Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28:1

The wicked flee] Being hotly haunted, hunted, and pursued by the blood-hounds, and furies of their own guilty consciences. So Gen. IV. 14. Levit. XXVI. 17, 36, 37. God caused the Canaanites to flee, Josh. XXIV. 12. And the Syrians, 2 Kings VII. 7.

bold as a lion] As Noah, mediis tranquillus in undis: si fractus illabatur orbis, impavidum ferient ruinae. Such is their privie-armour of proof, the power of the Spirit, and spiritual graces within them, Heb. XI. 33, 34. Ephes. VI. 16.

Proverbs 28:2

Many are the Princes] Either as Competitors, or intruders; entring, and endling in blood. As in the History of the Kings of Israel, and in many others, frequently appears. See Esay III. 4. Hos. XIII. 11. 1 Sam. XII. 25.

a man of understanding] Job XXII. 30. 2 Sam. XX. 16. Eccles. IX. 13, 14, 15. Jer. V. 1.

Proverbs 28:3

A poor man] As that mercilesse fellow-servant, Matth. XVIII. 28. He should rather pitie such, as knowing in himself the miserie of povertie, then oppresse them, and rob the Hospital and Spittle.

Proverbs 28:4

Praise the wicked] As birds of a feather keep together. Like will to like. They swim in one streame, and tyde.

contend with them] Chap. XXIX. 277. Psal. CXXXIX. 21, 22. and LXIX. 9. and CXIX. 158. 1 Pet. IV. 4. 2 Chron XIX. 2. He hates sinne as hell. There is an antipathy between the forsakes and keepers of the Law.

Proverbs 28:5

understand not] Their wits work not that way, 1 John II. 4, 20, 27. 1 Cor. II. 14, 15. Esay I. 3.

Proverbs 28:8

Usurie] See the Annotations on Ezek. XVIII. 8. See also Nehem. V. 7, 10. Ezek. XXII. 12. And see that Matth. XXV. 27.

for him] Chap. XIII. 22. Job XXVII. 17. Eccles. II. 26.

Proverbs 28:9

even his Prayer] Chap. XV. 8. and I. 28. Jer. XI. 11. and XIV. 2. Zech. VII. 12, 13. John 9. 31.

Proverbs 28:10

to go astray] Chap. XXVI. 27. Matth. XV. 14. He shall be catcht in his own trap.

upright] 2 Pet. III. 17. and 1 Pet. I. 5.

Proverbs 28:11

in his own conceipt] A very small winde will blow up a bubble, Chap. XIV. 12. and Chap. XVI. 2, 25. and Chap. XXI. 2. See the Explanations on those texts. This rich man here thanks his wit for his wealth; he sacrificeth to his own net, 1 Tim. VI. 17.

Proverbs 28:12

great glorie] Verse 28. Chap. XI. 10. and Chap. XXIX. 2. Their joy carries publick and eminent good in the mouth of it, as the Cause of it: and so bespeaks a common joy.

hidden] Keeps close, or flees. So Matth. II. 13. Apoc. XII. 14. And those worthies, of whom the world was not worthie, Heb. XI. 38.

Proverbs 28:13

covereth his sinnes] Psal. XXXII. 5. 1 John I. 9, 10. Job. XXXI. 33. Gen. III. 12, 13. Sinne and shifts came into the world together. But if not confession, sure confusion will follow upon it. In the Court of Heaven, it is best to plead, Guilty. 2 Sam. XXIV. 10.

and forsaketh] Many Papists use Confession, as drunkards use vomiting; not to forsake sinne, but that they may adde drunkennesse to thirst.

Proverbs 28:14

hardeneth his heart] Esay LXIII. 17. Psal. XCV. 8. Heb. III. 8, 15. and IV. 7. The dehortation in this case is urgent; the accusation dreadful; the sinne it self direful. As the heart; so the neck, and the face are said to be hardened, made stiffe not to hear, harder then a rock. God is said to harden the hearts of Pharaoh, and sundrie others: And that whom he will he hardeneth, Rom. IX. 18. But how he doth this, see in the Observations on Esay VI. 9, 10.

fall] Into ruine, without remedie.

Proverbs 28:15

a wicked ruler] As a Lion, and Bear, Zeph. III. 3. Micah III. 3, 11. Jer. LI. 34.

Proverbs 28:17

flee to the pit] Die without mercie, Gen. IX. 6. Exod. XXI. 14. Deut. XIX. 13.

Proverbs 28:18

uprightly] Chap. X. 9. Psal. XXIII. 4.

perverse] Crooked, and doubling; can shift his saile to every wind, 6. chap. XIX. 1.

Proverbs 28:19

tilleth] Chap. XII. 11. We must earne our bread ere we eate it.

Proverbs 28:24

robbeth] As Micah rob’d his mother, Judg. XVII. 1, 2. And Absalom did his father of his crown.

Proverbs 28:25

proud heart] Chap. XIII. 10. through haughtinesse and ambition, thinking great thoughts of himself, and nothing too good for himself, not enduring to be crossed in the least, Esay II. 11, 12, 13.

trust in the Lord] 1 Tim. VI. 6. That which would break a proud mans heart, will not break an humble mans sleep.

Proverbs 28:27

giveth] Chap. XIX. 17. See there Chap. XXII. 9. and chap. XXIX. 7. 2 Cor. IX. 6, 7. Deut. XV. 8, 10. Matth. V. 42. and chap. X. 42. Luke VI. 35. Esay LVIII. 7. Eccles. XI. 1, 2. Job XXIX. 16. and Ch. XXXI. 16,—20.