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…

Secondly, it commonly cometh to pass even to good men, §2and those of the best gifts, and greatest graces, that they shall be assaulted with many fears after they lay hold on the covenant of God, until it be performed unto them. The defect of their faith, the sense of their wants, their carnal reason, their fleshly friends, the temptations of Satan will altogether attempt to draw them to doubt, that either they were illuded in apprehending the promise, ⟨p. 32⟩or that the Lord is remiss in fulfilling of it.

Secondly, it commonly commeth to passe euen to good men, §2and those of the best gifts, and greatest graces, that they shall be assaulted with many feares after they lay hold on the couenant of God, vntill it be performed vnto them. The defect of their faith, the sence of their wants, their carnall reason, their fleshly friends, the temptations of Sathan will altogether attempt to draw them to doubt, that either they were illuded in apprehending the promise, ⟨p. 32⟩or that the Lord is remisse in fulfilling of it.

Instruction to hope for nothing but that which is haveable, & Use. 1 may well be had, and whereof we are capable, and that doth belong unto us: for if protection cause the heart to languish, what will frustration and disappointment do? It is one of the threatenings against the wicked in Deuteronomy, that their goods, and cattle, and children, Should be given unto another people, and their ¹eyes should still look for them till they failed, and there should be no power in their hand. Now what is meant by this, that their eyes should fail? That their expectation deceived should turn them to as much woe, as if their eyes had lost their sight. And that was because that they incurring the curse by their sinful behaviour, did yet presume of a restitution to happiness, as though nothing had appertained to them but blessings. So slothful persons, expel and chase from them all wealth and riches, by violence, and yet trust, that in time, they shall be able to compare with the best of them all, in wealth and riches.