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…

Doct. How much more, &c. Every wicked mans state is worse then any godly mans can be. Take the most prosperous of them all, even such as the Prophet speaketh of, that have not a knot to their death, but the web of their life from the womb to the grave, hath run with even thread both in warp and woof without any breach, and let him be compared with a Christian that never saw merry day touching outward things, and he shall be found to be a miserable forlorn caitiff, in respect of this poor servant of God. And indeed the tribulations and afflictions of good men do not bring them behind the wicked, but show that the plagues and punishments of the wicked are yet behind. That reason our Saviour used to the women that lamented him as an unfortunate man, and one forsaken of God: Weep not for me, saith he, but weep for your selves, and your children. For if these things be done to ¹a green tree, what shall be done to the dry? This reason the Prophet Jeremiah used to Gentiles bordering upon Judah, which thought that plagues had only belonged to the Church. Lo, I begin to plague the city, where my name is called upon, and should you ²go free? ye shall not go quite, for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the Lord of hosts.

Doct. How much more, &c. Euery wicked mans state is worse then any godly mans can be. Take the most prosperous of them all, euen such as the Prophet speaketh of, that haue not a knot to their death, but the web of their life from the wombe to the graue, hath runne with euen threed both in warpe and woofe without any breach, and let him be compared with a Christian that neuer saw merrie day touching outward things, and he shall be found to be a miserable forlorne caitiffe, in respect of this poore seruant of God. And indeede the tribulations and afflictions of good men do not bring them behind the wicked, but shew that the plagues and punishments of the wicked are yet behind. That reason our Sauiour vsed to the women that lamented him as an vnfortunate man, and one forsaken of God: Weepe not for me, saith hee, but weepe for your selues, and your children. For if these things be done to ¹a greene tree, what shall be done to the drie? This reason the Prophet Ieremie vsed to Gentiles bordering vpon Iudah, which thought that plagues had only belonged to the Church. Loe, I begin to plague the citie, where my name is called vpon, and should you