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his nobles for equity is most horrible, because it is discouraging them from doing good when in their power, and weakening his own 27 hands. He that hath knowledge spareth his words, is not fond of talking, speaks only when it is fit and may be useful: [and] a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit, or rather, a cool spirit, as in the margin of our bibles, for to be calm, dispassionate, and not easily provoked, is a mark of wisdom and an excellent spirit. 28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding; the concealment of folly is wisdom, and sometimes wisdom uttered is folly; men's abilities are chiefly discovered by their discourse, and talkative persons proclaim their own folly. Let every man there. fore be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.

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HROUGH desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom; or rather, a man of retirement seeketh after his desire, and intermeddleth with 2 all wisdom. Retirement is of great use to improve the mind. A fool hath no delight in understanding, in its real use, only for ostentalim or amusement, but that his heart may discover itself; 3 all his delight is to vent his own folly and wickedness. When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt upon God and religion, and every thing valuable; and with ignominy reproach, reproachful language concerning o'hers: if a man speaks reproachfully and contemptibly of others, mark him for a wicked man. 4 The words of a wise man's mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the well spring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook; it is an inex5 haustible spring of entertainment and improvement. [It is] not good to accept, to favour or justify, the person of the wicked, in 6 order to overthrow the righteous in judgment. A fool's lips enter into contention, he uses passionate and provoking language, and his mouth calleth for strokes; he brings sorrow and punish7 ment upon himself. A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul; it will especially appear to be so at the judgment day, when by our words we shall be justified, and 8 by our words we shall be condemned. The words of a talebearer, who picks up stories, pries into secrets, and carries them from house to house, who relates falsehoods, who misrepresents things, or whispers about things which should not be spoken of, though true, the words of such [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly; the wounds are mortal though silent, and destroy the reputation and interest of the persons 9 spoken of, and the love of those spoken to. He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great wast10 er; they are both criminal, and both come to poverty. The name of the LORD, his power, goodness, and fromises, [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe;

there he seeks for protection by faith and prayer, and there he finds 11 it, together with a rich supply of all his wants. The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit; he thinks himself securely intrenched, so that no danger can come near him, forgetting his dependence upon God; but it is only in his own conceit, and he finds his high walls thrown down by a 12 variety of accidents. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility; when a man finds himself disposed to be proud of any of his endowments and possessions, he has need to be alarmed, as it is an intimation that he is in 13 danger of being deprived of them. He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it,] who thinks to show his quickness of apprehension, and pronounces dogmatically without hearing both sides, 14 it [is] folly and shame unto him. The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity, bear up under dangers and troubles; but a wounded spirit who can bear? What hath a man to comfort and uphold him, if he has not the reason of his own mind, the testimony of his conscience, and a sense of God's favour? Great care therefore should be taken to govern the passions, and keep the spirits 15 calm, in order to prevent such a dreadful crisis. The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge; a diligent applicution to the means of improving in knowledge, both by study and conversation, is a sign of true wis16 dom. A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men, This ancient custom of bringing presents when 17 they wait upon their superiors, is still retained in the east. [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him; one story is good till another is told, therefore we should not be rash and hasty in our determina18 tions, but hear both sides. The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. Solomon here advises to refer troublesome matters to lot, and to sit down contented with the event; 19 this may be very useful still, if not superstitiously performed. A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle: the nearness of the relation heightens the provocation, therefore we should be careful 20 not to offend or despise our near relations or friends. A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled; he shall have pleasure or un21 easiness, as he speaks well or ill. Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue; a great deal of good or evil is done by it, and they that love it, that love life, and give conversation a wise 22 turn, shall eat the fruit thereof. [Whoso] findeth a wife, or (as some ancient versions render it) a good wife, findeth a good [thing,] and obtaineth favour of the LORD, and he ought to acknowledge the goodness of God in giving him a suitable companion. 23 The poor useth entreaties, are forced to make submissions and use entreaties, even for what is their due ; but the rich answereth roughly; riches are a temptation to haughtiness and arrogance, 24 which very much lessen the value of them. A man [that hath]

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friends must show himself friendly and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother; friends are worth keeping, and may in many circumstances be more useful to us than near relations; therefore they must be used well, we must love and serve them, and behave friendly to them, if we desire they should behave so to us.

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CHAP. XIX.

ETTER [is] the poor that walketh in his integrity, than [he that is] perverse in his lips, and is a fool; an honest four man is more honourable, easy, and secure, than a sly wicked 2 man, though he may get rich by his artifices. Also, [that] the soul [be] without knowledge, [it is] not good; the want of understanding and deliberation proves an occasion of great mischief: and he that hasteth with [his] feet sinneth; if a man of good sens runs rashly and inconsidera'ely on, it will be as fatal to him 3 as the want of understanding. The foolishness of man perverteth his way, brings him into troubles and straits: and his heart fretteth against the LORD; he lays the blame upon Providence. 4 Wealth maketh many friends, if not to his person, yet to his circumstances; but the poor is separated from his neighbour; is 5 neglected by those who should help him. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he that] speaketh lies shall not escape; he who speaketh lies privately, though not confirmed by an oath, 6 shall not escape the divine judgment. Many will entreat the favour of the prince, because great things are in his power; and every man [is] a friend to him that giveth gifts; to a man whose circumstances enable him and whose temper inclines him to be liberWhat a strong argument is this to seek the divine friendship! 7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him as a disgrace and burden to them how much more do his friends go far from him, that is, those who professed themselves such ? he pursueth [them with] words, he entreats them and puts them in mind of former. 8 promises, [yet] they [are] wanting [to him.] He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding, 9 who conducts his life by prudent counsel, shall find good. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and [he that] speaketh lies shall perish; this is repeated because it is an important maxim, see v. 5. 10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; he knows not how to behave in prosperity; he useth the delights of life to dishonour God, and for his own mischief; much less for a servant to have rule over princes; if such an one be in power, he is intolerable, and a judgment I on mankind. The discretion of a man deferreth his anger till he is cool, and has considered the matter and [it is] his glory to pass over a transgression, not to revenge it; though the perverse 12 judgment of the world is contrary. The king's wrath [is] as the roaring of a lion; but his favour [is] as dew upon the grass.

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13 This is designed to promote loyalty. A foolish son [is] the calam ity of his father and the contentions of a wife [are] a continual dropping; make the house uncomfortable and unfit to be inhabited, and so tempt a man to extravagance abroad. A wicked son and a scolding wife, are two of the saddest plagues in a family. 14 House and riches [are] the inheritance of fathers and a prudent wife [is] from the LORD, she does not come by hereditary right; his providence therefore should be acknowledged in this 15 favour. Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; it has a stupifying faculty, and makes men unfit for business; and an idle soul 16 shall suffer hunger; shall be reduced to poverty and want. He. that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; secures his peace and happiness; [but] he that despiseth his ways shall die; he that never thinks or minds how he acts, who follows his own inclination and the fashion, goes the direct way to destruction. 17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again; it is in a safe hand, and he shall have good interest. A delightful thought, and of more force than a thousand volumes to recommend liber18 ality. Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying; it should be rather rendered, Do not lift up thy soul to his destruction, that is, correct him, but not immod19 erately. A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment; he will have a deal of perplexity and uneasiness, quarrels, and law suits for if thou deliver [him,] yet thou must do it again; he will soon bring himself into some other scrape by his passion and per20 verseness. Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in the latter end; consider the final consequences 21 of things; such wisdom will be wisdom indeed. [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand in spite of them all. A comfortable thought 22 10 a good man at all times. The desire of a man [is] his kindness; it is agrecable when persons mean well, though it is not in their power to do much : and a poor man [is] better than a liar; a poor man who gives good evidence of a kind, benevolent dispcsition, is more esteemed and respected than a liar, that is, than a rich man who makes great professions and promises, and does not answer them, has nothing at the service of his friends but compli23 ments. The fear of the LORD [tendeth] to life and [he that hath it] shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil, 24 with any destructive evil. A slothful [man] hideth his hand in

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[his] bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again; when sloth prevails it makes a man unwilling to do the most 25 necessary things. Smite a scorner, a profligate sinner, and the simple will beware; if it does him no good, it may be a warning to others and reprove one that hath understanding, [and] he will understand knowledge; a wise man will be better for reproof. 26 He that wasteth [his] father, [and] chaseth away [his] mother, [is] a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach to his parents and himself; but we very seldom see such things in children who

27 have been wisely and religiously educated.

Cease, my son, to hear the instruction [that causeth] to err from the words of knowledge; do not hearken to any who would prejudice you 28 against religion or weaken your regard to it. An ungodly witness scorneth judgment, that is, reason, equity, scripture, and the judgment of God against perfidious persons: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity; he swallows down greedily the greatest crimes, and is glad of any opportunity of committing 29 them. Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools; they are sometimes punished in this world, but shall certainly be so in another. This should engage us to seek wisdom, that we may avoid these judgments, and obtain security, peace, and everlasting happiness.

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CHAP. XX.

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INE [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise; it makes a man abusive and quarrelsome, leads him to say and do foolish things. Let him have ever so much sense, he reduceth himself to a level with an idiot; yea, with a brute. It is strange that drunkenness should be the fault of so many sensible people, whom one 2 would think pride should keep from it, if they had no religion. The fear of a king, an arbitrary monarch, [is] as the roaring of a lion: [whoso] provoketh him to anger sinneth [against] his own soul, 3 exposes his life to manifest danger. [It is] an honour for a man to cease from strife, cautiously to avoid it, and be the first to give it over but every fool will be meddling where he has no busi4ness, and so stir up strife. The sluggard will not plough by reason of the cold; the most inconsiderable difficulties affright him from labour: [therefore] shall he beg in harvest, and [have] 5 nothing when others have plenty. Counsel in the heart of man [is like] deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out by prudent discourse and diligent observation, as human indus6 try finds methods to fetch water out of the earth. Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find the generality pretend to great generosi'y, but it is dif 7 ficult to find common honesty. The just [man] waiketh in his integrity his children [are] blessed after him; he entails a blessing on his posterity; it is happy to be the children of such a 8 parent. A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes; a man of integrity will have a natural authority in any superior relation. If a king, he will exert himself as he ought; iniquity will fly before him, and scarce 9 bear his look, for it is a cowardly thing. Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? I am free from guilt in heart and life? Therefore let us be humble before God, 10 and not expect perfection in others. Divers weights, [and] divers

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