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…

Reasons. 1 First, they have the constant spirit of God constantly resting upon them, and that is a spirit of glory, as Saint Peter testifieth, 1. Peter 4. 14. As therefore that can neither be kept away, because Gods hand doth bestow it; nor any pluck it away, because Gods hand doth preserve it: no more can any stay them from receiving praise and commendation, nor wrest it away from them, when they have it.

Reasons. 1 First, they haue the constant spirit of God constantly resting vpon them, and that is a spirit of glory, as Saint Peter testifieth, 1. Peter 4. 14. As therefore that can neither be kept away, because Gods hand doth bestow it; nor any plucke it away, because Gods hand doth preserue it: no more can any stay them from receiuing praise and commendation, nor wrest it away from them, when they haue it.

Secondly, as the excellency of Christians doth not consist in bodily pomp, but in spiritual graces, and behaviour; so it is not so much apprehended with mens eyes, as with their hearts: their ⟨p. 50⟩consciences will praise them, when their tongues revile them, as the Apostle saith: we approve our selves to every mans conscience in the sight of God. He would not appeal to their lips before men, ¹but to their souls before the Lord, and then he was sure they would justify him, though in speech many would condemn him. Now if it be so, a woman's grace will as well shine to their hearts, as a mans: a poor bodies as well as rich folks: so long as they remain godly, aswell as when they began to be godly, and more at the last then at the first, because their light groweth daily greater, and brighter.

Secondly, as the excellencie of Christians doth not consist in bodily pompe, but in spirituall graces, and behauiour; so it is not so much apprehended with mens eies, as with their hearts: their