A godly and learned exposition vppon the Prouerbes of Solomon: written in French by Maister Michael Cope, minister of the woorde of God, at Geneua: and translated into English, by M.O.

A Good name is more too bee desired then great ri∣ches: and a louing fauour more then siluer and golde.

EVery one of vs is naturally enclined to desire, and choose that which see∣meth to him good & profitable. And there are some, which are so addicted to their peculiar profite to enriche themselues, that they forget al hone∣stie, and al humanitie, and care not in what credite and reputation they be, nor if they be esteemed or no, if they can compasse to make themselues tiche and mightie, for they thinke stil, that if they come once to such estate, they shal then haue neede of no body, but many shal haue neede of them, and fauour and flatter them, shewing themselues to bee at their commandement: And it is the maner of worldlinges, and carnal men to make account of the riche, and cal them honest men, and haue them in admiration, there are some that although they desire to bee in reputation, yet they thinke that nothing is to bee accounted of but of riches: And therefore they set al their whole minde and affection thereon, to the ende to bee aduanced & praised. Al such men are farre abused: for it is not them that wee praise, but their riches, as they shoulde soone know, if they had eies: for it is manifest, that if the riche man once become poore, hee is despised of them, yea that shewed themselues in his prosperitie to bee his greatest friendes. And therefore they are worthie to bee re∣prehended, and so Solomon doeth reprehende them saying,

A good name is more to bee desired: then great riches. And hee sheweth vs that which wee ought to desire and choose aboue al thinges in this worlde, to wit, a good name, and fauour not as the Giants did in the time Noe: nor as iesters doe, which by lyes, flat∣teries,

fables, and tales, doe purchace fauour: but by discrete man∣ners, and honest conuersation, by iustice and equitie, humilitie and temperance, and by other fruites of a righteous heart and sound con¦science, which maketh vs to get credite, and be acceptable and wor∣thie of prayse both before God and our neighbours. This ought more to be desired of vs then all other things, which one can wishe for in this world, be they neuer so precious, for they are fraile and transitorie subiect to vanitie and corruption, but a good name and a louing fauour remain for euer. Which thing Solomon sheweth wel, when hee preferreth it before riches, golde, and siluer. Saint Paule also sheweth it wel, when hee willeth vs to set our minds on things of a good report and praise, and when hee promiseth that in thus doing, the God of peace wil be with vs. But although wee ought greatly to set by a good name and louing fauour, yet neuerthe∣lesse wee ought greatly to take heede of being ambitious, to couet that others shoulde praise vs, and haue vs in estimatiō for our good deedes, but wee ought to search the glory of God, and the edifica∣tion of our neighbours, without thinking on our owne good name and reputation: for it is not for vs to exalt ourselues: wee must ta∣ry til God doe it, yea he alone which hath power to exalt and hum∣ble, whome hee pleaseth. And if wee walke in integritie and vp∣rightnesse of conscience, although wee bee a reproche to al men: yet hee wil make our innocencie to shine foorth, where he seeth good, as hee hath doone with Ioseph, Dauid, Daniel, & others. And also as it is seene, when the wicked are constrained to speake wel of them, whome they persecute vniustly.

Notes

• Gen. 6. 4.
• Phil. 4. 8. 9.