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…

Consolation to them whom no ungodly man can fancy, but §3every one maligneth and speaketh evil of, and setteth himself against. What maketh this enmity and opposition, but folly and ⟨p. 99⟩malice on the one side, and faithfulness and well doing on the other? It proveth that themselves are too spiritual for fleshly fools to favour, and their ways too righteous for sinful men to like of. If they were of the world they should find more friendship at worldly mens hands: if they would run to the same excess of riot and sin with the wicked, they should be less traduced by wicked mens tongues. In regard whereof, on the contrary side, it is not a credit, but a blemish, not for comfort, but for terror to be magnified and much made of, among them of whom God, and his best servants are despised, and lewd men of worse behaviour are most countenanced.

Consolation to them whome no vngodly man can fancy, but §3euery one maligneth and speaketh euill of, and setteth himselfe against. What maketh this enmity and opposition, but folly and ⟨p. 99⟩malice on the one side, and saithfulnes and well doing on the other? It prooueth that themselues are too spirituall for fleshly fooles to fauour, and their wayes too righteous for sinfull men to like of. If they were of the world they should finde more friendship at worldly mens hands: if they would runne to the same excesse of riot and sinne with the wicked, they should be lesse traduced by wicked mens tongues. In regard whereof, on the contrary side, it is not a credit, but a blemish, not for comfort, but for terror to be magnified and much made of, among them of whom God, and his best seruants are despised, and lewde men of worse behauiour are most countenanced.

Verse. 10. The heart knoweth the bitterness of his soul, and a stranger shall not meddle with his joy.