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
glorie †But if they heare not they shal passe by the sworde and shal be consumed in folie †Dissemblers and crastie men prouoke the wrath of God neither shal they crie when they are bound †Their soule shal dye in tempest their life among the effeminates †He shal deliuer the poore out of his distresse and shal reuele his eare in tribulation †Therfore he shal saue thee most largely out of the narrow mouth and not hauing foundation vnder it and the quietnesse of thy table shal be ful of fatnesse †Thy cause is iudged as an impious mans cause and iudgement thou shalt receiue †Let not therfore anger ouercome thee that thou oppresse anie man neither let multitude of gifres in cline thee †Lay downe thy greatnes without tribulation and al the puissant of strength †Protract not the night that peoples may come vp for them †Beware thou decline not to iniquitie for thou hast begunne to folow it after miserie †Behold God is high in his strength and none is like to him among the lawgeuers †Who can search his waies or who can say to him Thou hast wrought iniquitie †Remember that thou knowest not his worke wherof men haue song †Al men see him euerie one beholdeth far of †Behold God is great surmounting our knowledge the number of his yeares is inestimable †Who taketh away the droppes of raine and powreth out showers as it were gulfes of water †Which flow out from the clowdes that couer al thinges from aboue †If he wil stretch forth clowdes as his tent †And lighten with his light from aboue he shal couer also the endes of the sea †For by these he iudgeth peoples and geueth victuals to manie mortal men †In his handes he bideth the light and commandeth it that it come agayne †He sheweth his freind therof that it is his possession and that he may ascend to it CHAP. XXXVII Eliu continueth his discourse shewing Gods wisdom powre and iustice by his meruelous workes of Meteors 14 and vse therof to mans commoditie 18. which the wisest mâ—n sufficiently vnderstand not much lesse may presume as he vniustly chargeth Iob to contend with God VPON this my hart is sore afrayd and is moued out of his place †Heare ye his speach in the terrour of his voice and the sound proceding out of his mouth †Vnder al the heauens he considereth and his light is vpon the endes of the earth †After him shal sounding roare he shal thunder with the voice of his greatnes shal not be found out when his voice shal be heard †God shal thunder in his voice meruelously he that doeth great vnsearcheable thinges †He that commandeth the snow to descend vpon the earth and the winter raines and the shower of his strength †He that signeth in the hand of al men that euerie one may know his workes †The beast shal enter into his couert and shal abide in his denne †From the inner partes shal tempest come forth and cold from Arcturus †When God bloweth frost congeleth and againe waters are powred most largely †Corne desireth clowdes and the clowdes spred their light †Which goe round about whither soeuer the wil of the gouerner shal lead them to al that he shal coÌ„mand them vpon the face of he whole earth †Whether in one tribe or in his land or in what place so euer of his mercy he shal command them to be found †Harken to these things Iob stand and consider the maruels of God †Doest thou know when God commanded the raines that they shew the light of his clowdes †Knowest thou the great pathes of the clowdes and the perfect knowledges †Are not thy garments hote when the earth shal be blowen with the South winde †Thou perhaps madst the heauens with him which are most sound cast as it were of brasse †Shew vs what we may say to him for we are wrapped in darkenes †Who shal tel him the things that I speake yea if man shal speake he shal be deuoured †But now they see not the light sodenly the ayre shal be thickned into clowdes and the wind passing by shal driue them away †From the North gold cometh toward God fearful praysing †We can not find him worthely great of strength and iudgement and iustice and he can not be vttered †Therfore shal men feare him and al that seme to themselues to be wise shal not dare to behold him CHAP. XXXVIII God after terrour of a whirlewind by way of examining his client Iob of diuers creatures about their nature sheweth that no man hath perfect knowlege of them much lesse of Gods immensitie BVT our Lord answering Iob out of a whirlewind sayd †Who is this that wrappeth in sentences with vnskilful wordes †Gird thy loynes as a man I wil aske thee and answer thou me †Where wast thou when I layd the foundations of the earth tel me if thou hast vnderstanding †Who set the measures therof if thou know or who stretched out the line vpon it †Vpon what are the foundations therof grounded or who let downe the corner stone therof †when the morning starres praised me together and al the sonnes of God made iubilation †Who shut in the sea with doores when it brake forth proceding as it were out of a matrice †When I made a clowde the garment therof and wrapped it in darkenes as in cloutes of infancie †I compassed it with my boundes and put barre and doores †And I sayd Hitherto thou shalt come and shalt not procede farder here thou shalt breake thy swelling waues †Didst thou after thy birth command the morning and shew the dawning his place †And didst thou hold the extremities of the earth shaking them and hâ—st thou shaken the impious out of it †The seale shal be restored as clay and shal stand as a garment †From the impious their light shal be taken away and the high aâ—me shal be broken †Hast thou entered into the depthes of the sea and walked in the lowest partes of the great depth †Haue the gates of death bene open to thee and hast thou sene the darkesome doores †Hast thou considered the bredth of the earth tel me if thou know al things †In what way the light dwelleth and what is the place of darkenesse †That thou canst bring euerie thing to his borders and vnderstand the pathes of the house therof †Didst thou know then that thou shouldest be borne and didst thou know the number of thy dayes †Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow or hast thou beheld treasures of haile †Which I haue prepared for the time of the enemie for the day of fight and battel †What way is the light spred is
Babylon and was trubled lying in my chamber and my cogitations came vp ouer my hart †because I saw the desolation of Sion and the abundance of them that dwelt in Babylon †And my spirit was tossed excedingly and I began to speake to the highest timorous wordes †and sayd O Lord dominatour thou spakest from the beginning when thou didst plant the earth and that alone and didst rule ouer the people †and gauest Adam a dead bodie but that also was the worke of thy handes didst breath into him the spirit of life and he was made to liue before thee †and thou broughst him into paradise which thy right hand had planted before the earth came †And him thou didst command to loue thy way and he transgressed it forth with thou didst institute death in him and in his posteritie and there were borne nations and tribes and peoples and kinreds wherof there is no number †And euerie nation walked in their owne wil they did meruelous thinges before thee and despised thy preceptes †And agane in time thou broughst in the floud vpon inhabitantes of the world and didst destroy them †And there was made in euery one of them as vnto Adam to dye so to them the floud †But thou didst leaue one of them Noe with his house and of him were al the iust †And it came to passe when they began to be multiplied that dwelt vpon the earth multiplied children and peoples and manie nations and they begane againe to doe impietie more then the former †And it came to passe when they did iniquitie before thee thou didst choose thee a man of them whose name was Abraham †And thou didst loue him and to him on lie thou didst shew thy wil. †And thou didst dispose vnto him an euerlasting testament and toldst him that thou wouldst neuer forsake his seede And thou gauest him Isaac and to Isaac thou gauest Iacob and Esau †And Iacob thou didst seuer to thy selfe but Esau thou didst separate And Iacob grewe to a great multitude †And it came to passe when thou didst bring forth his sede out of Aegypt thou broughst it vpon mount Sinai †And thou didst bowe the heauens and fasten the earth and didst shake the world and madest the depthes to tremble and trubledst the world †and thy glorie passed foure gates of fire and of earthquake and winde and frost that thou mightst geue a law to the seede of Iacob and to the generation of Israel diligence †And thou didst not take away from them a malignant hart that thy law might bring forth fruite in them †For Adam the first bearing a viâ—ious hart transgressed and was ouercome yea and al that were borne of him †And it was made a permanent infirmitie and the law with the hart of the people with the wickednes of the roote and that which is good departed and the wicked remayned †And the times passed the yeares were ended and thou didst raise vp vnto thee a seruant named Dauid †and spakest vnto him to build a citie of thy name and to offer vnto thee in it frankencense and oblations †And this was done manie yeares and they that inhabited the citie forsooke thee †in al things as Adam and al his generations For they also vsed a wicked hart †And thou didst deliuer thy citie into the hands of thyne enimies †Why doe they better thinges that inhabite Babylon And for this shal she rule ouer Sion †It came to passe when I was come hither and had sene the impieties that can not be numbred and my soul saw manie offending this thirteth yeare my hart was astonied †because I saw how thou bearest with their sinne and didst spare them that did impiously and didst destroy thine owne people and preserue thine enimies and didst not signifie it †I nothing remember how this way should be forsaken doth Babylon better thinges then Sion †Or hath anie nation knowen thee beside Israel or what tribes haue beleued thy testamentes as Iacob †Whose reward hath not appeared nor their labour fructified For passing through I passed among the nations and I saw them abound and not mindeful of thy commandmentes †Now therfore wey our iniquities in a ballance and theirs that dwel in the world thy name shal not be found but in Israel †Or when haue not they sinned in thy sight that inhabite the earth or what nation hath so obserued thy commandmentes †These cettes by their names thou shalt finde to haue kept thy commandmentes but the nations thou shalt not finde CHAP. IIII. Mans witte and reason is not able to vnderstand the counsel and iudgement of God 22. why his people are afflicted by wicked nations 33. nor of times and thinges to come AND the Angel answered me that was sent to me whose name was Vriel †and sayd to me Thy hart exceding hath exceded in this world thou thinkest to comprehend the way of the Highest †And I sayd It is so my Lord. And he answered me sayd I am sent to shew thee three wayes to propose to thee three similitudes †Of the which if thou shalt declare to me one of them I also wil shew thee the way which thou desirest to see and wil teach thee whence a wicked hart is †And I sayd Speake my Lord. And he sayd to me Goe wey me the weight of the fire or measure me the blast of the winde or cal me backe the day that is past †And I answered and sayd what man borne can doe it that thou askest me of these thinges †And he sayd to me If I should aske thee saying How great habitations are there in the hart of the sea or how great vaines be there in the beginning of the depth or how great vaines be there aboue the firmament and what are the issues of paradise †thou wouldest perhaps say to me I haue not descended into the depth nor into hel as yet neither haue I ascended at anie time into heauen †But now I haue not asked thee sauing of the fire and the winde and the day by the which thou hast passed and from the which thou canst not be separated and thou hast not answered me of them †And he sayd to me Thou canst not know the thinges that are thine which grow together with thee †and how can thy vessel comprehend the way of the Highest and now the world being outwardly corrupted vnderstand the corruption euident in my sight †I sayd to him Better were it for vs not to be then yet liuing to liue in impieties and to suffer and not to vnderstand for what thing †And he answered me said Going forth I went forward to a wood of trees in the filde and they deuised a deuise †and sayd Come and let vs goe and make watre against the sea that it
†for the euiles which thou hast sene to haue chanced now worse then these wil they doe againe †for looke how much the world shal become weake by age so much shal euiles be multiplied vpon the inhabitants †For truth hath remoued it self farther of and lying hath approched for now the vision which thou sawest hasteneth to come †And I answered and sayd before thee ô Lord †For behold I wil goe as thou hast commanded me wil rebuke the people that now is But them that shal yet be borne who shal admonish †The world therfore is set in darknes and they that dwel in it without light †Because thy law is burnt therefore no man knoweth the workes that haue bene done by thee or that shal begin †For if I haue found grace with thee send the Holie Ghost to me I wil write al that hath bene done in the world from the beginning the thinges that were written in thy law that men may finde the pathe and they that wil liue in the later times may liue †And he answered me and sayd Goe gather together the people and thou shalt say to them that they seeke thee not for fourtie dayes †And doe thou prepare thee manie tables of boxe take with thee Sarea Dabria Salemia Echanus and Asiel these fiue which are readie to write sweeâ—tly †And come hither I wil light in thy hart a candle of vnderstanding which shal not be put out til the things be finished which thou shalt begine to write †And then some thinges thou shalt open to the perfect some thou shalt deliuer secretly to the wyse For to morrow this houre thou shalt begine to write †And I went as he commanded me gathered togetheral the people and sayd †Heare Israel these wordes †Our fathers were pilgrimes from the beginning in Aegypt and were deliuered from thence †And they receiued the law of life which they kept not which you also after them haue transgressed †and the land was geuen you by lotte and the land of Sion and your fathers and you haue done iniquitie and haue not kept the wayes which the Highest commanded you †And wheras he is a iust iudge he hath taken from you in time that which he had geuen †And now you are here and your brethren are among you †If then you wil rule ouer your sense instruct your hart you shal be preserued aliue and after death shal obtaine mercie †For the iudgement shal come after death when we shal returne to lyfe againe and then the names of the iust shal appeare and the dedes of the impious shal be shewed †Let no man therfore come to me now nor aske for me vntil fourtie dâ—yes †And I tooke the siue men as he commanded me and we went forth into the field and taried there †And I was come to the morrow behold a voice called me saying Esdras open thy mouth and drinke that which I wil geue thee to drinke †And I opened my mouth behold a ful cuppe was brought me this was ful as it were with water but the colour therof like as fire †And I tooke it and dranke and when I had drunken of it my hart was tormented with vnderstanding and wisdome grewe into my brest For my spirit was kept by memorie †And my mouth was opened and was shut no more †The Highest gaue vnderstanding vnto the fiue men and they wrote excesses of the night which were spoken which they knewe not †And at night they did eate breade but I spake by day by night held not my peace †And there were written in the fourtie dayes two hundred foure bookes †And it came to passe when they had ended the fourtie daies the Highest spake saying †The former thinges which thou hast written set abrode and let the worthie and vnworthie reade but the last seuentie bookes thou shalt keepe that thou mayest deliuer them to the wyse of thy people †For in these is the vaine of vnderstanding and the fountaine of wisdome and the streame of knowledge and I did soe CHAP. XV. Esdras is bid to denounce that assuredly manie euiles wil come to the world 9. God wil protect his people the wicked shal be punished and lament their final miseries God reuenging for the good BEHOLD speake into the eares of my people the wordes of prophecie which I shal put into thy mouth sayth our Lord †and see that they be written in paper because they be faithful and true †Be not afrayd of the cogitations against thee neither let the incredulities truble thee of them that speake †Because euerie incredulous person shal dye in his incredulitie †Behold I bring in sayth our Lord vpon the whole earth euils sword and famine and death and destruction †Because iniquitie hath fully polluted ouer al the earth and their hurtful workes are accomplished †Therefore sayth our Lord †I wil not now kepe silence of their impieties which they doe irreligiously neither wil I beare with those thinges which they practise vniustly Behold the innocent iust bloud crieth to me the soules of the iust crie continually †Reuenging I wil reuenge them sayth our Lord and I wil take al innocent bloud out of them vnto me †Behold my people is led to staughter as a flocke I wil no more suffer it to dwel in the land of Aegypt †But I wil bring them forth in a mightie hand and valiant arme and wil strike with plague as before and wil corrupt al the land thereof †Aegypt shal mourne and the fundations thereof beaten with plague and with the chastisement which God wil bring vpon it †The husband men that til the ground shal mourne because their seedes shal perish by blasting and haile and by a terible starre †Woe to the world and them that dwel therein †Because the sword is at hand and the destruction of them and nation shal rise vp against nation to fight sword in their handes †For there shal be instabilitie to men growing one against an other they shal not care for their king the princes of the way of their doinges in their might †For a man shal desire to go into the citie can not †Because of their prides the cities shal be trubled the houses raised the men shal feare †Man shal not pitie his neighbour to make their houses nothingworth in the sword to spoyle their goodes for famine of bread much tribulation †Behold I cal together sayth God al the kinges of the earth to feare me that are from the Orient from the South from the East from Libanus to be turned vpon themselues and to render the thinges that they haue geuen them †As they doe vntil this day to myne elect so wil I doe and render in their bosome Thus sayth our Lord God
the man vnto me he came to the man which stoode beside the camels and nighe to the fountaine of water †and said to him Come in thou blessed of our Lord Why standest thou without I haue prepared the house and a place for the camels †And he brought him in into his lodging and he vnharnessed the camels and gaue strawe and hay and water to wash his feet and of the men that were come with him †And bread was set before him Who said I wil not eate til I speake my message He answered him Speake †And he said I am the seruant of Abraham †and our Lord hath blessed my lord wonderfully and he is magnified and he hath geuen him sheepe and oxen siluer and gold men seruants and wemen seruants camels and asses †And Sara my lordes wife hath borne my lord a sonne in her old age and he hath â—euen him al things that he had †And my lord adiured me saying Thou shalt not take a wife for my sonne of the Chananites in whose land I dwel †but thou shalt goe to my fathers house and of mine owne kinred shalt thou take a wife for my sonne †but I answered my Lord What if the woman wil not come with me †Our Lord saith he in whose sight I walke wil send his angel with thee and wil direct thy way and thou shalt take a wife for my sonne of myne owne kinred and of my fathers house †Thou shalt be innocent from my curse when thou shalt come to my kinne and they wil not geue her thee †I came therfore to day to the wel of water and said O Lord God of my lord Abraham if thou hast directed my way wherin I now walke †behold I stand besides the wel of water and the virgin that shal come forth to drawe water when she shal heare me say Geue me a litle water to drinke of thy tankard †and she shal say to me Drinke both thou and for thy camels I wil drawe also that is the woman which our Lord hath prepared for my maisters sonne †And whilest I pondered these things secretly with my selfe Rebecca appeared comming with a tankard which she caried vpon her shoulder and she went downe to the fountaine drew water And I said to her Geue me a litle to drinke †Who spedelie let downe the tankard from her shoulder and said to me Drinke both thou and to thy camels I wil geue drinke I dranke and she watered the cammels †And I asked her and said Whose daughter art thou who answered I am the daughter of Bathuel the sonne of Nachor whom Melcha bare him I hoong therfore earelettes to adorne her face and I put braceletts vpon her hands †And prostrate I adored our Lord blessing the Lord God of my lord Abraham who hath brought me the straight way to take the daughter of my lords brother for his sonne †Wherfore if you doe according to mercie and truth with my lord shew me but if it please you otherwise that also tel me that I may goe to the right hand or to the left †And Laban and Bathuel answered From our Lord the word hath proceded we can not speake any other thing with thee besides his pleasure †Behold Rebecca is before thee take her and goe thy waies and let her be the wife of thy lords sonne as our Lord hath spoken †Which when Abrahams seruant heard falling downe he adored our Lord to the grounde †And taking forth vessel of siluer and gold and garments gaue them to Rebecca for a present To her brothers also and to her mother he offred giftes †A banket was made and eating and drinking togeather they lodged there And in the morning the seruant arose and said Dismisse me that I may goe to my lord †And her brother and mother answered Let the maide tarie at the least tenne days with vs and after she shal depart †Stay me not said he because our Lord hath directed my way dismisse me that I may goe on to my lord †And they said Let vs cal the maid and aske her wil. †And being called when she was come they asked Wilt thou goe with this man who said I wil goe †They dismissed her therfore and her nurce and Abrahams seruant and his companie †wishing prosperitie to their sister and saying Thou art our sister encrease thou into thousand thousands and thy seed possesse the gates of their enemies †Therfore Rebecca and her maides being set vpon camels folowed the man who with speed returned vnto his lord and †the same time Isaac walked along the way that leadeth to the wel of the Liuing and the seing so called for he dwelt in the south countrie †and he was gone forth to meditate in the field the day nowe being wel spent and when he had cast vp his eyes he saw camels coming a farre of †Rebecca also when she saw Isaac lighted of the camel †and said to the seruant Who is that man which cometh towards vs along the field And he said to her The same is my lord But she quickly taking her cloake couered her selfe †And the seruant told Isaac al things that he hed done †Who brought her into the tent of Sara his mother and tooke her to wife and he loued her so much that it did moderate the sorrowe which was chanced of his mothers death ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXIIII 14. The maide to vvhom I shal say Obseruation of speaches called ominous which are interpreted to signifie good or euil luck are sometimes supersticious suggested by euil spirites who now then telling or insinuating some truth get credite and so allure men to attend to such vaine vncertaine and vnlawful signes as S. Augustin testifieth li. 2. de Gen. ad lit c. 17. li. 12. c. 22. Neuertheles such signes are sometimes lawfully obserued desired from God as the same Doctor disputeth li. quest super Gen q. 53 and S. Chrisostome teacheth more clerly ho. 45. in Gen likewise S. Theodoret q. 73. in Gen But whosoeuer wil not erre in particular cases must folow either expresse Scripture or the iudgement of the Church which is alwayes directed by the spirite of truth And touching this prayer of Abrahams seruant and his desire of this determinate signe to know the maide whom God had prouided to be Isaachs wife the fathers generally hold that it was religious deuout and discrete For he being careful of his masters busines and not trusting his owne iudgement but relying vpon that Abraham had said Our Lord shal send his Angel before thee commended so weightie a cause to God by prayer the Angel suggesting both to him to desire and to the maide to performe as the euent sheweth such qualities and vertues in her as were most agreable to the great charitie and hospitalitie dayly practised in Abrahams house most conuenient
put it vpon their shoulders †And the children of Israel did as Moyses had commanded and they asked of the Aegyptians vessels of siluer and gold and very much rayment †And our Lord gaue grace to the people before the Aegyptians that they did lend them and they spoyled the Aegyptians †And the children of Israel sette forward from Ramesse into Socoth almost six hundred thousand of foote men beside litle ones †But also the common people of al sortes innumerable went vp with them sheepe and heardes and beastes of diuerse kindes exceding manie †And they baked the meale which a litle before they had taken out of Aegypt tempered and made hearth cakes vnleauened for it could not be leauened the Aegyptians vrging them to depart not suffering them to make any tarriance neither did they thinke vpon preparing any meate †And the dwelling of the children of Israel that they abode in Aegypt was foure hundred thirty yeares †The which being expired the same day al the armie of our Lord went forth out of the Land of Aegypt †This is the obseruable night of our Lord when he brought them forth out of the Land of Aegypt this night al the children of Israel must obserue in their generations †And our Lord said to Moyses and Aaron This is the religion of the Phase No aliene shal eate of it †And euerie bought seruant shal be circumcised and so shal eate †The stranger and the hireling shal not eate therof †In one house shal it be eaten neither shal you carrie forth of the flesh therof out of the house neither shal you breake a bone therof †Al the assemblie of the children of Israel shal make it †And if any of the soiourners be willing to dwel among you and make the Phase of the Lord first al the male that he hath shal be circumcised and then shal he celebrate it according to the rite he shal be as he that is borne in the land but if there be any man vncircumcised he shal not eate therof †Al one law shal be to him that is borne in the land and to the prose lyte that soiourneth with you †And al the children of Israel did as our Lord had commanded Moyses and Aaron †And the same day our Lord brought forth the children of Israel out of the Land of Aegypt by their troupes ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XII 3. The tenth day Our Sauiour Christ instituting the Sacrament of the Eucharist after the celebration of the Paschal lambe whiles they were at supper the night before his death therby sufficiently declared that this old Pasch was a figure not only of his Passion and Sacrifice on the Crosse but also of that he then did so solemnly with his Apostles whom also in that action he made Priests commanding them and their successors to do the same in commemoâ—ation of him til the end of the world Other circumstances likewise and conference of the one with the other make it more clere that as in some respectes it more resembled Christs Passion and Sacrifice on the Crosse so in others it more expressed the Eucharist and mystical commemoration of his death though also in manie it profigured Christ in both places For example The preparing of the lambe the tenth day signified our Sauiours coming into Hierusalem the same tenth day of the first moone now represented in the Church on Palmesunday Also the choise qualities of the lambe vvithout spotte a male of the first yeare foreshewed in general the puritie fortitude meeknes and al perfection of the true Lambe of God that taâ—eth avvay the sinne of the vvorlde More particularly the killing and bereuing the Paschal Lambe of natural life the sprinkling of his bloud on the dore-postes the â—â—stâ—â—â— at tâ—e â—ire and not breaking anie bâ—ne therof most specially expressed Christs death on the Crosse But the fourtenth day the euining agree only with the Eucharist instituted the night before our Lords Passion which he suffered the fiftenth being the ful moore and at midday as ancient S. Dionyse of Ariopagite in two Episties to Policâ—rpus and to Appollophanes testifieth admiring the miracle of the sunnes Eclipâ—e that hapned the same time Neither did the â—ating of the Lambe directly prefigurate the oblation on the Crosse for Christ was not crucified to be eaten but the Sacrament in formes and bread and vvine was expresly figured by eating the lambe with vnleauened bread and drinking the cuppe therto idioyned Luc. 2â— v 17. In like sorte the Lambe immolated in commemoration of the deliuerie of Israel from death and from seruitude when the-first-borne of Aegypt were slaine most aptly prefigured the Eucharist which is a perpetuat commemoration of mans redemption and deliuerie from eternal death and from bondage of the diuel and sinne by Christes death on the Crosse which death in dede was the very redemption and deliuerie of mankind and not a commemoration therof Finally the immolating of the Lambe vvithin the house with precise commandment to carie nothing therof forth perteined particularly to the Eucharist which our Lord celebrated vvithin the house wherby S. Cyprian lib. de vnit Eccles proueth that the B. Sacrament must not be giuen to anie ouâ— of the Catholique Church though Christs Passion be extended to al the world as wel to bring such as are without into the Church as to saue those that are already entred in In this sorte the most ancient and best expositors of holie Scripture explicate this special figure of the Paschal Lambe As we shalhere produce some witnesses in confirmation of this truth Tertulian lib. 4. contra Marcionem expounding our Sauiours wordes VVith desire I haue desired to eate this Pasch vvith you before I suffer saieth Christ coueted not veruecinam Iudaeorum the mutton of the Iewes but professing that with desire he desired to eate the Pasch as his owne for it was vnmete that God should couete anie thing not his owne the bread which he toooke and gaue to his disciples he made his owne bodie saying This is my bodie that is a figure of my bodie Figura autem nonsuisset nisi veritatis esset corpus But it had not bene a figure saith he onles it vvâ—re a bodies of veritie or a verie bodie to wit not phantastical as the heretike Marcion imagined because the figures in the old Testament were not figures except a true bodie answered vnto them So the Sacramentaries sense that Tertullian should cal the Eucharist a figure is quite against his meaning and maketh him conclude nothing against Marcion wheras his whole drift is by the figures of the old Testament to proue that in the Eucharist is the true real bodie of Christ and that consequently Christ hath a true and real bodie Origen in 26. Mat. teacheth that in the great parlar where Christ did eaâ—e the Paschal Lambe he also made his new Pasch S. Cyprian
murder by death Exod. 21. v. 12. partly with alteration as by punishing theift in some countries with death but not adultrie which were contrarie in the old Testament Gen. 38. v. 24. 44. 17. Exod. 22. v. 1. Leuit. 20. v. 10 in like sorte the Church of Christ ordaineth lawes altereth vpon iust occasions dispenceth in al degrees of consanguinitie and affinitie not forbid by the law of nature CHAP. XIX Diuers Moral Ceremonial and Iudicial precepts are briefly recited OVR Lord spake to Moyses saying †Speake to al the assemblie of the children of Israel and thou shalt say to them Be ye holie because I the Lord your God am holie †Let euerie one feare his father and mother Keepe my Sabbathes I the Lord your God †Turne not your selues to idols neither make you to your selues molten goddes I the Lord your God †If ye immolate an hoste of pacifiques to the Lord that it may be placable †that day wherin it is immolated shal you eate it and the next day and whatsoeuer shal be left vntil the third day you shal burne with fire †if after two daies anie man eate therof he shal be profane and guiltie of impietie †and shal beare his iniquitie because he hath polluted the holie of the Lord and that soule shal perish out of his people †And when thou reapest the corne of thy lande thou shalt not sheare the face of the earth to the verie ground neither shalt thou gather the eares that remaine †Neither in thy vineyard shalt thou gather the clusters and grapes that fal downe but shalt leaue them to the poore and the strangers to take I the Lord your God †You shal not committe theft You shal not lie neither shal anie man deceaue his neighbour †Thou shalt not forsweare thy self in my name nor pollute the name of thy God I the Lord. †Thou shalt not calumniate thy neighbour nor oppresse him by violence The worke of thy hireling shal not abide with thee vntil morning †Thou shalt not speake euil of the deafe man nor put a stumbling blocke before the blinde but thou shalt feare the Lord thy God because I am the Lord. †Thou shalt not doe that which is vniust nor iudge vniustly Consider not the person of a poore man neither honour thou the countenance of him that is mightie Iudge iustly to thy neighbour †Thou shalt not be a criminatour nor a whisperer among the people Thou shalt not stand against the bloud of thy neighbour I the Lord. †Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy hart but controwle him openly lest thou incurre sinne through him †Seeke not reuenge nor be mindeful of the iniurie of thy citizens Thou shalâ— loue thy freind as thy self I the Lord. †Keepe ve my lawes Thou shalt not make thy cattel to gender with the beasts of an other kinde Thy field thou shalt not sowe with diuers seede A garment that is wouen of two sortes thou shalt not put on †If a man lie with a woman by carnal copulation that is a bondwoman also mariable and yet not redemed with a price nor made free both shal be beaten and they shal not die because she was not free †And for his offence he shal offer to the Lord at the dore of the tabernacle of testimonie a ramme †and the priest shal pray for him and for his sinne before the Lord and he shal become propitious to him againe and the sinne shal be forgeuen †When you shal be entred into the land and haue planted in it fruite trees you shal take away the prepuces of them the fruite that come forth shal be vncleane to you neither shal you eate of them †But in the fourth yeare al their fruite shal be sanctified laudable to the Lord. †And the fifth yeare you shal eate the fruites gathering the ofspring that they bring forth I the Lord your God †You shal not eate with bloud You shal not diuine nor obserue dreames †Neither shal you cut your heare roundwise nor shaue your beard †And for the dead you shal not cut your flesh neither shal you make in your selues any figures or markes I the Lord. †Make not thy daughter a common strumpet lest the land be contamined and filled with wickednesse †Keepe ye my Sabbathes and feare my Sanctuarie I the Lord. †Decline not to magicians neither aske any thing of soothsayers to be polluted by them I the Lord your God †Before the hoare head rise vp and honour the person of an old man and feare the Lord thy God I am the Lord. †If a stranger dwel in your land and abide among you doe not vpbraid him †but let him be among you as the same countrie man and you shal loue him as your selues for you also haue bene strangers in the Land of Aegypt I the Lord your God †Do not anie vniust thing in iudgement in rule in weight or measure †Let the balance be iust and the weightes equal the busheliust and the sextarie equal I the Lord your God that brought you out of the Land of Aegypt †Keepe al my preceptes and al my iudgements doe them I the Lord. CHAP. XX. VVhosoeuer geueth of his seede to Moloch must be stoned to death 6 Althat decline to Magicke 9. eurse their parents 10. commit adâ—ltriâ— certaine incest or bestialitie shal die 19. Other incest is depriued of children 22. The Israelites also shal be cast out of the Land if they committe such AND our Lord spake to Moyses saying †These thinges thou shalt speake to the children of Israel If anie man of the children of Israel and of the strangers that dwel in Israel geue of his seede to the idol Moloch dying let him die the people of the land shal stone him †And I wil set my face against him and wil cut him of from the middes of his people because he hath geuen of his seede to Moloch and hath contaminated my Sanctuarie and polluted my holy name †And if the people of the land neglecting and as it were litle esteming my commandement let alone the man that hath geuen of his seede to Moloch and wil not kil him †I wil sette my face vpon that man and his kinred and wil cut of both him and al that consented with him to committe fornication with Moloch out of the middes of their people †The soule that shal decline to Magitians and south sayers and shal committe fornication with them I wil sette my face against it and destroy it out of the middes of his people †Sanctifie your selues and be holie because I am the Lord your God †Keepe my precepts and doe them I the Lord that sanctifie you †He that curseth his father or mother dying let him die he hath cursed father and mother his bloud be vpon him †If any man commit adulterie with an other mans
was dead mourned vpon him thirtie daies throughout al their families CHAP. XXI Israelites at the first encounter with the Chananeites hauing the worse after their vow kil the King of Arad and destroy his cities 4. The people againe murmuring are stricken with firie serpents 7. but confessing their fault Moyses by Gods commandment setteth vp a brasen serpent for a remedie 10. They march through diuers places 17. and sing a Canticle at a wel which God gaue them 21. They kil Sehon King of the Amorreites and conquer his land 33. Likwise Og King of Basan VVHICH when the Chananeite king of Arad who dwelt toward the south had heard to wit that Israel was come by the way of the spies he fought against them and being victour he tooke the pray of them †But Israel binding himself by vow to our Lord said If thou wilt deliuer this people into my hand I wil destroy their cities †And our Lord heard the prayers of Israel and deliuered the Chananeite whom they slew ouerthrowing their cities and they called the name of that place Horma that is to say Anathema †And they marched also from the mountaine Hor by the way that leadeth to the Redde sea that they might compasse the land of Edom. And the people began to be wearie of the iourney and labour †and speaking against God and Moyses they said Why didst thou bring vs out of Aegypt to die in the wildernesse There wanteth bread waters there are none our soule now lotheth at this most light meate †Wherfore our Lord sent vpon the people firie serpentes at whose plagues and the deathes of verie manie †they came to Moyses and said We haue sinned because we haue spoken against our Lord and thee Pray that he take from vs the serpentes And Moyses prayed for the people †and our Lord spake to him Make a brasen serpent and sette in for a signe he that being striken looketh on it shal liue †Moyses therfore made A BRASEN SERPENT and set it for a signe whom when they that were striken looked on they were healed †And the children of Israel marching camped in Oboth †Whence departing they pitched their tentes in Ieabarim in the wildernesse that looketh toward Moab against the east part †And remouing from thence they came to the Torrent Zared †Which they forsaking camped against Arnon which is in the desert standeth out in the borders of the Amorrheite For Arnon is the border of Moab diuiding the Moabites the Amorrheites †Wherof it is said in the booke of the warres of our Lord As he did in the Redde sea so wil he doe in the streames of Arnon †The rockes of the torrentes were bowed that they might rest in Ar and lie in the borders of the Moabites †From that place appeared the wel wherof our Lord spake to Moyses Gather the people together and I wil geue them water †Then Israel sang this verse Arise the wel They sang therto †The wel which the princes digged and the captaines of the multitude prepared in the law geuer and in their staues And they marched from the wildernesse to Mathana †From Mathana vnto Nahaliel from Nahaliel vnto Bamoth †From Bamoth is a valley in the countrie of Moab in the toppe of Phasga which looketh toward the desert †And Israel sent messengers to Sehon King of the Amorrheites saying †I besech thee that I may haue licence to passe through thy land we wil not goe aside into the fieldes and the vineyardes we wil not drinke waters of the welles we wil goe the kinges high way til we be past thy borders †Who would not grant that Israel should passe by his borders but rather gathering an armie went forth to meete them in the desert and came vnto Iasa and fought against them †Of whom he was strooken in the edge of the sword and his land was possessed from Arnon vnto Ieboc and to the children of Ammon for the borders of the Ammonites were kept with a strong garrison †Israel therfore tooke al his cities and dwelt in the cities of the Amorrheite to wit in Hesebon and the villages therof †The citie Hesebon was Sehons the king of the Amorrheite who fought against the king of Moab and tooke al the land that had bene of his dominion as farre as Arnon †Therfore it is said in the prouerbe Come into Hesebon let the citie of Sehon be built and erected †A fire went forth from Hesebon a flame from the towne of Sehon and deuoured Ar of the Moabites and the inhabitantes of the high places of Arnon †Wo to thee Moab thou art vndone people of Chamos He hath geuen his sonnes into flight and his daughters into captiuitie to Sehon the King of the Amorrheites †Their yoke is perished from Hesebon vnto Diboâ— they came wearie into Nophe and vnto Medaba †Israel therfore dwelt in the Land of the Amorrheite †And Moyses sent some to take a view of lazer Whose villages they tooke and possessed the inhabitantes †And they turned them selues and went vp by the way of Basan and Og the King of Basan came against them with al his people to fight in Edrai †And our Lord said to Moyses Feare him not for into thy hand I haue deliuered him and al his people and land and thou shalt doe to him as thou didst to Sehon the King of the Amorrheites the inhabiter of Hesebon †They therfore smote him also With his sonnes and al his people vnto vtter destruction and they possessed his land CHAP. XXII Balac King of Moab fearing the Israelites sendeth for Balaam a southsâ—â—â—r to curse them 8. VVho consulting his false god is forbid by God almightie to goe and so excuseth him self 15. Balac sendeth againe offering greater reward 19. he againe consulteth and God biddâ—th him goe 〈◊〉 but sendeth an Angel to meete him in the way whom his asse seing huâ—neth three times and so often he beateth her 28. then she speaketh expostulating his hard vsage 31. he also seeth the Angel 35. and is chargeg â— speake nothing but that the Angel shal suggest AND marching forward they camped in the champion countrie of Moab where Iericho is situated beyond Iordan †And Balac the sonne of Sephor seeing al thinges that Israel had done to the Amorrheite †and that the Moabites were in greate feare of him and could not susteyne his assault †he said to the elders of Madian So wil this people destroy al that dwel in our coastes as the oxâ— is wont to eate the grasse vnto the verie rootes And he was at the same time King in Moab †He sent therfore messengers to Balaam the sonne of Behor a Southsayer who dwelt vpon the riuer of the land of the children of Ammon to cal him and to say Behold a people is come out of Aegypt that hath couered the face of the earth sitting against me
that thou shalt perish vtterly †As the Nations which our Lord destroyed at thyne entrie so shal you also perish if you be disobedient to the voice of the Lord your God CHAP. IX Lest they should impute the victories which they shal haue to them selues 6. they are put in mind of their often prouoking Gods wrath 12. by idolatrie 22. by murmuring by concupiscence by contempt and other sinnes 25 for which they should haue bene destroyed but God spared them for his prouâ—â—se made to Abraham Isaeac and Iacob HEARE Israel Thou shalt goe ouer Iordan this day to possesse verie greate nations and stronger then thy selfe huge cities and walled euen vnto heauen †a great people and tal the sonnes of the Enacims whom thou hast seene and heard against whom no man is able to resist †Thou shalt know therfore this day that the Lord thy God him selfe wil passe ouer before thee a deuouring and consuming fyre who shal destroy and abolish and bring them to nothing before thy face quickly as he hath spoken to thee †Say not in thy hart when the Lord thy God shal haue destroyed them in thy sight For my iustice hath our Lord brought me in to possesse this land wheras these nations were destroyed for their impieties †For not because of thy iustices and equitie of thy hart doest thou enter in to possesse their landes but because they haue done impiously at thy entring in they are destroyed and that our Lord might accomplish his word which by oath he promised to thy fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob †Know therfore that not for thy iustices hath the Lord thy God geuen thee this excellent land in possession wheras thou art a verie stiffe necked people †Remember and forget not how thou didst prouoke the Lord thy God to wrath in the wildernesse From the same day that thou camest out of Aegypt vnto this place thou hast alwayes contended against our Lord. †For in Horeb also thou didst prouoke him and being wrath he would haue destroyed thee †when I went vp into the mounte to receiue the tables of stone of the couenant which our Lord made with you and I continewed in the mounte fourtie daies and nightes not eating bread nor drinking water †And our Lord gaue me two tables of stone written with the singer of God and conteyning al the wordes that he spake to you in the mounte from the middes of the fyre when the assemblie of the people was gathered †And when fourtie dayes were passed and as manie nightes our Lord gaue me the two tables of stone the tables of couenant †and he said to me Arise and goe downe from hence quickly for thy people which thou didst bring out of Aegypt haue quickly forsaken the way that thou hast shewed them and haue made them a molten idol †And againe our Lord said to me I see that this people is stiffe necked †suffer me that I may destroy them and abolish their name from vnder heauen and may set thee ouer a Nation that is greater and stronger then this †And when I came downe from the burning mounte and held the two tables of couenant with both handes †and saw that you had sinned to the Lord your God and had made you a molten calfe and had quickly forsaken his way which he had shewed you †I cast the tables out of my handes and brake them in your sight †And I fel downe before our Lord as before fourtie dayes and nightes not eating bread not drinking water for al your sinnes which you committed against our Lord and prouoked him to wrath †for I feared his indignation and anger wherwith being moued agaynst you he would haue destroyed you And our Lord heard me this time also †Against Aaron also being exceeding angrie he would haue destroyed him and for him in like maner did I pray †And your sinne that you had committed that is the calfe I tooke and burnt it with fyre and breaking it into peeces and bringing it wholy into dust I threw it into the torrent that deâ—cendeth from the mount †In the burning also and in the tentation and in the Sepulchres of concupiscence you prouoked our Lord †and when he sent you from Cadesbarne saying Goe vp and possesse the Land that I haue geuen you and you contemned the commandement of your Lord God and did not beleue him neither would you heare his voice †but were alwaies rebellious from the day that I beganne to know you †And I lay before our Lord fourtie dayes and nightes in the which I humbly besought him that he would not destroy you as he had threatened †and praying I said Lord God destroy not thy people and thyne inheritance which thou hast redemed in thy greatnes whom thou didst bring out of Aegypt in a strong hand †Remember thy seruantes Abraham Isaac and Iacob regard not the stubbournes of this people and his impietie and sinne †lest perhappes the inhabitantes of the land out of which thou hast brought vs say The Lord could not bring them in vnto the Land that he promised them and he hated them therfore did he bring them forth that he might kil them in the wildernes †Which are thy people and thyne inheritance whom thou didst bring forth in thy great strength and in thy stretched out arme CHAP. X. Moyses receiuing the second tables of the tenne commandments and making an arke put them therin 6. with mention of certaine places where the children of Israel had camped of Aarons death and to the Leuites offices and possesstons 12. be inculcateth the feare and loue of God and the keping of his precepts 16. namely to circumcise the hart 19. to loue strangers 20. and not to serue nor sweare by false goddes AT that time our Lord said to me Hewe thee two tables of stone as the former were and come vp to me into the mounte and thou shalt make an arke of wood †and I wil write in the tables the wordes that were in them which before thou didst breake and thou shalt put them in the arke †I made therfore an arke of the wood Settim And when I had hewed two tables of stone like to the former I went vp into the mount hauing them in my handes †And he wrote in the tables according as he had written before the ten wordes which our Lord spake to you in the mount from the middes of the fyre when the people was gathered and he gaue them to me †And returning from the mount I came downe and put the tables into the arke that I had made which are there til this present as our Lord commanded me †And the children of Israel remoued their campe from Beroth of the children of Iacan into Mosera where Aaron died and was buried for whom Eleazar his soone did the function of priesthood †Thence they came into Gadgad from the which place departing
of our Lord thy God and keepe his preceptes and ceremonies which are written in this law and returne to our Lord thy God in al thy hart and in al thy soule †This commandment that I command thee this daie “ is not aboue thee nor so farre of †nor situated in heauen that thou maiest say Which of vs is able to ascend vnto heauen to bring it to vs that we may heare and fulfil it in worke †Nor placed beyond the sea that thou mayest pretend and say Which of vs can passe ouer the sea and bring it euen vnto vs that we way heare and doe that which is commanded †But the word is very neere thee in thy mouth and in thy hart to doe it †Consider that I haue “ set before thee this day life and good and contrariewise death and euil †that thou mayest loue our Lord thy God and walke in his waies and keepe his commandmentes and ceremonies and iudgementes and thou mayest liue and he multiplie thee and blesse thee in the Land which thou shalt enter to possesse †But if thy hart be auerted and thou wilt not heare and deceaued with errour thou adore strange goddes and serue them †I foretel thee this day that thou shalt perish and abide a litle time in the Land which passing ouer Iordan thou shalt enter to possesse †“ I cal for witnesses this day heauen and earth that I haue proposed to you life and death blessing and cursing Choose therfore life that both thou mayest liue and thy seede †and mayest loue our Lord thy God and obey his voice and cleaue to him for he is thy life and the length of thy daies that thou mayest liue in the Land for the which our Lord sware to thy fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob that he would geue it them ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXX 6. God vvil circumcise thy bart Most true it is that of our selues without Gods grace none can kepe or fulfil the commandmentes But he whose hart God doth circumcise is therby made able to loue God with al his hart and with al his soule And except some hartes were thus circumcised and so made able to loue God aboue al and consequently their neighboures God should not performe his promise that he wil circumcise the hart of some 11. Is not aboue thee VVhen thou art stirred vp assisted and indued with Gods grace the commandment of God is not then aboue thee nor faire of from thee but very nere thee in thy mouth to confesse God and his truth and in thy hart to do it But you wil aske How then cometh it to passe that manie hauing receiued sufficient grace yet do not kepe Gods commandmentes God him self answereth 15. That he hath set before thee life and good and contrrivvise death and euil he inuiteth and helpeth yet forceth thee not he geuethâ—thee powre abilitie helping and not destroying thy freewil that thou maist loue our Lord thy God walke in his wayes and kepe his commandements But if thy hart be auerted and v. 17. thou vrilt not heare thou shalt perish Againe God inculcateth 19. I cal for vvitnesses heauen and earth that I haue proposed to you life and death blessing and cursing Choose therfore life c. VVhat Doctor can teach more plainly the possibilitie of keeping Gods commandmentes and frewil in man then this text of holie Scripture CHAP. XXXI Moyses substituteth Iosue his successour in temporal gouernment 9. deliuereth the law to the Priestes 16. God fortelleth that the people wil often forsake him and that he wil punish them 19. commandeth Moyses to write a canticle an abrigement of the Law easie to be remembred 25. and in further testimonie against them the Leuites must put this booke in the arke of couenant MOYSES therfore went and spake al these wordes to al Israel †and said to them I am this day a hundred and twentie yeares old I can not goe out and come in any longer especially wheras our Lord also hath said to me Thou shalt not passe ouer this Iordan †Our Lord therfore thy God wil passe ouer before thee he wil destroy al these nations in thy sight and thou shalt possesse them and this Iosue shal passe ouer before thee as our Lord hath spoken †And our Lord shal doe to them as he did to Sehon and Og the kinges of the Ammorheites and to their land and shal destroy them †Therfore when our Lord shal haue deliuered these also to you you shal doe in like manner to them as I haue commanded you †Doe manfully and be strengthned feare not neither tremble ye at their sight because our Lord thy God him selfe is thy conductor and wil not leaue nor forsake thee †And Moyses called Iosue and said to him before al Israel Take courage and be strong for thou shalt bring in this people into the Land which our Lord sware that he would geue to their fathers and thou shalt diuide it by lotte †And our Lord that is your conductor him selfe wil be with thee he wil not leaue nor forsake thee feare not neither dread thou †Moyses therfore wrote this law and deliuered it to the priestes the sonnes of Leui which caried the arke of the couenant of our Lord and to al the ancientes of Israel †And he commanded them saying After seuen yeares in the yeare of remission in the solemnitie of tabernacles †when al come together out of Israel to appeare in the sight of our Lord thy God in the place which our Lord shal choose thou shalt read the wordes of this law before al Israel they hearing †and the people being assembled together as wel men as wemen children and strangers that are within thy gates that hearing they may learne and feare our Lord your God and keepe and fulfil al the wordes of this law †Their children also who now are ignorant that they may heare and feare our Lord their God al the daies that they liue in the Land which passing ouer Iordan you goe to obteyne †And our Lord said to Moyses Behold the daies of thy death are nigh cal Iosue and stand ye in the tabernacle of testimonie that I may command him Moyses therfore and Iosue went and stoode in the tabernacle of testimonie †and our Lord appeared there in the piller of a cloude which stood in the entring of the tabernacle †And our Lord said to Moyses Behold thou shalt sleepe with thy fathers and this people rysing vp wil fornicate after strange goddes in the Land to the which it entreth to dwel therein there wil they forsake me and wil make the couenant which I haue made with them of none effect †And my furie shal be wrath against them in that day and I wil forsake them and wil hide my face from them and they shal be deuoured al euils and afflictions shal finde them so that they shal say
of Ruben beyond Iordan against Iericho the cities of refuge Bosor in the wildernes Misor and Iaser and Iethson and Mephaath foure cities with their suburbes †Of the tribe of Gad the cities of refuge Ramoth in Galaad and Manaim and Hesebon and Iaser foure cities with their suburbes †Al the cities of the children of Merari by their families and kinredes twelue †Therfore al the cities of the Leuites in the middes of the possession of the children of Israel were fourtie eight †with their suburbes euerie one distributed by the families †And our Lord God gaue to Israel al the Land that he had sworne he would geue to their fathers and they possessed it and dwelt in it †And peace was geuen by him on al nations round about and none of their enemies durst resist them but al were brought into their dominion †Not so much certes as one word which he had promised that he would performe vnto them was frustrate but al thinges were accomplished in deedes CHAP. XXII The tribes of Ruben and Gad and half Manasses returne to their possessions 10. VVho building an altar by the side of Iordan the other tribes suspect that they wil make a schisme and therfore purpose to fight against them 13. But first sending an ambassage to admonish them 21. they answer that they made not an altar for sacrifice but only for a monument that notwithstaÌ„ding they dwel on the other side of Iordan yet they are of the same people of God 30. wherwith al Israel is satisfied THE same time Iosue called the Rubenites and Gadites and the halfe tribe of Manasses †and said to them You haue done al thinges that Moyses the seruant of our Lord coÌ„manded you me also haue you obeyed in al thinges †neither haue you left your brethren a long time vntil this present day keeping the commandement of our Lord your God †Therfore because our Lord your God hath geuen your brethren quietnes and peace as he promised returne and goe into your tabernacles and to the land of your possession which Moyses the seruant of our Lord deliuered to you beyond Iordan †alwayes so that you keepe attentiuely and in worke fulfil the commandement and the law which Moyses the seruant of our Lord commanded you that you loue our Lord your God and walke in al his wayes and obserue al his commandementes cleaue to him and serue him in al your hart and in al your soule †And Iosue blessed them and dismissed them Who returned into their tabernacles †And to the halfe tribe of Manasses Moyses had geuen possession in Basan and therfore to the halfe that remayned Iosue gaue a lotte among the rest of their brethren beyond Iordan at the West side And when he dismissed them into their tabernacles had blessed them †he said to them In much substance and riches returne to your seates with siluer and gold brasse and yron and varietie of rayment diuide the praye of your enemies with your brethren †And the children of Ruben and the children of Gad and the halfe tribe of Manasses returned and went from the children of Israel in Silo which is situated in Chanaan to enter into Galaad the Land of their possession which they had obteyned according to the commandement of our Lord in the hand of Moyses †And when they were come to the litle banckes of Iordan into the Land of Chanaan they built beside Iordan an altar of an infinite greatnes †Which thing when the children of Israel had heard and certaine messengers had reported to them that the children of Ruben and Gad and the halfe tribe of Manasses had builded an altar in the Land of Chanaan vpon the litle banckes of Iordan against the children of Israel †they assembled al in Silo that they might goe vp and fight against them †And in the meane time they sent to them into the Land of Galaad Phinees the sonne of Eleazar the priest †and ten princes with him one of euerie tribe †Who came to the children of Ruben and Gad and the halfe tribe of Manasses into the Land of Galaad and said to them †This message doth al the people of our Lord send to you What is this transgression Why haue you forsaken our Lord the God of Israel building a sacrilegious altar and reuolting from the worshippe of him †Is it a smale thing to you that you sinned in Beelphegor and vntil this present day the spotte of this abomination abideth in vs and many of the people fel dead †And you to day haue forsaken our Lord and to morow his wrath wil rage against al Israel †But if you thinke the land of your possession to be vncleane passe to the Land wherein is the tabernacle of our Lord and dwel among vs only that you depart not from our Lord and from our companie an altar being built beside the altar of our Lord God †Did not Achan the sonne of Zare transgress the commandement of our Lord and his wrath lay vpon al the people of Israel And he was one man and I would he alone had perished in his wicked fact †And the children of Ruben and Gad and of the halfe tribe of Manâ—sses answered the princes of the legacie of Israel †The most mightie God our Lord The most mightie God our Lord him selfe knoweth and Israel together shal vnderstand If with the mind of preuarication we haue erected this altar let him not keepe vs but punish vs presently †and if we did it with that minde that we might lay vpon it holocaustes and sacrifice and pacifique victimes let him selfe examine it and iudge †and not rather with that meaning and deliberation that we said To morrow your children wil say to our children What haue you to doe with our Lord the God of Israel †Our Lord hath put a border betwen vs and you O ye children of Ruben and children of Gad the riuer Iordan and therfore you haue no part in our Lord. And by this occasion your children shal auert our children from the feare of our Lord. We therfore thought it better †and said Let vs build vs an altar not for holocaustes nor to offer victimes †but for a testimonie betwen vs and you and our issue and your progenie that we may serue our Lord and it may be our right to offer both holocaustes and victimes and pacifique hostes and that your children to morrow say not to our children You haue no part in our Lord. †And if they wil say so they shal answer them Behold the altar of our Lord which our fathers made not for holocaustes nor for sacrifice but for our testimonie and yours †God saue vs from this abomination that we should reuolt from our Lord and leaue his steppes erecting an altar to offer holocaustes and sacrifices and victimes beside the altar of our Lord God
Aegypt †And he apprehended Agag the king of Amalec aliue but al the comon people he slewe in the edge of the sword †And Saul and the people spared Agag and the best flockes of sheepe and heardes and the garmentes and rammes and al thinges that were fayre neither would they destroy them but whatsoeuer was vile and refuse that they destroyed †And the word of our Lord was made to Samuel saying †It repenteth me that I haue made Saul king because he hath forsaken me hath not fulfilled my wordes in worke And Samuel was strooken sadde and cried to our Lord al the night †And when Samuel had risen in the night to goe to Saul in the morning it was told Samuel that Saul was come into Carmelus and had erected to him selfe a triumphant arch and returning was passed and gone into Galgal Samuel therefore came to Saul and Saul offered an holocaust to our Lord of the first of the prayes which he had brought from Amalec †And when Samuel was come to Saul Saul sayd to him Blessed be thou to our Lord I haue fulfilled the word of our Lord. †And Samuel sayd And what is this voice of flockes which soundeth in myne eares and of heardes which I heare †And Saul said They haue brought them from Amalec for the people hath spared the better sheepe and heardes that they might be immolated to our Lord thy God but the rest we haue slaine †And Samuel said to Saul Suffer me and I wil shew thee what our Lord hath spoken to me this night And he sayd to him Speake †And Samuel said When thou wast a little one in thyne owne eyes was thou not made chief in the tribes of Israel And our Lord annointed thee to be king ouer Israel †and our Lord sent thee on the way and sayd Goe and kil the sinners of Amalec and thou shalt fight against them vntil the vtter destruction of them †Why therefore hast thou not heard the voice of our Lord but art turned to the praye and hast done euil in the eies of our Lord †And Saul said to Samuel Yea I haue heard the voice of our Lord and haue walked in the way by which our Lord sent me and haue brought Agag the king of Amalec and Amalec I haue slaine †But the people tooke of the praye sheepe and oxen the principal of those thinges which were slaine to immolate to our Lord their God in Galgal †And Samuel said Why wil our Lord haue holocaustes and victimes and not rather that the voice of our Lord be obeyed For BETTER is obedience then victimes and to harken rather then to offer the fatte of rammes †Because it is as it were the sinne of inchantment to resist and as it were the wickednes of idolatrie to refuse to obey For as much therefore as thou hast reiected the word of our Lord our Lord hath reiected thee that thou shalt not be king †And Saul said to Samuel I haue sinned because I haue transgressed the saying of our Lord and thy wordes fearing the people and obeying their voice †But now beare I besech thee my sinne and returne with me that I may adore our Lord. †And Samuel sayd to Saul I wil not returne with thee because thou hast reiected the word of our Lord and our Lord hath reiected thee that thou shalt not be king ouer Israel †And Samuel turned him selfe to depart but he caught the hemme of his cloke which also did rent †And Samuel said to him Our Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day and hath deliuered it to thy neighbour better then thou †Moreouer the Triumpher in Israel wil not spare and he wil not be turned with repentance for neither is he a man that he may repent †But he said I haue sinned how be it now honour me before the ancientes of my people and before Israel and returne with me that I may adore our Lord thy God †Samuel therefore returning folowed Saul and Saul adored our Lord. †And Samuel said Bring vnto me Agag the king of Amalec And Agag was presented to him very fatte trembling And Agag sayd Doth bitter death thus separat †And Samuel said As thy sword hath made wemen without children so shal thy mother among wemen be without children And Samuel hewed him into peeces before our Lord in Galgal †And Samuel departeth into Ramatha but Saul ascended vnto his house into Gabaa †And Samuel saw Saul no more vnto the day of his death but yet Samuel lamented Saul because it repented our Lord that he had appointed him king ouer Israel CHAP. XVI Samuel by Gods commandment annointeth Dauid King 14. Gods spirite parteth from Saul and a wicked spirite vexeth him 16. the vexation is mitigated by Dauids playing on a harpe AND our Lord said to Samuel How long doest thou mourne Saul whom I haue reiected that he rule not ouer Israel fil thy horne with oile and come that I may send thee to Isai the Bethlehemite for I haue prouided me a king among his sonnes †And Samuel said How shal I goe for Saul wil heare of it and wil kil me And our Lord said A calfe of the heard shalt thou take in thy hand and shalt say I am come to immolate vnto our Lord. †And thou shalt cal Isai to the victime and I wil shew thee what thou must doe and thou shalt annointe whomsoeuer I shal shew to thee †Samuel therefore did as our Lord spake to him And he came into Bethlehem and the ancientes of the citie merueled meeting him and they said Is thy entrance peaceable †And he said Peaceable I am come to immolate vnto our Lord be ye sanctified and come with me that I may immolate He therefore sanctified Isai and his sonnes and called them to the sacrifice †And when they were entered in he saw Eliab and said Is there before our Lord his Christ †And our Lord said to Samuel Respect not his countenāce nor the talnes of his stature because I haue reiected him neither doe I iudge according to the looke of man for man seeth those thinges which appeare but our Lord “ beholdeth the hart †And Isai called Aminadab and brought him before Samuel Who said Neither this hath our Lord chosen †And Isai brought Samma of whom he sayd This also hath not our Lord chosen †Isai therefore brought his seauen sonnes before Samuel and Samuel sayd to Isai Our Lord hath not chosen of these †And Samuel sayd to Isai Are al thy sonnes now fully come Who answered Yet there is left a litle one and he feedeth sheepe And Samuel sayd to Isai Send and bring him for neither wil we sitte downe til he come hither †He sent therefore and brought him And he was reade and beautiful to behold and of a comelie face And our Lord said Arise and annoint him for
Abner the sonne of Ner came to the king and he dismissed him and he departed in peace †And Ioab went in to the king and said What hast thou done Behold Abner came to thee why didst thou dismisse him and he is gone and departed †knowest thou not Abner the sonne of Ner that to this end he came to thee that he might deceiue thee and might know thy going out and thy coming in and vnderstand al things that thou doest †Ioab therfore being gone from Dauid sent messengers after Abner and brought him backe from the cesterne Sira Dauid being ignorant therof †And when Abner was returned into Heborn Ioab brought him aside to the middes of the gate to spake vnto him in guile and stroke him there in the priuie partes and he died in reuenge of the bloud of Asael his brother †Which when Dauid had heard that the thing was now done he said I am innocent and my kingdom before God for euer from the bloud of Abner the sonne of Ner †and come it vpon the head of Ioab and vpon al his fathers house neither let there fayle of the house of Ioab one hauing a fluxe of seede and a leper and houlding the distaffe and falling by the sword lacking bread †Ioab therefore and Abisai his brother slewe Abner because he had killed Asael their brother in Gabaon in the battel †And Dauid said to Ioab and to al the people that were with him Rent your garmentes and be girded with sacke clothes and mourne before the funeral of Abner Moreouer king Dauid folowed the beere †And when they had buried Abner in Hebron king Dauid lifted vp his voice and wept vpon the graue of Abner and al the people also wept †And the king mourning and lamenting Abner sayd Not as cowardes are wont to die hath Abner died †Thy handes were not bound and thy feete were not loden with fetters but as men are wont to fal before the children of iniquitie so art thou fallen And al the people dubling it wept vpon him †And when al the multitude was come to take meate with Dauid when it was yet cleere day Dauid sware saying These thinges do God to me and these adde he if before sunne set I shal tast bread or any thing els †And al the people heard and al thinges pleased them which the king did in the sight of al the people †And al the people knewe and al Israel in that day that it was not the kinges doing that Abner the sonne of Ner was slayne †The king also said to his seruantes Are you ignorant that a prince and the greatest is slayne this day in Israel †But I as yet delicate and annointed king moreouer the the sonnes of Saruia are hard to me our Lord reward him that doth euil according to his malice CHAP. IIII. Baana and Rechab secretly kil Ioboseth 8. bring his head to Dauid 9. who condemning their fact putteth them to death AND Isboseth the sonne of Saul heard that Abner was slaine in Hebron and his handes were weakened and al Israel was trubled †And the sonne of Saul had two men captaynes of robbers the name of one Baana and the name of the other Rechab the sonnes of Rhemmon the Berothite of the sonnes of Beniamin for Beroth also was accounted in Beniamin †And the Berothites fled into Gethaim and were there strangers vntil that time †And Ionathas the sonne of Saul had a sonne lame in his feete for he was fiue yeares old when the tydinges came of Saul and Ionathas from Iezrahel his nurse therefore taking him fled and when she made hast to flee he fel and was made lame and he was called Miphiboseth †Therefore the sonnes of Rhemmon the Berothite Rachab and Baana coming entered into the house of Isboseth in the heat of the day who slept vpon his bed at noone †And they entered into the house secretely taking eares of corne and Rechab and Baana his brother stroke him in priuy partes and fled †And when they were entred into the house he slept vpon his bed in a parler and striking they killed him and taking away his head they went by the way of the desert al night †And brought the head of Isboseth to Dauid into Hebron and they said to the king Behold the head of Isboseth the sonne of Saul thine enemie who sought thy life and our Lord hath geuen my lord the king this day reuenge of Saul and of his seede †But Dauid answering Rechab and Baana his brother the sonnes of Rhemmon the Berothite and sayd to them our Lord liueth which hath deliuered my soule out of al distresse †for so much as him that told me and said Saul is dead who thought that he told prosperous thinges I apprehended and slewe him in Siceleg to whom I should haue geuen a reward for his tydinges †How much more now when wicked men haue slaine an innocent man in his owne house vpon his bed shal I not require his bloud of your hand and take you away from the earth †Dauid therefore commanded his seruantes and they slew them and cutting of their hands and feete hanged them ouer the poole in Hebron but the head of Isboseth they tooke and buried in the sepulcher of Abner in Hebron CHAP. V. VVith general consent Dauid is annointed king of al Israel 7. He taketh the towre of Sion in Ierusalem destroying the Iebuseites 9. buildeth there a new house 13 marieth more wiues and hath more children 17. The Philiflym rising against him are ouerthrowen 22. also the second time AND al the tribes of Israel came to Dauid in Hebron saying Behold we are thy bone and thy flesh †Yea and yesterday also and the day before when Saul was king ouer vs thou wast he that didst leade vs forth and bring backe Israel and our Lord sayd to thee Thou shalt feede my people Israel and thou shalt be prince ouer Israel †The ancientes also of Israel came to the king into Hebron and king Dauid made a league with them in Hebron before our Lord and they annointed Dauid to be king ouer Israel †Thirtie yeares old was Dauid when he began to reigne and he reigned fourtie yeares †In Hebron he reigned ouer Iuda seuen yeares and six monethes and in Ierusalem he reigned three and thirtie yeares ouer al Israel Iuda †And the king went al the men that were with him into Ierusalem to the Iebuseite the inhabiter of the land they said to Dauid Thou shalt not come in hither vnlesse thou take away the blind and the lame saying Dauid shal not come in hither †But Dauid tooke the towre of Sion this is the citie of Dauid †For Dauid had proposed in that day a reward to whosoeuer should strike the Iebuseite and touch the gutters of the house toppes and take away the blind and the lame that hated the soule of Dauid
and fasting for them 2. Reg. 1. Al which were to no purpose if soules departed could not be releiued by such meanes It moreouer appeareth that the same royal prophet beleued diuers places to be in hel when he said Psal 85. Thou hast deliuered my soule from the lower hel signifiyng plainly that there is a lower and a higher hel which higher the Church calleth Purgatorie where soules suffer that paine in satisfaction for their sinnes which remaineth not satisfied before death is due after the guilt of sinne is remitted the law prescribing that besides restitution of damage sacrifice should also be offered Leuit. 5. 6. 16. And Dauid was punished by the death of his child 2. Reg. 12. by the plague sent amongst his people 2. Reg. 24. after his sinnes were remitted He feared also punishment in the other world yea two sortes and therfore prayed to be deliuered from both saying Psal 6. Lord rebuke me not in thy furie nor chastice me in thy wrath That is saith S. Gregorie Strike me not with the reprobate nor aflict me with those that are purged by the punishing flames And most expresly signifieth also a higher place called hel saying Psal 15. in the person of Christ to his Father Thou shalt not leaue my soule in hel From vvhence Christ deliuered the holie Patriarches Prophetes and other perfect soules resting vvithout sensible paine brought them into heauen vvhither before him none could enter VVhich vvas also signified by the cities of refuge whence none might depart to their proper countrie til the death of the high priest Num. 35. by Moyses dying in the desert and not entring into the promised land ouer Iordan Deut. 4. 31. 34. Presupposing the general Resurrection of al men as a truth knovven by former traditions king Dauid shevveth the difference of the vvicked and godlie in that time saying Psal 1. The impious shal not rise againe in iudgement nor sinners in the councel of the iust That is the vvicked shal not rise to ioy glorie as the iust godlie shal doe Of general iudgement is more plainly prophecied 1. Reg. 2. That our Lord shal iudge the endes of the earth not that Dauid nor Salomon but Christ should raigne in his mâ—litant Church euen to the endes of the earth and in fine iudge the vvhole vvorld The same is confirmed Psal 49. God wil come manifestly our God and he wil not kepe silence Fire shal burne forth in his sight Psal 95. He shal iudge the round world in equitie and the peoples in his truth Psal 96. Fire shal goe before him and shal inflame his enemies round about Againe the same royal prophete Psalm 48. describeth the future and eternal state of the damned saying as sheepe creatures vnable to helpe themselues they are put in hel death shal feede vpon them Of the blessed he addeth And the iust shal rule ouer them in the morning that is in the resurrection and Psal 149. The Sainctes shal reioyse in glorie they shal be ioyful in their beddes in eternal rest The exaltations praâ—ses of God in their throate and two edged swordes in their handes to doe reuenge in the nations punishments among the peoples To bind their kinges in fetters and their nobles in yron manicles That they may doe in them the iudgement that is written This glorie is to al his Sainctes And much greater glorie belongeth to Sainctes for this is but accidental vttered according to vulgar capacitie The essential and perfect glorie which no eye hath seene nor eare hath heard nor hart can cone iuâ— consisteth in seeing God Among accidental glorious giftes the foure dowries of glorified bodies are especially prefigured Impassibilitie by the wood Setim wherof the Arke was made Exod. 25. Agilitie and Penetrabilitie in some sorte by Dauids quicknes against Gâ—liath and his conuering of him self into Sauls campe and forth againe 1. Reg. 17. and 26. but a more plaine figure of Claritie was in Moyses face Exod. 34. which by his conuersation with God became more glorious then mortal eyes were able to behold glistering and shining as most splendent lâ—ght through christal described as if his skinne had benne a clere horne aâ—â—earing and spreading beamâ— like the sunnâ— proceding from the beautie of his soule so thâ—â— none of al the people could looke directly vpon him except he couered his face Thus much concerning particular pointes of faith and religion And it is no lesse euident that the vniuersal Church and Citie of God stil continued yea was more visible and conspicuous to the whole world then before First by Gods maruelous protection therof in the desert and famous victories and conquestes of the land of Chanaan And by the excellent lawes geuen to this people which al nations admired and none had the like Deut. 4. For in this fourth age besides other lavves and preceptes the spiritual and temporal States were more distinguished and the Ecclesiastical Hierarchie especially disposed in subordination of one supreme head with inferiour gouerners ech in their place and office for edification of the whole bodie For Moyses being chief ruler and conductâ—r of the Israelites out of Aegypt receiued and deliuered to them the written Law Exod. 20. And for obseruation and conseruation therof by Gods expresse appointment Leuit. 8. consecrated Aaron the ordinarie High priest himself remayning stil extraordinarie Superiour also aboue Aaron And after Aaron he consecrated in like maner his sonne Eleazar high priest and successour to his father Num. 20. To whom succeded others in this order 1. Paralip 6. Phinees Abisuë Bocci Ozi Zacharias otherwise 1. Reg. 1. called Heli Meraioth Amarias otherwise Achimelec whom Saul slew 1. Reg. 22. Achitob othervvise Abiathar vvho vvas deposed 3. Reg. 2. and Sadoc in vvhose time the Temple vvas founded To these vvere adioyned other Priestes also consecrated in a praescript forme Leuit. 8. and Leuites ordayned to assist in lower and distinct offices Num. 3. 4. In the first degree the Caathites whose office was to carrie the Sanctuarie and vessel therof vvrapped vp by the priestes but vvere forbid in paine of death to touch them or to see them In the second degree the Gersonites vvho carried the cortines and couers of the Tabernacle and vessel of the Altar In the third degree the Merarites vvho carried the bordes barres and pillers vvith their feete pinnes cordes and other implementes of the tabernacle euerie one according to their office and burdens Num. 4. v. vlt. But in the temporal state and gouernment Iosue of the tribe of Ephraim succeeded to Moyses Num. 27. Deut. 3. 34. And after Iosue were diuers interruptions of succession with gouerners of diuers tribes and change of gouernment from Dukes to Iudges and from Iudges to Kinges For after Iosues death the people being sore afflicted by inuasions of Infidels God raised certaine special men with title of Iudges to
Eliseus went from Galgal †And Elias sayd to Eliseus Sitte here because our Lord hath sent me as far as Bethel To whom Eliseus sayd Our Lord liueth and thy soule liueth I wil not leaue thee And when he was come downe to Bethel †the children of the prophetes that were in Bethel went forth to Eliseus and sayd to him Doest thou know that this day our Lord wil take thy maister from thee Who answered I also know it hold your peace †And Elias sayd to Eliseus Sitte here because our Lord hath sent me into Iericho And he sayd Our Lord liueth thy soule liueth I wil not leaue thee And when they were come to Iericho †the children of the prophetes that were in Iericho came to Eliseus and sayd to him Doest thou know that this day our Lord wil take away thy maister from thee And he sayd I also know it hold your peace †And Elias sayd to him Sitte here because our Lord hath sent me as farre as Iordan Who sayd Our Lord liueth and thy soule liueth I wil not leaue thee They went therfore both together †fiftie men of the children of the prophetes folowed them who also stood ouer agaynst them farre of but they two stood vpon Iordan †And Elias tooke his mantel and folded it together and smote the waters which were diuided into two partes and they both passed ouer by the drie land †And when they were ouer Elias sayd to Eliseus Aske what thou wilt haue me to doe for thee before I be taken from thee And Eliseus sayd I besech thee that in me may be thy duble spirit †who answered Thou hast asked a hard thing Neuerthelesse if thou see me when I shal be taken from thee thou shalt haue that thou hast asked but if thou see me not thou shalt not haue it †And when they went forward and going talked together behold a fyrie chariote and fyrie horses parted them two asunder and Elias ascended by a hurle winde into heauen †And Eliseus saw him and cried My father my father the chariote of Israel and the guider therof And he saw him no more and he tooke his garmentes and rent them in two peeces †And he tooke vp the mantel of Elias that was fallen to him and returning he stood vpon the banke of Iordan †and with the mantel of Elias that fel downe to him he smote the waters and they were not diuided And he sayd Where is the God of Elias now also and he smote the waters and they were diuided this way and that way and Eliseus passed ouer †And the children of the prophetes that were in Iericho ouer agaynst him seing him sayd The spirit of Elias hath rested vpon Eliseus And coming to meete him adored him flatte to the ground †and they sayd to him Behold there are with thy seruantes fiftie strong men that can goe and seeke thy maister lest perhaps the spirit of our Lord hath taken him and cast him vpon one of the mountaines or into one of the valleis Who sayd Send not †And they forced him til he agreed and sayd Send And they sent fiftie men Who when they had sought three daies found not †And they returned to him but he dwelt in Iericho and he sayd to them Did I not say to you Send not †The men also of the citie sayd to Eliseus Behold the habitation of this citie is verie good as thy selfe my lord perceiuest but the waters are very il and the ground barren †But he sayd Fetch me a new vessel and put salt into it Which when they had brought †going out to the fountayne of the waters he cast salt into it and sayd Thus sayth our Lord I haue amended these waters and death shal no more be in them nor barrennesse †The waters therfore were amended vntil this day according to the word of Eliseus which he spake †And from thence he went vp into Bethel when he went vp by the way little laddes came forth out of the citie and mocked him saying Come vp baldhead come vp baldhead †Who when he had looked backe he saw them cursed them in the name of our Lord and two beares came forth out of the forest tore of them two and fourtie boyes †and from thence he went into the mount of Carmel and from thence he turned into Samaria CHAP. III. Ioram king of Israel accompianed with the kinges of Iuda Edom fighteth against the king of Moab for not paying tribute according to their league 9. wanting waters 16. Eliseus procureth sufficient without raine and prophecieth victorie 21. The king of Moab deceiued by a vision is ouerthrowne in the fielde 26. then being besiged immolateth his first begotten sonne and the Israelites leaue the siege AND Ioram the sonne of Achab reigned ouer Israel in Samaria the eightenth yeare of Iosaphat the king of Iuda And he reigned twelue yeares †And he did euil before our Lord but not as his father and mother for he tooke away the statues of Baal which his father had made †Neuertheles in the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat who made Israel to sinne he stucke fast and departed not from them †Moreouer Mesa the king of Moab nourished manie sheepe and he payed to the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambes and a hundred thousand rammes with their fleeces †And when Achab was dead he brake the league which he had made with the king of Israel †Therfore king Ioram went forth that day out of Samaria and mustered al Israel †And he sent to Iosaphat the king of Iuda saying The king of Moab is reuolted from me come with me against him to battel Who answered I wil come vp he that is mine is thine my people thy people my horses thy horses †And he said What way shal we goe vp but he answered By the desert of Idumea †Therfore the king of Israel and the king of Iuda and the king of Edom went forward and compassed seuen daies iourney neither was there water for the armie and the beastes that folowed them †And the king of Israel said Alas alas alas our Lord hath gathered vs three kinges together that he might deliuer vs into the handes of Moab †And Iosaphat said Is there not here a prophet of our Lord that we may besech our Lord by him And one of the seruantes of the king of Israel answered Here is Eliseus the sonne of Saphat which powred water vpon the handes of Elias †And Iosaphat sayd The word of our Lord is with him And the king of Israel went downe to him and Iosaphat the king of Iuda and the king of Edom. †And Eliseus said to the king of Israel What is to me and thee goe to the prophetes of thy father and thy mother And the king of Israel said to him Why hath our Lord gathered together these three kinges that he
24. The Syrians besiege Samaria 26. For extreme famine a mother eateth her child 31. And the king commandeth to kil Eliseus AND the children of the prophetes sayd to Eliseus Behold the place wherin we dwel before thee is streite for vs. †Let vs goe as far as Iotdan and take out of the wood euerie man some timber that we may build there a place to dwel in Who said Goe †And one of them sayd Come therfore thou also with thy seruantes He answered I wil come †And he went with them And when they were come to Iordan they cut wood †And it chanced that when one had cut downe timber the head of the axe fel into the water and he cried out and said Alas alas alas my lord this same also I did borow †And the man of God sayd where â—el it and he shewed him the place he therfore cut of a pece of wood and cast it thither and the yron did swimme †and he said Take it vp Who stretched forth his hand and tooke it †And the king of Syria fought against Israel and tooke counsel with his seruantes saying In that and that place let vs lay embushementes †Therfore the man of God sent to the king of Israel saying Beware thou passe not into such a place because the Syrians are there in embushementes †The king of Israel therfore sent to the place which the man of God had told him and preuented him and looked wel to himself there not once or twise †And the hart of the king of Syria was trubled for this thing And calling together his seruantes he sayd Why doe you not tel me who is the betraier of me to the king of Israel †And one of his seruantes sayd Not so my lord king but Eliseus the prophet which is in Israel telleth the king of Israel al wordes whatsoeuer thou shalt speake in thy priuy chamber †And he sayd to them Goe and see where he is that I may send and take him And they told him saying Behold in Dothan †He therfore sent thither horses and chariotes and the force of his armie who when they were come in the night they besette the citie †And the seruant of the man of God rising early went out and saw an armie round about the citie and horses and chariotes and he told him saying Alas alas alas my lord what shal we doe †But he answered Feare not for there are more with vs then with them †And when Eliseus had prayed he sayd Lord open the eies of this man that he may see And our Lord opened the eies of the seruant and he behold and loe the mountaine ful of horses and of firie chariotes round about Eliseus †But the enemies went downe to him moreouer Eliseus prayed to our Lord saying Strike I besech thee this people with blindenesse And our Lord smote them that they saw not according to the word of Eliseus †And Eliseus sayd to them This is not the way neither is this the citie folow me I wil shew you the man whom you seeke He therfore led them into Samaria †and when they were entered into Samaria Eliseus said Lord open the eies of these men that they may see And our Lord opened their eies and they saw them selues to be in the middes of Samaria †And the king of Israel said to Eliseus when he had sene them Shal I strike them my father †And he said Thou shalt not strike them for thou didst not take them with thy sword and thy bow that thou mayst strike them but set bread and water before them that they may eate and drinke and goe to their maister †And a great preparation of meates was sette before them and they did eate and drinke and he dismissed them and they went away to their maister and the robbers of Syria came no more into the Land of Israel †And it came to passe after these thinges Benadad the king of Syria gathered together al his armie and went vp and besieged Samaria †And there was a great famine in Samaria and so long it was besieged til the head of an asse was sold for foure score siluer peeces the fourth part of a cabe of pigeons dung for fiue siluer peeces †And when the king of Israel passed by the wall a certayne woman cried out to him saying Saue me my lord king †Who sayd No our Lord saue thee how can I saue thee of the floore or of the presse And the king sayd to her What ayleth thee Who answered †This woman sayd to me Geue thy sonne that we may eate him to day my sonne we wil eate to morrow †We therfore boyled my sonne and did eate him And I sayd to her the next day Geue thy sonne that we may eate him Who hath hid her sonne †Which when the king had heard he rent his garmentes and passed by the wal And al the people saw the hearecloth which he ware next vpon his flesh †And the king sayd These thinges doe God to me and these adde he if the head of Eliseus the sonne of Saphat shal stand vpon him this day †But Eliseus sate in his house and the ancientes sate with him He therfore sent a man before and before that messenger came he sayd to the ancientes Doe you know that this murderers sonne hath sent to cut of my head See therfore when the messenger shal come shut the doore and suffer him not to enter in for behold the sound of his maisters feete is behinde him †Whiles he was yet speaking to them the messenger appeared which came to him And he sayd Behold this so great euil is of our Lord what shal I looke for more of our Lord CHAP. VII Eliseus prophecieth plentie of corne the next day and death to a chief man that wil not beleue it 3. Foure Lepers going to yeld themselues to the Syrians 6. who by Gods prouidence are frighted and fled away 9. bring newes therof to Samaria 12. which by trial is found true 16. And so there is plentie of corne and the incredulous nobleman is trod to death with presse of multitude in the gate as the prophet fortold AND Eliseus sayd Heare ye the word of our Lord Thus sayth our Lord At this time to morow a bushel of floure shal be at one stater and two bushels of barley at one stater in the gate of Samaria †One of the Dukes vpon whose hand the king leaned answearing the man of God sayd If our Lord shal make fludgates in heauen can that possibly be which thou speakest Who sayd Thou shalt see it with thine eies and shalt not eate therof †There were therfore foure men lepers beside the entrance of the gate who sayd one to an other What meane we to be here til we die †Whether we enter into the citie we shal die for famine or whether we tarie
into him a spirit and he shal here a message and shal returne into his country and I wil ouerthrow him with the sword in his country †Rabsaces therfore returned and found the king of Assyrians expugning Lobna for he heard that he was departed from Lachis †And when he had heard of Tharaca the king of Aethiopia saying Behold he is come forth to fight agaynst thee and went agaynst him he sent messengers to Ezechias saying †Say this to Ezechias the king of Iuda Let not thy God seduce thee in whom thou hast confidence neither say thou Ierusalem shal not be deliuered into the handes of the king of the Assyrians †For thou thy self hast heard what the kinges of the Assyrians haue done to al the countries how they haue spoyled them canst thou therfore onlie be deliuered †Why haue the goddes of the Nations deliuered al those whom my fathers haue destroyed to witte Gozan Haran and Reseph and the children of Eden which were in Thelassar †Where is the king of Emath and the king of Arphad and the king of the citie of Sepharuaim of Ana and Aua †Therfore when Ezechias had receiued the letters of the hand of messengers had read them he went vp into the house of our Lord layd them open before our Lord †prayd in his sight saying Lord God of Israel which sittest vpon the cherubins thou art the only God of al the kinges of the earth thou madest heauen and earth †Incline thine eare and heare open Lord thine eies and see and heare al the wordes of Sennacherib who hath sent to vpbrayd vnto vs the liuing God †In verie deede Lord the kinges of the Assyrians haue destroyed Nations and the countries of al. †And they haue cast their goddes into fire for they were not goddes but the workes of mens handes of wood and stone and they destroyed them †Now therfore O Lord our God saue vs from his hand that al the kingdomes of the earth may know that thou art the Lord the onlie God †And Isaie the sonne of Amos sent to Ezechias saying Thus saith our Lord the God of Israel That which thou hast besought me concerning Sennacherib the king of the Assyrians I haue heard †This is the word that our Lord hath spoken of him The virgine daughter of Sion hath dispised thee and scorned thee Behinde thy backe hath the daughter of Ierusalem wagged her head †Whom hast thou vpbrayded and whom hast thou blasphemed against whom hast thou exalted thy voice and lifted vp thine eies in high against the holie one of Israel †By the hand of thy seruantes thou hast vpbrayded our Lord and hast sayd In the multitude of my chariotes haue I climed the height of mouutaynes in the toppe of Libanus and haue cut downe high cedars therof and the chosen â—irretrees of it And I haue entered into the borders therof the forrest of the carmel therof †haue I cut downe And I haue drunke strange waters and haue dried vp with the steppes of my feete al the waters in closed †Why hast thou not heard what I haue done from the begining From ancient daies I haue made that thing and now I haue brought it to effect and fensed cities shal be into ruine of litle hilles bickering together †And they that sitte in them weake of hand they haue trembled and are confounded they became as the grasse of the field and the greene herbe of the roofes of houses which withered before it came to ripenesse †Thy habitation and thy going out and thy coming in and thy waye I haue knowen before thy surie against me †Thou hast bene madde against me thy pride hath ascended into myn eares I therfore wil put a ring in thy nostrels and a bitte in thy lippes and wil bring thee back into the way by the which thou camest †And to thee Ezechias this shal be a signe Eate this yeare what thou shalt finde in the second yeare the things that growe of themselues moreouer in the third yeare sawe ye and reape plant ye vineyardes and eate the fruite of them †And whatsoeuer shal be leaft of the house of Iuda shal take roote downeward and beare fruit vpward †For out of Ierusalem there shal remmantes goe forth and that which is to be saued from the mounte of Sion the zeale of the Lord of hostes shal doe this †Wherfore thus sayth our Lord of the king of the Assyrians He shal not enter into this citie nor shoote arrowe into it neither shal shield occupie it nor munition compasse it †By the way that he came he shal returne and into this citie he shal nos enter sayth our Lord †And I wil protect this citie and wil saue it for my self and for Dauid my seruant †It came to passe therfore in that night an Angel of our Lord came and stroke in the campe of the Assyrians an hundred eightie fiue thousand And when he was risen early he sawe al the bodies of the dead †and Sennacherib the king of the Assyrians departing went away and taried in Niniue †And when he adored in the temple of Nesroch his god Adramelech and Sarasar his sonnes stroke him with the sword and they fled into the land of the Armenians and Asarhaddon his sonne reigned for him CHAP. XX. Ezechias being sick is told by Isaias that he shal die but praying to God obtayneth fiftenne yeares longer life 8. and in confirmation therof receiueth a signe in Achaz dial returning back tenne lines 12. To the Aâ—yrians bringing him presents he sheweth al his treasures 16. which Isaias reprouing prophecieth the captiuitie of Iuda 20. Ezechias dieth and his sonne Manasses reigneth IN those dayes Ezechias was sick euen to death and Isaie the sonne of Amos the prophete came and sayd to him Thus sayth our Lord God Take order with thy house for thou shalt die and shalt not liue †Who turned his face to the wal and prayed our Lord saying †I besech thee Lord remember I pray thee how I haue walked before thee in truth and in a perfect hart and haue done that which is liked before thee Ezechias therfore wept with great weeping †And before Isaie was gone out of the middes of the court the word of our Lord came to him saying †Returne and tel Ezechias the prince of my people Thus sayth our Lord the God of Dauid thy father I haue heard thy prayer and seene thy teares and behold I haue healed thee the third day thou shalt goe vp to the temple of the Lord. †And I wil adde to thy daies fiftene yeares yea out of the hand of the king of Assyrians I wil deliuer thee and this citie I wil protect this citie for my sake and for Dauid my seruant †And Isaie said Fetch me a bunch of figges Which when they had brought and had layd it vpon
that sate on the walles of Ierusalem that he might terrifie them and take the citie †And he spake agaynst the God of Ierusalem as agaynst the goddes of the peoples of the earth the workes of mens handes †Ezechias therfore the king and Isaias the prophet the sonne of Amos prayed agaynst this blasphemie and cried out euen to heauen †And our Lord sent an Angel which stroke euerie strong man and warryer and prince of the armie of the king of the Assyrians and he returned with ignominie into his countrie And when he was entered into the house of his God his sonnes that were come forth of his wombe slewe him with the sword †And our Lord saued Ezechias and the inhabitantes of Ierusalem out of the hand of Sennacherib the king of the Assyrians and out of the hand of al gaue them rest round about †Manie also brought hostes and sacrifices to our Lord into Ierusalem and giftes to Ezechias the king of Iuda who was exalted after these thinges before al nations †In those daies Ezechias was sick euen to death and he prayed our Lord and he heard him and gaue him a signe †But not according to the benefites which he receiued did he recompense because his hart was eleuated and wrath came agaynst him and agaynst Iuda and Ierusalem †And he was humbled afterward because his hart had bene exalted both he and the inhabitantes of Ierusalem and therfore the wrath of our Lord came not vpon them in the daies of Ezechias †And Ezechias was rich and glorious excedingly and gathered to himself great treasures of siluer and of gold and of pretious stone of spices and of armour of al kinde and of vessels of great price †Storehouses also of corne of wyne and of oyle and stalles of al beastes and foldes of cattel †and six cities he built to him self for he had flockes of sheepe and of heardes innumerable because our Lord had geuen him substance exceding much †The same is Ezechias that stopped the vpper fountaine of the waters of Gihon and turned them away vnderneth toward the West of the Citie of Dauid in al his workes he did prosperously what he would †But yet in the embassie of the princes of Babylon that were sent to him to aske of the wonder that had chanced vpon the earth God leift him that he might be tempted and al thinges might be made knowen that were in his hart †But the rest of the wordes of Ezechias and of his mercies are writen in the vision of Isaias the sonne of Amos the prophete and in the booke of the kinges of Iuda Israel †And Ezechias slept with his fathers and they buried him in the chiefe sepulchres of the children of Dauid and al Iuda celebrated his funeralles al the inhabitantes of Ierusalem and Manasses his sonne reigned for him CHAP. XXXIII Manasses for his manifold wickednes is led captiue into Babylon 12. repenteth in prison is restored to his kingdom and destroyeth idolatrie 18. dieth 21. Amon succeding 24. is slayne by his seruantes and Iosias reigneth TWELVE yeares old was Manasses when he began to reigne and he reigned fiftie fiue yeares in Ierusalem †And he did euil before our Lord according to al the abominations of the nations which our Lord ouerthrew before the children of Israel †and being turned he reedified the excelses which Ezechias his father had destroyed and he built altars to Baalim and made groues and he adored al the host of heauen and worshipped it †He built also altars in the house of our Lord wherof our Lord had sayd In Ierusalem shal my name be for euer †And he built them to al the host of heauen in the two courtes of the house of our Lord. †And he made his sonnes to passe through fyre to the Valebenennom he obserued dreames folowed southsayings gaue him self to magike artes he had with him magicians inchaunters and he wrought manie euils before our Lord to prouoke him †Also a grauen and a molten signe he put in the house of God wherof our Lord spake to Dauid and to Salomon his sonne saying In this house and in Ierusalem which I haue chosen al the tribes of Israel Wil I put my name for euer †And I wil not make the foote of Israel to moue out of the land which I haue deliuered to their fathers yet so if they shal obserue to doe that I haue commanded them and al the law and the ceremonies and iudgementes by the hand of Moyses †Manasses therfore seduced Iuda and the inhabitantes of Ierusalem that they did euil aboue al the nations which our Lord had ouerthrowen before the face of the children of Israel †And our Lord spake to him and to his people and they would not attend †Therfore he brought vpon them the princes of the host of the king of the Assyrians and they tooke Manasses led him bound with chaynes and fetters into Babylon †Who after that he was in distresse prayed our Lord his God and did penance excedingly before the God of his fathers †And he desired him and besought him earnestly and he heard his prayer and brought him agayne to Ierusalem into his kingdom and Manasses knew that our Lord he was God †After these thinges he built a wal without the citie of Dauid on the west of Gihon in the valley from the entrance of the fish gate round about vnto Ophel and raysed it excedingly and he appoynted princes of the host in al the fensed cities of Iuda †and he tooke away strange goddes and the idol out of the house of our Lord the altars also which he had made in the mount of the house of our Lord and in Ierusalem and he threw al without the citie †Moreouer he reedified the altar of our Lord and immolated vpon it victimes and pacifiques and prayse and he commanded Iuda to serue our Lord the God of Israel †Neuerthelesse as yet the people immolated in the excelses to our Lord their God †But the rest of the actes of Manasses and his obsecration to his God the wordes also of the Seers that spake to him in the name of our Lord the God of Israel are conteyned in the wordes of the kinges of Israel †His prayer also and his obtayning and al his sinnes and contempt the places also wherein he built excelses and made groues and statues before he did penance are writen in the wordes of Hozai †Manasses therfore slept with his fathers and they buried him in his house his sonne Amon reigned for him †Ammon was two and twentie yeares old when he began to reigne and he reigned two yeares in Ierusalem †And he did euil in the fight of our Lord as Manasses his father had done and he immolated to al the idols which Manasses his father had made and serued them †And he did not reuerence
the Temple but commanded first to draw her forth 4. Reg. 11. 2. Par. 23. And as peculiar places so special Psalmes and Hymnes were appointed for diuers purposes and occasions 2. Par. 20. The ministerie of Angeles was very vsual in this time One was sent to comforte and direct Elias the prophet in his afflictions 3. Reg. 19. 4. Reg. 1. An Angel stroke the Assyrians whole campe 4. Reg. 19. 2. Par. 32. Also the Intercession of Angels is so euident Tobiae 12. Raphael offering Tobias prayer to God that Protestants haue no other refuge to auoide this point of faith but by denying the Booke to be Canonical Scripture Honour of other Sainctes and their Intercession is proued a Maiori For so much as honour was religiously exhibited to spiritual power and excellencie in men yet liuing in this world So a Noble man adored Elias the Prophet being farre greater then he is ciuil and worldlie respectes 3. Reg. 18. Eliseus also was adored by his disciples not for anie worldlie authoritie or eminence but for his spiritual power and superioritie amongst them 4. Reg. 2. Likewise al Prophetes and Priestes were religiously honored for their holie and spiritual functions 3. Reg. 13. Much more Sainctes are rightly honored being immortal and in eternal glorie It appeareth also that Elias seuen yeares after that he was translated from humane conuersation when Eliseus was chiefe Prophet 4. Reg. 3. which was in or before the eightenth yeare of Iosaphat who reigned fiue and twentie 3. Reg. 22. had care of Ioram and his kingdom admonishing him by letters of Gods wrath against him and his people for their sinnes 2. Par. 21. And the scripture saieth often that God spared and protected Ierusalem and the kingdom of Iuda for Dauids sake 3. Reg. 11. 15. 4. Reg. 8. 19. 20. 2. Par. 6. 21. Isa 37. we haue also example of Sainctes Reliques in the cloke of Elias 4. Reg. 2. in Eliseus bones 4. Reg. 13. and in an other Prophetes bodie buried in Bethel VVhich Iosias would not suffer to be touched 4. Reg. 23. Images were conserued in the Temple 3. Reg. 7. as before in the Tabernacle when idolartie was most destroyed 3. Reg. 15. 4. Reg. 23. yea an abuse rising of the brasen serpeÌ„t for which Ezechias destroyed it 4. Reg. 18. yet he touched not the Images of Cherubins in the Temple VVhich none but Infideles sought to destroy And Osee the Prophet ch 3. bewayleth the want of Theraphim or Images amongst other sacred thinges Sacrifice Altar and Ephod VVherby the ancient Rabbins proue very wel that Images of Angels and the same of other Sainctes are not contrarie to the Decalogue but the images of Idoles Good workes were rewarded and bad punished 3. Reg. 9. and the whole historie of this age testifieth the same VVhere by the way may be obserued that some inst men fel from their iustice as Salomon 1. Par. 28. 3. Reg. 11. Ioas 4. Reg. 12. 2. Par. 24. Ozias 2. Paral. 26. Others from wickednes returned to pietie as Manasses 4. Reg. 23. 2. Par. 33. the multitude of the people very often much folowing the disposition of their kinges Special State of life not commanded by the law was voluntarily professed and obserued by some Prophetes and their disciples called the children of Prophetes Keping particular Rules and wearing distinct habite 4. Reg. 1. 2. 4. The orders of Nazarites and Rechabites instituted before continued stil Amos. 2. Ierem. 35. stil which were very examplar figures of Religious State and Orders in the new Testament and perpetual chastitie of clergie men embraced by such as folow Euangelical counsailes proposed and not commanded by our Sauiour To which S. Paul likewise exhorteth though there be no precept therof to anie before they bind themselues Exequies for the dead were continually kept as the sacred historie witnesseth recording where and with what solennitie the kinges were buried which would be ouerlong nedeles to recite the like is also writen of some Prophetes 3. Reg. 13. 4. Reg. 23. Holie Tobias by example and fatherlie admonition exhorted his sonne to do workes of mercie not only to the liuing but also to the dead Put thy bread and thy wine vpon the sepulture of the iust c. 4. Isaias ch 57. as the Iewes both vnderstood and practised prayed that peace be geuen to the iust in his couch or resting place after his death Of the general Resurrection Elias translation is a figure who yet liuing sheweth that God can and wil restore al men to life againe in their bodies after death as he conserueth him and Enoch in their mortal bodies without corruption Ezechiel also prophecieth of the Resurrection of the dead applying it mystically to spiritual resurrection and restauration of Israel to former state ch 37. Of the last Iudgment and eternal glorie to the good and euerlasting paine to the wicked Salomon agreably to the doctrin of other Prophetes discourseth in his booke of Ecclesiastes namely ch 3. 11. and in the last concludeth thus Let vs al together heare the end of speaking Feare God and obserue his commandmentes for this is euerie man or to this end man is created and God wil bring into Iudgement al thinges that are done for euerie errour or obscure thing whether it be good or euil Neither were these and other pointes of Faith and Religion interrupted but stil beleued and professed in the Church alwaies visible and incontaminate notwithstanding some boughes anâ— branches became vnstructsul and rotten others brake of and were separated from this vine For when Salomon falling to luxurie multiplying manie wiues and concubines was by them seduced and brought to spiritual fornication and idolatrie making altars offering sacrifices to Idoles the Priestes Prophetes and people generally perseuered in Gods law seruice 3. Reg. 11. After whose death Ieroboam his seruant of the tribe of Ephraim possessing Tenne Tribes called the kingdom of Israel to maintaine his new state fearing that if the people resorted to Ierusalem for religions sake they would depart from him and returne to the right heyres of Dauid and Salomon made an egregious Schisme setting vp two golden calues in Bethel and Dan. 3. Reg. 12. made temples altares and priestes to sâ—rue them al opposite to Gods ordinance But not only the other Two Tribes called the kingdom of Iuda but also the greatest part of Israel especially Priestes Leuites and deuoutest people repayred stil to Ierusalem not yelding to that schisme and idolairie 2. Par. 11. Moreouer God raised vp and sent special Prophetes to confirme the weake and recal the seduced For Ieroboam had no sowner sette vp his new altar in Bethel and begunne to offer incense vpon it but a Prophet came out of Iuda in the word of our Lord and cried against that altar foretelling that wheras for that present they burnt frankineâ—nse vpon it the time should come when the
be accomplished one that excelled the rest in wisedom and fidelitie and was second after the king Aman by name †told me that there was a people dispersed through the whole world which vsed new lawes and doing against the customes of al Nations contemned the coÌ„mandmentes of kings and brake the concord of al nations by their dissention †Which when we had learned seing one nation rebellious against al kind of men to vse peruerse lawes and to goe against our commandmentes and to disturbe the peace and concord of the prouinces subiect to vs †we haue commanded that whomsoeuer Aman shal shew who is chiefe ouer al the prouinces and second after the king and whom we honour in steed of a father they with their wiues and children be destroyed of their enemies and that none haue pitie on them the fourtenth day of the twelfth moneth Adar of this present yeare †that the wicked men going downe to hel in one day may restore the peace to our empire which they had disturbed Hitherto the copie of the letter That which foloweth I found written after that place where it is read And Mardocheus going forth did al thinges that Esther had commanded him yet it is neither in the Hebrew nor extant with any of the interpreters †But Mardocheus besought our Lord mindeful of al his workes †and said Lord Lord king omnipotent for in thy dominion are al thinges set and there is none that can resist thy wil if thou determine to saue Israel †Thou madst heauen and earth and whatsoeuer is conteyned in the compasse of heauen †Thou art Lord of al neither is there that can resist thy maiestie †Thou vnderstandest al things and knowest that I haue not done this for pride and contumelie and any desire of glorie that I adored not the proud Aman †for gladly would I be readie for the saluation of Israel to kisse euen the steppes of his feete †but I feared lest I should transferre the honour of my God to a man and lest I should adore any except my God †And now ô Lord king the God of Abraham haue mercie vpon thy poople because our enemies wil destroy vs and extinguish thyne inheritance †Despise not thy portion which thou hast redemed to thyself out of Aegypt †Heare my prayer and be propitious to thy lot and corde and turne our mourning into ioy that liuing we may prayse thy name ô Lord and doe not shut the mouthes of them that sing to thee †Al Israel also with like mind and supplication cried to our Lord because certayne death did hang ouer them CHAP. XIIII Esther prayeth in humilitie of spirite that God wil deliuer the people from the crueltie of Aman. ESTHER also the queene fled to our Lord fearing the peril that was at hand †And when she had laid of her royal garmentes she tooke clothes meete for weeping and mourning and for diuers oyntmentes filled her head with ashes and dung and her bodie she humbled with fastes and al the places in which before she was accustomed to reioyse she filled with tearing of her heares †And she besought our Lord the God of Israel saying My Lord which onlie art our king helpe me solitarie woman and which haue no other helper beside thee †My peril is in my handes †I haue heard of my father that thou Lord didst take Israel out from al Gentiles and our fathers out of al their predecessours before that thou mightst possesse an euerlasting inheritance and thou hast done to them as thou hast spoken †We haue sinned in thy sight and therfore thou hast deliuered vs into the handes of our enemies †for we haue worshiped their goddes Thou art iust ô Lord. †And now it suffiseth them not that they oppresse vs with most hard seruitude but imputing the force of their handes to the might of their idols †they wil change thy promisses and destroy thine inheritance and shut the mouthes of them that prayse thee and extinguish the glorie of thy temple and altar †that they may open the mouthes of Gentiles and prayse the strength of idols and magnifie a carnal king for euer †Deliuer not ô Lord thy scepter to them that are not lest they laugh at our ruine but turne their counsel vpon them and destroy him that hath begune to do cruelly against vs. †Remember ô Lord and shew thy self to vs in the time of our tribulation and geue me confidence Lord king of goddes and of al power †geue me speach wel framed in my mouth in the presence of the lion and turne his hart into the hatred of our enemie that both him self may perish and the rest that consent vnto him †But deliuer vs in thy hand and helpe me hauing no other helpe but thee ô Lord which hast the knowlege of al things †and knowest that I hate the glorie of the wicked and detest the bed of the vncircumcised and of euerie stranger †Thou knowest my necessitie that I abhorre the signe of my pride and glorie which is vpon my head in the daies of my ostentation and detest it as the cloth of a woman in her monthlie floores and weare it not in the daies of my silence †and that I haue not eaten at Amans table neither the kings banket hath pleased me and that I haue not drunke the wine of libamentes †and that thy handmayde did neuer reioyse since I was transported hither vnto this day but in thee ô Lord the God of Abraham †O God strong aboue al heare the voyce of them that haue no other hope and deliuer vs from the hand of the wicked and deliuer me from my feare CHAP. XV. Mardocheus causeth Esther to goe to the king and intreate for the people 10. She is terrified by this countenance but God turneth his hart and he calleth her curteously to him This also I found added in the common edition AND he commanded her no doubt but Mardocheus commanded Esther that she should goe vnto the king and make petition for her people and for her countrie †Remember quoth he the daies of thy humilitie how thou wast brought vp in my hand because Aman the second after the king hath spoken against vs vnto death †and doe thou inuocate our Lord and speake to the king for vs deliuer vs from death Moreouer this also which foloweth I found in the common Greke †And in the third day she layd away the garmentes which she ware was clothed in her glorie †And when she glistered in royal apparel and had inuocated God the ruler and sauiour of al she tooke two wayting maydes †and vpon the one in deede she leaned as it were for dilicatnes and verie much tendernes not able to beare vp her bodie †but the other of the maydes folowed her ladie bearing vp her garmentes trayling on the ground â€
V. 1. Turne to some of the Sainctes Eliphaz prouoking Iob to produce some of his opinion or to seeke the helpe and patronage of some Sainct in his cause plainly sheweth the common faith and practise of inuocating Sainctes in that time Els it had benne a frinâ—lous speach which is not to be imputed to a sensible wise man as he was For it appeareth by the drift of his reasoning that he supposed some of Gods special seruantes would maintaine a good cause but that Iobs cause was such as neither God nor holie Angel nor good man would defend and therfore boldly prouoked him to this trial presuming that he should finde no such patron Neither did he wil Iob in these wordes to cal vpon God only for he could not erre so grosly as to cal God some of the Sainctes but must meane some other holie person And it is clere by the Septuaginta Interpreters that Eliphaz willed Iob to inuocate the Angels saying Inuocate if anie vvil ansvver thee or if thou canst behold anie of the holie Angeles S. Gregorie expoundeth it to the same sense that Sainctes were to be inuocated in a good cause but that Eliphaz here dispicing and deriding holie Iob sayd to him Thou canst not find Sainctes thy helpers in affliction vvhom thou vvouldest not haue thy felovves in prosperitie CHAP. VI. Iob answereth the obiections of Eliphaz shewing that in deede the calamitie which he suffereth is much greatter then his sinnes deserue and therfore his lamentation is excusable 8. wisheth if it so please God that he may dye 13. complaneth that his freindes are become his aduerseries 16 grauely expostulateth that they reprehend him 12. and helpe him not BVT Iob answering sayd †Would God my sinnes were weyed wherby I haue deserued wrath and the calamitie which I suffer in a balance †“ As the sand of the sea this would appeare heauier wherfore my wordes also are ful of sorrow †Because the arrowes of our Lord be in me the indignation whereof drinketh vp my spirit and the terrours of our Lord warre agaynst me †Wil the wilde asse roare when he hath grasse or the oxe loweth when he shal stand before the ful manger †Or can an vnsauerie thing be eaten that is not seasoned with salt or can a man tast that which being tasted bringeth death †The thinges which before my foule would not touch now for anguish are my meates †Who wil graunt that my petition may come and that God would geue me that which I expect †And he that hath begune the same would loose his hand and cut me of †And this might be my comfort that afflicting me with sorrow he spare not not I gayne say the wordes of the Holie one †For What is my strength that I can susteyne it or what is mine end that I should doe patiently †Neither is my strength the strength of stones neither is my â—â—est of brasse †Behold there is no help for me in my self and my familiar freindes also are departed from me †He that taketh away mercie from his frend forsaketh the feare of our Lord. †My brethren haue passed by me as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys †They that feare the hoare frost snow shal fal vpon them †At the time when they shal be dissipated they shal perish and after they waxe hote they shal be dissolued out of their place †The pathes of their steppes are intangled they shal walke in vayne and shal perish †Cosider ye the pathes of Thema the wayes of Saba expect a litle while †They are confounded because I haue hoped they are come also euen vnto me and are couered with shame †Now you are come and euen now seing my plague you are afrayd †haue I sayd Bring ye to me and of your substance geue to me †Or deliuer me from the hand of the enemie and out of the hand of the strong deliuer me †Teach ye me and I wil hold my peace and if I perhaps haue beene ignorant in anie thing instruct ye me †Why haue you detracted from the wordes of truth whereas there is none of you that can controwle me †To rebuke only you frame speaches and you vtter wordes in the wind †You rush in vpon a pupil and you endeuoure to ouerthrow your frend †Notwithstanding accomplish that which you haue begune geue eare and see whether I lie †Answer I besech you without contention and speaking that which is iust iudge ye †And you shal not finde iniquitie in my tongue neither shal folie sound in my iawes ANNOTATIONS CHAP. VI. 3. As the sand of the sea Scarse anie figure is more common in holie Sâ—ipture then Hyperbole wherby ouâ— vnderstanding is drawne to coÌ„ceiue the greatnes of thinges that otherwise surpasse vulgar capacitie So Iob signifieth here that his calamitie being vveighed vvith his sinnes in balance vvould appeare heauier not precisely in proportion of the number of sandes in the sea but exceding much in true comparison Of which superabundance of paines patiently suffered by holie Iob and other Sainctes more then their sinnes deserued especially of our B. Sauiour who could not sinne and of our B. Ladie who neuer sinned remayneth an infinitie treasure of satisfactorie workes appliable by the supreme stuard of Gods Church Christs Vicar in earth for satisfaction of others which haue nede and are in the communion of Sainctes and performe the conditions appointed And so this high stuard may in due maner by his authoritie geue limited or plenarie pardones to penitentes of the paines which otherwise they should suffer in this life or in purgaritie for their sinnes first remitted Other Bishops can also geue or dispence so much as the Supreme Bishop alloâ—teth to their powre al to edification and necessitie of Gods seruantes as dispencers not dissipators of so holie treasure CHAP. VII Iob explicateth diuers calamities of mans life and namely of his owne 6. Suposing it not likelie that he shal returne to former prosperous state 15. desireth to dye THE life of man vpon earth is a warfare his daies as the daies of an hyred man †As a seruant desireth the shadow as the hired man taryeth for the end of his worke †So I also haue had vayne monethes and haue numbred to my self laborious nightes †If I sleepe I shal say When shal I arise and agayne I shal expect the euening and shal be replenished with sorowes euen vntil darkenens †My flesh is clothed with rottenesse and filth of dust my skinne is withered drawen together †My daies haue passed more swiftly then the webbe is cut of the weauer and are consumed without anie hope †Remember that my life is a winde and myne eie shal not returne to see good thinges †Neither shal the sight of man behold me thine eies vpon me and I shal not stand †As a
both and to put his hand betwen both †Let him take his rod from me and let not his dread terrifie me †I wil speake and wil not feare him for I can not answer fearing CHAP. X. â—ob scarse able to speake yet sheweth that there is no iniustice nor ignorance in God neither is his sinne the cause of so great afflictions 9. Acknowledgeth Gods loue and benefites towards himself 15. and dreadeth his strict iudgement MY soule is wearie of my life I wil let my speach passe agaynst my self I wil speake in the bitternes of my soule †I wil say to God Condemne me not tel me why thou iudgest me so †Doth it seeme good to thee if thou calumniate me and oppresse me the worke of thy handes and helpe the counsel of the impious †Hast thou eies of flesh or as a man seeth shalt thou also see †Are thy daies as the daies of man and are thy yeares as the times of men †That thou sekest my iniquitie and searchest my sinne †And thou mayst knowe that I haue done no impious thing whereas there is no man that can deliuer out of thy hand †Thy handes haue made me and framed me wholly round about and dost thou so sodenlie cast me downe headlong †Remember I besech thee that as clay thou madest me and into dust thou wilt bring me agayne †Hast thou not as milke milked me and curded me as cheese †With skinne and flesh thou hast clothed me with bones sinowes thou hast compacted me †Life and mercie thou hast geuen to me and thy visitation hath kept my spirit †Although thou conceale these thinges in thy hart yet I know that thou remembrest al thinges †If I haue sinned and thou hast spared me for an houre why doest thou not suffer me to be cleane from mine iniquttie †And if I shal be impious woe is to me and if iust I shal not lift vp my head filled with affliction and miserie †And for pride as a lionesse thou wilt take me and returning thou doest meruelously torment me †Thou renewest thy witnesses agaynst me and multipliest thy wrath toward me and paynes doe warre vpon me †Why didst thou bring me forth out of the matrice Who would God I had beene consumed that eye might not see me †I had beene as if I were not caried from the wombe to the graue †Shal not the fewnes of my daies be ended shortly suffer me therfore that I may a litle lament my sorow †Before I goe and returne not vnto the darke land that is couered with the mist of death †A land of miserie and darkenesse where is the shadow of death and no order but euerlasting horrour inhabiteth CHAP. XI Sophar imputeth â—obs discourse about the cause of his so great afflictions to insolencie of mind and loquasitie of tongu perswading him to acknowlege greuous sinnes that so he may haue the reward of a iust man BVt sophar the Naamathite answering said †Why shal he that speaketh manie thinges not heare also or shal a man ful of wordes be iustified †To thee onlie shal men hold their peace and when thou hast mocked others shalt thou be confuted of none †For thou hast sayd My word is pure and I am cleane in thy sight †And I would wish that God would speake with thee and would open his lippes to thee †That he might shew thee the secretes of wisdom and that his law is manisold and thou mightest vnderstand that thou art exacted much lesser thinges of him then thy iniquitie deserueth †Peraduenture thou wilt comprehend the steppes of God and wil find out the Omnipotent perfectly †He is higher then heauen and what wilt thou doe deeper then hel and how wilt thou know †The measure of him is longer then the earth and broder then the sea †If he shal ouerthrow al things or shal strayten them into one who shal say against him †For he knoweth the vanitie of men seing iniquitie doth he not coÌ„sider †A vaine man is extolled into pride and thinketh him self borne free as a wilde asses colt †But thou hast confirmed thy hart hast spred thy handes to him †If thou shalt take away from thee the iniquitie that is in thy hand and iniustice remaine not in thy tabernacle †Then mayst thou lift vp thy face wthout spotte and thou shalt be stable and shalt not feare †Thou shalt also forget miserie and shalt remember it as waters that are passed †And the brightnes as it were of noone daies shal arise to thee at euening and when thou shalt think thyself consumed thou shalt rise as the day starre †And thou shalt haue confidence hope being set before thee and buried thou shalt sleepe secure †Thou shalt rest and there shal be none to terrifie thee and verie manie shal besech thy face †But the eies of the impious shal decay and escape shal faile them and their hope the abomination of the soule CHAP. XII Iob sheweth the knowlege which his freinds much boast of to be the common knowne doctrin of Gods seruantes He more truly and more profoundly discourseth of Gods powre and wisdome stil defending his owne innocencie in respect of great sinnes BVâ— Iob answering sayd †Are you then men alone shal wisedome die with you †I also haue a hart euen as you neither am I inferiour to you for who is ignoraÌ„t of these thinges which you know †He that is mocked of his frend as I shal inuocate God he wil heare him for the simplicitie of the iust man is scorned †The lampe contemned in the cogitations of the riche is prepared to the time appointed †The tabernacles of robbers abound they prouoke God bouldly wheras he hath geuen al thinges into their handes †For aske the beastes and they shal teach thee and the foules of the ayre and they shal tel thee †Speake to the earth and it shal answer thee and the fishes of the sea shal tel †Who is ignorant that the hand of our Lord hath made al these things †In whose hand is the soule of euerie liuing thing and the spirit of al the flesh of man †Doth not the eare discerne wordes and the iawes of him that eateth the tast †In the ancientes is wisedom and in long time prudence †With him is wisedom and strength he hath counsel and vnderstanding †If he shal destroy there is no man that can build if he shut vp a man there is none that can open †If he hold in the waters al things shal be dried and if he send them forth they shal ouerthrow the earth †With him is strength and wisedom he knoweth both the deceiuer him that is deceiued †He bringeth counselers to a folish end and iudges to astonishment †He looseth the belt of kings
and girdeth their reines with a corde †He leadeth away Priestes without glorie and supplanteth the great men †Changing the lippe of the true and taking away the doctrine of the ancientes †He powreth out contempt vpon princes releeuing them that had bene oppressed †Who reueleth profound things out of darkenesse and bringeth forth the shadow of death into light †Who multiplieth nations and destroyeth them and restoreth the destroyed whole agayne †Who changeth the hart of the princes of the people of the earth and deceiueth them that they may goe in vayne where is no passage †They shal grope as in the darke and not in the light and he shal make them goe amis as druncken men CHAP. XIII Of their owne wordes Iob confuteth his aduersaries that they haue spoken that which they know not 13. defendeth his owne innocencie 22. desiring of God if he be afflicted for secrete sinnes that he may know them BEHOLD mine eie hath seene al these thinges and mine eare hath heard I haue vnderstood euerie thing †According to your knowledge I also do know neither am I inferiour to you †But yet I wil speake to the Omnipotent and I couet to dispute with God †First shewing you to be forgers of lying and mainteyners of peruerse opinions †And would God ye would hold your peace that you might be thought to be wise men †Heare ye therfore my correptions and attend the iudgement of my lippes †Hath God neede of your lye that for him you speake guiles †Doe you take his person and doe you endeuour to iudge for God †Or shal it please him from whom nothing can be concealed or shal he be deceiued as a man with your fraudulent dealings †He shal reproue you because in secrete you take his person †Forth with as he shal moue himself he shal truble you and his terrour shal come violently vpon you †Your memorie shal be compared to ashes and your neckes shal be brought into clay †Hold your peace a litle while that I may speake what soeuer my minde shal prompt me †Why doe I teare my flesh with my teeth carie my soule in my handes †Although he shal kil me I wil trust in him but yet I wil reproue my waies in his sight †And he shal be my sauiour for no hypocrite shal come in his sight †Heare ye my word and receiue the obscure sayings with your eares †If I shal be iudged I know that I shal be found iust †What is he that wil be iudged with me let him come why am I consumed holding my peace †Two things only do not to me and then shal I not be hid from thy face †Make thy hand far from me and let not thy feare terrifie me †Cal me and I wil answer thee or els I wil speake and doe thou answer me †How great iniquites and sinnes I haue my wicked deedes and my offences shewe thou me †Why hidest thou thy face and thinkest me thine enemy †Against the leafe that is violently taken with the wind thou shewest thy might and persecutest drie stuble †For thou writest bitternes against me and wilt consume me with the sinnes of my youth †Thou hast put my feete in the stockes and hast obserued al my pathes and hast considered the steppes of my feete †Who as rottenes am to be consumed and as a garment that is eaten of the moth CHAP. XIIII Againe Iob describeth the miseries of mans life 3. Neuertheles Gods great prouidence towards him 7. professeth his beleefe of the Resurrection MAN borne of woman liuing a short time is replenished with many mseiries †Who as a flowre cometh forth and is destroyed fleeth as a shadow neuer abideth in the same state †And doest thou counte it a worthy thing to open thine eies vpon such an one and to bring him with thee into iudgement †Who can make cleane him that is conceiued of vncleane seede is it not thou which onlie art †The daies of man are short the number of his monethes is with thee thou hast appointed his limittes which can not be passed †Depart a litle from him that he may rest vntil his day wished for come euen as the hyred man †A tree hath hope if it be cut it waxeth greene agâ—iâ—e and the boughes thereof spring †If his roote be old in the earth and the truncke therof be dead in the dust †At the sent of water it shal spring and bring forth leaues as when it was first planted †But when man shal be dead and naked and consumed where is he I pray †As if the waters should deparr out of the sea and a riuer made emptie should be dried vp †So man when he is a sleepe shal not rise agayne til heauen perish he shal not awake nor rise vp out of his sleepe †Who wil grant me this that in hel thou protect me and hide me til thy furie passe and appoynt me a time wherin thou wilt remember me †Shal man that is dead thinkest thou liue agayne al the daies in which I am now in warfare I expect vntil my change do come †Thou shalt cal me and I shal answer thee to the worke of thy handes thou shalt reach thy right hand †Thou in dede hast numbred my steppes but thou wilt spare my sinnes †Thou hast sealed my offences as it were in a bag but hast cured mine iniquitie †A mountaine falling slideth downe and a rock is remoued out of his place †Waters make stones holow and with inundation the earth by litle and litle is consumed and men therfore thou shalt destroy in like maner †Thou hast strengthened him a litle that he might passe away foreuer thou shalt chaÌ„ge his face and shalt send him forth †Whether his children shal be noble or vnnoble he shal not vnderstand †But yet his flesh whiles he shal liue shal haue sorow his soule shal mourne vpon himself CHAP XV. Eliphaz againe chargeth Iob to haue spoken presumptuously blasphemously 14. auoucheth that no man is innocent nor iust 20. describing the malediction of impious and hypochrites BVT Eliphaz the Themanite answering sayd †Wil a wise man answer as it were speaking into the wind and fil his stomacke with burning †Thou reprouest him in wordes that is not equal to thee and speakest that which is not expedient for thee †As much as is in thee thou hast euacuated feare and hast taken away prayers before God †For thine iniquitie hath taught thy mouth and thou doest imitate the tongue of blasphemers †Thine owne mouth shal condemne thee and not I and thy lippes shal answer thee †Wast thou the first man borne and formed before the litle hilles †Hast thou heard Gods counsel and shal his wisedome be inferiour to thee †What doest
†Let the enemie persecute my soule and take it and treade downe my life in the earth and bring downe my glorie into the dust †Arise Lord in thy wrath and be exalted in the coastes of myne enemies And arise ô Lord my God in the precept which thou hast cōmanded †and a sinagogue of peoples shal compasse thee And for it returne on high †our Lord iudgeth peoples Iudge me ô Lord according to my iustice and according to my innocencie vpon me †The wickednesse of sinners shal be consumed and thou shalt direct the iust which searchest the hart and raynes ô God †My iust helpe is from our Lord who saueth those that be right of hart God is a iust iudge strong patient is he angrie euerie day †Vnlesse you wil be conuerted he shal shake his sword he hath bent his bow and prepared it †And in it he hath prepared the vessels of death he hath made his arrowes for them that burne †Behold he hath bredde with iniustice he hath conceiued sorow and brought forth iniquitie †He hath opened a pit and digged it vp and he is fallen into the diche which he made †His sorrow shal be turned vpon his head and his iniquitie shal descend vpon his crowne †I wil confesse to our Lord according to his iustice and wil sing to the name of our Lord most high PSALME VIII God is magnified praised for his meruelous worke of creatures 5. but especially of mankind singularly exalted by the Incarnation of Christ. †Vnto the end for “ presses the Psalme of Dauid O LORD our Lord how meruelous is thy name in the whole earth Because thy magnificence is eleuated aboue the heauens †Out of the mouth of infantes and sucklinges thou hast perfected praise because of thine enemies that thou mayest destroy the enemie and reuenger †Because I shal see thy heauens the workes of thy fingers the moone and the starres which thou hast founded †What is man that thou art mindful of him or the sonne of man that thou visitest him †Thou hast minished him a litle lesse then Angels with glorie and honour thou hast crowned him †and hast appointed him ouer the worke of thy handes †Thou hast subiected al thinges vnder his feete al sheepe and oxen moreouer also the beastes of the field †The birdes of the ayre and fishes of the sea that walke the pathes of the sea †O Lord our Lord how meruelous is thy name in the whole earth ANNOTATIONS PASLME VIII 1. Presses Most Hebrew Doctors say the word Gittith may either signifie the place where this Psalme was made or the musical instrument on which it was song But most Christian Doctors expound it literally of Christs Passion who was stretched on the Crosse and al his sacred bloud pressed and drawne out of his bodie VVhich Metaphor Isaias also vseth demanding of Christ VVhy is thy clothing redde and thy garments as theirs that tread in the vine presse and answereth in Christs person I haue troden the presse alone S. Augustin also applieth it morally to the Church where Christ is the vine the Apostles are the branches spreaders that is preachers of the Ghospel Christians are the grapes Christian vertues are the wine Namely patience and fortitude in afflictions VVherby the good are purified and seuered from amiddes the reprobate as wine is pressed out of the grapes barreled and laid vp in sellers and * the huskes and carnels cast to hogges or other beastes PSALME IX The Church prayseth God for her protection 4. in repelling the enemies force 8. in punishing the wicked and rewarding the iust †Vnto the end for the secrets of the sonne the Psalme of Dauid I WIL confesse to thee ō Lord with al my hart I wil tel al thy meruelous thinges I wil be glad and reioyce in thee I wil sing to thy name ō most High †In turning mine enemie backward they shal be weakened and perish before thy face Because thou hast done my iudgement and my cause thou hast sitte vpon the throne which iudgest iustice Thou hast rebuked the Gentiles and the impious hath perished their name thou hast destroyed for euer and for euer and euer †The swordes of the enemie haue fayled vnto the end and their cities thou hast destroyed †Their memorie hath perished with a sound and our Lord abideth for euer He hath prepared his throne in iudgement †he wil iudge the whole world in equitie he wil iudge the people in iustice †And our Lord is made a refuge for the poore an helper in opportunities in tribulation †And let them hope in thee that know thy name because thou hast not forsaken them that seeke thee ô Lord. †Sing to our Lord which dwelleth in Sion declare his studies among the Gentiles †Because he requiring bloud remembred them he hath not forgotten the crie of the poore †Haue mercie on me ô Lord See my humiliation by my enemies †Which exaltest me from the gates of death that I may declare al thy prayses in the gates of the daughter of Sion †I wil reioyce in thy saluation the Gentiles are fastened in the destruction which they made In this snare which they hid is their foote taken †Our Lord shal be knowen doing iudgements the sinner is taken in the workes of his owne handes †Let sinners be turned into hel al nations that forget God †Because to the end there shal not be obliuion of the poore man the patience of the poore shal not perish in the end †Arise Lord let not man be strengthned let the Gentiles be iudged in thy sight †Appoint Lord a lawgeuer ouer them that the Gentiles may know that they be men The 10. Psalme according to the Hebrevves †Why Lord hast thou departed far of despisest in opportunities in tribulation †Whiles the impious is proude the poore is set on fyre they are caught in the counsels which they deuise †Because the sinner is praysed in the desires of his soule and the vniust man is blessed †The sinner hath exasperated our Lord according to the multitude of his wrath he shal not seeke †There is no God in his sight his waies are defiled at al time Thy iudgementes are taken away from his face he shal rule ouer al his enemies †For he hath sayd in his hart I wil not be moued from genetion vnto generation without euil Whose mouth is ful of cursing and bitternesse and guile vnder his tongue labour and sorrow †He sitteth in waite with the rich in secrete places to kil the innocent †His
desiderable aboue al vvorldlie riches or pleasures So by these and like spiritual motiues the soule freely desiteth accepteth vndertaketh endureth and by continual assistance of grace obserueth Gods lavv and so meriteth the great revvard vvhich is promised for keping it v. 12. 2. Tim. 4. v. 6. PSALME XIX Faithful people ioyne their prayer for their Prince or Prelate 4. with sacrifice offered for his preseruation and prosperous successe †Vnto the end the Psalme of Dauid OVR Lord heare thee in the day of tribulation the name of the God of Iacob protect thee †Send he ayde to thee from the holie place and from Sion defend he thee †Be he mindeful of al thy sacrifice and be thy holocaust made fatte †Geue he vnto thee according to thy hart and confirme he al thy counsel †We shal reioyce in thy saluation and in the name of our God we shal be magnified †Our Lord accomplish al thy petitions now haue I knowen that our Lord hath saued his CHRIST He shal heare him from his holie heauen the faluation of his righthand is in powers †These in chariotes and these in horses but we wil inuocate in the name of the Lord our God †They are bound and haue fallen but we haue risen and are set vpright †Lord saue the king and heare vs in the day that we shal inuocate thee PSALME XX. Praise to God for Christs exaltation after his passion 9. and depression of his enemies †Vnto the end the Psalme of Dauid LORD in thy power the king shal be glad and vpon thy saluation he shal reioyce excedingly The desire of his hart thou hast geuen him and of the wil of his lippes thou hast not defrauded him †Because thou hast preuented him in blessinges of sweetnesse thou hast put on his head a crowne of preâ—ious stone †He asked life of thee and thou gauest him length of daies for euer and for euer and euer †Great is his glorie in thy saluation glorie and great beautie thou shalt put vpon him †Because thou shalt geue him to be a blessing for euer and euer thou shalt make him ioyful in gladenesse with thy countenance Because the king hopeth in our Lord and in the mercie of the Highest he shal not be moued †Let thy hand be found of al thy enemies let thy righthand find al that hate thee †Thou shalt put them as an ouen of fyre in the time of thy countenance our Lord in his wrath shal truble them and fyre shal deuoure them Their fruite thou shalt destroy from the land and their seede from the children of men Because they haue turned the euils vpon thee they haue deuised counsels which they could not establish Because thou shalt put them backe in thy remnantes thou â—â— shalt prepare their countenance Be exalted Lord in thy powre we wil chaunte and sing thy powers PSALME XXI Christ prayeth in his Passion 7. describeth the acerbitie therof 20. foresheweth by way of prayer his Resurection 23. more clerly the fundation and propagation of his Church 27. 30. interposing the singular foode of the most blessed Sacrament euen to the endes of the earth in al nations †Vnto the end “ for the morning enterprise the Psalme of Dauid GOD my God haue respect to me why hast thou forsaken me far from my saluation are the wordes of my sinnes My God I shal crie by day and “ thou wilt not heare and by night and not for follie vnto me †But thou dwellest in the holie place the prayse of Israel †In thee our fathers haue hoped they hoped and thou didst deliuer them They cried to thee and were saued they hoped in thee and were not confounded †But I am a worme and no man a reproch of men and outcast of the people †Al that see me haue scorned me they haue spoken with the lippes and wagged the head †He hoped in the Lord let him deliuer him let him saue him because he wil him †Because thou art he that hast drawen me out of the wombe my hope from the brestes of my mother †Vpon thee I haue bene cast from the matrice from my mothers wombe thou art my God †depart not from me Because tribulation is verie nigh because there is not that wil helpe †Manie calues haue compassed me fatte bulles haue besieged me †They haue opened their mouth vpon me as a lion rauening and roaring †As water I am powred out and al my bones are dispersed My hart is made as waxe melting in the middes of my bellie †My strength is withered as a pot-shard and my tongue cleaued to my iawes and thou hast brought me downe into the dust of death †Because manie dogges haue compassed me the counsel of the malignant hath besieged me They “ haue digged my handes and my feete †they haue numbered al my bones But themselues haue considered and beheld me †they haue deuided my garmentes among them and vpon my vesture they haue cast lot †But thou Lord prolong not thy helpe from me looke toward my defense †Deliuer ô God my soule from the sword and myne onlie one from the hand of the dog †Saue me out of the lions mouth and my humilitie from the hornes of vnicornes †“ I wil declare thy name to my bretheren “ in the middes of the Church I wil prayse thee †Ye that feare our Lord praise him al the seede of Iacob glorifie ye him †Let al the seede of Israel feare him because he hath not contemned nor despised the petition of the poore Neither hath he turned away his face from me and when I cried to him he heard me †With thee is my praise in the great Church I wil render my vowes in the sight of them that feare him †“ The poore shal eate and shal be filled and they shal praise our Lord that seeke after him their hartes shal liue for euer and euer †Al the endes of the earth shal remember and be conuerted to our Lord †And al the families of the Gentiles shal adore in his sight †Because the kingdome is our Lords and he shal haue dominion ouer the Gentiles †Al the fatte ones of the earth haue eaten and adored in his sight shal al fal that descend into the earth †And my soule shal liue to him and my seede shal serue him †The generation to come shal be shewed to our Lord and the heauens shal shew forth his iustice to the
people that shal be borne whom our Lord hath made ANNOTATIONS PSALME XXI 1. For the morning enterprise In respect of the end for which Christ suffered this Psalme is intitled for the morning enterprise that is for Christs glorious Resurrection and other effectes of his Passion VVhich holie Dauid by the spirite of prophecy so describeth here long before with diuers particular cicumstances as the Euangelistes haue since historically recorded that it may not vnfitly be called The Passion of Iesus Christ according to Dauid 3. Thou vvilt not heare Our B. Sauiour seing his most terrible death imminent prayde conditionally if it pleased his heauenlie Father to haue the same remoued from him and was not heard as the Psalmist here prophecieth The principal reason was because God of his diuine charitie had decreed that mankind should be redemed by this death of his Sonne Christ also him selfe of his excellent charitie consented here vnto therefore persisted not in his conditional prayer but added and absolutly prayed that not his owne wil but his Fathers might be fulfilled And in this he was heard to his owne more glorie and other infinite benefites of innumerable soules as it foloweth v. 25. vvhen I crieâ—d to him he heard me S. Paul also witnesseth Heb. 5. v. 7. that Christ offering prayers and supplications to him that could saue him from death vvas heard for his reuerence that is in respect of his inestimable merite in humane nature vnited in person to God An other cause why Christ was not deliuered from violent death as manie holie persons were when they cried to God in distresses as S Augustin sheweth Epist 120. c. 11. was for example to Christians whom God wil haue to suffer temporal afflictions and death for the glorie of life euerlasting according to S. Peters doctrin Christ suffered for vs leauing an example that you may folovv his steppes 18. They haue digged Of obstinate malice the Iewes haue corrupted this place and God knoweth how manie others in the Hebrew text of some editions reading caari which signifieth as a lion without al coherence of the sense for caaru they digged or pearced to auoid so plaine a prophecie of nailing Christs handes and feete to the crosse 23 I vvil declare thy name to my brethren Here it is euident that this Psalme is of Christ not of Dauid by S. Pauls allegation Heb. 2. v. 11. 12. saying He that sanctifieth towitt Christ disdaned not to cal the sanctified his bretheren 23. In the middes of the Church I vvil praise thee After Christs Passion and Resurrection in the rest of this Psalme other two principal pointes of Christian Religion are likewise prophecied His perpetual visible Church and the B. Sacrament of his bodie The former is here prophecied by way of inuiting al the seede of Iacob to glorifie God v. 24. al the seede of Israel to feare him v. 25. towit innumerable Christians the true Israelites the vniuersal Church in the whole world As for heretical partes or parcels in the world such as the Donatistes which going forth from the Catholique Church say Christ hath lost his great Church the diuel hath taken the whole world from him and he remaineth only in a part of Africa they do not praise God saith S. Augustin but dishonour God and Christ as if God were not faithful in his promise as if Christ were dispossessed of his kingdome the Catholique Church Lest anie should replie that Christ is praised though the Church be decaied or be very smal the Holie Ghost hath preuented such arguments saying v. 26 His praise is in the great Church VVhich could neither be verified in the part of Donatistes in Afrike nor now in the part of Protestantes since Luther in Europe Further S. Augustin explicateth vrgeth the verses folowing in this Psalme against the same blind deafe and obstinate Donatistes who did not or would not see not heare that al the endes of the earth shal remenber and be conuerted to our Lord. The holie Scripture saith not the endes of the earth but al the endes wel goe too saith this great Doctor peraduenture there is but one verse thou thoughtest vpon some thing els thou talkedst with thy brother when one read this marke he repeteth and knocketh vpon the deaf Al the families of the Gentiles shal adore in his sight Yet the heretike is deaf he heareth not let one knocke againe Because the kingdom is our Lords and he shal haue dominion ouer the Gentiles Hold these three verses bretheren Thus and more S. Augnstin against those that thinke the true Church may faile or become inuisible or obscure And though it be not in like prosperous state at al times and in al places yet it is alwayes conspicuous and more general then anie other congregation professing whatsoeuer pretensed religion 27. The poore shal eate Seing this Psalme is of Christ as is proued by S. Pauls allegation of 23 verse and by the concordance therof with the Euangelists it is necessarily deduced that the vovves mentioned in the former verse and these wordes the poore shal eate and be filled can not be referred to the sacrifices of the old Testament but to the blessed Sacrifice and Sacrament of the Eucharist which our Sauiour promised after he had replenished the people with fiue loaues and which he instituted at his last supper in presence of his Apostles So S. Augustin doubteth not to vnderstand it and to teach as wel in his duble expositioÌ„ of this Psalme as in his 120. Epistle c. 27. The poore that is the humble and poore in spirite shal eate befilled the fatte ones or the rich being proud do also adore and eate but are not filled They also are brought to the table of Christ and participate his bodie bloud but they adore only are not also filled because they do not imitate Christs humilitie they disdaine to be humble VVhere it is clere this holie father by Christs bodie and bloud meaneth not bread and wine as signes of his bodie and bloud for bread and wine can not be lawfully adored neither doth he meane our Lords bodie as it was on the crosse or is in heauen for so it is not eaten but as it is in formes of bread and wine on Christs table the Altar PASLME XXII A forme of thankesgeuing for al spiritual benefites described vnder the metaphor of temporal prosperitie euen from a sinners first conuersion to final perseuerance and eternal beatitude †The Psalme of Dauid OVR Lord ruleth me and nothing shal be wanting to me †in place of pasture there he hath placed me Vpon the water of refection he hath brought me vp †he hath conuerted my soule He hath conducted me vpon the pathes of iustice for his name †For although I shal walke in the middes of the shadow of death I wil not feare euils because thou
the world haue obtained riches †And I saide Then haue I iustified my hart without cause and haue washed my handes amongst innocentes †And haue bene scourged al the day and my chastising in the morninges †If I saide I wil speake this behold I reproued the nation of thy children †I thought to know this thing it is labour before me †Vntil I may enter into the sanctuarie of God and may vnderstand concerning their latter endes †But yet for guiles thou hast put it to them thou hast cast them downe whiles they were eleuated †How are they brought into desolation they haue failed sodanely they haue perished for their iniquitie †As the dreame of them that rise ô Lord in thy citie thou shalt bring their image to nothing †Because my hart is inflamed and my reynes are changed And I am brought to nothing and knew not †As a beast am I become with thee and I alwaies with thee †Thou hast helde my right hand and in thy wil thou hast conducted me and with glorie thou hast receiued me †For what is to me in heauen and besides thee what would I vpon the earth †My flesh hath fainted and my hart God of my hart and God my portion for euer For behold they that make them selues faire from thee shal perish thou hast destroyed al that fornicate from thee †But it is good for me to cleaue to God to put my hope in our Lord God That I may shew forth al thy prayses in the gates of the daughter of Sion PSALME LXXIII Faithful people pressed with persecution lamentably complayning besecheth God to respect his owne inheritance cruelly afflicted â—â— and leift long without helpe 12. wheras heretofore he releeued his people in like distresses 18. And therfore confidently hopeth he wil renenge the blasphemers of his name Vnderstanding to Asaph VVHY hast thou ô God repelled for euer is thy furie wrath vpon the sheepe of thy pasture Be mindful of thy congregation which thou hast possessed from the beginning Thou hast redemed the rod of thine inheritanâ—â—e mount Sion in which thou hast dwelt †Lift vp thy handes vpon their prides for euer how great thinges hath the enimie done malignantly in the holy place †And they that hate thee haue gloried in the middes of thy solemnitie They haue sette their signes for signes †and haue not knowne as in the issue on high As in a wood of trees they haue with axes †cut out the gates therof together in hatchet and chippeaxe they haue cast it downe †They haue burnt thy sanctuarie with fire they haue polluted the tabernacle of thy name in the earth †Their kinred together haue saide in their hart Let vs make al the festiual daies of God to cease from the earth †Our signes we haue not seene there is now no prophet and he wil know vs no more †How long ô God shal the enimie vpbraide the aduersarie prouoke thy name for euer †Why doest thou turne away thy hand and thy right hand out of the middes of thy bosome for euer †But God our king before the worldes he hath wrought saluation in the middes of the earth †Thou in thy strength hast confirmed the sea thou hast crushed the head of Dragons in the waters †Thou hast broken the heads of the dragon thou hast giuen him for meate to the peoples of the Aethiopians †Thou hast broken vp fountanes and torrentes thou hast dried the riuers of Ethan †The day is thine and the night is thine thou hast made the morning and the sunne †Thou hast made al the coasts of the earth the summer and the spring thou hast formed them †Be mindeful of this the enimie hath vpbraided our Lord and a foolish people hath prouoked thy name †Deliuer not to beasts the soules that confesse to thee and the soules of thy poore forget not for euer †Haue respect vnto thy testament because they that are obscure of the earth are filled with houses of iniquities †Let not the humble be turned away being confounded the poore and needy shal praise thy name †Arise God iudge thy cause be mindful of those thy reproches that are from the foolish man al the day †Forget not the voices of thine enimies the pride of them that hate thee hath ascended alwaies PSALME LXXIIII Christ with his Assessors wil iudge the whole world at the last day in the meane time exhorteth sinners to amend their life 7. for none shal escape iust iudgement 1â— The wicked shal be punished and the good rewarded Vnto the end Corrupt not a Psalme of Canticle to Asaph VVE wil confesse to thee ô God we wil confesse and wil inuocate thy name We wil tel thy meruelouse workes †when I shal take a time I wil iudge iustices †The earth is melted and al that dwel in it I haue confirmed the pillers thereof †I said to the wicked doe not wickedly and to them that offend Exalt not the horne †Exalt not your horne on high speake not iniquitie aganst God †For neither from the East nor from the West nor from the desert mountanes †because God is Iudge This man he humbleth and him he exalteth †because there is a cuppe in the hand of our Lord of mere wine ful of mixture And he hath powred it out of this into that but yet the dregges therof are not emptied al the sinners of the earth shal drinke †But I wil shewforth for euer I wil sing to the God of Iacob †And I wil breake al the hornes of sinners and the hornes of the iust shal be exalted PSALME LXXV The royal prophet singeth Gods praises for his particular prouidence towards the Iewes 10. further to be extended to al the meeke of the whole earth Vnto the end in prayses a Psalme to Asaph a Canticle to the Assirians God is knowne in Iewrie in Israel his name is great †And his place is made in peace and his habitation in Sion †There he brake the powres of bowes the shilde the sword and the battle †Thou doest illuminate meruelousely from the eternal mountaynes †al the foolish of hart were trubled †They slept their sleepe and al the men of riches found nothing in their handes †At thy reprehension ô God of Iacob they haue al slumbered that mounted on horses †Thou art terrible and who shal resist thee from that time thy wrath †From heauen thou hast made thy iudgement hearde the earth trembled and was quiet When God arose vnto iudgement
†And he gaue them into mercies in the sight of al that had taken them †Saue vs ô Lord our God and geather vs out of the Nations That we may confesse to thy holie name may glorie in thy prayse †Blessed be our Lord the God of Israel from euerlasting vnto euerlasting and al the people shal say Be it be it ANNOTATIONS PSALME CV 10. He redeemed them VVhat price or ransom saith S. Augustin was geuen in this redemption Or is it a prophecie that this was done in figure of Baptisme where we are redemed from the hand of the diuel by a great price which is the bloud of Christ VVherupon it was more conueniently figured not by what sea soeuer but by the read sea For bloud hath redde coulor And touching the effect of Baptisme destroying al former sinnes he teacheth in the exposition of the next Psalme and either the same holie father or some other good author Ser. 42. de temp that as the Israelites passed safely through the read sea and al the Aegyptians going in with them were drowned so the baptised are saued in the water of Baptisme and al their sinnes are destroyed PSALME CVI. Againe the Psalmist inuiteth al men to render thankes to God for their deliuerie from dangers or euils in general 4. particularly from dangers in iorney 10. in prison or captiuitie 17. in sicknes spiritual and corporal 23. in nauigation 33. describing the changeable course of thinges in this world 38. especially of mens states 42. for al which the iust wil praise God Allelu ia CONFESSE ye to our Lord because he is good because his mercie is for euer †Let them say that are redemed of our Lord whom he redemed out of the hand of the enemie and out of the countries he gathered them †From the rising of the sunne and the going downe from the north and the sea †They wandered in the wildernes in a place without water the way of citie for habitation they found not †Hungrie and thirstie their soule fainted in them †And they cried to our Lord when they were in tribulation and he deliuered them out of their necessities †And he conducted them in to the right way to goe into a citie of habitation †Let the mercies of our Lord confesse to him and his meruelous workes to the children of men †Because he hath filled the emptie soule and the hungrie soule he hath filled with good thinges †Them that sate in darkenes and in the shadow of death bound in needines and yron †Because they exasperated the wordes of God and they prouoked the counsel of the Highest †And their hart was humbled in labours they were weakened neither was there anie to helpe †And they cried to our Lord when they were in tribulation and he deliuered them out of their necessities †And he brought them out of darkenes and the shadow of death and brake their bondes asunder †Let the mercies of our Lord confesse to him and his meruelous workes to the children of men †Because he hath destroyed the gates of brasse and the barres of yron he hath broken †He hath receiued them out of the way of their iniquitie for they were humbled for their iniustices †Their soule did abhorre al meaâ—e they approched euen to the gates of death †And they cried to our Lord when they were in tribulation and he deliuered them out of their necessities †He sent his word and healed them and deliuered them out of their destructions †Let the mercies of our Lord confesse to him and his meruelous workes to the children of men †And let them sacrifice the sacrifice of praise and shew forth his workes in exulation †They that goe downe into the sea in shippes making trafike in the great waters †They haue sene the workes of our Lord and his meruelous thinges in the depth †He sayd and the blast of the storme stood and the waues therof were exalted †They ascend euen to the heauens and they descend euen to the depthes their soule pyned away in euils †They were trubled and were moued as a drunken man and al their wisedom was deuoured †And they cried to our Lord when they were in tribulation and he brought them out of their necessities †And he turned his storme into calme and the waues therof were quiet And they reioyced because they were quiet and he conducted them into the hauen of their wil. †Let the mercies of our Lord confesse to him and his meruelous workes to the children of men †And let them exalt him in the church of the people and the chayre of the ancientes let them praise him †He turned the riuers into a desert and the issues of waters into drinesse †The fruiteful land into a salt ground for the malice of them that inhabite it †He turned the desert into pooles of waters and the land without water into issues of waters †And he placed the hungrie there and they built a citie of habitation †And they sowed fildes and planted vineyardes and they made fruicte of natiuitie †And he blessed them and they were multiplied excedingly and their beastes he lessened not †And they were made fewe and were vexed by the tribulation of euiles and with sorow †Contempt was powred out vpon princes and he made them wander where was no way and not in the way †And he did helpe the poore out of pouertie and made families as sheepe †The iust shal see and shal reioyce al iniquitie shal stoppe her mouth †Who is wise and wil keepe these thinges and wil vnderstand the mercies of our Lord PSALME CVII The royal prophet promiseth 5. and rendereth praises to God 7. for his deliuerie from trubles and aduancement in the kingdom 13. praying God stil to helpe mans infirmitie A Canticle of Psalme to Dauid himselfe MY HART is readie ô God my hart is readie I wil chaunte and wil sing in my glorie †Arise my glorie arise psalter and harpe I wil arise early †I wil confesse to thee in peoples ô Lord and I wil sing to thee in the Nations †Because thy mercie is great aboue the heauens and thy truth euen to the cloudes †Be exalted aboue the heauens ô God and thy glorie ouer al the earth †that thy beloued may be deliuered Saue with thy righthand and heare me †God spake in his holie I wil reioyce and wil diuide Sichem and I wil mesure the vale of tabernacles †Galaad is mine and Manasses is mine and Ephraim the protection of my head Iuda is my king †Moab the potte of my hope Vpon Idumea I wil extend my shoe the strangers are made my freindes †Who wil conduct me into a fensed citie who wil conduct me into
or Ecclesiastae c. but stil Lectio libri Sapientiae The solution therfore is very probable that this booke of wisdom was written by Philo Iudeus not he that liued after Christ but an other of the same name nere two hundred yeares before And Ecclesiasticus by Iesus the sonne of Sirach Who not only imitated Salomon but also compiled their bookes for most part of Salomons sentences conserued til their times by tradition or in separated scrolles of papers yea they so vtter some sentences in his person as if himself had written them As touching the auctoritie of these two bookes and some others it is euident that the Iewes refuse them And therfore manie ancient Fathers writing against them spared sometimes to vrge such bookes as they knew would be reiected Especially hauing abundant testimonies of other holie Scriptures for deciding matters of faith against them Euen as our Sauiour himself proued the Resurrection of the dead against the Sadduces out of the bookes of Moyses which they confessed for Canonical Scripture denying other partes where the same point might otherwise haue bene more euidently shewed And so S. Ierom in respect of the Iewes saide these bookes were not Canonical Neuertheles he did often alleage testimonies of them as of other diuine Scriptures sometimes with this parenthesis si cui tamen placet librum recipere in cap. 8. 12. Zachariae other times especially in his last writinges absolutly without such restriction as in cap. 1. 56. Isaiae in 18. Ieremiae Where he professeth to alleage none but Canonical Scripture As for al the other ancient fathers here aboue mentioned ascribing this booke to Salomon and manie others cited by Doctor Iodocus Coccius To. 1. Thesauri li. 6. art 9. they make no doubt at al but that it is Canonical Scripture as appeareth by their expresse termes Diuine Scripture Diuine word Sacred letters Prophetical saying the Holie Ghost saith the like Finally aswel ancient General counsels namely that of Charthage an D. 419. With others as the later of Florence and Trent haue declared this booke to be Canonical And that conformably to the most ancient and lerned Fathers as S. Augustin not only iudgeth himself but also plainly testifieth li. de Pradestinat Sanct. c. 14. saying The sentence of the booke of wisdom ought not to be reiected by certaine inclining to Pelagianisme Which hath bene so long publiquely read in the Church of Christ and receiued of al Christians Byshops and others euen to the last of the Laitie Penitents and Catecumes cum veneratione diuinae auctoritatis With veneration of diuine auctoritie Which also the excellent writers next to the Apostles times alleaging for witnes nihil se adâ—ibere nisi diuinum testimonium crediderunt thought they alleaged nothing but diuine testimonie The summe and contents of this booke is an Instruction and Exhortation to Kinges and al Magistrates to minister iustice in the comonwealth teaching al sortes of vertues vnder the general names of iustice Wisdom With frequent Prophecies of Christs Coming Passion Resurrection other Christian Mysteries Al may be commodiously diuided into three partes In the six first chapters the auctor admonisheth al Superiors to loue and exercise iustice and wisdom In the next three he teacheth that Wisdom procedeth only from God is procured by prayer good life In the other tenne chapters he sheweth the excellent effects and vtilitie of wisdom and Iustice THE BOOKE OF WISDOM CHAP. I. Superiors are admonished to do iustice sincerely seking God 7. Who being euery where seeth al thinges 11. Murmuration detraction and lying bring to perdition 13. God created men to liue but they brought death vpon themselues LOVE iustice you that iudge the earth Thincke of our Lord in goodnes and in simplicitie of hart seeke him †because he is found of them that tempt him not and he appeareth to them that haue saith in him †For peruerse cogitations seperate from God and proued powre chasteneth the vnwise †because wisdom wil not enter into a malicious soule nor dwel in a bodie subiect to sinnes †For the Holie Ghost of discipline wil flie from him that feyneth and wil withdraw himselfe from the cogitations that are without vnderstanding and he shal be chastened of iniquitie â—niâ— wing †For the spirite of wisdom is gentle and wil no 〈…〉 the â—â— for from his lippes because God is witnes of 〈…〉 is a true searcher of his hart and an hâ—arâ—r 〈…〉 cause the Spirite of our Lord â—ath 〈…〉 who le world and that which contayneth al 〈…〉 â—udge of voice †For this cause he that speaketh â—â—â—â—st thinges can not be hid neither shal the chastising iudgment passe him †For in the cogitations of the impâ—ouâ— there shal be examination and the hearing of his workes shal come to God to the chastising of his iniquities †Because the eare of ielousie heareth al thinges and the tumult of murmurings shal not be hid †Kepe your selues therfore from murmuring which profiteth nothing and refraine your tongue from detraction because an obscure speache shal not passe in vaine and the mouth that lyeth killeth the soule †Zeale not death in the errour of your life neither procure ye perdition by the workes of your handes †Because God made not death neither doth he reioyce in the perdition of the liuing †For he created al thinges to be and he made the nations of the earth to health and there is no medicine of destruction in them nor kingdome of hel in the earth †For iustice is pâ—rpetual and immortal †But the impious with handes wordes haue prouoked it and esteming it a freind haue fallen to decay and haue made couenances with it because they are worthie to be of the part therof CHAP. II. Such as hope not of life to come 6. addict themselues to 〈…〉 â—â— and persecute the iust especially our Sauioâ—◠〈…〉 their wickednes 23. Death came vpon man by the 〈…〉 FOR they haue said thinking with the 〈…〉 Little and with tediousnes is the time of 〈…〉 the end of a man there is no recouâ—â—â—â— and 〈…〉 knowne that hath returned from hel †because oe of 〈…〉 were we borne and after this we shal be as if 〈…〉 bene because the breath is a smoke in our nosthrels â—â—â—â—ch a sparke to moue our hart †Which being extinguished our bodie shal be ashes and the spirit shal be powred abrode as soft ayre and our life shal passe as the trace of a cloude and shal be dissolued as a mist which is driuen away by the beames of the sunne and oppressed with the heate therof †and our name in time shal be forgotten and no man shal haue remembrance of our workes †For our time is the passing of a shadow and there is no returne of our end because it is sealed and no man returneth †Come therfore
and his hope vaine earth and his life viler then clay †because he was ignorant who made him and who inspired into him the soule which worketh and who breathed into him the vital spirite †Yea and they estemed our life to be a pastime and the conuersation of life made for a gayne that we must get euerie way euen of euil †For he knoweth that he offendeth aboue al men which of the matter of earth fashioneth frayle vessels and sculptils †For al the vnwise and vnhappie aboue measure of the soule proude are the enemies of thy people and rule ouer them †because they haue estemed al the idols of the nations for goddes which neither haue vse of eies to see nor nosthrels to take breath nor eares to heare nor fingers of the hands to handle yea and their feete are slow to walke †For a man made them and he that borowed breath the same fashioned them For no man can make God like to himself †For wheras himself is mortal he maketh a dead thing with his wicked handes For he is better then they whom he worshippeth because he in deede liued though he were mortal but they neuer †But they worship also most miserable beasts for the senslesse thinges compared to these are worse then they †Yea neither by sight can any man see good of these beasts But they haue fled from the prayse of God and from his blessing CHAP. XVI God plaguing the Aegyptians for idolatrie and crueltie deliuered the Israelites 5. Chasticed them also but againe shewed them mercie 20. and fedde them with Manna FOR these thinges and by the like to these they haue worthely suffered torments and were destroyed by a multitude of beasts †For the which torments thou didst wel dispose of thy people to whom thou gauest the desire of their delectation a new taste preparing them the quaile for meate †that they in deede coueting meate because of those thinges which were shewed and sent them might be turned away euen from necessarie concupiscence But they in short time being made needie tasted a new meate †For it behoued that without excuse destruction should come vpon them exercising tyrannie but to these onlie to shew how their enemies were destroyed †For when the cruel wrath of beastes came vpon them they were destroyed with the bytings of peruerse serpents †Howbeit thy wrath endured not for euer but for chastisement they were trubled a short time hauing a signe of saluation for the remembrance of the commandment of thy law †For he that turned to it was not healed by that which he saw but by thee the sauiour of al †and in this thou didst shew to our enemies that thou art he which deliuerest from al euil †For the bitings of locusts and flies killed them and there was found no remedie for their life because they were worthie to be destroyed by such thinges †But neither the teeth of venemous dragons ouercame thy children for thy mercie coming healed them †For in memorie of thy wordes they were examined were quickly saued lest falling into deepe obliuion they might noâ— vse thy helpe †For neither herbe not plaâ—ster healed them but thy word ô Lord which healeth al thinges †For iâ— is thou ô Lord that hast powre of life and death and bringest downe to the gates of death and fetchest agayne †but man certes killeth by malice and when the spirit is gone forth it shal not returne neither shal he cal backe the soule that is receiued †but it is vnpossible to escape thy hand †For the impious denying to knowe thee haue bene scourged by the strength of thine arme suffering persecution by strange waters and haile and rayne and consumed by fyre †For that which was meruelous in water which extinquisheth al thinges fyre more preuayled for the world is reuenger of the iust †For a certayne time the fyre was mitigated that the beasts which were sent to the impious might not be burnt but that they seing might know that by Gods iudgement they suffer punishment †And at a certaine time the fyre aboue his powre burnt in water on euerie side that it might destroy the nation of a wicked land †For the which thinges thou didst nourish thy people with the meate of Angels and bread prepared thou gauest them from heauen without labour hauing in it al delectation and the sweetnes of al taste †For thy substance did shew thy sweetnes which thou hast toward thy children and seruing euerie mans wil it was turned to that that euerie man would †Yea snow and yee susteyned the force of fyre and melted not that they might know that fyre burning in hayle and lightening in rayne destroyed the fruites of the enemies †And this againe that the iust might be nourished it forgat also his owne strength †For the creature seruing thee the Creatour is fierce into torment against the vniust and is made more gentle to doe good for them that trust in thee †For this cause euen then being transformed into al thinges they serued thy grace the nource of al at their wil that desired thee †that thy children might know whom thou louedst ô Lord that not the fruites of natiuitie doe feede men but thy word preserueth them that beleue in thee †For that which could not be destroyed by fyre forthwith being heated with a litle beame of the sunne did melt †that it might be knowen to al men that we ought to preuent the sunne to blesse thee and at the rysing of light to adore thee †For the fayth of the vngratful shal melt as winter yee shal perish as vnprofitable water CHAP. XVII Horrible darkenes falling in Aegypt 19. the rest of the world had ordinarie light FOR thy iudgements ô Lord are great thy wordes inexphcable for this cause the soules lacking discipline haue erred †For whiles the wicked are perswaded that they can rule ouer the holie nation fettered with the bands of darknes and long night shut vp vnder roofes they haue lyen fugitiues from the euerlasting prouidence †And whiles they thincke that they lie hid in obscure sinnes they were dispersed by the darke couert of obliuion being horribly afrayd and disturbed with exceding admiration †For neither did the denne that conteyned them keepe them without feare because the sound coming downe trubled them and sorowful visions appearing to them put them in feare †And no force certes of the fyre could geue them light neither could the clere flames of the starres lighten that horrible night †But there appeared to them soden fyre ful of feare and being stroken with the feare of that face which was not sene they estemed the thinges that were sene to be worse †and there were added derisions of the magical art and contumelious rebuke of the glorie of
intreating they had cast forth them they pursued as fugitiues †for worthie necessitie brought them to this end and they lost the remembrance of those thinges which had chanced that punishment might fulfil the thinges that wanted to the torments †and that thy people certes might passe through meruelously but they might finde a new death †For euerie creature according to his kind was fashioned agayne from the begyning seruing thy precepts that thy children might be kept without hurt †For a clowde ouer shadowed their campe and out of the water which was before there appeared drie land and in the redsea a way without impediment and of the great depth a springing filde †through the which al the nation passed which was protected with thy hand seing thy meruelous thinges and wonders †For euen as horses they fed on meate and as lambes they reioyced magnifying thee ô Lord which didst deliuer them †For they were mindful of those thinges which had bene done in their seiourning how for the nation of beasts the earth brought forth flies and for fishes the riuer yelded a multitude of frogges †And last of al they saw a new creature of birdes when allured by concupiscence they desired meates of deliciousnes †For in comfort of their desire there came vp to them the quaile from the sea and vexations came vpon the sinners not without those arguments which were made before by the force of lightninges for they suffered iustly occording to their wickednes †For they instituted a more detestable in hospitalitie some certes receiued not the vnknowen strangers and other some brought the good strangers into seruitude †And not onlie these thinges but in deede there was an other respect also of them for they against their wil receiued the strangers †But they that receiued them with gladnes did afflict them with most cruel sorowes that vsed the same rightes †but they were striken with blindnes as they in the dores of the iust when they were couered with sodaine darkenes euerie man sought the passage of his doore †For whiles the elements are turned in themselues as in an instrument the sound of the qualitie is changed and al keepe their sound wherfore it may be certainly iudged by the very sight †For the thinges of the fild were turned into thinges of the water and what soeuer were swimming thinges passed into the land †The fyre had force in water aboue his powre and the water forgot her quenching nature †On the contrarie the flames vexed not the flesh of corruptible beasts walking therewith neither did they melt that good meate which was easely dissolued euen as yce For in al thinges thou didst magnifie thy people ô Lord and didst honour them and didst not despise them at al time and in euerie place assisting them THE ARGVMENT OF ECCLESIASTICVS IN what sense this Booke is sometimes called Salomons we haue shewed in the argument before the Booke of wisdom As likewise that it is Canonical Scripture Wherto we might adde more testimonies of ancient Fathers as S. Clement of Alexandria li. 1. c. 8. Pedagogi Origen ho. 8. in Numer ho. 1. in Ezech. S. Cyprian de opere eleemos S. Athanasius in Synopsi li. de virginitate S. Basil in regul disput resp 104. S. Gregorie Nazianzen Orat. 2. aduers Iulian. S. Epiphanius haer 76. in Ancorato S. Hilarie in Psal 144. S. Ambrose de bono mortis c. 8. Ser. 22. in Psal 118. S. Chrysostom ho. 33. ad populum Antioch S. Augustin li. 2. ca. 8. Doct. Christ li. 17. c. 20. de Ciuit. S. Gregorie the great in Psal 50. and manie others expresly cite this booke as holie Scripture But chiefly we reâ—ie vpon the auctoritie of the Church defining that it is Canonical It was written by Iesus the sonne of Sirach in Hebrew about the time of Simon Iustus otherwise called Priscus and translated into Greke by the auctors Nephew as the same Translator testifieth in his Prologue but expresseth not his owne name It is called Ecclesiasticus which signifieth a Collector or Gatherer as a common title of euerie ordinarie preacher instructing and exhorting the multitude gathered to a sermon with difference from Ecclesiastes Which signifieth The Preacher as a greater title of the chief or principal Preacher of anie Church Citie or Prouince and agreeth most eminently to Christ our Sauiour Who preached and sendeth preachers to the whole world And for the excellent contents it may also rightly be called Panaretos that is a Receptacle or storehouse of al vertues for the instruction of al in general to cooperate with Gods grace in this life and so enherite eternal glorie In fourtie and three whole chapters are mixtly the commendations and precepts of al sortes of vertues sometimes in particular but more often vnder the general names of wisdom and Iustice In the other eight chapters are recited manie excellent examples of most renowmed holie men with praises and thankes to God THE PROLOGVE VPON ECCLESIASTICVS OF IESVS THE SONNE OF SIRACH THE knowlege of manie and great thinges hath bene shewed vs by the Law and the Prophetes and others that folowed them in which we ought to prayse Israel for doctrine wisdom because not onlie they in speaking must nedes be cunning but strangers also both lerning writing may become most lerned My grandfather Iesus after he gaue himselfe more amply to the diligence of reading the Law and the Prophetes and other Bookes that were deliuered vs from our fathers himself also would write some of those thinges which perteyne to doctrine and wisdom that such as are desirous to lerne and to be made counning in the same thinges may more and more be attent in minde and be confirmed to the life that is according to the law I exhort you therfore to come with beneuolence and to read with attent studie and to pardon vs for those thinges wherein we seming to folow the image of wisdom may fayle in the composition of wordes for the Hebrew wordes also fayle when they shal be translated to an other tongue And not onlie these but the Law also itself and the Prophetes and the rest of other bookes haue no smal difference when they are spoken within themselues For in the eight and thirteth yeare in the time of Prolomee Euergetes the king after I came into Aegypt and when I had bene there much time I found there bookes leaft of no smal nor contemptible doctrine Therfore myself also thought it good and necessarie to adde some diligence and labour to interprete this booke and with much watching I brought forth this doctrin in space of time that men may lerne those thinges which teach them that wil applie their minde how they ought to order their maners them that purpose to lead their life according to the Law of our Lord. ECCLESIASTICVS CHAP. I. Wisdom procedeth from God
to stand vpright and his lacke of reuerence is the stopping of the eares †Sheding of bloud is in the brawling of the proud and their cursing is a greeuous hearing †He that discloseth the secrete of a freind loseth credite and he shal not finde a freind to his minde †Loue thy neighhour and be ioyned with him in fidelitie †But if thou discouer his secrets thou shalt not pursew after him †For as a man that loseth his freind so also he that loseth the freindshipe of his neigbbour †And as he that letteth a bird goe out of his hand so hast thou leaft thy neighbour shalt not take him †Folow him not because he is far absent for he is fled as a doe out of the snare because his soule is wounded †Thou canst no more blinde him and of a curse there is reconciliation †but to disclose the secrets of a freind is the desperation of an vnhappie soule †He that winketh with the eie forgeth wicked thinges and no man wil cast him of †in the sight of thyne eyes he wil sweete his mouth and wil be in admiration vpon thy wordes but at the last he wil peruert his mouth and in thy wordes he wil lay a scandal †I haue heard manie thinges haue not esteemed them equal to him and our Lord wil hate him †He that casteth a stone on high it wil fal vpon his head and the deceitful stroke wil diuide the woundes of the deceitful †He that diggeth a pit shal fal into it and he that setteth a stone for his neighbour shal stumble on it he that layeth a snare for an other shal perish in it †To a man that doth most wicked counsel it shal be turned vpon himself and he shal not know from whence it cometh to him †Derision reproch of the proud and vengeance as a lyon shal lie in waite for him †They shal perish in a snare that are delighted with the fal of the iust and sorow shal consume them before they die †Anger and furie both are execrable and the sinful man shal be subiect to them CHAP. XXVIII Abstaine from reuenge 8. and strife 15. from making debate 28. from hearing and speaking euil HE that wil be reuenged shal finde reuenge of our Lord and keepeing he wil keepe his sinne †Forgeue thy neighbour hurting thee then shal thy sinnes be loosed to thee when thou prayest †Man to man reserueth anger and doth he seeke remedie of God †He hath not mercie on a man like vnto himself and doth he intreate for his owne sinnes †Himself whereas he is flesh reserueth anger and doth he aske propitiation of God Who by prayer shal obteyne for his sinne †Remember the last thinges cease to be at enmitie †for consumption and death are imminent in his commandmentes †Remember the feare of God and be not angrie with thy neighbour †Remember the testament of the High contemne the ignorance of thy neigbour †Refraine thyself from strife and thou shalt diminish thy sinnes †for an angrie man kindleth strife and a sinful man wil truble his freindes and in the middes of them that are at peace he wil cast in enmitie †For according to the wood of the forest so the fire burneth and according to the power of a man so shal his anger be and according to his substance he wil increase his anger †Hastie contention kindleth a fire and hastie strife shedeth bloud and an il testifying tongue bringeth death †If thou blow vpon a sparck it wil burne as a fire and if thou spitte thereon it shal be quenched both procede out of the mouth †The whisperer duble tounged is accurst for he hath trubled manie that were at peace †A third tongue hath moued manie and dispersed them from nation into nation †It hath destroyed the walled citie of the rich and hath digged downe the houses of great men †It hath cut the forces of peoples and vndone strong nations †A third tongue hath cast out manlie wemen and depriued them of their labours †He that regardeth it shal not haue rest neither shal he haue a freind in whom he may repose †The stroke of a whippe maketh a blew marke but the stroke of the tongue wil breake the bones †Manie haue fallen by the edge of the sword but not so as they that haue perished by their tongue †Blessed is he that is couered from a wicked tongue that hath not passed into the anger therof and that hath not drawen the yoke therof and hath not bene tyed in the bandes therof †for the yoke of it is a yoke of yron and the band of it is a band of brasse †The death of it is a most wicked death and hel is more profitable then it †The continuance of it shal not be permanent but it shal obteyne the waies of the vniust and it shal not burne the iust in the flame therof †They that forsake God shal fal into it and it shal burne in them and shal not be quenched and it shal be sent in vpon them as a lion and as a leopard it shal hurt them †Hedge thine eares with thornes and heare not a wicked tongue and make doores to thy mouth and locks †Lay together thy siluer and make balance to thy wordes and right bridles to thy mouth †and take heede lest perhaps thou slippe in thy tongue fal in the sight of the enemies that lie in wayte for thee and thy fal be vncurable vnto death CHAP. XXIX Lend charitably 3. and restore faithfully 10. For the fault of il debters omitte not to helpe the honest 12. rather geue almes where nede is 19. Be thankful for suretiship 28. Liue frugally 32. Goe not a ghestning for delicate chere HE that lendeth to his neighbour doth mercie and he that preuayleth with hand keepeth the commandments †Lend to thy neighbour in the time of his necessitie and againe repay thy neighbour in his time †Confirme thy word and doe faithfully with him thou shalt finde at al time that which is necessarie for thee †Manie haue esteemed a thing lent as a thing found and haue geuen molestation to them that did helpe them †Til they receiue they kisse the handes of the lender and in promises they humble their voice †and in the time of repaying they wil aske a time and wil speake wordes of tediousnes and murmurings and wil make the time an excuse †and if he be able to pay he wil resist he wil pay scarse halfe of the whole and wil account it as a thing found †but if not he wil defraude him of his money and possesse him an enemie without cause †and wil repay him reproches and curses and for honour and benefite wil repay him contumelie †Manie
sonne of Iephone did stand against the enemie and stayed the nation from sinnes and appeased the murmuring of malice †And they two being appointed were deliuered out of danger from among the number of six hundred thousand footemen to bring them into their inheritance into the land that yeldeth milke and honie †And our Lord gaue strength to Caleb himself and his strength continued euen vntil old age so that he went vp into the high place of the land his seede obteyned inheritance †That al the children of Israel might see that it is good to obey the holie God †And al the iudges by their name whose hart was not corrupted which were not turned away from our Lord †that their memorie might be blessed and their bones spring out of their place †and their name continew for euer the glorie of the holie men remayning vnto their children †The beloued of our Lord his God Samuel the prophet of our Lord renewed the empire and anoynted princes in his nation †By the law of our Lord he iudged the congregation and the God of Iacob saw and in his fidelitie was proued a prophet †And he was knowen faithful in his wordes because he saw the God of light †and inuocated our Lord omnipotent in assaulting the enemies besetting him on euerie side in the oblation of an immaculate lambe †And our Lord thundered from heauen and in great sound he made his voice heard †and he descomfited the princes of the Tyrians and al the dukes of the Philisthiims †and before the time of the end of his life and the world he gaue testimonie before our Lord and his Christ money and what soeuer besides vnto the verie shoes he tooke not of al flesh and no man accused him †And after this he slept and he notified to the king and shewed him the end of his life and he exalted his voice out of the earth in prophecie to take cleane away the impietie of the nation CHAP. XLVII Praises of Nathan 2. Dauid 14. and Salomon in whose progenie 21. notwithstanding his fal 27. the royal scepter remained for Dauids sake though for his and the peoples sinnes tenne tribes were cut of and fel into schisme AFTER these thinges arose Nathan the Prophet in the daies of Dauid †And as the fatte separated from the flesh so was Dauid from the children of Israel †He plaied with lyons as it were with lambes and with beares he did in like maner as with lambes of sheepe in his youth †Did not he kil the giant and tooke away reproch from his nation †In lifting vp his hand with a stone of the sling he ouerthrew the boasting of Goliah for he inuocated our Lord the omnipotent and he gaue in his right hand to take away the man strong in battel and to exalt the horne of his nation †So in ten thousand did he glorifie him and praised him in the blessinges of our Lord in offering to him a crowne of glorie †for he destroyed the enemies on euerie side and rooted out the Philisthijms the aduersaries euen vntil this present day he brake their horne for euer †In euerie worke he gaue confession to the Holie one and to the Highest in the word of glorie †From al his hart he praised our Lord loued God that made him and gaue him might against his enemies †and he made singers to stand before the altar and by their sound he made sweete tunes †And in the solennities he gaue honour and adorned the times euen to the end of his life that they should praise the holie name of our Lord and magnifie the holines of God in the morning †Our Lord purged his sinnes and exalted his horne for euer and he gaue him a testament of the kingdom and the seate of glorie in Israel †After him arose a wise sonne and for him did he ouerthrowe al the might of the enemies †Salomon reigned in dayes of peace to whom God subdewed al his enemies that he might build an house in his name and prepare holines for euer as thou art instructed in thy youth †And thou art replenished as a riuer with wisdom and thy soule discouered the earth †And thou didst multiplie darke sayinges in comparisons thy name was bruited to the ilandes far of and thou wast beloued in thy peace †The landes merueled at the songes and prouerbes and comparisons and interprerations †and at the name of our Lord God whose name is God of Israel †Thou didst gather gold as copper and filledst siluer as lead †and bowdest thy thighes to wemen thou hast had power on thy bodie †thou hast made a blotte in thy glorie and profaned thy seede to bring wrath to thy children and thy follie to be kindled †to make the kingdom diuided and a stubburne kingdom to reigne of Ephraim †But God wil not leaue his mercie and he wil not corrupt noâ— abolish his owne workes neither wil he destroy from the stocke the nephewes of his elect and he wil not corrupt the seede of him that loueth our Lord. †But he gaue a remnant to Iacob and to Dauid of the same stocke †And Salomon had an end with his fathers †And he leaft after him of his seede the follie of the nation †and Roboam hauing litle wisedom who turned away the nation by his counsel †and Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat who made Israel to sinne and made a way of sinning to Ephraim and their sinnes did abound very manie †They remoued them away from their land very far †And he sought al iniquities til there came defense vnto them and he â—id them from al sinnes CHAP. XLVIII Praises of Elias 13. Eliseus 19. Ezechias 23. and Isaias AND there arose Elias the prophet as it were fire and his word burnt as a litle torche †Who brought famine vpon them and they prouoking him in their enuie were made fewe for they could not abide the preceptes of our Lord. †By the word of our Lord he stayed heauen and he brought downe fire from heauen thrise †So was Elias magnified in his meruelous workes And who can so glorie like vnto thee †Who didst rayse vp the dead from hel from the lotte of death in the word of our Lord God †Who didst cast downe kinges to destruction and didst easily breake their might and the glorious from their bed †Who hearest iudgement in Sina and in Horeb iudgementes of defence †Who anoyntest kinges to repentance and makest prophetes successoures after thee †Who wast receiued in a whirlewind of fire in a chariot of fierie horses †“ Who art written in the iudgements of times to appeale the wrath of our Lord to reconcile the hart of the father to the sonne and to restore
violence of manie waters ouerflowing sent forth vpon a large ground †The crowne of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim shal be troden vnder feete †And the flowre of the glorie of his exultation which is vpon the toppe of the valley of fatte ones shal be falling as a timely fruite before the ripenesse of autumme which when he that seeth it shal behold as soone as he taketh it in his hand he wil deuoure it †In that day the Lord of hostes shal be a crowne of glorie and a garland of exultation to the residue of his people †and a spirit of iudgement to him that sitteth in iudgement and strength to them that returne out of battel to the gate †But these also haue bene ignorant because of wine and by drunkennes haue erred the priest and the prophete haue bene ignorant because of drunkennes they are swalowed vp with wine they haue erred in drunkennes they haue not knowne him that seeth they haue bene ignorant of iudgement †For al tables were filled with vomiting and filth so that there was no more place †Whom shal he teach knowledge and whom shal he make to vnderstand the thing heard them that are weyned from the milke that are plucked away from the breasts †For command recommand command recommand expect reexpect expect reexpect a litle there a litle there †For in the speach of lippe and in an other tougue he wil speake to his people †To whom he sayd This is my rest refresh the wearie and this is my refreshing they would not heare †And the word of our Lord shal be to them command recommand command recommand expect reexpect expect reexpect a litle there a litle there that they may goe and fal backward and be destroyed and snared and taken †For this cause heare the word of our Lord ye scorneful men which rule ouer my people that is in Ierusalem †For you haue sayd We haue stroken a league with death and with hel we haue made a couenant The scourge ouerflowing when it shal passe shal not come vpon vs because we haue made lying our hope and with lying we are protected †Therfore thus sayth our Lord God Behold I wil send in the foundations of Sion a stone an approued stone a corner stone pretious founded in the foundation He that beleueth let him not make hast †And I wil put iudgement in weight and iustice in measure and haile shal ouerthrow the hope of lying and waters shal ouerflow the protection †And your league with death shal be abolished and your couenant with hel shal not stand when the scourge ouerflowing shal passe you shal be troden downe of it †Whensoeuer it shal passe through it shal take you away because in the morning early it shal passe through in the day and in the night and vexation alone shal geue vnderstanding in the hearing †For the bed is streitened so that one must fal out and a short mantel can not couer both †For our Lord shal stand as in the mount of diuisions as in the valley which is in Gabaon shal he be angrie that he may doe his worke his strange worke that he may worke his worke is strange from him †And now mocke not lest perhaps your bonds be tied strayte For I haue heard of our Lord the God of hostes consummation and abridgement vpon al the earth †Harken with your eares and heare my voice attend and heare my speach †Wil the ploughman plowe al the day to sow wil he cut and harrow his ground †Wil he not when he hath made euen the face therof sprinkle cummine and place the wheate by order and the barley and millet and vetche in their bondes †And his God wil instruct him in iudgement he wil teach him †For gith shal not be threshed with instruments that haue teeth neither shal the wayne wheele turne about vpon cummine but gith shal be beaten out with a rodde and cummine with a staffe †But bread corne shal be broken smal but the thresher shal not thresh it for euer neither shal the wayne wheele vexe it nor breake it with the teeth therof †And this is come forth from our Lord the God of hostes that he might make his counsel meruelous and magnifie iustice CHAP. XXIX The Prophet bewaleth the Iewes destruction 9. for their blinde obstinacie 17. prophecying the Gentiles conuersion VVOE to Ariel Ariel the citie which Dauid ouercame yeare is added to yeare the solemnities are at an end †And I wil make a trench about Ariel and it shal be sorowful moorning and it shal be to me as Ariel †And I wil compasse as a sphere round about thee and wil cast a rampier against thee and place munitions to besiege thee †Thou shalt be humbled thou shalt speake out of the earth and out of the gronnd thy speach shal be heard and thy voice shal be out of the earth as the Pythons and out of the ground thy speach shal mutter †And the multitude of them that fanne thee shal be as smal dust and as issles passing away the multitude of them that haue preuailed agaynst thee †And it shal be sodenly forthwith It shal be visited of the Lord of hostes in thunder and earth quake and with great voice of whirlewind and tempest and with flame of deuouring fyre †And the multitude of al nations that haue fought agaynst Ariel shal be as the dreame of a vision in the night and al that haue waried and beseged preuailed agaynst it †And as he that is hungrie dreameth eateth but when he is awake his soule is emptie as he that is thirstie dreameth and drinketh and after he is awake faint as yet thirsteth and his soule is emptie so shal the multitude be of al the Gentiles that haue fought agaynst mount Sion †Be astonied and meruel wauer and stagger be ye drunke and not of wine be moued not of drunkenes †Because our Lord hath mingled vnto you the spirit of drowsines he wil shut your eyes he wil couer your prophetes and princes that see visions †And the vision of al shal be vnto you as the wordes of a booke sealed which when they shal geue to him that knoweth letters they shal say Read this and he shal answer I can not for it is sealed †And the booke shal be geuen to one that knoweth not letters and it shal be sayd to him Reade and he shal answer I know not letters †And our Lord sayd Because this people approcheth with their mouth and with their lippes glorifieth me but their hart is far from me and they haue feared me by the commandement and doctrines of men †therfore behold I wil adde to make admiration to this people by a great and wonderful miracle for wisdom
he hath gathered riches and not in iudgement in the middes of his dayes he shal leaue them and in his latter end he shal be a foole †A throne of glorie of height from the beginning the place of our sanctification †O Lord the expectation of Israel al that forsake thee shal be confounded they that depart from thee shal be written in the earth because they haue forsaken the vaine of liuing waters our Lord. †Heale me ô Lord and I shal be healed saue me and I shal be saued because thou art my praise †Behold they say to me Where is the word of our Lord let it come †And I am not trubled folowing thee the pastour and the day of man I haue not desired thou knowest That which hath proceeded out of my lippes hath bene right in thy sight †Be not thou a terrour vnto me thou art mine hope in the day of affliction †Let them be confounded that persecute me and let not me be confounded let them be afrayd and let not me be afrayd bring vpon them the day of affliction and with duble destruction destroy them †Thus saith our Lord to me Goe and stand in the gate of the children of the people by which the kinges of Iuda come in and goe out and in al the gates of Ierusalem †and thou shalt say to them Heare the word of our Lord ye kinges of Iuda and al Iuda and al the inhabitants of Ierusalem that enter in by these gates †Thus saith our Lord Take heede to your soules and carie not burdens on the Sabbath day neither bring them in by the gates of Ierusalem †And cast not forth burdens out of your houses on the Sabbath day and al worke you shal not doe sanctifie the Sabbath day as I commanded your fathers †And they heard not nor inclined their eare but hardned their necke that they would not heare me and that they would not take discipline †And it shal be if you wil heare me saith our Lord that you bring not burdens in by the gates of this citie on the Sabbath day and if you wil sanctifie the Sabbath day that you doe not al workes therein †there shal enter in by the gates of this citie kinges and princes sitting vpon the throne of Dauid and mounting on chariotes and horses they and their princes the men of Iuda and the inhabiters of Ierusalem and this citie shal be inhabited for euer †And they shal come from the cities of Iuda and from round about Ierusalem and from the land of Beniamin and from the champaine countries from the mountaines and from the South carying holocaust and victime and sacrifice and frankincense and they shal bring in oblation into the house of our Lord. †But if you wil not heare me to sanctifie the Sabbath day not to carie burden and not to bring in by the gates of Ierusalem on the Sabbath day I wil kindle a fire in the gates thereof and it shal deuoure the houses of Ierusalem and it shal not be quenched CHAP. XVIII As clay in the hand of a potter so is Israel in Gods hand 8. He pardoneth penitents 10. and punisheth the obstinate 18. They conspire against Ieremie for which he denounceth miseries hanging ouer them THE word that was made to Ieremie from our Lord saying †Arise and goe downe into the potters house and there thou shalt heare my wordes †And I went downe into the potters house and behold he made a worke vpon the wheele †And the vessel was broken which he made of clay with his handes and turning he made it an other vessel as it pleased in his eies to make it †And the word of our Lord was made to me saying †Why shal I not be able to doe vnto you as this potter ô house of Israel Behold saith our Lord as clay in the hand of the potter so are you in my hand ô house of Israel †I wil sodenly speake against nation and against kingdom to roote out and destroy and wast it †If that nation shal repent them of their euil against whom I haue spoken I also wil repent me of the euil that I haue thought to doe to it †And I wil sodenly speake of nation and of kingdom to build and plant it †If it shal do euil in mine eies that it heare not my voice I wil repent me of the good that I haue spoken to do vnto it †Now therefore tel the man of Iuda and the inhabitantes of Ierusalem saying Thus saith our Lord Behold I forge euil against you and deuise a deuice against you let euerie man returne from his euil way and direct ye your waies and your studies †Who said We are desperate for we wil goe after our cogitations and we wil do euerie one the peruersitie of his euil hart †Therefore thus saith our Lord Aske the Nations Who hath heard such horrible thinges as the virgine of Israel hath done exceedingly †Why shal the snow of Libanus faile from the rocke of the field or can the cold waters gushing forth and runing downe be drawen out †Because my people hath forgotten me sacrificing in vaine and stumbling in their waies in the pathes of the world that they might walke by them in a way not trodden †that their land might be made into desolation and into an euerlasting hisse euerie one that shal passe by it shal be astonied and wagge his head †As the burning winde wil I disperse them before the enemie the backe and not the face wil I shew them in the day of their perdition †And they said Come and let vs finde deuises against Ieremie for the law shal not perish from the priest nor counsel from the wise nor the word from the prophet come and let vs strike him with the tongue and let vs not attend to al his wordes †Attend ô Lord vnto me and heare the voice of mine aduersaries †Why is euil rendred for good because they haue digged a pitte for my soule Remember that I haue stood in the sight to speake good for them and to returne away their indignation from them †Therefore geue their children into famine and lead them into the handes of the sword let their wiues be made without children widowes and let the husbands be killed by death let their youngmen be pearced through with the sword in battel †Let a crie be heard out of their houses for thou shalt bring the robber vpon them sodenly because they haue digged a pitte to take me and haue hid snares for my feete †But thou ô Lord knowest al their counsel against me vnto death be not propicious to their iniquitie let not their sinne be cleane put out from thy face let them be made falling in thy sight in the time of thy furie deale with them CHAP. XIX The prophet holding an earthen bottel in his
they had taken the king they brought him to the king of Babylon into Reblatha which is in the land of Emath and to him iudgements †And the king of Babylon killed the sonnes of Sedecias before his eies yea and al the princes of Iuda he slew in Reblatha †And he plucked out the eies of Sedecias and bound him with fetters and the king of Babylon brought him into Babylon and he put him in the prison house euen to the day of his death †And in the fifth moneth the tenth of the moneth the same is the ninetenth yeare of Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon came Nabuzardan the prince of the warfare who stood before the king of Babylon in Ierusalem †And he burnt the house of our Lord and the kings house and al the houses of Ierusalem and euerie great house he burnt with fire †And al the host of the Chaldees that was with the prince of the warfare destroyed al the wall of Ierusalem round about †But of the poore of the people and of the rest of the vulgar sorte which remayned in the citie and of the fugitiues that were fled to the king of Babylon and the rest of the multitude Nabuzardan the prince of the warfare transported †But of the poore of the land Nabuzardan the prince of the warfare left some to be dressers of vineyards and husbandmen †The brasen pillers also that were in the house of our Lord and the feete and the sea of brasse that was in the house of our Lord the Chaldees brake and they tooke al the brasse of them into Babylon †And the kettles and the fleshhookes and the psalteries and the phials and the litle mortars and al the brasen vessels that had bene in the ministrie they tooke †and the water pottes and the censars and the pitchers and the basins and the candlestickes and the mortars the gobblets as manie as of gold of gold and as manie as of siluer of siluer did the prince of the warfare take †and two pillars and one sea twelue oxen of brasse that were vnder the feete which king Salomon had made in the house of our Lord there was no weight of the brasse of al these vessels †And concerning the pillars there were eightene cubits of height in one pillar and a corde of twelue cubits did compasse it about moreouer the thicknes thereof of foure fingers and within it was holow †And the litle heads of brasse vpon both the height of one litle head of fiue cubits and the litle nettes and the pomegranates vpon the crowne round about al of brasse Likewise of the second piller and the pomegranates †And there were nintie six pomegranates hanging downe and al the pomegranates an hundred were compassed with litle nettes †And the master of the warefare tooke Saraias the chiefe priest and Sophonias the second priest and the three kepers of the entrie †And of the citie he tooke one eunuch that was chiefe ouer the men of warre and seuen men of them that saw the kings face that were found in the citie and a scribe the captayne of the souldiars who tryed the yong souldiars and three score of the people of the land that were found in the middes of the citie †And Nabuzardan the prince of the warfare tooke them and he brought them to the king of Babylon into Reblatha †And the king of Babylon stroke them and he killed them in Reblatha in the land of Emath and Iuda was transported from his land †This is the people which Nabuchodonosor transported In the seuenth yeare Iewes three thousand and twentie three †In the eightenth yeare of Nabuchodonosor from Ierusalem soules eight hundred thirtie two †In the three and twentith yeare of Nabuchodonosor Nabuzardan the prince of the warefare transported of the Iewes seuen hundred fourtie fiue soules al the soules therfore were foure thousand six hundred †And it came to passe in the seuen and thirtith yeare of the transmigration of Ioachin the king of Iuda the twelfth moneth the fiue and twentith of the moneth Euilmerodach the king of Babylon lifted vp in the very yeare of his reigne the head of Ioachin the king of Iuda and he brought him out of the prison house †And he spake with him good thinges and he sette his throne aboue the thrones of the kinges that were after himself in Babylon †And he changed his prison garments and he did eate bread before him alwaies al the daies of his life †And his allowance of meate a continual prouision of meate was geuen him by the king of Babylon euerie day a certaine euen vnto the day of his death al the daies of his life THE ARGVMENT OF IEREMIES LAMENTATIONS THESE Lamentations in Greeke called Threni and by the Hebrew Rabhins intituled Cinoth were written by Ieremie before the greatest part of his oâ—her prophecies as semeth most probable to S. Ierom and were first songue at the death of Iosias king of Iuda Againe when king Sedecias with manie others were taken captiues manie also slaine and the Temple and citie of Ierusalem destroyed But most especially he prophecieth the Iewes miserable estate and iust cause of Lamentation after Christs coming and their reiecting him And therfore his Church singeth the same in the Aniuersarie or Commemoration of his Passion and Death and most piously inuiteth al sinners both Iewes and Gentiles to returne vnto Christ our Redemer saying Ierusalem IERVSALEM conuertere ad Dominum Deum tuum In this litle booke the diligent reader wil easely obserue manie doleful patheticalspeaches powred out from a pensiue hart as in great calamities it commonly happeneth with litle connexion of sentences but otherwise foure whole chapters are very artificially compiled in verse not by number of times with measure of long and short syllables as the Grekes and Latines vse but after the Hebrew maner obseruing number of syllables and beginning euerie verse with a distinct letter from the first to the last in order with some smal varietie of the Hebrew Alphabet Doubtles with great mysteries as S. Ierom iudgeth and therfore explicateth the significations and certains connexions of the two and twentie Hebrew letters as we haue noted vpon the 118. Psalme but aboue the capacitie of our vnderstanding In the last chapter the Prophet omitting the obseruation of Initial letters in twentie two verses prayeth lamentably as the whole people shal pray in captiuitie THE THRENES that is to say THE LAMENTATIONS OF IEREMIE THE PROPHET And it came to passe after that Israel was brought into captiuitie and Ierusalem was desolate Ieremie the prophete sate weeping and he mourned with this lamentation vpon Ierusalem and with a pensiue mind sighing and wayling he sayd CHAP. I. HOW doeth the citie ful of people sitte solitarie how is the ladie of the Gentiles become as a widow the princesse of prouinces is made tributarie Weeping she
insolent pride Tyre shal be vtterly destroyed 20. Sidon likewise ouerthrowne 24. And the people of Israel at last restored AND the word of our Lord was made to me saying †Sonne of man say to the prince of Tyre Thus saith our Lord God For that thy hart is eleuated thou hast sayd I am God and I haue sitten in the chaire of God in the hart of the sea wheras thou art a man and not God and hast geuen thy hart as the hart of God †Loe thou art wiser then Daniel euerie secret is not hid from thee †In thy wisedom and thy prudence thou hast made thee strength and hast gotten gold and siluer in thy treasures †In the multitude of thy wisedome in thy merchandise thou hast multiplied strength to thee and thy hart is eleuated in thy strength †Therfore thus saith our Lord God For that thy hart is eleuated as the hart of God †therfore behold I wil bring vpon thee strangers the strongest of the Gentils and they shal draw their swordes vpon the beautie of thy wisedome and shal pollute thy comelines †They shal kil and plucke thee downe and thou shalt dye in the death of the slaine in the hart of the sea †Why shalt thou speake saying I am God before them that kil thee wheras thou art a man and not God in the hand of them that slay thee †By the death of the vncircumcised shalt thou dye in the hand of strangers because I haue spoken saith our Lord God †And the word of our Lord was made to me saying Sonne of man lift vp a lamentation vpon the king of Tyre †and thou shalt say to him Thus saith our Lord God Thou the signet of similitude ful of wisedom and perfect of beautie †thou wast in the delicacies of the paradise of God euerie precious stone thy couering sardius topatius and the iasper chrysolithus and onyx and berillus the sapphire and the carbuncle and the emerald gold the worke of thy beautie and thy pipes were prepared in the day that thou wast created †Thou Cherub streched out and protecting and I sette thee in the holie mount of God in the middes of fyrie stones thou hast walked †Perfect in thy wayes from the day of thy creation vntil iniquitie was found in thee †In the multitude of thy merchandise thyne inner partes were filled with iniquitie and thou didst sinne and I cast thee out from the mount of God and destroyed thee ô Cherub protecting out of the middes of the fyrie stones †And thy hart was eleuated in thy beautie thou hast lost thy wisedome in thy beautie I haue cast thee to the earth before the face of kinges I haue geuen thee that they might behold thee †In the multitude of thine iniquities in the iniquitie of thy merchandise thou hast polluted thy sanctification I wil therfore bring forth a fyre out of the middes of thee to eate thee and I wil make thee as ashes vpon the earth in the sight of al that see thee †Al that shal see thee in the Gentils shal be astonied vpon thee thou art become a thing of naught and thou shalt not be for euer †And the word of our Lord was made to me saying †Sonne of man set thy face against Sidon and thou shalt prophecie of it †and shalt say Thus saith our Lord God Behold I to thee Sidon and I wil be glorified in the middes of thee and they shal know that I am the Lord when I shal doe iudgements in it and shal be sanctified in it †And I wil send into it pestilence and bloud in the streetes therof the slaine shal fal in the middes therof by the sword round about and they shal know that I am the Lord. †And there shal be no more scandal of bitternes to the house of Israel and thorne causing payne on euerie side round about them that are against them and they shal know that I am the Lord God †Thus saith our Lord God When I shal haue gathered together the house of Israel out of the peoples in which they are dispersed I wil be sanctified in them before the Gentils and they shal dwel in their land which I gaue to my seruant Iacob †And they shal dwel therin secure and they shal build houses and shal plant vineyards and shal dwel confidently when I shal haue done iudgements in al that are their enemies round about they shal know that I am the Lord their God CHAP. XXIX The king of Aegypt shal be ouerthrowne 9. and the kingdom wasted fourtie yeares 13. It shal be repared to a meane state 17. And shal be geuen to the king of Babylon for his seruice in destroying Tyre IN the tenth yeare the tenth moneth the eleuenth day of the moneth the word of our Lord was made to me saying †Sonne of man set thy face against Pharao the king of Aegypt and thou shalt prophecie of him and of al Aegypt †Speake and thou shalt say Thus saith our Lord God Behold I to thee Pharao king of Aegypt thou great dragon which lyest in the middes of thy riuers and sayest The riuer is mine and I made it my selfe †And I wil put a bridle in thy iawes and I wil fasten the fishes of thy riuers to thy scales and I wil draw thee out of the middes of thy riuers and al thy fishes shal sticke to thy scales †And I wil cast thee forth into the desert and al the fishes of thy riuer thou shalt fal vpon the face of the earth thou shalt not be collected nor gathered together to the beasts of the earth and to the foules of the heauen haue I geuen thee to be deuoured †And al the inhabitants of Aegypt shal know that I am the Lord for that thou hast bene a staffe of reede to the house of Israel †When they tooke thee with the hand and thou wast broken and didst rent al their shoulder and they leaning vpon thee thou wast broken and didst dissolue al their reines †Therfore thus saith our Lord God Behold I wil bring vpon thee the sword and wil kil out of thee man and beast †And the Land of Aegypt shal be into a desert and into a wildernes and they shal know that I am the Lord for that thou hast sayd The riuer is mine and I made it †Therfore behold I to thee and to thy riuers and I wil geue the Land of Aegypt into desolations destroyed with the sword from the tower of Syene euen to the borders of Aethiopia †The foote of man shal not passe through it neither shal the foote of beast goe in it and it shal not be inhabited fourtie yeares †And I wil make the Land of Aegypt desert in the middes of desert lands the cities therof in the middes of cities ouerthrowen and they shal be desolate fourtie
already Praef. Tobiae that the Canon of the Christian Catholique Church is of souereigne auctoritie though the Iewes Canon haue them not Finally wheras these bookes were not canonized in the former General Councels it sufficeth that they are since declared to be Canonical Diuine Scripture as some other partes haue likewise bene which English Protestants do not denie As the Epistle of S. Iames the second of S. Peter the second and third of S. Iohn and S. Iudes epistle of al which Eusebius and S. Ierom testifie that some lerned Fathers doubled sometimes whether they were Apostolical or no. But afterwards the same with these two bookes of Machabees and others were expresly declared to be Diuine Scripture by the third Councel of Carthage can 47. By the Councel of seuentie Bishops vnder Gelasius though by the name of one booke as also Esdras and Nehemias as but one booke Last by the Councels of Florence and Trent If anie further require the iudgement of more ancient Fathers diuers doe alleage these bookes as Diuine Scriptures S. Dyonise c. 2. celest Hierar S. Clemens Alexan. li. 1. Stromat S. Cyprian li. 1. Epist ep 3. ad Cornelium li. 4. ep 1. de exhort ad Martyrium c. 11. Isidorus li. 16. c. 1. Etym. S. Gregorie Nazianzen hath a whole Oration of the seuen Machabees Martyrs and their mother S. Ambrose li. 1. c. 41. Offic. But to omite others albeit S. Ierom vrged not these bookes against the Iewes yet he much estemed them as appeareth in his commentaries vpon Daniel c. 1. 11. 12. S. Augustin most clerly auoucheth li. 2. c. 8. de doct christ li. 18. c. 36. de ciuit that notwithstanding the Iewes denie these bookes the Church holdeth them Canonical And wheras one Gaudentius an heretike alleaged for defense of his haeresie the example of Razias who slew him self 2. Mac. 14. S. Augustin denieth not the auctoritie of the booke but discusseth the fact and admonisheth that it is not vnprofitably receiued by the Church si sobrie legatur vel audiatur if it be read or heard soberly VVhich was a necessarie admonition to those Donatistes who not vnderstanding the holie Scriptures depraued them as S. Peter speaketh of like heretikes â—p 2. c. 3. to their owne perdition Now touching the contentes a great part of the same historie which is written in the former booke is repeted in the second with such varietie of some thinges added some omitted as in the bookes of Kinges and Paralipomenon and as the Gospel is written by the foure Euangelistes Ioyning therfore these two bookes together the Concordance therof conteyneth foure principal partes The Preface the Historie an Appendix the Conclusion But the three former partes are very extraordinarily disposed For the writer of the second booke who doubtles was a distinct person from him that writte the former first of al added an Appendix to the historie written before making mention of two Epistles and reciting the summe of one of them in the first chapter and part of the second as though he meant to haue writte no more of the same matter But then as it may seme vpon new resolution intending to abridge the historical bookes of Iason maketh a preface to his worke in the rest of that second chapter And so prosecuteth his purpose and finally maketh a briefe conclusion in the three last verses of the same second booke The mayne historie conteyneth two special partes The first sheweth the state of Gods peculiar people the Iewish nation from the beginning of the Grecian Monarchie parted after the death of Alexander amongst his folowers of which some did exceedingly persecute the Iewes by diuers both suttle and cruel meanes to the ruine of manie and euen to death and martyrdom of some most constant obseruers of Gods Lawes and true Religion til the warres of the Machabees in the first chapter of the first booke and in the 3. 4 5 6. and 7. chapters of the second booke In the other fiftene chapters of the former booke and other eight of the second are described the battles victories triumphes of the valient Machabees Of which holie warres Mathathias was the beginner and first captaine Iudas the second the third Ionathas and Simon the fourth after whose death his sonne Iohn Hyrcanus succeded Duke and Hieghpriest But because these bookes are intermixed the one with the other whâ—soeuer please to read them in order of the historie may folow the direction of the Alphabet letters set in the inner margen beginning with A. at the twentith verse of the second chapter of the second booke to the end of the same chapter Thence procede as the signe of a starre directeth to the next letter B. which is at the beginning of the first booke the first chapter first verse And so in the rest And when the capital letters are ended the smaller wil direct you THE FIRST BOOKE OF MACABEES CHAP. I. King Alexander conquering manie countries erecteth a new Monarchie 6. who dying his chief folowers succeede in seueral kingdomes of the same Monarchie 11. King Antiochus approueth that a prophane schole be setup in Ierusalem 17. subdueth Aegypt 21. inuadeth Iudea entreth by force into Ierusalem spoyleth the temple 25. and killeth manie 30. Two yeares after sendeth an other spoyler who killing manie robbeth and burneth lerusalem 35. fortisieth the towre of Dauid 38. prophaneth al holie thinges 4â— commandeth al to committe idolatrie 47. and to forsake the rites of Gods law 52. vpon paine of death 57. He setteth vp an abominable idol in the Temple 60. persecuteth and murdereth those that conforme not themselues to these innouations AND it came to passe after that Alexander Philips sonne the Macedonian that first reigned in Greece being gone out of the land of Cethim stroke Darius king of the Persians and the Medes †he made manie battels and obteyned the munition of al and slewe the kinges of the earth †and he passed through euen to the ends of the earth and tooke the spoiles of the multitude of the Gentils and the earth was silent in his sight †And he gathered powre and an armie exceding strong and his hart was exalted and eleuated †and he obtayned the regions of the Gentils and the tyrantes and they were made tributaries to him †And after these thinges he fel downe in his bed and he knew that he should dye †And he called his seruants the Nobles that were brought vp with him from his youth he diuided his kingdom to them when he yet liued †And Alexander reigned twelue yeares and he died †And his seruants possessed the kingdom euerie one in his place †and they did al put crownes on them after his death their sonnes after them manie yeares euils were multiplied in the earth †And there came forth of them a sinful roote Antiochus Illustre the sonne of king Antiochus
†and the men of strength approched and he assaulted that citie al the day and al the night and the citie was deliuered into his hand and they slew euerie male in the edge of the sword and he rooted it vp and tooke the spoiles therof and passed through al the citie vpon the slaine †And they pâ—ssed ouer Iordan in the great playne against the face of Bethsan †And Iudas gathered together the hin most and he exhorted the people throughout al the way til they came into the land of Iuda †and they went vp into mount Sion with ioy and gladnes offered holocausts because none of them was fallen til they returned in peace †And in the dayes that Iudas and Ionathas were in the land of Galaad and Simon his brother in Galilee against the face of Prolomais †Ioseph the sonne of Zacharie heard and Azarias the princes of the band the thinges wel atcheiued and the battels that were made †and he sayd Let vs also make vs a name and let vs goe fight against the heathen that are round about vs. †And he commanded them that were in his armie and they went to Iamnia †And Gorgias went forth out of the citie and his men to meete them into battel †And Ioseph and Azarias were chased in flight euen vnto the borders of Iurie and there fel that day of the people of Israel about two thousand men and there was made a great tumult in the people †because they heard not Iudas and his bretheren thinking that they should doe manfully †But they were not of the seede of those men by whom saluation was made in Israel †And the men of Iuda were magnified excedingly in the sight of al Israel and of al nations where their name was heard †And they came together vnto them with acclamations for their good successe †And Iudas went out and his bretheren and they expugned the children of Esau in the land that is toward the South and they stroke Chebron and her daughters and the walles therof and the towres he burnt with fyre round about †And he remoued the campe to goe into the land of the aliens and he walked through Samaria †In that day fel the priests in battel whiles they wil doe manfully whiles they goe forth without counsel into battel †And Iudas declined to Azotus into the land of the aliens and he threw downe their altars and the sculptils of their goddes he burnt with fyre and he tooke the spoiles of the cities and returned into the land of Iuda CHAP. VI. Antiochus repulsed from Elimais 5. and hearing of the ouerthrow of his armie in lurie falleth vehemently sick 11. and acknowleging his calamities to haue happened for he hath done against the Iewes dyeth 17. His young sonne Antiochus Eupator succedeth 18. Iudas besiegeth the Macedonians fortresse 21. Relapsed Iewes solicite the king 28. and he cometh with a terrible huge armie 32. Iudas therfore leauing the siege meeteth the enemie 43. Eleazar going vnder an elephant killeth him and so himselfe is also slaine 47. The king taketh Bethsura by composition 51. and bendeth his forces against Ierusalem 55. By Lysias aduice the king maketh peace with the Iewes 62. but breaking his othe destroyeth the wal of Sion 63. and returning recouereth Antioch from Philippe AND king Antiochus walked through the higher countries and he heard that there was a citie Elymais in Persis most noble and plentiful in siluer and gold †and a temple therin exceding rich and couerings thereof gold and brigantines and shildes which Alexander philips sonne the king of Macedonia that reigned first in Grece left there †And he came and sought to take the citie and to spoile it and he could not because the word was knowen to them that were in the citie †And they rose vp into battel and he fled from thence and departed with great sorow and returned into Babylonia †And there came one that told him in Persis that the campes that were in the land of Iuda were put to flight †and that Lysias went with great powre with the first and was put to flight before the face of the Iewes and they grew strong with armour and force and manie spoiles which they tooke out of the campes which they destroyed †and that they threw downe the abomination which they had builded vpon the altar that was in Ierusalem and the sanctification they compassed about as before with high walles yea and Bethsura his citie †And it came to passe as the king heard these wordes he was sore afrayd and was moued excedingly and he lay downe vpon his bed and fel into sicknes for sorow because it was not chanced to him as he thought †And he was there for manie dayes because there was renewed in him great sorowfulnes and he made account to dye †And he called al his freindes and sayd to them Sleepe is departed from mine eyes and I am fallen away my hart is gone for pensifenes †and I sayd in my hart Into how great tribulation am I come into what waues of sorow wherin now I am who was pleasant and beloued in my powre †But now I remember the euils that I haue done in Ierusalem from whence also I tooke away al the spoiles of gold and of siluer that were in it and I sent to take away the inhabitants of Iewrie without cause †I know therfore that for this cause haue these euils found me and loe I perish with great sorow in a strange countrie †And he called philip one of his frendes and he made him chiefe ouer al his kingdom †And he gaue him the crowne and his robe and ring that he should bring Antiochus his sonne should bring him vp to reigne †And Antiochus the king died there in the yeare an hundreth fourtie nine †And Lysias vnderstood that the king was dead and he appoynted Antiochus his sonne to reigne whom he brought vp a young man and he called his name Eupator †And they that were in the castel had inclosed Israel round about the holie places and they sought them euils alwayes and the strengthning of the Gentils †And Iudas thought to destroy them and he called together al the people to besiege them †And they came together and besieged them in the yeare an hundredth fiftie and they made balists and engins †And certaine of them that were besieged went forth some impious men of Israel ioyned them selues vnto them †and they went to the king and sayd How long doest thou not iudgements and reuengest our bretheren †We decreed to serue thy father and to walke in his precepts and obey his edicts †and the children of our people for this alienated them selues from vs and whosoeuer were found of vs they were slayne and our inheritances were spoiled †And not to vs only
vniust maintenance therof and in the exercise of the coyte †And setting nought by the honours of their fathers they esteemed the Greeke glories for the best †by reason wherof they had dangerous contention and they had emulation toward their ordinances and in al thinges they coueted to be like to them whom they had enemies and murderers †For to doe impiously against the lawes of God escapeth not vnpunished but this the time folowing wil declare †And when the gamme vsed euerie fifth yeare was kept at Tyre and the king was present †the wicked Iason sent from Ierusalem sinful men carying three hundred didrachmaes of siluer for the sacrifice of Hercules which they that caryed it requested that it might not be bestowed on the sacrifices because it ought not but that it might be deputed for other charges †And these were offered in dede by him that sent them vnto the sacrifice of Hercules but because of them that were present they were geuen to the making of gallees †And Apollonius the sonne of Mnestheus being sent into Aegypt because of the nobles of Ptolomee Philometor the king when Antiochus vnderstood that himself was made an alien from the affaires of the kingdom prouiding for his owne commodities departing thence he came to Ioppe and from thence to Ierusalem †And being magnifically receiued of Iason and the citie entered in with torch lights and with prayses and from thence he turned his armie into Phaenicia †And after the time of three yeares Iason sent Menelaus brother of the foresaide Simon carying money to the king and to bring answers of necessarie affayres †But he being commended to the king when he had magnified the presence of his power wrested the high priesthood vpon him self ouer bidding Iason three hundred talents of siluer †And hauing receiued commission from the king he came hauing in deede nothing worthie of the priesthood but bearing the mind of a cruel tyrant and the wrath of a wilde beast †And Iason indeede who had circumuented his owne brother being himself deceiued was driuen out a fugitiue into the countrie of the Ammanites †And Menelaus obteyned the princedom but concerning the money promised to the king he did nothing wheras Sostratus that was gouernour of the castel exacted it †For to him perteyned the exacting of the tributes for which cause they were both called out to the king †And Menelaus was remoued from the priesthood Lysimachus his brother succeeding and Sostratus was made gouernour of the Cyprians †And when these things were a doing it chanced the Thaâ—sians and the Mallotians to moue sedition because they were geuen for a gift to king Antiochus concubine †The king therfore came in hast to pacifie them one of his companions Adronicus being lefte substitute †But Menelaus supposing that he had taken a conuenient time stealing certaine vessels of gold out of the temple gaue them to Adronicus and others he had sould at Tyre in their neere cities †Which thing when Onias vnderstood most certainly he rebuked him keeping himself in a safe place at Antioche beside Daphne †Wherupon Menelaus coming to Andronicus desired him to kil Onias Who when he was come to Onias and right handes being geuen with an oath although he was suspected of him had perswaded him to come out of the sanctuarie immediatly he slew him not reuerencing iustice †For which cause not only the Iewes but also other nations likewise were offended and tooke it greuously for the vniust murder of so great a man †But when the king was returned out of the places of Cilicia the Iewes went vnto him at Antioch and also the Greekes complayning of the vniust murder of Onias †Antiochus therefore was sorie in his minde for Onias and being inclined to pitie he shed teares remembring the sobrietie and modestie of the deceased †And his hart being incensed he commanded Andronicus being spoiled of the purple to be led about al the citie and that in the same place wherin he had committed the impiety vpon Onias the sacrilegious person should be depriued of his life our Lord repaying him worthie punishment †And manie sacrilegies being committed of Lysimachus in the temple by the counsel of Menelaus and the rumour being bruited abrode the multitude gathered together against Lysimachus much gold being now caryed out †But the multitudes making insurrection and their mindes replenished with anger Lysimachus arming almost three thousand began to vse vniust handes a certaine tyrant being captaine farre growne in age and also in madnes †But as they vnderstood the endeuour of Lysimachus some tooke stones some strong clubbles and certaine threw ashes †And manie in deede were wounded certaine also throwne to the ground but al were put to flight the sacrilegious person also himself they slew beside the treasurie †Concerning these thinges therefore iudgement began to be commenced against Menelaus †And when the king was come to Tyre three men sent from the ancients put vp the matter vnto him †And when Menelaus was ouercome he promised Pâ—olomee to geue much money to perswade the king †Pâ—olomee therfore went to the king being in a certaine courte as it were to coole himself and brought him from his purpose †and Menelaus certes being guiltie of al the euil was quitted of the crimes and the poore wretches who if they had pleaded the cause euen before Scythians should be iudged innocent them he commanded to death †Quickly then did they vniustly suffer which prosecuted the cause for the citie the people and the sacred vessels †For the which thing the Tyrians also being offended were very liberal towards the burial of them †But Menelaus because of their auarice that were in power continewed in authoritie increasing in malice to the betraying of the citizens CHAP. V. Visions of armies fighting in the ayre appeare in Ierusalem fourtie dayes 5. Iason with a thousand men surpriseth the citie killeth manie citizens but is expulsed and dyeth myserably 11. Antiochus persecuteth the Iewes 15. spoyleth the temple and prophaneth holie thinges 27. Iudas with others flee into the desert AT the same time Antiochus prepared a second iourney into Aegypt †And it came to passe that through out the whole citie of Ierusalem were senne for fourtie dayes in the ayre horsemen running hither thither hauing golden stoles and speares as it were companies armed †and coursing of horses set in orders by rankes and that there were encounterings together neere hand and shakings of sheildes and a multitude of men in helmets with swordes drawen and throwing of darts and the glittering of golden armour and of al kind of harnes †Wherefore al prayed that the wonders might be turned to good †But when there was a false rumour gone forth as though Antiochus had bene parted this life Iason taking vnto him no lesse then a thousand men suddenly set vpon the citie
length he may punish vs. †For which cause he neuer certes remoueth away his mercie from vs but chastening his people by aduersitie he forsaketh them not †But let these thinges be sayd of vs in few wordes for an admonition of the readers And now we must come to the storie †Therfore Eleazarus one of the chief of the Scribes a man striken in age and comely of countenance with open mouth gaping was compelled to eate swines flesh †But he embracing rather a most glorious death then an hateful life went before voluntarily to the punishment †And considering how he ought to come patiently susteyning he determined not to committe vnalwful thinges for loue of life †But they that stood by moued with vnlawful pitie for the old frendshipe of the man taking him in secrete desired that flesh might be brought which it was lawful for him to eate that he might feyne to haue eaten as the king had commanded of the flesh of the sacrifice †that by this fact he might be deliuered from death and for the old freindshipe of the man they did him this courtesie †But he begane to thinke vpon the worthie preeminence of his age and ancientnes and the houre heares of natural nobilitie his doinges from a childe of very good conuersation and according to the ordinances and the holie law made of God he answered quickly saying that he would rather be sent vnto hel †For it is not meete quoth he for our age to feyne that manie young men thinking that Eleazarus of foure score yeare tenne is passed to the life of Aliens †they also through my dissimulation and for a litle time of corruptible life may be deceiued and hereby I may purchase a stayne and a curse to mine old age †For although at this present time I be deliuered from the punishments of men yet neither aliue nor dead shal I escape the hand of the Almightie †Wherfore in departing manfully out of this life I shal appeare worthie of mine old age †and to yong men I shal leaue a constant example if with readie mind and stoutly I suffer an honest death for the most graue and most holie lawes These thinges being spoken forthwith he was drawen to execution †And they that led him and had bene a litle before more milde were turned into wrath for the wordes spoken of him which they thought were vttered through arrogancie †But when he was now in killing with the strokes he groned and sayd O Lord which hast the holie knowlege thou knowest manifestly that wheras I might be deliuered from death I doe susteyne sore paines of the bodie but according to the soule for thy feare I doe willingly suffer these thinges †And this man certes in this maner departed this life leauing not only to yong men but also to the whole nation the memorie of his death for an example of vertue and fortitude CHAP. VII The noble Martyrdome of seuen refusing to eate swines flesh and boldly admonishing king Antiochus of his damnable state 41. Lastly the mother hauing encoreged her sonnes likewise dyeth gloriously AND it came to passe that seuen brethren together with their mother being apprehended to be compelled by the king to eate against the law swines flesh were tormented with whippes and scourges †But one of them which was the first sayd thus What seekest thou and what wilt thou lerne of vs we are readie to dye rather then to transgresse the lawes of God coming from our fathers †The king therfore being wrath commanded frying pannes and brasen pottes to be heated †the which forth with being heated he commanded his tongue that had spoken first to be cut out and the skinne of his head being drawen of the endes also of his handes and feete to be chopped of the rest of his bretheren and his mother looking on †And when he was now made in al partes vnprofitable he commanded fire to be put vnto him and that breathing as yet he should be fried in the frying panne wherin when he was long tormented the rest together with the mother exhorted one an other to dye manfully †saying Our Lord God wil behold the truth and wil take pleasure in vs as Moyses declared in the profession of the Canticle And in his seruants he wil take pleasure †That first therfore being dead in this maner they brought the next to make him a mocking stocke the skinne of his head with the heares being drawen of they asked if he would eare before that he were punished throughout the whole bodie in euerie member †But he answering in his countrie speach said I wil not doe it Wherfore this also in the next place receiued the torments of the first †and being at the verie last gaspe thus he said Thou in dede ô most wicked man in this present life destroyest vs but the king of the world wil raise vs vp which dye for his lawes in the resurrection of eternal life †After him the third is had in derision and being demanded his tongue he quickly put it forth and constantly stretched out his handes †and with confidence he said From heauen doe I possesse these but for the lawes of God now doe I contemne these selfe same because I hope that I shal receiue them againe of him †So that the king and they that were with him merueled at the yong mans courege because he estemed the torments as nothing †And this being thus dead the fourth they vexed in like maner tormenting him †And when he was now euen to dye thus he said It is better for them that are put to death by men to exspect hope of God that they shal be raysed vp againe by him For to thee there shal not be resurrection vnto life †And when they had brought the fifth they tormented him But he looking vpon him †sayd Thou hauing power among men wheras thou art corruptible doest what thou wilt but thinke not that our stock is forsaken of God †And doe thou patiently abide and thou shalt see his great power in what sort he wil torment thee and thy seede †After him they brought the sixth and he beginning to dye sayd thus Be not deceiued vainely for we suffer this for our owne sakes sinning against our God and thinges worthie of admiration are done in vs †but doe not thinke that thou shalt escape vnpunished for that thou hast attempted to fight against God †But the mother aboue measure meruelous and worthie of good mens memorie which beholding her seuen sonnes perishing in one dayes space bare it with a good hart for the hope that she had in God †exhorted euerie one of them in their countrie language manfully being replenished with wisedome and ioyning a mans hart to a womans cogitation †she sayd to them I know not how you appeared in my wombe for neither did I
wombe Ch. 33. v. 14. Behold the dayes wil come sayth our Lord and I wil rayse vp the good word v. 15. I wil make the spring of iustice to bud forth vnto Dauid he shal do iudgement and iustice in the earth Ieremies Lamentations are in greatest part of Christ and his Church And some part can hardly be applied to anie other ch 3. v. 30. He shal geue the cheke to him that striketh him he shal be filled with reproches ch 4. v. 20. Christ our Lord is taken in our sinnes Baruch 2. v. 35. God promising to reduce the people from Babylon addeth And I wil establish vnto them an other testament euerlasting by Christ whose kingdom is for euer that I be their God and they shal be my people Ch. 3. v. 36. This is our God and there shal none other be esteemed against him v. 38. After these thinges he was sene vpon the earth and was conueâ—sant with men Ezechiel peculiarly called by an Angel the sonne of man was therin a special figure of our Sauiour who so calleth him self And the same prophet hath in plaine termes foreshewed the office of Christ the true Pastor of al pastors eh 34. v. 25. I wil sayth God by this prophet rayse vp ouer them one Pastor who shal feede them my seruant Dauid that is Christ prefigured by Dauid His admirable visions in the three first chapters and nine last perteyne properly and principally to the new Testament of Christ and his Church shewing the abundance of grace and glorie geuen by him to the elect Daniel 7. v. 13. With the cloudes of heauen there came in as it were the Sonne of man and he came euen to the ancient of dayes and in his sight they offered him He came euen to the ancient of dayes because in his Diuinitie he is equal to the Father and in his humanitie he is offered to God in Sacrifice v. 14 His powre is eternal and his kingdom shal not be corrupted ch 9. v. 24. Seuentie wekes of yeares are abridged that sinnes may be forgeuen grace be infused prophecies be fulfilled and the Holie one of holies be annointed Al which belong only to Christ. v. 26. After sixtie two wekes Christ shal be slaine Aggeus 2. v. 8. The desired of al nations shal come Zach. 3. v. 8. I wil bring my seruant the Orient ch 13. v. 7. Strike the Pastour and the shepe shal be dispersed fulfilled in Christs Passion Mat. 26. v. 21. Malaâ—h 3. v. 2. Forthwith shal come to his temple the Dominator whom you seke the Angel of the testament whom ye desire The booke of wisdom ch 2. v. 12. describeth the malice of the wicked against Christ Let vs say they circumuent the iust because he is vnprofitable to vs and he is contrarie to our workes and reprochfully obiecteth to vs the sinnes of the law v. 13. He boasteth that he hath the knowlege of God and nameth him self the Sonne of God Ecclesiasticus 24. v. 34. God appointed to Dauid his seruant to raise vp a king of him most strong and sitting in the throne of honour for euer Which eternal king proceeding from Dauid can be none but Christ our Sauiour And al the praises of Paâ—riarches and Prophetes in the last eight chapters consist in their fayth and expectation of Christ Likewise the Priestes and people 1. Mach. 14. v. 28. 35. and 49. shewed their fayth of Christ to come when they established Simon and his progenie in the gouernment and highpriesthood for euer til there rise the faithful Prophet to witte the Prophet of whom al the prophetes did speake Luc. 24 v. 27. Amongst the rest Ieremie ch 31. v. 23. and Ezechiel ch 44. v. 2. make also especial mention of some singular priuileges of the most excellent virgin Mother of God Of whom also Iudith and Esther were apparent figures who receiued special graces for the benefite of their nation and so did this singular Virgin receiue of God most eminent giftes aboue al other mere creatures for the benefite of the whole Church Of Angels the celestial spirites is frequent mention in the holie Scriptures of this age Their multitude is innumerable and therfore are insinuated to men by general termes Daniel 7. v. 10. Thousandes of thousandes ministered to him and tenne thousand hundred thousandes assisted him And their powre is most great and to men most profitable An Angel defended the three children in the fornace walking with them in the fire Daniel 3. v. 49 95. Another defended Daniel from the lions ch 6. v. 22. The same or an other caried Habacuc from Iurie into Babylon Dan. 14. v. 35. and restored him in his place againe v. 38. The Archangel Gabriel instructed Daniel ch 8. v. 16. 17. ch 9. v. 21. And ch 10. v. 13. 20. Other Angels the Patrones or Guardians of the Persians and Grecians prayed for those countries and S. Michael v. 21. for the Iewes An Angle spake in Zacharie ch 1. v. 9. An other Angel went to mete him ch 2. v. 3. And in respect of Angelical offices both S. Iohn Baptist and our Sauiour himself are figuratiuely called Angeles Malach. 3. v. 1 No meruel therfore that Iudas Machabeus and his armie 2. Machab. 11. v 6. prayed for the assistance of a good Angel which was granted them v. 8. And so they went promptly hauing an helper from heauen v. 10. Their like prayer had the same effect in an other battel 2. Machab. 15 v. 27. Contrarie to these glorious Angeles are other spirites at first created in grace which falling into pride and most obstinate malice are perpetual enimies to God their Creator and to al mankind continually calumniating the workes of God and of al his seruantes wherof they are called Diuels or calumniators They neuer cease tempting al they can to euil so to bring men to eternal death For by the enuie of the diuel Sap. 2. v. 7. death both of soule bodie came into this world The iust stipend of sinne Al sinnes offend God and please the diuels But more particularly they desire to be honored as God with Sacrifice Which therfore they require to themselues and their idols And for this sinne of Idolatrie aboue al others God is most prouoked to wrath for the same most especially punished his people as the Prophet Baruch chap. 4. v. 6. signifieth to the people saying You are sold to the Gentils c. You are deliuered to their aduersaries and geuing the reason why he addeth v. 7. For you haue exasperated him that made you the eternal God immolating to diuels And not to God The same al the Prophetes teach and withal that Sacrifice is the souereigne seruice due to God only and not to any creature how excellent soeuer But of Sacrifice there is so much written that it were ouer long and nedeles to recite the places It importeth more
and not these schismatikes were called and sent by God to gouerne his people :: Aaron being already established high Priest God againe confirmeth in â—leâ—zar the progenie of priestlie succession in Aarons stock and noâ— in other Leuites S. Aug q. 30. in â—um :: This multitude did only in wordes fauour schismaâ—â—kes what iudgemeÌ„t then remaineth to those which 〈◊〉 external acâ—â—â— participat◠〈◊〉 heretiâ—â—â— This historie â—others others were writteÌ„ for our admonition 1. Cor. 10. Core and his câ—plices were not heretikes but only schismatikes God accepteth not sacrifice done against his ordinance God by â—pre 〈…〉 hmeÌ„t preâ—â—nted heresâ—â— wherto al 〈…〉 tendeth Not only the authores of wickednes buâ— al that con â—nt much more that cooperate arâ— vvorthie of death Rom. â— :: For more satisfaction to the whole people God confirmeth Aarons authoritie by a new miracle v. 10. :: The rodde signified the B. Virgin mother and the * desormatâ— fully formed :: almondes Christ to wit the vâ—teâ— pill his humanitie the shel his crosse the kernel his diuinitie VVho pacified by the bloud of his crosse al thinges in earth and in heauen Collos 1. S. Aug. ser 3. de temp Example of one miracle proueth the possibilitie of an other :: Ozâ— was slaine for touching the arck â— Reg. 6. :: This couenant of first-fruites and other rights geuen to the Priests shal be perpetual as salt is in euerie sacrifice Leuit. 2. :: Punishable with death :: The same things saith S August q. 33. and Theodoret q. 36. in Num which were shadow ed and prefigured in the old Testament are reueled and manifested in the New And this special sacrifice prefigured diuers particular things in Christs PassioÌ„ a His bodie of Adam signifying redde earth b At the age of 33. yeares c Alwayes most pure from sinne d Free from al bondage e Crucified without the gate of Hierusalem f Al SacrameÌ„ts haue their vertue of Christs bloud g From the sole of his feet to the toppe of his head al wounded with the whippes crowne nailes c. h VVood of the crosse brought life to the world i Liuely heate of so infinite charitie dissolueth the coldnes of death k Christs suffering an exaÌ„ple that we must also sustaine afflictions l Those that procured oâ— cooperated to Christs death were polluted with sinne m Ioseph and Nicodemus buried Christ n His sepulcher was glorious o Those also that buried him neded cloansing by his Passion not for that work but for their sinnes p The old law did not remitte sinnes but the new q Baptisme in the name of the B. Trinitie r Without which no other SacrameÌ„t auaileth The Epistle on friday in the third weke of Lent :: The â—ock signified Christ the rodde his Crosse s. Aug. â— 35 in Num :: By this the crosse is more euidently signified which was made of two peeces of wood s. Aug. 〈…〉 :: Not doubting of Gods powre but supposing it vnmete that God shold stil worke miracles for so â—â—b borne a people they did not speake to the rock asthey were coÌ„manded but chiding the incredulous multitude spake to them ambiguously so by occasion of others sinne also offended and for the same were punished 〈…〉 Pâ—ut 1 v 〈◊〉 â— v. 16. 4 â— 2â— s. Aug q. 19. Theâ—â— q 38 in Xuâ— :: Mourning the dead was long before this obserued by tradition Gâ—â— 23. 50. :: God forbidding images of idols yet commandeth to make an image for a good purpose :: Christ expoundeth this erecting of the brasen serpent of him self to be cruâ—â—fied Ioan. 3. :: As the Aegyptians were drowned in the sea so the Amorrheites were oppressed by the rockes falling vpon them the waters caried their carcases into the valley of Moab :: He consulted his false god whom he serued called him the Lord not knowing our Lord God almightie Theodoret. q. 40. Prâ—copius in Num. :: God our Lord answered him not suffering the diuel to speake in this case :: Being sufficiently informed before for worldlie lucre he demandeth againe God for his punishment letteth him goe but suffereth him not to curse noâ— speake euil of the Israelites but coÌ„trariwise to prophecie much good which should come vnto them :: Nothing is here to be more merueled sayeth S. Augustin then that he was not afraide wheÌ„ he heard his asse speake vnto him But being accustomed to such monstruous things he replied familiarly nothing therwith astoonished :: Yet seing an Angel he fel downe terrified and adored him â— 48. in Num. :: Balaam knowing him to be an Angel that appeared neither adored him with diuine honour as God nor with ciuil as a mortal man but with religious honour lesse then diuine more then ciuil See Exod. 20. :: God sometimes maketh false prophetes to vtter a truth because preiudicate mindes do rather geue eare to such theÌ„ to true prophetes Theod. q. 45. in Num. :: Before the diuel would curse Gods people he required sacrifice which being offered yet he could not worke his malice For by Gods commandmeÌ„s saith S. Hierom de mans 42. Israel is blessed cursing turned into praise and Gods voice is heard sounding from a profaine mouth :: Heretikes other infidels desire sometimes to die in state of Catholiques though they wil not liue as they do S. Greg. li. 33. c. 27. Moral * â—ikneâ— of idâ—l :: VVhen Infidels can not draw others to false worship or cursing they are content that men professe no God nor religion at al. :: The spirite of prophecie came more vpon him but not grace iustifying M 〈…〉 do prophecie and cast out diuels and worke other miracles and yet be daÌ„ned Mat. 7. v. 22. :: In some â—oâ— this prophecie was fulfilled in King Dauid 2. Reg. 5. 8. seq but perfectly in Christ the bright and morniÌ„g starre Apoc. 22. To whom not anie one or manie but in general al nations are geueÌ„ for inheritaÌ„ce and the endes of the world in possession Psal 2. Act. â— v. 8. :: Not to his countrie but to his place of abode among the Madianites for there he was slaine shortly after chap. 31. v. 8. :: Balaam gaue this diuelish counsel to allure men by bellichere and lecherie vnto idolatrie chap. 31. v. 16. And euen so Heretikes drawe manie in these daies to heresie Sea Apoc. 2. v. 14. :: By assistance of the princes hang the idolaters v. 5. :: Either Phinees was one of the Iudges and so an example for such Magistrates to do iustice or he had a particular inspiration which is no warrant for priuate men to do the like For by Catholique doctrin killing of men is neither allowed nor excused but wheÌ„ it is done by publique authoritie or by mere casualitie against the killers wil. Catechis Rom. p. 3. c. 6. q. 5. D. Tâ—â— 2. 2. q. 60 a. 6. :: Gods wrath being pacified by extirpation of the old bad people the new progenie is numbered which shal possesse the
both good euil nn this life :: Feare on mans paâ—t and hope in God do wel consist together So both presumption and desperation are auoided :: Holie Iob knowing it to be vnpossible that God calumniateth anie man inquireth what is the cause why his goodnes afflicteth the iust :: In that I am thy creature thou maist iustly destroy me but in deede because I am thy creature thou 〈◊〉 spare me through thy mâ—â—c◠〈◊〉 me thy grace which if I vse wel thou wilt also geue me eternal rest :: Repentance is alwayes necessarie but most especially at the houre of death The third conflict :: Sophar might haue applied the vice of much speaking to himself and his felowes alleaging manie thinges which proued not their opinion wheras Iobs allegations proued directly that which he affirmed :: Iobs owne conscience affirmed the contrarie c. 6. v. 3. :: He could not iustly confesse iniqeitie which he had not coÌ„mitted :: God suffereth his simple true meaning seruantes to be scorned for the time but afterward the wicked shal be forced to confesse that those whom they derided are worthily in honour before God Sap. 5. â— 3. :: Craftie plotters of deuises at last by Gods iust punishement commit so great absurdites that the meanest may see their foâ—lie :: Iobs state of sinne or innocencie was best knowen to God next to his owne conscience not at al to his aduersaries that presumed to iudge therof :: It semed to his aduersaries that of desperation he would teaâ— his flesh and so kil himself and to be so nere death as if one held his soule in his hand readie to bet it sâ—l from him :: He was in extreme anguish but stil trusted in God :: He denieth that he is guiltie in conscience but desireth to know of God if he haue anie hiâ— sinnes which himself knoweth not :: Al children taking their sâ—bstance from the mother and hauing only a temporal life continually tending to death can not but be subieâ—t to â—anie 〈◊〉 â—â—â—s 〈…〉 itselfe though it may some long is a limited thin◠〈…〉 is very 〈…〉 yea 〈…〉 proportion in respect of eternitie which is infinite yet God hath care to bring this weake creature to life eternal :: The parentes after death are not afflicted with the state of their children as they be in this life The fourt conflict :: Eliphaz not able to answer Iobs solide reasons raileth against him as if he were iniurious to God or taught others to cast away feare :: It is a very rare priuilege to be without spot :: But spot of venial sinnes may be in a iust man :: Al these miseries are incident to the wicked but are falsly applied to holie Iob who â—ndede was iust :: True and freindlie comforters ought to heare the afflicted with patience and not vnmercifully charge him with crimes which they neither know nor his conscience is guiltie of :: A great affliction when one ful of paine and distres is also forced to defend his owne innocencie against calumniators :: As the aduersaries stil obiect great iniquitie to him so he yeldeth them the same true answer :: Not hauing committed such sinnes as he was charged withal in this duble bitternes of corporal paine and calumniation his eye was stil vpon God expecting to be deliuered * Seâ—l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Infernus :: This texâ— sheweth euidently that there was a place of rest called hel The fifth conflict :: Baldad perceiuing Iob to speake confidently as the common doctrin of manie opposeth him self neuertheles against him and al that thincke as he doth and so speaketh as to manie in the plural number vvil ye speake and of himselfe his felowes are vve reputed c. So holie Iob a figure of the Church defended the common cause his aduersaries a figure of here tâ—kes speaking some truthes mixed false thinges therwith S. Greg. li. 14. c. 1. :: Blessed Iob saith S. Gregorie li. 14. c. 16. 17 looking sincerly on his owne life saw that his affliction was greater then his sinnes deserued and in that respect was not equal yet it was iust for God being iust geueth a iust reward a crowne of iustice as S. Paul speaketh of himself 2. Tim. 4 :: Al refused holie Iob in his affliction euen those whom he had loued most who therfore ought most to haue loued him againe :: An expresse profession of his faith of the Resurrection :: VVe shal rise againe not as one tree riseth in place of an other but the self same persones changed in qualities not in substance The sixth conflict :: Al mans life is short and as a moment in comparison of eternitie but it is not alwayes true that thewiked are shortly punished in respect of this life as this disputer applieth it to proue Iob to impious Therfore Iob answereth in the next chapter â— 13. That ordinarily the wicked lead their dayes to witt their whole life in vvealth and then in a moment goe downe to hel So the rest of these mens assertions are for most part true in some sense but il applied :: Though he disputed with three men yet it was concerning diuine thinges not humaine but of Gods prouidence and iustice of the resurrection of eternal life and punishment :: See ch 20. v 5. :: The same word is in Hebrew Greke and Latin for hel as in the 7 and 17. chap. other places which sheweth that besides hel of the daÌ„ned the resting place also of holie fathers in the old Testament was called by the general name of hel * a riuer of hel The seuenth conflict :: In dede wheÌ„ a iust man hath donne his dutie he is vnprofitable to God but he is profitable to himself which greatly pleaseth God who desireth mans good and it redoundeth to Gods glorie that he hath such seruantes â—â—at 5. v. 17. :: After imputation of false crimes this 〈…〉 chargeth 〈…〉 also with 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 error of the Aegyptians that God hath no prouidence of men in this world Aristotel li. dâ— mundo textu 84. So some heretikes in their phrensic accuse Catholiques of condemned heresies :: VVhiles he expected some comforth of his freindes they stil afflicted him more and more chargeing him with falâ—â— crimes and so aggrauating his grief both of bodie and mind :: Therfore he appealeth to Gods iudgement seate for sentence :: Gods seruantes know that he wil punish wickednes but know not when the wicked presume that he wil neuer punish them :: Heretikes doing and teaching against their owne knowledge are afterward striken with blindnes that they can not see the truth S. Greg. li. 16. c. 26. :: Sinners running into both extremes of defect and excesse are likewise punished with contrarie tormentes :: Man by powre of free wil ofteÌ„ presumeth to spend the time in sinning which God granteth him to do penance for former sinnes Rom. 2. The eight conflict :: Iob answered before ch 9. yet blind
Iewes See page 12. n Gods benefites bestowed vpon Dauid and vpon faithful Christians prefigured by him are for euer to be praised by al peoples and nations Gods prouidence in suffering euil the 3. key a This Psalme was made vpon the same occasion and to the same purpose as the former b to exhorte the iust and innocent to patience c by Dauids memorable example d Few are so wicked but they speake and pretend iust thinges e but neither thincke wel f nor do wel but both contrarie which feaned sanctitie is duble iniquitie g These wicked sinners that flatter and incite king Saul seme to haue spent al their life from their infancie in malice h Their furie is vnquiet til they may wound the innocent with their poisonful sting i neither wil they harken to good admonitions but stoppe their eares like an aspe that layeth one eare close to the ground and stoppeth the other with his taile k But God wil breake their cruel force l though it semeth most strong and in superable m Gods iust determination of punishing the wicked stil remaineth bent and readie though execution be some while differred n That force and powre which is now inuincible hard and strong like a lions strongest teeth shal then be as impotent and soft as waxe o Gods wrath like fire the most forcible element shal fil vpon them and they shal be cast into vtter darkenes depriued of the sunne and al comfortable light p Before their malice can bring to effect the great mischieffes which they plotte and purpose God suddainly cutteth them of before they fully vnderstand of either sicknes or death casteth them as it were aliue into hel q The iust reioyce in the punishment of the wicked for three causes first in zele of iustice conforming his wil and mind to Gods iudgement secondly for that himselfe through Gods mercie hath escaped that terrible damnation thirdly for that he is now deliuered from molestation and continual tribulation r The iust seing or by faith knowing what punishment remaineth for the wicked is therby assured that the good shal reape fruict for his wel doing and that in the meane time God ruleth and iudgeth on the earth though as yet it appeareth not so euidently An other prayer of Dauid in danger the 8. key a King Saul hauing thrise attempted in vaine to kil Dauid 1. Reg. 18 v 11. c. 19. v. 9. sene some of his guard to feâ—ch him from his owne house that he might be slaine but God moued the mind of Michol to admonish him of the danger and to helpe him away in saftie though Saul thought she would haue bene a scandal vnto him or cause of ruine by the handes of the Philistians 1. Reg. 18. v. 21. Vpon which occasion Dauid made this Psalme As he also made others for perpetual memorie of Gods like benefites in deliuering him in iminent dangers VVhen Saul sent three troupes of serieants to kil him and solowed them himselfe 1. Reg. 19. v. 20 likevvise vvhen he vvas knovven and bevvrayed before Achis king of Geth 1. Reg. 21. also in Ceila in the deserts of Ziph and of Maon c. 23 in Engaddi c. 24. in Hachila c. 26. and againe amongst the Philistians c. 27. and 30. b They haue so straictly beseged me that it is now in their haudes to take away my life c Of my part I haue committed no sault against myn enimies for which they can haue aâ—ie iust cause to persecute me d The prophet soreseing in spirite that the Catholique Church shal be vniustly persecuted prayeth and teacheth others to pray that God wil mercifully visite his faithful people of al nations e and not spare obstinate persecuters f Persecuters laboring how much or how long soeuer shal at night that is in the end of al their wicked endeuoures be vnsatisfied in their desires g as hungrie dogges that runne hunting al the day night also stil seeking not finding wherwith to fil their rauenous mouthes and deuouring bellies h They threaten and determine to vse al crueltie i as if there were no God that heareth and wil punish it k Through Gods grace the Church is stil strong and the vertuous do perseuere l God suffereth afflictions to fal vpon his seruants to kepe them exercised lest in prosperitie they forgete their duties to him m Depriue them of powre that they may not do so much euil as they desire n After that their iniquitie is complete o they shal be accused and punished for their blasphemies and lies p As. v. 7. q They shal in vaine seeke oyle for their lampes with the foolish virgins repent with Iudas and finding no helpe r shal continually blaspheme in hel Å¿ In the resurrection King Dauids thankes for victories the 8. key a The change of state from aduersitie to prosperitie in the people of Israel was a figure of the like change in the Church of Christ b worthie to be remembred c for the instruction d of Gods beloued e as the same are more largely recorded in the bookes of kinges f God suffereth his people to be afflicted as wel for their sinnes as for exercise in vertue g after sheweth his mercie in pardoning and fauour in aduancing them h by punishiÌ„g sinners i VVarning them to ameÌ„d k and then restoreth them to former good state l God also as he hath promised by his holie oracle m hath aduanced king Dauid in his temporal kingdom and doth much more aduance him and other elect in euerlasting life n As a vessel for meaner vses o Bring it vnder my dominion p As God doth sometimes punish q so he also rewardeth r strongly with fortitude A confident prayer for Christs Incarnation the 5. k. â—y a In songues of praise and thankes to God b From al coastes of the earth faithful people pray to God c the Church builded vpon an assured fundation is exalted to great powre and dignitie d God conducteth defendeth and deliuereth those that confidently trust in him e in the Church a place of assured protection f Christâ— kingdome the Church perpetual to the end of this world and eternal after the general Resurrection g Who is able to vnderstand or explicate how great Christs mercie is in redeming vs h and his truth in performing his promised rewardes i For so imestimable benefites I wil alwayes praise thee with Psalmes Canticles or other thankes in this life k and eternally in the life to come Exhortation to good life in respect of reward or punishment the 7. key a Directed to Idithun one of the masters of musike to sing it or to make tune for it b The wicked threating to ruinate others Dauid or anie iust man feareth them not because his soule is subiect to God c Therfore I firmely purpose neuer to be moued from God d In vaine do you myn aduersaries stil assault me e though ye be al confederate to kil me f
are immaculate that walke in the law of God VVhere the holie Psalmist presupposeth that some can and do kepe the law of God and so are immaculate and blessed in the vvay of this life d Those that are immaculate are againe blessed by searching Gods testimonies that is his lavv testifying that the good shal be revvarded and the vvicked punished but searching these testimonies vvhiles one is contaminate vvith sinnes against Gods lavv maketh not blessed e neither doth euerie superficial careles search bring this blessing but searching vvith true affection of the hart f Contrarivvise they that vvorke iniquitie are not blessed g because they haue not vvalked in the vvayes of God to witte not kept his conmamdments and lavv vvhich are the vvay to happines h For mans ovvne good that he may come to true happines God hath most seriously commanded vs to kepe his commandments that is to obserue his Lavv commanded by most sufferaine diuine authoritie i Therfore the faithful seruant of God knovving his ovvne insufficiencie desireth that God by his grace vvil direct and streing then him k to kepe his lavv called Iustifications because therby man is made iust l They shal be safe from eternal confusion when they shal kepe not only part but al thy commandments because breach of â—nâ—e bringeth confusion m So shal I praise thee and render thankes n with sincere not fayned affection o for this great benefite that I haue lerned that thy law is according to most iust iudgement p I haue therfore a firme purpose do faithfully promise to kepe thy law which maketh the keper therof iust q Albeit thou suffer me sometimes to be in tribulation or in tentation yet forsake me not wholy The Psalmist knew wel saith S. Gregorie that he might be profitably leift a while who prayed that he should not be wholy forsaken li. 20. c. 21. Mer. a In this second Octonarie as also in al the rest the Holie Ghost by the prophets penne teacheth the meanes how to come to perfection happines Here by way of interrogation as it were demanding how a youngman that is euerie man prone to worldlie pleasure slow in Gods seruice shal beginne to correct his course b VVherto the same Holie Ghost answereth that he must kepe Gods law called here his wordes For al the wordes which God vttereth are lawes to his seruants * sermones c The Psalmist now speaketh in the person of perfect iust men or of the whole Church in general VVhose common spirite seeketh God intyrely d And considering that this perfect good wil is the gift of God prayeth that he wil conserue the same and not suffer it to be altered or to erre from his commandments e An other sincere profession of a resolute good purpose not to sinne * eloquia f A gratful aspiration praising God g Againe the iust prayeth to be more and more instructed in iustifications that which S. Iohn exhorteth vnto He that is iust let him yet be iustified Apoc. 22. h Gods law is also called his Iudgements because sitting in iudgement he geueth sentence according to his Law i As the iust professeth by mouth so he delighteth in hart k practiseth in worke l and diligently meditateth Gods law * sermones a O Lord liberally geue me that which I here craue b quicken me with spiritual life thy grace c so I shal kepe thy law which otherwise I can not * sermones d Illuminate myn vnderstanding by thy grace e that I may be able to see the meruelous great and iust reasons of thy law instructing al threatning the peruerse encoreging the wel disposed punishing the wicked rewarding the good doing right to al. f I that haue but a smal time in this world g desire to be instructed in thy law what is therein commanded h I consider that thou ô God dost sharply reproue the prowd contemners of thy commandments i laying curses vpon them for declining from thyn obedience k Though persecutors were very potent l yet the faithful seruant of God perseuered in his seruice m In time of persecution and tentation we must thincke and meditate that Gods law testifieth eternal revvard or punishment n and in our deliberation or consultation we must consider that keping Gods law maketh iust and consequently meriteth reward a This also is vttered in the person of the just who is often brought to great distresse as it were euen nere to death b in which case he confidently prayeth to be reliued according to Gods word law and promise c Being in so great anxietie that my minde is almost distracted or ouercome d I cal to thee ô God that thou wilt conserue me that I stil kepe thy law vttered by thy vvordes e Protect me that I fal not to iniquitie f And of thy'mercie conserue me in state of grace g Suffer me not to be confounded h Man is able and doth runne in the right vvay of Gods commandments i yet not of himselfe but vvhen God replenisheth his hart vvith grace a Impresse ô God thy lavv in myn affection make me to loue it and to desire to be iustified b so shal I hartely and alvvayes seeke it c After thou hast geuen me a desire to kepe thy lavv geue me also vnderstanding d then shal I fruictfully search it For this is the right order as before in the first and second verses first to loue Gods lavve to be iustified and to become immaculate and then to search to knovv the lavve and so it is more eâ—sily lerned e Gods grace first dravveth and leadeth f then freevvil inflamed vvith desire effectually concurreth g Stil the Prophet inculcateth the necessitie of Gods grace as vvel to make vs desire that is good h as to flee from euil i It is necessarie also to pray that God vvil take avvay occasions vvhich might moue to sinne k and stil to grant his helping grace in progresse of vertue l Againe the iust prayeth for confirmation in grace to be established in the feare of God * eloquiuÌ„ m To be deliuered also from al the effectes of former sinnes n for sinne is therfore reprochful and odious because it is contrarie to Gods lavv and true iudgements vvhich are most pleasant o Being thus affected vvith desire to kepe the commandments the soule prayeth to be stil quickned more and more vvith good spirite and so to perseuere to the end a Againe considering that vvithout Gods grace preuenting man can not do anie good thing the prophet renevveth his prayer requesting Gods mercie b and his helpe freely promised to al that aske it * eloquiuÌ„ c VVhervvith being assisted and streingthned he that before vvas vveake vvil boldly ansvver al calumniators that reprochfully say God wil not helpe him d that in dede he hath not in vaine trusted in Gods promised helpe * sermoâ—ibus e He also prayeth though he be sometimes fearful that God vvil not
The Angel prosecuting his speach to the prophet sheweth that he had prayed for the king of Persians from the first time after the ouerthrow of Babylon seing him vvel affected tovvards the levves as vvas also the next king Cyrus vvho in dede released them * Cambyses 1. Smerdes magus Darius Histaspis * Xerxes Alexander come to his height b Scarsely touching other successors of Alexander the holie scripture here prophecieth of the kinges of Aegypt on the south side of Iurie Syrians on the North by whose warres the Ievves were most molested c Euerie prophecie saith S. Irâ—n li. 4. c. 43 before it be fulfilled is aenigma a ridle or obscure proposition But vvhen it is past may more easily sometimes certainly be interpreted So by histories of things now past he gathereth very probably that by this king of the south vvas vnderstood â—â—olomeus sonne of Lagus king of Aegypt king of Aegypt king of Syria Isa 19. v. 19. d His sonne called Ptolomeus Philadelphus excelled his father in povvre and magnificence e This king of the North semeth to be Antiochus Theos king of Syria f Ptolomeus Euergetes king of Aegipt inuaded and spoyled Syria g Seleucus Ceraunus and Antiochus magnus sonnes of Seleucus callinicus shal raise nevv warres against Ptolomeus Philopator king of Aegypt but the elder brother being slaine in the way Antiochus shal prosecute the vvarre h He shal in uade and kilmanie but not preuaile i Manie Ievves deceiued by Onias fleeing into Aegypt shal erect a temple and sacrifice falsly auouching that they fulfil the prophecie of Isaie ch 19. v. 19. m Euen in the hotest persecution of Antiochus Nero or Antichrist some shal constantly confesse true religion k According to the historie al expositers vnderstand this of Antiochus Epiphanes who liued and died basely but mystically of Antichrist very potent glorious in this world yet shal haue base beginning and an ignominious end l This title Prince of the league or couenant perteyneth directly to Antichrist who wil ioyne himself vvith the Iewes pretending to obserue the law of Moyses and so they vvil receiue him as their Messias Ioan. 5. v. 43. S. Ireneus li. 5. c. 25. S. Ierom. alij n The God of povvre or strength either Iupiter the Grecians great god or their ovvne streingth vvherin Antiochus and Antichrist shal trust o His royal tabernacle or palace betvven the dead se a and the mediteranian a â— Michael the guardian Angel and protector of the Ievves in the old testament ch 10. v. 13. 21. now of the Church of Christ vvil defend the same against Antichrist nuisibly as the Ecclesiastical pastors shal do visibly b Al shal rise in bodie but al shal not be changed into better 1. Cor. 15 v. 51. * in the lavv of God c A glorious Aâ—reola or accidental revvard besides the essential be atitude shal be geâ—en to those that duly performe the office of pastors in teaching others as there is an other like to Martyrs and an other to Virgins d Daniels prophecie is shut and sealed not to be interpreted by humane vvitte but by the spirite of God vvhervvith the Church is illuminated taught gouerned moued viuificated S. Iero. in Gal. e A time ordinarily signifieth one yeare as ch 4. v. 13 so here is signified the space of three yeares and a halfe as ch 7 and Apo. 12. v. 14. c. f From the taking avvay of the daylie sacrifice and placing of abomination tovvite the practise of heresie to desolation that is abolishing so much as is possible the holie Sacrifice of Masse to the end of that persecution shal be 1290. dayes g VVhy 45. dayes are added to the former number is meruelous obscure neither may vve presume amongst diuers expositions to censure vvhich semeth most probable h But vve are content to goe avvay vvith Daniel v. 9. and 13. vvithout further searching the profound sense of so hiegh mysteries Mat. 24. Antichrists persecution shal not be long Ancient fathers vnderstand this terme to be three yeares and a halfe Agreably to other scriptures S Iren li. 5. cont heres 8. Ierom S. Theod. in hun lo S. Aug. li. 20. c. 23. ciuit S. Prim. S. Beda c. The 3. part Other histories not novv extant in Hebrevv a S. Athanasius in Synopsi reciteth this historie in the beginning of Daniel And S. Aug. ser 242. de tem supposeth that Daniel about the age of tvvelue yeares indued vvith the spirit of prophecie discouered the malicious falshood of them that accused Susanna b In the transmigration vvhich vvas made in the third yeare of Ioakim king of Iuda the Iewes were better entreated and had their ovvne iudicial tribunal other priuilegies vntil the captiuitie vvhich happened about 19 yeares after in the eleuenth yeare of Sedecias At which time they were brought into much more bondage c For more colour of iust proceding these vvicked men gaue their false testimonie sentence before the people d The people gaue their opinions that she deserued death but the false Iudges gaue sentence For so the forme of the lavv required vvhich they prerended to fulfil Leu. 20. Deut. 22. e Daniel by the gift of prophecie savv declared that she vvas innocent f VVheras therfore the people had consented to her death he denied his consent vndertooke to conuince the false vvitnesses as he did v. 54. 58. Iere. 22. v. 3. Exo. 23. v. 7. Deut. 19. v. 19. g By this first prophetical act Daniel begane vvorthely to be esteemed h This last verse of Astyages otherwise called Darius and of Cyrus succeeding him perteyneth to the ninth chapter And here mention is made of them to signifie that Daniel beginning to prophecie in his childhood continued euen to old age For betvven this historie of Susanna the death of Darius vvere about nintie yeares a It semeth most probable that this king vvas Euilmerodach who fauoured the Ievves deliuered Iechonias otherwise called Ioachin out of prison 4. Reg. 25. v. 17. Gen. 10. v 10. * amphorâ— b VVhich supposed Daniel vvas novv about the age of 55. yeares For being caried into Babylon at the age of tenne yeares vvas there 8. yeares before Ioachin who was there 37. yeares before he vvas deliuered from prison vvhich make in al. 55. c Not only the Babylonians as is manifest in manie places but also the Romanes and most nations worshipped Bel for a great god But it is more wonderful that both the Chaldees and the Romans otherwise most wise worshiped a serpent or dragon a beast naturally most hating men most abhorred by al men The cause of this blindnes can be no other but Gods iust punishment suffering them for their abominable pride and other sinnes to fal into so sotish conceites as to thinke that serpentes could either greatly benefite them or by such vvorshippe be appeased and cease from annoying them As Valerius vvriteth li. 1. c. 8. â— Augustin also li. 14
desire nor anie of the rest is in a mans owne powre as of himself so much as to thinke a good thought but Gods grace preuenteth sturreth men vp and continually assisteth in al good beginninges progresse and perseuerance as the same diuine auctor teacheth a litle before v. 14. wisdom preuenteth them that couete her that she first may shew herself vnto them Then to admitte or refuse is in their powre that haue good motions And therfore sinne is rightly imputed and damnation iustly inflicted vpon the wicked because as Nehemias 2. Esd 9. v. 17. testifieth of the vngratful people they would not heare And they hardened their neckes and gaue the head to returne to their seruitude as it were by contention or striuing against God through their owne free wil which appeareth here to remaine in sinners On the other side the same Nehemias in confidence of reward for good workes and of his voluntarie cooperating with Gods grace feared not to pray 2. Esd 5. v. 19 in these wordes Remember me my God to good according to al thinges which I haue done to this people Some men moreouer besides the commandments of the law voluntarily professed a peculiar state of holie life a plaine figure or rather an example of Euangelical counsels As in the former ages the Nazerites whose rule is prescribed Numeri 6. practised by Sampson Iudic. 13. and Samuel 1. Reg. 1. and the Rechabites Iere. 35. so in this last age next before Christ the Assideans or Esseni 1. Mach. 2. v. 42. of whom Iudas Machabeus in his time was head or captaine 2. Mach. 14. v. 6. Ieremie the prophet ch 16. v. 2. by Gods ordinance liued single vnmaried al the time of the captiuitie Thou shalt not take a wife and thou shalt not haue sonnes and daughters in this place to witte in Ierusalem Neither did he marie when he was afterwardes in Aegypt But of his owne accord remayned a virgin al his life as S. Ierom writeth li 1. aduers Iouinianum Prayers of Sainctes after they are departed from this world is wanifestly deduced of the sacred text lere 15. v. 1. of Moyses and Samuel not to be heard if they should pray for the people whom God had decreed to punish were consequently to be heard in some other case And more expresly 2. Mach. 15. v. 12. 14. is recorded that Onias and Ieremie did pray for al the people and for al the holie citie Reuerent estimation of Reliques and other holie thinges is manifest by the fact of the same Prophet Ieremie who by Gods ordinance 2. Mach. 2. v. 1. 5. hid the holie fire and the Tabernacle and the Arke the Altar of incense in a caue that they should not be prophaned by infidels ransaking Ierusalem and the temple Other holie ornaments also and vesseles were restored by the fauorable king Cyrus 1. Esd 1. v. 7. ch 8. v. 30. In figure also of the holie Crosse on which Christ was to redeme mankind those that mourned for the abominations in Ierusalem Ezec. 9. vvere signed in their foreheades vvith the letter Thau or T. and so were saued from the common slaughter of the vnsigned Prayer and Sacrifice for the dead is likewise clere 2. Mach. 12. v. 43. c. if either the text may be admitted for Canonical saying v. 46. It is a holie and healthful cogitation to pray for the dead or for good testimonie of Iudas fact being Highpriest and doing that which the whole Church practised and which the Iewes yet obserue to this day Of the General Resurrection is good testimnie in the same place v. 43. and 44. as the ground of Iudas his pietie towardos the dead wel and religiously thincking of the Resurrection For vnles he hoped that they which were slaine should rise againe it should seme superfluous and vaine to pray for the dead But seing he did beleue the Resurrection he did right wel and piously And seing the beleefe of resurrection is true it foloweth as this auctor inferreth that it is a holie thing to pray for the dead Malachie the last of the Prophetes in the last chapter foresheweth and describeth the General iudgement in the end of this world wherin the wicked hal be condemned and the iust eternally rewarded Which day shal come sayth he kindled as a surnace Al that do impietie dying in that state shal be stubble and that day shal in flame them And there shal rise to you that feare my name the Sunne of iustice and health in his winges or glorious beames healing and curing al body lie infirmities and defectes Before which day he foretelleth of two signes v. 5. The coming of Elias the Prophet and. v. 6. the conuersion of the Iewes to Christ And thus much may here suffice for particular pointes of religion in this age It resteth to view the state and gouernment of the Church in this time Which may be considered according to the foure Monarchies of heathen nations the Chaldees the Medes Persians the Grecians and the Romanes Vnder the Chaldees whose Emperial citie was Babylon they were in captiuitie seuentie yeares By the Medes and Persians for that Monarchie consisted of those two nations they were released from captiuitie with manie fauoures yet sometimes afflicted Vnder the Monarchie of the Grecians they were partly in extreme persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes and of other Grecian kinges and princes partly in warres for defence of Gods lawes Before and after which persecution and warres as wel vnder the Grecians as the Romans til Christs Passion the Church was for most part in peace yet some times afflicted But omitting manie intricate diffiâ—uliies about the times and reignes of sundrie heathen kinges it wil suffice our purpose to shew the general state of the Iewish nation with their owne particular gouerners spiritual and temporal with more or lesse fauour of forreine Princes First therfore concerning their estate in their captiuitie in Babylon we may here obserue Gods prouidence in that before the citie and temple of Ierusalem were destroyed and the whole nation made captiue Ioachin otherwise called Iechonias the sonne of Ioachaz who was also called Iechonias king of Iuda was transported into Babylon and his mother and manie other principal persons 4. Reg. 24. v. 15. Likewise Iosedech sonne of Saraias highpriest 1. Paral. 6. v. 15. was caried into Babylon And in the meane time Sedecias vncle to Ioachin reigned in Iuda who in the eleuenth yeare was taken and caried captiue into Babylon and there died Ioachin yet liuing in prison And Saraias the Highpriest with others was slayne in Rebla when Ierusalem was destroyed 4. Reg. 25. v. 18. 21. To whom Iosedech succeded in the highpriesthood So that both the issue of Dauid in the right line of our Sauiours genealogie and the Highpriest of Aarons stocke were in Babylon before the whole bodie of the nation was brought thither
This Iechonias or Ioachin remained in prison til the death of Nabuchodonosor the space of thirtie seuen yeares and was then deliuered by Euilmerodach and by him entertayned courteously as a prince 4. Reg. 25. v. 27. He maried there and had issue Salathiel and Salathiel hâ—d Zorobabel Who together with Iosue sonne of Iosedech highpriest Esdras Nehemias others recited 1. Esd 2. conducted the children of Israel from Babylon into their countrie There were also in a former transmigration Daniel and the other three children Ananias Misael Azarias of the royal or principal bloud in the third yeare of Ioakim otherwise called Eliacim sonne of Iosias 4. Reg. 23. v. 34 king of Iuda Dan. 1. v. 1. 6. These with others were caried â—s hostages into Babylon and brought vp more liberally Where seruing God sincerely abstayning from vnlawful meates were protected by God much also estemed and promoted in that place For Daniel about the age of twelue yeares conuinced the two wicked Iudges and deliuered Susanna from their cruel handes Dan. 13. And afterwardes for declaring and interpreting the kings dreame Dan. 2. and excellent wisdom and gift of prophecie was admired by al aduanced by the king but maligned by certaine enuious sorcerers and great men Wherby he was sometimes in great danger but stil deliuered by Gods powre protecting him Dan. 6. 14. The other three children were likewise aduanced Dan. 2. v. 49. and therfore by diuers enuied and for refusing to adore an idol set vp by Nabuchodonosor were cast into a hote burning furnace and there preserued Dan. 3. Ieremie who before this time begane to prophecie whiles he was a childe Iere. 1. continued in the time of captiuitie in Ierusalem and Iurie with much affliction and stil prophecying finally dyed in Aegypt Baruch his scribe and also a Prophete went sometimes into Babylon and returned into Iurie Baruch 1. instructing and exhorting the people Ezechiel was caried with king Iechonias and Iosedech into Babylon and there prophecied ch 1. v. 2. part of the same time with Daniel in great part the same thinges with Ieremie And during the captiuitie king Iechonias Iosedech the highpriest Ieremie Baruch Ezechiel prophetes innumerable others some Martyres and manie Confessors parted from this world But Daniel yet liued And in place of Iosedech Highpriest Iosue succeded and the progenie of king Iechonias continuing in Salathiel and Zorobabel the nation â—ad them and other eminent men with temporal dependence vpon forreine princes in the next Monarchie of the Medes and Persians For when Darius king of Medes had slaine Baâ—â—azar king of the Chaldees and so possessed Babylon with the whole countrie he brought the Monarchie to the Medes Persians Dan. 5. v. 31. and within the space of one yeare he dyed and Cyrus succeding granted leaue to al the Iewes to returne into Iurie and there to build vp their temple and citie of Ierusalem which Nabuchodonosor had destroyed At which time Daniel had his vision that Christ our Sauiour should come into the world within seuentie weekes of seuen yeares to the weke that is in foure hundred ninetie yeares after the perfect finishing of the temple and citie Dan. 9. v. 24. 25. But when they were so built againe that the wekes beganne to be counted is very obscure as it was the wil of God that the prophecie being certayne in itself should not be ouer clere to euerie mans vnderstanding but as likewise manie other prophecies shut and sealed Dan. 12. v. 6. 9. 13. In this time of the Medes and Persians Monarchie Mardocheus remayning in Chaldea after the relaxation had that vision in a dreame Esther 11. after which folowed the historie of him Quene Esther and wicked Aman with the danger and deliuerie of al the Iewes in those partes Some thinke it likewise probable that the historie of Iudith happened after the captiuitie though others suppose that it was in the time of Manasses king of Iuda which not being our purpose to discusse and decide we wil passe to thinges more certayne The prophetes Aggeus Zachatias nere twentie yeares after the relaxation earnestly exhorted the princes people to build vp the temple which had bene begunne and now was neglected vpon vaine feare thincking the time was not yet come of building the house of our Lord. Aggeus 1. v. 2. Wherupon the prophet reproueth them expostulating thus Why is it time for you to dwel in embowed houses and this house of our Lord desert And assureth them v. 10. that their ground should remaine barren and ch 2. v. 15. their sacrifices vngratful til they should build the temple promising moreouer that this new temple should be more glorious by Christs personal presence therin then the former temple built by Salomon But especially the Church of Christ presigured by the temple should farre excel the Synagoge of the old testament ch 2. v. 10. Great shal be the glorie of this last house more then of the first Which Zacharie confirmeth inuiting the Gentiles to come and the Iewes to returne into Christs Church ch 2. v. 6. O flee out of the land of the North sayth our Lord because into the foure windes of heauen haue I dispersed you v. 7. O Sion flee thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon And by diuers other visions and prophecies they forshew the conuersion of the Gentiles and reiection of the Iewes for their obduration but in the end they also shal be conuerted Malachie prophecied after the finishing of the temple exhorting al to offer their sacrifices with puritie of hart reprehending both priestes and people for not so doing ch 1. He also foresheweth the reiection of the Iewes calling of the Gentiles with the change of the old sacrifices and institution of a new farre more excellent and more effectual to be offered euerie where v. 10. 11. He concludeth his prophecie ch 4. foretelling the terrible day of Iudgement and life or death euerlasting These later prophetes yet liuing as Iosephus Eusehius Theodoretus and others testifie in their histories the Grecians obtained so great a Monarchie by king Alexander the Great of Macedo that being parted after his death amongst manie yet al were great kingdomes some longer some shorter time In the beginning wherof when king Alexander came to Ierusalem as Iosephus writeth li. 11. c. 8. Antiquit. Iaddus the highpriest going forth in his pontifical attyre to mete him the same king straightwayes fel downe at his feete with al reuerence And being demanded by his freindes the princes of his armie why he so much honored the highpriest he answered that he honored noâ— the man for himself but for his office and God in him who had appeared to him in slepe in that very habite and ornaments when he in Macedonia discoursed in his minde of making battel against the Persians promising him assured victorie Shortly