The wicked and the righteous. Proverbs 12 :12.

"The wicked desireth the net of evil men ; but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit :-"
Man is always restlesss to press on to something not yet enjoyed . The Christian reaches forth to higher privileges and increasing holiness. (Phil;3 12-14) The wicked emulate each other in wickedness; and if they see evil men more successful than themselves , they desire their net (Psalm 10   8-10)to discover their plans , in order to imitate them . Not satisfied with the honest "gain of Godliness "they desire a net in which they may grasp richer treasures of the worlds vanities(1 Timothy 6 : 10)The history of the church strongly illustrates this energy of sin ; Infidelity and Popery ; one net following another with more crafty device . Such is the root of evil , fraught with destruction. But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit  -  true ,solid , abundant fruit ; not always visible , but always acceptable . (Hebrew 13 . 15,16) Dependence on Christ is the source of this blessing ; necessary in order to fruit , and never failing to produce it . The spiritual branches are nourished and increased by the living root of God's grace and blessing .

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