he may haue his desire satisfied in obtaining holie and heauenlie wisedome Di. Di. 1 THis Chapter may bee diuided into three parts The first reacheth from vers 1. to the end of the 8. wherein he speaketh of the desire of wisedom of the foolish and wicked man of wise words of respect of persons of the words of fooles and tale bearers and the hurt which commeth by them Di. 2 both The second reacheth from verse 9. to the ende of the 16. wherein he speaketh of the slothfull person of Gods power of riches of pride and humilitie of hastie answers of the griefe of bodie and soule of paines to get Di. 3 wisedome and of the power and force of gifts or rewards The third reacheth from verse 17. to the end of the Chapter wherein he speaketh of the first complainer of the vse of the lot of the wrath of brethren of good words and speaches of a good wife of the poore and rich and of a true frend or brother Se. Vers 1. FOr the desire thereof i. for the earnest affection that hee hath to obteyne holy and heauenly wisdome hee i. a good man will seperate himselfe vz. from all that hee hath that may let him to seeke it i. to the end hee may seeke and finde it see Matth. 13.44 45 46. and occupie himselfe i. he will carefullie imploy himselfe and diligentlie also in all wisdome i. in wisdome it selfe and in all the meanes whereby hee may growe and increase in the same others I knowe reade it otherwise and giue anosense but me thinketh this is plaine inough Vers 2. A foole hath no delight vz. at all in vnderstanding i. either in the thing it selfe or in the meanes whereby it may be obteyned but vz. his delite is that his heart i. the things that be in his heart may be discouered vz. to other men and that by his vaine babbling and speaking of euerie thing that commeth into his mind q.d. he is onely delighted with his owne follie which he laboreth to publish and make knowne to all men Verse 3. When the wicked commeth i. wheresoeuer there is a wicked man then commeth vz. with him i. there is contempt vz. of other men hee meaneth that this is proper to the wicked and is as it were his inseperable companion to despise others and with the vile man vz. there is alwaies reproach i. disdainefull vttering of reproches against others I denie not but that this verse may be taken as though God should punish the wicked and vile men with contempt and reproach but the other sense in my iudgement is more simple and plaine Vers 4. The words of a mans mouth i. such words and speaches as proceed from a wise mans mouth are like deepe waters vz. which cannot be drawne emptie neither can a man come to the bottome of them so the wisdome and learning of a wise man neuer ceaseth but the more he vttereth the more he may and the welspring of wisdome i. the great plentie and abundance he hath of it meaning hereby also the wise mans mouth powring it out and largely communicating it to others is like a flowing riuer i. is like to a riuer that floweth continuallie hee meaneth by these Metaphors and similitudes that there is neuer scarsitie of wisdome in him Vers 5. It is not good i. it is verie euill and hurtfull as chap. 17.26 to accept i. to regard or looke vpon the person of the wicked i. any thing in him at all as his authoritie wit words giftes c see this forbidden Deutero 1.17 to cause vz. thereby the righteous to fall i. to bee ouerthrowne in iudgement i. where iudgement is to be pronounced This belongeth to Iudges and Magistrates who are many times so moued with the power c. of the wicked that the iust and porer sorte come to ruine thereby which fault should bee corrected Vers 6. A fooles lippes i. the wordes which a foole vttereth with his lippes commeth with strife i. haue alwaies strife annexed vnto them as an inseperable companion and are mingled altogether with contentions and his mouth i. the wordes which hee speaketh with his mouth calleth for stripes vz. to bee layde vppon him for his follie meaning that his owne wordes are meanes to hurte himselfe Verse 7. A fooles mouth i. words spoken with his mouth is his owne destruction i. bring hurt and destruction vnto himselfe and his lippes i. speaches vttered with his lippes are a snare for his soule i. are instruments and meanes to bring him within the danger of the losse of his life see chap. 10.14 also chap. 13.3 Vers 8. The words of a talebearer vz. which he vttereth to some against other some are as flatterings i. they seeme pleasant and sweete yea to be more gentle than oyle or butter see Psal 55.21 and i. but for all that or els thus and vz. yet notwithstanding they go downe into the bowells of the bellie i. into the bowels which are within the bellie meaning that they wound euen the verie entrailes which being once perished there is no hope of life and therefore it is as much q.d. they wound men most grieuouslie yea deadlie Vers 9. Hee also vz. as well as the talebearer is to be misliked that is slothfull i. giuen to idlenes and loytering in his worke i. in dooing the thing he is set about and should indeed performe is euen the brother of him that is a great waster vz. of the things which he hath he meaneth that he is cosin german as it were with the prodigall person because looke what the one looseth by superfluitie and ryot the other forgoeth thorow sloth and idlenes Vers 10. The name of the Lord i. his Maiestie goodnes and power as sundry times in the Psalmes and namelie Psalme 20.1 is a strong tower vz. to all such as stedfastly trust therein meaning by strong tower a mightie defence to shielde him and to keepe him safe from all the dangers of such as would anoye him see Psal 61.3 the righteous vz. at all times but speciallie in the dayes of his distresse runneth vz. with all possible hast and speed vnto it i. to this assured tower of Gods strength might power goodnes c. and is exalted i. lifted vp vz. into a high place where hee shall be safe and sound from the attemptes of all his enemies Vers 11. The rich mans riches i. the riches which he presentlie possesseth are his strong citie i. hee maketh them vnto himselfe a defence against all attemptes and assaultes made against him see before Chap. 10.15 and as an hie wall in his imagination i. hee fondlie imagineth that they are sufficiently able not onely to keepe him from the violence of men but also to shield him and couer him so that neyther God nor man shall behold his leudnes Vers 12. Before destruction i. before the calamitie fall or hurt of any man come the heart of a man is hautie i. a man himselfe is proude and
himselfe could well wish and desire and thy hope shall not be cut off see Chap. 23.18 These two verses may be resolued by a similitude thus as honie is both profitable and pleasant to them that haue it and vse it so is heauenly wisdome though perhaps it seeme not so at the first Vers 15. Lay not waite i. deale not subtillie nor craftely O wicked man vz. whosoeuer thou art against the house of the righteous i. against himselfe or any thing appertayning vnto him and spoyle not vz. by might and crueltie his resting place i. the things that apperteyne vnto him one that is his house being put for all So hee forbiddeth two meanes whereby the wicked molest the good the one is fraude or crafte the other is force or might Vers 16. For this is a reason why he should ceafe from working iniurie a iust man falleth vz. into dangers and distresses and that many times by meanes that wicked men procure against them seauen times i. many and sundrie times a number certeine for an vncertaine Psalm 119.164 and riseth vz. thorowe the ayde strength and fauor of God againe vz. out of those dangers and euills q.d. though thou mayst be incouraged to tread him downe thorowe his often calamities yet knowe that the Lord will rayse him vp for which see Psalm 34.19 And for the number of seauen see Iob. 5.19 Vers 17. Be not thou glad vz. in thy heart neither yet declare any such thing by any outward shewe when thine enemie falleth vz. into calamitie and miserie as vers 16. of this Chap. and let not thine heart reioyce i. be not so much as inwardlie ioyfull when he stumbleth vz. at any thing or any manner of waye and so commeth into miserie he forbiddeth men to reioyce at the distresse of their foes yea though that they iustlie suffer or haue deserued the same by some one meanes or other Vers 18. Least this is not spoken as though he doubted whether God sawe it or no but here he speaketh of GOD according to the manner of men see for the same word Malach. 4.6 and it is rather a particle of threatning here and there also than of doubting the Lord see it i. thy hard hartednes and wickednes and it displease him vz. greatlie yea so much that he turne his wrath from him vz. that is afflicted and distressed and powre it foorth vpon thee And this is a reason why men should not reioyce in other mens miseries because it is the next way to pull miserie vpon themselues Vers 19. Fret not thy selfe i. be not angrie or greeued in thy selfe because of the malicious vz. men that is because they either florish and prosper or els in the malice of their hearts attempt hard things against thee neither bee enuious at the wicked see before Chap. 23.17 also vers 1. of this Chap. Vers 20. For there shall be no end of plagues to the wicked man i. he shall bee as it were by one plague in anothers necke punished in this life and if he escape them yet shall he be punished eternallie in the life to come and the light of the wicked shall be put ott i. both his felicitie and whole life shall be voide of all glorious remembrance see Chap. 13.9 Vers 21. My sonne see Chap. 1.8 10. feare vz. withall thine heart and that with the reuerence and feare of children the Lord vz. thy God who is iust and powerfull and the King vz. who is his substitute and deputie hée setteth God before magistrates because in God and for God they must bee feared and obeyed see 1. Peter 2.17 and meddle out vz. at any hand q.d. haue nothing at al to doo with them that are seditious the worde signifieth such as varie vz. from the commandements of God and the kings commandements a greeing therewith Vers 22. For a reason of the premisses taken from the sodaine and continuall euill that shall fall vpon such people their destruction i. destruction layde vppon them from the Lorde shall rise vz. vp against them sodainely i. when they thinke least of it 1. Thessal 5.3 and who vz. amongst men knoweth the ruine i. the great and horrible destruction for so much I suppose the manner of propounding it in a demand importeth of them both i. that shall fal vpon those two sortes of men mentioned vers 19.20 21. of this Chapter Vers 23. Also these things vz. either following or going before or both of them pertaine to the wise vz. to know and vnderstand them It is not good i. it is euill and hurtefull as sundrie times before and namely Chapter 17.26 Chap. 18.5 to haue respect of any person vz. of what state or condition soeuer he be whether poore or rich good or badde in iudgement i. in the place of publike iudgement or in pronouncing of sentence see Chap. 18.5 also Deutero 1.17 q.d. it is a very euill thing to looke vpon any mans person the thing that is to be regarded is the matter and not the man and accordingly must the magistrate proceede either in iustifying or cōdemming Vers 24. He vz. whosoeuer he be that sayeth vz. in good earnest to the wicked vz. man thou art righteous i. thou art a good man mainteynest a good cause him shall the people curse i. either they haue a good cause so to doo or els in the frowardnes of their owne hearts shall doo it not allowing hereby cursing of others which is condemned Rom. 12.14 but shewing that such mens wicked dealings prouoketh other men to great extremitie also and the multitude vz. of men and people shall abhorre him i. loth and detest him as a leude and euill man see Prouerb 17.15 also Isaiah 5.20 23. Vers 25. But to them vz. whether they be priuate men or magistrates but specially magistrates for of them hee seemeth to speake in this place that rebuke vz. sharpely and according to the notoriousnes of the fault him i. the wicked and the vngodly person shall be pleasure i. great store abundance of pleasant and good things yea euen from the Lord and vpon them shall come vz. without all fayle and most assuredlie the blessings of goodnes i. good and gracious blessings Some vnderstand it thus as though al good mē should blesse that is not onely speak well of but pray for and wish all good things to bee bestowed vpon them Vers 26. They i. the people shall kisse the lippes of him i. both loue and reuerence him hee putteth the signe for the thing it selfe see 1 Samuel 10.1 1. King 19.18 Psalm 2.12 and Hosea 13.2 that answereth i. speaketh as Matt. 11.25 vpright wordes vz. in iudgement meaning also hereby iudging iustly Vers 27. Prepare thy worke without i. haue an eye to those things of thine that are abroad as corne cattell c. and make readie vz. with what speede conueniently thou mayest thy things in the field i. such things as thou hast abroad and after i. when thou hast performed
more than he hath and will not seeke by any vnlawfull meanes to get money shall prolong his dayes vz. vppon the earth before men for I take it to bee but the promise of a temporall blessing Vers 17. A man that dooth violence against the blood of a person i. hee that in rage and violence doth shed mans blood or take away his life shall flie vnto the graue i. shall make haste vnto destruction because all meanes that hee looked and hoped for shal fatle him and they i. neither men nor meanes which he reposed some confidence in shall not stay him i. shall not bee able to staye him or deliuer him from death and destruction q.d. it shall so fall out that the murtherer thinketh himselfe in no place safe and flying from place to place as Caine saith of himselfe according to Gods iudgement pronounced before Genes 4.12 14. shall fall into such great danger as none shall haue either abilitie or will to deliuer him there from see Genesis 9.6 Exodus 21.14 Vers 18. He that walketh vprightly i. he that leadeth a godlie and iust conuersation see Chap. 10.9 Also verse 6. of this Chap. shall be saued vz. not onely from hurt and danger in this life according to Gods good pleasure but brought at the end to eternal saluation but he that is froward in his waies i. leadeth a peruerse and dissolute life both towards God and men shall once vz. at the last though presently he seeme to stand strongly fall vz. into Gods most horrible and fearefull iudgements see 1. Cor. 10.12 Also Hebr. 10.31 Vers 19. He that tilleth his land i. painfully trauaileth in the vpholding and maintenance of the things wherewith God hath blessed him vnder one kind comprehending all the rest shall be satisfied with bread i. shall haue abundance of all necessarie and good things see Chap. 12.11 but he that followeth the idle vz. in their idlenes and is idle as they are shall be filled with pouertie i. shall bee most poore and miserable for beggerie is the end of idlenes Chap. 23.21 Also Chap. 24.34 Vers 20. A faithfull man i. he that dealeth vprightly and soundly with men deceiuing none which may appeare because in the Hebrue text he calleth him a man of faithfulnesse shall abound in blessings vz. both from God and man q.d. All men shall wish him good and speake well of him and he shall be blessed also of the Lord and I would rather turne it but he that maketh hast to be rich vz. not respecting whether it be by right or by wrong so he haue it but dealing vnfaithfully with men shall not bee innocent i. shall not bee counted cléere nor escape punishment before God and good men for this phrase see Chapter 6.29 For making hast to be rich see Chapter 20.21 Vers 21. To haue respect of persons vz. in iudgement as to regard a great man and to despise a poore man is not good i. it is hurtfull and euill not onlie to the partie vsing it but to the man that thereby is iniured and wronged yea to the partie that hath that fauour shewed him because he is flattered as though he had a good cause when indeed he maintaineth a bad one see chap. 24.23 for that man vz. that so respecteth or regardeth mens persons will transgresse vz. Gods lawe and mans lawe by peruerting iudgement for a peece of bread i. for a very small matter or a thing of no importance for this phrase see Chap. 6.26 Vers 22. A man with a wicked eye i. that hath a wicked eye meaning thereby a miserable niggardly and couetous person as Chap. 23.6 hasteth to riches i. maketh hast to be rich which how dangerous a thing it is see before verse 20. of this Chap. and knoweth not that pouertie shall come vpon him vz. sodainly and or euer he looke for it so doth God dispose of mens purposes and practises Vers 23. He that rebuketh a man vz. vpon iust cause and in the spirit of loue and méekenes shall finde more fauour vz. of him which is so rebuked at the length q.d. though at the first the one seeme to be displeased the other to get no good than he that flattereth vz. another man with his tongue i. with his speach and words vttered with his tongue Some reade it otherwise and giue another sense but this is as good and plaine in my minde if not better Ver. 24. He that robbeth his father and mother i. spoyleth them of the goods and things they haue and saith vz. either within himselfe or to others it is no transgression vz. against God or man is the companion of a man that destroyeth vz. himselfe or others q.d. he is to be reckoned with a murtherer And the holie ghost doth not onely speake this as though hée would haue men so to esteeme of such prodigall and wastfull children who if they could tarie the Lords leisure should bee heires of their fathers goods but that hée would also haue Magistrates to punish them for it q.d. a stubborne childe that ryotously consumeth his fathers goods and scorneth at the admonition of his parents should as well be punished by death as a man murtherer see Deut. 21.18 19 c. Vers 25. He that is of a proude heart vz. either against GOD or man trusting in himselfe and not in the Lord stirreth vp strife vz. amongst others and that to his owne hurt but he that trusteth vz. stedfastly and vnfeignedly in the Lord vz. onely shall be fat i. shall bee abounding with all manner of blessings from the Lord see Chap. 11. verse 25. and the text according to the Hebrue set in the margine Ver. 26. He that trusteth in his owne heart i. in himselfe or any thing belonging vnto him is a foole i. a wicked man and therefore cannot chuse but perish but he that walketh in wisedome i. wisely q.d. he that prudently behaueth himselfe and continually hearkeneth to the counsell and precepts of wisedome following the same and not his owne minde and fond perswasion leaning vpon himselfe onely shall be deliuered vz. through Gods goodnes and that from manifest and manifold euills Vers 27. He that giueth vz. liberallie willinglie and freelie vnto the poore i. to such as are in néede and distresse shall not lacke vz. any thing that God shall see to be good and méete for him but he that hideth his eyes vz. from the poore or beholding of their miserie meaning hereby he that wanteth compassion towards them shall haue many curses vz. laied vpon him from God and become himselfe most miserable and needie He meaneth not that the people should curse him as though that were allowable in them but that God should pursue him with most grieuous plagues Vers 28. When the wicked rise vp vz. to honor and are exalted to gouernment men hide themselues vz. euen for feare q.d. there is great occasion giuen of feare and trembling but when they perish i. when the wicked and vngodly
righteous shall continuallie enioy felicitie glorie life gladnes c. see Psalme 97.11 but the candle of the wicked shall be put out i. that little estate of felicitie and prosperitie which they seeme to haue in this life shall sodainlie vanish away q.d. there is as great difference betweene the ioyes of the good and the bad both in respect of the greatnes and continuance thereof as is betwéene the Sunne and a candle and their seuerall lights and continuance see Chapt. 4.18 19. Vers 10. Only by pride i. through pride of heart meaning vnder the word only that pride is not the only cause of contention but one of the chiefest for many times men braule euen of peruersnes and of fond emulation and enuie against other doth man i. doo men for he speaketh of them all as though they were but one make contention i. stirre vp strife one of them with another but with the well aduised i. with such as both can giue good counsell and will humblie hearken to other mens good speaches is wisedome vz. to take heede that they kindle not strife or foster contention Vers 11. The riches of vanitie i. after some vaine riches which are so called because they vanish away but I suppose that he meaneth such riches as are gotten by any vaine false or vngodlie way whatsoeuer shall diminish vz. certainlie meaning that indeede they should bee brought to nothing and consumed but he that gathereth vz. riches and goods with the hand i. with the labour of his owne hands shall increase them vz. through Gods especiall blessing for otherwise it cannot bee see Chapt. 10.2 4. Also Chapt. 12.24 His purpose is to commend diligence and to teach men to auoide idlenes craft and whatsoeuer els Vers 12. The hope that is deferred i. the thing hoped for if it be put off from time to time and not quicklie performed is the fainting of the heart i. it maketh a mans minde to faint and quaile but when the desire i. the thing desired wished and looked for commeth vz. vnto men i. is granted them it is as a tree of life i. it is a most sweete and pleasant thing and as a man would say a very proper and healthfull medicine for a minde that languisheth in lusting and desiring see Chapt. 3.18 Vers 13. He that despiseth the word vz. of almightie God or the good word of exhortation drawne from the same he shall be destroyed vz. certainly and assuredly through the iust iudgement and vengeance of GOD vppon him but he that feareth the commandement vz. of GOD vnderstanding by feare an humble reuerence and loue and by one commandement all commandements of God whatsoeuer yea euen the whole lawe he shall be rewarded vz. from the Lord neither can the Papistes gather neither neede any man feare out of this merites because there is a great difference betwixt desert and reward Vers 14. The instruction of a wise man i. such holie and wise instructions as hée giueth is as the welspring of life i. is not onely plentifull of good thinges but also bringeth with it both to himselfe and those whome he instructeth life in this life and afterwards eternall life see chap. 10. vers 11. to turne away vz. men q.d. it serueth also to this ende for this is added for the more plaine and full declaration of the matter from the snares of death i. from such snares as if men be caught therewith kill them he meaneth specially sinnes which bring with them eternall death Vers 15. Good vnderstanding vz. of such things as God hath manifested vnto vs in his worde vnderstanding also hereby good wit holy wisedome and the gift wisely and learnedly to vtter good things maketh vz. men that haue it acceptable vz. both before God and men see chap. 3.4 but the way of the disobedient i. their order of life and course of conuersation is hated vz. both of God and also of good men Vers 16. Euerie wise man i. euery one that is truely wise will work vz. the things that he doth by knowledge i. sound and right knowledge q.d. whatsoeuer he doth he will doo it with wisedome and iudgement and not rashly but a foole will spread abroad i. bewray and publish folly i. his owne folly see chap. 12.23 Vers 17. A wicked messenger i. an vnfaithfull one and such a one as dooth not truely execute his message or charge falleth vz. many times thorowe Gods iust iudgements and that or euer he thinketh of it into euill i. into affliction sorrowe grief and punishment and so hurting himself also smarteth iustly for his vnfaithfulnes but a faithfull Ambassador i. hee that faithfully performeth his charge is preseruation vz. to himselfe to him or them that send him and to those also for whose cause he is sent Vers 18. Pouertie and shame vz. from God but yet in the presence of men is to him vz. whosoeuer he bee that refuseth instruction vz. of goodnes q.d. he that will not regarde good and holy counsell shall fall into beggery and be made a shame amongst men but he that regardeth correction vz. to followe it and to become the better by it shall be honored i. he shall florish with riches and honor and be accepted both of God and men Vers 19. A desire i. the thinge desired as vers 12. of this chap. accomplished vz. by good and holy meanes for here he speaketh of the desiring of good things and the lawfull accomplishment thereof delighteth vz. very greatly the soule i. the party wishing or desiring the same one parte put for the whole and yet hee dooth not without cause make mention of the soule because in it is the quality or faculty of desiring but it is an abhomination vnto fooles i. a lothsome and tedious thing yea such a matter as their affection dooth vtterly abhorre to departe from euill i. from that euill whereunto they are naturally giuen and which they foster and feede in themselues thorowe a vaine pleasure and delight in the same Vers 20. He that walketh with the wise i. is conuersant and familiarly acquainted with wise persons shall be wise i. thorowe Gods blessing shall become wise by meanes of wise speeches and talkes that shal passe from them but a companion of fooles i. he that ioyneth himselfe in society and fellowship with the wicked shall bee afflicted vz. euen as they themselues either because he committeth sinne with them or consenteth to euill as Rom. 1.13 Vers 21. Affliction i. punishment and vengeance sent from the Lord followeth vz. euen as the shadowe doth the body meaning also that it dooth euen pursue them so egerly that it leaueth them not till they be vtterly destroyed sinners i. peruerse and obstinate sinners see chap. 11.31 but vnto the righteous God will recompence vz. of his large liberality and goodnes good i. all good things for this life and the life to come Vers 22. The good man shall giue i. leaue behind him inheritance i. goodes and lands to
vz. moderately and with good discretion thy sonne i. thy child as sundrie times before while there is hope vz. that thy correction will amend him and doo him good meaning while hee is yong for if he growe to a head of stubbornes it will be a hard matter to reforme him and let not thy soule i. thy fatherly affection and pittie which are called the soule because they haue their seate in the soule spare vz. him or correcting of him so it be done as before is prescribed for his murmering vz. against thée q.d. though hee murmur and grudge yet forbeare not to correct him when he deserueth the same Vers 19. A man of much anger i. he that is oftentimes angrie shall suffer punishment vz. either publikely or priuatly for the transgressions which his wrath causeth him to commit and though thou i. any man deliuer him vz. by good perswasion from committing euill or by intreatie and sute set him frée from the hand of the Magistrate yet will his anger come againe q.d. he will be little or no whit at al the better but fall to his rage wrath againe Other men read it otherwise and giue other senses but me thinketh this is plaine Vers 20. Heare vz. diligentlie and carefullie counsell i. good counsell giuen thee and receaue whilst thou mayest haue it instruction◠vz. in the waies and trueth of the Lord that thou maist be wise i. atteyne wisdome in thy latter end vz. when thou art ready to departe from the world and goe to GOD not but that he would haue him to be wise before also but to note that then heauenly wisdome shall stand him in best steed when he is to wrastle with death Vers 21. Many deuises are in a mans heart i. many men tosse many matters too and fro in their imaginations and yet bring them to no effect or issue but the counsell of the Lord i. whatsoeuer hee hath determined in his counsell shall stand vz. stedfast and sure both in the purpose and in the performance thereof hee mindeth to note the difference betweene Gods waies and works and mans Vers 22. That that is to be desired i. the thing that a man ought speciallie to desire and wish in this life is his goodnes i. that he deale religiously towards God and vprightly towards men and it may be turned for or but without any iniurie to the text a poore man vz. though he be neuer so poore if he be godly is better vz. by many degrées both before God and also in the iudgement of all goodmen not meaning hereby that a lyer being poore is good than a lyer i. than one that giueth himselfe to lying though he be neuer so rich Vers 23. The feare of the Lord i. a reuerence of his Maiestie ioyned with an vnfeyned loue thereof settled in mens hearts leadeth to life i. to a blessed life in this world and to eternall life in the world to come and hee that is filled therewith i. hee that hath receaued it fréely and plentifullie from the Lorde euery one according to his measure shall continue vz. safe sound and stedfast and shall not be visited with euill vz. to his hurt and destruction for his purpose is not here to exempt Gods children from chastisements and corrections Vers 24. The slothfull vz. man or person hideth his hand in his bosome vz. in the time of some great cold and will not put it to his mouth againe vz. that thereby he might feede himselfe q.d. he is so giuen to idlenes and sloth that euen when great neede and occasion requireth his labor for himselfe and his owne good he will not doo it much lesse would he performe it for others sée Chap. 26.15 Vers 25. Smite i. correct and chastise either by wordes or stripes see Chap. 17.26 a scorner i. one of whome there is no hope of amendment for a scorner is in the highest degrée of transgression Psal 1.1 and the foolish i. such as thorowe simplicitie and ignorance are caried forward to euill will beware vz. of the like fault for which thou smitest the scorner and reprooue the prudent vz. for some thing wherein hee hath sayd or done amisse and he i. the simple ignorant person will vz. in processe of time vnderstand i. atteyne to vnderstand by that meanes knowledge vz. of a better trade and course of life He sheweth that there are two waies to instruct simple ones the one is sharpe correction of the obstinate and the other is louing reproofe of the godly Vers 26. He that destroyeth his father vz. by bringing him to great losses and hinderances on the one side or by greeuing him thorowe leudnes on the other side or chaseth away his mother either out of the house wherein shee dwelleth or from his presence with his froward speach is a leud and shamefull childe i. is a very wicked fellowe and must looke for shame to fall vpon him and all manner of confusion Others reade it otherwise but the sense is all one vz. that wicked children waste many times thorowe their leudnes their fathers goods and so turne away their minds from them that they are glad when they are out of their sight Vers 27. My sonne see Chap. 1.10 and other places heare no more i. be so farre of from obeying that see thou heare not any longer the instruction that causeth to erre from the wordes of knowledge i. such instruction as carrieth thee away from the right way of holie wisedom q.d. applie thy selfe altogether to holie doctrine and therefore withdraw thy minde and thy thought from the vse or custome both of euill words and euil deeds Vers 28. A wicked witnes i. a corrupt and false witnes mocketh at iudgement i. maketh no more account eyther of right causes themselues or of Magistrates that are placed to execute iustice or of God himselfe that will punish false witnesses for so largely I suppose the worde iudgement may bee taken than of a iest or thing to bee laughed at and the mouth of the wicked i. the wicked and vngodly person himselfe and yet he mentioneth the mouth because of the Metaphor swalloweth vp following swalloweth vp vz. with great delight and pleasure as dronkards doo strong wine and gluttons delicate meates meaning also thereby the abundance of iniquitie which the vngodlie commit iniquitie vz. against God and men One readeth it thus so iniquitie swalloweth vp the mouth of the wicked q.d. in that wicked witnesses doo scorne iudgement they doo it euen of obstinacy and malice which doth wholy possesse them euen swallowe vp as it were all their words so that they can speake or vtter nothing but iniquitie An other sense also may be giuen as when our text sayth swallowe vp iniquitie it meaneth thereby hiding and couering of the same as meates and drinkes deuoured and swallowed vp are not seene q.d. with the color of their words and shewe of their reasons they indeuor to couer their iniquitie Vers 29. But q.d.
as it were the principall Chap. 14.4 he vnderstandeth all the rest because of winter i. because of the cold of winter meaning that euery little blast is as a meane strong enough to make him idle therefore i. for his idlenes sake shall he begge vz. of others in sommer i. in haruest time but haue nothing vz. giuen him he meaneth that the slothfull person shall fall to extreame pouertie and though he begge to get his liuing yet the bowels of compassion shall be shut vp against him Vers 5. The counsell in the heart of man i. the deuices purposes that a man thinketh vpon and tosseth too and fro in his vnderstanding is like deepe waters i. can either verie hardly or not at all be attained vnto q.d. mans thoughts are so déepe that no man knoweth them but the spirit of man which is in him 1. Cor. 2.11 but a man that hath vnderstanding i. he that is lightned from God by his word and spirit will drawe it out vz. by one meane or other as by demanding questions by obseruing diligently his gestures and behauiours c. Vers 6. Many men vz. that are in the world will boast vz. vaine-gloriouslie meaning that hee will to his owne glorie tell and set abroad euery one vz. of them of his owne goodnes i. either of the good things that be in him himselfe or of the kindnes and benefites that he hath performed towards others I incline to this latter but who vz. for all this boasting of theirs can finde vz. amongst them all a faithfull man i. such a one as either will performe the things he braggeth of or els do it without boasting And his propounding of it in the way of a question doth note how rare such men are to be found Vers 7. He that walketh i. leadeth a good and a holie life in his integritie i. in the soundnes and vprightnes that the Lord hath giuen him which is called his not because he hath it of himselfe but it is by God bestowed vpon him is iust vz. before God men before God because he is so accepted and before men because his conuersation is such as they cannot iustly reprooue it and blessed vz. from the Lord shall his children i. his posteritie be after him He meaneth that it shall not onely goe well with him himselfe whilest he liueth but with his posteritie also which is a common thing in Scripture to promise blessings to the iust and to their seede Exod. 20.6 Vers 8. A King vnder the chiefe he meaneth not him only but all inferiour Magistrates that sitteth vz. carefully and continuallie in the throne of iudgement i. in that place from whence iustice iudgement is pronounced meaning also hereby the execution of iustice and right chaseth away vz. quicklie and easilie all euill i. all manner of vice and corruption whatsoeuer with his eyes i. while he himselfe looketh into causes taketh knowledge thereof and giueth sentence according to right Vers 9. Who vz. amongst all men can say vz. iustly and truely I haue made mine heart cleane vz. from vnholie and vnhonest affections he beginneth with the heart because it is the fountaine from whence corruption floweth meaning by this interrogation that no man neither hath in himselfe power so to doo neither can rightly so say J am cleane from sinne vz. committed either in thought word or deed against God and men see 1. King 8.46 Ver. 10. Diuers weights vz. to buy and sell by as to buy by the more heauie and to sell by the more light and diuers measures vz. as one great and another little both these yea and all such kind of craftie and couetous dealing for vnder these two he comprehendeth all of the same sort see before Chap. 11. 1. Also Chap. 16.11 where you shall finde a reason why the Lord hateth them because he hath made them to be iust and vpright Vers 11. A child also It would bee better turned thus euen a child for otherwise that word also maketh it darke as though it were referred to somewhat before going is knowne vz. of men by his doings i. by the things he doth commit whether his worke i. the things that he doth one part for many bee pure and right vz. before God and man q.d. yong children doo by the manners and feates of their childhood many times bewray what course they will take afterwards in the rest of their life to come Ver. 12. The Lord vz. himselfe hath made vz. by his secret and almightie power both these vz. excellent parts and members of our bodies euen the eare to heare vz. his holie word and lawe and the eye to see vz. his great and wonderfull works q.d. it behoueth vs therefore rightly and well to vse them Ver. 13. Loue not sleepe vz. ouer much q.d. giue not thy selfe to ouer much sleepe His meaning is to turne men from slothfulnes which commonly causeth men to fall a sléepe Chap. 19. verse 15. Also Chap. 6.9.10 least thou come vnto pouertie vz. thereby A reason why he would not haue men to be idle because idlenes begetteth and bringeth foorth beggerie open thine eyes vz. to labour q.d. bée watchfull and diligently and carefully applie thy busines and thou shalt bee satisfied with bread vnder this phrase he meaneth that it shall go well with him and he shall haue plentie and abundance of all things necessarie for the maintenance of his life see Chap. 12.11 Ver. 14. It is naught it is naught i. it is starke naught or worth very little or nothing for so much doth the doubling of the word import as I take it saith the buyer vz. of any ware or marchandise but when he is gone a part vz. from him of whom he bought it he boasteth vz. of his good peniworths and what a good thing he hath bought q.d. the buyer that he may get his ware good cheape defileth his tongue with lying saying this and that in the dispraise thereof but when he hath bought it he commendeth it greatly committing as it were an offence on both sides Vers 15. There is gold i. great store of gold and it is much desired of men and vz. besides that there is a multitude i. an infinite number of precious stones vz. in the world but the lippes of knowledge i. a godlie wise man who hath sound and holie knowledge in his heart and can vtter it with his mouth yea that very knowledge it selfe are vz. indeede a precious iewell i. more precious than the things before named and therfore more to bee accounted of Vers 16. Take his garment vz. as a pleadge or pawne for the assurance of the monie that is suretie vz. rashly and without good aduice for a stranger vz. either to thee or to himselfe see Chap. 11. 15. and a pledge of him vz. that is become suretie vnto thee for a stranger Expound this as before q.d. feare not to demand a pawne or pledge of him that will easilie thrust himselfe into
34. Tend all to the dispraise of idlenes and sloth shewing what effects it bringeth foorth as first vnfruitfulnes and barrennes of ground Verse 31. Secondarilie speedie and vnauoidable beggerie Vers 34 32. Teacheth vs further this doctrine euen by the hurt of others to learne to make our owne good and profite as when we see any giuen to any vice to learne in the beginning of it in them to shunne it in ourselues CHAP. 25. Co. THis Chapter dependeth vpon the other thus that the holie Ghost proceedeth still in deliuering vnto vs more of Salomons prouerbes and sentences which may appeare by the word also vers 1. q.d. not onely these that you haue heard alreadie were Salomons but these that followe vnto the end of the booke Di. THis Chapter may bee diuided into three parts In the first he speaketh Di. 1 generally of Kings and Magistrates also he dealeth against proud boasters and vaineglorious persons and against contentious men and willeth men not to discouer secrets from verse 1. to the end of the 10. In the second Di. 2 he speaketh of seasonablenes of speach of good reproofes of faithfull messengers of false boasting of gentle words of moderate vse of pleasure and dealeth against ouer much boldnes against false witnesses vnfaithfull men and oppressors from verse 11. to the end of the 20. In the third he teacheth Di. 3 men to ouercome euill with weldoing to beware of receiuing reports and sheweth the discommodities of a brauling woman he speaketh of good tidings of the state of the godlie vnder tyrants of seeking mens owne glorie and praise and of not bridling the appetite from verse 21. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. THese vz. following as well as those that goe before are also parables of Salomon i. such as he himselfe spake and writ and seeme to be contained amongst those thrée thousand mentioned 1. King 4.32 Concerning the word parables see chap. 1.1 which the men of Hezekiah i. the seruants of King Hezekiah king of Iudah of him you may reade and of his acts 2. King chap. 18 19 20. copied out vz. of sundrie writings or bookes and made as it were but one bodie or matter of them Vers 2. The glorie of God is to conceale a thing secret i. because Gods iudgements are vnsearchable and his waies past finding out as Rom. 11.33 his glorie is so much the more great and excellent but the Kings honor is i. it is a very honorable and glorious matter for him to search out vz. very diligently and when hee hath found it to manifest the same vnto others a thing i. euery thing or matter that he may set out q.d. on the other side nothing is so honorable for a king as to looke throughly into all matters and to knowe euery thing and to make manifest euery thing that appertaineth to kingly dignitie and may get credite thereto Vers 3. The heauens in height vz. doo excéede mans knowledge and skill and the earth in deepenes vz. goeth beyond al the reach of his vnderstanding and reason and the Kings heart i. the imaginations deuises and actions that he thinketh vpon and performeth Here he putteth the heart for them all because it is the fountaine from whence they procéed can no man vz. how wise or cunning so euer he bee search out vz. by any meanes q.d. as the height of the heauens and the depth of the earth cannot certainlie bee comprehended of man so can no man search the affections of a King no not of any other as to haue a certaine knowledge thereof see 1. Cor. 2.11 Vers 4. Take i. let a man take the drosse from the siluer vz. after it is fined and there shall proceede vz. from the siluer so fined a vessell i. a good and a profitable vessell for the finer either for his vse or sake that fineth it Vers 5. Take away the wicked i. let the vngodlie bee remoued from the King i. from the Magistrates presence house court or kingdome and his throne i. his whole kingdome shall by that meanes be established vz. very certainlie and surely in righteousnes i. in vpright and iust dealing see Chap. 20.8 I would ioyne these two verses together and reade them as a similitude q.d. as when the drosse is remoued from the siluer there remaineth nothing but good and pure matter for the finer to frame a good vessell so the way to haue his kingdome established in peace and prosperitie is to take away the wicked for he resembleth the wicked to drosse the King to the finer and his kingdome to fined siluer or a vessel made thereof Ver. 6. Boast not thy selfe i. make no glorious shewe of the things thou hast either in wordes countenance apparell c. before the King i. in his presence court or kingdome and stand not vz. either ouer long or els gloriouslie in the place of great men i. either in their palaces or in such places as doo properly appertaine to them q.d. be content with thine owne place and calling He meaneth to drawe men from ambition and to teach them not to affect places or callings that are too high for them Vers 7. For it is better vz. by much or many degrees that it be said vnto thee vz. openly and before others that by them that are the rulers and gouernours of the house come vp hether vz. higher and so shouldest be exalted than thou to bee put lower vz. for lifting vp thy selfe too high and that to thy great shame in the presence of the prince i. before some great or noble personage whom thine eyes hath seene i. to whom thou hast drawne nigh that thou mightest very familiarly looke vpon him as it were see Luke 14.7 8 9 10. Vers 8. Goe not foorth vz. at any time out of thine owne house land or limites hastelie i. rashly vnaduisedly or without cause to strife vz. against thy neighbour or any man least vz. thou be thereby brought to such extremitie that thou knowe not what to doo vz. against thine aduersarie or in thine owne defence and this hée speaketh not onely because rashnes maketh men rush into vnlawfull thinges but depriueth them as it were for a time of all their senses in the end of thereof i. at the end of that strife and contention when thy neighbour i. he that dealeth against thee or against whom thou hast dealt hath put thee vz. by the sober and wise handling of his matters and thorowe thine owne rashnes and hastines to shame vz. before men Vers 9. Debate q.d. conferre rather quietlie betweene thee and him thy matter i. the cause that thou hast with thy neighbour i. with him whome thou hast to deale our Sauiour seemeth to giue the same counsell and to allude thereto Matth. 5.25 26. Matth. 18.15 and discouer not vz. at any hand the secret vz. of another man which is commited to thee to another vz. that is not acquainted with that cause Vers 10. Least hee that heareth
manifested by word or deede shewing it selfe when neede is Ver. 6. The woundes i. the graue and sharpe reprehensions which seeme for the time euen as it were to wound of a louer i. of one that dooth vnfeynedly loue and beare good affection are faithfull i. such as a man may trust because they proceede from a louing and faithfull heart but the kisses of an enemie i. the fayre and flattering countenances or behauior of one that hateth a man In the woord kisses he alludeth to the manner vsed in the Eastern countries who did vse to kisse one another are pleasant i. seeme to be so but indeede are bitter and therefore to bee shunned looke in Ioabs example 2. Samuel 3.27 also 2. Samuel 20.9 And for reproofe see Psal 14.4 5. Vers 7. The person that is full i. hath meate and drinke at his wil and that in all abundance despiseth a honie combe i. al delicate and sweete meates but vnto the hungrie soule i. to him that is indeede pinched with hunger and wants euerie bitter thing is sweete i. he alloweth and liketh of most meane and base fare Vers 8. As a bird vz. is in great danger that wandereth vz. without good cause from hir nest vz. wherein hir yong ones are or she hir selfe resteth so is a man vz. in great danger that wandreth from his owne place i. that strayeth from the standing or place wherein God hath placed him q.d. he that rashly changeth his dwelling place and stayeth not in the state wherein God hath set him but enterpriseth newe things and that not being well assured of Gods wil and his owne calling is no wiser or better stayed than a bird that fluttereth hither and thether Vers 9. As oyntment vz. applyed outwardly to the bodie and perfume vz. being put into the fire by their sweete sauor and smel reioyce the heart i. euen affect and pearce the inward partes and that to their great good and delight so dooth the sweetnes of a mans frend vz. much delight and reioyce him speciallie when it is declared by hartie counsell i. by sounde and sincere aduise in euerie thing and by mutuall conference and communication speciallie of the best matters see Psal 55.14 Vers 10. Thine owne frend i. one whome thou haste had triall of to be frendlie to thee and thy fathers frend i. hee that hath continued frendship to thy father also forsake not i. cast him not off at any hand nor breake not friendship with him he willeth men to continue friendship with those whom they haue had good triall of In which respect one saith well forsake not an old friend for the new shall not be like him a newe friend is as new wine when it is olde thou shalt drinke it with pleasure neither enter into thy brothers house i. thinke to haue as little succour from thy brother and the things that he hath as may be for all the brethren of the poore hate him Chapter 19.7 in the day of thy calamitie i. when thou art distressed and in pouertie for better i. more comfortable and profitable is a neighbour i. any friend or acquaintance whatsoeuer that is neere vz. not onely in respect of place but good will the reason of this is because a friend loueth alwaies Chap. 17.17 see also 18.24 Vers 11. My sonne see Chap. 1.8 10. be wise i. striue by all the meanes thou canst to obtaine and get wisedome and reioyce mine heart i. make me glad by thy wisedome and by thy godly conuersation as a fruit of the same by which thinges indéede parents are made glad as Chap. 10.1 also Chap. 23.24 25. that I may answer vz. boldly and truely him i. any man that reprocheth me vz. either for lacke of doing my duetie towards thee or for thy euill behauiour or for any other cause q.d. let thy life and conuersation approue how faithfully I haue performed the duetie of a good parent see Psal 127.3 4 5. Vers 12. A prudent man i. one that is inlightened with holie and heauenly wisedome seeth the plague vz. approching or drawing néere vnderstanding by plague calamities and afflictions of all sorts sent from God and hideth himselfe vz. from it meaning that he laboureth by all meanes to put it from him and to escape it but the foolish i. the wicked and vngodlie goe on still vz. forward in their sinne and naughtines and are punished vz. iustly for the same q.d. God doth iustly afflict them seeing they will not be reclaimed see this very sentence Chap. 22.3 Vers 13. Take his garment c. This verse is also word for word put downe before Chap. 20.16 where you may see it also wholly expounded Vers 14. He vz. whosoeuer he be that praiseth his friend vz. with a flattering minde and fauning words I suppose the Hebrue word would better stand here it selfe and the sense also be more plaine thus He that blesseth his friend i. wisheth wel vnto him in words only not in heart and that to this end that he may be seene of men with a loud voyce i. so that he may bee heard of others and by that lewd meanes purchase fauour from the partie rising early in the morning vz. for to doo it and that before others it shall be counted to him as a curse i. it shall be so farre off this kind of dealing of his from being esteemed as a blessing or good wishing that it shall bée taken rather as a certaine kind of cursing because it sauoureth of flatterie not that he forbiddeth vs either to salute or to commend our friends iustly but alwaies to haue an eye to auoide flatterie and ostentation in the same q.d. the false flatterer which maketh a shewe as though he did at all times his duetie is rather cursed of God and men than well liked of Vers 15. A continuall dropping vz. into a mans house or vpon the goods in the same in the day of raine i. when it raineth much and a contentious woman i. a woman giuen either altogether or very much to brauling and chiding are a like vz. both dangerous and discommodious for as the raine rotteth the things it falleth vpon and consumeth in time the same so doth contentions and braulings a man and his familie see Chap. 19.13 Also Chap. 21.9 Vers 16. He that hideth her i. he that laboureth to keepe close her braulings and iarres hideth the winde i. laboureth as much in vaine as if he would goe about to couer keepe close or shut vp in a place the winde it selfe she is the oyle in his right hand that vttereth it selfe vz. by the smell and sauour thereof though perhappes it may not bee seene by reason it is kept close or hidden in some vessell q.d. her rage can be restrained by no meanes no not by shame amongst people but spread abroad it will be for a man may sooner keepe the winde in his hand or represse the sauour of ointment that other should not smell it than stoppe her in
her course or kéepe backe the flander that she pulleth vppon her selfe Vers 17. Iron sharpneth iron i. as man by one iron maketh sharpe another which wee may see to bee true by daylie experience by whetting one knife vpon another so doth a man sharpen the face of his friend i. so doth one man stirre vp and prouoke another which I referre not to wrath and anger as the Geneua note doth but to the partaking of studies counsels conferences c. One readeth this whole verse more plainlie and giueth a better sense of it thus As a man sharpeneth iron by iron so doth the face of his friend sharpen a man i. a friend by the friendship and presence of his friend is instructed doth increase and is as it were whet on to good things Vers 18. He that keepeth vz. diligently and carefully trimming and dressing it that it may yeeld fruite the figge tree i. his owne figge tree which God hath giuen him meaning hereby he that looketh to the things wherein God hath blessed him shall vz. in good time eate the fruite thereof vz. through Gods especiall blessing so he that waiteth vz. diligently and painfully vpon his master vz. whom the Lord hath placed ouer him shall come to honor i. shall be highly estéemed both of his master and other and in the end also be much aduanced And here he maketh mention of figge trées because Iudea was full of them and beareth as we knowe a most swéet fruite besides as one of their owne Rabbins doth note the fruite of it is not all at one time ripe together but as it were one after another wherevpon a man doth by the diligent keeping thereof receiue a continuall profite as it were and so shall he that faithfully and diligently obeyeth his master Vers 19. As in water face answereth to face i. as a man may in water see the face of another man that is there with him and looketh into the water as he doth so the heart of man vz. is seene and knowne to man i. to another man True it is that mans heart is secret and God onely is the searcher thereof yet it is many times declared by outward shew as the semblance proportion of the face in the water see Chap. 20.5 Vers 20. The graue vz. receiuing dead corpses and destruction i. death that bringeth them thether can neuer bee full i. are neuer satisfied but alwaies receiue though a man bring daylie newe see Chap. 30.15 16. so the eyes of a man i. either his bodilie eyes or the eyes of his mind can neuer be satisfied vz. with looking seeing or beholding specially of newe and pleasant things see Eccle. 1.8 we may vnderstand also by eyes either the lust of the eyes as 1. Iohn 2.16 or els the minde which vseth the eyes as ministers and meanes to conuay things to it Vers 21. As is the fining pot vz. serueth for siluer i. for the fining of siluer and the fornace vz. serueth for gold i. for the trying of it that it may appeare good see for this part Chap. 17.3 so is euery man vz. to be esteemed and thought of according to his dignitie vz. whereunto he is aduanced and that for good causes q.d. As siluer is fined in the pot and gold in the fornace purged from the drosse so by the laudable workes that any man hath done or by the authoritie whereunto he is iustly exalted he is to be knowne and allowed what manner of man he is Vers 22. Though thou shouldest bray a foole in a morter among wheate braied with a pestle yet will not his foolishnes depart from him q.d. Though thou wouldest vse great and vehement meanes to reforme some yet it will not preuaile not that he forbiddeth vs to labour the amendment of wicked persons but that there are some such as by no meanes can be bettered Some ioyne these two verses 21 22. together thus All things and instruments haue their vse and a way or order to bring them to their vse gold and siluer are tried and purged after their manner and all things are through mans skill made fit for their good and laudable vse but there is no way to purge prepare make fit or instruct a foole Vers 23. Be diligent to knowe the state of thy flocke by one particular he meaneth all q.d. looke carefully to thy household affayres and take heed to the heards vz. of beastes that thou hast that if they be wel thou maiest see them so continued or if they bee otherwise thou maiest in good time labour their redresse Vers 24. For riches remaine not alway vz. with a man nor the crowne i. glorie and estimation to wit continueth from generation to generation i. for euer this is a reason why he should haue a diligent eye q.d. Doest thou thinke that thy riches are glewed to thée and that thou canst neuer forgoe them thou art much deceiued so to déeme for they are brittle and flitting things yea though they bee neuer so great and glorious therefore looke to thy things well and rest not slothfully in another mans labour Vers 25. The hey discouereth it selfe vz. when it is méete and readie for cariage and the grasse appeareth i. springeth out of the earth and that in great abundance and the hearbes of the mountaines i. the grasse that the mountaines yéeld are gathered vz. together that they may be food and nourishment for the cattle q.d. all these things shew themselues and doo after a sort craue thee as it were to gather them for thine owne good and the good of thy beasts as shéepe oxen horses c. Vers 26. The lambes are for thy clothing i. serue to minister cloath vnto thée and thine and the goates i. the increase that commeth of them are vz. sufficient enough not onely to pay the price of the field i. the rent of the grounds wherein they go but also to inlarge thine owne possessions and to make thee a purchaser of lands And in this verse he setteth out Gods great goodnes in giuing man these gifts as in the next he setteth out the moderate and sober vse of them Vers 27. And let the milke of thy goates bee sufficient for thy foode he meaneth not to tye men onely to this kinde of sustenance but to teach them frugalitie and sparing for the foode of thy familie q.d. good reason there is that thy household should be content with it when thou thy selfe art and for the sustenance of thy maides i. of the maidseruants that thou hast Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs to hang vpon God and not vpon our selues for the accomplishment of all our purposes Verse 2. Teacheth vs to take heede that wee praise not our selues but rather to indeuour that others for our good dealing may do the same Verse 3. Teacheth vs to beware that wee prouoke not fooles to wrath Verse 4. Teacheth vs to beware of anger wrath and enuie Verse 5. Teacheth vs that open rebukes are many times better