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…

Reasons. 1 First, God heareth our words, beholdeth all our proceedings, he looketh to the heart especially, and observeth likewise the manner of our testimonies, not only what is uttered, but how much, whether all that ought to be, or more then should be, or the just measure that is required, and only they that can approve themselves to him, for sincerity and uprightness, are to be reputed faithful, and the rest are but crafty dissemblers.

Reasons. 1 First, God heareth our words, beholdeth all our proceedings, he looketh to the heart especially, and obserueth likewise the manner of our testimonies, not onely what is vttered, but how much, whether all that ought to be, or more then should bee, or the iust measure that is required, and onely they that can approue themselues to him, for sinceritie and vprightnesse, are to be reputed faithfull, and the rest are but craftie dissemblers.

Secondly, if true words alone would pass for currant without further respect of drift, and manner, those things would be many times separated which God would have always joined together, and those things would be made opposite, which he appointeth to be subordinate one to another: trueth is oftentimes spoken without love that will pervert justice and true dealing, and stir up oppression and violence, as is to be seen in the former examples. But so it must not be, a breach must not be made among those that are ever to be knit together with an unseparable bond of union. Thou shalt swear, saith the Prophet, the Lord liveth, ¹in truth, in judgement, and in righteousness; that is, thou shalt truly, rightly, and righteously profess him, and take an oath by him, when thou hast a cause, and calling to swear, and accordingly dispose of all the rest of thy speeches.

Secondly, if true words alone would passe for currant without further respect of drift, and manner, those things would be many times separated which God would haue alwaies ioyned together, and those things would be made opposite, which hee appointeth to be subordinate one to another: trueth is oftentimes spoken without loue that will peruert iustice and true dealing, and stirre vp oppression and violence, as is to be seene in the former examples. But so it must not be, a breach must not be made among those that are euer to be knit together with an vnseparable bond of vnion. Thou shalt sweare, saith the Prophet, the Lord liueth,