loftie a parte for the whole and yet he mentioneth the heart because from thence pride groweth and floweth see Chap. 11.2 also 16.18 and before glorie i. before a man come to glorie and estimation amongst men goeth lowlines vz. of heart and bodie q.d. humilitie is a meane to come to glorie see chap. 15.33 as pride is a meane to come to contempt Vers 13. Hee vz. whosoeuer he be that answereth a matter i. that taketh vpon him to shape an answere to a thing before he heareth it vz. thorowly out or els thus before he heare it i. before he vnderstand it it i. that manner of dealing and his answere also is follie and shame vnto him i. bewrayeth his owne follie and purchaseth him great discredit because he will bee so rash and hastie Vers 14. The spirit of a man i. a man that hath a bold spirit and good courage specially giuen him from God will susteyne i. indure and beare and that with great patience and constancie his infirmitie i. all outward griefs and discommodities whatsoeuer but a wounded spirite i. a man striken with the wrath of God and wounded in conscience for his sinnes or other great causes see Psal 51.17 who can beare it i. who is able to indure it long without great and gracious assistance from God q.d. there is no man nor any thing els for as for the bodie it cannot doo it because it is not his office to rule the spirite and minde but rather the minde and soule it selfe although it be caried about in the bodie to rule guide and gouerne it see Prouerb 15.13 and the note of the Geneua bible is very good also Vers 15. A wise heart i. he that hath obteyned some measure of wisdome alreadie getteth vz. daylie more and more knowledge vz. of Gods will reuealed in his worde and the eare of the wise i. the wise man himself by attentiue harkening seeketh learning i. seeketh daylie increase of the same he ioyneth the heart and the eare together though vnder eyther of them he vnderstand the whole man because that from a heart desirous of knowledge procéedeth the attentiue eare which is apte to learne and earnestly seeketh after it Vers 16. A mans gifte vz. which hee giueth or bestoweth vpon another enlargeth him i. deliuereth him from distresse and leadeth him before great men i. bringeth him into their presence so that he may tell his owne tale and speake for himselfe And here he teacheth what men are wont to doo and not what may bée done though sometimes a man may giue gifts to be deliuered from danger when otherwise he cannot but he must beware with all that he be not thereby iniurious to any other Vers 17. He that is first vz. before the iudge or magistrate in his owne cause i. in laying out his owne cause and the things apperteyning thereto is iust i. so seemeth to bee meaning that he seemeth to haue a iust and good cause then i. afterwards commeth vz. before the iudge his neighbour i. he betweene him and whomthere is some controuersie and vz. the iudge vpon his appearance and speach maketh inquirie of him i. inquireth of either of them how the case standeth laboring by demaunds and questions to get the certeintie thereof q.d. hee that first bringeth his cause to the Iudges seemeth to pleade a right cause til his aduersarie bee heard and the Iudge vnderstand the trueth of the matter Vers 18. The lot vz. whose direction is from the Lord as Chap. 16.33 causeth i. ought to cause contentions to cease vz. amongst men vnlesse they will after the manner of giants fight against God and his decree and maketh a partition vz. iustly and vprightly among the mightie i. yea euen among them that are at great dissention and by reason of their strength and power might hurt one another very much Ioyne this with the other verse thus If the matters betweene men bee so hard and doubtfull that the trueth of them cannot bee knowne then let the lot decide the controuersie Vers 19. A brother offended i. greeued and that with his brother for some one cause or other is harder to winne i. it is a harder matter to winne him to reconciliation than a strong citie i. than a citie well defenred so hard a matter is it to master mens affections see Chap. 16.32 and their contentions i. the strifes betweene them are like the barre of a pallace which must of necessity bee strong sure to keepe the gates of such a great and sumptuous building wherein also many times things of great price are layed vp he meaneth that the angers of brethren one of them towards another are so sharpe and vehement that they can no more easilier be subdued than strong defenced townes conquered or easilier broken then most strong barres Vers 20. With the fruite of a mans mouth i. with his words which are called the fruite of his mouth because they come from it as fruite from a tree shall his bellie be satisfied i. hee shall haue inough of it and with the increase of his lippes i. with the abundance of wordes that his lippes shall vtter and the increase that shall come thereof shall hee be filled i. he shall haue plentie and abundance he meaneth that euery man shall receaue the fruite of his owne speach either good or euill euen as hee hath spoken either wel or euil and these Metaphors of the bellie satisfying and so forth serue but to note the abundance that he shall haue either the one way or the other see before Chap. 12 13 14. also Chap. 13.2 3. Ver. 21. Death and life i. all manner of euill and good all prosperitie and aduersitie are in the power of the tongue i. in the tongue itselfe rightly vsed or abused and they that loue it i. to vse it either the one way or the other shall eate the fruit thereof vz. accordingly meaning that they shall receiue according to the goodnes or illnes of their speach see Matth. 12.37 It is of the same sense and meaning that the other verse before going is Thus we see that such as speake well doo themselues and others good and they that speak euill hurt both themselues and others Vers 22. He that findeth vz. by the special appointment of God a wife i. a good diligent and wise wife findeth a good thing i. a profitable and pleasant thing and receaueth vz. euen in that fauor of the Lord. i. a sure testimonie and token of Gods fauor towards him see Chap. 19.14 he meaneth that a good and godly wife is a singular blessing from the Lord Vers 23. The poore vz. man or men putting one for many speaketh vz. vnto others with praiers i. humbly and beseechingly as a man may say but the rich vz. man or persons answereth vz. when he is demanded any thing or els answering here is put for speaking as before chap. 15.1 28. Also chap. 16.1 roughlie i. bitterly and sharply wee see the truth
their kindred as Isaiah the sonne of Amos Michaiah the sonne of Imlah and such like q.d. that he may bee the more knowne and famous tell what is his kindred or stocke and what is his sonnes name if thou canst tell q d. if thou canst name any let vs heare I am not ignorant that many good writers applie â—his to God the Father and to his sonne Christ but the former is the more plaine and simple sense His meaning is that none can doo or tel these things but God onely and therefore he is most méete to deale in those hard matters and speaches concerning the same And thus hauing laied downe as it were by the way of extenuation his owne insufficiencie he entereth in his measure to discourse of the points and first he treateth of the word of God Vers 5. Euery word of God i. both the whole word of GOD generally and euery part and particle of the same is pure i. true iust holie and frée from all corruption whatsoeuer see Psalme 12.6 Psalme 18.30 Psalme 19.8 he i. God himselfe is a shield vz. of defence and protection against the rage and assaults of their enemies see Psalm 18.2 to those i. to all those both generally and particularly that trust vz. stedfastly and vnfeignedly in him vz. onely see Chap. 29.25 Vers 6. Put nothing vz. of thine owne inuention and deuise vnto his words i. vnto the word that he hath deliuered vnto thée and he speaketh nothing here of taking away because men be more prone to adde vnder the shewe of interpretation and fense than to take away see Deutero 4.2 Also Deutero 12.32 Reuelat. 22.18 c. least he reprooue thee vz. for thy sawcines and malapertnes vnderstanding also by reprouing correcting and punishing and thou be found vz. by that meanes a lier for lying is committed not onely by speaking lesse than the trueth but also by speaking more So he sheweth that there is a double sinne committed by adding to the word the one is the sinne of pride and presumption the other is the sinne of lying Vers 7. Two things vz. particularly and by name as may appeare verse 8. haue I required of thee vz. earnestly and oftentimes yea I require and craue them still for the phrase see Psal 27.4 denie them me not i. graciouslie grant me the same before I dye He meaneth that he would haue and inioye the same so long as he should liue here for after the course of this life were once finished they would stand him in no stead Vers 8. Remoue vz. of thy goodnes farre from me vz. yea so farre that it may neuer take hold of me vanitie i. all vaine delights as Psal 119.37 and lyes i. all vniust and vnfaithfull dealing vnderstanding also by one all manner of transgressing q.d. pardon all my former sinnes and giue me grace daylie more and more to preuaile against the seede of all corruption in me giue me not pouertie nor riches i. not too much of either he sheweth the reason in the next verse and wee must note that though the condition be not here expressed yet he meaneth according to Gods will and so farre foorth as he should see it good for his glorie feede me vz. of thy gracious goodnes and liberalitie see Psalme 104.27 28. with foode conuenient for me I take it to bée the same in other wordes that our Sauiour Christ teacheth vs to pray Matth. 6.11 meaning as much or as little as God shall thinke méete to maintaine this life Vers 9. Least vz. if thou giue mee abundance of riches I be full vz. of all plentie and aboundance and deny thee vz. to beare sway ouer me and forget thee for fulnes worketh many times pride securitie and forgetfulnes see Deutero 8.10.12.14 also Deutero 31.15 Ezech. 6.49 and say vz. either within my selfe or openly vnto others who is the Lord vz. that I neede to care for him sée Exod. 5.2 or least I be poore that is a reason why he would not be pinched with pouertie and steale vz. for the satisfying of my neede see Chap. 6.30 31. and take the name of my God in vaine either by false swearing as the poore people doo to get somewhat or els by my theueerie and loose life slander that glorious name and profession after which I am called marke that both riches and pouertie are from the Lord. Vers 10. Accuse not vz. falsely or without good and great cause a seruant to his Master i. any to his superior for by a seruant he vnderstandeth all in subiection to others hee meaneth by this that hee would haue men to haue peace and frendship with all yea euen with the meanest and to foster concord amongst all sortes least he curse thee i. least by his prayer vnto God he pull a curse from him vppon thee who is the defender and reuenger of the poore see Exod. 22.23 when thou hast offended vz. against him accusing him falsely and without any iust cause Vers 11. There is a generation i. a sorte and kinde of people that curseth their father i. both wisheth and speaketh all manner of euill against him and doth not blesse their mother i. doth not wish well vnto hir meaning thereby cursing of hir for the punishment of such children read Exod. 21.17 And this kinde of hebrue speach where one and the selfe same thing is repeated by the contrarie with a deniall is vsuall in Scripture see Deuteron 33.6 and other places his meaning is q.d. such children as prouoke contemne and despise their parents and vtter slanderous and cursed speaches against them are a vile kinde of people and shewe themselues to be rebellions persons Vers 12. There is a generation see before vers 11. that are pure in their owne conceit i. thinke themselues holy iust c. and yet vz. for all their owne imagination and outward shewe to others are not washed vz. by the water of the worde and spirit he meaneth that they are not made cleane for washing see Psal 51.2 7. from that filthines vz. from that filthines of sinne which they haue both in body and in spirit see 2. Cor. 7.1 In the other verse hee spake against peruerse stubborne people and here he dealeth against hipocrites a perilous kinde of people who outwardly making shewe of holines of life are notwithstanding in their minde most impure and many times euen by deedes declare the same though that they think by an outward vizard of holines to couer their filthines Vers 13. There is a generation see verse 11. of this Chap. whose eyes are hautie i. who doo declare the pride of their heart by their verie lookes and their eye liddes are lifted vp vz. on high farre aboue others he putteth the signe of pride for pride because euen in the eyes and countenance there is a manifestation of pride as chap. 6.17 or els for proude persons themselues vsing the same against whom hee here dealeth Ver. 14. There is a generation whose
loue wherwith they are replenished either Christianly couer that which is amisse or curteouslie cure it And as for you good Madame though I rest perswaded that it shall bee well accepted of you yet can I not but againe againe beseech you to receiue it not only as from the hand but as frō the heart of him who if either his poore praiers in absence or speach in presence or any thing els either within him or without him could any many manner of way either further you or answere some part of that christian kindnes which he hath receiued from you would not bee wanting in any duetie toward you or yours that GOD shal inable him to performe Now the very God of peace sanctifie you throughout and grant that your whole spirit soule and bodie may be kept blameles vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ London the xxv of this September 1589. Your good Ladiships as very much bounden so in al things very readie in Christ to his poore power T.W. the Lords vnworthie seruant To the godlie and Christian Reader BE aduertised J pray thee gentle Reader and that for thine owne good and better vnderstanding of the things thou shalt reade in this booke that wheresoeuer thou shalt finde this .i. it signifieth as much as that is to say and where these two letters q.d. are vsed it importeth thus much as though he would say and obserue withall that vz. is to wit c. Other things I doubt not but thou wilt of thy selfe through Gods blessing well perceiue as the more learned sort shall also without me and yet for those that had not such skill I could not but note these things as for those that haue attained to more vnderstanding and knowledge this Distichon Sperare in Christum vitae tolerare labores Et benè posse mori disce beatus eris Lord giue vs vnderstanding in all things speciallie in the mysteries of thy holie Lawe that wee maie like of and allow those things onelie which be right and holie before thee through Christ So be it An Exposition vpon the Prouerbes THIS whole Booke as J take it may bee diuided into two Parts Jn the first Salomon teacheth vs how we should stande affected towards God and his truth and this is comprehended in the nine first Chapters of this Booke Jn the second he deliuereth particular doctrines speciallie such as concerne our dutie towards men are to be referred to men maners words deeds and other circumstances from chapter 10. to the end of the Booke CAP. 1. THis Chapter as I suppose maybe diuided into three parts In the first Di. 1 is conteined a Proeme or Preface to the whole worke setting out the Writer the ende vse and profite of the same from vers 1. to the ende of the 6. In the seeond is comprehended an exhortation to goodnesse and an Di. 2 admonition to auoide the entisements of sinners from vers 7. to the end of the 19. In the third is declared the great paines that Gods wisedome taketh Di. 3 to drawe men vnto him but how little it preuaileth amongst them which sinne of theirs they shall not carrie away vnpunished from vers 20. to the end of the Chapter Vers 1. THe Parables i. Se. the figuratiue and darke kinde of speaches sée Psal 49.4 also 78.2 sée also Matth. 13 3.10 11.34 35. True it is that the Hebrue word signifieth all kinde of figuratiue speaches whatsoeuer of which sorte wee shall sée manie in this Booke somtimes expressed by similitudes sometimes by Allegories sometimes by Metaphores and sometimes by one meanes and sometimes by another and yet I thinke it may verie wel be taken for sentences words or speaches which as they are grauelie shortlie vttered so doo notwithstanding containe in them plentie of good matter of Salomon Here we sée who was the pen-man vtterer of these graue sentences sée 1. King 4.32 and when he saith of Salomon he meaneth that Salomon spake them and these I take as also all that follow to be Salomons owne words speaking of himselfe in the third person the sonne of Dauid vz. who was a man according vnto Gods owne heart and this serueth both for the commendation of Salomon and of his Booke So that we sée in this verse the work to be commended first for the excellencie of it vnder the word Parables secondly of the Writer vz. Salomon the wisest man that euer was thirdlie of the Writers Parents vz. Dauid a verie godlie man lastly of the state condition wherin either the Father or the Writer or both were vz. King of Jsrael i. ruler gouernor of the people that was called by the name of their great grandfather Iaakob And though this word King of Israel may séeme to be referred both to Dauid and Salomon because they were both Kings ouer that people yet I take it that it ought chieflie and onelie in this place to be referred to Dauid Vers 2. To know vnderstand héere thus much which parables and graue sentences were written to this end that men might learne and know wisedome i. absolute stedfast and effectuall knowledge both of heauenlie and worldlie things and instruction vz. concerning men their duties to the ende that they that by nature are rude and vnskilfull may by this doctrine be reclaimed to a better trade and course of life to vnderstand q. d. whereby also a man may vnderstand the words of knowledge i. such spéeches and sentences as are with skill knowledge and iudgement vttered and spoken Some thinke that there are thrée sorts of knowledge set down in this verse which may be obteined by the reading of this Booke vnderstanding by wisedome the certaine and assured knowledge of euerie thing by instruction the waies and meanes to attaine to that knowledge which héere is set after it because the other in dignitie and worthinesse goeth before it and by vnderstanding the words of knowledge he vnderstandeth prudence as when by the helpe of wisedome and knowledge a man obteineth abilitie to iudge of matters and to perceiue one thing by another Vers 3. To receiue vz. from the mouth of thy teacher if thou be a scholler and learner for in this verse he sheweth the profite that it will bring to learners and in the next verse how it will inable teachers instruction sée vers 2. meaning also by instruction good rules holie counsell and right order to doo wiselie vz. in all the waies that thou shalt walke and all the things that thou shalt attempt by iustice and iudgement and equitie This place is turned as though these things were meanes instruments of a good mans wise dealing whereas I suppose it should be turned thus as also some doo turne it To receaue the instruction of vnderstanding i. wise and skilfull instruction of iustice iudgement and euerie right thing vnderstanding by iustice iust holie and good workes by iudgement that sentence whereby euerie man hath his owne yéelded
that is angrie with vs but are rather tokens of his fatherly loue correcting vs. Vers 13. Blessed is the man i. hee hath abundance of blessings as Psalm 119.1 vnderstanding by one many also that findeth i. through earnest labour and studie obtaineth wisedome i. true and heauenlie wisedome and the man i. men as before in this verse to wit are blessed that getteth vz. from the Lord and through his blessing by the meanes mentioned chapt 2.1 2 3 4. verses vnderstanding i. sound and sincere knowledge of his will reuealed in his word Ver. 14. For the marchandise thereof i. both the paines taken for obtaining of it as the marchants are wont to trauaile sore for their goods and the thing it self being once obtained is better i. both more profitable and more of value and therefore the better to bee esteemed than the marchandise of siluer i. than the gaine or increase that ariseth of siluer though a man might multiplie it vnto mountaines and the gaine thereof i. the increase that commeth by it is better see before in this verse than gold yea than most fine gold see Psalm 19.10 The reason is plaine because these things are temporall but the fruites which she yeeldeth are eternall and this verse comprehendeth a reason why wisedome should bee imbraced Vers 15. It vz. wisedome and vnderstanding is more precious vz. in it selfe and ought so to be esteemed of them that bee truely touched than pearles i. than all sortes of precious stones see Psalme 119.14 72. Vers 16. Length of daies vz. of a mans life q.d. long life see verse 2. of this Chapter is in her right hand i. in her power to giue to all those that apprehend and take hold of her and in her left hand i. on the other side of her are riches and glorie i. abundance of other worldly blessings whatsoeuer I take it that wisedome is set out here as some honorable woman or great personage that with both handes giueth good things to such as followe her q.d. she hath all good thinges in her and doth with both handes i. plentifullie bestowe the fame vnderstanding also by these outward blessings inwarde and spirituall no doubt els were the other outwarde of no great value to account of Vers 17. Her waies i. the courses and orders that she taketh and prescribeth are waies of pleasure i. are pleasant waies so that a godlie man shall take great pleasure to be conuersant in the same and all her pathes by pathes he vnderstandeth the same that he did by peace before prosperitie or as it is in the Hebrue peace that is abounding with all manner of prosperitie see verse 2. of this Chapter It is worth the noting that he saith the waies of wisedome are not only pleasant but prosperous and safe for there are many waies which are pleasant but yet dangerous and on the other side there are many safe but yet without pleasure but in the waies of wisedome we shall finde both these commodities Vers 18. She i. wisedome is a tree of life i. a tree that giueth life and quickneth or as one interpreteth it a most assured signe of eternall life whatsoeuer it is he alludeth no doubt to the tree mentioned Genes 2.9 also Genes 3.22 to them i. to all them that lay hold on her vz. surely neuer letting their hold slippe for so much I suppose the Hebrue worde may well import and blessed is he vz. of what state or condition so euer he be see verse 13. of this Chapter that retaineth her vz. fast and sure with him hauing an earnest care and indeuour neuer to let her go Ver. 19. The Lord vz. himselfe by wisedome i. by his eternall word see Chapter 8.30 hath laied the foundation of the earth i. hath founded it so firmely that it shall not bee moued see Psalme 102.25 also Psalme 104.5 and hath stablished the heauens through vnderstanding i. by his eternall wisedome he hath established them and all the powers thereof in that comelines and beautie that we now see Vers 20. By his knowledge the depths are broken vp by depths he vnderstandeth fountaines and flouds breaking out and as it were flowing from the nethermost partes of the earth euen as though the earth did cleaue it selfe in sunder to giue them passage and the clowdes vz. of the ayre droppe downe the deaw vz. from heauen and here he speketh of deaw because it is very profitable for the increase of trées herbs plants c. Giuing vs to vnderstand hereby that all things are directed and kept in their courses by the eternall wisedome knowledge and prouidence of almightie God Vers 21. My sonne see Chapter 1.8 let not these things i. neither wisedome nor knowledge it selfe nor the reasons which I haue vsed to mooue thée to obey it depart from thine eyes i. be neuer forgotten of thée because we best remember those things that are in our sight but obserue i. diligently marke wisedome and counsell i. that wisedome and counsell which alone is true and holie that thou maiest bee acquainted with it and be partaker of the fruites of it Verse 22. So i. by that meanes and after that sort receiued they i. the wisedome and word of God shall bee life vnto thy soule i. shall quicken thee in the inner man and shall bee as it were the seedes and nourishments of eternall life in thee and grace i. comelines and an ornament vnto thy necke i. to thy whole man or to thée thy selfe a part put for the whole see also Chapter 1. verse 9. Vers 23. Then vz. when thou shalt bee thus instructed shalt thou walke safely by thy way i. thou shalt prosperouslie performe whatsoeuer thou hast to doo and thy foote shall not stumble vz. so that thou shouldest be grieuouslie hurt thereby q.d. all things which thou attemptest shall haue good successe and thou shalt liue peaceable and plentifullie Vers 24. If thou sleepest vz. in any place either in thy'ded or els where thou shalt not be afraide vz. of any hurt or euill that may decide thee because thou staiest thy selfe vpon his power and prouidence that neither slumbereth nor sleepeth and when thou sleepest vz. in any place as before thy sleepe i. the sleepe that thou shalt take and shall be giuen thee from God shall be sweete i. comfortable and profitable vnto thée Vers 25. Thou shalt not feare i. thou shalt not bee astonished or ouercome with feare for any sodaine feare i. for any thing that comming sodainlie vpon men doth commonly make them afraied and as it were take away their wittes and spirites from them neither for the destruction of the wicked i. that great destruction that shall come vpon the wicked for then the Lord will either miraculouslie deliuer thee or els howsoeuer thy bodie fall with the wicked yet thy soule yea and thy bodie also at the last shall bee receiued into euerlasting ioy when it commeth vz. fearcelie and sodainlie vpon thée see Chapter 1.27 Vers 26.