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 Faithful witness) he that maketh conscience, and is resolved before the judgement seat constantly to testify the truth, will not usually, nor in his common speech tell untruths: but he that telleth lies will be a false witness, whosoever accustometh himself to lying in private, will not stick to forswear himself, and bear false witness in public. It is all one in sense with the 17. verse of the 12. chapter, where it is said, that he which speaketh trueth will show righteousness, &c.

A Faithfull witnesse) he that maketh conscience, and is resolued before the iudgement seate constantly to testifie the truth, will not vsually, nor in his common speech tell vntruths: but he that telleth lies will be a false witnesse, whosoeuer accustometh himselfe to lying in priuate, will not sticke to forsweare himselfe, and beare false witnesse in publick. It is all one in sense with the 17. verse of the 12. chapter, where it is sayde, that he which speaketh trueth will shew righteousnesse, &c.

Verse. 6. The scorner seeketh wisdom, but findeth it not: but knowledge is easy to him that is prudent.

Verse. 6. The scorner seeketh wisedome, but findeth it not: but knowledge is easie to him that is prudent.

The scorner) that is very sinful, and contemptuous persons: (for it is a collective, and meant of all, or at least of divers ⟨p. 86⟩of them) seeketh wisdom, by wisdom we may understand the true knowledge of Gods holy will, and where it is said, the scorners seek it, the meaning is, that some of them make show of seeking, and seem so to do, being present at those means, and outwardly dealing in those exercises, whereby others truly seek, & effectually find knowledge. And as these use the means without any desire of having wisdom, so others would have it, but contemn all those means whereby it is offered, and to be received, trusting to their own wit, and carnal reason. And a third sort seek it, and are willing to have it, and at the ministers hands would gladly obtain it, but only upon their death beds, or in great extremities, not in love to God, or sincere affection to his word, or in holy liking of his graces, but only in terror and passion, that they might escape hell and damnation: or the present dangers wherein they stand. Hereof the Prophet speaketh in the Psalm, saying, When he flew them, they sought him, and they returned