A20549:315
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 plain and familiar exposition of the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of the Proverbs of SolomonA plaine and familiar exposition of the thirteenth and fourteenth chapters of the Prouerbs of Salomon
London: printed by R.B. for Roger Jackson, 1608London: printed by R.B. for Roger Iackson, 1608
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Fourthly, if scorners might find wisdom, this holy and heavenly §4wisdom, when it pleased them to seek for it, they should become elder brethren to Gods people, & enjoy the double portion. Earthly things both of wealth and dignity they commonly have in greater plenty than the best Christians: pleasures they pursue without restraint, and follow their delights continually, if they might also have grace, & Gods favour, & the kingdom of heaven ready at their wills, the worst men should have the best prerogative, & the Lord would seem to be most kind to his mortal enemies. And it would come to pass that the greatest part of mankind would live like devils on earth, & reign like saints in heaven. And therefore that preeminence of getting grace, & saving knowledge is appropriated to Gods people, & none others (especially if they be scorners) are to intercommon with them. And that the holy ghost showeth in another chapter, saying, Wicked men understand not judgement: but they that seek the Lord, understand all ⟨p. 89⟩1things. And likewise in the psalms he declareth it to be a degree of good mens happiness, that the secret of the Lord is revealed to 2them that fear him; & his covenant to give them understanding.
Fourthly, if scorners might find wisedome, this holy and heauenly §4wisedome, when it pleased them to seeke for it, they should become elder brethren to Gods people, & inioy the double portion. Earthly things both of wealth and dignity they commonly haue in greater plenty than the best Christians: pleasures they pursue without restraint, and follow their delights continually, if they might also haue grace, & Gods fauor, & the kingdom of heauen ready at their wills, the worst men should haue the best prerogatiue, & the Lord would seem to be most kind to his mortall enemies. And it wold come to passe that the greatest part of mankind wold liue like diuells on earth, & raigne like saints in heauē. And therfore that preheminēce of getting grace, & sauing knowledge is appropriated to Gods people, & none others (especially if they be scorners) are to intercōmon with them. And that the holy ghost sheweth in another chapter, saying, Wicked men vnderstand not iudgement: but they that seeke the Lord, vnderstand all