A plain and familiar exposition of the ninth and tenth chapters of the Proverbs…A plaine and familiar exposition of the ninth and tenth chapters of the Prouerbs…

Secondly, in respect of the state of their souls, the blessedness §2whereof consisteth in righteousness: and that doth yield ⟨p. 29⟩such a benefit which as the Apostle doth truly testify, doth far surpass the capacity of all sense and humane reason, which will appear, first, if we consider, the misery out of which they have escaped: they were the enemies of God, and are reconciled to him: they were most deeply in debt, and are discharged of it: they were bond men, and are made free: they were condemned, and are pardoned: they were dead in sins and trespasses, and are quickened to everlasting life. Secondly, if we respect the gifts that God vouchsafeth them: their nature is healed, their souls are sanctified, they have a free access to God, the holy Ghost is in them, Jesus Christ is bestowed upon them: all his merits, and all his graces, and all his prerogatives are communicated unto them. Thirdly, the fruit of their wisdom is apparent at their death: for then doth their faith, and faithful behaviour stand to them, and visit their hearts, and animates them with hope against the temptations of Satan, and fear of hell, and damnation, and all kinds of desperation, if it be true that a good conscience is a continual ¹feast, then especially is it most forcible and comfortable at that time. Fourthly, the full and perfect reward of it shall be rendered unto them in the life to come, and chiefly at the last day, in the presence of God, and men, and Angels, elect and reprobate, and every particular of every sort, who shall hear their praises, and see their glorious advancement.

Secondly, in respect of the state of their soules, the blessednesse §2wherof consisteth in righteousnesse: and that doth yeeld ⟨p. 29⟩such a benefit which as the Apostle doth truely testifie, doth farre surpasse the capacitie of all sence and humane reason, which will appeare, first, if we consider, the misery out of which they haue escaped: they were the enemies of God, and are reconciled to him: they were most deepely in debt, and are discharged of it: they were bond men, and are made free: they were condemned, and are pardoned: they were dead in sinnes and trespasses, and are quickned to euerlasting life. Secondly, if we respect the giftes that God vouchsafeth them: their nature is healed, their soules are sanctified, they haue a free accesse to God, the holy Ghost is in them, Iesus Christ is bestowed vpon them: all his merits, and all his graces, and all his prerogatiues are communicated vnto them. Thirdly, the fruite of their wisedome is apparant at their death: for then doth their faith, and faithfull behauiour stand to them, and visite their hearts, and animats them with hope against the temptations of Sathan, and feare of hell, and damnation, and all kindes of desperation, if it bee true that a good conscience is a continuall