A20556:99
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.
THE heart of him that hath understanding] The upright desire, and sincere affection of him that is wise unto salvation: [seeketh for knowledge] moveth his lips, and ears, and senses, diligently to labour for increase of that holy wisdom wherewith he is already endued: [but the mouth of the fool is fed with foolishness] that is, Lewdness of life, and practise of evil, are as delightful to the mind of a sinful person, as delicious food is to the mouth and taste: and he that hath a wicked heart, will be as greedy to satisfy his lust at every moment, as he that hath a dainty tooth will be desirous to feed on delicate dishes at every meal.
THE heart of him that hath vnderstanding] The vpright desire, and sincere affection of him that is wise vnto saluation: [seeketh for knowledge] mooueth his lips, and eares, and senses, diligently to labour for increase of that holy wisdome wherewith he is already endued: [but the mouth of the foole is fed with foolishnesse] that is, Leaudnesse of life, and practise of euill, are as delightfull to the minde of a sinfull person, as delicious food is to the mouth and taste: and he that hath a wicked heart, will be as greedy to satisfie his lust at euery moment, as he that hath a dainty tooth will be desirous to feed on delicate dishes at euery meale.
And so it is agreeable to that which is in the fourth Chapter, where sinners are said to eat the bread of wickedness, and 1to drink the wine of violence: that is, It is meat and drink to them to do mischief. The sense and opposition in effect tend to this, that the heart of a wise man seeketh for knowledge, and therefore his soul is fed with grace: and the heart of a fool doth hunt after folly, and therefore his mouth is fed with foolishness. Doct. Grace and ungodliness make the greatest difference between the persons in whom they severally reign. Their hearts are contrary: Their desires are contrary: Their endeavours are contrary: and so are their delights; and so are their practises; and so are all their ways. And the very same he meant and spake before, when he said, It is a 2