things they thinke vpon are an abomination to the Lord i. are such things as he cannot abide but the pure vz. in heart and conuersation haue pleasant words i. speake such things as are good and acceptable before God and profitable to the hearers Vers 27. He vz. of what calling or condition soeuer he be specially if he be a Magistrate that is greedie of gaine i. that gapeth after it and careth not by what meanes he come by it so he haue it see Chapt. 1.19 troubleth his owne house i. whereas he thought to get peace thereby and to inlarge his substance purchaseth trouble and many times the decrease of his familie see Chapt. 11.29 but he that hateth gifts vz. offered him to peruert iustice or to performe ill causes see precise commandements against giftes taking Exod. 23.8 Deut. 16.19 shall liue vz. well and plentifully in this life notwithstanding his refusall of the same but specially in eternall life Ver. 28. The heart of the righteous studieth to answere vz. not only when hée is demanded but also to speake for so doth the Scripture vse that word of answering see Math. 11.25 He meaneth that the good man speaketh nothing but that which he hath long meditated of before least his tongue should runne before his wit and therefore he commonly speaketh right and good things but the wicked mans mouth babbleth i. rashly and hastely powreth out euill things vz. against other and such as in the end turne to his owne hurt and destruction see verse 2. of this Chapter Vers 29. The Lord is farre of from the wicked i. from helping them or hearing their voyce for otherwise God is in euery place and nigh to all things he meaneth that God will not heare them no more than men heare them that are very farre of calling vnto them but he heareth i. graciouslie granteth the praier of the righteous i. the things that the righteous praied for see ver 8. of this chap. Also Psalme 145.18 Vers 30. The light of the eyes i. for a man to see with the eyes and to haue the vse of them reioyceth the heart vz. of a man that is maketh man and his heart glad and a good name i. good fame and report amongst men maketh the bones fat i. euen reioyceth and strengtheneth all the inward parts so haue you the word bones vsed before chapt 12.4 Also chapt 14.30 Some reade it as though it were a similitude thus as the light of the eyes reioyceth the heart so a good name maketh the bones fat i. as the eye by the beholding of good things maketh the whole man merrie so doth the eare by hearing good wholesome things of which he speaketh in the next verse following Vers 31. The eare that hearkeneth vz. diligently and attentiuely to the correction of life i. to such correction reproofe and admonition as leadeth to life shall lodge among the wise i. shall not onely dwell with them and be accounted as they are but shall haue the selfe same blessing from God that they haue both in this life and in the life to come And this he speaketh not of an outward hearing onely but of such as yéeld sincere obedience to the things heard Vers 32. He that refuseth vz. by withdrawing himselfe from it instruction vz. of good things being tendered and offered vnto him despiseth his owne soule i. maketh little account of his life specially in respect of the life to come but he that obeyeth correction getteth vnderstanding vz. how in this life to behaue himselfe towards God and man so as he may after the daies of this wearisome pilgrimage are finished come to eternall life Ver. 33. The feare of the Lord vz. rightly planted in mens hearts is the instruction of wisedome i. is such an instruction or doctrine as bringeth men to holie wisedome One in my mind readeth it better thus The instruction of wisedome goeth before the feare of the Lord i. before a man can obtaine wisedome and bee led with the reuerence of God and his feare which is the beginning of wisedome Chapt. 1.7 Also Chapt. 9.10 He must of necessitie be taught and learne the precepts of wisedome and before honor vz. from God goeth humilitie i. true and vnfeigned humbling of his children q.d. there is the same order of the fruits which come from the instruction and feare of God as is of the things themselues for to learning there is ioyned casting downe of men and humilitie and to the reuerence and feare of God there is ioyned excellent honor which God bestoweth vpon them that feare him Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs to auoide bitter wordes and to vse soft and gentle speaches Vers 2. Sheweth what great difference there is between the words of the wise and the words of the foolish Vers 3. Teacheth vs that GOD knoweth and seeth all things euery where Vers 4. Teacheth vs what profites and disprofites arise of a good and of an euill tongue Vers 5. Teacheth vs reuerently to regard good counsell Vers 6. Teacheth vs that the good haue plentie of blessings and enioy them with quietnes whereas the wicked haue great trouble and vexation with the same Vers 7. Teacheth vs to vse knowledge in our callings to the benefite and good of others Vers 8. Teacheth vs that nothing proceeding from a wicked person can please the Lord also that God in Christ regardeth the praiers of his seruants Vers 9. Setteth out the great loue of God towards his seruants and his disliking of the wicked Vers 10. Teacheth vs that malicious wicked persons will seldome or neuer regarde good counsell also what danger there is in contemning the words of godly admonition Vers 11. Teacheth vs that GOD knoweth all things yea euen the very depths of mens hearts Vers 12. Teacheth vs that wicked men shunne the companie and speach of good men Vers 13. Declareth the profits and disprofits of a glad and sorrowfull heart Vers 14. Teacheth vs that we must carefully and continually seeke for wisdome Vers 15. Setteth out the commodities of a good conscience and contented minde Vers 16. Teacheth vs that mans blessing consisteth not speciallie in the multitude of his riches Vers 17. Commendeth vnfeined loue and dispraiseth hatred Vers 18. Teacheth vs to bridle wrath and to beate downe contentions amongst men what we may Vers 19. Teacheth vs to auoide slothfulnes and idlenes Vers 20. Sheweth what benefit or blessing it is to haue good children and on the other side what a punishment it is to haue wicked children Vers 21. Teacheth vs that the wicked reioyce in sinne and that there is no godlie conuersation indeede without the light of Gods holy word Ver. 22. Teacheth vs to pursue good thoughts by good counsell and to labor to bring them to good effect Vers 23. Teacheth vs that we may reioyce in Gods gifts bestowed vpon vs also that in our speaches we should haue regarde of time place persons c. Vers 24. Teacheth vs to studie and seeke
He meaneth that to follow the wayes of the harlot bringeth with it death and destruction both of bodie and soule Verse 19. All they vz. of what state or condition soeuer they be that go vnto her i. that haue but some familiaritie or beginning of acquaintance with hir returne not againe vz. without touch or taint of some mischiefe meaning also that they hardlie returne to the Lord by vnfeined repentance neither take they hold of the wayes of life i. they liue not againe or returne into life meaning also by life and the waies thereof a better order or course of life than they lead before And though he speake the same things in many wordes meaning that they shall not at any hand escape destruction yet the wordes must bee vnderstood of eternall death rather than of temporal bodilie death which yet notwithstanding the adulterers purchase and procure to themselues by their incessant filthie life Vers 20. Therefore q.d. seeing thou seest what iudgements shall fall vppon the wicked ioyne thou thy selfe to the good others reade it otherwise but me thinketh this is plaine enough walke thou in the way of good men i. be conuersant with them and order thy life well according to the good orders and courses of their life and keepe the waies of the righteous vz. in thy conuersation and behauiour q.d. in thy life followe their good and holie steppes Vers 21. For he sheweth here a reason taken from the iust iudgements of God towards the good in this verse and towards the wicked vers 22. the iust 1. those that haue care and conscience of iustice wel doing shall dwell in the land vz. which the Lord hath mercifullie giuen them for I take it that he alludeth to the promises made in the lawe Exodus 20.12 and other places Yet so that vnder the same he meaneth all manner of blessings whatsoeuer see Psalm 37.29 and the vpright men see Psalme 119.1 shall remaine in it vz. a long season Vers 22. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth vz. through the iust iudgement of God against them for their sinnes and the transgressors i. such as transgresse against God and his lawe shall be rooted out of it vnder this word he meaneth that the wicked shall assuredlie sodainlie and vtterlie be destroyed see Psalme 37.36 38. also Psalme 52.5 And héere vnderstand by these outward and corporall things inward spiritual and eternal either life or death and marke that this is vsuall with him to amplifie by the contrarie as Chapt. 1.32 33. Chapt. 3.35 and in sundrie other places Do. Vers 1. Teacheth to bring with vs a mind readie prepared to receiue good things Vers 2. Teacheth vs to haue care faithfullie to retaine and keepe those good things which wee haue heard and learned Vers 3. Teacheth vs to vse earnest and continuall praier for the obtaining of al good things whatsoeuer Vers 4. Teacheth vs to spare no labour or cost for the obtaining of good things yea the better that the things are which we seeke for the more earnestlie to trauaile therein Vers 5. Teacheth vs that if wee seeke for the things of God with that affection that he requireth and to the ende he commandeth wee shall not lose our labour Vers 6. Teacheth vs that the gift of wisedom knowledge iudgement and euery good gift whatsoeuer commeth from the Lord. Vers 7. Teacheth vs Gods great care and singular prouidence ouer those that be his Vers 8. Teacheth vs that God reuealeth knowledge and wisedome vnto those that bee his to the end that they might learne according to the same to direct all their waies Vers 9. Teacheth vs that we know nothing of goodnes till God make the same manifest vnto vs. Vers 10. Teacheth vs both in the inward man and in the outward man to take delight and pleasure in good things Vers 11 12. c. Teach vs what great benefites sound and sincere knowledge of Gods heauenly will wisedom shall bring with it to thē that haue attained through Gods goodnesse to the same Vers 12. Teacheth vs to auoid al frowardnes whether it be in heart or speach Vers 13. Teacheth vs to take heed that we bleare not the light which God hath made manifest vnto vs. Vers 14. Teacheth vs to beware of reioycing in euill and naughtinesse for that is the height and toppe of all sinne Vers 15. Teacheth vs that when men delight in crooked waies they more and more go astray from God in following the leaudnes of their own soules Vers 16. Painteth out very liuely the qualities and conditions of a harlot or strumpet Vers 17. Sheweth that in adulterie there is a double transgression committed one against God and another against man which is the husband Vers 18.19 Shewe how dangerous and deadlie a thing it is to haue any familiaritie or acquaintance at all with light and dishonest women Vers 20 Teacheth vs to set good men in their goodnesse before our eyes to bee examples and patternes of good life and conuersation vnto vs. Vers 21 22. Set out the difference betweene the reward of the good and the bad both in this life but especiallie in the life to come CHAP. 3. Co. IN the other Chapter the holie Ghost had exhorted men to imbrace and obey wisedome and now because this doctrine is not easilie yeelded vnto yea mans nature doth whollie rebell against the same he beginneth new and fresh exhortations prouoking men to earnest and vnfained imbracing of Gods word Di. THe Chapter may be diuided into three parts In the first he setteth out Di. 1 the vse of Gods word which teacheth vs to trust in God to feare and honour him and pacientlie to abide his corrections from vers 1. to the end of the 12. In the second part he citeth promises and blessings assuring vs Di. 2 that all things shall fall out well to them that subiect themselues to Gods word and wisedome from verse 13. to the end of the 26. In the third he laboureth Di. 3 to remoue such euils as might hinder men from imbracing Gods word and wisedome as the doing of iniurie keeping companie with the wicked c. setting out the iustice of Gods iudgements against the dooing and doers thereof from verse 27. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. MY sonne see Chapter 1.8 forget not thou vz. at any time my lawe i. my doctrine and instruction and he calleth it his not because he was the author of it but the vtterer or penner of it but let thine heart whollie and soundlie keepe vz. within it in respect of knowledge my commandements i. both the things that I command the words in which I expresse them Vers 2. For they i. the not forgetting and keeping of them shall increase the length of thy daies and the yeares of life i. of thy life He meaneth not that the daies and termes which the Lord hath set vs shall bee lengthened or shortned but he speaketh it according
For the Lord shall be for thine assurance i. he shall be in stead of a defence and an assured place of refuge vnto thee and shall preserue vz. by his almightie power thy foote i. thee thy selfe a part for the whole and yet he doth not without cause vse this speech because things are many times taken by the foote from taking i. that thine enemie shall not catch thee or thou thy selfe sticke fast in any manner of euill see for all these promises Psalme 91. vers 1 2 c. where thou shalt finde the like things almost Vers 27. Withhold not the good vz. which thou hast of another mans from the owners thereof i. from them to whom it belongeth as by the way of debt or of Christian duetie as in giuing almes counselling c. though there bee power in thine hand i. though thou bee presentlie and fullie able to doo it i. to hurt him and harme him by the detaining of that which doth appertaine vnto him Vers 28. Say not thou vnto thy neighbour vz. when he is in distresse and neede goe vz. from me now and come againe vz. another time as we are wont to say and to morrow i. some other time hereafter will I giue thee vz. somewhat toward the reliefe of thy néede see Iames 2.16 if thou haue it vz. in thy power and kéeping hée meaneth the same thing that he did in the other sentence sauing that he teacheth not only to doo well but quicklie and with speede to doo well for as it is in the Prouerb he doth a double good turne that doth a good turne in good season and againe the fauour that commeth too late is little or nothing worth Vers 29. Intend none hurt vz. by thought word or déede but specially in thought for if that be repressed the rest will easlie be beaten downe against thine neighbour i. against any but chiefly against those that dwell about thée and haue dealt friendly with thée seeing that he doth dwell vz. as he supposeth and thinketh without feare vz. of any hurt from thée meaning that he doth not so much as suspect that thou wilt doo him any harme by thee i. nigh vnto thée and thy house Vers 30. Striue not vz. either by priuate quarrelling or publike iustice with a man i. with any man or sundrie men as verse 13. of this Chapt. causeles i. without iust and good cause why when he hath done thee no harme i. iniured or wronged thée either by word or déede He meaneth that wee should not without cause debate any matter with any man speciallie with him that hath wrought no euill against vs for it is a great offence and will vtterly ouerthrowe humanitie and fellowship to complaine of one and to thunder out against him that hath nothing at all offended him and yet in the meane while no lawe of God or man forbiddeth vs to expostulate either priuatlie or publikelie before the Magistrate with him which hath offended and wronged vs yea to conuince him of the iniurie if we be able alwaies prouided that wee doo it not with a reuenging minde nor burst forth into priuate reuenge Vers 31. Be not enuious vz. either inwardly or outwardly for the wicked man i for the good successe and abundance of prosperitie that thou seest him to inioye see Psalme 37.11 neither chuse any of his waies i. followe not his order and trade of life he yeeldeth a reason in the next verse why he would not haue men to doo so Vers 32. For the froward vz. person vnderstanding by this terme one that regardeth not admonition but giueth himself to al violence crueltie and oppression is an abhomination vnto the Lord i. the Lord hateth abhorreth and cannot abide such a one see Psalme 37.20 but his secret is with the righteous i. continually abideth with them vnderstanding by secret a most close but yet most familiar communicating of his good will towards them as may appeare by the verses following Vers 33. The curse of the Lord i. iust plagues and punishments sent from God see Malach. 2.2 c. is in the house of the wicked i. continueth abideth there howsoeuer they seeme to abound and flourish in all worldly wealth but he blesseth vz. continually with his fauour the habitation of the righteous i. not onely the place where he dwelleth but euen him himselfe and al that he hath Vers 34. With the scornefull i. such as giue themselues to iesting scoffing and contempt of all goodnesse he scorneth i. he laugheth at them or mocketh them and deceiueth their hope see Psalme 2.4 also Psalme 18.26 Prouerb 1.26 but he giueth vz. freelie and of his owne mercie grace i. all manner of goodnes both outward and inward to the humble i. such as thinke lowlie of themselues see Iames 4.6 also 1. Pet. 5.5 Vers 35. The wise i. such as are instructed with heauenlie wisedome shall inherite glorie i. shall haue renowne and good report as a perpetuall inheritance but fooles vz. shall inherit or possesse dishonor i. shame and contempt and that before God and man though they be exalted i. how much soeuer they bée exalted by their flatterers and clawbackes Others reade this latter parte thus but shame taketh away the foolish i. it carrieth both them and their hope away in a pinch of time or twinckling of the eye as it were The other sense and reading is in my iudgement as good as this if not better Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs to haue good counsels in continuall remembrance to the end we may be guided thereby Vers 2. Teacheth vs that all blessings shall be to such as obediently walke in the lawe of the Lord. Vers 3. Teacheth vs to haue care and conscience of the performance of our dueties towards God and our brethren Vers 4. Teacheth vs that obedience to the worde maketh vs acceptable before God and man Vers 5. Teacheth vs two thinges first vnfeignedly to hang vpon the Lord secondly not to trust in our selues or any thing that is in vs. Vers 6. Teacheth vs that the meane to haue all our waies and workes blessed is to beleeue and confesse Gods wonderfull power and prouidence Vers 7. Teacheth vs first not to stand too much in our owne conceites secondlie that Christianitie consisteth of doing good specially to Godward and of absteining from euill Vers 8. Teacheth vs that obedience to God procureth all blessings Vers 9. Teacheth vs that this is one principall end of our riches to referre them to the aduancement of Gods honour and glorie Vers 10. Teacheth vs that God is no niggard in his gifts to his seruants Vers 11. Teacheth vs not to murmure or repine against GOD for his fatherly corrections vppon vs. Vers 12. Teacheth vs that Gods visitations vpon his children are testimonies not of his displeasure but of his great good will toward vs. Vers 13. Teacheth vs that true blessednes consisteth in sound and holie wisedome Vers 14. Teacheth vs that Gods word must be preferred
either by taking it vtterly from him or denying him the vse of it though he haue it in possession or by taking his blessing of strength and profite from him and it Vers 4. A slothfull hand i. the hand that is giuen to idlenes and sloth and will not labour vnderstanding by one part all the rest that must concurre in that action of worke maketh poore vz. him that hath it or is the owner of it The word that is turned here slothfull signifieth also deceitfull q.d. he that is sluggish in doing of his duetie and thinketh by craft to attaine other mens goods shall surely come to beggerie but the hand i. the labour performed with the hand and other parts and members of the bodie of the diligent i. of such as diligently go about their owne businesses and abstaine from coueting or craftie scraping together of other mens goods maketh rich i. maketh men rich and that through Gods especiall blessing for otherwise it is impossible to obtaine them as Psalme 127.2 Vers 5. He that gathereth vz. things méete and necessarie for his maintenance in sommer i. while time serueth and he hath a good season See what is said before concerning the Pismire Chapt. 6.8 is the sonne of wisedome i. is a wise and good child as he proueth by effect while in his vnderstanding and knowledge he taketh heed before hand to keepe him and his from shamefull beggerie but he that sleepeth i. he that is sluggish and slow and doth no more than if he slept soundlie see Chapt. 6.10 in haruest i. when he hath fit and conuenient time to doo things well in Chapt. 6.8 is the sonne of confusion i. is such a one as by his follie bringeth shame of face vpon himselfe and all those that appertaine vnto him Vers 6. Blessings i. plentifulnes and abundance of all manner of blessings which he noteth by speaking in the plurall number are vpon the head of the righteous i. are plentifully powred vpon the righteous man himself putting a part for the whole as Chap. 11.26 And yet because euery good gift commeth from aboue Iames 1.17 he doth chiefly speake of the head because it lighteth first vpon it and so from it descendeth to the rest of the members see Psalme 113.2 but iniquitie i. the sinne which the wicked committed against God and men after that it is knowne shall couer the mouthes of the wicked i. shall so stoppe and shut vp their mouthes that they shall not only haue nothing to say but shall bee choked as it were with their owne violence as if a mans breath were stopped Vers 7. The memoriall i. the remembrance or thinking vpon of the iust vz. whether he be aliue or dead shall be blessed i. shall bee esteemed as a sweete and pleasant thing yea worthie great praise but the name of the wicked i. all his glorie and whatsoeuer seemeth excellent in him shall rot vz. as a corrupt and vile thing meaning further that euer before God and man it shall bee hated and lothed euen as things that stinke through rottennes and corruption Vers 8. The wise in heart i. he that is truely and indeede wise for many outwardly make a shewe of wisedome and haue it not within will receiue vz. reuerently willingly carrying with him also a purpose to obey the same commandements vz. either from God and his word or els from good men according to the same but the foolish in talke i. he whose disorderous heart moueth his lippes to murmur against good counsell shall be beaten vz. for his rash hastie and murmuring speaches Vers 9. He that walketh i. leadeth the course of his life vprightly vz. towards God and man hauing a care that he stray not walketh boldly vz. because he is assured of Gods good will towards him walking faithfully in his calling but he that peruerteth his waies vz. from the rules of righteousnes and truth which God hath set him shall be knowne vz. at the last how close or secret soeuer it bee for a time Vers 10. He that wincketh with the eye i. he that secretly deuiseth or worketh mischiefe he putteth the signe for the thing it selfe see Chapt. 6.13 worketh sorrowe vz. both to others and himselfe also in the ende and he that is foolish in talke i. such a one as neuer feareth to vtter his wickednes shall be beaten see verse 8. of this Chap. He compareth the euill which is done dissemblingly and as it were with the wincking of the eye with that which is done openly with the manifest rayling of the tongue Vers 11. The mouth of a righteous man i. the words which he vttereth and speaketh is a welspring of life i. bring with them all manner of plentie and continuance of good things but iniquitie couereth the mouth of the wicked see verse 6. of this very chapter Vers 12. Hatred vz. once conceiued and setled in the minde stirreth vp vz. very forciblie and quicklie contentions vz. both in word and deede amongst men and that many times for small causes or none at all vnderstanding also by contentions both backbitings and quarrellous vpbraidings one of another with the offences and sinnes which they haue committed which is very farre off from the duetie of humanitie or charitie but loue vz. if it bee vnfeigned of one of vs towards another couereth vz. from other mens sight hearing and knowledge all trespasses vz. committed one of vs against another This taketh not away brotherly admonition or the Church discipline but speaketh of priuate iniuries and offences against our selues which holie loue doth keepe close if in a good faith and holie conscience they may be kept close dissembling them as it were or els doth in tender pittie and compassion labour the amendement of them Leuit. 19.17 Vers 13. In the lippes of him that hath vnderstanding i. in the speach and wordes of a wise man he putteth one instrument wherewith words bee vttered for the words themselues wisedome is found i. a man shall easilie espie and perceiue great wisedome and a rod i. punishment and correction euen as it were with a rod shall be vz. sent from God yea and many times from men also for the backe of him i. vpon his backe that is destitute of wisedome vz. and yet notwithstanding wil speake hand ouerhead whatsoeuer commeth into his mouth Vers 14. Wise men i. they that are indeede truely wise lay vp knowledge vz. of good things meaning by laying of it vp hiding it as it were within themselues as chap. 2.1 and Chapt. 7.1 Yet so that when neede shall require and occasion bee offered they may bring it forth and vse it see Math. 12.35 Also Math 13.52 but the mouth of a foole i. the wordes which a foole or wicked person vttereth with his mouth is a present destruction i. bring with them euen destruction not only to the partie vttering but many times to some person hearing q.d. the wicked mans follie and want of knowledge is so great that
to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. FAlse balances vz. vsed in buying and selling he putteth the balance for all thereto appertaining are an abhomination vnto the Lord i. are such things as the Lord abhorreth and condemneth by the Lawe see Leuit. 19.35 36. Deuter. 25.13 14 15 16. And vnder this he condemneth all fraudulent dealing in buying and selling whatsoeuer but a perfect weight i. an vpright and iust weight In the Hebrue text it is stone because they were wont to weigh with stones pleaseth him vz. greatly or much Vers 2. When pride commeth vz. vppon any man i. when any man beginneth to waxe proude against or aboue others then commeth vz. vnto him shame vz. amongst and before men He meaneth that contempt is the companion of pride see Prouerb 16.18 but with the lowlie vz. in heart as well as in outward shewe is wisedome i. true wisedome which lowlines and wisedome ioyned together doo truely exalt a man see Prouerb 15.33 Also 18.12 Vers 3. The vprightnes of the iust i. their vpright and iust dealings towards God and men shall guide them vz. euen whether they would come or els it shall keepe them safe and sound for euer and leade them thorowe out the whole course of their life till they come to the hauen of safetie here and of heauen in the life to come as may appeare by the verses following but the frowardnes of the transgressors i. of such as trāsgresse Gods law meaning by peruersnes or frowardnes not onely that which is in themselues but also that wherewith they doo either on the one side oppresse others or on the other side peruert or make them like naught vnto themselues shall destroy i. shall be a forcible meane to pull vpon them from God a iust destruction Vers 4. Riches vz. whether they bee gotten iustly or vniustly that is not the matter auaile not vz. any whit at all in the day of wrath i. at any time when God sheweth himselfe angrie q.d. such as trust when God laieth any either publike or priuate calamitie vpon them to bée deliuered through their riches they are much deceiued see Ezech. 7.16 Zepha 1.18 but righteousnes deliuereth from death i. the righteous are deliuered either from bodilie punishments in this life or els altogether from eternall death see this expounded before Chapt. 10.2 Vers 5. The righteousnes i. the good conscience and faithfull dealing of the vpright vz. in heart as well as in word for both must concurre shall direct his way i. keepeth him vpright in this life and ordereth the whole course of the same so that he hath good successe in all things and falleth not because he laboureth continually to followe Gods will but the wicked shall fall vz. certainlie and assuredly in his owne wickednes i. either as he is walking in his owne wicked and crooked waies or els in that wickednes that he hath deuised against others he shall be snared but I rather like of the first sense Ver. 6. The righteousnes of the iust see before verse 5. of this Chapter shall deliuer them vz. from eternall death and all hurtfull dangers in this life as verse 4. of this Chapt. but the transgressors vz. of Gods lawe shall be taken vz. certainly and sodainly in their owne wickednes i. in that which they had deuised against others and indéede laied vpon them see Psalme 7.15 or els expound it as verse 5. of this Chapter Vers 7. When a wicked man dieth vz. here amongst men his hope i. both the hope he himself had to oppresse others and the hope that other men had in him perisheth vz. vtterly and commeth to nothing and the hope of the vniust shall perish q.d. be assured of this that his hope shall take no effect and he repeateth the thing for the more certaintie of it I knowe other men reade it and expound it otherwise but me thinketh this is plaine Vers 8. The righteous escapeth vz. thorowe the goodnes and mercie of God out of trouble i. out of sundrie and manifold troubles see Psalme 34.19 and the wicked shall come in his stead vz. into affliction and troubles q.d. we doo oftentimes see it fall out that the wicked man commeth into the place of the righteous man being deliuered from trouble euen as it were a redemption for him Vers 9. An hypocrite i. he that thinketh one thing with his heart and speaketh another thing with his mouth with his mouth i. with his false counterfeit words mouth put for words vttered with the mouth as sundrie times before hurteth his neighbour vz. either while he bringeth men to the state of dissimulation that he himselfe is in or els while he seemeth friendly in words yet in heart wishing him euill he laboureth to destroy him and his substance but the righteous shall be deliuered vz. through Gods grace and goodnes from such hypocrites and dissemblers by knowledge vz. of their falsehood and hypocrisie and by a wise foresight shall deliuer himselfe and others from their corruption Vers 10. In the prosperitie of the righteous i. when good men prosper florish and are exalted the citie i. the people of the citie if they be godlie wise and indued with vnderstanding and this must not only bée referred to cities but to kingdomes he putting a part of a kingdome for the whole reioyceth vz. excéedingly and as it were with singing and shouting for so much I suppose the Hebrue word and text will yéeld and when the wicked perish vz. from amongst men meaning when they dye there is ioy vz. yea great ioy amongst the people of the kingdome or citie they reioyce in the one because of the good they receiue from them and reioyce at the departure of the other because of the euilles they indured vnder them Ver. 11. By the blessing of the righteous i. by the good deedes and good words of godlie men which are called blessings because that by them God doth after a sort powre blessings vpon the people the citie is exalted vz. very much that is it hath a great name and florisheth mightelie but it is subuerted i. quite and cleane destroyed by the mouth of the wicked i. by wicked wordes and counsels that the vngodlie vtter and giue see verse 9. of this Chapter Vers 12. He that despiseth vz. either in countenance worde or deede his neighbour i. any man that is any manner of way ioyned vnto him is destitute of wisedome i. bewraieth himselfe to bee a very foolish man but a man of vnderstanding i. he that is truely wise indeede will keepe silence i. will temper himselfe and abstaine from shewing contempt any manner of way against another Vers 13. He that goeth about as a slanderer vz. of other men It seemeth to bee a metaphore taken from pedlers who mingle sundrie sortes of ware together and go from place to place to vtter those things which they haue receiued of others so slanderers tell that to one which they haue heard of
niggardlines The same doth also vers 25 26. teache vs that if God haue blessed vs with store we should prouide that other might be plenteously releeued and not couetouslie to hoord vp against the day of dearth Verse 27. Teacheth vs to procure good both to our selues and others as much as in vs lyeth Vers 28. Teacheth vs to cast away from vs vaine trust and confidence in worldly riches Vers 29. Teacheth vs for feare of after-claps to beware of prodigalitie on the one side and of miserable pinching on the other side Verse 30. Teacheth vs to haue a care for the conuersion and winning of others to GOD. Verse 31. Teacheth vs that abundance of plagues shall fall euen in this life vppon the impenitent sinners CHAP. 12. Co. THis Chapter hangeth vpon the former thus In the last verse of the other he sheweth what great iudgements from God are prepared for the wicked euen in this life and in the first verse of this Chapter he sheweth one good meane whereby those punishments may be auoyded to wit in reuerent hearing of holy counsel and in laboring to profit by the corrections which God layeth vpon men Di. I Suppose this chapter as the former may be diuided into three partes the first reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 8. Wherein hee intreateth of Di. 1 obedience to good counsell and Gods corrections of Gods fauour towards the good and his iustice towards the bad of the stabilitie of the righteous and the fleeting estate of the wicked of a good and euill woman of the thoughts wordes and counsels of the good and bad The second parte reacheth Di. 2 from verse 9. to the end of the 16. wherein hee dealeth against the vaineglorious the cruell the idle the proude and the wrathfull persons commending on the other side the contented minde pitifulnes of heart diligence in labor true humilitie and the brideling of hate or anger The third reacheth from vers 17. to the end of the Chapter wherein he speaketh Di. 3 against bitter wordes lying speeches deceite idlenes c. And contrariwise intreateth of truth quietnes in words diligence in trauaile and of the vnlikely reward of the good and bad Se. Vers 1. HE vz. who soeuer he bee that loueth vz. indéede and vnfeinedly instruction vz. either from God by his word or from men as his Ministers loueth knowledge i. sounde and fincere iudgement and the reason hereof is because that by instruction men come to knowledge q.d. hee that loueth and liketh of a good meane whereby a good thing is obteyned doth loue and like of the good thing it selfe but he that hateth correction vz. either from God or man is a foole i. a wicked person He meaneth that the righteous who yeeldeth to the instructions and corrections of the Lord doth not onely thankfully receaue the same but is prouoked thereby more and more to growe vp in heauenlie wisedome see Psalme 94.12 Vers 2. A good man i. hee that hath care and conscience both to knowe and to performe good things getteth fauour of the Lord i. is accepted and well liked of the Lorde and yet hee maketh mention of getting because we must by prayer and other holy meanes séeke it though we knowe it is by God speciall gifte that so we may be prouoked to praye and exercise our faythe but the man of wicked imaginations i. hee who thinketh nothing els but euill against other yea and himself also in the end will he condemne i. the Lord wil pronounce him guiltie of wickednes Vers 3. A man cannot be established vz. long to continue vpon the earth by wickednes i. by deuising and performing euill things q.d. let the wicked thinke by their wickednes to make their state strong yet is it a matter impossible that they should long continue and indure but the roote of the righteous i. the righteous himselfe and all thinges whatsoeuer appertayning to him shall not bee moued vz. for euer it seemeth to bee the same in other wordes which is expressed before chap. 10.25 And he maketh mention of the roote because if the roote bee sound and prosper the body and braunches cannot chuse but doo well Vers 4. A vertuous woman vz. such a one as is described afterwards in this booke chap. 31.10 11. c. is the crowne of hir husband i. is a great glorie honor and credit vnto him see Philip. 4.1 1. Thessal 2.19 also 1. Corinth 11.7 but she that maketh him ashamed vz. by her euill manners folly or wicked life meaning also by making him ashamed bringing of him into contempt amongst men is as corruptions in his bones i. as greeuous and paynefull vnto him and almost as incurable as greeuous diseases that haue not onely eaten the flesh but entered into the bones Vers 5. The thoughts of the iust are right i. they thinke vpon iust right and holy things but the counsels of the wicked i. their conspiracies and practises are deceitfull i. full of crafte and subtiltie he opposeth to the godly the wicked and to their thoughtes the subtilties and crafts of the vngodly Vers 6. The talking of the wicked i. all their words and speech is to lye in waite for bloud i. tendeth all to this end to spoyle men and to take their liues from them but the mouth of the righteous i. good mens words and speeches see chap. 10.31 will deliuer vz. from danger and destruction them i. those for whose life the wicked lye in waite Vers 7. God ouerthroweth the wicked vz. thorowe his iust iudgement against them for their sinnes or it may bee turned thus the wicked ouerthrowe themselues vz. thorow their owne vngodlines and they are not vz. to be found amongst men aliue but dye and decaye see Ierem. 31.15 and Matth. 2.18 but the house of the righteous i. he and all whatsoeuer apperteyneth vnto him shall stande vz. firme and sure and not be shaken see chap. 10.25 chap. 11.21 Vers 8. A man vz. of what state or condition so euer he be shall be commended vz. amongst men for his wisdome i. for his wise and sincere handling of matters it may be vnderstoode also as though hee should be commended according to the measure and proportion that he hath receaued of it but the froward of heart i. he that doth things rashly and frowardly shall be despised vz. both of God and men Vers 9. He that is despised vz. of other men and is his owne seruant q.d. and yet notwithstanding is sufficient of himselfe dooing his owne busines wheresoeuer it be is better i. is in a better case and that by many degrees than hee that boasteth himselfe vz. of his great honor riches c. and lacketh bread i. suffereth want and hath little or nothing to mainteyne himselfe with all For bread here is put for all manner of mayntenance Vers 10. A righteous man i. a good and faithfull dealing person regardeth the life of his beast i. hath a good eye to preserue it
of that griefe and sorowe which seaseth and possesseth many times a mans heart the mind vz. of a man is heauie i. is made or become heauie and sad some reade and the Hebrue text also seemeth to import so much the spirit is broken i. the man sigheth often and draweth his breath very hard q.d. his life is almost at an end Vers 14. The heart of him i. he himselfe a part for the whole and yet he speaketh of the heart because if the heart or minde bée not set vpon it wee shall hardly obtaine it that hath vnderstanding i. that through Gods goodnes hath obtained some measure of it seeketh vz. carefully and diligently knowledge i. increase of knowledge q.d. he hath care to bee euery day more skilfull than other but the mouth of the foole i. the foole himselfe and yet because meate is first receiued into the mouth before it go into the stomacke and so become nutritiue he maketh mention of it is fed vz. continually meaning that the foole taketh as great delight in the same as in all manner of dainties with foolishnes i. with his owne follie and other mens also who frame themselues to his humour Vers 15. All the daies vz. of the life of a man from the time his affliction and griefe beginneth till it haue an end of the afflicted i. of any which is afflicted troubled in minde because his state and condition in this life is no better meaning it of a poore man that is not content with his owne portion as may appeare by the verses following are euill i. grieuous tedious and bitter specially to flesh and bloud but a good conscience i. he that hath in himself peace towards God quietnes before men and contentednes in his owne soule is a continuall feast i. bréedeth as great pleasure and delight to him that hath it as if he were daylie fed with most fine dainties Vers 16. Better is a little vz. which a man hath of his owne through Gods blessing with the feare of the Lord i. hauing a reuerence of Gods Maiestie in his heart both quieting his minde and teaching him the right vse of it than great treasure vz. howsoeuer it be obtained and trouble therwith vz. to the owner thereof and in his minde which wauereth and is vnquiet either for the sure kéeping of it or for the sodaine forgoing of it Vers 17. Better is a dinner of greene hearbes i. a very meane slender dinner where loue is vz. towards the parties bidden and among the parties themselues because there all things shall bee well accepted than a stalled oxe vz. prepared for a dinner or banquet meaning also thereby a most sumptuous feast and hatred therewith i. an euill affection either towards the parties bidden or one of them towards another Vers 18. An angrie man i. one giuen much to anger stirreth vp strife vz. in euery companie wheresoeuer he commeth yea many times amongst them where there is great peace and quietnes see Chap. 29.22 but he that is slowe to wrath i. will hardly or not at all be moued thereto see Chapt. 14.29 appeaseth vz. by all the meanes he can he indeuoureth to quiet and pacifie strife vz. kindled and stirred vp before so farre off is he from prouoking men thereto Vers 19. The way i. the order and course of his life of a slothfull man i. of him that sluggishly and slothfully goeth about his duetie is as an hedge of thornes i. is so slow and hard as if it were all beset with thornes briers meaning that so it seemeth also vnto himselfe and therefore he euer findeth some let or stay that he dare not go forward see Chapt. 26.13 but the way of the righteous i. the order and course of life which he taketh is plaine i. most easie and commodious so that he findeth nothing to hinder him to walke on chearefully therein Vers 20. A wise sonne reioyceth the father i. maketh the father to reioyce and be glad see Chap. 10.1 but a foolish man i. a wicked disobedient and vngodlie child despiseth i. setteth little by or regardeth not at all his mother i. neither her person nor any good thing that commeth from her Vers 21. Foolishnes i. wickednes and sinne is ioye i. is a matter of mirth and delight to him that is destitute of vnderstanding i. to a wicked and vngodly man which knoweth nothing of heauenly wisedome I take it to be the same almost that is sayd Chapt. 14.9 24. but a man of vnderstanding i. a godly and wise man walketh vprightly i. ordereth all his actions and frameth his manners to that which is good and right neuer straying from the right way Vers 22. Without counsell i. without right holie and good counsell thoughts i. all things thought vpon and deuised come to nought i. to no effect and purpose q d. it is not enough to thinke vpon things but there must be counsell taken how to performe the same but in the multitude of counsellers i. of good and faithfull counsellers there is stedfastnes vz. both of purpose and performance if the thing bee good see Prouerb 11.14 Vers 23. A ioye commeth to a man i. there is a man which hath great and singular ioy by the answer of his mouth i. by the words and speaches which he vttereth with his mouth whether he answer things demanded or speake otherwise q.d. when a man speaketh wisely to any person in any place he hath great occasion and matter of ioye giuen him and how good q.d. it is a hard thing to expresse how swéete and profitable so haue you the word good vsed Psalme 133.1 is a word vz. spoken or vttered in due season i. in fit and conuenient time see Psalm 1.3 Al is as much q.d. a wise man is much refreshed and greatly reioyceth when hée seeth his counselles to fall well out and things to come to passe as he said Vers 24. The way of life i. the way that leadeth vnto life yea the very true life it selfe is on high to the prudent i. is in heauen and therefore he thinketh of heauenly things and tendeth thetherward Philip. 3.20 Coloss 3.2 to auoide i. that walking in the same he may auoid from hel beneath i. both from death and destruction which the desire of earthly things bringeth with it and also from the place of eternall torment Vers 25. The Lord vz. himselfe in his iust iudgement will destroy vz. vtterly and as it were pull vp by the rootes the house of the proud men i. them themselues their seede rase substance and whatsoeuer belongeth vnto them for so large I take the signification of the word house to be but he will establish vz. firme and sure the borders of the widdowe i. all that doth appertaine to the poore and abiect persons as it were He setteth against proud persons poore widdowes then who none are commonly more iniured amongst men Vers 26. The thoughts of the wicked i. wicked mens thoughts and the
loftie a parte for the whole and yet he mentioneth the heart because from thence pride groweth and floweth see Chap. 11.2 also 16.18 and before glorie i. before a man come to glorie and estimation amongst men goeth lowlines vz. of heart and bodie q.d. humilitie is a meane to come to glorie see chap. 15.33 as pride is a meane to come to contempt Vers 13. Hee vz. whosoeuer he be that answereth a matter i. that taketh vpon him to shape an answere to a thing before he heareth it vz. thorowly out or els thus before he heare it i. before he vnderstand it it i. that manner of dealing and his answere also is follie and shame vnto him i. bewrayeth his owne follie and purchaseth him great discredit because he will bee so rash and hastie Vers 14. The spirit of a man i. a man that hath a bold spirit and good courage specially giuen him from God will susteyne i. indure and beare and that with great patience and constancie his infirmitie i. all outward griefs and discommodities whatsoeuer but a wounded spirite i. a man striken with the wrath of God and wounded in conscience for his sinnes or other great causes see Psal 51.17 who can beare it i. who is able to indure it long without great and gracious assistance from God q.d. there is no man nor any thing els for as for the bodie it cannot doo it because it is not his office to rule the spirite and minde but rather the minde and soule it selfe although it be caried about in the bodie to rule guide and gouerne it see Prouerb 15.13 and the note of the Geneua bible is very good also Vers 15. A wise heart i. he that hath obteyned some measure of wisdome alreadie getteth vz. daylie more and more knowledge vz. of Gods will reuealed in his worde and the eare of the wise i. the wise man himself by attentiue harkening seeketh learning i. seeketh daylie increase of the same he ioyneth the heart and the eare together though vnder eyther of them he vnderstand the whole man because that from a heart desirous of knowledge procéedeth the attentiue eare which is apte to learne and earnestly seeketh after it Vers 16. A mans gifte vz. which hee giueth or bestoweth vpon another enlargeth him i. deliuereth him from distresse and leadeth him before great men i. bringeth him into their presence so that he may tell his owne tale and speake for himselfe And here he teacheth what men are wont to doo and not what may bée done though sometimes a man may giue gifts to be deliuered from danger when otherwise he cannot but he must beware with all that he be not thereby iniurious to any other Vers 17. He that is first vz. before the iudge or magistrate in his owne cause i. in laying out his owne cause and the things apperteyning thereto is iust i. so seemeth to bee meaning that he seemeth to haue a iust and good cause then i. afterwards commeth vz. before the iudge his neighbour i. he betweene him and whomthere is some controuersie and vz. the iudge vpon his appearance and speach maketh inquirie of him i. inquireth of either of them how the case standeth laboring by demaunds and questions to get the certeintie thereof q.d. hee that first bringeth his cause to the Iudges seemeth to pleade a right cause til his aduersarie bee heard and the Iudge vnderstand the trueth of the matter Vers 18. The lot vz. whose direction is from the Lord as Chap. 16.33 causeth i. ought to cause contentions to cease vz. amongst men vnlesse they will after the manner of giants fight against God and his decree and maketh a partition vz. iustly and vprightly among the mightie i. yea euen among them that are at great dissention and by reason of their strength and power might hurt one another very much Ioyne this with the other verse thus If the matters betweene men bee so hard and doubtfull that the trueth of them cannot bee knowne then let the lot decide the controuersie Vers 19. A brother offended i. greeued and that with his brother for some one cause or other is harder to winne i. it is a harder matter to winne him to reconciliation than a strong citie i. than a citie well defenred so hard a matter is it to master mens affections see Chap. 16.32 and their contentions i. the strifes betweene them are like the barre of a pallace which must of necessity bee strong sure to keepe the gates of such a great and sumptuous building wherein also many times things of great price are layed vp he meaneth that the angers of brethren one of them towards another are so sharpe and vehement that they can no more easilier be subdued than strong defenced townes conquered or easilier broken then most strong barres Vers 20. With the fruite of a mans mouth i. with his words which are called the fruite of his mouth because they come from it as fruite from a tree shall his bellie be satisfied i. hee shall haue inough of it and with the increase of his lippes i. with the abundance of wordes that his lippes shall vtter and the increase that shall come thereof shall hee be filled i. he shall haue plentie and abundance he meaneth that euery man shall receaue the fruite of his owne speach either good or euill euen as hee hath spoken either wel or euil and these Metaphors of the bellie satisfying and so forth serue but to note the abundance that he shall haue either the one way or the other see before Chap. 12 13 14. also Chap. 13.2 3. Ver. 21. Death and life i. all manner of euill and good all prosperitie and aduersitie are in the power of the tongue i. in the tongue itselfe rightly vsed or abused and they that loue it i. to vse it either the one way or the other shall eate the fruit thereof vz. accordingly meaning that they shall receiue according to the goodnes or illnes of their speach see Matth. 12.37 It is of the same sense and meaning that the other verse before going is Thus we see that such as speake well doo themselues and others good and they that speak euill hurt both themselues and others Vers 22. He that findeth vz. by the special appointment of God a wife i. a good diligent and wise wife findeth a good thing i. a profitable and pleasant thing and receaueth vz. euen in that fauor of the Lord. i. a sure testimonie and token of Gods fauor towards him see Chap. 19.14 he meaneth that a good and godly wife is a singular blessing from the Lord Vers 23. The poore vz. man or men putting one for many speaketh vz. vnto others with praiers i. humbly and beseechingly as a man may say but the rich vz. man or persons answereth vz. when he is demanded any thing or els answering here is put for speaking as before chap. 15.1 28. Also chap. 16.1 roughlie i. bitterly and sharply wee see the truth
than secret loue Verse 6. Teacheth vs not to condemne our friends reprehensions nor to regard of our foes flatteries Verse 7. Teacheth vs to beware that we be not ouertaken with excesse and that hunger is the best sawce Verse 8. Teacheth vs to stand in the callings wherein God hath set vs. Verse 9. Teacheth vs what an excellent thing holie friendship and sound aduise is Verse 10. Teacheth vs not to forsake old friends for newe Verse 11. Teacheth children to striue to all goodnes Vers 12. Teacheth vs to labour to preuent Gods iudgement and to take heede of continuance and growth in sinne Verse 13. Teacheth vs to beware of rash and hastie suretiship Verse 14. Teacheth vs to beware of flattering or fanning vppon any speciallie without good cause Verse 15. Declareth what a continuall consumer a contentious woman is Verse 16. Teacheth vs that the rage of women will hardlie if at all bee kept vnder Verse 17. Teacheth vs that presence and conference of friends is a great meane to increase loue Verse 18. Teacheth vs that as the diligent reape profite by increase of their fruites so doth the painfull seruant promotion by obedience and diligence to his master Verse 19. Teacheth vs that a man many times either by his owne experience or other mens behauiours may enter deeplie into other men Verse 20. Teacheth vs that the sight and concupiscence of a man is vnsatiable Verse 21. Teacheth vs that men are to be esteemed according to the good things that God hath bestowed vpon them Vers 22. Teacheth vs that some men are so hardned in their sinne that there is no hope of their amendement Verse 23. Teacheth men to haue a prouident eye to the things wherewith God hath blessed them Verse 24. Teacheth vs the instabilitie and vncertaintie of riches Verse 25 26. Shewe that God giueth all his creatures for mans vse and great good Verse 27. Teacheth vs the moderate and sober vse thereof CHAP. 28. Co. THe holy Ghost in the beginning of this Chapter passeth from oeconomicall and houshold affaires which hee had dealt in in the latter ende of the other Chapter to more generall poynts as to the euill conscience of the wicked and the bold perswasion of the righteous and to speake of euill and good Magistrates c. Di. THis Chapter may be diuided into fowre partes In the first he speaketh Di. 1 of a good and euill conscience of godly and wicked magistrates of oppressors of godly and vngodly persons and of their seueral qualities of the godlie poore man and the wicked rich from vers 1. to the end of the 7. In the second he speaketh against vsurers contemners of Gods worde deuisers Di. 2 of wicked practises vngodly rich men also against keeping close of sinnes and against hardning of mens hearts in their iniquitie from vers 8. to the end of the 14. In the third he dealeth with wicked magistrates violent and froward people idle and slothfull men couetous and partiall persons Di. 3 and sheweth by the contrarie what good fruites come of vpright walking painefulnes faithfulnes c. from vers 15. to the end of the 21. In the fourth he intreateth of making haste to be rich of rebukes or reproofes of Di. 4 leud children of pride and hautines of heart of liberalitie towards the poore and of the exaltation and perishing of the wicked from vers 22. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. THe wicked i. euerie one of the wicked for hee vseth a nominatiue case singular with a verbe plurall as though hee would declare that one of the wicked flying the rest followe after flee i. indeuor to escape by all the meanes that they can when none pursueth vz. them except it be the testimonie of their owne conscience sée Psalm 53.5 And this seemeth to be taken from the great threatning which is pronounced in Gods lawe against the wicked Leuit. 26.36 but the righteous are bold vz. not with any trust in themselues but by the faith they haue in God and that in all their afflictions how great or how little so euer they be as a Lyon i. fearing nothing for as a Lyon feareth no other beasts so shal not they dread any tempests whatsoeuer Vers 2. For the transgression of the land i. for the sinnes that the people inhabiting the land doo commit there are many princes i. rulers and gouernors of it not at one time as some haue thought though that be a great confusion but by often changing euery one of them raigning but a small season but by a man of vnderstanding and knowledge i. by wise men and magistrates specially such as feare God he putteth one for many a realme likewise indureth long i. a kingdome on the contrarie side is preserued a great while see Hosea 13.11 The holy ghost meaneth that whereas in any common wealth or kingdome either the princes or the people or both departe from their duetie there are often changes but where either both states or any one of them yea some wise man amongst them dooth by his authoritie guide and gouerne the whole or some parte of them in vprightnes there the state is durable and florishing see 2. Samuel 20.16 c. Vers 3. A poore man i. a man of a meane estate if he oppresse vz. either by fraude or by force by bargayning or otherwise the poore vz such as he himselfe is whose cause he should tender and pittie because in them hee is put in minde of his owne estate is like a raging rayne i. is like great riuers and floods which arise by abundance of rayne or els like a great storme and tempest of rayne that leaueth vz. remayning vpon the land or behind it no foode vz. for cattel or men to liue vpon whereupon must followe of necessitie great famine Vers 4. They that forsake the lawe vz. of God and will not haue it to be the rule of their life prayse vz. very highly the wicked vz. man or men euen such as are like themselues but they that seeke the Lord vz. earnestly and with an vnfeined heart striue to performe it set themselues vz. both in word and déed against them i. against such notorious wicked persons Vers 5. Wicked men i. giuen to wickednes vnderstand not iudgement i. knowe not or regarde not to performe their dueties to God and man but they that seeke the Lord vz. earnestly and with an vnfeigned heart vnderstand all things i. knowe and indeuor to performe the dueties which they owe both to God and man see 1. Corinth 2.15 Vers 6. Better vz. by many degrees is the poore vz. man that walketh i. leadeth a life and conuersation in his vprightnes i. vprightly and it is called his vprightnes not because he hath it of himselfe but because the Lord hath giuen it him than he vz. whosoeuer hee bee that peruerteth his waies vz. from the light and trueth of the word of God which is the onely way of righteousnes though he be
decay or dye the righteous increase vz. both in number and in courage because those that for feare kept themselues close before doo then boldly bewray themselues see verse 12. of this Chapter Do. Vers 1. Teacheth what great difference there is betweene the testimonie of a good conscience and an euill conscience Verse 2. Teacheth vs that the sinnes of the people pull vpon them all alterations of state also what a good blessing it is to haue a good Magistrate Verse 3. Teacheth vs that there is no oppression to the oppression that one poore man exerciseth towards another Verse 4. Teacheth vs to be so farre off from commending the vngodlie that wee must rather by all meanes lawfull oppose and set our selues against them Verse 5. Sheweth that God reuealeth his will and all good things to them that seeke him vnfeignedly Vers 6. Teacheth vs that no good man should be despised for his pouertie nor no wicked man esteemed for his riches Verse 7. Teacheth vs to haue care and conscience to walke in the obedience of Gods lawe also to beware of keeping companie with gluttons and dronkards and to take heede that we bring not our parents name into discredite and obloquie Verse 8. Teacheth vs to auoide vsurie and interest also that man purposeth one thing but that God doth according to his pleasure dispose it another way Verse 9. Teacheth vs to beware that we offer no contempt to the word nor any exercises therof also that the praiers of such as despise Gods word are abominable in his sight Verse 10. Teacheth vs what punishments shall fall vppon the intisers and prouokers of other men to mischiefe and also what graces GOD will powre vpon his owne seruants Vers 11. Teacheth vs that a poore man which is wise is better than a rich man that is foolish Verse 12. Teacheth vs that it is a great blessing to haue good gouernours and that it is a great testimonie of Gods wrath when the Magistrates are euill Verse 13. Teacheth vs humblie and vnfeignedlie to confesse our sinnes and not at any hand to couer them Verse 14. Teacheth vs alway to stand in awe of Gods iustice and iudgement and of offending his Maiestie and to take continuall heede that wee haue not our hearts hardened through the deceitfulnes of sinne Vers 15. Setteth out the crueltie and rapine of wicked Magistrates Verse 16. Doth the same declaring further that it is a goodly vertue for al but especially for magistrates to hate couetousnes Verse 17. Teacheth vs that God will neuer suffer man murtherers to be vnpunished Verse 18. Teacheth vs holie conuersation and that we should decline from euery crooked path Verse 19. Teacheth vs to be diligent in our callings and to auoide idlenes Vers 20. Teacheth vs faithfulnes and vprightnes in all our dealings and to beware of desire to be sodainlie rich Verse 21. Teacheth Iudges and Magistrates not to respect any mans person in iudgement Verse 22. Doth liuely paint out the mind and condition of miserable and niggardly men shewing also that none can bee rich without Gods especiall blessing Verse 23. Teacheth vs as on the one side plainlie and charitablie to reproue so on the otherside to beware of flatterie and dissimulation Verse 24. Teacheth vs first to beware of vnnaturalnes towards our parents secondlie to take heed that we doo not iustifie our sinnes and thirdly it declareth how grieuous disobedience and vnnaturalnes towards parents is Verse 25. Teacheth vs to trust in nothing neither within vs nor without vs but in the Lord onelie Verse 26. Teacheth vs that obedience to godly wisemen shall be a meane to deliuer men from many dangers Vers 27. Teacheth vs to be liberal towards the poore and to beware of hard heartednes towardes them Verse 28. Sheweth in what a miserable case good men are when euill Magistrates are set vp and in what good case they are when it pleaseth the Lord to remoue them and to take them away CHAP. 29. Co. IN the 23. and 28. verses of the former Chapter he had spoken of rebukes and of wicked Magistrates and now as it were resuming those matters againe he sheweth in the beginning of this Chapter and namely vers 1 2. what an euill thing it is to harden a mans heart against rebukes and to haue an euill Magistrate and ruler and so from these proceedeth on to other matters in the Chapter Di. Di. 1 THis Chapter may bee diuided into three parts The first reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 9. wherein he speaketh of such as contemne admonitions of wicked Magistrates of whorehunters of bribers of flatterers of the wicked and the godlie of scorners and such as can endure no reproofe Di. 2 howsoeuer vttered The second reacheth from verse 10. to the end of the 18. wherein he speaketh of cruell men of fooles of credulous Magistrates of the poore and vsurer of a good King of correction of children of the wicked and the godlie and of the want of the word how hurtfull it Di. 3 is The third reacheth from verse 19. to the end of the Chapter wherein he dealeth against euill seruants against hastie men against angrie persons against proude men against theeues and theft and sheweth what it is to trust in the Lord and not in men declaring that the godlie cannot abide the vngodlie nor the vngodlie the godlie Se. Vers 1. A Man i. any man of what calling so euer he be that hardneth his necke i. that willingly submitteth not himself it is a metaphore taken frō oxen or other beasts that refuse the yoke which should bée put vpon their necke and will not bowe their necke vnto it when he is rebuked vz. iustly of others for his transgressions and the hebrue phrase as I take it importeth some what more for hee is called a man of rebukes that is such a one as hath been sundrie and seuerall times reprooued of others for his naughtines shall sodainely be destroyed vz. euen then when he thinketh least of it and cannot bee cured vz. by any meanes of the afflictions that God shall lay vpon him for the contempt of corrections and admonitions which God himself and his children gaue him he meaneth that he shal be destroyed and that there shall be no remedie nor hope of restoring Vers 2. When the righteous are in authoritie vz. ouer others the people reioyce i. they haue good cause giuen them to bee merrie and glad but when the wicked beareth rule the people sigh vz. euen for griefe and sorrow of heart or at the least they haue a good cause so to doo see Chap. 11.10 also Chap. 28.12 28. Vers 3. A man that loueth vz. vnfeynedly wisdome i. heauenly wisdome reioyceth his father i. maketh his parents glad thereby see Chap. 10.1 also Chap. 15.20 but hee that feedeth harlots vz. with the goods and substance hee hath meaning hereby not onely keeping companie with them but mainteyning them also wasteth his substance i. consumeth all that
vnto her selfe as may appeare by that which followeth Vers 29. Many daughters vz. of men meaning by this terme not maides onely but women or maried wiues haue done vertuouslie vz. towards their husbands households and children and that in many great and gracious respects but thou surmountest them all vz. in thy good dealings and that by much or many degrées And thus he commendeth her in preferring her for her good gouernment before many others Vers 30. Fauour vz. of a womans face is deceitfull vz. because it continueth not long and beautie vz. in the countenance is vanitie i. is not much to be regarded for it wil vanish away vnder these two he coÌ„prehendeth al outward qualities and graces whatsoeuer but a woman that feareth the Lord vz. vnfeignedly and from the bottome of her heart she shall bee praised i. highly esteemed and magnified both of God and man Where first of al we are to vnderstand that with all things before reckoned he would haue Gods feare ioyned or els that the rest are little or nothing worth And these words I take to be Salomons owne declaring wherein specially consisteth the true praise and commendation of a good woman and not the words of her children as some imagine mentioned before verse 28. see 1. Peter 3.3 4. Also 1. Timoth. 2.9 10. Vers 31. Giue her of the fruite of her hands i. attribute vnto her the praise which by performing of her dueties she hath deserued see Ierem. 23.16 where he biddeth them giue glorie to the Lord their God and let her owne workes vz. which she her selfe hath done praise her vz. though others would bee silent and say nothing thereof in the gates i. openly and by the publike consent of all see verse 23. of this Chapter I take these to be the words of him that writ the booke and to be generally applied to all q.d. seeing that the excellent qualities of a good woman are so great and so many praise her as her workes deserue which she hath done that so she may receiue the fruite of her labours and bee worthelie commended therefore and that not only secretly but in the places of publike and politike méetings and though other men conceale her commendation yet doo you set it forth still Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs in the person of Lemuel to haue care to deliuer good things ouer to our posteritie it teacheth mothers also what great care they should haue to instruct their children Verse 2. Teacheth what tender affection mothers should carrie towards their children prouided alwaies that they traine them not vp wantonly and that they should many times commend their sonnes and their daughters to God in their praiers Vers 3. Teacheth all men but chiefly Magistrates to beware of whoredome Verse 4. Teacheth Magistrates and rulers to abstaine as from dronkennes so from the excessiue vse of wine or strong drinke which may prouoke thereto Verse 5. Teacheth vs that dronkennes depriueth men of memorie of good things causeth the parties to be void of the feeling of other mens miseries Verse 6. Teacheth vs that pleasant things belong to the heauie sorowful harted rather than to such as are fraught with pleasures because extremitie of pleasures comming together it is a hard thing if man be not caried away therewith Verse 7. Teacheth vs that when men are oppressed with miserie they should vse all lawfull meanes to put it away Verse 8. Teacheth Magistrates to defend the iust cause of all such as cannot pleade for themselues Verse 9. Teacheth them also to iudge vpright iudgement Verse 10. Teacheth vs first that good women are very rare and skant secondly that where men through Gods blessing haue found the same they should esteeme them as very excellent iewells Verse 11. Teacheth vs that a wife of good gouernment maketh a rich husband Vers 12. Teacheth women to doo good to all but specially to their husbands and families Verse 13. Teacheth women not onely to set their owne seruants on worke but to labour themselues also what they may Verse 14. Teacheth women with speede and yet with good aduise and labour also to prouide things necessarie for their familie Verse 15. Teacheth them to be diligent in 〈…〉 fearefullie to prouide that seruants may haue as their 〈…〉 their worke and not the one without the other Vers 16. Teachâ—â—◠〈◊〉 not to attempte any bargaine rashly or vnaduisedly but to consider as of their owne abilitie so of the thing it selfe Vers 17. Teacheth them cheerefullie and couragiouslie to goe about their affaires Verse 18. Teacheth women to pursue profit while the Lord maketh offer thereof or giueth them knowledge and experience of the same Vers 19. Sheweth that a good woman is not so fine fingred as many daintie dames are at this day but will lay hir hands to any worke that may either saue or get Vers 20. Teacheth vs that good women haue the bowels of compassion towards them that want Vers 21. Teacheth a good Mistresse to preuent the feare of all danger not onely that might fall vpon hir selfe but vpon hir familie also to prouide not onely things necessarie but for comelines Vers 22. Sheweth that good people and namely good women may not only vse things of profit but of pleasure and comelines also Vers 23. Teacheth vs that a good wife is euen a great glorie and crowne vnto hir husband Vers 24. Teacheth not onely that good women should be diligent for gouernement of things within doore but also to be dealing in those things abroad that may rayse vp some mainteynance to the houshold Vers 25. Teacheth vs that it is a faithfull walking in a good womans calling that giueth hir peace of conscience in the dayes of affliction Vers 26. Teacheth good women to leaue tatling and to speake wisely and to stirre vp both hir self and other women also to liberalitie to the needie Vers 27. Teacheth a good woman to haue an eye to the manners and to the matters of hir houshold and alwaies to take heede of idlenes in hir self or them Vers 28. Teacheth that if there be good things in any that either by nature mariage or otherwise apperteyne to vs we may safely commend them for the same Vers 29. Teacheth vs to keepe a iust measure in our commendation and to take heede we goe not beyond trueth Vers 30. Teacheth vs that though fauour and beautie bee to bee regarded yet without the feare of God they are nothing and that women hauing that are to bee preferred before all Vers 31. Teacheth vs to commend of good things as they are meete not to come to short for that is to depriue them of that which is due vnto them neither to goe too farre for that is lying and falshood HEBREVV CHAP. 13.20 21. The God of peace that brought againe from the dead our Lord Iesus the great Shepheard of the Sheepe thorowe the bloud of the euerlasting couenant make vs perfect in all good workes to doo his will working in vs that which is pleasant in his sight through Iesus Christ to whome bee prayse for euer and euer So be it FINIS