Proverbs 7

Chastity is a virtue of that r fconscquence,and impurity such a pernicious bane of youth; that the wise man thought ho could not too often make mention of the danger of the one, to move men carefully to preserve the’ other/ And therefore is not contented with’what he had already said about this matter, in the latter end of the sfceotid chapter, and in the whole fifth chapter, and now in the latter part of the sixth; but again repeats it with renewed importunities; desiring to be heard attentively, especially in the cautions he gives against adultery; the avoiding of which he represents as a high point of wisdom, (ver. And the better to secure those that desire to be happy * from this snare, ho represents, together with the silliness * of young men, the cunning and’ crafty devices of an impudent adulteress: Which is admirably set forth from ver. G\ to ver. 21. where ho begins to shew the effects of her courtship, and its lamentable coriclusibn. And thereupon (ver. 24.) renews his entreaties to beware of such women; who have undone many and great persons; and to stop at the very first motionor inclination towards her. The sum of all’ is, that it 5s ix singular benefit a irian hath by true wisdom, td be preserved from stich sins’ and such miseries: and therefore we should shidy wisdom; which alone can secure us from being deceived by silch flatteries, as bewitch’silly and incautious souls* to their ruin. And* herein the vigilance of magistrates is required to watch and observe (as Solomon did, ver. 6, 7.) the manner of their subjects; that may the better obviate and correct their vices: but especially every man’s diligent consideration is necessary, of such things as Solomon here sets before him, to divert him from such wicked courses. Particularly the character of these lewd wonien is to be studied; who are then most abominable, when they put on the mask of piety and devotion. As this strumpet doth (Ver. 14.) in her speech which she makes to the young man; where there are two things in my Paraphrase, of which I owe some adcountto the reader. [a] The one is in the’ beginning of it’, (ver! 14.)’ Where I have taken schelamih, peace-offerings, of which there were three sorts, (Lev. vii. 11, 12.16.) for the last of them’, offerings of thanksgiving for blessings already obtained; riot of prayer for the impctration of blessings from God (as Grotius arid others understand the word) not yet received: my reason is, because she was so solicitous to have’ company at her feast upon this sacrifice that very day. Every body knows that such sacrifices were to’be of the best, cither of bullocks, or sheep, or goats, (Lev. iii, 1. 6. 12.) and that the greatest part of them fell to the share of the person who offered them, that he might feast with God: that is, all except the fat upon the kidneys, and rump of the sheep, and the breast and right shoulder; which was sufficient to make a liberal entertainment for hWfrierid^. Brit this is not so commonly observed, that though they might keep this flesh two days, before it Was all spent, because there was such plcrity’of it/yet that is ti be understood* onty of the two first sorts: of peaceofferings, for obtaining blessing^; not ofth<5 eitcharistical, or thank-oficrings: which, as iPfrilo observes, were to be eatert the very sariie day they were offered: " that they \vh6 had readily received favours from’ God, might as readily, and without delay,* cbmiriunicanr to others." Which is the account Abarbinel also gives of this matter: and it is observabld, that all sorts of bread wen; to be joined with this sacrifice, that every thing might be ready for the feast. [6] TheotheHhih^is at tlie latter’ end of her speech, (ver. 20.) where by the word haccese I understand the full ntoOn, as the Vrifgar Latih doth. With Avhich translation interpreters find fault, because it Idoks like" a contradiction, they say, to call that day by a name, which signifies the moon to b& covered: and therefore they translate it rftther the new moon, as We do in the margin of our Bililcs. But they that can J consult Lud. de Dieu upon Psal. Ixxxi. 3. will find good i«kfcon to take’ it quite otherwise; for the full moon; which giving light then all the night, made it a fit time for k journey, either in winter (as by the ddrknessof the night, ver. 9.* I suppose* it mightnbw be) when the days are short; or in stiirimef when the heat madic them unfit for travel; The pr6 Verb fal sayings in this chapter, sortie make three, others four-;* all’"* contained in two verses, 22, 23* With which I shall not trouble the reader; because I havciriade them plain enoughiri’the Taraphrase; and 2M intend not to fill this book with like sayings out of other authors. [c] I should only add, that rabbim in the last verse but one, signifying great men as well as many, I have expressed both: and Solomon himself, as well as Samson, became an example of the mighty men there mentioned, who were undone by lewd women. Ver.l. If AY son, keep my zvords, and lay tip my commandments with thee.] There is great reason then, my son, (Pro v. ii. 1.) to repeat the caution I have often given thee, against this and other vices: and to beseech thee to observe my instructions, and to lay up my commandments in such faithful remembrance, that they may not fail to produce the fruit of obedience. our time then here in the street? come along with me, and let us go thither; and there satisfy our desires to the full with love: we will solace ourselves with the sweetest pleasures; which shall not end till the morning-light.

Proverbs 7:2

Keep my commandments f and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. For if thou wilt be ruled by them, assure thyself (as I have said before, iv. 4.) thou shalt enjoy long happiness: therefore observe them carefully with a tender affection to them; and, looking upon them as thy safest guide and director, consent as soon to wound the apple of thine eye, as in the least to violate any of my laws.

Proverbs 7:3

Bind them upon thy fingers, tvrite them iipon the table of thine heart. Do not. merely read what I write, imagining thou canst have continual recourse to them here in this book; but be so well acquainted with them, as to have them (as we speak) at thy fingers* ends:- or rather, let them be transcribed from hence into thy very heart.

Proverbs 7:4

Say nnto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinsivoman. There embrace them with ardent love; and set such a high esteem on wisdom, that thou mayest invite it more and more unto thee; till it be. as familiar with thee as an only sister, born at the same time with thee; and thou understand and delight in all her precepts, as so near akin to thee, that thou find them to be the very reason and sense of thy own mind., r

Proverbs 7:5

That they may. keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. Which will be a powerful preservative to thee from the snares of the naughty woman: who, though her company be so pernicious, that God would have thee perfectly estranged from her, as if she were not of the commonwealth of Israel, yet hath powerful charms about, her, to flatter those into her embraces, who arc not heartily in love with wisdom.,,.

Proverbs 7:6

For at the ivindow of my house I looked through my casement. Of which a memorable instance comes now into my mind; for looking one day from my chamber, through the lattices of the window of my palace;

Proverbs 7:7

And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding. I observed,, among the undisciplined and unexperienced striplings of the city, one that was as childish and void of consideration, as he was youthful and eager in his desires:

Proverbs 7:8

Passing through the street near her corner; and he ivent the way to her house. Who, as if he had a mind to t)C undone, passed idly through the street, till he came to a corner, where naughty women use to haunt: walking in as stately a manner as he could devise, directly towards one of their houses.

Proverbs 7:9

In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night. It was in the tvViligiit, while he might see his way, and yet hope to be concealed: in the close of the day; which was followed by a night as dark as pitch, and fit for such works of darkness.-

Proverbs 7:10

And, behold, there met him a woman ivith the attire of a harlot, and subtle of heart. *Thevc, on a sudden, I was surprised with the sight of a woman starting forth; who did not stay till he came up to her, but went to meet him in a gaudy lascivious dress, apt to allure a weak young man: who thought presently she was in love with him; when her heart, as full of sub til ty as his was of folly, is reserved only to herself.

Proverbs 7:11

(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house. This is her character: she is full of talk, and of bold unseemly courtship; unruly, and not to be controlled or broke of her will; idle also, and always gadding abroad, as if she had no business (but with her foolish lovers) at home. • •. *

Proverbs 7:12

Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in ivait at every corner.). Sometimes she stands before her door;, and, if that will not do, she goes farther into the streets and places of greatest concourse: and, more especially, waits at every corner (where she may look into two streets at once) to ensnare such as are apt, like silly birds, to be taken by her.

Proverbs 7:13

So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him. At one of those corners (as I said) she met this young fool; and, contrary to all the rules of modesty, caught him hard about the neck and kissed him: and after these amorous caresses put on still a bolder face, and, without any blushing, made this following speech to him:

Proverbs 7:14

I have peace-offerings with me; this day have I paid my vows. I am a happy woman, in many blessings that God hath bestowed upon me, for which I have given him solemn thanks this very day: and, as religion and custom bid me, I have provided as good a feast as those sacrifices would afford, which I formerly vowed, and now have paid; having no want of any thing, but of some good company at home to rejoice with me. See Arg. [a]

Proverbs 7:15

Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face; and I have found thee. Which made me go abroad to try if I could meet with thee (who art the very person whom I came to seek), that I might invite and earnestly beseech thee to be so kind as to bear me company: and, to my great joy, this is added to all my other happiness, that I have found thee speedily and most opportunely.

Proverbs 7:16

I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. There shall, no other pleasures be wanting when our feast is done; but from the table we will remove to mybed; which I have richly adorned with every thing that may please the eye; and made it as soft also as heart can wish.

Proverbs 7:17

I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Where thou shalt be entertained likewise with the sweetest perfumes, that ours or the neighbouring countries could furnish me withal; such as myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon; wherewith I have sprinkled my bed, to render it more grateful to all thy senses.

Proverbs 7:18

Come let us take our fill ofloveuntil the morning; let us solace ourselves with loves. Why do we waste

Proverbs 7:19

For the good man is not at home, he is gone a long journey. For there is no fear’ we shall be interrupted or disturbed; the man (whom they call my husband) being from home, and not likely to return in haste: for he is gone to a place a great way off.

Proverbs 7:20

He hath taken a hag of money tvith him, and will came home at the day appointed. Where he hath much business to dispatch; which will detain him so long, that I am sure it will be full moon (and now the new doth scarce yet appear, ver. 9.) before he can be at home again. See Arg.[6]

Proverbs 7:21

With much fair, speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. In the representing of these, and many other like specious pretences (of great affection to him, of all sorts of pleasure, of secrecy, and safety in their enjoyments), she shewed herself such a mistress of her art, that she bowed the heart of the young man to become her disciple: and, having wrought upon his inclinations, she pursued her advantage with so much cunning, that she rather compelled than attracted him, by her charming voice, and her soft alluring language.

Proverbs 7:22

He goeth after her straightivay, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks. For he made not the least objection, but away he went immediately, and followed her like a great calf (as we speak in our language), or a stupid ox; that fancies he is led to the pasture, when he is going to be killed; or like a fool, who takes it for an ornament, when the stocks are brought for his correction, to be clapped upon his le^s 9

Proverbs 7:23

, Till a dart strike through his liver, as a bird hasteth to the snare, andknoweth not that it isfor.his life. Just so he hastily threw himself into, her embraces, and dreamt of nothing but pleasure; till, like a rash soldier that falls unexpectedly into an ambush, he received a niort&l wound by that which he fancied w r ould be his highest satisfaction; or like a silly bird, that, greedy of the food which is laid to entice it, never minds the snare that is laid together with it: so he, eagerly longing to taste of her feast and the following delights, had not so much as a thought that this was a design upon his life; and would not end, but in miseries infinitely greater than all his joys..

Proverbs 7:24

Hearken nnto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth. .This is a true representation, my dear children (whom 1 love unfeignedly, not deceitfully, like those harlots), of the folly and danger of these lewd courses, in which youth is prone to be engaged: and therefore do not look upon it. as an idle speculation; but give diligent heed unto it, and be ruled by my advice.. Ver; 25. Let thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.] Let not one of you so much as entertain a thought of going to such a woman, much less of consenting’ to her enticements: or, if any of you have been so unhappy as to be engaged in her company, let. him think it is too. much that he hath adventured to turn aside put of the right way, and not wander till he hath utterly lost himself in those strange paths, and cannot find his way back again. Ver. 2G. For she hath cast down many wounded; yea, many strong men have been slain by her.] Do not presume of being safe in such courses, and of making a good retreat at last: for many have been the examples, of no mean persons, who have fallen in their reputation, their estates, their healths, their comforts of life, and in truth have utterly perished by her: innumerable are the mighty men, both for valour and for wisdom, whom she hath brought to.ruin. See Arg. [c]‘Ver. 27. Her house is the way to hell, going down to tlie chambers of death.] In short, to follow her unto her house, as this young man did, is the direct way to hell: every step that is taken to her bed (unto which she invited him to ascend), is, in truth, a going down to the dismal chambers of death, and to the most horrid miseries.

A wound and dishonour shall he get’; and his reproach shall not Be wiped away. And besides the quarrels and other troubles wherein this sin may engage him, his deputation stall receive a: deadly woririd; and it will make Iiiin infamous as long as" he lives, and wbeii heig dead; for Mrliile his name lasts, it shall not be mentioned without 1 reproach; but have a; brand of disgrace set upon it, which shall never be blotted out.

For jealousy is the rage of a man; therefore he will not spare in the day Of vengeance. For no restitution fcan be made, ndr’ satisfaction given, iri this case, as there may be in the other; no prayers* neither, nbr submissions; shall provail with the injured husband; whose justly-provoked indignation rises up to a furious rage; which will riot pity or spare the adulterer (though the public justice should be asleep), when he finds an opportunity to be revenged. SecArg.[&] Ver; 35. He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.] Though he may be willing to expiate his crime, and redeem his life at any rate, it will not be accepted; the largest gifts will be refused; and though greater and greater be still offered, they will not appease his wrath: which pursues the adulterer implacably, and nieverrestsbontcnted but in his utter ruin.

But whoso committetJi adultery withawOmail lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroy eth his own soul. But the adulterer robs a man of his wife, without any such necessity, there being other and honest ways to satisfy his desires-; and therefore, hath/ iio excuse, but must be looked upon as a stupid fool, void of common under- Standing; and When he te found out, be punished, not merely iri his estate, but with the loss of his lifcl, (Lev; x£. 10.)