who hateth those who clap hands is secure The rash person who standeth bound to pay anothers debt smarteth throughly for his follie but he is not onely without trouble but without feare who misliketh such as vse to enter vndaduisedly into suretiship 16 A gracious woman obtaineth honor and strong men obtaine riches See examples in Hester and Abigail A woman indued with vertue especially if also she haue a comely personage is in her standing place greatly reuerenced and esteemed On the other side the mightie men who are strong in bodie get store of wealth by their diligent labour 17 The liberall person doth good to himselfe but he vvho is cruell troubleth his owne flesh Herein the holy Ghost intreateth of almes or liberalitie Psal 112. after 24 25. First whereas it is sayd that a liberall man doth good vnto himselfe the meaning is that he who releeueth other shall him selfe in his weldoing find a blessing from the Lord who will increase his store or otherwise do him good So much this phrase signifieth both here and Eccles 12.4 Secondly whereas it is added that he who is cruell troubleth his owne flesh the sense is that the niggard the cruell oppressor of the poore by this meanes hurt them selues drawing the vengeance of God on their owne pates 18 The wicked man getteth him selfe a deceiptfull reward but he who soweth righteousnesse hath a sure recompence Euery wicked man who soweth vnto the flesh Gal. 6.7.8 Ioh. 5. shal of the flesh reape corruption but the godly person who soweth vnto the spirit shall of the spirit reape life euerlasting 19 The righteous man soweth to life but he who followeth wickednesse vnto his owne destruction He who walking with a sincere heart is not wearie of well doing shall inherit Gods kingdome as contrariwise the wicked shall find the wages of sinne to be death 20 The froward in heart are abhominatiō to the Lord but the vpright in way are acceptable to him God hateth such as suffer sinne to raigne in them Rom. 8.1 but he fauoureth those who walke not after the flesh but after the spirit 21 Though hand ioyne in hand the wicked man shall not escape scotfree but the seed of the righteous deliuereth it selfe Albeit the euildoer hath often many friends which seeke to bring him out of trouble when he is therein The Israelites may be an example yet in spite of the pie as we say he is oftentimes condemned or punished neither can the whole country saue him as we speake On the contrary side the innocent not indeed without the wonderfull power of God but without the helpe of any mortall man escape out of danger and affliction euen maugre the heads of most mightie aduersaries 22 As a iewell of gold in a swines snout so is a faire woman * or Voyd of reason which lacketh discretion In this comparison beautie is compared to a ring or ouch of gold in regard of the excellencie good vse thereof The woman voyd of discretion is resembled to a sow which is a most brutish filthie and abhominable creature yet not so bad as the wanton or wicked woman who walloweth in the mire of vnchastitie riot scolding pride or such other vices Is there any thing more vncomely or more lothsome to behold then that such beasts should shamefully abuse the good graces and gifts of God as beautie eloquence knowledge of the word But that which is set downe in this true prouerbe hath befallen thē they returne as dogges to their vomit 2. Pet. 2.22 Rom. 2.9 or as swine to their wallowing in the mire 23 The desire of the iust findeth good the hope of the wicked indignation The godly haue at the last that prosperitie which they wished but the vngodly contrarie to their expectation meet with troubles and Gods vengeance 24 Some there are who scattering are the more increased and some who sparing otherwise then is meete come to pouertie 25 The liberall mind shall waxe fat and he which giueth bountifully shall powre foorth Examples hereof we haue in the widow of Sarepta Abraham Iob. In the former of these two verses is shewed that the stocke of the franke giuer is increased by giuing as on the contrary side the substance of the niggard waxeth lesse and lesse by sparing For in deede God blesseth the liberall enriching them both with outward benefits the gifts of his spirit but he curseth and crosseth the couetous In the fiue and twentith verse is declared that the liberall person shal not only waxe richer but be exceedingly wealthie so that he shall become fat in goods and possessions yea that the more he giueth the more he shal be able to giue being herein like vnto the wels which the more they are drawne the more they abound with water For he giueth and lendeth all day long Psal 37.26 and his seede is full of blessings 26 The people will curse him who keepeth in his wheate but a blessing shall be on his head who selleth it See an example Nehem. 5.2.3 It is an execrable thing to withhold the selling of prouision to this end that men may make a priuate commoditie thereof not caring though they vndoe the cōmon wealth On the contrarie side it is a blessed thing to set corne or other prouision to sale in the time of dearth and to sell it at a reasonable rate For by this meanes the poore people are fed preserued aliue who therefore wish all good to him who hath brought foorth necessaries in time of extreme want and famine 27 He who earnestly followeth after that which is good getteth good will but him who seeketh after euill it shall befall Such a one as euen setteth him selfe to do good to the people among whom he liueth in their goods bodies or soules shall winne and haue their hearts and find Gods fauour Againe he who bendeth him selfe to annoy his neighbours or anie shall meet with their hatred or some euill 28 He which trusteth in his riches shal fall but the iust shall flourish as a branch The man who putteth confidence in his wealth Psal 52.9 Psal 92.13 shall fall from prosperitie and wither as the naughty frute or leafe which falleth from the tree On the other side he who walking vprightly trusteth in the Lord shall be in a flourishing estate 29 He which troubleth his owne house shal inherit the wind and the foole shall be seruant to the wise in heart The prodigall foole and improuident housholder who doth not rightly gouerne his familie or dispose his houshold affaires but spendeth his goods prodigally See an example in the prodigall sonne or suffreth them to wast and consume for want of good husbandrie shall at last want money foode and all necessaries yea be constrained to sell him self to be a drudge to some rich man or other who hath bene a wiser housholder then he For commonly vnthrifts are brought to
money mainteineth his right being sicke by money getteth all sortes of remedies finally being in want obtaineth all outward things in a manner by money or money worth On the contrary side pouerty is a sore estate which as we vse to say causeth the old wife to trot but this singular cōmoditie it hath that because the poore man hath nothing to giue or pay no quareller sueth him no thiefe setteth on him no magistrate seazeth on his house 9 The light of the iust shal reioyce but the candle of the wicked shall be put out The prosperitie of the righteous is here compared to the light of the day or to the sunne which reioycing to runne his course continueth firme frō time to time in the skie In like maner then the welfare of the godly shall increase remaine constant The glory of the vngodly on the contrarie side is fitly resembled vnto a candle For euen as a lampe or candle burneth but a while and quickly consumeth so all the pompe and flourishing of the wicked shall suddenly decay and vanish in a moment For this cause it is sayd in a certaine Psalme that light is planted vnto the iust man This maketh Bildab to affirme of the wicked man on the contrarie side Psal 97.11 Iob. 18.6 that the sparke of his fire doth not shine and his candle is put out in his tent 10 Through meere pride a man maketh cōtention but wisedome is with the well aduised The cause or fountaine of strife of peace is here opened and declared Through meere pride a man maketh contention The conceipt of a mans owne excellencie breeding in him contempt of all good counsell maketh his affections fierce and stirreth him yea emboldeneth him to prouoke his neighbors vnto wrath or to contend with them whatsoeuer commeth of it But with the well aduised is wisedome As for those who follow the aduise of Gods word or spirit they are indued with that wisedome which is peaceable whereby they auoyd all occasions of strife yea sometimes they pacifie wrath when it is kindled 11 Substance gotten by vanitie shall be diminished but he which gathereth with the hand shall increase it Goods ill gotten wil quickly consume but he who plyeth his calling faithfully shall thriue He is sayd to gather with the hand who getteth any thing in a lawful calling with a good conscience whether he labour with his bodie or his mind 12 The hope which is differred maketh the heart sicke but a desire which cometh is a tree of life This verse sheweth the danger or hurt of delay the comfort of present good things By hope the thing hoped for is meant whether it be some comforatble newes or some acceptable person Euen as meate long kept from the hungry stomach maketh the body weake so the thing longed for prolonged causeth a feeble soule See an example in Iacob Gen. 45 26. For the minde wanting the thing expected grieueth because it doth not presently enioy it and feareth that it shall neuer haue it On the contrarie side a desire which commeth or is present is a tree of life The sight or receiuing of the good thing which hath bene earnestly wished for healeth the maladie of the heart and reuiueth the spirits 13 He which despiseth the word shall be destroyed but he which reuerenceth the law shall haue peace Contempt of the word of God is threatned in this verse and a reward is promised to obedience So were the Israelites so were Corasin Bethsaida and Capernaum He which despiseth the word shall be destroyed That person who cōtemptuously reiecteth the commandement of God or will by no meanes be subiect thereunto shall be plagued at the last with some fearefull and grieuous punishment But he which reuerenceth or feareth the law So did Iasiah shall haue peace Whosoeuer trembleth at Gods word and putteth it into practise shall enioy prosperitie For as the Psalmist saith See Psal 117. Esa 66.2 there is great peace to those who loue Gods law 14 The doctrine of a wise man is a welspring of life to depart from the snares of death The meaning of this sentence is that the word of God wisely applied is profitable first as a spring of water to enrich the receiuers thereof with manifold good things secondly as a faithfull guide to preserue them from sundrie euils as from sin and death 15 Grace giueth good successe but the way of transgressors is rough Obediēce to the word of God meant here by grace causeth men to prosper the Lord being with them so long as they serue him But the way of transgressors is rough The life of sinners is full of troubles and miseries by reason of their sinnes and like away which is rugged or full of thornes 16 Euerie wise man dealeth with knowledge but a foole layeth his folly open Wisedome is now commended and folly condemned Euery wise man dealeth with knowledge Euerie one who is prudent doth his affaires exactly not onely setting downe the meanes of attaining his enterprises or the order of his matters according whereunto he will then proceed but forecasting the issues and preuenting the hinderances of his attempts But a foole layeth open his folly On the contrarie side he who is vnskilfull or vndiscreet goeth rashly and rawly about all things and by his rude and vnperfect works bewrayeth and layeth open his owne ignorance and vanitie 17 A wicked messenger falleth into euil but a faithfull embassadour healeth Trustie and vnfaithfull dealing in messages is now spoken of A wicked messenger falleth into euill He who doth his arrant slouthfully or guilefully not onely much grieueth other but hurteth him selfe drawing by this means on him selfe both his maisters displeasure and Gods iudgement On the contrarie side a faithfull embassour healeth A trustie messenger freeing his maisters mind from doubts feares and griefes so healeth the maladie thereof as a Phisition cureth the diseases of the bodie For which cause as the leech of the bodie vseth to haue his fee so this embassadour or Phisition of the soule shall haue the good will of men and the blessing of God for his recompence as it were 18 Pouertie and shame shall befall him who withdraweth him selfe from instruction but he which regardeth correction shal be honored The spirit of God herein intreateth of chastisements Pouertie and shame c. Iob. 5.17 Iam. 1.12 He that will not obey good counsell lightly euen in this world commeth to beggerie and infamie For the Lord will despise those who despise him But he which regardeth correction shall be honored He which yeeldeth to wholsome aduise and profiteth by chastisements is made partaker of many good things and namely of credit and dignitie For those who honor God he also will honor 19 The desire present is pleasant to the soule but it is an abhomination to fooles to depart frō euill Herein is shewed how glad men are when they enioy their pleasures how loth they are to
contention but bringeth forth a great number of sinnes of sundry sortes For the furious person curseth sweareth slaundereth enuieth murmureth and is ready to commit murder See a very like sentence Iames 3.16 23 The hautinesse of a man casteth him downe but honor lifteth him vp who is cast downe in spirit This point hath oft bene handled as namely in the 22. Chapter of this booke and the 15. verse also in the 28. Chapter and the 17. verse Briefly the meaning of this sentence is thus much to wit that the pride of heart lifted vp either in regard of some gifts whether outward or inward or by reason of some secret rebellion and contempt of God shal be an occasion of bringing that hautie person to low degree and wāts who before was of high estare and indued with many blessings Againe that on the contrary side the humilitie and low linesse of the spirit cast downe vnder the mightie hand of God and giuing honor to men shall be as it were a piller to vphold all those graces and blessings whereof the partie therewith indued is already made partaker and furthermore as a step to greater honor shal encrease his dignity and prosperitie in euery respect For he that lifteth vp him selfe shal be brought low and he that humbleth himself shal be exalted Adam Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar may be witnesses on the one side and Dauid the virgin Marie and Elizabeth on the other of the truth of this sentence 24 He that is partner with a theef hateth him selfe and he which hearing cursing declareth it not We are herein taught to be farre off from communicating with sinners as to rebuke and reproue those offences whereunto we are priuie All men generally count it a wicked thing to steale and many who are euen without all feare of God will not rob or pilfer themselues but a great number make no bones to be accessary vnto euill doers and are glad when they may haue any share in a rich bootie manfully gotten Howsoeuer such may thinke themselues to be better then theeues yet the Prophet Esay maketh them all one with them Esay 1. when he saith thy Princes are the fellowes of theeues Now here is shewed that not onely these partakers with euill doers are in fault as well as they but that they shall not escape punishment For thus much is meant when it is said that they hate their owne soule or them selues that is to say they make them selues subiect to danger of law to infamie and to the wrath of God in as much as theeues and robbers shall not inherite the kingdome of God 1. Cor. 6. The Lord by his Prophet threatneth such affirming that in as much as they saw a theef Psal 50. they consented to him and were partakers with the adulterer therefore he would reproue them and set their sinnes in order before them But as he draweth on him selfe the Lordes iudgements who communicateth with theeues in their spoiles euill deeds so he also offendeth casteth himself into his wrath which hearing cursing declareth it not that is to say who hearing any to blaspheme to sweare or otherwise abuse his tongue telleth him not of his fault if he be such a one whō it is wisedome to reproue This to be the naturall sense of these words may appeare by that mother sentēce vnto which this verse is referred which is set downe in the fift Chapter of Leuiticus 1. verse Also when one hath sinned and he hath heard the sinne of blasphemie whereof he is witnesse whether he hath seen it or whether he hath heard it if he tell it not surelie he shall beare his iniquitie In which place as appeareth by the sute of the whole Chapter Thus Tremellius and Iunius also take it the Lord speaketh not of publicke but of priuate offences and not of accusations brought vnto Magistrates but of priuate admonitions Many a one who heareth his neighbour vse most execrable speeches herein thinketh him highly to offend and is ready in heart to condemne him But although he let him proceed or open not his mouth at all to declare his fault vnto him yet he blameth not himselfe because he knoweth not or doth not consider that his suffering of his neighbours sinnes to passe without any controlment vsed by him maketh him subiect to the punishment due thereunto Well then to stir vp euery one to pull his neighbour out of the fire here is shewed that silence kept in such cases causeth vs to incurre the recompence due to other mens offences Let vs then as the Apostle exhorteth follow the nature of light which not onely hath no fellowship with darkenesse but reprooueth and declareth the workes thereof Let vs practise the commandement of our Sauiour if our brother offendeth vs to tel him betweene vs and him If our brother I say for as for scorners another course is to be taken with them 25 The * The trembling of a man fearfull man laieth a snare before himselfe but he which trusteth in the Lord is placed on high As in the verse going before the effects of communicating in sinne or winking thereat haue bene shewed so in this the contrary workings of infidelitie and faith are declared The spirituall feare and sonlike reuerence of God is a fountaine of life as before in this booke hath bene affirmed Againe the naturall feare of dangers of troubles of death is not to be reproued so long as it keepeth in compasse or is sanctified by the spirit of God But here a slauish hellish feare is spoken off springing from infidelitie and troubling the mind aboue measure with the dangers or euils of this life or the world to come This feare worketh a snare euen death and destruction euen as the Apostle saith the sorrow of this world doth For first he which feareth the faces of men or troubles runneth by this meanes into many sinnes as to leaue his calling to trust in carnall helpes and to deny the truth of God Secondly he giueth the aduersaries great aduantage ouer him whom by reason of his feare he is not able to resist and who on this occasion are emboldened Thirdly by extreeme passions his senses are bound his spirits dulled his bodie cast into diseases and his minde faileth and fainteth Last of all in as much as he doubteth of the fauour of God by this meanes hee doth incurre eternall damnation seeing the featfull shall haue their portion in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone As then the fearfull beasts and byrds fall into pittes and inwrap themselues in snares in like sort the timorous persons draw the iudgements of the Lord vpon themselues There are a great number in the world which are farre from this feare and yet no nearer to happinesse if not further off from it then the timorous For they feare neither God nor man but presumption embraceth their neckes as a chaine Their destenie hath before bene set downe
thy substance by outward signes of thankefulnesse as by paying of tithes and by bestowing thy goods on holy vses declare and expresse that reuerence and account which thou hast the Lord in Albeit where abilitie is wholy wanting the Lord is content with the inward thankfulnesse of the mind alone yet he wold haue those who are rich or of abilitie to declare the gratitude of their hearts by outward testimonies and frutes of obedience The ninth verse is nothing else in summe but a repetition or exposition of that statute of the Lord in Exodus concerning the paying of first frutes and such like oblations to him For in the foure and thirtith chapter of that booke and the sixe and twentith verse Moses saith to the people of Israell from the Lord bring all the first frutes the first frutes of thy land into the house of Iehouah thy God Now albeit we are not at this time tyed as the Israelites in olde time were to bring our corne and wine into the Tēple to be offred or beasts to be sacrificed or the first borne to be redeemed with a summe of money yet we ought to honor the Lord by bestowing our goods on holy vses as on the maintenance of the ministerie and the reliefe of the poore For this cause Paul saith to the Galathians Gal. 6.6 let him which is instructed in the word minister to him who instructeth him in all things Be not deceiued God is not mocked Now wheras here we are exhorted not onely to honor God with our substance but with the first frutes or as the word also importeth the chiefe of our increase this sheweth that it is not inough for vs when God hath giuen vs abundance to bestow onely a litle and that of the worst of our goods on good vses no but we must be verie franke and liberall sowing plentifully that also we may reape plentifully Truly if any be indued with zeale or faith indeed they will not be sparing or niggardly but very forward bountifull in those things which appertaine to the Lord. An example of the truth hereof we may haue in Abel for whereas Moses affirmeth Gen. 4.4 that Abel did offer a gift to the Lord of the first borne and fattest of his flocke the Apostle vnto the Hebrewes plainly teacheth that he by faith offered a greater sacrifice to the Lord then Cain Heb. 11.4 insinuating that because Abel beleeued in God he cared not what cost he bestowed on his worship The promise which in the tenth verse is made vnto those who honour the Lord with their goods importeth thus much that such shall not want in this world or the world to come but enioy store of all good things Worldly people commonly think that if they bestow much on good vses they shall go a begging and that whatsoeuer goeth that way is lost But here we are taught that by our liberality toward the maintenāce of Gods seruice we do not onely not loose but gaine much to our selues For rhis cause the prophet Malachie speaketh thus to the people of Israell bring your tithes into the treasure house that in mine house there may be foode and trie me now herein saith the Lord of hosts Mal. 3.10 whether I will not open to you the windows of heauen and bring forth a blessing without measure 11 My sonne despise not the chastisement of the Lord neither faint vnder his correction 12 For whom the Lord loueth he correcteth and he * v ce ab I turne scourgeth reading it rather ca ab as the Apostle did Heb. 12.6 as the same word is vsed Iob 5.17 where see thee roote of this instruction scourgeth euerie sonne whom he receiueth These sentences wherein a fourth dutie of piety is commended containe partly an exhortation vnto patience and partly a reason enforcing the same My sonne despise not the chastisement of the Lord make not light account of the Lords visitation either imputing it vnto chaunce or fortune or suffering it to passe without any frute or profit to thine owne soule Neither faint vnder his correction Torment not thy self with griefe languish not nor pine away quaile not nor shrinke vnder the crosses which the Lord layeth on thee be they neuer so many so great or so continual For whom the Lord loueth he correcteth for the Lord oftentimes suffering his enemies to go vnpunished in this world in great fauor chasteneth his friends as it were See this place of Scripture amplified applied Heb. 12.5.6 that they should not perish with the world And he scourgeth euery sonne whom he receiueth The Lord also schooleth by aduersitie euery one whom he admitteth to be his spirituall sonne or daughter 13 Blessed is that man who findeth vvisedome and the man that getteth vnderstanding 14 For the marchandise thereof is better then the marchandise of siluer and the reuenue thereof is better then gold 15 Shee is more precious then pearles and all thy delites are not to be compared vnto her Nowe the wise king returneth to commend that wisedome whereof he hath before intreated Blessed is the man who findeth wisedome happie is he who attayneth to the knowledge of God and the man that getteth vnderstanding happie is he that commeth vnto the practise of Gods will for the marchandise thereof is c. for the gaine which is gotten hereby is exceeding great Ecclesiafies 7.13 seeing wisedome preserueth the life of a man and bringeth him vnto saluation She is more precious thē pearles c. To conclude Mat. 13.46 wisedome is also more excellent and more pleasant then all the treasures or pleasures of this world Psal 19.10 Phil. 3.8 which are but dung in regard of the excellent knowledge of Iesus Christ 16 Length of dayes is in her right hand in her left hand riches and honor 17 Her vvayes are the vvayes of pleasantnesse her pathes are all pathes of peace 18 Shee is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her and they vvho keepe her are blessed The gifts which wisedome bestoweth on men are rehearsed in these verses Length of dayes are in her right hand wisedome giueth long life yea immortalitie to those who seeke after her whilst in the meane season the vngodly perish by vntimely death some of them wasting their strength by adulterie some of them ouerwhelming their stomachs with drinke some consuming their hearts with enuie some breaking their galles with anger some being slaine in frayes some executed by course of lawes finally some being cut of by the immediate hand of the Lord him selfe In her left hand riches and honor Moreouer wisdome as a boūtifull Queene giueth to them who obey her not only long life but worldly wealth and earthly glorie or at the least spiritual graces which are durable riches and eternall saluation which is a crowne of immortall glorie Her wayes are wayes of pleasantnesse her pathes are pathes of peace Furthermore wisedome worketh ioy in the holy
appointed frō the Lord do shew thee by my precepts and chalke out before thee by my doctrines When thou shalt walke thy gate shall not be strait and if thou shalt runne thou shalt not be hurt So doing wisedome as a guide will direct thee in the right and plain way which leadeth to prosperitie in such sort as that alwayes thou shalt find libertie and safetie Lay hold on her instruction leaue not of keepe her because she is thy life Therefore keepe the doctrine of the word and suffer not wisedome to depart from thee because hereby thou shalt be quickened to fairh obedience and immortalitie For indeed Iesus Christ is the way the truth and the life And this is eternall life to know the true God him whom he hath sent Iesus Christ 14 Enter not into the path of the wicked neither walke in the way of euill men 15 Auoydit go not through it turne from it and passe by it 16 For they sleepe not vnlesse they haue done a mischiefe and their sleepe is taken away vnlesse they cause some to fall 17 For they eate the bread of wickednesse and drinke the wine of violence 18 As for the path of the righteous it is like the glistering light which proceedeth to shine vntill the perfection of the day 19 The way of the wicked is like the darkenesse they knovv not vvhere they shall stumble Herein Dauid disswadeth his sonne from hauing any fellowship with euill men These verses containe straight charges diuerse forcible reasons tending to this purpose Enter not into the path of the wicked come not into the place where sinners are rashly or to an ill intent neither walke in the way of euill men continue not in the companie nor liue after the conditions of vngodly persons Auoyd it go not through it turne from it and passe by it Flye their presence and doings with might and maine For they sleepe not vnlesse they haue done a mischiefe and their sleepe is taken away vnlesse they cause some to fall They sinne not of frailtie but of malice not by occasion as it were but of an vnsatiable desire of committing wickednesse The eye of the adulterer wayteth for the twilight the thiefe ietteth abrode in the darke to conclude the harmefull man museth on mischiefe in his bed For they eate the bread of wickednes and drinke the wine of violence They liue not of honest labour but of goods gotten by hooke and crooke and moreouer it is meate and drinke to them to do euill As for the path of the righteous it is like the glistering light which proceedeth to shine vntill the perfection of the day The way of the wicked is like darkenesse they know not where they shall stumble The godly being the children of the day and of the light 1. Thess 5.1 2. Sam. 23.4 Dan. 12.1.2 are full of blessings and increase in excellent ornaments yea attaine at last to perfect glorie and at noone commeth to perfect brightnes On the contrarie side as they who walke in the night go in great feare and fall most daungerously so the wicked are full of sinnes and calamities which also sometimes ouertake them in those times and places wherein they least suspect danger and when they say peace peace as the Apostle speaketh 20 My sonne hearken vnto my words encline thine eares vnto my sayings 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes keep them within thine heart 22 For they are life vnto those who find thē wholsom to the whole flesh of euery one of thē Before that Dauid commeth to deliuer new instructions he prepareth his sonne in these sentences by a preface to receiue them He first demandeth an attentiue eare saying My sonne encline thine eares vnto my sayings The reason hereof is for that faith cometh by hearing and the eare is the doore at which knowledge doth especially enter Secondly he requireth a watchfull eye Let them not depart from thine eyes If the eye be not sanctified by the word and spirit enuie pride adulterie and other vices will therein haue an habitation Thirdly he doth also claime a faithful heart Keepe them within thine heart If the soule be carelesse or not inwardly reformed as well as the outward senses the seede of the word is lost which either the foules of the aire will picke out or the thornes will choke or the stones will cause to wither For they are life vnto those who find them and wholsome to the whole flesh of euery one of them The doctrines of the Scripture are able to make men wise vnto saluatiō yea whosoeuer obey them shall be sure not onely to liue but to liue in prosperous health if not alwayes of the bodie yet of the soule 23 Aboue all watch and vvard keepe thine heart for out of it proceed the issues of life As before Dauid hath disswaded his sonne from the companie of wicked persons so now he warneth him to take heed that he haue no fellowship with any euill things He forbiddeth in this verse the pollution of the heart or spirit Aboue all watch and ward keepe thine heart not onely looke that thy soule be free from pride hypocrisie and such vices but aboue all other things do this Rather looke to the cleansing of thine heart then to the cleansing of thy well rather looke to the feeding of thine heart then to the feeding of thy flocke rather looke to the defending of thine heart then to the defending of thine house rather looke to the keeping of thine heart then to the keeping of thy money For out of it proceed the fountaines or issues of life Seeing the hart is the wel-spring of motion sense and vigor the least hurt which befallerh the heart must needes bring death and therefore it standeth thee vpon to looke that thine heart be not infected with any poyson but especially that thy spirituall heart be not venomed with sinne for out of the heart commeth murder adulteries and all mischiefes as our Sauiour teacheth 24 Remoue from thee the peruersenesse of the mouth and put farre avvay from thee the naughtinesse of the lippes Now in the second place Dauid admonisheth his sonne Col. 3.8 to lay aside all euill and filthie speaking The toung indeede is the most excellent member in our body if so be that it glorifie God and edifie men But if it breake the bridle or abuse it selfe in speeches there is nothing in our whole body more hurtful thē it is We are thē not without cause willed to remoue from vs the peruersnesse of the mouth after that we haue bene exhorted aboue all things to looke to our harts All the vices of the toung are comprehended vnder these two wordes peruersenesse and naughtines We are then charged to take heed of blasphemy heresie periurie lying cursing iesting backebiting brawling foolish speaking boasting and infinit other such deformities of the mouth and of the lips 25 Let thine eyes looke directlie on afore let thine eyes lids
21 Bind thē alvvay vpon thine heart and tye them about thy necke Solomon intending in this chapter againe to disswade his sonne from adulterie prefixeth in these words a preface containing his aduise My son obserue c. my child lay vp thy parents counsel as a most precious treasure and keepe it safely as most costly iewels 22 It shall leade thee vvhen thou walkest it shall vvatch ouer thee vvhen thou sleepest it shall talke vvith thee vvhen thou vvakest 23 For the commandement is a * or Lampe lanterne and doctrine a light and reproofes of instructiō a vvay of life 24 To preserue thee from the naughty woman and from the flatterie of the straunge vvomans toung Herein Salomon sheweth the reasons of that his aduise which he did set downe in the two verses going before It shall leade thee when thou walkest the counsell of thy godly parents or the word of God by them applied vnto thee shall as a guide direct thee in thy calling actions and iourneys It shall watch ouer thee when thou sleepest it will be also as a watch man to preserue thee from temptations troubles and dangers in the night season It shall talke with thee when thou wakest Finally it will likewise be as a familiar friend vnto thee conferring with thee in the morning or in the day time of the mercies of God of the promises of the word and of spirituall matters See Psal 19.8 See Psal 119.105 For the commaundement is a lanterne for the law of the Lord is as a bright lamp which in the night season shineth in a dark chamber inasmuch as it enioyneth that which is good and forbiddeth that which is euill And doctrine a light the instruction of the word is againe as the light of the Sunne which in the day time manifesteth the way which is to be gone For in like maner the doctrin of the scripture manifesteth truth error And reproofes of instruction a way of life Finally rebukes for sin or the admonitions of Gods word are like the way or path which directly bringeth men to their iourneys end or to the place whither they would go For as wholsome reproofes pull vs from our vices so they do hold vs in our duties To preserue thee from the naughtie woman the word of God I say is such a soueraigne preseruatiue as hath bin spoken of to keepe thee frō the adulteresse and from the flatterie of the strange womans toung and to preserue thee from being seduced by the entising speeches of the harlot 25 Desire not her beautie in thine heart neither let her catch thee with her eye lids Now Salomon commeth to warne his sonne that he be not drawne to go astray by any prouocations vnto vnchastitie Desire not her beautie in thine heart albeit she is faire yet looke not on her to lust after her Neither let her catch thee with her eye lids Neither yet suffer her wanton or pleasant lookes to be a net to intangle thee or a fire to inflame thee 26 For by a whorish woman one is brought to a morsell of bread and the adulteresse hunteth for life which is precious Two great hurts arising vnto men by following after strange women are here specified as sufficient reasons to disswade euery one from the foule sinne of adulterie One is the losse of goods For by a whorish woman one is brought to a morsell of bread Through whordome men come to extreme pouertie For the harlots haue one part of their substāce who haunt their companie baudes and ruffians another part officers before whom they are often conuēted another part the rest consumeth through a secret curse of the Lord and thus at last all commeth to nothing Another mischiefe is the losse of life it selfe For the adulteresse hunteth for life which is precious The vile harlot not onely bringeth a man to beggerie but to death and destruction being in this respect like vnto hunters who seeke after the life of the poore beast For the adulteresse seeketh by all meanes to draw her companion to commit folly with her whereby it commeth to passe that he is layd open to her husbands rage the magistrates sword Gods wrath Now because she vseth craft and deceipt to intangle her louers it is not onely here sayd of her that she hunteth but in the booke of the Preacher Eccles 7.28 that her heart is as nets and her hands as snares 27 Can anie take fire into his bosome and his garments not be burnt 28 Can anie walke vpon burning coales and his feete not be burnt 29 So is he that goeth in to his neighbours wife whosoeuer toucheth her shall not be vnpunished Now the wise king commeth to amplifie the former reasons which here he doth by a most fit similitude There is great likenesse betweene the adulteresse and fire both in the propertie of inflaming and consuming Can any take fire in his bosome c. Euen as it is impossible that fire should not consume those clothes or that body which it toucheth so it can not be but that the adulterous woman will vndoe or hurt at the least very sorely both in outward things and in his person him who cōmitteth folly with her The consideration hereof caused Iob to say from whom it is likely that Salomon tooke this comparison that the sinne of adulterie is such a fire Iob. 31.12 as would if he had committed it haue consumed him vnto destruction and quite rooted out all his increase 30 A threfe is not despised who stealeth to satisfie his soule when he is hungrie 31 But if he be taken he repayeth seuen fold he maketh recompence with any substance of his house 32 As for him who cōmitteth adulterie with a vvoman he is voyd of vnderstanding he vvho shall do this destroyeth his owne soule 33 He shall receiue a blow and blame and his reproch shall not be blotted out 34 For the fierce rage of a man is in iealousie and he sheweth no mercie in the day of reuenge 35 He hath no respect to any ransome and he resteth not albeit thou profferest many gifts The reasons before set downe tending to disswade from adulterie are in this conclusion of the chapter enlarged by a comparison betweene the lesser sinne and the greater A thiefe is not despised who stealeth to satisfie his soule Albeit it is a shame to steale yet theft is not so foule a fault as to defile another mans wife True it is he who did steale to preserue his life was by the law of God to be punished for he was to make full restitution or to be sold Exod. 22.1 but he was not to be put to death or to be noted with publike infamie at the least when he had made restitution all his discredit was to cease As for him who commiteth adulterie with a woman c. The case standeth otherwise with the adulterer who considereth not the greatnesse of his sinne or of Gods iudgement against it
is not sparing of words but very talkatiue Secondly she is not of a meeke spirit but disobediēt to God and her husband yea very stout Last of all she is not an house-doue but a gadder to and fro Now she is without now in the streets She hath this propertie also to lye in wayt for the chastitie of men in euerie place as Thamar did when she sate in the high way to tempt Iudah vnto whoredome 13 Then she taking hold on him kissed him and hardening her face sayd vnto him I haue at home sacrifices of thankesgiuings this day haue I payed my vowes 15 For this cause I am come foorth to meet thee whilest earnestly I seeke thy face in good time I find thee Those speeches of the harlot are here set downe wherein she intreateth him to sup with her Then she taking hold on him kissed him The whorish woman saluteth the young man in a most bold and wanton manner not with an holy but with a filthie kisse As Potiphars wife laid hold on Ioseph to stay him so she layeth hold on the yong mā to draw him toward her house I haue at home sacrifices of thankesgiuing Sith I haue very good fare at home saith she I pray thee come and sup with me God commanded in his law that when any offred peace offrings for their prosperitie part of those sacrifices should be burnt part giuen to the Priest part reserued to be eaten by thē who brought the same Of this part then she speaketh in this place For this cause I am come foorth to meete thee c. Here is great good will pretended but this loue was not true loue in deed because none can loue his neighbour aright but he which loueth God as he ought The sense of these words is as if she should haue sayd Because I beare thee most entire good will I haue not sent a messenger for thee but come my selfe what good lucke is this that I meete with thee 16 I haue decked my bedsted with couerlits with sundry picture workes with curtaines of Egypt 17 I haue perfumed my bed with mirrhe aloes and cynamome The harlot in these words intreateth the yong man hauing now supped with her to stay and lodge in her house all night The reason which she bringeth to this intent is taken from the ornaments and furniture of her bedding I haue princely lodging for thee saith she therefore I pray thee refuse not to stay with me all night Come thy way let vs take our fill of loue vntill the morning let vs delite our selues with amorous ioyes 19 For mine husband is not at home he is gone a farre iourney 20 He tooke in his hand a bag of money at the day appointed he will returne home The naughtie woman in these verses entiseth the young man vnto the verie act of adulterie To this ende she bringeth two reasons whereof the one is pleasure a subtill bayte to take the young manby the other is securitie telling him that her husband is gone a farre iourney which long absence of her husband is confirmed by two fignes thereof the great bag of money which he tooke with him and the set day wherein he appointed to returne 21 She drew him by * or The store of her craft her great craft by the flatterie of her lips she prold him on 22 He followeth her forthwith as an oxe goeth to the slaughter Ce gneces el musar euil I turn these words as Drusius doth who thus rēdreth them in Latin Sicut stultus ad castigationem compedis Pro. class 1. lib. 4. and as a foole to the correction of the fetters 23 Vntill a sharpe pointed weapon cleaueth his liuer like as a bird hasteneth to the snare not knowing that it is set for her life The force or issue of the straunge womans oratiō is declared in these verses First of all herein she is resembled to a schoole-mistresse which leadeth and draweth her nouices and scholers to follow her and do what she prescribeth or perswadeth Secondly he the young man I meane is resembled first to an oxe which followeth rhe drouer to the shambles where he is knockt on the head For indeed in like maner the wanton youth followeth the harlot to her house where the good man comming in at vnawares reuengeth him In the next place the young man is compared to a foolish malefactor led to the prison there to be kept in chaines vntill the day of execution at which time the executioner thrusteth him through with some sharpe pointed sword That the executioners in those times vsed with the sword to thrust through or kill malefactors may appeare 1. Kings 2.25 other places of Scripture to the end that his heart or liuer being cleft or cut in sunder his life may quite be taken away For after this maner it fareth with the witlesse youth who either by the harlots husband or the publike magistrate is at last takē and put to death Last of all the young man is likened to a bird which flying greedily toward the lure is caught in the snare to her destruction For he committing folly with the naughtie woman is by one meanes or other plagued and reuenged 24 Now therefore ô sonnes listen vnto me and hearken to the words of my mouth 25 Let not thy soule go astray toward her wayes wander not aside toward her paths 26 For she hath wounded and strucke downe many and mightie men of all sorts haue bene slaine by her 27 The wayes to her house are the wayes to the graue going dovvne to the secret vautes of death In this conclusion of the chapter Salomon cometh to apply the former parable First he sheweth the remedies of adulterie one whereof is the hearing of the word another the flying of the place where the harlot keepeth Secondly he declareth the ruines which the adulteresse hath wrought in the world whereof one is that she hath slaine innumerable people as may appeare in the destruction of the old world the plaguing of the Israelites for their wantonnesse and the warres betweene the Grecians and Troians another is that the mightie potentates of the world haue also by her meanes bene brought to miserie or death as Sampson Dauid this our Salomon with infinite other THE VIII CHAPTER 1 Doth not wisedome crie and vnderstanding lift vp her voyce 2 On the top of the high places standing by the high way in the place of many pathes 3 At the side of the gates in the comming in of the citie in the entrie of the dores they sing saying THe excellencie of wisedome and vnderstanding is at large set downe in this chapter which containeth two points the one the manner of their calling vnto men to come vnto them in these three verses the exposition whereof is set downe in the interpretation of the twentith and one and twentith verses of the first chapter of this booke the other is the summe or matter of their proclamation
sonne of God intreateth of his being of his calling to the office of a mediator Iehoua possessed me in the beginning c. I the eternall word of God was with God the Father at the beginning Ioh. 1.1 being of one and the selfe same essence with him and the spirit Before the world was I annointed c. I was appointed to the office of a mediatour betwixt God and man Psal 110.11 from all eternitie Whilest yet there were no depthes was I borne c. Heb. 1.2 I had my person from the person of my father from all eternitie being begotten before all creatures and to continue for euer 27 When he made firme the heauens I vvas there vvhen he set the round compasse on the outside of the deepe 28 When he strengthened the vpper clouds aboue when he made firme the fountaines of the deepe 29 When he prescribed his decree to the sea and the waters that they passe not his commandement vvhen he layd the foundation of the earth Now Iesus Christ declareth that he did worke together with the Father in the creating of the world at the beginning For first as concerning the heauēs he made hard and fast as the adamant those liquid waters wherof they consist Secondly as touching the aire called here the compasse on the deepe he so framed the clouds as that like bottles or glasses they were and still are fit vessels to containe the waters aboue Thirdly he formed the flouds springs seas binding vp the waters herein as it were in certaine swadling bands Last of all he layd the earth at the beginning as the ground worke or foundation of the whole world 30 Moreouer I am with him as a nourisher and I am a dayly delite chearing vp before him at all times 31 Chearing vp his earth in the world inhabited and my delites are with the sonnes of men As before Christ Iesus hath shewed that he created all things so now his intent is to declare that he gouerneth the whole world bearing it vp by the word of his power Moreouer I am with him as a nourisher Furthermore I the sonne of God being God coessential with my father together with him preserue all things as a nurse reaching out my hand to feede them and cherish them And I am a dayly delite chearing vp before him at all times In me also the father is continually wel pleased Ioh. 5.6 to whō I am a singular recreation as it were Chearing vp his earth in the world inhabited Againe I am the ioy of the earth Psalm 36. which together with all the creatures therein I refresh causing my sunne to shine my dewes to fall vpon them And my delites are with the sonnes of men Act. 14.17 But to conclude I chiefly loue and solace mortall wights whose hearts I fill with ioy and gladnesse to whom I giue the vse of all my creatures whom I endue with reason and other excellent gifts finally whose redemption I am on whom I bestow my word and spirit 32 Now therefore ô sonnes hearken vnto me for blessed are they that keepe my vvayes 33 Heare instruction and be wise and withdraw not your selues 34 Blessed is the man who harkeneth vnto me attending diligently at my gates from day to day wayting at the posts of my doores 35 For whosoeuer findeth me findeth life and hath obtained fauor of the Lord 36 But he who sinneth against me hurteth his own soule all they vvho hate me loue death From teaching Wisedome now commeth to exhort Now therfore ô sonnes harken vnto me c. The case thus standing as hath bene declared giue not eare to the harlot but obey me the personall wisedome of God Blessed is the man who harkeneth vnto me Happie is euery one who heareth the word of God and keepeth it seeking also by prayer for the grace of God and knocking continually at the gate of his mercie For whosoeuer findeth me findeth life For this is eternall life to know the true God and him whom he hath sent Iesus Christ All they that hate me loue death They that reiect me draw on them selues damnation wherfore if any loue not our Lord Iesus Christ let him be anathema maranatha THE IX CHAPTER 1 * or Perfect wisdome Wisedome hath built her house she hath hewen out her seuen pillars 2 She hath killed her beasts she hath mingled her vvine she hath furnished her table 3 And hauing sent forth her handmayds she calleth throughout the assemblies and the high places of the citie This chapter is a confirmation of the former doctrine namely that the sonne of God Christ Iesus is to be loued and obeyed and the harlot as most contrarie to him to be abhorred and auoyded It presenteth two points vnto our view one the feast which the Lord calleth vs vnto the other the banket of the strumpet Vnto the former point appertaine first the works of Christ mentioned in these verses secondly his words set downe in those which follow One work of his is that he hath built an house and hewen out his seuen pillars 1. Tim. 3.16 The meaning hereof is that the sonne of God Christ Iesus hath a Church in this world so orderly and firmely built Esa 55.5 that the gates of hell shall not preuaile against it Another worke of his is That he hath killed his beasts mingled his wine and furnished his table The meaning hereof is that Iesus Christ hath prepared spirituall dainties for the soules of men Mat. 22.1 ◠to feed them euen vnto eternall life A third worke of his is that he hath sent foorth his handmaydes c. The meaning is that the sonne of God hath caused the Gospell to be preached by his Prophets Apostles and other messengers so that his seruants haue gone foorth to call those that were bidden vnto the banket 4 Whosoeuer is foolish let him turne in hither whosoeuer is voyd of vnderstanding to him she saith 5 Come eate of my meate and drinke of my wine which I haue mixed 6 Oye simple ones forsake your errour and liue and walke in the way of vnderstanding Herein those words are set downe which the son of God speaketh to the guests inuited to his banket Whosoeuer is foolish c. The meaning is that the son of God offreth his grace to repentant Publicans and sinners and to all sorts of ignorant and vngodly people vpon condition that they beleeue and forsake their impieties and iniquities 7 He which instructeth a scorner getteth him self reproch and he which reproueth a wicked man purchaseth him selfe a blot 8 Rebuke not a scorner least he hate thee reproue a wise man and he will loue thee 9 Giue instruction to the wise man and he will become the more wise cause the righteous man to vnderstand and he will increase in learning 10 The feare of God is the beginning of wisedome and the knowledge of holy things of vnderstanding 11 For by me thy
dayes shall be multiplied and yeares of life heaped vpon thee 12 If thou be wise thou shalt be wise for thy selfe but if thou be a scorner thou alone shalt suffer These speeches wisdome or the sonne of God directeth as it may seeme to the messengers of the Gospell First he telleth thē what persons are not be reproued He which instructeth a scorner getteth him selfe reproch The meaning is that the Lord would not haue pearles cast before swine or holy things giuen vnto dogges Mat. 6.7 For indeed such as despise God and all godlinesse and are obstinate in their sinnes will doe nothing but rayle or hurt him who telleth thē of their faults Giue instruction to the wise man and he will become the more wise Here in the second place he declareth who are to be taught rebuked to wit the wise who are soūd in iudgement the righteous who walke in some obedience to the word The reason why these persons are to be instructed is for that such will by this meanes wax the wiser as Apollos did by the direction of Aquila and Priscilia and for that they will also beare good will toward the rebuker as Dauid did toward Abigail after that she dissuaded him from reuenging him selfe on Naball Now the points wherein the wise and the iust are to be instructed in be the feare of God which is the beginning of wisedome and the knowledge of holy things of vnderstanding What the feare of God is hath bene shewed in the exposition of the seuēth verse of the first Chapter of this booke What the knowledge of God or of holy things is hath bene declared in the exposition of the fift verse of the second Chapter hereof For by me thy dayes shall be multiplied The sonne of God in these wordes promiseth eternall life to those who know his father and him If thou be wise thou shalt be wise for thy selfe but if thou be a scorner thou alone shalt suffer In this conclusion of his speech the sonne of God threateneth the disobediēt with plagues and eternall condemnation The meaning of this saying is that when the godly haue done all that they can they aduantage not God yea still they are to him vnprofitable seruāts but onely they benefite them selues for the Lord will blesse those that walke vprightly On the contrary side they that sinne cannot possible hurt God who is out of their reach but as malefactours them selues carie their crosses at the time of executiō so the wicked person shall him selfe alone beare his owne indgement The cōsideratiō herof caused Elihu to say vnto Iob speaking of God if thou sinnest what doest thou to him or if thy transgressiōs be many Iob. 35.6.7 what canst thou do vnto him if thou art iust what giuest thou to him or what doth he receiue at thy hands 13 The foolish woman is full of babling the simple woman euen knoweth nothing 14 And yet sitteth at the doore of her house on a seate in the high places of the citie 15 To turne aside passengers who euen go on straight in their paths Now the wise king offreth to our consideratiō the workes of the harlot and her feast First of all this enchaunting and vaine woman sitteth at the doore of her house The adulteresse abiding neare to the place where she keepeth watcheth all oportunities of getting mates vnto her on a seate in the high places of the citie She also shamelesly and openly sheweth her selfe and entiseth companions in publicke assemblies to turne aside passengers who euengo on straight in their path This she doth not onely to Ieade away captiue the vngodly but to intangle through the wanton lusts of the flesh such as had in deed escaped from those who haue their conuersation in error or going astray 2. Pet. 2. 16 And whosoeuer is foolish let him turne in hither and whosoeuer is void of vnderstanding to him she saith 17 Stolne waters are sweete and hidden bread is pleasant The words of the strange woman in her of all seducers are herein set downe As wisedome inuited the foolish and ignorant to her house so doth she the same persons vnto hers This sort of people she calleth by name as it were because vnrighteous and vnstable persons not well grounded in the truth easily yeeld vnto the baytes of seducers To them she promiseth water and bread euen those things which belong to the nourishment of men as if that she also would preserue her guests in life But it is verie diligently to be obserued that her waters are stolne waters and hidden bread euen delitesome pleasures and profites howbeit vnlawfull and forbidden 18 But he knoweth not that those who are voyd of life are there and that her guests are in the valleys of the graue Well some wanton or foole goeth into this houswifes house but this is hid from him that her followers dayes are cut off and that her louers are in the darke dungeons of death and destruction THE X. CHAPTER 1 The Prouerbes of Salomon A wise son reioyceth his father but a foolish son is an heauinesse to his mother CHildren are admonished in this verse to honour their parents He onely is a wise sonne who knoweth and feareth God Such a child bringeth comfort vnto his godly father by the vertues which are in him the good report which goeth of him the blessing of God on him On the contrarie side he is a foolish sonne who is an hereticke or wicked liuer Such a child bringeth sorow to both his parēts but chiefly to his mother who loueth him most tenderly and being the weaker vessell can not but grieue extremely 2 The treasures of wickednesse profit nothing but righteousnesse deliuereth from death Noah Lot and Baruch may be examples Righteousnesse is commended in this verse All goods ill gotten or wrongfully kept from the lawfull owners are treasures of wickednesse Such wealth be it neuer so great hath no force to turne away Gods iudgement or to redeeme a mans life in the day of trouble But iust and plaine dealing so pleaseth the Lord as that it may be sayd that righteousnesse deliuereth from death because the iust are preserued by the Lord from common plagues in this life and from eternall destruction 3 God suffereth not the soule of the righteous to hunger but he scattereth the substance of the wicked As righteousnesse deliuereth from death so from famine See examples in the Israelits and 〈◊〉 Elias The godly in this world ordinarily want no necessaries In the time of common dearth the Lord prouideth for them extraordinarily The lyons then hūger as it is in the Psalme but they who feare God want nothing On the contrarie side the goods of the wicked being consumed by some casualtie or Gods curse it falleth out that they very often suffer famin 4 He which dealeth with a deceiptful hād shall become poore but the hand of the diligent maketh rich Although God will not suffer the iust
and againe ministreth vnto him manie good things The pouertie of the poore is their breaking On the contrary side penurie like a mightie hammer breaketh both the hearts and bodies of poore people who by reason of want can not resist the force of their aduersaries and are hindred from attaining to learning and offices 16 The labour of the iust man is vnto life the reuenue of the wicked is vnto sinne The vse and abuse of riches herein is touched The iust man is sayd to get his goods vnto life because the drift of his labour is that he and his family may haue whereof to liue On the contrary side it is affirmed that the reuenue of the wicked is vnto sinne Iames 43. because he earneth goods to spend them vpon his lusts or some ill vses 17 He that keepeth instructioÌ„ is in the way to life but he who forsaketh correction goeth astray The frutes of obedience and of disobedience are herein shewed He that keepeth instruction is in the way to life He that obeyeth admonitioÌ„s walketh in the high way to eternall life But he who forsaketh correction goeth astray On the contrarie side he that disobeyeth or contemneth reproofes or chastisements wandring from the paths of prosperitie runneth headlong into destruction 18 He that is a man of deceiptfull lips hideth hatred and he that is a foole vttereth a reproch Secret dissembling and open reuiling are herein condemned He that is a man of deceiptfull lips hideth hatred he that speaketh faire cloketh malice And he that is a foole vttereth a reproch he that is rash or vnaduised breaketh out into open rayling 19 In many words sinne cannot be wanting but he that refraineth his lips is wise Multitude of words or babling is herein shewed to be the wel-spring of manie vices In many wordes sinne can not be wanting he that talketh much offendeth much inasmuch as among a multitude of words he must needes lightly vtter some superfluous false or offensiue But he that refraineth his lips is wise He that keepeth silence or speaketh sparingly is prudent It is no fault to vtter manie speeches which do edifie but to haue a talkatiue toung or to prattle without ceasing is not only a sinne of it selfe but a fountaine of many sinnes 20 The toung of the iust man is as fined siluer but the heart of the wicked is litle worth 21 The lips of the righteous man do feede many but fooles dye for want of wisedome In the former of these verses the speech of the godly is affirmed to be precious and excellent The toung of the iust man is as fined siluer As the fined siluer is pure from drosse so the talke of the godly is pure and precious and not onely voyd of vanitie swearing babling or such vices but full of excellent instructions and admonitions But the heart of the wicked is litle worth As for the mind of the wicked man it is like vnto drosse rather then vnto siluer Hence it is that out of the ill treasure of his heart he bringeth foorth ill things In the later of these two sentences the profite which ariseth to many by the speeches of some one good man is declared The lips of the righteous man do feede many the doctrines of godly Christians and teachers nourish the soules of manie people vnto eternall life But fooles die for want of wisedome As for the vngodly they perish and die the second death of the soule through neglect or contempt of good instructions 22 The blessing of the Lord makeeh rich and it doth ad no sorow with it The fauour of the Lord is here shewed not only to be the cause of all prosperity but to giue wealth without wo and store without sore The blessing of the Lord maketh rich The fauour of God ministreth necessaries vnto the godly who by the Lords good successe on their labors come to goods without vexatioÌ„ of mind or great toyle of bodie 23 It is as a pastime to a foole to coÌ„mit wickednesse but wisedome is the delite of a prudent man In this verse is obserued that as the vngodly reioyce in doing of euill so the godly with ioy followe after that which is good It is as a pastime to a foole to coÌ„mit wickednesse The practising of iniquitie as of theft drunkennesse or adulterie is as it were the game of the wicked man But wisedome is the delite of the prudent person On the contrary side learning or godlinesse is as it were the recreation of the well disposed person 24 That which the wicked maÌ„feareth shall come vpon him but God will graunt the desire of the righteous That which the wicked man feareth shall come vpon him the euill which the conscieÌ„ce of the euill doer threatneth him withall whether it be shame Psal â—45 19 death or damnation or anie plague whatsoeuer shall surely befall him But God will grant the desire of the righteous On the contrary side God will giue the iust in time conuenient those good things which their hearts wish or put them in hope of 25 As the whirlewind passeth so is the wicked no more but the iust man is as an euerlasting foundation As the whirlwind quickly vanisheth Psal 37.20 item 35. so the vngodly man shall quickly be destroyed but he who is vpright shall remaine firme on earth or in heauen being like to mount Sion which cannot be remoued 26 As vineger is to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes so is the slouthfull person to theÌ„ that send him As vineger maketh the teeth to ake or as smoke causeth the eyes to smart so the negligent messenger or workman fretteth and vexeth his masters mind 27 The feare of the Lord increaseth the dayes but the years of the wicked are cut short The reuerence of God is a meanes whereby men attaine to liue long in this world or for euer hereafter On the contrarie side wickednesse either bringeth men to vntimely death in this world or by death cutteth them of from the yeares of immortalitie in the life to come 28 The hope of the righteous shall be gladnesse but the expectation of the wicked doth perish The iust receiuing at the last the thing which they haue hoped for conceiue great ioy in this respect that they haue not hoped in vaine On the contrarie side the wicked not receiuing the thing which they looked for do fret within them selues and rage against the Lord. 29 The way of the Lord is strength to the vpright man but a breaking in peeces to the workers of iniquitie The Lord in the course of his prouidence keepeth and encourageth the iust but plagueth and crosseth the wicked 30 The iust man shall neuer be remooued but the wicked shall not dwell on the earth The righteous shall continue for euer in heauen the vngodly shall quickly be rooted out of the earth 31 The mouth of the iust is frutefull in wisdome but the toung of the froward shall be cut out The toung of
parentage and yet is in debt or hath not sometimes a penie in his purse or food sufficient for his dinner or supper 10 The righteous man regardeth the life of his beast but the bowels of the wicked are cruell Pitie is now commended and hard heartednesse condemned The righteous man regardeth the life of his beast A iust man wil not ouer toyle the poore dumme creature nor suffer it to want food or looking to But if he be so pitifull to his beast much more is he mercifull to his seruants his children and his wife As for the very bowels of the wicked they are cruell For they are vnmercifull to their beasts See an example in Balaam striking his asse in Dalila betraying Sampson and in the Iewes crying crucifige on Christ vnnaturall to their children hard hearted to the poore and bloodie persecutors of the people of God 11 He which tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread but he who followeth vaine things is voyd of vnderstanding The diligent person shall haue plentie but the spend-thrift who followeth carding dicing or such like vanities shall in time to come want necessaries as now he wanteth wit 12 The wicked man desireth a defence against euils but the roote of the righteous giueth frute So did Cain They that do euill wish for pardon of their liues a priuiledge or protection against troubles death and condemnation but all in vaine For in deede at the last Gods iudgement taketh hold on them On the contrarie side the roote of the righteous giueth frute The godly being rooted and grounded in Christ and as trees planted by the riuers of water are not onely preserued frō euils but prosper and flourish in good things Psal 1.3.4.5.6 bringing foorth frute in due season as it is in the Psalme 13 The euill mans * or Destruction snare is in the transgression of his lips but the iust man wadeth out of trouble Wicked men by their rash speeches cast thē selues into such troubles out of which they cannot deliuer them selues See an example in Daniel and his accusers but although sometimes the innocent being falsely accused are brought into question or molested yet they escape at the last as a bird out of the snare of the fowler 14 A good man is satisfied with the frute of his mouth and the * or Worke. recompence of a mans hāds shall reward him Albeit the opening of the mouth is a smal matter yet it shall be recompenced by the Lord with great blessings when it is done in wisedome For such as vse their toungs to Gods glorie and the edification of their brethren instructing them and exhorting them from day to day shall be loued by God man and tast many good blessings Now as good words so good workes also shall be rewarded For the recompence of a mans hands shall reward him That is to say 2. Cor. 5.10 Mal. 2.5 not only the wicked shal be plagued for their ill doing but the godly shal be blessed for their well doing The reward here spoken of is not a reward of merit but of mercy to the godly whose good actions are crowned with comfort and good successe as the euill deedes of the wicked haue a curse or crosse attending on them 15 The way of a foole is right in his owne eyes but he who harkeneth to counsell is wise Selfe liking is here reproued and hearing of aduise commended The way of a foole is right in his owne eyes The cōceipted person thinketh his owne course to be best and as if he were a verie wise man himself or sufficient by him selfe to deale in any matter he vseth no aduise of other But he who harkeneth to counsell is wise That is to say he who enquireth after and practiseth the good aduise of other prouideth wel for his owne welfare 16 The vvrath of a foole is made knowne the same day but a prudent man couereth reproching The meaning hereof is that the furious person presently sheweth some signe of his choler but he who is godly wise suppresseth angrie speeches gestures and behauiour For this phrase the same day both here and elsewhere in Scripture Psal 84 11. noteth out a verie short time Thus the people in Ezechia his time couered a reproch whē they aunswered not a word to Rabsakeh So likewise by couering a reproch abstaining from reuiling and rayling is to be vnderstood 17 He telleth the truth who declareth that which is iust but a false witnesse vttereth deceipt He who telleth that which is agreeable to the matter in question and the circumstances thereof boldly and constantly auoucheth that which is sure and certaine not mingling therewith any thing which is doubtfull or vntrue On the contrary side he who maketh no conscience of lying Such were the false witnesses who rose vp against Steuen coloureth his forged accusations with plausible speeches and faceth down an vntruth 18 Some vtter vverdes like the pricking of swords but the toung of vvise men is a medicine Euill speakers and slaunderers as here is shewed hurt their neighbors not lightly but most grieuously in bodie goods and name For some as Ezechiel speaketh carrie tales to shed blood But the tong of wise men is a medicine The godly vttering wholsome seasonable speeches heale the innocent who haue bin troubled by pleading for them foes at variance by perswading them to peace and finally the heauie hearted by comforting them 19 The lip of truth shall be established for euer the lying toung scant for the space of a moment He who speaketh truth shall liue long in this world and continue for euer in the world to come but God will quickly destroy all those that speake lyes Psal 5 7. 20 Deceipt recoyleth on the heart of those vvho plot mischiefe but ioy vpon the counsellers of peace As for example Achitophel who for griefe hanged him selfe Thus Mardoches aduise which he gaue to Hester rebounded into his heart with ioy Euill counsell most hurteth those who giue it For such as are the authors of any mischiefe meete with some grieuous plague inflicted by God or man vpon them which bringeth bitter sorow into their hearts But ioy vpon the counsellers of peace Such as make cōcord betweene neighbour and neighbour or giue any aduice tending to their brethrens welfare are blessed 21 No euill shall befall the iust man but the wicked shall be full of miserie 22 Deceiptfull lips are abhomination to the Lord but they who deale faithfully are accepble to him In the former of these sentences a promise of preseruation is made to the righteous a threatening of destruction is denounced against the vngodly No euill shall befall the iust man Psal 91. Either no afflictiō at all shal betide the righteous person or onely such aduersitie as shall rather further then hinder his saluation For as the Apostle speaketh 2 Cor. 4.8 we are pressed downe in euerie thing but
prouidēce it often commeth to passe in this world that the faithfull are the head the vngodly the tayle as it were For euill men bow them selues before the good the vngodly often serue the godly and reuerence them in most humble manner because they are rich or lifted vp vnto honour And the wicked at the gates of the iust man Transgressors also oftē come to the rich mās doores either for almes or fauour or counsell 20 The poore mā is hated euen of his neighbour but the rich mans friends are many He who is in aduersitie is forsaken not onely by straungers but by those who are neare vnto him in dwelling or in kinne On the contrary side euery one fawneth on the wealthy and claimeth kindred of thē neuerthelesse these friends of the rich man are not true friends indeede but they are so called because they pretend great friendship how soeuer in verie truth they are friendes not to him but to his goods which onely they loue 21 He who despiseth his neighbour is a sinner but he who sheweth mercy to the poore is blessed As he who forsaketh or reprocheth his poore brother committeth a greeuous offence so shall he be araigned and punished as a notorious euill doer On the contrary side he who is mercifull to the needie or afflicted shall finde mercy That to deale hardly with the afflicted is a greeuous sinne it may appeare by that speech which Iob vseth to his friēds who were so bitter vnto him when he saith vnto them you rush vpon the orphāt Iob. 6.26 when you digge a pit for your friend Moreouer that the word sinner is taken in the Scripture for one who being guiltie is arayned or condemned is manifest by that speech of Bathsheba to Dauid in the booke of the Kings 1. King 1.21 otherwise I my sonne Salomon shal be sinners that is in danger of death or condemned to dye 22 Do not they who deuise mischief goe astray but mercy and truth shall be vnto those who practise that which is good The meaning of the former part of this sentence is that it is a most certaine truth confirmed by dayly experience that the inuentors and workers of euil things haue ill successe or perish For by the borowed speech of going astray which to do is a daungerous and vncomfortable thing missing of a mans purpose and meeting with some trouble is ment Thus much Eliphaz also teacheth in the booke of Iob when speaking of the Lordes ouerthwarting of the wicked in their ill enterprises he saith Iob. 5.12 He maketh frustrate the deuises of the craftie so that their hands are able to doe nothing c. The sense of the latter part of this parable is that the Lord sheweth fauour and performeth his promises vnto those who studie to glorifie him to do good to their neighbours 23 In euery labour there is increase but the talke of the lippes onely bringeth want Some gaine is to be gotten by euery kinde of worke as euen by making of a button of the tagge of a point But by vaine and idle pratling or talking that which a man hath consumeth For whilst much talke is spent much time is lost whilest much time is lost litle or nothing being got much of the stocke is consumed 24 The riches of the wise are their crowne the follie of fooles remaineth follie It should not be so indeede yet so it commeth to passe that wisedome in a poore man is contemned For be a man neuer so learned if he be not wealthy he is not esteemed but may sit well inough without doores See an example in Iob. Iob. 29.2.3.4.5.6.7 c. But when as both wisedome maketh him to vse his wealth aright so wealth maketh him the more admirable and the more to be accounted of in as much as it is as it were a crowne of authoritie and glorie to him On the contrary side let a foole be neuer so rich yea let him be clothed in scarlet or purple he neither will nor can be any other thē a Naball still remaining foolish for all his wealth and cōtemptible for his follie 25 A true witnesse deliuereth liues but a deceiptfull one forgeth lyes He who testifieth the truth oftentimes saueth the liues of the innocēt but a false witnesse is a hammer as it were or a sword to slay men 26 In the feare of the Lord there is strong hope who is wont to be a refuge to his children 27 The feare of the Lord is a well spring of life to depart from the snares of death The sonlike awe of the Lord or reuerencing of his Maiestie See before 1.7 is herein commēded in two respectes The one is for that it maketh men couragious and strōg of faith in troubles The other is for that it ministreth vnto them store of all good things For thus much is meant by a well spring 28 In the multitude of people is the honor of a king but by the want of people commeth the destruction of a Prince Nothing is more sure than that in the multitude of people is the honour of a king For that ruler which hath store of subiectes vnder him may in time of warre be garded by them receiueth from them much tribute by them is witnessed to be iust mercifull seeing otherwise so many would not liue vnder him Neuerthelesse it is againe as true on the other side that by the want of people commeth the destruction of the Prince For that Prince which wanteth people wanteth reuerence reuenues and defence 29 He who is slow to wrath aboundeth with vnderstanding but he who is of an hastie mynde raiseth vp follie The patient man is exceding wise in as much as he cutteth of quarelling and knoweth how to vanquish him selfe but the furious man by foolish words gestures or deedes kindleth strife 30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh but enuie is the * Or rather the magot of the bones For the Hebrew word Rachab signifieth so much rottennesse of the bones A quiet minde causeth health to the body but fretting at a mans owne trouble or els anothers prosperitie tormenteth the poore carcase without and within 31 He which oppresseth the poore reprocheth him who made him but he who sheweth mercy to him that is in neede honoureth him That person which dealeth hardly with the poore hurting them in body goods or name Mat. 25.40 sinneth highly against God whom in his creatures he disgraceth as it were So againe he which doth good vnto those that want doth good vnto the Lord whose workemāship and people they are and thus honoureth as it were the maister in his seruants 32 The wicked man * Or driuen on forward casteth him self away in his trouble the righteous man hath hope in his death The difference betweene the godly and the wicked in the day of aduersitie here is shewed The vngodly person when he is in trouble either thrusteth him selfe
insinuated in the name of the widow whose estate is of all other most greeuous because she being desolated of her husband lyeth open to all wrongs but especially to the iniuries of great and wealthie men The Lord then will destroye the house of the proud God often ouerthroweth their families yea pulleth them vp by the rootes who in the pride of their hearts haue oppressed the poore taking from them either their lands or goods But he will establish the border of the widow The Lord will restore the poore to their right or els by some meanes or other he will so defend their possessions and fields against the power of the mightie that they shall not be able to pull thē out of their hands 26 The thoughtes of the wicked man are abhomination to the Lord but the wordes of the pure are pleasant wordes All things which proceede from the wicked as for example euen their thoughtes are vncleane and abhominable in the sight of God On the contrary side Tit. 1.15 not onely their thoughtes but the wordes of the godly which flow from the good treasure of their hearts are acceptable to the Lord and as a cleane and sweet sacrifice before him 27 He which is giuen to gaine troubleth his owne house but he which hateth gifts shall liue Couetousnesse is herein threatened He which is givē to gaine troubleth his owne house Such a one as getteth goods by hooke or crook or is addicted to euil gaine Hab. 2 9. is a cause and occasion of many euils in his estate familie But he which hateth giftes shall liue On the contrary side such a one as abhorreth bribes giuen to peruert iustice or to any such ill intent shall liue in prosperitie and peace 28 The heart of the righteous studieth to speake but the mouth of the wicked * or Powreth bableth out euill things A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth foorth good things See the roote hereof Psal 37.30.31 but an euill man out of the euill treasure of his heart bringeth foorth euill things The heart of the iust man studieth to speake the vpright person premeditateth what to say and when and how to vtter his wordes But the mouth of the wicked powreth foorth euill things The mouth of the vngodly cā neither be silent nor speake well but pratleth and bableth vaynely rashly offensiuely and lewdly 29 The Lord is farre off from the wicked but he heareth the prayer of the righteous See the roote hereof or a like sentence Psal 145.18 God is farre off from the vngodly not in place but in helpe On the contrary side God is neare to those who feare him not in presence onely but in fauour graūting their prayers and succouring them in their aduersities 30 The light of the eyes reioyceth the heart and a good hearing maketh the bones fat Those things which are teceiued in by the eye or eare haue great force to affect a man The light of the eyes reioyceth the heart a sight pleasant and acceptable to the eye reuiueth the spirites and a good hearing maketh the bones fat a good report but especially the doctrine of the Gospell which is the voyce of ioye and gladnesse not onely comforteth the minde but causeth the body to be in good plight 31 The eare that hearkeneth to the * or Reprose correction of life shall lodge among the wise The care that hearkeneth the person which heareth yeeldeth obedience to the correction of life to wholesome reproofes which teach men to liue well here and lead them to life eternall shall lodge among the wise shall not onely in this world haue a place yea honour also among the learned but hereafter raigne with them in Gods kingdome 32 He that * Or withdraweth him self from instructiō refuseth instruction despiseth his owne soule but he that obeyeth correction possesseth his owne heart He that refuseth instruction the contemner of good counsell who neither is wise him selfe nor will be taught by other despiseth his owne soule by wāt of knowledge and grace layeth open his life to destructiō But he that obeyeth correction possesseth his owne heart On the contrary side he who doth profit by rebukes preserueth his soule from death and from Gods wrath 33 The feare of the Lord is the instruction of wisdome and before honor goeth humilitie The feare of the Lord the reuerence of God is the instruction of wisedome Iob. 25.28 is that which maketh a man wise or which as a schoolemistres teacheth wisdome For the feare of God giueth a man many good lessons And before honor goeth humilitie And lowlynesse of mind bringeth a man to glorie THE XVI CHAPTER 1 The preparations of the heart are in mā * Or speech but the answere of the toung is from the Lord. THe preparations of the heart are in man oftentimes a man hath whole armies as it were of thoughts in his minde therein placed in an exact order as in battaile array but the answere of the toung is from the Lord but when a mā hath set downe how to speake the vttering of his minde is as God shall open his mouth Here then is taught that when a man hath obtained a former grace of thincking well he stādeth in need of a second grace namely to speake well without which he shall neuer be able to vtter aright any part of that matter or one of those wordes which he hath thought on or cond by heart 2 All the wayes of a man are pure in his owne eyes but the Lord pondereth the spirites All the wayes of a man are pure in his owne eyes a man looketh onely on his outward actions which seeme faire and cleane in his sight so that therein he pleaseth and iustifieth him selfe But the Lord pondereth the spirites On the other side the Lord considereth the inward intentes and affections of the heart yea he weigheth them and proueth them euen as a good Magistrate tryeth the measures of his subiects by the common standard 3 Commit thy workes vnto the Lord * Or cast thine affaires See the roote hereof Psal 37.5 55.23 See this sentence alledged 1. Pet. 4. and thy thoughtes shall be directed Commit thy workes vnto the Lord whereas thy troubles and thy labours in thy calling are as it were certaine weightie burdens which lye on thy backe torment not thy selfe with care but roll them as it were vpon almightie God and thy thoughtes shall be directed for so thy desires shall at last happely be accomplisheth Now by what meanes or after what sort we are to cast our affaires on God the Apostle Paule declareth in his Epistle to the Philippians when he saith Phil. 4.6 be carefull for nothing but in euery case let your petitions be made knowen vnto God by prayer and supplication with thankes giuing and so that peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding shall keepe your hearts and mindes in Christ Iesus Thus
in his heart I dare not make knowen my Religiō or declare my loue of the truth least the persecutor slay me Thus the sluggard flyeth smal troubles as if they were great and feareth vncertaine daungers as if they were certaine But put the case ô slouthfull mā that there were a Lyon abroad indeede yet when thy calling bindeth thee to go foorth thou art to proceede to the workes thereof setting aside all vayne excuses and fond feares Did Dauid leaue his fathers sheepe because of the Lyon did Daniell cease from praying vnto God because it was decreed that he who should so do should be cast into the Lyons denne Hath not God made a promise to those who walke in their callings that they shall tread vpon Lyons and not be hurt Sluggishnesse then is in any case to be shaken off which causeth a man to feare the dangers of this life more then God yea which oftentimes causeth him to imagine that a moule hill is a mountaine a Lambe a Lyon an easie matter hard a small daunger great 14 The mouth of straunge women is as a deepe pit he who is a detestation to the Lord shall fall therein They are called here strāge womē who are harlots or wantons The mouth of such strumpets is cōpared to a pit because with their speeches they go about to intangle the simple to cause them to fall into fornication It is said that he who is a detestation to the Lord shall fall therein because the Lord vseth to reuenge a notorious offendor Eccle. 7.26 whom he loatheth for his former sinnes by this most fearefull iudgement that deliuering him vp into a reprobate sense he suffreth him to be seduced by the mouth of the adulteresse and chaseth him as a beast into that pit Rom. 1.26 15 Foolishnesse is bound vp in the heart of a child but the rod of correction will driue it away Foolishnesse is bound vp in the heart of a child frowardnesse stubburnnesse and vanitie or wickednesse dwelleth in all the members of a youth but specially hath abode in their minds For their reason is weake their will peruerse their whole heart inclined to all euil Hence it is that Iob affirmeth that man new borne Iob. 11.12 is like a wild asse colt But the rod of correction will driue it away Neuerthelesse chastisement by stripes remoueth and beateth out the corruption which is in a child 16 Both he who oppresseth the poore to increase his owne substance and he which giueth to the rich shall surely come to pouertie That person who pulleth to him selfe the goods of such as stand in neede shall at last be punished with penurie Againe he who in the humor of vainglorie spendeth his owne goods on the wealthy by sending them rich presents or by feasting them sumptuously shall come to want in the end 17 Incline thine eare and hearken to the wordes of the wise and applie thine heart vnto my knowledge 18 For it shall be pleasaunt if thou keepe these sayings in thy belly and if they be directed together in thy lippes 19 To the end that thy confidence may be in the Lord I haue shewed knowledge this day vnto thee 20 Haue not I writtē vnto thee most Princely sayings in counsels and in vnderstanding 21 Making knowen vnto thee that which is certaine and speeches of truth that in thy speeches thou mayest returne the truth to those who send vnto thee A graue exhortation enforcing the preceptes going before and following after is contained in this place of Scripture It containeth certaine admonitions and certaine reasons enforcing the same The former admonition is incline thine eare c. apply with all diligence thine outward senses to the instructions of this booke The latter is and apply thine heart vnto my knowledge Moreouer bend the inward powers of thy soule to my doctrine The former reason is For it will be pleasant if thou keepe these sayings in thy belly c. For if thou shalt remēber talke of my lessons they will be vnto thee sweeter then the hony or the hony comb To the end that thy confidence may be in the Lord c. The secōd reason is set down in these wordes The summe of it is that the doctrine of this booke is to be embraced by euery one sith he shall receiue this double fruit thereby that both he may be confirmed thereby in the true faith See a like sentence 1. Pet. 3.15 Item Rom. 15.14 and be enabled to render a reason of his beliefe and doings to euery one who shall call him to account 22 Rob not the poore because he is poore neither tread downe the afflicted in the gate 23 For the Lord pleadeth their cause and will spoile their soule who spoile them Rob not the poore because he is poore do wrong to no mā but in no case to the poore man least of all in this respect that he is not able to resist thee or to reuenge thee See the roote hereof Exod. 22.21 c. Neither tread downe the afflicted in the gate aboue all thinges abuse not thy might euen in the seat of iustice to ouerthrow the right of the afflicted For the Lord pleadeth their cause for God much mightier then thou is the defendor of the needy of the comfortlesse And will spoile their soule who spoile them And will take away their life who put them to death 24 Make no friendship with an angry man neither go with a furious person 25 Lest thou learne his wayes and receiue * Or a snare destruction to thine owne soule Make no friendship with an angry man chuse not him to be thy friend who is giuen to wrath neither goe with a furious person and auoyd the very presence of a moodie man lest thou learne his wayes lest by his example thou be infected with his vices and receiue destruction to thine owne soule and lest thou meete with a deadly blow at his handes For indeede furious people are wont in their moodynesse sometimes to slay their nearest and dearest friends 26 Be not of the number of them who Or clap touch the hand nor of them who promise to pay debtes 27 If thou hast not wherewith to make recompence why causest thou that the creditor should take thy bed from vnder thee Be not a rash suretie for by this meanes thou shalt cast thy selfe into thy creditors daunger in such sort Before 20.16 as that he may by law distraine vpō all thy goods the very bed whereon thou lyest not excepted 28 Thou shalt not remoue the auncient boundes which thy forefathers haue set This Prouerbe teacheth that those things are not rashly or lightly to be chaunged which by law or by the custome of the elders are receiued Thou shalt not remoue the auncient bounds Thou shalt not encroch vnlawfully on other mens possessions nor deceitfully displace the marke of thine inheritance which being remoued the grounds or lands would be confoūded
reioyce 16 And my reines shall leape for ioy whilest thy lips speake vpright things Enuying of the wicked 17 Let not thine heart enuie sinners but let it remaine in the feare of God all the day long 18 For surely there is a reward Ioh. 3.3 1. Thess 3.8 and thine hope shall not be cut off O mā whosoeuer if thou be sanctified in thy thoughts and affections my soule will be glad but if also thou canst bridle thy toung I shall yet more reioyce Be not so moued by the prosperitie of the vngodly See euen an exposition hereof Psal 37. itē 73. as either to fret thereat or to follow their manners but rather continue in wel-doing For first the vngodly shall be plagued in the end Secondly thou shalt haue a crowne of glorie 19 Hearken ô my sonne and be wise and direct thine heart in this way Banquetting or feasting 20 Be not of the number of those who are bibbers of wine or of those who glut thē selues with flesh 21 For the drinker and feaster shal become poore and the sleeper shall be clothed with rags Giue not thy selfe to intemperancie See an exposition herof Rom. 13.13 Ephes 5.18 1. Pet. 4.3 and auoyd the companie and custome of drunkards and gluttons or banquetters For excesse in eating and drinking as also in sleeping bringeth extreme pouertie 22 Hearken to thy father who hath begotten thee I thus place the destinction following Ierome and the oppositiō of the partes of this sentence Holynesse and prophanesse neither despise thy mother when she shall be old 23 Buy truth and sell not wisedome and instruction and vnderstanding 24 The father of a righteous sonne doth greatly reioyce he who begeteeth a wise child is glad in regard of him 25 Let thy father and thy mother reioyce and let her who hath borne thee skip for ioy O man who art of thy selfe ignorant lend an eare to the Lords deputies and the instruments of thy life or welfare especially then when like as thou art verie young See for the exposition herof Mat. 13.24 Reuel 3.22 Esay 55.1 Iohn 17.17 Heb. 12.16 so they are verie old Following then their counsell like a wise marchant or purchaser with parting from thy commodities and pleasures and by vsing all meanes of attaining to Gods kingdome get vnto thy selfe true knowledge true righteousnesse and true discretion which done neuer in any case sell the grace of God as Esau did his birthright for a messe of pottage or as vnthrifts do their lands possessions but continue rooted and grounded in the true knowledge faith of Christ Thus if thou shalt among other vices shunne prophanesse and on the contrarie side embrace holinesse thou shalt be a cōfort to thy naturall and spirituall parents 26 My sonne giue me thine heart and let thine eyes diligently obserue my wayes 27 For a whore is a deep ditch Adulterie and a strāge woman a naraow pit 28 Moreouer she lyeth in waite as a robber and multiplieth transgressors among men O man beware moreouer of that foule sinne of adulterie and of the entisements of the harlot My sonne ô thou who art bound vnto me by a strong bond of obedience giue me renouncing thy selfe frankly bestow on me the Lord See a like phrase and an example 2. Cor. 8.5 See an example in Dauid Psal 73.25 who will be reuerenced and loued both in my deputies and my selfe thine heart thine affection and soule as a spouse or wedded wife delighting in me alone and not in any stranger and let thine eyes diligently obserue my wayes make also a couenant with thine eyes not to looke on a woman to lust after her obseruing my commandement not to commit adulterie For a whore is a deepe ditch and a strange woman a narrow pit For as a deep ditch is a dangerous place whereinto a man may easily fall but he can hardly come out from thence as a narrow pit is a verie troublesome hole wherein a man can not stirre him selfe or be at ease so a naughtie woman bringeth distresse and trouble to her companions Moreouer she lyeth in wayte as a robber furthermore euen as a thiefe lurketh in a den or bush to get a pray so the wanton woman lyeth in wayte and vseth bayts to steale the hearts of men and multiplieth transgressors among men yea she preuaileth with manie thus increasing the number of notorious offenders in the world Giue not thine heart then to her but to the Lord being as it were enamored with that wisdome which is holy pure and peaceable 29 To whō is wo to whom alas to whom is strife to whom is babling to whom are wounds * Or without reuenge That is such frō which the drunkard cannot defend him selfe by reason that he is not his own man without cause to whom is the rednesse of the eyes The question here is asked who that person is vnto whom so many euils befall as that he is a complainer a groner a quareller a footstoole for euery one to beate and a monster in face hauing red eyes and a countenance of the same colour 30 Euen to them who tarrie long at the wine to them that go and seeke out mixt wine The answere vnto the demaunde set downe in the verse going before is herein contained The summe of it is that he is the miserable man before spoken of who spendeth much time in drinking or who seeketh out the places where the best liquor is For in those hot countryes mixt wine was most acceptable and desired which therefore here is named to note out most pleasant drinke 31 Looke not thou vpon the wine when it appeareth red or when it sheweth his colour in the cup or stirreth very kindly An admonition is now giuen to euery one to auoyd the occasions of drunkennesse But thou ô my sonne if thou tenderest thine owne welfare auoyde the prouocations vnto drunkennesse neither be so moued by the pleasant colour or liuely spurting of wine as to take too much of it 32 In the end it will bite as a Serpent and sting like an * Or Hemorroug which causeth a man to bleed to death Asp The harme which at the last strong drinke bringeth to a man is here generally and summarily set downe Like as then a Serpent greatly hurteth a man with the biting of his mouth and as the asp killeth a man with the sting of his taile so the wine which thou powrest in excessiuely will trouble thy brayne torment thy belly and cast thee into deadly diseases 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women and thine heart shall speake peruerse things One particular inconuenience of drunkennesse is now shewed Strong drinke immoderatly swilled in will make thee haue eyes full of adulterie and an heart ful of lewdnesse 34 And thou shalt be like him that lyeth in he midst of the sea and like him who lyeth on the top of a mast Another speciall inconuenience of drunkennesse
an example Iames. 4 13. neither set downe things to come so certainly in thine heart as if that thou couldest do what thou wouldest For where thou lookest for a furtherance there may be an hinderance neither canst thou tell whether time to come will bring forth vnto thee health or sicknes losse or gaine life or death 2 Let astrangers mouth praise thee Vaine glorie but not thine ovvne mouth another mans lippes but not thine ovvne Speake not thy selfe vaingloriously of thine owne wisedome or good deedes but let those who neuer knew thee or are of no acquaintance with thee commend thee and staie till thy neighbours praise thee 3 A stone hath heauinesse sand vveightinesse but the vvrath of a foole is heauier then them both 4 In anger is crueltie Wrath. Rage and in vvrath an ouerflovving but vvho can stand before enuie See an example in the Israelites to whom the Egyptians rage was more greeuous then their burdens It is not so hard or greeuous a thing to carry heauy burthens as to beare the displeasure of a furious person When anger doth but begin to arise it presently thirsteth for blood like the horseleach Now when it increaseth waxing greater and greater it ouerthroweth the welfare good name and life of many But when it commeth to the height so that it groweth to fiercenesse spite enuy then as a flame it consumeth all sortes of persons Iob. 5 2. yea the foole himselfe in whose bosome it resteth 5 Open rebuke is better then secret loue Secretloue 6 The vvoundes of a friend are faithfull but the kisses of an enemy are to be detested Reprouing of friends for their offences and wounding of them by sharpe wordes is better then either good will no way expressed or outwarde signes of friendship tending to deceiue For first Leuit. 19 17. Mat. 18.15 God commandeth vs to rebuke our brethren secondly sharpe reproofes do winne men to repentance last of all as secret loue engendreth suspitions so the flatterie of enemies worketh mischiefe 7 The soule which is full Psal 141.5 Hunger * Or treadeth vnder foote despiseth an houie combe but to the hungry soule euerie bitter thing is sweet Hunger is the best sauce wherefore a moderation is to be vsed in meares and drinks and all sorts of delightes Changing of a mans dwelling or calling 8 As a byrd vvhich vvandreth from her neast so is a man vvhich vvandreth from his place None is to leaue the standing place whereunto God hath assigned him For euen as a silly bird which vnnecessarily by reason of a certain lightnesse wherwith shee is carried wandreth from place to place doth not onely by this meanes leaue her yoong ones in great danger but wearieth her owne winges hazardeth her owne life meeting sometimes with a net sometimes with a pellet so the person who rolleth from house to house or rashly chaungeth his charge or profession by this his inconstancie greatly hurteth himselfe and his in often remoues meeting with manifold losses and troubles 9 As an ointment and perfume reioyce the heart so doth the * Hebrew Sweetnesse Friendes A friends counsaile is called sweet Psalme the 55. Friendship is resembled to an oiniment Psalm 153. That a friends counsaile doth much delight and is very good may appeare in the example of Ionathan comforting Dauid in the Lord and of Iethro aduising Moses to appoint of ficers vnder him sweet aduise of a friend reioyce euerie one rather then a mans owne counsaile 10 Thy friend and thy fathers friend forsake thou not neither enter into the house of thy brother in the day of thy calamitie a neighbour neere is better then a brother farre off Euen as there is great force both in a pretious ointment and perfume vnto the quickening of the spirits and comforting of the sences so the aduise of a friend doth greatly ease refresh a perplexed and pensiue heart but a man is not so fit or able be he neuer so wise by himselfe or his owne cogitations to comfort himselfe when he is sad Seeing there is so great vse of a faithfull friend breake not off familiaritie or amitie with an old or tried acquaintance but maintain friendship with him and vse him in thy necessitie Enter not then rather into the house of thy kinsman then of thy friend in the time of thine affliction for nature is not too much to bee trusted neither are brethren commonly kind but vnnaturall rather to their brethren in aduersitie See an example in Iosephs brethren 1. Pet. 2.17 Cherish also neighbour-hood as a kind of friendship which is very necessary and profitable For one who is neere both in affection and place may and will at a pinch helpe and pleasure thee more then a naturall kinsman far off in dwelling albeit hee beare thee much good wil. As we say in our English prouerbe if thou hast a good neighbour thou shalt haue a good God-morrow 11 My sonne be wise reioyce mine heart Children that I may be able to answere him who would fayne reproch me with some matter O my child by thine obedience and discretion fulfill my ioy that I may proue to the face of mine aduersaries who would gladly picke an hole in my coate and staine me with some infamie that I haue performed the dutie of a good father toward thee Wisedome or warinesse 12 The prudent man foreseeing an euill hideth him selfe but fooles going on still are punished The prudent escape daunger by their auoyding of perilous places and actions See before 22.3 where this sentence is at large expounded Suretishi but the foolish by their simplicitie fall into euill 13 Take his garment who hath bene suretie for a strange man and take a pledge of him vvho hath become suretie for a strang ewoman Make the rash suretie smart for his follie See the 20. chap 16. vers according as he deserueth to do 14 Vnto him who blesseth his friend with a loud voyce betimes in the morning rising vp early a curse shall be imputed Importunate flatterie Impornate flatterie or flattering importunitie is hatefull and often condemned by those toward whō it is expressed To him who blesseth his friend that person who saluteth or praiseth his neighbour with a loude voyce after an importunate manner and so as all may heare See an example in Absalon 2. Sam. 15. betimes in the morning in a season of good lucke as it were rising early shewing him selfe with the first or before all other to the end that he may seeme the chiefest well willer or valentine as it were a curse shall be imputed in stead of a great reward looked for shall for this his fauning and vnseasonable dealing but be the more suspected and ill spoken of 15 A continuall dropping in the time of a most vehement shower Women and a contentious woman are alike 16 Euery one who hideth her may as wel hide the wind
aside all bitternesse Ephe. 4. 6. wrath and outcries The inferiors which are oppressed are as the sheepe of Christ to beare iniuries patiently They are also to pray to be deliuered frō such lions and to assure them selues Psal 22. that they shall at last in some sort tread them vnder foote Psal 91. 16 A gouernour * Vnderstandings voyde of all vnderstanding and much in oppressions shall shorten his dayes but he which hateth gaine shall prolong his dayes As tyrannie so couetousnesse ought to be farre as from all men so chiefly from rulers Politike Pharaos imagine they deale wisely when they lay grieuous burdens on the Israelites Foolish Rehoboams thinke it the most prudent course to scourge the people with scorpions But such rulers who are much in oppressions incroaching the peoples landes getting their goods by hooke and crooke and exacting extreme tribute estraunge their subiects hearts offend God fall into many foolish hurtfull lustes which plunge men into destruction and therefore haue indeed no vnderstāding But he that is so farre from couetousnesse that he is a mā as Iethro would haue rulers be which euen hateth gaine that gaine I say which is vniust shall waxe old in the fauour of the people as Samuell did be beloued of all mē and blessed of the Lord. 1 Sam. 12. Let then the conuersation of euery one be without couetousnesse as the Apostle exhorteth and let euery one be cōtent with the things Heb. 13. that are present Would any know a couetous man Looke on his conuersation his bargaines his housekeeping c. Would a couetous man know whether this roote of all euill be in him selfe or no Let him looke on his minde his cares his feares his desires But aboue all other Psal 119. let Magistrates say to the Lord with Dauid Incline mine heart to thy statutes and not to couetousnesse 17 Let a man pursued for the bloud of a * Soule or life flie to the graue let none vphold him Magistrates are not to pardon wilfull murderers By Moses law they who flue any at vnawares might haue cities of refuge Exod. 21.22 and be preserued from death by the rulers but he which offred violence and maliciously slue his neighbour was to die without mercie They which maimed their neighbours were to pay eye for eye tooth for tooth But he which tooke away life Gen. 9. by man was to be depriued of his life Magistrates may be moued by rewards to shew such fauour Num. 35. but the Lord would haue no reward taken for a man-slaier Pitie may sometimes incline them to mercy but the Lord wold not haue their eye to spare them Magistrates then being the deputies of the Lord are to execute this law on wilfull murtherers as Salomō did on Ioab 1. Kings 2. When men take no vengeance on him which sheddeth innocent blood God pursueth him as he did Cain The Papists impietie is here notably detected who did set open sanctuaries and priuiledged places vnto all sortes of notorious offenders 18 He which walketh vprightly shall be saued but he who is peruerse in * His two waies his waies falleth * In one therein This is the course which magistrates are to obserue in their iudgements imitating the Lordes example namely on the one side to defend and spare the righteous who neither declining from the right hand nor the left walke circumspectly in the straight way of the Lordes preceptes and on the other to punish the transgressor who either doth that which is wicked or dealeth vnlawfully in those actions which are lawfull Those then who either vse deceit in their best actions or commit grosse sinnes and walke therin shall at one time or other bee taken napping as was Shimei 1. Cor. 10. and be plagued in some one of their iniquities as were the Israelites If magistrates alway punish not the wicked and cherish the good as they ought yet surely the Lord will 19 He which tilleth his land shall be satisfied with foode but hee which followeth vaine persons shall be filled with pouertie Disorderly walkers who do nothing Before 12.10 23.21 but go vp and downe as busibodies haue bene oft before reproued and here are taxed againe Amongst other vpright waies this is one that a man diligently follow his vocation When husbandry or any such trade is well put in vre it will through the Lords blessing yeeld vnto a man sufficient to content him and to maintain his family as may appeare in the rich estate whereunto Iacob came by the Lords blessing on his industry The prouident then and the diligent shall haue foode to kill hunger with garmēts wherewith to couer them and money for good vses But the good companions and youthes of this world which follow hunting halking carding dicing stage-players and such vanities or are vagabonds roging vp and downe the countrey shall not onely want necessaries but be filled with pouertie bondage grief and miserie as was the prodigall sonne 20 A * Of faithfulnesses faithful man is full of blessings but he which hasteth to waxe rich shall not be vnpunished As vnthriftinesse shall be punished by the Lord so posting to be rich shal be reuenged by him A man of faithfulnesse to speake as the spirite doth in the originall tongue who dealeth plainly and truly not only in word but deede both with God and men not onely in one matter but all shal be much inblessings shal be made partaker not of one good thing onely but of many His credit shal be great he shall haue peace of heart his store shall increase he shall haue children vnto him at last it shal be said Come thou blessed of my Father Now as touching those who make hast to be rich or who as Paule speaketh wil be rich as it were whether God will or no who get their goods by hooke and crooke or by playing the partes of drudges and snudges to conclude who labour after wealth but vse not to call on the name of God nor regard his word these make commonly more hast then speed seeing they are not vnpunished but fall into temptation and a snare meeting with some losse or crosse in steed of gaine and aduantage as birds hasting to the pray are oft in their flight striken and stayed with a pellet Achab made hast to Naboths vineyard but at last dranke a cup of bloudie grapes for his posting 21 It is not good to accept * The face persons for so a man would transgresse for a morsell of bread Of the number of such as make hast to be rich are they who respect persons in iudgement He that is infected with this vice albeit he be a man of high calling in the common wealth and although there is no comparison betweene truth or iustice and a morsell of bread yet will he easilie be hired brought to hold his peace or to giue a false sentence for
some acceptable measure by the spirit In as much as the faithfull walke in their callings with an vpright conscience and are blessed by the Lord many waies exceedingly they both outwardly magnifie him with psalmes and hymnes and spirituall songs and inwardly are chearfull being filled with ioy of the holy Ghost Indeed none are more in afflictions then they but they are so farre off from mourning in this respect that they count it exceeding when they fall into manifold trials When the Apostles were beaten for publishing the Gospel Acts. 5.41 they went out from the face of the councell reioycing that they were counted worthie to be disgraced for the name of Christ Paul and Sylas being cast into prison Acts. 16.25 praised and sang euen at midnight 7 The righteous man knoweth the cause of the poore the wicked man applieth not his minde to know it Negligence in iudging or determining cases in controuersies herein is condemned By knowing of a person or cause oftentimes in the Scripture the protecting fauouring and furthering thereof is meant Thus the Lord is said to know the way of the righteous and to know those who are his that is to fauour them and to take care for them Here then is meant that although the poore man hath no money to giue bribes or wealthie friends to take his part yet the godly man discerning his cause to be right by all meanes and with all paines defendeth it against the rage of the mightie aduersarie Such an vpright iudge was Iob who protesteth that in the dayes of his prosperitie and authoritie he was a father to the poore Iob 19. and searched out the cause which he did not vnderstand So Dauid prophesying of Christ in the Psalme affirmeth that he should defend the poore people Psal 62.4 and saue the sonnes of the needie But the wicked man as the same Prophet complaineth in another place and here Salomon testifieth hath no regard Psal 82. or applyeh not his minde to know it either because he giueth him selfe to pleasure or because the poore is not able to giue bribes 8 * Of scorning Scornefullmen * Blow that is by blowing enflame set a Citie on fire but the wise turne away wrath Here is shewed that deriders of God and godlinesse such as either iest at other or in rage contēne other do much hurt to the societie of mankind The hurt which they do is like the hurt of fire yea much greater then it For they ouerthrow Religion peace concord of neighbours and loue of friends This they do eitheir by their false doctrines malitious speeches euill examples or wicked practises How true this is may appeare in Demetrius who set Ephesus in an vprore Indeede sometime this crime is layd to their charge who are of all other furthest from it as it was by Achab to Elias and by Tertullus to Paule The reason hereof is because the wicked cannot or will not put a difference betweene the fire and sword which our Sauiour came to put into the world and that fiame which Sathan and his instruments kindle As for those who are indued with the wisedome whereof I ames speaketh which is peaceable and lowly and heauenly they are so farre off from kindling of dissentions or raysing vp tumultes that either by their authoritie or counsaile or grauitie or long suffring they appease all the strifes and quench as it were the fires which arise and begin to kindle when Seba the sonne of Bochri through his sedition and pride had subdued the Citie Abela and by reason of his conspiracie it was now in danger of ouerthrowing a certaine wise womā deliuered and freed it from the siege by appeasing the wrath of Ioab who went about to destroy it 2. Sam. 20. 9 If a wise man debate a matter with a foole whether he be moued to wrath or whether he smile yet is there no quietnesse They are noted with infamie in this sentence who are vnreconciliable and past amendment Albeit the wise pacifie some vnrulie people as in the sentence before set downe hath bene affirmed yet other there are who neuer cā or'will be perswaded to cease from their tumultes or wicked course which they haue entred into Two meanes commonly are vsed by the godly and prudent seruants of God vnto the reclayming of fooles by whom proud wrathfull stubburne ignorant and wicked persons here are meant from their follie and madnesse The former of these is to be moued as here Salomon speaketh that is to say to be in good sadnesse to deale earnestly to looke with a sterne and austere countenance to alledge weightie reasons or to vse forcible speeches of perswasion and round represhension The Apostle Paule calleth this manner of dealing a comming vnto offenders with the rod. The other meanes is smiling or as the same Apostle speaketh the spirit of mildnesse that is to say humble entreatie faire speeches and friendly lookes tokens of good will common or speciall curtesies and such like gentle meanes of winning mens hearts Let now a godly or peaceable person come to instruct or pacifie a froward or wilfull foole he laboureth in vayne For either because he is proud he contemneth faire entreaties and gentle curtesies or because he is fottish and furious or malitious he no more regardeth reasons or rought dealing then feathers or the wind Such fooles the Pharises were whom whether our Sauiour confuted by reasons at any time or allured by soft speeches and a meeke conuersation he preuailed with thē neuer a whit The other Iewes were for the most part of the same disposition who like froward childrē would neither mourne after the dolefull pipe of Iohn the Baptist nor daunce when Christ Iesus went about to stirre them vp to gladnesse by a more chearefull pipe and tune then his forerunner sounded 10 Bloudie men hate the vpright person but the iust seeke His soule So beneath 24. after him Here is shewed that this is the proper note and a certain signe of wicked hurtfull and mercilesse men to be at deadly enmitie with euery one who hath any goodnesse in him The principall reasons of this hatred are that the light of the one reproueth the darkenesse of the other and the course of both their conuersations is quite contrary Cain being a bloudy man at the beginning of the world in a manner hated Abell to the death Esaus wickednesse is in the scripture offred to our view in the hatred he bare to Iacob Sauls in his dealing with Dauid the Pharisies in their raging against our Sauiour This must needs be a great sinne seeing the enmities which are exercised against the godly endued with heauenly graces redound vnto God the authour of euery good thing But they who feare God seeke the soule of the righteous Psal 142. that is loue him and labor to preserue his life For so this phrase is vsed in the scripture and is here to be taken as the opposing of the
latter part of the sentence vnto the former manifesteth The bloodie hate the vpright to the death but the iust loue his life most dearly Euery one then is to take heed that he be not among the number of those who loue not good men as Paul admonisheth 2. Tim. 3. Alwaies the godly haue shewed themselues carefull of practising loue toward the saints as may appeare in Obadias feeding of the prophets in a caue Ebedmeleches drawing of Ieremy out of the dungeon the disciples compassing of Paul and letting him downe in a basket 11 A foole vttereth his whole minde but a wise man In the latter part holdeth it backe As before often in this booke the sin of blabbing and babling hath bene reproued Before 14.33 â—5 2.28 so here againe it is checked The roote of it is folly for when men haue no discretion nor power of themselues either they blaze abroad their owne secrets or prattle of theyr friendes intents sayings and doings or obiect vnto their aduersaries the faultes which they knowe by them or expresse and bewray the trouble and miserie of their owne hearts and estates But he who hath a staie of himselfe and is indued with discretion will reserue his speech vntill the fittest seasons that therin it may be most forcible and therby do most good yea sometimes hee will passe things ouer with perpetuall silence This wisedome was in Iacob who kept in his minde when his daughter was rauished and in Dauid who answered not when Shimei railed on him and in Gamaliel who commanded the Apostles first to be put out and then spake his minde 12 All the seruants of a ruler which hearkeneth vnto lyes are wicked Another vice is here condemned to wit the receiuing of false tales or opening the eare willingly to heare euill reports against any This sin is to be auoyded by all according to the commandement of the Lord. Thoushalt not receiue a false report Exod. 23. nor put thy hand with the wicked to be a false witnesse It is contrary to the law of God and to charitie He that carrieth Satan in his eare is no lesse blame worthie then he which carrieth him in his tongue Vntruthes are cherished and fostered as it were by those who are too light of beliefe But this credulitie in admitting of euery vaine and false rumour is especially to be shunned by rulers in church common wealth or priuate families For all the inferiors commonly follow the example of their superiors Againe when seruants see their maisters delighted in hearing complaintes and tales to please them or to winne fauour or to discredit the good they wil bring many lies into their eares Moreouer the gouernours which are giuen to this vice will not delight in any vnder them who will deale plainly and truly but will put such out of their seruice Thus it commeth to passe that all the seruants of such a ruler are wicked being either heretikes or flatterers or whisperers or giuen to some such vice Indeed sometimes it may fal out that an Obadia may lurke in Achabs court But this is rare and commonly the sway goeth another way Who were Saules courtiers but Doeg and such backbiters Such then as are the superiors vsually such are those who are vnder their power and gouernment If the maister and mistresse in a family be zealous zeale will be found oftentimes in the lowest seruant which goeth to the doore as may appeare in Rhode If they be lukewarm it may be obserued that their children and those who attend on them be neither hot nor cold Finally if the heades of the family be prophane amongst those who are in the houshold nothing is to be perceiued but irreligiousnesse worldlinesse brawling pride and wantonnesse Of the poore man and the man of industry 13 He * that is rude and he that is wittie meete togither the Lord lighteneth both theyr eyes This instruction tendeth to disswade vs from partialitie To this end is shewed first that there are two sortes of people in the world of a diuerse disposition the one poore in wealth or gifts of the minde the other rich and endued with abundance of outward blessings or spirituall graces In one word some are baser and some more exellent Secondly these people of contrary estates or dispositions by the course of the diuine prouidence are sayd to meete togither either in church or streete or some priuate house or any place vpon occasion The learner commeth to the teacher to heare the poore to the rich to receiue alms one for one intent another for another Thirdly The Lord lighteneth both their eyes There is no respect of persons with that heauenly sonne â—â—hn 1.9 who lighteneth euery one who commeth into the world In the Lord both of them liue mooue and haue their being The father of mercies causeth his Sunne to shine Act. 17. â—at 6. as well on the one as on the other He created redeemed them both None therefore is to be despised by such as feare God for his wants or low degree â—â—o 22.2 â—â—mes 2. Brethren saith Iames Haue not the faith of Christ in respect of persons 14 The throne of that king * In faithfulâ—â—sse who faithfully iudgeth the poore shall be established for euer Magistrates are aduised in this instruction to follow the example of the Lord who regardeth both the poore and the rich In like sort then rulers are to defend not onely the wealthie in their right but the needie Yea in as much as the poore the fatherlesse and the widow are weake subiect to many dangers and not able to resist the violence of the mightie good rulers are especially to protect them and deliuer them from the hand of the oppressor So doing they shall be established for euer that is a long time as this word is often taken in the scripture A fuller exposition of this sentence is to be fetcht from the 7. verse of this chapter and from the 14. chapter 20. verse and the 28. chapter 5. verse 15 The rodde and reproofe giue wisedome but a * Or boye childe left to himselfe shameth his mother After that Salomon hath giuen an admonition to magistrates whereby they might be directed in well gouerning the common wealth he giueth now certaine precepts concerning the right ordering of youth in a priuate family This admonitioÌ„ tendeth to stir vp parents to traine vp their children in the feare and nurture of the Lord. In the former part of it a blessing is promised vnto discreet and moderate correction The rodde that is to say stripes when occasion shall require bestowed on a childe and a reproofe that is a rebuke by words giue wisedome that is to say make him modest dutiful religious and a practiser of Gods commandements For indeed true wisedome consisteth not in learning or knowledge of worldly or spirituall matters but in practising the law of God with a conscience This frute of correction as it is pretious