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…

True it is that divers attain not to such greatness as others do, and yet be no less diligent then others are, but the Lord maketh their inferiority a step towards their heavenly advancement: and they are not without estimation in that low estate: and God seeth their fruit to be better, and their comfort to be more there, than if they were raised up to higher preferment. Otherwise, they that serve God in what place soever, are sure to grow greater. The Scripture proposeth examples hereof, and showeth how the point hath been verified in former ages. Jacob at the first set himself to service, and was at the commandment of an other man, but at the last, being painful and true, he was able to keep servants himself, and other men were at his commandment. Joseph when he came into Egypt was bought and sold as a poor bondman, but being faithful in every place that he came into, he was promoted in every place that he came into. When he was a servant, when he was a prisoner, and especially when he was Prince. David had once the charge of a flock of sheep, and thereof was not a little heedful: but afterwards he had the leading of an army of men, and lastly, was exalted to the throne of a glorious kingdom.

True it is that diuers attaine not to such greatnesse as others doe, and yet be no lesse diligent then others are, but the Lord maketh their inferioritie a step towards their heauenly aduancement: and they are not without estimation in that low estate: and God seeth their fruite to bee better, and their comfort to bee more there, than if they were raised vp to higher preferment. Otherwise, they that serue God in what place soeuer, are sure to grow greater. The Scripture proposeth examples hereof, and sheweth how the point hath been verified in former ages. Iacob at the first set himselfe to seruice, and was at the commandement of an other man, but at the last, being painful and true, he was able to keep seruants himselfe, and other men were at his commandement. Ioseph when hee came into Aegypt was bought and sold as a poore bondman, but being faithfull in euery place that hee came into, hee was promoted in euery place that hee came into. When hee was a seruant, when hee was a prisoner, and especiallie when he was Prince. Dauid had once the charge of a flocke of sheepe, and thereof was not a little heedefull: but afterwards hee had the leading of an armie of men, and lastlie, was exalted to the throne of a glorious kingdome.