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…

Secondly, such as are oppressed with cares and grief are made unmeet for the services of God, who indeed doth require fear, but commandeth likewise to rejoice with trembling: Psal. 2. 11. How can they call upon God in any fervency, when deadness hath wholly possessed them? How can they be thankful, and offer acceptable praises to God when they are void of all joy and cheerfulness? And how can they attend unto his word, when their thoughts are altogether busied in the contemplation of their own misery? The message was very comfortable which Moses brought to the Israelites in Egypt, when the Lord told them, that he would deliver them from the burdens and bondage of the Egyptians, and would take them for his people, and be their God, &c. but it is said they harkened not to him for anguish of spirit, and cruel bondage, Exo. 6. 9.

Secondly, such as are oppressed with cares and griefe are made vnmeete for the seruices of God, who indeede doth require feare, but commaundeth likewise to reioyce with trembling: Psal. 2. 11. How can they call vpon God in any feruency, when deadnes hath wholy possessed them? How can they be thankefull, and offer acceptable praises to God when they are voide of al ioy and cheerefulnesse? And how can they attend vnto his word, when their thoughts are altogether busied in the contemplation of their owne miserie? The message was very comfortable which Moses brought to the Israelites in Aegypt, when the Lord told them, that he would deliuer them from the burdens and bondage of the Aegyptians, and would take them for his people, and be their God, &c. but it is said they harkened not to him for anguish of spirit, and cruell bondage, Exo. 6. 9.

Thirdly, it maketh men less diligent and profitable in their callings, whether it be in their several trades, or in places of superiority to govern, or of inferiority to obey.