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…

If safety consisted in wealth, and happiness in height, we could not but yield that divers sinful persons were grounded in great safety and happiness: for they have the world at will, & are mounted up to eminent places. And if peril did always accompany ⟨p. 97⟩poverty, and misery likewise a mean condition, who could deny, but that the most of the best men, should ever be found in the worst case, and of all others the most miserable? for that they are commonly poor and base in the world? But if God in his just judgements do lift up his enemies hie, to cast them down the; lower and if his servants take rooting low, that they may grow up the higher then let the wicked take heed of a downfall, and then let the righteous not doubt of a rising. The thirty seven and seventy third Psalms, are treatises wholly upon this argument, besides many other texts of Scripture. And this cometh to pass to both sides. First, in regard of the different, and Reasons. 1 contrary choice which they have made of helpers to themselves. What do sinful persons and wicked men take to be their staves to lean upon, and that with their whole weight? Even fleshly supports, as goods and riches which are slender reeds, that will break, and run into their hands and shoulders, and lay them flat on the ground. These they build upon as a foundation most firm and stable, these they depend upon as friends most sure and faithful: these they trust unto as holds most strong and mighty. And yet is there any thing more uncertain, more deceitful, more weak and feeble then these are? They be fugitive and away they go, when they should stick to a man: they be false and perform nothing that they promise. They say, give us your heart, especially when we increase, we have power to do you all good. But David saith, If riches increase, set not your heart ¹thereon God spake once, twice have I heard it, that power belongeth only to God. There was never any Papist, or heathen man more deceived in dumb Idols, then worldlings be in the hope of their money and substance. The images have as much sense to hear, and speak, and deal for them which pray to them, as gold and silver and other treasures have ability in themselves to help them, that make them their gods: and many more are illuded by these, then by the others. And whom do the godly make their refuge?

If safetie consisted in wealth, and happinesse in height, wee could not but yeeld that diuers sinfull persons were grounded in great safety and happinesse: for they haue the world at will, & are mounted vp to eminent places. And if perill did alwayes accompanie