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…

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 ⟨p. 9⟩them find what they want: as they see their graces and virtues, so let them search into their corruptions, and vices: as they have a good conscience in the performance of many good duties, so let them consider the innumerable sins that they have committed, the multitude of services which they have neglected, the hypocrisy, infidelity, uncheerfulness, and other imperfections that have stained their best words and actions: and these will help to hold down their hearts in humility, and take away all matter of glorying. For the best in the world shall have cause to blush and hang down their heads, if they make comparison between that they are, and that which they ought to be.

Instruction to be as much afraid of pride, as of shame, and euen of secret conceitednes within, no lesse thē of open discredit without, and therefore to vse al good remedies to cure this dangerous inflamation of such a windie stomacke. And first for this purpose let euery man take heede that he bee not illuded with the glosses and colourable appearances of knowledge and wisdome, or anie other good parts of nature or grace in himselfe, when in trueth they are nothing but shews and shadowes. For diuers by an ouerweening conceit haue themselues in hie admiration, when others to whom they are better knowne, haue them in great derision. And albeit others either in flatterie, or good opinion should commend vs for those good things which wee are priuie to our selues not to be in vs, yet let vs not receiue the doubtfull testimonie of straungers against the euident witnesse of God, and our owne consciences. For this were as absurd as if a needie creature pinched with penurie, and almost hunger-staruen, should bee brought to beleeue that he swimmed in plentie and were a liberall house-keeper, hauing his table alwaies furnished with varietie of dishes; or one deepelie indebted, and readie to breake for want of abilitie, should bee induced to thinke himselfe the onelie monied man in the countrie, sufficient in wealth to lend and to giue to many others. Secondlie, 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 ballance, yet as they feele what they haue, so let