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
neither speaketh he this as though they had either will or power to doo it without God but to shew that now the meane was offered them which if they refused it would be a greater iudgement against them at my correction i. now that I doo by words and speaches labor to correct and amend you loe q.d. if you will doo this see what benefites you shall draw and pull to your selfe J will powre out my minde vnto you i. I wil make you plentifullie acquainted with the fulnesse of all good things which dwell in me and make you vnderstand my words i. the words which I shall speake for your amēdment q.d. till I giue you vnderstanding thereof they can be no otherwise to you but as a sealed or closed booke Vers 24. Because I haue called vz. earnestlie vnto you for your amendement and good and ye refused vz. to hearken and yeelde obedience vnto my voyce J haue stretched out mine hand q.d. I haue beckened vnto you with my hand and giuen you signes and tokens of my calling and protection and none vz. amongest you would regard vz. these testimonies and tokens of my loue towardes you Vers 25. But q.d. moreouer and besides all this ye haue despised all my counsell i. through your rebellion you haue contemptuouslie cast frō you all that I purposed and offered vnto you for your good and would none of my correction i. would not accept or regard anie meane that I vsed either of word or chastisement for your bettering and amendment In these two verses he reckoneth vp their sinnes in the next followeth their iudgements Vers 26. I will also laugh i. I will not care for you or regarde you Laughter attributed to God according to man see Psalm 2.4 at your destruction The word properlie signifieth a vapor exhalation or clowde but here by a Metaphore it is taken for calamitie or miserie which bringeth destruction vpon men and that in a double respect because as clowdes and vapors darken the daie so calamitie and miserie make dark manie times the glorie and renowme of men againe as vapors and exhalations arise sodainlie and sodainlie depart againe so dooth the glorie of the wicked when the tempest of miserie beginneth once to blowe vpon it and mocke vz you in your miserie and this is spoken of God according to mans capacitie when your feare cōmeth vz. sodainly as in the next verse vpon you vnderstanding by feare not only the things which the wicked feare but also the time of their calamitie in which they shall be in great feare doubting yea the very anguish griefe of their hart also Ver. 27. When your feare see ve 26. commeth vz. vpon you and that certainlie and assuredlie which he signifieth by speaking in the present tense like sodaine desolation i. like such destruction and wasting as for the sodainnes of it can neither be easely borne nor well preuented That word which is here turned desolation dooth properly signifie a sodaine and furious breach or destruction of any thing breaking and ouerthrowing euery thing that it méeteth with and your destruction i. the destruction which is appoynted for you shall come vz. vppon you like a whirlewind i. both sodainlie and with great violence he expresseth one thing vnder sundrie termes when affliction and anguish i. when trouble and griefe either outward in the bodie or inward in the minde shall come vppon you vz. iustly from God q.d. I will not only then laugh at your destruction but you your selfe shall pray and not be heard Vers 28. Then i. in the time of their trouble and sorrowe shall they i. the wicked marke the sodaine change of the person from the second to the third call vpon me i. pray vnto me as Psalme 50.15 but I will not answere i. graunt them their requestes yea by with-holding the thinges they pray for I will testifie my wrath against them they shall seeke me earely i. very diligently carefully and as it were incessantly q.d. they shall spare no paines yea they shall breake their sleepes in the morning but shall not finde me vz. gracious and merciful vnto them in their griefes because God wil be found of none but of such as seeke him according to his will reuealed in his word and that with the same affection of heart which he in the same requireth Vers 29 Because they hated knowledge see vers 22. of this Chapter he doth here againe repeate the causes of the ruine and destruction of the wicked and did not chuse vz. when it was graciouslie tendred and offered them the feare of the Lord see vers 7. of this Chapter Vers 30. They would none of my counsell but despised all my correction see vers 25. of this Chapter He meaneth that in the pride of their owne hearts they were set to contemne and despise whatsoeuer God would do for them Vers 31. Therefore vz. for this their great contempt and rebellion shall they eate vz. in al aboundance plentie and fulnes of the fruite of their owne way i. they shall bee satisfied with their wicked counsels and haue iust punishments layd vpon them for the same euen the wickednesse which they haue sowne they shall reape with all fulnes see Chapter 22.8 and be filled with their owne deuices i. with the punishments and mischiefes which they themselues had deuised against others Vers 32. For ease i. not only the peace and quietnesse which they here inioy but their stubbornnes and setlednes in euill wherein they please themselues and promise vnto themselues all prosperitie see Ieremiah 48.11 Zephani 1.12 slaieth the foolish i. the simple which knowe not how to vse it as vers 22. of this Chapter and the prosperitie of fooles i. that prosperitie which fooles and wicked persons enioy destroyeth them i. plungeth them daylie more and more into destruction Vers 33. But he that obeieth mee vz. in doing the things which I command him shall dwell safelie vz. from all naughtie men or any mischiefe they can imagine against him see Psalm 4.8 and be quiet from feare of euill i. not only no euill it selfe but no suspition or feare of it shall go to his heart he shall bee so strengthened through Gods promises and defended by his almightie power Vers 1. Teacheth vs that it is a great blessing Do. when God giueth to any countrie or common wealth wise and godlie Princes Vers 2. Teacheth vs that Gods word is and ought to bee the ground of all our knowledge Vers 3. Teacheth vs that it ought to bee the rule of all our actions either publique or priuate Vers 4. Proueth that the knowledge of Gods worde belongeth euen to the simple contrarie to the Popish assertion which would haue none meddle with it but great schollers and learned men Vers 5.6 Shewe that euen the wisest also may out of the same learne for increase of iudgement and knowledge so that wee may rightly say that the word are waters wherein the great Elephant may
7. and finde vz. so that thou shalt obtaine and possesse the knowledge of God i. such knowledge of him as thou oughtest to haue of which see Iohn 17.3 and also shalt knowe by experience that he knoweth thee that is careth for thee as may appeare by vers 6 7. following Vers 6. For the Lord vz. alone and none but he giueth vz. freelie of his owne mercie wisedome i. true and heauenlie wisedome Iames 3.15 17. q.d. I sayd before that thou shouldest find wisedome knowledge but now least thou shouldest ascribe it to thine owne strength I tell thee it must come from God which giueth it plentifullie c. Iames 1.5 out of his mouth he meaneth Gods good will and pleasure manifested vnto vs by his word vnderstanding his word also thereby see Deutr. 8.3 Math. 4.4 commeth knowledge i. all sound knowledge of his maiestie and vnderstanding i. right vnderstanding of his holie mysteries Vers 7. He i. God preserueth vz. by his almightie power and prouidence the state of the righteous i. he vpholdeth them that haue care and conscience of a righteous conuersation in a good estate and condition Some reade it thus He hath euery thing vz. that is in déede good layd vp in store for the righteous i. God so knoweth and prouideth for the righteous that he causeth them to abound with all things that are good in déede he is a shield to them that walke vprightly i. he doth by his power saue preserue and defende them that studie and striue for a holy conuersation Vers 8. That they may keepe vz. through strength and grace from him the waies of iudgement i. such vpright pathes as tend to iudgement and right towards all specially towards their neighbour to which the Hebrue word should most properlie be referred as I suppose not declining any whit at all from right and equitie and he i. God alone without the helpe or ayd of others preserueth see vers 7. of this Chapter the way i. the whole course or trade of his life whatsoeuer he thinketh speaketh doth or taketh in hand meaning that the Lord prospereth it also see Psalme 1.3 6. of his Saincts i. of those which he frameth to a holie life see Psalme 16.3 also Psalme 149.1 Vers 9. Then vz. when thou shalt be instructed with knowledge and wisedom from the Lord shalt thou vnderstand vz. through the light which God shall bestowe vpon thee righteousnesse and iudgement and equitie see these words expounded before cap. 1. vers 3. And here he noteth another fruit of the studie of wisedome which is properly to bee vnderstood towards men as the first mentioned vers 5. was towards God and euerie good path i. euerie right course and order to frame thy life well and religiouslie yea thou shalt vnderstand euery good thing through the desire of wisedome Vers 10. When wisedome entereth into thy heart i. findeth a fast and deepe seate in thee and knowledge delighteth thy soule vz. aboue all the end of the sentence and meaning is to be looked for in the next verse Vers 11. Then shall counsell vz. which thou shalt learne out of Gods word preserue thee vz. from all euill see vers 7.8 of this Chapter and vnderstanding vz. of Gods will reuealed in his worde shall keepe thee vz. safe and sounde Vers 12. And deliuer thee i. from euery thing that is euill so that thou shalt not attempt nor take in hande anie euill thing yea from a disordred life into which thou slippest through infirmitie of nature or wherevnto thou art prouoked by the wordes and déedes of the vngodlie and from the man i. from men for it is one number put for another that speaketh vz. not onely in his hart but with his mouth froward things vz. both against God and men Vers 13. And from them q.d. it will set the free also from such and such persons and marke how sodainlie he changeth the numbers from the singular to the plurall Some ioyne it to the former verse thus which vz. men speaking peruerse things leaue the waies of righteousnesse i. vpright good and holie wayes and hee meaneth by this speach that the wicked many times put out the light that God hath bestowed vpon them to walke in the wayes of darknesse i. in corrupt and euil courses for euerie one that dooth euill hateth the light Iohn 3.20 also Rom. 13.12 13. Ephes 5.13 Vers 14. Which reioyce vz. greatlie in dooing euill i. when either they themselues doo anie or heare of others which commit it and delight vz. verie much in the frowardnesse of the wicked vz. man yet I had rather turne it thus in the frowardnesses of euill that is in the worst and most euill frowardnesses Some referre the word reioycing to the minde inwardlie and the word delight to the bodie outwardlie because the motions of the minde manie times appeare outwardlie in the bodie q. d. both outwardlie and inwardlie they are glad at all naughtinesse Vers 15. Whose wayes i. whose liues and dealings both towardes God and men are crooked i. wicked and vngodlie and lead not onelie to trouble but to destruction also and they are leawd in their paths i. their whole trade course of life sauoreth of nothing but leawdnesse Verse 16. And it i. wisedom and true knowledge if thou once apprehend it indéed shall deliuer thee sée verse 12. of this chapter from the strange woman i. from the whore or harlot who in the scripture is called by this name because shee estrangeth her selfe from her husband and giueth ouer the vse of her bodie to a stranger euen from the stranger i. the harlot which flattereth vz. verie swéetelie and pleasantlie with her words i. with her intising speaches sée Prouer. 7.10 11 c. Verse 17. Which forsaketh vz. both in action affection though perhaps not in respect of bodilie presence for she maketh an accompt of her husband also as Prou. 7.19 the guyde of her youth i. her husband which God gaue her in her youth to guyde and gouerne her not onlie then but for euer for the husband is the head of the wife 1. Cor. 11.3 and forgetteth vz. vtterlie and altogether the couenant of hir God that is the bond of mariage solemnlie passed betwéene the parties God himselfe being Authour thereof and his name being called vpon at the contract made sée Malach 2.14 Verse 18. Surelie or as some reade it For q.d. it is no small blessing that thou shalt obtayne by hauing found wisedome for it shall deliuer thee from deadlie danger and destruction hir house i. euen the very entrance and going into her house q.d. the verie first beginning of familiaritie and acquaintance tendeth to death i. bringeth death destruction with it if it be pursued and hir paths i. the treading in hir paths and walking in hir order of life and conuersation see chapter 1.15 vnderstand heere tend or lead vnto the dead i. vnto them that are dead alreadie and buried sée Psalme 88.10
that is angrie with vs but are rather tokens of his fatherly loue correcting vs. Vers 13. Blessed is the man i. hee hath abundance of blessings as Psalm 119.1 vnderstanding by one many also that findeth i. through earnest labour and studie obtaineth wisedome i. true and heauenlie wisedome and the man i. men as before in this verse to wit are blessed that getteth vz. from the Lord and through his blessing by the meanes mentioned chapt 2.1 2 3 4. verses vnderstanding i. sound and sincere knowledge of his will reuealed in his word Ver. 14. For the marchandise thereof i. both the paines taken for obtaining of it as the marchants are wont to trauaile sore for their goods and the thing it self being once obtained is better i. both more profitable and more of value and therefore the better to bee esteemed than the marchandise of siluer i. than the gaine or increase that ariseth of siluer though a man might multiplie it vnto mountaines and the gaine thereof i. the increase that commeth by it is better see before in this verse than gold yea than most fine gold see Psalm 19.10 The reason is plaine because these things are temporall but the fruites which she yeeldeth are eternall and this verse comprehendeth a reason why wisedome should bee imbraced Vers 15. It vz. wisedome and vnderstanding is more precious vz. in it selfe and ought so to be esteemed of them that bee truely touched than pearles i. than all sortes of precious stones see Psalme 119.14 72. Vers 16. Length of daies vz. of a mans life q.d. long life see verse 2. of this Chapter is in her right hand i. in her power to giue to all those that apprehend and take hold of her and in her left hand i. on the other side of her are riches and glorie i. abundance of other worldly blessings whatsoeuer I take it that wisedome is set out here as some honorable woman or great personage that with both handes giueth good things to such as followe her q.d. she hath all good thinges in her and doth with both handes i. plentifullie bestowe the fame vnderstanding also by these outward blessings inwarde and spirituall no doubt els were the other outwarde of no great value to account of Vers 17. Her waies i. the courses and orders that she taketh and prescribeth are waies of pleasure i. are pleasant waies so that a godlie man shall take great pleasure to be conuersant in the same and all her pathes by pathes he vnderstandeth the same that he did by peace before prosperitie or as it is in the Hebrue peace that is abounding with all manner of prosperitie see verse 2. of this Chapter It is worth the noting that he saith the waies of wisedome are not only pleasant but prosperous and safe for there are many waies which are pleasant but yet dangerous and on the other side there are many safe but yet without pleasure but in the waies of wisedome we shall finde both these commodities Vers 18. She i. wisedome is a tree of life i. a tree that giueth life and quickneth or as one interpreteth it a most assured signe of eternall life whatsoeuer it is he alludeth no doubt to the tree mentioned Genes 2.9 also Genes 3.22 to them i. to all them that lay hold on her vz. surely neuer letting their hold slippe for so much I suppose the Hebrue worde may well import and blessed is he vz. of what state or condition so euer he be see verse 13. of this Chapter that retaineth her vz. fast and sure with him hauing an earnest care and indeuour neuer to let her go Ver. 19. The Lord vz. himselfe by wisedome i. by his eternall word see Chapter 8.30 hath laied the foundation of the earth i. hath founded it so firmely that it shall not bee moued see Psalme 102.25 also Psalme 104.5 and hath stablished the heauens through vnderstanding i. by his eternall wisedome he hath established them and all the powers thereof in that comelines and beautie that we now see Vers 20. By his knowledge the depths are broken vp by depths he vnderstandeth fountaines and flouds breaking out and as it were flowing from the nethermost partes of the earth euen as though the earth did cleaue it selfe in sunder to giue them passage and the clowdes vz. of the ayre droppe downe the deaw vz. from heauen and here he speketh of deaw because it is very profitable for the increase of trées herbs plants c. Giuing vs to vnderstand hereby that all things are directed and kept in their courses by the eternall wisedome knowledge and prouidence of almightie God Vers 21. My sonne see Chapter 1.8 let not these things i. neither wisedome nor knowledge it selfe nor the reasons which I haue vsed to mooue thée to obey it depart from thine eyes i. be neuer forgotten of thée because we best remember those things that are in our sight but obserue i. diligently marke wisedome and counsell i. that wisedome and counsell which alone is true and holie that thou maiest bee acquainted with it and be partaker of the fruites of it Verse 22. So i. by that meanes and after that sort receiued they i. the wisedome and word of God shall bee life vnto thy soule i. shall quicken thee in the inner man and shall bee as it were the seedes and nourishments of eternall life in thee and grace i. comelines and an ornament vnto thy necke i. to thy whole man or to thée thy selfe a part put for the whole see also Chapter 1. verse 9. Vers 23. Then vz. when thou shalt bee thus instructed shalt thou walke safely by thy way i. thou shalt prosperouslie performe whatsoeuer thou hast to doo and thy foote shall not stumble vz. so that thou shouldest be grieuouslie hurt thereby q.d. all things which thou attemptest shall haue good successe and thou shalt liue peaceable and plentifullie Vers 24. If thou sleepest vz. in any place either in thy'ded or els where thou shalt not be afraide vz. of any hurt or euill that may decide thee because thou staiest thy selfe vpon his power and prouidence that neither slumbereth nor sleepeth and when thou sleepest vz. in any place as before thy sleepe i. the sleepe that thou shalt take and shall be giuen thee from God shall be sweete i. comfortable and profitable vnto thée Vers 25. Thou shalt not feare i. thou shalt not bee astonished or ouercome with feare for any sodaine feare i. for any thing that comming sodainlie vpon men doth commonly make them afraied and as it were take away their wittes and spirites from them neither for the destruction of the wicked i. that great destruction that shall come vpon the wicked for then the Lord will either miraculouslie deliuer thee or els howsoeuer thy bodie fall with the wicked yet thy soule yea and thy bodie also at the last shall bee receiued into euerlasting ioy when it commeth vz. fearcelie and sodainlie vpon thée see Chapter 1.27 Vers 26.
he can scarce begin to speake but he will vtter wordes tending either to his owne destruction or the great hurt of others Vers 15. The rich mans goods i. the land monie and whatsoeuer els he hath are his strong citie i. are as sure an ayde and defence vnto him as he supposeth as if he were in a walled towne but the feare of the needie is their pouertie i. their pouertie maketh them to feare this and that and least one inconuenience or other should fall vpon them Vers 16. The labour of the righteous i. those things which good people labour for and get by their labour see labour so vsed Chapter 5.10 tendeth to life i. to the maintenance and vpholding of his owne life and other mens too in this life see Ephes 4.28 but the reuenues of the wicked i. all the increase how great or little so euer it be that the wicked hath to sinne i. serueth not for his neede but for pleasure and the satisfying of his wicked affections one while in oppression another while in whoredome c. Vers 17. He that regardeth vz. diligently and attentiuely instruction vz. whether it bee from God or men as his meanes and instruments is in the way of life i. is entred into that course that will bring him not only to goodnes in this life but in the end to eternall life also but he that refuseth correction vz. as though he were a disobedient and rebellious child goeth out of the way vz. which leadeth to true blessednes either in this life or in the life to come Vers 18. He that dissembleth hatred i. the corrupt affection of his heart with lying lippes i. with fained words which indéed are but lyes making as though he bare a man good wil whereas indéed he hateth him cruelly and that vnto death and he that inuenteth slaunder i. slaunderous and false reports against another man is a foole i. a very wicked person He noteth here two kind of persons which regard not instruction to wit hypocrites and obstinate fellowes see before verse 10. of this Chapter Vers 19. Jn many words vz. spoken rashly and vnaduisedly there cannot want iniquitie i. it cannot be auoided but that there is great sinne but he that refraineth his lippes vz. from rash and hastie speach see Psalme 34.13 is wise i. is truely wise indeed He meaneth that a wise man is spare in his speach and vttereth nothing rashlie but doth before hand well ponder the same otherwise it is a hard matter but that amongst such as rashly and without choyce speake many things there shall be much sinne in their speaches Neither mindeth he here to condemne abundance of words which tend to edification and doctrine Vers 20. The tongue of a iust man i. the wordes and speaches which he vttereth with his tongue as before verse 11. The mouth of a righteous man is as fined siluer i. is as precious and excellent as the most fine siluer see Chapter 8.19 Meaning by this manner of speach that they are most excellent and therefore to be imbraced but the heart of the wicked is little worth i. is worth little or nothing at all Now if the heart from whence the speach first commeth bee of no regard then much lesse to be esteemed are the words themselues so that he vnderstandeth by heart the words also which doo manifest the same for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh see Math. 12.34 Vers 21. The lippes of the righteous i. his good and holie words as verse 13. of this Chapter doo feede many vz. with good things as with the gift of knowledge iudgement vtterance and such like but fooles shall dye for want of wisedome q.d. so farre off is it that they can feed many or any by their word and speach that for want of sound iudgement and knowledge they shal pull destruction vpon themselues Vers 22. The blessing of the Lord vz. only or alone it vz. indeed and nothing but it maketh rich i. maketh men rich as verse 4. of this Chapter And how true this is wée haue it daylie confirmed by experience and finde it written also Psalme 127.1 2 c. and he doth adde no sorowes with it i. God doth most perfectly make men rich and setteth his farre off from al griefes that the wicked haue with their riches Vers 23. Jt is a pastime to a foole to doo wickedly i. he taketh great delight and pleasure in the same as men doo in their sports or pastimes but wisedome is vnderstanding to a man i. it bringeth him to great iudgement and vnderstanding both of Gods matters and mens Vers 24. That vz. euill and punishment which the wicked feareth vz. to bee powred forth vppon him shall come vpon him vz. both sodainlie and certainly see Chapter 1.26 27. but God will graunt vz. in great mercie the desire of the righteous i. such good things as godlie men wish and pray for according to his will Vers 25. As the whirle wind passeth vz. away and that with great vehemencie and sodainnes so is the wicked no more vz. to bee seene but he passeth from his place with as great swiftnes see Psalme 37.37 but the righteous is as an euerlasting foundation i. shall remaine stedfast for euer and euer as a foundation that cannot be remoued Vers 26. As vineger is vz. hurtfull to the teeth vz. of a man because the power and force of it speciallie if it be taken in any great quantitie doth dull the teeth and as smoke vz. is hurtfull to the eyes vz. of men because it doth not onely trouble them much many times but also in some is a meane to drawe humors downe too fast so is the slothfull i. idle or negligent person to them that send him vz. about any affaires either publike or priuate He exhorteth men from vsing heauie and sluggish persons in performance of any their businesses because they can get nothing by such but trouble and griefe Vers 27. The feare of the Lord i. an vnfeigned reuerence of God in mens hearts increaseth the daies vz. of mans life he meaneth by this speach that it is a meane to bring them with greater peace and prosperitie to the yeres which they should liue by Gods appoyntment or by their owne nature or by the constitution of their bodies but the yeares of the wicked i. of their life shall be diminished vz. very much And as Dauid saith in one of his Psalmes the vngodlie shall not liue out halfe his daies Vers 28. The pacient abiding vz. for the execution and performance of Gods will of the righteous i. which the righteous haue and vse shall be gladnes i. shall certainlie in the ende bee recompenced with abundance of ioy for he speaketh of the plural number and this must be vnderstood not only because they hope they shall inioy gladnes but also because their hope shall end in gladnes and they obtaine that which they hoped for and so be made throughly
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
euerie tale and of the foolish and the wise man from vers 10. to the end of the 18. In the Di. 3 third he speaketh of the euill persons of the poore and rich of the proud and the mercifull of euill thinkers and good men of painfull labor and wicked words of riches and follie of a faithfull and lying witnes and of the reuerence and feare of the Lord from vers 19. to the end of the 27. In the Di. 4 fourth part hee speaketh of kings and their power of bridling anger of enuie of oppression and pitie of the ends of the wicked and the godlie of wisdome iustice and the fauor or displeasure of a Prince and this reacheth from vers 28. to the end of the chapter Se. Vers 1. A Wise woman i. euery woman that is truely wise fearing God and regarding their houshold affaires in holines and modestie buildeth her house vz. not so much with outward furniture and shewe as while that by hir labor and the right gouernement of her houshold she doth by all meanes keepe defende and increase the same but the foolish vz. woman who is set against the wise woman mentioned before destroyeth it i. her house and familie with hir owne hands i. whilst that vnheedely by hir naughtie deedes negligence and euill gouernement she suffereth all things to goe to wracke Vers 2. He that walketh in his righteousnes i. leadeth an vpright life voyde of hypocrisie and it is called his righteousnes not because he hath it of himselfe but because God in great mercie hath communicated the same vnto him feareth the Lord vz. vnfeinedly but he that is leaude in his waies i. leadeth a leaud and lose life despiseth him i. offereth as much as in him lyeth despite and contempt against the Lorde because he despiseth his lawe q.d. by the order of a mans life euen as it were by certaine fruites may a man be knowne whether he be godly or wicked Vers 3. In the mouth of the foolish i. in wicked mens wordes vttered with their mouth is the rodde of pride i. is there great and wonderfull pride wherewith in the height of his minde hee dooth not onely strike sometimes and hurt other men but giueth other men standing by and hearing staues and clubbs as it were to strike himselfe but the lippes of the wise i. words vttered with their lippes as sundrie times before preserue vz. from hurt and danger them i. both the wise themselues and others that depende vpon them the reason is because they obserue a measure and wisedome in their speeches that they neither hurt themselues nor others see chap. 12.6 Vers 4. Where none Oxen are vz. such as can worke and goe to plowe being accustomed to the yoke and tillage Vnderstanding hereby all workemen and whatsoeuer appertayneth to husbandrie there the crib is emptie i. there is nothing no not for the beastes to eate much lesse is there any thing in the barnes or storehouses for vnder one hee vnderstandeth all the rest but much increase commeth vz. to the good husbandman by the strength of the Oxe vz. that laboreth in tillage meaning thereby all husbandrie and tillage with al things thereto appertaining whatsoeuer Vers 5. A faithfull witnesse i. a faithfull man being called foorth to witnesse any thing will not lye vz. for any cause whether it be for fauor feare flatterie or otherwise but a false record vz. against men will speake lies vz. for euerie cause and in euerie place meaning that hee that hath falsified his faith in publike iustice will not spare to strayne it in priuate speeches see chap. 6.19 Vers 6. A scorner i. he that scoffeth and scorneth at all good things see chap. 1.22 seeketh i. maketh as though he would seeke for or els indeede seeketh for it but not to a right end wisedome i. Gods heauenlie wisdome and findeth it not q.d. for all that hee findeth it not the reason is because he seeketh it not as he should that is diligently and earnestly and to a right end that is Gods glorie and the comfort of his children but knowledge vz. of God and his mysteries is easie to him that will vnderstand i. that hath a minde and laboureth to atteyne it and he saith it is easie meaning to be founde because she offereth hir selfe vnto all as chap. 1.20 And Chapter 8.1 Vers 7. Depart vz. quickely and with hast from the foolish man i. from the wicked man that hath his heart seased and possessed with all manner of follie and euill When thou perceauest not in him i. so soone as thou findest that he hath not the lippes of knowledge i. words that sauor of sounde knowledge iudgement and wisedome Vers 8. The wisdome of the prudent i. the wisdome that he hath is i. consisteth specially in this to vnderstand i. to haue a diligent and watchfull eye to his way i. his whole life and the course thereof whether he imploye it in words déeds or both q.d. this is his duety and herein his wisdome appeareth diligently and with iudgement to weigh whatsoeuer hee attempteth auoyding alwaies rashnes but the foolishnes of the fooles is deceit i. tendeth wholy and altogether to deceit q.d. the fooles in their folly regard this thing specially to deceaue others Vers 9. The foole i. all foolish and wicked persons as appeareth because the word is of the plurall number in the Hebrewe text maketh a mocke of sinne i. maketh no more account of it than of a matter of sport or play see Chapter 10.23 but among the righteous there is fauour i. vnfeyned good will one of them towards another Some readeth it farre otherwise and maketh another sense of it which also I rather allow of thus Sinne vz. which the wicked and vngodlie men commit and they knowe one by another maketh fooles to agree vz. one of them with another q.d. their partaking in wickednes ioyneth the wickeds minds one of them towards another but among the righteous i. the good and holy people that which is acceptable vz. before God good men maketh agreement vz. among themselues q.d. good things only tie good mens minds together Vers 10. The heart vz. onely knoweth vz. perfectly and thorowly the bitternes of his soule i. the heauines and grief that the soule indureth and the stranger i. whatsoeuer is without shall not meddle with his ioye i. with the ioye of the heart or soule For the inward ioye which wee haue in the heart none knoweth so well as wee our selues neither are wee able by any outward signes to expresse the greatnes of the inward ioye In the meane while we learne not to giue our selues too much ouer to sadnes or ioy but to kéepe the golden rule of measure or mediocritie in both Ver. 11. The house of the wicked i. he and all that he hath shall be destroyed vz. through Gods iust iudgement but the tabernacle of the righteous i. he himselfe and all that appertaineth to him shall florish vz. through the
but for all their scorning and cunning speaches iudgements i. punishments and the plurall number noteth the variety and multitude of them are prepared i. not onely appoynted but euen in a readynes to be executed eyther by the Magistrate or els by the Lord himselfe eyther in this life or in the life to come or both for the scorners i. for such as scorne at God and all goodnes and stripes for the back of fooles hee meaneth that which hee spake before expressing it vnder other termes vnderstanding hereby not onely bodily punishments in this life but also eternal in the life to come Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs that the godlie poore estate is not the worst also Do. that we should not giue our lippes leaue to runne at randome Vers 2. Teacheth vs that sounde knowledge is the informer of the minde also that we should bridle the partes and members of our bodies from wickednes Vers 3. Teacheth vs that lacke of sound iudgement is the very mother of all the corruptions which we commit against God or man Verse 4. Teacheth vs that wee should not regarde a man for his riches onely nor despise him for his pouertie but respect rather his good or his euill dealing towards God and men Vers 5. Teacheth vs to abhorre false witnes bearing and and lying Vers 6. Teacheth vs rightly to esteeme great personages and to practise liberalitie as a vertue which doth much commend vs to GOD and men Vers 7. Teacheth vs that pouertie dooth many times estrange the hearts of frends and kinsfolkes from such as fall into it Vers 8. Teacheth vs that heauenlie wisdome is the meane to preserue vs both in this life and in the life to come Vers 9. Teacheth vs to flee from false witnes bearing and lying Ver. 10. Teacheth vs that things vncomely are not to be allowed of Ver. 11. Teacheth vs to bridle the rage of our angrie affections and to be readie to forgiue offences committed against vs. Vers 12. Sheweth what great difference there is betweene the grace and displeasure of Princes and mightie men Vers 13. Setteth out the miseries that come by euill children and wicked wiues Vers 14. Sheweth what a great blessing and that from the Lorde a good wife is Vers 15. Teacheth vs to auoide idlenes on the one side and deceit on the other side Vers 16. Setteth out the good that commeth by obedience of Gods lawe and the miserie that insueth vpon carelesnesse of holie conuersation Vers 17. Teacheth vs pittie and liberalitie towards the poore Vers 18. Teacheth parents to giue moderate and due correction to their offending children or seruants Vers 19. Setteth out the great miserie that commeth by giuing our anger the reynes Vers 20. Teacheth vs alwaies to receaue good counsell Vers 21. Sheweth as the varietie of mans minde and the inconstancie of all his deuices so the assurednes of the Lordes purposes Verse 22. Teacheth vs that this is the especiall marke wee shoulde shoote at in this life euen goodnes and wel doing and neuer to refuse a man for his pouertie but for his lying Vers 23. Setteth out the effectes and fruites of the feare of God Vers 24. Teacheth vs to shunne idlenes Vers 25. Teacheth vs that reproofes can neuer be vttered in vaine but that it shall doo good though perhappes not to the partie reprooued yet to others which are by Vers 26. Teacheth men to auoide all vnnaturalnes towards their parents Vers 27. Teacheth vs not to giue eare towards that will prouoke to sinne Vers 28. Doth liuelie painte out the nature of the wicked and vngodlie Vers 29. Teacheth vs that they shall not escape vnpunished for the same CHAP. 20. Co. IN the other Chapter and last end thereof he taught men for feare of punishment to take heede how they gaue themselues ouer to any wickednes and namelie to false witnes bearing And now in the beginning of this Chapter hee willeth them for the inconuenience that may insue thereof to beware of dronkennes and the meanes of that vice and so proceedeth to deliuer other doctrines and exhortations Di. Di. 1 THe Chapter may be diuided into three parts The first reacheth from vers 1. to the end of the 10. Wherein he intreateth of dronkennes of a kings wrath of contention of idlenes of the depth of mans heart of boasting of fond dealing of a good King and his duetie of naturall corruption and of false weights and measures The second reacheth from verse 11. to Di. 2 the end of the 20. wherein he speaketh of good or euill workes of the right vse of the eye and eare of sleeping or idlenes of craft and deceit of the excellencie of knowledge of sureties and their estate of aduice or counsell of slandering and flatterie of vnnaturalnes towards parents The third reacheth Di. 3 from verse 1. to the end of the Chapter wherein he speaketh of ill gotten goods of patience of false weights of Gods prouidence of the right vse of holie things of a good King or Prince of the power and force of Gods word of mercie and iustice the two props of all kingdomes of yong men and old persons and of corrections Se. Vers 1. WIne vz. taken and receiued immoderatly is a mocker i. a deceiuer of him that so vseth it for where as he vainely supposed that it was swéete and pleasant vnto him it is become hurtfull and strong drinke the Hebrue word importeth euery drinke that may make men dronken is raging i. it carrieth those men that excessiuely vse it into outrage and violence against others and whosoeuer vz. of what state or condition soeuer he be is deceiued thereby i. is ouertaken therewith is not wise i. sheweth thereby that he hath not as yet tasted of the heauenlie wisedome I allowe not the note in the Geneua bible which referreth it to the persons Vers 2. The feare of the King vz. being once angrie against a man meaning by feare that terror with his wrath or anger striketh into men with whom he is offended is like the roring of a lyon i. is very fearefull and terrible see Chap. 19.12 Also Chap. 16.14 he vz. how great soeuer he be that prouoketh vz. by his ill demeanour him i. the King to anger vz. against himselfe sinneth against his owne soule i. putteth his life in very great danger for the Kings wrath shall bee towards him that is lewd Chap. 14.35 Vers 3. It is a mans honor i. it is a glorious and very honorable thing for a man see Chap. 19.11 to cease vz. what in him lieth and as much as is possible from strife vz. with al other men see Rom. 12.18 but euery foole i. euery one that is foolish not rightly taught of God will be medling vz. busilie with other men and their matters which is indéede the mother and nurse of all contention Vers 4. The slothfull vz. man or person will not plow i. diligently and faithfully followe his calling for by one which is
God is gracious to his children but a sharpe punisher of the words and works of the wicked Vers 13. Teacheth vs to auoide sloth and idlenes Verse 14. Teacheth vs to auoide whores and whoredome Verse 15. Teacheth vs that moderate and ordinarie correction is a good meane to reforme things amisse in children Verse 16. Teacheth vs to flie from oppression and briberie Verse 17. Teacheth vs to hearken to good counsell Verse 18. Setteth out the sweetnes and pleasure of the word of God Verse 19. Teacheth vs that the word is published to begin and to confirme faith in vs. Verse 20. Teacheth vs that a good lesson may be often times deliuered vnto vs. Verse 21. Setteth out both the certaintie of Gods word and also what effect it worketh in them that imbrace it to wit it maketh them able to answer al things demanded of them Verse 22. Teacheth vs to beware of oppression whether it bee committed by force the partie being not able to resist or by fraud and namely vnder the pretence of iustice Verse 23. Setteth out Gods fauour towards the afflicted his iudgements against them that afflict Vers 24. Teacheth vs to auoide anger and wrath and all the meanes whereby we may be prouoked thereto Vers 25. Teacheth vs how hurtfull and dangerous a thing it is to keepe companie with the vngodlie Vers 26. Teacheth vs to beware of rash and hastie suretiship Vers 27. Teacheth vs to take heede that by our owne vnaduisednes wee bee not the authors of our common woe and miserie Verse 28. Teacheth vs not to incroch vpon any but to bee content with the portion which the Lord hath giuen vs from our ancestors Verse 29. Teacheth vs to bee diligent painfull and faithfull in all our actions and affaires CHAP. 23. Co. THe holie Ghost declared in the last verse of the 22. Chapter that diligence aduanceth men to the presence and speach of great personages and now in the beginning of this Chapter he sheweth how they should behaue themselues when they come before them speciallie when they sit to eate with them Di. Di. 1 THis Chapter may be diuided into three parts The first reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 11. wherein he teacheth men to bridle their appetite he sheweth the vncertaintie of riches he speaketh against the nigardlie and couetous person also against contemners of exhortation and extortioners Di. 2 and oppressors of the poore and needie The second reacheth from verse 12. to the end of the 25. wherein is contained an exhortation to imbrace wisedome to correct children he speaketh of the ioye that parents haue by good children he teacheth men to feare the Lord continuallie to auoide euill companie to obey parents to get the knowledge of trueth Di. 3 wisedome c. The third reacheth from verse 26. to the end of the Chapter wherein he speaketh against whores and whoredome and against dronkards and dronkennes setting out most largely and plentifully the sower fruites that come thereof Se. Vers 1. WHen thou sittest vz. at the table to eate vz. meate with a ruler i. with a great personage or gouernor of the people consider diligently i. carefully thinke vpon and weigh what is before thee i. what things are set before thee least through varietie of dishes thou knowing not where to begin thou bewraie want of good manners or els ouer charge thy stomacke Vers 2. And put the knife vz. that thou hast in thy hand or is vpon the table for thee to vse to thy throte He meaneth by this manner of speach that men should vse all meanes they could to bridle their greedie desire and eating of dainties if thou be a man giuen to the appetite vz. of such daintie and sweete things Vers 3. Be not desirous of his daintie meates i. of the fine sweet pleasant cates of a King or great person The Hebrue word importeth such things as sauour wel to the tast are swéet pleasant for it is a deceitful meate i. it wil easily draw men on by dainties to gluttonie or it may be called deceitful because it will not last long or els because the mightie suppose thereby to work some craft deceit against the other In these thrée verses I thinke he specially shooteth at these two poynts the one is to teach vs to vse iudgement wisedome to bridle our affections when we are to deale with great personages in any thing which he expresseth by one particular that is sitting at the table with them The other is to take héed that we be not not ouertaken with daintie and sweete delicates thereby bewraying that there is not that wisdome in vs that hath been supposed or reported Vers 4. Trauaile not too much to be rich q.d. thinke not by great and tedious trauaile thou shalt be rich whether God will yea or no for riches are Gods gift Psalm 127.2 neither is this contrary to many sentences already rehearsed wherein men are exhorted to bee laborious and diligent but hee forbiddeth first immoderate toyling care wherevnto our sauior seemeth to allude Matt. 6.25 and secondly a desire to waxe sodainly rich which is also condemned by Gods word but cease vz. vtterly and as much as in thee lyeth from thy wisdome i. from that same worldly wisdome of thine owne which indeed may rather be called distrust in God or couetousnes as when a man is violently caried away with a desire to be rich than wisdome Vers 5. Wilt thou cast thine eyes i. wilt thou set thine heart and affections vpon it i. vpon riches which is nothing i. which is as it were nothing or a matter of no great importance and this is one reason why men should not so greedilie gape after riches because when they haue atteyned them they haue gotten as much as a thing of nothing And another reason he addeth in the second parte of this verse taken from the vncertainty for riches taketh hir to hir winges i. flieth swiftly and fastly away as an Eagle vz. doth and flieth into the heauen i. goeth so farre as it is an impossible and hard matter to attaine the same q.d. set not thy affections vpon riches for they sodainely vanish away and when thou hast gotten them there is an hundred waies to forgoe them as fire water euill detters c. and that in a moment Vers 6. Eate thou not the bread i. any manner of sustenance as bread meate drinke c. but because bread is the principall he nameth it of him that hath an euill eye i. of the couetous hard harted and nigardly minded man sée the contrary of this Chap. 22.9 neither desire his daintie meates q.d. be so farre off from eating them that thou haue no affection or appetite that way see vers 3. of this Chap. Vers 7. For as though he thought it in his heart vz. when indeed he doth it not so will hee say vnto thee vz. when thou eatest of such things as he hath prepared eate and
loue wherwith they are replenished either Christianly couer that which is amisse or curteouslie cure it And as for you good Madame though I rest perswaded that it shall bee well accepted of you yet can I not but againe againe beseech you to receiue it not only as from the hand but as frō the heart of him who if either his poore praiers in absence or speach in presence or any thing els either within him or without him could any many manner of way either further you or answere some part of that christian kindnes which he hath receiued from you would not bee wanting in any duetie toward you or yours that GOD shal inable him to performe Now the very God of peace sanctifie you throughout and grant that your whole spirit soule and bodie may be kept blameles vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ London the xxv of this September 1589. Your good Ladiships as very much bounden so in al things very readie in Christ to his poore power T.W. the Lords vnworthie seruant To the godlie and Christian Reader BE aduertised J pray thee gentle Reader and that for thine owne good and better vnderstanding of the things thou shalt reade in this booke that wheresoeuer thou shalt finde this .i. it signifieth as much as that is to say and where these two letters q.d. are vsed it importeth thus much as though he would say and obserue withall that vz. is to wit c. Other things I doubt not but thou wilt of thy selfe through Gods blessing well perceiue as the more learned sort shall also without me and yet for those that had not such skill I could not but note these things as for those that haue attained to more vnderstanding and knowledge this Distichon Sperare in Christum vitae tolerare labores Et benè posse mori disce beatus eris Lord giue vs vnderstanding in all things speciallie in the mysteries of thy holie Lawe that wee maie like of and allow those things onelie which be right and holie before thee through Christ So be it An Exposition vpon the Prouerbes THIS whole Booke as J take it may bee diuided into two Parts Jn the first Salomon teacheth vs how we should stande affected towards God and his truth and this is comprehended in the nine first Chapters of this Booke Jn the second he deliuereth particular doctrines speciallie such as concerne our dutie towards men are to be referred to men maners words deeds and other circumstances from chapter 10. to the end of the Booke CAP. 1. THis Chapter as I suppose maybe diuided into three parts In the first Di. 1 is conteined a Proeme or Preface to the whole worke setting out the Writer the ende vse and profite of the same from vers 1. to the ende of the 6. In the seeond is comprehended an exhortation to goodnesse and an Di. 2 admonition to auoide the entisements of sinners from vers 7. to the end of the 19. In the third is declared the great paines that Gods wisedome taketh Di. 3 to drawe men vnto him but how little it preuaileth amongst them which sinne of theirs they shall not carrie away vnpunished from vers 20. to the end of the Chapter Vers 1. THe Parables i. Se. the figuratiue and darke kinde of speaches sée Psal 49.4 also 78.2 sée also Matth. 13 3.10 11.34 35. True it is that the Hebrue word signifieth all kinde of figuratiue speaches whatsoeuer of which sorte wee shall sée manie in this Booke somtimes expressed by similitudes sometimes by Allegories sometimes by Metaphores and sometimes by one meanes and sometimes by another and yet I thinke it may verie wel be taken for sentences words or speaches which as they are grauelie shortlie vttered so doo notwithstanding containe in them plentie of good matter of Salomon Here we sée who was the pen-man vtterer of these graue sentences sée 1. King 4.32 and when he saith of Salomon he meaneth that Salomon spake them and these I take as also all that follow to be Salomons owne words speaking of himselfe in the third person the sonne of Dauid vz. who was a man according vnto Gods owne heart and this serueth both for the commendation of Salomon and of his Booke So that we sée in this verse the work to be commended first for the excellencie of it vnder the word Parables secondly of the Writer vz. Salomon the wisest man that euer was thirdlie of the Writers Parents vz. Dauid a verie godlie man lastly of the state condition wherin either the Father or the Writer or both were vz. King of Jsrael i. ruler gouernor of the people that was called by the name of their great grandfather Iaakob And though this word King of Israel may séeme to be referred both to Dauid and Salomon because they were both Kings ouer that people yet I take it that it ought chieflie and onelie in this place to be referred to Dauid Vers 2. To know vnderstand héere thus much which parables and graue sentences were written to this end that men might learne and know wisedome i. absolute stedfast and effectuall knowledge both of heauenlie and worldlie things and instruction vz. concerning men their duties to the ende that they that by nature are rude and vnskilfull may by this doctrine be reclaimed to a better trade and course of life to vnderstand q. d. whereby also a man may vnderstand the words of knowledge i. such spéeches and sentences as are with skill knowledge and iudgement vttered and spoken Some thinke that there are thrée sorts of knowledge set down in this verse which may be obteined by the reading of this Booke vnderstanding by wisedome the certaine and assured knowledge of euerie thing by instruction the waies and meanes to attaine to that knowledge which héere is set after it because the other in dignitie and worthinesse goeth before it and by vnderstanding the words of knowledge he vnderstandeth prudence as when by the helpe of wisedome and knowledge a man obteineth abilitie to iudge of matters and to perceiue one thing by another Vers 3. To receiue vz. from the mouth of thy teacher if thou be a scholler and learner for in this verse he sheweth the profite that it will bring to learners and in the next verse how it will inable teachers instruction sée vers 2. meaning also by instruction good rules holie counsell and right order to doo wiselie vz. in all the waies that thou shalt walke and all the things that thou shalt attempt by iustice and iudgement and equitie This place is turned as though these things were meanes instruments of a good mans wise dealing whereas I suppose it should be turned thus as also some doo turne it To receaue the instruction of vnderstanding i. wise and skilfull instruction of iustice iudgement and euerie right thing vnderstanding by iustice iust holie and good workes by iudgement that sentence whereby euerie man hath his owne yéelded
him and by equitie or in the plurall number as it is in the Hebrue text equities which also maketh some to turne it euerie right thing vpright equall dealing one with another Vers 4. To giue vz. by the meanes of the master and teacher vnto the simple i. to him that not onelie hath little knowledge and is as a man would saie vnskilled but though he haue some iudgement is notwithstanding easilie and in a moment as it were induced to beleeue anie thing and is carried as it were hether and thether from the waie of trueth see Prouerb 14.15 where the same word in our English text is turned foolish sharpnesse of wit he vnderstandeth hereby not onelie quicknesse of sight to perceaue the subtilties of the enemies but also soundnesse of iudgement that he be no more carried awaie as he hath been and to the childe i. vnto him that is vnaduised and wanteth discretion it giueth knowledge i. sound iudgement and discretion viz. how and after what sort to behaue himselfe and to walke see Eph. 4.14 Vers 5. A wise man q.d. These things profite not the simple and vnlearned onelie but euen they that haue attained some measure of light and knowledge shall both be confirmed and increased in iudgement shall heare vz. these things vnderstanding by hearing not onelie the bending of the outward eares but also the inclining of the minde thereto increase vz. thereby in learning i. in all maner of knowledge q.d. he shal be more wise and learned than he was before and a man of vnderstanding i. he that by experience as it were hath attained to a more measure of knowledge and iudgement than others see ver 2. of this chap. shall attaine vz. by this meanes meaning also by attayning not only the getting but the possessing keeping and vsing vnto wise counsels vz. not only in himselfe but shall bee able to profite others thereby Vers 6. To vnderstand vz. by meanes of the holie and wholesome rules propounded in this booke a parable see vers 1. of this chapter and the interpretation vz. of parables or of any fine or eloquent speech whatsoeuer the words of the wise yea though they speake neuer so wisely and their darke sayings q.d. yea though they speake neuer so darklie also And all these profites the holie Ghost alleadgeth not only to shewe the excellencie of the booke but also to drawe men to the loue and liking of his doctrine Vers 7. The feare of the Lord i. a reuerence of Gods maiestie in mens hearts with an acknowledgement that wee onely trust in him and a care and a conscience being loth and fearefull to displease him is the beginning of knowledge i. is not onely the first meane and way to attayne the sound knowledge of God and all goodnesse but is as it were the fountaine and foundation of all good things Salomon in this followed his father Dauid as may appeare Psalme 111.10 but fooles i. wicked and vngodlie persons as generallie throughout this booke and more particularlie Psalme 14.1 despise vz. either proudlie or careleslie but yet both wayes to their owne hurt wisedome and instruction see vers 2. of this chapter Vers 8. My sonne Salomon speaketh this to euerie one that is willing to learn as the teacher being great either in yeres or credit may speake to the partie that is to be instructed see Psalme 34. 12. heare vz. attentiuelie and diligentlie sée also vers 5. of this Chapter thy fathers instruction i. the instruction and good counsell that thy father giueth thée and forsake not vz. at anie time but kéepe carefullie with thée thy mothers teaching i. those thinges which thy mother shall instruct and teach thée he maketh mention of mother because he had before spoken of father meaning by both together the counsels and commandements of their parents and yet because mothers admonitions perswasions are of great force in their children while they are young he speaketh also particularlie of them Ver. 9. For they i. the instructions and doctrines of thy parents if they be rightlie receiued on thy behalfe shall be a comely ornament vnto thy head and as chaines for thy necke i. they shall garnish and decke thee verie excellentlie euen as a Crowne set vpon the head or a chaine about the neck adorneth a man meaning that they shall make him gracious and acceptable both before God men And this is a reason of his exhortation hauing respect therein to the very maners affections of children who are much moued with gifts sundrie sorts of ornaments euen so men should be drawne to the obedience of Gods will by his great large promises V. 10. My sonne see vers 8. of this chapt if sinners 1. notorious wicked men as Psal 1.1 5. doo intise thee vz. to any manner of wickednesse whatsoeuer their intisements he rehearseth afterwards vers 11 12 13 14. consent thou not vz. at any hand to those their vngodlie prouocations much lesse doo the euill Vers 11. If they i. those wicked ones saie vz. either openlie or closelie and that either by word or deede for a mans gestures and actions speake after a sort come vz. and go with vs that is be a companion with vs in the mischiefe we will performe we will lay waite vz. closely and craftelie for bloud i. for mens liues to take them away meaning that they would commit murther and all manner of outrage to other mens hurt see Esay 1.15 also Psalm 5.6 also Psalm 51.14 and sundrie other places and lie priuelie vz. in waite see Psalm 10.8.9.10 for the innocent vz. to catch and snare him see Psalm 141.9 without a cause vz. on their behalfe giuen to practise so against them see Psalm 119.161 and these may bee either the wicked mens words who in the testimonie of their owne conscience say they persecute the godlie without any cause at all or els the words of the holie Ghost iustifying the good but I incline rather to the former And note that as in this verse they bragge what mischiefe they will closelie and craftelie performe against them so in the next verse they doo shamefullie vaunt what open mischiefe they will commit Vers 12. Wee vz. in the pride and crueltie of our owne hearts will swallow them vp i. will quite and cleane destroy the godlie aliue i. being either in good health and sound or els florishing in glorie wealth c. but the former is the better though the Rabbins allow of the latter like a graue i. euen as a graue doth receiue and take in dead corpses and neuer is satisfied see Prouerb 30.15 16. so will they destroy the good and neuer leaue off euen whole i. wee will spare no part or peece of them neither skinne flesh nor bones as those that go downe into the pit i. as those that are buried whole so shall these bee destroyed whole Vers 13. Wee shall finde i. not only certainlie finde but assuredlie also obteyne and possesse all
precious riches i. all manner of precious and rich things and this perswasion is drawne from profite and fill our houses i. we shall haue great store and aboundance with spoyle vz. of the good people meaning that they should haue as a plentifull pray all manner of rich and precious things Vers 14. Cast in thy lot amongst vs i. haue a portion and a part with vs and ioyne thy selfe vnto vs in these things But I would rather reade it in the future tense q.d. Looke what part wee haue thou shalt haue the same and we looke for none but good therefore thy portion shall be plentifull we will all haue one purse this is another intisement of the wicked q.d. we will be share and share like and as we put all into one bagge so we will haue it equallie diuided and none shall be preferred before another Vers 15. My sonne see vers 8. of this Chapter walke not thou in the way with them i. be not conuersant with them at any hand neither haue any fellowship or dealing with them either openly nor priuately refraine thy foote from their path i. walke not in their wicked waies least thou bee partaker with them as of the same sinnes so of the same punishments Vers 16. For their feete runne to euill i. they are swift to commit iniquitie and make hast to shed bloud i. to murther and kill men and to take away their liues see vers 11. of this Chapter and this is a reason why the godlie should not hearken to the intisements of the wicked Vers 17. and 18. as they are read in the Geneua text seeme to carrie with them this sense that as the Fowler hath no cause giuen him on the behalfe of the bird to catch the bird and yet notwithstanding doth take the same so the wicked lye closelie in waite to destroye the good though the godlie haue giuen them no occasion so to doo But others varieth both in sense and reading thus for in vayne i. to no purpose at all is the net vz. of the Fowler spread before the eyes i. openlie and in the sight of all that hath wing i. of euerie birde and fowle q.d. though these men make an account as though they had gotten the praie yet they can no more certainlie saie that they can bring to passe their counsels and purposes than an vnskilfull fowler which laieth his snares grinns openlie can certainlie affirme that he will catch the birds that flie by and obserue his nets and so it is as another reason that as before hee had perswaded them not to yeeld to the inticements of the wicked because all things they did tended to iniustice and crueltie so here he disswadeth them because they can looke for no certeine euent of their purposes Vers 18. Moreouer q.d. this is an other reason why you should not yeelde to their prouocations they themselues i. the wicked and vngodlie laie waite for their owne blood i. worke mischiefe euen to the destruction of themselues in that they hide themselues vz. thinking thereby to catch and insnare others it is against their owne soules i. it is hurtfull to themselues sée to this end Psal 7.14 15 16. And so here is a third argument taken from the heauie destruction of the wicked which they purchase vnto themselues by their own wicked doings V. 19. Such i. so dangerous and deadlie are the waies i. the purposes and practises of euerie one i. of what state or condition soeuer he or they be of that is greedie of gaine i. that is giuen to it and gapeth after vniust gaine he i. the wicked would take awaie vz. for the satisfying of his owne greedie and couetous desire the life of the owners thereof i. of such gaine or good things as other men haue and they desire Some readeth it otherwise make an other sense of the latter part of the verse thus in such state vz. both for wicked purposes and great dangers are the companies i. the societies fellowships or corporations as a man would saie for he seemeth to allude to that which was spoken before vers 14. see Gen. 37.25 where mention is made of a companie of Ishmaelitish marchants also of all that are giuen to gaine i. to vniust gaine and in that terme also he sheweth that none of them can escape death and destruction because the iudgement which God will laie vpon them cannot be auoided Gaine i. vniust gaine taketh awaie the soule of them i. the life of them that are giuen theretoo vz. greedelie and aboue measure This is it as I take it that the holie Ghost dooth sententiouslie conclude that the wicked shall not escape vnpunished and all this is done to draw the godlie that they consent not to their wicked allurements Ve. 20. Wisedom It is in the Hebrue text in the plural number by which he noteth most high excellent wisedom vz. euen the eternall wisedome of God Iesus Christ of whom see afterward chapt 8. and in whome are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge Coloss 2.3 crieth vz. earnestlie and continuallie by which he setteth out his great loue to the conuersion of men without i. abroad and openlie she vttereth her voice i. she speaketh freelie and plainlie in the streetes vz. of the Citie both these layde together sound q.d. both openlie and priuatelie in the citie and in the fields wisedome ceaseth not to call men to amendement Vers 21. She calleth vz. men to amendment in the high streate among the prease q.d. she is in the great assemblie and concourse of people taking thereby the greatest and best opportunitie of well dooing in the entring of the gates vz. whether people were wont to repaire for matters of iustice and iudgement as Gen. 34.20 Ruth 4.1 q.d. both in the market place and in the iudgement place wisedome seeketh to draw men vnto her and vttereth her words vz. verie plainlie and sensiblie that all may vnderstande in the citie i. in euerie place and quarter of the citie see Psalm 55.9 10 11. saying vz. vnto the wicked and vngodlie Vers 22. O ye foolish or simple rather as ver 4. of this chapter for he vseth one and the selfe same wordes in both places how long will ye loue foolishnesse q.d. will ye neuer leaue off this sheepishnesse and simplenesse and the scornfull of these see Psalm 1.1 who turne all things into scoffes the wickedst people that can be take their pleasure in scorning i. how long wil you delight in it to your own hurt and destruction in the end vnlesse you repent the fooles this word doth not onlie comprehend such as are spoken of before vers 7. of this chapter who are giuen to false opinions and follow waies directlie contrarie to wisedome but also want wisedome and giue not their mindes thereto hate knowledge vz. offered them Marke how in this verse he passeth sodainlie from the seconde person to the third Vers 23. Turne you vz. from your euil waies
swimme and the little Lambe wade and goe Vers 7 Teacheth vs that wee can neuer come to sound knowledge of God and his truth vnlesse there bee a right reuerence of his Maiestie in our hearts Vers 8. Teacheth vs first that it is parents dueties to instruct those whom God hath giuen them Secondly that children should reuerently hearken vnto the wholesome counsell of their friends and parents Vers 9. Teacheth vs that it is a notable grace to bee bowable to the good wordes of exhortation Vers 10. Teacheth vs at no hand to consent to wicked perswasions and inticements Vers 11 12 13 14. Teach vs that the wicked will leaue no stone vnrolled to the end they may drawe some to commit wickednesse with them sometimes setting before them pleasure sometimes profite and sometimes one thing and sometimes another Vers 15. Teacheth vs two things first to auoyd the companie of the wicked secondly not to bee like vnto them in outward conuersation Vers 16. Sheweth how egar and sharpe set the wicked are vpon mischiefe Vers 17. Teacheth vs that the wicked are not so sure of the accōplishment of their practises as they suppose Vers 18. Teacheth vs that through Gods iust iudgements the vngodly are many times taken in the mischieuous imaginations of their owne hearts Vers 19. Teacheth vs that there is no wicked man of what estate or condition so euer he be which continueth in his sinne that shall escape vnpunished Vers 20 21 22. Teacheth vs that the heauenlie wisedome vseth all meanes and opportunities to bring men vnto it which are stragling from it Vers 22. Sheweth that the wicked preferre vanitie and sinne before all goodnesse whatsoeuer Vers 23. Teacheth vs that those which vnfeignedlie turne to the Lord shall not only escape iudgements in this life and in the life to come but shall bee throughlie instructed in all the waies of God Vers 24 25. Teacheth vs that there can be no greater sinne committed against God than rebellion and the contempt of his maiestie Vers 26. Teacheth that the Lord will haue no care of them that haue no care of him Vers 27. Sheweth that both sodaine and fearefull destruction shall fall vpon all wicked contemners of God and his truth Vers 28. Teacheth vs that those which refuse to heare God when he speaketh shall not be heard when they pray vnto him Vers 29. Teacheth vs that this is a great sinne against God euen the contempt and refusall of graces offered the same thing doth vers 30. teach vs. Vers 31. Teacheth vs that it is a iust with God to punish sinne with sinne in the wicked though he himselfe delight not in sinne Vers 32. Teacheth vs that euen the very good things that the wicked haue tend to their greater iudgement and condemnation Vers 33. Teacheth vs that obedience to Gods lawe is a good pledge to his children that God will in his prouident and fatherly care continually watch ouer them CHAP. 2. Co. SAlomon in the ende of the other Chapter had brought in Gods wisedome speaking vnto men and calling them to amendment which being done he beginneth againe either in his owne person or in the person of wisedome chuse whether you will accept of to exhort men to imbrace her and reuerentlie and rightlie to esteeme of her Di. I Would thinke that the Chapter may be diuided into two parts In the first either Wisedome it selfe or Salomon admonisheth vs to obey her both because it teacheth vs the feare of God and also instructeth vs in his Di. 2 mercie prouidence c. In the second part he reckoneth vp the great benefites and blessings that that heauenlie Wisedome bestoweth vpon vs and namelie that it shall deliuer vs from euerie euill way as slaunder backbyting adulterie c. The first part reacheth from vers 1 to the end of the 9. verse and the second from vers 10. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. MY sonne see chapt 1.8 if thou wilt receaue i. euen as it were gréedelie earnestlie reuerentlie rightlie my words i. the matters that I shall propound and speake vnto thée and hide vz. as most precious and deare things see Psalm 119 11. my commandements i. the things words which I command thee within thee vz. in thy heart yet so that they may be expressed also in thy outward conuersation Vers 2. And cause thine eares vz. both of thy bodie and of thy minde to hearken vz. reuerentlie attentiuelie and diligentlie vnto wisedome vz. that speaketh so often so openly vnto thee as chapt 1. ver 20. c. and incline vz. willinglie and vnfeinedlie thine heart vz. whollie altogether to vnderstanding i. to obtaine get sound knowledge of Gods will reuealed in his word Vers 3. For this word would be better turned yea q.d. if thou addest this further that thou hast a minde to praie for wisedome if thou callest after knowledge i. bend thy speach towards her that thou maist as it were call her vnto thee as when one calleth another and so by that meanes she may become familiar and acquainted with thee and criest vz. aloud and earnestly by which he noteth care and diligence for vnderstanding i. for the obteining of it as men when some are going apace frō them crie aloud that they may be heard Some read this verse thus Yea if thou call vpon wisedome i. reuerentlie call vpon God for the obteining of wisedome as Salomon did 1. King 3.6 and criest aloud to vnderstanding i. prayest earnestlie to God as God himselfe commandeth Iam. 1.5 And indeed I take this to be the better sense by reason of that which foloweth ver 6. of this chapter Ver. 4. If thou seekest her vz. as diligentlie and paynfullie as siluer i. as thou thy self wouldest or any other man seeke siluer lost or hidden and searchest for her vz. as carefullie as narrowlie as for treasures vz. which are hidden in some close strong and secret place as in the earth or otherwise whether men cannot come but by great labour and toile q.d. if thou seekest it with as earnest an affection as siluer is sought and treasures digged vp and that thou art not content with a common kinde of searching but if thou finde it not at once thou wilt still seeke till thou hast found then thus and thus shall it be with thee And marke here what degrees the holie Ghost vseth first he would haue vs to be carefull to receiue and to hold fast the doctrine of God vers 1. Then he would haue vs to bée carefull by diligent attention for the receiuing and remembring of it ver 2. Thirdly he would haue vs to vse earnest praier for the obtaining of it ver 3 And lastly he would haue vs to bestow all labour studie and industrie vers 4. Vers 5. Then i. when thou hast carefully striuen to the performance of these things shalt thou vnderstand vz. plainly familiarly rightly and soundly the feare of the Lord see Chapt. 1. vers
before all earthly treasure Vers 15. Teacheth vs that nothing in the world is matchable with the holie wisedome that we learne out of Gods word Vers 16. Teacheth vs that long life riches estimation c. they are Gods gifts Vers 17. Teacheth vs that true pleasure is no where els to bee found but in the heauenlie wisedome Vers 18. Teacheth vs that there is no true life without the knowledge of Gods will reuealed in his word Vers 19 20. Teach vs that all the things in heauen and earth are guided in their naturall course by the power and prouidence of God Vers 21. Teacheth vs that it behoueth vs to haue Gods word in continual remembrance Vers 22. Teacheth vs that there is neither true life nor true glorie in this life without sound and sufficient knowledge of Gods heauenlie wisedome Vers 23. Teacheth vs that if we liue by the line and rule of the worde wee cannot doo amisse Vers 24. Teacheth vs that if Gods word be once rooted and grounded in our hearts our sleepe and all things els shall be sweete and pleasant vnto vs. Vers 25 26. Teach vs that staying our selues stedfastly vppon the truth of Gods prouidence and promises no hurtfull thing shall be able to dismay vs. Vers 27. Teacheth vs not to doo iniurie though we bee able to do it Vers 28. Teacheth vs not to dâ—ferre and put off doing of good when we are able to performe it Vers 29. Teacheth vs not to hurt any speciallie such as are tyed to vs by the bond of friendship neighbourhood or such like Vers 30. Teacheth vs to auoide all manner of quarrelling and contending either publike or priuate Vers 31. Teacheth vs not only not to grudge at the wicked mens prosperitie but also not to be drawne thereby to allowe or like of their euill behauiour Vers 32. Teacheth vs that as the Lord can at no hand away with the wicked so he greatly delighteth in the good and is familiar with them Vers 33. Setteth out the vnlikely reward that the good and the bad receiue of the Lord. Vers 34. Teacheth vs first that the wicked shall not carrie their sinnes away without punishment secondlie the way to obtaine grace from God is to humble ourselues vnfeignedly both before him and our brethren Vers 35. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer flatterers exalt fooles yet they shall inherite dishonor and againe that howsoeuer the wicked oppresse Gods children yet they shall be truely honoured and exalted CHAP. 4. Co. HE proceedeth in this Chapter as in the other before to exhort men to delight in and to seeke after heauenly wisedome Jn deede he doth it in other words and sentences but that is that we should not bee wearie of the oft repeating of one and the selfe same thing And yet if we would looke vnto it this often exhortation is profitable for vs who are carried hether and thether from it with sundrie matters and are as it were benummed and frosen from carefull seeking after heauenlie wisedome Di. THis Chapter may be diuided into foure parts In the first he laboureth Di. 1 to make his hearers and readers attentiue and fauourable to his cause and that partly from the doctrine which he propoundeth and partly from the example of the author and this reacheth from verse 1. to the ende of the 4. In the second he exhorteth men carefullie to labour for the attainement Di. 2 of wisedome shewing certaine reasons and alledging sundrie promises the better to perswade them thereto and this reacheth from vers 5. to the end of the 13. In the third he teacheth the godlie to take heede and Di. 3 to beware of the way of the wicked and their conuersation shewing certaine reasons also of that doctrine of his from verse 14. to the ende of the 19. And in the last part he prouoketh men to hearken reuerentlie to Gods Di. 4 word and to put away from them frowardnes euerie other thing which might hinder the great worke of God in them from verse 20. to the ende of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. HEare vz. with the eares both of your vnderstanding and minde O ye children before hée spake to them in the name of one as Chapter 1.8 Chapter 2.1 Chapter 3.1 11 21. Now he speaketh vnto many vnderstanding hereby all the fauourers and louers of wisedom whom he instructeth as a father doth his children deliuering them wholesome precepts the instruction of a father i. the instruction that your father giueth you according to his duetie and giue care vz. diligentlie and attentiuely to learne vz. from him both by worde and example vnderstanding vz. of the heauenlie and holie wisedome Vers 2. For J doo giue you i. deliuer and teach vnto you a good doctrine i. a wholesome profitable and pleasant doctrine therefore vz. because it is good forsake ye not vz. at any hand or by any meanes my lawe i. the things that I command you meaning that hee would not haue them in their liues and conuersation to depart from the same Now he calleth it his lawe not because he was the author of it for that title properly belongeth to God but because he was his instrument to vtter and declare the same Vers 3. For I vz. my selfe q.d. I lay no other burthen vpon you but that which I haue borne my selfe in the time of my youth and so he commendeth his doctrine from his owne example was my fathers sonne i. tenderly and dearely beloued of him in so much that I was seldome or neuer out of his presence tender and deare in the sight of my mother q.d. I was also dearely beloued of her the worde that is turned heere deare importeth only sonne as you would say that is chiefly beloued aboue the rest and brought vp with a singular affection and not as though his mother had had no more for wee see the contrarie 1. Chron. 3.5 Vers 4. When he taught me vz. as I do you now the fathers duetie consisting specially in the instruction of his children How Dauid performed this duetie see 1. Chron. 28.9 and sayd vnto me vz. in the wordes following let thine heart hold fast vz. so fast that they be neuer pulled out of the same by any meanes q.d. haue continuall care of them and remembrance to keepe them see Chapt. 3.1 my words i. both my speaches and the matters comprised therein keepe my commandements i. the things which I commande thee keepe them I say that is labour to kéepe them by thought word and déede and thou shalt liue vz. both in this life and in the life to come And heere I suppose that Dauids wordes or speach do end howsoeuer some would haue them to be continued to the ende of verse 9. Salomon building the exhortations following vpon these speaches Vers 5. Get wisedome i. take all paines to obtaine heauenly wisedome get vnderstanding i. sound and sincere iudgement in the same forget not vz. at any time see Chapt. 3.1 neither decline i. goe aside either
therfore vse no meanes to preuent it Vers 20. Teacheth yong folkes and children to be attentiue to the words of good counsell and exhortation Vers 21. Teacheth them to keepe them in continuall remembrance to the ende they may doo them Vers 22. Teacheth vs that there is no health soundnes or life indeede without the knowledge and obedience of Gods truth Vers 23. Teacheth vs to haue a speciall eye to the guiding and clensing of the affections and corruptions of our heart and to begin first there because it is the seate and fountaine from whence all things flowe Vers 24. Teacheth the brideling of our tongues and wordes and also to put away from vs frowardnesse and hastinesse of speach Vers 25. Teacheth vs to master our eyes because they are the shoppe windowes by which wickednesse is conueied into our hearts Vers 26. Teacheth vs narrowly nighlie to looke vnto our steppes and by this particular enumeration of sundrie we may learne this generall doctrine that all the partes and actions of our bodies should be directed to the aduancement of Gods glorie and the good of others Vers 27. Teacheth vs in al our actions and affaires to keepe euen that kingly broad way which the Lord hath sanctified and set foorth vnto vs in his word CHAP. 5. Co. THe holie Ghost proceedeth on in exhortation of men to imbrace wisedome shewing by the effects and fruites which it will bring forth that it is a verie notable thing and worthie to be had in great regard and account so that J take the beginning of this Chapter to bee the continuance of that exhortation that was begun Chapter 4.20 because the first verse differeth little or nothing from it either in words or matter as plainlie appeareth to him that will looke into it Di. I Suppose this Chapter may very well bee diuided into two parts In the Di. 1 first after his exhortation to attention he sheweth how dangerous a thing whoredome is exhorting men in time to beware least afterwards they repent too late from verse 1. to the end of the 14. In the second he putteth Di. 2 downe sundrie instructions as that men should liue of their owne that they should auoide prodigalitie keepe them to the wiues which God hath giuen them and pronounceth the ouerthrowe of the wicked from verse 15. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. MY sonne this is sundrie times expounded before and namely Cap. 1.8 hearken vz. diligentlie and that not with thy bodilie eares onely but with the eares of thy minde vnto my wisedome i. vnto that wisedome which I teach thee and incline thine eare vz. earnestlie and attentiuely vnto my knowledge i. vnto the things which I vtter not only sauouring of knowledge but tending also to this end to bring thee to wisedome and knowledge see Chapt. 4.20 Vers 2. That thou maiest regard i. estéeme and that rightly to thine owne good and profite counsell vz. in disposing and performing of thy things that thou be not deceiued and thy lippes obserue knowledge i. keepe it yet so that thou maiest vtter the knowledge which thou hast obtained by my rules he meaneth that he might vse and declare wisedome both in his works in his words Vers 3. For the lippes these wordes must be set against the former commandement q.d. hearken vnto me and not vnto the counterfeit words of an harlot and why so for though she speake faire yet she will destroy thee in the end and by lippes he vnderstandeth words because that by the lippes they are vttered see Chapt. 4.24 of a strange woman i. of an harlot see Chapt. 2.16 droppe as an honie combe i. seeme to haue plentie of pleasure and swéetnes in them and her mouth i. the words of her mouth see Chapt. 4. 24. is more soft than oyle vz. in outward appearance and shewe meaning by this manner of speach that they seeme outwardly gentle and swéete but they are indeede sharpe and bitter Vers 4. But the ende of her i. not only of her her selfe but of those which communicate with her is bitter as wormwood i. is most bitter for there are fewe things more bitter than it and in this place he seemeth to allude to the constitution of the bodie as though that a harlot were comely in the foreparts but most filthie and vile on the backe and sharpe as a two edged sword i. she woundeth deadlie as a sharpe two edged sword doth which may soeuer it strike see Chapter 2.18 19. Vers 5. Her feete i. her deuises and deedes see Chapt. 4.26 go downe to death or to the graue q.d. she and those that she carrieth after her are as nigh to destruction as they whose feete are at the graues brincke and readie to be put into it see Chapt. 2.18 and her steppes take hold on hell i. carrie her selfe and others that followe her headlong thether the holie ghost meaneth that she and her companions runne with hast to destruction both of bodie and soule Vers 6. She weigheth not i. she little or nothing at all regardeth the way of life i. of true and holie life here which indeede leadeth to life eternall her paths are moueable i. her orders and waies are vncertaine one while she vseth one way and another while another way thou canst not knowe them vz. for the varietie and vncertaintie of them Some reade it otherwise giue another sense but me thinketh this is plaine Vers 7. Heare see Chap. 4.1 ye me vz. counselling teaching instructing you now i. while I instruct you and you haue time to learne therefore q.d. seeing the dangers are so great hearken to my counsell O children i. see chap. 4.1 and depart not vz. at any hand or on any side from the wordes of my mouth i. from the precepts I giue you and the rules which I vtter and speake vnto you see Chapt. 4.5 Vers 8. Keepe thy way farre from her q.d. come not nigh her for there is infection and contagion with her companie see Chapter 4.14 15. for the phrase or manner of speach and come not neere the doore of her house i. bee so farre off from hauing familiaritie with her that looke thou come not into her house nor once drawe nigh to her dore Vers 9. Least this verse and some others following containe reasons why men should flye from whores and whoredome thou giue i. bestowe and that with present pleasure though paine insue thine honor i. whatsoeuer within thee or without thee may make thee honorable or estéemed as the flowre of thy age the comelines of thy bodie yea and thy bodie thy strength wit riches c. vnto others i. to the harlot her selfe the children begotten by her and those that appertaine vnto her and thy yeares i. thy yong yeares and the best part of thy life to the cruell i. to the harlot who is cruell for she consumeth both mens substance and the powers both of their bodies and mindes Vers 10. Least the
tye him so that hée shall not escape q.d. he staying himselfe vpon his wickednesses worketh his owne hurt and maketh a halter to hang himselfe in so that God needeth no tormentor seeing he is so tied with his owne sinne that he cannot onely not escape punishment but also is punished in them Vers 23. He shall dye i. he shall surely suffer both the first and the second death for fault of instruction i. because he would not receiue it when it was giuen him and not for want of it for he had it bestowed vpon him as verse 13. of this Chapter and go astray vz. from the right way prescribed him through his great folly i. by reason of his gréeuous sinnes q.d. he shall certainlie bee punished for his sinnes and neuer finde fauour but liuing he shall abide in perpetuall death Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs to yeeld to good counsell while it is offered vs. Vers 2. Teacheth vs that our words and all that commeth from vs should sauour of holie wisedome Vers 3. Teacheth vs what flatterie and intising perswasions harlots will vse to drawe men to filthines Vers 4. Teacheth vs that euery thing is not continuallie good and sweet that seemeth so at the beginning Vers 5. Teacheth men to beware of whores seeing they carrie death and destruction with them Vers 6. Teacheth vs that persons or parties giuen to filthines haue little or no regard of godlines and eternall life Vers 7. Teacheth vs in time to yeeld obedience to the word of good exhortation Vers 8. Teacheth vs to withstand the beginning of euill and the first prouocations to sinne Vers 9. Teacheth vs that whoredome carrieth with it the impayring of a mans good name credite and power Vers 10. Teacheth vs that whoredom adulterie consumeth mens goods and substance Vers 11. Teacheth vs that it wasteth euen their bodies and bones also Vers 12 13. Teach vs that the contempt of good counsell is the mother and cause of all corruption and naughtines Vers 14. Teacheth vs to haue an eye in time to returne from wickednes and sinne Vers 15. Teacheth vs to liue soberly and contentedly with those thinges that God hath blessed vs withall and not to catch and snatch other mens goods Vers 16. Teacheth vs to auoide niggardlines to striue to vse true liberalitie Vers 17. Teacheth vs to beware of prodigalitie inspending wastfully either our owne or other mens goods Vers 18. Teacheth men to liue ioyfully and peaceably with their wiues Vers 19. Teacheth men to loue and affect their owne wiues only and that continually also Vers 20. Teacheth vs that there is no goodnesse or profite at all that can come by following strange flesh but much hurt rather as verse 9 10. c. of this Chapter do sufficiently proue Vers 21. Teacheth vs that nothing that we do though we doo it neuer so secretly can be hidden from Gods knowledge Vers 22. Teacheth vs that the more sinne the wicked and vngodlie commit the faster they doo binde themselues with the cordes of iustice punishment and wrath Vers 23. Teacheth vs that whosoeuer will not regard good counsell out of Gods word shall surely dye the death CHAP. 6. Co. SAlomon in the other Chapter taught them to beware of whoredome and other wickednesses and continuing his exhortation he instructeth them in this Chapter to flie from rashnes and hastines in doing anything to auoide idlenes and many other wickednesses whereunto men are very prone through the continuall malice of Sathan prouoking them and their owne naturall corruption stirring them Di. Di. 1 THis Chapter may be diuided into three parts in the first are comprehended certaine admonitions instructing men to beware of suretiship Di. 2 and idlenes or sloathfulnes from verse 1. to the end of verse 11. In the second there is liuely set out the nature of wicked men and their destruction with a particular enumeration of certaine things which God abhorreth Di. 3 from verse 12. to the end of the 19. In the third part he exhorteth to imbrace Gods worde which rightly receiued shall deliuer vs as from the subiection of all sinne generallie so particularly of whoredome and this reacheth from vers 20. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. MY sonne see Chapter 1.8 if thou bee suretie i. hast giuen thy word or promise for thy neighbour i. for thy friend or companion for so much I thinke doth the word import because men be not suretie but for them whom they knowe and hast striken handes i. hast giuen thy faith or made a bargaine to pay that thou promisest he putteth the signe for the thing it selfe for wee vse giuing and striking of hands for assurance and performance of a bargaine with the stranger i. with an other man whom thou knowest not so well as he His meaning is not here vtterly to forbid suretiship for wee see the contrarie practised by good men Genes 42.37 Also Genes 43.8 9. but to teach men to take héede that they bee not rash in giuing their worde or hand by writing or otherwise and if they haue béen ouertaken to seeke to set themselues free from the same as soone as can be Vers 2. Thou art snared i. thou hast certainlie though at vnwares cast thy selfe into a perilous snare and danger with the wordes of thy mouth i. with these words which thou speakest thou art euen taken vz. fast so that thou canst not escape till thou hast payed and performed with the words of thine owne mouth q.d. thou maiest thanke thine owne hastie rash speach for thine intanglement for whereas perhaps thou tookest them to be but bare naked words thou feest thou art snared for bargaines euen as nature the Lawiers say are free before they are made but whē they are made they bind the parties bargaining therfore they say words bind men Vers 3. Do this vz. that followeth and which I counsell thee now i. very spéedilie without delay as may appeare by the verses following my sonne see Chapter 1.8 and sundrie other places in this booke and deliuer thy selfe vz. from the dangers thou art in and in this verse he sheweth two meanes wherby he may performe it the first is submitting thy selfe to him to whom thou art bound the second intreating him for whom thou art bound and other thy friends to pitie thy case and their owne in thee seeing thou art come vz. through thine owne carelesnes and rashnes into the hand of thy neighbour i. into his power by giuing thy hand or word goe vz. quicklie without any delay Math. 5.25 and humble thy selfe vz. to him to whom thou hast giuen thy word vnderstanding by humbling all things whereby a man may be moued to pitie as beseeching words pitifull countenances al other meanes either inward outward whatsoeuer and solicite i. earnestly call vpon by words labour to soften and make gentle towards thee thy friends i. both him to whom thou art bound him for whom thou art bound
whatsoeuer he hath yea and he himselfe to be sold if he bee not able to satisfie it in goods Exod. 22.3 Vers 32. But he vz. whosoeuer he be that committeth adulterie with a woman i. with another mans wife he is destitute of vnderstanding i. he hath no sparke of spirituall or heauenlie knowledge how wise soeuer he bee in worldly affaires he that doth it destroyeth his owne soule i. casteth himselfe headlong into destruction both of bodie and soule Vers 33. He i. the adulterer shall find a wound vz. either from the husband of the woman with whom he hath committed adulterie of whom he speaketh in the next verse that he will not spare or els from the Magistrate who will stone him and put him to death according to the lawe and dishonor vz. both before God and man and his reproach vz. which he hath drawne vnto himselfe by filthines shall neuer be put away vz. out of the remembrance of God and man He meaneth that his bodie shall be punished and his life subiect to perpetual ignominie Vers 34. For ielousie is the rage of a man i. it stirreth him vp to wrath and rage therefore he will not spare vz. him that hath committed that villanie against him in the day of vengeance i. at any time when either he himselfe shall strike or demand publike iudgement of the Iudges Vers 35. He i. the husband so iniured can not beare the sight of any ransome i. cannot abide to looke vpon any thing giuen for the deflowring of his wife neither will he consent vz. that thou shouldest not be punished though thou augment vz. euen as much as thou canst the gifts vz. which thou wouldest giue him to satisfie and please him withall Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs to beware of rash giuing either our words or hands for any Vers 2. Sheweth that when a mans word is once passed he is bound to performe that which he hath promised though it bee to his hinderance Vers 3. Teacheth vs to vse all lawful meanes to be rid out of danger which we fall into either through rashnes or negligence Vers 4. Teacheth vs that we should not delay to worke or procure our owne good Vers 5. Deliuereth euen the same doctrine vnder two very apt and fit similitudes Vers 6. Sheweth that for the correction of things which are amisse in vs God doth many times send vs to the dumbe and insensible creatures Vers 7. Teacheth vs that if without prouokers wee should performe our dueties much more should wee doo it when he hath giuen vs meanes and aydes thereto Vers 8. Teacheth vs in the time of plentie and peace to prouide against the daies of affliction and scarsitie to come Vers 9. Teacheth vs that it is not good to giue ouer our selues to much sleepe because that is the mother of idlenes Vers 10. Teacheth vs that the idle vse all meanes to continue them in the sinne of sloath Vers 11. Teacheth vs that sodaine and vnauoidable beggerie commeth vpon the slothfull person Vers 12. Teacheth vs that frowardnes of speach is a good note to discerne a wicked man by Vers 13. Teacheth that the vngodlie abuse all the parts and members of their bodies to prouoke others to wickednesse and in their owne persons to performe it Vers 14. Sheweth first that the wicked mans heart is alwaies deuising naughtines secondly that this is a sure marke of a naughtie man to bee the author of contentions and strife Vers 15. Teacheth vs that the destruction of the wicked shall be as sodaine so without hope of recouerie Vers 16. Teacheth vs first that God is a God that can not away with wickednesse at any hand secondly that there is a difference of sinnes because God abhorreth some more than other some Vers 17. Teacheth vs to flie from pride lying and murther Vers 18. Teacheth vs to beware of wicked deuises and pursuing naughtines with greedines and delight Vers 19. Teacheth vs to shunne false witnes bearing and the sowing of strife and contentions among friends Vers 20. Teacheth children carefully to indeuour to keepe the holie and wholesome instruction of their parents Vers 21. Teacheth vs that obedience to good counsell out of Gods word is the best and most profitable thing we can attaine to in this life Vers 23. Teacheth vs that Gods word is a lanterne vnto our feete and a true light vnto all our steppes Vers 24. Teacheth vs that there is no better bridle against whoredome than sound knowledge out of Gods worde Vers 25. Teacheth vs to withstand the beginning of euill and sinne in our selues and to beware of such prouocations as others will vse to draw vs on thereto Vers 26. Teacheth vs that the ende of whoredome is beggerie on the one side and destruction of bodie and soule on the other side Vers 27 28. Doo teach vs by two apt similitudes taken from the fire that the sinne of adulterie carrieth with it great and fearefull danger Vers 29. Teacheth vs to striue to modestie and cleanenes in our speach yea euen then when we speake of immodest and vncleane things secondlie that man of what state or condition soeuer he be committing that sinne shall not escape vnpunished Vers 30 31. Teach vs that howsoeuer amongst vs theeuerie is thought a greater transgression than adulterie yet before GOD and such men as be lightened by Gods word adulterie is by many degrees more vile Vers 32. Teacheth vs that the adulterer by his sinne doth not only bewray his owne follie but also laieth violent hands vpon his owne life Vers 33. Sheweth that the adulterer shall neuer escape vnpunished either before God or man or both Vers 34. Teacheth vs that we may safely pursue before a Magistrate our iust causes against an adulterer and that without shewing any fauour or pitie to the offending partie Vers 35. Teacheth vs to be altogether estranged from receiuing gifts or setting on sale our wiues deflowring Now let vs see wherein theeuerie is lesse than adulterie which appeareth to be so out of this text because the theefe that stealeth to satisfie his neede shall neither lose life nor honor no though he bee found sundrie times dooing the deede but shall be only bound to restore to the owner according to the law But the adulterers condition seemeth to be farre otherwise for his life and honor is in danger both by publike and priuate right if the matter bee once knowne and there will bee nothing taken for the satisfaction of his sinne CHAP. 7. Co. SAlomon had before deliuered certaine instructions of wisedome and knowledge now in this Chapter he putteth downe certaine confirmations and proofes of the same alledging his owne testimonie and that experience which he had obserued in the state and cursed end of miserable men following the intisements of pleasure and sinne Di. Di. 1 THe Chapter may bee diuided into three parts In the first is contained an exordium or enterance as it were exhorting men to imbrace Gods wisedome
indeuour to attaine it and to seeke for it And here he commendeth his doctrine for the easines Vers 10. Receiue vz. readilie and with a good will mine instruction i. the instruction that I shall giue you and not siluer i. rather than siluer as may appeare by that which followeth for it is not his purpose here to condemne siluer but to shewe that Gods word must bee preferred before it and knowledge vz. of the heauenly mysteries and that from me rather than fine gold vz. how pure and precious so euer it be And note that in this verse and in the next he commendeth his doctrine because it is most precious and profitable Vers 11. For wisedome i. the wisedome of God is better vz. by thousands of degrees than precious stones though they bee most rich and neuer so much esteemed and all pleasures vz. of this life how great many or sundrie soeuer they be are not to be compared vz. at any hand or in any respect vnto her i. vnto true and holie wisedome see Chap. 3.14 15. Vers 12. I wisedome i. who am the eternall wisedome of the father for this must bée vnderstood not of the written word onely but of the person of the Sonne who is made of God vnto vs wisedome 1. Corint 1.24 30. dwell with prudence i. after some am most familiarly acquainted with her after other some am most prudent and wise my selfe both are good but I rather allowe of this latter q.d. I call you not to mée without cause for I am she without whom no man can be wise and I finde forth i. not only of my selfe but cause also them that reuerence and esteeme me to seeke and find knowledge and counsels vz. of the will of God reuealed in his word which otherwise should be but a sealed booke to all them that looked into it Vers 13. The feare of the Lord is to hate euill This appertaineth though perhaps it seeme not so to some to the praise of wisedome because the reuerence and feare of God is the speciallest part of wisedome as Chap. 1.7 Also Chap. 9.10 Some ioyne it with the former verse thus I haue with me the feare of the Lord and the hatred of euill q.d. I am most iust teaching to doo euery good thing and to lothe euery wicked thing and then addeth J hate vz. vnfeignedly pride and arrogancie vz. both of hart bodie and countenance and the euill way i. euery wicked order and course of life whatsoeuer and a mouth that speaketh lewd things i. euery person or man that giueth his mouth to speake wicked and peruerse matters Vers 14. I haue vz. with me and in my power counsell and wisedome i. abundance of all good foresight counsell and holie knowledge J am vnderstanding q.d. without mée there can be no sound iudgement and I haue strength vz. in my selfe meaning by strength power and authoritie also to doo what he would all this verse is as much q.d. I am most wise in taking of counsell and I am most mightie in performing my deuises Vers 15. By me i. by the authoritie which I communicate vnto them Kings i. all Kings how great or little so euer they be reigne vz. vpon earth and amongst their owne people meaning that all the authoritie they haue they haue it from him as Daniel 2.21 Rom. 13.1 and Princes vz. of the earth decree iustice i. establish ordaine and execute iust and holie things Vers 16. By me i. by my permission and appoyntment Princes rule vz. others and the Nobles vz. doo so likewise and all the Iudges of the earth vz. doo the selfe same thing by the authoritie which I haue giuen vnto them And marke that in these two verses the holie Ghost vseth foure wordes which though they serue all to expresse one thing yet euery word in signification differeth from another He putteth Kings in the first place as the highest and greatest of all to these he ioyneth Princes who were as it were of counsell with Kings and did vnder them constitute and ordaine lawes concerning both these see Psalme 2.2 Next he addeth Nobles who haue their name of the largenes and liberalitie which they exercise to their vnderlings and lastlie in a generall terme of Judges he comprehendeth all them that gouerne the world and handle matters of state Vers 17. I loue them vz. vnfeignedly and continually that loue me vz. with a good hart He meaneth that Gods grace by his meanes floweth vppon all such as loue him see Iohn 14.21 and they that seeke me earely i. painfully carefully and diligently shall finde me vz. assuredlie and without all faile q.d. I will voutchsafe to shewe my selfe vnto them Vers 18. Riches and honor i. true riches and honor specially Gods great blessings vpon the minde are with me i. in my power to giue and bestowe them when and vpon whom I list euen durable riches i. such riches as shal continue when other mens melteth away as waxe before the Sunne and righteousnes i. vpright dealing which indeede is one good meane to make wealth firme and stable see Chapt. 3.16 Vers 19. My fruite vz. which I communicate to them that loue me I dwelling in them and they also walking in the righteousnes that I prescribe vnderstanding by fruite the graces also which he bestoweth vpon them of which he seemeth to make two sortes the one temporall for this life vers 20. the other eternall for the life to come vers 21. is better vz. by many degrees than gold vz. how pure or precious soeuer it bee yea than fine gold q.d. yea than all the finest gold that can be got and my reuenues i. the giftes which I bestowe vppon mine speaking here as great Princes doo who according to the largenes of their rents and reuenues giue great gifts to their subiects and seruants better than fine siluer q.d. yea though it haue béen neuer so often fined and tried see Psalme 12.6 Vers 20. I cause vz. men and those that imbrace me to walke vz. vprightly without going either on the right hand or on the left and that continually also in the way of righteousnes i. in equall vpright and iust waies meaning thereby a holie order and conuersation of life and in the middest of the pathes of iudgement i. in such a plaine way of vpright dealing that it is impossible for them to goe out of the way and this is the fruite that wee receiue in this life to wit sanctification Vers 21. That vz. by the meanes of guiding them in the right way I may cause them that loue me vz. vnfeignedly meaning that for their sakes he might bring this to passe to inherite substance i. the thing that is and shall neuer cease to be to wit eternal life and I will fill vz. with al abundance and store their treasures meaning it not only of worldly but also of spirituall and heauenlie blessings and thus hetherto he hath commended wisedome for her excellent effects as afterwards he
all that hate me vz. of what state or condition soeuer they be loue death vz. both of bodie and soule how much soeuer they would seeme to abhorre it and flie from it Verse 1. Teacheth vs that the Lord speaketh clerely vnto vs to the ende we might be the sooner and more effectually drawne vnto him Vers 2 3. Setteth out Gods great mercie who neglecteth no occasion time or place to doo vs good Verse 4. Teacheth vs that God doth generally direct his word vnto all though happelie it bee fruitfull but in some Verse 5. Teacheth vs in time to returne from our follie and dulnes of spirite Verse 6. Teacheth vs that the more excellent things are offered vs the more attentiue we should be to heare and learne the same Verse 7. Teacheth vs and that euen in the example of God himselfe to speake nothing but the truth and to abhorre al wickednesse of wordes whatsoeuer Vers 8. Teacheth vs that Gods word is righteous iust pure and holie Vers 9. Is profitable for doctrine because it sheweth that God speaketh plainly and familiarly vnto vs in his word which may teach vs not to be discouraged from the hearing or reading of it through the hardnes of it and it is profitable also for confutation of Papistes who accuse it of darknes Verse 10 11. Teach vs co preferre Gods word before all the pleasures profites of this life whatsoeuer Verse 12. Teacheth vs that nothing can be rightly or wisely done without sound knowledge out of Gods word Verse 13. Teacheth vs that seeing God our father abhorreth pride wickednesse and vngodly speach we should likewise hate and lothe the same things Verse 14. Teacheth vs that the Lord is most wise in all his counsels and most mightie to performe whatsoeuer pleaseth him both in heauen and earth Verse 15 16. Teach vs that all earthly authoritie is from the Lord only whatsoeuer it be Verse 17. Teacheth vs to loue the Lord and if we will obtaine him and his fauour earnestly and diligently to seeke after the same Vers 18. Teacheth vs that true riches and honor are to bee found onely with the Lord. Verse 19. Teacheth vs that Gods graces bestowed vppon his children are more precious than all the things of this life whatsoeuer Verse 20. Teacheth vs that without light from Christ wee walke in by pathes and wander continually from the Lords waies Verse 21. Teacheth vs that there is an euerlasting inheritance and plentie of all blessings laied vp for the faithfull Verse 22 23 24 25 26.27 28. Doo prooue the eternall deitie or Godhead of our Sauiour Christ contrarie to the Arrian heresie Verse 28. Setteth forth Gods great power in vpholding the clowdes and the raine in the same from drowning the world Verse 29. Teacheth vs that euen the sea is obedient vnto him so that looke what courses and bounds he setteth it it walketh in the same Vers 30. Sheweth that by our Sauiour him selfe all things were made maintained Vers 31. Teacheth vs that though Christ bee carefull for all yet chiefly for mankinde and specially for his Church gathered out of it Vers 32. Teacheth vs that obedience to Gods commandements is a meane to bring blessings vpon vs. Vers 33. Teacheth vs to giue diligent attendance vpon God and his truth least it doo at any time or by any manner of way escape vs. Vers 34. Teacheth vs that without Christ there is no fauour nor life to be had from God but in and with him we haue all things Vers 35. Teacheth that it is in vaine to offend against Christ for besides that our displeasing of him can do him no hurt we do vtterly destroy our selues CHAP. 9. Co. THe holie Ghost continueth in this Chapter that which he had begun in the other two but specially in the eight Chapter before going to wit by the testimonie of God and his owne eternall wisedome he confirmeth those doctrines and instructions which he had deliuered concerning the imbracing of this heauenlie wisedome And here by another similitude he teacheth the same which he did before vz. that Wisedome calleth all such vnto her as be desirous to imbrace her and this he doth by supposing her to bee building her house that she might receiue her guestes into it by preparing her dainties c. Di. Di. 1 THis Chapter may be diuided into three parts In the first the heauenly wisedome of God that is his eternall sonne calleth al vnto his banquet and the precious thinges he hath prepared for them from verse 1. to the Di. 2 end of the 6. In the second the holie Ghost describeth the wayward nature of the vngodlie and sheweth what fruites wisedome yeeldeth from Di. 3 verse 7. to the end of the 12. In the third he doth liuely paint out the lothsome qualities and conditions of an harlot from verse 13. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. WIsedome i. Gods eternall Sonne of which hath béen spoken of before Chapt. 1.20 Also Chap. 8. through out hath built vz. very beautifullie and stronglie her house that is his spirituall Church which is called the house of God 1. Timoth 3.15 which Christ beginneth in this life but perfecteth the same in heauen and hewne out vz. very artificially and finely her seuen pillers i. he hath made the Church very full and perfect For we knowe that the number of seuen in Scripture signifieth fulnes and perfection and all this is spoken in an allegorie concerning the Church as also that which followeth touching the great banquet meaning nothing thereby but the absolute founding establishing and perfect decking of it Vers 2. She i. Gods eternall wisedome hath killed her vittailes i. hath minded to prepare and to performe a banquet for you as may appeare by killing meate drawne vz. out of the vessels her wine i. the wine that she will giue you q.d. you must therefore come quickly seeing all things are in such readines The word that is turned here drawne signifieth in the Hebrue mingled vz. with water speaking according to the manner of those hot countries and prepared her table vz. for the guestes to sit at q.d. all things are in a readines there lacketh nothing but guestes to furnish the borde To allegorise vppon the words vittailes wine tables c. were vaine the Scriptures must be handled with greater sobrietie Vers 3. She hath sent forth her maidens vz. to call men to her banquet and vz. she her selfe crieth vz. aloude so that al men may heare q.d. Gods heauenlie wisedome both by himselfe and his messengers inuiteth men to come vpon the highest places of the citie i. openly and euery where so that none can pretend ignorance see such a like parable Math. 22.1 2 3. c. saying vz. after this manner Vers 4. Who so is simple see Chapt. 1.4 and yet this word is sometimes vsed in the good part as Psalme 116.6 and Math. 10.16 let him come hether vz. to my house and feast and he shall haue
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
glad but the hope of the wicked i. both the thinges which he hoped for and the hope he had to receiue them shall perish i. come to naught and so he shall be ouerwhelmed with sorrowe because he is frustrate of his hope Vers 29. The way of the Lord i. both the things which he commandeth and the knowledge which good men haue of his prouidence and gouernment is strength to the vpright man i. matter of great strength and boldnes against all euill and sorrowe whatsoeuer but feare i. great sorrowe and griefe and continuall trembling shall be for the workers of iniquitie or to them when they shall looke vpon Gods waies and gouernment see Hosea 14. vers 9. And touching these words workers of iniquitie see Psalme 6.8 Vers 30. The righteous shall neuer be remoued vz. from the hope and feeling of good things euen in this life but the wicked shall not dwell vz. long in the land vz. but shall shortly be rooted out of it and cut from it Vers 31. The mouth of the iust shall be fruitfull in wisedome i. he shall most pleasantly and plentifully vtter wise and holie things euen as fruite yeeldeth abundance wherevpon words are called the fruites of the lippes Isaiah 57.19 but the tongue of the froward shall be cut out i. he that giueth himselfe to speake frowardly and peruersly shall be depriued of his speach because the meane thereof shall be taken from him Vers 32. The lippes of the righteous knowe what is acceptable i. they knowe and can speake those thinges which will procure fauour both before GOD and men but the mouth of the wicked speaketh froward things i. the vngodlie spare not to speake such things as may displease both God and men Do. Vers 1. Teacheth parents to reioyce in the gifts that God bestoweth vppon their children it teacheth children to striue to obtaine such things that they may indeede make glad their parents hearts Vers 2. Teacheth men to take heede how they get their goods vz. that they doo it vprightlie and not deceitfullie Vers 3. Doth comfortablie expresse the great care that God hath ouer his children and his great iudgements against the wicked Vers 4. Teacheth euery man to walke faithfully and diligently in his calling auoiding idlenes Vers 5. Teacheth vs to vse the opportunities that GOD in mercie giueth vs for the performance of any good thing Vers 6. Teacheth that God indueth the godlie with al manner of blessings but vtterly confoundeth the wicked and vngodlie Vers 7. Teacheth vs that nothing that the wicked hath is of any great continuance Vers 8. Teacheth vs two things first paciently to beare the words of admonition and reproofe secondlie to beware of rash and hastie speach Vers 9. Teacheth vs that there is no wickednes so secret but God will at some one time or other bring it to light Vers 10. Teacheth vs to beware of hypocrisie on the one side and of open workings of euill on the other side Vers 11. Teacheth vs that a good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things Vers 12. Teacheth vs to flie hatred and earnestly to imbrace sound and sincere loue Vers 13. Teacheth vs that mens wordes are many times meanes to manifest either the wisedome or the follie of him that speaketh Vers 14. Teacheth vs how dangerous and hurtfull rash and hastie speaches are Vers 15. Teacheth vs that the wicked many times repose trust and affiance in the multitude of their riches Vers 16. Sheweth both what contentednes the godlie haue when it pleaseth God to blesse their labours and how the wicked abuse euen their riches and all thinges they haue to the increase of iudgement against their owne soules Vers 17. Teacheth vs how dangerous a thing it is to refuse good counsell Vers 18. Teacheth vs to flie from dissimulation lying and slandering Vers 19. Teacheth vs to shunne vaine babling and multitude of words Vers 20. Teacheth vs that the words of such as are truely wise bee very precious but the imaginations and deuises of the vngodlie are of no account Vers 21. Teacheth vs that we ought to referre our wisedom and knowledge to the good of others Vers 22. Teacheth vs that it is not mans wit or labour but the blessing of the Lord only that maketh men rich Vers 23. Teacheth vs that the wicked reioyce and take pleasure in the performance of their wickednes Vers 24. Teacheth vs that the vngodlie shall haue the selfe same punishments fall vppon them that they feare also that God will graciouslie grant the requestes of his seruants Vers 25. Teacheth vs that the vngodlie shall be destroyed but the godly shall florish continually Vers 26. Teacheth vs what hurt a sluggish person doth both to himselfe and them that imploy him in any seruice Vers 27. Teacheth vs that long yeares shall be to the godlie but short and fewe daies to the wicked Vers 28. Teacheth vs not only paciently to tarrie the Lords leisure but sheweth vs that if we doo so we shall haue a ioyfull issue and end thereof Vers 29. Teacheth vs that Gods prouidence is a great comfort to those that are his and his iudgements terrible to the wicked Vers 30. Teacheth vs what difference there is betweene the estates of the good and the bad Vers 31. Teacheth vs that a godlie wise mans words tend both to his owne commendation and also to the good and profite of others Vers 32. Sheweth that it is a great grace to speake in place and time conuenient Also it teacheth that the wicked giue their tongues libertie to vtter whatsoeuer euill their froward hearts can imagine CHAP. 11. Co. IN the other Chapter specially in the last verse of it he had taught men to vse good and gracious words and to auoide all euill and corrupt speaches Now in this Chapter and specially in the first verse of it he teacheth men to looke to their dealings and actions and so proceedeth on to other instructions Di. Di. 1 THis Chapter may be diuided into three parts In the first he speaketh against false weights pride the frowardnes of the wicked trust in vncertaine riches and against the wicked themselues exhorting men on the other side to striue to all vpright dealing true humilitie and other good fruits annexing a promise thereto for the better fructifying of his doctrine Di. 2 and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 9. In the second he intreateth of the blessings which come by good and wise gouernours of the hurt that pride slandering and idlenes yeeld and by the contrarie he sheweth what inconueniences insue for want of good gouernours c. from vers 10. Di. 3 to the end of the 21. In the third he dealeth against foolish women niggardlines couetousnes trust in riches contention and such like and on the other side commendeth liberalitie care for obeying of good things and for winning of men to God c. And this reacheth from verse 22.
to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. FAlse balances vz. vsed in buying and selling he putteth the balance for all thereto appertaining are an abhomination vnto the Lord i. are such things as the Lord abhorreth and condemneth by the Lawe see Leuit. 19.35 36. Deuter. 25.13 14 15 16. And vnder this he condemneth all fraudulent dealing in buying and selling whatsoeuer but a perfect weight i. an vpright and iust weight In the Hebrue text it is stone because they were wont to weigh with stones pleaseth him vz. greatly or much Vers 2. When pride commeth vz. vppon any man i. when any man beginneth to waxe proude against or aboue others then commeth vz. vnto him shame vz. amongst and before men He meaneth that contempt is the companion of pride see Prouerb 16.18 but with the lowlie vz. in heart as well as in outward shewe is wisedome i. true wisedome which lowlines and wisedome ioyned together doo truely exalt a man see Prouerb 15.33 Also 18.12 Vers 3. The vprightnes of the iust i. their vpright and iust dealings towards God and men shall guide them vz. euen whether they would come or els it shall keepe them safe and sound for euer and leade them thorowe out the whole course of their life till they come to the hauen of safetie here and of heauen in the life to come as may appeare by the verses following but the frowardnes of the transgressors i. of such as trāsgresse Gods law meaning by peruersnes or frowardnes not onely that which is in themselues but also that wherewith they doo either on the one side oppresse others or on the other side peruert or make them like naught vnto themselues shall destroy i. shall be a forcible meane to pull vpon them from God a iust destruction Vers 4. Riches vz. whether they bee gotten iustly or vniustly that is not the matter auaile not vz. any whit at all in the day of wrath i. at any time when God sheweth himselfe angrie q.d. such as trust when God laieth any either publike or priuate calamitie vpon them to bée deliuered through their riches they are much deceiued see Ezech. 7.16 Zepha 1.18 but righteousnes deliuereth from death i. the righteous are deliuered either from bodilie punishments in this life or els altogether from eternall death see this expounded before Chapt. 10.2 Vers 5. The righteousnes i. the good conscience and faithfull dealing of the vpright vz. in heart as well as in word for both must concurre shall direct his way i. keepeth him vpright in this life and ordereth the whole course of the same so that he hath good successe in all things and falleth not because he laboureth continually to followe Gods will but the wicked shall fall vz. certainlie and assuredly in his owne wickednes i. either as he is walking in his owne wicked and crooked waies or els in that wickednes that he hath deuised against others he shall be snared but I rather like of the first sense Ver. 6. The righteousnes of the iust see before verse 5. of this Chapter shall deliuer them vz. from eternall death and all hurtfull dangers in this life as verse 4. of this Chapt. but the transgressors vz. of Gods lawe shall be taken vz. certainly and sodainly in their owne wickednes i. in that which they had deuised against others and indéede laied vpon them see Psalme 7.15 or els expound it as verse 5. of this Chapter Vers 7. When a wicked man dieth vz. here amongst men his hope i. both the hope he himself had to oppresse others and the hope that other men had in him perisheth vz. vtterly and commeth to nothing and the hope of the vniust shall perish q.d. be assured of this that his hope shall take no effect and he repeateth the thing for the more certaintie of it I knowe other men reade it and expound it otherwise but me thinketh this is plaine Vers 8. The righteous escapeth vz. thorowe the goodnes and mercie of God out of trouble i. out of sundrie and manifold troubles see Psalme 34.19 and the wicked shall come in his stead vz. into affliction and troubles q.d. we doo oftentimes see it fall out that the wicked man commeth into the place of the righteous man being deliuered from trouble euen as it were a redemption for him Vers 9. An hypocrite i. he that thinketh one thing with his heart and speaketh another thing with his mouth with his mouth i. with his false counterfeit words mouth put for words vttered with the mouth as sundrie times before hurteth his neighbour vz. either while he bringeth men to the state of dissimulation that he himselfe is in or els while he seemeth friendly in words yet in heart wishing him euill he laboureth to destroy him and his substance but the righteous shall be deliuered vz. through Gods grace and goodnes from such hypocrites and dissemblers by knowledge vz. of their falsehood and hypocrisie and by a wise foresight shall deliuer himselfe and others from their corruption Vers 10. In the prosperitie of the righteous i. when good men prosper florish and are exalted the citie i. the people of the citie if they be godlie wise and indued with vnderstanding and this must not only bée referred to cities but to kingdomes he putting a part of a kingdome for the whole reioyceth vz. excéedingly and as it were with singing and shouting for so much I suppose the Hebrue word and text will yéeld and when the wicked perish vz. from amongst men meaning when they dye there is ioy vz. yea great ioy amongst the people of the kingdome or citie they reioyce in the one because of the good they receiue from them and reioyce at the departure of the other because of the euilles they indured vnder them Ver. 11. By the blessing of the righteous i. by the good deedes and good words of godlie men which are called blessings because that by them God doth after a sort powre blessings vpon the people the citie is exalted vz. very much that is it hath a great name and florisheth mightelie but it is subuerted i. quite and cleane destroyed by the mouth of the wicked i. by wicked wordes and counsels that the vngodlie vtter and giue see verse 9. of this Chapter Vers 12. He that despiseth vz. either in countenance worde or deede his neighbour i. any man that is any manner of way ioyned vnto him is destitute of wisedome i. bewraieth himselfe to bee a very foolish man but a man of vnderstanding i. he that is truely wise indeede will keepe silence i. will temper himselfe and abstaine from shewing contempt any manner of way against another Vers 13. He that goeth about as a slanderer vz. of other men It seemeth to bee a metaphore taken from pedlers who mingle sundrie sortes of ware together and go from place to place to vtter those things which they haue receiued of others so slanderers tell that to one which they haue heard of
righteous shall continuallie enioy felicitie glorie life gladnes c. see Psalme 97.11 but the candle of the wicked shall be put out i. that little estate of felicitie and prosperitie which they seeme to haue in this life shall sodainlie vanish away q.d. there is as great difference betweene the ioyes of the good and the bad both in respect of the greatnes and continuance thereof as is betwéene the Sunne and a candle and their seuerall lights and continuance see Chapt. 4.18 19. Vers 10. Only by pride i. through pride of heart meaning vnder the word only that pride is not the only cause of contention but one of the chiefest for many times men braule euen of peruersnes and of fond emulation and enuie against other doth man i. doo men for he speaketh of them all as though they were but one make contention i. stirre vp strife one of them with another but with the well aduised i. with such as both can giue good counsell and will humblie hearken to other mens good speaches is wisedome vz. to take heede that they kindle not strife or foster contention Vers 11. The riches of vanitie i. after some vaine riches which are so called because they vanish away but I suppose that he meaneth such riches as are gotten by any vaine false or vngodlie way whatsoeuer shall diminish vz. certainlie meaning that indeede they should bee brought to nothing and consumed but he that gathereth vz. riches and goods with the hand i. with the labour of his owne hands shall increase them vz. through Gods especiall blessing for otherwise it cannot bee see Chapt. 10.2 4. Also Chapt. 12.24 His purpose is to commend diligence and to teach men to auoide idlenes craft and whatsoeuer els Vers 12. The hope that is deferred i. the thing hoped for if it be put off from time to time and not quicklie performed is the fainting of the heart i. it maketh a mans minde to faint and quaile but when the desire i. the thing desired wished and looked for commeth vz. vnto men i. is granted them it is as a tree of life i. it is a most sweete and pleasant thing and as a man would say a very proper and healthfull medicine for a minde that languisheth in lusting and desiring see Chapt. 3.18 Vers 13. He that despiseth the word vz. of almightie God or the good word of exhortation drawne from the same he shall be destroyed vz. certainly and assuredly through the iust iudgement and vengeance of GOD vppon him but he that feareth the commandement vz. of GOD vnderstanding by feare an humble reuerence and loue and by one commandement all commandements of God whatsoeuer yea euen the whole lawe he shall be rewarded vz. from the Lord neither can the Papistes gather neither neede any man feare out of this merites because there is a great difference betwixt desert and reward Vers 14. The instruction of a wise man i. such holie and wise instructions as hée giueth is as the welspring of life i. is not onely plentifull of good thinges but also bringeth with it both to himselfe and those whome he instructeth life in this life and afterwards eternall life see chap. 10. vers 11. to turne away vz. men q.d. it serueth also to this ende for this is added for the more plaine and full declaration of the matter from the snares of death i. from such snares as if men be caught therewith kill them he meaneth specially sinnes which bring with them eternall death Vers 15. Good vnderstanding vz. of such things as God hath manifested vnto vs in his worde vnderstanding also hereby good wit holy wisedome and the gift wisely and learnedly to vtter good things maketh vz. men that haue it acceptable vz. both before God and men see chap. 3.4 but the way of the disobedient i. their order of life and course of conuersation is hated vz. both of God and also of good men Vers 16. Euerie wise man i. euery one that is truely wise will work vz. the things that he doth by knowledge i. sound and right knowledge q.d. whatsoeuer he doth he will doo it with wisedome and iudgement and not rashly but a foole will spread abroad i. bewray and publish folly i. his owne folly see chap. 12.23 Vers 17. A wicked messenger i. an vnfaithfull one and such a one as dooth not truely execute his message or charge falleth vz. many times thorowe Gods iust iudgements and that or euer he thinketh of it into euill i. into affliction sorrowe grief and punishment and so hurting himself also smarteth iustly for his vnfaithfulnes but a faithfull Ambassador i. hee that faithfully performeth his charge is preseruation vz. to himselfe to him or them that send him and to those also for whose cause he is sent Vers 18. Pouertie and shame vz. from God but yet in the presence of men is to him vz. whosoeuer he bee that refuseth instruction vz. of goodnes q.d. he that will not regarde good and holy counsell shall fall into beggery and be made a shame amongst men but he that regardeth correction vz. to followe it and to become the better by it shall be honored i. he shall florish with riches and honor and be accepted both of God and men Vers 19. A desire i. the thinge desired as vers 12. of this chap. accomplished vz. by good and holy meanes for here he speaketh of the desiring of good things and the lawfull accomplishment thereof delighteth vz. very greatly the soule i. the party wishing or desiring the same one parte put for the whole and yet hee dooth not without cause make mention of the soule because in it is the quality or faculty of desiring but it is an abhomination vnto fooles i. a lothsome and tedious thing yea such a matter as their affection dooth vtterly abhorre to departe from euill i. from that euill whereunto they are naturally giuen and which they foster and feede in themselues thorowe a vaine pleasure and delight in the same Vers 20. He that walketh with the wise i. is conuersant and familiarly acquainted with wise persons shall be wise i. thorowe Gods blessing shall become wise by meanes of wise speeches and talkes that shal passe from them but a companion of fooles i. he that ioyneth himselfe in society and fellowship with the wicked shall bee afflicted vz. euen as they themselues either because he committeth sinne with them or consenteth to euill as Rom. 1.13 Vers 21. Affliction i. punishment and vengeance sent from the Lord followeth vz. euen as the shadowe doth the body meaning also that it dooth euen pursue them so egerly that it leaueth them not till they be vtterly destroyed sinners i. peruerse and obstinate sinners see chap. 11.31 but vnto the righteous God will recompence vz. of his large liberality and goodnes good i. all good things for this life and the life to come Vers 22. The good man shall giue i. leaue behind him inheritance i. goodes and lands to
fauour and goodnes of God against a large and faire house in outward shewe he setteth a weake and lowe tabernacle Vers 12 There is a way i. there is an order and course of life which seemeth right to a man vz. in his owne iudgement but the issues vz. or ends thereof i. of that way are the waies of death i. leade the high and readie way to death and destruction because we are easilie deceiued with the shew of right he counselleth vs not to stand to our owne imaginations but to trie both our manners and opinions by the rule of Gods word Vers 13. Euen in laughing i. while men laugh the heart is sorowfull i. their hearts are possessed with great sorowe though many times they would couer the same and shake it off with laughter and the end of that mirth vz. which is made so from the téeth outward is heauines i. great and much sorowe specially of heart q.d. It falleth out many times that while a man laugheth and laboureth either to ease or shake off the griefe of his heart that he returneth notwithstanding to sorowe and heauines Vers 14. The heart i. the man himselfe and yet he speaketh of the heart because there is the fountaine and beginning of euill that declineth i. turneth aside either to the right hand or to the left from the lawe and word of God shall be saciate with his owne waies i. shall walke so long in the wickednes that his owne heart hath deuised that he shall bee filled as it were with wickednes and at the length be ouertaken with Gods iudgements for the same see Chapter 1.31 but a good man shall depart vz. quicklie and with as much speed as he may for feare of afterclappes from him vz. that starteth a side from the obedience of Gods commandements Vers 15. The foolish will beleeue vz. very easilie and without any great perswasion euery thing vz. which is tolde them but the prudent will consider vz. déeplie and earnestlie his steppes i. the waies wherein he shall walke and the things which he shall doo q.d. he will doo nothing rashlie but diligentlie will examine and weigh whether he ought to beleeue or doo it see before vers 8. of this Chapter Vers 16. A wise man i. a godlie wise man feareth vz. the euill that is for to come meaning corporall punishments in this life and eternall in the life to come and departeth from euill i. sinne and transgression which is a meane to drawe both temporall and eternall punishments vpon vs but a foole i. a wicked man rageth vz. very sore both against God and men and is careles vz. of that which is to come q.d. he boldly runneth headlong into rage and in his furie desperatly committeth all manner of euils whatsoeuer for he feareth not Gods iudgement or any punishments to come and therefore casteth himselfe headlong into the same Vers 17. He that is hastie to anger i. he that hath no stay of himselfe but suffereth his anger against others speedelie to breake out committeth follie i. not onely bewraieth the foolishnes of his heart but is making post hast to great and greeuous sinnes and a busie bodie vz. such a one as is a continuall medler in other mens causes and affaires is hated i. purchaseth hatred to himselfe both from God and man The word which is here turned busie bodie is in Hebrue the man of imaginations which phrase sundrie men take diuersly some in euill parte as though he should meane such a one as is not hasty to wrath but thinketh long vpon the mischief he will doo and so he should compare two contrarie vices the one is headlongnesse to anger the other is malice long meditated and thought vpon Other some take it in the good parte meaning by a man of thoughtes a man circumspect and wary in his words and deedes and then it is read thus He that is hastie to anger committeth follie yea he is hateful to a circumspect or wise man and this I take to be the best the holie Ghost minding to note the discommodities that hastines to wrath bringeth with it Vers 18. The foolish doo inherit follie he meaneth not onely that folly is borne with them and is as it were their inheritance but also that in processe of time they doo receaue the fruite of their follie also but the prudent are crowned with knowledge hee meaneth that knowledge which they haue to performe good things by is as it were a crowne vpon their heads and that they shall in the end receaue also a moste glorious fruite of the same Vers 19. The wicked shall bowe vz. in token of reuerence and submission before the good i. such as God maketh good and the wicked vz. shall stand waiting thorow néede of one thing or other at the gates of the righteous i. before their doores Thus it pleaseth the Lorde to make things some times fall out in this life for the comfort of the godly and the example of the wicked Vers 20. The poore i. he that commeth by any meanes into pouertie is hated i. lothed and despised euen of his owne neighbour i. euen of him that in all reason and duety should moste tender and pittie his case but the frends of the rich are many i. such as haue riches and store haue aboundance of frends for the world will loue his owne Vers 21. The sinner i. the notorious wicked man as sundrie times before despiseth his neighbour vz. because hée is poore but he that hath mercie vpon the poore i. pittieth them and prouideth for them Psalm 41.1 is blessed vz. of God or els by blessed he meaneth is praysed and commended amongst men Some reade it thus This sinner vz. which hateth the poore man and estéemeth the rich shall be despised of his neighbour vz. for that his sinne q.d. God will bring this iudgement vpon him that hee which despiseth others shall of others bee despised himselfe but O blessed is he q.d. certainely of what state or condition so euer he bée hée is blessed that sheweth fauor vz. either in countenance word or déede to the poore i. to them that are in néede Vers 22. Doo not they erre vz. from the right way which God hath prescribed vnto them that imagine euill vz. against others This demaunding noteth a more certaine and assured affirming of the matter q.d. without doubt they goe astray and therefore must of necessitie miserably perish but to them that thinke vz. earnestly and déepely on good things vz. towards God and man to doo the same shall bee mercie and trueth vz. from the Lord bestowed vpon them yea and men also shall deale mercifully and truely with them q.d. God will faithfully performe his promises in the accomplishment whereof is manifested both his mercie and truth and he will moue men also in truth and mercie to deale with them Vers 23. In all labor vz. which a man taketh vpon him in his ordinary calling vnderstanding by labor diligent
parte by reason of some supplie of words farre better in my iudgement thus but the foolishnes which is in the foolish i. their owne follie and want of wit offereth it selfe to be knowne i. it cannot long bee dissembled for they will presently manifest and bewray the same see Chap. 12.23 Chap. 13.16 and also vers 29. of this Chap. Vers 34. Justice i. the execution of iustice vprightly without any fauor feare or hatred exalteth a nation i. maketh it famous not onely for the time present but also establisheth the same in lastingnes for the time to come see Chap. 16.12 but sinne vz. either against GOD or man is a shame to the people i. is an effectuall instrument to bring the people to shame and confusion Vers 35. The pleasure of a king is i. euery good and wise king taketh great pleasure and delight in a wise seruant i. a héedie circumspect and diligent officer but his wrath i. the Kings great displeasure shall be towards him i. shall iustly fall vppon him that is lewd vz. in his dealing and behauiour by which he worketh shame and discredite to his Prince and indéede so much doth the Hebrew text yéeld Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs what great difference there is betweene a godlie wise woman and a foolish wicked woman Vers 2. Teacheth vs to haue care and conscience of a holie life before men also that wee cannot offer greater contempt against God than to followe a lewd and prophane life Vers 3. Teacheth vs the discommoditie of rash and foolish speaches also what benefite commeth by wise wordes Vers 4. Containeth a singular commendation of husbandrie and painfull labour in seuerall callings Vers 5. Setteth out the great difference betweene a lying and a false witnes Vers 6. Teacheth vs that Gods holie wisedome cannot dwell in a scorning or scoffing spirit also that Gods word and will through the light that he giueth vs is easie though the Papistes by accusing it of hardnes would feare men from it Vers 7. Teacheth vs to shunne the companie of the wicked and vngodlie after we haue had triall of them Vers 8. Sheweth that holie wisedome teacheth men which imbrace her to direct their whole conuersation Verse 9. Teacheth vs in what little account vngodlie men haue sinne and wickednes Vers 10. Teacheth vs not to giue ourselues too much to mirth or ioye but to keepe a good measure and proportion therein Vers 11. Setteth out the vnlikely reward of the good and the bad Vers 12. Teacheth vs not to followe whatsoeuer seemeth good in our owne eyes but alwaies and in all things to aske counsell of the Lord in his word it is also a strong place to ouerthrowe good intents Vers 13. Teacheth vs to auoide hypocrisie both in our mirth and sadnes and to bee that indeede which wee would seeme to bee Vers 14. Teacheth vs that the sinne and disobedience of the wicked shall neuer escape vnpunished Vers 15. Teacheth vs first not to bee too light to beleeue euery report that is brought vs secondlie deeplie and duelie to consider all our thoughts wordes and deedes Vers 16. Teacheth vs that a reuerent feare of Gods Maiestie in good mens hearts is a notable meane to make them to auoide sinne also it doth liuely paint out the nature of the desperate transgressors Vers 17. Teacheth vs to withstand the vnbridlednes of our owne affections and to beware of being ouer busie in other mens affaires Vers 18. Teacheth vs that knowledge is a meane of great credit and estimation euen before men Vers 19. Teacheth vs that God many times in this life for the manifestation of his mercie and iustice exalteth his owne children and casteth down the wicked Vers 20. Doth liuely paint out the nature of the world which doth easilie despise poore men though neuer so good and readilie imbrace wealthie men though neuer so bad Vers 21. Teacheth vs not to despise any but euen for our owne good to shewe pitie and compassion to all Vers 22. Teacheth vs that euill thoughts are sinne before God also that the Lord will be mercifull towards his owne Vers 23. Teacheth vs faithfully and painfully to labour in our callings and to take heede that wee labour not with the lippes only and giue the other parts of our bodies to idlenes Vers 24. Teacheth vs that euery thing to the godlie is a credite and glorie whereas all things to the wicked tend to their shame Vers 25. Teacheth vs in matters of controuersie to speake the trueth and to abhorre all lyes Vers 26. Sheweth vs what a sure staffe to stay vppon they haue that doo rightly feare the Lord. Vers 27. Teacheth vs what commodities come by the reuerent feare of GOD planted in our hearts Vers 28. Teacheth Kings as to vse all holie meanes whereby to increase their people so to take heede that they trust not in them at any hand Vers 29. Teacheth vs to be slowe to wrath and to beware of hastines of heart or word Vers 30. Teacheth vs louingly to doo whatsoeuer wee doo and to flye from enuie and hatred Vers 31. Teacheth vs that oppression of the poore is a greeuous offence against God Vers 32. Propoundeth the miserable end of the wicked and the ioyfull end of the godlie Vers 33. Sheweth that the heart is indeede the seate of wisedome Vers 34. Sheweth what good commeth by iustice and what hurt by iniustice and that not only to the parties executing the same but also to their people and subiects Vers 35. Teacheth vs that wisedome is a meane to make men delight in vs. CHAP. 15. Co. IN the last verse of the other Chapter he shewed that frowardnes and ill demeanour was a meane to prouoke wrath against vs and now in the first verse of this Chapter he sheweth vs how wee may quench it if it bee once kindled and so proceedeth in instructing men to haue an eye to their speaches and words Di. Di. 1 THe Chapter may be diuided into three parts In the first he giueth instructions concerning mens words and speaches concerning the sight and knowledge of God and concerning the wise and the foolish the good and the bad c. and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 11. In the Di. 2 second he intreateth of scorners of ioye and sorowe of the heart of the wise and foolish of quietnes and contentednes with the portion which God giueth vs of anger slothfulnes follie and good counsell and this reacheth Di. 3 from verse 12. to the end of the 22. In the third he speaketh of good words of the way of life of proude persons and of the widowe of wicked mens thoughts of gaine and gifts of babling of Gods fauour vpon the good and his punishment vpon the wicked of receiuing and refusing good counsell and of the feare of the Lord from verse 23. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. A Soft answer i. gentle quiet and méeke words putteth away wrath vz. of another
man either conceiued or expressed against vs see Chapt. 25.15 but greeuous words i. words that worke griefe in the partie against whom we speake stirre vp anger vz. against vs and here he teacheth what things followe mens speach to wit peace followeth vpon quiet words and trouble vpon bitter and hastie speaches Vers 2. The tongue of the wise i. the wise man himselfe a part for the whole and yet he nameth the tongue because wisedome and knowledge is expressed therewith vseth knowledge aright i. doth aptly and profitably and seasonably vtter it and maketh it more acceptable vsing it in time and place but the mouth of fooles i. fooles themselues and yet he nameth the mouth because they doo especially by that meanes bewray it bableth out vz. rashlie and without any regard foolishnes i. their owne follie see verse 28. of this Chapter In this verse he teacheth men to frame their speaches with knowledge or according to knowledge Vers 3. The eyes of the Lord i. his certaine sight and knowledge He speaketh of God according to man not that God hath eyes but because we doo most assuredly knowe those things which we see in euery place vz. wheresoeuer it be behold vz. plainlie and manifestlie for nothing can bee hid from his sight Hebrew 4.13 the euill vz. men and the good vz. men meaning also euery word and déede that commeth from them q.d. seeing the Lord looketh vppon you looke that your words be vttered in the reuerence and feare of his Maiestie Vers 4. A wholesome tongue i. a tongue that speaketh wholesome profitable things and vttereth whatsoeuer it vttereth in wisedome and knowledge with equitie and vprightnes and that to other mens profite is as a tree of life i. bringeth both to himselfe speaking and to others that heare him life for this phrase see before Chapt. 3.18 Also Chapt. 13.12 but the frowardnes thereof i. of the tongue of which see Iames 3. almost throughout meaning by frowardnes the froward things also vttered thereby is the breaking of the mind i. is great griefe and sorowe vnto the heart One readeth it thus and better in my mind but the frowardnes which commeth by it is as a breach made by the winde meaning of the Easterne wind which is most vehement and forcible q.d. He that is of a peruerse and froward speach shall fall into most gréeuous hurt and danger and shall pull vpon himselfe most sodaine and violent calamities Vers 5. A foole i. a wicked and vngodlie child despiseth i. little or no whit at all regardeth his fathers instruction i. the instruction and counsell that his father and parents giue him q.d. he is foolish whatsoeuer he be that regardeth not his parents aduise or good counsell but he that regardeth vz. rightly and reuerently correction vz. in wordes or déedes from whom soeuer it come is prudent i. is rightly wise or wise indéede Vers 6. The house of the righteous hath much treasure i. the righteous mans house is well stored and filled with good things meaning also thereby that he hath both the vse and possession of them but in the reuenues of the wicked i. in that which the wicked haue how much or little soeuer it be is trouble i. great and excéeding trouble vz. for the keeping of it if it bée much and for the spending of it if it be little Vers 7. The lippes of the wise i. their words vttered with their lippes or you may take it simplie because the lippes are the instruments of speach doo spread abroad knowledge vz. wheresoeuer they can or doo come for they haue a desire to make men partakers of their gifts but the heart of the foolish doth not so vz. because it is voide of knowledge and iudgement and so cannot vtter wisedom but bewray follie rather as Chapt. 13.16 Vers 8. The sacrifice of the wicked i. which they themselues bring or offer vnto the Lord vnderstanding by sacrifice all ceremonies and outward things whatsoeuer though they were done neuer so solemnely and sumptuously in Gods seruice and against these he setteth the bare and simple praier of the righteous onely is abomination to the Lord i. he lotheth and abhorreth it see Chapt. 11.1 all sacrifices are reiected where godlines is not annexed but the praier of the righteous i. such supplications as procéede from his heart is acceptable vnto him i. vnto the Lord but that is in the only mediation of Christ for otherwise all things comming from vs are abominable likewise Vers 9. The way of the wicked i. his order course of life is an abomination to the Lord see verse 8. of this Chapter he meaneth that the Lord abhorreth whatsoeuer commeth from the wicked either in thought word or déede because it all tendeth to the euill and hurt of others but he loueth vz. with an vnfeigned and perpetuall loue him vz. whosoeuer he be that followeth vz. earnestlie and egerlie see Psalme 34.14 righteousnes i. holie life and good dealing Vers 10. Instruction vz. giuen by any is euill i. it seemeth so to bee in his iudgement vpon whom it is bestowed or els he meaneth that it is vnprofitable for euill is not put here as directly contrarie vnto GOD because instruction is alwaies good to him that forsaketh the way vz. which GOD hath prescribed in his word and he that hateth i. cannot away withall or abide but abhorreth as an euill thing correction see verse 5. of this Chap. shall dye vz. certainlie and sodainlie or els eternally for it may bee taken both waies Vers 11. Hell and destruction are before the Lord i. there is nothing so deepe or secret but the Lord doth most throughly knowe it see verse 3. of this Chapter how much more vz. easilie and plainlie doth he knowe the hearts of the sonnes of men i. whatsoeuer men and their whole posteritie can imagine thinke or deuise and in this respect is it that God is so often called in the Scripture the knower of the heart and the searcher of the heart and reines Vers 12. Ascorner i. he that not only refuseth but scoffeth at counsell and admonition see Chapt. 1.22 Also Chapt. 3.34 loueth not him vz. any whit at all but hateth him rather that rebuketh him vz. iustly or wisely for his euill and naughtines neither will he go vnto the wise i. he will not keepe companie with them because he knoweth they will reproue him q.d. The scorner hateth both the doctrine of God and those that should teach him also and that euen for the doctrines sake Vers 13. A ioyfull heart i. a glad and merrie minde maketh a chearefull countenance i. maketh the whole man merrie and yet he speaketh of the countenance because that is one of the meanes whereby the mirth of the minde and heart is manifested for there can hardly be a merrie countenance where there is a heauie heart vnlesse that should fall out which was saied before Chapter 14.13 but by the sorowe of the hart i. by meanes
things they thinke vpon are an abomination to the Lord i. are such things as he cannot abide but the pure vz. in heart and conuersation haue pleasant words i. speake such things as are good and acceptable before God and profitable to the hearers Vers 27. He vz. of what calling or condition soeuer he be specially if he be a Magistrate that is greedie of gaine i. that gapeth after it and careth not by what meanes he come by it so he haue it see Chapt. 1.19 troubleth his owne house i. whereas he thought to get peace thereby and to inlarge his substance purchaseth trouble and many times the decrease of his familie see Chapt. 11.29 but he that hateth gifts vz. offered him to peruert iustice or to performe ill causes see precise commandements against giftes taking Exod. 23.8 Deut. 16.19 shall liue vz. well and plentifully in this life notwithstanding his refusall of the same but specially in eternall life Ver. 28. The heart of the righteous studieth to answere vz. not only when hée is demanded but also to speake for so doth the Scripture vse that word of answering see Math. 11.25 He meaneth that the good man speaketh nothing but that which he hath long meditated of before least his tongue should runne before his wit and therefore he commonly speaketh right and good things but the wicked mans mouth babbleth i. rashly and hastely powreth out euill things vz. against other and such as in the end turne to his owne hurt and destruction see verse 2. of this Chapter Vers 29. The Lord is farre of from the wicked i. from helping them or hearing their voyce for otherwise God is in euery place and nigh to all things he meaneth that God will not heare them no more than men heare them that are very farre of calling vnto them but he heareth i. graciouslie granteth the praier of the righteous i. the things that the righteous praied for see ver 8. of this chap. Also Psalme 145.18 Vers 30. The light of the eyes i. for a man to see with the eyes and to haue the vse of them reioyceth the heart vz. of a man that is maketh man and his heart glad and a good name i. good fame and report amongst men maketh the bones fat i. euen reioyceth and strengtheneth all the inward parts so haue you the word bones vsed before chapt 12.4 Also chapt 14.30 Some reade it as though it were a similitude thus as the light of the eyes reioyceth the heart so a good name maketh the bones fat i. as the eye by the beholding of good things maketh the whole man merrie so doth the eare by hearing good wholesome things of which he speaketh in the next verse following Vers 31. The eare that hearkeneth vz. diligently and attentiuely to the correction of life i. to such correction reproofe and admonition as leadeth to life shall lodge among the wise i. shall not onely dwell with them and be accounted as they are but shall haue the selfe same blessing from God that they haue both in this life and in the life to come And this he speaketh not of an outward hearing onely but of such as yéeld sincere obedience to the things heard Vers 32. He that refuseth vz. by withdrawing himselfe from it instruction vz. of good things being tendered and offered vnto him despiseth his owne soule i. maketh little account of his life specially in respect of the life to come but he that obeyeth correction getteth vnderstanding vz. how in this life to behaue himselfe towards God and man so as he may after the daies of this wearisome pilgrimage are finished come to eternall life Ver. 33. The feare of the Lord vz. rightly planted in mens hearts is the instruction of wisedome i. is such an instruction or doctrine as bringeth men to holie wisedome One in my mind readeth it better thus The instruction of wisedome goeth before the feare of the Lord i. before a man can obtaine wisedome and bee led with the reuerence of God and his feare which is the beginning of wisedome Chapt. 1.7 Also Chapt. 9.10 He must of necessitie be taught and learne the precepts of wisedome and before honor vz. from God goeth humilitie i. true and vnfeigned humbling of his children q.d. there is the same order of the fruits which come from the instruction and feare of God as is of the things themselues for to learning there is ioyned casting downe of men and humilitie and to the reuerence and feare of God there is ioyned excellent honor which God bestoweth vpon them that feare him Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs to auoide bitter wordes and to vse soft and gentle speaches Vers 2. Sheweth what great difference there is between the words of the wise and the words of the foolish Vers 3. Teacheth vs that GOD knoweth and seeth all things euery where Vers 4. Teacheth vs what profites and disprofites arise of a good and of an euill tongue Vers 5. Teacheth vs reuerently to regard good counsell Vers 6. Teacheth vs that the good haue plentie of blessings and enioy them with quietnes whereas the wicked haue great trouble and vexation with the same Vers 7. Teacheth vs to vse knowledge in our callings to the benefite and good of others Vers 8. Teacheth vs that nothing proceeding from a wicked person can please the Lord also that God in Christ regardeth the praiers of his seruants Vers 9. Setteth out the great loue of God towards his seruants and his disliking of the wicked Vers 10. Teacheth vs that malicious wicked persons will seldome or neuer regarde good counsell also what danger there is in contemning the words of godly admonition Vers 11. Teacheth vs that GOD knoweth all things yea euen the very depths of mens hearts Vers 12. Teacheth vs that wicked men shunne the companie and speach of good men Vers 13. Declareth the profits and disprofits of a glad and sorrowfull heart Vers 14. Teacheth vs that we must carefully and continually seeke for wisdome Vers 15. Setteth out the commodities of a good conscience and contented minde Vers 16. Teacheth vs that mans blessing consisteth not speciallie in the multitude of his riches Vers 17. Commendeth vnfeined loue and dispraiseth hatred Vers 18. Teacheth vs to bridle wrath and to beate downe contentions amongst men what we may Vers 19. Teacheth vs to auoide slothfulnes and idlenes Vers 20. Sheweth what benefit or blessing it is to haue good children and on the other side what a punishment it is to haue wicked children Vers 21. Teacheth vs that the wicked reioyce in sinne and that there is no godlie conuersation indeede without the light of Gods holy word Ver. 22. Teacheth vs to pursue good thoughts by good counsell and to labor to bring them to good effect Vers 23. Teacheth vs that we may reioyce in Gods gifts bestowed vpon vs also that in our speaches we should haue regarde of time place persons c. Vers 24. Teacheth vs to studie and seeke
moueth his lippes i. he doth but as it were begin to speake and bringeth euill to passe i. he presently performeth mischiefe against other men Vers 31. Age i. old age he vseth a word which signifieth gray heares putting the signe of old age for old age it self is a crowne of glorie i. is a glorious crowne meaning that it bringeth euen as great glorie to a godlie old man as a crowne to a King concerning this word crowne see before Chapt. 4.9 Also Chapt. 14.24 and in other places when it is found vz. to be passed ouer and spent in the way of righteousnes i. in a holie and righteous life meaning it of such old age as spendeth the time of life godly iustly and not of al old age without exception Vers 32. He that is slowe vnto anger i. seldome or not at all bursteth into it howsoeuer he be prouoked thereto see chap. 14.29 chap. 15.28 is better vz. by many degrees than the mightie man vz. in bodilie strength and power by how much the power of the soule is better than the strength of the bodie the soule it selfe being better than the bodie and he that ruleth his owne minde i. that subdueth and keepeth vnder the raging affections thereof is better vz. by much than he that winneth i. conquereth or getteth a citie vz. either by power or policie The reason of this speach is because that the warre that a man hath with himself and with his own mind and which is made against wrath and other affections of it is more grieuous and hard than that which is attempted against others and therefore he is better that conquereth himselfe than he that conquereth others Besides he that ouercommeth himselfe doth it to this end to profite himselfe and to hurt none yea to doo good vnto others thereby whereas a mightie man that ouercommeth others and subdueth cities can hardly performe it without bloudshed and great danger of other men Vers 33. The lot vz. for the triall of any thing in controuersie This was much in vse amongst the people of God in diuiding lands Numb 26.55 and in other causes as Leuit. 16.8 Acts 1.26 and in other places is cast into the lappe i. into some secret and close place putting one for many others as into hattes pots caps boxes c. but the whole disposition thereof i. the ordering guiding and gouernment of it is of the Lord vz. onely q.d. nothing seemeth more subiect to fortune in mens iudgement than lots and yet that falleth not out by fortune or chance for there is no such thing but God by his infinite prouidence and wisedome doth both generally and particularly guide and gouerne the same according to his good pleasure Do. Vers 1. Teacheth that both the thoughts of mans heart and the words of mans mouth are gouerned of the Lord. Vers 2. Teacheth vs that neither we our selues nor the things that wee doo are such as wee esteeme of them but are so to be taken as God alloweth of them Vers 3. Teacheth vs in all our thoughts words and works to depend vpon the Lord for his special blessing Ver. 4. Teacheth vs that Gods glorie appeareth in al things yea euen in the destruction of the wicked and vngodlie Vers 5. Teacheth vs to auoide pride of heart secondly that there is no wisedome nor power against the Lord. Vers 6. Sheweth vs that there is no other cause of the forgiuenes of sinne than Gods own mercie truth also that there is no better bridle to stay men from wickednes than to haue a reuerēt feare of Gods maiestie setled in our harts Ver. 7. Teacheth vs that a holy conuersation cōmendeth vs both to God men also that God hath mēs harts in his hands to turne them as pleaseth him Vers 8. Teacheth men to get that which they haue how little or much soeuer it bee by good and iust dealing Vers 9. Teacheth vs that in all both our imaginations and actions wee are gouerned by God because that in him we liue moue and haue our beeing Vers 10. Teacheth Magistrates and rulers to pronounce iust and true sentences Vers 11. Teacheth vs to vse vprightnes in all our dealings and that they which vse false weightes measures c. sinne not onely against men but against the Lord also Vers 12. Teacheth kings euen for example sake to absteine from all manner of euill speciallie from iniustice and wrong dooing Vers 13. Teacheth kings to abhorre flatterers and flattery and to delight in such as will speake the trueth fully and boldlie Vers 14. Teacheth wise men in time to labor to quiet the iust rage of a Prince least otherwise there fall out great mischiefes Vers 15. Teacheth vs to purchase and delight in the fauor of Princes and Potentates alwaies prouided that wee doo it by lawfull and holy meanes Vers 16. Teacheth vs to preferre heauenlie wisdome before all earthlie things whatsoeuer Vers 17. Teacheth vs first that none can be counted good but such as haue an vnfeined care to shunne thinges that bee naught secondlie that a holie life is very profitable both for soule and bodie Vers 18. Teacheth vs to auoide pride least continuing in it we be ouerthrowne Vers 19. Teacheth vs to imbrace true humilitie and lowlines of minde Vers 20. Teacheth vs to bee carefull in the dooing of our affayres also continually to trust in the Lord and the trueth of his promises Vers 21. Teacheth vs to giue a iust commendation to the giftes and graces of God in any also to vse profitable comfortable and good speaches to others Vers 22. Teacheth vs to haue a care to obteine spirituall vnderstanding and knowledge Vers 23. To beware of rash speach and to thinke well of our words before we vtter them Vers 24. Teacheth vs to vse gentle softe and good speaches Vers 25. Teacheth vs not to hang vpon our owne iudgements but vpon the rule of Gods word onely Vers 26. Commendeth vnto vs painefull trauaile in our seuerall callings Vers 27. Teacheth vs to auoide both imagining and doing euill against any Vers 28. Teacheth vs to take heede that we bee not authors of strife or tale carriers Vers 29. Teacheth vs to beware of offering any man any iniurie or intising any man to those things that are euill Vers 30. Teacheth that we must neither by word nor countenance practise or performe euill against others Vers 31. Teacheth vs that godly old age is greatlie to be reuerenced and esteemed Vers 32. Teacheth vs to imploy all our forces to the subduing of the rage of our owne affections Vers 33. Teacheth vs that nothing falleth out by fortune or chance but is whollie and altogether directed by the infinite and eternall prouidence of almightie God CHAP. 17. Co. THis Chapter dependeth vpon the former thus he had shewed before that all thinges were guided according to the determinate counsell and purpose of God which ought to teache vs contentednes with whatsoeuer it shall please God either of
loftie a parte for the whole and yet he mentioneth the heart because from thence pride groweth and floweth see Chap. 11.2 also 16.18 and before glorie i. before a man come to glorie and estimation amongst men goeth lowlines vz. of heart and bodie q.d. humilitie is a meane to come to glorie see chap. 15.33 as pride is a meane to come to contempt Vers 13. Hee vz. whosoeuer he be that answereth a matter i. that taketh vpon him to shape an answere to a thing before he heareth it vz. thorowly out or els thus before he heare it i. before he vnderstand it it i. that manner of dealing and his answere also is follie and shame vnto him i. bewrayeth his owne follie and purchaseth him great discredit because he will bee so rash and hastie Vers 14. The spirit of a man i. a man that hath a bold spirit and good courage specially giuen him from God will susteyne i. indure and beare and that with great patience and constancie his infirmitie i. all outward griefs and discommodities whatsoeuer but a wounded spirite i. a man striken with the wrath of God and wounded in conscience for his sinnes or other great causes see Psal 51.17 who can beare it i. who is able to indure it long without great and gracious assistance from God q.d. there is no man nor any thing els for as for the bodie it cannot doo it because it is not his office to rule the spirite and minde but rather the minde and soule it selfe although it be caried about in the bodie to rule guide and gouerne it see Prouerb 15.13 and the note of the Geneua bible is very good also Vers 15. A wise heart i. he that hath obteyned some measure of wisdome alreadie getteth vz. daylie more and more knowledge vz. of Gods will reuealed in his worde and the eare of the wise i. the wise man himself by attentiue harkening seeketh learning i. seeketh daylie increase of the same he ioyneth the heart and the eare together though vnder eyther of them he vnderstand the whole man because that from a heart desirous of knowledge procéedeth the attentiue eare which is apte to learne and earnestly seeketh after it Vers 16. A mans gifte vz. which hee giueth or bestoweth vpon another enlargeth him i. deliuereth him from distresse and leadeth him before great men i. bringeth him into their presence so that he may tell his owne tale and speake for himselfe And here he teacheth what men are wont to doo and not what may bée done though sometimes a man may giue gifts to be deliuered from danger when otherwise he cannot but he must beware with all that he be not thereby iniurious to any other Vers 17. He that is first vz. before the iudge or magistrate in his owne cause i. in laying out his owne cause and the things apperteyning thereto is iust i. so seemeth to bee meaning that he seemeth to haue a iust and good cause then i. afterwards commeth vz. before the iudge his neighbour i. he betweene him and whomthere is some controuersie and vz. the iudge vpon his appearance and speach maketh inquirie of him i. inquireth of either of them how the case standeth laboring by demaunds and questions to get the certeintie thereof q.d. hee that first bringeth his cause to the Iudges seemeth to pleade a right cause til his aduersarie bee heard and the Iudge vnderstand the trueth of the matter Vers 18. The lot vz. whose direction is from the Lord as Chap. 16.33 causeth i. ought to cause contentions to cease vz. amongst men vnlesse they will after the manner of giants fight against God and his decree and maketh a partition vz. iustly and vprightly among the mightie i. yea euen among them that are at great dissention and by reason of their strength and power might hurt one another very much Ioyne this with the other verse thus If the matters betweene men bee so hard and doubtfull that the trueth of them cannot bee knowne then let the lot decide the controuersie Vers 19. A brother offended i. greeued and that with his brother for some one cause or other is harder to winne i. it is a harder matter to winne him to reconciliation than a strong citie i. than a citie well defenred so hard a matter is it to master mens affections see Chap. 16.32 and their contentions i. the strifes betweene them are like the barre of a pallace which must of necessity bee strong sure to keepe the gates of such a great and sumptuous building wherein also many times things of great price are layed vp he meaneth that the angers of brethren one of them towards another are so sharpe and vehement that they can no more easilier be subdued than strong defenced townes conquered or easilier broken then most strong barres Vers 20. With the fruite of a mans mouth i. with his words which are called the fruite of his mouth because they come from it as fruite from a tree shall his bellie be satisfied i. hee shall haue inough of it and with the increase of his lippes i. with the abundance of wordes that his lippes shall vtter and the increase that shall come thereof shall hee be filled i. he shall haue plentie and abundance he meaneth that euery man shall receaue the fruite of his owne speach either good or euill euen as hee hath spoken either wel or euil and these Metaphors of the bellie satisfying and so forth serue but to note the abundance that he shall haue either the one way or the other see before Chap. 12 13 14. also Chap. 13.2 3. Ver. 21. Death and life i. all manner of euill and good all prosperitie and aduersitie are in the power of the tongue i. in the tongue itselfe rightly vsed or abused and they that loue it i. to vse it either the one way or the other shall eate the fruit thereof vz. accordingly meaning that they shall receiue according to the goodnes or illnes of their speach see Matth. 12.37 It is of the same sense and meaning that the other verse before going is Thus we see that such as speake well doo themselues and others good and they that speak euill hurt both themselues and others Vers 22. He that findeth vz. by the special appointment of God a wife i. a good diligent and wise wife findeth a good thing i. a profitable and pleasant thing and receaueth vz. euen in that fauor of the Lord. i. a sure testimonie and token of Gods fauor towards him see Chap. 19.14 he meaneth that a good and godly wife is a singular blessing from the Lord Vers 23. The poore vz. man or men putting one for many speaketh vz. vnto others with praiers i. humbly and beseechingly as a man may say but the rich vz. man or persons answereth vz. when he is demanded any thing or els answering here is put for speaking as before chap. 15.1 28. Also chap. 16.1 roughlie i. bitterly and sharply wee see the truth
both of the one and the other by experience Vers 24. A man that hath friends i. he that through Gods blessing his owne good dealing hath gotten friends ought to shew himselfe friendly vz. towards them and others also for a friend i. a faithfull and vnfeigned friend is neerer vz. vnto vs in fast and sound loue many times than a brother i. than a naturall brother or kinsman q.d. there are many friends found that will shewe in words and countenances and performe in déedes and truth more stedfast friendship and loue than brethren see to this purpose before Chap. 17.17 Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs that nothing should bee so deare vnto vs as Gods heauenly wisedome Vers 2. Sheweth that fooles delight in the disclosing of their own follie Vers 3. Teacheth vs that we can looke for nothing from wicked men but contempt and reproach of others Vers 4. Setteth out the excellencie of a wise man and of his words Vers 5. Teacheth Magistrates to banish farre from them all respect of persons Vers 6. Teacheth vs that wicked men out of the abundance of their wicked heart speake wicked things Vers 7. Teacheth vs that the wicked many times speake such things as doo greatly indanger themselues Vers 8. Teacheth vs to auoide tale carying and flatterie also that though it be pleasant at the first to heare tale tellers yet the end is dangerous and deadlie Vers 9. Teacheth men to beware of idlenes on the one side and prodigalitie on the other Vers 10. Teacheth vs continually to trust in the goodnes and power of God Vers 11. Teacheth vs to auoide trust and confidence in riches for they are not such sure things as the world maketh account of Vers 12. Teacheth vs to auoide pride and to imbrace humilitie Vers 13. Teacheth vs that rash and hastie speaches bewraieth the follie of him that vseth them and procureth his shame Vers 14. Sheweth what an vnbeareable burthen the affliction of the soule and spirit is Vers 15. Teacheth vs to applie our hearts and eares and all the parts and members of our bodies and mindes to attaine heauenlie wisedome Vers 16. Setteth out what great power gifts and rewards haue Vers 17. Teacheth Magistrates not to beleeue any one partie but to examine both Vers 18. Setteth out the right vse of the lot Vers 19. Teacheth vs that there is no strife matchable to the strife amongst brethren Verse 20. Teacheth vs that we shall receiue the profite of our words either good or euill as they were Vers 21. Deliuereth the same doctrine Vers 22. Teacheth vs that if any man hath receiued a good wife from the Lord he hath receiued also therewith a good testimonie of his fauour Vers 23. Declareth what great difference there is betweene the rich and the poore and the words of either Vers 24. Teacheth men to shewe themselues friendly towards such as from whom they haue receiued friendship and to preferre a faithfull friend before a naturall brother CHAP. 19. Co. HAuing in the latter end of the other Chapter spoken of a faithfull and sure friend he doth in the beginning of this Chapter shewe that sound friendship consisteth not in the lippes only nor in abundance of riches but in vprightnes and sinceritie of heart though the partie be poore that professeth it Di. Di. 1 THe Chapter may be diuided into the three parts In the first he intreateth of a sound and counterfeit friend of knowledge of the peruersnes of the heart of riches and pouertie of false witnes bearing and lyes of the Prince and liberall person of the decaied man of the wise person of fooles and seruants Di. 2 from verse 1. to the end of the 10. In the second he teacheth men to bridle wrath and speaketh of the fauour and displeasure of Princes of euill children and brauling wiues of a good wife of idlenes and deceit of obedience and contempt of the word of pitie vppon the poore of due correction of wrath and of good counsell from vers 11. to the end of the 20. In Di. 3 the third he speaketh of mans deuices and Gods purposes of poore men and lyers and of the feare of God and the fruites thereof of the idle person of scorners also of foolish and wise men of disobedient children of auoyding ill counsell of false witnesses and of punishment for the wicked and vngodlie from vers 21. till you come to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. BEtter vz. by much or many degrées as sundrie times before is the poore vz. man or friend that walketh in his vprightnes i. that walketh vprightly both in word deed towards them with whom he is ioyned in friendship than he that abuseth his lippes vz. by pretending great good will in words and yet hath nothing in effect and is a foole i. and so bewraieth his follie other reade it otherwise and giue another sense of it but me thinketh this is plaine for the first part of this verse see Chap. 28.6 Vers 2. For without knowledge i. sound and sincere iudgement the mind i. the affection and good will is not good i. is not right and sound but hurtfull both to the one partie and the other for this phrase it is not good see Chapter 17.26 Also Chap. 18.5 and he that hasteth with his feet i. he that runneth hastely to euill sinneth vz. against God and his owne soule q.d. as he hath little regard of himselfe that looketh not to his feete that he may discerne good waies from bad yea is in great danger of continual falling so he that hastely and without great deliberation runneth to this and to that it is very likely he shall fall into transgression before he be aware Vers 3. The foolishnes of a man peruerteth his way q.d. men must ascribe it to their owne follie that things goe not well with them for here he toucheth them that would accuse GOD of the euill successe of their things and vz. yet for all that his heart fretteth against the Lord. i. he is impatient and after a sort ascribeth his euill happe as we say to God and not to himselfe Vers 4. Riches i. rich men he putteth the thing for the person and yet we may notwithstanding vnderstand it simplie of riches gathereth many friends vz. to him that hath them but the poore vz. man or person is seperated vz. in friendship familiaritie from his neighbour vz. for the want of his riches for the word seperating see Chap. 17.9 And for the whole verse see Chap. 14.20 q.d. all men will be friends with rich persons but euen such as were before friendly to the poore person depart from him for his pouertie sake Vers 5. A false witnes i. he that beareth false witnes shall not be vnpunished vz. either before God or man see Deut. 19.19 and in many other places of this booke as Chap. 6.19 Also verse 9. of this Chap. and he that speaketh lyes shall not escape vz. the iudgement and punishment
vz. moderately and with good discretion thy sonne i. thy child as sundrie times before while there is hope vz. that thy correction will amend him and doo him good meaning while hee is yong for if he growe to a head of stubbornes it will be a hard matter to reforme him and let not thy soule i. thy fatherly affection and pittie which are called the soule because they haue their seate in the soule spare vz. him or correcting of him so it be done as before is prescribed for his murmering vz. against thée q.d. though hee murmur and grudge yet forbeare not to correct him when he deserueth the same Vers 19. A man of much anger i. he that is oftentimes angrie shall suffer punishment vz. either publikely or priuatly for the transgressions which his wrath causeth him to commit and though thou i. any man deliuer him vz. by good perswasion from committing euill or by intreatie and sute set him frée from the hand of the Magistrate yet will his anger come againe q.d. he will be little or no whit at al the better but fall to his rage wrath againe Other men read it otherwise and giue other senses but me thinketh this is plaine Vers 20. Heare vz. diligentlie and carefullie counsell i. good counsell giuen thee and receaue whilst thou mayest haue it instruction◠vz. in the waies and trueth of the Lord that thou maist be wise i. atteyne wisdome in thy latter end vz. when thou art ready to departe from the world and goe to GOD not but that he would haue him to be wise before also but to note that then heauenly wisdome shall stand him in best steed when he is to wrastle with death Vers 21. Many deuises are in a mans heart i. many men tosse many matters too and fro in their imaginations and yet bring them to no effect or issue but the counsell of the Lord i. whatsoeuer hee hath determined in his counsell shall stand vz. stedfast and sure both in the purpose and in the performance thereof hee mindeth to note the difference betweene Gods waies and works and mans Vers 22. That that is to be desired i. the thing that a man ought speciallie to desire and wish in this life is his goodnes i. that he deale religiously towards God and vprightly towards men and it may be turned for or but without any iniurie to the text a poore man vz. though he be neuer so poore if he be godly is better vz. by many degrées both before God and also in the iudgement of all goodmen not meaning hereby that a lyer being poore is good than a lyer i. than one that giueth himselfe to lying though he be neuer so rich Vers 23. The feare of the Lord i. a reuerence of his Maiestie ioyned with an vnfeyned loue thereof settled in mens hearts leadeth to life i. to a blessed life in this world and to eternall life in the world to come and hee that is filled therewith i. hee that hath receaued it fréely and plentifullie from the Lorde euery one according to his measure shall continue vz. safe sound and stedfast and shall not be visited with euill vz. to his hurt and destruction for his purpose is not here to exempt Gods children from chastisements and corrections Vers 24. The slothfull vz. man or person hideth his hand in his bosome vz. in the time of some great cold and will not put it to his mouth againe vz. that thereby he might feede himselfe q.d. he is so giuen to idlenes and sloth that euen when great neede and occasion requireth his labor for himselfe and his owne good he will not doo it much lesse would he performe it for others sée Chap. 26.15 Vers 25. Smite i. correct and chastise either by wordes or stripes see Chap. 17.26 a scorner i. one of whome there is no hope of amendment for a scorner is in the highest degrée of transgression Psal 1.1 and the foolish i. such as thorowe simplicitie and ignorance are caried forward to euill will beware vz. of the like fault for which thou smitest the scorner and reprooue the prudent vz. for some thing wherein hee hath sayd or done amisse and he i. the simple ignorant person will vz. in processe of time vnderstand i. atteyne to vnderstand by that meanes knowledge vz. of a better trade and course of life He sheweth that there are two waies to instruct simple ones the one is sharpe correction of the obstinate and the other is louing reproofe of the godly Vers 26. He that destroyeth his father vz. by bringing him to great losses and hinderances on the one side or by greeuing him thorowe leudnes on the other side or chaseth away his mother either out of the house wherein shee dwelleth or from his presence with his froward speach is a leud and shamefull childe i. is a very wicked fellowe and must looke for shame to fall vpon him and all manner of confusion Others reade it otherwise but the sense is all one vz. that wicked children waste many times thorowe their leudnes their fathers goods and so turne away their minds from them that they are glad when they are out of their sight Vers 27. My sonne see Chap. 1.10 and other places heare no more i. be so farre of from obeying that see thou heare not any longer the instruction that causeth to erre from the wordes of knowledge i. such instruction as carrieth thee away from the right way of holie wisedom q.d. applie thy selfe altogether to holie doctrine and therefore withdraw thy minde and thy thought from the vse or custome both of euill words and euil deeds Vers 28. A wicked witnes i. a corrupt and false witnes mocketh at iudgement i. maketh no more account eyther of right causes themselues or of Magistrates that are placed to execute iustice or of God himselfe that will punish false witnesses for so largely I suppose the worde iudgement may bee taken than of a iest or thing to bee laughed at and the mouth of the wicked i. the wicked and vngodly person himselfe and yet he mentioneth the mouth because of the Metaphor swalloweth vp following swalloweth vp vz. with great delight and pleasure as dronkards doo strong wine and gluttons delicate meates meaning also thereby the abundance of iniquitie which the vngodlie commit iniquitie vz. against God and men One readeth it thus so iniquitie swalloweth vp the mouth of the wicked q.d. in that wicked witnesses doo scorne iudgement they doo it euen of obstinacy and malice which doth wholy possesse them euen swallowe vp as it were all their words so that they can speake or vtter nothing but iniquitie An other sense also may be giuen as when our text sayth swallowe vp iniquitie it meaneth thereby hiding and couering of the same as meates and drinkes deuoured and swallowed vp are not seene q.d. with the color of their words and shewe of their reasons they indeuor to couer their iniquitie Vers 29. But q.d.
as it were the principall Chap. 14.4 he vnderstandeth all the rest because of winter i. because of the cold of winter meaning that euery little blast is as a meane strong enough to make him idle therefore i. for his idlenes sake shall he begge vz. of others in sommer i. in haruest time but haue nothing vz. giuen him he meaneth that the slothfull person shall fall to extreame pouertie and though he begge to get his liuing yet the bowels of compassion shall be shut vp against him Vers 5. The counsell in the heart of man i. the deuices purposes that a man thinketh vpon and tosseth too and fro in his vnderstanding is like deepe waters i. can either verie hardly or not at all be attained vnto q.d. mans thoughts are so déepe that no man knoweth them but the spirit of man which is in him 1. Cor. 2.11 but a man that hath vnderstanding i. he that is lightned from God by his word and spirit will drawe it out vz. by one meane or other as by demanding questions by obseruing diligently his gestures and behauiours c. Vers 6. Many men vz. that are in the world will boast vz. vaine-gloriouslie meaning that hee will to his owne glorie tell and set abroad euery one vz. of them of his owne goodnes i. either of the good things that be in him himselfe or of the kindnes and benefites that he hath performed towards others I incline to this latter but who vz. for all this boasting of theirs can finde vz. amongst them all a faithfull man i. such a one as either will performe the things he braggeth of or els do it without boasting And his propounding of it in the way of a question doth note how rare such men are to be found Vers 7. He that walketh i. leadeth a good and a holie life in his integritie i. in the soundnes and vprightnes that the Lord hath giuen him which is called his not because he hath it of himselfe but it is by God bestowed vpon him is iust vz. before God men before God because he is so accepted and before men because his conuersation is such as they cannot iustly reprooue it and blessed vz. from the Lord shall his children i. his posteritie be after him He meaneth that it shall not onely goe well with him himselfe whilest he liueth but with his posteritie also which is a common thing in Scripture to promise blessings to the iust and to their seede Exod. 20.6 Vers 8. A King vnder the chiefe he meaneth not him only but all inferiour Magistrates that sitteth vz. carefully and continuallie in the throne of iudgement i. in that place from whence iustice iudgement is pronounced meaning also hereby the execution of iustice and right chaseth away vz. quicklie and easilie all euill i. all manner of vice and corruption whatsoeuer with his eyes i. while he himselfe looketh into causes taketh knowledge thereof and giueth sentence according to right Vers 9. Who vz. amongst all men can say vz. iustly and truely I haue made mine heart cleane vz. from vnholie and vnhonest affections he beginneth with the heart because it is the fountaine from whence corruption floweth meaning by this interrogation that no man neither hath in himselfe power so to doo neither can rightly so say J am cleane from sinne vz. committed either in thought word or deed against God and men see 1. King 8.46 Ver. 10. Diuers weights vz. to buy and sell by as to buy by the more heauie and to sell by the more light and diuers measures vz. as one great and another little both these yea and all such kind of craftie and couetous dealing for vnder these two he comprehendeth all of the same sort see before Chap. 11. 1. Also Chap. 16.11 where you shall finde a reason why the Lord hateth them because he hath made them to be iust and vpright Vers 11. A child also It would bee better turned thus euen a child for otherwise that word also maketh it darke as though it were referred to somewhat before going is knowne vz. of men by his doings i. by the things he doth commit whether his worke i. the things that he doth one part for many bee pure and right vz. before God and man q.d. yong children doo by the manners and feates of their childhood many times bewray what course they will take afterwards in the rest of their life to come Ver. 12. The Lord vz. himselfe hath made vz. by his secret and almightie power both these vz. excellent parts and members of our bodies euen the eare to heare vz. his holie word and lawe and the eye to see vz. his great and wonderfull works q.d. it behoueth vs therefore rightly and well to vse them Ver. 13. Loue not sleepe vz. ouer much q.d. giue not thy selfe to ouer much sleepe His meaning is to turne men from slothfulnes which commonly causeth men to fall a sléepe Chap. 19. verse 15. Also Chap. 6.9.10 least thou come vnto pouertie vz. thereby A reason why he would not haue men to be idle because idlenes begetteth and bringeth foorth beggerie open thine eyes vz. to labour q.d. bée watchfull and diligently and carefully applie thy busines and thou shalt bee satisfied with bread vnder this phrase he meaneth that it shall go well with him and he shall haue plentie and abundance of all things necessarie for the maintenance of his life see Chap. 12.11 Ver. 14. It is naught it is naught i. it is starke naught or worth very little or nothing for so much doth the doubling of the word import as I take it saith the buyer vz. of any ware or marchandise but when he is gone a part vz. from him of whom he bought it he boasteth vz. of his good peniworths and what a good thing he hath bought q.d. the buyer that he may get his ware good cheape defileth his tongue with lying saying this and that in the dispraise thereof but when he hath bought it he commendeth it greatly committing as it were an offence on both sides Vers 15. There is gold i. great store of gold and it is much desired of men and vz. besides that there is a multitude i. an infinite number of precious stones vz. in the world but the lippes of knowledge i. a godlie wise man who hath sound and holie knowledge in his heart and can vtter it with his mouth yea that very knowledge it selfe are vz. indeede a precious iewell i. more precious than the things before named and therfore more to bee accounted of Vers 16. Take his garment vz. as a pleadge or pawne for the assurance of the monie that is suretie vz. rashly and without good aduice for a stranger vz. either to thee or to himselfe see Chap. 11. 15. and a pledge of him vz. that is become suretie vnto thee for a stranger Expound this as before q.d. feare not to demand a pawne or pledge of him that will easilie thrust himselfe into
experience wisdome counsell and other giftes which in length and processe of time they haue atteyned too see Chap. 16.31 Vers 30. The blewnesse of the wound vz. which ariseth by sharpe and seuere punishments putting the thing following punishment for hard and sharp punishment it selfe serueth to purge the euill vz. that resteth and remaineth in wicked persons and the stripes within the bowells of the bellie vz. serue to the same end meaning by stripes within the bowels of the bellie sharp and cutting corrections which pearse as it were euen to the entrailes he meaneth that wicked people cannot be reformed but by sharpe and vehement corrections no more than dangerous diseases can be cured without byting and pearsing medicines Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs to beware of dronkennes and whatsoeuer may drawe vs on thereto Vers 2. Teacheth vs to take heed how we prouoke any Magistrate against vs speciallie the chiefest Vers 3. Teacheth vs to beware of contention and to take heed that wee bee not busie bodies in other mens matters Vers 4. Teacheth vs to auoide idlenes for feare of pouertie that will insue thereof Vers 5. Teacheth vs that mans heart is a froward and vnsearchable euill also that the wise notwithstanding the depth thereof can perceiue many things therein Vers 6. Teacheth vs to shunne vaineglorious boasting also that the number of trustie men is small Vers 7. Commendeth vnto vs vpright walking and conuersation Vers 8. Setteth out the great profit that commeth by good Magistrates Vers 9. Teacheth vs that none is free from sinne Vers 10. Teacheth faithfull dealing in all trades Vers 11. Teacheth vs that wordes and deeds doo many times bewray great corruption of the heart Vers 12. Teacheth vs rightly to vse the eare the eye and all the partes and members of our bodies Vers 13. Teacheth vs to auoide idlenes and whatsoeuer may prouoke thereto and diligentlie to imploy our selues in our callings Vers 14. Teacheth vs both in buying and selling to auoide all craft and subtiltie Vers 15. Teacheth vs that the knowledge of God and his trueth is better woorth than all precious things whatsoeuer Ver. 16. Teacheth men to deale sharpelie with such as rashelie take vpon them suertiship Vers 17. Teacheth vs that deceipt and craft cannot long prosper Vers 18. Teacheth vs to doo or thinke nothing rashlie but with verie good aduise Vers 19. Teacheth vs to shunne first slandering of others secondlie disclosing of other mens sinnes and thirdlie flatterie Vers 20. Teacheth vs that disobedient children shall not prosper Vers 21. Teacheth vs that goods quicklie gotten are not onely suspicious amongst men but also accursed before GOD. Verse 22. Teacheth vs not to render euill for euill vnto any it teacheth vs also in patience to waite for the Lords worke either towards our selues or others Vers 23. Teacheth vs to deale vprightlie and faithfullie in our weightes and measures Vers 24. Teacheth vs that men can neither thinke nor doo any thing without the Lord. Vers 25. Teacheth vs at no hand to meddle with any thing that appertaineth to the Lord. Vers 26. Teacheth princes and Magistrates their dutie to wit that they sharpely punish wicked men Vers 27. Describeth the excellencie of that immortall parte of man his soule Vers 28. Setteth out the dueties of Magistrates and iudges Vers 29. Teacheth vs to referre all that wee haue to the glorie of God and the good of the Common wealth wherein we liue Vers 30. Teacheth that the Magistrate should vse sharpe and seuere punishment against such as will not otherwise be reformed CHAP. 21. Co. IN the other Chapter and the last verse thereof hee spake of correction that magistrates should execute against the obstinate wicked and now in the first verse of this Chapter hee sheweth that they cannot doo neither that nor any thing els but by speciall motion and grace from God who both in them and others worketh all in all Di. I Would diuide this Chapter into fowre partes The first reacheth from Di. 1 vers 1. to the end of the eight wherein hee intreateth of the prouidence and knowledge of God of vprightnes towards men of pride of diligence and speaketh against rashnes deceite theeuerie c. The second reacheth from vers 9. to the 16. Wherein he speaketh of a contentious woman of the crueltie of the wicked of chastisement of Gods iudgemēt against the wicked of hard hartednes against the poore of giftes and of the punishment of the wicked and the blessing of the good The third reacheth from vers 17. to the end of 24. Wherein he dealeth against excesse in pleasure wine c. and the contentious woman and commendeth the wise and the righteous person speaking also of the bridling of the tongue and against pride and wrath The fourth reacheth from ver 25. to the end of the chapter wherein he speaketh against the slothfull and couetous person and the offering of wicked men also against false witnes bearing hard hartednes in sinne and trust in any thing saue in the Lord onely Se. Vers 1. THe Kings heart vz. and the disposition thereof is in the hand of the Lorde i. in his power to bee ruled as he will as the riuers of waters vz. are in mens powers to bee drawne hether and thether through their labor as they shall thinke meete hee i. God turneth it i. the Kings heart and affection whether soeuer it pleaseth him q.d. as gardners and others for the watring of their gardens and grounds or for trade of marchandise bring riuers of water sometimes to one place sometimes to another so dooth the Lord guide Kings hearts not but that he gouerneth other men also but because this seemeth a more hard matter to dispose of Kings and their affayres Vers 2. Euerie way of a man i. euery matter that a man attempteth either in thought worde or deed is right i. seemeth so to be in his owne eyes i. in his owne iudgement he putteth one yea the surest of his senses such as the eye or sight is for iudgement and vnderstanding but the Lord pondereth vz. vprightlie and iustly the hearts vz. of men that is not onely their outward actions but their affections also see chap. 16.2 Vers 3. To doo iustice and iudgement i. for one man to deale vprightly and iustlie with another see Micah 6.8 is more acceptable i. is better liked of and that by many degrees to the Lord vz. who alone knoweth what is right and good than sacrifice i. than any or many sacrifices yea though GOD himselfe haue prescribed them without iustice and iudgement hee meaneth that God preferreth obedience yea and that to the morrall lawe before sacrifice see 1. Samuel 15.22 Isaiah 1.10 11 c. Hosea 6.6 Micah 6.6 7 c. Vers 4. A hautie looke i. euen the very shewe of pride manifested in the countenance or eyes see Chap. 6.17 and a proude heart i. a heart giuen to pride which is the light of the wicked i. which the wicked
countenance Vers 5. Teacheth vs aduisedly and diligently to performe the things we are to do and to beware of hastines and rashnes Vers 6. Teacheth vs that euill gotten goods shall not long prosper Vers 7. Teacheth vs that the wicked shall not carrie their robberie away vnpunished Vers 8. Teacheth vs to flie from euill and to doo good and that the one is a note of goodnes and the other of euill Vers 9. Teacheth vs what a hurtfull thing a disquiet life is betweene a man and his wife Vers 10. Sheweth the nature of the wicked who are giuen to wish and doo euill against other men Verse 11. Teacheth vs that punishments laied vppon some profite other some to goodnes Ver. 12. Teacheth vs to haue a care to instruct one another yea euen the very vngodly it setteth out also the iudgement of God against the wicked and their vngodlie rase Vers 13. Giueth vs to vnderstand what a great sinne hard hartednes the want of compassion is Vers 14. Declareth what power and force gifts secretlie giuen haue Vers 15. Teacheth vs what ioye and consolation the godly should take in wel dooing also what iudgement the wicked must looke for Vers 16. Teacheth vs what danger it is to straye from the word of God Vers 17. Teacheth vs to beware that we haue not our hearts caried away euen in the vse of lawfull things Vers 18. Setteth out Gods fauor towards the good his punishmēt of the wicked Ver 19. Teacheth the discommoditie of a brawling and chiding wife Ver. 20. Teacheth vs that godlines is crowned with abundance and wickednes with want Vers 21. Teacheth that good dooing shall neuer be left vnrewarded Vers 22. Teacheth vs that godlie wisdome is better than strength Vers 23. Teacheth vs to bridle our tongue and speach Vers 24. Teacheth vs to beware both of pride and anger Vers 25. Teacheth vs to beware of idlenes Vers 26. Teacheth vs to shunne couetousnes and to imbrace true liberalitie Vers 27. Teacheth vs that nothing that the wicked doo is acceptable before God Vers 28. Teacheth vs to auoid false witnesse bearing and to speake nothing but that whereof we haue the certeine knowledge Vers 29. Teacheth vs to beware of hard hartednes and impudencie in sinne and to order all our actions according to trueth Verse 30. Teacheth vs that nothing within man or without man can hinder Gods purposes Vers 31. Teacheth vs that howsoeuer meanes be vsed yet there can be no deliuerance but by the Lords grace and working CHAP. 22. Co. IN the end of the other Chapter he intreateth of matters concerning God to wit of his power and goodnes sauing men from danger and distresses and now he passeth from them in the beginning of this Chapter and dealeth with some things which directlie concerne men as a good name fauor wise dealing c. Di. I Would diuide this Chapter into three partes In the first hee speaketh of Di. 1 good reporte and fauor of the rich and poore of the wise and foolish of humilitie and the feare of God of a froward and circumspect person of childrens bringing vp of the borower and the lender of the wicked and the liberall man and of the scorner and contentious person from vers 1. to the end of the 10. In the second he entreateth of purenes of heart of Gods sauor Di. 2 and iustice of the idle man of a whore of foolishnes and correction of oppression of the poore of obedience to the word and the fruites that shall come thereby from vers 11. to the end of the 21. In the third he speaketh against Di. 3 oppression of the poore acquaintance with angriemen rash and vnaduised suertiship remoouing of auncient bounds and exhorteth to diligence from vers 22. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. A Good name vz. amongst men meaning hereby a good reporte is to bee chosen vz. by such as loue and feare the Lord and the fellowship of his saints aboue great riches i. more than any riches a man can attaine too in this life see Ecclesiast 7.3 and a louing fauor vz. from good men obteyned also by good dealing and hee speaketh here of the fauor and good will of men because it is a common companion of good reporte and is no more sundred from it then the shaddowe from the bodie is vz. more worth or more to be desired or as hee saide before to be chosen aboue siluer and aboue golde i. aboue all the rich and precious treasures of this world whatsoeuer see for this phrase Psalm 19.10 Vers 2. The rich vz. men of the world and the poore vz. people also meete togeather vz. many and sundrie times euen as it were waifaring men the Lord thereby sensiblie preaching as it were vnto them that riches and pouertie are not natural but laied vpon them according to his good pleasure the Lord vz. alone is the maker of them all i. hee maketh one rich and another poore see Chapter 14.31 also Chap. 17.5 for making of the poore And in this God hath shewed his singular prouidence and wisdome for if all were rich no man would labor and if all were poore they could not ayde and succor one another see Chap. 29.13 Vers 3. A prudent man i. he that hath learned holy and heauenlie wisdome seeth vz. by the eye of faith the plague vz. comming vnderstanding by plague any euill or danger whatsoeuer and hideth himselfe i. laboreth by all lawfull meanes to escape the same or els committeth himselfe to the prouidence of God vntill those dangers bee ouerpast as Dauid saith in one of his Psalmes but the foolish i. the wicked and vngodlie goe on still vz. in their iniquitie and transgression and are euen rashlie and impudentlie caried whether so euer their minde leadeth them and are punished vz. from God and that iustly by reason of their sinnes committed against God and their brethren Vers 4. The reward vz. both from God and men of humilitie i. that true humblenes of minde hath and the feare of God i. the rewarde which the feare of God bringeth with it is vz. certainely and assuredly riches and glorie and life i. all good things both in this life and in the life to come Vers 5. Thornes and snares i. most greeuous calamities and punishments are vz. to be found in the way of the froward i. in those waies and courses which he taketh q.d. for his wicked and froward behauiour such and such calamities hang ouer his head and so it is set as it were against the other verse but he that regardeth his soule i. hath care and consideration of his owne saluation a parte put for the whole will departe vz. with all possible and conuenient speede farre from them i. either from the men themselues or from such miseries as hang ouer their heads or from such misdemeanors as haue pulled such iudgements vpon them Vers 6. Teach a childe i. euerie childe for the commandement is generall in
the trade of his way i. in the order and course of his life meaning thereby vertuous and good education in holy and good things and when he is old i. growne to more age he shall not departe from it i. hee shall verie hardlie or not at all departe from that good course q.d. Instruct him to passe his life godlie iustlie honestlie and lawfullie in all the things which concerne Gods worship or holy fellowship amongst men Vers 7. The rich vz. man ruleth the poore i. is preferred before him and exerciseth an authoritie ouer him many times vniustly and the borower is seruant to the man that lendeth vz. vnto him in the time of his neede q.d. it commonly so falleth out amongst men that the rich rule the poore and that the detters are seruants to their creditors whether this be don rightlie or wrongfullie he expresseth not but onely teacheth what is vsuallie don Vers 8. He that soweth iniquitie i. he that giueth himselfe ouer with greedines to commit sinne shall reape affliction i. punishment and calamitie speciallie from God see Iob. 4.8 also Galath 6.7 8. and the rodde i. the power and force the signe of a thing put for the power thereof of his anger vz. towards others shall fayle vz. in such sorte that he shall not be able to accomplish any mischiefe Vers 9. Hee that hath a good eye i. he that is mercifull and liberall towards others as an euill eye is put for an enuious or euill affection see Matth. 20.15 Hee shall be blessed vz. mightilie and that from the Lord for hee giueth vz. freely and liberallie of his bread i. parte of his foode and sustenance vnto the poore vz. that wanteth the same and is in need thereof Vers 10. Cast out vz. of thy companie countrey common welth Citie or house wherein thou dwellest the scorner i. him that giueth himselfe to scoffing and deriding speciallie at good men and matters and strife vz. betweene him and others well affected shall goe out vz. from amongst you and that immediately q.d. there is no way to auoide contention with scorners but by thrusting them out of companie for while they giue themselues to scoffing and take a certaine pride and pleasure therein they doo nothing but prouoke brawling and quarrells so i. by that meanes of throwing them out contention vz. amongst men whilst many times there is partaking and reproach i. shame following such contention shall cease vz. both quicklie and assuredlie he meaneth that the scorner being present strifes are stirred vp and from strife shame and reproach but if he be once absent all those things cease Vers 11. He that loueth i. maketh much of and fostereth purenes of heart i. soundnes sinceritie and vprightnes in the inward man for the grace of his lippes i. because he vttereth also gracious and grateful things not such as tickle the eares but proceed from the soundnes of the inward man q.d. hee that is indued with these two holy giftes vprightnes of heart and wisdome of speach the king shall be his friend i. hee shall be well and frendlie vsed of great personages for the king either will or should delight in such persons Vers 12. The eyes of the Lord i. his gracious mercie and great prouidence for he speaketh of God according to the manner and capacitie of men preserue vz. safe and sound from all hurt and danger knowledge i. men indued with true knowledge and wisdome the giftes and qualities of the minde being put for the persons indued therewith but he ouerthroweth vz. vtterly and that in his great iudgement the wordes i. the thoughts wordes and deedes for vnder this speach hee comprehendeth them all of the transgressor i. of all such as transgresse his holy commandements by one meaning all of the like Vers 13. The slothfull man i. he that is giuen to sloth and idlenes saith vz. openlie euen in the hearing of many speciallie of those that are to imploy him a Lion is without vz. in the way that hee shoulde goe J shall bee slaine in the streate i. hee bringeth in the idle person who shunning labor imagineth many dangers and difficulties where either there are none at all or els very smallones see Chap. 15.19 Vers 14. The mouth i. the faire speaches and flattering words vttered with the mouth of strange women i. of harlots or whores is as a deepe pit i. full of great danger into which if a man fall he can hardlie get out againe see Chap. 2.16 also Chap. 7.25 26 c. he with whome the Lord is angrie vz. for his greeuous sinnes and transgressions committed against him shall fall therein vz. as a punishment for his iniquitie and transgression Vers 15. Foolishnes i. wantonnes and wickednes is bounde vz. very fast because he hath it by nature in the heart hee toucheth this parte because it is the seate of affections of a childe i. of euery childe as vers 6. of this Chap. but the rodde of correction i. a rodde vsed to correct or els correction with a rodde shall driue it away from him i. shall bee a very good meane to remooue it q.d. follie though it be fast fixed in youth may yet notwithstanding by correction be remoued and therefore the father must not spare to correct the childe while he is yong see Chapter 19.18 Vers 16. He that oppresseth vz. by any meanes either by fraud force or otherwise for so much I suppose the word importeth the poore i. the needie and such as bee in want to increase himselfe i. to make himselfe more rich and mightie thereby and giueth vz. giftes and bribes vnto the rich vz. that therby he may purchase and procure his fauor speciallie in wrong causes shall surelie come to pouertie vz. for the indirect and vnlawfull meanes which he vseth to vphold himselfe by q.d. they sinne alike and therefore shall haue alike punishment that gather their gayne by the hurte of the poore and bestowe vpon the rich that which they should giue to the needie Vers 17. Incline thine care vz. vnto the good things that I shall propound and heare vz. with thy heart and vnderstanding the words of the wise i. such excellent matters as the godlie wise shall vtter and apply thine hand i. bend all the partes and powers of thine outward and inward man vnto my knowledge i. vnto the knowledge that I shall teach thee it is a graue exhortation to receaue the Doctrines both going before and following after Vers 18. For it i. the doctrine that I shall truely and soundly propound shall be pleasant vz. vnto thee meaning by pleasant sweete and comfortable and this is one argument that he vseth to perswade men to the imbracing of his doctrine if thou keepe them vz. safe and sure in thy bellie i. in thy minde or heart and here is a Metonomie the thing containing for the thing cōtained which also is vsual amongst the Hebrues and if they be directed together in thy lippes i. if
together with thy knowledge inwardly thou ioyne the expressing of them by wordes outwardly Vers 19. That thy confidence i. thy hope and trust may bee vz. firmely and stedfastly fixed in the Lord i. vpon him and the trueth of his word and promises I haue shewed thee vz. openlie and plainlie euen the will and word of God this day i. all this while as Psalme 95.7 And so he sheweth what is the ende of Gods word vz. to strengthen our faith in God thou therefore take heede vz. to the things that I speake q.d. It standeth thee in hand so to doo for what art thou without hope and trust in God which thou canst neuer attaine without his word Vers 20. Haue I not written vnto thee vz. excellent and notable things vnderstanding also by writing all the meanes of publishing the same three times i. sundrie and many times as 2. Corinth 12.18 in counsels and knowledge i. such things as consist in knowledge and counsels q d. I haue for to that ende serueth the demand Vers 21. That I might shewe thee vz. plainlie and manifestly the assurance of the words of the trueth i. the great certaintie that these words containe to answer i. that thou also maiest thereby bee instructed to answer the words of trueth i. true and sound words to them that send to thee vz. to the ende they may knowe the same and be instructed by thee therein And this is another commendation of his doctrine taken from the excellencie and profite thereof Vers 22. Robbe not vz. by any meanes the poore vz. man or person because he is poore and therefore not able to put backe iniurie offered neither oppresse vz. any manner of way the afflicted i. he that is alreadie in miserie in iudgement i. vnder the pretence and shewe of iustice and iudgement In Hebrue it is in the gate putting the place where iudgement was executed for iudgement and iustice it selfe He toucheth two faultes the one oppression of the poore because great men may the more easilie doo it and the other is spoyling of them vnder pretence of iustice and equitie And marke here that the sentences following from this place euen to the fiue and twentie Chapter bée for the most part comprised in two or three verses together one hanging vpon another and are as it were the causes effects or euents of the same Vers 23. For the Lord vz. himselfe if men should neglect it will defend their cause i. the right of the poore see Chapter 23.11 and spoyle the soule i. take away from them sometimes by one meanes sometimes by another of those that spoyle them i. of all such as take any thing by any wicked way from them And this is a reason why they should surcease from wickednes Vers 24. Make no friendship i. seeke not to bee acquainted or familiar with an angrie man i. with one that cannot rule and subdue his outragious and angrie affections neither goe vz. in the way as though thou wert familiarlie acquainted with the furious man i. with him that is whollie giuen to heate and furie see Prouerb 15.18 Vers 25. Least thou learne vz. by kéeping companie with him his waies i. to bee like vnto him in his furie rage and vnbridled affections and receiue vz. either from God or men yet so that thou hast by thy misdemenour pulled it vpon thy head destruction to thy soule i. to thy selfe a part put for the whole and here is contained a double reason why men should auoide furious persons companie Vers 26. Be not thou of them i. be not thou like them or take héed that thou bée not reckoned in the number of them that touch the hand vz. of another man meaning thereby striking of hands or making of a bargaine nor among them i. of that sort and number that are suretie vz. to other men for debts vz. of other men q.d. shunne suretiship least thou hazard thine owne goods and at lengeth bée brought to necessitie for that I take to bée the meaning of the next verse see Chapter 6.1 c. Also Chapter 11.15 Vers 27. If thou hast nothing to pay i. if thou bée not able to performe that which thou hast promised why causest thou vz. through thy negligence and rashnes that he vz. to whom thou hast giuen thy hand and word should take thy bed vz. wherevpon thou lyest from vnder thee vz. as thou lyest vpon it a reason against rash suretiship q d. Why doest thou through thine owne follie commit that if thou be not able to pay that which thou art become suretie for thy bed if thou hast nothing els to giue should with thy great losse and shame bée taken from thée and so thou haue nothing to lye on see Chapter 20.16 Vers 28. Thou shalt not remooue vz. either by force or fraude openly or secretly in the day or in the night the ancient bounds vz. of landes or grounds labouring thereby to inlarge thine owne and to pull from other which thy fathers i. thy ancestors many yéeres before thee haue made i. haue set q.d. If they had no right how canst thou pretend any see Deuteronomie 19.14 Vers 29. Thou seest q.d. thine owne experience and knowledge teacheth thee that a diligent man in his busines i. he that faithfully and painfully occupieth himselfe in his vocation and in the things he hath to doo standeth before Kings i. is much in great personages presence and they vse them much in the accomplishment of their affaires and standeth not before the base sorte i. is not much conuersant with the common people nor much regarded of them the reason is because he is more highly called and preferred for otherwise all would bée glad of him all is as much q.d. seeing diligence aduanceth men imbrace and practise the same Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs to esteeme and make much of good report amongst good men and their fauour Verse 2. Teacheth vs that riches and pouertie and all come from the Lord. Verse 3. Teacheth vs in a holie wisedome not onely to foresee but also to preuent what wee may dangers hanging ouer our head Verse 4. Teacheth vs to striue to attaine true humblenes of minde and a right and reuerent feare of Gods Maiestie in our hearts Verse 5. Teacheth vs to auoide both the waies and companies of froward and peruerse men Verse 6. Teacheth parents in time to traine vp their children in the nurture and information of the Lord. Verse 7. Sheweth how that man in the corruption of his heart abuseth many times those things to the maintenance of his pride and tyrannie that God hath giuen him for the good of others Verse 8. Teacheth vs that the vngodlie shall reape a iust reward of that wickednes which they sowe Vers 9. Teacheth vs vnfeignedly to imbrace liberalitie Verse 10. Teacheth vs to auoide the scorners companie shewing vs what good shall insue thereof Vers 11. Teacheth vs to imbrace vprightnes and soundnes of heart Vers 12. Teacheth vs that
drinke vz. of such as wee haue or as wee say you are welcome I am sorie I haue no better cheare c. but his heart is not with thee i. standeth not vprightly affected towards thee hee giueth a reason why men should not eate such mens meates because they are hollowe hearted and full of hipocrisie pretending in words liberalitie whereas they foster niggardlines in their soule Vers 8. Thou shalt vomit vz. euen for very griefe and sorrowe thy morsels which thou hast eaten i. all that thou hast eaten of his q.d. because thou hast eaten of his meate perceiued his niggardly minde thou shalt wish all vomited vp whatsoeue it be it shall greeue the so much and thou shalt loose thy sweete words i. the good communication and speach which in the time of eating thou hast vsed shall bee as it were labor lost One readeth this and the former verse also otherwise and giueth another sense but mee thinketh this is plaine inough Vers 9. Speake not vz. graue wise and good things in the eares of fooles i. in the hearing of a very wicked and vngodly man for he wil despise the wisdome of thy words i. he wil little or nothing esteeme such things as thou shalt wisely and learnedly vtter I take it to be the same in sense which our Sauior speaketh in other words Matth. 7.6 Vers 10. Remoue not the auncient bounds see for this Chap. 22.28 and enter not vz. either by fraude or force or otherwise to take any thing away from thence that is not thine into the feilds i. into the groundes houses lands or possessions of the fatherles i. of any that are weaker than thy selfe and not able to resist for the word vsed here signifieth such ones as thorrowe want of age are not able to defende themselues nor to put back iniurie whose father the Lord is called Psalm 68.5 Vers 11. For this verse conteyneth a reason why men should not oppresse the poore hee that redeemeth them vz. from danger and distresse meaning also thereby that hee will redéeme them and yet to the end the godly might be rightly perswaded of the continuall care of the almightie toward them hee speaketh in the present tense is mightie vz. so mightie as no one man no not all the creatures in the world are able to withstand the least parte of his power q.d. though thou now oppresse them because they cannot resist thee knowe yet that the Lord who is mightier and greater than all wil redeeme and defend them hee will defend their causes aganst thee see this expounded before Chap. 22.23 Vers 12. Applie thine heart to instruction i. bend all the powers and senses of thy minde to receaue it and thine eares to the words of knowledge i. applie all the partes and powers of thy bodie also to imbrace such things as are not onely skilfully propounded vnto thee but also may builde thee vp in knowledge and iudgement he vseth a parte of the inward and a parte of the outward for the whole man both inward and outward see Chap. 22. vers 17. Vers 13. Withhold not vz. at any hand correction i. moderate and due punishment such as the partie punished is able to beare and his fault requireth from the childe vz. that by any meanes deserueth the same if thou smite him i. chastise and correct him with the roode vz. of correction he shall not dye i. either thou shalt not kill him or hurt him or els by that meanes thou shalt withdrawe him from many euils that would leade to the death both of body and soule see for correctiō cha 13.24 also 19.18 also 22.15 Ver. 14. Thou shalt smite him with the rodde this is expounded ver 13. and shalt deliuer vz. by that meanes his soule i. him himselfe a parte for the whole from hell i. from danger and death both of body and soule Vers 15. My sonne see before chap. 1.8 10. if thine heart be wise i. if it be inclined to imbrace wisdome and thriue and growe therein my heart shal reioyce vz. very much or greatly and I also vz. my selfe in my whole man shall take wonderfull delight and pleasure therein Vers 16. And my reynes shall reioyce i. euen from the inward affection of my minde I will be glad for the scripture attributeth the seate of will and affections to be in the reynes as where it sayth God is the searcher of the heart and reynes when thy lipps speake righteous thinges i. when thou shalt vtter good holy and wise things hee putteth lippes for speach because they be helping instruments to vtter the voyce by Verse 17. Let not thine heart bee enuious against sinners vz. because thou seest them prosper or florish Many of Gods children haue been sore assaulted with this temptation as Dauid Psalme 37.1 Ieremiah and others and therefore it is not without cause that this commandement is so often put downe but let it be vz. fast fixed set and grounded in the feare of the Lord i. in a sincere reuerence of his Maiestie continuallie i. at all times both in prosperitie and aduersitie c. Vers 18. For this verse conteyneth a reason why they should cease from emulating at the wicked and fixe their hearts continually vpon the feare of GOD surely i. without al doubt and this affirmation serueth for the certaintie and trueth of the thing there is an end vz. not onely of the wickeds prosperitie and florishing how great or much so euer it be but also of thine owne patience and hope and thy hope shall not be cut off i. made frustrate or deceaued but thou shalt in good time haue the thing that thou didst hope for Vers 19. O thou my sonne vnder this terme he meaneth euery particular one that is apt and ready to heare or learne see vers 15. of this Chap. heare vz. diligently and attentiuely both with the eares of the body and the minde and be wise i. learne wisdome by hearing good and holy things and guide thine heart i. frame and fashion the affections of thy soule yea labor to rule them in such sorte that thou mayst walke in the way vz. which I shall shewe thee that is in the right way of Gods commandements see Psalm 32.8 Vers 20. Keepe not companie vz. at any hand this he addeth both because youth are greatlie delighted in eatings and drinkings and also because that thereby they are many times drawne from the way of vertue and well doing with dronkards in Hebrue it is bibbers of wine meaning thereby such as would quaffe of cuppe after cuppe and neuer bee satisfied such a one the Iewes did falsely accuse our Sauior Christ to be Matth. 11.19 nor with gluttons i. such as ouer charge their stomacks with meate q.d. haunt not such mens companie nor haue any familiaritie with them Vers 21. For this verse conteineth a reason why they should not haunt their companie because beggery and pouertie is the ende thereof the dronkards and gluttons shall
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
23. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. BE not thou enuious against euill men it is the same in meaning that wée had before Chap. 23.17 though it differ somewhat in words neither desire i. haue not so much as an affection to be with them vz. in companie or acquainted with them and hereof he sheweth a reason in the next verse Vers 2. For their heart imagineth i. they themselues doo nothing els but imagine and deuise destruction i. hurt and harme against other men and marke how he saith their heart meaning that the wicked haue but as it were one minde specially in working mischiefe and their lippes speake i. they with their lippes boldly vtter mischiefe vz. against other men q.d. they feare not with their mouthes to speake the mischiefe that they haue deuised Vers 3. Through wisedome He meaneth this of heauenly wisedome and knowledge is a house builded He speaketh not onely of the outward framing of a house but of the increase also of a mans familie and the attaining of things necessarie for the same and with vnderstanding vz. of Gods will reuealed in his word it is established vz. firme and sure so that it cannot be moued see Matth. 7.24 25. Vers 4. And by knowledge i. right skill to gouerne the things wherewith God hath blessed men shall the chambers i. all the parts and péeces of the house yet he maketh speciall mention of the chambers because men commonly lay vp things in them bee filled vz. plentifully and abundantly with all precious and pleasant riches He meaneth no doubt specially outward and earthly riches yet so that vnder them he comprehendeth the true and right riches q.d. hée that shall skilfully gouerne his house shall obtaine all sortes of blessings Vers 5. A wise man is strong hée still commendeth wisedome shewing that it hath other excellent qualities adioyned to it for I would rather reade it and a man of vnderstanding i. he that is indued with right knowledge and wisedome increaseth his strength i. is indéede very mightie and many times doth that by his wisdome which the strong cannot doo by their strength and therefore is to be preferred see Eccles 9.13 14 c. also Chap. 21.22 Vers 6. For with counsell i. with right and holy counsel thou shalt enterprise thy warre i. the warre that thou shalt make against other men and in the multitude of them i. where there are many or great store is that can giue counsell i. good and right counsell as before is health i. great store and abundance of all manner of blessings see Prouerb 11.14 also 15.22 also 20.18 and this is a reason why wisdome is to be preferred because of the good successe it giueth Vers 7. Wisdome i. holy and heauenlie wisdome is high to a foole i. to a wicked and vngodly man q.d. A foole cannot attaine wisdome but a wise man easilie getteth it see Chap 14.6 therefore i. because it is such an excellent thing and not obteyned by him hee i. the foole or wicked man cannot open his mouth i. speak see Matth. 5.2 also Acts. 10.34 the beginning of speach put for speach it selfe for a man must open his mouth before hee can speak in the gate i. the place of publike assemblies see Chapter 1.21 and other places in which méetings wisdome should most especiallie be manifested Vers 8. Hee that imagineth vz. in his heart see vers 2. of this Chap. to doo euill i. hurt and mischief against other men men i. many men speciallie good men shall call him vz. iustly and thorow his owne wicked demerits an author of wickednes i. a most wicked and vngodly person as hee that is the author of any euill is counted the most notorious amongst them all Vers 9. The wicked thought of a foole i. the wicked man which thinketh nothing but wicked things yea euen his wicked thoughts is sinne vz. before God though perhaps men deeme not so and the scorner i. he that derideth all matters appertaining either to God or men is an abhomination vnto men i. is loathed and abhorred of them speciallie of the good people Vers 10. If thou be faintt vz. harted in the day of aduersitie i. in the time of trouble whether it lye vpon thy self or others thy strength i. the force and power that seemed to be in thee is small i. will then appeare to be nothing when calamitie shall set vpon thee Vers 11. Deliuer vz. what in thee lyeth and by all the meanes thou canst them that are drawne to death i. them that are vniustlie oppressed by what meanes danger or extremitie soeuer it be Psal 79. they are called the children of death and wilt thou not vz. what in thee lyeth preserue vz. by thy power them that are led to be slaine vz. by others q.d. If thou doost it not it shall bee thy great sinne Vers 12. If thou say q.d. If thou wouldst lay for an excuse behold we knewe not of it vz. that he was ignorant q.d. though thou wouldest pretend ignorance of the man or the matter or both hee that pondreth the hearts i. God for this is a Periphrasis of him because to him only it belongeth to search the heartes and reynes dooth not hee vnderstand it vz. both his iust cause and thy neglect of his defence q.d. certainely he doth and will take the matter into his owne hands as followeth in this verse and he that keepeth thy soule i. defendeth thee thy selfe from danger and distresse whereinto thy neighbour is fallen and that to this end that thou shouldest helpe the oppressed see Esther 4.13 14. knoweth he it not q.d. it cannot be but that he doth knowe it and will reuenge it for in both places the interrogation or demaund importeth so much will not hee also recompense vz. vprightly and iustly and to the full euerie man vz. of what state or calling soeuer hee be according to his worke vz. which hee hath wrought see Psalm 62.13 Roman 2.6 Vers 13. My sonne see before Chap. 1.8 10. eate honie for it is good i. healthfull and profitable to the bodie and the honnie combe for it is sweete vnto thy mouth i. pleasant and delectable to thy taste q.d. there is two commodities come by it vz. profit and pleasure see Psal 19.10 Vers 14. So i. both profitable and pleasant shall the knowledge of wisdome i. the vnderstanding feeling and practise of Gods word for so large is the word knowledge in this place in my minde be vnto thy soule i. vnto thee thy selfe and yet hee dooth not without cause name the soule because therein consisteth both the beginning and continuance of all these things if thou finde it q.d. if thou once rightlie and truely finde it and laye holde of it and this hee speaketh because hee would not haue men goe away in an idle imagination of the thing not hauing the thing it selfe and there shall be an end vz. of thy studie and labor meaning such an end as he
these things builde thine house i. doo that that thou art to doo for thine owne good and the good of thy people and furnish so thy whole house with things necessarie to which purpose thou must of necessitie get in such things as are abroad wherevpon thou mayest liue within doores This may bee a good sense and yet I take this rather to bee his meaning that before he attempt any thing hee should be furnished with all the meanes whereby hee might performe it whether thinges in his owne ground or in other mens possessions Vers 28. Be not a witnesse vz. in any matter nor for any mans cause against thy neighbour i. against any speciallie against him that dwelleth nigh vnto thee without cause i. falsely for otherwise he doth not forbid to beare witnesse in a trueth for wilt thou deceaue vz. other men with thy lippes i. with thy words which thy lippes shall vtter a reason why men should not vse false witnes bearing because there is ioyned with it deceipt Vers 29. Say not i. neither thinke nor speake for if it be vnlawfull to speake it is vnlawfull to thinke J will if I liue or be able doo to him vz. that hath done me iniurie as hee hath done to me i. doo him iniurie or wrong I will recompense euery man vz. that dealeth iniuriously with me according to his worke vz. which he hath practised or performed against me see Chap. 20.22 Vers 30. I vz. trauailing passed by the field of the slothfull i. ground appertaining to an idle and sluggish person and by the vineyard of a man destitute of vnderstanding i. by a negligent and careles mans vineyard whom he saith to bee destitute of vnderstanding or as it is in the Hebrue voide of a heart because he seldome or neuer thinketh vpon his busines or affaires Vers 31. And lo it was all growne ouer with thornes i. lying vntilled and vnhusbanded it was barren and vnfruitfull for thornie ground is not good see Matth. 13.7 and nettles had couered the face thereof i. the vpper or outward part of it he noteth thereby the barrennes and vnfruitfulnes of it and the stone wall thereof i. that which was made for the defence of it was broken downe vz. so that it lay as it were a wast or common plot readie to be spoyled see Isaiah 5.5 Also Psalme 80.12 He noteth in this verse the confusion that idlenes worketh Vers 32. Then I beheld vz. both the ground and the discommodities which followed of idlenes and I considered it well i. I weighed it déepely in my minde and he speaketh of them both together as it were of one thing because they followe one another as the shadowe doth the bodie I looked vpon it vz. attentiuely and diligently and receiued instruction vz. thereby that I might learne by his example to beware of idlenes and sloth Vers 33. Yet a little sleepe These bee the words of the idle person who though he haue slept neuer so much yet desireth more a little slumber q.d. besides that I haue had counting notwithstanding euen a great deale but a litte a little folding of the hands to sleepe see Chapter 6.10 And also Chapter 19.15 where it is sayd that slothfulnes causeth sléepe Vers 34. So vz. as is before expressed by meanes of thy idlenes and slothfulnes thy pouertie i. the néede and want that thou must indure commeth vz. vppon thée and thine as one that trauaileth by the way i. very sodainlie and speedelie as the wayfaring man will not stay long or much till such time as hée come to his iornies end and thy necessitie i. that necessitie and want which through idlenes shall fall vppon thee and pinch thée like an armed man i. with great force and violence so that thou shalt not be able to resist or withstand it see Chap. 6.11 Verse 1. Teacheth vs to shunne fellowship and societie with the wicked Do. Verse 2. Doth not onely teach the disposition of the wicked and vngodlie but instructeth good men also to labour the reformation of their thoughts and words Vers 3. Teacheth vs that wisedome is able to bring great and hard things to passe Verse 4. Teacheth vs that wisedome is many times crowned with great store of pleasure and profite Vers 5. Teacheth vs that wisedome is better than strength Verse 6. Setteth out not onely the commodities that come by wisedome but also teacheth vs to attempt nothing but in a wise consideration of the same before hand Vers 7. Teacheth vs that wicked and worldly minded men cannot attaine heauenlie wisedome Vers 8. Teacheth vs to bridle our hearts from imagining euill Verse 9. Teacheth vs that wicked thoughts are sinne also to auoide scorning and scoffing Verse 10. Teacheth vs in the daies of affliction to striue to bee of good courage Verse 11. Teacheth vs to vse all the power and lawfull meanes that GOD hath indued vs withall to deliuer the innocent being oppressed Verse 12. Teacheth vs that ignorance of any matter will be no excuse before God it setteth out also the knowledge and prouidence of God and manifesteth Gods great and eternall iustice Vers 13. Teacheth vs with moderation and thankes giuing to receiue and vse the blessings of God Verse 14. Teacheth vs to imbrace holie and heauenlie wisedome for the fruites and effects that it will worke in vs. Verse 15. Teacheth vs to doo no iniurie to any but specially to the good people Verse 16. Teacheth vs that many are the miseries of the righteous but the Lord deliuereth them out of all Verse 17. Teacheth vs not to reioyce at the miserie hurt or hinderance of any Verse 18. Teacheth vs first that God seeth all things secondly that for the sinne of hard hartednes he punisheth very sharply Verse 19. Teacheth vs that the prosperitie of the wicked should not make vs either to murmur against God or to bee malitious against the vngodly themselues Verse 20. Teacheth vs that the prosperous and florishing estate of the wicked shall soone come to an end Vers 21. Teacheth vs to obey first God and then in and for God the Magistrate also to beware of seditious and rebellious people Verse 22. Doth teach vs not onely what great iudgement shall ouertake the wicked but also how sodainlie it shall come vpon them Vers 23. Teacheth vs to cast from vs all respect of persons Vers 24. Teacheth vs not to flatter or commend the vngodly in their sinne Verse 25. Teacheth vs to rebuke plainlie according to the notoriousnes of the offence any offending partie Verse 26. Teacheth vs that vpright and faithfull dealing both in words and deedes is the way to obtaine both reuerence and loue Verse 27. Teacheth men in wisedome to bee sure of the meanes to performe a thing by before they attempt the same Vers 28. Teacheth vs to beware of vniust of false witnes bearing Verse 29. Teacheth vs that we should not recompense euill with euill but rather ouercome euill with weldoing Verse 30 31 32 33
34. Tend all to the dispraise of idlenes and sloth shewing what effects it bringeth foorth as first vnfruitfulnes and barrennes of ground Verse 31. Secondarilie speedie and vnauoidable beggerie Vers 34 32. Teacheth vs further this doctrine euen by the hurt of others to learne to make our owne good and profite as when we see any giuen to any vice to learne in the beginning of it in them to shunne it in ourselues CHAP. 25. Co. THis Chapter dependeth vpon the other thus that the holie Ghost proceedeth still in deliuering vnto vs more of Salomons prouerbes and sentences which may appeare by the word also vers 1. q.d. not onely these that you haue heard alreadie were Salomons but these that followe vnto the end of the booke Di. THis Chapter may bee diuided into three parts In the first he speaketh Di. 1 generally of Kings and Magistrates also he dealeth against proud boasters and vaineglorious persons and against contentious men and willeth men not to discouer secrets from verse 1. to the end of the 10. In the second Di. 2 he speaketh of seasonablenes of speach of good reproofes of faithfull messengers of false boasting of gentle words of moderate vse of pleasure and dealeth against ouer much boldnes against false witnesses vnfaithfull men and oppressors from verse 11. to the end of the 20. In the third he teacheth Di. 3 men to ouercome euill with weldoing to beware of receiuing reports and sheweth the discommodities of a brauling woman he speaketh of good tidings of the state of the godlie vnder tyrants of seeking mens owne glorie and praise and of not bridling the appetite from verse 21. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. THese vz. following as well as those that goe before are also parables of Salomon i. such as he himselfe spake and writ and seeme to be contained amongst those thrée thousand mentioned 1. King 4.32 Concerning the word parables see chap. 1.1 which the men of Hezekiah i. the seruants of King Hezekiah king of Iudah of him you may reade and of his acts 2. King chap. 18 19 20. copied out vz. of sundrie writings or bookes and made as it were but one bodie or matter of them Vers 2. The glorie of God is to conceale a thing secret i. because Gods iudgements are vnsearchable and his waies past finding out as Rom. 11.33 his glorie is so much the more great and excellent but the Kings honor is i. it is a very honorable and glorious matter for him to search out vz. very diligently and when hee hath found it to manifest the same vnto others a thing i. euery thing or matter that he may set out q.d. on the other side nothing is so honorable for a king as to looke throughly into all matters and to knowe euery thing and to make manifest euery thing that appertaineth to kingly dignitie and may get credite thereto Vers 3. The heauens in height vz. doo excéede mans knowledge and skill and the earth in deepenes vz. goeth beyond al the reach of his vnderstanding and reason and the Kings heart i. the imaginations deuises and actions that he thinketh vpon and performeth Here he putteth the heart for them all because it is the fountaine from whence they procéed can no man vz. how wise or cunning so euer he bee search out vz. by any meanes q.d. as the height of the heauens and the depth of the earth cannot certainlie bee comprehended of man so can no man search the affections of a King no not of any other as to haue a certaine knowledge thereof see 1. Cor. 2.11 Vers 4. Take i. let a man take the drosse from the siluer vz. after it is fined and there shall proceede vz. from the siluer so fined a vessell i. a good and a profitable vessell for the finer either for his vse or sake that fineth it Vers 5. Take away the wicked i. let the vngodlie bee remoued from the King i. from the Magistrates presence house court or kingdome and his throne i. his whole kingdome shall by that meanes be established vz. very certainlie and surely in righteousnes i. in vpright and iust dealing see Chap. 20.8 I would ioyne these two verses together and reade them as a similitude q.d. as when the drosse is remoued from the siluer there remaineth nothing but good and pure matter for the finer to frame a good vessell so the way to haue his kingdome established in peace and prosperitie is to take away the wicked for he resembleth the wicked to drosse the King to the finer and his kingdome to fined siluer or a vessel made thereof Ver. 6. Boast not thy selfe i. make no glorious shewe of the things thou hast either in wordes countenance apparell c. before the King i. in his presence court or kingdome and stand not vz. either ouer long or els gloriouslie in the place of great men i. either in their palaces or in such places as doo properly appertaine to them q.d. be content with thine owne place and calling He meaneth to drawe men from ambition and to teach them not to affect places or callings that are too high for them Vers 7. For it is better vz. by much or many degrees that it be said vnto thee vz. openly and before others that by them that are the rulers and gouernours of the house come vp hether vz. higher and so shouldest be exalted than thou to bee put lower vz. for lifting vp thy selfe too high and that to thy great shame in the presence of the prince i. before some great or noble personage whom thine eyes hath seene i. to whom thou hast drawne nigh that thou mightest very familiarly looke vpon him as it were see Luke 14.7 8 9 10. Vers 8. Goe not foorth vz. at any time out of thine owne house land or limites hastelie i. rashly vnaduisedly or without cause to strife vz. against thy neighbour or any man least vz. thou be thereby brought to such extremitie that thou knowe not what to doo vz. against thine aduersarie or in thine owne defence and this hée speaketh not onely because rashnes maketh men rush into vnlawfull thinges but depriueth them as it were for a time of all their senses in the end of thereof i. at the end of that strife and contention when thy neighbour i. he that dealeth against thee or against whom thou hast dealt hath put thee vz. by the sober and wise handling of his matters and thorowe thine owne rashnes and hastines to shame vz. before men Vers 9. Debate q.d. conferre rather quietlie betweene thee and him thy matter i. the cause that thou hast with thy neighbour i. with him whome thou hast to deale our Sauiour seemeth to giue the same counsell and to allude thereto Matth. 5.25 26. Matth. 18.15 and discouer not vz. at any hand the secret vz. of another man which is commited to thee to another vz. that is not acquainted with that cause Vers 10. Least hee that heareth
he hath and commeth in the end to beggerie see Chap. 5.9 also Chap. 6.26 see also Luke 15.13 Vers 4. A king i. a good king and ruler by iudgement i. by faithfull execution of iustice and iudgement to euerie one without partialitie of persons maintaineth vz. in peace and prosperitie the countrey vz. wherein God hath placed him to raigne or whereof through Gods appoyntment he is made ruler and gouernor but a man receauing giftes vz. to peruert iudgement that is a magistrate which is a bribe taker destroyeth it i. doth what in him lyeth to pull destruction vpon it and to ouerthrowe it Vers 5. A man that flattereth his neighbor i. speaking him faire when hee shoulde reprooue him and calling euill good in him spreadeth a net for his steppes i. goeth about secretly to hurte and hinder him or els layeth waite for his life q.d. while he flattereth him he laieth snares and grinnes for him to catch him in euen as the fowler doth for the bird and laboreth to bring him into euill Vers 6. In the transgression of an euill man i. in the very sinne that a wicked man committeth is his snare i. is his owne snare to catch him in q.d. the wicked neede nothing to intangle them but their owne sinne but the righteous i. such as haue a care for righteousnes of life doo sing and reioyce vz. because they feare no snares or intanglings q.d. the wicked mans sinne doth at the last bring with it sorrowe and heauinesse but the godly doo possesse grace and ioy Vers 7. The righteous knoweth the cause of the poore i. doth not onely in his iudgement approoue it but laboreth that right also according thereto may bee yeelded vnto him but the wicked regardeth not knowledge i. hee hath no right knowledge to looke into or to defend the cause of the poore for he that vnderstandeth a cause and defendeth it not as it is good is as though he vnderstoode it not at all yea his not regarding of it is as much as if hee neglected it vtterly Vers 8. Scornefull men i. men giuen to scoffing and scorning specially of good things bring a citie vz. in which they dwell into a snare i. into very great danger and bee as it were the authors of the ruine thereof but wise men i. such as are rightly wise indeede for many haue the shewe of wisdome and not the thing turne a way vz. from it and that by their wisdom wrath i. either the wrath of God or of men conceiued and ready to be practised against it Vers 9. If a wise man contend vz. by word or otherwise meaning by this speach reasoning with him for his amendment with a foolish man i. with a wicked and vngodly man whether he i. the iust man be angrie i. deale roughly or hardly with him or laugh i. deale more gentlie or mildly with him there is no rest i. hee gaineth neither ease nor profit by it the other is so incorrigible q.d. what way soeuer a wise man vse to reforme a foole yet he preuaileth nothing but the other remaineth still in his frowardnes and peruersnes Vers 10. Bloodie men i. cruell and hard hearted men which are giuen to shedding of blood hate vz. deadly and pursue euen vnto the death him that is vpright vz. in his waies meaning such a one as looketh narrowly to his steps either towards God or man but the iust i. godly and kinde harted people whome hee calleth iust because of the fruites of iustice and righteousnes which they shewe foorth haue care of his soule i. care greatly to mainteine and defend his life which the vngodly would faine take away Vers 11. A foole powreth out all his minde i. he hath nothing within him but hée will easilie bewray it but a wise man keepeth it in till afterward i. hee conteyneth whatsoeuer hee hath in his minde that hee may afterwards vtter it in time and place most commodious and fit for it see chap. 14.33 also chap. 15.2 28. Vers 12. Of a prince that hearkeneth to lyes i. not onely heareth them but consenteth vnto them all his seruants are wicked for such as the king is such commonly his officers are wont to be Vers 13. The poore vz. man and the vsurer i. the rich he giueth rich men this name eyther because commonly vsurers are rich men or els because they attaine their riches by vsurie meete together i. are conuersant and liue here together in this life and the Lord lighteneth both their eyes i. giueth either of them their life and being see Iohn 1.9 Acts. 17.28 or as hee saide before Chap. 22.2 the Lord is the maker of them all and not onely this but preserueth and mainteyneth them in the same Vers 14. A king i. euerie Magistrate but he nameth him because he is chiefe that iudgeth the poore in trueth i. dooth pronounce true and vpright iudgement for the afflicted not pitying his cause for his neede sake nor yet wronging him therefore his throne i. his kingdome and gouernment a part put for the whole shall bee established for euer i. it shall continue and indure long see Chap. 20.28 also Chap. 25.5 Vers 15. The rodde and correction vz. giuen with the same vsed yet moderatly and tempered according to the notoriousnes of the fault giue wisedome i. are instruments and meanes to make the parties vpon whom they are occupied wise but a child set at libertie vz. to followe his owne will and doo what he lusteth and not being restrained there from maketh his mother ashamed vz. by his dissolutenes and lewdnes meaning vnder shame not onely reproach before people but also inward griefe and sorow of her owne hart see cha 13.24 also cha 22.15 also cha 23.13 14. Vers 16. When the wicked are increased vz. either in number or in authoritie as being exalted to gouernement transgression increaseth vz. by that meanes for the more wicked people the more sinne and the higher a man is in authoritie if he be naught the more boldly dare he offend the more often also but the righteous shall see their fall i. the destruction and ouerthrowe of the vngodly see Psal 91.8 also Malach. 4. almost throughout Vers 17. Correct thy sonne vz. for his fault meaning by sonne children one of one sexe being put for many of both sexes and he will giue thee rest i. thou shalt see pleasure and profit insue thereupon vnto thee and will giue pleasures to thy soule i. he shall greatly delight thee both inwardly and outwardly so that thy whole man shal take delight and pleasure in him see cha 13.24 also vers 15. of this Chapter Vers 18. Where there is no vision i. where there is no sounde and sincere preaching of Gods doctrine out of the lawe and prophets now as the doctrine is here called a vision and so likewise Isaiah 1.1 so the prophets and messengers thereof are called seers 1. Samuel 9.9 for vision see also Samuel 3.2 the people decay i.
vs to goe to God in our iust causes before wee goe to the Magistrate and afterwards to goe to him for iustice and then no doubt wee shall speede better Verse 27. Teacheth vs that the wicked cannot abide the godly and that the godly on the other side should loath them in their wickednes CHAP. 30. Co. THis Chapter cannot well bee connexed to the former otherwise than thus that the holie Ghost proceedeth in deliuering other holie and wholesome instructions concerning faith and manners but yet by the ministerie and mean of another than Salomon as may appeare by the title and inscription of this Chapter Di. I Would diuide this Chapter into foure parts In the first he sheweth how Di. 1 blind we are in the comprehension of GOD and his matters how pure and perfect Gods word is and putteth downe a praier desiring to bee deliuered from vanitie lying pouertie abundance of wealth pride despaire from verse 1. to the end of the 9. In the second he dealeth against vniust accusers Di. 2 disobedient children hypocrites proud persons cruell and outragious men couetous men and contemners of parents and this reacheth from verse 10. to the end of the 17. In the third he intreateth of things beyond Di. 3 his reach of the trade or order of an adulteresse and of certaine things that breed great disorder and confusion in the earth also of some creatures which in their kinde doo instruct men and this reacheth from verse 18. to Di. 4 the end of the 28. In the fourth he speaketh of the lyon of a grayhound of a goate and of the maiestie of a King teaching men to beware of pride and wrath from verse 29. to the end of the Chapter Se. I Would make but one verse of the title of this Chapter the first verse it self reade them both together thus Vers 1. The words of Agur vz. which hée spake are these that followe Some would haue this Agur to bée Salomon but I see no likelihood of it and me thinketh the petition which is made verse 7. of this Chap. should plainlie proue it because Salomon was a King and had great store of riches and a promise giuen vnto him thereof see 1. Kings 3.13 I rather thinke some other good man whose name is not expressed saue here was the writer and that these were ioyned to Salomons Prouerbes both for the likenes of the argument and the breuitie or shortnes of the sentences the sonne of laketh He expresseth also his fathers name of which name we reade in no place of the scripture but in this onely the holie Ghost teacheth vs thereby not curiouslie to search into these things seeing it hath not pleased him to reueale more concerning them The prophecie i. the good and holie speach for prophecie is taken here for a speach concerning good and holie matters which the man vz. Agur himselfe spake vz. plainlie and pithilie also as followeth to Ithiel euen to Ithiel and Vcal i. to these these men who were as it is well noted either his schollers or his friends who also he did instruct in good and necessarie matters I knowe some both reade it otherwise and from the interpretation of the names giue another fense applying it to Christ the Messiah but with the good leaue of so good men I hope I may vpon some good reason dissent from them in it for though the sense may be good and the doctrine gathered vpon it yet I would not so allegorise vpon the scripture specially when we haue other plaine places euen in the olde Testament that are plaine prophecies indéede of our Sauiour Christ and therefore I take Ithiel and Vcal to be mens names for whose causes he propounded these poynts following Vers 2. Surely J am more foolish than any man It may be and I doo not much dissent from some of the Rabbins in this that Ithiel and Vcal demanded his iudgement concerning hard matters and that he beginning to speake of them setteth out his owne vnméetnes q.d. you thinke thus and thus of me but I surely may rather say vnto you why aske you these things of me that am so vnskilfull my selfe as no man more and so he extenuateth or debaseth his iudgement beginning euen in his speach to them with that and haue not the vnderstanding of a man in me i. haue not so much vnderstanding in me as a meane man for he vseth the word Adam here which in the Hebrue tongue signifieth for the most part one of the common sort of people as the word Isph doth a noble and excellent personage Vers 3. For I haue not learned wisedome a reason of his debasing of himselfe q.d. so farre of is it that I can well speake of these things that I haue not yet attained wisedom or knowledge nor attained to the knowledge of holie things vz. such as God and his word are of which he speaketh in the next verses some reade of the saincts meaning thereby Angels and such faithfull ones as are alreadie gathered to God in heauen but the other is more plaine q.d. I am not instructed with the knowledge of diuine things that I should bee able to declare such hard poynts as these are Vers 4. Who vz. amongst men hath ascended vp to heauen vz. that he should fetch from thence the knowledge of God descende vz. from thence that he might tell vs what things he hath seene and learned there see Deutero 30.12 c. It is true that Paule and others haue béen rapt vp thether but yet not of themselues but by God and withall they haue seene things that it was not lawfull for man to speake see 2. Cor. 12.2 3 4. who hath gathered the winde in his fist i. who doth hold the wind in his hand that it bloweth not and letteth it lose when he will to blowe This onely can God aboue doo and not any man see Isaiah 40.12 who hath bound the waters in a garment i. as it were in a garment q.d. is it not God onely that kéepeth the waters in the clowdes as it were in a garment and afterward when he seeth it good dissolueth them into raine that falleth vppon the earth see Psalme 104.3 Some vnderstand by the waters here the waters which are aboue the firmament and are vpholden by the wonderfull power and prouidence of almightie God of which you may reade Genesis 1.6 7. and in other places but I thinke it better to vnderstand them of the waters in the ayre and firmament which is often in scripture called heauen who hath established all the ends of the world q.d. by whose meanes is it that the earth and all the wastes thereof remaine so firme and stable as they are is it not by the onely power of the almightie what is his name q.d. canst thou name a man that can performe these things and what is his sonnes name he speaketh this according to the custome of the Iewes who vsed to make men knowne by
vnto her selfe as may appeare by that which followeth Vers 29. Many daughters vz. of men meaning by this terme not maides onely but women or maried wiues haue done vertuouslie vz. towards their husbands households and children and that in many great and gracious respects but thou surmountest them all vz. in thy good dealings and that by much or many degrées And thus he commendeth her in preferring her for her good gouernment before many others Vers 30. Fauour vz. of a womans face is deceitfull vz. because it continueth not long and beautie vz. in the countenance is vanitie i. is not much to be regarded for it wil vanish away vnder these two he coÌ„prehendeth al outward qualities and graces whatsoeuer but a woman that feareth the Lord vz. vnfeignedly and from the bottome of her heart she shall bee praised i. highly esteemed and magnified both of God and man Where first of al we are to vnderstand that with all things before reckoned he would haue Gods feare ioyned or els that the rest are little or nothing worth And these words I take to be Salomons owne declaring wherein specially consisteth the true praise and commendation of a good woman and not the words of her children as some imagine mentioned before verse 28. see 1. Peter 3.3 4. Also 1. Timoth. 2.9 10. Vers 31. Giue her of the fruite of her hands i. attribute vnto her the praise which by performing of her dueties she hath deserued see Ierem. 23.16 where he biddeth them giue glorie to the Lord their God and let her owne workes vz. which she her selfe hath done praise her vz. though others would bee silent and say nothing thereof in the gates i. openly and by the publike consent of all see verse 23. of this Chapter I take these to be the words of him that writ the booke and to be generally applied to all q.d. seeing that the excellent qualities of a good woman are so great and so many praise her as her workes deserue which she hath done that so she may receiue the fruite of her labours and bee worthelie commended therefore and that not only secretly but in the places of publike and politike méetings and though other men conceale her commendation yet doo you set it forth still Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs in the person of Lemuel to haue care to deliuer good things ouer to our posteritie it teacheth mothers also what great care they should haue to instruct their children Verse 2. Teacheth what tender affection mothers should carrie towards their children prouided alwaies that they traine them not vp wantonly and that they should many times commend their sonnes and their daughters to God in their praiers Vers 3. Teacheth all men but chiefly Magistrates to beware of whoredome Verse 4. Teacheth Magistrates and rulers to abstaine as from dronkennes so from the excessiue vse of wine or strong drinke which may prouoke thereto Verse 5. Teacheth vs that dronkennes depriueth men of memorie of good things causeth the parties to be void of the feeling of other mens miseries Verse 6. Teacheth vs that pleasant things belong to the heauie sorowful harted rather than to such as are fraught with pleasures because extremitie of pleasures comming together it is a hard thing if man be not caried away therewith Verse 7. Teacheth vs that when men are oppressed with miserie they should vse all lawfull meanes to put it away Verse 8. Teacheth Magistrates to defend the iust cause of all such as cannot pleade for themselues Verse 9. Teacheth them also to iudge vpright iudgement Verse 10. Teacheth vs first that good women are very rare and skant secondly that where men through Gods blessing haue found the same they should esteeme them as very excellent iewells Verse 11. Teacheth vs that a wife of good gouernment maketh a rich husband Vers 12. Teacheth women to doo good to all but specially to their husbands and families Verse 13. Teacheth women not onely to set their owne seruants on worke but to labour themselues also what they may Verse 14. Teacheth women with speede and yet with good aduise and labour also to prouide things necessarie for their familie Verse 15. Teacheth them to be diligent in 〈…〉 fearefullie to prouide that seruants may haue as their 〈…〉 their worke and not the one without the other Vers 16. Teachâ—â—◠〈◊〉 not to attempte any bargaine rashly or vnaduisedly but to consider as of their owne abilitie so of the thing it selfe Vers 17. Teacheth them cheerefullie and couragiouslie to goe about their affaires Verse 18. Teacheth women to pursue profit while the Lord maketh offer thereof or giueth them knowledge and experience of the same Vers 19. Sheweth that a good woman is not so fine fingred as many daintie dames are at this day but will lay hir hands to any worke that may either saue or get Vers 20. Teacheth vs that good women haue the bowels of compassion towards them that want Vers 21. Teacheth a good Mistresse to preuent the feare of all danger not onely that might fall vpon hir selfe but vpon hir familie also to prouide not onely things necessarie but for comelines Vers 22. Sheweth that good people and namely good women may not only vse things of profit but of pleasure and comelines also Vers 23. Teacheth vs that a good wife is euen a great glorie and crowne vnto hir husband Vers 24. Teacheth not onely that good women should be diligent for gouernement of things within doore but also to be dealing in those things abroad that may rayse vp some mainteynance to the houshold Vers 25. Teacheth vs that it is a faithfull walking in a good womans calling that giueth hir peace of conscience in the dayes of affliction Vers 26. Teacheth good women to leaue tatling and to speake wisely and to stirre vp both hir self and other women also to liberalitie to the needie Vers 27. Teacheth a good woman to haue an eye to the manners and to the matters of hir houshold and alwaies to take heede of idlenes in hir self or them Vers 28. Teacheth that if there be good things in any that either by nature mariage or otherwise apperteyne to vs we may safely commend them for the same Vers 29. Teacheth vs to keepe a iust measure in our commendation and to take heede we goe not beyond trueth Vers 30. Teacheth vs that though fauour and beautie bee to bee regarded yet without the feare of God they are nothing and that women hauing that are to bee preferred before all Vers 31. Teacheth vs to commend of good things as they are meete not to come to short for that is to depriue them of that which is due vnto them neither to goe too farre for that is lying and falshood HEBREVV CHAP. 13.20 21. The God of peace that brought againe from the dead our Lord Iesus the great Shepheard of the Sheepe thorowe the bloud of the euerlasting couenant make vs perfect in all good workes to doo his will working in vs that which is pleasant in his sight through Iesus Christ to whome bee prayse for euer and euer So be it FINIS
16 17 18. Do liuelie set out all the whorish and strumpet-like inticements that harlots doo vse wherein also their condemnation is and shall without repentance bee the greater because they abuse the good things of God to the more greedie satisfying and fulfilling of their lust Vers 19 20. Teach vs that the wicked take euery light and little occasion for the satisfying of their filthie desires specially opportunitie and seasonablenes of time as they thinke Also they teach that the vngodlie more feare the face and countenaunce of men than the sight and presence of the Almightie God Vers 21. Teacheth vs that flattering and intising words haue great force in them to drawe if Gods spirit doo not mightely preuaile against the same Vers 22 23. Doo vnder three fit similitudes taken from oxen birdes and fooles expresse two notable poynts the one is how readilie and willingly the wicked runne to their owne destruction the other is how sodainlie and as it were vnawares they are through ignorance intrapped in wonderfull dangers Vers 24. Teacheth vs when good counsell is offered in good time to accept of it Vers 25. Teacheth vs neither in affection nor in action to consent to whores Vers 26. Teacheth vs that our owne wisedome and strength are but weake things to ouercome whorish perswasions by vnlesse wee bee better staied from aboue because great and wise men haue been ouertaken therewith Vers 27. Setteth out the great danger and assured destruction that followeth the familiaritie and haunting of harlots CHAP. 8. Co. IN the next Chapter before going be confirmed the excellencie of holie and heauenlie wisedome euen by that experience which God had giuen him now he proceedeth in this and the next Chapter following in the same matter adding more confirmations for the same thing which are fet from the very testimonie of God himselfe and his eternall wisedome Di. THis Chapter may bee diuided into three parts the first is a short narration Di. 1 setting Gods wisedome before our eyes as it were passing by vs and this is contained in the three first verses In the second he bringeth in Di. 2 wisedome commending her selfe for her excellencie riches power and eternitie and all this is done to the end men might the more speedilie imbrace her from verse 4. to the end of 31. In the third is contained her exhortation Di. 3 prouoking all men to loue and followe her for the good things that be in her from verse 32. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. DOth not Wisedome i. good holie and heauenlie wisedome crye vz. aloude and openly and not whistining and in the dark as harlots doo For against them spoken of in the other Chapter he opposeth Gods holie wisedome here see Chapter 1.20 and he vttereth it by the way of a question that it might haue greater force q.d. certainlie she doth so and vnderstanding vz. of Gods will reuealed in his word vtter her voyce vz. openly and plainly so that none can pretend ignorance Vers 2. She standeth in the toppe of the high places vz. to the end she may be the better and more plainly heard by the way i. at euery waies side watching her opportunitie to doo good vnto men in the place of the pathes i. in euery place that hath pathes where men vse to walke q.d. wheresoeuer there is any resort of men and where men vse to meete there she is and offereth her selfe Vers 3. She i. wisedome cryeth vz. very loude and plaine In the Hebrue text it is a verbe of the plurall number and then it must bee referred to wisedome and vnderstanding as verse 1. of this Chapter besides the gates vz. of the citie and this he mentioneth because the people repaired to the gates of the citie for iustice see Chapter 1.21 before the citie this may either bee referred to wisedome thus as though she called to men before they entered into the citie or els to the gates which stand before the citie and bee as it were the dores of the citie to which I rather incline at the entrie of the dores vz. of euery mans particular house q.d. both publikely and priuatly she calleth vnto men saying as followeth in the next verses Vers 4. O men vz. of what state and condition so euer you be I call vz. plainly and with a loude voyce vnto you vz. for your good and vtter my voyce vz. plainly and sensiblie as verse 1. of this Chapter to the children of men q.d. euen vnto the young ones meaning that he would haue none exempted from the imbracing of his doctrine Vers 5. O ye foolish men i. O ye that are simple and readie to be deceiued with euery thing These are called simple Chapt. 1.4 See also verse 32. of the first Chap. vnderstand wisedome i. labour to attaine her while you may haue her and she offereth her selfe vnto you and ye O fooles hereby he meaneth such as are altogether voide of vnderstanding as Chapt. 1.22 be wise in heart i. applie your hearts vnto wisedome least you goe continually forward in your foolishnes and dulnes Vers 6. Giue eare i. bee attentiue and diligent for I will speake vz. plainly and openly vnto you of excellent things i. of high and noble things euen such as it becommeth Princes and great personages to speake of and their inferiours duetifully to heare such a reason of attention is to be found Psalm 49.34 and the opening of my lippes i. euen the very beginning of my speach shall teach things that be right i. shall propound and deliuer nothing els but right and holie things Vers 7. For my mouth i. I my selfe putting the mouth and the instruments therein contained by which the voyce is framed for the person himselfe speaking shall speake the truth i. the whole truth and nothing but the truth and my lippes abhorre vz. to speake or els wee may take this word lippes as mouth before in this verse for the person him selfe wickednesse i. false and vntrue things wherewith the vngodlie are greatly delighted Vers 8. All the words of my mouth are righteous i. both the words which I speake and the thinges that I command tende to righteousnes and well doing both before God and man there is no lewdnes nor frowardnes in them i. there is no wicked or vngodlie thing in them or commanded by them and in these two verses he commendeth his doctrine because it is right true iust and holie Vers 9. They i. the words which I vtter are all vz. and euery one of them plaine i. easie and manifest to him vz. whosoeuer he bee that will vnderstand vz. them not meaning that any either will or can vnderstand till God haue giuen both the one and the other but alluring men rather who are discouraged with hard things and straight i. manifest and euident without any turning or winding to them i. to all them of what state and condition soeuer they be that would finde knowledge i. that haue a care and
either by taking it vtterly from him or denying him the vse of it though he haue it in possession or by taking his blessing of strength and profite from him and it Vers 4. A slothfull hand i. the hand that is giuen to idlenes and sloth and will not labour vnderstanding by one part all the rest that must concurre in that action of worke maketh poore vz. him that hath it or is the owner of it The word that is turned here slothfull signifieth also deceitfull q.d. he that is sluggish in doing of his duetie and thinketh by craft to attaine other mens goods shall surely come to beggerie but the hand i. the labour performed with the hand and other parts and members of the bodie of the diligent i. of such as diligently go about their owne businesses and abstaine from coueting or craftie scraping together of other mens goods maketh rich i. maketh men rich and that through Gods especiall blessing for otherwise it is impossible to obtaine them as Psalme 127.2 Vers 5. He that gathereth vz. things méete and necessarie for his maintenance in sommer i. while time serueth and he hath a good season See what is said before concerning the Pismire Chapt. 6.8 is the sonne of wisedome i. is a wise and good child as he proueth by effect while in his vnderstanding and knowledge he taketh heed before hand to keepe him and his from shamefull beggerie but he that sleepeth i. he that is sluggish and slow and doth no more than if he slept soundlie see Chapt. 6.10 in haruest i. when he hath fit and conuenient time to doo things well in Chapt. 6.8 is the sonne of confusion i. is such a one as by his follie bringeth shame of face vpon himselfe and all those that appertaine vnto him Vers 6. Blessings i. plentifulnes and abundance of all manner of blessings which he noteth by speaking in the plurall number are vpon the head of the righteous i. are plentifully powred vpon the righteous man himself putting a part for the whole as Chap. 11.26 And yet because euery good gift commeth from aboue Iames 1.17 he doth chiefly speake of the head because it lighteth first vpon it and so from it descendeth to the rest of the members see Psalme 113.2 but iniquitie i. the sinne which the wicked committed against God and men after that it is knowne shall couer the mouthes of the wicked i. shall so stoppe and shut vp their mouthes that they shall not only haue nothing to say but shall bee choked as it were with their owne violence as if a mans breath were stopped Vers 7. The memoriall i. the remembrance or thinking vpon of the iust vz. whether he be aliue or dead shall be blessed i. shall bee esteemed as a sweete and pleasant thing yea worthie great praise but the name of the wicked i. all his glorie and whatsoeuer seemeth excellent in him shall rot vz. as a corrupt and vile thing meaning further that euer before God and man it shall bee hated and lothed euen as things that stinke through rottennes and corruption Vers 8. The wise in heart i. he that is truely and indeede wise for many outwardly make a shewe of wisedome and haue it not within will receiue vz. reuerently willingly carrying with him also a purpose to obey the same commandements vz. either from God and his word or els from good men according to the same but the foolish in talke i. he whose disorderous heart moueth his lippes to murmur against good counsell shall be beaten vz. for his rash hastie and murmuring speaches Vers 9. He that walketh i. leadeth the course of his life vprightly vz. towards God and man hauing a care that he stray not walketh boldly vz. because he is assured of Gods good will towards him walking faithfully in his calling but he that peruerteth his waies vz. from the rules of righteousnes and truth which God hath set him shall be knowne vz. at the last how close or secret soeuer it bee for a time Vers 10. He that wincketh with the eye i. he that secretly deuiseth or worketh mischiefe he putteth the signe for the thing it selfe see Chapt. 6.13 worketh sorrowe vz. both to others and himselfe also in the ende and he that is foolish in talke i. such a one as neuer feareth to vtter his wickednes shall be beaten see verse 8. of this Chap. He compareth the euill which is done dissemblingly and as it were with the wincking of the eye with that which is done openly with the manifest rayling of the tongue Vers 11. The mouth of a righteous man i. the words which he vttereth and speaketh is a welspring of life i. bring with them all manner of plentie and continuance of good things but iniquitie couereth the mouth of the wicked see verse 6. of this very chapter Vers 12. Hatred vz. once conceiued and setled in the minde stirreth vp vz. very forciblie and quicklie contentions vz. both in word and deede amongst men and that many times for small causes or none at all vnderstanding also by contentions both backbitings and quarrellous vpbraidings one of another with the offences and sinnes which they haue committed which is very farre off from the duetie of humanitie or charitie but loue vz. if it bee vnfeigned of one of vs towards another couereth vz. from other mens sight hearing and knowledge all trespasses vz. committed one of vs against another This taketh not away brotherly admonition or the Church discipline but speaketh of priuate iniuries and offences against our selues which holie loue doth keepe close if in a good faith and holie conscience they may be kept close dissembling them as it were or els doth in tender pittie and compassion labour the amendement of them Leuit. 19.17 Vers 13. In the lippes of him that hath vnderstanding i. in the speach and wordes of a wise man he putteth one instrument wherewith words bee vttered for the words themselues wisedome is found i. a man shall easilie espie and perceiue great wisedome and a rod i. punishment and correction euen as it were with a rod shall be vz. sent from God yea and many times from men also for the backe of him i. vpon his backe that is destitute of wisedome vz. and yet notwithstanding wil speake hand ouerhead whatsoeuer commeth into his mouth Vers 14. Wise men i. they that are indeede truely wise lay vp knowledge vz. of good things meaning by laying of it vp hiding it as it were within themselues as chap. 2.1 and Chapt. 7.1 Yet so that when neede shall require and occasion bee offered they may bring it forth and vse it see Math. 12.35 Also Math 13.52 but the mouth of a foole i. the wordes which a foole or wicked person vttereth with his mouth is a present destruction i. bring with them euen destruction not only to the partie vttering but many times to some person hearing q.d. the wicked mans follie and want of knowledge is so great that