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

Verse 1. A soft answer turneth away wrath: but a grieuous word stirreth vp anger.

A Soft answer] Gentle, milde, and peaceable speeches, [turneth away wrath] pacifie the indig∣nation of him that is displea∣sed. He speaketh of that which commeth to passe most com∣monly, though not alwaies: for sometimes men of a fro∣ward and seruile disposition are the more violent, by how much they are mildlier dealt with: and sharpe rebukes preuaile most with such, to tame them with feare, which would not bee intreated with faire perswasions. [But grieuous words] Bitter, biting, and prouo∣king speeches [stirre vp wrath] not only increase it in them in whom before it was kindled, but kindle it in them who before were kindly affected.

[Doct.] Milde behauiour is the best meanes to procure peace. In another place there is another Prouerbe to the same pur∣pose,

A Prince is pacified by staying of anger, and a soft tongue breaketh the bones. This was Gideons armour against the rage of the Ephramites; and this was Abigails armour for her selfe, her husband, and houshold, when Dauid, incensed by Na∣bals grieuous words, was comming with purpose to slay them euery mothers childe.

[Reason 1] First, it is the weapon which God calleth vpon vs in such a case to take vp and vse, and therefore hee worketh safety by it.

[ 2] Secondly, the strongest resistance is by opposition of contraries, as fire is soonest quenched by water; and a soft woole-packe is lesse penetrable at a Canon shot, than a hard stone-wall.

[ 3] Thirdly, it is in the nature of man, and of certaine other creatures, to desist from fiercenesse when they see submissi∣on and humble behauiour towards them, which sheweth, that a regard is had of them without contempt.

[Vse 1] Reproofe of their folly whose stout stomacke can neuer be induced to mitigate anger with meeknesse, but boisterously resist displeasure with fiercenes: & so are they conuinced of inhumanity, which being once offended, are euer implacable, notwithstanding all milde perswasions vsed to satisfie them.

[ 2] Consolation to them that deiect themselues before God in humility and praier: for if gentle words preuaile so mightily with most men, to appease their anger, of what force shall the submisse supplications of penitent persons be with the Lord, to quench his indignation?

Notes

• Prouer. 25. 15.