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
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
life also their strength is his and so is their breath and therefore they shall neither be able to doe ought that hee resisteth nor vnable to doe any thing that hee appointeth It is said that Herod and Pilate with the Gentiles and people of Israel came together Act. 4. 28. to doe whatsoeuer his hand and counsell had determined before to be done Thirdly as all men are made for his glory so all their waies doe tend thereunto though not in their purpose yet by his prouidence and therefore he doth accordingly direct them for the same end Vse 1 Instruction that sithence hee doth direct our actions by his prouidence wee pray him also to guide our hearts by his grace and cause vs to purpose that which he doth approoue of that wee may be assisted by his power for the good effect of our enterprises And if wee finde good successe in our affaires according as we wish let him haue the praise thereof for making vs to prosper If we see our selues crossed therein that we cannot accomplish our desires wee acknowledge his righteous hand in the same and submit our wils vnto his most holy wisdome And this may yet further be a forcible motiue to make vs more depend vpon him than on any one or all men beside If they shew loue and kindnesse vnto vs the principall praise and thankes belongeth to him If wee finde hard intreatie at their hands there is due cause of humilitie and patience because hee hath iustly stirred them vp to afflict vs. Consolation for the people of God which desire to walke in the waies of his word for they shal neuer want the guidance of his spirit A promise is made to them for their good prosperitie and it is in his hand to conduct them to it and as easie for him to effect it as to speake it And because the wicked are continually practising against the godly innumerable plots being cast for their ruine and destruction this is our comfort concerning our safety that whatsoeuer God hath purposed in mercy for our good shall take place and nothing that they haue concluded in mischiefe for our hurt shall preuaile The Lord breaketh the counsell of the Heathen Psal 33. 10. saith the Scripture and bringeth to nought the deuises of the people The counsell of the Lord shall stand for euer and the thoughts of his heart thorowout all ages Verse 10. A sage sentence should be in the lips of the King his mouth should not transgresse in iudgement A Sage sentence The word signifieth a diuination being vsed very often in the euill part for the predictions of the Soothsayers and Astrologers and so is forbidden in the Law Deut. 18. 10. And sometimes in good part as Isa 3. 2. The Lord will take from Hierusalem the strong man and the man of warre the Iudge and the Prophet the Diuiner or prudent man who by obseruation of causes can foresee what effects are like to follow and the aged And in Micah 3. 6. there is a threatning that night and darknesse meaning Gods iudgements vpon their mindes or bodies or both shall keepe them from vision and diuination And so heere it is prescribed as the Kings dutie and commended as his vertue and not reprooued as his fault And heereby is intimated that a wise equall manner of proceeding in all causes should bee in the lips of the King in the words and sayings of the Ruler and soueraigne Gouernour and of the subordinate Magistrates vnder him who are deputed to supply his place for him his mouth should not transgresse in iudgement neither he nor they ought to passe or award any vniust sentence or otherwise vtter vnrighteous speeches but deale vprightly towards euery man in euerie matter Doct. They that be in great authoritie haue need to be well furnished with wisdome and iustice The praier which Salomon made to God at the beginning of his raigne doth argue that he knew both these graces to be necessarie for him Giue saith he to thy seruant an vnderstanding 1. King 3. 9. heart to iudge thy people that I may discerne betweene good and euill Now that which hee asked God was well pleased to grant and that end which he proposed God also much respected that he would therefore hee did afterwards in the case of the two victualing women or harlots about the childe And it is said that al Israel heard the iudgement and saw the wisdome 1 King 3. 28. of God to be in him to doe iustice Reason 1 First the Magistrate is made the Lords Lieuetenant and Deputie he ruleth for him and occupieth his place and therefore must not onely approoue himselfe to his presence but endeuour so to proceed as he verily thinketh God himselfe would if he were personally in the same case there and then to sit vpon the same causes This was the ground of Iehoshaphats admonition to his Iudges whereby he perswaded them to be faithfull in the execution of their offices Take heed saith he what yee doe for 2 Chron. â—â— 6 7. yee execute not the iudgements of man but of the Lord and he will bee with you in the cause and iudgement Wherefore now let the feare of the Lord be vpon you take heed and doe it for there is no iniquitie with the Lord our God neither respect of persons nor receiuing of rewards Secondly the subiects ruled are also the Lords subiects sheepe and people as Salomon confessed in his praier before mentioned God is the master and owner of the flocke the Prince his principall shepheard and next vnto him and the subordinate Ministers of iustice inferiour shepheards vnder the Prince Thirdly where the Magistrate faileth of vpright dealing much mischiefe ariseth both to the innocent in regard of his state and bodie and to the offender in regard of his soule and conscience and to the Common-weale in regard of the manifold euils that ensue vpon vniustice all which for the most part are preuented or healed by the wisdome and faithfulnesse of righteous Gouernours Vse 1 Instruction to all that haue authoritie committed vnto them or are like heereafter to beare rule ouer others so to store their mindes with knowledge that their lips may speake not only equally but admirablie and diuinely and to bee as farre before other men in wisdome and vnderstanding as they are aboue them in place and dignitie These two vertues comoined and seasoned with pietie and godlinesse will adde daily increase of honour to them that are most honourable and excellent And as they are much behoouefull for their reputation so are they very necessarie for their consciences because they must yeeld an account to God of the manner of their administration and gouernment In which respect euery sentence which they passe and euery worke of their office which they performe doth more neerely concerne themselues than the parties whose causes they deale in If they doe iustice and decree that which is right they shall haue praise for
suretiship before his friend A Man void of vnderstanding An vndiscreet and foolish person clappeth the hand giueth his word for another mans debt and confirmeth the same by giuing his hand or writing or other meanes such as whereby a promise is ratified taking vpon him suretiship before his friend voluntarilie rashly and vnaduisedly being ready to offer himselfe to this burden before he be intreated thereunto See Chap. 11. verse 15. Verse 19. He that loueth strife loueth transgression and hee enlargeth his gate that seeketh a breach HE that loueth strife which is not vpon necessitie drawen into contentions nor through infirmitie sometimes falleth thereinto but taketh delight in brawles and controuersies loueth transgressions is surely a wicked man and taketh pleasure in sinne which is the cause of his vnquietnes and likewise procureth many euils to ensue vpon debate and variance which are the effects of his turbulent humour and he inlargeth his gate that seeketh a breach he that picketh quarrels and is desirous to fall out with men with whom before he was at agreement setteth open a wide doore to let in many mischiefes See verse 14. Verse 20. Hee that hath a froward heart shall not finde good and he that is peruerse in his tongue shall fall into euill HE that hath a froward heart which is not only misled by ignorance or subiect to faults by frailtie or ouertaken at some times by passions but is giuen to be wilfull and stubborne his soule is in the power of frowardnesse shall not finde good shall obtaine no fauour or blessing from God but iudgements and curses rather both for his euerlasting state and for his present condition howsoeuer hee may seeme to possesse many earthly commodities and hee that is peruerse in his tongue which abuseth his tongue to swearing lying flattering railing filthinesse or any other leaud speaking shall fall into euill shall feele and finde in the end some heauie stroke of God to light vpon him See the danger of frowardnesse Chap. 11. verse 20. where the froward of heart are said to be abomination to the Lord and Chap. 12. vers 8. where he that is froward in heart is threatned to bee despised And the danger that commeth by an euill tongue shall be shewed in the next Chapter verse 7. Verse 21. He that begetteth a foole begetteth him to his owne sorrow and the father of a foole shall haue no ioy HE that begetteth a foole The parents of those children which are destitute of wisdome and grace begetteth him to his owne sorrow procure to themselues matter of griefe in the very generation of an vngracious seed but feele the bitternesse of it when they finde the frowardnesse and rebellion and it may be the miserie and euill end of such sinfull sons and the father of a foole shall haue no ioy His meaning is not that they which haue wicked children are without all comfort for then the best men as Abraham Isaac Iacob Dauid and other excellent persons should haue beene altogether comfortlesse hauing godlesse sonnes as well as godly but they can haue no reioicing in such a wicked progenie so long as they continue in their impietie and follie See Chap. 10. verse 1. Verse 22. A ioifull heart causeth good health but a sorrowfull minde drieth vp the bones A Ioifull heart especially that which is refreshed and made merrie with godly ioy causeth health is many times as good as physicke and wholesome medicines for the restoring of health to weake bodies and keepeth the healthie in very good temper by a certaine vitall vigour which it conueieth into them but a sorrowfull minde an heauie spirit which is cast downe without iust cause or beyond iust measure drieth vp the bones causeth the body to be out of tune and greatly diseased by consuming the radicall moisture and filleth the bones with aches and wasteth the marrow that is in them See Chap. 13. verse 13. Verse 23. A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosome to peruert the waies of iustice A Wicked man Both the partie that hath the bad cause and standeth in it and the vniust Iudge or other corrupt Officer that will be induced to doe wrong taketh a gift which the one hath prepared to giue and the other knoweth to be brought out of the bosome closely and priuily that others discerne it not to peruert the waies of iustice to ouerthrow the right and stop the course of Law wherein as in broad and high waies the Magistrate should walke without all partialitie The force of gifts and bribes hath alreadie beene declared verse 8. Verse 24. Wisdome is in the face of him that hath vnderstanding but the eies of a foole are in the ends of the earth WIsdome is in the face of him that hath vnderstanding the modest lightsome and amiable countenance of a discreet and vertuous person and especially the staiednesse of his eies declareth and publisheth him to be wise but the eies of a foole are in the ends of the earth his lookes and countenance bewray and discouer the leaudnesse follie and sottishnesse that is within him and namely the inconstancie or wandring of his eies rouing hither and thither as if he would looke from one side of the land to the other Doct. A gracious heart will shew it selfe in a seemely countenance The sinne of the soule doth marre the face and maketh them that are faire to appeare ill-fauoured and the sinceritie of the conscience doth beautifie the countenance and cause them that are deformed to looke pleasantly Which Salomon the Writer of this booke doth testifie in his other booke of Ecclesiastes The wisdome of a man doth make his face to shine Eccl. 8. 1 and the strength of the face shall be doubled It is noted of Steuen that euen when he was in the hands of his aduersaries and his aduersaries were in hand to take away his life there was a maiestie in his countenance before all the Councell that looked stedfastly vpon him they saw his face as it Act. 6. 15. had beene the face of an Angell Reason 1 First godly wisdome maketh the heart good and a good heart maketh a cheereful countenance as was before shewed Chap. 15. verse 13. Secondly it freeth men from the force and violence of lust pride passion and guiltinesse which distemper the heart and disfigure the face as was to bee seene in the wrath of that cursed caitiffe Cain Vse 1 Instruction so to gouerne all our affections that euerie one of them doe grace our presence and cause our faces well to become vs. Sometimes wee shall be occasioned to anger and displeasure sometimes to mirth and cheerefulnesse sometimes to sorrow and sadnesse sometimes we shall conuerse with many publikely sometimes with fewer priuately in all those cases let vs so demeane our selues before them that shall behold vs that they may see grauitie and moderation with such gestures lookes and behauiour as well beseemeth the sonnes of wisdome Fiercenesse frowning lowring