Proverbs 18:14

“The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;
but a wounded spirit who can bear?”

Man being placed in a world where troubles of various kinds continually await him, he is endued with a firmness of mind suited to the occasion, so that he is enabled to bear them with a considerable measure of composure and ease. Previously to the arrival of afflictions, they appear more formidable than they really are. We should suppose that poverty, and sickness, and pain, and losses of friends and relatives—would produce a permanent depression of mind; but this is not found to be the case; time soon heals the wounds that are inflicted by them; and habit soon reconciles men to the burdens which they are called to sustain. Where piety is superadded to natural fortitude, and the grace of God is in full activity, a man can support any load, however heavy.

What an accumulated weight of afflictions came on Job! Yet he not only blessed God for them, but, when his wife urged him to renounce his allegiance to God on account of these visitations, he, with wonderful composure, answered, “Shall we receive good at the Lord’s hands—and shall we not receive evil?”

Yet there are bounds beyond which a man cannot go, without almost miraculous assistance. The spirit, like the body, may be borne down by a weight beyond its strength; and when the spirit, which ought to support a man under all his other trials, is itself broken, he must fall of course.

Now there are many things which inflict so deep a wound upon the spirit, as to destroy all its energy, and incapacitate it for its proper office; and that we may provide an antidote against them, and afford some consolation under them, we will,

I. Consider the case of a wounded spirit.

1. A spirit may be deeply wounded by despondency of mind.

The mind may be disordered, as well as the body—and indeed through the medium of the body; and it is certain that there are disorders which so operate upon the nerves as to weaken and depress the physical spirits, and to sink a man into the very depths of despondency. This is often mistaken for religious melancholy; but it frequently has nothing to do with religion; it is found in people who never turned their minds at all to the subject of religion; and, as it comes with, and by, a bodily disease—so it ceases with the removal of that disease.

But in its effect it is inexpressibly painful, unfitting people for every duty, indisposing them for all the proper means of relief, and leading them to put away from themselves all manner of consolation. They constrain their kindest friends to apply to themselves that proverb. “As vinegar poured into a wound, so is he who sings songs to a heavy heart! Proverbs 25:20.”

2. A spirit may be deeply wounded by great and long-continued afflictions.

Job himself, who had so nobly sustained all his complicated afflictions, sank at last, and cursed the day of his birth. Nor is it at all uncommon for men of the greatest fortitude thus to sink. To produce this, is the tendency of calamities of any kind, personal, domestic, or public. See the Apostle’s caution to the Church of Corinth respecting their conduct towards a member whom they had excommunicated from among them. As they had been formerly too backward to punish his offence, so now they were too backward to restore him; on which occasion Paul says to them, “You ought rather to forgive him, and to comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with sorrow! 2 Corinthians 2:7.”

Here the grief was purely personal; but in Jacob it was of a domestic nature. He had, in his own apprehension, lost his favorite son, Joseph; and now he was afraid of losing Benjamin also; that, he said, would fill up the number of his sorrows, and “bring down his grey hairs with sorrow to the grave! Genesis 42:38; Genesis 44:31.”

How many at this day have ground to adopt this complaint, in reference to their children! Public calamities, it is true, do not so often press with an unsupportable weight upon the mind; yet have we several instances of their depressing, almost to the lowest ebb of sorrow, people of the strongest and the holiest minds.

How were Moses and Joshua discouraged, when unexpected circumstances arose to render doubtful the ultimate success of their mission, Exodus 5:22-23. Joshua 7:7-8.

Nor was it a love of life, or a fear of death, that made Hezekiah so extremely dejected at the prospect of his approaching dissolution, but an apprehension of the evils that would accrue to his country in the event of his removal; and that one consideration reduced him to such a state of grief as would in any other view have been utterly unworthy of him as a saint of God, Isaiah 38:13-14.

3. A spirit may be deeply wounded by guilt upon the conscience.

What terrible effects did this produce on the mind of the traitor Judas! He could not retain the wages of his iniquity, nor bear his own existence; but sought in suicide a termination of the sorrows he could no longer endure! Matthew 27:3-5.

Nor is it at all uncommon for people who once “made a mock of sin,” to feel so bitterly the torments of an accusing conscience, as to be driven by them to habits of intoxication, and even to suicide itself, as a refuge.

Even Christian men, previous to their having received a renewed sense of God’s pardoning love upon their souls, have been brought to such terrors and despondency, as to find within their own souls a foretaste of Hell itself. David’s experience in this particular is a just, but lamentable, exhibition of this painful truth, Psalm 31:9-10; Psalm 38:1-8; Psalm 40:12.

4. A spirit may be deeply wounded by violent temptations.

Satan, though he can no longer possess the bodies of men as formerly he did, has yet great power over their souls. “His fiery darts” can inflict the deadliest wound!

Paul himself was not able to endure “the buffetings” of that malignant enemy, until, by repeated cries to his Divine Master, he had obtained from him augmented supplies of grace and strength, 2 Corinthians 12:7; 2 Corinthians 12:9.

As for Job, though he was a perfect man—yet he sank entirely under the assaults of this great adversary, Job 6:2-4; Job 7:2-4; Job 7:13-16.

Even the Lord of Glory himself, when he had assumed our feeble nature, was so exhausted in his first conflicts with Satan, that he needed to have “angels sent from Heaven to strengthen him, Matthew 4:11.” And in his last hours, when all the powers of darkness made their united assault upon him, he was constrained to say, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.”

What wonder then if Christians of ordinary stature be on some occasions unable to bear up under the wounds which he inflicts upon them?

5. A spirit may be deeply wounded by spiritual desertion.

This, after all, is the most overwhelming to a pious soul. With the presence of his God a man may bear anything; but when “God hides his face from him, he must of necessity be troubled, Psalm 30:6-7.”

In this respect also, David shows us what an insupportable affliction this is, and how impossible it is for the strongest or most pious mind to endure it, Psalm 77:2-4; Psalm 88:3-7; Psalm 88:11-16.

But in our blessed Lord himself we see the most awful exemplification of this truth; for when all his other afflictions together had not been able to extort from him one complaint, this forced from him that heart-rending cry, “My God! my God! why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:16.

Seeing then that many may be fainting under the agonies of “a wounded spirit,” we will:

II. Administer some balm for the relief of a wounded spirit.

There is no wound that can be inflicted on the soul in this life, which may not, by an application of the proper remedies, be healed. Consider then,

1. There is no affliction which is not sent by God for our good.

Afflictions, of whatever kind they are, “do not spring out of the ground!” They are all appointed by God, in number, weight, and measure, and duration. If it is disease of body, it is he who inflicts the wound. If the trial comes from any other quarter, it still is God’s chastening rod that strikes us, with a view to our spiritual good, “that we may be made partakers of his holiness.” Convictions of sin are the work of his Spirit, to prepare us for the final restoration of his favor; and Satan himself, as in the case of Job and of Peter, is restrained by God, so as ultimately to display the triumphs of divine grace, and to benefit the souls which he endeavors to destroy. And God himself, in the hidings of his face, seeks only so to humble and purify our souls as to prepare us for the fuller manifestations of his love and mercy, Isaiah 54:7-8.

Now it must be granted, “that afflictions are not for the present joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterwards they work the peaceable fruits of righteousness unto them that are exercised thereby.” “If we are in heaviness through the suffering of many kinds of trials,” God sees that there is “a needs be” for them, 1 Peter 1:6. By putting us into the furnace, we shall be purged from our dross, and come out of it as vessels better fitted for his service! Malachi 3:2-3.

Well therefore may the consideration of the end for which afflictions are sent, and of the benefit to be derived from them, reconcile us to the difficulty of them, and dispose us to patiently wait for the removal of them. Could Job have foreseen the outcome of his troubles, they would have been deprived of more than half their weight.

2. Our afflictions, of whatever kind they are, will endure but a little time.

The Apostle speaks of all, even the heaviest afflictions, as light and momentary, 2 Corinthians 4:17. Even life itself is but as a shadow that declines; or a weaver’s shuttle, which soon finishes the piece that is to be severed from the loom. And when once this frail life is ended, there is an everlasting termination of all our sorrows! Every genuine believer enters immediately into “his presence, where is fullness of joy for evermore.” Into that blissful world, nothing that is afflictive can ever enter to disturb their peace! “God will wipe every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever! Revelation 21:4.”

And, as no created evil can then impair their bliss, so no created good can add to it, “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp! Revelation 21:23.”

How little will the transient clouds that once occasioned a momentary gloom be remembered, when our dwelling is forever fixed in the full splendor of the Sun of Righteousness. Surely we need not be much cast down at trials, however painful to flesh and blood, when we consider that their duration is but as the twinkling of an eye, and that they will so soon terminate in inconceivable and everlasting felicity!

3. There is in Christ a full sufficiency for every wound.

We need not go to the eternal world for consolation; for we may find it here. What says the Prophet Jeremiah? “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no Physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? Jeremiah 8:22.” Did we but cry to Jesus, as Paul did, we would find “his grace abundantly sufficient for us.” “If we cast our burden upon him, he would sustain us.”

See the experiment tried by David, and the account which he gives of the result; how soon was he “taken out of the horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and a new song was put into his mouth, even praise unto our God! Psalm 40:2-3.”

The very office which our blessed Lord undertook, was that, not of a Redeemer only, but of a Comforter, “to comfort those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness Isaiah 61:2-3.”

Let all then look unto him, whatever their affliction now is; even though, like David, they were under the depths of dereliction, they shall soon, with him, have occasion to say, “You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness! Psalm 30:11.”

The Lord Jesus “will not break a bruised reed, or quench the smoking flax—but will bring forth judgment unto victory;” and, if we confide in him, “our heaviness may indeed continue for a night, but joy shall come in the morning!”

Charles Simeon

Proverbs 18:10

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous runs into it, and is safe!”

In the Proverbs of Solomon we must not expect to find long and accurate statements of Divine truth, nor elevated strains of devotion founded upon it. The scope of the book is rather by brief sentences to fix upon the mind truths already acknowledged, and to show the excellency of them in their effects.

The passage before us is very instructive in this view, namely, as illustrating the blessedness attendant on true piety. But it commends itself to us yet more forcibly, by exhibiting a contrast between the dispositions and habits which true religion inspires, and those which are indulged by the whole ungodly world.

The text informs us what “the righteous man” does; the verse following our text informs us what the worldling does.

The one makes God his refuge.

The other trusts in his wealth, or some other equally vain idol.

The one founds all his hopes on God, as made known to us in the Scriptures of Truth; the other founds all his hopes on some vanity, that has no title to confidence but “in his own conceit.”

It was to mark this contrast that the blessedness mentioned in our text was confined to “the righteous.” Solomon did not mean to intimate, that an unrighteous man, if he would flee to this tower, would be shut out; for the most unrighteous man in the universe is invited to come to it; and, like the cities of refuge, its gates stand open day and night for the admission of all who desire to flee to it for refuge.

But the truth is, that none but the righteous will run to it; none but they who are sensible of their guilt and danger, and are fleeing in earnest from the wrath to come, will enter in. All others deny the necessity of submitting to so humiliating a measure; they think they are safe enough without it. The believing penitent, on the contrary, is thankful for such a refuge, and is in the habit of running to it on every occasion; and therefore to him, and to him alone, is the security confined.

To elucidate the passage, we will endeavor to unfold,

I. The character of God.

By “the name of the Lord” we are not to understand the mere word, Jehovah, as though that would afford us any security. This is a vain and foolish superstition, that has no foundation whatever in the Oracles of God. But, by “the name of the Lord” we must understand his character; as we learn from that expression of David, “Those who know your name,” that is, your character, “will put their trust in you! Psalm 9:10.”

1. Consider the character of Jehovah, as described by himself.

God, in infinite condescension, was pleased to make himself known to Moses, and by an audible voice to “proclaim his name, Exodus 34:5.” “The Lord passed by and proclaimed, The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, patient, and abundant in goodness and truth; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin—and who will by no means clear the guilty! Exodus 34:6-7.”

Now we would ask the trembling sinner: What character he would wish Jehovah to bear? Would he wish God in no instance to testify his displeasure against sin, but to treat all men alike, putting no difference between “the guilty” who are going on in all manner of wickedness; and the penitent, who are turning from all iniquity? No! There is not a penitent in the universe that would wish God to act in a way so unworthy of his Divine Majesty. But if he desires to be assured of mercy to returning penitents, it is not possible that any words he could devise could more richly portray this attribute, than those which God himself has used. Consider them distinctly and separately, and see how constantly they have been verified towards you hitherto, and how abundantly they contain all that you can desire.

2. Consider the character of Jehovah, as revealed to us in Christ Jesus.

The Lord Jesus Christ is “Emmanuel, God with us;” and he is particularly called, “The image of the invisible God,” because in him the whole character of God is made, as it were, visible to mortal men. He is “the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person;” and his whole character is marked in the name given him before he was conceived in the womb, Matthew 1:21; Matthew 1:23. The name “Jesus” is the same with Joshua, or “Jehoshua,” that is, Jah-Hosea, Divine Savior. What a glorious and comprehensive name is this! All that he has done and suffered for us, and all that he has promised to us—is contained in it; together with his perfect sufficiency for all that he has undertaken to effect. The trembling sinner finds in the very name of Jesus a pledge of all that he needs.

Besides, while we contemplate him in the whole of his work and offices, we are expressly authorized to apply to ourselves the benefit of them all, and to call him, “The Lord our Righteousness, Jeremiah 23:6.” Follow this idea in all its bearings, and what unsearchable mysteries of love and mercy will it unfold to our view!

Such being the name and character of God, let us contemplate,

II. The interest we have in the name of the Lord.

The name of the Lord is indeed “a strong tower”.

Consider every perfection of God; there is not one which is not “a chamber where we may hide ourselves until every calamity is past! Isaiah 26:20.” The wisdom, the goodness, the love, the power, the faithfulness of Jehovah—who that is encompassed by them does not feel himself in an impregnable fortress? Truly they are not merely a wall, but “a wall of fire” round about the righteous; of fire, which while it protects the fugitive, will devour the assailant.

What a tower too is the Lord Jesus Christ in the whole of his work and offices! Well is he said to be “a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, etc. Isaiah 26:4.” Yes, “the man” Christ Jesus, in his Mediatorial character, is such “a hiding-place! Isaiah 32:2,” where no adversary shall “ever penetrate.”

All who run to it are safe.

Who shall ever approach “to harm” those who are thus protected? 1 Peter 3:13. Surely “they shall be kept in perfect peace.”

They are safe from the curses of the broken law; for “there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus! Romans 8:1.”

They are safe too from the assaults of Satan; for “their lives are hidden with Christ in God,” where Satan can never come! Colossians 3:3-4.

In a word, they are safe from every kind of evil; for God has said of those who make the Most High their habitation, that “no evil shall befall them, Psalm 91:9-10.”

The persecutor may touch their body, but cannot reach their soul Luke 12:4-5.

They shall sooner be fed with ravens, than be allowed to “lack any manner of thing that is good, Psalm 34:9-10.”

And if anything occur that has the semblance of evil, they may be assured that it shall work for their present and eternal good, Romans 8:28. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.

Like Elisha, they are surrounded with horses of fire and chariots of fire! 2 Kings 6:14-17; and any assaults made upon them shall only terminate as in Elijah’s case, with the confusion and ruin of their enemies, 2 Kings 1:9-14.

“Suffer now a word of exhortation”.

1. Study much the character of God.

“To know God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent, is,” as our Lord informs us, “eternal life!” All other knowledge is mere vanity in comparison with this. Without this we have nothing to warrant our hopes, or to dissipate our fears, “Acquaint then yourselves with God, and be at peace!”

2. Maintain constant and intimate communion with God.

You know how a child runs to his parent on every occasion; do you in like manner run unto your God. This is the very character of the true Christian, “The righteous runs unto God as his strong tower.” Go to him under every fear, and every want, and every distress; and “cast your care on Him who cares for you!”

3. Assure yourselves of the safety which you are privileged to enjoy.

Well may you say, “If God is for me, then who can be against me?” See how David exulted in his security, Psalm 18:1-2; Psalm 27:1; and learn like him to glory in your God; for it is God’s desire that you should enjoy all possible consolation, Hebrews 6:18. Your Savior has assured you, that “none shall pluck you out of his hands;” lie there then in peace and safety, “knowing in whom you have believed, and that he is able to keep that which you have committed to him!” When he has lost his power to save, then, and not until then, shall any enemy prevail against you.

Charles Simeon

Proverbs 16:33

“The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord!”

Though we would not be unnecessarily fastidious in condemning the use of any particular term, where we knew that in its popular sense it was not very exceptionable—yet we cannot altogether approve the use of such terms as ‘luck’ and ‘chance’ and ‘accident,’ for though we know that the people who adopt those kind of expressions do not intend to deny the doctrine of a superintending Divine Providence—yet we cannot but think that such language tends exceedingly to weaken a sense of God’s Providence upon the soul, inasmuch as it excludes his agency from the affairs of men, and regards them as left to mere and absolute chance. With the Scriptures in our hands, we are perfectly assured, that all things, however casual or contingent with respect to man, are under the control of a Superintending Providence; or, as it is said in our text, that, “when a lot is cast into the lap, the whole disposal thereof is of the Lord.”

In confirmation of this truth, we shall show:

I. That God is the disposer of all events.

Events, of whatever kind they are, are equally under the direction of Almighty God.

1. God regulates those things which are most dependent on human agency.

In the government of kingdoms all the powers of the human mind are called forth and concentrated; but the time for their commencement and continuance is altogether under the direction of God’s power, Daniel 4:17; Daniel 4:35. The success of all human plans, whether relating to military enterprises, 1 Samuel 17:45-47. 2 Chronicles 20:17, or commercial speculations, Deuteronomy 8:17-18, or agricultural pursuits, Haggai 1:6-11, or matters of inferior moment and of daily occurrence, Proverbs 19:21. 1 Samuel 2:6-9—depends entirely on God. It was he who directed to Ahab’s heart the bow drawn at a venture, and to Goliath’s forehead the stone out of David’s sling. In a word, he “works all things after the counsel of his own will! Ephesians 1:11;” and “his counsel shall stand, and he will do all his good pleasure! Isaiah 46:10.”

2. God regulates those things that are most independent of human agency.

Nothing has less dependence on human skill or foresight than a lot. As far as respects the determining of that, an idiot is on a par with the wisest man in the universe. But the lot is entirely at God’s disposal; as all who acknowledge the existence of a Deity have confessed, by resorting to it on emergencies which nothing else could determine. Saul, and all the people of Israel, resorted to it, in order to learn from God who it was that had displeased him; and again, to determine the same matter between Saul and Jonathan his son, 1 Samuel 14:40-42. In like manner the Apostles had recourse to it, in order to know whom God willed to be the successor of Judas in the Apostolic office, Acts 1:23-26. Even the heathens themselves had a persuasion, that, when matters were solemnly referred to Him in a way of lot, he would make known to them the point which they wished to ascertain, Jonah 1:7. But as in these instances the event, though supposed to have been directed of God, might have been casual, since the chances against it were not very great, we will adduce one, which marks beyond all possibility of doubt the Divine interposition. Since, in the language of chances, it was above a million to one that the lot did not fall on the person to whom God infallibly directed it, Joshua 7:14-18. There were two million people; but the last lot fell to Achan. Here is a striking illustration of that passage, “Evil shall hunt the wicked man to overthrow him! Psalm 140:11.” The hounds see not their prey in the first instance, but trace it by its scent, and follow it with certainty in all its turnings, until at last they come in sight of it, and overtake it, and destroy it. So it was in regard to this pursuit of the man who had troubled the camp of Israel; the lot fell on the right tribe, then on the right family of that tribe, then, on the right household, and lastly on the right individual in that household: and to every human being it speaks in this awful language, “Be sure your sin will find you out!”

That we may see how important a truth this is in a practical view, we shall proceed to show,

II. That in this character God is constantly to be regarded by us.

1. We should trace God’s hand and his will in everything that is past.

Have we been loaded with benefits? they must be received as from Him, “from whom comes every good and perfect gift.” It matters nothing whether our blessings came to us by inheritance, or were the fruit of our own industry; to God, and to God alone, must they be referred, as their proper source! 1 Chronicles 29:14. Have we, on the other hand, been visited with afflictions? We should know that “they did not spring out of the ground,” but proceeded from God’s gracious hand; since “there is no evil in the city, but the Lord himself has done it.” Thus Job viewed all his diversified trials; he overlooked the second causes, and fixed his eyes on God alone, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.”

Now in all this we see the great importance of tracing everything to the Lord; for by our blessings we are inflamed to gratitude, and by our troubles are softened to submission.

2. We should trace God’s hand and his will in everything that is future.

If nothing can occur without his special appointment, how safely may we commit to him our every concern; and how confidently may we expect a happy outcome of every occurrence! Can we do better than leave ourselves at his disposal? Were it possible that he should err, or that, having devised anything, he should be unable to accomplish it; or that, having begun to accomplish it, he should, through versatility, change his purpose, and alter his dispensations; we might then not feel so well satisfied with having everything subject to his disposal; but when infinite wisdom and goodness concur to direct all our concerns, and infinite power also engages to overrule everything for our good, we may well dismiss every fear, saying with the Apostle, “I know whom I have believed, and that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him.”

We may be as composed as Hezekiah was when surrounded by Sennacherib’s army, 2 Chronicles 32:7-8, or as Elisha, when surrounded by the army of the king of Syria, 2 Kings 6:16-17. “Having God for us,” we may rest assured, that “none can effectually be against us.”

Let us see from hence,

1. The excellency of faith.

This is the principle which, far beyond any other, honors and glorifies God. By faith we are prepared to receive everything as from him, and to say, “It is the Lord; let him do what seems him good.” Mere reason, though it may acknowledge these truths, can never enable us to realize them; but “by faith we see Him who is invisible;” and learn to acknowledge him, as much “in the falling of a sparrow,” as in the ruin of an empire! Seek then this blessed principle; yes, seek it in its highest and noblest exercises, that “being strong in faith, you may give glory to God.”

2. The blessedness of the true believer.

Whatever confederacies may be against you, it is your privilege to know, that “no weapon that has been formed against you can prosper.” God has said, that “all things shall work together for your good;” and they shall do so, however much you may be at a loss to conceive in what way the good shall be elicited. Only take care that “Christ is yours;” and then you may be sure that all things else are yours! 1 Corinthians 3:21-23. If Christ is yours, all the attributes of God are so far yours, that they shall all be exercised for your good. Having “Christ for your sanctuary,” you shall be inaccessible to the fiery darts of Satan; and having “your life hidden with Christ in God, you shall, at his second coming, assuredly appear with him in glory! Colossians 3:3-4.”

Charles Simeon

Proverbs 16:25

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

The testimony of an inspired prophet respecting the human heart is, that it “is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked!” This testimony, as far as it respects the world at large, we all are ready to confirm. We see that in the great mass of mankind there is a propensity to deceive, not others only—but themselves also. They are often unconscious of principles by which they are manifestly actuated; and as often take credit to themselves for virtues which they do not really possess. People who have made considerable attainments in self-knowledge, are yet by no means free from this infirmity; the Apostles themselves, on more occasions than one, betrayed by their conduct, that “they knew not what spirit they were of.” Nor does this proneness to self-deceit discover itself only in relation to individual acts, wherein men may be supposed to be biased either by their interests or passions; it extends itself to men’s whole character, and leads them to form a most erroneous judgment of their state; it leads them to:
“call evil good, and good evil;
to put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
to put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.”

But it may be thought, that, if a man is deceived by his own heart, a less degree of criminality will attach to his actions, and he will have less reason to apprehend the displeasure of God. This however is not true; for we are responsible to God for the judgment we form of good and evil; and if we err, after all the means of information he has given us, we must be willingly deceived, and abide the consequences of our folly. To this effect Solomon speaks in the words before us; he concedes that “a way may appear right to a man;” but he tells us, nevertheless, that “the end thereof will be death.”

This assertion of his is not to be understood of one particular way only; it is a general assertion that is applicable to a great variety of cases; or rather, I should say, to every kind of way that is followed by man and condemned by God. Of course we cannot enter into all the cases which might be specified; it will be sufficient to notice two or three ways, which are the most commonly followed, and most fatal in their outcome.

I. The first way to which we would call your attention is that of mirthful licentiousness.

We cannot suppose any person so ignorant as really to think that licentious gaiety is right; but there are millions who do not think it materially wrong. Criminal excesses and indulgences are palliated by the mild appellations of conviviality and youthful indiscretion; and they are deemed necessary to the well-being of society. They are even made subjects of boasting; and people who through age and infirmity are disabled from pursuing their former courses, will yet repeat them in effect, by glorying in the remembrance of them, and encouraging others in the same career.

So far from condemning these things in their minds, the generality will laugh at those who are scrupulous enough to doubt the lawfulness of such courses; and if anyone were bold enough to bear a decisive testimony against them, he would instantly be characterized by some opprobrious name. To suppose that such indulgences, if restrained within moderate bounds, would subject a man to the wrath of Almighty God, would be considered as bordering on insanity; and every one is encouraged to regard such innocent liberties (as they are called) as perfectly compatible with a well-grounded hope of salvation.

Let us then inquire what foundation there is for such a confidence. Does God say anything in his Word respecting the outcome of such ways? Or does God speak of them in the same gentle terms? No! not a syllable of this kind is to be found in all the sacred records. A general caution is given to us by Solomon in reference to carnal indulgences of every kind, “Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see—but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment! Ecclesiastes 11:9.”

The general warning given by Paul is plainer still, “If you live after the flesh, you shall die! Romans 8:13.” Lest we should mistake his meaning, he frequently enumerates the works of the flesh, “Sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God! Galatians 5:19-21.”

But because men are ready to offer vain pleas and excuses for such things, he particularly guards us against laying the smallest stress on any surmises of our own, or any suggestions of others, “Let no man,” says he, “deceive you with vain words; for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience! Ephesians 5:6.”

Moses, and after him the Prophet Jeremiah, meet the case in the most pointed terms, “It shall come to pass,” says Moses, “when a man shall hear the words of this curse, and shall bless himself in his heart, saying: I shall have peace though I walk in the imagination of my heart; the Lord will not spare him; but the anger of the Lord and his jealousy shall smoke against that man; and all the curses that are written in this book shall come upon him, and the Lord shall blot out his name from under Heaven! Deuteronomy 29:19.”

Now permit me to ask, For what end are these things written? Is it merely to alarm and terrify us? Can we conceive that God would falsify, in order to keep us within some decent bounds? Is there any necessity for him to resort to such an expedient; or could he do it in consistency with his own perfections?

Here then we are reduced to this dilemma: either to believe that the Word of God is full of the most palpable falsehoods from one end to the other—or to acknowledge that the confidence of ungodly men is unfounded, and their hope delusive. Choose the former alternative if you please; but you must excuse me if I embrace the latter. Believing as I do the Word of God to be true, I must believe, and must exhort you also to believe, that they who make light of sin “shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” The drunkard, the swearer, the whoremonger, in short the careless sinner, may “think his ways right;” but, if there is any truth in the Word of God, they shall end in death. The express declaration of God concerning them is, “The end of those things is death! Romans 6:21.”

II. The next way to which I would call your attention, is that of proud unbelief.

Associated with loose morality will be found, for the most part, a contemptuous disregard of the Gospel. Ungodly men feel no need of it; they see no excellency in it; they consider it as unworthy of their attention; and they leave it as a proper field for the discussion of disputants, or the contemplation of wild enthusiasts.

If any urge the necessity of faith in Christ, they either contend, that, having been educated in the beliefs of Christianity, they have all the faith that is necessary; or they cut the matter short, and tell us in a word, “His faith cannot be wrong, whose life is in the right.” As to the idea of their salvation depending on the exercise of faith, they cannot for one moment endure it; nothing is too bad to be spoken of so preposterous an opinion; and all who maintain such a sentiment are set down as deceiving hypocrites, or as gloomy fanatics.

Thus confident are they that their way is right.

But what says the Scripture to these things? Does God himself lay no stress on the exercise of faith? Does he leave us at liberty to embrace or reject his Gospel as we please? Having given us his only-begotten Son to die for us, and set him forth to be an atoning sacrifice for sin through faith in his blood—does he attach no guilt to unbelief? Does he represent the despisers of his Son as in the same predicament with those who receive him? Nothing of this kind can be found in all the book of God. It may be called candor; but there is no such candor in the inspired volume. The Scripture calls everything by its proper name, and assigns to everything its proper character; and the unbelief which is thought a matter of so much indifference by the world at large, is declared to be the infallible source of ruin to all who indulge it.

But let the Scriptures speak for themselves, “He who believes on Christ is not condemned; but he who believes not, is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.” “He who believes on the Son, has everlasting life; but he who believes not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” In conformity with these declarations is the whole tenor of sacred writ, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” says our Lord, “no man comes unto the Father but by me.” “Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden! and I will give you rest.” “You will not come unto me, that you might have life.”

To the same effect is the testimony of his Apostles, “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” “There is no salvation in any other; there is no other name under Heaven given among men whereby we can be saved, but the name of Jesus Christ!”

What now shall we say to these things? Is there any difficulty in understanding these passages? I know, it is fashionable with many to represent the doctrines of the Gospel as so abstruse and intricate, that no one of common discernment can understand them. But what intricacy is there above, which the most unlettered man in the universe may not understand? Men may invent subtleties on any subject; and on this among the rest; but there is nothing here which is not plain and easy to the most common apprehension. Christ has made an atonement for our sins; and he calls us to seek salvation through his blood and righteousness. He tells us, that “having no sin of his own, he was made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” And when he sent his disciples to go and preach this Gospel to every creature, he added, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, and he who believes not shall be damned.”

What shall we say then? Shall we believe what the Lord Jesus Christ has so strongly affirmed? Or shall we believe the surmises of ungodly men, and “make God a liar?” Even if there were no such strong assertions to guide us, our own reason might tell us, that God, after having given his only dear Son to die for us, would never leave it a matter of indifference whether we believed in him or not; but when we find the testimonies of Scripture so plain and so express on the subject, we must conclude that the unbelief which men so proudly and impiously justify, will issue in the everlasting confusion of those who indulge it.

III. The last way to which we shall direct your attention, is that of cold formality.

Many who have respect for the Gospel as a system, content themselves with yielding to it a bare notional assent; and persuade themselves that they receive it aright, even though they never are stimulated by it to any extraordinary exertions. As for all that zeal and love and diligence in the service of the Lord Jesus which they behold in some few around them—they account it all a needless preciseness; and they impute it, for the most part, to ostentation or vanity in those who dare to maintain it. To be regular in their attendance on public worship, to fulfill the duties of their station, and to do unto others as they would be done unto—this is enough for them, and more than this they utterly despise. Speak not to them of loving God, of living by faith on the Lord Jesus, of maintaining fellowship with him in the exercise of prayer and praise. Speak not to them of walking as Christ walked, of bearing the cross after him, and of rejoicing that they are counted worthy to suffer for him. Speak not to them of receiving out of his fullness, of living to his glory, or of growing up into his image; such ideas are quite foreign to their minds; they sound only as the reveries of an over-heated imagination; to aspire after such things would be to be legalistic. If such exertions were necessary for the attainment of Heaven, what must become of all the world? Their religion lies in a much narrower space; they do as they would be done unto, and they mind their proper business in life; if this will not save them, nothing will; and they have no fear but that, when they shall have finished their course. God will say to them, “Well done, good and faithful servants! Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

But if these views of a Christian’s duty are right, whence is it that the Christian course is represented in Scripture as so arduous, that the most “righteous people are scarcely saved,” and with great difficulty? Why is it that the divine life is compared to a race, that calls for such exertion: a wrestling, that requires such skill; a warfare, that is attended with such labor and danger? What is there, in the kind of life which has been described, that at all corresponds with such images as these? If the way to Heaven be so easy that people can walk in it without any material difficulty—then why is it that our Lord has represented the path of religion as strait and unfrequented, and has bidden us to strive to enter in at the strait gate, because many seek to enter in, and are not able?

Paul, when enumerating many classes of ungodly people who would arise in the latter days, mentions those who have “a form of godliness without the power;” and in those very words describes the characters which we are now considering. The people of whom we are speaking, particularly value themselves upon their moderation in religion; as though it were a virtue to love God moderately; to serve our Lord and Savior moderately; and to seek the salvation of our souls moderately. This was the religion of the Laodicean Church; they determined to guard against all extremes; they would not neglect the service of God altogether; nor would they, on the other hand, engage in it with all their might. And what says God unto them? Does he commend this boasted moderation? No! He says, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot! So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth!”

Let me not be understood as though I would vindicate anything that was really wild enthusiasm; God forbid! The only thing for which I am contending is, that God is to be served, not in a cold, lifeless, formal manner, but with sincere delight, and with all the powers and faculties of our souls. We must “yield ourselves as living sacrifices to him;” we must endeavor to “walk worthy of him;” and strive to the uttermost to “glorify him with our bodies and our spirits, which are his.” This is the holiness to which we are to attain; and “without this holiness no man shall see the Lord!”

Having specified some of those ways which seem right to the generality of men, but will assuredly end in death, namely, the ways:
of mirthful licentiousness,
of proud unbelief,
of cold formality,
we would entreat you to contemplate the state of those who walk in them, at that period when they are about to be undeceived.

While they are in health, and the world smiles upon them, their religion, such as it is, will suffice; and their confidence will bear them up. But when sickness comes, and they draw near to the chambers of death, a doubt will frequently arise in their minds, whether they are prepared to meet their God. To dispel these thoughts, they betake themselves to business or pleasure or company, or perhaps to strong drink; but in spite of all the means used to allay their fears, their suspicions will recur with greater force, and excite a wish to know the opinion of someone better informed than themselves; but they are afraid to suggest their doubts, lest they should create an alarm in the minds of others, and impress them with an unfavorable apprehension of their state. The recurrence of these thoughts makes them cling to life; not that life is pleasant to them; but they are afraid to die. Compelled at last by inward uneasiness, they perhaps put to some friend a question respecting the evidences of our acceptance with God.

They are then answered in the most confident manner, that, as they have done no harm, and have been very attentive to their duties in life—they have no cause of fear. The satisfaction founded on such an answer as this, soon passes away; and their former fears return. Now perhaps they would be glad to see some person, whose piety they have hitherto ridiculed as needless preciseness; but they are afraid, lest a conversation with him should confirm, rather than remove, their doubts and fears. They wish, but cannot make up their minds, to send for him. Perhaps they suggest the idea to their attendant, but are dissuaded from encouraging it; they are told with increasing confidence, that all is well with them. Perhaps they persevere in their wishes, and a faithful monitor is sent for. The servant of God deals tenderly with them, but at the same time points out the errors they have fallen into, and the importance of seeking salvation in another way. This disquiets them for a time, and makes them doubly earnest about their souls. The faithful monitor repeats his visit; but the officious friends have barred the door against him; or perhaps have persuaded the dying man to decline all further interviews, and to venture his soul upon his own delusions. Any excuse is offered; the dying man is asleep, or too ill to see anyone; and thus the only remaining hope for the poor man is banished. Such consolations as are founded on error and presumption are administered to the last; and at length the disembodied spirit rushes unprepared into the presence of its God!

But who can conceive the surprise and horror of the soul at the instant of its separation from the body? Methinks it shrinks back, wishing if possible to hide itself in its former tenement of clay. But the time is come for it to be undeceived.

Now it sees the weakness and futility of all its former hopes.

Now it sees how erroneous were its views of sin, and its conceptions of saving religion.

Now it sees that the teachings which God had given in his Word were true.

The self-deceiver now can no longer doubt to what an end his former ways were leading, or where they will come who follow the paths he trod. To indulge a wish for another period of probation, or even for the smallest mitigation of his misery, now are vain. Gladly would he go back for a moment to the world he has left, to warn his surviving friends, lest they also come into the same place of torment; but that cannot be admitted. The sacred volume is given them for their guide; and if they will follow their own delusions in preference to it, they must abide the consequences. Now despair and anguish seize hold upon him; and he is delivered up a prey to all those horrors, which once he ridiculed as idle tales.

Would we avoid this awful end, let us turn from the paths that lead to it. Let us remember, that the assertions of men, however confident—are of no value any further than they are founded on the Word of God. Do not let their light thoughts of sin lead us to tamper with it, or to doubt its outcome. Do not let their excuses for rejecting Christ prevail on us to neglect his great salvation. Rather, let us embrace him, and glory in him, and cleave to him with full purpose of heart. Do not let their standard of religion be ours. Let us go “unto the Word and to the testimony.” Let us see how Christ and his Apostles walked; and though we are ridiculed as precise and enthusiasts—let us persevere in following the path of duty. Let us “stand,” as the prophet speaks, “and ask for the good old way, and walk therein.”

Let us seek instruction wherever we can find it; and let us remember, that the broad and frequented path is, according to our Lord’s express declaration, a way that leads to destruction; but that the path to life is narrow, difficult, and unfrequented; for “few there be that find it.”

In short, let us look forward to the end of our journey. At that we shall soon arrive; and then it will be of no consequence whether we have been honored for keeping the world in favor, or despised for putting them to shame. The only thing that will then be of any consequence, will be, whether we are approved of our God. Let this end then be kept in view; let us regulate our ways in reference to it; and let us both by precept and example endeavor to undeceive the world around us. Then shall we be blessings to the generation in which we live, and shall attain that glory which ought to be the one object of our constant pursuit.

Charles Simeon

Proverbs 16:23

“The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.”

The depths of human science can be explored by few, because few have either leisure or ability for learned investigations. The same observation is true with respect to theology also, considered as a science; a very considerable knowledge both of history and ancient languages is required, in order to a full understanding of the various branches of sacred literature. But the spiritual and most essential parts of divine knowledge are totally distinct from these subjects; nor is that species of learning, which the educated only can possess, at all necessary for the obtaining of a clear and accurate acquaintance with them.

There are two books, if we may so speak, and two alone, which we need to know; and they are, the Bible and our own hearts. Until our own hearts are opened to our view, the scriptures will be only “a sealed book;” but a discovery of our own hearts will throw an astonishing light upon the sacred oracles; and make innumerable passages, which once seemed obscure and inexplicable, so plain, that “he who runs may read” and understand them. To this effect Solomon speaks in the words before us; in elucidating which we shall inquire:

I. Who are here meant by “the wise?”

Solomon certainly did not intend to limit his assertion to those who were possessed of literary attainments.

Human knowledge, when sanctified by grace, is a valuable instrument in the hands of its possessor, inasmuch as it will qualify him for discharging many duties, which, without it, he would not be able to fulfill. Moses, by being “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians,” was better fitted to stand forth as the deliverer of Israel. And Paul, notwithstanding he declined using “the words of man’s wisdom,” was the better furnished for his work by his learned education, and his uncommon proficiency in the studies of his age and nation. Nevertheless it is not such learning that will form our minds to true wisdom. On the contrary, if unsanctified, it will be as contrary to scriptural religion as even the most inveterate lusts would be. The more we have of it, the more will “the things of the spirit appear foolishness unto us;” and the greater will be our backwardness to seek that spiritual “discernment” which alone can qualify us to judge of them aright, 1 Corinthians 2:14; and it is on this very account that God so often pours contempt upon it and confounds it, 1 Corinthians 1:19-20.

Nor was it of people eminent for worldly prudence that Solomon spoke.

There can be no doubt but that true wisdom will make us prudent, for the voice of inspiration says, “I, Wisdom, dwell with Prudence, Proverbs 8:12.” But there are many who are “prudent in their own sight,” and in the eyes of the world, who are considered by God as altogether destitute of wisdom! Isaiah 5:21. The Rich Man, who had so judiciously cultivated his grounds as to obtain large crops, and who, to preserve the produce, enlarged his storehouses, would have been accounted prudent by the world; but God gave him most deservedly the appellation of a fool, “You fool! this night shall your soul be required of you! Luke 12:20.”

The people characterized in the text as wise, are those who are endued with heavenly wisdom.

Some there are, whose “eyes have been enlightened” by the Spirit of God, and whose hearts are regulated by his living oracles. They have been taught by God to know their own state, and have been formed to a disposition and character suited to their real character, Ephesians 1:17-18. These are the wise, the only wise in the sight of God. And they are truly wise, even though they should be the most illiterate upon earth. We do not hesitate to say that the unlearned fishermen of Galilee, (the apostles) possessed more true wisdom than all the heathen philosophers that ever existed.

Their superiority to others will soon appear, if we inquire,

II. What are those subjects of which they are so well able to speak?

Their spiritual views do not at all qualify them to speak on matters of science and philosophy. But there are many things relating to Christian doctrine and experience, of which they can speak more truly, and more accurately, than any other people upon earth:

1. On the deceitfulness and depravity of the heart.

This is a subject with which they are well acquainted; nor are they afraid of declaring it in its full extent. They have found on a thousand occasions:
how fatally their heart has deceived them,
what false glosses their heart puts upon anything which it is desirous to retain,
and what subtle pretexts their heart will suggest for rejecting anything that is distasteful to flesh and blood.

They have seen:
the deep-rooted enmity of their hearts against God,
their aversion to all holy exercises, and
their proneness to do everything that was evil.

In speaking on these points, they speak not by hearsay, or according to a received system, but according to the Word of God, confirmed as it has been by their own experience. “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked!” Jeremiah 17:9.

2. On the suitableness and excellency of the salvation provided for us.

They no more doubt that they need a Savior, or that the Savior provided for them is exactly such a one as they need, than they doubt their own existence. They know full well that they could not fulfill the law; they know also that Christ has satisfied all its demands by his obedience unto death; and that by believing in him they shall be savingly interested in all that he has done and suffered. They perceive that in this way of salvation, God gives all, and we receive all; and though the pride of their hearts formerly revolted at this, they are now disposed, not only to acquiesce in it, but to thank and adore God for so gracious a dispensation.

3. On the way in which sinners are brought to the knowledge of Christ.

Here they can point out, as in a map, the country which they themselves have traveled over. They have been convinced of sin; they have seen the refuges of lies which they fled to in succession, one after another, until God sent home the law in all its spirituality to their hearts. They have thus been made to despair of saving themselves, and have, like the wounded Israelites, looked simply to him who was lifted up upon the cross. And though there is a great variety in the experience of different people with respect to these things—yet these are the general outlines in which all true Christians are agreed; and therefore they can speak of them with truth and certainty.

4. On the nature of the spiritual warfare.

They are daily engaged in maintaining a conflict with sin and Satan. They have within them the two principles of flesh and spirit, which are continually struggling, as fire and water, to subdue each other, Galatians 5:17. They know the discouragements and fears with which the Christian is assailed, and the consolations and joys with which he is revived. Nor are they “ignorant of Satan’s devices,” having often “withstood his wiles,” and “repelled his fiery darts.” On these subjects their mouth is taught, and learning is added to their lips.

The world are often struck with this fact, and ask with amazement,

III. Whence is it that they have attained this knowledge?

Experience, under God, is the best teacher; and it is from experience that they know these things.

They derive not their knowledge from books; for many either cannot read, or never have studied the writings of men upon those subjects. Nor have they received their instructions from man; for though God taught them by man—yet God alone made the Word effectual to open their eyes; and the very truths, perhaps, which they had heard frequently before without any profit, are suddenly applied to their souls, and made the power of God to their conviction and salvation.

In short, it is not merely in their heads, but in their hearts that they know these things; and in speaking of them they can say with the apostle, “What our eyes have seen, and our ears have heard, and our hands have handled of the Word of life, the same we declare unto you.”

Hence it is that their knowledge of these things is so superior to that of others.

Others cannot comprehend any one of the foregoing truths. If they should attempt to speak of them, they would only expose their own ignorance. Yes, though they may write well on the theory of religion, they are totally in the dark with respect to the nature of Christian experience. The poorest and lowest of God’s people have incomparably greater penetration in these things than the wisest philosopher! This is plainly declared by the Apostle, “He who is spiritual judges all things; yet he himself is judged by no man, 1 Corinthians 2:15.” It is confirmed also by that expression of Solomon, “The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor man that has understanding searches him out, Proverbs 28:11;” that is, discovers his ignorance, and is able to rectify his errors. As a man who has experienced any great pleasure or pain has a juster idea of what he has felt, than another has who only speaks of such things by hearsay; so, in a far higher degree, has the experienced Christian a clearer insight than others into divine truths, because he has the archetype and image of them in his own heart.

APPLICATION.

1. Let none attempt to excuse their ignorance by saying that they are no scholars.

Nothing is more common among the lower classes of mankind, than to offer this as an excuse for their ignorance. But such excuses are vain; God has told us that he has chosen the poor in preference to the rich and learned, 1 Corinthians 1:26-28, and that he has revealed to them what he has hidden from the wise and prudent, Matthew 11:25. Let the blind then pray that they may receive their sight; so shall they “understand all things, Proverbs 28:5,” and be made “wise unto salvation, 2 Timothy 3:15.”

2. Let us improve our conversation with each other for the purpose of spiritual edification.

Too apt are we to trifle away our precious hours. But the tongue of the wise is justly compared to choice silver that enriches, and to a tree of life that nourishes us with its precious fruits, Proverbs 10:20. Our words, if rightly ordered, might “administer grace” to each other. Let us then endeavor to obtain “the tongue of the learned, that can speak a word in season unto him who is weary, Isaiah 50:4.” Thus, we may “speak profitably out of the abundance of our hearts,” and approve ourselves truly “wise by winning souls” to God, Proverbs 11:30.

Charles Simeon