wnrs," asks St. Jamee (iv. 1), "and whence Ver. 27.-:e:e that giveth 11llto the poor come fightings amo,ng you ? come they shall not lack (see eh. xi. 24, etc.; xix. 17). not hence, even of your pleasures that God in some way compensates what is spent war in yonr members? Ye lust, and hBve in almsdeeds by shedding his blessing on not; ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: the benevolent. "Der Geiz," rune the ye fight and war." Septuagint, "An un- German maxim, "eammlet sich arm, die believing [b·1crros, Alexand. h>..710-Tos, in- Milde giebt sich reich," "Cho.rity gives satiate] man judgeth rashly." But he that itself rich; covetousness hoards itself poor" putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made (Trench). "Alms," said the rabbis," are the fat (eh. xi. 25; xvi. 20 ; xxix. 25). The salt of riches." But he that hideth his eyea character here opposed to the covetous is shall have many a ci.rse (eh. xi. 26). The that of the patient, God-fearing man, who uncharitable man either turns awny his eyes is contented to do his duty, and leave the that he may not see the misery around him, result iu the Lord's hands. This man or pretend8 not to notice it, le8t his com- shall be marle fat, shall be comforted and passion should be claimer!. The expression, largely blessed, while he who puts his hope "hiding the eyes," occurs in Isa.. i. 15, in material things shall fall into calamity. "When ye spread forth your hands, I will Septuagint, "He who trusts in the Lord hide mine eyes from you." The unmerciful will be in hie care (ev Jmµ.,>..,l<f lvn.,)." man meets with the curses of those whom Ver. 26.-lle that trusteth in his own he has neglected to relieve when ho had the heart ii a fool (see Gen. vi. 5; viii. 21). power, Bild such curses are ratified and What is here censured is that presump- ful.filletl because they are deserved, and tuous confidence in one's owu thoughts, Divine retribution attends them (see the plnns, and imaginations which leads a opposite view, ver. 20). "Turn not away man to neglect both God's inspirations thine eye from the ueedy," says the Sou of and the counsel of others (comp. ver. 14 ; Sirach, ·• o.nd give him none occasion to eh. xiv. 16). "Let him that thinketh he curse thee; for if he curse thee in the bitter- stancleth take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. ness of his soul, his prayer shall be heard x. 12). Septuagint, "Whoso trusteth to a of him th11t made him" (Ecclus. iv. 4, etc.; bold heart, such a one is a fool." Whoso comp. Tobit iv. 7). So in the 'Did ache,' walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. '.rhis ~h. iv., we ho.'"e, 0/11c a.1roo-Tpo.4>fiu11 Tbv m11n looks outside himself for direction; be ,vB,6µ.,vov, "Thou shnlt not tum thyself trusts in the wisdom which is from above; from one in need." Septu11gint, "He th11t he wo.lks in the fel\r of the Lord, and is turneth away his eye sh11!1 be in great dis- BBved from tho dnngcrs to which self-con- tress;" Vulg11to, Qui despicit deprecantem fidence exposes the fool. The best com- sustinebit penuriam. menlo.ry on the gnome is Jer. ix. 23, 24, Ver. 28.-When the wicked rise, men "Let not tho wise mau glory in his wisdom, hide themselves (see ver. 12); Septuo.gint, neither let the mighty man glory iu his "In the pl11cee of the ungodly the righ tcous might, let not the rich man glory in his groan." But wheu they perish, the right- riches: but let him that glorieth glory in eous increase (oh. xi. 10; xxix. 2, Hi). '.rhe this, tho.t he uuuerstandeth and kuoweth overthrow of the ungodly acids to the pros- mo, that I am the Lortl which exercise perity of the righteous, 1·eruoves nu opposing loving-kiuduess, judgment, antl righteoue- element, and promotes their o.dv11uccweut in nes~, iu the e11rth : for in these things I iu.llueuco aud numbers. delight, saith the Lord."
HOMILETICS. Ver.1.-T/ie cowardice of guilt and tlie courage of righteousness. I. THE cowARDICl!I OF GUILT. " The wicked flee when no man pursueth." 1. This cowardice springs /i·om a natural feeling of ill desert. "Conscience doth meke cowards of us nil." Apart from all authoritative reveLition, when no prophet of God is charging 11 man with his sin, an awful voice within clamours against his guilt and shakes the very foundl\tions of his confidence. Though he has never breathed a word of bis misdeed in the ear of a fellow-man, tbough:all the world is deceived into believing him to bo innocent, he cannot silence that dread inner voice. In many cases it utterly unnerves a ml\n, thou~h outwardly he dwells in perfect security. 2. This cowardice is nourished lnJ a perception of Divine;"ustice. A person who knows the revealed will of God, and bis wrath ngainst siu, must be prepared to expect jndgments of condernnati~n on guilt_. 'l'houg_h the avenging hand is stayed, it mny fall l\t any moment. The miserable guilty man 1s like one in tho condemned cell under sentence of death, who docs not know the day or hour 640 THE PROVERBS. [clt. xx.vm. 1-28,