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IN the 28. verse of the last Chapter, he earnestly commended a holie conuersa∣tion. And in the first verse of this Chapter, he sheweth by what meanes this may be attained, vz. by diligence both in hearing and obeying of all holie in∣structions.
THe Chapter may bee diuided into three parts: the first reacheth from [Di. 1] verse 1. to the end of the 8. wherein he teacheth the right vse of the eares
and mouth, commendeth diligence and dispraiseth idlenes, and speaketh against lying, slaundering, hypocrisie, & other manner of wickednesses. In [Di. 2] the second, he speaketh against pride, contention, vaine riches, contempt of the word, and follie: commending on the other side, the righteous, the wise, the diligent, the obedient person, and such as vnfeignedly feare God, [Di. 3] from verse 9. to the end of the 16. In the third part he dealeth against vn∣faithfull messengers, contempt of instruction, wicked companie, &c. and commendeth faithfulnes, obedience, choyce of companie, Gods fauour to∣wards his children, and the good which commeth by moderate correction: from verse 17. to the end of the Chapter.
Vers. 1. A Wise sonne [i. childe, whether it bee sonne or daughter] will obey [vz. in deed and truth] the instruction of his father: [i. which his father shall giue him: vnderstanding by the name fa∣ther, parents, as by the name sonne before, child] but a scorner [i. such a one as doth de∣spise the doctrines of wisedome] will heare no rebuke. [vz. from other men for his amende∣ment: meaning by hearing, regarding: for this word scorner, see Chapt. 9. [unspec 2] 7, 8, 12.] Vers. 2. A man [i. a good and wise man] shall eate good things [i. shall finde and enioy them] by the fruite of his mouth: [i. by his good and wise words: see Chapt. 12.14.] but the soule of the trespassers [i. the trespassers themselues both in bodie and soule: and yet he maketh mention of the soule, because it is the principall part] shall suffer violence. [vz. from God, and ma∣nie [unspec 3] times from men, as Genes. 6.11.] Vers. 3. He that keepeth his mouth, [vz. from idle or euill speach: meaning hereby, such a one as hath a care, not in words to passe the bounds of his calling, or godlines] keepeth his life: [vz. in peace, quietnes and prosperitie] but he that openeth his lippes, [vz. to lewd and wicked speaches: in the word opening is a metaphore taken from har∣lots, as appeareth Ezech. 16.25.] destruction shall be to him. [i. he shall bée [unspec 4] destroyed by his lewd words and speaches.] Vers. 4. The sluggard lusteth, [i. he hath a desire or wishing onely, and nothing els] but his soule [i. he him∣selfe] hath nought [vz. besides his bare wishes: q.d. the slothfull desire many things, and feede themselues with bare wishes, but in the meane while, be∣cause they labour not, they obtaine nothing of the things which they desire] but the soule of the diligent [i. the diligent and laborious person himself] shall haue plentie. [vz. of all good things, yea more many times than they wish or [unspec 5] desire: see Chapt. 11.25. Vers. 5. A righteous man hateth [vz. vnfeigned∣lie, and euen as it were a filthie and stinking thing] lying words: [i. lyes, and all things thereto appertaining] but the wicked causeth slander and shame. [vz. to himselfe and others by his lying speaches: meaning also, that he doth so much loue and imbrace falshood, that he will be contented to be coun∣ted
a filthie person, and hated of all good men, rather than depart from it.] Vers. 6. Righteousnes [i. faithfull and holie dealing] preserueth [vz. before [unspec 6] God and euen in this life] the vpright of life: [i. such as leade an vpright and blessed life] but wickednes [vz. against God and men] ouerthroweth [vz. through Gods iust iudgement] the sinner. [i. the notorious euill men: see Chapt. 1.10.] Vers. 7. There is [vz. a man, that is sundrie men: see Chap. [unspec 7] 12.18.] that maketh himselfe rich, [vz. by his boasting words, and so would be accounted by the pompe he beareth amongst men] and hath nothing: [q.d. and yet for all that, he is worth little or nothing] and [vz. there is another man, or another sort of people] that maketh himselfe poore, [i. would seeme so to be before men] hauing [vz. notwithstanding that] great riches. [i. great abundance of riches. Most interpreters agree, that the first part of the sen∣tence is spoken against vaineglorious boasters, amongst whom little or no∣thing is to be had: and the latter to bee vnderstood of such as haue contented mindes: the former I like well, but the latter I like not, because the compa∣rison is not so fit, and therefore I would haue it to bee vnderstood as before, vz. of feigning pouertie, when they haue great abundance.] Vers. 8. A [unspec 8] man [i. euery man that hath wit and vnderstanding] will giue [vz. francklie and freelie] his riches [i. all the riches that he hath] for the ransome of his life: [i. for the redemption of it, or to redeeme it, if he bee in danger to lose it: see Psalme 48.7, 8.] but the poore [vz. man] cannot heare [vz. as to redresse it] the reproch. [vz. vttered against him. His meaning, I thinke, commeth to this much in effect, that riches and pouertie haue both their commodities and their discommodities: for as to rich men their riches are profitable for the maintenance and pompe of this life, and pouertie is discommodious to the poore; so riches are sundrie times discommodious to the rich, because they procure many dangers to the owners thereof, and yet pouertie is com∣modious at the least in this respect, because mens hearts are free from the feare of enuious persons, who would insnare them, and they haue not so rea∣die an occasion to reuenge themselues as otherwise.] Vers. 9. The light of [unspec 9] the righteous [i. the great blessings and good things which in great plentie shall be powred forth vpon them. It is vsuall in the Scripture, by light to vnderstand all good and prosperous things: and I take it to be a metapho∣ricall speach borrowed from the light of the Sunne, which first rising, and afterwards increasing in brightnes, séemeth it selfe to reioyce, whilest lighte∣ning all things, and euen the whole face of the earth it maketh them glad] reioyceth: [i. maketh glad both themselues, and other that behold it: q.d. the righteous shall continuallie enioy felicitie, glorie, life, gladnes, &c. see Psalme 97.11.] but the candle of the wicked shall be put out. [i. that little estate of fe∣licitie and prosperitie which they seeme to haue in this life, shall sodainlie va∣nish away: q.d. there is as great difference betweene the ioyes of the good and the bad, both in respect of the greatnes and continuance thereof, as is betwéene the Sunne and a candle, and their seuerall lights and continuance:
[unspec 10] see Chapt. 4.18, 19.] Vers. 10. Only by pride [i. through pride of heart: meaning vnder the word only, that pride is not the only cause of contention, but one of the chiefest: for many times men braule euen of peruersnes and of fond emulation and enuie against other] doth man [i. doo men, for he spea∣keth of them all, as though they were but one] make contention: [i. stirre vp strife one of them with another] but with the well aduised [i. with such as both can giue good counsell, and will humblie hearken to other mens good speaches] is wisedome. [vz. to take heede that they kindle not strife, or foster [unspec 11] contention.] Vers. 11. The riches of vanitie [i. after some, vaine riches, which are so called, because they vanish away; but I suppose that he mea∣neth such riches as are gotten by any vaine, false, or vngodlie way whatsoe∣uer] shall diminish: [vz. certainlie, meaning that indeede they should bee brought to nothing and consumed] but he that gathereth [vz. riches and goods] with the hand, [i. with the labour of his owne hands] shall increase them. [vz. through Gods especiall blessing, for otherwise it cannot bee: see Chapt. 10.2, 4. Also Chapt. 12.24. His purpose is to commend diligence, [unspec 12] and to teach men to auoide idlenes, craft, and whatsoeuer els.] Vers. 12. The hope that is deferred, [i. the thing hoped for, if it be put off from time to time, and not quicklie performed] is the fainting of the heart: [i. it maketh a mans minde to faint and quaile] but when the desire [i. the thing desired, wi∣shed, and looked for] commeth [vz. vnto men, i. is granted them] it is as a tree of life. [i. it is a most sweete and pleasant thing, and as a man would say, a very proper and healthfull medicine for a minde that languisheth in lusting [unspec 13] and desiring: see Chapt. 3.18.] Vers. 13. He that despiseth the word, [vz. of almightie God, or the good word of exhortation drawne from the same] he shall be destroyed: [vz. certainly, and assuredly, through the iust iudge∣ment and vengeance of GOD vppon him] but he that feareth the com∣mandement, [vz. of GOD, vnderstanding by feare, an humble reue∣rence and loue, and by one commandement all commandements of God whatsoeuer, yea euen the whole lawe] he shall be rewarded. [vz. from the Lord: neither can the Papistes gather, neither neede any man feare out of this, merites; because there is a great difference betwixt desert, and [unspec 14] reward.] Vers. 14. The instruction of a wise man [i. such holie and wise instructions as hée giueth] is as the welspring of life [i. is not onely plen∣tifull of good thinges but also bringeth with it, both to himselfe, and those whome he instructeth life in this life, and afterwards eternall life: see chap. 10. vers. 11.] to turne away [vz. men: q.d. it serueth also to this ende, for this is added, for the more plaine and full declaration of the matter] from the snares of death [i. from such snares, as if men be caught therewith, kill them: he meaneth specially sinnes, which bring with them eternall death.] Vers. [unspec 15] 15. Good vnderstanding [vz. of such things as God hath manifested vnto vs in his worde, vnderstanding also hereby good wit, holy wisedome, and the gift wisely and learnedly to vtter good things] maketh [vz. men that haue it]
acceptable [vz. both before God and men: see chap. 3.4.] but the way of the disobedient [i. their order of life, and course of conuersation] is hated. [vz. both of God, and also of good men.] Vers. 16. Euerie wise man [i. euery one that [unspec 16] is truely wise] will work [vz. the things that he doth] by knowledge [i. sound and right knowledge: q.d. whatsoeuer he doth, he will doo it with wisedome and iudgement, and not rashly] but a foole will spread abroad [i. bewray and publish] folly [i. his owne folly: see chap. 12.23.] Vers. 17. A wicked mes∣senger [unspec 17] [i. an vnfaithfull one, and such a one as dooth not truely execute his message or charge] falleth [vz. many times thorowe Gods iust iudgements, and that or euer he thinketh of it] into euill: [i. into affliction, sorrowe, grief, and punishment, and so hurting himself also, smarteth iustly, for his vnfaith∣fulnes] but a faithfull Ambassador [i. hee that faithfully performeth his charge] is preseruation [vz. to himselfe, to him or them that send him, and to those also, for whose cause he is sent.] Vers. 18. Pouertie and shame [vz. [unspec 18] from God, but yet in the presence of men] is to him [vz. whosoeuer he bee] that refuseth instruction: [vz. of goodnes: q.d. he that will not regarde good and holy counsell, shall fall into beggery, and be made a shame amongst men] but he that regardeth correction [vz. to followe it, and to become the better by it] shall be honored [i. he shall florish with riches and honor, and be accep∣ted both of God and men.] Vers. 19. A desire [i. the thinge desired, as [unspec 19] vers. 12. of this chap.] accomplished [vz. by good and holy meanes, for here he speaketh of the desiring of good things, and the lawfull accomplishment thereof] delighteth [vz. very greatly] the soule: [i. the party wishing or desi∣ring the same: one parte put for the whole, and yet hee dooth not without cause make mention of the soule, because in it is the quality or faculty of de∣siring] but it is an abhomination vnto fooles [i. a lothsome and tedious thing, yea such a matter as their affection dooth vtterly abhorre] to departe from e∣uill, [i. from that euill whereunto they are naturally giuen, and which they foster and feede in themselues, thorowe a vaine pleasure and delight in the same.] Vers. 20. He that walketh with the wise: [i. is conuersant and [unspec 20] familiarly acquainted with wise persons] shall be wise [i. thorowe Gods blessing shall become wise by meanes of wise speeches and talkes, that shal passe from them] but a companion of fooles [i. he that ioyneth himselfe in society and fellowship with the wicked] shall bee afflicted. [vz. euen as they themselues, either because he committeth sinne with them, or consenteth to euill: as Rom. 1.13.] Vers. 21. Affliction [i. punishment and vengeance [unspec 21] sent from the Lord] followeth [vz. euen as the shadowe doth the body, mea∣ning also, that it dooth euen pursue them so egerly, that it leaueth them not, till they be vtterly destroyed] sinners [i. peruerse and obstinate sinners: see chap. 11.31.] but vnto the righteous, God will recompence [vz. of his large liberality and goodnes] good, [i. all good things for this life, and the life to come.] Vers. 22. The good man shall giue [i. leaue behind him] inheritance [unspec 22] [i. goodes and lands to be inherited] vnto his Childrens Childerne [i. vnto his
posteritie for many generations: see Psalme. 128.6. he meaneth, that the Lord will in mercy shewe such fauour to good men, that not onely they them∣selues shall enioye their landes and liuing, but euen their issue after them, vnto many generations.] and the riches of the sinner [i. the goods and lands that he possesseth] is laid vp [vz. safe and sure] for the iust. [vz. that they may possesse and enioye them. Hee meaneth that neither the wicked them∣selues, nor their vngodly seede and posteritie after them shal inioy them, but the good shall haue them. How true this is, see Iob. 27.16, 17. see also Ester. [unspec 23] 8.7, 11.] Vers. 23. Much foode [i. much graine and corne méete for foode: so is the word taken Gen. 42.2.] is in the feild [vz. that is well tilled and manured, though perhapes the soyle it self be somwhat barren] of the poore: [i. of that man, who though he be poore, yet notwithstanding is diligent in his labour] but the field is destroyed without descretion. [he meaneth, that the corne in the field, can come to little or no profit, where there is not good hus∣bandrie, and good gouernement. One readeth it thus:] But there is [vz. a man] who consumeth himselfe [i. both himselfe and all that he hath] thorowe sluggishnes [or els vnskilfulnes, for the word importeth both, and is set here against the knowledge and diligence of the poore laboring man: q.d. by idle∣nes and want of skill hee commeth to nothing, and is vtterly consumed.] [unspec 24] Ver. 24. He that spareth [i. withholdeth from the correction and chastising of his child,] his rodde, [i. the rodde of correction, which God hath committed into his hands] hateth his sonne: [i. his child, as ver. 1. of this chap. meaning that he is euen as though he did hate him, because that not correcting him, he is a cause, that he falleth into euill, by meanes whereof, he doth at the length, pul vpon him his owne destruction] but he that loueth him, [vz. vnfeinedly, and with the loue of a godly father] chasteneth him [vz. measurablye: and according to the offence committed] betime. [i. in good season, and while that he is tender and yong, least growing in yeres, he growe in strength and cou∣rage, and so either little regarde, or vtterly refuse, all fatherly correction.] [unspec 25] Vers. 25. The righteous eateth, [vz. of the giftes and blessings which God hath bestowed vpon him,] to the contentation of his minde: [i. to the satisfying of himself, for he noteth vnder that word, not onely contentednes, but abun∣dance also] but the bellie of the wicked [i. the wicked himselfe, a part for the whole, putting also bellie, for the stomack, wherein resteth appetite] shall want [vz. many times great store of Gods blessings: he meaneth that good men, haue alwaies sufficient and abundance, but the wicked neuer: see Psal. 34.10. also Psalme 37.16.
Verse 1. Teacheth children their duty, vz. to obey the good instructi∣ons of their parents: it teacheth vs also, to beware of scorning, and of con∣tempt of admonition. Vers. 2. Teacheth vs, that the good wordes of good men are profitable both to themselues and others: also that the wicked shall not escape iudgement. Ʋers. 3. Teacheth vs, to be warie and circumspect
in our words, and to auoyde babling and much speech. Vers. 4. Teacheth vs, to auoyde sluggishnes, and to bee painefull and faithfull in our callings. Vers. 5. Teacheth vs, to abhorre lying. Vers. 6. Setteth out the vnlikelie rewarde of righteousnes and wickednes. Vers. 7. Teacheth to beware, as of vayne boasting on the one side, so of counterfeiting pouerty on the other side. Ʋers. 8. Teacheth vs, that riches and pouertie haue either of them, their profite, and their disprofits. Ʋers. 9. Teacheth vs, Gods fauour to∣wards the good, and his iudgements vpon the wicked. Vers. 10. Teacheth vs, that pride is the mother of strife: but they that are humble, will yeeld to good counsell and peace. Ʋers. 11. Teacheth vs, that euill gotten goods shall come to nothing: also that diligence and labor is a meane to get and increase riches. Vers. 12. Teacheth vs, to doo good quicklie and in good season, least otherwise the gift either come too late, or be not so acceptable. Ʋers. 13. Teacheth vs, that the contempt of Gods word, shall neuer escape vnpunished. Vers. 14. Teacheth vs, that good counsell is a good meane, to make men to auoyde the snares of sinne. Vers. 15. Teacheth vs, that Gods gifts in any must be reuerenced, and sinne and iniquitie abhorred. Vers. 16. Teacheth vs, to doo all things according to iudgement and discretion: and to take heed, that either by word or deede wee bewray not the follie of our harts. Vers. 17. Teacheth vs, to deale faithfullie in the charges wherein we are placed, both that wee may thereby auoyde euill and also procure good vnto our selues and others. Ʋers. 18. Teacheth vs, that contempt of good counsell is a meane of beggery and shame: as on the other side obedience to good speeches, is the high way to honor and estimation before GOD and men. Vers. 19. Teacheth vs, that we may reioyce, when lawfull and holy things are done for vs; also that it is a very harde matter, to drawe the vn∣godly from sinne. Vers. 20. Teacheth vs, to make choyce of our companie, cleauing to such as are good, and flying from the euill. Vers. 21. Setteth out, the vnlikelie reward of the good and the bad from God. Vers. 22. Tea∣cheth vs, that good men thorowe Gods blessing, leaue their goods and lands to their posteritie, euen many ages togeather one after another: also that God in his iustice doth many times depriue the wicked of their wealth, and giueth it to the good. Vers. 23. Teacheth vs, that labor is a meane to make men rich: also that for want of labor and good gouernement, many things are consumed. Vers. 24. Teacheth parents, to correct their chil∣dren, but yet so, that they doo it in measure, and in such sort, and at such a time, as it may doo the parties corrected most good, not onely for the time present, but also for the time to come. Ʋers. 25. Setteth out Gods fauor towards the good, and his iustice towards the wicked and vngodlie.