Proverbs 18

Proverbs 18:1

separated himself] From the world, and all other impediments, to apply himself to seek wisdome. Or, the Separatist stirs busily in every thing that is done, whereby he may effect his designe, and come off with his credit ad reputed wisdome. And this is true in quarrelsome and medling men: And in Separatists and Schismaticks, that rend the Unity of the Church.

Proverbs 18:2

A fool] It wilful to follow his own humour, against all that can be said to the contrary. Or, is vainglorious, setting his good parts a sunning; only to seeme wise and understanding, and to gaine applause, chap. XIV. 33. Or phantastickly affects singularitie, to be crosse to all men.

Proverbs 18:3

Then cometh contempt] It comes into the world with him, being vainly puft up by his fleshly minde, Col. II. 18. and contemning others. Job XI. 12. And as he contemnes God, and good men; so contempt from God and good men comes upon him, chap. III. 34. they are paid in their own coine; they are with ignomie repaid reproach.

Proverbs 18:4

deep waters] Which can never be drawn dry, chap. X. 11. and ch. XIII. 14. and XIV. 27. and XX. 5. John VII. 38.

brook] That the simplest may understand. The holy Scripture indeed is both text and glosse.

Proverbs 18:5

It is not good] But very bad, ch. XXIV. 23. and XXVIII 21. Levit. XIX. 15. Deut. XV. 7. and ch. XVI. 19. and I. 17. James II. 1,—4.

Proverbs 18:6

stroaks] By his desire upon others; but by desert and issue upon himself; as in the next verse.

Proverbs 18:7

A fools mouth] Chap. X. 14. and XII. 13. and XIII. 3.

Proverbs 18:8

Tale-bearer] Chap. XII. 18. 1 Tim. III. 8.

Proverbs 18:9

is brother] Is alike. The sloathful, and prodigal, both have the same event; both come to want and povertie.

Proverbs 18:10

The Name] His Attributes.

a strong tower] Esay XXVI. 4. and XXXIII. 16.

and is safe] And set aloft. All other refuges will fail.

Proverbs 18:11

wealth] Hard to be rich, and not to trust in riches, Mark X. 23, 24. 1 Tim. VI. 17. Yet this his trust is not like that in the former verse: This shall fail; this trust is but only in conceit.

Proverbs 18:12

haughtie] Chap. XI. 2. and chap. XVI. 18. and chap. XV. 33.

Proverbs 18:14

who can bear?] Many are the examples thereof; yea, even in heathen, and in wicked men; worldly comforts here are but as a fair shoe to a gowtie foot, or a silken stockin to a broken leg.

Proverbs 18:16

Gift] Chap. XVII. 8, 23. This Jacob knew well, Gen. XXXIII. 11.

Proverbs 18:17

He that is first] Therefore Judges, and all men, had need to keep one eare for the defendant. Tertullus pleaded fairly till Paul came to answer. And so Ziba against Mephibosheth. A man is not easily to be beleeved in his own tale against another.

Proverbs 18:18

The lot] Josh. XIV. 2. Acts I. 26. See my Annotations on Jonah I. 7.

Proverbs 18:19

A brother offended] A brother natural, or spiritual; a sworne brother. Too many are the sad experiences of this. The vulgar Latin, and LXX. read, and render otherwise.

Proverbs 18:21

tongue] That best and worst member of the body. James III. 2, —11. Mark XII. 37.

Proverbs 18:22

a wife] A good wife. As a Name, for a good name, Eccles. VII. 1. He obtains favour of the Lord; chap. XIX. 14. and XXXI. 10.

Proverbs 18:23

The poor] Speaks supplications. Much more should poor man to God.

Proverbs 18:24

hath friends] Love is the whetstone, and loadstone of love.

a friend] Chap. XVII. 17. as ones own soul, Deut. XIII. 6.