Exposition of Proverbs 15-17, Title page – To the reader
A PLAINE AND FAMILIAR EXPOSITION OF THE Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Seuenteenth Chapters of the Prouerbs of Salomon.
CERVA CHARISSIMA ET GRATISSIMVS HINNVLVS
LONDON, Printed by THOMAS HAVELAND for THOMAS MAN, 1609.
TO THE RIGHT VVORſhipfull our approoued good friend ERASMVS DRIDEN Eſquire: Grace and peace be multiplied.
SIR, hauing had long experience of your Chriſtian and conſtant louelove and fauour, as alſo of your willingnes to read our bookes, and your godly wiſdome to iudge and diſcerne of all that you read: we are bold to offer vntounto your worſhip this teſtimonie of our vnfained thankfulneſſe, and to craue your fauourable patronage for the ſame.
Our former writings comming only as ſtrangers, yet alwaies found all good and kinde entertainment at your hands. Therefore we cannot doubt but that this preſent treatiſe ſhall be welcome and well accepted; not only for that it is like to the former for matter and manner, but alſo becauſe it ſhelters it ſelfe vnderunder your name, and in ſpeciall manner craueth our countenance. And thus beſeeching almightie God to bleſſe and prosper the faithfull indeuours of all that truly ſeeke the peace and welfare of his Church, and daily more and more to multiplie his gratious mercies vponupon your ſelfe, your godlie wife, and hopefull familie, wee humblie take our leaue.
Yours in the Lord to be commanded, John Dod, Robert Cleauer.
TO THE READER.
THis briefe and ſummary collection of all the doctrines of the 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17. Chapters of the Prouerbs, which was intended for priuate vſe, I hauehave thought good (with the Authors conſent) to prefix vntounto this booke, as that which (I hope) may be vſefull for many: for by this direction, thoſe that cannot read all, may make choice of that which moſt concernes them; and thoſe that hauehave read all, may more eaſilie finde that againe which moſt contents them. The reaſon why ſome verſes with the doctrines are omitted, is becauſe they hauehave beene handled before.