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.

16 For the iust man falleth seuen times, and riseth againes but the wicked fall into mischiefe.

Although the wicked are hote to pursue the iust, and neuer ceasse to afflict them, to ruinate and destroy them, and that often∣times the iust bowe vnder the burden, insomuch that it seemeth that they are dispatched, and past remedie, as likewise they them∣selues * 1.1 are tempted to thinke, as one may see by the complaintes of

the holy ones in the scripture, yet neuerthelesse they bee not abased nor ouerthrowne, according to the desire of the wicked, but as, se∣uen times, that is to say, often, they fal: euen so they rise againe and recouer their falles, not by their owne proper vertue, but by the aide of God, which heareth the complaints of the holy. Contrari∣wise although the worlde fauour the wicked, and susteine them, and * 1.2 that they themselues mainteine themselues wel, as it seemeth too them, and that they thinke and say in their heartes, that no euil wyll euer come to them: yet neuerthelesse the euil which they worke a∣gainst the innocent, ouerthroweth and destroieth them, so that they can neuer rise againe, Solomon pronounceth it in briefe, when hee saith,

But the wicked fall into mischiefe, or by mischiefe: to wit, that which they imagine, and worke. And it is that which is saide, Be∣holde, hee trauelleth to bring foorth iniquitie, and hath conceaued affliction, but wil bring foorth lying. Hee hath digged a pit, and * 1.3 made it hollow, but hee is falne into the ditch which he hath made, &c. The Heathen are sunke into the pit which they haue made, &c. And so the ruine of the wicked is mortal, and without recoue∣ry, but there is remedy for the iust mans fal. Wherefore when wee are in affliction and aduersitie, and wil knowe if wee may bee deli∣uered and raised vp from the same, let vs take good heede to put our affiance in God our father, and assure ourselues, that he loueth vs, for the loue of his sonne Iesus Christe, and giue ourselues to yeelde obedience to his commandementes. Thus doing, wee are on a sure grounde that God accepteth vs for inst: and therefore hee wil not suffer vs to perish in our afflictions, but wil raise vs vp againe. Some expounde the two former sentences otherwise, to wit, as though Solomon spake to the wicked, saying, Let it suffice thee to bee wic∣ked, entangle not the iust man with thee in thy wickednesse. Put no lets before him, seeke not occasion to slaunder him, nor trouble not his rest. Prouoke not the anger of God against thee, who loueth the iust, and restoreth the decayed. Take no pleasure in the fal of the iust man, for hee falleth oftē, because he is enuironed with the infir∣mitie of the flesh, And there is not a iust man on earth, which doth good and sinneth not. But the iust sinne somtimes greeuously. And God permitteth it to the ende that being brought lowe, they may

loue him more feruently, and may become better aduised, and more gentle to their neighbours. The iust man in falling, looseth not his faith, hee acknowledgeth quickly his fault, and repenteth inconti∣nent: and al and euery time that hee falleth hee riseth againe. Hee falleth not to deth, because the Lord holdeth him vp with his hand, God suffereth him to fal, but not to lye there stil. But the wicked fal in their mischiefe. Their fal serueth them to no good: for they repent not, nor they conuert not, nor haue no remorse: They are na∣ked of confidence, and perseuer in their wickednesse. And likewise, that which is good, turneth not them to good. Now although such sense conteine good doctrine, yet the first is better for the woorde which Solomon vseth, which signifieth to fall, is hardly founde in the Scripture, for, to sinne, but stil to suffer aduersitie.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 18. 5. 6. & 22. 3. 4. & 44. 10.
• * 1.2

  Psal. 3. 5. & 6, 9. 10. & 18 7. &. 22. 24. 25. & 34. 18
• * 1.3

  Psa. 7. 15. & 9. 15.