Proverbs 1:10-19 My son, if sinners entice you, consent you not.… I. I SHALL MENTION SOME OF THE VARIOUS WAYS BY WHICH SINNERS ENTICE US TO VICE. 1. They represent it as a light and trivial matter, and at the worst as venial and pardonable. "What is it," they will probably say, "but a human weakness and infirmity, to which all men are subject? Can it be criminal to follow the dictates of one's natural passions? You can be no worse than thousands who indulge in the same excesses." They will give soft names to the greatest abominations in order to prevent alarm. In this way the understanding is imposed upon and the conscience is silenced. When vice is painted in all its black colours we are apt to be alarmed at the commission of it, but when it is stripped of its deformity we become more reconciled to it, and more readily yield. But can that be a light matter which is treason against the Almighty and which has subjected us to death? Perhaps we are more in danger from smaller than greater transgressions, because they steal upon us more imperceptibly, and draw us insensibly into the commission of them. Is not this a good argument to be jealous of the very appearance of evil and to loathe the garments spotted with iniquity? 2. By representing the gain and the pleasure which accompany it. Gain and pleasure are the two great charmers which have seduced mankind and led them captive at their will. What foul and black crimes hath the love of money been the means of perpetrating! To this corrupt source may be traced all the fraud and injustice, all the theft and robbery which have been committed. And what is the acquisition of wealth, upon which men are so much set? Is it any substantial, permanent good? Will it preserve health, prolong life, or ward off death? The love of pleasure has ruined many. It enchants the simple. Health has been impaired. 3. By traducing the principles of good men and turning their manners into ridicule. The gospel hath unfolded a glorious plan of salvation by which God, consistently with the purity of His nature and the perfection of His government, can be reconciled to the chief of sinners. It is nobly adapted to restore peace to the troubled mind and to inspire the hope of immortality. Shall we be laughed out of it by any set of men or for any gratification whatever? 4. By leading the road and calling us to follow them. It must be allowed that example has a powerful influence upon mankind and will often prevail when all other means prove ineffectual. Good-nature may not allow him to separate from his companions. To do as others do hath long been a powerful principle of action, and hath carried men greater lengths than they ever thought of.Before I proceed to the second branch of the subject I shall give an advice or two to the young. 1. Cultivate an early acquaintance with God. 2. Carefully avoid the company of the ungodly. Who knows but your principles may be shaken and your morals corrupted before you are aware? 3. Be earnest in prayer to God that He may never suffer you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear. Heaven is your best resource, and from whence your most effectual aids do come. II. A FEW ARGUMENTS WHICH, BY THE BLESSING OF GOD, WILL ENABLE US TO RESIST THEM. 1. It is mean and dishonourable to be connected with bad men. 2. It is the most prejudicial to your best and eternal interests. The health will be impaired, the soul lost. 3. The infinite obligations you are under to your God and Redeemer. 4. If you consent you will lay a foundation for much anguish and remorse. Loose and dissipated men may put on what appearance of gaiety and mirth they please, but I am apt to think it is more affected than real, more feigned than true. 5. The distress and grief in which you must involve your parents and friends. (D. Johnstone, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. |
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