The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established forever. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
I pause over this last verse, to remark, that by the people perishing where there is no vision, cannot be meant that the people of God perish everlastingly: for Jesus hath said, that they, shall not perish; neither shall any pluck them out of his hand. John 10:28. But even the people of God may perish temporally: and if they follow blind leaders, and are found sitting under a carnal ministry; here the lack of knowledge must, and will induce great leanness of soul: therefore they may be truly said to perish for the want of soul-enriching supports, arising from the open vision of the word, and secret manifestation, through the ministry of the word and ordinances of Jesus and his graces. Reader! think here from how inexpressibly valuable must it be to have a soul-strengthening fulness of ordinances; and a faithful ministry of the word to sit under, where Jesus hath promised his presence. Matthew 18:20.