a Properly ſo called ; forthe foregoing Chapters, though they had this title in the beginning of them, yet in truth were only a Pre« face or preparation to them, containing a general exhortation to the ſtudy and exerciſe of Wiſdom, to ſtir up the minds of men to the greater atterition and regard to all itsPreceprs, whereof ſome here tollow. Of which in general theſe things are fit to be obſerved, to help us in the underſtanding of them : 1. That theſe 1entences are generally diſtin and independent, having no coherence one with anorher, as many other parts of Scripture have: 2+ That ſuch ſentences being very fhorr, as their naturegrequires, more is underſtood in them than is expreſſed. and the cauſes are commonly to be gathered from the EffeQts, and the Effects from the Cauſes, and one oppoſite from another, as we ſhall ſee. 3. That they are delivered by way of compariſon and oppoſition, which for the moſt ' part is between Virtue and Vice, but ſometimes is between twa Virtues, or two Vices. 6 #. e. Prudent, and eſpecially virtuous and godly, as this word is commonly meant in this Book, and'in many other Scriptures. c And a glad Mother too ; for both Pa« rentsare'to be underſtood in both Branches, as is evident from the nature of the thing which affects borh of them, and from parallel places, as Ch, 17. 25. & 3o. 17. although one only be expreſſed in each Branch, for the greater Elegancy. d The occaſion of her great ſorrow, which is decently aſcribed to the Mcthers, rather than to the Fathers, becauſe their paſſions are moſt vehement, and make deepeſt impreſſion in them,
2 * Treaſures of wickedneſs e profit nothing f : but
righteouſneſs g delivereth from death 6.
ud |
u In the [Tebrew it is only give: for as receiving is put for lears ning, Prov: ': 3. ſo giving is put for teaching both in Scripture and in other Authors: of which ſee my Latin Synopſis. x Called a wiſe Men jnthe former Branch 4 to intimar good-men- are the only wiſe incn. -
e Either, 1» All worldly Treaſures and Riches, which are cal- Jed the Marmen of unrighteouſneſs, Luke 16. 9. of which fee the Reaſons there, to which righteouſneſs or Holineſs, which are ſpi- ritual and heavenly Riches, may be fitly oppoſed. Or, 2. Suck Treaſures as are got by any fort ofunjult or wicked TING
37
10:27
7:16
h.207; Jeb! « 0G
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Chap X, Fx OF
F They do the poſſeſſor no good, but, which is implied from the opplice member, much hurt; they do not only nor deliver him from dearh, but oft expoſe him to it, either from men, who take away his Life that they may enjoy his Wealth, or from God, whe ſhortens his days. and makes his death more terrible, as being at- rended with gailt, and with the ſecond death. g Either 1. True Holineſs of Heart and Life. Or 2. Juſtice and Equity in the get- ting of Riches, or an Eſtate honeſtly obtained, which may te hitly oppoſed to Treaſures of Wickedneſs., Or 3+ A liberal and charitable uſe of Riches, whichis oft called Righteouſneſs, as Pſa.. 112. 9. Dan: 4. 27. 2 Cor. 9. 16. &c. and is indeed but an at of Juſtice, of which ſee on Pro. 3.27. which alſo is conveniently oppoſed to an unjuf! getting of Riches; and ſo this contains a great paradox, yet a certain truth,that the charitable laying out of Money is more pro»
R Rk Ch
who is flow to hear, and ſwift to ſpeak, who in ſtead of receiving good Admonitions, cavils and diſputes 2gainſt them. In the He- Mr, he 1s Cad 2 fool of Lips, either becauſe he diſcovers the folly of hrs Heart by his Lips, and thereby expoſeth himſelf to tie mit- cmet heyc tullowing, or becouic he is without keart, as is ſaid of Er ram,Hoſ. 5.11. or, his Heart is little worth, as 1s ſaid here, v 0 or becauſe he ſpeaks raſbly without any conſideration. Or, it may be renared, a fool by is lips, i. e- By his fooliſh and wicked ipeechcs, contrary to the Commands of God, by talking much and i;l, when. IT 15 more comely and neceflary for him to hear and receive Inftru- ction from others. z To wit, into miſchief: or, be punijhed, as the word is uſed, Heſ: 4: 14. or, be beaten, as below v. 10. ;
9 * He that walketh upiightly a waiketh ſurely b : bur he that perverteth bis ways c ſhall be known 4.
fitable to men, than an unjuſt and covetous laying it up. h Oft times from temporal death, becauſe men generally love, and ho- nour, and will a{lift ſuch perſons in cfes of danger, and God gftes them the bleſſing ofa long Life; and always from erernal death, when ſuch Charity proczeds from a ſincere and honeſt mind, aud
a Whois ſincere, and juſt, and faithful in lus dealings with God and with men. 6 Or, ſecurely, or confidentty, as the word properly lignifies,and is here rendred by all the ancienr Interpreters,and by molt of the others, quietly reſting upon God's favour and Eracious
*PC. 22008
- a good Conſcience. FPſ.33-198 & 37:29,
jOr, :he of the wicked I. wicked for
& og 15. hand 23 but * the hand of the diligent maketh rich N.13- 4.
a Negligently and flothfully, as appears from the diligence op-
poſed to it in the next branch, and t:om the uſe of this word in this ſenſe, Prov. +2. 24, 27, & 9. 15. Jer. 48. to, Heb. with # deceitful hana, ſo called, partly becauſe it ſeems and pretends to do ſomthing, when in truth it doth nothing ; and partly becauſe ſuch perſons uſually endeavour to maintain themielves by d-ceit and wickedneſs, which they cannot or will nor do by honeſt labour and diligence. » Not by it ielf, nor neceſlarily, as is maniteſt from Expericnce, and is noted, Ecclz/. 9- 11+ but through God's bleſſing, which commonly is given toſuch, by comparing this verſe with Tv. 22. here following. : :
5 He char gathereth » in ſummer p, is a wiſe ſon :
but he that fleepeth in harvelit is a ſon that cauferh
Shame 9g.
o The fruits of his field. p In harveſt, as it follows, which is a part of Summer, He that watcherh for and improveth the proper Jeaſons and opportunities of doing good to himielf, and to others. 9 Both to himſelf for his folly, aud that Poverty and Miſery cauſed by it, and to his Parents, to whoſe negligent or evil Education ſuch things are oft, and ſometimes juſtly imputed. ,
6 Bieflings «re upon the head of the juſty : but * yi-
olence covereth the mouth of the wicked s.