A Brief Explanation of the Whole Book of Proverbs, Explanation · Chapter 31
CHAPTER. XXXI.
Verſ. 1. The words of King Lemuel, the prophecie that his mother taught him.
THis Chapter conſiſteth of two parts: the one, the title: the other, the diſcourſe it ſelfe. In this title is declared firſt in generall the nature or forme of the treatiſe inſuing, a prophecie, an holie and excellent doctrine, which had a better author then Lemuels mother, or Lemuel himſelfe, the holie Ghoſt, who was pleaſed to vſe only their tongue and pen, for the publication of it to the Church: and ſecondly, …he perſons which are intereſted therein, which are Lemuel, and his mother: The words of King Lemuel, which he wrought, hauing before receiued them as inſtructions from his mother. This Lemuel no doubt was Salomon, both for that he was called a King, of which name beſides him there was none other in Iſrael, or Iudah: and for that the word hath ſo neere affinitie with his name, as it is in Hebrew, the firſt letter being taken away from the beginning, and the word El, which ſignifieth God, being added to the end; which alteration being made, Lemuel ſignifieth him that appertaineth to God. Now hauing found who Lemuel was, there will be no difficultie to vnderſtand who his mother was: for the Scripture plainly affirmeth her to be Ba…hſheba the wife of Dauid, who had formerly bin the yoke-fellow of Vrijah the Hittite, who notwithſtanding ſhe had failed of louelove to him, and puritie in her ſelfe, by yeelding vntounto the vnlawfull ſolicitations of Dauid; yet vponupon due repentance is imployed by God in this great ſeruice, to be (as it were) the mouth of his ſpirit, for the vttering of his words, which ſhould perpetually be recorded for the information of his people through all poſterities.
Verſ. 2. What my ſonne! and what the ſonne of my wombe! and what the ſonne of my vowes!
BEfore ſhe deliuereth her precepts, or doctrines, wherewith ſhe is about to inſtruct him, ſhe inſinuateth her ſelfe into him to poſſeſſe his heart, and intentiuenes of minde to that which ſhe ſhall ſpeake vntounto him, partly by the manner of her ſpeech, and partly by the arguments which ſhe produceth. Touching the manner, ſhe purpoſely intimateth her motherly affection to him, and vehement deſire of his good by an abrupt manner of ſpeaking, and ſuch as is more ful of affection then of ſenſe expreſſely vttered: What my ſonne! &c. The arguments whereby ſhe allureth his minde, to make it beneuolent and pliable to her, are two, and both of them …eerely concerning himſelfe: the firſt, that he is her ſonne, yea the ſonne of her wombe, her naturall ſonne, and hee that is moſt tender and deare vntounto her: and therefore hee may well be perſwaded of her good meaning toward him▪ as one whom ſhe hath bred in her owne bowels, and brought foorth into the world, and is ſo neerely vnited to her by ſo ſtrong a band of nature, and therefore ought alſo for his part reſpectiuely to reuerence her, and heedfully to regard her graue and weightie ſayings. The ſecond, that he is the ſonne of her vowes, for whoſe being, life and welfare, ſhe hath made prayers, and promiſes vntounto God, and offered ſacrifices with praiſes: and therfore he is alſo tied in conſcience, for pietie and religion, to liſten vntounto, and obey her, eſpecially being ſo kinde a mother, and preſcribing ſuch needfull duties, who hath made and performed ſuch ſolemne vowes in his behalfe.
Verſ. 3. GiueGive not thy ſtrength to women, nor thy waies to that which deſtroyeth Kings.
THe leſſons and inſtructions which Bathſheba giueth vntounto Salomon, are ſome informing him how to carrie himſelfe in the gouernment of the Common-wealth, vntounto the tenth verſe: and others directing him concerning the ſtate of a priuate familie in that, and the reſt following. For the former, ſhe admoniſheth him of certaine vices which hee is eſpecially to ſhunne, as incontinencie, and intemperancie, & commendeth vntounto him ſuch duties as hee is to performe, as iuſtice, and merciemercy. GiueGive not thy ſtrength to women, ſpend not thy ſtrength vponupon ſtrange women, or harlots: by ſtrength ſhe vnderſtandeth not onelyonly his ſubſtance, but alſo the powers and good eſtate of the bodie, and minde. For the cuſtome of whoredom doth conſume a mans ſtate how wealthy ſoeuer: it weakneth his bodie, though it be of a ſtrong conſtitution: it dulleth the wits, and taketh away the vigour thereof, though before they were very prompt and pregnant. See chap. 5. 9. 10. Not to that, to the haunting of that vice; or to the companie of thoſe perſons, whoriſh women, which deſtroy Kings, which cauſe the ruine both of kingdomes and Princes: For they draw downe Gods curſe, which the mightieſt hauehave no more power to reſiſt then the weakeſt, and which God executeth without all reſpect of perſons. Iob was wealthie: Iob was of great authoritie: Iob was a man of much wiſedome: and Iobs credit and eſtimation was very great, and yet he durſt not take libertie to yeeld to the luſts of his fleſh, in the practiſe of this ſinne: for (ſaith he) this is a fire that would deuoure all my increaſe.Iob. 31. 12.
Verſ. 4. It is not for Kings, O Lemuel, it is not for Kings to drinke wine, nor for Princes ſtrong drinke.
TO diſſwade her ſonne from tipling and voluptuouſnes, ſhe ſheweth how vnworthie a thing it is, and a fault altogether misbeſeeming his place and dignitie. It is not for Kings, O Lemuel, to drinke wine, nor Princes ſtrong drinke: The reſtraint of intemperate drinking is not laid vponupon thee alone, but belongeth to all of thy place and condition: no King, no Prince, hath allowance to paſſe the rules of ſobrietie, either in taking too much, or in drinking of that which is too hot, and apt to inflame; and therefore neither haſt thou wrong in being admoniſhed to be ſparing, neither haſt thou immunitie to tranſgreſſe this precept more then others, ſince it is common to all of thy ranke: yet is not wine, or ſtrong drinke, vnlawfull for Kings or Princes to vſe, and refreſh themſelues with, only exceſſe, and the inordinate taking thereof is prohibited.
Verſe 5. Leſt they drinke, and forget the law, and peruert the iudgement of the afflicted.
SHe backeth her caueat, and confirmeth her reaſon, by the in commoditie and miſchiefe that will enſue, when Magiſtrates and gouernours exceede the bounds of moderation, and giuegive themſelues to ouer much drinking, becauſe they being ouercome of wine doe faile of dutie, and neglect iuſtice, to the damage and detriment of a great multitude. Leſt they drinke ouer much, and forget the law, not onelyonly the commandements and ordinances of God, but alſo the certaine and appointed order of law and equitie, and peruert, change, and turne vpſide downe, the iudgement, the cauſe, and ſentence of the afflicted, of ſuch as being otherwiſe poore, are oppreſſed alſo with wrongs and iniuries, which will be much increaſed by the intemperate Magiſtrate, who in ſtead of miniſtring helpe and ſuccour vntounto them, doth make their caſe more heauie, by paſſing a wrongful ſentence againſt them: and ſhe maketh ſpeciall mention of theſe rather then of the rich; becauſe they are more ſubiect to violence and oppreſſion; and vſually hauehave their cauſes leſſe regarded. The point that the higheſt would hauehave notified by this ſaying, is, that it is dangerous for the people when the rulers bee voluptuous: they are ſhepheards, and by their diſabilitie the flocke is damnified: they are coach-men, or rather Pilots, which hauehave many liues committed to their care and cuſtodie: and therefore ſaith Eccleſiaſtes: Woe to thee O land when thy King is a childe, and thy Eccle. 10. 16. 17Princes eate in the morning. Bleſſed art thou O land when thy King is the ſonne of Nobles, and thy Princes eate in due ſeaſon for ſtrength, and not for drunkennes.
Verſ. 6. GiueGive ſtrong drinke vntounto him that is readie to periſh, and wine to them that be of heauie hearts.
SHe amplifieth her admonition by the contrarie, and ſheweth to whom wine and ſtrong drinke doe chiefly appertaine, to them that are readie to periſh, through manifold afflictions, either inward or outward, lying vponupon them, and to them that be of heauie hearts, whoſe ſpirits are oppreſſed with ſorrowes and heauineſſe, or with griefes and terrors.
Verſ. 7. Let him drinke, and forget his pouerty, and remember his miſerie no more.
THe cauſe wherefore they ſhould enioy the more free vſe of wine and ſtrong drinke, ſhe alle…geth, that they may forget their pouertie, the want that they liue in or any other euils or calamities that are burthen ſome vntounto them: For vnderunder one kinde ſhe comprehendeth all, and remember their miſerie no more, being as long as may be by this meanes diſpatched of their cares, and troubleſome cogitations. It is as if ſhe ſhould hauehave ſaid, let him that is ready to ſinke vnderunder the weight of troubles and terrors, refreſh his heart with a comfortable drawght of wine, or ſtrong drinke, that the remembrance of his woe and miſery, which pierceth his heart, may be ſomewhat abated, and remoued. It is farre from the intent of the ſpirit of God to allow exceſſe, or carowſing in any, neither doth the doctrine confirme, or warrant either giuing wine or ſtrong drinke to malefactors drawen to execution, o… ſicke perſons labouring on their death▪ bed for life, at which time they ought to be moſt ſober, and watchfull. OnelyOnly theſe inſtructions tend to declare that ſome, namely thoſe that are in extreame aduerſity, cannot only beare a large quantitie of ſtrong drinke without hurt, but receiue much good thereby; which being taken in the ſame meaſure by ſome in proſperity, or authority, would vtterly ouerthrow them, or make them vnfit to follow their calling.
Verſe 8. Open thy mou…h for the dumb, in the cauſe of all ſuch as are appointed to deſtruction.
OPen thy mouth] Speake in the behalfe of the oppreſſed, who becauſe they cannot, or dare not pleade for themſelues, may well be called dumb, and yet hauehave an equal, iuſt, and righteous cauſe: for thoſe that ſpeake leaſt are many times more innocent then thoſe that are full of words: for ſome want skill, and are not able to ſpeake in their owne defence: ſome put vp great wrongs, and with ſilence paſſe by the iniuries that are offered vntounto them: ſome be abſent, and heare not the imputations that are laid vponupon them: ſome bee borne down with violence, & not permitted to ſpeake for thēſelues, as was Ioſephs caſe, who was ſore puniſhed before his apology could be heard: ſo Mordecay, and all the Iewes were irrecouerably deſtinated to death, and yet neuer had bin called to the barre to make their anſwere, in the cauſe of all ſuch as are appointed to deſtruction, being vniuſtly purſued, are vnrighteouſlie condemned, and ready to bee executed: for innocent men are many times in as great perill of their life, or eſtate, as the moſt faultie malefactors: where almoſt can a worſe man be found, then Naboth was charged to be? or what greater crime doth bring men to their end, then that whereof the imputation occaſioned his death? he ſuffered as a profeſſed traytor againſt his prince, and as an execrable blaſphemer of God himſelfe. What creature was euer ſo harmeleſſe, and righteous, as Ieſus Chriſt? and yet who euer did beare a greater burden of accuſations, and that with clamours, and outcries? And this proceedeth partly from the malice of their enemies: and partly from the prouidence of God, that his power may be ſeene in their deliuerance, or that their patience may be for the incouragement, and example of others: and that their reward may be greater in heauen.
Verſe 9. Open thy mouth, iudge righteouſly, and pleade the cauſe of the poore and needy.
OPen thy mouth] Take their perſon vponupon thy ſelfe, make their cauſe thine own, though their aduerſary through force, lies, or fallaces doe ſet them downe that they cannot reply, yet thou knowing what is to be ſaid for them, ſpeake it, and maintaine their cauſe: for they that hauehave meanes, and ability to helpe their brethren, ought to ſupply their wants which cannot deale for themſelues. Amongſt the great comforts of Iob, this was one, that he had bin, eyes to the blind, and feete to Iob 29 15. 16.the lame, and had bin a father to the poore, and ſearched out the cauſe which he knew not: and for this ſeruice Abedmelech ſpeaking to the King of Iudah for Ieremiah impriſoned: and Eaſter ſpeaking to the King of Perſia for her diſtreſſed people, ſhall be renowned to the worlds end: and Phara… his butler ſhould hauehave had much more praiſe, if he had made mention of Ioſeph, and his hard intreatie, vntounto his maſter ſooner.
Verſe 10. Who can find a vertuous woman: for her price is far aboue carbuncles.
SHe directeth Salomon to prouide wel for the good eſtate of his family, by making choice of a faithfull, gratious, and well qualified wiſe: neither doth ſhe in plaine and expreſſe tearmes aduiſe him to match with ſuch a one, but by ſetting forth of her large praiſe, and amplifying her manifold fruits, ſhe doth allure him to vſe his beſt care and diligence to ſeeke out, and prouide himſelfe of ſuch a one: and hence to the end of the Chapter, eueryevery verſe beginneth with an Hebrew letter, according to the order of the alphabet, and accord iuſt with the number of them; the excellency, and rarenes of a good wife, with her ſingular graces he deſcribeth in this verſe, and all the reſt to the 28. and then the reward, and incouragement which is due vntounto her, to the end of the Chapter. The commendation which ſhe giueth of her in the firſt place, is generall, and illuſtrated by compariſon, as appeareth in this preſent verſe: and afterward it is more ſpecial, all in regard of her particular vertues in many ſentences following: who can find, by any thing that he himſelfe can doe, a vertuous woman, a good and holy woman: he propoſeth it in manner of queſtion, both becauſe good wiues are hard to bee found for the ſcarcity of them: there are many rich, witty, perſonable, and beautifull; but few adorned with pietie, and goodnes: few are godly, and gratious, as alſo becauſe ſuch women are Gods rare and ſingular gifts, her price is farre aboue carbuncles, ſhe is not only rare, and hard to come by, like the pretious ſtones, but being once obtained, a man cannot ſet too great a price or value of her: for no treaſure can be comparable to a good wife. See Chap. 12. 4.
Verſe 11. The heart of her husband doth ſafely truſt in her, ſo that he ſhall hauehave no need of ſpoile.
HAuing thus ſpoken of her praiſe in generall tearmes, hee deſcendeth to a more particular relation of her laudable vertues, and qualities, and thoſe, though many, may yet be reduced into three heads: the firſt is her huſwifery, and prudent care for her ſelfe, the good eſtate of her husband, and wel-fare of her family, and this is to be ſeene almoſt in eueryevery verſe: the ſecond, her mercy, and liberalitie to the poore, as appeareth by the twentieth verſe: the third, her piety, godlines, and religion, in the fiue and twenty, and ſixe and twenty verſes, the heart of her husband doth ſafely truſt in her, whether he be abſent, or preſent, he doubteth not either of her chaſtitie, of her ſecreſie, or of his care for the family, and committeth to her the diſpoſing of his affaires that are within doore: for the more religious any wife is, the leſſe occaſion ſhe giueth to her huſband to ſuſpect her: his goods, ſtuffe, or whatſoeuer he hath in his houſe he may know ſhall be ſafely looked vntounto without filching, or purloyning: hee may well know that ſhe will hauehave an eye to the ſeruants to keepe them from ſinne and idlenes: ſhe will order the children, and not ſuffer them through want of education to grow rude, and euill mannered: her eye will be to the prouiſion of the houſe, that it bee well dreſſed, and ſeaſonably miniſtred vntounto her people: he may boldly inuite a friend, and giuegive welcome vntounto him at any time, ſhee will not lowre vponupon him, or be to ſeeke of prouiſion, or bee careleſſe to grace his houſe with ſuch things as are needfull and decent: ſo that he ſhall hauehave no need of ſpoile, he ſhall not want any neceſſaries, or through pouertie be compelled to relieue himſelfe with wrong, and hurt to others: either through violence or deceit, through fraud or impreſſion. For ſhe will by Gods bleſſing vponupon her labours, prouidence, and good gouernment, ſo farre as ſtand with the ſafety of his ſoule, and make for the welfare of himſelfe, and his houſhold, inrich him with variety, plenty, and choice of all his commodities, like to martiall men who hauing ſubdued the countries of his enemies, and taken their cities by aſſault doe ranſacke the ſame, and ſeize vponupon their treaſures, and beſt goods, at their pleaſures, and bring home the ſame to their owne houſes. The ſame ſimilitude was vſed, but in worſe part, in the firſt Chapter by theſe perillous ſeducers: we ſhall ſinde all precious riches, and fill our houſes full of ſpoile. What good baytes are gotten in warre, we may conceiue by the ineſtimable riches which Dauid had gathered together, and brought to Ieruſalem, toward the building of the temple, and the inualuable wealth, which Nebucadnezzar ſurpriſed, and carried from Ieruſalem at the deſtruction of the temple, with the city.
Verſe 12. She will doe him good, and not euill all the dayes of his life.
SHe will doe him good] By carefull performance of the duties of her place, and not euill, either by bringing hurt vntounto his eſtate, or griefe to his heart, or diſhonour to his name: for commodity by a wife one way, yeeldeth no warrant to wrong her husband another: Michol though ſhe had bin a meanes for preſeruation of Dauids life, was yet puniſhed afterward for deſpiſing of him: Iobs wife had done good in bringing him children, yet not excuſed for diſquieting his heart, and mouing him to diſtemper, and impatience, all the dayes of her life, ſo long as they two ſhall liue together; as if he ſhould hauehave ſaid, This vertuous woman wil be conſtant in louelove to her husband, in youth, in age, in proſperitie, in aduerſity, in ſickenes, in health, ſhe doth what ſhe prouideth ſuch food as may nouriſh him: ſhe ſtirreth him vp to the ſeruice of God: ſhe ſaueth his goods as much as is poſſible: ſhe lowreth not on him with her countenance: ſhe croſſeth him not in her words: ſhe will pleaſe or profit him, about ſhe goeth with all ſpeed: if ſhe perceiue any thing that will offend, or hurt him, that ſhe auoydeth, and ſhunneth with all care.
Verſe 13. She ſeeketh wooll, and flaxe, and worketh willingly with her hands.
IN the laſt verſe he commendeth her for a generall effect of her profitable demeanure to her husband, and amplified the ſame by the contrary negatiuely, and by the conſtancie, and continuance thereof. Now he beginneth to reckon vp certaine particular actions pertinent to her condition, and fit for her imployment, ſhe ſeeketh, if ſhe hauehave not of her owne, ſhe hearkeneth out where it is to be had, and accordingly prouideth not the things that are moſt fine, but moſt neceſſary: but theſe are fit for her ſex, and profitable for her houſe, inaſmuch as wooll, and flaxe being dreſſed, and perfected, ſerue to make couerings, and cloathings, for ſheetes alſo and naprie, and innumerable other vſes, & laboureth cheerefully with her hands, ſhe her ſelfe layeth her own hands to worke, as well as others, and taketh great delight, and pleaſure therein, to the end that by her example ſhe might draw them on: & notwithſtanding her eſtate and place be great, yet ſhe daineth to apply her ſelfe to thoſe things which ſeeme meane for her degree, as ſpinning, and carding, and other petty matters, which nice coy dames would not only count trifles, but too too baſe for them to ſtoupe vntounto.
Verſe 14. She is like the merchants ſhips, ſhe bringeth her food from a farre.
AS in the former verſe, her care was declared in prouiding matter of imployment for her ſelfe, and her people, that ſhe would finde ſome what to worke vponupon: ſo in this her induſtry, for food and prouiſion, is commended, that as ſhe would neither hauehave her ſelfe, nor thoſe that bee about her to want worke, or be remiſſe in it: ſo ſhe ordereth the matter, that there be no want of victuals or other neceſſaries whereby life is preſerued, and without competencie whereof no man can be able to labour, or doe any ſeruice with cheerefulnes: and in this reſpect ſhe is compared to the merchants ſhips, who carrying forth ſome one commoditie into forren countries, returne thence, bringing home ſundry others for it: for all countries are not inriched after one manner: ſome hauehave great ſtore of corne: others abound with vines, and wine: ſome hauehave plentie of fruits: others are ſtored with mines, and mettals: ſome breed abundance of ſheepe, wooll, and cattell. In like manner that which ſhe hath to ſpare at home, ſhe felleth to her neighbours which want the ſame: that which is wanting vntounto her, ſhe buyeth of them that are able, and willing to vtter it for money, and wares, according as they can agree: but hauehave it ſhe will vponupon good conditions, and compaſſe it by ſuch manner of trafficke as ſhall be commodious to both ſides.
Verſe 15. She riſeth while it is yet night, and giueth meate to her houſhold, and a taske to her maidens.
THe premiſes ſhew, that what was lacking of her owne ſhe would get ſupply of it from another place: ſhe would ſeeke for wooll and flaxe, that ſhe might hauehave whereabout to imploy her people; meate and food ſhe would be ſure to prouide, that penury ſhould not pinch her family. Now being ſtored with both ſorts, this text ſheweth how ſhe doth diſpenſe them, ſhe taketh great care that her houſhold hauehave the ſame miniſtred to them in due ſeaſon; and therefore ſhe riſeth from her ſleepe, and out of her bed, while it is yet night, very early in the morning, and before day, eſpecially in the winter ſeaſon, and giueth meate and drinke, that which is wholeſome and good, and as much as is needfull, and competent to her houſehold, to her people of all ſorts, and degrees, to her children, to her ſeruants, to her men, to her maides, to the boyes, and to the girles, to eueryevery age, to eueryevery ſex, and to eueryevery order: and the taske of worke and labour to her maidens, who after a more ſpeciall manner are at her command, and appointment for their ſeruice and buſines, then the men are: ſo that ſhee prouideth both meate, and worke for them: becauſe meate without worke breedeth idlenes, and other miſchiefes, and worke without meate cannot be performed.
Verſe 16. She conſidereth a field and buyeth it: and with the fruite of her hands ſhe planteth a vineyard.
HEre Bathſheba relateth ye ſucceſſe of the good wifes prouidence, and paines taking, her ſubſtance, and her huſbands in and by her hands, and ſo well increaſed as that ſhe is able to make a purchaſe without greedines, or coueting after that which is other mens: without niggardlines, and pinching of her ſelfe: without wrong to her family: without neglect of righteouſnes, beneficence, and mercy: without iniury vntounto, or circumuention of the ſeller; whom neceſſity compelleth, or good conſiderations induce to depart with his land: ſhe conſidereth a field, offered to be ſold, whether it lie fit for her: whether ſhe be able to pay for it: whether it bee worth her mony: whether the title of it be ſound, and good: whether ſhe ſhall not hurt the ſeller, or any other man in dealing for it; and getteth it, accepteth of the bargaine, and concludeth to goe thorow with it, hath the aſſurance paſſed to her ſelfe, or her husband, maketh payment for it: with the fruit of her hands, with the gaine of her labour, trauell, care, and diligence: for a laborious hand is compared to a fruitfull tree, and both the good which thereby ſhe doth, and the profit which thereby ſhe getteth, vntounto fruite, ſhe planteth a vineyard, in the ground, or field, which ſhe hath bought, or otherwiſe imployeth it to the beſt commoditie according to the nature of the ſoile, as in graſing, tillage, gardening, or the like: ſo circumſpect and conſiderat ſhe is in making the purchaſe, and ſo prouident and thrifty to conuert it to the beſt vſe.
Verſe 17. She girdeth her loynes with ſtrength, and ſtrengthneth her armes.
AS we hauehave heard what ſhe doth, and getteth: ſo are we informed hereafter what manner ſhe worketh, and followeth her buſines, ſhe girdeth her loynes with ſtrength: for the vnderſtanding whereof we muſt know, that anciently it hath bin, and ſtill is the manner of the people in thoſe countries, to be clothed with long garments, which are no ſmall impediment to their gate, and trauels, and for this cauſe when they would goe apace, and doe any thing with diligence, or fight with their enemies, they did truſſe vp, and gird their garments about their loines: and becauſe great ſtrength (as we know) is in the armes, therefore ſhe maketh ſpeciall mention of them, which is nothing elſe, but ſtrongly, and with courage to ſet their hands to the worke: ſo that it is as much as if Bathſheba ſhould hauehave ſaid, This vertuous woman whom I commend, dealeth not in her vocation remiſſely, and by the halues but addreſſeth her ſelfe with remoueall of eueryevery impediment to the ſerious performance of her duety, ſhe prepareth her ſelfe to her affaires as if ſhe were to runne a race, or wreſtle with a champion, ſhe flieth about her worke, and ſetteth on it with a ſetled reſolution: her garments hung not looſe about her, but ſhe tucketh them vp that ſhe may be the more nimble: neither doth a little paines weary her out, ſhe giueth not place to any diſcouragements, but animateth her ſelfe, and leaueth not off vntill ſhe hauehave gone thorow with her enterpriſes.
Verſe 18. She perceiueth that her marchandiſe is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
BAthſheba proceedeth to make an narration of the thriftie wifes proceeding, conſtant going forward in her good courſe of diligence, and ſedulitie; and ſheweth firſt by what meanes ſhe is incited to it, and afterward declareth vntounto what a degree of paines-taking ſhe hath attained: for the former, ſhe perceiueth by experience, as comfortable to her heart, as delightfull food is vntounto her taſte, that her marchandiſe is good: that her prudent gouernment, and the wiſe diſpoſing of her matters turne to as good profit for the benefit, and increaſe of her husbands, and her owne eſtate, as if ſhe did exerciſe any commodious trafficke, or merchandiſe: for the latter, her candle goeth not out by night, becauſe ſhe ſpeedeth ſo well in her buſineſſe, and her worke findeth ſo good ſucceſſe, ſhe will tarrie at it, as long as ſhe may, and leaue off no ſooner then needs ſhe muſt, and therefore vſeth her ſelfe to vigilancy, and watchfulnes, ſitting vp late, as being loath to loſe any time, reſpecting her calling, more then her eaſe: and yet ſhe doth not oppreſſe her body by abridging her ſelfe of needfull reſt: for it is a Synechdoche, the whole night being put for a part.
Verſe 19. She layeth her hands on the ſpindle, and her hands handle the diſtaffe.
AS ſhe ſitteth vp long in the night, ſo teſtimony is giuen of her how ſhe beſtoweth her time before ſhe goeth to bed, not in idle diſcourſes, not in gaming, or vaine ſports, not in banquetting, or preparing of …uncates, not in vaine fruitleſſe exerciſes: but ſhe layeth her hands on the ſpindle, and her hands take hold of the diſtaffe, ſhe is not grieued to apply or occupy her ſelfe about thoſe things, which might ſeeme vile, and contemptible: ſhe thinketh not her ſelfe diſhonoured, neither her hands blemiſhed, or wearied with ſpinning, or carding, or other ſuch like huſwifely exerciſes.
Verſe 20. She ſtretcheth out her hands to the poore, yea ſhe ſtretcheth out her hands to the needy.
HItherto we had a deſcription of her getting, and her great iuduſtry therefore: now ſhe is commended for her vſing of it, that many are the better for that which ſhe poſſeſſeth, and in the firſt place the poore are mentioned, ſhe ſtretcheth out her hands to the poore, albeit ſhe be very intentiue at her worke, and willing to doe as much good as ſhe can to her husband, yet ſhe is not led with couetouſnes, nor deſire of decking her ſelfe: neither is all her care to prouide for her own …lly, but alſo ſhe hath pity and compaſſion on the poore, and miſerable, not with words only, but really, and in deed: neither is liberality wreſted from her by impudent importunity, but ſhe voluntarily reacheth our her hand vntounto them, and that not once, but often, as the repetition of the words doe intimate.
Verſe 21. She is not afraid of ſnow: for all her houſe are cloathed with double garments.
AS the care of her family doth not make her careleſſe of the poore: ſo neither doth her liberalitie to the poore, depriue the family of ought y• is needfull for thē: for ſhe ſheweth her merciemercy without diſtruſt, & without thinking that ſhe or hers in the hard time ſhal be grieued or pinched with need; ſhe hath taken ſo good order time enough for the good eſtate of her own people, that that which is beſtowed vponupon the necdie, ſhall not be detracted from their allowance: the hungrie ſhall not be relieued with their food: the naked ſhall not be cloathed with their apparell: for merciemercy is neuer contrary vntounto righteouſneſſe, neither is that which was well, and in due manner giuen vntounto the one, preiudiciall and hurtfull vntounto the other: ſhe is not then afraid of ſnow for her familie, ſhe dreadeth not hard weather, or ſharpe ſeaſons: for all her familie is cloathed with double garments, ſhe prouideth afore hand ſhift of warme and good cloathes for children, and ſeruants, and all vnderunder her roofe, and at her finding, that they may be armed againſt the extreame cold of winter.
Verſe 22. She maketh her couerings of tapeſtrie: her cloathing is ſilke and purple.
AS the poore fare the better for her thiftines, and the people of her houſe goe the better clad thereby: now in the third place is ſhewed that her ſelfe alſo enioyeth the benefit thereof: ſhe furniſheth her ſelfe with ornaments fit for her degree; of the w…ll and flaxe ſhe got at the beginning ſhe worketh, and prepareth ſtore of comely couerings for board and bed, with hangings for her chambers, and garments for her owne bodie: for God diſalloweth not in women decent apparell, nor rich attire, ſo that they keepe themſelues within compaſſe of modeſtie, and exalt not themſelues aboue their callings, and giuegive not place to oſtentation, or an high minde, and play the good huſwiues to get, or ſaue, and be helpers to ſupport their huſbands eſtate.
Verſ. 23. Her huſband is knowne in the gate, when he ſitteth among the elders of the land.
HEr beneficence, by meanes of her thrift and frugalitie, is extended to diuers ſorts, as to the poore, to her domeſticall people, to her owne ſelfe, and ſo wiſely alſo are matters ordered, that her huſband is nothing the leſſe able to ſet forth himſelfe in due manner according to his dignitie: but is of principall note amongſt many for his robes, and other rich ornaments: he is knowne in the gates, he is noted, ſpoken of, and reuerenced in the place of iudgement, where he fitteth on the bench with other rulers of the countrie.
Verſ. 24. She maketh fine linnen, and ſelleth it, and deliuereth girdles to the Merchants.
BAthſheba reporteth that the good huſwife contenteth not her ſelfe only with preparing of garments for the vſe of her ſeruants, for her owne vſe, and for her husbands vſe: but that ſhe maketh comely ornaments to ſell, to the end ſhe may inrich her eſtate. The Hebrew word tranſlated ſheetes, doth not only ſignifie any ſuch fine linnen as lieth on the bed, but any linnen veſture that great perſonages were wont to weare: and deliuereth girdles, vnderunder one compre…ending many, vntounto the Merchants, who trade in diuers cities, or countries, buying that in one place, which they intend to ſell in another: and in ſelling vntounto him, it appeareth that her dealing loueth light, ſhe purloyneth not, nor maketh away her husbands goods in hudder mudder. It was ſaid before in the 14. verſe that ſhe was like the ſhips of merchants, not to thoſe of Pirats, or Rouers, ſhe dealeth in her owne huſwiferie, and in things of her owne making, not making away her husbands neceſſarie commodities, or things of his getting: neither doth ſhe make money of that which cannot be ſpared, whereby ſhe ſhould leaue her houſe vnprouided: neither paſſeth ſhe away ought againſt her husbands will, or for any other end, then for his benefit.
Verſ. 25. Strength and honour are her cloathing, and ſhe ſhall reioyce in time to come.
SHe hath ſpoken of the corporall veſtu…e and cloathing, wherewith the vertuous woman hath …ked her ſelfe, and her husband, and couered all the reſt of her familie: and now to ſhew that ſhe ſetteth not her affection vponupon ſuch ornaments, as doe fooliſh, vaine and curious women, which deſire to be gay in the eyes of the world: it is ſaid that ſhe hath another garment farre more excellent, which is ſtrength, the force and efficacie of Gods ſpirit, whereby ſhe is confirmed in beleeuing in patience, and in weldoing: and the other is honour, which is the fruite of the ſame, the eſtimation which ſhe hath with God and his people, and the euidence of her innocencie and goodneſſe in the hearts of the wicked. This her ſpirituall attire is of all others the moſt ſumptuous and pretious: this maketh men and women gorgeous in the eſtimation of God and his Angels: this is a durable ſuite, which the longer it is worne, the brighter it will ſhine, and the better it will be: this can no baſe perſon euer put on, all that are clad with it are honourable, and ſhe ſhall reioyce in the time to come: the Hebrew word ſignifieth ſhe laugheth at it, ſhe is ſecure of her future eſtate, and out of dread of all accidents and occurrents, that at any time may befall her: ſhe is not troubled with the feares of loſſes, and croſſes, of changes and alterations: ſhe is not troubled at the remembrance of ſicknes, or child-bearing, or of the day of iudgement: yea on the contrary ſide, ſhe reioyceth in the expectation of her end, of the life to come, and of that bleſſed reward of happineſſe which remaineth for all the faithfull.
Verſe 26. She openeth her mouth with wiſedome, and the law of grace is vnderunder her lips.
IN the former verſe ſhe was praiſed for the graces of her heart, and here for the wiſe, fruitfull, and gracious ſpeeches of her lips: ſhe openeth her mouth with wiſedome, ſhe talketh not raſhly, vndiſcreetly, or vnſeaſonably of matters; but prudently, and ſoberly, and the law of grace is in her lips, ſhe ſpeaketh not of toyes, or of trifles, but of faith, of repentance, of the feare of God, and of ſuch other duties and points of religion, and ſhe laboureth as much as ſhe can to prouoke vntounto liberalitie, merciemercy, and weldoing: the ſtreame and current of her conferences tend to this, that ſhe may make men more godly, more righteous, and mercifull: that God may hauehave his honour and ſeruice, that poore people may receiue merciemercy and kindnes, and the ſoules of as many as ſhe can procure may be confirmed in the hope of ſaluation.
Verſ. 27. She looketh well to the waies of her familie, and eateth not the bread of idlenes.
SHe looketh well to the waies of her houſehold] As her mouth is ſeaſoned with grace, ſo are her eyes with intentiue watchfulnes: ſhe is reſembled to one who ſtanding on his watch moueth his eyes hither and thither, to ſee who is comming, and who is going: For it much concerneth gouernours heedfully to reſpect the behauiour of their people: by this they ſhall know how to direct, whom to rebuke, correct, incourage, reward, retaine, or caſt off: by this much ſin againſt God is preuented, or reformed: hereby a gouernour ſhal keep his people from that hurt and danger, whereinto otherwiſe they will be obnoxious: by this they ſhall preſerue their families from that pollution whereby it is like to bee defiled, and their ſtates from ſuch loſſes and waſte, as through their careleſnes they may ſuſtaine, and eateth not the bread of idlenes▪ ſhe is not ſlothfull, ſpending her time idlely, and looking to nothing, but ſetteth her owne hand to worke, and looketh to all that be about her, that they ſhall performe their duties: thus ſhe eateth not the bread of idlenes, for which ſhe neuer tooke paines, but the foode of labour and trauell, wherein Gods children enioy his bleſſing to their happineſſe.Pſal. 128. 2.
Verſ. 28. Her children riſe vp and call her bleſſed, and her huſband praiſeth her, ſaying,
Verſe 29. Many daughters hauehave done vertuouſly, but thou ſurmounteſt them all.
NOw are we come vntounto the reward which is due vntounto this good woman, for her vertuous behauiour and graces, and that is, praiſe, and commendation, which is yeelded vntounto her principally by thoſe which are neereſt about her, as huſband, and children, who are beſt acquainted with her waies, and taſted moſt of the fruites thereof: for it is the beſt honour to approue ones ſelfe to them which are moſt priuie to all their courſes: others ſpeake at randome, and by geſſe, but theſe by experience, and vponupon knowledge: prouided that it be not in feare, or flatterie, from which the holy Ghoſt freeth the teſtimonie giuen of this good matron: her children, ſonnes and daughters, growing in age, wiſedome, and diſcretion, and hauing a true knowledge of the care that ſhe had of them, and feeling the good which ſhe had done for them in their vertuous education, riſe vp, yeeld reuerence, and doe obeyſance to her in dutifull manner: For ſo much that geſture doth many times import, as when it is ſaid, Thou ſhalt riſe vp before the hoarie head, and honour the face of the old man, and feare thy Leuit. 19. 32.God. And call her bleſſed, doe not onelyonly make prayers, and offer thankes to God for her, but ſpeake of her wiſe ſayings, and worthie facts, and the whole courſe of her Chriſtian conuerſation, and conclude that God hath made her a moſt happy and fortunate woman: her huſband alſo praiſeth her, ſpeaketh of her in way of commendation, and to her alſo in good meaning and without diſſimulation, many daughters hauehave done vertuouſly, but thou ſurmounteſt them all; teſtifying that ſhe is the beſt that euer he knew: as if he ſhould hauehave ſaid, Be it ſpoken without diſpraiſe of others, you doe ſo well ſatisfie me, as that I know not where the like is to be found: many daughters▪ not maides onelyonly, but women, and married wiues, hauehave done vertuouſly, towards their husbands, houſehold, children, neighbours, the poore and needie, and themſelues, and that in many great and gracious reſpects: by this meanes ſhe hath her due without wrong to others, (for he doth not depraue others to boaſt her, nor gathereth the arguments of her praiſe from the vices of her neighbours, but from their vertues and commendable qualities): but thou ſurmounteſt them all, in fidelitie, in wiſedome, in good huſwiferie, in merciemercy, and in pietie: For eueryevery one ought to bee beſt pleaſed with the good waies of his owne yoke-fellow: the nature of louelove will induce one to it, and equitie alſo: becauſe the wife findeth moſt benefit by the graces and good dealing of her husband: and ſo doth the husband by the good qualities and actions of his wife: and hereby the one of them ſhall giuegive great incouragement to the other. Whereas on the contrary ſide, when all things are ill taken, and nothing is pleaſing that the one ſaith and doth to the other, it killeth all mutual good affections one towards another, and vtterly extinguiſheth all cheerefulnes in them.
Verſ. 30. Fauour is deceitfull, and beautie vaine: but a woman that feareth the Lord ſhall be praiſed.
THeſe words are a confirmation of the premiſes by a compariſon, wherein a godly woman is preferred before a beautifull, and pietie before fauour, or any other externall graceings: For all outward ſpecious qualities, and excellency whatſoeuer, are comprehended vnderunder beautie and fauour. Now whoſe words theſe are it is vncertaine, whether the huſbands, or Bathſhebaes, or Salomons; but that they are the words of the holy Ghoſt it is moſt certaine. Fauour is deceitful, comelines of perſonage, or any outward grace, is a ſhadow which hath no ſubſtance, and beautie vaine, a good colour, or a good complexion, is but a fading flower that will quickly be withered, and decay: but a woman that feareth the Lord, which is godly and religious, ſhall be praiſed, ſhe (by Gods bleſſing) ſhall obtaine true glorie: For no honour is ſound but that which groweth from grace; that onelyonly hath the promiſe, the Lord ſaying, them that honour me will I honour. And all earthly1. Sam. 2. 30. things are periſhable, or guilefull; as parentage, wealth, ſtrength, &c. a man may hauehave them, and yet be very baſe and contemptible: and what ſhall wee ſay of goodly ſtature, and faire faces? may they not hauehave many vile vices accompanying them? For diuers of good making, and well fauoured countenances, hauehave deformed manners, and ill fauoured conditions: as Abſaloms Adonijah, and ſundrie filthie ſtrumpets: and be it that beautie bee not ſtained with any notorious crimes, or miſbehauiour; yet there can be no conſtancie, or perpetuitie in the ſame; ſicknes, ſorrow, the ſmall poxe, or other ſuch like accidents will quickly deface it: and it dependeth onelyonly in the eſtimation of mens eyes, whoſe likings are vncertaine: for many are carried from well fauoured wiues, vponupon whom firſt they doted, vntounto ill fauoured harlots, and with the ſight of their faces are rauiſhed: on the contrary ſide, holineſſe, righteouſnes, and the graces of Gods holy ſpirit doe giuegive a luſtre vntounto all, and make them looke with an amiable countenance: according as Eccleſiaſtes ſaith, The wiſedome of a man maketh his face to ſhine, and the ſtrength of his countenance ſhall be doubled. Women, men, or whoſoeuer they be, cannot but much be ſet by, if they ſet by Gods word, and conſcionably obey it: God taketh delight in them, and inclineth the affections of his people vntounto thē, and maketh the wicked to ſtand in feare of them: no ſicknes can disfigure a gratious perſon, nor death it ſelfe, nor the graue which totally marreth all corporall excellencie: Such one ſhall liue in honour, dye in honour, and leaue his memoriall in honour, and appeare before the iudgement ſeate of Chriſt in honour.
Verſ. 31. GiueGive her of the fruite of her hands, and let her owne workes praiſe her in the gate.
FOr the knitting vp and concluſion of all, huſbands are called vponupon, and prouoked to praiſe their good wiues really, as well as vocally, in deede as well as in word to recompence her paines, and good ſeruice with due rewards. GiueGive her of the fruite of her hands, let her enioy the benefit of her owne labours, let her hauehave allowance for foode, apparell, furniture, and all meete expenſes liberally, and largely, and anſwerably to her faithfulnes, and fruitfulnes, and let her owne workes praiſe her in the gate, euen as in games and conflicts the conquerors are both rewarded with ſome price, and praiſed openly in the publike aſſembly by proclamation: ſo let this worthie woman hitherto ſpoken of be prouided, for that her huſbands largeſſe may be a teſtimonie in the Church, in the market, in meetings of neighbours and friends, and in all aſſemblies, that ſhe hath deſerued well, and he vponupon due cauſe doth deale ſo bountifully with her: and if God take him away before her, let him by leauing her an ample portion, according to his eſtate, publiſh to the world that he hath found her a beneficiall yoke-fellow.
FINIS.
End of the text · Robert Cleaver, A Brief Explanation of the Whole Book of Proverbs (1615)