Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16:6

Before Christ 1 Don. iv. 2. Luke vi. 3. 4. Chap. iv. 5.

6. • By mercy and truth iniquity is purged; and ’ by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Two things man a sinner needs from God: to be cleansed from the guilt, to be delivered from the power of his sins; and both are accomplished by the mercy of God in sending his Son Christ Jesus for a propitiation, and by his truth in fulfilling the promises of the everlasting covenant iniquity is purged; and there is no condemnation lying against the believing foul, which by the fear of the Lord, implanted in the heart, the power of evil is broken, and we are enabled to depart from the bondage of corruption.

7. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Proverbs 16:7

God hath in his hands the hearts of all men, and strange changes he can effect, turning the bitterest foes into the warmest friends; and those who pleas him may safely trust him; he will preserve them, and gain them respect and favour from those with whom they least expected to find it.

8 Pl. viholi. 10. Chap. iv. 10.

8. • Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right.

Proverbs 16:8

It is not abundance, but God’s blessing, which can give as enjoyment of worldly goods. A little, got in an honest way, and used in a gracious manner, is better, does more good, gives more content, and will last longer, than great revenue without right, which are often squandered as profusely as they were acquired unjustly, are embittered with wrath, and must be brought to a fearful account in the day of recompense.

9. ’ A man’s heart deviest his way: but ’ the LORD directeth his steps.

Riches are the grand idol; men value them as their greatest ornament; they sparkle in their eyes like the diamond; and to this mammon they expect every knee should bow; nor expect in vain, for few are found proof against its dazzling charms: for this, conscience, honour, justice, are too often bartered; and they who can bid up to the price are generally sure to succeed. Such is this wicked mercenary world.

9. He that covereth a transgression, seeketh love: but he that repeateth a matter, separateth very friends.

Proverbs 16:9

As reasonable creatures, but especially as redeemed and returned in the spirit of our minds, it becomes as to devise our way, and consider how to walk and please God; but when we have done all, we must look above for strength, seeing it is the Lord alone who can direct our steps; and when we depend on his grace, we may be assured he will guide us in the right way.

Heb. Divanism.

10. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

Mutual forbearance is the only way to preserve the union of friendship inviolate: we are corrupted creatures, the best have much to be borne with; it is the great secret of happiness, and the exercise of true love, to never transgression, ever look it, excuse it to others, become apologists for the offences given ourselves, and never repeat what might breed variance, for by such vile tale-bearing the dearest friends have been separated.

Or, ewerth a wise man more than than to strike if not a hundred times.

10. A reproof entreth more into a wise man, than an hundred stripes into a fool.

Proverbs 16:10

This is only literally true of the King of kings, the divine Messiah, but it speaks what should be the conduct of every ruler: A divine sentence, or divination, should be in their lips, their wisdom should be oracular, and their decisions never influenced by passion or favour, but guided by the rule of the uncrying truth of God.

1 Lev. xix. 2. Chap. iv. 1 Heb. 3. The house.

11. • A just weight and balance are the LORD’s: all the weights of the bag are his work.

A word, a hint, a look, is more effectual to awaken the conscience of a good man, or warn him of his danger, than the severest afflictions are to the impatient sinner. Then art the man, pierced David’s heart, whilst, after all the plagues of Egypt, Pharoah continued but the more hardened.

11. An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

Proverbs 16:11

In commercial dealings, and the administration of justice, God hath appointed a standard of truth, by which every weight and measure must be tried, and every cause decided with impartiality; and though in this world the fraudulent practices of the wicked may pass unnoticed, the day is coming when God will lay judgment to the line and righteousness to the plummet.

Sin is rebellion against God, and that the evil man seeks continually; or rebellion, the rebellious man seeketh only evil; how to overturn the government, and execute his traitorous designs: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent unto him; when his conspiracy against the peace of the kingdom being discovered, he is seized and executed: or for his sin against God, death, the messenger of evil, drags him to the prison of the grave, and delivers him over to Satan, the tormentor to execute God’s wrath on body and soul in hell.

12. Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Proverbs 16:12

The wrath of a fool is violent and brutish, and when roused, a bear robbed of her whelps is not so dangerous, for the first object he meets becomes the unhappy victim of his passion, whether it be friend or foe. From such men’s company withdraw thyself.

13. Whofo rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

Proverbs 16:13

Ingratitude God abhors, and though human laws cannot punish it, he will, in the entail of his curse on the family of such hate ungenerous souls.

1. Chap. xx. 2.

2. The beginning of strife is as when one letterth out water: therefore leave off contention before it be meddled with.

Proverbs 16:14

The least aperture in the river’s bank widens with every deep thatpasfeth, till the mound is thrown down, and the country deluged: such is the beginning of strife; one warm word brings on another, and every reply exasperates the more: it is wisdom therefore to stop the insulteth breach, and check the first rifings of anger, before passion gets head, and resistance is vain.

15. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just; even they both are abomination to the LORD.

Proverbs 16:15

Two abominations are here rebuked. [1.] Justifying the wicked, either by absolving them through bribes or corrupt influence from the charges proved in court against them, or by pleading for the harmlessness of sin, and seeking for arguments to vindicate iniquity. [2.] Condemning the just, either by an oppressive sentence, under the formalities of justice, or by laying to his charge, and enslaving him for, things of which he is utterly innocent. Of such wrongs God will be the avenger.

16. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it.

Proverbs 16:16

Mysterious are God’s dispensations: we may now wonder at them, but they will be all at last unfolded: be given to the fool, the wicked, a price to get wisdom, natural abilities, worldly substance to procure instructors, and opportunity sub-Vol. I.

ficient to learn his good ways; but he hath no heart to it, churning rather to spend his time and talents in the service of his lusts, than in the school of wisdom, in the word of God, and attending the ministers of his gospel: if we ask wherefore God is in good to give them advantages he knows they will abide, the answer is, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.

Before Christ action. 17. A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. v. Chap. xxi. 14. Eds. ix.

Proverbs 16:17

A true friend is rare to be found; advantage, interest, selfishness, or caprice, are the general hands of worldly friendship: no wonder therefore they are in easily loosed by adversity, a peak, or mere humour: but a true friend loveth at all times, and distress or unkindness warps not his affections, and a brother, where the bonds of blood strengthen the hand of friendship, is born for adversity; then his warm regard has effected opportunity of being displayed: and emphatically is this scripture fulfilled in Jesus the friend of Sinners.

15. A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

Proverbs 16:18

Friendship hath bounds; to assist a friend in distress is duty; to ruin ourselves and family by rash forethship is fully and injustice. A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend; which implies that he is not worthy of credit, but suspected of insolvency or knavery; and therefore we need be cautious in such a case how we involve ourselves, least we smart for it.

16. He loveth transgression, that loveth strife: and be that exalteth his gaze, seeketh destruction.

v. Chap. xvi. 16.

Proverbs 16:19

A quarrelsome spirit loves to be in strife, flying to the law for every trifling offence, capricious in company, and delighting in dispute: much sin is hereby committed. And he that exalteth his gaze, in proud and arrogant speeches, or builds magnificent palaces to outvie his neighbours, seeketh destruction; such pride God will abate, and his enormous expences will be the ruin of his fortune.

17. He that hath a froward heart, findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue, falleth into mischief.

v. 16b. The froward of heart.

Proverbs 16:20

By mischief nothing is got; they who hope to make their advantage of it will be disappointed; God’s favour, and the regard of all good men, will be lost thereby: and a perverse tongue, falle, deceitful, and not consistent with itself, will prove the ruin of its owner.

21. He that begeteth a fool, doth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

v. Chap. x. 1. Vol. 15.

Proverbs 16:21

Children at their birth are the joy of their parents; but they need rejoice with trembling, the day may come when they may wish they had never been born, for wicked children are their parents greatest plague, and their ill conduct embitters all their other comforts. How grievous a case! Let children be ashamed of such ingratitude, and tremble at the thought of giving their aged parents such cause of sorrow.

22. A merry heart doth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Proverbs 16:22

22. ’ Without counsel, purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

Rath resolves, without mature deliberation, or unisual forefears, are usually defeated. To succeed in our schemes they should be well weighed, abler heads than our own confessed, objections foreseen, and difficulties obviated.

1 Chap. xxv. 11. Heb. In the fashion.

23. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it?

Not sensual mirth, but spiritual joy is here meant: naturally indeed some are more cheerful than others, and this is a blessing, and contributes to a man’s sake and health; but that which is the best medicine, the richest cordial, is the sense of the Divine love making glad the heart; whilst a broken spirit, pierced with a sense of wrath, or funk under afflictions, emaciates the body with grief, and dries up the very marrow of the bones.

23. A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.

Proverbs 16:23

It is a credit and comfort to a man himself to have a ready and pertinent answer when his advice is asked; and that word is doubly welcome and profitable, which, in time, circumstance, and manner, is exactly suited to the state of the hearer: here is the mind that hath wisdom, in men in general, and in mindless particularly, to know how to give to every one his portion in due season.

24. ’ The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

Both he that gives and he that takes bribes are alike evil; if it be done never so secretly God seeth; and though now the ways of justice be perverted by false witnesses, or partial judges, every cause will have a rehearing, when judgment will be administered according to truth.

24. Wisdom is before him that hath understanding: but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 16:24

The wise man looks above this perishing world; he fecks a life more enduring than the passing days of time, to be enjoyed in glory through the ages of eternity; and that he may depart from hell beneath; whilst sinners are hastening downward, his affections are ascending in faith, love, and hope to God; and every day he grows nearer the eternal rest, after which his soul aspires.

The wise man keeps the book of God, as the pilot his compass, ever in his eye; and Christ, his polar star, guides all his motions: but the fool lives at large, his eyes are in the ends of the earth, unsettled, without sudden or complete, ruffled to and fro, and wandering about as the various passions of his heart drive him.

9 D 25. A Before Christ 1000. 1. Chap. 1. 2. & ex. 10. & 10. 15. Ver. 11. 3. Chap. viii. 5. 4. Jem. i. 16. Or, conf. 5. Job viii. 5. Or, He that Sparrech himself, fucketh according to his defire, and intermeddleth in every hallneth. Judy 19. 6. Chap. 2. 11. & ex. 5. 9. Pl. Isaiah. 2. 7. Lev. xii. 15. Deut. i. 15. & xvi. 19. Chap. xxx. 45. 25. ‘A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.’

Proverbs 16:25

This is an unhappy, though too common case; and much is that parent to be pissed, much that child to be condemned, that gives occasion for such grief and bitterness to those, whose tenderness and care to him deserved far other returns. 26. Also ’to punish the just is not good, her to strike prince for equity.

Proverbs 16:26

Magistrates must beware that they abide not their power, nor employ that to oppress the just, which should be exerted for their protection. And let not subject murmur or rebel against their rulers. Though they were evil, it were their duty to suffer and submit; and how much more criminal to refill them when they govern in righteousness, and to quarrel with them as fevers, because they impartially execute justice on offenders. 27. ‘He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

Proverbs 16:27

The wise think much, and speak little, at least not in an attentional way; or, he refrains his words from rash or angry speeches, and herein he proves himself of an excellent spirit, is highly to be valued, and shews the goodness and understanding of his heart; or of a real spirit, as in the margin, not easily provoked, able to curb his anger, and, even under provocation, composed and sedate. 28. ‘Even a fool when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is oftentimes a man of understanding.

Proverbs 16:28

Silence is a mark of wisdom; even a fool, whilst he holds his peace, gains the reputation of being wise; and, till he speaks, the defects of his understanding are covered; but it is the amount of his folly, that he hath not the sense to hold his tongue.