A PLAINE AND FAMILIAR EXPOSITION OF THE Fifteenth Sixteenth and Seuenteenth Chapters of the Prouerbs of Salomon CERVA CHARISSIMA ET GRATISSIMVS HINNVLVS LONDON Printed by THOMAS HAVELAND for THOMAS MAN 1609. TO THE RIGHT VVORshipfull our approoued good friend ERASMVS DRIDEN Esquire Grace and peace be multiplied SIR hauing had long experience of your Christian and constant loue and fauour as also of your willingnes to read our bookes and your godly wisdome to iudge and discerne of all that you read we are bold to offer vnto your worship this testimonie of our vnfained thankfulnesse and to craue your fauourable patronage for the same Our former writings comming only as strangers yet alwaies found all good and kinde entertainment at your hands Therefore we cannot doubt but that this present treatise shall be welcome and well accepted not only for that it is like to the former for matter and manner but also because it shelters it selfe vnder your name and in speciall manner craueth our countenance And thus beseeching almightie God to blesse and prosper the faithfull indeuours of all that truly seeke the peace and welfare of his Church and daily more and more to multiplie his gratious mercies vpon your selfe your godlie wife and hopefull familie wee humblie take our leaue Yours in the Lord to be commanded John Dod Robert Cleauer TO THE READER THis briefe and summary collection of all the doctrines of the 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 and 17. Chapters of the Prouerbs which was intended for priuate vse I haue thought good with the Authors consent to prefix vnto this booke as that which I hope may be vsefull for many for by this direction those that cannot read all may make choice of that which most concernes them and those that haue read all may more easilie finde that againe which most contents them The reason why some verses with the doctrines are omitted is because they haue beene handled before A briefe Recapitulation of all the Doctrines of Mr. Cleauers bookes on the PROVERBS CHAPTER IX Verse 1. Doctrine 1. AL true wisdome is contained in the holy word of God Doct. 2. It belongeth onely to Christ both to build and beautifie the Churcb Doct. 3. The best way for good safetie is to become a faithfull Christian. Verse II. Doct. 1. The best cheere is that which is made for the soule in Gods house Doct. 2. It is not the wit of man but the wisdome of God that doth make the word comfortable Doct. 3. Gods fauour and grace is alwaies ready to bee found when it is faithfully sought Verse III. Doct. 1. They that will come to saluation must be brought to it by the ministerie Doct. 2. Christ Iesus hath appointed the preaching of the Gospell to be most publike that all might be instructed by it Verse IV. Doct. Ignorance should not hinder vs from hearing the word but incite vs to it Verse V. Doct. It concerneth vs duly to embrace the mercies of God when he doth offer them vnto vs. Verse VI. Doct. When we begin to cleane to God and good men wee must foortwith breake off all league with wicked men Verse VII Doct. The most faithfull Ministers are commonly exposed to greatest reproches Verse VIII Doct. Christian counsell is not to bee offered to an obstinate sinner Verse IX Doct. 1. The best men must be admonished Doct. 2. It is a note of a man that is truly religious to increase in grace and vnderstanding Verse X. Doct. 1. No man can be truly wise before he be vnfainedly religious Doct. 2. Sound knowledge is the mother of true deuotion Verse XI XII Doct. 1. Grace prolongeth mens daies on earth Doct. 2. Christians are most prouident to procure their owne good prosperitie Doct. 3. The wicked are most their owne foes Verse XIII Doct. 1. It is not a sure note of a good cause to bee set foorth with many words Doct. 2. So farre as any man giues himselfe to be an agent for sinne so farre he bewraieth his owne ignorance Verse XIV Doct. 1. Great men without grace are as much subiect to sinne and follie as poore men Doct. 2. Great meetings are seldome without the companie of sinfulnesse and Satan Verse XV. Doct. So soone as any one begins to seeke God the diuell and diuellish men will be ready to turne him out of the way Verse XVI Doct. Ignorant persons that regard not knowledge are the fittest prey for deceiuers Verse XVII Doct. Those things that be most vnlawfull doe best satisfie the humours of vnregenerate men Verse XVIII Doct. As euery sinne is more delightfull so it is more dangerous and deceitfull CHAPTER X. Verse I. Doct. THE comfort or sorrow of parents standeth much in the behauiour of their children Verse II. Doct. 1. No worldling is any thing the better for his wealth Doct. 2. The goodnesse of a Christian will worke him that happinesse which no outward goods could euer procure Verse III. Doct. Poore Christians are in better estate than wealthy wicked men euen in outward respects Verse IV. Doct. 1. False dealing rather hurteth than helpeth them that vse it Doct. 2. They greatly helpe their owne estate that are painfull and faithfull in their callings Verse V. Doct. Vse is to be made of good opportunitie Verse VI. Doct. 1. The greatest reward that God giueth his seruants in this life is to blesse them Doct. 2. When God entreth into iudgement with wicked men he will cause the plague so to manifest their sinnes that they shall not be able to denie them Verse VII Doct. The credit of good men will grow and the reputation of sinners will be turned into shame Verse VIII Doct. We ought to be tractable to the will of God without resisting or gainsaying Verse IX Doct. All sound safetie and boldnesse proceedeth from sincerity of heart and integritie of life Verse X. Doct. It is not safe to vse any member or gesture though neuer so closely to commit sinne Verse XI Doct. A good man is neuer barren of good speeches Verse XII Doct. 1. Not actions and speeches but ill affections of the hart are the cause of debate Doct. 2. Christian loue causeth men to bee mercifull to the soules and names of their brethren Verse XIV Doct. 1. It is not enough to bâ—ing the eare to heare holy instructions but the heart must also receiue and keepe them Doct. 2. The tongues of vngodly men are alwaies pernicious and hurtfull Verse XV. Doct. The extremitie of euery estate is dangerous and no estate safe without grace Verse XVI Doct. Riches are either profitable or hurtfull according to the owners vsage of them Verse XVIII Doct. 1. The Lord hath dissemblers in detestation Doct. 2. It is a note of a â—infull person to haue a bitter railing and slanderous tongue Verse XIX Doct. The multiplying of words doth make a bad cause rather worse than better Verse XX. Doct. 1. The best wealth of a Christian is laid vp in his heart and disbursed
This commeth to passe often but not alwaies neither would the Holy Ghost haue it taken for a perpetuall rule for how then should that be verified which our Sauiour told his Disciples that they should be betraied of their parents and Luke 21. 16. brethren and kinsmen and friends and be hated of all men for his names sake which wee see vsually come to passe also in our times But this is the best meanes to reconcile them vnto vs and winne their loue either sooner or latter as experience diuers times declareth And this procureth protection from God though malice be nothing diminished in them And this may occasion them now and then to doe vs a good turne in a fit as the Egyptians did to the Israelites or before they are ware as Hamon did to Mordecai though they beare no good affection to vs. The best way to haue mans fauour to doe vs good is to get Gods fauour Iacob was vndoubtedly perswaded of this when his brother Esau whose wrath he feared was comming with a band of men to meet him and that made him so indefatigable in his praier and wrastling with the Lord. And the answer which he receiued with the successe that he found was sutable to the meanes which hee vsed Because thou hast had power saith the Angell with God thou shalt also preuaile Gen. 32. 28. with men The same course tooke Mordecai and Hester to procure the fauour and helpe of Ahashuerosh and Nehemiah to obtaine Hester 4. Neh. 1. 11. his suit of King Artahshashte And it is said of the Iewes that were in Babel and other places that when the Lord remembred his couenant towards them and repented according to the multitude Psal 106. 46. of his mercies that hee gaue them fauour in the sight of all them that lead them Captiues Reason 1 First hee hath the affections of all men at his disposition Hee deriueth their loue and liking to whom it pleaseth him and he incenseth their wrath and hatred against whom he appointeth it He made Ahashuerosh to cast off Vashti whom he doted on before and to embrace Hester whom hee neuer knew before Hee caused the same King in a moment to abhorre and hang Haman which had beene his minion and principall fauorite and to admire and promote Mordecai whom he had formerly prescribed and destinated to death Secondly hee doth blesse the vertuous and amiable behauiour of his seruants that it shall be obserued of their enemies and that to the pacifying of their displeasures and reconciling of their good wils as their mildnesse and mercie their humilitie and patience their diligence in their callings their faithfulnesse to their friends their loue to their enemies their innocencie towards all and readinesse to doe good to euery one By these and such like though some be mooued to more enuy yet many will bee allured to better liking of them Vse 1 Instruction that when wee haue many aduersaries to oppresse vs and few friends to releeue vs we examine our waies whether they doe offend or please the Lord. If hee be at variance with vs for that wee haue prouoked his anger it is his displeasure that hath procured vs so many foes and it is our repentance that must obtaine deliuerance from them But if he be at peace with vs they shall not long warre nor at all preuaile against vs either their hearts will be changed and they turned to be our friends or their power restrained that they shall be but weake enemies Either they will desist from their malice or others will protect vs from their mischiefe or God himselfe will be our refuge that wee shall not be hurt by their violence Confutation of their follie that curry fauour with men by sinning against God as by flatterie and telling of false tales and seruing their turnes in all other vnlawfull practises Who is able to recount all the particular courses of this kinde they are so many There is no euill worke that they dare omit when they are required to doe it if it be in request nor any good dutie that they will aduenture to performe if it bee in disgrace lest they should make their friends become their foes Let them know that the friendship that is so gotten or retained is either vnconstant and mutable and is like to bee lost as soone as it is found or vnprofitable and barren that will doe them no good at their greatest need or dangerous and noisome that wil turne to the hurt either of their hearts or bodies For many of them whose fauour they haue paid for with the hazzard of their soules doe at length become their mortall enemies for the ruine of their present estate but which of them all will shew his kindnesse in helping them to Heauen and seeking the happines of their state to come Verse 8. Better is a little with righteousnesse than great reuenues without equitie BEtter More comfortable and profitable is a little small substance or maintenance with righteousnesse when the man himselfe is iust and godly and his possessions are well gotten and vsed than great reuenues either a large stocke and store of money or any kinde of riches or lands or pensions or commings in whatsoeuer without equitie which are vniustly come by vnrighteously kept or vnlawfully spent See Chap. 12. verse 27. and 15. verse 16. Verse 9. The heart of a man purposeth his way but the Lord directeth his steps MAny deuises intents and resolutions are in the mindes of men but the Lord directeth his steps his prouidence causeth their determinations either to proceed and take effect when they intend to doe that which he hath decreed to haue done or else to be staied and hindered when they purpose to themselues those things which hee hath not appointed And because the whole course of mans actions is resembled to a way hee therefore doth call all his particular proceedings therein his steps Doct. Men doe purpose many things but God disposeth all things The Prophet Dauid affirmeth the same point saying The Psal 37. 23. steps of man are directed by the Lord. And Ieremie doth also confirme it when hee saith I know O Lord that the way of man is Ier. 10. 23. not in himselfe neither is it in man to walke and to direct his steps If it had beene otherwise all Israel should surely haue perished when the Egyptians pursued them with purpose and resolution Exod. 15. 9. to ouertake and slay and spoile them Neither would Hezekiah and his people haue beene much more safe if Saneherib 2. King 19. could haue done as much as hee minded and boasted and threatned for his will was plainly enough declared by Rabshakehs words Reasons 1 First he alone doth fashion all their hearts and therefore can easily make them alter their thoughts and change their mindes or goe on constantly with their worke and continue Psal 33. 14. their resolutions Secondly they hold their power of him and their
may bee most mooued to shew thee compassion If thou be falsly accused make cleere thine innocencie with humilitie if iustly charged acknowledge thy fault with submission if remission may conueniently be granted beseech thy Soueraigne to pardon thee if so much cannot be obtained yet intreat that at the least hee would pitie thee Terrour for that sinfull swarme of Iesuites Seminaries and other treacherous Papists of euery sort whose practise and profession is to subuert the state and maiestie of the Prince They do not only detract from him and transfer to a forrainer the mortall aduersarie of Christ and Kings that authority soueraigntie which he hath in matters of greatest moment but denie him allegeance in ciuill causes and refuse to secure him from their force and violence against his person and dignitie If this audacious obstinacie if this egregious contempt If this most barbarous disloialtie should neither stirre vp the Lord nor the Lords Vice-gerent to punish them what safety could there be in ruling or danger in rebelling But certaine it is that God wil not passe by it though man would and his sword is sharper than mans is and his hand will strike stronglier than mans can and therefore let them and let all other sorts of sinfull creatures know that if the Kings wrath be as a messenger of death that Gods wrath will be a worker of their eternall destruction Verse 15. In the light of the Kings countenance is life and his fauour is as a cloud of the latter raine THE meaning of this sentence is that where the King and great personages doe affect and make manifest their loue there is ioy and credit and protection and preferment and all such prosperitie as man may be a meanes of for so much the word life doth import and the same is amplified by the two similitudes of lightsome and comfortable sun-shine and of fruitfull and profitable showres especially those which they called the latter raine whereby the ground was refreshed after the drought and the corne was ripened before the haruest And yet are not all promiscuously without difference in so happy an estate when superiours doe set by them vnlesse the Lord doe also grace them for mans friendship can neuer doe good vnto Gods enemies as may appeare by the condition of Doeg and of the noble man vpon whom the King of Jsrael leaned and of the Priests of Baal whom 2. King 7. Jezabel maintained and of the false Prophets whom Ahab respected Doct. Great account is to be made of the fauour and good countenance of Princes and such as haue authoritie ouer vs. The cheerefull lookes of a good ruler vpon a worthy person is as a bright morning after a darke night and as dew vpon Prouer. 19. 12 the grasse after a great drought as the holy Ghost maketh resemblance It was not a small comfort to Mephibosheth to finde so much grace at Dauids hand nor a little honour to Daniel to be so much esteemed of Darius and other Kings vnder whom he liued And the like may be said of Joseph and Hester of Mordecai and Nehemiah whom the Scripture mentioneth to haue beene in great credit with those Monarchs whom they serued and were in subiection vnto Reason 1 First a good man may discerne the fauour of the Lord in the face of his gouernour who as S. Paul witnesseth is the Minister of God for the wealth of them that doe well Rom. 13. 4. Those whom mighty men doe set by the most of inferior places will be ready to make much of so that one great friend will occasion many others to be very friendly though not alwaies with sound affection yet often times with good profit and comfort Thirdly they which enioy the loue and good liking of Princes and principall Commanders haue opportunitie put into their hands whereby they may succour the distressed and pleasure their brethren and promote righteous causes as may bee exemplified in those faithfull fauorites formerlie specified Vse 1 Instruction to them whom the Lord hath aduanced to thrones and dignities or to any degree of authoritie though not the highest that they shew most courtesie to them that be most honest and giue best countenance to them that be of best behauiour Sithence God hath deputed them to keepe his roome it doth well become them to follow his example whose gracious fauours neuer faile the righteous nor the light of his countenance at any time shineth on the wicked That was one of the principal clauses of Dauids Vow which he made to God before hee entred into the possession of his Kingdome that he would know or rather acknowledge by any kinde and familiar vsage no euill man Mine eies saith hee Psal 101. 4. 6. shall be vnto the faithfull of the Land that they may dwell with me He that walketh in a perfect way hee shall serue me Great mens kindnesses haue as much operation in the people as seasonable showres in the hearbes and plants And is it not then to be wished that they were restrained from sinfull weedes and nettles lest they grow ranker and smell the worse and reserued for vertuous hearbs and flowers which may be the more odoriferous and flourish the better Certaine it is that the hands of vngracious wretches are greatly strengthened and made able to doe much mischiefe by being fauoured of men in eminent places which may easily be preuented or staied by frownes or checks or disgracings from them And this serueth also for a motiue to inferiours to incite them to seeke by due desert in good seruices to be well esteemed of and in credit with those that beare rule ouer them Who knoweth whether the Lord may not direct their eies to take notice of them and incline their hearts to bee affected towards them But because it is scarse possible for a Prince to grace all or to know euery one of his dutifull subiects therefore they which according to S. Peters precept doe religiously feare God and loyally honour the King haue cause to comfort themselues in the fauour of the most mighty Monarke of heauen and earth which doth infinitely more exceed the greatest kindnesse that all the greatest states in the world can shew to their dearest friends than the Sunne-beames at noone in the clearest Summer daies doe excell the smallest sparke of fire in the earth in brightnesse It is euerlasting as he is eternall It is vnchangeable as hee is immutable It is effectuall as he is almightie It is most glorious and comfortable as he is the God of glorie and consolation Verse 16. How much better is it to get wisdome than gold And to get vnderstanding is more to be desired than siluer HOw much better It is so farre better to seeke and finde heauenly wisdome and the knowledge of God rather than gold yea euen that which is fine and pretious as the word importeth and siluer as that the ods and difference is inexplicable the greatnesse of it cannot be
and whose hope the Lord is for he shall be as a tree that is planted by the water which spreadeth out her roots by the riuer and shall not feele when the heat commeth but her leafe shall be greene and shall not care for the yeere of drought neither shall cease from yeelding fruit Reason 1 First the Lord doth take it for an high honour to be trusted in and depended vpon not allowing any creature to bee ioined with him therein Loue is so due to him as his children are also to be loued for his sake and our neighbours by his appointment And feare is so required by him as that Princes and parents and other gouernours must according to his commandement be feared But confidence is a worship properly reserued to himselfe and may not bee communicated to any other without disloialtie to him It were sacrilege for superiours to challenge it and Idolatrie for inferiours to yeeld it And as faith and affiance in God are themselues very acceptable to him so doe they make through Christ all our other seruices accepted of him Secondly he that is so well pleased with the faith of his seruants is no lesse ready to recompence their faithfull seruice and that in such bountifull manner as that they can wish for no more nor could possibly haue hoped for so much for his gifts are agreeable to his owne infinite munificence and not according to mans narrow comprehension All noisome things shall vndoubtedly be remooued from them and they deliuered from the danger thereof Gods wrath is mitigated his iudgements restrained his curses abolished and the nature of his threatnings altogether altered And what then car sinne doe And what can death doe or the diuell or the power of hell Much lesse shall malicious men effect their mischieuous purposes to hurt them and least of all shall any other creature bee able to worke their woe when the Lord of all creatures is at peace with them and their protector when he is as firme for their defense as the mightiest mountaines and maketh them stand as fast as the hils according to that saying of the Prophet They that trust in the Lord shall bee as Psal 125. 1. Mount Sion which cannot be remooued but remaineth for euer And for the fruition of good things let them aske and haue for he will giue them their hearts desire And though they aske not nor desire enough as who is that way so prouident for himselfe as his owne state doth require and Gods goodnesse doth offer opportunitie yet he will bestow vpon them all that in their behalfe Christ hath bought and paid for and that is incomparably more than they can begge or pray for It is said for their prouision that nothing shall be wanting vnto them It is said for the saluation of their soules that hee that heareth the word of Christ and beleeueth in him that sent him hath Iohn 5. 24. euerlasting life and shall not come into condemnation And it is said for the resurrection of their bodies that euerie one that beleeueth in the sonne of God shall haue euerlasting life and hee will Iohn 6. 40. raise him vp at the last day And it is said for the fulnesse of their comfort felicitie and euerlasting blisse that the Lord God is a Sunne and shield vnto them The Lord will giue grace Psal 84. 11. and glory and no good thing will he withhold from them that walke vprightly Vse 1 Instruction to labour for faith and trust in God as much as we wish to be happy and blessed Euery man naturally desireth prosperitie and no man is willing to beare the burden of miserie and torment Then let euery man abandon infidelitie and let no man be negligent to get a state in Gods promises Embrace his couenants and lay fast hold on them Applie thy selfe to them and them to thy selfe and bee assured that euery Article of the same shall bee performed vnto thee His strength shall be for thy safety his riches for thy maintenance his fauour for thy comfort his glorious heauenly greatnesse for thy great heauenly glorie his absolute all-sufficiencie for thy complete and intire welfare Reproofe of their follie which dote so much vpon sense and carnall reason that whatsoeuer they apprehend not by sight they little account of how faithfully soeuer God himselfe doth promise it by word confirmed with his oath and seale annexed to his writing Who almost doth relie vpon his might and power and wholly rest vpon his truth and fidelitie Are not most men of Achas his minde and shew it in deed though they say not in word that they will not tempt the Isa 7. 12. Lord that is put themselues vpon him for protection against perils and prouision against pouertie without shifting for themselues through feare lest hee should disappoint them There be many that giue him as much credit as they would yeeld to any bankerupt being willing to trafficke with him in his seruices and trust to his promises so long as they see ready pay and may attaine to present preferment or profit but further they dare not take his word Foolish people that forsake their owne mercies and trust to lying vanities that make gold their hope and men their arme that deifie base creatures by putting confidence in them and vilifie the glorious God by with-drawing their hearts from him which obstinately refuse a blessed estate by forsaking the fountaine of liuing waters and wilfully chuse a cursed condition by digging to themselues broken pits that can hold no water Verse 21. The wise in heart shall bee called prudent and the sweetnesse of the lips shall increase Doctrine THE wise in heart Hee which is godly wise and wise to saluation who hath knowledge and sinceritie mixed together in his soule shall be called prudent shall shew himselfe be knowen and iustly commended to bee a iudicious and discreet person both in the mouthes of godly men and in the consciences of wicked men and by good effects at last in the sight of all men and the sweetnesse of the lips shal increase knowledge The former part of the sentence declareth what good the wise doe get by wisdome that they attaine to the vertue and praise of prudence and in this latter what good they doe by the same to others which is specified onely in their words in their wel-seasoned and comfortable speeches called the sweetnesse of the lips that therby groweth increase of doctrine to euery attentiue and diligent hearer both for admonition instruction consolation and euery other vse as opportunitie serueth Doct. Sound Religion and pietie in the soule will make men circumspect and prosperous in their waies Their wise behauiour will so well become them and their good successe in the end will so much aduantage them that the eies of many will obserue their comely conuersation and their tongues commend their happy condition The Lawes saith Moses which I haue taught you keepe and Deut. 4. 6.
iniquitie as Christ and Christians doe loue righteousnesse and hate iniquitie and therefore they like not that any man should delight in that which they hate but wish that euery one would accompanie them in doing that which they loue Secondly they thinke that sinne will lie the lighter vpon their owne consciences if others can be drawen into guiltinesse with them and that they shall be the lesse blemished by that wherewith their neighbours are so much blotted though they make their burden heauier and their faults fouler by seducing their brethren Thirdly they are of their father the diuell and the lusts of their father they must and will doe He hath beene a deceiuer from the Iohn 8. beginning and sinfull wretches will be factors for him vntill the end they can no way else so much resemble him or so well content him Vse Instruction to be so farre from shewing our selues wicked persons in deceiuing of our neighbours that wee declare our selues righteous in directing of them so shall we be aduersaries to Satan and seruants to the Lord so shall wee exercise mercy in being helpfull towards the saluation of Gods elect and not crueltie in being contagious and hurtfull to the soules of any 2. To get vnderstanding and skill whereby wee may discouer the practises of deceiuers and so escape them We haue seene already Chap. 9. verse 16. that their call is Whoso is simple let him come hither and he that is destitute of wisdome And Chap. 11. verse 9. that an hypocrite with his mouth corrupteth his neighbour but the righteous shall bee deliuered by knowledge In which places see both the point and vses intreated of more at large Verse 30. He shutteth his eies to deuise wickednesse he moueth his lips and bringeth euill to passe HE The wicked man formerly spoken of shutteth his eies to deuise wickednesse seriously setteth his minde vpon mischiefe and would not haue his thoughts distracted and drawne away from it by looking heere and there vpon any obiects meaning that hee is very intentiue to inuent that which may doe hurt he moueth his lips hee speaketh softlie and whispereth he dealeth closely and would not be knowen in his practises lest he should be preuented and bringeth euill to passe by his industrie and secrecie doth many shrewd turnes and worketh much villanie Doct. A wicked man is neuer so studious and cunning about any thing as he is in working mischiefe His minde and his members and the whole man ioine together in the seruice of sinne as Isaiah instanceth in the niggard He will speake of niggardnesse and his heart will worke iniquitie Isa 32. 6. and doe wickedly and speake falsly against the Lord to make empty the hungrie soule and to cause the drinke of the thirstie to faile And Micah his testimonie tendeth to the same purpose when he saith that they imagine and worke wickednesse vpon their Micah 2. 1. beds and when the morning is light they practise it Reason 1 First they delight in nothing so much as that which is worst and most pernicious their meat and drinke and rest doe not so much refresh them as leaud behauiour doth affect them For they cannot sleepe except they haue done euill and their Prouer. 4. 16. sleepe departeth except they cause some to fall For they eat the bread of wickednesse and drinke the wine of violence Secondly they are wholly bent to their designements and fully resolued in their purposes and therefore muse and meditate of all such proiects as bee for their furtherance and auoid all the lets and impediments that any way may hinder them Instruction for all that feare God for against them commonly most hurt is intended to be as watchfull and wise for their owne preseruation as the other are painfull and craftie to vndermine them When the one sort shut their eies and fall to plotting it concerneth the other to open their eies and fall to praier that God would behold how their enemies winked wiles and by his good prouidence preuent them Then let them speake out and crie aloud to the Lord for direction helpe and deliuerance when such as seeke their ruine begin to fal to muttering and to conspire together against them in secret And for further vse of this point it is not to be passed ouer that the studiousnesse of these malicious men is imitable though the matter which they study for bee odious and damnable If they cast about how to fulfill their wicked wils shall not wee meditate how to accomplish our godly desires If they beat their braines to finde out deuices for the seruice of Satan the hurt of their neighbours and their owne perdition ought not we to bend our thoughts to learne the best meanes for the glory of God the good of our brethren and our owne saluation The Prophet Isaiah condemneth the Churle for deuising wicked counsels to vndoe the Isa 32. 7. 8. poore with lying words And the same Prophet in the same place commendeth the liberall man for deuising of liberall things and this man saith he will continue his liberalitie Verse 31. The gray head is a crowne of glory when it is found in the way of righteousnesse THE gray head Old age whereof gray haires and a hoare head is a signe is a crowne of glorie yeeldeth commendation to the aged person and maketh him reuerent when it is found in the way of righteousnesse when the old man doth shew himselfe to be religious and righteous whether he hath led his life in that manner from his youth or whether he hath beene conuerted to it now in his latter time Doct. It is a great honour for a man to bee both ancient and godlie When the head is deckt with gray haires and the heart with heauenly graces and the life with vertuous behauiour hee is more gorgeously apparelled than if otherwise he were clad in gold He weareth a Diademe which not the art of man but the finger of God hath fashioned and set vpon his head This was one of the ornaments of those holy Patriarkes Abraham Isaac and Iacob and for this is that worthie widow Anna commended by S. Luke and by this doth the Apostle partly challenge to himselfe authoritie among the people of God as appeareth by his Epistle to Philemon Though I might Philemon 9. be bold to command thee that which is conuenient yet for loues sake I rather beseech thee though I be as I am euen Paul aged Reason 1 First old age of it selfe to them that are godly is a gift of God and a blessing of greater value than wealth and dignities for length of daies is in wisdomes right hand and in her left hand Prouer. 3. 16. riches and glory Secondly as they which haue long liued righteously are well stored with knowledge and experience in themselues so doe they like true trusty and tried souldiers manifest the experience of their faithfulnesse and constancy to all that know them Thirdly they which
before we take the name or word of God in our lips Let vs labour to bee cleane that our praiers may be cleane that our praises may be cleane that our profession may be vnblameable that our rebukes our exhortations our consolations and all our conferences may be comely acceptable and effectuall Reproofe of them that deale in deepe points and yet haue but shallow vnderstandings corrupt affections and scandalous behauiour they delight to parle of predestination and yet finde no testimonie of their owne election they reason much of iustification but are vtterly vnacquainted with regeneration They boast of Christ and commend the Gospell but haue no communion with Christ nor fruit of the Gospell They sharply censure the faults of other men and vehemently exclaime against the corruptions of the time but they fauourably passe by the faults in themselues and take no time to purge away their owne corruptions Such are both taxed and conuicted by the Apostle Paul saying Thou which teachest another teachest thou not thy selfe Thou that preachest a man should not steale doest thou steale Thou that sayest Rom. 2. 21. 22. a man should not commit adulterie doest thou commit adulterie c. Doct. 2 Much lesse c. Euill speeches are neuer so vndecent as when they proceed out of good mens mouthes That tongue which blesseth God is euery way too good to curse men as S. Iames speaketh or any way to be an agent Iam. 3. 9. for sinne or Satan Muddy water is lesse offensiue in a puddle than in a cleere fountaine and bramble briars become thickets or thorny hedges better than an orchard To this purpose tendeth the exhortation of S. Paul to the Ephesians Let fornication and all vncleannesse or couetousnesse not once be named Eph. 5. 3. 4. among you as it becommeth Saints Neither filthinesse neither foolish talking neither iesting which are things not comelie but rather giuing of thankes Reasons 1 First when godly and faithfull men forget themselues in their talke they giue great aduantage to their enemies who lying in wait for their halting doe heedily obserue whatsoeuer they doe or say and then they triumph when the tongs of the righteous transgresse as though they had prooued them and al their brethren to be nothing else but hypocrites and dissemblers Yea the Diuell and sinne seeme also to haue gotten some victorie ouer them Satan plied Iob with all his art might and malice by torments of body and temptations of minde to make him rather than any other in the world to breake out into distempered and execrable speeches And Paul declared to King Agrippa and those that were with him that when hee was a persecutor and so one of Satans officers his purpose and Act. 26. 11. practise had beene by cruell punishments to compell the Saints to blaspheme Secondly they giue offense to other of Gods seruants by making some very sorrowfull for them and some ashamed of them and others bolder and more venturous to imitate them Thirdly they displease the Lord who hath chosen and called them to an holy vocation to be spirituall Priests that should offer alwaies to him the Sacrifice of praise that is the fruit Heb. 13. 15. of the lips which confesse his name And therefore how vnworthy a thing is it to pollute their lips with lies or other leaud words to the reproach of his name Vse Instruction for euery one whom God hath graced with an ingenuous heart and free spirit to be circumspect and very considerate in all his speeches If he be clothed with the pretious garment of Religion it doth concerne him to looke well to it that his tongue doe not defile or staine the same with any spot of vntruth or vanitie but that he may approue his words and actions to the eares eies and hearts of all that are about him The consideration of who I am will be a forcible motiue to put me in minde what a one I must bee and consequently what words I must vtter One worldling may bragge like another and vse scurrilitie as another doth but no worldlings practise may serue for a president to a Christian The more freedome he hath in Christ the lesse liberty is giuen to him to conforme himselfe to the world for their lips are not allowed to deale with sacred matters nor his with such as are sinfull Verse 8. A reward is as a precious stone pleasant in the eies of him that hath it it prospereth whithersoeuer it turneth A Reward A gift or present bestowed vpon a Magistrate or Officer or any that may helpe or hinder a man in his cause is as a pretious stone pleasant in the eies of him that hath it much regarded of him on whom it is bestowed it prospereth whithersoeuer it turneth it taketh effect and bringeth good successe to what end soeuer it is applied to escape punishment to pacifie wrath to obtaine promotion to get fauour in Courts to crosse ones aduersarie or to bring to passe any purpose Doct. The greatnesse of gifts is of more force to winne friendship and fauour than the goodnesse of a cause Thereby many procure both accesse to men of place and successe in their suits whether iust or vniust A mans gift enlargeth him and leadeth him before great men saith Salomon in Prouer. 18. 16 another Chapter and euery man is friend to him that giueth gifts Prouerb 19. 6 whether he doe it in the way of liberalitie and loue or otherwise to bribe and corrupt Reasons 1 First many great men do greatly affect rewards and make more reckoning of them by farre than of all lawfull fees and that allowance which is due to their place as in our text heere they set by them as if they were rich gemmes and iewels And Hosea complained that their Rulers said with Hos 4. 18. shame Giue yee Secondly there is a kinde of venome within them whereby the receiuers of them haue their hearts poisoned that they are vtterly estranged from equitie and iustice They are so enchanted with the liking of that which is presented to their sight and offered to their hands that the briber hath thereby brought them to be his seruants they may not deny to doe the drudgerie of grosse iniustice for which he hath hired them It is noted of Samuels sonnes that notwithstanding the precepts and practise of their worthy father who may be an example of all Iudges and Magistrates for continencie from corruptions they walked not in his waies but turned aside after lucre and tooke rewards and peruerted the iudgement 1. Sam. 8. 3. The Lord foresaw what worke rewards would make when he said in his Law Thou shalt take no gift for the gift Exod. 23. 8. blindeth the wise and peruerteth the words of the righteous Vse Instruction 1. to them that are in authoritie that their eies be not dazeled at the glittering shew of bribes which though they seeme to be better than diamonds will not yet prooue
so good as flints The curse of God doth commonly accompanie them to the corrupting of their naturall gifts the endangering of their soules the impairing of their honour and the ruinating of their estate or posteritie in the end Let them therefore prize Gods fauour according to the value of it and duly esteeme of his reward wherewith he doth recompence them that deale vprightly and then that which men doe offer to maintaine their euill causes will not be so forcible with them but they shall perceiue it to be lesse worth than nothing 2. To teach them that are ouermatched with power whose aduersaries oppugne them rather with mighty purses than with weightie reasons and bring more currant metall than lawfull matter against them that they make their appeale to an higher Court and craue Gods owne hearing and there also offer more powerfull presents which will be best acceptable vnto that Iudge namely confidence in him with praiers and supplications to him by which meanes Hester and Mordecai with the rest of the godlie Iewes ouerturned all the proceedings of Haman 3. To all men not to iudge of persons or causes according to the successe of their suits because many matters bee carried by the demonstration which the hand doth make to the eie and not which the tongue doth make to the eare The sentence is passed according to the price that is paied and not according to the truth that is alleged The good vse of giuing rewards and how it standeth with wisdome for a man to buy his right and peace and safetie we shall see Chap. 21. verse 24. Verse 9. He that couereth a fault seeketh loue but hee that repeateth a matter separateth a chiefe friend HE that couereth a fault that passeth by an infirmity that burieth an offense as much as may be in silence seeketh loue by shewing loue to the party preserueth concord where kindnesse was before and taketh the way to make him his friend who was before but a stranger to him but he that repeateth which looketh too narrowly into euerie slip and is raking into mens frailties especially so as to blaze them abroad to others separateth a chiefe friend doth alienate the mindes of those that be dearest vnto him and maketh them his enemies Yet it is not against the rule of loue to tell men louingly of their faults for that helpeth them to repentance and reformation and cureth their credits the blemish thereof being wiped away both from the eies of God and men as S. Iames saith If any of you hath erred from the truth and some Iam. 5. 19. 20. man hath conuerted him let him know that he that hath conuerted the sinner from going astray out of his way shall saue a soule from death and shall hide a multitude of sinnes Neither is it vnfit but needfull sometimes to acquaint others with the transgressions of our neighbours if it belong vnto vs to be their Physitions as Ioseph did Iacob with the infamie his brethren ran Gen. 37. 2. into and they of the house of Cloe did the Apostle with the 1. Cor. 1. 11. contentions of the Corinthians And in some cases some mens sinnes must needs be discouered for the safetie of the whole state both of prince and people of Church and Common-weale for it is a sure rule that no mans faults are then to bee concealed when any man may take hurt thereby See Chap. 10. verse 12. Verse 10. A reproofe entreth more into him that hath vnderstanding than an hundred stripes into a foole A Reproofe A rebuke and admonition only though short also one word as it were entreth more into him that hath vnderstanding worketh more vpon his heart and taketh better effect for reformation of his faults than an hundred stripes into a foole than many grieuous punishments inflicted vpon a wicked person which wanteth the sound and sauing knowledge of God The opposition is specially betweene desperate sinners giuen ouer vnto a reprobate sense and a godly man notwithstanding that Gods own elect may also be possessed with such obstinacie till the time of their conuersion and then their miseries with the worke of Gods holy spirit will helpe them to humiliation and repentance Doct. Easie corrections where grace is preuaile more than great seueritie doth with them that are gracelesse We read of two holy Prophets namely Ieremie and Haggai that had to deale with two sorts of people of contrarie disposition though both of one nation and so their ministerie and Gods owne hand found a contrary successe among them Ieremie was sent to the Iewes before their captiuitie and they were foolish and sinfull And Haggai was sent to the Iewes being returned from captiuitie and they were wise and godly and therefore Ieremie maketh this complaint against those of his time O Lord thou hast stricken them but they haue not sorrowed thou hast consumed them but they haue refused to Ier. 5. 3. receiue correction they haue made their faces harder than a stone and haue refused to returne And Haggai giueth this commendation of those of his time When Zerubbabel the sonne of Shealtiel and Iehoshua the sonne of Iehozadak the high Priest with all the remnant of the people Hag. 1. 12. heard the voice of the Lord their God and the words of the Prophet Haggai rebuking them as the Lord their God had sent him then the people did feare before the Lord. Examples great store might bee produced for experience on both sides as Dauid being flexible at the speeches of a woman that priuatelie admonished him and Achaz that was froward at the threatnings of the Prophets that preached vnto him and the heauy iudgements of God powred downe vpon him Reason 1 First the one is rebuked and chastised in mercy and fauor and therefore the Lord speaketh rather to the heart than to the eare making also corrections more forcible within than sensible without and the other is punished in wrath and displeasure hauing nothing added to his soule but spirituall plagues and curses Secondly the one hath a soft heart a heart of flesh which may easilie be pierced and the other hath an hard heart a heart of Adamant which is impenetrable A needle or pin will enter further and be more felt in flesh that hath life in it than a dagger or sword in stones that are senslesse Iosiah his heart that was tender did melt at the only hearing of the Law but Pharaohs heart that was obdurate was little affected at the notable and imminent plagues that succeeded one another vpon himselfe and all his Kingdome Thirdly the one is iudicious and prouident for himselfe and therefore looketh from whence and wherefore reproofes and chastisemenrs doe come and hath both skill and care to auoid the causes of them And the other is ignorant and negligent neither considering by whom nor for what faults he is smitten and therefore remaineth incorrigible Vse Instruction 1. To shew wisdome by making vse of afflictions if we will
speaketh concerning old age I said the daies shall speake and the Iob 32. 7. multitude of yeeres shall teach vnderstanding Surely there is a spirit in man but the inspiration of the Almightie giueth vnderstanding Great men are not alwaies wise neither doe the aged alway vnderstand iudgement Secondly without the spirit where the heart is away and the desire of wisdome is wanting there all these meanes which seeme to bee helpes doe turne to hurts as goods good instructions sharpnesse of wit time and leasure and many such like They choke the word and harden the hart they puffe vp the minde they draw all the affections to vanitie Vse Instruction when God hath put wealth and earthly commodities into thine hand that thou get grace and heauenlie blessings at his hand and bee not confident of hauing any thing without the well vsing of it If a price bee committed vnto thee be sure to seeke direction how to lay it out for best aduantage to thy soule Trust not thine owne heart as it is by nature for nothing can bee more treacherous than a carnall heart to a naturall man Neither is it enough to be wealthy wittie or mighty for so thou maiest be and yet be the more miserable wretched and accursed Neither satisfie thy selfe in this that thou art taught the waies of God and liuest vnder an holy ministerie for so doe many to their greater condemnation but labour for a gracious heart and lay vp spirituall treasures and be good ground to receiue the good seed of the Gospell that thou maiest yeeld to God the fruits of obedienee and God may yeeld to thee the recompence of glorie and then shalt thou make good markets with the price in thine hand and then art thou truly wise vnto saluation Verse 17. A friend loueth at all times and a brother is borne for aduersitie A Friend He that is true and trustie loueth at all times is constant in good will and ready alwaies to performe euery dutie of kindnesse and a brother a naturall and deare friend and not euery naturall brother or kinsman for it is said in the next Chapter verse 24. that a friend is neerer than a brother and in the 19. Chapter verse 7. All the brethren of the poore doe hate him is borne for aduersitie then beginneth to shew himselfe as if he were new borne when a man being in affliction hath most need of him Doct. The change of a mans estate causeth no alteration in the affection and behauiour of faithfull friends If his companion be aduanced and rise aboue him hee is not mooued with enuy but with gladnesse if he be depressed and sinke beneath him hee doth not despise but pitie and succour him It was Ionathans ioy to see Dauid farre in the fauour of Saul and it was a great griefe vnto Ionathan to see Saul so farre incensed against Dauid If hee could haue confirmed his fathers good opinion of him before he began to maligne him he would haue preuented the breach if hee could haue reconciled his minde to him afterwards he would haue done it And Ruth was no lesse louing and dutifull to Naomi at her returne to Iudah emptie than when she came vnto Moab full In euery place and in euery state she was all one after they two had growen to be one Whither thou goest saith she I will Ruth 1. 16. 17 goe and where thou dwellest I will dwell Thy people shall bee my people and thy God my God Where thou diest I will die and there I will be buried The Lord doe so to me and more also if ought but death depart thee and me It is set as a brand of reproch vpon those of Asia as Phygellus and Hermogenes by name that they turned away from Paul when he was in prison and as an ensigne of honour for Onesephorus that he oft refreshed him and was not ashamed of his chaine Reason 1 First the loue of faithfull men is not grounded on the goods but on the goodnesse of their friends and therefore if their graces hold though their substance faile they remain firme and immutable and therein is their integritie and vprightnesse declared whereas a dissembler in self-selfe-loue buildeth vpon the hope of profit and commoditie which once failing hee fadeth and all his faire shewes come to nothing Secondly they are tender-hearted and full of pitie the aduersitie and troubles of their friends working vpon them as the ach and paine of one member affecteth another and therefore that is the time wherein their loue and care to minister comfort vnto them will be the more manifested Thirdly God hath ordained one of his seruants to bee an hand and helper to another in necessities and to that end hee hath giuen commandements and promises of reward and to that end both by force of his prouidence and worke of his spirit hath vnited them together as brethren Vse 1 Instruction as to be circumspect with whom we ioine in league and societie that they bee honest and vertuous persons so to be setled in our affections that wee shew not our selues vnconstant and variable Wauering minded men are alwaies without honour especially when they be changeable in matters of God and slipperie to their friends in their amitie Well may such be counted flatterers for faithfull friends they neuer were nor beneuolent mindes did they euer beare And yet if men will needs bee swaruing and start away from those that made reckoning of their loue let them doe it in the time of their friends prosperitie that they torment them not with their perfidious dealing if they should fall into aduersitie That traiterous Achitophel did bring more anguish to Dauids heart by his apostasie than did the greater part of the other Rebels And Iob did much complaine of them that plaied the winter-brookes with him ouerflowing with proffers of courtesie when he had no need of them and being empty of compassion as drie ditches are of water when he expected some comfort from them Consolation that the Lord himselfe will loue his children perpetually which maketh his children to loue their friends so constantly No brother is so neere to his brother nor any sonne to a naturall parent as euery good man is vnto him wherefore if men by his worke haue their hearts so fast and firmly knit one to another with such entire affections how much more will he in his infinite goodnesse and mercy remaine eternally fauourable and gracious vnto them that are as deere vnto him as if they were members of his owne body And many times their commiseration doth exceed their power They can mourne for but not releeue the distressed state of their best beloued dearlings but he is euery way all-sufficient his abilitie and might extend as farre as his goodnesse and mercie his arme is long enough and strong enough to draw his people speedily out of the bottome of the deepest miserie Verse 18. A man void of vnderstanding clappeth the hand taking vpon him