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…

Christian Reader, by means of our promise, we are grown into thy debt, which if God add ability to our willingness, thou shalt find us as ready to discharge. And for thy better assurance of our faithful meaning herein, we have communicated unto thee our labours on these two Chapters, in part of payment, until we can proceed to the rest. Only this we must entreat of thee, that thou wilt deal with us, as thou wouldest with just and honest debtors which duly pay thee money. If our coin be currant, carrying trueth and verity, the stamp of Gods holy spirit, reject it not though it be duskish, without glittering show, or curious workmanship. But if ought by mistaking hath escaped us that wanteth weight, or proveth not good metal, return it lovingly and in brotherly manner unto us, and we will do our best endeavour to yield thee better matter for it. The eight first chapters a godly learned man hath travailed in, whose pains we expected before this time to have enjoyed with thee, and that caused us to go forwards, omitting the beginning, until we come to the end. The method, we confess, would be very preposterous and defective, were it not that ⟨image 4⟩so good a supply would reduce it into due order. And so we commit the whole work both of our writing, and thy reading, to the direction and blessing of Gods holy spirit, whom we pray to give thee understanding to know his will, with a faithful heart to believe and obey the same, through Jesus Christ, Amen. Drayton this seventh of November. 1606.