Thirdly, if we consider the effects of frowardness. For those are vile, whether we respect the froward persons themselves, or others, or God. First, for themselves: It is a vice most unprofitable. For it is like a disease full of anguish, and unquietness, it eats up their own hearts, troubles their minds, and robs them of all contentment: besides, it breeds ⟨p. 740⟩a grievous indisposition in them to all good duties both to God and men, and brings upon them many mischiefs▪ It dares annoy their friends: For they that are wise, will make no friendship with the froward▪ and in such as are tied to them, that they must needs converse with them, it much alienateth their inward love, and respect of them. And therefore Solomon saith well, He that hath a froward heart, finds no good; and he that hath a perverse tongue, falleth into mischief, Pro. 17.20. And again, Thorns and snares are in the mouths of the froward, Pro. 22.5. Secondly, to others, their peevishness is a great vexation and burden: Hence came the proverb▪ The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, that is, a godly, patient, discreet man, is exceeding pleasing to others in his words, and carriage: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness, that is, a sinful, peevish, foolish person is in his word and carriage exceeding troublesome, and unpleasing, for so the Antithesis imports.1 Besides, it breeds discord: a froward mouth soweth discord.2 Yea, it many times drives such, as converse with such persons, into perplexities, and amazedness, that they know not what to do to free themselves from their perverseness; according to that of Solomon, The way of a man is perverse, and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right, Prou. 21.8. And therefore David, when he was to order his family, is specially careful, that no froward person dwell with him: For where frowardness is, there is confusion, and every evil work, Jerem. 3.16. Thirdly, if we ⟨p. 741⟩respect God: It is a fearful thing, which Solomon saith: Those, which are of a froward heart, are an abomination to the Lord, but such as are upright in the way, are his delight, Pro. 11.20.
Thirdly, if wee consider the effects of frowardnes. For those are vile, whether we respect the froward persons themselues, or others, or God. First, for themselues: It is a vice most vnprofitable. For it is like a disease full of anguish, and vnquietnes, it eates vp their owne hearts, troubles their minds, and robs them of al contentment: besides, it breeds ⟨p. 740⟩a grieuous indisposition in them to all good duties both to God and men, and brings vpon them many mischiefes▪ It dares annoy their friends: For they that are wise, will make no frendship with the froward▪ and in such as are tied to them, that they must needs conuerse with them, it much alienateth their inward loue, and respect of them. And therefore Salomon saith well, Hee that hath a froward heart, findes no good; and hee that hath a peruerse tongue, falleth into mischiefe, Pro. 17.20. And againe, Thornes and snares are in the mouthes of the froward, Pro. 22.5. Secondly, to others, their peeuishnes is a great vexation and burthen: Hence came the prouerb▪ The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, that is, a godly, patient, discreet man, is exceeding pleasing to others in his words, and carriage: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardnes, that is, a sinfull, peeuish, foolish person is in his word and carriage exceeding troublesome, and vnpleasing, for so the Antithesis imports.1 Besides, it breeds discord: a froward mouth soweth discord.2 Yea, it many times driues such, as conuerse with such persons, into perplexities, and amazednes, that they know not what to doe to free themselues from their peruersenes; according to that of Salomon, The way of a man is peruerse, and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right, Prou. 21.8. And therefore Dauid, when hee was to order his family, is specially carefull, that no froward person dwell with him: For where frowardnes is, there is confusion, and euery euil work, I•rem. 3.16. Thirdly, if wee ⟨p. 741⟩respect God: It is a fearefull thing, which Salomon saith: Those, which are of a froward heart, are an abomination to the Lord, but such as are vpright in the way, are his delight,
- 1Pro. 10.32.
- 2Pro. 16.28.
