Francis Taylor on Proverbs 4

Here ye children the instruction of a Father, and attend to know understanding

"These chapters 4, 5, 6 ,7 ,8, 9. contain David's Catechisme for his Son Solomon, delivered by him at diverse times, and written together by Solomon. At the middle of the fourth verse David is brought in speaking and holds on to the end of the ninth Chapter. And Solomon is brought in speaking again, as appears by the preface of the tenth Chapter, 'The Proverbs of Solomon', which preface had been needless, if David had not spoken all this while."

v.4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

"The Wiseman goes on like an excellent Orator, and to gain the more repect to his Words, he puts them upon his Father, that for his sake, if not for his own, they might be regarded. He had before set out the motive of David's instruction, his fatherly love to him, now he sets out the matter itself which he taught him, exhorting him to good, de-horting him from evil, with promises and threatening to affect him the more. In this verse he persuades to careful reception of what he delivers in the verses following. Hewould have them not only kindly received, but also carefully kept for ever, as received not into the ear only, but also into the heart."

~Francis Taylor, from several expository lectures at Christ-Church in Canterbury, 1657