A Brief Explanation of the Whole Book of Proverbs, Explanation · Chapter 13
CHAPTER. XIII.
Verſ. 1. A wiſe ſonne hearkeneth to the instruction of his father: but a ſcorner will heare no rebuke.
A Wiſe ſonne, that is, a godly and prudent child of either ſex; male, or female, ſonne, or daughter, will receiue, obſerue and obey the good leſſons and counſell both of father and mother. But a ſcorner, that is, an obſtinate ſinfull perſon, will heare no rebuke that is, he will bee ſo farre from profiting by the reproofes of any, though he be a friend, though a brother, though a moſt tender father, that he will not ſo much as brooke or beare it, without contempt at the leaſt, of the partie which rebuketh him; little regardeth he who admoniſheth him, though hee hauehave neuer ſo great authority: or of what faults, though they be neuer ſo manifeſt, or hainous, or dangerous; or with what mind, though out of greateſt louelove, and for his greateſt good: or in what manner, though moſt mildly, and with all lenity and kindneſſe.
Verſ. 2. A good man ſhall eate the fruit of his mouth: but the ſoule of the tranſgreſſors, violence.
THe meaning of the firſt part of this verſe is, that godly men ſhall be bleſſed, both for, and by their gratious, wiſe, and ſeaſonable ſpeeches: and conſequently for their religious and righteous behauiour; and to this in the other part is oppoſed the condition of the godleſſe: that their ſoules, that is, themſelues, at leaſt in their ſoules, ſhall bee required with violence for their cruelty, and other euill deeds which they hauehave done: and conſequently for their wicked words which they hauehave ſpoken. So it is all one in ſenſe with the fourteenth verſe of the twelfth Chapter, where it is ſaid: that a man ſhall be ſaciate with good things by the fruit of his mouth; and the recompence of a mans hands, ſhall God giuegive vntounto him.
Verſ. 3. He that keepeth his m…uth, keepeth his life: but deſtruction ſhall be vntounto him that openeth his lips wide.
HE that keepeth his mouth] Which is conſiderate and warie in his words, neuer ſpeaking but when he ought no… vttering any thing but which is true and conuenient; he ke… pe…h his life, prouided for his ſafety, peace and quietneſſe. B… he that openeth his lips, or ſ…rideth too wide to leaud ſpeaking (for ſo the word ſignifieth) as a har…ot proſtitutes her ſelfe, o… ſpreadeth her body to filthy companions. Ezech. 16. 25. deſtruction ſhall be to him: he is like to meet with much trouble, and at one time or other, to be quite ouerthrowne and come to vtter ruine, as a thing broken to peeces and made good for nothing.
Verſ. 4. The ſluggard luſteth, but his ſoule hath nought: b… the ſoule of the diligent ſhall be made fat.
THe ſluggard lusteth] That is, negligent and idle perſons hauehave ſtrong affections to riches and credit, and all thing… which are in requeſt & eſtimation, but his ſoule hath nought, they goe without that which they long for, their wiſhes g… no wealth, they faile of their deſires, through the want of co… ſtant endeauours to effect them. But the ſoule of the dilige… ſhall be made fat, that is, the induſtruous perſons themſelues which painfully labour in ſome honeſt vocation, ſhall all be… competently prouided for, and many of them diuers ti…es ſhall attaine to plentie and abundance. For ſoule in the Scriptures is often taken for the whole man, and fatneſſe for a goo… eſtate and proſperity.
Verſ. 5. A righteous man hateth a falſe matter: but it c… ſeth the wicked to ſtinke, and be aſhamed.
THe meaning is, that all that are truly iuſt and godly, wil … from bad cauſes, words and deeds, with ha…ed thereof, ſo farre as they appeare vntounto them to bee vnlawfull. At leaſt it is the dutie of all good men ſo to doe, though ſomtimes peraduenture they faile in practiſe But contrariwiſe the wicked doe not ſo, but take pleaſure in ſinfulneſſe, and thereby are brought to diſgrace and reproch, eſpecially in the ſight of God and good men, and oft alſo ordinarie men, ſuch as are meerely ciuill, yea vngodly men and ſinners doe loathe them, and ſpeake euill of them for their leaudneſſe. Thus ſtandeth the oppoſition: The righteous hateth a falſe matter, and therfore gaineth reuerence and honour: but the wicked loueth a falſe matter, and therefore is made odious and ſhamefull.
Verſ. 6. Righteouſneſſe preſerueth him that is vpright in his …ay: but wickedneſſe ouerthroweth the ſinner.
RIghteouſneſſe, &c.] That is, Gods fauour, grace & goodneſſe for righteouſneſſe, and by it doth protect both the bodies and ſoules of ſuch as are of a ſincere heart, and holy behauiour. And wickedneſſe ouerthroweth the ſinner, or man of ſinne, as it is in the original text, it is alwaies a cauſe by deſert, …nd many times a meanes by occaſion to draw downe miſery …nd deſtruction vponupon him. For the Lord doth deale with men …ccording to their waies, eſtabliſhing the iuſt and righteous, …nd caſting downe into miſerie ſuch as bee ſtubborne and re…ellious, according to the ſaying of the Prophet: With thePſal. 18. 25. 26. …ercifull thou wilt ſhew thy ſelfe mercifull, with an vpright …an thou wilt ſhew thy ſelfe vpright, with the pure thou wilt …hew thy ſelfe pure, and with the froward thou wilt wraſtle.
Verſ. 7. There is that maketh himſelfe rich, and hath no…hing: and that maketh himſelfe poore hauing great riches.
THere is, &c.] That is to ſay, diuers men take diuers vnlawfull courſes concerning their eſtate. Some boaſt themſelues to be rich, when they hauehave nothing: being poore and in debt, they make ſhew of great wealth, by keeping a great …ort. Others, faine themſelues poore, when they hauehave great ſubſtance, they complaine of want, and goe barely, and fare hard, and would make the world beleeue that they are nothing worth at all.
Verſ. 8. The riches of a man are the ranſome of his life: but the poore heareth not the rebuke.
THe meaning of theſe words ſeemeth to be, that howſoeuer there is in diuers reſpects very good vſe of wealth and riches, yet many times they bring danger to the owners thereof, who are driuen to deaprt with them for the preſeruation of their liues. And though pouerty bee not without ſundrie inconuemences, yet poore men are more free from the contentions of enuious perſons then thoſe of higher place and degree. Notwithſtanding, it commeth not to paſſe alwaies neceſſarily, that eueryevery rich …an is brought into ſuch trouble, no… that eueryevery poore man eſcapeth from all rebukes and moleſtations, but he ſpeaketh of that which oft befalleth the one, and ſeldome the other, eſpecially in regard of his eſtate.
Verſ. 9. The light of the righteous ſhall reioyce: but the candle of the wicked ſhall be put out.
THe light of the righteous] That is, the good eſtate & proſperity of godly men, reioyceth, is ſtable & encreaſing: as i… is ſaid of the ſun, from whence the ſimilitude is taken, that he reioyceth like a mighty man, to run his courſe. And likewiſe here is ioy aſcribed to it in reſpect of the effect, for that it maketh righteous mē not without due cauſe to be ioyful. …ut the candle of the wicked, their wealth, credit, dignities & pleaſures, o… whatſoeuer fleſhly men hauehave in admiration, or delight in, are but like to a candle light in compariſon of ſun-ſhine, & ſhal be put out: euen ſuddenly bee taken from them, or by degrees, in continuance of time conſume away, & vaniſh to nothing. The oppoſition ſtandeth in this manner: The light of the righteous endureth for eu…r, and therefore is full of ioy: but the candle of the wicked will ſoone be put out, & therfore is full of ſorrow▪
Verſe 10. Through meere pride doth man make contentions; but with the well aduiſed is wiſedome.
ONly by pride] That is, whereſoeuer ſtrife groweth, there is pride, at leaſt in one of the parties contending: if not on both ſides. Sometimes it ſtirreth vp men, and imboldneth them to offer wrongs: ſometimes imbittereth men; and maketh them wayward againſt the right: ſometimes it cauſeth the one to be careleſſe of dealing according to equitie, and the other to be impatient of bearing any iniuries. Yet notwithſtanding this condemneth not all kinde of contending, but the frowardnes of the faultie perſons in it. It is lawfull to giuegive a rebuke and c…ection, if it be done vponupon good grounds, with an vpright heart, and in due manner, though it be the occaſion of ſome iarre or debate, and hee onelyonly is to be blamed, which receiueth not the admonition. And ſo to ſtand in the cauſe of God is commendable, (for the Prophet reproueth them that contend not for the truth) and they are to bee charged with theEſai. 59. 4. ſinne of contention, which oppoſe themſelues againſt good cauſes. Neither are ſuch here to be taxed as defend their ſtate, or by the helpe of the Magiſtrate and lawes, againſt thoſe which goe about to defraud or defame them. Neither yet are they to be reproued by this, that follow ſuites againſt malefactors to bring them to iuſt puniſhment. Prouided alwaies, that in theſe caſes the cauſe be waightie, their proceedings equall, and their hearts free from all malice and reuenge. But with the well aduiſed is wiſedome, they which hauehave diſcretion and iudgement in themſelues, or bee willing to hearken to aduice and counſell of others, will beware of vnneceſſarie controuerſies. The oppoſition is this: OnelyOnly by pride and follie doth men make contentions: but with the well aduiſed is wiſedome and humilitie to follow peace.
Verſe 11. The riches of vanitie ſhall diminiſh: but he that gathereth with the hand ſhall increaſe them.
GOods ill gotten, and wealth attained vntounto by vnlawfull meanes, ſhall not proſper, but either waxe leſſe and leſſe, or per…ſh together on a ſudden, or at leaſt depart from the vniuſt owner, and become another mans: but hee that vſeth honeſt labour and diligence, doth take the right way to thriue, and daily to grow richer. Falſehood, and iniuſtice, vſurie, and other ſuch like noyſome courſes, are commonly preferred before the beſt and moſt profitable vocations, as ſeeming to promiſe the greateſt commodities; and manuall trades are out of requeſt, for that they require paines, without likelihood of any ample recompence; but Gods curſe purſueth, and at laſt ouertaketh thoſe deceitfull people, and euill workers, and either ſtrippeth them of their liues, or of their ſubſtance, according to the threate: As the Partridge ſitteth on egges, and hatcheth them not; ſo he that getteth riches, and not by right, ſhall leaue them in the middeſt of his daies, and at his end ſhall be a foole. And his bleſſing ſo proſpereth thoſe his diligent ſeruants, that their wages and eſtate is augmented much aboue that which was expected.
Verſ. 12. The hope that is deferred, maketh the heart ſicke: but when a deſire commeth, it is a tree of life.
THe hope deferred] That is, whē the thing hoped for, is not obtained according to his expectation that hoped for it, but is put off from one time to another, it bringeth great griefe and affliction: but when the deſire commeth, when a man hath that which hee long wiſhed for, it is a tree of life, that is, very pleaſant and comfortable, and healeth the ſpirits which were weakned by the former delay: eſpecially, if the prayer of faith hauehave preuailed with God to obtaine the gift as a pledge of his fauour, as Abrahams did for Iſaac, and Iſaacs did for his ſons, and that of Hannah for Samuel.
Verſe 13. Hee that deſpiſeth the word, hee ſhall be destroyed, but he that fear…th the commandements, he ſhall be rewarded.
HE that deſpiſeth the word, &c.] That is, eueryevery one is in a dangerous caſe, and at leaſt certaine to periſh in the end, who contemptuouſly reiecteth the holy Scriptures: which becauſe the Lord doth as it were ſpeake in them, and declare his will by them, are called his word: and that for the perfect agreement and conſent of all the parts, is ſet downe in the ſingular number, as if it were but one. Neither is this puniſhment threatned only to the contemners of the bookes, and ſentences, and texts of the Scriptures, but likewiſe to the deſpiſers of the miniſterie thereof. But he that feareth the commandement, which reuerenceth, and loueth, and maketh conſcience of the whole doctrine of God, hee ſhall bee rewarded with peace, and bleſſings of this life, and glorie and bleſſednes in that which is to come.
Verſe 14. The doctrine of a wiſe man is a welſpring of life, to depart from the ſnares of death.
THough the meaning of theſe words hath been ſhewed, and proſecuted alreadie in the eleuenth verſe of the tenth chapter, yet we will adde ſomewhat to the explication thereof. When it is ſaid therefore that the doctrine or inſtruction of a wiſe man is of ſuch force, it is to be vnderſtood of wholeſome and ſound doctrine, ſuch as he receiueth from God, and deliuereth to his brethren; for wiſe men ſometimes draw their inſtructions from their errors, and now and then from groſſer corruptions: as Dauid did, when hee gaue direction to Ioab, how he ſhould cauſe Vrijah to be made away. And as the leſſon ought to be ſound for the matter; ſo muſt it be reaſonable for the manner: as ſpoken in due time; in meete place; and fitly applied: wherein Ioabs friends much failed, though otherwiſe the men were godly, and their words very true and waightie. And yet further to theſe muſt be added of his part, that will drink of this liuely fountaine; an attentiue eare, and beleeuing heart to heare and embrace the doctrine. And then it will be conſtant, and not dried vp like ditches or ponds, that are fed with raine water: it will be comfortable, and refreſh the hearts of them that are in affliction: it will be profitable, and make them that receiue it, fruitfull: it will be neceſſarie and forcible to deliuer them from ſin and deſtruction, though therein the ſimilitude be altered: for that is meant by turning from the ſnares of death.
Verſ. 15. Grace giueth good ſucceſſe: but the way of the tranſgreſſors is rough.
GRace] That is, the worke of Gods holy ſpirit, begetting pietie and righteouſnes, doth giuegive good ſucceſſe: it maketh good men to deale wiſely and proſperouſly in all their affaires. But the way of the tranſgreſſors is rough. Their life is vnhappie and full of many vexations. The ſenſe and oppoſition ſtandeth thus: Grace giueth good ſucceſſe, and therefore the way of the obedient is plaine and comfortable; and ſinfulnes bringeth euill ſucceſſe, and therefore the way of the diſobedient is rough and troubleſome.
Verſe 16. EueryEvery wiſe man worketh by knowledge: but a foole laieth open his follie.
EVery wiſe man] Whoſoeuer is prudent, worketh by knowledge: enterpriſeth and manageth his affaires diſcreetly and with iudgement: and ſo declareth his vnderſtanding. On the contrary ſide, he that is vndiſcreete and fooliſh, goeth raſhly and rawly about his buſineſſe, and ſo bewrayeth openly, and publiſheth abroad his ignorance and fooliſhnes. So both ſorts make manifeſt what they are, and what is in them, by the conſtant courſe of their waies, and proceedings, and not by ſome one action, or a few workes. Although wiſedome be neuer deceiued in any matter, yet wiſe men are ſometimes, and both faile, and fault as well in that which they doe, as in the words which they ſpeake, as the blemiſhes of Dauid, Salomon, and many holy men recorded in the Scriptures doe ſhew. And ſome things the wickedſt ſinners hauehave well acted touching the matter, and externall circumſtances, but neither with a good conſcience, nor conſtancie.
Verſ. 17. A wicked meſſenger falleth into euill, but a faithfull ambaſſadour healeth.
A Wicked meſſenger] Or ſeruant, which either vndertaketh vnlawfull errands, or ſeruices, as Rabſhakeh did, when he was ſent by his maſter to blaſpheme and defie the Lord and his Church; or dealeth vntruſtily with them that vſe him in a lawfull buſineſſe, or is iniurious to them to whom he is ſent, either by concealing any thing from which were fit for them to heare, or adding any thing which were meet to be ſuppreſſed, or doing his meſſage in vndecent manner, or returning an anſwere ſo as may turne to their hurt: hee ſhall fall into euill: Gods heauie hand and iudgements by one meanes or other, ſhall ſooner or later, light vponupon him, as the two churliſh and imperious captaines ſound with their fifties, which were ſent for Elijah. But a faithfull ambaſſadour or meſſenger, he that faithfully performeth his charge, whether publike or priuate, doth heale, is a meanes and inſtrument of good to his maſter, whoſe minde he freeth from feares and griefes, and ſo healeth the maladies thereof, as a Phyſitian cureth the diſeaſes of the body. He is alſo helpfull to them, to whom he is ſent, by deliuering comforts comfortably, and lenifying that which is harſh and ſharpe, and mending that which is amiſſe, and by louelove and diſcretion pacifying contentions, and furthering peace; whereupon by conſequence he alſo procureth his own comfort. So ſtandeth the oppoſition: A wicked vnfaithfull meſſenger hurteth, and therefore ſhall fall into euill: but a godly faithfull meſſenger healeth, and therefore ſhall receiue good.
Verſ. 18. Pouertie and ſhame ſhall be to him that refuſeth inſtruction: but he that regardeth correction ſhall be honoured.
POuertie, &c.] EueryEvery one that reiecteth knowledge, or the meanes whereby it is to be obtained, ſhall either faile to get wealth, or not long keep it, or hauehave it and hold it in iudgement, without the vſe and comfort. And as he ſhall be needy, ſo ſhall he alſo be baſe, ſhame ſhall come vponupon him, and couer him. Some are made contemptible and vile by pouertie and want, and ſome by the filthineſſe of their ſinnes though they abound with wealth. They may hauehave riches, but not honour: they may hauehave cap and curteſie, but not reuerence and eſtimation. But he that regardeth correction: which hearkeneth and yeeldeth obedience to wholeſome counſell, and profiteth by chaſtiſements, ſhall be honoured: ſhall either attaine to riches and preferment: or be of good account, and well thought of (eſpecially among the wiſe & godly) in a meaner conditiō.
Verſe 19. A deſire when it commeth is pleaſant to the ſoule: but it is abomination to fooles, to depart from euill.
THis ſentence dependeth vpō the verſe afore going, where the promiſe in the latter clauſe of that, is amplified by the effect in the former of this: for here it is ſaid, that he which regardeth correction ſhall be honoured; and here it is added, that when ſuch a deſirable gift is beſtowed, he ſhall hauehave ioy with his honour, which obtaineth it. And the threatning in the former clauſe of that, is aggrauated by the cauſe in the latter of this: for there it is ſaid, that pouertie and ſhame ſhall be to him that refuſeth inſtruction; and here it is proued to be iuſt and equall, that it ſhould be ſo, becauſe he is wholly deuouted and giuen ouer to wickednes. The coherence and agreement of one part with the other will be the more euident, if that be ſupplied which is vnderſtood in both. It is abomination to wiſe men to continue in euill, and therefore the deſire accompliſhed will delight their ſoule: and it is abomination to fooles to depart from euill, and therefore the puniſhment inflicted will torment their ſoules.
Verſe 20. Hee that walketh with the wiſe, ſhall be the wiſer▪ but he that vſeth the companic of fooles, ſhall be the worſe.
BY walking here with the wiſe, is meant the ſociety & conuerſation with wiſe men▪ & that is a means of knowledge and vertuous behauiour to them that hauehave, and vſe the opportunitie of it, and ſo thereby they are made the better: wheras on the other ſide, they that aſſociate themſelues with ſinfull fooles, and ioyne in fellowſhip with the wicked, are more corrupted with ſinne and follie, and ſo become the worſe. For great is the force of company and example, of daily parle and conference. The words of good men are medicinable againſt vices, and their piety, ſobriety, patience, humility, louelove, kindneſſe, and other vertues are a ſhining light to ſhew their aſſociates the way to all goodneſſe, and as a guide to conduct them therein: and the mouth of ſinners doth breathe out poyſon and …nfection, and all their waies no leſſe contagious to ſuch as adioyne themſelus vntounto them, then the leproſie or peſtilence.
Verſ. 21. Euill purſueth ſinners: but that which is good rewardeth the iust.
BY eu…ll, is meant the puniſhment of ſin which is reſembled to the reuenous, ſtrong, and ſwift kind of creatures, and wicked men, to them that are weaker, and ſlower, and ſo chaſed by them, and made their prey. Now as affliction and miſery will in this manner come vponupon the vngodly, as the wages of their rebellion, ſo bleſſings and comfort ſhall come to the vngodly, as a recompence of their obedience. So that Both good and bad are followed, and ſhall ſurely bee ouertaken, the one with plagues, and the other with mercies; and neither ſort knowne how many they are, or of what kinds, or when they will come, or where they ſhall find them: but the wicked may iuſtly dread the worſt to bee puniſhed by them, when they ſhall be moſt burthenous vntounto them, and the godly may looke for the beſt, to bee bleſſed therewith in the fitteſt ſeaſon. For ſo we reade in another place: The wicked worketh Pro. 11. 18. 19.a deceitfull worke: but he that ſoweth righteouſneſſe ſhall receiue a ſure reward. So righteouſneſſe leadeth to life, and hee that followeth euill, ſeeketh his owne death.
Verſ. 22. A good man ſhall leaue inheritances to his childrens children: but the riches of the ſinner is laid vp for the iuſt.
THe meaning is, that the godly perſon not onelyonly himſelfe enioyeth his goods whileſt he liueth: but when he dieth, leaueth the ſame to his children; in ſuch ſort, as that alſo their children through Gods mercy inherit the ſame. Againe, the wicked man is ſo farre off from leauing his goods to his poſterity, as that by Gods prouidence they oftentimes are rolled from him vponupon the righteous perſon; who is as it were his heire againſt his will. Yet this is not ſo to be taken, as though it held vniuerſally & perpetually in eueryevery perſon. Many good men hauehave no children at all; many good men hauehave no children ſu…uiuing them: many good mens poſterity endeth in their immediate iſſue: many good men leaue their children poore & in meane eſtate. So on the contrary ſide, diuers wicked men leaue their lands and riches to their owne children, though impious alſo like their parents: and they conuey them to their ſeed after them, which in like manner poſſeſſe them; as the Prophet ſaith in the Pſalm. Thou filleſt their bellies with thine hid treaſure: their children hauehave enough, and leaue the rest of their ſubſtance for their children. But he ſpeaketh of that which commeth often to paſſe, though not alwaies, and which are the readieſt meanes for ſuch effects. Hee that would prouide well for his poſterity, cannot find out any way ſo good for his childrens eſtate, as to bee godly himſelfe. And if the Lord withhold that bleſſing from him, hee may recompence it by making his children inheritors of grace and ſaluation: and if either hee giuegive him no children, or children of no piety and goodneſſe, hee will vndoubtedly counteru…le it with encreaſe of heauenly gifts and glory for his owne ſoule. And he that giueth himſelfe to iniquitie and ſin, doth as much as in him lieth, to ſubuert both his eſtate and familie: and if that both ſtand, notwithſtanding the courſe hee taketh, to bring them to ruine, then as Dauid ſaid in the forecited Pſal. his portion is onelyonly in this life, and his puniſhment reſerued to be the larger in the world to come.
Verſ. 23. Much food is by tillage for the poore: but ſome are conſumed by indiſcretion.
BY food, he meaneth all ſuch things as are needfull for the vſe of mans life; and by much, he vnderſtandeth a fit and competent meaſure; which diuers times groweth to be large and ample. And this doe poore men often attaine vntounto, when they are prouident, and diligent in managing their affaires; and by name in the worke of husbandrie: and ſo it holdeth in all other honeſt and lawfull vocations. Now againe on the contrary ſide: ſome are conſumed by indiſcretion. For many a one who hath a good ſtocke, and faire liuings, and fruitfull grounds, by neglecting labour, and not ordering things aright, waſteth all that he hath, and falleth into great want and neceſſity. His follie, his ſinne, his riot and rechleſneſſe brings him to the ground how high ſoeuer he grew. They are like to the axe ſtriking at the root of a tree, which the talleſt top, or moſt ſpreading branches are not able to defend, but muſt fall downe themſelues and be broken.
Verſ. 24. He that ſpareth his rod, hateth his ſonne: but hee that loueth him, chasteneth him betime.
HE that ſpareth his rod] Which withholdeth due correction from his child when it is needfull, hateth his ſon, becommeth his enemie, though not in affect on, yet in effect by omitting a dutie ſo neceſſarie for his welfare. But hee that loueth him vnfainedly, with a ſound affection, and the louelove of a godly father, correcteth him betime. The words in the Originall tongue are of great force: for this betime, which ſeemethShicharo. to be an aduerbe, is there a verbe, and ſignifieth to riſe timely in the morning; and diligently to ſeeke: ſo that it ſignifieth as well the due care which good parents hauehave for the nurturing of their children, as their prouidence to do it in good ſeaſon, whiles they bee tender and young, before they grow to ſtrength and ſtomacke, and ſo either vtterly refuſe, or little regard all fatherly correction. And that which we tranſlate correction, doth alſo ſignifie inſtruction: ſo that the ſentence mayMuſar. thus be well engliſhed: He that loueth him hasteneth chaſtiſement, and instruction to him. And thoſe are meet to be ioyned together, ſometimes ſtripes with admonitions, and alwaies admonitions with ſtripes. For the ſmart of the fleſh, and the paine of the body will bring ſmall profit to the ſoule, vnleſſe they heare their fault declared, and …aue direction how to reforme it.
Verſ. 25. The righteous eateth to the contentation of his mind: but the bellie of the wicked ſhall want.
THe righteous] All thoſe which are religious in heart, and vpright in their waies, eate, that is, enioy all good things, as they ſhall not be ſtarued through want of food, ſo they ſhal not be deſtitute of clothing, or lodging, or habitation, or any other thing that is needful for them: either they ſhall abound with plentie, or be prouided of that which is ſufficient. Sometimes they hauehave no great ſtore for their eyes to looke vponupon, yet liuing by faith and not by ſight, they hauehave alwaies enough for their ſoules to be ſatisfied with. But the bellie ef the wicked ſhall want, and their backes alſo very often and according to the courſe of the law, many of them liue in hunger, and in thirst, and in nake…neſſe, and in need of all things. And albeitDaut. 28. 48. this iudgement is not executed vponupon them all, yet commonly ſome other more heauie and hurtfull is inflicted vponupon them that eſcape it. And of neither of them which get moſt, nor of them which fare beſt, it can be truly affirmed, that they eate to the contentation of their minds: for though they hauehave much …h in their hands, and much meate at their tables, and much wine in the bowles, yet they hauehave not much, nor any contentment in their hearts, for they remaine vnſatiable.