Chapter XXXI (1)

CRITICAL NOTES.--+Lemuel.+ This Hebrew word signifies _"For God,"_ or _"belonging to God,"_ and is regarded by most commentators as a proper name. +The prophecy.+ Delitzsch, Stuart, and many other Hebrew scholars render this word as a proper name, and read _"The words of Lemuel, king of_ MASSA, _which his mother taught him."_ Miller reads the verse, _"Words in respect to the Seed-of-God, a king; a prophecy in agreement with which his mother disciplined him,"_ and, as in the preceding chapter, applies it to Christ. +2. What,+ etc. "An impassioned exclamation expressing inward emotion." (Zöckler.) "The question," says Delitzsch, "which is at the same time a call, is like a deep sigh from the heart of a mother concerned for the welfare of a son." +3.+ The second clause reads literally _"nor thy ways to destroy kings,"_ and hence some understand it as a warning against warlike rapacity and lust of conquest, but, as Delitzsch remarks, this does not stand well as the parallel to the warning in the first clause. +4. Strong drink.+ (See on chap xx. 1.) +5. Any of the afflicted.+ Literally _"The sons of want."_ +8. Such as are appointed to destruction.+ Literally _"Children of leaving,"_ generally understood to mean orphans. The twenty-two verses following form an alphabetical song, each verse beginning with the several letters of the Hebrew alphabet arranged in consecutive order. +10. Virtuous.+ Literally _"a woman of power."_ +Rubies,+ rather _"pearls."_ +11. He shall have no need,+ etc. Rather, _"He shall not fail of spoil."_ "Strictly, 'the spoils of war,' a strong expression to denote his rich profit." (Zöckler.) +15.+ This probably signifies the appointed task for the day. +21. Scarlet.+ Delitzsch and Zöckler retain this reading; the former remarks that "as high-coloured, it appears dignified as well as preserves warmth." +22. Coverings,+ rather _"coverlets,"_ as in chap. vii. 16, "a part of the furniture of the bed." +25. She shall rejoice.+ Rather, _"She laugheth at the future," i.e.,_ she is not afraid of it, being fully prepared for all emergencies. +26. Law of kindness.+ Delitzsch reads "Amiable instruction." +30. Favour,+ _i.e., "outward grace."_ +Vain,+ or _"a breath."_

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 1-9.

DIVINE COMMANDS FROM A MOTHER'S LIPS.

+I. Two considerations made it obligatory upon Lemuel to attend to this counsel of his mother.+ 1. _She was inspired to utter it._ However we may translate the word here rendered "prophecy" (see Critical Notes), its place in the Holy Scriptures gives to it the authority of a message from God. The words are not merely the results of a tender and wise mother's own observation and experience, but they are the utterances of a spirit under the special influence of the Holy Ghost. Although, therefore, his mother's love, and, doubtless, her holy example, ought to have been very powerful incentives to attention and obedience, his obligation was increased tenfold by the conviction he must have had that God spoke to him through her lips. 2. _He was a king._ If men in every station of life are bound to keep the paths of purity and charity, much more is it the duty of one in a high place--the influence of whose actions stretch so far beyond his immediate surroundings, and who holds in his hand the destinies of so many besides his own. Because Lemuel had been called by God to a throne, what he was and what he did concerned not a few people only, but a nation, and this reflection ought to have added great weight to his mother's words.

+II. The first and indispensable duty of a ruler is to rule himself.+ Every man is a little kingdom made up of many different and sometimes opposing forces--of inclinations towards the earthly, the sensual, and even the devilish, and of aspirations towards the heavenly, the spiritual, and the godlike. There are lawful desires which, satisfied in a lawful manner, may lead to much enjoyment and blessing, but which, if allowed to rule the man, or even to have any share in the government of the life, will degrade and may almost brutalise him. Bodily appetites have their place in the constitution of man, but it was never intended that they should be satisfied by breaking the moral law; and when they lead to this, moral anarchy has set in, and moral ruin is not far off. The two great sins of the body against which Lemuel is here warned have in all ages shown how man can turn blessings into curses by abusing and mis-using them, and the Word of God and human history unite in proclaiming the truth that the Divine intention is perverted when the body rules the man and not the man the body. Every man is bound to be king of himself, and one who aspires to be a king over others and is yet a slave to his own unlawful passions will being upon himself the curse of man and the judgment of God. On this subject see also on chap. vi. 24-35, page 89, and on chap. xxiii. 29-35, page 673.

+III. The obligation next in order is succour of the needy.+ In former chapters we have considered the obligation which God lays upon every man to consider the cause of the poor and afflicted. (See on chaps. xiv. 20, page 370, and chap. xxiv. 11, page 680.) As we remarked at the outset, duties which men owe to their fellow-men multiply and become binding in proportion to opportunities. The king of ancient times was but another name for one whose direct influence over his subjects was greater than that of monarchs in our day. His word was law, and the power of life and death was often in his hand alone, and if he exercised self-denial and gave of his substance to those in want, he might often by his individual action entirely change the condition of half his subjects. The relations of society have changed since then, and kings have no longer so exclusively the power for good or ill, but their influence is still very great, and if it is all exerted in favour of benevolence and justice, and they live lives of self-denial and active compassion on behalf of others, they will come up to the ideal picture here drawn for their imitation.

_OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS._

Verse 2. There was a threefold cord of maternal love which this parent was wont to employ, and which remained in its form as well as its power in the memory of her son. "My son" is the outmost and uppermost aspect of the relation. This is a bond set in nature, felt by the parties, and obvious to all. On this she leans first when she makes an appeal to his heart. But at the next step she goes deeper in. She recalls the day of his birth. She goes back to that hour when nature's greatest sorrow is dispelled by nature's gladdest news. "A man-child is born into the world." By the pains and joys of that hour she knits the heart of her son to her own, and thereby increases her purchase upon the direction of his life. But still one step farther back can this mother go. Here is the "son of her vows." Before his birth she held converse, not with him for God, but with God for him.--_Arnot._

Verse 4. _It is not for kings_ to admit within their dominions anyone that is stronger than themselves, and able to overthrow them. _It is not for kings_ to harbour anyone within their dominions that is false unto them, and ready to betray them; much more it is not for kings to admit within themselves any immoderate quantity of wine, which soon proveth too strong for them, and quickly with shame overthroweth them.--_Jermin._

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 10-31.

A MODEL MATRON.

This picture of a faithful and kindly wife, mother, and mistress is here placed before the youthful monarch as the ideal woman whom he is to seek with all _diligence,_ because she is well worth any pains to secure, and with much _discrimination,_ because she is a rarity, and because there are many imitations of the real gem which look very much like it before they are tested. This beautiful picture is held to his view as the master holds some grand conception on canvas before his pupil, in order that he may acquire a distaste for all that comes short of it. This portrait may have been drawn by the mother of Lemuel; in any case we may safely conclude that she was such a woman herself, and if it came from another hand it is, probably, her likeness drawn from life. We notice--

+I. The prominent features of her character.+ 1. _Her energy._ There seems to be within her a spring of unfailing activity, and the completion of one task is immediately followed by the beginning of another. In her home she is astir before the dawn, and when her domestic duties are completed she gives her mind to the transaction of business without--to the best market in which to sell her goods, and to buy all that she needs for the supply of her household. We cannot conceive of this energetic spirit in a frail and sickly body--she must have been physically healthy and strong, and we may give her credit for having been observant of the laws of God in this respect as in higher matters, and be sure that she avoided whatever might weaken her body or deaden her intellect. This being the case, her constant activity would be a pleasure, and would in itself contribute to the maintenance of her bodily strength. 2. _Her capability._ She was not only a great worker, but there was wisdom behind the work--a brain directing the hands. There are many people always busy, who yet accomplish but little, because their activity is not wisely directed--indeed, energetic action without wisdom to guide it, may be most disastrous in its effects. There is an abundance of power in the locomotive, but if it is set in motion and left free from wise control, it works ill instead of good. But this woman's intellectual capacity equalled her active energy. She was a good judge of the merchandise that she had to sell, and knew the value of the land that she bought. She was methodical, and so able to arrange the employments of all the household so that no confusion should arise, and she could also show them with her own hands how to perform their work, for _"she layeth her hands to the spindle,"_ and so follows up her precept by example. Her capacity also manifested itself to her _forethought_--in keeping her supply well ahead of her demand. 3. _Her loving tenderness._ She might have been all that we have thus far painted her, and yet not have made a happy home. If she had been nothing more she might have been feared, and in some measure respected, but she would not have been _loved._ Just as energy may be dangerous without wisdom to guide it, so such capable energy may be repellent without love to soften it. But her uncommon endowments and attainments did not make her impatient with her inferiors, and she was not so absorbed in providing for those at home as to forget the poor outside. Her commands were given in a winning tone, and her corrections in a loving spirit. She was more apt to instruct than to reprove, and doubtless acted upon the principle that the "way to make people better is to make the best of them."

+II. The root of all these excellencies.+ Although it is not absolutely stated, it is implied that godliness was the source of this symmetrical character--that it was the fear of the Lord which enabled her to keep so even a balance of virtues as to stand forth a perfect pattern to the women of every age and nation. The fear of God had given her a right conception of her duties towards all mankind, and especially of the sacred nature of her relationships as wife and mother. She fully entered into the Divine idea of marriage, and this made her the true helpmeet of her husband, and in regard to each son and daughter she heard the voice of her God saying, "Take this child and nurse it for me." She knew that faithfulness in all things was expected of a servant of God, and that true godliness consists not so much in the things done as in the spirit in which they are performed. In this spirit of George Herbert she could say--

"Teach me, my God and King,
In all things Thee to see;
And what I do in anything
To do it as for thee.

"All may of Thee partake;
Nothing can be so mean
Which with this tincture (for Thy sake)
Will not grow bright and clean.

"This is the famous stone
That turneth all to gold;
For that which God doth touch and own
Cannot for less be told."

And thus living every day and always in conscious fellowship with the Unseen, she would be too conscious of her own shortcomings to be anything but tender towards the failings of others, and would not forget that she owed all her success in life to the blessing of the Lord, and held all her material good in stewardship for His service.

+III. The blessed results of all.+ She had an abundant and lasting reward. Her husband's trust in her was undimmed by a single shadow; whatever position she was called upon to sustain he felt fully confident that she was equal to it, and that everything that he possessed--from his reputation to his purse--was not only safe in her hands, but had increased in worth through his connection with her. Her words of loving counsel, and her useful and benevolent life, were not lost upon her children, but as good seen sown in good ground brought forth an abundant harvest in their filial reverence and noble deeds. And this family blessedness was not a thing that could be hid, but, like a candle of the Lord in a world of much moral darkness, it shed its light all around, and blessed and stimulated others to fear God, and so to serve their generation.

_OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS._

Verse 12. The manner of some is to do good with the one hand, and with the evil of the other to spoil it; whereby they still remain to be evil wives. Others will do good while the fit lasteth, but they are weary of well-doing; whereas a good wife indeed will do good to her husband all the days of her life. It is not said of _his_ life, but of _hers._ For though he may be dead, she will do him good while she liveth, by doing good to his children, to his friends, to his memory.--_Jermin._

Verse 16. Some _consider_ but they buy not; some _buy_ but they consider not; some consider and buy, but they _plant_ not; some consider and buy and plant; but it is with the _rapine_ of their hands, not _the fruit_ of their hands. That field is well bought, where wisdom considereth what is bought, where ability buyeth that which hath been considered, where care planteth that which hath been bought, and where honesty giveth a blessing to that which hath been planted.--_Jermin._

Verse 20. She doth not only open her hand, but stretcheth it (if I may so make use of the word), as if she would hold more to give the poor if she could. . . . And as if one hand were not enough for her it is said she reacheth forth her _hands_; and if she had more than two no doubt she would reach them all forth to the poor.--_Jermin._

Verse 22. It is precisely such a woman who should wear such garments. The silk hangs all the more gracefully on her person that it was wound and spun by her own hands. . . . This matron is not limited to silk and purple; strength and honour are her clothing too. She may safely wear elegant garments, who in character and bearing is elegant without their aid. If honour be your clothing, the suit will last a life-time, but if clothing be your honour, it will soon be worn threadbare.--_Arnot._

Verse 26. There be may false keys which open the mouths of many, as rashness, and choler, and pride, and folly, and the like. But there is one right key, and that is wisdom. That it is which makes a virtuous woman courteous to all, a flatterer to none, a tale-bearer to none; that it is which maketh her to be familiar with a few, to be just and true with every one: that it is which maketh her respectful to her husband, lovingly grave to her children, awfully grave to her servants; dutiful to her superiors, affable with her equals, friendly to her neighbours, and not disdainful to her inferiors; that it is which maketh her slow to speak, quiet in speaking, profitable by speaking.--_Jermin._

Verse 29. By the benefit of a better nature, or civil education, or for the praise of men, or for a quiet life, sure it is that all unsanctified women, though never so well qualified, have failed, both _quoad fontem, et quoad finem,_ for want of faith for the principle and God's glory for the aim of their virtuous actions. And, therefore, though they may be praiseworthy, yet they are far short of this gracious matron. . . . "Better is pale gold than glittering copper." (Bernard.) Say the world what it will, a drachm of holiness is worth a pound of good nature.--_Trapp._

Verses 30 and 31. The lessons and where they began. Obedience is traced up to faith. . . . As we traverse the various phases of her character, we seem to be making our way over a well-watered and fruitful region, until we reach at last the fountain of its fertility. . . . Near the base of a mountain range, early in the morning of the day and the spring of the year, you may have seen, in your solitary walk, a pillar of cloud, pure and white, rising from the earth to heaven. In the calm air its slender stem rises straight like a tree, and like a tree spreads out its lofty summit. Like an angel tree in white, and not like an earthly thing, it stands before you. You approach the spot and discover the cause of the vision. A well of water from the warm depths bursts through the surface there, and this is the morning incense which it sends right upward to the throne. But the water is not all thus exhaled. A pure stream flows over the well's rocky edge, and trickles along the surface, a river in miniature, marked on both sides by verdure, while the barrenness of winter lies on the other portions of the field. . . . Such are the two outgoings of a believer's life. Upward rises the soul in direct devotion; but not the less on that account does the life flow out along the surface of the world, leaving its mark in blessings behind it wherever it goes. You caught the spring by surprise at dawn, and saw incense ascending. At mid-day, when the sun was up, it rose unseen. . . . Thus is it in the experience of living Christians in the world. . . . The upright pillar is seldom visible, but the horizontal stream is seen and felt to be a refreshment to all within its reach.--_Arnot._

THE END.

Transcriber's Notes

Detailed changes:

- "#" represents an illegible character.

- _Note counting convention:_ When a note continues from the prior
page, it is "note zero" or "same note," (if it had been addressed
in the transcriber's notes on the previous page). The first note
that begins new on a page is "note one," etc.

- In the Table of Contents (TOC), on page v. (unnumbered in
original), chapter i. 1-4, change "The Author, his Method and His
Object" to capitalise "His" (twice). Chapter i. 7-9, change "The
Root of True Knowledge and the Means of its Attainment" to
capitalise "Its." Chapter i. 10-10, change "Enticement to Sin and
Exhortation against yielding to it" to capitalise "Against,"
"Yielding," and "It." Chapter ii. 12-20, change "The Character of
those from whom Wisdom Preserves" to capitalise "Those" and
"Whom." Chapter iii. 5, 6, change "Exhortation to confidence in
God" to capitalise "Confidence." Chapter iii. 7-12, change "The
way" to capitalise "Way." Chapter iii. 31-35, change "The Oppressor
not to be Envied" to capitalise "Not" and "Be." Chapter vi. 24-35,
change "A Special Sin and its Penalties from which He who Keeps
God's Law will be Kept" to capitalise "Its," "Which," "Who,"
"Will," and "Be." Chapter viii. 10, 11, change "Better than
Wealth" to capitalise "Than."

- TOC, page vi. (unnumbered in original), chapter x. 28, change
"Hopes Realized & Disappointed" to spell out "and." Chapter
xi. 12, 13, change "Contempt and Tale-bearing" to capitalise
"Bearing." Chapter xi. 22, change "Precious Things possessed by
Unworthy Owners" to capitalise "Possessed." Chapter xii. 1, change
"The Love of Knowledge and the Proof of it" to capitalise "It."
Chapter xii. 3, change "A Right Desire and the Means of its
Attainment" to capitalise "Its." Chapter xii. 5-8, change
"Thoughts and Words and their Result" to capitalise "Their."
Chapter xii. 25, change "Heaviness of Heart and its Cure" to
capitalise "Its."

- TOC, page vii. (unnumbered in original), chapter xiii. 23, change
"Land and its Tillers" to capitalise "Its." Chapter xiv. 6, change
"Seeking but not Finding" to capitalise "Not." Chapter xiv. 31,
change "The Oppressed and their Oppressors" to capitalise "Their."
Chapter xv. 16, change "A Treasure without Trouble" to capitalise
"Without." Chapter xv. 20, change the homiletics reference to page
137, from page 136.

- TOC, page viii. (unnumbered in original), chapter xvi. 8, change
the first homiletics reference to page 405, from page 415. Chapter
xvi. 27-30, change "Different Species of the same Genus" to
capitalise "Same." Chapter xvi. 33, change "The Lot and its
Disposer" to capitalise "Its." Chapter xvii. 9, change "How to
make Friends and How to Separate Them" to capitalise "Make."
Chapter xvii. 10, change "Correction must be Adapted" to
capitalise "Must." Chapter xvii. 24, change "The Eyes of a Fool
and those of a Wise Man" to capitalise "Those." Chapter
xviii. 6-8, change "Folly and its Results" to capitalise "Its."
Chapter xviii. 13, change "Answering before Hearing" to capitalise
"Before." Chapter xix. 2, 3, change "Influence leading to Sin" to
capitalise "Leading." Chapter xix. 8-9, change the homiletics
references to pages 121 and 124, from 122 and 128. Chapter
xix. 24, change the homiletics reference to chapter xxvi. 12-16
from xxvi. 13-15. Change the reference for "Possibilities of Human
Depravity" from xxvi. 26-28 to xxvi. 26-29.

- TOC, page ix. (unnumbered in original), chapter xx. 4, change
homiletics reference to page 142, from page 146. Chapter xx. 10,
add reference to chapter xi. 1. Chapter xx. 13, change homiletics
reference to page 78, from page 79. Chapter xx. 18, change
"Thought before Action" to capitalise "Before." Chapter xx. 21,
change second cross reference from "xxi. 5-7" to "xxi. 5, 7."
Chapter xxi. 11, change "Instruction for those who Need It" to
capitalise "Those" and "Who." Chapter xxi. 23, change the
homiletics reference to chapter xiii. 2-3 from xiii. 3. Chapter
xxii. 1, change "Better than Gold" to capitalise "Than." Chapter
xxii. 5, 6, change "A Hedged-up Way" to capitalise "Up." Chapter
xxii. 10, change "A Man who Ought to Dwell Alone" to capitalise
"Who." Chapter xxii. 26, 27, change "Suretyship and its Dangers"
to capitalise "Its." Chapter xxiv. 8, 9, change cross reference
from "chap. vi. 12, 19" to "chap. vi. 12-19."

- TOC, page x. (unnumbered in original), chapter xxiv. 28, 29,
change "An Uncalled-for Testimony" to capitalise "For." Chapter
xxv. 14, change "Clouds without Rain" to capitalise "Rain."
Chapter xxv. 27, change "Too much of a Good Thing" to capitalise
"Much." Chapter xxvi. 12-16, change "Self-conceit and Indolence"
to capitalise "Conceit." Chapter xxvii. 8, change "Plac" to
"Place." Chapter xxvii. 22, change second homiletics reference to
chapter xix. 26-29 from xix. 29. Chapter xxviii. 4, 5, change
"Law-keepers and Law-breakers" to "Lawkeepers and Lawbreakers."
Chapter xxviii. 6, change page reference to 561 from 582. Chapter
xxviii. 9, change page reference to 406 from 407, 408. Chapter
xxviii. 10, change reference to chapter xxvi. 23-28 from xxvi. 27
and page 721 from 722. Chapter xxviii. 12, change reference to
chapter xi. 10-11 from xi. 10. Chapter xxviii. 14, change second
reference to chapter xix. 15-18 from xiv. 16. Chapter xxviii. 18,
change first reference to chapter x. 9-10, from x. 9. Chapter
xxviii. 24, change page reference to 751 from 749. Add entry for
chapter xxviii. 25a. Chapter xxviii. 25, 26, change to 25b, and
change page reference to 752 from 751. Chapter xxviii. 28, change
reference to chapter xi. 10-11 from xi. 10. Chapter xxix. 2,
change reference to chapter xi. 10-11 from xi. 10. Chapter
xxix. 3, change first page reference to 67 from 68.

- TOC, page xi. (unnumbered in original), chapter xxix. 19, change
"Soul-seekers and Soul-haters" to capitalise "Seekers" and
"Haters." Chapter xxix. 13, change reference to chapter
xxii. 22-23 from xxii. 22. Chapter xxix. 16, change "Victory not
with the Majority" to capitalise "Not." Chapter xxix. 23, change
second reference to chapter xvi. 18-19 from xvi. 18.

- Page 2, Divisions, point III, change "ch. xxii. 17; xxiv. 22"
reference to "ch. xxiv. 17--xxiv. 22." Critical Notes, chapter i.,
set verse numbers 17, 20, 28, and 32 in bold for consistency.
Title "The Author, his Method, and his Object" to capitalise
"His" (twice).

- Page 4, verse 2, note one, apply Reverential Capitalisation (RC)
to "Divine" (twice). Verse 4, note one, use four period ellipsis.

- Page 5, verse 5, note two, change "Melancthon" to "Melanchthon."

- Page 6, title, change "The Root of True Knowledge and the Means of
its Attainment" to capitalise "Its." Point I, change subpoint
"(1)" to "1." for consistency.

- Page 7, note zero, paragraph one, point 2, apply RC to "Spirit";
add "1 Cor. ii. 14" reference; change "the smothering the" to "the
smothering of the." Verse 8, note two, capitalise "Oriental";
change "patriarchial" to "patriarchal." Title, change "Enticement
to Sin and Exhortation against yielding to it" to capitalise
"Against," "Yielding," and "It."

- Page 9, lesson, point III, change "youth reflect up" to "youth
reflect upon." Verses 11-13, note one, change subpoint "2" of
point 2 to "(2)" for consistency.

- Page 10, verse 11, note zero, change the word "and" to Roman type
from Italic in _Traditions of Robin Hood and Henry V_ to separate
the two titles.

- Page 11, title, change the scripture reference from "Verses 20-23"
to "20-33." Point I 1, remove right double quotes after
"handiwork."

- Page 12, point V, apply RC to "His Spirit." Point VI, apply RC to
"Him."

- Page 13, verse 20, note two, capitalise "Orientals." Note six,
change the double quotes around the scripture to single quotes and
add a closing double quote.

- Page 14, verse 21, note zero, apply RC to "Spirit." Verse 22, note
one, add closing double quote after "first."

- Page 16, verse 28, note zero, change "wicket.gate" to
"wicket-gate." Verse 31, note three, add right parenthesis after
"Isa. iii. 9-11" reference.

- Page 17, verse 31, same note, use three period ellipsis after
"desire." Spell-out "Ver. 32." Verse 32, note one, move the
closing double quotes from after "lees" to after "evil." Note
five, change period after "plague in it" to a question mark.

- Page 18, Critical Notes, chapter ii., change "9. ver." and "10.
ver." to bold numbers, for consistency; format "13" as bold.

- Page 19, lesson, point II 4, add closing quote after "him."
Verses 1 and 2, note two, apply RC to "Word."

- Page 20, verse 5, note two, use four period ellipsis.

- Page 21, lesson, point II 2, apply RC to "Himself."

- Page 22, lesson, point II 2, add left double quote before
"preserveth."

- The break between pages 22 and 23 is in the word "cannot":
can|not. In this and all subsequent cases, the whole word was
moved to the earlier page.

- Page 24, title, change "The Character of those from whom Wisdom
Preserves" to capitalise "Those" and "Whom." Lesson, point I 2,
change "forwardness" to "frowardness."

- Page 26, verse 16, note five, apply RC to "Divinely."

- Page 27, verse 21, note two, use a four period ellipsis.

- Page 28, spell out "Ver. 22." Verse 22, note three, change "That"
to lower-case. Critical notes, chapter iii., change "3" to "4."
Verse 6, add right double quote after "smooth." Format verse
numbers 12 and 34 in bold, for consistency.

- Page 30, verse 2, note one, change "It itself" to "In itself."
Note three, change exclamation point after "wisdom" to a question
mark. Note five, add right parenthesis after Psalm references.

- Page 31, verse 4, note two, use three period ellipsis.

- Page 32, lesson heading, apply Italic formatting consistently;
change "Verses" to initial cap from all caps.

- Page 33, lesson, point III 2, apply RC to "His." Verses 5 and 6,
note one, apply RC to "Word." Note two, add left parenthesis
before scripture reference.

- Page 34, title, change "The way" to capitalise "Way." Lesson,
point I 4, change "John ix. 41" to "John ix. 39-41."

- Page 37, verse 8, note three, apply RC to "Word."

- Page 39, note one, add right double quote after "correction."

- Page 40, verse 14, note three, change "entradoes" to "entradas."

- Page 41, verse 16, note six, point I, add right double quote after
"evil men."

- Page 42, verse 17, Barrow's comment appears as two paragraphs; the
Transcriber merged them.

- Page 43, lesson, point II, complete the "Job xxxviii. 4" reference.

- Page 44, lesson, point III (2), change "greater is warmer" to
"greater in warmer." Point IV, add left double quote before "who."
Verse 19, note two, change "i. 10" to "i. 20"; apply RC to
"Diviner."

- Page 46, lesson, point II 2, remove period after "Lot." Notes,
remove the em-dash after "Verse 22."

- Page 47, notes, remove the em-dash after "Verse 24."

- Page 48, lesson, point 2, change "friend do live" to "friend does
live."

- Page 50, title, change "The Oppressor not to be Envied" to
capitalise "Not" and "Be."

- Page 52, critical notes, chapter iv., change "4" to "5." Verse 7,
add period after "get wisdom." Verse 15, add left double quote
before "reject it."

- Page 53, lesson, point I 4, apply RC to "His" and "He." Second
lesson, spell out "Ver. 2."

- Page 54, verse 2, note two, add right double quote after "us."

- Page 55, verse 6, note one, change the double quotes around the
"Love her" quotation to single quotes and insert a closing double
quote.

- Page 56, verse 7, note zero, point I, apply RC to "Divine." Verse
7, note 4, point 3, a typesetting issue (extra ink) next to "is
vain."

- Page 57, verse 11, note one, add right double quote after "faith."

- Page 58, verse 13, note zero, capitalise new sentence "The word
was given."

- Page 60, lesson, point III 3, add right double quote after
"righteousness" and remove right double quote after "just."

- Page 61, verse 18, note two, use three period ellipsis.

- Page 62, verse 18, note two, set the word "joy" in Italic to match
"knowledge" and "holiness"; use four period ellipsis after
"practical godliness." Title, change "chap. II. 1--8" to "chap.
ii. 1-5."

- Page 64, verse 23, note one, add point "2" at "Victual this fort."

- Page 67, Critical Notes, chapter v., add "4" before "Wormwood."
Verses 6, 14, and 16, capitalise "Authorised Version."

- Page 69, lesson, point II 3, change "breaketh one edge" to
"breaketh one hedge." Point III 3, apply RC to "His."

- Page 71, verse 12, note zero, add right double quote after
"converted"; change "has not repented" to "hast not repented" for
consistency with "hast long known Christ." Verses 11, 12, note
one, point III has an odd structure in the original: there are two
points "(1)" each followed by a point "2." The Transcriber changed
each "2" to a "(2)."

- The break between pages 71 and 72 is in the word "interpreters":
inter|preters.

- Page 73, lesson, copy missing title from TOC.

- Page 75, Critical Notes, chapter vi., verse 11, add right double
quote after "shield." Format "16" in bold; add right double quote
after "illustrations." Change the "22" that appears after verse 30
to "32" and format it bold.

- Page 76, lesson, point II 2, add right double quote after
"eyelids."

- Page 78, verse 3, note two, add right double quote after "sin."

- Page 79, lesson, point I 2, change "to Him" to lower-case,
referring to a person.

- Page 80, notes, change "Verse 5" to "Verse 6" and "Verse 6 to 8"
to "Verses 6 to 8."

- Page 82, lesson, point I shows subpoints 2, 3, and 4. The
Transcriber added point "1" and set the next sentence in Italic;
set the sentence for subpoint 2 in Italic.

- Page 83, lesson, point II 1, change "lay in wait" to "lie in
wait." Point II 3, change a comma after "ruin" to a period; change
"Ps. xxxi. 5" to "Ps. xxxi. 5, 6"; change periods after "proud
look" and "lying tongue" to question marks.

- Page 84, notes, spell out "Ver. 12" and "Ver. 13." Verse 14, note
one, add final period before credit. Note three, change "there" to
"their."

- Page 86, title, change homiletic cross references to "i. 7-9" from
"i. 8" and "iv. 1-4" from "iv. 1."

- Page 88, notes, remove em-dash after "Verse 23." Note two,
capitalise "Vulgate."

- Page 89, title, change "A Special Sin and its Penalties from the
He who kept God's Law will be kept" to capitalise "Its," "Which,"
"Who," "Keeps," "Will," "Be," and "Kept." Lesson, point I, change
"lays in wait" to "lies in wait"; change reference from "verse 25"
to "verse 26." Parenthetical at end of point III, move period
inside right parentheses.

- Page 90, point IV, change "Father" to "father," referring to Paul.

- Page 91, verses 27 and 28, note one, change point (4) to bring the
word "the" before the point; add a final period to this note
before the credit.

- Page 92, Critical Notes, chapter vii., add the words "Critical
Notes." Notes on the "Strange Woman": first paragraph, in the
Wordsworth quote, change double quotes around "Strange Woman" to
single quotes, and use a three period ellipsis. In the
Hengstenberg quote, use a three period ellipsis after "Wisdom";
change double quotes to single quotes around "the mouth" quote
and "the woman Jezebel." Add right double quotes after "symbolical
person." Second paragraph (continues to following page), change
double quotes to single quotes throughout and insert a closing
double quote at the end of the paragraph.

- Page 93, lesson, point IV, apply RC to "Word."

- Page 95, title and first note, change "6-37" to "5-27."

- Page 96, verse 5, note two, move period inside parenthesised
reference.

- Page 97, verse 14, note two, move period for parenthetical to
inside the parentheses. Verse 14, note three, point 2, move period
for parenthetical to inside the parentheses; point 3, change
period after "ceremonies of religion" to a question mark.

- Page 98, verse 19, note two, change "at home rather" to "at home
either."

- Page 99, note zero, use a four period ellipsis. Critical Notes,
chapter viii., verse 21, capitalise "Authorised Version." Verse
23, capitalise "Authorised."

- Page 100, notes on personification, remove point "1" as a
singleton. Correct the "Deut. xxxii. 6" reference by changing the
comma after the chapter number to a period. In the Fausset
quotation, change the double quotes around "brought forth" to
single.

- Page 101, remove the period after point "(5)" for consistency.
Punctuate the Harris quotation as if it is part of the Aiken
quotation.

- Page 102, lesson, point I, add right double quote after "was
lost." Point III, change "let Him come" to lower-case. Verse 1,
note two, apply RC to "Word."

- Page 103, title, change "God's Speech meeting Man's Need" to
capitalise "Meeting."

- Page 104, lesson, point I, apply RC to "His"; add right double
quotes after "pit" and after "abundantly."

- Page 105, verse 4, note one, point I, change "eyery" to "every."

- Page 106, verse 9, note one, add right double quote after "red";
add right parenthesis after reference.

- Page 107, title, change "Wisdom better than Wealth" to capitalise
"Better" and "Than." Point II, add period after "chap."

- Page 109, verse 11, note one, set the sentence after point 5 in
Italic, for consistency.

- Page 110, verse 12, note one, change "verse 22-30" to "verses."

- Page 111, verse 13, note six, apply RC to "Spirit."

- Page 113, verses 15, 16, note one, change "who use to keep" to
"who used to keep." Note two, apply RC to "Divine." Note five,
change "(1)" to "1." and capitalise the next word, for consistency.

- Page 114, lesson, point II, change "unforseen" to "unforeseen."
Point III, change "(1.)" to "1." for consistency. Change reference
to "vers. 11, 12" to "vers. 10, 11" and move the period inside the
parentheses.

- Page 115, verse 17, note one, move a comma outside the
parentheses. Note two, point (3), apply RC to "Spirit." Note
three, change "(1)" to "1." and capitalise the next word, for
consistency. Verse 20, note one, point 1, apply RC to "Word";
point 2, apply RC to "Spirit" (thrice).

- Page 124, verses 30-36, note one, add a comma to "beginning the."
Critical Notes, chapter ix., verse 2, capitalise "Orientals."

- Page 125, lesson, point I, change "Exod. xx, ii" to "Exod. xx. 2."

- Page 127, lesson, point X, add left double quotes before "if
thou."

- Page 130, verse 2, note four, change "sweatmeats" to "sweetmeats."

- Page 131, verse 5, note zero, capitalise "Negro"; apply RC to
"Him."

- Page 132, verse 9, note one, change "1." to "(1)" for consistency.
Verse 12, note two, apply RC to "His."

- Page 133, lesson, point I 2, add right double quote after "hell."

- Page 136, verse 18, note two, change "damned" to "dammed."

- Page 137, Critical Notes, chapter x., verse 4, add right double
quote after "worketh." Verses 6 and 22, capitalise "Authorised
Version." Verse 29, add right double quote after "iniquity."

- Page 138, lesson, point I, change "(2)" to "2." and capitalise the
next word, for consistency.

- Page 141, lesson, point III 2, apply RC to "Spirit" (thrice).
Fourth note, point II, change "slily" to "slyly"; add a right
double quote after "belly."

- The break between pages 141 and 142 is in the word "unrighteous":
un|righteous.

- Page 142, note zero, point III 2, capitalise "New Jerusalem."

- Page 143, lesson, point II, add period after "rule."

- Page 145, verse 4, note five, point 1, change "industrous" to
"industrious."

- Page 148, note one, change "occasioned offered" to "occasion
offered." Note four, points I 1 and II 1, apply RC to "Gospel."

- Page 149, lesson, point III 1, add double quotes before "for" and
after "sake."

- Page 152, lesson, point II, add right double quote after "eater";
remove right double quote after "fruit."

- Page 153, note zero, apply RC to "His."

- Page 155, verse 9, note four, in-line note about inspiration.

- Page 156, lesson, introduction, apply RC to "Divine."

- Page 158, lesson, point I, remove point "1." as a singleton.

- Page 159, lesson, point IV, change the cross reference from
"i. 12" to "i. 10-19."

- Page 161, lesson, point II, add right double quote after "Him."

- Page 162, lesson, point III (2), remove right double quote after
"made"; change the double quotes around "ruined" and the final
line to single quotes, add double quotes at the end of the
paragraph. Verse 15, note four, add double quotes around the word
"destruction."

- Page 163, verse 15, note zero, use four period ellipsis.

- Page 164, title, change "Verse 18" to "Verse 17."

- Page 166, lesson, point III, change "agains" to "against."

- Page 167, note one, change "clamourous" to "clamorous." Note two,
point 3, use four period ellipsis.

- Page 169, lesson, point III, add right double quote after
"judgment." Verse 19, note two, capitalise "Christian." Note
three, add right double quote after "silent."

- Page 171, note two, point III, point 1 after "Observe," change "to
do harm" to "to do no harm."

- Page 172, verse 21, note one, change "Cant. iii. 2" to "Cant.
iv. 11." Lesson, point I, add right double quote after "bands."

- Page 173, lesson, point II, use three period ellipses after
"because" and "judgment."

- Page 174, lesson, point I, change "tell" to "tells."

- Page 176, lesson, point IV 3, apply RC to "Spirit."

- Page 179, note two, change "do not correct" to "does not correct"
and "refresh the desert" to "refreshes the desert."

- Page 181, lesson, point II, apply RC to "Spirit."

- Page 183, note zero, point II, change "insuportable" to
"insupportable."

- Page 185, lesson, point II, add right double quote after "Godhead."

- Page 186, lesson, point II, change question mark after "away" to a
period; apply RC to "Him"; and change the double quotes around the
"loved darkness" and "I will not have" quotations to single quotes.

- Page 188, lesson, point II, change cross reference to lower-case.
Remove parentheses from the cross reference for verse 31; split
the list of four verse numbers into two links, word "and" inserted.

- Page 190, Critical Notes, chapter xi., verse 14, change
"steermanship" to "steersmanship." Verse 17, capitalise
"Authorised Version." Verse 25, add a period after "seeketh" and a
right double quote after "pleasing."

- Page 192, note two, change "Melancthon" to "Melanchthon." Note
three, remove right double quote after "Jehovah."

- Page 193, lesson, point I, use three period ellipsis after
"thoughts."

- Page 195, note one, add a period after "prince" and capitalise
next word. Note three, add closing quote after "prudent."

- Page 196, lesson, point II, add right double quote after "man."

- Page 197, illustration, capitalise "Nereids." Note one, change
period after "paths" to a question mark.

- Page 198, note two, change "towards Him" to "toward Him."

- Page 200, verse 4, note one, add a left double quote before
"from." Spell out "Ver. 5." Note three, change point "III" to
point "II." Spell out "Ver. 6." Note one, apply RC to "Divine."

- Page 202, note one, use three period ellipsis after "expects."

- Page 206, title, change "The Fate of the Unrighteous one" to
capitalise "One."

- Page 207, lesson, point II, change "develope" to "develop"; a
right double quote after "God is." Point III, change "Isa. lx. 18"
to "Isa. lx. 17-18."

- Page 209, Foulon illustration, in the first sentence, there is a
four word appellation in French: the Italic formatting ends after
three words. All four were tagged as French. The first instance of
"Hôtel-de-Ville" was accented like the second one. Change
"Sanscoulottism" to "Sans-coulottism." Note two, use four period
ellipsis.

- Page 211, title, change "Contempt and Tale-bearing" to capitalise
"Bearing." Lesson, point II, add a period after "made known."

- Page 212, lesson, point III, remove quotation marks. Notes, spell
out "Ver. 12" and "Ver. 13."

- Page 214, lesson, point III, change "Plassy" to "Plassey."

- Page 216, change cross reference for verse 15 from "vi. 1-4" to
"vi. 1-5."

- Page 217, lesson, point I 1, change "develope" to "develop." Point
II, capitalise "Critical Notes."

- Page 219, lesson, point I, change "subtilly" to "subtilely."

- Page 220, lesson, point IV, add right double quote after "mercy";
capitalise "Richard iii." and apply Italic formatting as the title
of a play.

- Page 221, note one, apply RC to "Divine."

- Page 222, note one, in-line comment on "niggardly." It also refers
to Ecclesiasticus, which is not part of the 66-book canon of
scripture. It is in a Roman Catholic Bible and it can be found
on-line. Note two, in the word "kindness," the first "n" sort is
inverted. Note three, capitalise first quoted word "He." Note
four, capitalise "Sabbath." Note five, capitalise "Good Samaritan."

- Page 223, lesson, point I, change comma after "bane" to a colon.

- Page 224, lesson, point I 3, change "a honest man" to "an honest
man." Point II 1, change cross reference "ch. vii. 1, 4" to
"chap. vii. 1-4." Point II 2, change "1 Isa. ii. 1" to "1 John
ii. 1." Notes, spell out "Ver. 18."

- Page 225, note five, add a period after the initial to "A Clarke."

- The break between pages 225 and 226 is in the word "encumbrances":
encum|brances.

- Page 226, verse 18, note zero, change "Thess. iv. 1" to "1 Thess.
iv. 1." Spell out "Ver. 19" and "Ver. 20."

- Page 228, lesson, point II, change "naught" to "nought." Point
III, change "His work" to lower case, referring to men; add right
double quote after "anointed"; change "refuges of lies" to
"refuge"; change "Isaiah xxviii. 18" to "Isaiah xxviii. 17-18";
change "Isaiah liv. 15, 17" to "Isaiah liv. 15-17."

- Page 229, title, change "Precious things possessed by unworthy
owners" to capitalise "Things," "Possessed," "Unworthy," and
"Owners."

- The break between pages 229 and 230 is in the word "himself":
him|self.

- Page 231, copy missing outline title from TOC.

- Page 232, verse 23 and chap. x. 24, note one, point II, change
points "(1)" and "(2)" to "1." and "2.," respectively, for
consistency.

- Page 233, note zero, point III, apply RC to "He." In-line note
about "niggardly." Lesson, point I, change "that is meet" to
"than." Point I 2, apply RC to "He"; add "Deut. xv. 11" reference;
apply RC to "He."

- Page 234, lesson, point I 4, add double quotes around the James
v. 1-3 quotation. Notes, spell out "Vers. 24, 25." Note one,
change final period to a question mark.

- Page 237, lesson, point II, change "chap. viii. 16" to "chap.
viii. 17."

- Page 239, lesson, point II 3, replace period after "living God"
with right double quote. Note five, change "pruning himself" to
"preening himself."

- Page 240, lesson, in-line note on "niggardly." Add "I."; remove
the bold quotation marks.

- Page 242, lesson, point III, apply RC to "Him" (twice).

- Page 246, Critical Notes, chapter xii., the name "Zöckler" is
spelled without the accent in these notes and it was transcribed
consistently with other chapters. Verse 9, capitalise "Authorised
Version."

- Page 247, lesson, point II, change the period after "born" to a
question mark.

- Page 248, verse 1, note five, in-line note on "Hottentot." Apply
RC to "Gospel."

- Page 249, verse 1, note zero, apply RC to "Spirit." Change first
cross reference for verse 2 from "chap. iii. 4" to "chap.
iii. 1-4." Notes, spell out "Ver. 2." Note one, change "will he
done" to "will be done." Note three, move right double quote to
before the credit from after the credit.

- Page 250, verse 2, note one, apply RC to "Gospel." Title, change
"A Right Desire and the Means of its Attainment" to capitalise
"Its."

- Page 254, title, change "Thoughs and Words and their Result" to
capitalise "Their." Lesson, point I 1, apply RC to "Word"; change
"out thy mouth" to "out of thy mouth" and "thereon" to "therein."

- Page 255, lesson, point IV I 3, add left double quote before
"turned." Add "II." before "But for the wicked."

- Page 255, lesson, renumber point "4" as point "2." Verse 5, note
one, change "whom" to "which."

- Page 257, notes, spell out "Ver. 7."

- Page 258, notes, spell out "Ver. 8."

- Page 259, add missing lesson title from TOC.

- Page 260, note two, capitalise "Oriental."

- Page 261, note one, change "Ecclus. x. 30" to "Ecclus. x. 27." NB,
Ecclesiasticus is not part of the 66-book Canon. It is available
in a Roman Catholic Bible or on-line.

- Page 263, note one, capitalise "Authorised Version."

- Page 264, note one, change "worlding" to "worldling." Note four,
add double quotes around "regard."

- Page 266, lesson, point I 1, apply RC to "Word." Change the
sub-points of point II from "(1)" to "1." for consistency with
point I.

- Page 267, note four, change "transcendantly" to "transcendently."
Add the missing outline title from the TOC.

- Page 268, lesson, renumber the subpoints of point II 2 as "(1)"
and "(2)." In point II 2 (1), change "Jas. v. ii." to "Jas. v. 11."

- Page 270, verse 13, note three, add a period after "chap."

- Page 273, verse 16, note three, change "Chap." to "chap."; change
"1 Sam. xii. 35" to "1 Sam. xx. 34."

- Page 274, lesson, point II, change "Chap. x. 18" to "chap. x. 18."

- Page 275, lesson, point III 2, remove right double quotes after
"God"; add right double quotes after "weary"; change "Acts x. 14"
to "Acts iv. 12." Point IV, change page reference to 190 from 191.

- Page 277, verse 18, note two, apply RC to "Spirit." Verse 19, note
four, the "r" sort of "ever" is not in line. Verse 22, note four,
change "2 Cor. 1-17" to "2 Cor. i. 17."

- Page 278, note after poem, change "2 John i." to "2 John 1" and
"2 John iii." to "2 John 3." Second note after poem, apply RC to
"He maketh." Lesson, point I, add right double quote after
"righteousness."

- Page 280, verse 20, note zero, point 2, apply RC to "God, Who."
Lesson, add a right double quote just before the credit for the
poem.

- Page 281, lesson, point II (2), change "2 Tim. iv. 13" to "2 Tim.
iii. 13." Note three, add right double quotes after "touch him"
and "his sin."

- Page 282, same note, move the right double quotes to after "wine"
from within the reference. Change "Heb. v. 8, 11" to "Zech. v. 8,
11."

- The break between pages 282 and 283 is in the word "appearance":
appear|ance.

- Page 284, note one includes a reference to Ecclesiasticus, which
is not in the 66-book Canon. It is available in a Roman Catholic
Bible or on-line, if desired.

- Page 286, title, change "Heaviness of Heart and its Cure" to
capitalise "Its."

- Page 287, lesson, point I 2, add right double quote after
"thereof." Point I 3, change "Psa. xxii. 3" to "Psa. xxxii. 3."

- Page 288, lesson, point III, tag _ignis fatuus_ as Latin and set
it in Italic.

- Page 289, note one, add right double quote after "them." Add
missing lesson title from TOC.

- Page 291, verse 27, note zero, add left double quote before "the
slothful." Add missing lesson title from TOC.

- Page 292, homily on whole chapter, point (1), add "vers. 1-11" for
consistency. Add point "(3)" and capitalise next word, for
consistency.

- Page 293, Critical Notes, chapter xiii., verse 15, Miller's
comment, add right double quotes after "perpetual." Verse 19, add
left double quotes before "appeased" and right double quotes after
"satisfied." Lesson, point III, change "chap. iv. 1, 4" to
"chap. iv. 1-4."

- Page 297, verse 4, note three, apply RC to "His" and add right
double quotes after "baptism."

- The break between pages 299 and 300 is in the word "towering":
tower|ing.

- Page 300, note two, change "villany" to "villainy." In-line note
about "niggardly."

- Page 301, lesson, point III, change "Laodician" to "Laodicean."

- Page 302, lesson, point V, add right double quotes after
"husbandmen."

- The break between pages 302 and 303 is in the word "proverbs":
pro|verbs.

- The break between pages 303 and 304 is in the word "throughout"
through|out.

- Page 304, note two includes a St. Gregory comment; change the
double quotes around an internal quotation to single quotes, and
add closing double quotes after "wealth." (Alternately, the St.
Gregory comment might continue to the end of the note.) Note
three, change "shall he put out" to "shall be put out."

- Page 305, lesson, point I after poem, remove right double quotes
after "you."

- Page 306, lesson, point II 2, change periods after "severed" and
"blighted" to question marks.

- Page 308, verse 11, note zero, remove comma after "(1)" for
consistency.

- Page 309, lesson, point III 2 (3), add right double quotes after
"himself."

- Page 311, note zero, point IV, add right double quotes after
"fail."

- Page 313, note four, change "if they lay under" to "if they lie
under."

- Page 315, lesson, point III, apply RC to "Divine"; remove right
double quotes after "death." Point IV, apply RC to "Holy."

- Page 316, lesson, point I, change "who his regarded" to "who is
regarded."