Proverbs 24

Proverbs 24:1

to be with them] In their state, and at their stay. For this David befools, and bebeasts himself, Psal. LXXIII. 10, 22.

Proverbs 24:2

studieth] Great students, to be wittily wicked.

lips] It blistereth out at their tongues end.

Proverbs 24:3

Through wisdome] Chap. III. 13, 19.

Proverbs 24:5

Is strong] Chap. XXI. 22. 5

Proverbs 24:6

warre] Chap. XX. 18. and chap. XV. 22. and chap. XI. 14.

Proverbs 24:7

too high] Chap. XIV. 6. and chap. VIII. verse 9. and chap. IX. 1. Yet the highest and saving wisdome is too high for the wisest natural man, 1 Cor. II 14.

openeth not] He were two fools if he did.

Proverbs 24:8

deviseth] Is an Artist at any evil.

Proverbs 24:9

The thought] Chap. XIV. 22. and chap. VI. 18. and chap. XII. 5. and chap. XV. 26. Esay LIX. 7. Jer. IV. 14.

Proverbs 24:10

If thou faint] Gen. XLIX. 23, 24. Man hath no trial of his strength till he be in trouble.

Proverbs 24:11

If thou forbear] Psal. LXXXII. 4. Esay LVIII. 6, 7. It being in thy power to deliver such innocent persons, Mark III. 4. Job XXIX. 17. and XXXI. 8, 9.

Proverbs 24:12

If thou sayest] Sinnes are not to seek for excuses. But they availe not with God, Psal. XI. 4. Iob XXXIV. 22. Ier. XVII. 9, 10.

Proverbs 24:14

When thou hast found it] Experimental knowledge is the only true knowledge, Heb. X. 34. Iosh. XXIII. 14. A literal notion of the brain comes short of it.

A reward] Psal XIX. 10, 11. and CXIX. 103. chap. XXIII. 18.

Proverbs 24:16

falleth] Into trouble. It is not here meant of falling into sinne, Micah VII. 8.

And riseth] Iob V. 19. Psal. XXXIV. 19, 20. and XXXVII. 24. and XCI. 3. James. I. 2.

The wicked fall] As Nahum I. 9. into an Only evil, Ezek. VII. 5. Esther VI. 13. Job V. 12. Amos VIII. 14. Jer. XXV. 27. Esay XXIV. 20.

Proverbs 24:17

Rejoyce not] Chap. XVII. 5. Job XXXI. 29. Psal. XXXV. 12, —16. Obad. 12. 2 Sam. I. 11, 12. Matth. V. 44. Rom. XII. 19.

thine enemie] But only so farre as Gods glory is concerned in it. And still pitie his person, Psal. LVIII. 10.

Proverbs 24:18

from him] To thee.

Proverbs 24:20

no reward] The pain of Losse. And sure the tears of hell are not sufficient to bewail the losse of heaven.

Proverbs 24:21

fear] Who would not fear thee O King of Nations, Ier. X. 7. And the King must be feared, 1 Pet. II. 1. Rom. XIII. 3. under God, Acts IV. 19.

Proverbs 24:22

suddenly] When it comes; though delayed awhile, Had Zimri peace that slew his master?

of them both] That fear not the Lord, and the King.

Proverbs 24:23

These things also belong to the wise] Concerne wise men to look unto. Not that the sentences following were taken out of wise mens books, or saings; after Solomon, and before the time of Ezechiah.

not good] Verie bad, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. The like is chap. X. 2. and chap. XX. 23. Psal. V. 5. 1 Cor. XVI. 22. Exod. XX. 7.

respect of persons] Chap. XVIII. 5. chap. XXVIII. 21. Levi. XIX. 25. Deut. I. 17. and XVI. 19.

Proverbs 24:24

Thou art righteous] Chap. XVII. 15. Esay V. 23. Exod. XXIII. 7.

Proverbs 24:25

that rebuke him] Job XXIX. 11,—17.

a good blessing] Of every good man.

Proverbs 24:26

Kisse] Gen. XLI. 40. Shall do him honour, Psal. II, 11.

Proverbs 24:27

afterwards build thine house] First be sure of the means how to compasse it, Luke XIV. 28,—33. Do things of necessity first; after, of accommodation.

Proverbs 24:28

without cause] Without a calling; or, against thine own conscience.

deceive not] To bolster out a bad cause, or out-face a good; or, ot entise another, to suborne him to be a false witnesse.

Proverbs 24:29

Say not] Chap. XX. 22. Rom. XII. 17. 1 Thes. V. 15. 1 Pet. III. 9. Matth. V. 39. Rom. XII. 17. This is to wring the sword out of Gods had, Rom. XII. 19.

Proverbs 24:30

sloathful] See on Chap. VI. 6.

Proverbs 24:32

received instruction] A Bee can suck honie out of a flower, which a Flie cannot. A spiritual man can extract good out of other mens faults and follies; can gather grapes of thornes, and figs of thistles. The worse others are, the better we should be, saving our selves from an untoward generation; and redeeming the time because the dayes are evil.

Proverbs 24:33

yet a little sleep] Little, and yet sleeps, plutaly in the Original. A little he asks, but a little will not serve his turne. Thus he personates the sluggard speaking.

Proverbs 24:34

povertie] The beggar shall catch him by the back, swiftly, and irresistibly.