A20556:253
A plain and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the…A plaine and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the…
A plain and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the Proverbs of SolomonA plaine and familiar exposition of the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of the Prouerbs of Salomon
London: printed by Thomas Haveland for Thomas Man, 1609London: printed by Thomas Haueland for Thomas Man, 1609
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.
IT is far from the meaning of the holy Ghost, to ascribe here free-will to man, as though he had any absolute power to dispose of his own heart, though by concession, according to the vulgar opinion, that seem to be granted: for no man can think an evil thought without Gods providence, much less a good thought without his grace: but the drift is to show, that albeit men devise much, and have whole armies (as the word signifieth) of cogitations in their minds, and those placed in exact order, as it were in battle array, so that they set down with themselves both what and how to speak, yet [the answer of the tongue is from the Lord] they shall utter that which God appointeth, and not always what themselves do purpose.
IT is farre from the meaning of the holy Ghost, to ascribe heere free-will to man, as though hee had any absolute power to dispose of his owne heart, though by concession, according to the vulgar opinion, that seeme to be granted: for no man can thinke an euil thought without Gods prouidence, much lesse a good thought without his grace: but the drift is to shew, that albeit men deuise much, and haue whole armies (as the word signifieth) of cogitations in their mindes, and those placed in exact order, as it were in battle aray, so that they set downe with themselues both what and how to speake, yet [the answer of the tongue is from the Lord] they shall vtter that which God appointeth, and not alwaies what themselues doe purpose.
Doct. The Lord hath the disposing of every mans tongue at his ⟨p. 50⟩own will. It was more than Esau minded (as it is probable) or than ever Jacob did look for (as it is certain) that Esau should greet Jacob with so great kindness, and offer so much 1courtesy to him. And Balaam's voyage to Balak was not with 2intent to bless Israel, but to curse them. Neither was Saul ever purposed to commend David for his faithfulness and