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…

Terror for jesters, and stage players, and others of like lewd §3and sinful demeanour, whose whole work consisteth in talking, and talking vainly, and talking hurtfully, and drawing others to misspend their time in hearing of their vain and hurtful talk. Beggary is appointed for their wages, and beggary shall duly be paid unto them, and beggary they may surely look for; and if they receive it not presently in hand, it will be doubled with interest at the last. Or if it should never be performed at all in that kind, it will certainly be recompensed with some other punishment, that shall more than countervail it. And let it not be objected here, that the minister also dealeth only with his tongue, though a principal part of his function be exercised in speech: for it is an holy work, and a fruitful work, and a work which God calleth him to, and assisteth him in, to speak to his people. But he must also watch ⟨p. 124⟩over his flock, and study to make provision for them, if he will show himself a faithful minister of God. If he be negligent in that duty, howsoever he be not laden with poverty, he will be empty of knowledge and comfort, and pressed with the burden of an evil conscience.

Terror for iesters, and stage players, and others of like lewde §3and sinfull demeanoure, whose whole worke consisteth in talking, and talking vainelie, and talking hurtfully, and drawing others to mispend their time in hearing of theire vaine and hurtfull talke. Beggery is appointed for their wages, and beggary shall duelye be paide vnto them, and beggary they maye surely looke for; and if they receiue it not presentlie in hand, it will bee doubled with interest at the last. Or if it should neuer bee performed at all in that kinde, it will certainely be recompenced with some other punishment, that shall more than counteruaile it. And let it not bee obiected heere, that the minister also dealeth onelie with his tongue, though a principall parte of his function bee exercised in speech: for it is an holie worke, and a fruitefull worke, and a worke which God calleth him to, and assisteth him in, to speake to his people. But hee must also watch ⟨p. 124⟩ouer his flock, and study to make prouision for them, if he will shew himselfe a faithfull minister of God. If he be negligent in that duty, howsoeuer he be not laden with pouerty, he will be empty of knowledge and comfort, and pressed with the burden of an euill conscience.