He that is the farthest from fire is safest from the burning of it; he that is most remote from the way and course of the river is in less danger from the overflowing of it. It argues too much mind to be in the house, for anyone to come near the door of it. It is more safe not to be in danger of perishing, than being in danger not to perish. Chrysostom, speaking of Joseph, saith, "It doth not seem so wonderful to me, that the three children in the furnace overcame the fire, as that Joseph, being indeed in a more grievous furnace than that of Babylon, came forth untouched."--_Jermin._ 1. Because of thy proneness to evil. Straw will quickly take fire. Gunpowder is no more pat to take fire than our corrupt nature to be provoked to this sin. 2. Because flight is the best fight here. No struggle comparable to a safe retreat.--_F. Taylor._ Verse 10. It is said that Demosthenes gave this answer to a harlot who desired to seduce him from the path of virtue, and demanded a hundred talents for her hire: "I will not buy repentance so dear."--_Jermin._ One keenest torment of the damned will be to find that they are working hard in the very pit of the universe; submitting to the sentence (Matt. xxv. 28), "Take, therefore, the talent from him and give it to him that hath ten talents." The adulterer might make himself a bankrupt, and get himself sold for his transgression; but that is a trifle compared with the sweeping surrender that must be made of all by the finally impenitent.--_Miller._ Verse 12. The climax goes on. Bitterer than slavery (ver. 9); poverty (ver. 10); disease (ver. 11) will be the bitterness of self-reproach, the remorse without hope, that worketh death.--_Plumptre._ Though in respect of God's infinite mercy, it be never too late in this life, yet take heed how we stay too long. It is true that the thief on the cross found mercy at the last hour; but it hath been well remarked, "It was not the last hour, but the first, of the thief's knowing God; as soon as he knew Christ he was converted." If, therefore, thou hast long known Christ, and hast not repented, do not presume too rashly of mercy at last.--_Jermin._ There are no infidels in eternity, and but few on a death-bed.--_Bridges._