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his

soul; but he that despiseth
ways shall die. "He that
hath pity upon the poor lend-
eth unto the LORD: and that
which he hath given will he
pay him again. 18 Chasten
thy son while there is hope,
and let not thy soul spare
for his crying.
A man of

19

their souls!—Is not thy soul worth saving?

17 What a beautiful and winning encouragement to a tender care for the wants of others.

18 Let not early faults go unpunished.

19 Anger cannot remove the various sorrows of life, but adds to their misery.

great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in the latter end. There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. "The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is

22 If we are so poor that we can give nothing but kindness, we should not withhold that.

better than a liar. The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will bring it to

evil. A slothful

not so much as
his mouth again.
25 Smite a
scorner, and the simple will

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25 A noble mind rejoices in good counsel.

beware and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. "Cease, 27 Do not listen to idle counsels.

my son, to hear the instruc

An

29 Punishment and shame will at

tion that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. "Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

last surely overtake the obstinate and impenitent.

PROPER LESSONS

TO BE READ AT

MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER

ON

HOLY-DAYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

Saint Andrew's Day.

MORNING. PROVERBS XX.

WINE is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. The fear of a king whoso provoketh him to anger 3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife but every fool will be meddling.

The

1 Wine is God's gift.-To be deceived thereby into intemperance, is an abuse of that gift, and a sin.

is as the roaring of a lion: sinneth against his own soul. 3 Blessed are the peacemakers. Religion promotes honest in

dustry.

sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can 7 St. Paul rejoiced in a conscience void of offence towards both God and

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find? The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. "Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure

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It is the penalty of greatness, that it must rise above all selfish considerations, and in a more especial manner learn to live for others; for if " no man liveth to himself" alone, how much less a sovereign! See verses 26, 28. See also Rom. xiv. 7, 8.

from my sin? 10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD. "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. eye, the LORD hath made even lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone away, then he boasteth. There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. Take his garment that is surety for a stranger and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. Every purpose is established by

10 Dishonesty, and trickery, and overreaching in buying and selling, is as hateful to God as it is injurious to man. Ver. 14-23.

11 Practice is the easy test of faith in young and old. St. James ii. 22.

The hearing ear, and the seeing both of them. Love not sleep,

:

counsel and with good advice make war. 19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore tereth with his lips. 20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? 25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after Vows to make enquiry. A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head. 30 The blue

19 Talebearers !-avoid them as a pestilence. Contempt and shame overtake them!

meddle not with him that flat

20 God forbid that any children should thus deeply sin! Let them then avoid disobedience, which is the beginning of such sin; and honour their parents betimes.

ness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

25 Whatever has been dedicated to God's holy service-your time, your talents, your wealth, your will-take heed not to withdraw it.

30 As pain is often inflicted in order to heal a wound in the bodyso afflictions are often sent to heal sin, the wound of the soul.

EVENING. PROVERBS Xxi.

1 Princes, when they honour God, are themselves blessed of Him, and bring blessing upon their people. If however they dishonour God, they

can only so far harm their people, as
the King of kings permitteth. Princes,
and people
trust we then in the

Lord.

2

Piety, therefore, is not only cautious in conduct before men, but watchful in motive before a heartsearching God.

The plowing-that is, the designs and measures-of the wicked is sin.

'THE king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to 8 The unsanctified heart is froward; do judgment. The way of the pure in heart do righteously. man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. The soul

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of the wicked desireth evil:

9 A poor man who enjoys domestic peace, is happier in his lowly cottage than the rich and great, whose dwellings are filled with family contentions. See verse 19, and xix. 13.

his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wicked

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13 Disregard not the cry of the destitute.

also shall cry himself, but shall

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gation of the dead. "He

that loveth pleasure shall be

17 Business and pleasure cannot thrive together.

a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18 Sometimes calamities which threatened the righteous, fall upon

the wicked.

19 See verse 9.

18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. 19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth

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27 Judas pretended love to his Master, and kissed Him; having in his mind, betrayal and death.

30 Man vainly strives against God.

mination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. A wicked man hardeneth his face but as for the upright, he directeth his way. 30 There is no wisdom nor understanding "The horse is prepared against the day of battle but safety is of the LORD.

nor counsel against the LORD. 31 Men seek riches and power to fence against the evils of life; but human policy is always variable in its issue: there is no security but in

the power of God and the riches of his grace.

St. Thomas the Apostle.

MORNING. PROVERBS XXiii.

1 Religion sustains all the proper courtesies of life *.

'WHEN thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: and put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dain

* If an inferior be admitted to the society of his superior, let him bridle his appetite, and restrain too great freedom, lest freedom degenerate into disrespect. See our Lord's instructions on this point, Lu. xiv. 8.

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