Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments… Wisdom consists in two things: choosing a right end, and using right means to obtain it. Now, what end so becoming a creature to live for ever, as everlasting happiness? And what way can it be obtained, but in the way of holiness? I. MEN WILL NOT TAKE THE SAFEST SIDE IN RELIGION, WHICH THEIR REASON AND SELF-LOVE CARRY THEM TO DO IN OTHER CASES. Believe and regard what God has said; be holy in all manner of conversation; strive with all your might to enter in at the strait gate; accept of Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Do this, and you are safe, let the case be as it will; there are no bad consequences that can possibly follow from this conduct. II. IS IT NOT THE GREATEST FOLLY TO BELIEVE, OR PROFESS TO BELIEVE, THE GREAT TRUTHS OF RELIGION, AND YET ACT QUITE CONTRARY TO SUCH A BELIEF? Do you plead, that "you intend to repent of this inconsistent conduct hereafter"? But if religion is an excellent thing, as you profess to believe it, why do you not choose it now? the sooner the better. Again, is it not the greatest folly to indulge yourselves in a practice that you deliberately intend to repent of? Will you prosecute a scheme which you deliberately intend afterwards to condemn and be sorry for? III. IS IT NOT THE GREATEST FOLLY FOR MEN TO PRETEND TO LOVE GOD, WHEN THEIR TEMPER AND CONDUCT ARE INCONSISTENT WITH IT, AND PLAINLY EVIDENTIAL OF THE CONTRARY? What mean thoughts must they have of God, when they think to put Him off with such an empty compliment and hypocritical profession! IV. IS IT NOT THE GREATEST FOLLY FOR MEN TO HOPE FOR HEAVEN, WHEN THEY HAVE NO EVIDENCES AT ALL OF THEIR TITLE TO IT, OR FITNESS FOR IT? Can an illiterate rustic find pleasure in rigid mathematical demonstrations, and learned speculations, or a man of pleasure and business in the ascetic, mortified life of a hermit? Can a man, whose taste is vitiated by sickness, enjoy happiness in the entertainments of a feast? No, nothing can make a man happy, but what is suited to his relish and disposition. V. IS IT NOT THE GREATEST MADNESS TO BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE AFFAIRS OF TIME THAN THOSE OF ETERNITY? If you should throw away an estate to obtain a farthing, if you should run upon a drawn sword to escape a prickle, if you should prefer pebbles to crown's and kingdoms, darkness to light, or one luxurious meal to the support of your whole life, it would not be so shocking a piece of madness. 1. Since there is so much folly in the world in matters of religion, how astonishing is it that it is not universally contemned and ridiculed, or pitied and lamented! 2. With what an ill grace do the irreligious contemn and despise those that make religion their great concern, as weak, silly creatures! 3. How absurd is it for men to pretend they will not turn their thoughts to religion, lest it should make them melancholy or distracted! Alas! sinners, you cannot be more so than you are already; and you will never come to yourselves till, with the prodigal, you determine to return to your Father's house. 4. If the fear of the Lord, religion, is the perfection of wisdom, how unreasonably does the world charge it with making people mad! 5. Since men are such fools in matters of religion, since they censure it with so much severity and contempt, how astonishing is it that God should send down that Divine, heaven-born thing, religion, into our world, where it is so much neglected and abused! (S. Davies, M.A.) Parallel Verses KJV: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. |
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