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…

But the mouth of the wicked, &c. The tongues of ungodly Doct. 2 ⟨p. 87⟩men are always pernicious and hurtful. Of them Saint James ¹speaketh largely, comparing them to fire breaking out in an house, or whole town, especially when it cometh by the hostility of the enemy, making assault to it, by means whereof men are stayed from extinguishing of it, and have not only their goods, but their life also in great peril. And this flame of the tongue is so much more dangerous then material fire, because it is kindled of hell, that is, the devil himself hath set ²it on work. And so in the same place he resembleth them to poison, and that not of the common sort, but to strong poison, which is deadly, and faileth not to work the bane of them that drink it.

But the mouth of the wicked, &c. The tongues of vngodly Doct. 2 ⟨p. 87⟩men are alwaies pernitious and hurtfull. Of them Saint Iames ¹speaketh largely, comparing them to fire breaking out in an house, or whole towne, especially when it commeth by the hostilitie of the enemie, making assault to it, by meanes whereof men are stayed from extinguishing of it, and haue not onely their goods, but their life also in great perill. And this flame of the tongue is so much more dangerous then materiall fire, because it is kindled of hell, that is, the diuell himselfe hath set ²it on worke. And so in the same place he resembleth them to poyson, and that not of the common sort, but to strong poyson, which is deadly, and faileth not to worke the bane of them that drinke it.

1. 1An ill mans mouth worketh much woe.
2. 2