A20547:223
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…
A plain and familiar exposition of the eleventh and twelfth chapters of the Proverbs of SolomonA plaine and familiar exposition of the eleuenth and twelfth chapters of the Prouerbes of Salomon
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Henry Sharpe, 1607London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Henrie Sharpe, 1607
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
If nothing but bare life were bestowed upon us, even mere deliverance from the danger of death, it were a benefit not lightly to be esteemed. It was said of Lot, that he was preserved from destruction of Sodom, the Lord being merciful unto him; and yet his goods, money, and cattle which he had in great abundance, 1were all destroyed. And the devil spake the truth though in craft and malice, concerning Job: skin for skin, and all that ever a man hath will he give for his life. But when life is full of lively comforts, when it is adorned with endless glory, when it is enriched with infinite treasures, what crosses, what poverty, what temptations, what reproaches, what persecutions, and sufferings should diminish our desire of it, or make us remiss in seeking for it?
If nothing but bare life were bestowed vpon vs, euen meere deliuerance from the danger of death, it were a benefit not lightly to be esteemed. It was said of Lot, that he was preserued from destruction of Sodome, the Lord being mercifull vnto him; and yet his goods, money, and cattell which hee had in great abundance, 1were all destroyed. And the diuell spake the truth though in craft and malice, concerning Iob: skinne for skinne, and all that euer a man hath will he giue for his life. But when life is full of liuely comforts, when it is adorned with endles glory, when it is inriched with infinit treasures, what crosses, what pouertie, what temptations, what reproaches, what persecutions, and sufferings should diminish our desire of it, or make vs remisse in seeking for it?
Reproof of them that care not whose service they come into, nor what work they do, so that they may have nothing to do with God and his services. They think no prison more strait, then the Church: no drudgery more grievous then prayer, and hearing of sermons, singing of Psalms, and sanctifying of the Sabbath: no bondage so burdenous as restraint from sinful delights, and fleshly pleasures: no misery so bitter as sound Christianity. They distaste with great detestation, all persons and actions, and gestures, and words that savour of godliness, or have any stamp and print of piety in them; and as themselves abhor all his worship, so they labour to discourage all others from doing him any service. These are they which are continually censuring of professors and deriding their preciseness, and insulting over their poverty and mean estate. As though the Lord were not able to maintain them that serve him, or else did grudge to bestow good things upon them: as though he were a niggardly hard master unwilling to allow his people sufficiency of food and wages. That were a great disloyalty so to traduce a liberal Lord and free hearted Prince who is ready to promote his servants to living, though it be but for a