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…

When their hearts take pleasure in inventing of evil, they must be put to the pain to bear the burden of their evil inventions. Vexation and mourning are not so meet for any, as for them that study how they may vex their brethren, and bring them to mourn. As we have already showed that wicked works deceive them that do them, so for the same causes it will appear ¹that the warping of sinful courses will turn to their hurt that imagine them.

When their hearts take pleasure in inuenting of euill, they must be put to the paine to beare the burden of their euill inuentions. Vexation and mourning are not so meete for any, as for them that studie how they may vexe their brethren, and bring them to mourne. As we haue alreadie shewed that wicked workes deceiue them that doe them, so for the same causes it will appeare ¹that the warping of sinfull courses will turne to their hurt that imagine them.

1. 1Chap. 11. 18.

Reasons. 1 First, their success will not answer to their expectations, they shall fail of that which they fully assure themselves of: as it is said, Do they not err that imagine evil? Where the question is ¹not proposed in way of doubting, but of certainty, as of a thing that is clear and manifest, and in no wise to be gainsaid. Never any man of an hurtful heart had his will satisfied, and his desire fulfilled to his contentment, and consequently according to his hope. Women commonly have pain in breeding of child, and pangs in travel, and comfort when they are delivered: but malicious men conceive joy all the time that they go great with their purposes, and most when they are bringing forth, and nothing but anger, and sorrow, and shame, when they see nothing but a misshapen monster, to be borne unto them.