hearts of his children vnderstanding by feare a reuerence of his Maiestie ioyned with loue they departe vz. speedilie from euill i. from naughtie conuersation and all things that may pull on to the same see 1. Thessalo 5.22 Vers 7. When the waies of a man i. his purposes deedes and the whole course of his life pleaseth the Lord i. be such as he accepteth and alloweth of which is when they are framed according to the rule of his word he i. God the Lord will make vz. by his mightie power and working his enemies at peace with him i. so farre off shall it be that they that neuer hated him shall attempt any euill against him that euen his very foes and aduersaries shal procure all manner of good for him for so much I suppose he vnderstandeth by the name of peace Vers 8. Better is a little vz. gotten and atchieued with righteousnes i. with vpright and iust dealing than great reuenues vz. though they come yearely monethly or daylie in without equitie i. gotten with the iniurie and opression of other men see Chap. 15.16 Vers 9. The heart of man purposeth his waie i. he waieth and thinketh vpon the things which hee hath to doo tossing them too and fro in his thought and imagination but the Lord vz. alone doth direct vz alwaies by his power and prouidence his steppes i. euery thing that he taketh in hand for the sense of this place see vers 1. of this Chap. also Ierem. 10.23 and Prou. 19.28 Vers 10. A diuine sentence i. a true and certaine iudgement euen as it were from God himselfe I know that the word signifieth diuination or foretelling such as Soothsayers Astrologers c. vse But he meaneth it not thereof for it is forbidden Deuteron 18.10 11. c. but rather noteth that the word of the king is and ought to bee a moste sure worde as those things which they foretel seeme at the least to the parties themselues and those that credit them to be shall be vz. or ought to be prescribing as it were his dueties which word I suppose might be better added here in the lippes of the king i. in his words and speaches vttered with his lippes putting the word king for al Magistrates whatsoeuer his mouth shal not transgresse in iudgement i. while hee sitteth in iudgement hee shoulde not pronounce or award vniust sentences but deale vprightlie in all causes as may appeare by the verses following Vers 11. A true weight and balance i. vpright and faithfull dealing in euery respect and this seemeth to be a reason of the former rule q.d. the iudgement and vprightnesse which Magistrates and other men faithfullie execute is not from men themselues but of God see Deuteron 1.17 2. Chronic. 19.6 and hee meaneth most exact obseruation of iudgement and iustice by weight and balance are of the Lord i. are ordeyned of him and commaunded by him see Deuteron 25.13 14 15. also Chap. 11.1 all the weights vz. how great or how little so euer they bee of the bagge i. which men put into the bagge for the better and more safe keeping of them he alludeth to Deuteron 25.13 meaning it also of iust and equall weights are his word i. the Lord hath made and ordeyned the same to bee vsed as appeareth by the place before alledged Vers 12. It is vz. or els it ought to be an abhomination i. a horrible and lothsome thing to kings i. to great and mightie men or to Magistrates of what degree or calling soeuer they be to commit vz. in thought word or deede wickednes i. any manner of wickednes either against God or man and this he speaketh speciallie because of their great callinges and high places wherein they are set for the throne vz. of the king or kingdome meaning thereby the kingdome it selfe a parte for the whole as sundrie times in the psalmes and namely Psalme 93.2 also Psalme 132.12 is established i. is made firme and sure with great likelyhoode of continuance by iustice vz. by faithfull and diligent executing of iustice and equitie Vers 13. Righteous lippes are the delight of kings i. kings and Magistrates should take speciallie delight and pleasure in such persons as speaketh righteous and good things a part put for the whole person and one instrument wherewith the voyce is framed put for the words themselues and the King i. all rulers and magistrates loueth i. ought tenderly to affect him i. those whosoeuer they be that speaketh right things vz. vnto them This he speaketh because Princes do many times more delight and sauour flatterers than plaine dealers Vers 14. The wrath of a King i. that indignation and displeasure which a great man beareth against another is as messengers of death i. is at it were deadly to him with whom he is angrie and bringeth as it were present death euery thing then threatning death as it were which wee see by daylie experience And he saith messengers in the plurall number that it might haue the greater force but a wise man will pacifie it vz. in time and by all the lawfull meanes he can hée will indeuour the quenching of it for feare of inconueniences and mischiefes that may insue thereon Vers 15. In the light of the Kings countenance i. in his fauourable countenance q.d. when it pleaseth the King with a pleasant and merrie countenance to shewe that he fauoureth men is life i. there is hope of all manner of prosperitie and florishing and his fauour vz. so expressed and declared towards other men is as a cloude vz. which is full and therefore powreth downe raine see Eccle. 11.13 of the latter raine vz. which falleth somewhat before haruest before the corne ripe and maketh the yéeld of fruit to be great see Deutero 11.14 Iames 5.7 Vers 16. How much better is it q.d. It can hardly be tolde or a man is not able to expresse what great oddes and difference there is to get vz. by industrie and paines taking wisedome i. heauenly wisedome and knowledge of Gods will reuealed in his word than gold yea than fine and precious gold for so much the word importeth and to get vnderstanding vz. of Gods word and truth The Rabbins referre wisedome to spirituall and diuine things and vnderstanding to worldly and humane but me thinketh the other sense is plaine is more to be desired vz. by many degrées and to be sought for than siluer i. than chosen or fined siluer see Chapt. 3.14 Also Chapt. 8.10 Meaning that holie wisedome is to bee preferred before all thinges Vers 17. The path of the righteous vz. wherein he walketh is to decline from euill i. the righteous man hath a great care and conscience in all his conuersation and actions to abstaine from sinne and iniquitie and all that may allure thereto see verse 6. of this Chapt. and he keepeth his soule vz. from destruction meaning also by soule himselfe a part for the whole that keepeth his way vz. vpright in the obedience of
for bringeth with it great horror and danger they know not vz. so farre of are they from being able to shunne or auoide their iudgements wherein i. into what danger and mischiefe they shall fall vz. sodainlie and certainlie Vers 20. My sonne see Chapt. 1.8 hearken vz. diligentlie vnto my words i. the things that I shall speake and vtter in my words see vers 4.10 of this Chapter incline thine eare i. bee prest and readie with attention to marke vnto my sayings this doubling of one and the selfe same thing setteth out the great loue of the holie Ghost and our wonderfull dulnes to conceiue any good thing Vers 21. Let them not depart from thy eyes see Chapter 3.21 but keepe them vz. safelie and stedfastlie in the middest of thy heart i. within thy heart q.d. hide them deepelie and surelie in thy minde as Chapter 2.1 In these two verses he mentioneth three principall parts of mans bodie the eare the eyes the heart that he might thereby teach vs to lend all our senses thereto and to occupie all our affections about that and yet wee must speciallie vnderstand him of the eares and eyes of the minde Vers 22. For they i. the words of holie wisedome and counsell are life i. are effectuall meanes of right life in this life and of eternall life in the life to come see Chapter 3.18 22. also verse 13. of this Chapter in which respect it is called the word of life Philip. 2.16 vnto those i. vnto all those of what state and condition so euer they be that find them i. obtaine them hearing them laying thē vp in their hearts and performing them and health vnto all their flesh i. it shall bring soundnes vnto their whole man And note that by these outward blessings there are signified inward and spiritual blessings also see Chap. 3.8 Vers 23. Keepe thine heart vz. from filthines corruption and sinne with all diligence i. be more diligent to watch and keepe it than any other thing whatsoeuer meaning by kéeping of his heart a watching ouer it a trying of it and indeuour to purge it from the euill that is in it or els might otherwise assault it for thereout commeth life i. as it is the fountaine of naturall life so it should be the fountaine of good life in this world for the heart and purging of it see Math. 12.35 also Math. 15.18 19. Vers 24. Put away vz. by al meanes thou canst from thee i. as farre as thou maist a froward mouth i. a mouth that speaketh froward things for otherwise the mouth is not froward of it selfe and put wicked lippes farre from thee i. let not thy lippes vtter wicked things because the mouth lippes and tongue are hardly ruled he doubleth his exhortation see Iames 3.2 3. c. Vers 25. Let thine eyes behold the right i. right good holie things only looking vpon nothing wickedly indirectly or inconstantly see Psal 119.37 also Iob. 31.1 and let thine eye liddes direct thy way before thee i. let not thine eyes be wandring hether and thether for then thou shalt easilie go out of the way It is a metaphore taken from trauailers or runners whose eyes must not wander hether and thether but attend diligently vpon their way and iorney Vers 26. Ponder vz. diligently and carefully to sée whether they be right yea or no the paths of thy feete i. all thy indeuours and actions which things the scripture doth many times attribute to the feete because they are instruments to carrie vs about the doing of them and let all thy waies i. all thy affaires and whole life and conuersation be ordered aright i. haue an eye that they may be rightly guided by the rule of holie wisedom and Gods word Marke how in these foure verses 23 24 25 26. the holie ghost requireth that our mind be vpright and pure from euill secondly that our words be holie and good thirdly that our eyes be chast and lastly that our indeuours and actions be holie Vers 27. Turne not vz. from the right way of the word of God to the right hand or to the left i. to any side whether it be of thine owne deuise or of other mens corruptions but remoue thy foote from euill i. from al manner of euill of what sort or in what persons soeuer vnderstanding by remouing the foote a quicke speedie departure from it And I take this to bee the conclusion of the former doctrines q.d. shewe thy selfe vpright in all things and a most diligent obseruer of that way which God himselfe hath commanded see Deutero 4.2 also Deutero 5.32 33. see also verse 5. of this Chapter Do. Vers 1. Teacheth vs first that it is parents duetie to teach their children secondlie that is childrens duetie to hearken reuerentlie and to performe diligentlie the good things taught them Vers 2. Teacheth vs that parents must propound nothing but good holie things to their children Vers 3. Teacheth vs that the care which our parents haue had ouer vs should bee an argument to prouoke vs to haue the like care ouer our children Vers 4. Teacheth vs to lay vp Gods lawe within our hearts and to keepe it so sure there that nothing may pull it from them Vers 5. Teacheth vs to take all labour and paine that we may attaine heauenly wisedome Vers 6. Teacheth vs that whosoeuer is indued with true wisedome indeede shall bee kept safe and sound from perishing by any hurts Vers 7. Teacheth vs that wisedome must bee preferred before all treasures and possessions whatsoeuer or els she is not rightly esteemed Vers 8. Teacheth vs that the way to come to true honor preferment is reuerently to esteeme to seeke the exaltation of Gods wisedome and word The same doctrine doth verse 9. deliuer Vers 10. Teacheth vs that long life is a blessing giuen from God to his children for the care and conscience that they haue of obedience Vers 11 Teacheth vs that parents should bee good guides and teachers vnto their children Vers 12. Teacheth vs that all things shall prosper with them which vnfeignedly imbrace Gods wisedome Vers 13. Teacheth vs to take sure hold and to continue in the care of holie wisedome Vers 14.15 Teach two things first that the companie and fellowship of the wicked is very dangerous secondlie that we should take heed that we come not at any hand nigh vnto it Vers 16. Sheweth that the wicked are so set on mischiefe that the very desire they haue to do it breaketh their sleepe Vers 17. That to performe wickednesse is meate and drinke to the vngodlie and that they take as great delight and pleasure in the one as in the other Vers 18. Doth not only shewe the great difference that God in his account maketh betweene the good and the bad but also teacheth how that the faithfull doo daylie proceede and growe vp in all goodnesse Vers 19. Teacheth vs that the wicked are ignorant of their own destruction
Gods commandements vnderstanding by way the whole orders and affaires of his life Vers 18. Pride vz. both of minde and bodie goeth before destruction vz. of the partie that is possessed with it he meaneth that ruine and shame is the inseperable companion of pride and an high minde before the fall vz. of the partie that hath it q.d. Such as exalt themselues are very nigh to ruine and destruction see chapt 11.2 Vers 19. Better vz. by many degrées it is vz. in the eyes and iudgement of all that be soundly taught of God to be of an humble mind i. to haue true humilitie indeede both inward and outward with the lowlie i. as they are and to enioye their companie than to diuide the spoyles i. than to get great riches and so by that meanes to come to honor with the proud vz. as they doo and to be in their companie Vers 20. He that is wise in his busines i. he that wisely and faithfully can dispatch the things he hath to doo shall finde good i. shall through Gods blessing increase in riches and substance by that meanes and he that trusteth in the Lord vz. vnfeignedly and with all his heart wayting for blessings from him he is blessed vz. indéede q.d. he may be as sure of blessing as though he had it see Psal 125. This verse is read otherwise of some but me thinketh this sense is plaine enough and this reading good Vers 21. The wise in heart i. he that is truely wise indéede and he maketh mention of the heart because it is the seate of all affections shall be called prudent vz. of other men and so esteemed and taken of them not onely because they say so but also because he is so and the sweetnes of the lippes i. the sweete words of doctrine and comfort that he shall speake to others shall increase doctrine vz. both in himselfe because speach is a meane to increase iudgement and in those that heare him Vers 22. Vnderstanding vz. of Gods will reuealed in his word is a wel-spring of life i. yéeldeth life plentifully see Prouer. 10.11 Also chap. 13.14 vnto them that haue it i. vnto them vpon whom it pleaseth God to bestowe it and vnto others also by their meanes and the instruction of fooles vz. which they giue and bestowe vppon others is follie i. not onely without sense and wit but also very wickednes and sinne it selfe the reward whereof is death Roman 6.23 Vers 23. The heart of the wise vz. man he speaketh of the heart because it is the fountaine wel-spring of all déedes and words guideth his mouth vz. to speake wisely i. aptly well and with aduise or iudgement q.d. The wise mans heart so directeth his mouth and teacheth his tongue that he speaketh nothing rashly or vnaduisedly and addeth doctrine i. continually ministreth newe occasion of good speach and good counsell to his lippes i. to himself a part for the whole and yet he speaketh of the lippes because they are instruments of speach vnto others Ver. 24. Faire words i. gentle soft and swéet speaches he calleth them Chap. 15.26 pleasant words are as an honie combe i. sweete and profitable vz. to the partie to whom they are spoken sweetnes to the soule i. they bring swéetnes to the inward part and health to the bones by health he meaneth all outward blessings and by bones the whole bodie a part for the whole see chap. 12.4 Also 14.30 He meaneth that God and godlie speaches are pleasant profitable and necessarie both to soule and bodie that is to the whole man as honie is sweet to the tast and profitable to mitigate the griefes of sundrie members Vers 25. This whole verse is the same in words and sense with verse 12. of the 14. Chapter He meaneth that no man must either in manners or opinions follow that which seemeth good to himselfe but Gods word must in all things be the onely rule vnto vs. Vers 26. The person that trauaileth vz. in his ordinary and lawfull vocation trauaileth for him selfe vnder this word himselfe he comprehendeth both his owne person and those that depend vpon him see 1. Tim. 5.8 for his mouth craueth it of him i. after a sort doth demand it for if meate bee not by the mouth conueyed into the stomacke the bodie will perish And that word crauing doth not onely import the earnestnes of it but the manner also euen as though it were with bowing and humbling it selfe it did beseech him Some reade it otherwise and giue another sense but I freely confesse that for mine owne part I see no reason of it Vers 27. A wicked man i. a vniust violent and peruerse fellowe diggeth vp i. not onely deuiseth but also seeketh by all meanes to performe euill both against others and himselfe also in the end and in his lippes i. in the words which he vttereth with his lippes is like burning fire i. there is somewhat in them that will consume both himselfe and others as fire doth wood and stubble He meaneth that though the thoughts of the wicked be hurtfull yet they hurt not so much as when they burst forth into words and déedes for then they hurt as much as burning and flaming fire doth whereas while it is kept vnder the ashes it lyeth as it were hidden Vers 28. A froward person or as it is in the Hebrue text a man of frowardnesses i. such a one as giuen altogether to frowardnes soweth strife vz. betwéene man and man meaning that he is a batemaker and a tale teller i. he that heareth and whistereth to the hurt of another man maketh diuision i. doth what he can to set strife among Princes i. amongst great and excellent personages I would rather turne this latter part thus diuideth vz. from his friend the prince vz. of friendship meaning thereby a chiefe friend and so haue you the word vsed Chapt. 17.9 Also Psal 15.13 though there it be turned guide and Micah 7.5 where the same word is turned a friend Vers 29. A wicked man i. a violent and iniurious person or as it is in Hebrue a man of violence that is one that is altogether giuen to doo iniurie to another deceiueth vz. one while by fraude another while by force his neighbour i. him whom he should doo all manner of good too and leadeth him i. some other of his neighbours and that by his flattering intising words for so much I thinke the Hebrue word importeth see Chapt. 1.10 into the way that is not good i. into a disorderous course and euill trade of his life so haue wee had the word way sundrie times vsed Vers 30. He i. the wicked man shutteth his eyes vz. that he may the better thinke vppon the mischiefe he will doo because that when the eyes are open the inward senses are drawne hether and thether to deuise i. that he may the more earnestly thinke vpon wickednes vz. against others meaning by wickednes mischiefe see Chapter 10.10 he
he may haue his desire satisfied in obtaining holie and heauenlie wisedome Di. Di. 1 THis Chapter may bee diuided into three parts The first reacheth from vers 1. to the end of the 8. wherein he speaketh of the desire of wisedom of the foolish and wicked man of wise words of respect of persons of the words of fooles and tale bearers and the hurt which commeth by them Di. 2 both The second reacheth from verse 9. to the ende of the 16. wherein he speaketh of the slothfull person of Gods power of riches of pride and humilitie of hastie answers of the griefe of bodie and soule of paines to get Di. 3 wisedome and of the power and force of gifts or rewards The third reacheth from verse 17. to the end of the Chapter wherein he speaketh of the first complainer of the vse of the lot of the wrath of brethren of good words and speaches of a good wife of the poore and rich and of a true frend or brother Se. Vers 1. FOr the desire thereof i. for the earnest affection that hee hath to obteyne holy and heauenly wisdome hee i. a good man will seperate himselfe vz. from all that hee hath that may let him to seeke it i. to the end hee may seeke and finde it see Matth. 13.44 45 46. and occupie himselfe i. he will carefullie imploy himselfe and diligentlie also in all wisdome i. in wisdome it selfe and in all the meanes whereby hee may growe and increase in the same others I knowe reade it otherwise and giue anosense but me thinketh this is plaine inough Vers 2. A foole hath no delight vz. at all in vnderstanding i. either in the thing it selfe or in the meanes whereby it may be obteyned but vz. his delite is that his heart i. the things that be in his heart may be discouered vz. to other men and that by his vaine babbling and speaking of euerie thing that commeth into his mind q.d. he is onely delighted with his owne follie which he laboreth to publish and make knowne to all men Verse 3. When the wicked commeth i. wheresoeuer there is a wicked man then commeth vz. with him i. there is contempt vz. of other men hee meaneth that this is proper to the wicked and is as it were his inseperable companion to despise others and with the vile man vz. there is alwaies reproach i. disdainefull vttering of reproches against others I denie not but that this verse may be taken as though God should punish the wicked and vile men with contempt and reproach but the other sense in my iudgement is more simple and plaine Vers 4. The words of a mans mouth i. such words and speaches as proceed from a wise mans mouth are like deepe waters vz. which cannot be drawne emptie neither can a man come to the bottome of them so the wisdome and learning of a wise man neuer ceaseth but the more he vttereth the more he may and the welspring of wisdome i. the great plentie and abundance he hath of it meaning hereby also the wise mans mouth powring it out and largely communicating it to others is like a flowing riuer i. is like to a riuer that floweth continuallie hee meaneth by these Metaphors and similitudes that there is neuer scarsitie of wisdome in him Vers 5. It is not good i. it is verie euill and hurtfull as chap. 17.26 to accept i. to regard or looke vpon the person of the wicked i. any thing in him at all as his authoritie wit words giftes c see this forbidden Deutero 1.17 to cause vz. thereby the righteous to fall i. to bee ouerthrowne in iudgement i. where iudgement is to be pronounced This belongeth to Iudges and Magistrates who are many times so moued with the power c. of the wicked that the iust and porer sorte come to ruine thereby which fault should bee corrected Vers 6. A fooles lippes i. the wordes which a foole vttereth with his lippes commeth with strife i. haue alwaies strife annexed vnto them as an inseperable companion and are mingled altogether with contentions and his mouth i. the wordes which hee speaketh with his mouth calleth for stripes vz. to bee layde vppon him for his follie meaning that his owne wordes are meanes to hurte himselfe Verse 7. A fooles mouth i. words spoken with his mouth is his owne destruction i. bring hurt and destruction vnto himselfe and his lippes i. speaches vttered with his lippes are a snare for his soule i. are instruments and meanes to bring him within the danger of the losse of his life see chap. 10.14 also chap. 13.3 Vers 8. The words of a talebearer vz. which he vttereth to some against other some are as flatterings i. they seeme pleasant and sweete yea to be more gentle than oyle or butter see Psal 55.21 and i. but for all that or els thus and vz. yet notwithstanding they go downe into the bowells of the bellie i. into the bowels which are within the bellie meaning that they wound euen the verie entrailes which being once perished there is no hope of life and therefore it is as much q.d. they wound men most grieuouslie yea deadlie Vers 9. Hee also vz. as well as the talebearer is to be misliked that is slothfull i. giuen to idlenes and loytering in his worke i. in dooing the thing he is set about and should indeed performe is euen the brother of him that is a great waster vz. of the things which he hath he meaneth that he is cosin german as it were with the prodigall person because looke what the one looseth by superfluitie and ryot the other forgoeth thorow sloth and idlenes Vers 10. The name of the Lord i. his Maiestie goodnes and power as sundry times in the Psalmes and namelie Psalme 20.1 is a strong tower vz. to all such as stedfastly trust therein meaning by strong tower a mightie defence to shielde him and to keepe him safe from all the dangers of such as would anoye him see Psal 61.3 the righteous vz. at all times but speciallie in the dayes of his distresse runneth vz. with all possible hast and speed vnto it i. to this assured tower of Gods strength might power goodnes c. and is exalted i. lifted vp vz. into a high place where hee shall be safe and sound from the attemptes of all his enemies Vers 11. The rich mans riches i. the riches which he presentlie possesseth are his strong citie i. hee maketh them vnto himselfe a defence against all attemptes and assaultes made against him see before Chap. 10.15 and as an hie wall in his imagination i. hee fondlie imagineth that they are sufficiently able not onely to keepe him from the violence of men but also to shield him and couer him so that neyther God nor man shall behold his leudnes Vers 12. Before destruction i. before the calamitie fall or hurt of any man come the heart of a man is hautie i. a man himselfe is proude and
vz. moderately and with good discretion thy sonne i. thy child as sundrie times before while there is hope vz. that thy correction will amend him and doo him good meaning while hee is yong for if he growe to a head of stubbornes it will be a hard matter to reforme him and let not thy soule i. thy fatherly affection and pittie which are called the soule because they haue their seate in the soule spare vz. him or correcting of him so it be done as before is prescribed for his murmering vz. against thée q.d. though hee murmur and grudge yet forbeare not to correct him when he deserueth the same Vers 19. A man of much anger i. he that is oftentimes angrie shall suffer punishment vz. either publikely or priuatly for the transgressions which his wrath causeth him to commit and though thou i. any man deliuer him vz. by good perswasion from committing euill or by intreatie and sute set him frée from the hand of the Magistrate yet will his anger come againe q.d. he will be little or no whit at al the better but fall to his rage wrath againe Other men read it otherwise and giue other senses but me thinketh this is plaine Vers 20. Heare vz. diligentlie and carefullie counsell i. good counsell giuen thee and receaue whilst thou mayest haue it instruction◠vz. in the waies and trueth of the Lord that thou maist be wise i. atteyne wisdome in thy latter end vz. when thou art ready to departe from the world and goe to GOD not but that he would haue him to be wise before also but to note that then heauenly wisdome shall stand him in best steed when he is to wrastle with death Vers 21. Many deuises are in a mans heart i. many men tosse many matters too and fro in their imaginations and yet bring them to no effect or issue but the counsell of the Lord i. whatsoeuer hee hath determined in his counsell shall stand vz. stedfast and sure both in the purpose and in the performance thereof hee mindeth to note the difference betweene Gods waies and works and mans Vers 22. That that is to be desired i. the thing that a man ought speciallie to desire and wish in this life is his goodnes i. that he deale religiously towards God and vprightly towards men and it may be turned for or but without any iniurie to the text a poore man vz. though he be neuer so poore if he be godly is better vz. by many degrées both before God and also in the iudgement of all goodmen not meaning hereby that a lyer being poore is good than a lyer i. than one that giueth himselfe to lying though he be neuer so rich Vers 23. The feare of the Lord i. a reuerence of his Maiestie ioyned with an vnfeyned loue thereof settled in mens hearts leadeth to life i. to a blessed life in this world and to eternall life in the world to come and hee that is filled therewith i. hee that hath receaued it fréely and plentifullie from the Lorde euery one according to his measure shall continue vz. safe sound and stedfast and shall not be visited with euill vz. to his hurt and destruction for his purpose is not here to exempt Gods children from chastisements and corrections Vers 24. The slothfull vz. man or person hideth his hand in his bosome vz. in the time of some great cold and will not put it to his mouth againe vz. that thereby he might feede himselfe q.d. he is so giuen to idlenes and sloth that euen when great neede and occasion requireth his labor for himselfe and his owne good he will not doo it much lesse would he performe it for others sée Chap. 26.15 Vers 25. Smite i. correct and chastise either by wordes or stripes see Chap. 17.26 a scorner i. one of whome there is no hope of amendment for a scorner is in the highest degrée of transgression Psal 1.1 and the foolish i. such as thorowe simplicitie and ignorance are caried forward to euill will beware vz. of the like fault for which thou smitest the scorner and reprooue the prudent vz. for some thing wherein hee hath sayd or done amisse and he i. the simple ignorant person will vz. in processe of time vnderstand i. atteyne to vnderstand by that meanes knowledge vz. of a better trade and course of life He sheweth that there are two waies to instruct simple ones the one is sharpe correction of the obstinate and the other is louing reproofe of the godly Vers 26. He that destroyeth his father vz. by bringing him to great losses and hinderances on the one side or by greeuing him thorowe leudnes on the other side or chaseth away his mother either out of the house wherein shee dwelleth or from his presence with his froward speach is a leud and shamefull childe i. is a very wicked fellowe and must looke for shame to fall vpon him and all manner of confusion Others reade it otherwise but the sense is all one vz. that wicked children waste many times thorowe their leudnes their fathers goods and so turne away their minds from them that they are glad when they are out of their sight Vers 27. My sonne see Chap. 1.10 and other places heare no more i. be so farre of from obeying that see thou heare not any longer the instruction that causeth to erre from the wordes of knowledge i. such instruction as carrieth thee away from the right way of holie wisedom q.d. applie thy selfe altogether to holie doctrine and therefore withdraw thy minde and thy thought from the vse or custome both of euill words and euil deeds Vers 28. A wicked witnes i. a corrupt and false witnes mocketh at iudgement i. maketh no more account eyther of right causes themselues or of Magistrates that are placed to execute iustice or of God himselfe that will punish false witnesses for so largely I suppose the worde iudgement may bee taken than of a iest or thing to bee laughed at and the mouth of the wicked i. the wicked and vngodly person himselfe and yet he mentioneth the mouth because of the Metaphor swalloweth vp following swalloweth vp vz. with great delight and pleasure as dronkards doo strong wine and gluttons delicate meates meaning also thereby the abundance of iniquitie which the vngodlie commit iniquitie vz. against God and men One readeth it thus so iniquitie swalloweth vp the mouth of the wicked q.d. in that wicked witnesses doo scorne iudgement they doo it euen of obstinacy and malice which doth wholy possesse them euen swallowe vp as it were all their words so that they can speake or vtter nothing but iniquitie An other sense also may be giuen as when our text sayth swallowe vp iniquitie it meaneth thereby hiding and couering of the same as meates and drinkes deuoured and swallowed vp are not seene q.d. with the color of their words and shewe of their reasons they indeuor to couer their iniquitie Vers 29. But q.d.
drinke vz. of such as wee haue or as wee say you are welcome I am sorie I haue no better cheare c. but his heart is not with thee i. standeth not vprightly affected towards thee hee giueth a reason why men should not eate such mens meates because they are hollowe hearted and full of hipocrisie pretending in words liberalitie whereas they foster niggardlines in their soule Vers 8. Thou shalt vomit vz. euen for very griefe and sorrowe thy morsels which thou hast eaten i. all that thou hast eaten of his q.d. because thou hast eaten of his meate perceiued his niggardly minde thou shalt wish all vomited vp whatsoeue it be it shall greeue the so much and thou shalt loose thy sweete words i. the good communication and speach which in the time of eating thou hast vsed shall bee as it were labor lost One readeth this and the former verse also otherwise and giueth another sense but mee thinketh this is plaine inough Vers 9. Speake not vz. graue wise and good things in the eares of fooles i. in the hearing of a very wicked and vngodly man for he wil despise the wisdome of thy words i. he wil little or nothing esteeme such things as thou shalt wisely and learnedly vtter I take it to be the same in sense which our Sauior speaketh in other words Matth. 7.6 Vers 10. Remoue not the auncient bounds see for this Chap. 22.28 and enter not vz. either by fraude or force or otherwise to take any thing away from thence that is not thine into the feilds i. into the groundes houses lands or possessions of the fatherles i. of any that are weaker than thy selfe and not able to resist for the word vsed here signifieth such ones as thorrowe want of age are not able to defende themselues nor to put back iniurie whose father the Lord is called Psalm 68.5 Vers 11. For this verse conteyneth a reason why men should not oppresse the poore hee that redeemeth them vz. from danger and distresse meaning also thereby that hee will redéeme them and yet to the end the godly might be rightly perswaded of the continuall care of the almightie toward them hee speaketh in the present tense is mightie vz. so mightie as no one man no not all the creatures in the world are able to withstand the least parte of his power q.d. though thou now oppresse them because they cannot resist thee knowe yet that the Lord who is mightier and greater than all wil redeeme and defend them hee will defend their causes aganst thee see this expounded before Chap. 22.23 Vers 12. Applie thine heart to instruction i. bend all the powers and senses of thy minde to receaue it and thine eares to the words of knowledge i. applie all the partes and powers of thy bodie also to imbrace such things as are not onely skilfully propounded vnto thee but also may builde thee vp in knowledge and iudgement he vseth a parte of the inward and a parte of the outward for the whole man both inward and outward see Chap. 22. vers 17. Vers 13. Withhold not vz. at any hand correction i. moderate and due punishment such as the partie punished is able to beare and his fault requireth from the childe vz. that by any meanes deserueth the same if thou smite him i. chastise and correct him with the roode vz. of correction he shall not dye i. either thou shalt not kill him or hurt him or els by that meanes thou shalt withdrawe him from many euils that would leade to the death both of body and soule see for correctiō cha 13.24 also 19.18 also 22.15 Ver. 14. Thou shalt smite him with the rodde this is expounded ver 13. and shalt deliuer vz. by that meanes his soule i. him himselfe a parte for the whole from hell i. from danger and death both of body and soule Vers 15. My sonne see before chap. 1.8 10. if thine heart be wise i. if it be inclined to imbrace wisdome and thriue and growe therein my heart shal reioyce vz. very much or greatly and I also vz. my selfe in my whole man shall take wonderfull delight and pleasure therein Vers 16. And my reynes shall reioyce i. euen from the inward affection of my minde I will be glad for the scripture attributeth the seate of will and affections to be in the reynes as where it sayth God is the searcher of the heart and reynes when thy lipps speake righteous thinges i. when thou shalt vtter good holy and wise things hee putteth lippes for speach because they be helping instruments to vtter the voyce by Verse 17. Let not thine heart bee enuious against sinners vz. because thou seest them prosper or florish Many of Gods children haue been sore assaulted with this temptation as Dauid Psalme 37.1 Ieremiah and others and therefore it is not without cause that this commandement is so often put downe but let it be vz. fast fixed set and grounded in the feare of the Lord i. in a sincere reuerence of his Maiestie continuallie i. at all times both in prosperitie and aduersitie c. Vers 18. For this verse conteyneth a reason why they should cease from emulating at the wicked and fixe their hearts continually vpon the feare of GOD surely i. without al doubt and this affirmation serueth for the certaintie and trueth of the thing there is an end vz. not onely of the wickeds prosperitie and florishing how great or much so euer it be but also of thine owne patience and hope and thy hope shall not be cut off i. made frustrate or deceaued but thou shalt in good time haue the thing that thou didst hope for Vers 19. O thou my sonne vnder this terme he meaneth euery particular one that is apt and ready to heare or learne see vers 15. of this Chap. heare vz. diligently and attentiuely both with the eares of the body and the minde and be wise i. learne wisdome by hearing good and holy things and guide thine heart i. frame and fashion the affections of thy soule yea labor to rule them in such sorte that thou mayst walke in the way vz. which I shall shewe thee that is in the right way of Gods commandements see Psalm 32.8 Vers 20. Keepe not companie vz. at any hand this he addeth both because youth are greatlie delighted in eatings and drinkings and also because that thereby they are many times drawne from the way of vertue and well doing with dronkards in Hebrue it is bibbers of wine meaning thereby such as would quaffe of cuppe after cuppe and neuer bee satisfied such a one the Iewes did falsely accuse our Sauior Christ to be Matth. 11.19 nor with gluttons i. such as ouer charge their stomacks with meate q.d. haunt not such mens companie nor haue any familiaritie with them Vers 21. For this verse conteineth a reason why they should not haunt their companie because beggery and pouertie is the ende thereof the dronkards and gluttons shall
manifested by word or deede shewing it selfe when neede is Ver. 6. The woundes i. the graue and sharpe reprehensions which seeme for the time euen as it were to wound of a louer i. of one that dooth vnfeynedly loue and beare good affection are faithfull i. such as a man may trust because they proceede from a louing and faithfull heart but the kisses of an enemie i. the fayre and flattering countenances or behauior of one that hateth a man In the woord kisses he alludeth to the manner vsed in the Eastern countries who did vse to kisse one another are pleasant i. seeme to be so but indeede are bitter and therefore to bee shunned looke in Ioabs example 2. Samuel 3.27 also 2. Samuel 20.9 And for reproofe see Psal 14.4 5. Vers 7. The person that is full i. hath meate and drinke at his wil and that in all abundance despiseth a honie combe i. al delicate and sweete meates but vnto the hungrie soule i. to him that is indeede pinched with hunger and wants euerie bitter thing is sweete i. he alloweth and liketh of most meane and base fare Vers 8. As a bird vz. is in great danger that wandereth vz. without good cause from hir nest vz. wherein hir yong ones are or she hir selfe resteth so is a man vz. in great danger that wandreth from his owne place i. that strayeth from the standing or place wherein God hath placed him q.d. he that rashly changeth his dwelling place and stayeth not in the state wherein God hath set him but enterpriseth newe things and that not being well assured of Gods wil and his owne calling is no wiser or better stayed than a bird that fluttereth hither and thether Vers 9. As oyntment vz. applyed outwardly to the bodie and perfume vz. being put into the fire by their sweete sauor and smel reioyce the heart i. euen affect and pearce the inward partes and that to their great good and delight so dooth the sweetnes of a mans frend vz. much delight and reioyce him speciallie when it is declared by hartie counsell i. by sounde and sincere aduise in euerie thing and by mutuall conference and communication speciallie of the best matters see Psal 55.14 Vers 10. Thine owne frend i. one whome thou haste had triall of to be frendlie to thee and thy fathers frend i. hee that hath continued frendship to thy father also forsake not i. cast him not off at any hand nor breake not friendship with him he willeth men to continue friendship with those whom they haue had good triall of In which respect one saith well forsake not an old friend for the new shall not be like him a newe friend is as new wine when it is olde thou shalt drinke it with pleasure neither enter into thy brothers house i. thinke to haue as little succour from thy brother and the things that he hath as may be for all the brethren of the poore hate him Chapter 19.7 in the day of thy calamitie i. when thou art distressed and in pouertie for better i. more comfortable and profitable is a neighbour i. any friend or acquaintance whatsoeuer that is neere vz. not onely in respect of place but good will the reason of this is because a friend loueth alwaies Chap. 17.17 see also 18.24 Vers 11. My sonne see Chap. 1.8 10. be wise i. striue by all the meanes thou canst to obtaine and get wisedome and reioyce mine heart i. make me glad by thy wisedome and by thy godly conuersation as a fruit of the same by which thinges indéede parents are made glad as Chap. 10.1 also Chap. 23.24 25. that I may answer vz. boldly and truely him i. any man that reprocheth me vz. either for lacke of doing my duetie towards thee or for thy euill behauiour or for any other cause q.d. let thy life and conuersation approue how faithfully I haue performed the duetie of a good parent see Psal 127.3 4 5. Vers 12. A prudent man i. one that is inlightened with holie and heauenly wisedome seeth the plague vz. approching or drawing néere vnderstanding by plague calamities and afflictions of all sorts sent from God and hideth himselfe vz. from it meaning that he laboureth by all meanes to put it from him and to escape it but the foolish i. the wicked and vngodlie goe on still vz. forward in their sinne and naughtines and are punished vz. iustly for the same q.d. God doth iustly afflict them seeing they will not be reclaimed see this very sentence Chap. 22.3 Vers 13. Take his garment c. This verse is also word for word put downe before Chap. 20.16 where you may see it also wholly expounded Vers 14. He vz. whosoeuer he be that praiseth his friend vz. with a flattering minde and fauning words I suppose the Hebrue word would better stand here it selfe and the sense also be more plaine thus He that blesseth his friend i. wisheth wel vnto him in words only not in heart and that to this end that he may be seene of men with a loud voyce i. so that he may bee heard of others and by that lewd meanes purchase fauour from the partie rising early in the morning vz. for to doo it and that before others it shall be counted to him as a curse i. it shall be so farre off this kind of dealing of his from being esteemed as a blessing or good wishing that it shall bée taken rather as a certaine kind of cursing because it sauoureth of flatterie not that he forbiddeth vs either to salute or to commend our friends iustly but alwaies to haue an eye to auoide flatterie and ostentation in the same q.d. the false flatterer which maketh a shewe as though he did at all times his duetie is rather cursed of God and men than well liked of Vers 15. A continuall dropping vz. into a mans house or vpon the goods in the same in the day of raine i. when it raineth much and a contentious woman i. a woman giuen either altogether or very much to brauling and chiding are a like vz. both dangerous and discommodious for as the raine rotteth the things it falleth vpon and consumeth in time the same so doth contentions and braulings a man and his familie see Chap. 19.13 Also Chap. 21.9 Vers 16. He that hideth her i. he that laboureth to keepe close her braulings and iarres hideth the winde i. laboureth as much in vaine as if he would goe about to couer keepe close or shut vp in a place the winde it selfe she is the oyle in his right hand that vttereth it selfe vz. by the smell and sauour thereof though perhappes it may not bee seene by reason it is kept close or hidden in some vessell q.d. her rage can be restrained by no meanes no not by shame amongst people but spread abroad it will be for a man may sooner keepe the winde in his hand or represse the sauour of ointment that other should not smell it than stoppe her in