Pro 5 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-14 Solomon cautions all young men, as his children, to abstain from fleshly lusts. Some, by the adulterous woman, here understand idolatry, false doctrine, which tends to lead astray men's minds and manners; but the direct view is to warn against seventh-commandment sins. Often these have been, and still are, Satan's method of drawing men from the worship of God into false religion. Consider how fatal the consequences; how bitter the fruit! Take it any way, it wounds. It leads to the torments of hell. The direct tendency of this sin is to the destruction of body and soul. We must carefully avoid every thing which may be a step towards it. Those who would be kept from harm, must keep out of harm's way. If we thrust ourselves into temptation we mock God when we pray, Lead us not into temptation. How many mischiefs attend this sin! It blasts the reputation; it wastes time; it ruins the estate; it is destructive to health; it will fill the mind with horror. Though thou art merry now, yet sooner or later it will bring sorrow. The convinced sinner reproaches himself, and makes no excuse for his folly. By the frequent acts of sin, the habits of it become rooted and confirmed. By a miracle of mercy true repentance may prevent the dreadful consequences of such sins; but this is not often; far more die as they have lived. What can express the case of the self-ruined sinner in the eternal world, enduring the remorse of his conscience!

‏ Proverbs 5

* Exhortations to wisdom. The evils of licentiousness. (1-14)

Remedies against licentiousness, The miserable end of the

wicked. (15-23)

1-14 Solomon cautions all young men, as his children, to

abstain from fleshly lusts. Some, by the adulterous woman, here

understand idolatry, false doctrine, which tends to lead astray

men's minds and manners; but the direct view is to warn against

seventh-commandment sins. Often these have been, and still are,

Satan's method of drawing men from the worship of God into false

religion. Consider how fatal the consequences; how bitter the

fruit! Take it any way, it wounds. It leads to the torments of

hell. The direct tendency of this sin is to the destruction of

body and soul. We must carefully avoid every thing which may be

a step towards it. Those who would be kept from harm, must keep

out of harm's way. If we thrust ourselves into temptation we

mock God when we pray, Lead us not into temptation. How many

mischiefs attend this sin! It blasts the reputation; it wastes

time; it ruins the estate; it is destructive to health; it will

fill the mind with horror. Though thou art merry now, yet sooner

or later it will bring sorrow. The convinced sinner reproaches

himself, and makes no excuse for his folly. By the frequent acts

of sin, the habits of it become rooted and confirmed. By a

miracle of mercy true repentance may prevent the dreadful

consequences of such sins; but this is not often; far more die

as they have lived. What can express the case of the self-ruined

sinner in the eternal world, enduring the remorse of his

conscience! 15-23 Lawful marriage is a means God has appointed to keep from

these destructive vices. But we are not properly united, except

as we attend to God's word, seeking his direction and blessing,

and acting with affection. Ever remember, that though secret

sins may escape the eyes of our fellow-creatures, yet a man's

ways are before the eyes of the Lord, who not only sees, but

ponders all his goings. Those who are so foolish as to choose

the way of sin, are justly left of God to themselves, to go on

in the way to destruction.