Proverbs, in The Douay Old Testament (1609–1610)

The Proverbs of Salomon. This is Proverbs as it stands in the second tome of the Douay Old Testament (Doway: Laurence Kellam, 1610), the English College of Douai’s Catholic translation from the Latin Vulgate, in its original spelling. The page gives the matter that the edition prints at the head of this part of the Old Testament, the edition’s Argument of the book, every chapter with its printed summary, the verse text and the marginal notes and the Annotations.

THE THIRD PART OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, CONTEINING SAPIENTIAL BOOKES.

The argument of Sapiential Bookes.

Hitherto the Law, and Hiſtorie of Gods peculiar people are ſet [Margin: The coherence of this part with the reſt.] forth in the former partes of the holie Bible: after which folowed the Booke of Pſalmes, which in maner of ſtile, being al in verſe, is a diſtinct part, but in ſubſtance of matter, is an Epitome or briefe Summe of al holie Scripture: moſt conueniently therfore placed in the middes of the reſt, as the Sunne amongſt other Planetes, a shining great light in a large houſe. Now enſueth the third part, conteining Diuine Inſtructions, or Rules of good life. A doctrine moſt agreable to Gods hiegh wiſdom, and moſt fitly [Margin: The contents of Sapiential bookes.] commended to Man, his reaſonable creature in earth. But beſides this principal ſubiect, as before is noted (that each part participateth with others in [Margin: Preface. before Ioſue.] their proper contents) ſo here be manie precepts of the Law renewed; ſundrie examples of men, and thinges paſt repeted; and diuers prophecies vttered of thinges to come: though in this part more ſpecially is shewed the ground, and as it were, the very life or ſoule of the Law, which is Reaſon, the true Rule or Directorie wherin al good lawes are grounded.

For it both sheweth what ought to be done, or auoided, & directeth mans iudgement to embrace that is good, and to flee from al euil, not only illuminating the vnderſtanding to ſee that is right and iuſt, but alſo diſpoſing the internal affection to deſire, loue, chooſe, and preferre the right path of Gods law, before whatſoeuer otherwiſe ſemeth pleaſant or profitable: & ſo, notwithſtanding al dangers, difficulties, diſtreſſes, worldlie calamites, and death it ſelf, effectually perſwading to perſeuere to the end in holie conuerſation. Al [Margin: Why they are ſo called.] which by a general name is called Wiſdom: compriſing in one word, al good deſires, holie vertues, ſupernal giftes, godlie endeuoures, and the whole meanes wherby God is rightly knowen, & duly ſerued; wherof theſe fiue Bookes, teaching this moſt excellent and moſt neceſſarie maner of life, are called Sapiential. Neuertheles foure of them haue alſo other particular names, as appareth in their titles. Only the fourth is called the Booke of Wiſdom, by appropriation of the general name.

Al fiue are Canonical and aſſured holie Scripture: as is shewed before: [Margin: They are al Canonical Scripture. Salomon is auctor of the three firſt.] [Margin: Proem. Annot. Prefac. Tobiae.] and may be further proued of the two later, which Proteſtants denie. It is alſo euident that King Salomon was Auctor of the three former: as S. Ierom, S. Auguſtin, and other Fathers proue by the holie text it ſelfe. As it is likewiſe certaine that he either writte, or at leaſt by diuine inſpiration vttered, much more then is now extant. For the holie Scripture [Margin: Other bookes of Salomon not extant.] [Margin: S. Iero, in proem S. Aug. li. 17. c. 20. ⟨illegible⟩iuii.] (3. Reg. 4.) teſtifieth, that he ſpake three thouſand Parables: and his Songes were a thouſand and fiue. He diſputed of the trees from the ceder that is in Libanus, vnto the hyſſop which cometh out of the wal: and he diſcourſed of beaſtes, and foules, and creeping wormes, and fishes. Ioſephus (li. S. c. 2. Antiq.) folowing ſome other Edition, ſaith his ſonges were fiue thouſand, and parables (as the ordinarie text hath) three thouſand. For he deduced a parable (ſaith Ioſephus) through out euerie kinde of trees, from the hyſſop to the ceder. In the ſame maner he treated of beaſtes, and other liuing creatures of the earth, water, and ayre. For he was not ignorant of anie natural thing, neither omitted to treate therof, but clerly explicated al their natural proprieties. Moſt briefly S. Ierom declareth both the Auctor, and [Margin: A brief ſumme of theſe three:] [Margin: Prologo galeato.] matter of theſe three bookes, ſaying: Salomon the Peaceable, and amiable of our Lord [Margin (a): Prouerbs,] correcteth maners: [Margin (b): Eccleſiaſtes,] teacheth the nature (of creatures) [Margin (c): Canticles.] ioyneth the Church and Chriſt; and ſingeth the ſwete bridal ſong of the holie Mariage.

THE ARGVMENT OF THE PROVERBES

THE firſt booke called Prouerbes, that is, common & vſual pithie [Margin: VVhy this booke is called Prouerbes and Parables.] ſentences, shorte in wordes, ample in ſenſe; and Parables, ſignifying likenes or ſimilitudes, wherby more important thinges are vnderſtood then expreſſed; inſtructeth and exhorteth new beginners, to lerne, and practiſe al ſortes of vertues, the only right way to true wiſdome and eternal happines. [Margin: The contents.] It may be diuided into foure partes. In the firſt nine chapters the auctor interpoſing certaine general preceptes, produceth wiſdom her ſelfe inuiting [Margin: Diuided into foure parts.] al men to ſeeke her, for the ſpiritual profite, they shal therby enioy. From thence to the 25. chap. he geueth ſundrie more particular precepts, as wel for embracing vertues, as shunning of vices. In the next fiue chapters, more like precepts of the ſame auctor, are added by the care of King Ezechias. In the two laſt chapters, either an other Auctor, or rather the ſame vnder an other title, commendeth to al men certaine moſt excellent precepts, receiued of his mother; wherto he adioyneth the praiſe of a right wiſe woman: prophetically the Catholique Church.

THE BOOKE OF PROVERBES, WHICH THE HERBREWES CAL MISLE.

Chapter 1

CHAP. I. [Margin: The firſt part▪ An inuitation to ſeeke vviſdom: vvith ſome general precepts.] Parables are profitable to thoſe that loue and wil lerne wiſdom. 10. Al are admonished not to folow the alurements of ſinners: 20. but to embrace wiſdome; 24. and ruine is threatned to the contemners.

1 THE Parables of Salomon, the ſonne of Dauid, king of Iſrael.

2 [a] To know“ wiſdom, and diſcipline:

3 to vnderſtand the wordes of prudence: and to receiue inſtruction of doctrine, iuſtice, and iudgement, and equitie:

4 that [b] subtilitie may be geuen to litle ones, knowlege and vnderſtanding to the youngman.

5 The [c] wiſe man hearing shal be wiser: and he that vnderſtandeth, [d] shal poſſeſſe gouernementes.

6 He shal vnderſtand a parable, and interpretation, the wordes of the wiſe, and their darke ſayings.

7 [e] The feare of our Lord is the begynning of wiſdom. Fooles deſpiſe wiſedom and doctrine.

8 My ſonne, f heare the diſcipline of thy father, and leaue not the lawe of thy mother:

9 that grace may be added to thy head, and a cheyne of gold to thy necke.

10 My ſonne, g if ſinners shal entiſe thee, condeſcend not to them.

11 If they shal ſay: Come with vs, let vs lye in waite for bloud, let vs hide ſnares againſt the innocent without cauſe:

12 let vs swalow him aliue as hel, and whole as one deſcending into the lake.

13 We shal finde al precious ſubſtance, we shal fil our houſe with ſpoiles.

14 Caſt in thy lot with vs, let there be one purse of vs al.

15 My ſonne, walke not with them, ſtay thy foote from their pathes.

16 For their feete runne to euil, and make haſte to shede bloud.

17 But h a nette is caſt in vayne before the eies of them that haue winges.

18 Them ſelues alſo lye inwayte againſt their owne bloud & practiſe deceites againſt their owne ſoules.

19 So the pathes of euerie couetous man, take violently the ſoules of the poſſeſſors.

20 Wiſdom preacheth abrode, she geueth her voice in the ſtreates:

21 In the head of multitudes she cryeth, in the doores of the gates of the citie she vttereth her wordes, ſaying:

22 O children how long doe you loue infancie, and fooles couet thoſe thinges, which are hurtful to them ſelues, and the vnwiſe hate knowlege?

23 Turne-ye at my correption: behold I wil vtter my ſpirite to you, and wil shewe you my wordes

24 “ Becauſe I called, and you refuſed: I ſtreched out my hand, and there was none that regarded.

25 You haue deſpiſed al my counſel, and haue neglected my reprehenſions.

26 I alſo wil laugh in your deſtruction, and wil ſcorne, when that shal come to you, which you feared.

27 When ſoden calamirie shal fal on you, and deſtruction, as a tempeſt [g] shal be at hand: when tribulation, and diſtreſſe shal come vpon you:

28 Then shal they inuocate me, and I wil not heare: in the morning shal they ariſe, and shal not finde me:[h]

29 for that they haue hated diſcipline, and not receiued the feare of our Lord,

30 nor conſented to my counſel, & detracted from al my correption.

31 They shal eate therefore the fruites of their way, and shal be filled with their owne counſels.

32 The auerſion of litle ones shal kil them, and the proſperitie of fooles shal deſtroy them.

33 “ But he that shal heare me, shal reſt without terrour, and shal enioy abundance, feare of euils being taken away.

Marginal notes to Chapter 1

• 2 [a] By theſe ſentencious ſimilitudes the ſtudious may better conceiue and vnderſtand true vviſdom, and the vertues belonging therto.
• 4 [b] profound & ſolide vvitte.
• 5 [c] Not only yongmen and inexperienced but alſo the vviſe may lerne more vviſdom by theſe patables.
• 5 [d] ſhal be fitte to gouerne others.
• 7 [e] Feare of our Lord, that is, reuerence of his diuine Maieſtie vvith deſire duly to ſerue him, and neuer to offend him, is the firſt degree in aſcending to perfect vviſdom: vvhich conſiſteth not only in the vnderſtanding but alſo in action.
• 27 [g] The ſecond to reſiſt euil ſuggeſtions.
• 28 [h] The proper remedie againſt ſuch alurements is to be vvatchful, and to ⟨illegible⟩ee from them.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. I.

2 VViſdom.] As wel in theſe Sapiential bookes, as in other holie Scriptures, [Margin: Three kindes of vviſdom.] and ſacred writers, the vvord vviſdom hath three ſignifications. Sometimes it importeth the Diuine Attribute called Gods wiſdom; ſometimes ſupernatural wiſdom geuen to men by the Holie Ghoſt; and ſometimes it ſignifieth mere [Margin: Diuine Attributes are not qualiries in God, but his ſubſtance.] humane vviſdom, gotten by the natural light of reaſon and mans induſtrie. The firſt, as like vviſe other Diuine Attributes, Gods Povvre, Goodnes, Iuſtice, Truth, Mercie and the like, are not qualities, or other accidents in God, as the ſame termes ſignifie in creatures. For in God there is no Accident, but al in him is this Diuine Subſtance and Eſſence, vvhoſe diuers Excellences are called by ſuch names as mans capacitie can better conceiue: and ſo Gods vviſdom is God himſelfe: and is approprieted to the ſecond Perſon of the bleſſed Trinitic, [Margin: VViſdom increated is God himſelfe.] as Povvre is approprieted to God the Father, and Goodnes to the Holie Ghoſt. In this ſenſe: chap 3. v. 16. is ſaide: Our Lord by vviſdom founded the earth &c. The ſecond is called (Sap. 3. v. 25.) the vapore of Gods povvre, and a pure emanation (orinfluence) of the glorie of Almightie God, and ſo is a participation of [Margin: VViſdom the gifte of Holie Ghoſt.] Diuine increated wiſdom called alſo diuine, according to a certaine anologie, or ſimilitude of Gods owne wiſdom, and is the principal gifte of the Holie Ghoſt, by vvhieh God is righſtly knovvne, and duly ſerued, including al other ſupernal giftes and vertues, vvherof is treated in theſe bookes, and ſo vvhich al men are inuited, vvith aſſured promiſe of celeſtial and eternal revvard. The [Margin: Humane vviſdom.] third vviſdome is mere humane, gotten by natural vvitte and ſtudie, ſuch as Philoſophers haue, knovving manie truthes, but mixt vvith manie errors, and much ignorance, truly called vvorldlie vviſdom, ſeruing only for this vvorld. But the ſecond kind, vvhich is as aſparkecle of Gods vviſdom, maketh meu, othervviſe ignorant and of ſmal capacitie, rightly vviſe in dede, the true ſeruants of God, and enheriters of the kingdom of heauen, as theſe bookes do moſt copiouſly teach.

24. Becauſe I called and you refuſed] God vourſaffeth foure benefites of grace [Margin: :: Four benefites of God Vocation, Helpe. Inſtruction, Repreheaſion.] to euerie man, al neceſſarie and ſufficient for his ſaluation: 1. He calleth al by preaching, or good inſpiration. 2. He offereth helpe. 3. He inſtructeth the ignorant what is good, that they may chooſe it if they wil. 4. And reprehendeth euil, that they may ſhunne it. They therfore that neglect this manifold grace in this life, ſhal without al remedie be damned, being to late to repent in an other world. For then they ſhal crie and not be heard. v. 28.

33. But he that shal heare me.] Contrariwiſe thoſe that accept Gods grace, and [Margin: Reward of workes.] cooperate therwith, ſhal haue eternal reſt and ioy. The very ſame, which S. Paul teacheth, 2. Cor. 5. v. 10. Euerie one ſhal receiue the proper thinges of the bodie, according as he hath done, either good or euil.

Chapter 2

CHAP. II. Gaining of wiſdom bringeth much good, 10. and auoydeth much euil: 16. deliuering from error of Idolaters and Haretikes.

1 MY ſonne, [a] if thou wilt receiue my wordes, and wilt hide my commandments with thee,

2 that thyne eare may heare wiſdom: incline thyne hart to knowe prudence.

3 For if thou shalt cal for wiſdom, and incline thyne hart to prudence:

4 If thou shalt ſeeke her [b] as money, and as treaſures shalt dig her vp:

5 then shalt thou vnderſtand the feare of our Lord, and shalt finde the knowlege of God.

6 Becauſe our Lord geueth wiſdom: and out of his mouth prudence and knowlege.

7 He wil keepe the ſaluation of the righteous, & protect them that walke ſimply

8 Keeping the pathes of iuſtice, & garding the wayes of ſaints.

9 Then shalt thou vnderſtand iuſtice, and iudgement, and equitie, and euerie good path.

10 If wiſdom shal enter into thy hart, and knowlege pleaſe thy ſoule:

11 counſel shal keepe thee, and prudence shal preſerue thee,

12 that thou mayſt be deliuered from the euil way, and from the man, that ſpeaketh peruerſe thinges:

13 “ who c leaue the right way, and walke by darke wayes:

14 “ who are glad when they haue done euil, and reioyce in moſt wicked thinges:

15 whoſe wayes are peruerſe, and their ſteppes infamous.

16 That thou mayſt be deliuered from “ the ſtrange woman, and from the forener, which mollifieth her wordes,

17 forſaketh the guide of her youth,

18 and hath forgotten the couenant of her God. For her houſe [c] is bowed downe to death, and her pathes to hel.

19 Al “ that goe in vnto her, shal not returne neithet shal they apprehend the pathes of life.

20 That thou mayſt walke in a good way: and mayſt keepe the pathes of the iuſt.

21 For they that are right, shal dwel in the earth, and the ſimple shal continue in it.

22 But the impious shal be deſtroyed from the earth: and they that doe vniuſtly shal be taken away from it.

Marginal notes to Chapter 2

• 1 [a] This frequent maner of propoſing the vvay and meanes to vviſdom If thou vvilt receiue my vvordes, &c. ſhevveth moſt cuidently the povvre of mans free vvil.
• 4 [b] Not euerie deſire, or ſleight ſeeking of vvi⟨illegible⟩dom ſufficieth, but ſuch laborious ſeeking is required, as a couetous man ſ⟨illegible⟩ekerb⟨illegible⟩re⟨illegible⟩ſure vvhich he knoweth to be hid in the ground.
• 9 Sap. 3. v. 32. 10. v. ⟨illegible⟩.
• 18 [c] A deſcription of peruers ſinners eſpecially of heretikes.

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. II.

13. VVho leaue the right vvay.] Generally this deſcription of wicked men, agreeth to al that committe and perſiſt in mortal ſinne, whether they walked [Margin: Foure markes of an heretike. 1. He forſaketh the knowen faith.] right at anie time before or no; but moſt eſpecially ſheweth the properties of heretikes: who forſake and leaue the direct, ancient, beaten, knovvne vvay of [Margin: Iſaiae. 35. v. ⟨illegible⟩.] the Catholique Church, and teach nevv obſcure doctrines, not heard of, or not approued in our forefathers time Secondly (v. 14) they glorie in their ovvne deuiſes, and reioyce in moſt vvicked thinges, as in ſeducing multitude [Margin: 2. He glorieth in his ovvne invention.] of peoples, to rebel againſt their Catholique Princes, and other Superiors ſpiritual and temporal, in breaking vovves; in deſpiſing good vvorkes; truſting to only faith, and that not the Catholique faith of al true Chriſtians, but euerie one his particular perſvvaſion, that himſelf is iuſt, & ſhal be ſaued, vvhich by their ovvne doctrin, none is bond to beleue of an others ſtate, but of his owne only. In ſo much that the chiefeſt point of a Proteſtants imagined faith, is not a general Article, which al do or ſhould beleue, but a moſt particular and ſingular phantaſie, which each one muſt conceiue of himſelf, or herſelf. Thirdly (v. 16.) Hereſie, called here the ſtrange and forrene woman, tempereth [Margin: 3 Teacheth pleaſing thinges.] her vvordes, to pleaſe the itching eares of her auditorie, framing her doctrine to the humour of thoſe, vvhom she ſeeketh to peruert. The ſame vvich the Apoſtle ſaith in other vvordes, by ſvvere ſpeaches and benedictions [Margin: Rom. 1⟨illegible⟩. v. 18.] they ſeduce the hartes of innocents Fourthly (v. 19.) Thoſe that do enter into [Margin: 4. Admitteth no iudge but himſelf.] error of hereſie, ſhal not returne, that is, very hardly and rarely returne into the right vvay of life; the reaſon whereof the ſame Apoſtle yeldeth, becauſe an [Margin: ⟨illegible⟩it. ⟨illegible⟩. v. 11.] heretike is condemned by his ovvne iudgement. For being in error, and admitting no iudge but himſelf, he parteth from the Church, excludeth the meanes of better iuſtruction, & through his erronious iudgement, remaineth in damnable opinion, and ſo in the ſtate of damnation.

Chapter 3

CHAP. III. Wiſdom exhorteth to kepe Gods law (geuing long life) to obſerue mercie, and truth. 5. to confide in God, 7. to feare, 9. and honour him, 11. to take his correction gladly (13. for al good thinges folow wiſdom) 27. to releue the needie without delay, 30. not to contend with the wicked, nor to imitate them. 33. The euil shal faile, and the godlie shal proſper.

1 MY ſonne, [a] forget not my law, and let thy [b] hart keepe my precepts.

2 For they shal adde to thee length of dayes, and yeares of life, and peace.

3 Let not [c] mercie and truth leaue thee, put them about thy throte, and write them in the tables of thy hart:

4 and thou shalt finde grace, and good diſcipline before God and men.

5 [d] Haue confidence in our Lord with al thy hart, and leane not vpon thyne owne prudence.

6 In al thy wayes thinke on him, and he wil direct thy ſteppes.

7 Be not wiſe in thyne owne conceipte: feare God, and depart from euil:

8 for it shal be health to thy nauil, and watering of thy bones.

9 Honour our Lord with thy ſubſtance, and geue to him of the firſt of al thy fruites:

10 and thy barnes shal be replenished with fulnes, and thy preſſes shal runouer with wine.

11 My ſonne, caſt not away the diſcipline of our Lord: neither doe thou faint when thou art chaſte⟨illegible⟩d of him:

12 [e] for whom our Lord loueth he chaſticeth and as a father in the ſonne he pleaſeth himſelf.

13 Bleſſed is the man that findeth wiſdom, and floweth with prudence:

14 better is the purchaſing therof then marchandiſe of ſiluer, and her fruite then chiefe and the pureſt gold:

15 she is more precious then al riches: and al thinges that are deſired, are not able to be compared with her.

16 [f] Length of dayes in her right hand, & in her left hand [g] riches and glorie

17 Her wayes are beautiful wayes, and al her pathes peaceable.

18 She is a tree of life to them that shal apprehend her: and he that shal hold her is bleſſed.

19 Our Lord by wiſdom founded the earth, eſtablished the heauens by prudence.

20 By his wiſdom the depthes haue broken forth, and the cloudes waxe thicke with dew.

21 My ſonne, let not theſe thinges depart from thyne eies: kepe the law & counſel:

22 and there shal be life to thy ſoule, and [h] grace to thy iawes.

23 Then shalt thou walke confidently in thy way, and thy foote shal not ſtumble:

24 if thou ſleepe, thou shalt not feare: thou shalt reſt, and thy ſleepe shal be ſweete.

25 Dread not at ſoden terrour, and the power of the impious falling vpon thee.

26 For our Lord wil be at thy ſide, and wil keepe thy foote that thou be not taken.

27 Doe not prohibite him to doe good, that is able: if thou be able, thy ſelfe alſo doe good.

28 Say not to thy frend: goe, and returne; and [i] tomorow I wil geue to thee: wheras thou mayeſt geue forth with.

29 Practiſe not euil againſt thy freind, when he hath affiance in thee.

30 Contend not againſt man without cauſe, wheras he hath done thee no euil.

31 Doe not enuie an vniuſt man, nor imitate his waies:

32 becauſe euerie deluder is an abomination of our Lord, and his communication is with the ſimple.

33 There is pouertie from our Lord in the houſe of the impious: but the habitations of the iuſt shal be bleſſed.

34 He shal delude the deluders, and to the milde he wil geue grace.

35 The wiſe shal poſſeſſe glorie: the exaltation of fooles ignominie.

Marginal notes to Chapter 3

• 1 [a] It auaileth litle to heare good inſtructions, except we⟨illegible⟩ them in memorie.
• 1 [b] not ⟨illegible⟩n books only but in the hart.
• 3 [c] and ⟨illegible⟩ut them in execution.
• 5 [d] knovv alſo that al thy ſtreingth is in Go⟨illegible⟩ ▪ in whom th⟨illegible⟩ m⟨illegible⟩ſt ⟨illegible⟩ ⟨illegible⟩uſt, not in th⟨illegible⟩ o⟨illegible⟩ ⟨illegible⟩e
• 12 [e] ⟨illegible⟩ and⟨illegible⟩ ⟨illegible⟩thoſe that endeuour ⟨illegible⟩ God, is a ⟨illegible⟩ of his ſ⟨illegible⟩u⟨illegible⟩ur tovvards them; and therfore his other promiſes vvhich ſeme to be temporal, are to be vnderſtood of the next life.
• 16 [f] God revvardeth as it vvere vvith both handes promiſing eternal life,
• 16 [g] and competent meanes in this life.
• 22 [h] M⟨illegible⟩ for the wordes of thy mouth
• 28 [i] Almes in ſeaſon ⟨illegible⟩ vvorth to that vvhich is differred long.

Chapter 4

CHAP. IIII. The wiſeman exhorteth others by his owne example to ſeeke wiſdom, 14. to decline from the wicked, and to imitate the iuſt, 23. to guide wel the hart, mouth, and feete.

1 CHILDREN heare ye the fathers diſcipline, and attend that you may knowe prudence.

2 I wil geue you a good gift, forſake not my law.

3 For [::] I alſo was the ſonne of my father, tender and as onlie begotten in my mothers ſight:

4 and he taught me, & ſayd: Let thy hart receiue my wordes, kepe my preceptes, and thou shalt liue.

5 Poſſeſſe wiſedom, poſſeſſe prudence: forget not, neither decline from the wordes of my mouth.

6 Leaue her not, and she wil keepe thee: loue her, and she wil preſerue thee.

7 [::] The beginning of wiſdom, poſſeſſe wiſdom, and in al thy poſſeſſion purchaſe prudence:

8 take quickly, and she wil exalt thee: thou shalt be glorified of her, when thou shalt embrace her.

9 She wil geue to thy head increaſe of graces, and with a noble crowne she wil protect thee.

10 Heare my ſonne, and receiue my wordes, that yeares of life may be multiplied to thee.

11 The way of wiſdom I wil shew to thee, I wil leade thee by the pathes of equitie.

12 Which when thou shalt haue entered, thy ſteppes shal not be ſtraytened, and running thou shalt not haue a ſtumbling blocke.

13 Hold diſcipline, leaue it not: kepe it, becauſe the ſame is thy life.

14 Be not delighted in the pathes of the impious, neither let the way of the euil pleaſe thee.

15 Flee from it, neither paſſe thou by it: goe aſide, and forſake it.

16 For they ſleepe not vnleſſe they haue done il: and they take no ſleepe vnleſſe they ſupplant.

17 They eate the bread of impietie, and drinke the wine of iniquirie.

18 But the path of the iuſt, as shyning light proceedeth euen to perfect day.

19 The way of the impious is darkeſom: they know not where they fal.

20 My ſonne, heare my wordes, and incline thyne eare to my ſayinges.

21 Let them not depart from thyne eies, kepe them in the middes of thy hart.

22 For they are life to thoſe that finde them, and health to al flesh.

23 With al garde keepe thy [::] hart, becauſe life proceedeth from it.

24 Remoue from thee a froward mouth, and let detracting lippes be far from thee.

25 Let thyne eies ſee right thinges, & let thine eieliddes goe before thy ſteppes.

26 Direct the path to thy feete, and al thy wayes shal be eſtablished.

27 Decline not to the right hand, nor to the left: turne away thy foote from euil.

28 For our Lord knoweth the wayes that are on the right hand: but thoſe are peruers, which are on the left hand.

29 But he wil make thy courſes right, and thy wayes he wil bring forward in peace.

Marginal notes to Chapter 4

• 3 [::] As Salomon was inſtructed by his father king Dauid ſo he teacheth others, the right order hovve to lerne vviſdom.
• 7 [::] The firſt part of wiſdom is to deſire it. For nothing hinde reſ⟨illegible⟩ from being ⟨illegible⟩uſt but that ⟨illegible⟩uſtice is not deſired S. Aug in Pſal. 118. v. 20.
• 23 [::] As the hart is the principal part of the bodie, ſo the vvil is the chiefeſt powre of the ſoule: from vvhich good or euil procedeth.

Chapter 5

CHAP. V. Againe wiſdom dehorteth from fornication (carnal and ſpiritual) 6. shewing that in the end ſinners shal ſee and feele the effect of their follie: 20. which God ſeeth and wil punish.

1 MY ſonne, attend to my wiſdom, and to my prudence incline thyne eare,

2 that thou mayſt keepe [a] cogitations, and thy lippes preſerue diſcipline.

3 Attend not to the deceipt of a [b] woman: for the lippes of an harlot are as a hony combe diſtilling, and her throte netter then oyle.

4 But her later endes are bitter as wormewood, and sharpe as a two edged ſword.

5 Her feete goe downe into death, and her steppes penetrate vnto hel.

6 They walke not by the path of life, her steppes are wandering, and vnſearcheable.

7 Now therfore my ſonne heare me, and depart not from the wordes of my mouth.

8 Make thy way far from her, and aproch not to the doores of her houſe.

9 Geue not thy honour [c] to ſtrangers, and thy yeres to the [d] cruel.

10 Leſt perhaps ſtrangers be filled with thy ſtrength, and thy labours be in an other mans houſe,

11 and thou mourne in the end, when thou shalt haue ſpent thy flesh and thy bodie, and ſay:

12 Why haue I deteſted diſcipline, and my hart conſented not to reprehenſions,

13 nor I heard the voice of them that taught me, and haue not inclined mine eare to maſters?

14 I haue almoſt bene in al euil, in the middes of the church and of the ſynagoge.

15 Drinke water of thyne owne ceſterne, and the ſtremes of thy wel:

16 [e] Let thy fountaines be deriued abrode, and in the ſtreates diuide thy waters.

17 [f] Haue them alone, neither let ſtrangers be partakers with thee.

18 Let thy vayne be bleſſed, and reioyce with the woman of thy youth:

19 a hinde moſt deare, and a moſt grateful fawne: let her breaſtes inebriate thee at al time, in her loue be thou delighted continually.

20 Why art thou ſeduced my ſonne of a ſtrange woman, and art cherished in the boſome of an other?

21 Our Lord beholdeth the wayes of a man, and conſidereth al his ſteppes.

22 His owne iniquities take the impious, and he is faſt bonde with the ropes of his ſinnes.

23 He shal die becauſe he hath not had diſcipline, and in the multitude of his folie he shal be deceiued.

Marginal notes to Chapter 5

• 2 [a] To auoide al impietie it is firſt of al neceſſarie, not to thinke, ſpeake, nor heare vnlawful thinges.
• 3 [b] By woman is generally vnderſtood concupiſcence of vvhat ſinne ſoeuer, as. ch. 1. v. 10. & ch 3. v. 33 chap 4. v. 14.
• 9 [c] The vvorld the flesh and the diuel are ſtrangers.
• 9 [d] And cruel enemies that render for revvard eternal damnation.
• 16 [e] Good doctrine is to be imperted to men of ſincere intention.
• 17 [f] no to contemners and obſtinate in⟨illegible⟩idels.

Chapter 6

CHAP. VI. He that is ſuretie for an other, muſt haue care to diſcharge that he promiſeth. 6. The ſlouthful muſt lerne diligence of the emmotte. 12. The deſcription of an Apoſtata. 16. Aboue other ſix bad thinges, God deteſteth the ſower of diſcord. 20. Al are exhorted to kepe Gods law, 24. namely to flee fornication, and al occaſions therof.

1 MY ſonne, :: if thou shalt be ſuretie for thy freind, and haſt made faſt thy hand to a ſtranger,

2 thou art entrapped with the wordes of thy mouth, & caught with thyne owne wordes.

3 Doe therefore my ſonne that which I ſay, and deliuer thyſelfe, becauſe thou art fallen into the hand of thy neighbour. Runne diuers wayes, make haſt, rayſe thy freind:

4 Geue not ſleepe to thine eies, neither let thine eieliddes ſlumber.

5 Deliuer thyſelfe as a litle doa from the hand, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.

6 Goe to the emmote ô ſluggard, and conſider her wayes, and lerne wiſdom.

7 Who wheras she hath no guide, nor maſter, nor captaine,

8 prepareth meate for herſelfe in the ſummer, and gethereth in the harueſt for to eare

9 How long wilt thou ſleepe ô ſluggard? when wilt thou riſe out of thy ſleepe?

10 Thou shalt sleepe a litle, a litle shalt thou ſlumber, a litle shalt thou ioyne thy handes to ſleepe:

11 and penurie shal come to thee, as a wayfaring man, and pouertie as a man armed. But if thou be not ſluggish, thy harueſt shal come as a fountaine, and penurie shal flee farre from thee.

12 A man that is an [::] Apoſtata, a man vnprofitable, goeth with peruerſe mouth,

13 winketh with the eies, treadeth with the foote, ſpeaketh with the finger,

14 with wicked hart he deuiſeth euil, and at al time he ſoweth brawles.

15 To him his deſtruction shal come forthwith, and he shal ſodenlie be deſtroyed, neither shal he haue remedie any more.

16 Six thinges there are, which our Lord hateth, and the ſeuenth his ſoule deteſteth:

17 Loftie eies, a lying tongue, handes that shede innocent bloud,

18 a hart that deuiſeth moſt wicked deuiſes, feete ſwift to runne into euil,

19 a deceitful witneſſe that vttereth lies, and him that among brether [::] ſoweth diſcordes.

20 My ſonne keepe the preceptes of thy father, and leaue not the lawe of thy mother.

21 Bynde them in thy hart continualy, and put them about thy throte.

22 When thou shalt walke, let them goe with thee: when thou shalt ſleepe, let them kepe thee, and awaking talke with them.

23 Becauſe the commandment is a lampe, and the lawe a light, and the way of life the increpation of diſcipline:

24 that they may kepe thee from the euil woman, and from the faire ſpoken tongue of the ſtranger.

25 Let not thy hart couet her beautie, be not caught with her beckes:

26 for the price of an harlot is ſcarſe worth one loafe: but a woman catcheth the precious ſoule of man.

27 [::] Can a man hide fyre in his boſome, that his garmentes burne not?

28 Or walke vpon hote coales, that his ſoales be not burnt?

29 ſo he that goeth in vnto his neighbours wife, shal not be cleane when he shal touche her.

30 It is [::] no greate fault, when a man shal haue ſtollen: for he ſtealeth to fil his hungrie ſoule:

31 alſo being taken he shal reſtore ſeuenfold, and shal geue vp al the ſubſtance of his houſe.

32 But he that is an aduouterer, for penurie of harr shal deſtroy his owne ſoule:

33 shame and ignominie he gethereth to himſefe, & his reproch shal not be blotted out.

34 Becauſe the zele and furie of the husband wil not ſpare in the day of reuenge,

35 neither wil he yeld to any mans prayers, neither wil he take for redemption verie many giftes.

Marginal notes to Chapter 6

• 1 The vviſman doth not abſolutly diſvvade from al maner of ſuretiſhippe, but from raſhly, or vnaduiſedly anſvvering for others. And eſpecially exhorteth to vſe al diligence in performing, or cauſing others to performe that vvhich is promiſed or couenanted.
• 12 [::] Euerie one that ſinneth vvittingly and of malice refuſing to obey God, imployeth his mouth, eyes, feete, handes and al partes vvith a vvicked hart and intention to peruerte others: moſt proper to heretikes, apoſtates from the faith.
• 19 [::] The forme⟨illegible⟩ ſix are al damnable, but this ſeuenth is moſt deteſtable, becauſe it is oppoſite to the chief vertue charitie, it breaketh vnitie, & is the proper ſinne of the diuel.
• 27 [::] Al occaſions of ſinne, eſpecially probable are to be ſhunned.
• 30 [::] Theift is alſo mortal ſinne, againſt the ſeuenth cōmandment, but not ſo great as ad⟨illegible⟩lterie.

Chapter 7

CHAP. VII. He further exhorteth youngmen to ſeke wiſdom, 5. eſpecially to flee from the intiſements of harlots, largely deſcribing the ſame, 22. and the ruine of them that are ſo deluded.

1 MY ſonne, [::] keepe my wordes, and my preceptes hide with thee. Sonne,

2 keepe my commandmentes, and thou shalt liue: and my law as the apple of thine eie:

3 binde it on thy fingers, write it in the tables of thy hart.

4 Say to wiſdom, thou art my ſiſter: & cal prudence thy freind,

5 that she may keepe thee from the ſtrange woman, and from the forenrer which maketh her wordes ſweete.

6 For out of the window of my houſe I looked out through the lattiſe,

7 and I ſee litle ones, I behold a foolish youngman,

8 which paſſeth through the ſtreates by the corner, and goeth nigh the way of her houſe,

9 in the darke the day being toward euening, in the darkenes of the night, and dimnes,

10 And behold the woman meeteth him in harlotes atyre, prepared to deceiue ſoules: babling and wandering,

11 impatient of reſt, nor able to conſiſt in the houſe on her feete,

12 now abrode, now in the ſtreates, now lying in wayte neere the corners.

13 And taking the youngman she kiſſeth him, and with malepert countenance ſpeaketh fayre, ſaying:

14 I vowed victimes for welfare, this day I haue payed my vowes.

15 Therfore I am come forth to meete thee, deſirous to ſee thee, and I haue found thee.

16 I haue wouen my bed with cordes, I haue adorned it with tapeſtrie pictured out of Aegypt.

17 I haue ſprinkled my bed with myr⟨illegible⟩he, aloes, and cinamome.

18 Come let vs be inebriated with breſtes, and let vs enioy deſired embracings, til the day appeare.

19 For my husband is not at home, he is gone a very long iourney.

20 he caried with him a bagge of money: in the day of the ful moone he wil returne to his houſe.

21 She intangled him with many wordes, and with flatterie of lippes drewe him.

22 Immediatly he foloweth her [::] as an oxe led to be a victime, & as a lambe playing the wanton, and not knowing that he is drawen as a foole to bondes,

23 til the arow pearſe his liuer: as if a birde should make haſte to the ſnare, and knoweth not that his life is in danger.

24 Now therfore my ſonne, heare me, and attend to the wordes of my mouth.

25 Let not thy mind be drawen away in her wayes: neither be thou deceiued with her pathes.

26 For she hath caſt downe manie wounded, and al the moſt ſtrong are ſlaine by her.

27 Her houſe the wayes of hel, penetrating to the inner partes of death.

Marginal notes to Chapter 7

• 1 [::] Becauſe tentations ſtil occurre in this life, and man is fraile, good exhortations, and earneſt admonitions muſt alſo be continually inculcated as here the vviſman often repeteth and much vrgeth the ſame good and neceſſarie aduiſes to embrace vviſdom and to vvalke ſtil in the vvay of vertue, eſpecially to flee from vices, and dangers of ſinne.
• 22 [::] Sinners after conſent geuen to tentations, are as inconſiderate of their ovvne ſtate, & of their perile and ruine, as an oxe, vvhen he is ledde to the ſhamles, or a ⟨illegible⟩rd allured vvith a ba⟨illegible⟩e, that ⟨illegible⟩eth into the ſnare or n⟨illegible⟩te.

Chapter 8

CHAP. VIII. Wiſdom is preached in conſpicious and moſt frequented places, that none may pretend wante of admonition, 7. her doctrin is true, godlie, profitable, & neceſſarie to al ſortes of men. 12. wiſdom (increated which is God himſelfe) is eternal. 32. and bringeth eternal happines.

1 DOTH not wiſdom crie, and prudence geue her voice?

2 Standing [::] in the high & loftie toppes ouer the way, in the middes of the pathes,

3 beſide the gates of the citie in the verie doores she ſpeaketh, ſaying:

4 O men, to you I crie, and my voice is to the children of men.

5 O litle ones vnderſtand ſubtiltie, and ye vnwiſe marke.

6 Heare ye, becauſe I wil ſpeake of great thinges: and my lippes shal be opened to preach right thinges.

7 My throte shal meditate truth, and my lippes shal deteſt the impious.

8 Al my wordes are iuſt, there is no wicked, nor peruerſe thing in them.

9 They are right to them that vnderſtand, and iuſt to them that finde knowlege.

10 Receiue ye diſcipline, & not money: chooſe doctrine rather then gold.

11 For wiſdom is better then al moſt precious riches: and whatſoeuer is to be deſired can not be compared to it.

12 I [::] wiſdome dwel in counſel, and am preſent in lerned cogitations.

13 The feare of our Lord hateth euil: arrogancie, and pride, and wicked way, and a duble toungued mouth I doe deteſt.

14 Myne is counſel & equitie, prudence is mine, ſtrength is mine.

15 By me kinges doe reigne, and the makers of law decree iuſt thinges.

16 By me princes rule, and the mightie decree iuſtice.

17 I loue them that loue me: and they that watch toward me shal finde me.

18 With me are riches, and glorie, glorious riches, and iuſtice.

19 For my fruite is better then gold, and precious ſtone, and my bloſomes then choſen ſiluer.

20 I Walke in the wayes of iuſtice, in the middes of the pathes of iudgement,

21 that I may enriche them that loue me, and may replenish their treaſures.

22 Our Lord poſſeſſed me in the beginning of his wayes, before he had made any thing from the beginning.

23 From eternitie I was ordayned & of old before the earth was made.

24 The depthes were not as yet, and I was now conceiued, neither had the fountaines of waters as yet gushed forth:

25 the mountaines with heauie hugeneſſe ſtoode not as yet: before the litle hilles I was brought forth:

26 he had not yet made the earth, and the riuers, and the poles of the round world.

27 When he prepared the heauens, I was preſent: when with a certaine law, and circuite he compaſſed the depthes:

28 When he eſtablished the firmament aboue, & poyſed the fountaines of waters:

29 when he compaſſed the ſea with her limites, and ſet a law to the waters that they should not paſſe their boundes: when he hanged the foundations of the earth.

30 I was with him framing al thinges: and was delighted euetie day, playing before him at al time;

31 playing in the world: & [::] my delights to be with the children of men.

32 Now therfore children heare me: bleſſed are they, that keepe my wayes.

33 Heare ye diſcipline, and be wiſe, and reiect it not.

34 Bleſſed is the man that heareth me, & that watcheth at my doores dayly, & wayteth at the poſtes of my doore.

35 He that shal finde me, shal finde life, and shal draw ſaluation of our Lord:

36 but he that shal ſinne againſt me, shal hurt his owne ſoule. Al that hate me, loue death.

Marginal notes to Chapter 8

• 2 [::] True vviſdom directing to good life & ſo to eternal ſaluation, is only found in the viſible Church ſtanding vpon a mountaine, not hidde in corners or obſcure places.
• 12 [::] Theſe ſingular praiſes perteine to the increated wiſdom, God himſelf, from whom procedeth wiſdom geuen to men by the Holie Ghoſt. See Annot. ch. 1. v. 2.
• 31 [::] God much preferreth man before al other corporal creatures.

Chapter 9

CHAP. IX. Wiſdom hauing built her houſe with ſeuen pillers, inuiteth al to a prepared banquette, 11. promiſing to multiplie ioyful dayes. 13. Folie inciteth ⟨illegible⟩e her contrarie banquet of ſtollen water and hidde bread.

1 VVISEDOME “ hath built herſelf an houſe, she hath cut out ſeuen pillers.

2 She hath immolated her victimes, mingled her wine, and ſet forth her table.

3 She hath ſent her handmaides to cal to the towre, and to the walles of the citie:

4 If any be a litle one, let him come to me. And to the vnwiſe she ſpake:

5 Come, [::] eate ye my bread, & drinke the wine which I haue mingled for you.

6 Leaue infancie, and liue, and walke by the wayes of prudence.

7 He that teacheth a ſcorner doth iniurie to himſelf; and he that rebuketh the impious, purchaſeth a blotte to himſelf.

8 Rebuke [::] not the ſcorner leſt hee hate thee. [::] Rebuke a wiſe man, and he wil loue thee.

9 Geue occaſion to a wiſe man, and wiſdom shal be added to him. Teach the iuſt, and he shal make haſte to take it.

10 The beginning of wiſdom, the feare of our Lord: and the knowlege of the holie, prudence.

11 For by me shal thy dayes be multiplied, and yeres of life shal be added to thee.

12 If thou be wiſe, to thyſelf thou shalt be; and if a ſcorner, thou alone shalt beare the euil.

13 A foolish woman and clamorous, and ful of alurementes, and knowing nothing at al,

14 ſate in the doores of her houſe vpon a ſeate in a high place of the citie,

15 to cal them that paſſe by the way, and goe on their iourney:

16 He that is a litle one, let him turne to me. And to the foole she ſpake:

17 Stolen waters are ſweeter, and hidden bread more pleaſant.

18 and he was ignorant that giantes are there, and her gueſtes in the depthes of hel

Marginal notes to Chapter 9

• 5 [::] S. Cyprian li. 2. ep. 3. citeth this whole paſſage of Chriſts Sacrifice in the formes of bread and vvine.
• 8 [::] VVhere is no hope of amendment prudence directeth vs not to admoniſh, nor rebuke ſinners, le⟨illegible⟩t without an⟨illegible⟩e ⟨illegible⟩ ⟨illegible⟩e procure emnitie, charitie alſo requireth rather to expect better opportunitie, leſt the offender become worſe by our admonition.
• 8 [::] But when there is hope of good, euerie one is bond, eſpecially ſuperiors to correct offenders. S. Aug. li. 1. c. 9. de ciuit. S. Baſil. regulis fuſe diſput. 158.

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. IX.

⟨illegible⟩. VViſdom hath built herſelf a houſe.] According to the literal ſenſe, wherin [Margin: God built his Church with ſpiritual Paſtors & Rites of Religion in the old Teſtament.] the myſtical is grounded (both intended by the Holie Ghoſt) VViſdom which is God himſelf, Creator & Conſeruer of al thinges, whoſe ſpecial good pleaſure, and delight is to be with men, built his houſe the Church, firſt in the Patriarches, [Margin: Prou. 8. v. 3⟨illegible⟩.] Prieſtes, Prophetes and his other faithful ſeruantes in the old Teſtament; partly before; but more conſpicouſly in the people of Iſrael, eſtabliſhing the ſame with ſeuen, that is (according to the frequent phraſe of holie Scripture) with manie pillers, Paſtors and chief gouerners, by whom the whole people were directed in al ſpiritual cauſes; as the Pſalmiſt likevviſe induceth God, [Margin: Pſal. 74. Galat. 2.] ſaying: I haue confirmed the pillers therof. And as S. Paul aftervvard calleth S. Peter, S. Iames, and S. Iohn, pillers. In this houſe vviſdom alſo prepared a banquette, appointed victimes of diuers ſortes, as gratful Sacrifices to God, & therto inuited al men in much better order, and to their more profite, then the adultreſſe vvoman, follie and vvicked concupiſcence, in citeth to her carnal and vvordlie pleaſures, vvhich bring to eternal ruine. And for this purpoſe, God neuer ceaſed to ſend Prieſtes and Prophetes to inuite the people of Iſrael, to this ſtrong tovvre fenſed vvith vvalles. In the Allegorical ſenſe, the ſame diuine increated VViſdom, the ſecond Perſon in the B. Trinitie, the Diuine [Margin: The ſame are more excellent in the Church of Chriſt.] VVORD coeternal to the Father, built himſelf a houſe, his humane bodie in the virgins vvombe, and therunto, as to the head, adioyned the members, his myſtical bodie the Church, immolated victimes of Martyrs, prepared the Table in breade and vvine, vvhere alſo appeareth his Prieſthood, according to the Order of Melchiſedec, and called therto ſuch as before vvere vnvviſe, and of ſmal vnderſtanding: becauſe as the Apoſtle ſaith: God choſe the vveake of this vvorld to confound the ſtrong. As S. Auguſtin expoundeth this paſſage li. [Margin: 1. Cor. 1.] 17. c. 20. de ciuit. & q. 51. veter. & noui. Teſt. to. 4. [Margin: The ſecond part. Sentencious moral precepts.]

THE PARABLES OF SALOMON.

This repetition of the title ſignifieth, that the ſentences which folow are more properly called Parables, then the former. From vvhich they alſo differ in maner of vtterance, by the figure Antitheſis, for moſt part oppoſing, and comparing contrarie vertues and vices, ſhevving their contrarie effectes; vvith [Margin: How theſe Parables folowing differ from the former.] great elegancie, eſpecially in the original tongue; vvhich could not be ſo fully expreſſed in Greke, nor Latin, much leſſe in vulgar language. But are the ſame in ſenſe, though often obſcure by reaſon of the Hebrevv phraſe, ſhortnes of ſentences, and ſo vvithout anie certaine connexion, that we can not with perſpicuitie, comprehend the ſumme therof in briefe contentes after the ordinarie maner before the chapters And therfore haue thought it better for the vulgar reader, to ſet downe in the margent of the twentie chapters next folowing, [Margin: VVhy the contents of the twentie chapters folowing are put in the margent.] in briefe termes, the vertues, or other good thinges (rather then the bad, not hauing place for both) commended in euerie ſentence▪ For though the ſame be not alwayes expreſſed in the text, yet they may be vnderſtood by their oppoſite vices VVhoſoeuer deſireth further explication, may finde manie of theſe diuine ſentences, excellently expounded by S. Ierom, S. Auguſtin. S. Gregorie and other Fathers in ſeueral places. Or read S. Bedas Commentaries vpon this whole booke To. 4. vel apud S. Ierom. To. 7. Or amongſt late writers, our lerned countriman D. Radulphus Bainus: Biſhop Ianſenius; and F. Peltanus.

Chapter 10

CHAP. X.

1 A wiſe ſonne maketh the father glad: but a foolish ſonne is the ſorow of his mother.

2 The treaſures of impietie shal profit nothing: but iuſtice shal deliuer from death.

3 Our Lord wil not afflict with famine the ſoule of the iuſt, and the deceitful practiſes of the impious he wil ouerthrow.

4 The ſlothful hand hath wrought pouertie: the hand of the ſtrong getteth riches. Who ſo truſteth to lyes feedeth the windes: and the ſelfe ſame man foloweth the flying birdes.

5 He that gathereth in the harueſt, is a wiſe ſonne: but he that ſnorteth in ſummer, is the ſonne of confuſion.

6 The bleſſing of our Lord is vpon the head of the iuſt: but iniquitie couereth the mouth of the impious.

7 The memorie of the iuſt is with prayſes: and the name of the impious shal rotte.

8 The wiſe of hart shal receiue preceptes: a foole is beaten with lippes.

9 He that walketh playnly, walketh confidently: but he that depraueth his wayes, shal be manifeſt.

10 He that wincketh with the eye, shal geue ſorow: and the foole in lippes shal be beaten.

11 A vayne of life, the mouth of the iuſt: and the mouth of the impious couereth iniquitie.

12 Hatred rayſeth brawles: and charitie couereth al ſinnes.

13 In the lippes of the wiſe wiſdom is found: and a rod on his backe that lacketh witte.

14 Wiſe men hide knowledge: but the mouth of the foole is next to confuſion.

15 The ſubſtance of a rich man, is a citie of his ſtrength: the feare of the poore their pouertie.

16 The worke of the iuſt vnto life: but the fruite of the impious vnto ſinne.

17 The way of life, to him that keepeth diſcipline: but he that forſ keth reprehenſions, erreth

18 Lying lippes hide hatred, he that vttereth contumelie is vnwiſe.

19 In much talke there shal not want ſinne: but he that moderateth his lippes is moſt wiſe.

20 The tongue of the iuſt, is choſen ſiluer: but the hart of the impious is nothing worth.

21 The lippes of the iuſt teach verie many: but they that are vntaught, shal die in the penurie of witte.

22 The bleſſing of our Lord maketh men rich: neither shal affliction be ioyned to them.

23 A foole worketh miſcheefe as it were by laughter: but wiſdom is prudence to a man.

24 That which the impious feareth, shal come vpon him: to the iuſt their deſire shal be geuen.

25 As a tempeſt paſſing the impious shal not be: but the iuſt as an euerlaſting fundation.

26 As vinegre to the teeth, and ſmoke to the eies, ſo a ſluggard to them, that ſent him.

27 The feare of our Lord shal adde dayes: and the yeares of the impious shal be shortened.

28 The expectation of the iuſt is ioy: but the hope of the impious shal perish.

29 The ſtrength of the ſimple the way of our Lord: and feare is to them that worke euil.

30 The iuſt for euer shal not be moued: but the impious shal not dwel on the earth.

31 The mouth of the iuſt shal bring forth wiſdom: the tongue of the froward shal perish.

32 The lippes of the iuſt conſider grateful thinges: and the mouth of the impious peruerſe thinges.

Marginal notes to Chapter 10

• 1 VViſdom in general.
• 2 Iuſtice.
• 3 Confidence in God.
• 4 Induſtrie.
• 4 Truth.
• 5 Diligence.
• 6 Equitie.
• 7 Good fame.
• 8 Deſire to lerne.
• 9 Sinceritie.
• 10 Vnfained freindſhipe. VVhol ſome talke.
• 12 Charitie. Prudent ſpeach. Diſcretion inſpeaking.
• 15 Iuſt gaine.
• 16 Iuſt intention.
• 17 Loue to be corrected.
• 18 Internal and external charitie. Moderate ſpe⟨illegible⟩h Sinceritie of hart.
• 21 Loue of doctrin.
• 22 Spiritual riches.
• 23 Sorow for ſinne.
• 24 Remorfe of conſcience
• 25 Iuſtice in general
• 26 Diligence.
• 27 Feare of God
• 28 Pietie.
• 29 Obſeruation of Gods lavv, fulfulling al iuſtice.
• 31 Speaking and Meditating good thinges.

Chapter 11

CHAP. XI.

1 A deceitful balance, is abomination before God: and an equal weight is his wil.

2 Where pride shal be, there shal be contumelie alſo: but where humilitie, there alſo wiſdom.

3 The ſimplicitie of the iuſt shal direct them: and the ſupplanting of the peruers shal waſte them.

4 Riches shal not profit in the day of reuenge: but iuſtice shal deliuer from death.

5 The iuſtice of the ſimple shal direct his way: and the impious shal fal in his impietie.

6 The iuſtice of the righteous shal deliuer them: and the vniuſt shal be caught in their deceitful practiſes.

7 The impious man being dead, there shal be no hope any more: and the expectation of the careful shal perish.

8 The iuſt is deliuered from diſtreſſe: and the impious shal be geuen for him.

9 The diſſembler with his mouth deceiueth his freind: but the iuſt shal be deliuered by knowlege.

10 In the good thinges of the iuſt the citie shal reioyce; and in the deſtruction of the impious there shal be prayſe.

11 With the benediction of the iuſt the citie shal be exalted: and by the mouth of the impious it shal be ſubuerted.

12 He that deſpiseth his freind, lacketh hart: but the wiſe man wil hold his peace.

13 He that walketh fraudulently, reueleth ſecretes: but he that is faithful, concealeth the thing comitted of his freind.

14 Where there is no gouernour, the people shal fal: but there is health where is much counſel.

15 He shal be afflicted with euil, that is ſuretie for a ſtranger: but he that is ware of the ſnares, shal be ſecure.

16 A gracious woman shal finde glorie: and the ſtrong shal haue riches.

17 A merciful man doth good to his kinred alſo.

18 The impious maketh an vnſtable worke: but to him that ſoweth iuſtice, is a faythful reward.

19 Clemencie prepareth life: & the purſewing of euil thinges death.

20 A peruers hart is abominable to our Lord: and his wil is in them that walke ſimply.

21 Hand in hand the euil man shal not be innocent: but the ſeede of the iuſt shal be ſaued.

22 A ring of gold in a ſwines ſnoute, a fayre woman & a foole.

23 The deſire of the iuſt is al good: the expectation of the impious furie.

24 Some diuide their owne goodes, and are made richer: others take violently not their owne, and are alwayes in pouertie.

25 The ſoule which bleſſeth, shal be made fatte: and he that inebriateth himſelf shal alſo be inebriated.

26 He that hydeth corne, shal be curſed among the peoples: but bleſſing vpon the head of them that ſel.

27 Wel riſeth he early who ſeeketh good thinges: but he that is a ſearcher after euil thinges, shal be oppreſſed of them.

28 He that truſteth in his riches shal fal▪ but the iuſt shal ſpring as a greene leafe.

29 He that trubleth his houſe, shal poſſeſſe the windes: and he that is a foole shal ſerue the wiſe.

30 The fruite of the iuſt man a tree of life: and he that gaineth ſoules, is wiſe.

31 If the iuſt man receiue in the earth, how much more the impious and ſinner?

Marginal notes to Chapter 11

• 1 Equitie
• 2 Humilitie.
• 3 Sinceritie.
• 4 Spiritual riches.
• 5 Pietie.
• 6 Iuſtice.
• 7 Care of the other life.
• 8 Future ioy.
• 9 Truth in wordes.
• 10 Common good. Publique ioy.
• 12 True freindſhipe.
• 13 Fidelitie.
• 14 Good gouernment.
• 15 Prudence in ſuretiſhipe.
• 16 Diligence.
• 17 Mercie.
• 18 Iuſtice.
• 19 Clemencie.
• 20 Sinceritie.
• 21 Iuſt dealing.
• 22 Internal vertue. Expectation of glorie. Almes dedes.
• 25 Beneuolence.
• 26 Care of the poore.
• 27 Good deſires.
• 28 Truſt in Gods goodnes.
• 29 Frugalitie.
• 30 Spiritual inſtruction Straict way of ſaluation.

Chapter 12

CHAP. XII.

1 HE that loueth diſcipline, loueth knowlege: but he that hateth reprehenſions is vnwiſe.

2 He that is good, shal draw grace from our Lord: but he that truſteth in his owne cogitation, doth impiouſly.

3 Man shal not be ſtrengthened by impietie: and the roote of the iuſt shal not be moued.

4 A diligent woman is a crowne to her husband: and putrefaction in his bones, she that doth thinges worthie of confuſion.

5 The cogitations of the iuſt are iudgements: & the counſels of the impious are fraudulent.

6 The wordes of the impious lie in wayte for bloud: the mouth of the iuſt shal deliuer them.

7 Turne the impious, and they shal not be: but the houſe of the iuſt shal be permanent.

8 A man shal be knowen by his doctrine: but he that is vaine and foolish, shallye open to contempt.

9 Better is the poore and ſufficient to himſelf, then he that is glorious and wanteth bread.

10 The iuſt knoweth the liues of his beaſtes: but the bowels of the impious are cruel.

11 He that tilleth his land, shal be filled with breads: but he that purſeweth idlenes is a verie foole. He that is delighted in much quaffing of wine, leaueth contumelie in his munitions.

12 The deſire of the impious is the [*] muniment of the moſt wicked: but the roote of the iuſt shal proſper.

13 For the ſinnes of the lippes ruine approcheth to the euil man: but the iuſt eſcapeth out of diſtreſſe.

14 Of the fruite of his owne mouth shal euerie man be replenisded with good thinges, and according to the workes of his handes it shal be repayed him.

15 The way of a foole is right in his eies: but he that is wiſe heareth counſels.

16 A foole by & by she weth his anger: but he that diſſembleth iniuries is wiſe.

17 He that ſpeaketh that which he knoweth, is an v⟨illegible⟩rerer of iuſtice: but he that lyeth, is a fraudulent witneſſe.

18 There is that promiſeth, and is pricked as it were with the ſword of conſcience: but the tongue of the wiſe is health.

19 The lippe of truth shal be ſtable for euer: but he that is an haſtie witneſſe, frameth a tongue of lying.

20 Guile is in the hart of them that thinke euil thinges: but ioy foloweth them that geue counſels of peace.

21 It shal not make the iuſt ſorie what ſoeuer shal fal to him: but the impious shal be replenished with euil.

22 Lying lippes are an abomination to our Lord: but they that doe faithfully pleaſe him.

23 A circumſpect man concealeth knowlege: and the hart of the vnwiſe prouoketh folie.

24 The hand of the ſtrong shal rule, but that which is ſlothful, shal ſerue vnder tributes.

25 Penſifneſſe in the hart of a man shal humble him, & with a good word he shal be made glad.

26 He that neglecteth damage for a freind, is iuſt: but the way of the impious shal deceiue them.

27 The fraudulent man shal not finde gayne: and the ſubſtance of a [*] man shal be the price of gold.

28 In the path of iuſtice, life: but the by way leadeth to death.

Marginal notes to Chapter 12

• 1 Loue of diſcipline.
• 2 Progreſſe in vertue.
• 3 Pietie.
• 4 Diligent induſtrie.
• 5 Deſire of iuſtice.
• 6 Sinceritie in vvordes
• 7 Iuſtice.
• 8 Sound doctrine.
• 9 Contentment of minde.
• 10 Compaſſion.
• 11 Diligent trauel.
• 11 Temperance.
• 12 [*] defence
• 12 Iuſt puniſhment of the wicked. Guard of the tongue. Godlie inſtructions: and good dedes.
• 15 Yelding to good counſel.
• 16 Toleration of iniuries.
• 17 True teſtimonie.
• 18 Aduiſed promiſing.
• 19 Conſiderate teſtimonie.
• 20 Pacification.
• 21 Iuſtice in general.
• 22 Fidelitie.
• 23 Prudent ſilence.
• 24 Reſiſtance of tentation▪
• 25 Alacritie in good workes.
• 26 Freindſhipe▪
• 27 Honeſt induſtrie.
• 27 [*] a ⟨illegible⟩ man.
• 28 Good life.

Chapter 13

CHAP. XIII.

1 A wiſe ſonne, is the doctrine of the father: but he that is a ſcorner, heareth not when he is rebuked.

2 Of the fruite of his owne mouth man shal be filled with good thinges: but the ſoule of the preuaricateurs is wicked.

3 He that kepeth his mouth, kepeth his ſoule: but he that is vnaduiſed to ſpeake shal feele euils.

4 The ſluggard wil and wil not: but the ſoule of them that worke, shal be made fatte.

5 The iuſt shal deteſt a lying word: but the impious confoundeth, and shal be confounded.

6 Iuſtice kepeth the way of the innocent: but impietie ſupplanteth the ſinner.

7 There is one as it were with riches wheras he hath nothing: and there is as it were poore, wheras he is in much riches.

8 The redemption of a mans life, his riches: but he that is poore, beareth not reprehenſion.

9 The light of the iuſt maketh glad: but the candle of the impious shal be extinguished.

10 Among the prowde there are alwayes brawles: but they that doe al thinges with counſel, are ruled by wiſdom.

11 Subſtance haſtened shal be diminished: but that which by litle and litle is gathered with the hand, shal be multiplied.

12 Hope that is differred afflicteth the ſoule: a tree of life the deſire of coning.

13 Who ſo detracteth from any thing, he byndeth himſelfe for the time to come: but he that feareth the precept, shal conuers in peace. Guilful ſoules erre in ſinnes: the iuſt are merciful & haue pitie.

14 The law of a wiſe man a fountaine of life, that he may decline from the ruine of death.

15 Good doctrine shal geue grace: in the way of contemners a whirlepoole.

16 The ſubtel man doth al thinges with counſel: but he that is a foole openeth folie.

17 The meſſenger of the impious shal fal into euil: but a faithful legate, is health.

18 Pouertie, and ignominie, to him that forſaketh diſcipline: but he that yeldeth to him that rebuketh, shal be glorified.

19 Deſire if it, be accomplished, delighteth the ſoule: fooles deteſt them that flee euil thinges.

20 He that walketh with the wiſe, shal be wiſe: a freind of fooles shal be made like.

21 Euil purſeweth ſinners, and to the iuſt good thinges shal be repayed.

22 The good man leaueth heyres, ſonnes and nephewes: and the ſubſtance of the ſinner is kept for the iuſt.

23 Much meate in the tilled growndes of the fathers: and to others they are gathered with our iudgement.

24 He that ſpareth the rod, hateth his childe: but he that loueth him doth inſtantly nurture him.

25 The iuſt eateth and filleth his ſoule: but the bellie of the impious vnſatiable.

Marginal notes to Chapter 13

• 1 ⟨illegible⟩al feare.
• 2 Sound doct⟨illegible⟩e.
• 3 Diſcretion in ſpeach.
• 4 Conſtant endeuour.
• 5 Truth in wordes and dedes.
• 6 Iuſtice.
• 7 True acknowlegement of temp⟨illegible⟩ al ſtate.
• 8 Mediocritie of riches.
• 9 Sincere conſcience.
• 10 Humilitie.
• 11 Iuſt gaine.
• 12 Speedie performance of promiſe. Good reporte.
• 13 Plaine dealing. Good inſtruction. True doctrine.
• 16 Prudence.
• 17 Faithful meſſage.
• 18 Deſire to lerne.
• 19 Hate of ſinne.
• 20 Conuerſation with the good.
• 21 Iuſtice.
• 22 Succeſſion.
• 23 Frugalitie.
• 24 Chatiſment.
• 25 Contentment of ſtate.

Chapter 14

CHAP. XIIII.

1 A wiſe woman buildeth her houſe: the vnwiſe wil with her handes deſtroy that alſo which is built.

2 He that walketh in the right way, & feareth God is deſpiſed of him, that goeth an infamous way.

3 In the mouth of a foole the rod of pride: but the lippes of the wiſe keepe them.

4 Where oxen are not, the ſtal is emptie: but where much corne is, there is the oxes ſtrength manifeſt.

5 A faithful witneſſe wil not lie: but a deceitful witneſſe vttereth a lie.

6 A ſcorner ſeeketh wiſdom and findeth it not: the doctrine of the prudent is eaſie.

7 Goe againſt a foolish man, and he knoweth not the lippes of prudence.

8 The wiſdom of a diſcrete man is to vnderſtand his way: and the imprudence of fooles erreth.

9 A foole will ⟨illegible⟩ugh at ſinne, & among the iuſt grace shal abide.

10 The hart that knoweth the bitternes of his ſoule, in his ioy shal not the ſtranger be mingled.

11 The houſe of the impious shal be raſed: the tabernacles of the iuſt shal ſpring.

12 “ There is a way, which ſeemeth to a man iuſt: but the later endes therof lead to death.

13 Laughter shal be mingled with ſorow, and mourning occupieth the later endes of ioy.

14 A foole shal be replenished with his wayes, and the good man shal be aboue him.

15 The innocent beleueth euerie word: the diſcrete man conſidereth his ſteppes.

16 A wiſe man feareth and declineth from euil: the foole leapeth ouer and is confident.

17 The impatient man shal worke folie: and the ſubrel man is odious.

18 The childish man shal poſſeſſe folie, and the prudent shal expect knowlege.

19 The euil shal lie downe before the good, and the impious before the gates of the iuſt.

20 The poore shal be odious euen to his neighbour: but the freindes of the rich be manie.

21 He that deſpiſeth his neighbour, ſinneth: but he that hath pitie on the poore, shal be bleſſed.

22 They erre that worke euil: mercie and truth prepare good thinges.

23 In euerie worke there shal be abundance: but where manie wordes are, there is oftentimes pouertie.

24 The crowne of the wiſe, their riches: the ſollie of fooles, inprudence.

25 A faithful witnes deliuereth ſoules: and the [*] diſſen⟨illegible⟩bier vttereth lyes.

26 In the feare of our Lord is confidence of ſtrength, and to his children there shal be hope.

27 The feare of our Lord a fountaine of life, that he may decline from the ruine of death.

28 In the multitude of people the dignitie of the king: and in fewnes of people the ignominie of the prince.

29 He that is patient, is gouerned with much wiſdom: but he that is impatient, exalteth his foilie.

30 “ Health of hart, the life of the flesh: enuie, the putrefaction of the bones.

31 He that doth calumniate the needie, vpbraideth his maker: but he honoreth him, that hath pitie on the poore.

32 The impious shal be expelled in his malice: but the iuſt hopeth in his death.

33 In the hart of the prudent reſteth wiſdom, & it shal inſtruct al the vnlerned.

34 Iuſtice aduanceth a nation: but ſinne maketh peoples miſerable.

35 A ſeruant that vnderſtandeth is acceptable to the king: he that is vnprofitable shal ſuſteyne his anger.

Marginal notes to Chapter 14

• 1 Frugal induſtrie.
• 2 Feare of God.
• 3 Gnard of the tongue. Diligent labores.
• 5 Truth in al ſpeach.
• 6 Seke wiſdom modeſtly.
• 7 Feloſhipe with the wiſe.
• 8 Knowlege of ourſelues. Deteſtation of ſ⟨illegible⟩ane. Internal comforth. Contempt of thir world.
• 12 The Catholique faith.
• 13 Spiritual ioy.
• 14 Reward of workes.
• 15 Beleue not al reportes.
• 16 Mature conſideration.
• 17 Patience.
• 18 Deſire of ſolide knowlege
• 18 1. Cor. 14. v. 20.
• 19 Pietie ſhal be ⟨illegible⟩evvarded.
• 20 Compaſſion of the poore.
• 21 Almes dedes.
• 22 Mercie and ⟨illegible⟩.
• 23 Good dedes with few wordes. Right vſe of riches
• 25 [*] Verſip⟨illegible⟩ a ⟨illegible⟩, ⟨illegible⟩turnetrait.
• 25 Tiue teſtimonie as v. 5.
• 26 Feare to offend God preuen ⟨illegible⟩
• 28 Procu⟨illegible⟩ and fid⟨illegible⟩ in ſubiectes. Patience.
• 30 Sincere intention.
• 31 Compaſſion.
• 32 Confidence in iuſtice.
• 33 Inſtruction of the ignorant.
• 34 Publique iuſtice.
• 35 Induſtrie in euerie man.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XIIII.

12. A vvay vvhich ſemeth iuſt.] If anie Iewes, Turkes, or Heretikes lead a [Margin: VVithout true faith none can be ſaued.] moral good life in this world, it ſemeth both to themſelnes, and to other rude people, tha⟨illegible⟩ they are in a right way of ſaluation, but their error in faith leadeth them to eternal damnation.

30 Health of the hart.] As ſoundnes of the hart conſerueth the reſt of the ſame bodie in life, ſo a pure intention often excuſeth from mortal ſinne, as in errours [Margin: Sincere intention excuieth ſome errors.] committed of probable, not of groſſe, nor affected ignorance. But ſecrete [Margin: S. Greg. li. 5. c. 34. Moral.] enuie in the hart infecteth and putrifieth mans actions, and deſtroyeth the workes that ſemed good: which can no more endure ſtrict examination in the day of iudgement, then a rotten cloth can abide washing.

Chapter 15

CHAP. XV.

1 A ſoft anſwer breaketh anger: and a hard word rayſeth vp furie.

2 The tongue of the wiſe adorneth knowlege: the mouth of fooles boyleth forth follie.

3 In euerie place the eies of our Lord behold the good and the euil.

4 A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shal breake the ſpirite.

5 A foole ſcorneth the diſcipline of his father: but he that regardeth reprehenſions, shal become more prudent. In abundant iuſtice there is greateſt force: but the cogitations of the impious shal be rooted out.

6 The houſe of the iuſt is very much ſtrength: and in the fruites of the impious is perturbation.

7 The lippes of the wiſe shal ſow knowlege: the hart of fooles shal be vnlike.

8 The victimes of the impious are abominable to our Lord: the vowes of the iuſt are acceptable.

9 The way of the impious is abomination to our Lord: he that foloweth iuſtice is beloued of him.

10 The doctrine is euil of them that forſake the way of life: he that hateth reprehenſions shal dye.

11 Hel, and perdition are before our Lord: how much more the hartes of the children of men?

12 The peſtilent man loueth not him, that rebuketh him: nor goeth to the wiſe.

13 A glad hart cheereth the face: in pensifnes of minde the ſpirit is caſt downe.

14 The hart of the wiſe ſeeketh doctrine: and the mouth of fooles is fed with vnskilfulnes.

15 Al the dayes of the poore are euil: a ſecure minde is as it were a continual feaſt.

16 Better is a litle with the feare of our Lord, then great treaſures and vnſatiable.

17 It is better to be called to herbes with charitie: then to a fatted calfe with hatred.

18 An angrie man ſtirreth brawles: he that is patient appeaſeth thoſe that are raiſed.

19 The way of the ſlothſul is as an hedge of thornes: the way of the iuſt is without offence.

20 A wiſe ſonne maketh the father ioyful: and the foolish man deſpiſeth his mother.

21 Follie is ioy to a ſoole: and the wiſeman directeth his ſteppes.

22 Cogitations are diſſipated where there is no counſel: but where manie counſellers are, they are confirmed.

23 A man reioyceth in the ſentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is beſt.

24 [::] The path of life aboue the lerned, that he may decline from the laweſt hel.

25 Our Lord wil deſtroy the houſe of the proude: and wil make ſure the borders of the widow.

26 Euil cogitations are an abomination to our Lord: and pure ſpeach moſt beautiful shal be confirmed of him.

27 He that purſueth auarice diſturbeth his houſe: but he that hateth giftes shal liue. By mercie and faith ſinnes are purged: and by the feare of our Lord euerie one declineth from euil.

28 The minde of the iuſt meditateth obedience: the mouth of the impious redoundeth with euils.

29 Our Lord is far from the impious: and he wil heare the prayers of the iuſt.

30 The light of the eies reioyceth the ſoule: a good name fatteth the bones.

31 The eare that heareth the reprehenſions of life, shal abide in the middes of the wiſe.

32 He that reiecteth diſcipline, deſpiſeth his ſoule: but he that yeldeth to reprehenſions, is a poſſeſſour of the hart.

33 The feare of our Lord, the diſcipline of wiſdom: and humilitie goeth before glorie.

Marginal notes to Chapter 15

• 1 Meeknes.
• 2 Diſcretion.
• 3 Gods omniſcience.
• 4 Caulmnes of ſpeach.
• 5 Loue to be corrected.
• 5 Deſire to fulfil al iuſtice.
• 6 Diligence in teaching others.
• 8 Puritie of hart.
• 10 Lerne of good men. Al ſecretes knowen to God. Harken to good admonitions. A cherful hart is de⟨illegible⟩ous to ⟨illegible⟩erne.
• 15 A quiet mind.
• 16 Contentment w⟨illegible⟩h ſufficiencie.
• 18 Patience.
• 19 Diligence.
• 20 H⟨illegible⟩our of parents.
• 21 D⟨illegible⟩r⟨illegible⟩on.
• 22 Deſire to liue wel.
• 23 Counſel in ſeaſon.
• 24 [::] To him that is wel trained in good workes, heauen gates are open. Honeſt thoughts and wordes. A liberal mind
• 27 Mercie and iuſtice.
• 28 Obedience.
• 29 God aſſiſteth the iuſt.
• 30 VVordes of edification.
• 31 Loue of diſcipline.
• 32 and Admonition.
• 33 Humilitie.

Chapter 16

CHAP. XVI. [Margin: Gods grace neceſſarie in euerie good action. Mans iudgement is not ſecure. Commend thyne affayres to God. Gods prouidence. Puniſhment of ſinne. Equitie.]

1 IT“ perteyneth to man to prepare the hart: and to our Lord to gouerne the tongue

2 Al the wayes of man are open to his eies: our Lord is the weigher of ſpirites.

3 Reueale thy workes to our Lord: and thy cogitations shal be directed.

4 Our Lord hath wrought al thinges for himſelf: the impious alſo to the euil day.

5 Euerie arrogant man is an abomination to our Lord: although hand shal be to hand he is not [*] innocent. The beginning of a good way, is to doe iuſtice: and it is more acceptable with God, then to immolate hoſtes.

6 By mercie and truth iniquitie is redemed: and in the feare of our Lord euil is auoided.

7 When the wayes of man shal pleaſe our Lord, he wil conuert alſo his enemies to peace.

8 Better is a litle with iuſtice, then much fruite with iniquitie.

9 The hart of man diſpoſeth his way: but it perteyneth to our Lord to direct his progreſſe.

10 [::] Diuination is in the lippes of the king, his mouth shal not erre in iudgement.

11 Weight and balance are iudgements of our Lord: and his worke al the ſtones of the bagge.

12 They are abominable to the king that doe impiously: becauſe the throne is eſtablished by iuſtice.

13 The wil of kinges are iuſt lippes: he that ſpeaketh right thinges shal be beloued.

14 The kings indignation, meſſengers of death: and the wiſe man wil pacifie it.

15 In the cherfulnes of the kings countenance is life: and his clemencie is as the later showre.

16 Poſſeſſe wiſdom, becauſe it is better then gold: and gette prudence, becauſe it is more precious then ſiluer.

17 The path of the iuſt auoideth euils: the keper of his ſoule kepeth his way.

18 Pride goeth before deſtruction, and before ruine the ſpirit shal be exalted.

19 It is better to be humbled with the meeke, then to diuide ſpoyles with the proude.

20 The lerned in word shal finde good thinges: and he that hopeth in our Lord, is bleſſed.

21 He that is wiſe in hart, shal be called prudent: and he that is ſweete in ſpeach shal finde greater thinges.

22 A fountaine of life the lerning of him that poſſeſſeth it: the doctrine of fooles foolishnes.

23 The hart of the wife shal inſtruct his mouth: and shal adde grace to his lippes.

24 Wel ſet wordes are a honie combe: ſwetnes of the foule the health of the bones.

25 There is a way that ſeemeth to a man right: and the later endes therof lead to death.

26 Thee ſoule of him that laboureth doth labour to himſelf, becauſe his mouth hath compelled him:

27 The impious man diggeth euil, and in his lippes fire burneth.

28 A peruerſe man raiſeth contentions: and one ful of wordes ſeparateth princes.

29 An vniuſt man allureth his frende: and leadeth him by a way not good.

30 He that with aſtoinied eies thinketh wicked thinges, byting his lippes bringeth euil to paſſe.

31 A crowne of dignitie old age, which shal be found in the wayes of iuſtice.

32 Better is the patient then a ſtrong man: and he that ruleth his minde, then the ouerthrower of cities.

33 Lottes are caſt into the boſome, but they are ordered of our Lord.

Marginal notes to Chapter 16

• 5 [*] v⟨illegible⟩pu⟨illegible⟩ished.
• 6 Mercie▪
• 7 Deuotion.
• 8 Iuſt gaine. Neceſſitie of Gods grace.
• 10 [::] God aſſiſteth ſuperiors in gouerning their ſubiectes. Iuſt balance do pleaſe God & good kinges.
• 13 Righteouſnes.
• 14 Feare, and reuerence of authoritie.
• 16 Loue of wiſdom.
• 17 Iuſtice in general.
• 18 Humilitie.
• 19 Meknes.
• 20 Hope in God.
• 21 Mildnes.
• 22 Teaching others.
• 23 Sincere hart.
• 24 Sweetnes in conuerſation.
• 25 True faith & Religion.
• 25 ⟨illegible⟩ 12.
• 26 Proper induſtrie.
• 27 Charitie.
• 28 Common good.
• 29 True freindſhipe.
• 30 Sincere thoughts.
• 31 Holie oldage.
• 32 Patience.
• 33 Gods prouidence.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XVI.

1. It perteineth to man to prepare the hart▪ ] For the better vnderſtanding of this [Margin: A general rule that one place of holie Scripture is not contrarie to an other.] and other hard places of holie Scripture, this general rule euer approued by al Chriſtians, is moſt neceſſarie, that al holie Scripture is true and certaine, as being al indited by the Holie Ghoſt, the Spirite of truth: and ſo one place is neuer contrarie to an other, though at firſt ſight they may ſo ſeme to mans vnderſtanding. For by this place the Pelagians would proue, that man can of himſelf, without the helpe of Gods grace, beginne a good thing, though without this helpe he cannot performe it, becauſe it is here ſayd: that it petteyneth to man to prepare the hart: that is, ⟨illegible⟩o beginne a good thing. But S. Auguſtin [Margin: li▪ 2. c. 8. cont d⟨illegible⟩as Epiſtolas Palag Ioan. 15. 2. Cor. 3.] ſheweth that it may not be ſo vnderſtood the cauſe ſo it ſhould be contrarie to that ſaying of our Sauiour▪ VVithout me you can do nothing; and that of S. Paul VVe are not ſufficient to thinke anie thing of our ſelues, as of our ſelues: but our ſufficiencie is of God. VVhich tvvo euident places, vvith otherlike, do ſhevv that this place hath an other different ſenſe, from that vvhich the Pelagians gather. An⟨illegible⟩ ſo S. Auguſtin, and other Fathers teach, that [Margin: Gods grace is neceſſarie both to begine and to proſecute anie good worke.] the vviſman here affirmeth not, that man of himſelf can prepare his hart, or beginne a good vvorke, but that it perteineth to man to prepare his hart, preſuppoſing helpe of Gods grace, and hauing ſo begunne, God alſo gouerneth the tongue, and by more grace directeth it ⟨illegible⟩o ſpeake thoſe thinges vvel, vvhich the hart purpoſed, and diſpoſed to be vttered; vvithout vvhich helpe none is able, neither to beginne anie meritorious vvorke, nor to proſecute, nor perfect that is vvel begunne. The like ſentence foloweth in the 9. verſe: The hart of man diſpoſeth his vvay: but it perteyneth to our Lord to direct his progreſſe; ſignifying in both places, that after a thing is vvel begunne (vvhich can not be vvithout the helpe of Gods grace) yet it can not procede vvel, vvithout more grace, ſtil directing and ſtreingthning mans freevvil.

Chapter 17

CHAP. XVII.

1 BEtter is a drie morſel with ioy, then a houſe ful of victimes with brawling.

2 A wiſe ſeruant shal rule ouer foolish children, and diuide inheritance among bretheren.

3 As ſiluer is tried by fyre, and gold in the fournace: ſo our Lord proueth the the harts.

4 The euil man obeyeth an vniuſt tongue: and the deceitful obeyeth lying lippes.

5 He that deſpiſeth the poore, vpbraydeth his maker: and he that reioyceth at an other mans ruine, shal not be vnpunished.

6 The crowne of oldmen the childrens children: and the glorie of children their fathers.

7 Eloquent wordes become not a foole, nor lying lippes a prince.

8 A moſt gratful pearle, the expectation of him that expecteth: whither ſoeuer he turneth himſelf, he vnderſtandeth wiſely.

9 He that concealeth offence, ſeeketh frendshipes: he that in other word repeteth it, ſeperateth the confederate.

10 Reprehenſion doth more profit with a wiſeman, then an hundred ſtripes with a foole.

11 An euil man alwayes ſeeketh brawles: but a cruel angel shal be ſent againſt him.

12 It is better to meete a beare when her yong are taken away, then a foole truſting to himſelfe in his owne follie.

13 He that rendereth euil thinges for good, euil shal not depart from his houſe.

14 He that letteth water goe, is the head of brawles: & before he ſuffer contumelie, he forſaketh iudgement.

15 He that iuſtifieth the impious, and he that condemneth the iuſt, both are abominable before God.

16 What doth it profit a foole to haue riches, wheras he can not buy wiſdom? He that maketh his houſe high, ſeeketh ruine: and he that refuſeth to learne, shal fal into euils.

17 He loueth at al time that is a frend: and a brother is proued in diſtreſſes.

18 A foolish man wil clappe the handes, when he is ſuretie for his freind.

19 He that meditateth diſcordes, loueth brawles: and he that exalteth the doore, ſeeketh ruine.

20 He that is of a peruerſe hart, shal not finde good: and he that turneth his tongue, shal fal into euil.

21 A foole is borne to his owne ignominie: but neither shal the father reioyce in a foole.

22 A ioyful minde maketh a florishing age: a ſorowful ſpirit dryeth vp the bones.

23 The impious receiueth giftes out of the boſome, that he may peruert the pathes of iudgement.

24 In the face of the prudent wiſdom shineth: the eies of fooles are in the endes of the earth.

25 A foolish ſonne is the anger of the father: and the ſorow of the mother that bare him.

26 It is not good, to doe hurt to the iuſt: nor to ſtrike the prince, which iudgeth right.

27 He that moderateth his wordes, is lerned and prudent: and the lerned man is of a precious ſpirit.

28 The foole alſo if he hold his peace, shal be reputed wiſe: and if he cloſe his lippes, a man of vnderſtanding.

Marginal notes to Chapter 17

• 1 Peace.
• 2 VViſdom in general.
• 3 Purification.
• 4 Feloſhipe with the good. Commiſeration.
• 6 Succeſſion.
• 7 Grauitie in ſpeach.
• 8 Deſire of eternal life.
• 9 Remitting offences.
• 10 Diſcrete correction.
• 11 Concord.
• 12 Gentienes.
• 13 Gratitude.
• 14 Conſeruation of peace.
• 15 Iuſt cenſure.
• 16 Spiritual riches.
• 16 Humilitie.
• 17 Conſtancie.
• 18 Carefulnes in promiſing.
• 19 Concord.
• 20 Sinceritie.
• 21 Education of youth.
• 22 Alacritie of hart.
• 23 Iuſt iudgement▪
• 24 Contempt of the world.
• 25 ⟨illegible⟩lial obedience.
• 26 Obedience to Magiſtrates.
• 27 Diſcretion in ſpeaking.
• 28 Moderate ſilence.

Chapter 18

CHAP. XVIII.

1 HE ſeeketh occaſions that wil depart from a frend: he shal euer be ſubiect to reproch.

2 A foole receiueth not the wordes of prudence: vnleſſe thou ſay thoſe thinges which are in his hart.

3 The impious when he shal come into the depth of ſinnes, contemneth: but ignominie and reproch folow him.

4 Deepe water wordes from the mouth of a [*] man: and a ſtreame ouer flowing the fountaine of wiſdom.

5 To accept the perſon of the impious in iudgement is not good, that thou decline from the truth of iudgement.

6 The lippes of a foole mingle him with ſtrife: and his mouth prouoketh brawles.

7 The mouth of a foole is his deſtruction: and his lippes are the ruine of his ſoule.

8 The wordes of the duble tongued, as it were ſimple: and the ſame come euen to the inner part of the bellie. Feare caſteth downe the ſlothful: and the ſoules of the effeminate shal be hungrie.

9 He that is ſoft and diſſolute in his worke, is the brother of him that deſtroyeth his owne workes.

10 A moſt ſtrong towre, the name of our Lord: the iuſt runneth to it and shal be exalted.

11 The ſubſtance of the rich man a citie of his ſtrength: and as a ſtrong wal compaſſing him about.

12 Before he be broken, the hart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.

13 He that anſwereth before he heare, sheweth him ſelf to be a foole, and worthie of confuſion.

14 The ſpirit of a man vpholdeth his imbecilitie: but a ſpirit that is caſie to be angrie who can ſuſteyne?

15 A wiſe hart shal poſſeſſe knowlege: and the eare of the wiſe ſeeketh doctrine.

16 The gift of a man enlargeth his way, & maketh him roome before princes.

17 The iuſt is firſt accuſer of himſelf: his frend commeth, and shal ſearch him.

18 Lotte ſuppreſſeth contradictions, and betwen the mightie alſo it determineth.

19 Brother that is holpen of brother, is as a ſtrong citie: and iudgements are as the barres of cities.

20 Of the fruite of mans mouth his bellie shal be filled: and the ofſprings of his lippes shal fil him.

21 Death and life in the hand of the tongue: they that loue it, shal eate the fruites therof.

22 He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and hath receiued a pleaſure of our Lord.

23 The poore ſpeaketh with ſupplications, and the rich wil ſpeake roughly.

24 A man amiable to ſocietie, shal be more frendlie, then a brother.

Marginal notes to Chapter 18

• 1 Conſtantamitie.
• 2 Harken to good counſel.
• 3 Speedie repentance.
• 4 [*] a vviſeman.
• 4 VViſe diſcourſe.
• 5 Equitie.
• 6 Studie of peace.
• 7 Guard of the tongue.
• 8 Auoid ſecrete bate makers.
• 8 Fortitude.
• 9 Conſtant labour.
• 10 Confidence in God.
• 11 Spiritual riches.
• 12 Humilitie.
• 13 Conſideration in anſwering.
• 14 Quietnes of ſpirite.
• 15 Deſire to lerne.
• 16 Almes dedes.
• 17 Acknowleging of faultes. Vſe of lote to make agreement. ⟨illegible⟩ternal concord. Godhe inſtructions.
• 21 Right vſe of the tongue.
• 22 A wiues vertue is her beſt dowrie. Meeknes.
• 24 Amitie with ⟨illegible⟩.

Chapter 19

CHAP. XIX.

1 BEtter is a poore man, that walketh in his ſimplicitie, then a rich writhing his lippes, and vnwiſe.

2 Where is no knowlege of the ſoule, is not good: and he that is haſtie with his feete shal ſtumble.

3 The follie of a man ſupplanteth his ſteppes: and he boileth in his minde againſt God.

4 Riches adde manie frendes: but from the poore they alſo which he had are ſeparated.

5 A falſe witnes shal not be vnpunished: & he that ſpeaketh lies, shal not eſcape.

6 Manie worshipe the perſon of the mightie, and are frendes of him that geueth giftes.

7 The brethren of the poore man hate him: more ouer alſo his frendes haue departed far from him.

8 He that purse weth wordes only, shal haue nothing: but he that is poſſeſſour of the minde, loueth his ſoule, and the keper of prudence shal finde good thinges.

9 A falſe witneſſe shal not be vnpunished: and he that ſpeaketh lies shal perish.

10 Delicacies become not a foole: not a ſeruant to rule ouer princes.

11 The doctrine of man is knowen by patience: and his glorie is to ouerpaſſe vniuſt thinges.

12 As the roaring of a lion, ſo alſo the anger of a king: and as dew vpon graſſe, ſo alſo his cherefulnes.

13 The ſorow of the father, a foolish ſonne: and roofes continually dropping through, a woman ful of brawling.

14 Houſe and riches are geuen of the parents: but of our Lord properly a prudent wife.

15 Slothfulneſſe bringeth drouſineſſe, and a diſſolute ſoule shal be an hungred.

16 He that kepeth the commandement, kepeth his ſoule: but he that neglecteth his way, shal die.

17 He lendeth our Lord that hath mercie on the poore: and he wil repay him the like.

18 Nurter thy ſonne, deſpayre not: but to the killing of him ſet not thy ſoule.

19 He that is impatient, shal ſuſteyne damage: and when he shal take away violently, he shal adde an other thing.

20 Heare counſel, and receiue diſcipline, that thou mayſt be wiſe in thy later endes.

21 Manie cogitations in the hart of a man: but the wil of our Lord shal be permanent.

22 A needie man is merciful: and better is the poore then the lying man.

23 The feare of our Lord vnto life: and in fulnes he shal abide, without the viſitation moſt noyſome.

24 The slothful hideth his hand vnder the armehole, neither doth he put it to his mouth.

25 The peſtilent man being whipped, the foole shal be wiſer: but if thou rebuke a wiſeman he wil vnderſtand diſcipline.

26 He that afflicteth his father, and fleeth from his mother, is ignominious and vnhappie.

27 Ceaſe not ô ſonne to heare doctrine, neither be ignorant of the wordes of knowlege.

28 An vniuſt witnes ſcorneth iudgement: and the mouth of the impious deuoureth iniquitie.

29 Iudgements are prepared for ſcorners: & hammers ſtriking for the bodies of fooles.

Marginal notes to Chapter 19

• 1 Honeſt pouertie.
• 2 Knowlege of ourſelues.
• 3 Mans owne wil the cauſe of euil. Spiritual riches ſecure. True teſtimonie.
• 6 Liberalitie.
• 7 Induſtrious trauel.
• 8 Solide doctrine.
• 9 True teſtimonie.
• 10 VViſe & fitte magiſtrates. Pa⟨illegible⟩ce ⟨illegible⟩ teachers. ⟨illegible⟩oy⟨illegible⟩ltie to kinges, and Pr⟨illegible⟩n⟨illegible⟩es. Don eſtical peace.
• 14 A good wife is Gods gift.
• 15 Diligence.
• 16 Obedience.
• 17 Almes dedes.
• 18 Moderate chaſt⟨illegible⟩me⟨illegible⟩t.
• 19 Patience.
• 20 Folow good counſel.
• 21 Truſt in God.
• 22 Good wil to helpe the poore. Feare of God.
• 24 Diligent trauel.
• 25 Iuſt correction.
• 26 Honour of parents.
• 27 Deſire to lerne.
• 28 True teſtimonie.
• 29 Feare of eternal puniſhment.

Chapter 20

CHAP. XX.

1 VVIne is a luxurious thing, & drunkenes tumultuous: whoſoeuer is delighted therwith shal not be wiſe.

2 As the roaring of a lyon, ſo alſo the terrour of a king: he that prouoketh him, ſinneth alſo againſt his owne ſoule.

3 It is honour to a man, that ſeparateth himſelf from contentions: but al fooles medle with contumelies.

4 Becauſe of cold the slothful would not plowe: he shal begge therfore in the ſummer, and it shal not be geuen him.

5 As deepe water, ſo counſel in the hart of a man: but a wiſe man shal draw it out.

6 Manie men are called merciful: but a faithful man who shal fynd?

7 The iuſt that walketh in his ſimplicitie, shal leaue bleſſed children.

8 The king, that ſitteth in the throne of iudgement, diſſipateth al euil with his looke.

9 Who can ſay: My hart is cleane, I am pure from ſinne?

10 Weight and weight, meaſure and meaſure: both are abominable before God.

11 By his conuerſation a child is perceiued, if his workes be cleane and right.

12 The eare hearing, and the eie ſeing, our Lord made both.

13 Loue not ſleepe, leſt pouertie oppreſſe thee: open thyne eies and be filled with breades.

14 It is naught, it is naught, ſayth euerie byer: and when he is departed he wil boaſt.

15 There is gold, and multitude of pearles: but a precious veſſel the lippes of knowlege.

16 Take his garment, that was the ſuretie of a ſtranger, and for ſtrangers take a pledge from him.

17 The bread of lying is ſwete to a man: and afterward his mouth shal be filled with the grauelſtone.

18 Cogirations are ſtrengthened by counſels: and battels are to be handled by gouernmentes.

19 Medle not with him that reuealeth myſteries, and walketh fraudulently, and dilateth his lippes.

20 He that curſeth his father, and mother, his lampe shal be extinquished in the middes of darkenes.

21 The inheritance wherunto haſte is made in the beginning, in the later end shal lacke bleſſing.

22 Say not: I wil requit euil: expect our Lord, and he wil deliuer thee.

23 Weight and weight are abomination with our Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.

24 The ſteppes of man are directed of our Lord: but who of men can vnderſtand his owne way?

25 It is ruine to a man to deuoure ſaintes, and afterward to retracte the vowes.

26 A wiſe king diſſipateth the impious, and bendeth ouer them a triumphant arch.

27 The lampe of our Lord, the breath of a man, which ſearcheth al the ſecretes of the bellie.

28 Mercie, & truth kepe the king, and his throne is ſtrengthened by clemencie.

29 The ioy of yongmen their ſtrength: and the dignitie of oldmen a gray head.

30 The blewneſſe of the wound shal wipe away euils: and ſtripes in the more ſecrete place of the bellie.

Marginal notes to Chapter 20

• 1 Sobrietie.
• 2 Obedience to Princes.
• 3 Concord.
• 4 Induſtrie.
• 5 Profound counſel.
• 6 Fidelitie.
• 7 Sinceritie.
• 8 Execution of Iuſtice.
• 9 Nece⟨illegible⟩ſitie of grace. ⟨illegible⟩quitie.
• 11 Good toward ⟨illegible⟩es
• 12 Right vſe of ſenſes. Diligent trauel Prudence.
• 15 Knowlege is ⟨illegible⟩ewel.
• 16 Secu⟨illegible⟩ in ⟨illegible⟩e⟨illegible⟩ſnipe.
• 17 Truth.
• 18 Counſel in warre.
• 19 Conſult with the faithful.
• 20 Honour of parents.
• 21 Law ful gaine.
• 22 Meeknes.
• 23 Equitie.
• 24 Truſt in Gods prouidence.
• 25 Performance of vowes.
• 26 Publique iuſtice.
• 27 Puritie of minde.
• 28 Three kinglie vertues.
• 29 Prudence with fortitude. Puniſhment of ſinnes.

Chapter 21

CHAP. XXI.

1 AS diuiſions of waters, ſo the hart of the king is in the hand of our Lord: whither ſoeuer he wil, he shal incline it.

2 Euerie way of a man ſemeth to himſelf right: but our Lord weigheth the hartes.

3 To doe mercie and iudgement, doth more pleaſe our Lord, then victimes.

4 Exaltation of the eies is the dilatation of the hart: the lampe of the impious ſinne.

5 The cogitations of the ſtrong are alwayes in abundance: but euerie ſluggard is alwayes in pouertie.

6 He that gathereth treaſures with a lying tongue, is vaine and witles, and shal ſtumble at the ſnares of death.

7 The robberies of the impious, shal draw them downe, becauſe they would not doe iudgement.

8 The peruerſe way of a man is ſtrange: but he that is cleane, his worke is right.

9 It is better to ſitte in a corner of the houſe toppe, then with a brawling woman, and in a common houſe.

10 The ſoule of the impious deſireth euil, he wil not haue pitie on his neighbour.

11 The peſtilent man being punished, the litle one wil be wiſer: and if he folow the wiſeman, he wil take knowlege.

12 The iuſt deuiſeth concerning the houſe of the impious, that he may draw the impious from euil.

13 He that ſtoppeth his eare at the crie of the poore, himſelf alſo shal crie, and shal not be heard.

14 A gift hid quencketh angers: and a gift in the boſome the greateſt indignation.

15 It is a ioy to the iuſt to doe iudgement: and dread to them that worke iniquitie.

16 A man, that shal erre from the way of doctrine, shal abyde in the aſſemblie of giantes.

17 He that loueth good cheere, shal be in pouertie: he that loueth wine, and fatte thinges, shal not be rich.

18 The impious shal be geuen for the iuſt: and the vniuſt for the righteous.

19 It is better to dwel in a deſert land, then with a brawling and angrie woman.

20 Treaſure to be deſired, and oyle in the habitation of the iuſt: and the vnwiſe man shal diſſipate it.

21 He that foloweth iuſtice and mercie, shal finde life, iuſtice, and glorie.

22 The wiſe hath ſcaled the citie of the ſtrong, and hath deſtroyed the confidence therof.

23 He that kepeth his mouth, and his tongue, kepeth his ſoule from diſtreſſes.

24 The proude and arrogant is called vnlerned, which in anger worketh pride.

25 Deſires kil the ſlothful: for his handes would not worke any thing:

26 al the day he longeth and deſireth: but he that is iuſt, wil geue, and wil not ceaſe.

27 The hoſtes of the impious abominable, becauſe they are offered of wickednes.

28 A lying witnes shal perish: an obedient man shal ſpeake victorie.

29 The impious man malepertly hardeneth his countenauce: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.

30 There is no wiſdom, there is no prudence, there is no counſel againſt our Lord.

31 The horſe is prepared to the day of battel: but our Lord geueth ſaluation.

Marginal notes to Chapter 21

• 1 Gods prouidence.
• 2 ch 14. v. 12. & 16 v. 2.
• 3 Mercie and iudgement.
• 4 Humilitie.
• 5 Fortitude.
• 6 Truth.
• 7 Equitie.
• 8 Right in hart.
• 9 Domeſtical peace.
• 10 Commiſeration.
• 11 Chaſtiſment of ſinne.
• 12 Charitie.
• 13 Almes dedes.
• 14 Almes in ſecrete.
• 15 Iuſt puniſhment.
• 16 Obſeruation of orders.
• 17 Temperance & pa⟨illegible⟩cimonie.
• 18 Pietie.
• 19 Domeſtical peace. Frugalitie.
• 21 Iuſtice, and mercie.
• 22 Fortitude.
• 23 Guard of the tongue.
• 24 Modeſtie.
• 25 Diligent trauel. Liberalitie.
• 27 Sinceritie in religion.
• 28 True teſtimonie, and found doctrine.
• 29 Amendment of faultes.
• 30 Conformitie to Gods wil.
• 31 Gods grace neceſſarie.

Chapter 22

CHAP. XXII.

1 BEtter is a good name, then much riches: aboue ſiluer and gold, good grace.

2 The rich and poore haue mette one an other: our Lord is the maker of both.

3 The ſubtel saw euil, and hyd himſelf: the innocent paſſed by, and was afflicted with damage.

4 The end of modeſtie the feare of our Lord, riches and glorie and life.

5 Armour and ſwordes in the way of the peruerſe: but the keper of his owne ſoule departeth far from them.

6 It is a prouerbe: A yongman according to his way, when he is old, wil not depart from it.

7 The richman ruleth ouer the poore: and he that boroweth is the ſeruant of him that lendeth.

8 He that ſoweth iniquitie, shal reape euils, and with the rod of his wrath, he shal be conſumed.

9 He that is prone to mercie, shal be bleſſed: for of his breades he hath geuen to the poore. He that geueth giftes shal purchaſe victorie and honour: but he that receiueth taketh away the ſoule of the geuer.

10 Caſt out the ſcorner, and brawling shal goe forth with him, and cauſe shal ceaſe and contumelies.

11 He that loueth cleanes of hart, for the grace of his lippes, shal haue the king his frend.

12 The eies of our Lord keepe knowlege: and the wordes of the iuſt are ſupplanted.

13 The ſlothful ſayth: A lyon is without, in the middes of the ſtreates I am to be ſlayne.

14 A deepe pitte the mouth of a ſtrange woman: he with whom our Lord is angrie, shal fal into it.

15 Follie is tyed together in the hart of a childe, and the rod of diſcipline shal driue it away.

16 He that doth calumniate the poore, to increaſe his riches, himſelf shal geue to a richer, and shal be in neede.

17 [::] Incline thine eare, and heare the wordes of wiſemen: and ſet thy hart to my doctrine:

18 which shal be beautiful for thee, when thou shalt kepe it in thy bellie, and it shal flow in thy lippes.

19 That thy confidence may be in our Lord, wherfore I haue shewed alſo it to thee this day.

20 Behold I haue deſcribed it to thee three maner of wayes, in cogitations and knowledge:

21 that I might shew thee the ſtabilitie, and the wordes of truth, out of theſe to anſwer them, that ſent thee.

22 Doe not violence to the poore, becauſe he is poore: neither oppreſſe the needie in the gate:

23 becauſe our Lord wil iudge his cauſe, and wil pearſe them, that haue pearſed his ſoule.

24 Be not frend to an angrie man, nor walke with a furious man:

25 leſt perhaps thou lerne his pathes, and take ſcandal to thy ſoule.

26 Be not with them, that ſticke downe their handes, and that offer themſelues ſureties for debts:

27 for if thou haue not wherewith to reſtore, what cauſe is there, that he should take the couering from thy bed?

28 Trangreſſe not the ancient boundes, which thy fathers haue put.

29 Haſt thou ſene a man quicke in his worke? he shal ſtand before kinges, neither shal be before the vnnoble.

Marginal notes to Chapter 22

• 1 Honeſt fame.
• 2 Contentment with out ſtate.
• 3 Prudence.
• 4 Pouertie of ſpirite.
• 5 Care of the ſoules health.
• 6 Good cuſtome in vertues.
• 7 Diligent trauel.
• 8 Equitie.
• 9 Almes dedes.
• 9 Better to geue then to take.
• 10 Expel the incorrigible. Cleanes of hart.
• 12 The godlie proſper.
• 13 Fortitude.
• 14 Care of chaſtitie.
• 15 Chatiſment.
• 16 Compaſſion.
• 17 [::] Rules of wiſdom are neceſſarie, profitable, and vpon practiſe found pleaſant: rightly directing al our thougtes wordes and dedes.
• 22 Care of the poore, becauſe they are deare to God. Flee from euil companie which may corrupt thee. Auoide ſuretiſhipe, le⟨illegible⟩t thou fal into diſtreſſe. Kepe ancient traditions. Diligent trauel.

Chapter 23

CHAP. XXIII.

1 VVHEN thou shalt ſitte to eate with a prince, attend diligently what thinges are ſet before thy face:

2 and ſet a knife in thy throte, if notwithſtanding thou haue thy ſoule in thine owne power.

3 Deſire not his meates, in which is the bread of lying.

4 Labour not to be rich: but ſet a meane to thy prudence.

5 Lift not vp thine eies to the riches, which thou canſt not haue: becauſe they shal make to themſelues winges as of an eagle, and shal flie into heauen.

6 Eate not with an enuious man, and deſire not his meates.

7 Becauſe after the ſimilitude of a ſouthſayer, and diuiner, he eſteemeth that which he knoweth not. Eate and drinke, wil he ſay to thee: and his minde is not with thee.

8 The meates which thou hadſt eaten thou shalt vomite vp: and shalt loſe thy beautiful wordes.

9 Speake not in the eares of the vnwiſe: becauſe they wil deſpiſe the doctrine of thy ſpeach.

10 Touch not the boundes of litle ones: and into the filde of pupils enter not.

11 For their nerekinsman is ſtrong: and he wil iudge their cauſe againſt thee.

12 Let thy hart enter into doctrin: and thyne eares to wordes of knowlege.

13 Withdrawe not diſcipline from a childe: for if thou shalt ſtrike him with the rod, he shal not die.

14 Thou shalt ſtrike him with the rod: and deliuer his ſoule from hel.

15 My ſonne, if thy minde shal be wiſe, my hart shal be glad with thee:

16 And my reines shal reioyce, when thy lippes shal ſpeake right thinges.

17 Let not thy hart enuie ſinners: but in the feare of our Lord be thou al the day:

18 becauſe thou shalt haue hope in the later end, and thyn exaltation shal not be taken away.

19 Heare my ſonne, & be wiſe: & direct thy minde in the way.

20 Be not in the feaſtes of great drinkers, nor in their comeſſations, which contribute flesh together to eate:

21 becauſe they that are geuen to drinking, and that pay shottes, shal be conſumed, and drouſines shal be clothed with ragges.

22 Heare thy father, that begot thee: and contemne not thy mother when she is old.

23 Bye truth, and ſel not wiſedom, and doctrine, and intelligence.

24 The father of the iuſt reioyceth with gladnes: he that hath begotten a wiſeman, shal reioyce in him.

25 Let thy father be glad, and thy mother, and let her reioyce that bare thee.

26 My ſonne geue me thy hart: & let thyne eies kepe my wayes.

27 For an harlot is a deepe dich: & a ſtrange woman a narrow pitte.

28 She lyeth in wayt in the way as a robber, and whom she shal ſee not circumſpect, she wil kil.

29 To whom is woe? to whoſe father woe? to whom browles? to whom diches? to whom woundes without cauſe? to whom bloud sheeding eies?

30 Is it not to them that paſſe their time in wine, and ſtudie to drinke out their cuppes?

31 Behold not wine when it waxeth yelow, when the colour therof shal shine in the glaſſe: it goeth in pleaſantly,

32 but in the end, it wil bite like a ſnake, and as a baſiliske it wil powre abrode poyſones.

33 Thine eies shal ſee ſtrange wemen, and thy hart shal ſpeake peruerſe thinges.

34 And thou shalt be as one ſleeping in the middes of the ſea, and as the gouernour faſt a ſleepe, the ſterne being loſt.

35 And thou shalt ſay: They haue beaten me, but I was not greeued: they drew me, and I felt not: When shal I awake, and finde wines againe?

Marginal notes to Chapter 23

• 1 Modeſtie and diſcretion at the table of great perſons.
• 4 Mediocritie of riches, and contentment with meane ſtate. Eate not with a niggard, leſt he be ſecretly greued, ou⟨illegible⟩wardly diſſembling, and thyſelf repent it. Aduiſe not the vncapable.
• 10 Hurt not orphanes: for they are deare to God.
• 12 Diligent ſtudie of wiſdom.
• 13 Moderate chatiſment profiteth youth.
• 15 Vertues of children are ioyful to the parentes. Contentment with Gods wil. Hope of reward. Lerne and practiſe vviſdom. Sobrietie and Temperance.
• 22 Honour of parents.
• 23 VViſdom moſt precious.
• 24 See. v. 15. and 16.
• 26 Bodelie and ſpiritual puritie.
• 28 So brietie alvvayes neceſſarie. Deteſt drunkennes.
• 31 Drunkennes is deceiptful,
• 32 dangerous,
• 33 beaſtlie,
• 34 hurtful to others.
• 35 ſenſeleſſe, and vnſatiable.

Chapter 24

CHAP. XXIIII.

1 EMVLATE not euil men, neither deſire thou to be with them:

2 becauſe their mind doth meditate robberies, and their lippes ſpeake deceites.

3 By wiſedom the houſe shal be built, and by prudence it shal be ſtrengthened.

4 In doctrine the cellars shal be replenished with al precious, and moſt be⟨illegible⟩utiful ſubſtance.

5 A wiſeman is ſtrong: and a lerned man, ſtrong and valiant.

6 Becauſe warre is managed by due ordering: & there shal be ſaluation where manie counſels are.

7 Wiſedom is high for a foole, in the gate he shal not open his mouth.

8 He that thinketh to doe euils, shal be called a foole.

9 The cogitation of a foole is ſinne: and a detracter the abomination of men.

10 If thou deſpaire being wearie in the day of diſtreſſe: thy ſtrength shal be diminished.

11 Deliuer them that are led to death: and thoſe that are drawen to death ceaſe not to deliuer.

12 If thou ſay: I am not of force: he that ſeeth into the hart, he vnderſtandeth, and nothing deceiueth the keeper of thy ſoule, and he shal render to a man according to his workes.

13 Eate honie my ſonne, becauſe it is good, and the honiecombe moſt ſweete to thy throte:

14 ſo alſo the doctrine of wiſedom to thy ſoule: which when thou shalt finde, thou shalt haue hope in the later end, and thy hope shal not perish.

15 Lie not in wayte, nor ſeeke impietie in the houſe of the iuſt, nor ſpoile his reſt.

16 For “ſeuen [*] times shal the iuſt fal, and shal riſe againe: but the impious shal fal into euil.

17 When thine enemie shal fal, be not glad, and in his ruine let not thy hart reioyce:

18 Leſt perhaps our Lord ſee, and it diſpleaſe him, and he take away his wrath from him.

19 Contend not with the moſt wicked, nor emulate the impious:

20 becauſe euil men haue not hope of thinges to come, and the lampe of the impious shal be extinguished.

21 Feare our Lord, my ſonne, and the king: & with detracters medle not:

22 becauſe their perdition shal ſodenly riſe: and the ruine of both who knoweth?

23 Theſe thinges alſo to the wiſe: to know a perſon in iudgement is not good.

24 They that ſay to the impious: Thou art iuſt: peoples shal curſe them, and tribes shal deteſt them.

25 They that rebuke him, shal be prayſed: and bleſſing shal come vpon them.

26 He shal kiſſe the lippes, who anſwereth right wordes.

27 Prepare thy worke abrode, and diligently til thy ground: that afterward thou mayſt build thy houſe.

28 Be not witnes without cauſe againſt thy neighbour: neither alure any man with thy lippes.

29 Say not: As he hath done to me, ſo wil I doe to him: I wil render to euerie one according to his worke.

30 I paſſed by the filde of a ſlothful man, and by the vineyard of a foolish man:

31 and behold nettels had filled it wholy, and thornes had couered the face therof, and the wal of ſtones was deſtroyed.

32 Which when I had ſeene, I layd it in my hart, and by the example I lerned diſcipline.

33 A litle I ſay, thou shalt ſleepe, a litle thou shalt ſlumber, a litle shalt thou ioyne thy handes together, to reſt:

34 and as a poſte, pouertie shal come to thee, & beggerie as a man armed.

Marginal notes to Chapter 24

• 1 Flee euil companie, leſt thou be alured to vice. VViſdom and vertues, not wickednes, do proſper temporally and ſpiritually.
• 6 Counſel in warres, and other great affayres.
• 8 Good purpoſes▪ Report wel of others▪ Fortitude.
• 11 VVorkes of mercie, according to our ha biliue.
• 13 VViſdom is ſwete: and geueth hope.
• 15 Toleration of others imperfections:
• 16 [*] Oftentimes. S. Aug. li. 11. c. 31. ciust.
• 16 VVith out which none liueth. Charitie towards enemies.
• 19 Haue peace with al: ſo much as may be. Loial⟨illegible⟩ie to God & king.
• 23 Equitie in iudgement, condemning the guiltie, & deliuering the innocent, is very gratful to al.
• 27 Order in al affaires. Diſcretion in bearing witnes. Reuenge not.
• 30 Diligent labour, and vigilance to prouide neceſſa⟨illegible⟩ies, and to auoide beggerie.

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXIIII.

16. Seuen times shal the iuſt ſal.] A iuſt man, that is to ſay, Gods true ſeruant, [Margin: A iuſt man falling into venial ſinnes is not therby vniuſt, nor Gods enimie.] free from mortal ſinne, is ſubiect during this life, to manie tentations, imperfections, and may often fal into venial ſinnes, and not loſe iuſtice, nor the true title of a iuſt man (as here he is called) nor become the diuels ſeruant, nor Gods enemie: but through Gods grace helping his weaknes, he riſeth aga⟨illegible⟩ne from ſmal ſinnes, ſtil perſeuering in Gods fauoure: wheras contrariwiſe the impious falleth into euil, towitte, into more and more ſinne, through malice, and lacke of grace, & riſeth not ſo eaſily. And therfore the wiſman here admoniſheth, not to lie in waite, nor calumniouſly to ſeke impietie in the houſe, (that is, in the ſoule) of the iuſt. For though he committe ſome faultes, yet he [Margin: Al ſinnes are not mortal.] riſeth againe, and is not impious, vniuſt, nor guiltie of mortal crime, as the wicked man is.

Chapter 25

CHAP. XXV. [Margin: The 2. part. More Parables of Salomon gathered by others. Gods workes are not al reueled. Kinges haue ſome ſecretes. Publique iuſtice and puniſhment of ſinne. Modeſtie, and Humilitie.]

1 THeſe alſo are the parables of Salomon, which the men of Ezechias king of Iuda wrote out.

2 It is the glorie of God to conceale the word, and the glorie of kinges to ſearch the ſpeach.

3 The heauen aboue, and the earth beneth, and the hart of kinges is vnſcrutable.

4 Take away the ruſt from ſiluer, and there shal comeforth a moſt pure veſſel:

5 Take away impietie from the kings countenance, and his throne shal be eſtablished with iuſtice.

6 Appeare not glorious before the king, and in the place of great men ſtand not.

7 For it is better that it be ſaid to thee: Come vp hither; then that thou be humbled before the prince.

8 The thinges which thy eies haue ſene, vtter not quickly in a brawle: leſt afterward thou canſt not amend it, when thou haſt dishonoured thy frend.

9 Treate thy cauſe with thy frend, and reueale not a ſecret to a ſtranger:

10 leſt perhaps he inſult againſt thee, when he heareth, and ceaſe not to vpbraide thee. Grace and frendshipe deliuer [*]: which kepe to thyſelf, leſt thou become reprochful.

11 Apples of gold in ſiluer beddes, he that ſpeaketh a word in his time.

12 A golden earlet, and a shining precious ſtone, he that rebuketh a wiſeman, and an obedient eare.

13 As the cold of ſnow in the day of harueſt, ſo a faithful legate to him, that ſent him, maketh his ſoule to reſt.

14 Cloudes, and winde, and no rayne folowing, a glorious man, and not accomplishing his promiſes.

15 By patience the prince shal be pacified, and a ſoft tongue shal breake hardnes.

16 Thou haſt found honie, eate that which ſufficeth thee, leſt perhaps being filled thou vomite it vp.

17 Withdraw thy foote from the houſe of thy neighbour, leſt ſome time hauing his fil he hate thee.

18 A dart, and ſword, and a sharpe arrow, a man that ſpeaketh falſe teſtimonie againſt his neighbour.

19 A rotten tooth, and wearie foote, he that hopeth vpon the vnfaithful in the day of diſtreſſe,

20 and that loſeth his cloke in the day of cold. Vineger in [*] nither, he that ſingeth ſonges to a naughtie hart. As a moth the garment, and a worme the woode: ſo the ſadnes of a man hurteth the hart.

21 If thine enemie shal hunger, geue him meate: if he thirſt, geue him water to drinke:

22 for thou shalt heape hote coales vpon his head, and our Lord wil reward thee.

23 The northwinde diſſipateth raynes, & a ſad looke the tongue that detracteth.

24 It is better to ſitte in a corner of the houſe toppe, then with a brawling woman, and in a common houſe.

25 Cold water to a thirſtie ſoule, and good tydings from a far countrie.

26 A fountaine trubled with the foote, and a vaine corrupted, the iuſt falling before the impious.

27 As he that eateth much honie, it is not good for him: ſo he that is a ſearcher of the maieſtie, shal be oppreſſed of the glorie.

28 As a citie being open and without compaſſe of walles, ſo a man that can not repreſſe his ſpirit in ſpeaking.

Marginal notes to Chapter 25

• 8 Care of others fame.
• 9 Compoſe controuerſies ſecretly, rather then contend in publique court. Speake in due time. Prudent admonition. Diligence in publique affaires. Performance of promiſed induſtrie. Meeknes.
• 10 [*] ⟨illegible⟩ ⟨illegible⟩eare.
• 16 Temperance.
• 17 Modeſtie.
• 18 True teſtimonie.
• 19 Truſt not a diſſembler.
• 20 [*] A conſuming ⟨illegible⟩ hard earth.
• 20 Striue not with the incorrigible. Alacritie.
• 21 Charitie towards enimies
• 22 Rom. 12.
• 23 Heare not detraction.
• 24 Domeſtical peace.
• 25 Ioy of wel doing.
• 26 Profeſſion of truth.
• 27 Humilitie in knowlege.
• 28 Gouernment of the tongue.

Chapter 26

CHAP. XXVI.

1 AS ſnow in the ſummer, and rayne in the harueſt: ſo is glorie vndecent for a foole.

2 As a birde flying to other places, & a ſparow going whither he liſt: ſo a curſe vttered in vaine shal light vpon ſome man.

3 A whippe for a horſe, and a ſnaffle for an aſſe, and a rod on the back of the vnwiſe.

4 Anſwer not a foole according to his follie, leſt thou be made like to him.

5 Anſwer a foole according to his follie, leſt he ſeme to himſelf to be wiſe.

6 Lame of feete, and drinking iniquitie, he that ſendeth wordes by a foolish meſſenger.

7 As a lame man hath fayre legges in vaine: ſo a parable is vndecent in the mouth of fooles.

8 As he that caſteth a ſtone into the heape of Mercurie: ſo he that geueth honour to the vnwiſe.

9 As if a thorne should grow in the hand of the drunkard: ſo a parable in the mouth of fooles.

10 Iudgement determineth cauſes: and he that putteth a foole to ſilence, apeaſeth angers.

11 As a dog that returneth to his vomite, ſo the vnwiſe that reiterateth his follie.

12 Haſt thou ſene a man ſeeme to himſelfe wiſe? the foole shal haue hope rather then he.

13 The ſlothful ſayth: A lyon is in the way, and a lyoneſſe in the iourneis:

14 as a doore turneth on his hinge ſo the ſlothful in his bed.

15 The ſlothful hideth his hand vnder the armehole, and is greeued if he turneth it to his mouth.

16 The ſlothful ſeemeth wiſer to himſelfe, then ſeuen men ſpeaking ſentences.

17 As he that taketh a dog by the eares, ſo he that paſſeth by impatient, and medleth with an other mans brawle.

18 As he is hurtful that shooteth arrowes, and ſpeares vnto death:

19 ſo a man, that hurteth his frende fraudulently: and when he is taken with al ſayth: I did it in ieſt.

20 When wood fayleth, the fire shal be extinguished: and the whiſperer taken away, brawles ceaſe.

21 As coles to burning coles, and wood to fire, ſo an angrie man rayſeth brawles.

22 The wordes of the whiſperer as it were ſimple, and the ſame come to the inmoſt partes of the bellie.

23 As if thou wouldeſt adorne an earthen veſſel with droſſie ſiluer, ſo ſwelling lippes ioyned with a moſt wicked hart.

24 An enemie is perceiued by his lippes, when he shal handle deceites in his hart.

25 When he shal ſubmit his voyce, beleue him not: becauſe there are ſeuen miſchiefes in his hart.

26 He that couereth hatred fraudulently, his malice shal be reuealed in the councel.

27 He that diggeth a pit, shal fal into it: and he that rolleth a ſtone, it shal returne to him.

28 A deceitful tongue loueth not truth, and a ſlipper mouth worketh ruines.

Marginal notes to Chapter 26

• 1 Aduance not the vicious.
• 2 Patience in falſe ſclander.
• 3 Chaſtiſment.
• 4 Anſwer a foole wiſely: detecting his follie.
• 6 Place fitte men in office:
• 7 VViſe men in authoritie:
• 8 Vertuous in honour: and Lerned to teach. Make fooles to kepe ſilence. Returne not to ſormer ſinnes. Humble opinion of thy ſelf. Fortitude. Profitable laboures. At leaſt ſome good worke. Loue not idlenes.
• 11 2. Pet. 2.
• 17 Intermedle not in brawles Vnfained friendſhipe, eſpecially in familiar acquantance. Puniſh batemakers. Pacific the wrathful.
• 22 Heare not whiſperers of euil reportes. Flee from hypocrites. VVhoſe flaterie and ſoft ſpeach are ſuſpicious, they wil fal at laſt into their owne trappes, truth preuailing.

Chapter 27

CHAP. XXVII.

1 BOaſt not for to morow, being ignorant what the day to come may bring forth.

2 Let an other prayſe thee, and not thine owne mouth: a ſtranger and not thine owne lippes.

3 A ſtone is heauie, and ſand weightie: but the anger of a foole is heauier then both.

4 Anger hath no mercie, nor furie breaking forth: and the violence of a moued ſpirit who can ſuſteyne?

5 Better is manifeſt correption, then loue hidden.

6 Better are the woundes of him that loueth, then the fraudulent kiſſes of him that hateth.

7 A ſoule that is ful shal treade vpon the honiecombe: and a ſoule that is hungrie shal take bitter alſo for ſweete.

8 As a bird fleeting from her neſt, ſo a man that forſaketh his place.

9 The hart is delighted with oyntement and diuers odours: and with the good counſels of a frend the ſoule is ſweetned.

10 Thy frend, and thy fathers frend do not leaue: and goe not into thy brothers houſe in the day of thyne affliction. Better is a neighbour neere thene a brother far of.

11 Studie wiſedom my ſonne, & make my hart ioyful, that thou maiſt make anſwer to the vpbrayder.

12 The ſubtel man ſeeing euil, hideth himſelf: litle ones paſſing through haue ſuſteyned euil detriments.

13 Take his garment, that hath bene ſuretie for a ſtranger: and for alienes take from him a pledge.

14 He that bleſſeth his neighbour with a loud voice, riſing in the night, he shal be like him that curſeth.

15 Dropping through in the day of cold, and a brawling woman are compared together:

16 He that reteyneth her, as he that should hold the winde, and shal cal in the oyle of his right hand.

17 Iron is sharpened with iron, and a man sharpeneth the face of his frend.

18 He that kepeth the feegtree, shal eate the frute therof: and he that is the keper of his maſter, shal be glorified.

19 As in waters the countenance of them that looke therin shyneth, ſo the hartes of men ate manifeſt to the prudent.

20 Hel and perdition are neuer filled: in like maner alſo the eies of men are vnſatiable.

21 As ſiluer is tried in the forge, and gold in the fornace: ſo a man is proued by the mouth of him that praiſeth. The hart of the wicked ſeeketh after euils, but the righteous hart ſeeketh after knowlege.

22 If thou shalt bray a foole in a morter, as when a peſtle ſtriketh vpon priſane, his follie shal not be taken from him.

23 Know diligently the countenance of thy cattel, and conſider thy flockes:

24 For thou shalt not haue power always: but a crowne shal be geuen into generation and generation.

25 The medowes are open, and the grene herbes haue appeared, and the graſſe is gathered out of the mountaines.

26 Lambes for thy garment: and kiddes the price of the filde.

27 Let the milke of the goates ſuffice thee for thy meates, and for the neceſſities of thy houſe: and for victual to thy handmaides.

Marginal notes to Chapter 27

• 1 Truſt not to future vncertainties.
• 2 Praiſe not thyſelf.
• 3 Beware of a fooles wrath:
• 4 for it hath no mercie.
• 5 Loue freindlie ſeueritie not enemies flaterie. Temperance in meate. Iuſt care of thy familie.
• 9 Eſteme freindlie counſel.
• 10 Old friendes are better, & ſurer then a kinſman. Be wiſe euen for thy fathers ſake. Foreſee and preuent dangers. Truſt not enimies. Suſpect extraordinarie curteſie. Tolerate incorrigible brawlers with patience; leſt they become worſe, by thy ſtriuing to amend them. Conſerue that is good. Conſcience is beſt witnes. Contentment with our ſtate. Humilitie deſireth not praiſe.
• 21 Right of hart.
• 22 Strine not to teach a foole. Diſcharge thy dutie: VVhiles thou art in this life. Be content with thinges neceſſarie, and they ſhal be geuen to thee. Mat▪ 6. v. 33.

Chapter 28

CHAP. XXVIII.

1 THE impious fleeth, no man purſewing: but the iuſt confident as a lyon, shal be without terrour.

2 For the ſinnes of the land the princes therof shal be manie: & for the wiſedom of a man, & the knowlege of thoſe thinges that are ſaid, the life of the prince shal be longer.

3 A poore man calumniating the poore, is like a vehement showre, wherby famine is gotten.

4 They that forſake the lawe, praiſe the impious: they that kepe it, are ſet on fire againſt him.

5 Euil men thinke not on iudgement: but they that ſeeke after our Lord, marke al thinges.

6 Better is a poore man walking in his ſimplicitie, then the rich in crooked wayes.

7 He that kepeth the law is a wiſe ſonne, but he that feedeth gluttons, shameth his father.

8 He that heapeth together riches by vſuries and ocker, gathereth them for him that is liberal to the poore.

9 He that turneth away his eares from hearing the law, his prayer shal be execrable.

10 He that deceiueth the iuſt in a wicked way, shal fal into his deſtruction: and the ſimple shal poſſeſſe his goodes.

11 The rich man ſeemeth to him ſelf wiſe: but the poore man being prudent shal ſearche him.

12 In the exultation of the iuſt there is much glorie: when the impious reigne ruines of men.

13 He that hideth his wicked deedes, shal not be directed: but he that shal confeſſe, and shal forſake them, shal obtayne mercie.

14 Bleſſed is the man, that is alwayes fearful: but he that is of an obſtinate mynde, shal fal into euil.

15 A roaring lyon, and hungrie beare, an impious prince ouer the poore people.

16 A prince lacking prudence, shal oppreſſe many by calumnie: but he that hateth auarice, his dayes shal be made long.

17 A man that doth calumniat the bloud of a ſoule, if he shal flee into a lake, no man abideth.

18 He that walketh ſimply shal be ſaued: he that goeth peruerſe wayes, shal fal once.

19 He that tilleth his ground, shal be filled with breads: but he that purſeweth idlneſſe, shal be replenished with pouertie.

20 A faithful man shal be much prayſed: but he that haſteneth to be rich, shal not be innocent.

21 He that knoweth a perſon in iudgement, doth not wel: this man euen for a morſel of bread forſaketh the truth.

22 A man, that haſteneth to be rich, and enuyeth others, is ignorant that pouertie shal come vpon him.

23 He that rebuketh a man, shal afterward find fauour with him more then he, that by flatteries of tongue deceiueth.

24 He that pilfereth any thing from his father, and from his mother: & ſaith this is no ſinne, is the partaker of a mankiller.

25 He that exalteth, and dilateth himſelfe, rayſeth brawles: but he that truſteth in our Lord, shal be healed.

26 He that hath confidence in his owne hart, is a foole: but who ſo walketh wiſely shal be ſaued.

27 He that geueth to the poore, shal not lacke: he that deſpiſeth him that asketh, shal ſuſteyne penurie.

28 When the impious shal riſe, men shal be hid: when they shal perish, the iuſt shal be multiplied.

Marginal notes to Chapter 28

• 1 Innocencie is without feare. General pietie of the people procureth Gods fauour, Neighbourlie compaſſion.
• 4 Zele of iuſtice.
• 5 Remember the day of iudgement. Honeſtie and pouertie. No want nor waſte.
• 8 Juſt gaine in traffike.
• 9 Obedience to magiſtrates.
• 10 Geue counſel ſincerely.
• 11 Humilitie in authoritie.
• 12 Place the godlie in office.
• 13 Acknowlege thy faultes.
• 14 Feare to offend.
• 15 Clemencie in princes, and prudent liberalitie. Reuenge bloudſhed.
• 18 Harmles life.
• 19 Diligent labour.
• 20 Iuſt dealing.
• 21 Iuſt iudgement.
• 22 Moderate gaine.
• 23 Freindlie correption.
• 24 To robbe parents is a greuous crime. ⟨illegible⟩alt not thyſelf. Truſt not thyne owne iudgement. Almes dedes.
• 28 Godlie magiſtrates.

Chapter 29

CHAP. XXIX.

1 THE man, that with ſtiffe necke contemneth him that rebuketh, ſoden deſtruction shal come vpon him: and health shal not folow him.

2 In the multiplication of iuſt men, the common people shal reioyce: when the impious shal take princedom, the people shal mourne.

3 A man that loueth wiſedom, maketh his father glad: but he that maintaineth harlots, shal deſtroy his ſubſtance.

4 A iuſt king ſetteth vp the land, a couetous man shal deſtroy it.

5 A man, that with fayre, and fayned wordes ſpeaketh to his frend, ſpreadeth a nette to his ſteppes.

6 A ſnare shal intangle the wicked man ſinning: and the iuſt shal praiſe and reioyce.

7 The iuſt knoweth the cauſe of the poore: the impious is ignorant of knowlege.

8 Peſtilent men diſſipate a citie: but the wiſe turne away furie.

9 A wiſe man, if he contend with a foole, whether he be angrie, or whether he laugh, shal not finde reſt.

10 Men of bloud hate the ſimple: but iuſt men ſeeke his ſoule.

11 A foole vttereth al his ſpirit: a wiſeman differreth, and reſerueth til afterward.

12 A prince that gladly heareth wordes of lying, hath al his ſeruants impious.

13 The pooreman and the creditour haue mette one an other: our Lord is illuminatour of both.

14 The king, that iudgeth the poore in truth, his throne shal be replenished for euer.

15 Rod and rebuke geueth wiſedom: but the childe, that is left to his owne wil, confoundeth his mother.

16 In the multiplication of the impious, wickednes shal be multiplied, and the iuſt shal ſee the ruines of them.

17 Nurter thy ſonne, and he shal refresh thee, and shal geue delightes to thy ſoule.

18 When prophecie shal fayle, the people shal be diſſipated: but he that keepeth the Law, is bleſſed.

19 A ſeruant can not be taught by wordes: becauſe he vnderſtandeth that which thou ſayſt, and contemneth to anſwer.

20 Haſt thou ſeene a man ſwifte to ſpeake? follie is rather to be hoped, then his amendement.

21 He that nourisheth his ſeruant delicatly from his childhood, afterward shal feele him ſtubburne.

22 An angrie man prouoketh brawles: and he that is eaſie to indign⟨illegible⟩, shal he more prone to ſinne.

23 Humiliation foloweth the proude: and glorie shal receiue the humble of ſpirite.

24 He that is partaker with a theefe, hateth his owne ſoule: he heareth one adiuring, and telleth not.

25 He that feareth man, shal ſoone fal: he that truſteth in our Lord shal be lifted vp.

26 Manie ſeeke after the face of the prince: & the iudgement of euerie one commeth forth from our Lord.

27 The iuſt abhorre an impious man: & the impious abhorre them that are in the right way. The ſonne that keepeth the word, shal be out of perdition.

Marginal notes to Chapter 29

• 1 Loue to ⟨illegible⟩e corrrected.
• 2 Chooſe godlie magiſtrates.
• 3 Loue wiſdom.
• 4 Iuſt and liberal magiſtrates. Sincere amitie
• 6 Iuſt joy of the wickeds fal.
• 7 Compaſſion of the poore.
• 8 Care of common good. Contend not with a foole. Defend the iuſt. Diſcretion in iuſt anger. Dereſtation of lying. Contentment in ſtate of life. Equitie in iudgement.
• 15 Chaſtiſment of youth. God neuer permitteth al to be euil Inſtruct children. Pray to haue good Paſtors.
• 19 Compel the froward to obey. Conſideration in ſpeaking. Subdue the fleſh to the ſpirite. Meeknes.
• 23 Humilitie.
• 24 Participate not with ſinne.
• 25 Feare not men in Gods cauſe remembring that God is Iudge of al. Hate al wickednes. Obey ſpiritual and temporal parents.

Chapter 30

CHAP. XXX. Aright wiſeman thinketh humbly of himſelf. 4. knowing that Gods workes [Margin: The fourth part. Other ſingular precepts, with prayſe of a prudent woman.] are inſcrutable, and perfect: 8. deſireth truth in al thinges, & mediocritie in riches. 11. Abhorreth certaine ſortes of men, 1. 5. & certaine execrable thinges 18. noteth certaine thinges hard to be knowen: 21. other thinges intolerable: 24. others admirable. 32. the tongue dangerous.

1 THE wordes of the Gatherer the ſonne of Vomiter. The viſion, that the man ſpake, with whom God is, and who being ſtrengthened by God abiding with him, ſayd:

2 I am [::] moſt foolish of men, & the wiſedom of men is not with me.

3 I haue not learned wiſedom, and haue not knowen the ſcience of ſaints.

4 [::] Who hath aſcended into heauen and deſcended? who hath conteyned the ſpirit in his handes? who hath bound the waters together as in a garment? who hath rayſed vp al the borders of the earth? what is his name, and what is the name of his ſonne, if thou know?

5 Enerie word of God tryed by fyre, is a buckler to them that hope in him:

6 Adde not any thing to his wordes, and ſo thou be reproued and found a lyer:

7 Two thinges I haue asked thee, denie them not to me before I dye.

8 Vanitie, and lying wordes make far from me. Beggerie, and riches geue me not: geue only things neceſſarie for my ſuſtenance:

9 leſt perhaps being filled I be allured to denie, and may ſay: Who is the Lord? or being compelled by pouertie I may ſteale, and forſweare the name of my God.

10 [::] Accuſe not a ſeruant to his maſter, leſt perhaps he curſe thee, and thou fal.

11 There is [::] a generation that curſeth their father, and that bleſſeth not their mother.

12 A generation, that ſemeth to itſelf cleane, & yet is not washed from their filthines.

13 A generation, whoſe eies are loftie, and the eielids therof ſet vp on high.

14 A generation, that for teeth hath swordes, and chaweth with theyr grinding teeth, that they may eate the needie out of the earth, and the poore from among men.

15 The horseleach hath :: two daughters that ſay: Bring, bring. Three things are vnſatiable, the fourth neuer ſayth it ſufficeth.

16 [::] Hel, and the mouth of the matrice, & the earth which is not ſatisfied with water: but [::] the fyre neuer ſayth it ſufficeth.

17 [::] The eie, that ſcorneth his father, & that deſpiſeth the trauail of his mother, in bearing him, let the rauens of the torrents pick it out, and the young of the eagle eate it.

18 Three thinges are hard to me, and of the fourth I am vtterly ignorant.

19 The way of an eagle in the ayre, the way of a ſerpent vpon a rocke, the way of a shippe in the middes of ⟨illegible⟩ and [::] the way of a man in youth.

20 Such is alſo the way of an adulterous woman, which eateth, and wyping her mouth ſayth: I haue done no euil.

21 By three thinges the earth is moued, and the fourth it can not ſuſteyne.

22 By a ſeruant when he shal reigne: by a foole when he shal be filled with meate:

23 by an odious woman when she shal be taken in matrimonie: & by “ a bondwoman when she shal be heyre to her miſtreſſe.

24 There are [::] foure the leaſt thinges of the earth, and they are wiſer then the wiſe.

25 The antes, a weake people, which prepareth in the harueſt meate for themſelues:

26 The leueret, a people not ſtrong, which placeth his bed in the rocke:

27 The locuſt hath no king, and they go our al by their troopes:

28 The ſtellion ſtayeth on his handes, &⟨illegible⟩ in kings houſes.

29 [::] There are three thinges which ⟨illegible⟩l, and the fourth that goeth happely.

30 The lyon, the ſtrongeſt of beaſtes shal feare at the meeting of none:

31 the cocke gyrded about the loines, and the ramme: alſo the king, againſt whom none can reſiſt.

32 There is that [::] hath appeared a foole after that he was liſted vp on high: for if he had vnderſtood, he would haue layd his hand vpon his mouth.

33 And he that :: ſtrongly preſſeth the pappes to wring out milke, ſtrayneth out butter, and he that violently cleanceth his noſe, wringeth out bloud: & he that prouoketh angers, bringeth forth diſcordes.

Marginal notes to Chapter 30

• 2 [::] The wiſeſt man beſt knoweth that he wanteth much of perfect wiſdom yet in his humilitie ſuppoſeth, that others haue attained ſome what more then himſelf.
• 4 [::] Chriſt the Sonne of God is wiſdom it ſelf and as the Sonne of man hath perfect wiſdom.
• 10 [::] Bondſlades are to be pittied, and not affliction added to the afflicted.
• 11 [::] Foure execrable vices. Ingratitude▪ Hypocriſie: Inſolencie: Oppreſſion of the poore. Cōcupiſcence of the fleſh, & of the eyes.
• 16 [::] ⟨illegible⟩u⟨illegible⟩e, Luxurie, Auarice, & Ambition.
• 16 [::] Diſhonour of parents shal be ſenerely puniſhed.
• 17 [::] Youngmen folowing carnal appetite, can no more geue account of their actiōs, then of the vvayes vvhich an eagle, a ſerpent, and a ſhippe haue paſſed.
• 19 [::] By theſe examples are commended foure vertues, Induſtrie, Prudence, Concord, and Humilitie.
• 24 [::] Other foure Fortitude, Chaſtitie, Order, and Iuſtice
• 29 [::] Fooles ought not to gouerne.
• 32 [::] Moderation is neceſſarie in al actions.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XXX.

1. The vvordes of the Gatherer.] Some Interpreters take theſe foure Hebrew [Margin: Some ſuppoſe one Agur to be auctor of this chapter.] wordes, Agur, Iache, Ithiel, and Vcal, conteined in this firſt verſe, to be proper names of men, ſuppoſing that a certaine wiſeman named Agur, the ſonne of Iache, ſpake the ſentences folowing in this chapter, to his ſonnes or ſcholars, called Ithiel & Vcal. And ſo this ſuppoſed Agur, not Salomon, ſhould be the auctor of this chapter. But the old Interpreter, whom S. Ierom approueth and foloweth, tranſlated the ſame wordes as noones appellatiues. Neither [Margin: But it ſemeth more probable that only Salomon is auctor of this whole booke.] doth anie ancient Father account this Agur, amongſt the writers of holie Scriptures. And if there were a peculiar auctor of this chapter, it is like the ſame ſhould haue bene placed laſt, and not before that which now foloweth, and is by al men confeſſed to be Salomons. And therfore we thinke it more probable, with S. Beda, and the common opinion, that there vvas no other auctor of anie part of this booke, beſides King Salomon VVho is here called CONGREGANS, the Gatherer, becauſe he gathered theſe excellent Parables, [Margin: VVhy he is called Gatherer.] and Prouerbes; as the ſonne of the Holie Ghoſt, ſignified by the word IACHE, povvring forth diuine ſentences, for inſtruction of ITHIEL & VCAL, that is, of al thoſe vvith vvhom God is by his grace; and vvho are ſtreingthened by God abiding vvith them.

23. A bond vvoman vvhen she shal be heyre.] Of al thinges in this world, it ſemeth [Margin: VVhy God ſuffereth hereſie to reigne.] moſt abſurde, that hereſie doth dominiere ouer Catholique religion: vvhich God ſome times, and in ſome places ſuffereth, for the greater merite of his elect.

Chapter 31

CHAP. XXXI. An exhortation to chaſtitie, temperance, 8. and to workes of mercie. 10. with praiſe of a valiant wiſe woman.

1 THE [::] wordes of Lamuel the king. The viſion wherwith his mother inſtructed him.

2 What ô my beloued, what ô the beloued of my wombe, what ô beloued of my vowes?

3 Geue not thy ſubſtance to wemen, & thy riches to deſtroy kinges.

4 Geue not to kinges, ô Lamuel, geue not wine to kinges: becauſe there is no ſecrete where drunknes reigneth,

5 & leſt perhaps they drinke, & forget iudgements, & change the cauſe of the children of the poore.

6 Geue ſtrong drinke to them that be ſad, and wine vnto them, that are of a penſiue minde:

7 let them drinke, and forget their pouertie, and not remember their ſorow any more.

8 Open thy mouth to [::] the dumme, & to the cauſes of al the children that paſſe:

9 open thy mouth, [::] decree that which is iuſt, & iudge the needie & poore.

10 A valiant woman [::] who shal finde? far, and from the vtmoſt borders is the price of her.

11 The hart of her husband truſteth in her, and he shal not neede ſpoyles.

12 She shal render good, and not euil, al the dayes of her life.

13 She hath ſought wool and flaxe, and hath wrought by the counſel of her handes.

14 She is become as a marchants shippe, bringing her bread from farre.

15 And she hath riſen in the night, and geuen pray to her houshold, and meates to her handmaides.

16 She hath vewed a filde, and bought it, of the fruite of her handes she hath planted a vineyard.

17 She hath gyrded her loines with ſtrength, and hath ſtrengthened her arme.

18 She hath taſted, and ſene that her traficke is good: her lampe shal not be extinguished in the night.

19 She hath put her hand to ſtrong thinges, and her fingers haue taken hold of [::] the ſpindle.

20 She hath opened her hand to the neddie, and ſtretched out her palmes to the poore.

21 She shal not feare for her houſe in the coldes of ſnow: for al her houshould are clothed with duble.

22 Tapeſtrie clothing she hath made to herſelf: ſilke, and purple is her garment.

23 Her husband is noble in the gates, when he shal ſitte with the ſenatours of the land.

24 She [::] made ſindon, and ſold it, and deliuered a girdle to the Chananeite.

25 Strength and beautie is her garment, and she shal laugh in the later day.

26 She hath opened her mouth to wiſedom, and the law of clemencie is in her tongue.

27 She hath conſidered the pathes of her houſe, and hath not eaten her bread idle.

28 Her children aroſe, and commended her to be moſt bleſſed: her husband, and he prayſed her.

29 Manie daughters haue gathered together riches: thou haſt paſſed them al.

30 [::] Grace is deceitful, and beautie is vayne: the woman that feareth our Lord shal be prayſed.

31 Geue ye to her [::] of the fruite of her handes: and let her workes praiſe her [::] in the gates.

Marginal notes to Chapter 31

• 1 [::] VVordes perteining to Salomon ſpoken to him by his mother: who here calleth him Lamuel, ſignifying, God vvith him.
• 8 [::] Doctrine is moſt profitable to thoſe, that are modeſtly dumme, more vvilling to heare then to ſpeake.
• 9 [::] The chief & moſt proper office of a king is to do iuſtice.
• 10 [::] A vvoman of ſuch perfectiō as is here deſcribed, is in dede rare, yet poſſible to be found
• 19 [::] Flaxe on the diſtafe ſignifieth purpoſe to do good workes, yarne on the ſpindle the vvorke vvel begune, which geueth confidence in God that the ſame ſhal be perfect and haue due revvard.
• 24 [::] They make and ſel cloth, which lerning and obſeruing Gods lavv, do teach it others
• 30 [::] External comelines is not durable: but the feare of God is more vvorthie of praiſe.
• 31 [::] Good vvorkes ſhal be revvarded,
• 31 [::] at the tribunal ſeate of iudgement.

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXXI.

10. A valiant vvoman vvho shal finde?] Vpon occaſion of his mothers moſt [Margin: The praiſe of a right vviſe woman vvritten in verſe, & in order of the Alphabet.] prudent admonition, the wiſeman ſingularly praiſeth a perfect vertuous woman. And that in an exquiſite kind of ſtile: in Tetramical lambike verſe, with perfect order and number of the Alphabet letters Signifying, as S Ierom [Margin: Proem. lament.] teacheth, that as none can reade, or ſpeale wordes, vnles they firſt lerne to know the letters: ſo we can not attaine to know the greater Myſteries in holie Scriptures, except we beginne with moral good life, according to that the Prophet ſayth: By thy commandments I haue vnderſtood. And therfore [Margin: Pſal. 11⟨illegible⟩. v. 104.] wi⟨illegible⟩e Salomon, by inſtinct of the Holie Ghoſt, as wel by the maner of ſtile, as [Margin: The Church hath al good properties requiſite. A faithful ſoule hath them at leaſt in deſire.] by the doctrine conteined, concludeth his Booke of Parables, with praiſe both of the Church in general, which hath al the vertues, and good properties here mentioned; and of euerie faithful ſoule, ſincerely ſeruing God, which either in dede, or in deſire of mind, hath ſuch part of them, as may ſuffice to the attaining of eternal life. For concerning the whole Church, S Auguſtin in two Sermons (217. and 218 de temp.) S. Beda vpon this place, and other Fathers ſhew it euidently. Touching alſo particular ſoules, not only of holie men, but alſo of vvemen, the frailer ſexe, holie Scriptures, and Eccleſiaſtical monuments yelde manie examples, beſides the moſt Excellent and immaculate [Margin: Rare and excellent wemen both in the old and nevv teſtament.] virgin Mother of God; as of Sara, Rebecca, Lia, Rachael, Elizabeth, Marie Magdalen, Martha, and innumerable others, moſt precious pearles, deare ſpouſes of Chriſt, and ſingular ornaments of his Church.

Colophon

The holie Bible faithfully translated into English, out of the authentical Latin. Diligently conferred with the Hebrew, Greeke, and other editions in diuers languages. With arguments of the bookes, and chapters: annotations. tables: and other helpes. By the English College of Doway. The second tome (Psalms to 2 Machabees, with the Prayer of Manasses and the third and fourth books of Esdras), Doway: Laurence Kellam, 1610 (STC 2207). Copy: Henry E. Huntington Library, as reproduced in Early English Books Online (image set 2087).

Transcription: Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership (EEBO-TCP), Phase I text A11777 (2007), released under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal public-domain dedication.

This is an archival transcription, not a Good Works Translation: the English is the Douay translators’ own, kept in the original spelling, with long s (ſ), u and v, i and j as printed. The Good Works Library converted the TCP text to this page, removing only markup, page breaks and line-end hyphens. In the print a cross (†) opens each verse and the verse number stands in the margin; here each verse is its own paragraph headed by that number. Marginal notes are gathered after each chapter under the number of the verse beside which they stand; where the print sets a reference mark in the text (a letter, four pricks ::, or a star *), the mark is kept at its place in square brackets. In prose sections the marginal notes stand at their places in square brackets. Marks that the transcription records in the text are kept as they stand: ▪ is the transcribers’ sign for a printed mark they could not set, which this edition’s key to its marks uses to point to an Annotation after the chapter, and “ is another such printed mark. Words the transcribers could not read are marked ⟨illegible⟩ (119 on this page); none has been filled in by conjecture.

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