HE calleth the opinions of fools,1 a song, by a trim figure. Neither must it be transferred or understanded of Music, no more then that which goeth before of outward banqueting, but of the ⟨image 116⟩whole conversation of mans life, after the manner of the Hebrews, & according to their figure. And rebukes are doctrines and exhortations touching things to be done. This therefore he saith▪ Although thou seem to prevail nothing, yet must thou go forward with that thou hast in hand, & not cease from rebuking, although fools will give no ear: to the which thing Paul. 2. Timoth. 4. thus uttered: Reprove, rebuke, be instant in season, & out of season. I have taught and do teach that this world is vain, and that things can not be ordered after our counsels and deuyse. &c. When a fool heareth these rebukes, he draweth them an other way. Let us then do nothing saith he. But we must not cease for all this, neither from doing, nor from rebuking of vanities, neither from teaching and preaching, howsoever we seem to be contented, but must burst through all impediments and rebuke the ungodly. If I should have left of preaching of the word, because I see small fruit of the word but among a very few, & great perverseness and ingratitude of all the world, I should long sithens have held ⟨p. 114⟩my peace. But God doth wisely which letteth us not see or perceive such things before we are in the middle of our course, when we can not come back again. And much better it is to be envied with these evils, then to leave of. Therefore it is more profitable to hear the rebukes of the wise, which wish us well, then the singing of fools: that is those things which the flesh heareth willingly, and which are pleasant to fools. For only they desire of us, to speak to them all things that may please them. To be brief, Solomon treateth with us to this end, that we should not wax ere the slacker, or cease from doing, through occasion of this foresaid doctrine.
HE calleth the opinions of fooles,1 a song, by a trimme figure. Neyther must it be transferred or vnderstanded of Musicke, no more then that which goeth before of outward banquetting, but of the ⟨image 116⟩whole conuersation of mans lyfe, after the maner of the Hebrewes, & according to their figure. And rebukes are doctrines and exhortations towching thinges to be donne. This therfore he sayth▪ Although thou séeme to preuaile nothing, yet must thou goe forward with that thou hast in hand, & not cease frō rebuking, although fooles will geue no eare: to the which thinge Paule. 2. Timoth. 4. thus vttered: Reproue, rebuke, be instant in season, & out of season. I haue taught and doe teach that this worlde is vayne, and that thinges can not be ordered after our counsels and deuyse. &c. When a foole heareth these rebukes, he draweth them an other way. Let vs then doe nothing sayth he. But we must not cease for all this, neyther from doing, nor from rebuking of vanities, neyther from teaching and preaching, howsoeuer we séeme to be contented, but must burst through all impedimēts and rebuke the vngodly. If I should haue left of preaching of the worde, because I see small fruite of the worde but amonge a very fewe, & great peruersenes and ingratitude of all the worlde, I should long sythens haue helde ⟨p. 114⟩my peace. But God doth wysely which letteth vs not sée or perceaue such things before we are in the middle of our course, when we can not come back agayne. And much better it is to be enuyed with these euils, then to leaue of. Therefore it is more profitable to heare the rebukes of the wyse, which wishe vs well, then the singing of fooles: that is those thinges which the fleshe heareth willingly, and which are pleasant to fooles. For onelye they desyre of vs, to speake to them all thinges that may please them. To be breefe, Salomon treateth with vs to this ende, that we should not waxe ere the slacker, or cease from doing, through occasion of this foresayde doctrine.
- 1The rebukes of the wise must be patiently borne.The rebukes of ye wyse must be patiently borne.
