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, that which is long delayed, and much waited §2for is the more welcome, and acceptable when it is performed: so saith the holy Ghost. The hope that is deferred, is the ¹fainting of the hart: but when the desire cometh it is a tree of life. The virtue of it cureth all the former faintings, & the delightful taste doth swallow up all the sorrows. If Isaac had been borne to Abraham, or Jacob to Isaac the first year after they were married, their joy would have been but ordinary, whereas the long barrenness made their births exceeding comfortable to them, as the benefits were memorable to posterity.

Secondly, that which is long delayed, and much waited §2for is the more welcome, and acceptable when it is performed: so sayth the holy Ghost. The hope that is deferred, is the ¹fainting of the hart: but when the desire commeth it is a tree of life. The vertue of it cureth al the former faintings, & the delightfull tast doth swallow vp all the sorrowes. If Isaacke had beene borne to Abraham, or Iacob to Isaacke the first yeere after they were married, their ioy would haue beene but ordinarie, wheras the long barrennesse made their birthes exceeding comfortable to them, as the benefits were memorable to posteritie.

1. 1Prou. 13. 12.

Thirdly, the delay doth draw out many prayers to God, §3and maketh way to attention at the ministry of the word, it helpeth meditation, it leadeth to faithful comforters, it furthereth good conferences, it procureth all good exercises, & all these good exercises procure a proportionable measure of comfort.