Bridges on Proverbs 27:19
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 27:19
 
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19.  As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
 
This proverb does not confound all in one indiscriminate mass; as if all were alike under an endless diversity of condition. We cannot identify infancy with age, or all the proper individualities of constitution and education. But under the same circumstances, and on the same level, the coincidence is most remarkable and instructive. As in the reflection of the water face answereth to face; so in another heart we see the reflection of our own. (Psalm 33:15.) Human nature has suffered no change since the fall. The picture of man's corruption, drawn above four thousand years since, is man, as we see and know him now.† The Apostle's graphical delineation of the Christian conflict is as if we had been sitting before him for our own likeness. (Romans 7:14-25.) This identity of Christian experience is most valuable. ‘No one’ — exclaims a tried child of God — ‘has ever felt as I do.’ Let him open his case to a brother or sister, compare notes with their exercises, and who will not subscribe their own name to his complaints? Thus, instead of “thinking it strange concerning this fiery trial,” he learns that “the same afflictions are accomplished in his brethren that are in the world.” (1 Peter 4:12; 5:9.) The same features and “measures of the stature in Christ,” mark the whole family; inasmuch as “all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” (1 Corinthians 12:11.)
Scripture history also illustrates this unity. Ishmael's mocking shews the enmity of the heart in all ages. (Galatians 4:29.) Who of us does not find something answering to Jonah's evil temper in our own fretfulness, waywardness, or ingratitude? Job shews us our impatience, our mistaken judgments of God's dealings with us, and the special trial of Satan's temptations. David's heart in all its varied exercises answereth to our heart. Else how could we take up his confession, praises, conflicts, and triumphs, and feel that no words of ours could more entirely and accurately express our own selves? It is these Scripture portraits that make the word of God so “profitable for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16.)
Hence we learn sympathy with the members of Christ. We share their joys and sorrows, the confidence and temptations. Self-knowledge also instructs us thus to know human nature,† and to deal wisely and profitably with our fellow-sinners. The practical lesson of humility and forbearance is also deeply taught. A man observes a face reflected in the water, not thinking that it is his own face which is the actual object of disgust. He exclaims with vain self-preference against the ungodliness of the sinner, or the infirmities of the saint. Why! it is thine own self thou art reviling! Change thy language of scorn for self-abhorrence and shame!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Psalm 33:15
15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
 
 
Footnote:
Genesis 6:5. Psalm 14:2, 3. Romans 3:10, 11.
 
 
Genesis 6:5
5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. {every...: or, the whole imagination: the Hebrew word signifieth not only the imagination, but also the purposes and desires} {continually: Heb. every day}
 
Psalm 14:2, 3
2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. {filthy: Heb. stinking}
 
Romans 3:10, 11
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
 
 
Romans 7:14-25
14 ¶ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. {allow: Gr. know} 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? {the body...: or, this body of death} 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Peter 4:12
12 ¶ Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
 
1 Peter 5:9
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
 
 
1 Corinthians 12:11
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
 
 
Galatians 4:29
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
 
 
2 Timothy 3:16
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
 
 
Footnote:
Psalm 36:1. P.T.
 
 
Psalm 36:1. P.T.
1 ¶ {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD.} The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.