doe them for that is your wisdome and your vnderstanding in the sight of the people which shall heare all these ordinances and shall say Only this people is wise and of vnderstanding and a great Nation And it may be noted thorowout all the Scriptures that none haue with so great dexteritie and happy effect discharged the duties of their callings in what place soeuer as they which are most praised for their godlinesse as Ioseph and Moses and Dauid and Daniel and many other Worthies Reason 1 First they haue Christ inhabiting in them who sanctifieth their hearts with grace and directeth their waies with iudgement and so much he testifieth of himselfe saying I Wisdome Prou. 8. 12. 14. dwell with prudence and I finde foorth wisdome and counsels I haue counsell and wisdome I am vnderstanding and I haue strength Secondly the same holy writings which minister wisdome to their hearts do also plentifully yeeld precepts of prudence for their behauiour And that among all the rest this one Booke of Prouerbs doth witnesse abounding euery where with rules and instructions to that purpose As with admonitions against idlenesse and rash suretiship perswasions to thrift and good husbandrie directions for seasonable silence and speaking lessons how to deale with superiours aduertisements how to gouerne inferiours counsels how to match in marriage and well to vse and liue with a good yoke-fellow c. Thirdly the Lord doth blesse their waies and make them fortunate in their workes as he promiseth Ioshua if he would religiously seeke to know his will and faithfully obey his word Then saith hee shalt thou make thy way prosperous and Ioshua 1. 8. then shalt thou haue good successe And that which is said to him is spoken of euery wise hearted man in the Psalme Whatsoeuer Psal 1. 3. be shall doe shall prosper Vse 1 Instruction 1. To lay the foundation of our waies of our state and of our credit in our hearts It is wisdome in the brest and grace in the soule that must guide our affaires and worke our welfare and winne vs good estimation if we would not deale absurdly and speed vnhappily and iustly bee censured for foolish persons 2. To imploy them most in all our affaires that are most religious and godly wise They will be prudent and faithfull in the managing of those matters which they take in hand and God will bee mercifull and gracious in prospering of them Abraham found this true by good experience in sending of that deuout and trustie seruant to fetch a wife for Isaac and so did Laban in vising Iacob about his flocks and so did Potiphar in committing such trust to Ioseph in his familie Reproofe of their follie that thinke it impossible for those that are truly religious either to shew themselues prudent or that others should commend them for discretion and therefore they reiect the wisdome of the word because they feare it will make them to be derided and wholly embrace the policie of the world because they hope it will make them to be admired Or if at any time profession of pietie and Religion may be for their aduantage as often it is they will only make a shew thereof with their tongues but neuer giue entertainement thereto in their soules Sorrow and shame will teach them in time to know that neither they which contemptuously despise the wisdome of the spirit nor they which dissemblingly pretend a loue of it had euer any good forecast for themselues but only they that are wise in heart shall be called prudent Wee are taught by Iobs faithfull testimonie that they which say vnto God Depart from vs wee desire not the knowledge Iob 21. 14. 17. of thy waies shall haue their candle put out and destruction come vpon them And we learne by Achitophels wofull example that no wit nor subtiltie can preserue an hypocrite from working his owne miserie The doctrine that ariseth out of the other part of the sentence concerning the fruit that commeth by wise wholsome and comfortable speeches hath beene obserued and handled Chap. 10. verse 11. where the mouth of the righteous is called a wel-spring of life and Chap. 11. verse 13. where the fruit of the righteous is said to be as a tree of life Verse 22. Vnderstanding is a well-spring of life to them that haue it but the instruction of fooles is follie VNderstanding The true knowledge of Gods holy will is a well-spring of life a precious possession as fountaines were in those Countries and a comfortable constant necessarie and effectuall meanes of saluation to them that haue it whose mindes are soundly illuminated and their hearts graciously seasoned therewith but the instruction of fooles those perswasions which sinfull men vse and that aduice which they giue in stead of instructions is follie corrupt and wicked for matter and pernicious and hurtfull for effect Thus standeth the opposition Vnderstanding is a Well-spring of life to those that possesse it and therefore the counsell of wise men is wisdome and ignorance is the fountaine of death to them that are possessed of it and therefore the instruction of fooles is follie Doct. Nothing is more needfull and profitable for the body than grace is for the soule He taketh his comparison from that which euery man besides many other creatures hath necessarie vse of for preseruation of life and whereof the plants of the earth stand in need for growth and fruitfulnesse and the ground it selfe for moisture and fertilitie By the same similitude the Lord Iesus doth commend and set foorth the excellencie of his grace and Gospell to the woman of Samaria when he told her that whosoeuer should drinke of the water that hee shall giue him shall neuer be more athirst but the water that he shall giue him shall be in him a Well of water springing vp into euerlasting life And not much vnlike to this is that which he so solemnly proclaimed in a solemne assemblie and that in the last and great day of a solemne feast saying Hee that beleeueth in mee as saith the Iohn 7. 38. Scripture out of his bellie shall flow riuers of water of life Reasons 1 First the same God which hath appointed food and water to nourish the bodie and by the vertue thereof to sustaine the naturall life hath also ordained grace and vnderstanding to refresh the soule and by the efficacie of that to maintaine the spirituall life so that the latter is no lesse expedient and beneficiall than the former Secondly this water of life that is in the soule doth by many degrees surmount the materiall water that is to bee found in the fountaines That issueth out of the ground and commeth from the bowels of the earth and this descendeth from heauen and is deriued from the sonne of God That is communicated to all sorts of creatures the worst partake of it as well as the best and the beasts as much as any men but this is peculiar to Gods
that forsaketh the way and he that hateth correction shall die INstruction Either wholesome doctrine publikely taught or faithfull admonition priuately giuen is euill not in it selfe for the Scripture calleth it A pearle and Holy thing in Matth. 7. 6. one place and preferreth it before siluer and gold and the richest gemmes in another but it so seemeth to him that is Prou. 3. 15. not willing to obey it in whom also it is an occasion of distempered passions and hardnesse of heart to him that forsaketh the way not to euery one that mistaketh the way or through infirmitie sometimes swarueth from it but to such a one as either obstinately refuseth to chuse and walke in the right path of saluation when the knowledge of it is offered vnto him or wilfully departeth from it after that hee hath made some entrance thereunto And he that hateth correction which is imbittered by rebukes and not bettered by chastisements shall die is in danger to perish eternally at the last and to be surprised with some speedie sudden shamefull or cursed death in the meane season and before that to haue some heauy iudgement to fall vpon him Doct. Instruction is euill The worst men are most vnwilling to be taught how to amend their liues The sicker their soules are the more they distaste the Lords medicines the more beggarly their hearts bee the lesse they desire the riches of grace and the greater speed they make towards their destruction the more offensiuely they take it to bee recalled to the way of saluation It hath beene shewed in the ninth chapter and shall be againe in the next verse saue one of this that scorners vse to hate them that reprooue them Nathan Prouerb 9. 8. and Gad and all that dealt with Dauid found alwaies good successe in speaking vnto him for it was his praier to God that the righteous might smite him with rebukes But Eliiah and Psal 141. 5. Micaiah and such as had to doe with Ahab had an angrie countenance and hard speeches from him for he professed that he tooke them for his enemies Reason 1 First they are void of sound iudgement and senslesse of their owne miserable estate and therefore thinke all instructions needlesse as a phrenticke patient or one past feeling of paine doth see no cause of taking physicke Secondly they are void of Christian loue and giuen to vncharitable iudging and therefore interpret all that is spoken to them in the worst sense and impute it to the malice of him that reprooueth them as though euery admonition were giuen as a sentence of condemnation Thirdly they are void of humilitie and haue themselues in high admiration and therefore take it for a great disgrace to be told their dutie as though they were ignorant and especially to bee rebuked for their faults as if they were offenders Vse 1 Instruction that wee proceed on with due care and constancie in the way of faith and holy obedience not suffering sinfulnesse to make a breach in our hearts and behauiours for they that returne backe to that which is euill and fal away from that which is good of all men will like worst continually of them that are the best and of all speeches will least relish those which are the most sauourie and wholesome Consolation to them that desire instruction and learne wisdome from it and disdaine not correction but bee reformed by it This part of the sentence cleereth them from the guiltinesse of contempt They refuse not to walke in the way of God and the next secureth them from the punishment of death They haue not correction in detestation Doct. 2 He that hateth correction Contempt of rebukes and instruction is a fore-runner of some grieuous plagues to follow Heereof the Holy Ghost speaketh at large in the first chapter and there the point will more fully appeare Verse 11. The graue and destruction are before the Lord how much more the hearts of the sonnes of men THE graue The darkest places in the ground or deepest places in the waters where any dead corpse is or hath beene couered and consequently all others as obscure as they or lower than they euen to the very center of the earth and destruction the place and state of the damned spirits are before the Lord hee seeth both how the bodies consume and how the soules suffer and what be the thoughts of them that sustaine such infernall torments how much more the hearts the counsels and purposes and discourses and motions of all the faculties of the soules of the sonnes of men of euery one in euery age that is descended from the race of mankinde so long as he liueth on earth Yet is not this an argument from impuritie in respect of God as though it were easie for him to behold some thoughts and hard to find out others for all are equally comprehended of him but in regard of men which with greater difficultie attaine to the knowledge of that whereunto their sense is not able to reach and with more facilitie discerne that which is subiect to their senses and so according to themselues they conceiue of the Lord. Now if they apprehend that he doth continually obserue and looke vpon things that bee so abstruse and hidden they may be easily perswaded that hee is not vnacquainted with that which is more conspicuous and apparant Doct. There can nothing be kept so close and secret any where but the Lord doth at all times euidently see it The third verse of this chapter was to the same purpose and there the point hath beene spoken too Verse 12. A scorner loueth not him that rebuketh him neither will be goe vnto the wise A Scorner A leaud vngratious person which obstinately hath giuen ouer himselfe to worke wickednesse and derideth all that dislike of his waies loueth not him that rebuketh him but hateth both the reproouer and the reproofe the man and his admonition according as was said before that instruction is euill to him that forsaketh the way neither will he goe to the wise nor be willing that the wise should come to him He affecteth not the company and societie of them that be godly because he knoweth that they will looke into his licentious life and tell him plainely of his inordinate behauiour Doct. He will not goe He that would not be reputed a wicked person must not shunne good companie where he may heare of his faults Both Nathan and Gad when need required dealt plainly with Dauid and told him of things that were amisse in him yet Dauid did banish neither Gad nor Nathan either from his Court or companie The Apostle sheweth that he that hath grace when hee is rebuked and iudged will not rush out of the assemblie and be gone nor exclaime against the Ministers or meeting but humble himselfe and honour the Lord and giue good testimonie of his seruants He will saith he fall downe on his face and worship God and say 1. Cor. 14.
owne people and no man can haue any portion of it beside the elect That is not euery where to be had for some places be destitute of it and some seasons do cause it to faile as it came to passe in the daies of Ahab but this accompanieth the owner whithersoeuer hee goeth and wheresoeuer he is and no drought can possibly drie it vp That hath no force to preserue life against violence or mortall diseases or fulnesse of old age but this hath power to protect the soule against all assaults and suffereth not any maladie to kill it and maketh it the more fresh and liuely by the greater multitude of yeeres that it liueth Vse 1 Instruction to seeke for this heauenly vnderstanding sithence it is for so good vse as we labour for the best earthly commodities which cannot serue for better vse and by how much it doth euery way exceed all worldly possessions by so much to be the more industrious and diligent to possesse it It is a well-spring of life to the owners of it and not to the talkers and hearers of it The enioying of wealth doth make a man rich and the receiuing of food doth nourish him and not the bare sight of either of them One may see meat dressed in other mens kitchins and plate and iewels in other mens shops and yet liue in hunger and die a beggar Consolation to them whose hearts are taught of God and whose mindes are enlightned with the spirit of reuelation whereby they haue attained vnto this heauenly vnderstanding they bee not without a testimonie of regeneration nor want assurance of perseueration Whosoeuer is once a partaker of the water of life can neuer bee after defeated of euerlasting life No enemie within or without can stop vp this Well as the Philistims maliciously did fill vp Isaacks Wels and this Well is neuer empty of water and this water neuer wanteth an effectuall vertue for conseruation of the soule Doct. 2 But the instruction c. Good counsell is not to bee expected from sinfull and ignorant mens mouthes they are full of vanitie and foolishnesse as sinkes and puddles be of muddy water and filthmesse and therefore it is not likely that they should send foorth the pure streames of wholesome instructions They know no good they learne no good they loue no good and is it possible then for them to giue exhortations and precepts of goodnesse When Rehoboam left the iudgement of the prudent aged and leaned on the sentences of the wilde headed yoongsters the aduice that hee tooke was sutable to the Counsellers that gaue it namely rash and dangerous exceeding pernicious and hurtfull We shall see in the 29. verse that a wicked man deceiueth his neighbour and leadeth him into the way that is not good And there we shall haue better occasion to handle this point more at large Verse 23. The heart of the wise guideth his mouth aright and addeth doctrine to his lips THE heart of the wise His knowledge and iudgement his prudence and discretion doth guide his mouth aright direct him when to speake and when to hold his peace and what to say and what to conceale His loue to goodnesse induceth him to declare that which is good and his hatred of naughtinesse doth cause him to refraine from all words that are naught and addeth Doctrine to his lips ministreth matter of wholesome lessons for them to deliuer It getteth knowledge and keepeth it and they being stored therewith doe vtter the same for the instruction of others See Chap. 15. verse 28. Verse 24. Faire words are as an hony combe sweetnesse to the soule and health to the bones GOdly and comfortable sayings rightly grounded on the holy Scriptures and fitly applied to the vse of well prepared hearts whether publikely or priuately are as an hony-combe sweetnesse to the soule they bring great ioy and gladnesse to an vpright heart as hony or other sweet things doe much delight the taste and healeth the bones are meanes of good to the whole body for conseruation of health or restitution to it by the cheerefulnesse of the minde and the fauour and blessing of God Doct. Nothing is more pleasant and profitable than gracious speeches to godly persons In this place they are compared to honie by Salomon as being equall to it in deliciousnesse but in the Psalmes they are preferred before hony by Dauid as being euerie way more Psal 19. 10. delightfull than that is Neither was hee ignorant of the operation thereof when he besought the Lord to make him heare ioy and gladnesse that Psal 51. 8. the bones which he had broken might reioice Reason 1 First God himselfe doth put vertue into them and maketh them effectuall for the comfort and helpe of his people according as himselfe testifieth saying I create the fruit of the lips to be peace peace vnto them that are farre off and to them that are neere saith the Lord for I will heale them Secondly the matter of these faire words directed from God to the soules of his faithfull seruants is such as farre surpasseth all things which are subiect to any of the senses His owne loue and fauour is thereby declared vnto them remission of sinnes is thereby assured vnto them euerlasting glorie is thereby confirmed vnto them and the Lord Iesus Christ himselfe with his holinesse merits and graces is thereby exhibited to them Euery one of which as it is incomparably more delectable and sweet than any thing that is sensible and for corporall vse so it is also infinitely more durable as being for eternitie and making him eternally happie that enioieth it Vse 1 Instruction to chuse to liue if wee may where our soules may taste of and be often refreshed with these heauenlie and gladsome speeches though our bodily food bee there more scant and homely rather than to conuerse in places where we shall be without them though our fare should bee neuer so plentifull and daintie And let all them that loue hospitalitie learne to prouide that their friends and guests may not only haue the choice of toothsome dishes but also the means of wholesome conference for so a poore man may keepe a liberall table Reproofe of them that finde hony and sugar in filthie wanton or any kinde of sinfull and foule words but gall and wormewood in godly discourses and a loathing of all faire and fruitfull speeches The distasting of well-relished and sauourie meat doth argue a sicke and foulesome stomacke and the detestation of godly and seasonable talke doth bewray an euill and guiltie conscience Verse 25. There is a way that seemeth right to a man but the issue thereof are the waies of death THere is a way an vngodly but a common course of life which all vnregenerate persons doe take that seemeth right to a man wherein he pleaseth himselfe and being either blindfolded by lust or misled by carnall reason custome or companie thinketh it not to be very displeasing to God