Pro 9 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-12 Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are admitted, and by which nourishment is given here to those that believe in him, as well as mansions in heaven hereafter. The ministers of the gospel go forth to invite the guests. The call is general, and shuts out none that do not shut out themselves. Our Saviour came, not to call the righteous, but sinners; not the wise in their own eyes, who say they see. We must keep from the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly, or we never can enjoy the pleasures of a holy life. It is vain to seek the company of wicked men in the hope of doing them good; we are far more likely to be corrupted by them. It is not enough to forsake the foolish, we must join those that walk in wisdom. There is no true wisdom but in the way of religion, no true life but in the end of that way. Here is the happiness of those that embrace it. A man cannot be profitable to God; it is for our own good. Observe the shame and ruin of those who slight it. God is not the Author of sin: and Satan can only tempt, he cannot force. Thou shalt bear the loss of that which thou scornest: it will add to thy condemnation.

‏ Proverbs 9

* The invitations of Wisdom. (1-12) The invitations of folly.

(13-18)

1-12 Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are

admitted, and by which nourishment is given here to those that

believe in him, as well as mansions in heaven hereafter. The

ministers of the gospel go forth to invite the guests. The call

is general, and shuts out none that do not shut out themselves.

Our Saviour came, not to call the righteous, but sinners; not

the wise in their own eyes, who say they see. We must keep from

the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly, or we never

can enjoy the pleasures of a holy life. It is vain to seek the

company of wicked men in the hope of doing them good; we are far

more likely to be corrupted by them. It is not enough to forsake

the foolish, we must join those that walk in wisdom. There is no

true wisdom but in the way of religion, no true life but in the

end of that way. Here is the happiness of those that embrace it.

A man cannot be profitable to God; it is for our own good.

Observe the shame and ruin of those who slight it. God is not

the Author of sin: and Satan can only tempt, he cannot force.

Thou shalt bear the loss of that which thou scornest: it will

add to thy condemnation. 13-18 How diligent the tempter is, to seduce unwary souls into

sin! Carnal, sensual pleasure, stupifies conscience, and puts

out the sparks of conviction. This tempter has no solid reason

to offer; and where she gets dominion in a soul, all knowledge

of holy things is lost and forgotten. She is very violent and

pressing. We need to seek and pray for true wisdom, for Satan

has many ways to withdraw our souls from Christ. Not only

worldly lusts and abandoned seducers prove fatal to the souls of

men; but false teachers, with doctrines that flatter pride and

give liberty to lusts, destroy thousands. They especially draw

off such as have received only partial serious impressions. The

depths of Satan are depths of hell; and sin, without remorse, is

ruin, ruin without remedy. Solomon shows the hook; those that

believe him, will not meddle with the bait. Behold the wretched,

empty, unsatisfying, deceitful, and stolen pleasure sin

proposes; and may our souls be so desirous of the everlasting

enjoyment of Christ, that on earth we may live to him, daily, by

faith, and ere long be with him in glory.