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…

Reproof of them that put hope and good meaning in place of §2knowledge, whereas knowledge ought to be the mother, and nurse, and directer of hope and good meaning. Without it though they make themselves believe that they mean well, yet they shall not be able to deal well: and though they trust that their hope is good, yet they shall try that their success will be bad. And many are here to be reprehended for their temerity, and rashness, which suddenly and without good grounds, set their tongues and hands on work to their ignominy and rebuke.

Reproofe of them that put hope and good meaning in place of §2knowledge, whereas knowledge ought to be the mother, and nurce, and directer of hope and good meaning. Without it though they make themselues beleeue that they meane well, yet they shall not be able to deale well: and though they trust that their hope is good, yet they shall trie that their successe will bee bad. And many are here to be reprehended for their temerity, and rashnes, which suddenly and without good grounds, set their tongues and hands on worke to their ignominy and rebuke.

Some answer a matter before they hear it, and so, as the Scripture saith, it turneth to folly and shame unto them. Some take upon¹ them to be sharp censurers of other mens lives and actions, and that with clamorous accusations and condemnation, and yet they know nothing amiss by the persons, further then they have heard by false flying reports, & the causes which they pass so peremptory a sentence upon, they have no skill at all to judge of. Let such men hear S. Peter telling them what account is to be made of them, and what is like to become of them. These as brute ²beasts, led with sensuality, and made to be taken, and destroyed, speak evil of those things which they know not, and shall perish through their own corruption. Some break out into conuitious revilings, many times into violent outrage, before the parties so rated and punished be convicted of any fault. Job was far from that disposition, he would show cruelty to none of his people, his bondmen, and handmaids, and meanest in his house had liberty to speak for themselves, and were sure to be equally dealt with, as their cause required.