Prov. 6 A dehortation against suretiship, Prov. 6:1. The danger of it, Prov. 6:2; and the way of delivery, Prov. 6:3–5. Sluggards reproved by a similitude of the ant, Prov. 6:6–11. The carriage of the wicked described, Prov. 6:12–14; and his sudden ruin, Prov. 6:15.

Surety, to wit, rashly, without considering for whom or how far thou dost oblige thyself, or how thou shalt discharge the debt, if occasion require it. Otherwise suretiship in some cases may be not only lawful, but an act of justice, and prudence, and charity. See Gen. 42:37, Gen. 43:9, Philem. 19.

Thy freedom is lost, and thou art now in bondage to another.

Into the hand; into the power. Of thy friend; either, 1. Of the creditor, who possibly may be also thy friend; yet take the following course with him, and much more if he be a stranger. Or, 2.

To wit, until thou hast taken care for the discharge of this obligation. Be not secure, nor negligent, nor dilatory in this matter.

With all possible expedition, as the roe runs swiftly away.

This is another distinct precept; and it is for the most part as needless to seek, as hard to find, coherence in the proverbs and counsels of this book. Her ways; her actions and manner of living, especially her diligence and providence, which are the things commended in her, Prov.

Which might direct them in or quicken them to the work, as the bees have their kings, and many other creatures have their leaders. This heightens their commendation.

When they come forth in great numbers, as in winter they stir not out of their holes.

How long wilt thou sleep? when the ants are watchful and labour, not only in the day time, but even by night, when the moon shineth.

This he speaks in the person of the sluggard, refusing to arise, and requiring more sleep, that so he might express the disposition and common practice of such persons. Folding of the hands is the gesture of men composing themselves to sleep.

As one that travaileth, swiftly and unexpectedly. As an armed man, irresistibly or unavoidably.

He showeth the haughtiness of his heart by the wickedness of his talk and discourses, to which he doth accustom himself, as walking implies.

He vents his wickedness, as by his speech, so also by his gestures, whereby he secretly signifies what he is afraid or ashamed to express openly to his accomplices, his intentions or desires of some evil towards another person; which having in the general declared by the motion of his eyes or feet,…

Frowardness; perverse or wicked thoughts and desires. He soweth discord; either out of malice against others, or out of a base design of improving it to his own advantage.

Heb. and there shall be no healing; no prevention of it beforehand, nor recovery afterward.

Hate, to wit, above many other sins, which have a worse name in the world.

A proud look; pride of heart, which commonly discovers itself by a man’s looks and gestures. See Ps. 101:5, Ps. 131:1, Prov. 30:13. A lying tongue; he that accustometh himself to lying and deceit in his common conversation.

An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations; he whose practice it is to design and contrive wickedness. Feet that be swift in running to mischief; such as greedily and readily execute their wicked designs, without any restraint or delay.

That speaketh lies, to wit, in judgment; whereby this differs from the former lying, Prov. 6:17. Brethren; dear relations or friends.

Keep thy father’s commandment, so far as it is not contrary to God’s command. Forsake not the law of thy mother, whom children are too apt to despise. See Prov. 1:8.

Bind them continually upon thine heart; constantly remember and duly consider them. Tie them about thy neck: see on Prov. 1:9, Prov. 3:3.

It, the law of God, which thy parents have taught thee, and pressed upon thee, shall lead thee; direct thee how to order all thy steps and actions. It shall talk with thee; it shall give thee counsel and comfort.

Is a lamp; it enlightens thy dark mind, and clearly discovers to thee the plain and right way. Reproofs of instruction; wise and instructive reproofs or admonitions. The way to life; both to preserve and prolong this life, and to procure eternal life to those that obey them.

This is mentioned as a great commendation of God’s word, because neither worldly discretion, nor civil education, nor moral precepts, nor any other considerations, are sufficient preservatives against this lust, as is manifest from daily experience.

Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; do not give way to, nor delight thyself with, unchaste thoughts or affections. Compare Matt. 5:28. With her eyelids; either with her beauty, which consists much in the eyes; or rather, with her amours and wanton glances.

To a piece of bread; to extreme poverty, so as to want and be forced to beg his bread. Hunt for the precious life; to take away a man’s life; either by consuming his body and spirits, and so shortening his days; or more directly and strictly, when she hath any great provocation to it, or any…

The question implies a denial; he cannot escape burning. No more can he who burns in lust avoid destruction.

That goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; that lieth with her, as the phrase signifies, Gen. 19:31, Gen. 29:21, Gen. 29:23;c. Toucheth her, i.e. hath carnal knowledge of her, as this word is used, Gen. 20:6, 1 Cor. 7:1, and in Terence, and other writers.

Despise, i.e. abhor or reproach him, but rather pity and pardon him, who is urged by mere necessity to these practices.

He shall restore seven-fold. Quest. How doth this agree with God’s law, which required only that he should restore double, or at most fourfold, or fivefold? Ex. 22:1–4. Answ. 1. The number of seven may be here put indefinitely for many times, as it is Gen. 4:24, Lev.

Lacketh understanding; is a brutish and silly man, who madly rusheth upon these filthy courses, without any sense or consideration of the horrid shame and certain destruction which attends upon them. Destroyeth his own soul, or life; is guilty of self-murder and of soul-murder.

A wound; civil or corporal punishment from the magistrate, or rather from the woman’s husband, as it follows. His reproach shall not be wiped away; although it be forgiven by God, yet the reproach and scandal of it remains.

Is the rage of a man; it inflames a man with rage and fury against the adulterer. In the day of vengeance; when he hath an opportunity to avenge himself upon the delinquent.

He will accept of no other recompence for the injury beneath thy life.