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…

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 ¹and sought God early. But they flattered him with their mouth, and dissembled with him with their tongue. For their heart was not upright with him, neither were they faithful in his covenant. And therefore being so affected it is not str••ng• that their success is no better. For though our Saviour say, that every one which seeketh ²