Proverbs 28

THe wicked flee when no man pursueth Because the Conscience of their own guilt puts them into a continual expectation and dread of Gods judgments.: but the righteous are bold Are couragious and resolute, having the witness of a good Conscience, and the assurance of Divine Favour and Protection, and the supports and consolations of the Holy Ghost. as a lion.

For the transgression of a land, many Either 1. Together, contending for Supremacy. Or rather 2. Successively, as appears from the following clause. Their Princes are soon cut off, and other persons, and oft times persons of other Families come in their stead, which is justly threatned as a curse, because such frequent changes are seldom for the better, and commonly for the worse, and are frequently attended with Blood and slaughter, with the change and subversion of Laws, with heavy Taxes and Charges, with the ruine of many Families, and with many other mischiefs. are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledg By a wise and good man. Which may be understood either 1. Collectively for men of understanding, &c. as it is rendred in the margent; i. e. when the men or people of a Land are wise and good. Or rather 2. Singularly, and that either 1. Of a wise and righteous Prince, who by the good government of himself, and his Family, and Kingdom, by punishing and preventing the transgressions of the People, turns away Gods wrath and saves himself and People. Or 2. Of any other man of eminent Wisdom or Piety, who prevents this judgment, either by his good Counsels given to the Prince and People, and entertained by them, or by his Intercession to God; for God has somtimes spared a People for the sake of one man, as he did Zoar for Lot, Gen. 19. 20, 21. and the Israelites for Moses, Psal. 106. 23. the state thereof shall be prolonged The Land shall enjoy its former State and Tranquillity, and the Life of their good Prince shall be prolonged.

A poor man that oppresseth the poor When a poor man being advanced into a place of Authority, abuseth it to oppress those that are poor and unable to resist him., is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food Is like a violent Rain or Flood, which washeth away the very seeds which are in the Earth, and spoileth the Corn and Fruits which are upon it. He is the worst of all oppressors, because as he is of a base mind, which also is made much worse by a sudden change and elevation into an high condition, so his own necessities inflame his desires, and make him greedy to take all, yea, even the small advantages of enriching himself. Which the ancients expressed by the similitude of an empty Horseleach, which sucketh much more strongly than that which is already filled; and of a dry sponge, which licks up far more water than that which was wet before..

They that forsake the law That live in the contempt of, and disobedience to Gods law. praise the wicked Honour their persons, contrary to Psal. 15. 4. freely and familiarly associate themselves with them, and approve of their sinful courses; all which proceeds from their great likeness to them.: but such as keep the law contend with them Are so far from praising or applauding them, that they severely rebuke them, and to the utmost of their power oppose them in their wicked enterprises..

Evil men understand not Because their minds are naturally blind, and are further blinded by their own prejudices, and passions, and by the God of this world who rules in and over them. judgment i. e. What is just and right, what is their duty in all cases and conditions, as Iudgment is frequently understood.: but they that seek the LORD By diligent study of his word, and by servent Prayers to him for advice., understand all things Which are necessary to be known by them, either for the discharge of all their present duties to God and Men, or for their everlasting Happiness..

Better In a much safer and happier condition. is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways Heb. in two ways, halting between two ways, pretending to Virtue, but practising Vice; or, covering his wicked designs with good pretences; or somtimes erring on one hand, and somtimes on the other, as wicked men commonly do., though he be rich.

Whoso keepeth the law, is a wise son And consequently a credit and comfort to his Father, as has been oft noted before.: but he that is a companion of riotous men Which is both a manifest violation of Gods Law, which forbids this Society, and is the ready way to a total and final Apostacy from God, and from his Law., shameth his father Because he is a foolish Son..

He that by usury and unjust gain Heb. By usury and (or, or) encrease, i. e. by any kind of Usury, whereby the poor are oppressed, as is implied from the opposite clause; or by any unrighteous practices. See more of these words and of this thing on Exod. 22. 25. Lev. 25. 35, 36. Psal. 15. 5. Ezek. 18. 8. increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor It shall not long continue with him or his, but shall by Gods righteous and powerful Providence be disposed into more just and merciful hands..

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law That obstinately refuseth to yield Audience or Obedience to Gods Commands., even his prayer shall be abomination To God, whose Law he despised. God will abhor and reject his person, and all his services..

Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way That by evil Counsel, or Example, or Artifice, draws them into such practices as expose them to great danger and mischief., he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession Shall by Gods good Providence towards him, both keep the good of which the wicked seeks to deprive him, and escape that mischief which he plotteth against him..

The rich man is wise in his own conceit Thinks himself to be wise when he is not, being puffed up with the opinion of his Riches, which also he imputes to his own Wisdom, and with the admirations and applauses of Flatterers, which commonly attend upon them.: but the poor that has understanding searcheth him out Knoweth him better than he knoweth himself, and, looking through all his pomp and vain show, he sees him to be what indeed he is, a foolish and miserable man, notwithstanding all his Riches, and discovers the folly of his words and actions..

When righteous men do rejoice Are encouraged and promoted to places of Trust and Power., there is great glory In that Common-wealth. The state of that Kingdom is honourable, and comfortable, and safe, so as good men can show their faces with courage and confidence., but when the wicked rise Are advanced to Honour and Authority., a man is hidden The state of that Nation is so shameful and dangerous, that wise and good men, who only are worthy of the name of men, with-draw themselves, or run into corners and obscure places, partly out of grief and shame to behold the wickedness which is publickly and impudently committed, and partly to avoid the rage and injuries of wicked Oppressors, and the judgments of God, which commonly follow such persons and their confederates in sin. Or, as others, both ancient and later Interpreters render it, a man is sought out. Sober and good men who had retired themselves, are searched for, and brought forth like sheep to the slaughter, as being most suspected, and hated, and feared by bloody Tyrants..

He that covereth his sins That does not confess them (as appears by the opposite clause) to God, and to Men too, when occasion requires it. That being convinced or admonished of his sins, either justifieth, ordenieth, or excuseth them. shall not prosper Shall not succeed in his design of avoiding punishment by the concealment of his sins, shall not find mercy, as is implied from the next clause.: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them By hearty dislike and hatred of all his sins, and by a resolved cessation from a sinful course of Life. This is added to show that although the dissembling or hiding ones sins is sufficient for his damnation, yet mere confession without forsaking of sin is not sufficient for Salvation. shall have mercy Both from God who has promised, and from Men who are ready to grant pardon and favour to such persons..

Happy is the man Because he shall thereby avoid that mischief which besals fearless sinners, which is expressed in the next clause, and procure that eternal Salvation which they lose. that feareth To wit, the offence and judgments of God. Who having confessed and forsaken his sins, as was now said, is afraid to return to them again, and careful to avoid them, and all occasions of them. alway In all times, companies, and conditions, not only in the time of great trouble, when even Hypocrites will in some sort be afraid of sinning, but in times of outward Peace and Prosperity.: but he that hardeneth his heart That goeth on obstinately and securely in sinful courses, casting off due reverence to God, and just fear of his threatnings and judgments. shall fall into mischief.

As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear The Lion and Bear are always cruel and greedy in their natures, and especially when they are hungry and want Prey, in which case the Lions roar, Psal. 104. 21. Isa. 31. 4. and Bears range about for it., so is a wicked ruler Instead of being a nursing Father, and a faithful and tender Shepheard, as he ought to be, he is a cruel and insatiable Oppressor and Devourer of them. over the poor people Whom he particularly mentions, either to note his policy in oppressing them only who were unable to withstand him, or to revenge themselves of him, or to aggravate his sin in devouring them, whom the Laws of God, and common Humanity bound him to relieve and protect; or to express the effect of his ill government, in making his people poor by his frauds and rapines..

The prince that wanteth understanding, is also a great oppressor The Tyranny or Oppression of a Prince, though by some accounted Wisdom, is in truth a manifest act and sign of great folly, because it alienateth from him the Hearts of his People, in which his Honour, and Safety, and Riches consist, and oft times causeth the shortning of his days, either from God who cuts him off by some sudden judgment, or from men who are injured by him, and exasperated against him.; but he that hateth covetousness Which is the chief cause of all oppressions and unjust practices., shall prolong his days By Gods favour, the peace and satisfaction of his own mind, and the hearty love of his people, which makes them careful to preserve his Life by their servent Prayers to God for him, by willingly hazarding their own Estates and Lives for him, when occasion requires it, and by all other possible means..

A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person That sheddeth any mans Blood, or taketh away his Life unjustly., shall flee to the pit Shall speedily be destroyed, being pursued by divine Vengeance and the Horrours of a guilty Conscience, and the Avengers of Blood., let no man stay him So it is a prohibition that no man should endeavour to save the Life of a wilful Murderer, either by intercession, or by offering satisfaction, or any other way. Of which see Gen. 9. 6. Exod. 21. 14. Numb. 35. 31. Or, as the ancient and many other Interpreters render it, no man shall stay him: None shall desire or endeavour to save him from his deserved punishment: He shall die without pity, being an object of publick hatred..

Whoso walketh uprightly, shall be saved To wit, from destruction, because God has undertaken, and promised to protect him.: but he that is preverfe in his ways Heb. in two ways, of which Phrase see above on v. 6., shall fall at once Once for all, so as he shall not need a second thrust, 1 Sam. 26. 8. and so as he shall never rise more. Or, in one, to wit, of his ways. Though he has various ways and arts to secure himself, yet none of them shall save him, but he shall perish in one or other of them, and shall be given up by God to the mistake of his way, that he shall choose that course which will be most pernicious to him..

He that tilleth his land, shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons Choosing their company, and imitating their Example, who gives up himself to vanity and idleness, and so is fitly opposed to the diligent man in the former clause., shall have poverty enough.

A faithful man Heb. A man of truth, or truths, who deals truly and justly in all his b... rgains and transactions with men. shall abound with blessings; but he that maketh haste More than God alloweth him, that taketh the nearest and readiest way to Riches, whether it be right or wrong, that is unfaithful and unjust in his dealings. to be rich, shall not be innocent Shall not obtain the blessings which be seeks, but shall bring curses and miseries upon him instead of them..

To have respect of persons, is not good: for, for a piece of bread that man will transgress When a Man has once vitiated his Conscience, and accustemed himself to take Bribes, a very small advantage will make him sell Justice, and his own Soul into the Bargain. The design of the Proverb is to warn men to take heed of the beginnings of that sin, and consequently of other sins..

He that hasteth to be rich, has an evil eye Is uncharitable to Persons in want, envious towards those who get any thing, besides him, and covetous or greedy of getting Riches by all ways possible, whether just or unjust. Thus an evil Eye is taken, Prov. 23. 6. Mat. 20. 15. as a good Eye notes the contrary disposition, Prov. 22. 9., and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him And consequently that he shall need the pity and help of others, which he cannot expect either from God or men, who has so hardned himself against others in misery..

He that rebuketh a man, afterwards When he comes calmly to consider the fidelity of the reprover, and the benefit coming to himself by the reproof, and withal the baseness and mischief of flattery. shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and says In his Heart, supposing that he has a right to his Fathers goods, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer Either 1. he hereby shows that he is fallen into such wicked Society, from whom he had such counsel or example. Or 2. he is no less guilty than a Thief who robs and destroys men upon the High-way, he is a Thief and Robber, because he has no right to the actual possession of his Fathers goods before his Death or without his consent..

He that is of a proud heart Whose property it is to overvalue himself, and to trust to himself and his own Wit, or Wealth, or Strength. stirreth up strife Because he makes it his great business to advance and please himself, and hateth and opposeth all that stand in his way, and despiseth other men, and is very jealous of his honour and impatient of the least slighting, or affront, or injury, and indulgeth his own passions; and therefore shall not be fat, but lean and miserable, as is implyed from the opposite clause.: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD Which is mentioned as a plain and certain evidence of an humble Man, who is mean and vile in his own Eyes, and therefore trusts not to himself, but to God only, making God's will, and not his own will, and passion, and interest, the rule of all his actions, and can easily deny himself, and yield to others, all which are excellent preventives of strife., shall be made fat Shall live happily and comfortably, because he avoids that strife which makes mens lives miserable..

He that trusteth in his own heart Who trusts to his own wit, neglecting or slighting the advice of others, and the counsel of God himself., is a fool And shall receive the fruit of his folly, to wit, destruction.: but whoso walketh wisely Distrusting his own judgment, and seeking the advice of others, and especially of God, as all truly wise men do., he shall be delivered From those dangers and mischiefs which fools bring upon themselves; whereby he shows himself to be a wise Man..

He that giveth unto the poor, shall not lack Shall not impoverish himself by it, as covetous men imagine or pretend, but shall be inriched, which is implied.: but he that hideth his eyes Lest he should see poor and miserable men, and thereby be moved to pity or obliged to relieve them. So he cunningly avoids the beginnings and occasions, and provocations to Charity, teaching us to use the same caution against sin., shall have many a curse Partly from the Poor, whose Curses being not causless shall come upon him, and partly from God, who will curse his very Blessings, and bring him to extream want and misery..

VVhen the wicked rise, men hide themselve Men, i. e. righteous men, as appears from the following clause, are ashamed and afraid to appear publickly; of which see on v. 12.: but when they perish, the righteous increase They who were righteous do now again appear in publick, and being advanced to that power which the wicked Rulers have lost, they use their Authority to encourage and promote Righteousness, and to punish Unrighteousness, whereby the number of wicked men is diminished, and the righteous are multiplied..