John Trapp on Proverbs 22:5

Verſ. 5. Thorns and ſnares are in the way of the froward] In oppoſition to the reward of righteouſneſs, verſ. 4. which is to ſay, The ungodly are not ſo: Or if they have riches, they prove thorns to them to prick and choak their ſouls; If honour, and long life to enjoy it, theſe prove ſnares to them. Of carnal hearts it may bee ſaid as Pharoah ſaid, of the Iſraelites, They are intangled in the Land, the wilderneſs hath ſhut them in, Exod. 14.3. They have treaſures in the field, of Wheat, Barley, and Oyl, as thoſe ten men had, Jer. 41.8. and are therefore loath to dye: And yet before they dye (live they never ſo long in all abundance of riches and honours) God can bring them to that paſs, that Charles the fifth was at, whom of all men the world judged moſt happy; Philip of Mornay reports of him, that he curſed his honours in his old age, his victories, trophies, riches, ſaying, Abite hinc, abite long è. Away, away, get you far away.

He that doth keep his ſoul, ſhall be far from them] As well from the wicked mans miſeries, as his miſdemeanours; hee keeps aloof from both, hee dares not meddle with the hole of the Aſp, leſt hee meet with a ſting. Cuſtos animae elongabit ſe, &c. Moneo te iterumque monebo (ſaith Lactantius to his Demetrian) ne oblectamenta iſta terrae pro magnis aut veris bonis habere te credas: Lactant. de opifici[illegible: 1 letter] Dei. quae ſunt non tantum fallacia quia dubia, verum etiam inſidioſa quia dulcia. Set not thine heart upon the Aſſes, ſith thou art in election for a Kingdome, and the hearts of all Iſrael are upon thee.