的各方,预防分裂所带来的恶果。骄傲愚妄之人所点燃的火,必由智慧良善之人来扑灭。

⁹ 若是智慧人与愚妄人相争,或怒或笑,总不得安宁。

这里劝勉智慧人,不要将自己的智慧用来与愚人相比,不要与他争论,也不要指望借着与他相争,便能使理屈服于他,或从他那里讨回公道:智慧人若与智慧人相争,他还可指望被人理解,且照他理由公平的程度而言,可望达到目的,至少能将争端理出头绪,使之得以友善地了结;但他若与愚妄人相争,便不得安宁;他将看不见尽头,也得不着丝毫满足,反倒必料定自己始终不得安宁。1. 无论他所争论的愚人是怒是笑,无论他对人向他所说的话是恼怒以待,或讥诮以对,无论他是辱骂还是嘲弄,二者之中他必居其一,如此就不得安宁。无论话如何说出,都必被恶意领受,最有智慧的人,若与愚人相争,也必料定自己不是被咒骂,就是被讥笑。那与粪堆相斗的人,无论得胜或落败,都必沾染污秽。2. 无论智慧人自己是怒是笑,无论他用严肃或诙谐的方式来对付愚人,无论他对他是严厉还是和悦,无论他是带着杖而来,还是带着温柔的心而来(林前 4:21),都是一样,得不着丝毫益处。我们向你们吹笛,你们不跳舞;我们向你们举哀,你们不捶胸。

¹⁰ 好流人血的,恨恶完全人;正直人却顾惜他的性命。

请注意,1. 恶人恨恶他们最好的朋友:好流人血的,就是那古蛇一切的后裔(那古蛇从起初就是杀人的),就是一切承袭其与女人后裔为仇之性情的人,恨恶完全人;他们图谋良善之人的败亡,因为良善之人定这邪恶世界的罪,并向它作见证。基督曾告诉他的门徒,他们将为众人所恨恶。好流人血之人,尤其恨恶那公正的官长,就是那要约束、感化他们,并将律法施行于他们身上、因而实在是恩待他们的官长。2. 善人爱他们最大的仇敌:那为好流血之人所恨恶的*正直人,却顾惜他们的性命,*为他们的归正祷告,并乐意为他们的得救尽一切的力。这是基督所教导我们的。父啊,赦免他们。正直人却顾惜他的性命,就是那为好流血之人所恨恶的正直人的性命(人通常如此理解),他们设法保护这性命免遭强暴,又救它脱离好流人血之人的手,或为它向那些人伸冤。

¹¹ 愚妄人怒气全发;智慧人却忍气含怒,以待将来。

请注意,1. 把心思和盘托出,乃是一种愚拙:那愚妄人怒气全发,——他把所知道的事样样说尽,心里有何念头口里就立时说出,全然不能保守任何机密,——他无论在言谈中触及什么话题,便快快地把箭射尽,——他一受激怒,便把心头浮上来的话不论是非说将出来,全不顾因此而被妄议的是谁,——他但凡论及任何事务,便把所想的尽都说出,却仍不觉自己说得够了,无论精华糟粕、麦粒糠秕、切题离题,你都要听他一概说尽。2. 有所保留,乃是一种智慧:智慧人不会把心思一次全发,倒要花工夫待第二个念头,或将眼下的念头存留待更合宜的时候,使它更为切题、更可能达到他的意图;他不会一气讲完一篇连篇累牍、生硬呆板的话,倒要时有停顿,使他能听见有何反驳,从而加以答辩。*Non minus interdum oratorium est tacere quam dicere——真正的口才,有时要求适时的停顿。*小普林尼,书信集 7.6。

¹² 君王若听谎言,他一切臣仆都是奸恶。

请注意,1. 听谎言在任何人都是大罪,在官长尤其如此;因为他们这样行,不单自己照所信的谎言对人对事作出错误的判断,也鼓励别人提供虚假的禀报。谎言总是说给那肯听之人听的;但在这事上,收受赃物的与行窃的同样有罪。2. 凡如此行的,必使*他一切臣仆都成为奸恶。*他们一切的臣仆都将显为奸恶,因为必有人说谎诽谤他们;他们也必真成为奸恶,因为必向他们进谗言。凡得着他耳朵的人,都要将谗言、虚假的描述与禀报充满他的耳;如此,君王若像百姓一样甘愿受蒙蔽,就必受蒙蔽;他们非但不能将自己错误判断的罪咎推卸给那误导他们的臣仆,反倒必同担臣仆之罪,并且因鼓励这样的谗言、又对其加以纵容垂听,许多罪责必归于他们身上。

¹³ 穷人与诡诈人相遇;主使他们的眼目同得光明。

这显明大能的神如何借着性情、才干与境遇大不相同的人,智慧地成就他护理的旨意,甚至是借着彼此相反的人。1. 借着彼此相反的人。有些人贫穷,不得不去借贷;另有些人富足,拥有许多不义的钱财(被称为诡诈的钱财),他们便是债主,或放债的,正如旁注所言。有些人贫穷,却诚实勤劳;另有些人富足,却懒惰诡诈。他们在这世上的事务中相遇,彼此往来交易,主使他们的眼目同得光明;他叫日头照他们二者,将今生的福乐赐给他们二者。于二者之中,他也将他的恩典赐给一些人。他使穷人的眼目得光明,赐他们忍耐;又使诡诈人的眼目得光明,赐他悔改,如撒该一般。2. 借着我们以为最可少去的人。我们容易把穷人与诡诈人看作护理的瑕疵,但神却使他们也彰显护理的美丽;他不单将穷人常留在我们中间,又容许那受骗的与行骗的存在,自有他智慧的旨意,因为二者都属乎神(伯 12:16),都转而归于他的颂赞。

¹⁴ 君王凭诚实判断穷人,他的宝座必永远坚立。

这里有,1. 官长的本务,就是在人与人之间凭诚实判断,并照真理与公平断定一切呈到他面前的案件,尤其要眷顾穷人,不可因其贫穷便在不义的案上偏袒他(出 23:3),却要留心,免得他若有正当的理由,反因贫穷而受损。富人自会顾念自己,但官长却当为穷乏之人伸冤(诗 82:3),又为他们辩护,箴 31:9。2. 凡尽其本务的官长所享的福乐。他们荣耀的*宝座,*他们审判的公堂,*必永远坚立。*这必为他们保住神的恩眷,又坚固他们在百姓心中的地位,这两样都必成为他们权位的稳固,并帮助将其传给后裔,使之在家中永远长存。

英語原文

Miscellaneous Maxims

¹ He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Here, 1. The obstinacy of many wicked people in a wicked way is to be greatly lamented. They are often reproved by parents and friends, by magistrates and ministers, by the providence of God and by their own consciences, have had their sins set in order before them and fair warning given them of the consequences of them, but all in vain; they harden their necks. Perhaps they fling away, and will not so much as give the reproof a patient hearing; or, if they do, yet they go on in the sins for which they are reproved; they will not bow their necks to the yoke, but are children of Belial; they refuse reproof (Pr 10:17), despise it (Pr 5:12), hate it, Pr 12:1. 2. The issue of this obstinacy is to be greatly dreaded: Those that go on in sin, in spite of admonition, shall be destroyed; those that will not be reformed must expect to be ruined; if the rods answer not the end, expect the axes. They shall be suddenly destroyed, in the midst of their security, and without remedy; they have sinned against the preventing remedy, and therefore let them not expect any recovering remedy. Hell is remediless destruction. They shall be destroyed, and no healing, so the word is. If God wounds, who can heal?

² When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

This is what was said before, Pr 28:12,28. 1. The people will have cause to rejoice or mourn according as their rulers are righteous or wicked; for, if the righteous be in authority, sin will be punished and restrained, religion and virtue will be supported and kept in reputation; but, if the wicked get power in their hands, wickedness will abound, religion and religious people will be persecuted, and so the ends of government will be perverted. 2. The people will actually rejoice or mourn according as their rulers are righteous or wicked. Such a conviction are even the common people under of the excellency of virtue and religion that they will rejoice when they see them preferred and countenanced; and, on the contrary, let men have ever so much honour or power, if they be wicked and vicious, and use it ill, they make themselves contemptible and base before all the people (as those priests, Mal 2:9) and subjects will think themselves miserable under such a government.

³ Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

Both the parts of this verse repeat what has been often said, but, on comparing them together, the sense of them will be enlarged from each other. 1. Be it observed, to the honour of a virtuous young man, that he loves wisdom, he is a philosopher (for that signifies a lover of wisdom), for religion is the best philosophy; he avoids bad company, and especially the company of lewd women. Hereby he rejoices his parents, and has the satisfaction of being a comfort to them, and increases his estate, and is likely to live comfortably. 2. Be it observed, to the reproach of a vicious young man, that he hates wisdom; he keeps company with scandalous women, who will be his ruin, both in soul and body; he grieves his parents, and, like the prodigal son, devours their living with harlots. Nothing will beggar men sooner than the lusts of uncleanness; and the best preservative from those ruinous lusts is wisdom.

⁴ The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

Here is, 1. The happiness of a people under a good government. The care and business of a prince should be to establish the land, to maintain its fundamental laws, to settle the minds of his subjects and make them easy, to secure their liberties and properties from hostilities and for posterity, and to set in order the things that are wanting; this he must do by judgment, by wise counsels, and by the steady administration of justice, without respect of persons, which will have these good effects. 2. The misery of a people under a bad government: A man of oblations (so it is in the margin) overthrows the land; a man that is either sacrilegious or superstitious, or that invades the priest's office, as Saul and Uzziah—or a man that aims at nothing but getting money, and will, for a good bribe, connive at the most guilty, and, in hope of one, persecute the innocent—such governors as these will ruin a country.

⁵ A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

Those may be said to flatter their neighbours who commend and applaud that good in them (the good they do or the good they have) which really either is not or is not such as they represent it, and who profess that esteem and that affection for them which really they have not; these spread a net for their feet. 1. For their neighbours' feet, whom they flatter. They have an ill design in it; they would not praise them as they do but that they hope to make an advantage of them; and it is therefore wisdom to suspect those who flatter us, that they are secretly laying a snare for us, and to stand on our guard accordingly. Or it has an ill effect on those who are flattered; it puffs them up with pride, and makes them conceited and confident of themselves, and so proves a net that entangles them in sin. 2. For their own feet; so some understand it. He that flatters others, in expectation that they will return his compliments and flatter him, does but make himself ridiculous and odious even to those he flatters.

⁶ In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

Here is, 1. The peril of a sinful way. There is not only a punishment at the end of it, but a snare in it. One sin is a temptation to another, and there are troubles which, as a snare, come suddenly upon evil men in the midst of their transgressions; nay, their transgression itself often involves them in vexations; their sin is their punishment, and they are holden in the cords of their own iniquity, Pr 5:22. 2. The pleasantness of the way of holiness. The snare that is in the transgression of evil men spoils all their mirth, but righteous men are kept from those snares, or delivered out of them; they walk at liberty, walk in safety, and therefore they sing and rejoice. Those that make God their chief joy have him for their exceeding joy, and it is their own fault if they do not rejoice evermore. If there be any true joy on this side heaven, doubtless those have it whose conversation is in heaven.

⁷ The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

It is a pity but that every one who sues sub formâ pauperis—as a pauper, should have an honest cause (they are of all others inexcusable if they have not), because the scripture has so well provided that it should have a fair hearing, and that the judge himself should be of counsel, as for the prisoner, so for the pauper. 1. It is here made the character of a righteous judge that he considers the cause of the poor. It is every man's duty to consider the poor (Ps 41:1), but the judgment of the poor is to be considered by those that sit in judgment; they must take as much pains to find out the right in a poor man's cause as in a rich man's. Sense of justice must make both judge and advocate as solicitous and industrious in the poor man's cause as if they hoped for the greatest advantage. 2. It is made the character of a wicked man that because it is a poor man's cause, which there is nothing to be got by, he regards not to know it, in the true state of it, for he cares not which way it goes, right or wrong. See Job 29:16.

⁸ Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

See here, 1. Who are the men that are dangerous to the public—scornful men. When such are employed in the business of the state they do things with precipitation, because they scorn to deliberate, and will not take time for consideration and consultation; they do things illegal and unjustifiable, because they scorn to be hampered by laws and constitutions; they break their faith, because they scorn to be bound by their word, and provoke the people, because they scorn to please them. Thus they bring a city into a snare by their ill conduct, or (as the margin reads it) they set a city on fire; they sow discord among the citizens and run them into confusion. Those are scornful men that mock at religion, the obligations of conscience, the fears of another world, and every thing that is sacred and serious. Such men are the plagues of their generation; they bring God's judgments upon a land, set men together by the ears, and so bring all to confusion. 2. Who are the men that are the blessings of a land—the wise men who by promoting religion, which is true wisdom, turn away the wrath of God, and who, by prudent counsels, reconcile contending parties and prevent the mischievous consequences of divisions. Proud and foolish men kindle the fires which wise and good men must extinguish.

⁹ If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

A wise man is here advised not to set his wit to a fool's, not to dispute with him, or by contending with him to think either of fastening reason upon him or gaining right from him: If a wise man contend with a wise man, he may hope to be understood, and, as far as he has reason and equity on his side, to carry his point, at least to bring the controversy to a head and make it issue amicably; but, if he contend with a foolish man, there is no rest; he will see no end of it, nor will he have any satisfaction in it, but must expect to be always uneasy. 1. Whether the foolish man he contends with rage or laugh, whether he take angrily or scornfully what is said to him, whether he rail at it or mock at it, one of the two he will do, and so there will be no rest. However it is given, it will be ill-taken, and the wisest man must expect to be either scolded or ridiculed if he contend with a fool. He that fights with a dunghill, whether he be conqueror or conquered, is sure to be defiled. 2. Whether the wise man himself rage or laugh, whether he take the serious or the jocular way of dealing with the fool, whether he be severe or pleasant with him, whether he come with a rod or with the spirit of meekness (1Co 4:21), it is all alike, no good is done. We have piped unto you, and you have not danced, mourned unto you, and you have not lamented.

¹⁰ The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

Note, 1. Bad men hate their best friends: The blood-thirsty, all the seed of the old serpent, who was a murderer from the beginning, all that inherit his enmity against the seed of the woman, hate the upright; they seek the ruin of good men because they condemn the wicked world and witness against it. Christ told his disciples that they should be hated of all men. Bloody men do especially hate upright magistrates, who would restrain and reform them, and put the laws in execution against them, and so really do them a kindness. 2. Good men love their worst enemies: The just, whom the bloody men hate, seek their soul, pray for their conversion, and would gladly do any thing for their salvation. This Christ taught us. Father, forgive them. The just seek his soul, that is, the soul of the upright, whom the bloody hate (so it is commonly understood), seek to protect it from violence, and save it from, or avenge it at, the hands of the blood-thirsty.

¹¹ A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

Note, 1. It is a piece of weakness to be very open: He is a fool who utters all his mind,—who tells every thing he knows, and has in his mouth instantly whatever he has in his thoughts, and can keep no counsel,—who, whatever is started in discourse, quickly shoots his bolt,—who, when he is provoked, will say any thing that comes uppermost, whoever is reflected upon by it,—who, when he is to speak of any business, will say all he thinks, and yet never thinks he says enough, whether choice or refuse, corn or chaff, pertinent or impertinent, you shall have it all. 2. It is a piece of wisdom to be upon the reserve: A wise man will not utter all his mind at once, but will take time for a second thought, or reserve the present thought for a fitter time, when it will be more pertinent and likely to answer his intention; he will not deliver himself in a continued speech, or starched discourse, but with pauses, that he may hear what is to be objected and answer it. Non minus interdum oratorium est tacere quam dicere—True oratory requires an occasional pause. Plin. Eph. 7.6.

¹² If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

Note, 1. It is a great sin in any, especially in rulers, to hearken to lies; for thereby they not only give a wrong judgment themselves of persons and things, according to the lies they give credit to, but they encourage others to give wrong informations. Lies will be told to those that will hearken to them; but the receiver, in this case, is as bad as the thief. 2. Those that do so will have all their servants wicked. All their servants will appear wicked, for they will have lies told of them; and they will be wicked, for they will tell lies to them. All that have their ear will fill their ear with slanders and false characters and representations; and so if princes, as well as people, will be deceived, they shall be deceived, and, instead of devolving the guilt of their own false judgments upon their servants that misinformed them, they must share in their servants' guilt, and on them will much of the blame lie for encouraging such misinformations and giving countenance and ear to them.

¹³ The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.

This shows how wisely the great God serves the designs of his providence by persons of very different tempers, capacities, and conditions in the world, even, 1. By those that are contrary the one to the other. Some are poor and forced to borrow; others are rich, have a great deal of the mammon of unrighteousness (deceitful riches they are called), and they are creditors, or usurers, as it is in the margin. Some are poor, and honest, and laborious; others are rich, slothful, and deceitful. They meet together in the business of this world, and have dealings with one another, and the Lord enlightens both their eyes; he causes his sun to shine upon both and gives them both the comforts of this life. To some of both sorts he gives his grace. He enlightens the eyes of the poor by giving them patience, and of the deceitful by giving them repentance, as Zaccheus. 2. By those that we think could best be spared. The poor and the deceitful we are ready to look upon as blemishes of Providence, but God makes even them to display the beauty of Providence; he has wise ends not only in leaving the poor always with us, but in permitting the deceived and the deceiver, for both are his (Job 12:16) and turn to his praise.

¹⁴ The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

Here is, 1. The duty of magistrates, and that is, to judge faithfully between man and man, and to determine all causes brought before them, according to truth and equity, particularly to take care of the poor, not to countenance them in an unjust cause for the sake of their poverty (Ex 23:3), but to see that their poverty do not turn to their prejudice if they have a just cause. The rich will look to themselves, but the poor and needy the prince must defend (Ps 82:3) and plead for, Pr 31:9. 2. The happiness of those magistrates that do their duty. Their throne of honour, their tribunal of judgment, shall be established for ever. This will secure to them the favour of God and strengthen their interest in the affections of their people, both which will be the establishment of their power, and help to transmit it to posterity and perpetuate it in the family.

15-17

Parental Discipline

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父母的管教

¹⁵ 杖打和责备能加增智慧;放纵的儿子使母亲羞愧。

父母在教养儿女时,必须思想:1. 适当管教的益处。他们不但要告诉儿女何为善、何为恶,更要在他们或忽略善、或行恶时责备他们、必要时管教他们。倘若责备不用杖便能见效,固然好,但杖绝不可不带着合理而郑重的责备而施用;如此,虽然这于父亲、于儿女都暂时是不快,却能加增智慧。Vexatio dat intellectum——苦楚使悟性敏锐。儿女必受警戒,因而得着智慧。2. 不当放纵的祸害:儿子若不受约束、不受责备,反倒被任凭自己,像亚多尼雅那样,随自己的私欲而行,他若肯,或许也能行得好,然而他若染上恶习,便无人拦阻他了;他十有八九要成为家中的羞耻,又使他的母亲——那娇惯他、纵容他放荡的母亲——*羞愧,*陷于贫穷、陷于辱骂,或许他自己还要苦待母亲、向她出恶言。

¹⁶ 恶人加多,过犯也加增;义人必看见他们跌倒。

要注意:1. 罪人越多,罪也越多:恶人既得权柄撑腰,便增多起来、四面横行,过犯加增也就不足为奇了,正如国中的瘟疫,在越来越多的人受其传染时,便说它加增。当有许多人为过犯撑腰时,它便更加放肆大胆、更加专横逼人。在洪水以前的世代,当人增多之时,他们便开始堕落、又彼此败坏、彼此连累。2. 罪越多,所预言的毁灭便越近。不要让义人因罪与罪人的加增而使他们的信心与盼望受到动摇。不要让他们说他们洗手乃是徒然,或说神已离弃了大地,乃要存忍耐等候;作恶的必跌倒,他们罪孽的量数必满盈,那时他们便要从尊荣权位上跌落,跌入羞辱与毁灭之中,而义人必得着看见他们跌倒的快慰(诗37:34),或在今世,必在那大日的审判之中——那时神那些顽梗仇敌的倾覆,必成为得荣耀之圣徒的喜乐与凯歌。参赛66:24、创19:28。

¹⁷ 管教你的儿子,他就使你得安息,也必使你心里喜乐。

要注意:1. 儿女成为父母的安慰,乃是一件极有福的事。良善的儿女便是如此;他们*使父母得安息,使父母安然、脱离那曾为他们所怀的许多挂虑;更使父母心里喜乐。得见自己给儿女的良好教养结出美好的果子、又得见他们今世来世两皆亨通的指望,这是一种喜乐,惟有蒙此福分的人才能体会;它所带来的喜乐,*正与那曾为儿女所怀的诸多心中挂念相称。2. 为达此目的,儿女必须在严格的管教下养育,不可任凭他们随己意而行,也不可在他们行恶时不加斥责。他们心中所系的愚昧,必须趁他们年幼时藉管教驱除出去,否则到他们长大成人时,它必发作出来,使他们自己与父母都蒙羞。

英語原文

Parental Discipline

¹⁵ The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Parents, in educating their children, must consider, 1. The benefit of due correction. They must not only tell their children what is good and evil, but they must chide them, and correct them too, if need be, when they either neglect that which is good or do that which is evil. If a reproof will serve without the rod, it is well, but the rod must never be used without a rational and grave reproof; and then, though it may be a present uneasiness both to the father and to the child, yet it will give wisdom. Vexatio dat intellectum—Vexation sharpens the intellect. The child will take warning, and so will get wisdom. 2. The mischief of undue indulgence: A child that is not restrained or reproved, but is left to himself, as Adonijah was, to follow his own inclinations, may do well if he will, but, if he take to ill courses, nobody will hinder him; it is a thousand to one but he proves a disgrace to his family, and brings his mother, who fondled him and humoured him in his licentiousness, to shame, to poverty, to reproach, and perhaps will himself be abusive to her and give her ill language.

¹⁶ When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

Note, 1. The more sinners there are the more sin there is: When the wicked, being countenanced by authority, grow numerous, and walk on every side, no marvel if transgression increases, as a plague in the country is said to increase when still more and more are infected with it. Transgression grows more impudent and bold, more imperious and threatening, when there are many to keep it in countenance. In the old world, when men began to multiply, they began to degenerate and corrupt themselves and one another. 2. The more sin there is the nearer is the ruin threatened. Let not the righteous have their faith and hope shocked by the increase of sin and sinners. Let them not say that they have cleansed their hands in vain, or that God has forsaken the earth, but wait with patience; the transgressors shall fall, the measure of their iniquity will be full, and then they shall fall from their dignity and power, and fall into disgrace and destruction, and the righteous shall have the satisfaction of seeing their fall (Ps 37:34), perhaps in this world, certainly in the judgment of the great day, when the fall of God's implacable enemies will be the joy and triumph of glorified saints. See Isa 66:24, Ge 19:28.

¹⁷ Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

Note, 1. It is a very happy thing when children prove the comfort of their parents. Good children are so; they give them rest, make them easy, and free from the many cares they have had concerning them; yea, they give delight unto their souls. It is a pleasure to parents, which none know but those that are blessed with it, to see the happy fruit of the good education they have given their children, and to have a prospect of their well-doing for both worlds; it gives delight proportionable to the many thoughts of heart that have been concerning them. 2. In order to this, children must be trained up under a strict discipline, and not suffered to do what they will and to go without rebuke when they do amiss. The foolishness bound up in their hearts must by correction be driven out when they are young, or it will break out, to their own and their parents' shame, when they are grown up.

18-27

Miscellaneous Maxims

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各样箴言

¹⁸ 没有异象,民就放肆;惟遵守律法的,便为有福。

请看,I. 那缺乏常设传道之民的苦难:没有异象之处——没有先知解明律法,没有祭司或利未人教训耶和华的正道知识,没有恩典的器,耶和华的言语稀少,没有默示(撒上 3:1)——在这样的地方,民就放肆;这字有许多含义,每一个都适用于此处。1. 民就被剥光——剥去装饰而暴露于羞辱,剥去军装而暴露于危险。一个没有圣经和传道人的地方,看起来何等荒凉,对灵魂的仇敌而言是何等容易的猎物!2. 民就背叛——不仅背叛神,也背叛君王;好的讲道能使人作好百姓,但因缺乏讲道,他们便动荡好乱,轻慢主治,因为他们不知道更好的。3. 民就闲懒,或嬉戏——如同先生不在时学生容易做的;他们一事无成,终日闲站,在市上嬉戏,因缺乏当做什么、当怎样做的教训。4. 他们如同没有牧人的羊一般分散——因为没有会众的师傅召集他们、保守他们在一起(可 6:34)。他们因背道而从神和本分中分散,因纷争而彼此分散;神被激怒以审判分散他们(代下 15:3、5)。5. 他们灭亡——他们因无知识而灭亡(何 4:6)。可见我们有充足的理由为所享受的丰富默示感谢神。

II. 那不仅有常设、且有成功传道之民的福气——那听见并遵守律法的民,那宗教居于首位的民;这样的民以及其中的每一个人,都是有福的。使我们配得福分的,不是拥有律法,而是遵行律法、活出律法。

¹⁹ 只用言语,仆人不肯受管教;他虽明白,却不回答。

此处描述的是一个无益、懒惰、恶劣的仆人——一个不出于良心或爱心、单出于惧怕而服事的奴仆。让那些有这种仆人的人穿上忍耐,承受这烦恼,不要因之扰乱自己。请看他们的特征。1. 理性的言语对他们不起作用;他们不肯受言语的纠正与改正——不能用公平的手段、甚至不能用严厉的言语带到本分上,也不能治愈他们的怠惰与懒惰;最温和的主人也不得不使用严厉;任何道理都不能使他们回转,因为他们不讲道理。2. 从他们得不着理性的言语。他们乖戾阴沉;虽然明白你所问的问题,却不肯给你回答;你无论怎样清楚地向他们说明你的期望,他们也不肯答应改正错失或留心本分。请看那些仆人的愚妄——他们的沉默招来责打;他们本可以用言语受纠正而免受杖责,却不肯。

²⁰ 你见过言语急躁的人吗?愚昧人比他更有指望。

所罗门在此表明,无论一个人因何种缘故急躁,要把他带到智慧前都少有希望,1. 因草率不加思考:你见过办事急躁的人吗?——那心思轻浮、三心二意的人,似乎很快抓住一件事,却只抓住一半;一目十行地翻过一本书或一门学问,却不花时间消化,不花时间在事务上驻足深思?把一个迟钝笨拙、学业缓慢的人造就为学者和智慧人,比造就这样一个心思飘忽不能专注的人,更有希望。2. 因骄傲自负:你见过对每一个提出的问题都争先发言、喜欢第一个开口——发起讨论,又最后一个收尾——下判断,仿佛自己是神谕的人吗?一个自知愚妄的谦虚愚昧人,比这样一个自负之人,更有希望。

²¹ 人若娇纵仆人自幼,终久他必成了他的儿子。**

当注意,1. 主人过于溺爱仆人是不智之举——提拔得太快,容许他过于亲近,容忍他在饮食、衣着、住宿上过于挑剔娇贵,因他是宠仆、合意的仆人而娇养他;当记得他是仆人,如此被纵容便使他不再适合任何别的位置。仆人必须忍受艰苦。2. 仆人因一向被温柔相待而举止傲慢,这是忘恩负义,却十分常见。谦卑的浪子自以为不配称为儿子,甘心作仆人;被娇养惯了的奴仆却自以为太尊贵,不配称为仆人,终久必成了儿子——要享安逸自由,要与主人平起平坐,甚至可能觊觎产业。主人当给仆人所当得的、合宜的,不多不少。这话很适用于身体——它是灵魂的仆人;那些娇养身体、迁就它、对它过于体贴的人,终必发现它忘记了本位,成了儿子——成了主人、成了十足的暴君。

²² 好生气的人挑启争端;暴怒的人多多犯罪。

请看发怒、暴燥、狂暴的脾气所造成的祸害。1. 它使人彼此惹动:好生气的人挑启争端,在家庭和邻舍中都是麻烦好争吵的人,煽风点火,甚至迫使那些本愿与他和平相处的人与他失和。2. 它使人惹动神:暴怒的人——那与自己的脾气情欲结为一体的人——不能不多多犯罪。不当的怒气是许多罪的因;它不仅阻碍人呼求神的名,更使他们起誓、咒诅、亵渎神的名。

²³ 人的骄傲必使他卑微;灵里谦卑的,必得尊荣。

这与基督不止一次所说的话相符:1. 那些自高的必降为卑。那些想借高抬自己超过本位——借目中无人、夸夸其谈、衣着华丽、自我标榜——来博得尊敬的人,反倒要暴露自己于轻蔑,失去名誉,并惹动神以降卑的护理将他们降为卑。2. 那些自卑的必升为高,并必在其尊荣上得以坚定:谦卑的人必得尊荣;他们的谦卑便是他们的尊荣,这要使他们真正而稳妥地伟大,并将他们推荐给一切智慧良善之人的尊重。

²⁴ 人与盗贼分赃,是恨恶自己的性命;他听见咒诅,却不言语。

请看那些被罪人引诱所诱惑的人,将自己陷入何等的罪与灭亡。1. 他们招致大量的罪疚:那与抢劫欺诈之人同伙、与他们同分的人(箴 1:11 等),便是如此。收赃者与盗贼同样坏;既被拉去与他们同犯其罪,便不能不与他们同隐其罪,哪怕要以最可怖的起誓与咒诅为代价。他们听见咒诅——被起誓当说全部实情时——却不肯承认。2. 他们 hasten 走向彻底灭亡:他们甚至恨恶自己的性命,因为他们故意行那必无可避免地毁灭他们的事。请看罪人所犯的荒谬:他们爱死亡——没有比这更可怕的——又恨恶自己的性命——没有比这更宝贵的。

²⁵ 惧怕人的,陷入网罗;惟有倚靠耶和华的,必得安稳。**

此处,1. 我们受警戒不要惧怕人的权势——无论是君王的权势还是群众的权势;二者都够可怕,但对任何一方的奴性惧怕都陷入网罗——即招致许多侮辱(有人以吓唬胆怯之人为乐),或更确切地说,招致许多试探。亚伯拉罕因惧怕人而否认妻子,彼得否认主,许多人否认自己的神和信仰。我们不可为避免人的怒气而退缩不尽本分、或犯罪;虽然看见它临近,也不可因惧怕而心乱(但 3:16,诗 118:6)。他自己也必死(赛 51:12),所能作的不过是杀身体(路 12:5)。2. 我们受鼓励倚靠神的大能,这必保守我们脱离一切或带痛苦或带试探的人之惧怕。倚靠耶和华的人——为在尽本分的道路上得保护与供应——必被高举,高于人的权势,也高于对那权势的惧怕。对神的圣洁信靠使人既伟大又安逸,使他以恩典中的轻蔑看待地狱与地上一切最可怕的图谋。神若是我的拯救,我必信靠,并不惧怕。

²⁶ 求恩于君王的人甚多;但各人的判断都出于耶和华。

请看,1. 人升迁致富、使自己伟大的寻常途径:他们求恩于君王,仿佛他们一切的判断都出于他,便尽都向他献媚。所罗门自己就是一位君王,知道人何等殷勤地向他求告——有的为此事,有的为彼事,但都是为他的恩。世上之法就是与伟人拉关系,指望从次要原因的笑脸中得着许多——然而这些是不可靠的,常常使人失望。许多人费尽心力求恩于君王却不能得;许多人得着一时,却不能保持,因一点点变故便落在他的不悦之下;许多人得着了、也保持了,却不能如愿以偿,不能从中得到自己所期盼的。哈曼得君王之恩,却毫无所用。2. 人若要快乐,当采取的最智慧之途径:当仰望神,求君王之君王的恩;因为各人的判断都出于耶和华。我们的遭遇不在于君王如何喜悦;他的恩不能使我们快乐,他的怒容不能使我们痛苦。倒在于神如何喜悦;每一个受造之物对我们如何,全在于神使它如何——不多不少,不偏不倚。他是第一因,一切次要原因都依赖他;他若不帮助,它们便不能(王下 6:27,伯 34:29)。

²⁷ 不义的人,为义人所憎恶;行事正直的,为恶人所憎恶。

这不仅表达了德行与罪恶之间内在的相反——如光与暗、火与水之间一样——更表达了女人的后裔与蛇的后裔之间一直存在的古老敌意(创 3:15)。1. 一切成圣的人都对邪恶与恶人怀有根深蒂固的反感。他们对一切人的灵魂怀有好意(神如此,不愿有一人灭亡);但他们恨恶那些对神不敬、对人行不义之人的道路与行为;他们一听见他们、一提到他们,便生出圣洁的义愤;他们厌恶不虔不义之人的同伴,惧怕给他们任何支持,却竭力使恶人的恶归于终结。如此,不义的人使自己在义人面前成为可憎,他如今所受的羞辱与刑罚之一,便是善人不能容忍他。2. 一切未成圣的人都对敬虔与敬虔之人怀有同样根深蒂固的反感:行事正直的人——那对自己所言所行有良心的人——为恶人所憎恶;他的正直也许限制了、压制了他们的恶,或至少使之羞愧、被定罪。该隐所行的正是如此——他是出于那恶者。这不仅是恶人的恶——他们恨神所爱的人——更是他们的苦境:他们所恨的人,正是他们不久要在永远福乐与尊荣中看见的人,那些人到了早晨必管辖他们(诗 49:14)。

英語原文

Miscellaneous Maxims

¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

See here, I. The misery of the people that want a settled ministry: Where there is no vision, no prophet to expound the law, no priest or Levite to teach the good knowledge of the Lord, no means of grace, the word of the Lord is scarce, there is no open vision (1Sa 3:1), where it is so the people perish; the word has many significations, any of which will apply here. 1. The people are made naked, stripped of their ornaments and so exposed to shame, stripped of their armour and so exposed to danger. How bare does a place look without Bibles and ministers, and what an easy prey is it to the enemy of souls! 2. The people rebel, not only against God, but against their prince; good preaching would make people good subjects, but, for want of it, they are turbulent and factious, and despise dominions, because they know no better. 3. The people are idle, or they play, as the scholars are apt to do when the master is absent; they do nothing to any good purpose, but stand all the day idle, and sporting in the market-place, for want of instruction what to do and how to do it. 4. They are scattered as sheep having no shepherd, for want of the masters of assemblies to call them and keep them together, Mk 6:34. They are scattered from God and their duty by apostasies, from one another by divisions; God is provoked to scatter them by his judgments, 2Ch 15:3,5. 5. They perish; they are destroyed for lack of knowledge, Ho 4:6. See what reason we have to be thankful to God for the plenty of open vision which we enjoy.

II. The felicity of a people that have not only a settled, but a successful ministry among them, the people that hear and keep the law, among whom religion is uppermost; happy are such a people and every particular person among them. It is not having the law, but obeying it, and living up to it, that will entitle us to blessedness.

¹⁹ A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

Here is the description of an unprofitable, slothful, wicked servant, a slave that serves not from conscience, or love, but purely from fear. Let those that have such servants put on patience to bear the vexation and not disturb themselves at it. See their character. 1. No rational words will work upon them; they will not be corrected and reformed, not brought to their business, nor cured of their idleness and laziness, by fair means, no, nor by foul words; even the most gentle master will be forced to use severity with them; no reason will serve their turn, for they are unreasonable. 2. No rational words will be got from them. They are dogged and sullen; and, though they understand the questions you ask them, they will not give you an answer; though you make it ever so plain to them what you expect from them, they will not promise you to mend what is amiss nor to mind their business. See the folly of those servants whose mouth by their silence calls for strokes; they might be corrected by words and save blows, but they will not.

²⁰ Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

Solomon here shows that there is little hope of bringing a man to wisdom that is hasty either, 1. Through rashness and inconsideration: Seest thou a man that is hasty in his matters, that is of a light desultory wit, that seems to take a thing quickly, but takes it by the halves, gallops over a book or science, but takes no time to digest it, no time to pause or muse upon a business? There is more hope of making a scholar and a wise man of one that is dull and heavy, and slow in his studies, than of one that has such a mercurial genius and cannot fix. 2. Through pride and conceitedness: Seest thou a man that is forward to speak to every matter that is started, and affects to speak first to it, to open it, and speak last to it, to give judgment upon it, as if he were an oracle? There is more hope of a modest fool, who is sensible of his folly, than of such a self-conceited one.

²¹ He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.

Note, 1. It is an imprudent thing in a master to be too fond of a servant, to advance him too fast, and admit him to be too familiar with him, to suffer him to be over-nice and curious in his diet, and clothing, and lodging, and so to bring him up delicately, because he is a favourite, and an agreeable servant; it should be remembered that he is a servant, and, by being thus indulged, will be spoiled for any other place. Servants must endure hardness. 2. It is an ungrateful thing in a servant, but what is very common, to behave insolently because he has been used tenderly. The humble prodigal thinks himself unworthy to be called a son, and is content to be a servant; the pampered slave thinks himself too good to be called a servant, and will be a son at the length, will take his ease and liberty, will be on a par with his master, and perhaps pretend to the inheritance. Let masters give their servants that which is equal and fit for them, and neither more nor less. This is very applicable to the body, which is a servant to the soul; those that delicately bring up the body, that humour it, and are over-tender of it, will find that at length it will forget its place, and become a son, a master, a perfect tyrant.

²² An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

See here the mischief that flows from an angry, passionate, furious disposition. 1. It makes men provoking to one another: An angry man stirs up strife, is troublesome and quarrelsome in the family and in the neighbourhood, blows the coals, and even forces those to fall out with him that would live peaceable and quietly by him. 2. It makes men provoking to God: A furious man, who is wedded to his humours and passions, cannot but abound in transgressions. Undue anger is a sin which is the cause of many sins; it not only hinders men from calling upon God's name, but it occasions their swearing, and cursing, and profaning God's name.

²³ A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

This agrees with what Christ said more than once, 1. That those who exalt themselves shall be abased. Those that think to gain respect by lifting up themselves above their rank, by looking high, talking big, appearing fine, and applauding themselves, will on the contrary expose themselves to contempt, lose their reputation, and provoke God by humbling providences to bring them down and lay them low. 2. That those who humble themselves shall be exalted, and shall be established in their dignity: Honour shall uphold the humble in spirit; their humility is their honour, and that shall make them truly and safely great, and recommend them to the esteem of all that are wise and good.

²⁴ Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

See here what sin and ruin those involve themselves in who are drawn away by the enticement of sinners. 1. They incur a great deal of guilt: He does so that goes partner with such as rob and defraud, and casts in his lot among them, Pr 1:11, etc. The receiver is as bad as the thief; and, being drawn in to join with him in the commission of the sin, he cannot escape joining with him in the concealment of it, though it be with the most horrid perjuries and execrations. They hear cursing when they are sworn to tell the whole truth, but they will not confess. 2. They hasten to utter ruin: They even hate their own souls, for they wilfully do that which will be the inevitable destruction of them. See the absurdities sinners are guilty of; they love death, than which nothing is more dreadful, and hate their own souls, than which nothing is more dear.

²⁵ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Here, 1. We are cautioned not to dread the power of man, neither the power of a prince nor the power of the multitude; both are formidable enough, but the slavish fear of either brings a snare, that is, exposes men to many insults (some take a pride in terrifying the timorous), or rather exposes men to many temptations. Abraham, for fear of man, denied his wife, and Peter his Master, and many a one his God and religion. We must not shrink from duty, nor commit sin, to avoid the wrath of man, nor, though we see it coming upon us, be disquieted with fear, Da 3:16, Ps 118:6. He must himself die (Isa 51:12) and can but kill our body, Lu 12:5. 2. We are encouraged to depend upon the power of God, which would keep us from all that fear of man which has either torment or temptation in it. Whoso puts his trust in the Lord, for protection and supply in the way of duty, shall be set on high, above the power of man and above the fear of that power. A holy confidence in God makes a man both great and easy, and enables him to look with a gracious contempt upon the most formidable designs of hell and earth against him. If God be my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid.

²⁶ Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

See here, 1. What is the common course men take to advance and enrich themselves, and make themselves great: they seek the ruler's favour, and, as if all their judgment proceeded from him, to him they make all their court. Solomon was himself a ruler, and knew with what sedulity men made their application to him, some on one errand, others on another, but all for his favour. It is the way of the world to make interest with great men, and expect much from the smiles of second causes, which yet are uncertain, and frequently disappoint them. Many take a great deal of pains in seeking the ruler's favour and yet cannot have it; many have it for a little while, but they cannot keep themselves in it, by some little turn or other they are brought under his displeasure; many have it, and keep it, and yet it does not answer their expectation, they cannot make that hand of it that they promised themselves they should. Haman had the ruler's favour, and yet it availed him nothing. 2. What is the wisest course men can take to be happy. Let them look up to God, and seek the favour of the Ruler of rulers; for every man's judgment proceeds from the Lord. It is not with us as the ruler pleases; his favour cannot make us happy, his frowns cannot make us miserable. But it is as God pleases; every creature is that to us that God makes it to be, no more and no other. He is the first Cause, on which all second causes depend; if he help not, they cannot, 2Ki 6:27, Job 34:29.

²⁷ An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

This expresses not only the innate contrariety that there is between virtue and vice, as between light and darkness, fire and water, but the old enmity that has always been between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, Ge 3:15. 1. All that are sanctified have a rooted antipathy to wickedness and wicked people. They have a good will to the souls of all (God has, and would have none perish); but they hate the ways and practices of those that are impious towards God and injurious towards men; they cannot hear of them nor speak of them without a holy indignation; they loathe the society of the ungodly and unjust, and dread the thought of giving them any countenance, but do all they can to bring the wickedness of the wicked to an end. Thus an unjust man makes himself odious to the just, and it is one part of his present shame and punishment that good men cannot endure him. 2. All that are unsanctified have a like rooted antipathy to godliness and godly people: He that is upright in the way, that makes conscience of what he says and does, is an abomination to the wicked, whose wickedness is restrained perhaps and suppressed, or, at least, shamed and condemned, by the uprightness of the upright. Thus Cain did, who was of his father the devil. And this is not only the wickedness of the wicked, that they hate those whom God loves, but their misery too, that they hate those whom them shall shortly see in everlasting bliss and honour, and who shall have dominion over them in the morning, Ps 49:14.