Reproof of them that are ashamed of their poverty, but far Use. 1 from being humbled by it. They count it a base thing to be in need, and yet themselves to be no base persons though they be most needy. If they judge not their state contemptible, why do they cloak it? if they acknowledge it to be mean and vile, why do they take so much upon them? The complaint of the Prophet against Israel may justly be charged upon this kind of people: their pride doth testify to their face, and they do not return to the 1Lord their God, nor seek him for all this. For it is a contempt of corrections, when they strive against his strokes, and stubbornly resist his hand that smiteth them. The particular manner we have briefly spoken of in the ninth verse of the former chapter. Only one sort of men we may not pass by in silence, but somewhat must be spoken of them, and that is such as being acquainted fully with the insufficiency of their own state, are yet most greedy ⟨p. 20⟩of getting all bargains into their hands, to the defrauding of all those that have any dealing with them. They are like to quagmires overgrown with green grass, wherein is no appearance of peril, before a man be plunged in them. These easily fall to both the extremities here specified. So long as they are borrowing though they have nothing, yet they will make themselves very rich, that they may be trusted: but when they should make payment, though they have wherewith to discharge many of their debts, yet then nothing is to be found to satisfy any man. In the next place it serveth to reprehend those niggardly persons, which swimming in plenty and great abundance, do yet almost statue with penury and want; God offereth them means and opportunity of doing, and enjoying good, that like flowing fountains they might send forth streams unto others, and be largely refreshed with comforts themselves, and they become bottomless gulfs, & whirl pools, which draw away, and swallow up all from others, and yet themselves have use of nothing.
Reproofe of them that are ashamed of their pouerty, but farre Vse. 1 from being humbled by it. They count it a base thing to be in need, and yet themselues to be no base persons though they be most needy. If they iudge not their state contemptible, why doe they cloke it? if they acknowledge it to be meane and vile, why do they take so much vpon them? The complaint of the Prophet against Jsraell may iustly be charged vppon this kind of people: their pride doth testifie to their face, and they doe not returne to the 1Lord their God, nor seeke him for all this. For it is a contempt of corrections, when they striue against his strokes, and stubbornly resist his hand that smiteth them. The particular manner we haue briefly spoken of in the ninth verse of the former chapter. Onely one sort of men we may not passe by in silence, but somewhat must be spoken of them, and that is such as being acquainted fully with the insufficiency of their owne state, are yet most greedy ⟨p. 20⟩of getting all bargaines into their hands, to the defrauding of all those that haue any dealing with them. They are like to quagmites ouergrowne with greene grasse, wherein is no appearance of perill, before a man be plunged in them. These easily fall to both the extremities here specified. So long as they are borowing though they haue nothing, yet they will make themselues very rich, that they may be trusted: but when they should make payment, though they haue wherewith to discharge many of their debts, yet then nothing is to be found to satisfie any man. In the next place it serueth to reprehend those niggardly persons, which swimming in plenty and great abundance, doe yet almost statue with penury and want; God offereth them meanes and oportunity of doing, and inioying good, that like flowing fountaines they might send forth streames vnto others, and be largely refreshed with comforts themselues, and they become bottomles gulfes, & whirle pooles, which draw away, and swallow vp all from others, and yet themselues haue vse of nothing.
- 1Hosea 7. 10,
