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…

He alludeth, as it seemeth, to the disorders that are wont to be in harlots houses, wherein at the meeting of companions they use to have a feast, and all the provision is of stolen stuff. Either servants filch from their masters, or otherwise they steal from their neighbours, hens, and geese, and ducks, ⟨p. 41⟩and connies, and venison, and such things as they can come by: which is called hid food, because as they cannot justify it, so they dare not let it be seen, but dress it covertly, and eat it secretly in the middest of the night, in the most inward and closest room of the whole house. And whatsoever is so gotten, and there made ready is very delicious unto them, though it were but bread and water.

Hee alludeth, as it seemeth, to the disorders that are wont to be in harlots houses, wherein at the meeting of companions they vse to haue a feast, and all the prouision is of stollen stuffe. Eyther seruants filtch from their masters, or otherwise they steale from their neighbours, hennes, and geese, and duckes, ⟨p. 41⟩and connies, and venison, and such things as they can come by: which is called hid food, because as they cannot iustifie it, so they dare not let it be seene, but dresse it couertly, and eate it secretly in the middest of the night, in the most inward and closest rome of the whole house. And whatsoeuer is so gotten, and there made ready is very delicious vnto them, though it were but bread and water.

Those things that be most unlawful do best satisfy the Doct. humours of unregenerate men. Though wisdom make a feast ¹of meats that be dainty and wholesome, and prepare spiced cups, with wine that is sweet and delicate, yet she hath few guests that will visit her table: but let folly provide only bread and water (which they must also eat in a corner, and hide their heads like malefactors) and she shall have great store that will flock to her house, and accept of their cheer with very good liking, in this sense it is said Chap. 20. 17. that the bread of deceit is sweet to a man. The unrighteous trade and course of getting is to many a kind of sauce to procure a relish to their possessions. They esteem every thing to be so much the more worth, if a crafty head, a violent hand, a guileful tongue, or any fraudulent means hath brought it unto them. The same proportion holdeth in all other cases. How many be carried with brutish lusts and affections to strange flesh, that have nothing in them of beauty, and in the mean time loath their own wives which be well favoured, personable, and comely: and who almost taketh delight in any recreation which is neither unseasonable in respect of the time, nor yet unwarrantable in regard of the manner, yet it is altogether too fresh and unsavoury for their taste, unless the Devil powder it with some enormous abuses.