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…

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.¹

It is the propertie of fooles either to rage at pouertie when it commeth vpon them, or to brag against it, or to fall down vnder it: whereas wise men will beare it with patience, and stoope to it in humilitie, and yet resist it with great diligence. It was a grace that the Scripture commendeth in Iacob, that notwithstanding the honour and worthinesse of his father Isaack, and grandfather Abraham, yet when he could no longer bee in safetie from his brother Esau, in his fathers house, he betooke himselfe to bee an hireling to his vncle Laban in another countrey. It was a vertue very eminent in Moses, that being trained vp in his youth like a Prince in the Court of a great King, he could debase himselfe in his middle age to be a sheepheard to a stranger of farre inferiour place and degree. And it was the praise of Naomi that when she was a rich wife and full, she could thankfully vse her wealth and fulnes: but when she was growen to be a poore widow and emptie, she would take state no longer vpon her, but laid downe all titles, to her very name whereby she was called.¹

1. 1Ruth 1. 20. 21.