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. They that will not keep themselves from wickedness, cannot keep themselves from desolation.

Doct. They that will not keepe themselues from wickednesie, cannot keepe themselues from desolation.

They may rise, but not stand: for, unless they fall to repentance, they shall be made to fall to destruction. They may grow great, but for a small time, for they will soon be brought to nothing.

They may rise, but not stand: for, vnlesse they fall to repentance, they shall be made to fall to destruction. They may grow great, but for a small time, for they will soone bee brought to nothing.

The prophet thought too well of their state at the first, as though they had bin in better case then any other men: but he conceived as hardly of it at the last, when he had seen their end in the sanctuary, and deemed them of all to be most miserable. Surely, saith he to the Lord, thou hast set them in slippery places, and castest ¹them down into desolation. How suddenly are they destroyed perished, and horribly consumed! The Scriptures flow with testimonies and similes to declare both the certainty, and suddenness, and grievousness of their decay; as the withering of plants, the putting out of lights, the vanity of dreams, the vanishing of smoke, and many others to the like purpose.

The prophet thought too well of their state at ye first, as though they had bin in better case then any other men: but he conceiued as hardly of it at the last, when he had seene their end in the sanctuarie, and deemed them of all to bee most miserable. Surelie, saith he to the Lord, thou hast set them in slipperie places, and castest