mh_parser/vol_split/20 - Proverbs/Chapter 29.xml

<div2 id="Prov.xxx" n="xxx" next="Prov.xxxi" prev="Prov.xxix" progress="86.99%" title="Chapter XXIX">
<h2 id="Prov.xxx-p0.1">P R O V E R B S</h2>
<h3 id="Prov.xxx-p0.2">CHAP. XXIX.</h3>
<h4 id="Prov.xxx-p0.3">Miscellaneous Maxims.</h4>
<scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29" parsed="|Prov|29|0|0|0" passage="Pr 29" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p0.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.1" parsed="|Prov|29|1|0|0" passage="Pr 29:1" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.1">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p1">1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth
<i>his</i> neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without
remedy.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p2">Here, 1. The obstinacy of many wicked
people in a wicked way is to be greatly lamented. They are <i>often
reproved</i> by parents and friends, by magistrates and ministers,
by the providence of God and by their own consciences, have had
their sins set in order before them and fair warning given them of
the consequences of them, but all in vain; they <i>harden their
necks.</i> Perhaps they fling away, and will not so much as give
the reproof a patient hearing; or, if they do, yet they go on in
the sins for which they are reproved; they will not bow their necks
to the yoke, but are children of Belial; they refuse reproof
(<scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p2.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.10.17" parsed="|Prov|10|17|0|0" passage="Pr 10:17"><i>ch.</i> x. 17</scripRef>), despise
it (<scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p2.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.5.12" parsed="|Prov|5|12|0|0" passage="Pr 5:12"><i>ch.</i> v. 12</scripRef>), hate
it, <scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p2.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.12.1" parsed="|Prov|12|1|0|0" passage="Pr 12:1"><i>ch.</i> xii. 1</scripRef>. 2.
The issue of this obstinacy is to be greatly dreaded: Those that go
on in sin, in spite of admonition, <i>shall be destroyed;</i> those
that will not be reformed must expect to be ruined; if the rods
answer not the end, expect the axes. They <i>shall be suddenly
destroyed,</i> in the midst of their security, <i>and without
remedy;</i> they have sinned against the preventing remedy, and
therefore let them not expect any recovering remedy. Hell is
remediless destruction. They <i>shall be destroyed, and no
healing,</i> so the word is. If God wounds, who can heal?</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p2.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.2" parsed="|Prov|29|2|0|0" passage="Pr 29:2" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.2">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p3">2 When the righteous are in authority, the
people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people
mourn.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p4">This is what was said before, <scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.28.12 Bible:Prov.28.28" parsed="|Prov|28|12|0|0;|Prov|28|28|0|0" passage="Pr 28:12,28"><i>ch.</i> xxviii. 12, 28</scripRef>. 1.
<i>The people</i> will have cause to <i>rejoice</i> or <i>mourn</i>
according as their rulers are <i>righteous</i> or <i>wicked;</i>
for, if <i>the righteous</i> be in <i>authority,</i> sin will be
punished and restrained, religion and virtue will be supported and
kept in reputation; <i>but,</i> if <i>the wicked</i> get power in
their hands, wickedness will abound, religion and religious people
will be persecuted, and so the ends of government will be
perverted. 2. <i>The people</i> will actually <i>rejoice</i> or
<i>mourn</i> according as their rulers are <i>righteous</i> or
<i>wicked.</i> Such a conviction are even the common people under
of the excellency of virtue and religion that they will rejoice
when they see them preferred and countenanced; and, on the
contrary, let men have ever so much honour or power, if they be
wicked and vicious, and use it ill, they <i>make themselves
contemptible and base before all the people</i> (as those priests,
<scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Mal.2.9" parsed="|Mal|2|9|0|0" passage="Mal 2:9">Mal. ii. 9</scripRef>) and subjects
will think themselves miserable under such a government.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.3" parsed="|Prov|29|3|0|0" passage="Pr 29:3" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.3">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p5">3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but
he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth <i>his</i>
substance.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p6">Both the parts of this verse repeat what
has been often said, but, on comparing them together, the sense of
them will be enlarged from each other. 1. Be it observed, to the
honour of a virtuous young man, that he <i>loves wisdom,</i> he is
<i>a philosopher</i> (for that signifies <i>a lover of wisdom</i>),
for religion is the best philosophy; he avoids bad company, and
especially the company of lewd women. Hereby he <i>rejoices his</i>
parents, and has the satisfaction of being a comfort to them, and
increases his estate, and is likely to live comfortably. 2. Be it
observed, to the reproach of a vicious young man, that he hates
<i>wisdom; he keeps company with</i> scandalous women, who will be
his ruin, both in soul and body; he grieves his parents, and, like
the prodigal son, devours their living <i>with harlots.</i> Nothing
will beggar men sooner than the lusts of uncleanness; and the best
preservative from those ruinous lusts is <i>wisdom.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.4" parsed="|Prov|29|4|0|0" passage="Pr 29:4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.4">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p7">4 The king by judgment establisheth the land:
but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p8">Here is, 1. The happiness of a people under
a good government. The care and business of a prince should be to
<i>establish the land,</i> to maintain its fundamental laws, to
settle the minds of his subjects and make them easy, to secure
their liberties and properties from hostilities and for posterity,
and to set in order the things that are wanting; this he must do
<i>by judgment,</i> by wise counsels, and by the steady
administration of justice, without respect of persons, which will
have these good effects. 2. The misery of a people under a bad
government: <i>A man of oblations</i> (so it is in the margin)
<i>overthrows the land;</i> a man that is either sacrilegious or
superstitious, or that invades the priest's office, as Saul and
Uzziah—or a man that aims at nothing but getting money, and will,
for a good bribe, connive at the most guilty, and, in hope of one,
persecute the innocent—such governors as these will ruin a
country.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.5" parsed="|Prov|29|5|0|0" passage="Pr 29:5" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.5">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p9">5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth
a net for his feet.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p10">Those may be said to <i>flatter their
neighbours</i> who commend and applaud that good in them (the good
they do or the good they have) which really either is not or is not
such as they represent it, and who profess that esteem and that
affection for them which really they have not; these <i>spread a
net for their feet.</i> 1. For their neighbours' feet, whom they
<i>flatter.</i> They have an ill design in it; they would not
praise them as they do but that they hope to make an advantage of
them; and it is therefore wisdom to suspect those who flatter us,
that they are secretly laying a snare for us, and to stand on our
guard accordingly. Or it has an ill effect on those who are
flattered; it puffs them up with pride, and makes them conceited
and confident of themselves, and so proves a net that entangles
them in sin. 2. For their own feet; so some understand it. He that
flatters others, in expectation that they will return his
compliments and flatter him, does but make himself ridiculous and
odious even to those he flatters.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.6" parsed="|Prov|29|6|0|0" passage="Pr 29:6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.6">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p11">6 In the transgression of an evil man <i>there
is</i> a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p12">Here is, 1. The peril of a sinful way.
There is not only a punishment at the end of it, but <i>a snare</i>
in it. One sin is a temptation to another, and there are troubles
which, as <i>a snare,</i> come suddenly upon evil men in the midst
of their transgressions; nay, their transgression itself often
involves them in vexations; their sin is their punishment, and they
are <i>holden in the cords of their own iniquity,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.5.22" parsed="|Prov|5|22|0|0" passage="Pr 5:22"><i>ch.</i> v. 22</scripRef>. 2. The pleasantness
of the way of holiness. The snare that is <i>in the transgression
of evil men</i> spoils all their mirth, <i>but righteous</i> men
are kept from those snares, or delivered out of them; they walk at
liberty, walk in safety, and therefore they <i>sing and
rejoice.</i> Those that make God their chief joy have him for their
exceeding joy, and it is their own fault if they do not <i>rejoice
evermore.</i> If there be any true joy on this side heaven,
doubtless those have it whose conversation is in heaven.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.7" parsed="|Prov|29|7|0|0" passage="Pr 29:7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.7">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p13">7 The righteous considereth the cause of the
poor: <i>but</i> the wicked regardeth not to know <i>it.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p14">It is a pity but that every one who sues
<i>sub formâ pauperis</i>—<i>as a pauper,</i> should have an
honest cause (they are of all others inexcusable if they have not),
because the scripture has so well provided that it should have a
fair hearing, and that the judge himself should be of counsel, as
for the prisoner, so for the pauper. 1. It is here made the
character of a <i>righteous</i> judge that he <i>considers the
cause of the poor.</i> It is every man's duty to consider the poor
(<scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.41.1" parsed="|Ps|41|1|0|0" passage="Ps 41:1">Ps. xli. 1</scripRef>), but the
judgment of the poor is to be considered by those that sit in
judgment; they must take as much pains to find out the right in a
poor man's cause as in a rich man's. Sense of justice must make
both judge and advocate as solicitous and industrious in the poor
man's cause as if they hoped for the greatest advantage. 2. It is
made the character of a <i>wicked</i> man that because it is a poor
man's cause, which there is nothing to be got by, he <i>regards not
to know it,</i> in the true state of it, for he cares not which way
it goes, right or wrong. See <scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.29.16" parsed="|Job|29|16|0|0" passage="Job 29:16">Job
xxix. 16</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.8" parsed="|Prov|29|8|0|0" passage="Pr 29:8" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.8">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p15">8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but
wise <i>men</i> turn away wrath.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p16">See here, 1. Who are the men that are
dangerous to the public—<i>scornful men.</i> When such are
employed in the business of the state they do things with
precipitation, because they scorn to deliberate, and will not take
time for consideration and consultation; they do things illegal and
unjustifiable, because they scorn to be hampered by laws and
constitutions; they break their faith, because they scorn to be
bound by their word, and provoke the people, because they scorn to
please them. Thus they <i>bring a city into a snare</i> by their
ill conduct, or (as the margin reads it) they <i>set a city on
fire;</i> they sow discord among the citizens and run them into
confusion. Those are <i>scornful men</i> that mock at religion, the
obligations of conscience, the fears of another world, and every
thing that is sacred and serious. Such men are the plagues of their
generation; they bring God's judgments upon a land, set men
together by the ears, and so bring all to confusion. 2. Who are the
men that are the blessings of a land—the <i>wise men</i> who by
promoting religion, which is true wisdom, <i>turn away the
wrath</i> of God, and who, by prudent counsels, reconcile
contending parties and prevent the mischievous consequences of
divisions. Proud and foolish men kindle the fires which wise and
good men must extinguish.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.9" parsed="|Prov|29|9|0|0" passage="Pr 29:9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.9">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p17">9 <i>If</i> a wise man contendeth with a foolish
man, whether he rage or laugh, <i>there is</i> no rest.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p18">A wise man is here advised not to set his
wit to a fool's, not to dispute with him, or by contending with him
to think either of fastening reason upon him or gaining right from
him: <i>If a wise man contend with a wise man,</i> he may hope to
be understood, and, as far as he has reason and equity on his side,
to carry his point, at least to bring the controversy to a head and
make it issue amicably; but, if he <i>contend with a foolish man,
there is no rest;</i> he will see no end of it, nor will he have
any satisfaction in it, but must expect to be always uneasy. 1.
Whether the foolish man he contends with <i>rage or laugh,</i>
whether he take angrily or scornfully what is said to him, whether
he rail at it or mock at it, one of the two he will do, and so
there will be <i>no rest.</i> However it is given, it will be
ill-taken, and the wisest man must expect to be either scolded or
ridiculed if he <i>contend with a fool.</i> He that fights with a
dunghill, whether he be conqueror or conquered, is sure to be
defiled. 2. Whether the wise man himself <i>rage or laugh,</i>
whether he take the serious or the jocular way of dealing with the
fool, whether he be severe or pleasant with him, whether he come
with a rod or with <i>the spirit of meekness</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.4.21" parsed="|1Cor|4|21|0|0" passage="1Co 4:21">1 Cor. iv. 21</scripRef>), it is all alike, no
good is done. <i>We have piped unto you, and you have not danced,
mourned unto you, and you have not lamented.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.10" parsed="|Prov|29|10|0|0" passage="Pr 29:10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.10">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p19">10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the
just seek his soul.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p20">Note, 1. Bad men hate their best friends:
<i>The blood-thirsty,</i> all the seed of the old serpent, who
<i>was a murderer from the beginning,</i> all that inherit his
enmity against the seed of the woman, <i>hate the upright;</i> they
seek the ruin of good men because they condemn the wicked world and
witness against it. Christ told his disciples that they should be
<i>hated of all men.</i> Bloody men do especially <i>hate
upright</i> magistrates, who would restrain and reform them, and
put the laws in execution against them, and so really do them a
kindness. 2. Good men love their worst enemies: <i>The just,</i>
whom the bloody men hate, <i>seek their soul,</i> pray for their
conversion, and would gladly do any thing for their salvation. This
Christ taught us. <i>Father, forgive them. The just seek his
soul,</i> that is, the soul of the upright, whom the bloody hate
(so it is commonly understood), seek to protect it from violence,
and save it from, or avenge it at, the hands of <i>the
blood-thirsty.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.11" parsed="|Prov|29|11|0|0" passage="Pr 29:11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.11">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p21">11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise
<i>man</i> keepeth it in till afterwards.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p22">Note, 1. It is a piece of weakness to be
very open: He is <i>a fool</i> who <i>utters all his mind,</i>—who
tells every thing he knows, and has in his mouth instantly whatever
he has in his thoughts, and can keep no counsel,—who, whatever is
started in discourse, quickly shoots his bolt,—who, when he is
provoked, will say any thing that comes uppermost, whoever is
reflected upon by it,—who, when he is to speak of any business,
will say all he thinks, and yet never thinks he says enough,
whether choice or refuse, corn or chaff, pertinent or impertinent,
you shall have it all. 2. It is a piece of wisdom to be upon the
reserve: <i>A wise man</i> will not <i>utter all his mind</i> at
once, but will take time for a second thought, or reserve the
present thought for a fitter time, when it will be more pertinent
and likely to answer his intention; he will not deliver himself in
a continued speech, or starched discourse, but with pauses, that he
may hear what is to be objected and answer it. <i>Non minus
interdum oratorium est tacere quam dicere</i>—<i>True oratory
requires an occasional pause.</i> Plin. <scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Eph.7" parsed="|Eph|7|0|0|0" passage="Eph. 7">Ep. 7</scripRef>.6.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.12" parsed="|Prov|29|12|0|0" passage="Pr 29:12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.12">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p23">12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants
<i>are</i> wicked.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p24">Note, 1. It is a great sin in any,
especially in rulers, to <i>hearken to lies;</i> for thereby they
not only give a wrong judgment themselves of persons and things,
according to the lies they give credit to, but they encourage
others to give wrong informations. Lies will be told to those that
will hearken to them; but the receiver, in this case, is as bad as
the thief. 2. Those that do so will have <i>all their servants
wicked.</i> All their servants will appear wicked, for they will
have lies told of them; and they will be wicked, for they will tell
lies to them. All that have their ear will fill their ear with
slanders and false characters and representations; and so if
princes, as well as people, will be deceived, they shall be
deceived, and, instead of devolving the guilt of their own false
judgments upon their servants that misinformed them, they must
share in their servants' guilt, and on them will much of the blame
lie for encouraging such misinformations and giving countenance and
ear to them.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.13" parsed="|Prov|29|13|0|0" passage="Pr 29:13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.13">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p25">13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together:
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.xxx-p25.1">Lord</span> lighteneth both their
eyes.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p26">This shows how wisely the great God serves
the designs of his providence by persons of very different tempers,
capacities, and conditions in the world, even, 1. By those that are
contrary the one to the other. Some are <i>poor</i> and forced to
borrow; others are rich, have a great deal of <i>the mammon of
unrighteousness (deceitful riches</i> they are called), and they
are creditors, or <i>usurers,</i> as it is in the margin. Some are
<i>poor,</i> and honest, and laborious; others are rich, slothful,
and <i>deceitful.</i> They <i>meet together</i> in the business of
this world, and have dealings with one another, and <i>the Lord
enlightens both their eyes;</i> he causes his sun to shine upon
both and gives them both the comforts of this life. To some of both
sorts he gives his grace. He enlightens the eyes of the poor by
giving them patience, and of the deceitful by giving them
repentance, as Zaccheus. 2. By those that we think could best be
spared. <i>The poor and the deceitful</i> we are ready to look upon
as blemishes of Providence, but God makes even them to display the
beauty of Providence; he has wise ends not only in leaving the poor
always with us, but in permitting <i>the deceived and the
deceiver,</i> for both <i>are his</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.12.16" parsed="|Job|12|16|0|0" passage="Job 12:16">Job xii. 16</scripRef>) and turn to his praise.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.14" parsed="|Prov|29|14|0|0" passage="Pr 29:14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.14">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p27">14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor,
his throne shall be established for ever.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p28">Here is, 1. The duty of magistrates, and
that is, to judge faithfully between man and man, and to determine
all causes brought before them, according to truth and equity,
particularly to take care of <i>the poor,</i> not to countenance
them in an unjust cause for the sake of their poverty (<scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.23.3" parsed="|Exod|23|3|0|0" passage="Ex 23:3">Exod. xxiii. 3</scripRef>), but to see that their
poverty do not turn to their prejudice if they have a just cause.
The rich will look to themselves, but <i>the poor</i> and needy the
prince must <i>defend</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p28.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.82.3" parsed="|Ps|82|3|0|0" passage="Ps 82:3">Ps. lxxxii.
3</scripRef>) and plead for, <scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p28.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.31.9" parsed="|Prov|31|9|0|0" passage="Pr 31:9">Prov.
xxxi. 9</scripRef>. 2. The happiness of those magistrates that do
their duty. Their <i>throne</i> of honour, their tribunal of
judgment, <i>shall be established for ever.</i> This will secure to
them the favour of God and strengthen their interest in the
affections of their people, both which will be the establishment of
their power, and help to transmit it to posterity and perpetuate it
in the family.</p>
<h4 id="Prov.xxx-p28.4">Parental Discipline.</h4>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p28.5" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.15" parsed="|Prov|29|15|0|0" passage="Pr 29:15" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.15">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p29">15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child
left <i>to himself</i> bringeth his mother to shame.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p30">Parents, in educating their children, must
consider, 1. The benefit of due correction. They must not only tell
their children what is good and evil, but they must chide them, and
correct them too, if need be, when they either neglect that which
is good or do that which is evil. If a <i>reproof</i> will serve
without <i>the rod,</i> it is well, but <i>the rod</i> must never
be used without a rational and grave <i>reproof;</i> and then,
though it may be a present uneasiness both to the father and to the
child, yet it will <i>give wisdom. Vexatio dat
intellectum—Vexation sharpens the intellect.</i> The child will
take warning, and so will get <i>wisdom.</i> 2. The mischief of
undue indulgence: <i>A child</i> that is not restrained or
reproved, but is <i>left to himself,</i> as Adonijah was, to follow
his own inclinations, may do well if he will, but, if he take to
ill courses, nobody will hinder him; it is a thousand to one but he
proves a disgrace to his family, and <i>brings his mother,</i> who
fondled him and humoured him in his licentiousness, <i>to
shame,</i> to poverty, to reproach, and perhaps will himself be
abusive to her and give her ill language.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.16" parsed="|Prov|29|16|0|0" passage="Pr 29:16" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.16">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p31">16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression
increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p32">Note, 1. The more sinners there are the
more sin there is: <i>When the wicked,</i> being countenanced by
authority, grow numerous, and walk on every side, no marvel if
<i>transgression increases,</i> as a plague in the country is said
to increase when still more and more are infected with it.
<i>Transgression</i> grows more impudent and bold, more imperious
and threatening, when there are many to keep it in countenance. In
the old world, when <i>men began to multiply,</i> they began to
degenerate and corrupt themselves and one another. 2. The more sin
there is the nearer is the ruin threatened. Let not <i>the
righteous</i> have their faith and hope shocked by the increase of
sin and sinners. Let them not say that they have <i>cleansed their
hands in vain,</i> or that <i>God has forsaken the earth,</i> but
wait with patience; the transgressors shall fall, the measure of
their iniquity will be full, and then they shall fall from their
dignity and power, and fall into disgrace and destruction, and
<i>the righteous shall</i> have the satisfaction of <i>seeing their
fall</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p32.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.37.34" parsed="|Ps|37|34|0|0" passage="Ps 37:34">Ps. xxxvii. 34</scripRef>),
perhaps in this world, certainly in the judgment of the great day,
when the fall of God's implacable enemies will be the joy and
triumph of glorified saints. See <scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p32.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.24 Bible:Gen.19.28" parsed="|Isa|66|24|0|0;|Gen|19|28|0|0" passage="Isa 66:24,Ge 19:28">Isa. lxvi. 24; Gen. xix. 28</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p32.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.17" parsed="|Prov|29|17|0|0" passage="Pr 29:17" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.17">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p33">17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest;
yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p34">Note, 1. It is a very happy thing when
children prove the comfort of their parents. Good children are so;
they <i>give them rest,</i> make them easy, and free from the many
cares they have had concerning them; <i>yea,</i> they <i>give
delight unto their souls.</i> It is a pleasure to parents, which
none know but those that are blessed with it, to see the happy
fruit of the good education they have given their children, and to
have a prospect of their well-doing for both worlds; it <i>gives
delight</i> proportionable to the many thoughts of heart that have
been concerning them. 2. In order to this, children must be trained
up under a strict discipline, and not suffered to do what they will
and to go without rebuke when they do amiss. The foolishness bound
up in their hearts must by correction be driven out when they are
young, or it will break out, to their own and their parents' shame,
when they are grown up.</p>
<h4 id="Prov.xxx-p34.1">Miscellaneous Maxims.</h4>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p34.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.18" parsed="|Prov|29|18|0|0" passage="Pr 29:18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.18">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p35">18 Where <i>there is</i> no vision, the people
perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy <i>is</i> he.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p36">See here, I. The misery of the people that
want a settled ministry: <i>Where there is no vision,</i> no
prophet to expound the law, no priest or Levite to teach the good
knowledge of the Lord, no means of grace, the word of the Lord is
scarce, there is <i>no open vision</i> (<scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p36.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.3.1" parsed="|1Sam|3|1|0|0" passage="1Sa 3:1">1 Sam. iii. 1</scripRef>), where it is so <i>the people
perish;</i> the word has many significations, any of which will
apply here. 1. <i>The people are made naked,</i> stripped of their
ornaments and so exposed to shame, stripped of their armour and so
exposed to danger. How bare does a place look without Bibles and
ministers, and what an easy prey is it to the enemy of souls! 2.
<i>The people rebel,</i> not only against God, but against their
prince; good preaching would make people good subjects, but, for
want of it, they are turbulent and factious, and <i>despise
dominions,</i> because they know no better. 3. <i>The people are
idle,</i> or <i>they play,</i> as the scholars are apt to do when
the master is absent; they do nothing to any good purpose, but
stand all the day idle, and sporting in the market-place, for want
of instruction what to do and how to do it. 4. <i>They are
scattered as sheep having no shepherd,</i> for want of the masters
of assemblies to call them and keep them together, <scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p36.2" osisRef="Bible:Mark.6.34" parsed="|Mark|6|34|0|0" passage="Mk 6:34">Mark vi. 34</scripRef>. They are scattered from
God and their duty by apostasies, from one another by divisions;
God is provoked to scatter them by his judgments, <scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p36.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.3 Bible:2Chr.15.5" parsed="|2Chr|15|3|0|0;|2Chr|15|5|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:3,5">2 Chron. xv. 3, 5</scripRef>. 5. <i>They
perish;</i> they are <i>destroyed for lack of knowledge,</i>
<scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p36.4" osisRef="Bible:Hos.4.6" parsed="|Hos|4|6|0|0" passage="Ho 4:6">Hos. iv. 6</scripRef>. See what reason
we have to be thankful to God for the plenty of <i>open vision</i>
which we enjoy.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p37">II. The felicity of a people that have not
only a settled, but a successful ministry among them, the people
that hear and <i>keep the law,</i> among whom religion is
uppermost; <i>happy</i> are such a people and every particular
person among them. It is not having the law, but obeying it, and
living up to it, that will entitle us to blessedness.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p37.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.19" parsed="|Prov|29|19|0|0" passage="Pr 29:19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.19">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p38">19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for
though he understand he will not answer.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p39">Here is the description of an unprofitable,
slothful, wicked servant, a slave that serves not from conscience,
or love, but purely from fear. Let those that have such servants
put on patience to bear the vexation and not disturb themselves at
it. See their character. 1. No rational words will work upon them;
they <i>will not be corrected</i> and reformed, not brought to
their business, nor cured of their idleness and laziness, by fair
means, no, nor by foul <i>words;</i> even the most gentle master
will be forced to use severity with them; no reason will serve
their turn, for they are unreasonable. 2. No rational words will be
got from them. They are dogged and sullen; and, <i>though they
understand</i> the questions you ask them, they <i>will not</i>
give you an <i>answer;</i> though you make it ever so plain to them
what you expect from them, they will not promise you to mend what
is amiss nor to mind their business. See the folly of those
servants whose mouth by their silence calls for strokes; they might
<i>be corrected by words</i> and save blows, but they <i>will
not.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p39.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.20" parsed="|Prov|29|20|0|0" passage="Pr 29:20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.20">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p40">20 Seest thou a man <i>that is</i> hasty in his
words? <i>there is</i> more hope of a fool than of him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p41">Solomon here shows that there is little
hope of bringing a man to wisdom that is hasty either, 1. Through
rashness and inconsideration: <i>Seest thou a man that is hasty in
his matters,</i> that is of a light desultory wit, that seems to
take a thing quickly, but takes it by the halves, gallops over a
book or science, but takes no time to digest it, no time to pause
or muse upon a business? <i>There is more hope of</i> making a
scholar and a wise man of one that is dull and heavy, and slow in
his studies, than of one that has such a mercurial genius and
cannot fix. 2. Through pride and conceitedness: <i>Seest thou a man
that is</i> forward to speak to every matter that is started, and
affects to speak first to it, to open it, and speak last to it, to
give judgment upon it, as if he were an oracle? <i>There is more
hope of a</i> modest <i>fool,</i> who is sensible of his folly,
than of such a self-conceited one.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p41.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.21" parsed="|Prov|29|21|0|0" passage="Pr 29:21" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.21">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p42">21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant
from a child shall have him become <i>his</i> son at the
length.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p43">Note, 1. It is an imprudent thing in a
master to be too fond of a servant, to advance him too fast, and
admit him to be too familiar with him, to suffer him to be
over-nice and curious in his diet, and clothing, and lodging, and
so to bring him up delicately, because he is a favourite, and an
agreeable servant; it should be remembered that he is a servant,
and, by being thus indulged, will be spoiled for any other place.
Servants must endure hardness. 2. It is an ungrateful thing in a
servant, but what is very common, to behave insolently because he
has been used tenderly. The humble prodigal thinks himself unworthy
<i>to be called a son,</i> and is content to be a servant; the
pampered slave thinks himself too good to be called <i>a
servant,</i> and will be <i>a son at the length,</i> will take his
ease and liberty, will be on a par with his master, and perhaps
pretend to the inheritance. Let masters <i>give their servants that
which is equal</i> and fit for them, and neither more nor less.
This is very applicable to the body, which is a servant to the
soul; those that <i>delicately bring up</i> the body, that humour
it, and are over-tender of it, will find that at length it will
forget its place, and <i>become a son,</i> a master, a perfect
tyrant.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p43.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.22" parsed="|Prov|29|22|0|0" passage="Pr 29:22" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.22">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p44">22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a
furious man aboundeth in transgression.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p45">See here the mischief that flows from an
angry, passionate, furious disposition. 1. It makes men provoking
to one another: <i>An angry man stirs up strife,</i> is troublesome
and quarrelsome in the family and in the neighbourhood, blows the
coals, and even forces those to fall out with him that would live
peaceable and quietly by him. 2. It makes men provoking to God:
<i>A furious man,</i> who is wedded to his humours and passions,
cannot but <i>abound in transgressions.</i> Undue anger is a sin
which is the cause of many sins; it not only hinders men from
calling upon God's name, but it occasions their swearing, and
cursing, and profaning God's name.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p45.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.23" parsed="|Prov|29|23|0|0" passage="Pr 29:23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.23">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p46">23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour
shall uphold the humble in spirit.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p47">This agrees with what Christ said more than
once, 1. That those who <i>exalt themselves shall be abased.</i>
Those that think to gain respect by lifting up themselves above
their rank, by looking high, talking big, appearing fine, and
applauding themselves, will on the contrary expose themselves to
contempt, lose their reputation, and provoke God by humbling
providences to bring them down and lay them <i>low.</i> 2. That
those who <i>humble themselves shall be exalted,</i> and shall be
established in their dignity: <i>Honour shall uphold the humble in
spirit;</i> their humility is their honour, and that shall make
them truly and safely great, and recommend them to the esteem of
all that are wise and good.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p47.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.24" parsed="|Prov|29|24|0|0" passage="Pr 29:24" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.24">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p48">24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own
soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth <i>it</i> not.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p49">See here what sin and ruin those involve
themselves in who are drawn away by the enticement of sinners. 1.
They incur a great deal of guilt: <i>He</i> does so that goes
<i>partner with</i> such as rob and defraud, and <i>casts in his
lot among them,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p49.1" osisRef="Bible:Prov.1.11" parsed="|Prov|1|11|0|0" passage="Pr 1:11"><i>ch.</i> i.
11</scripRef>, &amp;c. The receiver is as bad as the thief; and,
being drawn in to join with him in the commission of the sin, he
cannot escape joining with him in the concealment of it, though it
be with the most horrid perjuries and execrations. They <i>hear
cursing</i> when they are sworn to tell the whole truth, but they
will not confess. 2. They hasten to utter ruin: They even <i>hate
their own souls,</i> for they wilfully do that which will be the
inevitable destruction of them. See the absurdities sinners are
guilty of; they love death, than which nothing is more dreadful,
and <i>hate their own souls,</i> than which nothing is more
dear.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p49.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.25" parsed="|Prov|29|25|0|0" passage="Pr 29:25" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.25">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p50">25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso
putteth his trust in the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.xxx-p50.1">Lord</span> shall
be safe.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p51">Here, 1. We are cautioned not to dread the
power of man, neither the power of a prince nor the power of the
multitude; both are formidable enough, but the slavish fear of
either <i>brings a snare,</i> that is, exposes men to many insults
(some take a pride in terrifying the timorous), or rather exposes
men to many temptations. Abraham, for <i>fear of man,</i> denied
his wife, and Peter his Master, and many a one his God and
religion. We must not shrink from duty, nor commit sin, to avoid
the wrath of man, nor, though we see it coming upon us, be
disquieted with fear, <scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p51.1" osisRef="Bible:Dan.3.16 Bible:Ps.118.6" parsed="|Dan|3|16|0|0;|Ps|118|6|0|0" passage="Da 3:16,Ps 118:6">Dan.
iii. 16; Ps. cxviii. 6</scripRef>. He must himself die (<scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p51.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.51.12" parsed="|Isa|51|12|0|0" passage="Isa 51:12">Isa. li. 12</scripRef>) and can but kill our
body, <scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p51.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.12.5" parsed="|Luke|12|5|0|0" passage="Lu 12:5">Luke xii. 5</scripRef>. 2. We are
encouraged to depend upon the power of God, which would keep us
from all that <i>fear of man</i> which has either torment or
temptation in it. <i>Whoso puts his trust in the Lord,</i> for
protection and supply in the way of duty, <i>shall be</i> set on
high, above the power of man and above the fear of that power. A
holy confidence in God makes a man both great and easy, and enables
him to look with a gracious contempt upon the most formidable
designs of hell and earth against him. If God be my salvation, <i>I
will trust and not be afraid.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p51.4" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.26" parsed="|Prov|29|26|0|0" passage="Pr 29:26" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.26">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p52">26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but
<i>every</i> man's judgment <i>cometh</i> from the <span class="smallcaps" id="Prov.xxx-p52.1">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p53">See here, 1. What is the common course men
take to advance and enrich themselves, and make themselves great:
they <i>seek the ruler's favour,</i> and, as if all their judgment
proceeded from him, to him they make all their court. Solomon was
himself a <i>ruler,</i> and knew with what sedulity men made their
application to him, some on one errand, others on another, but all
for his <i>favour.</i> It is the way of the world to make interest
with great men, and expect much from the smiles of second causes,
which yet are uncertain, and frequently disappoint them.
<i>Many</i> take a great deal of pains in seeking <i>the ruler's
favour</i> and yet cannot have it; many have it for a little while,
but they cannot keep themselves in it, by some little turn or other
they are brought under his displeasure; many have it, and keep it,
and yet it does not answer their expectation, they cannot make that
hand of it that they promised themselves they should. Haman had
<i>the ruler's favour,</i> and yet it availed him nothing. 2. What
is the wisest course men can take to be happy. Let them look up to
God, and seek the favour of the Ruler of rulers; for <i>every man's
judgment proceeds from the Lord.</i> It is not with us as the ruler
pleases; his favour cannot make us happy, his frowns cannot make us
miserable. But it is as God pleases; every creature is that to us
that God makes it to be, no more and no other. He is the first
Cause, on which all second causes depend; if he help not, they
cannot, <scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p53.1" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.6.27 Bible:Job.34.29" parsed="|2Kgs|6|27|0|0;|Job|34|29|0|0" passage="2Ki 6:27,Job 34:29">2 Kings vi. 27; Job
xxxiv. 29</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Prov.xxx-p53.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.29.27" parsed="|Prov|29|27|0|0" passage="Pr 29:27" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Prov.29.27">
<p class="passage" id="Prov.xxx-p54">27 An unjust man <i>is</i> an abomination to the
just: and <i>he that is</i> upright in the way <i>is</i>
abomination to the wicked.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Prov.xxx-p55">This expresses not only the innate
contrariety that there is between virtue and vice, as between light
and darkness, fire and water, but the old enmity that has always
been between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent,
<scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p55.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.3.15" parsed="|Gen|3|15|0|0" passage="Ge 3:15">Gen. iii. 15</scripRef>. 1. All that
are sanctified have a rooted antipathy to wickedness and wicked
people. They have a good will to the souls of all (God has, and
would have none perish); but they hate the ways and practices of
those that are impious towards God and injurious towards men; they
cannot hear of them nor speak of them without a holy indignation;
they loathe the society of the ungodly and unjust, and dread the
thought of giving them any countenance, but do all they can to
bring the wickedness of the wicked to an end. Thus <i>an unjust</i>
man makes himself odious <i>to the just,</i> and it is one part of
his present shame and punishment that good men cannot endure him.
2. All that are unsanctified have a like rooted antipathy to
godliness and godly people: <i>He that is upright in the way,</i>
that makes conscience of what he says and does, <i>is an
abomination to the wicked,</i> whose wickedness is restrained
perhaps and suppressed, or, at least, shamed and condemned, by the
uprightness of the upright. Thus Cain did, who was <i>of his father
the devil.</i> And this is not only the wickedness of the wicked,
that they hate those whom God loves, but their misery too, that
they hate those whom them shall shortly see in everlasting bliss
and honour, and who shall have <i>dominion over them in the
morning,</i> <scripRef id="Prov.xxx-p55.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.49.14" parsed="|Ps|49|14|0|0" passage="Ps 49:14">Ps. xlix.
14</scripRef>.</p>
</div></div2>