may seme to beare wisheth the Pope who was also very lerned to examine al more at large putting him in mind that Origen writ his twelfth and thirtenth bookes vpon this onlie place The most probable exposition semeth to be gathered out of the Hebrewes Tradition that this Lamech of the issue of Cain for there was an other Lamech of Seths progenie much addicted to hunting and his eyes decaying vsed in that excercise the direction of a young man his nephew the sonne of Tubalcain VVho seing something moue in bushes supposing it to be a wild beast willed his grandfather to shoote at the same which he did and stroke the marke with a deadlie wound and approching to take the pray found it to be old Cain VVhereupon sore amazed afflicted and moued with great passion did so beate the young man for his il direction that he also died of the drie blowes After both which mishappes and his passion at last caulmed Lamech lamenteth as the text saith that he had killed a man and stripling towit the one with a wound the other with drie blowes for which he feared seuenfold punishment more then Cain suffered for killing Abel Neuertheles S. Hierom other Fathers thinke it probable that Lamech killing the one of ignorance the other in passion was not so seuerly punished as he feared And so they vnderstand the rest of this passage that seuenfold vengance was taken of Cain by prolongation of his miserable life til his seuenth generation when one of his owne issue slew him and an other of the same linage with him And Lamech was punished seuentie seuenfold when his seuentie seuen children for so manie he had as Iosephus writeth and al their ofspring perished in the floud Mystically by seuentie seuen may be signified that the sinne of mankind should be punished and expiated in Christ our Redemer who was borne in the seuentie seuenth generation from Adam 26. Begane to inuocate Seth was a most holie man and so brought vp his children that they were called the sonnes of God Gen. 6. Adam also and Eue were penitent and became great confessors and are now Sainctes And so it can not be doubted but amongst other spiritual exercises they prayed and inuocated God And therfore that which is here said He towit Enos bagane or as the Hebrew hath then was begune to inuocate the name of our Lord can not be vnderstood of priuate but of some publique prayer of many meeting togeather obseruing some rites set forme in peculiar place dedicated to diuine Seruice the Church being now growne to a competent multitude And that besides Sacrifice which was also before as appeareth both by Cain Abel CHAP. V. The progenie of Adam number of their yeares vvith the death of the rest translation of Enoch in the line of Seth to Noe his three sonnes THIS is the booke of the generation of Adam In the day when God created man to the likenes of God made he him †Male and female created he them and blessed them and called their name Adam in the day when they were created †And Adam liued a hundred and thirtie yeares and begat to his owne image and likenes and called his name Seth. †And the dayes of Adam after he begat Seth came to eight hundred yeares and he “ begat sonnes and daughters †And al the time that Adam liued came to nine hundred and thirtie yeares “ and he died †Seth also liued a hundred fiue yeares and begat Enos †And Seth liued after he begat Enos eight hundred and seuen yeares and begat sonnes and daughters †And al the dayes of Seth came to nine hundred twelue yeares and he died †And Enos liued nintie yeares and begat Cainan †After Whose birth he liued eight hundred fiftene yeares and begat sonnes and daughters †And al the dayes of Enos came to nine hundred and fiue yeares and he died †Cainan also liued seuentie yeares begat Malaleel †And Cainan liued after he begat Malaleel eight hundred fourtie yeares and begat sonnes daughters †And al the dayes of Cainan came to nine hundred and ten yeares and he died †And Malaleel liued sixtie fiue yeares and begat Iared †And Malaleel liued after he begat Iared eight hundred and thirtie yeares and begat sonnes and daughters †And al the dayes of Malaleel came to eight hundred nyntie fiue yeares he died †And Iared liued a hundred sixtie two yeares and begat Enoch †And Iared liued after he begat Enoch eight hundred yeares and begat sonnes and daughters †And al the dayes of Iared came to nine hundred sixtie two yeares he died †Moreouer Enoch liued sixtie fiue yeares begat Mathusala †And Enoch walked with God liued after he begat Mathusala three hundred yeares and begat sonnes and daughters †And al the dayes of Enoch came to three hundred sixtie fiue yeares †And he walked with God and “ was seene no more because God tooke him †Mathusala also liued a hundred eightie seuen yeares begat Lamech †And Mathusala liued after he begat Lamech seuen hundred eightie two yeares and begat sonnes and daughters †And al the dayes of Mathusala came to nyne hundred sixtie nine yeares he died †And Lamech liued a hundred eightie two yeares and begat a sonne †and he called his name Noe saying This sonne shal comfort vs from the workes labours of our handes on the earth which our Lord cursed †And Lamech liued after he begat Noe fiue hundred nintie fiue yeares and begat sonnes and daughters †And al the dayes of Lamech came to seuen hundred seuentie seuen yeares and he died And Noe when he was fiue hundred yeares olde begat Sem Cham and Iaphat ANNOTATIONS CHAP. V. 4. Begate sonnes and daughters Moyses in this genealogie reciteth not alwayes the first begotten nor the whole progenie by their names for then he should haue repeated Cain and Abel and haue named many others but those onlie by whom the Church of God continued signifying the rest in general whose succession was cut of by the floud 5. And he died By this Gods word is verified saying that Adam should dye if he should eate of the forbidden tree And the diuel is proued a lyer saying they should not dye It is also most true that Adam dyed that day in which he did eate For he began that very day to decline to death and so doth al mankind euer since as truly said the woman of Thecua to king Dauid vve doe al die and as vvaters that returne not vve fal dovvne on the earth And vvhat els saith S. Gregorie is this daylie decaying of our corruption but a lingering death And none of al these that liued longest reaching to a thousand yeares which with God is as one day man dyed in that day in which he
other things in the first age were figures of Christs Sacraments the Spirite of God geuing powre to the waters as Tertullian S. Hierom and others expound it and the floud of Noe by S. Peters testimonie were figures of Baptisme Mariage instituted in Paradise is the very paterne of holie Matrimonie a Sacrament in the Church of Christ where one man and one wife are on lie lawful and not more at once in anie wise Christ reforming that which in Moyses law was tolerated for hardnes of mens hartes and for auoyding murther to put away one wife and take an other to this first institution as it was in the beginning two in one flesh not three nor more The repentance of Adam and Eue was a perfect and examplare figure of the Sacrament of Penance First they were ashamed couering their nakednes and hiding them selues which shewed their griefe and sorow for the sinne committed Secondly they confessed their fault and by what meanes it happened For God examining Adam he answered truly and simply saing The woman which thou gauest me to be my companion gaue me of the tree and I did eate Likwise Eue confessed sincerly saying The serpent deceiued me and I did eate Thirdly God gaue them penance besides death before threatned and other penalties annexed that Eue should in paine and trauel bring forth her children and Adam should eate his bread in the sweate of his face And withal cast them forth of Paradise But not forth of his fauoure as appeared by his making them garments of skinnes granting them and their posteritie the rest of the earth to liue and labour in especially to serue him and do penance with admonition to remember that of duct man was made and into dust he shal returne Al which were signes of loue and that finally he would bring them and manie more to eternal saluation The first borne and heades of families were Priests al the time of the law of nature vntil the law being changed God tooke Priests only of the stock of Aaron and the rest of the Leuites to assist them in that function Aaron his sonnes thou shalt appoint saith our Lord ouer the seruice of Priesthood for I haue taken the Leuites of the children of Israel for euerie first borne And ◠Paul teacheth that changing of Priesthood and changing of the law goe alwayes together shewing euidently that euerie lawful communitie or commonwealth vnder God hath external Priesthood So that if there had benne no distinct order of external Priesthood in the law of nature or now were none in the law of grace as Protestantes say there is not there were no law at al. See more of this point in the Annotations chap. 7. ad Hebre. Here we only obserue that Abel Seth Enos and other Patriarches were Priestes and exercised priestlie functions yea Cain also was a Priest though a bad one and offered Sacrifice But external offices or ministerie without a wel disposed mind and sincere vertues producing Good workes did neuer iustifie anie man And therfore Cains Sacrifice offered with a peruerse mind was not respected by God as Abels was wherupon he becoming worse and more malicious God sharply reproued his anger and enuie conceiued without iust cause saying If thou doest wel shalt thou not receiue againe but if thou doest il shal not thy sinne forwith be present at the dore clerly shewing that euerie one shal receiue according to his workes This place also euidently sheweth Freewil yea in a wicked man For this expostulation had neuer benne vttered by our most reasonable Lord and Maister if Cain had benne depriued of freewil For he might haue excused himselfe and must needes haue benne holden excused if he had benne forced to do as he did But God charged him as inexcusable and as one that knew or ought to know that he had freewil And doth further inculcate that he had and should haue powre and freewil ouer his concupiscence to correct the same if he would saying The lust therof shal be vnder thee and thou shalt haue domion ouer it So that no sinner be he neuer so wicked much lesse a iust man lacketh freewil yet Luther abhorreth the very word and Caluin wisheth it out of the world Temporal punishment is proued to be due for sinne remitted by that both death and other penalties are inflicted by Gods iustice vpon men after iustification and by the particular punishments laid vpon Adam and Eue confessing their faultes Purgatorie is also proued by the same iustice of God For when anie dieth penitent and yet haue not madeful satisfaction they must suffer for that remaineth after death and be purged before they can enter into rest which remnant of debt our B. Sauiour calleth The last farthing and saith it must be payed The lewes also at this day hold the doctrin of Purgatorie by tradition And consequently they Pray for soules departed not only to God but also to the ancient Patriarches which likewise sheweth Inuocation of Saincts in these wordes Yee fathers which sleepe in Hebron open to him the gates of Eden that is of Paradise which was planted in Eden And Hebron is the place where Adam was buried and his sepulcher religiously conserued in the time of Iosue aboue 1500 yeares after his death The same is the place which Abraham bought and there buried Sara where also him selfe and Isaac and Iacob were buried and to which finally the bodies of the twelue sonnes of Iacob were translated from Sichem As Iosephus writeth And sichem also was specially honored because such persons had benne buried there as S. Hierom witnesseth of his owne knowledge in his time Againe by religious care of burying the dead in this first age Enoch was more certainly knowen to be Translated aliue and not to be dead For the seuentie Interpreters and S. Paul say He was not found which importeth that they sought diligently for him and that his bodie could not be found for God translated him By al which we see mutual offices and communion of good workes amongst good men aliue and dead which is called Cōmunion of Saincts And herein Angels lacked not their offices For God set Cherubins to kepe the gate of Paradise that neither man should enter being iustly expelled for sinne nor diuels as S. Augustin noteth left they should take fruite of the tree of life and geuing it to men allure them to more sinne And now Saincts being exalted to Angels glorie haue like honorable offices towards other men as Angels haue Yea the bloud of Abel vniustly shed by Cain and iustly to be reuenged by God sheweth the peculiar honour which God bestoweth vpon his Saints for their vertues and merites in this life especially in their death For Precious in the sight of our Lord is the
our Lord saying Who shal goe vp before vs against the Chananeite and shal be captaine of the warre †And our Lord said Iudas shal goe vp behold I haue deliuered the Land into his handes †And Iudas said to Simeon his brother Come vp with me into my lotte and fight against the Chananeite that I also may goe forward with thee into thy lotte And Simeon went with him †And Iudas went vp and our Lord deliuered the Chananeite and the Pherezeite into their handes and they stroke in Bezec ten thousand men †And they found Adonibezec in Bezec and fought against him and stroke the Chananeite and the Pherezeite †And Adonibezec fled whom pursewing they tooke cutting of the extreme partes of his handes and feere †And Adonibezec said Seuentie kinges hauing the extreme partes of their handes and seete cut of gathered vp the reliques of meates vnder my table as I haue done so hath God repayed me And they brought him into Ierusalem and there he died †Therfore the children of Iudas assaulting Ierusalem tooke it and stroke it in the edge of the sword setting the whole citie on fyre †And afterward going downe they fought against the Chananeite which dwelled in the mountaines and southward and in the champaine countries †And Iudas going forward against the Chananeite that dwelled in Hebron the name wherof was before time Cariatharbe stroke Sesai and Ahiman and Tholmai †and departing thence went to the inhabitantes of Dabir the old name wherof was Cariath Sepher that is a citie of letters †And Caleb said He that shal strike Cariath Sepher and spoile it I wil geue him Axa my daughter to wife †And when Othoniel the sonne of Cenez the yonger brother of Caleb had taken it he gaue him Axa his daughter to wife †Whom going on her way her husband admonished to aske a field of her father To whom when she had sighed sitting on her asse Caleb said What aileth thee †But she answered Geue me a blessing for a drie land thou haft geuen me geue me also a waterie Caleb therfore gaue her a watrie ground aboue waterie beneath †And the children of the Cineite the cosin of Moyses went vp from the citie of palmes with the children of Iudas into the deset of his lotte which is at the south side of Arad and dwelt with him †But Iudas went with Simeon his brother and together they stroke the Chananeite that dwelt in Sephaath and slew him And the name of the citie was called Horma that is Anathema †And Iudas tooke Gaza with the coastes therof Ascalon and Accaron with their boundes †And our Lord was with Iudas and he posessed the mountaines neither could he destroy the inhabitantes of the valley because they had manie hooked chariotes †And they gaue to Galeb Hebron as Moyses had said who destroyed out of it the three sonnes of Enac †But the Iebuseite the inhabiter of Ierusalem the children of Beniamin destroyed not and the Iebuseite dwelt with the children of Beniamin in Ierusalem vntil this present day †The house also of Ioseph went vp into Bethel and our Lord was with them †For when they besieged the citie which before was called Luza †they saw a man comming out of the citie and said to him Shew vs the entrrance of the citie and we wil shew thee mercie †Who when he had shewed them they stroke the citie in the edge of the sword but that man and al his kinred they dismissed †Who being dismist went into the Land of the Hetthims and built there a citie and called it Luza which is so called vntil this present day †Manasses also destroyed not Bethsan and Thanac with their litle townes and the inhabitantes of Dor and Ieblaam and Mageddo with their litle townes And the Chananeite began to dwel with them †But after that Israel was waxen strong he made them tributaries and would not destroy them †Ephraim also killed not the Chananeite that dwelt in Gazer but dwelt with him †Zabulon destroyed not the inhabitantes of Cetron Naalol but the Chananeite dwelt in the middes of him and was made tributarie to him †Aser also destroyed not the inhabitantes of Accho and of Sidon of Ahalab and Achazib and Helba and Aphec and Rohob †and he dwelt in the middes of the Chananeite the inhabiter of that Land neither did he kil them †Nepthali also destroyed not the inhabitantes of Bethsames Bethanath and he dwelt in the middes of the Chananeite the inhabiter of the Land and the Bethsamites Bethanites were tributaries to him †And the Amorrheite straytened the children of Dan in the mountaine and gaue them not place to goe downe to the playne †and he dwelt in mount Hares which is inter preted shelles in Aialon and Salebim And the hand of the house of Ioseph was agrauated and he became tributarie to him †And the border of the Amorrheite was from the Ascent of the Scorpion the rocke and the higher places CHAP. II. An Angel reciting manie benefites of God towardes Israel and their ingratitude 4. they weepe for their faultes 10. After the death of Iosue and other antientes of his time the people often fal and repenting are deliuered from afflictions 19. but stil fal againe worse and worse AND the Angel of our Lord went vp from Galgal to the place of weepers and said I brought you out of Aegypt and haue brought you into the Land for the which I sware to your fathers and I promised that I would not make frustrate my couenant with you for euer †onlie so that you should not make a league with the inhabitantes of this Land but should ouerthrow their altares and you would not heare my voice why haue you done this †For the which cause I would not destroy them from before your face that you may haue enemies and their goddes may be a ruine vnto you †And when the Angel of our Lord spake these wordes to al the children of Israel they lifted vp their voice and wept †And the name of that place was called the place of weepers or of teares and there they immolated hostes to our Lord. †Iosue therfore dismissed the people and the children of Israel went euerie one into his possession to obtayne it †and they serued our Lord al his daies and the daies of the ancientes of them that liued a long time after him and knew al the workes of our Lord which he had done with Israel †And Iosue the sonne of Nun the seruant of our Lord died being a hundred and ten yeares old †and they buried him in the borders of his possession in Thamnathsare in the mount of Ephraim on the North side of mount Gaas †And al that generation was gathered to to their fathers and there rose others that knew not our Lord and the workes which he had done with
to Anna his wife How like is this yongman to my sisters sonne †And when he had spoken these wordes he sayd Whence are you ye yongmen our brethren †But they sayd We are of the tribe of Nephthali of the captiuitie of Niniue †And Raguel sayd to them Know you Tobias my brother Who sayd We know him †And when he spake much good of him the Angel sayd to Raguel Tobias of whom thou askest is this mans father †And Raguel put forth him selfe and with teares kissed him and weeping vpon his necke sayd Blessing haue thou my sonne because thou art the sonne of a good and most vertuous man †And Anna his wife and Sara theyr daughter wept †And after they had talked Raguel commanded a wether to be killed and a banket to be prepared And when he desired them to sitte downe to dinner †Tobias said I wil not eate nor drinke here this day vnlesse thou first assure my petition and promise to geue me Sara thy daughter †Which word Raguel hearing was sore afrayd knowing what had chanced to those seuen husbands which went in vnto her and he began to feare lest perhaps it might chance to him also in like maner and when he doubted and gaue no answer to him demanding †the Angel sayd to him Feare not to geue her to this man for to him fearing God is thy daughter dewe to be his wife therfore an other could not haue her †Then sayd Raguel I doubt not but God hath admitted my prayers and teares in his sight †And I beleue that therfore he hath made you come to me that this mayde might be ioyned to her kinred according to the law of Moyses and now haue no doubt but I wil deliuer her to thee †And taking his daughter by the right hand gaue it into the right hand of Tobias saying The God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Iacob be with you and he ioyne you together and fulfil his blessing in you †And taking paper they made a writing of the mariage †And after these things they made merie blessing God †And Raguel called to him Anna his wife and commanded her to prepare an other chamber †And she brought Sara her daughter in thither and she wept †And she sayd to her Be of good cheere my daughter our Lord of heauen geue thee ioy for the tediousnesse which thou hast suffered CHAP. VIII Tobias bruling part of the fishes liuer Raphael bindeth the diuel 4. Tobias and Sara pray 11. Raguel fearing that Tobias is dead maketh a graue for him but vnderstanding that he is wel filleth it vp againe 21. prepareth a feast geueth the half of his goodes presently for Saraes dawrie the other halfe after her parents death AND after they had supped they brought in the yong man to her †Tobias therfore remembring the Angels word brought forth out of his bag part of the liuer and layd it vpon liue coales †Then Raphael the Angel tooke the diuel and bound him in the desert of higher Aegypt †Then Tobias exhorted the virgin sayd to her Sara arise and let vs pray to God to day and to morow and the next morow because these three nights we are ioyned to God and when the third night is past we wil be in our wedlocke †For we are the children of holie men we may not be ioyned together as gentiles that know not God †And they rising together prayed both together that health might be geuen them †And Tobias sayd Lord God of our fathers the heauens the earth and the sea fountaynes and riuers and al thy creatures that are in them blesse thee †Thou madest Adam of the slime of the earth gauest him Eue an helper †And now Lord thou knowest that not for fleshlie lust doe I take my sister to wife but only for the loue of posteritie in the which thy name may be blessed for euer euer †Sara also sayd Haue mercie on vs Lord haue mercie vpon vs and let vs grow old both together in health †And it came to passe about the cock crowing Raguel bad his seruantes to be called for they went with him together to digge a graue †For he sayd Lest perhaps it may chance to him as also to the other seuen husbandes that went in vnto her †And when they had prepared the pitte Raguel returning to his wife sayd to her †Send one of thy handmaydes and let her see if he be dead that I may burie him before it be day †But she sent one of her handmaydes who going into the chamber found them safe and sound sleeping both together †And returning she brought good tydings and they blessed our Lord to witte Raguel Anna his wife †and sayd We blesse thee Lord God of Israel because it hath not chanced as we thought †For thou hast done thy metcie with vs hast excluded from vs the enemie that persecuted vs. †And thou hast taken pitie vpon two the only children Make them Lord blesse thee more fully and to offer vp to thee a sacrifice of thy prayse and of their health that al nations may know that thou art God onlie in al the earth †And forth with Raguel commanded his seruantes that they should fil vp the pitte which they had made before it were day †And he bad his wife make readie a feast and prepare al thinges that for victuals were necessarie to them that goe a iourney †He caused also two fatte kyne and foure wethers to be killed and great chere to be prepared for al his neighbours and al his freindes †And Raguel adiured Tobias that he should abide with him two weekes †And of al thinges which Raguel possessed he gaue the halfe part to Tobias and made this writing that the halfe part which was remayning after their decease should come to the dominion of Tobias CHAP. IX The Angel Raphael goeth to Gabelus receiueth the money and bringeth him to the mariage 8. They salute ech other and Gabelus wisheth al prosperitie to yong Tobias and his spouse THEN Tobias called the Angel to him whom he thought to be a man and he sayd to him Brother Azarias I pray thee harken to my wordes †If I should deliuer my self to be thy seruant I shal not deserue thy prouidence †Howbeit I besech thee that thou take vnto thee beastes and seruantes and goe to Gabelus into Rages the citie of Medes render him his handwriting and receiue of him the money and desire him to come to my mariage †For thyself knowest that my father numbreth the dayes and if I slacke one day more his soule is made sorowful †And surely thou sâ—est how Raguel hath adiured me whose adiuring I can not dispise †Then Raphael taking foure of Raguels seruantes two camels went into Rages the citie of Medes
when it shined and the moone going cleerly †And my hart in secret reioysed and I kissed my hand with my mouth †Which is most great iniquitie and a denial against God the most high †If I haue beene glad of his fal that hated me haue reioysed that euil had found him †For I haue not geuen my throte to sinne that cursing I wished his soule †If the men of my tabernacle haue not sayd Who wil giue of his flesh that we may be filled †The stranger taried not without my doore was open to the wayfaring man †If as man I haue hid my sinne and haue concealed my iniquitie in my bosome †If I haue bene afrayd at a verie great multitude the contempt of kinâ—men hath terrified me and I haue not rather held my peace not gone out of the doore †Who wil grant me an hearer that the Omnipotent would heare my desire and that himself that iudgeth would write a booke †That I may carie it on my shoulder and put it about me as a crowne †At euerie steppe of mine I wil pronounce it and as to the prince I wil offer it †If my Land cry against me and with it the furrowes therof lament †If I haue eaten the fruites therof without money and haue afflicted the soule of the tillers therof †For wheate let the bryar grow to me and for batlie the thorne The wordes of Iob are ended CHAP. XXXII Eliu a young man being angrie that Iob persisted in his opinion and that his three freindes could not conuince him S. taketh vpon him to confute Iob which they could not do BVT these three men omitted to answer Iob for that he seemed iust to himself †And Eliu the sonne of Barachel a Buzite of the kinred of Ram was angrie and tooke indignation and he was angrie against Iob for that he sayd himself to be iust before God †Moreouer against his freindes he had indignation for that they had not found a reasonable answer but onlie had condemned Iob. †Therfore Eliu expected Iob speaking because they were his elders that spake †But when he saw that the three were not able to answer he was wrath excedingly †And Eliu the sonne of Barachel a Buzite answering sayd I am yonger in time and you more ancient therfore casting downe my head I was afrayd to shewe you my sentence †For I hoped that longer age would speake and that a multitude of yeares would teach wisdom †But as I see there is a Spirite in men and the inspiration of the Omnipotent geueth vnderstanding †They of many yeares are not the wise men neither doe the ancientes vnderstand iudgement †Therfore wil I speake Heare ye me I also wil shew you my wisedom †For I haue expected your wordes I haue heard your wisdom as long as you contended in wordes †And as long as I thought you said somewhat I considered but as I see here is none of you that can reproue Iob and answer to his wordes †Lest perhaps you may say We haue found wisedom God hath reiected him not man †He hath spoken nothing to me and I wil not answer him according to your wordes †They were afrayd and answered no more they haue taken away talke from themselues †Therfore because I haue expected and they spake not they stoode answered no more †I also wil answer my part and wil shew my knowledge †For I am ful of wordes and the spirit of my bellie streyneth me †Behold my bellie is as new wine without a vent which breaketh new vessels †I wil speake and take breath a litle I wil open my lippes and wil answer †I wil not accept the person of a man and I wil not make God equal to man †For I know not how long I shal continewe and whether after a while my maker wil take me away CHAP. XXXIII Eliu endeuoreth to proue by Iobs speach that he is vniust 13. arguing that God by afflicting him hath alreadly so iudged 23. but if by an Angels admonition he repent al shal be remitted HEERE therfore Iob my sayings and harken to al my wordes †Behold I haue opened my mouth let my tongue speake within my iawes †My wordes are of my simple hart and my lippes shal speake a pure sentence †The Spirit of God made me and the breath of the Omnipotent gaue me life †If thou canst answer me and stand against my face †Behold God hath made me also euen as thee and of the same clay I also was formed †But yet let not my miracle terrifie thee and let not my eloquence be burdenous to thee †Thou therfore hast sayd in my eares and I haue heard the voice of thy wordes †I am cleane and without sinne vnspotted and there is no iniquitie in me †Because he hath found quarrels in me therfore hath he thought me his enemy †He hath put my feete in the stockes he hath obserued al my waies †This therfore is it wherein thou art not iustified I wil answer thee that God is greater then man †Doest thou contend against him because he hath not answered thee to al wordes †God speaketh once repeateth not the self same the second time †By a dreame in a vision by night when heauie sleepe falleth vpon men and they sleepe in their bed †TheÌ„ doth he open the eares of men teaching instructeth them with discipline †That he may turne a man from these things which he doth may deliuer him from pride †Deliuering his soule from corruption and his life that it passe not vnto the sword †He rebuketh also by sorow in the bed and he maketh al his bones to wither †Bread is become abominable to him in his life and to his soule the meate before desired †His flesh shal consume and the bones that had beene couered shal be made naked †His soule hath approched to corruption and his life to things causing death †If there shal be an Angel speaking for him one of thousandes to declare mans equirie †He shal haue mercie on him and shal say deliuer him that he descend not into corruption I haue found wherein I may be propitious to him †His flesh is consumed with punishments let it returne to the daies of his youth †He shal beseche God and he wil be pacified towards him and he shal see his face in iubilation and he wil render to a man his iustice †He shal behold men and shal say I haue sinned and in deede I haue oftended and as I was worthie I haue not receiued †He hath deliuered his soule that it should not goe into death but liuing should see the light †Behold al these things doth God worke three times in euerie one †That he may reclame their soules from corruption and
that the Apostles and al the faithful of Christ vvere signed in their foreheades vvith the signe of THAV the last of the Hebrew letters bearing the forme of a Crosse the same saith he vvith the Greke letter TAV and our Latin T. VVho further both in that place and li de corona â—â—luis liâ—de resurrect carnis testifieth the most frequent vse of this holie signe of the Crosse After him S Cyprian vvitnesseth the same in his time Epist ad Tybaritanos li. ad Demâ—trâ—anum li. 1. ca. 8. Testimoniorum aduers Iudaeos More especially li. 2. c. 22. proueth by this place amongst other holie Scriptures that in this signe of the Crosse is health to al that are signed therwith in the foreheades S. Chrysostom li. cont Gentiles Amongst other demonstrations sheweth by the honour and daylie vse of the Crosse that Christ is God because none but God could make a thing vvhich before vvas so execrable to be novv euery where so highly esteemed And in his Homilies 55. in Mat. 16. 84. in Ioan. 19. and other places vvitnesseth that in Baptisme in the most holie Eucharist in the Sacrament of holie Orders in al most excellent Mysteries the Ensigne of Victorie the signe of the Crosse is euer present vnto vs in al his discourse teaching to glorie not only in Christ crucified but also to honour the signe of the Crosse And that vvho soeuer despiseth the signe of the Crosse despiseth in deede Christ Crucified To omitte others S. Augustin recordeth li. 1. Confess c. 11. that himself vvhen he vvas a childe and dangerously sicke vvas by his mothers pious care signed vvith the signe of the Crosse li. de catechizandis rudibus c 20. teacheth that euerie one is to be signed in the forehead with the signe of the Crosse that al Christians are so signed Also Tract 118. in Ioan. VVhat is the signe of Christ saith he which al know but the Crosse of Christ which signe vnles it be adioyned as wel to the foreheades of them that beleue in Christ as to the vvâ—ter it selfe vvherevvith they are regenerate and to the chriâ—â—â—ne oyle vvherevvith they are anointed as also to the Sacrifice vvherevvith they are nourished none of these thinges is rightly performed Or vvil you haue him to speake more plainly or more generally Ser 101. de tempore VVith the signe of the Crosse saith he our Lords bodie is consecrated al thinges vvhatsoeuer are sanctified are consecrated vvith the inuocation of Christs name in this signe VVho pleaseth to see more testimonies of ancient Fathers may also reade S. Basil li. de Spiritu Sancto S. Cyril of Ierusalem Catechesi 4. 13. S. Ambrose Orat. â—unebri de obitu Theodosij S. Gregorie Epist 126. The apparition also of this signe to Constantin the great vvith this inscription IN HOC VINCES is most famous vvritten by Eusebius Caesariensis li. 1 c. 22 23. de vita Constantini and manie others The same signe also appeared in Ierusalem in the time of his sonne Constantius as S. Cyril of Ierusalem testifieth in his Epistle to the same Emperour And Nicephorus li. 10. c. 2. Hist Eccles vvriteth that the formes of Crosses fel vvith the devv vpon the garments of Iulian the Apostata and of his folovvers And manie other histories both ancient and moderne make mention of the like apparitions But aboue al others the most principal is to come The Signe of the Sonne of man as our B. Sauiour himself fortelleth vvhich shal appeare in the heauen at his coming to iudge the vvhole vvorld his most proper Ensigne the Crosse by vvhich he conquered the diuel sinne death and al enimies of God and men So al ancient Fathers vndoubtedly vnderstand his prediction Mat. 24. Then vvil this signe appeare to the great confusion of al vnsigned miscreants vvith other vvicked enimies of the Crosse and Crucifix For then shal al the vvorld both men and Angels see vvhat infinite charitie our most blessed Redeemer hath vsed for mans saluation and hovv iustly those that either doe not beleue or not regard his so vnspeakable mercie shal be adiudged to euerlasting damnation in the pitie and fire of hel And on the other side al those that are rightly signed in their foreheades and haue accordingly performed that which in Baptisme they promised shal mete this sauing Ensigne vvith incomparable comforth â—oy and gladnes vvho coming clothed â—n vvhite robes vvith palmes of victorie in their handes shal then receiue glorious crovvnes in eternal life CHAP. X. Destruction of the citie is againe signified by apparence of fire sprinkled therin 9. with description of Cherubims foure wheeles and of the foure liuing creatures AND I saw and behold in the firmament that was ouer the head of the Cherubs as it were the sapphire stone as it were the forme of the similitude of a throne appeared ouer them †And he spake to the man that was clothed with the linnen garments and sayd Goe in the middes of the wheeles that are vnder the Cherubs and fil thy hand with the coles of fyre that are betwen the Cherubs powre them out vpon the citie And he went in in my sight †and the Cherubs stood on the right hand of the house when the man went in and a cloude filled the inner court †And the glorie of our Lord was lifted vp from aboue the Cherub to the threshold of the house and the house was replenished with the cloude and the court was replenished with the brightnes of the glorie of our Lord. †And the sound of the winges of the Cherubs was heard euen to the vtter court as it were the voice of God almightie speaking †And when he had commanded the man that was clothed with the linnen garments saying Take fyre from the middes of the wheeles that are betwen the Cherubs he being gone in stood beside the wheele †And a Cherub streched out his hand from the middes of the Cherubs to the fyre that was betwen the Cherubs and he tooke gaue into his handes that was clothed with the linnen garments who taking it went forth †And there appeared in the Cherubs the similitude of a mans hand vnder their winges †And I saw and behold foure wheeles by the Cherubs one wheele by one Cherub and another wheele by one Cherub and the forme of the wheeles was as it were the resemblance of the stone Chrysolithus †and their resemblance one similitude to the foure as it were a wheele in the middes of a wheele †And when they walked they went into foure partes and they returned not walking but to the place wherunto that which was first declined the rest also folowed neither did they turne †And al their bodie and neckes and handes and winges and the circles were ful of eyes in the circuite of the foure wheeles †And these wheeles he called voluble my self hearing it †And one had foure
of a mountaine without handes and it stroke the statua on the yron earthen feete therof brake them in peeces †Then were the yron the clay the brasse the siluer and gold broken together and brought as it were into the dust of a summers floore that are taken violently with the winde and there was no place found for them but the stone that stroke the statua was made a great mountaine and it filled al the earth †This is the dreame the interpretation also therof we wil tel before thee ô king †Thou art the king of kings and the God of heauen hath geuen thee kingdom and strength and empire and glorie †and al thinges wherin the children of men and the beasts of the filde doe inhabite the foules also of the heauen he hath geuen in thy hand and vnder thy dominion he hath appoynted al thinges thou therfore art the golden head †And after thee shal ryse vp an other kingdom lesse then thou of siluer and an other third kingdom of brasse which shal rule ouer al the world †And the fourth kingdom shal be as it were yron As yron breaketh into peeces tameth al thinges so shal that breake and destroy al these †Moreouer because thou sawest part of the feete and of the toes of the potters clay and part of yron the kindom shal be diuided which notwithstanding shal rise of the ground of yron according as thou sawest the yron mingled with the earth of clay †And the toes in part of yron and in part of earth in part the kingdom shal be whole and in part broken †And that thou sawest the yron mingled with the earsh of clay they shal be mingled in dede together with mans seede but they shal not sticke fast one to an other as yron can not be mingled with earth †But in the dayes of those kingdoms the God of heauen wil rayse vp a kingdom that shal not be dissipated for euer and his kingdom shal not be deliuered to an other people and it shal breake in peeces and shal consume al these kingdoms and itself shal stand for euer †According as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountaine without handes and brake the earth in peeces and the yron and the brasse and the siluer and the gold the great God hath shwed the king what thinges are to come hereafter the dreame is true the interpretation therof faithful †Then king Nobuchodonosor fel on his face adored Daniel commanded to sacrifice to him hostes incense †The king therfore speaking said to Daniel In very dede your God is the God of goddes and Lord of kinges and he that reueleth mysteries because thou couldst open this sacrament †Then the king aduanced Daniel on high he gaue him manie gifts and great and he made him prince ouer al the prouinces of Babylon and chiefe of the magistrates ouer al the wisemen of Babylon †And Daniel requested of the king and he appointed ouer the workes of the prouince of Babylon Sidrach Misach and Abdenago but Daniel himself was in the doores of the king CHAP. III. Nabuchodonosor setteh vp a statua commanding al vnder paine of death to adore it 8. which Sidrach Misach and Abdenago refusing to doe 14. are cast into a burning fornace 24. wherin they walke defended by an Angel from burning praying and praysing God 51. with an hymne 57. inuiting al creatures to praise him 91. which the king admiring confesseth and proclameth that their God is the only true God NABVCHODONOSOR the king made a statua of gold in height of sixtie cubites in bredth of six cubits and he set it in the fild of Dura of the prouince of Babylon †Therfor Nabuchodonosor the king sent to cal to gether the nobles the magistrates and iudges dukes and tyrants and rulers and al the princes of the countries that they should come together to the dedication of the statua which Nabuchodonosor the king had erected †Then were the nobles gathered together the magistrates and iudges the dukes and tyrants the great men that were placed in regiments and al the princes of the countries to come together to the dedication of the statua which Nabuchodonosor the king had erected And they stood in the sight of the statua which Nabuchodonosor the king had set vp †And the cryer cried mightely To you peoples and tribes and tongues it is said †In the houre that you shal heare the sound of the trumpet pipe and harpe of the doulcimer and psalter and symphonie al kind of musical instruments falling adore ye the golden statua which Nabuchodonosor the king hath set vp †But if any man shal not adore prostrate he shal the self same houre be cast into a fornace of burning fyre †After this therfore forthwith as al the people 's heard the sound of the trumpet the pipe harpe of the doulcimer and psalter of the symphonie and of al kind of musical instruments al the peoples tribes and tongues falling adored the golden statua which Nabuchodonosor the king had set vp †And forthwith in the very same time men of Chaldee coming accused the Iewes †and sayd to Nabuchodonosor the king King for euer liue †thou ô king hast made a decree that euerie man which shal heare the sound of the trumpet of the pipe and harpe of the doulcimer and psalter of the symphonie and of al kind of musical instrumentes prostrate himself and adore the golden statua †and if any man do not prostrate on the grond adore that he be cast into a fornace of burning fyre †There are therfore men of Iewrie whom thou didst appoynte ouer the workes of the countrie of babylon Sidrach Misach and Abdenago these men ô king haue contemned thy decree thy goddes they worshipe not and the golden statua which thou hast erected they adore not †Then Nabuchodonosor in furie and in wrath commanded that Sidrach Misach Abdenago should be brought who immediatly were brought before the king †And Nabuchodonosor the king pronouncing sayd to them In dede Sidrach Misach and Abdenago doe not you worshipe my goddes the golden statua that I haue set vp doe not you adore †Now therfore if you be readie in what houre soeuer you shal heare the sound of the trumpet the pipe the harpe of the doulcimer and psalter and Symphonie and of al kind of musical instruments prostrate your selues adore the statua which I haue made but if you adore not the selfe same houre you shal be cast into the fornace of burning fyre and what God is there that shal deliuer you out of my hand †Sidrach Misach and Abdenago answering said to king Nabuchodonosor We must not answer thee concerning this thing †For behold our God whom we worshipe can saue vs from the fornace of burning fyre and out of thy handes ô king
cursed in the old Testament but such as now serue not God rightly and yet prosper in this world shal in a moment descend into hel Iob. 21. :: After manie other plagues and punishments at last the Iewes refusing and persecutiÌ„g Christ were reiected and Gentiles called into the Church and aduanced aboue them Theod q. 34. in Deut. :: For sinnes past God letteth some runne into reprobate sense permitting them to their owne freewil who being voide of grace wilfully obdurate them selues Theod. q. 37. in Deut. :: A mind secretly infected with idolatric :: The appetite drunken with pleasures thirsteth stil more :: Secrete thinges are knowne to God manifest thiÌ„ges to men Theod. 9. 38. in Deut. :: Some sinners through great repentance become more vertuous and are more rewarded then some that offended lesse :: God gaue man libertie to choose what he would folow S. Aâ—b in Psal 40. v. 10 By grace men are made able to kepe Gods coÌ„mandments So the commandmentes are not impossible S. Aug. denat et grat c. 69. et q. 54. in Deut. rheod q. â—8 in Deut. S. Cypri li. 3. c. 52. ad Quir. S. Amb. in Psal 40. Freewâ—â— The fourth part An exhortation to serue God with predictioÌ„ of their often sinnes and punishmentes :: He meaneth that he caÌ„ not exercise the office of a captaine general and bring the people into the promised land :: Mâ—â—ter is more easily kept in memorie then prose :: And so by this Canticle they are conuinced that they were abundantly for warned not to breake couenaÌ„t with God The eleuenth prophecie in the office before Masâ—e on Easter eue And the third on whitsuneue The canticle at Laudes on Saturday a Al thinges in heauen and in cartâ— testifie that God dealeth wel with his people b Doctrine doth fructifie in good soules as raine dew in the ground c Mans first dutie is to praise God d The next to acknowledge his owne sinnes defectes c At the towre of Babel f Israel being but one people possessed the inheritance of seuen other nations g God choise Israel to be his peculiar people of mere grace and protected them h Bees without mens industrie made honie in the rockes i Oliue trees prospered in stonie places k Temporal prosperitie occasion of the Iewes reuolting from God l Noueltie allureth carnal people to idolatrie and heresie m For their peruersnes God withdrew his helpe from them n God first loueth before anie man loueth him but men first for sake God before he forsake them o The Iewes reputed most GeÌ„tiles foolish yet now they are inferior to al. p For iust causes God some times differreth punishment q True wisdome considereth thinges past vnderstandeth things present and prouideth for things to come r Al infideles confesse more Maiesty in the true God and in his ReligioÌ„ then in their owne Å¿ Euen such offenders as thinck them selues secure escape not t It is vnpossible that false goddes should helpe theirfolowers in necessitie v The vaine counsel of the wicked being detected shal be punished Caluin contradicteth the holie Scripture Alwaies some good in the Church of the old TestameÌ„t :: The ancient fathers expound these blessinges rather of the Church of Christ then of the Iewes Synagogue s. Aug. q. 56. Theod. q. 44. in Deut. :: The priestlie tribe must especially preferre Gods seruice before their neerest kinred :: The Temple was built in the tribe of Beniamin which God more specially protected and so they dwelt more securely Theod. q. 45. in Deut. :: Epthaim is preferred before his elder brother agreable to their granfathers prophetical blessing Gen. 48. :: The sinne of ZaÌ„bri a prince of Simeons tribe in fresh memorie Nu. 25. semeth to be the cause why this tribe is not partilarly blessed but only in general with al Israel The prophetical sense of these blessiÌ„ges is more certaine more euident then the historical The fifth part The death burial and singular praise of Moyses :: God eleuated his visiue powre aboue nature to see so farre :: Onlie Angels whose ministerie God vsed herein knew the place of his burial lest the Iewes prone to idolatrie might haue honored him for God Histor Scholast VVhosoeuer was author the authoritie of this booke is certaine Bookes of holie Scripture principally treating of seueral argumentes yet in the same participat ech sorte with others The côtentes of this books S. Hiero. Epist ad Paulin. S. Amb. in Psal 47 S. Aug. li. 12 c. 31. li. 16. c. 19. contra Faust Manich. Diuided into foure partes The first part Of the passage of Israel ouer Iordan :: Besides Man na which yeâ— câ—assed not they might 〈◊〉 they would prouide other meate prefiguring that in the primitiue Church it should be lawful to vse legal ceremonies with euangelical rites for a time til the old law were buried with honour :: Notwithstanding this officious lie which is a venial sinne S. Paul Heb. 11. and S. Iames c. 2. testifie that she was iustified by her faith in God and by good workes towards these men S. Aug. cont Mâ—udac â— 17. See Annot Iac. 2. v. 25. :: In place of the cloud and piller of fire the arke is now caried for their guid and direction :: It perteined to the Leuites office to carie the arke Num. 4 but in this special seruice miraculous passage the Priestes did carie it so the greater may do the office of the lesse not contrariwise :: God shewed by this miracle that Iosue had special commission from him and that vnder his gouernment the people should prosper An obiection for laiheadship of the Church Answer Moyses chief both in spiritual and temporal authoritie which was after diuided betwen the high Priest temporal Prince The high priest superiour Iosue executed Gods wil not by spiritual iurisdictioÌ„ but with subordination to the high priest Exod. 4. 5. 6. c. Deut. 17. Chap. 5. 8. 22. 23. 24. Other good princes haue also much aduanced religion but not taken supramacie in spiritual causes Veniam â—etiturus For maintaining Catholique religion against heretikes the kings of Spaine haue the title Catholique The French Kinges most Christian Kinges of England Defenders of the saith â—n Do. 1521. :: Is not the forme of a crosse as conuenieÌ„t a signe to put christians in mind how our Sauiour redemed vs as these stones were to the Iewes how God brought their fathers ouer Iordan :: See annotations annotations c. 3. v. 8. :: CircuÌ„cision had bene omitted sourtie yeares whiles they were in the deserte alwayes vncertaine when to march so it is now commanded the second time * Fuâ—menâ—ie :: Not God but of Gods hoste Religious honour due to Angels See Annot Exâ— 20. Holie places The second part Of conqueâ—ing the Land of promise :: God appointed this long and solemne procession to the end it might appeare that the walles of Iericho â—el not by chance noâ— by force of mans industrie
v. â— * ch 3. v. 3. E :: Great hurt to a king that is ruled much by one counseler Salomon teacheth that VVhere are manie counsellers cogitations are confirmed â—ron 15. v. 22. * F ch 3. v. 14. ch 4. v. 17. * Excepâ— the 72. G The Epistle on wenesday in the 1. weke of â—â—nâ— And in a votiue Masse against Paganes :: Idoles are nothing in the vvorld 1. Cor. 8. but baâ—e imaginations of men :: The Church vseth this prayer in the offertorie the 22. sunday after Pentecost as a parcel of holie Scripture Of herselfe nor for wordlie glorie she desired not to marie a heathen king but for the coÌ„mon good she maried him God dispensing with the law in this behalf See ch 2. G * H ch 13. v. 8. :: Vesâ—imâ—nta oratus not ornâ—â—â—s her playing wâ—ede :: A notable example for Noble wemen how to kepe their state remaine neuer theles humble in hart :: By this comparison of angels she ment that the king excelled al or most part of men * K ch 5. v. â— L :: At last this king saw his owne errour in beleuing one false counseller ouer much ch 1â— v. ◠〈◊〉 1â— v. 6. :: As Mardocheus suggested thâ— king confirmed the obseruation of a feast in memorie of Gods benefice and so both Iewes and Genâ—â—les kept it * M chap. 9. v. â— â— 18. c. 47. ciuit conc 2. de Lazar Rom. 9. Praesat 〈◊〉 Iob. Iob of the race of Esau VVhy God suffered him to be so afflicted The contentes according to the historie Iob an especial figure of Christ Prafâ—â— Moral documentes in this booke True logike Philosophie Hard and eaâ—ic thinges to be vnderstood are both profitable VVritten by Iob himself most part in verse Diuided into three partes This booke is read the two fâ—râ—â— wekes of September The first paâ—â— The change of Iobs prosperous sâ—aâ—â— into affliction 〈…〉 :: Diuels appeare not in Gods sight but sometime in presence of Angels which represent God S. Athan q. 8. ad Antiâ—câ—â—â— :: God doth not directly send euils bâ—t permitteth them to happen to his seruantes :: By this holie example ancient fathers condeme the senâ—â—es Stoikes who are neuer moued S. Aug. li. 1. c. 9. ciuit S. Paul also reproueth men vvithout affection Rom. 1. v. 31. Aswal Iob as other prophetes writ their owne actes and prayses Good workes are both Gods workes and mens workes Praefâ—â— in Iob. Iobs patience inuincible in â—l sortes of â—â—â—liction English Catholiques lose their goodes and children and are afflicted in bodie Great commendation to be good amongst the bad Philip. 2. Apoc. 2. â—â—ntie Sacrifice being of infinite vertue yet the valure in application is limited :: A man of plâ—ine 〈◊〉 true dealing mixed with meekâ—â—â— with out al guile is called a simple right man S. Greg. li. 1. Moral â— 2 â—â—â— :: His wife perswading him to desperation and blasphemie signified carnal cogitions which corrupt the soule inwardly as afflictions do affault the flesh outwardly S. Greg. li. 3. c. 24. :: Seuen dayes together euerie day and night some good part These visiters of Iob were in dede his freindes and professed true religion They erred in Iobs particular case li. 3. â— 24. And prefigured heretikes li. 5. â— 18. :: After so long â—â—leâ—ce at last â—â—b expresseth hiâ—â—Spandâ—â— so 〈…〉 des 〈…〉 great 〈…〉 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 〈…〉 ly 〈…〉 〈…〉 ud 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 〈◊〉 by God bu 〈…〉 to m 〈…〉 bein 〈…〉 〈…〉 nne euen from his conception and 〈◊〉 wishing that whatsoeuer concurred to his longer afflictions in this life and hâ—â—dâ—râ—â— his more spedie deliuerie from dangers and calamities had not bene for so he had benne sowner at â—est as Gods goodnes should dispose of him Al which was a lawful desire and no sinne at al. See 1. Pineda in c. 2. Iob. The second part Diuers discourses and disputes about the cause of Iobs afflictions The first constrct betwen Eliphaz and Iob. :: No innocent euer perished eternally but innocent Abel was slaine temporaly and innumerable others suffer calamities for their greater merite :: Heretikes pretend such obscure visions more to gette credite then to edifie others S. Greg. li. 5. c. 18. :: Iob easely granteth that man may not compare not contend with God ch 9. v. 1. Yet men may be innocent free from greuous sinnes :: This disputer hauing pretended an imaginarie vision from God 〈◊〉 Iob now he supposeth that neither God noâ— Angel noâ— other holie person wil patrâ—â—age his cause nor iudge of his case as he doth but that al wil condemne him of impatience follie enuie and other sinnes :: This proueth unporteth that a man must not thincke to passe his life without trauel but must get his bread vvith svveat of his brovves or suffer other calamities :: Gods goodnes deliuereth his seruantes the space of this laborious life :: And most especially in the houre of death S. Org. li. 6. c. 18. â—nuocation of Sainctes especially Angels in Iobs time li. 5. c. 30. :: A man of sincere conscience confesseth the sinnes wherof he is guiltie yet acknowledgeth not al wherwith others may vniustly charge him :: Sâ—ndâ—e wayes without water :: Iobs aduersaâ—ies preâ—â—med to teach him but because they erred in their applying of true assertions in his case which himself vnderstood and not they he acconted not their discourses for good doctrin The vse of Hyperbole in holie Scripture Treasure of satisfactorie workes in the Church Pardons do applie the suffering of some for the satisfaction of others :: A souldiar must be alwayes readie to indure trauel to be promptly obedient content to be beaten by his superior with out al resistance vpon paine of his life he is alwayes subiect to cares and to danger of death and therfore must euer be readie to dye * Seol :: Iust Iob supposing he was at the point of death prayed God to spare or cease to punish him more and to accept of that affliction which he had already suffered So the Church in behalf of soules departed in state of grace prayeth God to spare and cease from further punishing them and to geue them eternal rest :: The second confflict This second disputer charged Iob to be obâ—â—â—â—ate who in dedâ— was constant 〈◊〉 a true setled iudgement :: Euen thus heretikes imagine Catholikes to the ignorant and therfore fil their mouthes and bookes with thinges that are not denied and yet inserre much falshood sophistically applying one truth against an other being them selues ignoraÌ„t how to reconcile difficulties :: Iob here granteth that which was truly said by his aduersarie sheweth how he did wrong apliâ—â—rue doctrin against him and so stil defendeth his owne in nocencie and iust quarel :: Angeles moue the spheres of heauen :: Euen so S. Paul though he was not guiltie in conscience of anie crime yet he would not therin iustifie himself 1. Cor. 4. :: This is an assured true assertion that God afflicteth
al other nations to erre for their sinnes in their fond phantesies of false goddes reserued the Israelites for his Church e establishing the principalitie therof in Sion f For obtaining and conseruing of Sion from wicked Infidels God ouerthrewe al sortes of contrarie forces g God not only gaue his people temporal victories ouer their enimies but also illuminated their mindes with knowlege of true religion h others are often trubled in mind hearing the truth but are not conuerted through their obstinate follie i VVorldlie men in supine carlesnes as in a sleepe passe ouer this life and afterwards find themselues excluded from heauen for lacke of merites and good workes with the foolish virgins k God vndertaking the defence of his people and threatning the aduerse part l they failed in courage as men ouercome with drowsines of sleepe m Euen from the first notice of thy wil the aduersaries were deiected fearing thy poâ—eâ—â— wrath n Terrible signes from the firmament appearing before the day of iudgement :: The Prophetes â—â— often speake in the pretertence for the assurance of the thinges to come o persecuters and others being terrified shal be astonied and silent p God vvil come to iudge the vvorld more especially for the iusts sake q Men that shal seriously thinke and meditate vpon these thinges vvil praise and thanke God for them r and the effect and svvere repast of such meditation shal make as it vvere a great festiual day in the deuout soule spiritually ioyned vvith God Å¿ The soule thus inflamed with Gods loue is then apt of gratitude for his goodnes tovvardes man to make vovves of thinges vvherto vve are not obliged t but most necessarie it is to be maturely aduised and not rashly nor lightly to vovv for being once vovved vve are strictly bound to vvhatsoeuer vve haue lavvfully promised And it is great sinne to vâ—vv vndiscretly v Remembring that for vovves and al other vvorkes vve must ansvver to God vvho is a terrible iudge readie to punish in bodie and soule sparing none for their greatnes not princes nor kinges nor vulgar sorte for al are to him alike Gods special protection of the Ievves the. 4. key a For Idithun to sing or to make tune for it b For the faithful congregation to consider Gods benefites c Hauing heretofore prayed Psal 14â— d I haue obtayned e Especially being in tribulation and praying vvith hart and handes lifted vp as vvel in the night as day f I vvas not frustrate of my prayer g I vvas sometimes in such anguish that nothing semed comfortable h but I 〈…〉 d vpon God so firmly i that my spirite came inâ—o an exâ—asie oâ—â—â—aunce k I arose early before the ordinarie time of avvay king l my hart being attentiue invvardly I vttered nothing vvith my tongue m I diligently examined my conscience n Assuredly God vvil not reiect for euer but he vvil be pleased with his Church o VVhiles I thus thought I erred greatly novv I see and confesse that God suffereth al calamities for the good of his seruantes p and this I knevv not by my selfe but by the inspiration of God making this change in me by his gracious hand q The progenie of Iacob receiued and nourished in Aegypt for Iosephs sake as his adopted children r The read sea and Iordan felt thy diuine powre and obeyed thy wil. Å¿ Noise of vvaters meeting after the Israelites vvere passed thunders and lightninges also hapened to the terror of the persecutors though not mentioned in Exodus Exâ— 14 By the ministerie of Moyses and Aaron Gods great Benefites bestovved vpon the levves and their ingratitude the 4 key a Commended to Asaph a chiefe musitian that the people might vnderstand and consider Gods benefites b Neither the lavv not the people vvas Dauids but presenting Gods perso n he speaketh in his name or authoritie vvith vvhose inspitation he vvas replenished S. Greg. Prefat in Iob. c. 2. Mat. â—â— 5. 35. c Albeit the prophet reciteth historically thinges donne yet the same vvere parables similitudes and figures of other thinges d yea of secret hidden Mysteries obscurly signified in the old Testament and reueled in the nevv e which partly we know by written holie Sriptures f partly by Traditions g God of his mercie without precedent merite raised vp a peculiar people of Abraham Isaac and Iacob h and gaue them a particular law first of Circuncision more largely by Moyses i So Abraham instructed his children and his house after him Gen. 18. k in like sorte others taught their children l For three causes God gaue his law that his people may haue confidence in him he shewing his care to instruct and gouerne them m that they remember his benefites n and kepe his commandmentes o The Iewish nation very often and in great numbers murmured rebelled and committed other great sinnes and therfore Dauid exhorted the people of his time not to do the like And this exhortation perteyneth more especially to Charistianes as S. Paul teacheth 1. Cor. 10. p They first trusting in their owne strength without Gods commandment Num. 14. went forth to batle and were ouerthrowne 1. Par 7 v. 21 â— Par. 7. â—â—â— q Tanis the principal citie in Aegypt nere the riuer Nilus where Moyses wrought his great miracles 〈◊〉 14. This cloude shadowed them from the heate of the sunne in the day and the fire shined in the night al the time that they were in the desert Å¿ In mount Horeb and there was continual water in al the campe which occupied nere foure miles in length and breadth t Which naturally wanted water but by miracle had abundance v Not content with Manna they demanded to haue flesh vv Stil incredulous not beleuing Gods omnipotencie they thought that albeit he had geuen them manna and water yet he could not geue them flesh x By bread in general is vnderstood al competent meate vsual for a table y For this incredulitie murmuring and other sinnes God kept the children of Israel fourtie yares in the desert tâ—l al hat were of age when they came from Aegypt were dead except only Iosue and Caleb z In the meane time amongst other punishments manie mutmurers woâ—c burnâ—â—o death with strange fire Num. 11. a Manna made by Angels b God so changed the wind that it brought abundance of quailes and other birdes into their campe Exo. 16. Nu. 11. c Immediately after a moneth for so long they had abundance of these birdes ibid. v. 20. they were striken with a plague and manie died for their concupiscence d The most fresh strong men died and so were hindered from possessing the promised land of Chana an e In fourtie yeares aboue six hundred thousand died f They offered morning sacrifice g But were not sincere in their hartes h Howsoeuer multitudes of people committe great sinnes and are seuerely punished yet Gods mercie preferueth some by his effectual grace and neuer suffereth the
hapened she did is a great and hard question saieth S. Augustin q. 49. in lib. Iudic and not easily decided the holie scripture neither approuing nor reprouing his fact Neuertheles by conference of other scriptures and discourse of reason he iudgeth it most probablo that Iephte offended in vowing without special warrant from God to sacrifice that which by the law was not sacrificable yet â—inned not in performing his vow but rather pacified God therby whose wil it semed to be that for punishment of his sinne he should sacrifice his daughter because by his diuine prouidence she first mette him and the omission might rather haue benne for his natural loue towards his onlie childe then for the vnlawfulnes of the sacrifice seing it once pleased God to command Abraham to immolate his sonno Isaac though when it came to execution he forbade the same appointing an other hoste in place of the childe which here he did not Neither was it iniurious to the daughter seing she as al mankinde must once die when God appointeth Yea further she offered her self freely which semed to be by Gods instinct willing her father to do to her whatsoeuer he had promised to God This is the summe of S. Augustins large discourse Likewise S. Ambrose li. 3. de Officiis c. 12. supposeth assuredly that this prince Iephte offended in vowing vnâ—duisedly for it also repented him when his daughter first mette him yet that with godlie feare and dreade he performed to his owne bitter paine that which he had promised instâ—â—â—ting an anniuersarie lamentation of his daughter for a warning to posteriâ—â—â— of more circumspection in making vowes S. Hierom also li. 1. aduers Ioâ—iâ—â—â—â— approueth their opinion that say It was Gods ordinance Iephte should seâ—â—e the errour of his vnaduised vow by the death of his daughter for a document to others The very same teacheth S. Chrisostom â—o 14. ad pop Antioch that God would haue this errour to be thus punished that others might be warned from vowing the like S. Gregoire Naziazen orat de â—achabâ—â—â— preferring the martyrdome of the seuen brothers and their mother befor this sacrifice of Iephte as more aduised and more honorable yet condemneth not this but recounteth it amongst other commendable actes Theodoret q. 19. in Iudic. and al the afore said fathers do highly commend the daughters promptnes in offering her self to be sacrificed which either much extenuated heâ— fathers fault or wholly iustified his fact Thus the ancient fathers moderate their censures Yet a new glosser of the English Bible without scruple sayeth that by his â—ash vow and vvicked performance his victorie vvas defaced and againe that he was ouercome vvith blinde Zele not considering whether the vow was lawful or no. CHAP. XII Ephraites rising against Iephte fourtie two thousand of them are slaine 8. Abesan is Iudge 11. After him Abialon 13. Then Abdon BVT behold in Ephraim there arose a sedition For they passing against the North said to Iephte Going to fight against the children of Ammon why wouldst thou not cal vs that we might goe with thee Therfore we wil burne thy house †To whom he answered I and my people were at great strife against the children of Ammon and I called you that you should ayde me and you would not doe it †Which I seeing put my life in myne owne handes and passed to the children of Ammon and our Lord deliuered them into my handes What haue I deserued that you rise against me in battel †Therfore al the men of Galaad being called to him he fought against Ephraim and the men of Galaad stroke Ephraim because he had said Galaad is a fugitiue of Ephraim and dwelleth in the middes of Ephraim and Manasses †And the Galaadites tooke the fordes of Iordan by the which Ephraim was to returne And when there had come to the same one of the number of Ephraim fleeing and had said I besech you let me passe The Galaadites said to him Art thou not an Ephraite Who saying I am not †they asked him Say then Schibboleth which is interpreted an Eare of corne Who answered Sibboleth not being able by the same letter to expresse an eare of corne And immediatly being apprehended they killed him in the very passage of Iordan And there fel at that time of Ephraim two and fourtie thousand †Therfore Iephte the Galaadite iudged Israel six yeares and he died and was buried in his citie of Galaad †After him Abesan of Bethlehem iudged Israel †who had thirtie sonnes and as manie daughters which he sending abrode gaue to husbandes and tooke wiues for his sonnes of the same number bringing them into his house Who iudged Israel seuen yeares †and died and was buried in Bethlehem †To whom succeeded Ahialon a Zabulonite and he iudged Israel ten yeares †and he died and was buried in Zabulon †After him Abdon iudged Israel the sonne of Illel a Pharathonite †who had fourtie sonnes and of them thirtie nephewes mounting vpon seuentie asse coltes and he iudged Israel eight yeares †and he died and was buried in Pharathon of the Land of Ephraim in the mount of Amalec CHAP. XIII The people fal againe to idolatrie and are afflicted by the Philisthims 3. An Angel fortelleth Manue his wife that she shal haue a sonne and that he shal be a Nazareite from his birth 11. confirmeth the same to Manue 16. They offer sacrifice to God 24. The childe is borne called Samson and blessed of God AND againe the children of Israel did euil in the sight of our Lord who deliuered them into the handes of the Philisthimes fourtie yeares †And there was a certaine man of Saraa and of the stocke of Dan named Manue hauing a wife barren †To whom an Angel of our Lord appeared and said to her Thou art barren and without children but thou shalt conceiue beare a sonne †beware therfore that thou drinke not wine sicer nor eate any vncleane thing †because thou shalt conceiue and beare a sonne whose head the raser shal not touch for he shal be a Nazareite of God from his infancie and from his mothers wombe and he shal beginne to deliuer Israel from the handes of the Philistijmes †Who when she was come to her husband said to him A man of God came to me hauing an Angelical contenance exceeding terrible Whom when I had asked who he was and whence he came and by what name he was called he would not tel me †but this he answered Behold thou shalt conceiue and beare a sonne beware thou drinke not wine nor sicer and that thou eate not any vncleane thing for the child shal be the Nazereite of God from his infancie and from his mothers wombe vntil the day of his death †Manue therfore prayed to our Lord and said I besech thee ô Lord that the man of God whom thou didst send
may come againe and teach vs what we ought to doe concerning the child that shal be borne †And our Lord heard Manue praying and the Angel of our Lord appeared againe to his wife sitting in the field but Manue her husband was not with her Who when she had seene the Angel †hastened and ranne to her husband and she told him saying Behold “ the man hath appeared to me whom I saw before †Who rose and folowed his wife and comming to the man said to him Art thou he that didst speake to the woman And he answered I am †To whom Manue when sayd he thy word shal be fulfilled what wilt thou that the child doe or from what shal he keepe him self †And the Angel of our Lord said to Manue From al thinges which I haue spoken to thy wife let him refraine him self †and whatsoeuer groweth of the vineyard let him not eate wine and sicer let him not drinke let him not eate any vncleane thing and whatsoeuer I haue commanded her let him fulfil and keepe †And Manue said to the Angel of our Lord I besech thee that thou condescend to my petitions and let vs make to thee a kidde of goates †To whom the Angel answered If thou constraine me I wil not eate thy breade but if thou wilt make holocaust offer it to our Lord. And Manue knew not that it was an Angel of our Lord. †And he said to him What is thy name that if thy word shal be fulfilled we may honour thee †To whom he answered Why askest thou my name which is merueilous †Manue therfore tooke a kidde of the goates and the libamentes and put them vpon a rocke offering to our Lord who doeth meruelous thinges and he and his wife looked on †And when the flame of the altar ascended into heauen the Angel of our Lord ascended together in the flame Which when Manue and his wife had seene they fel flatte on the ground †and the Angel of our Lord appeared to them no more And forthwith Manue vnderstood that it was an Angel of our Lord †and he said to his wife Dying we shal die because we haue seene God †To whom his wife answered If our Lord would haue killed vs he would not haue taken of our handes holocaustes and libamentes neither would he haue shewed vs al these thinges nor haue told vs these thinges that are to come †She therfore bare a sonne and called his name Samson And the child grewe and our Lord blessed him †And the Spirit of our Lord beganne to be with him in the campe of Dan betwixt Saraa and Esthaol ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XIII 10. The man hath appeared Al ancient fathers and Catholique writers say this was an Angel which appeared in the forme of a man and it is plaine by the text Yet some protestantes wil haue this person to be Christ the eternal vvord of God VVho afterwardes became man And neuertheles where by by v. 16. he admonisheth Manue to offer sacrifice to God they note that he sought not his ovvne honour but Gods vvhose messenger he vvas either plainly contradicting themselues or els teaching Arrianisme as though the Sonne of God were not God or inferiour to God the Father CHAP. XIIII Samson desirous to marrie a Philisthime woman 5. by the way killeth a lion 8. In whose mouth after few dayes finding honey 12. he proposeth therof a riddle to the Philisthiims for a wager 15. which reueling to his wife she telleth it to his aduersaries 19. He killeih and spoyleth thirtie men so payeth the wager and his wife taketh an other man SAMSON therfore went downe into Thamnatha and seeing there a woman of the daughters of the Philisthims †he went vp and told his father and his mother saying I saw a woman in Thamnatha of the daughters of the Philisthijms which I besech you take for me to wife †To whom his father and mother said Is there not a woman among the daughters of thy bretheren and in al my people that thou wilt take a wife of the Philisthijms which are vncircumcised And Samson said to his father Take this for me because she hath pleased mine eyes †But his parentes knew not that the thing was done of our Lord and he sought an occasion against the Philisthims for at that time the Philisthiims had dominion ouer Israel †Samson therfore went downe with his father and mother into Thamnatha And when they were come to the vineyardes of the towne there appeared a lions whelpe cruel and roaring and mette him †And the Spirit of our Lord came vpon Samson and he tore the lion as if he should teare a kidde into peeces hauing nothing at al in his hand and this thing he would not tel to his father and mother †And he went downe and spake to the woman that had pleased his eies †And after some dayes returning to take her he went aside to see the carcasse of the lion and behold there was a swarme of bees in the mouth of the lion and a honie combe †Which when he had taken in his handes he did eate in the way and coming to his father and other he gaue them part who also them selues did eate neither would he for al that tel them that he had taken the honie from the bodie of the lion †His father therfore went downe to the woman and made his sonne Samson a feast for so yong men were accustomed to doe †When the citizens therfore of that place had seene him they gaue him thirtie companions to be with him †To whom Samson spake I wil propose you a riddle which if you shal solue me within the seuen dayes of the feast I wil geue you thirtie sindones and as many coates †but if you shal not be able to solue it you shal geue me thirtie sindones and cotes of the same number Who answered him Propound the riddle that we may heare it †And he said to them Out of the eater came forth meate and out of the strong issued forth sweetenes neither could they for three dayes solue the proposition †And when the seuenth day was come they said to the wife of Samson Speake to thy husband and vse perswasion to him that he tel thee what the riddle signifieth Which thing if thou wilt not doe we wil burne thee and thy fathers house haue you therfore called vs to the bridal that you might spoyle vs †Who shed teares before Samson and complained saying Thou hatest me and louest me not therfore the probleme which thou hast propounded to the sonnes of my people thou wilt not expound to me But he answered I would not tel it to my father and mother and can I tel it to thee †The seuen daies therfore of the feast she wept before him and at the length the seuenth day for that she molested him he expounded it Who