made an end of diuiding the Land by lotte to euerie one by their tribes the children of Israel gaue possession to Iosue the sonne of Nun in the middes of them †according to the commandement of our Lord the citie which he requested Thamnath Saraa in mount Ephraim and he built the citie and dwelt in it †These are the possessions which Eleazar the priest and Iosue the sonne of Nun and the princes of the families and of the tribes of the children of Israel diuided by lotte in Silo before our Lord at the doore of the tabernacle of testimonie and they parted the Land CHAP. XX. Six cities of refuge for such as commit casual manslaughter are named 6 in which remayning til the death of the high priest they may then returne to their proper dwelling place and be safe AND our Lord spake to Iosue saying Speake to the children of Israel and say to them †Separate the cities of the fugitiues of the which I spake to you by the hand of Moyses †that he may flee to them whosoeuer shal strike a soule vnwitting and may escape the wrath of the nigh kinseman which is the reuenger of bloud †when he shal be fled to one of these cities he shal stand before the gate of the citie and shal speake to the ancientes of that citie those thinges that may proue him selfe innocent and so they shal receiue him and geue him place to inhabite †And when the reuenger of the bloud shal pursew him they shal not deliuer him into his handes because he stroke his neighbour by ignorance neitheir is he proued to be his enemie two or three dayes before †And he shal dwel in that citie til he stand before iudgement rendring a cause of his fact and the high priest die which shal be at that time then shal the manslaer returne and enter into the citie and his house out of the which he had fled †And they appointed Cedes in Galilee of the mount of Nepthali and Sichem in the mount of Ephraim and Cariatharbee the same is Hebron in the mount of Iuda †And beyond Iordan against the East quarter of Iericho they appointed Bosor which is situated in the champaine wildernes of the tribe of Ruben and Ramoth in Galaad of the tribe of Gad and Gaulon in Basan of the tribe of Manasses †These cities were appointed to al the children of Israel and to the strangesrs that dwelt among them that he might flee to them which vnwittingly had striken a soule and might not die in the hand of the kinseman coueâ—ing to reuenge the bloud shed vntil he might stand before the people to declare his cause CHAP. XXI Cities with suburbes are assigned to the tribe of Leui. 4. To the sonnes of Caath by the line of Aaron being priestes thirtenne 5. to the rest of Caaths progenie being Leuites tenne 6. To the sonnes of Gerson Leuites thirteâ—ne 7. To the sonnes of Merari Leuites 34. of a lower degree twelue 9. with the names of al the cities 39. in al fourtie eight 41. So Gods promise is fully performed hauing geuen the whole Land to Israel in peaceable possession AND the princes of the families of the Leui came to Eleazar the priest and Iosue the sonne of Nun and to the chief of the kinredes in euerie tribe of the children of Israel †and they spake to them in Silo of the Land of Chanaan and said Our Lord commanded by the hand of Moyses that cities should be geuen vs to inhabite and their suburbes to feede cattel †And the children of Israel gaue of their possessions according to the commandement of our Lord cities and their suburbes †And the lotte came forth vnto the familie of Caath of the children of Aaron the priest out of the tribe of Iudas and Simeon and Beniamin thirtene cities †And to the rest of the children of Caath that is to the Leuites which remayned out of the tribes of Ephraim and Dan and the halfe tribe of Manasses ten cities †Moreouer to the children of Gerson came forth a lotte that they should take of the tribes of Issachar and Aser and Nephthali and the halfe tribe of Manasses in Basan cities in number thirtene †And to the sonnes of Merari by their kinredes of the tribe of Ruben and Gad and Zabulon twelue cities †and the children of Israel gaue to the Leuites cities and their suburbes as our Lord commanded by the hand of Moyses geuing to euerie one by lotte †Of the tribes of the children of Iudas and Simeon Iosue gaue cities whose names be these †to the children of Aaron by the families of Caath of the Leuitical stocke for the first lotte came forth to them †Cariatharbe the father of Enac which is called Hebron in the mountaine of Iudas and the suburbes therof round about †But the fieldes and the townes therof he had geuen to Caleb the sonne of Iephone to possesse †He gaue therfore to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron a citie of refuge and the suburbes therof Lobna with the suburbes therof †and Iether and Estemo †and Holon and Dabir †and Ain and Ieta and Bethsames with the suburbes therof nine cities of two tribes as hath bene said †And of the tribe of the children of Beniamin Gabaon and Gabae †and Anathoth and Almon with their suburbes foure cities †Al the cities together of the children of Aaron the priest thirtene with their suburbes †But to the rest by the families of the children of Caath of the Leuitical stocke was geuen this possession †Of the tribe of Ephraim the cities of refuge Sichem with the suburbes therof in the mountayne of Ephraim and Gazer †and Cibsaim and Beth horon with the suburbes therof foure cities †Of the tribe of Dan also Eltheco and Gabathon †and Aialon and Gethremmon with the suburbes therof foure cities †Moreouer of the half tribe of Manasses Thanac and Gethremmon with their suburbes two cities †Al the cities ten and their suburbes were geuen to the children of Caath of the inferiour degree †To the children of Gerson also of the Leuitical stocke he gaue of the half tribe of Manasses the cities of refuge Gaulon in Basan and Bosram with their suburbes two cities †Moreouer of the tribe of Issachar Cesion and Dabereth †and Iaramoth and Engannim with their suburbes foure cities †And of the tribe of Aser Masal and Abdon †and Helcath and Rohob with their suburbes foure cities †Of the tribe also of Nephthali the cities of refuge Cedes in Galilee and Hammoth Dor and Carthan with their suburbes three cities †Al the cities of the families of Gerson thirtene with their suburbes †And to the children of Merari Leuites of the inferiour degree by their families was geuen of the tribe of Zabulon Iecnam and Cartha †and Damna and Naalol foure cities with their suburbes †Of the tribe
eaten therof Moreouer the Hebrew word Hotsi brought forth is a word pertayning to Sacrifice as in the 6. chap of Iudges v. 18. and 19 and importeth that the bread and wine were first offered in Sacrifice and then doubtles they did participat though they wanted not other fufficient corporal foode Againe the wordes folowing For he vvas the Priest of God most hiegh can haue no other sense but that he did the function of a Priest in the bread wine which he brought otherwise if the only cause of bringing that prouision had benne to releue the campe with victuals the reason would rather haue benne yelded because he was a bountiful King a liberal Prince a special freind to Abraham as in deede he was but none of these reasons or the like fitted this purpose so wel nor touched the cause of bringing forth bread and wine as to signifie that he was a Priest whose office is to offer Sacrifice Here againe some Protestants take exception against the Latin text that the causual coniunction Enim for is not agreable to the Hebrew but should be the copulatiue Et and which is a meere wrangling For the lerned know wel ynough that the Hebtew particle is better expressed in such places by Enim or quia for or because then by And so the English Bible printed in the yeare of our Lord. 1552. readeth Melchisedech king of Salem brought forth bread and vvine for he vvas the Priest of the most hieghest God The latter Editions also in like places haue not the copulatiue And but some other word as the sense requireth Gen. 20. v. 3. Thou art but a dead man for the vvomans sake vvhich thou hast taken for she is a mans vvife where the Hebrew phrase is And she is maried to a husband Gen. 30. v. 27. they read thus For I haue proued that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake where precisly construing the Hebrew they should say I diuined or coniectured and the Lord blessed me for thy sake Likewise Esaie 64. v. 5. they read But Loe thou hast bene angrie for vve offended the Hebrew is thus Loe thou art angrie and vve haue sinned In the same place they translate Yet shal vve be saued vvhich the Hebrew expresseth by the copulatiue And we shal be saued So when they thinke it conuenient they translate the Hebrew particle For that yet which strictly signifieth And. Now let vs also see the original in this place In the Hebrew it is thus VMALCHI TSEDEC MELEC CHALEM HOTSI LECHEM VAIAIIN VEHV COHEN LEEL ELION VAIE VARECHEHV c. In English word for word thus And Melchisedech king of Salem brought forth bread and vvine And he the priest to God most hiegh And he blessed him c. where albeit the causual word For is not expressed yet these wordes And he the priest further declaring that besides the office and dignitie of a King which was said before Melchisedec was also a Priest must nedes signifie that he did something about the bread and wine belonging to a Priests office And what that something was perhaps the Vniuersitie of Cambridge wil testifie whose late professor of Diuinitie teacheth plainly that Melchisedech offered Sacrifice and was therin a figure of Christ Pag. 6. Reprehen Sacerdotes saith he ij vere proprie sunt qui sacrificia faciunt qualis fuit Aaron Aaronis silij Melchisedechus quem illi adumbrabant Christus Priestes truly and properly are they that offer sacrifices such as vvas Aaron and the sonnes of Aaron and Melchisedech and Christ vvhom they prefigured If then both Aaron Melchisedech were truly and properly Priests because they offered sacrifices according to this Professors definition and both were figures of Christ it must needes be granted that as Christ fulfilled the figure of Aarons bloudie sacrifices in offering him selfe vpon the Crosse so he also fulfilled the figure as wel of vnbloudie sacrifices of Aaron as especially of Melchisedechs Sacrifice in some other besides that on the Crosse seeing the prophet Dauid and S. Paul say Christ is a Priest not according to Aarons order for that was to haue an end but For euer according to the order of Melchisedech And what other Sacrifice did our Sauiour offer to remaine perpetual but of his owne bodie bloud in vnbloudie maner vnder the formes of bread and wine with commandment to his Apostles and Priests to do the same til the end of the world Let the indifferent reader weigh it wel And whosoeuer is not very proud wil for his better instruction or confirmation esteme the vniforme iudgement of manie ancient godlie and lerned Fathers writing vpon this place VVe wil only recite their wordes without other deduction for breuitie sake S. Clemens Alexandrinus li 4. Strom. versus finem writeth thus Melchisedech king of Salem Priest of God most hiegh gaue wine bread santified nutriment in type of the Eucharist S. Cyprian Epist 63. ad Caecilium Christ is Priest for euer according to the order of Melchisedech which order is this coming from that Sacrifice and thence descending that Melchisedech was Priest of God most hiegh that he offered bread wine that he blessed Abraham For who is more a Priest of God most hiegh then our Lord Iesus Christ who offered Sacrifice to God the Father and offered the same which Melchisedech had offered bread and wine to wit his owne bodie and bloud And a litle after That therfore in Genesis the blessing might be rightly celebrated about Abraham by Melchisedec the Priest the image of Christs Sacrifice coâ—sisting in bread and wine went before which thing our Lord perfecting and performing offered bread and chalice mixt with wine and he that is the plenitude fulfilled the veritie of the prefiguted image Eusebius Cesariensis li 5. Demonst Euang. c. 3. Euen as he who was Priest of Nations was neuer sene to offer corporal sacrifices but only bread wine when he blessed Abraham so first our Lord Sauiour him selfe then priests that come from him exercising the spiritual office of Priesthood in al nations after the Ecclesiastical ordinances do represent the mysteries of his bodie and healthful bloud in bread wine which mysteries Melchisedech knew so long before by diuine spirite and vsed as representations of things to come S. Ambrose li. 5 de Sacramen c. 1. VVe know the figure of the Sacraments went before in Abrahams times when Melchisedech offered Sacrifice Idem in cap. 5 Heb. It is clere that oblations of cattle are vanished which were in Aarons order but Melchisedechs institution remayneth which is celebrated al the world ouer in administration of the Sacraments S Hierom. Epist ad Marcellamo vt migret Bethleem Haue recourse to Genesis and you shal find Melchisedech king of Salem prince of this citie who euen then in figure of Christ offered bread and wine and dedicated the Christian mysterie in our Sauiours bodie and bloud Idem Epist
seruantes the same in possession and make vs not passe ouer Iordan †To whom Moyses answered Why shal your brethren goe to sight and wil you sitte here †Why subuert you the mindes of the children of Israel that they may not be bold to passe into the place which our Lord wil geue them †Did not your fathers so when I sent from Cadesbarne to view the Land †And when they were come as farre as the Valley of cluster hauing viewed al the countrie they subuerted the hart of the children of Israel that they should not enter the coastes which our Lord gaue them †Who being wrath sware saying †If these men that came vp out of Aegypt from twentie yeares and vpward shal see the land which vnder othe I promised to Abraham Isaac and Iacob and they would not folow me †except Caleb the sonne of Iephone the Cenezeite and Iosue the sonne of Nun these haue fulfilled my wil. †And our Lord being wrath agaynst Israel led him about through the desert fourtie yeares vntil the whole generation was consumed that had done euil in his sight †And behold quoth he you are risen vp in steed of your fathers the ofspring and disciples of sinful men to augment the furie of our Lord agaynst Israel †But if you wil not folow him he wil leaue the people in the wildernesse and you shal be the cause of the death of al. †But they coming nere said We wil make shepcottes and stalles for our cattel for our litle ones also fensed cities †and we our selues armed and girded wil march on to battle before the children of Israel vntil we bring them in vnto their places Our litle ones and whatsoeuer we can haue shal be in walled cities because of the lying of wayte of the inhabitantes †We wil not returne into our houses vntil the children of Israel possesse their inheritance †neither wil we seeke any thing beyound Iordan because already we haue our possession on the east side therof †To whom Moyses said If you doe that you promisse march on wel appointed before our Lord to fight †and let euerie man of warre passe ouer Iordan vntil our Lord subuert his enemies †and al the Land be subdued to him then shal you be blamelesse before our Lord and before Israel and you shal obteyne the countries that you would in the sight of our Lord. †But if you doe not that which you say no man can doubt but you sinne against God and know ye that your sinne shal apprehend you †Build therfore cities for your litle ones and sheepecotes and stalles for your sheepe and cattel and accomplish that which you haue promised †And the children of Gad and Ruben said to Moyses We are thy seruantes we wil do that which our lord commandeth †We wil leaue our litle ones and our wiues and sheepe and cattel in the cities of Galaad †and we thy seruantes al wel appoynted wil march on to the warre as thou my lord speakest †Moyses therfore commanded Eleazar the priest and Iosue the sonne of Nun and the princes of the families by the tribes of Israel and he said to them †If the children of Gad and the children of Ruben passe with you ouer Iordan al armed to the warre before our Lord and the Land be subdued to you geue them Galaad in possession †But if they wil not passe armed with you into the Land of Chanaan let them take places to dwel in among you †And the children of Gad and the children of Ruben answered As our lord hath spoken to his seruantes so Wil we doe †our selues atmed wil march before our Lord into the Land of Chanaan and we confesse that we haue already receiued our possession beyond Iordan †Moyses therfore gaue to the children of Gad and Ruben and to the halfe tribe of Manasses the sonne of Ioseph the kingdome of Sehon king of the Amorrheite and the kingdome of Og king of Basan and their land and the cities therof round about †Therfore the sonnes of Gad built Dibon and Ataroth and Aroer †and Etroth and Sophan and Iazar and Iegbaa †and Bethnemra and Betharan cities fensed aud sheepecotes for their sheepe †But the children of Ruben builded Hesebon and Eleale and Cariathaim †and Nabo and Baalmeon changing their names Sabama also geuing names to the cities which they had built †Moreouer the children of Machir the sonne of Manasses went into Galaad and wasted it killing the Amorrheite the inhabiter therof †Moyses therfore gaue the land of Galaad to Machir the sonne of Manasses who dwelt in it †And Iair the sonne of Manasses went and tooke the villages therof which he called Hauoth Iair that is tho say the Villages of Iair †Nobe also went and tooke Canath with the villages therof and he called it by his owne name Nobe CHAP. XXXIII The 42. mansions of The children of Israel betwen Aegype and the Land of promise are recited 50. they are commanded to kil al the inhabitents to purge the land of idolatrie and diuide it among them THESE are the mansions of the children of Israel that went out of Aegypt by their troupes in the hand of “ Moyses and Aaron †which Moyses described according to the places of the campe which by our Lords commandement they changed †They children of Israel therfore departing from Ramesses the first moneth the fiftenth day of the first moneth the morow after they made the Phase in a mightie hand al the Aegyptians seeing them †and burying their first borne which our Lord had strooken yea and on their goddes also he had exercised vengeance †they camped in Soccoth †And from Soccoth they came into Etham which is in the vttermost borders of the wildernesse †Departing thence they came ouer against Phihahiroth which looketh toward Beelsephon and camped before Magdal †And departing from Phihahiroth they passed through the middes of the sea into the wildernesse and walking three dayes through the deserr Etham they camped in Mara †And departing from Mara they came into Elim where there were the twelue fountaines of waters and the seuentie palme trees and there they camped †But departing thence also they pitched their tentes vpon the Redde sea And departing from the Redde sea †they camped in the defert Sin †From whence departing they came into Daphca †And departing from Daphca they camped in Alus †And departing from Alus they pitched their tentes in Raphidim where the people wanted water to drinke †And departing from Raphidim they camped in the desert of Sinai †But departing also from the desert Sinai they came to the Sepulchres of concupiscence †And departing from the Sepulchres of concupiscence they camped in Haseroth †And from Haseroth they came into Rethma †And departing from Rethma they camped in Remmonphares †Whence departing they came into Lebna â€
Bethhoron against the South and the issues therof are into Cariathbaal which is called also Cariathbaal which is called also Cariathiarim a citie of the children of Iudas This is their coast against the sea toward the West †But on the South from part of Cariathiarim the border issueth forth against the sea and cometh to the fountaine of the waters of Nephâ—oa †And it goeth downe into part of the mountaine that looketh toward the Valley of the children of Ennom and is against the north quarter in the vttermost part of the Valley raphaim And it goeth downe into Gehennom that is the valley of Ennom by the side of the Iebuseite to the South and cometh to the Fountaine of Rogel †pasling to the north and going forth to Ensemes that is to say the fountaine of the sunne †and it passeth vnto the litle hilles that are against the ascent of Adommim and goeth downe to Abenboen that is the stone of Boen the sonne of Ruben and it passeth on the north side to the champaine countries and goeth downe into the playne †and passeth by against the North of Bethagla and the issues therof are against the brincke of the most salt sea on the North in the end of Iordan to the south quarter †which is the border therof on the East This is the possession of the children of Beniamin by their borders round about and their families †And their cities were Iericho and Bethhagla and Vallis Casis †Beth Araba and Samaraim and Bethel †and Auim and Aphara and Ophera †Towne Emona and Ophni and Gabee twelue cities their townes †Gabaon and Rama and Beroth †and Mesphe and Caphara and Amosa †and Recem Iarephel and Tharela †and Sela Eleph and Iebus which is Ierusalem Gabaath and Cariath fourteenne cities and their townes This is the possession of the children of Beniamin by their families CHAP. XIX The second lotte falleth to the tribe of Simeon the situation of whose inheritance is described with the names of their principal cities 10. The third in like sorte to Zabulon 17. The fourth to Issachar 24. The fifth to Aser 32. The sixt to Nepthali 40. And the seuenth to Dan. 49. Al the Land being distributed among the tribes with common consent they geue a special citie to Iosue in the middes of them AND the second lotte came forth of the children of Simeon by their kinreddes and their inheritance was †in the middes of the possession of the children of Iudas Bersabee and Sabee and Molada †and Hasersual Bala and Asem †and Eltholad Bethul and Harma †and Siceleg and Bethmarchaboth and Hasersusa †and Bethlebaoth and Saâ—ohen thirtene cities and their townes †Ain and Remmon and Athor and Asan foure cities and their townes †al the litle townes round about these cities vnto Baalath Beer Ramath against the south quarter This is the inheritance of the children of Simeon according to their kinredes †in the possession and corde of the children of Iudas because it was greater and therfore the children of Simeon possessed in the middes of their inheritance †And the third lotte fel of the children of Zabulon by their kinredes and the border of their possession was made as farre as Sarid †And it went vp from the sea and Merala and came into Debbaseth as farre as the torrent which is against Ieconam †And it returneth from Sared against the East into the endes of Ceseleth thabor and it goeth out to Dabereth and ryseth vp against Iaphie †And thence it passeth along to the east side of Geth hepher and Thacasim and goeth out into Remmon Amthar and Noa †And it compasseth to the North of Hanathon and the issues therof are the valley Iephtahel †and Cateth and Naalol and Semeron and Iâ—rala and Bethlehem twelue cities and their townes †This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Zabulon by their kinredes the cities and their litle townes †The fourth lotte came forth to Issachar by their kinredes †and his inheritance was Iezrael and Casaloth and Sunem †and Hapharaim and Sehon and Anaharath †and Rabboth and Cesion Abes †and Rameth and Engannim and Enhadda and Bethpheses †And the border therof cometh to Thabor and Sehesema and Bethsames and their issues were Iordan sixtene cities and their townes †This is the possession of Issachar by their kinredes the cities and their litle townes †And the fifth lotte fel to the tribe of the children of Aser by their kinredes †and their border was Halcath and Chali and Beten and Axaph †and Elmelec and Amaad and Messal and it reacheth to Carmel of the sea and Sihor and Labanath †And it returneth against the east of Bethdagon and passeth along to Zabulon and the Valley Iephthael against the North into Bethemec and Nehiel And it goeth out to the left side of Cabul †and Abran and Rohob and Hamon and Cana as farre as great Sidon †And it returneth into Horma vnto the verie wel fensed citie Tyre and vnto Hosa and the issues therof shal be into the sea from the corde of Achziba †and Amma and Aphec and Rohob cities twentie two and their townes †This is the posseffion of the children of Aser by their kinredes and the cities and their townes †Of the sonnes of Nepthali fel the sixt lotte by their families †and the border beganne from Heleph and Elon into Saanaim and Adami which is Neceb and Iebnael vnto Lecum and their issues vnto Iordan †and the border returneth against the West into Azanoththabor and thence goeth out into Hucuca and passeth along into Zabulon against the South and into Azer against the West and into Iuda vnto Iordan against the rising of the sunne †cities very wel fensed Assedim Ser and Emath and Reccath and Cenereth †and Edema and Arama Asor †and Cedes and Edrai Enhasor †and Ieron and Magdalel Horem and Bethanath and Bethsames ninetene cities and their townes †This is the possession of the tribe of the children of Nephthali by their kinredes the cities and their townes †To the tribe of the children of Dan by their families came forth the seuenth lotte †and the border of their possession was Sara and Esthaol and Hirisemes that is the sunne †Selebin and Aialon and Iethela †Elon and Themna and Acron †Elthece Gebbethon and Balaath †and Iud and Bane and Barac and Gethremmon †and Meiarcon Arecon with the border that looketh toward Ioppe †and is shut vp with the same end And the children of Dan went vp and fought against Lesem and they tooke it and they stroke it in the edge of the sword and possessed and dwelt in it calling the name of it Lesem Dan by the name of Dan the father therof †This is the possession of the tribe of the sonnes of Dan by their kinredes the cities and their townes †And when he had
of Ruben beyond Iordan against Iericho the cities of refuge Bosor in the wildernes Misor and Iaser and Iethson and Mephaath foure cities with their suburbes †Of the tribe of Gad the cities of refuge Ramoth in Galaad and Manaim and Hesebon and Iaser foure cities with their suburbes †Al the cities of the children of Merari by their families and kinredes twelue †Therfore al the cities of the Leuites in the middes of the possession of the children of Israel were fourtie eight †with their suburbes euerie one distributed by the families †And our Lord God gaue to Israel al the Land that he had sworne he would geue to their fathers and they possessed it and dwelt in it †And peace was geuen by him on al nations round about and none of their enemies durst resist them but al were brought into their dominion †Not so much certes as one word which he had promised that he would performe vnto them was frustrate but al thinges were accomplished in deedes CHAP. XXII The tribes of Ruben and Gad and half Manasses returne to their possessions 10. VVho building an altar by the side of Iordan the other tribes suspect that they wil make a schisme and therfore purpose to fight against them 13. But first sending an ambassage to admonish them 21. they answer that they made not an altar for sacrifice but only for a monument that notwithstaÌ„ding they dwel on the other side of Iordan yet they are of the same people of God 30. wherwith al Israel is satisfied THE same time Iosue called the Rubenites and Gadites and the halfe tribe of Manasses †and said to them You haue done al thinges that Moyses the seruant of our Lord coÌ„manded you me also haue you obeyed in al thinges †neither haue you left your brethren a long time vntil this present day keeping the commandement of our Lord your God †Therfore because our Lord your God hath geuen your brethren quietnes and peace as he promised returne and goe into your tabernacles and to the land of your possession which Moyses the seruant of our Lord deliuered to you beyond Iordan †alwayes so that you keepe attentiuely and in worke fulfil the commandement and the law which Moyses the seruant of our Lord commanded you that you loue our Lord your God and walke in al his wayes and obserue al his commandementes cleaue to him and serue him in al your hart and in al your soule †And Iosue blessed them and dismissed them Who returned into their tabernacles †And to the halfe tribe of Manasses Moyses had geuen possession in Basan and therfore to the halfe that remayned Iosue gaue a lotte among the rest of their brethren beyond Iordan at the West side And when he dismissed them into their tabernacles had blessed them †he said to them In much substance and riches returne to your seates with siluer and gold brasse and yron and varietie of rayment diuide the praye of your enemies with your brethren †And the children of Ruben and the children of Gad and the halfe tribe of Manasses returned and went from the children of Israel in Silo which is situated in Chanaan to enter into Galaad the Land of their possession which they had obteyned according to the commandement of our Lord in the hand of Moyses †And when they were come to the litle banckes of Iordan into the Land of Chanaan they built beside Iordan an altar of an infinite greatnes †Which thing when the children of Israel had heard and certaine messengers had reported to them that the children of Ruben and Gad and the halfe tribe of Manasses had builded an altar in the Land of Chanaan vpon the litle banckes of Iordan against the children of Israel †they assembled al in Silo that they might goe vp and fight against them †And in the meane time they sent to them into the Land of Galaad Phinees the sonne of Eleazar the priest †and ten princes with him one of euerie tribe †Who came to the children of Ruben and Gad and the halfe tribe of Manasses into the Land of Galaad and said to them †This message doth al the people of our Lord send to you What is this transgression Why haue you forsaken our Lord the God of Israel building a sacrilegious altar and reuolting from the worshippe of him †Is it a smale thing to you that you sinned in Beelphegor and vntil this present day the spotte of this abomination abideth in vs and many of the people fel dead †And you to day haue forsaken our Lord and to morow his wrath wil rage against al Israel †But if you thinke the land of your possession to be vncleane passe to the Land wherein is the tabernacle of our Lord and dwel among vs only that you depart not from our Lord and from our companie an altar being built beside the altar of our Lord God †Did not Achan the sonne of Zare transgress the commandement of our Lord and his wrath lay vpon al the people of Israel And he was one man and I would he alone had perished in his wicked fact †And the children of Ruben and Gad and of the halfe tribe of Manâ—sses answered the princes of the legacie of Israel †The most mightie God our Lord The most mightie God our Lord him selfe knoweth and Israel together shal vnderstand If with the mind of preuarication we haue erected this altar let him not keepe vs but punish vs presently †and if we did it with that minde that we might lay vpon it holocaustes and sacrifice and pacifique victimes let him selfe examine it and iudge †and not rather with that meaning and deliberation that we said To morrow your children wil say to our children What haue you to doe with our Lord the God of Israel †Our Lord hath put a border betwen vs and you O ye children of Ruben and children of Gad the riuer Iordan and therfore you haue no part in our Lord. And by this occasion your children shal auert our children from the feare of our Lord. We therfore thought it better †and said Let vs build vs an altar not for holocaustes nor to offer victimes †but for a testimonie betwen vs and you and our issue and your progenie that we may serue our Lord and it may be our right to offer both holocaustes and victimes and pacifique hostes and that your children to morrow say not to our children You haue no part in our Lord. †And if they wil say so they shal answer them Behold the altar of our Lord which our fathers made not for holocaustes nor for sacrifice but for our testimonie and yours †God saue vs from this abomination that we should reuolt from our Lord and leaue his steppes erecting an altar to offer holocaustes and sacrifices and victimes beside the altar of our Lord God
men dying They fel and were ouerthrowen on the east side of the citie of Gabaa †And there were that were slaine in the same place eightene thousand men al most valiant warryers †Which when they had seene that were remayning of BeniamÃn they fled into the wildernes and went on to the rocke the name wherof is Remmon In that flight also stragling and going diuers waies they slew fiue thousand men And whereas they went farder they pursewed them and slew also other two thousand †And so it came to passe that al which were slaine of Beniamin in diuerse places were fiue and twentie thousand one hundred fighting men most prompt to warres †There remayned therfore of al the number of Beniamin that could escape and flee into the wildernes six hundred men and they abode in the Rocke Remmon foure monethes †But the children of Israel retyring stroke al the remaines of the citie with the sword from men euen to beastes and al the cities and villages of Beniamin the deuouring flame did consume CHAP. XXI The tribe of Beniamin is repayred 8. by foure hundred virgins reserued in the slaughter of Iabes Galaad 19. and by other virgins taken that come forth of Silo to daunce THE children of Israel sware also in Maspha and said None of vs shal geue of his daughters to the children of Beniamin to wife †And they came al to the house of God in Silo and sitting in his sight vntil euening lifted vp their voice and with great wayling beganne to weepe saying Wherfore ô Lord God of Israel is this euil done in thy people that this day one tribe should be taken away out of vs †And on the morrow rising early they built an altar and offered there holocaustes and pacifique victimes and said †Who hath not ascended in the hoste of our Lord of al the tribes of Israel For they had bound them selues with a great othe when they were in Maspha that they should be slayne which had beene wanting †And the children of Israel being moued with repentance vpon their brother Beniamin beganne to say One tribe is taken away out of Israel †whence shal they take wiues For we haue al sworne in common that we wil not geue our daughters to them †Therfore they said Who is there of al the tribes of Israel that went not vp to our Lord into Maspha And behold the inhabitantes of Iabes Galaad were found not to haue bene in that armie †At that time also when they were in Silo none of them was found there †They sent therfore ten thousand the strongest men and commanded them Goe and strike the inhabitantes of Iabes Galaad in the edge of the sword as wel their wiues as their litle ones †And this shal be it which you shal obserue Al of the male kinde and wemen that haue knowen men kil ye but the virgins reserue †And there were found of Iabes Galaad foure hundred virgins that knew not mans bedde and they brought them to the campe in Silo into the Land of Chanaan †And they sent messengers to the children of Beniamin that were in Rocke Remmon and commanded them that they should receiue them in peace †And the children of Beniamin came at that time and there were geuen vnto them wiues of the daughters of Iabes Galaad but others they found not which they might geue them in like maner †And al Israel was very sorie and repented for the killing of one tribe out of Israel †And the ancientes said What shal we doe to the rest that haue not taken wiues For al the wemen in Beniamin are dead †And we must very carefully and with great studie prouide that one tribe be not destroyed out of Israel †For our owne daughters we can not geue them being bound with an oath and a curse wherby we said Cursed be he that shal geue to Beniamin anie of his daughters to wife And they tooke counsail and said Behold there is an anniuersaire solemnitie of our Lord in Silo which is situate on the North of the citie of Bethel on the East side of the way that goeth from Bethel to Sichem and on the South of the towne of Lebona †And they commanded the children of Beniamin and said Goe and lie hidde in the vineyardes †And when you shal see the daughters of Silo come forth after the maner to lead daunses issue forth sodenly out of the vineyardes and catch of them euerie one his wife and goe into the Land of Beniamin †And when their fathers shal come and their brethren and shal beginne to complaine against you and to chide we wil say to them Haue pittie on them for they tooke them not away by the right of warryers and conquerours but when they desired to receiue them you gaue them not and on your part the fault was committed †And the children of Beniamin did as it had beene commanded them and according to their number they tooke away to them selues of those that ledde the daunses euerie one his wife and they went into their possession building cities and dwelling in them †The children of Israel also returned by their tribes and families into their tabernacles In those daies there was not a King in Israel but euerie one did that which semed right to him selfe THE ARGVMENT OF THE BOOKE OF RVTH AMONGST other thinges that happened to the people of Israel in the time of the Iudges this historie of Ruth to witt her coming from Moab her conuersion to true Religion godlie conuersation and mariage with Booz of the tribe of Iuda is recorded as a more principal matter For that not onlie king Dauid but consequently also our SAVIOVR the Redemer of mankind descended from her VVherby was fore signified that as saluation thus proceded from the Gentiles together with the Iewes so the Gentiles are made partakers of the same grace More clerly prophecied as S. Hierom noteth by Isai cap. 16. saying Send forth ô Lord the lambe the Ruler of the earth from the Rocke of the desert to the mount of the daughter of Sion That is from Ruth the gentile to Hierusalem or rather to the Church This mariage of Ruth came to passe about the time of Abesan Iudge The booke was written as is most probable by Samuel and is diuided into foure chapters whose contentes folow in their places THE BOOKE OF RVTH CHAP. I. By occasion of famine Elimelech of Bethleem going with his wife Noemi and two sonnes into the Land of Moab there dieth 4. His sonnes marrie wiues of that countrie and die without issue 6. Noemi returning homewardes hardly perswadeth one of her daughters in law to part from her 15. The other called Ruth wil needes goe with her professing the same God and Religion 19. So these two arriue in Betheleem IN the dayes of one Iudge when the Iudges ruled there came a famine in the Land And there went a
of Basan vnto Baal Hermon and Sanir and mount Hermon for the number was great †And these were the princes of the house of their kinred Epher and Iesi and Eliel and Esriel and Ieremia and Odoia and Iediel most valiant men and mightie and renowned princes in their families †But they forsooke the God of their fathers and fornicated after the goddes of the peoples of the land whom God tooke away before them †And the God of Israel raysed vp the spirit of Phul king of the Assyrians and the spirit of Thelgathphalnasar king of Assur and he transported Ruben and Gad and the halfe tribe of Manasses and brought them into Lahela and into Habor and to Ara and to the riuer of Gozan vntil this day CHAP. VI. The genealogies of Leui 4. with the right line of Aaron by Eleazar to Iosadech high priest in the captiuitie of Babylon 16. other progenies of his three sonnes Gerson Caath and Merari 31. with their offices in the temple 49. only Aarons sounes admitted to priesthood 54. Particular possessions of the Leuites dwelling amongst the other tribes THE sonnes of Leui Gerson Caath and Merari †The sonnes of Caath Amram Isaar Hebron and Oziel †The children of Amram Aaron Moyses and Maria. The sonnes of Aaron Nadab and Abiu Eleazar and Ithamar †Eleazar begat Phinees and Phinees begat Abisue †and Abisue begat Bocci Bocci begat Ozi †Ozi begat Zaraias and Zaraias begat Maraioth †Moreouer Meraioth begat aMARIAS and Amarias begat Achitob †Achitob begat Sadoc and Sadoc begat Achimaas †Achimaas begat Azarias Azarias begat Iohanan †Iohanan begat Azarias the same is he that executed the priestlie office in the house which Salomon built in Ierusalem †And Azarias begat Amarias and Amarias begat Achitob †and Achitob begat Sadoc and Sadoc begat Sellum †Sellum begat Helcias and Helcias begat Azarias †Azarias begat Saraias and Saraias begat Iosedec †Moreouer Iosedec went forth when our Lord transported Iuda and Ierusalem by the handes of Nabuchodonosor †The sonne then of Leui Gerson Caath and Merari †And these be the names of the sonnes of Gerson Lobni and Semei †The sonnes of Caath Amram and Isaar and Hebron and Oziel †The sonnes of Merari Moholi and Musi And these are the kinredes of Leui according to their families †Gerson Lobni his sonne Iahath his sonne Zamma his sonne †Ioah his sonne Addo his sonne Zara his sonne Iethrai his sonne †The sonnes of Caath Aminadab his sonne Core his sonne Asir his sonne †Elcana his sonne Abiasaph his sonne Asir his sonne †Thahath his sonne Vriel his sonne Ozias his sonne Saul his sonne †The sonnes of Elcana Amasai and Achimoth †and Elcana The sonnes of Elcana Sophai his sonne Nahath his sonne †Eliab his sonne Ieroham his sonne Elcana his sonne †The sonnes of Samuel the first begotten Vasteni and Abia. †And the sonnes of Merari Moholi Lobni his sonne Semei his sonne Oza his sonne †Sammaa his sonne Haggia his sonne Asaia his sonne †These are they whom Dauid appointed ouer the singing men of the house of our Lord since the Arke was placed †and they ministred before the tabernacle of testimonie singing vntil Salomon built the house of our Lord in Ierusalem and they stood according to their order in the ministerie †And these are they which aslisted with their sonnes of the sonnes of Caath Hemam singing man the sonne of Ioel the sonne of Samuel †the sonne of Elcana the sonne of Ieroham the sonne of Eliel the sonne of Thohu †the sonne of Suph the sonne of Elcana the sonne of Mahath the sonne of Amasai †the sonne of Elcana the sonne of Iohel the sonne of Azaries the sonne of Sophonias †the sonne of Thahath the sonne of Asir the sonne of Abiasaph the sonne of C'ore †the sonne of Isaar the sonne of Caath the sonne of Leui the sonne of Israel †And his brother Asaph who stood on his right hand Asaph the sonne of Barachias the sonne of Samaa †the sonne of Michael the sonne of Basaia the sonne of Melchia †the sonne of Athanai the sonne of Zara the sonne of Adaia †the sonne of Ethan the sonne of Zamma the sonne of Semei †the sonne of Ieth the sonne of Gerson the sonne of Leui. †And the children of Merari their brethren on the left hand Ethan the sonne of Cusi the sonne of Abdi the sonne of Maloch †the sonne of Hasabia the sonne of Amasia the sonne of Helcias †the sonne of Amasai the sonne of Boni the sonne of Somer †the sonne of Moholi the sonne of Mosi the sonne of Merari the sonne of Leui †Their brethren also the Leuites which were ordained for al the ministerie of the tabernacle of the house of our Lord. †But Aaron and his sonnes burnt incense vpon the altar of holocaust and vpon the altar of incense for euerie worke of Sancta Sanctorum and to pray for Israel according to al thinges which Moyses the seruant of God had commanded †And these are the sonnes of Aaron Eleazar his sonne Phinees his sonne Abisue his sonne †Bocci his sonne Ozi his sonne Zarahia his sonne †Meraioth his sonne Amarias his sonne Achitob his sonne †Sadoc his sonne Achimaas his sonne †And these are their habitations by the townes and confines to witte of the sonnes of Aaron according to the kinredes of the Caathites for they were fallen to them by lotte †They gaue therfore to them Hebron in the Land of Iuda and the suburbes therof round about †but the fieldes of the citie and the townes to Caleb the sonne of Iephone †Moreouer to the sonnes of Aaron they gaue cities to flee vnto Hebron and Lobna and the suburbes therof †Iether also and Esthemo with the suburbes therof yea Helon and Dabir with their suburbes †Asan also Bethsemes their suburbes †And of the tribe of Beniamin Gabee and the suburbes therof Almath with the suburbes therof Anothoth also with the suburbes therof al the cities thirtene by their kinredes †And to the children of Caath the residue of their kinred they gaue of the halfe tribe of Manasses in possession ten cities †Moreouer to the children of Gerson by their kinredes of the tribe of Issachar of the tribe of Aser and of the tribe of Nephthali and of the tribe of Manasses in Basan thirtene cities †And to the sonnes of Merari by their kinredes of the tribe of Ruben and of the tribe of Gad and of the tribe of Zabulon they gaue by lot twelue cities †Also the children of Israel gaue to the Leuites cities and their suburbes †and they gaue by lot of the tribe of the children of Iuda of the tribe of the children of Simeon and of the tribe of the children of Beniamin these cities which they called by their names †and to them that were of
thinges which his father had vowed and him self he brought into the house of our Lord gold and siluer and of vessels diuers furniture †And there was no warre vnto the fiue and thirteth yeare of the reigne of Asa CHAP. XVI Agaynst the king of Israel king Asa procureth helpe of the Assyrians 7. which a prophet reprouing is put in fetters 11. Asa dieth with disease of his feete and is buried with pompe AND in the six and thirteth yeare of his reigne came vp Baasa the king of Israel into Iuda and with a wall compassed Rama that none could safely goe out and come in of the kingdom of Asa †Asa therfore brought forth siluer and gold out of the treasures house of our Lord and of the kinges treasures and he sent to Benadad the king of Syria who dwelt in Damascus saying †There is league betwen me thee my father also and thy father had concord wherfore I haue sent thee siluer and gold that breaking the league which thou hast with Baasa the king of Israel thou make him retire from me †Which being knowen Benadad sent the princes of his hostes to the cities of Israel who stroke Ahion and Dan and Ablemaim and al the walled cities of Nephthali †which when Baasa had heard he ceased to build Rama and intermitted his worke †Moreouer Asa the king tooke al Iuda and caried away the stones out of Rama and the timber that Baasa had prepared for the building and he built of them Gabaa Maspha †At that time came Hanani the prophete to Asa the king of Iuda and sayd to him Because thou hast had confidence in the king of Syria and not in our Lord thy God therfore hath the armie of the king of Syria escaped out of thy hand †Were not the Aethiopians and Libyians manie moe in chariotes and horsemen and a multitude exceding great whom when thou didst beleue in our Lord he deliuered into thy hand †For the eies of our Lord behold al the earth and geue strength to them that with perfect hart beleue in him Thou therfore hast done foolyshly for this cause from this present time shal battels arise agaynst thee †And Asa being angrie agaynst the Seer commanded him to be cast into fetters for he tooke indignation excedingly vpon this thing and he slewe of the people at that time verie manie †But the workes of Asa the first the lasl are writen in the Booke of the kinges of Iuda and Israel †Asa also fel sicke in the nine and thirteth yeare of his reigne of a most vehement payne of his feete and neither in his infirmitie did he seeke our Lord but rather trusted in the arte of Phisitians †And he slept with his fathers and he died the one and fouâ—teth yeare of his reigne †And they buried him in his sepulchre which he had digged for himsels in the Citie of Dauid and they layd him vpon his bed ful of spices and odoriâ—erous oyntementes which were made by the arte of apothecaries and they burnt it ouer him with exceding ambition CHAP. XVII Iosaphat succeding in the kingdom preuaileth in battel agaynst the king of Israel 6. destroyeth Idolaters and sendeth Priestes and Leuites to instruct the people 11. The Philistians and Arabians send presentes to king Iosaphat 13. the leaders of the armie and souldiars are numbred AND Iosaphat his sonne reigned for him grew strong agaynst Israel †And he appoynted numbers of souldiars in al the cities of Iuda that were compassed with walles And he placed garrisons in the land of Iuda and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken †And our Lord was with Iosaphat because he walked in the first waies of Dauid his father and he trusted not in Baalim †but in the God of his father and went forward in his preceptes and not according to the sinnes of Israel †And our Lord confirmed the kingdom in his hand and al Iuda gaue giftes to Iosaphat and there grew to him infinite riches and much glorie †And when his hart had taken courage for the waies of our Lord he tooke away also the Excelses and groues out of Iuda †And in the third yeare of his kingdom he sent of his princes Benhail and Abdias and Zacharias and Nathanael and Micheas that they should teach in the cities of Iuda †and with them Leuites Semeias and Nathanias and Zabadias Asael also and Semiramoth and Ionathan and Adonias and Tobias and Thobadonias Leuites and with them Elisama and Ioram Priestes †And they taught the people in Iuda hauing the booke of the law of our Lord and they went about al the cities of Iuda and instructed the people †Therfore the dread of our Lord came vpon al the kingdomes of the landes that were round about Iuda neither durst they make battel agaynst Iosaphat †Yea and the Philistians brought giftes to Iosaphat and tribute of siluer the Arabians also brought cattel of rammes seuen thousand seuen hundred and buckegoates as manie †Iosaphat therfore grewe and was magnified on high and he built in Iuda houses like to toures and walled cities †And he prepared manie workes in the cities of Iuda there were also men of warre and valiant in Ierusalem †of whom this is the number by the houses and families of euerie one In Iuda princes of the armie Ednas duke and with him most valiant men three hundred thousand †After him Iohanan the prince and with him two hundred eightie thousand †After him also Amasias the sonne of Zechri consecrated to our Lord and with him two hundred thousand of valiant men †Him followed Eliada valiant to battels and with him of them that held bow shield two hundred thousand †After this man also Iozabad and with him an hundred eightie thousand readie souldiars †Al these were at the hand of the king beside others whom he had put in walled cities in al Iuda CHAP. XVIII Iosaphat ioyned in affinitiâ— with wicked Achab king of Israel goeth with him against Ramoth Galaad four hundred false prophetes promising victorie 14. Micheas prophecying the contrarie 25. is put in prison 28. Achab notwithstanding he changeth his attire and leaueth Iosaphat in danger 33. is slaine IOSAPHAT therfore was rich and verie glorious and was ioyned in affinitie to Achab. †And he went downe to him after certaine yeares into Samaria at whose coming Achab killed muttons and oxen very manie for him and the people that came with him and he perswaded him to goe vp into Ramoth Galaad †And Achab the king of Israel sayd to Iosaphat the king of Iuda Come with me into Ramoth Galaad To whom he answered As I am thou also as thy people so my people also and we wil be with thee in battel †Iosaphat sayd to the king of Israel Consult I besech thee presently the word of our Lord. †Therfore the king of Israel
al his hart neither was there anie more hope that anie should reigne of the stocke of Ochozias †For Athalia his mother seing that her sonne was dead arose and sâ—eu al the kinges stocke of the house of Ioram †Sauing that Iosabeth the kinges daughter tooke Ioas the sonne of Ochozias and stole him out of the middes of the kinges sonnes when they were slayne and she hid thim with his nource in the bedde chamber and Iosabeth that hid him was the daughter of king Ioram the wife of Ioiada the high priest the sister of Ochozias and therfore Athalia did not kil him †He therfore was with them in the house of God six yeares in the which Athalia reigned ouer the Land CHAP. XXIII Ioiada the Hiegh priest annoynteth and crowneth Ioas king 12. causeth Athalia to be slaine 16. idolatrie to be destroyed 18. and Gods seruice aduanced AND in the seuenth yeare Ioiada taking courage tooke the centurions to witte Azarias the sonne of Ieroham and Ismahel the sonne of Iohanan Azarias also the sonne of Obed and Maasias the sonne of Adaias and Elisaphat the sonne of Zechri and made a couenant with them †Who going about Iuda gathered together the Leuites out of al the cities of Iuda and the princes of the families of Israel and they came into Ierusalem †Therfore al the multitude made a couenant with the king in the house of God and Ioiada sayd to them Behold the kinges sonne shal reigne as our Lord hath spoken vpon the sonnes of Dauid †This therfore is the thing which you shal doe †The third part of you that come to the Sabbath of the Priestes and of Leuites and of porters shal be in the gates and a third part at the kinges house and a third at the gate which is called of the Fundation but let al the rest of the common people be in the courtes of the house of our Lord. †Neither let anie other enter into the house of our Lord but the Priestes and they that minister of the Leuites let them onlie goe in because they are sanctified and let al the rest of the multitude obserue the watches of our Lord. †And let the Leuites enuiron the king hauing euerie one their weapons and if anie other shal enter into the temple let him be slayne and let them be with the king both coming in and going out †The Leuites therfore al Iuda did according to al thinges which Ioiada the high Priest had commanded and they tooke euerie one the men that were vnder them and came by the order of the Sabbath with them that had fulfilled the Sabbath and were to goe forth For Ioiada the high Priest permitted not the companies to depart which were accustomed to succede one an other euerie weeke †And Ioiada the Priest gaue to the centurions the speares and the shieldes and targattes of king Dauid which he had consecrated in the house of our Lord. †And he appoynted al the people of them that held weapons on the right side of the temple vnto the left syde of the temple before the altar and the temple round about the king †And they brought forth the kinges sonne and put the crowne vpon him and the testimonie and gaue the law to be in his hand they made him king Ioiada also the high Priest and his sonnes annoynted him and they wished him wel and said God saue the king †Which thing when Athalia had heard to witte the voice of them that ranne and praysed the king she went in vnto the people into the temple of our Lord. †And when she had seene the king standing vpon the steppe in the entrance and the princes and the companies about him and al the people of the land reioysing and sounding with trumpettes and playing on instrumentes of diuerse kind and the voice of them that praysed she rent her garmentes and sayd Treason treason †And Ioiada the high Priest going forth to the centurions and captaines of the armie sayd to them Bring her forth without the precinct of the temple and let her be killed with the sword without And the Priest commanded that she should not be killed in the house of our Lord. †And they layd handes vpon her necke and when she was entred within the gate of the horses of the kinges house they killed her there †And Ioiada made a couenant betwen himself and al the people and the king that they would be the people of our Lord. †Al the people therfore entred into the house of Baal and destroyed it and they brake his altars and his images Mathan also the priest of Baal they slewe before the altars †And Ioiada appoynted ouerseers in the house of our Lord vnder the handes of the Priestes the Leuites which Dauid distributed in the house of our Lord that they should offer holocaustes to our Lord as it is writen in the law of Moyses in ioy and songes according to the disposition of Dauid †He appoynted also porters in the gates of the house of our Lord that the vncleane in aniething â—hould not enter in †And he tooke the centurions and the most valiant men and princes of the people and al the common people of the land and they made the king to goe downe from the house of our Lord to enter by the middes of the vpper gate into the kinges house and placed him in the royal throne †And al the people of the land reioysed the citie was quiet moreouer Athalia was slayne with the sword CHAP. XXIIII Ioas reigning piously so long as Ioiada liueth causeth the Temple to be repayred 14. and new saâ—red vessels to be made 15. Ioiada an hundred thirtie yeares old dieth 17. Ioas falleth to idolatrie 20. causeth Zacharias to be slayne in the court of the Temple 23. A few Syrians kil the chief men about the king and carie away great prayes 25. Ioas is slayne by his owne men and his sonne Amasias reigneth SEVEN yeares old was Ioas when he began to reigne and he reigned fourty yeares in Ierusalem the name of his mother was Sebia of Bersabee †And he did that which is good before our Lord al the dayes of Ioiada the Priest †And Ioiada tooke for him two wiues of whom he begat sonnes daughters †After which thinges it pleased Ioas to repayre the house of our Lord. And he assembled the Priestes and the Leuites and sayd to them Goe ye forth to the cities of Iuda and gather of al Israel money for the reparation of the temple of your God yeare by yeare and doe this in hast moreouer the Leuites did negligently †And the king called Ioiada the prince and sayd to him why hast thou had no care to constrayne the Leuites to bring in out of Iuda and Ierusalem the money that was appointed of Moyses the seruant of our Lord that al the multitude
first fruites of corne of wine and of oyle of honie also and of al thinges which the ground bringeth forth they offered tithes †Yea and the children of Israel and Iuda that dwelt in the cities of Iuda offered tithes of oxen and sheepe and tithes of sanctified thinges which they had vowed to our Lord their God and carying them al made manie heapes †The third moneth they began to lay the fundations of the heapes and in the seuenth moneth they finished them †And when Ezechias and his princes came in they saw the heapes and blessed our Lord and the people of Israel †And Ezechias asked the Priestes and the Leuites why the heapes lay so †Azarias the high Priest of the stocke of Sadoc answered him saying Since first fruites began to be offered in the house of our Lord we haue eaten and haue bene ful and very much hath remayned because our Lord hath blessed his people and of the remaynes this is the abundance which thou seest †Fzechias therfore commanded that storehouses should be prepared in the house of our Lord. Which when they had done †they brought in as wel the first fruites as the tithes and watsoeuer they had vowed faythfully And the ouerseer of them was Chonenias a Leuite and Semeihis brother the second †after whom Iahiel and Azarias and Nahath and Asael and Ierimoth Iosabad also and Eliel and Iesmachias and Mahath and Banaias ouerseers vnder the hand of Chonenias and Semei his brother by the commandment of Ezechias the king and Azarias the high Priest of the house of God to whom al thinges apperteyned †But Core the sonne of Iemna a Leuite and porter of the east gate was ouerseer of those thinges which were voluntarily offered to our Lord and of the first fruites and the thinges consecrated for Sancta sanctorum †And vnder his charge Eden and Beniamin Iesue and Semeias Amarias also and Sechenias in the cities of the Priestes that they should faithfully distribute to their brethren portions to the lesser and greater †sauing the men children from three yeares and aboue to al that entered into the temple of our Lord and whatsoeuer day by day was profitable in the ministerie and the obseruances according to their diuisions †to the Priestes by families and to the Leuites from the twentith yeare and vpward by the orders and companies †and to al the multitude as wel their wiues as their children of both sex meaâ—es were geuen faithfully of these thinges that had bene sanctified †Yea and of the children of Aaron by the fildes and the suburbes of euerie citie there were men ordayned that should distribute portions to al the male sexe of the Priestes and the Leuites †Ezechias therfore did al thinges which we haue sayd in al Iuda and wrought good and right and truth before our Lord his God †in al the seruice of the ministerie of the house of our Lord according to the law and the ceremonies willing to seeke his God in al his hart and he did it and prospered CHAP. XXXII Sennacherib king of Assyria inuading Iuda king Ezechias encorageth the people and prouideth to defend the countrie 9. the Assyrians threaten the people and blaspheme God 20. Ezechias and Isaias pray 21. An Angel destroyeth the Assyrians armie so their king retiring home is slayne in his idols temple by his owne sonnes 22. Ezechias reigneth in peace 24. falleth into deadlie sicknes but miraculously recouereth offendeth in pryde and repenteth 27. is exceding rich which he imprudently sheweth to strangers 32. dieth and Manasses succedeth AFTER which thinges and this maner of truth came Sennacherib the king of the Assyrians and entering into Iuda besieged the fensed cities desirous to take them †Which when Ezechias had sene to witte that Sennacherib was come and the whole force of the battel to be turned agaynst Ierusalem †taking counsel with the princes and the most valiant men to stoppe vp the heades of the fountaynes that were without the citie and the sentence of them al decreing this †he gathered a very great multitude they stopped vp al the fountaynes and the riuer that ranne in the middes of the land saying Lest the kinges of the Assyrians come and finde abundance of waters †He built also doing industriously euerie wall that had bene destroyed and built towers vpon them and an other wall without and he repayred Mello in the citie of Dauid and made armour and shildes of al sortes †And he appointed princes of warryers in the armie and he called them al together in the streate of the gate of the citie and spake to their hart saying †Doe manfully and take courage feare not neither dread ye the king of the Assyrians and al the multitude that is with him for there are manie moe with vs then with him †For with him is an arme of flesh with vs the Lord our God which is our helper and fighteth for vs. And the people was encouraged with these maner of wordes of Ezechias the king of Iuda †Which thinges after they were done Sennacherib the king of the Assyrians sent his seruantes to Ierusalem for himself with al his armie beseiged Lachis to Ezechias the king of Iuda to al the people that was in the citie saying †Thus sayth Sennacherib the king of the Assyrians In whom hauing affiance doe you sitte besieged in Ierusalem †Hath Ezechias deceiued you to deliuer you to death in hunger and thirst affirming that the Lord your God can deliuer you from the hand of the king of the Assyrians †Why is not this Ezechias that hath destroyed his excelses and altars and hath commanded Iuda Ierusalem saying Before one altar you shal adore and on it you shal burne incense †Are you ignorant what thinges I haue done and my fathers to al the peoples of the landes haue the goddes of nations and of al landes bene able to deliuer their countrie out of my hand †Who is there of al the goddes of the nations which my fathers wasted that could deliuer his people out of my hand that your God also can deliuer you out of this hand †Let not therfore Ezechias deceiue you nor delude you with vayne persuasion neither beleue ye him For if no god oâ— al nations and kingdomes could deliuer his people out of my hand and out of the hand of my fathers consequently neither shal your God be able to deliuer you out of my hand †Yea and manie other thinges did his seruantes speake agaynst our Lord God and agaynst Ezechias his seruant †Letters also he wrote ful of blasphemie against our Lord the God of Israel and he spake agaynst him as the goddes of their nations could not deliuer their people out of my hand so the God also of Ezechias can not deliuer his people out of this hand †Moreouer also with a lowd crie in the Iewes tongue he sounded against the people
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.
armie and in the glorie of his chariotes †In the twelfth yeare of his reigne Nabuchodonosor the king of the Assyrians who reigned in Niniue the greate citie fought against Arphaxad and ouer came him †in the great field which is called Ragan about Euphrates and Tigris and Iadason in the field of Erioch the king of the Elicians †Then was the kingdom of Nabuchodonosor exalted and his hart was eleuated and he sent to al that dwelt in Cilicia and Damascus and Libanus †and to the nations that are in Carmelus and Cedar and the inhabitantes of Galilee in the great field of Esdrelon †and to al that were in Samaria and beyond the riuer Iordan euen to Ierusalem and al the land of â—esse til you come to the borders of Aethiophia †To al these Nabuchodosor king of the Assyrians sent messengers †Who al with one minde said nay sent them backe emptie and reiected them without honour †Then Nabuchodonosor the king taking indignation against al that land swore by his throne and kingdom that he would reuenge him selfe of al those countries CHAP. II. Nabuchodonosor sendeth Holofernes his General to Waist al countries of the West 7. With a great armie and aboundant munition 11. They subdue manie places and others are strooken With great feare IN the thirtenth yeare of king Nabuchodonosor the two and twenteth day of the first moneth the word was geuen out in the house of Nabuchodonosor the king of the Assyrians that he would reuenge him selfe †And he called al the ancientes and al the captaynes and his men of warre and communicated with them the secrete of his counsel †and he said that his cogitation was vpon that to subdew al the earth to his empire †which saying when it had pleased them al Nabuchodonosor the king called Holofernes the General of his warres †and said to him Goe forth against euerie kingdom of the west against them especially that contemned my commandment †Thyne eie shal spare no kingdom and euerie â—ensed citie thou shalt â—ubdew to me †Then Holofernes called the captaynes magistrates of the powre of the Assyrians and he mustered men for the expedition as the king commanded him an hundred twentie thousand fighting men on foote and twelue thousand archers horsemen †And he made al his expedition to goe before in a multitude of inumerable camels with those thinges that might suffice the armies abundantly heardes of oxen also and flockes of sheepe which had no number †He appoynted corne to be prepared out of al Syria in his passage †But gold and siluer he tooke out of the kings house exceding much †And he went forth and al the armie with the chariotes horsemen and the archers which couered the face of the earth as locustes †And when he had passed through the coastes of the Assyrians he came to the great mountaines of Ange which are on the left hand of Cilicia and he went vp into al theit casteles and wonne euerie fortresse †And he brake downe the renowmed citie of Melothus and spoyled al the children of Thersis and the children of Ismael which wete against the face of the desert and on the south of the land of Cellon †And he passed ouer Euphrates and came into Mesopotamia and he brake al the high cities that were there from the torrent of Membre til ye come to the sea †and he tooke the borders therof from Cilicia vnto the coastes of Iapheth which are toward the south †And he caried away al the children of Madian and spoyled al their riches and al that resisted him he slew in the edge of the sword †And after these thinges he went downe into the fieldes of Damascus in the daies of haruest and he set al the corne on fire and he made al the trees and vineyardes to be cut downe †and the feare of him fel vpon al the inhabitantes of the land CHAP. III. Manie kinges and other princes submitte them selues to Holofernes 8. He receiueth them and taketh of their chief men to reinforce his armie 11. neuertheles destroyeth their cities and their goddes that Nabuchodonosor only might be called God THEN the kinges and princes of al cities and prouinces namely of Syria and Mesopotamia and Syria Sobal and Libya and Cilicia sent their embassadours which coming to Holofernes said †Let thy indignation towarde vs cease For it is better that liuing we feare Nabuchodonosor the great king and be subiect to thee then dying we should with our destruction suffer the damages of our seruitude †Euerie citie of ours and al our possession al mountaynes and hilles and fieldes and heardes of oxen and flockes of sheepe and goates and of horses and camels and al our goodes and families are in thy sight †let al our thinges be vnder thy law †We also and our children are thy seruantes †Come to vs a peaceable Lord and vse our seruice as it shal please thee †Then went he downe from the mountaynes with horsemen in a great powre and tooke euerie citie and euerie inhabiter of the land †And of al the cities he tooke to helpe him valiant men and chosen for battel †And so great feare lay vpon al those prouinces that the inhabitantes of al cities princes and honorable persons together with the people went out to meete him coming †receyuing him with garlandes and torches dauncing with timbrels shaulmes †Neither doing these thinges could they for al that mitigate the fiâ—cenesse of his stomacke †for he did both destroy their cities and cut downe their groues †For Nabuchodonosor the king had commanded him that he should destroy al the goddes of the earth that he only might be called God of those nations which could be subdewed with the might of Holofernes †And passing through al Syria Sobal and al Apamea al Mesopotamia he came to the Idumeians into the land of Gabaa †and tooke their cities and sate there for thirtie dayes in which daies he commanded al the armie of his powre to be vnited CHAP. IIII. The children of Israel excedingly fearing Holofernes forces 3. prouide to resist him by the exhortation of the High Priest vsing both humaine 8. and diuine meanes THEN the children of Israel which dwelt in the Land of Iuda hearing these thinges were sore asrayd of his presence †Trembling also and horrour inuaded their senses lest he would doe that to Ierusalem and to the temple of our Lord which he had done to other cities and their temples †And they sent into al Samaria round about as for as Iericho and preoccupated al the toppes of mountaynes †and they compassed their townes with walles and gathered together corne for prouision of battel †Eliachim the priest wrote to al that were against Esdrelon which is against the face of the great fielde beside Dothain and to al by whom there might be passage of
voice Great art thou ô Bel and there is not any deceite with thee †And Daniel laughed and he held the king that he should not goe in and he sayd Behold the pauement marke whose steppes these are †And the king sayd I see the steppes of men wemen and of infantes And the king was angrie †Then apprehended he the priests their wiues their children and they shewed him secrete litle doores by which they came in consumed the thinges that were on the table †The king therfore them he deliuered Bel into the powre of Daniel who ouerthrewe him his temple †And there was a great dragon in that place the Babylonians worshipped him †And the king sayd to Daniel Loe now thou canst not say that this same is not a liuing god adore him therfore †And Daniel sayd The Lord my God I doe adore because he is the liuing God †but thou ô king geue me licence and I wil kil the Dragon without sword and clubbe And the king sayd I geue thee licence †Daniel therfore tooke pitch fatte and heares and sod them together he made lumpes and gaue into the Dragons mouth the Dragon burst in sunder And he sayd Loe whom you worshipped †Which when the Babylonians had heard they were wrath excedingly and being gathered together against the king they said The king is become a Iewe. Bel he hath destroyed the Dragon he hath killed he hath slaine the priests †And they sayd when they were come to the king Deliuer vs Daniel otherwise we wil kil thee thy house †The king therfore saw that they pressed vpon him vehemently and compelled by necessity he deliuered Daniel to them †Who cast him into the lake of lions and he was there six dayes †Moreouer in the lake were seuen lions there were geuen to them two bodies euerie day two sheepe and they were not geuen vnto them that they might deuoure Daniel †And there was d Habacuc a prophete in Iewrie he had boyled broth had broken bread in a bowle and he went into the field to carie it to the reapers †And the Angel of our Lord sayd to Habacuc Carie the dinner which thou hast into Babylon to Daniel who is in the lake of lions †And Habacuc sayd Lord Babylon I haue not sene and the lake I know not †And the Angel of our Lord tooke him by the toppe of his head and caried him by the heare of his head put him into Babylon ouer the lake in the force of his spirit †And Habacuc cried saying Daniel take the dinner that God hath sent to thee †And Daniel sayd Thou hast remembred me ô God and hast not forsaken them that loue thee †And Daniel rysing vp did eate Moreouer the Angel of our Lord restored Habacuc forth with in his place †The king therfore came the seuenth day to lament Daniel and he came to the lake and looked in and behold Daniel sitting in the middes of the lions †And the king cried out with a lowd voice saying Great art thou ô Lord the God of Daniel And he drew him out of the lake of lions †But those that had bene the cause of his perdition he cast into the lake and they were deuoured in a moment before him †Then the king sayd Let al inhabitants in the whole earth feare the God of Daniel because he is the Sauiour doing signes meruels in the earth who hath deliuered Daniel out of the lions denne THE ARGVMENT OF THE TWELVE LESSE PROPHECLES VVHY Isai Ieremie Ezechiel and Daniel are called the foure greater Prophetes and these twelue the lesse there semeth no other certaine and proper reason but because they writte more largely and these more brifely For otherwise without essential difference al the sixtene as also Baruch whose booke is inserted with Ieremies and Moyses Samuel the Royal Psalmist Dauid Nathan Elias Elizeus Esdras Nehemias and manie others some writing bookes some not were absolutly true Prophetes of God indued with the holie spirite of prophecie had the like reuelations with the same assurance of truth in great part of the same Mysteries as wel perteyning to the old Testament as to the New And so these twelue contracted into the straitnes of one volume sayth S. Ierom multò aliud quam sonant in litera praefigurant Prefigurate a farre other thing then they sound in the letter Sygnifying as he elswhere explicateth that they do foreshew manie important thinges not only perteyning no the Iewes and some other peoples of those former times but also of al nations to be conuerted to Christ They were not al at one time but O see Ioel Amos Abdias Ionas and Micheas prophecied before the captiuitie of the tenne Tribes Nahum Habacuc and Sophonias after that captiuitie and before the captiuitie of the two Tribes And the other three Aggaeus Zacharias and Malachie after the relaxation from captiuitie Neither did they al prophecie in the same places nor concerning the same people and so haue their particular arguments as we shal briefly note of euerie one as they folow in order Here vve may note for instruction of the vulgar reader that the Prophetes commonly vse one of these names when they direct their speach of the kingdom of two Tribes Iuda Beniamin Ierusalem or The house of Dauid Because Iuda vvas the chiefe and most vvorthie tribe Beniamin the other only tribe besides Leui that ioyned vvith Iuda Ierusalem the Metropolitan and Royal citie vvhere both the Temple and Kinges palace vvere situated The House of Dauid is the familie vvherof succeded al the kinges of that kingdom so long as it stood and of vvhich some remayned in more estimation then anie other euen to Christ Likevvise they vse some of these other names vvhen they speake of the kingdom of tenne Tribes Ephraim Ioseph Samaria Iezrahel Bethel or Bethauen For that their first king Ieroboam vvas of the tribe of Ephraim and so descended from Ioseph Samaria and Iezrahel vvere the chifest cities of that kingdom Bethel vvas one of the places Dan the other vvhere Ieroboam set vp the tvvo calues VVhich place vvas othervvise more truly called Bethauen the house of the idol or of vanitie or iniquitie The names also of Israel and Iacob were more commonly vsed for the tenne tribes who being more in number vsurped and appropriated to themselues the names of their general Progenitor and Patriarch Yet sometimes these names importe al the tvvelue tribes including also Leui. And sometimes especially after the captiuitie of the tenne tribes these names signifie the tvvo tribes only vvhich more imitated Iacobs steppes and vertues then the tenne THE PROPHECIE OF OSEE OSEE borne in Belomoth as writeth S. Epiphanius of the tribe of Issachar prophecied in the reigne of Ozias otherwise called Azarias Ioathan Achaz Ezechias kinges
Old Tobias prayseth God prophecieth better state of Gods people :: Temporal affliction for the spiritual good of others :: His bodie being in captiuitie yet his spirit was free to praise and thank God S. â—â—pr li. de mortaluate :: He prophecieth the reedifying of the temple and citie of â—eâ—usalem :: Onlie celestial Ierusalem shal be free from al tribulations :: No Christian in ignorant sayth S. Augustin Epist 86. that Alleluia is a voice of praise In English it is Praise ye the Lord vvith ioy :: This can not be vnderstood of the citie of Ierusalem but of the Church of Christ :: Gods seruantes must not only expect what shal be commanded but also seeke to know what they ought to do :: A notable coÌ„mendation of Tobias familie and posteritie And a plaine testimonie that true Religion neuer failed wholy in the tenne tribes much lesse in the kingdom of Iuda least of al in the Church of Christ new Testament S. Ierom for the authoritie of the councel of Nice held this booke to be canonical which before he did not Epist 111 115. Prefat in Iudith Others Doctors both before and after the councel of Nice accounted this booke canonical VVhen this hisâ—orie happened Anâ— by whom it was written 2. Para. 33. The coÌ„tentes Diuided into foure partes This booke is read at Mattins the fourth weeke of September The first part The occasion of the Iewes persecution at this time :: The author being resolued to write this historie ioyneth his narration to his internal purpose saying Arphaxad therfore c. S. Greg. ho. 2. in Ezech. :: Thou foole this night they shal take thy life from thee these things whose shal they be Luc. 12. ◠〈◊〉 * defenderet se :: This cruel coÌ„mandment was as cruelly put in execution by Holofernes ch 3. â— 11. :: An expresse figure of Antichrist 2. Thes 2. for whom al heretikes make way as precursers for the singular man of sinne wil confesse no God but himself The second part Gods people are in great feare and distresse :: The high priest managed also the temporal afsayres of the coÌ„mon welth at this time by consent commission of king Manasses as is most probable these thinges happening shortly after his repentaÌ„ce 2. Paral. 33. Exo. 17. :: Holofernes could not be altogether ignorant of so famous a people as the Iewes but in his rage marueling at their attempt demaÌ„deth more particularly of their habilitie to resist him See v. 27. Gen. 11. Gen. 12. Exod. 1. Exo. 7. c. * made solide or firme Exo. 14. Exod. 1â— 16. 17. Iudie 2. 3. 4. â— Nu. 21. Iâ—s 12. :: He semeth to speake of the captiuitie of king Manasees Paralâ— 33. See the argument of this booke pag. 1011. 4. Reg. 21. :: As Holofernes v. 3. demanded that which he in great part knew so his men knowing Achior wel ynough in rage demand vvho he is that dare say such thinges :: Nabucodonosors vassals would haue no other God but him And God almightie is also ielous and wil haue no God but him selfe :: God regardeth the pride of sinners :: the humiliation of penitentes :: the sanctitie of his Church in general as wel holie persons as holie thinges :: and true coÌ„fidence in him without presumiÌ„g of mens poure :: Gods seruantes first of al before they fight do workes of penaÌ„ce coÌ„mend their cause to God then take wea pons in hand expect opportunitie to encounter with the enimies :: A common frailtie of people in distresse to impute error to their Superiour though in deede Ozias erred rather in yelding at last to their suggestion v. 2â— then in withstanding thus long The third pare Iudith delinereth her whole nation from persecution :: In three special obseruances this holie widow led a most religions life In much priuate prayer in wearing hearecloth and in much fasting as it were a perpetual lent aldayes but Sabbathes feastes excepted * the first day of the moneth :: In this especially they offended that they prefixed a tiâ—â— meaning then to yeld the citie for they shold rather haue fought against the enemie then deliuer Gods people to a tyranne holie thinges into prophane handes by their example put Ierusalem and the temple in like danger Rabanus :: S. Paul 1. Cor. 10. v. 10. alleaging that happened to the people of Israel in the desert addeth this word destroyer which is only in this place and not Num 11. nor 14 nor els in the old TestameÌ„t which is an other argumeÌ„t that this boke is Canonical :: Some thinke Abra was a proper name but whether it was or no it signifieth an handmaide of more honour as we speake A maide of honour :: Of such priuate oratories as this our Sauiour semeth to speake Mat. 6. saying Fâ—ter into thy chamber c. Of like oratories among Christians read Card Baronius An. D 293. S. Cyp. ep 56. :: The zele of Simeon and Leui was commendable but for diuers ' euil circumstances the fact was re proued by Iacob Gen. 34. 49. Ixo. 14. :: She prayed that Holofernes should be moued with her beautie swete speach which he might be and not sinne but he by his free wil sinning God turned his sinne to the good of others See Annot Exod. 7. pag. 173. S. Aug. Ser. 228. :: See ch 8. â— 32. * â—â—nd◠〈◊〉 :: God by this testifie â— her holie intention in adorning herselfe :: Not only certaine meates were forbid by the law Leuis 11. but in maner al the meates of the Gentiles were vnlawful being offered to idoles for which cause Daniel and the three children would not eate of the kings meates in Babylon Dan 1. * Stiped barley :: She told manie thingâ— cuidently true other things conditionally as it was like to come to passe if God sent not better meaneâ— :: S. â—ulgentius probably iudgeth that Iudith was now about fourtie yeares old Epist 2. cap. 6. :: Al that Iudith sayth is true in her sense as she meant it but not in the vnderstanding of Holofernes and his souldiars yet was no lesse lawful then that Iosue did in deâ—euing the citezenes of Hay Iosue 8. S. Aug. q. 10. in Iosue :: See chap. 10 v. 5. :: This puritie confisted in abstaining from meates forbid by the Law or offered to Idoles * Pâ—ellâ— :: The sâ—sâ—ing of one woman ouer â—hâ—ew an innumerable host of drâ—â—kaâ—dâ— â— Amb. li. 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Elâ—â— c. 9. :: If Bethulia had benne taken Ierusalem also had bâ—uâ— in extreme danger sor 〈…〉 wherof God had made more special promise to Dauid and others Isaâ—â— 37 38. c :: Iudiths â—â—opeâ— Augâ—â—â—â— defended her as Iacobâ—â—â—gel deliuered him from all euiles 〈◊〉 48. :: Achior an Ammonite ch 5. v. 5. being truly conuerted and beleeuing in God was admitted into the Church notwithstanding that Ammonites and Moabites were excluded by name Deut. 23. v. 3. which is therfore
this water the third day and the seuenth and so shal be cleansed If he were not sprinkled the third day the seuenth day he can not be clensed †Euerie one that toucheth the dead corps of mans soule and is not sprinkled with this commistion shal pollute the tabernacle of the Lord and shal perish out of Israel because he was not sprinkled with the water of expiation he shal be vncleane and his filthinesse shal remaine vpon him †This is the law of the man that dieth in a tabernacle Al that enter into his tent and al the vessel that are there shal be polluted seuen daies †The vessel that hath no couer nor bynding ouer it shal be vncleane †If any man in the field touch the corps of a man that was slaine or that died of himself or his bone or graue he shal be vncleane seuen daies †And they shal take of the ashes of combustion and of sinne and shal powre liuing water vpon them into a vessel †in the which when a man that is cleane hath dipped hyssope he shal sprinkle therwith al the tent and al the implementes and the men polluted with such contagion †and in this maner he that is cleane shal purge the vncleane the third and seuenth day And being expiated the senenth day he shal wash both himself and his garmentes and be vncleane vntil euening †If anie man be not expiated after this rite his soule shal perish out of the middes of the Church because he hath polluted the Lordes Sanctuarie and is not sprinkled with water of lustration †This precept shal be an ordinance for euer He also that sprinkleth the waters shal wash his garmentes Euerie one that toucheth the waters of expiation shal be vncleane vntil euen †Whatsoeuer he toucheth that is vncleane he shal make it vncleane and the soule that toucheth anie of these thinges shal be vncleane vntil euen CHAP. XX. ariâ— the sister of Moyses dieth 2. The people murmure for lack of water 7. Moysâ—s and Aaron being commanded to draw some out of a rock do it doutfully 12. and for the same are foretold that they shal die in the desert 14. Not obtaining licence to passe through Edom 22. they come into Mount Hor where Eleazar is ordained hiegh Priest Aaron dieth and is mourned by the people thirtie daie AND the children of Israel and al the multitude came into the desert Sin the first moneth and the people abode in Cades And Marie died there and was buried in the same place †And when the people lacked water they came together against Moyses and Aaron †and being turned into sedition said Would God we had perished among our brethren before our Lord. †Why haue you brought forth the Church of our Lord into the wildernesse that both we and our cattel should die †Why did you make vs ascend out of Aegypt and haue brought vs into this exceding naughtie place which can not be sowed which bringeth forth neither figge nor vines nor pomegranates moreouer also hath no water for to drinke †And Moyses and Aaron the multitude being dismissed entring into the tabernacle of couenant fel flatte vpon the ground and cried to our Lord and said Lord God heare the crie of this people and open vnto them thy treasure the fountaine of liuing water that being satisfied their murmuring may cease And the glorie of our Lord appeared ouer them †And our Lord spake to Moyses saying †Take the rodde and assemble the people together thou and Aaron thy brother and speake to the rocke before them and it shal geue waters And when thou hast brought forth water out of the rocke al the multitude shal drinke and their cattel †Moyses therfore tooke the rodde which was in the sight of our Lord as he commanded him †the multitude being assembled before the rocke and he said to them Heare ye rebellious and incredulous Can we out of this rocke bring you forth water †And when Moyses had lifted vp his hand stricking the rocke twise with the rodde there came forth great plentie of water so that the people drunke and their cattel †And our Lord said to Moyses and Aaron Because you haue not beleued me to sanctifie me before the children of Israel you shal not bring in these peoples into the land which I wil geue them †This is the water of contradiction where the children of Israel quarelled against our Lord and he was sanctified in them †In the meane time Moyses sent messengers from Cades to the King of Edom which should say Thus thy brother Israel biddeth vs to say Thou knowest al the labour that hath taken vs †in what maner our fathers went downe into Aegypt and there we dwelt a great time and the Aegyptians afflicted vs and our fathers †and in what maner we cried to our Lord and he heard vs and sent an Angel that hath brought vs out of Aegypt Loe being presently in the citie of Cades which is in thy vttermost borders †we besech thee that we may haue licence to passe through thy countrie We wil not goe through the fieldes not through the vineyardes we wil not drinke the waters of thy welles but we wil goe the common high way declining neither to the right hand nor to the left til we be past thy borders †To whom Edom answered Thou shalt not passe by me otherwise I wil come armed against thee †And the children of Israel said We wil goe by the beaten way and if we and the cattel drinke thy waters we wil geue thee that which is iust there shal be no difficultie in the price only let vs passe speedely †But he answered Thou shalt not passe And immediatly he came forth to meete them with an infinitie multitude and a strong hand †neither would he condescend to them desiring to grant them passage through his borders For the which cause Israel turned an other way from him †And when they had remoued the campe from Cades they came into the mountaine Hor which is in the borders of the land of Edom †Where our Lord spake to Moyses †Let Aaron sayeth he goe to his people for he shal not enter to the Land which I haue geuen the children of Israel for that he was incredulous to my mouth at the Waters of contradiction †Take Aaron and his sonne with him and thou shalt bring them into the mountaine Hor. †And when thou hast vnuested the father of his vesture thou shalt reuest therewith Eleazar his sonne Aaron shal be gathered and die there †Moyses did as our Lord had commanded and they went vp into the mountaine Hor before al the multitude †And when he had spoyled Aaron of his vestimentes be reuested Eleazar his sonne with them †After that he was dead in the toppe of the mountaine he went downe with Eleazar †And al the multitude seeing that Aaron
was dead mourned vpon him thirtie daies throughout al their families CHAP. XXI Israelites at the first encounter with the Chananeites hauing the worse after their vow kil the King of Arad and destroy his cities 4. The people againe murmuring are stricken with firie serpents 7. but confessing their fault Moyses by Gods commandment setteth vp a brasen serpent for a remedie 10. They march through diuers places 17. and sing a Canticle at a wel which God gaue them 21. They kil Sehon King of the Amorreites and conquer his land 33. Likwise Og King of Basan VVHICH when the Chananeite king of Arad who dwelt toward the south had heard to wit that Israel was come by the way of the spies he fought against them and being victour he tooke the pray of them †But Israel binding himself by vow to our Lord said If thou wilt deliuer this people into my hand I wil destroy their cities †And our Lord heard the prayers of Israel and deliuered the Chananeite whom they slew ouerthrowing their cities and they called the name of that place Horma that is to say Anathema †And they marched also from the mountaine Hor by the way that leadeth to the Redde sea that they might compasse the land of Edom. And the people began to be wearie of the iourney and labour †and speaking against God and Moyses they said Why didst thou bring vs out of Aegypt to die in the wildernesse There wanteth bread waters there are none our soule now lotheth at this most light meate †Wherfore our Lord sent vpon the people firie serpentes at whose plagues and the deathes of verie manie †they came to Moyses and said We haue sinned because we haue spoken against our Lord and thee Pray that he take from vs the serpentes And Moyses prayed for the people †and our Lord spake to him Make a brasen serpent and sette in for a signe he that being striken looketh on it shal liue †Moyses therfore made A BRASEN SERPENT and set it for a signe whom when they that were striken looked on they were healed †And the children of Israel marching camped in Oboth †Whence departing they pitched their tentes in Ieabarim in the wildernesse that looketh toward Moab against the east part †And remouing from thence they came to the Torrent Zared †Which they forsaking camped against Arnon which is in the desert standeth out in the borders of the Amorrheite For Arnon is the border of Moab diuiding the Moabites the Amorrheites †Wherof it is said in the booke of the warres of our Lord As he did in the Redde sea so wil he doe in the streames of Arnon †The rockes of the torrentes were bowed that they might rest in Ar and lie in the borders of the Moabites †From that place appeared the wel wherof our Lord spake to Moyses Gather the people together and I wil geue them water †Then Israel sang this verse Arise the wel They sang therto †The wel which the princes digged and the captaines of the multitude prepared in the law geuer and in their staues And they marched from the wildernesse to Mathana †From Mathana vnto Nahaliel from Nahaliel vnto Bamoth †From Bamoth is a valley in the countrie of Moab in the toppe of Phasga which looketh toward the desert †And Israel sent messengers to Sehon King of the Amorrheites saying †I besech thee that I may haue licence to passe through thy land we wil not goe aside into the fieldes and the vineyardes we wil not drinke waters of the welles we wil goe the kinges high way til we be past thy borders †Who would not grant that Israel should passe by his borders but rather gathering an armie went forth to meete them in the desert and came vnto Iasa and fought against them †Of whom he was strooken in the edge of the sword and his land was possessed from Arnon vnto Ieboc and to the children of Ammon for the borders of the Ammonites were kept with a strong garrison †Israel therfore tooke al his cities and dwelt in the cities of the Amorrheite to wit in Hesebon and the villages therof †The citie Hesebon was Sehons the king of the Amorrheite who fought against the king of Moab and tooke al the land that had bene of his dominion as farre as Arnon †Therfore it is said in the prouerbe Come into Hesebon let the citie of Sehon be built and erected †A fire went forth from Hesebon a flame from the towne of Sehon and deuoured Ar of the Moabites and the inhabitantes of the high places of Arnon †Wo to thee Moab thou art vndone people of Chamos He hath geuen his sonnes into flight and his daughters into captiuitie to Sehon the King of the Amorrheites †Their yoke is perished from Hesebon vnto Diboâ— they came wearie into Nophe and vnto Medaba †Israel therfore dwelt in the Land of the Amorrheite †And Moyses sent some to take a view of lazer Whose villages they tooke and possessed the inhabitantes †And they turned them selues and went vp by the way of Basan and Og the King of Basan came against them with al his people to fight in Edrai †And our Lord said to Moyses Feare him not for into thy hand I haue deliuered him and al his people and land and thou shalt doe to him as thou didst to Sehon the King of the Amorrheites the inhabiter of Hesebon †They therfore smote him also With his sonnes and al his people vnto vtter destruction and they possessed his land CHAP. XXII Balac King of Moab fearing the Israelites sendeth for Balaam a southsâ—â—â—r to curse them 8. VVho consulting his false god is forbid by God almightie to goe and so excuseth him self 15. Balac sendeth againe offering greater reward 19. he againe consulteth and God biddâ—th him goe 〈◊〉 but sendeth an Angel to meete him in the way whom his asse seing huâ—neth three times and so often he beateth her 28. then she speaketh expostulating his hard vsage 31. he also seeth the Angel 35. and is chargeg â— speake nothing but that the Angel shal suggest AND marching forward they camped in the champion countrie of Moab where Iericho is situated beyond Iordan †And Balac the sonne of Sephor seeing al thinges that Israel had done to the Amorrheite †and that the Moabites were in greate feare of him and could not susteyne his assault †he said to the elders of Madian So wil this people destroy al that dwel in our coastes as the oxâ— is wont to eate the grasse vnto the verie rootes And he was at the same time King in Moab †He sent therfore messengers to Balaam the sonne of Behor a Southsayer who dwelt vpon the riuer of the land of the children of Ammon to cal him and to say Behold a people is come out of Aegypt that hath couered the face of the earth sitting against me