A godly and learned exposition vppon the Prouerbes of Solomon: written in French by Maister Michael Cope, minister of the woorde of God, at Geneua: and translated into English, by M.O.

13 He that answereth a matter before he heare it, it is folly and shame vnto him.

They that haue nimble and light tongues, and can readily saye, whatsoeuer cometh into their minde, doe greatly delight to babble & to reason, to pronounce vaine, friuolous, foule, filthie, infamous, vngodly and wicked thinges: and are so swift and readie to speake, that they cannot suffer another to ende his matter, yea hardly to beginne: and yet they would be counted wise, and labour to cast of al shame from them: as though they did wel deserue to bee prai∣sed and honoured, for their readines or rather hastines, of their vn∣discrete babbling. And indeede they which are like vnto them: or which affect such babbling, doe praise them, and woonder at them, as though they were very eloquent, and were an honorable thing, and woorthie of praise to haue such nimblenes in tongue. But the holy Ghoste by Solomon doeth pronounce that they are but fooles and vnshamefaste, when hee saieth. Hee that an∣swereth

a matter before hee heare it, it is follie and shame to him. If they wil not or cannot confesse themselues to bee such in this life, and learne to heare, and to holde their peace, til neede requi∣reth them to speake, and that they knowe what and howe they ought to speake, they shal at last bee confounded, and bee silent be∣fore the greate iudge, whome they ought to honour by their tongues, in pronouncing with discretion and modestie things wor∣thy of subiectes and seruantes of God. And then they shal knowe that they were fooles and vnshamefast, but it shalbe too late: such knowledge shal nothing profite them, but for greater torment. Wherefore, forasmuch as it is needful to flye follie, and vnshame∣fastnesse, and that we shoulde feare to bee counted fooles and vn∣shamefast, let vs not offer to speake, before wee haue diligently hearde: let vs looke first to bee disciples, before wee take in hande to teache. Let vs marke the Psalme saying not, Come children and speake: but Come, hearken vnto mee, I wil teache you the feare of * 1.1 the Lorde. Wherein hee declareth that they which offer themselues to speake before they bee taught, haue not the feare of God, and that it is not possible that there shoulde come out of their mouthes any thing but euil. Let vs then take heede that wee offende not * 1.2 with our tongues, &c. And because that it is a greate perfection in man, to rule his tongue wel, and that wee cannot of ourselues at∣taine theretoo, wee ought therefore to pray vnto the Lorde, Set a watche O Lorde before my mouth: and keepe the dore of my lips. * 1.3 It is the duetie of subiectes and of ignorant persons chiefly to heare. Therfore let children, seruants, and maides learne heere to bee silent, and to hearken: but principally for to giue obedience vn∣to them which may commande them. As concerning the rest, wee might heere apply that which hath beene saide before, chapter 17. ver. 27. & 28.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 34. 11.
• * 1.2

  Psal. 39. 2. Iam. 1. 19. & 3. 2.
• * 1.3

  Psal. 141. 3.