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…

Thirdly, this sin is so much the more loathed of God, by how much it is better liked of them that practise it. Their closeness and cunning in acting of it, doth for a time augment their wealth, and not impair their credit, and therefore they count their course lawful, and themselves happy for such prosperous success: because man findeth no fault with them, they think that God findeth no falsehood in them: and seeing yet they have no punishment inflicted upon them, they dream also that no wickedness is committed by them. For so the Prophet complaineth: He is a ¹Merchant; the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress. And Ephraim said, notwithstanding I am rich: I have found me out riches in all my labours: they shall find no iniquity in me, that were wickedness.

Thirdly, this sinne is so much the more lothed of God, by how much it is better liked of them that practise it. Their closenes and cunning in acting of it, doth for a time augment their wealth, and not impaire their credit, and therfore they count their course lawfull, and themselues happie for such prosperous successe: because man findeth no fault with them, they thinke that God findeth no falsehood in them: and seeing yet they haue no punishment inflicted vpon them, they dreame also that no wickednesse is committed by them. For so the Prophet complaineth: Hee is a ¹Merchant; the ballances of deceit are in his hand: hee loueth to oppresse. And Ephraim said, notwithstanding I am rich: I haue found me out riches in all my labours: they shall finde no iniquitie in me, that were wickednesse.

1. 1Hos. 12. 7. 8.

Use 1 Admonition, not only to forbear all fraudulent and wrongful dealing, but with hatred to detest it, and with horror to fly far from it. That which is hurtful to our brother is hateful to God, and therefore can never be helpful to us. If he judge it unrighteous we shall find it unprofitable: if it be damnable in his sight, and therefore his soul doth hate it, it will at last be in our sense, and our soul shall rue it. It may bring money and wealth, and raise up mens state and family, but it will draw down judgements upon family, state, and wealth, and money, and make all to be execrable. For that which is spoken in another case, is also verified in this: Bring not abomination into thine house, lest thou be