Exposition of Proverbs 1-3, Expositions · Chapter 2 · Verse 21
Verſ. 21. For the upright ſhall dwell in the land: and the perfect ſhall remain in it.
The Chapter is concluded with the reward of good and bad men. In this verſe is ſet out a gracious promiſe to encourage men to walke in upright wayes. In the next a threatning to diſcourage them from bad wayes.
For the firſt.
Here is a motive to follow the righteous, and not the wicked, by an argument taken from that which men naturally moſt deſire, long life upon earth, together with an eſtabliſhment in our poſſeſſions, and not through Gods judgements to be waſted, and decay in our eſtates, and ſo come to poverty, or to die ignominiouſly, and not to live out half our dayes. Withall he ſhews that we are not good and righteous, except we walk uprightly and ſincerely.
For the words.
For. See on ch. 1.9.
The upright. See on v. 7.
Shall dwell in the Land. Solomon ſpeaks after the cuſtome of the Old Teſtament, wherein God purpoſing not ſo fully to reveal ſpirituall and heavenly things and bleſſings to his people, as now, did ſecretly ſhadow them under earthly comforts, and encourage his people to obedience by ſuch promiſes. As in the fiſt Commandement long life is promiſed to thoſe that honour parents. So many temporall bleſſings are promiſed to ſuch as obey Gods Law, Deut. 11. & 28. By dwelling in the land, is meant long life, and health, and ſtrength, and plenty of all good things in that Land of Canaan that flowed with milk and honey. It is not bare dwelling there that is promiſed, but accompanyed with all things fit, commodious, comfortable and profitable. This is that ſafe dwelling, promiſed ch. 1.33. And this God performed to the Jews, while they worſhipped him aright; and when they fell to. Idolatry, he ſent them captives to Babylon. So that this v. ſhews who ſhall be kept from evil; to wit, juſt and upright men. Yet ſome enlarge this promiſe to fignifie grace here, and glory in heaven, ſhadowed under the type of the Land of Canaan. Others take it more largely then for that Land, intimating, that ordinarily in any parts of the earth, where godly men live, God uſually bleſſes them, unleſſe he pleaſe to correct his people for their fins, or to try their graces, or to call them out to bear witneſſe to his truth. If it be objected, that godly men ſuffer hardſhip and hunger here; it may be anſwered, that in that eſtate they enjoy great tranquillity, content, and felicity, as ſeeing God in all, and depending upon him for help. It is well with them for the preſent, and it will be better hereafter. Heaven will make amends for all. If it be further objected, that good men ſometimes live leſſe while on earth then others; it may be ſaid, that God makes them abundant amends in heaven, in the land of the living. If it be further urged, that this is no encouragement to godlineſſe, becauſe wicked men have as much, and oftentimes more in the earth, then godly men have; I anſwer, that theſe may have more comfort in what they have, as having not onelyonly a civill title, but a ſpirituall one alſo, and ſo ſhall never be indited as uſurpers at the day of judgement.
foreign, The land, or earth. Which laft word may well come from it, the letters are ſo like. It ſignifies,
1. That part of the world, which is oppoſed to heaven, containing Sea and Land, wherein men dwell, and beaſts and fiſhes lodge. The earth is given into the hand of the wicked, Job 9.24. The earth is the Lords, and the fulneſſe thereof, the world, and they that dwell therein, Pſal. 24.1.
2. The dry part of the world, oppoſed to ſea and rivers. The earth is full of thy riches, ſo is this great Sea, Pſal. 104.24, 25.
3. Some particular Land or Countrey. In the Land of Ʋz, Job 1.1.
4. For the inhabitants of the earth, or of ſome Land or Countrey in it. The earth alſo was corrupt before God, and the earth alſo was filled with violence, Gen. 6.11. For the tranſgreſſion of a Land many are the Princes thereof, Prov. 28.2.
Here it is taken in the third ſenſe, for the dry land, or more particularly for the Land of Canaan, wherein Solomon dwelt, and of which he ſpake; the plenty and comfort whereof they well knew to whom he ſpake, and might be much encouraged thereby to obedience.
The perfect. See on ch. 1.12. on the word whole. Hereby is meant ſuch as are perfect in heart, and ſincere; and alſo perfect in parts having all needfull graces in them, as a childe hath all members, that a man hath, though not ſo large. For as for perfection of degrees, none on earth hath attained to it. Shall remain in it. They ſhall not onelyonly finde an abiding place there, but alſo when adulterers, and other wicked livers ſhall waſte their eſtates, and ſhotten their dayes by their ſinfull courſes, and ſo be gone out of the land by death or exile, they ſhall live quietly and proſperouſly in it. An oppoſition to v. 18. & 22.
Figures none.
Note. 1. A comfortable dwelling promiſed to the righteous.
2. A conſtant abiding, even when others are cut off.
In the former note,
1. The word of coherence, For.
2. The perſons, the upright.
3. The act, ſhall dwell.
4. The object, in the Land.
In the latter obſerve,
1. The perſons, And the perfect.
2. The act, ſhall remain.
3. The object, in it.
1. Doct. The Scripture gives many encouragements to men to walk in good wayes. As,
1. Precepts. All the ten Commandements, the moſt exact rule of a godly life, that ever was.
2. Exhortations. I beſeech you therefore Brethren, by the mercies of God, Rom. 12.1. Who would not be perſwaded, when God himſelf exhorts by his Miniſters, that might command?
3. Examples of the excellenteſt men that ever lived on the face of the earth. See ſtore of them recorded and commended, who lived before Chriſts incarnation, Heb. 11. Apoſtles afterwards. Yea, Chriſt himſelf the example of examples. Be ye followers of me, as I alſo am of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 11.1.
4. Rich promiſes. If ye be willing and obedient, ye ſhall eat the good of the Land, Iſa. 1.19. Bleſſed are the meek, for they ſhall inherit the earth, Mar. 5.5.
4. The Goſpel, which ſhews us a ſecond and greater ground of of godly life, then the Law or Creation did. The grace of God, that bringeth ſalvatien hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying ungodlineſſe, &c. Titus 2.11, 12.
6. It ſets out the help of the Spirit. Some walk after the Spirit, and are led by the Spirit, Rom 8.1, 14. Without this help we might utterly deſpair of walking in good wayes. We could no more do it, then a man could chooſe, or walk in a fair way in the world, that had not a ſoul or ſpirit in him to direct him.
7. Gods acceptation is there ſet out. Our beſt actions are ſinfull. God likes not ſuch. And if they may not be accepted, who would loſe his labour to do them? Cornelius his prayers and almeſ-deeds, were come up for a memoriall before God, Act. 10.4.
8. Gods commendation. This is more then acceptation. When a Father proclaims to others what a good Son he hath, it ſhews abundance of love in him, and encourages the childe to pleaſe him. So God doth animate us, I know thy works, Rev. 2.2, 9, 13, 19.
9. Gods preſervation of us in good wayes, when our hearts are ſet upon them, and we are ignorantly in danger. So he kept Abimelech from touching Sarah, Gen. 20.6.
Ʋſe. It ſhould encourage Chriſtians to be more carefull of their wayes then all the world beſides. We ſhould be brighter then others, as the ſtars are brighter then the firmament. Heathen have few encouragements in compariſon of us. Turks have not much more. Jews want the New Teſtament. Papiſts may not read the Scriptures. We have all encouragements to good wayes. Let us therefore ſay with the Pſalmiſt, I will run the way of thy commandements, when thou ſhalt enlarge my heart, Pſal. 119.32.
6. Doct. When wicked men are cut off, God ſometimes ſpares the good. The truth will appear, if you compare this v. with the next. And alſo in Noah's deliverance from the Flood, and Lot's in Sodom. When the wicked are cut off, thou ſhall ſee it, Pſal. 37.34.
Reaſon 1. To ſhew Gods ſpecial care and providence over them. Joſeph's parti-coloured coat, and Benjamin's large meſſe, were ſignes of ſpeciall love.
2. To draw men to piety. We are in part carnall. Abraham hath Canaan and a numerous poſterity promiſed him, to encourage him in piety.
Ʋſe 1. If we be preſerved when others periſh, let us acknowledge Gods favour to be the cauſe of it. We had ſins as well as they, and deſerved to be cut off as well as they.
2. Let us be encouraged to piety. If there be any way in the world to eſcape judgements, this is it. Landlords do not uſe to turn their tenants out of dores, while they keep covenants. Good men are ſaid to inherit the earth, bad men onelyonly to poſſeſſe it.
3. Doct. Uprightneſſe is expected of thoſe that expect Gods bleſſing. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace, Pſal. 37.37. Light is ſown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart, Pſal. 97.11.
Reaſon 1. Becauſe God hates hypocrifie. It is moſt contrary to the God of truth.
2. He hates evill ends.
3. He hates ſelf-ends in men, who ſhould all ſerve his ends.
4. He hates by-ends, when men aim at any thing that tends not to his glory.
Ʋſe. Try if ye be ſincere. Elſe your hopes are like ſpiders webs, Job 8.13, 14. Try it by theſe notes. An upright man is he,
1. To whom nothing is diſpleaſing that God hath done.
2. To whom God is pleaſing in all the good the man himſelf doth.
3. To whom God is not diſpleaſing in any evill, that he ſuffers.
4. That doth not reſiſt God his Father, when he goes about to mend him.
5. That baleeves God his Father in all he promiſes.
6. That layes all his ſins upon himſelf.
7. He that attributes all his good deeds to God.
8. He that directs his will by Gods will, as the Clock is ordered by the Sun-dial.
9. He that doth all good from the heart.
4. Doct. Perfection is expected of them that look for Gods bleſſing. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father, which is in heaven is perfect, Mat. 5.48. I will behave my ſelf wiſely in a perfect way, O when wilt thou come unso me? I will walk within my houſe with a perfect heart, Pſal. 101.2.
Reaſon. Becauſe all perfections are required of ſuch as expect happineſſe. As,
1. Perfection of ſincerity. This was proved in the former point. A fincere man is a perfect man. An hypocrite is but a picture of a man.
2. Perfection of parts. Every ſaving grace muſt be had and uſed. So a childe is a perfect man. A defective monſter is not.
3. Perfection of integrity. When our obedience is univerſall to all Gods commandements.
4. Perfection of degrees. That is required intentionally, and ſhall be given us actually, before we come to heaven. So a childe is not a perfect man, till he come to his full growth.
Ʋſe. Be like good trees, ſound within and without, in root, body, branches, and grow higher toward heaven ſtill. Elſe look for no bleſſing from God.
5. Doct. God often gives good men a comfortable and quiet continuance in their habitations. As to David, after his troubles from Saul and Abſolon. To Solomon, for a long time.
Reaſon 1. That they may have the more time to ſerve God, and do good. A breathing time, that the Churchet having reſt, may be…ed fied, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the holy Ghoſt, may be multiplyed, Act. 9.31.
2. That they may have the more encouragement to do it. Mens ſpirits are down in trouble, and have enough to doe to ſuffer patiently. They are freer for action in quietneſſe. Where God looks for ſuffering, he puts not to action.
Ʋſe. Bleſſe God for the quietneſſe and comfort we have had in this City in all theſe dangerous times, both for ſoul and body. Other parts, both beyond Sea, and in this Land, have not been dealt ſo bountifully withall. He ſheweth his word unto Jacob, his ſtatutes and his judgements unto Iſrael. He hath not dealt ſo with any Nation; and as for his judgements, they have not known them. Praiſe ye the Lord, Pſal. 147.19, 20. We have alſo had ſo much agreement between godly men of different judgements, as is ſcarce any where elſe to be found. Let God have the praiſe, as we have the comfort.
6. Doct. God many times makes good men thrive upon earth. As Abraham, Iſaac, Jacob.
Reaſon 1. That it may appear that God doth not grudge earth to thoſe to whom he will give heaven. He that ſpared not his owne Son, but delivered him up for us all, how ſhall he not with him alſo freely give us all things? Rom. 8.32. Seek ye firſt the Kingdome of God, and his righteouſneſſe, and all theſe things ſhall be added unto you, Mat. 6.33.
2. That they may have the more means to glorifie God, having the larger talents.
Ʋſe. If God give any good man wealth and proſperity, let him uſe it well, that he may give a good account of it. He is but a factor. He muſt honor his Maſter, if he will enrich himſelf. This Gods bounty requires, and he that doth ſo, may look for comfort from God.