whom they haue not beleeued And how shall they beleeue in him of whom they haue not heard And how shall they heare without a Preacher Secondly neither Satan nor the world will relinquish the holds which they keepe in mens hearts before they bee thrust out of possession by the power of Gods holy spirit and the holy spirit of God doth vsually worke by the ministerie of the word Vse 1 Admonition for them that enioy this pretious commoditie of faithfull instruction to make their vse of it both in getting knowledge and pietie and for them that are depriued of it to take notice of their great want of a necessarie helpe which euery man hath need of and for all that desire to haue God to be serued and men to bee saued that they pray for the propagation and prosperous passage of the Gospell Confutation of their follie which scorne to bee taught of any and yet for godlinesse will giue place to none their owne ripe wit and reason seruing them sufficiently for their saluation But the weaknesse of their wit and the vanitie of their reason is bewraied by their witlesse and vnreasonable presumption Should a blinde man become his owne guide in an vnknowen way which is full of difficulties and dangers Or is it safe for a naked creeple to enter into a combat with an armed Giant And what way is so intricate to him that cannot see as is the way of life to him that is not taught And what creeple was euer so infirme in body as hee that is wilfully ignorant is feeble in soule How then shall he think to make his part good with the Diuell That humilitie maketh a way for honour wee shall haue fitter opportunitie to declare in the eighteenth Chapter and twelfth verse where the point is set foorth by the contrary after this manner Before destruction the heart of a man is hauty and before glory goeth lowlinesse AN EXPOSITION OF THE SIXTEENTH CHAPTER OF THE PROVERBS CHAPTER XVI Verse 1. The preparations of the heart are in man but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. IT is farre from the meaning of the holy Ghost to ascribe heere free-will to man as though hee had any absolute power to dispose of his owne heart though by concession according to the vulgar opinion that seeme to be granted for no man can thinke an euil thought without Gods prouidence much lesse a good thought without his grace but the drift is to shew that albeit men deuise much and haue whole armies as the word signifieth of cogitations in their mindes and those placed in exact order as it were in battle aray so that they set downe with themselues both what and how to speake yet the answer of the tongue is from the Lord they shall vtter that which God appointeth and not alwaies what themselues doe purpose Doct. The Lord hath the disposing of euery mans tongue at his owne will It was more than Esau minded as it is probable or than euer Iacob did looke for as it is certaine that Esau should greet Iacob with so great kindnesse and offer so much Gen. 32. courtesie to him And Balaams voyage to Balak was not with Num. 23. intent to blesse Israel but to curse them Neither was Saul euer purposed to commend Dauid for his faithfulnesse and 1. Sam. 24. 18. innocencie but to accuse him of disloialtie and treason Neither was it in Caiaphas thought to prophecie how happie all Gods children should be made by the death of Christ but to conspire his destruction but God compelled all these in that manner to bestow their speeches and therefore euery one of them formed them accordingly Reasons 1 First the heart of man is in his hand and the minde and memorie with all the faculties of the soule and he in a moment doth either further or hinder or alter the motions of the same as seemeth best to his owne wisdome Secondly he hath made the mouth of man and giuen it to him and therefore is the principall owner of it and consequently hath the chiefe commanding of it Vse 1 Instruction that when we are to speake of matters of moment wee bee more carefull to craue Gods direction than confident of our owne abilitie When wee would wish others so to speake vnto vs or for vs as whereby wee may receiue any benefit that we intreat the Lord to open their lips that they may seasonably vtter their words to doe vs good When we desire to haue our enemies silent towards vs and not speake such things as may turne to our hurt and dammage that we beseech him to mousell their mouthes and restraine them from dangerous and noisome speeches When we are defamed and euill spoken of that wee more looke to the hand of the righteous God to be humbled than to the lips of vnrighteous men to bee vexed according as Dauid did when he was railed vpon and cursed by Shemei 2. Sam. 16. 10. Consolation for innocent persons whose consciences are vpright how witty and eloquent how leaud and lying how bitter and clamorous soeuer their aduersaries bee sithence their tongues are not to be disposed at their owne wils but by Gods appointment who doth neuer appoint ought that shall be pernicious to his people If Hamons accusations and Ahashuerosh his sentence against the Iewes had beene to bee executed to the destruction of the Iewes they should neuer haue beene vttered by them And why should any man therefore omit good duties for feare of euill tongues and forbeare to performe that which he ought to doe because he dreads that which others will say The same Lord which promiseth his seruants defense from the stroake of violent hands doth also warrant them safety from the scourge of virulent tongues Iob 5. 21. Verse 2. All the waies of a man are cleane in his owne eies but the Lord pondereth the spirits ALL the waies The purposes courses and proceedings the deeds that are done the words that are spoken and the thoughts that are conceiued of a man of him that is vnregenerate and hath an ignorant minde a proud heart and a sleepie conscience are cleane in his owne eies seeme commendable vnto him he iustifieth and applaudeth himselfe in them but the Lord pondereth the spirits searcheth narrowlie not only into the behauiour but the hearts also of all men as it were putting them into the ballance and examining them by number and weight whether they bee pure and vpright as proceeding from sinceritie or prophane and hypocriticall as growing from corruption and guile The doctrine that the former part of this sentence would yeeld hath beene handled in the twelfth Chapter and fifteenth verse and that which would arise out of the other hath beene intreated of in the fifteenth Chapter verse 3. 11. Verse 3. Commit thy workes vnto the Lord and thy thoughts shall be directed THE word which we translate commit signifieth to deuolue or role meaning thereby that God is chiefly to
owne foes as vnteachable persons which will learne no goodnesse The madnesse and miserie of such doth Wisdome declare in the end of the eighth Chapter saying Hee that sinneth against me hurteth his owne soule and all that hate me loue death And thither we referre this matter to bee intreated of more at large Doct. 2 It peculiarly belongeth to them that are obedient to Gods holy Will to haue the disposing of their owne hearts So meant Ecclesiastes when he said that the heart of a wise Eccles 10. 2. man is at his right hand but the heart of a foole is at his left hand And so did Hosea when he said that Ephraim was like a Doue Hosea 7. 11. deceiued without an heart And so did Salomon when hee said Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a foole to get wisdome and Prouer. 17. 16. he hath none heart Reason 1 First they haue the spirit of grace and others haue not and where the spirit is there is libertie and elswhere it is not So that besides them all are bond-men which are owners of nothing but least of themselues and their owne soules Secondly their mindes are illuminated with the sound and sauing knowledge of God and the rest are full of blindnesse Now we know that Satan is called the prince of darknesse Hee ruleth and raigneth in the hearts of all them that are ouerwhelmed with ignorance Thirdly they can master their vnrulie affections and mortifie the rebellious motions thereof They haue power by the grace that is giuen vnto them to heare the word with due attention to pray to God with feruent feeling to reioice in the Lord with holy gladnesse to mourne for sinne with godly griefe c. whereas others are commanded by the Diuell and lust and carried away strongly to couetousnesse pride vncleannesse intemperancie or such like but can neuer bring any faithfull desire to any holy seruice True it is that the godly obedient are often assaulted with the fore-named vices and yeeld too farre vnto them but they are not vanquished of them nor disabled of recouerie And it cannot be denied but that the rebellious wicked haue sometimes purposes to exercise those Christian duties and seeme to set themselues thereunto but it is meerely in passion without vprightnesse neither haue they power to proceed in the performance of them Vse 1 Consolation to them that yeeld obedience to holy instructions though they come with some seuerity and sharpnes They are farre more profitable than painfull and will bring more ioy and comfort in the end than they worke griefe and sorrow at the beginning yea albeit such men haue not only Gods word to reprooue them for their faults but wicked men to reproch them for their vertues and let it be that they are molested and pilled and polled and spoiled of their Heb. 10. 34. goods as were the faithfull Hebrewes and slaine and killed as haue beene the godly Martyrs Yet in all this they are nothing endammaged in credit state or body in comparison of their blessednesse and most happy condition When they haue lost all they haue gained more than all because they enioy their soules which are more worth than any wealth and possesse their hearts which are of greater value than the richest treasures or life it selfe Hee that is owner of his soule is a free-holder for euer and the possession of the heart is a sure euidence for the possession of heauen Terrour for them that are contemptuous and wicked refusing to subiect themselues to the gouernment of the Lord. Though they abound with all things and sinne seeme neuer so commodious vnto them yet it is better to haue nothing than not to haue the owning of their owne hearts for our Sauiour saith What shall it profit a man if he shall winne the whole Matth. 16. 26. world if he lose his soule as euery one doth which hath resigned vp his heart to the power of Satan We account it no great gaine to get goods with the losse of our eares or any other member and yet it is safer to haue our eares cut off and head also and all our limmes torne in peeces than that sinne should rule in our harts heere and hell hold our soules in thraldome for euermore heereafter Verse 33. Before the feare of the Lord goeth the instruction of wisdome and before honour goeth humilitie BEfore the feare of the Lord Before a man bee truly religious and godly goeth the instruction of wisdome hee must be daily informed in the precepts and doctrine of Gods holy will expressed in the Scriptures and before honour either that celestiall glory which is prepared for Gods people in the life to come or any comfortable aduancement in this life or the vndoubted note and credit of vnfained faithfulnesse and piety goeth humilitie such as is not counterfeit and meerely in shew but proceedeth from feeling of corruptions and sight of ones owne vnworthinesse whereby hee is induced in the meeknesse of his minde to esteeme others better than himselfe The word signifieth properly in respect of the deriuation of it such a kinde of lowlines as is wrought by afflictions though it be also sometimes more largely taken Now it is to bee inquired what connexion there is betweene this clause and the former which will easily be found if we obserue that the vertue and reward heere lastly mentioned depend vpon the duty and grace in the former place specified for with instruction there is required humilitie and to the feare of God there is adioined honour Doct. 1 No man can haue any godlinesse in him that will not learne to bee godly The Prophet Agur who is mentioned in this Booke confesseth to God and all the World that therefore hee was so foolish and void of vnderstanding because hee had not learned Prouer. 30. 3 wisdome nor attained to the knowledge of holy things The Apostle admonisheth the Ephesians to walke in better waies than other ignorant Heathen men did For saith hee Eph 4. 20. 21. you haue learned Christ and haue heard him and haue beene taught by him as the truth is in Iesus c. Whereby hee intimateth that nothing is to bee expected from them that are vntaught but that which is vnholy as hardnesse of heart vncleannesse of life and such lasciuious behauiour as is there spoken of And where is pure and sound instruction there may we looke for sincere and comely conuersation Reasons 1 First there is a disabilitie in the nature of euery man as it now standeth corrupted to be any way truly religious There is a couering as the Prophet saith that couereth all people and Isa 25. 7. a veile spread vpon all Nations Their mindes are darke Their hearts are hard Their affections peruerse Repent they cannot beleeue they cannot and pray they cannot vnlesse they be effectually informed by the word of the Lord. How shall Rom. 10 14. they call on him saith S. Paul in
A PLAINE AND FAMILIAR EXPOSITION OF THE Fifteenth Sixteenth and Seuenteenth Chapters of the Prouerbs of Salomon CERVA CHARISSIMA ET GRATISSIMVS HINNVLVS LONDON Printed by THOMAS HAVELAND for THOMAS MAN 1609. TO THE RIGHT VVORshipfull our approoued good friend ERASMVS DRIDEN Esquire Grace and peace be multiplied SIR hauing had long experience of your Christian and constant loue and fauour as also of your willingnes to read our bookes and your godly wisdome to iudge and discerne of all that you read we are bold to offer vnto your worship this testimonie of our vnfained thankfulnesse and to craue your fauourable patronage for the same Our former writings comming only as strangers yet alwaies found all good and kinde entertainment at your hands Therefore we cannot doubt but that this present treatise shall be welcome and well accepted not only for that it is like to the former for matter and manner but also because it shelters it selfe vnder your name and in speciall manner craueth our countenance And thus beseeching almightie God to blesse and prosper the faithfull indeuours of all that truly seeke the peace and welfare of his Church and daily more and more to multiplie his gratious mercies vpon your selfe your godlie wife and hopefull familie wee humblie take our leaue Yours in the Lord to be commanded John Dod Robert Cleauer TO THE READER THis briefe and summary collection of all the doctrines of the 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 and 17. Chapters of the Prouerbs which was intended for priuate vse I haue thought good with the Authors consent to prefix vnto this booke as that which I hope may be vsefull for many for by this direction those that cannot read all may make choice of that which most concernes them and those that haue read all may more easilie finde that againe which most contents them The reason why some verses with the doctrines are omitted is because they haue beene handled before A briefe Recapitulation of all the Doctrines of Mr. Cleauers bookes on the PROVERBS CHAPTER IX Verse 1. Doctrine 1. AL true wisdome is contained in the holy word of God Doct. 2. It belongeth onely to Christ both to build and beautifie the Churcb Doct. 3. The best way for good safetie is to become a faithfull Christian. Verse II. Doct. 1. The best cheere is that which is made for the soule in Gods house Doct. 2. It is not the wit of man but the wisdome of God that doth make the word comfortable Doct. 3. Gods fauour and grace is alwaies ready to bee found when it is faithfully sought Verse III. Doct. 1. They that will come to saluation must be brought to it by the ministerie Doct. 2. Christ Iesus hath appointed the preaching of the Gospell to be most publike that all might be instructed by it Verse IV. Doct. Ignorance should not hinder vs from hearing the word but incite vs to it Verse V. Doct. It concerneth vs duly to embrace the mercies of God when he doth offer them vnto vs. Verse VI. Doct. When we begin to cleane to God and good men wee must foortwith breake off all league with wicked men Verse VII Doct. The most faithfull Ministers are commonly exposed to greatest reproches Verse VIII Doct. Christian counsell is not to bee offered to an obstinate sinner Verse IX Doct. 1. The best men must be admonished Doct. 2. It is a note of a man that is truly religious to increase in grace and vnderstanding Verse X. Doct. 1. No man can be truly wise before he be vnfainedly religious Doct. 2. Sound knowledge is the mother of true deuotion Verse XI XII Doct. 1. Grace prolongeth mens daies on earth Doct. 2. Christians are most prouident to procure their owne good prosperitie Doct. 3. The wicked are most their owne foes Verse XIII Doct. 1. It is not a sure note of a good cause to bee set foorth with many words Doct. 2. So farre as any man giues himselfe to be an agent for sinne so farre he bewraieth his owne ignorance Verse XIV Doct. 1. Great men without grace are as much subiect to sinne and follie as poore men Doct. 2. Great meetings are seldome without the companie of sinfulnesse and Satan Verse XV. Doct. So soone as any one begins to seeke God the diuell and diuellish men will be ready to turne him out of the way Verse XVI Doct. Ignorant persons that regard not knowledge are the fittest prey for deceiuers Verse XVII Doct. Those things that be most vnlawfull doe best satisfie the humours of vnregenerate men Verse XVIII Doct. As euery sinne is more delightfull so it is more dangerous and deceitfull CHAPTER X. Verse I. Doct. THE comfort or sorrow of parents standeth much in the behauiour of their children Verse II. Doct. 1. No worldling is any thing the better for his wealth Doct. 2. The goodnesse of a Christian will worke him that happinesse which no outward goods could euer procure Verse III. Doct. Poore Christians are in better estate than wealthy wicked men euen in outward respects Verse IV. Doct. 1. False dealing rather hurteth than helpeth them that vse it Doct. 2. They greatly helpe their owne estate that are painfull and faithfull in their callings Verse V. Doct. Vse is to be made of good opportunitie Verse VI. Doct. 1. The greatest reward that God giueth his seruants in this life is to blesse them Doct. 2. When God entreth into iudgement with wicked men he will cause the plague so to manifest their sinnes that they shall not be able to denie them Verse VII Doct. The credit of good men will grow and the reputation of sinners will be turned into shame Verse VIII Doct. We ought to be tractable to the will of God without resisting or gainsaying Verse IX Doct. All sound safetie and boldnesse proceedeth from sincerity of heart and integritie of life Verse X. Doct. It is not safe to vse any member or gesture though neuer so closely to commit sinne Verse XI Doct. A good man is neuer barren of good speeches Verse XII Doct. 1. Not actions and speeches but ill affections of the hart are the cause of debate Doct. 2. Christian loue causeth men to bee mercifull to the soules and names of their brethren Verse XIV Doct. 1. It is not enough to bâ—ing the eare to heare holy instructions but the heart must also receiue and keepe them Doct. 2. The tongues of vngodly men are alwaies pernicious and hurtfull Verse XV. Doct. The extremitie of euery estate is dangerous and no estate safe without grace Verse XVI Doct. Riches are either profitable or hurtfull according to the owners vsage of them Verse XVIII Doct. 1. The Lord hath dissemblers in detestation Doct. 2. It is a note of a â—infull person to haue a bitter railing and slanderous tongue Verse XIX Doct. The multiplying of words doth make a bad cause rather worse than better Verse XX. Doct. 1. The best wealth of a Christian is laid vp in his heart and disbursed
with his lips Doct. 2. Wicked men haue nothing of worth within them Verse XXI Doct. It is the note of a faithfull man to vse his knowledge and other good gifts for the benefit of his brethren Verse XXII Doct. A comfortable estate in this world is the blessing of God Verse XXIII Doct. Sinne is the delight of sinners and grace of good men Verse XXIV Doct. 1. Whatsoeuer is contrarie to the affection of the wicked they may expect to be plagued withall Doct. 2. The best way to haue our wils satisfied is to be godly Verse XXV Doct. The estate of the godly is more certain than wicked mens Verse XXVI Doct. He that imploieth in any seruice vnworthy and carelesse persons shall bring sorrow and molestation on himselfe Verse XXVIII Doct. 1. They which depend on God in their afflictions shall in due season be deliuered Doct. 2. Vngodly men deceiue themselues with a deceitful expectation of happinesse Verse XXIX Doct. They that are most venturous to sinne shall bee most frighted with punishments Verse XXXII Doct. It is a point of godly wisdome for a man to speake as his words may be accepted for his best aduantage CHAPTER XI Verse I. Doct. I. AL instruments and meanes of falshood are hatefull vnto God Doct. 2. God respects that iustice which is performed vnto men Verse II. Doct. 1. Pride is a forerunner of shame Doct. 2. Euery humble man is a wise man Verse III. Doct. 1. Euery godly man hath a faithfull counseller in his owne brest Doct. 2. Sinners are the greatest workers of their owne woe Verse V. Doct. Godly men haue abilitie giuen them to walke in the Law of God Verse VII Doct. The confidence of vngodly men is disappointed at their greatest need Verse VIII Doct. 1. The afflictions of good men are not perpetuall Doct. 2. When Gods mercy beginneth to raise the godly out of trouble his iustice is ready to cast the wicked into miserie Verse IX Doct. 1. Vngodly men are neuer more mischieuous than when they put on the vizard of godlinesse Doct. 2. The knowledge of the godly is a defensiue armour against the deadly tongues of the wicked Verse X. Doct. 1. Good men haue not only Gods hand to giue them good things but godly mens hearts to be ioifull for them Doct. 2. Godly men are the chiefe inhabitants wheresoeuer they dwell Verse XI Doct. A godly man wheresoeuer he be will be doing of good Verse XII Doct. The most contemptible persons are the greatest contemners of others Verse XIII Doct. A standerous tongue will bee as ready to defame them whom it speaketh vnto as whom it speaketh against Verse XIV Doct. Nothing is more necessarie for any state than good counsell Verse XV. Doct. A rash surette doth seldome liue in peace Verse XVI Doct. They which haue grace shall neuer want honour Verse XVII Doct. 1. Euery mans dealing with others shall redound to himselfe Doct. 2. They are the best husbands which best prouide for the good of their owne persons Verse XVIII Doct. 1. Vngodly men shall finde their sinnes more hurtfull than they looked for Doct. 2. God is a sure paimaster to euery one that laboureth faithfully in his seruice Verse XIX Doct. 1. The Lord hath not only appointed a certaine reward but a pretious for his seruants Doct. 2. The more violent wicked men are in their sinnes the neerer they draw to destruction Verse XX. Doct. 1. Whosoeuer is giuen to frowardnesse is wholly void of vprightnesse Doct. 2. The loue of God is not according to mens wealth but according to their hearts and behauiour Verse XXI Doct. 1. The plotting and combining of the wicked is of no force for their preseruation Doct. 2. The best way for any man to doe his children good is to â—e godly himselfe Verse XXII Doct. 1. God maketh no more account of sinfull people than of brute beasts Doct. 2. Neither beautie nor other outward gifts do any good to the hauers that are destitute of wisdome Verse XXIII Doct. Godly men are most desirous to please God and God doth as graciously accept of their desires Verse XXIV Doct. True liberalitie is a furtherance to mens estate Verse XXV Doct. He that expecteth comfort for sound mercie must apply his soule to well-doing Verse XXVI Doct. 1. They are after a sort publike enemies to the Country that procure or seeke for a dearth Doct. 2. It is a grieuous plague to bee pursued iustly with the outcries of the people Verse XXVII Doct. He that vprightly seeketh to benefit many taketh the best way to winne the hearts of the people Verse XXVIII Doct. Though the staies of many wicked men seeme to bee the stronger yet the states of all godly men prooue to be the surer Verse XXIX Doct. He that would not vndoe himselfe let him not disorder his familie and domesticall affaires Verse XXX Doct. 1. Of all people none doe so much good as the godly Doct. 2. It is the note of a wise man to shew mercie vnto mens soules Verse XXXI Doct. 1. The best must looke for stripes if they will take liberty to sinne Doct. 2. Euery wicked mans state is worse than any godly mans can be CHAPTER XII Verse 1. Doctrine 1. GOOd desires may be tried by our affection to the meanes Doct. 2. They that refuse Christian knowledge are no better than if they had no manner of knowledge Verse II. Doct. A man can no way be made so happie as by being in Gods fauour Verse III. Doct. They shall misse of their expectation that hope to succour themselues by sinning Verse IV. Doct. No outward thing in the world is better than a goodwife Verse V. Doct. The godly differ from the wicked as much in heart as in life Verse VI. Doct. 1. Violent men mix their crueltie with craftinesse Doct. 2. It is a note of a good man to haue his good word ready for them that be oppressed Verse VII Doct. They that will not keepe themselues from wickednesse cannot keepe themselues from desolation Verse VIII Doct. The vpright and wise shall not be destitute of honour Verse IX Doct. They deale with best discretion that yeeld themselues to a low estate when God calleth them thereunto Verse X. Doct. 1. Mercy to be shewed to vnreasonable creatures Doct. 2. Sinfull mens fauours commonly tend to hurt Verse XI Doct. 1. Husbandry is a commendable vocation Doct. 2. The idle shall neuer want example nor companie in it Doct. 3. Euery idle person is foolish Verse XII Doct. 1. It is the propertie of sinners one to relie vpon another Doct. 2. There is no danger to the faithfull Verse XIV Doct. A good tongue is a good helper in troubles Verse XV. Doct. The worse any is or doth the lesse he seeth it Verse XVI Doct. Angry persons bewray follie Verse XVII Doct. 1. They that vse not their tongues to speake truth in priuate can hardly be brought to deale truly in publike Doct. 2. True words are
no note of a faithfull man vnlesse they be vttered in due manner and plaine meaning Verse XVIII Doct. No weapon is more hurtfull than a wicked tongue Verse XIX Doct. Only true men are constant in their words Verse XX. Doct. 1. Craftie persons shall feele the smart of their subtle practises Doct. 2. Wholesome counsell is comfortable to them that giue it as well as profitable to them that take it Verse XXI Doct. Though God afflict the godly as well as the godlesse yet it is done in a farre different manner Verse XXII Doct. 1. Euery liar is a loathsome person Doct. 2. That truth which is acceptable vnto God consisteth both in speaking and doing Verse XXIII Doct. It is not good for any man to speake as much and as often as he can but as much and as often as he ought Verse XXIV Doct. They that are laborious and faithfull in meane places doe take the way to rise to an higher degree Verse XXV Doct. Immoderate griefe doth turne to great hurt and annoiance Verse XXVI Doct. Grace maketh good men to bee the most worthy personages Verse XXVII Doct. 1. Euill meanes of getting may bring goods to mens hands but not to their vse Doct. 2. Wealth well gotten by good men is great in value whatsoeuer it be in quantitie CHAPTER XIII Verse I. Doct. 1. THE wholesome precepts of parents are not to be light set by Doct. 2. They that most deserue them can worst endure reproofes Verse III. Doct. The safetie and happinesse of the whole life dependeth vpon the well ordering of the tongue Verse IV. Doct. None more couetous than the slothfull Verse V. Doct. 1. True righteousnesse consists not only in forbearing but in hating of euill Doct. 2. He that nourisheth in his heart and expresseth in his life rotten affections is farre from true honour Verse VII Doct. It is a sinne for men to make their estate better or worse than they know it to be Verse VIII Doct. 1. Life is more pretious than wealth Doct. 2. As the life of rich men is more fensed than poore mens so is the state of poore men lesse impugned than rich mens Verse IX Doct. Only good men enioy a comfortable estate Verse X. Doct. 1. So farre as any man is contentious he is proud Doct. 2. The more discreet any is the more peaceable Verse XII Doct. As hope is neuer conceiued without comfort so is it seldome protracted without sorrow Verse XIII Doct. 1. No sinne is more dangerous than the contempt of Gods word Doct. 2. They that are religiously affected to the word and worship of God are sure to speed well for it Verse XIV Doct. Sinne is Satans snare to catch men vnto perdition Verse XV. Doct. 1. So farre as any is religious he is sure to prosper Doct. 2. Vngodly mens liues are full of vexation Verse XVI Doct. He only dealeth well both for his comfort and credit that groundeth his affaires on certaintie and not on likelihoods Verse XVII Doct. Hee that prospereth himselfe let him deale faithfully when others put him in trust Verse XVIII Doct. They only are prouident for their estate and credit which are carefull to get grace for their soules Verse XIX Doct. Nothing is more offensiue vnto wicked men than to bee brought to goodnesse Verse XX. Doct. Much good or hurt comes by companie Verse XXI Doct. Sinfull men liue in perpetuall perill of destruction Verse XXII Doct. 1. They best prouide for their posteritie that enrich themselues with grace Doct. 2. That which the wicked get the godly often enioy Verse XXIII Doct. A little with good husbandry is better than a great portion with vnthriftinesse Verse XXIV Doct. They are best parents which shew loue to their children without fondnesse CHAPTER XIV Verse II. Doct. THE faithfulnesse or falshood of the heart may bee discerned by the course of the conuersation Verse III. Doct. Proud men haue arrogant and hurtfull tongues Verse VI. Doct. 1. They are not capable of any grace that will not bee brought to renounce their sinnes Doct. 2. Vnderstanding is neither impossible nor difficult to be come by when men haue discretion Verse VIII Doct. So farre is euerie one wise as he is of godly and Christian conuersation Verse IX Doct. Likenesse of manners is a forcible meanes to linke mens affections together Verse X. Doct. 1. No griefe is so great as that which lieth vpon an afflicted conscience Doct. 2. Gods people feele their greatest comfort after their bitterest griefe Verse XIII Doct. The wicked are neuer heartily merry Verse XV. Doct. They which are least carefull to learne the truth are most credulous to hearken to lies Verse XVI Doct. They which are in greatest safetie are farthest from carnall securitie Verse XVIII Doct. A wicked man hath no certaine state in any thing but in shame and miserie Verse XIX Doct. Godlinesse is no cause of contempt Verse XX. Doct. The friendship of fleshly men is grounded on mens state and not on their graces Verse XXI Doct. It is not safe to despise poore Christians in their aduersitie Verse XXIII Doct. No mans thriuing consists so much in the gainfulnesse of his trade as in his faithfulnesse and diligence therein Verse XXIV Doct. When the heart of a man is beautified with grace his outward preheminences are ornaments vnto him Verse XXVIII Doct. That which is good for the state of the Common-wealth is best for the Prince Verse XXX Doct. No man liueth so cheerefull a life as hee that is most mercifully affected Verse XXXI Doct. All the wrong that is done to the poore the Lord taketh it as done to himselfe Verse XXXII Doct. 1. When godlesse men stand in most need of helpe and comfort they shall be most of all pressed with plagues and terrors Doct. 2. No danger or death can take away the comfort of godly men Verse XXXIII Doct. Grace must haue intertainment in the heart Verse XXXV Doct. The honest and vertuous behauiour of superiors is the best way to get the fauour of superiors CHAPTER XV. Verse I. Doct. MIlde behauiour is the best meanes to procure peace Verse III. Doct. All men are alwaies in Gods presence Verse VIII Doct. Hee that would haue his seruice accepted of God must first giue himselfe to God Verse X. Doct. The worst men are most vnwilling to be taught how to amend their liues Verse XII Doct. Hee that would not be reputed a wicked person must not shun good companie where he may heare of his faults Verse XIII Doct. It is best both for soule and body to keepe the heart cheerefull Verse XIV Doct. Grace and vngodlinesse make the greatest difference betweene the persons in whom they seuerally raigne Verse XV. Doct. Euerie mans crosses are burdenous or easie according to the state of his heart Verse XVII Doct. There is best cheere where there is best companie Verse XVIII Doct. Froward men are alwaies troublesome Verse XIX Doct. Euerie good seruice is hard or easie according
as men wils are inclined vnto it Verse XXII Doct. He dealeth best for himselfe that ordereth his affaires with good aduice Verse XXIII Doct. Whosoeuer applieth his tongue to doe good therewith shall haue the greatest benefit by it himselfe Verse XXIV Doct. He that would haue glorie in heauen must liue after an heauenly manner on earth Verse XXVI Doct. The Lord is as well displeased with sinfull thoughts as actions Verse XXVII Doct. That way which the world takes to be best to prouide for themselues and theirs turneth to be most hurtfull vnto them Verse XXVIII Doct. He that would speake well and profitably must not be too sudden in his speeches Verse XXX Doct. The Lord hath ordained the senses of men for the benefit both of soule and body Verse XXXII Doct. The obedient only haue the disposing of their own hearts Verse XXXIII Doct. No man can haue any godlinesse in him that will not learne to be godly CHAPTER XVI Verse I. Doct. THE Lord hath the disposing of euery mans tongue Verse III. Doct. They are sure to speed well which doe deale for God and depend vpon him in their affaires Verse IV. Doct. The praise of God is set foorth by the worst things Verse VI. Doct. 1. Saluation is giuen by God not bought by men Doct. 2. The religious in heart will be innocent in life Verse VII Doct. The best way to haue mans fauour to doe vs good is to get Gods fauour Verse IX Doct. Men doe purpose many things but God disposeth all things Verse X. Doct. They that be in great authority had need be well furnished with wisdome and iustice Verse XII Doct. 1. The greater men be the more grieuous their faults are Doct. 2. The goodnesse and iustice of men in authoritie doth best vphold their state Verse XIV Doct. It is very dangerous to incurre the displeasure of great Potentates Verse XV. Doct. Great account is to be made of the fauour and good countenance of such as are in authoritie Verse XVII Doct. 1. Though godly men doe sometimes slip into sinnes yet they walke not in them Doct. 2. So much assurance hath euery one of his saluation and safetie as hee is carefull to keepe himselfe innocent and righteous Verse XIX Doct. Euery proud man though neuer so mightie is in worse case than the humble person though neuer so poore Verse XX. Doct. A beleeuing heart maketh an happie man Verse XXI Doct. Sound pietie will make a man prosperous Verse XXII Doct. Nothing is more needfull for the body than grace is for the soule Verse XXIV Doct. Nothing is more pleasant and profitable than gracious speeches to godly persons Verse XXVI Doct. No turbulent man can keepe himselfe from trouble Verse XXVII Doct. A malicious man is alwaies practising of mischiefe whether he pretend friendship or professe enmitie Verse XXVIII Doct. No bands of friendishp will hold where make-bates may haue hearing Verse XXIX Doct. It is the propertie of vngodly men to seeke to make others as bad as themselues Verse XXX Doct. A wicked man is most studious and cunning about mischiefe Verse XXXI Doct. It is a great honour for a man to be both ancient godly Verse XXXII Doct. It is a point of greater valour to subdue corruptions in ones selfe than to preuaile against other men Verse XXXIII Doct. Those things which seeme to be most contingent are directed by the prouidence of God CHAPTER XVII Verse II. Doct. GRace bringeth men to promotion and so doth sinne to debasement Verse III. Doct. No skill nor power nor meanes of man are sufficient to deale with the heart Verse IV. Doct. It is the propertie of them that doe and speake euill to be much delighted in hearing of euill Verse V. Doct. It is neither lawfull nor safe to be glad at other mens sinnes especially if they be Gods seruants Verse VI. Doct. 1. It is a great promotion to haue a long and large posteritie Doct. 2. Good parents and progenitors are great ornaments to children Verse VII Doct. 1. Good words are vnfit for bad men to vtter Doct. 2. Euil speeches are most vndecent in bad mens mouthes Verse VIII Doct. Great gifts winne friendship sooner than a good cause Verse X. Doct. Easie corrections where grace is preuaile more than great seueritie doth with gracelesse persons Verse XI Doct. No wicked man is better nor shall bee otherwise dealt withall than a rebell Verse XII Doct. No wilde beast is so sauage and hurtfull as a violent and wicked man Verse XIII Doct. Vnthankefulnesse is a great sinne Verse XIV Doct. So soone as men fall into strife they make way for trobles Verse XV. Doct. 1. It is a dangerous sinne to giue allowance to euill men Doct. 2. It is not safe for a man to lay blame vpon blamelesse persons Verse XVI Doct. No meanes can make a man wise that wanteth a good will to heauenly wisdome Verse XVII Doct. The change of a mans estate causeth no alteration in the affection and behauiour of faithfull friends Verse XXIV Doct. A gracious heart will shew it selfe in a seemely countenance Verse XXVI Doct. It is very dangerous to deale hardly with good men for their godly behauiour Verse XXVIII Doct. It is a point of singular wisdome to be silent till it be fit to speake FINIS AN EXPOSITION OF THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER OF THE PROVERBS CHAPTER XV. Verse 1. A soft answer turneth away wrath but a grieuous word stirreth vp anger A Soft answer Gentle milde and peaceable speeches turneth away wrath pacifie the indignation of him that is displeased He speaketh of that which commeth to passe most commonly though not alwaies for sometimes men of a froward and seruile disposition are the more violent by how much they are mildlier dealt with and sharpe rebukes preuaile most with such to tame them with feare which would not bee intreated with faire perswasions But grieuous words Bitter biting and prouoking speeches stirre vp wrath not only increase it in them in whom before it was kindled but kindle it in them who before were kindly affected Doct. Milde behauiour is the best meanes to procure peace In another place there is another Prouerbe to the same purpose A Prince is pacified by staying of anger and a soft tongue Prouer. 25. 15. breaketh the bones This was Gideons armour against the rage of the Ephramites and this was Abigails armour for her selfe her husband and houshold when Dauid incensed by Nabals grieuous words was comming with purpose to slay them euery mothers childe Reason 1 First it is the weapon which God calleth vpon vs in such a case to take vp and vse and therefore hee worketh safety by it Secondly the strongest resistance is by opposition of contraries as fire is soonest quenched by water and a soft woole-packe is lesse penetrable at a Canon shot than a hard stone-wall Thirdly it is in the nature of man and of certaine other creatures to desist from fiercenesse when they see submission
so farre foorth as we would liue a comfortable life wee should seeke to build vp our inward man more than our outward estates that our hearts bee better furnished than our houses and our consciences than our coffers that our stocke of faith and euerlasting goodnesse may exceed our store of coine and temporall goods and so shall we be fensed against all perils and prouided for against all wants and secured against all accidents whatsoeuer shall fall out heereafter 2. If passions and distempers bee stirring in vs when any kinde of afflictions doe come vpon vs it shall bee needfull to search our hearts and examine our soules what euill there is in them abounding and what good there is wanting for all impaciencie proceedeth from the excesse of the one and defect of the other Verse 16. Better is a little with the feare of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith BEtter is a little A small portion of goods is more profitable and comfortable with the feare of the Lord with godlinesse causing a contented minde with ioy and procuring Gods blessing for vse than great treasure than the abundance of wealth with trouble with sinfulnesse which bringeth trouble namely feare care sorrow and many curses with the checke of an ill conscience for where Religion is not there griefes and vexations will be and the more riches a wicked man hath whereby hee may seeme to bee free from all molestations the more incumbrances hee hath which are alwaies ready to molest him Doct. Though sinfull men haue larger possessions than the godly yet godly mens goods be much more worth than theirs They are pretious riches as hee termeth them in the twelfth Chapter and 27. verse where the point hath beene handled in both the Doctrines Verse 17. Better is a dinner of greene hearbes where loue is than a stalled Oxe and hatred therewith BEtter More laudable in the house and acceptable to the guest is a dinner of greene hearbes very meane and slender fare where loue is where is concord and hearty good will than a stalled Oxe than great store of good meat and all manner of prouision that appertaineth to a sumptuous feast and hatred therewith an euill affection either towards the parties bidden or one towards another Doct. There is best cheere where is best companie to eat and drinke with It is said to the same purpose as it may appeare by the force of the argument in another Prouerbe that better is a drie morseil if peace be with it than an house full of sacrifices Prouer. 17. 1. with strife There were many great Feasts in the time of the Apostles and yet of them none are so much commended in the Scriptures as the meetings of the beleeuers which did eat meat Act. 2 46. together with gladnesse and singlenesse of heart notwithstanding they had neither so much meat nor so costly dishes as diuers others had It is noted of Abraham that he entertained God and his Angels to dinner The Lord himselfe would be his guest sithence he would be so good an house-keeper and yet the victuals which are mentioned were only butter and milke and veale that had not time to coole betweene the killing and dressing notwithstanding his hospitalitie is preferred before the Persian Kings royall banquet for the one Ester 1. purposed to shew his greatnesse in pompe and the other his goodnesse in loue The one dealt exceeding vnkindly with his owne wife and the other very courteously with them that seemed to him to be meere strangers Reason 1 First kindnesse and friendship to them that are ingenuously disposed doth more and longer refresh their hearts than any food though neuer so sweet and pleasant especially comming from him or in the companie of them whom he knoweth to be hardly affected towards him Secondly where is store of meat and want of good will there must needs be either lumpishnesse or wrangling or dissimulation among them that sit together and often thence spring the beginnings of suits and contentions and of quarrels and murders yea sometimes they are purposely aimed at in the same as Saul intended on an holy daies feast to kill Dauid and Absolon made a sheepe-shearing banquet to dispatch Amnon Now where loue is there euery one is cheerefull to other and edifieth others and beareth with others and dealeth faithfully with others and so that which is wanting in their commons is fully supplied in their fruitfull conference Vse 1 Reproofe of them that neuer inuite any friends to their houses because they cannot prouide so good cheere as they wish for them Instruction that if we be called in kindnesse to our neighbours table we be not discontented though there be not so many messes or varietie of dishes as wee may peraduenture meet with in some other places where wee shall not be so welcome They that dresse most meat are not alwaies the kindest men for our Sauiour was full of liberality when hee gaue but barly-bread and fish to his Disciples and Nabal was but a Churle though he killed both beeues and muttons for his sheepe-shearers Consolation to them whom God abridgeth of that plenty which many others enioy if they enioy that Christian loue together which many others are abridged of their mindes may be as well refreshed with a little and a little may bee as wholesome and good for their bodies Eliiah at Sarepta had but one kinde of foode as it may appeare all the time of his soiourning there and yet Ahab and Iezabel had not so much comfort in their great varieties as hee and the Widow had in one kinde of foode Verse 18. An angry man stirreth vp contention but hee that is slow to wrath appeaseth strife AN angry man Such ouer whom wrath and passion hath power and in whom it raigneth for in the originall text he is called a man of anger stirreth vp contention increaseth dissension where he findeth discord and maketh debate where peace was before but hee that is slow to wrath which can gouerne his affections and not be angry without cause or beyond measure appeaseth strife endeuoureth to pacifie that displeasure which one man hath conceiued against another so that he is not only vnlike to him that is giuen to anger and will not raise contention as hee doth but taketh a course quite contrarie to his in reconciling them that be at variance Doct. Fumish and froward men are alwaies troublesome and turbulent persons They commonly bring with them fire and fuell and bellowes to make combustions and stirres wheresoeuer they come The same words of this text are repeated againe in another place where it is said that an angrie man Prouer. 29. 22. stirreth vp strife and a furious man aboundeth in transgression Reasons First pride worketh very strongly in them and onely by pride doe men make contentions They thinke the wrongs Prouer. 13. 10 that seeme to be offered vnto them are too many and the duties that are performed too
Habakkuk vpbraideth the King of Babel with coueting an euill couetousnesse to his house for seeking Hab. 2. 9. 10. to set his house on high hee had consulted shame to his house and sinned against his owne soule Reason 1 First they molest their people with burdens and niggardlinesse with chafing and chiding and sometimes with strokes and violence Secondly they often prouoke the Lord to curse their habitations and to powre downe plagues vpon that which they possesse and them that dwell with them Thirdly they expose their posteritie and seed after them to the vengeance and iudgements of God as is threatned in the Scriptures and was executed on Ahabs line and many others Vse 1 Instruction to labour for godlinesse which will kill this greedinesse and worke in vs contentment that will bring riches to our houses and blessings to our children and happinesse to our selues as is at large to be seene in the Psalmes of Dauid The more wee labour for heauenly things the lesse Psal 112. wee shall like of earthly things and yet take the way to haue the greater plenty of them Consolation to those faithfull men to whom grace hath giuen victorie ouer their couetous affections They that haue subdued this sinne are vnder the dominion of no sinne for if they were how should they haue this assurance of life Those whom the spirit causeth to hate vnrighteous profit when it is offered to them the flesh cannot make hartily to loue any other corruptions And obserue that vnder life he comprehendeth all needfull things whereby men may commodiously liue Well is it with his estate who is firmly estated in this life heere promised That family is in good case whose gouernour is so good a man Happy are those children if they will embrace their happinesse whose parents are growne enemies to the world and friends vnto their owne soules Verse 28. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer but the mouth of the wicked babbleth out euill things A Good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth foorth good things He meditateth what to speake that he may vtter such matter as is most wholesome and profitable and that not onely when a question is demanded of him or he is otherwise spoken vnto but vpon any other occasion when it concerneth him to say ought For the word answer is more largely taken sometimes in the Scriptures than we vse it in our common speech as Matt. 11. 25. at that time Iesus answered and said I giue thee thankes O Father Lord of heauen and earth c. but the mouth of the wicked babbleth out euill things he can neither be silent nor speake well but is full of discourse and alwaies pratling rashly vainly offensiuely and leaudly The opposition standeth thus The heart of the righteous studieth to answer and therefore he vttereth things that bee good but the mouth of the wicked is hastily and rashly set on worke and therefore hee babbleth out things that are euill Doct. Hee that would speake well and doe good with his words must not be too swift and sudden in his speeches We shall finde in the next Chapter that the heart of the wise Prouer. 16. 23. guideth his mouth wisely and addeth Doctrine to his lips And Dauid directed before by the spirit that Salomon was after did fore-testifie the same which Salomon hath afterwards confirmed The mouth of the righteous saith hee will meditate of Psal 37. 30. wisdome that is vtter wisdome premeditated And his tongue will talke of iudgement When Hannah would free herselfe to Eli from the imputation of drunkennesse or other crimes she hath this to say for herselfe that out of the abundance of 2. Sam. 1. 16. her meditations and griefe she had spoken Reasons 1 First it is not easie on the sudden to apprehend the right because errour at the first ken standeth vsually in mens light and hindreth them from seeing the truth whereof they may better informe themselues by serious deliberation How was Eli deceiued in his swift censuring of Hannah How was Ioshua with the Elders of Israel ouerseene in making a league with the Gibeonites And how did Nathan mistake the matter when he would haue had Dauid gone in hand with the building of the Temple Secondly when the minde hath time and liberty to ponder vpon and will to weigh the point to bee spoken vnto it findeth out good arguments for good causes and digesteth the same in so apt a manner as may best perswade the hearts of the hearers Thirdly a meditating hart affecteth it selfe with that which it prouideth for others to heare and such men speake not alone truly and pertinently but faithfully also and conscionably their soule hauing first feeling of that within which after their mouthes are to deliuer out Vse 1 Instruction for euery man to looke to his lips that no words issue out thereat but by warrant from the heart that they examine all that is about to be said whether it hath beene aduisedly considered of by the minde By this meanes they may bee profitable for the edification of their brethren without it they will bee infectious and hurtfull By this they may bee seruiceable to God without it they are rebellious and froward By this they may know and declare themselues to be righteous men and without it they shew themselues wicked and sinfull Neither is it enough to begin our meditations when wee should enter into our speech but to bee alwaies well stored therewith for all occasions as good housholders haue their victuals in a readinesse and not then to bee prouided when their guests are sitting downe at the table Reproofe of such as neuer set their hearts to study for any sound or fruitful matter no not then when they are to speake to God himselfe by praier of thanksgiuing nor with any vprightnesse when they are to speake from God in the ministerie of his word Nay rather the hearts of many doe study how to whet their tongues and open their mouthes wide to vomit out most pestilent venome and poison Verse 29. The Lord is farre off from the wicked but hee heareth the praier of the righteous THE Lord is farre off from the wicked Hee is neere vnto them in his essence whereby he filleth heauen and earth and in his presence whereby hee beholdeth their hearts and all their waies and in his iustice being at hand to punish them But he is farre off in respect of his fauour and helpe yea euen then when they pray vnto him in their manner so that they get no more good thereby than if they should call vpon one that is in another Countrey Vpon which occasion the Prophet exhorteth men to seeke the Lord while hee may bee Isa 55. 6. found and to call vpon him while he is neere The cause thereof may be gathered out of the eighth verse of this Chapter where the Sacrifice of the wicked is said to be abomination to the Lord. Who
This commeth to passe often but not alwaies neither would the Holy Ghost haue it taken for a perpetuall rule for how then should that be verified which our Sauiour told his Disciples that they should be betraied of their parents and Luke 21. 16. brethren and kinsmen and friends and be hated of all men for his names sake which wee see vsually come to passe also in our times But this is the best meanes to reconcile them vnto vs and winne their loue either sooner or latter as experience diuers times declareth And this procureth protection from God though malice be nothing diminished in them And this may occasion them now and then to doe vs a good turne in a fit as the Egyptians did to the Israelites or before they are ware as Hamon did to Mordecai though they beare no good affection to vs. The best way to haue mans fauour to doe vs good is to get Gods fauour Iacob was vndoubtedly perswaded of this when his brother Esau whose wrath he feared was comming with a band of men to meet him and that made him so indefatigable in his praier and wrastling with the Lord. And the answer which he receiued with the successe that he found was sutable to the meanes which hee vsed Because thou hast had power saith the Angell with God thou shalt also preuaile Gen. 32. 28. with men The same course tooke Mordecai and Hester to procure the fauour and helpe of Ahashuerosh and Nehemiah to obtaine Hester 4. Neh. 1. 11. his suit of King Artahshashte And it is said of the Iewes that were in Babel and other places that when the Lord remembred his couenant towards them and repented according to the multitude Psal 106. 46. of his mercies that hee gaue them fauour in the sight of all them that lead them Captiues Reason 1 First hee hath the affections of all men at his disposition Hee deriueth their loue and liking to whom it pleaseth him and he incenseth their wrath and hatred against whom he appointeth it He made Ahashuerosh to cast off Vashti whom he doted on before and to embrace Hester whom hee neuer knew before Hee caused the same King in a moment to abhorre and hang Haman which had beene his minion and principall fauorite and to admire and promote Mordecai whom he had formerly prescribed and destinated to death Secondly hee doth blesse the vertuous and amiable behauiour of his seruants that it shall be obserued of their enemies and that to the pacifying of their displeasures and reconciling of their good wils as their mildnesse and mercie their humilitie and patience their diligence in their callings their faithfulnesse to their friends their loue to their enemies their innocencie towards all and readinesse to doe good to euery one By these and such like though some be mooued to more enuy yet many will bee allured to better liking of them Vse 1 Instruction that when wee haue many aduersaries to oppresse vs and few friends to releeue vs we examine our waies whether they doe offend or please the Lord. If hee be at variance with vs for that wee haue prouoked his anger it is his displeasure that hath procured vs so many foes and it is our repentance that must obtaine deliuerance from them But if he be at peace with vs they shall not long warre nor at all preuaile against vs either their hearts will be changed and they turned to be our friends or their power restrained that they shall be but weake enemies Either they will desist from their malice or others will protect vs from their mischiefe or God himselfe will be our refuge that wee shall not be hurt by their violence Confutation of their follie that curry fauour with men by sinning against God as by flatterie and telling of false tales and seruing their turnes in all other vnlawfull practises Who is able to recount all the particular courses of this kinde they are so many There is no euill worke that they dare omit when they are required to doe it if it be in request nor any good dutie that they will aduenture to performe if it bee in disgrace lest they should make their friends become their foes Let them know that the friendship that is so gotten or retained is either vnconstant and mutable and is like to bee lost as soone as it is found or vnprofitable and barren that will doe them no good at their greatest need or dangerous and noisome that wil turne to the hurt either of their hearts or bodies For many of them whose fauour they haue paid for with the hazzard of their soules doe at length become their mortall enemies for the ruine of their present estate but which of them all will shew his kindnesse in helping them to Heauen and seeking the happines of their state to come Verse 8. Better is a little with righteousnesse than great reuenues without equitie BEtter More comfortable and profitable is a little small substance or maintenance with righteousnesse when the man himselfe is iust and godly and his possessions are well gotten and vsed than great reuenues either a large stocke and store of money or any kinde of riches or lands or pensions or commings in whatsoeuer without equitie which are vniustly come by vnrighteously kept or vnlawfully spent See Chap. 12. verse 27. and 15. verse 16. Verse 9. The heart of a man purposeth his way but the Lord directeth his steps MAny deuises intents and resolutions are in the mindes of men but the Lord directeth his steps his prouidence causeth their determinations either to proceed and take effect when they intend to doe that which he hath decreed to haue done or else to be staied and hindered when they purpose to themselues those things which hee hath not appointed And because the whole course of mans actions is resembled to a way hee therefore doth call all his particular proceedings therein his steps Doct. Men doe purpose many things but God disposeth all things The Prophet Dauid affirmeth the same point saying The Psal 37. 23. steps of man are directed by the Lord. And Ieremie doth also confirme it when hee saith I know O Lord that the way of man is Ier. 10. 23. not in himselfe neither is it in man to walke and to direct his steps If it had beene otherwise all Israel should surely haue perished when the Egyptians pursued them with purpose and resolution Exod. 15. 9. to ouertake and slay and spoile them Neither would Hezekiah and his people haue beene much more safe if Saneherib 2. King 19. could haue done as much as hee minded and boasted and threatned for his will was plainly enough declared by Rabshakehs words Reasons 1 First he alone doth fashion all their hearts and therefore can easily make them alter their thoughts and change their mindes or goe on constantly with their worke and continue Psal 33. 14. their resolutions Secondly they hold their power of him and their
the same from the most righteous Iudge at the last day but if they haue peruerted iudgement if they condemne the innocent and if they confirme the wicked in their wicked waies they doe all this against their owne soules those matters will bee called into question againe at that time and then they shall haue shame before the iudgement seat of Christ in the presence and hearing of all the world Verse 11. The weight and ballance of iudgement are of the Lord all the weights of the bagge are his worke THE weight and ballance of iudgement Iust euen and equal measures and all vpright and faithfull dealing in euerie respect are of the Lord commanded and appointed by him according as it is said in the Law Thou shalt haue a right and Deu 25. 15. 16 iust weight a perfect and a iust measure shalt thou haue that thy daies may be lengthened in the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee For all that doe vnrighteously are abomination to the Lord thy God all the weights the great and the small and of the middle size of the bagge which men vse to put into the bagge for the better and safer keeping of them are his worke his ordinance found out and inuented by his special prouidence and direction and warranted by his word for the benefit of humane societie and the preseruation of equitie in the trafficke of one man with another Heerein is a secret admonition contained by consequence that no man peruert them to fraud and deceit because that man is not only thereby damnified but Gods owne ordinance is thereby violated See Chap. 11. verse 1. Verse 12. It is an abomination for Kings to commit wickednes for the throne is established by iustice IT is an abomination an horrible and loathsome thing wherwith the Lord is highly displeased for Kings for great and mighty men and Magistrates of euery degree to commit wickednesse to walke in impious vncleane and vnrighteous waies for the throne their honour and safety and good estate euery way is established by iustice made firme and continued the longer by their faithfull and vpright behauiour towards God and their people Doct. 1 The greater men be the more grieuous their faults are when they fall into sinne By this argument doth Hosea exaggerate the offenses and iustifie the punishments of the Priests of his time As they Hos 4. 7. were increased saith he that is growen richer and exalted higher they rebelled against me therefore I will change their glorie into shame And Ieremie by way of comparison doth somewhat extenuate the naughtinesse of the vulgar sort to aggrauate the wickednesse of the nobilitie saying They this common people are poore they are foolish for they know not the way Ier. 5. 4. 5. of the Lord nor the iudgement of their God I will get me vnto the great men and will speake vnto them for they haue knowen the way of the Lord and the iudgement of their God but those haue altogether broken the yoke and burst the bonds Wherefore a Lion out of the Forest shall slay them and a Wolfe out of the Wildernesse shall destroy them c. Reason 1 First the more bountifull God hath beene to them the more thankfull they ought to be to him and as he hath increased their wages they should also mend their worke large pay doth duly challenge large paines and therefore contrariwise their great offenses must needs deserue the greater punishment The Lord was wont to ebbraid great personages when they committed great transgressions with the high places he had aduanced them vnto as Saul and Ieroboam and Eli though better than they and Dauid himselfe though best of them all Secondly their sinnes are very pernicious and pestilent they bring euill into request that men by their example will practise it for credit sake When Ieroboam is mentioned hee is vsually described by this that he made Israel to sinne Thirdly they draw downe plagues and iudgements vpon the places and people that are vnder them as Dauid did by his adulterie and murder and when he committed a smaller fault as was the numbring of the people But the strokes which the fearfull sinnes of Manasse Iehoiakim and others brought vpon the City Temple and inhabitants of Ierusalem and Iudah were maruellous lamentable in those daies and very memorable still in these times Vse 1 Reproofe and terrour for such as priuilege themselues by those prerogatiues which they haue aboue other men whereas none are in so dangerous and miserable estate as they They thinke their gentrie will warrant all impietie and their dignitie assure them of impunitie and their eminent places a protection from all punishments And therefore so many are puffed vp with pride and practise crueltie and professe adulterie and breath out blasphemies and liue in voluptuousnesse and scarse forbeare any kinde of iniquitie Instruction for honourable personages to take the right way to preserue their honour by keeping themselues from those corruptions whereunto this age of ours and that state of theirs are very prone Let them therefore read the Scriptures constantly as the King was commanded to doe all the Deut. 17. 19. daies of his life that hee might learne to feare the Lord his God and to keepe all the words of the Law Let them meditate in the same with as great diligence as was required of Ioshua who was to apply himselfe thereto both day and night that he might Iosh 1 8. doe according to all that was written therein Let them haue faithfull Ministers about them which will shew them their sinnes and deale faithfully with their soules as Gad and Nathan did with Dauid and let them hearken to their wholesome counsels as Dauid did to Gads and Nathans Doct. 2 The throne is established c. The goodnesse and iustice of men in authoritie doth better vphold their estate than greatnesse and riches The Lord by Ieremiah declaring how happy Iosiah the father had beene and how wretched Iehoiakim the sonne should be and why the one did speed so well and wherefore the other could thriue no better saith Shalt thou raigne because Ier. 22. 15. thou closest thy selfe in Cedar Did not thy father eat and drinke and prosper when hee executed iudgement and iustice When hee iudged the cause of the afflicted and poore hee prospered Was not this because he knew mee saith the Lord But thine eies and thy heart are only for thy couetousnesse and for oppression c. And so his ruine and destruction is shewed in the words following Reason 1 First there and no where else is stabilitie and assurance where God is a refuge and defense they stand all firme whom he protecteth and downe they must whom he neglecteth And whom doth hee preserue but the righteous And what righteous man was euer forsaken Especially what righteous and godly Prince can possibly bee destitute of his aid and succour Secondly equal and vpright administration of iustice doth knit
iniquitie as Christ and Christians doe loue righteousnesse and hate iniquitie and therefore they like not that any man should delight in that which they hate but wish that euery one would accompanie them in doing that which they loue Secondly they thinke that sinne will lie the lighter vpon their owne consciences if others can be drawen into guiltinesse with them and that they shall be the lesse blemished by that wherewith their neighbours are so much blotted though they make their burden heauier and their faults fouler by seducing their brethren Thirdly they are of their father the diuell and the lusts of their father they must and will doe He hath beene a deceiuer from the Iohn 8. beginning and sinfull wretches will be factors for him vntill the end they can no way else so much resemble him or so well content him Vse Instruction to be so farre from shewing our selues wicked persons in deceiuing of our neighbours that wee declare our selues righteous in directing of them so shall we be aduersaries to Satan and seruants to the Lord so shall wee exercise mercy in being helpfull towards the saluation of Gods elect and not crueltie in being contagious and hurtfull to the soules of any 2. To get vnderstanding and skill whereby wee may discouer the practises of deceiuers and so escape them We haue seene already Chap. 9. verse 16. that their call is Whoso is simple let him come hither and he that is destitute of wisdome And Chap. 11. verse 9. that an hypocrite with his mouth corrupteth his neighbour but the righteous shall bee deliuered by knowledge In which places see both the point and vses intreated of more at large Verse 30. He shutteth his eies to deuise wickednesse he moueth his lips and bringeth euill to passe HE The wicked man formerly spoken of shutteth his eies to deuise wickednesse seriously setteth his minde vpon mischiefe and would not haue his thoughts distracted and drawne away from it by looking heere and there vpon any obiects meaning that hee is very intentiue to inuent that which may doe hurt he moueth his lips hee speaketh softlie and whispereth he dealeth closely and would not be knowen in his practises lest he should be preuented and bringeth euill to passe by his industrie and secrecie doth many shrewd turnes and worketh much villanie Doct. A wicked man is neuer so studious and cunning about any thing as he is in working mischiefe His minde and his members and the whole man ioine together in the seruice of sinne as Isaiah instanceth in the niggard He will speake of niggardnesse and his heart will worke iniquitie Isa 32. 6. and doe wickedly and speake falsly against the Lord to make empty the hungrie soule and to cause the drinke of the thirstie to faile And Micah his testimonie tendeth to the same purpose when he saith that they imagine and worke wickednesse vpon their Micah 2. 1. beds and when the morning is light they practise it Reason 1 First they delight in nothing so much as that which is worst and most pernicious their meat and drinke and rest doe not so much refresh them as leaud behauiour doth affect them For they cannot sleepe except they haue done euill and their Prouer. 4. 16. sleepe departeth except they cause some to fall For they eat the bread of wickednesse and drinke the wine of violence Secondly they are wholly bent to their designements and fully resolued in their purposes and therefore muse and meditate of all such proiects as bee for their furtherance and auoid all the lets and impediments that any way may hinder them Instruction for all that feare God for against them commonly most hurt is intended to be as watchfull and wise for their owne preseruation as the other are painfull and craftie to vndermine them When the one sort shut their eies and fall to plotting it concerneth the other to open their eies and fall to praier that God would behold how their enemies winked wiles and by his good prouidence preuent them Then let them speake out and crie aloud to the Lord for direction helpe and deliuerance when such as seeke their ruine begin to fal to muttering and to conspire together against them in secret And for further vse of this point it is not to be passed ouer that the studiousnesse of these malicious men is imitable though the matter which they study for bee odious and damnable If they cast about how to fulfill their wicked wils shall not wee meditate how to accomplish our godly desires If they beat their braines to finde out deuices for the seruice of Satan the hurt of their neighbours and their owne perdition ought not we to bend our thoughts to learne the best meanes for the glory of God the good of our brethren and our owne saluation The Prophet Isaiah condemneth the Churle for deuising wicked counsels to vndoe the Isa 32. 7. 8. poore with lying words And the same Prophet in the same place commendeth the liberall man for deuising of liberall things and this man saith he will continue his liberalitie Verse 31. The gray head is a crowne of glory when it is found in the way of righteousnesse THE gray head Old age whereof gray haires and a hoare head is a signe is a crowne of glorie yeeldeth commendation to the aged person and maketh him reuerent when it is found in the way of righteousnesse when the old man doth shew himselfe to be religious and righteous whether he hath led his life in that manner from his youth or whether he hath beene conuerted to it now in his latter time Doct. It is a great honour for a man to bee both ancient and godlie When the head is deckt with gray haires and the heart with heauenly graces and the life with vertuous behauiour hee is more gorgeously apparelled than if otherwise he were clad in gold He weareth a Diademe which not the art of man but the finger of God hath fashioned and set vpon his head This was one of the ornaments of those holy Patriarkes Abraham Isaac and Iacob and for this is that worthie widow Anna commended by S. Luke and by this doth the Apostle partly challenge to himselfe authoritie among the people of God as appeareth by his Epistle to Philemon Though I might Philemon 9. be bold to command thee that which is conuenient yet for loues sake I rather beseech thee though I be as I am euen Paul aged Reason 1 First old age of it selfe to them that are godly is a gift of God and a blessing of greater value than wealth and dignities for length of daies is in wisdomes right hand and in her left hand Prouer. 3. 16. riches and glory Secondly as they which haue long liued righteously are well stored with knowledge and experience in themselues so doe they like true trusty and tried souldiers manifest the experience of their faithfulnesse and constancy to all that know them Thirdly they which
profit by few wee shall not be pursued by many if we despise not small ones we shall not be burdened with great ones if words will serue the turne for redresse of things amisse we shall not be much visited with strokes But though our former carelesnesse or stubbornnesse hath caused many of vs to be afflicted as well as reprehended and brought vs to as many troubles as rebukes yet we shall free our selues from the reproch of follie if wee can behold the hand that smiteth vs and be truly humbled for the sins that cause vs to be smitten When our eares be opened to hearken better vnto the voice of God when our lips be prepared to make a more free and ful confession of our faults when our soules be resolued with greater integritie to order our waies we shall be reckoned among the number of the wise for none can be bettered by crosses and sorrowes but hee that hath wisdome and vnderstanding And for this purpose as often as we either giue correction or take it it is expedient to seeke the fruit of the same at Gods hand neither the frequencie of punishments multitude of stripes nor the sharpnesse of strokes without his blessing will euer worke any good effect in the soule It is a true saying and spoken by the spirit of truth Though thou shouldest bray a foole in a morter among wheat braied with a Prouer. 27. 22. pestell yet will not his foolishnesse depart from him Verse 11. An euill man seeketh onely rebellion and a cruell messenger shall be sent against him AN euill man He that is destitute of Gods holy spirit and walketh after the flesh seeketh only rebellion setteth himselfe wholly to transgresse the Commandements of God and delighteth in nothing so much as in that which is contrarie to his will and a cruell messenger shall be sent against him euen as Kings and other Princes send out some forces if need so require to suppresse rebellions and to apprehend and seuerely punish the Rebels so the Lord armeth sometimes men with wrath and power against his enemies and sometimes the Angels and sometimes the vnreasonable creatures and sometimes the insensible creatures to be as it were his officers appointed to plague them without mercy and sometimes his owne hand immediately doth destroy them Doct. No wicked man is better nor shall be otherwise dealt with than a Rebell Not only profest Atheists and Infidels which openlie renounce their Creator and the King of the world are so to be reputed but sinfull dissemblers also which impiously prouoke Christ Iesus their Redeemer the King of the Church are of the same number Of such speaketh Ieremy when hee saith They are all rebellious traitors walking craftily And such Ier. 6. 28. doth Hosea complaine of when he saith My people are bent Hos 11. 7. to rebellion against mee Neither of these sorts thinke themselues well so long as they are not doing of euill In their vocations they are worldly and couetous in their recreations they are sensuall and voluptuous in the worship of God they are negligent and hypocriticall in all their workes in all their words in all their cogitations continually in euery place iniquitie and sinfulnesse floweth from them Reason 1 First they are all of them haters of God such as repine at his honour and glorie Secondly they contemne and violate his Lawes Thirdly they are iniurious and aduersaries vnto his Subiects Fourthly they are souldiers and seruants of Satan his most mortall enemie Vse 1 Instruction to the godly to be warre of them and vnlike vnto them as much as they desire to be liked of God that they commit euill lesse and doe good things better and seeke how to shew obedience not only to the positiue lawes of Magistrates though that be necessarie for euery Christian but also to the diuine Lawes of God which is proper to Christians The best and most ciuill wicked man in all the world is but halfe loyall at the most Albeit none could appeach him of treacherie or contempt against his Prince though few that feare not God be faithfull vnto man yet who can acquite him of rebellion and high treason against his highest soueraigne the Lord Consolation to Gods people whom the wicked doe hate and molest Their enemies are not so violent against them as the Lord for in malice against him they doe so much maligne them and therefore let them be well assured that he will protect his subiects from Rebels his seruants his fauourites his children from the weapons and fury and force of his enemies With this selfe same reason doth he animate and incourage the Prophet Ezechiel saying Thou sonne of man Ezek. 2. 6. feare them not neither be afraid of their words although Rebels and thornes be with thee and thou remainest with scorpions feare not their words nor be afraid at their lookes for they are a rebellious house And the greatest comfort of all is when the Lord giueth them an heart to feare iniquitie and not to delight in it to flie from that which is euill and not to follow it to subiect themselues vnto him and to striue against sinne and not seeke rebellion And what though they haue their frailties their faults their corruptions that they faile of many duties that they fall into many offenses Yet hee putteth a difference betweene faithfull subiects which would and cannot obserue his Lawes better and wilfull Rebels which contemptuously despise his Lawes Hee knoweth that his souldiers are sometimes taken Captiues in fighting for him and his enemies alwaies take vp weapons to fight against him Terror for the vngodly how great soeuer they bee and how safe soeuer they seeme to be for they are vile as being Rebels and in continuall perill of some grieuous plagues for a punishment of their rebellion Good men haue due cause to abhorre their waies for they rise vp in armes against their heauenly King and the righteous God hath cause to execute iudgements vpon them for they oppose themselues against his holy gouernment And therefore when he beginneth to take them in hand neither themselues nor any other shall be able to deliuer them out of his hands Whatsoeuer creature shall haue the commission to torture and torment them will be made both implacable and vnresistable as Iehu to the house of Ahab who spared not his owne mistresse Ahashuerosh to Haman who spared not his owne minion Adramelech and Sharezer to Zanecherib who spared not their owne father And what could the Sodomites say or doe against the violence of the fire And what could Pharao say or doe against the rage of the waters And what could Herod say or doe against the multitude and greedinesse of the vermine Al these tooke their time which was all the time of their life to rebell And God tooke his time at the length which was a seasonable and fit time to send out these cruell messengers against them How strangelie then are they besotted which