18. The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The simple and the prudent are again contrasted. The child of Adam is born to folly. (Job 11:12.) That is his inheritance. He “received it by tradition from his fathers” (1 Peter 1:18): yea, from his first father. (Genesis 5:3. Psalm 51:5.) So long as he remains simple, he confirms his title. Unlike an earthly inheritance, he cannot relinquish it. He holds it in life; and, when he “returns naked to the earth, from whence he came” (Job 1:21. 1 Timothy 6:7), he still holds it firm in death, and reaps its bitter fruits throughout eternity. Here is no injustice, no just cause of complaint. Sinner! is not wisdom freely offered to thee in asking for it? (James 1:5.) Dost not thou therefore continue simple only by thy willful neglect? If knowledge is at hand, to be satisfied with ignorance is to throw away a talent of inestimable price. ‘I confess’ — says Doctor South — ‘God has no need of any man's learning; but certainly then he has much less need of his ignorance.’† The prudent, instructed in heavenly knowledge, are enabled to behold Divine objects in a Divine light. Is not this knowledge therefore their crown, the light, holiness, joy, and glory of life eternal? This is not that religion of eccentric singularities, which obscures the glory of the Divine image. Steady consistency is stamped upon it, such as enthrones its possessor in the conviction and regard even of those, who are unfriendly to his principles. (1 Peter 2:12.) Thus “the wise” in this life “inherit glory.” (Chapter 3:35.) What shall be their glory in eternity, sitting on the throne of God, crowned with the hand of God himself!
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