Proverbs 20

Proverbs 20:1

A Mocker] being immoderately used, it maketh a man prophane, and an insolent contemner of God and men: Strong drink] A common name for all artificiall drinkes which are apt to make a man drunk.

Proverbs 20:3

Will be medling] the Italian, Causeth himselfe to be scoffed] That is to say, raising of contentions without any reason, he reapeth nothing but dishonour and shame by it.

Proverbs 20:5

Counsell] That is to say, prudence, and wisdome, which are the springs of all good councell Is like deepe waters] the Italian, Is a deepe water] As 〈◊〉 should say, a living spring which never faileth Draw it out] Shall seeke it out at his need, and shall by all meanes endeavour to purchase it, and shall make himselfe capable of using it.

Proverbs 20:6

Proclaime] They professe liberally in words and faire proffers, but in effect they shew nothing but vanity. See Proverbs 19:22. Others understand it thus: that men do with words commend him that doth them good, but are seldome loyall in a reall acknowledgement.

Proverbs 20:8

That sitteth [That doth in person supply the place of a judge. A thing much used in former times by Princes & Emperours Scattereth away] Through his acute judgement, not subject to such corruptions as inferiour Judges are. And through his awfull majestie he can penetrate into the falsehoods and cunnings of unjust pleaders, even as the Sun doth disperce mists All evill] or all wicked men, As v. 26.

Proverbs 20:10

Diverse] the Italian, Double] namely, the one too heavie to buy by, and the other too light to sell by.

Proverbs 20:11

Even a childe] That is to say, even from the first actions of a childe one may guesse what his ensuing life will be.

Proverbs 20:13

Open thine eyes] Be vigilant and attentive in all things which thou doest and undertakest.

Proverbs 20:14

It is naught] When men buy a thing they use to dispraise it, which afterwards they can boast to have bought at a low and cheape rate.

Proverbs 20:16

His garment] Which seems to be against the law. Exodus 22:26. But here the wise man doth not touch he particular case of the law, which is in favour of poor men, who would not be taken for sureties; but speaketh of rich mn, who inconsiderately become sureties, and therefore deserve to suffer for their olly, that they may thereby take warning For a stranger]Of another nation and region. Or for one that is unknowne to him, and to whom he is no way bound.

Proverbs 20:17

His mouth] A proverbiall kinde of speech, as Lamentations 3:16. To shew that the false delight being once past, man findeth that he hath gotten no profit but much hurt: even as if his mouth were full of gravell, which is no way nourishing, and spoyleth his teeth. See Job 20. 12. 14. 15.

Proverbs 20:19

Flattereth] the Italian, Entiseth] That is to say, a deceitfull flatterer who commeth to discover and spie into the thoughts and secrets of men. Such as your spies and tale-bearers are.

Proverbs 20:20

His lampe] He shall be deprived of life and all manner of happinesse. Of all honour, dignity and good in this life. And afterwards shall be condemned to everlasting death: a phrase or manner of speaking very frequent in Scripture.

Proverbs 20:21

Shall not] By reason of the unlawfull means which are used by those who strive to enrich themselves suddenly. And because that which groweth suddenly, perisheth also quickly. And because a man hath not by little and little used himselfe to beare, digest, and governe, so much prosperity being as it were drunken with riches, he is forced to vomit them up againe raw and undigested.

Proverbs 20:22

On the Lord] To whom vengeance belongeth. Deuteronomy 32:35.

Proverbs 20:24

Mans goings] All mans meanings are governed by Gods providence, and therefore men can determine nothing certainly, nor know the issue of his designes and actions.

Proverbs 20:25

A sare] A sinne which ensnareth and bindeth the soule of the sinner unto Gods judgements, and unto a remorse of conscience Devoureth] prophanely eateth without any devotion of the sacrifices of thanksgiving. Or generally taketh to himselfe and employeth to common uses those things which God commanded to be offered unto him as holy, as tithes, first fruits, vowes, &c To make enquiry] namely to know whether a man be irrevcably bound thereunto, and whether there be no meanes to be freed from it. A token of temerity in having made a vow lightly: or of impiety in having changed his minde.

Proverbs 20:26

Bringeth] A figurative terme taken from the ancient manner of threshing with cart-wheeles, Isay 28. 17, 28. To signifie the practice of justice in laying the wicked apart who are like to chaffe in humane society. Or plainely he punisheth them with grievous punishments. Such as the punishment of the wheele was. See 2 Samuel 12:31. Amos 1:3.

Proverbs 20:27

The Spirit] the Italian, The Soule] God hath endowed it with the light of divine reason, understanding and conscience: whereby it knowes; rules, and judges it selfe, and its most secret motions, thoughts, and actions. See 1 Corinthians 2:11.

Proverbs 20:28

Mercy] namely, God himselfe, who is all mercy and truth in his promises: Or these vertues of clemency and loyall justice being in Kings, are safe-guards for them insomuch as they draw Gods grace and protection upon them.