To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
Ver. 4. To give subtilty.] Serpentine subtilty, Gen 3:1 sacred sagacity, a sharp wit, a deep reach, a Spirit that "searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God," 1Co 2:10 and transformeth a man "into the same image from glory to glory." 2Co 3:18 Equidem scio multos esse qui hoc non credant, et non paucos qui ea rideant, nosque insanire arbitrentur, saith Peter Martyr, a sed istos rogatos velim, &c.: that is, I know well there be many that will not believe it, and not a few that will deride it, and think we are mad in ascribing so much to the Scriptures. But oh that they would be entreated to make trial awhile, and to take to the reading of the Bible! Male mihi sit (ita enim in tanta causa iurare ausim) nisi tandem capiantur: sentient denique quantum divina hac ab humanis distent, &c. Let me never be believed, if they perceive not a plain and palpable difference between these and all human writings whatsoever. And to the same purpose Erasmus, b expertus sum in meipso, saith he, I can speak it by experience, that there is little good to be gotten by reading the Bible cursorily and carelessly; but do it duly and dillgently, with attention and affection, and you shall find such an efficacy as is to be found in no other book that can be named.
To the simple.] Fatuo, פחא, fatuello - Lipsius's diminutive; to the silly simple, whose learning hangs not in his light, who holds not himself too wise to be taught, who is not uncounsellable, unpersuadable. Bis desipit qui sibi sapit; c he is two fools that is wise in his own eyes. Pro 3:7 Plurima ignoro, sed ignorantiam meam non ignoro. Little though it be that I know, yet this I know, that I know but little.
To the young man.] Though rude and rash, headlong and headstrong, d untameable and untractable as "a wild ass's colt"; Job 11:12 though addicted to "youthful lusts," 2Ti 2:22 and madly set upon sin, yet he may "cleanse his ways by cleaving to God's word," Psa 119:9 Ecc 11:10 and become a young saint, an old angel; whereas otherwise, like young lapwings, he is apt to be snatched up by every buzzard.
a Pet. Mart. in Rom. Ep. dedicat.
b Erasm., Praefat. in Lucam.
c Chytraeus.
d Arist., Ethic., lib. i.