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…

Though in the sight of the world they seem forlorn persons, without any friends to take their sufferings to heart, and in appearance seeth nothing but safety in trampling upon them, yet God professeth his tender care so far towards them, as that he maketh their case his case: and their friends his friends, and reputeth them for his foes that declare themselves to be theirs. In an other chapter not only they are charged with contempt of him, that practice mischief against them, or violently work them woe,¹ and sorrow, but it is said, that he also which maketh the poor despiseth him that made him.

Though in the sight of the world they seeme forlorne persons, without any friends to take their suffrings to heart, and in appearance seeth nothing but safety in trampling vpon them, yet God professeth his tender care so far towards them, as that he maketh their case his case: and their friends his friends, and reputeth them for his soes that declare themselues to bee theirs. In an other chapter not onely they are charged with contempt of him, that practice mischiefe against them, or violently worke them woe,¹ and sorrow, but it is saied, that he also which macketh the poor dispiseth him that made him.

1. 1Prou, 17, 5.

First his commandment is thereby violated and broken: for Reasons. 1 in many places he strictly forbiddeth all, how great soever, to grieve the poor, and calleth upon every one to be pitiful to them. One place for this purpose may serve in stead of many that may be brought for confirmation of the point. Zechariah telleth the people of his time, what duty the Lord required by the former prophets before the captivity, and what message was committed to him now, after their return, and that was, Execute ye true