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.
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
He meaneth that to follow the wayes of the harlot bringeth with it death and destruction both of bodie and soule Verse 19. All they vz. of what state or condition soeuer they be that go vnto her i. that haue but some familiaritie or beginning of acquaintance with hir returne not againe vz. without touch or taint of some mischiefe meaning also that they hardlie returne to the Lord by vnfeined repentance neither take they hold of the wayes of life i. they liue not againe or returne into life meaning also by life and the waies thereof a better order or course of life than they lead before And though he speake the same things in many wordes meaning that they shall not at any hand escape destruction yet the wordes must bee vnderstood of eternall death rather than of temporal bodilie death which yet notwithstanding the adulterers purchase and procure to themselues by their incessant filthie life Vers 20. Therefore q.d. seeing thou seest what iudgements shall fall vppon the wicked ioyne thou thy selfe to the good others reade it otherwise but me thinketh this is plaine enough walke thou in the way of good men i. be conuersant with them and order thy life well according to the good orders and courses of their life and keepe the waies of the righteous vz. in thy conuersation and behauiour q.d. in thy life followe their good and holie steppes Vers 21. For he sheweth here a reason taken from the iust iudgements of God towards the good in this verse and towards the wicked vers 22. the iust 1. those that haue care and conscience of iustice wel doing shall dwell in the land vz. which the Lord hath mercifullie giuen them for I take it that he alludeth to the promises made in the lawe Exodus 20.12 and other places Yet so that vnder the same he meaneth all manner of blessings whatsoeuer see Psalm 37.29 and the vpright men see Psalme 119.1 shall remaine in it vz. a long season Vers 22. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth vz. through the iust iudgement of God against them for their sinnes and the transgressors i. such as transgresse against God and his lawe shall be rooted out of it vnder this word he meaneth that the wicked shall assuredlie sodainlie and vtterlie be destroyed see Psalme 37.36 38. also Psalme 52.5 And héere vnderstand by these outward and corporall things inward spiritual and eternal either life or death and marke that this is vsuall with him to amplifie by the contrarie as Chapt. 1.32 33. Chapt. 3.35 and in sundrie other places Do. Vers 1. Teacheth to bring with vs a mind readie prepared to receiue good things Vers 2. Teacheth vs to haue care faithfullie to retaine and keepe those good things which wee haue heard and learned Vers 3. Teacheth vs to vse earnest and continuall praier for the obtaining of al good things whatsoeuer Vers 4. Teacheth vs to spare no labour or cost for the obtaining of good things yea the better that the things are which we seeke for the more earnestlie to trauaile therein Vers 5. Teacheth vs that if wee seeke for the things of God with that affection that he requireth and to the ende he commandeth wee shall not lose our labour Vers 6. Teacheth vs that the gift of wisedom knowledge iudgement and euery good gift whatsoeuer commeth from the Lord. Vers 7. Teacheth vs Gods great care and singular prouidence ouer those that be his Vers 8. Teacheth vs that God reuealeth knowledge and wisedome vnto those that bee his to the end that they might learne according to the same to direct all their waies Vers 9. Teacheth vs that we know nothing of goodnes till God make the same manifest vnto vs. Vers 10. Teacheth vs both in the inward man and in the outward man to take delight and pleasure in good things Vers 11 12. c. Teach vs what great benefites sound and sincere knowledge of Gods heauenly will wisedom shall bring with it to thē that haue attained through Gods goodnesse to the same Vers 12. Teacheth vs to auoid al frowardnes whether it be in heart or speach Vers 13. Teacheth vs to take heed that we bleare not the light which God hath made manifest vnto vs. Vers 14. Teacheth vs to beware of reioycing in euill and naughtinesse for that is the height and toppe of all sinne Vers 15. Teacheth vs that when men delight in crooked waies they more and more go astray from God in following the leaudnes of their own soules Vers 16. Painteth out very liuely the qualities and conditions of a harlot or strumpet Vers 17. Sheweth that in adulterie there is a double transgression committed one against God and another against man which is the husband Vers 18.19 Shewe how dangerous and deadlie a thing it is to haue any familiaritie or acquaintance at all with light and dishonest women Vers 20 Teacheth vs to set good men in their goodnesse before our eyes to bee examples and patternes of good life and conuersation vnto vs. Vers 21 22. Set out the difference betweene the reward of the good and the bad both in this life but especiallie in the life to come CHAP. 3. Co. IN the other Chapter the holie Ghost had exhorted men to imbrace and obey wisedome and now because this doctrine is not easilie yeelded vnto yea mans nature doth whollie rebell against the same he beginneth new and fresh exhortations prouoking men to earnest and vnfained imbracing of Gods word Di. THe Chapter may be diuided into three parts In the first he setteth out Di. 1 the vse of Gods word which teacheth vs to trust in God to feare and honour him and pacientlie to abide his corrections from vers 1. to the end of the 12. In the second part he citeth promises and blessings assuring vs Di. 2 that all things shall fall out well to them that subiect themselues to Gods word and wisedome from verse 13. to the end of the 26. In the third he laboureth Di. 3 to remoue such euils as might hinder men from imbracing Gods word and wisedome as the doing of iniurie keeping companie with the wicked c. setting out the iustice of Gods iudgements against the dooing and doers thereof from verse 27. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. MY sonne see Chapter 1.8 forget not thou vz. at any time my lawe i. my doctrine and instruction and he calleth it his not because he was the author of it but the vtterer or penner of it but let thine heart whollie and soundlie keepe vz. within it in respect of knowledge my commandements i. both the things that I command the words in which I expresse them Vers 2. For they i. the not forgetting and keeping of them shall increase the length of thy daies and the yeares of life i. of thy life He meaneth not that the daies and termes which the Lord hath set vs shall bee lengthened or shortned but he speaketh it according
for 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
his simplicitie reformed and to him that is destitute of wisedome i. lacketh the true and holie wisedome of God she saieth vz. also q.d. I refuse to take paines with none how simple or foolish soeuer they be so that they will diligently applie their eares and willingly hearken to my voyce Vers 5. Come vz. willingly and quickly and eate of my meate and drinke of my wine i. bee partakers of all the good things which the father hath giuen to communicate vnto you and to bestowe vppon you that I haue drawne see verse 2. of this Chapter and marke how that which wisedome speaketh here somewhat darklie he speaketh in the next verse more plainly Vers 6. Forsake vz. with all speede possiblie your way vz. wherein you walke meaning the imaginations and deuises of their owne hearts and the corrupt worke of their owne flesh ye foolish he calleth them here foolish whom he called verse 4. simple and ye shall liue vz. not only here in this life but for euer also with God and that word shall noteth the certaintie of it and walke vz. carefully and diligently in the way of vnderstanding i. in those waies and orders of life which vnderstanding setteth before you q.d. applie your minde to wisedome and frame and fashion your whole life according to the rules thereof Vers 7. He vz. whosoeuer he be that reproueth i. laboureth by the way of reproofe or admonition to instruct teach a scorner i. a man that wickedly scoffeth both at the truth and the person vttering it and barketh like a dogge or grunteth as a swine against it see Psalme 1.1 purchaseth vz. not by the dooing of it but by reason of the peruersnes of the partie who will doo nothing els but labour either by taunting to make him blush or els by slaundering to discredit him to himselfe shame vz. before men see Math. 11.16 17 c. and he that rebuketh the wicked vz. whether it be sharply or mildely done getteth himselfe a blot vz. because that through enuie being moued they will slaunder him Vers 8. Rebuke not a scorner least he hate thee he meaneth not that wee should abstaine from reprouing others for feare of their displeasure and hatred for that is not to be esteemed if he would hearken vnto wholesome counsell but because it is to be doubted least we should lose our labour and receiue nothing but hatred for our paines but rebuke vz. for his offence see Leuit. 19.17 and doo it plainlie a wise man i. such a one as is so prepared in minde that he wil not scoffe at thee and thy admonitions but willingly heareth wisedome and gladlie suffereth himselfe to be informed according thereto see Prouer. 10.8 and he will loue thee vz. the better and the more vnfeignedly for that Vers 9. Giue admonition to the wise i. admonish him that is wise of any thing that is amisse in him and he will be the wiser i. he will thriue in wisedome by that admonition and reproofe and become the better both in practise and obedience thereby teach vz. good things and that in the spirite of méekenesse of loue a righteous man i. he that hath care of an vpright conuersation and he will increase in learning vz. by the meanes of those admonitions and vnder the name learning he comprehendeth not knowledge onlie but obedience and practise also for we haue learned so much as we know and practise Vers 10. The beginning of wisedome is the feare of the Lord see Chapt. 1. verse 7. Also Psal 111.10 He sheweth here what is true wisedome and what way men must take if they will obtaine her to wit that they bring with them a reuerent feare of God in their hearts For in vaine shall any man thinke without the feare of God to obtaine wisedome or to make any procéedings in her and the knowledge of holie things i. of all holie things whatsoeuer specially of holie men is vnderstanding vz. right and sound vnderstanding of Gods will reuealed in his word q.d. without that there is no way to knowe any thing that is good He maketh here two parts as it were of heauenly doctrine the one is the duetie of reuerence towards God the other is the duetie of fellowship with the Saints and either of them is called the beginning of wisedome and vnderstanding because they are in this life begun in vs by the word and shall not be finished till the prophecie cease and wee bee placed together in the heauenlie places with Christ Vers 11. For thy daies i. the daies of thy life shall be multiplied vz. very greatly He meaneth that the godlie imbracing heauenly wisedome shall obtaine a long life and this he speaketh not as though the daies which God hath numbered vnto vs shall be shortned or lengthened but according to the custome of the lawe by me vz. if vnfeignedly thou receiue and imbrace me and the yeares of thy life shall be augmented vz. excéedinglie Vers 12. If thou be wise i. truelie and holilie wise thou shalt bee wise for thy selfe i. for thine owne good and commoditie not forbidding vs to imploy our wisedome to doo good vnto others also but shewing that we our selues shall reape the speciall commoditie by it and if thou be a scorner see verse 7. of this Chapter thou alone shalt suffer vz. the iust paine and punishment of thy scoffing and scorning q.d. thy scorning shall not as thou thinkest hurt him that tendereth thy saluation but shall through Gods iust iudgement light vpon thine owne head Vers 13. A foolish woman i. one giuen ouer to wickednesse and sinne is troublesome vz. both in word and deede it is the same word that he vsed before Chapt. 7.11 she is ignorant vz. of euery good thing and knoweth nothing vz. soundly and vprightly either of her duetie towards God or man Vers 14. But she sitteth vz. as an idle bodie and one that would allure men at the dore of her house i. without for she cannot abide to be within dores on a seate q.d. yea she sitteth on a seate prepared for her in the high places of the citie i. in the open streates where she may bee seene For high places see Chapt. 8.2 He meaneth by this that she is a gadder see Chapt. 7.11 12. Vers 15. To call them vz. vnto her meaning by this speach to allure them that passe by the way vz. about their businesses and affaires that go right on their way i. that are carefully bent and set vpon the performance of the things that they haue to doo without thinking any whit of her or her lewdnes till she allure them saying vz. after this manner also Vers 16. Who so is simple let him come hether vz. to me and to him that is destitute of wisedome she saith also these are the same wordes with verse 4. of this Chapter but vtter to another end vz. to drawe men from the way of true wisedome so that wee may see here that we are not to
beléeue bare words only Vers 17. Stollen waters are sweete I take these to be the words of the harlot intising the foolish and simple man q.d. wee will secretly commit whoredome which to the flesh in deede seemeth very pleasant and sweet and not only because it is not seene or knowne but also because the desire and vse of strange flesh which is called in this place the euerie is or at the least seemeth delectable for the time and hidde bread is pleasant i. bread eaten in corners which they dare not eate openly either because it was forbidden them or because it was stollen Vnder these two similitudes she meaneth one thing that is secret or close committing of whoredom and here we may see that euen by the account of whores and harlots whoredome is condemned as a vile sinne Vers 18. But he vz. who is so intised of her knoweth not vz. being deceiued through the sweetnes and pleasures of sinne which indure but for a while that the dead are there i. that such as vse her house and frequent her companie are dead alreadie as 1. Timoth. 5.6 and that her guestes i. such as she hath bidden and doo yéeld to her bidding are in the depth of hell i. are alreadie condemned some referre it to the graue but the other sense also is true vnlesse it please God to giue them vnfeigned repentance and amendment of life Do. Verse 1 2 3. Set out the great loue that God beareth towardes man which teacheth vs on the otherside not to requite it with vnkindnesse as when he louinglie calleth we should chorlishly refuse to come but thankfully to accept of the time of his gracious and fatherly visitation Vers 4. Teacheth vs that our ignorance or wickednesses should bee no cause of estranging our selues from God but rather spurres to prouoke vs to drawe nigh vnto him for the amendement thereof Verse 5. Teacheth vs reuerently and louingly to imbrace Gods graces offered Vers 6. Teacheth vs that Christian righteousnes consisteth of these two partes in hating the euill and doing the good things Vers 7. Setteth out rather the nature of the wicked who cannot away with the word of reproofe than discourage vs any whit at all from performing of that great duetie of charitie and loue Verse 8. Teacheth vs that godly admonition bringeth not foorth the like fruites and effects in all Verse 9. Teacheth vs that the godlie can alwaies well away to be reproued and admonished Vers 10. Teacheth vs the right and reuerent feare of Gods Maiestie and also the true feeling of the societie and fellowship of the brethren Verse 11. Teacheth vs that whosoeuer vnfeignedly imbraceth Gods heauenly wisedome shall haue abundance of graces bestowed vpon him Verse 12. Sheweth that scorners and scoffers shal not escape vnpunished Verse 13. Sheweth that these are two properties of a harlot brauling and ignorance Verse 14. Teacheth vs that this is another note of a light person gadding and fisking abroad Vers 15. Teacheth vs that harlots are for the most part impudent and shamelesse Verse 16. Teacheth vs not to beleeue all words for harlots many times will labour to allure with the same words that holie wisedome doth and all to make her perswasions more plausible Verse 17. Teacheth that adulterie is a notorious kind of the euerie or robbing Verse 18. Teacheth that how pleasant soeuer the delights of sinne be for a while yet their end is sharpe and miserable CHAP. 10. Co. HEtherto the holie Ghost was occupied speciallie in the commendation of holie wisedome which chiefly respecteth our dueties towards God now hauing dispatched and finished that poynt he proceedeth in this and the other Chapters following to speake both of the generall and particular dueties that in God and for God we owe one of vs to another and this he doth not in any curious methode or order no more than they doo which take vppon them in few wordes to deliuer rules of life such as amongst the heathen were sundrie as Cato Isocrates and others And yet wee will indeuour and assay to make as apt both connexions and diuisions of the Chapters as it shall please God to giue vs grace Di. TRue it is that sundrie and seuerall instructions of doctrine are contained in this Chapter as also in the Chapters following and therefore can hardlie admit any apt diuision notwithstanding I suppose it may well be diuided into three parts In the first the holie Ghost speaketh of wise and Di. 1 foolish children of goods wickedly gotten of Gods prouidence towards the good and his iustice against the bad of idlenes and sloth of Gods fauour and iustice towards the godly and vngodly of the waies of the wicked and the godlie of hypocrites and of good men and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 11. In the second he intreateth of hatred and loue Di. 2 of wise men and fooles of riches and pouertie of obedience hypocrisie babling the godly mans words and the wicked mans heart from verse 12. to the end of the 21. In the third he intreateth of Gods fauour of fooles Di. 3 and their feare and destruction of slothfull persons of the good and the bad and of their vnlikely fruites and rewardes and this reacheth from verse 22. vnto the end of the Chapter Se. THis Chapter hath as it were a title thus The Parables of Salomon see the same wordes expounded before Chapter 1.1 Vers 1. A wise sonne i. a good and godlie child whether it be sonne or daughter maketh a glad father i. causeth the father much to reioyce vnderstanding by father both the parents and kinsfolkes because he is chiefe see Chapter 15.20 but a foolish sonne i. a wicked and a lewd childe is an heauines vz. of heart and great griefe to his mother i. to his parents c. as before one being put for manie Vers 2. The treasures of wickednes i. such treasures as wicked men get by wicked meanes how much soeuer it be and thinke will stand them in stead see for this phrase Luke 16.9 profite nothing vz. at all that is can not stand him in stead against the euils which are readie to fal vpon him and death that hangeth presently ouer his head see Psalme 49.6 7 c. but righteousnes i. vpright and faithfull dealing yea though a man haue no treasure at all deliuereth from death i. ouercommeth all euilles and dangers whatsoeuer and causeth that euen death it selfe is not hurtfull to the righteous Vers 3. The Lord vz. who is faithfull and iust in all his promises will not famish vz. through any want or neede the soule of the righteous i. the good mans life see Psalme 34.10 Also Psalme 37.25 He meaneth that howsoeuer they be afflicted on euery side yet shall they not bee distressed or destituted for euer see 2. Cor. 4.8 but he casteth away or scattereth vz. as a thing of no account the substance of the wicked i. all that he hath and possesseth and this he doth
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
he shall haue euery day lesse than other and become more needie Vers 25. The liberall person vz. towards others but specially towards the godlie poore shall haue plentie vz. giuen him from the Lord and he that watereth vz. others with his store shall also haue raine vz. giuen him from the Lord that he may more and more doo good vnto others The metaphores of watering and hauing raine would bee considered and marke that this verse differeth not much from the next before going Vers 26. He vz. whosoeuer he be that withdraweth the corne vz. from the market where it should be sold keepâ—â—◠〈◊〉 against a deare time the people will curse him i. speake as iustly they haue occasion all manner of euill of him as that he is couetous miserable c. see for this fault Amos 8.5 6 c. but blessing shall be vpon the head of him i. he himselfe shall be blessed and well spoken of amongst men whosoeuer he be see Chapter 10.6 that selleth corne vz. plentifully and good cheape so that the poore may be prouided for vnderstanding by corne in this verse all manner of vittaile and prouision Vers 27. He that seeketh vz. carefullie and diligentlie for so much doth the Hebrue word import good things vz. not only for himselfe but for other men also getteth fauour vz. thereby and that both before God and men but he that seeketh euill vz. either against himselfe or others whether it bee of ignorance or of knowledge see verse 19. of this Chapter where he turneth it by following euill it shall come to him vz. certainlie and assuredlie and that many times before he thinke of it or be aware of it Vers 28. He that trusteth vz. any whit at all yea though it be neuer so little in his riches i. in the riches which GOD hath giuen him or he hath gotten shall fall vz. as a withered leafe or rotten bowe falleth from the tree see the trueth of this Luke 12.15 16 c. but the righteous shall florish vz. excéedingly or very much meaning by florishing prospering as a leafe vz. which shall not fall or fade as Psalme 1.3 The word turned here a leafe signifieth also a branch as Nehem. 8.15 Vers 29. He that troubleth his owne house vz. by vnwise gouernment of the things which God hath giuen him either prodigally consuming them on the one side or miserably sparing them on the other vnderstanding by these words his owne house all the things that God hath blessed him withall as patrimonie goods c. shall inherite the winde i. shall bring to passe that his possession shall goe into the winde as it were and he haue nothing left him q.d. he shall be brought to such extremitie that he shal haue nothing left him but the ayre and the foole i. the wicked man brought into such want shall be seruant i. shall be glad to be a seruant to the wise in heart i. to him that is truely wise in God Vers 30. The fruite of the righteous i. the commodities and fruites which men may receiue from a righteous person is as a tree of life i. as a tree that giueth life see before Chapt. 3.18 He meaneth that the righteous man is liuely in his doctrines and precepts and he that winneth soules i. gaineth and getteth men to God and bringeth them to the sound knowledge and worship of his Maiestie see for this phrase Iames 5.20 is wise i. is right wise or wise in God vsing his knowledge and talent not only to his owne good but to the good of others Vers 31. Behold q.d. I speake a strange and wonderfull thing therefore marke it well the righteous shall be recompenced vz. with iudgements from God for his transgressions in the earth i. while he liueth here vpon the earth how much more then the wicked and the sinner q.d. how much more shall they feele Gods heauie iustice vpon them By wicked and sinner he vnderstandeth men notoriously euil as Psalm 1.1 6. And for the true meaning of this place see 1. Peter 4.17 18. c. Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs to auoide falshood and to practise truth in all our dealings Vers 2. teacheth vs to auoide pride and to imbrace true humilitie of minde Vers 3. Teacheth vs to followe vpright dealing and to shunne all peruersnes and frowardnes Vers 4. Teacheth vs that riches cannot put back from vs Gods iustice for our sinnes and that we should carefullie striue to holy conuersation Vers 5. Teacheth vs that vpright dealing shall neuer want a blessing and that the wicked rather than he should not be punished shall be ouertaken with his owne sinne Verse 6. Deliuereth the selfe same doctrines Vers 7. Sheweth that death sent from God shall preuent the wicked from enioying those things they hoped for Verse 8. Setteth out Gods mercie towardes the good and his iustice vpon the wicked Vers 9. Teacheth vs to flie from hypocrisie and to auoyde also all words that may hurte any It teacheth also that the knowledge which God giueth his children is very profitable both for themselues and others Vers 10 11. Teacheth that it is a great blessing from the Lord to haue godly and wise Magistrates and that it is a curse where the Magistrates bee wicked and foolish also that the people may reioyce as in the prosperous estate of the good so in the ruine and decay of the wicked Vers 12. Teacheth vs to auoide all manner of contempt of others and to learne holy silence vnlesse great occasion be offred of speache Vers 13. Teacheth vs two things first to auoide slaundering and the disclosing of secrets secondly to bee faithfull in such matters as be committed to our credit Vers 14. Teacheth vs how necessarie it is for men admitted to gouernement to bee furnished with wisedome experience and many other good graces as also what good effectes and holie blessings doo flowe and followe therupon Vers 15. Teacheth vs to take heed and beware of suretiship Vers 16. Sheweth that modestie in women is a notable meane to bring them to credit Verse 17. Teacheth vs both to take heede of cruelty and hard heartednes and also to excercise the deedes of pittie and mercie Verse 18. Teacheth vs what great ods there is both betweene the workes and therewardes of the godly and vngodly Vers 19. Setteth out the vnlikely reward of good and euill dealing Vers 20. Teacheth vs to auoide frowardnes of heart and to labor to a sincere life and conuersation Vers 21. Teacheth vs first that no strength and pollicie can preuent or driue away Gods vengeance that shal light vpon the wicked also that God is gratious to the faithfull and their seede Vers 22. Teacheth that outward proportion and comelines of bodie without holy qualities of the mind is not onely nothing worth but a great disgrace also to the partie that hath it Vers 23. Teacheth vs to wish and desire good things onely Vers 24. Teacheth vs to practise liberality and to abhorre
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
them most gréeuous sadnes but to the counsellers of peace i. to such as shall perswade and counsell men to good things shall be ioy vz. both of heart and bodie and so the Antithesis agreeth very aptly Vers 21. There shall none iniquitie i. no gréeuous punishment for sinne or iniquitie committed for he doth not mind to exempt good men from sinning in this life come vz. from the Lord to the iust i. to the good and holie man q.d. whatsoeuer iudgements fall vpon him for sinne he shall not liue long in the same as though he were an abiect sée vers 13. of this Chap. but the wicked are full of euill vz. both of transgression and of punishment for it committed against God Vers 22. The lying lippes i. both lyes and lyers are abomination to the Lord i. the Lord cannot abide them see Chapter 6.17 Also Chapter 11.1 but they that deale truely vz. both in word and déede are his delight i. are such as he taketh delight and pleasure in see Chapt. 11.20 Vers 23. A wise man conceileth knowledge i. the knowledge that he hath not that he kéepeth it close altogether but hauing it in him as it were in a treasure house doth vtter it in fit time and place and as may bring greatest grace to the hearers but the heart of the fooles publisheth foolishnes i. as they haue conceiued foolishnes in their hearts so they spare not shameleslie as it wâ—re to vtter it see Eccles 10.3 Vers 24. The hand of the diligent i. such as be laborious and painefull in their callings he putteth a part for the whole shall beare rule vz. ouer others Chapter 10. verse 4. He saith maketh rich and here he vseth another word because that through riches they obtaine power and so get rule ouer others but the idle shall be vnder tribute vz. of others meaning hereby that they shall be in slauerie and very poore estate Vers 25. Heauines vz. of heart specially if it be once déepely rooted and setled in the same in the heart of man vz. of what calling or state soeuer he bee doth bring it downe i. doth through sorrowe depresse and kéepe it vnder meaning the heart for we know that sadnes doth no whit at all profite men but rather cast them many times into deadlie and gréeuous diseases but a good word i. euen one word of comfort spoken chearefully reioyceth it i. many times maketh it glad againe the plaine proofe of this is euery mans owne particular experience Vers 26. The righteous is more excellent vz. by many degrées and in euery respect than his neighbour vz. who careth not for righteousnes and goodnes and this he speaketh because the world and common sort of people think the iust men to be abiects but the way of the wicked i. the order of life and conuersation wherein they walke will deceiue them vz. at the last howsoeuer they florish in the pleasures of sinne which last but a while as the Apostle saith to the Hebrewes Vers 27. The deceitfull man i. he that giueth himselfe to deceit rosteth not i. hath neither pleasure nor profite of that that he tooke in hunting i. of that which he atchieued either by intollerable paines taking as hunters doo or els by stealth and indirect meanes such as hunters vse many times the reason is because that betweene his mouth and the morsell he hath many discommodities and lets so that he cannot inioye that which he hath gotten but the riches of the diligent man i. of him that trauaileth faithfully and painfully are precious i. excellent and very good One readeth it thus but the diligent person enioyeth the precious substance of a man i. is made owner and possessor of precious and excellent things belonging many times to a wicked person Vers 28. Life vz. both true life in this world and eternall life in the world to come is in the way of righteousnes i. is to be found and obtained by a righteous and holie conuersation and in that pathway vz. of a good and holie life there is no death vz. which is eternall though the bodilie death apprehend the good as well as the bad as appeareth by many examples Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs that he that harkeneth to good counsell and profiteth by the Lords corrections is in a blessed estate as on the other side he must needes be miserable that thriueth not by the one or the other Vers 2. Teacheth vs that God loueth the good and hateth the euill also that euill thoughts and imaginations are sinne before God Verse 3. Teacheth vs that wickednes hath no certaintie or assurance but that godlines shall continue and abide for euer and euer Verse 4. Teacheth vs what a blessing it is to haue a good wife and what a curse it is to haue an ill wife Verse 5. Sheweth what great difference there is betweene the thoughts of the wicked and the deuises of the godlie Vers 6. Sheweth that the very words of the wicked sauour of crueltie and the speaches of the godlie tend to mercie Vers 7. Setteth out Gods iudgements against the wicked and his mercie towards the good Verse 8. Teacheth vs that wisedome is praise worthie and follie and frowardnes shall be despised Verse 9. Teacheth vs that the poore man in his pouertie is better than the vainglorious boaster that hath nothing Verse 10. Teacheth vs that we should haue care for the preseruation of those things which God giueth vs much more for reasonable creatures it teacheth vs also that the wicked haue no bowelles of compassion at all Verse 11. Teacheth vs to followe the calling wherein God hath placed vs with all diligence and to auoide idlenes Verse 12. Teacheth vs that no aide that the wicked hath or can desire will helpe them against Gods iudgements Verse 13. Teacheth vs that euill words are hurtfull to the partie vsing them and good words profitable to the partie vsing them and to others also Verse 14. Teacheth vs that God rendereth vnto euery one according to his words and deedes Vers 15. Teacheth vs not to bee wise in our owne eyes also to hearken to the graue counsell of others Vers 16. Teacheth vs that wrath and rage of men bewraieth their follie and pacient bearing of reuenge argueth great godlines Verse 17. Teacheth vs to speake truth and to auoide false witnes bearing Verse 18. Teacheth vs to abstaine from sharpe and bitter words and to giue our selues to charitable and profitable speaches Verse 19. Teacheth vs that as godlie men are constant in their speaches so the wicked and such as giue themselues to lying varie alwaies in their talke Verse 20. Teacheth vs to perswade and counsell men to good things Verse 21. Teacheth vs that in the middest of all punishments vpon the wicked God will either fatherly correct or els altogether deliuer his children Vers 22. Teacheth vs to abhorre lying to speake the truth from the bottome of our harts Vers 23. Teacheth vs to take heed that we
parte by reason of some supplie of words farre better in my iudgement thus but the foolishnes which is in the foolish i. their owne follie and want of wit offereth it selfe to be knowne i. it cannot long bee dissembled for they will presently manifest and bewray the same see Chap. 12.23 Chap. 13.16 and also vers 29. of this Chap. Vers 34. Justice i. the execution of iustice vprightly without any fauor feare or hatred exalteth a nation i. maketh it famous not onely for the time present but also establisheth the same in lastingnes for the time to come see Chap. 16.12 but sinne vz. either against GOD or man is a shame to the people i. is an effectuall instrument to bring the people to shame and confusion Vers 35. The pleasure of a king is i. euery good and wise king taketh great pleasure and delight in a wise seruant i. a héedie circumspect and diligent officer but his wrath i. the Kings great displeasure shall be towards him i. shall iustly fall vppon him that is lewd vz. in his dealing and behauiour by which he worketh shame and discredite to his Prince and indéede so much doth the Hebrew text yéeld Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs what great difference there is betweene a godlie wise woman and a foolish wicked woman Vers 2. Teacheth vs to haue care and conscience of a holie life before men also that wee cannot offer greater contempt against God than to followe a lewd and prophane life Vers 3. Teacheth vs the discommoditie of rash and foolish speaches also what benefite commeth by wise wordes Vers 4. Containeth a singular commendation of husbandrie and painfull labour in seuerall callings Vers 5. Setteth out the great difference betweene a lying and a false witnes Vers 6. Teacheth vs that Gods holie wisedome cannot dwell in a scorning or scoffing spirit also that Gods word and will through the light that he giueth vs is easie though the Papistes by accusing it of hardnes would feare men from it Vers 7. Teacheth vs to shunne the companie of the wicked and vngodlie after we haue had triall of them Vers 8. Sheweth that holie wisedome teacheth men which imbrace her to direct their whole conuersation Verse 9. Teacheth vs in what little account vngodlie men haue sinne and wickednes Vers 10. Teacheth vs not to giue ourselues too much to mirth or ioye but to keepe a good measure and proportion therein Vers 11. Setteth out the vnlikely reward of the good and the bad Vers 12. Teacheth vs not to followe whatsoeuer seemeth good in our owne eyes but alwaies and in all things to aske counsell of the Lord in his word it is also a strong place to ouerthrowe good intents Vers 13. Teacheth vs to auoide hypocrisie both in our mirth and sadnes and to bee that indeede which wee would seeme to bee Vers 14. Teacheth vs that the sinne and disobedience of the wicked shall neuer escape vnpunished Vers 15. Teacheth vs first not to bee too light to beleeue euery report that is brought vs secondlie deeplie and duelie to consider all our thoughts wordes and deedes Vers 16. Teacheth vs that a reuerent feare of Gods Maiestie in good mens hearts is a notable meane to make them to auoide sinne also it doth liuely paint out the nature of the desperate transgressors Vers 17. Teacheth vs to withstand the vnbridlednes of our owne affections and to beware of being ouer busie in other mens affaires Vers 18. Teacheth vs that knowledge is a meane of great credit and estimation euen before men Vers 19. Teacheth vs that God many times in this life for the manifestation of his mercie and iustice exalteth his owne children and casteth down the wicked Vers 20. Doth liuely paint out the nature of the world which doth easilie despise poore men though neuer so good and readilie imbrace wealthie men though neuer so bad Vers 21. Teacheth vs not to despise any but euen for our owne good to shewe pitie and compassion to all Vers 22. Teacheth vs that euill thoughts are sinne before God also that the Lord will be mercifull towards his owne Vers 23. Teacheth vs faithfully and painfully to labour in our callings and to take heede that wee labour not with the lippes only and giue the other parts of our bodies to idlenes Vers 24. Teacheth vs that euery thing to the godlie is a credite and glorie whereas all things to the wicked tend to their shame Vers 25. Teacheth vs in matters of controuersie to speake the trueth and to abhorre all lyes Vers 26. Sheweth vs what a sure staffe to stay vppon they haue that doo rightly feare the Lord. Vers 27. Teacheth vs what commodities come by the reuerent feare of GOD planted in our hearts Vers 28. Teacheth Kings as to vse all holie meanes whereby to increase their people so to take heede that they trust not in them at any hand Vers 29. Teacheth vs to be slowe to wrath and to beware of hastines of heart or word Vers 30. Teacheth vs louingly to doo whatsoeuer wee doo and to flye from enuie and hatred Vers 31. Teacheth vs that oppression of the poore is a greeuous offence against God Vers 32. Propoundeth the miserable end of the wicked and the ioyfull end of the godlie Vers 33. Sheweth that the heart is indeede the seate of wisedome Vers 34. Sheweth what good commeth by iustice and what hurt by iniustice and that not only to the parties executing the same but also to their people and subiects Vers 35. Teacheth vs that wisedome is a meane to make men delight in vs. CHAP. 15. Co. IN the last verse of the other Chapter he shewed that frowardnes and ill demeanour was a meane to prouoke wrath against vs and now in the first verse of this Chapter he sheweth vs how wee may quench it if it bee once kindled and so proceedeth in instructing men to haue an eye to their speaches and words Di. Di. 1 THe Chapter may be diuided into three parts In the first he giueth instructions concerning mens words and speaches concerning the sight and knowledge of God and concerning the wise and the foolish the good and the bad c. and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 11. In the Di. 2 second he intreateth of scorners of ioye and sorowe of the heart of the wise and foolish of quietnes and contentednes with the portion which God giueth vs of anger slothfulnes follie and good counsell and this reacheth Di. 3 from verse 12. to the end of the 22. In the third he speaketh of good words of the way of life of proude persons and of the widowe of wicked mens thoughts of gaine and gifts of babling of Gods fauour vpon the good and his punishment vpon the wicked of receiuing and refusing good counsell and of the feare of the Lord from verse 23. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. A Soft answer i. gentle quiet and méeke words putteth away wrath vz. of another
of that griefe and sorowe which seaseth and possesseth many times a mans heart the mind vz. of a man is heauie i. is made or become heauie and sad some reade and the Hebrue text also seemeth to import so much the spirit is broken i. the man sigheth often and draweth his breath very hard q.d. his life is almost at an end Vers 14. The heart of him i. he himselfe a part for the whole and yet he speaketh of the heart because if the heart or minde bée not set vpon it wee shall hardly obtaine it that hath vnderstanding i. that through Gods goodnes hath obtained some measure of it seeketh vz. carefully and diligently knowledge i. increase of knowledge q.d. he hath care to bee euery day more skilfull than other but the mouth of the foole i. the foole himselfe and yet because meate is first receiued into the mouth before it go into the stomacke and so become nutritiue he maketh mention of it is fed vz. continually meaning that the foole taketh as great delight in the same as in all manner of dainties with foolishnes i. with his owne follie and other mens also who frame themselues to his humour Vers 15. All the daies vz. of the life of a man from the time his affliction and griefe beginneth till it haue an end of the afflicted i. of any which is afflicted troubled in minde because his state and condition in this life is no better meaning it of a poore man that is not content with his owne portion as may appeare by the verses following are euill i. grieuous tedious and bitter specially to flesh and bloud but a good conscience i. he that hath in himself peace towards God quietnes before men and contentednes in his owne soule is a continuall feast i. bréedeth as great pleasure and delight to him that hath it as if he were daylie fed with most fine dainties Vers 16. Better is a little vz. which a man hath of his owne through Gods blessing with the feare of the Lord i. hauing a reuerence of Gods Maiestie in his heart both quieting his minde and teaching him the right vse of it than great treasure vz. howsoeuer it be obtained and trouble therwith vz. to the owner thereof and in his minde which wauereth and is vnquiet either for the sure kéeping of it or for the sodaine forgoing of it Vers 17. Better is a dinner of greene hearbes i. a very meane slender dinner where loue is vz. towards the parties bidden and among the parties themselues because there all things shall bee well accepted than a stalled oxe vz. prepared for a dinner or banquet meaning also thereby a most sumptuous feast and hatred therewith i. an euill affection either towards the parties bidden or one of them towards another Vers 18. An angrie man i. one giuen much to anger stirreth vp strife vz. in euery companie wheresoeuer he commeth yea many times amongst them where there is great peace and quietnes see Chap. 29.22 but he that is slowe to wrath i. will hardly or not at all be moued thereto see Chapt. 14.29 appeaseth vz. by all the meanes he can he indeuoureth to quiet and pacifie strife vz. kindled and stirred vp before so farre off is he from prouoking men thereto Vers 19. The way i. the order and course of his life of a slothfull man i. of him that sluggishly and slothfully goeth about his duetie is as an hedge of thornes i. is so slow and hard as if it were all beset with thornes briers meaning that so it seemeth also vnto himselfe and therefore he euer findeth some let or stay that he dare not go forward see Chapt. 26.13 but the way of the righteous i. the order and course of life which he taketh is plaine i. most easie and commodious so that he findeth nothing to hinder him to walke on chearefully therein Vers 20. A wise sonne reioyceth the father i. maketh the father to reioyce and be glad see Chap. 10.1 but a foolish man i. a wicked disobedient and vngodlie child despiseth i. setteth little by or regardeth not at all his mother i. neither her person nor any good thing that commeth from her Vers 21. Foolishnes i. wickednes and sinne is ioye i. is a matter of mirth and delight to him that is destitute of vnderstanding i. to a wicked and vngodly man which knoweth nothing of heauenly wisedome I take it to be the same almost that is sayd Chapt. 14.9 24. but a man of vnderstanding i. a godly and wise man walketh vprightly i. ordereth all his actions and frameth his manners to that which is good and right neuer straying from the right way Vers 22. Without counsell i. without right holie and good counsell thoughts i. all things thought vpon and deuised come to nought i. to no effect and purpose q d. it is not enough to thinke vpon things but there must be counsell taken how to performe the same but in the multitude of counsellers i. of good and faithfull counsellers there is stedfastnes vz. both of purpose and performance if the thing bee good see Prouerb 11.14 Vers 23. A ioye commeth to a man i. there is a man which hath great and singular ioy by the answer of his mouth i. by the words and speaches which he vttereth with his mouth whether he answer things demanded or speake otherwise q.d. when a man speaketh wisely to any person in any place he hath great occasion and matter of ioye giuen him and how good q.d. it is a hard thing to expresse how swéete and profitable so haue you the word good vsed Psalme 133.1 is a word vz. spoken or vttered in due season i. in fit and conuenient time see Psalm 1.3 Al is as much q.d. a wise man is much refreshed and greatly reioyceth when hée seeth his counselles to fall well out and things to come to passe as he said Vers 24. The way of life i. the way that leadeth vnto life yea the very true life it selfe is on high to the prudent i. is in heauen and therefore he thinketh of heauenly things and tendeth thetherward Philip. 3.20 Coloss 3.2 to auoide i. that walking in the same he may auoid from hel beneath i. both from death and destruction which the desire of earthly things bringeth with it and also from the place of eternall torment Vers 25. The Lord vz. himselfe in his iust iudgement will destroy vz. vtterly and as it were pull vp by the rootes the house of the proud men i. them themselues their seede rase substance and whatsoeuer belongeth vnto them for so large I take the signification of the word house to be but he will establish vz. firme and sure the borders of the widdowe i. all that doth appertaine to the poore and abiect persons as it were He setteth against proud persons poore widdowes then who none are commonly more iniured amongst men Vers 26. The thoughts of the wicked i. wicked mens thoughts and the
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
experience wisdome counsell and other giftes which in length and processe of time they haue atteyned too see Chap. 16.31 Vers 30. The blewnesse of the wound vz. which ariseth by sharpe and seuere punishments putting the thing following punishment for hard and sharp punishment it selfe serueth to purge the euill vz. that resteth and remaineth in wicked persons and the stripes within the bowells of the bellie vz. serue to the same end meaning by stripes within the bowels of the bellie sharp and cutting corrections which pearse as it were euen to the entrailes he meaneth that wicked people cannot be reformed but by sharpe and vehement corrections no more than dangerous diseases can be cured without byting and pearsing medicines Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs to beware of dronkennes and whatsoeuer may drawe vs on thereto Vers 2. Teacheth vs to take heed how we prouoke any Magistrate against vs speciallie the chiefest Vers 3. Teacheth vs to beware of contention and to take heed that wee bee not busie bodies in other mens matters Vers 4. Teacheth vs to auoide idlenes for feare of pouertie that will insue thereof Vers 5. Teacheth vs that mans heart is a froward and vnsearchable euill also that the wise notwithstanding the depth thereof can perceiue many things therein Vers 6. Teacheth vs to shunne vaineglorious boasting also that the number of trustie men is small Vers 7. Commendeth vnto vs vpright walking and conuersation Vers 8. Setteth out the great profit that commeth by good Magistrates Vers 9. Teacheth vs that none is free from sinne Vers 10. Teacheth faithfull dealing in all trades Vers 11. Teacheth vs that wordes and deeds doo many times bewray great corruption of the heart Vers 12. Teacheth vs rightly to vse the eare the eye and all the partes and members of our bodies Vers 13. Teacheth vs to auoide idlenes and whatsoeuer may prouoke thereto and diligentlie to imploy our selues in our callings Vers 14. Teacheth vs both in buying and selling to auoide all craft and subtiltie Vers 15. Teacheth vs that the knowledge of God and his trueth is better woorth than all precious things whatsoeuer Ver. 16. Teacheth men to deale sharpelie with such as rashelie take vpon them suertiship Vers 17. Teacheth vs that deceipt and craft cannot long prosper Vers 18. Teacheth vs to doo or thinke nothing rashlie but with verie good aduise Vers 19. Teacheth vs to shunne first slandering of others secondlie disclosing of other mens sinnes and thirdlie flatterie Vers 20. Teacheth vs that disobedient children shall not prosper Vers 21. Teacheth vs that goods quicklie gotten are not onely suspicious amongst men but also accursed before GOD. Verse 22. Teacheth vs not to render euill for euill vnto any it teacheth vs also in patience to waite for the Lords worke either towards our selues or others Vers 23. Teacheth vs to deale vprightlie and faithfullie in our weightes and measures Vers 24. Teacheth vs that men can neither thinke nor doo any thing without the Lord. Vers 25. Teacheth vs at no hand to meddle with any thing that appertaineth to the Lord. Vers 26. Teacheth princes and Magistrates their dutie to wit that they sharpely punish wicked men Vers 27. Describeth the excellencie of that immortall parte of man his soule Vers 28. Setteth out the dueties of Magistrates and iudges Vers 29. Teacheth vs to referre all that wee haue to the glorie of God and the good of the Common wealth wherein we liue Vers 30. Teacheth that the Magistrate should vse sharpe and seuere punishment against such as will not otherwise be reformed CHAP. 21. Co. IN the other Chapter and the last verse thereof hee spake of correction that magistrates should execute against the obstinate wicked and now in the first verse of this Chapter hee sheweth that they cannot doo neither that nor any thing els but by speciall motion and grace from God who both in them and others worketh all in all Di. I Would diuide this Chapter into fowre partes The first reacheth from Di. 1 vers 1. to the end of the eight wherein hee intreateth of the prouidence and knowledge of God of vprightnes towards men of pride of diligence and speaketh against rashnes deceite theeuerie c. The second reacheth from vers 9. to the 16. Wherein he speaketh of a contentious woman of the crueltie of the wicked of chastisement of Gods iudgemēt against the wicked of hard hartednes against the poore of giftes and of the punishment of the wicked and the blessing of the good The third reacheth from vers 17. to the end of 24. Wherein he dealeth against excesse in pleasure wine c. and the contentious woman and commendeth the wise and the righteous person speaking also of the bridling of the tongue and against pride and wrath The fourth reacheth from ver 25. to the end of the chapter wherein he speaketh against the slothfull and couetous person and the offering of wicked men also against false witnes bearing hard hartednes in sinne and trust in any thing saue in the Lord onely Se. Vers 1. THe Kings heart vz. and the disposition thereof is in the hand of the Lorde i. in his power to bee ruled as he will as the riuers of waters vz. are in mens powers to bee drawne hether and thether through their labor as they shall thinke meete hee i. God turneth it i. the Kings heart and affection whether soeuer it pleaseth him q.d. as gardners and others for the watring of their gardens and grounds or for trade of marchandise bring riuers of water sometimes to one place sometimes to another so dooth the Lord guide Kings hearts not but that he gouerneth other men also but because this seemeth a more hard matter to dispose of Kings and their affayres Vers 2. Euerie way of a man i. euery matter that a man attempteth either in thought worde or deed is right i. seemeth so to be in his owne eyes i. in his owne iudgement he putteth one yea the surest of his senses such as the eye or sight is for iudgement and vnderstanding but the Lord pondereth vz. vprightlie and iustly the hearts vz. of men that is not onely their outward actions but their affections also see chap. 16.2 Vers 3. To doo iustice and iudgement i. for one man to deale vprightly and iustlie with another see Micah 6.8 is more acceptable i. is better liked of and that by many degrees to the Lord vz. who alone knoweth what is right and good than sacrifice i. than any or many sacrifices yea though GOD himselfe haue prescribed them without iustice and iudgement hee meaneth that God preferreth obedience yea and that to the morrall lawe before sacrifice see 1. Samuel 15.22 Isaiah 1.10 11 c. Hosea 6.6 Micah 6.6 7 c. Vers 4. A hautie looke i. euen the very shewe of pride manifested in the countenance or eyes see Chap. 6.17 and a proude heart i. a heart giuen to pride which is the light of the wicked i. which the wicked
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