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…

Reproof of their folly which cast themselves into such misery, as that they cannot be safe without such miserable helpers. Evil men must fall themselves, & how can they make other sinners to stand? They must be condemned and executed, and can they set their companions at liberty? A wretched case is that malefactor in, that hath no better friends than him that standeth at the bar in gyves & bolts arraigned by him. It is as bad to have the enemies sword to pierce ones sides without, as a ruinous house to fall on his head within. The seven and twenty thousand men whom the wall fell upon in Aphek, were in as bad state, as the hundred ¹thousand that were slain in the field. And it will appear in the end, that all wicked men, when confidence is reposed in them, are nothing else but swelling walls, and old rotten castles that are tumbling down.

Reproofe of their folly which cast themselues into such misery, as that they cannot be safe without such miserable helpers. Euill men must fall themselues, & how can they make other sinners to stand? They must be condemned and executed, and can they set their cōpanions at libertie? A wretched case is that malefactor in, that hath no better friends than him that standeth at the barre in gieues & bolts arraigned by him. It is as bad to haue the enemies sword to pearce ones sides without, as a ruinous house to fall on his head within. The seauen and twentie thousand men whom the wall fell vpon in Aphek, were in as bad state, as the hundred ¹thousand that were slaine in the field. And it will appeare in the end, that all wicked men, when confidence is reposed in them, are nothing else but swelling walles, and old rotten castles that are tumbling downe.

1. 11. Reg. 20 30.

Doct. 2 But the root, &c. There is no danger to them that grow by faith in Jesus Christ. The tallest cedars, and strongest oaks are not so fast settled and firmly rooted, as is the lowest Saint and weakest Christian. In those kind of trees, the root cannot defend the branches, nor body: the wind may break off the boughs and arms, and the axe may cut down the whole stock without resistance: but our root doth minister as much safety as sap to the whole Church, and every sprig of the same. No storms and tempests, no force nor weapons shall separate the least of his from him, nor any way make spoil of them.