A plain and familiar exposition of the eleventh and twelfth chapters of the Proverbs…A plaine and familiar exposition of the eleuenth and twelfth chapters of the Prouerbes…

Secondly, they are very deceitful, and cunning: and therefore the scriptures compare them to crafty gamesters, and fowlers, which catch more birds artificially by lime-twigs, grins, and nets, then they kill violently by throwing stones at them. Of these guileful persons the Apostle speaketh, saying: such false Apostles are deceitful workers, and transform themselves into the ¹Apostles of Christ. And no marvel: for Satan is transformed into an Angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing, though his ministers transform themselves, as though they were the ministers of righteousness.

Secondly, they are very deceitfull, and cunning: and therefore the scriptures compare them to craftie gamesters, and fowlers, which catch more birds artificially by lime-twigs, grinnes, and nettes, then they kill violently by throwing stones at them. Of these guilefull persons the Apostle speaketh, saying: such false Apostles are deceitfull workers, and transforme themselues into the ¹Apostles of Christ. And no marueile: for Satan is transformed into an Angell of light. Therefore it is no great thing, though his ministers transforme themselues, as though they were the ministers of righteousnesse.

1. 12. Cor. 11. 13.

They are the more venomous, by how much they are less ⟨p. 30⟩mistrusted for the opinion that is had of them for piety and goodness doth prepare a passage for their poison to enter into the bowels of mens souls. When they are are reputed for godly, religious, wise, and judicious, all is received which they set abroach, all is disliked which they set against. It is an easy matter for a man to lose his purse, when he followeth the robber as guide of his way. It is an easy matter for a man to lose his life, when he maketh a poisoner, and his enemy to be his Physician.