were in faith Would suffer things to prooue them with as Moyses plainly saith The xiiij chapiter OMit they must the Gentiles trades and flée their dooings quite And onely serue almightie God with all their main and might Suche beastê as they might not then 〈◊〉 are manifestly tolde And whiche were clean is there exprest that eat they might be bolde The xv chapiter PArdon their deâ—s then are they bod at euery seuenth yéers end When God his wil is serued and kept no scarsenes he wil send Those that wil lend to suche as néed the maner is tolde how Deformitie in sacrifice the Lord dooth not alow The xvi chapiter QUietly how to kéep their feastê the times are tolde them plain When that they should be vsde and kept is written once again O that Iudges would mark and read and doo as God there bad To take no giftê in any cace but iustice to be had The xvii chapiter REwarded must Idolaters with death by law to die And 〈◊〉 things must be reserd to those that be on hie Presumptuous men that doo rebel must die the law dooth minge The man and state that he must kéep that they would take to king ¶ Halfe this book is now tolde afore in seauenteen chapters iust And seauenteen more ye shall haue next in God put we our trust The xviij chapiter ALl the Leuites the whiche were préestê might no possessions haue All sorcery they must auoid their liues to kéep and saue Moyses tolde then of Christe to come and bad them him to hear The Prophet false they must not way nor all his dooings fear The xix chapiter BEcause that murther might be doon against the dooers minde For refuge Citties were set out and there vnto assignd The false witnes must haue the stone return to his owne brow An eye for eye and tooth for tooth the law did them alow The xx chapiter CHuse out for warres what men they should this chapter dooth expresse The law of armes to them is tolde to vse in war or peace The Cananites the Pheresites the Iebusites also With Heuites eke they must destroy â–ª not letting one to go The xxj chapiter DEcrée did God a goodly law for him that was found dead And how the Iew should him behaue a gentile for to wed The first borne sonne he must possesse the heritage and land The childe that parentê dooth not fear must die euen out of hand The xxii chapiter EChe man must help his neighbours Asse although he be vnknowne The man denied the womans tire shée to go in her owne Linâ—â—e woluÌ„e might not be worn the adulterer must die And order taken for that man that with a maid did lie The xxiii chapiter FOrbidden was the gelded man in Christes churche to dwel The harlots bird dooth God commaund that they should quite expel There might no whore among theÌ„ bide the Lord did so decrée The loue of things is there denide to lend on vsury The xxiiii chapiter GIue leaue did Moyses to deuorce for causes that were light The newly spousd they might not force in battaile for to fight For money lent and seruantê hire a goodly lesson tolde Some leysing left in féeld and town for poore folke yung and olde The xxv chapiter HOw many stripes the trespasser should haue for wicked life A man that died without a sonne his brother should wed his wife That weightê mesures should be iuâ—â— read ye the chapters end Who so dooth vse the contrary shall come to wicked end The xxvi chapiter IUstly must they now pay their frutes that first to them did fall The tithes they were commaunded to they should then pay them all Unto the préestê the fatherles the straunger and widowe Such goods were then the poores of right how so they vse them now The xxvii Chapiter KNowledge was had the people theâ— an aulter vp to rear Afore that Iordane they did passe or came the land so néer The curses then that Leuy was commaunded for to speak Against all those that did delight Gods wil to burst or break The xxviii Chapiter LOuingly the Lord did blesse the kéepers of his wil To stablishe them in their good mindes to kéep them in it stil. And curse dooth hée the contrary with cursings very great Those that him looue he dooth them blesse his haters hée dooth threat The xxix chapiter MOyses then went and thus he spake vnto the people all Saying to suche as feareth God the Lord defends them all But they that not regard his wil suche plagues on them shall come As like hath not béen séen on earth from rising of the sonne The xxx chapiter NOt far from them that doo it séek is Gods almightie woord Those that it loue and it obay are saued from the swoord Within our mouthes and in our hartê the woord is alway prest Those that it kéep are sure at length for it they shalbe blest The xxxi chapiter OLde was Moyses and so did chuse then Iosue in his stéed To whom he said sée thou be strong and haue no fear or dread This book he wrote and did it giue into the Leuites hand And chargde that they the same should read when they came to the land The xxxii chapiter PLesantly then did Moyses sing a goodly song of praise Unto the Lord for all the acts that he had wrought alwaies And vp he went vnto a hil to look on Canaan God bad him there to run the race that all his fathers ran The xxxiii chapiter QUietly Moyses did prepare to sléep his fathers sléep But this he said before he went that God his saints dooth kéep Also he blessed all the tribes afore his dying day And tolde how they should rule reign if they did God obay The xxxiiii chapiter REst from his woork did Moyses then and so gaue vp the ghoste At his departing they did wéep euen throughout all the hoste And Iosue did his roum possesse as Moyses had it wild And ruled all the Israelites in Cittie and in féeld ¶ Of Moyses books heer is the last as he did them all write Vnto the Lord giue ye the praise whiche is the God of might Iosue The j. Chapiter AS God afore had Moyses calld his people for to guide So Iosue to supply his roum the Lord set him on side For to be strong the Lord him bad and manly for to fight And from the lawes of God the Lord to turn to left nor right The ii chapiter BEfore were serchers sent to spie to Ierico they yede A harlots house they lodged in by whom then they were hid Shée made them promise her to saue when spoild should be the land And they agréed to knowe her house by purple cord or band The iii. chapiter CAre to Iosua did belong the people for to guide Remooue he did from Settim ground and came to Iordane side Then was the Lord disposde to shew the honour of his name He caused Iordain waters yéeld and part a sunder
twain The iiij Chapiter DEcrée did God that his good woork should not be out of minde And causd eche tribe to rear a stone as monumentê behinde And if their children art the cause why these twelue stones stood there Then should they tel what God had doon to make his name appéere The v. chapiter EEhe one of all the Cananites were fraid when they hard tel How Iordane brook did part in two whiles ouer went Israel Then God commaunded Iosue to circumcise them all And all the males w t sharp stone kniues were cut bothe great and small The vj. chapiter FEarful then were the Cananites of Israels power and might At seauen dayes end as God had said the walles did fall down quite Consumde was all with swoord and fire saue vessels few reserude And Rahab saued with all her kin whiche wel shée had deserude The vii chapiter GOd then was angry with his flock at Ai took they the foile Because that Acan Carmies sonne had borne away some spoile A garment gay with siluer muche a rung of golde therto Because it was forbid of God he had death with stones enow The viii chapiter HAue you no fear said God but go and fight against Ai Thou shalt it take and haue some spoile and all the rest destroy So Iosue went as God him bad and fought but fled a while The rest did set the town on fire so them they did begile The ix chapiter IMmediatly the Cananites with all the heathen Kinges They came to fight as soon as they of Iosua had tidings The Gabanites dissembling partê with Israel they did play Because the heads had sworne to them they were not made away The x. chapiter KIngs that were in number fiue with Israel they did fight At Gabaon siege with all their hostes there were they put to flight The Sun stood stil a whole day length and haile did beat them down Fiue kings were slain and hanged vp so wan they town by town The xi chapiter LIke hap had all the other kings and sudainly were slain And Hezor burnt and none but it that stood aboue the plain Not one woord then was left vndoon as Moyses had him wild But Iosua did fulfil it all were hée in town or field The xii chapiter MAny battails Israel fought ere Iordane they did passe To two whole tribes and halfe a one their land appointed was The kings are tolde and numbred all that Iosua did subdue Thirtie and one in number iust whom they bothe took and slue â–ª The xiii chapiter NOte out the land as Iosua wild by lots it to deuide He béeing agde so god him bad to set and point eche tribe Ruben and Gad and halfe the tribe of Manasses by name Were pointed plats for to posses by Moyses set in frame The xiiij chapiter OF Iosua Caleb did require the Cittie Hebron walld Whiche was possest by Enakes kinde a Giant was he calld Foure score yéeres and fiue he was when he requirde his ground And yet he said he was as strong as when the land he found The xv chapiter POinted out was Iuda his lot the Citties tolde ful straight The villages not named out but townes fiue score and eight For killing of a Giant great a man did mary a wife The Iebusites among the folke did stil lead on their life The xvj chapiter QUickly Ephraim so had his lot in length and bredth assignde Euen as a tribe he had his part according to his minde And tribute paid the Cananites and with them did they dwel Although the Lord had said afore that they should them expel The xvii chapiter RIght as afore that Ephraim had out his part of land Euen so Manasses had his lot where he and his should stand â–ª And certain women had likewise as they did it require And Iosephs house would haue more land but had not their desire The xviii chapiter SEuen tribes agréed to send their spies as Iosue had them wild Of eche tribe thrée went foorth to sée the Citties and the féeld And in a book in seuen partê writ to Iosua brought they woord And he apointed them their plats by lots afore the Lord. The xix chapiter TO Zabulon and Izachar and Aser béeing tenth To Nepthali and Dan the last was pointed bredthe and length â—o Iosua with Eleaser and all the Lords and heds Did make an end of casting lots and pointing out their stedes The xx chapiter WHen they had doon and cast their lots then God to Iosue said â—or him that killes a man vnwares point Citties for their aid And they therin to dwel and liue til the hie préest dooth die The swoord of blood not him to touche if thyther he doo flée The xxj chapiter ANd then the heads of the Leuites their porcion did require And so they had their whole request euen as they did desire Fortie and eyght in Citties iust their whole tale came therto â–ª As God them gaue the land and rest as he them plight to doo The xxii chapiter BOthe of the tribes and eke the 〈◊〉 yode back as they were sent Ruben Gad with Manasses to their possession went An aulter made and Israel fluckt against them for to fight When they heard tel why it was built they said the déed was right The xxiii chapiter CAst in age was Iosua tho and Israel he did call And shewed theÌ„ what the Lord had doon and tolde it to them all Muche more he said that God would doo if in his wil they bide If not he tolde them plain afore that they should be destroyd The xxiiii chapiter DEclare on forthe he did at large what God had for them wrought And bad them serue the Lord alone whiche thither had them brought So speke they did with often voice the only Lord to fear And Iosua dide and Iosephs bones were earth and buried there ¶ Iosua now is ended quite the book hath run his race The book of Iudges now beginnes in like to take his place Sophtim Iudicum Iudges The first Chapiter AHead to haue they did desire in Iosuas roum to be And Iuda to them pointed was who fought ful manfully Ierusalem they took and wan great Giants did they slay The Gentiles with them stil did dwel but tribute did they pay The ii chapiter BEcause they did not kil them all an Angel did them chide And Iosua dead they buried him down by his fathers side When that stock all was dead gone ful wicked were the next And serued Gods that were forbod whose names are in the text The iii. chapiter CErtain nations then are named that with them then did dwel But one them kild and bet them down named Othoniel Yet after that they were opprest but Ahud them did saue For in a parlour with the King his deaths wound he him gaue The iiii chapiter DEpart did yet the flock and went and serued Idols vain Of Iabin King of Canaan yéeres twentie were they slain And Debora then did them iudge whom
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
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
should on instrument his melody to play And Prophecies to sing therto were pointed out that day Their names are tolde by lotted lot who set to eche degrée The songs of God onely they sung in laudes of God perdie The xxvi chapiter FOr porters men were pointed out to kéep the south and west For other gates besides therto and for the north and East Where spoiles were laid in battail wun and giftê giuen by the powers Fit men were chose and pointed out therof to kéep the doores The xxvii chapiter GIdes captains the whiche did rule eche month their pointed race Their names and number héer is tolde from tribe to tribe in place Ouerséears of diuers things this chapter dooth you tel What names they had what was their charge and of the Kings councel The xxviij chapiter HOw Dauid calld the multitude and then said vnto them God me denide and plight my sonne to build Hierusalem He gaue his sonne a goodly charge and of the woork the plat And left him golde abundantly and men of skilful art The xxix chapiter IN Golde and eke in siluer bothe in Iron and in Brasse That Dauid left and what he gaue and eke how muche it was With what the princes all did giue how Salomon was crownd His fathers death and yéeres of reign all this may hear be found ¶ The first book of the Chronicles is come to his last line The chapters are a score by tale and therto putting nine From Adam vnto Dauids reign thus Esdras hath you tolde VVho writ these books of Chronicles the Iewes of them so holde In ample maner is exprest how that he kept his charge I mean of Dauids princely life is heer tolde you at large Of Salomons ruling of them and eke of princes mo Now shalbe tolde if God permit in order as they go The second book of the Chronicles The first Chapiter AN offring great SalomoÌ„ made what likte God bad him craue Long life nor welth ne wrathful wrath he cared not to haue But wisdome askt God did him graunt and welth with honour fraught The store of Golde and costly things were out of Egipt brought The ii chapiter BUild would he now to God an house as leaue was to him let His woork men tolde and also how more to them he did get Of letters sent to king of Tire and eke their whole contents And how with like he sent again wherto the king consents The iii. chapiter CAuse did now this Salomon King the house of God to build On threshing floure that Dauid bought whiche stood in Moriah féeld Eche porche house the length bredth the cherubs with their wings The vale of silk and pillers bothe this chapter to you mings The iiii chapiter DEuisde of brasse an aulter was and eke a molten sea With Oxen for to bear it vp eche quarter thrée to stay Candlesticks cauldrons tables ten with béesoms and fleshe hooks And other things as he may sée who so the Chapters looks The v. chapiter EChe thing that Dauid had bequeâ— â–ª to God by dedication Is put into the temple then after a solemn fashion The Ark and that that was therin is brought therto also The singing men and instruments ful plesantly did blowe The vi chapiter FAith made the King to God to pray when he his flock had blest With armes spred out and vowed knées thus made he his request That when the people did offend and for their sinne were strook If in that place they praid to him that he would on them look The vii chapiter GOd likte his prayer then so wel that fire so down he sent And burned vp the sacrifice his glory was present And graunt he did the Kings request to him conditionally If he and his would walke vpright els would he all destroy The viii chapiter HOw Salomon Citties did make this chapter dooth you tel And how he brought his wife to home in house where shée should dwel The offrings that he offred then are eke vnto you tolde And how he sent his men in ships to Opher fetching golde The ix chapiter IN fame his name was spred abrode wherby of Saba Quéen Came him to sée who praisd him muche when shée his state had séen His yéerly rentê how long he rulde his treasure and his grace His riches and his séeking to the ending of his race The x. chapiter KNowing his death his sonne did reign called Rehoboam Who béeing rulde by counsel euil muche trouble therby came For then the people did rebel and chose another hed Ten tribes did shrink away from him whom Ieroboam led The xi chapiter LEese did the King his labour then his army béeing prest And Citties strong with spéed he made to kéep his land in rest Rehoboam of whom we speak did marry many wiues Then foorth is tolde what they him bare and eke how many liues The xii chapiter MAde is the kingdome sure strong from God they all declinde God sent them foes for to inuade for breaking of his minde A Prophet tolde them of their faults to God they did conuert He turnd his wrath the King had peace and so hée did depart The xiii chapiter NOw when his sonne calld Abiah succéeded in his place Then made he war with Israel telling to them the cace He put his trust in God alone Ieroboam had the woorst He dide a death vnknowne to vs as one that was acurst The xiiii chapiter OF Abiahs death this chapter telles and eke of Asas reign What peace he had how God he sarud destroying Idols vain Also what prayers he made to God when warres to him was sent And how the Lord gaue him the spoile in Cittie and in tent The xv chapiter PRophesy did a Prophet then to Asa him to bolde Bothe he and his did swear and vow Gods law to kéep and holde The contrary should die the death that would not God obay He put his mother from her seat and burnt her Idoll gay The xvi chapiter QUarelling wise the Israel King built Rama in the way And Asa golde to Bennadab sent Baasahs rage to stay A Prophet did rebuke the fact to prison was he sent The King is sick and phisick séeks more then th'omnipotent The xvii chapiter RIght wel Iehosophat did rule succéeding Aass reign With seruing God in perfet hart it turned to his gain His Lords he sent to teache the flock whole Iuda thorowe out His Citties mand his gard was great of thousands round about The xviii chapiter SO ioynd with Ahab peace he made then with the Israel king Whose Prophetê all did tel a lie but Micha truthe did bring In prison he is cast therfore the Kings to battaile wente Iehosaphat he scaped hard but Ahabs life was spent The xix chapiter THen was the King of Iuda shent for ayding in that féeld But then to Gods almightie law he did make his to yéeld As ruler chéef of bothe thestates of clergie and of lay To vnder heds he
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
on them wo Because in welth they would not hearâ— their pride should come ful lowe The xxiii Chapiter CUrse he dooth héer froÌ„ God his mouth suche pastours as doo féed Them selues and let the flock alone God wil them pay in déed And pastours pure he wil prouide wherof one shall be chéef From Dauids house as King to guide by him to haue reléef The xxiiii Chapiter DEclare God dooth by baskets twaine with Figs bothe good and bad What should become vpon the flock as he decréed had Whiche was that some should haue return and liue in rest and peace The King should not with many mo whose hartê he could not pearce The xxv Chapiter EXiled men in Babilon the Iewes for sin should bée Ful seuentie yéeres the Prophet saith in their captiuitie At which yéeres end that mightie power shalbe subuerted quite And in like wise he telth before all rule shall lose their might The xxvi Chapiter FUl earnestly he dooth them mooue their sinnes for to repent They brought him foorth he telth his tale the Iudges did relent But Vriah who fled for fear was fetcht from Egipt land Iehoyaku of Iudah King him slue with swoord in hand The xxvii Chapiter GOd willed him that he should send bothe yokes and bonds also To Princes for to testify in bondage they should go And who so would refuse to serue Nabuchodonozer Should plagued be therfore he wilth false Prophets not to hear The xxviii Chapiter HAnaniah the Prophet false did prophecy a lie And Ieremy did him reprooue afore great company Also a freshe he prophecied because his yoke was burst That bondage muche should come to them and that therto then trust The xxix Chapiter IN written woords he sent to them that then in Babel were That they should plant wed and pray for suche as ruled there For seuentie yéeres should passe and go ere they should turn again And in that space their land and power should wasted be and slain The xxx Chapiter KNowledge again froÌ„ Ieremies mouth was giuen to Israel That they should home again return within their land to dwel And how that God would him reuenge vpon their furious foes But comfort his afflicted Churche and saue her from her woes The xxxi Chapiter LArge blessing héer he telth to come when home they should return All ioy shall come and plesantnes to suche as once did mourn A couenant new within their hartê also he plight to make That he would be their God in déed if they not him forsake The xxxii Chapiter MAny were the miseries that Ieremy did sustain For now he is in prison cast for speaking out so plain A féeld he bought and hid the book that did record the same His prayers he made and once again their turning home did name The xxxiii Chapiter NOw is the Prophet wild to pray for their return and rest Whiche ful and whole is graunted them as they had had it erst With pardon for their former sinnes without their owne desartê And Christe to reign in Dauids throne for euer in their hartê The xxxiiii Chapiter OF Zedechiah who was King of Iuda what should come How he should taken be and his when Cittie and all is wun Because the couenant they did break to bond folke that they made Their lot with pine or pestilence should be or els with blade The xxxv Chapiter PUt foorth he dooth as God him bade the Rechabites for lore Who would not break the olde preceptê from fathers had tofore But Iewishe pride would not obey though often they were warnd Therfore to ruine they should go the Rechabites not harmd The xxxvi Chapiter QUenched lest y t his woords should be God bad to write them all So Baruch did and red the role before bothe great and small The King a little heard of it and burnt the book in fire Again with more it written was and God prouokte to ire The xxxvii Chapiter RIght soon as Zedechiah reignd to Ieremy he sent To pray for him By Egipt power the Caldeys away went As Ieremy was prest away in dungeon was he cast But when the King had talkt with him he begd a better taste The xxxviii Chapiter SO fairly spake the councellours the Princes eares vntil That Ieremy to dungeon went there thought they him to kil An Enuche black his life did saue and drue him vp with cordes The King and he did talke alone he might not tel the Lords The xxxix Chapiter THe Babel power the Cittie took and Zedechiah fled He was ouer caught his sonnes were slain his eyes put out of his hed The poore alone are left in land and Ieremy at large Who gaue them more that did him good a comfortable charge The xl Chapiter UNto two things the Prophet had a choise at wil to chuse Babel to sée or tary stil the first he did refuse Suche as for fear were fled away to Godoliah came Whom Babel King had left to rule all Iudah that he wan The xli Chapiter A Murder foule committed was of Ismael by name For Godoliah he did kil who did deserue no blame And diuers more that wicked man their liues did also end And fled to King of Moabites who therfore did him send The xlii Chapiter BOthe moste and least to Ieremy came his councel to haue And willed him to knowe of God whiche way them selues to saue Who willed them in any wise to Egipt not to wend For if they did that whiche they feard their God would it them send The xliii Chapiter COntrary to their former graunt to Egipt néeds they would The Prophet checkt and Baruch eke who néeds with them they should And there did God by Ieremy tel Egipt of her fall How Nebuchadnezer in place should rule their Gods and all The xliiii Chapiter DEclare he dooth vnto the Iewes for their Idolatrie In Egipt land the whiche they did that they should surely die But men and wiues with froward hartê did tel what they did deem We neuer throue sins that we left to serue the heauenly Quéen The xlv Chapiter EUilly appaid was Baruch then he thought his life but lost His sorrowes did increace in him séeing the Iewes so tost But Ieremy him comfort gaue and set his hart at stay For God he said hath giuen to thée thy life to be a pray The xlvi Chapiter FRom God he speaks to Egipt land and telleth them ful plain How that the King of Babilon withall his mightie train Should them destroy and eke their King their God and mightie power But yet his chosen Iacobs séed he would not quite deuour The xlvii Chapiter GOd bad him tel the Philistins of their decay and end That parents to suche wo should come their Children not to tend How they of Tire and Zidon eke should wasted be also The wrath of God not ceasing til their pride were come ful lowe The xlviii Chapiter HE telleh to the Moabites their ruine and decay Who once like churles to Israel vngraciously did say He curseth
them that should them spare or stay his hand from blood And that because their pride was suche and hautie stubborn mood The xlix Chapiter IN like he saith the Ammonites whose valleyes were so fair And Esaus stock the Edomites that thought of no dispair Damascus and Kedar also whom nothing did anoy With Elam eke all these he said the Caldes should destroy The l. Chapiter KNoweledge tofore of Babels fall he gaue also to them How that the Persians and the Medes should quite destroy their steme â–ª And how that God vpon his flock would haue a new regard And them restore into their state and giue their foes reward The li. chapiter LArgely he writes and telth the cause of Babels fall and spoile In Israels blood they did reioyce when that they had the foile The power of God he dooth describe and Idols vain denies He saith the Caldeys should so fall as neuer more to rise The lii Chapiter MArk wel what rebels come vnto let Zedechiah preache He first rebeld and after fled his foes did him areche The temple burnt the Cittie stroyd and thousands captiue led But Iehoyakim fauour found the King lift vp his hed FINIS ¶ Thus Ieremy that liued so long and Kings so many saw That bode suche broyles for saying sooth to those that had no awe His tale is tolde his book is doon now shall you hear vs tel How wofully he did lament the fall of Israel The Lamentation of Ieremy â–ª The i. Chapiter ALl help is past Hierusalem is now subuerted quite Her fréends are now become her foes when fayled is her might Her stréetê are void her préestê are slain her foes they doo reioice Nothing but teares and heuines hath sin set for her choice The ii chapiter BEholde the holdes are now destroyd the Princes ouerthrowne The Saboths and the holy place they cannot now be knowne The Uirgins and the Seniours sit wéeping on the ground The enemies doo clap their hands no comfort can be found The iii. Chapiter COmplain he dooth of all the gréefs that many wayes he felt And yet in God he puts his trust that alwayes his hath helpt For sin the Lord dooth his correct whiche best is to confesse And then he wil his fauour send and things amisse redresse The iiii Chapiter DOutles the wise like to fine Golde are now like potters clay The Nazarites that were so fair their beautie is away With hunger wemen sore opprest their Children they doo eat The bloody préestê and Prophets false did bring to them this meat The v. Chapiter ENd héer his Lamentations hée dooth with earnest prayer Beséeching God to look vpon how foes with them did fare Confessing yet that he dooth reign and shall for euermore Who turning vs then shall we turn and surely not before FINIS ¶ Ezechiel dooth now begin to fortifie and prooue That God would sure the Iewishe Churche as he had said remooue By visions straunge he dooth expresse the things to come to passe As he in Caldey land did dwel where he a captiue was Yet comfort dooth he giue again to the afflicted flock And telth the ruine of their foes and suche as did them mock But cheef of all the regiment of Christes kingdome pure He dooth see out an happy state for euer to indure The Prophecy of Ezechiel â–ª The i. Chapiter AS he in Caldey land did dwel by Chobar riuer side In the fift yéer that Iehoyakim â–ª the King did there abide Ezechiel a vision of foules and whéeles did sée And one vpon a bowe did sit on hie in maiestie The ii chapiter BIdden he was for to stand vp and speak against the Iewes Their sinnes rebuke how they should his preaching quite refuse Rebelling stil as auncetours of them had doon before A hand he saw that helde a book that sorrowes threat therfore The iii. chapiter CAused he was to eat the book and boldenes God him gaue With strength power w t woord sprite him self for to behaue His charge is giuen his office set whiche if he should neglect The folke in sin should perishe all and he for blood be checkt The iiii Chapiter DEclare he dooth Hierusalem besieged for to bée And many yéeres the Israelites to féel captiuitie And hunger suche on them to fall as like hath not béen heard Their excrementê of force to eat good food should be so bard The v. chapiter EFtsoones a signe to him was giuen by shauing of his hear By burning some by wherling some and little some to spare That so 〈◊〉 with the Pestilence with swoord and famine great Should be disperst and eke so plagued as Childe the Fathers meat The vi chapiter FOr woorshipping of Images and Idols that are vain On tops on hils and eke in vales he saith they shalbe slain A remnant yet there shalbe left that in their woful gréef Shall them repent and turn to God and haue of him reléef The vii Chapiter GOd dooth by him tel plainly out the ruine of the land From Est to west from north to south no part of it to stand But all should be subuerted quite he wil not chaunge his minde In préest or els in auncient man no councel should they finde The viii Chapiter HE sitting in his house among the auncients in exile Hierusalem he went vnto in vision for a while And there suche euils in secret place he saw them to commit And eke abrode whiche caused iust them to be plagde for it The ix Chapiter IErusalem that did commit suche euils as were to bad Hath now suche measure méett to them as once they mesured had But one yclad in linnen white did mark the mourning sort â–ª And they did scape when ruine fel the marker made report The x. chapiter KNowe moore he dooth of things tofore The man arayd in white Did fier fetche from Cherubins appearing to his sight And then the beastê and eke the whéeles that he had séen tofore He saw again in vision wise with sundry faces foure The xi Chapiter LEd now he was for to beholde the chéef that ruled il And wild to say that they should pay for blood that they did spil A ruler died then out he cride to God to holde his hand His bown is heard and Cherubs gone and he in Caldey land The xii Chapiter MOre plainly by a fardle born and packing in the day Their thraldome and captiuitie thereby perceiue they may A remnant yet should saued be to tel of all their gilt And spéedely the wrath should come though otherwaies they built The xiii Chapiter NOw dooth he tel the Prophets false what should of them betide Their daubed wall that they had made it shoulâ— not long abide Their women eke that pillowes made and kercheues for to charme Should perishe to for promising the wicked safe from harm The xiiii Chapiter OF suche as Idols in their hartê did kéep and yet pretends â–ª The contrary and Prophets false he telth of bothe their ends Yet stil a