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The friend of the surety here is the debtor, the stranger is the creditor.

I. THE SCRIPTURE AFFORDS DIRECTION FOR TRADING AND CIVIL CONVERSE.

1. For wariness in suretyship here.

2. For faithfulness in dealing elsewhere. But why does the wise man concern himself with such matters.Because —

1. Religion guides best in civil matters.

2. The eighth commandment requires care of our estates.

3. The Church consists of families and traders which cannot be upheld without care.

4. Religion is ill spoken of for the careless ruin of professors' estates. Then follow Scripture precedents in trading rather than corrupt men's examples.

II. YOUNG MEN SHOULD BE ADVISED BY THEIR ELDERS IN WORLDLY AFFAIRS. They have more knowledge and more experience than younger men.

III. RASH SURETYSHIP IS TO BE AVOIDED. "Go to the pleading-place (forum), and among frequent contenders nothing is more frequently heard, than the dangers of suretyship, and the sighings of the surety."

1. Be not bound for more than thou canst spare from thy trade and charge.

2. Be not bound for idle persons, that are likely to leave thee in the lurch, and can show no likelihood of ever paying. There be honest poor men enough that will need thy help in this kind. Thou needest not to bestow thy means on prodigals.

(Francis Taylor, B.D.)

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KJV: My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

WEB: My son, if you have become collateral for your neighbor, if you have struck your hands in pledge for a stranger;