ions and vows contrary to his mind in public, ver.
5. (and also chap. xii. 17. and vi. 19.) Such men seek wisdom and make a
show of religion, but find it not; whereas it is easy to godly men to find
it, to find repentance and salvation, ver. 6. Go away from foolish men,
and break off society with ungodly men. Be not privy to their counsels.
Use them not as special friends, when thou perceivest that all means are
used in vain to reclaim them from their damnable way and principles, ver.
7. The knowledge a godly man hath serves to direct his way, and is given
of God for it. But all the wit and skill of such wicked men is deceit.
They themselves are beguiled by it in opinion, and practice, and hope. And
they also beguile others, ver. 8. Sin makes fools agree: but among the
righteous, that which is good makes agreement (in the old
translation(398)), ver. 9. It is only evil will unite all the wicked in
the land as one man. For it is a sport to them to do mischief, chap. x.
23. Albeit our way seem right in our eyes, yet because it is a backsliding
way, and departing from unquestionably right rules, the end will be death,
and we will be filled with our own devices. O! it shall be bitter in the
belly of all godly men when they have eaten it, ver. 12, 14. and chap. i.
31. "The simple believeth every word;" giveth credit to every vain word
that is spoken. But a prudent man looketh well to men's goings, ponders
and examines whether their professions and practices agree, what weight is
in their words, by the inspection of their deeds, and of their ordinary
speaking, and does not account a coined word before a judicatory
sufficient to testify repentance. And as he gives not present credit to
their professions, who have so often proven treacherous, so he himself
scares at every appearance of evil, and keeps himself from it; whereas
foolish souls rage and are confident, think any thing lawful if they can
have any pretence for it, or use of it, ver. 15, 16. Then, what a great
difference is between wicked men and godly men, both in their lot, when
God is correcting both, and in their disposition! Wisdom that rests in the
one's heart, is manifested; wickedness in the other's heart appears also.
In the midst of such men there is no other thing, ver. 32, 33.

Chap. xv. 8, ("The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord;
but the prayer of the upright is his delight,") expresses how provoking a
thing the outward professions and sacr