A20547:389
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…
A plain and familiar exposition of the eleventh and twelfth chapters of the Proverbs of SolomonA plaine and familiar exposition of the eleuenth and twelfth chapters of the Prouerbes of Salomon
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Henry Sharpe, 1607London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Henrie Sharpe, 1607
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Gladness of heart and comfort is that which every man much affecteth, and this the love and favour of God doth minister to all those that be partakers of it. And this doth David also profess himself to have experience of, and therefore preferreth the loving countenance of the Lord before all the commodities and pleasures which worldly men so much long after. Many say, who will show us any good, but Lord lift up the light of thy countenance 1upon us. Thou hast given me more joy of heart, then they have had, when their wheat and their wine did abound. It is needless to reckon up other things, sithence the sufficiency of all good things is inferred by these, otherwise there were not so much safety, neither would there be so great joy and gladness.
Gladnesse of heart and comfort is that which euery man much affecteth, and this the loue and fauour of God doth minister to all those that be partakers of it. And this doth Dauid also professe himselfe to haue experience of, and therefore preferreth the louing countenance of the Lord before all the commodities and pleasures which worldly men so much long after. Many say, who will shew vs any good, but Lord lift vp the light of thy countenance 1vpon vs. Thou hast giuen me more ioy of heart, then they haue had, when their wheate and their wine did abound. It is needelesse to reckon vp other things, sithence the sufficiencie of al good things is inferred by these, otherwise there were not so much safetie, neither would there be so great ioy and gladnesse.
Use. 1 Instruction, that our chief care and endeavour be to please the Lord, seeing that so great a benefit proceedeth from it. Every one of his servants hath great wages in hand, if he had nothing else but his Masters good will. It is said of all others that men cannot live by their fair speeches, and good countenance; but let God look cheerfully upon us, and speak comfortably to us, and sure we are that we are in no want. Our present pay is better preferment then any mortal creature can raise us up to, though he were the most mighty monarch on the earth, besides all that remaineth for the time to come especially when we shall have so near access to the presence of our heavenly father, wherein is the fullness of joy; and at whose right hand there are pleasures for