Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:1

These] Here begins a new Collection of Proverbs, long after Solomons time; which some choice men of King Hezekiah; likely by his appointment, Copied out of some of Solomons writtings then extant; or out of publike Records, Registers, and Commentaries, wherein for their worth and wisdome they were inserted. And in these Solomon most-what intreateth of higher matters, of State businesse, of Regal and Civil administrations.

Proverbs 25:2

to conceal] Such as are, the Union of three Persons into one Nature; and of two Natures into one Person: his wonderful Decrees, and the no lesse wonderful Execution of them, &c. Rom. XI. 33. Deut. XXIX. 29.

To search out] Chap. XVI. 10. Job XXIX. 16. 1 Kings III. 24, 27.

Proverbs 25:3

unsearchable.] As the two former, Jer. XXXI. 37. profundum sine fundo Jer. XVII. 9. 1 King. IV. 29. Much more unsearchable are the deep and hidden wayes of God; Rom. XI. 33, 34. we must adore them, when we cannot comprehend them. Neither must the subject think to attain to the depth of all the secret reasons and doings of a King, even when he is upright, and doth his dutie.

Proverbs 25:5

wicked from] Chap. XX. 8. Evil Counsellers about a King are great means of much mischief; as Human, Doeg, Rehoboams young Counsellers, Psal. CI. 4.

Proverbs 25:6

Put not forth] This is for modestie, and against ambition; which useth to ride without rains. Wait rather on Gods pleasure and leasure for thy promotion. Psal. LXXV. 5,—8.

Proverbs 25:7

better it is] Luke XIV. 10.

Proverbs 25:8

hastily] Hastie men never want woe, Eccles. V. 2. chap. XXIX. 20. He soone shoots his fools bolt.

Proverbs 25:9

Debate thy cause] Matth. V. 25. and XVIII. 15.

discover not] Specialy out of a revengeful minde; no nor thy friends secret. All wise men will abhorre such a one, as not to be trusted, but to be deemed as a tale bearer, or backbiter rather.

Proverbs 25:11

fitly spoken] Chap. XV. 23. Esay L. 4. Job VI. 25. Eccles. XII. 10. as apples of gold put in cases of silver cut-work, with curious inlayings and interlacings.

Proverbs 25:12

a wise reprover] Chap. IX. 9. Touch some never so gently, yet like the nettle, it will sting you. Exod. II. 14. Prov. XIII. 18. But an obedient eare deserves such earings of gold, as diamonds in a diademe; as wel as the wise reprover, that rightly orders and circumstantiates his words.

Proverbs 25:13

messenger] Verse 25. and chap. XIII. 17. His speed and trustiness revives and refresheth the longing and languishing minds of them that sent him, Job XXXIII. 23.

Proverbs 25:14

of a false gift] As the Devil, who promised Christ excelsa in excelsis, mountains on a mountain, Matth. IV. 9. Such are like clouds, &c. Jude verse 12.

Proverbs 25:15

By long forbearing] Chap. XV. 1. and chap. XVI. 14. Gen. XXXII. 4. 1 Sam. XXV. 24. Judg. VIII. 1, 2, 3. And thus not ministring occasion to provoke him further. Though it self be flesh, yet thus it breaketh the bone.

Proverbs 25:16

sufficieut] Philosophandum, sed paueis. We must not overdo a busines.

and vomit it] By excesse the sweetest comforts will be dissweetned, grow sower and loathsome, 1 Cor. VII. 29. We must hang loose, and be weanedly affected towards all creature comforts.

Proverbs 25:17

withdraw] Let thy foot be rare, and so precious there, 1 Sam. III. 1, overlay not thy neighbour, nor abuse his courtesie; take not too much of a free horse. Nulli te facias nimis sodalem.

Proverbs 25:18

false witnesse] Chap. XIX. 5. Psal. XLII. 10. and LVII. 4. A sinne of a deep die, of a crimson colour.

Proverbs 25:19

Confidence in an unfaithful man] As was Achitophel to David. Jobs miserable comforters, Job VI. 16, 17. There is faith to be kept with dogs, say the Turks; with Hereticks, say the Papists. David durst not trust Saul, 1 Sam. XXVII. 1. notwithstanding his fair speeches and promises, chap. XXVI. 17, 21. 25. Therefore trie well before we trust.

Proverbs 25:20

songs to an heavie heart.] Musick and Mourning agree like Harp and Harrow; Ecclus. XXII. 6. Dan. VI. 18. Or, as some render and sense the words, musick drives away sorrow, 1 Sam. XVI. 24. 2 Kings III. 15.

Proverbs 25:21

Enemie be hungrie] Exod. XXIII. 4. Matth. V. 44. Rom. XII. 20.

Proverbs 25:22

heap coals of fire] This seems to be related to, if not cited, Rom. XII. 19, 20. And the words are commonly expounded and understood of heaping vengeance on thy enemies head, and blessing on thine own, Psal. CXL. 10. But this seemes a very uncharitable Exposition; but so savour of a vindictive policie; and not to suit with Solomons, or Pauls main scope, and charitable intention. And contrarie to that, chap.

XX. 22. and chap. XXIV. 9. and to the tendencie of the text; And therefore these coals of fire thus heaped on the enemies head, may better be understood of his hearty repentance, kindled and burning in his head and heart, wherby his malice is melted, and himself grieved with burning and scalding sighs, that he hath been thine enemie, who hast been, and art so good as to desire and do him good, whiles he did thee evil: And thus the fire of love and charitie is kindled in his heart, and his evil overcome with thy goodnesse: as is in the Apostles Precept, and Exhortation annexed, Rom. XII. 21.

reward thee] Though he should not; nor be overcome by thy kindnesse and goodnesse.

Proverbs 25:23

a backbiting tongue] Brow-beat it. The tale-hearer is blamable, as well at the tale-bearer. And he that loves a lie, as he that makes it, Apoc. XXII. 15.

Proverbs 25:25

good newes] The more unexpected, the more welcome. Eminently is this true of the newes of salvation from heaven.

Proverbs 25:26

falling down] By infirmity, yeelding to him by timorousnesse in an evil thing; or otherwise falling under his reproof for sinniug, he is prejudiced and disgraced thereby; he is as a troubled fountain. Or, to fall down before him by any calamity, is a thing to be grieved at by all, as at a publick mischief.

Proverbs 25:27

their own glorie] It is not glorie, but vain-glorie Gal. V. 26. Iohn V. 44. and chap. XII. 43. Gloria fugientem sequitur.

Proverbs 25:28

no rule over] Chap. XVI. 32. that reigns not in, his unruly affections.