John Trapp on Proverbs 12:24

Verſ. 24. The hand of the diligent ſhall bear rule] i. e. It ſhall make rich, and ſo get preferment: for regina pecunia, Mony bears the Maſtery, and is a common medler in moſt buſineſſes. Agathocles, by his induſtry, gat to bee King of Sicily, Crumwel to bee Earl of Eſſex, Cranmer to bee Arch-biſhop of Canterbury, &c.

But the ſlothful (or deceitful) ſhall bee under tribute] Cajetan renders it, Dolus erit ad liquefactionem. Deceitful dealing ſhall melt to nothing. [non-Latin text not transcribed] tributum, fic dictum quia paulatim liqueſcere facit facultates. Buxtorf. The ſame word ſignifieth both melting and tribute, becauſe too much tribute waſteth mens eſtates; as when the ſpleen ſwells, the reſt of the body conſumes. King Johns exactors received from his ſubjects no leſs ſummes of curſes, than of coin: Hee gathered money the ſinewes of warre, but loſt their affections, the joynts of peace. He had a troubleſome reign, ill beloved of his people; and farre a leſſe King, only by ſtriving to be more than he was; the juſt reward of violations: what tribute hee paid to the Popes Legat at his abſolution (eight thouſand Marks, beſides other huge ſummes,Mat. Paris. inſomuch as that John Florentinus the Legat was nicknamed Ferentinus, for bearing away ſo much mony) I need not here relate.Speed. And yet this King was not ſlothful (for his endleſs turmoils kept his body ſtill in motion, his mind in paſſions, and his proweſſe in ure) deceitful, I cannot deny him, in breaking promiſe with His Subjects about their juſt liberties: But a great part of that blame may well lye upon his Court-paraſites, who ſuggeſted, that now hee was a King without a Kingdome, a Lord without a Dominion, and a Subject to his Subjects, &c. Wicked Counſellours; as if it were not enough to bee above men,Daniel. but to bee above mankind, as thoſe Princes would bee, that would not bee under the Law.