A Brief Explanation of the Whole Book of Proverbs, Explanation · Chapter 6
CHAPTER. VI.
Verſ. 1. My ſonne, if thou bee ſurety for thy friend, if th… hast ſtricken hands with a ſtranger,
Verſ. 2. Thou art ſnared with the words of thy mouth, th… art taken with the words of thy mouth.
THe inſtructions contained in this chapter are of two ſorts. Some are caueats to beware of vices: ſome precepts to imbrace the doctrine and rules of wiſedome, which direct to the exerciſe of vertue, in the 20. 21. 22. verſes. Three kinds of vices are forbidden: one which carrieth a ſhew of duty, and amongſt vnwiſe men is very plauſible, and that is raſh ſuretiſhip, in the fiue firſt verſes: the next is a neglect of duty, and ſtandeth in omiſſion of that which ought to bee performed, and that is ſlothfulneſſe, in the ſix next: the third is that which is contrary to dutie, and is the practiſe of that which is ſinfull and euill, and this hee diſtributeth into many perticulars, whereof diuers he taxeth together, and more briefly condemneth, in the 16. 17. 18. and 19. verſes: and one hee purſueth more largely with a ſet diſcourſe and proſecution, and that …s the ſinne of whoredome in the twelue laſt verſes.
Of this raſh ſuretiſhip, he
1. Deſcribeth the perill. verſ. 1. 2.
2. Preſcribeth the remedies for it. verſ. 3. 4. 5.
To ſhew the danger, he thus ſpeaketh in effect: My ſonne, if it ſo fall out with thee, (as ſomtimes it doth with vnaduiſed men) that thou become a pledge or ſurety for thy neighbour; or haſt giuen thy hand, bill, or bond for a ſtranger, to whom thou doeſt owe no ſuch ſpeciall duty, do not eſteeme it a light matter; but know that thou art intangled in a ſnare, like to a bird in a net, or a Deere in a toyle; and that which is an heauie caſe, thou art inſnared with the words of thy mouth. For a man hauing giuen his word to another, and ſo he for whom he vndertakes make default of performance, and himſelfe not well able to diſcharge it, is become a ſeruant, or captiue (ſo farre as the ſumme extendeth) to him to whom hee hath giuen his word or bond, hee is fallen into the creditors hand, who may take the forfeiture, and ſo ouerthrow his ſtate and familie▪ or he may arreſt him, and keepe him in priſon, or chaſe from place to place, that he ſhall be able neither to manage his calling▪ or with comfort, ſafety, and liberty to enioy the ſociety of his neighbours.
Verſ. 3. Doe this now my ſonne, and deliuer thy ſelfe, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend, goe humble thy ſelfe, and ſolicite thy friend.
Verſ. 4. GiueGive not ſleepe to thine eyes, nor ſlumber to thine eye lids.
Verſ. 5. Deliuer thy ſelfe, as the Roe from the hand of the hunter, and a bird from the hand of the fowler.
THe remedie to bee vſed in ſuch a diſtreſſed eſtate is heere propoſed, which conſiſteth in ſubmiſſiue humiliation, and importunate ſupplication. He perſwadeth a man …uertaken this way, and in hazard to be ouerthrowne, to hearken to his counſell, ſaying, Doe this now my ſon, deliuer thy ſelfe, for as much as thou art come into thy neighbors hand, leſt the ſna… intrap thee, or be hurtfull to thee or thine, in as much as tho… art fallen into the power of the creditor, doe thine endeauour to be deliuered out of it, vſe all good meanes for thine indemnitie, in moſt humble manner, & be importunate, and almoſt impudent in preſſing thy friends or neighbours: as the creditor, that he would deale fauourablie in the time, or in the ſum, or in other caſes, as there is occaſion: the debtor for who… thou art bound, that hee would finde meanes by himſelfe, or his friends to make payment; and friends that they may helpe thee with counſell, or their fauour, or their purſe, if need require, and they be able. Now if any thinke this a baſe thing to humble himſelfe, it may bee to his equals, yea peraduenture to his inferiours, Salomon telleth him that hee muſt conſider that hee is now fallen into his hands, and thereby is become captiue, and as it were a ſeruant; and therfore as the caſe now ſtands muſt make no difficulty to ſeeke, and ſue, and to pray, and entreate, as an humble ſuppliant.
In this he requireth celerity, and preſent proceeding: delaiesVerſ. 4. are dangerous, and therefore in ſuch a buſineſſe by all poſſible meanes to be auoided; wherefore, ſaith hee, GiueGive … ſleepe to thine eyes, nor ſlumber to thine eye lids, goe in hand with it this preſent day, and deferre it not ſo long as the no… morrow, before thou goeſt to bed, or takeſt any reſt, withall ſpeed and diligence ſeeke thy ſecurity, and obtaine thy freedome.
Finally, as he admoniſheth that this be done ſpeedily, andVerſ. 5. without delay, ſo doth he aduiſe to doe it carefully, and without remiſneſſe, and that by the example of brutiſh creatures. As therefore the Doe, and other beaſts, labour by all meanes to eſcape the purſuit which is made after them; or as the ſoules ſtriue to get out of the net wherein they are intangled; ſo (ſaith he) endeauour thou with might and maine, to come out of theſe cumberſome bonds of ſuretiſhip.
Verſ. 6. Goe to the Ant, O ſluggard, conſider her waies, and bewiſe.
BEcauſe vnaduiſed ſuretiſhip is more eaſily ſeene, and confeſſed to be the cauſe of diuers mens calamities, thē idleneſſe is, and men bee more ready to hearken to admonition, and to be warned of it; hee therefore dealt mild her in the reproofe of that ſinne, then of this ſlothfulneſſe: for hee ſetteth roughly vponupon the ſluggard, hee doth not ſonne him, or child him at all, but rather checketh and chideth him, and that in ſharpe manner. This vice he diſgraceth, and condemneth by three arguments: firſt, by the abſurditie of it, and of their behauiour which giuegive themſelues vntounto it, in the 6. and 7. verſes: ſecondly, by the duration, and continuance of it, for that it holdeth them in bondage which once fall into, in the 9. and 10. verſes: thirdly, by the euill euent that will follow vponupon it; namely, penurie and want, in the eleuenth verſe. To ſhew the abſurdity of it he bringeth the example of a brutiſh creature, of a weake, ſmall, and contemned creature, to condemne their wretchleſneſſe which giuegive ouer themſelues to litherneſſe; for it is a ſhame for men endued with reaſon, not to prouide ſo well for themſelues as the ſillie creatures which are voide of reaſon; but he doth not only ſend the ſluggard to ma…ke their examples, but puts him to ſchoole to them, and makes them his maſter, that they ſhould teach him, and hee ſhould learne more wiſedome and vnderſtanding. Goe to the Ant, ſaith hee, as if hee ſhould hauehave ſaid. There are many things that might perſwade thee to labour, as Gods commandement, and ordinance; his promiſe to them that obey it; his puniſhments on them that are diſobedient; their owne neceſſity for the ſupport of their eſtate; the example of painefull and induſtrious men: but I will vrge none of theſe, but that which may make thee aſhamed, y• example of the feeble Ant; conſider her waies, obſerue her induſtrie and diligence; and be wiſe, let her ſedulity prouoke thee▪ ſhake off thy ſluggiſhneſſe, and henceforth be painfull and prouident: for what greater point of wiſdome is there, then by obeying Gods precepts both to prouide fo… our ſelues, and be partakers of his gracious promiſe: or wh… greater folly, then to denie to God our owne endeuour … our owne good?
Verſe 7. 8. Which hauing no guide, ouerſeer, or ruler, pro… deth her meate in the ſummer, and gathereth her foode in h… ueſt.
TWo things hee commendeth in the ant, or …mmet: … one, her readineſſe, that ſhe worketh voluntarily with… compulſion: the other, her prouidence (if wee may ſo call … that ſhe trauelleth ſeaſonably, and whilſt time ſerueth. It … ſaid that ſhe hath neither guide, ouerſeer, or ruler, ſhe hath … ther captaine, or leader to ſhew her the way; nor taske … or other like officer to appoint to her her taske, and call vp… her for the doing of it: nor king, or ruler to puniſ… her negligence, or want of …orecaſt, nor to reward her for her diligenc… And in this reſpect, another kinde of creature is praiſed in … 30. chapter. The locusts hauehave no king, yet goe they foorth … Prou. 30. 27.them by …ands, ſhewing their prudence: he ſaith, ſhe lab… reth, bea…ing, and drawing foode, and matter for her … with ſuch trauell and paine, as is almoſt incredible: that … one cannot doe alone, two or more combining themſelu… together will effect: in ſummer, viz. when the ayre is … and the way drie & ſmooth, and in the harueſt, when grain… of corne lie here, and there, ſcattered abroad, which in … are not to be had, and this to the end ſhe may prouide, and … vp againſt the time of neede. The application hereof is co… cealed by Salomon, but to bee ſearched out by the reader, an… declared by the interpreter; and it conſiſteth partly of a… prehenſion, and partly of an inſtruction. In the reprehenſ… the ſluggard is taxed, and obbraided, both with regard … of his owne good, and the contempt of the preſidents of d… gence, which are propoſed vntounto him, and thoſe gouerno… which are ſet ouer him: as if hee ſhould hauehave ſaid, Of ho… much blame art thou worthie which haſt ſo many leaders … conduct thee in the way: ſo many to call vponupon thee, and vrge thee to thy dutie: ſo many commanders, and rulers in the familie, in the Church, and in the Common-wealth, both to incourage thee in thy diligence, and to cenſure, and puniſh the contrarie, and yet notwithſtanding thou paſſe thy time in ſloth, and neglect the opportunitie, and lay vp nothing for the time of neede? In the inſtruction eueryevery man is taught to vſe the benefit of the ſummer, and harueſt of youth, and health, and opportunitie to lay vp, and prouide againſt the time of age, ſicknes, and other impediments, or neceſſities.
Verſe 9. 10. How long wilt thou ſleepe, O ſluggard? when wilt thou ariſe out of thy ſleepe? yet a little ſleepe, a little ſlumber, a little folding of the hands to ſleepe.
THe continuance of his ſlothfulnes, or ſleepines (for all is one, or at leaſt they are indiuiduall companions, the one begetting the other: for idleneſſe filleth the body full of humours, and abundance of humours cauſeth much ſleepe) hee obiecteth by way of expoſtulation: How long wilt thou ſleepe? Conſider how much time thou haſt loſt; for hee that ſleepeth moderatly, yet commonly ſpendeth the third part of his life therein: whereunto if thou adde all the reſt of thy time that thou haſt idlely, and vnprofitably ſpent, thou ſhalt eaſily ſee what little cauſe thou haſt to beſtow any more in that ſluggiſh manner; and therefore why wilt thou not breake off and make an end? This rebuke is very emphaticall, as if the Lord himſelfe were by a mans bed ſide to call him to reckoning for the loſſe of his time, and to rowſe him out of his drowſie ſleepe.
Verſe 10. A little ſleepe, a little ſlumber, a little folding of the hands to ſleepe.
HEre hee painteth out the ſluggard in liuely colours, and to expoſe him to ſcorne, bringeth him expreſſing his owne ſloth in his owne words, Let me hauehave (ſaith he) a little ſleepe, a little ſlumber; let me yet a little fold my hands and armes together, as they are wont to doe that purpoſely ſet themſelues to ſleepe.
Verſ. 11. So ſhall thy pouertie come as on one that trauelleth, and thy neceſſitie as an armed man.
LAſtly, he declareth the effect and iſſue of this, and that is pouertie; which is allegorically threatned to come with ſpeede and violence, the ſluggard reſembled vntounto a ſlothfull way fairing man, that maketh no ſpeede to goe with company, or to trauell at due houres, and pouertie to the theefe that commeth vponupon him to take his purſe: neceſſitie ſhall therefore ouertake him ſuddenly, as a ſwift traueller doth him that walketh ſlowly, dreaming therefore that hee hath wealth, and goods for many yeeres, hee is fallen into debt, and growne to be a begger euen before he thought his eſtate had been declining; and as neceſſitie makes haſte, and is felt before it is foreſ…ene, ſo it maketh as ſtrange an aſſault, it is better weaponed then the ſluggard, and ſo too hard for him, it will pe…force hauehave that which it commeth for, and bereaue him of his ſubſtance, and cannot bee reſiſted. Wee ſee this verified in many, whom neither great patrimonie left vntounto them, nor wit, nor ſtrength, nor f…iends, nor entailes, nor any other meanes could preſerue from ruine, and vtter vndoing; idlenes made them vnthriftie, and riotous and vnthriftineſſe and riot conſumed all their ample poſſeſſions.
Verſe 12. A naughtie perſon, a wicked man walketh with a froward mouth.
13. He winketh with his eyes, hee ſpeaketh with his feete, hee teacheth with his fingers.
14. Frowardnes is in his heart, he deuiſeth miſchiefe continually, he ſoweth diſcord.
HAuing reproued the vice that ſeemeth a vertue, and that neglect of dutie which of many is ſcarce acknowledged to be a vice, hee commeth to the third ſort, thoſe miſdemeanours which are notoriouſly knowne, and cannot be denied to be grieuous offences: and firſt he deſcribeth the lewdnes of the perſon: and ſecondly, proueth the pernitiouſnes of the vices: and thirdly, threatneth a plague and iudgement to be executed on him at length for both. The perſon is notified both by his properties, and by his effects: by his properties, that he is naught, vngratious, and diſſolute, a man of Belial aBeli gnol., that will beare no yoke of gouernment, either of God, or man: one that liues as though there were no law, of no worth, bbeli iagnal.that profiteth nothing, or cbeli iagnaleh.ſhall riſe to nothing, and is good for nothing, or a man of iniquitie. Thus is hee ſtiled and intituled: for the Hebrew compoſition will beare any of theſe ſignifications, or all of them.
Then follow the effects, that he is very infectious, and apt to corrupt others: as firſt, by his words, he walketh with a froward mouth, it is his guiſe and cuſtome to ſpeake prophanely, irreuerently of God and his ordinances: or that vſeth to lie, to ſweare, and forſweare, to flatter, to ſlaunder, to backbite, or to carrie tales; the which abuſe of his ſpeech hee ſetteth foorth by comparing them to a mouth peruerted, or drawne aſide.
Then ſecondly by his deedes, that hee doth notably abuſe the ſeuerall parts and members of his body to doe miſchiefe, by ſeuerall geſtures, and perticular actions: ſo that which he cannot, or dareth not perſwade by words, that he doth by his eyes, feete, and fingers.
And hereof he aſſigneth the cauſe to be the wickedneſſe of his heart, which he calleth frowardneſſe; which hee doth aggrauate by vttering the ſame in the plurall number: for hee ſaith not, frowardneſſe▪ but frowardneſſes; noting thereby that his heart is filled and ſtuffed with ſuch matter, from whence it is that it runneth oure with ſuch words, geſtures, and actions, as are before ſpoken of. And further to decipher him in his damnable behauiour, he diſcouereth the manner of his practiſes, …e imagineth miſchiefe: ſignifying that the naturall corruption which is in him, being common to all men, increaſeth, and confirmeth by deuiſing, and in his minde, & thoughts, as it were, forging miſchiefe, no otherwiſe then a Smith, Potter, or other Artificer doth his workes. Whereunto yet another circumſtance is added to make his ſinne out of meaſure ſinfull, that he is vnceſſant in his diue…iſh a…tempts. Whereas the Smith, and other workmen, worketh, forgeth, and frameth ſometimes, and ſometimes reſteth, this man is forging, and framing villanie perpetually, and that to the hurt of many others: for his whiſpering, flattering, lying, ſtorming, back biting, &c. cauſeth contention, and raiſeth vp ſtrife, euen among friends.
Verſe 15. Therefore ſhall his calamitie come ſuddenly ſudden ſhall he be broken without remedie.
HEre followeth the threatning of the plague and calamtie to ſuch a man, which is no leſſe then deſtruction i… ſelfe: which is amplified by the manner of it: firſt He ſhall b… broken in peeces: he ſhall not hauehave a ſmall wound, but a deadly wound, and vtter vndoing in his eſtate, name, body, and ſoule: ſecondly, it ſhall be ſuddenly, vnexpected, not feared, before euer he thought of it, which cauſeth it to bee the more horrible and hideous: and thirdly, it ſhall be without remedie which no policie, nor power, no wealth, nor friend, nor other meanes whatſoeuer, ſhall be able to preuent, or remedie. The Prophet Iſaiah doth in an elegan… manner denounce the ſame ſaying: This iniquitie ſhall be vntounto you as a breach ready to fa… Iſai. 30. 13. 14.ſwelling out in an high wall whoſe breach commeth ſuddenly, … an instant: and he breake it, as the breaking of a potters veſſ… that is broken in peeces, he ſhall not ſpare.
Verſe 16. Theſe ſixe things doth the Lord hate▪ yea ſeuen a… an abomination to his ſoule.
IN the premiſes we hauehave ſeene the wicked perſon by ſundri… arguments deſcribed, and here we ſhall finde the pernitio… nes of diuers vices euicted, and in the firſt place in a more generall ſort, he reciteth the manner of them, ſixe, yea ſeuen, theſe certaine number for vncertaine: for the Lord deteſteth many more then theſe, and as much alſo is offended with them, but a few are put for all: and it ſeemeth that theſe are heere mentioned, as companions of ſlothfulnes, and therefore are cenſured next after it, as being commonly attendant vponupon it; and theſe he proueth to be odious, and men ought to loath them, and likewiſe very dangerous, and men ought to feare them, becauſe God hateth them: which he firſt expreſſeth in plaine words, and afterwards amplifieth by a correction, ſaying, they are an abomination to his ſoule, ſpeaking of God, as of a man for our capacitie, and the more effectuall affecting of vsus. God abhorreth nothing but that which is euill, and loathſome, and nothing is better which he abhorreth, neither can there be any ſafetie in doing that which is ſo offenſiue to him: being diſgraced therefore by that one argument, they are manifeſted to be vgleſome, and hideous; and as noyſome, and perilous, as if the vilenes thereof had been painted out by many others.
Verſe 17. A proud looke, a lying tongue, and hands that ſhed innocent blood:
18 An heart that deuiſeth wicked imaginations: feete that be ſwift in running to miſchiefe:
19 A falſe witneſſe that ſpeaketh lyes, and him that ſoweth diſcord among brethren.
THeſe verſes containe a perticular enumeration of thoſe ſixe things, and that ſeuenth which the Lord hateth in ſuch deteſtation. The firſt is pride, which is ſet foorth by the ſigne thereof, a hautie eye, for that chiefly ſheweth it ſelfe in the eyes. The ſecond is lying, and vntruth, which is declared by the inſtrument wherewith it is vttered, the tongue, which alſo therefore is made hatefull to God. The third is violence and crueltie, howſoeuer practiſed; but becauſe the hand commonly is the agent of it, and is ſtained therewith, it is ſpecified. The fourth is the plotting, and deuiſing of miſchiefe: whereof becauſe the heart is the chiefe worker, and the ſpring alſo from whence it followeth, it is ſubiect to Gods diſpleaſure, and deteſtable in his ſight. The fifth is the delight in ill doing, and the committing of it with greedineſſe, when men are preſſed and readie to any ſinfull actions; which is argued by the ſignes and effects, that the feet are ſwift, doe make ha… and runne thereunto. The ſixth is ſlandering, or giuing wrong information againſt any man by accuſation, or witneſſe-bearing, o… any manner of reporting. This maketh the efficie…t, the partie guilty of it ob…oxious to Gods diſpleaſure. The la…t is to be a make-bate to raiſe diſcord amongſt louing friends, and to ſet them at variance, which before were at peace, and liued in concord. Hee therefore which doth ſo, prouoket… the Lord, and maketh a greater diſcord betweene God an… himſelfe, then poſſibly can be between neighbour and neighbour.
Verſ. 20. My ſonne, keepe thy fathers commandement, a… forſake not the law of thy mother.
SO many vices hauing been reproued, hee now incerteth… precept to furniſh the minde with knowledge and wiſedome, for the preuention of thoſe crimes, if wee be yet clee…e from them, or to be cured of them, if we be faulty in them, as alſo to bee well fenced againſt that which hee is yet further to exaggerate that lothſome and deteſtable ſinne of adulterie, which he hath ſo often inueighed againſt already:
where note
An exhortation. verſ. 20. 21.
And the reaſons of it. verſ. 22. 23. 24.
The exhortation is propounded in a
Proper ſpeech. ver. 20.
Metaphor. verſ. 21.
The former is, keepe thy fathers inſtruction: for which, ſe… chap. 1. verſ. 8.
Verſ. 21. Binde them continually vponupon thine heart, tye them about thy necke.
THe ſecond is binde them, &c. For which ſee chap. 3. ver. 3. But heere is added continually, which was not in the former place; to teach, that the heart or minde of man ſhould be alwaies exerciſed in the doctrine of God, euen then when hee hath not opportunity to ſpeake of it.
Verſe 22. When thou goest, it ſhall leade thee: when thou ſleepest, it ſhall keepe thee: when thou awakest, it ſhall talk… with thee.
THe reaſon followeth, and is taken from the ſweet and comfortable effects of Gods doctrine, deliuered, priuately or publikely, in all the actions and times of our life; which he diſtributeth into three ſorts, walking, ſleeping, and awaking: after ſleepe againe, when we walke, viz. when we are exerciſed in the waies and workes of our calling, ſhe ſhall leade vsus: viz. ſhee ſhall guide and direct vsus, that wee wander not into any euill way that may be diſpleaſing to God, hurtfull to our ſelues or others. See chap. 3. verſ. 23. and 14. verſ. 12. When we ſhall lye downe to ſleepe, ſhe ſhall keepe vsus, and bee as it were a watch vntounto vsus, that we ſleepe ſecurely. See chap. 3. 24. It ſhall talke with thee when thou awakest, it will be as a familiar friend to vsus, conferring with vsus in the night, in the morning, in the day time, of Ieſus Chriſt, of the remiſſion of ſins, of the mercies of God, of the promiſes of the word, and of all heauenly and ſpirituall matters.
Verſ. 23. For the commandement is a lampe, the law is light, and reproofes of inſtruction are the way of life.
HE confirmeth this reaſon by an argument taken from the excellency and vertue of this doctrine, which is cleerely ſet downe by familiar compariſons. The firſt, of a lampe, whereof there is great vſe in the night; the ſecond of light, whereof there is ſingular vſe in the day: the third, that it is a beaten way, whereof there is great vſe for paſſengers, and trauellers, which he amplifieth by an argument from the leſſe to the greater: if the corrections and rebukes of it are ſo, what are then the milde directions and promiſes? and from the end whither it leadeth; namely, to life, viz. eternall bleſſedneſſe. So that whereas we and our waies are nothing elſe but night and darkeneſſe, and know not which way to moue hand or foot, but to our deſtruction, the doctrine of God is for the night, a canale, and for the day, the Sunne, that wee may ſee, and iourney in the ready high way of ſaluation. The Pſalmiſt hath the very like ſaying, acknowledging to God that his word was a lampe to his feet, and a light to his pathes.Pſal. 119. 105.
Verſ. 24. To keepe thee from the euill woman, from the flattery of a ſtrange woman.
FInally, he commendeth this doctrine of God, & theſe corrections of inſtruction, by the end & vſe of them; namely, the preſeruation & ſafe keeping of a man from the danger of infection by an harlot, wherby he meaneth alſo ſin of any ſort, though he purpoſely name this rather then any other; partly becauſe it is often the fruit of idleneſſe, which hee hath euen now impugned in this chapter, and partly becauſe the young man, whom he profeſſeth there to teach, is commonly much addicted thereunto. See chap. 2. verſ. 16.
Verſ. 25. Lust not after her beauty in thy heart, neither let her take thee with her eye lids.
NOw hee commeth to the dehortation whereby hee diſſwadeth from her:
which hee
1. Propoſeth, verſ. 25.
2. Enforceth with confirmations. verſ. 26. to the end of the chapter.
Of the former there are two parts; firſt, an admonition, that he doe not in his heart luſt after, or ſuffer his heart to bee enſnared by her beauty; and that for two reaſons, both becauſeMatth. 5. 28. euen that alone is a degree of adultery, as our Sauiour hath taught, as alſo for that if the heart (which commandeth all) be ouercome, it will neuer ceaſe to worke vponupon all the parts of the body, the eyes, eares, tongue, &c. vntill the very act it ſelfe be accompliſhed. The ſecond is a caueat, that ſhee take him not with her eye lids: wherein he compareth the eye lids, and countenance of an harlot to a net, or ſnare, and the harlots heart, and her ſelfe to an hunter, or fowler, and the partie allured by her wanton lookes, to the bird, or beaſt caught in a net.
Verſ. 26. For by meanes of a whoriſh woman, a man is brought to a morſell of bread, and the adultereſſe will hunt for pretious life.
HEre hee backeth his admonition and caueat, with ſuch forcible conſiderations as might beſt worke vponupon his reader, and make him to know how much it concerneth him to regard them; whereof two are here noted; the one, that this curſed ſinne draweth a man into pouerty, or beggery rather; the other, a ſhamefull death, or that which is in ſtead of that, and worſe then that, an euerlaſting death. Touching the former, he ſaith, For an harlot, or by means of an harlot, a man is brought to a morſell of bread, from plentie, to penurie; from variety of diſhes to one kinde, and that is dry bread; and from ſufficiencie and fulneſſe, to a ſhort pittance, euen one morſell, and many times this is to be asked at another mans doore, or at leaſt to be giuen as an almes from another mans hand. See for this, chap. 5. 10.
The latter is loſſe of life, which all the attempts of the adultereſſe (the married woman breaking the bands of wedlocke) doe tend vntounto. She hunteth for pretious life, wherein he likeneth her to a cruell hunter, which purſueth an Hare, or other beaſt, not to catch onelyonly, but to kill it: which though ſhe doe not directly intend and aime at, yet ſhe effecteth and bringeth to paſſe: for through her allurements, the perſon committing follie with her is expoſed to the rage of her husband, whoſe indignation is implacable, the ſword of the Magiſtrate, proceeding ſeuerely againſt him, if not for the ſame crime, yet for ſome other thereby occaſioned; and the wrath of God, who will either inflict a temporall puniſhment, to the vtter deſtruction of the body, or elſe powre downe intollerable plagues vponupon the body and ſoule for euer. And this ſo prodigall expence of life is hereby the more condemnable, in that it is pretious, of ſuch an excellent creation by Gods owne hand, or inſpiration rather by his breath, and carrying ſuch a ſtampe of his glorious image, and capable of ſuch eternal bliſſe as Chriſt hath purchaſed with his owne blood, and eueryevery one ſhall enioy, which through ſinne doth not make forfeiture of it.
Verſ. 27. Can a man take fire in his boſome, and his clothes not be burnt?
Verſ. 28. Can a man goe vponupon hot coales, and his feet not be burnt?
Verſ. 29. So is he that goeth in to his neighbours wife: whoſoeuer toucheth her ſhall not be innocent.
HAuing formerly laid downe his poſitions, he now handleth them more at large: and becauſe of the ſecuritie and preſumption of men, flattering themſelues, (that notwithſtanding all this which is ſpoken, and other mens ill ſucceſſe in the practiſe of this ſinne, they ſhal eſcape wel enough, eſpecially if they hauehave wit, or wealth, or others helpes whereby to ſhift for themſelues, and auoide the penaltie) hee more at large confirmeth that hee ſaid touching the grieuouſneſſe and certainty of this puniſhment, by two compariſons of the like or equall, and another of the leſſe. The compariſon of the like is as if hee ſhould hauehave ſaid; As it is impoſſible for a man to take coales of fire from the hearth, & put them into his boſome, betwixt his garments and body, and burne neither; or to tread on burning coales bare foot without ſcorching his feet: ſo it cannot be that a man ſhould hauehave carnall company with another mans wife, without making himſelfe guilty, and feeling the flame of Gods indignation, and incurring the iudgements formerly mentioned. Iob hath a ſaying not much vnlike to this, rendring a reaſon among others, why hee ſo …eedfully ſhunned this miſchieuous ſinne of adultery: It is a f…re that conſumeth to deſtruction, and would root out all mine Iob 31. 12.…ncreaſe.
Verſ. 30. Doe not men deſpiſe a theefe if he ſteale to ſatisfie his ſoule, although he be hungry?
Verſ. 31. And if he be found, he ſhall restore ſeuen fold, hee ſhall giuegive all the ſubſtance of his houſe.
THe ſecond kind of compariſon wherby the point in hand is cleered, is taken from a leſſer ſinne, namely, theft, being far inferiour to adultery, becauſe Gods law hath not ſo much condemned it, becauſe he hath appointed no ſuch ſeuere puniſhment for it: becauſe that the theefe taketh away more remote poſſeſſions, and ſuch as are of leſſe value and eſtimation: the whoremaſter the neereſt, the beſt, and that which is deareſt vntounto him, the heart, the vſe of body, the fidelity of his wife: the theefe commonly bereaueth a man but of part of his goods; the whoremaſter attempts to defraud him and his of all, or of as much as he can, leauing a ſpurious and baſtardly ſeed in his houſe to vſurpe his inheritance, or other poſſeſſions after him. And yet the theefe eſcapeth not ſcotfree, notwithſtanding that need driueth him to ſteale. For firſt, hee draweth vponupon himſelfe ſhame and reproch, and is made very contemptible thereby, as both this text affirmeth, and others teſtifie. Iob ſhewing the vile eſtate of certaine baſe companions, ſaith, Men ſhouted after them, as at a theefe. See alſo Ieremiah Iob 30. 5.48. 27. And then hee hazardeth his eſtate thereby, either to ouerthrow it, or much impaire it: for looke how often he is apprehended and taken, ſo oft he ſhall be driuen to make reſtitution according to the law, though it bee againe and againe, yea euen ſeuen times and more, a certaine number of times for an vncertaine: which is to be payed, though it coſt him any thing, yea all that he hath, yea though his liberty goe alſo for it.
Verſ. 32. Who ſo committeth adultery with a woman, lacketh vnderſtanding: he that doth it destroyeth his owne ſoule.
NOw let vsus ſee the inf…rence: if there bee ſo much perill and hurt in a ſmaller crime, what ſafety can there be looked for in this hainous offence? If the needie theefe ſmart ſo for that fault, how ſharpely and extremely ſhall the adulterous male factor be puniſhed for his egregious and enormous wickedneſſe? He debaſeth him beneath the theefe; firſt, in the follie of his minde, as the cauſe of this his vicious behauiour, he is more abſurd and brutiſh then he, and hath leſſe wiſdome and vnderſtanding. Secondly, in the conſequence of his wretched life, and vncleane conuerſation, hee destroyeth … ſoule, hee doth offer violence vntounto his life, and after a ſon becommeth a murtherer of himſelfe, by prouoking God ſpeedily to ſlay him, and eternally to damne him, beſides other plagues following, whereunto he makes himſelfe lyable.
Verſ. 33. A wound, and diſhonour ſhall hee get, and his reproch ſhall not be done away.
HE dwelleth vponupon this matter of the adulterers puniſhment, that hee ſhall finde there ſhall meete with him, or fall vponupon him a wound, or ſtroke, euen a deadly ſtroke vponupon his body and minde, inflicted either by the Magiſtrate, the adultereſſes husband, or God himſelfe. And ignominie vponupon his name, euen ſuch reproch as ſhal ſticke to him, liuing and dead, and ſhall neuer be done away, ſo that beſides the perill of this life into which the adulterer doth throw himſelfe, hee doth expoſe himſelfe to perpetuall reproch.
Verſ. 34. For i…louſie is the rage of a man: therefore he will not ſpare in the day of vengeance.
Verſ. 35. He will not regard any ranſome; neither will bee reſt content, though thou giueſt many gifts.
HE declareth the efficient of the threatned puniſhment to bee inflicted vponupon the adulterer, namely, the wronged husband of the harlot, to whom God will diſcouer his villanie wrought againſt him, and whom hee will raiſe vp, as his inſtrument to purſue that wicked caitife, proſecuting and following the matter againſt him with all ſeuerity. And in theſe words he meeteth with, and refelleth the vaine illuſion of the filthie perſon, who truſts either not to bee detected, or not much to be moleſted, hoping that he ſhall find his paramours husband very milde and fauorable. Nay▪ ſaith the Lord, Tho… haſt giuen him iuſt cauſe of iealouſie, and therefore thou ſhalt finde him full of wrath and indignation; looke for no fauour at his hands, he neither will nor ſhall ſpare thee, if hee ſtrike thee not himſelfe, yet hee ſhall deliuer thee into the hand of the Magiſtrate to be puniſhed, he will not conceale thy leaudneſſe, but publ…ſh it to the world for thy ſhame and infamie: yet, ſaith he, I hope faire words may preuaile much, eſpecially gifts and rewards, I will hire him to be ſilent, and to put vp the iniurie offered; and if a ſmall ſumme will not ſuffice, I wil giuegive him a greater; if one gift will not preuaile, I will adde more vntounto it, and beſtow many: hereunto the Lord replyeth that he ſhall bee made inexorable, that the ſight of a bribe, or any thing offered for the deflouring of his wife▪ ſhall the more imbitter him; and offer as many and as great as thou wilt, yet all ſhall doe thee no good, thou ſhalt for all this bee plagued and ſhamed.
Now we muſt not conclude hereupon that this ſentence at all times ſhall certainly be executed: for many husbands are not acquainted with the indignities of this kinde, which are offered vntounto them; and many knowing of the diſhoneſty and faithleſneſſe of their wiues, are as bawdes vntounto them, and acceſſarie to their naughtineſſe, ſuffering and allowing them to bee whoriſh and filthy: but eueryevery adulterous whore-hunter may iuſtly expect this, when God ſetteth in with them, and takes the matter into his hand, they know not how ſoone their wickedneſſe may come to light, and how fierce and angry a man may bee made, whom they little ſuſpect to bee ſo implacable.