This we had before, ch. xxii. 3. Note, 1. Evil may be foreseen. Where
there is temptation, it is easy to foresee that if we thrust ourselves
into it there will be sin, and as easy to foresee that if we venture
upon the evil of sin there will follow the evil of punishment; and,
commonly, God warns before he wounds, having set watchmen over us, Jer.
vi. 17. 2. It will be well or ill with us according as we do or do not
improve the foresight we have of evil before us: The prudent man,
foreseeing the evil, forecasts accordingly, and hides himself, but the
simple is either so dull that he does not foresee it or so wilful and
slothful that he will take no care to avoid it, and so he passes on
securely and is punished. We do well for ourselves when we provide for
hereafter.