Take his garment that is surety [for] a
stranger
Which a man is cautioned against, ( Proverbs 6:1
) ; but if a man will be so weak and foolish, others ought to
take care of him, and be cautious how they trust him; for he is
in danger of being ruined by his suretyship, and therefore
nothing should be lent him without a pledge, without a proper
security; for though it was not lawful to take the garment of a
poor man for a pledge, at least it was not to be kept after
sunset, ( Exodus 22:26
) ; yet it was right to take such a man's garment who had or
would be thought to have such an abundance as to be surety for a
stranger. Some think these words are to be taken as a prophecy of
what would be the case of such a man that is a surety for a
stranger; in the issue he will be stripped of all he has, and
have not a coat to put on. It has been applied to our Lord Jesus
Christ, who became a surety for such who were foreigners and
strangers, and aliens from the commonwealth of Israel; and who
had the garment of his human nature taken from him and which was
a pledge and ransom for the sins of his people; and take a
pledge of him for a strange woman;
a harlot; such as have to do with lewd women are not to be
trusted; for they are in a fair way for ruin, and therefore
should not be intrusted with anything without a pledge; all in
connection with such creatures lose their credit; it is dangerous
having any concern with them in trade for they are liable to be
brought to a piece of bread; and therefore persons should be
cautious how they trade with them, and should observe to secure
themselves.