Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer] Chap. XXV. 15. As Gideons to the Ephraimites, Judg. VIII. And Abigaels apology to David, 1 Sam. XXV. 32, 33. Yet roughnes & hard language in some cases, & circumstances, is necessary.

Proverbs 15:2

The tongue] Which David stiles his glory; and he used it accordingly.

Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the Lord] As a well-drawn picture viewes all that come into the roome. The sinner vainly thinks to hide himself from God, by hiding God from himself. But the world, and our thoughts are to him as a sea of glasse. God like the Optick vertue in the eye sees all. Iob XXXIV. 21, 22.

Proverbs 15:4

tree of life] Gen. II. 9. Ezek. XLVII. 12. Apoc. XXII. 2.

breach] A sting and a staine, in the conscience, and spirit: yea, and grieves the spirit of God.

Proverbs 15:5

is prudent] Wise he is, and wiser he will be, Psal. XIV. 5.

Proverbs 15:6

much treasure] The righteous man is alwayes rich; and rich in all estates: rich in the most precious spiritual things; rich in reversions, in sure Bills and Bonds; rich in propriety, he holds all in capite, in Christ, he is no usurper of them, 1 Cor. III. 22. Rom. VIII. 32.

trouble] In getting, keeping, and fears of losing: together with sting of conscience, Iob XX. 15.

Proverbs 15:7

disperse knowledge] As Stars diffuse their light Phil. II. 15.

Proverbs 15:8

The sacrifice] As good words uttered with a stinking breath, from rotten lungs. Their sacrifice is abominable, quoad fontem, & quoad finem; not proceeding from a right principle; nor tending to the right end, which is Gods glory, that should consume all other ends, as the Sunne puts out the light of the fire. See chap. XXI. 27. Amos V. 22. Esay I. 11. and LXVI. 3. Jer. VI. 20. and VII. 22.

but the prayer] Esay XLV. 11. command ye me.

Proverbs 15:9

The way] Prov. XXI. 4. Their very consciences send up continual poisonous vapours unto God.

followeth after] With might and maine; as ravenous creatures have in chase their prey. Phil. III. 11,—14. resurrection of the dead that is, that height of holinesse that accompanieth the resurrection.

Proverbs 15:10

Correction is grievous] Being in love with his own ruine.

hateth reproof] Being imbittered, not bettered by it.

Proverbs 15:11

Hell] Job XXVI. 6 Psal. CXXXIX. 12. Heb. IV. 13. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; though invisible to us.

Proverbs 15:12

loveth not] Yea hates, Amos V. 10.

neither will he go] As he should. Dan. XII. 4. 2 Kings IV. 23. Psal. LXXXIV. 7. Esay LXVI. 20. He saith, as Jeroboam, 1 Kings XII. 28.

Proverbs 15:13

A merrie heart] Acts VI. 15. and V. 41. Cant. II. 4. This chiefly is true spiritualy.

broken] Is as a limb out of joynt. A dejected spirit takes off as it were the wheels of the soul.

Proverbs 15:14

seeketh knowledge] As an hungry man seeks meat; or a covetous man gold; the more he hath, the more he desireth.

feedeth] As swine do on swill.

Proverbs 15:15

a continual feast] This is eminently true in a good, clear, and chearful conscience, 2 Cor. I. 9, 12.

Proverbs 15:16

a little] It is not the great cage makes the bird sing: neither do they sing when they are on the ground, but when got up into the aire, or on boughs of trees, from the ground. See chap. XVI. 8. and XVII. 1, 15. Psal. XXXVII. 16. 1 Tim. IV. 8. and VI. 6.

Proverbs 15:18

appeaseth strife] Is busie to stint it, not to stir it up. See chap. XXII. 24.

Proverbs 15:19

is made plaine] By much practise having gotten an habit, he dispatcheth duty with delight, and comes off with comfort. Esay XL. 31. Christs yoak is no more burdensome to him, then the wing is to the bird.

Proverbs 15:24

is above] In heaven; and thitherward he goes, Phil. III. 20. Col. III. 1. He deals in low and earthly things, as a wise man may sport with children: but that is not his businesse.

hell beneath] That when the cold grave shall have his body, hot hell may not hold his soul.

Proverbs 15:25

widow] That hath none to stick to her, and stickle for her. So to the Shunamite, the widow of Sarepta, and of the poor Prophet, 2 King, IV.

Proverbs 15:26

The thoughts] Thoughts are not free, Jer. VI. 19.

pleasant words.] Mal. III. 16. chap. X. 20. and XXV. 11.

Proverbs 15:27

troubleth] Fires his own nest, when he thinks to feather it: and troubles all his houshold with hast, and hurrie, to get gain.

Proverbs 15:28

studieth] His tongue runs not before his wit.

Proverbs 15:29

heareth the prayer] Psal. CXLV. 18. 1 Pet. III. 12. the breathing, Lam. III. 56. the minde of the spirit, Rom. VIII. 26, 27. Baal hears not, though they call on him never so long, never so loud, 1 Kings XVIII. See 2 Chron. XXXIII. 13.

Proverbs 15:30

The light] Light and sight are comfortable, Eccl. XI. 7.

Proverbs 15:32

reproof] Better the Vine should bleed, then die.

Proverbs 15:33

before honour is humility] The lower the ebbe the higher the tide. The lower this foundation of humility is laid, the higher shall the roof of honour be over-laid. Honour followeth him that flies from it; as the shadow doth the body.