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…

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.

Consolation against the discouragements wherewith manie faithfull Christians are assaulted in respect of the manifold perils which they passe thorow. When they look abroad into the world, they see all kinds of inducements to euill, by perswasions, by threatning, by examples, and sophisticall defences; their carnall friendes would allure in kindnesse, their craftie foes would illude them by cunning, the violent tyrants would compel thē by force. When they search into themselues, they finde corruptions, ignorance, errors, fearefulnesse, and inconstancie, which causeth them to fall into many feares, and doubts of their perseuerance. How, say they, shall we persist and hold out in the dangerous dayes? How if the word of God should be taken from vs? how if deceiuers should be turned in among vs? how then shall we find the way to euerlasting saluation? The holie Ghost telleth you in this place, if your hearts be righteous, and plaine, and honest, your vprightnesse shall leade you, the spirit of God will teach you, and his grace will establish you. Which S. Iohn doth also testifie, for the confirmation of such as were in the same case: These things, saith he, haue I written vnto you concerning them that deceiue you. But the anointing which you receiued of him dwelleth in you: and yee neede 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.