Doctr. 1. There is a great difference between a wise man and a fool, in the placing and carrying of their hearts. It is not to be thought there is any observable difference in the heart of a wise man and of a fool; for then some Anatomists would have observed it. But the heart is put Metonymically for the mind, judgement, and will of a man. And the Right and Left hand are put Metaphorically. The meaning is, First, A wise man doth not aim at sinister ends in his work, Matth. 6.3. He aimeth sincerely at the glory of God, and the good of himself and others. A foolish Pharisee (Christ calleth them so, Matth. 23.17, 19.] he doth all to be seen of men, Matsh. 6.2, 5, 16. 2 Kings 10.16. or for some selfish end or other. Secondly, A wise man carrieth his thoughts and works with strength and dexterity. As the Right hand is counted the stronger then the Left: so what is wrought with strength is attributed to the Right hand, Psal. 118.15, 16, & 98, 1. Thirdly, A wise man may be said to have his heart at his Right hand, in that he taketh all things in the fairest and best sense from God or man, Psal. 119.75. Matth. 1.19. On the contrary a fool makes a sinister construction of that which is well meant from God or man, 2 Sam. 10.2, 3, Eccles. 8.11. Psal. 50.21. Rom. 2.4, 5: Fourthly, The Right hand is a place of preeminence and blessing, Gen. 48.14, 17, 18, 19. In which respect a wise man taketh ways of preferment to highest honour before the most high, Prov. 15.24, & 10, 20, 21, & 12, 26. Matth. 25.33. And for carrying on their hearts in their course of life, there is great difference, between the wise and the fool. The fool in his ordinary and daily course of life, (which in verse 3. is called his way) his heart faileth him, and faileth him so far that he expresseth and discovereth his folly openly to all that observe him. Not that Solomon here speaketh of a natural fool, that as he walketh in the Streets, discovereth to all that he is a fool by his looks and gesture: Solomon seldom or never speaketh of them in all his writings: but he speaketh of a carnal wicked man, destitute both of spiritual wisdom, and wisdom fit for his calling: And the words may according to the Text be translated, yea also as he that is a fool walketh in his way, his heart ⟨p. 217⟩faileth him, and he saith to all men he is a fool, Psal. 36.1. 2 Tim. 3.9. 1 Tim. 5.24, 25,
Doctr. 1. There is a great difference between a wise man and a fool, in the placing and carrying of their hearts. It is not to be thought there is any observable difference in the heart of a wise man and of a fool; for then some Anatomists would have observed it. But the heart is put Metonymically for the minde, judgement, and will of a man. And the Right and Left hand are put Metaphorically. The meaning is, First, A wise man doth not ayme at sinister ends in his work, Matth. 6.3. He aymeth sincerely at the glory of God, and the good of himselfe and others. A foolish Pharisee (Christ calleth them so, Matth. 23.17, 19.] he doth all to be seen of men, Matsh. 6.2, 5, 16. 2 Kings 10.16. or for some selfish end or other. Secondly, A wise man carryeth his thoughts and workes with strength and dexterity. As the Right hand is counted the stronger then the Left: so what is wrought with strength is attributed to the Right hand, Psal. 118.15, 16, & 98, 1. Thirdly, A wise man may be said to have his heart at his Right hand, in that he taketh all things in the fairest and best sense from God or man, Psal. 119.75. Matth. 1.19. On the contrary a fool makes a sinister construction of that which is well meant from God or man, 2 Sam. 10.2, 3, Eccles. 8.11. Psal. 50.21. Rom. 2.4, 5: Fourthly, The Right hand is a place of preheminence and blessing, Gen. 48.14, 17, 18, 19. In which respect a wise man taketh wayes of preferment to highest honour before the most high, Prov. 15.24, & 10, 20, 21, & 12, 26. Matth. 25.33. And for carrying on their hearts in their course of life, there is great difference, between the wise and the fool. The fool in his ordinary and daily course of life, (which in verse 3. is called his way) his heart faileth him, and faileth him so farre that he expresseth and discovereth his folly openly to all that observe him. Not that Solomon here speaketh of a natural fool, that as he walketh in the Streets, discovereth to all that he is a fool by his looks and gesture: Solomon seldome or never speaketh of them in all his writings: but he speaketh of a carnal wicked man, destitute both of spiritual wisdome, and wisdome fit for his calling: And the words may according to the Text be translated, yea also as he that is a fool walketh in his way, his heart
