things Phil. 3. 19 20. must looke to haue their end to bâ— damnation But our conuersation saith he â—â— in heauen from whence also we loâ—ke for the Sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ First the promise of saluation and all the couenants of God are appropriated and made onely to them that walke not after the flesh but after the spirit all others haue threatnings and curses against them Secondly none haue communion with Christ or aâ—â—â—surance that their sinnes are washed away with his blood 〈…〉 they that walke in the light according as hee is in tâ—â—â—â—â— Thirdly they that will escape the second death muâ—◠〈◊〉 their part in the first resurrection and they that haue â—â—â—â—ned to that and are risen with Christ must seeke those things which are aboue where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God They must set their affections on things which are aboue and not on things which are on the earth Vse 1 Reproofe of their folly which will not take paines to ascend vp to this way and yet hope notwithstanding with good ease to ascend vp to happinesse They clogge their soules with all kindes of sinnes and yet boast that they looke to bee saued as well as the best and so they shall if their owne bragging breath be strong enough to blow them vp to heauen and that is a harder worke than to blow vp many millions of mill-stones It would be long to recite the seuerall sorts of these illuded sinners A few shall serue for all the rest Proud men may well be set in the first ranke for none goe faster than they towards destruction and scarce any presume so much as they of blessednesse and saluation Indeed if the conceits and desires of an high minde were this high-way heere spoken of they went apace in it but then it could not be called the walke of the wise for their honour for all they are alwaies foolish to their shame The more lofty they are the baser they be and the higher they aspire vpwards the lower they sinke downwards Pride is not a faire path to rise vp to and walke in but a filthy puddle which they sinke into and wallow in And next to these are greedy worldlings which lie groueling on the ground and like moles are alwaies digging downe wards in the earth In the same state are voluptuous belly-gods and all others which repose their felicity and happinesse in the earth Consolation for them whom God hath raised vp so high to this way of grace to walke in it for they shall bee raised higher to glory when they come to their iournies end And let them not be discouraged though they haue so few fellowes to accompany them for no man hath power or will of himselfe to clime vp to this causey nor very many haue that fauour from God to be brought into it Verse 25. The Lord will destroy the house of the proud but hee will establish the border of the widow THE drift of this sentence is to shew that the safety of no mans state doth stand in his greatnesse nor perill of ruine in his smalnesse but that Gods displeasure doth cut off the wicked how strong soeuer and his fauour protecteth the godly though neuer so feeble The Lord will destroy at one time or other at once or by degrees either by the wonted meanes of his plagues and iudgements or by some immediate stroke from his owne hand hee will root out as the word signifieth and vtterly ouerthrow the house of the proud themselues their seed substance estimation and whatsoeuer belongeth vnto them but he will establish defend and maintaine the borders of the widow those liuings and possessions or whatsoeuer else pertaineth to poore helplesse persons of any sort which want power to resist their oppressors Yet is it not so to be vnderstood as though they that were without friends were also alwaies without wrongs for we read and heare and see the contrary continually but that it is not in any mans power to spoile them at his pleasure and when they are oppressed he will take their cause into his hands in iustice and anger to punish their aduersaries and by grace and prouidence to recompence them This is the sense of the opposition The Lord will destroy the house of the mighty when they grow to be proud and establish the borders of the Widowes and weake ones when they shew themselues humble The former part concerning the fall of the proud hath beene handled Chap. 11. 2. and fit occasion will be offered for the latter in the 23. Chapter verse 10. following Where an admonition is giuen that we remooue not the ancient bands nor enter into the fields of the fatherlesse because hee that redeemeth them is mightie and he will defend their cause against them Verse 26. The thoughts of the wicked are abomination to the Lord but the pure haue pleasant words THE thoughts of the wicked Their desires affections purposes imaginations and all the motions of their mindes are abomination to the Lord such as he presently beholdeth with detestation and heereafter wil punish with great seueritie but the pure godly men whose hearts are purified by faith and which are vpright in their waies haue pleasant words they speake such things as are iust and acceptable in the sight of God and good and profitable for the vse of the hearers The opposition standeth thus The thoughts of the wicked and therefore also their words are abomination to the Lord but the words of the pure and consequentlie their thoughts are pleasant vnto him Doct. 1 The Lord is as well displeased with the sinfull cogitations of the minde as with the wicked actions of the body His eie doth as euidently see what the heart doth thinke within as what the hand doth worke without and the euill that is conceiued in the heart is no better allowed than the sinne which is practised by the hand When he complaineth by the Prophet of the grieuous iniquities wherewith men laded themselues how that their feet their hands their lips their tongues and all their members were prone and swift to worke mischiefe hee inserteth this as a principall among the rest that their thoughts were wicked thoughts And Isa 59. 7. when he concluded to destroy all the world excepting Noah and his familie with water and repented that hee had made man in the earth this is assigned as a cause hereof that All the in aginations of the thoughts of mans heart were only euill continually Gen. 6. 5. Reasons 1 First his law doth command the soule with the motions of it as well as the body with the actions of that and therefore as the vngodly deeds of the one prouoke him to anger so likewise the vnlawfull thoughts of the other must needs offend him Secondly all the thoughts of the wicked are either suggestions by inspiration from Satan or vapours that fume out of corrupt nature and sinfull hearts and therefore how can they but
A PLAINE AND FAMILIAR EXPOSITION OF THE Fifteenth Sixteenth and Seuenteenth Chapters of the Prouerbs of Salomon CERVA CHARISSIMA ET GRATISSIMVS HINNVLVS LONDON Printed by THOMAS HAVELAND for THOMAS MAN 1609. TO THE RIGHT VVORshipfull our approoued good friend ERASMVS DRIDEN Esquire Grace and peace be multiplied SIR hauing had long experience of your Christian and constant loue and fauour as also of your willingnes to read our bookes and your godly wisdome to iudge and discerne of all that you read we are bold to offer vnto your worship this testimonie of our vnfained thankfulnesse and to craue your fauourable patronage for the same Our former writings comming only as strangers yet alwaies found all good and kinde entertainment at your hands Therefore we cannot doubt but that this present treatise shall be welcome and well accepted not only for that it is like to the former for matter and manner but also because it shelters it selfe vnder your name and in speciall manner craueth our countenance And thus beseeching almightie God to blesse and prosper the faithfull indeuours of all that truly seeke the peace and welfare of his Church and daily more and more to multiplie his gratious mercies vpon your selfe your godlie wife and hopefull familie wee humblie take our leaue Yours in the Lord to be commanded John Dod Robert Cleauer TO THE READER THis briefe and summary collection of all the doctrines of the 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 and 17. Chapters of the Prouerbs which was intended for priuate vse I haue thought good with the Authors consent to prefix vnto this booke as that which I hope may be vsefull for many for by this direction those that cannot read all may make choice of that which most concernes them and those that haue read all may more easilie finde that againe which most contents them The reason why some verses with the doctrines are omitted is because they haue beene handled before A briefe Recapitulation of all the Doctrines of Mr. Cleauers bookes on the PROVERBS CHAPTER IX Verse 1. Doctrine 1. AL true wisdome is contained in the holy word of God Doct. 2. It belongeth onely to Christ both to build and beautifie the Churcb Doct. 3. The best way for good safetie is to become a faithfull Christian. Verse II. Doct. 1. The best cheere is that which is made for the soule in Gods house Doct. 2. It is not the wit of man but the wisdome of God that doth make the word comfortable Doct. 3. Gods fauour and grace is alwaies ready to bee found when it is faithfully sought Verse III. Doct. 1. They that will come to saluation must be brought to it by the ministerie Doct. 2. Christ Iesus hath appointed the preaching of the Gospell to be most publike that all might be instructed by it Verse IV. Doct. Ignorance should not hinder vs from hearing the word but incite vs to it Verse V. Doct. It concerneth vs duly to embrace the mercies of God when he doth offer them vnto vs. Verse VI. Doct. When we begin to cleane to God and good men wee must foortwith breake off all league with wicked men Verse VII Doct. The most faithfull Ministers are commonly exposed to greatest reproches Verse VIII Doct. Christian counsell is not to bee offered to an obstinate sinner Verse IX Doct. 1. The best men must be admonished Doct. 2. It is a note of a man that is truly religious to increase in grace and vnderstanding Verse X. Doct. 1. No man can be truly wise before he be vnfainedly religious Doct. 2. Sound knowledge is the mother of true deuotion Verse XI XII Doct. 1. Grace prolongeth mens daies on earth Doct. 2. Christians are most prouident to procure their owne good prosperitie Doct. 3. The wicked are most their owne foes Verse XIII Doct. 1. It is not a sure note of a good cause to bee set foorth with many words Doct. 2. So farre as any man giues himselfe to be an agent for sinne so farre he bewraieth his owne ignorance Verse XIV Doct. 1. Great men without grace are as much subiect to sinne and follie as poore men Doct. 2. Great meetings are seldome without the companie of sinfulnesse and Satan Verse XV. Doct. So soone as any one begins to seeke God the diuell and diuellish men will be ready to turne him out of the way Verse XVI Doct. Ignorant persons that regard not knowledge are the fittest prey for deceiuers Verse XVII Doct. Those things that be most vnlawfull doe best satisfie the humours of vnregenerate men Verse XVIII Doct. As euery sinne is more delightfull so it is more dangerous and deceitfull CHAPTER X. Verse I. Doct. THE comfort or sorrow of parents standeth much in the behauiour of their children Verse II. Doct. 1. No worldling is any thing the better for his wealth Doct. 2. The goodnesse of a Christian will worke him that happinesse which no outward goods could euer procure Verse III. Doct. Poore Christians are in better estate than wealthy wicked men euen in outward respects Verse IV. Doct. 1. False dealing rather hurteth than helpeth them that vse it Doct. 2. They greatly helpe their owne estate that are painfull and faithfull in their callings Verse V. Doct. Vse is to be made of good opportunitie Verse VI. Doct. 1. The greatest reward that God giueth his seruants in this life is to blesse them Doct. 2. When God entreth into iudgement with wicked men he will cause the plague so to manifest their sinnes that they shall not be able to denie them Verse VII Doct. The credit of good men will grow and the reputation of sinners will be turned into shame Verse VIII Doct. We ought to be tractable to the will of God without resisting or gainsaying Verse IX Doct. All sound safetie and boldnesse proceedeth from sincerity of heart and integritie of life Verse X. Doct. It is not safe to vse any member or gesture though neuer so closely to commit sinne Verse XI Doct. A good man is neuer barren of good speeches Verse XII Doct. 1. Not actions and speeches but ill affections of the hart are the cause of debate Doct. 2. Christian loue causeth men to bee mercifull to the soules and names of their brethren Verse XIV Doct. 1. It is not enough to bâ—ing the eare to heare holy instructions but the heart must also receiue and keepe them Doct. 2. The tongues of vngodly men are alwaies pernicious and hurtfull Verse XV. Doct. The extremitie of euery estate is dangerous and no estate safe without grace Verse XVI Doct. Riches are either profitable or hurtfull according to the owners vsage of them Verse XVIII Doct. 1. The Lord hath dissemblers in detestation Doct. 2. It is a note of a â—infull person to haue a bitter railing and slanderous tongue Verse XIX Doct. The multiplying of words doth make a bad cause rather worse than better Verse XX. Doct. 1. The best wealth of a Christian is laid vp in his heart and disbursed
they grow weary of their attempts or are defeated of their purposes or though they seeme to succeed well for a time yet their hopes are frustrate in the end but by the multitude of Counsellers which are wise and giue faithfull counsell if their faithfull counsell be harkened vnto and obeied they are established in the Hebrew text the Verbe is of the singular number but collectiuely spoken meaning that all and euery one of those thoughts which are so directed by counsell shall haue a constant prosperous successe at the last if not at the first Doct. Hee dealeth best for himselfe which ordereth his affaires with good aduice The lesse confident any man is of his owne iudgement and skill the better hee is like to speed in his actions and waies And for this cause the spirit of God elswhere giueth this precept Establish thy thoughts by counsell and by Prouer. 10. 18 counsell make warre So Dauid did vsually inquiring of the Prophets and Priests what he ought to doe and therefore vsually he had good successe and heereof he failed sometimes as in the numbring of the people and therefore sometimes hee brought troubles vpon himselfe as it fell out after the people were numbred This wholesome instruction Rhehoboam refused when he declined from the counsell of his ancient Senators and Achab despised when he quarrelled with Micaiah and therefore Rhehoboam had a rent made in his Kingdome and Ahab fell into vtter destruction Reasons 1 First no mortall man can attaine vnto such depth of iudgement and vnderstanding to be able sufficiently by his owne knowledge to manage all his affaires God will haue euery man stand in need of his brothers direction That is reuealed to some which is hid from others and many eies may cleerely apprehend that which no one could possiblie haue pierced into Secondly euery man by nature is somewhat partiall to his affection and may easily be induced to adde weight by colour of reason to that end of the scale whereunto his desire more inclineth whereas hee that leaneth on neither side may discerne the stronger motiues to bee on the other side Vse 1 Reproofe of rash heady persons which commit all their affaires to happe-hazzard without any dread of after-claps to fall out or prouidence of good successe to follow And it serueth also for the reprehension of others which earnestly desiring and certainly concluding of all good prosperitie and happinesse doe yet repose so much affiance in their owne vnderstanding and wisdome as that they thinke they haue no need either to bee taught of God or aduised by man But these haue beene already spoken of vpon the like occasion Chap. 11. 14. Instruction not to be slacke to aske counsell in all matters of importance nor slow to obserue it whensoeuer it is offered Thou maist with more assurance expect a blessing from God because heerein thou yeeldest obedience to God but though the euent should seeme not to be answerable to thy wish yet were not thy labour altogether lost neither should thy heart faile of the comfort of thy endeuours forasmuch as thou hast performed a duty in auoiding of rashnesse Verse 23. A ioy commeth to a man by the answer of his mouth and how good is a word in due season A ioy commeth to a man A good man shall finde either sooner or latter comfort and gladnesse by the answer of his mouth by the wholesome words which hee vttereth with his mouth whether hee answer to things demanded or otherwise And how good is a word in due season that is to say maruellous profitable and delightfull to himselfe and others aâ—e faithfull speeches discreetly deliuered all meet circumstances of time place and persons being duly obserued Doct. Whosoeuer applieth his tongue to doe good therewith shall haue the gâ—â—atest 〈◊〉 by â—â— himselfe A man shall eat Prouerb 13. 2. good things by the 〈…〉 as it 〈…〉 Prouerbe A man shall bee sacâ—aâ—e 〈◊〉 good things by the fruit of his mouth Prouer 12. 14 as 〈…〉 in 〈◊〉 â—he Prouerbe Reason 1 First he will learne that which he teacheth others and praâ—â—â—sâ— that whâ—â—â—â—â— he perswadeth others and haue feeling of that wherewith 〈◊〉 affecteth others And by all this doth commodit◠〈…〉 Secondly his loue doth make his brethrens good to become his owne and then especially when hee hath beene by counsell or consolation or the like a meanes and instrument of the same And therefore S. Paul telleth the faithfull Philippians who were conuerted by his ministerie that they were his ioy and his crowne Philip 4 1. Thirdly the hope of reward for that good which they haue done by their fruitfull speeches refresheth their hearts for the present heere and will bring them fulnesse of glorie and gladnesse for euermore heereafter Vse 1 Incouragement to vse our lips constantly to holy and profitable communications sithence the greater part of the profit will redound to our selues And albert none should make vse of them but euery one reiect them nay what though we should be maligned and molested for telling the truth Yet if our hearts be vpright together with our endeuours wee may truly say with that Prophet whose strength seemed to bee spent in vaine and his labour vtterly lost For all this my Isa 49. 4 5. iudgement is with the Lord and my worke with my God yet shall I be glorious in the eies of the Lord and my God shall be my strength Instruction not only to finde out good points to speake of but also to chuse a fit time to speake in that matter and manner and all the helpes that we can vse may further the effect that we desire By this meanes euery sentence shall be of greater force and excellencie than a long Oration vnseasonaby made which may appeare by that elegant comparison A Prouer. 25. 12. word spoken in his place is like apples of gold vpon pictures of siluer and by that which Iob affirmeth and S. Paul intendeth that Iob 6. 6. Col. 4. 6. true word without discretion are as vnsauoury as egges or meats without salt and seasoning Verse 24. The way of life is on high to the prudent to auoid from hell beneath THE way of life The way that leadeth to life yea the very true life it selfe is on high to the prudent is not worldly carnall and earthly but spirituall holy and heauenly and therefore so farre as any man is wise to saluation he thinketh or heauenly things and in all his behauiour tendeth towards heauen to auoid that so walking therein hee may escape from hell beneath from death and destruction and the place of eternall torment which a sensuall course of life and the desire of earthly things will bring men vnto Doct. He that would attaine to glory in heauen and will not bee damned in the world to come must liue after an heauenly manner in this present world The Apostle foretelleth that they who haue theiâ— belly for their God and minde earthly
Habakkuk vpbraideth the King of Babel with coueting an euill couetousnesse to his house for seeking Hab. 2. 9. 10. to set his house on high hee had consulted shame to his house and sinned against his owne soule Reason 1 First they molest their people with burdens and niggardlinesse with chafing and chiding and sometimes with strokes and violence Secondly they often prouoke the Lord to curse their habitations and to powre downe plagues vpon that which they possesse and them that dwell with them Thirdly they expose their posteritie and seed after them to the vengeance and iudgements of God as is threatned in the Scriptures and was executed on Ahabs line and many others Vse 1 Instruction to labour for godlinesse which will kill this greedinesse and worke in vs contentment that will bring riches to our houses and blessings to our children and happinesse to our selues as is at large to be seene in the Psalmes of Dauid The more wee labour for heauenly things the lesse Psal 112. wee shall like of earthly things and yet take the way to haue the greater plenty of them Consolation to those faithfull men to whom grace hath giuen victorie ouer their couetous affections They that haue subdued this sinne are vnder the dominion of no sinne for if they were how should they haue this assurance of life Those whom the spirit causeth to hate vnrighteous profit when it is offered to them the flesh cannot make hartily to loue any other corruptions And obserue that vnder life he comprehendeth all needfull things whereby men may commodiously liue Well is it with his estate who is firmly estated in this life heere promised That family is in good case whose gouernour is so good a man Happy are those children if they will embrace their happinesse whose parents are growne enemies to the world and friends vnto their owne soules Verse 28. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer but the mouth of the wicked babbleth out euill things A Good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth foorth good things He meditateth what to speake that he may vtter such matter as is most wholesome and profitable and that not onely when a question is demanded of him or he is otherwise spoken vnto but vpon any other occasion when it concerneth him to say ought For the word answer is more largely taken sometimes in the Scriptures than we vse it in our common speech as Matt. 11. 25. at that time Iesus answered and said I giue thee thankes O Father Lord of heauen and earth c. but the mouth of the wicked babbleth out euill things he can neither be silent nor speake well but is full of discourse and alwaies pratling rashly vainly offensiuely and leaudly The opposition standeth thus The heart of the righteous studieth to answer and therefore he vttereth things that bee good but the mouth of the wicked is hastily and rashly set on worke and therefore hee babbleth out things that are euill Doct. Hee that would speake well and doe good with his words must not be too swift and sudden in his speeches We shall finde in the next Chapter that the heart of the wise Prouer. 16. 23. guideth his mouth wisely and addeth Doctrine to his lips And Dauid directed before by the spirit that Salomon was after did fore-testifie the same which Salomon hath afterwards confirmed The mouth of the righteous saith hee will meditate of Psal 37. 30. wisdome that is vtter wisdome premeditated And his tongue will talke of iudgement When Hannah would free herselfe to Eli from the imputation of drunkennesse or other crimes she hath this to say for herselfe that out of the abundance of 2. Sam. 1. 16. her meditations and griefe she had spoken Reasons 1 First it is not easie on the sudden to apprehend the right because errour at the first ken standeth vsually in mens light and hindreth them from seeing the truth whereof they may better informe themselues by serious deliberation How was Eli deceiued in his swift censuring of Hannah How was Ioshua with the Elders of Israel ouerseene in making a league with the Gibeonites And how did Nathan mistake the matter when he would haue had Dauid gone in hand with the building of the Temple Secondly when the minde hath time and liberty to ponder vpon and will to weigh the point to bee spoken vnto it findeth out good arguments for good causes and digesteth the same in so apt a manner as may best perswade the hearts of the hearers Thirdly a meditating hart affecteth it selfe with that which it prouideth for others to heare and such men speake not alone truly and pertinently but faithfully also and conscionably their soule hauing first feeling of that within which after their mouthes are to deliuer out Vse 1 Instruction for euery man to looke to his lips that no words issue out thereat but by warrant from the heart that they examine all that is about to be said whether it hath beene aduisedly considered of by the minde By this meanes they may bee profitable for the edification of their brethren without it they will bee infectious and hurtfull By this they may bee seruiceable to God without it they are rebellious and froward By this they may know and declare themselues to be righteous men and without it they shew themselues wicked and sinfull Neither is it enough to begin our meditations when wee should enter into our speech but to bee alwaies well stored therewith for all occasions as good housholders haue their victuals in a readinesse and not then to bee prouided when their guests are sitting downe at the table Reproofe of such as neuer set their hearts to study for any sound or fruitful matter no not then when they are to speake to God himselfe by praier of thanksgiuing nor with any vprightnesse when they are to speake from God in the ministerie of his word Nay rather the hearts of many doe study how to whet their tongues and open their mouthes wide to vomit out most pestilent venome and poison Verse 29. The Lord is farre off from the wicked but hee heareth the praier of the righteous THE Lord is farre off from the wicked Hee is neere vnto them in his essence whereby he filleth heauen and earth and in his presence whereby hee beholdeth their hearts and all their waies and in his iustice being at hand to punish them But he is farre off in respect of his fauour and helpe yea euen then when they pray vnto him in their manner so that they get no more good thereby than if they should call vpon one that is in another Countrey Vpon which occasion the Prophet exhorteth men to seeke the Lord while hee may bee Isa 55. 6. found and to call vpon him while he is neere The cause thereof may be gathered out of the eighth verse of this Chapter where the Sacrifice of the wicked is said to be abomination to the Lord. Who