Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17:1

sacrifices] Good chear used at Sacrifices, chap. VII. 14. alluded to James V. 5. See chap. IX. 2.

Proverbs 17:3

trieth] Zech. XIII. 9. Mal. III. 2. 3. God trieth us, that we may know what is in our selves: and by his trying to refine us, 1 Pet. I. 7, or to punish us, Ier. XVII. 9, 10. See chap. XXVII. 21.

Proverbs 17:4

giveth heed] Is apt to beleeve scandalous reports.

Poor] chap. XIV. 31.

Proverbs 17:6

childrens] If they, and their fathers be good.

Proverbs 17:8

it prospereth] Chap. XIX. 6. most love gain; love with shame, Give ye.

Proverbs 17:9

covereth] For even in friendship faults will fall out, chap. X. 12. 1 Cor. XIII. 4.

repeateth] Rips up, and rakes into his friends frailties.

Proverbs 17:10

A reproof] A word to the wise.

an hundred stripes] Beaten he is, but not bent or bowed thereby to goodnesse; amerced he is, but not amended. Gods spirit did not set it on. Chap. XXVII. 22.

only rebellion] Against God, and Man.

a cruel messenger] Gods executioners, all, and every of his creatures; Hab. II. 11. And mans executioners, the hangman, and officers.

Proverbs 17:12

Whelps] Which she licketh into forme, and loves above measure. Yet her danger may be sooner shifted and shunned.

Proverbs 17:13

evil for good] This ingratitude is a monster in nature. To render good for evil, is divine; good for good, is humane; evil for evil, is sinful and bruitish; evil for good is devilish. Ier. XVIII. 20, 21. Psalme CIX. 4, 5.

Proverbs 17:14

The beginning] Therefore stop it betime; as one would a breach of the Sea. Quench it, whiles a spark. Iames III. 5. It is hard to be disingaged from contentious quarrels when one is once in. 1 Thes. IV. 11.

Proverbs 17:15

justifieth] These frame mischief by a Law, Psal. XCIV. 20. and sinne cum privilegio. Neither must Judge do thus: nor private men in their Censures. They must not hold him, or handle him as a just man.

Proverbs 17:16

a price] Principaly appliable to those that neglect so great salvation, Heb. II. 3. and let slip the opportunities put into their hands for heaven; and so trifle and fool away their time, and eternal happiness. The vulgar Latin and LXX. make another translation, and sense; not rightly.

Proverbs 17:17

A friend] A true friend, chap. XVIII. 24. and XXVII. 17. not such as those Psal. XXXVIII. 11. and chap. XIX. 7.

Scilicet ut fulvum spectatur in ignibus aurum, Tempore sic duro est experienda fides.

Proverbs 17:19

strife] Chap. XXIX. 22. and XV. 18. and XXVI. 21. James III. 16. Psal. XXXVII. 8. It opens the gap to many mischiefs.

gate] High and broad gates break men many times. Or rather, setteth open a wide door to strife and contentions, lets in many destructive mischiefs; though not in his intention, yet in issue.

Proverbs 17:21

begetteth a fool] Solomons own case, chap. X. 1. and chap. XV. 20. and chap. XIX. 13. Better were a miscarrying womb, and dry breasts.

Proverbs 17:22

A merry heart] Chap. XV. 13. and XII. 25. Eccles. IX. 7, 8, 9.

a broken spirit] Chap. XVIII. 14. Psal. XXXII. 3. and CII. 3, 4, 5 and CXIX. 83.

Proverbs 17:23

A wicked man] A Judge in taking, or receiving; a briber in giving, chap. XXIX. 4. chap. XV. 27. and chap. XXI. 14 Psal. XV. 5. and XXVI. 10. Job. XV. 34. Deut. XVI. 19. and chap. XXVII. 25.

Proverbs 17:24

before him] Easie to him, chap. XIV. 6. and chap. VIII. 9. Or, in his face and eye, appears there; chap. IV. 25. Eccles. II. 14 But the fools eyes up and down, wandering; and he as one that hath lost his way, nor knows where he is, or which way to turne, is besides himselfe.

Proverbs 17:26

to punish] They should be cherished.

nor to strike Princes for equity] Rulers, for doing right in their offices. Or, Princes should not strike well-doers. Or, to strike Princes and worthy men, besides and against right and equity.

Proverbs 17:27

spareth] James. I 19. chap. X. 19.

Proverbs 17:28

Even a fool] Job XIII. 5. Sitacuisses philosophus fuisses.

counted] Not that he is so. Or is wise in being silent. Whence is that, Loquere tte videam.