A plaine and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the Prouerbs of Salomon

Verse 10. Instruction [is] euill to him 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 one place, and preferreth it before siluer and gold; and the richest gemmes in another) but it so seemeth to him that is not willing to obey it: in whom also it is an occasion of dis∣tempered passions, and hardnesse of heart: [to him that for∣saketh 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 correcti∣on] which is imbittered by rebukes, and not bettered by cha∣stisements:

[shall die] is in danger to perish eternally at the last, and to be surprised with some speedie, sudden, shame∣full, 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 de∣struction, the more offensiuely they take it to bee recalled to the way of saluation. It hath beene shewed in the ninth chap∣ter, and shall be againe in the next verse (saue one) of this, that scorners vse to hate them that reprooue them. Nathan, 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 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 instructi∣ons needlesse; as a phrenticke patient, or one past feeling of paine, doth see no cause of taking physicke.

[ 2] Secondly, they are void of Christian loue, and giuen to vn∣charitable 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.

[ 3] 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 e∣specially to bee rebuked for their faults as if they were of∣fenders.

[Vse 1] Instruction, that wee proceed on with due care and con∣stancie 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 continu∣ally 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 refor∣med 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 instru∣ction 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.

Notes

• Matth. 7. 6.
• Prou. 3. 15.
• Prouerb. 9. 8.
• Psal. 141. 5.