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…

They may rejoice in the face, and not in the heart: they may have many things without to move them to be merry, and yet a sting withal in their hearts to mar their mirth. The Lord hath spoken it once, and again, that there is no peace to the wicked, ¹and then we may truly speak it again, and again, and as often as opportunity serveth. that there is no sound joy in the wicked.

They may reioyce in the face, and not in the heart: they may haue many things without to moue them to be merry, and yet a sting withall in their hearts to marre their mirth. The Lord hath spoken it once, and againe, that there is no peace to the wicked, ¹and then we may truelie speake it againe, and againe, and as often as opportunitie serueth. that there is no sound ioy in the wicked.

1. 1Isay, 57, 21.

First, they are wholly destitute of the sap and root of true Reasons. 1 ¹comfort and gladness, because they are not partakers of the spirit of God; for the Apostle testifieth that joy and peace are the fruit of the spirit. It is as possible for thorns to bear grapes, and figs to grow on thistles, as for graceless flesh, being altogether corrupt, to bring forth sincere joy and comfort.

First, they are wholie destitute of the sappe and roote of true Reasons. 1 ¹comfort and gladnes, because they are not partakers of the spirit of God; for the Apostle testifieth that ioie and peace are the fruit of the spirite. Jt is as possible for thornes to beare grapes, and figs to growe on thistles, as for graceles flesh, beeing altogether corrupt, to bring forth sincere ioy and comfort.