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The Preface to the Proverbs.
THis Booke is called, Hebr. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 by Sept. translat. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 by Cald. Nithloi, by Aquila, whom the vulgar Latine followeth, Parabolae, yet the title of the Book in vulgar Latine is Proverbs, the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, it commeth of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 dominari, to rule; and the wise sayings here delivered are so called, because they came from a great Ruler, K. Salomon, and have the dominion and pre-eminence, for the wisdome lying herein, above all other writings of the wisest men, for which they are with all diligence to be attended to by all men that desire to be wise. Of these My∣steries or principall sayings there be divers sorts; 1. Comparisons made betweene two, the one being the more illustrated by the other, of which sort are the Parables of our Lord taken from divers things. 2. Riddles or darke sayings, one thing being spoken, of which at the first there see∣meth to be no sence, but being opened, notably setteth forth the matter in∣tended, as that Riddle of Sampson; Out of the eater came meate, * 1.1 and out of the stronge sweetnesse. 3. Figures, as it is said in Sept. transl. touching Isaac that should have been offered, but was spared, and a Ram offered in his stead; Abraham, saith Theophilact, received him in * 1.2 a Parable, that is, in his being spared, and the Ram sacrificed, there be∣ing a figure of that, which should afterwards be done touching Christ, his Divinity not suffering, but his Humane Nature. 4. It is put, saith Chrysost. for a reproach, as Psal. 44. 13. Thou hast made us 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a re∣proach, * 1.3 or by word, yea a Parable; and the like doth David say of himselfe, I am made to them a Parable, they spake against me. 5. It is put for a Proverb, a saying commonly used, as Ezek. 18. What meane ye by this Proverb, The fathers have eaten soure grapes, and the childrens teeth are set on edge. Where againe the same word is a∣gaine used in Hebrew. The Latine word Proverb is by one derived from Procul a verbo, farre from a word, either because it is certaine, and grounded upon long experience, as words commonly spoken are not; or is * 1.4 farre from the words of one particular man or other, because so said com∣monly by all men. But from Chrysost. who calleth Proverbs, Cana * 1.5 verba, hoarie-headed words, as being most ancient, we may better make this derivation, from Verba a procul, words fetcht from a farre off, be∣cause they have been used time out of minde. 6. For Apophthegms or a∣cute sayings, for the exercise of the wit, as Numb. 21. 27. Therefore they say in Proverbs, Hebr. Moshlin, come into Heshbon, and let the City of Sihon be built; for the understanding whereof, it is required. And hitherto of the title, now for the kinde of writing. Herein are set forth many excellent sayings fit for the exercise of mens wits at feasts, for Ch. 9. Wisdom is said to have killed her fat beasts, and to have mingled her wine, and furnished her table; and what are her dainties with which it is furnished, but many excellent sayings, which went before, and followed after.