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…

Reproof of many sorts of people, which may justly be charged Use. 1 with this rash and unadvised credulity. When God offered mercies, or threateneth judgements by the ministry of his word, they are nothing at all moved with it: but when the ⟨p. 110⟩devil promiseth help by sorcerers, or speaketh of hurt by prophesiers, they undoubtedly expect the accomplishment thereof. When faithful preachers by warrant out of the word declare what conscience is to be made of the Sabaoth, and how to be sanctified, and after what manner the other commandments are to be observed, their ministry is not of credit enough to be regarded: but if false Prophets tell them that the Sabbath is abrogated, and all the old testament abolished, or broach any other pestilent points, for a licentious course of life, they are presently esteemed worthy and comfortable teachers. And so Jusui•es and Seminaries enticing them to idolatry, and disloyalty, yea & some of them many times to shameful impurity are devout and reverend fathers. And so stage-players, and minstrels, are teachers of good lessons, and more edify with their interludes and songs, than the ministers do with their sermons and preaching. We will not speak here of uncharitable persons which are prompt and ready to traffic with any that carrieth a pack of malicious reports against such as unfeignedly fear God, those we shall deal with, when we come to the seventeenth chapter, v. 4. where it is set as a note of the wicked to give heed to false lips, and that a liar harkneth to the naughty tongue.

Reproofe of many sorts of people, which may iustly be charged Vse. 1 with this rash and vnaduised credulity. VVhen God offered mercies, or threatneth iudgements by the ministerie of his word, they are nothing at all mooued with it: but when the ⟨p. 110⟩diuell promiseth helpe by sorcerers, or speaketh of hurt by propheciers, they vndoubtedly expect the accomplishment thereof. When faithfull preachers by warrant out of the word declare what conscience is to be made of the Sabbaoth, and how to be sanctified, and after what manner the other commandements are to be obserued, their ministery is not of credit ynough to be regarded: but if false Prophets tell them that the Sabbath is abrogated, and all the old testament abolished, or broach any other pestilent points, for a licentious course of life, they are presently esteemed worthy and comfortable teachers. And so Jusuies and Seminaries intising them to idolatry, and disloyalty, yea & some of them many times to shamefull impurity are deuout and reuerend fathers. And so stage-players, and minstrels, are teachers of good lessons, and more edifie with their interludes and songs, thā the ministers doe with their sermons and preaching. We wil not speake here of vncharitable persons which are prompt and ready to traffique with any that carrieth a pack of malitious reports against such as vnfainedly feare God, those we shall deale with, when we come to the seuenteenth chapter, v. 4. where it is set as a note of the wicked to giue heede to false lippes, and that a lyar harkneth to the naughtie tongue.