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
thy sight I wil goe quickly and see my brethren For this cause he came not to the kings table †But Saul being wrath against Ionathas said to him Thou sonne of a woman which of her owne accord rauisheth a man am I ignorant that thou louest the sonne of Isai vnto thyne owne confusion and to the confusion of thyne ignominious mother †For al the dayes that the sonne of Isai shal liue vpon the earth thou shalt not be established nor thy kingdom Therefore now presently send and bring him to me because he is the sonne of death †And Ionathas answering Saul his father faid Why shal he dye what hath he done †And Saul caught a speare to strike him And Ionathas vnderstood that it was determined of his father that he would kil Dauid †Ionathas therefore rose from the table in anger of furie and did not eate bread the second day of the calendes For he was stroken heauie vpon Dauid because his father had confounded him †And when the morning appeared Ionathas came into the field according to the appointment with Dauid and a little boy with him †and said to his boy Goe and fetch me the arrowes which I shoote And when the boy had runne he shotte an other arrowe beyond the boy †The boy therefore came to the place of the arrowe which Ionathas had shotte and Ionathas cried behind the back of the boy and said Loe the arrowe is there further beyond thee †And Ionathas cried againe behind the back of the boy saying Make hast spedely stand not And Ionathas his boy gathered vp his arrowes and brought them to his master †and he was altogether ignorant what was done for only Ionathas and Dauid knew the matter †Ionathas therefore gaue his armourâ— to the boy and said to him Goe and cary them into the citie †And when the boy was gone Dauid rose out of his place which did bend to the South and falling flatt on the ground adored thrise and kissing one another they wept together but Dauid more †Ionathas therefore said to Dauid Goe in peace what soeuer we haue sworne both of vs in the name of our Lord saying Our Lord be betwen me and thee and betwen my seede and thy seede for euer †And Dauid arose and departed but Ionathas also entred into the Citie CHAP. XXI In case of necessitie Achimelech the priest gâ—ueth halowed bread to Dauid 8. also the sword which he had taken from Goliath 10. then Dauid going to Achis king of Geth is forced to faine himself madde AND Dauid came into Nobe to Achimelech the priest Achimelech was astonyed because Dauid was come And he said to him Why thou alone and none is with thee †And Dauid said to Achimelech the priest The king hath commanded me a word and said Let no man know the thing for which thou art sent by me and what maner precepts I haue geuen thee for my seruantes also I haue appointed into such and such a place †Now therfore if thou haue any thing at hand yea if but fiue loaues geue me or whatsoeuer thou shalt finde †And the priest answered Dauid saying I haue no lay breads at hand but only holy bread if the seruants be cleane especially from wemen †And Dauid answered the priest and said to him And truly if the matter be concerning wemen we haue refrained our selues from yesterday and the day before when we came forâ—h and the vessels of the seruants were holie Moreouer this way is polluted but it also shal be sanctified this day in the vessels †The priest therefore gaue him halowed bread for neither was anie bread there but only the loaues of proposition which had bene taken away from the face of our Lord that hoate loaues might be sette downe †And there was there a certaine man of the seruantes of Saul that day within the tabernacle of our Lord and his name was Doeg an Idumeite the mightiâ—st of Saules pastours †And Dauid said to Achimelech Hâ—st thou here at hand a speare or a sword because myn owne sword and myne owne weapons I tooke not with me for the kings word hastened forward †And the priest said Loe here the sword of Goliath the Philistian whom thou slewest in the Valley of terebinth is wrapped vp in a mantel behind the Ephod if thou wilt take this take it for neither is here any other beside that And Dauid said There is none other like to that geue me it †Dauid therefore arose and fled that day from the face of Saul and came to Achis the king of Geth †and the seruantes of Achis said to him when they had seene Dauid Is not this Dauid the king of the land Did they not sing in dances to this man saying Saul stroke a thousand and Dauid ten thousand †But Dauid put these wordes in his hart and feared excedingly at the face of Achis the king of Geth †And he changed his countenance before them and slipt downe betwen their handes and he stumbled at the doores of the gate his spittle ranne downe vpon his bearde †And Achis said to his seruantes You haue seene the man madde why haue you brought him to me †Doe we lack madde men that you haue brought in this felowe to play the madde man in my presence shal this man enter into my house CHAP. XXII Dauid with a great retinâ—â— goeth to the king of Moab 5. but by aduise of Gad the prophet returneth into Iuda 6. Saul lamenting that many conspire against him 9. Doeg accuseth Achimelech 14. who iustifieth both Dauid and himself 16. He and al the Priestes with much people in Nobe are slaine by Sauls commandment 20. onlie Abiathar escaping flieth to Dauid DAVID therefore went from thence and fled to the caue of Odellam Which when his brethren had heard and a his fathers house they went downe to him thither †And there were gathered vnto him al that were in distresse and oppressed with debt and of a pensiue hart and he was made their prince and there were with him about foure hundred men †And Dauid departed from thence into Maspha which is Moab and he said to the king of Moab Let my father and my mother tary with you I besech thee til I know what God wil doe to me †And he left them before the face of the king of Moab and they abode with him al the dayes that Dauid was in garrison †And Gad the prophet said to Dauid Tary not in garrison depart and goe into the Land of Iuda And Dauid departed and came into the forest of Hare◠†And Saul heard that Dauid had appeared and the men that were with him And Saul when he abode in Gabaa and was in the wood which is in Rama holding a speare in his hand and al his seruantes that stood about him †he sayd to his seruantes that stoode about him Heare me
in heauen and thou vpon the earth therfore let thy wordes be few †Dreames do folow manie cares and in manie wordes follie wil be found †If thou hast vowed anie thing to God differre not to pay it for an vnfaithful and foolish promise displeaseth him But what soeuer thou hast vowed pay it †and it is much better not to vow then after a vow not to performe the thinges promised †Geue not thy mouth to make thy flesh to sinne neither say thou before the Angel There is no prouidence lest perhaps God being wrath against thy wordes dissipate al the workes of thy handes †Where manie dreames are there are manie vanities and wordes innumerable but do thou feare God †If thou shalt see the oppressions of the poore and violent iudgements and iustice to be subuerted in the prouince meruel not at this matter because there is an other higher then the high and ouer these also there are others more eminent †and besides the king of al the earth reigneth ouer his seruant †A couetous man shal not be filled with money and he that loueth riches shal take no fruite of them and this therfore is vanitie †Where great riches are there are also manie that eate them And what doth it profite the owner but that he seeth the riches with his eyes †Sleepe is swete to him that worketh whether he eate much or litle but the sarietie of the rich doth not suffer him to sleepe †There is also an other very il infirmitie which I haue sene vnder the sunne riches kept to the hurt of the owner †For they perish in very euil affliction he hath begotten a sonne which shal be in great pouertie †As he came forth naked from his mothers wombe so shal he returne and shal take nothing away with him of his labour †An infirmitie vtterly miserable as he came so shal he returne What doth it then profite him that he hath labored into the winde †Al the dayes of his life he eateth in darknes and in miserie and in heauines †This therfore hath semed good to me that a man eate and drinke and take ioy of his labour wherwith he hath labored vnder the sunne the number of the dayes of his life which God hath geuen him and this is his portion †And to euerie man vnto whom God hath geuen riches and substance and hath geuen him powre to eate of them and to enioy his portion and to reioyce of his labour this is the gift of God †For he shal not greatly remember the dayes of his life because God doth occupie his hart with delightes CHAP. VI. Riches make not men happie because manie dye shortly 3. and manie rich men wil not vse their riches 8. Likewise studie to know al secrete thinges is vanitie not felicitie THERE is also an other euil which I haue sene vnder the sunne and that frequent with men †A man to whom God hath geuen riches and substance and honour and nothing is lacking to his soule of al thinges which he desireth neither doth God geue him powre to eate therof but a strange man shal eate it vp This is vanitie and great miserie †If a man shal begette an hundred children and shal liue manie yeares and haue manie dayes of age and his soule vse not the goods of his substance and he lacke burial of this man I pronounce shat the vntimely borne is better then he †For he came in vaine and passeth to darknes and his name shal be cleane forgotten †He hath not sene the sunne nor knowen the distance of good and euil †although he liued two thousand yeares and hath not enioyed good thinges do not al thinges hasten to one place †Al the labour of man is in his mouth but his soule shal not be filled †What hath the wiseman more then the foole and what the poore man but to passe thither where life is †Better it is to see that which thou maist couere then to desire that which thou canst not know But this also is vanitie and presumption of spirite †He that shal be his name is already called and it is knowne that he is a man and can not contend in iudgement against a stronger then himself †There be manie wordes that haue much vanitie in disputing CHAP. VII It is in vaine to seke and vnpossible to know al natural thinges 2. It importeth to leade this shorte life in mortification 4. paenance 8. and patience 12. seeking wisdom with competent temporal meanes 15. prouiding for the next world 24. not yelding to concupiscence VVHAT nedeth a man to seke thinges greater then himself wheras he is ignorant what is profitable for him in his life in the number of the dayes of his peregrination and the time that passeth as a shadow Or who can tel him what shal be after him vnder the sunne †Better is a good name then precious ointments and the day of death then the day of natiuitie †It is better to goe to the house of mourning then to the house of banketing for in that the end of al men is signified and he that liueth thinketh what shal be †Anger is better then laughter because by sadnes of the countenance the mind of the offender is corrected †The hart of wisemen where sadnes is and the hart of fooles where mirth †It is better to be rebuked of a wiseman then to be deceiued with the flaterie of fooles †Because as the sound of thornes burning vnder a potte so the laughter of a foole but this also is vanitie †Oppression trubleth the wise and shal destroy the streingth of his hart †Better is the end of a speach then the beginning Better is the patient man then the arrogant †Be not quickly angrie because anger resteth in the bosom of a foole †Say not What is the cause thinkest thou that the former times were better then they are now for this maner of question is foolish †Wisdom with riches is more profitable and doth more profite them that see the sunne †For as wisdom protecteth so money protecteth But lerning and wisdom haue this much more that they geue life to their owner †Consider the workes of God that no man can correct whom he hath despised †In the good day enioy good thinges and beware before of the euil day For as this so that also hath God made that man finde not against him iust complants †These thinges also I saw in the dayes of my vanitie The iust man perisheth in his iustice and the impious liueth a long time in his malice †Be not iust too much neither be more wise then is necessarie lest thou be come more dul †Doe not impiously much and be not foolish lest thou dye not in thy time †It is good that thou hold vp the iust yea
they shal not inhabite nor walke therein and they shal not leape high into the congregation †Vpon the iudges seate they shal not sitte and the ordinance of iudgement they shal not vnderstand neither shal they declare discipline and iudgement and in parables they shal not be found †but they shal confirme the creature of the world and their prayer shal be in the worke of their art applying their soule searching in the law of the Highest CHAP. XXXIX Goldie knowlege 16. puritie of soule 20. humble conceipt of our selues 27. and consideration of eternal reward are good dispositions to spiritual contemplation THE wise man wil search out the wisdom of al the ancientes and wil be occupied in the prophetes †He wil keepe the narration of famous men and wil enter withal into the subtilities of parables †He wil search out the hidden senses of prouerbes and wil conuerse in the secretes of parables †In the middes of great men he wil minister and in the sight of the president he shal appeare †He shal passe into the land of strange nations for he shal trie good and euil in men †He wil geue his hart to watch early vnto our Lord that made him and he wil pray in the sight of the Highest †He Wil open his mouth in prayer and wil entreate for his sinnes †For if it shal please our great Lord he wil fil him with the spirit of vnderstanding †and he wil power forth the wordes of his wisdom as showres and in prayer wil confesse to our Lord. †And he wil direct his counsel and discipline and in his secretes he wil consult †He wil open the discipline of his doctrine and wil glorie in the law of the testament of our Lord. †Manie wil praise his wisdom and it shal not be abolished for euer †The memorie of him shal not depart and his name shal be required from generation to generation †Nations shal declare his wisdom and the church wil shew forth his praise †If he continew he shal leaue a name more then a thousand and if he rest it shal profite him †I wil yet consult that I may declare For as with furie I am replenished †In voice he saith Heare me ye diuine fruites and as the rose planted vpon the riuers of waters fructifie ye †As Libanus haue ye the odours of sweetnes †Florish ye flowres as the lilie and geue forth an odour and bring forth leaues in grace and praise with songue and blesse our Lord in his workes †Geue magnificence to his name and confesse vnto him in the voice of your lippes and in songues of the lippes and harpes thus shal ye say in confession †Al the workes of our Lord are exceeding good †At this word the water stood as an heape and at the word of his mouth as it were receptacles of waters †because in his commandment placabilitie is made and there is no diminishing of his saluation †The workes of al flesh are before him and there is nothing hid from his eyes †From world to world he beholdeth and nothing is meruelous in his sight †It is not to be saied What is this or what is that for al thinges shal be sought in their time †His blessing hath ouerflowed as a streame †And as a flood hath watered the drie land so his wrath shal inherite the nations that haue not sought him †euen as he turned waters into drught and the earth was made drie and his waies are direct to the waies of them so to sinners stumbling blockes in his wrath †Good thinges were created for the good from the beginning so for the wicked good thinges and euil †The beginning of the thing necessarie for the life of men water fire and yron salt milke and bread of flower and honie and the cluster of grape and oyle clothing †Al these shal be conuerted to saintes into good so also to the impious and to sinners into euil †There are spirites that were created for vengeance and in their furie they haue confirmed their tormentes †in the time of consummation they shal power our strength and they shal accomplish the furie of him that made them †Fire haile famine and death al these were created for vengeance †the teeth of beastes and scorpions and serpentes and sword reuenging the impious vnto destruction †In his commandmentes they shal make merrie and on the earth they shal be prepared when nede is and in their times they shal not pretermitte a word †Therefore from the beginning I was confirmed and I haue consulted and thought and leaft written †Al the workes of our Lord are good he wil geue euerie worke in his houre †It is not to be said This is worse then that for al shal be approued in their time †And now with al hart and mouth praise ye and blesse the name of our Lord. CHAP. XL. The first matter of spiritual meditation may be mans miserie contracted by original sinne 4. and increased by actual 17. reliued by God grace 22. which geueth manie benefites 27. man adding his voluntarie cooperation GREAT trauel is created to al men and an heauie yoke vpon the children of Adam from the day of their coming forth of their mothers wombe vntil the day of their burying into the mother of al. †Their cogitations and feares of the hart imagination of thinges to come and the day of their ending †from him that sitteth vpon the glorious seate vnto him that is humbled in earth ashes †From him that weareth hyacinth and beareth the crowne euen to him that is couered with rude linen furie enuie tumult wauering and the feare of death anger perseuering and contention †and in the time of repose in bed the sleepe of night changeth his knowlege †A litle is as nothing in rest and afterward in sleepe as in the day of watch◠†He is trubled in the vision of his hart as he that hath escaped in the day of battel In the time of his safetie he rose vp and merueleth at noe feare †With al flesh from man euen to beast and vpon sinners seuenfold †Beside these thinges death bloud contention and sword oppressions famine and contrition and scourges †for the wicked al these were created and for them the floud was made †Al thinges that are of the earth shal turne into the earth and al waters shal returne into the sea †Al bribing and iniquitie shal be cleane taken away and fidelitie shal stand for euer †The riches of the vniust shal be dried vp as a riuer and they shal sound as great thunder in rayne †In opening his handes he shal reioyce so transgressors shal pine away in consumption †The nephewes of the impious shal not multiplie boughes nor vncleane
in the hart of them that thinke euil thinges but ioy foloweth them that geue counsels of peace †It shal not make the iust sorie what soeuer shal fal to him but the impious shal be replenished with euil †Lying lippes are an abomination to our Lord but they that doe faithfully please him †A circumspect man concealeth knowlege and the hart of the vnwise prouoketh folie †The hand of the strong shal rule but that which is slothful shal serue vnder tributes †Pensifnesse in the hart of a man shal humble him with a good word he shal be made glad †He that neglecteth damage for a freind is iust but the way of the impious shal deceiue them †The fraudulent man shal not finde gayne and the substance of a man shal be the price of gold †In the path of iustice life but the by way leadeth to death CHAP. XIII A wise sonne is the doctrine of the father but he that is a scorner heareth not when he is rebuked †Of the fruite of his owne mouth man shal be filled with good thinges but the soule of the preuaricateurs is wicked †He that kepeth his mouth kepeth his soule but he that is vnaduised to speake shal feele euils †The sluggard wil and wil not but the soule of them that worke shal be made fatte †The iust shal detest a lying word but the impious confoundeth and shal be confounded †Iustice kepeth the way of the innocent but impietie supplanteth the sinner †There is one as it were with riches wheras he hath nothing and there is as it were poore wheras he is in much riches †The redemption of a mans life his riches but he that is poore beareth not reprehension †The light of the iust maketh glad but the candle of the impious shal be extinguished †Among the prowde there are alwayes brawles but they that doe al thinges with counsel are ruled by wisdom †Substance hastened shal be diminished but that which by litle and litle is gathered with the hand shal be multiplied †Hope that is differred afflicteth the soule a tree of life the desire of coning †Who so detracteth from any thing he byndeth himselfe for the time to come but he that feareth the precept shal conuers in peace Guilful soules erre in sinnes the iust are merciful haue pitie †The law of a wise man a fountaine of life that he may decline from the ruine of death †Good doctrine shal geue grace in the way of contemners a whirlepoole †The subtel man doth al thinges with counsel but he that is a foole openeth folie †The messenger of the impious shal fal into euil but a faithful legate is health †Pouertie and ignominie to him that forsaketh discipline but he that yeldeth to him that rebuketh shal be glorified †Desire if it be accomplished delighteth the soule fooles detest them that flee euil thinges †He that walketh with the wise shal be wise a freind of fooles shal be made like †Euil purseweth sinners and to the iust good thinges shal be repayed †The good man leaueth heyres sonnes and nephewes and the substance of the sinner is kept for the iust †Much meate in the tilled growndes of the fathers and to others they are gathered with our iudgement †He that spareth the rod hateth his childe but he that loueth him doth instantly nurture him †The iust eateth and filleth his soule but the bellie of the impious vnsatiable CHAP. XIIII A wise woman buildeth her house the vnwise wil with her handes destroy that also which is built †He that walketh in the right way feareth God is despised of him that goeth an infamous way †In the mouth of a foole the rod of pride but the lippes of the wise keepe them †Where oxen are not the stal is emptie but where much corne is there is the oxes strength manifest †A faithful witnesse wil not lie but a deceitful witnesse vttereth a lie †A scorner seeketh wisdom and findeth it not the doctrine of the prudent is easie †Goe against a foolish man and he knoweth not the lippes of prudence †The wisdom of a discrete man is to vnderstand his way and the imprudence of fooles erreth †A foole will â—ugh at sinne among the iust grace shal abide †The hart that knoweth the bitternes of his soule in his ioy shal not the stranger be mingled †The house of the impious shal be rased the tabernacles of the iust shal spring †“ There is a way which seemeth to a man iust but the later endes therof lead to death †Laughter shal be mingled with sorow and mourning occupieth the later endes of ioy †A foole shal be replenished with his wayes and the good man shal be aboue him †The innocent beleueth euerie word the discrete man considereth his steppes †A wise man feareth and declineth from euil the foole leapeth ouer and is confident †The impatient man shal worke folie and the subrel man is odious †The childish man shal possesse folie and the prudent shal expect knowlege †The euil shal lie downe before the good and the impious before the gates of the iust †The poore shal be odious euen to his neighbour but the freindes of the rich be manie †He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth but he that hath pitie on the poore shal be blessed †They erre that worke euil mercie and truth prepare good thinges †In euerie worke there shal be abundance but where manie wordes are there is oftentimes pouertie †The crowne of the wise their riches the sollie of fooles inprudence †A faithful witnes deliuereth soules and the dissenâ—bier vttereth lyes †In the feare of our Lord is confidence of strength and to his children there shal be hope †The feare of our Lord a fountaine of life that he may decline from the ruine of death †In the multitude of people the dignitie of the king and in fewnes of people the ignominie of the prince †He that is patient is gouerned with much wisdom but he that is impatient exalteth his foilie †“ Health of hart the life of the flesh enuie the putrefaction of the bones †He that doth calumniate the needie vpbraideth his maker but he honoreth him that hath pitie on the poore †The impious shal be expelled in his malice but the iust hopeth in his death †In the hart of the prudent resteth wisdom it shal instruct al the vnlerned †Iustice aduanceth a nation but sinne maketh peoples miserable †A
seruant that vnderstandeth is acceptable to the king he that is vnprofitable shal susteyne his anger ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XIIII 12. A vvay vvhich semeth iust If anie Iewes Turkes or Heretikes lead a moral good life in this world it semeth both to themselnes and to other rude people tha◠they are in a right way of saluation but their error in faith leadeth them to eternal damnation 30 Health of the hart As soundnes of the hart conserueth the rest of the same bodie in life so a pure intention often excuseth from mortal sinne as in errours committed of probable not of grosse nor affected ignorance But secrete enuie in the hart infecteth and putrifieth mans actions and destroyeth the workes that semed good which can no more endure strict examination in the day of iudgement then a rotten cloth can abide washing CHAP. XV. A soft answer breaketh anger and a hard word rayseth vp furie †The tongue of the wise adorneth knowlege the mouth of fooles boyleth forth follie †In euerie place the eies of our Lord behold the good and the euil †A peaceable tongue is a tree of life but that which is immoderate shal breake the spirite †A foole scorneth the discipline of his father but he that regardeth reprehensions shal become more prudent In abundant iustice there is greatest force but the cogitations of the impious shal be rooted out †The house of the iust is very much strength and in the fruites of the impious is perturbation †The lippes of the wise shal sow knowlege the hart of fooles shal be vnlike †The victimes of the impious are abominable to our Lord the vowes of the iust are acceptable †The way of the impious is abomination to our Lord he that foloweth iustice is beloued of him †The doctrine is euil of them that forsake the way of life he that hateth reprehensions shal dye †Hel and perdition are before our Lord how much more the hartes of the children of men †The pestilent man loueth not him that rebuketh him nor goeth to the wise †A glad hart cheereth the face in pensifnes of minde the spirit is cast downe †The hart of the wise seeketh doctrine and the mouth of fooles is fed with vnskilfulnes †Al the dayes of the poore are euil a secure minde is as it were a continual feast †Better is a litle with the feare of our Lord then great treasures and vnsatiable †It is better to be called to herbes with charitie then to a fatted calfe with hatred †An angrie man stirreth brawles he that is patient appeaseth those that are raised †The way of the slothsul is as an hedge of thornes the way of the iust is without offence †A wise sonne maketh the father ioyful and the foolish man despiseth his mother †Follie is ioy to a soole and the wiseman directeth his steppes †Cogitations are dissipated where there is no counsel but where manie counsellers are they are confirmed †A man reioyceth in the sentence of his mouth and a word in due time is best †The path of life aboue the lerned that he may decline from the lawest hel Our Lord wil destroy the house of the proude and wil make sure the borders of the widow †Euil cogitations are an abomination to our Lord and pure speach most beautiful shal be confirmed of him †He that pursueth auarice disturbeth his house but he that hateth giftes shal liue By mercie and faith sinnes are purged and by the feare of our Lord euerie one declineth from euil †The minde of the iust meditateth obedience the mouth of the impious redoundeth with euils †Our Lord is far from the impious and he wil heare the prayers of the iust †The light of the eies reioyceth the soule a good name fatteth the bones The eare that heareth the reprehensions of life shal abide in the middes of the wise †He that reiecteth discipline despiseth his soule but he that yeldeth to reprehensions is a possessour of the hart †The feare of our Lord the discipline of wisdom and humilitie goeth before glorie CHAP. XVI IT “ perteyneth to man to prepare the hart and to our Lord to gouerne the tongue †Al the wayes of man are open to his eies our Lord is the weigher of spirites †Reueale thy workes to our Lord and thy cogitations shal be directed †Our Lord hath wrought al thinges for himself the impious also to the euil day †Euerie arrogant man is an abomination to our Lord although hand shal be to hand he is not innocent The beginning of a good way is to doe iustice and it is more acceptable with God then to immolate hostes †By mercie and truth iniquitie is redemed and in the feare of our Lord euil is auoided †When the wayes of man shal please our Lord he wil conuert also his enemies to peace †Better is a litle with iustice then much fruite with iniquitie †The hart of man disposeth his way but it perteyneth to our Lord to direct his progresse †Diuination is in the lippes of the king his mouth shal not erre in iudgement †Weight and balance are iudgements of our Lord and his worke al the stones of the bagge †They are abominable to the king that doe impiously because the throne is established by iustice †The wil of kinges are iust lippes he that speaketh right thinges shal be beloued †The kings indignation messengers of death and the wise man wil pacifie it †In the cherfulnes of the kings countenance is life and his clemencie is as the later showre †Possesse wisdom because it is better then gold and gette prudence because it is more precious then siluer †The path of the iust auoideth euils the keper of his soule kepeth his way †Pride goeth before destruction and before ruine the spirit shal be exalted †It is better to be humbled with the meeke then to diuide spoyles with the proude †The lerned in word shal finde good thinges and he that hopeth in our Lord is blessed †He that is wise in hart shal be called prudent and he that is sweete in speach shal finde greater thinges †A fountaine of life the lerning of him that possesseth it the doctrine of fooles foolishnes †The hart of the wife shal instruct his mouth and shal adde grace to his lippes †Wel set wordes are a honie combe swetnes of the foule the health of the bones †There is a way that seemeth to a man right and the later endes therof lead to death †Thee soule of him that laboureth doth labour to himself because his mouth hath compelled him