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…

Use. Reproof of their folly that use pride as a stirrup to mount up ⟨p. 8⟩thereby to promotion and credit, that think it the only way to preferment, if they can set forth themselves with some ostentation, and lift up their eye-brows above their brethren. And this is grown almost to an universal contagion, wherewith the greatest number of states and ages, of sexes, and persons in all places, are dangerously infected. Some thereby seeking to be admired, others to be advanced, many to be feared, and all to be better satisfied in the accomplishment of their desires. But how many loose by seeking, and sink, by aspiring, and run into reproach by hunting after vain estimation? whiles they leave their standing, and would rise above the top of their places, they fail of their footing, and fall down to the bottom.

Vse. Reproofe of their follie that vse pride as a stirrop to mount vp ⟨p. 8⟩thereby to promotion and credit, that thinke it the onely way to preferment, if they can set forth themselues with some ostentation, and lift vp their eye-brows aboue their brethren. And this is growne almost to an vniuersall contagion, wherewith the greatest number of states and ages, of sexes, and persons in all places, are dangerouslie infected. Some thereby seeking to be admired, others to be aduanced, many to be feared, and al to be better satisfied in the accomplishment of their desires. But how manie loose by seeking, and sinke, by aspiring, and runne into reproch by hunting after vaine estimation? whiles they leaue their standing, and would rise aboue the toppe of their places, they faile of their footing, and fall downe to the bottome.

Instruction to be as much afraid of pride, as of shame, and even of secret conceitedness within, no less than of open discredit without, and therefore to use all good remedies to cure this dangerous inflammation of such a windy stomach. And first for this purpose let every man take heed that he be not illuded with the glosses and colourable appearances of knowledge and wisdom, or any other good parts of nature or grace in himself, when in trueth they are nothing but shows and shadows. For divers by an overweening conceit have themselves in hie admiration, when others to whom they are better known, have them in great derision. And albeit others either in flattery, or good opinion should commend us for those good things which we are privy to our selves not to be in us, yet let us not receive the doubtful testimony of strangers against the evident witness of God, and our own consciences. For this were as absurd as if a needy creature pinched with penury, and almost hunger-staruen, should be brought to believe that he swimmed in plenty and were a liberal house-keeper, having his table always furnished with variety of dishes; or one deeply indebted, and ready to break for want of ability, should be induced to think himself the only monied man in the country, sufficient in wealth to lend and to give to many others. Secondly, when God hath graced any with excellent gifts which are not adulterate, and counterfeit, but such as are currant, and able to abide the touchstone, and to hold weight in the balance, yet as they feel what they have, so let