Read more in the letter T. The wordes of Agur c. A child is knowne by his dooings whether his worke be pure and right Chap. 20.11 Or thus let euen the childe make himselfe knowne or bewray himselfe whether his worke be pure and whether it be right That is let euery one euen from his childhood auoid all hypocrisie and dissimulation acquainting himselfe to deale alwaies simplie and plainely both in word and indeed To the which ende may that also be referred which followeth in the next verse The Lord hath made euen both these the eare hearing the eye seeing Ch. 20.12 And therefore by good consequence he both knoweth howe and also vvill in time discouer and lay open all counterfet dealing A continuall dropping in the day of stormie raine and a contentious woman are alike He that hideth her that is vvhich goeth about to hide her ill quality yea though it be by vvise admonition and louing counsell hideth the winde that is he looseth his labour to vvit vnlesse God giue speciall grace and blessing for she will vtter herselfe as oile or ointment in his right hand The smell vvhereof cannot be kept in Chap. 27.15.16 A D A Desire accomplished that is the blessing desired beeing novve at hand and presently inioyed specially the spirituall graces and blessings of God in assarance of his fauour deliteth the soule but it is an abhomination to fooles to depart from euill So farre off is it from them to desire to doe the vvill of God Chap. 13.19 A discreet seruant shall haue rule ouer a lewde sonne and he shall deuide the inheritance among the brethren Chap. 17.2 A diuine sentence shall be in the lippes of the king his mouth shall not transgresse in iudgement Chap. 16.10 Or thus Let a diuine sentence or most sage prudent and sharpesighted vvisedome be in the lippes of the King that is let him alwaies haue a holie care to speake vvisely and discreetly but chieflie then vvhen he shall sit iudicially to giue sentence in vveightie causes according to that vvhich follovveth let not his mouth transgresse in iudgement Reade in A. A true vveight c. Chap. 16.11 A F A Faithfull man or as the hebrew soundeth a man of much faithfulnes or a very faithfull man shal abound in blessings but he that maketh hast to be rich shall not be innocent Ch. 28.20 A faithfull witnesse deliuereth soules but a deceiuer speaketh or breatheth foorth lies Ch. 14.25 A faithfull witnesse the hebrew is more significant as before A verie faithfull witnesse will not lie but a false witnesse will breath out lies Ch. 14.5 A false tongue that is a man of a false or deceitfull tongue hateth those whome he afflicteth or whome he woulde destroy and a flattering mouth causeth ruine Chap. 26.28 A false witnesse in heb a witnesse of false matters shall not be vnpunished and he that speaketh lies or breatheth foorth that is lightlie and vnaduisedly vtterreth lies shall not escape Chap. 15.5 And verse 9. He shall perish So also Chap. 21.28 A false witnesse in Heb. A witnesse of lies shall perish but hee that heareth that is the well aduised witnesse shall speake for euer or continually to wit with credit Affliction or rather euill followeth sinners to wit as pursuing and dogging them but that which is good recompenceth the righteous Chap. 13.21 A foole despiseth his fathers instruction but he that regardeth correction is prudent Chap. 15.5 A foole hath no delight in vnderstanding but in that onely which discouereth it selfe to his heart Chap. 18.2 A foole powreth foorth all his minde but a wise man keepeth it in till afterward or restraineth it as touching the latter part That is he reserueth it for the fittest season Chap. 29.11 A fooles anger shall be knowne in a day that is in a shorte time but he that is wise couereth shame That is hee refraineth his anger which otherwise woulde breake foorth to his shame Chap. 12.16 A fooles lippes come with strife or make strife and his mouth calleth for stripes To wit to his owne sore hurte as it followeth in the next verse A fooles mouth is his owne destruction and his lips are a snare for his soule Ch. 18.6.7 A foolish sonne is the calamitie of his father that is he is the cause of greate trouble to him and the contentions of a wife are like a continuall dropping To witte which marreth and rotteth all Chap. 19.13 A friende loueth at all times and a brother is borne for aduersitie That is to help and succour in aduersitie Or thus and a brother is borne or sheweth himselfe to be a brother in deede in aduersitie Chap. 17.17 A froward person or as the wordes of the text are A man of frowardnesse that is such a one as is giuen to much frowardnes soweth strife and a tale-teller maketh diuision among Princes or rather thus separateth a chiefe friend Chap 16.28 A G AGe is a crowne of glorie when it is found in the way of righteousnesse Ch. 1631. A gift in secret pacifieth anger and a gift in the bosome greate wrath or as the word signifieth the vehement or mightie heat of wrath Chap. 21.14 A good man getteth fauour of the Lord but he will condemne the man of wicked imaginations Chap. 12.2 Or rather thus The fauour of the Lorde preferreth or aduanceth a good man but he condemneth the wicked or mischeeuous man A good name is to be chosen aboue greate riches and louing fauoure is aboue filuer and aboue gold Chap. 22.1 or rather thus A name or fame King Salomon meaneth indeede a good name or report to wit in the church of God and among good men is to be chosen aboue greate riches and fauour that is gratious credit and estimation is better then siluer and gould A gratious woman attayneth honour as strong men attayne to riches Chap 11.16 A haughtie looke and a proude heart yea euen the light of the wicked that is whatsoeuer seemeth most excellent vnto them or hath the greatest appearance is sinne Or thus yea the enterprise or endeauour of the wicked is sinne Chap. 21.4 A I A Ioyfull heart causeth good health or yeldeth good help to the medicin orphisick whether it be bodilie or for the soule but a sorrowfull minde that is a minde or spirit crushed with sorrow drieth the bones Cha. 17.22 A ioyfull heart maketh a cheareful countenance but by the sorrow of the heart the minde is broken or chrushed as before Ch 15.13 A K A King by iudgement that is by executing iudgment mainteineth or establisheth the earth as Psa 75.3 but a man of offeringes that is receiuing giftes offered such one as counteth all fish that commes to net c. destroyeth it Cha. 29.4 A King that iudgeth the poore in truth or faithfully his throne shal be established for euer Ch. 29.14 A King that siettth in the throne of iudgement chaseth away all euill with his eyes That is God giueth a speciall blessing to such
Kinges as be carefull in their owne personnes to see that iustice take place Cha. 20.8 All or as the construction well beareth euerie one that is proude in hearte is an abhomination to the Lorde though hand ioyne to hand he shall not be vnpunished that is no helpe or assistance shall deliuer him from the punishing hande of God Chapter 16. 5. See in the letter T. Though hand c. All the brethren of the poore doe hate him yea euen his friende to wit he that was his friend in appearance they all stand aloofe from him though he be instant with wordes yet they will not be neare That is they will not be intreated to helpe him Chap. 19.7 All the dayes of the afflicted or poore man to wit such one as is not content with his estate are euill that is they are grieuous and irkesome to him but to him that hath a good conscience they are a continuall or daily feast Chap. 15.15 All the wayes of a man are cleane in his owne eyes or thus in an other verie apt construction Howsoeuer man as touching all his wayes is cleane in his owne eyes that is seemeth so to himselfe Yet the Lord pondereth the spirites As though he should say noe counterfaite thing shall go for paiment with him Cha. 16.2 Reade in T. The preparations c. A M A Man cannot be established by wickednesse but the roote of the righteous shall not be remoued Chap. 22.2 A man destitute of vnderstanding toucheth the hand or clappeth hands and becommeth suertie for his neighbour Chap. 17.18 He reproueth rash vnaduised suertishipe A man of much anger shall suffer punishment and though thou deliuer him yet will his anger come againe Chap. 19.19 Reade in the letter C. the next verse to Chasten thy sonne c. A mans gift to wit whether we take it for that inward gifte wherewith God hath graced a man or for that externall gift or present which he hath inabled him to gratifie any with all it inlargeth him that is deliuereth him out of straites and bringeth him before greate men that is before men of greate state and dignitie Chap. 18.16 A man shal be commended according to his wisdome but the froward of heart shal be despised Chap. 12.8 A man shall be satiate with good things by the fruite of his mouth and the recompence of a mans handes will God giue vnto him Chap. 12.14 Or rather thus accoring to the naturall construction of the wordes A good man shall be satiate by the fruite of his mouth the recompence of his handes that is of his workes shall he cause to returne to himselfe That is he shall receiue it to his owne benefit A man shall eate good thinges by the fruite of his mouth or as before A good man shall eat the fruite of his mouth that is he himselfe shall enioy the benefit of his good and gratious and well ordred speach but the soule of trespassers shall eate the fruite of violence That is it shall suffer violence Ch 13.2 A man that beareth false witnesse against his neighboure is like an hammer and a sworde and a sharpe arrow Chap 25.18 A man that boasteth of false liberalitie in heb of a gifte of falshood that is of a false gifte that is such a one as promiseth but performeth not is like cloudes and winde without raine Ch 25.14 A man that doeth violence against the blood that is the life of a man or as some other translate though all tending to one and the same ende A man that is opressed that is to say earnestly pursued by the auenger of bloode to wit according to the lawe of God provided in that behalfe for the bloude of a man let him fly to the graue let no man stay or support him that is let no man hinder speedie execution of the murtherer Cha. 28.17 A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a nette for his feete Chap. 29.5 A man that hardeneth his necke hauing beene often rebuked shall be as one sodenly crushed to pieces so as he cannot be cured Cha. 29.1 A man that hath friendes ought to shew him selfe friendly for a friende that is some frende-bodie as we call him is nearer that is he is more entirely affected and beareth more hartie good will then a brother that is then some naturall brother how neare soeuer they are linked by boud of consanguinity and nature Chap. 18.24 A man that loueth wisedome reioyceth his father but he that see deth or companieth with harlotes wasteth his substance and so is a grief and burthen to him Ch. 29.3 A man that refraineth not his appetite or which hath no rule ouer his spirite and affection is like a citie broken downe and without a wall Ch. 25.28 A man that wandereth out of the waye of wisedome shall rest or cease to wit from his erring in the congregation or company of the deade That is he shall haue his portion with them whose thoughtes perishe and who haue no part in the kingdome of God Ch. 21.16 A man will giue his riches for the ransome of his life or thus The riches of a man shall be the ransome of his life that is it falleth out oftentimes that the rich man will he nill he must part with his riches to saue his life but the poore man heareth no reproofe that is he is quiet while the rich is sifted to wit in times of warrefare and tirannous gouernmente so that riches as well as pouertie hath certaine peculiare discommodities Ch. 13.8 A man with a wicked eye that is which hath an euill eye hasteth to get riches but he knoweth not that is he willingly considereth not that pouerty shall come vpon him Ch 28.22 yet this contrarie euent befalleth many of those which doe most greedily hunte afterworldly wealth A N AN angrie man stirreth vp strife and a furious man aboundeth in transgression Ch. 29.22 An angrie man stirreth vp strife but he that is slowe to wrath or long suffering appeaseth strife Ch. 15.18 Anger is cruell and wrath is raging but who can stand before enuie Ch 27.4 An heritage hastily gotten at the beginning shall not be blessed in the end thereof Chap 20.21 An hipocrite with his mouth hurteth his neighboure but the righteous shall be deliuered by knowledge That is by wise caution and diligente takeing heede to the worde of God Ch 11.9 Answere not a foole accordinge to his foolishnesse least thou also be like him Answer a foole according to his foolishnes least he be wise in his owne conceite that is answer not folishlie but with wisedome as his follie requireth to be answered Ch 26.4.5 A P A Poore man which oppresseth the poore is like the raging or sweeping raine which leaueth no foode Chapter 28.3 Applie thine hearte to instruction and thine eares to the wordes of knowledge Chap 23.12 A prince which is destitute of vnderstanding and a great oppressor shall shorten his daies but he that hateth couetousnesse or gaine
aboue that they looke for plague punishe them C. 12.21 These sixe thinges doth the Lord hate yea seauen are abhomination to his soule The hautie eyes a lying tongue and hands that shed innocent bloud An heart that imagineth or contrineth wicked deuises feete that be swift in running to mischiefe A false witnes that breatheth forth or craftily forgeth coÌ„pacteth lies he that raiseth vp or causeth coutentions to come betwixt bretheren Ch. 6.16.17.18.19 They that are froward in heart are abhomination to the Lord but they that are perfect or enter in the way are his delight or such as he fauourably accepteth Chapter 11.20 They that forsake the law praise the wicked but they that keepe the lawe set themselues or are as it were in conflict against them Chapt. 28.4 Thine owne friende and thy fathers friend to wit whose friendship descendeth as it were hereditarily to the forsake thou not neither go to thy brothers house in the day of thy calamitie better is a neighbour that is neare then a brother farre off Ch. 27.10 Thornes and snares or thornie snares are in the way of the froward to wit to pricke snare themselues withal as a fruite of their pride c. but he that keepeth his soule that is to say from sin shal be far from them Ch. 22.5 Through wisdome the house is builded by vnderstanding it is established By knowledge also thy chambers shal be filled with all pretious and pleasant riches Ch. 24.3.4 Tough hand be to hand that is though they ioyne in mutuall helpe and assistance the wicked shall not be vnpunished but the seed of the righteous escapeth Or is deliuered To wit though one cannot helpe and succour an other they being oftentimes sinâ—â—â— dispersed For God is their deliuerer auenger Ch. 11.21 Thou shalt not remoue the ancient bounds which thy fathers haue made Or set and disposed 22.28 To do iustice and iudgment is more acceptable to the Lord then sacrifice Chapter 21.3 To haue respect of person is not good a man should then transgresse for a morsell of breade Ch. 28.21 And Chap. 24.23 it is one of those thinges which are saide to belong to the wise Trauell not too much to be rich or toile not thy selfe that thou mightest grow rich cease from thy wisdome to wit from thy naturall wisdome in compassing sea and land as it were to get riches Wilt thou cause thine eyes to fly toward them to wit as the greedie foule hasteth hir flight to the pray they are not that is by and by they are gon to wit as birdes skarred before they canbe seazed on for they doe speedely betake theÌ„selues to their wings as an eagle they flye into the ayer C. 23.4.5 Trust in the Lord with all thy hearte and leane not to thy owne wisdome In all thy wayes acknowledge him and he will direct thy goings Ch. 3.5.6 Here followeth the whole thirtie Chapter as belonging wholly to this letter THe wordes of Agur the sonne of Iakeh a collection or Prophesi the spech or saying of man that is al excellent speach or holy doctrin and prophesie which any man vttereth is of Ithiel of Ithiell I say and of vcal That is of him to whome these names doe most properly agree euen of almightie GOD by the gratious presence and power of his grace that is to say in plaine words GOD is the author of all prophesie Which proposition he confirmeth first from his owne example as followeth Surely saith Agur I am a beast rather then a man neither haue I the vnderstanding of man That is which is worthie and beseeming a man according to that excellency wherein God first created Adam Agur therfore in these words acknowledgeth and bewaileth his natural corruption and deprauation and also teacheth all men by his example what we are to doe both in these words and further as it followeth Neither saith he haue I learned wisdom or attayned to the knowledge of holy things That is either of God or of his will or of any thing belonging to his heauenly kingdome he meaneth that he hath no true and perfect knowledg nor any pure desire to know any of these things by natural iustinct or mother wit as we say to the further disabling whereof it followeth in the next wordes as it were in a generall challenge against all men Who to wit of al the sons posterity of Adam hath asceÌ„ded vnto heaueÌ„ desceÌ„ded who hath gathered the wind in his fists who hath bouÌ„d the waters in his garment Who hath established any of the ends or bounds of the earth what is his name and what is his sonnes name if thou canst tell As though he should say none cant each man knowledge nor renew his heart vnto God but he that hath doone and can doe all these things that is none but God himselfe and he whome God hath sent his only son Iesus Christ through the most powerfull grace of his holie spirit by the ministerie of his blessed word the commendation vse whereof followeth in the next verse Euery worde of God or the whole worde of God is verie pure he is a shielde to those that trust in him Or that make him their refuge Put thou nothing to his wordes least he reproue thee neither be thou found a liar Two thinges doo I desier of thee withholde them not from me vntill I die That is so longe as I liue Remoue farre from me vanitie and euerie lying matter giue me not pouertie nor riches feede me with foode conuenient for me or with food measured out and appointed for me Least I be full and make a lie and say who is the Lorde or least I be poore and steale and lay holde of the name of my God To wit as one that abuseth it to serue his owne turne by forswearing and cursing himselfe that he may seeme guiltlesse and go still in the name and account of an honest man c. Accuse thou not a seruant to his maister or as the worde is more generall hurt him not with the tongue least he curse thee and thou be founde to haue offended To wit by thy false or vncharitable accusation whereby the poore seruant is wronged and prouoked to wish euill against thee the which thinge as Agur giueth to vnderstand doth both prouoke the lorde to displeasure and also is iustly reprochfull amonge men And note herin how great care the Lorde hath of cherishing societie when as he can not beare that he which is in the lowest state and condition among the rest shoulde be vncurteousely dealt withall There is a generation which curseth their father and doth not blesse their mother There is a generation which is pure in the owne eies or conceite though it be not washed from the filthinesse of it There is a generation whose eyes are verie hautie and whose eyelides doo lifte vp themselues alofte There is a generation whose teeth are as swordes and their chawes as kniues