Essex Remembrancer Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalts folly. Death is at all times appalling to nature; but never so frightful as when it comes by the hands of the public executioner. To this the text provides an antidote. The man who lives in the "fear of the Lord" is not likely to die an untimely, much less an ignominious death. The case of martyrs is excepted. I. EXPLAIN THE NATURE OF TRUE RELIGION. What is the principle, its rule, and its object. 1. Its principle is the love of God. This love to God must be supreme. And wherever love is present, it will be evidenced by a desire to comply with the wishes, and obey the commands of the person loved. 2. That the rule of true religion is the revealed will of God, as found in the Scriptures. 3. The object of true religion is the glory of God. Religion in the heart can never be satisfied with anything short of the Divine glory as the great object of life. II. WHILE DESTITUTE OF THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION, MEN ARE PERPETUALLY IN DANGER OF BEING OVERCOME BY THE IMPETUOSITY OF THEIR PASSIONS. 1. Principles directly opposite to those of true religion exist in the human heart. 2. Circumstances are continually arising which may call these unholy principles into active operation. 3. There is grave danger, in the absence of true religion, that excited passion will prevail. Impetuosity can be effectually restrained and subdued only by the power of religious principle. (Essex Remembrancer.) Parallel Verses KJV: He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.WEB: He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly. |
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