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…

Here is declared by what means wise men attain to that ability, and sufficiency of fruitful speeches, by due attention to that which is spoken to them, or which they read: or by diligent observation of things which they behold. Those they lay up, as a man would his treasure, in a safe place. As therefore a provident thrifty husband which hath gathered together a stock, will be ready upon short warning to make a purchase, or upon any good occasion to disburse a sum of money: so he that is faithful in seeking knowledge, and applieth both heart and memory to hold it fast, and keep it, shall readily in convenient time draw out the good things which he hath learned, either for his own use, or the benefit and profit of others. Which is contrary in careless and heedless persons: for they will be as forward to speak as any others, but that which is within the heart, will quickly be at hand to come out at the lips, and that is poison, and venom, and pestilent matter, which will certainly hurt themselves, and be dangerous to others. So then thus standeth the opposition: wise men lay up knowledge, and therefore their mouths are a present preservation: but foolish men reject knowledge and therefore their mouths are a present destruction.

Heere is declared by what meanes wise men attaine to that abilitie, and sufficiencie of fruitfull speeches, by due attention to that which is spoken to them, or which they read: or by diligent obseruation of things which they behold. Those they lay vp, as a man would his treasure, in a safe place. As therefore a prouident thriftie husband which hath gathered together a stocke, will bee ready vpon short warning to make a purchase, or vpon any good occasion to disburse a summe of money: so he that is faithfull in seeking knowledge, and applyeth both heart and memory to hold it fast, and keepe it, shall readilie in conuenient time draw out the good things which he hath learned, either for his owne vse, or the benefite and profit of others. Which is contrary in carelesse and heedlesse persons: for they will be as forward to speake as any others, but that which is within the heart, will quickly bee at hand to come out at the lips, and that is poyson, and venome, and pestilent matter, which will certainely hurt themselues, and be dangerous to others. So then thus standeth the opposition: wise men lay vp knowledge, and therfore their mouthes are a present preseruation: but foolish men reiect knowledge and therefore their mouthes are a present destruction.