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, the current or stream of all the promises, and threatenings, ⟨p. 56⟩runneth this way: the reward of all obedience, and the punishment of all iniquity tendeth to this purpose. Blessings upon goods and cattle, upon grounds, and fruit trees, upon children and family, are but appendances to the substantial blessings which are conferred upon soul and body, especially for the eternal state of both. And so when curses fall on the outward things of wicked men, it is, that they may gather weight by the way to press the heavier upon their own persons.

Reasons. 1 First, the current or streame of all the promises, and threatnings, ⟨p. 56⟩runneth this way: the reward of all obedience, and the punishment of all iniquitie tendeth to this purpose. Blessings vpon goods and cattell, vpon grounds, and fruite trees, vpon children and familie, are but appendances to the substantiall blessings which are conferred vpon soule and bodie, especiallie for the eternall state of both. And so when curses fall on the outward things of wicked men, it is, that they may gather weight by the way to presse the heauier vpon their owne persons.

Secondly, though one have never so great plenty of earthly things, and abundance of all kind of prosperity, yet if himself be not his own, but destructions, what treasure can do him good? What doth it profit a man to win the whole world, if he lose his own soul? Matth. 16. 26. So, though one have never so great penury of earthly things, and abundance of all kind of afflictions, yet if he preserve his quick stock, that is, himself from being a spoil to sin and Satan, no creature can hurt him, his misery will drop off from him, his crosses and sorrows will vanish away, and come to nothing.