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…

Verse 6. The righteousness of the upright delivereth them: but the transgressors shall be taken in their own wickedness.

Verse 6. The righteousnesse of the vpright deliuereth them: but the transgressours shall be taken in their owne wickednes.

This verse, as it may appear, is annexed to the former for confirmation of the point therein contained, that righteousness doth direct the way of upright men, both to holy conversation, and happy state. Against the which a doubt may rise from the show of the contrary, because that good men are sometimes plunged in great calamities, and sometimes in great transgressions: and therefore their way seemeth as indirect, as if they were wicked, and their righteousness to do them as little good as if they had none at all. Now this scruple he removeth by showing what benefit it bringeth, that then especially they have the use of it, when they fall into such distresses. For then the fruit thereof is most for their comfort when it shall deliver them out of dangers, out of troubles, out of fears, out of temptations, out of sins, and from destruction. Yet not by strength of it own, but by the power of God: not according to their worthiness in way of desert, but according to his goodness in way of reward: not extended to all men that do good works, but restrained to upright men whose works are good. And for the clearer illustration of their blessed estate he bringeth in for contrary, the miserable condition of the wicked, opposing transgressors to upright persons: their mischief to the others justice: their peril to the others protection: the one part enclosed in the net of troubles is yet assured of safe escape by means of their graces, the other abroad at the ⟨p. 20⟩bait of prosperity shall certainly fall into snares by means of their wickedness.

THis verse, as it may appeare, is annexed to the former for confirmation of the point therein contained, that righteousnesse doth direct the way of vpright men, both to holy conuersation, and happy state. Against the which a doubt may rise frō the shew of the contrarie, because that good men are sometimes plunged in great calamities, and sometimes in great transgressions: and therefore their way seemeth as indirect, as if they were wicked, and their righteousnesse to doe them as little good as if they had none at all. Now this scruple he remoueth by shewing what benefite it bringeth, that then especially they haue the vse of it, when they fall into such distresses. For then the fruite thereof is most for their comfort when it shall deliuer them out of dangers, out of troubles, out of feares, out of temptations, out of sinnes, and from destruction. Yet not by strength of it owne, but by the power of God: not according to their worthines in way of desert, but according to his goodnes in way of reward: not extended to all men that doe good workes, but restrained to vpright men whose workes are good. And for the clearer illustration of their blessed estate he bringeth in for contrarie, the miserable condition of the wicked, opposing transgressours to vpright persons: their mischiefe to the others iustice: their perill to the others protection: the one part inclosed in the net of troubles is yet assured of safe escape by meanes of their graces, the other abroad at the