A20547:347
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.
Doct. 2 He that winneth souls is wise, &c. It is the note of a wise man, to show mercy to mens souls. Fools cannot easily find out the malady of sin; fools fail of all experience of good medicines that may cure a sinful heart; fools feel not the burden of their own iniquities, and therefore cannot be compassionate towards others for theirs. Only wisdom doth show the disease, and the remedy, and moveth mens hearts in pity to help them that are infected with it. That which Solomon professeth to be true of himself, is also verified of every good man in his measure; The more wise Ecclesiastes was, the more he taught the people 1knowledge. And to convert it the other way: the more any man teacheth the people knowledge, the more wise he is.
Doct. 2 He that winneth soules is wise, &c. It is the note of a wise man, to shew mercie to mens soules. Fooles cannot easily finde out the maladie of sinne; fooles faile of all experience of good medicines that may cure a sinfull heart; fooles feele not the burthen of their owne iniquities, and therefore cannot be compassionate towards others for theirs. Only wisedome doth shew the disease, and the remedie, and moueth mens hearts in pitie to helpe them that are infected with it. That which Salomon professeth to bee true of himselfe, is also verified of euery good man in his measure; The more wise Ecclesiastes was, the more he taught the people 1knowledge. And to conuert it the other way: the more any man teacheth the people knowledge, the more wise he is.
Reasons. 1 First, he performeth an acceptable service to God, which no fool can ever do. He is a diligent and profitable husbandman for seeding, weeding, and harvest work. He is a valiant and skilful soldier to discomfit Satan his strongest enemy; to win his holds from him, and to rescue his spoil and captives out of his hand. Yea not only to set his prisoners at liberty, but to win away the hearts of his own soldiers; that they shall both forsake him, and set themselves in battle against him.