An exposition of Solomons book called Ecclesiastes or the preacher. Seen and allowedAn exposition of Salomons booke called Ecclesiastes or the preacher. Seene and allowed

The words of the wise are heard in quietness. &c.

The wordes of the wyse are hearde in quietnes. &c.

The words of the wise are not regarded,¹ therefore they are compelled to hearken to the words of a foolish ruler. The crying of a captain prevaileth among fools, and a foolish prince heareth a foolish Counsellors words, because he speaketh that which pleaseth him. This I say, that thou must consider, as is said in the proverbs: The fool will not hear, unless thou speak that he phā sieth in his heart, because affections rule all in the fools hart, therefore he regardeth not what thou sayest, unless thou say that he desireth. For they which thus are led with their own affections & wisdom, will hear nothing else. Therefore thou shalt not prevail; thou shalt not be heard: where minds are not quieted, that is to say, blinded with affections. So now a days,² it is in vain to write against the Sectaries and heretics, for thou shalt do no good. Which thing Paul affirmeth also: A man that is an heretic, after once or twice warning avoid. &c. And it falleth not thus out in matters of religion only, but also in civil affairs. Thus it fareth in worldly affairs: if thou give good counsel, thou ⟨image 161⟩shalt not prevail, nor be heard, but with Neutrals, whose minds are settled, and will take part with none. But settled minds at quiet can truly judge that the crying of a Captain is but foolish. We must abide therefore till the affections be appeased, for then shall he hear. Even as troubled-water is not clear, but if thou wilt see the bottom, thou must tarry till the water be settled: so all men that have conceived any persuasion in their mind, will not be dissuaded again, unless that conceit of theirs, wherewith they be as it were bewitched, be put away. This Solomon in an other place expresseth in this wise: It is better to meet a Bear, or a Lyon robbed of her whelps, then a man trusting in his own foolishness.