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…

THE purpose and drift of these words tendeth to this, that every godly and righteous man is also merciful: and that no wicked person can possibly have any true pity or compassion in him. A righteous man, every one that feareth God and is faithful, regardeth the life of his beast, his love and kindness and good dealing is so plentiful to men, and especially those which depend upon him, and be of his charge, and at his finding, that it sloweth over also to the cattle, and creatures which he oweth or useth, or is put in trust to look to, or hath opportunity offered to preserve from hurt or perishing. But the mercies of the wicked, those actions and ways of theirs which carry the fairest show and colour of mercy, are cruel, have cruelty mixed therewith, either in purpose, or manner or event ensuing thereupon.

THE purpose and drift of these words tendeth to this, that euery godly and righteous man is also mercifull: and that no wicked person can possibly haue any true pitie or compassion in him. A righteous man, euery one that feareth God and is faithfull, regardeth the life of his beast, his loue and kindnesse and good dealing is so plentifull to men, and especially those which depend vpon him, and be of his charge, and at his finding, that it sloweth ouer also to the cattell, and creatures which hee oweth or vseth, or is put in trust to looke to, or hath opportunitie offered to preserue from hurt or perishing. But the mercies of the wicked, those actions and waies of theirs which carrie the fairest shew and colour of mercie, are cruell, haue crueltie mixed therewith, either in purpose, or manner or euent insuing thereupon.

Doct. Mercy is to be showed not only to men, but to the unreasonable creatures also. As all creatures do taste of, and live by the abundant liberality and bountifulness of Gods hand, so would ⟨p. 141⟩he have them to feel by sense, though they cannot discern it by reason, that there is also care for them and compassion in his children. Why did he forbid to kill the dam when they had taken away her young ones, but that he would have it known, that he alloweth not cruelty and wrong to be offered so much as to the filliest birds? The restraint that was of eating of blood, when the beasts were dead, declared that he would not have tyranny exercised