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…

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.

Those things that bee most vnlawfull doe best satisfie the Doct. humors of vnregenerate men. Though wisedome make a feast ¹of meates that be daintie and wholesome, and prepare spiced cups, with wine that is sweete and delicate, yet shee hath few guests that will visite her table: but let folly prouide only bread and water (which they must also eat in a corner, and hide their heads like malefactours) and shee shall haue great store that will flocke to her house, and accept of their cheare with very good liking, in this sence it is said Chap. 20. 17. that the bread of deceit is sweete to a man. The vnrighteous trade and course of getting is to many a kinde of sauce to procure a relish to their possessions. They esteeme euery thing to bee so much the more worth, if a craftie head, a violent hand, a guilefull tongue, or any fraudulent meanes hath brought it vnto them. The same proportion holdeth in all other cases. How many bee carried with brutish lusts and affections to strange flesh, that haue nothing in them of beautie, and in the meane time loath their owne wiues which bee well fauoured, personable, and comely: and who almost taketh delight in any recreation which is neither vnseasonable in respect of the time, nor yet vnwarrantable in regard of the manner, yet it is altogether too fresh and vnsauery for their taste, vnlesse the Diuell powder it with some enormious abuses.