A20549:442
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.
Instruction. 1. If we fall into afflictions, that we seek not to Use. carnal friends for succour, for they will rather add to our burden by testimonies of hatred than minister comfort by the fruits of their love. They will be so far from relieving us by showing mercy and compassion, as that they will more grieve us with their strange behaviour and unkindness. And therefore the Lord himself giveth this precept: Enter not into thy brothers house in the date of thy calamity: for a neighbour that is near, is better 1than a brother that is far off. He that is further off in nature and blood, may be much more near in faithfulness and love. 2. To depend upon the Lord who rejecteth not his people for their poverty and crosses, but pitieth them the more for their afflictions: and though all men should cast them off in their misery and troubles, yet he will not forsake them, as Davids case doth witness. When my father and mother, saith he, forsook me, the Lord gathered me 2up. 3. To associate our selves with godly men, for they will prove our surest friends. Vicinity and neighbourhood will fail, and alliance and kindred will fail, but grace and religion will never fail. If we adjoin our selves unto them for their virtue and goodness, they will not separate themselves from us for our calamities and trouble. Ruth was no less kind to Naomi, when she went away empty, than when she came thither full: and Jonathan ⟨p. 119⟩was as faithful to David, when Saul sought to slay him, as when he made him his Son in law, and showed best countenance to him.
Instruction. 1. If we fall into afflictions, that we seeke not to Vse. carnall friends for succour, for they will rather adde to our burden by testimonies of hatred than minister comfort by the fruits of their loue. They will be so far from relieuing vs by shewing mercy and compassion, as that they will more grieue vs with their strange behauiour and vnkindnesse. And therefore the Lord himselfe giueth this precept: Enter not into thy brothers house in the date of thy calamitie: for a neighbour that is neere, is better 1than a brother that is farre off. He that is further off in nature and bloud, may be much more neer in faithfulnes and loue. 2. To depend vpō the Lord who reiecteth not his people for their pouerty and crosses, but pitieth them the more for their afflictions: and though all men should cast them off in their misery and troubles, yet he will not forsake them, as Dauids case doth witnesse. When my father and mother, saith he, forsooke me, the Lord gathered me