Note, 1. Sin is the shame of sinners: The simple, who love simplicity,
get nothing by it; they inherit folly. They have it by inheritance, so
some. This corruption of nature is derived from our first parents, and
all the calamities that attend it we have by kind; it was the
inheritance they transmitted to their degenerate race, an hereditary
disease. They are as fond of it as a man of his inheritance, hold it as
fast, and are as loth to part with it. What they value themselves upon
is really foolish; and what will be the issue of their simplicity but
folly? They will for ever rue their own foolish choice. 2. Wisdom is
the honour of the wise: The prudent crown themselves with knowledge,
they look upon it as their brightest ornament, and there is nothing
they are so ambitious of; they bind it to their heads as a crown, which
they will by no means part with; they press towards the top and
perfection of knowledge, which will crown their beginnings and
progress. They shall have the praise of it; wise heads shall be
respected as if they were crowned heads. They crown knowledge (so some
read it); they are a credit to their profession. Wisdom is not only
justified, but glorified, of all her children.