to the custome of the lawe Exod. 20.12 and thy prosperitie or as it is in the Hebrue thy peace vnderstanding thereby all manner of prosperitie as it is sundrie times vsed in scripture without which long time should bee but miserable Vers 3. Let not mercie i. the seruice and worship of God prescribed in his lawe which he calleth mercie because God in mercie onely made the same manifest vnto men and truth i. vpright and true dealing towards men commanded in the second table forsake thee vz. at any time but haue them in continual remembrance to doo and performe them see Deut. 5.29 binde them on thy necke vz. as a chaine or Iewell see Chapt. 1.9 And he seemeth to allude to that which is written Deut. 6.8 where they are commanded to binde them vpon their hands and to haue them as frontlets betweene their eyes meaning nothing but the great care which they should haue to remember Gods word see Exod. 13.9 see also verse 21. of this Chapter and write them vpon the table of thine heart i. lay them vp in thine heart and thinke often vpon them as men doo those things which they haue in writings or tables Vnder these two words binding and writing and the words ioyned with them the holie Ghost meaneth nothing els but this but that he should continually thinke vpon them in his mind and speake of them in his talke that thereby he might be the more prouoked to obey them in his workes Vers 4. So i. by this meanes if thou striue to performe these counsels and commandements shalt thou finde vz. assuredly and without all doubt fauour i. acceptation and good liking and good vnderstanding i. sound iudgement and wisedome in deuising and performing thy matters in the sight of God who will accompanie thee with his prouidence and man i. men as Chapt. 2. vers 1. whose hearts God would bowe to approue and like of al his doings Vers 5. Trust in the Lord vz. only and at all times either in prosperitie or aduersitie with all thine heart i. vnfeignedly for God hateth men of two hearts and hypocrites and leane not vnto i. trust not in see Isaiah 36.6 thine owne wisedome i. mans wisedome or the wisedome of flesh and bloud whether thou haue it in and of thy selfe or from others for it is nothing els but foolishnes before God Roma 8.6 7. Iames 3.15 Vers 6. In all thy waies i. whatsoeuer thou doest purpose enterprise or performe acknowledge him i. stedfastlie beléeue and vnfeignedlie confesse that all is done by his excéeding great power excellent wisedome and wonderfull prouidence see to this end Dauids exhortation to Salomon 1. Chron. 28.9 and he shall direct thy waies i. he shall so gouerne and guide all thy matters that thou shalt not be frustrate of thy hope see Psal 37.5 also Psalm 55.22 Vers 7. Be not wise in thine owne eyes i. in thine owne iudgement and opinion q.d. thinke not that thine owne wisedome is sufficient to dispatch thine affaires withall without the wisedome and worde of God but beware of such conceites but feare the Lord i. worship and serue him hanging only vpon him and depart vz. with speede and vnfeignedly from euill i. euery thing that is euill see Psalm 37.77 Iob. 1.1 Vers 8. So i. by this meanes or as some reade it But vz. fearing the Lord and departing from euill health i. all blessings by one vnderstanding all either outward or inward shall be vnto thy nauell i. vnto thee thy self putting one part of the man for the whole man and marrowe vnto thy bones i. strength vnto thy whole man it is as much as if vnder these two termes he should say both inwardlie and outwardlie in bodie and in minde thou shalt bee well affected but these promises are expressed vnder an allegorie or allegories by which the godlie that are fostered in the Church are compared to children in their mothers wombes and therefore the word turned here nauell would rather be turned wombe or bellie for as by the meanes of the wombe nourishment is ministred vnto them yea euen to the strengthning of the inward parts so the godlie in the Church are fed and brought vp by the faith knowledge feare and obedience of God and as without marrowe in the bones no part of man no not that which is of greatest value and force is able to doo any thing so the strength that they haue from God is as the marrowe which strengthneth the bones and maketh them apt to doo good things see Iob 21.24 for this phrase Vers 9. Honour the Lord with thy riches though I denie not but that it is to bee vnderstood of things giuen for the maintenance of the Priestes and Leuites and of their Sacrifices dedicated to the Lord yet I would haue it to be vnderstood so generally that looke which way so euer our riches might aduance Gods glorie euen that way wee should willingly imploy the same vnderstanding by riches golde siluer precious stones c. and with the first fruites of thine increase vz. whether it be of beastes and cattle to be offered to the Lord or of the fruites of the earth see for this Exod. 23.19 also Deut. 26.2 c. meaning notwithstanding vnder first fruites euen the best and chiefest of any thing they had to offer vnto the Lord see Malach. 1.8 c. Vers 10. So shall thy barnes i. all thy places wherein thou laiest vp thy store as sellers warehouses c. bee filled with abundance vz. of all good things and thy presses shall burst with newe wine i. there shall bee such abundance and plentie of newe wine as thy presses shall not be able to presse it out but shall breake in péeces through the abundance of it see Deutero 28. and Malach. 3.10 Vers 11. My sonne see Chapt. 1.8 refuse not vz. at any hand as though it were a tedious and hurtfull thing vnto thee the chastening of the Lord i. such corrections whether they bee outward in the bodie or inwarde in the minde as the Lord shall lay vpon thée neither be grieued vz. either against him or it as though thou wouldest murmur against him or repine at it with his correction i. with his fatherly chastising of thee to thy amendment as may appeare in the next verse see this place largely expounded Hebr. 12.5 c. and Reuelat. 3.19 Vers 12. For this is a reason why they should not be faint hearted or murmur against God in their afflictions the Lord correcteth vz. mercifullie and graciouslie him whom he loueth i. euery one whom it pleaseth him of his owne good will onely to fauour and affect euen as the father doth vz. correct the child i. his naturall sonne or daughter in whom vz. notwithstanding his correction he delighteth vz. greatly or verie much His purpose is to shew first that afflictions come not vpō the godlie by chance but by Gods prouidence and appoyntment Secondly that they proceede not from him as from one
for heauenlie things Vers 25. Declareth Gods great iudgement against proude persons and his singular loue towards the poore and afflicted Vers 26. Teacheth vs that wicked thoughts are sinne before the Lord also that our words speaches should bring grace to the hearers Vers 27. Teacheth vs to auoide greedie gaping after gayne and hastie or readie receauing of rewards Vers 28. Teacheth vs to beware of rash and hastie speach and alwaies to speake with as great aduisement as possible we can Vers 29. Declareth Gods iustice vpon the wicked and his singular fauor towards the good Vers 30. Teacheth vs that it is a good blessing to haue the sight of our eyes also that wee shoulde striue to be of good name and reporte Vers 31. Sheweth what good men shall get by obseruing wise and good counsell Verse 32. Declareth what euill shall come vpon them that regarde it not Verse 33. Teacheth vs two thinges first that no man can rightly feare God but hee that hath been some what trained vp in wisdomes schoole secondlie that we cannot come to true honor before God and men till the Lord haue effectuallie humbled vs vnder his almightie hand CHAPT 16. Co. IN the latter end of the other Chapter the holie Ghost had shewed that wee could not tell how vse our eares a right but by grace from God and now hee sheweth vs in the beginning of this Chapter that we knowe not how to guide our tongues except the Lord assiste vs and direct vs in the same Di. Di. 1 I Would diuide this chapter into fowre partes In the first he sheweth that we cannot thinke or speake rightly without God that the Lorde seeth all things that his blessing giueth good successe to all our attempts that hee dooth what pleaseth him he speaketh against the proud commendeth the mercie trueth and feare of the Lord setteth out his loue towards his children and speaketh of contentednes of minde from ver 1. to the end of the 9. Di. 2 In the second he speaketh of good rulers true weights and the excellencie of wisdome shewing also what a dangerous thing it is to purchase the Di. 3 kings wrath and displeasure from vers 10. to the end of the 17. In the third he intreateth of pride and humilitie of trust in the Lorde of wise men and wisdome of gentle words and of an vpright way from vers 18. to the end of the 25. In the last parte hee speaketh of the painefull person also of wicked froward and vngodlie men of good old age of bridling anger and of Di. 4 the prouidence of God from vers 26. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. THe preparations of the heart are in man i. a man hath power to prepare his heart and wit to direct how and in what order he will speake or doo any thing And this he speaketh not as though it were so but by the way of concession for if he cannot speake surely he cannot thinke or deuise without God but it is q.d. be it that man haue innumerable thoughts in his heart and in his head deuiseth this and that but the answere of the tongue i. yet the wordes which hee shall speake and vtter is of the Lord i. commeth from him because without him he cannot so much as wagge his tongue Verse 2. All the waies of a man i. euerie thing that a man thinketh speaketh or dooth are cleane i. seeme so to be vnto him in his owne eyes i. in his owne iudgement putting eyes for iudgement because we take those things to bee moste sure and sufficient which we see but the Lord pondereth i. diligently weigheth and déepelie considereth the spirits vz. of men meaning thereby all their imaginations words and workes because they haue their beginning in the spirite or vnderstanding of a man and proceede from the same q.d. God euen as it were by number and weight that is most certainely searcheth whether that be pure and right that men thinke so to be and knoweth it by many degrées better than they Verse 3. Commit vz. in a stedfast fayth thy workes i. all thy affayres whatsoeuer vnto the Lord q.d. in all thinges depende vpon him for a good successe and blessing and thy thoughtes shall be directed vz. thorowe his prouidence and power to a good end vnderstanding by thoughts which are the beginning of all actions euen the very deedes themselues also This sentence intreateth of Gods power and prouidence teaching vs to referre all things thereto see the like Psal 37.5 also Psal 55.22 Vers 4. The Lord vz. of Heauen and earth hath made vz. by his almightie power all things i. all creatures whatsoeuer for his owne sake i. to this end that his glorie might appeare in them yea euen the wicked vz. man meaning thereby all the vngodlie for the daye of euill i. not onely against the time of affliction in this life but for eternall torments in the life to come not that God is the author of any wickednes but because he not onely suffereth but also hath aforehand decreed that the wicked shall oppresse the good the Lorde reseruing them for it against the day of iudgement wherein he will shewe his power and iustice by which he is glorified q.d. the chiefe end of the creation of all things is Gods glorie which glorie of his most plainely appeareth and is declared both in the eternall saluation of the vessells of mercie and also in the destruction of the vessells of wrath appoynted beforehand to that destruction see Roman 9.22.23 Iude. vers 4. Vers 5. All that are proude in heart i. all proude persons of what estate or condition so euer they be He maketh mention of the heart because there is the first beginning of pride and from thence it floweth Marke 7.22 are an abhomination to the Lord i. the Lord doth loth them and cannot abide them wee haue had this phrase oftentimes as Chap. 11.1 also Chap. 12.22 chap. 15.26 c. though hand ioyne in hand i. though they ioyne power and forces together to auoyde Gods iudgements he i. the proud man or the proud persons by one vnderstanding al shall not be vnpunished i. escape vnpunished from the Lord howsoeuer hee doth for a while deferre his iudgements see Chap. 11.21 Vers 6. By mercie vz. from God and trueth i. Gods faithfull accomplishment of his promises he making his children by the zeale of his spirite to feele the same see Psalme 85.10 I knowe some vnderstand by mercie and trueth the dueties of charitie and vpright dealing one man with an other and I denie not though they sée it not that mercie is so vsed Matth. 12.7 but I approue rather the other sense iniquitie i. sinne it selfe and the punishment deserued for it shall bee forgiuen vz. before the Lorde meaning that the Lorde freely euen for his owne mercie and trueth sake will forgiue the sinnes of his people and by the feare of the Lord vz. rightly and sincerely planted in the
loue wherwith they are replenished either Christianly couer that which is amisse or curteouslie cure it And as for you good Madame though I rest perswaded that it shall bee well accepted of you yet can I not but againe againe beseech you to receiue it not only as from the hand but as frō the heart of him who if either his poore praiers in absence or speach in presence or any thing els either within him or without him could any many manner of way either further you or answere some part of that christian kindnes which he hath receiued from you would not bee wanting in any duetie toward you or yours that GOD shal inable him to performe Now the very God of peace sanctifie you throughout and grant that your whole spirit soule and bodie may be kept blameles vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ London the xxv of this September 1589. Your good Ladiships as very much bounden so in al things very readie in Christ to his poore power T.W. the Lords vnworthie seruant To the godlie and Christian Reader BE aduertised J pray thee gentle Reader and that for thine owne good and better vnderstanding of the things thou shalt reade in this booke that wheresoeuer thou shalt finde this .i. it signifieth as much as that is to say and where these two letters q.d. are vsed it importeth thus much as though he would say and obserue withall that vz. is to wit c. Other things I doubt not but thou wilt of thy selfe through Gods blessing well perceiue as the more learned sort shall also without me and yet for those that had not such skill I could not but note these things as for those that haue attained to more vnderstanding and knowledge this Distichon Sperare in Christum vitae tolerare labores Et benè posse mori disce beatus eris Lord giue vs vnderstanding in all things speciallie in the mysteries of thy holie Lawe that wee maie like of and allow those things onelie which be right and holie before thee through Christ So be it An Exposition vpon the Prouerbes THIS whole Booke as J take it may bee diuided into two Parts Jn the first Salomon teacheth vs how we should stande affected towards God and his truth and this is comprehended in the nine first Chapters of this Booke Jn the second he deliuereth particular doctrines speciallie such as concerne our dutie towards men are to be referred to men maners words deeds and other circumstances from chapter 10. to the end of the Booke CAP. 1. THis Chapter as I suppose maybe diuided into three parts In the first Di. 1 is conteined a Proeme or Preface to the whole worke setting out the Writer the ende vse and profite of the same from vers 1. to the ende of the 6. In the seeond is comprehended an exhortation to goodnesse and an Di. 2 admonition to auoide the entisements of sinners from vers 7. to the end of the 19. In the third is declared the great paines that Gods wisedome taketh Di. 3 to drawe men vnto him but how little it preuaileth amongst them which sinne of theirs they shall not carrie away vnpunished from vers 20. to the end of the Chapter Vers 1. THe Parables i. Se. the figuratiue and darke kinde of speaches sée Psal 49.4 also 78.2 sée also Matth. 13 3.10 11.34 35. True it is that the Hebrue word signifieth all kinde of figuratiue speaches whatsoeuer of which sorte wee shall sée manie in this Booke somtimes expressed by similitudes sometimes by Allegories sometimes by Metaphores and sometimes by one meanes and sometimes by another and yet I thinke it may verie wel be taken for sentences words or speaches which as they are grauelie shortlie vttered so doo notwithstanding containe in them plentie of good matter of Salomon Here we sée who was the pen-man vtterer of these graue sentences sée 1. King 4.32 and when he saith of Salomon he meaneth that Salomon spake them and these I take as also all that follow to be Salomons owne words speaking of himselfe in the third person the sonne of Dauid vz. who was a man according vnto Gods owne heart and this serueth both for the commendation of Salomon and of his Booke So that we sée in this verse the work to be commended first for the excellencie of it vnder the word Parables secondly of the Writer vz. Salomon the wisest man that euer was thirdlie of the Writers Parents vz. Dauid a verie godlie man lastly of the state condition wherin either the Father or the Writer or both were vz. King of Jsrael i. ruler gouernor of the people that was called by the name of their great grandfather Iaakob And though this word King of Israel may séeme to be referred both to Dauid and Salomon because they were both Kings ouer that people yet I take it that it ought chieflie and onelie in this place to be referred to Dauid Vers 2. To know vnderstand héere thus much which parables and graue sentences were written to this end that men might learne and know wisedome i. absolute stedfast and effectuall knowledge both of heauenlie and worldlie things and instruction vz. concerning men their duties to the ende that they that by nature are rude and vnskilfull may by this doctrine be reclaimed to a better trade and course of life to vnderstand q. d. whereby also a man may vnderstand the words of knowledge i. such spéeches and sentences as are with skill knowledge and iudgement vttered and spoken Some thinke that there are thrée sorts of knowledge set down in this verse which may be obteined by the reading of this Booke vnderstanding by wisedome the certaine and assured knowledge of euerie thing by instruction the waies and meanes to attaine to that knowledge which héere is set after it because the other in dignitie and worthinesse goeth before it and by vnderstanding the words of knowledge he vnderstandeth prudence as when by the helpe of wisedome and knowledge a man obteineth abilitie to iudge of matters and to perceiue one thing by another Vers 3. To receiue vz. from the mouth of thy teacher if thou be a scholler and learner for in this verse he sheweth the profite that it will bring to learners and in the next verse how it will inable teachers instruction sée vers 2. meaning also by instruction good rules holie counsell and right order to doo wiselie vz. in all the waies that thou shalt walke and all the things that thou shalt attempt by iustice and iudgement and equitie This place is turned as though these things were meanes instruments of a good mans wise dealing whereas I suppose it should be turned thus as also some doo turne it To receaue the instruction of vnderstanding i. wise and skilfull instruction of iustice iudgement and euerie right thing vnderstanding by iustice iust holie and good workes by iudgement that sentence whereby euerie man hath his owne yéelded
16 17 18. Do liuelie set out all the whorish and strumpet-like inticements that harlots doo vse wherein also their condemnation is and shall without repentance bee the greater because they abuse the good things of God to the more greedie satisfying and fulfilling of their lust Vers 19 20. Teach vs that the wicked take euery light and little occasion for the satisfying of their filthie desires specially opportunitie and seasonablenes of time as they thinke Also they teach that the vngodlie more feare the face and countenaunce of men than the sight and presence of the Almightie God Vers 21. Teacheth vs that flattering and intising words haue great force in them to drawe if Gods spirit doo not mightely preuaile against the same Vers 22 23. Doo vnder three fit similitudes taken from oxen birdes and fooles expresse two notable poynts the one is how readilie and willingly the wicked runne to their owne destruction the other is how sodainlie and as it were vnawares they are through ignorance intrapped in wonderfull dangers Vers 24. Teacheth vs when good counsell is offered in good time to accept of it Vers 25. Teacheth vs neither in affection nor in action to consent to whores Vers 26. Teacheth vs that our owne wisedome and strength are but weake things to ouercome whorish perswasions by vnlesse wee bee better staied from aboue because great and wise men haue been ouertaken therewith Vers 27. Setteth out the great danger and assured destruction that followeth the familiaritie and haunting of harlots CHAP. 8. Co. IN the next Chapter before going be confirmed the excellencie of holie and heauenlie wisedome euen by that experience which God had giuen him now he proceedeth in this and the next Chapter following in the same matter adding more confirmations for the same thing which are fet from the very testimonie of God himselfe and his eternall wisedome Di. THis Chapter may bee diuided into three parts the first is a short narration Di. 1 setting Gods wisedome before our eyes as it were passing by vs and this is contained in the three first verses In the second he bringeth in Di. 2 wisedome commending her selfe for her excellencie riches power and eternitie and all this is done to the end men might the more speedilie imbrace her from verse 4. to the end of 31. In the third is contained her exhortation Di. 3 prouoking all men to loue and followe her for the good things that be in her from verse 32. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. DOth not Wisedome i. good holie and heauenlie wisedome crye vz. aloude and openly and not whistining and in the dark as harlots doo For against them spoken of in the other Chapter he opposeth Gods holie wisedome here see Chapter 1.20 and he vttereth it by the way of a question that it might haue greater force q.d. certainlie she doth so and vnderstanding vz. of Gods will reuealed in his word vtter her voyce vz. openly and plainly so that none can pretend ignorance Vers 2. She standeth in the toppe of the high places vz. to the end she may be the better and more plainly heard by the way i. at euery waies side watching her opportunitie to doo good vnto men in the place of the pathes i. in euery place that hath pathes where men vse to walke q.d. wheresoeuer there is any resort of men and where men vse to meete there she is and offereth her selfe Vers 3. She i. wisedome cryeth vz. very loude and plaine In the Hebrue text it is a verbe of the plurall number and then it must bee referred to wisedome and vnderstanding as verse 1. of this Chapter besides the gates vz. of the citie and this he mentioneth because the people repaired to the gates of the citie for iustice see Chapter 1.21 before the citie this may either bee referred to wisedome thus as though she called to men before they entered into the citie or els to the gates which stand before the citie and bee as it were the dores of the citie to which I rather incline at the entrie of the dores vz. of euery mans particular house q.d. both publikely and priuatly she calleth vnto men saying as followeth in the next verses Vers 4. O men vz. of what state and condition so euer you be I call vz. plainly and with a loude voyce vnto you vz. for your good and vtter my voyce vz. plainly and sensiblie as verse 1. of this Chapter to the children of men q.d. euen vnto the young ones meaning that he would haue none exempted from the imbracing of his doctrine Vers 5. O ye foolish men i. O ye that are simple and readie to be deceiued with euery thing These are called simple Chapt. 1.4 See also verse 32. of the first Chap. vnderstand wisedome i. labour to attaine her while you may haue her and she offereth her selfe vnto you and ye O fooles hereby he meaneth such as are altogether voide of vnderstanding as Chapt. 1.22 be wise in heart i. applie your hearts vnto wisedome least you goe continually forward in your foolishnes and dulnes Vers 6. Giue eare i. bee attentiue and diligent for I will speake vz. plainly and openly vnto you of excellent things i. of high and noble things euen such as it becommeth Princes and great personages to speake of and their inferiours duetifully to heare such a reason of attention is to be found Psalm 49.34 and the opening of my lippes i. euen the very beginning of my speach shall teach things that be right i. shall propound and deliuer nothing els but right and holie things Vers 7. For my mouth i. I my selfe putting the mouth and the instruments therein contained by which the voyce is framed for the person himselfe speaking shall speake the truth i. the whole truth and nothing but the truth and my lippes abhorre vz. to speake or els wee may take this word lippes as mouth before in this verse for the person him selfe wickednesse i. false and vntrue things wherewith the vngodlie are greatly delighted Vers 8. All the words of my mouth are righteous i. both the words which I speake and the thinges that I command tende to righteousnes and well doing both before God and man there is no lewdnes nor frowardnes in them i. there is no wicked or vngodlie thing in them or commanded by them and in these two verses he commendeth his doctrine because it is right true iust and holie Vers 9. They i. the words which I vtter are all vz. and euery one of them plaine i. easie and manifest to him vz. whosoeuer he bee that will vnderstand vz. them not meaning that any either will or can vnderstand till God haue giuen both the one and the other but alluring men rather who are discouraged with hard things and straight i. manifest and euident without any turning or winding to them i. to all them of what state and condition soeuer they be that would finde knowledge i. that haue a care and
euerie tale and of the foolish and the wise man from vers 10. to the end of the 18. In the Di. 3 third he speaketh of the euill persons of the poore and rich of the proud and the mercifull of euill thinkers and good men of painfull labor and wicked words of riches and follie of a faithfull and lying witnes and of the reuerence and feare of the Lord from vers 19. to the end of the 27. In the Di. 4 fourth part hee speaketh of kings and their power of bridling anger of enuie of oppression and pitie of the ends of the wicked and the godlie of wisdome iustice and the fauor or displeasure of a Prince and this reacheth from vers 28. to the end of the chapter Se. Vers 1. A Wise woman i. euery woman that is truely wise fearing God and regarding their houshold affaires in holines and modestie buildeth her house vz. not so much with outward furniture and shewe as while that by hir labor and the right gouernement of her houshold she doth by all meanes keepe defende and increase the same but the foolish vz. woman who is set against the wise woman mentioned before destroyeth it i. her house and familie with hir owne hands i. whilst that vnheedely by hir naughtie deedes negligence and euill gouernement she suffereth all things to goe to wracke Vers 2. He that walketh in his righteousnes i. leadeth an vpright life voyde of hypocrisie and it is called his righteousnes not because he hath it of himselfe but because God in great mercie hath communicated the same vnto him feareth the Lord vz. vnfeinedly but he that is leaude in his waies i. leadeth a leaud and lose life despiseth him i. offereth as much as in him lyeth despite and contempt against the Lorde because he despiseth his lawe q.d. by the order of a mans life euen as it were by certaine fruites may a man be knowne whether he be godly or wicked Vers 3. In the mouth of the foolish i. in wicked mens wordes vttered with their mouth is the rodde of pride i. is there great and wonderfull pride wherewith in the height of his minde hee dooth not onely strike sometimes and hurt other men but giueth other men standing by and hearing staues and clubbs as it were to strike himselfe but the lippes of the wise i. words vttered with their lippes as sundrie times before preserue vz. from hurt and danger them i. both the wise themselues and others that depende vpon them the reason is because they obserue a measure and wisedome in their speeches that they neither hurt themselues nor others see chap. 12.6 Vers 4. Where none Oxen are vz. such as can worke and goe to plowe being accustomed to the yoke and tillage Vnderstanding hereby all workemen and whatsoeuer appertayneth to husbandrie there the crib is emptie i. there is nothing no not for the beastes to eate much lesse is there any thing in the barnes or storehouses for vnder one hee vnderstandeth all the rest but much increase commeth vz. to the good husbandman by the strength of the Oxe vz. that laboreth in tillage meaning thereby all husbandrie and tillage with al things thereto appertaining whatsoeuer Vers 5. A faithfull witnesse i. a faithfull man being called foorth to witnesse any thing will not lye vz. for any cause whether it be for fauor feare flatterie or otherwise but a false record vz. against men will speake lies vz. for euerie cause and in euerie place meaning that hee that hath falsified his faith in publike iustice will not spare to strayne it in priuate speeches see chap. 6.19 Vers 6. A scorner i. he that scoffeth and scorneth at all good things see chap. 1.22 seeketh i. maketh as though he would seeke for or els indeede seeketh for it but not to a right end wisedome i. Gods heauenlie wisdome and findeth it not q.d. for all that hee findeth it not the reason is because he seeketh it not as he should that is diligently and earnestly and to a right end that is Gods glorie and the comfort of his children but knowledge vz. of God and his mysteries is easie to him that will vnderstand i. that hath a minde and laboureth to atteyne it and he saith it is easie meaning to be founde because she offereth hir selfe vnto all as chap. 1.20 And Chapter 8.1 Vers 7. Depart vz. quickely and with hast from the foolish man i. from the wicked man that hath his heart seased and possessed with all manner of follie and euill When thou perceauest not in him i. so soone as thou findest that he hath not the lippes of knowledge i. words that sauor of sounde knowledge iudgement and wisedome Vers 8. The wisdome of the prudent i. the wisdome that he hath is i. consisteth specially in this to vnderstand i. to haue a diligent and watchfull eye to his way i. his whole life and the course thereof whether he imploye it in words déeds or both q.d. this is his duety and herein his wisdome appeareth diligently and with iudgement to weigh whatsoeuer hee attempteth auoyding alwaies rashnes but the foolishnes of the fooles is deceit i. tendeth wholy and altogether to deceit q.d. the fooles in their folly regard this thing specially to deceaue others Vers 9. The foole i. all foolish and wicked persons as appeareth because the word is of the plurall number in the Hebrewe text maketh a mocke of sinne i. maketh no more account of it than of a matter of sport or play see Chapter 10.23 but among the righteous there is fauour i. vnfeyned good will one of them towards another Some readeth it farre otherwise and maketh another sense of it which also I rather allow of thus Sinne vz. which the wicked and vngodlie men commit and they knowe one by another maketh fooles to agree vz. one of them with another q.d. their partaking in wickednes ioyneth the wickeds minds one of them towards another but among the righteous i. the good and holy people that which is acceptable vz. before God good men maketh agreement vz. among themselues q.d. good things only tie good mens minds together Vers 10. The heart vz. onely knoweth vz. perfectly and thorowly the bitternes of his soule i. the heauines and grief that the soule indureth and the stranger i. whatsoeuer is without shall not meddle with his ioye i. with the ioye of the heart or soule For the inward ioye which wee haue in the heart none knoweth so well as wee our selues neither are wee able by any outward signes to expresse the greatnes of the inward ioye In the meane while we learne not to giue our selues too much ouer to sadnes or ioy but to kéepe the golden rule of measure or mediocritie in both Ver. 11. The house of the wicked i. he and all that he hath shall be destroyed vz. through Gods iust iudgement but the tabernacle of the righteous i. he himselfe and all that appertaineth to him shall florish vz. through the
he may haue his desire satisfied in obtaining holie and heauenlie wisedome Di. Di. 1 THis Chapter may bee diuided into three parts The first reacheth from vers 1. to the end of the 8. wherein he speaketh of the desire of wisedom of the foolish and wicked man of wise words of respect of persons of the words of fooles and tale bearers and the hurt which commeth by them Di. 2 both The second reacheth from verse 9. to the ende of the 16. wherein he speaketh of the slothfull person of Gods power of riches of pride and humilitie of hastie answers of the griefe of bodie and soule of paines to get Di. 3 wisedome and of the power and force of gifts or rewards The third reacheth from verse 17. to the end of the Chapter wherein he speaketh of the first complainer of the vse of the lot of the wrath of brethren of good words and speaches of a good wife of the poore and rich and of a true frend or brother Se. Vers 1. FOr the desire thereof i. for the earnest affection that hee hath to obteyne holy and heauenly wisdome hee i. a good man will seperate himselfe vz. from all that hee hath that may let him to seeke it i. to the end hee may seeke and finde it see Matth. 13.44 45 46. and occupie himselfe i. he will carefullie imploy himselfe and diligentlie also in all wisdome i. in wisdome it selfe and in all the meanes whereby hee may growe and increase in the same others I knowe reade it otherwise and giue anosense but me thinketh this is plaine inough Vers 2. A foole hath no delight vz. at all in vnderstanding i. either in the thing it selfe or in the meanes whereby it may be obteyned but vz. his delite is that his heart i. the things that be in his heart may be discouered vz. to other men and that by his vaine babbling and speaking of euerie thing that commeth into his mind q.d. he is onely delighted with his owne follie which he laboreth to publish and make knowne to all men Verse 3. When the wicked commeth i. wheresoeuer there is a wicked man then commeth vz. with him i. there is contempt vz. of other men hee meaneth that this is proper to the wicked and is as it were his inseperable companion to despise others and with the vile man vz. there is alwaies reproach i. disdainefull vttering of reproches against others I denie not but that this verse may be taken as though God should punish the wicked and vile men with contempt and reproach but the other sense in my iudgement is more simple and plaine Vers 4. The words of a mans mouth i. such words and speaches as proceed from a wise mans mouth are like deepe waters vz. which cannot be drawne emptie neither can a man come to the bottome of them so the wisdome and learning of a wise man neuer ceaseth but the more he vttereth the more he may and the welspring of wisdome i. the great plentie and abundance he hath of it meaning hereby also the wise mans mouth powring it out and largely communicating it to others is like a flowing riuer i. is like to a riuer that floweth continuallie hee meaneth by these Metaphors and similitudes that there is neuer scarsitie of wisdome in him Vers 5. It is not good i. it is verie euill and hurtfull as chap. 17.26 to accept i. to regard or looke vpon the person of the wicked i. any thing in him at all as his authoritie wit words giftes c see this forbidden Deutero 1.17 to cause vz. thereby the righteous to fall i. to bee ouerthrowne in iudgement i. where iudgement is to be pronounced This belongeth to Iudges and Magistrates who are many times so moued with the power c. of the wicked that the iust and porer sorte come to ruine thereby which fault should bee corrected Vers 6. A fooles lippes i. the wordes which a foole vttereth with his lippes commeth with strife i. haue alwaies strife annexed vnto them as an inseperable companion and are mingled altogether with contentions and his mouth i. the wordes which hee speaketh with his mouth calleth for stripes vz. to bee layde vppon him for his follie meaning that his owne wordes are meanes to hurte himselfe Verse 7. A fooles mouth i. words spoken with his mouth is his owne destruction i. bring hurt and destruction vnto himselfe and his lippes i. speaches vttered with his lippes are a snare for his soule i. are instruments and meanes to bring him within the danger of the losse of his life see chap. 10.14 also chap. 13.3 Vers 8. The words of a talebearer vz. which he vttereth to some against other some are as flatterings i. they seeme pleasant and sweete yea to be more gentle than oyle or butter see Psal 55.21 and i. but for all that or els thus and vz. yet notwithstanding they go downe into the bowells of the bellie i. into the bowels which are within the bellie meaning that they wound euen the verie entrailes which being once perished there is no hope of life and therefore it is as much q.d. they wound men most grieuouslie yea deadlie Vers 9. Hee also vz. as well as the talebearer is to be misliked that is slothfull i. giuen to idlenes and loytering in his worke i. in dooing the thing he is set about and should indeed performe is euen the brother of him that is a great waster vz. of the things which he hath he meaneth that he is cosin german as it were with the prodigall person because looke what the one looseth by superfluitie and ryot the other forgoeth thorow sloth and idlenes Vers 10. The name of the Lord i. his Maiestie goodnes and power as sundry times in the Psalmes and namelie Psalme 20.1 is a strong tower vz. to all such as stedfastly trust therein meaning by strong tower a mightie defence to shielde him and to keepe him safe from all the dangers of such as would anoye him see Psal 61.3 the righteous vz. at all times but speciallie in the dayes of his distresse runneth vz. with all possible hast and speed vnto it i. to this assured tower of Gods strength might power goodnes c. and is exalted i. lifted vp vz. into a high place where hee shall be safe and sound from the attemptes of all his enemies Vers 11. The rich mans riches i. the riches which he presentlie possesseth are his strong citie i. hee maketh them vnto himselfe a defence against all attemptes and assaultes made against him see before Chap. 10.15 and as an hie wall in his imagination i. hee fondlie imagineth that they are sufficiently able not onely to keepe him from the violence of men but also to shield him and couer him so that neyther God nor man shall behold his leudnes Vers 12. Before destruction i. before the calamitie fall or hurt of any man come the heart of a man is hautie i. a man himselfe is proude and
vs to goe to God in our iust causes before wee goe to the Magistrate and afterwards to goe to him for iustice and then no doubt wee shall speede better Verse 27. Teacheth vs that the wicked cannot abide the godly and that the godly on the other side should loath them in their wickednes CHAP. 30. Co. THis Chapter cannot well bee connexed to the former otherwise than thus that the holie Ghost proceedeth in deliuering other holie and wholesome instructions concerning faith and manners but yet by the ministerie and mean of another than Salomon as may appeare by the title and inscription of this Chapter Di. I Would diuide this Chapter into foure parts In the first he sheweth how Di. 1 blind we are in the comprehension of GOD and his matters how pure and perfect Gods word is and putteth downe a praier desiring to bee deliuered from vanitie lying pouertie abundance of wealth pride despaire from verse 1. to the end of the 9. In the second he dealeth against vniust accusers Di. 2 disobedient children hypocrites proud persons cruell and outragious men couetous men and contemners of parents and this reacheth from verse 10. to the end of the 17. In the third he intreateth of things beyond Di. 3 his reach of the trade or order of an adulteresse and of certaine things that breed great disorder and confusion in the earth also of some creatures which in their kinde doo instruct men and this reacheth from verse 18. to Di. 4 the end of the 28. In the fourth he speaketh of the lyon of a grayhound of a goate and of the maiestie of a King teaching men to beware of pride and wrath from verse 29. to the end of the Chapter Se. I Would make but one verse of the title of this Chapter the first verse it self reade them both together thus Vers 1. The words of Agur vz. which hée spake are these that followe Some would haue this Agur to bée Salomon but I see no likelihood of it and me thinketh the petition which is made verse 7. of this Chap. should plainlie proue it because Salomon was a King and had great store of riches and a promise giuen vnto him thereof see 1. Kings 3.13 I rather thinke some other good man whose name is not expressed saue here was the writer and that these were ioyned to Salomons Prouerbes both for the likenes of the argument and the breuitie or shortnes of the sentences the sonne of laketh He expresseth also his fathers name of which name we reade in no place of the scripture but in this onely the holie Ghost teacheth vs thereby not curiouslie to search into these things seeing it hath not pleased him to reueale more concerning them The prophecie i. the good and holie speach for prophecie is taken here for a speach concerning good and holie matters which the man vz. Agur himselfe spake vz. plainlie and pithilie also as followeth to Ithiel euen to Ithiel and Vcal i. to these these men who were as it is well noted either his schollers or his friends who also he did instruct in good and necessarie matters I knowe some both reade it otherwise and from the interpretation of the names giue another fense applying it to Christ the Messiah but with the good leaue of so good men I hope I may vpon some good reason dissent from them in it for though the sense may be good and the doctrine gathered vpon it yet I would not so allegorise vpon the scripture specially when we haue other plaine places euen in the olde Testament that are plaine prophecies indéede of our Sauiour Christ and therefore I take Ithiel and Vcal to be mens names for whose causes he propounded these poynts following Vers 2. Surely J am more foolish than any man It may be and I doo not much dissent from some of the Rabbins in this that Ithiel and Vcal demanded his iudgement concerning hard matters and that he beginning to speake of them setteth out his owne vnméetnes q.d. you thinke thus and thus of me but I surely may rather say vnto you why aske you these things of me that am so vnskilfull my selfe as no man more and so he extenuateth or debaseth his iudgement beginning euen in his speach to them with that and haue not the vnderstanding of a man in me i. haue not so much vnderstanding in me as a meane man for he vseth the word Adam here which in the Hebrue tongue signifieth for the most part one of the common sort of people as the word Isph doth a noble and excellent personage Vers 3. For I haue not learned wisedome a reason of his debasing of himselfe q.d. so farre of is it that I can well speake of these things that I haue not yet attained wisedom or knowledge nor attained to the knowledge of holie things vz. such as God and his word are of which he speaketh in the next verses some reade of the saincts meaning thereby Angels and such faithfull ones as are alreadie gathered to God in heauen but the other is more plaine q.d. I am not instructed with the knowledge of diuine things that I should bee able to declare such hard poynts as these are Vers 4. Who vz. amongst men hath ascended vp to heauen vz. that he should fetch from thence the knowledge of God descende vz. from thence that he might tell vs what things he hath seene and learned there see Deutero 30.12 c. It is true that Paule and others haue béen rapt vp thether but yet not of themselues but by God and withall they haue seene things that it was not lawfull for man to speake see 2. Cor. 12.2 3 4. who hath gathered the winde in his fist i. who doth hold the wind in his hand that it bloweth not and letteth it lose when he will to blowe This onely can God aboue doo and not any man see Isaiah 40.12 who hath bound the waters in a garment i. as it were in a garment q.d. is it not God onely that kéepeth the waters in the clowdes as it were in a garment and afterward when he seeth it good dissolueth them into raine that falleth vppon the earth see Psalme 104.3 Some vnderstand by the waters here the waters which are aboue the firmament and are vpholden by the wonderfull power and prouidence of almightie God of which you may reade Genesis 1.6 7. and in other places but I thinke it better to vnderstand them of the waters in the ayre and firmament which is often in scripture called heauen who hath established all the ends of the world q.d. by whose meanes is it that the earth and all the wastes thereof remaine so firme and stable as they are is it not by the onely power of the almightie what is his name q.d. canst thou name a man that can performe these things and what is his sonnes name he speaketh this according to the custome of the Iewes who vsed to make men knowne by
swimme and the little Lambe wade and goe Vers 7 Teacheth vs that wee can neuer come to sound knowledge of God and his truth vnlesse there bee a right reuerence of his Maiestie in our hearts Vers 8. Teacheth vs first that it is parents dueties to instruct those whom God hath giuen them Secondly that children should reuerently hearken vnto the wholesome counsell of their friends and parents Vers 9. Teacheth vs that it is a notable grace to bee bowable to the good wordes of exhortation Vers 10. Teacheth vs at no hand to consent to wicked perswasions and inticements Vers 11 12 13 14. Teach vs that the wicked will leaue no stone vnrolled to the end they may drawe some to commit wickednesse with them sometimes setting before them pleasure sometimes profite and sometimes one thing and sometimes another Vers 15. Teacheth vs two things first to auoyd the companie of the wicked secondly not to bee like vnto them in outward conuersation Vers 16. Sheweth how egar and sharpe set the wicked are vpon mischiefe Vers 17. Teacheth vs that the wicked are not so sure of the accōplishment of their practises as they suppose Vers 18. Teacheth vs that through Gods iust iudgements the vngodly are many times taken in the mischieuous imaginations of their owne hearts Vers 19. Teacheth vs that there is no wicked man of what estate or condition so euer he be which continueth in his sinne that shall escape vnpunished Vers 20 21 22. Teacheth vs that the heauenlie wisedome vseth all meanes and opportunities to bring men vnto it which are stragling from it Vers 22. Sheweth that the wicked preferre vanitie and sinne before all goodnesse whatsoeuer Vers 23. Teacheth vs that those which vnfeignedlie turne to the Lord shall not only escape iudgements in this life and in the life to come but shall bee throughlie instructed in all the waies of God Vers 24 25. Teacheth vs that there can be no greater sinne committed against God than rebellion and the contempt of his maiestie Vers 26. Teacheth that the Lord will haue no care of them that haue no care of him Vers 27. Sheweth that both sodaine and fearefull destruction shall fall vpon all wicked contemners of God and his truth Vers 28. Teacheth vs that those which refuse to heare God when he speaketh shall not be heard when they pray vnto him Vers 29. Teacheth vs that this is a great sinne against God euen the contempt and refusall of graces offered the same thing doth vers 30. teach vs. Vers 31. Teacheth vs that it is a iust with God to punish sinne with sinne in the wicked though he himselfe delight not in sinne Vers 32. Teacheth vs that euen the very good things that the wicked haue tend to their greater iudgement and condemnation Vers 33. Teacheth vs that obedience to Gods lawe is a good pledge to his children that God will in his prouident and fatherly care continually watch ouer them CHAP. 2. Co. SAlomon in the ende of the other Chapter had brought in Gods wisedome speaking vnto men and calling them to amendment which being done he beginneth againe either in his owne person or in the person of wisedome chuse whether you will accept of to exhort men to imbrace her and reuerentlie and rightlie to esteeme of her Di. I Would thinke that the Chapter may be diuided into two parts In the first either Wisedome it selfe or Salomon admonisheth vs to obey her both because it teacheth vs the feare of God and also instructeth vs in his Di. 2 mercie prouidence c. In the second part he reckoneth vp the great benefites and blessings that that heauenlie Wisedome bestoweth vpon vs and namelie that it shall deliuer vs from euerie euill way as slaunder backbyting adulterie c. The first part reacheth from vers 1 to the end of the 9. verse and the second from vers 10. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. MY sonne see chapt 1.8 if thou wilt receaue i. euen as it were gréedelie earnestlie reuerentlie rightlie my words i. the matters that I shall propound and speake vnto thée and hide vz. as most precious and deare things see Psalm 119 11. my commandements i. the things words which I command thee within thee vz. in thy heart yet so that they may be expressed also in thy outward conuersation Vers 2. And cause thine eares vz. both of thy bodie and of thy minde to hearken vz. reuerentlie attentiuelie and diligentlie vnto wisedome vz. that speaketh so often so openly vnto thee as chapt 1. ver 20. c. and incline vz. willinglie and vnfeinedlie thine heart vz. whollie altogether to vnderstanding i. to obtaine get sound knowledge of Gods will reuealed in his word Vers 3. For this word would be better turned yea q.d. if thou addest this further that thou hast a minde to praie for wisedome if thou callest after knowledge i. bend thy speach towards her that thou maist as it were call her vnto thee as when one calleth another and so by that meanes she may become familiar and acquainted with thee and criest vz. aloud and earnestly by which he noteth care and diligence for vnderstanding i. for the obteining of it as men when some are going apace frō them crie aloud that they may be heard Some read this verse thus Yea if thou call vpon wisedome i. reuerentlie call vpon God for the obteining of wisedome as Salomon did 1. King 3.6 and criest aloud to vnderstanding i. prayest earnestlie to God as God himselfe commandeth Iam. 1.5 And indeed I take this to be the better sense by reason of that which foloweth ver 6. of this chapter Ver. 4. If thou seekest her vz. as diligentlie and paynfullie as siluer i. as thou thy self wouldest or any other man seeke siluer lost or hidden and searchest for her vz. as carefullie as narrowlie as for treasures vz. which are hidden in some close strong and secret place as in the earth or otherwise whether men cannot come but by great labour and toile q.d. if thou seekest it with as earnest an affection as siluer is sought and treasures digged vp and that thou art not content with a common kinde of searching but if thou finde it not at once thou wilt still seeke till thou hast found then thus and thus shall it be with thee And marke here what degrees the holie Ghost vseth first he would haue vs to be carefull to receiue and to hold fast the doctrine of God vers 1. Then he would haue vs to bée carefull by diligent attention for the receiuing and remembring of it ver 2. Thirdly he would haue vs to vse earnest praier for the obtaining of it ver 3 And lastly he would haue vs to bestow all labour studie and industrie vers 4. Vers 5. Then i. when thou hast carefully striuen to the performance of these things shalt thou vnderstand vz. plainly familiarly rightly and soundly the feare of the Lord see Chapt. 1. vers
7. and finde vz. so that thou shalt obtaine and possesse the knowledge of God i. such knowledge of him as thou oughtest to haue of which see Iohn 17.3 and also shalt knowe by experience that he knoweth thee that is careth for thee as may appeare by vers 6 7. following Vers 6. For the Lord vz. alone and none but he giueth vz. freelie of his owne mercie wisedome i. true and heauenlie wisedome Iames 3.15 17. q.d. I sayd before that thou shouldest find wisedome knowledge but now least thou shouldest ascribe it to thine owne strength I tell thee it must come from God which giueth it plentifullie c. Iames 1.5 out of his mouth he meaneth Gods good will and pleasure manifested vnto vs by his word vnderstanding his word also thereby see Deutr. 8.3 Math. 4.4 commeth knowledge i. all sound knowledge of his maiestie and vnderstanding i. right vnderstanding of his holie mysteries Vers 7. He i. God preserueth vz. by his almightie power and prouidence the state of the righteous i. he vpholdeth them that haue care and conscience of a righteous conuersation in a good estate and condition Some reade it thus He hath euery thing vz. that is in déede good layd vp in store for the righteous i. God so knoweth and prouideth for the righteous that he causeth them to abound with all things that are good in déede he is a shield to them that walke vprightly i. he doth by his power saue preserue and defende them that studie and striue for a holy conuersation Vers 8. That they may keepe vz. through strength and grace from him the waies of iudgement i. such vpright pathes as tend to iudgement and right towards all specially towards their neighbour to which the Hebrue word should most properlie be referred as I suppose not declining any whit at all from right and equitie and he i. God alone without the helpe or ayd of others preserueth see vers 7. of this Chapter the way i. the whole course or trade of his life whatsoeuer he thinketh speaketh doth or taketh in hand meaning that the Lord prospereth it also see Psalme 1.3 6. of his Saincts i. of those which he frameth to a holie life see Psalme 16.3 also Psalme 149.1 Vers 9. Then vz. when thou shalt be instructed with knowledge and wisedom from the Lord shalt thou vnderstand vz. through the light which God shall bestowe vpon thee righteousnesse and iudgement and equitie see these words expounded before cap. 1. vers 3. And here he noteth another fruit of the studie of wisedome which is properly to bee vnderstood towards men as the first mentioned vers 5. was towards God and euerie good path i. euerie right course and order to frame thy life well and religiouslie yea thou shalt vnderstand euery good thing through the desire of wisedome Vers 10. When wisedome entereth into thy heart i. findeth a fast and deepe seate in thee and knowledge delighteth thy soule vz. aboue all the end of the sentence and meaning is to be looked for in the next verse Vers 11. Then shall counsell vz. which thou shalt learne out of Gods word preserue thee vz. from all euill see vers 7.8 of this Chapter and vnderstanding vz. of Gods will reuealed in his worde shall keepe thee vz. safe and sounde Vers 12. And deliuer thee i. from euery thing that is euill so that thou shalt not attempt nor take in hande anie euill thing yea from a disordred life into which thou slippest through infirmitie of nature or wherevnto thou art prouoked by the wordes and déedes of the vngodlie and from the man i. from men for it is one number put for another that speaketh vz. not onely in his hart but with his mouth froward things vz. both against God and men Vers 13. And from them q.d. it will set the free also from such and such persons and marke how sodainlie he changeth the numbers from the singular to the plurall Some ioyne it to the former verse thus which vz. men speaking peruerse things leaue the waies of righteousnesse i. vpright good and holie wayes and hee meaneth by this speach that the wicked many times put out the light that God hath bestowed vpon them to walke in the wayes of darknesse i. in corrupt and euil courses for euerie one that dooth euill hateth the light Iohn 3.20 also Rom. 13.12 13. Ephes 5.13 Vers 14. Which reioyce vz. greatlie in dooing euill i. when either they themselues doo anie or heare of others which commit it and delight vz. verie much in the frowardnesse of the wicked vz. man yet I had rather turne it thus in the frowardnesses of euill that is in the worst and most euill frowardnesses Some referre the word reioycing to the minde inwardlie and the word delight to the bodie outwardlie because the motions of the minde manie times appeare outwardlie in the bodie q. d. both outwardlie and inwardlie they are glad at all naughtinesse Vers 15. Whose wayes i. whose liues and dealings both towardes God and men are crooked i. wicked and vngodlie and lead not onelie to trouble but to destruction also and they are leawd in their paths i. their whole trade course of life sauoreth of nothing but leawdnesse Verse 16. And it i. wisedom and true knowledge if thou once apprehend it indéed shall deliuer thee sée verse 12. of this chapter from the strange woman i. from the whore or harlot who in the scripture is called by this name because shee estrangeth her selfe from her husband and giueth ouer the vse of her bodie to a stranger euen from the stranger i. the harlot which flattereth vz. verie swéetelie and pleasantlie with her words i. with her intising speaches sée Prouer. 7.10 11 c. Verse 17. Which forsaketh vz. both in action affection though perhaps not in respect of bodilie presence for she maketh an accompt of her husband also as Prou. 7.19 the guyde of her youth i. her husband which God gaue her in her youth to guyde and gouerne her not onlie then but for euer for the husband is the head of the wife 1. Cor. 11.3 and forgetteth vz. vtterlie and altogether the couenant of hir God that is the bond of mariage solemnlie passed betwéene the parties God himselfe being Authour thereof and his name being called vpon at the contract made sée Malach 2.14 Verse 18. Surelie or as some reade it For q.d. it is no small blessing that thou shalt obtayne by hauing found wisedome for it shall deliuer thee from deadlie danger and destruction hir house i. euen the very entrance and going into her house q.d. the verie first beginning of familiaritie and acquaintance tendeth to death i. bringeth death destruction with it if it be pursued and hir paths i. the treading in hir paths and walking in hir order of life and conuersation see chapter 1.15 vnderstand heere tend or lead vnto the dead i. vnto them that are dead alreadie and buried sée Psalme 88.10
He meaneth that to follow the wayes of the harlot bringeth with it death and destruction both of bodie and soule Verse 19. All they vz. of what state or condition soeuer they be that go vnto her i. that haue but some familiaritie or beginning of acquaintance with hir returne not againe vz. without touch or taint of some mischiefe meaning also that they hardlie returne to the Lord by vnfeined repentance neither take they hold of the wayes of life i. they liue not againe or returne into life meaning also by life and the waies thereof a better order or course of life than they lead before And though he speake the same things in many wordes meaning that they shall not at any hand escape destruction yet the wordes must bee vnderstood of eternall death rather than of temporal bodilie death which yet notwithstanding the adulterers purchase and procure to themselues by their incessant filthie life Vers 20. Therefore q.d. seeing thou seest what iudgements shall fall vppon the wicked ioyne thou thy selfe to the good others reade it otherwise but me thinketh this is plaine enough walke thou in the way of good men i. be conuersant with them and order thy life well according to the good orders and courses of their life and keepe the waies of the righteous vz. in thy conuersation and behauiour q.d. in thy life followe their good and holie steppes Vers 21. For he sheweth here a reason taken from the iust iudgements of God towards the good in this verse and towards the wicked vers 22. the iust 1. those that haue care and conscience of iustice wel doing shall dwell in the land vz. which the Lord hath mercifullie giuen them for I take it that he alludeth to the promises made in the lawe Exodus 20.12 and other places Yet so that vnder the same he meaneth all manner of blessings whatsoeuer see Psalm 37.29 and the vpright men see Psalme 119.1 shall remaine in it vz. a long season Vers 22. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth vz. through the iust iudgement of God against them for their sinnes and the transgressors i. such as transgresse against God and his lawe shall be rooted out of it vnder this word he meaneth that the wicked shall assuredlie sodainlie and vtterlie be destroyed see Psalme 37.36 38. also Psalme 52.5 And héere vnderstand by these outward and corporall things inward spiritual and eternal either life or death and marke that this is vsuall with him to amplifie by the contrarie as Chapt. 1.32 33. Chapt. 3.35 and in sundrie other places Do. Vers 1. Teacheth to bring with vs a mind readie prepared to receiue good things Vers 2. Teacheth vs to haue care faithfullie to retaine and keepe those good things which wee haue heard and learned Vers 3. Teacheth vs to vse earnest and continuall praier for the obtaining of al good things whatsoeuer Vers 4. Teacheth vs to spare no labour or cost for the obtaining of good things yea the better that the things are which we seeke for the more earnestlie to trauaile therein Vers 5. Teacheth vs that if wee seeke for the things of God with that affection that he requireth and to the ende he commandeth wee shall not lose our labour Vers 6. Teacheth vs that the gift of wisedom knowledge iudgement and euery good gift whatsoeuer commeth from the Lord. Vers 7. Teacheth vs Gods great care and singular prouidence ouer those that be his Vers 8. Teacheth vs that God reuealeth knowledge and wisedome vnto those that bee his to the end that they might learne according to the same to direct all their waies Vers 9. Teacheth vs that we know nothing of goodnes till God make the same manifest vnto vs. Vers 10. Teacheth vs both in the inward man and in the outward man to take delight and pleasure in good things Vers 11 12. c. Teach vs what great benefites sound and sincere knowledge of Gods heauenly will wisedom shall bring with it to thē that haue attained through Gods goodnesse to the same Vers 12. Teacheth vs to auoid al frowardnes whether it be in heart or speach Vers 13. Teacheth vs to take heed that we bleare not the light which God hath made manifest vnto vs. Vers 14. Teacheth vs to beware of reioycing in euill and naughtinesse for that is the height and toppe of all sinne Vers 15. Teacheth vs that when men delight in crooked waies they more and more go astray from God in following the leaudnes of their own soules Vers 16. Painteth out very liuely the qualities and conditions of a harlot or strumpet Vers 17. Sheweth that in adulterie there is a double transgression committed one against God and another against man which is the husband Vers 18.19 Shewe how dangerous and deadlie a thing it is to haue any familiaritie or acquaintance at all with light and dishonest women Vers 20 Teacheth vs to set good men in their goodnesse before our eyes to bee examples and patternes of good life and conuersation vnto vs. Vers 21 22. Set out the difference betweene the reward of the good and the bad both in this life but especiallie in the life to come CHAP. 3. Co. IN the other Chapter the holie Ghost had exhorted men to imbrace and obey wisedome and now because this doctrine is not easilie yeelded vnto yea mans nature doth whollie rebell against the same he beginneth new and fresh exhortations prouoking men to earnest and vnfained imbracing of Gods word Di. THe Chapter may be diuided into three parts In the first he setteth out Di. 1 the vse of Gods word which teacheth vs to trust in God to feare and honour him and pacientlie to abide his corrections from vers 1. to the end of the 12. In the second part he citeth promises and blessings assuring vs Di. 2 that all things shall fall out well to them that subiect themselues to Gods word and wisedome from verse 13. to the end of the 26. In the third he laboureth Di. 3 to remoue such euils as might hinder men from imbracing Gods word and wisedome as the doing of iniurie keeping companie with the wicked c. setting out the iustice of Gods iudgements against the dooing and doers thereof from verse 27. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. MY sonne see Chapter 1.8 forget not thou vz. at any time my lawe i. my doctrine and instruction and he calleth it his not because he was the author of it but the vtterer or penner of it but let thine heart whollie and soundlie keepe vz. within it in respect of knowledge my commandements i. both the things that I command the words in which I expresse them Vers 2. For they i. the not forgetting and keeping of them shall increase the length of thy daies and the yeares of life i. of thy life He meaneth not that the daies and termes which the Lord hath set vs shall bee lengthened or shortned but he speaketh it according
For the Lord shall be for thine assurance i. he shall be in stead of a defence and an assured place of refuge vnto thee and shall preserue vz. by his almightie power thy foote i. thee thy selfe a part for the whole and yet he doth not without cause vse this speech because things are many times taken by the foote from taking i. that thine enemie shall not catch thee or thou thy selfe sticke fast in any manner of euill see for all these promises Psalme 91. vers 1 2 c. where thou shalt finde the like things almost Vers 27. Withhold not the good vz. which thou hast of another mans from the owners thereof i. from them to whom it belongeth as by the way of debt or of Christian duetie as in giuing almes counselling c. though there bee power in thine hand i. though thou bee presentlie and fullie able to doo it i. to hurt him and harme him by the detaining of that which doth appertaine vnto him Vers 28. Say not thou vnto thy neighbour vz. when he is in distresse and neede goe vz. from me now and come againe vz. another time as we are wont to say and to morrow i. some other time hereafter will I giue thee vz. somewhat toward the reliefe of thy néede see Iames 2.16 if thou haue it vz. in thy power and kéeping hée meaneth the same thing that he did in the other sentence sauing that he teacheth not only to doo well but quicklie and with speede to doo well for as it is in the Prouerb he doth a double good turne that doth a good turne in good season and againe the fauour that commeth too late is little or nothing worth Vers 29. Intend none hurt vz. by thought word or déede but specially in thought for if that be repressed the rest will easlie be beaten downe against thine neighbour i. against any but chiefly against those that dwell about thée and haue dealt friendly with thée seeing that he doth dwell vz. as he supposeth and thinketh without feare vz. of any hurt from thée meaning that he doth not so much as suspect that thou wilt doo him any harme by thee i. nigh vnto thée and thy house Vers 30. Striue not vz. either by priuate quarrelling or publike iustice with a man i. with any man or sundrie men as verse 13. of this Chapt. causeles i. without iust and good cause why when he hath done thee no harme i. iniured or wronged thée either by word or déede He meaneth that wee should not without cause debate any matter with any man speciallie with him that hath wrought no euill against vs for it is a great offence and will vtterly ouerthrowe humanitie and fellowship to complaine of one and to thunder out against him that hath nothing at all offended him and yet in the meane while no lawe of God or man forbiddeth vs to expostulate either priuatlie or publikelie before the Magistrate with him which hath offended and wronged vs yea to conuince him of the iniurie if we be able alwaies prouided that wee doo it not with a reuenging minde nor burst forth into priuate reuenge Vers 31. Be not enuious vz. either inwardly or outwardly for the wicked man i for the good successe and abundance of prosperitie that thou seest him to inioye see Psalme 37.11 neither chuse any of his waies i. followe not his order and trade of life he yeeldeth a reason in the next verse why he would not haue men to doo so Vers 32. For the froward vz. person vnderstanding by this terme one that regardeth not admonition but giueth himself to al violence crueltie and oppression is an abhomination vnto the Lord i. the Lord hateth abhorreth and cannot abide such a one see Psalme 37.20 but his secret is with the righteous i. continually abideth with them vnderstanding by secret a most close but yet most familiar communicating of his good will towards them as may appeare by the verses following Vers 33. The curse of the Lord i. iust plagues and punishments sent from God see Malach. 2.2 c. is in the house of the wicked i. continueth abideth there howsoeuer they seeme to abound and flourish in all worldly wealth but he blesseth vz. continually with his fauour the habitation of the righteous i. not onely the place where he dwelleth but euen him himselfe and al that he hath Vers 34. With the scornefull i. such as giue themselues to iesting scoffing and contempt of all goodnesse he scorneth i. he laugheth at them or mocketh them and deceiueth their hope see Psalme 2.4 also Psalme 18.26 Prouerb 1.26 but he giueth vz. freelie and of his owne mercie grace i. all manner of goodnes both outward and inward to the humble i. such as thinke lowlie of themselues see Iames 4.6 also 1. Pet. 5.5 Vers 35. The wise i. such as are instructed with heauenlie wisedome shall inherite glorie i. shall haue renowne and good report as a perpetuall inheritance but fooles vz. shall inherit or possesse dishonor i. shame and contempt and that before God and man though they be exalted i. how much soeuer they bée exalted by their flatterers and clawbackes Others reade this latter parte thus but shame taketh away the foolish i. it carrieth both them and their hope away in a pinch of time or twinckling of the eye as it were The other sense and reading is in my iudgement as good as this if not better Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs to haue good counsels in continuall remembrance to the end we may be guided thereby Vers 2. Teacheth vs that all blessings shall be to such as obediently walke in the lawe of the Lord. Vers 3. Teacheth vs to haue care and conscience of the performance of our dueties towards God and our brethren Vers 4. Teacheth vs that obedience to the worde maketh vs acceptable before God and man Vers 5. Teacheth vs two thinges first vnfeignedly to hang vpon the Lord secondly not to trust in our selues or any thing that is in vs. Vers 6. Teacheth vs that the meane to haue all our waies and workes blessed is to beleeue and confesse Gods wonderfull power and prouidence Vers 7. Teacheth vs first not to stand too much in our owne conceites secondlie that Christianitie consisteth of doing good specially to Godward and of absteining from euill Vers 8. Teacheth vs that obedience to God procureth all blessings Vers 9. Teacheth vs that this is one principall end of our riches to referre them to the aduancement of Gods honour and glorie Vers 10. Teacheth vs that God is no niggard in his gifts to his seruants Vers 11. Teacheth vs not to murmure or repine against GOD for his fatherly corrections vppon vs. Vers 12. Teacheth vs that Gods visitations vpon his children are testimonies not of his displeasure but of his great good will toward vs. Vers 13. Teacheth vs that true blessednes consisteth in sound and holie wisedome Vers 14. Teacheth vs that Gods word must be preferred
before all earthly treasure Vers 15. Teacheth vs that nothing in the world is matchable with the holie wisedome that we learne out of Gods word Vers 16. Teacheth vs that long life riches estimation c. they are Gods gifts Vers 17. Teacheth vs that true pleasure is no where els to bee found but in the heauenlie wisedome Vers 18. Teacheth vs that there is no true life without the knowledge of Gods will reuealed in his word Vers 19 20. Teach vs that all the things in heauen and earth are guided in their naturall course by the power and prouidence of God Vers 21. Teacheth vs that it behoueth vs to haue Gods word in continual remembrance Vers 22. Teacheth vs that there is neither true life nor true glorie in this life without sound and sufficient knowledge of Gods heauenlie wisedome Vers 23. Teacheth vs that if we liue by the line and rule of the worde wee cannot doo amisse Vers 24. Teacheth vs that if Gods word be once rooted and grounded in our hearts our sleepe and all things els shall be sweete and pleasant vnto vs. Vers 25 26. Teach vs that staying our selues stedfastly vppon the truth of Gods prouidence and promises no hurtfull thing shall be able to dismay vs. Vers 27. Teacheth vs not to doo iniurie though we bee able to do it Vers 28. Teacheth vs not to dâ—ferre and put off doing of good when we are able to performe it Vers 29. Teacheth vs not to hurt any speciallie such as are tyed to vs by the bond of friendship neighbourhood or such like Vers 30. Teacheth vs to auoide all manner of quarrelling and contending either publike or priuate Vers 31. Teacheth vs not only not to grudge at the wicked mens prosperitie but also not to be drawne thereby to allowe or like of their euill behauiour Vers 32. Teacheth vs that as the Lord can at no hand away with the wicked so he greatly delighteth in the good and is familiar with them Vers 33. Setteth out the vnlikely reward that the good and the bad receiue of the Lord. Vers 34. Teacheth vs first that the wicked shall not carrie their sinnes away without punishment secondlie the way to obtaine grace from God is to humble ourselues vnfeignedly both before him and our brethren Vers 35. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer flatterers exalt fooles yet they shall inherite dishonor and againe that howsoeuer the wicked oppresse Gods children yet they shall be truely honoured and exalted CHAP. 4. Co. HE proceedeth in this Chapter as in the other before to exhort men to delight in and to seeke after heauenly wisedome Jn deede he doth it in other words and sentences but that is that we should not bee wearie of the oft repeating of one and the selfe same thing And yet if we would looke vnto it this often exhortation is profitable for vs who are carried hether and thether from it with sundrie matters and are as it were benummed and frosen from carefull seeking after heauenlie wisedome Di. THis Chapter may be diuided into foure parts In the first he laboureth Di. 1 to make his hearers and readers attentiue and fauourable to his cause and that partly from the doctrine which he propoundeth and partly from the example of the author and this reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the 4. In the second he exhorteth men carefullie to labour for the attainement Di. 2 of wisedome shewing certaine reasons and alledging sundrie promises the better to perswade them thereto and this reacheth from vers 5. to the end of the 13. In the third he teacheth the godlie to take heede and Di. 3 to beware of the way of the wicked and their conuersation shewing certaine reasons also of that doctrine of his from verse 14. to the ende of the 19. And in the last part he prouoketh men to hearken reuerentlie to Gods Di. 4 word and to put away from them frowardnes euerie other thing which might hinder the great worke of God in them from verse 20. to the ende of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. HEare vz. with the eares both of your vnderstanding and minde O ye children before hée spake to them in the name of one as Chapter 1.8 Chapter 2.1 Chapter 3.1 11 21. Now he speaketh vnto many vnderstanding hereby all the fauourers and louers of wisedom whom he instructeth as a father doth his children deliuering them wholesome precepts the instruction of a father i. the instruction that your father giueth you according to his duetie and giue care vz. diligentlie and attentiuely to learne vz. from him both by worde and example vnderstanding vz. of the heauenlie and holie wisedome Vers 2. For J doo giue you i. deliuer and teach vnto you a good doctrine i. a wholesome profitable and pleasant doctrine therefore vz. because it is good forsake ye not vz. at any hand or by any meanes my lawe i. the things that I command you meaning that hee would not haue them in their liues and conuersation to depart from the same Now he calleth it his lawe not because he was the author of it for that title properly belongeth to God but because he was his instrument to vtter and declare the same Vers 3. For I vz. my selfe q.d. I lay no other burthen vpon you but that which I haue borne my selfe in the time of my youth and so he commendeth his doctrine from his owne example was my fathers sonne i. tenderly and dearely beloued of him in so much that I was seldome or neuer out of his presence tender and deare in the sight of my mother q.d. I was also dearely beloued of her the worde that is turned heere deare importeth only sonne as you would say that is chiefly beloued aboue the rest and brought vp with a singular affection and not as though his mother had had no more for wee see the contrarie 1. Chron. 3.5 Vers 4. When he taught me vz. as I do you now the fathers duetie consisting specially in the instruction of his children How Dauid performed this duetie see 1. Chron. 28.9 and sayd vnto me vz. in the wordes following let thine heart hold fast vz. so fast that they be neuer pulled out of the same by any meanes q.d. haue continuall care of them and remembrance to keepe them see Chapt. 3.1 my words i. both my speaches and the matters comprised therein keepe my commandements i. the things which I commande thee keepe them I say that is labour to kéepe them by thought word and déede and thou shalt liue vz. both in this life and in the life to come And heere I suppose that Dauids wordes or speach do end howsoeuer some would haue them to be continued to the ende of verse 9. Salomon building the exhortations following vpon these speaches Vers 5. Get wisedome i. take all paines to obtaine heauenly wisedome get vnderstanding i. sound and sincere iudgement in the same forget not vz. at any time see Chapt. 3.1 neither decline i. goe aside either
therfore vse no meanes to preuent it Vers 20. Teacheth yong folkes and children to be attentiue to the words of good counsell and exhortation Vers 21. Teacheth them to keepe them in continuall remembrance to the ende they may doo them Vers 22. Teacheth vs that there is no health soundnes or life indeede without the knowledge and obedience of Gods truth Vers 23. Teacheth vs to haue a speciall eye to the guiding and clensing of the affections and corruptions of our heart and to begin first there because it is the seate and fountaine from whence all things flowe Vers 24. Teacheth the brideling of our tongues and wordes and also to put away from vs frowardnesse and hastinesse of speach Vers 25. Teacheth vs to master our eyes because they are the shoppe windowes by which wickednesse is conueied into our hearts Vers 26. Teacheth vs narrowly nighlie to looke vnto our steppes and by this particular enumeration of sundrie we may learne this generall doctrine that all the partes and actions of our bodies should be directed to the aduancement of Gods glorie and the good of others Vers 27. Teacheth vs in al our actions and affaires to keepe euen that kingly broad way which the Lord hath sanctified and set foorth vnto vs in his word CHAP. 5. Co. THe holie Ghost proceedeth on in exhortation of men to imbrace wisedome shewing by the effects and fruites which it will bring forth that it is a verie notable thing and worthie to be had in great regard and account so that J take the beginning of this Chapter to bee the continuance of that exhortation that was begun Chapter 4.20 because the first verse differeth little or nothing from it either in words or matter as plainlie appeareth to him that will looke into it Di. I Suppose this Chapter may very well bee diuided into two parts In the Di. 1 first after his exhortation to attention he sheweth how dangerous a thing whoredome is exhorting men in time to beware least afterwards they repent too late from verse 1. to the end of the 14. In the second he putteth Di. 2 downe sundrie instructions as that men should liue of their owne that they should auoide prodigalitie keepe them to the wiues which God hath giuen them and pronounceth the ouerthrowe of the wicked from verse 15. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. MY sonne this is sundrie times expounded before and namely Cap. 1.8 hearken vz. diligentlie and that not with thy bodilie eares onely but with the eares of thy minde vnto my wisedome i. vnto that wisedome which I teach thee and incline thine eare vz. earnestlie and attentiuely vnto my knowledge i. vnto the things which I vtter not only sauouring of knowledge but tending also to this end to bring thee to wisedome and knowledge see Chapt. 4.20 Vers 2. That thou maiest regard i. estéeme and that rightly to thine owne good and profite counsell vz. in disposing and performing of thy things that thou be not deceiued and thy lippes obserue knowledge i. keepe it yet so that thou maiest vtter the knowledge which thou hast obtained by my rules he meaneth that he might vse and declare wisedome both in his works in his words Vers 3. For the lippes these wordes must be set against the former commandement q.d. hearken vnto me and not vnto the counterfeit words of an harlot and why so for though she speake faire yet she will destroy thee in the end and by lippes he vnderstandeth words because that by the lippes they are vttered see Chapt. 4.24 of a strange woman i. of an harlot see Chapt. 2.16 droppe as an honie combe i. seeme to haue plentie of pleasure and swéetnes in them and her mouth i. the words of her mouth see Chapt. 4. 24. is more soft than oyle vz. in outward appearance and shewe meaning by this manner of speach that they seeme outwardly gentle and swéete but they are indeede sharpe and bitter Vers 4. But the ende of her i. not only of her her selfe but of those which communicate with her is bitter as wormwood i. is most bitter for there are fewe things more bitter than it and in this place he seemeth to allude to the constitution of the bodie as though that a harlot were comely in the foreparts but most filthie and vile on the backe and sharpe as a two edged sword i. she woundeth deadlie as a sharpe two edged sword doth which may soeuer it strike see Chapter 2.18 19. Vers 5. Her feete i. her deuises and deedes see Chapt. 4.26 go downe to death or to the graue q.d. she and those that she carrieth after her are as nigh to destruction as they whose feete are at the graues brincke and readie to be put into it see Chapt. 2.18 and her steppes take hold on hell i. carrie her selfe and others that followe her headlong thether the holie ghost meaneth that she and her companions runne with hast to destruction both of bodie and soule Vers 6. She weigheth not i. she little or nothing at all regardeth the way of life i. of true and holie life here which indeede leadeth to life eternall her paths are moueable i. her orders and waies are vncertaine one while she vseth one way and another while another way thou canst not knowe them vz. for the varietie and vncertaintie of them Some reade it otherwise giue another sense but me thinketh this is plaine Vers 7. Heare see Chap. 4.1 ye me vz. counselling teaching instructing you now i. while I instruct you and you haue time to learne therefore q.d. seeing the dangers are so great hearken to my counsell O children i. see chap. 4.1 and depart not vz. at any hand or on any side from the wordes of my mouth i. from the precepts I giue you and the rules which I vtter and speake vnto you see Chapt. 4.5 Vers 8. Keepe thy way farre from her q.d. come not nigh her for there is infection and contagion with her companie see Chapter 4.14 15. for the phrase or manner of speach and come not neere the doore of her house i. bee so farre off from hauing familiaritie with her that looke thou come not into her house nor once drawe nigh to her dore Vers 9. Least this verse and some others following containe reasons why men should flye from whores and whoredome thou giue i. bestowe and that with present pleasure though paine insue thine honor i. whatsoeuer within thee or without thee may make thee honorable or estéemed as the flowre of thy age the comelines of thy bodie yea and thy bodie thy strength wit riches c. vnto others i. to the harlot her selfe the children begotten by her and those that appertaine vnto her and thy yeares i. thy yong yeares and the best part of thy life to the cruell i. to the harlot who is cruell for she consumeth both mens substance and the powers both of their bodies and mindes Vers 10. Least the
tye him so that hée shall not escape q.d. he staying himselfe vpon his wickednesses worketh his owne hurt and maketh a halter to hang himselfe in so that God needeth no tormentor seeing he is so tied with his owne sinne that he cannot onely not escape punishment but also is punished in them Vers 23. He shall dye i. he shall surely suffer both the first and the second death for fault of instruction i. because he would not receiue it when it was giuen him and not for want of it for he had it bestowed vpon him as verse 13. of this Chapter and go astray vz. from the right way prescribed him through his great folly i. by reason of his gréeuous sinnes q.d. he shall certainlie bee punished for his sinnes and neuer finde fauour but liuing he shall abide in perpetuall death Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs to yeeld to good counsell while it is offered vs. Vers 2. Teacheth vs that our words and all that commeth from vs should sauour of holie wisedome Vers 3. Teacheth vs what flatterie and intising perswasions harlots will vse to drawe men to filthines Vers 4. Teacheth vs that euery thing is not continuallie good and sweet that seemeth so at the beginning Vers 5. Teacheth men to beware of whores seeing they carrie death and destruction with them Vers 6. Teacheth vs that persons or parties giuen to filthines haue little or no regard of godlines and eternall life Vers 7. Teacheth vs in time to yeeld obedience to the word of good exhortation Vers 8. Teacheth vs to withstand the beginning of euill and the first prouocations to sinne Vers 9. Teacheth vs that whoredome carrieth with it the impayring of a mans good name credite and power Vers 10. Teacheth vs that whoredom adulterie consumeth mens goods and substance Vers 11. Teacheth vs that it wasteth euen their bodies and bones also Vers 12 13. Teach vs that the contempt of good counsell is the mother and cause of all corruption and naughtines Vers 14. Teacheth vs to haue an eye in time to returne from wickednes and sinne Vers 15. Teacheth vs to liue soberly and contentedly with those thinges that God hath blessed vs withall and not to catch and snatch other mens goods Vers 16. Teacheth vs to auoide niggardlines to striue to vse true liberalitie Vers 17. Teacheth vs to beware of prodigalitie inspending wastfully either our owne or other mens goods Vers 18. Teacheth men to liue ioyfully and peaceably with their wiues Vers 19. Teacheth men to loue and affect their owne wiues only and that continually also Vers 20. Teacheth vs that there is no goodnesse or profite at all that can come by following strange flesh but much hurt rather as verse 9 10. c. of this Chapter do sufficiently proue Vers 21. Teacheth vs that nothing that we do though we doo it neuer so secretly can be hidden from Gods knowledge Vers 22. Teacheth vs that the more sinne the wicked and vngodlie commit the faster they doo binde themselues with the cordes of iustice punishment and wrath Vers 23. Teacheth vs that whosoeuer will not regard good counsell out of Gods word shall surely dye the death CHAP. 6. Co. SAlomon in the other Chapter taught them to beware of whoredome and other wickednesses and continuing his exhortation he instructeth them in this Chapter to flie from rashnes and hastines in doing anything to auoide idlenes and many other wickednesses whereunto men are very prone through the continuall malice of Sathan prouoking them and their owne naturall corruption stirring them Di. Di. 1 THis Chapter may be diuided into three parts in the first are comprehended certaine admonitions instructing men to beware of suretiship Di. 2 and idlenes or sloathfulnes from verse 1. to the end of verse 11. In the second there is liuely set out the nature of wicked men and their destruction with a particular enumeration of certaine things which God abhorreth Di. 3 from verse 12. to the end of the 19. In the third part he exhorteth to imbrace Gods worde which rightly receiued shall deliuer vs as from the subiection of all sinne generallie so particularly of whoredome and this reacheth from vers 20. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. MY sonne see Chapter 1.8 if thou bee suretie i. hast giuen thy word or promise for thy neighbour i. for thy friend or companion for so much I thinke doth the word import because men be not suretie but for them whom they knowe and hast striken handes i. hast giuen thy faith or made a bargaine to pay that thou promisest he putteth the signe for the thing it selfe for wee vse giuing and striking of hands for assurance and performance of a bargaine with the stranger i. with an other man whom thou knowest not so well as he His meaning is not here vtterly to forbid suretiship for wee see the contrarie practised by good men Genes 42.37 Also Genes 43.8 9. but to teach men to take héede that they bee not rash in giuing their worde or hand by writing or otherwise and if they haue béen ouertaken to seeke to set themselues free from the same as soone as can be Vers 2. Thou art snared i. thou hast certainlie though at vnwares cast thy selfe into a perilous snare and danger with the wordes of thy mouth i. with these words which thou speakest thou art euen taken vz. fast so that thou canst not escape till thou hast payed and performed with the words of thine owne mouth q.d. thou maiest thanke thine owne hastie rash speach for thine intanglement for whereas perhaps thou tookest them to be but bare naked words thou feest thou art snared for bargaines euen as nature the Lawiers say are free before they are made but whē they are made they bind the parties bargaining therfore they say words bind men Vers 3. Do this vz. that followeth and which I counsell thee now i. very spéedilie without delay as may appeare by the verses following my sonne see Chapter 1.8 and sundrie other places in this booke and deliuer thy selfe vz. from the dangers thou art in and in this verse he sheweth two meanes wherby he may performe it the first is submitting thy selfe to him to whom thou art bound the second intreating him for whom thou art bound and other thy friends to pitie thy case and their owne in thee seeing thou art come vz. through thine owne carelesnes and rashnes into the hand of thy neighbour i. into his power by giuing thy hand or word goe vz. quicklie without any delay Math. 5.25 and humble thy selfe vz. to him to whom thou hast giuen thy word vnderstanding by humbling all things whereby a man may be moued to pitie as beseeching words pitifull countenances al other meanes either inward outward whatsoeuer and solicite i. earnestly call vpon by words labour to soften and make gentle towards thee thy friends i. both him to whom thou art bound him for whom thou art bound
whatsoeuer he hath yea and he himselfe to be sold if he bee not able to satisfie it in goods Exod. 22.3 Vers 32. But he vz. whosoeuer he be that committeth adulterie with a woman i. with another mans wife he is destitute of vnderstanding i. he hath no sparke of spirituall or heauenlie knowledge how wise soeuer he bee in worldly affaires he that doth it destroyeth his owne soule i. casteth himselfe headlong into destruction both of bodie and soule Vers 33. He i. the adulterer shall find a wound vz. either from the husband of the woman with whom he hath committed adulterie of whom he speaketh in the next verse that he will not spare or els from the Magistrate who will stone him and put him to death according to the lawe and dishonor vz. both before God and man and his reproach vz. which he hath drawne vnto himselfe by filthines shall neuer be put away vz. out of the remembrance of God and man He meaneth that his bodie shall be punished and his life subiect to perpetual ignominie Vers 34. For ielousie is the rage of a man i. it stirreth him vp to wrath and rage therefore he will not spare vz. him that hath committed that villanie against him in the day of vengeance i. at any time when either he himselfe shall strike or demand publike iudgement of the Iudges Vers 35. He i. the husband so iniured can not beare the sight of any ransome i. cannot abide to looke vpon any thing giuen for the deflowring of his wife neither will he consent vz. that thou shouldest not be punished though thou augment vz. euen as much as thou canst the gifts vz. which thou wouldest giue him to satisfie and please him withall Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs to beware of rash giuing either our words or hands for any Vers 2. Sheweth that when a mans word is once passed he is bound to performe that which he hath promised though it bee to his hinderance Vers 3. Teacheth vs to vse all lawful meanes to be rid out of danger which we fall into either through rashnes or negligence Vers 4. Teacheth vs that we should not delay to worke or procure our owne good Vers 5. Deliuereth euen the same doctrine vnder two very apt and fit similitudes Vers 6. Sheweth that for the correction of things which are amisse in vs God doth many times send vs to the dumbe and insensible creatures Vers 7. Teacheth vs that if without prouokers wee should performe our dueties much more should wee doo it when he hath giuen vs meanes and aydes thereto Vers 8. Teacheth vs in the time of plentie and peace to prouide against the daies of affliction and scarsitie to come Vers 9. Teacheth vs that it is not good to giue ouer our selues to much sleepe because that is the mother of idlenes Vers 10. Teacheth vs that the idle vse all meanes to continue them in the sinne of sloath Vers 11. Teacheth vs that sodaine and vnauoidable beggerie commeth vpon the slothfull person Vers 12. Teacheth vs that frowardnes of speach is a good note to discerne a wicked man by Vers 13. Teacheth that the vngodlie abuse all the parts and members of their bodies to prouoke others to wickednesse and in their owne persons to performe it Vers 14. Sheweth first that the wicked mans heart is alwaies deuising naughtines secondly that this is a sure marke of a naughtie man to bee the author of contentions and strife Vers 15. Teacheth vs that the destruction of the wicked shall be as sodaine so without hope of recouerie Vers 16. Teacheth vs first that God is a God that can not away with wickednesse at any hand secondly that there is a difference of sinnes because God abhorreth some more than other some Vers 17. Teacheth vs to flie from pride lying and murther Vers 18. Teacheth vs to beware of wicked deuises and pursuing naughtines with greedines and delight Vers 19. Teacheth vs to shunne false witnes bearing and the sowing of strife and contentions among friends Vers 20. Teacheth children carefully to indeuour to keepe the holie and wholesome instruction of their parents Vers 21. Teacheth vs that obedience to good counsell out of Gods word is the best and most profitable thing we can attaine to in this life Vers 23. Teacheth vs that Gods word is a lanterne vnto our feete and a true light vnto all our steppes Vers 24. Teacheth vs that there is no better bridle against whoredome than sound knowledge out of Gods worde Vers 25. Teacheth vs to withstand the beginning of euill and sinne in our selues and to beware of such prouocations as others will vse to draw vs on thereto Vers 26. Teacheth vs that the ende of whoredome is beggerie on the one side and destruction of bodie and soule on the other side Vers 27 28. Doo teach vs by two apt similitudes taken from the fire that the sinne of adulterie carrieth with it great and fearefull danger Vers 29. Teacheth vs to striue to modestie and cleanenes in our speach yea euen then when we speake of immodest and vncleane things secondlie that man of what state or condition soeuer he be committing that sinne shall not escape vnpunished Vers 30 31. Teach vs that howsoeuer amongst vs theeuerie is thought a greater transgression than adulterie yet before GOD and such men as be lightened by Gods word adulterie is by many degrees more vile Vers 32. Teacheth vs that the adulterer by his sinne doth not only bewray his owne follie but also laieth violent hands vpon his owne life Vers 33. Sheweth that the adulterer shall neuer escape vnpunished either before God or man or both Vers 34. Teacheth vs that we may safely pursue before a Magistrate our iust causes against an adulterer and that without shewing any fauour or pitie to the offending partie Vers 35. Teacheth vs to be altogether estranged from receiuing gifts or setting on sale our wiues deflowring Now let vs see wherein theeuerie is lesse than adulterie which appeareth to be so out of this text because the theefe that stealeth to satisfie his neede shall neither lose life nor honor no though he bee found sundrie times dooing the deede but shall be only bound to restore to the owner according to the law But the adulterers condition seemeth to be farre otherwise for his life and honor is in danger both by publike and priuate right if the matter bee once knowne and there will bee nothing taken for the satisfaction of his sinne CHAP. 7. Co. SAlomon had before deliuered certaine instructions of wisedome and knowledge now in this Chapter he putteth downe certaine confirmations and proofes of the same alledging his owne testimonie and that experience which he had obserued in the state and cursed end of miserable men following the intisements of pleasure and sinne Di. Di. 1 THe Chapter may bee diuided into three parts In the first is contained an exordium or enterance as it were exhorting men to imbrace Gods wisedome
and worde shewing what fruites shall come to them thereby Di. 2 from verse 1. to the ende of the 5. In the second is comprehended a pithie narration or liuely description of the accursed manners of a harlot from Di. 3 verse 6. to the end of the 23. verse In the third part the holie Ghost putteth downe a dehortatorie conclusion mouing men to shunne and auoide to their vttermost harlots and their companie from verse 24. to the ende of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. MY sonne keepe my wordes i. the thinges that I speake to thée vnderstanding by keeping an earnest indeuour to obserue them in thought word and deede and hide vz. as precious Iewelles and things of great importance my commandements i. the thinges which I command with thee i. in thy minde meaning also hereby a fast and sure keeping of them see Chapter 2.1 Vers 2. Keepe my commandements and thou shalt liue i. surely thou shalt liue not only in this life but in the life to come see Chapter 4.4 where Salomon maketh them his fathers words vnto him and mine instruction i. the good and wholesome instruction that I giue or shall leaue thee vz. see that thou obserue and keepe it as the apple of thine eyes i. most carefully and diligently see Psal 17.8 Vers 3. Bind them on thy fingers he seemeth to allude to Deutero 6.8 and Deutero 11.18 and write them vpon the table of thy heart see Chapter 3.3 q.d. haue them continually in thy hands and let them be alwaies before thine eyes and thinke vpon them in thy hart that thou maiest do them see Exod. 13.9 Vers 4. Say vz. with an vnfeigned heart vnto wisedome i. vnto the wisedome and word of God thou art my sister i. very néere and deare vnto me as sisters commonly be to their brethren see Genes 34.31 Also 2. Samuel 13.20 22 29. c. and call i. bee not ashamed boldly to say and professe vnderstanding vz. of the will and word of God thy kinswoman i. deare and familiar vnto thee all is as much q.d. doo thou euen naturally as it were esteeme and loue holie wisedome and make thy selfe as familiar with her as possiblie can be Vers 5. That they i. wisedome and vnderstanding from GOD may keepe thee vz. safe and sound from the strange woman i. from the harlot as sundrie times heretofore euen from the stranger i. the harlot that is smooth in her words i. that cunninglie and craftelie flattereth see Chapter 2.16 and 5.3 q.d. Thou hast great neede of the holie wisedome and commandements which I deliuer thee that thou maiest take heede of whorish intisements and of euery way of pleasure and corruption which are in deede so great and dangerous that thou maiest easilie be taken in them and drawne from the right way vnlesse thou doo carefully shunne them through the ayde and helpe of wisedome Vers 6. As I was vz. standing in the windowe of mine house vz. for my recreation I looked through my window vz. into the streates Whether this was a thing done or that Salomon spake it in the way of a parable it is not much materiall This chiefly is to be marked that he doth liuely paint out the disposition both of the vnhéedie yong man that seeketh after harlots and of harlots themselues Vers 7. And J sawe amongst the fooles i. such as were vnheedie and had little wit who are easilie deceiued and brought to any thing yet there is hope of their amendment for so much the word importeth as I take it and considered i. earnestly beheld among the children i. amongst the youth which were in the streate a yong man i. one aboue the rest destitute of vnderstanding i. void of holie vnderstanding and wisedom see Chapter 6.32 Vers 8. Who passed vz. from his companie and that with some speede through the streate i. through diuers streates til he came so that he went by her corner i. by the corner of the whores house or els by some corner of a streate that led that way and went toward her house vz contrarie to the commandement giuen before Chap. 5.8 Vers 9. In the twilight i. a little before it begun to waxe darke Now he sheweth the time wherein the adulterer went about his wickednes in the euening vz. somewhat late when the night began to be black and darke and so supposed that none should see him but I perceiued him well enough Vers 10. And behold there met him a woman vz. euen such a one as he looked for with a harlots behauiour i. one that behaued her selfe like an harlot as she was indéed and subtile in heart i. craftelie deuising by all meanes to hide her deceite that she might the more cunningly lay baites for the vnwarie see Chapter 5.6 Vers 11. She i. the harlot here he digresseth somewhat from his narration to describe harlots qualities and conditions that he might the better arme yong men against them is babling i. full of words and tattle see 1. Timoth. 5.13 and loude vz. in her speaches This word I take it may better be turned peruerse or stubborne departing from the rule of her husband and refusing to bee subiect to him vnder the first word the holie Ghost meaneth that she aboundeth in words which are apt to perswade sée verse 21. of this Chapter and vnder the second that she is disobedient to God to her husband and the very lawes of nature and honestie whose feete cannot abide vz. any long time in her house i. in her owne house but shée must bee running from place to place as followeth vers 12. He meaneth by this that she is a stragler which is against the duetie and behauiour of an honest matrone see Iudg. 5.24 Psalme 68.12 1. Timoth. 5.13 Titus 2.5 Vers 12. Now i. one while she is without i. abroad in some one place or other as in the fieldes c. now i. another while in the streates i. she is abroad in the streates of the citie and lieth in wait vz. to catch vnwarie yong men and to bring them home to her house at euery corner vz. almost of all the streates of the citie now in the next verse he passeth from the description of the harlots qualities to his narration Vers 13. So she caught him vz. fast euen as it were by the hand or imbraced him with her armes and kissed him vz. contrarie to womanlike modestie and with an impudent face i. without any manner of blushing euen as it were with a countenance past all shame sayd vnto him vz. as followeth Vers 14. J haue peace offerings i. part of that which was offered for in peace offerings by the lawe the people that brought the sacrifices had somewhat allowed them see Leuit. 7. vers 11 12 c. q. d. I haue good store of meate wee will make good cheare for that is the nurse of whoredome this day vz. and no longer ago haue I paied my vowes vz. which I vowed vnto the Lord of which see
all that hate me vz. of what state or condition soeuer they be loue death vz. both of bodie and soule how much soeuer they would seeme to abhorre it and flie from it Verse 1. Teacheth vs that the Lord speaketh clerely vnto vs to the ende we might be the sooner and more effectually drawne vnto him Vers 2 3. Setteth out Gods great mercie who neglecteth no occasion time or place to doo vs good Verse 4. Teacheth vs that God doth generally direct his word vnto all though happelie it bee fruitfull but in some Verse 5. Teacheth vs in time to returne from our follie and dulnes of spirite Verse 6. Teacheth vs that the more excellent things are offered vs the more attentiue we should be to heare and learne the same Verse 7. Teacheth vs and that euen in the example of God himselfe to speake nothing but the truth and to abhorre al wickednesse of wordes whatsoeuer Vers 8. Teacheth vs that Gods word is righteous iust pure and holie Vers 9. Is profitable for doctrine because it sheweth that God speaketh plainly and familiarly vnto vs in his word which may teach vs not to be discouraged from the hearing or reading of it through the hardnes of it and it is profitable also for confutation of Papistes who accuse it of darknes Verse 10 11. Teach vs co preferre Gods word before all the pleasures profites of this life whatsoeuer Verse 12. Teacheth vs that nothing can be rightly or wisely done without sound knowledge out of Gods word Verse 13. Teacheth vs that seeing God our father abhorreth pride wickednesse and vngodly speach we should likewise hate and lothe the same things Verse 14. Teacheth vs that the Lord is most wise in all his counsels and most mightie to performe whatsoeuer pleaseth him both in heauen and earth Verse 15 16. Teach vs that all earthly authoritie is from the Lord only whatsoeuer it be Verse 17. Teacheth vs to loue the Lord and if we will obtaine him and his fauour earnestly and diligently to seeke after the same Vers 18. Teacheth vs that true riches and honor are to bee found onely with the Lord. Verse 19. Teacheth vs that Gods graces bestowed vppon his children are more precious than all the things of this life whatsoeuer Verse 20. Teacheth vs that without light from Christ wee walke in by pathes and wander continually from the Lords waies Verse 21. Teacheth vs that there is an euerlasting inheritance and plentie of all blessings laied vp for the faithfull Verse 22 23 24 25 26.27 28. Doo prooue the eternall deitie or Godhead of our Sauiour Christ contrarie to the Arrian heresie Verse 28. Setteth forth Gods great power in vpholding the clowdes and the raine in the same from drowning the world Verse 29. Teacheth vs that euen the sea is obedient vnto him so that looke what courses and bounds he setteth it it walketh in the same Vers 30. Sheweth that by our Sauiour him selfe all things were made maintained Vers 31. Teacheth vs that though Christ bee carefull for all yet chiefly for mankinde and specially for his Church gathered out of it Vers 32. Teacheth vs that obedience to Gods commandements is a meane to bring blessings vpon vs. Vers 33. Teacheth vs to giue diligent attendance vpon God and his truth least it doo at any time or by any manner of way escape vs. Vers 34. Teacheth vs that without Christ there is no fauour nor life to be had from God but in and with him we haue all things Vers 35. Teacheth that it is in vaine to offend against Christ for besides that our displeasing of him can do him no hurt we do vtterly destroy our selues CHAP. 9. Co. THe holie Ghost continueth in this Chapter that which he had begun in the other two but specially in the eight Chapter before going to wit by the testimonie of God and his owne eternall wisedome he confirmeth those doctrines and instructions which he had deliuered concerning the imbracing of this heauenlie wisedome And here by another similitude he teacheth the same which he did before vz. that Wisedome calleth all such vnto her as be desirous to imbrace her and this he doth by supposing her to bee building her house that she might receiue her guestes into it by preparing her dainties c. Di. Di. 1 THis Chapter may be diuided into three parts In the first the heauenly wisedome of God that is his eternall sonne calleth al vnto his banquet and the precious thinges he hath prepared for them from verse 1. to the Di. 2 end of the 6. In the second the holie Ghost describeth the wayward nature of the vngodlie and sheweth what fruites wisedome yeeldeth from Di. 3 verse 7. to the end of the 12. In the third he doth liuely paint out the lothsome qualities and conditions of an harlot from verse 13. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. WIsedome i. Gods eternall Sonne of which hath béen spoken of before Chapt. 1.20 Also Chap. 8. through out hath built vz. very beautifullie and stronglie her house that is his spirituall Church which is called the house of God 1. Timoth 3.15 which Christ beginneth in this life but perfecteth the same in heauen and hewne out vz. very artificially and finely her seuen pillers i. he hath made the Church very full and perfect For we knowe that the number of seuen in Scripture signifieth fulnes and perfection and all this is spoken in an allegorie concerning the Church as also that which followeth touching the great banquet meaning nothing thereby but the absolute founding establishing and perfect decking of it Vers 2. She i. Gods eternall wisedome hath killed her vittailes i. hath minded to prepare and to performe a banquet for you as may appeare by killing meate drawne vz. out of the vessels her wine i. the wine that she will giue you q.d. you must therefore come quickly seeing all things are in such readines The word that is turned here drawne signifieth in the Hebrue mingled vz. with water speaking according to the manner of those hot countries and prepared her table vz. for the guestes to sit at q.d. all things are in a readines there lacketh nothing but guestes to furnish the borde To allegorise vppon the words vittailes wine tables c. were vaine the Scriptures must be handled with greater sobrietie Vers 3. She hath sent forth her maidens vz. to call men to her banquet and vz. she her selfe crieth vz. aloude so that al men may heare q.d. Gods heauenlie wisedome both by himselfe and his messengers inuiteth men to come vpon the highest places of the citie i. openly and euery where so that none can pretend ignorance see such a like parable Math. 22.1 2 3. c. saying vz. after this manner Vers 4. Who so is simple see Chapt. 1.4 and yet this word is sometimes vsed in the good part as Psalme 116.6 and Math. 10.16 let him come hether vz. to my house and feast and he shall haue
beléeue bare words only Vers 17. Stollen waters are sweete I take these to be the words of the harlot intising the foolish and simple man q.d. wee will secretly commit whoredome which to the flesh in deede seemeth very pleasant and sweet and not only because it is not seene or knowne but also because the desire and vse of strange flesh which is called in this place the euerie is or at the least seemeth delectable for the time and hidde bread is pleasant i. bread eaten in corners which they dare not eate openly either because it was forbidden them or because it was stollen Vnder these two similitudes she meaneth one thing that is secret or close committing of whoredom and here we may see that euen by the account of whores and harlots whoredome is condemned as a vile sinne Vers 18. But he vz. who is so intised of her knoweth not vz. being deceiued through the sweetnes and pleasures of sinne which indure but for a while that the dead are there i. that such as vse her house and frequent her companie are dead alreadie as 1. Timoth. 5.6 and that her guestes i. such as she hath bidden and doo yéeld to her bidding are in the depth of hell i. are alreadie condemned some referre it to the graue but the other sense also is true vnlesse it please God to giue them vnfeigned repentance and amendment of life Do. Verse 1 2 3. Set out the great loue that God beareth towardes man which teacheth vs on the otherside not to requite it with vnkindnesse as when he louinglie calleth we should chorlishly refuse to come but thankfully to accept of the time of his gracious and fatherly visitation Vers 4. Teacheth vs that our ignorance or wickednesses should bee no cause of estranging our selues from God but rather spurres to prouoke vs to drawe nigh vnto him for the amendement thereof Verse 5. Teacheth vs reuerently and louingly to imbrace Gods graces offered Vers 6. Teacheth vs that Christian righteousnes consisteth of these two partes in hating the euill and doing the good things Vers 7. Setteth out rather the nature of the wicked who cannot away with the word of reproofe than discourage vs any whit at all from performing of that great duetie of charitie and loue Verse 8. Teacheth vs that godly admonition bringeth not foorth the like fruites and effects in all Verse 9. Teacheth vs that the godlie can alwaies well away to be reproued and admonished Vers 10. Teacheth vs the right and reuerent feare of Gods Maiestie and also the true feeling of the societie and fellowship of the brethren Verse 11. Teacheth vs that whosoeuer vnfeignedly imbraceth Gods heauenly wisedome shall haue abundance of graces bestowed vpon him Verse 12. Sheweth that scorners and scoffers shal not escape vnpunished Verse 13. Sheweth that these are two properties of a harlot brauling and ignorance Verse 14. Teacheth vs that this is another note of a light person gadding and fisking abroad Vers 15. Teacheth vs that harlots are for the most part impudent and shamelesse Verse 16. Teacheth vs not to beleeue all words for harlots many times will labour to allure with the same words that holie wisedome doth and all to make her perswasions more plausible Verse 17. Teacheth that adulterie is a notorious kind of the euerie or robbing Verse 18. Teacheth that how pleasant soeuer the delights of sinne be for a while yet their end is sharpe and miserable CHAP. 10. Co. HEtherto the holie Ghost was occupied speciallie in the commendation of holie wisedome which chiefly respecteth our dueties towards God now hauing dispatched and finished that poynt he proceedeth in this and the other Chapters following to speake both of the generall and particular dueties that in God and for God we owe one of vs to another and this he doth not in any curious methode or order no more than they doo which take vppon them in few wordes to deliuer rules of life such as amongst the heathen were sundrie as Cato Isocrates and others And yet wee will indeuour and assay to make as apt both connexions and diuisions of the Chapters as it shall please God to giue vs grace Di. TRue it is that sundrie and seuerall instructions of doctrine are contained in this Chapter as also in the Chapters following and therefore can hardlie admit any apt diuision notwithstanding I suppose it may well be diuided into three parts In the first the holie Ghost speaketh of wise and Di. 1 foolish children of goods wickedly gotten of Gods prouidence towards the good and his iustice against the bad of idlenes and sloth of Gods fauour and iustice towards the godly and vngodly of the waies of the wicked and the godlie of hypocrites and of good men and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 11. In the second he intreateth of hatred and loue Di. 2 of wise men and fooles of riches and pouertie of obedience hypocrisie babling the godly mans words and the wicked mans heart from verse 12. to the end of the 21. In the third he intreateth of Gods fauour of fooles Di. 3 and their feare and destruction of slothfull persons of the good and the bad and of their vnlikely fruites and rewardes and this reacheth from verse 22. vnto the end of the Chapter Se. THis Chapter hath as it were a title thus The Parables of Salomon see the same wordes expounded before Chapter 1.1 Vers 1. A wise sonne i. a good and godlie child whether it be sonne or daughter maketh a glad father i. causeth the father much to reioyce vnderstanding by father both the parents and kinsfolkes because he is chiefe see Chapter 15.20 but a foolish sonne i. a wicked and a lewd childe is an heauines vz. of heart and great griefe to his mother i. to his parents c. as before one being put for manie Vers 2. The treasures of wickednes i. such treasures as wicked men get by wicked meanes how much soeuer it be and thinke will stand them in stead see for this phrase Luke 16.9 profite nothing vz. at all that is can not stand him in stead against the euils which are readie to fal vpon him and death that hangeth presently ouer his head see Psalme 49.6 7 c. but righteousnes i. vpright and faithfull dealing yea though a man haue no treasure at all deliuereth from death i. ouercommeth all euilles and dangers whatsoeuer and causeth that euen death it selfe is not hurtfull to the righteous Vers 3. The Lord vz. who is faithfull and iust in all his promises will not famish vz. through any want or neede the soule of the righteous i. the good mans life see Psalme 34.10 Also Psalme 37.25 He meaneth that howsoeuer they be afflicted on euery side yet shall they not bee distressed or destituted for euer see 2. Cor. 4.8 but he casteth away or scattereth vz. as a thing of no account the substance of the wicked i. all that he hath and possesseth and this he doth
either by taking it vtterly from him or denying him the vse of it though he haue it in possession or by taking his blessing of strength and profite from him and it Vers 4. A slothfull hand i. the hand that is giuen to idlenes and sloth and will not labour vnderstanding by one part all the rest that must concurre in that action of worke maketh poore vz. him that hath it or is the owner of it The word that is turned here slothfull signifieth also deceitfull q.d. he that is sluggish in doing of his duetie and thinketh by craft to attaine other mens goods shall surely come to beggerie but the hand i. the labour performed with the hand and other parts and members of the bodie of the diligent i. of such as diligently go about their owne businesses and abstaine from coueting or craftie scraping together of other mens goods maketh rich i. maketh men rich and that through Gods especiall blessing for otherwise it is impossible to obtaine them as Psalme 127.2 Vers 5. He that gathereth vz. things méete and necessarie for his maintenance in sommer i. while time serueth and he hath a good season See what is said before concerning the Pismire Chapt. 6.8 is the sonne of wisedome i. is a wise and good child as he proueth by effect while in his vnderstanding and knowledge he taketh heed before hand to keepe him and his from shamefull beggerie but he that sleepeth i. he that is sluggish and slow and doth no more than if he slept soundlie see Chapt. 6.10 in haruest i. when he hath fit and conuenient time to doo things well in Chapt. 6.8 is the sonne of confusion i. is such a one as by his follie bringeth shame of face vpon himselfe and all those that appertaine vnto him Vers 6. Blessings i. plentifulnes and abundance of all manner of blessings which he noteth by speaking in the plurall number are vpon the head of the righteous i. are plentifully powred vpon the righteous man himself putting a part for the whole as Chap. 11.26 And yet because euery good gift commeth from aboue Iames 1.17 he doth chiefly speake of the head because it lighteth first vpon it and so from it descendeth to the rest of the members see Psalme 113.2 but iniquitie i. the sinne which the wicked committed against God and men after that it is knowne shall couer the mouthes of the wicked i. shall so stoppe and shut vp their mouthes that they shall not only haue nothing to say but shall bee choked as it were with their owne violence as if a mans breath were stopped Vers 7. The memoriall i. the remembrance or thinking vpon of the iust vz. whether he be aliue or dead shall be blessed i. shall bee esteemed as a sweete and pleasant thing yea worthie great praise but the name of the wicked i. all his glorie and whatsoeuer seemeth excellent in him shall rot vz. as a corrupt and vile thing meaning further that euer before God and man it shall bee hated and lothed euen as things that stinke through rottennes and corruption Vers 8. The wise in heart i. he that is truely and indeede wise for many outwardly make a shewe of wisedome and haue it not within will receiue vz. reuerently willingly carrying with him also a purpose to obey the same commandements vz. either from God and his word or els from good men according to the same but the foolish in talke i. he whose disorderous heart moueth his lippes to murmur against good counsell shall be beaten vz. for his rash hastie and murmuring speaches Vers 9. He that walketh i. leadeth the course of his life vprightly vz. towards God and man hauing a care that he stray not walketh boldly vz. because he is assured of Gods good will towards him walking faithfully in his calling but he that peruerteth his waies vz. from the rules of righteousnes and truth which God hath set him shall be knowne vz. at the last how close or secret soeuer it bee for a time Vers 10. He that wincketh with the eye i. he that secretly deuiseth or worketh mischiefe he putteth the signe for the thing it selfe see Chapt. 6.13 worketh sorrowe vz. both to others and himselfe also in the ende and he that is foolish in talke i. such a one as neuer feareth to vtter his wickednes shall be beaten see verse 8. of this Chap. He compareth the euill which is done dissemblingly and as it were with the wincking of the eye with that which is done openly with the manifest rayling of the tongue Vers 11. The mouth of a righteous man i. the words which he vttereth and speaketh is a welspring of life i. bring with them all manner of plentie and continuance of good things but iniquitie couereth the mouth of the wicked see verse 6. of this very chapter Vers 12. Hatred vz. once conceiued and setled in the minde stirreth vp vz. very forciblie and quicklie contentions vz. both in word and deede amongst men and that many times for small causes or none at all vnderstanding also by contentions both backbitings and quarrellous vpbraidings one of another with the offences and sinnes which they haue committed which is very farre off from the duetie of humanitie or charitie but loue vz. if it bee vnfeigned of one of vs towards another couereth vz. from other mens sight hearing and knowledge all trespasses vz. committed one of vs against another This taketh not away brotherly admonition or the Church discipline but speaketh of priuate iniuries and offences against our selues which holie loue doth keepe close if in a good faith and holie conscience they may be kept close dissembling them as it were or els doth in tender pittie and compassion labour the amendement of them Leuit. 19.17 Vers 13. In the lippes of him that hath vnderstanding i. in the speach and wordes of a wise man he putteth one instrument wherewith words bee vttered for the words themselues wisedome is found i. a man shall easilie espie and perceiue great wisedome and a rod i. punishment and correction euen as it were with a rod shall be vz. sent from God yea and many times from men also for the backe of him i. vpon his backe that is destitute of wisedome vz. and yet notwithstanding wil speake hand ouerhead whatsoeuer commeth into his mouth Vers 14. Wise men i. they that are indeede truely wise lay vp knowledge vz. of good things meaning by laying of it vp hiding it as it were within themselues as chap. 2.1 and Chapt. 7.1 Yet so that when neede shall require and occasion bee offered they may bring it forth and vse it see Math. 12.35 Also Math 13.52 but the mouth of a foole i. the wordes which a foole or wicked person vttereth with his mouth is a present destruction i. bring with them euen destruction not only to the partie vttering but many times to some person hearing q.d. the wicked mans follie and want of knowledge is so great that
he can scarce begin to speake but he will vtter wordes tending either to his owne destruction or the great hurt of others Vers 15. The rich mans goods i. the land monie and whatsoeuer els he hath are his strong citie i. are as sure an ayde and defence vnto him as he supposeth as if he were in a walled towne but the feare of the needie is their pouertie i. their pouertie maketh them to feare this and that and least one inconuenience or other should fall vpon them Vers 16. The labour of the righteous i. those things which good people labour for and get by their labour see labour so vsed Chapter 5.10 tendeth to life i. to the maintenance and vpholding of his owne life and other mens too in this life see Ephes 4.28 but the reuenues of the wicked i. all the increase how great or little so euer it be that the wicked hath to sinne i. serueth not for his neede but for pleasure and the satisfying of his wicked affections one while in oppression another while in whoredome c. Vers 17. He that regardeth vz. diligently and attentiuely instruction vz. whether it bee from God or men as his meanes and instruments is in the way of life i. is entred into that course that will bring him not only to goodnes in this life but in the end to eternall life also but he that refuseth correction vz. as though he were a disobedient and rebellious child goeth out of the way vz. which leadeth to true blessednes either in this life or in the life to come Vers 18. He that dissembleth hatred i. the corrupt affection of his heart with lying lippes i. with fained words which indéed are but lyes making as though he bare a man good wil whereas indéed he hateth him cruelly and that vnto death and he that inuenteth slaunder i. slaunderous and false reports against another man is a foole i. a very wicked person He noteth here two kind of persons which regard not instruction to wit hypocrites and obstinate fellowes see before verse 10. of this Chapter Vers 19. Jn many words vz. spoken rashly and vnaduisedly there cannot want iniquitie i. it cannot be auoided but that there is great sinne but he that refraineth his lippes vz. from rash and hastie speach see Psalme 34.13 is wise i. is truely wise indeed He meaneth that a wise man is spare in his speach and vttereth nothing rashlie but doth before hand well ponder the same otherwise it is a hard matter but that amongst such as rashly and without choyce speake many things there shall be much sinne in their speaches Neither mindeth he here to condemne abundance of words which tend to edification and doctrine Vers 20. The tongue of a iust man i. the wordes and speaches which he vttereth with his tongue as before verse 11. The mouth of a righteous man is as fined siluer i. is as precious and excellent as the most fine siluer see Chapter 8.19 Meaning by this manner of speach that they are most excellent and therefore to be imbraced but the heart of the wicked is little worth i. is worth little or nothing at all Now if the heart from whence the speach first commeth bee of no regard then much lesse to be esteemed are the words themselues so that he vnderstandeth by heart the words also which doo manifest the same for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh see Math. 12.34 Vers 21. The lippes of the righteous i. his good and holie words as verse 13. of this Chapter doo feede many vz. with good things as with the gift of knowledge iudgement vtterance and such like but fooles shall dye for want of wisedome q.d. so farre off is it that they can feed many or any by their word and speach that for want of sound iudgement and knowledge they shal pull destruction vpon themselues Vers 22. The blessing of the Lord vz. only or alone it vz. indeed and nothing but it maketh rich i. maketh men rich as verse 4. of this Chapter And how true this is wée haue it daylie confirmed by experience and finde it written also Psalme 127.1 2 c. and he doth adde no sorowes with it i. God doth most perfectly make men rich and setteth his farre off from al griefes that the wicked haue with their riches Vers 23. Jt is a pastime to a foole to doo wickedly i. he taketh great delight and pleasure in the same as men doo in their sports or pastimes but wisedome is vnderstanding to a man i. it bringeth him to great iudgement and vnderstanding both of Gods matters and mens Vers 24. That vz. euill and punishment which the wicked feareth vz. to bee powred forth vppon him shall come vpon him vz. both sodainlie and certainly see Chapter 1.26 27. but God will graunt vz. in great mercie the desire of the righteous i. such good things as godlie men wish and pray for according to his will Vers 25. As the whirle wind passeth vz. away and that with great vehemencie and sodainnes so is the wicked no more vz. to bee seene but he passeth from his place with as great swiftnes see Psalme 37.37 but the righteous is as an euerlasting foundation i. shall remaine stedfast for euer and euer as a foundation that cannot be remoued Vers 26. As vineger is vz. hurtfull to the teeth vz. of a man because the power and force of it speciallie if it be taken in any great quantitie doth dull the teeth and as smoke vz. is hurtfull to the eyes vz. of men because it doth not onely trouble them much many times but also in some is a meane to drawe humors downe too fast so is the slothfull i. idle or negligent person to them that send him vz. about any affaires either publike or priuate He exhorteth men from vsing heauie and sluggish persons in performance of any their businesses because they can get nothing by such but trouble and griefe Vers 27. The feare of the Lord i. an vnfeigned reuerence of God in mens hearts increaseth the daies vz. of mans life he meaneth by this speach that it is a meane to bring them with greater peace and prosperitie to the yeres which they should liue by Gods appoyntment or by their owne nature or by the constitution of their bodies but the yeares of the wicked i. of their life shall be diminished vz. very much And as Dauid saith in one of his Psalmes the vngodlie shall not liue out halfe his daies Vers 28. The pacient abiding vz. for the execution and performance of Gods will of the righteous i. which the righteous haue and vse shall be gladnes i. shall certainlie in the ende bee recompenced with abundance of ioy for he speaketh of the plural number and this must be vnderstood not only because they hope they shall inioy gladnes but also because their hope shall end in gladnes and they obtaine that which they hoped for and so be made throughly
glad but the hope of the wicked i. both the thinges which he hoped for and the hope he had to receiue them shall perish i. come to naught and so he shall be ouerwhelmed with sorrowe because he is frustrate of his hope Vers 29. The way of the Lord i. both the things which he commandeth and the knowledge which good men haue of his prouidence and gouernment is strength to the vpright man i. matter of great strength and boldnes against all euill and sorrowe whatsoeuer but feare i. great sorrowe and griefe and continuall trembling shall be for the workers of iniquitie or to them when they shall looke vpon Gods waies and gouernment see Hosea 14. vers 9. And touching these words workers of iniquitie see Psalme 6.8 Vers 30. The righteous shall neuer be remoued vz. from the hope and feeling of good things euen in this life but the wicked shall not dwell vz. long in the land vz. but shall shortly be rooted out of it and cut from it Vers 31. The mouth of the iust shall be fruitfull in wisedome i. he shall most pleasantly and plentifully vtter wise and holie things euen as fruite yeeldeth abundance wherevpon words are called the fruites of the lippes Isaiah 57.19 but the tongue of the froward shall be cut out i. he that giueth himselfe to speake frowardly and peruersly shall be depriued of his speach because the meane thereof shall be taken from him Vers 32. The lippes of the righteous knowe what is acceptable i. they knowe and can speake those thinges which will procure fauour both before GOD and men but the mouth of the wicked speaketh froward things i. the vngodlie spare not to speake such things as may displease both God and men Do. Vers 1. Teacheth parents to reioyce in the gifts that God bestoweth vppon their children it teacheth children to striue to obtaine such things that they may indeede make glad their parents hearts Vers 2. Teacheth men to take heede how they get their goods vz. that they doo it vprightlie and not deceitfullie Vers 3. Doth comfortablie expresse the great care that God hath ouer his children and his great iudgements against the wicked Vers 4. Teacheth euery man to walke faithfully and diligently in his calling auoiding idlenes Vers 5. Teacheth vs to vse the opportunities that GOD in mercie giueth vs for the performance of any good thing Vers 6. Teacheth that God indueth the godlie with al manner of blessings but vtterly confoundeth the wicked and vngodlie Vers 7. Teacheth vs that nothing that the wicked hath is of any great continuance Vers 8. Teacheth vs two things first paciently to beare the words of admonition and reproofe secondlie to beware of rash and hastie speach Vers 9. Teacheth vs that there is no wickednes so secret but God will at some one time or other bring it to light Vers 10. Teacheth vs to beware of hypocrisie on the one side and of open workings of euill on the other side Vers 11. Teacheth vs that a good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things Vers 12. Teacheth vs to flie hatred and earnestly to imbrace sound and sincere loue Vers 13. Teacheth vs that mens wordes are many times meanes to manifest either the wisedome or the follie of him that speaketh Vers 14. Teacheth vs how dangerous and hurtfull rash and hastie speaches are Vers 15. Teacheth vs that the wicked many times repose trust and affiance in the multitude of their riches Vers 16. Sheweth both what contentednes the godlie haue when it pleaseth God to blesse their labours and how the wicked abuse euen their riches and all thinges they haue to the increase of iudgement against their owne soules Vers 17. Teacheth vs how dangerous a thing it is to refuse good counsell Vers 18. Teacheth vs to flie from dissimulation lying and slandering Vers 19. Teacheth vs to shunne vaine babling and multitude of words Vers 20. Teacheth vs that the words of such as are truely wise bee very precious but the imaginations and deuises of the vngodlie are of no account Vers 21. Teacheth vs that we ought to referre our wisedom and knowledge to the good of others Vers 22. Teacheth vs that it is not mans wit or labour but the blessing of the Lord only that maketh men rich Vers 23. Teacheth vs that the wicked reioyce and take pleasure in the performance of their wickednes Vers 24. Teacheth vs that the vngodlie shall haue the selfe same punishments fall vppon them that they feare also that God will graciouslie grant the requestes of his seruants Vers 25. Teacheth vs that the vngodlie shall be destroyed but the godly shall florish continually Vers 26. Teacheth vs what hurt a sluggish person doth both to himselfe and them that imploy him in any seruice Vers 27. Teacheth vs that long yeares shall be to the godlie but short and fewe daies to the wicked Vers 28. Teacheth vs not only paciently to tarrie the Lords leisure but sheweth vs that if we doo so we shall haue a ioyfull issue and end thereof Vers 29. Teacheth vs that Gods prouidence is a great comfort to those that are his and his iudgements terrible to the wicked Vers 30. Teacheth vs what difference there is betweene the estates of the good and the bad Vers 31. Teacheth vs that a godlie wise mans words tend both to his owne commendation and also to the good and profite of others Vers 32. Sheweth that it is a great grace to speake in place and time conuenient Also it teacheth that the wicked giue their tongues libertie to vtter whatsoeuer euill their froward hearts can imagine CHAP. 11. Co. IN the other Chapter specially in the last verse of it he had taught men to vse good and gracious words and to auoide all euill and corrupt speaches Now in this Chapter and specially in the first verse of it he teacheth men to looke to their dealings and actions and so proceedeth on to other instructions Di. Di. 1 THis Chapter may be diuided into three parts In the first he speaketh against false weights pride the frowardnes of the wicked trust in vncertaine riches and against the wicked themselues exhorting men on the other side to striue to all vpright dealing true humilitie and other good fruits annexing a promise thereto for the better fructifying of his doctrine Di. 2 and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 9. In the second he intreateth of the blessings which come by good and wise gouernours of the hurt that pride slandering and idlenes yeeld and by the contrarie he sheweth what inconueniences insue for want of good gouernours c. from vers 10. Di. 3 to the end of the 21. In the third he dealeth against foolish women niggardlines couetousnes trust in riches contention and such like and on the other side commendeth liberalitie care for obeying of good things and for winning of men to God c. And this reacheth from verse 22.
to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. FAlse balances vz. vsed in buying and selling he putteth the balance for all thereto appertaining are an abhomination vnto the Lord i. are such things as the Lord abhorreth and condemneth by the Lawe see Leuit. 19.35 36. Deuter. 25.13 14 15 16. And vnder this he condemneth all fraudulent dealing in buying and selling whatsoeuer but a perfect weight i. an vpright and iust weight In the Hebrue text it is stone because they were wont to weigh with stones pleaseth him vz. greatly or much Vers 2. When pride commeth vz. vppon any man i. when any man beginneth to waxe proude against or aboue others then commeth vz. vnto him shame vz. amongst and before men He meaneth that contempt is the companion of pride see Prouerb 16.18 but with the lowlie vz. in heart as well as in outward shewe is wisedome i. true wisedome which lowlines and wisedome ioyned together doo truely exalt a man see Prouerb 15.33 Also 18.12 Vers 3. The vprightnes of the iust i. their vpright and iust dealings towards God and men shall guide them vz. euen whether they would come or els it shall keepe them safe and sound for euer and leade them thorowe out the whole course of their life till they come to the hauen of safetie here and of heauen in the life to come as may appeare by the verses following but the frowardnes of the transgressors i. of such as trāsgresse Gods law meaning by peruersnes or frowardnes not onely that which is in themselues but also that wherewith they doo either on the one side oppresse others or on the other side peruert or make them like naught vnto themselues shall destroy i. shall be a forcible meane to pull vpon them from God a iust destruction Vers 4. Riches vz. whether they bee gotten iustly or vniustly that is not the matter auaile not vz. any whit at all in the day of wrath i. at any time when God sheweth himselfe angrie q.d. such as trust when God laieth any either publike or priuate calamitie vpon them to bée deliuered through their riches they are much deceiued see Ezech. 7.16 Zepha 1.18 but righteousnes deliuereth from death i. the righteous are deliuered either from bodilie punishments in this life or els altogether from eternall death see this expounded before Chapt. 10.2 Vers 5. The righteousnes i. the good conscience and faithfull dealing of the vpright vz. in heart as well as in word for both must concurre shall direct his way i. keepeth him vpright in this life and ordereth the whole course of the same so that he hath good successe in all things and falleth not because he laboureth continually to followe Gods will but the wicked shall fall vz. certainlie and assuredly in his owne wickednes i. either as he is walking in his owne wicked and crooked waies or els in that wickednes that he hath deuised against others he shall be snared but I rather like of the first sense Ver. 6. The righteousnes of the iust see before verse 5. of this Chapter shall deliuer them vz. from eternall death and all hurtfull dangers in this life as verse 4. of this Chapt. but the transgressors vz. of Gods lawe shall be taken vz. certainly and sodainly in their owne wickednes i. in that which they had deuised against others and indéede laied vpon them see Psalme 7.15 or els expound it as verse 5. of this Chapter Vers 7. When a wicked man dieth vz. here amongst men his hope i. both the hope he himself had to oppresse others and the hope that other men had in him perisheth vz. vtterly and commeth to nothing and the hope of the vniust shall perish q.d. be assured of this that his hope shall take no effect and he repeateth the thing for the more certaintie of it I knowe other men reade it and expound it otherwise but me thinketh this is plaine Vers 8. The righteous escapeth vz. thorowe the goodnes and mercie of God out of trouble i. out of sundrie and manifold troubles see Psalme 34.19 and the wicked shall come in his stead vz. into affliction and troubles q.d. we doo oftentimes see it fall out that the wicked man commeth into the place of the righteous man being deliuered from trouble euen as it were a redemption for him Vers 9. An hypocrite i. he that thinketh one thing with his heart and speaketh another thing with his mouth with his mouth i. with his false counterfeit words mouth put for words vttered with the mouth as sundrie times before hurteth his neighbour vz. either while he bringeth men to the state of dissimulation that he himselfe is in or els while he seemeth friendly in words yet in heart wishing him euill he laboureth to destroy him and his substance but the righteous shall be deliuered vz. through Gods grace and goodnes from such hypocrites and dissemblers by knowledge vz. of their falsehood and hypocrisie and by a wise foresight shall deliuer himselfe and others from their corruption Vers 10. In the prosperitie of the righteous i. when good men prosper florish and are exalted the citie i. the people of the citie if they be godlie wise and indued with vnderstanding and this must not only bée referred to cities but to kingdomes he putting a part of a kingdome for the whole reioyceth vz. excéedingly and as it were with singing and shouting for so much I suppose the Hebrue word and text will yéeld and when the wicked perish vz. from amongst men meaning when they dye there is ioy vz. yea great ioy amongst the people of the kingdome or citie they reioyce in the one because of the good they receiue from them and reioyce at the departure of the other because of the euilles they indured vnder them Ver. 11. By the blessing of the righteous i. by the good deedes and good words of godlie men which are called blessings because that by them God doth after a sort powre blessings vpon the people the citie is exalted vz. very much that is it hath a great name and florisheth mightelie but it is subuerted i. quite and cleane destroyed by the mouth of the wicked i. by wicked wordes and counsels that the vngodlie vtter and giue see verse 9. of this Chapter Vers 12. He that despiseth vz. either in countenance worde or deede his neighbour i. any man that is any manner of way ioyned vnto him is destitute of wisedome i. bewraieth himselfe to bee a very foolish man but a man of vnderstanding i. he that is truely wise indeede will keepe silence i. will temper himselfe and abstaine from shewing contempt any manner of way against another Vers 13. He that goeth about as a slanderer vz. of other men It seemeth to bee a metaphore taken from pedlers who mingle sundrie sortes of ware together and go from place to place to vtter those things which they haue receiued of others so slanderers tell that to one which they haue heard of
niggardlines The same doth also vers 25 26. teache vs that if God haue blessed vs with store we should prouide that other might be plenteously releeued and not couetouslie to hoord vp against the day of dearth Verse 27. Teacheth vs to procure good both to our selues and others as much as in vs lyeth Vers 28. Teacheth vs to cast away from vs vaine trust and confidence in worldly riches Vers 29. Teacheth vs for feare of after-claps to beware of prodigalitie on the one side and of miserable pinching on the other side Verse 30. Teacheth vs to haue a care for the conuersion and winning of others to GOD. Verse 31. Teacheth vs that abundance of plagues shall fall euen in this life vppon the impenitent sinners CHAP. 12. Co. THis Chapter hangeth vpon the former thus In the last verse of the other he sheweth what great iudgements from God are prepared for the wicked euen in this life and in the first verse of this Chapter he sheweth one good meane whereby those punishments may be auoyded to wit in reuerent hearing of holy counsel and in laboring to profit by the corrections which God layeth vpon men Di. I Suppose this chapter as the former may be diuided into three partes the first reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 8. Wherein hee intreateth of Di. 1 obedience to good counsell and Gods corrections of Gods fauour towards the good and his iustice towards the bad of the stabilitie of the righteous and the fleeting estate of the wicked of a good and euill woman of the thoughts wordes and counsels of the good and bad The second parte reacheth Di. 2 from verse 9. to the end of the 16. wherein hee dealeth against the vaineglorious the cruell the idle the proude and the wrathfull persons commending on the other side the contented minde pitifulnes of heart diligence in labor true humilitie and the brideling of hate or anger The third reacheth from vers 17. to the end of the Chapter wherein he speaketh Di. 3 against bitter wordes lying speeches deceite idlenes c. And contrariwise intreateth of truth quietnes in words diligence in trauaile and of the vnlikely reward of the good and bad Se. Vers 1. HE vz. who soeuer he bee that loueth vz. indéede and vnfeinedly instruction vz. either from God by his word or from men as his Ministers loueth knowledge i. sounde and fincere iudgement and the reason hereof is because that by instruction men come to knowledge q.d. hee that loueth and liketh of a good meane whereby a good thing is obteyned doth loue and like of the good thing it selfe but he that hateth correction vz. either from God or man is a foole i. a wicked person He meaneth that the righteous who yeeldeth to the instructions and corrections of the Lord doth not onely thankfully receaue the same but is prouoked thereby more and more to growe vp in heauenlie wisedome see Psalme 94.12 Vers 2. A good man i. hee that hath care and conscience both to knowe and to performe good things getteth fauour of the Lord i. is accepted and well liked of the Lorde and yet hee maketh mention of getting because we must by prayer and other holy meanes séeke it though we knowe it is by God speciall gifte that so we may be prouoked to praye and exercise our faythe but the man of wicked imaginations i. hee who thinketh nothing els but euill against other yea and himself also in the end will he condemne i. the Lord wil pronounce him guiltie of wickednes Vers 3. A man cannot be established vz. long to continue vpon the earth by wickednes i. by deuising and performing euill things q.d. let the wicked thinke by their wickednes to make their state strong yet is it a matter impossible that they should long continue and indure but the roote of the righteous i. the righteous himselfe and all thinges whatsoeuer appertayning to him shall not bee moued vz. for euer it seemeth to bee the same in other wordes which is expressed before chap. 10.25 And he maketh mention of the roote because if the roote bee sound and prosper the body and braunches cannot chuse but doo well Vers 4. A vertuous woman vz. such a one as is described afterwards in this booke chap. 31.10 11. c. is the crowne of hir husband i. is a great glorie honor and credit vnto him see Philip. 4.1 1. Thessal 2.19 also 1. Corinth 11.7 but she that maketh him ashamed vz. by her euill manners folly or wicked life meaning also by making him ashamed bringing of him into contempt amongst men is as corruptions in his bones i. as greeuous and paynefull vnto him and almost as incurable as greeuous diseases that haue not onely eaten the flesh but entered into the bones Vers 5. The thoughts of the iust are right i. they thinke vpon iust right and holy things but the counsels of the wicked i. their conspiracies and practises are deceitfull i. full of crafte and subtiltie he opposeth to the godly the wicked and to their thoughtes the subtilties and crafts of the vngodly Vers 6. The talking of the wicked i. all their words and speech is to lye in waite for bloud i. tendeth all to this end to spoyle men and to take their liues from them but the mouth of the righteous i. good mens words and speeches see chap. 10.31 will deliuer vz. from danger and destruction them i. those for whose life the wicked lye in waite Vers 7. God ouerthroweth the wicked vz. thorowe his iust iudgement against them for their sinnes or it may bee turned thus the wicked ouerthrowe themselues vz. thorow their owne vngodlines and they are not vz. to be found amongst men aliue but dye and decaye see Ierem. 31.15 and Matth. 2.18 but the house of the righteous i. he and all whatsoeuer apperteyneth vnto him shall stande vz. firme and sure and not be shaken see chap. 10.25 chap. 11.21 Vers 8. A man vz. of what state or condition so euer he be shall be commended vz. amongst men for his wisdome i. for his wise and sincere handling of matters it may be vnderstoode also as though hee should be commended according to the measure and proportion that he hath receaued of it but the froward of heart i. he that doth things rashly and frowardly shall be despised vz. both of God and men Vers 9. He that is despised vz. of other men and is his owne seruant q.d. and yet notwithstanding is sufficient of himselfe dooing his owne busines wheresoeuer it be is better i. is in a better case and that by many degrees than hee that boasteth himselfe vz. of his great honor riches c. and lacketh bread i. suffereth want and hath little or nothing to mainteyne himselfe with all For bread here is put for all manner of mayntenance Vers 10. A righteous man i. a good and faithfull dealing person regardeth the life of his beast i. hath a good eye to preserue it
do not bewray the follie of our hearts by much babling also that wee direct our speach in such sort to such persons and at such time as may bring most grace to the hearers Verse 24. Teacheth to vse diligence in our callings to auoide idlenes Vers 25. Teacheth vs to speake good comfortable words to the heauie hearted sorrowfull Verse 26. Teacheth vs that the godlie are better than the wicked of the world account of them also that sinne is deceitfull Verse 27. Teacheth vs that the wicked thorow Gods iust iudgement vppon them haue not the vse of those things which they enioy and possesse Verse 28. Teacheth vs to followe the way of godlines because it doth not only deliuer vs from eternall death but bring vs to euerlasting life CHAP. 13. Co. IN the 28. verse of the last Chapter he earnestly commended a holie conuersation And in the first verse of this Chapter he sheweth by what meanes this may be attained vz. by diligence both in hearing and obeying of all holie instructions Di. THe Chapter may bee diuided into three parts the first reacheth from Di. 1 verse 1. to the end of the 8. wherein he teacheth the right vse of the eares and mouth commendeth diligence and dispraiseth idlenes and speaketh against lying slaundering hypocrisie other manner of wickednesses In Di. 2 the second he speaketh against pride contention vaine riches contempt of the word and follie commending on the other side the righteous the wise the diligent the obedient person and such as vnfeignedly feare God Di. 3 from verse 9. to the end of the 16. In the third part he dealeth against vnfaithfull messengers contempt of instruction wicked companie c. and commendeth faithfulnes obedience choyce of companie Gods fauour towards his children and the good which commeth by moderate correction from verse 17. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. A Wise sonne i. childe whether it bee sonne or daughter will obey vz. in deed and truth the instruction of his father i. which his father shall giue him vnderstanding by the name father parents as by the name sonne before child but a scorner i. such a one as doth despise the doctrines of wisedome will heare no rebuke vz. from other men for his amendement meaning by hearing regarding for this word scorner see Chapt. 9. 7 8 12. Vers 2. A man i. a good and wise man shall eate good things i. shall finde and enioy them by the fruite of his mouth i. by his good and wise words see Chapt. 12.14 but the soule of the trespassers i. the trespassers themselues both in bodie and soule and yet he maketh mention of the soule because it is the principall part shall suffer violence vz. from God and manie times from men as Genes 6.11 Vers 3. He that keepeth his mouth vz. from idle or euill speach meaning hereby such a one as hath a care not in words to passe the bounds of his calling or godlines keepeth his life vz. in peace quietnes and prosperitie but he that openeth his lippes vz. to lewd and wicked speaches in the word opening is a metaphore taken from harlots as appeareth Ezech. 16.25 destruction shall be to him i. he shall bée destroyed by his lewd words and speaches Vers 4. The sluggard lusteth i. he hath a desire or wishing onely and nothing els but his soule i. he himselfe hath nought vz. besides his bare wishes q.d. the slothfull desire many things and feede themselues with bare wishes but in the meane while because they labour not they obtaine nothing of the things which they desire but the soule of the diligent i. the diligent and laborious person himself shall haue plentie vz. of all good things yea more many times than they wish or desire see Chapt. 11.25 Vers 5. A righteous man hateth vz. vnfeignedlie and euen as it were a filthie and stinking thing lying words i. lyes and all things thereto appertaining but the wicked causeth slander and shame vz. to himselfe and others by his lying speaches meaning also that he doth so much loue and imbrace falshood that he will be contented to be counted a filthie person and hated of all good men rather than depart from it Vers 6. Righteousnes i. faithfull and holie dealing preserueth vz. before God and euen in this life the vpright of life i. such as leade an vpright and blessed life but wickednes vz. against God and men ouerthroweth vz. through Gods iust iudgement the sinner i. the notorious euill men see Chapt. 1.10 Vers 7. There is vz. a man that is sundrie men see Chap. 12.18 that maketh himselfe rich vz. by his boasting words and so would be accounted by the pompe he beareth amongst men and hath nothing q.d. and yet for all that he is worth little or nothing and vz. there is another man or another sort of people that maketh himselfe poore i. would seeme so to be before men hauing vz. notwithstanding that great riches i. great abundance of riches Most interpreters agree that the first part of the sentence is spoken against vaineglorious boasters amongst whom little or nothing is to be had and the latter to bee vnderstood of such as haue contented mindes the former I like well but the latter I like not because the comparison is not so fit and therefore I would haue it to bee vnderstood as before vz. of feigning pouertie when they haue great abundance Vers 8. A man i. euery man that hath wit and vnderstanding will giue vz. francklie and freelie his riches i. all the riches that he hath for the ransome of his life i. for the redemption of it or to redeeme it if he bee in danger to lose it see Psalme 48.7 8. but the poore vz. man cannot heare vz. as to redresse it the reproch vz. vttered against him His meaning I thinke commeth to this much in effect that riches and pouertie haue both their commodities and their discommodities for as to rich men their riches are profitable for the maintenance and pompe of this life and pouertie is discommodious to the poore so riches are sundrie times discommodious to the rich because they procure many dangers to the owners thereof and yet pouertie is commodious at the least in this respect because mens hearts are free from the feare of enuious persons who would insnare them and they haue not so readie an occasion to reuenge themselues as otherwise Vers 9. The light of the righteous i. the great blessings and good things which in great plentie shall be powred forth vpon them It is vsuall in the Scripture by light to vnderstand all good and prosperous things and I take it to be a metaphoricall speach borrowed from the light of the Sunne which first rising and afterwards increasing in brightnes séemeth it selfe to reioyce whilest lightening all things and euen the whole face of the earth it maketh them glad reioyceth i. maketh glad both themselues and other that behold it q.d. the
righteous shall continuallie enioy felicitie glorie life gladnes c. see Psalme 97.11 but the candle of the wicked shall be put out i. that little estate of felicitie and prosperitie which they seeme to haue in this life shall sodainlie vanish away q.d. there is as great difference betweene the ioyes of the good and the bad both in respect of the greatnes and continuance thereof as is betwéene the Sunne and a candle and their seuerall lights and continuance see Chapt. 4.18 19. Vers 10. Only by pride i. through pride of heart meaning vnder the word only that pride is not the only cause of contention but one of the chiefest for many times men braule euen of peruersnes and of fond emulation and enuie against other doth man i. doo men for he speaketh of them all as though they were but one make contention i. stirre vp strife one of them with another but with the well aduised i. with such as both can giue good counsell and will humblie hearken to other mens good speaches is wisedome vz. to take heede that they kindle not strife or foster contention Vers 11. The riches of vanitie i. after some vaine riches which are so called because they vanish away but I suppose that he meaneth such riches as are gotten by any vaine false or vngodlie way whatsoeuer shall diminish vz. certainlie meaning that indeede they should bee brought to nothing and consumed but he that gathereth vz. riches and goods with the hand i. with the labour of his owne hands shall increase them vz. through Gods especiall blessing for otherwise it cannot bee see Chapt. 10.2 4. Also Chapt. 12.24 His purpose is to commend diligence and to teach men to auoide idlenes craft and whatsoeuer els Vers 12. The hope that is deferred i. the thing hoped for if it be put off from time to time and not quicklie performed is the fainting of the heart i. it maketh a mans minde to faint and quaile but when the desire i. the thing desired wished and looked for commeth vz. vnto men i. is granted them it is as a tree of life i. it is a most sweete and pleasant thing and as a man would say a very proper and healthfull medicine for a minde that languisheth in lusting and desiring see Chapt. 3.18 Vers 13. He that despiseth the word vz. of almightie God or the good word of exhortation drawne from the same he shall be destroyed vz. certainly and assuredly through the iust iudgement and vengeance of GOD vppon him but he that feareth the commandement vz. of GOD vnderstanding by feare an humble reuerence and loue and by one commandement all commandements of God whatsoeuer yea euen the whole lawe he shall be rewarded vz. from the Lord neither can the Papistes gather neither neede any man feare out of this merites because there is a great difference betwixt desert and reward Vers 14. The instruction of a wise man i. such holie and wise instructions as hée giueth is as the welspring of life i. is not onely plentifull of good thinges but also bringeth with it both to himselfe and those whome he instructeth life in this life and afterwards eternall life see chap. 10. vers 11. to turne away vz. men q.d. it serueth also to this ende for this is added for the more plaine and full declaration of the matter from the snares of death i. from such snares as if men be caught therewith kill them he meaneth specially sinnes which bring with them eternall death Vers 15. Good vnderstanding vz. of such things as God hath manifested vnto vs in his worde vnderstanding also hereby good wit holy wisedome and the gift wisely and learnedly to vtter good things maketh vz. men that haue it acceptable vz. both before God and men see chap. 3.4 but the way of the disobedient i. their order of life and course of conuersation is hated vz. both of God and also of good men Vers 16. Euerie wise man i. euery one that is truely wise will work vz. the things that he doth by knowledge i. sound and right knowledge q.d. whatsoeuer he doth he will doo it with wisedome and iudgement and not rashly but a foole will spread abroad i. bewray and publish folly i. his owne folly see chap. 12.23 Vers 17. A wicked messenger i. an vnfaithfull one and such a one as dooth not truely execute his message or charge falleth vz. many times thorowe Gods iust iudgements and that or euer he thinketh of it into euill i. into affliction sorrowe grief and punishment and so hurting himself also smarteth iustly for his vnfaithfulnes but a faithfull Ambassador i. hee that faithfully performeth his charge is preseruation vz. to himselfe to him or them that send him and to those also for whose cause he is sent Vers 18. Pouertie and shame vz. from God but yet in the presence of men is to him vz. whosoeuer he bee that refuseth instruction vz. of goodnes q.d. he that will not regarde good and holy counsell shall fall into beggery and be made a shame amongst men but he that regardeth correction vz. to followe it and to become the better by it shall be honored i. he shall florish with riches and honor and be accepted both of God and men Vers 19. A desire i. the thinge desired as vers 12. of this chap. accomplished vz. by good and holy meanes for here he speaketh of the desiring of good things and the lawfull accomplishment thereof delighteth vz. very greatly the soule i. the party wishing or desiring the same one parte put for the whole and yet hee dooth not without cause make mention of the soule because in it is the quality or faculty of desiring but it is an abhomination vnto fooles i. a lothsome and tedious thing yea such a matter as their affection dooth vtterly abhorre to departe from euill i. from that euill whereunto they are naturally giuen and which they foster and feede in themselues thorowe a vaine pleasure and delight in the same Vers 20. He that walketh with the wise i. is conuersant and familiarly acquainted with wise persons shall be wise i. thorowe Gods blessing shall become wise by meanes of wise speeches and talkes that shal passe from them but a companion of fooles i. he that ioyneth himselfe in society and fellowship with the wicked shall bee afflicted vz. euen as they themselues either because he committeth sinne with them or consenteth to euill as Rom. 1.13 Vers 21. Affliction i. punishment and vengeance sent from the Lord followeth vz. euen as the shadowe doth the body meaning also that it dooth euen pursue them so egerly that it leaueth them not till they be vtterly destroyed sinners i. peruerse and obstinate sinners see chap. 11.31 but vnto the righteous God will recompence vz. of his large liberality and goodnes good i. all good things for this life and the life to come Vers 22. The good man shall giue i. leaue behind him inheritance i. goodes and lands to
fauour and goodnes of God against a large and faire house in outward shewe he setteth a weake and lowe tabernacle Vers 12 There is a way i. there is an order and course of life which seemeth right to a man vz. in his owne iudgement but the issues vz. or ends thereof i. of that way are the waies of death i. leade the high and readie way to death and destruction because we are easilie deceiued with the shew of right he counselleth vs not to stand to our owne imaginations but to trie both our manners and opinions by the rule of Gods word Vers 13. Euen in laughing i. while men laugh the heart is sorowfull i. their hearts are possessed with great sorowe though many times they would couer the same and shake it off with laughter and the end of that mirth vz. which is made so from the téeth outward is heauines i. great and much sorowe specially of heart q.d. It falleth out many times that while a man laugheth and laboureth either to ease or shake off the griefe of his heart that he returneth notwithstanding to sorowe and heauines Vers 14. The heart i. the man himselfe and yet he speaketh of the heart because there is the fountaine and beginning of euill that declineth i. turneth aside either to the right hand or to the left from the lawe and word of God shall be saciate with his owne waies i. shall walke so long in the wickednes that his owne heart hath deuised that he shall bee filled as it were with wickednes and at the length be ouertaken with Gods iudgements for the same see Chapter 1.31 but a good man shall depart vz. quicklie and with as much speed as he may for feare of afterclappes from him vz. that starteth a side from the obedience of Gods commandements Vers 15. The foolish will beleeue vz. very easilie and without any great perswasion euery thing vz. which is tolde them but the prudent will consider vz. déeplie and earnestlie his steppes i. the waies wherein he shall walke and the things which he shall doo q.d. he will doo nothing rashlie but diligentlie will examine and weigh whether he ought to beleeue or doo it see before vers 8. of this Chapter Vers 16. A wise man i. a godlie wise man feareth vz. the euill that is for to come meaning corporall punishments in this life and eternall in the life to come and departeth from euill i. sinne and transgression which is a meane to drawe both temporall and eternall punishments vpon vs but a foole i. a wicked man rageth vz. very sore both against God and men and is careles vz. of that which is to come q.d. he boldly runneth headlong into rage and in his furie desperatly committeth all manner of euils whatsoeuer for he feareth not Gods iudgement or any punishments to come and therefore casteth himselfe headlong into the same Vers 17. He that is hastie to anger i. he that hath no stay of himselfe but suffereth his anger against others speedelie to breake out committeth follie i. not onely bewraieth the foolishnes of his heart but is making post hast to great and greeuous sinnes and a busie bodie vz. such a one as is a continuall medler in other mens causes and affaires is hated i. purchaseth hatred to himselfe both from God and man The word which is here turned busie bodie is in Hebrue the man of imaginations which phrase sundrie men take diuersly some in euill parte as though he should meane such a one as is not hasty to wrath but thinketh long vpon the mischief he will doo and so he should compare two contrarie vices the one is headlongnesse to anger the other is malice long meditated and thought vpon Other some take it in the good parte meaning by a man of thoughtes a man circumspect and wary in his words and deedes and then it is read thus He that is hastie to anger committeth follie yea he is hateful to a circumspect or wise man and this I take to be the best the holie Ghost minding to note the discommodities that hastines to wrath bringeth with it Vers 18. The foolish doo inherit follie he meaneth not onely that folly is borne with them and is as it were their inheritance but also that in processe of time they doo receaue the fruite of their follie also but the prudent are crowned with knowledge hee meaneth that knowledge which they haue to performe good things by is as it were a crowne vpon their heads and that they shall in the end receaue also a moste glorious fruite of the same Vers 19. The wicked shall bowe vz. in token of reuerence and submission before the good i. such as God maketh good and the wicked vz. shall stand waiting thorow néede of one thing or other at the gates of the righteous i. before their doores Thus it pleaseth the Lorde to make things some times fall out in this life for the comfort of the godly and the example of the wicked Vers 20. The poore i. he that commeth by any meanes into pouertie is hated i. lothed and despised euen of his owne neighbour i. euen of him that in all reason and duety should moste tender and pittie his case but the frends of the rich are many i. such as haue riches and store haue aboundance of frends for the world will loue his owne Vers 21. The sinner i. the notorious wicked man as sundrie times before despiseth his neighbour vz. because hée is poore but he that hath mercie vpon the poore i. pittieth them and prouideth for them Psalm 41.1 is blessed vz. of God or els by blessed he meaneth is praysed and commended amongst men Some reade it thus This sinner vz. which hateth the poore man and estéemeth the rich shall be despised of his neighbour vz. for that his sinne q.d. God will bring this iudgement vpon him that hee which despiseth others shall of others bee despised himselfe but O blessed is he q.d. certainely of what state or condition so euer he bée hée is blessed that sheweth fauor vz. either in countenance word or déede to the poore i. to them that are in néede Vers 22. Doo not they erre vz. from the right way which God hath prescribed vnto them that imagine euill vz. against others This demaunding noteth a more certaine and assured affirming of the matter q.d. without doubt they goe astray and therefore must of necessitie miserably perish but to them that thinke vz. earnestly and déepely on good things vz. towards God and man to doo the same shall bee mercie and trueth vz. from the Lord bestowed vpon them yea and men also shall deale mercifully and truely with them q.d. God will faithfully performe his promises in the accomplishment whereof is manifested both his mercie and truth and he will moue men also in truth and mercie to deale with them Vers 23. In all labor vz. which a man taketh vpon him in his ordinary calling vnderstanding by labor diligent
parte by reason of some supplie of words farre better in my iudgement thus but the foolishnes which is in the foolish i. their owne follie and want of wit offereth it selfe to be knowne i. it cannot long bee dissembled for they will presently manifest and bewray the same see Chap. 12.23 Chap. 13.16 and also vers 29. of this Chap. Vers 34. Justice i. the execution of iustice vprightly without any fauor feare or hatred exalteth a nation i. maketh it famous not onely for the time present but also establisheth the same in lastingnes for the time to come see Chap. 16.12 but sinne vz. either against GOD or man is a shame to the people i. is an effectuall instrument to bring the people to shame and confusion Vers 35. The pleasure of a king is i. euery good and wise king taketh great pleasure and delight in a wise seruant i. a héedie circumspect and diligent officer but his wrath i. the Kings great displeasure shall be towards him i. shall iustly fall vppon him that is lewd vz. in his dealing and behauiour by which he worketh shame and discredite to his Prince and indéede so much doth the Hebrew text yéeld Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs what great difference there is betweene a godlie wise woman and a foolish wicked woman Vers 2. Teacheth vs to haue care and conscience of a holie life before men also that wee cannot offer greater contempt against God than to followe a lewd and prophane life Vers 3. Teacheth vs the discommoditie of rash and foolish speaches also what benefite commeth by wise wordes Vers 4. Containeth a singular commendation of husbandrie and painfull labour in seuerall callings Vers 5. Setteth out the great difference betweene a lying and a false witnes Vers 6. Teacheth vs that Gods holie wisedome cannot dwell in a scorning or scoffing spirit also that Gods word and will through the light that he giueth vs is easie though the Papistes by accusing it of hardnes would feare men from it Vers 7. Teacheth vs to shunne the companie of the wicked and vngodlie after we haue had triall of them Vers 8. Sheweth that holie wisedome teacheth men which imbrace her to direct their whole conuersation Verse 9. Teacheth vs in what little account vngodlie men haue sinne and wickednes Vers 10. Teacheth vs not to giue ourselues too much to mirth or ioye but to keepe a good measure and proportion therein Vers 11. Setteth out the vnlikely reward of the good and the bad Vers 12. Teacheth vs not to followe whatsoeuer seemeth good in our owne eyes but alwaies and in all things to aske counsell of the Lord in his word it is also a strong place to ouerthrowe good intents Vers 13. Teacheth vs to auoide hypocrisie both in our mirth and sadnes and to bee that indeede which wee would seeme to bee Vers 14. Teacheth vs that the sinne and disobedience of the wicked shall neuer escape vnpunished Vers 15. Teacheth vs first not to bee too light to beleeue euery report that is brought vs secondlie deeplie and duelie to consider all our thoughts wordes and deedes Vers 16. Teacheth vs that a reuerent feare of Gods Maiestie in good mens hearts is a notable meane to make them to auoide sinne also it doth liuely paint out the nature of the desperate transgressors Vers 17. Teacheth vs to withstand the vnbridlednes of our owne affections and to beware of being ouer busie in other mens affaires Vers 18. Teacheth vs that knowledge is a meane of great credit and estimation euen before men Vers 19. Teacheth vs that God many times in this life for the manifestation of his mercie and iustice exalteth his owne children and casteth down the wicked Vers 20. Doth liuely paint out the nature of the world which doth easilie despise poore men though neuer so good and readilie imbrace wealthie men though neuer so bad Vers 21. Teacheth vs not to despise any but euen for our owne good to shewe pitie and compassion to all Vers 22. Teacheth vs that euill thoughts are sinne before God also that the Lord will be mercifull towards his owne Vers 23. Teacheth vs faithfully and painfully to labour in our callings and to take heede that wee labour not with the lippes only and giue the other parts of our bodies to idlenes Vers 24. Teacheth vs that euery thing to the godlie is a credite and glorie whereas all things to the wicked tend to their shame Vers 25. Teacheth vs in matters of controuersie to speake the trueth and to abhorre all lyes Vers 26. Sheweth vs what a sure staffe to stay vppon they haue that doo rightly feare the Lord. Vers 27. Teacheth vs what commodities come by the reuerent feare of GOD planted in our hearts Vers 28. Teacheth Kings as to vse all holie meanes whereby to increase their people so to take heede that they trust not in them at any hand Vers 29. Teacheth vs to be slowe to wrath and to beware of hastines of heart or word Vers 30. Teacheth vs louingly to doo whatsoeuer wee doo and to flye from enuie and hatred Vers 31. Teacheth vs that oppression of the poore is a greeuous offence against God Vers 32. Propoundeth the miserable end of the wicked and the ioyfull end of the godlie Vers 33. Sheweth that the heart is indeede the seate of wisedome Vers 34. Sheweth what good commeth by iustice and what hurt by iniustice and that not only to the parties executing the same but also to their people and subiects Vers 35. Teacheth vs that wisedome is a meane to make men delight in vs. CHAP. 15. Co. IN the last verse of the other Chapter he shewed that frowardnes and ill demeanour was a meane to prouoke wrath against vs and now in the first verse of this Chapter he sheweth vs how wee may quench it if it bee once kindled and so proceedeth in instructing men to haue an eye to their speaches and words Di. Di. 1 THe Chapter may be diuided into three parts In the first he giueth instructions concerning mens words and speaches concerning the sight and knowledge of God and concerning the wise and the foolish the good and the bad c. and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 11. In the Di. 2 second he intreateth of scorners of ioye and sorowe of the heart of the wise and foolish of quietnes and contentednes with the portion which God giueth vs of anger slothfulnes follie and good counsell and this reacheth Di. 3 from verse 12. to the end of the 22. In the third he speaketh of good words of the way of life of proude persons and of the widowe of wicked mens thoughts of gaine and gifts of babling of Gods fauour vpon the good and his punishment vpon the wicked of receiuing and refusing good counsell and of the feare of the Lord from verse 23. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. A Soft answer i. gentle quiet and méeke words putteth away wrath vz. of another
of that griefe and sorowe which seaseth and possesseth many times a mans heart the mind vz. of a man is heauie i. is made or become heauie and sad some reade and the Hebrue text also seemeth to import so much the spirit is broken i. the man sigheth often and draweth his breath very hard q.d. his life is almost at an end Vers 14. The heart of him i. he himselfe a part for the whole and yet he speaketh of the heart because if the heart or minde bée not set vpon it wee shall hardly obtaine it that hath vnderstanding i. that through Gods goodnes hath obtained some measure of it seeketh vz. carefully and diligently knowledge i. increase of knowledge q.d. he hath care to bee euery day more skilfull than other but the mouth of the foole i. the foole himselfe and yet because meate is first receiued into the mouth before it go into the stomacke and so become nutritiue he maketh mention of it is fed vz. continually meaning that the foole taketh as great delight in the same as in all manner of dainties with foolishnes i. with his owne follie and other mens also who frame themselues to his humour Vers 15. All the daies vz. of the life of a man from the time his affliction and griefe beginneth till it haue an end of the afflicted i. of any which is afflicted troubled in minde because his state and condition in this life is no better meaning it of a poore man that is not content with his owne portion as may appeare by the verses following are euill i. grieuous tedious and bitter specially to flesh and bloud but a good conscience i. he that hath in himself peace towards God quietnes before men and contentednes in his owne soule is a continuall feast i. bréedeth as great pleasure and delight to him that hath it as if he were daylie fed with most fine dainties Vers 16. Better is a little vz. which a man hath of his owne through Gods blessing with the feare of the Lord i. hauing a reuerence of Gods Maiestie in his heart both quieting his minde and teaching him the right vse of it than great treasure vz. howsoeuer it be obtained and trouble therwith vz. to the owner thereof and in his minde which wauereth and is vnquiet either for the sure kéeping of it or for the sodaine forgoing of it Vers 17. Better is a dinner of greene hearbes i. a very meane slender dinner where loue is vz. towards the parties bidden and among the parties themselues because there all things shall bee well accepted than a stalled oxe vz. prepared for a dinner or banquet meaning also thereby a most sumptuous feast and hatred therewith i. an euill affection either towards the parties bidden or one of them towards another Vers 18. An angrie man i. one giuen much to anger stirreth vp strife vz. in euery companie wheresoeuer he commeth yea many times amongst them where there is great peace and quietnes see Chap. 29.22 but he that is slowe to wrath i. will hardly or not at all be moued thereto see Chapt. 14.29 appeaseth vz. by all the meanes he can he indeuoureth to quiet and pacifie strife vz. kindled and stirred vp before so farre off is he from prouoking men thereto Vers 19. The way i. the order and course of his life of a slothfull man i. of him that sluggishly and slothfully goeth about his duetie is as an hedge of thornes i. is so slow and hard as if it were all beset with thornes briers meaning that so it seemeth also vnto himselfe and therefore he euer findeth some let or stay that he dare not go forward see Chapt. 26.13 but the way of the righteous i. the order and course of life which he taketh is plaine i. most easie and commodious so that he findeth nothing to hinder him to walke on chearefully therein Vers 20. A wise sonne reioyceth the father i. maketh the father to reioyce and be glad see Chap. 10.1 but a foolish man i. a wicked disobedient and vngodlie child despiseth i. setteth little by or regardeth not at all his mother i. neither her person nor any good thing that commeth from her Vers 21. Foolishnes i. wickednes and sinne is ioye i. is a matter of mirth and delight to him that is destitute of vnderstanding i. to a wicked and vngodly man which knoweth nothing of heauenly wisedome I take it to be the same almost that is sayd Chapt. 14.9 24. but a man of vnderstanding i. a godly and wise man walketh vprightly i. ordereth all his actions and frameth his manners to that which is good and right neuer straying from the right way Vers 22. Without counsell i. without right holie and good counsell thoughts i. all things thought vpon and deuised come to nought i. to no effect and purpose q d. it is not enough to thinke vpon things but there must be counsell taken how to performe the same but in the multitude of counsellers i. of good and faithfull counsellers there is stedfastnes vz. both of purpose and performance if the thing bee good see Prouerb 11.14 Vers 23. A ioye commeth to a man i. there is a man which hath great and singular ioy by the answer of his mouth i. by the words and speaches which he vttereth with his mouth whether he answer things demanded or speake otherwise q.d. when a man speaketh wisely to any person in any place he hath great occasion and matter of ioye giuen him and how good q.d. it is a hard thing to expresse how swéete and profitable so haue you the word good vsed Psalme 133.1 is a word vz. spoken or vttered in due season i. in fit and conuenient time see Psalm 1.3 Al is as much q.d. a wise man is much refreshed and greatly reioyceth when hée seeth his counselles to fall well out and things to come to passe as he said Vers 24. The way of life i. the way that leadeth vnto life yea the very true life it selfe is on high to the prudent i. is in heauen and therefore he thinketh of heauenly things and tendeth thetherward Philip. 3.20 Coloss 3.2 to auoide i. that walking in the same he may auoid from hel beneath i. both from death and destruction which the desire of earthly things bringeth with it and also from the place of eternall torment Vers 25. The Lord vz. himselfe in his iust iudgement will destroy vz. vtterly and as it were pull vp by the rootes the house of the proud men i. them themselues their seede rase substance and whatsoeuer belongeth vnto them for so large I take the signification of the word house to be but he will establish vz. firme and sure the borders of the widdowe i. all that doth appertaine to the poore and abiect persons as it were He setteth against proud persons poore widdowes then who none are commonly more iniured amongst men Vers 26. The thoughts of the wicked i. wicked mens thoughts and the
things they thinke vpon are an abomination to the Lord i. are such things as he cannot abide but the pure vz. in heart and conuersation haue pleasant words i. speake such things as are good and acceptable before God and profitable to the hearers Vers 27. He vz. of what calling or condition soeuer he be specially if he be a Magistrate that is greedie of gaine i. that gapeth after it and careth not by what meanes he come by it so he haue it see Chapt. 1.19 troubleth his owne house i. whereas he thought to get peace thereby and to inlarge his substance purchaseth trouble and many times the decrease of his familie see Chapt. 11.29 but he that hateth gifts vz. offered him to peruert iustice or to performe ill causes see precise commandements against giftes taking Exod. 23.8 Deut. 16.19 shall liue vz. well and plentifully in this life notwithstanding his refusall of the same but specially in eternall life Ver. 28. The heart of the righteous studieth to answere vz. not only when hée is demanded but also to speake for so doth the Scripture vse that word of answering see Math. 11.25 He meaneth that the good man speaketh nothing but that which he hath long meditated of before least his tongue should runne before his wit and therefore he commonly speaketh right and good things but the wicked mans mouth babbleth i. rashly and hastely powreth out euill things vz. against other and such as in the end turne to his owne hurt and destruction see verse 2. of this Chapter Vers 29. The Lord is farre of from the wicked i. from helping them or hearing their voyce for otherwise God is in euery place and nigh to all things he meaneth that God will not heare them no more than men heare them that are very farre of calling vnto them but he heareth i. graciouslie granteth the praier of the righteous i. the things that the righteous praied for see ver 8. of this chap. Also Psalme 145.18 Vers 30. The light of the eyes i. for a man to see with the eyes and to haue the vse of them reioyceth the heart vz. of a man that is maketh man and his heart glad and a good name i. good fame and report amongst men maketh the bones fat i. euen reioyceth and strengtheneth all the inward parts so haue you the word bones vsed before chapt 12.4 Also chapt 14.30 Some reade it as though it were a similitude thus as the light of the eyes reioyceth the heart so a good name maketh the bones fat i. as the eye by the beholding of good things maketh the whole man merrie so doth the eare by hearing good wholesome things of which he speaketh in the next verse following Vers 31. The eare that hearkeneth vz. diligently and attentiuely to the correction of life i. to such correction reproofe and admonition as leadeth to life shall lodge among the wise i. shall not onely dwell with them and be accounted as they are but shall haue the selfe same blessing from God that they haue both in this life and in the life to come And this he speaketh not of an outward hearing onely but of such as yéeld sincere obedience to the things heard Vers 32. He that refuseth vz. by withdrawing himselfe from it instruction vz. of good things being tendered and offered vnto him despiseth his owne soule i. maketh little account of his life specially in respect of the life to come but he that obeyeth correction getteth vnderstanding vz. how in this life to behaue himselfe towards God and man so as he may after the daies of this wearisome pilgrimage are finished come to eternall life Ver. 33. The feare of the Lord vz. rightly planted in mens hearts is the instruction of wisedome i. is such an instruction or doctrine as bringeth men to holie wisedome One in my mind readeth it better thus The instruction of wisedome goeth before the feare of the Lord i. before a man can obtaine wisedome and bee led with the reuerence of God and his feare which is the beginning of wisedome Chapt. 1.7 Also Chapt. 9.10 He must of necessitie be taught and learne the precepts of wisedome and before honor vz. from God goeth humilitie i. true and vnfeigned humbling of his children q.d. there is the same order of the fruits which come from the instruction and feare of God as is of the things themselues for to learning there is ioyned casting downe of men and humilitie and to the reuerence and feare of God there is ioyned excellent honor which God bestoweth vpon them that feare him Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs to auoide bitter wordes and to vse soft and gentle speaches Vers 2. Sheweth what great difference there is between the words of the wise and the words of the foolish Vers 3. Teacheth vs that GOD knoweth and seeth all things euery where Vers 4. Teacheth vs what profites and disprofites arise of a good and of an euill tongue Vers 5. Teacheth vs reuerently to regard good counsell Vers 6. Teacheth vs that the good haue plentie of blessings and enioy them with quietnes whereas the wicked haue great trouble and vexation with the same Vers 7. Teacheth vs to vse knowledge in our callings to the benefite and good of others Vers 8. Teacheth vs that nothing proceeding from a wicked person can please the Lord also that God in Christ regardeth the praiers of his seruants Vers 9. Setteth out the great loue of God towards his seruants and his disliking of the wicked Vers 10. Teacheth vs that malicious wicked persons will seldome or neuer regarde good counsell also what danger there is in contemning the words of godly admonition Vers 11. Teacheth vs that GOD knoweth all things yea euen the very depths of mens hearts Vers 12. Teacheth vs that wicked men shunne the companie and speach of good men Vers 13. Declareth the profits and disprofits of a glad and sorrowfull heart Vers 14. Teacheth vs that we must carefully and continually seeke for wisdome Vers 15. Setteth out the commodities of a good conscience and contented minde Vers 16. Teacheth vs that mans blessing consisteth not speciallie in the multitude of his riches Vers 17. Commendeth vnfeined loue and dispraiseth hatred Vers 18. Teacheth vs to bridle wrath and to beate downe contentions amongst men what we may Vers 19. Teacheth vs to auoide slothfulnes and idlenes Vers 20. Sheweth what benefit or blessing it is to haue good children and on the other side what a punishment it is to haue wicked children Vers 21. Teacheth vs that the wicked reioyce in sinne and that there is no godlie conuersation indeede without the light of Gods holy word Ver. 22. Teacheth vs to pursue good thoughts by good counsell and to labor to bring them to good effect Vers 23. Teacheth vs that we may reioyce in Gods gifts bestowed vpon vs also that in our speaches we should haue regarde of time place persons c. Vers 24. Teacheth vs to studie and seeke
moueth his lippes i. he doth but as it were begin to speake and bringeth euill to passe i. he presently performeth mischiefe against other men Vers 31. Age i. old age he vseth a word which signifieth gray heares putting the signe of old age for old age it self is a crowne of glorie i. is a glorious crowne meaning that it bringeth euen as great glorie to a godlie old man as a crowne to a King concerning this word crowne see before Chapt. 4.9 Also Chapt. 14.24 and in other places when it is found vz. to be passed ouer and spent in the way of righteousnes i. in a holie and righteous life meaning it of such old age as spendeth the time of life godly iustly and not of al old age without exception Vers 32. He that is slowe vnto anger i. seldome or not at all bursteth into it howsoeuer he be prouoked thereto see chap. 14.29 chap. 15.28 is better vz. by many degrees than the mightie man vz. in bodilie strength and power by how much the power of the soule is better than the strength of the bodie the soule it selfe being better than the bodie and he that ruleth his owne minde i. that subdueth and keepeth vnder the raging affections thereof is better vz. by much than he that winneth i. conquereth or getteth a citie vz. either by power or policie The reason of this speach is because that the warre that a man hath with himself and with his own mind and which is made against wrath and other affections of it is more grieuous and hard than that which is attempted against others and therefore he is better that conquereth himselfe than he that conquereth others Besides he that ouercommeth himselfe doth it to this end to profite himselfe and to hurt none yea to doo good vnto others thereby whereas a mightie man that ouercommeth others and subdueth cities can hardly performe it without bloudshed and great danger of other men Vers 33. The lot vz. for the triall of any thing in controuersie This was much in vse amongst the people of God in diuiding lands Numb 26.55 and in other causes as Leuit. 16.8 Acts 1.26 and in other places is cast into the lappe i. into some secret and close place putting one for many others as into hattes pots caps boxes c. but the whole disposition thereof i. the ordering guiding and gouernment of it is of the Lord vz. onely q.d. nothing seemeth more subiect to fortune in mens iudgement than lots and yet that falleth not out by fortune or chance for there is no such thing but God by his infinite prouidence and wisedome doth both generally and particularly guide and gouerne the same according to his good pleasure Do. Vers 1. Teacheth that both the thoughts of mans heart and the words of mans mouth are gouerned of the Lord. Vers 2. Teacheth vs that neither we our selues nor the things that wee doo are such as wee esteeme of them but are so to be taken as God alloweth of them Vers 3. Teacheth vs in all our thoughts words and works to depend vpon the Lord for his special blessing Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that Gods glorie appeareth in al things yea euen in the destruction of the wicked and vngodlie Vers 5. Teacheth vs to auoide pride of heart secondly that there is no wisedome nor power against the Lord. Vers 6. Sheweth vs that there is no other cause of the forgiuenes of sinne than Gods own mercie truth also that there is no better bridle to stay men from wickednes than to haue a reuerēt feare of Gods maiestie setled in our harts Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that a holy conuersation cōmendeth vs both to God men also that God hath mēs harts in his hands to turne them as pleaseth him Vers 8. Teacheth men to get that which they haue how little or much soeuer it bee by good and iust dealing Vers 9. Teacheth vs that in all both our imaginations and actions wee are gouerned by God because that in him we liue moue and haue our beeing Vers 10. Teacheth Magistrates and rulers to pronounce iust and true sentences Vers 11. Teacheth vs to vse vprightnes in all our dealings and that they which vse false weightes measures c. sinne not onely against men but against the Lord also Vers 12. Teacheth kings euen for example sake to absteine from all manner of euill speciallie from iniustice and wrong dooing Vers 13. Teacheth kings to abhorre flatterers and flattery and to delight in such as will speake the trueth fully and boldlie Vers 14. Teacheth wise men in time to labor to quiet the iust rage of a Prince least otherwise there fall out great mischiefes Vers 15. Teacheth vs to purchase and delight in the fauor of Princes and Potentates alwaies prouided that wee doo it by lawfull and holy meanes Vers 16. Teacheth vs to preferre heauenlie wisdome before all earthlie things whatsoeuer Vers 17. Teacheth vs first that none can be counted good but such as haue an vnfeined care to shunne thinges that bee naught secondlie that a holie life is very profitable both for soule and bodie Vers 18. Teacheth vs to auoide pride least continuing in it we be ouerthrowne Vers 19. Teacheth vs to imbrace true humilitie and lowlines of minde Vers 20. Teacheth vs to bee carefull in the dooing of our affayres also continually to trust in the Lord and the trueth of his promises Vers 21. Teacheth vs to giue a iust commendation to the giftes and graces of God in any also to vse profitable comfortable and good speaches to others Vers 22. Teacheth vs to haue a care to obteine spirituall vnderstanding and knowledge Vers 23. To beware of rash speach and to thinke well of our words before we vtter them Vers 24. Teacheth vs to vse gentle softe and good speaches Vers 25. Teacheth vs not to hang vpon our owne iudgements but vpon the rule of Gods word onely Vers 26. Commendeth vnto vs painefull trauaile in our seuerall callings Vers 27. Teacheth vs to auoide both imagining and doing euill against any Vers 28. Teacheth vs to take heede that we bee not authors of strife or tale carriers Vers 29. Teacheth vs to beware of offering any man any iniurie or intising any man to those things that are euill Vers 30. Teacheth that we must neither by word nor countenance practise or performe euill against others Vers 31. Teacheth vs that godly old age is greatlie to be reuerenced and esteemed Vers 32. Teacheth vs to imploy all our forces to the subduing of the rage of our owne affections Vers 33. Teacheth vs that nothing falleth out by fortune or chance but is whollie and altogether directed by the infinite and eternall prouidence of almightie God CHAP. 17. Co. THis Chapter dependeth vpon the former thus he had shewed before that all thinges were guided according to the determinate counsell and purpose of God which ought to teache vs contentednes with whatsoeuer it shall please God either of
our owne or of other mens to bestowe vpon vs which J take to bee the meaning of the first verse Di. Di. 1 THe Chapter may be diuided into three partes In the first he intreateth of contentednes of minde of a good seruant of the assured knowledge which God hath of wicked and lying persons of scorners at other mens miseries of Children and posteritie of a proude foole and a lying Prince of rewards and of loue and contention from vers 1. to the end of the 9. In Di. 2 the second he speaketh of reproof of seditious persons of the rage of fooles of wrath not preuented in time of recompensing euill for good of the rich man that is a foole of frends and brethren and of suertiship from vers 10. Di. 3 to the end of the 18. In the third hee dealeth with proude and contentious persons with froward and euill tongued people foolish parents and ill children also hee speaketh of the sorrowe and ioyfulnes of the heart of bribes and giftes of the wise man and foole of euill children of vpright iudgement of fewe words from vers 19. to the end of the chapter Se. Vers 1. BEtter vz. by much is a drie morsell vz. of bread meaning a morsell of drie bread without drinke or any other thing with it if peace bee with it i. if men haue it in peace and quietnes and with vnfeined good wil one of them towards another than an house full i. very great store and plentie of sacrifices i. meat left of freewill offerings which are called sacrifices because they are parte of that which was sacrificed see Chap. 7.14 with strife vz. one of them against another such a like sentence we had before Chap. 15.17 Vers 2. A discreete seruant i. a faithfull painefull and wise seruant hee calleth such a one Chap. 10.5 the sonne of wisdome and Chap. 14.35 a wise seruant shall haue rule ouer a leude sonne i. shall bee preferred before him yea so that many times he shall rule and gouerne him this fellowe is called the sonne of confusion Chap. 10.5 and he shall diuide the heritage vz. thorowe Gods ordinance and the fathers appoyntment as it were by will among the brethren It was a common matter to haue goods possessions and lands deuided to the sons or daughters amongst the people of the Iewes see Nombers 36.2 also Luke 12.13 his meaning is that wisdome exalteth the basest and follie casteth downe them that are very high Vers 3. As is the fining pot for siluer and the fornace for gold i. as the fining pot and the fornace serue to trie good siluer and gold from drosse and corruption so the Lord tryeth vz. by many meanes and waies the hearts vz. of men meaning thereby also all the thoughts affections and imaginations thereof yea the whole man himself both inward and outward q.d. as men by their arte trie all things which is well done so God is he alone that searcheth the hearts and raines see Ierem. 17.9 10. Vers 4. The wicked i. he that selleth himselfe ouer to worke wickednes giueth heede vz. verie attentiuelie and diligentlie to false lippes i. to false words vttered with the lippes against other men or to false accusing persons a parte for the whole and a lyer i. he that is a lyer himselfe hearkeneth vz. heedilie to the naughtie tongue vz. of an other man who is like to himselfe meaning thâ—t one wicked man will regard and estéeme another euen in those things which be euill and wicked and whereof in deed they ought to be ashamed Vers 5. He that mocketh vz. either by word or deed the poore i. hee that is any manner of way afflicted and cast downe reprocheth him that made him i. God q.d. hee doth after a sorte scorne and scoffe at God see a like sentence Chap. 14.31 and he that reioyceth at destruction i. at the hurte or hinderance of another man or at any euill whatsoeuer that falleth vpon him shall not bee vnpunished i. shall bee certainelie punished and by no meanes escape it see Chap. 11.21 and Chap. 16.5 Vers 6. Childrens children i. properlie Neuewes but the holy Ghost meaneth hereby a long race and posteritie as Psalme 128.6 are the crowne i. are the glorie renowme and decking see Chap. 12.4 also Chap. 16.31 of the elders i. of their graundfathers great graundfathers c. This hee speaketh of good holy and obedient children all the glorie of the children i. a singular meane whereby the children come to glorie and renowme are their fathers i. their wise and godly Parents Ver. 7. High talke i. talke of high and great matters as of vertue wisdome c. becommeth not a foole i. is not séemelie in his mouth because howsoeuer hee can babble of the things yet he hath them not in effect much lesse lying talke a Prince q.d. much lesse dooth it beseeme a great personage to bee ouertaken with lying or any other euill either in word or deede One readeth it otherwise and giueth another sense of it but I like this as well if not better Vers 8. A rewarde vz. giuen to a mightie man or Magistrate is as a stone pleasant i. is like a precious and pleasant stone meaning that it is of great regarde and estimation in the eyes i. in the iudgement and opinion of them that haue it vz. giuen them by others it prospereth i. taketh good successe whether soeuer it turneth i. to what end soeuer it be applied his purposes is to describe the great corruption of bribes and giftes q.d. a corrupt reward is with couetous Iudges verie forcible to peruert iust iudgement and therefore whosoeuer giueth it the Magistrate receauing it great likelyhoode there is that his cause whether it be good or badde shall be preferred Vers 9. He that couereth vz. by all lawfull meanes and what he may or as much as in him lyeth a transgression vz. committed against another man seeketh loue i. indeuoreth thereby to mainteyne and vphold loue betweene them He meaneth that he that keepeth close offences committed by one against another and blaseth them not abroad to any is a verie good preseruer and increaser of true frendship see Prouerb 10.12 also Chap. 16.28 but he that repeateth a matter vz. done long before against another meaning by repeating of it reporting of it in speach seperateth the Prince see this expounded Chap. 16.28 meaning hereby the chiefe frends and the alienating and turning of their minds and affections one of them from another Vers 10. A reproofe vz. alone vttered in bare words but yet wisely and charitably expressed entereth more into him i. taketh deepe roote and bringeth forth more profit in him that hath vnderstanding i. that is truely wise indeed than an hundred stripes into a foole i. than great correction bestowed vpon a foole and wicked person q.d. a wise man will be more built vp in goodnes by a bare word then a foole by thousands of words or blowes Vers 11. A seditious person i.
ioyfull heart i. a heart that is truely touched with ioye for he doth not speake of a dissembled or counterfeited ioye causeth good health vz. to the whole man vnderstanding also by the word health all good things but a sorowfull mind i. the mind which is wounded and oppressed with sorowe drieth the bones i. corrupteth and consumeth the whole man yea his most inward parts see Chapt. 14.13 Vers 23. A wicked man i. a man giuen to wickednes and this may bee vnderstood either of the man giuing the bride or of the Iudge receiuing it taketh a gift vz. either which he had prepared to giue the Iudge or the Iudge knew he had brought out of the bosome i. closely and priuily as men are wont to doo things which they take out of their bosomes to wrest i. to peruert and turne vpside downe q.d. the one giueth it and the other receiueth it to that end the waies of iudgement i. iust and vpright matters in which as in broad and high waies the Iudge should walke without all partialitie Vers 24. Wisedome is in the face of him that hath vnderstanding i. the very staied and pleasant countenance of a wise man is sufficient to set out the wisedome that is in him but the eyes of a foole are in the corners of the world i. wander hâ—ther and thether which is sufficient enough to bewray the vnstaiednes of his mind and the follie of his heart He meaneth that euen by the countenance men may many times iudge of wisedome and follie Vers 25. A foolish sonne i. a wicked lewd and disobedient child whether he be sonne or daughter is a griefe vz. of heart that is a great griefe vnto his father vz. that begot him if he liue to see behold or heare of his wickednes and a heauines vz. of heart also to her that bare him i. to his or her mother see Chapter 10.1 For no greater griefe can come to parents in this life than to know or heare of the ill demeanour of their children Vers 26. Surely it is not good i. it is a very hurtful and euill thing to condemne the iust vz. any manner of way see verse 15. of this Chapter and this appertaineth to Magistrates putting them in mind of their dueties to execute iustice to minister right nor vz. is it good but euill and hurtfull that the princes i. the Magistrates and rulers should smite i. any manner of way punish such i. iust persons for equitie i. for their vpright and good dealing withall he putteth Princes in minde to beware of tyrannie Vers 27. He that hath knowledge i. he that is indéede wise and indued with sound knowledge spareth his words i. oftentimes refraineth his speaches he doth not rashly powre out by his words the thoughts of his heart no though they bee good things but obserueth time place c. see Chapt. 15.23 28. Also Chapt. 29.11 and a man of vnderstanding i. one indued with right vnderstanding and knowledge is of an excellent spirit Some reade is precious in spirit i. is of a rare spirit for the excellencie of it as the word of God is sayd to be precious 1. Sam. 3.1 Others reade cold in spirit meaning that hee is moderate and well staied and easilie bursteth not foorth into anger but doth diligently take héed of the heate of his heart the senses doo not much differ Vers 28. Euen a foole q.d. so great is the commendation of silence that if vnwise people hold their tongues they may be déemed and taken for wise many times when he holdeth his peace i. speaketh not to the bewraying of his follie is counted wise vz. many times because wise men iudge not but by words and déedes and he that stoppeth his lippes vz. from speaking prudent i. is counted or may be counted prudent and wise Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs how good a thing peace is and how hurtfull strife and contention is Vers 2. Teacheth seruants to striue to diligence faithfulnes and wisedome in all their masters affaires Vers 3. Teacheth vs that God knoweth all thinges either within man or without him and many times trieth him by many meanes to make him pure vnto himselfe Vers 4. Teacheth vs not to lend our eares to false accusations or lying tales Vers 5. Teacheth that we ought not to reioyce at any mans pouertie affliction or hurt whatsoeuer Vers 6. Teacheth vs that to haue posteritie is a good blessing from the Lord and that it is a great grace to haue good fathers Vers 7. Teacheth vs that wicked men should not talke of good things nor great personages giue themselues to lying and iniurie Vers 8. Setteth out what great hurt commeth by giuing and taking of rewards or bribes Vers 9. Teacheth vs to couer such matters as may breake and hinder growth in loue Vers 10. Teacheth vs that reproofes are profitable to Gods children and that nothing will amend the wicked and vngodlie Vers 11. Setteth out the nature of sedicious people and the iudgement that they shal receiue from God and men Vers 12. Setteth out the great rage and madnes of the wicked and vngodlie Vers 13. Teacheth vs not to recompence euill with euill as worldly men doo much lesse to requite good with euill but to doo good for good and to ouercome euill with well doing Vers 14. Teacheth vs to withstand the beginnings as of all euill generally so particularly of strife and contention Vers 15. Teacheth vs to beware what we vtter either with or against men Vers 16. Teacheth vs that neither wealth nor any outward things can attaine heauenly wisedome Vers 17. Teacheth vs that amongst Gods children there should be at all times a stedfast bond of loue speciallie in the daies of aduersitie Vers 18. Teacheth men to beware of suretiship Vers 19. Teacheth vs to beware of contention with others and also of pride or lifting vp our selues aboue others Vers 20. Teacheth vs to flie from frowardnes of heart and naughtines of speach Vers 21. Teacheth vs that lewd and ill children are great griefe vnto their parents Vers 22. Setteth out what commodities ioye of heart bringeth with it and also the discommodities of a sorowfull heart Vers 23. Declareth what great mischiefe bribes and rewards giuen and taken doo worke Vers 24. Teacheth vs that mens countenances many times bewray either their wisedom or their follie Vers 25. Teacheth vs that euill children are matters of great griefe to their parents Vers 26. Teacheth Magistrates iustlie to execute iustice and to punish no man for well doing Vers 27. Teacheth vs to auoide multitude of words and babbling for where there are many words there is much sinne Vers 28. Teacheth vs that there seldome or neuer commeth any hurt by silence but rather credite sundrie times CHAP. 18. Co. IN the latter end of the other Chapter he spake of a prudent or wise man now in the beginning of this he sheweth that such a man will spare no cost nor labour to the end
both of the one and the other by experience Vers 24. A man that hath friends i. he that through Gods blessing his owne good dealing hath gotten friends ought to shew himselfe friendly vz. towards them and others also for a friend i. a faithfull and vnfeigned friend is neerer vz. vnto vs in fast and sound loue many times than a brother i. than a naturall brother or kinsman q.d. there are many friends found that will shewe in words and countenances and performe in déedes and truth more stedfast friendship and loue than brethren see to this purpose before Chap. 17.17 Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs that nothing should bee so deare vnto vs as Gods heauenly wisedome Vers 2. Sheweth that fooles delight in the disclosing of their own follie Vers 3. Teacheth vs that we can looke for nothing from wicked men but contempt and reproach of others Vers 4. Setteth out the excellencie of a wise man and of his words Vers 5. Teacheth Magistrates to banish farre from them all respect of persons Vers 6. Teacheth vs that wicked men out of the abundance of their wicked heart speake wicked things Vers 7. Teacheth vs that the wicked many times speake such things as doo greatly indanger themselues Vers 8. Teacheth vs to auoide tale carying and flatterie also that though it be pleasant at the first to heare tale tellers yet the end is dangerous and deadlie Vers 9. Teacheth men to beware of idlenes on the one side and prodigalitie on the other Vers 10. Teacheth vs continually to trust in the goodnes and power of God Vers 11. Teacheth vs to auoide trust and confidence in riches for they are not such sure things as the world maketh account of Vers 12. Teacheth vs to auoide pride and to imbrace humilitie Vers 13. Teacheth vs that rash and hastie speaches bewraieth the follie of him that vseth them and procureth his shame Vers 14. Sheweth what an vnbeareable burthen the affliction of the soule and spirit is Vers 15. Teacheth vs to applie our hearts and eares and all the parts and members of our bodies and mindes to attaine heauenlie wisedome Vers 16. Setteth out what great power gifts and rewards haue Vers 17. Teacheth Magistrates not to beleeue any one partie but to examine both Vers 18. Setteth out the right vse of the lot Vers 19. Teacheth vs that there is no strife matchable to the strife amongst brethren Verse 20. Teacheth vs that we shall receiue the profite of our words either good or euill as they were Vers 21. Deliuereth the same doctrine Vers 22. Teacheth vs that if any man hath receiued a good wife from the Lord he hath receiued also therewith a good testimonie of his fauour Vers 23. Declareth what great difference there is betweene the rich and the poore and the words of either Vers 24. Teacheth men to shewe themselues friendly towards such as from whom they haue receiued friendship and to preferre a faithfull friend before a naturall brother CHAP. 19. Co. HAuing in the latter end of the other Chapter spoken of a faithfull and sure friend he doth in the beginning of this Chapter shewe that sound friendship consisteth not in the lippes only nor in abundance of riches but in vprightnes and sinceritie of heart though the partie be poore that professeth it Di. Di. 1 THe Chapter may be diuided into the three parts In the first he intreateth of a sound and counterfeit friend of knowledge of the peruersnes of the heart of riches and pouertie of false witnes bearing and lyes of the Prince and liberall person of the decaied man of the wise person of fooles and seruants Di. 2 from verse 1. to the end of the 10. In the second he teacheth men to bridle wrath and speaketh of the fauour and displeasure of Princes of euill children and brauling wiues of a good wife of idlenes and deceit of obedience and contempt of the word of pitie vppon the poore of due correction of wrath and of good counsell from vers 11. to the end of the 20. In Di. 3 the third he speaketh of mans deuices and Gods purposes of poore men and lyers and of the feare of God and the fruites thereof of the idle person of scorners also of foolish and wise men of disobedient children of auoyding ill counsell of false witnesses and of punishment for the wicked and vngodlie from vers 21. till you come to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. BEtter vz. by much or many degrées as sundrie times before is the poore vz. man or friend that walketh in his vprightnes i. that walketh vprightly both in word deed towards them with whom he is ioyned in friendship than he that abuseth his lippes vz. by pretending great good will in words and yet hath nothing in effect and is a foole i. and so bewraieth his follie other reade it otherwise and giue another sense of it but me thinketh this is plaine for the first part of this verse see Chap. 28.6 Vers 2. For without knowledge i. sound and sincere iudgement the mind i. the affection and good will is not good i. is not right and sound but hurtfull both to the one partie and the other for this phrase it is not good see Chapter 17.26 Also Chap. 18.5 and he that hasteth with his feet i. he that runneth hastely to euill sinneth vz. against God and his owne soule q.d. as he hath little regard of himselfe that looketh not to his feete that he may discerne good waies from bad yea is in great danger of continual falling so he that hastely and without great deliberation runneth to this and to that it is very likely he shall fall into transgression before he be aware Vers 3. The foolishnes of a man peruerteth his way q.d. men must ascribe it to their owne follie that things goe not well with them for here he toucheth them that would accuse GOD of the euill successe of their things and vz. yet for all that his heart fretteth against the Lord. i. he is impatient and after a sort ascribeth his euill happe as we say to God and not to himselfe Vers 4. Riches i. rich men he putteth the thing for the person and yet we may notwithstanding vnderstand it simplie of riches gathereth many friends vz. to him that hath them but the poore vz. man or person is seperated vz. in friendship familiaritie from his neighbour vz. for the want of his riches for the word seperating see Chap. 17.9 And for the whole verse see Chap. 14.20 q.d. all men will be friends with rich persons but euen such as were before friendly to the poore person depart from him for his pouertie sake Vers 5. A false witnes i. he that beareth false witnes shall not be vnpunished vz. either before God or man see Deut. 19.19 and in many other places of this booke as Chap. 6.19 Also verse 9. of this Chap. and he that speaketh lyes shall not escape vz. the iudgement and punishment
vz. moderately and with good discretion thy sonne i. thy child as sundrie times before while there is hope vz. that thy correction will amend him and doo him good meaning while hee is yong for if he growe to a head of stubbornes it will be a hard matter to reforme him and let not thy soule i. thy fatherly affection and pittie which are called the soule because they haue their seate in the soule spare vz. him or correcting of him so it be done as before is prescribed for his murmering vz. against thée q.d. though hee murmur and grudge yet forbeare not to correct him when he deserueth the same Vers 19. A man of much anger i. he that is oftentimes angrie shall suffer punishment vz. either publikely or priuatly for the transgressions which his wrath causeth him to commit and though thou i. any man deliuer him vz. by good perswasion from committing euill or by intreatie and sute set him frée from the hand of the Magistrate yet will his anger come againe q.d. he will be little or no whit at al the better but fall to his rage wrath againe Other men read it otherwise and giue other senses but me thinketh this is plaine Vers 20. Heare vz. diligentlie and carefullie counsell i. good counsell giuen thee and receaue whilst thou mayest haue it instruction◠vz. in the waies and trueth of the Lord that thou maist be wise i. atteyne wisdome in thy latter end vz. when thou art ready to departe from the world and goe to GOD not but that he would haue him to be wise before also but to note that then heauenly wisdome shall stand him in best steed when he is to wrastle with death Vers 21. Many deuises are in a mans heart i. many men tosse many matters too and fro in their imaginations and yet bring them to no effect or issue but the counsell of the Lord i. whatsoeuer hee hath determined in his counsell shall stand vz. stedfast and sure both in the purpose and in the performance thereof hee mindeth to note the difference betweene Gods waies and works and mans Vers 22. That that is to be desired i. the thing that a man ought speciallie to desire and wish in this life is his goodnes i. that he deale religiously towards God and vprightly towards men and it may be turned for or but without any iniurie to the text a poore man vz. though he be neuer so poore if he be godly is better vz. by many degrées both before God and also in the iudgement of all goodmen not meaning hereby that a lyer being poore is good than a lyer i. than one that giueth himselfe to lying though he be neuer so rich Vers 23. The feare of the Lord i. a reuerence of his Maiestie ioyned with an vnfeyned loue thereof settled in mens hearts leadeth to life i. to a blessed life in this world and to eternall life in the world to come and hee that is filled therewith i. hee that hath receaued it fréely and plentifullie from the Lorde euery one according to his measure shall continue vz. safe sound and stedfast and shall not be visited with euill vz. to his hurt and destruction for his purpose is not here to exempt Gods children from chastisements and corrections Vers 24. The slothfull vz. man or person hideth his hand in his bosome vz. in the time of some great cold and will not put it to his mouth againe vz. that thereby he might feede himselfe q.d. he is so giuen to idlenes and sloth that euen when great neede and occasion requireth his labor for himselfe and his owne good he will not doo it much lesse would he performe it for others sée Chap. 26.15 Vers 25. Smite i. correct and chastise either by wordes or stripes see Chap. 17.26 a scorner i. one of whome there is no hope of amendment for a scorner is in the highest degrée of transgression Psal 1.1 and the foolish i. such as thorowe simplicitie and ignorance are caried forward to euill will beware vz. of the like fault for which thou smitest the scorner and reprooue the prudent vz. for some thing wherein hee hath sayd or done amisse and he i. the simple ignorant person will vz. in processe of time vnderstand i. atteyne to vnderstand by that meanes knowledge vz. of a better trade and course of life He sheweth that there are two waies to instruct simple ones the one is sharpe correction of the obstinate and the other is louing reproofe of the godly Vers 26. He that destroyeth his father vz. by bringing him to great losses and hinderances on the one side or by greeuing him thorowe leudnes on the other side or chaseth away his mother either out of the house wherein shee dwelleth or from his presence with his froward speach is a leud and shamefull childe i. is a very wicked fellowe and must looke for shame to fall vpon him and all manner of confusion Others reade it otherwise but the sense is all one vz. that wicked children waste many times thorowe their leudnes their fathers goods and so turne away their minds from them that they are glad when they are out of their sight Vers 27. My sonne see Chap. 1.10 and other places heare no more i. be so farre of from obeying that see thou heare not any longer the instruction that causeth to erre from the wordes of knowledge i. such instruction as carrieth thee away from the right way of holie wisedom q.d. applie thy selfe altogether to holie doctrine and therefore withdraw thy minde and thy thought from the vse or custome both of euill words and euil deeds Vers 28. A wicked witnes i. a corrupt and false witnes mocketh at iudgement i. maketh no more account eyther of right causes themselues or of Magistrates that are placed to execute iustice or of God himselfe that will punish false witnesses for so largely I suppose the worde iudgement may bee taken than of a iest or thing to bee laughed at and the mouth of the wicked i. the wicked and vngodly person himselfe and yet he mentioneth the mouth because of the Metaphor swalloweth vp following swalloweth vp vz. with great delight and pleasure as dronkards doo strong wine and gluttons delicate meates meaning also thereby the abundance of iniquitie which the vngodlie commit iniquitie vz. against God and men One readeth it thus so iniquitie swalloweth vp the mouth of the wicked q.d. in that wicked witnesses doo scorne iudgement they doo it euen of obstinacy and malice which doth wholy possesse them euen swallowe vp as it were all their words so that they can speake or vtter nothing but iniquitie An other sense also may be giuen as when our text sayth swallowe vp iniquitie it meaneth thereby hiding and couering of the same as meates and drinkes deuoured and swallowed vp are not seene q.d. with the color of their words and shewe of their reasons they indeuor to couer their iniquitie Vers 29. But q.d.
but for all their scorning and cunning speaches iudgements i. punishments and the plurall number noteth the variety and multitude of them are prepared i. not onely appoynted but euen in a readynes to be executed eyther by the Magistrate or els by the Lord himselfe eyther in this life or in the life to come or both for the scorners i. for such as scorne at God and all goodnes and stripes for the back of fooles hee meaneth that which hee spake before expressing it vnder other termes vnderstanding hereby not onely bodily punishments in this life but also eternal in the life to come Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs that the godlie poore estate is not the worst also Do. that we should not giue our lippes leaue to runne at randome Vers 2. Teacheth vs that sounde knowledge is the informer of the minde also that we should bridle the partes and members of our bodies from wickednes Vers 3. Teacheth vs that lacke of sound iudgement is the very mother of all the corruptions which we commit against God or man Verse 4. Teacheth vs that wee should not regarde a man for his riches onely nor despise him for his pouertie but respect rather his good or his euill dealing towards God and men Vers 5. Teacheth vs to abhorre false witnes bearing and and lying Vers 6. Teacheth vs rightly to esteeme great personages and to practise liberalitie as a vertue which doth much commend vs to GOD and men Vers 7. Teacheth vs that pouertie dooth many times estrange the hearts of frends and kinsfolkes from such as fall into it Vers 8. Teacheth vs that heauenlie wisdome is the meane to preserue vs both in this life and in the life to come Vers 9. Teacheth vs to flee from false witnes bearing and lying Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that things vncomely are not to be allowed of Ver. 11. Teacheth vs to bridle the rage of our angrie affections and to be readie to forgiue offences committed against vs. Vers 12. Sheweth what great difference there is betweene the grace and displeasure of Princes and mightie men Vers 13. Setteth out the miseries that come by euill children and wicked wiues Vers 14. Sheweth what a great blessing and that from the Lorde a good wife is Vers 15. Teacheth vs to auoide idlenes on the one side and deceit on the other side Vers 16. Setteth out the good that commeth by obedience of Gods lawe and the miserie that insueth vpon carelesnesse of holie conuersation Vers 17. Teacheth vs pittie and liberalitie towards the poore Vers 18. Teacheth parents to giue moderate and due correction to their offending children or seruants Vers 19. Setteth out the great miserie that commeth by giuing our anger the reynes Vers 20. Teacheth vs alwaies to receaue good counsell Vers 21. Sheweth as the varietie of mans minde and the inconstancie of all his deuices so the assurednes of the Lordes purposes Verse 22. Teacheth vs that this is the especiall marke wee shoulde shoote at in this life euen goodnes and wel doing and neuer to refuse a man for his pouertie but for his lying Vers 23. Setteth out the effectes and fruites of the feare of God Vers 24. Teacheth vs to shunne idlenes Vers 25. Teacheth vs that reproofes can neuer be vttered in vaine but that it shall doo good though perhappes not to the partie reprooued yet to others which are by Vers 26. Teacheth men to auoide all vnnaturalnes towards their parents Vers 27. Teacheth vs not to giue eare towards that will prouoke to sinne Vers 28. Doth liuelie painte out the nature of the wicked and vngodlie Vers 29. Teacheth vs that they shall not escape vnpunished for the same CHAP. 20. Co. IN the other Chapter and last end thereof he taught men for feare of punishment to take heede how they gaue themselues ouer to any wickednes and namelie to false witnes bearing And now in the beginning of this Chapter hee willeth them for the inconuenience that may insue thereof to beware of dronkennes and the meanes of that vice and so proceedeth to deliuer other doctrines and exhortations Di. Di. 1 THe Chapter may be diuided into three parts The first reacheth from vers 1. to the end of the 10. Wherein he intreateth of dronkennes of a kings wrath of contention of idlenes of the depth of mans heart of boasting of fond dealing of a good King and his duetie of naturall corruption and of false weights and measures The second reacheth from verse 11. to Di. 2 the end of the 20. wherein he speaketh of good or euill workes of the right vse of the eye and eare of sleeping or idlenes of craft and deceit of the excellencie of knowledge of sureties and their estate of aduice or counsell of slandering and flatterie of vnnaturalnes towards parents The third reacheth Di. 3 from verse 1. to the end of the Chapter wherein he speaketh of ill gotten goods of patience of false weights of Gods prouidence of the right vse of holie things of a good King or Prince of the power and force of Gods word of mercie and iustice the two props of all kingdomes of yong men and old persons and of corrections Se. Vers 1. WIne vz. taken and receiued immoderatly is a mocker i. a deceiuer of him that so vseth it for where as he vainely supposed that it was swéete and pleasant vnto him it is become hurtfull and strong drinke the Hebrue word importeth euery drinke that may make men dronken is raging i. it carrieth those men that excessiuely vse it into outrage and violence against others and whosoeuer vz. of what state or condition soeuer he be is deceiued thereby i. is ouertaken therewith is not wise i. sheweth thereby that he hath not as yet tasted of the heauenlie wisedome I allowe not the note in the Geneua bible which referreth it to the persons Vers 2. The feare of the King vz. being once angrie against a man meaning by feare that terror with his wrath or anger striketh into men with whom he is offended is like the roring of a lyon i. is very fearefull and terrible see Chap. 19.12 Also Chap. 16.14 he vz. how great soeuer he be that prouoketh vz. by his ill demeanour him i. the King to anger vz. against himselfe sinneth against his owne soule i. putteth his life in very great danger for the Kings wrath shall bee towards him that is lewd Chap. 14.35 Vers 3. It is a mans honor i. it is a glorious and very honorable thing for a man see Chap. 19.11 to cease vz. what in him lieth and as much as is possible from strife vz. with al other men see Rom. 12.18 but euery foole i. euery one that is foolish not rightly taught of God will be medling vz. busilie with other men and their matters which is indéede the mother and nurse of all contention Vers 4. The slothfull vz. man or person will not plow i. diligently and faithfully followe his calling for by one which is
other mens businesses and rashly for another giue his word for if he be rash and vnaduised in his owne matters he will not be wise in thine Neither is this against Gods commandement Exod. 22.26 for there he speaketh of the poore brother who for the néede of their household were constrained to lay pawnes or gages but here of rash and lauish sureties see Chap. 22.20 Also Chap. 27.13 Ver. 17. The bread of deceit i. all manner of maintenance craftely compassed gotten is sweet i. so seemeth to be at the first to a man i. to a worldly minded man but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with grauell i. monie and goods so gotten shall bee full of hurt and destruction to him see Chap. 9.17.18 Vers 18. Establish the thoughts vz. of thy heart and head by counsell i. by holie counsell and good aduice q.d. that thing is sure and stedfast which is not attempted rashly but with good aduice and by counsell i. by good and deliberate counsell make warre vz. against thine enemies vnderstanding by this one particular the attempting of all the like q.d. doo nothing at all but deuise of it well before Vers 19. He that goeth about vz. from place to place and from house to house as a slanderer vz. of other men discouereth vz. at some one time or other either for fauour feare or flatterie secrets vz. committed vnto him to keepe see before Chap. 11.13 therfore meddle not vz. at any hand that is to say haue nothing to doo much lesse communicate any close matter to such a one as followeth with him that flattereth with his lippes i. a flatterer and a fawner vpon other men Ver. 20. He vz. whosoeuer he be that curseth i. notoriously disobeyeth and with reuiling and cursing speaches speaketh vnto his father and his mother i. his parents his light shall be put out in obscure darknes i. his name and memorie shall be vtterly taken away yea he shall be depriued of all prosperitie and blessing and shall be accursed both in this life in the life to come see Exod. 21.17 Leuit. 20.9 Deut. 21.18 c. Vers 21. An heritage i. any thing whatsoeuer as goods lands and such like is vz. many times hastelie gotten yea and that by indirect and vnlawfull meanes at the beginning i. at the first atchieuing and getting therof but the end thereof i. of that heritage or possession so hastelie and vnlawfully gotten shall not be blessed vz. from the Lord the reason is because goods hastelie gotten are commonly gotten by iniurie and deceit Vers 22. Say not thou vz. either in thy heart or with thy words I will recompense euill vz. done against me q.d. abstaine from all reuenge and requiting of iniurie either in word or deede yea abstaine from the very affection of reuenging but waite vz. with patience vpon the Lord vz. to whom vengeance doth belong Deut. 32.35 Psalm 94.1 and for the execution of his iudgements and he vz. alone shal saue thee i. kéepe thée safe sound from the rage of all thine enemies al hurts whatsoeuer Vers 23. Diuers weights see verse 10. of this chap. are an abomination vnto the Lord see chap. 11.1 and deceitfull balances i. weights balances by which with which deceit is practised for otherwise balances are hardly deceitfull of themselues are not good i. are much hurtfull euill see Chap. 17.26 Also Chap. 18.5 Vers 24. The steppes of man i. all the actions and affayres of man specially concerning good things are ruled vz. euen euery one of them wholly and altogether by the Lord i. by God himselfe and by his almightie power and prouidence how can a man then vz. as he is a man vnderstand vz. rightly to dispose and knowe the effect and issue of his owne way i. his thoughts words and purposes see Psalm 37.23 Prouerb 16.9 Ierem. 10.23 Vers 25. It is a destruction i. it bringeth destruction with it to the party committing the offence afterwards expressed for a man vz. of what state or calling so euer he be to deuoure that which is sanctified vz. to the Lord and to holy vses as it were in sacrifices to eate the Lords parte q.d. he purchaseth death vnto himselfe whosoeuer hee be who either taketh away from God any thing that is offered vnto him or holdeth back that which is due vnto him and after the vowes i. the things vowed to the Lord and offered to him to take them away from him and the vses he hath appoynted them too to inquire vz. whether they may doo so yea or no q.d. when sinne is committed it is to late to inquire of it Vers 26. A wise King i. a good and a godly Magistrate scattereth vz. by his vpright and good gouernment the wicked vz. people of his land and countrie we had a like sentence before in this Chapter vers 8. sauing that that is spoken of euill things especially and this of wicked persons and causeth the wheele to turne ouer them i. sharpely and seuerely punisheth them putting one kinde thereof for all He meaneth that good princes cannot away with wicked persons Psalm 101.7 8. but rooteth them out as a good husband man doth the chaffe from the Wheate vnder the word wheele he alludeth to the manner of threshing vsed among the Iewes whereof see Isaiah 28.27.28 Vers 27. I would restore this whole verse out of a worthie interpreter thus Mans soule vz. wherein is placed the gift of reason and vnderstanding is as it were the Lords light i. is such an excellent parte as into which God hath powred great light and wherein also his glorie doth wonderfully appeare which vz. soule and vnderstanding of man searcheth vz. out and thorowly all the bowells of the bellie i. all the most secret and inward things q.d. GOD hath put into mans soule a light by which he searcheth out the most deepe and secret things I take it to bee the same in meaning though not in words with vers 6. of this Chapter Vers 28. Mercy i. pittie and compassion towards such as are oppressed and trueth i. ministring of iustice truely and vprightly preserue vz. from all violence and danger the King i. both his person and state vnderstanding also there by the name of King all Magistrates both superior and inferior see Psalm 101.1 for his throne i. he and his kingdome a parte of princelike pompe put for the whole shall bee established vz. assuredly to continue and abide for euer with mercie i. with practising pitie and compassion as before in this verse Vers 29. The beautie of yong men i. that which maketh yong men beautifull and glorious amongst others is their strength i. the strength agilitie and good giftes of the bodie that God hath indued them withall speciallie if they vse them to the good of the countrie and common wealth wherein they liue and the glorie of the aged i. that which bringeth glorie and credit to the olde folkes is the gray head i.
experience wisdome counsell and other giftes which in length and processe of time they haue atteyned too see Chap. 16.31 Vers 30. The blewnesse of the wound vz. which ariseth by sharpe and seuere punishments putting the thing following punishment for hard and sharp punishment it selfe serueth to purge the euill vz. that resteth and remaineth in wicked persons and the stripes within the bowells of the bellie vz. serue to the same end meaning by stripes within the bowels of the bellie sharp and cutting corrections which pearse as it were euen to the entrailes he meaneth that wicked people cannot be reformed but by sharpe and vehement corrections no more than dangerous diseases can be cured without byting and pearsing medicines Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs to beware of dronkennes and whatsoeuer may drawe vs on thereto Vers 2. Teacheth vs to take heed how we prouoke any Magistrate against vs speciallie the chiefest Vers 3. Teacheth vs to beware of contention and to take heed that wee bee not busie bodies in other mens matters Vers 4. Teacheth vs to auoide idlenes for feare of pouertie that will insue thereof Vers 5. Teacheth vs that mans heart is a froward and vnsearchable euill also that the wise notwithstanding the depth thereof can perceiue many things therein Vers 6. Teacheth vs to shunne vaineglorious boasting also that the number of trustie men is small Vers 7. Commendeth vnto vs vpright walking and conuersation Vers 8. Setteth out the great profit that commeth by good Magistrates Vers 9. Teacheth vs that none is free from sinne Vers 10. Teacheth faithfull dealing in all trades Vers 11. Teacheth vs that wordes and deeds doo many times bewray great corruption of the heart Vers 12. Teacheth vs rightly to vse the eare the eye and all the partes and members of our bodies Vers 13. Teacheth vs to auoide idlenes and whatsoeuer may prouoke thereto and diligentlie to imploy our selues in our callings Vers 14. Teacheth vs both in buying and selling to auoide all craft and subtiltie Vers 15. Teacheth vs that the knowledge of God and his trueth is better woorth than all precious things whatsoeuer Ver. 16. Teacheth men to deale sharpelie with such as rashelie take vpon them suertiship Vers 17. Teacheth vs that deceipt and craft cannot long prosper Vers 18. Teacheth vs to doo or thinke nothing rashlie but with verie good aduise Vers 19. Teacheth vs to shunne first slandering of others secondlie disclosing of other mens sinnes and thirdlie flatterie Vers 20. Teacheth vs that disobedient children shall not prosper Vers 21. Teacheth vs that goods quicklie gotten are not onely suspicious amongst men but also accursed before GOD. Verse 22. Teacheth vs not to render euill for euill vnto any it teacheth vs also in patience to waite for the Lords worke either towards our selues or others Vers 23. Teacheth vs to deale vprightlie and faithfullie in our weightes and measures Vers 24. Teacheth vs that men can neither thinke nor doo any thing without the Lord. Vers 25. Teacheth vs at no hand to meddle with any thing that appertaineth to the Lord. Vers 26. Teacheth princes and Magistrates their dutie to wit that they sharpely punish wicked men Vers 27. Describeth the excellencie of that immortall parte of man his soule Vers 28. Setteth out the dueties of Magistrates and iudges Vers 29. Teacheth vs to referre all that wee haue to the glorie of God and the good of the Common wealth wherein we liue Vers 30. Teacheth that the Magistrate should vse sharpe and seuere punishment against such as will not otherwise be reformed CHAP. 21. Co. IN the other Chapter and the last verse thereof hee spake of correction that magistrates should execute against the obstinate wicked and now in the first verse of this Chapter hee sheweth that they cannot doo neither that nor any thing els but by speciall motion and grace from God who both in them and others worketh all in all Di. I Would diuide this Chapter into fowre partes The first reacheth from Di. 1 vers 1. to the end of the eight wherein hee intreateth of the prouidence and knowledge of God of vprightnes towards men of pride of diligence and speaketh against rashnes deceite theeuerie c. The second reacheth from vers 9. to the 16. Wherein he speaketh of a contentious woman of the crueltie of the wicked of chastisement of Gods iudgemēt against the wicked of hard hartednes against the poore of giftes and of the punishment of the wicked and the blessing of the good The third reacheth from vers 17. to the end of 24. Wherein he dealeth against excesse in pleasure wine c. and the contentious woman and commendeth the wise and the righteous person speaking also of the bridling of the tongue and against pride and wrath The fourth reacheth from ver 25. to the end of the chapter wherein he speaketh against the slothfull and couetous person and the offering of wicked men also against false witnes bearing hard hartednes in sinne and trust in any thing saue in the Lord onely Se. Vers 1. THe Kings heart vz. and the disposition thereof is in the hand of the Lorde i. in his power to bee ruled as he will as the riuers of waters vz. are in mens powers to bee drawne hether and thether through their labor as they shall thinke meete hee i. God turneth it i. the Kings heart and affection whether soeuer it pleaseth him q.d. as gardners and others for the watring of their gardens and grounds or for trade of marchandise bring riuers of water sometimes to one place sometimes to another so dooth the Lord guide Kings hearts not but that he gouerneth other men also but because this seemeth a more hard matter to dispose of Kings and their affayres Vers 2. Euerie way of a man i. euery matter that a man attempteth either in thought worde or deed is right i. seemeth so to be in his owne eyes i. in his owne iudgement he putteth one yea the surest of his senses such as the eye or sight is for iudgement and vnderstanding but the Lord pondereth vz. vprightlie and iustly the hearts vz. of men that is not onely their outward actions but their affections also see chap. 16.2 Vers 3. To doo iustice and iudgement i. for one man to deale vprightly and iustlie with another see Micah 6.8 is more acceptable i. is better liked of and that by many degrees to the Lord vz. who alone knoweth what is right and good than sacrifice i. than any or many sacrifices yea though GOD himselfe haue prescribed them without iustice and iudgement hee meaneth that God preferreth obedience yea and that to the morrall lawe before sacrifice see 1. Samuel 15.22 Isaiah 1.10 11 c. Hosea 6.6 Micah 6.6 7 c. Vers 4. A hautie looke i. euen the very shewe of pride manifested in the countenance or eyes see Chap. 6.17 and a proude heart i. a heart giuen to pride which is the light of the wicked i. which the wicked
countenance Vers 5. Teacheth vs aduisedly and diligently to performe the things we are to do and to beware of hastines and rashnes Vers 6. Teacheth vs that euill gotten goods shall not long prosper Vers 7. Teacheth vs that the wicked shall not carrie their robberie away vnpunished Vers 8. Teacheth vs to flie from euill and to doo good and that the one is a note of goodnes and the other of euill Vers 9. Teacheth vs what a hurtfull thing a disquiet life is betweene a man and his wife Vers 10. Sheweth the nature of the wicked who are giuen to wish and doo euill against other men Verse 11. Teacheth vs that punishments laied vppon some profite other some to goodnes Ver. 12. Teacheth vs to haue a care to instruct one another yea euen the very vngodly it setteth out also the iudgement of God against the wicked and their vngodlie rase Vers 13. Giueth vs to vnderstand what a great sinne hard hartednes the want of compassion is Vers 14. Declareth what power and force gifts secretlie giuen haue Vers 15. Teacheth vs what ioye and consolation the godly should take in wel dooing also what iudgement the wicked must looke for Vers 16. Teacheth vs what danger it is to straye from the word of God Vers 17. Teacheth vs to beware that we haue not our hearts caried away euen in the vse of lawfull things Vers 18. Setteth out Gods fauor towards the good his punishmēt of the wicked Ver 19. Teacheth the discommoditie of a brawling and chiding wife Ver. 20. Teacheth vs that godlines is crowned with abundance and wickednes with want Vers 21. Teacheth that good dooing shall neuer be left vnrewarded Vers 22. Teacheth vs that godlie wisdome is better than strength Vers 23. Teacheth vs to bridle our tongue and speach Vers 24. Teacheth vs to beware both of pride and anger Vers 25. Teacheth vs to beware of idlenes Vers 26. Teacheth vs to shunne couetousnes and to imbrace true liberalitie Vers 27. Teacheth vs that nothing that the wicked doo is acceptable before God Vers 28. Teacheth vs to auoid false witnesse bearing and to speake nothing but that whereof we haue the certeine knowledge Vers 29. Teacheth vs to beware of hard hartednes and impudencie in sinne and to order all our actions according to trueth Verse 30. Teacheth vs that nothing within man or without man can hinder Gods purposes Vers 31. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer meanes be vsed yet there can be no deliuerance but by the Lords grace and working CHAP. 22. Co. IN the end of the other Chapter he intreateth of matters concerning God to wit of his power and goodnes sauing men from danger and distresses and now he passeth from them in the beginning of this Chapter and dealeth with some things which directlie concerne men as a good name fauor wise dealing c. Di. I Would diuide this Chapter into three partes In the first hee speaketh of Di. 1 good reporte and fauor of the rich and poore of the wise and foolish of humilitie and the feare of God of a froward and circumspect person of childrens bringing vp of the borower and the lender of the wicked and the liberall man and of the scorner and contentious person from vers 1. to the end of the 10. In the second he entreateth of purenes of heart of Gods sauor Di. 2 and iustice of the idle man of a whore of foolishnes and correction of oppression of the poore of obedience to the word and the fruites that shall come thereby from vers 11. to the end of the 21. In the third he speaketh against Di. 3 oppression of the poore acquaintance with angriemen rash and vnaduised suertiship remoouing of auncient bounds and exhorteth to diligence from vers 22. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. A Good name vz. amongst men meaning hereby a good reporte is to bee chosen vz. by such as loue and feare the Lord and the fellowship of his saints aboue great riches i. more than any riches a man can attaine too in this life see Ecclesiast 7.3 and a louing fauor vz. from good men obteyned also by good dealing and hee speaketh here of the fauor and good will of men because it is a common companion of good reporte and is no more sundred from it then the shaddowe from the bodie is vz. more worth or more to be desired or as hee saide before to be chosen aboue siluer and aboue golde i. aboue all the rich and precious treasures of this world whatsoeuer see for this phrase Psalm 19.10 Vers 2. The rich vz. men of the world and the poore vz. people also meete togeather vz. many and sundrie times euen as it were waifaring men the Lord thereby sensiblie preaching as it were vnto them that riches and pouertie are not natural but laied vpon them according to his good pleasure the Lord vz. alone is the maker of them all i. hee maketh one rich and another poore see Chapter 14.31 also Chap. 17.5 for making of the poore And in this God hath shewed his singular prouidence and wisdome for if all were rich no man would labor and if all were poore they could not ayde and succor one another see Chap. 29.13 Vers 3. A prudent man i. he that hath learned holy and heauenlie wisdome seeth vz. by the eye of faith the plague vz. comming vnderstanding by plague any euill or danger whatsoeuer and hideth himselfe i. laboreth by all lawfull meanes to escape the same or els committeth himselfe to the prouidence of God vntill those dangers bee ouerpast as Dauid saith in one of his Psalmes but the foolish i. the wicked and vngodlie goe on still vz. in their iniquitie and transgression and are euen rashlie and impudentlie caried whether so euer their minde leadeth them and are punished vz. from God and that iustly by reason of their sinnes committed against God and their brethren Vers 4. The reward vz. both from God and men of humilitie i. that true humblenes of minde hath and the feare of God i. the rewarde which the feare of God bringeth with it is vz. certainely and assuredly riches and glorie and life i. all good things both in this life and in the life to come Vers 5. Thornes and snares i. most greeuous calamities and punishments are vz. to be found in the way of the froward i. in those waies and courses which he taketh q.d. for his wicked and froward behauiour such and such calamities hang ouer his head and so it is set as it were against the other verse but he that regardeth his soule i. hath care and consideration of his owne saluation a parte put for the whole will departe vz. with all possible and conuenient speede farre from them i. either from the men themselues or from such miseries as hang ouer their heads or from such misdemeanors as haue pulled such iudgements vpon them Vers 6. Teach a childe i. euerie childe for the commandement is generall in
together with thy knowledge inwardly thou ioyne the expressing of them by wordes outwardly Vers 19. That thy confidence i. thy hope and trust may bee vz. firmely and stedfastly fixed in the Lord i. vpon him and the trueth of his word and promises I haue shewed thee vz. openlie and plainlie euen the will and word of God this day i. all this while as Psalme 95.7 And so he sheweth what is the ende of Gods word vz. to strengthen our faith in God thou therefore take heede vz. to the things that I speake q.d. It standeth thee in hand so to doo for what art thou without hope and trust in God which thou canst neuer attaine without his word Vers 20. Haue I not written vnto thee vz. excellent and notable things vnderstanding also by writing all the meanes of publishing the same three times i. sundrie and many times as 2. Corinth 12.18 in counsels and knowledge i. such things as consist in knowledge and counsels q d. I haue for to that ende serueth the demand Vers 21. That I might shewe thee vz. plainlie and manifestly the assurance of the words of the trueth i. the great certaintie that these words containe to answer i. that thou also maiest thereby bee instructed to answer the words of trueth i. true and sound words to them that send to thee vz. to the ende they may knowe the same and be instructed by thee therein And this is another commendation of his doctrine taken from the excellencie and profite thereof Vers 22. Robbe not vz. by any meanes the poore vz. man or person because he is poore and therefore not able to put backe iniurie offered neither oppresse vz. any manner of way the afflicted i. he that is alreadie in miserie in iudgement i. vnder the pretence and shewe of iustice and iudgement In Hebrue it is in the gate putting the place where iudgement was executed for iudgement and iustice it selfe He toucheth two faultes the one oppression of the poore because great men may the more easilie doo it and the other is spoyling of them vnder pretence of iustice and equitie And marke here that the sentences following from this place euen to the fiue and twentie Chapter bée for the most part comprised in two or three verses together one hanging vpon another and are as it were the causes effects or euents of the same Vers 23. For the Lord vz. himselfe if men should neglect it will defend their cause i. the right of the poore see Chapter 23.11 and spoyle the soule i. take away from them sometimes by one meanes sometimes by another of those that spoyle them i. of all such as take any thing by any wicked way from them And this is a reason why they should surcease from wickednes Vers 24. Make no friendship i. seeke not to bee acquainted or familiar with an angrie man i. with one that cannot rule and subdue his outragious and angrie affections neither goe vz. in the way as though thou wert familiarlie acquainted with the furious man i. with him that is whollie giuen to heate and furie see Prouerb 15.18 Vers 25. Least thou learne vz. by kéeping companie with him his waies i. to bee like vnto him in his furie rage and vnbridled affections and receiue vz. either from God or men yet so that thou hast by thy misdemenour pulled it vpon thy head destruction to thy soule i. to thy selfe a part put for the whole and here is contained a double reason why men should auoide furious persons companie Vers 26. Be not thou of them i. be not thou like them or take héed that thou bée not reckoned in the number of them that touch the hand vz. of another man meaning thereby striking of hands or making of a bargaine nor among them i. of that sort and number that are suretie vz. to other men for debts vz. of other men q.d. shunne suretiship least thou hazard thine owne goods and at lengeth bée brought to necessitie for that I take to bée the meaning of the next verse see Chapter 6.1 c. Also Chapter 11.15 Vers 27. If thou hast nothing to pay i. if thou bée not able to performe that which thou hast promised why causest thou vz. through thy negligence and rashnes that he vz. to whom thou hast giuen thy hand and word should take thy bed vz. wherevpon thou lyest from vnder thee vz. as thou lyest vpon it a reason against rash suretiship q d. Why doest thou through thine owne follie commit that if thou be not able to pay that which thou art become suretie for thy bed if thou hast nothing els to giue should with thy great losse and shame bée taken from thée and so thou haue nothing to lye on see Chapter 20.16 Vers 28. Thou shalt not remooue vz. either by force or fraude openly or secretly in the day or in the night the ancient bounds vz. of landes or grounds labouring thereby to inlarge thine owne and to pull from other which thy fathers i. thy ancestors many yéeres before thee haue made i. haue set q.d. If they had no right how canst thou pretend any see Deuteronomie 19.14 Vers 29. Thou seest q.d. thine owne experience and knowledge teacheth thee that a diligent man in his busines i. he that faithfully and painfully occupieth himselfe in his vocation and in the things he hath to doo standeth before Kings i. is much in great personages presence and they vse them much in the accomplishment of their affaires and standeth not before the base sorte i. is not much conuersant with the common people nor much regarded of them the reason is because he is more highly called and preferred for otherwise all would bée glad of him all is as much q.d. seeing diligence aduanceth men imbrace and practise the same Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs to esteeme and make much of good report amongst good men and their fauour Verse 2. Teacheth vs that riches and pouertie and all come from the Lord. Verse 3. Teacheth vs in a holie wisedome not onely to foresee but also to preuent what wee may dangers hanging ouer our head Verse 4. Teacheth vs to striue to attaine true humblenes of minde and a right and reuerent feare of Gods Maiestie in our hearts Verse 5. Teacheth vs to auoide both the waies and companies of froward and peruerse men Verse 6. Teacheth parents in time to traine vp their children in the nurture and information of the Lord. Verse 7. Sheweth how that man in the corruption of his heart abuseth many times those things to the maintenance of his pride and tyrannie that God hath giuen him for the good of others Verse 8. Teacheth vs that the vngodlie shall reape a iust reward of that wickednes which they sowe Vers 9. Teacheth vs vnfeignedly to imbrace liberalitie Verse 10. Teacheth vs to auoide the scorners companie shewing vs what good shall insue thereof Vers 11. Teacheth vs to imbrace vprightnes and soundnes of heart Vers 12. Teacheth vs that
God is gracious to his children but a sharpe punisher of the words and works of the wicked Vers 13. Teacheth vs to auoide sloth and idlenes Verse 14. Teacheth vs to auoide whores and whoredome Verse 15. Teacheth vs that moderate and ordinarie correction is a good meane to reforme things amisse in children Verse 16. Teacheth vs to flie from oppression and briberie Verse 17. Teacheth vs to hearken to good counsell Verse 18. Setteth out the sweetnes and pleasure of the word of God Verse 19. Teacheth vs that the word is published to begin and to confirme faith in vs. Verse 20. Teacheth vs that a good lesson may be often times deliuered vnto vs. Verse 21. Setteth out both the certaintie of Gods word and also what effect it worketh in them that imbrace it to wit it maketh them able to answer al things demanded of them Verse 22. Teacheth vs to beware of oppression whether it bee committed by force the partie being not able to resist or by fraud and namely vnder the pretence of iustice Verse 23. Setteth out Gods fauour towards the afflicted his iudgements against them that afflict Vers 24. Teacheth vs to auoide anger and wrath and all the meanes whereby we may be prouoked thereto Vers 25. Teacheth vs how hurtfull and dangerous a thing it is to keepe companie with the vngodlie Vers 26. Teacheth vs to beware of rash and hastie suretiship Vers 27. Teacheth vs to take heede that by our owne vnaduisednes wee bee not the authors of our common woe and miserie Verse 28. Teacheth vs not to incroch vpon any but to bee content with the portion which the Lord hath giuen vs from our ancestors Verse 29. Teacheth vs to bee diligent painfull and faithfull in all our actions and affaires CHAP. 23. Co. THe holie Ghost declared in the last verse of the 22. Chapter that diligence aduanceth men to the presence and speach of great personages and now in the beginning of this Chapter he sheweth how they should behaue themselues when they come before them speciallie when they sit to eate with them Di. Di. 1 THis Chapter may be diuided into three parts The first reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 11. wherein he teacheth men to bridle their appetite he sheweth the vncertaintie of riches he speaketh against the nigardlie and couetous person also against contemners of exhortation and extortioners Di. 2 and oppressors of the poore and needie The second reacheth from verse 12. to the end of the 25. wherein is contained an exhortation to imbrace wisedome to correct children he speaketh of the ioye that parents haue by good children he teacheth men to feare the Lord continuallie to auoide euill companie to obey parents to get the knowledge of trueth Di. 3 wisedome c. The third reacheth from verse 26. to the end of the Chapter wherein he speaketh against whores and whoredome and against dronkards and dronkennes setting out most largely and plentifully the sower fruites that come thereof Se. Vers 1. WHen thou sittest vz. at the table to eate vz. meate with a ruler i. with a great personage or gouernor of the people consider diligently i. carefully thinke vpon and weigh what is before thee i. what things are set before thee least through varietie of dishes thou knowing not where to begin thou bewraie want of good manners or els ouer charge thy stomacke Vers 2. And put the knife vz. that thou hast in thy hand or is vpon the table for thee to vse to thy throte He meaneth by this manner of speach that men should vse all meanes they could to bridle their greedie desire and eating of dainties if thou be a man giuen to the appetite vz. of such daintie and sweete things Vers 3. Be not desirous of his daintie meates i. of the fine sweet pleasant cates of a King or great person The Hebrue word importeth such things as sauour wel to the tast are swéet pleasant for it is a deceitful meate i. it wil easily draw men on by dainties to gluttonie or it may be called deceitful because it will not last long or els because the mightie suppose thereby to work some craft deceit against the other In these thrée verses I thinke he specially shooteth at these two poynts the one is to teach vs to vse iudgement wisedome to bridle our affections when we are to deale with great personages in any thing which he expresseth by one particular that is sitting at the table with them The other is to take héed that we be not not ouertaken with daintie and sweete delicates thereby bewraying that there is not that wisdome in vs that hath been supposed or reported Vers 4. Trauaile not too much to be rich q.d. thinke not by great and tedious trauaile thou shalt be rich whether God will yea or no for riches are Gods gift Psalm 127.2 neither is this contrary to many sentences already rehearsed wherein men are exhorted to bee laborious and diligent but hee forbiddeth first immoderate toyling care wherevnto our sauior seemeth to allude Matt. 6.25 and secondly a desire to waxe sodainly rich which is also condemned by Gods word but cease vz. vtterly and as much as in thee lyeth from thy wisdome i. from that same worldly wisdome of thine owne which indeed may rather be called distrust in God or couetousnes as when a man is violently caried away with a desire to be rich than wisdome Vers 5. Wilt thou cast thine eyes i. wilt thou set thine heart and affections vpon it i. vpon riches which is nothing i. which is as it were nothing or a matter of no great importance and this is one reason why men should not so greedilie gape after riches because when they haue atteyned them they haue gotten as much as a thing of nothing And another reason he addeth in the second parte of this verse taken from the vncertainty for riches taketh hir to hir winges i. flieth swiftly and fastly away as an Eagle vz. doth and flieth into the heauen i. goeth so farre as it is an impossible and hard matter to attaine the same q.d. set not thy affections vpon riches for they sodainely vanish away and when thou hast gotten them there is an hundred waies to forgoe them as fire water euill detters c. and that in a moment Vers 6. Eate thou not the bread i. any manner of sustenance as bread meate drinke c. but because bread is the principall he nameth it of him that hath an euill eye i. of the couetous hard harted and nigardly minded man sée the contrary of this Chap. 22.9 neither desire his daintie meates q.d. be so farre off from eating them that thou haue no affection or appetite that way see vers 3. of this Chap. Vers 7. For as though he thought it in his heart vz. when indeed he doth it not so will hee say vnto thee vz. when thou eatest of such things as he hath prepared eate and
be poore i. fall into pouertie though they be verie rich for what vanitie more consusumeth mens substance Wee see that apparrell and building remayneth but if a man haue gulled in of all dainties euen as much as his panche will hold yet with in sixe eyght tenne or twelue howres hee hath appetite againe and the sleeper i. the idle and slothfull person who is called a sleeper because idlenes prouoketh to sleepe Chapter 19.15 shall be cloathed with ragges i. with ragged and torne apparrell meaning also that he should fall into beggerie and pouertie euen as the other Vers 22. Obey thy father vz. in the Lord as Ephes 6.1 that hath begotten thee i. that hath been a meane of thy being it may be vsed as it were a reason to induce obedience and despise not vz. at any hand but reuerence very much thy mother when she is old vz. and not able as it were to helpe hir selfe see chap. 1.8 Vers 23. Buy vz. euen by departing from all the pleasures and profits that thou hast the trueth i. the knowledge of Gods trueth meaning that they should by all meanes seeke to obteyne it when they want it but sell it not vz. at any hand q.d. when thou hast gotten wisdome bargaine it not away that is departe not from it for any price or for any cause likewise vz. buy and sell not wisdome and instruction and vnderstanding these words haue been expounded before Chap. 1.2 3. I take this to bee the same with that which our Sauior sayeth Matth. 13.44 45 46. Vers 24. The father of the righteous i. he that begetteth a good and a godly childe shall greatlie reioyce vz. in that his childe and he that begetteth a wise childe i. one that is giuen to holy wisdome shall haue ioye of him i. shall receaue great ioye and pleasure in him and by him the contrarie of this sentence see before Chap. 17.21 Vers 25. Thy father and thy mother i. thy parents kinsfolkes and frends shall be glad vz. in and of thee if thou bee giuen to godlines and well disposed and she that bare thee i. thy mother shall reioyce vz. greatly in thy well dooing I take it to be vsed as an argument to prouoke children to well dooing Vers 26. My sonne see vers 15. of this chap also vers 19 giue me thine heart i. applie thy selfe wholy to my precepts and this he speaketh in the person of the heauenlie wisdome and let thine eyes delight i. take thou thy selfe singular pleasure in my waies i. in those wayes which I shewe and teach thee the worde which we turne here delight being a compound word of another word that signifieth to bee willing and to keepe dooth not onely note the great delight we should haue in good wayes but also expresseth the care and diligence that should be in them to obserue the same Vers 27. For a whore the holy ghost sheweth a reason here why men should cleaue to holy wisdome and auoide all euill vnder one comprehending all sortes of naughtines is as a deepe ditch vz. out of which a man can hardly get see Chapter 22.14 and a strange woman i. an harlot this word hath been expounded sundrie times before is as a narrowe pitte vz. wherein a man cannot stirre himselfe to deliuer himselfe out of danger hee is so shut in on euerie side q.d. a man may easilie fall into whoredome but when they are once gotten into that same bottomles pit and narrowe hole they can hardlie or not at all come out againe see Chap. 2.19 Vers 28. Also she lieth in waite vz. secretly and closelie as for a praye i. as it were to catch a pray see Chap. 7.10 and she increaseth vz. by her intising and wickednes the transgressors i. the number of transgressors among men vz. vppon earth q.d. although without whoredome there were infinit wicked persons vpon the earth yet whores by intisements make thousands wicked also and vnfaithfull to GOD and man Vers 29. To whom is woe to whom is sorowe the words here turned woe and sorowe are in the Hebrue tongue particles or interiections of mourning and exclamation q.d. who haue cause to mourne complaine and crie out euen dronkards to whom is strife to whom is murmuring i. who is a contentious brabbling and repining or murmuring person euen a dronkard For dronken men raise vp strifes and braulings see Chapter 20.1 to whom are wounds without cause who abound in stripes and are much beaten and hurt euen dronkards and that speach without cause may bee interpreted thus either that they haue them not in warfare and fighting with others but because they many times fall so hurt themselues or els whilest that without any cause rashly powring out contentious words against other persons they doo slaunder reproch them and so receiue stripes and wounds for the same and to whom is the rednes of the eyes i. abundance of hot humors in the eyes q.d. who by their very countenances bewray themselues to bee great drinkers of wine and strong drinke but dronkards And in this verse is comprehended the question the answer followeth in the next Vers 30. Euen to them that tarrie long at the wine i. to such as sit drinking and swilling wasting that time which they should imploy in their ordinarie affaires in quaffing to them vz. also that goe vz. from their owne houses to other places and trot as it were vp and downe from house to house and seeke vz. carefully and curiously enough I warrant you mixt wine He speaketh this according to the custome of the countries of the East which are hot where they did not drinke wine but well mingled and alaied meaning thereby that they satisfied their pleasure greatly in the same Vers 31. Looke not thou vpon the wine when it is red i. take heede thou be not deceiued with the pleasant colour of the wine and withstand euill in the beginning and when it sheweth his colour vz. gloriouslie and faire to the eye in the cuppe i. when it is put into the goblet glasse c. or goeth downe vz. through thy throte into thy stomacke pleasantly i. swéetly and with delight to thee that art the drinker q.d. withstand euen the very beginnings prouocations to dronkennes and al the meanes whereby thou maiest be prouoked thereto Vers 32. Jn the end thereof I take this verse to bee a reason why dronkennes is to bee auoyded because it bringeth with it many griefes and sorowes and it is as much q.d. thy wine may be pleasant for a while but at the length it will sting thee and bite thee in the head stomacke and whole bodie it will bite vz. thee like a serpent he meaneth by this speach very sore yea so grieuouslie that it will infect thee and hurt vz. thee thy selfe as a cockatrise I had rather reade with some a viper which yéeldeth forth her yong ones with the destruction of her selfe meaning by these two similitudes the great
23. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. BE not thou enuious against euill men it is the same in meaning that wée had before Chap. 23.17 though it differ somewhat in words neither desire i. haue not so much as an affection to be with them vz. in companie or acquainted with them and hereof he sheweth a reason in the next verse Vers 2. For their heart imagineth i. they themselues doo nothing els but imagine and deuise destruction i. hurt and harme against other men and marke how he saith their heart meaning that the wicked haue but as it were one minde specially in working mischiefe and their lippes speake i. they with their lippes boldly vtter mischiefe vz. against other men q.d. they feare not with their mouthes to speake the mischiefe that they haue deuised Vers 3. Through wisedome He meaneth this of heauenly wisedome and knowledge is a house builded He speaketh not onely of the outward framing of a house but of the increase also of a mans familie and the attaining of things necessarie for the same and with vnderstanding vz. of Gods will reuealed in his word it is established vz. firme and sure so that it cannot be moued see Matth. 7.24 25. Vers 4. And by knowledge i. right skill to gouerne the things wherewith God hath blessed men shall the chambers i. all the parts and péeces of the house yet he maketh speciall mention of the chambers because men commonly lay vp things in them bee filled vz. plentifully and abundantly with all precious and pleasant riches He meaneth no doubt specially outward and earthly riches yet so that vnder them he comprehendeth the true and right riches q.d. hée that shall skilfully gouerne his house shall obtaine all sortes of blessings Vers 5. A wise man is strong hée still commendeth wisedome shewing that it hath other excellent qualities adioyned to it for I would rather reade it and a man of vnderstanding i. he that is indued with right knowledge and wisedome increaseth his strength i. is indéede very mightie and many times doth that by his wisdome which the strong cannot doo by their strength and therefore is to be preferred see Eccles 9.13 14 c. also Chap. 21.22 Vers 6. For with counsell i. with right and holy counsel thou shalt enterprise thy warre i. the warre that thou shalt make against other men and in the multitude of them i. where there are many or great store is that can giue counsell i. good and right counsell as before is health i. great store and abundance of all manner of blessings see Prouerb 11.14 also 15.22 also 20.18 and this is a reason why wisdome is to be preferred because of the good successe it giueth Vers 7. Wisdome i. holy and heauenlie wisdome is high to a foole i. to a wicked and vngodly man q.d. A foole cannot attaine wisdome but a wise man easilie getteth it see Chap 14.6 therefore i. because it is such an excellent thing and not obteyned by him hee i. the foole or wicked man cannot open his mouth i. speak see Matth. 5.2 also Acts. 10.34 the beginning of speach put for speach it selfe for a man must open his mouth before hee can speak in the gate i. the place of publike assemblies see Chapter 1.21 and other places in which méetings wisdome should most especiallie be manifested Vers 8. Hee that imagineth vz. in his heart see vers 2. of this Chap. to doo euill i. hurt and mischief against other men men i. many men speciallie good men shall call him vz. iustly and thorow his owne wicked demerits an author of wickednes i. a most wicked and vngodly person as hee that is the author of any euill is counted the most notorious amongst them all Vers 9. The wicked thought of a foole i. the wicked man which thinketh nothing but wicked things yea euen his wicked thoughts is sinne vz. before God though perhaps men deeme not so and the scorner i. he that derideth all matters appertaining either to God or men is an abhomination vnto men i. is loathed and abhorred of them speciallie of the good people Vers 10. If thou be faintt vz. harted in the day of aduersitie i. in the time of trouble whether it lye vpon thy self or others thy strength i. the force and power that seemed to be in thee is small i. will then appeare to be nothing when calamitie shall set vpon thee Vers 11. Deliuer vz. what in thee lyeth and by all the meanes thou canst them that are drawne to death i. them that are vniustlie oppressed by what meanes danger or extremitie soeuer it be Psal 79. they are called the children of death and wilt thou not vz. what in thee lyeth preserue vz. by thy power them that are led to be slaine vz. by others q.d. If thou doost it not it shall bee thy great sinne Vers 12. If thou say q.d. If thou wouldst lay for an excuse behold we knewe not of it vz. that he was ignorant q.d. though thou wouldest pretend ignorance of the man or the matter or both hee that pondreth the hearts i. God for this is a Periphrasis of him because to him only it belongeth to search the heartes and reynes dooth not hee vnderstand it vz. both his iust cause and thy neglect of his defence q.d. certainely he doth and will take the matter into his owne hands as followeth in this verse and he that keepeth thy soule i. defendeth thee thy selfe from danger and distresse whereinto thy neighbour is fallen and that to this end that thou shouldest helpe the oppressed see Esther 4.13 14. knoweth he it not q.d. it cannot be but that he doth knowe it and will reuenge it for in both places the interrogation or demaund importeth so much will not hee also recompense vz. vprightly and iustly and to the full euerie man vz. of what state or calling soeuer hee be according to his worke vz. which hee hath wrought see Psalm 62.13 Roman 2.6 Vers 13. My sonne see before Chap. 1.8 10. eate honie for it is good i. healthfull and profitable to the bodie and the honnie combe for it is sweete vnto thy mouth i. pleasant and delectable to thy taste q.d. there is two commodities come by it vz. profit and pleasure see Psal 19.10 Vers 14. So i. both profitable and pleasant shall the knowledge of wisdome i. the vnderstanding feeling and practise of Gods word for so large is the word knowledge in this place in my minde be vnto thy soule i. vnto thee thy selfe and yet hee dooth not without cause name the soule because therein consisteth both the beginning and continuance of all these things if thou finde it q.d. if thou once rightlie and truely finde it and laye holde of it and this hee speaketh because hee would not haue men goe away in an idle imagination of the thing not hauing the thing it selfe and there shall be an end vz. of thy studie and labor meaning such an end as he
these things builde thine house i. doo that that thou art to doo for thine owne good and the good of thy people and furnish so thy whole house with things necessarie to which purpose thou must of necessitie get in such things as are abroad wherevpon thou mayest liue within doores This may bee a good sense and yet I take this rather to bee his meaning that before he attempt any thing hee should be furnished with all the meanes whereby hee might performe it whether thinges in his owne ground or in other mens possessions Vers 28. Be not a witnesse vz. in any matter nor for any mans cause against thy neighbour i. against any speciallie against him that dwelleth nigh vnto thee without cause i. falsely for otherwise he doth not forbid to beare witnesse in a trueth for wilt thou deceaue vz. other men with thy lippes i. with thy words which thy lippes shall vtter a reason why men should not vse false witnes bearing because there is ioyned with it deceipt Vers 29. Say not i. neither thinke nor speake for if it be vnlawfull to speake it is vnlawfull to thinke J will if I liue or be able doo to him vz. that hath done me iniurie as hee hath done to me i. doo him iniurie or wrong I will recompense euery man vz. that dealeth iniuriously with me according to his worke vz. which he hath practised or performed against me see Chap. 20.22 Vers 30. I vz. trauailing passed by the field of the slothfull i. ground appertaining to an idle and sluggish person and by the vineyard of a man destitute of vnderstanding i. by a negligent and careles mans vineyard whom he saith to bee destitute of vnderstanding or as it is in the Hebrue voide of a heart because he seldome or neuer thinketh vpon his busines or affaires Vers 31. And lo it was all growne ouer with thornes i. lying vntilled and vnhusbanded it was barren and vnfruitfull for thornie ground is not good see Matth. 13.7 and nettles had couered the face thereof i. the vpper or outward part of it he noteth thereby the barrennes and vnfruitfulnes of it and the stone wall thereof i. that which was made for the defence of it was broken downe vz. so that it lay as it were a wast or common plot readie to be spoyled see Isaiah 5.5 Also Psalme 80.12 He noteth in this verse the confusion that idlenes worketh Vers 32. Then I beheld vz. both the ground and the discommodities which followed of idlenes and I considered it well i. I weighed it déepely in my minde and he speaketh of them both together as it were of one thing because they followe one another as the shadowe doth the bodie I looked vpon it vz. attentiuely and diligently and receiued instruction vz. thereby that I might learne by his example to beware of idlenes and sloth Vers 33. Yet a little sleepe These bee the words of the idle person who though he haue slept neuer so much yet desireth more a little slumber q.d. besides that I haue had counting notwithstanding euen a great deale but a litte a little folding of the hands to sleepe see Chapter 6.10 And also Chapter 19.15 where it is sayd that slothfulnes causeth sléepe Vers 34. So vz. as is before expressed by meanes of thy idlenes and slothfulnes thy pouertie i. the néede and want that thou must indure commeth vz. vppon thée and thine as one that trauaileth by the way i. very sodainlie and speedelie as the wayfaring man will not stay long or much till such time as hée come to his iornies end and thy necessitie i. that necessitie and want which through idlenes shall fall vppon thee and pinch thée like an armed man i. with great force and violence so that thou shalt not be able to resist or withstand it see Chap. 6.11 Verse 1. Teacheth vs to shunne fellowship and societie with the wicked Do. Verse 2. Doth not onely teach the disposition of the wicked and vngodlie but instructeth good men also to labour the reformation of their thoughts and words Vers 3. Teacheth vs that wisedome is able to bring great and hard things to passe Verse 4. Teacheth vs that wisedome is many times crowned with great store of pleasure and profite Vers 5. Teacheth vs that wisedome is better than strength Verse 6. Setteth out not onely the commodities that come by wisedome but also teacheth vs to attempt nothing but in a wise consideration of the same before hand Vers 7. Teacheth vs that wicked and worldly minded men cannot attaine heauenlie wisedome Vers 8. Teacheth vs to bridle our hearts from imagining euill Verse 9. Teacheth vs that wicked thoughts are sinne also to auoide scorning and scoffing Verse 10. Teacheth vs in the daies of affliction to striue to bee of good courage Verse 11. Teacheth vs to vse all the power and lawfull meanes that GOD hath indued vs withall to deliuer the innocent being oppressed Verse 12. Teacheth vs that ignorance of any matter will be no excuse before God it setteth out also the knowledge and prouidence of God and manifesteth Gods great and eternall iustice Vers 13. Teacheth vs with moderation and thankes giuing to receiue and vse the blessings of God Verse 14. Teacheth vs to imbrace holie and heauenlie wisedome for the fruites and effects that it will worke in vs. Verse 15. Teacheth vs to doo no iniurie to any but specially to the good people Verse 16. Teacheth vs that many are the miseries of the righteous but the Lord deliuereth them out of all Verse 17. Teacheth vs not to reioyce at the miserie hurt or hinderance of any Verse 18. Teacheth vs first that God seeth all things secondly that for the sinne of hard hartednes he punisheth very sharply Verse 19. Teacheth vs that the prosperitie of the wicked should not make vs either to murmur against God or to bee malitious against the vngodly themselues Verse 20. Teacheth vs that the prosperous and florishing estate of the wicked shall soone come to an end Vers 21. Teacheth vs to obey first God and then in and for God the Magistrate also to beware of seditious and rebellious people Verse 22. Doth teach vs not onely what great iudgement shall ouertake the wicked but also how sodainlie it shall come vpon them Vers 23. Teacheth vs to cast from vs all respect of persons Vers 24. Teacheth vs not to flatter or commend the vngodly in their sinne Verse 25. Teacheth vs to rebuke plainlie according to the notoriousnes of the offence any offending partie Verse 26. Teacheth vs that vpright and faithfull dealing both in words and deedes is the way to obtaine both reuerence and loue Verse 27. Teacheth men in wisedome to bee sure of the meanes to performe a thing by before they attempt the same Vers 28. Teacheth vs to beware of vniust of false witnes bearing Verse 29. Teacheth vs that we should not recompense euill with euill but rather ouercome euill with weldoing Verse 30 31 32 33
34. Tend all to the dispraise of idlenes and sloth shewing what effects it bringeth foorth as first vnfruitfulnes and barrennes of ground Verse 31. Secondarilie speedie and vnauoidable beggerie Vers 34 32. Teacheth vs further this doctrine euen by the hurt of others to learne to make our owne good and profite as when we see any giuen to any vice to learne in the beginning of it in them to shunne it in ourselues CHAP. 25. Co. THis Chapter dependeth vpon the other thus that the holie Ghost proceedeth still in deliuering vnto vs more of Salomons prouerbes and sentences which may appeare by the word also vers 1. q.d. not onely these that you haue heard alreadie were Salomons but these that followe vnto the end of the booke Di. THis Chapter may bee diuided into three parts In the first he speaketh Di. 1 generally of Kings and Magistrates also he dealeth against proud boasters and vaineglorious persons and against contentious men and willeth men not to discouer secrets from verse 1. to the end of the 10. In the second Di. 2 he speaketh of seasonablenes of speach of good reproofes of faithfull messengers of false boasting of gentle words of moderate vse of pleasure and dealeth against ouer much boldnes against false witnesses vnfaithfull men and oppressors from verse 11. to the end of the 20. In the third he teacheth Di. 3 men to ouercome euill with weldoing to beware of receiuing reports and sheweth the discommodities of a brauling woman he speaketh of good tidings of the state of the godlie vnder tyrants of seeking mens owne glorie and praise and of not bridling the appetite from verse 21. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. THese vz. following as well as those that goe before are also parables of Salomon i. such as he himselfe spake and writ and seeme to be contained amongst those thrée thousand mentioned 1. King 4.32 Concerning the word parables see chap. 1.1 which the men of Hezekiah i. the seruants of King Hezekiah king of Iudah of him you may reade and of his acts 2. King chap. 18 19 20. copied out vz. of sundrie writings or bookes and made as it were but one bodie or matter of them Vers 2. The glorie of God is to conceale a thing secret i. because Gods iudgements are vnsearchable and his waies past finding out as Rom. 11.33 his glorie is so much the more great and excellent but the Kings honor is i. it is a very honorable and glorious matter for him to search out vz. very diligently and when hee hath found it to manifest the same vnto others a thing i. euery thing or matter that he may set out q.d. on the other side nothing is so honorable for a king as to looke throughly into all matters and to knowe euery thing and to make manifest euery thing that appertaineth to kingly dignitie and may get credite thereto Vers 3. The heauens in height vz. doo excéede mans knowledge and skill and the earth in deepenes vz. goeth beyond al the reach of his vnderstanding and reason and the Kings heart i. the imaginations deuises and actions that he thinketh vpon and performeth Here he putteth the heart for them all because it is the fountaine from whence they procéed can no man vz. how wise or cunning so euer he bee search out vz. by any meanes q.d. as the height of the heauens and the depth of the earth cannot certainlie bee comprehended of man so can no man search the affections of a King no not of any other as to haue a certaine knowledge thereof see 1. Cor. 2.11 Vers 4. Take i. let a man take the drosse from the siluer vz. after it is fined and there shall proceede vz. from the siluer so fined a vessell i. a good and a profitable vessell for the finer either for his vse or sake that fineth it Vers 5. Take away the wicked i. let the vngodlie bee remoued from the King i. from the Magistrates presence house court or kingdome and his throne i. his whole kingdome shall by that meanes be established vz. very certainlie and surely in righteousnes i. in vpright and iust dealing see Chap. 20.8 I would ioyne these two verses together and reade them as a similitude q.d. as when the drosse is remoued from the siluer there remaineth nothing but good and pure matter for the finer to frame a good vessell so the way to haue his kingdome established in peace and prosperitie is to take away the wicked for he resembleth the wicked to drosse the King to the finer and his kingdome to fined siluer or a vessel made thereof Ver. 6. Boast not thy selfe i. make no glorious shewe of the things thou hast either in wordes countenance apparell c. before the King i. in his presence court or kingdome and stand not vz. either ouer long or els gloriouslie in the place of great men i. either in their palaces or in such places as doo properly appertaine to them q.d. be content with thine owne place and calling He meaneth to drawe men from ambition and to teach them not to affect places or callings that are too high for them Vers 7. For it is better vz. by much or many degrees that it be said vnto thee vz. openly and before others that by them that are the rulers and gouernours of the house come vp hether vz. higher and so shouldest be exalted than thou to bee put lower vz. for lifting vp thy selfe too high and that to thy great shame in the presence of the prince i. before some great or noble personage whom thine eyes hath seene i. to whom thou hast drawne nigh that thou mightest very familiarly looke vpon him as it were see Luke 14.7 8 9 10. Vers 8. Goe not foorth vz. at any time out of thine owne house land or limites hastelie i. rashly vnaduisedly or without cause to strife vz. against thy neighbour or any man least vz. thou be thereby brought to such extremitie that thou knowe not what to doo vz. against thine aduersarie or in thine owne defence and this hée speaketh not onely because rashnes maketh men rush into vnlawfull thinges but depriueth them as it were for a time of all their senses in the end of thereof i. at the end of that strife and contention when thy neighbour i. he that dealeth against thee or against whom thou hast dealt hath put thee vz. by the sober and wise handling of his matters and thorowe thine owne rashnes and hastines to shame vz. before men Vers 9. Debate q.d. conferre rather quietlie betweene thee and him thy matter i. the cause that thou hast with thy neighbour i. with him whome thou hast to deale our Sauiour seemeth to giue the same counsell and to allude thereto Matth. 5.25 26. Matth. 18.15 and discouer not vz. at any hand the secret vz. of another man which is commited to thee to another vz. that is not acquainted with that cause Vers 10. Least hee that heareth
vs on to eating Verse 17. Teacheth vs to beware that we doo not by ouermuch resorting to our friends make them wearie of vs. Verse 18. Teacheth vs to flie false witnes bearing Verse 19. Teacheth vs to take heede that we trust not vntrustie persons Verse 20. Teacheth vs that honest and good mirth is a meane to put away heauines of heart Verse 21. Teacheth vs not onely to loue but also to doo good vnto our enemies Verse 22. Teacheth vs that God will leaue nothing vnrecompensed that we doo in his feare Verse 23. Teacheth vs to declare our disliking of slanderers both by word deede and countenance Vers 24. Setteth out the discommoditie that doth arise by brauling and contentious women Verse 25. Sheweth vs that good newes are delectable to the partie whom they concerne Verse 26. Sheweth that the godlie in the hands of the wicked are in a poore case Verse 27. Teacheth men not to seeke their owne glorie Verse 28. Teacheth men to bridle their appetites for feare of after-clappes and mischiefes that may otherwise insue CHAP. 26. Co. IN the latter end of the other Chapter he shewed that men should not seeke for honor and glorie and now in the beginning of this Chapter he sheweth to whom it doth not belong and by the contrarie to whom it doth appertaine Di. I Would diuide this Chapter into two parts onely In the first he dealeth Di. 1 chiefly and principally against such as are destitute of the heauenlie wisedome whom he calleth fooles not so much because they wanted wit as Di. 2 because they were destitute of the heauenly light and this reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the 12. In the second he dealeth more particular against idle and slothfull persons against busie bodies against deceitfull persons against talebearers and contentions people and against such persons as will craftilie colour the hatred of their heart with glorious and glosing speaches from verse 13. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. AS the snowe in the sommer and as the raine in the haruest are not meete i. as snowe and raine doo not agrée to those seasons therefore it is counted as a miracle to haue raine in wheate haruest 1. Sam. 12.17 And Ieremie writeth that while hée was in Iudea hée neuer sawe raine there in Iune and Iulie yea he affirmeth it to bee an impossible thing that any should fall there then so is honor vnseemely for a foole i. titles and places of honor appertaine not to him either because he knoweth not how to vse them or els abuseth them to the oppression of others and his owne hurt Vers 2. As the sparowe by flying vz. from place to place escapeth danger and the swallowe by flying escape vz. from hurt or snares so the curse that is causeles i. the curse that one man doth without cause or reason with to fall vpon another shall not come vz. vpon him whom he did without cause curse but shall passe away into the ayre as those birds doo Vers 3. Vnto the horse belongeth a whippe vz. to make him goe apace and couragiouslie to the asse a bridle vz. to rule and direct him in the way He speaketh this according to the custome of that countrie who did vse horses in warre as Psalm 20.7 Psalm 76.6 Prouerb 21.31 and asses to trauaile withall Genes 22.3 and a rodde to the fooles backe i. chastisements correction appertaineth to fooles see Prouerb 10.13 Also Chapter 17.10 Vers 4. Answer not a foole according to his foolishnes i. in talke and speach betweene thee and him deale not with him with bitter and cursed words as he doth with thee least thou also be like him vz. in that behalfe following his foolish veine q.d. vse wisedome in thy talke with fooles and marke diligently what when where and how thou speakest Vers 5. Answer a foole according to his foolishnes i. in speaches betwéene you deale with him according to the naughtines he doth bewray or commit least vz. thou not reprouing him he be wise in his owne conceit i. he take an occasion thereby to thinke better of himselfe than there is any cause why And so these contrarie sentences are reconciled not in respect of being silent in the first and speaking in the last as some haue thought but by answering in both hauing notwithstanding alwaies regard to the circumstances of time place persons manner of doing c. Vers 6. He vz. whosoeuer he be that sendeth a message vz. into any place or to any person by the hand of a foole i. by a foole himselfe or vnwise man a part that is the hand wherein consisteth power put for the whole q.d. he that committeth any thing either message or matter to a foolish fellowe to doo is vz. as vnwise in that behalfe as he that cutteth off the feete vz. of the messenger whom he sendeth meaning that he doth depriue himselfe of the meanes whereby his purposes should be performed for as one that lacketh his legges is not fit to goe on arrands so a foole is as vnfit to bee imployed about any thing because he wanteth wisedome diligence c. and drinketh iniquitie i. taketh that vnto him that will hurt him meaning the conceit and good opinion that he hath of a foole which is also iniquitie for he that iustifieth the wicked and condemneth the righteous sinneth both alike against the Lord. One giueth another sense and readeth it otherwise thus As though a man did cut off a messengers feete so shall he drinke vp the punishment of violence that sendeth messages by a foole i. he doth as much iniurie to himselfe that sendeth a foole to be his messenger as he that cutteth off his owne messengers feete for neither can the foole performe things enioyned him neither he that hath his feete or legges cut off dispatch his iornie or message Vers 7. As they vz. lose their labour and doo an vnseemelie thing that lift vp the legges of the lame vz. thinking thereby to make a lame man goe of himselfe without the ayde helpe of another so vz. vnprofitable and vnseemelie is a parable i. a wise sentence in a fooles mouth i. vttered by a foolish and wicked man Some reade it otherwise giue it another sense but me thinketh this is plaine enough Vers 8. As the closing vp of a precious stone in an heape of stones i. amongst other common and contemptible stones q.d. it is a very vnseemely and fond thing for a man to place a precious iewell euen amongst stones of the stréet both because it shall be troden vpon and that is not the place for it so is he vz. fond and vnwise that is to say he is so to be accounted that giueth glorie to a foole he meaneth it of more glorie than belongeth vnto him Vers 9. As a thorne standing vp in the hand of a dronkard vz. is many times hurtfull both to himselfe and others so is a parable in the mouth of fooles see
man may be couered vz. for a season by deceit vz. of the partie whom it possesseth as by glorious words faire countenances and such like hypocriticall dealings but the malice thereof i. the chiefe mischiefe that it deuised and the extremitie and rigour of the same shall be discouered vz. in good time and that manie times without the hurt of him to whom mischiefe is pretended in the congregation i. before the people q.d. openly and plainely Ver. 27. He that diggeth a pit vz. for to take another man in it or to hurte him shall fall therein i. thorowe Gods iust iudgement shal be taken in the same snare see Psalm 7.15 also Ecclesiastes 10.8 and he that rolleth a stone vz. vpwards and as it were towards the top of an hill it shall returne vz. with violence vnto him i. vpon him and to his owne hurte Vers 28. A false tongue i. a man that vseth his tongue to falshoode and lying howsoeuer he flatter with his words for a time yet he hateth vz. in heart and deede the afflicted i. him that is in pouertie and miserie and a flattering mouth i. the partie that vseth his mouth to flatterie causeth i. worketh and that by his flatterie ruine i. hurt and destruction and that to another man whilst beleeuing his fayre words he thinketh to bee in good estate when indéede he is nigh to danger and hurt Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs that godlie and wise men shoulde bee aduanced to titles and places of honor Vers 2. Teacheth vs that we should not feare rash curses and such as are vttered without cause and aduise Vers 3. Teacheth vs that correction is a good meane to amend men that goe astray Vers 4. Teacheth vs to beware that we fall not into the furie or follie of the vnwise Vers 5. Teacheth vs according to the notoriousnes of an offence committed in word to reprooue it Vers 6. Teacheth vs to make speciall choyce of them whome we will imploy about our affayres Vers 7. Teacheth vs that wise and graue speaches are vnseemely in the mouthes of foolish persons Vers 8. Teacheth vs not to giue glorie to any but to them to whome indeede it doth appertaine Vers 9. Teacheth vs that wise words in a fooles mouth are very hurtfull things Vers 10. Setteth out the iustice and iudgement of God against the wicked Vers 11. Teacheth vs that the vngodlie performe with greedines all naughtines and are hardly or not at all reclaymed from the same Vers 12. Teacheth vs to beware of trusting in our owne wit and wisdome Vers 13. Teacheth vs that the slothfull fayneth many excuses because he would not bee imployed in labor Vers 14. Teacheth vs that the sluggish person loueth his bed well Vers 15. Teacheth vs what fruites idlenes bringeth foorth vz. neglect and contempt euen of a mans selfe Vers 16. Teacheth vs that commonly the slothfull man standeth high in his owne iudgement and contemneth other men in respect of himselfe Vers 17. Teacheth vs to beware of busying our selues in other mens matters Vers 18 19. Teacheth vs neither to vse deceitfull dealings with our frendes neither to cloake it with any colorable words Vers 20. Teacheth vs to beware of tale carying Vers 21. Teacheth vs to shun the fostering of contention either in ourselues or others Vers 22. Teacheth vs not to beleeue euerie tale that is tolde vs though they seeme pleasant and profitable vnto vs. Vers 23. Teacheth vs that a friend in words onely and not in deede and trueth is not to bee much regarded Vers 24. Teacheth vs that with hatred there is commonly ioyned hipocrisie the better thereby to performe wickednes pretended Vers 25. Teacheth vs not by and by to trust euerie faire and fawning word Vers 26. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer hatred lye lurking a while yet God will discouer it in the end Vers 27. Setteth out Gods iustice against the imaginers deuisers and performers of wicked things Vers 28. Teacheth vs to beware of false speaches and flattering words CHAP. 27. Co. IN the last verse of the other Chapter hee spake against such persons as abused their tongues in lying and flatterie And now because such men are puffed vp into pride and boasting perswading themselues that with their tongues they will preuaile and doo great things he beginneth this Chapter and willeth men to take heede of vaine glorious boasting saying wee will doo this and wee will doo that c. Di. I Would diuide this Chapter into three partes The first reacheth from Di. 1 vers 1. to the ende of the 10. Wherein hee speaketh against boasters and vaineglorious persons and against anger and enuie hee speaketh also of rebukes of full and hungrie persons of inconstant men and of the pleasure and profit that commeth by old and faithfull frends The second reacheth Di. 2 from vers 11. vnto the end of the 19. Wherein he setteth out the duetie of parents and prouident persons teacheth men to beware of suertiship and flatterie and speaketh against contentious women and haste to wrath and prouoketh men to diligence in their calling The third reacheth from vers Di. 3 20. to the end of the Chapter wherein he speaketh of mans eyes of magistracie or gouernement of foolish persons of prouident painefull and rich men and of the bodilie giftes of this life which we receaue from the Lord and of the sole and right vse thereof Se. Vers 1. BOast not thy selfe vz. of any thing thou wilt doo to morrow i. against to morrow as though thou wouldst doo this and that see Iames 4.13 c. for thou knowest not vz. at any hand what a day may bring foorth i. what thinges may fall out in a dayes space q.d. In a dayes space some things may fall out which may hinder thee from the performance of that thou diddest boast thou wouldest doo the day following Vers 2. Let another man prayse thee vz. for well doing and not thine owne mouth i. thou thy selfe for it is not seemely for a mā to praise himself a stranger i. one that knoweth thee not and not thine owne lippes i. thine owne words vttered with thy lippes qd let another man praise thee rather than thou thy selfe Vers 3. A stone is heauie as may appeare by that it is carried downeward and the sande weightie vz. specially by reason of moisture in it but a fooles wrath vz. conceaued or vttered against another is heauier i. more intollerable and hard to be borne than them both i. than stones or sand Vers 4. Anger vz. conceaued against another man is cruell i. neuer leaueth off or is satisfied till it haue committed crueltie and wrath is raging i. ful of rage and furie see Iob. 5.2 but who can stand vz. fast and sounde without hurt before enuie i. before an enuious person q.d. enuie is more dangerous by much than anger or wrath Vers 5. Open rebuke vz. for a faulte committed is better vz. by many degrees than secret loue i. loue kept close and not
than secret loue Verse 6. Teacheth vs not to condemne our friends reprehensions nor to regard of our foes flatteries Verse 7. Teacheth vs to beware that we be not ouertaken with excesse and that hunger is the best sawce Verse 8. Teacheth vs to stand in the callings wherein God hath set vs. Verse 9. Teacheth vs what an excellent thing holie friendship and sound aduise is Verse 10. Teacheth vs not to forsake old friends for newe Verse 11. Teacheth children to striue to all goodnes Vers 12. Teacheth vs to labour to preuent Gods iudgement and to take heede of continuance and growth in sinne Verse 13. Teacheth vs to beware of rash and hastie suretiship Verse 14. Teacheth vs to beware of flattering or fanning vppon any speciallie without good cause Verse 15. Declareth what a continuall consumer a contentious woman is Verse 16. Teacheth vs that the rage of women will hardlie if at all bee kept vnder Verse 17. Teacheth vs that presence and conference of friends is a great meane to increase loue Verse 18. Teacheth vs that as the diligent reape profite by increase of their fruites so doth the painfull seruant promotion by obedience and diligence to his master Verse 19. Teacheth vs that a man many times either by his owne experience or other mens behauiours may enter deeplie into other men Verse 20. Teacheth vs that the sight and concupiscence of a man is vnsatiable Verse 21. Teacheth vs that men are to be esteemed according to the good things that God hath bestowed vpon them Vers 22. Teacheth vs that some men are so hardned in their sinne that there is no hope of their amendement Verse 23. Teacheth men to haue a prouident eye to the things wherewith God hath blessed them Verse 24. Teacheth vs the instabilitie and vncertaintie of riches Verse 25 26. Shewe that God giueth all his creatures for mans vse and great good Verse 27. Teacheth vs the moderate and sober vse thereof CHAP. 28. Co. THe holy Ghost in the beginning of this Chapter passeth from oeconomicall and houshold affaires which hee had dealt in in the latter ende of the other Chapter to more generall poynts as to the euill conscience of the wicked and the bold perswasion of the righteous and to speake of euill and good Magistrates c. Di. THis Chapter may be diuided into fowre partes In the first he speaketh Di. 1 of a good and euill conscience of godly and wicked magistrates of oppressors of godly and vngodly persons and of their seueral qualities of the godlie poore man and the wicked rich from vers 1. to the end of the 7. In the second he speaketh against vsurers contemners of Gods worde deuisers Di. 2 of wicked practises vngodly rich men also against keeping close of sinnes and against hardning of mens hearts in their iniquitie from vers 8. to the end of the 14. In the third he dealeth with wicked magistrates violent and froward people idle and slothfull men couetous and partiall persons Di. 3 and sheweth by the contrarie what good fruites come of vpright walking painefulnes faithfulnes c. from vers 15. to the end of the 21. In the fourth he intreateth of making haste to be rich of rebukes or reproofes of Di. 4 leud children of pride and hautines of heart of liberalitie towards the poore and of the exaltation and perishing of the wicked from vers 22. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. THe wicked i. euerie one of the wicked for hee vseth a nominatiue case singular with a verbe plurall as though hee would declare that one of the wicked flying the rest followe after flee i. indeuor to escape by all the meanes that they can when none pursueth vz. them except it be the testimonie of their owne conscience sée Psalm 53.5 And this seemeth to be taken from the great threatning which is pronounced in Gods lawe against the wicked Leuit. 26.36 but the righteous are bold vz. not with any trust in themselues but by the faith they haue in God and that in all their afflictions how great or how little so euer they be as a Lyon i. fearing nothing for as a Lyon feareth no other beasts so shal not they dread any tempests whatsoeuer Vers 2. For the transgression of the land i. for the sinnes that the people inhabiting the land doo commit there are many princes i. rulers and gouernors of it not at one time as some haue thought though that be a great confusion but by often changing euery one of them raigning but a small season but by a man of vnderstanding and knowledge i. by wise men and magistrates specially such as feare God he putteth one for many a realme likewise indureth long i. a kingdome on the contrarie side is preserued a great while see Hosea 13.11 The holy ghost meaneth that whereas in any common wealth or kingdome either the princes or the people or both departe from their duetie there are often changes but where either both states or any one of them yea some wise man amongst them dooth by his authoritie guide and gouerne the whole or some parte of them in vprightnes there the state is durable and florishing see 2. Samuel 20.16 c. Vers 3. A poore man i. a man of a meane estate if he oppresse vz. either by fraude or by force by bargayning or otherwise the poore vz such as he himselfe is whose cause he should tender and pittie because in them hee is put in minde of his owne estate is like a raging rayne i. is like great riuers and floods which arise by abundance of rayne or els like a great storme and tempest of rayne that leaueth vz. remayning vpon the land or behind it no foode vz. for cattel or men to liue vpon whereupon must followe of necessitie great famine Vers 4. They that forsake the lawe vz. of God and will not haue it to be the rule of their life prayse vz. very highly the wicked vz. man or men euen such as are like themselues but they that seeke the Lord vz. earnestly and with an vnfeined heart striue to performe it set themselues vz. both in word and déed against them i. against such notorious wicked persons Vers 5. Wicked men i. giuen to wickednes vnderstand not iudgement i. knowe not or regarde not to performe their dueties to God and man but they that seeke the Lord vz. earnestly and with an vnfeigned heart vnderstand all things i. knowe and indeuor to performe the dueties which they owe both to God and man see 1. Corinth 2.15 Vers 6. Better vz. by many degrees is the poore vz. man that walketh i. leadeth a life and conuersation in his vprightnes i. vprightly and it is called his vprightnes not because he hath it of himselfe but because the Lord hath giuen it him than he vz. whosoeuer hee bee that peruerteth his waies vz. from the light and trueth of the word of God which is the onely way of righteousnes though he be
rich i. though he be neuer so rich or of neuer so great credit And wheÌ„ he saith it is better wee must not vnderstand him as though the other were good for it is alwaies a vile thing to goe astray from the holy commandement but hee speaketh here according to the common custome of men see Prouerb 19.1 Vers 7. He that keepeth i. indeuoreth to keepe and that vnfeynedly and with a good heart the lawe vz. of GOD and the good instructions that his father shall giue him out of the same is a child of vnderstanding i. is and sheweth himself to be a wise and obedient child but hee that feedeth the gluttons vz. with his meate and so is familiarly acquainted and keepeth companie with them vnder glottons he meaneth al other vngodly ones whatsoeuer and yet he maketh speciall mention of them because hée vsed the word feeding shameth his father i. doth what in him lieth to bring his parents to shame and contempt for the leudnes of the sonne is many times ascribed to the parents and as hath been sundrie times before there is no greater griefe to them in this life than the leudnes and wickednes of their children see Chap. 10.1 Vers 8. He that increaseth his riches by vsurie and interest i. by any vnlawfull meane for vnder these two he comprehendeth all of what sorte soeuer they bee gathereth them vz. though happilie he himselfe think not so for him that will be mercifull to the poore i. not onely kinde minded but liberall handed also towards them q.d. the Lord dooth appoint that the riches the vsurer hath wickedly gotten shall be taken either from him or his posteritie and come into a good mans hand who will giue the poore that which was before taken from them vniustly sée Chap. 13.22 Vers 9. He vz. how great or how little soeuer hee bée that turneth away his eare from hearing the lawe vz. of GOD read or taught vnto him by turning away his eare he meaneth all maner of contemning and despising of it and by hearing hee meaneth all the exercises of the word as hearing reading meditating c. q.d. he that any manner of way contemneth either all or any of the exercises of Gods word his praier shall be abhominable vz. before the Lord. q.d. the Lord will loth and abhorre the prayer he maketh and not heare him see Chap. 21.13 where the same is spoken of contempt of the poore Vers 10. He that causeth i. indeuoreth to cause or els by perswasion at the length preuaileth the righteous to goe astray vz. from the way that God hath prescribed in his word by an euill way i. by causing him to turne into an euill way which God hath condemned shall fall into his owne pit i. shall not only loose the labor and time that hee spendeth in intisement and prouocation but shall thorowe Gods iust iudgement fall into the danger that he supposed the other should fall into sée Chap. 26.27 and the vpright vz. in heart whoâ—â— God shall haue stayed from falling shall inherit good things i. shall be blessed with great and continuall blessings contrarie to the imagination of the wicked who thought to bring him into all miserie and danger Vers 11. The rich man is wise in his owne conceate i. he deemeth so of himselfe because hee seeth all things to fall out prosperously vnto him but the poore vz. man that hath vnderstanding vz. of Gods will reuealed in his word can trie him i. by the light that God hath giuen him can diligently consider and weigh his whole life and actions and that not by outward shewe onely as the rich man doth but by the rule and word of God q.d. The rich man looketh not vpon himselfe but vpon his substance and by that iudgeth of himselfe but the wise man though he be a poore man iudgeth by another rule both himselfe and the rich man Vers 12. When the righteous men reioyce i. when good men are exalted to dignitie and honor he putteth that which followeth glorie to wit gladnes for glorie it selfe there is great glorie i. there is all kinde of honor and goodnes but when the wicked come vp vz. to authoritie and credit in the common wealth the man i. euerie man is tryed vz. what is in him and what he hath q.d. when good men rule all are in good case and the common wealth florisheth but when the wicked are aloft no man doth safely possesse the things hee hath but either by fraude or by force euen the seacretest things hee hath are searched out and looked into that they may bee a pray to the vngodly see Chap. 11.10 11. also verse the last of this Chap. and Chap. 29.2 Vers 13. He that hideth his sinnes vz. which hee hath committed meaning by hiding cloaking or couering of them from God which he cannot doo or concealing them from men or lessening them when they are made manifest shall not prosper vz. long either before GOD or men but he that confesseth them vz. vnfeynedly and fully either before God if they be secret or before men if they be open and forsaketh them i. loatheth and abhorreth them carrying with him a purpose neuer to fall into the like shall haue mercie i. shall obtaine grace and fauour before God and man sée 1. Iohn 1.9 also Psalme 32.5 Vers 14. Blessed vz. euen before God howsoeuer hee séeme miserable in his owne eyes or othermens iudgements is the man vz. of what state or condition soeuer he be that feareth alway vz. to offend God and breake his lawe neither is this continuall feare against stedfast trust in GOD but is put downe as a fruite of faith and repentance see 2. Corinth 7.11 but he vz. whosoeuer he bee that hardneth his heart vz. against God and his lawe so that he either regardeth not or feareth not to breake Gods precepts shall fall into euill i. it cannot be auoided but that he must runne into sundrie sortes of sinnes and at the end into Gods most fearefull iudgements Vers 15. As a roaring Lyon vz. is fearefull and terrible to the rest of the beastes of the Forrest Amos. 34. and an hungrie Beare vz. that runneth vp and downe for to seeke a pray will neuer bee in quiet till it bée obteyned so is a wicked ruler i. cruel and deuouring ouer the poore people vz. that cannot resist him no more than the lambe the Lyon or the Ridde the Beare hee meaneth that a tyrant spoyling and praying vpon the weake and poore people dooth in his rage and crueltie exceede all brute beastes Vers 16. A prince destitute of vnderstanding i. voyde of the knowledge of Gods wil reuealed in his worde is also vz. as well as the tirannous ruler a great oppressor vz. of the poore he sheweth that the lacke of the knowledge of the trueth of Gods word is the mother and nurse of all naughtines in magistrates but he that hateth vz. vnfeynedly from his heart couetousnesse i. the desire of hauing
more than he hath and will not seeke by any vnlawfull meanes to get money shall prolong his dayes vz. vppon the earth before men for I take it to bee but the promise of a temporall blessing Vers 17. A man that dooth violence against the blood of a person i. hee that in rage and violence doth shed mans blood or take away his life shall flie vnto the graue i. shall make haste vnto destruction because all meanes that hee looked and hoped for shal fatle him and they i. neither men nor meanes which he reposed some confidence in shall not stay him i. shall not bee able to staye him or deliuer him from death and destruction q.d. it shall so fall out that the murtherer thinketh himselfe in no place safe and flying from place to place as Caine saith of himselfe according to Gods iudgement pronounced before Genes 4.12 14. shall fall into such great danger as none shall haue either abilitie or will to deliuer him there from see Genesis 9.6 Exodus 21.14 Vers 18. He that walketh vprightly i. he that leadeth a godlie and iust conuersation see Chap. 10.9 Also verse 6. of this Chap. shall be saued vz. not onely from hurt and danger in this life according to Gods good pleasure but brought at the end to eternal saluation but he that is froward in his waies i. leadeth a peruerse and dissolute life both towards God and men shall once vz. at the last though presently he seeme to stand strongly fall vz. into Gods most horrible and fearefull iudgements see 1. Cor. 10.12 Also Hebr. 10.31 Vers 19. He that tilleth his land i. painfully trauaileth in the vpholding and maintenance of the things wherewith God hath blessed him vnder one kind comprehending all the rest shall be satisfied with bread i. shall haue abundance of all necessarie and good things see Chap. 12.11 but he that followeth the idle vz. in their idlenes and is idle as they are shall be filled with pouertie i. shall bee most poore and miserable for beggerie is the end of idlenes Chap. 23.21 Also Chap. 24.34 Vers 20. A faithfull man i. he that dealeth vprightly and soundly with men deceiuing none which may appeare because in the Hebrue text he calleth him a man of faithfulnesse shall abound in blessings vz. both from God and man q.d. All men shall wish him good and speake well of him and he shall be blessed also of the Lord and I would rather turne it but he that maketh hast to be rich vz. not respecting whether it be by right or by wrong so he haue it but dealing vnfaithfully with men shall not bee innocent i. shall not bee counted cléere nor escape punishment before God and good men for this phrase see Chapter 6.29 For making hast to be rich see Chapter 20.21 Vers 21. To haue respect of persons vz. in iudgement as to regard a great man and to despise a poore man is not good i. it is hurtfull and euill not onlie to the partie vsing it but to the man that thereby is iniured and wronged yea to the partie that hath that fauour shewed him because he is flattered as though he had a good cause when indeed he maintaineth a bad one see chap. 24.23 for that man vz. that so respecteth or regardeth mens persons will transgresse vz. Gods lawe and mans lawe by peruerting iudgement for a peece of bread i. for a very small matter or a thing of no importance for this phrase see Chap. 6.26 Vers 22. A man with a wicked eye i. that hath a wicked eye meaning thereby a miserable niggardly and couetous person as Chap. 23.6 hasteth to riches i. maketh hast to be rich which how dangerous a thing it is see before verse 20. of this Chap. and knoweth not that pouertie shall come vpon him vz. sodainly and or euer he looke for it so doth God dispose of mens purposes and practises Vers 23. He that rebuketh a man vz. vpon iust cause and in the spirit of loue and méekenes shall finde more fauour vz. of him which is so rebuked at the length q.d. though at the first the one seeme to be displeased the other to get no good than he that flattereth vz. another man with his tongue i. with his speach and words vttered with his tongue Some reade it otherwise and giue another sense but this is as good and plaine in my minde if not better Ver. 24. He that robbeth his father and mother i. spoyleth them of the goods and things they haue and saith vz. either within himselfe or to others it is no transgression vz. against God or man is the companion of a man that destroyeth vz. himselfe or others q.d. he is to be reckoned with a murtherer And the holie ghost doth not onely speake this as though hée would haue men so to esteeme of such prodigall and wastfull children who if they could tarie the Lords leisure should bee heires of their fathers goods but that hée would also haue Magistrates to punish them for it q.d. a stubborne childe that ryotously consumeth his fathers goods and scorneth at the admonition of his parents should as well be punished by death as a man murtherer see Deut. 21.18 19 c. Vers 25. He that is of a proude heart vz. either against GOD or man trusting in himselfe and not in the Lord stirreth vp strife vz. amongst others and that to his owne hurt but he that trusteth vz. stedfastly and vnfeignedly in the Lord vz. onely shall be fat i. shall bee abounding with all manner of blessings from the Lord see Chap. 11. verse 25. and the text according to the Hebrue set in the margine Ver. 26. He that trusteth in his owne heart i. in himselfe or any thing belonging vnto him is a foole i. a wicked man and therefore cannot chuse but perish but he that walketh in wisedome i. wisely q.d. he that prudently behaueth himselfe and continually hearkeneth to the counsell and precepts of wisedome following the same and not his owne minde and fond perswasion leaning vpon himselfe onely shall be deliuered vz. through Gods goodnes and that from manifest and manifold euills Vers 27. He that giueth vz. liberallie willinglie and freelie vnto the poore i. to such as are in néede and distresse shall not lacke vz. any thing that God shall see to be good and méete for him but he that hideth his eyes vz. from the poore or beholding of their miserie meaning hereby he that wanteth compassion towards them shall haue many curses vz. laied vpon him from God and become himselfe most miserable and needie He meaneth not that the people should curse him as though that were allowable in them but that God should pursue him with most grieuous plagues Vers 28. When the wicked rise vp vz. to honor and are exalted to gouernment men hide themselues vz. euen for feare q.d. there is great occasion giuen of feare and trembling but when they perish i. when the wicked and vngodly
decay or dye the righteous increase vz. both in number and in courage because those that for feare kept themselues close before doo then boldly bewray themselues see verse 12. of this Chapter Do. Vers 1. Teacheth what great difference there is betweene the testimonie of a good conscience and an euill conscience Verse 2. Teacheth vs that the sinnes of the people pull vpon them all alterations of state also what a good blessing it is to haue a good Magistrate Verse 3. Teacheth vs that there is no oppression to the oppression that one poore man exerciseth towards another Verse 4. Teacheth vs to be so farre off from commending the vngodlie that wee must rather by all meanes lawfull oppose and set our selues against them Verse 5. Sheweth that God reuealeth his will and all good things to them that seeke him vnfeignedly Vers 6. Teacheth vs that no good man should be despised for his pouertie nor no wicked man esteemed for his riches Verse 7. Teacheth vs to haue care and conscience to walke in the obedience of Gods lawe also to beware of keeping companie with gluttons and dronkards and to take heede that we bring not our parents name into discredite and obloquie Verse 8. Teacheth vs to auoide vsurie and interest also that man purposeth one thing but that God doth according to his pleasure dispose it another way Verse 9. Teacheth vs to beware that we offer no contempt to the word nor any exercises therof also that the praiers of such as despise Gods word are abominable in his sight Verse 10. Teacheth vs what punishments shall fall vppon the intisers and prouokers of other men to mischiefe and also what graces GOD will powre vpon his owne seruants Vers 11. Teacheth vs that a poore man which is wise is better than a rich man that is foolish Verse 12. Teacheth vs that it is a great blessing to haue good gouernours and that it is a great testimonie of Gods wrath when the Magistrates are euill Verse 13. Teacheth vs humblie and vnfeignedlie to confesse our sinnes and not at any hand to couer them Verse 14. Teacheth vs alway to stand in awe of Gods iustice and iudgement and of offending his Maiestie and to take continuall heede that wee haue not our hearts hardened through the deceitfulnes of sinne Vers 15. Setteth out the crueltie and rapine of wicked Magistrates Verse 16. Doth the same declaring further that it is a goodly vertue for al but especially for magistrates to hate couetousnes Verse 17. Teacheth vs that God will neuer suffer man murtherers to be vnpunished Verse 18. Teacheth vs holie conuersation and that we should decline from euery crooked path Verse 19. Teacheth vs to be diligent in our callings and to auoide idlenes Vers 20. Teacheth vs faithfulnes and vprightnes in all our dealings and to beware of desire to be sodainlie rich Verse 21. Teacheth Iudges and Magistrates not to respect any mans person in iudgement Verse 22. Doth liuely paint out the mind and condition of miserable and niggardly men shewing also that none can bee rich without Gods especiall blessing Verse 23. Teacheth vs as on the one side plainlie and charitablie to reproue so on the otherside to beware of flatterie and dissimulation Verse 24. Teacheth vs first to beware of vnnaturalnes towards our parents secondlie to take heed that we doo not iustifie our sinnes and thirdly it declareth how grieuous disobedience and vnnaturalnes towards parents is Verse 25. Teacheth vs to trust in nothing neither within vs nor without vs but in the Lord onelie Verse 26. Teacheth vs that obedience to godly wisemen shall be a meane to deliuer men from many dangers Vers 27. Teacheth vs to be liberal towards the poore and to beware of hard heartednes towardes them Verse 28. Sheweth in what a miserable case good men are when euill Magistrates are set vp and in what good case they are when it pleaseth the Lord to remoue them and to take them away CHAP. 29. Co. IN the 23. and 28. verses of the former Chapter he had spoken of rebukes and of wicked Magistrates and now as it were resuming those matters againe he sheweth in the beginning of this Chapter and namely vers 1 2. what an euill thing it is to harden a mans heart against rebukes and to haue an euill Magistrate and ruler and so from these proceedeth on to other matters in the Chapter Di. Di. 1 THis Chapter may bee diuided into three parts The first reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 9. wherein he speaketh of such as contemne admonitions of wicked Magistrates of whorehunters of bribers of flatterers of the wicked and the godlie of scorners and such as can endure no reproofe Di. 2 howsoeuer vttered The second reacheth from verse 10. to the end of the 18. wherein he speaketh of cruell men of fooles of credulous Magistrates of the poore and vsurer of a good King of correction of children of the wicked and the godlie and of the want of the word how hurtfull it Di. 3 is The third reacheth from verse 19. to the end of the Chapter wherein he dealeth against euill seruants against hastie men against angrie persons against proude men against theeues and theft and sheweth what it is to trust in the Lord and not in men declaring that the godlie cannot abide the vngodlie nor the vngodlie the godlie Se. Vers 1. A Man i. any man of what calling so euer he be that hardneth his necke i. that willingly submitteth not himself it is a metaphore taken frō oxen or other beasts that refuse the yoke which should bée put vpon their necke and will not bowe their necke vnto it when he is rebuked vz. iustly of others for his transgressions and the hebrue phrase as I take it importeth some what more for hee is called a man of rebukes that is such a one as hath been sundrie and seuerall times reprooued of others for his naughtines shall sodainely be destroyed vz. euen then when he thinketh least of it and cannot bee cured vz. by any meanes of the afflictions that God shall lay vpon him for the contempt of corrections and admonitions which God himself and his children gaue him he meaneth that he shal be destroyed and that there shall be no remedie nor hope of restoring Vers 2. When the righteous are in authoritie vz. ouer others the people reioyce i. they haue good cause giuen them to bee merrie and glad but when the wicked beareth rule the people sigh vz. euen for griefe and sorrow of heart or at the least they haue a good cause so to doo see Chap. 11.10 also Chap. 28.12 28. Vers 3. A man that loueth vz. vnfeynedly wisdome i. heauenly wisdome reioyceth his father i. maketh his parents glad thereby see Chap. 10.1 also Chap. 15.20 but hee that feedeth harlots vz. with the goods and substance hee hath meaning hereby not onely keeping companie with them but mainteyning them also wasteth his substance i. consumeth all that
he hath and commeth in the end to beggerie see Chap. 5.9 also Chap. 6.26 see also Luke 15.13 Vers 4. A king i. a good king and ruler by iudgement i. by faithfull execution of iustice and iudgement to euerie one without partialitie of persons maintaineth vz. in peace and prosperitie the countrey vz. wherein God hath placed him to raigne or whereof through Gods appoyntment he is made ruler and gouernor but a man receauing giftes vz. to peruert iudgement that is a magistrate which is a bribe taker destroyeth it i. doth what in him lyeth to pull destruction vpon it and to ouerthrowe it Vers 5. A man that flattereth his neighbor i. speaking him faire when hee shoulde reprooue him and calling euill good in him spreadeth a net for his steppes i. goeth about secretly to hurte and hinder him or els layeth waite for his life q.d. while he flattereth him he laieth snares and grinnes for him to catch him in euen as the fowler doth for the bird and laboreth to bring him into euill Vers 6. In the transgression of an euill man i. in the very sinne that a wicked man committeth is his snare i. is his owne snare to catch him in q.d. the wicked neede nothing to intangle them but their owne sinne but the righteous i. such as haue a care for righteousnes of life doo sing and reioyce vz. because they feare no snares or intanglings q.d. the wicked mans sinne doth at the last bring with it sorrowe and heauinesse but the godly doo possesse grace and ioy Vers 7. The righteous knoweth the cause of the poore i. doth not onely in his iudgement approoue it but laboreth that right also according thereto may bee yeelded vnto him but the wicked regardeth not knowledge i. hee hath no right knowledge to looke into or to defend the cause of the poore for he that vnderstandeth a cause and defendeth it not as it is good is as though he vnderstoode it not at all yea his not regarding of it is as much as if hee neglected it vtterly Vers 8. Scornefull men i. men giuen to scoffing and scorning specially of good things bring a citie vz. in which they dwell into a snare i. into very great danger and bee as it were the authors of the ruine thereof but wise men i. such as are rightly wise indeede for many haue the shewe of wisdome and not the thing turne a way vz. from it and that by their wisdom wrath i. either the wrath of God or of men conceiued and ready to be practised against it Vers 9. If a wise man contend vz. by word or otherwise meaning by this speach reasoning with him for his amendment with a foolish man i. with a wicked and vngodly man whether he i. the iust man be angrie i. deale roughly or hardly with him or laugh i. deale more gentlie or mildly with him there is no rest i. hee gaineth neither ease nor profit by it the other is so incorrigible q.d. what way soeuer a wise man vse to reforme a foole yet he preuaileth nothing but the other remaineth still in his frowardnes and peruersnes Vers 10. Bloodie men i. cruell and hard hearted men which are giuen to shedding of blood hate vz. deadly and pursue euen vnto the death him that is vpright vz. in his waies meaning such a one as looketh narrowly to his steps either towards God or man but the iust i. godly and kinde harted people whome hee calleth iust because of the fruites of iustice and righteousnes which they shewe foorth haue care of his soule i. care greatly to mainteine and defend his life which the vngodly would faine take away Vers 11. A foole powreth out all his minde i. he hath nothing within him but hée will easilie bewray it but a wise man keepeth it in till afterward i. hee conteyneth whatsoeuer hee hath in his minde that hee may afterwards vtter it in time and place most commodious and fit for it see chap. 14.33 also chap. 15.2 28. Vers 12. Of a prince that hearkeneth to lyes i. not onely heareth them but consenteth vnto them all his seruants are wicked for such as the king is such commonly his officers are wont to be Vers 13. The poore vz. man and the vsurer i. the rich he giueth rich men this name eyther because commonly vsurers are rich men or els because they attaine their riches by vsurie meete together i. are conuersant and liue here together in this life and the Lord lighteneth both their eyes i. giueth either of them their life and being see Iohn 1.9 Acts. 17.28 or as hee saide before Chap. 22.2 the Lord is the maker of them all and not onely this but preserueth and mainteyneth them in the same Vers 14. A king i. euerie Magistrate but he nameth him because he is chiefe that iudgeth the poore in trueth i. dooth pronounce true and vpright iudgement for the afflicted not pitying his cause for his neede sake nor yet wronging him therefore his throne i. his kingdome and gouernment a part put for the whole shall bee established for euer i. it shall continue and indure long see Chap. 20.28 also Chap. 25.5 Vers 15. The rodde and correction vz. giuen with the same vsed yet moderatly and tempered according to the notoriousnes of the fault giue wisedome i. are instruments and meanes to make the parties vpon whom they are occupied wise but a child set at libertie vz. to followe his owne will and doo what he lusteth and not being restrained there from maketh his mother ashamed vz. by his dissolutenes and lewdnes meaning vnder shame not onely reproach before people but also inward griefe and sorow of her owne hart see cha 13.24 also cha 22.15 also cha 23.13 14. Vers 16. When the wicked are increased vz. either in number or in authoritie as being exalted to gouernement transgression increaseth vz. by that meanes for the more wicked people the more sinne and the higher a man is in authoritie if he be naught the more boldly dare he offend the more often also but the righteous shall see their fall i. the destruction and ouerthrowe of the vngodly see Psal 91.8 also Malach. 4. almost throughout Vers 17. Correct thy sonne vz. for his fault meaning by sonne children one of one sexe being put for many of both sexes and he will giue thee rest i. thou shalt see pleasure and profit insue thereupon vnto thee and will giue pleasures to thy soule i. he shall greatly delight thee both inwardly and outwardly so that thy whole man shal take delight and pleasure in him see cha 13.24 also vers 15. of this Chapter Vers 18. Where there is no vision i. where there is no sounde and sincere preaching of Gods doctrine out of the lawe and prophets now as the doctrine is here called a vision and so likewise Isaiah 1.1 so the prophets and messengers thereof are called seers 1. Samuel 9.9 for vision see also Samuel 3.2 the people decay i.
vs that earnest praier to God is the meane to obtaine from him such things as we neede Verse 8. Teacheth vs to hate vanitie and lyes also to pray for contentednes in whatsoeuer state GOD shall place vs. Verse 9. Teacheth vs that riches commonly breede pride and pouertie distrust in God and theeuerie vnlesse men be marueilously assisted with grace from him Verse 10. Teacheth vs to beware of al false accusations Vers 11. Teacheth vs to beware how we practise frowardnes and vnnaturalnes towards our parents Verse 12. Teacheth vs to take heed of hypocrisie and that we thinke not our selues holie when indeede wee are filthie Verse 13. Teacheth vs to beware of pride and of all outward shewes appertaining thereto Verse 14. Teacheth vs to shunne violence and oppression of others Vers 15 16. Teach vs to beware of couetousnes and an insatiable desire of riches Verse 17. Declareth what punishment shall fall vpon contemptuous and disobedient children Verse 18 19 20. Teach and set out not only the vnsearchablenes of a harlots heart but the hypocrisie that is in her yea euen then when she hath committed filthines Verse 21. Teacheth vs that confusion and disorders should make men yea and the earth it selfe to tremble and shake Verse 22. Sheweth vs that gouernement is not meet for a man of meane condition and that abundance and riches cannot agree with a foole Verse 23. Teacheth vs that it is a great confusion for a man to marie another mans wife that without iust cause is diuorced from her also that it is an vnseemely thing for a master to marie his maid-seruant Verse 24. Teacheth vs that wee may many times learne good instructions euen from the least of Gods creatures Verse 25. Teacheth vs in the Pismire to learne in time conuenient to prouide for vs and those that depend vpon vs. Verse 26. In the examples of the mice of the mountaines to bee laborious and diligent in those things that concerne our owne good Vers 27. Teacheth vs by the Grashopper to learne to ioyne together in order and vnitie though wee had none to conduct and leade vs. Verse 28. Teacheth vs that we should not inshame leane off our worke for any mans presence no more than the spider doth hers in the Kings pallace Vers 29. Teacheth vs that we may euen in the creatures many times behold excellent qualities that God the creator hath put into them Verse 30. Sheweth that in the lyon there is great courage Verse 31. Teacheth vs that there is great liuelines and swiftnes in a horse and that there is also great maiestie in a good Prince Verse 32. Teacheth vs to beware of pride and also to take heede that wee conceiue no euill in our thoughts or if we doo to represse it there and not to let it breake forth either in words or deedes Verse 33. Teacheth vs rather to beate downe wrath and contention in our selues and others than to foster it our selues or others CHAP. 31. Co. THe holie Ghost in the other Chapter had interposed certaine notable and godlie speaches of one Agur the sonne of Iaketh betweene some sentences of Salomons before going and those now following which being dispatched he returneth againe in this Chapter and putteth downe certaine graue speaches that Salomon speaketh as it were from his mothers mouth Di. THis whole Chapter being an exhortation of Salomons mother made to him may bee diuided into two parts In the first with wonderfull mother Di. 1 like affections she instructeth him to beware of whoredome and dronkennes and teacheth him how to behaue himselfe in the publike gouernment of his kingdome from verse 1. to the end of the 9. In the second she Di. 2 doth excellently paint out and Salomon as from her mouth deliuereth the same the vertues and qualities of good women which in summe are these she loueth and obeieth her husband flieth sloth is liberall towardes her household is an example of diligence labour godlines looketh into the waies of her people taketh care of her children and greatly feareth the Lord from verse 10. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. THe words of King Lemuel i. which he himselfe spake hauing before receiued them as instructions from his mother no doubt but this Lemuel was Salomon because he is named a king the prophecie i. an excellent doctrine which also for the notablenes thereof might bee estéemed as a prophecie see Chap. 30.1 which his mother vz. Bathsheba 2. Samuel 12.24 taught him vz. being certainly perswaded that God had ordained him to be king as appereth 1. King 1.13 What time she taught him as whether it was before he was king or after it is vncertaine and yet I suppose rather before than after because then he was indued with most singular wisedome see for this purpose Chapter 4.3 4. Vers 2. What my sonne vz. I say vnto thee she beginneth as it were with a doubt which doth notablie expresse not onely her motherly affection but also most euidently declareth the grauitie and weight of the speach following what the sonne of my wombe i. my naturall sonne and most tender and deare vnto me see Isaiah 49.15 and what O the sonne of my desires i. whom I haue not onely greatly desired but for whose cause also I haue made and performed many vowes vnto the Lord for so much the worde importeth as mothers were wont to do for their children specially for their males or sonnes sée 1. Samuel 1.11 Vers 3. Giue not thy strength vnto women i. to strange women or harlots by strength she vnderstandeth not onely his substance but also the very powers and strength of his bodie and minde see before Chap. 5.9 10. nor thy waies i. make not thy indeuours purposes and actions knowne to such which is to destroy Kings q.d. that will doo nothing els but bring destruction vpon Kings and Kingdomes see Deut. 17.17 Vers 4. It is not for Kings O Lemuel i. it doth not belong vnto them to drinke wine vz. excessiuely or immoderatly nor for Princes vz. it doth not belong vnto them neither by Princes he meaneth such as pronounce sentence of law to others strong drinke i. to drink strong drinke excessiuely or immoderatly Wine and strong drinke soberly vsed are not here forbidden but dronkennes for Kings and Magistrates are to vse the one soberly and carefully to flie the other because the whole people is committed to their charge least also being ouercome with wine they should forget their office and duetie as followeth in the next sentence Vers 5. Least he a reason of that which goeth before and marke how sodainly he changeth the number from the plurall to the singular drinke vz. ouermuch and forget vz. by that meanes the decree i. not onely the lawe and ordinance of God but also the certaine and appoynted order of lawe and equitie and change i. turne vpside downe and peruert as where he should helpe and succour to hurt and hinder the iudgement i. the right
sentence and iudgement of al the children of affliction i. of al those that are greatly afflicted meaning least being ouercome with drinke he should pronounce a wrong sentence against them And he maketh speciall mention of these rather than of the rich because they are more subiect to iniurie and oppression and for the most part are vsually neglected and contemned Vers 6. Giue ye strong drinke vnto him q.d. I will shewe you to whom abundance of wine and strong drinke appertaineth that is readie to perish vz. through the manifold afflictions both inward and outward that lye vpon him Some interprete it to such as are condemned to death and readie to be executed for their faults but I rather vnderstand it of those that are afflicted either inwardly or outwardly by reason of some great calamitie and wine i. giue wine vnto them i. vnto such a sodaine change of the number he sayd before him now he saith them that haue griefe of heart i. are sad and heauie at their heart which also they testifie by heauines of countenance Vers 7. Let him drinke vz. either of wine or strong drinke that he may forget vz. thereby his pouertie i. the pouertie and want that lieth vpon him and vnder one kind he comprehendeth all his calamities or euills and this sheweth that it cannot well be referred to thē that by law are appoynted to dye but to such as are otherwise afflicted and remember his miserie i. the miserie that he is in no more vz. for a long while for wine or strong drinke dispatcheth mens cares and casteth all carefull burthens for the time out of their mindes Vers 8. Open thy mouth i. speake boldly and plainly for the dumme i. for such as cannot defend themselues either for feare of their mightie aduersaries or els dare not doo it or haue no skill to lay open their owne causes q.d. defend them boldly and that in publike iudgement which are not able or meete to defend and declare their owne cause and right whether they bee dumme deafe blinde or any other manner of way distressed for vnder one he comprehendeth all yea the rather for their wants should the Magistrate succor them in the cause q. d yea open thy mouth in the iust cause and defence of all the children of destruction i. of all such as are in great miserie and in the present danger of their liues as it were see Psalm 79.11 Verse 9. Open thy mouth this is expounded before ver 8. and yet he repeateth it not againe without cause thereby declaring how hardly men are brought to the performance of their dueties iudge righteouslie vz. to euerie man not respecting the person of any and iudge vz. vprightly and soundly the afflicted and the poore i. such as are in miserie and want many things or rather haue nothing of their owne for somuch one of the hebrue words here signifieth Vers 10. Who shall finde vz. by any thing that he himselfe can doo a vertuous woman i. a good and holy woman indued with blessed vertues he speaketh thus in the way of a question not onely because good women are hard to be founde for the scarsitie of them as Eccles 7.30 but also because such women are Gods rare and singular giftes see Chap. 18.22 also chap. 19.14 for her price is farre aboue the pearles q.d. she is not onely as rare as most precious stones but being once obtayned a man cannot set too great a price or value of hir And I take this parte of the Chapter to depend vpon the former thus that Salomon after he had recited his mothers rules and doctrines deliuered vnto him doth by occasion thereof annexe therto the praise of a godly and painfull matrone beginning euery verse with the seuerall letters of the Alphabet as Psalm 119. dooth also Psalm 145. and some of the Chapters of Ieremiahs lamentations Vers 11. The heart of hir husband trusteth in her vz. not onely for hir chastitie but also doth vnfeynedly commit the gouernement and disposing of the things that are within doore vnto hir and he shall haue no neede of spoyle vz. because by the labour and good gouernement of his wife hee shall waxe rich One readeth and spoyles want not i. his familie dooth abound in all good things euen as souldiers doo when they haue sacked a citie or ouercome their enemies but I allowe rather the former Vers 12. She will doo him good and not euill i. she will deserue well of him and neuer bee greeuous vnto him but alwaies shewe hir selfe pleasant and courteous and prouoke him to loue hir vnfeynedly by reason of the good dueties shee will performe towards him all the dayes of hir life i. continuallie so long as they shall liue to gether see Chapter 12.4 Verse 13. Shee seeketh vz. diligently and carefullie wooll and flaxe i. euerie manner of thing whereon shee may keepe hir houshold in worke for vnder these two hee comprehendeth all and laboreth cheerefullie with her hands i. she hir selfe layeth hir hands to worke as well as others and she taketh great delight and pleasure therein to the end that by hir example she may drawe them on Vers 14. Shee is like the shippes of Merchants he sheweth wherein in the next parte of this verse she bringeth hir foode from a farre q.d. as Merchants shippes fetch thinges necessary from farre countreyes and goe and come with all conunieent spéede losing as little time as possiblie they may so shee prouideth for hir familie yea euen from farre places many times all things meete for hir familie as meate drinke cloth c and spending as little time in the dooing of it as may be Vers 15. And she riseth vz. from hir sleepe and out of hir bed whiles it is yet night i. very early in the morning and that long before day speciallie in the winter season and giueth the portion vz. of meate and drinke allowed them for the day see Psalm 111.5 see also Luke 12.42 to hir houshold i. to euery one of hir houshold both old and yong and the ordinarie vz. of work and labor to hir maydes i. to hir seruants that she hath in house with hir q.d. shee both prouideth meate and worke for them because meate without worke breedeth idlenes and worke without meate cannot be performed Vers 16. She considereth vz. deepely and carefullie a field vz. either offered to be solde q.d. she maketh no bargaine rashly but as she looketh whether she be able to pray so she considereth whether the thing be worth hir money not deceauing any in buying or buying any thing lesse than the value and getteth it vz. for the price agreed vpon and with the fruite of hir hands i. with the labor thereof for labor is the fruite of the hands as praise and thankes-giuing is the fruite of the lippes Hebrew 13.15 she planteth a vineyeard vz. in the ground or fielde that she hath bought meaning by this that she imployeth it to the best commoditie according
his simplicitie reformed and to him that is destitute of wisedome i. lacketh the true and holie wisedome of God she saieth vz. also q.d. I refuse to take paines with none how simple or foolish soeuer they be so that they will diligently applie their eares and willingly hearken to my voyce Vers 5. Come vz. willingly and quickly and eate of my meate and drinke of my wine i. bee partakers of all the good things which the father hath giuen to communicate vnto you and to bestowe vppon you that I haue drawne see verse 2. of this Chapter and marke how that which wisedome speaketh here somewhat darklie he speaketh in the next verse more plainly Vers 6. Forsake vz. with all speede possiblie your way vz. wherein you walke meaning the imaginations and deuises of their owne hearts and the corrupt worke of their owne flesh ye foolish he calleth them here foolish whom he called verse 4. simple and ye shall liue vz. not only here in this life but for euer also with God and that word shall noteth the certaintie of it and walke vz. carefully and diligently in the way of vnderstanding i. in those waies and orders of life which vnderstanding setteth before you q.d. applie your minde to wisedome and frame and fashion your whole life according to the rules thereof Vers 7. He vz. whosoeuer he be that reproueth i. laboureth by the way of reproofe or admonition to instruct teach a scorner i. a man that wickedly scoffeth both at the truth and the person vttering it and barketh like a dogge or grunteth as a swine against it see Psalme 1.1 purchaseth vz. not by the dooing of it but by reason of the peruersnes of the partie who will doo nothing els but labour either by taunting to make him blush or els by slaundering to discredit him to himselfe shame vz. before men see Math. 11.16 17 c. and he that rebuketh the wicked vz. whether it be sharply or mildely done getteth himselfe a blot vz. because that through enuie being moued they will slaunder him Vers 8. Rebuke not a scorner least he hate thee he meaneth not that wee should abstaine from reprouing others for feare of their displeasure and hatred for that is not to be esteemed if he would hearken vnto wholesome counsell but because it is to be doubted least we should lose our labour and receiue nothing but hatred for our paines but rebuke vz. for his offence see Leuit. 19.17 and doo it plainlie a wise man i. such a one as is so prepared in minde that he wil not scoffe at thee and thy admonitions but willingly heareth wisedome and gladlie suffereth himselfe to be informed according thereto see Prouer. 10.8 and he will loue thee vz. the better and the more vnfeignedly for that Vers 9. Giue admonition to the wise i. admonish him that is wise of any thing that is amisse in him and he will be the wiser i. he will thriue in wisedome by that admonition and reproofe and become the better both in practise and obedience thereby teach vz. good things and that in the spirite of méekenesse of loue a righteous man i. he that hath care of an vpright conuersation and he will increase in learning vz. by the meanes of those admonitions and vnder the name learning he comprehendeth not knowledge onlie but obedience and practise also for we haue learned so much as we know and practise Vers 10. The beginning of wisedome is the feare of the Lord see Chapt. 1. verse 7. Also Psal 111.10 He sheweth here what is true wisedome and what way men must take if they will obtaine her to wit that they bring with them a reuerent feare of God in their hearts For in vaine shall any man thinke without the feare of God to obtaine wisedome or to make any procéedings in her and the knowledge of holie things i. of all holie things whatsoeuer specially of holie men is vnderstanding vz. right and sound vnderstanding of Gods will reuealed in his word q.d. without that there is no way to knowe any thing that is good He maketh here two parts as it were of heauenly doctrine the one is the duetie of reuerence towards God the other is the duetie of fellowship with the Saints and either of them is called the beginning of wisedome and vnderstanding because they are in this life begun in vs by the word and shall not be finished till the prophecie cease and wee bee placed together in the heauenlie places with Christ Vers 11. For thy daies i. the daies of thy life shall be multiplied vz. very greatly He meaneth that the godlie imbracing heauenly wisedome shall obtaine a long life and this he speaketh not as though the daies which God hath numbered vnto vs shall be shortned or lengthened but according to the custome of the lawe by me vz. if vnfeignedly thou receiue and imbrace me and the yeares of thy life shall be augmented vz. excéedinglie Vers 12. If thou be wise i. truelie and holilie wise thou shalt bee wise for thy selfe i. for thine owne good and commoditie not forbidding vs to imploy our wisedome to doo good vnto others also but shewing that we our selues shall reape the speciall commoditie by it and if thou be a scorner see verse 7. of this Chapter thou alone shalt suffer vz. the iust paine and punishment of thy scoffing and scorning q.d. thy scorning shall not as thou thinkest hurt him that tendereth thy saluation but shall through Gods iust iudgement light vpon thine owne head Vers 13. A foolish woman i. one giuen ouer to wickednesse and sinne is troublesome vz. both in word and deede it is the same word that he vsed before Chapt. 7.11 she is ignorant vz. of euery good thing and knoweth nothing vz. soundly and vprightly either of her duetie towards God or man Vers 14. But she sitteth vz. as an idle bodie and one that would allure men at the dore of her house i. without for she cannot abide to be within dores on a seate q.d. yea she sitteth on a seate prepared for her in the high places of the citie i. in the open streates where she may bee seene For high places see Chapt. 8.2 He meaneth by this that she is a gadder see Chapt. 7.11 12. Vers 15. To call them vz. vnto her meaning by this speach to allure them that passe by the way vz. about their businesses and affaires that go right on their way i. that are carefully bent and set vpon the performance of the things that they haue to doo without thinking any whit of her or her lewdnes till she allure them saying vz. after this manner also Vers 16. Who so is simple let him come hether vz. to me and to him that is destitute of wisedome she saith also these are the same wordes with verse 4. of this Chapter but vtter to another end vz. to drawe men from the way of true wisedome so that wee may see here that we are not to
himselfe could well wish and desire and thy hope shall not be cut off see Chap. 23.18 These two verses may be resolued by a similitude thus as honie is both profitable and pleasant to them that haue it and vse it so is heauenly wisdome though perhaps it seeme not so at the first Vers 15. Lay not waite i. deale not subtillie nor craftely O wicked man vz. whosoeuer thou art against the house of the righteous i. against himselfe or any thing appertayning vnto him and spoyle not vz. by might and crueltie his resting place i. the things that apperteyne vnto him one that is his house being put for all So hee forbiddeth two meanes whereby the wicked molest the good the one is fraude or crafte the other is force or might Vers 16. For this is a reason why he should ceafe from working iniurie a iust man falleth vz. into dangers and distresses and that many times by meanes that wicked men procure against them seauen times i. many and sundrie times a number certeine for an vncertaine Psalm 119.164 and riseth vz. thorowe the ayde strength and fauor of God againe vz. out of those dangers and euills q.d. though thou mayst be incouraged to tread him downe thorowe his often calamities yet knowe that the Lord will rayse him vp for which see Psalm 34.19 And for the number of seauen see Iob. 5.19 Vers 17. Be not thou glad vz. in thy heart neither yet declare any such thing by any outward shewe when thine enemie falleth vz. into calamitie and miserie as vers 16. of this Chap. and let not thine heart reioyce i. be not so much as inwardlie ioyfull when he stumbleth vz. at any thing or any manner of waye and so commeth into miserie he forbiddeth men to reioyce at the distresse of their foes yea though that they iustlie suffer or haue deserued the same by some one meanes or other Vers 18. Least this is not spoken as though he doubted whether God sawe it or no but here he speaketh of GOD according to the manner of men see for the same word Malach. 4.6 and it is rather a particle of threatning here and there also than of doubting the Lord see it i. thy hard hartednes and wickednes and it displease him vz. greatlie yea so much that he turne his wrath from him vz. that is afflicted and distressed and powre it foorth vpon thee And this is a reason why men should not reioyce in other mens miseries because it is the next way to pull miserie vpon themselues Vers 19. Fret not thy selfe i. be not angrie or greeued in thy selfe because of the malicious vz. men that is because they either florish and prosper or els in the malice of their hearts attempt hard things against thee neither bee enuious at the wicked see before Chap. 23.17 also vers 1. of this Chap. Vers 20. For there shall be no end of plagues to the wicked man i. he shall bee as it were by one plague in anothers necke punished in this life and if he escape them yet shall he be punished eternallie in the life to come and the light of the wicked shall be put ott i. both his felicitie and whole life shall be voide of all glorious remembrance see Chap. 13.9 Vers 21. My sonne see Chap. 1.8 10. feare vz. withall thine heart and that with the reuerence and feare of children the Lord vz. thy God who is iust and powerfull and the King vz. who is his substitute and deputie hée setteth God before magistrates because in God and for God they must bee feared and obeyed see 1. Peter 2.17 and meddle out vz. at any hand q.d. haue nothing at al to doo with them that are seditious the worde signifieth such as varie vz. from the commandements of God and the kings commandements a greeing therewith Vers 22. For a reason of the premisses taken from the sodaine and continuall euill that shall fall vpon such people their destruction i. destruction layde vppon them from the Lorde shall rise vz. vp against them sodainely i. when they thinke least of it 1. Thessal 5.3 and who vz. amongst men knoweth the ruine i. the great and horrible destruction for so much I suppose the manner of propounding it in a demand importeth of them both i. that shall fal vpon those two sortes of men mentioned vers 19.20 21. of this Chapter Vers 23. Also these things vz. either following or going before or both of them pertaine to the wise vz. to know and vnderstand them It is not good i. it is euill and hurtefull as sundrie times before and namely Chapter 17.26 Chap. 18.5 to haue respect of any person vz. of what state or condition soeuer he be whether poore or rich good or badde in iudgement i. in the place of publike iudgement or in pronouncing of sentence see Chap. 18.5 also Deutero 1.17 q.d. it is a very euill thing to looke vpon any mans person the thing that is to be regarded is the matter and not the man and accordingly must the magistrate proceede either in iustifying or cōdemming Vers 24. He vz. whosoeuer he be that sayeth vz. in good earnest to the wicked vz. man thou art righteous i. thou art a good man mainteynest a good cause him shall the people curse i. either they haue a good cause so to doo or els in the frowardnes of their owne hearts shall doo it not allowing hereby cursing of others which is condemned Rom. 12.14 but shewing that such mens wicked dealings prouoketh other men to great extremitie also and the multitude vz. of men and people shall abhorre him i. loth and detest him as a leude and euill man see Prouerb 17.15 also Isaiah 5.20 23. Vers 25. But to them vz. whether they be priuate men or magistrates but specially magistrates for of them hee seemeth to speake in this place that rebuke vz. sharpely and according to the notoriousnes of the fault him i. the wicked and the vngodly person shall be pleasure i. great store abundance of pleasant and good things yea euen from the Lord and vpon them shall come vz. without all fayle and most assuredlie the blessings of goodnes i. good and gracious blessings Some vnderstand it thus as though al good mē should blesse that is not onely speak well of but pray for and wish all good things to bee bestowed vpon them Vers 26. They i. the people shall kisse the lippes of him i. both loue and reuerence him hee putteth the signe for the thing it selfe see 1 Samuel 10.1 1. King 19.18 Psalm 2.12 and Hosea 13.2 that answereth i. speaketh as Matt. 11.25 vpright wordes vz. in iudgement meaning also hereby iudging iustly Vers 27. Prepare thy worke without i. haue an eye to those things of thine that are abroad as corne cattell c. and make readie vz. with what speede conueniently thou mayest thy things in the field i. such things as thou hast abroad and after i. when thou hast performed