A20547:650
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…
A plain and familiar exposition of the eleventh and twelfth chapters of the Proverbs of SolomonA plaine and familiar exposition of the eleuenth and twelfth chapters of the Prouerbes of Salomon
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Henry Sharpe, 1607London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Henrie Sharpe, 1607
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Doct. Grace maketh good men to be the worthiest personages. As they go before all the unregenerate in virtue, so they go beyond them in honour: and as they exceed them in piety, so they surmount them in excellency. The testimony which the Prophet giveth of them to God himself, by the inspiration of Gods spirit, doth make this manifest. My goods, saith he, extend not to thee, but to the Saints that are in earth, even to the excellent: all my 1delight is in them. And Isaiah speaking of the same sort of people, though never so mean and poor, saith, that upon all the 2glory shall be a defence.
Doct. Grace maketh good men to be the worthiest personages. As they goe before all the vnregenerate in vertue, so they go beyond them in honour: and as they exceede them in pietie, so they surmount them in excellencie. The testimonie which the Prophet giueth of them to God himselfe, by the inspiration of Gods spirit, doth make this manifest. My goods, saith he, extend not to thee, but to the Saints that are in earth, euen to the excellent: all my 1delight is in them. And Isaiah speaking of the same sort of people, though neuer so meane and poore, saith, that vpon all the 2glorie shall be a defence.
Reasons. 1 First, in regard of their condition in this present life they have all prerogatives, and preferments. By parentage every one of them is Gods child: By dignity they are all Kings: by inheritance, they have title to heaven and earth: their food is heavenly manna: their clothing is the righteousness of Christ: their attendants are the holy Angels: what should we speak of other things, wherein one man is wont to excel many others, and thereby wax glorious and become renowned? Who is wise besides them? who else hath any true fortitude in them? do not all others in their folly bring shame upon themselves? Hath not Satan subdued, and as it were trampled them under his feet? They are dealt with as bond men, and put to the fowlest works of impiety, and falsehood, lust, and lewdness, and of all kind of iniquity.