or dangerous to himselfe but the issue thereof are the waies of death in the end it will bring them to destruction toward which they haue beene trauelling all their life time before See Chap. 12. verse 15. and Chap. 14. verse 12. where the selfe same words haue beene expounded Verse 26. The troublesome person bringeth trouble to himselfe for his mouth doth recoile vpon himselfe THE troublesome person which taketh a delight and seeketh occasions to molest others which haue done him no hurt bringeth trouble to himselfe procureth his owne hurt or vexation of minde for his mouth recoileth vpon himselfe his false or malicious speeches whereby hee diffameth his neighbours or otherwise seeketh to worke their sorrow turne to his owne shame and discredit if not losse or further punishment Doct. No turbulent man can keepe himselfe safe from trouble and miserie It is a righteous thing with God saith S. Paul to the Thessalonians 2. Thess 1. 6. to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you Pharaoh with the cruell Egyptians felt this true and Saul with his malicious Courtiers and Haman with those violent men that attempted the ruine of the Church in Hesters time Though Achan minded not to molest Israel nor had a purpose to doe them harme yet because hee did it in deed and drew downe a plague and iudgement vpon them therefore said Ioshua to him In as much as thou hast troubled vs the Lord Ioshua 7. 25. shall trouble thee this day Reason 1 First God taketh the matter in hand for the wronged and repaieth the wrong-doers according to their owne measure wherewith they mete to others as appeareth by the former testimonies and examples Secondly an vnquiet and contentious person doth commonly make himselfe hatefull and odious to the people and so that befalleth him which was spoken concerning Ismael His hand shal be against euery man euery mans hand against him Gen. 16. 12. Thirdly their bodies vsually are put to trauell by going or riding their purses to charges for fees or other expences their hearts to torment with disappointments and repulses for their successe will not be answerable to their expectation and desire as Haman found to his discontentment euen whiles Mordecai was vnder him but felt to his anguish and destruction when Mordecai was ouer him Vse Instruction to preserue our owne peace by liuing peaceably with our brethren and rather to suffer iniuries with quietnesse than to reuenge them vncharitably with strife and contention and especially than to offer them with molestation and disturbance of any man Or if we haue faulted too farre already that way before wee heard or well harkened to this counsell that shall be our wisdome prouidently to preuent the hurts that may ensue by a timely remedie thereof and that is as wee haue vniustly brought griefe to other mens hearts and hindrance to their states so we afflict our owne hearts with griefe for the same and as much as in vs is procure them rest and make them recompence Verse 27. A wicked person diggeth vp euill and in his lips is as it were burning fire A Wicked person A naughty leaud and wicked man diggeth vp euill secretly vnder hand laieth plots for the subuersion of his neighbours state whom hee maligneth as pioners vndermine the foundations of Cities or houses and in his lips is as it were burning fire he breatheth out pernicious and euill words tending as much to the ruine and destruction of the parties against whom they are spoken as fire kindling vpon an house doth to the consumption both of the building and stuffe that is in it Doct. 1 A malicious man is alwaies practising of mischiefe whether he pretend friendship or professe enmitie At one time Dauid must be Sauls sonne in law he is so farre 1. Sam. 18. in his fauour and no dowrie required at his hands but an hundred foreskins of the Philistims but Sauls purpose was to make Dauid fall into the hands of the Philistims Another time Dauid is reputed a Traitor that hath conspired against Saul a rebell that seeketh to kill the King and why is this charged vpon him Not because Dauid was guiltie thereof but that Saul might haue some colour of reason to kill Dauid Micah complained that euery man hunted his brother with a Micah 7. 2. net And Dauid saith that his aduersaries were fierce Lions that they were set on fire that their teeth were speares and arrowes Psal 57. 4. and their tongue a sharpe sword So craft and crueltie are euer at the hand of malice ready to serue her turne and each of them to be imploied for great aduantage See Chapter 12. verse 6. Doct. 2 And his lips c. Many and great euils are wrought by the poison of a mischieuous mouth A few euill words quickly spoken may minister a multitude of troubles and stirres for a long time as the hot breath of Rehoboam and his Counsellers did against himselfe and the whole nation for many ages What a flame was kindled by the mouth of Sheba the sonne of Bichri who by one mutinous saying caused all Israel to goe from Dauid and follow him so base a companion And how many millions by the like meanes haue beene drawen from the Lord himselfe to fall to Poperie and treasons and to follow sinne and Satan Reasons 1 First all the corruption that is in mans nature and the sinfulnes that is in his heart doe gather vnto it and there breake out whereby it becommeth so fierce and violent Secondly the Diuell himselfe hath the rule and managing of it and hee putteth force into it beside the venome that it hath in it selfe Hee fireth that matter that hee findeth there and addeth to the same fuell of his owne to feed the flame thereof Behold saith S. Iames how great a thing a little fire Iam. 3. 6. kindleth And the tongue is fire euen a world of wickednesse so is the tongue set among our members that it defileth the whole bodie and setteth on fire the course of nature and it is set on fire of Hell that is to say by Satan that hellish spirit Vse 1 Instruction to refraine as much as we may from the societie of those firie fellowes as we would preserue our selues our houses and goods from the flame of burning fire lest otherwise their friendship doe scorch our soules or else falling out deuoure our states And it is needfull also for godly men alwaies to haue innocencie wisdome and patience in a readinesse to preuent the hurt that may grow from these Iuniper coles and firebrands for though they will take occasion by maligning these graces to blaze the more yet they shall bee restrained by the same from burning so much or annoying them whom they maligne And withall it shall be very expedient to haue often recourse to God for remedie against them without whose helpe there is no hope of safety the whole Church and euerie part of it would be burnt
conuersation Verse 33. The lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposition thereof is of the Lord. THE lot which was much in vse among the people of God both for diuision of lands as Num. 26. 55. and for other causes as appeareth in many places of the Scriptures is cast into the lap into some secret or close place and that which was most ordinarie with them is put for many other as hats fists pots boxes or whatsoeuer else but the whole disposition thereof the particular ordering guiding and gouernment of it is of the Lord by his immediate prouidence without either chance art or labour And vnder lot hee comprehendeth all other accidents which are thought to bee meerely casuall and wholly subiect to fortune Doct. Those things which seeme to be most contingent are directed by the prouidence of God The lots that Ioshua and Eleazar did cause to be cast for the inheritance of the Tribes of Israel did so iustly accord with the blessings which Iacob and Moses had before pronounced concerning diuers of them that euery man may well perceiue that he which spake by the tongues of the former did also worke by the hands of the latter And Samuel engaged the credit both of his truth and ministerie vpon the successe of 1. Sam. 10. the lot that was to be cast for the King to bee chosen that it would vndoubtedly fall vpon Saul whom by the appointment of God he had anointed And that in other cases things casuall in shew are wisely gouerned in deed the vision which was shewed to Ezekiel doth confirme who beheld a multitude of the matters of the world in appearance to runne vpon Ezek 1. 18. wheeles and yet in no sort to bee either drawen or driuen by blinde Fortune for he obserued the strakes of the wheeles to be full of eies round about whereby the intentiue prouidence of God was signified Examples for this purpose are plentifull plaine and pregnant Who appointed the Ishmaelitish Merchants Gen. 39. 25. at that time to trauell that way which they went but the Lord that they might carry downe Ioseph into Egypt Who appointed Pharaohs daughter at that time to come to wash her selfe in that place but the Lord that shee might vndertake the preseruation of Moses The same appointed King Exod. 2. 5. Hester 6. 1. Ahashuerosh not to sleepe for one night but to call for the Chronicles to be read vnto him that hee might protect and exalt Mordecai The same prepared the whale to bee readie Ionah 117. where Ionah should be cast into the sea that he might receiue him as the text testifieth And as much might be said of the vineger that they offered vnto Christ at his suffering and no Iohn 19. 24. lesse of the souldiers that diuided his garments and cast lots for his coat after that he was crucified Reason 1 First the being motion and issue of all things are from him he disposeth of the words and actions of men which seeme to be most voluntarie and in their owne will and power and therefore necessarily of the successe of lots and of all other contingent euents Secondly he should want either wisdome or power or prouidence if ought should come to passe without his appointment neither could all things turne so much to his glory if there might be any thing that were not disposed by him Vse 1 Admonition to bee wary that we peruert not lots to serue our carnall delights or couetous desires it is not safe to sport with Gods ordinances whereof a lot is one nor to command the Lord to wait vpon vs at our dicing and other plaies to guide the game nor to set him aworke about our vnrighteous attempts for the allotting of our neighbours money or substance to vs but so to vse it as wee may comfortablie call vpon his name before and praise it afterwards But about this we shall haue iust occasion to deale more largely Chap. 18. verse 18. 2. To behold the hand of the Lord in all occurrences that in crosses wee may acknowledge his iustice and humble our selues before him in blessings wee may confesse his mercie and offer praises vnto him and in euery case to depend vpon him sithence nothing befalleth any without him Consolation to the children of God for their safetie and good estate because hee that manageth the greatest matters and he that dealeth in the smallest doth tenderly loue them and is alwaies respectiue of them that nothing shall happen that may be for their hurt Our Sauiour himselfe applieth this present point for the comfort of his people saying Are not two sparrowes sold for a farthing And one of them shall not fall Mat. 10. 29. 30 to the ground without your father Yea and all the haires of your head are numbred feare yee not therefore yee are of more value than many sparrowes AN EXPOSITION OF THE SEVENTEENTH CHAPTER OF THE PROVERBS CHAPTER XVII Verse 1. Better is a morsell of drie bread and peace therewith than a house full of Sacrifices with strife BEtter More comfortable safe and wholesome is a morsell of drie bread a crust as wee vse to say without any other cates or dishes slender fare a small pittance and that also course and homely and peace therewith if there be Christian loue quietnesse and good agreement than an house full of Sacrifices great abundance of daintie cheere as they vsed to haue when they offered peace offerings as may appeare Chap. 7. verse 14. And to that custome S. Iames seemeth to allude when hee saith You haue nourished Iam. 5. 5. your hearts as in a day of sacrifice or slaughter See Cha. 15. v. 17. Verse 2. A discreet seruant shall haue rule ouer a leaud sonne and he shall diuide the inheritance among the brethren A Discreet seruant A faithfull painfull and wise seruant though a bondman shall haue rule ouer a leaud sonne shall be preferred before a rude and dissolute childe and sometimes be set ouer him as a gouernour and he shall diuide the inheritance among the brethren shall be as one of them and haue a portion among them and be as it were in the roome of the eldest brother hauing the chiefe hand in making diuision of the goods and lands betweene the other sonnes and daughters This indeed is sometimes verified according to the letter and words of the sentence that seruants bee made Executors to their masters and guardians to their masters children but the drift heereof is to shew that they which are low may bee exalted by vertue and they which are high may be brought downe by vice that wisdome preferreth diuers aboue them that might haue beene their betters and folly depriueth many of those prerogatiues which otherwise they should haue enioied Doct. Grace bringeth men to promotion and so doth sinfulnesse to debasement In the booke of Ecclesiastes hee extendeth the comparison further than in this place when he saith Better is a poore and wise
Habakkuk vpbraideth the King of Babel with coueting an euill couetousnesse to his house for seeking Hab. 2. 9. 10. to set his house on high hee had consulted shame to his house and sinned against his owne soule Reason 1 First they molest their people with burdens and niggardlinesse with chafing and chiding and sometimes with strokes and violence Secondly they often prouoke the Lord to curse their habitations and to powre downe plagues vpon that which they possesse and them that dwell with them Thirdly they expose their posteritie and seed after them to the vengeance and iudgements of God as is threatned in the Scriptures and was executed on Ahabs line and many others Vse 1 Instruction to labour for godlinesse which will kill this greedinesse and worke in vs contentment that will bring riches to our houses and blessings to our children and happinesse to our selues as is at large to be seene in the Psalmes of Dauid The more wee labour for heauenly things the lesse Psal 112. wee shall like of earthly things and yet take the way to haue the greater plenty of them Consolation to those faithfull men to whom grace hath giuen victorie ouer their couetous affections They that haue subdued this sinne are vnder the dominion of no sinne for if they were how should they haue this assurance of life Those whom the spirit causeth to hate vnrighteous profit when it is offered to them the flesh cannot make hartily to loue any other corruptions And obserue that vnder life he comprehendeth all needfull things whereby men may commodiously liue Well is it with his estate who is firmly estated in this life heere promised That family is in good case whose gouernour is so good a man Happy are those children if they will embrace their happinesse whose parents are growne enemies to the world and friends vnto their owne soules Verse 28. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer but the mouth of the wicked babbleth out euill things A Good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth foorth good things He meditateth what to speake that he may vtter such matter as is most wholesome and profitable and that not onely when a question is demanded of him or he is otherwise spoken vnto but vpon any other occasion when it concerneth him to say ought For the word answer is more largely taken sometimes in the Scriptures than we vse it in our common speech as Matt. 11. 25. at that time Iesus answered and said I giue thee thankes O Father Lord of heauen and earth c. but the mouth of the wicked babbleth out euill things he can neither be silent nor speake well but is full of discourse and alwaies pratling rashly vainly offensiuely and leaudly The opposition standeth thus The heart of the righteous studieth to answer and therefore he vttereth things that bee good but the mouth of the wicked is hastily and rashly set on worke and therefore hee babbleth out things that are euill Doct. Hee that would speake well and doe good with his words must not be too swift and sudden in his speeches We shall finde in the next Chapter that the heart of the wise Prouer. 16. 23. guideth his mouth wisely and addeth Doctrine to his lips And Dauid directed before by the spirit that Salomon was after did fore-testifie the same which Salomon hath afterwards confirmed The mouth of the righteous saith hee will meditate of Psal 37. 30. wisdome that is vtter wisdome premeditated And his tongue will talke of iudgement When Hannah would free herselfe to Eli from the imputation of drunkennesse or other crimes she hath this to say for herselfe that out of the abundance of 2. Sam. 1. 16. her meditations and griefe she had spoken Reasons 1 First it is not easie on the sudden to apprehend the right because errour at the first ken standeth vsually in mens light and hindreth them from seeing the truth whereof they may better informe themselues by serious deliberation How was Eli deceiued in his swift censuring of Hannah How was Ioshua with the Elders of Israel ouerseene in making a league with the Gibeonites And how did Nathan mistake the matter when he would haue had Dauid gone in hand with the building of the Temple Secondly when the minde hath time and liberty to ponder vpon and will to weigh the point to bee spoken vnto it findeth out good arguments for good causes and digesteth the same in so apt a manner as may best perswade the hearts of the hearers Thirdly a meditating hart affecteth it selfe with that which it prouideth for others to heare and such men speake not alone truly and pertinently but faithfully also and conscionably their soule hauing first feeling of that within which after their mouthes are to deliuer out Vse 1 Instruction for euery man to looke to his lips that no words issue out thereat but by warrant from the heart that they examine all that is about to be said whether it hath beene aduisedly considered of by the minde By this meanes they may bee profitable for the edification of their brethren without it they will bee infectious and hurtfull By this they may bee seruiceable to God without it they are rebellious and froward By this they may know and declare themselues to be righteous men and without it they shew themselues wicked and sinfull Neither is it enough to begin our meditations when wee should enter into our speech but to bee alwaies well stored therewith for all occasions as good housholders haue their victuals in a readinesse and not then to bee prouided when their guests are sitting downe at the table Reproofe of such as neuer set their hearts to study for any sound or fruitful matter no not then when they are to speake to God himselfe by praier of thanksgiuing nor with any vprightnesse when they are to speake from God in the ministerie of his word Nay rather the hearts of many doe study how to whet their tongues and open their mouthes wide to vomit out most pestilent venome and poison Verse 29. The Lord is farre off from the wicked but hee heareth the praier of the righteous THE Lord is farre off from the wicked Hee is neere vnto them in his essence whereby he filleth heauen and earth and in his presence whereby hee beholdeth their hearts and all their waies and in his iustice being at hand to punish them But he is farre off in respect of his fauour and helpe yea euen then when they pray vnto him in their manner so that they get no more good thereby than if they should call vpon one that is in another Countrey Vpon which occasion the Prophet exhorteth men to seeke the Lord while hee may bee Isa 55. 6. found and to call vpon him while he is neere The cause thereof may be gathered out of the eighth verse of this Chapter where the Sacrifice of the wicked is said to be abomination to the Lord. Who
may bee most mooued to shew thee compassion If thou be falsly accused make cleere thine innocencie with humilitie if iustly charged acknowledge thy fault with submission if remission may conueniently be granted beseech thy Soueraigne to pardon thee if so much cannot be obtained yet intreat that at the least hee would pitie thee Terrour for that sinfull swarme of Iesuites Seminaries and other treacherous Papists of euery sort whose practise and profession is to subuert the state and maiestie of the Prince They do not only detract from him and transfer to a forrainer the mortall aduersarie of Christ and Kings that authority soueraigntie which he hath in matters of greatest moment but denie him allegeance in ciuill causes and refuse to secure him from their force and violence against his person and dignitie If this audacious obstinacie if this egregious contempt If this most barbarous disloialtie should neither stirre vp the Lord nor the Lords Vice-gerent to punish them what safety could there be in ruling or danger in rebelling But certaine it is that God wil not passe by it though man would and his sword is sharper than mans is and his hand will strike stronglier than mans can and therefore let them and let all other sorts of sinfull creatures know that if the Kings wrath be as a messenger of death that Gods wrath will be a worker of their eternall destruction Verse 15. In the light of the Kings countenance is life and his fauour is as a cloud of the latter raine THE meaning of this sentence is that where the King and great personages doe affect and make manifest their loue there is ioy and credit and protection and preferment and all such prosperitie as man may be a meanes of for so much the word life doth import and the same is amplified by the two similitudes of lightsome and comfortable sun-shine and of fruitfull and profitable showres especially those which they called the latter raine whereby the ground was refreshed after the drought and the corne was ripened before the haruest And yet are not all promiscuously without difference in so happy an estate when superiours doe set by them vnlesse the Lord doe also grace them for mans friendship can neuer doe good vnto Gods enemies as may appeare by the condition of Doeg and of the noble man vpon whom the King of Jsrael leaned and of the Priests of Baal whom 2. King 7. Jezabel maintained and of the false Prophets whom Ahab respected Doct. Great account is to be made of the fauour and good countenance of Princes and such as haue authoritie ouer vs. The cheerefull lookes of a good ruler vpon a worthy person is as a bright morning after a darke night and as dew vpon Prouer. 19. 12 the grasse after a great drought as the holy Ghost maketh resemblance It was not a small comfort to Mephibosheth to finde so much grace at Dauids hand nor a little honour to Daniel to be so much esteemed of Darius and other Kings vnder whom he liued And the like may be said of Joseph and Hester of Mordecai and Nehemiah whom the Scripture mentioneth to haue beene in great credit with those Monarchs whom they serued and were in subiection vnto Reason 1 First a good man may discerne the fauour of the Lord in the face of his gouernour who as S. Paul witnesseth is the Minister of God for the wealth of them that doe well Rom. 13. 4. Those whom mighty men doe set by the most of inferior places will be ready to make much of so that one great friend will occasion many others to be very friendly though not alwaies with sound affection yet often times with good profit and comfort Thirdly they which enioy the loue and good liking of Princes and principall Commanders haue opportunitie put into their hands whereby they may succour the distressed and pleasure their brethren and promote righteous causes as may bee exemplified in those faithfull fauorites formerlie specified Vse 1 Instruction to them whom the Lord hath aduanced to thrones and dignities or to any degree of authoritie though not the highest that they shew most courtesie to them that be most honest and giue best countenance to them that be of best behauiour Sithence God hath deputed them to keepe his roome it doth well become them to follow his example whose gracious fauours neuer faile the righteous nor the light of his countenance at any time shineth on the wicked That was one of the principal clauses of Dauids Vow which he made to God before hee entred into the possession of his Kingdome that he would know or rather acknowledge by any kinde and familiar vsage no euill man Mine eies saith hee Psal 101. 4. 6. shall be vnto the faithfull of the Land that they may dwell with me He that walketh in a perfect way hee shall serue me Great mens kindnesses haue as much operation in the people as seasonable showres in the hearbes and plants And is it not then to be wished that they were restrained from sinfull weedes and nettles lest they grow ranker and smell the worse and reserued for vertuous hearbs and flowers which may be the more odoriferous and flourish the better Certaine it is that the hands of vngracious wretches are greatly strengthened and made able to doe much mischiefe by being fauoured of men in eminent places which may easily be preuented or staied by frownes or checks or disgracings from them And this serueth also for a motiue to inferiours to incite them to seeke by due desert in good seruices to be well esteemed of and in credit with those that beare rule ouer them Who knoweth whether the Lord may not direct their eies to take notice of them and incline their hearts to bee affected towards them But because it is scarse possible for a Prince to grace all or to know euery one of his dutifull subiects therefore they which according to S. Peters precept doe religiously feare God and loyally honour the King haue cause to comfort themselues in the fauour of the most mighty Monarke of heauen and earth which doth infinitely more exceed the greatest kindnesse that all the greatest states in the world can shew to their dearest friends than the Sunne-beames at noone in the clearest Summer daies doe excell the smallest sparke of fire in the earth in brightnesse It is euerlasting as he is eternall It is vnchangeable as hee is immutable It is effectuall as he is almightie It is most glorious and comfortable as he is the God of glorie and consolation Verse 16. How much better is it to get wisdome than gold And to get vnderstanding is more to be desired than siluer HOw much better It is so farre better to seeke and finde heauenly wisdome and the knowledge of God rather than gold yea euen that which is fine and pretious as the word importeth and siluer as that the ods and difference is inexplicable the greatnesse of it cannot be
to the ground there are so many euery where that spit fire against the faithfull were it not that the Lord sendeth water from heauen to extinguish the force of their maledictions Dauid knew that Achitophel had a virulent tongue and such an one as was like to doe much mischiefe if it were permitted to take place and therefore he sought succour at Gods hand against it for he praied that his crafty counsell might bee turned into foolishnesse as it fell out to 2. Sam. 15. 31. the destruction of the giuer and receiuer of it and the preseruation of him against whom it was deuised See the violence of an euill tongue more largely described Chap. 12. verse 18. Verse 28. A froward person soweth strife and a tale-teller separateth chiefe friends A Froward person A man of frowardnesse saith the originall text he that is giuen to vnquietnesse and to bee a busie body peruerting other mens words and waies and nourishing peeuishnesse and sinfulnesse in himselfe soweth strife raiseth contentions and causeth debate betweene man and man which agreed well together before and a tale-bearer a pickthanke which vnder colour and pretence of loue doth secretlie whisper in mens eares and maliciously informe them against their innocent and faithfull well-willers separateth chiefe friends the word that often signifieth a Prince a Guide or Captaine is sometimes taken also for a principall friend or as we say a Prince of friends as heere and in the next Chapter following verse 9. and Psalme 55. verse 13. It was thou O man euen my companion my especiall friend and my familiar And Micah 7. verse 5. Trust yee not a friend c. The meaning then is that he setteth variance betweene those that were inward together and singularlie affected one towards another Doct. No bonds of friendship and kindnesse will hold where make-bates may haue hearing One false-hearted lying sycophant will cause many trustie friends to seeme vnfaithfull and treacherous as Doeg did Ahimelech and the other Priests to Saul It is easie for a make-bate to incense a master against his best seruants as Potiphars wife did her husband against Ioseph or a Prince against his loyallest subiects as Haman did Ahashuerosh against the Iewes or the father against his dearest sonne as some of Sauls Courtiers did Saul against Ionathan or the husband against his most kinde and louing wife as daily experience declareth A make-bate will prouoke any degree of superiours to reiect and cast off their inferiours that depend vpon them A make-bate will stirre vp euerie kinde of inferiours to grudge and murmur at their superiours that are carefull for them A make-bate will set all sorts of equals at variance that earst were vnited together with loue and hearty affection Reason 1 First there is guiltinesse in his conscience which worketh waiwardnesse in him and so there being no peace betweene God and his owne soule hee seeketh to interrupt that peace and amitie which is betweene others like as when the winde disquieteth the Sea the waues thereof doe tosse the ships Secondly there is pride and enuie in his heart which maketh him to repine at the loue and beneficence which is shewed among friends for that he would alone be well esteemed and much made of as the false Apostles for that cause laboured to alienate the hearts of the Galathians and others from the Apostle S. Paul Thirdly there is venome in his mouth and a pestilent breath proceeding from him by meanes whereof they that hearken to him are soone perswaded by him that there is falshood in fellowship and most fraud where in truth is greatest vprightnesse If Dauid will entertaine the report of Ziba hee will make him beleeue that faithfull Mephibosheth is turned to be a perfidious Traitor Such a poison there is in a slanderous tongue to send out infection and such an aptnes in a credulous eare to receiue it As the coale maketh burning coales and wood a fire so the contentious man is apt to kindle Prouer. 16. 21 strife Vse 1 Admonition to beware of frowardnesse lest we grow to be backe-biters and of backe-biting lest we shew ourselues froward and of both lest either of them draw downe Gods iudgements vpon vs. Hee that raiseth vp contentions among brethren maketh warre betweene the Lord and himselfe for the doing of that is one of the greatest of those abominations which the soule of the Lord is said to abhorre and whomsoeuer the Scripture chargeth to haue beene offendors in this are noted either to haue carried miserie with them when they died as Doeg and Daniels aduersaries and Haman or to leaue infamie behinde them after their death as Iosephs mistrisse Rehum Shimsai Tabnai the accusers of Christ before Pilate and they that complained on Paul to Felix and Festus The naming of them prouoketh a loathing of them and the reading of their malicious practises reuiueth the memoriall of their mischieuous behauiour 2 To esteeme of a bate-maker and so to deale with him as the Holy Ghost testifieth of him and giueth direction Cast out the scorner and strife shall goe out so contention and reproch Prouer. 22. 10. shall cease Hee that will whisper an vncharitable tale against his brother in secret is well rewarded if hee be sharplie rebuked in publike Nay Dauid after a sort vowed to doe more than that which hee might very well haue performed vpon Ziba Him that priuilie slandereth his neighbour saith Psal 101. 5. he will I destroy It is a great wrong that thou offerest vnto thy friend but greater to thy selfe when thou giuest leaue and incouragement to thy friends enemie to traduce him and conspirest with him to robbe thy selfe of an vnfained well-willer Verse 29. A wicked man deceiueth his neighbour and leadeth him into a way that is not good A Wicked man He that is head-strong and wilfully giuen to transgresse the lawes of God in regard whereof the originall text calleth him a man of violence deceiueth his neighbour infecteth the mindes of those with whom he conuerseth with errors perswading them of the lawfulnesse of that which is vnlawfull and of safetie where is perill and that that is euill which is good and laudable and sometimes necessarie and leadeth him into a way that is not good corrupteth his conuersation with vices and draweth him vnto such courses as are both sinfull and hurtfull Doct. It is the propertie of vngodly men to seeke to make others as bad as themselues S. Paul knew their disposition what was to bee looked for from them and what alwaies will be found in them saying That euill men and deceiuers shall grow worse and worse deceiuing 2. Tim 3. 13. and being deceiued And our Sauiour Christ noteth it in the Scribes and Phariseis that they would compasse sea and land to Matth. 23. 15. make one of their profession and when he was made they would make him twofold more the childe of hell than themselues Reason 1 First they hate righteousnesse and loue
and faithfull But how shall we know what God himselfe findeth in our hearts By the testimony which his spirit giueth of our harts And how shall wee know what the spirit testifieth By the graces which it worketh that maketh publication by the fruits of it as loue ioy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith meeknesse and temperance Consolation to them whose spirits are void of guile and replenished with grace when they pray their desires are manifest to God and therefore shall be fulfilled when they giue thankes their praises are knowne to be holy and therefore shall be accepted when they doe any seruice to the Lord the Lord is acquainted with their integritie and will accordinglie reward them What then though slanderous mouthes inueigh against them and raile vpon them What though they charge them to be proud and insolent What though they censure them for hypocrisie and dissimulation Nay what though Satan should attempt to perswade them that they were nothing else but hypocrites and dissemblers The answer of Iob to his accusers will easilie wipe away all those kindes of calumniations Loe now my witnesse is in heauen and my record is on high And yet this is not all the comfort that proceedeth from Iob 16. 19. this doctrine for obserue that God doth not only proue the heart as with a touch-stone to examine what metall it is but fineth it as it were a fornace to make it pure metall In dealing with his elect he maketh that better which he findeth good and maketh that good which he findeth starke naught Man with his fining pot and fornace can neuer turne clay and grauell into siluer and gold but God with his spirit and grace can conuert the mire and worst kinde of earth into gold and gemmes and most pretious matter They that bee nothing else but a masse of pride of crueltie of impietie and of all ill-fauoured corruptions hee easily frameth to be humble mercifull religious and shining with all heauenly vertues Verse 4. The wicked man giueth heed to false lips and a liar hearkeneth to the naughty tongue THE wicked man Hee that is giuen to worke mischiefe giueth heed to false lips willingly listeneth to the shrewd words that men that abuse their lips to falshood doe speake and a liar listeneth to the naughty tongue he that is wont to tell lies and other vngracious tales is glad to heare lies and other speeches that are malicious and hurtfull Doct. It is the propertie of them that doe euill and speake euill to be much delighted in hearing euill A curst tongue and a carnall eare are well met together either of them gratifying his fellow the former rubbeth where the latter itcheth and the latter is chapman for that which the former vttereth Saul was much affected with musicke and had need of musicke to asswage the violent fits of that spirit of phrensie that haunted him and yet no musicke was euer so delectable vnto him as informations against Dauid and his friends or tidings where Dauid might be met with He thought that great wrong was done him by his Courtiers that would not complaine of Ionathan his owne sonne for fauouring of Dauid And when Doeg related after what manner Ahimelek the high 1. Sam. 22. Priest entertained Dauid in Gods house hee made a pleasant banquet to the heart of Saul And so did the Ziphims when they aduertised him that Dauid was hid by them in holds and they would deliuer him into his hands Blessed be ye of the 1. Sam. 23. 21. Lord saith he vnto them for ye haue had compassion on me And it was no small contentment to the Priests and Councell to heare matter obiected against Steuen though they Act. 6. 13. knew the informers to bee false fellowes that were subborned to beare false witnesse against him Reasons 1 First all their members and senses are seruants to sinne and vsed as weapons of vnrighteousnesse and therefore if one be bad another cannot be good if the tongue bee slanderous the care will be gracelesse Secondly they loue lies and therefore how can they but hearken to them that make lies sithence they prepare for their appetite and as it were dresse such meats as are toothsome vnto them Thirdly by giuing heed to false lips and listening to naughty tongues they prouide matter for their owne false lips and naughty tongues to talke of they furnish themselues with such wares as they minde to make sale of for their best aduantage They may be prompted with more plausible lies and probable obtrectations by other mens inuentions than euer their owne wits were able to finde out or imagine And that which they haue heard though neuer so slanderous they thinke they may declare with warrant and if a lie hath beene told them though neuer so palpable they presume to tell it againe with authoritie Vse 1 Conuiction of them that bring their eares to wholesome words or rather if it must be so suffer them to bee brought to their eares but giue their mindes to corrupt speeches and willingly entertaine them in their hearts which for fashions sake will heare them that be honest and true but in good earnest hearken to them that are leaud and liars And yet who can pretend to hate sinne more than these And who so much as these continually cry out of sinne But neuer of their owne nor of their companions nor of any others that professe the practise of that which is euill though neuerso abominable but all their inuectiues are against hypocrites as they call them that will not be content to liue like all other men but seeke to be more strict in their behauiour and better in their conuersation than the rest of their neighbours such they perpetually pursue with grieuous accusations great crimes they haue alwaies to lay to the charge of such But how doe they prooue them to be so faulty What ground is there of these complaints So it is said they haue it by report such speeches are giuen out But by whom by swinish drunkards by filthy fornicators by hellish blasphemers by impudent liars by men one way or other egregiously sinfull and wicked What then are you that conuerse with such that hearken to such that are perswaded by such but sinners and liars like vnto them Instruction both to be well aduised how we trust the testimonies of them that haue open eares to listen to lies and also if we would maintaine our owne credit to keepe our selues from the societie of them that haue venomous mouthes and if any will attempt to obtrude vpon our eares their false reports and vncharitable discourses that our frowning browes doe shut vp and silence their clamorous lips according to that which is said in another place As the North winde driueth away the raine so doth an angry countenance the slandering Prouer. 25. 23 tongue Which dutie will better appeare in the explication of that sentence Verse 5. Hee that mocketh the poore reprocheth him
conclude of a future safety by their present securitie which feare no danger because as yet they feele not destruction as though a Rebell were free from all punishment because he is not arraigned and executed so soone as he beginneth the commotion Verse 12. Let a Beare robbed of her whelpes meet a man and not a foole in his follie THE she beare whose yoong ones haue beene lately taken from her exceedeth all other beasts in rage and fiercenesse From thence doth Hushai take his similitude concerning Dauid Thou knowest saith he to Abshalom thy father and his men that they be strong men and are chafed in minde as a Beare robbed of her whelps in the field And from thence doth 2. Sam. 17. 8. the Lord draw a comparison to expresse the grieuousnesse of the plagues wherewith he purposed to punish the sinfull Israelites I will meet them as a Beare that is robbed of her whelpes Hos 13. 8. and will breake the kall of their hearts And the immanitie of this beast may be discerned by that which befel the wretched boyes which scoffed at Elisha and were cursed by him It is said that two Beares came out of the Forest and tare in peeces two 2. King 2. 24. and fortie of them And yet it is not so dangerous to meet with such a Beare as with a foole in his follie as to fall into the hands of a wicked man in the extremitie of his wickednesse and furie Doct. No wilde beast is so sauage and hurtfull as a violent and sinfull man is Simeon and Leui were fooles in their follie and worse than Gen. 34. Beares when they murdered all the Shechemites and spoiled the Citie of Shechem Saul was a foole in his follie and worse than a Beare when he caused fourescore and fiue Priests of the Lord to be slaine at one time and smote Nob the Citie of 1. Sam. 22. 18. 19. the Priests with the the edge of the sword both man and woman both childe and suckling both Oxe and Asse and Sheepe with the edge of the sword And such was the follie of foolish Pharao Ahab Iezabel Herod and of Paul himselfe before his conuersion Reasons 1 First a Beare or other beast hath nothing in it beyond the nature of an vnreasonable creature but a desperate sinfull man is possessed with the craft crueltie and madnesse of Satan who is more outragious and so maketh them than any other liuing thing can be Secondly hee that keepeth himselfe out of the walke of a beast is free from danger by him and though a man should meet with him yet it is not impossible by art or agilitie to get away from him or if there were no escaping yet at the most he hurteth only the body but an impious wrathfull man will doe mischiefe farre off as well as neere Haman remaining at Shusan had laid a plot for the murdering of all the Iewes in an hundred and seuen and twenty Prouinces Where shall a man hide himselfe from the pawes and teeth of such a Tyrant And these outragious beasts in humane shape beside personall violence offered to the bodies of men will diffame their names and spoile their states and subuert their families and bring many soules to destruction Vse Instruction to walke warily euery where and looke well to our selues that we be not made a prey vnto them for no Wildernesse is more full of Lions and Leopards of Beares and Tigers than townes and Cities are of barbarous and furious fooles It is an absurd shift and excuse of the sluggard to say concerning the vnreasonable creature A Lion is without Prouer. 22. 13. I shall be slaine in the street but it is a part of wisdome to thinke concerning these mankinde beasts a Beare may bee in the way in the street in the house and at the table and therefore it is not safe for mee to meet with him that is by indiscretion and carelesnesse to giue him aduantage against me Neither can there bee safety sufficient for any by any circumspection vnlesse the Lord bee our protector If hee should absent himselfe from vs in his displeasure how soone would the wicked swallow vs vp and deuoure vs their malice being so immeasurable But he standing by vs in his fauour though we walke thorow a roaring wildernesse of wood and wilde people yet are we preserued from all hurt and perill Verse 13. He that rewardeth euill for good euill shall not depart from his house HE that rewardeth euill for good that dealeth iniuriouslie and vnkindly with him that hath declared his loue in outward courtesies any way for his benefit and profit whether by word or deed or hath sought the saluation of his soule by helping him against his sinnes euill plagues and punishments from God and many times displeasure from men also shall not depart from his house from himselfe especially and from his wicked posteritie Doct. Vngratefulnesse for fauours receiued or offered is a hainous and dangerous sinne Iotham chargeth the Shechemites not onely with bloodie Iud. 9. crueltie in massacring and murdering the seuenty innocent sonnes of Gedeon but with barbarous inhumanitie in dealing so vnkindly with his house whose hand had alwaies beene prest and ready for their libertie liues and safetie Dauid was much mooued when hee was so doggedly dealt with by Nabal at whose hands hee had deserued so much good in preseruing of his flocks and God was more offended 1. Sam. 25. with Nabal than Dauid was and reuenged his quarrell vpon him and that with no lesse punishment than the stroke of death And the same Dauid complaineth of the same sinne in his Psal 35. 12. 13. malicious aduersaries which were as greedie of his ruine as he was desirous of their preseruation which put on armour to persecute and take away his life though he put on sackecloth to fast and pray for the protection of their liues Reason 1 First they which are vngratefull to men that haue beene beneficiall vnto them are also vnthankfull to God who hath inclined their hearts and made them able to doe them good By this it doth appeare that Ioas did neuer render due praises to the Lord for his preseruation and crowne because hee yeelded such hard measure to the sonne of Iehoiada who had before beene his protector and brought him to the Kingdome Secondly nature teacheth to requite good with goodnes and Religion requireth to returne good for euill and therefore a great offense it is to requite euil with euill but most intolerable to recompence good with euill Vse Terror for them that are both foolish for themselues and churlish towards their benefactors which are most bitter and violent against their best friends and those which deale most faithfully with their soules they will die vpon their enemies enemie and mortally maligne him that wisheth and would worke their immortall happinesse No foe is so offensiue to them as hee that praieth for them and giueth them good