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
A SHORT YET sound Commentarie written on that woorthie worke called The Prouerbes of Salomon and now published for the profite of Gods people PSALM 78.1 2. Heare my doctrine ô my people incline your eares vnto the words of my mouth I will open my mouth in a parable I will plentifullie powre out hidden sentences of olde LONDON Printed by Thomas Orwin for Thomas Man 1589. ⧠To the Honorable and his very good Ladie the Ladie Bacon T.VV. wisheth abundance of all felicitie outward and inward in this life and afterwards eternal blessednes through Christ in that life which lasteth for euer AMongst the great vnmeasurable and infinite benefites that GOD most rich in mercie and faithfull in performance hath giuen vnto men of all estates and degrees in this last though worst age of the world as euident and infallible testimonies of his singular loue and bountie towards them and as notable instruments to drawe and allure them soundly to knowe vnfeignedlie to loue and reuerently to feare him alone that is the only giuer thereof this in my poore iudgement good Madame seemeth vnto me and I hope that others inlightned from God are of the same minde with me not the least nor to be reckoned in the last place namely the excellent and most wonderfull light not of manifold tongues onely as Hebrew Greeke Caldee Siriake Latin c. neither yet of sundrie arts alone as Grammar Rhetoricke Logicke Musicke Arithmetick Geometrie c. but of the holy Scriptures and Christian religion speciallie all which doubtles being heretofore through Sathans malice and mans ignorance not cast aside amongst wormes and moathes by little and little to wast and consume them but sumptuouslie laied in graue and deepely buried that almost without hope of quickning God that alwaies had and hath the fulnes of power in his hand hath been pleased now at the last for the ouerthrowe of superstition idolatrie and wicked life and for the aduancement of his glorie and furtherance of mens saluation to recall as it were euen from the graue it selfe and to reuiue from the dead Wherin howsoeuer the Lord haue graciouslie vouchafed to declare his incomprehensible power accomplishing so miraculous a worke and to manifest his vnspeakable loue not onely in the multitude and varietie but in the euidencie thereof so that euen bleare eyed men barbers as is in the common by word may cleerely perceiue the same yet the strength of sinne hath so not onely obscured but as it were defaced though not the sight yet the power and efficacie of Gods fauour with the fruites and effects which should followe therevpon that some through naturall blindnes and dimnes of their eyes cannot behold them other some againe through dumnes of mouth and hauing their tongues tied will not acknowledge them other some againe through want of good iudgement do with polluted hands irreuerently receiue them and almost all through prophanenesse of hart cursed corruption vnsanctifiedlie if not irreligiouslie vse them So fewe are there found in the world now adaies that profite by them to faith vnfeigned and humble thankfulnes before him that plentifully hath prouided the same for their good if they could tell how to accept and vse the same The contemplation and memorie wherof I willingly and vnfeignedly confesse it leaueth behind it no small skarre but a great wound rather in mine heart and that not only so much for mine owne iniquitie in that behalfe though I knowe the same to bee high and hainous as for the common abomination that euery where as a mightie streame that will not be stopped and forcible floud that cannot be withstood ouerfloweth all and for the fearefull desolation that in all probabilitie and likelihood of mans iudgement will ensue therevpon because howsoeuer God be of long suffering and of great goodnes yet he cannot nor will not for we are sure he is zealous ouer his owne glorie continuallie suffer the vile and abominable of the world to trample and tread vnder their beastlie feete his exceeding blessings and singular fauours And yet I cannot hide this within my selfe but must of necessitie breake foorth into the declaration thereof that I am againe somewhat recomforted in that whether soeuer I cast mine eyes whether at home or abroad I certainlie beholde and that without deceit of sight some amongst all estates and degrees of men high lowe rich poore young olde noble vnnoble magistrates ministers and people and sundrie of them of my Christian acquaintance on whose behalfe I daylie offer vp vnto God through Christ the duetie of thanks giuing perswading my self further that there is vpon the face of the earth a mightie number besides though not known to me whom God hath pleased in the multitude of his mercies doubtles and for much good towards them and others in them not onely to single and cull out as it were from the huge heape and wicked fellowship of the polluted and prophane but richlie to replenish and adorne them as it were with most precious pearles with the singular graces of sound knowledge stedfast faith comfortable feeling vnfeigned obedience and sundrie such like holie and heauenlie gifts Amongst whom your sexe rightly considered and the place you haue been in wisely respected and your present estate well weighed I know few matchable with you good Madame flatterie is farre from my words I humbly thanke God for it I hope pride remoued farre from your selfe in hearing your owne praise as I wish enuie may bee from others as in regard of your due commendation and not many to go beyond you For though to be borne not onlie of worshipful parents but of a sanctified stock be some thing both before God and man and though learned and holie education bee a good helpe towards the reformation of our corruption and as it were the instilling of another nature into vs and though to be richlie ioyned in holy matrimonie be a token doubtles of Gods great fauour and loue and though to haue in the vndefiled mariage bed a blessed seed and lawfull issue be a special blessing mercie from God though to leade and liue a vertuous and vnreproueable life in the sight of men who are wont neglecting themselues with euill and curious eyes to looke vpon others bee a happie thing with all which fauours you haue by the diuine prouidence been euen laden as it were in your birth bringing vp youth old age virginitie mariage widowhood and posteritie yet because many bee degenerate and start aside from their ancestors godlines some through carelesnes cause to perish the cost that hath been bestowed vpon them in good bringing vp and others make themselues both in single and maried life lothsome to the Lord and infamous before men because either they haue not begun well or haue not held on vnto the end and other some by euill example haue done the children of their wombe more hurt in the world than they haue done them good in bringing them
be inherited vnto his Childrens Childerne i. vnto his posteritie for many generations see Psalme 128.6 he meaneth that the Lord will in mercy shewe such fauour to good men that not onely they themselues shall enioye their landes and liuing but euen their issue after them vnto many generations and the riches of the sinner i. the goods and lands that he possesseth is laid vp vz. safe and sure for the iust vz. that they may possesse and enioye them Hee meaneth that neither the wicked themselues nor their vngodly seede and posteritie after them shal inioy them but the good shall haue them How true this is see Iob. 27.16 17. see also Ester 8.7 11. Vers 23. Much foode i. much graine and corne méete for foode so is the word taken Gen. 42.2 is in the feild vz. that is well tilled and manured though perhapes the soyle it self be somwhat barren of the poore i. of that man who though he be poore yet notwithstanding is diligent in his labour but the field is destroyed without descretion he meaneth that the corne in the field can come to little or no profit where there is not good husbandrie and good gouernement One readeth it thus But there is vz. a man who consumeth himselfe i. both himselfe and all that he hath thorowe sluggishnes or els vnskilfulnes for the word importeth both and is set here against the knowledge and diligence of the poore laboring man q.d. by idlenes and want of skill hee commeth to nothing and is vtterly consumed Ver. 24. He that spareth i. withholdeth from the correction and chastising of his child his rodde i. the rodde of correction which God hath committed into his hands hateth his sonne i. his child as ver 1. of this chap. meaning that he is euen as though he did hate him because that not correcting him he is a cause that he falleth into euill by meanes whereof he doth at the length pul vpon him his owne destruction but he that loueth him vz. vnfeinedly and with the loue of a godly father chasteneth him vz. measurablye and according to the offence committed betime i. in good season and while that he is tender and yong least growing in yeres he growe in strength and courage and so either little regarde or vtterly refuse all fatherly correction Vers 25. The righteous eateth vz. of the giftes and blessings which God hath bestowed vpon him to the contentation of his minde i. to the satisfying of himself for he noteth vnder that word not onely contentednes but abundance also but the bellie of the wicked i. the wicked himselfe a part for the whole putting also bellie for the stomack wherein resteth appetite shall want vz. many times great store of Gods blessings he meaneth that good men haue alwaies sufficient and abundance but the wicked neuer see Psal 34.10 also Psalme 37.16 Do. Verse 1. Teacheth children their duty vz. to obey the good instructions of their parents it teacheth vs also to beware of scorning and of contempt of admonition Vers 2. Teacheth vs that the good wordes of good men are profitable both to themselues and others also that the wicked shall not escape iudgement Vers 3. Teacheth vs to be warie and circumspect in our words and to auoyde babling and much speech Vers 4. Teacheth vs to auoyde sluggishnes and to bee painefull and faithfull in our callings Vers 5. Teacheth vs to abhorre lying Vers 6. Setteth out the vnlikelie rewarde of righteousnes and wickednes Vers 7. Teacheth to beware as of vayne boasting on the one side so of counterfeiting pouerty on the other side Vers 8. Teacheth vs that riches and pouertie haue either of them their profite and their disprofits Vers 9. Teacheth vs Gods fauour towards the good and his iudgements vpon the wicked Vers 10. Teacheth vs that pride is the mother of strife but they that are humble will yeeld to good counsell and peace Vers 11. Teacheth vs that euill gotten goods shall come to nothing also that diligence and labor is a meane to get and increase riches Vers 12. Teacheth vs to doo good quicklie and in good season least otherwise the gift either come too late or be not so acceptable Vers 13. Teacheth vs that the contempt of Gods word shall neuer escape vnpunished Vers 14. Teacheth vs that good counsell is a good meane to make men to auoyde the snares of sinne Vers 15. Teacheth vs that Gods gifts in any must be reuerenced and sinne and iniquitie abhorred Vers 16. Teacheth vs to doo all things according to iudgement and discretion and to take heed that either by word or deede wee bewray not the follie of our harts Vers 17. Teacheth vs to deale faithfullie in the charges wherein we are placed both that wee may thereby auoyde euill and also procure good vnto our selues and others Vers 18. Teacheth vs that contempt of good counsell is a meane of beggery and shame as on the other side obedience to good speeches is the high way to honor and estimation before GOD and men Vers 19. Teacheth vs that we may reioyce when lawfull and holy things are done for vs also that it is a very harde matter to drawe the vngodly from sinne Vers 20. Teacheth vs to make choyce of our companie cleauing to such as are good and flying from the euill Vers 21. Setteth out the vnlikelie reward of the good and the bad from God Vers 22. Teacheth vs that good men thorowe Gods blessing leaue their goods and lands to their posteritie euen many ages togeather one after another also that God in his iustice doth many times depriue the wicked of their wealth and giueth it to the good Vers 23. Teacheth vs that labor is a meane to make men rich also that for want of labor and good gouernement many things are consumed Vers 24. Teacheth parents to correct their children but yet so that they doo it in measure and in such sort and at such a time as it may doo the parties corrected most good not onely for the time present but also for the time to come Vers 25. Setteth out Gods fauor towards the good and his iustice towards the wicked and vngodlie CHAPT 14. Co. IN the latter end of the other chapter he had spoken of Parents and children and now he beginneth this chapter with a tâ—eatie of women passing on from thence to describe generall dueties appertayning to all states ages and sexes whatsoeuer Di. Di. 1 THis chapter may bee diuided into foure partes In the first hee intreateth of a wife and foolish woman of the feare and contempt of God of pride and humilitie of labor and husbandrie of a faithfull and lying witnesse of the scorner and wise person of the foolish and the prudent or righteous Di. 2 man from vers 1. to the end of the 9. In the second he intreateth of the heart or conscience of the wicked and the Godly of an vpright way of heauinesse of heart of a wicked heart of easines to beleeue
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
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