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…

Confutation of them that take security for magnanimity, and §2want of fear for greatness of faith: they count it unmanly to have dread, and a strong trust in God to doubt of no perils. But be it known unto them that David was nothing their inferior in valiantness of heart, and yet his heart was tender, and fearful of sin. It is to be observed continually that none are so bold in wicked attempts, as they which are most base minded. Who are ⟨p. 113⟩so venturous to oppose themselves against God, impiously to defraud him of his glory, as they whose courage will not serve them to encounter with their equal in a just cause, for maintenance of their own right? Who are so fierce and violent, like Lyons to oppress their inferiors, as they which are as submissive as spaniels, to fawn upon their superiors? And in making presumption and carelessness a part of strong faith they are strangely deluded, for faith is the work of Gods holy spirit, and is founded wholly on the truth of his word: but the devil is the dam of presumption, and it hopeth that the word is false, so that nothing in the world doth more manifest their infidelity. If that be faith, what wicked man is without faith? If that be faith, the curse of¹ God is due to faith, and faith will bring men to destruction.

Confutation of them that take security for magnanimity, and §2want of feare for greatnesse of faith: they count it vnmanly to haue dread, and a strong trust in God to doubt of no perills. But be it knowne vnto them that Dauid was nothing their inferior in valiantnesse of heart, and yet his heart was tender, and fearfull of sinne. It is to be obserued continually that none are so bold in wicked attempts, as they which are most base minded. Who are ⟨p. 113⟩so ventrous to oppose themselues against God, impiously to defraude him of his glory, as they whose courage will not serue them to incounter with their equall in a iust cause, for mainteynance of their own right? Who are so fierce and violent, like Lyons to oppresse their inferiours, as they which are as submisse as spaniels, to fawne vpon their superiors? And in making presumption and carelesnesse a part of strong faith they are strangely deluded, for faith is the worke of Gods holy spirit, and is founded wholly on the truth of his word: but the diuell is the damme of presumption, and it hopeth that the word is false, so that nothing in the world doth more manifest their infidelity. If that be faith, what wicked man is without faith? If that bee faith, the curse of