and faithfull imploying of a mans selfe in his owne function there is abundance vz. of good things and blessings meaning that he which giueth himselfe painefully to followe labor in his calling shall thriue and prosper but the talke of the lippes i. bare and vaine words as when a man will labor with his tongue and let the rest of his members bee idle bringeth onely want i. bringeth nothing with it but pouerty that word onely I would refer rather to the first words reading it thus but the talke of the lippes onely q.d. where there is no more but labor in the mouth and no performance of it in deed there must of necessity be beggery pouerty Ve. 24. The crowne of the wise is their riches i. the riches which wise men thorowe Gods goodnes possesse and haue them annexed vnto their wisdome they are a singular ornament vnto them this word crowne is sundry times so vsed before and the follie of fooles is foolishnes q d. though fooles haue neuer so great riches they auaile them nothing to remoue their folly but their folly is meere folly notwithstanding all that yea they are so farre of from adorning them that they rather serue to stayne them because they are instruments and arguments to cause them more and more to bewray their folly Vers 25. A faithfull witnes i. he that being called to witnes a matter speaketh faithfullie and truely deliuereth vz. from danger and distresse soules i. men or persons see Exod. 1.5 meaning such as were ready to be destroyed and were oppressed thorowe euill reports but a deceiuer i. a deceitfull and false witnes speaketh lies vz. against men by which he indeuoreth to bring men to death and destruction he setteth deceit against trueth and speaketh of lies against deliuerance because that lies many times bring men to great danger and destruction Vers 26. In the feare of the Lord is an assured strength i. hee that hath a right and reuerent feare of Gods Maiestie planted in his heart neede not feare any thing for the Lord will bee an assured strength and defence vnto him and his children i. Gods children whome he hath in Christ begotten vnto himselfe by the incorruptible seede of his word that they might walke in his reuerence and feare for I had rather referre it vnto them than to the posteritie and children of good people though I knowe that sense also may stand because good fathers many times haue euill children shall haue hope i. an assured hope in the Lorde which shall not make them ashamed as Roman 5.5 Vers 27. The feare of the Lord i. the right and reuerent feare of his Maiestie planted in mens hearts is as a wel-spring of life i. blessednes in this life and eternall life in the world to come doth aboundantly proceede from it see Prouerb 13.14 also chap. 10.11 to auoide i. to teache men to auoyd and shunne the snares of death i. such snares as in which if men be caught and escape not from them there is no way but death both of bodie and soule see chap. 13 14. Vers 28. In the multitude of the people is the honor of a king i. it is a great honor and credit for a king to haue many people willingly subiect vnto him and ready to performe his will and therefore for the increase of the same he ought to vse equitie and clemency and not tyrranie and cruelty to lessen them and for the want of people commeth the destruction of the Prince vz. because his countreyes and territories are easily subdued to the power of his enemies because he hath not forces sufficient wherewithall to resiste and so are the borders of his gouernement diminished Vers 29. Hee that is slowe to wrath vz. against other men laboring to master the rage of his affections sée Iames 1.19 is of great wisdome i. declareth thereby that God hath blessed him with abundance of wisdome while he can refraine his rage and doo nothing rashly but hee that is of an hastie minde vz. against others meaning such a one as is furious and soone stirred vp exalteth follie i. doth openly commit it as though hee woulde lifte it vp that all men might sée it see vers 17. of this chap. Vers 30. A sounde heart i. a heart frée from vicious affections specially from euill will and despight against others is the life of the flesh i. bringeth health and soundnes to the whole man that hath it hee putteth a parte for the whole but enuie vz. once conceaued in the heart against other men is the rotting of the bones i. will quickely consume a man and bring him to his end as the diseases which lye in the boanes and eate them vp sée chap. 12.4 q.d. hee that is of a courteous gentle and free heart shall haue a sound body and passe away his dayes in quietnes reioycing other men also but the trouble which enuie bringeth with it leaueth not the strongest parts of the body sounde but infecteth and corrupteth them and maketh the whole man in all mens iudgement filthie and stincking Vers 31. He vz. of what state or calling so euer hee bee that oppresseth vz. by fraude force slaunder or other wise for the word is generall and reacheth to any kinde of oppression the poore i. the needie and he that is not able to make his parte good against him reprooueth vz. by his wicked and leud dealing him that made him i. God who appointed that hee should bee poore and this hee speaketh because the wicked man thinketh that God either cannot or will not deliuer him out of his hands it may bee taken also thus that whosoeuer releeueth not the poore despiseth God see Matt. 25.35 c. but he honoreth him i. the Lord and why doth he honor him Because hee dooth a worke appoynted by God in his lawe that hath mercie on the poore i. sheweth him pittie and compassion see vers 21. of this Chap. Vers 32. The wicked shall be cast away vz. from the Lord and from the enioying of his gracious presence which the godly alwaies behold for his malice 1. for the euill and naughtines which he hath committed against God and man but the righteous hath hope vz. of Gods fauor and goodnes towards him and of his owne deliuerance in his death i. either when he dyeth or else is set in most grieuous distresses the greatest whereof is death q d. though he should dye yet he would not doubte of Gods goodnes towards him Psalme 23.4 for euen death it selfe should be for his good Vers 33. Wisdome i. holy and heauenly wisdome from God resteth vz. as it were in his owne house or dwelling place in the heart i. in the soule and minde of him that hath vnderstanding i. of all that delight in wisdome and vnderstanding and is known i. wisdome is made manifest in the midst of fooles i. openly and in their sight so that they can pretend no ignorance A worthie man readeth this latter
meaning by this speeche that hee is mercifull if to beastes much more to men q.d. he is so gentle and curteous that he neglecteth not his owne cattell but giueth them their meate attendance and all other things necessary in due time how much more then doth he care for his houshold and needy persons but the mercies of the wicked vz. if hee haue any at all which also may be doubted of are cruell i. tend euen to crueltie and haue crueltie mingled with them Some reade it thus but the mercies of the wicked are the mercies of a cruell man i. they haue no more mercies then a cruell and outragious person hath Vers 11. He that tilleth his land i. is faithfull and paynefull in his calling for hee putteth one sorte vz. husbandrie for all shall be satisfied with bread i. shall not onely haue sufficient maintenance but fulnes of it hee vseth the worde bread for meate drinke cloth and all things necessarie for the maintenance of mans life but he that followeth vz. as an example in his dealings and behauior and trade of life the idle i. idle headed fellowes and such as giuing themselues to vanitie woulde not followe any honest trade or occupation The same word is turned Iudges 9.4 vaine One referreth it rather to the things than to the persons and indeed I suppose the Antithesis or comparison would better stand so is destitute of vnderstanding i. of right vnderstanding how wise so euer he seeme notwithstanding in his owne eyes Vers 12. The wicked desireth vz. very greatly and earnestlie the net of euills i. all manner of meanes whereby he may cast others into many euills and mischiefes and so hurt and grieue them Some turne it thus the net of euill vz. men q.d. he wisheth to vse the same deceites to oppresse good and innocent people with all that the wicked vse Some turne it thus the wicked desireth the ayde of euills i. ayde and defence against them q.d. he hath an earnest desire to be established and defended from all euills but his desire is in vaine as vers 3. of this chap. and this I rather like of but the roote of the righteous see before vers 3. of this chap. giueth fruite I would rather read giueth it vz. defence against euill and mischiefe Vers 13. The euill man is snared vz. fast and caught very sure by the wickednes of his lippes i. by his wicked wordes vttered with his lippes q.d. the naughty man by his owne lewde words bringeth all manner of greefe and destruction vpon himselfe but the iust shall come out of aduersitie vz. by the wisedome of his words and speech hee shall escape great affliction and manifolde dangers meaning that eyther by the wise weighing of his words he taketh heed of distresse or if he fall into any trouble doth thereby deliuer himselfe from the same Vers 14. A man i. a good and wise man shall be satiate with good things i. shall obteyne plenty and abundance of good things by the fruite of his mouth i. by the good wise and holy words which he vttereth with his mouth as thankes giuing is called the fruite of the lippes Heb. 13.15 q.d. euery good man shall receaue moste large and excellent fruite of his speech when he shall speake learned right and holy things and the recompence of a mans hands shall God giue vnto him i. God will recompence him meaning euerie man according to the works done in this flesh and so in this parte of the verse he passeth from wordes to deedes Vers 15. The way of a foole i. the trade of life and conuersation which hee affecteth yea whatsoeuer thing he liketh vnderstanding by foole a peruerse wicked man is right in his owne eyes i. seemeth so to be in his owne iudgement how crooked froward soeuer it bee before God and good men but he that heareth counsell i. good and holy counsell meaning also by hearing of it practising and obeying of it is wise vz. in deed q.d. whatsoeuer a foole dooth he dooth it without aduise or counsell of other men why so Because he is caried away with an ouerweeuing of his owne deuises whereas the wise man vseth other mens counsels and trusteth not to himself Vers 16. A foole in a day i. very quicklie and soone yea euen in that day and at that present wherein he shall be prouoked to wrath shall be knowne to be a foole because he cannot suppresse his raging wrath shal be knowne by his anger vz. against others q.d. he cannot put off or defer his wrath but by and by manifesteth it and so withall bewrayeth his folly but he that couereth shame vz. offered vnto him by some iniury or outrage he meaneth not here to allow of hypocrisie and dissimulation but that whosoeuer hee is which can paciently put vp wronges offered or done him and stirreth vp no brawles or contentions but rather will suffer than reuenge or declare his rage and furie vnto men which thinge also after a sort might purchase shame to himselfe hee I say that thus can doo is wise vz. indeede or truely wise Verse 17. Hee that speaketh vz. from his heart and that plainly and openly trueth i. true things will shewe righteousnes i. will not bee either afraide or ashamed to declare too and before others his vpright dealing but a false witnes vseth deceit i. all manner of deceit both in heart and word that he may the more cunningly couer his craft Vers 18. There is vz. a man meaning thereby great numbers in the world see Chapt. 11.24 Also Chapt. 13.7 that speaketh words like the pricking of a sword I would rather turne it like the persings or thrustings in or through with a sword that is that speaketh such sharpe bitter and pernicious words which pearce a man as much as greeuous thrusts with a swords poynt whether it be by false witnes bearing or otherwise by the euil speach and deadly poison of the tongue but the tongue i. the words and speaches because they are vttered by the tongue of wise men i. of men which are truely wise indeede is health i. healthfull and profitable both to themselues and others Vers 19. The lippe of trueth i. not only true speaches but specially and chiefly the persons vttering them shall be stable for euer i. shall not only last and continue but be alwaies like vnto themselues not varying in tales or speaches but a lying tongue i. lyes and lyers varieth incontinently i. are not onely variable in the matters they deale withall but vanish away quicklie because they are of no longer continuance but a moment Vers 20. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine euill vz. against others meaning that they performe their mischiefes against others by craft and deceit but I rather allowe his reading who turneth it thus deceit falleth into the heart of such as imagine euill i. the wicked are many times destroyed by their owne subtiltie and craft the consideration whereof bringeth vnto
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
griefe and hurt that dronkards through their owne follie drawe vnto themselues Vers 33. Thine eyes shall looke vpon strange women i. thou shalt become shamelesse and vnchast if thou giue thy selfe to dronkennes vnderstanding by strange women harlots as sundrie times heretofore and this is another reason why dronkennes is to be auoyded because vnchastnes is ioyned with it as an inseperable companion and thine heart i. thou out of the abundance of thy heart Matth. 12.32 for otherwise the heart speaketh not shall speake vz. openly and in the presence of others lewd things i. filthie and vnseemelie things Another reason why dronkennes is to be auoyded because of the euil speach that is ioyned with it Vers 34. And thou shalt be vz. when thou art so dronke as one that sleepeth in the middest of the sea that is it will make thée careles and secure as the sléepie man is and as he that sleepeth in the toppe of the mast i. as one that is in great and continuall danger readie through the rage and violence of the sea to be cast out of the mast into the maine sea Here is two reasons contained the one because it maketh men carelesse the other because they are in wonderfull great danger though perhaps they themselues feele it not Vers 35. They i. sundrie men haue striken me vz. grieuouslie and very hard shalt thou vz. O dronkard say vz. when thou art waked out of the dead sleepe of thy dronkennes but I was not sicke i. I was not grieued or pained for all their blowes they haue beaten me vz. very much but J knewe not vz. that they had so dealt with me for dronkennes taketh away almost all the senses when I awoke vz. out of the sléepe of my dronkennes till such time as other made me know it by some one meane or other therefore will I seeke vz. diligently and carefully it i. strong and pleasant wine meaning thereby that he would pursue dronkennes notwithstanding all these inconueniences yet still i. somewhat longer q.d. dronkennes will make thee so much the more miserable by how much thou shalt glorie of the dulnes of thy bodie and minde yea which is worse by many degrees thou shalt of purpose prouoke thy selfe to continue and increase in thine old excesse ryot and dronkennes a horrible thing no doubt Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs to haue regard of time place persons c. Vers 2. Teacheth vs that it is a hard matter to bridle appetite and also that wee must deale earnestly in the subduing thereof Verse 3. Teacheth vs that we may easilie be ouertaken with daintie fare vnlesse wee take good heed to our selues Vers 4. Teacheth vs to auoide couetousnes and trusting too much in our owne wit Verse 5. Setteth out the incertaintie of riches and the vanitie thereof Verse 6. Teacheth vs to auoide the companie of niggardlie minded men Verse 7. Setteth out the hypocrisie of the niggard speaking one thing and meaning another Verse 8. Teacheth vs that there is not onely no good gotten but much hurt done both to our selues and others by resorting to niggards tables and feastes Ver. 9. Teacheth vs to take heede that wee despise not good counsell Verse 10. Teacheth vs not to incroch vpon any but to be content with our owne Verse 11. Setteth out Gods fauour and loue towards the poore afflicted Verse 12. Teacheth vs to imploye and lend all our forces to obtaine heauenly wisedome Vers 13. Teacheth vs moderatly and in good order to correct such as GOD hath committed to our bringing vp Verse 14. Declareth what good commeth by reasonable correction Verse 15. and 16. Teach vs that good and wise children reioyce continually the hearts of their parents and friends Vers 17. Teacheth two things first that wee should not be enuious at the wickeds prosperitie secondly that we should continually meditate and thinke vppon the reuerence and feare of Gods Maiestie Verse 18. Teacheth vs not onely in patience to waite for good things but to bee assured also that wee shall in good time obtaine them Verse 19. Teacheth vs that Gods word should be a continuall direction of the affections of our hearts Verse 20. Teacheth vs to shunne euill companie Verse 21. Setteth out the inconueniences of gluttonie and idlenes Verse 22. Teacheth obedience to superiours and others whom God hath placed ouer vs. Verse 23. Teacheth vs not onely to vse all meanes to get knowledge in Gods trueth but when we haue obtained it to make much of it Verse 24. Teacheth vs that good children are matters of great ioye to their parents Vers 25. Teacheth the same thing Vers 26. Teacheth vs diligently to hearken to the good counsell of our parents and friends Vers 27. Setteth out the dangers of whoredome Vers 28. Describeth the qualities and properties of harlots Verse 29. Declareth the great miseries and mischiefes that insue vpon dronkennes Verse 30. Teacheth vs to beware that we be not ouertaken euen with the vse of lawfull things Verse 31. Teacheth vs to withstand the beginnings and to auoide the occasions of dronkennes Verse 32. Setteth out the hurts that followe vpon it Verse 33. Teacheth vs that dronkennes hath either whoredome or inticements to whoredome annexed with it Verse 24. Teacheth vs that dronkennes thrusteth men headlong into most dangerous dangers Verse 35. Teacheth vs that it bereaueth men euen of their senses for the time and instructeth vs further in time to cease from euill least going on in the same an vnauoidable iudgement ouertake vs. CHAP. 24. Co. THe holie Ghost hauing before liuely painted out wicked men and namely dronkurds knowing also our readines to imbrace such vices beginneth this Chapter with an admonition to auoide such companie which thing also he expressed before Chap. 23. vers 17 20. so that it seemeth to bee as it were a continuance of the same doctrine Di. I Would diuide this Chapter into three especiall parts In the first he teacheth Di. 1 men to auoide euill companie commendeth wisedome knowledge vnderstanding and counsell he speaketh also against such as imagine mischiefe and scorne at others and instructeth patiently to beare aduersitie and to defend and maintaine the innocent from verse 1. to the end of the Di. 2 12. In the second he setteth out the excellencie of wisedome exhorteth the wicked to leaue off their wickednes and not to reioyce at the fall of any he teacheth men not to bee grieued at the wickeds prosperitie to yeeld obedience to God and Magistrates and to beware of sedicious persons for feare of punishments that shal fall vpon thē from vers 13. to the end of the Di. 3 22. In the third he willeth men to beware of hauing respect of persons and of iustifying the vngodlie and teacheth them to speake good things and to deale wisely and prouidently in all their affaires to beware of false witnes bearing and of recompensing euill for euill and of idlenes which bringeth nothing with it but beggerie and pouertie from verse
for bringeth with it great horror and danger they know not vz. so farre of are they from being able to shunne or auoide their iudgements wherein i. into what danger and mischiefe they shall fall vz. sodainlie and certainlie Vers 20. My sonne see Chapt. 1.8 hearken vz. diligentlie vnto my words i. the things that I shall speake and vtter in my words see vers 4.10 of this Chapter incline thine eare i. bee prest and readie with attention to marke vnto my sayings this doubling of one and the selfe same thing setteth out the great loue of the holie Ghost and our wonderfull dulnes to conceiue any good thing Vers 21. Let them not depart from thy eyes see Chapter 3.21 but keepe them vz. safelie and stedfastlie in the middest of thy heart i. within thy heart q.d. hide them deepelie and surelie in thy minde as Chapter 2.1 In these two verses he mentioneth three principall parts of mans bodie the eare the eyes the heart that he might thereby teach vs to lend all our senses thereto and to occupie all our affections about that and yet wee must speciallie vnderstand him of the eares and eyes of the minde Vers 22. For they i. the words of holie wisedome and counsell are life i. are effectuall meanes of right life in this life and of eternall life in the life to come see Chapter 3.18 22. also verse 13. of this Chapter in which respect it is called the word of life Philip. 2.16 vnto those i. vnto all those of what state and condition so euer they be that find them i. obtaine them hearing them laying thē vp in their hearts and performing them and health vnto all their flesh i. it shall bring soundnes vnto their whole man And note that by these outward blessings there are signified inward and spiritual blessings also see Chap. 3.8 Vers 23. Keepe thine heart vz. from filthines corruption and sinne with all diligence i. be more diligent to watch and keepe it than any other thing whatsoeuer meaning by kéeping of his heart a watching ouer it a trying of it and indeuour to purge it from the euill that is in it or els might otherwise assault it for thereout commeth life i. as it is the fountaine of naturall life so it should be the fountaine of good life in this world for the heart and purging of it see Math. 12.35 also Math. 15.18 19. Vers 24. Put away vz. by al meanes thou canst from thee i. as farre as thou maist a froward mouth i. a mouth that speaketh froward things for otherwise the mouth is not froward of it selfe and put wicked lippes farre from thee i. let not thy lippes vtter wicked things because the mouth lippes and tongue are hardly ruled he doubleth his exhortation see Iames 3.2 3. c. Vers 25. Let thine eyes behold the right i. right good holie things only looking vpon nothing wickedly indirectly or inconstantly see Psal 119.37 also Iob. 31.1 and let thine eye liddes direct thy way before thee i. let not thine eyes be wandring hether and thether for then thou shalt easilie go out of the way It is a metaphore taken from trauailers or runners whose eyes must not wander hether and thether but attend diligently vpon their way and iorney Vers 26. Ponder vz. diligently and carefully to sée whether they be right yea or no the paths of thy feete i. all thy indeuours and actions which things the scripture doth many times attribute to the feete because they are instruments to carrie vs about the doing of them and let all thy waies i. all thy affaires and whole life and conuersation be ordered aright i. haue an eye that they may be rightly guided by the rule of holie wisedom and Gods word Marke how in these foure verses 23 24 25 26. the holie ghost requireth that our mind be vpright and pure from euill secondly that our words be holie and good thirdly that our eyes be chast and lastly that our indeuours and actions be holie Vers 27. Turne not vz. from the right way of the word of God to the right hand or to the left i. to any side whether it be of thine owne deuise or of other mens corruptions but remoue thy foote from euill i. from al manner of euill of what sort or in what persons soeuer vnderstanding by remouing the foote a quicke speedie departure from it And I take this to bee the conclusion of the former doctrines q.d. shewe thy selfe vpright in all things and a most diligent obseruer of that way which God himselfe hath commanded see Deutero 4.2 also Deutero 5.32 33. see also verse 5. of this Chapter Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs first that it is parents duetie to teach their children secondlie that is childrens duetie to hearken reuerentlie and to performe diligentlie the good things taught them Vers 2. Teacheth vs that parents must propound nothing but good holie things to their children Vers 3. Teacheth vs that the care which our parents haue had ouer vs should bee an argument to prouoke vs to haue the like care ouer our children Vers 4. Teacheth vs to lay vp Gods lawe within our hearts and to keepe it so sure there that nothing may pull it from them Vers 5. Teacheth vs to take all labour and paine that we may attaine heauenly wisedome Vers 6. Teacheth vs that whosoeuer is indued with true wisedome indeede shall bee kept safe and sound from perishing by any hurts Vers 7. Teacheth vs that wisedome must bee preferred before all treasures and possessions whatsoeuer or els she is not rightly esteemed Vers 8. Teacheth vs that the way to come to true honor preferment is reuerently to esteeme to seeke the exaltation of Gods wisedome and word The same doctrine doth verse 9. deliuer Vers 10. Teacheth vs that long life is a blessing giuen from God to his children for the care and conscience that they haue of obedience Vers 11 Teacheth vs that parents should bee good guides and teachers vnto their children Vers 12. Teacheth vs that all things shall prosper with them which vnfeignedly imbrace Gods wisedome Vers 13. Teacheth vs to take sure hold and to continue in the care of holie wisedome Vers 14.15 Teach two things first that the companie and fellowship of the wicked is very dangerous secondlie that we should take heed that we come not at any hand nigh vnto it Vers 16. Sheweth that the wicked are so set on mischiefe that the very desire they haue to do it breaketh their sleepe Vers 17. That to performe wickednesse is meate and drinke to the vngodlie and that they take as great delight and pleasure in the one as in the other Vers 18. Doth not only shewe the great difference that God in his account maketh betweene the good and the bad but also teacheth how that the faithfull doo daylie proceede and growe vp in all goodnesse Vers 19. Teacheth vs that the wicked are ignorant of their own destruction
commendeth her for her antiquitie great power c. Vers 22. The Lord vz. the eternall God hath possessed me vz. his eternall sonne and wisedome in the beginning of his way i. before he began to make or create any thing He commendeth this wisedome of the nature of it because he is one eternall God with the Father and the holie Ghost q.d. I was with God euen then when by the creation of al things he manifested plaine testimonies of his Maiestie See Iohn 1.1 2 c. Coloss 1.16 I was vz. eternall and God with him for nothing is eternall but God only before his workes i. before al or any work that euer he made of old i. which he made of old or long time agoe see Psal 93.2 Vers 23. I was set vp or after some annointed meaning that by Gods eternall decrée he was placed in his office of Kingdome Priesthood and Prophecie for such a metaphore he vseth in this place from euerlasting i. from before all beginnings whatsoeuer from the beginning vz. of the world neither doth the word from note that then he began as 1. Ioh. 1.1 and before the earth vz was created all this tendeth to set out the perpetuitie and eternitie of this great wisedome Vers 24. When there were no depthes vz. either of water or earth was I begotten vz. of the father when there were no fountaines vz. made nor yet abounding with water i. hauing plentie of water within them q.d. before all these and whatsoeuer things els was I who was the eternall sonne of the eternall father begotten of him before any thing that is or was as may appeare by the verses following Ver. 25. Before the mountaines were setled and before the hilles vz. were created was J begotten vz. of the eternall father q.d. I was God eternall before the earth mentioned generally verse 23. or any part therof spoken in this verse was Vers 26. He had not yet vz. when I was made the earth vz. no nor begun to make it nor the open places vz. of the world meaning hereby the champion and plaine countries nor the height of the dust in the world he vnderstandeth by height the excellent creatures and by dust though all were made of the earth the more base creatures q.d. when neither the one sort nor the other were created I was Vers 27. When he i. God the Father prepared i. created and framed as we see the heauens i. that same great frame which is ouer our heads passing as it were from the earth to it I was there vz. together with him and was a creator in that most excellent workmanship see Iohn 1.3 when he set the compasse i. the earth which he calleth by this name because it seemeth to be round vpon the deepe i. vpon the waters see Psalme 24.2 Vers 28. When he established i. appoynted and set by the word of his power the cloudes aboue vz. in the firmament that they might be kept there as it were in tunnes and bottles till he would haue them to powre downe their deaw or raine when he confirmed vz. to keepe within the boundes and compasses which he had set them the fountaines of the deepe vz. belowe in the earth which fountaines yeeld forth water and make them to growe as it were into bottomles pits q.d. before the waterie cloudes aboue and the waters vnder the earth were created I was with that same eternall God Vers 29. When he gaue his decrees to the sea vz. touching the bounds and listes of the same how farre it should goe and how farre it should not goe that the waters vz. of the sea and of the flouds should not passe his commandement i. goe beyond the bounds which by his word and commandement he had set them when he appoynted the foundations of the earth i. when he founded and laied it that it should remaine vnmoueable Vers 30. Then was I with him vz. working together with him in that great worke of his creation as a nourisher i. as a maintainer and vpholder of that his excellent workmanship of creation and I was daylie i. alwaies his delight i. one whom the father tooke continuall pleasure in as Math. 3.17 and Math. 17.5 reioycing alwaies before him i. being continually in his sight euen as his deare and tenderly beloued sonne Vers 31. And tooke my solace in the compasse of his earth i. not only reioyced at the excellent workmanship but also blessed all things created in the earth and my delight is with the children of men i. as I powred vpon all creatures abundance of my sweete blessings so chiefly vppon man induing him with all bodilie and spirituall graces and amongst men specially those which are my Church Vers 32. Therefore q.d. seeing my commendations and graces which I giue be so great now vz. while you haue time and grace is offered you hearken vz. diligently and attentiuely O children see Chapter 7.24 vnto me vz. Gods heauenly wisedome who calleth you to goodnes for blessed are they i. abundance of blessings shall light vpon them and he speaketh it in the present tense as though they had the things in possession alreadie that keepe vz. vnfeignedly and with a good heart my waies i. the waies that I prescribe them vnderstanding by waies his ordinances and commandements Vers 33. Heare instruction vz. from me or the instruction which I giue you and be ye wise i. learne to be wisely ordered and gouerned thereby and refuse it not vz. least it turne to your owne hurt and destruction blessed is the man see verse 32. of this Chapter Also Psalm 1.1 that heareth me vz. speaking vnto him vnderstanding by hearing obedience also of the things propounded as Ioh. 10.27 watching daylie i. continually at my gates i. at the dores of my house He meaneth such as both continually though with great labour and paine and also vnfeignedly euen with their whole hart and soule seeke him It may be a metaphore taken from clients who will not depart from their Aduocates or counsellors dores till they haue talked with them Or it may be taken from painfull schollers who watch the schoole dores so that they be first in vpon the opening of them and last out vpon the shutting of them and giuing attendance vz. diligently least I escape at the postes of my dores vz. where I should come out Vers 34. For he vz. whosoeuer he bée that findeth me vz. seeking carefully and painfully for me findeth life i. me that am life as Iohn 11.25 Also Iohn 14.6 Meaning it also both of temporall and eternall life and shall obtaine fauour of the Lord i. great and excéeding grace from him Vers 35. But now he amplifieth by the contrarie he vz. whosoeuer he bee that sinneth against me i. that doth not reuerently esteeme me nor applie himselfe diligently to obtaine me for wee can not neglect Christ but with great offence hurteth his owne soule i. destroyeth himselfe both here and in the life to come and
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
be inherited vnto his Childrens Childerne i. vnto his posteritie for many generations see Psalme 128.6 he meaneth that the Lord will in mercy shewe such fauour to good men that not onely they themselues shall enioye their landes and liuing but euen their issue after them vnto many generations and the riches of the sinner i. the goods and lands that he possesseth is laid vp vz. safe and sure for the iust vz. that they may possesse and enioye them Hee meaneth that neither the wicked themselues nor their vngodly seede and posteritie after them shal inioy them but the good shall haue them How true this is see Iob. 27.16 17. see also Ester 8.7 11. Vers 23. Much foode i. much graine and corne méete for foode so is the word taken Gen. 42.2 is in the feild vz. that is well tilled and manured though perhapes the soyle it self be somwhat barren of the poore i. of that man who though he be poore yet notwithstanding is diligent in his labour but the field is destroyed without descretion he meaneth that the corne in the field can come to little or no profit where there is not good husbandrie and good gouernement One readeth it thus But there is vz. a man who consumeth himselfe i. both himselfe and all that he hath thorowe sluggishnes or els vnskilfulnes for the word importeth both and is set here against the knowledge and diligence of the poore laboring man q.d. by idlenes and want of skill hee commeth to nothing and is vtterly consumed Ver. 24. He that spareth i. withholdeth from the correction and chastising of his child his rodde i. the rodde of correction which God hath committed into his hands hateth his sonne i. his child as ver 1. of this chap. meaning that he is euen as though he did hate him because that not correcting him he is a cause that he falleth into euill by meanes whereof he doth at the length pul vpon him his owne destruction but he that loueth him vz. vnfeinedly and with the loue of a godly father chasteneth him vz. measurablye and according to the offence committed betime i. in good season and while that he is tender and yong least growing in yeres he growe in strength and courage and so either little regarde or vtterly refuse all fatherly correction Vers 25. The righteous eateth vz. of the giftes and blessings which God hath bestowed vpon him to the contentation of his minde i. to the satisfying of himself for he noteth vnder that word not onely contentednes but abundance also but the bellie of the wicked i. the wicked himselfe a part for the whole putting also bellie for the stomack wherein resteth appetite shall want vz. many times great store of Gods blessings he meaneth that good men haue alwaies sufficient and abundance but the wicked neuer see Psal 34.10 also Psalme 37.16 Do. Verse 1. Teacheth children their duty vz. to obey the good instructions of their parents it teacheth vs also to beware of scorning and of contempt of admonition Vers 2. Teacheth vs that the good wordes of good men are profitable both to themselues and others also that the wicked shall not escape iudgement Vers 3. Teacheth vs to be warie and circumspect in our words and to auoyde babling and much speech Vers 4. Teacheth vs to auoyde sluggishnes and to bee painefull and faithfull in our callings Vers 5. Teacheth vs to abhorre lying Vers 6. Setteth out the vnlikelie rewarde of righteousnes and wickednes Vers 7. Teacheth to beware as of vayne boasting on the one side so of counterfeiting pouerty on the other side Vers 8. Teacheth vs that riches and pouertie haue either of them their profite and their disprofits Vers 9. Teacheth vs Gods fauour towards the good and his iudgements vpon the wicked Vers 10. Teacheth vs that pride is the mother of strife but they that are humble will yeeld to good counsell and peace Vers 11. Teacheth vs that euill gotten goods shall come to nothing also that diligence and labor is a meane to get and increase riches Vers 12. Teacheth vs to doo good quicklie and in good season least otherwise the gift either come too late or be not so acceptable Vers 13. Teacheth vs that the contempt of Gods word shall neuer escape vnpunished Vers 14. Teacheth vs that good counsell is a good meane to make men to auoyde the snares of sinne Vers 15. Teacheth vs that Gods gifts in any must be reuerenced and sinne and iniquitie abhorred Vers 16. Teacheth vs to doo all things according to iudgement and discretion and to take heed that either by word or deede wee bewray not the follie of our harts Vers 17. Teacheth vs to deale faithfullie in the charges wherein we are placed both that wee may thereby auoyde euill and also procure good vnto our selues and others Vers 18. Teacheth vs that contempt of good counsell is a meane of beggery and shame as on the other side obedience to good speeches is the high way to honor and estimation before GOD and men Vers 19. Teacheth vs that we may reioyce when lawfull and holy things are done for vs also that it is a very harde matter to drawe the vngodly from sinne Vers 20. Teacheth vs to make choyce of our companie cleauing to such as are good and flying from the euill Vers 21. Setteth out the vnlikelie reward of the good and the bad from God Vers 22. Teacheth vs that good men thorowe Gods blessing leaue their goods and lands to their posteritie euen many ages togeather one after another also that God in his iustice doth many times depriue the wicked of their wealth and giueth it to the good Vers 23. Teacheth vs that labor is a meane to make men rich also that for want of labor and good gouernement many things are consumed Vers 24. Teacheth parents to correct their children but yet so that they doo it in measure and in such sort and at such a time as it may doo the parties corrected most good not onely for the time present but also for the time to come Vers 25. Setteth out Gods fauor towards the good and his iustice towards the wicked and vngodlie CHAPT 14. Co. IN the latter end of the other chapter he had spoken of Parents and children and now he beginneth this chapter with a tâ—eatie of women passing on from thence to describe generall dueties appertayning to all states ages and sexes whatsoeuer Di. Di. 1 THis chapter may bee diuided into foure partes In the first hee intreateth of a wife and foolish woman of the feare and contempt of God of pride and humilitie of labor and husbandrie of a faithfull and lying witnesse of the scorner and wise person of the foolish and the prudent or righteous Di. 2 man from vers 1. to the end of the 9. In the second he intreateth of the heart or conscience of the wicked and the Godly of an vpright way of heauinesse of heart of a wicked heart of easines to beleeue
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
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
man either conceiued or expressed against vs see Chapt. 25.15 but greeuous words i. words that worke griefe in the partie against whom we speake stirre vp anger vz. against vs and here he teacheth what things followe mens speach to wit peace followeth vpon quiet words and trouble vpon bitter and hastie speaches Vers 2. The tongue of the wise i. the wise man himselfe a part for the whole and yet he nameth the tongue because wisedome and knowledge is expressed therewith vseth knowledge aright i. doth aptly and profitably and seasonably vtter it and maketh it more acceptable vsing it in time and place but the mouth of fooles i. fooles themselues and yet he nameth the mouth because they doo especially by that meanes bewray it bableth out vz. rashlie and without any regard foolishnes i. their owne follie see verse 28. of this Chapter In this verse he teacheth men to frame their speaches with knowledge or according to knowledge Vers 3. The eyes of the Lord i. his certaine sight and knowledge He speaketh of God according to man not that God hath eyes but because we doo most assuredly knowe those things which we see in euery place vz. wheresoeuer it be behold vz. plainlie and manifestlie for nothing can bee hid from his sight Hebrew 4.13 the euill vz. men and the good vz. men meaning also euery word and déede that commeth from them q.d. seeing the Lord looketh vppon you looke that your words be vttered in the reuerence and feare of his Maiestie Vers 4. A wholesome tongue i. a tongue that speaketh wholesome profitable things and vttereth whatsoeuer it vttereth in wisedome and knowledge with equitie and vprightnes and that to other mens profite is as a tree of life i. bringeth both to himselfe speaking and to others that heare him life for this phrase see before Chapt. 3.18 Also Chapt. 13.12 but the frowardnes thereof i. of the tongue of which see Iames 3. almost throughout meaning by frowardnes the froward things also vttered thereby is the breaking of the mind i. is great griefe and sorowe vnto the heart One readeth it thus and better in my mind but the frowardnes which commeth by it is as a breach made by the winde meaning of the Easterne wind which is most vehement and forcible q.d. He that is of a peruerse and froward speach shall fall into most gréeuous hurt and danger and shall pull vpon himselfe most sodaine and violent calamities Vers 5. A foole i. a wicked and vngodlie child despiseth i. little or no whit at all regardeth his fathers instruction i. the instruction and counsell that his father and parents giue him q.d. he is foolish whatsoeuer he be that regardeth not his parents aduise or good counsell but he that regardeth vz. rightly and reuerently correction vz. in wordes or déedes from whom soeuer it come is prudent i. is rightly wise or wise indéede Vers 6. The house of the righteous hath much treasure i. the righteous mans house is well stored and filled with good things meaning also thereby that he hath both the vse and possession of them but in the reuenues of the wicked i. in that which the wicked haue how much or little soeuer it be is trouble i. great and excéeding trouble vz. for the keeping of it if it bée much and for the spending of it if it be little Vers 7. The lippes of the wise i. their words vttered with their lippes or you may take it simplie because the lippes are the instruments of speach doo spread abroad knowledge vz. wheresoeuer they can or doo come for they haue a desire to make men partakers of their gifts but the heart of the foolish doth not so vz. because it is voide of knowledge and iudgement and so cannot vtter wisedom but bewray follie rather as Chapt. 13.16 Vers 8. The sacrifice of the wicked i. which they themselues bring or offer vnto the Lord vnderstanding by sacrifice all ceremonies and outward things whatsoeuer though they were done neuer so solemnely and sumptuously in Gods seruice and against these he setteth the bare and simple praier of the righteous onely is abomination to the Lord i. he lotheth and abhorreth it see Chapt. 11.1 all sacrifices are reiected where godlines is not annexed but the praier of the righteous i. such supplications as procéede from his heart is acceptable vnto him i. vnto the Lord but that is in the only mediation of Christ for otherwise all things comming from vs are abominable likewise Vers 9. The way of the wicked i. his order course of life is an abomination to the Lord see verse 8. of this Chapter he meaneth that the Lord abhorreth whatsoeuer commeth from the wicked either in thought word or déede because it all tendeth to the euill and hurt of others but he loueth vz. with an vnfeigned and perpetuall loue him vz. whosoeuer he be that followeth vz. earnestlie and egerlie see Psalme 34.14 righteousnes i. holie life and good dealing Vers 10. Instruction vz. giuen by any is euill i. it seemeth so to bee in his iudgement vpon whom it is bestowed or els he meaneth that it is vnprofitable for euill is not put here as directly contrarie vnto GOD because instruction is alwaies good to him that forsaketh the way vz. which GOD hath prescribed in his word and he that hateth i. cannot away withall or abide but abhorreth as an euill thing correction see verse 5. of this Chap. shall dye vz. certainlie and sodainlie or els eternally for it may bee taken both waies Vers 11. Hell and destruction are before the Lord i. there is nothing so deepe or secret but the Lord doth most throughly knowe it see verse 3. of this Chapter how much more vz. easilie and plainlie doth he knowe the hearts of the sonnes of men i. whatsoeuer men and their whole posteritie can imagine thinke or deuise and in this respect is it that God is so often called in the Scripture the knower of the heart and the searcher of the heart and reines Vers 12. Ascorner i. he that not only refuseth but scoffeth at counsell and admonition see Chapt. 1.22 Also Chapt. 3.34 loueth not him vz. any whit at all but hateth him rather that rebuketh him vz. iustly or wisely for his euill and naughtines neither will he go vnto the wise i. he will not keepe companie with them because he knoweth they will reproue him q.d. The scorner hateth both the doctrine of God and those that should teach him also and that euen for the doctrines sake Vers 13. A ioyfull heart i. a glad and merrie minde maketh a chearefull countenance i. maketh the whole man merrie and yet he speaketh of the countenance because that is one of the meanes whereby the mirth of the minde and heart is manifested for there can hardly be a merrie countenance where there is a heauie heart vnlesse that should fall out which was saied before Chapter 14.13 but by the sorowe of the hart i. by meanes
hearts of his children vnderstanding by feare a reuerence of his Maiestie ioyned with loue they departe vz. speedilie from euill i. from naughtie conuersation and all things that may pull on to the same see 1. Thessalo 5.22 Vers 7. When the waies of a man i. his purposes deedes and the whole course of his life pleaseth the Lord i. be such as he accepteth and alloweth of which is when they are framed according to the rule of his word he i. God the Lord will make vz. by his mightie power and working his enemies at peace with him i. so farre off shall it be that they that neuer hated him shall attempt any euill against him that euen his very foes and aduersaries shal procure all manner of good for him for so much I suppose he vnderstandeth by the name of peace Vers 8. Better is a little vz. gotten and atchieued with righteousnes i. with vpright and iust dealing than great reuenues vz. though they come yearely monethly or daylie in without equitie i. gotten with the iniurie and opression of other men see Chap. 15.16 Vers 9. The heart of man purposeth his waie i. he waieth and thinketh vpon the things which hee hath to doo tossing them too and fro in his thought and imagination but the Lord vz. alone doth direct vz alwaies by his power and prouidence his steppes i. euery thing that he taketh in hand for the sense of this place see vers 1. of this Chap. also Ierem. 10.23 and Prou. 19.28 Vers 10. A diuine sentence i. a true and certaine iudgement euen as it were from God himselfe I know that the word signifieth diuination or foretelling such as Soothsayers Astrologers c. vse But he meaneth it not thereof for it is forbidden Deuteron 18.10 11. c. but rather noteth that the word of the king is and ought to bee a moste sure worde as those things which they foretel seeme at the least to the parties themselues and those that credit them to be shall be vz. or ought to be prescribing as it were his dueties which word I suppose might be better added here in the lippes of the king i. in his words and speaches vttered with his lippes putting the word king for al Magistrates whatsoeuer his mouth shal not transgresse in iudgement i. while hee sitteth in iudgement hee shoulde not pronounce or award vniust sentences but deale vprightlie in all causes as may appeare by the verses following Vers 11. A true weight and balance i. vpright and faithfull dealing in euery respect and this seemeth to be a reason of the former rule q.d. the iudgement and vprightnesse which Magistrates and other men faithfullie execute is not from men themselues but of God see Deuteron 1.17 2. Chronic. 19.6 and hee meaneth most exact obseruation of iudgement and iustice by weight and balance are of the Lord i. are ordeyned of him and commaunded by him see Deuteron 25.13 14 15. also Chap. 11.1 all the weights vz. how great or how little so euer they bee of the bagge i. which men put into the bagge for the better and more safe keeping of them he alludeth to Deuteron 25.13 meaning it also of iust and equall weights are his word i. the Lord hath made and ordeyned the same to bee vsed as appeareth by the place before alledged Vers 12. It is vz. or els it ought to be an abhomination i. a horrible and lothsome thing to kings i. to great and mightie men or to Magistrates of what degree or calling soeuer they be to commit vz. in thought word or deede wickednes i. any manner of wickednes either against God or man and this he speaketh speciallie because of their great callinges and high places wherein they are set for the throne vz. of the king or kingdome meaning thereby the kingdome it selfe a parte for the whole as sundrie times in the psalmes and namely Psalme 93.2 also Psalme 132.12 is established i. is made firme and sure with great likelyhoode of continuance by iustice vz. by faithfull and diligent executing of iustice and equitie Vers 13. Righteous lippes are the delight of kings i. kings and Magistrates should take speciallie delight and pleasure in such persons as speaketh righteous and good things a part put for the whole person and one instrument wherewith the voyce is framed put for the words themselues and the King i. all rulers and magistrates loueth i. ought tenderly to affect him i. those whosoeuer they be that speaketh right things vz. vnto them This he speaketh because Princes do many times more delight and sauour flatterers than plaine dealers Vers 14. The wrath of a King i. that indignation and displeasure which a great man beareth against another is as messengers of death i. is at it were deadly to him with whom he is angrie and bringeth as it were present death euery thing then threatning death as it were which wee see by daylie experience And he saith messengers in the plurall number that it might haue the greater force but a wise man will pacifie it vz. in time and by all the lawfull meanes he can hée will indeuour the quenching of it for feare of inconueniences and mischiefes that may insue thereon Vers 15. In the light of the Kings countenance i. in his fauourable countenance q.d. when it pleaseth the King with a pleasant and merrie countenance to shewe that he fauoureth men is life i. there is hope of all manner of prosperitie and florishing and his fauour vz. so expressed and declared towards other men is as a cloude vz. which is full and therefore powreth downe raine see Eccle. 11.13 of the latter raine vz. which falleth somewhat before haruest before the corne ripe and maketh the yéeld of fruit to be great see Deutero 11.14 Iames 5.7 Vers 16. How much better is it q.d. It can hardly be tolde or a man is not able to expresse what great oddes and difference there is to get vz. by industrie and paines taking wisedome i. heauenly wisedome and knowledge of Gods will reuealed in his word than gold yea than fine and precious gold for so much the word importeth and to get vnderstanding vz. of Gods word and truth The Rabbins referre wisedome to spirituall and diuine things and vnderstanding to worldly and humane but me thinketh the other sense is plaine is more to be desired vz. by many degrées and to be sought for than siluer i. than chosen or fined siluer see Chapt. 3.14 Also Chapt. 8.10 Meaning that holie wisedome is to bee preferred before all thinges Vers 17. The path of the righteous vz. wherein he walketh is to decline from euill i. the righteous man hath a great care and conscience in all his conuersation and actions to abstaine from sinne and iniquitie and all that may allure thereto see verse 6. of this Chapt. and he keepeth his soule vz. from destruction meaning also by soule himselfe a part for the whole that keepeth his way vz. vpright in the obedience 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.
a man giuen to disquietnes and trouble seeketh onely euill i. studieth nothing els but how he may performe mischief but hee shall gaine nothing thereby as appeareth by that which followeth and a cruell messenger i. either a tormentor or some other who shall execute the iudgement of God and the Magistrates against him not repenting shall bee sent vz. from God or man or both against him vz. to punish him according to the greeuousnes of his offences Vers 12. It is better i. there is lesse danger in it for a man vz. that is himselfe alone vnprepared or vnarmed to meete vz. in the wildernes or els where a beare the worde is of the Masculine gender and signifieth notwithstanding the Femall also or shee beare robbed of hir whelpes i. whose yong ones haue been taken from hir by some one meanes or other The beares when they haue lost their whelps are verie fearce and cruell speciallie the shee beares as whose affection seemeth to bee greater towards them concerning the greatnes of the danger which may befall men by beares see 2. Samuel 17.8 2. king 2.24 Hoseah 13.8 than a foole in his follie i. then a wicked man in the extremitie of his wickednes and rage q.d. it were lesse euill to fall into the power of the one than of the other Vers 13. He vz. whosoeuer he bee that rewardeth i. rendreth and yeeldeth vnto another man euill i. mischief and hurt for good i. for the good and profit that hee hath receaued by him euill i. plagues and punishments from God and manie times displeasure from men also shall not depart from his house i. from him or from his wicked posteritie It is a sinne against all lawe yea euen against nature to requite good with euill see it forbidden Roman 12.17 where wee are forbidden to recompence euill for euill much lesse to recompence good with euill Vers 14. The beginning of strife i. the beginner of strife he putteth the thing for the persons q.d. he that is the worker of the beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters vz. which were shut vp in standing pooles or ponds which being once let out they ouerflowe and carrie away euery thing that standeth before them and cannot againe be shut vp and inclosed q.d. the hole or since by which they are let foorth at the first seemeth narrowe but afterwards by the rage of the waters it is made greater and so is it with strife and contention therefore or the contention be medled with i. before it be any whit at al begun leaue of vz. from it He would haue vs to withstand and quench the beginning of strife Ver. 15. He that iustifieth i. declareth either by word or déed as iust so haue you the word oftentimes vsed both in the old new Testament Exod. 23.7 Isaiah 5.23 Math. 11.19 1. Tim. 3.17 the wicked vz. man and he that condemneth i. either by word or deed pronounceth sentence of condemnation against the iust i. the vpright innocent person euen they both vz. of what state condition or calling soeuer they be are an abomination to the Lord. i. lothed disliked of him see chapt 11.1 for this phrase and for the matter words almost see the like sentence Chapt. 24.24 Ve. 16. Wherfore i. to what end purpose is there a price i. means as riches or monie wherby a thing prised may bee bought in the hand i. in the power as sundry times in the scripture of the foole i. of the wicked vngodlie man to get wisedome vz. by it he hath none heart vz. to obtaine it meaning that he hath no affection or pleasure thereto q.d. It auaileth the foole nothing yea rather it is a miserable thing vnto him to haue full hands or great power no heart or wil at all to obtaine good things For he is vnworthie of good things that disdaineth wisedom yea those very good things shall tend to his greater iudgement Ver. 17. A friend i. he that is a faithfull trustie friend loueth vz. vnfeignedly with a good heart his familiar friend or acquaintance at all times vz. both of aduersitie and prosperitie for nothing can turne away his minde and a brother i. a naturall and deare friend for I suppose he speaketh not of naturall brethren onely is borne i. is brought foorth as it were into the worlde and so made manifest for aduersitie i. euen against the daies of troubles and trialls come q.d. then doth the force of naturall friendship appeare which before in prosperitie lay as it were hidden Vers 18. A man destitute of vnderstanding i. an vnwise and foolish man toucheth the hand vz. of another giuing him his hand and word as it were for the payment and performance of some thing see Chapt. 6.1 and becommeth suretie vz. by that meanes for his neighbour i. his familiar friend and acquaintance see chap. 1.1 2 c. Also chap. 11.15 Vers 19. He loueth transgression that loueth strife vz. either betwéene himselfe and some others or els betwéene other men though he himselfe be none of the parties striuing He meaneth that the author of contention loueth all manner of euill because there is almost none euill but it ariseth and is increased by contention and he that exalteth i. setteth on high his gate i. the gate or doore of his house meaning in an allegorie hereby he that despising others lifteth vp himselfe which is fitly shadowed out by this speach because it sometime falleth out that they that set their doores high fall backward from thence and so bruse hurt and wound themselues seeketh destruction i. his own hurt and danger Vers 20. The froward heart i. the man giuen to frowardnes a part for the whole and yet he nameth the heart because it is the seate of affections from whence also they flowe findeth no good i. obtaineth no good thing either before God or man but much euill and hurt rather and he that hath a naughtie tongue i. he that vseth his tongue to speake either lewdlie and filthilie or els vntruely or falsely against any shall fall into euill i. shall be ouertaken with Gods iudgements for the same and haue those things light vpon him that his tongue hath pronounced against other men Vers 21. He that begetteth a foole i. the parents of a foolish child He putteth the first part of procreation for the whole and the education thereof also because in the first generation no man knoweth what his sonne or child shal be and of the habite which the child afterwards getteth either by the parents negligence or euill bringing vp or though he haue béen well instructed yet notwithstanding he hath an euill hart or mind getteth himselfe sorowe vz. through the follie of his child and the father of a foole i. his parents can haue no ioye vz. in their foolish children and so long as they continue such see Prouerb 10.1 Also 15.20 And also verse 25. of this Chapter Vers 22. A
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.
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
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
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
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