worth Ch. 17.16 Where no wise councellers are the people fall but where there is an excellent counceller that is one of great wisdome and much experience there is health Ch 11.14 Where there be no oxen the cribbe is cleane that is emptie he meaneth there is want of all thinges when husbandrie is neglected but much increase commeth by the strength of the oxe Ch. 14.4 Where there is no vision that is no true and faithfull preaching of the worde of God the people are spoiled or rifled and left naked but he that keepeth the lawe blessed is he That is whosoeuer he be that heareth and obeyeth the doctrin of the worde of God which is preached and interpreted vnto him Ch. 29.18 Who can say I haue made my hearte cleane I am cleane from my sinne Chapter 20.9 Wicked men will not vnderstande or regarde iudgment that is vvhat is equall and right but they that seeke the Lord will vnderstand or consider all thinges to vvit least for vvant of aduisement they shoulde doo that vvhich is vnequall or vnmeete Chap. 28.5 Wine is a mocker and stronge drinke is raging that is it maketh them that giue themselues to the immoderat drinking of it ridiculous and vnrulie wherefore he that is deceiued thereby or maketh his vagary in it that is in bibbing of it is not wise Ch 20.1 Wisedome is high to a foole that is it is aboue his reach to conceiue rightly of matters of wisdome he can not open his mouth in the gate That is in the place of iudgment Ch. 24.7 Wisedome is in the face of him that hath vnderstanding that is his sober and vvel stayed countenaunce is a signe that he hath a wise heart but the eyes of a foole are vvandering towarde the corners of the worlde And this declareth the inconstancie and lightnesse of his minde Ch. 17.24 Wisedome resteth in the heart of him that hath vnderstanding and that which is within fooles to vvit their foolishnesse will make it selfe knowen it cannot longe be hidden Ch 14.33 Wise men lay vp knowledge that is they doo carefully treasure or hourd it vp in their heartes for good and profitable vses as neede shall require both for themselues and others but destruction is neare to the mouth of a foole That is he is readie to vtter that which may easily hurt himselfe and others too Ch 10.14 Withdrawe thy foote from thy neighboures house lest he be wearie of thee and hate thee Ch. 25.17 Read in I. If thou haue founde honie c. Withholde not correction from the childe if thou smite him with the rod he shall not dy to vvit as a malefactour for his vvickednesse which otherwise woulde by all likelihoode increase to his destruction yea which is more Thou shalt smite him with the rodd and deliuer his soule from hell Withholde not goodnesse that is beneficence from the owners thereof to wit from such as stand in neede of it in regarde of which their necessitie and by reason of thy stewardship God hath intitled them as the iust obiect of thy mercifull liberalitie when there is power in thy hand to doo it that is when thou art able to be beneficiall and helpfull Say not vnto thy neighbour goe and come againe and to morowe I will giue thee if thou nowe haue it Ch 3.27.28 Without councell thoughtes come to naught but by the excellencie of councellers to wit when from great wisdome and experience they giue councell a thought ariseth that is it prospereth or is established And then it follovveth Ioy commeth to a man by the answere of his mouth to witt of a wise counceller and o howe good that is o howe commodious is a worde or a thing in his due season Chap. 15.22.23 Without woode or when wood faileth the fire is quenched and without a tale-bearer strife ceaseth or is whist As is the deade coale to burning coales and stickes to the fire so is a contentious man for the kindlinge of strife Chapter 26.20.21 With the fruit of his mouth shall euerie mans belly be satisfied and by the increase or that which commeth of his lippes he shall be filled Ch. 18.20 And verse 21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue Read in D. Read also in A. Aman shall be satiatie c. And againe A man shall eate good thinges c. Here followeth the whole last Chapter as principally belonging to this letter or rather in the greatest part of it being sette downe in the order of the whole alphabet from the 10. verse to the end of the chapter as vve reade it in the hebrewe texte THe wordes of Lemuel the Kinge a prophesie or collection and gathering together of holy doctrine where with his mother taught him What shall I say my sonne and what ô sonne of my wombe yea what shall I say ô sonne of my vowes that is for whom I doo specially pray and vovve thankes vnto God as hauing thee most deare in my desiers Here therefore is most liuely conteined a most godly and tender affectioned care of a mother tovvarde her best beloued sonne as one desirous euen by the spirit of God to giue him the best instruction lett vs therefore verie diligentlie hearken to her most holy doctrine first touching publique gonernment to the 10. verse and then vvhat manner of vvife she woulde haue her sonne to make his more priuate and particulare choyce of and hovve they shoulde mutually behaue themselues the one to the other and towarde their children and whole familie Giue not thy strength vnto women nor thy wayes to those which bring Kinges to destruction That is to harlottes or any woman that is not thy lawfull wife Farre be it from Kinges ô Lemuel farre be it from Kinges to drinke wine to wit intēperately and from princes farre be the desire of strong drink that is all intemperate desier which would cause the euill effectes following Least he drinke and forget the decree and change that is peruert the iudgment of any of the children of affliction That is of any that are afflicted Giue ye strong drink to him that is ready to perish and wine to them that haue griefe of minde Let him drinke that he may forget his pouertie and remember his miserie no more Open thy mouth for the dumbe in the cause of all the children of destruction That is of those that are euen now appoynted or giuen ouer to be cut off by death Open thy mouth iudge righteously and pleade the cause of all the poore and needie And henceforth followeth the praise and description of a gratious woman meete to be the wife of a prince or noble ruler in the land Who shall find a vertuous woman seeing her price doth farre exceede the pearles or carbuncles That is all otherpretious things of this world The heart of her husband trusteth in her neither shall the spoyle be wanting that is through her good huswiferie he shall haue so greate abundance as if he had beene
mutuall helpers cōpanions yea let a man of vnder standing increase or fortifie strength that is let him ad strength to strength The reasō followeth For with wise councelles thou shalt prosperously make war by the multitud or excellency of counsellers thou shalt find safty A wise reprouer that is he that reproueth wisely and with good discretion is to the obedient eare as a goulden earing an ornament of fine gould Chap. 25.12 A wise son maketh a glad father but a foolish sonne is a heauinesse to his mother Ch. 10 1. A wise son reioyceth the father but a foolish sonne despiseth his mother Chap. 15.20 A wise sonne will obey the instruction of his father but a scorner will heare no rebuke Chap. 13.1 A wise woman buildeth her house but a foolish woman destroyeth it with her owne handes Chap. 14.1 A verie vnnaturall and vnkinde part A word spoken in his place or in the right and currant manner as it should be is like apples of gould with pictures of siluer Cha. 25.11 B Be diligent to know the state in heb the faces of thy cattell that is or ouersee thē thy selfe in thine owne person and take heede to the flockes For riches remaine not alwayes shall the crowne continue from generation to generation As soone as the heye discouereth it selfe and the tender grasse appeare let the grasse of the mountaines be gathered together The lambes shal be for thy clothing the goates for the price of a field that is for the purchase of a fielde to wit through the plentifull increase which they yeelde And besides there shall be sufficiencie of the milke of the Goates for they foode for the food of thy familie for the sustenāc or liuelyhood of thy maides Ch. 27.23.24.25.26.27 Before dectruction the heart of a man is hautie and before honour goeth lowlinesse Chap. 18.12 Behold the righteous euen he is recōpensed in the earth that is he tasteth of GODS corrections for sinne howe much more the wicked and sinner Ch. 11.31 Be not thou a witnesse against thy neighboure without cause or vnaduisedly neither deceiue him with thy lips or neither vndoe thou him with thy lippes Say not I will doe to him as he hath donne to me I will recompence this fellowe according to his worke Ch 24.28.29 Be not thou enuious against the wicked or boisterous man neither choose thou any of his waies For the frowarde is an abhomination to the lorde but his secret is with the righteous The curse of the Lorde is in the house of the wicked but the habitation of the righteous is blessed And insomuch as he that is God scorneth the scornful but giueth grace to the humble the wise shal inherit glorie but reproch takeeth away fooles Ch. 3.30.31.32 33 34.35 Be not thou enuious against euill men neither desire to be with them for their heart imagineth destruction and their lipes speake mischiefe Ch 24.1.2 Be not thou glad when thine enime falleth I say againe when he falleth let not thine owne hearte reioyce Lest the Lorde see it it displease him and he turne his anger from him to wit against thee Chap 24.17.18 Be not thou of them that touch the hand nor of them that are suerties for debtes If thou hast nothing to pay why shoulde he that is the creditor to wit thoroughe thine owne defalte and rashnesse take thy bed from vnder thee Ch. 22.26.27 Be not thou wise in thine owne eyes but feare the Lorde and departe from euill So health shall be to thy nauell and moistening or watering that is marrow to thy bones His meaning is by the reuerend feare of God thou shalt prosper in the bosome of the church through the secret blessing of God as the childe prospereth after a wonderfull manner in the wombe of the naturall mother Ch 3.7.8 Better is a drie morfell if peace be with it then a house full of slaughtered beastes with strife Ch 17.1 Better is a little with righteousnesse then great reuenewes without equitie Ch 16.8 Better is a little with the feare of the Lorde then greate treasure and trouble therewith Better is a dinner of greene hearbes where loue is then a stalled oxe and hatred therewith Ch 15.16.17 Better is it to be of humble minde with the lowly then to deuide the spoyle with the proude Ch. 16.19 Better is the poore that walketh in his integritie then he that abuseth his lippes and is a foole Ch 19.1 Better is the poore that walketh in his integritie then he that peruerteth either of his waies that is declining either on the right hand or on the lefte though he be rich Ch. 28.6 Blessed is the man that greatly feareth alwaies to vvitte vvith such a feare as doth not confounde or amaze him but onelie causeth vvatchfulnesse against sinne vvith continuall prayer to God for the helpe of his grace but he that hardeneth his hearte shall fall into euill Ch 28.14 Blessinges are vpon the heade of the righteous but iniquitie or violence shall couer the mouth of the wicked That is his ovvne sinne shall as it vvere smother and choake him Ch 10.6 Bloodie men hate him that is entier that is him vvhose hearte is vvhollie in some measure of trueth vvith the lorde but the iust haue care of his soule to vvit to deliuer him from the malice of the cruell Chap. 29.10 Boast not thy selfe before the King neither stand in the place of great men that is of noble personages for it is better that it shoulde be saide to thee come vp hether then that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of him that is lowly minded whom thine eyes doe see to vvit to be prefered before such as presume aboue their degree or thus which thing thine eyes doe see Namely that the prowde man is debased to his shame Ch 25.6.7 Boast not thy selfe of to morrowe for thou knowest not what the day may bring forth Ch 27.1 Buy the trueth but sell it not euen the trueth of wisedome and instruction and vnderstanding Ch 23.23 By mercy and trueth that is through the mercie of God vvho is faithfull and true iniquitie is forgiuen or done avvay wherefore in the feare of the Lorde depart thou from euill To vvit as a dutifull childe loth to offende thy most gratious and heauenly father Ch 16.6 By the blessing of the righteous that is by the manifoulde good vvhich they procure by giuing councell by doeing iustice by maintaining Gods pure religion and by their faithfull prayers to God the citie is exalted but it is subuerted by the mouth of the wicked To vvit by their vvicked councell by their blasphemies c. Ch 11.11 Read in S Scornfull men c. C Can a man take fire into his bosome his clothes not be burnt or can a mango vpon hote burning coales to wit bare footed and his feete not be burnte So he that goeth into his neighbours wife to wit with an adulterous minde he shall not
He that sheweth that which is right speaketh the trueth this doth a very faithfull witnesse he regardeth not onely what is true but also what is meete to be spokon as Ier. 4.2 but a witnesse of falshoodes that is an arrant false witnesse such a one as we cal a knight of the post who hath set his faith to sale vttereth deceit That is he doth for aduantage sake either disguise at his pleasure or vtterly falsifie or denie the trueth He that T HE that taketh away the garment in the cold season is like vineger poured vpon nitre or like him that singeth songs to a heauy hearte Chap. 25.20 Or as Trem. according to the vsuall signification of the first word of the sence noe and as all things seeme most aptly to agree thus As he that putteh on a garment in the cold season or vineger vpon niter so is he that singeth songes to a troubled mind That is he comforteth the heauy hart as the garment causeth warmth to the cold body and as vineger resolueth niter maketh it fit for vse whether for scouring or any other seruice He that tilleth his land shal be satisfied with bread but he that followeth after vaine thinges That is which spendeth his time vnthriftily is destitute of vnderstanding Chap. 12.11 And Chap. 28.19 he shall be filled with pouerty He that troubleth his owne house shall inherite the winde and the foole shall be seruant to the wise in heart Chap. 11.29 He that trusteth in his own heart is a foole but he that walketh in wisedome that is he that walketh in the feare of God maketh him his stay shal be deliuered Chap. 28.26 He that turneth away his eare frō hearing the law euen his praier is abhominable Ch. 28.9 He that VV HE that walketh on forward in his integrity is righteous and blessed shall his children be after him Or thus The righteous man walketh on forward in his integrity and blessed c. Chap. 20.7 He that walketh on in his righteousnesse feareth the Lord but he that is lewde in his waies despiseth him Chap. 14.2 He that walketh vprightly or entierly shal be saued but he that is stoward in either of his waies to wit either on the right hand or on the left eyther in excesse or in defect that is in any extreeme wickednesse shall once fall Or fall in one of them Chap. 28.18 He that walketh vprightly or entirely as before walketh boldly but he that peruerteth his waies shall be knowne Or made an example To wit by some iudgement of God that other may learne to beware Chap. 10.9 as it followeth verse 10. He that winketh c. He that walketh with the wise shal be wise but he that is a companion with fooles shall be afflicted or rather will waxe worse Chap. 13.20 He that winketh with the eye that is the close dissembler who worketh sorrow the foolish in talke shal be beaten Or shall bring trouble vpon himselfe That is both the one and the other shall be punished Chap. 10.10 He that withdraweth corne or As touching him that withdraweth corne the people will curse him but blessing shall be vpon the head of him that setteth it forth to sel C. 11.26 H I HIgh talke or excellent speech be commeth not a foole that is to vtter it or is nothing pleasant to a foole to wit when he beaneth it from the mouth of an other much lesse lying talke is pleasing to him that is wel disposed Or besemeth a Prince or chief man Chap. 7.17 H O HOnour the Lord with thy riches and with the first fruits or chiefe of all thine increase So shall thy barnes be filled with abundance and thy presses shal gush out with new wine Chap. 3.9.10 House and riches are inheritance from fathers or ancestors but a prudent wife commeth from the Lord. Chap. 19.14 I IF a wise man contend or reason the matter with a foolish man whether he be angry or laugh yet there is no rest Cha. 29.9 as Luke 7.31 c. If he that hateth thee be hungry giue him bread to eat if he be thirsty giue him water to drink For thou shalt as it were heape coles vpon his head that is thou shalt this way best winne his loue if he wil be gained or execute the best reuenge in leauing him to the iudgement of God if he will continue his malice and the Lorde will recompence thee To witte all which thou maist seeme to haue cast away vpon thine enemie Chap. 25.21.22 If thou be faint in the day of aduersity thy strength is small Or after an other pointing of the sentence thus If thou behaue thy selfe faintly or remisly negligently thy strength shall be small or streighted in the time of streightnesse Or aduersitie Deliuer them that are drawen to death that is such as are violently and not by due course of iustice haled to death for wilt thou withdrawe thy selfe from such as are going aside to death or slaughter If thou say behould we knew it not shall not he that pondereth the heartes vnderstand and he that keepeth thy soule shall not he know and will not he also recompence euerie man according to his workes Chap. 24.10.11.12 A precept to those that haue lawful power in their hande to rescue the oppressed and also to such as be in fauour with chiefe magistrates that they do solicite theire cause finally to euerie one of the seruantes of God that they mutually helpe one an other against the iniuries of the wicked and vngodly If thou haue founde honie eat that which is sufficient for thee least beeing full of it thou doe vomit it So make thy foote pretious to wit by withdrawing it from thy neighbours house least he be glutted with thee and hate thee Chap. 25.16.17 In all labour there is abundance or som profit arising by it but when the lippes only talke all goeth to wracke Chapter 14.23 Incline thine eare and heare the wordes of the wise and apply thine heart vnto my knowledge For it shall be a pleasant thing if thou keepe these thinges in thy bellie and if they be directed together in thy lippes If thy confidence shall be in the Lord and if also thou wilt doe that which I haue this day made knowen vnto thee Haue I not written to the excellent things or most princely sayings consisting in councels and knowledge Making knowne vnto thee that which is certaine euen the wordes of truth that thou maist answere with wordes of truth to them that shall send vnto thee c. Ch. 22.17.18.19.20.21 In many wordes or By a multitude of wordes that is though he that is faltie vse neuer so manie wordes to excuse himselfe iniquitie ceaseth not that is the faulte is neuer the lesse for that therefore he that is wise refraineth his lippes To witte as one being content to take a rebuke when his falt is laide open before him Ch. 10.19 Instruction is euill to him that forsaketh the way that
little mooue my foote Or in the turning of a hand c. Chap. 12.19 The lips of the righteous doe feed many but fooles shall die for want of wisedome In Heb. Forwant of heart Chap. 10.21 The lippes of the righteous doe knowe or regard that which is acceptable and consequently they find fauour but the mouth of the wicked speaketh froward things Euen such as procure their own ouerthrow Ch. 10.32 The lippes of the wise do spread abroad knowledge but the heart of the foolish that which is not right That is they set their minds to spread abroad false doctrine c. Ch. 15.7 The Lord hath made all things for his own sake yea euen the wicked for the day of euil Chap. 16.4 The Lord hath made euen both these the eare hearing and the eye seeing Chap. 20.12 See in the letter A. A childe c. The Lord is farre from the wicked but he eareth the praier of the righteous Ch. 15.29 The Lorde will destroy the house of proud men but he will establish the border of the widdow Ch. 15.25 The Lord will not famishe the soule of the righteous but he thrusteth away the substance of the wicked Ch. 10.3 The lot causeth contentions to cease yea it endeth the strife betwixt the mightie To wit in such cases as can not by ordinarie course of triall bee iudged and compounded C. 18.18 Whereof reade verse 17. in H. He that is first The Lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposition thereof is from the Lord. Ch. 16.33 The lying lipes are abhomination to the Lord but they that deale truly are his delight Chap. 12.22 The M The memoriall of the iust shall continue as ablessing that is God shal be praised in the honorable and thankefull remembrace of them but the name of the wicked shal rott that is there shall be no gratfull mention made of them in the church of God nay they shall heare their iust and deserued reproch Chap. 10.7 The mouth of a righteous man is a well spring of life that is he is plentiful in gratious speach to his owne comfort and to the edification and refreshing of other but iniquitie couereth the mouth of the wicked that is his owne hurtfull speaches and actions do as it were choake and smother himselfe Read in B. blessings c. Chap. 10.6.11 The mouth of strange women is as a deepe pit he with whome the Lord is grieuously angry or whome he hath in detestation shall fall there Ch. 22.14 The mouth of the iust man will be fruitfull in wisdome but it that is wisdome is ent off from the tongue that speaketh froward things That is to say wisdome can no more fructifie and prosper there then tho bough which is proyned and out off from the bodie of the tree Ch. 10.32 Looke the 32. verse The lippes of the righteousdo knowe or shall finde fauour c. The N THE name of the Lord is a strong tower the righteous runneth vnto it and is exalted That is he is set in a high safe place Ch. 18.10 The P THe path or causie-way of the righteous is to decline from euill he keepeth oule that keepeth his way For on either hand of this causie which god hath pitued for the righteous are nothing but deepe gulfs and quagmires to swallow vp those that slippe aside Ch. 16.17 The patient abiding of the righteous shall be gladnes but the hope of the wicked shall perish Chap. 10.28 The person that is full despiseth an hony combe but vnto the hungry soule euerie bitter thing is sweete Ch. 27.7 The person that trauelleth trauelleth for himself Or rather thus is the latter part of the sonteÌ„ce requireth He that is trouble in bringeth trouble vpon himselfe for his mouth that is the troublesome speach of his mouth reboundeth or recoileth back vpon him Ch. 16.26 The pleasure or fauourable good will of the King is toward a wise seruant but his wrath shall be against him that is lewde or that causeth shame To wit to himselfe and others by his foolish dealing Chap. 14.35 The poore man and the craftes man in such sense as we vse to call artificers handicraftes men liueth by his daye laboure and euerie other that vseth a more liberall gainfull skill they meete together the Lord lighteneth the eyes of them both that is God maketh this difference and dist inction of callings giueth to euery one their knowledge and skill and what soeuer good successe they haue and therefore either sorte are admonished to vse their labour and skill to the glorie of God and theire owne mutuall comfort in him Ch. 29.13 Reade Exod 31.1.2.3.4.5.6 and Isay 28.24 c. The poore man is hated euen of his own neighbour but the friendes of the rich are many That is both far and neere He that sinneth thus to wit hating the poor man shall be despised of his neighbour but he or as touching him that sheweth mercie to the poore blessed is he Ch. 14. â—0 21 The poore man speaketh with prayers or by way of intreatie and supplications but the rich man answereth roughly Chap. 18.23 The preparation of the heart or as the word signifieth the mustering of the thoughtes and deuices thereof are in man but the speach of the tongue is from the Lord. That is no thought taketh effect but by his blessing Ch. 16.1 We are therefore to commit the ordering of both thoughts words works vnto him Read in C. Comit c And in A. Al the waies The pride of man doth bring him loue but honor supporteth or holdeth vp him that is humbled in spirit That is to say God giueth honour honorablie esteeming them wil vphold them Ch. 29.23 The R The reward of humilitie or of mekenes of the feare of the Lord is riches honour and life Ch. 22.4 The rich and the poore meete together the Lord is the maker of them all Ch. 22.2 That is he doth not only giue theÌ„ their being but also to be euen such as they are The riches of vanitie that is which are gotten by any vniust and deceitfull means shall be diminished but he that gathereth with the hand that is by honest labour shall increase them Ch. 13.11 The rich man is wise in his owne conceit that is be thinketh himselfe so much the wiser or better man as he is richer but the poore man that hath vnderstanding can trie him or search out what is in him Chapter 28.11 The rich mans riches are his strong city and as an high wall in his imagination Ch. 18.11 The rich mans riches are his strong citie that which feareth or daunteth the needie is their pouertie Ch. 10.15 The rich ruleth ouer the poore and the borrower is made a seruant to the man that lendeth Ch. 22.7 The righteous eateth to the contentaon of his minde but the belly of the wicked shall want Ch. 13.25 The righteous escapeth out of trouble and the wicked commeth in his steade Ch.
aboue that they looke for plague punishe them C. 12.21 These sixe thinges doth the Lord hate yea seauen are abhomination to his soule The hautie eyes a lying tongue and hands that shed innocent bloud An heart that imagineth or contrineth wicked deuises feete that be swift in running to mischiefe A false witnes that breatheth forth or craftily forgeth coÌ„pacteth lies he that raiseth vp or causeth coutentions to come betwixt bretheren Ch. 6.16.17.18.19 They that are froward in heart are abhomination to the Lord but they that are perfect or enter in the way are his delight or such as he fauourably accepteth Chapter 11.20 They that forsake the law praise the wicked but they that keepe the lawe set themselues or are as it were in conflict against them Chapt. 28.4 Thine owne friende and thy fathers friend to wit whose friendship descendeth as it were hereditarily to the forsake thou not neither go to thy brothers house in the day of thy calamitie better is a neighbour that is neare then a brother farre off Ch. 27.10 Thornes and snares or thornie snares are in the way of the froward to wit to pricke snare themselues withal as a fruite of their pride c. but he that keepeth his soule that is to say from sin shal be far from them Ch. 22.5 Through wisdome the house is builded by vnderstanding it is established By knowledge also thy chambers shal be filled with all pretious and pleasant riches Ch. 24.3.4 Tough hand be to hand that is though they ioyne in mutuall helpe and assistance the wicked shall not be vnpunished but the seed of the righteous escapeth Or is deliuered To wit though one cannot helpe and succour an other they being oftentimes sinâ—â—â— dispersed For God is their deliuerer auenger Ch. 11.21 Thou shalt not remoue the ancient bounds which thy fathers haue made Or set and disposed 22.28 To do iustice and iudgment is more acceptable to the Lord then sacrifice Chapter 21.3 To haue respect of person is not good a man should then transgresse for a morsell of breade Ch. 28.21 And Chap. 24.23 it is one of those thinges which are saide to belong to the wise Trauell not too much to be rich or toile not thy selfe that thou mightest grow rich cease from thy wisdome to wit from thy naturall wisdome in compassing sea and land as it were to get riches Wilt thou cause thine eyes to fly toward them to wit as the greedie foule hasteth hir flight to the pray they are not that is by and by they are gon to wit as birdes skarred before they canbe seazed on for they doe speedely betake theÌ„selues to their wings as an eagle they flye into the ayer C. 23.4.5 Trust in the Lord with all thy hearte and leane not to thy owne wisdome In all thy wayes acknowledge him and he will direct thy goings Ch. 3.5.6 Here followeth the whole thirtie Chapter as belonging wholly to this letter THe wordes of Agur the sonne of Iakeh a collection or Prophesi the spech or saying of man that is al excellent speach or holy doctrin and prophesie which any man vttereth is of Ithiel of Ithiell I say and of vcal That is of him to whome these names doe most properly agree euen of almightie GOD by the gratious presence and power of his grace that is to say in plaine words GOD is the author of all prophesie Which proposition he confirmeth first from his owne example as followeth Surely saith Agur I am a beast rather then a man neither haue I the vnderstanding of man That is which is worthie and beseeming a man according to that excellency wherein God first created Adam Agur therfore in these words acknowledgeth and bewaileth his natural corruption and deprauation and also teacheth all men by his example what we are to doe both in these words and further as it followeth Neither saith he haue I learned wisdom or attayned to the knowledge of holy things That is either of God or of his will or of any thing belonging to his heauenly kingdome he meaneth that he hath no true and perfect knowledg nor any pure desire to know any of these things by natural iustinct or mother wit as we say to the further disabling whereof it followeth in the next wordes as it were in a generall challenge against all men Who to wit of al the sons posterity of Adam hath asceÌ„ded vnto heaueÌ„ desceÌ„ded who hath gathered the wind in his fists who hath bouÌ„d the waters in his garment Who hath established any of the ends or bounds of the earth what is his name and what is his sonnes name if thou canst tell As though he should say none cant each man knowledge nor renew his heart vnto God but he that hath doone and can doe all these things that is none but God himselfe and he whome God hath sent his only son Iesus Christ through the most powerfull grace of his holie spirit by the ministerie of his blessed word the commendation vse whereof followeth in the next verse Euery worde of God or the whole worde of God is verie pure he is a shielde to those that trust in him Or that make him their refuge Put thou nothing to his wordes least he reproue thee neither be thou found a liar Two thinges doo I desier of thee withholde them not from me vntill I die That is so longe as I liue Remoue farre from me vanitie and euerie lying matter giue me not pouertie nor riches feede me with foode conuenient for me or with food measured out and appointed for me Least I be full and make a lie and say who is the Lorde or least I be poore and steale and lay holde of the name of my God To wit as one that abuseth it to serue his owne turne by forswearing and cursing himselfe that he may seeme guiltlesse and go still in the name and account of an honest man c. Accuse thou not a seruant to his maister or as the worde is more generall hurt him not with the tongue least he curse thee and thou be founde to haue offended To wit by thy false or vncharitable accusation whereby the poore seruant is wronged and prouoked to wish euill against thee the which thinge as Agur giueth to vnderstand doth both prouoke the lorde to displeasure and also is iustly reprochfull amonge men And note herin how great care the Lorde hath of cherishing societie when as he can not beare that he which is in the lowest state and condition among the rest shoulde be vncurteousely dealt withall There is a generation which curseth their father and doth not blesse their mother There is a generation which is pure in the owne eies or conceite though it be not washed from the filthinesse of it There is a generation whose eyes are verie hautie and whose eyelides doo lifte vp themselues alofte There is a generation whose teeth are as swordes and their chawes as kniues
new birth through a speciall enlightning sanctifying of the heart tongue and penne of his seruantes whose faithful labours are met in the publishing of them for the common instructiō of the Church of God but the sentences of heathen men are in themselues vnholy earthly and prophane The sentences of King Salomon are all grounded vpon the true knowledge of God in the faith of Christ Iesus our redeemer sauiour who is the only true light of men and the verie life soule spirit of all sonud doctrine and perfect instruction they haue also their scope and drift the glorie of God cheefely and then the faith and repentance of Gods people vnder the assured hope of the forgiuenesse of sinnes and of the inheritance of eternall life in the kingdom of heauen but the sentences of the heathen are nothing so but wanting all sure ground they teach rather a shadow of vertue then vertue indeede therfore without a better teaching all the fruite vanisheth awaie in an idle and fruitlesse speculation Moreouer as the sentences of King Sulomon guide vs certainly to the right end of faith euen the glorie of God saluation of our soules so do they laie out and perfectly describe vnto vs the onely right waie of holie obedience and dutie both to God and man but all the goodlie direction of humaine and philosophical vertues dieth in the seruing of mens owne turnes eyther for the gayning of worldly prayse or worldly honour or for some other like end in so much as it is truely said that the matter truely scanned all their vertues are but shining and glittering sinnes Wherefore nowe vppon such vnequall comparison let euerie of vs prouoke our harts to haue these most holie sentences among the rest of the sacred scriptures in more high and pretious estimation in finitely aboue all sentences of heathen men And to this purpose I beseech thee to cōsider with mee that whatsoeuer may haue speciall force to moue the minde to desire a thing absent to ioy and delight in it being present and to hope for after fruite by it they all doe meete in the gratious sentences of King Salomō considered together as in one subiect For what moueth the minde to desire any thing but fame sweetenes pleasure riches bewtie and such like What delighteth but the same things therewithall in the matter of speach and instruction these three thinges plainnes breuitie and varietie And what afterfruite is more comfortable then ioy after sorrow saftie after danger glorie after reproch and if there be any other like vnto these Behold then what fame the fame of our Sauiour only excepted was euer so greate as the fame of Salomons wisdome How sweete are his wordes as ointment sweet perfume to reioyce the heart by all kinde of sweete counsell How pleasant and bewtiful like apples of golde with pictures of siluer How rich euen like the chaine about the necke yea like the diadem and glorious crowne vpon the heade Againe doe not K. Salomons prouerbes most briefely containe most ample large matter doe they not leade vs as it were by the hand into verie high turrets whence by a quick vew we may easilie behould manie thinges a far off which would aske greater paines longer time to bee lesse discerned of the wisest among vs walking through the low vallie of our owne thoughts Touching varietie what a large garden is here vnlocked vnto vs full of all sorts of sweet fruit pleasant flowers what a store-house for al plentie of spirituall foode and vittaile what a wardrope with robes fit to decke the mindes of all that resorte to it like princes children what a iewell-house of all kinde of pretious iewels to garnish the soule withall what a librarie of all flowers and elegancies of the best learning as in one litle enchiridion or shedule to replenish thy minde with holie vnderstanding wisdome And touching the fruite therefore of these so excellent sentences wel learned digested in the mind and holilie practised in the ordering of the life who can reckon them vp in order Only this shall now be saide in generall that blessed are they of God who will dayly exercise themselues in the meditation remembrance vse practise of them as of any other the holy scriptures of God Blessed are those Parents which wil wisely carefully acquaint their children with them as the verie manner of setting them downe in the name of a father most louingly and carefully teaching his childe doth declare that it is the will of God they should do so and blessed for euer are those children who hearkning to their wise and godly Parents wil learne vnstanding and wisdome from them Now finally this booke is dedicated more particularlie to the honorable children aboue mentioned to this end beside the reason expressed before that by one duetie tendered to them many by occasion therof might be made partakers of a common benefite And thus good reader I commende thee to the Lorde beseeching him most humblie for our Lord Iesus Christes sake to deliuer vs more and more from all vanitie of minde and to preserue our harts with daily increase of all heauenly grace both for wisedome and godlinesse vnto his euerlasting kingdome of glorie Amen Thine in the Lord both crauing thy faithfull prayer and also praying withal his heart for thee Prouerbs Chap. 4. verses 3. c. 3. VVHen I was a Child with my Father tender deare in the sight of my mother 4. He taught mee and said vnto me let thine heart hold fast my words keepe my commandements and liue 5. Get wisedome get vnder standing forget thou not neither decline from the words of my mouth 6. Forsake her not and she will keepe thee loue her and she will preserue thee 7. Wisedome is the chiefe thing get wisedome therefore yea with all thy possession get vnderstanding 8. Exalt her and shee will exalt thee shee will surely make thee honorable if thou wilt imbrace her 9. She will giue a comely ornament vnto thy head yea she will giue thee a crowne of glorie Chap. 22. verse 6. 6. TEach a child in the trade of his way euen when he shall be old he will not depart from it AN ALPHABET of the holy Prouerbs of King Salomon especially from the beginning of the tenth Chapter to the ende of the Booke A B ABoue euerie watch watch ouer or keepe thy heart for from it are the out-goings or issues that is to say the actions of life Chap. 4. verse 23. A brother offended to wit by the euill and vnfaithfull dealing of a brother is harder to winne then a strong Citie and their contentions are like the barre of a pallace or castle Chap. 18. verse 19. A C ACcuse thou not a seruant to his master or as the word signifieth hurt him not with thy tongue to wit by any vniust or vncharitable complaint lest he curse thee thou be founde to haue offended Chap. 30.10
Kinges as be carefull in their owne personnes to see that iustice take place Cha. 20.8 All or as the construction well beareth euerie one that is proude in hearte is an abhomination to the Lorde though hand ioyne to hand he shall not be vnpunished that is no helpe or assistance shall deliuer him from the punishing hande of God Chapter 16. 5. See in the letter T. Though hand c. All the brethren of the poore doe hate him yea euen his friende to wit he that was his friend in appearance they all stand aloofe from him though he be instant with wordes yet they will not be neare That is they will not be intreated to helpe him Chap. 19.7 All the dayes of the afflicted or poore man to wit such one as is not content with his estate are euill that is they are grieuous and irkesome to him but to him that hath a good conscience they are a continuall or daily feast Chap. 15.15 All the wayes of a man are cleane in his owne eyes or thus in an other verie apt construction Howsoeuer man as touching all his wayes is cleane in his owne eyes that is seemeth so to himselfe Yet the Lord pondereth the spirites As though he should say noe counterfaite thing shall go for paiment with him Cha. 16.2 Reade in T. The preparations c. A M A Man cannot be established by wickednesse but the roote of the righteous shall not be remoued Chap. 22.2 A man destitute of vnderstanding toucheth the hand or clappeth hands and becommeth suertie for his neighbour Chap. 17.18 He reproueth rash vnaduised suertishipe A man of much anger shall suffer punishment and though thou deliuer him yet will his anger come againe Chap. 19.19 Reade in the letter C. the next verse to Chasten thy sonne c. A mans gift to wit whether we take it for that inward gifte wherewith God hath graced a man or for that externall gift or present which he hath inabled him to gratifie any with all it inlargeth him that is deliuereth him out of straites and bringeth him before greate men that is before men of greate state and dignitie Chap. 18.16 A man shal be commended according to his wisdome but the froward of heart shal be despised Chap. 12.8 A man shall be satiate with good things by the fruite of his mouth and the recompence of a mans handes will God giue vnto him Chap. 12.14 Or rather thus accoring to the naturall construction of the wordes A good man shall be satiate by the fruite of his mouth the recompence of his handes that is of his workes shall he cause to returne to himselfe That is he shall receiue it to his owne benefit A man shall eate good thinges by the fruite of his mouth or as before A good man shall eat the fruite of his mouth that is he himselfe shall enioy the benefit of his good and gratious and well ordred speach but the soule of trespassers shall eate the fruite of violence That is it shall suffer violence Ch 13.2 A man that beareth false witnesse against his neighboure is like an hammer and a sworde and a sharpe arrow Chap 25.18 A man that boasteth of false liberalitie in heb of a gifte of falshood that is of a false gifte that is such a one as promiseth but performeth not is like cloudes and winde without raine Ch 25.14 A man that doeth violence against the blood that is the life of a man or as some other translate though all tending to one and the same ende A man that is opressed that is to say earnestly pursued by the auenger of bloode to wit according to the lawe of God provided in that behalfe for the bloude of a man let him fly to the graue let no man stay or support him that is let no man hinder speedie execution of the murtherer Cha. 28.17 A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a nette for his feete Chap. 29.5 A man that hardeneth his necke hauing beene often rebuked shall be as one sodenly crushed to pieces so as he cannot be cured Cha. 29.1 A man that hath friendes ought to shew him selfe friendly for a friende that is some frende-bodie as we call him is nearer that is he is more entirely affected and beareth more hartie good will then a brother that is then some naturall brother how neare soeuer they are linked by boud of consanguinity and nature Chap. 18.24 A man that loueth wisedome reioyceth his father but he that see deth or companieth with harlotes wasteth his substance and so is a grief and burthen to him Ch. 29.3 A man that refraineth not his appetite or which hath no rule ouer his spirite and affection is like a citie broken downe and without a wall Ch. 25.28 A man that wandereth out of the waye of wisedome shall rest or cease to wit from his erring in the congregation or company of the deade That is he shall haue his portion with them whose thoughtes perishe and who haue no part in the kingdome of God Ch. 21.16 A man will giue his riches for the ransome of his life or thus The riches of a man shall be the ransome of his life that is it falleth out oftentimes that the rich man will he nill he must part with his riches to saue his life but the poore man heareth no reproofe that is he is quiet while the rich is sifted to wit in times of warrefare and tirannous gouernmente so that riches as well as pouertie hath certaine peculiare discommodities Ch. 13.8 A man with a wicked eye that is which hath an euill eye hasteth to get riches but he knoweth not that is he willingly considereth not that pouerty shall come vpon him Ch 28.22 yet this contrarie euent befalleth many of those which doe most greedily hunte afterworldly wealth A N AN angrie man stirreth vp strife and a furious man aboundeth in transgression Ch. 29.22 An angrie man stirreth vp strife but he that is slowe to wrath or long suffering appeaseth strife Ch. 15.18 Anger is cruell and wrath is raging but who can stand before enuie Ch 27.4 An heritage hastily gotten at the beginning shall not be blessed in the end thereof Chap 20.21 An hipocrite with his mouth hurteth his neighboure but the righteous shall be deliuered by knowledge That is by wise caution and diligente takeing heede to the worde of God Ch 11.9 Answere not a foole accordinge to his foolishnesse least thou also be like him Answer a foole according to his foolishnes least he be wise in his owne conceite that is answer not folishlie but with wisedome as his follie requireth to be answered Ch 26.4.5 A P A Poore man which oppresseth the poore is like the raging or sweeping raine which leaueth no foode Chapter 28.3 Applie thine hearte to instruction and thine eares to the wordes of knowledge Chap 23.12 A prince which is destitute of vnderstanding and a great oppressor shall shorten his daies but he that hateth couetousnesse or gaine
be innocent whosoeuer toucheth her Ch. 6.27.28.29 Cast out the scorner and strife shall go out and contention ceasing so shall also reproch Ch 22.10 Chasten thy sonne while there is hope and let not thy soule spare for his murmuring or to his destruction And if thou doe forgiue the punishment yet shewe thy selfe verie angrie for if thou lettest him escape to wit ouer remislie thou must vse more sharpe correction afterwarde Ch. 19.18.19 Childrens childen are the crowne of the elders and fathers are the glorie of their children Ch 17.6 Committe thy workes vnto the Lorde and they shall be directed together with thy thoughtes Ch 16.3 Reade in T. The preparations c. Confidence in an vnfaithfull man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth and a lame foote or a foote out of ioynt Ch 25.19 Correct thy sonne and he will cause thee to haue rest yea he will giue pleasures to thy soule Ch 29.17 Councell in the hearte of man is like deepe waters but a man that hath vnderstanding will drawe it out To vvit by vvise questions and by taking advantage from all fit occasions to prouoke him to shevve his opinion and iudgment And marke that the vvisest men are described to be more sparing in talke then the foole vvho vvill euer he bablinge Ch 20.5 D DEath and life are in the power of the tongue as a man loueth to vse it so shall he eate that is inioy the fruite of it Ch. 18.21 Debate with thy neighboure thy matter which thou hast against him and discouer not an other mans secret Least he that heareth it put thee to shame and least thy diffamation to wit that euill reporte wherewith thou hast diffamed thy neighbour cease not So then he vseth tvvo reasons to persvvade to the receiuing of the former precept according to the tvvo seuerall partes of it Ch 25 9.10 Deceit that is fraudulent and deceitfull counsell is against the heart of them that imagine or plot euill that is mischife according as we say commonly euill counsell is worst to the giuer but to the counsellers that is to the faithfull counsellers of peace shall be ioy Chap. 12.20 Depart from before the foolish man seeing thou perceiuest not in him the wordes of knowledge Chap. 14.7 Diuers weightes and diuers measures euen both these are abhomination to the Lord. Chap. 20.10 And verse 23. Diuers weights are an abhomination to the Lord and deceitfull ballances are not good Doe not they erre that imagine or busie themselues about euill that is about mischieuous practises but to them that worke or busie themselues in deuising practising that which is good shall be mercy and trueh Chap. 14.22 E EAse stayeth the foolish and the prosperity of fooles destroyeth them Chap. 1.32 Eate thou not the bread of him that hath an euill eie neither desire his daintie meates For as if he thought it in his heart so he wil say vnto thee eate and drinke but his heart is not with thee Or thus For as he thinketh or esteemeth in his heart so is he or so is it that is so is he or his meat to be accounted of eate and drinke will he say but his heart is not with thee Thou shalt vomit thy morsel which thou hast eaten that is thou shalt haue no ioy but shalt find thy stomack as it were ouerlaid at such a mans table though thou take but a small pittance to wit if thou followe not this counsell to abstaine altogether from it and thou shalt loose all thy pleasant wordes That is all thy wordes of welcome Or when thou hast lost or cast it vp that is when thou shalt finde thy selfe nothing beholding to him no not for one morsell of his meate or one draught of his drinke thy affaires or businesse which thou goest about shall be more ioyous or delight full vnto thee Ch. 23.6.7.8 Enter not into the way of the wicked neyther walke thou in the way of euil men Auoyde it and goe not by it turne from it and passe by For they cannot sleepe vnlesse they haue done euill and their sleepe is taken from them if they haue not caused some to fall For they eate the bread of wickednesse and drinke the wine of all kinde of violence That is whatsoeuer they can get by hooke or by crooke as we say But the way of the righteous is as the light which shineth yea which goeth on in shining or shineth more and more vnto the perfect day that is to high noone or thus which goeth on in shining so as euery one of them is firme in day that is constantly continuing and abiding in the light of the day walking as it were in the light of the Lord vprightly and in the plaine path c. As for the way of the wicked it is like the darkenesse they know not whereat they shall stumble or sall Chap. 4.14.15.16.17.18.19 Establish thoughtes by counsell and by counsell make warre Chap. 20.18 Euen a foole when he holdeth his peace that is auoideth rashnes is counted wise and when he stoppeth his lippes prudent Ch. 28.2 Read in H. He that hath knowledge Euen by laughter that is by wicked mirth or earnall iolitie the heart is sorrowfull and the end of that mirth is heauinesse Ch. 14.13 Euerie waye of man is right in his owne eyes but the Lorde pondereth the heartes Chap 21.2 Euerie wise man dealeth by knowledge that is he will not be busie in such thinges as he is ignorant in but a foole spreadeth abroad or layeth open follie To wit by his intermedling in matters aboue his skill Chap. 13.16 F FAire words or pleasant and delightfull speeches to wit such as are fit for the vse of edification are sweetnesse to the soule and causing health to the bones That is they are as good phisicke and verie medicinable Chap. 16.24 False ballances are an abhomination to the Lord but a perfect weight pleaseth him Chap. 11.1 Foolishnesse is bound in the hart of a child but the rod of correction wil remoue it farre away from him Chap. 22.15 Foolishnesse is ioy to him that is without hart that is to such a one as is destitute of vnder stading but a man which hath vnderstanding will walke vprightly Yea he will make this his ioy Chap. 15.21 For the desire thereof or to the end he may haue his desire he will separate himselfe to seeke it and occupy himselfe in all wisedom or in euery weighty matter or in all thinges that are Reade in A. A scismaticall person c. Chap. 18.1 Reade also the next verse A foole hath no delight c. For the transgression of a land there are manie Princes thereof that is there are often channges but by a man of vnderstanding and knowledge a realme likewise indureth long or rather thus but when a man is wise and skilfull to wit in the godlie gouerning of his realme he doth by that meanes prolong it To wit his reigne or gouernement Chap. 28.2
forsaketh them shall haue mercy Ch. 28.13 He that I HE that increaseth his riches by vsurie and interest gathereth them for him that will be mercifull to the poore Chap. 28.8 He that is despised and hath a seruant of of his owne or is his owne seruant is better then he that boasteth him selfe and lacketh breade Chap. 12.9 He that is destitute of wisdome or wanteth hearte despiseth his neighbour but a man of much vnderstanding that is a very discreete man will keepe silence That is he will not doo as the other doeth Chapter 11.12 He that is first in his owne cause that is the plantine seemeth to be iust but when his neighbour that is the defendant commeth he that is the iudge trieth him Ch. 18.17 A notable description of a right course of proceeding to iudgment He that is greedy of gaine troubleth his ovvne house but he that hateth giftes shall liue Ch. 15.27 To witte a blessed life He that is hasty to anger commiteth follie and a busie body is hated or thus therefore to a prudent man it that is hastinesse to anger shall be odious or hatefull Ch. 14.17 He that is mercifull rewardeth his owne soule but a cruell man troubleth his owne fleshe Ch. 11.17 Reade also the next two verses in T. The wicked worketh c. He that is of a large hearte that is he that is prowde and licentious will make much strife but he that trusteth in the Lorde shall be fatte that is he shall prosper Ch. 28.25 He that is partener with a thiefe hateth his owne soule yea and he that heareth cursinge that is any execrable and notorious wickednesse and declareth it not Ch. 29.24 So farre ought euerie man to be from ioyning or consenting with the wicked in any vngodlie practises He that is flowe to anger is better then the mighty man and he that ruleth ouer his minde then he that winneth a citie Ch. 16.32 He that is flow to wrath is of great wisdom but he that is of a hastie spirite exalteth or lifteth vp folly Ch. 14.29 He that is wise in his businesse or thus he that attendeth to the word shall finde that is atteine to good and blessed is he that trusteth in the Lorde Ch. 16.20 He that iustifieth the wicked and he that condemneth the iust they are both a like abhomination to the Lorde Ch. 17.15 He that K HE that keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soule from afflictions Ch. 21.23 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life but he that prostituteth his lippes it shall be destruction to him Ch. 13.3 He that keepeth the commaundement keepeth his soule but he that despiseth his waies that is the wayes of God shall die Ch. 16.19 He that keepeth the figge tree shall eate the fruite thereof so he that waiteth vpon his maister shall come to honour Chapter 27.18 He that keepeth the lawe is a prudent sonne but he that feedeth or is acompanion with gluttons shameth his father Chap 28.7 He that L HE that loueth his soule possesseth his heart he keepeth vnderstanding that he may finde goodnesse Ch. 19.8 He that loueth instruction loueth knowledge but he that hateth correction is a foole or brutish Ch. 12.1 He that loueth pastime or iolitie shall be a poore man he that loueth wine and oile that is he that is ouer delitious and dainty shall not be rich Chap. 21.17 He that loueth purenesse of heart for the grace of his lippes the kinge shall be his friende Ch. 22.11 He that M HE that mocketh the poore reprocheth him that made him so that is he reprocheth the Lord God who maketh either poore or rich whom it pleaseth him and he that reioyceth at destruction shall not be vnpunished Ch. 17.5 He that O HE that oppresseth the poore reprocheth him that made him but he that hath mercie on the poore honoureth him That is to saye God who maketh whom he will poore as before Ch. 14.31 He that oppresseth the poore to increase himselfe and he that giueth to the rich shal suerly come to pouertie Ch. 22.16 He that P HE that passeth by and angrilie medleth with the strife that belongeth not vnto him is as one that taketh a dogge by the eares Ch. 26.17 He that praiseth his friende with a loude voice rising earlie in the morning it shall be counted to him as a curse That is it shall not be accepted A iust rewarde of officious flatterie Ch. 27.14 He that R HEe that rebuketh a man shall finde more fauoure at the length or as Trem He that rebuketh a man after me that is to cause him towalke in the wayes of God according to the instructions of K. Salomon he shall finde more fauoure then he that flattereth with his tongue Ch. 28.22 He that regardeth instruction is in the way of life but he that refuseth correction causeth to go out of the waie Or thus The way of life is his that regardeth instruction but the way of him that refuseth correction couseth to erre Ch. 10.7 He that reproueth the wise and obedient eare is as a golden earing and an ornament of fine golde Ch. 25.12 Reade in A. A wise reprouer c. He that rewardeth euill for good euill shall not depart from his house Chap. 17.13 He that robbeth his father and mother and sayeth it is no transgression is the companion of a man that destroyeth That is he that wasteth his fathers goods and mocketh at all admonition is worthy to haue like punishment with the murtherer according as his sinne is of like nature Ch 28. See Deut. 24.21.18 c. He that S HE that saith to the wicked thou art righteous him shall the people curse multitudes shall abhorre him But to them that rebuke him shall be pleasure and vpon them shall come the blessing of goodnesse or of the goood man He that is to say the good and godly man will kisse the lippes of him that answereth vpright wordes That is he will greatlie reuerence such a one Chap. 24.24.25.26 He that seeketh carnestly to doe good getteth fauour but he that seeketh euill or as touching him that seeketh euill that is to worke mischiefe it shall come vnto him Ch. 11.27 He that sendeth a message by the hande that is by the ministerie and se ruice of a foole doth as if he should cut off the feete to wit of the messenger after that he hath commaunded him his seruice and so drinke the fruite of crueltie For it were better and more safe specially in matters of great consequence not to send at all then to sende a foole whether he be ignorant or hauing meete knowledge be knowne to be vnfaithfull Chap. 26.6 He that soweth iniquity shall reape affliction and by therod of his owne anger he shall falle Chap. 22.8 He that spareth his rod hateth his childe but he that loueth him nourtureth him betime Chap. 13.24 He that speaketh trueth will shew righteousnesse but a false witnesse vseth deceit Chap. 12.17 Or thus
euerlasting deliuerance from death and from all feare of death is there to be founde Who therfore shoulde not be effectually moued to enter that path and to walke constantly in it Ch. 12.28 Loue not sleepe lest thou come to pouertie open thin eyes that is be diligent in following the duties of thy calling and so be thou satisfied with breade Or thou shalt be satisfied with bread Ch. 20.13 M MAke no frendship with an angrie man neither go thou with the furious man Least thou learne his waies and receaue destruction or a snare to thy soule That is such a snare as shoulde indanger thy soule to the heauie displeasure of God Ch. 22.24.25 Many deuices are in mans heart but the councell of the Lorde it shall stand Chap. 19.21 Many doo seeke the face of the ruler but euerie mans iudgment commeth from the Lorde Ch. 29.26 Many men or thus As touching the multitude or greater parte of men euerie one maketh boast of his goodnesse but who can finde a man of faithfulnesse That is to say a man that is verie faithful indeed Ch. 20.6 Many reuerence the face of the Prince Or thus Many make sute to the prince or to him that is francke and liberally minded and euerie man is friende to him that giueth giftes Or that is bountifull Ch. 19.6 But it is contrariwise with the poore man who is cast off on all handes as it followeth in the next verse Read in A. All the brethren c. Mercy and trueth Or we may reade thus Clemency and faithfulnes preserue the kinge and he establisheth his throne by clemencie Or mercie Ch. 20.28 Much foode is in the fielde of the poore but the fielde is destroyed without discretion Or as followeth Much foode commeth to the poore by tillage but there is that consumeth himselfe through neglect of his duetie He meaneth euen some of such as haue as we speake much to take to Ch. 13.23 My sonne be wise and reioice my heart that I may answere him that woulde reproch me in any matter Ch. 27.11 Marke here how notably the good bringing vp of children pleadeth for the credit and estimation of Parents My sonne eate hony for it is good and the hony combe which is sweete to the roofe of thy mouth So know that wisdome wil be to thy soule if thou shalt finde it for there shall be a rewarde and thy hope shall not be cutte off Ch. 24.13.14 My sonne feare the Lorde and the Kinge and haue no fellowshippe with them that are seditious or loose and licentious for their destruction shall rise vp sodainlie and who knoweth the ruine of them both That is both of the inordinate and licentious themselues and also of those that shall sorte and company with them Ch. 24.21.22 My sonne giue me thy heart and let thine eyes delight in or heedefully obserue my waies For a whore is as a deepe ditch and a strange woman that is such a one as estrangeth her selfe from the holy waies of God as Chap. 2.16.17 Is as a narrowe pit Also she lieth in wait as for a pray increaseth transgressours among men To whome is woe To whome is alasse or sorrow To whome is much strife To whom is babling To whom are woundes without cause that is euen such as he may thanke no bodie for but himselfe to whom is the rednes of the eies Euen to them that tary long at the wine to them that goe and seeke after mixt wine Looke thou not vpon the wine when it waxeth red and vttereth his colour in the cuppe and goeth downe pleasantly or rather thus and moueth it selfe or sparteleth and springeth to wit in the cup as being of the right or best kinde In the ende thereof it will bite like a serpent and sting like a cookatrice or viper Thine eies wil looke vpon strange women and thine heart will speake lewde thinges And thou shalt be as one that lyeth in the middest of the sea yea as one that lyeth in the toppe of the mast That is greatly reeling and staggering too and fro They haue stricken me wilt thou say but I was not sicke they haue beaten or pummeled me but I felt it not when therefore I shall awake to wit as one haning slept away the former drunkennesse I will to it againe I will seeke it yet more Chap. 23.26.27.28.29.30.31.32.33.34.35 A liuely description of the beastly vnsatiablenesse miserable condition of the drunken man My sonne heare thy fathers instruction and forsake not thy mothers teaching for they shal be a comely ornament to thy head and as chaines for thy necke Chap. 1.8.9 My sonne hearken vnto my wordes incline thine eares to my sayings Let not them that is the vvicked to wit by any perswasions of theirs to the contrary cause that they to vvit my wordes should depart from thine eies but keepe them in the middest of thy heart For they are life vnto those that find them and healthfull to the whole flesh of euery of them Aboue euery watch watch ouer or keepe thine heart for from it are the outgoings or issues that is the actions of life Put away from thee a froward mouth and remooue wicked lippes farre from thee Let thine eies behold the right or look right forth and let thine eie-lids looke directly before thee Ponder the path of thy foote yea let all thy waies be ordered aright or vvell setteled and stayed Turn not to the right hand nor to the left but remoue thy foote from euill That is from euery by-path of sinne Ch. 4. verses 20.21.22.23.24.25.26.27 My sonne if sinners intise thee consent thou not Chap. 1.10 c. And verses 15.16 My sonne walke thou not in the way with them refraine thy foote from their path For with their feete they runne to euill and they make hast to shed blood c. My sonne if thine heart be wise my heart shall reioyce and I also that is I shall whollie or throughly reioyce euen I that am thy father yea my reines shall reioyce when thy lippes speake righteous thinges Let not thy heart be enuious against sinners but let it be in the feare of the Lorde continually Or let it imitate those that are constant in the feare of the Lorde For surely there is a reward and thy hope shall not be cut off Chap. 23.15.16.17.18 My sonne if thou be surety for thy neighbour or friend and hast stricken hand with a stranger Thou hast snared thy selfe with the words of thy mouth thou art taken with the words of thine owne mouth To witte as it were in the net of the fouler or in the trap of the hunter Doe this nowe ô my sonne and deliuer thy selfe seeing thou art come into the hande of thy neighbour To wit of him for whome thou art become suertie for whome and by tendering of whose credit thou hast indangered thine owne selfe and standest bound to pay the debt if he neglect to doe it Goe thou humble or submit thy selfe to wit
is the meanes and instrument to giue wisedome but knowledge is not heartily imbraced vntill God by his holy Spirit doth worke a reuerend regard of it The feare of the Lorde tendeth to life or is for the maintenance and nourishment of life that is to say of spirituall life he that is once satisfied therewith shall contine we so neither shall he be visited with euill Chap. 19.23 The fining pott is for siluer that is for the trying and fining of sluer and the furnace for golde yea euerie thing according to his dignitie or answerable to that vse for the which it is praysed But though thou shouldest bray a foole in a morter amonge wheat brayed or as betweene the mil or querne stones with a pestell yet would not his foolishnesse depart from him Chap. 27.21.22 Behold therefore how deeply strongly naughtinesse is setled in our corrupt nature which can not by any meanes be beaten out but by the almightie grace of the spirit of God The foolish doe inherite follie that is they hold is reioyce in it as in an inheritance but prudent men make knowledge their crown Chap. 14.18 The foolish make a mocke of sinne or rather as followeth Sinne or giltines of sinne is a meane to set fooles at one or to bring thē into a fooles paradice as one would say but among the righteous that which is acceptable to wit that which God alloweth worketh content and agrement among them Chap. 14.9 The foolish man wil beleue euerything but the prudēt man will consider his steps Ch. 14.15 The foolishnesse of a man peruerteth his way and his heart fretteth against the Lord. Reade in A. As well c. Chap. 19.3 The froward in heart findeth or attaineth to no good thing and he that hath a naughtie tongue or is guilefull and craftie in his tongue that is he who hath a glibbe tongue to carie matters this way and that way to serue his owne turne he shall fall in euill Ch. 17.20 The fruite of the righteous is the fruit of the tree of life and he that winneth soules is wise Or thus For he being wise instructeth soules To vvit in the way of life and saluation Chap. 11.30 The G THe gathering of treasure vvorde for worde the vvorke of treasures that is about the gathering of treasure by a deceitfull tongue is as vanity tossed or driuen to and fro they seeke death To wit which seeke riches so Chap. 21.6 The glorie of God is to hide a thing but it is the honor of kinges to search out a matter The heauens in height and the earth in deepnesse the heart of kings cānot be searched out Or there is no searching out of them Ch. 25.2.3 The first of those prouerbes which the men of Hezekiah king of Iuda copied out The good man shal giue or deliuer ouer his inheritance to childres children that is God wilso blesse his posterity And the riches of the sinner are laid vp for the righteous C. 13.22 The H THe hand of the diligent shal beare rule but the idle or deceitfull hand shal be vnder tribute Chap. 12.24 The heart knoweth the bitternesse of the owne soule that is of it selfe and no strange thing shall intermingle it selfe with the ioye thereof That is as enery man is affected either vvell or ill so he liketh or disliketh keepeth or shunneth company c. Chap. 14.10 Reade the 9. verse The foolish make a mocke of sinne c. This seemeth to render a reason of that The heart of him that hath vnderstanding seeketh knowledge that is it continueth in seeking but the mouth of sooles is fed with foolishmesse Chap. 15.14 The heart of man purposeth his waie but the Lord doth direct or order and dispose his steppes Chap. 16.9 The heart of the righteous studieth or meditateth what to speake but the mouth of wicked men belcheth out that is rudely and rashly babbleth out euill things Ch. 15.28 The heart of a wise man guideth his mouth wisely and he addeth or furthereth doctrine by his lippes Chap. 16.23 The hart that is declined or he whose heart is turned backe shal be satiate with the own waies but a good man will depart from him That is he wil be shie of his company Ch. 14.14 The hope that is deferred maketh the heart to faint but when the desire that is the thing desired commeth it is as a tree of life Chap. 13.12 The house of the righteous hath much treasure or strength that is it is firmely established but by the reuenewes of the wicked man his house is disturbed Chap. 15.6 The house of the wicked shall be destroyed but the tabernacle of the righteous shall flourish Chap. 14.11 The I THe instruction of a wise man is as a welspring of life to turne away that is it teacheth vs to turne away or depart from the snares of death Chap. 13.14 The K Hhe kings heart is in the hand of the lord as the riuers of water he turneth it whithersoeuer it pleaseth him That is he maketh it saile as it were a stil flowing streame to strue his owne most holy purpose coūsell in all thinges Chap. 21.1 The kings wrath is like the roaring of a yong Lyon but his fauour is like the dew vpon the grasse Chap. 19.12 The L THe labor of the righteous tendeth to life that is to the necessary cōfortable main tenance of life in the feare of God but the reuenews of the wicked to sin That is they are consumed to serue their wicked lusts Ch. 10.16 The liberal person in heb The soule of blessing that is he that is hartily beneficial shal haue plenty in Heb. shall be fat i. shall prosper and he that watereth abundantly shal poure forth the more In Heb shall cast forth that is God vvill blesse him with such increase that he shall be able so to doe Chap. 11.25 The light of the eies reioyceth the heart and good hearing that is the hearing of good things maketh the bones fatte Chap. 15.30 Reade the next verse in T. The eare c. The light of the Lord is the soule of man Or rather thus The soule of man is as a light or candle of the Lord that is which the Lord hath lighted and set vp in him wherewith he that is to say man searcheth all the bowels of the bellie That is by the light of his vnderstanding he findeth out verie secret thinges Chap. 20.27 This may be more particularly referred to the king of whome we reade in the 16. verse next before Reade in A. A. wise King c. The light of the righteous shall reioyce that is it shall be bright their prosperity and happinesse shall be glorious but the candle of the wicked shal be put out That is all their pompe shall vanish come to nothing Ch. 13.9 The lippe of trueth that is vvhich speaketh the trueth is established for euer but a lying tongue indureth but a moment Or while I might neuer so
bending of all his bodily partes and members that way Like to the earnest archer who hauing deliuered his arrowe out of the bowe sheweth how faine he would haue his arrowe euen hitte the marke if it might be by bowing his bodie this way and that way all the vvhile his shaft is flying Lewde or froward thinges beeing in his heart he imagineth or practiseth that which is euill at all times that is so often as he can get any opportunity he raiseth vp or sendeth contentions That is matter of contention and strife which is a speciall mischiefe against humaine societie Therefore shal his destruction come speedilie he shall be destroyed sodenly or sodenly crushed in peeces without recouerie So that an irrecouerable punishment belongeth to the desperate and gracelesse sinner Chap. 6.13.14.15 The vprightnesse or integrity of the iust shall guide them or lead them foorth to wit in the way of happinesse but the frowardnesse of transgressours shall destroy them Chap. 11.3 Read verses 5.6 The righteousnes of the vpright c. The VV THE way of a foole is right in his owne eies but he that he arkeneth to counsel is wise Chap. 12.15 The way of a slouthfull man is as a hedge of thornes but the way of the righteous is plaine or as a causied way Chap. 15.19 The way of life is on high or vpward to the prudent that he may auoyde from hell beneath Or which is downward Chap. 15.24 The way of some is peruerted strange Or thus Who so is incōstant or mutable in his way he is also strange to wit from purenesse or sinceritie but he is pure whose worke is right Chap. 21.8 The way of the Lord that is the course which the Lord taketh in his administration and gouernement is strength to the vpright or entire man that is it is for their safety and preseruation but it is destruction to the workers of iniquitie That is so God vseth to deale with the vvicked Chap. 10.29 The way of the wicked is an abhomination to the Lord but he loueth him that followeth righteousnesse Chap. 15.9 The waies of man that is of euery man are before the eies of the Lord and he pondereth all his pathes Chap. 5.21 The wicked man desireth defence or safegard from euill but the roote of the righteous that is that onely wherein they are rooted and grounded to witte the mercifull and prouident care of the Lorde giueth it Chap. 12.12 The wicked flie when none pursueth but the righteous are as the yong Lion that is bould Chap. 28.1 The wicked or harmefull man giueth heede to the troublesome lippe that is to him whose talke tendeth to the troubling and molesting of men and a man of falshood i. a liar hearkeneth to the tongue of miserie That is to the miserable or wretched tongue which causeth miserie c. Chap. 17.4 The wicked ouerthrow themselues so that they be not but the house of the righteous shall stand Chap. 12.7 Reade in G. God ouerthroweth c. The wicked shal be a ransome for the iust and the transgressor in stead of the righteous Chap. 21.18 The wicked shal be cast away for his malice Or rather thus The wicked thrusteth forth himselfe or inforceth himselfe to his own hurt but the righteous hath hope or as the word signifieth findeth a refuge or reskue in his death that is in his greatest perill Chap. 14.32 The wicked thought or deede of a foole is sinne that is a sinne worthy to be condemned but the wickednesse of a scornefull man is abhomination That is to say it is greatly to be abhorred aboue the sinne of the foolish and ignorant man Chap. 24.9 The wicked worketh a deceitfull worke that is the fruit and reward thereof shall be farre other then he looketh for but the reward of him that soweth righteousnesse is sure Or true and faithfull That is it shall be the same vvhich according to Gods mercifull and bounteous promise they looke and waite for according to that which followeth in the next verse He that is firme or constant in the worke of righteousnesse that is in giuing to euery one their due yea in shewing mercy and liberalitie to the poore and oppressed soweth to life but he that followeth euill doth it to his owne death Chap. 11.18.19 The wisedome of the prudent is to vnderstand or wisely to take heede to his way but the foolishnesse of fooles tendeth to deceit Chap. 14.8 The wise in heart shal be called prudent the sweetnes of the lips that is gratious vtterance of speech or holy eloquence increaseth or furthereth doctrine Chap. 16.21 The wise in heart will receiue commaundements but the foolish in talke that is he which from the stubbornnesse of his heart murmureth against good precepts and instructions shall be beaten or procureth his owne trouble Chap. 10.8 The wordes of a talebearer are as flatterings or like to the wordes of such as are much broken vvith afflictions that is to say he playeth the counterfette notablie creeping as it were into the mouth of men to get something and therefore vvhispereth here and there pretending much good sooth c. but they goe downe into the bowels of the belly That is the vvordes of such are as poyson to hurte very deadlie Chap. 18.8 And Chap. 26.22 The wordes which the mouth of an excellent man speaketh are like deepe waters the welspring of wisedome is as a flowing floode Chap. 18.4 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death but a wise man will pacifie it Chap. 16.14 But on the contrarie verse 15. Reade in the letter I. In the light of the kinges countenance is life c. Read also Chap. 19.12 The Kinges vvrath c. There is a way which seemeth right before man but the issue or ende thereof is the issue of the waies of death Chap. 14.12 The vvhich sentence is further declared in the 13. and 14. verses next following Reade in E. Euen in laughing c. And The heart that declineth c. Reade also the same repeated againe Chap. 16.25 There is no wisedome neyther vnderstanding nor counsell against the Lorde The horse is prepared or made fit for the day of battell but saluation is from the Lord. Chap. 21.30.31 There is that boasteth himselfe to be rich and hath nothing and that feineth himselfe poore hauing greate riches Chap. 13.7 There is that scattereth and yet is more increased and there is that spareth more then is right or that withouldeth himselfe frō that which is right only to pouertie that is yet he cōmeth to meere pouertie C. 11.24 There is that speaketh wordes like the prickings or stabbings of the sworde but the tongue of wise men is health That is it speaketh those thinges which may be compared to a healthful medicine Ch. 12.18 There shall no trouble be cast vpon the iust to wit by hap hazard or chaunce medley as we say but the wicked shall be full of euill That is God will many wayes