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…

The doing of mischief to good men, the attempting of it, though they fail of their purposes, their wishing of it, though they dare not attempt it, and their rejoicing at it when it is effected by others, all this doth assuredly bring mischief on sinful mens own heads.

The doing of mischiefe to good men, the attempting of it, though they faile of their purposes, their wishing of it, though they dare not attempt it, and their reioycing at it when it is effected by others, all this doth assuredly bring mischiefe on sinfull mens owne heads.

Use. Admonition to the adversaries of the Church, and Christians, that they deal more mildly and moderately with them. The case is their own, they prepare for themselves whatsoever they impose upon others. The burdens which they lay upon their neighbours shoulders must be transferred to their own backs: the bread of affliction which they provide for their brethren, in time will turn to their own food: the little-ease and dungeon wherein they shut up the innocent, must in time be made their own habitation.

Vse. Admonition to the aduersaries of the Church, and Christians, that they deale more mildlie and moderatelie with them. The case is their owne, they prepare for themselues whatsoeuer they impose vpon others. The burdens which they lay vpon their neighbours shoulders must be transferred to their owne backes: the bread of affliction which they prouide for their brethren, in time will turne to their owne foode: the little-ease and dungeon wherein they shut vp the innocent, must in time be made their owne habitation.

Terror to ungodly persons in regard of their dangerous condition. Only troubles they fly from, fearing them more then any manner of sin, and therefore account the life of afflicted Christians to be most miserable: and trouble is that which flieth as fast after them to make a pray of them, which also will make their state ten thousand times worse than any Christians can be. And if it so come to pass in this life, as many times it doth, that the godly are lifted up to prosperity, and the ungodly into grievous adversity, what a change will there be, and contrariety of their estates in the life to come. Which appeareth in the parable of the rich man, and Lazarus. Here the rich man received his pleasure and Lazarus pain: but there is Lazarus in heaven, and the