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…

Secondly, all the ordinances of God for mans salvation are contrary to flesh and blood, and therefore no man can take any delight in them further than he looketh to the end, and is refreshed with comfortable effects in the way.

Secondly, all the ordinances of God for mans saluation are contrarie to flesh and blood, and therefore no man can take any delight in them further than hee looketh to the end, and is refreshed with comfortable effects in the way.

Thirdly, no man can desire the holy knowledge of God with truth and fervency, unless he have had some taste of the fruit of it, and he that hath tasted of the fruit, hath profited by the means, and he that hath profited by the means, will love them ever afterwards. They that find the comfort of life, have formerly felt the benefit of food: and they that are desirous to continue their life, are not unwilling to receive their food: and they that hunger after food for the continuance of life, have also an appetite to it in regard of the relish.

Thirdly, no man can desire the holy knowledge of God with truth and feruencie, vnlesse he haue had some taste of the fruit of it, and he that hath tasted of the fruit, hath profited by the means, and he that hath profited by the meanes, will loue them euer afterwards. They that finde the comfort of life, haue formerly felt the benefit of food: and they that are desirous to continue their life, are not vnwilling to receiue their foode: and they that hunger after foode for the continuance of life, haue also an appetite to it in regard of the relish.

Use. 1 Refutation of their boastings, that go before all in speaking of their desire and forwardness to please God, and be saved, and come behind every one, in showing any good notes of it. They make their mouths and not their hearts, the principal seat of their love: and likewise their words, and not their deeds, their only arguments do prove that they do love. It is very burdenous for them to live constantly under a faithful Ministry. Every godly sermon is tedious unto them: for length, if it be not ended within the hour: for the manner, if it savour not of humane wit and eloquence: for the matter, if it be wholesome, and lively, and come home to the rebuking of any sin, which they are not minded to forsake. And yet they would have us all to know, that none are better friends than they to knowledge. And yet they must give us leave again to tell them, that every friend of knowledge is better affected than they are, to instruction.