John Trapp on Proverbs 29:6

Verſ. 6. In the tranſgreſsion of an evil man there is a ſnare] Or, a cord, viz. to ſtrangle his joy with, to check and choak all his comforts: in the midſt of his mirth he hath many a ſecret gripe, and little knowes the world where his ſhooe pincheth him. Every fowl that hath a ſeemly feather, hath not the ſweeteſt fleſh; nor doth every tree that bringeth a goodly leaf, bear good fruit. Glaſs giveth a clearer ſound than Silver, and many things gliſter beſides Gold. The wicked mans jollity is but the hypocriſie of mirth: it may wet the mouth, but not warm the heart; ſmooth the brow, but not fill the breaſt; we may be ſure, that as Jezabel had a cold heart under a painted complexion, ſo many a mans heart akes and quakes within him, when his face counterfeits a ſmile.

But the righteous ſing and rejoyce] Good men only may be glad, and none have any reaſon to rejoyce but they, Hoſ. 9.1. The Papiſts have a Proverb, Spiritus Calvinianus eſt Spiritus melancholicus: and the mad world are eaſily perſwaded by the Devil, that there is no comfort in a Chriſtian courſe; that your preciſe fellows live a melancholy and Monkiſh kind of life, and have no joy of any thing. Herein the Devil deals like thoſe inhoſpitable ſalvages in America, that make great fires, and ſet forth terrible ſights upon their Country-ſhore, purpoſely to affright Paſſengers from landing there. And as thoſe wicked Spyes brought up an evil report of the Land of Canaan, and thereby diſcouraged the people: ſo doth the Devil and his Impes, of the purity of religion, and power of godlineſſe, as uncouth and uncomfortable; when in truth there is no ſound comfort without it, no true joy but in it. Though Saul could not be merry without a Fidler, Ahab without Naboths Vineyard, Hamon without Mordecaies courteſie, yet a righteous man can be merry without all theſe. Yea as the Lilly is freſh, beautiful, and looks pleaſantly, though among thorns, ſo can he amidſt troubles. Paul (than whom never any out of Hell ſuffered more,) did not only glory in tribulation, but over-abound exceedingly with joy, 2 Cor. 7.4.