Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16:1

The preparations] Or disposings, verse 9. and chap. XVI. 9. and chap. XIX. 21. and chap. XX. 24. Ier. X. 23.

is from the Lord] By the obstetrication of his assistance; and by his secret influence, and disposing providence, beyond mans own imagination Acts XVII. 28. Esay X. 7.

Proverbs 16:2

in his own eyes] Chap. XXI. 2. He thinks his penny good silver. But all is not gold that glisters, Luke XVI. 15. Rom. II. 29. Iudg. XVII. 13. we set up a counter for a thousand pounds.

weigheth the spirits] Chap. V. 21. the inside; and there discovers a New-found world of wickednesse.

Proverbs 16:3

Commit] Luke XII. 29. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, Psal. LV. 22. as it were, by a writ of removal. 1 Pet. V. 7. Psal. XXXVII. 5.

established] Till then it flickers up and down, as Noahs Dove, till it return to the Ark.

Proverbs 16:4

for himself] His own glory, and the demonstration of his goodnesse, properties, and attributes, Rom. XI. 36.

for the day of evil] Iob XXI. 30. as they are wicked men; and as such looked upon by God: though he created them good; and he be the absolute Sovereign Lord of all his creatures, and his will be both recta and regula. He justly keeps, orders, and ordains such for the day of their deserved punishment, Rom. IX. 17. 21, 22.

Proverbs 16:5

though hand] Chap. XI. 21. Heb. X. 31.

Proverbs 16:6

By mercie and truth] Of God; Chap. XIV. 22. his mercie in promising, his truth in performing. Or, where these graces are in man, there iniquity is purged. Piety, and grace, and the fear of God, are a sure token of remission of sins.

Proverbs 16:7

even his enemies] Sinne is the make-bate. Please God; Esay XXVII. 4, 5. and all his creatures are at his beck and check. God made Laban, and Esau, at peace with Iacob; Gen. XXXI. and XXXIII. Chapters.

Proverbs 16:10

A divine sentence] Is, or should be, and best becomes them. See it in Solomon, 1 Kings III. 24. in David, 2 Sam. XIV. 17, 20. a discerning power and sagacitie was in them, which God gave them.

Proverbs 16:11

his work] His Ordinance. Stones were used for weights. And they usualy put into a bag, Deut. XXV. 13.

Proverbs 16:12

to Kings] For they are more obliged to God then other men: and their sinnes are exemplarie. Magnates are Magnetes.

throne] Ier. XXII. 13,—20.

Proverbs 16:13

love him] Chap. XXII. 11. yet oft-times it falls out otherwise with wicked Kings.

Proverbs 16:14

pacifie it] As Abigael did Davids; and Benhadads servants did Ahabs. No other way is to be taken.

Proverbs 16:15

of the later raine] Deut. XI. 14. James V. 7. Amos IV. 7. See my Annotations on Joel. II. 23. and on Zech. X. 1.

Proverbs 16:17

The highway] This is his road, and trade, Psal. CXXXIX. 24. Acts XXIV. 16.

Proverbs 16:18

Pride] Swelling is dangerous in a wall, Esay XXX. 13. dangerous in mans body; so is the swelling of pride. Examples many of the fall of such.

Proverbs 16:19

Better] to be spoiled, then to spoil: to suffer wrong, then to do it.

Proverbs 16:20

wisely] With due deliberation and circumspection.

trusteth in the Lord] Not in his own wisdome. God can crack the strongest sinew in all the arme of flesh, Esay XXII. 11.

Proverbs 16:21

sweetnesse of the lips] Eloquence gives an addition of weight to learning.

Proverbs 16:23

teacheth] Seasoneth it with salt of grace; ere it sets it by utterance, as a dish, before the hearers.

Proverbs 16:24

pleasant words] Such as those, Eccles. XII. 10.

Proverbs 16:27

lips] James III. 6

Proverbs 16:30

He shutteth his eyes] With more freedome of minde to beat his brains, and study, to excogitate, and revolve, and resolve of mischief.

moving his lips] Mumbling and muttering to himself.

Proverbs 16:32

Then he that taketh a Citie] Fortior est qui se, quàm qui fortissima vincit moenia, Nec virtus altiùs ire potest.

Proverbs 16:33

The Lot] Gods Providence extendeth to things in our account meerly contingent and casual. Matth. X. 29. See Josh. XIV. 2. 1 Sam. X. 20. Acts I. 24, 25, 26. See my Annotations on Jonah I. 7.