A20549:105
A plain and familiar exposition of the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of the Proverbs…A plaine and familiar exposition of the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of the Prouerbs…
A plain and familiar exposition of the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of the Proverbs of SolomonA plaine and familiar exposition of the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of the Prouerbs of Salomon
London: printed by R.B. for Roger Jackson, 1608London: printed by R.B. for Roger Iackson, 1608
AN EXPOSITION OF THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER OF THE PROVERBS. › Chapter 13
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.
Vers. 10. Through mere pride doth man make contentions; but with the well advised is wisdom.
Vers. 10. Through mere pride doth man make contentions; but with the well aduised is wisedome.
Only by pride, &c) that is, wheresoever strife groweth, there is pride, at least in one of the parties contending, if not on both sides. Sometimes it stirreth up men, and emboldeneth them to offer wrongs: sometimes embittereth men; and maketh them way ward against the right: sometimes it causeth the one to be careless of dealing according to equity, and the other to be impatient of bearing any injuries. Yet notwithstanding this condemneth ⟨p. 27⟩not all kind of contending, but the frowardness of the faulty persons in it. It is lawful to give a rebuke and correction, if it be done upon good grounds, with an upright heart, and in due manner, though it be the occasion of some jar or debate, and he only is to be blamed, which receiveth not the admonition.1 And so to stand in the cause of God is commendable (for the Prophet reproveth them that contend not for the trueth) and they are to be charged with the sin of contention, which oppose themselves against good causes. Neither are such here to be taxed as defend their state, or by the help of the magistrate & laws against those which go about to defraud or defame them Neither yet are they to be reproved by this, that follow suites against malefactors to bring them to just punishment. Provided always, that in these cases the cause be weighty, their proceedings equal, and their harts free from all malice and revenge. But with the well advised is wisdom, they which have discretion and judgement in themselves, or be willing to hearken to advise & counsel of others, will beware of unnecessary controversies. The opposition is this: Only by pride and folly doth man make contentions: but with the well advised is wisdom and humility to follow peace.