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…

HE that is despised, that is of mean estate, for which the foolish proud worldlings commonly have men in contempt, and is his own servant, that is, industrious and diligent by labour to provide himself of things that be needful, (and so ever they may truly be called their own servants, that are faithful in another mans service) is better than he that boasteth himself, that is, which standeth upon his reputation, and yet lacketh bread, hath little or nothing to maintain himself withal: for bread is put here for all manner of necessary provision.

HE that is despised, that is of meane estate, for which the foolish proud worldlings commonly haue men in contempt, and is his owne seruant, that is, industrious and diligent by labour to prouide himselfe of things that bee needfull, (and so euer they may truly be called their owne seruants, that are faithfull in another mans seruice) is better than he that boasteth himselfe, that is, which standeth vpon his reputation, and yet lacketh bread, hath little or nothing to maintaine himselfe withall: for bread is put here for all manner of necessarie prouision.

Doct. They deal with best discretion that yield themselves to a low state when God calleth them to it.

Doct. They deale with best discretion that yeeld themselues to a low state when God calleth them to it.

It is the property of fools either to rage at poverty when it cometh upon them, or to brag against it, or to fall down under it: whereas wise men will bear it with patience, and stoop to it in humility, and yet resist it with great diligence. It was a grace that the Scripture commendeth in Jacob, that notwithstanding the honour and worthiness of his father Isaac, and grandfather Abraham, yet when he could no longer be in safety from his brother Esau, in his fathers house, he betook himself to be an hireling to his uncle Laban in another country. It was a virtue very eminent in Moses, that being trained up in his youth like a Prince in the Court of a great King, he could debase himself in his middle age to be a shepherd to a stranger of far inferior place and degree. And it was the praise of Naomi that when she was a rich wife and full, she could thankfully use her wealth and fullness: but when she was grown to be a poor widow and empty, she would take state no longer upon her, but laid down all titles, to her very name whereby she was called.