Proverbs 7:27

REFLECTIONS.

MY soul! pause over this chapter. Behold what a strong and affecting representation it holds forth of the carnal, graceless, and ungodly. In every state, and in every stage of life, they are the same. Young persons, from the heat of youth, and corruption of nature, are most exposed to the awful ruin here set forth; but all periods of life are open to the particular and special temptations of it. And is this human nature altogether! Are such portraits of it taken from life? Do all prefer the momentary enjoyment of the body, to the everlasting welfare of the soul! Can nothing but fleshly lusts which war against the soul satisfy them? And is it, my soul, a most certain and unquestionable truth, that they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Pause, my soul! and in contemplating such a picture of human life, see whether what Paul saith of the Corinthians doth not correspond, to thy case and circumstances...and such were some of you.

Lord! give me to hear and feel what the close of this sweet chapter utters, and from henceforth to attend to the words of my God. And oh! ye young men, see, from what is here set forth, the danger to which you are exposed, and flee youthful lusts which war against the soul. I have written unto you young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abideth in you. Oh! think how blessed it must be to re member the Creator in the days of youth. And what a blessedness in having Christ for a portion, that the age of life may be accompanied with grace, and the knowledge and enjoyment of Jesus become the portion forever.