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 them that commit themselves to the leading of contrary guides, which withhold all their passengers from sincerity's counsel and direction, and that is to vain pleasure, to filthy lucre, to carnal reason, to brutish lust, to the example and fashion of the wicked world, and to the sinful motions which the devil himself most craftily suggesteth. These are they that almost in all places are taken up for leaders, they are never without work, they have continual employment, and therefore it plainly appeareth that there is little uprightness, and that is as little regarded, & as few just persons there are to be guided by it.

Reproofe of them that commit themselues to the leading of contrarie guides, which withhold all their passengers from sincerities counsell and direction, and that is to vaine pleasure, to filthie lucre, to carnall reason, to brutish lust, to the example and fashion of the wicked world, and to the sinfull motions which the diuell himselfe most craftilie suggesteth. These are they that almost in all places are taken vp for leaders, they are neuer without worke, they haue continuall imployment, and therefore it plainly appeareth that there is little vprightnesse, and that is as little regarded, & as few iust persons there are to be guided by it.

Consolation against the discouragements wherewith many faithful Christians are assaulted in respect of the manifold perils which they pass through. When they look abroad into the world, they see all kinds of inducements to evil, by persuasions, by threatening, by examples, and sophistical defences; their carnal friends would allure in kindness, their crafty foes would illude them by cunning, the violent tyrants would compel them by force. When they search into themselves, they find corruptions, ignorance, errors, fearfulness, and inconstancy, which causeth them to fall into many fears, and doubts of their perseverance. How, say they, shall we persist and hold out in the dangerous days? How if the word of God should be taken from us? how if deceivers should be turned in among us? how then shall we find the way to everlasting salvation? The holy Ghost telleth you in this place, if your hearts be righteous, and plain, and honest, your uprightness shall lead you, the spirit of God will teach you, and his grace will establish you. Which S. John doth also testify, for the confirmation of such as were in the same case: These things, saith he, have I written unto you concerning them that deceive you. But the anointing which you received of him dwelleth in you: and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and it is true, and is no lying, and as it taught you, it shall abide in him.