Barack shée did call They fought and wan but Sisara In Iaels hands did fall The v. chapiter EUen as the battaile ended was and Israel had the best They sang a song of melody wherin the Lord was blest But curst were some that cam not foorth to help them for to fight And blest was shée that with a naile slue Sisara outright The vi chapiter FAre foule did then the Madianites with Israel for their sin An Angel stird vp Gedeon their fréedome for to win The Idol Ball he did destroy and burst his aulter down â–ª His Father did his cause defend against the Cittie or town The vii Chapiter GEdeon foorth to battail went the Madianites to kil To mickle was his hoste said God for him to haue his wil. So many as feard were sent home back and those that stoupt to drink Thrée hundred slue the Madianites and made their kinges to shrink The viii chapiter HAlfe angry were the Ephraites but Gedeon did them stil Phanuel men and Sucoth bothe did Gedeon take and kil Two kings he slue and then they would haue him and his their heds He it denide but gaue them cause to doo ful wicked dedes The ix Chapiter IEroboas had thrée score sonnes and ten in number true Abimeleck he kild them all saue Ioathan the Iew. Who them rebukte they did him chuse and Gaal rose in vain So Sichem burnt and Thebez stroyd Abimeleck there was slain The x. chapiter KNowe wel ye may what guide they had as Gods that were forbod They were opprest and did repent and called vnto God Who bad them call vnto their Gods in trouble them to saue They did suppresse their Idols quite to God their mindes they gaue The xi chapiter LOok out did then the Galadites a captain and a guide Who willed Ammon not to fight but he his tale denide Then Iephthath vowd a foolishe vow the victory to obtain He had the féeld and home returnd then was his daughter slain The xii chapiter MUrmour so did the Ephraites at Iepthah had they spight Fortie thousand of them he slue and put the rest to flight A woord betrayd them many times when Iordane they would take Thrée Iudges there are then exprest and when their liues did slake The xiii chapiter NO longer did they fear the Lord then Iudges good did liue The vpper hand against them all the Lord their foes did giue A man that was hight Manoah had Samson to him plight His wife him bare as God had said with him dwelt God his sprite The xiiij chapiter OF Samsons mariage ye may hear he would néeds haue his wil As he went down his spouse to woo a Lion did he kil A ridle axt and thirtie men he slue to pay the hest His calfe had tilde the thirties land and went to his fellowes nest The xv chapiter PAstime to make then Samson went to banket with his wife Shée went not in so sprang a cause of hatred and great strife With Foxes fiery he brent their corn Philistians did he slay The iaw bone of an Asse he took and thousands kild one day The xvi chapiter QUarel they pickt to Samson stil and him they watche to slay But he that night burst vp their gates and caried them away He kept a whoore who béeing féed his strength of him shée wan WheÌ„ he was blinde they causd him play but he destroyd them than The xvii chapiter REherst is then of mony lost a woman did it misse Micha her sonne did it confesse and said lo héer it is Uowed shée had and would it kéep an Image did she make Leuite came and lodged there whom Micha his préest did make The xviii chapiter SPies were sent to serche the land the tribe of Dan it wrought At Michas house they lodgd all night where councel good they sought Return they did with ioyful newes and foorth they went to fight The préest and Image they did take and wan the land out right The xix chapiter TO mary against the law of God sée what dooth them betide A Leuites wife did play the whore and flipped from her guide He fetcht her home and as he went at Gabaah was shée slain Then sent he her in péeces twelue the déed for to complain The xx chapiter UP then rose Israel for to fight against the Beniamites For whoredome fact yet Israel was put vnto two great flightê Then did they pray and God theÌ„ plight to haue the higher hand The Beniamites were killd on morn twentie and fiue thousand The xxj chapiter ANd theÌ„ they sware that none of them the Beniamites should wed The men that went not vp to fight they vowed them but dead They took their daughters and theÌ„ gaue the Beniamites to make Yet not suffisde the dauncing dames to wiues they did them take ¶ The book of Iudges is expirde an end therof is made The story of Ruthe ye shall haue next so following scriptures trade Ruthe The first Chapiter A Dearth then fel in Iudaes land Emeleck with his wife And his two sonnes to Moab went there for to lead their life The father died and his two sonnes in mariage dide also The mother then did home return and Ruthe with her did go The ii chapiter BEséech did Ruthe her mother in law That shée some corne might lease And foorth shée went to Booz his field whose sight shée did wel please He bothe inquierd and with her talkte and her intreated wel Sée tolde her mother at the night the story euery dele The iii. chapiter CAused shée was by Noemise woords to sleep at Booz his féet Who when he wakte and felt her there the truthe on her did wéet Shée tolde him all and who shée was then bad he her lie stil And on the morne he gaue her corne and tolde her all his wil. The iiij chapiter DOwn sat Booz then and in the gate his kinsman did he call He shewd to him afore the heads what land to him did fall He said he would not purchace it so Booz the land did buy And maried Ruthe who had a sonne when he with her did lie ¶ Ruthe dooth end at Chapters foure shewing whom she did wed A Gentile she was yet she bare the Graunsire to Dauid The first of Kings ye shall haue now whom Samuel some doo call The stories shall declare you how that Kings to them did fall ¶ The first book of Samuel otherwise called the first of the Kinges The first Chapiter A Man two wiues had wedded tho the one no children had She had suche wo she praid to God who sent to her a lad Elkanah was her husbands name and Hannah was shée hight And Samuel did shée call her sonne whom shée to God had plight The ii chapiter BEgin did Hannah for to sing and sang a goodly song The sonnes of Ely were vnthriftê and did the people wrong Ely them did rebukte but small for whiche God did him chide He sent a man to tel him plain his house should
be destroyd The iii. chapiter COnsumde was Elies sight away and as he lay and slept Samuel thrise the Lord did call who vnto Ely sâ—ept â— call thée not it is the Lord doo thou to him obay And so hée did and Ely knew on him what God did say The iiii chapiter DOughtely fought the Israelites yet were they put to flight The Philistian hoste twise bet theÌ„ down and took their Ark by might The sonnes of Ely they were kild whiche when their father hard He fel out of his seat for wo and burst his neck backward The v. chapiter EArly arose the Asdodits their Dagon for to sée â–ª The Ark of God twise thrue him down and bated his degrée Stricken they were with Emerodes the Ark made them ful wo From whence it came they did decrée thither to let it go The vj. chapiter FUlly and whole they did consent that home the Ark should wend With mise and arses made of golde so home they did it send Two kine new milche did cary it the right way home they went The Bethsanites they it receiude for whiche they were all shent The vii chapiter GOD willed Israel that they should their Idols quite destroy By Samuels mouth and they confest their sinnes to him on hie They willed Samuel for to pray the enemies they did fear They were destroyd fought no more the space of many a yéer The viii chapiter HOw Samuels sonnes did wickedly the people did it ming And not content of Samuel they did desire a king He them denide and axt the Lord who did to them consent And bad him tel what he would doo when he one to them sent The ix chapiter IT came to passe that Saule Cis sonne his Asses went to finde The Sear fondée he did inquire who tolde him all his minde Thy Asses they are found and thou the Israelites must guide He feasted him and on the morn he took him sole on side The x. chapiter KIsse did Samuel and anoint then Saul to be their King And told him things which came to passe as he afore did ming â—o Prophecy he did and tolde his vnckle halfe his hap The lot did fall to Saule as King And vnthriftê grudgd therat The xi chapiter LAy siege to Iabes Nahas did whiche was an Ammonite They did submit he sent them woord their eyes to thrust out quite Then seuen dayes respite they did take then ayd lesse they would yéeld So Saule did win the peoples hartê in winning of the féeld The xii chapiter MArk my woords said Samuel then your willes I haue obayed If I did wrong or taken bribe it shall again be paide How God had doon in time afore and would doo he them tolde With thunder and raine he feard all and sharply them controlde The xiii Chapiter NOw Saule being king he got him men against his foes to fight And when the hoste drue néer to Saule he did that was not right He offended God in dooing the thing that Samuel should haue doon A Smith to make them tooles to fight in Israel had they none The xiiii chapiter OUer with one then Ionathas went his signe was true they fled When Saule it knew with all his men he folowd vpon the dead If any did eat ere night were come then die he should said Saule Ionathas eat and should haue dide the hoste denide it all The xv chapiter POinted was Saule of Gods owne mouth the Amalakites to kil He disobayd the almightie Lord and folowd his foolishe wil. Then Samuel shewd him how that God was sory he made him king Obedience more he looks to haue then any burnt offering ¶ Halfe Samuels first book ye haue had some say the first of Kings VVherin is shewd the meruaylous woorks of God in his dooings Of Dauids calling to be King Samuel did him noint It shalbe shewd you afterward the Chapters shall it point The xvi Chapiter APoint did God that Samuel should chuse Dauid to be King For fear of Saule he went in close and faind an offering So Dauid being chosen king an euil sprite came on Saule When Dauid came and plaid on harp the sprite went out of Saule The xvij chapiter BOldly bragged Goliah then on his great might and strengthe None durst go out to cope with him til Dauid came at length Proffer he did to fight with him yet harnes had he none A sling he had and out he went and kild him with a stone The xviii chapiter COme out did women and did sing in ioy of enemies fall They sang ten thousand Dauid slue a thousand slain of Saule Then Saule deuised Dauids death yet scapte he with his life To haue his death Michol he gaue to be his spoused wife The xix chapiter DEuise did Saul stil Dauids death for all the othe he sware And when he plaid to void the sprite he thrue at him a spear Then in his house he had béen slain but Michol causd him flée And they him sought Saule and his men began to prophecy The xx chapiter EFtsoones Dauid and Ionathas compact their faiths in one If Saule him mist and were displeasd he should knowe how to gon Then Saule fel out with Ionathas that void was Dauids place Then by a signe he gaue him woord to flée in any cace The xxi chapiter Flée from Saule then Dauid did to Ahimelech he came The â—ewbread suttely he obtaind but by was Sauls herdman The Philistians swoord he got also to Achis king he went He was afraid he faind him mad the King was not content The xxii chapiter GO foorth dooth Dauid on his way th' opprest to him did come He left his kinred with a King and went away with some Doeg tolde of Abimelech for whom Saule sent and slue And all the house and Town also saue one that â—led the crue The xxiii Chapiter HElp did Dauid a Cittie besiegd Reylah it was calld And Saule wel hopte to kil him there it was a Cittie walld In a thicket he was betraid Saule thought him to haue spoild The streight was great Dauid was in but Saule then home recoild The xxiiij chapiter IN daunger great was Saule the king in caue so it did hap If Dauid would he had béen slain he cut but his cote lap Then Dauid cride to Saule and said sée what I might haue doon So Saule sware Dauid to be good to him in his kingdome The xxv chapiter KNowe ye may of Samuels death â–ª and Naball his shéep shearing Who angred Dauid very muche his churlishe part once hearing If Abigail had him not met they had then lost their life Immediatly the fool did die and Dauid had his wife The xxvi chapiter LIyng a sléep in Abners tent Saule lost his spear and cruse Whiche Dauid had and cride aloud and tolde it them as newes When Saule had heard all Dauids minde his fault he did confesse And knowledge Dauids reign as king and last he did him blesse The xxvii chapiter MUche a doo had Dauid with Saule
therfore he fled the land And went to Achis King of Geth in the Philistian land He slue of them in rouing wise and left not one a liue And tolde the king another tale who did his woords beléeue The xxviii chapiter NOw battaile begins betwéen them bothe and Saule to God did speak He had no woord of God again when he his minde did break A woman him raisd as he beléeued Samuel that then was dead Who tolde him plain he should be slain and Dauid set in his stede The xxix chapiter OUt went the heathen by their ranks the Lords did Dauid spie They art of Achis what he was who him extolde on hie But they were fumde and said plainly he would doo them some lack And Achis tolde to Dauid all who early sent him back The xxx chapiter PErished was the town with fire where Dauids wiues did dwel And men and women led away then Dauid axt councel Followe he did and them destroid and home returnd again The spoiles was delt and presentê sent the riches of the slain The xxxi chapiter QUickly fled the Israelites and gaue their foes the féeld Saules sonnes were slain at the same time and Saule him self there kild His harnes and his body bothe they hung them vp on hie His body and his sonnes were burnt their bones layd at a trée ¶ This book the first is doon and past at Saules death it dooth end The second next while it dooth last ye shall haue we intend The second book of Samuel other wise the second of the Kings The first Chapiter A Yung man caried Dauid woord that Saule in féeld was slain For making of a lie to him death had hée for his pain Then Dauid wept and mourned sore for Saule and Ionathas death And sang a song all ful of wo that they had lost their breath The ii chapiter BEgin did Dauid then to reign in Hebron kingd he first And Isboseth by Abners meanes anoint him Israel durst Then twelue twelue so plaid in sporte that one eche other slue Twéen bothe the houses for that part the battail gan to brue The iii. chapiter COmpany with a Concubine made Abner to rebel From Isboseth he yéelded vp to Dauid Israel When he was gone in peace away by Ioab he returnd Who did him kil ful gilefully for whom the king sore mournd The iiii chapiter DAmpt was Israel with their king when Abners death they heard Two of the heads slue Isboseth and had a right reward To Dauid they did bring his head and hoped to haue thank As he that brought Saules death to him so had they for their prank The v. chapiter EChe sides were made now all in one Iuda and Israel And nointed Dauid once again who ruled them ful wel Hierusalem of Iebusites did Dauid win and take And battails twain he wan by might and made his foes to quake The vi chapiter FRom Abinadab thark was fetcht and Ozah God did strike Therfore with Obed it was left whiche made him wel to like When Dauid knew he fetcht it home afore it he did daunce Michol mockt him and for her fée no children was her chaunce The vii chapiter GOd vnto Dauid did deny a house for him to build I shrowded not in Ceder trées but dwelt alwaies in féeld Thy sonne a house shall rear for me and reign for euermore Then Dauid wholy praisd the Lord and thanked him therfore The viii chapiter HOw Dauid vsde his enemies and linde their liues and death The Assirians he did subdue and thousands lost their breath A forren King to him did yéeld and sent him giftê ful great He gaue them all to God and dooth his rulers names repeat The ix â–ª chapiter IN memory came to Dauids minde his vow to Ionathas made Ask he did if any were left that promise might be paid Miphiboseth was found and brought to whom the king gaue land And set him at his bord alway all this he did commaund The x. chapiter KNow ye may of an heathen king towards Dauid euil behaued Iust by their tailes he cut their coats and halfe their beards he shaued With Dauids men this part he playd who did his déeds requite He did him foile with all his power and put his ayd to flight The xi chapiter LUst caused Dauid for to sin with Bethsabe in déed Shée was with childe and then he sent for Vrias with spéed And when he would not lie with her he sent him back again And suche woord sent that he was set in place where he was slain The xii chapiter MAruaylous angry was the Lord with Dauid for this part When he it wist he did repent the déed with all his hart God him forgaue but yet the childe did die for this il thing Then next shée bare him Salomon who afterward was King The xiii chapiter â–ª NOw Thamar was a fair yung maid and Ammon did her lust He faind him sick and had his wil and from him did her thrust Then Absalon her brother déer did stil her from her cry And two yéer after causd him kild and afterward did flée The xiiii chapiter OUer passid was Dauids â—umâ— and Ioab wrought a â—eat By a woman for Absalon that hame he might him get The king did graunt and home he came but would not yet him sée Procured Ioab spake for him then kist the king and he The xv chapiter PIck so away the peoples hartê from Dauid did his sonne Rebel he did against the king this same was Absalon The King did flée for fear of 〈◊〉 bare footed and did wéep Yet had he spies that wrought for him whose councel they did kéep The xvi chapiter QUietly passed he the hil and Ziva brought him giftê Whom Semei curst and he preferd God in his secreat driftê Then Husai the rebel sarud but he was Dauids spie And Absalon in open sight with Dauids wiues did lie The xvii chapiter REfused was Ahithophel his councel took no place But Husay his woords were liked wel and Dauid knew the cace Then Dauid fled but Ahithophel him self did hang for wo And diuers men brought Dauid food their hunger mooued them so The xviii chapiter SO number Dauid did his men and set them out in ray And charge gaue Dauid for his sonne his life in him to stay But contrary the féeld once wun Ioab did thrust him thorowe When Dauid wist he took on so that ioy was turnd to sorowe The xix chapiter TO stay his sorow Ioab went and brought the king in sight Then did Israel ioy it muche and willed him his right Whole Iuda came as they were wild their king home for to bring And Israel was not wel content for dooing of that thing The xx chapiter UP then rose a rebel again and Seba was his name He mooued Israel to rebel to get him self a fame Besiegd he was in Abel town they had béen all as dead But that a woman found the meanes that cast out was his head The xxi chapiter
A Plague then came of thrée déer yéeres Saules kindred was the cause When his seauen sonnes were hanged vp the death began to pause Of mightie men the chapter speakes Philistians that were slain Their speares as big as weauers beames yet serued they as vain The xxii chapiter BEgin did Dauid then to sing and sang a song of praise Extolling God for his great help shewed to him alwaies He hath me kept and béen my shéeld and made my foes to fall Therfore thou liue and blest be thou among the heathen all The xxiii chapiter CHriste by Dauid héer is tolde his kingdome and his might And valiant men are then exprest the whiche for him did fight Eight hundreth men are slain of one another withstood a féeld Thrée fetched water through an hoste the fourth made Lions yéeld The xxiiii chapiter DAuid did then his people tel and numbered then soon And when he wist he did repent the déed that he had doon Plagde he should be and did require Pestilence to reign Thréescore and ten thousands of men afore it feast were slain ¶ The second book of Kings is doon or Samuel as you wil The third shall come by God his grace and so foorth wil we stil. Twentie and foure it hathe conteind and twentie and two the next In all these chapters ye shall finde the order of the text ¶ The third book of the Kings after the Latines after the Hebrues the first of the Kings The first Chapiter AS Dauid waxed olde he had a maid to kéep him warm Adoniah did king him self he fearing then no harm By Nathans meanes was Salomon set and crownd in Dauids seat The noise once heard they fled for fear the head did him entreat The ii chapiter BEcause that Dauid saw by age that death approched néer His sonne he charged God to loue and him alone to fear As touching Ioab and Semei of them he tolde his wil Adoniah Abiathar these foure came vnto il The iii. chapiter COmmunication had the Lord with Salomon the King Aske what thou wilt said God to him for wisdome did he ming The Lord it likte and gaue it him and straight it was espied Two wemen straue about one childe and he the trothe out tried The iiii chapiter DEclard is then his rulers names and caters for his boord The number of his bread and béef that dayly he did foord Thrée thousand prouerbs he did write a thousand songs and fiue Of beastes and foules wormes fishe he wrote of them beliue The v. chapiter EUen at that time the king of Tire whiche Hiram hight by name He sent to Salomon when he heard of his great might and fame And then they two did ioyne in league the king of him had wood And Hiram did receiue again corne for his dayly food The vi chapiter FUlly preparde the king began Ierusalem to build Ful costly woork he made of it and richely he it stâ—ld Two Cherubs did he make ful gay and coured them with golde Galaries did he rear also and all things as he would The vij chapiter GO foorth did Salomon and did build him self a goodly place And made two pillers wunderful and cast they were of brasse A Sea also and Lauers great with mickle things yet more Of golde and siluer vessels gay he made therof good store The viii chapiter House did Salomon then the Ark and set it in his place And prayed to God ful meruailously for many a sundry cace He him besought for diuers things I would you red them all And offered great offerings as there perceiue ye shall The ix Chapiter IN talke was God with Salomon and these woords he him tolde If he and his would kéep his law be in his house be would To Hiram gaue he Citties great the heathen tribute paid And thrise a yéer burnt sacrifice afore the Lord was laid The x. chapiter KNowledge then had a forren Quéen of Salomons great fame And when shée had him proou'd and séen shée did confirm the same Golde was plentie in that time and also precious stones And Siluer was so plentie tho as in the stréet are stones· The xi chapiter LOue did Salomon concubines whiche caused him to sin He serued Gods beside the Lord therfore said God to him I warned thée but all in vain thy kingdome shalbe rent He stirred him vp diuers foes ere to his graue he went The xii chapiter MAny men then did flock in one Rehoboam to noint He answered them so churlishely they waid him not a point Ieroboam then did they chuse and him they made their King He made them calues and hil aulters and burnt thereon offring The xiii chapiter NOthing abasht a Prophet tolde the ruine of the aulter The King his hand was dryed vp and God did heal it after The Prophet then he did not kéep but brake the Lord his wil As he returnd for his reward a Lion did him kil The xiiii chapiter OLde was Ahiah when he tolde the Quéen the kingdoms fall And of her Lord and sonne also and truthe he tolde her all Ieroboam Rehoboam of Iuda and Israel kings They died bothe then and their sonnes began in their diyngs The xv chapiter PLaste was Abiam of Iuda King a wicked man in déed His sonne Asa destroyd the stues when he did him succéed Nadab euil in Israel reignd and Baasa him did kil Ieroboams séed he rooted out and ruled the realm at wil. The xvi Chapiter QUenched was Baasa and his house his stock of Zamri slain Amry was crownd and Zamri burnt him selfe besieged in pain When Amri of Thebni had his wil then ruled he but not wel And Ahab his sonne more wicked theÌ„ he who maried Iezabel The xvii chapiter RAuens fed Eliah in the drought vntil the riuer was dry The drought continued thrée yéer space as he did prophecy At Sareptha in a widdowes house he lay and increast her food And liued her sonne when he was dead so turn he did her mood The xviii chapiter SEarching for grasse Eliah met with him that prophets hide By him the King met Eliah so eche the other chide The préestê of Ball for all their noise no fier could obtain But Eliah did and causd them kild and straight began the raine The xix chapiter UHen Iezabel him vowd to kil from whom he fled for fear Then fortie dayes with little food he went as dooth appéer At Oreb hil with God he spake two Kings he wild him noint Elizeus then in his roum a Prophet he did point The xx chapiter WArre sure did then King Bennadab against Samaria twise On hil or plain he was destroyd it was the Lords deuice But when that Israel peace did make with that vngracious king The king had woord to be destroid and his realm for that thing The xxi chapiter AHab then sought a vineyard of Naboth but in vain The wicked Quéen hight Iezabel that causd him to be slain Possession when he went to take his death was tolde him
the Cittie fought but yet at last they lost Zedechias sonnes were kild he saw the wicked did so rout The Town and Temple was destroid and then his eyes thrust out ¶ The last and fourth book of the Kings the second some it call Is gone and past with matters hard in meeter for to fall The Crownicles the douts shall mend God let vs liue therto And send vs grace to doo the thing that we intend to doo ¶ Finis The first book of the Chronicles ¶ The i. chapiter ADam his ligne is héer exprest to Iacob and Esau Then haue you tolde what kings did rule the Edomites by law Eight kings they had before the time that Israel had a King What Dukes they had ye may haue there if you inquire the thing The ii Chapiter BEgin the second Chapter dooth with Iacob and his sonnes And then of Iudahs progeny it next in order comes Seauen were the sonnes that Isay had whose father was Obed And Dauid yungest was of them yet was he made their hed The iii. chapiter COncubines diuers Dauid had of sonnes he had ninetéen â—n Hebron sixe Hierusalem there had he iust thirtéen These by his wiues to him were born in whiche was Salomon The Kings that ruled after him the chapter telleth on The iiii chapiter DRawn out is then the ligne and stock of Iudah and his kin In wanting food to féed their shéep good pasture they did win Of Simions sonnes somewhat is said how valiantly they went They béeing few yet sped they wel and had their whole intent The v. chapiter EUil fauoured lust to fathers wife lost Ruben his birthright And Iosephs stock came in his roum a people ful of might Yet is his stock héer tolde and what a noble fight they fought A land they wan but after fel from God who draue them out The vi Chapiter FOlowing on of Leuies ligne expressed is at large Of whom came Aaron and his sonnes that had the préestly charge Citties they had of other tribes for refuge and besides For them and their posterities as lots to them were guides The vii Chapiter GOing on foorth by Israel to tel who came of him Of Izacar and Beniamin Manasses and Ephraim Then Ephraims stock by men of Gath were slain whiche made him sad His fréends did comfort him right wel and then a sonne he had The viii chapiter HEar more is tolde of Beniamin his sonnes by right discent How they begat from childe to childe and lineally foorth went Out of which tribe came foorth king Saul and of his sonnes by rowe As tolde and eke of valiant men that shot wel in a bowe The ix chapiter ISrael is now numbred in certain tribes by name The Leuites and the chéefest préestê that were of greatest fame The ouerséears of the woorks the porters in their charge The oyntment makers vessel kéepers are héer tolde out at large The x. chapiter KIng Saule is slain by Philistins and Ionathas his sonne His body stript his hed cut of after the féeld was wun The cause is tolde why he was slain by councelling with the Deuil And Dauid brought into his raign who rooted out muche euil The xi chapiter LIke as the Lord had promised by Samuel his man So Dauid now is chosen King Hierusalem he wan His noble men are tolde by name and eke their mightie actê He that wil read the chapter out shall hear of woorthy factê The xii chapiter MEn that of might were meruailous to Dauid now did flock And suche as knew the featê of warres came out of euery stock Out of eche tribe good souldiers their captains with their number Are héer so tolde and with suche hartê as might make Dauid wunder The xiii chapiter NOw Dauid héer dooth councel take the Ark first home to bring Whiche Saule did nothing care to doo as long as he was king And one was slain for touching it when as the Ark did shake So came it short to Sion hil it made the king to quake The xiiii chapiter OF woork men and of Ceder trées sent to him héer is tolde Wherby his kingdome stablished to say he durst be bolde His sonnes and wiues are then exprest the Philistines inuade With God he talkte whose wil obayd he flue them in a slade The xv chapiter PRepare did he a multitude for to fetche home the Ark The Leuites bare it on their backs plesantly sang eche clark With shouting noise and instruments and Dauid daunst his part The daintie damsel Michol then despisde him in her hart The xvi chapiter QUietly now the Ark is set the tabernacle vnder The préestê appointed to giue thanks according to their number A Psalme he made in praise of God to laud his holy name In the hundred and the fift Psalme there shall ye finde the same The xvii chapiter REfuse did God that Dauid should an house vnto him build But as before so would he stil dwel vnder tent in féeld But that a sonne of his should make a house he was content Then landed he the Lord therfore sitting within his tent The xviii Chapiter SUche battailes then as Dauid fought this chapter dooth declare The Philistines the Moabites they all subdued are The Edomites with other Kings did Dauid ouerthrowe And those that were his rulers chéef their names héer may ye knowe The xix chapiter THen Dauid sent of right good wil a new King for to gréet The messengers were madly shauen their cotes cut ful vnméet Suche wrath their maister took therfore that battail gan to broile The Moabites the Aramites they fled and had the spoile The xx chapiter WHen Princes vse in battaile ray their armies to set out Then Ioab went and wan a town and took a King ful stout Whose crown was set on Dauids head whiche waid a waightie waight Suche Giants then were ouerthrowne as lackt no strength nor height The xxi chapiter According as the Deuil did tempt Dauid did tel his flock Of thrée hard stripes the Pestilence he chose to be his stroke Thrée score and ten thousands of men the Angel did deuour The plague is ceast â–ª an aulter built vpon a threshing floure The xxii chapiter BEing at rest now in his seat all things he dooth prouide Wherwith to build to God an house at the apointed tide Good councel to his sonne he giues for to erect the same His noble men he dooth exhorte to help the woork to frame The xxiii Chapiter CHosen king was Salomon then by Dauid for to reign The préesthood eke of Leuies kinde was numbered again Then Aarons stock and Moyses ligne are pointed bothe as one Their names and eke their offices for them to wait vpon The xxiiij chapiter DEuision of Aarons séed the king by lot did make And so eche man that had his roum by lot he did it take Yet was there left of Amrams house whose names by course are tolde And lots were cast for equalnes betwixt the yung and olde The xxv chapiter EChe man that
AN ABRIDGEmeÌ„t of all the Canonical books of the olde Testament written in Sternholds meter by VV. Samuel Minister The names of the books are in the next leaf following ⧠Imprinted at London by VVilliam Seres Anno Domini 1569. Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum The contents of this book 1. Genesis 2. Exodus 3. Leuiticus 4. Numeri 5. Deuterone 6. Iosue 7. Iudges 8. Ruthe 9. 1. Kings 10. 2. Kings 11. 3. Kings 12. 4. Kings 13. 1. Chronicles 14. 2. Chroni 15. 1. Esdras 16. 2. Esdras 17. Esther 18. Iob. 19. Psalmes 20. Prouerbs of Salomon 21. Ecclesiastes 22. Songs of Salomon 23. Esay the Prophet 24. Ieremy the Prophet 25. Lamentati of Ieremy 26. Ezechiel the Prophet 27. Daniel the Prophet 28. Osea the Prophet 29. Ioel the Prophet 30. Amos the Prophet 31. Abdias the Prophet 32. Ionas the Prophet 33. Micheas the Prophet 34. Nahum the Prophet 35. Abacuck the Prophet 36. Sophoniah the Pro. 37. Haggeus the Prophet 38. Zacharias the Proph. 39. Malachias the Proph. The Preface GRace mercy peace froÌ„ God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christe by whose meanes wée are made of strangers frée Citizins of the houshold of god and apointed to dwel in his kingdome again so that wée be not disobedient vnto his calling by his holy spirit whiche spirit is a sure certain maker of our spirit that wée bée the true begotten sonnes of God Déerly beloued when that I did remember how willing â–ª that the Israelites were at the making of the Tabernacle euery man to giue part of that whiche he had towards the building of the same yea and such plentie came in dayly to the woorkmen that stay was made for bringing in any more And also how that in Salomons daies euery man gaue to the building of the temple more or lesse and now séeing it hathe pleased our Iehoas to giue commaundement to the Préests to repair the Temple at their charge And our Darius to forbid any man to hinder the woork but all meÌ„ to further the same I as a cariar of rubbishe or fillingê haue thought my selfe to negligent in looking 〈◊〉 so long and although that my labour be small my cunning muche lesse yet let the frée Masons or maister woorkmeÌ„ bear with me and accept my good wil be séeching them to build on as they haue begun that I and suche prentises of theirs as I am may dayly learn at their handê at length to be iorney men the head master of all assisting vs. I haue taken in hand to make in méeter the chéef principall matters in the whole Bible keping the order of the chapters as they stand also beginning the first â–ª chapter of euery book with A. the first letter of the Crosse-rowe and the second B. the third C. and so to the letter U. the Alphabet to last xx letters kéeping on twentie Chapters Now if the book or part of the same be aboue twentie chapters theÌ„ begin I with A. again as for example Genesis hath fiftie Chapiters therefore because that it should not be to tedious it is deuided into two parts as the first part fiue twentie Chapters and so the next then when the twentie chapiters be done A. and so B. C. D. E. whiche are fiue letters and there ends that part then beginneth the next part with A. againe and so to twentie and then those fiue letters again and so ends that book and fiftie chapters but some book hath not twentie chapiters as héer in this setting out the book of Ruthe then goeth the letters no further then there be chapters as D. is the fourth letter so hath that story but foure chapters Know the letter and his number then you haue the Chapiter for the whiche I haue héer deuised how that the simple maÌ„ or other shall tel the moste of all the matters notable in the Bible vpon his fingers as héer after is a hand held abrode vpright another hand closed in sauing the fore finger which pointeth to the top of the thumbe on the left hand where staÌ„deth the letter A. and the number one so holde thou out thy left hand and point with thy fore finger of thy right hand to the top of thy left hand thombe and vnderstand that there is the first letter the first in number and the first chapiter of eche book vnlesse that it begin again as I tolde thée of Genesis then though it be the first letter yet standeth it for one twentie in number and chapters So then to the next ioynt of the thombe and that is B â–ª the second letter the second number and chapter then the third ioynt is third in nomber and Chapter also then to the top of the fore fiinger and there is D. the fourth letter the fourth in number and the fourth chapter and so as before vntil that you come to the last ioynt of the litle finger and that is the letter T. and the number ninetéen and in the palm of the hand standeth the letter U. and that is the number twentie and chapter likewise now then there is no more but bée sure to learne what number euery ioynt is and what letter and then hauing the letter and the number the chapiter is so in number as the staffe dooth begin with all in letter but be sure of the book in whiche the story is that you would know as to make you parfit héer is examples by order of questions thou must haue y e book parfet by rote then one asketh thée wher is it in the book of Genesis that the Angels came lodged with Lot the night afore that Sodome and Gomorra were destroyed if thou be not altogither parfet aske him whether he can say the staffe if hée cannot if he haue the book bid him tel thée the letter if hée cannot neither then thy cunning shalbe the more tried wel this it is The staffe beginneth with T. what number is T. that is ninetéen say then Two Angels lodgd and Sodome men would then haue them defilde Blindâ—d they were and after stroyd saue Lot and his vnfilde THe hardest example is this where is it that Abraham charged his maÌ„ to go and fetche a wife for Isaac of his owne kinred and how hée brought Rebecca the chapter is the foure twentie of Genesis and the staffe beginneth w t D. as Decrée did Abram to his maÌ„ c. Now D. in the number of letters is the fourth but then twentie Chapiters be afore and therfore D. in that place is four twentie so that A.B.C.D.E. are some times one and twentie two and twentie thrée and twentie foure and twentie and fiue and twentie Chapiters But to conclude this I doo exhorte that ye learne to say this book without the book so shall you soon vnderstand all that I haue said the study is good and profitable and it once obtained great coÌ„moditie shal you finde as hearing a Preacher preache if he say this
A fast was cride for aid to God they shamde to aske a garde So past they foorth so home they came their bown aboue was heard The ix chapiter IN raging wise when Esdras heard that gentile wiues were kept He rent his clothes he rare his beard and sorowfully he wept When euening came he prayers made moste humbly vnto God To stay his hand to stop his wrath to kéep away his rod. The x. chapiter KNowledge they gaue to Esdras tho that sore they did repent Their heathen brides for to forgo they were right wel content The multitude are called vp the raigny plague is â—ore Suche as offend they graunt to mend Iudges are set therfore ¶ Thus ended is now the first book whiche Esdras hath to name The second eke is called so because he writ the same Noehemiah yet some it call because of him it treats You shall hear how the building fares for all the wicked threats ¶ The second book of Esdras The first Chapiter ASking for newes from Iury land Nehemiah astond The Cittie rackt and burnt adown hée shright and lowdly moend Him self alone with wéeping fast he praid to God almight His prayer did tend grace for to finde in Aasuerus sight The ii Chapiter BUtler vnto the King he was and sadly did he wait The King him askt and he him tolde then pasport had he straight When to Hierusalem he came he vewd the whole decay Then chéerfully went foorth the woork he would haue no denay The iii. chapiter COmpanies now in order built eche one he took his place Some of good wil some in despite the woork went on apace Of all estates laid to their hande the building to aduaunce â–ª And last of all the Goldesmiths build and so doo the merchants The iiii chapiter DEadly hate the enemies took that stil the Iewes did build They scornd mockt they did conspire vnwares to giue them féeld Their treason wrought came to the Iewes so were they prest to fight Their foes were blank so souldier like they wrought and wacht by night The v. chapiter EChe maÌ„ cride out y e dearth was great they pledgd their land for bread The riche opprest the poor ful sore of God they had no dread It was redrest Nehemiah got pardon for the gaged He liued without the peoples fée all thing was wel eswaged The vi chapiter FUl suttlely wrought the heathen then Nehemiah to kil They sent for him ful oft with craft he went not them vntil The Prophetê false would him afraid in faith he finisht all Some bearing rule had hollowe hartê I think and euer shall The vii chapiter GArded now is Hierusalem with watche and eke with warde They are found out that first went vp their names are red and heard Some were put out their kin forworn and some found right in blood Bothe riche and poor gaue to the kark it came to mickle good The viii chapiter HAuing now doon the woork as ought the law to them is read The people wept and mourned sore of God they were in dread The teachers theÌ„ with gladsome woordê their fearfulnes remooues The rulers all came for to hear their feast was kept in boothes The ix chapiter IN fasting and in prayer bothe with sack clothe mourningly The people doo their alien wiues forsake moste willingly A godly prayer the préestê doo make Gods wunders to set out How merciful he was to them though stil they had béen stout The x. chapiter KNowne out were now how many would and eke therto subscribe That they would haue the couenaÌ„t kept the chéef of euery tribe The things are tolde wherto they swear to kéep with all their hart They doo protest with ful consent they nil from them depart The xi chapiter LOts then were cast in euery ten one should appointed be Hierusalem to make his shrowd they did therto agrée So are they tolde from tribe to tribe who did the cittie kéep The resâ—due abrode did dwel in townes as folded shéep The xii chapiter MAny there were that did return home with Zorobabel Préestê and Leuits their names in course this Chapter dooth you â—el And eke how that the wall therto they doo it dedicate With ranks beset with singing men with laudes from gate to gate The xiii chapiter NOw on that day the law was read that straungers were forbod To mixe among the Iewishe sect and so from them they yod The Saboth day they did not kéep the ruler it refourmd And double men with heathen babes with spéed suche out he turnd â–ª ¶ Nehemiah thus finisheth the second some it call Of Esdras now and Esther next in course to you shall fall This prouerb heer is true ifound the wicked makes his gin To catche the iust but he him self is trapt and caught therein The book of Esther The first Chapiter AHasuerus or Darius for so some doo him call A royall feast he princely kept to chéer bothe great and small The Quéen sent for to come in sight shée did send â—lat her nay Shée is deuorst and law is made eche wife for to obay The ii chapiter BEeing appeased of his wrath the King had counsel then That virgins should be chosen out the fairst among women So were they chose and purified with garmentê gayly drest The King had choise whiche should be Quéen so Esther likte him best The iii. chapiter COurted now is a wicked man that Haman hight by name Who wanting glory to his wil he sought a bloody fame By false report he got consent the Iewes to kil and slay The postes were sent to euery cost and pointed was the day The iiii chapiter DOleful cryes and shouts were made the Iewes were so agast Mardocheus to Court he came the Quéen was sore abasht Shée sent him woord to fast and pray and so to wil the rest Her life shée should in daunger put yet was shée therto prest The v. Chapiter Esther then in her best aray came foorth before the King He likt her wel and Septer shewd to testify the thing The King did to her banket go and Haman with him took Who comming home vnto his house ful wicked councel took The vi Chapiter FOund out it was Mardocheus the King had saued vnféed Who Haman axt what suche a one should haue vnto his meed In goodly robes to ride saith hée with honour and with praise To Mardocheus said the King go doo the same straight wayes The vii Chapiter GOn to banket is Haman now to drink his last carrouse The Quéen then tolde her doleful hap to her and to her house Unto the King who rose in wrath gainst Haman for the fact His gallous for another made his neck therin it crackt The viii chapiter HAmans house Merdocheus had his office therunto The Quéen did beg her peoples life the King did graunt therto The posts were sent the ioy was great the Iewes had suche reléef The woork of God on them so wrought made some of their beléef The ix chapiter
him tolde what therby he should gain The viii Chapiter HE yet again dooth tel the heads how they the poor oppresse And vsed shameful robbery in making measures lesse â–ª For whiche they should be ouer run and perishe with the swoord A famine he would send on them the wanting of his woord The ix Chapiter IF all the wayes they séek they can yet shall they not put by But bothe the temple and them selues he wil them bothe destroy Yet wil he fift as in a â—iue his chosen from the rest And home they shall return again and liue in quiet rest FINIS ¶ This Shepheard he hath tolde his minde that came from keeping sheep â–ª Now Obadiah dooth come in to comfort them that weep The Prophecy of Obadiah The first Chapiter A Prophecy he dooth declare against the Edomites For vexing of their Uncles kin in their malitious spices And when that they destroyed be for hurting Iacob so Then shall the Churche ful quiet be and rid from all their wo. FINIS ¶ So dooth this Prophet end his woords more speeche he dooth not vse Now Ionas you shall hear to tel to Niniuie her newes The Prophecy of Ionas The first Chapiter AS God him bad he would not doo but fled another way In ship a tempest did arise they cast him in the sea In dooing so they pardon axt a Whale did him deuoure Thrée dayes and nightê the fishes womb was vnto him a boure The ii chapiter BEing thus of the fishe possest his prayer he did make Protesting suche as followe lies Gods mercies they forsake But Ionas saith that he wil pay the vowes he took in hand As God did wil so did the Whale this Prophet cast on land The iii. chapiter COmmaunded was he once again to Niniuie to shew In fortie dayes they mending not God would them ouerthrowe A fasting then proclaymed was the King and they repented For mending of their former life God stayd that was inuented The iiii Chapiter DIspleased greatly Ionas was that Niniuie was sparde Without the Cittie in a boothe ther angerly he farde A gourd sprang vp and shaded him that it decayd he chod For Niniuee he cared lesse so is he tolde of God FINIS ¶ Heer Ionas book is finished in chapters foure set out Now Michah shall appeer to you the same we go about The Prophecy of Michah The first Chapiter AS God him bad he spareth not but plainly dooth he tel That down should go the kingdoms bothe of Iuda and Israel This was the cause Idolatrie that foully they did vse For whiche the power of forren folke should them and theirs abuse The ii Chapiter BEcause the mightie men did spoile the poor of house and féeld He telleth them God would them plagin their foes should make them yéeld They wantonly did mock and skorne the preachers that did preache He that of wine would preache to them he beâ—â— of all did teache The iii. Chapiter CRy out he dooth against the heds that did the people spoile And sayth their cry it should be heard when they should haue the foile Their Prophets did for money preache the rulers built in blood Their glorious state shuld therfore down in Gods displeasing mood The iiii Chapiter DEuine he dooth that Christe his Churche shall floorishe ouer all And that far of to serue the Lord one shall another call Their worldly cares warlike minde shall quite be laid aside Though some conspire their ouerthrow it shall not so betide The v. chapiter ERe that they should attain this peace muche troubles should they haue Hierusalem with all her power her self shée should not saue But Bethlehem Ephraita that little was in sight A Captain foorth should bring to them of endles power and might The vi Chapiter FOr them what God had doon he telth therby them to prouoke That righteousnes they might embrace and were an humble yoke False weightê mesures they did vse the people to deceiue Therfore the poyson of their frutes with labour lost should leaue The vii Chapiter GReatly now dooth he mourn because so few did fear the Lord No trust in fréend could then be found their liues were to vntoward But yet he wilth the foes to stop to rage against his flock Affirming God to kéep his graunt to Abram and his stock FINIS ¶ The minde of Michah you haue heard a tale ful plain he tolde Now Nahum speaks to Niniuie a Prophet sharp and bolde The Prophecy of Nahum The first Chapiter ALmightie Lord is God in déed his power it passeth all All loftie things he can destroy and kéep his fréends from thrall The wicked shall consumed be that Iuda did molest So should their feastê be kept again and they should liue in rest The ii Chapiter BEholde as Iacob was destroyd so should th' Assirian power The Caldies should with force might their land and them deuour Their Quéen as captiue should be led their treasures quite bereft Their mightie men so Lionlike to them should not be left The iii. Chapiter CAst down God wil the Niniuites that â—â—owed so in pride The glory that that Cittie had it should be set aside â–ª Their multitude should not them help nor mighty men them ayd Their Cittie burnt their land destroyd the wrath should not be stayd FINIS ¶ VVhat Nahum said to Niniuie to you hath been exprest Now Abacuck his Prophecy it com'th among the rest The Prophecy of Abacuck The first Chapiter ALl wickednes did flowe at â—il no sinful life did want The law put by and righteousnes among them then was sâ—ant Because the godly went to wrack the Caldeys God would raise To teache them fishe as fishers doo and make of them their prayes The ii Chapiter BE bolde of this ye prideful men your pride shall come ful lowe But righteous men by faith shall liue your fall the world shall knowe The couetous and blooddy men the drunkards in his fre The Idoll and the worshipper shalbe consumde with fire The iii. Chapiter CAll vnto God the Prophet dooth and for his Churche dooth pray Describing God his maiestie in power to passe for ay Beséeching him his foes to strike with mercy to correct His chosen flock and thus he ends his book to muche effect FINIS ¶ Thus Abacuck hath tolde his tale ful boldely to the Iewes And Sophoniah commeth next to tel them the same newes The Prophecy of Sophoniah The first Chapiter ALl liuing things the Lord wil stroy with man for his offence And Iuda and Hierusalem should haue their recompence A woful ruine wil he make for halting in their faith Their strength their goods shuld not theÌ„ help but perishe they should he saith The ii Chapiter BEfore his wrath doo come in déed he wilth them to repent The kingdomes of the Philistines for sin it should be rent The Moabites the Ammonites for ioying Israels fall With Morians and Niniuites should be destroyed all The iii. Chapiter COrrupted were the Iudges all the préestê and