Exposition of Proverbs 9-10, Exposition 2 · Verse 15
The rich mans goods are his ſtrong citie: and the feare of Verſe. 15 the needy is their pouertie.
The rich mans goods are his ſtrong citie, &c. That is, wealthie worldlings doe truſt to their poſſeſſions when they hauehave great ſtore. For he ſpeaketh not of any ſafetie that they hauehave by their goods, but which they ſeeme to themſelues to hauehave, as is plainely expreſſed Chap. 18. 11. And it is ſometimes the faults of good men in their infirmities, to repoſe too much confidence in outward things, when they abound with them. Pſal. 39. 6. 5. On the other ſide, the want of earthly ſubſtance doth fill the hearts of vnregenerate poore men, with feares of famine, and miſery. And Gods owne people, are not alwaies free from the aſſaults thereof, by reaſon of the imperfection of their faith.
The extreamitie of eueryevery ſtate is dangerous, and no condition Doct. ſafe without grace. Of this had Ag…r a ſenſible apprehenſion, The meane eſtate is ſafeſt.when he put vp that petition to the Lord, that hee would neither giuegive him pouertie nor riches: but foode conuenient for him: that is, a moderate eſtate, without exceſſe on either hand. Prou. 30. 8.
Firſt, both of them, be …ſes from God vponupon wicked perſons. Reaſons. 1 Pſal. 69. 22. Deut. 28. 48. Iob. 30. 3.
Secondly, both of them draw their hearts from all good meditations, thoughts, purpoſes, and deſires, and fill them vp with fleſhly cogitations.
Thirdly, both of them bee occaſions of vniuſt behauiour, procuring them by indirect dealing to prouide for themſelues. Pſal 62. 10. Prou. 30. 9.
Inſtruction to labour for the ſpirit which will protect vsus Vſe. 1 from the venome and hurtfull effects, as well of the one as the other. Doth the light of God ſhine on our habitations? hath hee filled our houſes with good things, and giuen vsus an ample portion of wealth and poſſeſsions? hath hee prepared, and well furniſhed our table, and made our cup to run ouer? Then wil the holy Ghoſt prouoke vsus, when we hauehave eaten Deut. 8. 10.and filled our ſelues, to bleſſe the Lord our God for the good plenty, which hee hath giuen vsus. Hee will effectually admoniſh vsus, that we be not hie minded, and truſt in vncertaine riches, but in the liuing God, which giueth vsus abundantly all things to inioy: that wee doe good, and be rich in good workes, and readie 1. Tim. 6. 17. 18to diſtribute and communicate, laying vp for our ſelues ſtore againſt the time to come. Are we in need, and neceſsities, abridged of that fulneſſe, which diuers others doe, as it were, ſwimme in? This holy ſpirit will ſuſtaine our hearts, and perſwade vsus of our heauenly fathers all ſufficiencie of goodneſſe, and abilitie of prouidence and prouiſion for vsus. That will teach and inable vsus, in whatſoeuer ſtate we are, therewith to be content: to be full and to be hungry, to abound and to hauehave want, to doe all things through the help of Chriſt which ſtrengtheneth vsus. Phil. 4. 12. 13.
Reproofe, firſt of them that too greedily labour to be rich, hunting continually both day and night, and at all times, with heart, and hand, and tongue, and all indeauour after theſe dangerous ſnares, deſiring vehemently the curſe of God vponupon their owne ſoules. Secondly, of them which by idleneſſe, or any other vnthriftie courſes, doe caſt themſelues into penury and want. When the Lord doth lay pouertie vponupon his ſeruants for a triall or exerciſe, he doth ſupport them with ſundry helpes: he moueth men to be compaſsionate towards them: his owne prouidence doth ſuccour them, when men, and ſtrength, and forecaſt, and all other externall meanes do faile them. And eſpecially they hauehave hope, and patience, and all inward ſupportance, which maketh the defect of outward things eaſie vntounto them. But when men will draw pouertie vponupon themſelues as a puniſhment, the mercies and commiſerations of men are reſtrained from them. Pſal. 109. 12. and their hearts being ouercome, are more ready to purſue them, with feare, and griefe, and diſcontentment, then all their neceſsities.