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

Verse 27. A wicked person diggeth vp euill, and in his lips is as it were burning fire.

A Wicked person] A naughty, leaud, and wicked man, [diggeth vp euill] secretly vnder hand laieth plots for the subuersion of his neighbours state, whom hee maligneth, as pioners vndermine the foundations of Cities or houses: [and in his lips is as it were burning fire] he breatheth out pernicious and euill words, tending as much to the ruine and destructi∣on of the parties against whom they are spoken, as fire kin∣dling vpon an house doth to the consumption both of the building, and stuffe that is in it.

[Doct. 1] A malicious man is alwaies practising of mischiefe, whe∣ther he pretend friendship, or professe enmitie.

At one time Dauid must be Sauls sonne in law, he is so farre * 1.1 in his fauour, and no dowrie required at his hands, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistims: but Sauls purpose was to

make Dauid fall into the hands of the Philistims. Another time Dauid is reputed a Traitor that hath conspired against Saul, a rebell that seeketh to kill the King: and why is this charged vpon him? Not because Dauid was guiltie thereof, but that Saul might haue some colour of reason to kill Dauid.

Micah complained, that euery man hunted his brother with a * 1.2 net. And Dauid saith, that his aduersaries were fierce Lions, that they were set on fire, that their teeth were speares and arrowes, * 1.3 and their tongue a sharpe sword. So craft and crueltie are euer at the hand of malice, ready to serue her turne, and each of them to be imploied for great aduantage. See Chapter 12. verse 6.

[Doct. 2] And his lips, &c.] Many and great euils are wrought by the poison of a mischieuous mouth.

A few euill words, quickly spoken, may minister a multi∣tude of troubles and stirres for a long time, as the hot breath of Rehoboam and his Counsellers did against himselfe and the whole nation for many ages. What a flame was kindled by the mouth of Sheba the sonne of Bichri, who by one muti∣nous saying caused all Israel to goe from Dauid, and follow him, so base a companion? And how many millions, by the like meanes, haue beene drawen from the Lord himselfe, to fall to Poperie and treasons, and to follow sinne and Satan?

[Reasons. 1] First, all the corruption that is in mans nature, and the sin∣fulnes that is in his heart, doe gather vnto it, and there breake out, whereby it becommeth so fierce and violent.

[ 2] Secondly, the Diuell himselfe hath the rule and managing of it, and hee putteth force into it, beside the venome that it hath in it selfe. Hee fireth that matter that hee findeth there, and addeth to the same fuell of his owne, to feed the flame thereof. Behold (saith S. Iames) how great a thing a little fire * 1.4 kindleth. And the tongue is fire euen a world of wickednesse: so is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth the whole bodie, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of Hell, that is to say, by Satan that hellish spirit.

[Vse 1] Instruction, to refraine as much as we may from the socie∣tie of those firie fellowes, as we would preserue our selues, our

houses, and goods from the flame of burning fire, lest other∣wise their friendship doe scorch our soules, or else falling out deuoure our states.

And it is needfull also for godly men alwaies to haue inno∣cencie, wisdome, and patience in a readinesse to preuent the hurt that may grow from these Iuniper coles, and firebrands: for though they will take occasion, by maligning these gra∣ces, to blaze the more, yet they shall bee restrained by the same from burning so much, or annoying them whom they maligne. And withall it shall be very expedient to haue often recourse to God for remedie against them, without whose helpe there is no hope of safety: the whole Church, and eue∣rie part of it would be burnt to the ground (there are so many euery where that spit fire against the faithfull) were it not that the Lord sendeth water from heauen to extinguish the force of their maledictions. Dauid knew that Achitophel had a virulent tongue, and such an one as was like to doe much mischiefe, if it were permitted to take place, and therefore he sought succour at Gods hand against it, for he praied that his crafty counsell might bee turned into foolishnesse, as it fell out, to * 1.5 the destruction of the giuer and receiuer of it, and the preser∣uation of him against whom it was deuised.

See the violence of an euill tongue more largely described Chap. 12. verse 18.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1. Sam. 18.
• * 1.2

  Micah 7. 2.
• * 1.3

  Psal. 57. 4.
• * 1.4

  Iam. 3. 6.
• * 1.5

  2. Sam. 15. 31.