Proverbs 27

Proverbs 27:1

of to morrow] Iames IV. 13, 14. Luke XII. 19, 20. Psal. XXX. 6. 9. Iudg. V. 28, 29, 30, 31. 1 Kings XX. 10, 20. No man knowes what is in the womb of to morrow, Matth. VI. 34.

Proverbs 27:2

Let another man praise] Against arrogant boasting, and vaine-glorious praising of a mans self, 2 Cor. X. 18. Mat. VI. 1. Luke XVIII. 11, 12. Let our works, not our words, praise us; Prov. XXXI. 31. Ruth III. 11. 3 John 12. And God will provide that fame and praise shall attend vertue, as the shadow doth the body; yea, in the consciences of their enemies; as it was with David, in the heart, and mouth of Saul; and with Daniel; in the minde and affection of Darius, who yet was wrought upon to cast him into the den of Lions. Neverthelesse a man must stand in defence of his own innocencie, as David eftsoones did; and in such like cases may praise himself, 2 Cor. XI. 5, 6, 10, 16, 17, 18—33. and Chap. XII. 1, 11.

Proverbs 27:3

a fools wrath] See the Observations on chap. XXVI. 3.

Proverbs 27:4

envie?] Chap. XIV. 30. See the Observations there. Or, jealouzie, chap. VI. 34, 35. See Deut. XXXII. 21. Gen. XXVI. 14. and XXX. 1. and XXXVII. 11. Gal. V. 21, 26. Iob V. 2. Prov. XIV. 30. Eccl. IV. 4. Matth. XXVII. 18. Tit. III. 3. Iames IV. 5. 1 Pet. II. 1. Acts XIII 45.

Proverbs 27:5

Open rebuke] Chap. XVII. 10. and I. 30. and chap. XXVIII. 23. Psal. CXLI. 5. Levit. XIX. 17. Much better is this then that love of Hira the Adullamite to Iudah, Gen. XXXVIII. 20. or of Jonadab to Ammon, 2 Sam. XIII. 5. This though unpleasing, is wholsome.

Proverbs 27:6

Faithful] They proceed from very faithfulnesse and friendship to us.

Kisses] As those of Joab, Absalom, Judas, &c. chap. XXVI. 23.

Proverbs 27:7

loatheth] But hunger is the best Cook, and sawce. Apply it spiritualy. Num. XI. 6. Matth. V. 6.

Proverbs 27:8

wandereth] From his place and calling; idle, or not content with his present station and condition.

Proverbs 27:9

sweetnesse of a mans friend] Psal. XLV. 8. as a fresh gale of sweet aire; as sweet ointment, and odoriferous perfume: eminently true in the spiritual friend; Job XXXIII. 23. Psal. LV. 14. His sweet friendship comforts more then a mans own counsel can.

Proverbs 27:10

friend] Chap. XVII. 17. and chap. XVIII. 24.

brothers house] Thy Carnal kindred will sooner fail thee; when thy old friend will stick to thee; as Jonathan did to David; Onesiphorus to Paul.

Proverbs 27:11

My sonne be wise] Chap. X. 1. and chap. XV. 20. and chap. XXIII. 24. and XXIX. 3.

Proverbs 27:12

foreseeth] Chap. XXII. 3. See the Explanations there.

Proverbs 27:14

rising early] Over-doing it, as in voice, so in time; early, lest any other should be seene to exceed him. Thus praising him to his face, chap. XXIX. 5.

Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpeneth] Specialy spiritualy. Mal. III. 10, 17. Heb. X. 24. Acts XVIII. 5. A mutual quickening in dul and dead times, is Christian conference.

Proverbs 27:18

Fig-tree, shall eate] 1 Cor. IX. 7, 8.

Waiteth on his Master] As Joseph, Daniel, Mordecai, &c. 1 Tim. VI. 1, 2. God will honour them; though some Masters do not; Col. III. 22, 23, 24.

Proverbs 27:19

in water face] A man in himself, as in a glasse, may see the state, temper, conditions, qualities, dispositions, of another; of what kinde soever; or sorely and shrewdly guesse at them.

Proverbs 27:20

Hell] So the lusts and desires of men are never satisfied, Eccles. I. 8. and chap. V. 10.

Proverbs 27:21

so is a man to his praise] Chap. XVII. 3. His own worth proves his praise; and purifies it too. Yea, and a man may be known what he is by them by whom he is praised.

Proverbs 27:23

the state of thy flock] Oversee them, as Boaz did; Ruth II. 4. and chap. III. 2, 7. 1 Chron. XXVII. 25,—31. And 1 Kings IV. 6, 7, 27, 28. 2 Chron. XXVI. 10. The profit and commodities of this careful husbandrie, and thrift, are set down in the verses following.