Adam 59 The true life 62 The mercies and goodnes of God 1 ANd whē I had made an end of these wor des there was sent vnto me an Angel which had bene sent down to me the nights afore 2 And he said vnto me Vp Esdras and heare the wordes that I am come to tell thee 3 And I said Speake on my God Then said he vnto me The sea is set in a wyde place that it might be deepe and great 4 But presuppose that the entrance thereof were narow and like the riuers 5 Who colde go into the sea to loke vpon it and to rule it If he went not thorowe the narowe how colde he come into the broade 6 There is also another thing a citie is buylded and set vpon a broade field and is ful of all good things 7 The entrance thereof is narrowe and in a dangerous place to fall that there is fyre at the right hād a deepe water at the lefte 8 And there is but one path betwixt them euen betwene the fyre ād the water so that there colde but one man go there 9 If this citie were giuen vnto a man for an in heritance if he neuer went thorowe the peril before it how colde here ceaue his inheritance 10 And I said It is so Lord. Then said he So is the portion of Israel 11 Surely for their sakes haue I made the worl de and when Adam transgressed my statutes then came this thing to passe 12 Then were the entrances of the worlde made norowe full of sorowe trauail they are but fewe and euil and full of perils and very peineful 13 For the entrances of the fore worlde were wyde and sure and broght immortal frute 14 If then they that are 〈◊〉 labour not to enter by these strait and brittel things they can not atteine to those things that are hid 15 Why then disquietest thou thy self seing thou art corruptible and why art thou moued seing thou art mortal 16 And why hast thou not considered in thy minde the things to come rather then them that are present 17 Then said I O Lord Lord * seing thou hast ordeined in thy Law that the righteous shulde in herite these things and that the vngodlie shulde perish 18 Shulde the righteous suffer straitnes in hoping for large things yet thei that haue liued vngodly and suffered straitnes shal not se the large things 19 Then he said vnto me There is no iudge more iuste then God and there is none more wise then the moste High 20 For manie perish in this life because they despise the Law of God that is apointed 21 For God hathe diligently admonished suche as came so oft as they came what they shulde do to haue life and what they shulde obserue to auoid punishment 22 Neuertheles they were not obedient vnto him but spake against him and imagined 〈◊〉 things 23 And deceiued them selues by their wicked dedes and denied the power of the moste High and regarded not his waies 24 But they despised his Law and resused his promises they haue vnfaithfully broken his ordinances and haue not performed his workes 25 And therefore Esdras vnto the emptie are emptie things and to the ful ful things 26 Beholde the time shal come that these 〈◊〉 which I haue tolde thee shal come to passe and the bride shal appeare and she shal come forthe and besene that now is vnder the earth 27 And whosoeuer shal escape these euils he shal se my wonders 28 For my sonne Iesus shal appeare with those that be with him ād they that remaine shal reioyce with in foure hundreth yeres 29 After these same yeres shal my sonne Christ dye and all men that haue life 30 And the worlde shal be turned into the olde silence for seuen dayes as in the fore iudgements so that no man shal remaine 31 But after seuen dayes the worlde that is yet a slepe shal be raised vp ād that shal dye that is corrupt 32 Then the earth shal restore those that haue slept in her and so shal the dust those that dwell therein in silence and the secret places shal deliuer the soules that were committed vnto them 33 And the most High shal appeare vpon the seate of iudgement and miseries shalv anish a way and long suffring shal haue an end 34 Iustice onely shal continue the trueth shal remaine and faith shal be strong 35 The worke shal followe and the rewarde shal be shewed the good dedes shal be of for ce and vnrighteousnes shal beare no more rule 36 Then said I * Abraham prayed first for the So domites and Moyses for the fathers that sinned in the wildernes 37 And they that came after him for Israel in the time of Achaz and Samuel 38 And * Dauid for the destruction * and Salomon for them that came into the Sanctuarie 39 * And Elias forthose that receiued raine and for the dead that he might liue 40 And Ezechias for the people in the time of Sennacherib and diuerse others for manie 41 Euen so now seing vice is increased and wickednes abundeth the righteous haue prayed for the vngodlie wherefore shal not the same effect followe also now 42 Then he answered me and said This present life is not the end oft times honour is reteined in it therefore haue they prayed for the weake 43 But the day of iudgement shal be the end of this worlde and the beginning of the im mortalitie to come wherein all corruption shal cease 44 Intemperancie shal passe away in sidelitie shal be cut of righteousnes shal growe vp the varitie shal spring vp 45 Thē shal no man be able to saue him that is destroyed nor oppresse him that hathe gotten the victorie 46 I answered then and said This is my first last saying that it had bene better not to hane giuen the earth vnto Adam or when it was giuen him to haue kept him that he shul de not haue sinned 47 For what profit is it for men in this present life to be in heauines ād after death to feare punishment 48 O Adam what hast thou done * for in that that thou hast sinned thou art not fallen alone but the fall also redundeth vnto vs that come of thee 49 For what profit is it vnto vs if there be pro mised an immortal life when we do the workes that bring death 50 And that an euerlasting hope shulde be pro mised vs seing that we bitide our selues to deadlie vanitit 51 And that there shulde be appointed vs dwel lings of health and safetie if we haue liued wickedly 52 And that the glorie of the moste High shuld be kept to defende them which haue led a pacient life if we haue walked in the wicked wayes 53 And that an eternal Paradise shulde be shewed whose frute remaineth incorruptible whereinis safetie and healt if we wil not enter into it 54 For we haue bene
his sword he hathe bent his bowe and made it readie 13 He hathe also prepared hym deadly weapons he wil ordeine his arrowes for them that 〈◊〉 me 14 * Beholde he shal 〈◊〉 with wickednes for he hathe conceiued mischief but he shal bring forthe a lye 15 He 〈◊〉 made a pit and diggedit and is fallen into the pit that he made 16 His mischief shal returne vpon hys owne head and his crueltie shal fall vpon his owne pate 17 I will praise the Lorde accordyng to hys righteousnes and wil sing praise to the Name of the Lord moste high PSAL. VIII 1 The Prophete consideryng the exc 〈◊〉 liberalitie and fatherlie prouidence of GOD towards man whome he made as it were a god ouer all his workes doeth not one ly giue great thankes but is astonished with the admiration of the same as one nothyng able to compasse suche great mercies ¶ To him that excelleth on Gittith A Psalme of Dauid 1 O Lord our Lorde howe excellent is thy Name in all the worlde whiche hast set thy glorie aboue the heauens 2 Out of the mouthe of babes and suckelings hast thou ordeined strength because of thine enemies that thou my ghtest still the enemie and the auenger 3 When I beholde thine heauens euen the workes of thy fingers the moone and the starres which thou hast ordeined 4 What is man say I that thou art mindfull of him and the sonne of man that thou 〈◊〉 him 5 For thou hast made hym a litle lower then GOD and crowned him with glorie and worship 6 Thou hast made hym to haue dominion in the wordes of thine hands thou hast put all things vnder his fete 7 All shepe and oxen yea and the beastes of the field 8 The foules of the aire and the fishe of the sea and that whiche passeth through the paths of the seas 9 O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy Name in all the worlde PSAL. IX 1 After he had giuen thankes to God for the sundrie victo ries that he had sent him agaynst hys enemies and also proued by manifolde 〈◊〉 how readie God was at hand in all his troubles 14 He being now likewise in dan ger of 〈◊〉 enemies desireth God to helpe hym according to his wonte 17 And to destroye the malicious arrogancie of his aduersaries ¶ To him that excelleth vpon Muth Labbén A Psalme of Dauid 1 I Wil praise the LORDE with my whole hearte I will speake of all thy meruelous workes 2 I wil be glad and reioyce in thee I wil sing praise to thy Name ô moste high 3 For that myne enemies are turned backe they shal fall and perish at thy presence 4 For thou hast mainteined my right and my cause thou art set in the throne and iudgest right 5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen thou haste destroied the wicked thou hast put out their name for euer and euer 6 O enemie destructions are come to a perpetual end ād thou hast destroied the cities their memorial is perished with them 7 But the Lord shall sit for euer he hathe prepared his throne for iudgement 8 For he shal iudge the world in rightcousnes and shal iudge the people with equitie 9 The Lord also will be a refuge for the poore a refuge in due time euen in affliction 10 And they that knowethy Name wil trust in thee for thou Lorde hast not failed them that seke thee 11 Sing praises to the Lorde which dwelleth in Zion shewethe people his workes 12 For whē he maketh inquisition for blood he remembreth it and forgetteth not the complaint of the poore 13 Haue mercie vpon me ô Lorde consider my trouble whiche I 〈◊〉 of them that hate me thou that liftest me vp from the gates of death 14 That I maye shewe all thy prayses within the gates of the daughter of Zion and reioyce in thy saluacion 15 The heathen are sunkē downe in the pit that they made in the net that they hid is their 〈◊〉 taken 16 The Lorde is knowē by executing iudgement the wicked is snared in the worke of his owne hands Higgaión Sélah 17 The wicked shal turne into hel and all nations that forget God 18 For the poore shal not be alwaie forgotten the hope of the afflicted shal not perish for euer 19 Vp Lord let not man preuaile let the heathen be iudged in thy sight 20 Put them in feare ô Lord that the heathen maie know that they are but men Sélah PSAL. X. 1 He complaineth of the fraude rapine tyrannie and all kindes of wrong which worldelie men vse assigning the cause thereof that 〈◊〉 men beyng as it were drunken with worldelie prosperitie and therefore settyng a parte all feare and reuerence towardes God thinke they may do all thyngs without countrowling 15 Therefore he calleth vpon God to send some remedie agaynst these desperate euils 16 And at length comforteth him selfe with hope of deliuerance 1 WHy standest thou farre of ô LORD and hidest thee in due time euē in affliction 2 The wicked with pride doeth persecute the poore let them be taken in the craftes that they haue imagined 3 For the wicked hathe made boast of hys owne heartes desire and the couetous blesseth him selfe he contemneth the Lord. 4 The 〈◊〉 is so proude that he seketh not for God he thinketh alwaies There is no God 5 His wayes alwaye prosper thy Iudgements are 〈◊〉 aboue hys sight therefore defieth he all his enemies 6 He saieth in his heart I shall neuer be moued nor be in danger 7 Hys 〈◊〉 is full of cursing and disceite and fraude vnder his tongue is mischief and iniquitie 8 He lieth in waite in the villages in the secret places doeth he murther the innocent his eies are bent against the poore 9 He lieth in wait secretly euen as a lyon in hys denne he lieth in waite to spoyle the poore he doeth spoyle the poore when he draweth him into his net 10 He crowcheth and boweth therfore heapes of the poore do fall by his might 11 He hathe said in his heart GOD hathe forgotten he hideth awaye his face and will neuerse 12 Arise o Lord God lift vp thine hand forget not the poore 13 Wherefore doeth the wycked contemne God he saieth in hys hearte Thou wilt not regarde 14 Yet thou hast sene it for thou beholdest mischief and wrong that thou maiest take it into thine hands the poore committeth him selfe vnto thee for thou art the helper of the fatherles 15 Breake thou the arme of the wicked and malicious searche his wickednes and thou shalt finde none 16 The Lord is King for euer and euer the heathen are destroyed forthe of his land 17 Lord thou hast heard the desire of the poore thou preparest their heart thou bendest thine eare to them 18 To iuge the
shoke at the noyce of the woman 27 And I loked and beholde the woman appeared vnto me nomore but there was a citie buylded and a place was shewed from the grounde and fundacion Then was I afrayed and cryed with a loude voyce and said 28 Where is Vrielthe Angel * which came to me at the first for he hathe caused me to co me into manie and depe consideracions and mine end is turned into corruption and my pray to rebuke 29 And as I was speaking these wordes beholde he came vnto me and loked vpon me 30 And lo I laye as one dead and mine vnderstanding was altered and he toke me by the right hand and comforted me and set me vpon my feete and said vnto me 31 What aileth thee and why is thine vnderstanding vexed and the vnderstanding of of thine heart and wherefore art thousorie 32 And I said Because thou hast forsaken me and I haue done * according vnto thy wordes I went into the field and there haue I sene things and se that I am not able to expresse 33 Then said he vnto me Stand vp manly and I wil giue thee exhortacion 34 Then said I Speake vnto me my lord and forsake me not lest I dye through rashnes 35 For I haue sene that I knewe not and heare that I do not knowe 36 Or is minevnderstāding disceiued or doeth my minde being hautie erre 37 Now therefore I beseche thee that thou wilt shewe thy seruant of this wondre 38 Then he answered me and said Heare me and I wil informe thee and tel thee wherefore thou art afrayed for the moste High ha the reueiled manie secret things vnto thee 39 He hath sene thy good purpose that thou art sorie continually for thy people and ma kest great lamentacion for Sion 40 This therefore is the vnderstanding of the vision which appeared vnto thee a litle while ago 41 Thou sawest a woman mourning and thou begannest to comfort her 42 But now seest thou the lickenes of the woman no more but there appeared vnto thee a citie buylded 43 And where as she tolde thee of the death of her sonne this is the solution 44 This womā which thou sawest she is Sion where as she tolde thee euē she which thou seest now as a citie buylded 45 And as touching that she said vnto thee that she was baren thirtie yeres this was cōcerning that there was euen thirtie yeres wherein there was no offring offred in her 46 But after thirtie yeres Salomon buylt the citie and offred offrings thē bare the baren a sonne 47 And where as she tolde thee that she nourished him with labour that was the inhabiting of Ierusalém 48 But where as she tolde thee that her sonne as his chance was dyed when she came into her chamber that is the fall that is come to Ierusalém 49 And when thousawest her like one that mourned for her sonne thou begannest to cōfort her of these things which haue chan ced these are to be opened vnto thee 50 For now the moste High seeth that thou art sorie in thy mind and because thou suffrest with all thine heart for her he shewed thee the clerenes of her glorie and the faire nes of her beautie 51 And therefore I bad thee remaine in the field where no house was buylt 52 For I knewe that the moste High wolde shewe these things vnto thee 53 Therefore I commanded thee to go into the field where no fundacion nor buylding is 54 For the worke of mans buylding can not stand in that place where the citie of the mo ste High shulde be shewed 55 And therefore feare not nether let thine heart be afrayed but go in and se the beautie and greatnes of the buylding as muche as thou art able to se with thine eyes 56 Aud after this shalt thou heare as muche as thine eares may comprehende 57 For thou art blessed aboue manie and art called with the moste High among the few 58 But to morow at night thou shalt remaine here 59 And the moste High shal shewe thee visiōs of high things which the moste High will do vnto them that dwell vpō earth in the last dayes So I slept the same night and another as he had commanded me CHAP. XI 1 The visiō of an egle coming forthe of the sea and of her feathers 37 Of alyon coming out of the forest 1 THen saw I a dreame and beholde there came vp from the sea an egle whiche had twelue feathered wings thre heads 2 And I sawe beholde she spred her wings ouer all the earth and all the windes of the ayre blewe on her and gathered them selues 3 And I behelde out of her feathers grew out other contrarie feathers and they became litle feathers and smale 4 But her heads remayne still and the head in the middes was greater then the other heads yet rested it with them 5 Moreouer I sawe that the egle flewe with his feathers and reigned vpō earth ouer them that dwelt therein 6 And I sawe that all thinges vnder heauen were subiect vnto her and noman spake against her no not one creature vpō earth 7 I sawe also that the egle stode vp vpō her clawes and spake to her feathers saying 8 Watche not all together slepe euerie one in his owne place and watch by course 9 But let the heads be preserued for the last 10 Neuertheles I sawe that the voyce went not out of her heads but from the myddes of her bodie 11 Then I nombred her contrarie feathers and beholde there were eight of them 12 And I loked and behòlde vpon the ryght side there arose one feather and reygne ouer all the earth 13 And when it had reigned the end of it came the place therof appeared no more So the next stode vp and reigned it continued a long time 14 And when it had reigned the end of it came also and as the firste so it appeared no more 15 Then there came a voyce vnto it and said 16 Heare thou that hast kept the earthe so long this I say vnto thee before thou beginnest to appeare no more 17 There shal none after thee atteyne vnto thy time nether to the halfe thereof 18 Then arose the thirde and reygned as the other afore and it appeared no more also 19 So came it to all the others one after ano ther so that euerie one reigned and then appeared no more 20 Then I loked and beholde in processe of time the feathers that followed stode vp on the right side that they might rule also and some of them ruled but within a while they appeared no more 21 For some of thē were set vp but ruled not 22 After this I loked and beholde the twelue feathers appeared no more northe two wings 23 And there was no more vppon the egles bodie but two heades that rested and six wings 24 Then sawe I also that thou winges deuided them selues from the
that hathe pleasure in the gode and in driuing oxen and is occupied in their labours talketh but of the brede of bullockes 26 He giueth his minde to make forowes is diligent to giue the kine fodder 27 So is it of euerie carpēter and workemaster that laboreth night and daye and they that cut and graue seales and make sondrie diuersities and giue thē selues to contrefait imagerie and watche to performe the worke 28 The smithe in like maner abideth by hys anuil and doeth his diligence to labour the yron the vapour of the fyre dryeth hys fleshe and hemuste fight with the heat of the fornace the noyce of the hammer is euer in his eares and his eyes loke stil vpon the thing that he maketh he setteth his minde to make vp his workes therefore he watcheth to polish it perfitely 29 So doeth the potter sit by his worke he turneth the whele about with his fete he is careful alwaye at his worke and maketh his worke by nomber 30 He facioneth the claye with his arme and with his feete he tempereth the hardnes thereof his heart 〈◊〉 how to couer it with lead and his diligence is to clen se the ouen 31 All these hope in their hands and euerie one bestoweth his wisdome in his worke 32 Without these can not the cities be mainteined nor inhabited nor occupied 33 And yet they are not asked their iudgemēt in the coūsel of the people nether are thei hie in the congregacion nether sit they vpon the iudgement seates nor vnderstand the order of iustice they can not declare matters according to the forme of the Law they are not mete for hard matters 34 But thei mainteine the state of the worlde and their desire is concerning their worke and occupacion CHAP. XXXIX 1 A wise man 16 The workes of God 24 Vnto the good good things profite but vnto the euil euen good things are euil 1 HE one lie that applieth his minde to the Law of the moste High and is occupied in the meditacion thereof seketh out the wisdome of all the ancient ex erciseth him self in the prophecies 2 He kepeth the sayings of famous men entreth in also to the secrets of darke sen tences 3 He seketh out the my sterie of graue sentences and exerciseth him self in darke pa rables 4 He shal serue amōg great men and appeare before the prīce he shal traueil through strange countreis for he hathe tryed the good and the euil among men 5 He wil giue his heart to resorte early vnto the Lord that made him and to praye before the moste High and wil open his mouth in prayer and praie for his sinnes 6 When the great Lord wil he shal be filled with the Spirit of vnderstanding that he may powre out wise sentences and giue thankes vnto the Lord in his prayer 7 He shal direct his coūsel and knowledge so shal he meditate in his secrets 8 He shal shewe for the his science and lear ning and reioyce in the Law and couenant of the Lord. 9 Manie shal commend his vnderstanding and his memorie shal neuer be put out nor departe away but his name shal continue from generacion to generacion 10 * The congregacion shall declare his wisdome and shewe it 11 Thogh he be dead he shal leaue a greater same then a thousand and if he liue still he shal get the same 12 Yet wil I speake of mo things for I am ful as the moone 13 Hearken vnto me ye holy children and bring forthe frute as the rose that is planted by the brokes of the field 14 And giue ye a swete smell as incense and bring forth flowres as the lilie giue a smel and sing a song of praise blesse the Lord in all his workes 15 Giue honour vnto hys Name and shewe forthe his praise with the songs of your lippes and with harpes and ye shal say after this maner 16 * All the workes of the Lord are exceading good and all his commandemēts are done in due season 17 And none may say What is this wherfore is that for at time conuenient they shal all be soght out at his cōmandement the water stode as an heape and at the worde of his mouth the waters gathered thē selues 18 His whole fauour appeared by his commandement and none can diminishe that which he wil saue 19 The workes of all fleshe are before him and nothing can be hid from his eyes 20 He seeth from euerlasting to euerlasting and there is nothing wonderful vnto him 21 A man nede not to say What is this wherfore is that for he hath made all things for their owne vse 22 His blessing shal renne ouer as the streame and moisture the earth like a flood 23 As he hath turned the waters into saltnes so shal the heathen fele his wrath 24 As his waies are plaine and right vnto the iust so are they stumbling blockes to the wicked 25 ¶ For the good are good thinges created from the beginning and euill thinges for the sinners 26 * The principal thinges for the whole vse of mans life is water fyre and yron and salt and meale wheate and hony milke the blood of the grape and oyle and clothing 27 All these things are for good to the godlie but to the sinners they are turned vnto euil 28 There be spretes that are created for vēgeance whiche in their rigour laye on sure strokes in the time of destructiō thei shewe forthe their power and accomplishe the wrath of him that made them 29 Fyre and haile and famine and death all these are created for vengeance 30 The teeth of wilde beastes and the Scorpions and the serpents and the sword execute vengeance for the destruction of the wicked 31 They shal be glad to do his commandemēts and when nede is they shal be readie vpō earth and when their houre is come they shal not ouerpasse the commandement 32 Therefore haue I taken a good courage vnto me from the beginning and haue thoght on these things and haue put thē in writing 33 * All the workes of the Lord are good he giueth euerie one in due season whē nede is 34 So that a man nede not to say This is wor se then that for in due season they are all worthie praise 35 And therefore praise the Lord with whole heart and mouth and blesse the Name of the Lord. CHAP. XL. 1 Many miseries in mans life 14 Of the blessing of the righteous and prerogatiue of the feare of God 1 GReat trauail is created for all men an heauie yoke vpon the sonnes of Adam from the day that they go out of their mothers wombe til the day that theiretur ne to the mother of all things 2 Namely their thoghts and feare of the heart and their imaginacion of the things they waite for and the daye of death 3 〈◊〉 him that sitteth vpon the glorious throne vnto
into the plaine field because he had so manie hor semen and put his trust in them 78 So Ionathan followed vpon him to Azotus and the armie skirmished with his arriere bande 79 For Apollonius had left a thousand horsemen behinde them in ambush 80 And Ionathan knewe that there was an am bushment behinde him and thogh they had compassed in his hoste and shot dartes at the people from the morning to the euening 81 Yet the people stode stil as Ionathan had cō manded them til their horses were wearie 82 Then broght Simon forthe his hoste and set thē against the bāde but the horses were wearie aud he 〈◊〉 them and they fled so the horsemen were scattered in the field 83 And they fled to Azotus and came into the temple of Dagon their Idole that thei might there saue them 〈◊〉 84 But Ionathan set fyre vpon Azotus and all the cities rounde about it toke their spoiles and burnt with fyre the temple of Dagon with all them that were fled into it 85 Thus were slayne burnt about eight thou sand men 86 So Ionathan remoued the hoste from thence and camped by Ascalon where the men of the citie came forthe and met him with great honour 87 After this went Ionath an and his hoste agai ne to Ierusalem with great spoiles 88 And whē King Alexāder heard these things he began to do Ionathan more honour 89 And sent him a colar of golde as the vse is to be giuen vnto suche as are of the Kings blood he gaue him also Accaron with the borders thereof in possession CHAP. XI 3 The dissension betwene Ptolemeus and Alexander his sō ne in law 17 〈◊〉 death of Alexander 19 Demetrius reigneth alter the death of Ptolemeus 22 Sion is 〈◊〉 ed of Ionathan 42 Demetrius seing that no man resisted him sendeth his armie againe 54 〈◊〉 moueth Antiochus against Demetrius 1 ANd the King of Egypt gathered a great hoste like the 〈◊〉 that lyeth vpon the sea shote and manie ships and went about through deceit to obteine the kingdome of Alexander and to ioyne it vnto his owne realme 2 Vpon this he went into Syria with friendlie wordes and was let into the cities and men came forthe to mete him for King Alexander had commanded them to mete him be cause he was his father in Law 3 Now when he entred into the citie of Ptolemais he lefte bands and garisons in euerie citie 4 And when he came nere to Azotus they shewed him the temple of Dagon that was burnt and Azotus and the suburbes there of that were destroyed and the bodies cast abroad them that he had burnt in the bat tel for they had made heapes of them by the way where he shulde passe 5 And thei tolde the King what Ionathan had done to the intent they might get him euil wil but the King helde his peace 6 And Ionathan met the King with great honour at Ioppe where they saluted one another and laye there 7 So when Ionathan had gone with the King vnto the water that was called Eleutherus he turned againe to Ierusalem 8 So King Ptolemeus gate the dominion of the cities by the sea vnto Seleucia vpon the sea coast imagining wicked counsels against Alexander 9 ¶ And sent ambassadours vnto King Demetrius saying Come let vs make a league betwene vs and I wil giue thee my daughter which Alexander hathe and thou shalt reigne in thy fathers kingdome 10 For I repēt that I gaue Alexander my daugh ter for he goeth about to slaye me 11 Thus he sclandered Alexander as one that shulde desire his realme 12 And he toke his daughter from him gaue her vnto Demetrius and forsoke Alexander so that their hatred was openly knowen 13 Then Ptolemeus came to Autiochia where he set two crownes vpon his owne head of Asia and of Egypt 14 In the meane season was King Alexander in Cilicia for they that dwelt in those places had rebelled against him 15 But when Alexāder heard it he came to war re against him and Ptolemeus broght for the his hoste and met him with a mightie power and put him to flight 16 Then fled Alexander into Arabia there to be defended so Ptolemeus was exalted 17 And Zabdiel the Arabian smote of Alexanders head sent it vnto Ptolemeus 18 But the third dáy after King Ptolemeus dyed and thei that were in the holdes were slayne one of another 19 And Demetrius reigned in the hūdreth thre score and seuenth yere 20 ¶ At the same time gathered Ionathan them that were in Iudea to laye siege vnto the castle which was at Ierusalem and they made manie instruments of warre against it 21 Thē went there certeine vn godlie persones which hated their owne people vnto King Demetrius and tolde him that Ionathan besieged the castle 22 So when he heard it he was angrie and immediatly came vnto Ptolemais and wrote vn to Ionathan that he shulde laye nomore siege vnto it but that he shulde mete him speake with him at Ptolemais in all haste 23 Neuertheles when Ionathan heard this he commanded to besiege it he chose also certeine of the Elders of Israel and the Priest put him self in danger 24 And toke with him siluer and golde and ap parel and diuerse presents and went to Ptole mais vnto the King and founde fauour in his sight 25 And thogh certeine vngodlie men of his owne nacion had made complaintes vpon him 26 Yet the King intreated him as his predecessers had done and promoted him in the sight of all his friends 27 And confirmed him in the hie priesthode with all the honorable things that he had afore and made him his chief friend 28 Ionathā also desired the King that he wold make Iudea fre with the thre gouernements and the countrey of Samaria and Ionathan promised him thre hundreth talents 29 Where unto the King consented gaue Ionathan writing of the same conteining these wordes 30 KING DEMETRIVS vnto his brother Ionathan and to the naciō of the Iewes sendeth greting 31 We sēd you here a copie of the letter which we did write vnto our cousin Lasthenes concerning you that ye shulde se it 32 King Demetrius vnto Lasthenes his father sendeth greting 33 For the faithfulnes that our friends the nacion of the Iewes kepe vnto vs and for their good wil towardes vs we are ditermined to do them good 34 Wherefore we assigne to thē the coasts of Iudea with the thre gouernements Apherema and Lydda and Ramathe which are added vnto Iudea from the countrey of Samaria and all that apperteineth to all them that sacrifice in Ierusalem bothe concerning the paiments which the King toke yerely afore time bothe for the frutes of the earth for the frutes of the trees 35 As for the other things apperteining vnto vs of the tenths tributes which were due vnto vs and the customes of salte crowne taxes which were payed vnto vs we
of God as a grieuous bur den c Because this wordwas broght to contempt and derision he wil teache them another maner of speache and wil cause this worde Burden to cease and teache them to aske with reuetence VVhat saith the Lord d The thing which they mocke and contemne shal come vpon them †Or take you away Chap. 20. 11. a The good siggs signified 〈◊〉 that were gone into captiuitie and so saued their life as chap. 21. 8. and the noghty siggs them 〈◊〉 remained which were yet subiect to the sworde famine and 〈◊〉 b whereby he approueth the yelding of 〈◊〉 and his companie because thei obeied the Prophet who ex 〈◊〉 thē thereunto c hich declareth that man of himselfe can kno we nothing 〈◊〉 God giue the heart and vnderstanding Chap. 31. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 8. 10. 17. Chap. 29 17. d Which fled the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 succour a That is in 〈◊〉 third 〈◊〉 accomplished and in the beginning 〈◊〉 the fourth 〈◊〉 thogh Nebuchad nezzár began to reigne in the end of the thirde yere of 〈◊〉 kins reigne yet that yere is not here counted because it was almost expired Dan 1. 〈◊〉 b Which was the 〈◊〉 yere and the ninth moneth of 〈◊〉 reigne c That is I haue spared no diligen ce or labour Chap. 7. 13. d He sheweth that the Prophets wholly with 〈◊〉 consent did labour to pul the people 〈◊〉 those vices which then 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wit from 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ce of men for vnder these two all other were 〈◊〉 2 King 17. 〈◊〉 Chap. 18. 11. and 35. 15 Iouáh 3. 8. e The Caldeans and all their power f So the wicked and 〈◊〉 him selfe are Gods ser uants 〈◊〉 he maketh them to serue him by constreint 〈◊〉 that which thei do of malice to his honour and glorie g As the Philistims 〈◊〉 Egyptians others Chap 16 9. h Meaning that bread all thigs that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vnto their feastes shulde be taken away Or destroy i This reuelacion was for the 〈◊〉 of his prophecie because he tolde thē of the time that thei shulde entre and remaine in 〈◊〉 k For seing the iudgement began at his owne nouse the enemies must nedes be pu nished most 〈◊〉 uously 2 Chron. 36. 22. l That is of the Babylonians as Chap. 27. 7. Ezra 1. 1. Chap 29. 10. Dan. 9. 2. m Signifying the 〈◊〉 that God had appointed for euerie one as Psal. 75 a Isa. 51. 17. this cup which the wicked 〈◊〉 is more bitter thē 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 to his children for he 〈◊〉 the one by mercie and the other by iustice Ezek 9 6. 1. Pet. 4 17. n For now it beginneth and shal 〈◊〉 continue til it be accomplished o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. 1. p 〈◊〉 were cities of the Philistuns q Edom is here taken for the who e countrey 〈◊〉 Vz for a part thereof r 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ita lie and the rest of those 〈◊〉 s These were peo ple of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 came of 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of Abrahám and 〈◊〉 t For there were two 〈◊〉 so named the one called plentiful the other baren or desert u That is of Babylon as Chap. 51. 〈◊〉 Or Persia x That is Ierusa 〈◊〉 read verl 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 16. Amos 1. 2. Chap. 30. 23. y Thei which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 at the Lords appointement z Ye that are chief 〈◊〉 and goueinours a which are moste easily broken b It shal not helpe them to 〈◊〉 to flee †Ebr. peaceables a That is in that place of the Temple whereunto the 〈◊〉 resort out of all Iudáh to sacrifice b To the intent that they shulde pretend 〈◊〉 ignorance as Act. 20. 27. c Read Chap. 18. 8. d Read Chap. 7. 〈◊〉 e So that when they wolde cursse any thei shal say God do to thee as to Ierusalém f Because of Gods promes to the Tēple Psal. 132. 14 that he wolde for euer remayne there the hypocri 〈◊〉 thoght this Tē ple colde neuer pe rish and therfore thoght it blasphemie to speake against it Mar 26. 〈◊〉 act 6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cōsidering that this was ment of the Churche where God wil remaine for euer g So called because it was repaired by Ioathā 2 Kings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 †Ebr. 〈◊〉 of death belōgeth to this man h He both sheweth the cause of his doings plainely also threateneth thē that they shulde nothing 〈◊〉 thogh they shulde put him to death but heape greater vengeāce vpon their heads Michah 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 12. i That is of the house of the Lord to wit zion and these examples the godlie alledged to 〈◊〉 Ieremiah out of the Priestes 〈◊〉 whose rage 〈◊〉 wolde not haue bene satisfied but by his death k So that the citie was not 〈◊〉 but by miracle was deliuered out of the handes of 〈◊〉 l Here is 〈◊〉 the furie of tyrāts who cā not abide to 〈◊〉 Gods worde declared but 〈◊〉 the ministers thereof and yet in the end they 〈◊〉 nothing but prouoke Gods iudgements so muche the more m As in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exāple is to be followed so in his other 〈◊〉 act is to be abhoired for Gods pligue did light on him and his 〈◊〉 n VVhiche 〈◊〉 that nothing colde haue appeased 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if God had not moued this noble mā to stand valian ly in his defence a As touching the dispositiō of these prophecies they that gathered thē into a booke 〈◊〉 not altogether ob 〈◊〉 the order of times but did set some 〈◊〉 which shulde be after 〈◊〉 wises which if the reader marke wel 〈◊〉 shal auoide many doutes and make the eading much more easy Chap. XXVII b By suche signes the Prophetes 〈◊〉 sometimes to cōfirme their prophecies 〈◊〉 not withstanding they colde nor do of them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but in asmuche as thei had a reuelation for the same 〈◊〉 Isa. 20. 2. and therfore the false propheres to get more credi did vse also suche visible signes but they had no reuelatiō 1. King 22. 11. c Read Chap. 25. 〈◊〉 d Meaning Euilmerodach and his sonne Belshazar e They shal bring him and his kingdome in 〈◊〉 as Chap 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chap. 14 〈◊〉 33 21 29 8 Chap. 28. 3. f VVhiche were taken when Ieconiah was led captiue into Batél g For it was not onely the Prophetes office to shewe the word of God but also to praye for the sinnes of the people Genes 20. 7. VVhich these colde not do because they had no expresse wordes for God had 〈◊〉 the contrarie 2. King 25. 13. 2. King 24. 12. h That is for the space of seuentie yeres till I haue caused the Medes and Persians to ouercome the Caldeans a VVhē Ieremiah began to 〈◊〉 these bondes and yokes b After that the land had rested as Leu 25. 1. Deut. 15. 1. c This was a 〈◊〉 in Beniamin belō ging to the sonnes of Aarō iosh. 21. 17 †Ebr. two yeres of dayes d He was so 〈◊〉 med thogh 〈◊〉 was a false Prophet e