the cudde but diuideth not the hoofe †And the swine which though it diuideth the hoofe cheweth not the cudde †The flesh of these you shal not eate nor touch their carcasses because they are vncleane to you †These are the thinges that brede in the waters and which it is lawful to eate Al that hath finnes and scales aswel in the sea as in the riuers and the pooles you shal eate †But whatsoeuer hath not finnes and scales of those that moue and liue in the waters shal be vnto you abhominable †and execrable their flesh you shal not eate and their carcasses you shal avoide †Al that haue not finnes and scales in the waters shal be polluted †Of birdes these are they which you must not eate and are to be auoided of you The Eagle and the griffon and the osprey †and the kite and the vulture according to his kinde †and euerie one of the rauens kinde according to their similitude †the ostrich and the owle and the sterne and the hauke according to his kinde †the scritchowle and the diuer and the storke †and the swanne and the onocratal and the porphirion †the herodian and the charadrion according to his kind the lapwing also and the batte †Of foules euerie one that goeth vpon foure feete shal be abhominable to you †And whatsoeuer walketh vpon foure feete but hath the legges behind longer wherwith he hoppeth vpon the earth †that you shal eate as is the bruke in his kind the attake and the ophiomach and the locust euerie one according to their kinde †But of foule whatsoeuer hath foure feete onlie shal be execrable to you †and whatsoeuer shal touch the carcasses of them shal be polluted and shal be vncleane vntil euen †and if it be necessarie that he carie anie of these that be dead he shal wash his clothes and shal be vncleane vntil sunne sette †Euerie beast that hath a hoofe but diuideth it not neither cheweth the cudde shal be vncleane and whatsoeuer toucheth it shal be defiled †That which walketh vpon hands of al beasts which goe on foure feete shal be vncleane he that toucheth their carcasses shal be polluted vntil euen †And he that carieth such carcasses shal wash his clothes and shal be vncleane vntil euen because these thinges are vncleane to you †These also shal be reputed among polluted thinges of al that moue vpon the earth the weesel and the mouse and the crocadile euerie one according to their kinde †the migale and the camelean and the stellion and the lizard and the moule †al these are vncleane He that toucheth their carcasses shal be vncleane vntil euen †and that wherupon anie thing of their carcasses falleth shal be polluted aswel vessel of wood and rayment as skinnes and haire clothes and in whatsoeuer vessel anie worke is done they shal be dipped in water and shal be polluted vntil euen and so afterward shal be cleane †But the earthen vessel wherinto anie of these falleth within it shal be polluted and therfore is to be broken †Al meate which you shal eate if the water be poured vpon it shal be vncleane and al liquor that is dronke of al vessel shal be vncleane †And vpon whatsoeuer ought of such carcasses falleth it shal be vncleane whether ouens o◠pottes with feete they shal be distroyed and shal be vncleane †But the fountaines and the cesternes and al collection of waters shal be cleane He that toucheth their carcasse shal be polluted †If it fal vpon seede corne it shal not pollute it †But if any man poure water vpon the seede and afterward it be touched with the carcasses it shal be forthwith polluted †If a beast be dead of which it is lawful for you to eate he that toucheth the carcasse therof shal be vncleane vntil euen †and he that eateth or carieth anie thing therof shal wash his clothes and shal be vncleane vntil euen †Al that creepeth vpon the earth shal be abhominable neither shal it be taken for meate †Whatsoeuer goeth vpon the brest on foure feete and hath manie feete or traileth on the earth you shal not eate because it is abhominable †Doe not contaminate your soules not touch ought therof lest you be vncleane †For I am the Lord your God be holie because I am holie Pollute not your soules in anie creeping beast that moueth vpon the earth †For I am the Lord that brought you out of the Land of Aegypt that I might be your God †You shal be holie because I am holie †This is the lawe of beasts and foules and of euerie liuing soule that moueth in the waters and creepeth on the earth †that you may know the differences of the cleane and the vncleane and know what you ought to eate and what to refuse ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XI 4. Vncleane you shal repute it In the first age of the world before Noes floud and so forward by tradition and after by the written Law some liuing creatures were reputed vncleane and forbid to be eaten or offered in sacrifice Not as euel of themselues for euerie creature of God is good by nature and creation but this distinction and prohibition was made in the old Testament for iust causes as the ancient fathers note specially three First for instruction of the people much inclined to idolatrie God distinguished al beastes birdes and fishes into cleane and vncleane wherby al men might know that none of them is God For hovv can anie man of reason saieth lerned Theodoret. q. 11. in Leuit. thinck that to be God vvhich either he abhorreth as vncleane or offereth in sacrifice to the true God and eateth therof himself Secondly God commanded this obseruance to exercise his people in obedience with precepts not otherwise necessarie but because he so commanded As at first he commanded Adam not to eate of the tree of knowledge of good and euel The transgression wherof brought al mankind into miserie From which againe Christ by his obedience redemed vs. For obseruation of this law old Eleazarus and the seuen bretheren with their mother did geue their liues rather then they would eate swines flesh and for the same are glorious Martyrs as testifie S. Cyprian Epist 56. ad Thibaritanos li. de exhort Mart. c 11. S. Gregorie Nazianzen orat 20. de Machab. S. Chrysostom de natiuitate septem Machab. S. Ambrose li. 1. de officijs c. 4. li. 2. de Iacob c. 10. 11. and the whole Church celebrating their feast the first day of August Thirdly and most specially these obseruations were commanded for signification of vertues to be embraced and of vices or sinnes to be auoided Such beastes therfore were holden for cleane and allowed for mans foode as diuide the hoofe and ruminate or chew the cudde signifying discretion betwixt good and euel and diligent consideration or
other things in the first age were figures of Christs Sacraments the Spirite of God geuing powre to the waters as Tertullian S. Hierom and others expound it and the floud of Noe by S. Peters testimonie were figures of Baptisme Mariage instituted in Paradise is the very paterne of holie Matrimonie a Sacrament in the Church of Christ where one man and one wife are on lie lawful and not more at once in anie wise Christ reforming that which in Moyses law was tolerated for hardnes of mens hartes and for auoyding murther to put away one wife and take an other to this first institution as it was in the beginning two in one flesh not three nor more The repentance of Adam and Eue was a perfect and examplare figure of the Sacrament of Penance First they were ashamed couering their nakednes and hiding them selues which shewed their griefe and sorow for the sinne committed Secondly they confessed their fault and by what meanes it happened For God examining Adam he answered truly and simply saing The woman which thou gauest me to be my companion gaue me of the tree and I did eate Likwise Eue confessed sincerly saying The serpent deceiued me and I did eate Thirdly God gaue them penance besides death before threatned and other penalties annexed that Eue should in paine and trauel bring forth her children and Adam should eate his bread in the sweate of his face And withal cast them forth of Paradise But not forth of his fauoure as appeared by his making them garments of skinnes granting them and their posteritie the rest of the earth to liue and labour in especially to serue him and do penance with admonition to remember that of duct man was made and into dust he shal returne Al which were signes of loue and that finally he would bring them and manie more to eternal saluation The first borne and heades of families were Priests al the time of the law of nature vntil the law being changed God tooke Priests only of the stock of Aaron and the rest of the Leuites to assist them in that function Aaron his sonnes thou shalt appoint saith our Lord ouer the seruice of Priesthood for I haue taken the Leuites of the children of Israel for euerie first borne And ◠Paul teacheth that changing of Priesthood and changing of the law goe alwayes together shewing euidently that euerie lawful communitie or commonwealth vnder God hath external Priesthood So that if there had benne no distinct order of external Priesthood in the law of nature or now were none in the law of grace as Protestantes say there is not there were no law at al. See more of this point in the Annotations chap. 7. ad Hebre. Here we only obserue that Abel Seth Enos and other Patriarches were Priestes and exercised priestlie functions yea Cain also was a Priest though a bad one and offered Sacrifice But external offices or ministerie without a wel disposed mind and sincere vertues producing Good workes did neuer iustifie anie man And therfore Cains Sacrifice offered with a peruerse mind was not respected by God as Abels was wherupon he becoming worse and more malicious God sharply reproued his anger and enuie conceiued without iust cause saying If thou doest wel shalt thou not receiue againe but if thou doest il shal not thy sinne forwith be present at the dore clerly shewing that euerie one shal receiue according to his workes This place also euidently sheweth Freewil yea in a wicked man For this expostulation had neuer benne vttered by our most reasonable Lord and Maister if Cain had benne depriued of freewil For he might haue excused himselfe and must needes haue benne holden excused if he had benne forced to do as he did But God charged him as inexcusable and as one that knew or ought to know that he had freewil And doth further inculcate that he had and should haue powre and freewil ouer his concupiscence to correct the same if he would saying The lust therof shal be vnder thee and thou shalt haue domion ouer it So that no sinner be he neuer so wicked much lesse a iust man lacketh freewil yet Luther abhorreth the very word and Caluin wisheth it out of the world Temporal punishment is proued to be due for sinne remitted by that both death and other penalties are inflicted by Gods iustice vpon men after iustification and by the particular punishments laid vpon Adam and Eue confessing their faultes Purgatorie is also proued by the same iustice of God For when anie dieth penitent and yet haue not madeful satisfaction they must suffer for that remaineth after death and be purged before they can enter into rest which remnant of debt our B. Sauiour calleth The last farthing and saith it must be payed The lewes also at this day hold the doctrin of Purgatorie by tradition And consequently they Pray for soules departed not only to God but also to the ancient Patriarches which likewise sheweth Inuocation of Saincts in these wordes Yee fathers which sleepe in Hebron open to him the gates of Eden that is of Paradise which was planted in Eden And Hebron is the place where Adam was buried and his sepulcher religiously conserued in the time of Iosue aboue 1500 yeares after his death The same is the place which Abraham bought and there buried Sara where also him selfe and Isaac and Iacob were buried and to which finally the bodies of the twelue sonnes of Iacob were translated from Sichem As Iosephus writeth And sichem also was specially honored because such persons had benne buried there as S. Hierom witnesseth of his owne knowledge in his time Againe by religious care of burying the dead in this first age Enoch was more certainly knowen to be Translated aliue and not to be dead For the seuentie Interpreters and S. Paul say He was not found which importeth that they sought diligently for him and that his bodie could not be found for God translated him By al which we see mutual offices and communion of good workes amongst good men aliue and dead which is called Cōmunion of Saincts And herein Angels lacked not their offices For God set Cherubins to kepe the gate of Paradise that neither man should enter being iustly expelled for sinne nor diuels as S. Augustin noteth left they should take fruite of the tree of life and geuing it to men allure them to more sinne And now Saincts being exalted to Angels glorie haue like honorable offices towards other men as Angels haue Yea the bloud of Abel vniustly shed by Cain and iustly to be reuenged by God sheweth the peculiar honour which God bestoweth vpon his Saints for their vertues and merites in this life especially in their death For Precious in the sight of our Lord is the
which the Lord thy God wil geue thee †Thou shalt not murder †Thou shalt not committe aduoâ—â—rie †Thou shalt not steale †Thou shalt not speake against thy neighbour â—â—lfe testimonie †Thou shalt not couet thy neigbours house neither shalt thou desire his wife nor seruant nor handmaide nor oxe nor asse nor any hing that is his †And al the people saw the voices and the â—â—ames and the sound of the trumper and the mount smoking and being â—â—ighted and stroken with feare they stoode a farre of †saying to Moyses Speake thou to vs and we wil heare let not our Lord speake to vs lest perhappes we die †And Moyses said to the people Feare not for God came to proue you and that his tâ—rrour might be in you and you should not sinne †And the people stoode a faâ—re of But Moyses went â—nto the darke cloud wherein God was †Our Lord said moreouer to Moyses This shalt thou say to the children of Israel You haue seene that from heauen I haue spoken to you †You shal not make goddes of siluer nor goddes of gold shal you make to you †An Altar of earth you shal make to me and you shal offer vpon it vour holocastes and pacifiques your sheepe and oxen in euerie place where the memorie of my name shal be I wil come to thee and wil blesse thee †And if thou make an Altar of stone vnto me thou shalt not build it of hewed stones for if thou lift vp thy knife ouer it it shal be polluted †Thou shalt not goe vp by grieses vnto myne Altar lest thy turpitude be discouered ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XX. 3. Strange goddes Protestants pretend here to proue that al Catholiques are Idolaters for honoring Sainctes and their Reliques and Images And they haue so defamed Catholique Religion in this behalfe that the vulgar sorte of deceiued people otherwise knowing Catholiques to be ordinarily of moderate conuersation in life of iust dealing towardes their neighboures addicted to prayer fasting almes and manie good woorkes more wanting among them selues yet supposing them notwitstanding these laudable qualities to be Idolaters are therby auerted from Catholique Religion And surely it were a iust cause if it were true As wel therfore to purge our selues of so haynous an imputed crime as to remoue this dangerous block of erronious conceipt we shal here note some of the Protestants egregious lies against the whole Church militant and blasphemous reproches against the the glorious Sainctes then briefly declare the true and sincere doctrine and practise of the Catholike Church in this point Luther in his posul vpon the Gospel of our Lordes Incarnation sayth Papistâ— Virginem Mariam Deum constituunt Omnipotentiam â—i in caelo in terra tribuunt The Papists saith he make the Virgin Marie God they attribute to her omnipotencie in heauen and in earth In Papistrie al expected more fauour and grace from her then from Christ himself His scholar Melancton in locis commâ—â—â— postilling the first Precept saith Papistes inuocate Sainctes and worship Images in heathnish maner Caluin li. de necess refor Eccles saith those of the Emperours religion meaning al Catholiques so diuide Gods offices among Sainctes that they ioyne them to the Soueraigne God as collegues in which multitude God lieth hidden Against the most glorious virgin mother the same Luther ser de natali virg Mar. feared not to say that he estemed no more of the prayer of S Marie then of anie one of the people And his reason is worse then his wicked assertion for that saith he al that beleue in Christ are as iust and as holie as the virgin Marâ—e or anie other Sainct how great soeuer The Magdeburgian Centuriators li. 1. Cent. 1. affirme that the virgin Marie sinned greuously yea compare her imagined faultes with the sinne of Eue in paradise li. 2. They charge S. Peter and S Paul also after their conuersions with diuers great crimes Caluin li. 3. Inst c 2. parag 31. condemneth Sara and Rebecca of great sinnes c. 4. reprehendeth Iudas Machabeus for superstitious and preposterous zeale in causing Sacrifice to be offered for the dead In his commentarie in 32. Exodi he accuseth most holie and meke Moyses of arrogancie and pride And li. 3 Instit c. 20. pa. 27. he scuruely scoffeth at al Sainctes in general saying If they heare mortal mens prayers they must haue eares so long as from heauen to earth And calleth them not only homines mortuos dead men which S. Hierom reproued in Vigilantius but also vmbras laruas colluuiem shadovves night goblins stincking silth yet more li. de vera refor Eccles rat he calleth them Monstra carnifices bestias monsters hangmen beastes These and like blasphemies modest men can not but abhore and detest Their lies also are conuinced by S. Hierom handling this matter of purpose against Vigilantius by S. Augustin touching it by occasion li. 20. c. 21. against Faustus the Manachey Thomas VValdensis To. 3. tit 13 de Sacramentalibus against wiclif by al Catechismes and Christian Instructions teaching nothing like but quite contrarie to these mens reportes In summe they al teach that Sainctes are to be honored with religious honour which is greater then ciuil but infinitly inferiour to diuine as the excellencie of God surmounteth al excellencie created For better declaration wherof it is to be considered that seing by the law of God and nature honour is due to excellencie there must be so manie distinct kindes of honour as there be general kindes of excellencie which are three The first of God infinite and incomparably aboue al the second is supernatural but created as of grace and glorie the third is humane or natural consisting in natural giftes or worldlie powre and dignitie al three as distinct as God heauen and earth To these three general kindes of excellencie perteine therfore other three as distinct kindes of honour to wit Diuine due to God only called by vse and appropriation of a greeke world Latria the second Dulia belonging to Sainctes and other holie things eleuated by God aboue the course of nature in diuers degrees but within the ranck of creatures the third is ciuil honour due to humane and worldlie excellencie according to diuers states and qualities of men The first of these which is diuine may in no case be geuen to anie creature how excellent soeuer The third which is ciuil as both Catholiques and Protestants hold for certaine is not competent nor agreable to Sainctes but to mortal worldlie men in respect of temporal excellencie Al the controuersie therfore is about the second VVhich Caluin li. 1. Instit c 11. 12. and al protestant writers denie reiect and so would haue no honour at al geuen to Sainctes Obiecting as old heretikes did that Catholiques do al the same external actes as standing bare head bowing kneeling praying and the like to Sainctes as to God himself VVe
therfore for this also remember me my God spare me according to the multitude of thy mercies †But in those daies also I saw the Iewes marying wiues wemen of Azotus and of Ammon and of Moab †And their children spake the halfe part the Azotian tongue and they could not speake the Iewes language and they spake according to the language of the people and people †And I rebuked them and cursed them And I beate of them some men and shaued them bald and adiured them by God that they should not geue their daughters to their sonnes nor take their daughters for their sonnes for themselues saying †Did not Salomon the king of Israel sinne in this kind of thing and surely in manie nations there was not a king like to him he was beloued of his God and God sette him king ouer al Israel him therfore also foren wemen brought to sinne †And shal we also being disobedient persons doe al this great euil to transgresse against our God and to marie foren wemen †And Sanaballat the Horonite was sonne in law to one of the sonnes of Ioiada the sonne of Eliasib the high Priest whom I draue from me †Remember o Lord my God against them that pollute the Priesthood and the right of Priestes and Leuites †Therfore I sepatared from them al strangers and I appoynted the courses of the Priestes and Leuites euerie man in his ministerie †and in the oblation of woode at times appoynted and in the first fruites Remember me my God vnto good Amen ANNOTATIONS Concerning the bookes of TOBIAS IVDITH WISDOM ECCLESIASTICVS and MACHABEES PROTESTANTES and other Sectaries of this time denie these bookes to be diuine Scripture because they are not in the Iewes Canon noâ— were accepted for canonical in the primitiue Church But in deede the chiefe cause is for that some thinges in these bookes are so manifest against their opinions that they haue no other answere but to reiect their authoritie An old shift noted and refuted by S Augustin touching the Booke of VVisdome which some refused pretending that it was not canonical but in deede because it conuinced their errors For otherwise who seeth not that the Canon of the Church of Christ is of more authority with al true Christians then the Canon of the Iewes And that the Church of Christ numbreth these Bookes amongst others of diuine and infallible authoritie is euident by the testimonie and diffinition not only of later general Councels of Trent Sess 4. and Florence Instructione Armenorum of Pope Innocentius Epist ad Exuperium and Gelasius Decreto delibris sacris but also the Councel of Carthage An. Dom. 419. S. Augustin lib. 2. Doct. Christ cap. 8. Isidorus lib. 6. Etymol cap. 1. Cassidorus lib. 1. Diuinarum Lectionum Rabanus lib. 2 de Institutione Clericorum and others testifie the same as we shal further note seuerally of euerie booke in their particular places And for so much as our aduersaries acknowlege these Bookes to be Holie and worthie to be read in the Church but not sufficient to proue and confirme pointes of faith the studious reader may consider that the Councel of Carthage calleth them Canonical and Diuine which sheweth that they are of infallible authoritie For a Canon is an assured rule and warrant of direction whereby sayth S. Augustin lib. 11. contra Faustum cap. 5. et lib. 2. contra Cresconium cap. 32. the infirmitie of our defect in knowlege is guided and by which rule other bookes are likewise knowne to be Gods word His reason is because we haue no other assurance that the bookes of Moyses the foure Gospels and other bookes are the true word of God but by the Canon of the Church VVherevpon the same great Doctor vttered that famous saying that he vvould not beleue the Gospel except the authoritie of the Catholique Church moued him thervnto contra Epist Fundamenti ca. 5. True it is that some Catholique Doctors doubted whether these bookes were Canonical or no because the Church had not then declared that they were but since the Churches declaration no Catholique doubteth So S. Ierom testifieth that the Booke of Iudith among the rest semed to him not canonical til the Councel of Nice declared it to be Likewise the Epistle to the Hebrewes the Epistle of S. Iames the second of S. Peter the second and third of S. Iohn S. Iudes Epistle and the Apocalyps were sometimes doubted of yet were afterwardes declared to be Canonical And most Protestantes namely English admitte them al as the assured word of God though they were not alwaies so reputed by al but as S. Ierome affirmeth of S. Iames Epistle Paulatim tempore procedente meruit authoritatem By litle and litle in processe of time merited authoritie THE ARGVMENT OF THE BOOKE OF TOBIE BESIDES the testimonies of Councels and Fathers before mentioned S. Cyprian de Oratione Dominica alleaging this booke cap. 12. saith Diuine Scripture instructeth vs that prayer is good with fasting and almes S. Ambrose li de Tobia â— 1. calleth this booke by the common name of Scripture saying he wil briefly gather the vertues of Tobie which the Scripture in historical maner layeth forth at large VVhere he also calleth this historie Prophetical and Tobie a Prophet And lib. 3. offic cap. 14. alleageth this booke as he doth other holie Scriptures to proue that the vertues of Gods seruants farre excel the Moral Philosophers S. Chrysostom ho. 15. ad Heb alleageth Tobias as Scripture denouncing curse to contemners S. Augustin made a special sermon of Tobias as he did of Iob which is the 226. sermon de tempore S. Gregorie parte 3. pastor curae admon 21. alleageth it as holie Scripture And vene able Beda expoundeth this whole booke mystically as he doth other holy Scriptures S. Ierom translated it out of the Chaldee language wherein it was written iudging it more â—eâ—e to displease the Phariâ—aical Iewes who reiect it then not to satisfie the wil of holie Bishops vrging to haue it Epist ad Chromat Heliodorum to 3. The author is vncertaine but S. Athanasius in Synopsi reporteth the contentes at large And S. Augustin li. quest ex vâ—roque testamento q. 119. deliuereth both the contentes and cause of writing it briefly thus The seruant of God holie Tobias is geuen to vs after the law for an example that we might know how to practise the thinges which we reade And if tentations come vpon vs not to depart from the feare of God nor expect helpe from anie other then from him It may be diuided into three partes The first foure chapeers shew the holie and sincere maner of life of old Tobias The eight folowing relate the iorney and affayres of yong Tobias accompained and directed by the Angel Raphael In the two last chapters they praise God And old Tobias prophecieth better state of the commonwealth THE BOOKE OF
and al truthes and so returne vpon him al vanitie and lying wherwith he allureth seduceth Finally to sinne it selfe we owe hate and reuenge because it is the only euil that hurteth vs and due punishment with zele of iustice because it dishonoreth God He that thus offereth sacrifice of iustice may instly as it foloweth in the Psalme hope yet not in him selfe but in our Lord. And lest anie should pretend ignorance saying vvho shevveth or teacheth vs good thinges as though they lacked instruction the Prophete preuenteth this vaine excuse saying The light of thy countenance o Lord the light of reason which is the image of God wherto we are created like is signed vpon vs fixed in our vnderstanding that we may see there is a God that ought to be serued and that he wil revvard his seruants Heb. 11. PSALME V. Iust men in affliction appeale to God the reuenger of iniuries 5. knowing and prosessing that God hateth iniquity 9. therfore remitte their cause to him 11. recite certaine enormious vices of the wicked 13. and expect Gods final iudgement of the good and bad †Vnto the end for her that obtaineth the inheritance The Psalme of Dauid RECEIVE ô Lord my wordes with thine eares vnderstand my crie †Attend to the voice of my prayer my king and my God †Because I wil pray to thee Lord in the morning thou wilt heare my voice †In the morning I wil stand by thee and wil see because thou art “ not a God that wilt iniquitie †Neither shal the malignant dwel neere thee neither shal the vniust abide before thine eies †Thou hatest al that worke iniquitie thou wilt destroy al that speake lie †The bloudie and deceitful man our Lord wil abhorre †But I in the multitude of thy mercy I wil enter into thy house I wil adore toward thy holie temple in thy feare Lord conduct me in thy iustice because of mine enimies direct my way in thy sight †Because there is no truth in their mouth their hart is vayne †Their throte is an open sepulchre they did deceitfully with their tongues iudge them o God †Let them faile of their cogitations according to the multitude of their impieties expel them because they haue prouoked thee ô Lord. †And let al be glad that hope in thee they shal reioyce for euer and thou shalt dwel in them And al that loue thy name shal glorie in thee because thou wilt blesse the iust †Lord as with a shield of thy good wil thou hast crowned vs. ANNOTATIONS PSALME V. 5. Not a God that vvilt iniquitie Seing God vvil not iniquitie as these wordes testifie in plaine termes it foloweth necessarily that he is not author nor cause of anie sinne For God doth nothing contrarie to his owne wil. But he hateth iniquitie and in respect therof hateth al that vvorke iniquities as the authours of iniquity though he loueth them as his creatures and of his part requireth their saluation PSALME VI. Dauids earnest and hartie praier after he had grieuously sinned 5. which being grounded in filial not seruil feare 9. concludeth with assured hope and confidence in Gods mercie †Vnto the end in songs the Psalme of Dauid for the octaue LORD rebuke me not in “ thy furie nor chastise me in “ thy wrath Haue mercie on me Lord because I am weake heale me Lord because al my bones be trubled †And my soule is trubled exceedingly but thou Lord how long †Turne thee o Lord and deliuer my soule saue me for thy mercie †Because there is not in death that is mindful of thee and in hel who shal confesse to thee †I haue labored in my sighing I wil euerie night was he my bed I wil water my couche with my teares †My eye is trubled for furie I haue waxen old among al myne enemies †Depart from me al ye that worke iniquitie because our Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping †Our Lord hath heard my petition our Lord hath receiued my prayer †Let al myne enemies be ashamed very sore trubled let them be conuerted and asha med very quicly ANNOTATIONS PSALME VI. 1. For the octaue Literally it semeth that the Psalmes which haue For the octaue in their titles were to be song on an instrument of eight stringes So the Caldee paraphasis translateth In eitheris octo chordarum in Citherus of eight stringes But prophetically S. Augustin others expound it to perteine to the Resurrection in the end of this world So Dauid and al penitent sinners bewaile their sinnes and do penance in this life for the octaue that is for the world to come 1. In thy fury nor in thy vvrath By furie is signified diuine iustice irreuocably condemning the wicked to eternal damnation by vvrath Gods fatherlie chasticement correcting sinners whom he saueth VVherupon S. Gregorie teacheth that the faithful soule not only feareth furie but also wrath because after the death of the flesh some are deputed to eternal torments some passe to life through the fire of purgation VVhich doctrine the same holy father confirmeth by the iudgement of S Augustin more ancient VVho likewise affirmeth that al those which haue not laide Christ their fundation are rebuked in furie because they are tormented in eternal fire and those which vpon right fundation of true faith in Christ haue built vvood hay stubble are chastised in wrath because they are brought to rest of beatitude but purged by fire Let therfore the faithful soule considering what she hath donne and contemplating what she shal receiue say Lord rebuke me not in thy furie nor chastice me in thy vvrath As if she said more plainly This only with my whole intention of hart I craue this incessantly with al my desires I couete that in the dreadful iudgement thou neither strike me with the reprobate nor afflict me with those that shal be purged in barning flames Thus S. Gregorie in 1. Psalm penitent v. 1. PSALME VII Dauid in confidence of his iust cause and vniust persecution prayeth for Gods helpe 7. and iust reuenge of his enemies 15. describing their malitious intention and ruine The Psalme of Dauid which he song to our Lord for the wordes of Chusi the sonne of Iemini 2. Reg. 16. †O Lord my God I haue hoped in thee saue me from al that persecute me and deliuer me †Lest sometime he as a Lyon violently take my soule whiles there is none to redeme nor to saue O Lord my God if I haue done this if there be iniquitie in my handes If I haue rendred to them that repayd me euils let me worthely fal emptie from myne enemies
geuen me hope †This hath comforted me in my humiliation because thy word hath quickened me †The prowd did vniustly excedingly but I declined not from thy law †I haue bene mindful of thy iudgements from euerlasting ô Lord and was comforted †Faynting possessed me because of sinners forsaking thy law †Thy iustifications were songue by me in the place of my peregrination †I haue bene mindful in the night of thy name ô Lord and haue kept thy law †This was done to me because I sought after thy iustifications Heth. Life †My portion ô Lord I sayd to keepe thy law †I besought thy face with al my hart haue mercie on me according to thy word †I thought vpon my wayes and conuerted my feete vnto thy testimonies †I am prepared and am not trubled to keepe thy commandments †The cordes of sinners haue wrapped me round about and I haue not forgotten thy law †At midnight I rose to confesse to thee for the iudgements of thy iustification †I am partaker of al that feare thee and that keepe thy commandments †The earth ô Lord is ful of thy mercie teach me thy iustifications Teth. Good †Thou hast done bountie with thy seruant ô Lord according to thy word †Teach me goodnesse and discipline and knowledge because I haue beleued thy commandments †Before I was humbled I offended therfore haue I kept thy word †Thou art good and in thy goodnesse teach me thy iustifications †The iniquitie of the prowd is multiplied vpon me but I in al my hart wil search thy commandments †Their hart is crudded together as milke but I haue meditated thy law †It is good for me that thou hast humbled me that I may learne thy iustifications †The law of thy mouth is good vnto me aboue thousands of gold and siluer Iod. Beginning †Thy handes haue made me and formed me geue me vnderstanding and I wil learne thy commandmentes †They that feare thee shal see me shal reioyce because I haue much hoped in thy wordes †I know ô Lord that thy iudgements are equitie and in thy truth thou hast humbled me †Let thy mercie be done to comfort me according to thy word vnto thy seruant †Let thy commiserations come to me and I shal liue because thy law is my meditation †Let the prowde be confounded because they haue done vniustly toward me but I wil be exercised in thy commandments †Let them be conuerted to me that feare thee and that know thy testimonies †Let my hart be made immaculate in thy iustifications that I be not confounded Caph. Hand or Palme of the hand †My soule hath fainted for thy saluation and I haue much hoped in thy word †Myne eies haue fayled for thy word saying When wilt thou comfort me †Because I am made as a bottel in the hoare frost I haue not forgotten thy iustifications †How manie are the daies of thy seruant when wilt thou doe iudgement on them that persecute me †The vniust haue told me fables but not as thy law †Al thy commandmentes are truth they haue vniustly persecuted me helpe me †They haue welnere made an end of me in the earth but I haue not forsaken thy commandments †According to thy mercie quicken me and I shal keepe the testimonies of thy mouth Lamed Discipline †For euer Lord thy word is permanent in heauen †Thy truth in generation and generation thou hast founded the earth and it is permanent †By thy ordinance the day contine weth because al thinges serue thee †But that thy law is my meditation I had then perhaps perished in my humiliation †I wil not forget thy iustifications for euer because in them thou â—â—st quickned me †I am thine saue me because I haue sought out thy iustifications †Sinners haue expected me to destroy me I vnderstood thy testimonies †Of al consummation I haue sene the end thy commandment is exceding large Mem. Of them †How haue I loued thy law ô Lord al the day it is my meditation †Aboue mine enemies thou hast made me wise by thy commaundment because it is to me for euer †Aboue al that taught me haue I vnderstood because thy testimonies are my meditation †Aboue ancientes haue I vnderstood because I haue sought thy commandments †I haue staied my feete from al euil way that I may keepe thy wordes †I haue not declined from thy iudgements because thou hast set me a law †How sweete are thy wordes to my iawes more then honie to my mouth By thy commandments I haue vnderstood therfore haue I hated al the way of iniquitie Nun. Euerlasting †Thy word is a lampe to my feete and a light to my pathes †I sware and haue determined to keepe the iudgements of thy iustice †I am humbled excedingly ô Lord quicken me according to thy word †The voluntaries of my mouth make acceptable ô Lord and teach me thy iudgementes †My soule is in my handes alwaies and I haue not forgotten thy law †Sinners laid a snare for me and I haue not erred from thy commandments †For inheritance I haue purchased thy testimonies for euer because they are the ioy of my hart †I haue inclined my hart to doe thy iustifications for euer for reward Samech Helpe †I haue hated the vniust and I haue loued thy law †Thou art my helper and protectour and vpon thy word I haue much hoped †Depart from me ye malignant and I wil search the commandmentes of my God †Receiue me according to thy word and I shal liue and confound me not of myn expectation †Helpe me and I shal be saued and I wil meditate in thy iustifications alwayes †Thou hast despised al that reuolt from thy iudgementes because their cogitation is vniust †Al the sinners of the earth I haue reputed preuaricatours therfore haue I loued thy testimonies †Pearse my flesh with thy feare for I am afrayd of thy iudgementes Ain A fountaine or an eye †I haue done iudgement and iustice deliuer me not to them that calumniate me †Receiue thy seruant vnto good let not the prowde calumniate me †Mine eies haue fayled after thy saluation and for the word of thy iustice †Doe with thy seruant according to thy mercie and teacher me thy iustifications †I am thy seruant geue me vnderstanding that I may know thy testimonies †It
and his hope vaine earth and his life viler then clay †because he was ignorant who made him and who inspired into him the soule which worketh and who breathed into him the vital spirite †Yea and they estemed our life to be a pastime and the conuersation of life made for a gayne that we must get euerie way euen of euil †For he knoweth that he offendeth aboue al men which of the matter of earth fashioneth frayle vessels and sculptils †For al the vnwise and vnhappie aboue measure of the soule proude are the enemies of thy people and rule ouer them †because they haue estemed al the idols of the nations for goddes which neither haue vse of eies to see nor nosthrels to take breath nor eares to heare nor fingers of the hands to handle yea and their feete are slow to walke †For a man made them and he that borowed breath the same fashioned them For no man can make God like to himself †For wheras himself is mortal he maketh a dead thing with his wicked handes For he is better then they whom he worshippeth because he in deede liued though he were mortal but they neuer †But they worship also most miserable beasts for the senslesse thinges compared to these are worse then they †Yea neither by sight can any man see good of these beasts But they haue fled from the prayse of God and from his blessing CHAP. XVI God plaguing the Aegyptians for idolatrie and crueltie deliuered the Israelites 5. Chasticed them also but againe shewed them mercie 20. and fedde them with Manna FOR these thinges and by the like to these they haue worthely suffered torments and were destroyed by a multitude of beasts †For the which torments thou didst wel dispose of thy people to whom thou gauest the desire of their delectation a new taste preparing them the quaile for meate †that they in deede coueting meate because of those thinges which were shewed and sent them might be turned away euen from necessarie concupiscence But they in short time being made needie tasted a new meate †For it behoued that without excuse destruction should come vpon them exercising tyrannie but to these onlie to shew how their enemies were destroyed †For when the cruel wrath of beastes came vpon them they were destroyed with the bytings of peruerse serpents †Howbeit thy wrath endured not for euer but for chastisement they were trubled a short time hauing a signe of saluation for the remembrance of the commandment of thy law †For he that turned to it was not healed by that which he saw but by thee the sauiour of al †and in this thou didst shew to our enemies that thou art he which deliuerest from al euil †For the bitings of locusts and flies killed them and there was found no remedie for their life because they were worthie to be destroyed by such thinges †But neither the teeth of venemous dragons ouercame thy children for thy mercie coming healed them †For in memorie of thy wordes they were examined were quickly saued lest falling into deepe obliuion they might noâ— vse thy helpe †For neither herbe not plaâ—ster healed them but thy word ô Lord which healeth al thinges †For iâ— is thou ô Lord that hast powre of life and death and bringest downe to the gates of death and fetchest agayne †but man certes killeth by malice and when the spirit is gone forth it shal not returne neither shal he cal backe the soule that is receiued †but it is vnpossible to escape thy hand †For the impious denying to knowe thee haue bene scourged by the strength of thine arme suffering persecution by strange waters and haile and rayne and consumed by fyre †For that which was meruelous in water which extinquisheth al thinges fyre more preuayled for the world is reuenger of the iust †For a certayne time the fyre was mitigated that the beasts which were sent to the impious might not be burnt but that they seing might know that by Gods iudgement they suffer punishment †And at a certaine time the fyre aboue his powre burnt in water on euerie side that it might destroy the nation of a wicked land †For the which thinges thou didst nourish thy people with the meate of Angels and bread prepared thou gauest them from heauen without labour hauing in it al delectation and the sweetnes of al taste †For thy substance did shew thy sweetnes which thou hast toward thy children and seruing euerie mans wil it was turned to that that euerie man would †Yea snow and yee susteyned the force of fyre and melted not that they might know that fyre burning in hayle and lightening in rayne destroyed the fruites of the enemies †And this againe that the iust might be nourished it forgat also his owne strength †For the creature seruing thee the Creatour is fierce into torment against the vniust and is made more gentle to doe good for them that trust in thee †For this cause euen then being transformed into al thinges they serued thy grace the nource of al at their wil that desired thee †that thy children might know whom thou louedst ô Lord that not the fruites of natiuitie doe feede men but thy word preserueth them that beleue in thee †For that which could not be destroyed by fyre forthwith being heated with a litle beame of the sunne did melt †that it might be knowen to al men that we ought to preuent the sunne to blesse thee and at the rysing of light to adore thee †For the fayth of the vngratful shal melt as winter yee shal perish as vnprofitable water CHAP. XVII Horrible darkenes falling in Aegypt 19. the rest of the world had ordinarie light FOR thy iudgements ô Lord are great thy wordes inexphcable for this cause the soules lacking discipline haue erred †For whiles the wicked are perswaded that they can rule ouer the holie nation fettered with the bands of darknes and long night shut vp vnder roofes they haue lyen fugitiues from the euerlasting prouidence †And whiles they thincke that they lie hid in obscure sinnes they were dispersed by the darke couert of obliuion being horribly afrayd and disturbed with exceding admiration †For neither did the denne that conteyned them keepe them without feare because the sound coming downe trubled them and sorowful visions appearing to them put them in feare †And no force certes of the fyre could geue them light neither could the clere flames of the starres lighten that horrible night †But there appeared to them soden fyre ful of feare and being stroken with the feare of that face which was not sene they estemed the thinges that were sene to be worse †and there were added derisions of the magical art and contumelious rebuke of the glorie of
buckler of his valiants fyrie the men of the armie in scarlets the raynes of the chariot fyrie in the day of his preparation and the driuers are brought asleepe †In the wayes they are trubled the chariots strooke one agaynstan other in the streetes their appearance are as it were lampes as it were lightning running to and fro †He wil remember his valiants they shal fal in their wayes they shal quickly scale the walles therof and a bowre shal be prepared †The gates of the riuers are opened and the temple throwen downe to the ground †And the souldiar is led away captiue and her handmayds were led away mourning as doues murmuring in their hartes †And Niniue her waters as it were a fishpoole of waters but themselues are fled Stand stand there is none that wil returne †Spoile the siluer spoile the gold and there is no end of the riches of al vessels that are to be desired †She is dissipated and rent and torne and pyning hart and dissolution of the knees and defect in al reynes and the faces of them al as the blacknes of a pot †VVhere is the habitation of lions the pasture of lions welps to which the lion went to goe in thither the lions whelpe and is there none to make them afrayd †The lion hath caught sufficiently for his welpes and hath killed for his lionesses and he hath filled his dennes with praye and his couch with rauening †Behold I to thee saith the Lord of hosts and I wil burne thy chariots euen to smoke and the sword shal eate thy litle lions and I wil destroy thy praye out of the land and the voice of thy messengers shal be heard no more CHAP. III. A description of Niniues ruine 5. made ignominious to al nations 17. forraine souldiars fleing away and al their owne terrified VVO to thee ô citie of blouds al of lying ful of tearing spoile shal not depart from thee †The voice of the whippe and the voice of the violence of the wheele of the neighing horse and of the feruent chariot and of the horsman mounting †And of the glistering sword and of the glittering speare and of a multitude slaine and of a greuous ruine neither is there an end of corses and they shal fal on their bodies †Because of the multitude of the fornications of the harlot beautiful grateful and hauing sorceries which hath sold nations in her fornications families in her sorceries †Behold I to thee sayth the Lord of hosts and I wil discouer thy priuie parts in thy face and wil shew to the Gentils thy nakednes to kingdoms thine ignominie †And I wil throw vpon thee abominations and wil vse thee contumeliously and wil put thee for an example †And it shal be euerie one that shal see thee shal leape backe from thee and shal say Niniue is wasted who shal shake the head vpon thee whence shal I seeke a cōforter for thee †Why art thou better then Alexandria ful of peoples which dwelleth in the riuers waters round about it whose riches the sea waters the walles therof †Aethiopia the strength of it and Aegypt there is no end Afrike and the Libyans haue bene in thine ayde †But she also in transmigration was led into captiuitie her litle ones were dashed in the head of al wayes and vpon her noble ones they haue cast lot and al her great men were made fast in fetters †Thou also therfore shalt be made drunke and shal be despised and thou shalt seeke helpe of the enemie †Al thy munitions as figtrees with their grene figges if they be shaken they wil fal into the mouth of the eater †Behold thy people wemen in the middes of thee to thine enimies the gates of thy land with opening shal be opened fyre shal deuoure thy barres †Draw thee water for the siege build thy munitions enter into the clay and tread making morter hold the bricke †There the fyre shal eate thee thou shalt perish by the sword as a bruke it shal deuoure thee be gathered together as the bruke be multiplied as the locust †Thou hast made thy merchandises more then are the starres of heauen the bruke was spred flew away †Thy kepers as the locusts thy litle ones as it were the locusts of locusts which swarme on the hedges in the day of could the sunne arose they flew away and their place was not knowen where they were †Thy pastours slumbred ô King of Assur thy princes shal be buried thy people lay hid in the mountaynes and there is none to gather them together †Thy destruction is not obscure thy plague is very sore al that haue heard the fame of thee haue clapped the hand vpon thee for vpon whom hath not thy malice passed alwayes THE PROPHECIE OF HABACVC HABACVC borne in Bezochar prophecied the same time with Nahum foreshewing the victories of the Chaldees subdewing manie nations namely the kingdom of Iuda destroying Ierusalem and the temple and carying the people captiue into Babylon and afterwards the ruine of the same Chaldees and relaxation of the Iewes at last the coming of Christ with diuers particular Mysteries described in a Canticle from his Incarnation to the general Iudgement and eternitie of the next world CHAP. I. The prophet lamenteth the imminent ruine of the people by the insolent crueltie of the Chaldees 12. especially for that the holie citie shal be ransacked by idolaters and most wicked men THE burden that Habacuc the prophete saw †How long ô Lord shal I crie and thou wilt not heare shal I crie out to thee suffering violence and thou wilt not saue †Why hast thou shewed me iniquitie and labour to see praye and iniustice against me and iudgement is made contradiction more mightie †For this cause is the law torne iudgement came not to the end because the impious preuaileth agaynst the iust therfore doth there come forth peruerse iudgement †Behold ye in the nations and see meruel and be astonied because a worke is done in your dayes which no man wil beleue when it shal be told †Because loe I wil rayse vp the Chaldees a bitter swift nation walking vpon the latitude of the earth to possesse tabernacles not their owne †It is horrible and terrible out of it self shal the iudgement and the burden therof procede †His horses lighter then leopards and swifter then euening wolues and his horsemen shal be spred abrode for his horsemen shal come from a far they shal flie as an eagle hastening to eate †Al shal come to the praye their faces a burning winde he shal gather together as the sand captiuitie †And he shal triumph ouer kinges tyrants shal be his laughing flocke and he shal laugh vpon euerie munition and shal cast vp a mount and shal
4. :: The life of the iust hath fulnes of dayes though it be otherwise short the daies of the wicked are void of fruict be they manie or few S. Ambrose li. de Abraham :: S. Augustin â—q 72. in Gen disputeth but could not decide whether Rebecca went to some Priest or Prophet or Altar or whither els or only retyred to priuate prayer :: Holie Scripture premonisheth Iacobs sinceritie lest in the Mysteries folowing he might be suspected of false dealing S. Aug. li. 16. c. 37. ciuit VVhy Agar Cetura being lawful wines are called coÌ„cubines Their childreÌ„ signified Pagaines Heretikes Gods predestination and for seing include not exclude the meanes by which his wil is done The couenant made to Abraham pertaned only to Isaac and Iacob not to the rest of his issue li. 16. c. 35. ciuit 2. Reg. 8. Psal 59. Gods mere mercie in electing anie his iustice to the reprobate Rom. 9. Iacob lawfully bought but Esau sinned in selling the first-birth-right :: God by Abrahams exaÌ„plar life inuited the Aegyptians to true religion now commandeth Isaac to stay in Gerara to the like end S. Theod. q. 76. in Gen. :: See pag 52. :: Adulterie a great sinne also among Painims * The chanel where sometimes a vehement streame ruÌ„neth sometimes none at al. * VVrangling :: So nations of the world first enuyed the Church of Christ but after made peace with it :: Esau by marying against his parents wil made breach from them External ceremonies in the law of nature Christian for titude preuaileth more by suffering then by forcible resisting The Epistle on Saturday the second weke in Lent :: Iacob secure in conscience that the right of first-birth belonged to him yet feared to geue occasioÌ„ of offence to his father :: It was truly Gods wil but not in that sâ—â— as Isaac vnderstood it :: Isaac now knowing it to be Gods wil ratified that he had done :: worldlings blessing consisteth in transitorie welth :: The Idumeans being subdued by king Dauid 2 Reg. 8. reuolted from king Ioram and had a king of their owne 4. Reg. 8. they were againe subdued by Hircanus teste Iosepho li. 13. Antiq but againe Herod an Idumean raigned in Iewrie Math. 2. Luc. 1. Iacob did not lie nor sinne in saying he was Esau c. He is proued innocent by the text 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The Fathers proue his innocencie in this fact Euerie lie is a sinne Some deceipt good Ho. 6. ad Col. Hier. 20. Epist. 125. It was good that Isaac knew not Iacob when he blessed him Good in respect of Esau More to Gods glorie and Iacobs commendation Ho. 53. q. 79. in Gen. :: Isaac againe coÌ„firmeth the blessings of Abraham to Iacob and his sede omitting Esau yea and God repeteth the same v. 13. The Epistle in a votiue Masse for trauelers Sap. 10. * House of God :: To whom ynough is not ynough to him nothing is ynough Aulus Gell. VVhy Iacob traueled in poore state A notable example of Gods comforth to the afflicted Al nations beleuing in Christ are blessed in him Erecting and annointing of Altares is a religious office being done to Gods honour The Church lerneth not rites of Idolaters but they of the Church Difference in religious supersticious ciuil honour consisteth in the persons intentions Two sortes of holie oyle Vowes are properly of things which are not otherwise commanded Gen. 14. :: S. Augustin q. 87. in Gen coÌ„mendeth familiar kissing of kinsfolke and frendes as a laudable custome in some countries It is no where more ciuil modest then in England * VVithout â—â—â—ges :: Laban greeously offended neither could Lia be excused but Iacob was innocent in this fact :: After seuen daies he had Rachel who was his first spouse S. Hierom Tradit Heb. S. Aug. q. 89. in Gen. :: Not properly 〈◊〉 but griefe â—â—â—â—ul 〈◊〉 S. Aug. li 22 c 5â— cont Faust :: Of pluralitie of wiâ—â—s see pag. 62. :: Holie Scripture saith S. Augustin would neuer hâ—â—e mentioned such womanlie deâ—ires but to admonish vs to â—â—ke great misteries therin li. 22 c. 56. â—oâ—t â—austum :: Iacob did iustly vse this meanes to recouer thâ—â— which Laban withheld sâ—oÌ„ him being duâ— for the dowrie of his wiues and recompence for his seruice Rupert li. 7. c 39. in Gen. :: Annointing of Altarâ— and free vowes are gratful 〈…〉 es to God See chap. 28. Ter 〈…〉 :: 〈…〉 sinned 〈…〉 Psal 4. Images of false goddes are idols Some images are neither religious nor supersticious Some are religious 1. Reg. 19. 〈…〉 3. Rachel tooke away her fathers Idols for hâ—â— good She kept them in recompeÌ„ce of wrongs :: The changing of his name here promised is performed chap. 35. S. Hieron Tradit Heb. Iacobs feare was iust and without fault 1. Ioan 4. q. 102. 〈◊〉 Gen. The causes of his feare The humble conceipt of him selfe Eccle. â— Esaus inclination meanes to reuenge Iacobs prayer qualified with Humilitie Gratitude Confidence Meeknes Iacobwrestled with an Angel corporally spiritually Osee 12. :: Iacob seing Gods hand in this change of his brothers mind not of flaterie but sincerly acknowledged his benignitie as Gods countenance towards him O Dina saith S. Bernard what nedewas there to see wemen of a strange countrie Tract de gradib humilitatis :: They offended by falsly pretending religion and by excesse in reuenge therfore are reproued by their father v 30. chap. 49 v 5. Otherwise their zeale was iust to punish so foule a fault Iudith 9. * An execrable tree :: God when it pleaseth him maketh the weake stronger then the mightie and few more terrible then â—â—nie S. Châ—isost ho. 59. S. Aug. q. 112. in Gen. :: The name of supplanter not sufficiently expressing his valure he is also called Israel See the Annotation Math. 2. :: For this fact Ruben was excluded from the chiefe dignitie among his bretheren Gen. 49. Clensing from sinne is the first office of the seruants of God The name ISRAEL signifieth special prerogatiues in the Patriarch Iacob Al his twelue sonnes in their posteritie were heires of the promised land :: The separation of Esau from Iacob :: By the common opinon of Latin and Greke fathers this was holie Iob. as we shal discusse when we come to his booke against the hebrew doctors who say Iob was of Nachors race chap. 4. 10 22. 25. By comparison of interrupted companies the coÌ„tinual succession of the Church is more glorious One place of Scripture feemeth contrarie to an other but is not Holie Scriptures not easie to be vnderstood Esaus last parting from Iacob The seuenth part of this booke How Ioseph was sold into Aegypt and there aduanced :: These things folowing hapned to Iacob in his generations that is in his childreÌ„ See S. Chrisost ho. 23. in Gen. :: That for il life they were infamous the hebrew word dâ—â—â—a signifieth infamie :: The Epistle on friday
straict hand of discipline ouer sinners for their conuersion Å¿ Sinners deserue much punishment t but repenting and trusting in God shal finde his mercie v The end of true penance is ioyto which therfore the prophet inuiteth al penitents Vexation geueth vnderstanding Sinne must be punished Good workes are of graâ—e in epist ad Ro. c. 4. Protestantes expound this place contrary to many other clere places contrarie to the exposition of ancient fathers God couering or not imputing sinne doth quite take them away The contrarie doctrin is iniurious to God to Christ to holie Scriptures to glorified S inctes Sincere repentance is a necessarie dispotion to remission of 〈…〉 e. After remissioÌ„ it is satisfactorie and meritorious The perfectioÌ„ of Gods workes described The 2. key a not in your selues b praise is not comelie in the mouth of a sinner Eccli 15. c in mortification offering your bodies a liuing hoste Rom. 12. d of this instrument this booke is called the Psalter and it signifieth the obseruation of the tenne commandments without which no praise pleaseth God e praising God for the grace of Christ in the new testament f Gods rules and precepts are most iust and right g he performeth whatsoeuer he promiseth h God euer ioyneth these vertues together i Gods word iâ— omnipotent k vnknowen â—â— riches hid in secrete places As in Babylon he confounded their tongues m his absolute wil is alwayes fulfilled n the people of Israel in the old testament and Christians of al nations in the new o Gods per petual prouidence p Gods wisdom infinite q No powre in earth is of anie force without God r of his master Å¿ or of him selfe t O God which hast al perfection shew thy mercie in protecting and sauing al that trust in thee Gods prouidence The 3. key a His proper name was Achis 1. Reg. 21. but al kinges of Palestina were called Abimelech as pharao in Aegypt Nâ—huchodonosor in Babylon This Psalme is also composed in order of tho Alphabet b I prayse God c both in prosperitie and aduersitie d when I serue our Lord my soule shal be praised in his seruice e Euerie man be he how poore soeuer when he prayeth shal be heard f the proper guardian Angel of euerie one g with filial feare h the rich of this world setting their mind vpon their wealth are poore in spiritual giftes i Euerie one desireth to be happie but he in dede shal be happie that fleeth from euil and doth good k God seing almens actioÌ„s intentions wil render as they deserue l Though the iust some for a time to be forsaken yet God that geueth them internal streingth wil at last reward and crow 〈…〉 them his owne giftes m for their sinne they are suffered to fal into more sinne n contrariwise those that accept of his grace shal finally not offend A secret great misterie in the title of this Psalme Iuc 2. Some become vvorse some better by Christ Sacrifice and Priesthood changed God most high is become lovve He is our sacramental meate Christ leaft the Ievves receiued the Gentiles The real presence of Christ in the Sacrament Catech. Râ— p. 2. â— â— q. â—4 Not only faith but good vvorkes with faith iustifie Christs persecution The 5. key a Dauid signifieth beloued desiderable or strong of hand that is Christ aboue al beloued of God desired of man the strong conquerour of death and hel S. Aug. in hunc locum b By way of imprecation heprophecieth that God wil ouerthrow the persecutors of Christ and of Christians c Offensiue d denfensiue e preoccupate and preuent the malice of the persecutor f Such a punishment and confusion shal fal in the end vpon al the malicious after that the iust shal haue ouercome tribulations g In the time of truble in hope h after deliuerie in eternal saluation i such false witnesses did rise against Christ Mat. 26. k thinges that were not for God himselfe that knoweth althinges knoweth not that which neither was is nor can be l they made priuation of my life verified in Christ not in Dauid for he was killed by his enemies m Al our Sauiours life was penance for others needing none for himselfe n Christ the good Samaritane that releeued the wounded man Luc. 10. o al this was fulfilled according to the letter in our Sauiours passion p al this was fulfilled according to the letter in our Sauiours passion q al this was fulfilled according to the letter in our Sauiours passion r Our Lord knoweth not anie iust cause why the Iewes so persecuted him for they had no iust cause but meere malice Å¿ as Psal 21. and Mat. 27. God why hast thou forsaken me not deliuered me from temporal death nor yelded me such consolation as thou gauest other Sainctes in their agonies t a prophecie of Christs resurrection v Prophecie of the Catholique Church as Psal 21. w This place is applied by our Sauiour to himselfe Ioan. 15. x The Pharises and Herodians said Master we know that thou art a true speaker c. meaning to intrappe him with treason Mat. 22. y The same Pharises and Priestes iudged him woorthy of death and procured the people to â—rie Crucifie him crucifie him z Againe his Resurrection is prophecied a At the day of iudgement the wicked shal receiue sentence of damnation b the blessed of eternal glorie Gods prouidence The 3. key a More specially describing the state of men in the new testament then in the old b instruction for Dauid not as a king or a prophet but as the poore seruant of God c wittingly and resolutely preferring wicked life before vertuous d God so â—ateth sinne committed of meere malice that he commonly reiecteth such sinners and more often offereth new grace to those that sinne of frailitie or ignorance e Some ignorance is inuincible wheÌ„ one hath a good wil to lerne doing his endeuour to knovv the truth in doctrin his dutie in manners but can not get knowlege therof and then he is excused before God though he erre in opinion or in fact others are negligent to lerne and their error is grosse ignorance and is a sinne greater or lesse according to the importance of the thing which they ouhgt to knovv Others are more vvilful desiring to be ignorant that they may sinne vvith the lesse remorse or repining of their ovvne conscience and this is affected ignorance and most hainous and odious sinne For which God often leauing them destitute of ordinarie grace which he geueth to others they fal into reprobate sense and into more horrible sinner f God doth not vtterly shut vp his mercie from the most wilful wicked sinners but geueth them sometimes good motions and sufficient helpe that they may repent be iâ— stified saued if they do not wittingly harden their owne hartes and stil wilfully repel Gods grace g For so God pomiseth vvho
praised her she returneth al the praise to him d Praying him to come and stil remaine vvith her e Acknovvleging him to be the only Sauiour of both old and nevv testament a The Synagogue prosecuteth her prayer desiring Christs Incarnation b Christ admonisheth vvordlie men not to molest those that serue him in contemplation other spiritual vertues c Angels and other Sainctes of the triumphant Church admire the beautie of the Câ—nâ—les conuerted which is also vnderstood of euerie holie soule ascending from this world into heauen And more singularly of the most glorious virgin mother of God f The Church of Gentiles reioyceth in the strong defence vvhervvith her Sauiour hath established her g Keepers of this vinyard vvere the Prophetes and Apostles and their Successors are stil the kepers therof h Christ shevveth that together vvith the pastors himself especially hath care of his Church alvvayes assisting the visible gouerners therof vvith his inuisible grace i The vvhole Church militant vvel contented yea desiring Christs Ascension into heauen for the good of al that here serue him prayeth him from thence to send abundance of his grace that vve may ascend the high mountaines of perfect charitie and zele of Gods honour that he vvil make our soules such hilles the garden of al vertues so voutsafe to dwel therin Amen d The Synagogue of the Iewes was corrupt vnder the tree of Christs Crosse when they cried Crucifie him Crucifie him And againe His bloud be vpon vs and vpon our children Againe VVe haue no King but Caesar c. e Christ againe sheweth his affection towards his Church of the Gentiles calling her his owne sister and the Synagogs sister promising and bestowing on her manie excellent benefites Both the auctor auctoritie of this booke were sometimes doubtful The same doubt is of Ecclesiasticus It is most probable that Philo a Iew writte this booke collecting manie sentences of Salomons Argum. lib. Reg. Fiue Sapiential bookes of the old testament Chap. 7. 8. 9. The Iewes denie these bookes to be Canonical Mat. 22. Exo. 3. They are iudged by very manie ancient fathers and afterwards defined by the Church to be Canonical Scriptures Et li. 17. c. 20. â—â—â—â— The contents Diuided into three patts The 1. part An admonition to loue and practise iustice 3. Reg. 3. Isa 56. 2. Par. 1â— :: Mortal sinnes are not only committed in dedes vvordes but also in though tes :: He that maliciously curseth sâ—uâ—sed of God â—al 5. v. 22. :: Be not cause of your owne eternal death by euil life :: Desperate death deliuereth not the wicked from calamities :: Neither are anâ—e damned vvhile they are in thâ—â— life :: But sinners not repenting being etâ—â—nal 〈…〉 them 〈…〉 〈…〉 be 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 be after death fal to these prophane thoughts and speaches of infidelitie :: Of infidelitie touching paine or reward after death procedeth the Epicures life :: Infidels are not content to liue in riote but doe also enuie and persecute the iust vvhose good examples vexe their mindes sturred therto by the diuel :: An euident prophecie of the Iewes malice persecuting our Sauiour Fulfilled by the chief Priestes Scribes and Ancientes recorded dy the Euangelists Mat. 27. v. 41. Mar 14. v. 53. Mat. 27. v. 43. :: vvant of beleuing diuine Mysteries namely the reward of the iust punishmeÌ„t of the wic ked is cause of dissolute life and of hatred against the good :: Temporal death of the iust is the way to eternal life vvhere damnation called here the tormeÌ„t of death shal not touch them :: For albelt Martyrs seme in the eyes of the vnwise to dye or to be extinguished they passe in dede into eternal and vnspeakeable glorie Chap. 5. v. 4 Mat. 13. v. 43. :: Al the iust shal approue Gods iudgmeÌ„t condemning the wicked :: Literally is vnderstood that the wiues of adulterers often become adultresses their children wicked Morally their sensualitie al their vvorkes are wholly corrupted * See S. Ierom. in Isa 56. v. 4. :: Chastitie of the bodie is a singular great vertue spiritual chastitie of true faith and religion is greatter and more generally commended as the roote and fundation of al vertues For vvithout faith it is vnpossible to please God :: VVhen soeuer the iust dieth it is profitable for him dying yong his immaculate life is more commendable then old age in the wicked v. 16. :: The damned shal be vvithout al excuse vtterly confounded in their owne consciences Gods prescience dâ—â—th not preiudice mans free wil. â—tl 17. â— 30. ciuit :: VVicked men in their false conceipt iudge the trauels of the iust to be vaine fructles :: Repentance of the damned is only for the losse paine whereinto they are fallen not of loue towards God or vertue nor of hate towards sinne therfore is fructles bringing no comforte nor helpe at al but euerlasting torment and anguish of mind Chap. 3. v. 2. Pro. â—0 v. 19. :: For the certaintie of thinges that shal be Prophetes do very often speake in the pretertence of thinges to come as if they vvere already past :: As the ioy of the blessed so contrariwise the miserie of the damned is meruelous great for euer vnchangeable Eccle. 9. v. 18. :: Al powre is from God therfore to be respected though the magistrates sometimes abuse their auctoritie Rom. 1â— v. 1. :: As euerie ones charge is more or lesse so his account is easier or har der and the punishment if he offend smaller or greater S. Gre. ho. 9. in Euang. :: VVisdom is attained by this gradation and so from first to last a resolute desire ioyneth faithful soules to God v. 21. The second part VVisdom procedeth from God and is procured by prayer :: The perfectest children are borne in the beginning of the tenth moneth :: Children in the mothers wombe are as in slepe :: Salomon whose sayinges are here recited praied for wisdom obtained it 3. Reg. 3. 3. Reg â— v. 9. :: God first gaue him grace to desire wisdom before al other thinges as he explicateth plainly cap. 8. v. 21. :: Salomon was a most excellent Philosopher :: Proper Epithetons of the spirite of wisdom :: See the Annotation Prouerb 1. v. 2. Heb. 1. v. 3. :: God the increated wisdom is infinite and wisdom created is also most excellent amongst Gods giftes 3. Reg. 3. Prou. â— :: This is also the speach of Salomon recited by the writer of this booke :: Of Salomons wisdom riches glorie renowmed fame not only the bookes of Kinges Paralipomenon but also our Sauiour doth witnes Mat. 6. 12. :: It is not certaine that Salomon hath immortal glorie but rather by immortalitie is here vnderstood that his glorious fame remaineth to the end of this world :: Neuertheles wisdom of her part geueth life and glorie euerlasting to al that perseuere to the end of this life :: It is
this armie differeth from the number here recorded the cause is for that sometimes those only are counted vvhich vvere permanent sometimes others are also counted vvhich came vncertainly The like difficulties of differences occurre often in the bookes of kinges and Paralipomenon :: The vvatch word this night was The victorie of God * li. 1. c. 7. v. 1. Y :: Alcimus was of Aarons stock li. 1. c 7. v. 14. but for this apostasie here mentioned was vncapable of high priesthood so Matthathias vvas ordayned being of the same progenie and most sincere in religion * a golden bough :: This description of the Assideans made by their malicious enimie in calumnious and odious termes sheweth vvel their singular zele sinceritie in promoting Gods seruice And so their aduersaries malignant accusations more against them then al others is a plaine testimonie of their more rate and more singular vertues * li. 1. â— 7. v. 26. a :: Apostates and politikes make their gayne by spoyling the faithful :: Nicanor a right worldlie politike a figure of Pilate and of such temporizing Iudges counsellers and courtiers as lacke zele in religion :: They knevv not precisely vvhere Iudas vvas neither vvould they search for him to deliuer him to the persecutor :: Bacchus called also Liber and by manie other names feaned by infidels to be auctor and god of wine And therfore drunkards dedicate feastes temples to him :: S. Augustin epist 61. ad Dulâ—itium l. 2. c. 23. ad epist 2. Gaud discussing thâ—â— fact saith the helie scripture dotâ— tel it not praise it As to be admired not to be imitated that either it vvas not vvel done by him or at least is not conuenient in this time of grace * li. 1. c. 7. v. 39. c :: Pâ—ophane men make their aduantage of religious mens good conscience but Iudas rightly instructed in this case defended his iust cause also in the sabbath li. 1. c. 3. v. 40. :: O Luciferian blasphemie :: This dreame was from God as the effect shevved And Iudas knevv also that it so was by internal inspiration as Ioseph Mat. 1. v 20. vvas assured of his dreames :: Ieremie ch 38. v. 17. persvvaded the king of Iuda to yeld himself vvith the citie and people to the Chaldees and not to resist But novv he deliuereth a svvord to Iudas exhorting him to fight according to Gods vvil in diuers cases and times for there is a time of vvare and a time of peace Eccle 3. v 8. :: Gods honour holie thinges are first and principally to be respected before vvordlie freindes though they also must be regarded in due order and place 4. Reg. 19. li. â— c 8. v. 1. c. f :: More being vvritten in the first booke this auctor maketh one conclusion of al because other persecuters being also ouercome the land was againe caulme after stormes Prayer of Sainctes is euidently proued by this place It is also proued by manie other holie Scriptures Neither is this place to be omitted The auctor of this booke asketh pardon for his stile not for the doctrine nor historie But the auctors of these Annotations crane pardon for al defectes Gods true Seruice hath alvvayes continued in the visible Church Faith in one God is the ground of al religion The B. Trinitie reueled to some and vttered obscurely in the old testament Distinction of Persons in one God The Father The Sonne The Holie Ghost Other places proue pluralitie of Persons in God The mysterie of Christs Incarnation is more frequent more plaine in the holie Scriptures especially in the Prophetes Ieremie Baruch Ezechiel Daniel Aggeus Zacharias Malachias Also the bookes of wisdom Ecclesiasticus Machabees Prophecies figures of the B virgin mother of God Angeles excel corporal creatures in multitude And in powre They helpe men and are lavvfully inuocated by men Diuels hating God and al mankind neuer cease to tempt men to sinne They seke to be honored vvith sacrifice Sacrifice is the proper seruice of God Sacrifice of the new testament in al places More pure and excellent then the old The old ceased and the new succeded which shad also be abandoned by Antichrist Transsubstantiation confessed by Rabbins Baptisme Penane Holie orders Feastes Fastes ordinarie And extraordinarie Abstinence Forme of good life prescribed in the sapiential bookes The ascending by steppes 〈◊〉 from earth to heauen â— Ioan. 2. VVithout Gods grace preuenting no man can thinke or do anie thing meritorious 2. Cor. 3. Confidence of good vvorkes done in grace Voluntarie vovves like to Euangelical connsels Perpetual virginitie Prayers of Sainctes Reliques Holie vesseles Signe of the Crosse Prayer for the dead Resurrection Iudgement Euerlasting punishment and eternal reward The coming of Elias conuersion of the Iewes The state of the Church in the times of heathen Monarchies in general Their state in the captiuitie King Iechonias â—nâ—â— sedeâ—h High-priest vvere in Babylon before the vvhole nation vvas captiue Iechonias intertayned in captiuitie as a prince Daniel vvith other three children were caried before â—niâ— of the kinges into Baoylon They vvere singularly esteemed Sometimes in danger But preserued by God Ieremie prophecied in Ierusalem and in Aegypt Ezechiel and Daniel in Babylon The Monarchie of Medes and Persians Cyruslicensed the Ievves to returne and build vp their temple Prophecie of Christ after seuentie vveekes Mardocheus Esther Aman. Iudith Aggeus and Zachatias The 〈◊〉 more glorious in the nevv testament Malachie The Grecian Monarchie King Alexander honored Iaddus the Highpriest The schismatical temple in â—atizim An other schismatical temple in Aegypt The Seuentie tvvo Interpreters Prophane lerning florished amongst the Crecians but they erred excedingly in matters of Religion Primum principium Sammum â—oâ—um Pithagorians Stoikes Achademikes Peripatetikes Epicures The assured fayth of the Church the citie of God Psal 93 1. Cor. 3. The Machabees professed the same Antiochus his Edict Martyres for this fayth For circumcision For keeping the Sabbath For abstayning from svvines flessh Holie vvarres for the Church and religion Matthathias Iudas Machabeus A religious prayer The temple clensed Antiochus dyed miserably Niâ—â—or â—laine Iudas dyed gloriously Ionathas Altimus dyed miserably Simon Ioannes Hyrcanus The Romane Monarchic Hered the first strange king of the Iewes He enlarged the temple But sold the office of Highpriest This king was a signe of Christs coming The genealogie of Christ from the captiuitie pag. 939 Succession of Highpriestes pag. 713. 939. The true suecession continued also in the times of vsurpers A petition to IESVS CHRIST 2. Paral. 33. v. 12. 4. Reg. 23. v. 21. 2. Paral. 35. v. 1. Exo. 12. Leuit. 23. Num. 28. 4. Reg. 23. v. 29. 2. Paral. 35. v. 20. 4. Reg. 23. v. 30. 2. Par. 36. v. 1. 4. Reg. 24. v. 1. v. 17. Iere. 37. v. 2. Iere. 25. v. 12. 29. v. 10. Dan. 9. v. 2. 2. Paral. 36. v. 22. 2. Esd 1. v. 1. 6. v. 3. Iere. 26. v. 12.
THE HOLIE BIBLE FAITHFVLLY TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH OVT OF THE AVTHENTICAL LATIN Diligently conferred with the Hebrew Greeke and other Editions in diuers languages With ARGVMENTS of the Bookes and Chapters ANNOTATIONS TABLES and other helpes for better vnderstanding of the text for discouerie of CORRVPTIONS in some late translations and for clearing CONTROVERSIES in Religion BY THE ENGLISH COLLEGE OF DOWAY Haurietis aquas in gaudio de fontibus Saluatoris Isaiae 12. You shal draw waters in ioy out of the Sauiours fountaines Printed at Doway by LAVRENCE KELLAM at the signe of the holie Lambe M. DC IX APPROBATIO NOs infrascripti in alma Duacensi vniuersitate Sacrae Theologiae Doctores Professores hanc Anglicanam Veteris Testamenti translationem quam tres diuersi eius nationis eruditissimi Theologi non solum fidelem sed propter diuersa quae ei sunt adiuncta valde vtilem fidei Catholicae propagandae ac tuendae bonis moribus promouendis sunt testati quorum testimonia ipsorum syngraphis munita vidimus cuius item Translationis Annotationum auctores nobis de fidei integritate eruditionis praestantia probè sunt noti his rebus adducti nixi fructuose euulgari posse censuimus Duaci 8. Nouembris 1609. GVILIELMVS ESTIVS Sacrae Theologiae Doctor in Academia Duacensi Professor BARTHOLOMAEVS PETRVS Sacrae Theologiae Doctor in Vniuersitate Duacensi Professor GEORGIVS COLVENERIVS S. Theologiae Doctor eiusdem in Academia Duacena Professor TO THE RIGHT VVELBELOVED ENGLISH READER GRACE AND GLORIE IN IESVS CHRIST EVERLASTING AT LAST through Gods goodnes most dearly beloued we send you here the greater part of the Old Testament as long since you receiued the New faithfully translated into English The residue is in hād to be finished and your desire therof shal not now God prospering our intention be long frustrate As for the impediments which hitherto haue hindered this vvorke they al proceded as manie do know of one general cause our poore estate in banishment VVherin expecting better meanes greatter difficulties rather ensued Neuertheles you wil hereby the more perceiue our feruent good wil euer to serue you in that we haue brought forth this Tome in these hardest times of aboue fourtie yeares since this College was most happely begune VVherfore we nothing doubt but you our dearest for whom we haue dedicated our liues wil both pardon the long delay which we could not wel preuent and accept now this fruict of our laboures with like good affection as we acknowlege them due and offer the same vnto you If anie demand why it is now allowed to haue the holie Scriptures in vulgar tongues which generally is not permitted but in the three sacred only for further declaration of this other like pointes we remite you to the Preface before the New Testament Only here as by an Epitome we shal repete the summe of al that is there more largely discussed To this first question therfore we answer that both iust reason highest authoritie of the Church iudge it not absolutly necessarie nor alwayes conuenient that holie Scriptures should be in vulgar tongues For being as they are hard to be vnderstood euen by the lerned reason doth dictate to reasonable men that they were not written nor ordayned to be read indifferently of al men Experiēce also teacheth that through ignorance ioyned often with pride and presumption manie reading Scriptures haue erred grosly by misunderstanding Gods word VVhich though it be most pure in it self yet the sense being adulterated is as perilous saith Tertullian as the stile corrupted S. Ambrose obserueth that vvhere the text is true the Arrians interpretation hath errors S. Augustin also teacheth that here sies and peruerse doctrines entangling soules and throvving them dovvne headlong into the depth do not othervvise spring vp but vvhen good or true Scriptures are not vvel and truly vnderstood and vvhen that vvhich in them is not vvel vnderstood is also rashly boldly auouched For the same cause S. Ierom vtterly disallowed that al sortes of men wemen old yong presumed to read talke of the Scriptures wheras no articene no tradsman dare presume to teach anie facultie vvhich he hath not first lerned Seing therfore that dangers hurtes happen in manie the careful chief Pastores in Gods Church haue alwaies moderated the reading of holie Scriptures according to persons times and other circumstances prohibiting some and permitting some to haue and read them in their mother tongue So S. Crysostom trāslated the Psalmes some other partes of holie Scriptures for the Armenians when he was there in banishment The Slauonians and Gothes say they haue the Bible in their languages It was translated into Italian by an Archbyshop of Genua Into French in the time of king Charles the fift especially because the waldensian heretikes had corruptly translated it to maintaine their errors VVe had some partes in English translated by Venerable Bede as Malmesburie witnesseth And Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canturburie in a Councel holden at Oxford straictly ordayned that no heretical translation set forth by wicliffe and his complices nor anie other vulgar Edition should be suffered til it were approued by the Ordinarie of the Diocese alleaging S. leroms iudgement of the difficultie danger in translating holie Scriptures out of one tongue into an other And therfore it must nedes be much more dangerous when ignorant people read also corrupted translations Now since Luther and his folowers haue pretended that the Catholique Romane faith and doctrine should be contrarie to Gods written word that the Scriptures were not suffered in vulgar languages lest the people should see the truth vvithal these new maisters corruptly turning the Scriptures into diuers tongues as might best serue their owne opinions against this false suggestion and practise Catholique Pastores haue for one especial remedie set forth true and sincere Translations in most languages of the Latin Church But so that people must read them with licence of their spiritual superior as in former times they were in like sort limited Such also of the Laitie yea of the meaner lerned Clergie as were permitted to read holie Scriptures did not presume to interprete hard places nor high Mysteries much lesse to dispute and contend but leauing the discussion therof to the more lerned searched rather and noted the godlie and imitable examples of good life and so lerned more humilitie obedience hatred of sinne feare of God zele of Religion and other vertues And thus holie Scriptures may be rightly vsed in anie tongue to teach to argue to correct to instruct in iustice that the man of God may be perfect and as S. Paul addeth instructed to euerie good vvorke when men laboure rather to be doers of Gods wil vvord then readers or hearers only deceiuing themselues But here an other question may be proposed VVhy we
if it haue not workes is dead in it self c. 2. v. 17 And by workes Abrahams faith was consummat v 22. And concludeth thus Do yee see that by workes a man is iustified and not by faith only v. 24. CHAP. XVI Sarai geueth her handmaid Agar as a wife to Abram 4. who conceiuing despiseth her mystresse is therfore afflicted flyeth away 7. But is warned by an Angel to returne and humble herselfe 15. which she doth and beareth Ismael SARAI therfore the wife of Abram had brought forth no children but hauing an handmaid an Aegyptian named Agar †she said to her husband Behold our Lord hath closed me that I might not beare Goe in vnto my handmaid if happely of her at the least I may haue children And when he agreed to her in this request †she toke Agar the Aegyptian her handmaid tenne yeares after that they first dwelled in the land of Chanaan and gaue her vnto her husband “ to wife †Who did companie with her but she perceauing that she was with childe despised her mistresse †And Sarai said to Abram Thou doest vniustly against me I gaue my handmaid into thy bosome who perceauing herself to be with child despiseth me Our Lord iudge betwen me and thee †To whom Abram making answere Behold saith he thy hādmaid is in thine owne hand vse her as it pleaseth thee When Sarai therfore did afflict her she ranne away †And an angel of our Lord hauing found her beside a fountaine of water in the wildernesse which is in the way to Sur in the desert †he said to her Agar the handmaid of Sarai whence comest thou and whither goest thou who answered From the face of Sarai my mistresse doe I flye †And the angel of our Lord said to her Returne to thy mistresse and humble thy selfe vnder her hand †And again Multiplying sayth he wil I multiplie thy seed and it shal not be numbred for the multitude therof †And againe after that Behold saith he thou art with child and thou shalt bring forth a sonne and thou shalt cal his name Ismael because the Lord hath heard thin affliction †He shal be a wild man his hand shal be against al men and al mens hands against him and ouer against al his bretheren shal he pitch his tents †And she called the name of our Lord that spake vnto her Thou the God which hast sene me For she said verily here haue I sene the backe partes of him that hath sene me †Therfore she called that wel the Wel of him that liueth and seeth me The same is betwen Cadesse and Barad †And Agar brought forth a sonne to Abram who called his name Ismael †Eightie and sixe yeares old was Abram when Agar brought him forth Ismael ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XVI 3. To vvife The Manichees did calumniat holie Abraham and other Patriarches triarches for hauing manie wiues condemning them of incontinencie and adulterie for the same Luther in the contrarie extreme held it not vnlawful but indifferent now in the law of grace for a man to haue more wiues then one at once And some English Protestants hold that for adulterie the innocent partie may marie an other the first liuing But the Catholique doctrin distinguishing times and causes sheweth how pluralitie of wiues was lawful sometimes and at other times especially since Christ altogether vnlawful and vndispensable The summe of which veritie is this By the first institution of Mariage in the state of innocencie and law of nature and by the law of Christ it is vnlawful for anie man to haue more wiues and for anie woman to haue more husbands then one In the one part of which Law notwithstanding God sometimes dispensed For there be two kindes of preceptes pertaining to the law of nature One sorte are as first principles of the law of nature in which God neuer dispēseth much lesse anie man As that one woman may not haue more husbands then one because the same would rather hinder procreation and so were directly against the fruict of mariage The other sorte are as conclusions drowne from the first principles in which God sometimes dispenseth but neuer anie man As in this present example seeing it is against natural procreation that one woman should haue manie husbands it is conuenient also there being ordinarily as manie men as wemen in the world that euerie man likwise should be restrained to one wife for so procreation may rather be increased then if some men haue manie wiues and others by that occasion haue none at al except in some special case As after the floud when there was searsetie of people God dispensed with such men as indeede were like to make greatter procreation by pluralitie of wiues VVhich appeareth sufficiently by that Sarai perswaded her owne husband to marie an other wife and he a true seruant of God agreed therto not as a new thing but as a lawful practise of those times And Moyses here and in other places stil speaketh of it as of a custome knowne to the people for lawful If a man saith he haue tvvo vviues one beloued and the other hated and they haue children by him and the sonne of the hated be first borne he can not preferre the sonne of the beloued wherby is clere that two wiues were then lawful and the children of both legitimate and that the first borne must be preferred without respect of first or last mariage Yet this dispensation either ceased before Christs time the cause ceasing when the world was replenished or at least our Sauiour tooke it away restoring Matrimonie to the first institution of two in one flesh who pleaseth to see the Doctors that vnderstand and expound the Scriptures to this effect may read S. Augustin li. 22. c. 30. 47. con Faust Manich. li. 16. c. 25. 38. ciuit li. 1 de adulter coniugijs S. Christom ho. 56. in Gen. S. Amb. li. de Abraham c. 4. Also S. Chrisost S. Hierom. and S. Bede in 19. Mathei CHAP. XVII God renewing his promises to Abram 5. changeth his name 10. and commandeth Circuncision 15. changeth also his wiues name promiseth a sonne of her 20. Likewise that Ismael shal prosper 23. and the same day Abraham circuncised himselfe and Ismael and al the men of his house ANd after that he beganne to be nyntie and nyne yeares old our Lord appeared vnto him and said vnto him I am the God almightie walke before me and be perfect †And I wil make my couenant betwen me and thee and I wil multiplie thee exceadingly †Abram fel flat on his face †And God said to him I am and my couenant is with thee thou shalt be a father of manie nations †Neyther shal thy name be called any more Abram but thou shalt be called Abraham because a father of “ many nations I haue made thee †And I wil make thee encrease
when they iustly feared reuenge for so gteat and inhumane iniuries done vnto him chap. 50. v. 20. 35. Into hel mourning Protestants denying more places for soules after this life then Heauen for the iust and Hel for the wicked translate the hebrew word Sheol graue for hel Because if they should grant that Iacob or other holie fathers of the old Testament descended into hel they must confesse some other hel then where the damned are tormented whither no Christian wil say that those fathers went If they contended only about the sense and meaning of the text it were more tolerable for therin they speake according to their erronious opinion as they thinke But knowing as some of them doe that Hel is the true word of the text there is no sinceritie nor moral honestie in putting Graue in place therof And that they know it the second table of the Bible printed at London 1602. witnesseth noting for a common place that in the 37. chap. of Genesis v. 35. Hel is taken for graue therby confessing that the true English word of the holie Scripture in that place is Hel but that they would haue it to signifie graue VVherupon anie reasonable man would thinke to finde the word Hel in the text with some glosse to shew that graue were to be vnderstood But in al their Editions also in that which was printed the yeare next folowing 1603 wherto the same table is adioyned they reade graue and not hel in that place though in some other places they much disagree in translating the same word As for the sense it can not be that Iacob ment the graue for when he said he would goe to his sonne he supposed him to be deuoured by a wild beast and not buried in a graue And therfore must necessarily meane that he would goe where he thought the soule of his sonne to be VVhich was neither in heauen for then he would rather haue ascended thither ioyful then descended to anie place mourning neither did he meane the hel of the dammed for that had bene desperation but to a lowe place where the iust soules then remained in rest which was called Limbus Patrum or Abrahams bosome That is saith S. Augustin in his answere to Bishop Euodius Epist 99. secretae cuiusdam quiet is habitatio The habitation of a certaine secret rest CHAP. XXXVIII Iudas hauing three sonnes by a Chananite 6. marieth the first and after his death the second to Thamar 10. who also dying he delayeth to match the third with her 15. But him selfe begetteth of her taking her for a harlote two sonnes twinnes Phares and Zara. THE same time Iudas going downe from his brethren turned in to a man an Odollamite named Hiras †And he sawe there the daughter of a man of Chanaan called Sue and taking her to wife he did companie with her †Who conceaued and bare a sonne and called his name Her †And conceauing a childe againe she called her sonne after he was borne Onan †She bare also the third whom she called Sela after whose birth she ceased to beare any more †And Iudas gaue a wife to Her his first begotten named Thamar †Also Her the first begotten of Iudas was wicked in the fight of our Lord and was slaine of him †Iudas therfore said to Onan his sonne companie with thy brothers wife and be ioyned to her that thou mayest “ rayse seede to thy brother †He knowing that the children should not be borne to himselfe companying with his brothers wife shed his seede vpon the ground left children might be borne in his brothers name †And therfore our Lord stroke him because he did a detestable thing †For the which cause Iudas said to Thamar his daughter in lawe Be a widowe in thy fathers house til Sela my sonne growe vp for he feared lest he also might dye as his brethren Who went her way and dwelt in her fathers house †And after many dayes were come and gone the daughter of Sue the wife of Iudas died who after his mourning hauing receiued consolation went vp to the shearers of his sheepe himselfe and Hiras his shepheard of his flocke the Odolamite into Thamnas †And it was told Thamar that her father in law came vp into Thamnas to sheare his sheepe †Who putting of the garments of her widowhood tooke a veile and changing her habite sate in the crosse way that leadeth to Thamnas because Sela was growne and she had not taken him to her husband †Whom when Iudas had seene he supposed her to be an harlot for she had couered her face lest she should be knowen †And going vnto her he said Suffer me to lye with thee for he knew her not to be his daughter in law Who answering What wilt thou geue me that thou maiest enioy my companie †He said I wil send thee a kid out of the flockes And when she said againe I wil suffer that thou wilt if thou geue me a pledge til thou send that which thou doest promise †Iudas said What wilt thou to be geuen thee for a pledge She answered Thy ring and bracelet and staffe which thou holdest in thy hand The woman therfore by once companying conceaued †and rising she went her way and putting of the apparel which me had taken put on the garments of her widowhood †And Iudas sent a kid by his shephard the Odolamite that he might receiue the pledge againe which he had geuen to the woman who when he had not found her †he asked the men of that place Where is the woman that sate in the crosse way Al making answere There was no harlot in this place †He returned to Iudas and said to him I haue not found her yea the men also of that place said vnto me that there neuer sate harlot there †Iudas said Let her take it to her surely she can not charge vs with a lye I sent the kid which I promised and thou didest not find her †And behold after three moneths they told Iudas saying Thamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot and her bellie semeth to swel And Iudas said Bring her forth that she may be burnt †Who when she was led to execution she sent to her father in law saying By that man whose these things are haue I conceaued looke whose the ring is and the bracelet and the staffe †Who acknowledging the giftes said She is iuster then I because I did not geue her to Sela my sonne But he knew her no more †And when she was readie to be brought to bed there appeared twinnes in her bellie and in the verie deliuerie of the infants one put forth the hand wherin the midwife tyed a skarlet string saying †This shal come forth the former †But he drawing backe his hand the other came forth and the woman said Why is the partition diuided
for thee and for this cause called his name Phares †Afterward his brother came forth in whose hand was the skarelet string whom she called Zara. ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXXVIII 8. Raise sede to thy brother By this it appeareth that in the law of nature when a maried man died without issue his brother might lawfully marie the widow whose first sonne should be counted and called the sonne and heyre of his vncle dead before The same was established by the law of Moyses Deut. 25 VVhich being now abrogated it remaineth in the Churches powre to constitute a law in this behalf and consequently to dispence in the same so farre as is agreable with the law of nature VVherof see more Leuit. 18. CHAP. XXXIX Ioseph being in great credite with his maister hath the whole charge of his house 7. Contemning his mystris solicitation to incontinencie 13. is falsly accused by her to his maister 20. and cast into prison 21. Where againe he getteth credite and hath the charge of al the prisoners THERFORE Ioseph was brought into Aegypt and Putiphar an Eunuch of Pharao prince of his armie a man of Aegypt bought him at the hand of the Ismaelites by whom he was brought †And our Lord was with him and he was a man that in al things did prosperously and he dwelt in his maisters house †who knewe verie wel that our Lord was with him and that al thinges which he did were directed by him in his hand †And Ioseph found grace before his maister and ministred to him by whom being made ruler ouer al his thinges he gouerned the house committed to him and al thinges that were deliuered vnto him †and our Lord blessed the house of the Aegyptian for Iosephes sake and multiplied as wel in houses as in landes al his substance †Neither knew he any other thing but the bread which he did eate And Ioseph was of beautiful countenance and comely fauored to behold †After manie dayes therfore his maistresse cast her eyes on Ioseph and said Sleepe with me †Who in no wise assenting to that wicked act said to her Behold my maister hauing deliuered al thinges vnto me knoweth not what he hath in his owne house †neither is there any thing which is not in my power or that he hath not deliuered to me beside thee that art his wife how therfore can I do this wicked thing and sinne against my God †With these kinde of wordes day by day both the woman was importune vpon the young man and he refused the aduoutrie †And it chanced on a certaine day that Ioseph went into the house and did some businesse without anie man with him †and â—he catching the skirte of his garment said Sleepe with me who leauing the cloke in her hand fled and went forth abroad †And when the woman sawe the garment in her handes and her selfe to be contemned †she called to her the men of her house and said to them See he hath brought in an Hebrew to delude vs he came vpon me for to lie with me and when I had cried our †and he heard my voice he left the cloake that I hold and fled forth †For an argument therfore of her credite she reserued the cloake and shewed it to her husband returning home †and said There came vnto me the Hebrew seruant whom thou didest bring hither for to delude me †and when he heard me crie he left the cloke which I held and fled forth †His maister hearing these thinges and geuing ouer light credite to his wiues wordes was very wrath †and deliuered Ioseph into prison where the kinges prisoners were kept and he was there shut vp †And our Lord was with Ioseph and hauing mercie vpon him gaue him grace in the sight of the chiefe of the prison †Who deliuered in his hand al the prisoners that were kept in custodie and whatsoeuer was done was vnder him †Neyther did himselfe knowe any thing hauing committed al things to him for our Lord was with him and directed al his workes CHAP. XL. Ioseph interpreteth the dreames of two Eunuches prisoners 12. that the one should be restored to his office 16. the other be hanged 20. The third day the euent declareth the interpretations to be true but Ioseph is forgotten THESE thinges being so done it chanced that two Eunuches the cupbearer of the king of Aegypt and his baker offended against their lord †And Pharao being wrath against them for the one was chiefe of the cupbearers the other chiefe baker †he sent them into the prison of the captaine of the souldiers in the which Ioseph also was prisoner †But the keeper of the prison deliuered them to Ioseph who also ministred to them some litle time was passed and they were kept in custodie †And they sawe ech of them both a dreame in one night according to an interpretation agreing to them selues †to whom when Ioseph was entred in the morning and saw them sad †he asked them saying Why is your countenance sadder to day then it was woont †Who answered We haue seene a dreame there is no bodie to interprete it to vs. And Ioseph said to them Why “ doth not interpretation belong to God Tel me what you haue seene †The chiefe of the cup-bearers first told his dreame I saw before me a vine †wherin were three branches growing by litle and litle into buddes and after the blossomes the grapes waxed ripe †and the cup of Pharao in my hand and I tooke the grapes and wrong them into the cup which I held and I gaue the cup to Pharao †Ioseph answered This is the interpretation of the dreame The three branches are yet three dayes †after the which Pharao wil remember thy seruice and wil restore thee to thy old degree and thou shalt geue him the cup according to thyne office as before thou haddest wont to doe †Only remember me when it shal be wel with thee and doe me this mercie to put Pharao in mind that he take me out of this prison †because I was taken away by stealth out of the land of the hebrewes and here an innocent was I cast into the lake †The maister of the bakers seing that he had wisely resolued the dreame he said And I also saw a dreame That I had three baskettes of meale vpon my head †and that in one basket that was the higher I caried al meates that are made by the art of baking and that the birds did eate out of it †Ioseph answered This is the interpretation of the dreame The three basketts are yet three dayes †after the which Pharao wil take thy head from thee and hang thee on the crosse and the foules shal teare thy flesh †The third day after this was the birth day of Pharao who making a great feast to his seruantes at the
name of God which essentially is proper only to the three Diuine Persons of the B. Trinitie and incommunicable to anie creature Sap. 14. is neuertheles by similitude attributed in holie Scripture to other persons As Exod. 22. v. 8. Iudges or princes are called goddes for the eminent authoritie and powre which they haue from God So Moyses was constituted the Iudge and God of Pharao not only to punish him for his obstinacie and finally to compel him to dismisse the Israelites out of Aegypt but also to terrifie him so in the meane time that he being otherwise a mightie King and extremly and often afflicted by Moyses yet durst neuer lay violent handes vpon him left himsefe and al his nation should presently haue bene destroyed As S. Hilarie lib. 7. de Trinitate S. Gregorie ho. 8. in EZech. note vpon this place Likwise Priests are called goddes Exod 22. v. 28. for their sacred function pertaining to Religion and Seruice of God Prophetes also are called Videntes Seers 1. Reg. 9. because by participation of diuine knowledge they see sometimes the secretes of other mens hartes things supernatural and future contingent though properly and naturally onlie God almightie is Scrutator cordis the searcher of the hart and knoweth al things Sap. 1. Againe S. Peter saieth 2. Epist c. 1. that iust men are made partakers of diuine nature VVhich is rather more then to participate in name Al which titles rightly perteined to Moyses being in life Holie in knowledge a Prophete in function a Priest and in powre a Prince In the same sense of participation Saintes are called our Mediators Aduocates Redemers Deliuerers and the like 3. I vvil indurate According to our purpose mentioned in the Annotations vpon the 9. chap. to the Romanes we shal here recite the summe of S. Augustins doctrine Ser. 88. de tempore touching the hard question How God did indurate Pharaoes hart And withal we shal briefly explicate according to the doctrine of the same other most learned Fathers of the Church the true sense of this and like places by which Zuinglius Caluin Beza and other Sectaries would proue that God not only permitteth but also commandeth inclineth inforceth and compelleth men to do that which is sinne yea that God is the author internal mouer inforcer that man transgresseth though they denie thâ—t God sinneth or is cause of the malice of sinne For exaÌ„ple Zuinglius Ser. de prouidentia Dei ca. 5 saieth Numen ipsum auctor est eius quod nobis est iniustitia illi vero nullatenus est The diuine povvre it selfe is author of that thing vvhich to vs is iniustice but to him in no vvise is And alitle after Cum igitur Angelum transgressorem â—acit hominem ipse tamen transgressor non coÌ„stituitur VVhen therfore God maketh Angel and man transgressor yet himself is not made a transgressor Cha. 6. Vnum igitur atque idem sacinus puta adulterium aut homicidium quantum Dei est auctoris motoris impulsoris opus est crimen non est quantum hominis est crimen acscelus est Therfore the self same act as adulterie or manslaughter as it is of God the author mouer inforcer is a worke is not a crime but as it is of man is a crime a wicked act Caluin li 8. Instit c. 17. para 11. affirmeth that the diuel the whole band of the wicked can not conceiue nor endeuoure nor doe anie mischief nisi quantum Deus permiâ—erit imo â—isi quantum ille mandarit but so farre as God permitteth which al Catholiques firmly beleue nay â—ut so far as he coÌ„mandeth which al Catholiques abhorre and detest Likewise li. 2. c. 4. para 4 alleaging Gods wordes saying he had aggrauated and hardned Pharaoes hart affirmeth that which God did more besides not mollifying his hart was quod obstinatione pectus eius obâ—irmandum Satanae mandauit that he committed his hart to Satan to be obdurated vvith obstinacie making God the author and Satan only the minister of hardning Pharaos hart Beza folowing this race in Respon ad Castallionem Aphorismo 22. saieth God so vvorketh by euel instruments that he doth not only suffer them to worke nor only moderateth the euent sed etiam vt excitet impellat moueat regat atque adeo quod omniuÌ„ est maximum etiam creet vt per illa agat quod constituit but also sturreth them vp driueth them forward moueth them ruleth them and which is most of al euen createth them that by them he may vvorke that which he appointed Al vvhich saith he God doth rightly and vvithout anie iniustice So in dede these men say when they are pressed with the blasphemous absurditie that they make God author and cause of sinne which necessarily and euidently foloweth of their doctrin For by the very light of nature it is clere that the commander or inforcer is author of that euil which an other doth by his coÌ„mandement or inforcement and by al law of nature and nations diuiue and humane is condemned as culpable and guiltie of the fault which the other coÌ„mitteth but these ministers say in the places aboue cited God câ—mandeth inforceth and vvorketh al that a sinner doth Ergo God by this doctrin must be author culpable and guiltie of sinne VVhich is so blasphemous and horrible to Christian eares that they dare not say it in expresse termes Seing then God is said to haue indurated Pharaoes hart and al confesse that induration of hart is a most greuous sinne the controuersie is VVhether God commanded inforced and wrought the induration in Pharaoes hart or only permitted it or what els God did to Pharao wherby his hart was indurate and finally by whom it was properly indurate by God or by Pharao him selfe Al which S. Augustin explicateth laying first this ground which euerie one is faithfully and firmly to beleue that God neuer forsaketh any man before he be first forsaken by the same man yea God also long expecteth that a sinner which much and often offendeth conuert and liue But when the sinner abideth long in his wickednes of the multitude of sinnes riseth desperation of desperation is ingendred obduration For vvhen the impious is comon to the depth of sinnes he contemneth Obduration therfore cometh not of Gods powre compelling but is ingendred by Gods remisnes or indulgence and so not diuine powre but diuine patience did harden Pharaoes hart How often soeuer therfore our Lord saieth I vvil indurate the hart of Pharao he would nothing els to be vnderstood but I wil suspend my plagues and punishments wherby I wil permit him through mine indulgence to be obdurate against me Perhaps some wil aske why did God by sparing him let him be indurate why did God take from him his wholsome punishment I answer securely this was done because Pharao for the huge heape of his sinnes deserued not as
is other mens the best of whatsoeuer he hath in his owne field or in his vineyard he shal restore according to the estimation of the damage †If fire breaking forth light vpon the thornes and catch stackes of corne or corne standing in the fieldes he shal render the damage that kindled the fire †If a man committe money or vessel vnto his frend to keepe and they be stolen away from him that receaued them if the theefe be found he shal restore duble †if the theefe be not knowen the maister of the house shal be brought to the goddes and shal sweare that he did not extend his hand vpon his neighbours good †to doe any fraud as wel in oxe as in asse and sheepe and rayment and whatsoeuer may bring damage the cause of both parties shal come to the goddes and if they geue iudgement he shal restore duble to his neighbour †If a man committee asse oxe sheepe or any beast to his neigbours custodie and it die or be hurt or be taken of enemies and no man saw †there shal be an oath betwen them that he did not put forth his hand to his neighbours good and the owner shal admitte the oath and he shal not be compelled to make restitution †But if it were taken away by stelth he shal restore the damage to the owner †If it were eaten of a beast let him bring vnto him that which was slaine and he shal not make restitution †He that asketh of his neighbour to borow any of these thinges and it be hurt or dead the owner being not present he shal be compelled to make restitution †But if the owner be present he shal not make restitution especially if it were hired and came for the hire of the same †If a man seduce a virgin being not yet despoused and lie with her he shal endowe her and haue her to wife †If the virgins father wil not geue her he shal geue money according to the maner of the dowrie which virgins are wont to receaue †Inchanters thou shalt not suffer to liue †He that lieth with a brute beast dying let him die †He that sacrificeth to goddes shal be put to death but to the Lord only †Thou shalt not molest a stranger nor afflict him for your selues also were strangers in the Land of Aegypt †A widow and an orphane you shal not hurt †If you hurt them they wil crie out to me and I wil heare their crie †and my furie shal take indignation and I wil strike you with the sword and your wiues shal be widowes and your children orphanes †If thou lend money to my people being poore that dwelleth with thee thou shalt not vrge them as an exactour nor oppresse them with vsuries †If thou take of thy neighbour a garment in pledge thou shalt geue it him againe before sunne sette †For that same is the onlie thing wherwith he is couered the clothing of his bodie neither hath he other to sleepe in if he the goddes and the prince of thy people thou shalt not curse †Thy tithes and thy first fruites thou shalt not slacke to pay the first-borne of thy sonnes thou shalt geue me †Of thy oxen also sheepe thou shalt doe in like maner seuen dayes let it be with the damme the eight day thou shalt render it to me †Holie men you shal be to me the flesh that beastes haue tasted of before you shal not eate but shal cast it to the dogges CHAP. XXIII Lawes are appointed to Iudges the enemies oxe or asse to be saued 8. namely not to take bribes 10. The seuenth yeare and day al must rest 14. Three principal feastes must be solemnized euerie yeare 20. Conduction and protection of an Agel is promised 24. the people is agane commanded to destroy Idols 29. VVhy their enemies shal be destroyed by litle and litle THOV shalt not admitte a lying voice neither shalt thou ioyne thy hand to say false testimonie for a wicked person †Thou shalt not folow the multitude to doe euil neither shalt thou in iudgement argree to the sentence of the most part to stray from the truth †The poore man also thou shalt not pitie in iudgement †If thou meete thy enemies oxe or asse going astray bring it backe to him †If thou see the asse of him that hareth thee lye vnderneth his burden thou â—halt not passe by but shalt liâ—t him vp with the same †Thou shalt not decline the poore mans iudgement †A lye thou shalt auoide The innocent and iust person thou shal not put to death because I abhorre the impious man †Neither shalt thou take bribes which doe blind also the wise and peruert the wordes of the iust †The stranger thou shalt not molest for you know the hartes of strangers because your selues also were strangers in the Land of Aegypt †Six yeares thou shalt sow thy ground and shalt gather the corne therof †But the seuenth yeare thou shalt let it alone and make it to rest that the poore of thy people may eate and whatsoeuer shal be leift let the beastes of the field eate it so shalt thou doe in thy vineyard and thy oliuete †Six dayes thou shalt worke the seuenth day thou shalt cease that thy oxe may rest and thine asse and the sonne of thy handmaide may be refreshed and the stranger †Kepe al thinges that I haue said to you And by the name of foren goddes you shal not sweare neither shal it be heard out of your mouth †Three times euerie yeare you shal celebrate feastes to me †Thou shalt keepe the solemnitie of Azymes Seuen dayes shalt thou â—aâ—e azymes as I commanded thee in the time of the moneth of new corne when thou didst come forth out of Aegypt thou shalt not appeare in my sight emprie †And the solemnitie of the haruest of the first fruites of thy worke whatsoeuer thou didst sow in the field The solemnitie also in the end of the yeare when thou hast gathered al thy corne out of the field †Thrise a yeare shal al thy male sexe appeare before the Lord thy God †Thou shalt not sacrifice the bloud of my victime vpon leuâ—n neither shal the fatte of my solemnitie remaine vntil the morning †The first fruites of the corne of thy ground thou shalt carrie into the house of the Lord thy God Thou shalt not boyle a kidde in the milke of his damme †Behold I wil send myne Angel which shal goe before thee and keepe thee in thy iourney and bring thee into the place that I haue prepared †Obserue him and heare his voice neither doe thou thinke him one to be contemned for he wil not forgeue when thou hast sinned and my name is in him †But iâ— thou wilt heare his voice and doe al that I speake I wil be enemie to
that the people of God should offer sacrifice though for special purposes certaine particular sacrifices were some times appointed but this dutie obligation presupposed our Lord first admonishing to offer the best and perfectest things in euerie kind prescribeth with what rites and ceremonies it shal be done As in offering an holocaust of the heard it must be a male vvithout spotte and be offered at the dore of the tabernacle the offerer putting his handes vpon the head of the hoste the priests must offer the bloud povvring it in the circuite of the altar plucke of the skinne cut the ioyntes in peeces lay them in order the entrales and feete being vvashed burne al vpon the Altar And the like in other sacrifices al for iust and reasonable causes without which the wisdome of God doth nothing Sap. 7. Psal 103. v 24. 3. An holocaust In respect of diuers things offered the diuers maner and causes of offering there were manie sortes of Sacrifices but al are reduced to three kindes The first was Holocaust in which al was burned in the honour of God and resolued into vapour which ascendeth vpwards in signe that al we haue is of God The second was Sacrifice for sinne that of diuers sortes for the varietie of sinnes and persons and part of this sacrifice was burned the other part belonged to the Priests The third was Pacifique sacrifice wherof one part was burnt an other pertayned to the Priests and an other to them that gaue the oblation And of this kinde there were two sortes one of thanksgeuing for benefites receiued the other to procure fauoure in anie good enterprise or desire Al the which did prefigure and forshew one only Sacrifice of Chtists bodie and bloud offered by him in two maners bloudie on the Crosse once for euer wherof S. Paul expressy speaketh Heb. 9. vnbloudie in formes of bread and wine wherof the same S. Paul speaketh Heb. 13. v. 10. shewing that Christians haue an Altar and consequently a Sacrifice farre excelling those of the Tabernacle and our Sauiour him selfe Math. 26. v. 25. speaking of the contents in the chalice said it was his bloud of the nevv Testament which he then instituted and dedicated as is there noted And the ancient Fathers by Caluins confession in Heb. 9. generally vse this distinction of the same Sacrifice offered in bloudie in vnbloudie maner They likewise teach that al lawful Sacrifices of the Law of nature and of Moyses did end and were complete in this one which is our daylie Sacrifice our immaculate lâ—mâ—e our manna our libament our holocaust our Sacrifice for sinne our Pacifique Sacrifice for al purposes and in steede of al old Sacrifices So S. Augustin lib 8. c. 27. lib. 17. c. 20. de ciuit lib. 3 de Bapis c. 19. lib. 1. cont aâ—uâ—rs lâ—g ptophet c. 18. 20. S. Chrysost in Psal 95. S. Leo. ser 8. de Pass and other fathers teach 9. Svvetesauour Not that the sauour of corporal things though it were sweter then of burnt flesh and bones delighteth Gods most pure substance but for that mans frailtie in some good sorte performing his dutie is very acceptable to his diuine goodnes For otherwise he required not these Sacrifices nor other external Rites for him felf but he would haue his people for their owne good to be exercised therein especially for three causes First to kepe them from Idolatrie wherto they were very prone as appeareth by their often falling notwithstanding continual admonitions to the contrarie For being as it were burdened with manie ceremonies pertaining to Gods true seruice they might haue lesse mind leysure and occasion to serue Idols Secondly for so much as man consisteth of soule and bodie as the soule must interiorly vvorship God in spirite and veritie so the bodie must also honour him exteriorly seruing iustice vnto sanctification that is by external good workes to increase iustice and sanctitie when by them the mind is instructed and inuited to know and honoure God For otherwise saieth S Dionyse c. 1. â—alest Hiâ—rer vnles mans vnderstanding vse the helpe of corporal things diuine veritie can not be attained And S. Augustin lib. 10. c. 5 ciuit teacheth that God commanded external Sacrifices thereby to lead his seruants vnto mortified spirites contrite and humbled harts to mercie and compassion towards others In briefe c. 3. Enchir to the true and perfect seruing of his Diuine powre by faith hope and charitie Thirdly that these external Sacrifices and Rites might prefigure and signifie greater more excellent and more effectual Mysteries of the new Testament For as S. Paul speaketh Heb. 10. the lavv of Moyses hauing a shadovv of good things to come not the verie image of the things brought not to perfection nor tooke avvay sinnes by the bloud of oxen or goaâ—es but being asisâ—â—id a shadovv rather shaded then perfectly shewed the great benefites which the new law as a perfect image liuely representeth especially Christs passion which is the verie fountaine of grace and mercie And wheras the old law could not iustifie Gal. 3. the law of Christ doth in dede iustifie as the Gospel witnesseth saying Ioan 1 v. 17. The lavv vvas geuen by Moyses grace and veritie vvaâ— made by Iesus Christ CHAP. II. How to offer flovvre 4. loaues wafers with oile and incense without leauen or honie 12. also first fruictes 13. And salt in euerie oblation VVHEN a soule shal offer an oblation of sacrifice to our Lord fine flowre shal be his oblation and he shal poure oyle vpon it and put franckincense †and shal carie it to the sonnes of Aaron the priests of whom one shal take a handful of the flowre and the oile and al the franckincense and shal put it a memorial vpon the Altar for a most sweete sauour to our Lord. †And that which shal be left of the sacrifice shal be Aarons and his sonnes Holie of holies among the oblations of our Lord. †But when thou offerest a sacrifice baked in the ouen of flowre to wit loaues without leauen tempered with oyle and wafers vnleauened layd ouer with oyle †If thine oblation be of the frying panne of flowre tempered with oyle and without leuen †thou shalt diuide it in litle peeces and shalt poure oyle vpon it †And if the sacrifice be from the gridiron in like maner the flowre shal be tempered with oyle †which offering to our Lord thou shalt deliuer to the handes of the priest †Who hauing offered it shal take a memorie of the sacrifice and burne vpon the altar for a swete sauour to our Lord †and whatsoeuer is left shal be Aarons and his sonnes Holie of holies among the oblations of our Lord. †Euerie oblation that is offered to our Lord shal be made without leauen neyther shal any leauen and honie be burned in the sacrifice of our Lord. †The first fruites only of them and
wife thou shalt not reueale because it is the turpitude of thy brother †The turpitude of thy wife and her daughter thou shalt not reueale Her sonnes daughter and her daughters daughter thou shalt not take to reueale her ignominie because they are her flesh and such copulation is incest †Thou shalt not take thy wiues sister for an harlote to vexe her withal neither shalt thou reueale her turpitude whiles she is yet liuing †To a woman hauing her flowers thou shalt not approch neither shalt thou reueale her turpitude †With thy neighbours wife thou shalt not companie nor be polluted with commixtion of seede †Of thy seede thou shalt not geue to be consecrated to the idol Moloch nor pollute the name of thy God I the Lord. †Companie not with mankind as with womankind because it is abomination †With no beast shalt thou companie neither shalt thou be polluted with it A woman shal not lie downe to a beast nor companie with it because it is an hainous fact †Neither be ye polluted in anie of the thinges wherwith al the nations haue bene contaminated which I wil cast out before your sight †and wherwith the land is polluted whose abominations I wil visite that it vomite out the inhabitants therof †Keepe my ordinances and iudgements and doe not any of these abominations as wel the same countrieman as the stranger that seiourneth with you †For al these execrable thinges did the inhabitants of the land that haue bene before you and haue polluted it †Beware therfore lest in like maner it vomite out you also when you shal doe the like thinges as it vomited out the nation that was before you †Euerie soule that shal doe anie of these abominations shal perish from the middes of his people †Keepe my commandements Doe not the thinges which they haue done that haue bene before you and be not polluted in them I the Lord your God ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XVIII 6 Next of his bloud Mariage is forbid first and most strictly by the law of nature in al degrees in the right line ascending and decending both in consanguinitie and affinitie S. Paul testifying that among the heat hen no man could haue his fathers vvise And in the right line God him selfe who onlie can neuer dispensed Secondarily the first collateral degree in consanguinitie that is betwen brother and sister by one parent or by both is also vnlawful by the law of nature except in the beginning of the world when Adams children must nedes marie together God so ordayning that al mankind should be propagated by one man for of him also the first woman was made but after this beginning it was neuer allowed nor perhaps can be dispensed withal at least neuer was by anie man Though Beza li. de repudijs diuoâ—tijs and some English Bezites charge Pope Martin the fifth to haue dispensed with one that had maried his owne natural sister which is a false reporte For it was with one who hauing committed fornication with one sister afterwardes maried the other from whom he could not be separated without great scandal the pretended mariage being publike and the impediment secrete as S. Antoninus writeth par 3. sum Theol. tit 1. c. 11. But besides the right line and the first collateral degree in consanguinitie no other collateral degrees are prohibited by the law of nature but by positiue only So this present law written by Moyses forbade to marie in the first collateral degree of affinitie but the same law commanded Deut. 25. that in case a maried man died without issue his brother should marie the widow VVherby is clere that this degree and others more remote were not prohibited by the law of nature For then God would not haue made a contrarie general law in anie case for the whole nation of the Iewes his people and that vnder penaltie to be obserued which is contrarie to the qualitie of indulgence or dispensation and no such necessitie as in the beginning of the world VVherfore al protestants that say the whole law written by Moyses concerning degrees of consanguinitie and affinitie is the law of nature and so pertaineth to Christians must necessarily say also that if now a maried man die without issue his brother must marie his wife VVhich specially they denie It is also proued that this and some other degrees expressed in this place were not against the law of nature which is common to al nations commonly or easely knowne to al men by discourse of reason because no common wealth among the Gentiles did punish nor modest men forbeare or reprehend such mariages as appeareth by Laban who after he had deceiued Iacob by geuing him one sister for an other offered him also the former promised whom without difficultie of conscience he accepted Gen. 29. neither did that holie Patriareh thinke it vnlauful to keepe them both And when Iudas matched his second sonne and promised the third to the wife of his first sonne he did it according to the custome of that place time Gen. 38. And Noemi spoke according to the same custome Ruth 1. v. 11. Againe where this law forbiddeth a man to marie or companie with his wiues sister it addeth vvhiles she is liuing not prohibiting mariage when his first wife is dead Yet his wiues sister is as nere in affinitie as his brothers wife Likewise the diuersitie of punishments chap. 20. for transgression of this law either in the right line or in the first collateral degree of consanguinitie who were punished by death and for transgressing in the first collateral degree of affinitie or in the second either of consanguinitie or affinitie who had lesse punishments sheweth that the former degrees are prohibited by the law of nature and not the other for then the violation should be like sinne and punished alike Finally it is euident that certaine of these degrees are not against the law of nature by the example of holie Abraham who in and according to the law of nature maried his brothers daughter called Sarai otherwise Iescha Gen. 11. which mariage God approued by manie blessings Also Iacob maried two sisters together Two sonnes of Iudas maried the same woman successiuely And Amram Moyses father maried his aunt his fathers sister Exod. 6. v. 20. Num. 26. v. 59. VVherfore seing neither the first collateral degree in affinitie nor the second collateral in consanguinitie or affinitie is forbid by the law of nature but by positiue only and that both ceremonial and iudicial lawes of the old Testament ceassed in the New and are abrogated by Christ it resteth proued that the same bind not Christians but as they are renewed and established by the Church or Christian commonwelthes And as this is donne in temporal causes by temporal States partly by renewing and establishing the same which was in the law of Moyses as by punishing wilful
and the stranger and pupil and widow which abide with you in the place which our Lord thy God shal choose that his name may dwel there †and thou shalt remember that thou wast a seruant in Aegypt and thou shalt keepe and doe the thinges that are commanded †The solemnitie also of Tabernacles thou shalt celebrate seuen daies when thou hast gathered thy fruite of the barne floore and the presse †and thou shalt feast in the festiuitie thou thy sonne and thy daughter thy man seruant and woman seruant the Leuite also and stranger and pupil and widow that are within thy gates †Seuen daies shalt thou celebrate the feastes to our Lord thy God in the place which our Lord shal choose and our Lord thy God wil blesse thee in al thy fruites and in euerie worke of thy handes and thou shalt be in ioye †Three times in a yeare shal al thy male appeare in the sight of our Lord thy God in the place which he shal choose in the solemnitie of Azymes in the solemnitie of weekes and in the solemnitie of Tabernacles There shal not appeare before our Lord any emptie †but euerie one shal offer according to that he hath according to the blessing of our Lord his God which he shal geue him †Iudges and maisters shalt thou appoynt in al thy gates which our Lord thy God shal geue thee in euerie of thy tribes that they may iudge the people with iust iudgement †and not decline to either part Thou shalt not accept person nor giftes because that giftes blinde the eies of the wise and change the wordes of the iust †Iustly shalt thou pursew that which is iust that thou mayest liue and possesse the Land which our Lord thy God shal geue thee †Thou shalt plante no groue nor any tree neere the altar of our Lord thy God †Neither shalt thou make nor sette to thy self a statue which thing our Lord thy God hateth CHAP. XVII Perfect hostes not mamed nor defectiue must be offered to God Idolaters stoned to death 8. VVhen inferior iudges differ the cause must be decided by the High Priest in consistorie Who is warranted not to erre therin and al are bound to obey his sentence 14. The dutie also of a king Whom in future time God wil condescend to geue them is described with special charge to receiue the law of God at the Priestes handes THOV shalt not immolate to our Lord thy God a sheepe and an oxe wherein there is blemish or any fault because it is abomination to our Lord thy God †When there shal be found with thee within one of thy gates which our Lord thy God shal geue thee man or woman that do euil in the sight of our Lord thy God and transgresse his couenant †that they goe and serue strange goddes and adore them the sunne and the moone and al the hoste of heauen which thinges I commanded not †and this is told thee and hearing it thou hast inquired diligently and found it to be true and the abomination is committed in Israel †thou shalt bring forth the man and the woman that haue committed that most heynous thing to the gates of thy citie and they shal be stoned †At the mouth of two or three witnesses shal he perish that is to be slaine Let no man be killed one onlie geuing testimonie against him †The hand of the witnesses shal be first to kil him and the hand of the rest of the people shal be layd on last that thou mayest take away the euil out of the middes of thee †“ If thou perceiue that the iudgement with thee be hard and doubtful betwen bloud and bloud cause and cause leprosie and not leprosie and thou see that the wordes of the iudges within thy gates doe varye arise and goe vp to the place which our Lord thy God shal choose †And thou shalt come to the priestes of the Leuitical stocke and to the iudge that shal be at that time and thou shalt aske of them “ who shal shew thee the truth of the iudgment †And thou shalt do whatsoeuer they that are presidentes of the place which our Lord shal choose shal say and teach thee †according to his law and thou shalt folow their sentence neither shalt thou decline to the right hand nor to the left hand †But “ he that shal be proude refusing to obey the commandement of the Priest which at that time ministreth to our Lord thy God and the decree of the iudge that man shal die and thou shalt take away the euil out of Israel †and the whole people hearing shal feare that none afterward swel in pride †When thou art entred the Land which our Lord thy God wil geue thee and doest possesse it and dwellest in it and sayest I wil sette a king ouer me as al nations haue round about †him shalt thou sette whom our Lord thy God shal choose of the number of thy brethren A man of an other nation that is not thy brother thou canst not make king †And when he is made he shal not multiplie to him selfe horses nor lead backe the people into Aegypt taking high courage for the number of his horsemen especially whereas our Lord hath commanded you that in no case you returne any more the same way †He shal not haue manie wiues that may allure his minde nor huge weightes of siluer and gold †And after he shal sitte in the throne of his kingdome he shal copie to him selfe the Deuteronomie of this Law in a volume taking the copie of the priestes of the Leuitical tribe †and he shal haue it with him and shal reade it al the dayes of his life that he may learne to feare our Lord his God and keepe his wordes and ceremonies that are commanded in the law †And that his hart be not lifted vp into pride ouer his brethren nor decline to the right side or the left side that he may reigne a long time and his sonnes ouer Israel ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XVII 8. If the iudgement be hard For a ful and assured decision of al controuersies God here instituted to his people a supreme Tribunal that in case inferior Iudges varied in iudgement recourse might be had to the Councel of Priestes where one chiefe Iudge the High Priest was appointed to geue sentence and al others commanded to receiue and obey the same 9. vvho shal shevv the truth God so assisted this consistorie with his spirite of truth that their sentence was infallible though otherwise they might erre either in life or in priuate opinion VVherfore our Sauiour distinguishing betwen their publique doctrin and their workes taught the people that for somuch as the Scribes and Pharisees sate in Moyses chaire and yet transgressed Gods commandmentes euerie one should obserue and doe as they saide but not doe according to their
faithfully and with a perfect hart †Euerie cause that shal come to you of your brethren that dwel in their cities betwen kinred and kinred whersoeuer there is question of the law of the commandement of ceremonies of iustifications shew it them that they sinne not agaynst our Lord and lest there come wrath vpon you and your brethren so doing therfore you shal not sinne †And Amarias the priest and your Bishop shal be chiefe in these thinges which pertayn to God moreouer Zabadias the sonne of Ismahel who is the prince in the house of Iuda shal be ouer those workes which pertayne to the kinges office and you haue maisters the Leuites before you take courage and doe diligently and our Lord wil be with the good CHAP. XX. The Ammonites Moabites and Syrians ioynning forces agaynst Iosaphat 3. he seeketh Gods helpe by publique prayer and fasting 14. A Prophet fortelleth that God wil fight for them 20. so they singing praises to God the enemies kil ech other 24. Iosaphat with his men gather verie great spoiles 30. reigneth in peace 35. but his nauie perisheth for his societee with wicked Ochozias AFTER these thinges were the children of Moab gathered together and the children of Ammon and with them of the Ammonites to fight agaynst Iosaphat †And there came messengers and told Iosaphat saying There cometh agaynst thee a great multitude from those places which are beyond the sea and out of Syria and behold they stay in Asasonthamar which is Engaddi †And Iosaphar being frighted with feare he tooke him wholy to besech ou◠Lord and he proclamed a fast to al Iuda †And Iudas was gathered together to pray to our Lord yea and al came out of their cities to besech him †And when Iosaphat stood in the middes of the assemblie of Iuda and Ierusalem in the house of our Lord before the new court †he sayd Lord God of our fathers thou art God in heauen and rulest ouer al the kingdomes of Nations in thy hand is strength and might neither can anie man resist thee †Didst not thou our God kil al the inhabitantes of this land before thy people Israel and gauest it to the seed of Abraham thy frend for euer †And they dwelt in it built in it a Sanctuarie to thy name saying †If euils fal vpon vs the sword of iudgement pestilence famine we wil stand before this house in thy sight wherein thy name is inuocated we wil crie to thee in our tribulations and thou shalt heare and saue vs. †Now therfore behold the children of Ammon and mount Seir by whom thou didst not grant Israel to passe when they came out of Aegypt but they declined from them slew them not †doe the contrarie and endeuoure to cast vs out of the possession which thou hast deliuired to vs. †Our God wilt not thou therfore iudge them In vs in deed there is not so great strength that we can resist this multitude which cometh violently vpon vs. But whereas we are ignorant what we ought to doe this onlie we haue leaft that we direct our eies to thee †And al Iuda stood before our Lord with their litle ones and wiues and their children †And there was Iahaziel the sonne of Zacharias the sonne of Banaias the sonne of Iehiel the sonne of Mathanias a Leuite of the children of Asaph vpon whom the spirit of our Lord came in the middes of the multitude †and he sayd Attend ye al Iuda and you that dwel in Ierusalem and thou king Iosaphat thus sayth our Lord to you Feare not neither dread ye this multitude for it is not your battel but Gods †To morrow you shal goe downe agaynst them for they wil come vp by the steepe named Sis and you shal find them in the vtmost part of the torrent which is agaynst the wildernesse of Ieruel †It shal not be you that shal fight but onlie stand confidently and you shal see the helpe of our Lord ouer you ô Iuda and Ierusalem feare not neither dreade ye to morrow you shal goe out agaynst them and our Lord wil be with you †Iosaphat therfore and Iuda and al the inhabitantes of Ierusalem fel flat on the earth before our Lord and adored him †Moreouer the Leuites of the children of Caath and of the children of Core praysed our Lord the God of Israel with a lowd voice on high †And when they had risen earely in the morning they went forth by the desert of Thecua and they being gone forth Iosaphat standing in the middes of them sayd Heare me ye men of Iuda and al the inhabiters of Ierusalem beleue in the Lord your God and you shal be secure beleue his prophetes and al thinges shal fal out prosperous †He gaue counsel also to the people and appoynted the singing men of our Lord that they should prayse him in their companies and should goe before the host and with agreable voice should say Confesse to our Lord because his mercie is foreuer †And when they began to sing prayses our Lord turned their embushementes vpon themselues to witte of the children of Ammon and of Moab and of mount Seir who were gone forth to fight agaynst Iuda and were striken †For the children of Ammon and of Moab rose together agaynst the inhabitantes of mount Seir to kil and destroy them and when they had in worke atcheued this being turned also agaynst themselues they fel wounded one of an other †Moreouer Iuda when they were come to the watch place that looketh to the desert saw a far of al the countrie abrode ful of dead bodies and that none remayned aliue that could escape death †Iosaphat therfore came and al the people with him to take away the spoiles of the dead and they found among the dead bodies diuerse stuffe garments also and most pretious vessels and they spoiled it soe that they could not carie al thinges nor in three dayes take a Way the spoiles for the greatnesse of the praye †And in the fourth day they were assembled in the Vale of blessing for because there they had blessed our Lord they called that place the Vale of blessing vntil this present day †And euerie man of Iuda returned and the inhabitantes of Ierusalem and Iosaphat before them into Ierusalem with great ioy because our Lord had geuen them ioy of their enemies †And they entered into Ierusalem with psalteries and harpes and trumpettes into the house of our Lord. †And the dread of our Lord fel vpon al the kingdomes of the landes when they heard that our Lord had fought agaynst the enemies of Israel †And the kidgdom of Iosaphat was quiet and God gaue him peace round about †Iosaphat therfore reigned ouer Iuda and he was fiue and thirtie yeares old when he begane to reigne and he reigned fiue and twentie yeares in Ierusalem and the name of
punishing oftenders in that behalfe 3. Reg. 15. 4. Reg. 18. 23. they did the same without preiudice of the High Priestes supremâ—cie in spirituall causes and their godlie actes make nothing for the English Paradox of Laiheadshippe For superior authoritie and ordinarie povvre is not proued by factes good or euil but rather by Gods ordinance and institution For as the factes of vsurpers make no lawfull prescription so neither the factes of good men do change Gods general ordinance and law But are done either by waie of execution or sometimes by dispensation Often also by commission and special inspiration of God As king Dauid by dispensation did eate the holie bread which was ordained for Priests onlie 1. Reg 21. He disposed of Priestes and Leuites offices about the Arke of God Par. 15. 19. by way of execution according to the law And of the like offices in the Temple when it should be built 1. Par. 23. 24. 25. 26. by diuine inspiration And Salomon by commission from God deposed Abiathar the High Priest from his office and put Sadoc in his place 3. Reg. 2. VVherefore albeit good kinges did excellentlie well in calling together the Priestes and disposing them in their offices for execution of Gods seruice yea in commanding what they should do 4. Reg. 18. 19. 22. and in punishing Priestes 4. Reg. 23. yet they did such thinges as Gods Commissioners not as ordinarie Superiors in spiritual causes and still the ordinarie subordination made by the law Deut. 17. Num. 27. stood firme and inuiolable the High Priest supreme Iudge of all doubtes in faith causes and quarels in religion when other subordinate inferior Iudges varied in their iudgmentes Of which offices Malachias the Propher cap. 2. admonished Priestes in his time that whereas they were negligent not performing their dutie their sinne was the greater for that their authoritie stil remained and the perpetual Rule of the lavv that the lippes of the Priest shal kepe knowlege and they other men generally shal require the law of his mouth because he is the Angel of the Lord of hostes And al Princes others were to receiue the law at the priestes haÌ„d of the Leuitical Tribe This vvas the vvarrant of stabilitie in truth of the Synagogue in the old Testament Much more the Church and Spouse of Christ vvhose excellencie and singular priuileges Salomon describeth in his canticle of canticles hath such vvarrant Of this spouse al the Prophets write that more plaâ—nlie then of Christ himselfe forseing more aduersaries bending their forces against her as S. Augustine obserueth then against Christ her head And the same holie father in manie places teacheth that she neither perisheth nor loseth her beutie for the mixture of euil members in respect of whom she is blacke but fayre in respect of the good Cantiâ— 1. Notwithstanding therfore sinners remaining within the Church schismatikes and heretickes breaking from the Church stil she remaineth the pillar and firmament of truth the virgin daughter of Sion THE ARGVMENT OF THE BOOKES OF ESDRAS ESDRAS a holie Priest and Scribe of the stocke of Aaron by the line of Eleazar vvriteth the historie of Gods people in and presently after their captiuitie in Babilon vvhich Nehemias an other godlie Priest prosecuteth vvhose booke is also called the second of Esdras because in the Hebrevv and Greke they are but one booke relating the acts of them both The other two books called the third and fourth of Esdras touching the same matter are not in the Hebrew nor receiued into the Canon of holie Scripture though the Greke Church hold the third booke as Canonicall and plaâ—eth it first because it conteyneth thinges donne before the other In the two here folowing vvhich are vndoubtedly holie Scripture S. Ierom sayth that Esdras and Nehemias to witte the Helper and Comforter from God restored the Temple and built the walles of the citie adding that al the troope of the people returning into their countrie also the description of Priestes Leuites Israelites Proselites and the workes of walles and to wres diuided by seueral families aliud in cortice praeferunt aliud in medulla retinent shew one thing in the barke kepe an other thing in the marrow signifying that this historie hath both a literal and a mystical sense According to the letter this first booke shevveth the reduction of Gods people from Babylon In the first six chapters In the other soure their instruction by Esdras after their returne THE FIRST BOOKE OF ESDRAS CHAP. I. Cyrus king of Persia moued by divine inspiration releaseth Gods people from captiuitie with license to returne and build the Temple in Ierusalem 7. restoring the holie vessel which Nabuchodonesor had taken from thence IN THE first yeare of Cyrus king of the Persians that the word of our Lord by the mouth of Ieremie might be accomplishd our Lord raysed vp the spirit of Cyrus king of Persians and he made proclamation in al his kingdom yea by wryting saying †Thus sayth Cyrus king of the Persians Al the kingdomes of the earth hath the Lord the God of heauen geuen me he hath commanded me that I should build him a house in Ierusalem which is in Iewrie †Who is there among you of al his people His God be with him Let him goe vp into Ierusalem which is in Iewrie and build the house of the Lord the God of Israel he is the God that is in Ierusalem †And let al the rest in al places whersoeuer they dwel let euery man of his place helpe him with siluer and gold and substance and cattel besides that which they offer voluntarily to the temple of God which is in Ierusalem †And there rose vp the princes of the fathers of Iuda and Beniamin the Priestes and Leuites and euerie one whose spirit God raysed vp to goe vp to build the temple of our Lord which was in Ierusalem †And al that were round about did helpe their handes in vessels of siluer and of gold in substance and beastes in furniture besides those thinges which they had offered voluntarily †King Cyrus also brought forth the vessels of the temple of our Lord which Nabuchodonosor had taken of Ierusalem and had put them in the temple of his God †But Cyrus the king of Persians brought them forth by the hand of Mithridates the sonne of Gazabar numbred them to Sassabasar the prince of Iuda †And this is the number of them Phials of gold thirtie phials of siluer a thousand kniues twentie nine goblettes of gold thirtie †goblettes of siluer of the second order foure hundred tenne other vessels a thousand †Al the vessels of gold and siluer fiue thousand foure hundred Sassabasar tooke al with them that went vp from the transmigration of Babylon into Ierusalem CHAP. II. The names and number of special men which returned vnder the conduct of Zorobabel into lerusalem 66.
principal cause efficient of al good mens workes and men the secondarie cause of the same Moreouer Iobs singular patience and other vertues are likewise commended in other holie Scriptures by ancient Doctores Tobiae 2. God permitted tentation to happen vnto Tobias that example might be geuen to his folowers of his patience as of holie Iob S. Iames c. 5. exhorting to patience sayth You haue heard the suffering of Iob and you haue sene the end of our Lord. Tertullian li. de patientia admiring Iobs patience exclameth thus ô most happie man whom neither the driuing away of his flockes of catle nor consuming of the rest with â—ire nor the losse of his children nor terments of his bâ—diâ— could drive â—â—â—m patience but he stood immoueable in the seruice of God for example to vs that we fall not for anie wordlie damage losse of dearest friendes or corporal afflictions blessed be God by whose blessing we may now yâ—ô happie English Catholiques that patiently suffer the very same kindes of tribulation though not in so great a degree in our time S Cyprian li debâ—no patientie Iob examined proued by the vertue of patience was aduanced to the very height of prayse a rich lord in possession a more rich father in children sudainly was neither lord nor father was also most greuously afflicted in his flesh and that no tentation might be wanting the diuel armed his wife against him yet was he not moued but by victorious patience thanked God for al In like sorre other holie fathers for encoregement and consolation of the afflicted write much of holie Iobs inuincible patience Aboue al S. Gregorie our Apostle dilateth most excellently in thirtie and fine whole bookes describing proposing his so great vertues to be imitated by al Christianes first of al li. 1. c 5. obseruing how great a prayse it is to be good in such a place in the middes of a crooâ—ed and peruerse nation shining as a light in the vvorld dwelling in the gentiles vvhere vvas the seate of Satan a lillie amongst thornes 5 Offered holocaustes for euerie one Albeit the vertue of Sacrifice as wel of Holocaust in the old Testament as especially of Christs Sacrifice in the New is of infinite valure in it selfe yet the application therof to particular persons and purposes is limited and therfore holie Iob offered not only once for al his children but manie times seuerally for euerie one VVherof see Cardinal Allan li. 2 de Eucharist Sacrific c. 35. CHAP. II. Satan by Gods permission 7. striketh Iob with sâ—res from the sole of his foote to the toppe of his head 9. His wife also insulteth against him but he sinneth not 11. Three freindes coming to visite and conforte him sitte siâ—â—nâ— by him seuen dayes AND it came to passe when on a certaine day the sonnes of God were come and stood before our Lord and Satan came among them and stood in his sight †that our Lord sayd to Satan From whence comest thou who answering sayd I haue gone round about the earth and walked through it †And our Lord sayd to Satan Hast thou considered my seruant Iob that there is not the like to him in the earth a man simple and right and fearing God and departing from euil and yet reteyning innocencie But thou hast moued me against him that I should afflict him in vaine †To whom Satan answering said Skinne for skinne al thinges that a man hath he wil geue for his life †otherwise put thy hand and touch his bone and flesh and then shalt thou see that he wil blesse thee in the â—ace †Our Lord therfore sayd to Satan Behold he is in thy hand but yet saue his life †Satan therfore going out from the face of our Lord stroke Iob with a verie sore boile from the sole of the foote euen to the toppe of his head †who with a shel scraped the corruption sitting on a dunghil †And his wife sayd to him Doest thou yet continue in thy simplicitie blesse God and die †Who sayd to her Thou hast spoken like one of the foolish wemen if we haue receiued good things of the hand of God euil thinges why should we not receiue In al these things Iob sinned not with his lippes †Therfore “ Iobs three frendes hearing al the euil that had changed to him came euerie one out of their place Elephaz a Themanite and Baldad a Suhite and Sophar a Naamathite For they had appointed that coming together they would visite him and confort him †And when they had lifted vp their eies a far of they knew him not and crying out they wept and renting their clothes sprinkled dust ouer their head toward heauen †And they sate with him on the ground seuen daies and seuen nightes and no man spake to him a word for they saw the payne to be vehement ANNNOTATIONS CHAP. II. 11. Iobs three freindes For better intelligence of these conflictes betwen holie Iob and his freindes it may here be obserued that they were in dede his freindes as the text simply calleth them that they beleued rightly in God Almightie and were not idolaters that they came of freindly good affection to comforth him though they fel into vvordes of reprouing him as S. Gregorie teacheth they alleaged also manie excellent diuine sentences very truly which therfore Iob reproued not But they erred in their illations against Iob and that of ignorance rather then of sette malice concluding that Iob was guiltie of some enormious sinnes because they saw him so greuously punished and heard him complaine therof his owne conscience knowen to him and hid to them wherof they rashly iudged testifying that he was innocent in respect of so great crimes And in this their particular error though they were not heretikes being not obstinate after that the truth was sufficiently reueled vnto them yet they prefigured heretikes endeuouring by one truth to destroy an other and by arrogating knowlege which they had not promising also â—evv thinges vnheard of rather to drovv others to admire them then to edification CHAP. III. Iob lamenteth describing his owne and the general calamities of man 13. and shearing hoâ—â—â— theâ— escape manie miseries which either are neuer bornt or dye presently after their birth AFTER these things Iob opened his mouth and cursed his day †and spake †Perish may the day wherin I was borne and the night wherin it was sayd A man is concâ—â—â—ed †Be that day turned into darkenesse God require it not from aboue and let it not be lightened with light †Let darkenes and the shadow of death obscure it let a mist possesse it and be it wrapped in bitternesse †A darkesome hurle wind possesse that night be it not counted in the daâ—es of the yeare not numbred in the monethes †Be that night 〈◊〉 not prayse worthie †Let them curse it which
V. 1. Turne to some of the Sainctes Eliphaz prouoking Iob to produce some of his opinion or to seeke the helpe and patronage of some Sainct in his cause plainly sheweth the common faith and practise of inuocating Sainctes in that time Els it had benne a frinâ—lous speach which is not to be imputed to a sensible wise man as he was For it appeareth by the drift of his reasoning that he supposed some of Gods special seruantes would maintaine a good cause but that Iobs cause was such as neither God nor holie Angel nor good man would defend and therfore boldly prouoked him to this trial presuming that he should finde no such patron Neither did he wil Iob in these wordes to cal vpon God only for he could not erre so grosly as to cal God some of the Sainctes but must meane some other holie person And it is clere by the Septuaginta Interpreters that Eliphaz willed Iob to inuocate the Angels saying Inuocate if anie vvil ansvver thee or if thou canst behold anie of the holie Angeles S. Gregorie expoundeth it to the same sense that Sainctes were to be inuocated in a good cause but that Eliphaz here dispicing and deriding holie Iob sayd to him Thou canst not find Sainctes thy helpers in affliction vvhom thou vvouldest not haue thy felovves in prosperitie CHAP. VI. Iob answereth the obiections of Eliphaz shewing that in deede the calamitie which he suffereth is much greatter then his sinnes deserue and therfore his lamentation is excusable 8. wisheth if it so please God that he may dye 13. complaneth that his freindes are become his aduerseries 16 grauely expostulateth that they reprehend him 12. and helpe him not BVT Iob answering sayd †Would God my sinnes were weyed wherby I haue deserued wrath and the calamitie which I suffer in a balance †“ As the sand of the sea this would appeare heauier wherfore my wordes also are ful of sorrow †Because the arrowes of our Lord be in me the indignation whereof drinketh vp my spirit and the terrours of our Lord warre agaynst me †Wil the wilde asse roare when he hath grasse or the oxe loweth when he shal stand before the ful manger †Or can an vnsauerie thing be eaten that is not seasoned with salt or can a man tast that which being tasted bringeth death †The thinges which before my foule would not touch now for anguish are my meates †Who wil graunt that my petition may come and that God would geue me that which I expect †And he that hath begune the same would loose his hand and cut me of †And this might be my comfort that afflicting me with sorrow he spare not not I gayne say the wordes of the Holie one †For What is my strength that I can susteyne it or what is mine end that I should doe patiently †Neither is my strength the strength of stones neither is my â—â—est of brasse †Behold there is no help for me in my self and my familiar freindes also are departed from me †He that taketh away mercie from his frend forsaketh the feare of our Lord. †My brethren haue passed by me as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys †They that feare the hoare frost snow shal fal vpon them †At the time when they shal be dissipated they shal perish and after they waxe hote they shal be dissolued out of their place †The pathes of their steppes are intangled they shal walke in vayne and shal perish †Cosider ye the pathes of Thema the wayes of Saba expect a litle while †They are confounded because I haue hoped they are come also euen vnto me and are couered with shame †Now you are come and euen now seing my plague you are afrayd †haue I sayd Bring ye to me and of your substance geue to me †Or deliuer me from the hand of the enemie and out of the hand of the strong deliuer me †Teach ye me and I wil hold my peace and if I perhaps haue beene ignorant in anie thing instruct ye me †Why haue you detracted from the wordes of truth whereas there is none of you that can controwle me †To rebuke only you frame speaches and you vtter wordes in the wind †You rush in vpon a pupil and you endeuoure to ouerthrow your frend †Notwithstanding accomplish that which you haue begune geue eare and see whether I lie †Answer I besech you without contention and speaking that which is iust iudge ye †And you shal not finde iniquitie in my tongue neither shal folie sound in my iawes ANNOTATIONS CHAP. VI. 3. As the sand of the sea Scarse anie figure is more common in holie Sâ—ipture then Hyperbole wherby ouâ— vnderstanding is drawne to coÌ„ceiue the greatnes of thinges that otherwise surpasse vulgar capacitie So Iob signifieth here that his calamitie being vveighed vvith his sinnes in balance vvould appeare heauier not precisely in proportion of the number of sandes in the sea but exceding much in true comparison Of which superabundance of paines patiently suffered by holie Iob and other Sainctes more then their sinnes deserued especially of our B. Sauiour who could not sinne and of our B. Ladie who neuer sinned remayneth an infinitie treasure of satisfactorie workes appliable by the supreme stuard of Gods Church Christs Vicar in earth for satisfaction of others which haue nede and are in the communion of Sainctes and performe the conditions appointed And so this high stuard may in due maner by his authoritie geue limited or plenarie pardones to penitentes of the paines which otherwise they should suffer in this life or in purgaritie for their sinnes first remitted Other Bishops can also geue or dispence so much as the Supreme Bishop alloâ—teth to their powre al to edification and necessitie of Gods seruantes as dispencers not dissipators of so holie treasure CHAP. VII Iob explicateth diuers calamities of mans life and namely of his owne 6. Suposing it not likelie that he shal returne to former prosperous state 15. desireth to dye THE life of man vpon earth is a warfare his daies as the daies of an hyred man †As a seruant desireth the shadow as the hired man taryeth for the end of his worke †So I also haue had vayne monethes and haue numbred to my self laborious nightes †If I sleepe I shal say When shal I arise and agayne I shal expect the euening and shal be replenished with sorowes euen vntil darkenens †My flesh is clothed with rottenesse and filth of dust my skinne is withered drawen together †My daies haue passed more swiftly then the webbe is cut of the weauer and are consumed without anie hope †Remember that my life is a winde and myne eie shal not returne to see good thinges †Neither shal the sight of man behold me thine eies vpon me and I shal not stand †As a
children and multitude called him king of Israel Ioan 12. At which time as also before he exercised temporal Iurisdiction in correcting abuses in the Temple Mat. 21. Ioan. 2. And when Pilate demanded of him if he were a king Ioan. 18. v. 37. he answered Thou saist that I am a king For this I was borne and for this came I into the world that I should geue testimonie to the truth And though he answered withal that his kingdom to witte the possession and vse therof was not of this world yet Pilate by Gods prouidence writte the title and would not alter it IESVS of Nazareth King of the Iewes But Christs chief inheritance and reward of his merites is God himself as here he professeth by his prophet Dauid which is also the only true perfect inheritance of al Christs seruates vvherfore Clergy men more particularly professe the same when they first enter into their spiritual state addicting and dedicating them selues to serue God in Ecclefiastical sunct on not for temporal inheritance but for a better lotte God himself who is al Good and most perfect goodnes true riches and eternal inheritance In which election of state to liue and serue God in euerie Clergie man sayth Our Lord is the portion of myn inheritance and of my cuppe Thou art he that vvil restore myn inheritance vnto me Man calleth it his inheritance because he was created to serue God and for his feruice to inherite God which reward though he lost by sinne yet euerie one returning to Gods seruice and perseuering therin recouereth by Christ new right and title to the same inheritance performing their duties in their seueral vocations Some traueling in the world but not louing it others sequestered from secular affayres duly administring sacred offices more peculiarly called Diuine seruice ◠Net leaue my 〈◊〉 in hel How Caluin and Beza sometimes corrupt this text alwayes pernert the sense and most absurdly oppose them selues against al ancient holie Farhets concerning the Article of Christs descending in soule denving that into that part of hel called Limbus patr◠is largely noted Gen. 37. Act. 2. 1. pet 3 Only here we may not omitte to aduertise the reader that some Protestants Bibles permitting the word hel to remaine in the text a latter Edition for hel putteth graue with this only note in the former place that thus is chiesly meant of Christ by whose Resurrection al his members haue immortality And Act. 2. they repete their new text by this paraphrasis Thou shlat not leaue me in the graue VV resting that which perteineth to the bodie rising from the graue to the soule which was not at al in the graue al the time the bodie lay there PSALME XVI Aiust mans prayer in tribulation 10. describing his enemies cruelty 13. by way of imprecation foresheweth their destruction 15. and declareth that the iust shal be satisfied in glorie †The “ prayer of Dauid HEARE ô Lord my iustice attend my petition With thine eares heare my prayer not in deceitful lippes †From thy countenanee let my iudgement procede let thine eies see equities †Thou hast proued my hart and visited it by night by fire thou hast examined me and there is no iniquitie found in me †That my mouth speake not the workes of men for the wordes of thy lippes I haue kept the hard wayes †Perfite my pases in thy pathes that my steppes be not moued I haue cried because thou hast heard me ◠God incline thyne eare to me and heare my wordes †Make thy mercies meruelous which sauest them that hope in thee †From them that resist thy right hand keepe me as the apple of the eie †Vnder the shadowe of thy winges protect me †from the face of the impious that haue afflicted me Mine enemies haue compassed my soule †they haue shut vp their fatte their mouth hath spoken pride †Casting me forth now haue they compassed me they haue sette their eies to bend them vnto the earth †They haue taken me as a lion readie to the pray and as a lions whelpe dwelling in hid places †Arise Lord preuent him and supplant him deliuer my soule from the impious thy sword †from the enemies of thy hand Lord from a few out of the land diuide them in their life their bellie is filled of thy secretes They are filled with children and they haue leaft their remnantes to their litle ones †But I in iustice shal appeare to thy sight I shal be filled when thy glorie shal appeare ANNOTATIONS PSALME XVI 1. The prayer of Dauid This Psalme of the matter conteyned is called a prayer VVhich holie Dauid so composed as was both conuenient for himselfe being molested with vniust afflictions by the wicked and for anie other iust person or the whole Church in persecution seruing as a spiritual sword to strike the enimies and as a shield to beare of with patience and fortitude al their forces PSALME XVII King Dauids thankes to God for his often deliuerie from great dangers first in general 9. then more particularly describeth Gods terrible maner of fighting for him 18. against his cruel and otherwise potent enimie◠22. attributing the same to Gods good pleasure and iustice of his cause 31. praiseth God 33. his only protector 41. and depresser of his enemies †Vnto the end to the seruant of our Lord Dauid who spake to our Lord the wordes of this canticle in the day that our Lord deliuered him out of the hand of al his enemies and out of the hand of Saul and he said 2. Reg. 22. I wil loue thee ô Lord my strength †Our Lord is my firmament and my refuge and my deliuere My God is my helper and I wil hope in him My protectour and the horne of my saluation and my receiuer †Praysing I wil inuocate our Lord and I shal be saued from mine enemies †The sorrowes of death haue compassed me and torrentes of iniquitie haue trubled me The sorrowes of hel haue compassed me the snares of death haue preuented me †In my tribulation I haue inuocated our Lord and haue cried to my God And he hath heard my voice from his holie temple and my crie in his sight hath entered into his eares †The earth was shaken trembled the fundations of mountaines were trubled and were moued because he was wrath with them †Smoke arose in his wrath and fire flamed vp from his face coles were kindled from him †He bowed the heauens and descended and darkenesse vnder his feete †And he ascended vpon the cherubs and flew he flew vpon the wings of windes †And he put darkenesse his couert his tabernacle is round about
art with me Thy rod and thy staffe they haue comforted me †Thou hast prepared in my sight a table against them that truble me Thou hast fatted my head with oyle and my chalice inebriating how goodlie is it †And thy mercie shal folow me al the dayes of my life And that I may dwel in the house of our Lord in longitude of dayes PSALME XXIII Christ is Lord of the whole earth being Creatour and Redemer of man 3. Good life with faith in him is the way to heauen 7. whither Christ ascending with triumph Angels admire him †The first of the Sabbath the Psalme of Dauid THE earth is our Lordes and the fulnesse therof the round world and al that dwel therein Because he hath founded it vpon the seas and vpon the riuers hath prepared it †Who shal ascend into the mount of our Lord or who shal stand in his holie place †The innocent of handes and of cleane hart that hath not taken his soule in vayne nor sworne to his neighbour in guile †He shal receiue blessing of our Lord and mercie of God his Sauiour †This is the generation of them that seeke him of them that seeke the face of the God of Iacob †Lift vp your gates ye princes and be ye lifted vp ô eternal gates and the king of glorie shal enter in †Who is this king of glorie Our Lord strong mightie our Lord mightie in battel †Lift vp your gates ye princes and be ye lifted vp ô eternal gates and the king of glorie shal enter in Who is this king of glorie The Lord of powers he is the king of glorie PSALME XXIIII A general prayer of the faithful against al enemies 4. with desire to be directed in the way of godlines 7. and to be pardoned for sinnes past 9. acknowledging Gods meeknes 17. our weaknes necessitie of helpe and hope in God 22. concludeth with prayer for the whole Church †Vnto the end the Psalme of Dauid TO THEE ô Lord I haue lifted vp my soule †my God in thee is my confidence let me not be ashamed †Neither let mine enemies scorne me for al that expect thee shal not be confounded †Let al be confounded that do vniust thinges in vayne Lord shew me thy wayes and teach me thy pathes †Direct me in thy truth and teach me because thou art God my Sauiour and thee haue I expected al the day †Remember ô Lord thy commiserations and thy mercies that are from the beginning of the world †The sinnes of my youth and my ignorances doe not remember According to thy mercie remember thou me for thy goodnesse ô Lord. †Our Lord is sweete and righteous for this cause he wil geue a law to them that sinne in the way †He wil direct the milde in iudgement he wil teach the meeke his wayes †Al the wayes of our Lord be mercie and truth to them that seeke after his testament and his testimonies †For thy name ô Lord thou wilt be propitious to my sinne for it is much †Who is the man that feareth our Lord he appoynteth him a law in the way that he hath chosen †His soule shal abide in good things and his seede shal inherite the land †Our Lord is a firmament to them that feare him c. his testament that it may be made manifest to them †Myne eies are alwayes to our Lord because he wil plucke my fecte out of the snare †Haue respect to me and haue mercie on me because I am alone and poore †The tribulations of my hart are multiplied deliuer me from my necessities †See my humiliation and my labour and forgeue al my sinnes †Behold mine enemies because they are multiplied and with vniust hatred hated me †Keepe my soule and deliuer me I shal not be ashamed because I hoped in thee †The innocent and righteous haue cleaued to me because I expected thee †Deliuer Israel ô God out of al his tribulations PSALME XXV Dauid in banishment among the Philistimes trusteth in the iustice of his cause 9. and prayeth God earnestly to deliuer him that he may with more freedom and commodity serue him as he desireth †Vnto the end the Psalme of Dauid IVDGE me ô Lord because I haue walked in my innocencie and hoping in our Lord I shal not be weakened †Proue me Lord and tempt me burne my reynes and my hart †Because thy mercie is before mine eies and I am wel pleased in thy truth †I haue not sitten with the councel of vanitie and with them that doe vniust thinges I wil not enter in †I “ haue hated the Church of the malignant and with the impious I wil not sitte †I wil wash my handes among innocentes and wil compasse thy altar ô Lord †That I may heare the voice of praise and shew forth al thy meruelous workes †Lord I haue loued the beautie of thy house and the place of the habitation of thy glorie †Destroy not ô God my soule with the impious and my life with bloudie men †In whose handes are iniquities their righthand is replenished with giftes †But I haue walked in mine innocencie redeme me and haue mercie on me †My foote hath stood in the direct way in the Churches I wil blesse thee ô Lord. ANNOTATIONS PSALME XXV 5. I haue hated the Church of the malignant Holie Dauid forced by reason of persecution to dwel amongst Infidels the Philistians after he had twise spared king Saules life 1 Reg 24. v. 5. et c. 26. v. 9. lamented v. 19. how great affliction it was to him to be cast out that he could not a vvel in the inheritance of our Lord where God was rightly serued and that his enemies had done so much as in them lay to make him fal into idolatrie by their fact as it were saying â—oâ— serue strange goddes Neuertheles his zele was such that as he here professeth he hated the Church of the malignant that is the congregations of al miscreants his immaculate religious puritie was so perfect that he would not so much as in exâ—eâ—â—â—l shew conforme his actions to theirs in matters of religion nor yeld his 〈◊〉 presence in their conuenticles but said VVith the impious I vvil not siâ—â—â— instructing vs Christians for the word to the end in the title sheweth that this 〈◊〉 perteyneth also to vs that we must both hate the Church or con-â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 of the malignant to witte of Painims Iewes Turkes and Hererikes and â—â—t â—i tâ—
to God †Ye kingdomes of the earth sing to God sing to our Lord †Sing ye to God that mounteth vpon the heauen of heauen to the East Behold he wil giue to his voice the voice of strength †giue you glorie to God vpon Israel his magnificence and his powre in the cloudes †God is meruelous in his saintes the God of Israel he wil giue powre and strength to his people God be blessed ANNOTATIONS PSALME LXVII 16. The mountaine of God For better discerning the true Church from other congregations the Prophet here describeth certaine proprieties therof for he calleth it a mountane because it is most visible to al men Secondly a fatte mountane that is replenished vvith al vertues and giftes of the Holie Ghost vvherof it is called Holie Thirdly it is crudded or consolidated in vnitie of faith and Religion vvhich conioyne the vvhole bodie making it solide and firme as the ruen turneth liquide milke into curde and so into cheese Fourtly it is the Congregation vvherin God alvvayes remaneth euen to the end for euer vvhich shevveth tvvo other proprieties that the Church neuer faileth nor erreth in doctrin God stil dvvelling therin and consequently conserueth it from error in doctrin 17. VVhy suppose you crudded montaines As for other congregations it is certaine and euident that they are not the Church of God because they are not crudded that is not vnited in the same pointes of faith but only in negatiue pointes and in general opposition against the Catholique Church and among themselues notoriously disagreing and diuided As they also vvant the other markes of the true Church PSALME LXVIII Christ in middes of afflictions as one in dangerous waters 5. describing the malice of persecutors and his owne true zele 14. prayeth his heauenlie Father for helpe 23. By way of iust imprecation forsheweth the seuere punishment of his aduersaries 30. his owne glorious Resurrection and prosperous building of his Church For which he inuiteth al creatures to praise God Vnto the end for them that shal be changed to Dauid SAVE me ô God because waters are entered into my soule †I sticke fast in the myre of the depth and there is no sure standing I am come into the depth of the sea and a tempest hath ouerwhelmed me †I haue labored crying my iawes are made hoarse my eies haue failed whiles I hope in my God †They are multiplied aboue the heares of my head that hate me without cause Mine enimies are made strong that haue persecuted me vniustly then did I pay the thinges that I tooke not †O God thou knowest my foolishnes and mine offences are not hide from thee †Let them not be ashamed vpon me which expect thee ô Lord Lord of hostes Let them not be confounded vpon me that seeke thee ô God of Israel †Because for thee haue I sustained reproch confusion hath couered my face †I am become a forener to my brethren and a stranger to the sonnes of my mother †Because the zele of thy house hath eaten me and the reproches of them that reproched thee fel vpon me †And I couered my soule in fasting and it was made a reproch to me And I put heare cloth my garment I became a parable to them †They spake aganst me that sat in the gate and they soong aganst me that dranke wine †But I my prayer to thee ô Lord a time of thy good pleasure ô God In the multitude of thy mercie heare me in the truth of thy saluation †Deliuer me out of the myre that I stick not fast deliuer me from them that hate me and from the depthes of waters †Let not the tempest of water drowne me nor the depth swallowe me neyther let the pit shut his mouth vpon me †Heare me ô Lord because thy mercie is benigne according to the multitude of thy commiserations haue respect to me †And turne not away thy face from thy seruant because I am in tribulation heare me speedily †Attend to my soule and deliuer it because of mine enimies deliuer me †Thou knowest my reproch my confusion my shame †In thy sight are al they that afflict me my hart hath looked for reproch and miserie And I expected some bodie that would be sorie together with me and there was none and that would confort me and I founde not †And they gaue gal for my meate in my thirst they gaue me vinegre to drinke †Let their table be made a snare before them for retributions and for a scandal †Let Their eies be darkned that they see not and make their backe crooked alwaies Poure out thy wrath vpon them and let the furie of thy wrath ouertake them Let their habitation be made desert and in their tabernacles let there be none to dwel Because whom thou hast striken they haue persecuted and vpon the sorrow of my wounds they haue added †Adde thou iniquitie vpon their iniquitie and let them not enter into thy iustice †Let them be put out of the booke of the liuing and with the iust let them not be written I am poore and sorowful thy saluation ô God hath receiued me †I wil praise the name of God with canticle and wil magnifie him in prayse †And it shal please God more then a young calfe that bringeth forth hornes and hoofes †Let the poore see and reioyce seeke ye God and your soule shal liue †Because our Lord hath heard the poore and he hath not despised his prisoners †Let the heauens and earth praise him the sea and al the creeping beastes in them †Because God wil saue Sion and the cities of Iuda shal be built vp And they shal inhabite there by inheritance they shal get it †And the seede of his seruants shal possesse it and they that loue his name shal dwel in it PSALME LXIX An other prayer of Dauid when he was persecuted by Absolom made in a Psalme after his deliuerie Vnto the end a Psalme of Dauid in remembrance that our Lord saued him O God intend vnto my helpe Lord make hast to helpe me †Let them be confounded and be ashamed that seeke my soule †Let them be turned away backeward and be ashamed that wil me euils Let them be turned away forthwith ashamed that say to me Wel wel †Let al that seeke thee reioyce and be glad in thee and let them say alwayes Our Lord be magnified which loue thy saluation †But I am needie and poore ô God helpe me thou art my helper and deliuerer ô Lord be not slacke PSALME LXX King Dauid or anie other iust person prayeth God to
is time to doe ô Lord they haue dissipated thy law †Therfore haue I loued thy commandementes aboue gold and topazius †Therfore was I directed to al thy commandements al wicked way I haue hated Phe. Mouth †Thy testimonies are meruelous therfore hath my soule searched them †The declaration of thy wordes doth illuminate and geueth vnderstanding to litle ones †I opened my mouth and drew breath because I desired thy commandments †Looke vpon me and haue mercie on me according to the iudgement of them that loue thy name †Direct my steppes according to thy Word and let not anie iniustice haue domination ouer me †Redeme me from the calumnies of men that I may kepe thy commondmentes †Illuminate thy face vpon thy seruant and teach me thy iustifications †Mine eies haue gushed forth issues of waters because they haue not kept thy law Sade Iustice †Thou art iust ô Lord and thy iudgement is right †Thou hast commanded iustice thy testimonies and thy veritie excedingly †My Zele hath made me to pine away because mine enimies haue forgotten thy wordes †Thy word is fired excedingly and thy seruant hath loued it †I am a yongman and contemned I haue not forgotten thy iustifications †Thy iustice is iustice for euer and thy law is veritie †Tribulation and distresse haue found me thy commandments are my meditation †Thy testimonies are equitie for euer geue me vnderstanding and I shal liue Coph Vocation †I haue cried in my whole hart heare me ô Lord I wil seeke after thy iustifications †I haue cried to thee saue me that I may keepe thy commandmentes †I haue preuented in maturitie and haue cried because I hoped much in thy wordes †Minecies haue preuented early vnto thee that I might meditate thy wordes †Heare my voice according to thy mercie ô Lord and according to thy iudgement quicken me †They that persecute me haue approched to iniquitie but from thy law they are made far of †Thou art nigh ô Lord and al thy wayes are truth †From the beginning I knewe of thy testimonies that thou hast founded them for euer †See my humiliation and deliuer me because I haue not forgotten thy law †Iudge my iudgement redeme me for thy word quicken thou me †Saluation is far from sinners because they haue not sought after thy iustifications †Thy mercies are manie ô Lord according to thy iudgement quicken me †There are manie that persecute me and afflict me I haue not declined from thy testimonies †I saw the preuaricatours and I pyned away because they kept not thy wordes †See that I haue loued thy commandmentes ô Lord in thy mercie quicken me The beginning of thy wordes is truth al the iudgementes of thy iustice are for euer Sin Tooth †Princes haue persecuted me without cause and my hart hath bene afrayd of thy wordes †I wil reioyce at thy wordes as he that findeth manie spoyles †I haue hated iniquitie and abhorred it but thy law I haue loued ††There is much peace to them that loue thy law there is no scandal to them †I expected thy saluation ô Lord and haue loued thy commandmentes †My soule hath kept thy testimonies and hath loued them excedindgly †I haue kept thy commandmentes and thy testimonies because al my waies are in thy sight Tau Signe †Let my petition approch in thy sight ô Lord according to thy word giue me vnderstanding †Let my request enter in thy sight according to thy word deliuer me †My lippes shal vtter an hymne when thou shalt teach me thy iustifications †My tongue shal pronounce thy word because al thy commandmentes are equitie †Let thy hand be to saue me because I haue chosen thy commandmentes †I haue coneted thy saluation ô Lord and thy law is my meditation †My soule shal liue and shal prayse thee and thy iudgementes shal helpe me †I haue strayed as a sheepe that is lost seeke thy seruant because I haue not forgotten thy commandmentes A BRIEFE NOTE CONCERNING the Gradual Psalmes Here folow in order fifetene Psalmes intitled Gradual Canticles The Hebrew word Mahaloâ—h signifieth Steppes or Ascensions The reason wherof Aadias and some other Rabbins veld for that they were songue with hieghest eleuated notes that can be â—â— Musike The Talmud saith they are so called because they were songue in the fifetene steppes going vp into the Temple But S Augustin S. Basil and other Christian Fathers expound them according to the historie and immediate prophetical sense of the deliuerie of the Iewes from captiuitie of Babylon ascending into Ierusalem which is so situated on montaines that the way from al partes was by ascending vnto it According to the Mystical sense of ascending spiritually by vertues to perfection and to eternal felicitie For the way tending to vertue saith S. Basil is like to certaine steppes or degrees by litle and litle bringing the mâ—n that loueth wisdome vnto heauen These Canticles therefore are prayers mixed with consolations for the ioyful deliuerie of Gods people from that great captiuitie in Babylon which the Psalmist King Dauid saw in prophetical spiritie and which his posteritie felt and sometime indured VVhich againe as a figure signifieth thâ—â—eturne and ascending of mankind from sinne to grace and from the miserable state of this world into heauen VVherupon S. Augustin interpreteth this prophecie of the ascension or eleuation of the hart from the vaile of teares In the meane time whiles we are in this world these Psalmes aâ—e consolatorâ—e prayers and prophetical assurance that Gods people Catholique Christian shal be deliuered from thraldom and persecution of Paganes Turkes and Heretikes â—s partly we see by the deliuerie from the Romane persecuting Emperors from the Vandals Gothes and Hunnes therfore with assured confidence we hope and expect the like deliuerie from Turkes and al Heretikes of Luthers broode PSALME CXIX The Iewes in captiuitie of Babylon Christians in persecution or other great tribulation pray with confidence to be deliuered from danger and sclander of wicked tongues 5. lamenting their long indurance A gradual Canticle VVHEN I was in tribulation I cried to our Lord and he heard me †O Lord deliuer my soule from vniust lippes and from a deceiptful tongue †What may be geuen thee or what may be added vnto thee to a deceiptful tongue †The sharpe arrowes of the mightie with coales of desolation †Woe is to me that my seiourning is prolonged I haue dwelte with the inhabitantes of Cedar †My soule hath
not returne neithet shal they apprehend the pathes of life †That thou mayst walke in a good way and mayst keepe the pathes of the iust †For they that are right shal dwel in the earth and the simple shal continue in it †But the impious shal be destroyed from the earth and they that doe vniustly shal be taken away from it ANNOTATIONS CHAP. II. 13. VVho leaue the right vvay Generally this description of wicked men agreeth to al that committe and persist in mortal sinne whether they walked right at anie time before or no but most especially sheweth the properties of heretikes who forsake and leaue the direct ancient beaten knovvne vvay of the Catholique Church and teach nevv obscure doctrines not heard of or not approued in our forefathers time Secondly v. 14 they glorie in their ovvne deuises and reioyce in most vvicked thinges as in seducing multitude of peoples to rebel against their Catholique Princes and other Superiors spiritual and temporal in breaking vovves in despising good vvorkes trusting to only faith and that not the Catholique faith of al true Christians but euerie one his particular persvvasion that himself is iust shal be saued vvhich by their ovvne doctrin none is bond to beleue of an others state but of his owne only In so much that the chiefest point of a Protestants imagined faith is not a general Article which al do or should beleue but a most particular and singular phantasie which each one must conceiue of himself or herself Thirdly v. 16. Heresie called here the strange and forrene woman tempereth her vvordes to please the itching eares of her auditorie framing her doctrine to the humour of those vvhom she seeketh to peruert The same vvich the Apostle saith in other vvordes by svvere speaches and benedictions they seduce the hartes of innocents Fourthly v. 19. Those that do enter into error of heresie shal not returne that is very hardly and rarely returne into the right vvay of life the reason whereof the same Apostle yeldeth because an heretike is condemned by his ovvne iudgement For being in error and admitting no iudge but himself he parteth from the Church excludeth the meanes of better iustruction through his erronious iudgement remaineth in damnable opinion and so in the state of damnation CHAP. III. Wisdom exhorteth to kepe Gods law geuing long life to obserue mercie and truth 5. to confide in God 7. to feare 9. and honour him 11. to take his correction gladly 13. for al good thinges folow wisdom 27. to releue the needie without delay 30. not to contend with the wicked nor to imitate them 33. The euil shal faile and the godlie shal prosper MY sonne forget not my law and let thy hart keepe my precepts †For they shal adde to thee length of dayes and yeares of life and peace †Let not mercie and truth leaue thee put them about thy throte and write them in the tables of thy hart †and thou shalt finde grace and good discipline before God and men †Haue confidence in our Lord with al thy hart and leane not vpon thyne owne prudence †In al thy wayes thinke on him and he wil direct thy steppes †Be not wise in thyne owne conceipte feare God and depart from euil †for it shal be health to thy nauil and watering of thy bones †Honour our Lord with thy substance and geue to him of the first of al thy fruites †and thy barnes shal be replenished with fulnes and thy presses shal runouer with wine †My sonne cast not away the discipline of our Lord neither doe thou faint when thou art chasteâ—â—d of him †for whom our Lord loueth he chasticeth and as a father in the sonne he pleaseth himself †Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom and floweth with prudence †better is the purchasing therof then marchandise of siluer and her fruite then chiefe and the purest gold †she is more precious then al riches and al thinges that are desired are not able to be compared with her †Length of dayes in her right hand in her left hand riches and glorie †Her wayes are beautiful wayes and al her pathes peaceable †She is a tree of life to them that shal apprehend her and he that shal hold her is blessed †Our Lord by wisdom founded the earth established the heauens by prudence †By his wisdom the depthes haue broken forth and the cloudes waxe thicke with dew †My sonne let not these thinges depart from thyne eies kepe the law counsel †and there shal be life to thy soule and grace to thy iawes †Then shalt thou walke confidently in thy way and thy foote shal not stumble †if thou sleepe thou shalt not feare thou shalt rest and thy sleepe shal be sweete †Dread not at soden terrour and the power of the impious falling vpon thee †For our Lord wil be at thy side and wil keepe thy foote that thou be not taken †Doe not prohibite him to doe good that is able if thou be able thy selfe also doe good †Say not to thy frend goe and returne and tomorow I wil geue to thee wheras thou mayest geue forth with †Practise not euil against thy freind when he hath affiance in thee †Contend not against man without cause wheras he hath done thee no euil †Doe not enuie an vniust man nor imitate his waies †because euerie deluder is an abomination of our Lord and his communication is with the simple †There is pouertie from our Lord in the house of the impious but the habitations of the iust shal be blessed †He shal delude the deluders and to the milde he wil geue grace †The wise shal possesse glorie the exaltation of fooles ignominie CHAP. IIII. The wiseman exhorteth others by his owne example to seeke wisdom 14. to decline from the wicked and to imitate the iust 23. to guide wel the hart mouth and feete CHILDREN heare ye the fathers discipline and attend that you may knowe prudence †I wil geue you a good gift forsake not my law †For I also was the sonne of my father tender and as onlie begotten in my mothers sight †and he taught me sayd Let thy hart receiue my wordes kepe my preceptes and thou shalt liue †Possesse wisedom possesse prudence forget not neither decline from the wordes of my mouth †Leaue her not and she wil keepe thee loue her and she wil preserue thee †The beginning of wisdom possesse wisdom and in al thy possession purchase prudence †take quickly and she wil exalt thee thou shalt be glorified of her when thou shalt embrace her †She wil geue to thy head increase of graces and with a noble crowne she wil protect thee †Heare my sonne and receiue my wordes that yeares of life may be multiplied to
The impious man diggeth euil and in his lippes fire burneth †A peruerse man raiseth contentions and one ful of wordes separateth princes An vniust man allureth his frende and leadeth him by a way not good †He that with astoinied eies thinketh wicked thinges byting his lippes bringeth euil to passe †A crowne of dignitie old age which shal be found in the wayes of iustice †Better is the patient then a strong man and he that ruleth his minde then the ouerthrower of cities †Lottes are cast into the bosome but they are ordered of our Lord. ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XVI 1. It perteineth to man to prepare the hart For the better vnderstanding of this and other hard places of holie Scripture this general rule euer approued by al Christians is most necessarie that al holie Scripture is true and certaine as being al indited by the Holie Ghost the Spirite of truth and so one place is neuer contrarie to an other though at first sight they may so seme to mans vnderstanding For by this place the Pelagians would proue that man can of himself without the helpe of Gods grace beginne a good thing though without this helpe he cannot performe it because it is here sayd that it petteyneth to man to prepare the hart that is â—o beginne a good thing But S. Augustin sheweth that it may not be so vnderstood the cause so it should be contrarie to that saying of our Sauiour VVithout me you can do nothing and that of S. Paul VVe are not sufficient to thinke anie thing of our selues as of our selues but our sufficiencie is of God VVhich tvvo euident places vvith otherlike do shevv that this place hath an other different sense from that vvhich the Pelagians gather Anâ— so S. Augustin and other Fathers teach that the vvisman here affirmeth not that man of himself can prepare his hart or beginne a good vvorke but that it perteineth to man to prepare his hart presupposing helpe of Gods grace and hauing so begunne God also gouerneth the tongue and by more grace directeth it â—o speake those thinges vvel vvhich the hart purposed and disposed to be vttered vvithout vvhich helpe none is able neither to beginne anie meritorious vvorke nor to prosecute nor perfect that is vvel begunne The like sentence foloweth in the 9. verse The hart of man disposeth his vvay but it perteyneth to our Lord to direct his progresse signifying in both places that after a thing is vvel begunne vvhich can not be vvithout the helpe of Gods grace yet it can not procede vvel vvithout more grace stil directing and streingthning mans freevvil CHAP. XVII BEtter is a drie morsel with ioy then a house ful of victimes with brawling †A wise seruant shal rule ouer foolish children and diuide inheritance among bretheren †As siluer is tried by fyre and gold in the fournace so our Lord proueth the the harts †The euil man obeyeth an vniust tongue and the deceitful obeyeth lying lippes †He that despiseth the poore vpbraydeth his maker and he that reioyceth at an other mans ruine shal not be vnpunished †The crowne of oldmen the childrens children and the glorie of children their fathers †Eloquent wordes become not a foole nor lying lippes a prince †A most gratful pearle the expectation of him that expecteth whither soeuer he turneth himself he vnderstandeth wisely †He that concealeth offence seeketh frendshipes he that in other word repeteth it seperateth the confederate †Reprehension doth more profit with a wiseman then an hundred stripes with a foole †An euil man alwayes seeketh brawles but a cruel angel shal be sent against him †It is better to meete a beare when her yong are taken away then a foole trusting to himselfe in his owne follie †He that rendereth euil thinges for good euil shal not depart from his house †He that letteth water goe is the head of brawles before he suffer contumelie he forsaketh iudgement †He that iustifieth the impious and he that condemneth the iust both are abominable before God †What doth it profit a foole to haue riches wheras he can not buy wisdom He that maketh his house high seeketh ruine and he that refuseth to learne shal fal into euils †He loueth at al time that is a frend and a brother is proued in distresses †A foolish man wil clappe the handes when he is suretie for his freind †He that meditateth discordes loueth brawles and he that exalteth the doore seeketh ruine †He that is of a peruerse hart shal not finde good and he that turneth his tongue shal fal into euil †A foole is borne to his owne ignominie but neither shal the father reioyce in a foole †A ioyful minde maketh a florishing age a sorowful spirit dryeth vp the bones †The impious receiueth giftes out of the bosome that he may peruert the pathes of iudgement †In the face of the prudent wisdom shineth the eies of fooles are in the endes of the earth †A foolish sonne is the anger of the father and the sorow of the mother that bare him †It is not good to doe hurt to the iust nor to strike the prince which iudgeth right †He that moderateth his wordes is lerned and prudent and the lerned man is of a precious spirit †The foole also if he hold his peace shal be reputed wise and if he close his lippes a man of vnderstanding CHAP. XVIII HE seeketh occasions that wil depart from a frend he shal euer be subiect to reproch †A foole receiueth not the wordes of prudence vnlesse thou say those thinges which are in his hart †The impious when he shal come into the depth of sinnes contemneth but ignominie and reproch folow him †Deepe water wordes from the mouth of a man and a streame ouer flowing the fountaine of wisdom †To accept the person of the impious in iudgement is not good that thou decline from the truth of iudgement †The lippes of a foole mingle him with strife and his mouth prouoketh brawles †The mouth of a foole is his destruction and his lippes are the ruine of his soule †The wordes of the duble tongued as it were simple and the same come euen to the inner part of the bellie Feare casteth downe the slothful and the soules of the effeminate shal be hungrie †He that is soft and dissolute in his worke is the brother of him that destroyeth his owne workes †A most strong towre the name of our Lord the iust runneth to it and shal be exalted †The substance of the rich man a citie of his strength and as a strong wal compassing him
An exhortation to chastitie temperance 8. and to workes of mercie 10. with praise of a valiant wise woman THE wordes of Lamuel the king The vision wherwith his mother instructed him †What ô my beloued what ô the beloued of my wombe what ô beloued of my vowes †Geue not thy substance to wemen thy riches to destroy kinges †Geue not to kinges ô Lamuel geue not wine to kinges because there is no secrete where drunknes reigneth †lest perhaps they drinke forget iudgements change the cause of the children of the poore †Geue strong drinke to them that be sad and wine vnto them that are of a pensiue minde †let them drinke and forget their pouertie and not remember their sorow any more †Open thy mouth to the dumme to the causes of al the children that passe †open thy mouth decree that which is iust iudge the needie poore †A valiant woman who shal finde far and from the vtmost borders is the price of her †The hart of her husband trusteth in her and he shal not neede spoyles †She shal render good and not euil al the dayes of her life †She hath sought wool and flaxe and hath wrought by the counsel of her handes †She is become as a marchants shippe bringing her bread from farre †And she hath risen in the night and geuen pray to her houshold and meates to her handmaides †She hath vewed a filde and bought it of the fruite of her handes she hath planted a vineyard †She hath gyrded her loines with strength and hath strengthened her arme †She hath tasted and sene that her traficke is good her lampe shal not be extinguished in the night †She hath put her hand to strong thinges and her fingers haue taken hold of the spindle †She hath opened her hand to the neddie and stretched out her palmes to the poore †She shal not feare for her house in the coldes of snow for al her houshould are clothed with duble †Tapestrie clothing she hath made to herself silke and purple is her garment †Her husband is noble in the gates when he shal sitte with the senatours of the land †She made sindon and sold it and deliuered a girdle to the Chananeite †Strength and beautie is her garment and she shal laugh in the later day †She hath opened her mouth to wisedom and the law of clemencie is in her tongue †She hath considered the pathes of her house and hath not eaten her bread idle †Her children arose and commended her to be most blessed her husband and he praysed her †Manie daughters haue gathered together riches thou hast passed them al. †Grace is deceitful and beautie is vayne the woman that feareth our Lord shal be praysed †Geue ye to her of the fruite of her handes and let her workes praise her in the gates ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXXI 10. A valiant vvoman vvho shal finde Vpon occasion of his mothers most prudent admonition the wiseman singularly praiseth a perfect vertuous woman And that in an exquisite kind of stile in Tetramical lambike verse with perfect order and number of the Alphabet letters Signifying as S Ierom teacheth that as none can reade or speale wordes vnles they first lerne to know the letters so we can not attaine to know the greater Mysteries in holie Scriptures except we beginne with moral good life according to that the Prophet sayth By thy commandments I haue vnderstood And therfore wiâ—e Salomon by instinct of the Holie Ghost as wel by the maner of stile as by the doctrine conteined concludeth his Booke of Parables with praise both of the Church in general which hath al the vertues and good properties here mentioned and of euerie faithful soule sincerely seruing God which either in dede or in desire of mind hath such part of them as may suffice to the attaining of eternal life For concerning the whole Church S Augustin in two Sermons 217. and 218 de temp S. Beda vpon this place and other Fathers shew it euidently Touching also particular soules not only of holie men but also of vvemen the frailer sexe holie Scriptures and Ecclesiastical monuments yelde manie examples besides the most Excellent and immaculate virgin Mother of God as of Sara Rebecca Lia Rachael Elizabeth Marie Magdalen Martha and innumerable others most precious pearles deare spouses of Christ and singular ornaments of his Church THE ARGVMENT OF ECCLESIASTES KIng Salomon a diuine Preacher wherof this Booke is called Ecclesiastes exhorteth al such as haue lerned the principles of good life to contemne this world because al thinges therin are vaine and insufficient to geue repose to mans soule shewing that true felicitie which al men desire consisteth not in natural knowlege gotten by witte and industrie nor in worldlie pleasures much lesse in carnal nor in riches nor in auctoritie or dominion nor in anie other temporal thing as diuers diuersly thinke but only in the true seruice of God by flying from sinne and doing good workes as in the meritoricus cause and essentially in the clere vision of God the proper end for which man was created And so this Booke conteyneth three principal parts First this diuine preacher confuteth al their opinions that imagine a false felicitie in humane worldlie or temporal thinges to the beginning of the 7. chapter In the rest of that chapter and three folowing he teacheth that true felicitie consisteth in the eternal fruition of God and is procured by declining from vices and embracing vertues In the two last chapters he exhorteth al to beginne spedily to serue God and to perseuere therin to the end of this life ECCLESIASTES IN HEBREW CALLED COHELETH CHAP. I. Al temporal thinges in comparison of true felicitie are vaine 4. because they are mutable 8. neither can anie man attaine perfect knowlege to his satisfaction 12. as appeareth by Salomons owne experience THE wordes of Ecclesiastes the sonne of Dauid king of Ierusalem †Vanitie of vanities sayd Ecclesiastes vanitie of vanities al thinges vanitie †What hath a man more of al his labour wherby he laboreth vnder the sunne †Generation passeth and generation cometh but the earth standeth for euer †The sunne riseth and goeth downe and returneth to his place and there rising againe †compasseth by the South and bendeth to the North compassing al thinges goeth forward in circuite returneth vnto his circles †Al riuers enter into the sea and the sea ouerfloweth not to the place whence the riuers issueforth they do returne that they may flow againe †Al thinges are hard man can not explicate them in word The eye is not filled with seing neither is the eare filled with hearing †What is that hath bene the same thing that shal be What is that hath bene done the same that is to
and let vs enioy the good thinges that are and let vs quickly vse the creature as in youth †Let vs fil ourselues with precious wine and oyntments and let not the flowre of the time passe vs. †Let vs crowne ourselues with roses before they wither let there be no medow which our riote shal not passe through †Let none of vs be exempted from our rioteousnes euerie where let vs leaue signes of ioy because this is our portion and this our lot †Let vs oppresse the poore iust man and not spare the widow nor reuerence the oldmans grey head of long time †But let our strength be the law of iustice for that which is Weake is found vnprofitable †Let vs therfore circumuent the iust because he is vnprofitable to vs and he is contrarie to our workes and reprochfully obiecteth vnto vs the sinnes of the law and defameth in vs the sinnes of our discipline †He boasteth that he hath the knowlege of God and nameth himselfe the sonne of God †He is made vnto vs to the defaming of our cogitations †He is greuous vnto vs euen to behold because his life la vnlike to others and his wayes are changed †We are estemed of him as triflers and he absteyneth from our wayes as from vncleannes and he preferreth the later ends of the iust and glorieth that he hath God for his father †Let vs see therfore if his wordes be true and let vs proue what thinges shal come to him and we shal know what shal be his later ends †For if he be the true sonne of God he wil defend him wil deliuer him from the hands of the aduersaries †By contumelie and torment let vs examine him that we may know his reuerence and proue his patience †To a most shameful death let vs condemne him for there shal be respect had vnto him by his wordes †These thinges haue they thought and haue erred for their malice hath blinded them †And they haue not knowen the sacraments of God nor hoped for the reward of iustice nor estemed the honour of holie soules †For God created man incorruptible and to the image of his owne likenes he made him †But by the enuie of the diuel death entred into the world †and they folow him that are of his part CHAP. III The iust contemned by the wicked and proued by tentations are happie 10. and the wicked vnhappie 12. Chastitie shal be rewarded adulterous generations shal not prosper BVT the soules of the iust are in the hand of God and the torment of death shal not touch them †They semed in the eies of the vnwise to die and their decease was counted affliction †and that which with vs is the way is destruction but they are in peace †And though before men they suffered torments their hope is ful of immortalitie †Vexed in few thinges in many they shal be wel disposed of because God hath tempted them and hath found them worthie of him selfe †As gold in the furnace he hath proued them and as an host of holocaust he hath receiued them and in time there shal be respect of them †The iust shal shine and as sparkes in a place of reedes they shal runne abrode †They shal iudge nations haue dominion ouer peoples and their Lord shal reigne for euer †They that trust in him shal vnderstand truth and the faithful in loue shal rest in him because rest and peace is to his elect †But the impious according to the thinges which they haue thought shal haue correption which haue neglected the iust haue reuolted from our Lord. †For he that reiecteth wisdom and discipline is vnhappie and their hope is vaine and labours without fruite and their workes vnprofitable †Their wiues are sensles and their children most wicked †Cursed is their creature because happie is the barren woman and the vndefiled which hath not knowen bed in sinne she shal haue fruite in visitation of holie soules †and the eunuch that hath not wrought iniquitie with his hands nor thought most wicked things against God for the chosen gift of fayth shal be geuen to him and a most acceptable lot in the temple of God †For of good labour there is glorious fruite and the roote of wisdom which falleth not †But the children of adulterers shal be in consummation and the sede of the vnlawful bed shal be destroyed †And if certes they be of long life they shal be reputed for nothing their last oldage shal be without honour †And if they dye quickly they shal haue no hope nor speach of comfort in the day of acknowledging †For of a wicked nation the endes are cruel CHAP. IIII. Great difference betwen chaste and adulterous generations 7. Speedier death of the iust is recompensed by Gods prouidence 19. but the wicked incurre greater damnation by liuing long O How beautiful is the chaste generation with glorie for the memorie therof is immortal because it is knowen both with God and with men †When it is present they imitate it and they desire it when it hath withdrawen itself and it triumpheth crowned for euer winning the reward of vndefiled conflictes †But the multitude of the impious that hath manie children shal not be profitable and bastarde plants shal not take deepe roote nor lay sure fundation †And if in the boughes for a â—ime they shal spring being weakly set they shal be moued of the winde and by the vehemencie of the windes they shal be rooted out †For the vnperfect boughes shal be broken and their fruites shal be vnprofitable and sowre to eate and meete for nothing †For the children that be borne of wicked sleepes are witnesses of wickednes against the parents in their examination †But the iust if he be preuented with death shal be in a place of refreshing †For venerable oldage is not that of long time nor accounted by the number of yeares but the vnderstanding of a man are grey heares †and an immaculate life is old age †Pleasing God he is made beloued and liuing among sinners he was translated †“ He was taken away lest malice should change his vnderstanding or lest anie guile might deceiue his soule †For the bewitching of vanitie obscureth good thinges and the inconstancie of concupiscence peruerteth the vnderstanding that is without malice †Being consummate in short space he fulfilled much time †for his soule pleased God for this cause he hastened to bring him out of the middes of iniquiries but the peoples that are seing and not vnderstanding nor putting such thinges in their hartes †that the grace of God and mercie is toward his saintes and respect toward his elect †But the iust dead condemneth the impions aliue and youth soone ended the long life of the vniust †For they
alike †For that which is made with him that made it shal suffer torments †For this cause also in the idol of the nations there shal be no respect because the creatures of God were made to hatred and for tentation to the soules of men and for a snare to the feete of the vnwise †For the begynning of fornication is the deuising of idols and the inuenting of them is the corruption of life †For neither were they from the begynning neither shal they be for euer †For this vanitie of men came into the world and therfore there is found a short end of them †For “ the father being sorowful with bitter moorning made vnto himself the image of his sonne quickly taken away and him that then was a dead man now he began to worshipe as god and appointed holie thinges and sacrifices among his seruants †Afterward by succession of time the wicked custom preuayling this errour was kept as a law and thinges grauen were worshipped by the commandement af tyrants †And those whom openly men could not honour for that they were far of their figure being brought from a far they made an euident image of the king whom they would honour that by their carefulnes they might honour as present him that was absent †And to the worshipping of these the excellent diligence also of the artificer holpe them forward that were ignorant †For he willing to please him that entertained him laboured by his art to fashion the similitude in better sort †And the multitude of men caried away by the beautie of the worke him that a little before had bene honoured as a man now they estemed for a god †And this was the deceyuing of mans life because men seruing either affection or kinges gaue the name that is not communicable to stones and wood †And it was not sufficient that they erred about the knowlege of God but also liuing in a great battail of ignorance so manie and so great euils they cal peace †For either sacrificing their children or making abscure sacrifices or hauing watches ful of madnes †they now neither keepe life nor mariage cleane but one killeth an other by enuie or playing the adulterer maketh him sorowful †and al thinges are mingled together bloud manslaughter theft and fiction corruption and infidelitie truble and pâ—â—iutie disquieting of the good †forgetfulnes of God inquination of soules immutation of natiuitie inconstancie of mariage disorder of adulterie and vnchastnes †For the worshippe of idols not to be named is the cause of al euil and the beginning and end †For either when they reioyce they are madde or certes prophecie false thinges or liue vniustly or quickly forsweare themselues †For whiles they trust in idols which are without soule swearing amisse they hope not to be hurt †Two euil thinges therfore shal happen to them worthely because they haue thought euil of God attending to idols and haue sworne vniustly in guile contemning iustice †For it is not the powre of them that are sworne by but the punishment of them that sinne goeth alwayes through the trangression of the vniust ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XIIII 15. The father made vnto himself the image of his sonne Caluin here chargeth this booke with error in affirming that idolatrie begane by supersticiously honoring images of the dead Against which he alleageth that Labans idoles and others more ancient were before anie images of dead men were honoured But he argueth vpon a false ground For labans idols were images as the Hebrew word Teraphim signifieth and is so translated in the English Bibles 1552. and 1577. but because they were images of false goddes and for that Laban called them his goddes a later Bible 1603. rranslateth it better idoles as the Latin and Greke haue idola It is also certaine that Ninus king of Assirians long before Laban yea before Abraham sette vp the image of his Father Belus otherwise called Iuppiter to be publikly honored by the people as S. Cyril sheweth li. 3. in Iulianum nere the end and S. Ambrose or an other graue Auctor writeth the same in cap. 1. ad Romanos Likewise S. Cyprian li. de Idolorum vanitate S. Chrysostom ho. 87. in Matth. and Egesippus apud S. Ieronym li. de Viris Illustrib testifie that the making of mens images in memorie of the dead was the occasion and beginning of idolâ—tric according as this place repotteth that a Father sorovving for the death of his sonne made an image in his memorie begane to worshippe him as a god causing his seruants also to honour his dead sonne vvith rites and sacrifices VVhich priuate idolatrie vvas absolutely the first that is recorded in holie Scripture or anie other good auctor And the first publique is counted by most auctors that of Ninus vvorshipping the image of his father Belus vvith diuine honour who also pardoned al offenders how enormious soeuer their crimes were that fled vnto that image VVhich allurment together vvith so great a kinges auctotitie drevv innumerable to publique idolatrie VVherupon S. Ierom noteth in cap. 2. Oseae that Ninus became so great and glorious as to make his father to be honored as a god CHAP. XV. The wise gratfully praise the swetenes and mercie of God by whom they are deliuered from idolatrie 6. detesting the makers worshippers of idols BVT ô thou our God art sweete and true patient and disposing al thinges in mercie †For if we sinne we are thine knowing thy greatnes and if we sinne not we know that we are counted with thee †For to know thee is absolute iustice and to know iustice and thy powre is the roote of immortalitie †For mens inuention of euil art hath not brought vs into errour nor the shadow of a picture being a labour without fruite a shape grauen by diuerse colours †the sight wherof geueth concupiscence to the sensles and and he loueth the shape without life of a deade image †The louers of euils are worthie to haue their hope in such thinges both they that make them and that loue and that worshippe them †Yea and the potter pressing softe earth with labour fashioneth euerie vessel to our vses and of the same clay maketh the vessels that are cleane to vse and in like maner them that are contrarie to these but what the vse of these vessels is the potter is iudge †And with vaine labour he fashioneth a god of the same clay he which a litle before was made of earth and a litle after returneth backe whence he was taken being exacted the debte of the life which he had †But his care is not because he shal labour nor because he hath a short life but he contendeth with goldsmithes and siluer smithes yea and he imitateth the copper smithes and counteth it a glorie because he maketh vaine thinges †For his hart is ashes
incredulous to his word †After this God looked vpon the earth filled it with his good thinges †And the soule of euerie liuing thing shal shew before the face thereof and into it againe is their returne CHAP. XVII God creating man to his owne image gaue him gifies 9. and precepts 14. chose the Israelites for his peculiar people 18. Workes of mercie are commended to al men 20. Repentance to sinners 28. mercie is offered to al. GOD created man of the earth and after his owne image he made him †And againe he turned him into it and conformable to himselfe clothed him with strength †He gaue him a number of daies and time and gaue him power of those thinges that are vpon the earth †He put his feare ouer al flesh and he had dominion of beastes and fowles †He created of him an helper like to himself he gaue them counsel and tongue and eies eares and hart to deuise and he filled them with the discipline of vnderstanding †He created in them the knowlege of the spirit he filled their hart with vnderstanding and euil and good he shewed them †He set his eie vpon their hartes to shew them the great thinges of his workes †that they might praise the name of sanctification and glorie in his meruelous workes that thy might declare the glorious thinges of his workes †He added discipline vnto them and made them inherite the lawe of life †He made an euerlasting testament with them he shewed them iustice and his iudgementes †And their eie saw the glorious thinges of his honour and their eares heard the honour of his voice and he said to them Beware of euerie vniust thing †And he gaue them commandment euerie one concerning his neighbour †Their wayes are before him alwaies they are not hid from his eies †Ouer eucrie nation he appointed a ruler †And Israel was made the manifest portion of God †And al their workes as the sunne in the sight of God and his eies without intermission looking on their wayes †The testamentes were not hid by their iniquitie and al their iniquities are in the sight of God †The almes of a man is as a seale with him and shal preserue the grace of a man as the apple of the eâ—e †And afterward he shal arise and shal render them reward to euerie one vpon their head and shal turne into the inner partes of the earth †But to the penitent he hath geuen the way of iustice and he hath confirmed them that faile to susteine and hath appointed to them the lot of truth †Turne to our Lord and forsake thy sinnes †pray before the face of our Lord and diminish offences †Returne to our Lord and turne away from thine iniustice and hate excedingly abomination †and know the iniustices and iudgementes of God and stand in the lot of thy purpose and of praier of the most high God †Goe into the partes of the holie world with the liuing and them that geue praise to God †Tarie not in the errour of the impious before death confesse From the dead as nothing confession perisheth †Thou shalt confesse liuing aliue and in health thou shalt confesse and shalt praise God and shalt glorie in his mercies †How great is the mercie of our Lord and his propitiation to them that turne to him †For al thinges can not be in men because the sonne of man is not immortal and they haue delighted in the vanitie of malice †What is brighter then the sunne it shal faile Or what more wicked then that which flesh and bloud hath inuented and this shal be reproued †He beholdeth the powre of the height of heauen and al men be earth and ashes CHAP. XVIII Gods wonderful workes excede mans capacitie 7. Our weaknes is streingthened by grace 15. wherto man must cooperate 19. by purging his conscience 22. by prayer 24. by meditating Gods iudgements 30. and by mortifying his owne concupiscence HE that liueth for euer created al thinges together God onlie shal be iustified and remaineth an inuincible king for euer †Who is sufficient to declare his workes †For who shal search out his glorious thinges †and who shal shew forth the powre of his greatnesse or who shal adde to declare his mercie †It is not possible to diminish nor adde neither is it possible to finde the glorious workes of God †When a man shal haue done then shal he beginne and when he shal rest he shal worke †What is man and what is his grace and what is his good or what his euil †The number of the daies of men at the most an hundred yeares as droppes of the water of the sea they are reputed and as the grauel stone of the sand so a few yeares in the day of eternitie †For this cause God is patient toward them and powreth out his mercie vpon them †He hath senne the presumption of their hart that it is naught and hath knowen their subuersion that it is euil †Therefore hath he fulfilled his propitiation toward them and hath shewed them the way of equitie †Mans compassion is touching his neigbour but the mercie of God is vpon al flesh †He that hath mercie teacheth and instructeth as a pastour his flocke †He hath mercie on him that receiueth the doctrine of compassion and he that hasteneth in his iudgementes †Sonne in good deedes geue no blame and in euerie gift geue not the sadnes of an euil word †Shal not the dew colle heate so also a word better then a gift †Is not a word aboue a good gift but both are with a iustified man †A foole wil vpbraide bitterly and the gift of one vntaught maketh the eies to drie away †Before iudgement prepare thee iustice and before thou speake lerne †Before sickenes take medicine and before iudgement examine thyself and in the sight of God thou shalt finde propitiation †Before sickenes humble thy self and in time of infirmitie shew thy conuersation †Be not hindered to pray alwayes feare not to be iustified euen to death because the reward of God abideth for euer †Before praier prepare thy soule and be not as a man that tempteth God †Remember the wrath in the day of consummation and the time of reward in conuersation of the face †Remember pouertie in the time of abundance and the necessities of pouertie in the day of riches †From morning vnto euening time shal be changed al these are sowne in the eies of God †A wise man in al thinges wil feare in the daies of offences wil be ware of sloth †Euerie subtile man knoweth wisdom and to him that findeth her he wil geue prayse †The wise in wordes and they also haue done wisely and haue vnderstood truth and iustice
his life †Who is proued therin perfect shal haue eternal glorie He that could transgressâ—e and hath not transgressed and doe euils and hath not done †therfore are his good thinges stablished in our Lord al the church of saintes shal declare his almes †Art thou set at a great table open not thy iawe therevpon first †Say not this There be manie thinges which are vpon it †Remember that a naughtie eie is euil †What is created worse then the eie therefore shal it weepe at euerie face When it shal see †stretch not out thy hand first and so contaminated with enuie thou be ashamed †Be not oppressed in a feast †Vnderstand by thyself what thy neighbours thinges are †Vse as a frugal man those thinges that are set before thee lest thou be hated when thou eatest much †Leaue of first for maners sake and exceede not lest thou perhaps offend †And if thou be set in the middes of manie stretch not forth thy hand before them neither doe thou first aske to drinke †How sufficient is a little wine for a man wel taught and in sleeping thou shalt not be pained with it and thou shalt feele no griefe †Watching choler torment to an vnsatiable man †sleepe of health is in a man of spare diet he shal sleepe vntil morning and his soule with him shal be deligted †And if thou hast bene forced with eating much rise from the middes and vomite and it shal refresh thee and thou shalt not bring infirmitie to thy bodie †Heare me my sonne and despise me not and in the end thou shalt finde my wordes †In al thy workes be quicke and al infirmitie shal not chance vnto thee †The lippes of manie shal blesse him that is magnifical in breads and the testimonie of his truth is faithful †In naughtie bread the cittie wil murmur and the testimonie of the naughtines thereof is true †Prouoke not them that loue wine for wine hath destroyed very manie †Fire tryeth hard yron so wine dronken in drunkennes shal rebuke the hartes of the proud †Equal life to al men wine in sobrietie if thou drinke it moderatly thou shalt be sober †What is the life that is diminished with wine †What defraudeth life death †Wine was created for ioyfulnes and not for drunkeÌ„nes from the beginning †Wine drunken moderately is the ioy of the soule and the hart †Sober drinking is health to soule and bodie †Much wine drunken maketh prouocation wrath manie ruines †Much wine drunken is bitternes of the soule †The couragiousnes of drunkennes is offence of the vnwise lessening the strength and making woundes †In a banquet of wine rebuke not thy neighbour and despise him not in his mirth †Speake not to him wordes of repoch and presse him not in demanding againe CHAP. XXXII Superiors must rule with mekenes 4. teaching those wisdom that are capable thereof 7. Be moderate in musike and in wine 9. Let yongmen be diligent to heare and sparing to speake 13. especially before their betters 1â— Be alwayes wel occupied 17. Serue and feare God 21. admitte correction 24. do nothing without counsel HAVE they made thee Ruler be not extolled be among them as one of them †Haue care of them and so sitte thou stil and al thy care being dispatched repose †That thou maist reioyce for their sakes receiue a crowne as an ornament of grace and obteyne the dignitie of the contribution †Speake thou that art elder for it becometh thee †the first word to him that loueth with knowlege hinder not musike †Where there is no hearing power not out speache and extol not thyself out of time in thy wisdom †A litle pearle of the carbuncle in an ornament of gold and the comparison of musicians in a banket of wine †As a signet of the emerauld is in the working of gold so the melodie of musike in ioyful and moderate wine †Heare holding thy peace for thy reuerence good grace shal come to thee †Yong man speake in thine owne cause scarsely †If thou be asked twise let thyne answer hauean head †In manie thinges be as it were ignorant and heare holding thy peace and withal asking †In the middes of greate men presume not and where ancients are speake not much †Before haile there shal goe lightning grace shal goe before shamfastnes for thy reuerence good grace shal come to thee †And at the houre of rysing slacke not thyself but runne before first into thy house and there withdraw thyself and there play †and doe thy conceites and not in sinnes and proud word †And aboue al these thinges blesse our Lord that made thee that doth replenish thee with al his goodes †He that feareth our Lord shal receiue his doctrine and they that wil watch after him shal finde blessing †He that seeketh the law shal be replenished with it and he that doth deceitfully shal be scandalized by it †They that feare our Lord shal finde iust iudgement and shal kindle iustices as light †A sinful man wil flee reprehension and according to his wil wil finde excuse †A man of counsel wil not destroy vnderstanding an aliene and proud man wil not dread feare †Yea after he hath done with feare without counsel he shal be controwled euen by his owne pursuites †Sonne doe nothing without counsel and after the fact thou shalt not repent †Goe not in the way of ruine and thou shalt not stumble at stones commite not thyself to a laborious way lest thou set a scandal to thy soule †And beware of thy children and take heede of them of thy household †In al thy worke beleue thy soule by faith for this is the keeping of the commandmentes †He that beleueth God attendeth to the commandmentes and he that trusteth in him shal not be lessened CHAP. XXXIII Feare of God defendeth from al aduersaries 5. Follie is vnconstant 8. God disposeth al to the best 13. Man is in Gods hand as clay in the poâ—ters 20. Superiors must keepe their auctoritie and their subiectes in discipline TO him that feareth our Lord euils shal not happen but in tentation God wil keepe him and deliuer him from euils †A wise man hateth not the commandments and iustices and he shal not be shaken as a shippe in a storme †A man of vnderstanding beleueth the law of God and the law is sure to him †He that repeteth an interrogation shal better prepare his answer and so shal be heard and shal keepe discipline †The hart of a foole is as a wheele of a carte his cogitation as a turning axeltree †A stalion horse neyeth vnder euerie one that sitteth vpon him so a freind that is a scorner †Why doth one day
that the vessels of gold siluer should be brought which Nabuchodonosor his father had caried away out of the temple that was in Ierusalem that the king and his Nobles might drinke in them and his wiues and concubines †Then were the golden and siluer vessels brought which he had caried away out of the temple that was in Ierusalem and the king and his nobles dranke in them his wiues and concubines †They dranke wine and praysed their goddes of gold and of siluer of brasse of yron and of wood and of stone †In the very same houre there appeared fingers as it were of the hand of a man writing ouer against the candlesticke in the vtter part of the wal of the kings palace and the king beheld the ioynts of the hand that wrote †Then was the kings face changed and his cogitations trubled him and the iunctures of his reynes were loosed and his knees were striken one against the other †The king therfore cried out mightely that they should bring in the magicians Chaldees and southsayers And the king speaking sayd to the wisemen of Babylon Whosoeuer shal read this writing and shal make the interpretation therof manifest vnto me shal be clothed with purple and shal haue a golden chayne on his necke shal be the third in my kingdom †Then al the kings wisemen going in could not neither read the writing nor declare the interpretation to the king †Wherewith king Baltassar was much trubled and his countenance was changed yea and his nobles were trubled †And the queene for the thing that had happened to the king and his Nobles entered into the house of the feast and speaking she sayd King for euer liue let not thy cogitations truble thee neither let thy face be changed †There is a man in thy kingdom that hath the spirit of the holie goddes in him and in the dayes of thy father knowlege and wisedom were found in him for king Nabuchodonosor also thy father appoynted him prince of the magicians inchanters Chaldees and southsayers thy father I say ô king †Because more ample spirit and prudence and vnderstanding interpretation of Dreames and shewing of secrets and solution of thinge bound were found in him that is in Daniel to whom the king gaue the name Baltassar Now therfore let Daniel be called and he wil tel the interpretation †Daniel therfore was brought in before the king To whom the king speaking said Art thou Daniel of the children of the captiuitie of Iuda whom my father the king brought out of Iewrie †I haue heard of thee that thou hast the spirit of the goddes and more ample knowlege and vnderstanding and wisedom are found in thee †And now there haue come in into my sight the wise magicians that they might read this writing and might shew me the interpretation therof and they could not declare me the sense of this word †Moreouer I haue heard of thee that thou canst interpret obscure thinges and resolue thinges bound if therfore thou be able to reade the writing to shew me the interpretation therof thou shalt be clothed with purple and shalt haue a cheyne of gold about thy necke shalt be the third prince in my kingdom †To which thinges Daniel answering sayd before the king Thy rewardes be they vnto thee and the giftes of thy house geue to an other but the writing wil I read thee ô king and the interpretation therof wil I shew to thee †O king God the most high gaue to Nabuchodonosor thy father kingdom and magnificence glorie and honour †And for the magnificence which he gaue to him al peoples tribes and tongues trembled and feared him whom he would he killed and whom he would he stroke and whom he would he exalted and whom he would he humbled †But when his hart was eleuated and his spirit obstinatly set to pride he was deposed from the throne of his kingdom and his glorie was taken away †And he was cast out from the sonnes of men yea and his hart was set with the beasts and with the wild asses was his habitation grasse also he did eate as an oxe and with the dew of heauen his bodie was embrewed til he knew that the Highest had powre in the kingdom of men and whomsoeuer it shal please him he wil raise vp ouer it †Thou also his sonne Baltassar hast not humbled thy hart wheras thou knowest al these thinges †but against the dominatour of heauen thou wast eleuated and the vessels of his house haue bene brought before thee and thou and thy nobles and thy wiues and thy concubins haue drunke wine in them the goddes also of siluer and of gold and of brasse of yron and of wood and of stone that see not nor heare nor feele thou hast praysed moreouer the God that hath thy breath in his hand and al thy wayes thou hast not glorified †Therfore from him is the ioynt of the hand sent which hath written this that is drawen †And this is the writing which is ordered MANE THECEL PHARES †And this the interpretation of the word MANE God hath numbred thy kingdom and hath finished it †THECEL thou art weighed in the balance and art found hauing lesse †PHARES thy kingdom is diuided and is geuen to the Medes and Persians †Then the king commanding Daniel was clothed with purple and a cheyne of gold was put about his necke it was proclamed of him that he had powre the third in the kingdom †The same night was Baltassar the king of Chaldee slaine †And Darius the Mede succeded into the kingdom being three score and two yeares old CHAP. VI. King Darius making Daniel one of the three chief rulers of his kingdom 4. and intending also to aduance him higher other princes accuse him for praying to God contrarie to the kings edict 16. wherupon he is cast into the lions denne 21. but is conserued without anie hurt 24. his accusers are deuoured by the lions and commandment is geuen that al men shal feare the God of Daniel IT pleased Darius and he appoynted ouer the kingdom Gouerners an hundred twentie to be in al his kingdom †And ouer them three princes of whom Daniel was one that the gouerners might render account to them the king might susteyne no truble †Daniel therfore passed al the princes and gouerners because there was the spirit of God more ample in him †Moreouer the king thought to appoynt him ouer al the kingdom wherupon the princes the gouerners sought to finde occasion against Daniel on the behalfe of the king and they could finde no cause nor suspicion because he was faithful and no fault nor suspicion was found in him †Those men therfore said We shal not finde against this same Daniel any occasion vnles perhaps in the law of his God †Then the princes and the
table of our Lord is contaminated and that which is layd therupon is contemptible with the fyre that deuoureth it †And you haue sayd Loe of labour and you puffed at it sayth the Lord of hosts and you brought in of robberies the lame the sicke and brought in a gift Why shal I receiue it of your hand sayth our Lord †Cursed is the deceitful that hath in his flocke a male and making a vow immolateth the feeble to our Lord because I am a great King sayth the Lord of hosts and my name is dreadful among the Gentils ANNOTATIONS CHAP. I. 10. I haue no vvil in you Manie Prophets as vve haue often noted did foreshevv the reiection of the Ievves and vocation of the Gentils but none more plainly then this here by vvhom God expresly sayth I haue no vvil in you and I vvil not receiue gift of your hand The reason is also explicated in this chapter because God most peculiarly louing them they vvere stil vngratful and disspised him committing sinnes vpon sinnes And therfore in their place he would bring in the Gentils and that not anie one or fevv nations but al from the rising of the sunne to the going downe therof should sovvner or later come into his Church 11. In euerie place there is sacrificing God not only changed and multiplied his people but also changed and bettered his Sacrifice For in place of sacrificing cattel birdes and other weake and poore creatures vvhich vvere not able to purge sinnes and vvere also polluted oftentimes by the sinnes of them that offered the same God here promiseth a most effectual pure excellent daylie Sacrifice to continevv perpetually in al places of his Church that can not be polluted VVhich accordingly our Blessed Redemer and Sauiour instituted of his ovvne bodie and bloud in the formes of bread and vvine As al ancient Fathers proue by this place amongst others So S. Iustinus Martyr teacheth in dialogo cum Triphone S Cyprian li. 4. â— 18. aduersus Iudaeos S. Damascen li 4. c. 14 de â—ide Orthodoxa S. Ierom S. Theodoret and S. Cyril in their commentaries vpon this place S. Augustin li 18 c. 35. de ciuit S. Chrysostom in Ps 95. and Orat. 2. contra Iudaeos shevving plainly and vrging the Ievves and al oppugners of this Catholique beleefe and doctrine that this prophecie is no otherwise fulfilled but in the daylie Sacrifice of the Church For that here is prophecied an other Sacrifice distinct and different from the Ievves sacrifices neither vvere sacrifices offered in al the vvorld neither could be ordinarily offered out of Ierusalem But of this most sacred Mysterie and particularly that it is here prophecied here is so much published by ancient and late vvriters that more nedeth not to be here added CHAP. II. Priestes are further reprehended because they discharged not wel their great office 10. Both they and others offended in marying strangers 14. They ought to loue and not lightly dismisse their wiues AND now to you this commandment ô ye priests †If you wil not heare and if you wil not set it vpon the hart to geue glorie to my name sayth the Lord of hosts I wil send vpon you pouertie wil curse your blessings and I wil curse them because you haue not set it vpon the hart †Behold I wil cast forth to you the arme and wil spinkle vpon your face the dung of your solemnities and it shal take you with it †And you shal know that I sent you this commandment that my couenant might be with Leui sayth the Lord of hosts †My couenant was with him of life and peace I gaue him feare and he feared me and at the face of my name he was afrayd †The law of truth was in his mouth and iniquitie was not found in his lippes in peace and in equitie he walked with me and turned away manie from iniquitie †For the lippes of the priest shal keepe knowlege and the law they shal require of his mouth because he is the angel of the Lord of hosts †But you haue departed out of the way and haue scandalized manie in the law you haue made voide the couenant of Leui sayth the Lord of hosts †For which cause I also haue made you contemtible and base to al peoples as you haue not kept my wayes and haue accepted face in the law †Why is there not one father of vs al hath not one God created vs why then doth euerie one of vs despise his brother violating the couenant of our fathers †Iuda hath transgressed and abomination was done in Israel and in Ierusalem because Iudas hath contaminated the sanctification of our Lord which he loued and hath had the daughter of a strange god †Our Lord wil destroy the man that hath done this the master the scholar out of the tabernacles of Iacob him that offereth gift to the Lord of hosts †And this agayne haue you done you couered the altar of the Lord with teares with weeping and howling so that I haue respect no more to sacrifice neither do I accept any placable thing at your hand †And you haue sayd For what cause because the Lord hath testified betwen thee and the wife of thy youth whom thou hast despised and she thy partaker and the wife of thy couenant †Did not one make and the residue of the spirit is his And what doth one seeke but the seede of God Keepe ye then your spirit and the wife of thy youth despise thou not †When thou shalt hate dismisse sayth our Lord the God of Israel but iniquitie shal couer his garment saith the Lord of hosts keepe ye your spirit and do not despise †You haue in your wordes made our Lord to labour and you sayd Wherein haue we made him to labouâ— In that you say Euerie one that doth euil is good in the sight of our Lord and such please him or certes where is the God of iudgement CHAP. III. A precurser shal come before Christ 3. The Priesthood and Sacrifice of the new law are pure 5. God who seeth al sinners wil punish them 10. but if they amend they shal receiue Gods benefites 13. Not euil men but the good please God BEHOLD I send myne Angel and he shal prepare the way before my face And forthwith shal come to his temple the Dominatour whom you seeke and the Angel of the testament whom you desire Behold he cometh sayth the Lord of hosts †and who shal be able to thinke the day of his aduent and who shal stand to see him For he as it were purging fyre as the herbe of fullers †and he shal sit purging and clensing the siluer and he shal purge the sonnes of Leui and wil streyne them as gold and as siluer and they shal be â—â—fering sacrifices to
may retyre backe before vs and we may make vs other woodes †And in like maner the waues of the sea they also deuised a deuise and sayd Come let vs goe vp let vs ouerthrow the woodes of the filde that there also we may consummate an other countrie for our selues †And the woodes deuise was made vaine for fire came and consumed it †Likewise also the deuise of the waues of the sea For the sand stood stayed them †For if thou wert iudge of these whom wouldest thou begin to iustifie or whom to condemne †And I answered and sayd Verely they deuised a vayne deuise For the earth is geuen to the wood and a place to the sea to carie her waues †And he answered me and sayd Thou hast iudged wel and why hast thou not iudged for thy self †For as the earth is geuen to the wood and the sea for the waues therof so they that inhabite vpon the earth can vnderstand onlie the thinges that are vpon the earth and they vpon the heauens the thinges that are aboue the height of the heauens †And I answered and sayd I besech thee Lord that sense may be geuen me to vnderstand †For I meant not to aske of thy superiour thinges but of those that passe by vs dayly For what cause Israel is geuen into reproche to the gentiles the people whom thou hast loued is geuen to impious tribes the law of our fathers is brought to destruction the written ordinances are no where †and we haue passed out of the world as locustes and our life is astonishment and dreade and we are not worthie to obtaine mercie †But what wil he doe to his name that is inuocated vpon vs and of these thinges I did aske †And he answered me and sayd If thou search very much thou shalt often meruail because the world hastening hasteneth to passe †and can not comprehend the thinges which in times to come are promised to the iust because this world is ful of iniustice and infirmities †But concerning the thinges that thou demandest I wil tel thee for the euil is sowed and the destruction therof is not yet come †If then that which is sowen be not turned vp and the place depart where the euil is sowen that shal not come where the good is sowen †Because the grayne of il seede hath bene sowen in the hart of Adam from the beginning and how much impietie hath it ingendered vntil now and doth ingender vntil the floore come †And esteme with thy self the graine of the il seede how much fruite of impietie it hath ingendred †When the eares shal be cut which are innumerable what a great floore wil they begin to make †And I answered and sayd How and when shal these things be why are our yeares few and euil †And he answered me and sayd to me Hasten not aboue the Highest For thou doest hasten in vaine to be aboue him for thy excesse is much †Did not the soules of the iust in their cellars aske of these things saying How hope I so and when shal the fruite come of the floore of our reward †And Ieremiel the Archangel answered to those things and sayd When the number of the sedes in you shal be filled because he hath weyed the world in a balance †and with a measure hath he measured the times and in number he hath numbered the times and hath not moued nor stirred them vntil the foresayd measure be filled †And I answered and sayd O Lord Dominatour we also are al ful of impietie †And lest perhaps for vs the floores of the iust be not filled for the sinnes of the inhabitantes vpon the earth †And he answered me and sayd Goe and aske a woman with childe if when she hath accomplished her nine monethes her wombe can yet hold the infant within it †And I sayd it can not Lord. And he sayd to me in hel the cellars of the soules are like to the matrice †For as she that is In trauail maketh hast to escape the necessitie of trauailing so this also hasteneth to render those thinges which are commended to it †From the beginning it shal be shewed thee touching those thinges which thou doest couer to see †And I answered and sayd If I haue found grace before thine eyes if it be possible and if I by fitte †shew mee if there be more to come then is passed or moe things haue passed then are to come †What passed I know but what is to come I know not †And he sayd to me Stand vpon the right side and I wil shew thee the interpretation of the similitude †And I stood and saw and behold a burning fornace passed before me it came to passe when the flame passed I saw and behold the smoke ouercame †After these thinges there passed before me a clowd ful of water and with violence casting in much raine and when the violence of raine was cast the droppes therin ouercame †And he sayd to me Thinke with thyself as the raine increaseth more then the droppes and the fire then the smoke so did the measure that passed more a bound But the droppes and the smoke ouercame †and I prayed sayd shal I liue thinkest thou vntil these dayes or what shal be in those dayes †He answered me and sayd Of the signes wherof thou askest me in part I can tel thee how beit of thy life I was not sent to tel thee neither doe I know CHAP. V. Diuers signes of thinges to come are shewed to Esdras by an Angel 16. for the comforth of the people in captiuitie BVT concerning signes behold the dayes shal come wherin they that inhabite the earth shal be taken in a great number and the way of truth shal be hid and the countrie shal be barren from fayth †And iniustice shal be multiplied aboue that which thy self seest aboue that which thou hast heard in time past †And they shal put their foote into the countrie which now thou seest to reigne and they shal see it desolate †And if the Highest geue thee life thou shalt see after the third trumpet and the sunne shal sodenly shine agayne in the night and the moone thrise in a day †and out of wood bloud shal distil and the stone shal geue his voice and the peoples shal be moued †and he reigne whom they hope not that inhabite vpon the earth and foules shal make their flight away †the sea of Sodom shal cast the fishes and shal make a noise in the night which manie knew not and al shal heare the voice therof †and there shal be made a confusion in manie places and the fire shal often be sent backe and the sauage beastes shal goe to other places and wemen in their monethlie flowers shal bring forth monsters †and in swete waters shal salt
made S. Peter the rocke therof b. 5. 77. Rodde of Aaron brought forth buddes flowers and fruict a 359. Rome begane to be built about the yeare of the world 3. 71. b. 1089. Romane Monarchie was greater then the former b 792. 1003. Ruth a Moabite prefigured the vocation of Gentiles a 564. She was very commendable for her vertues a 569. A comforte to the Gentiles in that Christ descended from her b 473. S Sabbath daie that is our saturdaie instituted a 7. 216. 250. 307. 430. 756. b 947. Sackcloth worne for penance a 774. 802. 977. 1021. 1042. 1080. b 501. 795. 824. 838. Sacramentes of Circumcision a 65. of hostes for sinne 267. of consecrating Priests 275. of diuers washinges and purifications 288. and manie others in the old Law More in number lesse in effect then the Sacramentes of Christ a 705. Sacramentes of the New law for most part were prefigured in the old Testament a 199. 32. 705. Sacrament of the Eucharist was prefigured a 150. 188. 210. Sacrifice is due to God only as Lord of al creatures a 5. 31. 47. 198. 262. b 424. 842. 993. And to no creature how excellent soeuer a. 15. 219. 528. 705. Sacrifice is the proper office of a Priest a 57. Three kindes of Sacrifices a 262. Sacrifice ordained for three causes a 264. b 581. Diuers for diuers sinnes a. 267. for diuers feastes a 380. with distinct hostes appointed by the Law a 425. Sacrifice in beastes birdes and other thinges mystical a 60. 362. Sacrifice by the Law of Moyses limited to one place a 423. 510. 707. 873. by dispensation in other place s. a 519. 545. 707. 893. And in the new Testament one online Sacrifice in al places of the world b 884. 993. Sacrifices of the old Law to be changed b 69. 98. 884. 993. Sacrifice of the Eucharist perpetual to the end of the world b 280. 544. 885. 993. Sacrilege seuerely punished b. 953. Sacrilegious murther reuenged a 908. Sainctes are to be honoured a 8. 34. 218. 531. 935. b 252. Are lawfully and profitably inuocated a 33â— 245. 710. 1068. 1110. b 503. 541. 575. 697. 778. 987. 996. They may know our thoughtes a 605. 107. b 541. 578. Salathiel the sonne of Iechonias and father of Zorobabel was borne and died in the captiuitie of Babylon a 824. 947. 951. b 865. Salomon signifieth Pacifier was also called Ecclesiastes the Preacher and Idida beloued He writte three bookes b 333. 334. He was also called the Gatherer b 314. Lamuel b 315. He prefigured Christ in diuers respectes a 856. b 131. 166. Salomon deposed Abiather by extraordinarie commission a 692. Salomons saluation is doubtful a 732. 866. b 354. Salt signifieth discretion and was required in euerie sacrifice a 265 361. It maketh ground barren a 537. Saluation dependeth vpon grace and merites a 33. b 267. 994. See workes meritorious Samaria the head cittie of the tenne Tribes a 737. Samaritanes Schismatiques a 734. fel into manie sectes a 744. 798. 941. Samson a Nazareite and a figure of Christ a 545. 553. He did manie strange great thinges a 548. c. He sinned not in killing himself with the Philistimes a 553. c. 941. Samuel of the tribe of Leui prophecied a childe a 574. He annointed Saul King a 590. Also Dauid 604. He appeared after his death a 631. b 441. Sanaballat procured licence for Manasses to build a schismatical temple b 960. 1000. Sapiential bookes teach the way to serue God b 267. Al fiue are Canonical Scripture b 268. Saraias Highpriest slaine in Rebla a 816. b 997. Satisfaction a 32. 270. Sauiour properly perteineth to Christ is also attributed to some men a 128. 521. Saul the first King of the sraelites began wel a 587. 595. He afterwards offended in disobedience and presumption a 596. 602. 837. He was releeued in spiritual afflition by Dauids musique a 704. Of great enuie he hated and persecuted Dauid a 610. In distresse he consulted a Pithon spirite a 629. And in desperate extremitie killed himselfe a 635. Scandal hurteth the weake not the perfect b 233. Schisme and heretical conuenticles must be auoided a 355. 358. 510. 511. 756. 771. 887. 896. 949. b 56. 232. 238. 526. 696. 710. 777. 862. 894. 896. Schismatical Temples in Garizim and in Egypt b 800. 960. 1000. Schoole of paganisme was set vs in Ierusalem by Iason an Apostata b. 955. Scriptures are of most eminent auctoritie a 3. They haue foure senses a 4. Yea many literal senses b 19. 188. Mystical sense is sometimes as certaine as the literal b 8â—1 They are hard to be vnderstood a 3. 16. 22. 46. 115. 435. b. 214. 216. 485. 490. 674. 680. 758. Scriptures seeming contrary are reconciled by tenne rules a 820. They can not in deede be contrary one place to an other ibid. b 293. They are best expounded by the holie Fathers a. 251. b 14. Secresie iustly enioyned or promised bindeth in conscience b 434. Sectes of Panimes Barbarisme Scythisme and Grecisme a. 48. Manie Sectes also of the Schismatical Samaritanes a 798. 941. Innumerable amongst the Grecians b 1000. Sepulchers a 33. 151. 515. Christs sepulcher glorious b. 468. 527. Serpentes most craftie a. 9. Serpent of brasse erected for curing infirmitie a 336. b 366. Afterwards broken in peeces a 799. Seruice of false goddes doth not appease them a 915. Seuen times signifie seuen yeares b. 783. Seuentie two Interpreters of the Hebrew Bible into Greke b 1000 Shamfastnes is sometimes good sometimes vicious b 379. Simon High priest and general captaine b 936. 1003. Simonie committed by Giezi a 770. Sinne entred by enuie of the Diuel a 11. Sinnes before the floud were great in foure respectes a 23. Sinnes of commission and omission a 272. b 820. Sinnes lesse and greater or venial and mortal a 401. 407. b 399. Sinnes of al sortes must be punished a 9. 33. 40. 351. 685. 512. 894. b 65. 95. 188. 345. 413. 459. 535. 557. 569. 576. 591. 631. 719. 817. 888. Sinners for punishment are suffered sometimes to fal into other sinnes a 455. 463. 492. 577. 910. b 389. 572. 679 697. 808. 833. Al sinnes are remissible during this life a 577. 798. 1031. b 65. 188. 328 552. 579. 666. 706. Some sinners are of the Elect and shal be called and iustified b. 8â—1 Sinful people are often vnconstant b. 627. Slouth breedeth contempt in this life and damnation in the next b. 404. Sodome and Gomorrha were destroyed with brimstone a 70. Sonnes of God are the faithful godlie people a 20. Sophonias prophecied the captiuitie of the two tribes b 861. Soules of men are dayly created a 6. b 3â—8 Soules departed may be releeued by Sacrifice and prayers a 33. 202. 637. 711. 995. b 24. 284. 979. 996. Soules sometimes appeare assuming bodies after death a 632. Spartians otherwise called Lacedemonians descended from Abraham b 933. 934. Succession a special proofe of true doctrine b 926. 934. Succession of spiritual Gouernors prooueth their
and the new Testament shew the same God Christ Church and other Mysteries of Religion The old more obscurely with lesle helpes The new more expresly and yeldeth more grace In both Testaments are foure sortes of Bookes Legal Historical Sapiential Prophetical Al these books recited are Canonical and of infallible truth Cone Carth. An. Dni 419. Conc. Laodic cap. 59. Florent Instruct Armen decret 7. Trident Sess 4. S. Atha in Synop. S. Aug. li. 2. doct Christ c. 8 Isider li. 6. Elymol c. I. alibi Nicep li. li. 4. cap. 15. Euseb li. 5. c. 8. Apochryphal of two sortes 1. Not declared canonical 2. Reiected as erronious The Holie Ghost declareth by the Church which Bookes are Diuine Scriptures Mat. 28. Ioan. 14. 16. Act. 2. 20 1. Tim. 3. The old and new Testament differ in time In maner of vttering Varietie of Precepss Promises Meanes Temo 3. quest 10 Algasiae Heb. 7. 9. 10. Gal. 4. The old Testament conteyneth figures of the new A continual visible Church from the beginning of the world to Christ The same Mystical bodie but different in state Diuided into six ages The first age continued 1656. yeares 1. Cor. 10 Gal. 3 Gen. 1. The second 368. or 398. The third about 4â—0 Gen. 8. Gen 12. Genebrard Chronolog S. Aug. li. 15. c. 8. ciuit Gal. 3. Exo. 16. 3. Reg. 6. 3 Reg. 7. 1. Esdiae 1. The fourth 480. The fifth 4â—0 The sixth nere 640. Al the time from the creation to Christ aboue 4000. yeares MOYSES signifieth taken from the water Exod. 6. Nâ—m 26. 1. Par. 6. Ioseph li. 2 Antiq. cap. 9. S. Aug ser 88. de temp S. Greg. oratio in laudem Basilij magni S. Aug. li. 18. ciuit c. 39. The excellencie of Moyses Deut. 34. Eccli 45. Glos ord His sepulchre not knowen â—o anie man Genesis written by Moyses Alwayes authentical So knowen by Tradition confirmed by Christ Alleaged also by the Apostles Religion reueled to special persons and so obserued by Traditions Mat. 19. Heb. 11. Iacob 2. 1. Pet. 2. 2. Pet. 2. S. Aug. quest vet noui Testam cap. 3. VVhy Scripture was written VVhat Moyses specially sheweth in this booke Man most particularly described The right line from Adam to Noe. The principal Patriarches from Noe to the 12. sonnes of Iâ—cael Gen. 10. This booke diuided into eight partes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. The first part Of the creatioÌ„ of al things The Church readeth this booke in her Office from Septuagesima til Passion Sunday Also this first chapter beginning of the second on Easter Eue before Masse Act. 14 15. 17 24. Psalm 32 6. 135 5. Eccli 10 1. â—eb 11 3. :: The firmament is al the space from the earth to the hieghest starres the lowest part diuideth betwene the waters on the earth and the waters in the ayer S. Aug. li. II. de Gen. ad lit c. 4 Iob. 38. Ier. 10 13. :: Likewise heaueÌ„ is al the space aboue the earth in whose lowest part are birdes and waters in the higher part starres the hieghest is the Empyrial heauen Esa 66. :: The lights made the first day are disposed the fourth day in their proper courses for more distinction of times S. Dionys ca. 4. de diuin nom S. Tho. p. 1. q. 67. a. 4. q. 70. a. 2. :: The SuÌ„ne Moone for though the moone be the least visible starre except Mercurie yet it geueth more light on the earth by reason it is nerer and so Moyses speaketh according to the vulgar capacitie and vse of things S. Aug. li. 2. de Gen. ad lit ca. 16. Col. 3 10. Mat. 19 4. :: Euerie creature in nature is good but al considered together make the whole world perfect most apt to mans vse and Gods glorie S. Aug. li. 1 de Gen. cont Manich. ca. 21. The Church had only Traditions no Scripture aboue 2400. yeares Traditionâ— necessarie for three causes 1 â—â—â— Epist â—und c. â—5 2 Scripture of most eminent authoritie Luc. 10 16. Act. 15 28. 2. Thess 2. Origen super Gen. c. 1. Aug. li. 2. de Gen. cont Manich. ca. 2. â— Scriptures hard lib. 1. c. 18. lib. 8. c. 2. Bas ho. 9. in Genes Chrisost epist 44. Amb. Beda in examen Ieron Epistol ad Eustoch Gen. 1. v. 3. 14. Exo. 20 5. 18 v. 20. Ioan. 8 25. Rom. â— why Scriptures are hard Three spiritual senses besides the Literal Allegorical Moral Anagogical â— Ieron Epistol 8â— ad Ocea Tert. dâ— Baptis A figure of Baptisme Christians called fishes Light being an accident remayned without subiect by the iudgement of some lerned Fathers The accidents of breade and wine can remaine by Gods power without their subiectes Tenne prerogatiues of man in his creation 1. made like to God 2. The Mysterie of the B. Trinitie insinuated in his creation 3. produced by God him selfe 4. placed in paradise 5. Lord of al earthlie creatures 6. innocencie 7. excellent knowlege 8. powre to liue euer 9. gift of prophecie 10. God conuersed familiarly with man Gods blessing alwayes effectual Especially in the holie Eucharist Not al men â—emen commanded to marie God createth not new kindes of creatures yet stil worketh Io. 5 17. conseruing gouerning al things and creatch soules grace and glorie of the same kind S. Aug. li 4 de Gen. adlit â— 12. Exod. 20 11. Deut. 5 14. Heb. 4 4. :: Mans soule is immediatly created by God not produced of other substance as the soules of beastes and plants are 1. Cor. 15 45 :: Vvhether this paradise be now extant is vncertayne though it be certaine that Enoch and Elias are yet liuing in earth S. Aug. li. 2. cont Pelagi c. 23. See Perereus li. 3. q. 5. li. 7. q. vltima Mat. 19 5. Mar. 10 7. 1. Cor. 6 16. Eph. 5 31. :: As we say brick is made of earth and a house is built of bricke so Adam was made of earth and Eue built of a ribbe of Adam And that of one ribbe as if God should build a house of one bricke or as in dede he fed 5000. men with fiue loaues Chris ho. 15. S. Aug. Tract 24. in Ioan. S. Tho. p. 1. q. 92. a. 3. :: Not three nor foure nor more for then two were chaÌ„ged to an other number S. Ier. li. 1. cont loui Obseruation of holie dayes by Gods institution â—â— Psal 6. 11. Act. 13 14. Leuit. 23. ObseruatioÌ„ of festiual dayes is religious not Iudaical nor heathnish Honour of Sainctes is to the greater honour of Christ Honâ—â— in 40. Martyrâ—s VVhy a particular positiue law besides the general lawes of God nature was geuen to man first reason lib. 8. de Gen. ad lit c. 11. Psal 15. â— reason The sinne of disobedience Ioyned with damage to him that disobeyeth Ioyned with damage of him that forbiddeth True obedience is blind and prompt Not meate but the diâ—obedience hurteth him that transgresseth the precept of abstinence Lawes in
folowers They belie the Church militant Blaspheme the triumphant Al modest meÌ„ wil condemne these blasphemies Catholique doctrine and practise conuince their lies The true Catholique doctrin Honour due to excellencie Three kindes of excellencie Therfore three kindes of honour Protestants denie anie honour to be due to Saincts Their obiection First answer Example of this necessary distinction Second answer S Augustin declareth this doctrin and geueth both the former answers li. 20. c. 21. Three causes of celebrating Saincts memories Latria is honour proper to God Sacrifice only to God Protestants confesse that the ancient Fathers honored Saincts and their Reliques Manna was put in a golden vessel Heb. 9. How saucie are heretikes to scoffe at so renowmed a Doctor Protestants haue corrupted the text in al their English Bibles God commanded to make Images Christ and Saincts are honored in their Images The first table containeth three precepts the second seuen The first can not wel be diuided The ninth and tenth are as distict as the sixth and seuenth :: Iudicial lawes do instruct in particular â—â—w to kepe the commandments of the second table pertaining to our neighboures * Paying nothing :: The Iudges authorized by God :: VVhere great faults are coÌ„mitted punishment is inflicted according to the enormitie of the sinne aboue the proportion of the iniurie Theodoret q. 50. in Exod. Deut. 25. Mystically He that taketh from the Church a daylie laborer in Gods field sinneth more greuously and deserueth more punishment then he that taketh a priuate man of Christs flock Rabanus :: Iudges called goddes for their eminent authoritie Exo. 7. v. 1. :: The law of nature requireth to do to others as we would they should do to vs. For which cause besides others God suffered his people to be strangers in Aegypt to moue them to compassion towards others in like case Rabanus :: Oppression of the poore crieth to God for renenge :: Al vertues being â—â—â—ded in iustice cease to be true vertues when iustice is not first obserued S. â—ierom in Psal 32. et in Prou. 31. Three principal feastes besides the Sabbath some others :: Pasch in memorie of their deliuerie from Aegypt :: Pentecost when they receiued the Law :: Tabernacles in memorie of Gods protection fourtie yeares in the desert :: Peace with infidels forbidden to Gods people :: As when Moyses had brought the Israentes from bondage and receiued the law for them he built an Altar for Sacrifice so Christ hauing redemed vs and geueÌ„ vs a Law for applicatioÌ„ of the fruict therof Altares are erected Sacrifice offered :: This was donne corporally to the Iewes In Christians Christs bloud applied by Sacrifice and Sacraments sanctifieth their soules Heb. 9. The lesson in Masse on Imber wenesday in Lent A figure of Christs bloud in the B. Sacrament Mat. 26. :: As the Israelites were prompt to offer these external things in the old law so Christians must offer the like for Gods seruice but specially al sortes of vertues Faith hope charitie penance deuotion prayer almes fasting c. :: If Images were vnlawful God would not haue commanded to make Cherubims 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. :: For the perpetual vâ—e and sanctitie of these loaues which none might eate but such as were pure 1. Reg. 21. they prefigured â—he holie Eucharist S. â—ur in Tâ—â— 1. S Damna â—â—n de oxtho li. 4 c. 14. S. Cyril â—â—theâ— 4. And consequently Christ is really present in the â— Sacrament For if there were bread in substance it should not excel the figure which is required it euerie thing prefigured Colless 2. :: Christs members by their vnion communitie assist ech other and adorne his tabernacle the Church :: The chieâ—â—est part of the Tabernacle called Sancta sanctorum Holie of holies :: God would not haue darknes in his tabernacle by day nor night signifying that his people ought alwayes to shine in good workes S. Beda li. 3 c. 1. de tabernac :: Vocation necessarie to spiritual function Heb. 5. :: These vestments sign fie that Bishopes and Priestes must haue special vertues discretion puritie of life sincere intention contemplatioÌ„ of God supportation of the peoples infirmitie solicitude of their good examplaâ— life sound doctrin and band of vnion S. Hiero. ad Fabiâ—l de vestitu Sacerdotum to 3. :: Knowledge of the cause and sincere proceding therin are the two keyes of right iudgement :: Special preparation before Bishops and Priests be consecrated :: The first preparation in the p 〈…〉 to bâ—â—â—â—â—e â—â—aâ—â—d is clâ—â—â—â—ng from 〈…〉 then to â—e adorned with the vertues aboue mentioned pag. 234. :: Diuers things were offered at diuers times and al signified Christs Sacrifice in his Church s. Aug li. 1. c 18. coâ— aduers leg prophet yet none daylie but a lambe more particularly signifiing the daylie offering of the lambe of God and perpetual effect therof Origen â—n Ioan. 1. :: That is 7. d ob English For a sicle of the Sanctuarie is about 15. d :: Obolus 3. farthings :: Not by Movses but by an Angel at Gods appointment Gal. 3. v. 19. :: Aaron knew what goddes they ment to wit such as they had senne worshipped in Aegypt and therfore he made them a molten calfe v. 4. :: Excesse in play called foolish mirth is the daughter of gluttonie and mother of Idolatrie S. Greg. li. 31. c. 31. Moral :: To the molten calfe which they had made :: God saying suffer me signifieth that he could be hindered S. Hierom in Ionâ— 1. :: Not only Gods promise but also his seruants merites are here proposed for procuring mercie to the people See the Annotation :: Moyses the meekest manon earth Nu. 12. in Gods cause was most zelous against sinne â— Aug. q. 144. in Exod. :: Aaron confessed the fault briefly not intending a friuolous excuse for he could not thinke but Moyses knew the truth â— Aug. q. 145 in Exod. :: Their zeale vsed with authoritie and order is here rewarded which otherwise wanting when Simeon and Leui slew the Sichemites was blamed by Iacob Gen. 34. 49. :: Moyses not content with his owne saluation would rather perish with the people then they should al be destroied and therfore at his instance God pardoned them S. Hicrâ— Eâ— 12 ad Gaâ—d in Ione 1. S. Aug q. 147. in Exod. This people thought the calfe to be the true God S. Aug. li. 18. c â— ciuit They adored that which the image represented li. 1. c. 11. para 9. Instit Caluin chargeth Moyses with arrogancie Moyses charitie concurred with Gods prouidence In hunc locum S. Aug. q. 149. in Exod. S. Chrys ho. 42. in Gen. Theâ—d q 67. in Exo. God sheweth mercie for the merites of his seruants Grace goeth before merites :: God wâ—uld not in this passage worke such miracles as he did bringing them forth of Aegypt So it is a comination because they werest ubborne and stiffe necked :: The vision of God in gloric
Leuiticum Mystically it signified that the fire of charitie being first kindled in mans hart by Gods grace must be continually nourished and kept burning from which al other good workes are deriued By slesh of penance is vnder stood fasting watchig hair-cloth teares prayers aâ—mes which whosoeuer duly toucheth shal be sanctified He sychâ—us Hierosol li. 2. in Leuit. c. 6. :: This text sheweth there is difference in the nature of a fault committed commonly called sinne of dutie omitted here called offence in latin peccatuÌ„ and delictum Yet both are alike offencife to God in matter of equal importance As appeareth for that the same sacrifice was offered for both S. Aâ—â— q. 20. in Leuit. :: Geuen or presented to our Lord not offered vpon the Altar for no leauen could be offered in sacrifice cap. 2. v. 15 The second part Of consecrating Priests and their vestmeÌ„ts with punishment of some that transgressed :: VVashing signified puritie required in Priests :: Precious vestiments their dignitie and holie oile their authoritie :: VVhen the high Priest at anie time put the Ephod to the Rationale God gaue answers to his demandes in matters of doctrine and veritie which king Dauid willed Abiathar to doe 1. Reg. 23. v. 9. Neuer could anie woman weue doctrin veritie but diuine vvisdom did make such garmeÌ„ts S. Cyril lib. 6. in Leuit. :: As wel by the function of coÌ„secrating Priests as of offering Sacrifice it appeareth that Moyses was a Priest Yea the chiefe and hieghest Priest saith S. Augustin for his more excellent ministerie and extraordinarie calling Aaron was hiegh priest for his Pontifical inuesture and ordinarie vocation which should continew in his successors q. 23. in Leuit. Particular calling and consecration necessarie to priestlie offices authoritie in spiritual causes Heb. 5. Psal 109. Ordering of Priestes was a Sacrament in the law of Moyses SeueÌ„ precious vestments for the high Priest signifiing 1. Puritie 2 Discretion 3. Good works of edification S. Hierom Epist ad Fabiol 4. Toleration of others infirmities 5. Knowledge and sinceritie 6. IntentioÌ„ directed to God 7. Contemplation of God his workes Other Priestes had also three ornamentes Aaron annointed high Priest His sonnes also consecrated Al three kindes of sacrifice offered at the consecration of Priests Num. â— Priestood and Law changed together The SacrameÌ„t of holie Orders prefigured and the new Law Heb. 7. :: The people before worshipped a calfe for God Exod 32. Now therfore they offer a calfe in sacrifice to God for their sinne and to kepe them from idolatrie S. Hieron in Hierem 7. :: God appeared in his worke by sending fire to burne the sacrifice without mans industrie v. 24. :: This did signifie that Christ in whoÌ„ al nations are blessed should be stretched on the Crosse where he redemed vs in memorie wher of we now make the signe of the Crosse :: The Priests were commaÌ„ded to nourish and kepe this fire petpetually that it should not be extinguished cha 6. v. 12. :: Such as receiued more at Gods hand are more seuerly punished if they transgresse S. Aug. q. 21. in Leuit. By this also al are warned to be content with the doctrine of the Holie Ghost to abhorre heresies the fautors wherof adde falsehood to Gods word preferre their owne wicked inuentions be fore the true sense of holie Scripture Theod. q 9. in Leuit. :: Abstinence from wine coÌ„manded to Priests when they serued in the tabernacle not at other times for they serued at certaine times by turnes Theod. q. 10 in Leuit. As for drunkennes it is forbid to al men and at al times :: Natural griâ—e of mind made Aaron both vnwilling to eate lesse apt to coâ—plete al the ceremonies so without sinne he omitted that pertained to his commoditie offering it to God The third part Of things cleane and vncleane with the maner of purifying other precepts moral iudicial :: Hitherto God reueled his Law to Moyses onlie and by him to the people Now also to Aaron after he was coÌ„secrated high Priest yet not alwayes for Moyses was stil superior chap. 12. 14. 16. 17. c. :: If in dede this vncleaÌ„nes were a sinne it should be clensed by contritioÌ„ and neither necessarily remaine til night nor theÌ„ be taken away without other meanes Gen. 7. 〈◊〉 8. Some things connted vncleane in the law of nature of Moyses Three causes of this obseruance 1. For instruction 2. For exercise of obedience 1. Tim. 4. Rom. 5. 2. Mach. 6. 7. 3. For signification The things holden for cleane signified vertues The vncleane signified vices Christians are not bound to the obseruances of the old law but to that which they signified The second third Lessons on Candlemas day :: The most pure virgin mother was not subiect to this law For she conceiued not by the seede of man yet obserued the custome of other wemen Luc. 2. as Christ also would be baptized by S. Iohn Baptist Mat. 3. to geue example of humilitie S. Cyril li. 8. in Leuit S Bernard Ser. 3. de Purific :: It pertained to the Priests to discerne of leprosie in figure of Priestes authoritie to bind and loose sinnes in the new Testament S. Chrysost li. 3. de Sacerdotio :: Leprosie making spottes in the skinne of an other colour signifieth heresie that mixeth falshood with truth â— Aug. li. 2. quest Euangel c. 4â— :: Sometimes that semeth leprosie or herelie which is not wherof the priest is to iudge Deut. 17. :: This gift sacrifice were commanded saith S. Augustin because the Sacrifice of Christs bodie was not yet ordained which now serueth for al other sacrifices lâ— 1. ca. 19. et 20. cont aduersar â—eg et prophet * of vvel or riuer not of a cesterne poole or marrâ—â—â— :: If natural infirmities brought vncleaÌ„nes much more lasciuiousnes of the mind Theod. q. 15. 20. in Leuit. :: To make offer and sacrifice an hosteâ—is al one :: S. Hierom. â—s cap. 5 ad 〈…〉 at vnderstandeth this place of the abominable sines that may not be named :: Only once in the yeare the high priest and no other entred into Sancl◠〈…〉 v. 34. signifying that heauen was not open to anie Sainct before Christs passion Heb. 9. v. 8. :: Praying that al their sinnes may be remitted :: Sinnes do so defile the soule that the very holiest of al places is accounnted as contaminate therby Theodo â— 22. in Leuit. 〈◊〉 sine :: God so remitteth sinnes to those that are truly peninitent as that which is caried into a wildernes and neuer returneth :: Besides particular sacrifices for euerie oues sinnes once in the yeare was instituted a general expiatioÌ„ of al. :: If anie killed for sacrifice he must offer it at the dore of the tabernacle that a priest might offer it on the Altar for no other man nor place was allowed without special dispensation of God And so Samuel offered sacrifice in an
promised land S. Hierom. de Mans 42. to 3. :: They were retained in the ayre til the earth broken vnder them was closed againe :: Amram maried his aunt which sheweth that the second degree in consanguinitie is not forbid by the law of nature though it was after prohibited by a positiue law Leuit 18. :: For the general murmuring wherof al the people were guiltie cha 14. â— 29. :: Temporal Princes are also pastors or shepheards of the people but this made not Iosue supreme in spiritual causes For it is clere in the next lines that he had but part of Moyses his glorie or office and that was to be temporal prince Eleazar being chief in causes spiritual before vvhom and the multitude he was ordained Duke but Eleazar consulted God for him and directed his principal actions called here his going out and going in :: Varietie of Sacrifices for diuers times :: Euerie day twise 1. 2. :: On the Sabbath day 3. :: The Neomenia or new moone :: Pasch or Phase 4. 5. :: Pentecost 6. :: Feast of Trumpets 7. :: Feast of Expiation :: For remissioÌ„ of sinnes the penitents did cooperate by penal workes of fasting and abstinence from euen vntil euen Leuit. 23. 〈◊〉 â—2 S. Aug. q. 57. in Num. Theod. q. 32. in Leuit. :: Feast of Tabernacles 8. 9. :: Feast of Assemblie and Collection :: He that voweth abstinence from a thing lawful maketh it vnlawful to him selfe by his vow S. Aug. q. 56. in Num. :: In this case God wil not impute it to her for a siÌ„ne S. Aug. q. 58. :: By afflicting of the souleâ— here vnderstood restraining sensual delectation S. Aug. q. 57. in Num. :: The husbaÌ„d reuoking his consent once geuen by word or by silence to his wiues vow sinned but the wife was bound to obey him and so was excused Vowes of things not commanded S. Aug q. 57. in Num. :: VVith whoÌ„ he sinned with them he was also iustly punished :: These wemen bringing imagies of Beelphogot caused the Israelites to offer sacrifice to him before they should committe fornication with them :: In more detestation of the parents sinne God coÌ„manded to kil these children so they were preuented from committing the like crimes But ordinarily wemen children ought not to be slaine after the victorie Deut. 20. v. 14. :: A right figure of those that would possesse heauen without labour or danger But none shal be crovvned vnles he striue lavvfully 2. Tim. 2. :: These remonings and camping places signifie by what degrees christians leauing sinnes and folowing Christ our guide may come to perfect pietie S. Hierom. de mans 42. ad Fahiol :: Danger to those that destroy not infidelitie and al enormious sinnes which dwelt in their soules before their conuersion Two handes which worke saluation :: Otherwise called the dead sea where Sodom and Gomort had stood :: A mountaine so called of the multitude of scorpions which were in it :: Mediterraneal sea called great in respect of the lakes in the holie Land :: Mount of Libanus :: Yet not before sentencâ— of death â— 12. 24. S. Aug. q. 65. in Num. :: Mystically this signified that the way to true life was not open before Christs death Theodor. q. 51. in Num. S. Grig ho. 6. in Ezechielem :: Al were not bound by this law to marie but al that would marrie must contract within their owne tribe Restrant in Mariages also for a temporal cause â—â—◠◠◠〈◊〉 Tradition Christ a King and a Priest This booke is a repetition explication and suplement of the Law S. Aug. q. 49. in Deuteroâ— It presigured the Gospel et princ Leutero Mans vlt. Conteineth fiue partes Chap. 1. 4. 12. 27. 31. 34. The first part A repetition of Gods benefites the peoples ingratitude and punishment :: God so helpeth his seruantes that they also must cooperate S. Aug. q. 1. in Deut. :: Difference of sinnes :: God is also angrie with his good seruantes and punisheth theÌ„ temporally for smal sinnes S. Aug. q. 1. in Iosue :: These were men of very great stature but not equal to the giantes before the sâ—ould :: By this we are instructed to fight agaâ—st inâ—ideles but not without special cause against christians signified by the childreÌ„ of Lot and Esau :: The I dumeans once denied them passage Num. 20. v. 20. but afterwards granted therto :: God permitted him for his former sinnes to indurate him selfe See Exod. 7. v. 3. :: Longer sorte of cubites are a foote and 9 inches so this bed was 15. foote and nine inches long and 7. foote brode Vitruuius Agricola :: Esdras adding these wordes and often times the like did not against the law because such additions are agreable and not contrarie to that which was written before :: See Num. 〈◊〉 â— 12. The second part A repetition explication of the law :: To kepe Gods coÌ„mandments is counted by al nations the most excellent wisdome :: Here and in other places it is manifest that the commandments called the Decalogue are iust tenne :: Venial and least sinnes passe not with out temporal punishment :: This was also a Mysterie that the old law signified by Moyses could not bring to heauen the true land of promise but the law of Christ signified by Iosue Theodoret q. 43. in Deut. :: Conuersion of the Iewes in the end of the world As other Scriptures are included in the law so also TraditioÌ„s are conteined in the Scriptures Brentius KeÌ„nisius Caluin The Church commended by Scriptures approueth Traditions :: It is not ynough to beleue only or to know the commandments but necessarie also to fulfil them in â—vorâ—e :: The title of mediator lawfully ascribed to Gods lieuâ—enant in â—â—rth :: Coueting as other mans wife and coueting his goodes differ as much as the exterior actes of adultry and of theft And so these two commandments are as distinct as the former two Images of Idols forbid but not of other things :: Some adoration agreeth to creatures but seruice of Latria to God onlie S. Aug. q 61. in Gen. Not withstanding this commination God ofrentimes differreth punishment expecting the sinners repentance :: Gods promises coÌ„ditional if his people serue him :: God is able to make foode of what he plesse or to sustaine men without â—â—cate :: A serpent lesse then a scorpion making those whom he byteth to die of thirst Solâ—â—us in polyhist cap. de Africa :: Holie Scripture vseth the figure Hyperbola folowing the vulgar maner of speakiÌ„g as wel to helpe the vnderstanding as to moue affectioÌ„ in great and extraordinarie things :: The similitude of a calfe and called it their god Exed 32. :: This Mosera where Aaron died is more commonly called Hor. Num. 20. 33. :: VVhen iust cause requireth an oath it must be made in the name of God not of false goddes :: Raine after seeding and before haruest signifieth Gods grace first stirring
cursed in the old Testament but such as now serue not God rightly and yet prosper in this world shal in a moment descend into hel Iob. 21. :: After manie other plagues and punishments at last the Iewes refusing and persecutiÌ„g Christ were reiected and Gentiles called into the Church and aduanced aboue them Theod q. 34. in Deut. :: For sinnes past God letteth some runne into reprobate sense permitting them to their owne freewil who being voide of grace wilfully obdurate them selues Theod. q. 37. in Deut. :: A mind secretly infected with idolatric :: The appetite drunken with pleasures thirsteth stil more :: Secrete thinges are knowne to God manifest thiÌ„ges to men Theod. 9. 38. in Deut. :: Some sinners through great repentance become more vertuous and are more rewarded then some that offended lesse :: God gaue man libertie to choose what he would folow S. Aâ—b in Psal 40. v. 10 By grace men are made able to kepe Gods coÌ„mandments So the commandmentes are not impossible S. Aug. denat et grat c. 69. et q. 54. in Deut. rheod q. â—8 in Deut. S. Cypri li. 3. c. 52. ad Quir. S. Amb. in Psal 40. Freewâ—â— The fourth part An exhortation to serue God with predictioÌ„ of their often sinnes and punishmentes :: He meaneth that he caÌ„ not exercise the office of a captaine general and bring the people into the promised land :: Mâ—â—ter is more easily kept in memorie then prose :: And so by this Canticle they are conuinced that they were abundantly for warned not to breake couenaÌ„t with God The eleuenth prophecie in the office before Masâ—e on Easter eue And the third on whitsuneue The canticle at Laudes on Saturday a Al thinges in heauen and in cartâ— testifie that God dealeth wel with his people b Doctrine doth fructifie in good soules as raine dew in the ground c Mans first dutie is to praise God d The next to acknowledge his owne sinnes defectes c At the towre of Babel f Israel being but one people possessed the inheritance of seuen other nations g God choise Israel to be his peculiar people of mere grace and protected them h Bees without mens industrie made honie in the rockes i Oliue trees prospered in stonie places k Temporal prosperitie occasion of the Iewes reuolting from God l Noueltie allureth carnal people to idolatrie and heresie m For their peruersnes God withdrew his helpe from them n God first loueth before anie man loueth him but men first for sake God before he forsake them o The Iewes reputed most GeÌ„tiles foolish yet now they are inferior to al. p For iust causes God some times differreth punishment q True wisdome considereth thinges past vnderstandeth things present and prouideth for things to come r Al infideles confesse more Maiesty in the true God and in his ReligioÌ„ then in their owne Å¿ Euen such offenders as thinck them selues secure escape not t It is vnpossible that false goddes should helpe theirfolowers in necessitie v The vaine counsel of the wicked being detected shal be punished Caluin contradicteth the holie Scripture Alwaies some good in the Church of the old TestameÌ„t :: The ancient fathers expound these blessinges rather of the Church of Christ then of the Iewes Synagogue s. Aug. q. 56. Theod. q. 44. in Deut. :: The priestlie tribe must especially preferre Gods seruice before their neerest kinred :: The Temple was built in the tribe of Beniamin which God more specially protected and so they dwelt more securely Theod. q. 45. in Deut. :: Epthaim is preferred before his elder brother agreable to their granfathers prophetical blessing Gen. 48. :: The sinne of ZaÌ„bri a prince of Simeons tribe in fresh memorie Nu. 25. semeth to be the cause why this tribe is not partilarly blessed but only in general with al Israel The prophetical sense of these blessiÌ„ges is more certaine more euident then the historical The fifth part The death burial and singular praise of Moyses :: God eleuated his visiue powre aboue nature to see so farre :: Onlie Angels whose ministerie God vsed herein knew the place of his burial lest the Iewes prone to idolatrie might haue honored him for God Histor Scholast VVhosoeuer was author the authoritie of this booke is certaine Bookes of holie Scripture principally treating of seueral argumentes yet in the same participat ech sorte with others The côtentes of this books S. Hiero. Epist ad Paulin. S. Amb. in Psal 47 S. Aug. li. 12 c. 31. li. 16. c. 19. contra Faust Manich. Diuided into foure partes The first part Of the passage of Israel ouer Iordan :: Besides Man na which yeâ— câ—assed not they might 〈◊〉 they would prouide other meate prefiguring that in the primitiue Church it should be lawful to vse legal ceremonies with euangelical rites for a time til the old law were buried with honour :: Notwithstanding this officious lie which is a venial sinne S. Paul Heb. 11. and S. Iames c. 2. testifie that she was iustified by her faith in God and by good workes towards these men S. Aug. cont Mâ—udac â— 17. See Annot Iac. 2. v. 25. :: In place of the cloud and piller of fire the arke is now caried for their guid and direction :: It perteined to the Leuites office to carie the arke Num. 4 but in this special seruice miraculous passage the Priestes did carie it so the greater may do the office of the lesse not contrariwise :: God shewed by this miracle that Iosue had special commission from him and that vnder his gouernment the people should prosper An obiection for laiheadship of the Church Answer Moyses chief both in spiritual and temporal authoritie which was after diuided betwen the high Priest temporal Prince The high priest superiour Iosue executed Gods wil not by spiritual iurisdictioÌ„ but with subordination to the high priest Exod. 4. 5. 6. c. Deut. 17. Chap. 5. 8. 22. 23. 24. Other good princes haue also much aduanced religion but not taken supramacie in spiritual causes Veniam â—etiturus For maintaining Catholique religion against heretikes the kings of Spaine haue the title Catholique The French Kinges most Christian Kinges of England Defenders of the saith â—n Do. 1521. :: Is not the forme of a crosse as conuenieÌ„t a signe to put christians in mind how our Sauiour redemed vs as these stones were to the Iewes how God brought their fathers ouer Iordan :: See annotations annotations c. 3. v. 8. :: CircuÌ„cision had bene omitted sourtie yeares whiles they were in the deserte alwayes vncertaine when to march so it is now commanded the second time * Fuâ—menâ—ie :: Not God but of Gods hoste Religious honour due to Angels See Annot Exâ— 20. Holie places The second part Of conqueâ—ing the Land of promise :: God appointed this long and solemne procession to the end it might appeare that the walles of Iericho â—el not by chance noâ— by force of mans industrie
persons Tit. â— The thinges demanded differ much D. â—â—istous Motiuo 23. Personal presence at heretical seruice in England a distinctiue signe of conformity to heresie A case very like to ours 2. Machab â— 7. :: His grief was gâ—â— it because he haâ— not meanes to recompence the losse to the owneâ— :: A husband man in yorkshire called Ketle had the gift to see euil spirites wherby he often detected 〈…〉 red their â—ad purposes â—â—â— brig li. â— c. 〈◊〉 Rer. Anglic. :: By bread and water is vnderstood ordinarie meate and drinck v. 2â— :: Discourse of mans reason can not reach to the powre of God who can do al that he wil and wil doe al that he saith therfore the incredulous are iustly punished v. 20. :: This was true in some sense sicknes ending when death came :: Athalia v. 26. is called the daughter of Amri VVherfore it semeth that either she was the adopted daughter of her brother Achab or is there called the daughter of her grandfather VVhen Naboth was falsly accused vniustly stoned to death as if he had blaâ—phe med God and cursed the king for his pretended crimes his sonnes were also slaine and his landes and goodes conâ—â—â—â—ate which appeaâ—eth by the kings present going to posieâ—â—e the vinyard 3. Regâ— 21. :: This Ionadab instituted a peculiar rule of religious abstinence which his posterity duly ob serued Iâ—â—â—m 35. :: Iehu sinned in feaning and causing others to sacrifice to Baal his zele wanting both diseretion and equitie for euil must not be done that good may come therof Rom. 3. :: â—oral good vvorkes done in state of mortal sinne not meriting eternal life aâ—e often rewarded temporally S. Aug. cont â—enâ— c. 2. :: Ambition cause of much crueltie :: Our Sauiour calleth this high priest Zacharias which signifieth blessed of our Lord for the iustice which he did towards Athalia and Ioas. S. â—â—â—rom li. 4. in Math. c. 23. :: Great respect is to be had of holie places VVherof cometh the priuilege of Sanctuaries :: That is the ordinarie ob lation for ech particular person Exod. 30. * a chest or almâ—s boxâ— :: Dedicated to helie vse :: He was buried in the citie but not in the sepulcher of the kinges 2 Paral. 24. for his impietie in the latter part of his life :: It was reueiled to the prophet that so often as the king should strike the earth so often he should haue victories against the Syrians but not how often he would strike on the earth Deut. 〈◊〉 :: Amongst kinges being at variance Seing one an other importeth as much as to fight a battle â—â—â—â— 1. :: Otherwise called Ozias 2. Paral. 26. Mat. 1. :: This punishment was inflicted vpon him for his presumption to offer inceÌ„se on the altar 2. Paralip 26. :: He was buried honorably in the citie of Dauid that is nere to the walles but in the filde because he was a leper euen to his death 2. Paral. 26. :: Some men of Ruben Gad Manasses and Nepthali were caried captiues into Assyria :: Otherwise called Azarias â— 1. * the great vessel * the place vvhere the king offered :: That is consequently they did prouoke him as 3. Râ—g 14. v. 9. :: Not truly worshipped but made shew to worshippe For true worship of God admitteth not worship of anie false god â— 34. The second part Actes of other kinges til the captiuitie of Iuda :: This image of a serpent not only when it wrought miraculous health but also long after was worthely reserued in memorie of the benefite but when the people offered sacrifice vnto it which is proper to God only good Ezechias did laudably breake it And to shew that there was no deitie in it called it Nohestan that is a peece of brasse And so in the Catholique Church when anie holie Relique or Image is abused it is taken away or theerrour otherwise corrected See S. Aug. li. 10. â— 8. ciuit Ser. 4 de verb. Apost 101. de temp * a peece of brasse * or recorder :: He sasly addeth of his owne that he should destroy it For Isaias prophecied the contrarie that the Assyrians campe should be destroyed Isaâ—e 37. and so it came to passe ch 19. v. 35. 2. Pharal 32. :: Paganes and Heretikes are foolish impudent to compare their false goddes and phancies with God almightie and Cathelique Religion :: Before the Arke Propitiatorie being the special place of prayer :: Though manie in the kingdom of Iuda sel to ido lattie yet in respect of the rest publikly professing true faith and religion the Church is stil called a virgin and despiceth and idolaters blasphemers and false goddes :: A pleasant hill in the forrest :: If these tenne lines importe so manie houses then the dial going forwardes againe by like degrees this day was increased by twentie houres and soe was longer then that in which Iosue procured stay of the sunne the space of one day to witte of twelue houres Iosue 10. as S. Dyonise thinketh Epist ad Polâ—carp See Glossa erd in Iosue :: the Iewes sinned more greuously reuolting from the Law of God and contemning the admonitions of holie prophetes then the nations that had neither law nor prophetes to instruct them :: God stil preserued some in true religion though they also suffered tribulations with the wicked for the general sinnes of the king and people Psâ—l 88. v. 35. Yea this king Manasses in captiuitie became vertuous and recouered his kingdom 2 Pacalip 33. :: VVithin the second wall the citie hauing three wals 3. Reg. 3. :: Because they had offered sacrific to false goddes and in vnlawful places they were suspended from offering anie more sacrifice at al. â— Reg. 〈◊〉 3. Reg 13. :: Iosephus writeth that this godlie king gaue thirtie thousand lambes and kiddes to the poore people for their Pasch three thousand oxen for Holocaustes The priestes also Leuites added more of their owne li. 10. Antiq. c. 5. :: Albeit Manasses repented and was restored to Gods fauour to his kingdome 2. Paral 3. Yet his sinnes were temporally punished both in himself and his posteritie :: Not dying in peace for he was slaine by Nabuchodonosor Iosephus li. 10. c. 8. Ant. And his bodie was cast out of the citie according as Ieremie prophecied c. 22. vvith the burial of an asse shal he be buried c. :: In this he greuosly offended hauing sworne to serue him And therfore Ezechiel c. 1â— fortelleth the miserie that wil fal vpon him shal he that broke couenant escape c. :: Certaine falsprophetes perswaded the king and the people not to beleue the prophetes which forwarned them of these calamites because sayd they they contradicte one an other Ieremie saying â—h 32. 34. the eyes of Sedecias should see the eyes of Nabuchodonosor and should be led into Babylon and Ezechiel saying c. 12. v. 13. that he should not see Babylon :: Both saying most
to fight for them See Iosue 23. Psal 135. :: He destroyed the places where sacrifice was offered to idoles ch 17. v. 6. but tolerated other places where the people offered to God our Lord without the temple not being able to reduce al to perfection 4. Reg. 8. :: Elias was assumpted from ordinarie conuersation with mortal men the eighttenth yeare of king Iosaphat 4. Reg. 2. 3. who reigned twentie fiue yeares 3. Reg. 22. v. 42. So he shewed this special care of Ioram and his kingdom after his assumption seuen yeares 4. Reg. 8. v. 25. ch 9. :: To wit when he beganne to reigne alone for he reigned together with his father at the age of 22. 4. Reg. 8. v. 26. And after his fathers death but one yeare :: See 4. Reg. 8. v. 18. :: Human hope failed but Gods prouidence vsed meanes to conserue some of Dauids issue to sitte in his throne yea to continue the succession 〈◊〉 Christ Mat. 1. 4. Reg. 11. :: Gods promise being absolute and certayne yet humane meanes were neuertheles required * the vveâ—eliâ— vvatch :: In case of right and necessitie we see here what the high Priest could do and did by his authoritie who otherwise intermedled not in the kings affayres ch 19 v 11. :: They are wilfully blind that wil not see difference betwen images of Baal of Christ or of Sainctes * simulâ—â—ra :: By the law euerie one payed yearly halfe a sicle towards the repayring of the tabernacle and so afterwardes of the temple Ex. 30. Ma◠〈◊〉 :: He that killed his spiritual father was slaine by his owne seruantes 4. Reg. 14. Dâ—â—t 24 4. Reg. 8. :: Obduration of hart for former sinne :: So long as this king obserued the ordinance of God to be directed by the high priest Nâ— 27. v 2â— he prospered in his affayres :: For vsurping spiritual authority which pertayned not to him the high priest with his assistantes opposed themselues against the king and God confirmed their sentence by striking the same king with leprosie And so he was not only cast out of the temple but also out of his kingdom and common conuersation with other men forced to dwel in a separet house without the citie according to the law Leuit. 13. v. 46. :: Neither could he be buried in the propet sepulchres of the kinges 4. Reg. 15. 4. Reg. 16. VVicked policie auaileth nothing but hurteth much 4. Reg. 18. :: Being peniteÌ„t in haâ—t for their sinnes Gods dispensation might be sappâ—sed foâ— legal purification iâ— case of â—â—ce â—ine which otherwise was stâ—â—â—ly commaâ—â—â—â— Lâ—â—â—t 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. 27. c. :: Voluntarie workes of superetogation more then was commanded :: Besides consession of sinnes there is also coÌ„fession of Gods excellencie goodnes 4. Râ—g 18. Isaie 36. :: â—ore danger of pâ—â—â—e in prosperitie then in aduersitie 4. Reg. 21. :: A pregnant example of the effect of harty repentance :: This prayer is not extant in the Hebrew but in Greke Latin as yet neither receiued for canonical by the Church noâ— refused 4. Reg. 22. â— Reg. 12. :: Geuen by the hand of Moyses :: It is a benefite to be taken out of this world before generaâ— miseâ—â—e come vpon the people :: This Phase o 〈…〉 h made by Ioâ—â—as is fanious partly for that this feast had bene omitted some yeares but specially for the great and extraordinarie solemnitie made at this umâ— 4. Reg. 16. :: Iosias thought that the king of Aegypt intended to inuade his kingdome And it was Gods wil he should be slaine and not see the euiles that should happen to the people :: Solemne exequies with lamentations and musike :: Hitherto from K. Danids death the sonne had euer succeded to his father â—â—re 25. :: It is like that Esdras added this coÌ„clusion when he restored the holie Scriptures that were lost for he beginneth his owne booke with the same wordes The end of the fifth age The Church stil visible and the same faith as before One God Three Persons Christ Sacrifices Sacramentes to be changed by Christ Fruict of penance Abstinence Fastes Lent Feastes Place of the Temple designed long before Synagogues Sanctuarie Sette forme of prayers Ministerie of Angeles Honour and Intercession of Sainctes Reliques Images Good workes meâ—itorions Euangelical counselles pre figured Chastitie of clergie men religious orders Mat. 19 1 Cor. 7. Act. 5. 1. Tim. 5. Solemne Exequies for the dead Gen. 5. Resurrection Iudgement Eternal glorie or paine Church without interruption Ieraboams wicked policie Prophets inspired by God to resist Schisme and Heresie 4. Reg. 23. The often change of Kinges and euil successe in the kingdoÌ„ of Israel The first familie reigned but 24. yeares The second newe familie 26. The third but 7. daies The fourth 48. yeares The fifth 103. The sixth one moneth The seuenth 12. yeares The eight 20. yeares The ninthnine yeares Then ouerthrowen and the kingdom neuer restored The kingdom of Iuda for Dauids sake conserued in his sede Succession of Priestes continued Extraordinary mission of Prophetes Great effectes of their preaching and miracles Elias his miracles Eliseus his miracles Religion not wholly destroyed in the kingdom of Israel Heresies in the kingdom of Israel Ieroboamites Manie constant in true religion Iezabelites Samaritaniteâ— diuided into manie Sectes Tobias neues yelded to Schisme The Kingdom of Iuda more free from herefie King Achaz Vrias high priest King Ioram and others committing idolatrie in fact manie others stil professed true Religion Authoritie depending vpon diuine ordinance is not changed by factes or practise Good kinges defended and promoted religion not as chiefe in spiritual causes but by way of execution dispensation oâ— coÌ„mission Mat. 1â— Priestes by their negligeÌ„ce do sinne but lose not their authoritie Deut. 17. v. 〈◊〉 The Church of the old Testament conserued in truth Much more the Church of Christ â—â— Psal 30. conc â— li. 3. â— 32. de doctrin christ â— Tim. 3 4. Reg. 19. â— Esâ—r 7 The two bookes of Esdras and Nehemias are but one in the Hebrew The third and fourth are not canonical Epist ad Paulin. This historie hath also a spiritual sense First booke diuided into two partes The first part The returne of gods people from Babylon Isaiae 44. 45 Ierem. 25. 29. :: Liberally gaue such thinges into their handes :: This enumeration of the Israelites which aseended into Ierusalem signifieth the Elect which ascend from the militant Chuch to the triumphant :: Such as say they are priestes and can not shew their vocatioÌ„ must not exercise that functon ... Al aboue numbred of the tribes of Iuda Beniamin Leui do not amouÌ„t to 30. thousand three hundred So in this general number are contained aboue twelue thousand of other tribes not recited among the rest as Rabbi Salomoa explicateth the difficultie :: Notwithstanding the terrour of infideles Gods seruantes too 〈◊〉 corage to offer sacrifice :: By the ordinance of Dauid
ment only of those that persist impenitent and obstinate The fourt part The prayses of Iudith who with al the people praise God :: Iudith was a special figure of the B. Virgine Marie to whom these praises perteyne in more eminent sorte then to anic other creature S. 〈◊〉 bertâ—s Carneteâ—sis :: S. Ephreâ—â— ser de 2. A â—â—ontu citeth this place as holie scripture so testifying this booke to be canonicaâ— :: Such giantes as were before Noes floud Gen. 6. :: Nor such as were after Num. 1â— Deut. â— :: Euerlasting torments of fire wormes perteyne to the damned bodies S. Aug. li. 21. c. 4. ets â—â—uit and greater paines to the damned soules especially the losse of Gods vision :: In the Greke â— 11. Manie deâ—red her to mariage :: Liuing in al 105. yeares she was widow about sixtie nine for when she slew Holofernes she was about fourtie yeares old ch 10. v. 18 and her husband was then dead three yeares and a halfe before â—h 8. v. 4. Iudith an example of holie widowhood Manie incitementes concurring to the contrarie made her widowhood more excellent Deu. 25. v 5. Ruth 3. v. 12. widowhood an Euangelical counsell Melite S. Atha S. Greg. Nazian Origen apud Euseb lib 6. c. 25. hist This whole booke is canonical The contentes VVritten by Mardocheus Diuided into â—â—ure partes This booke is read at mattins the last weeke of September The first part beginneth in the 11. ch A B :: Modestie and temperance amongst heathen people condemneth Christianes that vrge men to drinke immoderatly and so cause them to be drunke S. Au. Ser. 231. â—32 de tempore The end of immoderate feasting is commonly browling Here the king became furious and the queene was diuorsed from him :: Brentius approueth the sentence of this parasice but Iosephus li. 11 c 6. Macrobius li 7. c. 1. Saturn S. Ierom ad Rustic and S. Ambrose l. de â—â—hâ— c. 14 iudge the queenes refusal lawful and agreable to the Persians lawes which prohibited maried weâ—â— to come in sight of other men in great assemblies neither had the king iust cause to break that law for pleasing his phansie in his drunken humour v. 10. Luther also wresteth this example in fanoure of adulterie par 2. de diuortio folio 177. Editionis â—â—itenber 〈◊〉 1553. 4 Reg. 24. :: Deut. â— v. 3. Israelites are forbid to marie with Gentiles yet when there was no danger to be peruerted and great hope of good Esther by Mardocheus counsel consented to marie king Assuerus though otherwise she detested the bed of the incircumcised and of euerie stranger â—h 14. v. 15. K. Dauid also maried the kings daughter of Gessuâ— 2. Reg. 3. v. 3. :: Mardocheus hearing suspicious wordes and obseruing their actions sawe that they intended euel and informed the King wherby their â—â—eson was disouered Rab. â—alom Iosep * C ch 12. v. 1. D :: Aman exacted such honour as heathen people gaue to their lesse goddes which was also idolatrie for Mardocheus was willing to giue him ciuiâ— honour euen to kisse the steppes of his feete but feared and refused â—o geue Godlie honour to him ch 13. v. 13. 14. S. Thâ— 2. 2. q. 84. a. 1. :: Such is the preposterous â—nrie of rancour to appoint the day of executing his malice before he had got the kings decree The second part The Iewes danger to be massacred * E ch 13. v. 1. :: The letter at large is in the seuen first verses of the 13 ch of which this is the summe F The third part The deliuerie of the Iewes from danger :: The first and best remedie in distresse is to do workes of penance for sinnes coÌ„mitted 1. Cor. 11. 〈…〉 :: Great confidence in Gods helpe when mans helpe fayleth and in dede this meanes by mouing the kings haâ—t to grant Esthers petition was Gods special worke * G ch 1. v. 1. H * I ch 15. v. 4. K :: This prudence in delaying to propose her petition increased the kings desire to know it moued him to promise more assuredly so bond him the more to accomplish it :: Gods eye which neuer slepeth saw whath Aman intended and for execution of his owne diuiue iustice vsed this meanes bâ—y subtracting slepe that time from the king and inspiring his mind to heare the histories read and to reward good seruice donne Ioseph :: Ambicious men are most bâ—â—nde in conceite of their owne deserts and fortunes :: Either they had read Gods promise to the Iewes Gen 13 15. c. or coniectured this by humaine prudence :: After three-dayes fast of al the Iewes with prayers and other workes of penance Esther asked and obtained the saftie of the whole people more precious to her then halfe of the kingdom :: Horrour of a guiltie conscience is commonly the first torment of a sinner S. Chrissocons 4. de Lagaro :: VVhat litle trust in false freindshipe when bad men once fal into disgrace :: Such honour is due to kinges yea though they be Infideles because they haue terrestrial maiestie and authoritie from God And the contrarie opinion and behauiour of heretikes vvhich despice Dominion and blaspheme Maiestie is condemned by S. Iude in his Epistle v. 8. * Lch. 16. v. 1. M :: VVhere no more danger remaineth remission of iniuries is more commendable then reuenge but where malice continueth and new danger may probably ensue iustice is necessarie and afterwards peace may be made more securely S. Bernad ser 2. dâ— verb. Apost :: In the â—iâ—a slaughter Amans tenne sonnes were slayne and afterwards also hanged v. 14. The fourth parth Other thinges folowing their deliuerie from danger :: The Iewes in Susan kept the fiftenth day holie v. 18 those that dwelt in other places kept the fourtenth day :: A feast instituted by Mardocheus was accepted and obserued by al the Iewes as a constitution agreable and not contratie to the law Deut. 4. v. 2 12. v. 32. Psal 76. Great and maruelous changes by the power of God D. Tho. prologo in Epist Canonic Esther a figure of our B ladie And of the Church :: S. Ierome here aduertiseth the reader that he found al hitherto in the Hebrew And the parcels which folow only in the Septuaginta Greke Edition which either they translated out of the Hebrew or added by inspiration of the Holie Ghost * The Greke of the 72. Interpreters A :: Except the 72. The first part The presage and occasion of Esthers aduancement and Amans persecuting the Iewes :: Mardocheus had this dreame before Amans aduancement or his owne and the peoples danger 4. Reg. 24. :: Mardocheus was a good dragon and Aman a bad one :: Esther by her fountaine of teares and humble supplication quenched a great flame of Gentiles against the Iewes ch 10. * B chap. 1. v. 1. C :: Here it appeareth that Aman was a fauourer of traitors of perhaps of the same conspiracie * D ch 3.
both good euil nn this life :: Feare on mans paâ—t and hope in God do wel consist together So both presumption and desperation are auoided :: Holie Iob knowing it to be vnpossible that God calumniateth anie man inquireth what is the cause why his goodnes afflicteth the iust :: In that I am thy creature thou maist iustly destroy me but in deede because I am thy creature thou 〈◊〉 spare me through thy mâ—â—c◠〈◊〉 me thy grace which if I vse wel thou wilt also geue me eternal rest :: Repentance is alwayes necessarie but most especially at the houre of death The third conflict :: Sophar might haue applied the vice of much speaking to himself and his felowes alleaging manie thinges which proued not their opinion wheras Iobs allegations proued directly that which he affirmed :: Iobs owne conscience affirmed the contrarie c. 6. v. 3. :: He could not iustly confesse iniqeitie which he had not coÌ„mitted :: God suffereth his simple true meaning seruantes to be scorned for the time but afterward the wicked shal be forced to confesse that those whom they derided are worthily in honour before God Sap. 5. â— 3. :: Craftie plotters of deuises at last by Gods iust punishement commit so great absurdites that the meanest may see their foâ—lie :: Iobs state of sinne or innocencie was best knowen to God next to his owne conscience not at al to his aduersaries that presumed to iudge therof :: It semed to his aduersaries that of desperation he would teaâ— his flesh and so kil himself and to be so nere death as if one held his soule in his hand readie to bet it sâ—l from him :: He was in extreme anguish but stil trusted in God :: He denieth that he is guiltie in conscience but desireth to know of God if he haue anie hiâ— sinnes which himself knoweth not :: Al children taking their sâ—bstance from the mother and hauing only a temporal life continually tending to death can not but be subieâ—t to â—anie 〈◊〉 â—â—â—s 〈…〉 itselfe though it may some long is a limited thin◠〈…〉 is very 〈…〉 yea 〈…〉 proportion in respect of eternitie which is infinite yet God hath care to bring this weake creature to life eternal :: The parentes after death are not afflicted with the state of their children as they be in this life The fourt conflict :: Eliphaz not able to answer Iobs solide reasons raileth against him as if he were iniurious to God or taught others to cast away feare :: It is a very rare priuilege to be without spot :: But spot of venial sinnes may be in a iust man :: Al these miseries are incident to the wicked but are falsly applied to holie Iob who â—ndede was iust :: True and freindlie comforters ought to heare the afflicted with patience and not vnmercifully charge him with crimes which they neither know nor his conscience is guiltie of :: A great affliction when one ful of paine and distres is also forced to defend his owne innocencie against calumniators :: As the aduersaries stil obiect great iniquitie to him so he yeldeth them the same true answer :: Not hauing committed such sinnes as he was charged withal in this duble bitternes of corporal paine and calumniation his eye was stil vpon God expecting to be deliuered * Seâ—l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Infernus :: This texâ— sheweth euidently that there was a place of rest called hel The fifth conflict :: Baldad perceiuing Iob to speake confidently as the common doctrin of manie opposeth him self neuertheles against him and al that thincke as he doth and so speaketh as to manie in the plural number vvil ye speake and of himselfe his felowes are vve reputed c. So holie Iob a figure of the Church defended the common cause his aduersaries a figure of here tâ—kes speaking some truthes mixed false thinges therwith S. Greg. li. 14. c. 1. :: Blessed Iob saith S. Gregorie li. 14. c. 16. 17 looking sincerly on his owne life saw that his affliction was greater then his sinnes deserued and in that respect was not equal yet it was iust for God being iust geueth a iust reward a crowne of iustice as S. Paul speaketh of himself 2. Tim. 4 :: Al refused holie Iob in his affliction euen those whom he had loued most who therfore ought most to haue loued him againe :: An expresse profession of his faith of the Resurrection :: VVe shal rise againe not as one tree riseth in place of an other but the self same persones changed in qualities not in substance The sixth conflict :: Al mans life is short and as a moment in comparison of eternitie but it is not alwayes true that thewiked are shortly punished in respect of this life as this disputer applieth it to proue Iob to impious Therfore Iob answereth in the next chapter â— 13. That ordinarily the wicked lead their dayes to witt their whole life in vvealth and then in a moment goe downe to hel So the rest of these mens assertions are for most part true in some sense but il applied :: Though he disputed with three men yet it was concerning diuine thinges not humaine but of Gods prouidence and iustice of the resurrection of eternal life and punishment :: See ch 20. v 5. :: The same word is in Hebrew Greke and Latin for hel as in the 7 and 17. chap. other places which sheweth that besides hel of the daÌ„ned the resting place also of holie fathers in the old Testament was called by the general name of hel * a riuer of hel The seuenth conflict :: In dede wheÌ„ a iust man hath donne his dutie he is vnprofitable to God but he is profitable to himself which greatly pleaseth God who desireth mans good and it redoundeth to Gods glorie that he hath such seruantes â—â—at 5. v. 17. :: After imputation of false crimes this 〈…〉 chargeth 〈…〉 also with 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 error of the Aegyptians that God hath no prouidence of men in this world Aristotel li. dâ— mundo textu 84. So some heretikes in their phrensic accuse Catholiques of condemned heresies :: VVhiles he expected some comforth of his freindes they stil afflicted him more and more chargeing him with falâ—â— crimes and so aggrauating his grief both of bodie and mind :: Therfore he appealeth to Gods iudgement seate for sentence :: Gods seruantes know that he wil punish wickednes but know not when the wicked presume that he wil neuer punish them :: Heretikes doing and teaching against their owne knowledge are afterward striken with blindnes that they can not see the truth S. Greg. li. 16. c. 26. :: Sinners running into both extremes of defect and excesse are likewise punished with contrarie tormentes :: Man by powre of free wil ofteÌ„ presumeth to spend the time in sinning which God granteth him to do penance for former sinnes Rom. 2. The eight conflict :: Iob answered before ch 9. yet blind
Ostriches :: Falcons or Ierfalcons other haukes :: Horses are of singular great corege :: Haukes wherof Aristotel saith there be ten kindes pliâ—â—e sixtene :: Eagles of most strong sight :: If we discusse al Iobs wordes saith S. Gregorie we shal find nothing wickedly spoken but only smale speâ—ce of pride in speaking too much of his owne afflictioÌ„ and too litle of Gods goodnes towards him li. 23. c. 1. :: Though Iob had truly auouched that his sinnes deserued not so great afflictions yet he ought to haue acknowleged that God afflicted him iustly for some other cause knowne to God but vnknoweÌ„ to him which he not confessing semed to make Gods iudgement vniust or of none effect S. Greg. li. 32. c. 3. :: An Elephant the greatest of al beastes of long life strong meke tâ—n perate chaist ouercome by the Vnicorne or Dragon or taken by the nose ledde away How much more doth Gods prouidence geue man powre to ouercome the diuel :: An huge great fish perhaps the whale exceding mans powre to be managed yet is subiect as also the diuel signified therby to Gods powre and prouidence :: God ruleth al his creatures not with crueltie as a tyranne but with iustice ease and powre :: God at last destroyeth him whom man can not ouercome :: Angels with reuerent feare doe honour Gods powre And valient mariners and other soldiars are terrified when they see this so huge a fish Mystically Gods preachers and perfectest seruantes shal naturally feare the terrour of Gods iudgement :: And the diuel reigneth ouer proude men S. Greg. li. 34. c 4. 17. :: Iob here simply ackowledged his error in speaking so much in defence of his owne innocencie and so litle of Gods prouidence in afflicting him for his more merite and Gods more glorie :: Before he defended a truth against his opposite freindes now with more resignation he contented himself with his affliction :: Iob did penance both for himself and others :: In that he had al other thinges duble and children in the same number as before it is a signe that the former perished not but died in good state God by his sentence condemned the error of Iobs freindes and iustified his assertion Errors ought not to beholden stil being once condemned Much lesse raised againe being hertofore buried S. Aug. deside oper S. Cyprian li. 4. ep 2. Apud Euseb li. 6. c. 35. Gen. 2. 4 7 Exod. 23. Deut. 15. Numbers mystical Great or manie sacrifices for great offences Deuotion of him that offereth sacrifice increaseth the effect Prayers of holie men or Sainstes derogate not from Christ VVhy we haue made few annotations in this booke The argument of this historie Iob in prosperitie was tempted inuisibly more then ordinary men of lower state or lesse perfection 2. Tim. 3. Much more by losse of al his goodes and children in one day Most of al by bodilie affliction And reuiling of his wife Holie Iob lamented his affliction and the general miseries of man VVhere Iob expected comforth in tribulation the diuel procured him more affliction Iob sore afflicted in bodie had nine seueral confflictes about the cause therof before it was decided The first conflict The maine point of the controuersie The second conflict The ground of these mens error The third conflict The fourth conflict The fifth conflict The sixth conflict The seuenth conflict The eight conflict The ninth conflict Newest Sectaries hold themselues the wisest Especially these of our dayes that relie ech one vpon his owne priuate spirite In the tenth place God decided the controuersie Penitentes pardoned Iob rewarded The literal sense of this historie Aliegorical Anagogical Moral Holie Iob proceded by degrees to perfect patience This booke vndoubtedly is canonical Scripture Late Hebrew Doctors and some Catholiques hold diuers authors of sundry Psalmes Prefat in Psal Epist 134. 139. It is much more probable that Dauid was author of al. Proued by S. Augustin S. Chrysostom and greatest part of Doctors Mat. 22. v. 16. Act. 4. v. 24. Ro. 4. v. 6. Ro 11. v. 9. Heb. 4. v. 7. The common voice of Christians some general councels cal it Dauids Psalter Proued by other Scriptures S Ierom attributeth the summe of this booke to Dauid only The Psalmes are a Summe of al other Scriptures Mat. 5. 7. 11. 22. Luâ— 16. S. Greg. in Psal penitent They coÌ„teine the summe of Legal Historical Sapientiential and Prophetical doctrine Gods prouidence in sweetly drawing our consent cooperation of freewil which is necessarie to saluation Ser. 15. de verb. Apost S. â—asil in prâ—log Apoc. 5. Holie Scriptures a sealed booke li. 4 dialogi c. 42. The Psalter is the key of other Scriptures Iac. 5. But it self is also sealed But one principal key of ech Psalme Tenne keyes of the Psalter Also tenne stringes 1. Key One God the B. Trinitie 2. Gods workes 3. Gods prouidence 4. The Hebrew people 5. Christ our Redemer 6. Conuersion of Gentiles the Catholique Church 7. Faith good workes 8. Dauids owne actes 9. General Resurrection Iudgement 10. Eternal glory and paine Foure wayes to find the proper key of euerie psalme 1. By the title 2. Allegation in the new Testament 3. Greatnes of thinges affirmed 4. Conference of places li. 3 c. 4. de pecca merit The stile of this booke is Poetrie Abuse derogateth not from good thinges Dauids Psalter more ancient then any profane poetrie now extant Musike very ancient Gen. 4. Sacred poetrie most excelleÌ„t Prefat VVhy King Dauid wâ—â—â—te diuine poetrie The first cause his natural inclination to musike 1. Reg. 16. v. 23. 2. Verse more easie more plesant Eccli 40. S. Aug. S. Basil in Praeâ—at 3. Most special great and memorable thinges writte in verse Exo. 1â— Deut. 32. Iudic 5. Iudith 16. Prou 31. 1. Reg. 2. Isa 38. Isa 12. 26. Ezeâ—h 38 Iaâ— 2. Abac. 3. Dan. 3. Luc. 1. 2. Câ—ticles in the new Testament 4. Both diuine musike and dirtie in Gods temple 1. Parâ— 23 25. 5. The great vse of these Psalmes in the Catholique Church 56. 117. 65. The whole Psalter in the ordinarie office eâ—â—â—â—â— weke Certaine Psalmeâ— euerie day 4. 30. adv 7 53 62. 66. 90. 94. 118. 133. 148. 149 150. Many Psalmes in other Ecclesiastical offices Bishops bond to be skilful in Dauids Psalter Other Priestes to haue competent knowlege therin VVhy this booke is called the psalter Other instrumentes make consorte with the Psalter Al vertues are referred to Gods honour Scriptures are to be expounded by the coÌ„mon spirit of the Church not by priuate men They consist in vnderstanding Holy Fathers do best expound them Some Mysteries are hidden They proue our humilitie The right maner of seruing God The 7. key a He is in the right way to eternal felicitie b not continued to euil suggestions Mat. 5. c not continued in sinne d not finally persisted in wicked life e He is wholly occupied delighted in keeping
al other nations to erre for their sinnes in their fond phantesies of false goddes reserued the Israelites for his Church e establishing the principalitie therof in Sion f For obtaining and conseruing of Sion from wicked Infidels God ouerthrewe al sortes of contrarie forces g God not only gaue his people temporal victories ouer their enimies but also illuminated their mindes with knowlege of true religion h others are often trubled in mind hearing the truth but are not conuerted through their obstinate follie i VVorldlie men in supine carlesnes as in a sleepe passe ouer this life and afterwards find themselues excluded from heauen for lacke of merites and good workes with the foolish virgins k God vndertaking the defence of his people and threatning the aduerse part l they failed in courage as men ouercome with drowsines of sleepe m Euen from the first notice of thy wil the aduersaries were deiected fearing thy poâ—eâ—â— wrath n Terrible signes from the firmament appearing before the day of iudgement :: The Prophetes â—â— often speake in the pretertence for the assurance of the thinges to come o persecuters and others being terrified shal be astonied and silent p God vvil come to iudge the vvorld more especially for the iusts sake q Men that shal seriously thinke and meditate vpon these thinges vvil praise and thanke God for them r and the effect and svvere repast of such meditation shal make as it vvere a great festiual day in the deuout soule spiritually ioyned vvith God Å¿ The soule thus inflamed with Gods loue is then apt of gratitude for his goodnes tovvardes man to make vovves of thinges vvherto vve are not obliged t but most necessarie it is to be maturely aduised and not rashly nor lightly to vovv for being once vovved vve are strictly bound to vvhatsoeuer vve haue lavvfully promised And it is great sinne to vâ—vv vndiscretly v Remembring that for vovves and al other vvorkes vve must ansvver to God vvho is a terrible iudge readie to punish in bodie and soule sparing none for their greatnes not princes nor kinges nor vulgar sorte for al are to him alike Gods special protection of the Ievves the. 4. key a For Idithun to sing or to make tune for it b For the faithful congregation to consider Gods benefites c Hauing heretofore prayed Psal 14â— d I haue obtayned e Especially being in tribulation and praying vvith hart and handes lifted vp as vvel in the night as day f I vvas not frustrate of my prayer g I vvas sometimes in such anguish that nothing semed comfortable h but I 〈…〉 d vpon God so firmly i that my spirite came inâ—o an exâ—asie oâ—â—â—aunce k I arose early before the ordinarie time of avvay king l my hart being attentiue invvardly I vttered nothing vvith my tongue m I diligently examined my conscience n Assuredly God vvil not reiect for euer but he vvil be pleased with his Church o VVhiles I thus thought I erred greatly novv I see and confesse that God suffereth al calamities for the good of his seruantes p and this I knevv not by my selfe but by the inspiration of God making this change in me by his gracious hand q The progenie of Iacob receiued and nourished in Aegypt for Iosephs sake as his adopted children r The read sea and Iordan felt thy diuine powre and obeyed thy wil. Å¿ Noise of vvaters meeting after the Israelites vvere passed thunders and lightninges also hapened to the terror of the persecutors though not mentioned in Exodus Exâ— 14 By the ministerie of Moyses and Aaron Gods great Benefites bestovved vpon the levves and their ingratitude the 4 key a Commended to Asaph a chiefe musitian that the people might vnderstand and consider Gods benefites b Neither the lavv not the people vvas Dauids but presenting Gods perso n he speaketh in his name or authoritie vvith vvhose inspitation he vvas replenished S. Greg. Prefat in Iob. c. 2. Mat. â—â— 5. 35. c Albeit the prophet reciteth historically thinges donne yet the same vvere parables similitudes and figures of other thinges d yea of secret hidden Mysteries obscurly signified in the old Testament and reueled in the nevv e which partly we know by written holie Sriptures f partly by Traditions g God of his mercie without precedent merite raised vp a peculiar people of Abraham Isaac and Iacob h and gaue them a particular law first of Circuncision more largely by Moyses i So Abraham instructed his children and his house after him Gen. 18. k in like sorte others taught their children l For three causes God gaue his law that his people may haue confidence in him he shewing his care to instruct and gouerne them m that they remember his benefites n and kepe his commandmentes o The Iewish nation very often and in great numbers murmured rebelled and committed other great sinnes and therfore Dauid exhorted the people of his time not to do the like And this exhortation perteyneth more especially to Charistianes as S. Paul teacheth 1. Cor. 10. p They first trusting in their owne strength without Gods commandment Num. 14. went forth to batle and were ouerthrowne 1. Par 7 v. 21 â— Par. 7. â—â—â— q Tanis the principal citie in Aegypt nere the riuer Nilus where Moyses wrought his great miracles 〈◊〉 14. This cloude shadowed them from the heate of the sunne in the day and the fire shined in the night al the time that they were in the desert Å¿ In mount Horeb and there was continual water in al the campe which occupied nere foure miles in length and breadth t Which naturally wanted water but by miracle had abundance v Not content with Manna they demanded to haue flesh vv Stil incredulous not beleuing Gods omnipotencie they thought that albeit he had geuen them manna and water yet he could not geue them flesh x By bread in general is vnderstood al competent meate vsual for a table y For this incredulitie murmuring and other sinnes God kept the children of Israel fourtie yares in the desert tâ—l al hat were of age when they came from Aegypt were dead except only Iosue and Caleb z In the meane time amongst other punishments manie mutmurers woâ—c burnâ—â—o death with strange fire Num. 11. a Manna made by Angels b God so changed the wind that it brought abundance of quailes and other birdes into their campe Exo. 16. Nu. 11. c Immediately after a moneth for so long they had abundance of these birdes ibid. v. 20. they were striken with a plague and manie died for their concupiscence d The most fresh strong men died and so were hindered from possessing the promised land of Chana an e In fourtie yeares aboue six hundred thousand died f They offered morning sacrifice g But were not sincere in their hartes h Howsoeuer multitudes of people committe great sinnes and are seuerely punished yet Gods mercie preferueth some by his effectual grace and neuer suffereth the
of the Israelites t from the mediterranean sea of Palestin v to the riuer Euphrates Exo. 23. v. 31. Beut 11. v. 24. vv eruel enimies more like to most cruel beastes then to men x yea so cruel as none els in the world are like vnto them y The Prophet now prayeth for the coming of Christ which he saw in spirite z The Church of the old testament in her best state wanted the perfection which the Church of Christ hath a Christ our Messias most commonly calleth by this title The Sonne of man b So thy vinyard can not indure if it be stil afflicted and trodden downe c Christ working by Gods powre redresseth almiseries d The same is the 8. and the 15. verse with litle alteration and here repeted the third time In which we also pray for three thinges first to be purged and conuerted from sinne second to be illuminated by Christ the Image of God Thirdly to be sanctified and saued in eternal glorie to haue the fruition of the most blessed Trinitie Inuitation to celebrate festiual dayes deuoutly the 7. key a This Psalme perteyneth not only to the old testament but also to the new b Gods seruants oppressed with tribulations c to be songue by Asaph a chief master of musike d Make readie al these musical instruments e In the Calendes or first day of euerie moneth in remembrance of Gods prouidence and perpetual gouernment of al creatures :: The feast of Neomenia f and most especial solemnitie in the first day of the seuenth moneth in memorie of Isaac conserued from death in whom God promised Abraham to multiplie his seede and to blesle al nations Gen. 17 v. 21. c 21. v 12. c 22. v. 18. :: Feast of trumpetes g The people of Israel signified by Ioseph as Psal 79. v. 2. :: In memorie of this benefite Pasch was instituted h God deliuered the same people from their vntolerable bondage of carying burdens in baskettes from geathering straw making brickes and other seruitude Exo 1. v. 14 c. 5. v. 7. i The admonition of God to the people k yet after so great benefites thou didst murmure and contradict me Exo. 17. Num. 20. l Seriously admonish thee m Man by free wil may choose whether he wil obey or no. :: The feast of Pentecost in memorie of the lawe n This was an other great benefite to geue an expresse law for their instruction o Obseruing my commandments aske what thou wilt and I wil geue it thee Pom. 1. ◠24. p Very easely q of my freewil and liberalitie without necessitie or obligation r The wicked that promise to serue God and do it not shal be in eternal torments In the meane time God bestowed these benefites vpon them for the iusts sake Admonition to Magistrates the. 7. key a The wordes of the prophet admonishing al magistrates that when they sitte in iudgement or determine anie cause God who is there and euerie where present b attendeth their processe and therfore it behoneth them to be aduised what they doe euen as if they heard God speaking as here foloweth c The wordes of God though not vttered sensibly yet in effect intimated by his law according wherto he wil procede in iudgement against vniust Iudges d Such iudges procede in grosse ignorance not caring to vnderstand but content to walke in darknes e Ye are so euil disposed that you would turne al vpside downe instifying the wicked and condemning the iust f For your office which you participate of me you are certaine goddes vpon earth g But when you die you shal find that you are men subiect to Gods iudgement h yea your punishment wil be greuous and importable for the mightie shal mightely suffer torments Sap. ◠i Againe the wordes of the prophet praying God k that eing he is Lord of al he wil iudge al. Persecuters of the Church confounded or conuerted the 6 key a Seing none is like to thee ô God b shew thy powre and maiestie c be not silent d The cruel persecuters are most insolent e and proud f That there be no more anie faithful people g anie Catholiques leift aliue h The progenie of Esau i the seede of Ismael k descending from the elder sonne of Lot l the issue of Abraham by Agar who falsly cal them selues Sarascens as if they were of Sara m People of Gebal a citie of Syria n of the other sonne of Lot o those that first oppugned the Israelites after they were parted from Aegypt Exo. 17. p The Philistians q and Tyrians al nere neighboures and some of them nere akine to the Israelites were their great enimies r Others also coming further of ioyned against Gods people in figure that al heretikes and other infidels conspire together against Catholiques ſ The Psalmist therfore prayeth and withal prophecieth that God wil at last destroy them as he did Madian Num 31. Iudic. 6. 7. t Sisara captaine general v for Iabin king of Asor nere Cisson Iudic. 4. v. 7. 23. w Within the territorie of Manasses Ios 17. which they inuaded x slaine and not buried y These foure princes of the Madianites were slaine by Gedeons forces Iudic. 7. 8. z By foure similitudes the prophet describeth the punishment that shal fal vpon persecuters :: By foure similitudes the prophet describeth the punishment that shal fal vpon persecuters 1. 2. 3. 4. a God by punishing seeketh the conuersion of sinners not their eternal death b But such as be stil obstinate and finally impenitent do perish for euer c God only the creator of heauen and earth is properly called LORD VVhose essential and incommunicable name is VVHICH IS Exo. 3. v. 14. 6. v. 3. Eternal glorie the 10. key a For men afflicted in this vale of miserie b By the children of Core not being musitians but porters in the temple 1. Par. 26. S. Augustin here and in other titles of Psalmes vnderstandeth the faithful children of Christ c The glorious mansions in heauen which God hath prepared for the iust d Vehement desires do sometimes depriue vs of external sense e The mind reioycing in hope the bodie is also recreated releeued and reuiued which before was dulle and heauie f As sparowes by natural instinct seeking habitations finde houses to dwel in g and turtles haue nestes wherin to lay their young ones so faithful soules seeke to dwel in heauen and in the meane time to lay vp good workes within the Catholique Church out of which sayth S. Augustin in this place how good soeuer workes do seme as when paganes and heretikes feede the hungrie cloth the naked receiue strangers into their houses visite the sicke comforte prisoners being not laid in the nest conculcabuntur conterentur non seruabuntur non custodientur they shal be trodde vnder foote they shal be bruised in peeces they shal not be conserued they shal not be kept but
dignitie vvisdome or other like qualitie but their iust merites :: A prayer of iust zele e Shal most wicked men stil be suffered to speake so insolently :: A description of heathnish and heretical crueltie :: Scarse anie Atheistes are so blind as thus to thinke but manie sinners so behaue them selues as if God saw not knew not or at least cared not vvhat they do f So vnpossible is it that God should be ignorant or careles vvhat men do that he also knovveth and obserueth most secret thoughtes g Mitigate and temper his afflictions that by patience and fortitude the iust may perseuere and not be ouerwhelmed h The whole Church shal neuer be reiected nor forsaken i Iustice is conuerted into iudgement vvhen iust meaning is put in vvorke and practise that it may appeare in iudgement Also God vvho doth suffereth al iustly vvil conserue his inheritance the Church euen vnto the day of iudgement k The sense is easie by transposing the vvordes al that are right of hart are nere it that is shal like and approue Gods iustice vvhen the vvicked shal repine and blaspheme it l when I felt and complained that I was in danger thou didst assist me m Onlie faith sufficeth not but careful laboure in keping Gods commandmnts is required n The iust do hope for eternal saluation to which God wil bring them o And God the reuenger of wronges wil at last cast the wicked into eternal torments Christ our Lord and king the 5. key a Praise songue with voices b inspired to Dauid written by him This Inuitation is most fitly ordayned by the Church for the proeme or beginning of Mattins c VVith great and solemne exultation d God our Creator is also our Protector Sauiour e Let vs be more diligent and preuent our accustomed time For no man can preuent Gods grace with anie good worke who first preuenteth vs els we can neither doe nor thincke anie good thing f not only in singing his praise with voice but also with musical instruments g So also Isaias c. 45. v. 23. and S. Paul Philip. 2. teach that kneeling or bowing the knees as an external religious ceremonie is acceptable to God h It is most iust and necessarie that we adore God because he made vs and al this world for vs hath also redemed vs and made vs his people as shepe of his pasture and as a Pastor feedeth and gouerneth vs. i of his making k Though some haue often repelled and resisted Gods grace yet if they receiue it being offered againe it wil auaile them to remission of sinnes l The Israelites in the desert tempted God by desiring water and flesh of voluptuous concupiscence without necessitie For Manna did both extinguish their thirst and tasted vnto them whatsoeuer they desired Exo. 16. That also which was left vngathered when the sunne waxed hotte melted v. 21. and serued their cattel for drincke So this tentation was a figure of those which require to communicate vnder both kindes as if one did not conteine as much as both m By this mention of the offence of fourtie yeares as long before passed is conuinced that Moyses writte not this Psalme who died in the very fourtith yeare of their abode in the desert And S Paul citing the wordes of this Psalme Heb. 4. manifestly acknowlegeth Dauid the writter therof and that it was written long after Moyses time in these wordes v 7 Againe he limiteth a certaine day To day in Dauid saying after so long time as is aboue saide To day if you shal heare his voice do not obdurate your hartes For if Iesus that is Iosue had geuen them rest he would neuer speake of an other day afterward n Being greatly offended I approched nere vnto them in punishing the offenders o Those that murmured died in the desert and entered not into the promised land euen so those that finally offend Christ shal not enter into euerlasting rest Heb. 3. 4. It is in mans freewil to resist good motions Concil Triden Sess 6. c. 5 Christs diuine powre the 5. key a Inspired to Dauid and written by him b prophecying the restauration of the temple after the future captiuitie And that in figure of the vniuersal redemption of mankind by Christ from the captiuitie of the diuel â— 1. Par. 16. v. 23. c For a new benefite farre greater then the deliuerie of Israel from Aegypt d The same wordes Sing to our Lord thrise repeted signifie the Blessed Trinitie as some Fathers note Likewise v. 7. and 8. Bring ye to our Lord c. in both places concluding in the singular number blesse his name bring to his name importing one God e VVhat creatures soeuer spiritual or corporal visible or inuisible the paganes serue for goddes stil they â—e diuels that deceiue them and diuers wayes vsurpe diuine honour making such idolaters to thinke that there is diuine powre where none is f He only is true God who is Creator of heauen and of al creatures For no creature can create anie thing at al that is make anie thing of nothing but only God g Diuers ancient Doctors read more in this place Our Lord hath reigned from the wood to witte Christ by his death on the crosse conquered the diuel sinne and death and thence begane to reigne S. Iustinus Martyr dialogo aduers Triphonem Tertullian li. aduers Iudaeos c. 9. 13 aduers Marcionem li. 3 c. 19. 21. S Augustin in this place according to the old Roman Psalter Before him Arnobius and after him Cassiadorus and others wherby it is probable that it was sometimes in the Hebrew text and blotted out by the Iewes h The Psalmist in abundance of spirite inuiteth al creatures to praise God as Daniel in his Canticle c. 3. i Christ iudgeth now in the world by his ministers discerning and deciding causes rewarding and punishing but especially he wil iudge al in the last day The last iudgement the 9. key a In figure of Christ b whose bodie rose the third day after his death to whom manie returned beleuing in him after his resurrection which fel from him in his passion and to whom al thinges shal be subdued as to their true Lord in the day of iudgement c Holie Dauid and other Prophetes hauing great ioy to see long before in spirite only Christs kingdom extended in the whole earth yea to the Ilandes we Ilanders haue great cause to be gladde that God hath not only so blessed vs long since but as yet conserueth seede wherby we trust the whole Iland shal be againe restored vnto him d As in a cloud with terror God gaue his law to the Iewes so in a cloud with greater terror and maiestie he wil iudge the world e not as manie corrupted seates of iudgement in this world but as a corrected tribunal where iustice and right iudgement shal be practised :: These thinges are denounced as if they were alredy donne
and long The name Cedar is interpreted blackenes and obscuritie which signifieth darkenes of error and sinne g The wicked afflict those that geue no cause of offence Gods protection the 3. key a Towardes Ierusalme and towards heauen b Al helpe cometh from heauen that is from God who of his diuine ordinance especially heareth prayers made in holie places 3. Reg 7. c The iust speaketh and wisheth wel to his owne soule Especially the vvhole Church reioyceth in Gods assured protection d The militant Church e Prosperitie f nor aduersitie can ouerthrow the Church g spiritual life Ioyes of heauen promised to the iust the 10. key a Diuers Prophetes told the Iewes in captiuitie that they should returne to Ierusalem Al Prophetes Christ also and his Apostles and Priestes preach the entrance and ioyes of heauen to the iust Al vvhich the Psalmist savv in prophetical spirite and reioyced b The Ievves coÌ„sider that sometimes they vvere ioyful in the Temple of Ierusalem Christians reioyce in the comforte they haue in the militant Church c Communitie and participation of spiritual graces is a great ioy to Catholiques vvherof the â—amâ— Prophet speaketh Psal 118. v. 6â— and often elsvvhere d Al the tvvelue Tribes frequented Ierusalem e and al nations of the vvorld do come to the Catholique Church f Seates of Iudgement vvere placed in Ierusalem g and seates of Iudgement in the Catholique Church h of Christ i Christ exhorteth to aâ—ke k and promiseth to geue that is rightly asked Christians also inuite each other to pray for the Church Matt. â—â— v. 22. l Christ prayeth for his Church m and gaue his peace to the Apostles and in them to their successors n For in heauenlie Ierusalem al good thinges are prepared are geuen to Sainctes reigning there foreuer A praâ—eâ— in afflict oâ— the 7. key a Seruantes expecting necessaries at their masters handes are commonly very attentiue to receiue that vvhich they hope for so must the faithful praying God be very attentiue and not distracted in their prayers b An other example of handmaides who generally are more diligent then men c Though God suffer his seruantes to sustaine some affliction and reprech yet he heareth and deliuereth them before they be oppressed d Seing persecution stil increase or continevv long the faithful are then specially to conceiue hope of speedie â—â—l eâ—c Gods protection the 3. key a If God had not sent his helpe and defence to vs b we could not haue escaped the force of our enimies c The vvord perhaps doth not here import a doubt or vncertanitie but in modest maner of asseueration leaueth the iudgement of the euent that should hapen if God did not protect his seruantes to their ovvne consideration vvhich is an vsual phrase in most languages d So sudainly should the vveake vvithout Gods protection be destroyed as men are deuoured svvalovved vp by rauening vvild beasts euen before they be throughly dead So vvas Ionas svvalovved into the vvhales bellie e Furious persecution f Suddaine great trubles g Mans subteltie often deceiueth an other man but there is no counsel able to circumuent God Gods protection the 3. key a Thâ—se that confidently trust in God are in such securitie as is mount Sion vvhich is a hil defended also vvith other hilles round about b An other thing required to this securitie is to dvvel vvithin Ierusalem not the terrestrial citie for as S. Augustin obserueth the levves that dwelt therin are destroyed or made captiues and hitherto reiected of God but in the Catholique Church c God wil not alwayes nor finally leaue his seruants in tribulation but only a vvhile for their good d This prayer is also an asseueration for it is certaine that God wil defend and reward the good and right of hart e And no lesse assuredly God wil punish not only the notorious wicked and principal auctors of wickednes but also al those that for feare or for commoditie or for anie other cause decline into obligations bondes couenants or anie vvay consent in external shew with the wicked against God as in outward profession of Heresie or Schisme though such temporizers do not thincke in their hart that the pretended religion is true wherto they are drawne to yeld external conformitie For as the Psalmist here teacheth our Lord wil bring al such accessarie offenders to the same iudgement and punishment vvith the principal vvorkers of iniquitie f Al vvhich being punished then Ierusalem the Catholique Church shal haue peace The deliuered from captiuitie reioyce the 7. key a The Ievves released from captiuitie vvere excedingly and almost incredibly comforted as men for great and vnexpected sundaine ioy thinke it rather a dreame then a truth that they are deliuered from miseries So S. Peter vvhen he vvas deliuered out of prison by an Angel thought it rather a vision then a true deliuerie Such spiritual ioy deuoute soules haue vvhen they are deliuered from sinne Act. 1â— b VVheras in the tvvo former verses and very commonly the Prophet speaketh in the preter tense for the assurance of that he foreshevveth as if it vvere already donne yet here he vt eâ—eâ—h his prophecie in the future tense that the Gentiles wil confesse that God dealeth magnifically vvith his people c The people also themselues gratfully confesse that God dealeth magnifically vvith them d The Prophet forseing al this in spirite prayeth for the performance hereof e And that it may spedely be done as a torrent that runneth in the south part of the vvorld is commonly very great much desired but scarse expected f This is the ordinarie disposition of God that his seruants shal make their seeding vvhich is doe good vvorkes saith S. Augustin vvith teares in tribulation vpon earth g and reape a plentiful haruest the revvard of their suffering and vvel vvorking in the next life In assured hope vvherof the Psalmist and the vvhole Church joyfully conclude this Psalme vvith the tvvo verses folovving Gods helpe in al good vvorkes the 3. key a God not permitting Dauid to build the Temple promised that his sonne should build it and therfore besides other good admonitions geuen to his sonne Salomon he directeth this Psalme to him to be songue vvith others in the dedication of the Temple 3. Reg. 8. 2. Par. 5. b Vnlesse God be the principal Agent no vvorke can prosper c It is vaine to atempt anie thing vvithout Gods grace assisting d they that so doing thincking they haue done something rest e after their painful trauel must rise againe beginne anevv because that vvhich they seme to haue done vvel is nothing vvorth nor shal haue revvard f Contrarivvise vvhere God geuing grace those that truly loue him do good vvorkes g vvith great ease and dilight as they take their sleepe h they merite inheritance in heauen i for their good vvorkes k the revvard is promised to the true children of God borne to him in the
secure True testimonie Liberalitie Industrious trauel Solide doctrine True testimonie VVise fitte magistrates Pa 〈…〉 ce â—â— teachers â—oyâ—ltie to kinges and Prâ—nâ—es Don estical peace A good wife is Gods gift Diligence Obedience Almes dedes Moderate chastâ—â—meâ—t Patience Folow good counsel Trust in God Good wil to helpe the poore Feare of God Diligent trauel Iust correction Honour of parents Desire to lerne True testimonie Feare of eternal punishment Sobrietie Obedience to Princes Concord Industrie Profound counsel Fidelitie Sinceritie Execution of Iustice Neceâ—sitie of grace â—â—quitie Good toward â—â—â—es Right vse of senses Diligent trauel Prudence Knowlege is 〈…〉 ewel Secu 〈…〉 in â—â—eâ—â—snipe Truth Counsel in warre Consult with the faithful Honour of parents Law ful gaine Meeknes Equitie Trust in Gods prouidence Performance of vowes Publique iustice Puritie of minde Three kinglie vertues Prudence with fortitude Punishment of sinnes Gods prouidence ch 14. v. 12. 16 v. 2. Mercie and iudgement Humilitie Fortitude Truth Equitie Right in hart Domestical peace Commiseration Chastisment of sinne Charitie Almes dedes Almes in secrete Iust punishment Obseruation of orders Temperance paâ—cimonie Pietie Domestical peace Frugalitie Iustice and mercie Fortitude Guard of the tongue Modestie Diligent trauel Liberalitie Sinceritie in religion True testimonie and found doctrine Amendment of faultes Conformitie to Gods wil. Gods grace necessarie Honest fame Contentment with out state Prudence Pouertie of spirite Care of the soules health Good custome in vertues Diligent trauel Equitie Almes dedes Better to geue then to take Expel the incorrigible Cleanes of hart The godlie prosper Fortitude Care of chastitie Chatisment Compassion :: Rules of wisdom are necessarie profitable and vpon practise found pleasant rightly directing al our thougtes wordes and dedes Care of the poore because they are deare to God Flee from euil companie which may corrupt thee Auoide suretishipe leâ—t thou fal into distresse Kepe ancient traditions Diligent trauel Modestie and discretion at the table of great persons Mediocritie of riches and contentment with meane state Eate not with a niggard lest he be secretly greued ouâ—wardly dissembling and thyself repent it Aduise not the vncapable Hurt not orphanes for they are deare to God Diligent studie of wisdom Moderate chatisment profiteth youth Vertues of children are ioyful to the parentes Contentment with Gods wil. Hope of reward Lerne and practise vvisdom Sobrietie and Temperance Honour of parents VVisdom most precious See v. 15. and 16. Bodelie and spiritual puritie So brietie alvvayes necessarie Detest drunkennes Drunkennes is deceiptful dangerous beastlie hurtful to others senselesse and vnsatiable Flee euil companie lest thou be alured to vice VVisdom and vertues not wickednes do prosper temporally and spiritually Counsel in warres and other great affayres Good purposes Report wel of others Fortitude VVorkes of mercie according to our ha biliue VVisdom is swete and geueth hope Toleration of others imperfections * Oftentimes S. Aug. li. 11. c. 31. ciust VVith out which none liueth Charitie towards enemies Haue peace with al so much as may be Loialâ—ie to God king Equitie in iudgement condemning the guiltie deliuering the innocent is very gratful to al. Order in al affaires Discretion in bearing witnes Reuenge not Diligent labour and vigilance to prouide necessaâ—ies and to auoide beggerie A iust man falling into venial sinnes is not therby vniust nor Gods enimie Al sinnes are not mortal The 2. part More Parables of Salomon gathered by others Gods workes are not al reueled Kinges haue some secretes Publique iustice and punishment of sinne Modestie and Humilitie Care of others fame Compose controuersies secretly rather then contend in publique court Speake in due time Prudent admonition Diligence in publique affaires Performance of promised industrie Meeknes * 〈…〉 â—eare Temperance Modestie True testimonie Trust not a dissembler * A consuming 〈◊〉 hard earth Striue not with the incorrigible Alacritie Charitie towards enimies Rom. 12. Heare not detraction Domestical peace Ioy of wel doing Profession of truth Humilitie in knowlege Gouernment of the tongue Aduance not the vicious Patience in false sclander Chastisment Answer a foole wisely detecting his follie Place fitte men in office VVise men in authoritie Vertuous in honour and Lerned to teach Make fooles to kepe silence Returne not to sormer sinnes Humble opinion of thy self Fortitude Profitable laboures At least some good worke Loue not idlenes 2. Pet. 2. Intermedle not in brawles Vnfained friendshipe especially in familiar acquantance Punish batemakers Pacific the wrathful Heare not whisperers of euil reportes Flee from hypocrites VVhose flaterie and soft speach are suspicious they wil fal at last into their owne trappes truth preuailing Trust not to future vncertainties Praise not thyself Beware of a fooles wrath for it hath no mercie Loue freindlie seueritie not enemies flaterie Temperance in meate Iust care of thy familie Esteme freindlie counsel Old friendes are better surer then a kinsman Be wise euen for thy fathers sake Foresee and preuent dangers Trust not enimies Suspect extraordinarie curtesie Tolerate incorrigible brawlers with patience lest they become worse by thy striuing to amend them Conserue that is good Conscience is best witnes Contentment with our state Humilitie desireth not praise Right of hart Strine not to teach a foole Discharge thy dutie VVhiles thou art in this life Be content with thinges necessarie and they shal be geuen to thee Mat 6. v. 33. Innocencie is without feare General pietie of the people procureth Gods fauour Neighbourlie compassion Zele of iustice Remember the day of iudgement Honestie and pouertie No want nor waste Just gaine in traffike Obedience to magistrates Geue counsel sincerely Humilitie in authoritie Place the godlie in office Acknowlege thy faultes Feare to offend Clemencie in princes and prudent liberalitie Reuenge bloudshed Harmles life Diligent labour Iust dealing Iust iudgement Moderate gaine Freindlie correption To robbe parents is a greuous crime â—â—alt not thyself Trust not thyne owne iudgement Almes dedes Godlie magistrates Loue to â—â—e corrrected Choose godlie magistrates Loue wisdom Iust and liberal magistrates Sincere amitie Iust joy of the wickeds fal Compassion of the poore Care of common good Contend not with a foole Defend the iust Discretion in iust anger Derestation of lying Contentment in state of life Equitie in iudgement Chastisment of youth God neuer permitteth al to be euil Instruct children Pray to haue good Pastors Compel the froward to obey Consideration in speaking Subdue the flesh to the spirite Meeknes Humilitie Participate not with sinne Feare not men in Gods cause remembring that God is Iudge of al. Hate al wickednes Obey spiritual and temporal parents The fourth part Other singular precepts with prayse of a prudent woman :: The wisest man best knoweth that he wanteth much of perfect wisdom yet in his humilitie supposeth that others haue attained some what more then himself :: Christ the Sonne of God is wisdom it self and as the Sonne of man hath perfect wisdom :: Bondslades are to be
sinne thincke the seruice of God a most tedâ—ous loathsome thing :: Desire not to dye that thou maist therby be couered from vvorldlâ—e miseries for that is a desperate desire but haue patience in this lâ—fe that thou maist fiâ—de rest in God * Coâ—â—â—ing :: As vertues are to be revvarded so al sinnes shal be punished Namely external pretence of holines vvith secrete euil intention Distrust in God Impatience and the like :: The progenie of Gods children bring forth the fruite of obedience and loue :: Honour and estimation of parents is the chiefest obligation that man hath towardes his neighbour the first after his dutie to God Exo. 20. Deut. 5. Gen. 27. 49. :: Almes geuen or prayer made or sacrifice offered for parents doth merite reward at Gods hand :: Al greatnes in men proceding from God bindeth them so much the more to humilitie VVhich vertue God most specially loueth that so they may shew gratitude for his benefites Philip. 2. Pro. â—â— v. â— :: Those that dare liue in sinful state tempting God euen to the last houre commonly perish therin Dan 4. v. 24. :: Geue not occasion by thy hard dealing with the poore that they curse thee :: For if thou geue cause God who is their protector wil reuenge them against thee :: They that folow wisdom shal be safe :: Through shamfastnes to yeld vnto sinne or not to reproue sinne is vicious :: But to be ashamed and to abhorre sinne is very good and necessarie :: Al men are bonde to say the truth at conuenient times v 23. And euer bond to auoide vntruthes :: Euerie one is bond â—ather to lose his lâ—fe then to do against iustice oâ— to denie the truth Though thou be so potent that no man can hinder thy euil de signment yet do it not because God wil punish it :: After that sinne is forgeuen there remaineth ofâ—eâ— times punishment for satisfaction * Couering or death Prou 10. v. 4. :: Constancie in good purpose meriteth :: the promised peace and iust reward :: So Gedeon pacified the Ephraimites that were incensed against him Iudic. 8 :: Manie preferre lerning before pietie which S. Augustin reproueth preferring the godlie before the lerned that are lesse vertuous The vnlerned rise sayth he and take the kingdom of heauen and we with our lernings without halt loe how we tumble in the durt li. 8. c. 8. Consess :: what soeuer anie soweth that he shal reape and the wicked shal eate the fruites of his owne workes Iob. 9. Psal 142 Eccle. 7. :: Great prudence and sortitude are required in al Iudges spiritual and temporal :: In hel are two punishments fire burning and the worme of conscience vering the soule both are eternal Leuit. â—â— Tâ—b â— Deut. 1â— Leuit. â— Num â—â— :: VVorkes of mercie are also profitable to the dead as prayer almes and sacrifice for soules in purgatorie Rom 1â— v. 15. :: A most especial preseruatiue from sinne :: Briberie sometimes corrupteth kinges much more other inferior Iudges And therfore it is better to suffer damage then to contend by law against the rich Gal 6. Prou. 26. Prou. 22. v. 24. :: In al consultations conferre with the skilful for the blinde can not iudge of colours the dease of musike the sicke of taist nor worldlie mâ—n of spiritual thinges :: Seing ielosie betwen man wife is dangerous much more vnnecessarie conuersation betwen other men and wemen especially probable occasions of sinne must be auoided Prou. â— :: Constancie in good thinges namely in freindshippe is very necessarie :: A sinner that prospereth is like to a somer floure in the filde that is quickly cut downe and withereth :: Example of rulers is of greate efficacie Prou. 29. Dan. 4. :: The causes of translating kingdomes dominions :: Couetuosnes is the roote of al euiles 1. Tim. 6. in that for lucie manie fal into al sortes of sinnes euen into schisme and heresie erring from the faith ibidem v. 1â— :: Neuertheles pride is the beginning of al sinne as this text expresly testifieth and the reason is for that mans inordinate self loue is the cause of declining from Gods commandments they which runne on in that course cast themselues headlong into the depth of al mischief and of eternal miserie Prou. 17. Prou. 1â— :: A wisman humbling himself by penance as Daniel did or being vniustly humbled by others as Ioseph was shal be exalted by God :: Expect the end of an other mans speach before you beginne to answer :: Expect also if anie that is elder or better able wil answer first Deut. 13. Iob. 42. :: One punishment of sinne is blindnes of hart Especially where is no remorse of conscience :: In prosperitie is feare and in aduersitie hope of change :: It is rather crueltie then mercie to nourish a wicked man persisting in sinne for so he runneth stil into more wickednes and into eternal damnation :: but the penitent is to be comforted and assisted :: Euerie one is bond to loue his enemie of charitie but in prudence it be houeth not to credite him According to our Sauiours rule Be wise as serpents and simple as dooues Mat. 10 Deut. 7. :: He that conuerseth with a greater man then himself except it be with vertuous is forced often to suffer much and to yeld to manie inconueniences :: Pusill animitie in a superior maketh him omite his dutie committe errors fearing to do that perteyneth to his office which his auctoritie requireth :: Acception of persous hindereth manie good counsels promoteth manie euil thinges Iac. 3. :: He that can not afforde nourishment to his owne bodie by such meanes as he hath sinneth against God abusing his benefites against himself whom he vniustly afflicteth and against his neighbour whom he scandalizeth Prou. 27. v. â—0 :: In the old testament al descended into some part of hel Isa 40. v. 7. :: There shal be particular reward of euerie good worke :: VVho so euer shal resolue with himself to liue iustly shal be sure to haue grace for God preuenteth our weakenes and so continueth to helpe al that acccept his grace :: He doth iniurie to God to his word that preacheth wel and liueth euil :: Beza sayeth God ordained Adams fall but to a good end and that God iustly decreed that which men vniustly haue done in refut 2. calumnae ad Castel But this holie Scripture teacheth the contrarie that God gaue man both freewil and sufficient grace that he might if he would haue kept his preceps The same is also clerely taught Deut 7. 11. 30. and other places Gen. 2. Mat. 19. v. 17. Ier. 2. v. 8. :: Fire of concupiscence if it be not ouercome in this life wil procure the fire of Gods wrath which shal neuer be extinguished Gen. 6. Num. 26. Rom. 2. v. 6. :: Euen a dish of colde water geuen in almes shal be rewarded Mat. 10.
a. greable to mans nature and freevvil by his loue and charitie not as beastes are dravven by feare force :: To make shevv of turning to God and to trust more in men is as vayne as to thinke to fede or to gouerne the vvinde Gen. 25. 32. :: The historie of Iacob and his children written in Genesis and Exodus vvhich the prophet here toucheth sheweth the singular benefites of God tovvards this people Gen. 28. Exo. 14. a VVhen Iero boam first set vp the calues to be adored the people had horrour therof yet consented therto b and shortly after some added the idol of Baal 3 Reg. 16. c and of other idols as this place testifieth Isa 43. d Euils that happen are al of mans owne procurement by his sinnes vvherof God is no vvay the auctor or cause e vvho of his part doth al for the helpe of man for vvhether he punish or pardon al is to saue men so God is onlie cause of helpe and of al good but not of euil as it is euel he is in dede the cause of punishment vvhich is called malum paenae the euil of paine Amos. 3. v. 6. but this for amendment during this life and of iustice after death 1. Reg. â— f This can not be vnderstood of temporal death from vvhich God vvil noâ— deliuermen nor of violent death from vvhich he vvould not deliuer those that vvere slaine by the Assyrians but necessarily of eternal death from vvhich the iust shal be deliuered 1. Cor. 15. Heb. 2. Ezec. 19. a Such imprecations in holie scriptures are sometimes only predictions as Psal 68. v. 23. so here is prophecied what shal happen to the Israelites in Assyria S. Ierom. sometimes are the zelous desires of Sainctes conformable to Gods iustice as Psal 149. v. 6. 7. 8. 9. Iâ—el 2. Zach. 1. b VVhen the Israelites shal conuert to God as some did vvhen Christ came and manie wil nere the end of the vvorld then Christ wil heale theÌ„ c No humane vvitte is able to vnderstand this and other prophetes yet the iust shal know so much as is necessarie S. Ierom. in prooem S. Aug. li. 18. c. 28. ciuit S. Epiph. de vita Patriarâ— Ioel prophecied the same time vvith Osee Especially to the two tribes S. Iero. Epist ad Paulin. The contents :: Prophecies perteyne not only to those that then liue when they are vttered but also to al poste ritie euen to the end of the vvorld that it may appeare vvhat is fulfilled and vvhat yet resteth to come in due time :: VVhen Ierusalem vvas taken and the Temple destroyed by the Babylonians the sacrifice necessarily ceased according to this and other prophecies :: Fasting praying and other good vvorkes of manie assembling together are an especial meanes to appeaze Gods vvrath prouoked by former sinnes The captiuitie described by the harme of most noysome thinges Ierusalem foure times spoyled by the Babylonians Dan. I. 1. 2. 3. 4. VVhy vve make not more Annotations a Prophets do often speake in such phrase as if they admonished the people vvhat to doe vvhen in dede they foreshevv what they wil do in their distresses b In the time when God wil suffer affliction to fal vpon them for their sinnes * take no harme Isa 13. Ezec. 32. Mat. 24. Iere. 30. Amos. 5. Sopho. 1. c For better mouing the hart to true repentance d God requireth these external workes of penance And where the same are wanting at least in vvil it is a manifest signe that the hart is not truly penitent S. Ierom. â— Psal 85. e Zele is an indignation rising of loue vvhen one seeth anie person or thing vvhich he loueth contemned or vvronged So God hath zele for his people when they are vniustly afflicted more of the malice of their afflicters then for iustice Yet God suffereth often times his people to be punished for their ful correction and for their more merite f So that vvhich God here promiseth by his prophet touching his protection and deliuerie of his people was not fulfilled til after the seuentie yeares of their captiuitie nor then fully but is verified in those that beleue in Christ And especially after this life vvhen his glorious Saincts shal liue in eternal ioy g That this is a plaine prophecie of the mission of the Holie Ghost performed on VVhitsunday the fiftith day after Christs Resurrection and the tenth after his Ascension S. Peter teacheth Act. 2. Isa 44. Act. 2. Rom. 1â— a S Ierom and most other expositers vnder stand this chapter of the general Iudgement though some expound it of the relaxation of the Ievves from captiuitie and of the punishment of their enimies b And so Iosaphat is literally vnderstood the place on the east side of Ierusalem betwen the Temple and mount Oliuet whence our Sauiour ascended into heauen Neither is there anie reason why the Iudgement should rather be in an other place seing this is expressed by name signifying The Iudgement of our Lord. Apoc. 14. c This duplication of the vvord peoples importeth an innumerable multitude in that valley of concision also repeted to signifie that there al Gods enimies shal be vtterly damned to eternal destruction as it vvere cut in peeces as fuel to the fire of hel Psal 128. v. 4. Our iust Lord vvil cut the neckes of sinners Iere. 21. Amos. 1. Amos. 9. Amos prophecied the same time vvith see and Ioâ—l S. Ierom â—â—â—â—â— ad â—â—â—â—â— Especially Against the tenne tribes a As Dauid was called from keping shepe made a king a Prophet so Amos being a shepheard oâ— hearde man was also made a Prophet b Iosephus li. 9. c. 1. Antiq. sayeth this earthquake happened when king Onias presumed to offer incense but it must nedes be vnderstood of a former in the dayes of Ieroboam v. 1. who died in the 38. yeare of Oâ—ias â— Par. 26. at least 14. yeares before his deposition for he reigned in al. 52 Iâ—el 3. Zach. â—4 c Three signifie the multitude of their sinnes for three is the first number that is called manie or may be called al. d and foure signifie excesse in multitude so that albeit God doth forgeue a multitude of sinnes yet at last for so great excesse he hasteneth their punishment * The god of the Ammonites a Besides other sinnes of the Moabites their crueltie in dravving the bones of the king of Idumea out of the graue as S. Ierom testifieth by tradition and their king immolating his ovvne sonne 4. Reg. 3. exceeded the rest and therfore vvere at last more seuerely punished b The most heynous sinne in Iuda vvas that hauing the lavv to instruct them they contemned and transgressed it c Israel much more contemned the same lavv of God committed the sinnes of al nations d Sonnes committed incest vvith their fathers vviues the fathers vvith their daughters in lavv vvhich most detestable sinnes must nedes be seuerly punished * puellam Num. 21. Deut. 2.
Mat. 11. v. 20. Mar. 1. Luc. 1. 7. Psal 131. v. 17. b S. Iohn vvas first onceiued likevvise first bâ—rne and he first preaâ—hed and shortly after him our Sauiour came c Christ is the Angel of the testament because he made the Pact of peace betvven God and man d In the meane time God threatneth to punish al euen secrete sinnes e knovven â—o him though not to other vvitnesses Zach. 1. v. 3. f Paying of tithes is most strictly commanded Iob. 〈…〉 v. 14. Isa 5â— v. â— g Sinne of murmuring against God is great blasphe mie and not to lerable For vvhen they were punished by famine for defrauding the Leuites of tithes they blasphemously imputed it to God as though he had not such care of his owne people as he had of other nations vvhich had abundance of temporal goodes a In the day of iudgement it shal plainly appeare vvhat difference is betvven the iust and the wicked Zach. 3. v 8. 6. v. 11. Luc. 1. v. 78. Exo. 20. Dâ—ut 4. 5. 6. Mat 11 17. v 11. b The Septuagint for explication adde Thesbites And S. Ierom. in 17. Mat teacheth that Elias shal in dede come and restore al thinges c Christs first coming was in al mekenes not in terrour but his coming to iudge wil be dreadful And therfore the prophet here meaneth not S. Iohn Baptist but that Elias himself shal come before the great and dreadful day of our Lord. * vtter destructionâ— Prooemial questioÌ„s touching these bookes They are called Machabees of Iudas Machabeus Iudas had this surname for his streingth and valâ—â—e li. 1. c. 2. v. 64 65 66. Others also called Machabees li. 2. c. 6. 7. There be foure bookes VVritten by vncertaine auctors The tvvo last are not Canonical v. 24. Ievves Protestantes denie also these two first Their arguments * li. 1. c. 1. v. 1. 7. 11. 57. ch 4. v. 52. ch 6. v. 16. ch 8. v. 16. li. 2. ch 1. v. 19. ch 2. v. 25. ch 12. v. 43. ch 14 v. 41. ch 15. v. 39. Euseb li. 3. c. 25. hist S. Ierom de viru illustrib Ansvvers Approued by Councels And by Ancient Fathers The same contentes of both the bookes Foure principal partes The occasion of so extraordinarie disposition â—â— 2. c. 2. v. 24. The historie conteyneth tvvo partes An order how to reade these bookes Read first the preface li. 2. ch 2. v. 20. The first part of the historie The persecution of the Church by Antiochus B :: Other kings reigned before Alexander in Grece but he vvas the first that reigned in that great Monarchie erected by himselfe :: By deliuering his ring to Perdicca he gaue him auctoritie to distribute his kingdomes Iâ—sâ—nuâ— li. 12. â—â—urtius li. 10. * li. 2. c. 3. v. 1. :: Epiphanes Noble in reâ—owme D :: This Antiochus begane his reigne in the yeare 137. from Seleuchus the first king of Syria after Alexander otherwise this vvas the 156 yeare of the Grecian Monarchie Euseb in chroniâ—o * li. 2. c. 4. v. 7. F :: Being established in the kingdom of Syria he coueted also the kingdom of Aegypt * li. 2. c. 4. v. 21. H :: Iosephus li. 12. c. 6. vvriteth that Antiochus first killed such as vvould haue hindred his entrance into Ierusalem and aftervvards those that opened the gates vnto him but vvould haue hindered him from spoyling the temple :: This vvas Apollonius as appeareth li. 2. c. 5. v. 2â— :: The tovvre of Sion fortified and kept :: by a garrison of Macedonians :: It sufficed not this cruel tyrant to spoile Gods people of their goodes and manie of their liues but he also peruerted manie in religion because his master the diuel seeketh to destroy mens soules :: Daniels prophecie ch 9. vvas here in part fulfilled as in a figure and our Sauiour confirmeth it â—laâ— 24 of Antichrist setting vp abomination of desolation in the holie place * li. 2. c. 5. v. 11. The 2. part The warres of the Machabees begune by this Mathathias and prosecuted by his sonnes especially by Iudas as in the seuen chapters folovving and more largely in the second booke from 8. chapter to the end of the last K This smal helpe of great importance is that ayde wher of Daniel prophecied ch 11. v â—4 :: Mathathias not of priuate spirite but being general capitaine of the people did this iustice according to the lavv vvhere it is commanded to kil the auctors of false pretended religion Deut. 13. S. Cyprian Exhort ad Martyrium c. 5. S. Beruar Epist 158. ad Innocent Num. 25. :: These are commended by S. Ambrose li. 1. Offic. c. 40. and other fathers dying in the simplicitie of doues though they had not the prudence of serpents which others obseruing are more commended especially in respect of the whole Church so dangerously impugned which God in dede wil euer defend and conserue from vtter ruine Yet he vseth also ordinarie meanes by lawful vvarres and the like :: Assideans othervvise called Esseni not hypochâ—yâ—ically as the Pharises nor erroniously as the Sadduces but sincerely professed a peculiar holie rule of life Iosephus li. 2 c. â—2 de bello Iudaico Gen. 22. Gen. 41. Num. 25. Iosue 1. Num. 14. 2. Reg 2. 4. Reg 2. Dan. 3. Dan. 6. :: In al affayres order is of singural importance that euerie office be designed to â—â—â—â—est persons As here Mathathias appointed Simon the chiefe for determining matters in counsel Iudas the first for execution and that the rest should obey these two and ech of these the other in his office :: He did not arrogate to himself to be chief but being designed by his father vvas so accepted by his bretheren the good people ioyned vvith them in defence of the lavv of God Iudas had foure battles and victories against foure general captaines sent by king Antiochus Epiphanes The first against this Apollonius * li. 2. c. 8. v. 1. M :: The second against Seron :: The natural frailtie of man feareth to encounter vvith a strong enemie but true confidence in Gods helpe which is euer assured in a good cause geueth corege and getteth the victorie :: Not only the Ievves resisted Antiochus innouations in religion but also diuers other nations reuolted and rebelled because he commanded al â—o leaue their for merrites and goddes and to accept of his goddes only ch 1. v. 43. persecuting al that did not therto conforme themselues :: Praying fasting other vvorkes of penance are the best armour in holie vvarres for religion :: Publique place of prayer vvas first in Silo. Iosue 18. after in Maspha 1. Reg. 7. lastly in Ierusalem a penta contarchos Deu. 20. :: This most godlie resolution encoreged themselues procured Gods merciful protection :: The third battle made by Iudas vvas against this Gorgias an other captaine of Antiochus Epiphanes :: Vigilancie in rulers and pastors preserueth from al the diuels stratagems ::
Confidence in God procureth his assistance Psa 106. * li. 2. c. 8. v. 8. O :: The fourth great battle of Iudas vvas agaynst Lysias sent by Antiochus into Iurie 1. Reg. 17. 1. Reg. 14. :: As it vvas the first and chiefe intention of Iudas to defend religion holie things so hauing expugned their enimies his chief care is to purge the temple and to restore al holie rites of Gods true seruice :: Altars temples statues of false goddes made of stone and set vp in the temple ch 1. v. 50. vvere novv destroyed :: The temple vvas purged tvvo yeares some thing more after the prophanation vvhich vvas in the yeare 145. ch 1. v. 57. :: Our Sauiour obserued this feast being instituted long after the Lavv of Moyses Ioan. 10. v. 226 Ioan. 10. * li. 2. â— 10. v. â— :: In this chapter is mention of tenne battles in vvhich Iudas or his bretheren Ionathas and Simon vvere victors Q :: The first against the Idumeans in Aâ—rabathane :: The second against the Beanites a vtterly destroyed :: The third against the Ammonites b villages :: The fourth against the Galadites :: The fifth against the Galileans of the Gentiles :: The sixth against the Carnaimites :: The seuenth against the Ephronites Num. 20. :: A good and pious captaine cherisheth and comforteth the vveake souldiars and enâ—oreged â—l to shew their soâ—titude :: Men that preâ—ume of their ovvne strength without commission from lawful auctotitie haue not Gods assistance and so faylein their attemptes as not called of God amongst those men by vvhom saluation is made in Israel v. 62. :: The eight against the Idumeans in Chebron :: The ninth against the Samaritanes :: The tenth against the Philistimes in Azotus :: The ful historie of Antiochus Epiphanes his death is vvritten in this chapter to the 16. v. and in al the 9. of the second booke Finally he returned into the countrie of Babylon but before he arriued there he heard the bad newes of his armie in Iurie fel into intolerable and desperate diseases v. 8. and li. 2. ch 9. v 5. :: Al this vvas but seaned repentance li. â— ch 9. v 13. :: Antiochus begane to persecute the Ievves in the yeare 143. ch 1. v. 21. and dying this yeare 149 it appeareth that his persecution dured about six yeares or some vvhat more agreable to the answer of the Angel Dan. 8. v. 14. that it should indure 2300. dayes vvhich make six yeares almost foure monethes vvithin vvhich time Iudas by his valure obteyned purged the holie places in the yeare 148. ch 6. v 52 some monethes before Antiochus death * li. 2. c. 9. v. 1. S * li. 2. c. 10. v. 10. V :: Bloud of the grup vvine Deut â—2 v 14. aâ—â— iuyce of mulberies do incite elephantes to fight Aâ— some kinde of bloud or smel therof doth incire houndes to hunt Vallesius c. 82 sacrae Philosophia :: S Ambiose li. 1 c. 40 Offic. highly commendeth the fortitude of this souldiat putting himself in so present danger of death fighting for religion * li. 2. c. 13. v. 1. X :: This Scleucus vvas brother to Antiochus Epiphanes so Antiochus Eupator vvas Demetrius his consin german :: Alcimus was novv in place of the high-priest as Menelaus had bene before him set vp by Antiochus therfore is righâ—ly here sayd he vvould haue bene the chiefe priest but in dede vvas not For the true high-priesthood vvas amongst the Machabees :: This vsurper vvith his complices deuised false accusations against Iudas and the rest to incense the king against them And by great giftes gayned the kings fauour li. 2 c. 14. v. 4. :: Among the Scribes the Assideans vvere first consulted being as lerned as the Pharises or anie other and in dede more sincere as we noted ch 2. v. 42. :: And so Alcimus deceiuing them in a matter of fact tovvitte that himself meant truly as he did not cruelly murdered threâ— score of them Psal 78. * li. 2. c. 14. v. 1. :: This Nicanor vvas the most terrible enimie against Iudas but was at last slaine by him v. 43. li. 2. c. 15. v. 28. Z * li. 2 c. 14. v. 12. :: This was the last conflict betwen Iudas and Nicanor vvritten more largely in the last chapter of the second booke 4. Reg. 19. :: VVhiles Iudas disposed thinges perteyning to religion and the common-vvealth Demetrius prepared for warres ch 9. v. 3. * li. 2. c. 15. v. 1. :: Of the renow med actes of the Romans other Historiographers haue also vvritten largely especially Liuius Diodorus Iustinus Florus Varre Plutarchus and manie others d :: Vvhat places these vvere losephus expresseth li. 12. c. 17. :: Polybius li. 5. vvriteth that Antiochus had 102. elephants in his vvarre against Prolemeus therfore it is not to be merueled that he had 120. against the Romans :: Though Rome vvas then gouerned by tvvo consuls Yet one only ruled euerie day in their course not both in one day for so saith Liuius li. 2 hist it should haue bene more terror of tvvo rulers then before it had bene of one king :: This happened about a yeare after the death of Nicanor ch 7. v. 50 li. 2 c. 15 38. :: Strongest men are not free from first motions of perturbation but reflecting vpon their ovvne infirmitie and considing in Gods prouidence take corege in a good cause being assured either of temporal victorie or of eternal glorie As now it happened to this most glorious Champion v. 18. :: The mightie may fal in the sight of men but Iudas his fortitude proued and confirmed by former heroical actes vvith prosperous successe vvas now perfectly consummate by this most glorious end S. Ambr. li. 1. c. 4â— Offre :: VVhere there is no gouernour the people shal fal Pro. 11. v. 14. :: Ionathas the third general captaine of the Macha bees vvas also high priest after the death of Iudas Though Alcimus by the kinges fauoure vniustly vsurped the office ch 7. v. 9. vvhiles Iudas yet liued and vntil this time v 54. :: They also killed him v. 38. 42. :: To reuenge or punish faultes in due measure other right circumstances is a special vertue moderating mans defence of his person honour or right vvithout crueltie or remisnes and so the children sometimes are temporally punished for their parents finnes and the communitie for their leaders either for their consent before the fact or after or to preuent that they doe not the like S. Tho. 2. 2. q. 108. 2. Par. 20. v. 3. :: Ionathas and his men svvame not to the other side but to an other place on the same side for othervvise the armies had bene parted by the riuer and so there had bene no conflict that time :: Iosephus li. 12. c. 17. confesseth that Iudas vvas highpriest but erreth in saying he succeded after Alcimus neither considering that Alcimus vvas not in dede
v. 3. :: This legate vvas sent almost two yeares before to Rome ch 14. v. 24. and now brought letters not only to the Ievves but also to sundrie kinges and peoples in their behalf :: Simon subdued these tvvo tovvnes because they anoyed the Ievves but because they othervvise perteyned not to Iurie he payed for them an hundred talentes :: By the riuer of Cedron ouer which Dauid passed 2. Reg â—â— v. 23. and our Sauiour Ioa. 18. a citie vvas novv built or rather repared being decayed before :: After Simons death his eldest sonne Iohn surnamed Hyrcanus succeeded him in gouernment spiritual and temporal v. 24. :: He beginning to gouerne in the yeare 170. ch 13. v. 41. 42. had difficulties the first last yeares in the rest they had peace To be inebriated signifieth no more but to be repâ—enished vvith drinke competently or abundantly vvithout excesse As Psal 64. v. 10 the earth inebriated and v. 11. riuers inebriated That is abundantly replenished vvithout excesse S. August q. 144. in Gen. :: Out of the booke here mentioned some thinke the fourth booke of Machabees vvas translated See Sixâ—us Seâ—en li. 1. Biblioth pag. â—â— * li. 2. â— â— v. â— This Appendix coÌ„cerning tvvo epistles of the Ievves vvas added to the historie of the first booke by him that vvritte this second e :: As they had vvritten before in their afflictions so novv they exhorte their bretheren to be thankful to God and amongst other meanes to shevv their gratful minde by celebrating the feast of dedication of the nevv altar li 2. â— 4. v. 7. :: It semeth that either this Iudas vvas the first sonne of Iohn Hyrâ—amus othervvise called Aristobolus or rather Iudas Essenus of vvhom ch 2. v. 14. and of vvhom Iosephus vvriteth li. 13. â— 19. :: Chaldea being nere to Persis is sometimes comprehended vnder the same name so Mamertinus in Panagerâ—ca ad Iulia reciteth Tigris and Euphrates amongst the riuers of Persi S. Chrysostom ho. 6. in Math. saith the Ievves vvere deliuered from captiuitie of Perâ—â—s meaning Babylon :: In this fire vvere foure miracles First it vvas not changed into ayre but into vvater v. 20. :: Secondly this vvater being cast on the hostes of sacrifice vvas kindled as fire v. 22. :: Thirdly it burned also being cast vpon stones v. 32. :: Fourth it vvas extinguished by the light that came from the altar v. 32. :: Nephthar signifieth deliuerie vvhich is the effect of purification for the temple other holie thinges being purified were deliuered from prophane vse :: S. Ambrose li 3. c. 14. Offic. vvriteth at large of this miracle Epis Iere. Baruc. 6. :: Neither the tabernacle nor the arke vvere caried avvay by Nabuchodonosor but vvere preserued by some meanes and most like besides the auctoritie of this scripture by Ieremie the propher vvho had spocial fauour of the Babylonians vvhen Ierusalem vvas taken Iere. 39. v. 11. Exâ— 40. 3. Râ—g 8. â—euit 9. 7. 24. :: This semeth to be the same Iudas Essenus vvho vvith others vvritte this epistle ch â— v. 10. * li. 2. c. 15. v. 38. :: After the auctor had written this Appendix to the former booke he resolued also to adde an abridgement of the vvhole historie vvherunto he maketh this Preface signifying the matter vvherof he vvil vvrite v. 20. in vvhat maner v. 24. and why v 25. auouching his diligence v. 26. vvith breuitie v. 29. A :: God assisting the vvtiâ—ers of diuine histories doth not alvvayes deliuer them from labour in seeking to knovv the same of sueh as knew particular thinges So S Luke vvritte the Gospel hauing diligently attained to al thinges Luc. 1. v. 3. * exact declaration * li. 1. c. 1. v. 1. The first part The persecution of the Church by Antiochus :: Three thinges make a coÌ„monwealth to be in good state C 1 Good agreement of principal men amongst themselues with the commonaltie 2 Exact obseruation of good lavves 3 And eminent vertue of the supreme gouernour vvith exercise of pietie and hate of sinnes Other three thinges do truble the state Obstinacie in offenders not content to be corrected 2 Inueterate malice seking reuenge against iust Superiors 3. and auarice of princes to robbe the holie or common treasure :: These virgins remained in places nere to the temple brought vp in exercises of pietie fasting and praying til they were despoused 1. Reg. 2. v. 22. S. Amb. li. 1. de virgine S. Greg. Nissen Orat. de Christ Natiuit S. Damas li. 4. c. 13. :: 4. Reg. 2. v. 11. A firie chariotte and firie horses caried Elias from Elizeus 4. Reg. 6. v. 17. And the mountaine appeared ful of horses and of firie chariots round about Elizeus no lesse strange then this vision See S. Ambrose li. 2. c 29. offic discoursing vpon this historie :: It is the common practise of al traytors to calumniate and defame good gouerners And the best remedie a gainst such seducers is by auctoritie of Superior povvre not by the people vvho are commonly more prone to fauour faction then iustice * li. 1. c. 1. v. 11. E :: VVhere true Religion is abolished most men neglect al shew of religion and rather applie themselues to vanities or woise sinnes * li. 1. c. 1. v. 17. G :: This king falsly pretended to restore his kinsman his sisters sonne to the kingdom being depriued by his younger brother Liuius li. 44 but the true cause of his sending Apolonius into Aegypt was to subdue that kingdom to himself 1. Mach. 1. v. 17. :: Menelaus brother of Simon v. 23 of the tribe of Beniamin ch 3. v. 4. vvas not by the law capable of the priesthood which only perteined to the progenie of Aaron of the tribe of Leui So in this trublesome time the right succession of high priestes was intermitted and restored in Mathathias li. 1. c. 2. :: True and solide vertue moued the common people to compassion the King himself to teares the Tyrians to honour the bodies of the innocent with costlie burial v. 49. :: Strange thinges aboue the ordinarie course of nature doe euer signifie Gods vvrath for mens transgression and are admonitions to turne from sinne vvith spede that vve may escape the heauie hand of Gods iustice So the Emperour Charles the Great interpreted the apparition of a great Comete as vvitnesseth Fasciculus temporum Lacedemonians othervvise called Spartians descended from the stocke of Abraham li. 1. c. 12. v. 2. * li. 1. c. 1. v. 21. I ch 3. v. 23. 27. :: Al rites of religion vvith temples and other holie thinges are ordayned to the Seruice of God and for mens spiritual good and therfore vvhen men cease to serue God as holie thinges are destroyed or taken avvay :: Iudas vvas the tenth lawful highpriest from the Monarchie of the Grecians :: Sanaballat in the time of Alexander the great procured a temple to be built in Garizim like to that in Ierusalem An other was
built in Aegypt by Ananias in in the time of Ptolomee Philometor both schismatical Iosephus l. 11. c. S. li. 13. c. 6. :: Besides former great masaker c 5. foure most notorious martyrdomes are here related 1 Vvemen with their circumcised children 2 Other people for keeping the sabbath :: A necessaire admonition to the weake in time of persecucion 3 Eleazarus nintie yeares old cruelly slaine :: He vvas excellently lerned in holie Scriptures and in al diuine and humane knovvlege :: To feyne or make outvvard shevv of consent to false religion is neuer lavvful :: In the old restament none could enter into heauen but the most iust went to Limbus when they died :: Old age saith S. Ambrose li. 2. c. 10. de Iacob patri ought to be the hauen not the shipvvrake of thy former life 4 The fourth Martyrdom vvas of seuen bretheren and their mother â— VVhosoeuer please to read more of these glorious Martyres may sec the large discourses of Flanius Iosephus in his booke de Machabeis And of sundrie ancient Fathers S. Cyprian li 4. Epist ep 6. S. Chrysostom homilia de natiuitate septem Machabaeorum S. Ambrose li. 1. Offic. c. 40. c li. 11. de Iacob c. 9. S. Augustin de origine animae Tract 8. in Epist 1. Ioan Ser. 110. de diuersis S. Prosper li de praedict par 2. c. 40. S. Prudentius hymno de Romano Martyre S. Leo. Ser de Nat septem fratrum Machab. S. Gaudentius Brixanus Tractatu de Machabeis S. Ephrem Ser. de morte S. Victorinus Aser Carmine de septem Machabeis Deut. 32. v. 43. :: A promise is properly of a good thing bindeth the promiser to do that vvhich is in dede good In so much that whosoeuer promiseth svveareth or vovveth to do euil is bond not to do it And to do it is a distinct sinne besides the former :: In that this godlie woman deceiued the tyrant she did vvel lavvfully vsing aequiuoeation * li. 1. c. 2. v. 1. The second part of the historie The vvarres of the Machabâ—eâ— begune by Mathathias li 1. c. 2 and prosecuted by Iudas I. :: In al good attemptes deuout prayer is the first preparation And no vvhere more necessary then in battel As vvel for good successe supposing alwayes a good cause as also that euerie one pray for his ovvne soule that it be in state of grace * li. 1. c. 3. v. 10. :: This Philip a Phrygian was left in Ierusalem by Antiochus to afflict the Ievves ch 5. v. 22. N :: A iust and religious cause is the very best helpe that can be in vvarres 4 Reg. 19. Of this battel vvith the calatians there is no other mention in holy scripture but it semeth to be that vvherin they assisted Antiochus the first called Soter vvhen he repelled the Galatians inuading Asia vvherof Appianus vvriteth in bellis Syriacis And Iosephus testifieth l. 12 c 3. that Antiochus Magnus sonne of Soter much fauored the Ievves for their explottes donne in his fathers dayes * li. 1. c. 4. v. 28. R :: A chief citie of Persis called Elymais li. 1. c. 6. v. 1. :: Antiochus vvas in dede really and seriously greued and truly acknovvledged that his affliction vvas for his sinnes li. 1. c. 6. v. 11. but he vvas not truly penitent for the offence committed against God his neighbour but only for his ovvne calamitie miserie therfore could not obreyne mercie to remission of his sinnes nor release of the punishment So also the damned in hel knovv confesse that they are punished for their sinnes but haue not true repentance for their offence against God :: Of this tyrant S. Cyprian geueth this censure li. de exhort Martyrij King Antiochus an inueterate enimie to al the good Nay in Antiochus Antichrist is expressed * li. 1. c. 6. v. 17. P :: This recouering and clensing of the temple vvas after the fourth battel of Iudas vvhich vvas against Lysias one of Antiochus chiefe captaines as appeareth li. â— c. 4 and so was before the death of Antiochus vvritten here ch 9. li. 1. c. 4. v. 5. * li. 1. c. 5. v. 1. T :: It is neuer an act of fortitude but of extreme pusillanimity when one in temporal miserie killeth himselfe to be ridde therof But is a most heroical act to dye willingly for Gods glorie :: Against this Gorgias Iudas had a victorie before in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes li. 1. c. 4. :: Timothee the second captaine general of Antiochus vvith Bacchides was once before ouerthrowne li. 1. c 8. v. 30. :: Iosephus Gorion li. 3. c. 13. saith these tvventie zelous young men vvere of the Assidians who professed a certaine religious forme of life of vvhom mention is made before li. 1. ch 2 v 42. c. 7. v. 13. Protestantes confesse that Iudas instituted this feast It is distinct from other feastes v. 5. :: This Lysias also bad bene vanquished before li. 1. c. 4. v. 28. :: Knovving that the Patriarches Abraham Isaac Iacob likevvise Moyses Iosue and manie others vvere singularly assisted by Angelles these Machabees in their good cause prayed for Angelical helpe and had it but ioyntly vvith their ovvne endeuour although some times God geueth such victories vvithout cooperation of men Exo. 14. 4. Reg. 19. :: Lysias vvas in dede the kings consin v. â—5 but he calleth him brother for honour sake :: An other Timothee was slaine ch 10. v 37. :: Also an other Apollonius vvas slaine before li. 1. c. 3. v. 11. :: A furlong is about the eight part of a myle so this fire vvas sene thirty miles of others count a furlong to conteyne a thousand foote the fifth part of a myle so it vvas sene 48. myles distant Iosue 6. :: Tubianci or Tubieni signifie religiously good it is pro bable that these vvere the Assideans li 1. c. 2. v. 42. c 7. v. 13. :: Iudas had the victorie twise before against this Gorgias li 1. c. 4. v. 1. li. 2. c. 10. v. 14. :: It was commanded Deut. 7. v 25. not to couet nor take aniething perteyning to idols but to destroy al See this sinne punished Iosue 7. 1. Reg. 15. c. :: Vnles it had bene the doctrine practise of the Church to pray for the dead Iudas could neuer haue thought of anie such matter :: It is only profitable for those that dye penitent * li. 1. c. 6. v. 18. This text is clere for praying for the dead in the argument pa. 890. Likevvise the Greke S. Augustin ep 61. ad Dulcit l. 1. c. 23. de morib li. de cura pro mort c. 1. Enchir. c. 110. Denial of this doctrine is heresie Mat. 12. Iudas vvas high priest when he caused prayers and sacrifice to be offered for the dead It was the general practise of â—he Church And is yet obserued by the Iewes W :: In the first booke ch 6 v. 30 the number of
we entring the Land there be this purple corde a signe and thou tie it in the window by the which thou hast let vs downe and gather thy father and mother and brethren and al thy kindred into thy house †He that shal goe forth of the doore of thy house his bloud shal be vpon his head and we shal be quitte But the bloud of al that shal be with thee in the house shal redound vpon our head if any man touch them †But if thou wilt betray vs and vtter this talke abroade we shal be quitte from this oath wherwith thou hast adiured vs. †And she answered As you haue spoken so be it done and dismissing them to goe she hong the purple corde in the window †But they walking came to the mountaines and â—aried there three dayes til they returned that pursewed them for seeking euerie way they found them not †Who being entred into the citie the discouerers returned and came downe from the mountaine and passing ouer Iordan they came to Iosue the sonne of Nun and told him al thinges that had chanced to them †and said Our Lord hath deliuered al this land into our handes and al the inhabitantes therof are ouerthrowen with feare CHAP. III. After three dayes abode by the bankes of Iordan 3. the Priestes with the Arke of God entering first into the riuer 15. the vpper part miraculously standeth and swelleth the lower running away they goe into the midde chanel and there stay whiles al the people passe ouer drie foote IOSVE therfore rysing vp in the night remoued the campe and departing from Setim they came to Iordan he and al the children of Israel and abode there for three dayes †Which being passed the herauldes went through the middes of the campe †and beganne to proclaime When you shal see the arke of couenant of our Lord your God and the priestes of the Leuitical stocke carying it ryse you also and folow them going before †and let there be betwen you and the arke the space of two thousand cubites that you may see it a farre of and know which way you may goe because you haue not walked by it before and beware you approch not to the arke †And Iosue said to the people Be sanctified for to morrow our Lord wil doe among you merueilous thinges †And he said to the priestes Take vp the arke of the couenant goe before the people Who fulfilling his commandementes tooke it and walked before them †And our Lord said to Iosue This day wil I beginne to exalt thee before al Israel that they may know as I was with Moyses so am I with thee also †And doe thou “ command the priestes that carie the arke of the testament and say to them When you shal be entred into part of the water of Iordan stand in it †And Iosue said to the children of Israel Come hither and heare the word of our Lord your God †And againe he said In this you shal know that our Lord the liuing God is in the middes of you and shal destroy in your sight the Chananeite and Hetheite the Heueite and Pherezeite the Gergeseite also and the Iebuseire and the Amorrheite †Behold the arke of the couenant of the Lord of al the earth shal goe before you into Iordan †Prepare twelue men of the tribes of Israel one of euerie tribe †And when the priestes that carie the arke of the Lord of the whole earth shal sette the steppes of their feete in the waters of Iordan the waters that are beneath shal runne downe and decay and those that come from aboue shal stand together in one heape †Therfore the people went out of their tabernacles to passe ouer Iordan and the priestes that caried the arke of the couenant went on before them †And they being entered into Iordan and their feete dipped in part of the water and Iordan in the haruest time had filled the bankes of his chanel †the waters that came downeward stoode in one place and like a mountaine swelling vp appeared farre from the citie that is called Adom to the place of Sarthan but those that were beneth ranne downe into the Sea of the wildernes which now is called the dead sea vntil they wholy decayed †And the people went against Iericho and the priestes that caried the arke of the couenant of our Lord stoode girded vpon the drie ground in the middes of Iordan and al the people passed ouer through the drie chanel ANNOTATIONS CHAP. III. 8. Command the priestes Because Iosue commanded the priestes to take the arke and stand with it in Iordan for that also chap. 5 he ministred or appointed others to minister the Sacrament of CircuÌ„cision Likewise chap. 8. blessed the people and chap. 24. renewed Gods couenant with them English Protestantes inferre that he was chief superior in spiritual causes and therfore lay princes are supreme heades gouerners of the Church immediatly vnder God But none of these actions nor al put together do proue their purpose For notwithstanding he very lawfully did these and other like thinges yet he had a spiritual superior in earth which was Eleazar the high priest For Moyses being extraordinarie superior of al both in spiritual and temporal causes the ordinarie priesthood and spiritual supremacie was established in Aaron and his sonnes as appeareth Leuit. 8. Num. 20. and other places and the temporal gouernment after Moyses was geuen to Iosue succeding to him Num. 27. not in al but in part of his glorie or authoritie his whole honour or power being destributed betwen the high Priest and the temporal Prince as learned Theodoret q. 48 in Num. noteth vpon the sacred text expresly distinguishing their offices v. 21. that Eleazar the priest should consult our Lord for him and so receiue answer in doctrin and veritie Exod. 28. Leuit. 8. and that Ioâ—ue should goe out and goe in and al the children of Israel vvith him that is lead and gouerne the people at Eleazars vvord VVhere it is manifest that Iosue was not set ouer Eleazar but Eleazar ouer him That therfore which Iosue did in spiritual affaires was in subordination to the high priest by whose direction approbation or ratihabition he commanded some of the priestes to carie the arke and with it to goe into Iordan and coming into the mâ—dde chanel to stand there whiles al the armie and people passed ouer also gaue order that al should be circumcised blessed the people read the law and after godlie exhortations renewed the couenant betwen God and them al in way of execution of Gods wil coÌ„mandementes not by anie pretended iurisdiction in spiritual thinges In like sorte manie other good temporal Princes as wel in the old as the new Testament haue disposed and executed diuers thinges perteining to Gods seruice their office requiring that they should set forward maintaine and defend
true faith and religion Especially Christian Princes of whom Esai propheciced chap. 49. that Kinges should be softer fathers and Queenes the nources of the Church Conformably wherto S Augustin teacheth li. 3 c. 51. cont Crescon that Kinges in that they are Kinges serue God by commanding good thinges and forbidding euel not only perteining to humaine societie but also belonging to Gods religion To this effect Constantin the great did manie religious actes yea euen those thinges which our aduersaries wrest to their owne sense shew euidently his due submission to his spiritual pastors As when vrged by the Donatistes peruerse importunitie and being desirous as S. Augustin testifieth Epist 166. to bridle so great impudencie he heard and iudged Bishop Cecilians cause after other Bishops sentence for him against the heretikes where he both gaue iudgement agreable to the Bishops and yet pleading parden excused himself for this fact VVhich had not neded if he had bene the ordinarie or competent iudge Optatus also writeth li. 1. cont Parmen that the same Emperour Constantin exclamed against the appellantes in these wordes O raâ—ida furoris audacia sicut in causis Gentilium sâ—â—ri solet appellationem interposuerunt O outragious boldnes of furie like as in causes of Gentiles is wont they haue interposed an appeal The like good offices did Iustinian and Charles the great and manie other Christian Emperours and Kinges for which they are much renowmed in the whole Church and some haue benne honoured for their religious zele with glorious titles geuen to them and their successors To the Kinges of Spaine from the time of Alâ—onsus King of Castil aboue eight hundred yeares agone for expelling the Arians was geuen the title of Cathoque as Michael Ritins a Neapolitâ—n writeth To the French Kinges the title of most Christian from the time of Philip the Emperour about 400. yeares since for expelling the Albigenses as recordeth Nicholaus Gillius To our King Henrie the eight of England for his booke of the Sacramentes against Luther Pope Leo the tenth gaue the title Defender of the saith CHAP. IIII. In memorie of their miraculous passage twelue chief men of the twelue tribes â—uke so manie great stones from the middes of Iordan 9. and put other twelue where the priestes stood with the arke 18. The waters returne to their former course And the twelue stones are erected for a monument VVHo being passed ouer our Lord said to Iosue †Choose twelue men one in euerie tribe †and command them that they take vp out of the middes of the chanel of IordaÌ„ where the feete of the priestes stoode twelue most hard stones which you shal put in the place of the campe where you shal pitch tentes this night †And Iosue called twelue men whom he had chosen out of the children of Israel one of euerie tribe †and he said to them Goe before the arke of our Lord your God to the middes of Iordan and carrie from thence euerie man a stone on your shoulders according to the number of the children of Israel †that it may be a signe among you and when your children shal aske you to morrow saying What meane these stones †You shal answer them The waters of Iordan decayed before the arke of the couenant of our Lord when it passed ouer the same therfore were these stones sette for a monument of the children of Israel for euer †The children of Israel therfore did as Iosue commanded them carying out of the chanel of Iordan twelue stones as our Lord had commanded him according to the number of the children of Israel vnto the place wherein they camped and there they sette them †Other twelue stones also Iosue put in the middes of the chanel of Iordan where the priestes stoode that caried the arke of the couenant and they be there vntil this present day †But the priestes that caried the arke stoode in the middes of Iordan til al thinges were accomplished which our Lord had commanded Iosue to speake to the people and Moyses had said to him And the people made hast and passed ouer †And when they had al passed ouer the arke also of our Lord passed ouer the priestes also went before the people †The children of Ruben also and Gad and the half tribe of Manasses went armed before the children of Israel as Moyses had commanded them †and fourtie thousand fighting men by troupes and bandes marched through the plaine and champion countrie of the citie of Iericho †In that day our Lord magnified Iosue before al Israel that they should feare him as they had feared Moyses whiles he yet liued †And he said to him †Command the priestes that carie the arke of the couenant that they comme vp out of Iordan †Who commanded them saying Come ye vp out of Iordan †And when they that caried the arke of the couenant of our Lord were come vp and began to treade on the drie ground the waters returned into their chanel and ranne as they were wont before †And the people came vp out of Iordan the tenth day of the first moneth and camped in Galgal against the East side of the citie of Iericho †the twelue stones also which they had taken out of the chanel of Iordan Iosue sette in Galgal †and said to the children of Israel When your children shal aske their fathers to morrow and shal say to them What meane these stones †You shal teach them and say By the drie chanel did Israel passe ouer this Iordan †your Lord God drying the waters therof in your sight vntil you passed ouer †as he had done before in the readsea which he dried til we passed throuh †that al the people of the earth may learne the most strong hand of our Lord that you also may feare our Lord your God CHAP. V. The kinges of Chanaan are sore frighted with the newes of Israels passage ouer Iordan 2. Circumcision is againe commanded and obserued which had bene ommitted in the desert fourtie yeares 10 They make their Pasch 12. Manna ceaseth 13. And an Angel appeareth to Iosue THERFORE after that al the kinges of the Ammorrheites which dwelt beyond Iordan at the west side and al the kinges of Chanaan which possessed the places nigh to the great sea had heard that our Lord had dried the streames of Iordan before the children of Israel til they passed ouer their hart failed and there remained no spirit in them fearing the entring of the children of Israel †At that time our Lord said to Iosue Make thee kniues of stone and circumcise the second time the children of Israel †He did that which our Lord had commanded and he circumcised the children of Israel in the hil of the prepuces †And this is the cause of the second circumcision Al the people that came out of Aegypt of the malekinde al the fighting men died in the desert by
heauen to burne his sacrifice thereby confounding foure hundred and fifty false prophets of Baal 6. By prayer procured rayne 3. Reg. 18. 7. Fasted vvithout eating or drincking fourtie daies and nightes together 3. Reg. 19. 8. Procured fire from heauen which deuoured two insolent captaines and their hundred men 4. Reg. 1. 9. Diuided the riuer of Iordan vvith his cloke that himselfe and Elisens passed ouer the drie chanel 10. VV as assumpted in a firie chariote into some place vvhere he yet liueth And parting a vvay Obtained of God the like duble spirit of prophecie and miracles to Eliseus In like maner Eliseus 1. diuided Iordan againe by Elias cloke and so returned to his disciples 2. Amended the bitternes of certaine waters by casting in salte 3. Boies being cursed by him for deriding him were forth vvith torne by beares 4. Reg. 2. 4. He procured water without rayne for three kinges in the campe 4. Reg. 3. 5. Multiplied a poore vvidovves Oile 6. By his prayers barren woman became frutefull 7. He raised her sonne from death 8. Made the bitter broth of his disciples sweete 9. Fedde maine with few loaues 4. Reg. 4. 10. Cured Naaman of leprosie 11. Stroke Giezi with the same 4. Reg. 5. 12. Naaman of leprosie 11. Stroke Giezi with the same 4. Reg. 5. 12. Made yron to swimme 13. Knewe the secret counsels of the Syrian king 14. Made one see horsemen and firie chariotes which to others were inuisible 15. Made the Syrianes blinde that vvere sent to apprehend him and so ledde them into samaria 16. For shewed vnexpected plentie of corne the next day VVith the death of a great man that would not beleue it 4. Reg. 7. 17. And after his death an other mans dead bodie touching his bones reuiued 4. Reg. 13. Other Prophets vvrought also miracles but these for example may suffice to she vve that God preserued religion also in the kingdome of Israel VVhich himselfe further testified euen in most desolate times vvhen Elias lamented that he vvas leift alone 3. Reg. 19. For God ansvvered that seuen thousand meaning therby a great multitude had not bowed their knees to Baal not so much as in out vvard she vve conformed themselues to infidelitie or idolatrie Iehu in his time destroyed all the worshippers of Baal 4. Reg. 10. But none at anie time could wholy destroy true Israelites For God would not suffer it 4. Reg. 14. v. 27. Yea not vvithstanding diuers notorious heresies vvere preached folovved in that kingdome of the Tenne tribes yet ab did not fall nor embrace them Iecoboam not onlie made and set vp golden calues but also taught that they vvere Gods saying Behold thy goddes O Israel which brought thee out of the land of Aegypt 3. Reg. 12. making temples altars and imaginarie priestes which were not of the children of Leui. Also a feast the fiftenth day of the moneth after the similitude of the solemnitie that was celebrated in Iuda Al which the holie Scripture saith He fourged of his owne hart The very propertie of Archeretickes But the true Priestes Leuites and manic others that had geuen their hart to seke our Lord went into Ierusalem to immolate theire victimes before our Lord the God of their fathers 2 Par. 11. Yea Naaman a stranger of Syria and a Neophite in religion taught by his example that none may yeld conformitie nor otherwise communicate with Infideles then Gods Priests or Prophetes approue for lawful 4. Reg. 5. Vnto this heresie of leroboam Achab by Iezabels perswasion added the worshipping of Baal as God 3. Reg. 16. making both temple and altar to him in Samaria Ieroboams priests seruing fitly this purpose Though al the former heretikes no more agreed to this new heresie then Iutherans now admitte of Caluinisme For Iehua Ieroboamite destroyed al Iezabilits that he could by a stratageme gette together 4. Reg. 10. v. 28. 29. Muchlesse did al Israel serue Baal Againe after that Salmanazar king of Assyria had taken Samaria and placed there a new people 4. Reg. 17. they learning the rites of the Israelits religion mixed their Paganisme there with and made a new heresie or rather manie new heresies For being diuers nations they had in seueral conuentieles their particular goddes and so manie diuers Sects The Babylonians Cutheites Emathites Heueites and Sapharuaimites 4. Reg. 17. But as the Priestes which taught them rites of true religion allowed not of this mixture so doubtles some people harkened to their admonitions and kept religion simply and sincerely And at this very time of the Tenne tribes captiuitie holie Tobias who was carried captiue with the rest neither before nor after the captiuitie leift the law of God But went to Ierusalem when others serued leroboams golden calues to the Temple of our Lord and there adored the Lord God of Israel And in captiuitie bestowed himselfe in workes of mercie towardes the liuing and dead of his nation Tob. 1. As for the kingdom of Iuda it was more free from heresies For very few or none of those kinges that fell to other grosse enormities yea to manifest idolatrie became heretikes as is probablie collected by that Isaias the Prophet being sent to Achaz admonished him conuersed and dealt with him as with one that beleued wholly and solely true religion assuring him that God would protect Ierusalem bidding him not to feare the two smoking firebrandes in the wrath of Rasin king of Syria and of Phacce king of Israel Isa 7. Further bidding him aske a singe of God he answered though frovvardliâ— yet not as an infidel I wil not aske and I wil not tempt our Lord. Yea though Vrias the High Priest by commandment of the same king 4 Reg. 16. made a new altar in place of Gods Altar yet he erred not in faith nor in doctrine as teaching in Moyses chayre but in fact onclie and of frailtie for feare of the king aâ— the king offended in his externall act to slatter the king of Syria And in this case God sent Isaiâ—â— to admonish the king which Vrias neglected or durst not do Likwise Ioram 4. Reg. 8 2. Par. 21. Ochozias 2. Par. 22. Ioas in the latter part of his life 2. Par. 24. Manasses in the former part of his reigne 4. Reg. 2. 2. Par 33. and sowe other kinges of Iuda committing idolatrie and making others to fall with them either were not wholie peruerted or at least drew not al with them For not onlie Prophets in whose hand or ministerie God spake and reproued these sinnes but manie others kept their Zele of true religion as appeared in their promptnes to serue God when by good kinges Asa Iosaphat Ezechias Iosias and others they were exhorted or admitted so to do 4. Reg. 18. 23. 2. Par. 15. 17. 29. 30. 31. 33. 34. c. Finally wheras diuers good princes disposed thinges belonging to Diuine seruice in the temple correcting faultes and
wil not that you search my doing and til I bring you word let nothing els be done but pray for me to our Lord God †And Ozias the prince of Iuda said to her Goe in peace and our Lord be with thee to the reuenge of our enemies And returning they departed CHAP. IX Iudith in hearecloth ashes prayeth for the deliuerie of the people remembering like benefites of God 12. craueth powre to ouerthrow Holofernes VVHO going away Iudith went into her oratorie and clothing her self with hearecloth put ashes vpon her head and falling prostrate to our Lord she cried to our Lord saying †Lord God of may father Simeon who gauest him a sword for defenee against strangers which were rauishers in their coinquination and discouered the virgine vnto confusion †and gauest their wemen into praye and their daughters into captiuitie and al the praye to be diuided to thy seruantes which were zelous in thy zele helpe I bebesech thee oÌ„ lord God me a widow †For thou hast done the thinges heretofore and hast purposed one thing after an other and that hath bene done which thou wouldest †For al thy wayes are readie and thy iudgementes thou hast put in thy prouidence †Looke vpon the campe of the Assyrians now as thou didst voutsafe to see the campe of the Aegyptians when they ran armed after thy seruantes trusting in chariotes and in their horsemen and in a multitude of men of warre †But thou didst looke ouer their campe and darke nesse wearied them †The depth held their feete and the waters ouerwhelmed them †So let these also be made ô Lord which trust in their multitude and in their chariotes and in pikes and in shieldes and in their arrowes and glorie in their speares †and know not thy self art our God which destroyest warres from the beginning and Lord is thy name †Lift vp thyne arme as from the beginning and dash their power in thy power let their power fal in thy wrath which promise that they wil violate thy holie thinges and pollute the tabernacle of thy holie name with their sword throw downe the horne of thyne altar †Bring to passe Lord that his pride be cut of with his owne sword †let him be caught with the snares of his eies in me and thou shalt strike him from the lippes of my charitie †Geue me constancie in mind that I may contemne him and powre that I may ouerthrow him †For this shal be a memorial of thy name when the hand of a woman shal ouerthrow him †For not in multitude is thy power ô Lord neither in strength of horses is thy wil neither haue the proud pleased thee from the beginninge but the prayer of the humble and meeke hath alwayes pleased thee †God of the heauens creatour of the waters and Lord of euerie creature heare me wretch praying and presuming of thy mercie †Remember Lord thy testament and geue a word in my mouth and strengthen counsel in my hart that thy house may continew in thy sanctification †and al Nations may acknowledge that thou art God and there is no other besides thee CHAP. X. Iudith excellently adorned and very beautiful goeth with her handmaide towards the campe 11. is taken by the watch 16. and brought to Holofernes AND it came to passe when she had ceased to crie to our Lord she rose from the place wherein she lay prostrate to our Lord. †And she called her abra and going downe into her house she tooke from her the hearecloth and put of the garmentes of her widowhood †and washed her bodie and anoynted her self with ointement and plaited the heare of her head and put a crowne vpon her head and clothed her self with the garmentes of her ioyfulnes and put pantoâ—â—es on her feete and tooke braceletes and Lilies and â—areleâ—es and ringes and with al her ornamentes she adorned her self †To whom also our Lord gaue beautie because al this trimming did not depend of sensualitie but of vertue ther fore our Lord amplified this beautie on her that she might appeare to al mens eies of incomparable comlines †She therfore layd vpon her abra a bottel of wyne and a veÌ„ssel of oyle and polent and drie figges and bread and cheese and went foreward †And when they were come to the gate of the citie they found Ozias expecting and the ancientes of the citie †Who when they saw her being astonished maruailed at her beautie exceedingly †Yet asking her no question they let her passe saying The God of our fathers geue thee grace and strengthen al the counsel of thy hart with his powre that Ierusalem may glorie vpon thee and thy name may be in the number of the holie and iust †And they that were there said al with one voyce So be it so be it †But Iudith praying our Lord passed through the gates she and her Abra. †And it came to passe when she went downe the hil about breake of day the watchmen of the Assyrians mette her and held her saying whence comest thou or whither goest thou †Who answered I am a daughter of the Hebrews therfore am I fled from their face because I knew it should come to passe that they should be geuen you vnto spoyle because that contemning you they would not of their owne accord yeld themselues that they might find mercie in your sight †For this cause I thought with my self saying I wil goe to the presence of the prince Holofernes that I may tel him their secretes and shew him by what entrance he may winne them so that there shal not fal one man of his armie †And when those men had heard her wordes they considered her face and she was a wonder in their eies for they marueiled at her beautie excedingly †And they said to her Thou hast saued thy life in that thou hast found such counsel that thou wouldest come downe to our lord †And this know thou that when thou shalt stand in his sight he wil deale wel with thee and thou shalt be most gratious in his hart And they brought her to the tabernacle of Holofernes telling him of her †And when she was entered before his face forth with Holofernes was caught in his eies †And his guard said to him who can contemne the people of the Hebrewes which haue so beautiful wemeÌ„ that we should not worthely fight against them for these †Iudith therfore seeing Holofernes sitting in a canopie which was wouen of purple and gold and emerauld and pretious stones †and when she had looked in his face she adored him falling prostrate vpon the ground And the seruantes of Holofernes lifted her vp their lord commanding it CHAP. XI Holofernes demanding Iudith the cause of her coming 4 she deceiueth him with a probable narration THEN Holofernes said to her Be of good chere and
feare not in thy hart because I haue neuer hurt man that would serue Nabuchodonosor the king †And thy people if they had not contemned me I would neuer haue lifted vp my speare ouer them †But now tel me for what cause hast thou departed from them and it hath pleased thee to come to vs †And Iudith said to him Take the wordes of thy handmayde for if thou wilt folow the wordes of thy handmayde our Lord wil do with thee a perfect thing †For Nabuchodonosor the king of the earth liueth and his power liueth which is in thee to the chastising of al straying soules that not onlie men serue him by thee but also the beastes of the field obey him †For the industrie of thy mind is reported to al nations and it is declared to al the world that thou onlie art good and mightie in al his kingdom and thy discipline is bruted to al prouinces †Neither is that vnknowne which Achior spake neither are we ignorant of that thou hast commanded to come vpon him †For it is certaine that our God is so offended with sinnes that he hath sent word by his prophetes to the people that he wil deliuer them for their sinnes †And because the children of Israel know they offended their God thy dread is vpon them †Moreouer also famine hath inuaded them and for drought of water they are now estemed among the dead †Finally they ordayne this to kil their cattel and to drinke the bloud of them †and the holie thinges of our Lord their God which God commanded not to be touched in corne wine and oile these haue they purposed to bestow and they wil consume the thinges which they ought not to touch with their handes therfore because they do these thinges it is sure that they shal be geuen into perdition †Which I thy handmayde knowing am fled from them and our Lord hath sent me to tel thee these verie thinges †For I thy handmayde worshippe God euen now being with thee and thy handmayde wil goe forth and I wil pray God †and he wil tel me when he wil repay them their sinnes and I coming wil tel thee so that I may bring thee through the middes of Ierusalem and thou shalt haue al the people of Israel as sheepe that haue no pastor and there shal not so much as one dog barke against thee †because these thinges are told me by the prouidence of God †And because God is angrie with them I am sent to tel these vetie thinges to thee †And al these wordes pleased Holofernes and his seruantes and they maruailed at her wisedom and one said to an other †There is not such a woman vpon the earth in looke in beautie and in sense of wordes †And Holofernes sayd to her God hath done wel which sent thee before the people that thou mightest geue them into our handes †and because thy promise is good if thy God shal doe this for me he shal also be my God and thou shalt be great in the house of Nabuchodonosor and thy name shal be renowmed in al the earth CHAP. XII Iudith is brought into Holofernes treasurehouse 2. hath leaue to abstaine from the Gentils meates 5. and to goe forth in the night to pray 10. The fourth day she cometh to Holofernes banket 16 he is taken with concuspiscence and drinketh very much wine THEN he bad her goe in where his treasures were layd vp and bad her tarie there and he appoynted what should be geuen her of his owne banket †To whom Iudith answered and said Now I can not eate of these thinges which thou commandest to be geuen me lest there come displeasure vpon me but I wil eate of these thinges which I haue brought †To whom Holofernes said If these thinges which thou hast brought with thee shal fayle thee what shal we doe to thee †And Iudith said Thy soule liueth my lord that thy handmayde shal not spend al these thinges til God doe by my hand these thinges which I haue purposed And his seruantes brought her into the tabernacle which he had commanded †And whiles she went in she desired that she might haue licence to goe forth in the night and before day to prayer and to besech our Lord. †And he commanded his chamberlaynes that as it pleased her she should goe out come in to adore her God for three dayes †And she went forth in the nightes into the vale of Bethulia and washed her self in a fountaine of water †And as she came vp she prayed our Lord the God of Israel that he would direct her way to the deliuerie of his people †And going in she remayned pure in the tabernacle vntil she tooke her owne meate in the euening †And it came to passe in the fourth day Holofernes made a supper to his seruantes and sayd to Vagao his eunuch Goe and perswade that Hebrew woman that she consent of her owne accord to dwel with me †For it is a foule thing with the Assyrians if a woman mocke a man in doing that she passe free from him †Then Vagao went in to Iudith said Let not the good yong maide feare to goe in to my Lord that she may be honoured before his face that she may eate with him and drinke wine in ioyfulnes †To whom Iudith answered Who am I that I should gaynesay my lord †Al that shal be good and best before his eies wil I doe And whatsoeuer shal please him that shal be best to me al the dayes of my life †And she arose and decked herself with her garmentes and going in she stood before his face †And the hart of Holofernes was strooken for he burnt in the concupiscence of her †And Holofernes said to her Drinke now and sit downe in ioyfulnes because thou hast found grace before me †And Iudith said I wil drinke my lord because my soule is magnified this day aboue al my dayes †And she tooke and did eate and dranke before him those thinges which her handmayde had prepared her †And Holofernes was made pleasant toward her and dranke wine exceeding much so much as he had neuer drunke in his life CHAP. XIII Holofernes lying in a druncken sleepe Iudith cutleth of his head 12. so returneth with her mâ—â—de through the gard as it were to pray cometh to Bethulia 16. exhorteth al to thinke God and sheweth them the head 22. She is blessed of al. 27. Achior also praiseth God and Iudith AND when it was waxen late his seruantes made hast to their lodgings and Vagao shut the chamber doores and went his way †And they were al ouerladen with wine †And Iudith was alone in the chamber †Moreouer Holofernes lay in his bed fast a slepe with very much drunkennes †And Iudith said to her mayd that she should stand without before the chamber