A20549:533
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.
Consolation to the faithful against death, whereof there is §2no cause to be afraid, because it maketh their state better, and not worse. What weary traveller would be grieved that his tedious journey were at an end, and he come home to his own house, and his dearest friends, towards which he hath been long travelling, with great toil and painfulness, and there to be refreshed with all delightful and comfortable repasts? The Prophet Isai telleth us, that righteous men dye, and merciful men1 are taken away, not to come into evil, but to escape the evil to come: not to lose their peace, and to fall into troubles, but to be freed from troubles, and to enjoy peace: and that the grave i• a bed for the body, wherein it lodgeth and resteth, and sleepeth. And as for the soul how unutterably happy and blessed, is the state thereof? What Pen can describe, or what tongue can recount, or what heart can apprehend the exceeding greatness of the joy which it possesseth▪ It is delivered from sorrow and pain, from hunger and thirst, from cold and heat, from shame and contempt, from dread and danger, and that which is most of all, and all in all, it is purged from sin and corruption for ever. On the other side, that which it most desireth, it hath most plentiful▪ fruition of, as of perfect righteousness, perfect holiness, glorious companions, both of Angels, and souls of just men departed, continual conversation with the Lord Jesus Christ, the face and favour of GOD never hid from them, and we know what the Prophet saith, that in his presence is 2the fullness of joy, and at his right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Consolation to the faithfull against death, whereof there is §2no cause to be afrayd, because it maketh their state better, and not worse. VVhat weary traueller would be grieued that his tedious iourney were at an end, and hee come home to his owne house, and his dearest friends, towards which he hath been long trauelling, with great toyle and painfulnesse, and there to be refreshed with all delightfull and comfortable repasts? The Prophet Isai telleth vs, that righteous men dye, and mercifull men