He meaneth that to follow the wayes of the harlot bringeth with it death and destruction both of bodie and soule Verse 19. All they vz. of what state or condition soeuer they be that go vnto her i. that haue but some familiaritie or beginning of acquaintance with hir returne not againe vz. without touch or taint of some mischiefe meaning also that they hardlie returne to the Lord by vnfeined repentance neither take they hold of the wayes of life i. they liue not againe or returne into life meaning also by life and the waies thereof a better order or course of life than they lead before And though he speake the same things in many wordes meaning that they shall not at any hand escape destruction yet the wordes must bee vnderstood of eternall death rather than of temporal bodilie death which yet notwithstanding the adulterers purchase and procure to themselues by their incessant filthie life Vers 20. Therefore q.d. seeing thou seest what iudgements shall fall vppon the wicked ioyne thou thy selfe to the good others reade it otherwise but me thinketh this is plaine enough walke thou in the way of good men i. be conuersant with them and order thy life well according to the good orders and courses of their life and keepe the waies of the righteous vz. in thy conuersation and behauiour q.d. in thy life followe their good and holie steppes Vers 21. For he sheweth here a reason taken from the iust iudgements of God towards the good in this verse and towards the wicked vers 22. the iust 1. those that haue care and conscience of iustice wel doing shall dwell in the land vz. which the Lord hath mercifullie giuen them for I take it that he alludeth to the promises made in the lawe Exodus 20.12 and other places Yet so that vnder the same he meaneth all manner of blessings whatsoeuer see Psalm 37.29 and the vpright men see Psalme 119.1 shall remaine in it vz. a long season Vers 22. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth vz. through the iust iudgement of God against them for their sinnes and the transgressors i. such as transgresse against God and his lawe shall be rooted out of it vnder this word he meaneth that the wicked shall assuredlie sodainlie and vtterlie be destroyed see Psalme 37.36 38. also Psalme 52.5 And héere vnderstand by these outward and corporall things inward spiritual and eternal either life or death and marke that this is vsuall with him to amplifie by the contrarie as Chapt. 1.32 33. Chapt. 3.35 and in sundrie other places Do. Vers 1. Teacheth to bring with vs a mind readie prepared to receiue good things Vers 2. Teacheth vs to haue care faithfullie to retaine and keepe those good things which wee haue heard and learned Vers 3. Teacheth vs to vse earnest and continuall praier for the obtaining of al good things whatsoeuer Vers 4. Teacheth vs to spare no labour or cost for the obtaining of good things yea the better that the things are which we seeke for the more earnestlie to trauaile therein Vers 5. Teacheth vs that if wee seeke for the things of God with that affection that he requireth and to the ende he commandeth wee shall not lose our labour Vers 6. Teacheth vs that the gift of wisedom knowledge iudgement and euery good gift whatsoeuer commeth from the Lord. Vers 7. Teacheth vs Gods great care and singular prouidence ouer those that be his Vers 8. Teacheth vs that God reuealeth knowledge and wisedome vnto those that bee his to the end that they might learne according to the same to direct all their waies Vers 9. Teacheth vs that we know nothing of goodnes till God make the same manifest vnto vs. Vers 10. Teacheth vs both in the inward man and in the outward man to take delight and pleasure in good things Vers 11 12. c. Teach vs what great benefites sound and sincere knowledge of Gods heauenly will wisedom shall bring with it to thē that haue attained through Gods goodnesse to the same Vers 12. Teacheth vs to auoid al frowardnes whether it be in heart or speach Vers 13. Teacheth vs to take heed that we bleare not the light which God hath made manifest vnto vs. Vers 14. Teacheth vs to beware of reioycing in euill and naughtinesse for that is the height and toppe of all sinne Vers 15. Teacheth vs that when men delight in crooked waies they more and more go astray from God in following the leaudnes of their own soules Vers 16. Painteth out very liuely the qualities and conditions of a harlot or strumpet Vers 17. Sheweth that in adulterie there is a double transgression committed one against God and another against man which is the husband Vers 18.19 Shewe how dangerous and deadlie a thing it is to haue any familiaritie or acquaintance at all with light and dishonest women Vers 20 Teacheth vs to set good men in their goodnesse before our eyes to bee examples and patternes of good life and conuersation vnto vs. Vers 21 22. Set out the difference betweene the reward of the good and the bad both in this life but especiallie in the life to come CHAP. 3. Co. IN the other Chapter the holie Ghost had exhorted men to imbrace and obey wisedome and now because this doctrine is not easilie yeelded vnto yea mans nature doth whollie rebell against the same he beginneth new and fresh exhortations prouoking men to earnest and vnfained imbracing of Gods word Di. THe Chapter may be diuided into three parts In the first he setteth out Di. 1 the vse of Gods word which teacheth vs to trust in God to feare and honour him and pacientlie to abide his corrections from vers 1. to the end of the 12. In the second part he citeth promises and blessings assuring vs Di. 2 that all things shall fall out well to them that subiect themselues to Gods word and wisedome from verse 13. to the end of the 26. In the third he laboureth Di. 3 to remoue such euils as might hinder men from imbracing Gods word and wisedome as the doing of iniurie keeping companie with the wicked c. setting out the iustice of Gods iudgements against the dooing and doers thereof from verse 27. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. MY sonne see Chapter 1.8 forget not thou vz. at any time my lawe i. my doctrine and instruction and he calleth it his not because he was the author of it but the vtterer or penner of it but let thine heart whollie and soundlie keepe vz. within it in respect of knowledge my commandements i. both the things that I command the words in which I expresse them Vers 2. For they i. the not forgetting and keeping of them shall increase the length of thy daies and the yeares of life i. of thy life He meaneth not that the daies and termes which the Lord hath set vs shall bee lengthened or shortned but he speaketh it according
beléeue bare words only Vers 17. Stollen waters are sweete I take these to be the words of the harlot intising the foolish and simple man q.d. wee will secretly commit whoredome which to the flesh in deede seemeth very pleasant and sweet and not only because it is not seene or knowne but also because the desire and vse of strange flesh which is called in this place the euerie is or at the least seemeth delectable for the time and hidde bread is pleasant i. bread eaten in corners which they dare not eate openly either because it was forbidden them or because it was stollen Vnder these two similitudes she meaneth one thing that is secret or close committing of whoredom and here we may see that euen by the account of whores and harlots whoredome is condemned as a vile sinne Vers 18. But he vz. who is so intised of her knoweth not vz. being deceiued through the sweetnes and pleasures of sinne which indure but for a while that the dead are there i. that such as vse her house and frequent her companie are dead alreadie as 1. Timoth. 5.6 and that her guestes i. such as she hath bidden and doo yéeld to her bidding are in the depth of hell i. are alreadie condemned some referre it to the graue but the other sense also is true vnlesse it please God to giue them vnfeigned repentance and amendment of life Do. Verse 1 2 3. Set out the great loue that God beareth towardes man which teacheth vs on the otherside not to requite it with vnkindnesse as when he louinglie calleth we should chorlishly refuse to come but thankfully to accept of the time of his gracious and fatherly visitation Vers 4. Teacheth vs that our ignorance or wickednesses should bee no cause of estranging our selues from God but rather spurres to prouoke vs to drawe nigh vnto him for the amendement thereof Verse 5. Teacheth vs reuerently and louingly to imbrace Gods graces offered Vers 6. Teacheth vs that Christian righteousnes consisteth of these two partes in hating the euill and doing the good things Vers 7. Setteth out rather the nature of the wicked who cannot away with the word of reproofe than discourage vs any whit at all from performing of that great duetie of charitie and loue Verse 8. Teacheth vs that godly admonition bringeth not foorth the like fruites and effects in all Verse 9. Teacheth vs that the godlie can alwaies well away to be reproued and admonished Vers 10. Teacheth vs the right and reuerent feare of Gods Maiestie and also the true feeling of the societie and fellowship of the brethren Verse 11. Teacheth vs that whosoeuer vnfeignedly imbraceth Gods heauenly wisedome shall haue abundance of graces bestowed vpon him Verse 12. Sheweth that scorners and scoffers shal not escape vnpunished Verse 13. Sheweth that these are two properties of a harlot brauling and ignorance Verse 14. Teacheth vs that this is another note of a light person gadding and fisking abroad Vers 15. Teacheth vs that harlots are for the most part impudent and shamelesse Verse 16. Teacheth vs not to beleeue all words for harlots many times will labour to allure with the same words that holie wisedome doth and all to make her perswasions more plausible Verse 17. Teacheth that adulterie is a notorious kind of the euerie or robbing Verse 18. Teacheth that how pleasant soeuer the delights of sinne be for a while yet their end is sharpe and miserable CHAP. 10. Co. HEtherto the holie Ghost was occupied speciallie in the commendation of holie wisedome which chiefly respecteth our dueties towards God now hauing dispatched and finished that poynt he proceedeth in this and the other Chapters following to speake both of the generall and particular dueties that in God and for God we owe one of vs to another and this he doth not in any curious methode or order no more than they doo which take vppon them in few wordes to deliuer rules of life such as amongst the heathen were sundrie as Cato Isocrates and others And yet wee will indeuour and assay to make as apt both connexions and diuisions of the Chapters as it shall please God to giue vs grace Di. TRue it is that sundrie and seuerall instructions of doctrine are contained in this Chapter as also in the Chapters following and therefore can hardlie admit any apt diuision notwithstanding I suppose it may well be diuided into three parts In the first the holie Ghost speaketh of wise and Di. 1 foolish children of goods wickedly gotten of Gods prouidence towards the good and his iustice against the bad of idlenes and sloth of Gods fauour and iustice towards the godly and vngodly of the waies of the wicked and the godlie of hypocrites and of good men and this reacheth from verse 1. to the end of the 11. In the second he intreateth of hatred and loue Di. 2 of wise men and fooles of riches and pouertie of obedience hypocrisie babling the godly mans words and the wicked mans heart from verse 12. to the end of the 21. In the third he intreateth of Gods fauour of fooles Di. 3 and their feare and destruction of slothfull persons of the good and the bad and of their vnlikely fruites and rewardes and this reacheth from verse 22. vnto the end of the Chapter Se. THis Chapter hath as it were a title thus The Parables of Salomon see the same wordes expounded before Chapter 1.1 Vers 1. A wise sonne i. a good and godlie child whether it be sonne or daughter maketh a glad father i. causeth the father much to reioyce vnderstanding by father both the parents and kinsfolkes because he is chiefe see Chapter 15.20 but a foolish sonne i. a wicked and a lewd childe is an heauines vz. of heart and great griefe to his mother i. to his parents c. as before one being put for manie Vers 2. The treasures of wickednes i. such treasures as wicked men get by wicked meanes how much soeuer it be and thinke will stand them in stead see for this phrase Luke 16.9 profite nothing vz. at all that is can not stand him in stead against the euils which are readie to fal vpon him and death that hangeth presently ouer his head see Psalme 49.6 7 c. but righteousnes i. vpright and faithfull dealing yea though a man haue no treasure at all deliuereth from death i. ouercommeth all euilles and dangers whatsoeuer and causeth that euen death it selfe is not hurtfull to the righteous Vers 3. The Lord vz. who is faithfull and iust in all his promises will not famish vz. through any want or neede the soule of the righteous i. the good mans life see Psalme 34.10 Also Psalme 37.25 He meaneth that howsoeuer they be afflicted on euery side yet shall they not bee distressed or destituted for euer see 2. Cor. 4.8 but he casteth away or scattereth vz. as a thing of no account the substance of the wicked i. all that he hath and possesseth and this he doth
he can scarce begin to speake but he will vtter wordes tending either to his owne destruction or the great hurt of others Vers 15. The rich mans goods i. the land monie and whatsoeuer els he hath are his strong citie i. are as sure an ayde and defence vnto him as he supposeth as if he were in a walled towne but the feare of the needie is their pouertie i. their pouertie maketh them to feare this and that and least one inconuenience or other should fall vpon them Vers 16. The labour of the righteous i. those things which good people labour for and get by their labour see labour so vsed Chapter 5.10 tendeth to life i. to the maintenance and vpholding of his owne life and other mens too in this life see Ephes 4.28 but the reuenues of the wicked i. all the increase how great or little so euer it be that the wicked hath to sinne i. serueth not for his neede but for pleasure and the satisfying of his wicked affections one while in oppression another while in whoredome c. Vers 17. He that regardeth vz. diligently and attentiuely instruction vz. whether it bee from God or men as his meanes and instruments is in the way of life i. is entred into that course that will bring him not only to goodnes in this life but in the end to eternall life also but he that refuseth correction vz. as though he were a disobedient and rebellious child goeth out of the way vz. which leadeth to true blessednes either in this life or in the life to come Vers 18. He that dissembleth hatred i. the corrupt affection of his heart with lying lippes i. with fained words which indéed are but lyes making as though he bare a man good wil whereas indéed he hateth him cruelly and that vnto death and he that inuenteth slaunder i. slaunderous and false reports against another man is a foole i. a very wicked person He noteth here two kind of persons which regard not instruction to wit hypocrites and obstinate fellowes see before verse 10. of this Chapter Vers 19. Jn many words vz. spoken rashly and vnaduisedly there cannot want iniquitie i. it cannot be auoided but that there is great sinne but he that refraineth his lippes vz. from rash and hastie speach see Psalme 34.13 is wise i. is truely wise indeed He meaneth that a wise man is spare in his speach and vttereth nothing rashlie but doth before hand well ponder the same otherwise it is a hard matter but that amongst such as rashly and without choyce speake many things there shall be much sinne in their speaches Neither mindeth he here to condemne abundance of words which tend to edification and doctrine Vers 20. The tongue of a iust man i. the wordes and speaches which he vttereth with his tongue as before verse 11. The mouth of a righteous man is as fined siluer i. is as precious and excellent as the most fine siluer see Chapter 8.19 Meaning by this manner of speach that they are most excellent and therefore to be imbraced but the heart of the wicked is little worth i. is worth little or nothing at all Now if the heart from whence the speach first commeth bee of no regard then much lesse to be esteemed are the words themselues so that he vnderstandeth by heart the words also which doo manifest the same for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh see Math. 12.34 Vers 21. The lippes of the righteous i. his good and holie words as verse 13. of this Chapter doo feede many vz. with good things as with the gift of knowledge iudgement vtterance and such like but fooles shall dye for want of wisedome q.d. so farre off is it that they can feed many or any by their word and speach that for want of sound iudgement and knowledge they shal pull destruction vpon themselues Vers 22. The blessing of the Lord vz. only or alone it vz. indeed and nothing but it maketh rich i. maketh men rich as verse 4. of this Chapter And how true this is wée haue it daylie confirmed by experience and finde it written also Psalme 127.1 2 c. and he doth adde no sorowes with it i. God doth most perfectly make men rich and setteth his farre off from al griefes that the wicked haue with their riches Vers 23. Jt is a pastime to a foole to doo wickedly i. he taketh great delight and pleasure in the same as men doo in their sports or pastimes but wisedome is vnderstanding to a man i. it bringeth him to great iudgement and vnderstanding both of Gods matters and mens Vers 24. That vz. euill and punishment which the wicked feareth vz. to bee powred forth vppon him shall come vpon him vz. both sodainlie and certainly see Chapter 1.26 27. but God will graunt vz. in great mercie the desire of the righteous i. such good things as godlie men wish and pray for according to his will Vers 25. As the whirle wind passeth vz. away and that with great vehemencie and sodainnes so is the wicked no more vz. to bee seene but he passeth from his place with as great swiftnes see Psalme 37.37 but the righteous is as an euerlasting foundation i. shall remaine stedfast for euer and euer as a foundation that cannot be remoued Vers 26. As vineger is vz. hurtfull to the teeth vz. of a man because the power and force of it speciallie if it be taken in any great quantitie doth dull the teeth and as smoke vz. is hurtfull to the eyes vz. of men because it doth not onely trouble them much many times but also in some is a meane to drawe humors downe too fast so is the slothfull i. idle or negligent person to them that send him vz. about any affaires either publike or priuate He exhorteth men from vsing heauie and sluggish persons in performance of any their businesses because they can get nothing by such but trouble and griefe Vers 27. The feare of the Lord i. an vnfeigned reuerence of God in mens hearts increaseth the daies vz. of mans life he meaneth by this speach that it is a meane to bring them with greater peace and prosperitie to the yeres which they should liue by Gods appoyntment or by their owne nature or by the constitution of their bodies but the yeares of the wicked i. of their life shall be diminished vz. very much And as Dauid saith in one of his Psalmes the vngodlie shall not liue out halfe his daies Vers 28. The pacient abiding vz. for the execution and performance of Gods will of the righteous i. which the righteous haue and vse shall be gladnes i. shall certainlie in the ende bee recompenced with abundance of ioy for he speaketh of the plural number and this must be vnderstood not only because they hope they shall inioy gladnes but also because their hope shall end in gladnes and they obtaine that which they hoped for and so be made throughly
to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. FAlse balances vz. vsed in buying and selling he putteth the balance for all thereto appertaining are an abhomination vnto the Lord i. are such things as the Lord abhorreth and condemneth by the Lawe see Leuit. 19.35 36. Deuter. 25.13 14 15 16. And vnder this he condemneth all fraudulent dealing in buying and selling whatsoeuer but a perfect weight i. an vpright and iust weight In the Hebrue text it is stone because they were wont to weigh with stones pleaseth him vz. greatly or much Vers 2. When pride commeth vz. vppon any man i. when any man beginneth to waxe proude against or aboue others then commeth vz. vnto him shame vz. amongst and before men He meaneth that contempt is the companion of pride see Prouerb 16.18 but with the lowlie vz. in heart as well as in outward shewe is wisedome i. true wisedome which lowlines and wisedome ioyned together doo truely exalt a man see Prouerb 15.33 Also 18.12 Vers 3. The vprightnes of the iust i. their vpright and iust dealings towards God and men shall guide them vz. euen whether they would come or els it shall keepe them safe and sound for euer and leade them thorowe out the whole course of their life till they come to the hauen of safetie here and of heauen in the life to come as may appeare by the verses following but the frowardnes of the transgressors i. of such as trāsgresse Gods law meaning by peruersnes or frowardnes not onely that which is in themselues but also that wherewith they doo either on the one side oppresse others or on the other side peruert or make them like naught vnto themselues shall destroy i. shall be a forcible meane to pull vpon them from God a iust destruction Vers 4. Riches vz. whether they bee gotten iustly or vniustly that is not the matter auaile not vz. any whit at all in the day of wrath i. at any time when God sheweth himselfe angrie q.d. such as trust when God laieth any either publike or priuate calamitie vpon them to bée deliuered through their riches they are much deceiued see Ezech. 7.16 Zepha 1.18 but righteousnes deliuereth from death i. the righteous are deliuered either from bodilie punishments in this life or els altogether from eternall death see this expounded before Chapt. 10.2 Vers 5. The righteousnes i. the good conscience and faithfull dealing of the vpright vz. in heart as well as in word for both must concurre shall direct his way i. keepeth him vpright in this life and ordereth the whole course of the same so that he hath good successe in all things and falleth not because he laboureth continually to followe Gods will but the wicked shall fall vz. certainlie and assuredly in his owne wickednes i. either as he is walking in his owne wicked and crooked waies or els in that wickednes that he hath deuised against others he shall be snared but I rather like of the first sense Ver. 6. The righteousnes of the iust see before verse 5. of this Chapter shall deliuer them vz. from eternall death and all hurtfull dangers in this life as verse 4. of this Chapt. but the transgressors vz. of Gods lawe shall be taken vz. certainly and sodainly in their owne wickednes i. in that which they had deuised against others and indéede laied vpon them see Psalme 7.15 or els expound it as verse 5. of this Chapter Vers 7. When a wicked man dieth vz. here amongst men his hope i. both the hope he himself had to oppresse others and the hope that other men had in him perisheth vz. vtterly and commeth to nothing and the hope of the vniust shall perish q.d. be assured of this that his hope shall take no effect and he repeateth the thing for the more certaintie of it I knowe other men reade it and expound it otherwise but me thinketh this is plaine Vers 8. The righteous escapeth vz. thorowe the goodnes and mercie of God out of trouble i. out of sundrie and manifold troubles see Psalme 34.19 and the wicked shall come in his stead vz. into affliction and troubles q.d. we doo oftentimes see it fall out that the wicked man commeth into the place of the righteous man being deliuered from trouble euen as it were a redemption for him Vers 9. An hypocrite i. he that thinketh one thing with his heart and speaketh another thing with his mouth with his mouth i. with his false counterfeit words mouth put for words vttered with the mouth as sundrie times before hurteth his neighbour vz. either while he bringeth men to the state of dissimulation that he himselfe is in or els while he seemeth friendly in words yet in heart wishing him euill he laboureth to destroy him and his substance but the righteous shall be deliuered vz. through Gods grace and goodnes from such hypocrites and dissemblers by knowledge vz. of their falsehood and hypocrisie and by a wise foresight shall deliuer himselfe and others from their corruption Vers 10. In the prosperitie of the righteous i. when good men prosper florish and are exalted the citie i. the people of the citie if they be godlie wise and indued with vnderstanding and this must not only bée referred to cities but to kingdomes he putting a part of a kingdome for the whole reioyceth vz. excéedingly and as it were with singing and shouting for so much I suppose the Hebrue word and text will yéeld and when the wicked perish vz. from amongst men meaning when they dye there is ioy vz. yea great ioy amongst the people of the kingdome or citie they reioyce in the one because of the good they receiue from them and reioyce at the departure of the other because of the euilles they indured vnder them Ver. 11. By the blessing of the righteous i. by the good deedes and good words of godlie men which are called blessings because that by them God doth after a sort powre blessings vpon the people the citie is exalted vz. very much that is it hath a great name and florisheth mightelie but it is subuerted i. quite and cleane destroyed by the mouth of the wicked i. by wicked wordes and counsels that the vngodlie vtter and giue see verse 9. of this Chapter Vers 12. He that despiseth vz. either in countenance worde or deede his neighbour i. any man that is any manner of way ioyned vnto him is destitute of wisedome i. bewraieth himselfe to bee a very foolish man but a man of vnderstanding i. he that is truely wise indeede will keepe silence i. will temper himselfe and abstaine from shewing contempt any manner of way against another Vers 13. He that goeth about as a slanderer vz. of other men It seemeth to bee a metaphore taken from pedlers who mingle sundrie sortes of ware together and go from place to place to vtter those things which they haue receiued of others so slanderers tell that to one which they haue heard of
7. and finde vz. so that thou shalt obtaine and possesse the knowledge of God i. such knowledge of him as thou oughtest to haue of which see Iohn 17.3 and also shalt knowe by experience that he knoweth thee that is careth for thee as may appeare by vers 6 7. following Vers 6. For the Lord vz. alone and none but he giueth vz. freelie of his owne mercie wisedome i. true and heauenlie wisedome Iames 3.15 17. q.d. I sayd before that thou shouldest find wisedome knowledge but now least thou shouldest ascribe it to thine owne strength I tell thee it must come from God which giueth it plentifullie c. Iames 1.5 out of his mouth he meaneth Gods good will and pleasure manifested vnto vs by his word vnderstanding his word also thereby see Deutr. 8.3 Math. 4.4 commeth knowledge i. all sound knowledge of his maiestie and vnderstanding i. right vnderstanding of his holie mysteries Vers 7. He i. God preserueth vz. by his almightie power and prouidence the state of the righteous i. he vpholdeth them that haue care and conscience of a righteous conuersation in a good estate and condition Some reade it thus He hath euery thing vz. that is in déede good layd vp in store for the righteous i. God so knoweth and prouideth for the righteous that he causeth them to abound with all things that are good in déede he is a shield to them that walke vprightly i. he doth by his power saue preserue and defende them that studie and striue for a holy conuersation Vers 8. That they may keepe vz. through strength and grace from him the waies of iudgement i. such vpright pathes as tend to iudgement and right towards all specially towards their neighbour to which the Hebrue word should most properlie be referred as I suppose not declining any whit at all from right and equitie and he i. God alone without the helpe or ayd of others preserueth see vers 7. of this Chapter the way i. the whole course or trade of his life whatsoeuer he thinketh speaketh doth or taketh in hand meaning that the Lord prospereth it also see Psalme 1.3 6. of his Saincts i. of those which he frameth to a holie life see Psalme 16.3 also Psalme 149.1 Vers 9. Then vz. when thou shalt be instructed with knowledge and wisedom from the Lord shalt thou vnderstand vz. through the light which God shall bestowe vpon thee righteousnesse and iudgement and equitie see these words expounded before cap. 1. vers 3. And here he noteth another fruit of the studie of wisedome which is properly to bee vnderstood towards men as the first mentioned vers 5. was towards God and euerie good path i. euerie right course and order to frame thy life well and religiouslie yea thou shalt vnderstand euery good thing through the desire of wisedome Vers 10. When wisedome entereth into thy heart i. findeth a fast and deepe seate in thee and knowledge delighteth thy soule vz. aboue all the end of the sentence and meaning is to be looked for in the next verse Vers 11. Then shall counsell vz. which thou shalt learne out of Gods word preserue thee vz. from all euill see vers 7.8 of this Chapter and vnderstanding vz. of Gods will reuealed in his worde shall keepe thee vz. safe and sounde Vers 12. And deliuer thee i. from euery thing that is euill so that thou shalt not attempt nor take in hande anie euill thing yea from a disordred life into which thou slippest through infirmitie of nature or wherevnto thou art prouoked by the wordes and déedes of the vngodlie and from the man i. from men for it is one number put for another that speaketh vz. not onely in his hart but with his mouth froward things vz. both against God and men Vers 13. And from them q.d. it will set the free also from such and such persons and marke how sodainlie he changeth the numbers from the singular to the plurall Some ioyne it to the former verse thus which vz. men speaking peruerse things leaue the waies of righteousnesse i. vpright good and holie wayes and hee meaneth by this speach that the wicked many times put out the light that God hath bestowed vpon them to walke in the wayes of darknesse i. in corrupt and euil courses for euerie one that dooth euill hateth the light Iohn 3.20 also Rom. 13.12 13. Ephes 5.13 Vers 14. Which reioyce vz. greatlie in dooing euill i. when either they themselues doo anie or heare of others which commit it and delight vz. verie much in the frowardnesse of the wicked vz. man yet I had rather turne it thus in the frowardnesses of euill that is in the worst and most euill frowardnesses Some referre the word reioycing to the minde inwardlie and the word delight to the bodie outwardlie because the motions of the minde manie times appeare outwardlie in the bodie q. d. both outwardlie and inwardlie they are glad at all naughtinesse Vers 15. Whose wayes i. whose liues and dealings both towardes God and men are crooked i. wicked and vngodlie and lead not onelie to trouble but to destruction also and they are leawd in their paths i. their whole trade course of life sauoreth of nothing but leawdnesse Verse 16. And it i. wisedom and true knowledge if thou once apprehend it indéed shall deliuer thee sée verse 12. of this chapter from the strange woman i. from the whore or harlot who in the scripture is called by this name because shee estrangeth her selfe from her husband and giueth ouer the vse of her bodie to a stranger euen from the stranger i. the harlot which flattereth vz. verie swéetelie and pleasantlie with her words i. with her intising speaches sée Prouer. 7.10 11 c. Verse 17. Which forsaketh vz. both in action affection though perhaps not in respect of bodilie presence for she maketh an accompt of her husband also as Prou. 7.19 the guyde of her youth i. her husband which God gaue her in her youth to guyde and gouerne her not onlie then but for euer for the husband is the head of the wife 1. Cor. 11.3 and forgetteth vz. vtterlie and altogether the couenant of hir God that is the bond of mariage solemnlie passed betwéene the parties God himselfe being Authour thereof and his name being called vpon at the contract made sée Malach 2.14 Verse 18. Surelie or as some reade it For q.d. it is no small blessing that thou shalt obtayne by hauing found wisedome for it shall deliuer thee from deadlie danger and destruction hir house i. euen the very entrance and going into her house q.d. the verie first beginning of familiaritie and acquaintance tendeth to death i. bringeth death destruction with it if it be pursued and hir paths i. the treading in hir paths and walking in hir order of life and conuersation see chapter 1.15 vnderstand heere tend or lead vnto the dead i. vnto them that are dead alreadie and buried sée Psalme 88.10
them most gréeuous sadnes but to the counsellers of peace i. to such as shall perswade and counsell men to good things shall be ioy vz. both of heart and bodie and so the Antithesis agreeth very aptly Vers 21. There shall none iniquitie i. no gréeuous punishment for sinne or iniquitie committed for he doth not mind to exempt good men from sinning in this life come vz. from the Lord to the iust i. to the good and holie man q.d. whatsoeuer iudgements fall vpon him for sinne he shall not liue long in the same as though he were an abiect sée vers 13. of this Chap. but the wicked are full of euill vz. both of transgression and of punishment for it committed against God Vers 22. The lying lippes i. both lyes and lyers are abomination to the Lord i. the Lord cannot abide them see Chapter 6.17 Also Chapter 11.1 but they that deale truely vz. both in word and déede are his delight i. are such as he taketh delight and pleasure in see Chapt. 11.20 Vers 23. A wise man conceileth knowledge i. the knowledge that he hath not that he kéepeth it close altogether but hauing it in him as it were in a treasure house doth vtter it in fit time and place and as may bring greatest grace to the hearers but the heart of the fooles publisheth foolishnes i. as they haue conceiued foolishnes in their hearts so they spare not shameleslie as it wâ—re to vtter it see Eccles 10.3 Vers 24. The hand of the diligent i. such as be laborious and painefull in their callings he putteth a part for the whole shall beare rule vz. ouer others Chapter 10. verse 4. He saith maketh rich and here he vseth another word because that through riches they obtaine power and so get rule ouer others but the idle shall be vnder tribute vz. of others meaning hereby that they shall be in slauerie and very poore estate Vers 25. Heauines vz. of heart specially if it be once déepely rooted and setled in the same in the heart of man vz. of what calling or state soeuer he bee doth bring it downe i. doth through sorrowe depresse and kéepe it vnder meaning the heart for we know that sadnes doth no whit at all profite men but rather cast them many times into deadlie and gréeuous diseases but a good word i. euen one word of comfort spoken chearefully reioyceth it i. many times maketh it glad againe the plaine proofe of this is euery mans owne particular experience Vers 26. The righteous is more excellent vz. by many degrées and in euery respect than his neighbour vz. who careth not for righteousnes and goodnes and this he speaketh because the world and common sort of people think the iust men to be abiects but the way of the wicked i. the order of life and conuersation wherein they walke will deceiue them vz. at the last howsoeuer they florish in the pleasures of sinne which last but a while as the Apostle saith to the Hebrewes Vers 27. The deceitfull man i. he that giueth himselfe to deceit rosteth not i. hath neither pleasure nor profite of that that he tooke in hunting i. of that which he atchieued either by intollerable paines taking as hunters doo or els by stealth and indirect meanes such as hunters vse many times the reason is because that betweene his mouth and the morsell he hath many discommodities and lets so that he cannot inioye that which he hath gotten but the riches of the diligent man i. of him that trauaileth faithfully and painfully are precious i. excellent and very good One readeth it thus but the diligent person enioyeth the precious substance of a man i. is made owner and possessor of precious and excellent things belonging many times to a wicked person Vers 28. Life vz. both true life in this world and eternall life in the world to come is in the way of righteousnes i. is to be found and obtained by a righteous and holie conuersation and in that pathway vz. of a good and holie life there is no death vz. which is eternall though the bodilie death apprehend the good as well as the bad as appeareth by many examples Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs that he that harkeneth to good counsell and profiteth by the Lords corrections is in a blessed estate as on the other side he must needes be miserable that thriueth not by the one or the other Vers 2. Teacheth vs that God loueth the good and hateth the euill also that euill thoughts and imaginations are sinne before God Verse 3. Teacheth vs that wickednes hath no certaintie or assurance but that godlines shall continue and abide for euer and euer Verse 4. Teacheth vs what a blessing it is to haue a good wife and what a curse it is to haue an ill wife Verse 5. Sheweth what great difference there is betweene the thoughts of the wicked and the deuises of the godlie Vers 6. Sheweth that the very words of the wicked sauour of crueltie and the speaches of the godlie tend to mercie Vers 7. Setteth out Gods iudgements against the wicked and his mercie towards the good Verse 8. Teacheth vs that wisedome is praise worthie and follie and frowardnes shall be despised Verse 9. Teacheth vs that the poore man in his pouertie is better than the vainglorious boaster that hath nothing Verse 10. Teacheth vs that we should haue care for the preseruation of those things which God giueth vs much more for reasonable creatures it teacheth vs also that the wicked haue no bowelles of compassion at all Verse 11. Teacheth vs to followe the calling wherein God hath placed vs with all diligence and to auoide idlenes Verse 12. Teacheth vs that no aide that the wicked hath or can desire will helpe them against Gods iudgements Verse 13. Teacheth vs that euill words are hurtfull to the partie vsing them and good words profitable to the partie vsing them and to others also Verse 14. Teacheth vs that God rendereth vnto euery one according to his words and deedes Vers 15. Teacheth vs not to bee wise in our owne eyes also to hearken to the graue counsell of others Vers 16. Teacheth vs that wrath and rage of men bewraieth their follie and pacient bearing of reuenge argueth great godlines Verse 17. Teacheth vs to speake truth and to auoide false witnes bearing Verse 18. Teacheth vs to abstaine from sharpe and bitter words and to giue our selues to charitable and profitable speaches Verse 19. Teacheth vs that as godlie men are constant in their speaches so the wicked and such as giue themselues to lying varie alwaies in their talke Verse 20. Teacheth vs to perswade and counsell men to good things Verse 21. Teacheth vs that in the middest of all punishments vpon the wicked God will either fatherly correct or els altogether deliuer his children Vers 22. Teacheth vs to abhorre lying to speake the truth from the bottome of our harts Vers 23. Teacheth vs to take heed that we
therfore vse no meanes to preuent it Vers 20. Teacheth yong folkes and children to be attentiue to the words of good counsell and exhortation Vers 21. Teacheth them to keepe them in continuall remembrance to the ende they may doo them Vers 22. Teacheth vs that there is no health soundnes or life indeede without the knowledge and obedience of Gods truth Vers 23. Teacheth vs to haue a speciall eye to the guiding and clensing of the affections and corruptions of our heart and to begin first there because it is the seate and fountaine from whence all things flowe Vers 24. Teacheth the brideling of our tongues and wordes and also to put away from vs frowardnesse and hastinesse of speach Vers 25. Teacheth vs to master our eyes because they are the shoppe windowes by which wickednesse is conueied into our hearts Vers 26. Teacheth vs narrowly nighlie to looke vnto our steppes and by this particular enumeration of sundrie we may learne this generall doctrine that all the partes and actions of our bodies should be directed to the aduancement of Gods glorie and the good of others Vers 27. Teacheth vs in al our actions and affaires to keepe euen that kingly broad way which the Lord hath sanctified and set foorth vnto vs in his word CHAP. 5. Co. THe holie Ghost proceedeth on in exhortation of men to imbrace wisedome shewing by the effects and fruites which it will bring forth that it is a verie notable thing and worthie to be had in great regard and account so that J take the beginning of this Chapter to bee the continuance of that exhortation that was begun Chapter 4.20 because the first verse differeth little or nothing from it either in words or matter as plainlie appeareth to him that will looke into it Di. I Suppose this Chapter may very well bee diuided into two parts In the Di. 1 first after his exhortation to attention he sheweth how dangerous a thing whoredome is exhorting men in time to beware least afterwards they repent too late from verse 1. to the end of the 14. In the second he putteth Di. 2 downe sundrie instructions as that men should liue of their owne that they should auoide prodigalitie keepe them to the wiues which God hath giuen them and pronounceth the ouerthrowe of the wicked from verse 15. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. MY sonne this is sundrie times expounded before and namely Cap. 1.8 hearken vz. diligentlie and that not with thy bodilie eares onely but with the eares of thy minde vnto my wisedome i. vnto that wisedome which I teach thee and incline thine eare vz. earnestlie and attentiuely vnto my knowledge i. vnto the things which I vtter not only sauouring of knowledge but tending also to this end to bring thee to wisedome and knowledge see Chapt. 4.20 Vers 2. That thou maiest regard i. estéeme and that rightly to thine owne good and profite counsell vz. in disposing and performing of thy things that thou be not deceiued and thy lippes obserue knowledge i. keepe it yet so that thou maiest vtter the knowledge which thou hast obtained by my rules he meaneth that he might vse and declare wisedome both in his works in his words Vers 3. For the lippes these wordes must be set against the former commandement q.d. hearken vnto me and not vnto the counterfeit words of an harlot and why so for though she speake faire yet she will destroy thee in the end and by lippes he vnderstandeth words because that by the lippes they are vttered see Chapt. 4.24 of a strange woman i. of an harlot see Chapt. 2.16 droppe as an honie combe i. seeme to haue plentie of pleasure and swéetnes in them and her mouth i. the words of her mouth see Chapt. 4. 24. is more soft than oyle vz. in outward appearance and shewe meaning by this manner of speach that they seeme outwardly gentle and swéete but they are indeede sharpe and bitter Vers 4. But the ende of her i. not only of her her selfe but of those which communicate with her is bitter as wormwood i. is most bitter for there are fewe things more bitter than it and in this place he seemeth to allude to the constitution of the bodie as though that a harlot were comely in the foreparts but most filthie and vile on the backe and sharpe as a two edged sword i. she woundeth deadlie as a sharpe two edged sword doth which may soeuer it strike see Chapter 2.18 19. Vers 5. Her feete i. her deuises and deedes see Chapt. 4.26 go downe to death or to the graue q.d. she and those that she carrieth after her are as nigh to destruction as they whose feete are at the graues brincke and readie to be put into it see Chapt. 2.18 and her steppes take hold on hell i. carrie her selfe and others that followe her headlong thether the holie ghost meaneth that she and her companions runne with hast to destruction both of bodie and soule Vers 6. She weigheth not i. she little or nothing at all regardeth the way of life i. of true and holie life here which indeede leadeth to life eternall her paths are moueable i. her orders and waies are vncertaine one while she vseth one way and another while another way thou canst not knowe them vz. for the varietie and vncertaintie of them Some reade it otherwise giue another sense but me thinketh this is plaine Vers 7. Heare see Chap. 4.1 ye me vz. counselling teaching instructing you now i. while I instruct you and you haue time to learne therefore q.d. seeing the dangers are so great hearken to my counsell O children i. see chap. 4.1 and depart not vz. at any hand or on any side from the wordes of my mouth i. from the precepts I giue you and the rules which I vtter and speake vnto you see Chapt. 4.5 Vers 8. Keepe thy way farre from her q.d. come not nigh her for there is infection and contagion with her companie see Chapter 4.14 15. for the phrase or manner of speach and come not neere the doore of her house i. bee so farre off from hauing familiaritie with her that looke thou come not into her house nor once drawe nigh to her dore Vers 9. Least this verse and some others following containe reasons why men should flye from whores and whoredome thou giue i. bestowe and that with present pleasure though paine insue thine honor i. whatsoeuer within thee or without thee may make thee honorable or estéemed as the flowre of thy age the comelines of thy bodie yea and thy bodie thy strength wit riches c. vnto others i. to the harlot her selfe the children begotten by her and those that appertaine vnto her and thy yeares i. thy yong yeares and the best part of thy life to the cruell i. to the harlot who is cruell for she consumeth both mens substance and the powers both of their bodies and mindes Vers 10. Least the
tye him so that hée shall not escape q.d. he staying himselfe vpon his wickednesses worketh his owne hurt and maketh a halter to hang himselfe in so that God needeth no tormentor seeing he is so tied with his owne sinne that he cannot onely not escape punishment but also is punished in them Vers 23. He shall dye i. he shall surely suffer both the first and the second death for fault of instruction i. because he would not receiue it when it was giuen him and not for want of it for he had it bestowed vpon him as verse 13. of this Chapter and go astray vz. from the right way prescribed him through his great folly i. by reason of his gréeuous sinnes q.d. he shall certainlie bee punished for his sinnes and neuer finde fauour but liuing he shall abide in perpetuall death Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs to yeeld to good counsell while it is offered vs. Vers 2. Teacheth vs that our words and all that commeth from vs should sauour of holie wisedome Vers 3. Teacheth vs what flatterie and intising perswasions harlots will vse to drawe men to filthines Vers 4. Teacheth vs that euery thing is not continuallie good and sweet that seemeth so at the beginning Vers 5. Teacheth men to beware of whores seeing they carrie death and destruction with them Vers 6. Teacheth vs that persons or parties giuen to filthines haue little or no regard of godlines and eternall life Vers 7. Teacheth vs in time to yeeld obedience to the word of good exhortation Vers 8. Teacheth vs to withstand the beginning of euill and the first prouocations to sinne Vers 9. Teacheth vs that whoredome carrieth with it the impayring of a mans good name credite and power Vers 10. Teacheth vs that whoredom adulterie consumeth mens goods and substance Vers 11. Teacheth vs that it wasteth euen their bodies and bones also Vers 12 13. Teach vs that the contempt of good counsell is the mother and cause of all corruption and naughtines Vers 14. Teacheth vs to haue an eye in time to returne from wickednes and sinne Vers 15. Teacheth vs to liue soberly and contentedly with those thinges that God hath blessed vs withall and not to catch and snatch other mens goods Vers 16. Teacheth vs to auoide niggardlines to striue to vse true liberalitie Vers 17. Teacheth vs to beware of prodigalitie inspending wastfully either our owne or other mens goods Vers 18. Teacheth men to liue ioyfully and peaceably with their wiues Vers 19. Teacheth men to loue and affect their owne wiues only and that continually also Vers 20. Teacheth vs that there is no goodnesse or profite at all that can come by following strange flesh but much hurt rather as verse 9 10. c. of this Chapter do sufficiently proue Vers 21. Teacheth vs that nothing that we do though we doo it neuer so secretly can be hidden from Gods knowledge Vers 22. Teacheth vs that the more sinne the wicked and vngodlie commit the faster they doo binde themselues with the cordes of iustice punishment and wrath Vers 23. Teacheth vs that whosoeuer will not regard good counsell out of Gods word shall surely dye the death CHAP. 6. Co. SAlomon in the other Chapter taught them to beware of whoredome and other wickednesses and continuing his exhortation he instructeth them in this Chapter to flie from rashnes and hastines in doing anything to auoide idlenes and many other wickednesses whereunto men are very prone through the continuall malice of Sathan prouoking them and their owne naturall corruption stirring them Di. Di. 1 THis Chapter may be diuided into three parts in the first are comprehended certaine admonitions instructing men to beware of suretiship Di. 2 and idlenes or sloathfulnes from verse 1. to the end of verse 11. In the second there is liuely set out the nature of wicked men and their destruction with a particular enumeration of certaine things which God abhorreth Di. 3 from verse 12. to the end of the 19. In the third part he exhorteth to imbrace Gods worde which rightly receiued shall deliuer vs as from the subiection of all sinne generallie so particularly of whoredome and this reacheth from vers 20. to the end of the Chapter Se. Vers 1. MY sonne see Chapter 1.8 if thou bee suretie i. hast giuen thy word or promise for thy neighbour i. for thy friend or companion for so much I thinke doth the word import because men be not suretie but for them whom they knowe and hast striken handes i. hast giuen thy faith or made a bargaine to pay that thou promisest he putteth the signe for the thing it selfe for wee vse giuing and striking of hands for assurance and performance of a bargaine with the stranger i. with an other man whom thou knowest not so well as he His meaning is not here vtterly to forbid suretiship for wee see the contrarie practised by good men Genes 42.37 Also Genes 43.8 9. but to teach men to take héede that they bee not rash in giuing their worde or hand by writing or otherwise and if they haue béen ouertaken to seeke to set themselues free from the same as soone as can be Vers 2. Thou art snared i. thou hast certainlie though at vnwares cast thy selfe into a perilous snare and danger with the wordes of thy mouth i. with these words which thou speakest thou art euen taken vz. fast so that thou canst not escape till thou hast payed and performed with the words of thine owne mouth q.d. thou maiest thanke thine owne hastie rash speach for thine intanglement for whereas perhaps thou tookest them to be but bare naked words thou feest thou art snared for bargaines euen as nature the Lawiers say are free before they are made but whē they are made they bind the parties bargaining therfore they say words bind men Vers 3. Do this vz. that followeth and which I counsell thee now i. very spéedilie without delay as may appeare by the verses following my sonne see Chapter 1.8 and sundrie other places in this booke and deliuer thy selfe vz. from the dangers thou art in and in this verse he sheweth two meanes wherby he may performe it the first is submitting thy selfe to him to whom thou art bound the second intreating him for whom thou art bound and other thy friends to pitie thy case and their owne in thee seeing thou art come vz. through thine owne carelesnes and rashnes into the hand of thy neighbour i. into his power by giuing thy hand or word goe vz. quicklie without any delay Math. 5.25 and humble thy selfe vz. to him to whom thou hast giuen thy word vnderstanding by humbling all things whereby a man may be moued to pitie as beseeching words pitifull countenances al other meanes either inward outward whatsoeuer and solicite i. earnestly call vpon by words labour to soften and make gentle towards thee thy friends i. both him to whom thou art bound him for whom thou art bound
also Leuit. 7.16 Vers 15. Therefore i. because I haue these and these good things prepared J came forth vz. out of my house that euen of purpose to meete thee q.d. and see now how readilie I haue found thee whereas any other would haue contented her as well as he but all this she vttereth to drawe him the more on that I might seeke thy face i. thee thy selfe and yet she mentioneth the face because she would insinuate as though she were ouertaken with his beautie and I haue found thee vz. euen as I wished and desired for such an Emphasis this manner of speach includeth as I suppose Vers 16. I haue decked vz. very finely my bed vz. wherein I lye with ornaments vz. of sundrie sorts with carpets and laces of Aegypt i. which are made of the flaxe comming out of Aegypt which for whitenes and softnes is preferred before all other as Plinie sheweth lib. 18. cap. 1. Vers 17. I haue perfumed my bed with myrrhe aloes and cynamom i. I haue made it most swéete and pleasant they did vse belike in those daies to perfume with myrrhe and aloes see Psalme 45.8 All these I take to bee the harlots words spoken after supper alluring thereby the yong man to tarrie there all night Vers 18. Come q.d. seeing all these things are so pleasantly made readie let vs take our fill of loue i. of the things which we loue and like of vntill the morning i. all night long and neuer be wearie let vs take our pleasure in daliance q.d. you see all things prepared to satisfie lust therefore let vs go through with it Vers 19. For mine husband q.d. feare not him but be bold is not at home vz. now neither wil be this good while he is gone a iorney farre of i. he is gone a very long iorney from this place Vers 20. He hath taken with him a bagge of siluer i. good store of monie for the charges of his trauaile and iorney therefore thou maiest see he is gone a long iorney will not returne shortly and will come home at the day appoynted vz. and not before q.d. if thou feare his returne know thou that he will not be here till such a time for I haue his word for it Behold the force of a harlots speach and perswasion Vers 21. Thus with her great craft vz. both of heart and speach she caused him to yeeld vz. to her inticements and filthines and with her flattering lippes i. the flattering speaches which she vttered with her lippes she inticed him vz. to lewdnes sinne Vers 22. And he followed her straight waies vz. without any striuing or resistance so strong are whorish perswasions as an oxe that goeth to the slaughter i. willingly not knowing whether he goeth but supposing to goe to good he goeth to destruction and as a foole to the stockes i. willingly also and chearefully not thinking the time of his punishment to be nigh for correction i. to bee corrected and chastised Vers 23. Till a dart striketh thorowe his liuer i. till he be deadly wounded and that not in bodie only but in soule also It seemeth to be a metaphore taken from Archers in warre who hit so right that with darts and arrowes they strike euen to the heart as a bird hasteth to a snare not knowing that he is in danger vz. to bée taken vnder this similitude the holie Ghost noteth two things the one is the haste that the wicked vse to performe wickednesse the other is their ignorance and lacke of heed who are so carried away with pleasure that they are trapped in an vnauoidable danger before they bee ware Vers 24. Heare vz. both with thy bodilie eares and the eares of thy vnderstanding yea specially with them me vz. thy father who doth giue thee good instruction and counsell now q.d. euen while it is time delay not therefore vz. because of the dangers before rehearsed O children see Chapter 4.1 and hearken vz. attentiuely and diligently to the wordes of my mouth i. both to the wordes and matter that I shall vtter This and the like sentences haue béen sundrie times repeated heretofore in this booke Vers 25. Let not thy heart decline to her waies i. doo not so much as in thy minde affect or like of her lewd and wicked dealing yea if it be possible thinke not vpon it and wander thou not vz. neither in word nor déed in her paths i. in the things which she would haue thee to performe for the further thou straiest that way the lesse hope of returning Vers 26. For this is a reason of his exhortation she i. the harlot hath caused many to fall downe wounded vz. very sore and greeuouslie as Sampson and Salomon himselfe who writ this booke q.d. learne by other mens dangers to beware and the strong men q.d. yea the mightie and powerfull men are slaine by her i. by her meanes haue béen brought to death and destruction both of bodie and soule without the great grace of God Vers 27. Her house i. the knowledge familiaritie and acquaintance of and in her house is the way i. the high and readie way vnto the graue i. euen vnto death it selfe which vz. way or waies of her goeth downe or go down in the plural number meaning that they runne hastelie as things that be carried downward doo to the chambers of death i. to most certaine yea eternall death from which mens steppes are hardly called backe see Chapter 2.18 He meaneth that the fellowship and familiaritie of an harlot doth bring with it assured and certaine death both of bodie and soule Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs to yeeld obedience and reuerence to good and holie counsell Vers 2. Teacheth vs two things first that true life dependeth vppon the obseruation of Gods lawe secondlie that we should most dearely esteeme it Vers 3. Teacheth vs to haue good and wholesome lessons in continuall remembrance to doo them Vers 4. Teacheth vs carefullie to striue to bee familiarly acquainted with holie and heauenly wisedome Vers 5. Teacheth vs that there is no better buckler against whoredome and the intising words of harlots than Gods word it selfe Vers 6 7. Teacheth vs now and then to haue an eye ouer others not only to instruct them if they goe awrie but also to learne by their examples to auoide euill Vers 8. Teacheth vs that it is a perilous thing to drawe nigh to suspected places Vers 9. Teacheth vs that euery one that doth euill flieth and hateth the light Vers 10. Teacheth vs that euen mens and womens behauiours many times bewray what they are Vers 11 12. Teach vs that these bee two things that womankind specially should auoide vz. tatling and loude speach and also much gadding abroad Vers 13. Teacheth vs that harlots when they once take vpon them that profession doo vtterly put off shamefastnes Vers 14. Teacheth vs that arrant strumpets will many times pretend great shewe of religion and godlines Vers 15
righteous shall continuallie enioy felicitie glorie life gladnes c. see Psalme 97.11 but the candle of the wicked shall be put out i. that little estate of felicitie and prosperitie which they seeme to haue in this life shall sodainlie vanish away q.d. there is as great difference betweene the ioyes of the good and the bad both in respect of the greatnes and continuance thereof as is betwéene the Sunne and a candle and their seuerall lights and continuance see Chapt. 4.18 19. Vers 10. Only by pride i. through pride of heart meaning vnder the word only that pride is not the only cause of contention but one of the chiefest for many times men braule euen of peruersnes and of fond emulation and enuie against other doth man i. doo men for he speaketh of them all as though they were but one make contention i. stirre vp strife one of them with another but with the well aduised i. with such as both can giue good counsell and will humblie hearken to other mens good speaches is wisedome vz. to take heede that they kindle not strife or foster contention Vers 11. The riches of vanitie i. after some vaine riches which are so called because they vanish away but I suppose that he meaneth such riches as are gotten by any vaine false or vngodlie way whatsoeuer shall diminish vz. certainlie meaning that indeede they should bee brought to nothing and consumed but he that gathereth vz. riches and goods with the hand i. with the labour of his owne hands shall increase them vz. through Gods especiall blessing for otherwise it cannot bee see Chapt. 10.2 4. Also Chapt. 12.24 His purpose is to commend diligence and to teach men to auoide idlenes craft and whatsoeuer els Vers 12. The hope that is deferred i. the thing hoped for if it be put off from time to time and not quicklie performed is the fainting of the heart i. it maketh a mans minde to faint and quaile but when the desire i. the thing desired wished and looked for commeth vz. vnto men i. is granted them it is as a tree of life i. it is a most sweete and pleasant thing and as a man would say a very proper and healthfull medicine for a minde that languisheth in lusting and desiring see Chapt. 3.18 Vers 13. He that despiseth the word vz. of almightie God or the good word of exhortation drawne from the same he shall be destroyed vz. certainly and assuredly through the iust iudgement and vengeance of GOD vppon him but he that feareth the commandement vz. of GOD vnderstanding by feare an humble reuerence and loue and by one commandement all commandements of God whatsoeuer yea euen the whole lawe he shall be rewarded vz. from the Lord neither can the Papistes gather neither neede any man feare out of this merites because there is a great difference betwixt desert and reward Vers 14. The instruction of a wise man i. such holie and wise instructions as hée giueth is as the welspring of life i. is not onely plentifull of good thinges but also bringeth with it both to himselfe and those whome he instructeth life in this life and afterwards eternall life see chap. 10. vers 11. to turne away vz. men q.d. it serueth also to this ende for this is added for the more plaine and full declaration of the matter from the snares of death i. from such snares as if men be caught therewith kill them he meaneth specially sinnes which bring with them eternall death Vers 15. Good vnderstanding vz. of such things as God hath manifested vnto vs in his worde vnderstanding also hereby good wit holy wisedome and the gift wisely and learnedly to vtter good things maketh vz. men that haue it acceptable vz. both before God and men see chap. 3.4 but the way of the disobedient i. their order of life and course of conuersation is hated vz. both of God and also of good men Vers 16. Euerie wise man i. euery one that is truely wise will work vz. the things that he doth by knowledge i. sound and right knowledge q.d. whatsoeuer he doth he will doo it with wisedome and iudgement and not rashly but a foole will spread abroad i. bewray and publish folly i. his owne folly see chap. 12.23 Vers 17. A wicked messenger i. an vnfaithfull one and such a one as dooth not truely execute his message or charge falleth vz. many times thorowe Gods iust iudgements and that or euer he thinketh of it into euill i. into affliction sorrowe grief and punishment and so hurting himself also smarteth iustly for his vnfaithfulnes but a faithfull Ambassador i. hee that faithfully performeth his charge is preseruation vz. to himselfe to him or them that send him and to those also for whose cause he is sent Vers 18. Pouertie and shame vz. from God but yet in the presence of men is to him vz. whosoeuer he bee that refuseth instruction vz. of goodnes q.d. he that will not regarde good and holy counsell shall fall into beggery and be made a shame amongst men but he that regardeth correction vz. to followe it and to become the better by it shall be honored i. he shall florish with riches and honor and be accepted both of God and men Vers 19. A desire i. the thinge desired as vers 12. of this chap. accomplished vz. by good and holy meanes for here he speaketh of the desiring of good things and the lawfull accomplishment thereof delighteth vz. very greatly the soule i. the party wishing or desiring the same one parte put for the whole and yet hee dooth not without cause make mention of the soule because in it is the quality or faculty of desiring but it is an abhomination vnto fooles i. a lothsome and tedious thing yea such a matter as their affection dooth vtterly abhorre to departe from euill i. from that euill whereunto they are naturally giuen and which they foster and feede in themselues thorowe a vaine pleasure and delight in the same Vers 20. He that walketh with the wise i. is conuersant and familiarly acquainted with wise persons shall be wise i. thorowe Gods blessing shall become wise by meanes of wise speeches and talkes that shal passe from them but a companion of fooles i. he that ioyneth himselfe in society and fellowship with the wicked shall bee afflicted vz. euen as they themselues either because he committeth sinne with them or consenteth to euill as Rom. 1.13 Vers 21. Affliction i. punishment and vengeance sent from the Lord followeth vz. euen as the shadowe doth the body meaning also that it dooth euen pursue them so egerly that it leaueth them not till they be vtterly destroyed sinners i. peruerse and obstinate sinners see chap. 11.31 but vnto the righteous God will recompence vz. of his large liberality and goodnes good i. all good things for this life and the life to come Vers 22. The good man shall giue i. leaue behind him inheritance i. goodes and lands to
and faithfull imploying of a mans selfe in his owne function there is abundance vz. of good things and blessings meaning that he which giueth himselfe painefully to followe labor in his calling shall thriue and prosper but the talke of the lippes i. bare and vaine words as when a man will labor with his tongue and let the rest of his members bee idle bringeth onely want i. bringeth nothing with it but pouerty that word onely I would refer rather to the first words reading it thus but the talke of the lippes onely q.d. where there is no more but labor in the mouth and no performance of it in deed there must of necessity be beggery pouerty Ve. 24. The crowne of the wise is their riches i. the riches which wise men thorowe Gods goodnes possesse and haue them annexed vnto their wisdome they are a singular ornament vnto them this word crowne is sundry times so vsed before and the follie of fooles is foolishnes q d. though fooles haue neuer so great riches they auaile them nothing to remoue their folly but their folly is meere folly notwithstanding all that yea they are so farre of from adorning them that they rather serue to stayne them because they are instruments and arguments to cause them more and more to bewray their folly Vers 25. A faithfull witnes i. he that being called to witnes a matter speaketh faithfullie and truely deliuereth vz. from danger and distresse soules i. men or persons see Exod. 1.5 meaning such as were ready to be destroyed and were oppressed thorowe euill reports but a deceiuer i. a deceitfull and false witnes speaketh lies vz. against men by which he indeuoreth to bring men to death and destruction he setteth deceit against trueth and speaketh of lies against deliuerance because that lies many times bring men to great danger and destruction Vers 26. In the feare of the Lord is an assured strength i. hee that hath a right and reuerent feare of Gods Maiestie planted in his heart neede not feare any thing for the Lord will bee an assured strength and defence vnto him and his children i. Gods children whome he hath in Christ begotten vnto himselfe by the incorruptible seede of his word that they might walke in his reuerence and feare for I had rather referre it vnto them than to the posteritie and children of good people though I knowe that sense also may stand because good fathers many times haue euill children shall haue hope i. an assured hope in the Lorde which shall not make them ashamed as Roman 5.5 Vers 27. The feare of the Lord i. the right and reuerent feare of his Maiestie planted in mens hearts is as a wel-spring of life i. blessednes in this life and eternall life in the world to come doth aboundantly proceede from it see Prouerb 13.14 also chap. 10.11 to auoide i. to teache men to auoyd and shunne the snares of death i. such snares as in which if men be caught and escape not from them there is no way but death both of bodie and soule see chap. 13 14. Vers 28. In the multitude of the people is the honor of a king i. it is a great honor and credit for a king to haue many people willingly subiect vnto him and ready to performe his will and therefore for the increase of the same he ought to vse equitie and clemency and not tyrranie and cruelty to lessen them and for the want of people commeth the destruction of the Prince vz. because his countreyes and territories are easily subdued to the power of his enemies because he hath not forces sufficient wherewithall to resiste and so are the borders of his gouernement diminished Vers 29. Hee that is slowe to wrath vz. against other men laboring to master the rage of his affections sée Iames 1.19 is of great wisdome i. declareth thereby that God hath blessed him with abundance of wisdome while he can refraine his rage and doo nothing rashly but hee that is of an hastie minde vz. against others meaning such a one as is furious and soone stirred vp exalteth follie i. doth openly commit it as though hee woulde lifte it vp that all men might sée it see vers 17. of this chap. Vers 30. A sounde heart i. a heart frée from vicious affections specially from euill will and despight against others is the life of the flesh i. bringeth health and soundnes to the whole man that hath it hee putteth a parte for the whole but enuie vz. once conceaued in the heart against other men is the rotting of the bones i. will quickely consume a man and bring him to his end as the diseases which lye in the boanes and eate them vp sée chap. 12.4 q.d. hee that is of a courteous gentle and free heart shall haue a sound body and passe away his dayes in quietnes reioycing other men also but the trouble which enuie bringeth with it leaueth not the strongest parts of the body sounde but infecteth and corrupteth them and maketh the whole man in all mens iudgement filthie and stincking Vers 31. He vz. of what state or calling so euer hee bee that oppresseth vz. by fraude force slaunder or other wise for the word is generall and reacheth to any kinde of oppression the poore i. the needie and he that is not able to make his parte good against him reprooueth vz. by his wicked and leud dealing him that made him i. God who appointed that hee should bee poore and this hee speaketh because the wicked man thinketh that God either cannot or will not deliuer him out of his hands it may bee taken also thus that whosoeuer releeueth not the poore despiseth God see Matt. 25.35 c. but he honoreth him i. the Lord and why doth he honor him Because hee dooth a worke appoynted by God in his lawe that hath mercie on the poore i. sheweth him pittie and compassion see vers 21. of this Chap. Vers 32. The wicked shall be cast away vz. from the Lord and from the enioying of his gracious presence which the godly alwaies behold for his malice 1. for the euill and naughtines which he hath committed against God and man but the righteous hath hope vz. of Gods fauor and goodnes towards him and of his owne deliuerance in his death i. either when he dyeth or else is set in most grieuous distresses the greatest whereof is death q d. though he should dye yet he would not doubte of Gods goodnes towards him Psalme 23.4 for euen death it selfe should be for his good Vers 33. Wisdome i. holy and heauenly wisdome from God resteth vz. as it were in his owne house or dwelling place in the heart i. in the soule and minde of him that hath vnderstanding i. of all that delight in wisdome and vnderstanding and is known i. wisdome is made manifest in the midst of fooles i. openly and in their sight so that they can pretend no ignorance A worthie man readeth this latter
hearts of his children vnderstanding by feare a reuerence of his Maiestie ioyned with loue they departe vz. speedilie from euill i. from naughtie conuersation and all things that may pull on to the same see 1. Thessalo 5.22 Vers 7. When the waies of a man i. his purposes deedes and the whole course of his life pleaseth the Lord i. be such as he accepteth and alloweth of which is when they are framed according to the rule of his word he i. God the Lord will make vz. by his mightie power and working his enemies at peace with him i. so farre off shall it be that they that neuer hated him shall attempt any euill against him that euen his very foes and aduersaries shal procure all manner of good for him for so much I suppose he vnderstandeth by the name of peace Vers 8. Better is a little vz. gotten and atchieued with righteousnes i. with vpright and iust dealing than great reuenues vz. though they come yearely monethly or daylie in without equitie i. gotten with the iniurie and opression of other men see Chap. 15.16 Vers 9. The heart of man purposeth his waie i. he waieth and thinketh vpon the things which hee hath to doo tossing them too and fro in his thought and imagination but the Lord vz. alone doth direct vz alwaies by his power and prouidence his steppes i. euery thing that he taketh in hand for the sense of this place see vers 1. of this Chap. also Ierem. 10.23 and Prou. 19.28 Vers 10. A diuine sentence i. a true and certaine iudgement euen as it were from God himselfe I know that the word signifieth diuination or foretelling such as Soothsayers Astrologers c. vse But he meaneth it not thereof for it is forbidden Deuteron 18.10 11. c. but rather noteth that the word of the king is and ought to bee a moste sure worde as those things which they foretel seeme at the least to the parties themselues and those that credit them to be shall be vz. or ought to be prescribing as it were his dueties which word I suppose might be better added here in the lippes of the king i. in his words and speaches vttered with his lippes putting the word king for al Magistrates whatsoeuer his mouth shal not transgresse in iudgement i. while hee sitteth in iudgement hee shoulde not pronounce or award vniust sentences but deale vprightlie in all causes as may appeare by the verses following Vers 11. A true weight and balance i. vpright and faithfull dealing in euery respect and this seemeth to be a reason of the former rule q.d. the iudgement and vprightnesse which Magistrates and other men faithfullie execute is not from men themselues but of God see Deuteron 1.17 2. Chronic. 19.6 and hee meaneth most exact obseruation of iudgement and iustice by weight and balance are of the Lord i. are ordeyned of him and commaunded by him see Deuteron 25.13 14 15. also Chap. 11.1 all the weights vz. how great or how little so euer they bee of the bagge i. which men put into the bagge for the better and more safe keeping of them he alludeth to Deuteron 25.13 meaning it also of iust and equall weights are his word i. the Lord hath made and ordeyned the same to bee vsed as appeareth by the place before alledged Vers 12. It is vz. or els it ought to be an abhomination i. a horrible and lothsome thing to kings i. to great and mightie men or to Magistrates of what degree or calling soeuer they be to commit vz. in thought word or deede wickednes i. any manner of wickednes either against God or man and this he speaketh speciallie because of their great callinges and high places wherein they are set for the throne vz. of the king or kingdome meaning thereby the kingdome it selfe a parte for the whole as sundrie times in the psalmes and namely Psalme 93.2 also Psalme 132.12 is established i. is made firme and sure with great likelyhoode of continuance by iustice vz. by faithfull and diligent executing of iustice and equitie Vers 13. Righteous lippes are the delight of kings i. kings and Magistrates should take speciallie delight and pleasure in such persons as speaketh righteous and good things a part put for the whole person and one instrument wherewith the voyce is framed put for the words themselues and the King i. all rulers and magistrates loueth i. ought tenderly to affect him i. those whosoeuer they be that speaketh right things vz. vnto them This he speaketh because Princes do many times more delight and sauour flatterers than plaine dealers Vers 14. The wrath of a King i. that indignation and displeasure which a great man beareth against another is as messengers of death i. is at it were deadly to him with whom he is angrie and bringeth as it were present death euery thing then threatning death as it were which wee see by daylie experience And he saith messengers in the plurall number that it might haue the greater force but a wise man will pacifie it vz. in time and by all the lawfull meanes he can hée will indeuour the quenching of it for feare of inconueniences and mischiefes that may insue thereon Vers 15. In the light of the Kings countenance i. in his fauourable countenance q.d. when it pleaseth the King with a pleasant and merrie countenance to shewe that he fauoureth men is life i. there is hope of all manner of prosperitie and florishing and his fauour vz. so expressed and declared towards other men is as a cloude vz. which is full and therefore powreth downe raine see Eccle. 11.13 of the latter raine vz. which falleth somewhat before haruest before the corne ripe and maketh the yéeld of fruit to be great see Deutero 11.14 Iames 5.7 Vers 16. How much better is it q.d. It can hardly be tolde or a man is not able to expresse what great oddes and difference there is to get vz. by industrie and paines taking wisedome i. heauenly wisedome and knowledge of Gods will reuealed in his word than gold yea than fine and precious gold for so much the word importeth and to get vnderstanding vz. of Gods word and truth The Rabbins referre wisedome to spirituall and diuine things and vnderstanding to worldly and humane but me thinketh the other sense is plaine is more to be desired vz. by many degrées and to be sought for than siluer i. than chosen or fined siluer see Chapt. 3.14 Also Chapt. 8.10 Meaning that holie wisedome is to bee preferred before all thinges Vers 17. The path of the righteous vz. wherein he walketh is to decline from euill i. the righteous man hath a great care and conscience in all his conuersation and actions to abstaine from sinne and iniquitie and all that may allure thereto see verse 6. of this Chapt. and he keepeth his soule vz. from destruction meaning also by soule himselfe a part for the whole that keepeth his way vz. vpright in the obedience of
of almightie God Vers 6. Many vz. men reuerence the face of the Prince i. doth greatly estéeme the person of a great man for this word face see Deut. 1.17 and euery man is friend to him that giueth giftes vz. vnto other men meaning that the liberal person hath many friends Vers 7. All the brethren i. all the kinsfolkes how nigh or farre off so euer they be if they be aliue and be richer than he of the poore vz. man that is fallen into decay do hate him i. doo despise him or little regard and set by him how much more vz. soone or easilie will his friends i. his counterfeit and feigned friends for of his faithfull ones he had sayd the contrarie before Chap. 17.17 depart farre from him vz. in the time of his affliction and distresse though he vz. so afflicted and brought into pouertie be instant with words i. doo earnestly and heartily intreate them for some comfort reliefe or fauour yet they will not vz. stand fast by him or minister vnto his need Vers 8. He that possesseth i. kéepeth sure and fast vnderstanding i. heauenly wisedome loueth his owne soule i. himselfe a part for the whole or els prouideth well for himselfe The word in Hebrue is heart which he vseth because vnderstanding wisedome hath his proper seate in the hart and keepeth wisedome which he hath obtained and gotten to finde goodnes i. that thereby he may come to that goodnes which neuer shall decay Vers 9. is the same both in words and sense with verse 5. of this Chapter sauing that there it was said he shall not escape and here it is said he shall perish q.d. he shal certainlie come to naught Vers 10. Pleasure vz. in the vse of all Gods blessings is not comelie for a foole vz. because he knoweth not how to vse it much lesse vz. comely is it for a seruant vz. that is bound to another man to haue rule ouer Princes i. to rule such as should rule others he meaneth that fooles should rather haue stripes as Chapter 10.13 and seruants seruice or bondage and not abundance of pleasures and delightes or rule ouer others because they knowe not how to vse them well Vers 11. The discretion of a man i. the wisedome and vnderstanding that a man hath through Gods especiall gift deferreth i. is a very good meane to make him to put off yea to remoue and put away his anger vz. conceiued or readie to be expressed towards others and his glorie is i. it maketh much for his glorie and credit to passe by vz. without any great regard meaning by this maner of speach easilie to forget and to forgiue an offence vz. committed against him Vers 12. The Kings wrath vz. against any of his subiects is like the roring of a lyon i. fearefull and terrible and threatning as it were present death The Hebrue word signifieth a yong lyon which hath more courage roreth much more strongly which serueth also to aggrauate the danger see Hosea 3.4 8. q.d. as the lyon feareth men and beastes by roring so doth the Princes wrath terrifie men but specially his subiects see Chap. 16.14 but his fauour vz. towards any is like the deaw vpon the grasse i. both comfortable to coole it after some great heate profitable to make it grow meaning that the fauour of great men is profitable for their people and gladdeth their harts sée chap. 16.15 Vers 13. A foolish sonne i. a wicked child whether it be sonne or daughter but yet it more grieueth a man when he in whom the hope of his name is left shall be dissolute is the calamitie of his father i. bringeth grieuous and intollerable miserie vpon his parents see Prou. 10.1 Also Chap. 15.20 Chap. 17.25 and the contentions of a wife i. such as procéede from a wife or els a contentious woman or wife her selfe are like a continuall dropping vz. or raine or water vpon stone or timber which eateth into it or rotteth it meaning that they doo euen consume a man his household see Chap. 21.9 Also Chap. 27.15 Vers 14. House i. lands and riches i. goods and wealth whatsoeuer are the inheritance of the fathers i. are such inheritances as fathers leaue to their children but a prudent wife i. a godlie vertuous and wise wife commeth of the Lord. vz. onely as a speciall gift and blessing from him sée Chap. 18.22 He meaneth not that inheritances come not from the Lord but because they come by the meane of the parents they seeme in our iudgement further off from God than a good wife and yet neither of them fall out but according to his will though it appeare more immediatly in match of mariage than in inheritances or possessions Vers 15. Slothfulnes causeth vz. men in whom it raigneth to fall a sleepe i. to be careles and negligent of their affaires and a deceitfull person i. he that giueth himselfe ouer to deceiue others shall be affamished vz. for lacke of foode meaning he should fall into great pouertie and extremitie he ioyneth deceit and slothfulnes together because they are companions that can hardly bee sundred shewing that both the sluggards which cease from doing of their duetie and the deceitfull that liue against all charitie shall bée punished from God Vers 16. He that keepeth vz. vnfeignedly with al his heart the commandement vz. of the Lord meaning thereby his holie law which consisteth in commandements one being put for all because the law giuer is but one obedience to the whole tendeth but chiefly to one end that is Gods glorie though indéed eternal saluation be annexed thereto keepeth his owne soule i. he himself a part for the whole meaning that thorow obedience he doth deliuer himself from danger of eternal death destruction but he that despiseth his waies i. maketh no account how or after what sort he doth liue nor hath care to frame his life according to the prescript rule of Gods worde shall dye i. shall certeinely perish speciallie in the World to come Vers 17. He that hath mercie i. sheweth pittie and compassion either by word or deed or both vpon the poore i. vpon such as bee distressed and are not able to helpe themselues lendeth vnto the Lord vz. all that whatsoeuer he doth which he bestoweth vpon the poore the reason is because the Lord maketh account of the godly poore and things done to them as of himselfe and performed to him see Matth. 25.40 and the Lord will recompense him vz. to the full yea in the largenes of his mercie giue him a thousand times more that which he hath giuen vz. willingly and cherefullie to the poore 2. Corinth 9.7 and that in his name Mark 9.41 He shooteth at this marke in this one verse that is to teach them tender hartednes towards the afflicted which that he may the better perswade them too hee setteth before them both a plentifull and also an assured reward from God Vers 18. Chasten
drinke vz. of such as wee haue or as wee say you are welcome I am sorie I haue no better cheare c. but his heart is not with thee i. standeth not vprightly affected towards thee hee giueth a reason why men should not eate such mens meates because they are hollowe hearted and full of hipocrisie pretending in words liberalitie whereas they foster niggardlines in their soule Vers 8. Thou shalt vomit vz. euen for very griefe and sorrowe thy morsels which thou hast eaten i. all that thou hast eaten of his q.d. because thou hast eaten of his meate perceiued his niggardly minde thou shalt wish all vomited vp whatsoeue it be it shall greeue the so much and thou shalt loose thy sweete words i. the good communication and speach which in the time of eating thou hast vsed shall bee as it were labor lost One readeth this and the former verse also otherwise and giueth another sense but mee thinketh this is plaine inough Vers 9. Speake not vz. graue wise and good things in the eares of fooles i. in the hearing of a very wicked and vngodly man for he wil despise the wisdome of thy words i. he wil little or nothing esteeme such things as thou shalt wisely and learnedly vtter I take it to be the same in sense which our Sauior speaketh in other words Matth. 7.6 Vers 10. Remoue not the auncient bounds see for this Chap. 22.28 and enter not vz. either by fraude or force or otherwise to take any thing away from thence that is not thine into the feilds i. into the groundes houses lands or possessions of the fatherles i. of any that are weaker than thy selfe and not able to resist for the word vsed here signifieth such ones as thorrowe want of age are not able to defende themselues nor to put back iniurie whose father the Lord is called Psalm 68.5 Vers 11. For this verse conteyneth a reason why men should not oppresse the poore hee that redeemeth them vz. from danger and distresse meaning also thereby that hee will redéeme them and yet to the end the godly might be rightly perswaded of the continuall care of the almightie toward them hee speaketh in the present tense is mightie vz. so mightie as no one man no not all the creatures in the world are able to withstand the least parte of his power q.d. though thou now oppresse them because they cannot resist thee knowe yet that the Lord who is mightier and greater than all wil redeeme and defend them hee will defend their causes aganst thee see this expounded before Chap. 22.23 Vers 12. Applie thine heart to instruction i. bend all the powers and senses of thy minde to receaue it and thine eares to the words of knowledge i. applie all the partes and powers of thy bodie also to imbrace such things as are not onely skilfully propounded vnto thee but also may builde thee vp in knowledge and iudgement he vseth a parte of the inward and a parte of the outward for the whole man both inward and outward see Chap. 22. vers 17. Vers 13. Withhold not vz. at any hand correction i. moderate and due punishment such as the partie punished is able to beare and his fault requireth from the childe vz. that by any meanes deserueth the same if thou smite him i. chastise and correct him with the roode vz. of correction he shall not dye i. either thou shalt not kill him or hurt him or els by that meanes thou shalt withdrawe him from many euils that would leade to the death both of body and soule see for correctiō cha 13.24 also 19.18 also 22.15 Ver. 14. Thou shalt smite him with the rodde this is expounded ver 13. and shalt deliuer vz. by that meanes his soule i. him himselfe a parte for the whole from hell i. from danger and death both of body and soule Vers 15. My sonne see before chap. 1.8 10. if thine heart be wise i. if it be inclined to imbrace wisdome and thriue and growe therein my heart shal reioyce vz. very much or greatly and I also vz. my selfe in my whole man shall take wonderfull delight and pleasure therein Vers 16. And my reynes shall reioyce i. euen from the inward affection of my minde I will be glad for the scripture attributeth the seate of will and affections to be in the reynes as where it sayth God is the searcher of the heart and reynes when thy lipps speake righteous thinges i. when thou shalt vtter good holy and wise things hee putteth lippes for speach because they be helping instruments to vtter the voyce by Verse 17. Let not thine heart bee enuious against sinners vz. because thou seest them prosper or florish Many of Gods children haue been sore assaulted with this temptation as Dauid Psalme 37.1 Ieremiah and others and therefore it is not without cause that this commandement is so often put downe but let it be vz. fast fixed set and grounded in the feare of the Lord i. in a sincere reuerence of his Maiestie continuallie i. at all times both in prosperitie and aduersitie c. Vers 18. For this verse conteyneth a reason why they should cease from emulating at the wicked and fixe their hearts continually vpon the feare of GOD surely i. without al doubt and this affirmation serueth for the certaintie and trueth of the thing there is an end vz. not onely of the wickeds prosperitie and florishing how great or much so euer it be but also of thine owne patience and hope and thy hope shall not be cut off i. made frustrate or deceaued but thou shalt in good time haue the thing that thou didst hope for Vers 19. O thou my sonne vnder this terme he meaneth euery particular one that is apt and ready to heare or learne see vers 15. of this Chap. heare vz. diligently and attentiuely both with the eares of the body and the minde and be wise i. learne wisdome by hearing good and holy things and guide thine heart i. frame and fashion the affections of thy soule yea labor to rule them in such sorte that thou mayst walke in the way vz. which I shall shewe thee that is in the right way of Gods commandements see Psalm 32.8 Vers 20. Keepe not companie vz. at any hand this he addeth both because youth are greatlie delighted in eatings and drinkings and also because that thereby they are many times drawne from the way of vertue and well doing with dronkards in Hebrue it is bibbers of wine meaning thereby such as would quaffe of cuppe after cuppe and neuer bee satisfied such a one the Iewes did falsely accuse our Sauior Christ to be Matth. 11.19 nor with gluttons i. such as ouer charge their stomacks with meate q.d. haunt not such mens companie nor haue any familiaritie with them Vers 21. For this verse conteineth a reason why they should not haunt their companie because beggery and pouertie is the ende thereof the dronkards and gluttons shall
her course or kéepe backe the flander that she pulleth vppon her selfe Vers 17. Iron sharpneth iron i. as man by one iron maketh sharpe another which wee may see to bee true by daylie experience by whetting one knife vpon another so doth a man sharpen the face of his friend i. so doth one man stirre vp and prouoke another which I referre not to wrath and anger as the Geneua note doth but to the partaking of studies counsels conferences c. One readeth this whole verse more plainlie and giueth a better sense of it thus As a man sharpeneth iron by iron so doth the face of his friend sharpen a man i. a friend by the friendship and presence of his friend is instructed doth increase and is as it were whet on to good things Vers 18. He that keepeth vz. diligently and carefully trimming and dressing it that it may yeeld fruite the figge tree i. his owne figge tree which God hath giuen him meaning hereby he that looketh to the things wherein God hath blessed him shall vz. in good time eate the fruite thereof vz. through Gods especiall blessing so he that waiteth vz. diligently and painfully vpon his master vz. whom the Lord hath placed ouer him shall come to honor i. shall be highly estéemed both of his master and other and in the end also be much aduanced And here he maketh mention of figge trées because Iudea was full of them and beareth as we knowe a most swéet fruite besides as one of their owne Rabbins doth note the fruite of it is not all at one time ripe together but as it were one after another wherevpon a man doth by the diligent keeping thereof receiue a continuall profite as it were and so shall he that faithfully and diligently obeyeth his master Vers 19. As in water face answereth to face i. as a man may in water see the face of another man that is there with him and looketh into the water as he doth so the heart of man vz. is seene and knowne to man i. to another man True it is that mans heart is secret and God onely is the searcher thereof yet it is many times declared by outward shew as the semblance proportion of the face in the water see Chap. 20.5 Vers 20. The graue vz. receiuing dead corpses and destruction i. death that bringeth them thether can neuer bee full i. are neuer satisfied but alwaies receiue though a man bring daylie newe see Chap. 30.15 16. so the eyes of a man i. either his bodilie eyes or the eyes of his mind can neuer be satisfied vz. with looking seeing or beholding specially of newe and pleasant things see Eccle. 1.8 we may vnderstand also by eyes either the lust of the eyes as 1. Iohn 2.16 or els the minde which vseth the eyes as ministers and meanes to conuay things to it Vers 21. As is the fining pot vz. serueth for siluer i. for the fining of siluer and the fornace vz. serueth for gold i. for the trying of it that it may appeare good see for this part Chap. 17.3 so is euery man vz. to be esteemed and thought of according to his dignitie vz. whereunto he is aduanced and that for good causes q.d. As siluer is fined in the pot and gold in the fornace purged from the drosse so by the laudable workes that any man hath done or by the authoritie whereunto he is iustly exalted he is to be knowne and allowed what manner of man he is Vers 22. Though thou shouldest bray a foole in a morter among wheate braied with a pestle yet will not his foolishnes depart from him q.d. Though thou wouldest vse great and vehement meanes to reforme some yet it will not preuaile not that he forbiddeth vs to labour the amendment of wicked persons but that there are some such as by no meanes can be bettered Some ioyne these two verses 21 22. together thus All things and instruments haue their vse and a way or order to bring them to their vse gold and siluer are tried and purged after their manner and all things are through mans skill made fit for their good and laudable vse but there is no way to purge prepare make fit or instruct a foole Vers 23. Be diligent to knowe the state of thy flocke by one particular he meaneth all q.d. looke carefully to thy household affayres and take heed to the heards vz. of beastes that thou hast that if they be wel thou maiest see them so continued or if they bee otherwise thou maiest in good time labour their redresse Vers 24. For riches remaine not alway vz. with a man nor the crowne i. glorie and estimation to wit continueth from generation to generation i. for euer this is a reason why he should haue a diligent eye q.d. Doest thou thinke that thy riches are glewed to thée and that thou canst neuer forgoe them thou art much deceiued so to déeme for they are brittle and flitting things yea though they bee neuer so great and glorious therefore looke to thy things well and rest not slothfully in another mans labour Vers 25. The hey discouereth it selfe vz. when it is méete and readie for cariage and the grasse appeareth i. springeth out of the earth and that in great abundance and the hearbes of the mountaines i. the grasse that the mountaines yéeld are gathered vz. together that they may be food and nourishment for the cattle q.d. all these things shew themselues and doo after a sort craue thee as it were to gather them for thine owne good and the good of thy beasts as shéepe oxen horses c. Vers 26. The lambes are for thy clothing i. serue to minister cloath vnto thée and thine and the goates i. the increase that commeth of them are vz. sufficient enough not onely to pay the price of the field i. the rent of the grounds wherein they go but also to inlarge thine owne possessions and to make thee a purchaser of lands And in this verse he setteth out Gods great goodnes in giuing man these gifts as in the next he setteth out the moderate and sober vse of them Vers 27. And let the milke of thy goates bee sufficient for thy foode he meaneth not to tye men onely to this kinde of sustenance but to teach them frugalitie and sparing for the foode of thy familie q.d. good reason there is that thy household should be content with it when thou thy selfe art and for the sustenance of thy maides i. of the maidseruants that thou hast Do. Verse 1. Teacheth vs to hang vpon God and not vpon our selues for the accomplishment of all our purposes Verse 2. Teacheth vs to take heede that wee praise not our selues but rather to indeuour that others for our good dealing may do the same Verse 3. Teacheth vs to beware that wee prouoke not fooles to wrath Verse 4. Teacheth vs to beware of anger wrath and enuie Verse 5. Teacheth vs that open rebukes are many times better
more than he hath and will not seeke by any vnlawfull meanes to get money shall prolong his dayes vz. vppon the earth before men for I take it to bee but the promise of a temporall blessing Vers 17. A man that dooth violence against the blood of a person i. hee that in rage and violence doth shed mans blood or take away his life shall flie vnto the graue i. shall make haste vnto destruction because all meanes that hee looked and hoped for shal fatle him and they i. neither men nor meanes which he reposed some confidence in shall not stay him i. shall not bee able to staye him or deliuer him from death and destruction q.d. it shall so fall out that the murtherer thinketh himselfe in no place safe and flying from place to place as Caine saith of himselfe according to Gods iudgement pronounced before Genes 4.12 14. shall fall into such great danger as none shall haue either abilitie or will to deliuer him there from see Genesis 9.6 Exodus 21.14 Vers 18. He that walketh vprightly i. he that leadeth a godlie and iust conuersation see Chap. 10.9 Also verse 6. of this Chap. shall be saued vz. not onely from hurt and danger in this life according to Gods good pleasure but brought at the end to eternal saluation but he that is froward in his waies i. leadeth a peruerse and dissolute life both towards God and men shall once vz. at the last though presently he seeme to stand strongly fall vz. into Gods most horrible and fearefull iudgements see 1. Cor. 10.12 Also Hebr. 10.31 Vers 19. He that tilleth his land i. painfully trauaileth in the vpholding and maintenance of the things wherewith God hath blessed him vnder one kind comprehending all the rest shall be satisfied with bread i. shall haue abundance of all necessarie and good things see Chap. 12.11 but he that followeth the idle vz. in their idlenes and is idle as they are shall be filled with pouertie i. shall bee most poore and miserable for beggerie is the end of idlenes Chap. 23.21 Also Chap. 24.34 Vers 20. A faithfull man i. he that dealeth vprightly and soundly with men deceiuing none which may appeare because in the Hebrue text he calleth him a man of faithfulnesse shall abound in blessings vz. both from God and man q.d. All men shall wish him good and speake well of him and he shall be blessed also of the Lord and I would rather turne it but he that maketh hast to be rich vz. not respecting whether it be by right or by wrong so he haue it but dealing vnfaithfully with men shall not bee innocent i. shall not bee counted cléere nor escape punishment before God and good men for this phrase see Chapter 6.29 For making hast to be rich see Chapter 20.21 Vers 21. To haue respect of persons vz. in iudgement as to regard a great man and to despise a poore man is not good i. it is hurtfull and euill not onlie to the partie vsing it but to the man that thereby is iniured and wronged yea to the partie that hath that fauour shewed him because he is flattered as though he had a good cause when indeed he maintaineth a bad one see chap. 24.23 for that man vz. that so respecteth or regardeth mens persons will transgresse vz. Gods lawe and mans lawe by peruerting iudgement for a peece of bread i. for a very small matter or a thing of no importance for this phrase see Chap. 6.26 Vers 22. A man with a wicked eye i. that hath a wicked eye meaning thereby a miserable niggardly and couetous person as Chap. 23.6 hasteth to riches i. maketh hast to be rich which how dangerous a thing it is see before verse 20. of this Chap. and knoweth not that pouertie shall come vpon him vz. sodainly and or euer he looke for it so doth God dispose of mens purposes and practises Vers 23. He that rebuketh a man vz. vpon iust cause and in the spirit of loue and méekenes shall finde more fauour vz. of him which is so rebuked at the length q.d. though at the first the one seeme to be displeased the other to get no good than he that flattereth vz. another man with his tongue i. with his speach and words vttered with his tongue Some reade it otherwise and giue another sense but this is as good and plaine in my minde if not better Ver. 24. He that robbeth his father and mother i. spoyleth them of the goods and things they haue and saith vz. either within himselfe or to others it is no transgression vz. against God or man is the companion of a man that destroyeth vz. himselfe or others q.d. he is to be reckoned with a murtherer And the holie ghost doth not onely speake this as though hée would haue men so to esteeme of such prodigall and wastfull children who if they could tarie the Lords leisure should bee heires of their fathers goods but that hée would also haue Magistrates to punish them for it q.d. a stubborne childe that ryotously consumeth his fathers goods and scorneth at the admonition of his parents should as well be punished by death as a man murtherer see Deut. 21.18 19 c. Vers 25. He that is of a proude heart vz. either against GOD or man trusting in himselfe and not in the Lord stirreth vp strife vz. amongst others and that to his owne hurt but he that trusteth vz. stedfastly and vnfeignedly in the Lord vz. onely shall be fat i. shall bee abounding with all manner of blessings from the Lord see Chap. 11. verse 25. and the text according to the Hebrue set in the margine Ver. 26. He that trusteth in his owne heart i. in himselfe or any thing belonging vnto him is a foole i. a wicked man and therefore cannot chuse but perish but he that walketh in wisedome i. wisely q.d. he that prudently behaueth himselfe and continually hearkeneth to the counsell and precepts of wisedome following the same and not his owne minde and fond perswasion leaning vpon himselfe onely shall be deliuered vz. through Gods goodnes and that from manifest and manifold euills Vers 27. He that giueth vz. liberallie willinglie and freelie vnto the poore i. to such as are in néede and distresse shall not lacke vz. any thing that God shall see to be good and méete for him but he that hideth his eyes vz. from the poore or beholding of their miserie meaning hereby he that wanteth compassion towards them shall haue many curses vz. laied vpon him from God and become himselfe most miserable and needie He meaneth not that the people should curse him as though that were allowable in them but that God should pursue him with most grieuous plagues Vers 28. When the wicked rise vp vz. to honor and are exalted to gouernment men hide themselues vz. euen for feare q.d. there is great occasion giuen of feare and trembling but when they perish i. when the wicked and vngodly
to the nature of the soyle as in grazing tillage or such like Vers 17. Shee girdeth hir loynes with strength and strengtheneth hir armes i. she diligently and cheerefullie prepareth hirselfe to hir work and carefullie performeth it sparing no labor It hath been sundrie times heretofore noted that when in the old time they went about diligently to do any thing they girded their loynes see Iob. 38.2 also 40.2 and because great strength as we know is in the armes he therfore maketh special mention of them Vers 18. She feeleth i. perceaueth and that by experience that hir marchandise i. euery labour and worke which she taketh in hand q.d. she knoweth that while warely she gouerneth hir houshold matters and by diligence increseth the same it is as profitable to hir as any traffick or merchandise is good i. commodious and profitable hir candle is not put out by night i. she is very watchfull and diligent about hir businesse he putteth the whole night for a good parte of it meaning that she is more giuen to labour and worke than to sleepe and ease Vers 19. She putteth hir hands to the wherle and hir hands handle the spindle or after some distaffe which for my parte I doo rather allow of he meaneth that she is continuallie well occupied in spinning and dooing things necessarie for hir selfe and familie Vers 20. She stretcheth out hir hand to the poore and putteth forth hir hands to the needie i. shee is very liberall to such as want thinges necessarie the doubling of the sentence noteth in my minde the aboundance of hir liberalitie and this he addeth least any should thinke that because he had sayd before she was so painefull in hir worke shee were miserable and had no care of the poore Vers 21. She feareth not the snowe for hir familie i. least it should hurt them of hir houshold the reason is because she hath in good season prouided all things necessarie for them to put back the force of the cold for all hir familie is cloathed with scarlet i. they haue not onely things for necessitie but for comelines and pleasure and so the reason is strong that if abilitie will serue to minister things tending to the decking of the bodie it will serue to minister things necessarie for the vse thereof Vers 22. Shee maketh her selfe i both for hir selfe and with hir owne hands also carpets the word as I take it importeth rather couerlets for beds and is the same word that is vsed before Chap. 7.16 fine linen and purple i. cloth of purple colour is her garment i. she weareth fine linen and purple see Luke 16.19 and that of hir own making and that not so much for ryot as that she may be honestly and comely apparailed And this also setteth out hir diligence that she maketh such things at home as clothes hir self and hir whole familie and that not to couer nakednes onely but for honest and comely attyre which is not to be neglected of any according to the ability that GOD hath giuen him or the place or calling wherein hee is occupyed in the common wealth Vers 23. Hir husband is knowne vz. vnto others in the gates i. in the places of publike iudgement when hee sitteth vz. there with the elders of the land i. with them that haue the rule and gouernement of the people thereof and sit there vprightly to heare and iustly to determine all causes and this I vnderstand thus not onely that this appertaineth to the good womans prayse that as shee hir selfe is excellent in value so shee hath a noble and famous husband but also that hir labor and diligence appeareth in the comely attyre of hir husband and such other apparell as is beseeming his dignitie and that thus it should bee vnderstoode both that which goeth before and that which commeth after dooth sufficiently prooue Ver. 24. She maketh vz. with hir owne hands sheetes i. all kinde of necessarie and profitable linnen and selleth them vz. for gayne that not onely she and hir familie may liue thereby but also waxe rich and giueth i. deliuereth to be sould girdles i. sundrie kindes of ware vnder one cōprehending many vnto the Merchant vz. that tradeth them to other places In the Hebrue text it is word for word to the lowe people Which name is giuen to Merchants because these people dwelling nigh to the Sea traded much that way see Zephan 1.11 Of merchandise he spake before also in the 18. verse of this Chap. Vers 25. Strength and honour is hir cloathing It is sayd of God Psalm 104.1 that he is cloathed with glorie and honour the same he speaketh here but in another sense of a good woman q.d. she is so compassed with strength and adorned with glorie on euerie side that all that she dooth she dooth couragiouslie and comelie for strength and glorie stick as fast vnto hir as hir garments and in the latter day i. in all times afterwards to come whether it be the day of death or iudgement or winter or famine old age or any other calamitie whatsoeuer she shall reioyce or as it is in the hebrue laugh by which kinde of speach the holy Ghost doth note in the Scriptures securitie and safetie see Iob. 39.10 25. Vers 26. She openeth hir mouth i. she both beginneth speach and continueth therein see Matth. 5.2 with wisdome i. wisely q.d. she speaketh wisely and frameth hir selfe to speake not of toyes and vaine things as women commonly vse to doo but of graue matters as of wisdome and vertue and the lawe of grace is in hir tongue by lawe of grace in hir tongue hee meaneth that shee dooth euer propounde the doctrine and shew the way how to doo good vnto others q.d. she is alwaies speaking how and by what meanes she others may exercise liberalitie to such as are in néede and how they may shewe foorth the dueties of charitie for by grace he vnderstandeth kindnes towards others Vers 27. She ouerseeth vz. with a very watchfull eye the waies of her household i. the whole order of the right gouernment thereof the life conuersation of those that are therein and eateth not the bread of idlenes i. she is not slothfull neither eateth meate slothfully consumeth the time in idlenes nay rather feedeth not but when she hath diligently performed her worke the contrarie of this is called the bread of sorowe Psalme 127.2 Vers 28. Her children rise vp and call her blessed q.d. her vertues are so great and so many that her owne children seeing the same cannot chuse but commend her for them yea euen her husband as followeth in the last part of this verse by rising vp he meaneth preparing or prouoking of themselues to doo somewhat because they that sit and would take somewhat in hand doo rise vp to attempt and execute the same her husband also shall praise her vz. euen as her children doo for her good vertues and qualities saying vz. of her and that