habit, or sell himself to a sin, which tends to such guilt and misery, and exposes a man every day
to the danger of dying insensible, and awaking in hell? Wisdom seems in these chapters to take up
the discourse as at the beginning of the book. They must be considered as the words of Christ to
the sinner.
Chapter 24
Verses 1, 2
Envy not sinners. And let not a desire ever come into thy mind, Oh that I could shake off
restraints!
Verses 3–6
Piety and prudence in outward affairs, both go together to complete a wise man. By knowledge
the soul is filled with the graces and comforts of the spirit, those precious and pleasant riches. The
spirit is strengthened for the spiritual work and the spiritual warfare, by true wisdom.
Verses 7–9
A weak man thinks wisdom is too high for him, therefore he will take no pains for it. It is bad
to do evil, but worse to devise it. Even the first risings of sin in the heart are sin, and must be
repented of. Those that strive to make others hateful, make themselves so.
Verse 10
Under troubles we are apt to despair of relief. But be of good courage, and God shall strengthen
thy heart.
Verses 11 , 12
If a man know that his neighbour is in danger by any unjust proceeding, he is bound to do all
in his power to deliver him. And what is it to suffer immortal souls to perish, when our persuasions
and example may be the means of preventing it?
Verses 13 , 14
We are quickened to the study of wisdom by considering both the pleasure and the profit of it.
All men relish things that are sweet to the palate; but many have no relish for the things that are
sweet to the purified soul, and that make us wise unto salvation.