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…

Thirdly, they foresee and ponder of the perils that may grow to themselves by unnecessary contentions. Should they not vex §3their minds by distempers, and perturbations? Should they not hinder their state by expenses and charges? Should they not get themselves enemies siding and division? Should they not endanger themselves of shame and ignominy by taking the foil, and being overthrown in the suit? All these they look into before they enter into the strife, and therefore in consideration of them, they forbear to strive at all.

Thirdly, they foresee and ponder of the perills that may growe to themselues by vnnecessary contentions. Should they not vexe §3their minds by distempers, and perturbations? Should they not hinder their state by expences and charges? Should they not get themselues enemies siding and diuision? Should they not indanger themselues of shame and ignominy by taking the foyle, and being ouerthrowne in the suit? All these they looke into before they enter into the strife, and therefore in consideration of them, they forbeare to striue at all.

Reproof of them that take it to be the best means for making Use. their wisdom notified, and known to the world, to be stirring and ready to pursue every quarrel. It seemeth to them a title of honour to be said to have a shrewd head, and therefore they make themselves masters of molestation, that few can live in peace and quietness by them. But if Christ Jesus was wise (as who can deny him to be very wisdom it self) then these are necessarily to be accounted fools, as taking a course directly contrary to his. For he esteemed it as a matter of true praise to be meek and gentle as a lamb, receiving many wrongs rather then revenging one; but they glory in being like to bulls and Rams, and fiercer beasts, that offer violence to such as never provoked them with any injuries.

Reprofe of them that take it to be the best meanes for making Vse. their wisedom notyfied, and known to the world, to be stirring and ready to pursue euery quarrell. It seemeth to them a title of honour to be sayd to haue a shrewd head, and therfore they make themselues masters of molestation, that few can liue in peace and quietnes by them. But if Christ Iesus was wise (as who can deny him to be very wisedome it selfe) then these are necessarily to be accounted fooles, as taking a course directly contrary to his. For he esteemed it as a matter of true praise to be meeke and gentle as a lamb, receiuing many wrongs rather then reuenging one; but they glory in being like to bulles and Rams, and fiercer beasts, that offer violence to such as neuer prouoked them with any iniuries.