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, the abundance of outward things cannot succour §2them in the time of their calamity: for so the Prophet threateneth; Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lords wrath Zeph. 1. 18. If their danger grew from the heat of mens wrath there might be hope that wealth would help them: for either a sum of money would quench the flame of the adversaries displeasure, or kindle courage in some others to defend them. But now that God is provoked against them, it is in vain to offer gold or silver to pacify him or to ransom themselves; for he standeth in no ⟨p. 52⟩¹need of them, he admireth them not as men do, and they be his already, and at his own will, to be disposed of. Then to oppose them against him, in way of resistance, it were absurd: for there is no power in them to do us good without him: and much less therefore to maintain any man against him. Nay they be so far from aiding sinful men against the ²hand of God, as that they be many times weapons in their hand; to plague them with strokes of judgement. It hath never been heard that the purse hath preserved the man from the sword of the robber, or the chest from the assault of the thief: but the contrary falleth out often, that men be made a spoil for their money, and brought to ruin, as a tree that hath great bows and a little root is overturned in a mighty tempest. But there especially doth wealth bring woe to wicked men, when God awaketh their consciences, •o behold their own cruelty and falsehood, and the heavy punishment now ready to be inflicted upon them for the same. This was Judas his case and such the Prophet speaks of Ezek. 7. 19 They shall cast their silver into the streets, and their gold shall be cast a far off: That which was dearest to their hearts before, and brought them to sin, they remove furthest from them now: when they feel the sorrow of it. And besides this although riches had some greater virtue, and power in themselves, yet they could stand ungodly men in no stead, because they cease when misery beginneth, when death cometh to men, and they cme before the judgement seat of Christ, the wicked have horrible sorrows and terrors upon them, and all their wealth