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…

Verse 31. Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed on earth: how much more the wicked and the sinner?

The matter which he is about to speak of, is both certain and weighty, and such as concerneth every man to look to in regard of his own case; and therefore he prefixeth this word, Behold, to move all to a serious consideration of that which is to be said. And that is first touching the godly, that they must be corrected for their faults, when they offend, even in such manner and measure as holdeth some proportion with their offences, though not in equality, for then who should be able to abide it? The word recompense therefore in this place is not taken for revengement, or punishment proceeding from Gods indignation, ⟨p. 108⟩but a loving chastisement, though it be sharper according to the threatening of parents to their children, whom they be far from hating, or hurting: I will surely pay you for this. And that it should appear that nothing is intended against them for the peril of their everlasting state, there is a limitation annexed, that it is to be only in the earth. Next he showeth the condition of the wicked, that if the righteous scape not scot free, they must in no sort be spared, but feel more heavy and fearful punishments, though not in the earth, yet in the world to come.

THe matter which he is about to speake of, is both certaine and weightie, and such as concerneth euery man to looke to in regard of his owne case; and therefore he prefixeth this word, Behold, to moue all to a serious consideration of that which is to be said. And that is first touching the godly, that they must bee corrected for their faults, when they offend, euen in such manner and measure as holdeth some proportion with their offences, though not in equalitie, for then who should be able to abide it? The word recompense therefore in this place is not taken for reuengement, or punishment proceeding from Gods indignation, ⟨p. 108⟩but a louing chastisement, though it be sharper according to the threatning of parents to their children, whom they be farre from hating, or hurting: I will surely pay you for this. And that it should appeare that nothing is intended against them for the perill of their euerlasting state, there is a limitation annexed, that it is to be only in the earth. Next he sheweth the condition of the wicked, that if the righteous scape not scotfree, they must in no sort be spared, but feele more heauie and featefull punishments, though not in the earth, yet in the world to come.