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…

Admonition to hasten their conversion to the Lord, that their §2speedy repentance may outrun the plagues, and stay them in due season, their humiliation coming into the presence of God, before the evils do come at them. The Ninevites dealt wisely this ways: when they understood by Jonah that their desolation approached so near unto them, they forthwith set themselves to fly from it, and with all expedition fell to fasting, & by that means prevented it. It is not safe for the hunted beast to stand still, when the stronger that seeketh his life, hath him in pursuit, and much less for wicked men to be secure, when the vengeance of the Almighty doth follow them. If they say, we have power, and friends and are well able to stand for our selves, let them remember that which hath bin formerly handled, that though hand join in hand, ¹the wicked shall not be unpunished. The strongest Wether in the fold, and all the rest of the flock with him, cannot encounter with the Lyon. If they say, we have policy and plots to help our selves by, and know how to provide for our safety, let them know that there is no wisdom, neither understanding, nor counsel against the ²Lord. If they say, why should we now be more afraid then hitherto we have been? We walked in the same way before, and the same punishments were threatened before, and sithence we had no hurt till this time, what likelihood is there, that it will come hereafter, especially our present state being so prosperous. Let them consider, that in the course, the poor hunted creature, though unreasonable, is not yet so silly, as to think that there is no pursuit after her, because she seeth no peril before her, her fear is in regard of that, which followeth at her heels, and not of that which is in view of her eyes. And the longer they have escaped, the lesser time remaineth to escape, as the beast is nearer to her death, towards the end of the course, then at the first setting forth.

Admonition to hasten their conuersion to the Lord, that their §2speedy repentance may outrunne the plagues, and stay them in due season, their humiliation comming into the presence of God, before the euills do come at them. The Niniuites dealt wisely this waies: when they vnderstood by Ionah that their desolation approched so neere vnto them, they foorthwith set themselues to fly from it, and with all expedition fell to fasting, & by that means preuented it. It is not safe for the hunted beast to stand still, when the stronger that seeketh his life, hath him in pursuite, and much lesse for wicked men to be secure, when the vengeance of the Almighty doth follow them. If they say, we haue power, and friends and are well able to stand for our selues, let them remember that which hath bin formerly handled, that though hand ioyn in hand,