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…

First, the store and plenty of riches and possessions doth Reasons. 1 nothing help the state of unrighteous men in the time of their prosperity; for that which they have is none of their own: they have neither right nor use of any thing that is about them. Isay. 61. 5. They plough other mens grounds, and plant ¹other mens orchards, and keep other mens cattle, and become other mens drudges. And for this cause the Prophet Habakkuk doth cry out shame upon their folly, when they think themselves to be very wise and prudent; Ho, he that ²increaseth that which is not his, and he that hideth himself with thick clay. They make themselves packhorses, or at least servile porters which bow their backs to other mens burdens, and shall be recompensed only with feeling the weight of the same. Or let the best be made of it, and be it their own, yet their own is nothing but a load of heavy mortar. And this were well if this were all; but the worst remaineth to be spoken of: namely their burdens of wicked treasures be as it were bags or purses obtained by stealth, or robbery, which will therefore bring their lives into peril.

First, the store and plentie of riches and possessions doth Reasons. 1 nothing help the state of vnrighteous men in the time of their prosperitie; for that which they haue is none of their owne: they haue neither right nor vse of any thing that is about them. Isay. 61. 5. They plow other mens grounds, and plant ¹other mens orchards, and keepe other mens cattell, and beecome other mens diudges. And for this cause the Prophet Habbakuk doth cry out shame vpon their follie, when they thinke themselues to bee very wise and prudent; Ho, hee that ²increaseth that which is not his, and hee that hideth himselfe with thicke clay. They make themselues packhorses, or at least seruile porters which bow their backes to other mens burdens, and shall bee recompensed onely with feeling the weight of the same. Or let the best be made of it, and be it their owne, yet their owne is nothing but a loade of heauy morter. And this were well if this were all; but the worst remayneth to bee spoken of: namely their burdens of wicked treasures bee as it were bags or purses obtayned by stealth, or robberie, which will therefore bring their liues into perill.