Ol' John Ploughman

At any given time I seem to be reading a couple books at a time.  I recently raided my dad's bookshelf to re-read a classic, Charles Spurgeon's "John Ploughman's Pictures and More of His Talk."  I do not know the exact date of publication, but it was likely written in the late 1800's.  There is hardly a man who ever lived who had the wit, wisdom, and common sense of this beloved preacher.  I enjoy reading his works because the LORD uses him not only to hold forth the wisdom of God in a masterful way, but in so doing humbles me concerning my weak words.  If you ever find an author who exposes your best attempts as feeble and joyfully goads you to do better, procure and read as many of those books as you can!

Here is a delightful paragraph I read the other night on page 84 of the aforementioned book which contains witty proverbial sayings to go along with pictures:

"The worst sort of clever men are those who know better than the Bible and are so learned that they believe that the world had no Maker, and that men are only monkeys with their tails rubbed off.  Dear, dear me, this is the sort of talk we used to expect from Tom of Bedlam, but now we get it from clever men.  If things go on in this fashion a poor ploughman will not be able to tell which is the lunatic and which is the philosopher.  As for me, the old Book seems to be a deal easier to believe than the new notions, and I mean to keep to it.  Many a drop of good broth is made in an old pot, and many a sweet comfort comes out of the old doctrine.  Many a dog has died since I first opened my eyes, and every one of these dogs has had his day, but in all the days put together they have never hunted out a real fault in the Bible, nor started anything better in its place.  They may be very clever, but they will not find a surer truth than that which God teaches, nor a better salvation than that which Jesus brings, and so finding my life in the gospel I mean to live in it, and so ends this chapter."

Here is another portion from pages 85-86:

"We have all heard of the two men who quarreled over an oyster, and called in a judge to settle the question:  he ate the oyster himself, and gave them a shell each.  This reminds me of the story of the cow which two farmers could not agree about, and so the lawyers stepped in and milked the cow for them, and charged them for their trouble in drinking the milk.  Little is got by law, but much is lost by it.  A suit in law may last longer than any suit a tailor can make you, and you may yourself be worn out before it comes to an end.  It is better for to make matters up and keep out of court, for if you are caught there you are caught in the brambles, and won't get out without damage.  John Ploughman feels a cold sweat at the thought of getting into the hands of lawyers.  He does not mind going to Jericho, but he dreads the gentlemen on the road, for they seldom leave a feather upon any goose which they pick up.

However, if men will fight they must not blame the lawyers; if law were cheaper, quarrelsome people would have more of it, and quite as much would be spent in the long run.  Sometimes, however, we get dragged into court willy nilly, and then one had need be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.  Happy is he who finds an honest lawyer, and does not try to be his own client.  A good lawyer always tries to keep people out of law, but some clients are like moths with the candle, they must and will burn themselves.  He who is so wise that he cannot be taught will have to pay for his pride."