principal cause efficient of al good mens workes and men the secondarie cause of the same Moreouer Iobs singular patience and other vertues are likewise commended in other holie Scriptures by ancient Doctores Tobiae 2. God permitted tentation to happen vnto Tobias that example might be geuen to his folowers of his patience as of holie Iob S. Iames c. 5. exhorting to patience sayth You haue heard the suffering of Iob and you haue sene the end of our Lord. Tertullian li. de patientia admiring Iobs patience exclameth thus ô most happie man whom neither the driuing away of his flockes of catle nor consuming of the rest with â—ire nor the losse of his children nor terments of his bâ—diâ— could drive â—â—â—m patience but he stood immoueable in the seruice of God for example to vs that we fall not for anie wordlie damage losse of dearest friendes or corporal afflictions blessed be God by whose blessing we may now yâ—ô happie English Catholiques that patiently suffer the very same kindes of tribulation though not in so great a degree in our time S Cyprian li debâ—no patientie Iob examined proued by the vertue of patience was aduanced to the very height of prayse a rich lord in possession a more rich father in children sudainly was neither lord nor father was also most greuously afflicted in his flesh and that no tentation might be wanting the diuel armed his wife against him yet was he not moued but by victorious patience thanked God for al In like sorre other holie fathers for encoregement and consolation of the afflicted write much of holie Iobs inuincible patience Aboue al S. Gregorie our Apostle dilateth most excellently in thirtie and fine whole bookes describing proposing his so great vertues to be imitated by al Christianes first of al li. 1. c 5. obseruing how great a prayse it is to be good in such a place in the middes of a crooâ—ed and peruerse nation shining as a light in the vvorld dwelling in the gentiles vvhere vvas the seate of Satan a lillie amongst thornes 5 Offered holocaustes for euerie one Albeit the vertue of Sacrifice as wel of Holocaust in the old Testament as especially of Christs Sacrifice in the New is of infinite valure in it selfe yet the application therof to particular persons and purposes is limited and therfore holie Iob offered not only once for al his children but manie times seuerally for euerie one VVherof see Cardinal Allan li. 2 de Eucharist Sacrific c. 35. CHAP. II. Satan by Gods permission 7. striketh Iob with sâ—res from the sole of his foote to the toppe of his head 9. His wife also insulteth against him but he sinneth not 11. Three freindes coming to visite and conforte him sitte siâ—â—nâ— by him seuen dayes AND it came to passe when on a certaine day the sonnes of God were come and stood before our Lord and Satan came among them and stood in his sight †that our Lord sayd to Satan From whence comest thou who answering sayd I haue gone round about the earth and walked through it †And our Lord sayd to Satan Hast thou considered my seruant Iob that there is not the like to him in the earth a man simple and right and fearing God and departing from euil and yet reteyning innocencie But thou hast moued me against him that I should afflict him in vaine †To whom Satan answering said Skinne for skinne al thinges that a man hath he wil geue for his life †otherwise put thy hand and touch his bone and flesh and then shalt thou see that he wil blesse thee in the â—ace †Our Lord therfore sayd to Satan Behold he is in thy hand but yet saue his life †Satan therfore going out from the face of our Lord stroke Iob with a verie sore boile from the sole of the foote euen to the toppe of his head †who with a shel scraped the corruption sitting on a dunghil †And his wife sayd to him Doest thou yet continue in thy simplicitie blesse God and die †Who sayd to her Thou hast spoken like one of the foolish wemen if we haue receiued good things of the hand of God euil thinges why should we not receiue In al these things Iob sinned not with his lippes †Therfore “ Iobs three frendes hearing al the euil that had changed to him came euerie one out of their place Elephaz a Themanite and Baldad a Suhite and Sophar a Naamathite For they had appointed that coming together they would visite him and confort him †And when they had lifted vp their eies a far of they knew him not and crying out they wept and renting their clothes sprinkled dust ouer their head toward heauen †And they sate with him on the ground seuen daies and seuen nightes and no man spake to him a word for they saw the payne to be vehement ANNNOTATIONS CHAP. II. 11. Iobs three freindes For better intelligence of these conflictes betwen holie Iob and his freindes it may here be obserued that they were in dede his freindes as the text simply calleth them that they beleued rightly in God Almightie and were not idolaters that they came of freindly good affection to comforth him though they fel into vvordes of reprouing him as S. Gregorie teacheth they alleaged also manie excellent diuine sentences very truly which therfore Iob reproued not But they erred in their illations against Iob and that of ignorance rather then of sette malice concluding that Iob was guiltie of some enormious sinnes because they saw him so greuously punished and heard him complaine therof his owne conscience knowen to him and hid to them wherof they rashly iudged testifying that he was innocent in respect of so great crimes And in this their particular error though they were not heretikes being not obstinate after that the truth was sufficiently reueled vnto them yet they prefigured heretikes endeuouring by one truth to destroy an other and by arrogating knowlege which they had not promising also â—evv thinges vnheard of rather to drovv others to admire them then to edification CHAP. III. Iob lamenteth describing his owne and the general calamities of man 13. and shearing hoâ—â—â— theâ— escape manie miseries which either are neuer bornt or dye presently after their birth AFTER these things Iob opened his mouth and cursed his day †and spake †Perish may the day wherin I was borne and the night wherin it was sayd A man is concâ—â—â—ed †Be that day turned into darkenesse God require it not from aboue and let it not be lightened with light †Let darkenes and the shadow of death obscure it let a mist possesse it and be it wrapped in bitternesse †A darkesome hurle wind possesse that night be it not counted in the daâ—es of the yeare not numbred in the monethes †Be that night 〈◊〉 not prayse worthie †Let them curse it which
shal pay thy vowes †Thou shalt decree a thing and it shal come to thee and light shal shine in thy waies †For who wil be humbled shal be in glorie and he that wil bow downe his eies he shal be saued †The innocent shal be saued but he shal be saued in the cleannesse of his handes CHAP. XXIII Iob expecteth helpe and sentence of God 6. with iust feare yet with good conscience maintaineth his owne innocencie BVT Iob answering sayd †Now also my talke is in bitternesse and the hand of my plague is aggrauated vpon m◠mourning †Who wil grant me that I may know and find him and come euen to his throne †I wil set iudgement before him and wil fil my mouth with accusations †That I may know the wordes that he wil answer me and vnderstand what he wil speake to me †I wil not that he contend with me with much strength nor that he oppresse me with the weight of his greatnes †Let him propose equitie against me and my iudgement shal come to victorie †If I shal goe to the East he appeareth not if to the West I shal not vnderstand him †If to the left hand what shal I doe I shal not apprehend him if I turne my self to the right hand I shal not see him †But he knoweth my way hath proued me as gold that passeth through the fyre †My foote hath folowed his steppes I haue kept his way haue not declined out if it †From the commandementes of his lippes I haue not departed and I haue hid the wordes of his mouth in my bosome †For he is alone and no man can turne away his cogitation and whatsoeuer his soule would that hath he done †And when he shal haue fulfilled his wil in me manie other things also are at hand wit him †And therfore I am trubled at his face and considering him I am made pensife withfeare †God hath mollified my hart and the Omnipotent hath trubled me †For I haue not perished because of the imminent darkenesse neither hath the mist couered my face CHAP. XXIIII God in his prouidence knoweth when he wil punish the wicked which his true seruantes know not much lesse the impious TIMES are not hid from the Omnipotent but they that know him know not his daies †Some haue transferred boundes spoiled flockes fed them †They haue driuen away theasse of pupilles haue taken away the widowes oxe for a pledge †They haue subuerted the way of the poore and haue oppressed together the meeke of the earth †Others as wilde asses in the deserte goe forth to their worke watching to the praye doe prepare bread for their children †They reape the filde that is not theirs and gather the grapes of his vineyard whom by violence they haue oppressed †They send men away naked taking away their clothes which haue no couering in the cold †Whom the showers of the mountaynes doe wash and not hauing a couert they embrace stones †They did violence spoyling the pupilles and the common poore people they spoyled †From the naked and them that goe without clothing and the hungrie they haue taken away the eares of corne †They haue rested the noone-tide among their heapes which hauing troden the wine presses are a thirst †Out of the cities they haue made men to mourne and the soule of the wounded hath cryed and God doth not suffer it to passe vnreuenged †They haue bene rebellious to the light they haue not knowen his wayes neither did they returne by his pathes †At the verie breake of day the murderer ryseth he killeth the needie and the poore man but by night he wil be as a theefe †The eie of the aduouterer obserueth darkenesse saying Eie shal not see me and he wil couer his face †He diggeth through houses in the darke as in the day they had oppoynted with them selues and they haue not knowen the light †If sodenly the morning shal appeare they thinke it the shadow of death and they walke so in darkenesse as it were in light †He is light aboue the face of the water cursed be his portion in the earth neither walke he by the way of the vineyardes †Let him passe from snowe waters to exceding heate and his sinne euen vnto hel †Let mercie forget him wormes his sweetnes be he not in remembrance but be he broken in peeces as an vnfruitful tree †For he hath fedd the barren and her that bareth not and to the widow he hath not done good †He hath pulled downe the strong in his strength and when he shal stand he wil not credit his life †God hath geuen him place for penance and he abuseth it vnto pride but his eies be vpon his waies †They are eleuated for a litle and shal not stand and shal be humbled as al thinges and shal be taken away and as the toppes of the eares of corne they shal be broken †And if it be not so who can reproue me that I haue lied and set my wordes before God CHAP. XXV Baldad endeuoreth againe to terrifie Iob with Gods iudgement from appealing therto and from auouching his owne innocencie BVT Baldad the Suhite answering sayd †Power and terrour is with him that maketh concord in his high ones †Is there anie number of his souldiars and vpon whom shal not his light arise †can man be iustified compared with God or the borne of a woman appeare cleane †Behold the moone also doth not shine and the starres are not cleane in his sight †How much more man rottennes the some of man a worme CHAP. XXVI Iob refuteth his aduersariese needles and common argumentes by more sound discoursing of Gods powre and wisdome BVT Iob answering sayd †whose helper art thou his that is weake and doest thou hold vp the arme of him that is not strong †To whom hast thou geuen counsel perhaps to him that hath not wisdom and thy prudence hast thou shewed very great †Whom wouldest thou teach not him that made breath †Behold the gyantes grone vnder the waters and they that dwel with them †Hel is naked before him and there is no couert to perdition †Who stretcheth out the northwind ouer the vacant and hangeth the earth vpon nothing †Who bindeth the waters in his cloudes that they breake not forth together downeward †Who holdeth the countenance of his throne and spreddeth his clowde ouet it †He hath made a limite about the waters til light darkenes be ended †The pillers of heauen tremble and dread at his beck †In his strength sodenly the seas are gathered together and with his wisdom he stroke the proud man †His spirite hath adorned the heauens and his hand being the midwife the winding serpent is brought forth †Loe
folowed him †And he expected seuen daies according to the appointment of Samuel and Samuel came not into Galgal and the people slipt away from him †Saul therfore said Bring me the holocauste and the pacifiques And he offered the holocauste †And when he had finished offering the holocauste behold Samuel came and Saul went forth to mete him salute him †And Samuel spake to him What hast thou done Saul answered Because I sawe that the people slipt from me and thou wast not come according to the dayes appointed moreouer the Philisthijms were gathered together into Machmas †I said Now wil the Philisthijms come downe to me into Galgal I haue not pacified the face of our Lord. Compelled by necessitie I offered the holocauste †And Samuel said to Saul Thou hast done folishly neither hast thou kept the commandementes of our Lord thy God which he commanded thee Which if thou hadst not done euen now had our Lord prepared thy kingdom ouer Israel for euer †but thy kingdom shal no farder arise Our Lord hath sought him a man according to his hart and him hath our Lord commanded to be prince ouer his people because thou hast not obserued the thinges which our Lord commanded †And Samuel arose and went vp from Galgal into Gabaa of Beniamin And numbered the people which were found with him as it were six hundred men †And Saul and Ionathas his sonne and the people that were found with them was in Gabaa of Beniamin moreouer the Philisthijms had pitched in Machmas †And there issued forth to praye from the campe of the Philisthians three companies One compaine went on against the way of Ephra to the Land of Saul †Moreouer an other went by the way of Bethhoron the third had turned it self to the way of the border in the valley Seboim against the desert †Moreouer there was not found an yron smith in al the Land of Israel for the Philisthijms had so prouided lest perhaps the Hebrewes should make sword or speare †Al Israel therefore went downe to the Philisthijms that euerie man might whette his plough culter and spade axe and take †Therefore the edges of the shares and spades forkes with three teeth and axes were blunt euen to the godeprick which was to be mended †And when the day was come to fight there was not found sword and speare in the hand of al the people that was with Saul and Ionathas except Saul and Ionathas his sonne †And the station of the Philistijms went forth to passe vp into Machmas CHAP. XIIII Ionathas trusting in God accompained with one man his father not knowing goeth into the Philisthijms campe killeth twentie men and trubleth their whole armie 16. Saul vnderstanding the same approcheth with his armie and they gette a great victorie 24. But Saul hauing commanded vnder paine of death that none should eate til night Ionathas for taisting a litle honie though ignorant of the prohibition is iudged to die 45. But the people oppose themselues and deliuer him from death 47. Saul prospereth in his kingdom with his samilie AND it chanced on a certeine day that Ionathas the sonne of Saul sayd to the yong man that bare his armour Come let vs passe to the garison of the Philisthijms which is beyond yonder place But to his father he told not this same thing †Moreouer Saul abode in the vtmost part of Gabaa vnder the pomegranate tree which was in Magron and the people with him was about six hundred men †And Achias the sonne of Achitob the brother of Ichabod the sonne of Phinees which was borne of Heli the priest of our Lord in Silo bare the ephod But the people also was ignorant whither Ionathas was gone †And there were betwen the ascentes by the which Ionathas endeuoured to passe vnto the garison of the Philistijms rockes standing vp on both sides and as it were in maner of teeth stiepe broken rockes on either side the name of one Boses and the name of the other Sene †one rocke standing out toward the North ouer against Machmas and the other to the South against Gabaa †And Ionathas sayd to the yong man that bare his armour Come let vs passe to the station of these vncircumcised if haply our Lord wil make for vs because it is not hard for our Lord to saue either in manie or in fewe †And his esquier sayd to him Doe al thinges which please thy minde goe whither thou desirest and I wil be with thee wheresoeuer thou wilt †And Ionathas sayd Behold we passe to these men And when we shal appeare to them †If they shal speake to vs in this maner Tarie til we come to you let vs stand in our place and not goe vp to them †But if they shal say Come vp to vs let vs goe vp because our Lord hath deliuered them in our handes this shal be a signe vnto vs. †Both of them therefore appeared to the station of the Philisthims the Philistijms sayd Behold the Hebrewes come out of the caues wherein they were hid †And the men of the garnison spake to Ionathas and to his esquier and sayd Come vp to vs and we wil shew you a thing And Ionathas sayd to his esquier Let vs goe vp folow me for our Lord hath deliuered them into the handes of Israel †And Ionathas went vp on his handes feete creeping and his esquier after him Therefore some fel before Ionathas other some his esquier folowing slewe †And the first slaughter with which Ionathas his esquier made was as it were of twentie men in the halfe part of an aker which a yoke of oxen is wont to plough in a day †And there was made a miracle in the campe through the fieldes yea and al the people of their garrison which had gone to take prayes was astonyed and the land was trubled and it happened as a miracle from God †And the watchemen of Saul which were in Gabaa of Beniamin looked loe a multitude ouerthrowen fleeing hither and thither †And Saul sayd to the people which was with him Enquire and see who is gone from vs. And when they had sought it was found that Ionathas was not present and his esquier †And Saul sayd to Achias Bring the arke of our Lord. for the arke of God was there that day with the children of Israel †And when Saul spake to the priest there arose a great tumult in the campe of the Philistijmes and it grewe by litle and litle and sounded more cleerely And Saul sayd to the priest Draw together thy hand †Saul therefore and al the people that was with him shouted together and they came to the place of the fight and behold euerie mans sword had beene turned to his neighbour and a slaughter exceding great †But the Hebrewes also which had bene with the Philistijms
shortly after the king sent new letters for the Iewes saftie geuing them leaue to kil whom soeuer they would of their enemies ch 8. v. â— 11 Eightly the same day which was designed for destruction was made the day of ioy and exultation to the children of God ch 9. v. 1. 17 ch 16. v. 21. c. By which literal sense Gods meruelous prouidence is manifestly shewed neuer suffering his church to perish It hath moreouer two special mystical senses First as saftie of temporal life was procured to one nation by Esthers intercession to king Assuerus so general saluation is procured to al mankind by mediation of the blessed virgin Marie crushing the serpents head and the sentence of death is changed by new letters granting euerlasting life and glorie to al Gods true seruantes Esther also as likewise Iudith in figure of the Church saith S. Ierom Prologo in Sophon killed the aduersaries and deliuered Israel from danger of perishing CHAP. X. Assuerus subdueth manie countries 4. Mardocheus vnderstandeth and declareth his dreame 9. God separateth his people from other nations by a better lotte BVT king Assuerus made al the earth and al the ilandes of the sea tributaries †Whose strength and empire and the dignitie and highnesse wherewith he exalted Mardocheus are written in the bookes of the Medes and of the Persians †and how Mardocheus of the Iewes kinred was second after king Assuerus and great with the Iewes and acceptable to the people of his bretheren seking good to his people and speaking those things which pertayned to the good of his seede That which is in the Hebrew I haue expressed most faithfully And these things that folow I found written in the common edition which are conteyned in the greeke tongue and leetters and in the meane time this chapter was extant after the end of the booke which according to our custome we haue marked with an Obelus before it that is to say a broch †And Mardocheus said These things are done of God †I remember the dreame that I saw signifying these verie things neither was any of them frustrate †The litle fountayne which grew into a riuer and was turned into light and into the sunne and abounded into manie waters is Esther whom the king tooke to wife and made her to be queene †But the two dragons I am and Aman. †The nations that were assembled are they that endeuoured to destroy the name of the Iewes †And my nation is Israel which cried to our Lord and our Lord hath saued his people and he hath deliuered vs from al euils and hath done great signes and wonders among the nations †and he commanded that there should be two lottes one of the people of God and the other of al Nations †And both lottes are come to the day appointed euen now from that time before God to al nations †and our Lord hath remembred his people and hath had mercie on his inheritance †And these daies shal be obserued in the moneth of Adar the fourtenth and fistenth day of the same moneth with al diligence and ioy of the people gathered into one assemblie through out al the generations hereafter of the people of Israel CHAP. XI An Appendix and conclusion of this historie 2. The dreame of Mardocheus IN the fourth yeare when Ptolomee and Cleopatra reigned Dositheus which named himself a Priest and of the Leuitical kinred and Ptolomee his sonne brought this epistle of Phurim which they sayd Lysimachus the sonne of Ptolomee did interprete in Ierusalem This beginning was in the common edition which is neither extant in Hebrew nor with any of the interpreters †In the second yeare when Artaxerxes the greatest reigned in the first day of the moneth Nisan Mardocheus the sonne of Iairi the sonne of Semei the sonne of Cis of the tribe of Beniamin †A Iew which dwelt in the citie of Susan a great man and among the first of the kings court saw a dreame †And he was of that number of captiues whom Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon had transported from Ierusalem with Ieconias the king of Iuda †and this was his dreame Theâ—e appeared voices and tumultes and thunders and earth quakes and pertuibation vpon the earth †and behold two great dragons prepared one against an other into battel †At whose crie al nations were raysed vppe to fight against the nation of the iust †And that was a day of darkenesse and danger of tribulation and distresse and great feare vpon the earth †And the nation of the iust fearing their euils was trubled and prepared to death †And they cried to God and they crying a litle fountayne grew into a verie great riuer and abounded into verie manie waters †Light and sunne arose and the humble were exalted and they deuoured the glorious †Which when Mardocheus had seene and risen out of his bed he mused what God would doe and he had it fixed in his mind desirous to know what the dreame should signifie CHAP. XII The conspiracie of two eunuches detected by Mardocheus is repeted 6. and Amans malice against him for the same AND he abode that time in the kings court with Bagatha and Thara the kings eunuches which were porters of the palace †And when he vnderstood their cogitations and had throughly seene their cares he learned that they went about to lay hands on king Artaxerxes and he told the king therof †Who hauing them both in examination when they had confesssd he commanded them to be led to death †But the king wrote that which was done in the comentaries and Mardocheus also committed the memorie of the thing to wriring †And the king commanded him that he should abide in the court of the palace geuing him giftes for the delation †But Aman the sonne of Amadathi the Bugeite was most glorious before the king and would hurt Mardocheus and his people for the two eunuches of the king which were put to death Hitherto the proeme That which foloweth was set in that place where it is written in the volum And should spoyle their goodes VVhich we found in the common edition only CHAP. XIII Acopie of the epistle which Aman sent to al prouinces to destroy the Iewâ—â— 8. And Mardocheus his prayer for the people AND this was the copie of the letter The most great king Artaxerxes from India vnto Aethiopia to the princes of an hundred and seuen and twentie prouinces and to the captaynes that are subiect to his empire greeting †Wheras I reigned ouer manie nations and had subdewed al the world to my dominion I would noâ— abuse the greatnes of my might but with clemencie and lenitie gouerne my subiectes that passing their life quietly without any terrour they might enioy peace wished of al men †But when I demanded of my counselers how this might
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 at the tribulation of the sinner Because they haue wrested iniquities vpon me in anger they were trublesome to me †My hart is trubled in me and the feare of death is falne vpon me †Feare and trembling are come vpon me and darkenes hath couered me †And I said Who wil geue me wings as of a doue and I wil fly and rest †Loe I haue gone far flying away and I abode in the wildernes †I expected him that saued me from pusillanimitie of spirit and tempest †Precipitate ô Lord and diuide their tongues because I haue sene iniquitie and contradiction in the citie †Day and night shal iniquitie compasse it vpon the walles therof and labour in the middest therof and iniustice †And there hath not ceased out of the streetes therof vsurie and guile †For if myne enimie had spoken euil to me I would verely haue borne it And if he that hated me had spoken great thinges vpon me I would perhaps haue hid myselfe from him †But thou a man of the same minde my guide and my familiar †Which diddest take swete meats together with me in the house of God we walked with consent †Let death come vpon them and let them goe downe quicke into hel Because there is wickednes in their habitations in the middes of them †But I haue cried to God and our Lord wil saue me †In the euening and morning at midday I wil speake and declare and he wil heare my voice †He wil redeme my soule in peace from them that approch to me because among manie they were with me †God wil heare and he which is before the worldes wil humble them †For there is no change with them they feared not God he hath streached forth his hand in repaying †They haue contaminated his testament they are diuided by the wrath of his countenance and his hart hath approched His wordes are made softer then oile and the same are dartes †Cast thy care vpon our Lord and he wil nourish thee he wil not geue fluctuation to the iust for euer †But thou ô God wilt bring them downe into the pitte of destruction Bloudy and deceitful men shal not liue halfe their daies but I wil hope in thee ô Lord. PSALME LV. Dauid being in danger before Achis king of Geth confidently implereth Gods helpe against the great malice and powre of his enimies 8. foretheweth their ruine his owne exaltation 12. and offereth praises and thankes Vnto the end for a people that is made far from the Sainctes Dauid in the inscription of the title when the foreners held him in Geth 1. Reg. 12. v. 12. HAVE mercie on me ô God because man hath troden vpon me al the day impugning he hath afflicted me Myne enimies haue troden vpon me al the day because they are manie that warre against me †From the height of the day I shal feare but I wil trust in thee In God I wil praise my wordes in God haue I hoped I wil not feare what flesh may do to me †Al the day did they detest my wordes against me al their cogitations are vnto euil †They wil inhabite and keepe secret they wil obserue my heele As they haue expected my soule †for nothing shalt thou saue them in wrath thou wilt breake peoples O God †I haue shewed my life to thee thou hast set my teares in thy sight As also in thy promise †then shal mine enemies be turned backeward In what day soeuer I shal inuocate thee loe I haue knowne that thou art my God †In God I wil praise the word in our Lord wil I praise thee saying I haue hoped in God I wil not feare what man can do to me †In me ô God are thy vowes which I wil render praises to thee †Because thou hast deliuered my soule from death and my feete from falling that I may please before God in the light of the liuing PSALME LVI The Prophet prayeth in tribulation 4. testifieth Gods helpe 6. praiseth his greatnes 8. promising and inuiting al nations to praise him Vnto the end destroy not to Dauid in the inscription of the title when he fled from the face of Saul into the caue HAVE mercie on me ô God haue mercie on me because my soule hath trusted in thee And I wil hope in the shadow of thy winges vntil iniquitie passe †I wil crie to God the highest God that hath done me good †He sent from heauen and deliuered me he hath geuen into reproche them that trode vpon me God hath sent his mercie and his truth †and hath deliuered my soule out of the middes of Lions whelpes I slept trubled The sonnes of men their teeth are weapons and arrowes and their tongue a sharpe sword †Be exalted aboue the heauens ô God and thy glorie vpon al the earth †They prepared a snare for my feete and bowed downe my soule They digged a pit before my face and they are falne into it †My hart is readie ô God my hart is readie I wil sing and say a Psalme †Arise my glorie arise psalter and harpe I wil arise early †I wil confesse to thee among peoples ô Lord and I wil say a Psalme to thee among the Gentiles †Because thy mercie is magnified euen to the heauens and thy truth euen to the cloudes †Be axalted aboue the heauens ô God and thy glorie vpon al the earth PSALME LVII Holie Dauid inueigheth against dissembling wicked men 7. describeth their manifold punishment 11. wherin the iust shal be comforted †Vnto the end destroy not to Dauid in the inscription of the title IF in very dede you speake iustice iudge right thinges ye sonnes of men For in the hart you worke iniquities in the earth your handes forge iniustice †Sinners are alienated from the matrice they haue erred from the wombe they haue spoken false thinges †They haue furie according to the similitude of a serpent as of the aspe that is deafe and stoppeth his eares †Which wil not heare the voice of the inchanters and of the sorcerer inchanting wisely †God shal breake their teeth in their mouth the checke tooth of the lions our Lord wil breake in peeces †They shal come to nothing as water running downe he hath bent his bow til they be weakened †As waxe that melteth shal they be taken away fyre hath falne on them and they haue not seene
†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
wil haue pittie vpon the inchanter stricking of a serpent or of anie that come nere to beastes so also he that kepeth companie with a wicked man and is wrapped in his sinnes †For one houre he wil tarie with thee but if thou decline he wil not abide it †In his lippes the enimie speaketh swetely and in his hart he lyeth in wayte that he may ouerthrow thee into the pitte †In his eyes the enimie weepeth and if he may finde a time he wil not be satisfied with bloud †and if euils happen to thee thou shalt finde him there first †In his eyes the enimie weepeth and as it were helping thee he wil vndermine thy feete †He wil shake his head and clappe his hand and whispering manie thinges he wil change his countenance CHAP. XIII Conuersation with the proud rich and potent is dangerous 9. Relie vpon Gods helpe 11. Beware of pusillanimitie of presumption 19. A meane is necessarie and the companie of equals is most secure HE that toucheth pitch shal be defiled with it and he that communicateth with the proud shal put on pride †He shal take a burden vpon him that communicateth with one more honorable then himself And be not companion with one richer then thyself †What societie shal the caudron haue with the earthen potte for when they shal knock one against the other it shal be broken †The rich man hath done vniustly and he wil fume but the poore man being hurt wil hold his peace †If thou geue he wil take thee and if thou haue not he wil forsake thee †If thou haue he wil liue with thee and wil emptie thee and he wil not be sorie for thee †If thou be necessarie for him he wil supplant thee and smiling wil put thee in hope telling thee good thinges and wil say What wantest thou †And he wil confound thee in his meates til he emptie thee twise thrise and at the last he wil mocke thee and afterward seeing he wil forsake thee and wil shake his head at thee †Humble thyself to God and expect his handes †Take heede lest seduced into follie thou be humbled †Be not humble in thy wisdom lest hmbled thou be seduced into follie †Being called of the mightier depart for by this he wil cal thee the more †Be not importune lest thou be reiected and be not farre from him lest thou goe into obliuion †Stay not to speake felowlike with him neither credite his manie wordes For by much talke he wil proue thee and smiling wil examine thee of thy secretes †His cruel mind wil kepe thy wordes and he wil not spare for malice and for bandes †Take heede to thyself and attend diligently to thyn hearing because thou walkest with thy subuersion †But hearing those thinges see as it were in sleepe and thou shalt watch †Loue God al thy life and inuocate him for thy saluation †Euerie beast loueth the like to it self so also euerie man the nerest to himself †Al flesh wil match with the like to itself and euerie man wil associate himself to his like †If the woolfshal at anie time communicate with the lambe so the sinner with the iust †What fellowshippe hath an holy man with a dogge or what part hath the riche with the poore †The wilde asse in the deserte is the lyons pray so the poore are also the pastures of the riche †And as humilitie is abomination to the proude so also the poore man is the execration of the riche †The riche man being moued is confirmed by his frendes but the humble when he is fallen shal be thrust out euen of his familiars †To the rich deceeued there are many recouerers he hath spoken proud wordes and they haue iustified him †The humble was deceiued he moreouer is rebuked also he hath spoken wisely and place was not geuen vnto him †The rich man spake and al helde their peace and they wil carry his worde euen to the cloudes †The poore man spake and they say Who is this and if he stumble they wil ouerthrowe him †Substance is good to him that hath no sinne in his conscience and pouertie is most wicked in the mouth of the impious †The hart of a man altereth his countenance either into good or into euil †The token of a good hart and a good countenance thou shalt hardly finde and with labour CHAP. XIIII Offence of the tongue is a frequent and dangerous sinne 3. Riches are hurtful to a couetous and to an enuious mind 11. workes of mercie necessarie 22. and perseuerance in wisdom BLESSED is the man that hath not offended in a worde out of his mouth and is not pricked with the sorrow of sinne †Happie is he that hath not had heauines of his minde and hath not fallen from his hope †Substance is without reason to the couetous man and niggard and for the spiteful enuious man to what purpose is gold †He that heapeth together from his hart vniustly gathereth for others and in his goodes an other wil kepe riote †He that is wicked to himselfe to what other man wil he be good and he shal haue no pleasure in his goodes †He that enuieth himselfe nothing is worse then he and this is the reward of his malice †and if he doe good he doth yt ignorantly and not willing and at the last he manifesteth his malice †The eye of the enuious is wicked and turneth away his face and despiseth his owne soule †The eye of the couteous man insatiable in a portion of iniquitie wil not be satisfied til he consume his owne soule withering it †An euil eye is towards euil thinges he shal haue his fil of bread needie in heauines shal he be at his table †Sonne if thou haue it doe good to thyselfe and offer to God worthie oblations †Be mindful that death slacketh not and that the couenant of hel hath beene shewed thee for the couenant of this world shal dye the death †Before death do good to thy freind and according to thine abilitie stretching out thy hand geue to the poore †Be not defrauded of thy good day and let not a litle portion of a good gift ouerpasse the. †Shalt thou not leaue to others thy sorrowes labours in the deuision of the lotte †Geue and take and iustifie thy soule †Before thy death worke iustice for in hel there can not meat be found †Al flesh shal waxe olde as grasse and as the leafe fructifying on a greene tree †Some grow and some are shaken of so the generation of flesh and bloude one is ended and an other is borne †Al corruptible worke shal faile in the end and he that worketh it shal goe therwith †And euerie excellent worke shal be iustified and he that
hath wept in the night and her teares are on her cheekes there is none to comfort her of al her deare ones al her freindes haue despised her and are become her enimies Iudas is gone into transmigration because of affliction and the multitude of bondage she hath dwelt among the Gentiles neither hath she found rest al her persecuters haue apprehended her within the straites The waies of Sion mourne because there are none that come to the solemnitie al her gates are destroyed her priestes sighing her virgins lothsome and herself is oppressed with bitternes Her aduersaries are made in the head her enemies are enriched because our Lord hath spoken vpon her for the multitude of her iniquities her litle ones are led into captiuitie before the face of the afflicter And from the daughter of Sion al her beautie is departed her princes are become as rammes not fynding pastures and they are gone without strength before the face of the pursewer Ierusalem hath remembred the dayes of her affliction and preuarication of al her thinges worthie to be desyred which she had from the daies of old when her people fel in the enimies hand and there was no helper the enemies haue sene her and haue scorned her sabbathes Ierusalem hath sinned a sinne therfore is she made vnstable al that did glorifie her haue despised her because they haue sene her ignominie but she sighing is turned backward Her filthines is on her feete neither hath she remembred her end she is pulled downe excedingly not hauing a comforter see ô Lord mine affliction because the enemie is exalted The enimie hath thrust his hand to al her thinges worthie to be desyred because she hath sene the Gentiles enter into her sanctuarie of whom thou gauest commandment that they should not enter into thy church Al her people sighing and seeking bread they haue geuen al precious thinges for meate to refresh the soule see ô Lord and consider because I am become vyle O al ye that passe by the way attend and see if there be sorow like to my sorow because he hath made vintage of me as our Lord hath spoken in the day of the wrath of his furie From on high he hath cast a fyre in my bones and hath taught me he hath spred a net for my feete he hath turned me backward he hath made me desolate al the day consumed with sorow The yoke of mine iniquities hath watched they are folded together in his hand and put vpon my necke my strength is weakened our Lord hath geuen me into the hand from which I can not rise Our Lord hath taken away al my magnifical ones out of the middes of me he hath called a time against me to destroy mine elect our Lord hath troden the winepresse to the virgin the daughter of Iuda Therfore am I weeping and mine eye shedding teares because a comforter is made far from me conuerting my soule my children are become desolate because the enemie hath preuayled Sion hath spred forth her handes there is none to comfort her our Lord hath commanded against Iacob round about him are his enemies Ierusalem is become as a woman polluted with menstrous floores among them Our Lord is iust because I haue prouoked his mouth to wrath heare I beseech al ye peoples and see my sorow my virgins and my pong men are gone into captiuitie I haue called my freindes they haue deceiued me my priestes and my ancientes are consumed in the citie because they haue sought meat for themselues to refresh their soule See ô Lord that I am in tribulation my bellie is trubled my hart is ouerturned in myself because I am ful of bitternes the sword killeth abrode and at home it is lyke death They haue heard that I doe sigh and there is none to comfort me al mine enimies haue heard mine euil they haue reioyced because thou hast done it thou hast brought a day of consolation and they shal be made lyke to me Let al their euil enter in before thee and vintage them as thou hast vintaged me for al mine iniquities for my sighings are manie and my hart is sorowful CHAP. II. HOW hath our Lord in his furie couered the daughter of Sion with darknes cast forth the noble one of Israel from heauen to the earth and hath not remembred the footestoole of his feete in the day of his furie Our Lord hath cast downe headlong and hath not spared al the beautiful thinges of Iacob he hath destroyed in his furie the munitions of the virgin of Iuda and cast it downe to the ground he hath polluted the kingdom and the princes therof He hath broken euerie horne of Israel in the wrath of furie he hath turned away his right hand backward from the face of the enemie and he hath kinled in Iacob as it were the â—yre of a flame deuouring round about He hath bent his bow as an enemie he hath fastned his right hand as an aduersarie and he hath killed al that was fayre to behold in the tabernacle of the daughter of Sion he hath powred out his indignation as fyre Our Lord is become as an enemie he hath cast downe Israel headlong he hath cast downe headlong al her walles he hath destroyed the munitions therof and hath replenished in the daughter of Iuda the humbled man and humbled woman And he hath destroyed his tent as a garden he hath throwen downe his tabernacle our Lord hath brought festiuitie and sabbath in Sion to obliuion and king and priest into reproch and into the indignation of his furie Our Lord hath reiected he hath cursed his sanctification he hath deliuered the walles of the towers therof into the hand of the enemie they haue made a noyse in the house of our Lord as in a solemne day Our Lord hath meant to destroy the wal of the daughter of Sion he hath streched out his corde and hath not turned away his hand from destruction and the forewal hath mourned and the wal is destroyed together Her gates are fastned in the ground he hath destroyed and broken ber barres her king and her princes in the Gentiles there is no law and her prophets haue not found vision from our Lord. The ancients of the daughter of Sion haue sitten on the ground they haue held their peace they haue sprinkled their heades with dust they are girded with heare clothes the virgins of Ierusalem haue cast downe their heades to the ground Myne eies haue fayled for teares my bowels are trubled my liuer is powred out on the earth for the destruction of the daughter of my people when the litle one and the sucking faynted in the streetes of the towne They sayd to their mothers Where is wheate and wyne when they faynted
〈…〉 nt when 〈◊〉 are â—oâ—â— notorious Rom. 5. Gods patience of it self profitable by euil harts made vnprofitable Miraculâ—rum 〈…〉 bera â—â—â—bra 〈…〉 sabat Not doing called sometimes doing the contrarie Freewil the cause of diuers endes in Pharao and Nabucodonosor Other ancient Doctors teach the same Origen Eâ—o 4â— S. Basil Chrysostom Damascen Isa 6. Rom. 11. v. 8. Hierom. Theodoret. Gregorie the great Isidorus The act of induration attributed to Pharao himself in diuers places Bible 1552. 1577. 160â— How it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God cast Pharao into the sea when himselfe ranne in wilfully Ser. 89. Not God but man the cause of sine proued by other scrptures True miracles do certainly proue the truth Mar. 16. v. 20. lib. 2. v. 4. Some strange things done by sleight by deceipt of senses by course of nature especially by diuels S. Aug. li. 18. c. 18. ciuit Manie things aboue the diuels natural powre The diuels powre is much restrained False prophets euer faile when they pretend by miracles to proue their doctrine Simon Magus confounded 3. Reg. â—9 lib. 1. Cyrola an Arian Bishop detected Caluins attempt misproued and he deâ—â—iued Gods prouidence in most danger 1 His special warning not to credit preachers of a new Religion though they pretend to be prophetes or to worke wonders 2 Most dangerous seducers reigne but short time 3 Notes to know Antichrist 4 Against most dangerous assaltes God sendeth most forcible resistaÌ„ce Mat. 24. Ioan 5. 2. Thes 2. Apoc. 13. Apoc. 11 Aâ—oc 20. See pag. 19. :: If Pharao had not freewil threatning of punishmeÌ„t were vniust Origen li. 3. Perâ—ar c. de lib aâ—bâ—it He that can not do otherwise doth not sinne as both lerned and vnlerned coÌ„fesse S Aug. de verâ— Relig. c. 14. :: The 2. plague Multitude of frogges :: The EnchaÌ„ters could bring more frogges but not take these away :: Pharaos induration ascribed to himself :: The 3. plague Sciniphes smale flying beastes especially molesting mens eyes Philo l. 1. de vita Moysi :: The diuels powre limited by God Iob 1. 2 :: The enchanters conuinced in their vnderstanding confessed the power of God but not changed in affection persisted in malice against the truth :: The 4 plague Abundance of al sortes of flies :: Aegyptians worshipping beasts thought it intolerable abomination to kil or eate or burne tâ—em in sacrifice â—â—n 43. v. 32 46. v. 34. :: In the Hebrew Pharao hardned his oâ—â—nâ— hart also this time :: The 5. plague Pestilence amongst cattel :: Not al the beastes died for some died in the 7 10. plagues but al that died pertaineâ— to the Aegyptians :: In Hebr. â—anâ—â—bad â—â—b Parhaoh Pharaâ—es hart hardned it selfe :: The 6 plague Boyles in men and beastes :: Poore Enchanters that could neither escape nor cure this plague :: In Hebrew I haue made thee stand in the 70 and chalde paraphrasis I haue kept thee aliue In the Latin I haue put or set thee that in thee through thyn owne malice indurate I may make knowen my powre to maÌ„kind S. Aug. de Predest et Grat. c. 6. The 7. plague Terrible haile thunders and lightnings :: Rom. 5. :: In Hebrew Vaiachbed libbâ— hu vahabadaf And he hardned his ovvne hart he and his seruants :: By Gods patience ouer Pharao his seruants in not destroying them their wicked mind became more obstinate S. Aug. q. 30. 36. in Exod. :: The 8. Plague Innumerable locustes litle flying beastes with long hinder legges that destroy graine grasse fruict Plinius li. 11. c. 29. S. Greg li. 31. c. 20. Moral :: Because Gods seruants may not temporize in religion politiques vniustly charge them to haue bad intentions :: The 9. plague Horrible darknes three dayes together :: Gods people must be resolute in Religion The to plague Death of the firstborne in men beastes of the Aegyptians â—â— As before c â— v. 3. c. 9. v. 16. c. 10. v. 1. The Epistle in the office on good friday And the 9. prophecie before Masâ—e on Easter eue :: Such as had not meanes to take a lambe tooke a kidde vsing al the same Rites :: Shachatu immolabunt shal offer or sacrfice not only kil as protestants translate Passage in killing the first-borne of Aegypt and not of Israel S. Hiero. in Mat. 26. :: The idols of Aegypt were ouerthrowne as Dagon was in Azotum 1. Reg. 5. S. Hierom Epist ad Fabiol extradit Hebr. :: Christ obseruing this precept had no leuened bread at his last supper and so instituted the Eucharist in vnleuened :: Sprinckling of bloud with â—yslop here â—euit 14 Num. 19 prescribed signifieth maÌ„s deliuerie by Christs bloud working in Baptisme and other Sacraments Heb. 9. :: Punishment conforme to their sinne for persecuting Gods â—iâ—st begotten sonne Israel Exod. 4. v. 22. Theodor. q. 32. in Exod. :: â—awful spoile by the warrant of God Lord of al. :: From the promise made to Abraham Gen 12. v 7. and his first going into Aegypt v. 10 to this time were 4â—0 yeares Gal. 3. of which they were in great persecution aboue 80. yeares before that in seruitude about 60. more before that also they were strangers partly in Aegypt partly in Chanaan the rest of this time See Gen. 15. v. 13. The 70. read in Aegypt and in Chanaan for explication as S. Augustin no teth li. 16. c. 10. ciuit Christs action sheweth that the Paschal lambe was a figure of the Eucharist Some things in the Paschal lambe prefigured Christ both on the Crosse and at his last supper Ioan â— Some more expresly signified his Passion Others immediatly the Eucharist Ioa. 19. Ancient writers expound this figure of the Eucharist Luc. 2â— Tertullian proueth by this figure fulfilled in the Eucharist that Christ hath a true and not a phantastical bodie Hiere 〈◊〉 v. 19. Psal 103. The same Sacrifice offered by Priests 1. Cor. 5. S. Gregories moralization of this figure applied to the B Sracrament VVhat persons are to receiue the B. Sacrament The thing figured farre excellleth the figure The Eucharist is also a Sacrifice â— The first lesson at Mattins on Candlemasse day :: The old Testament proposed coÌ„monly temporal rewardes S Hierom lâ—p ad Dardanum :: In the Hebrew vvhen Pharao had indurated himselfe :: Gods preuention to auoid tentations sheweth free wilin man :: By this appeareth how much Moyses estemed Iosephs charge concerning translation of his bones Also S. Paul commendeth it Heb. 11. :: Although the Hebrew Greke and Latin haue And he yet Protestants corruptly thrust in the text that he shal to make it sound to their sense that God did not only permit but worke Pharaoes induration :: A sorowful hart lamentably mourning for the people is called crying to God S. Hierom. in Gal. 4. â— Reg. 6. :: Protection of Angels The fourth prophecie in the office before Masse on Easter â—uâ— And the second on whitsuneue :: So in Baptisme al sinnes are destroyed S
loaues and fishes Ioan 6. And some real effect Christs blessing must nedes worke also in the blessed Sacrament Mat. 26. VVhich can be no other but changing bread and wine into his bodie bloud seing him selfe expresly sayeth This is my bodie this is my bloud And though Gods blessing in this place be also a precept yet it is not to al men for euer but for the propagation of mankind which being long since abundantly propagared the obligation of the precept ceaseth the cause ceasing So S. Cyprian S. Ierome S. Augustin and other Fathers expound this place And confirme the same by the text for immediatly God signifying to what end he spoke saith and replenish the earth VVhich benig replenished Gods wil is therin fulfilled CHAP. II. The worke of six dayes being finished God rested the seueÌ„th day blessed it 8. Then placing man in paradise planted with bewtiful swete trees witered with foure riuers 16. comandeth him not to eate of the tree of knowledge of good euil 18. formed a woman of a ribbe of Adam THE heauens therfore the earth were fully finished and al the furniture of them †And the seuenth day God ended his woorke which he had made rested “ the seuenth day from al woorke that he had done †And he blessed the seuenth day and sanctified it because in it he had ceased from al his woorke which God created to make †These are the generations of heauen earth when they were created in the day when our Lord God made the heauen and the earth †And euery plant of the filde before it shotvp in the earth And euerie herbe of the ground before it sprang for our Lord God had not rayned vpon the earth and man was not to til the earth †But a spring rose out of the earth watering al the ouermost part of the earth †Our Lord God therfore formed man of the slyme of the earch and breathed into his face the breath oflife man became a liuing soule †And our Lord God had planted a Paradise of pleasure from the beginning wherin he placed man whom he had formed †And our Lord God brought forth of the ground al maner of trees fayre to behold and pleasant to eate of the tree of life also in the middle of Paradise and the tree of knowledge of good euil †And a riuer issued out of the place of pleasure to water Paradise which from thence is diuided into four heades †The name of the one is Phison that is it which compasseth al the land of Heuilath where gold groweth †And the gold of that land is very good there is sound bdelium the stone onyx †And the name of the second riuer is Gehon that is it which compasseth al the land of Ethiopia †And the name of the third riuer is Tygris that same passeth along by the Assirians And the fourth riuer the same is Euphrates †Our Lord God therfore tooke man put him in the Paradise of pleasure to woorke keepe it †And he commanded him saying Of euerie tree of Paradise eate thou †But “ of the tree of knowledge of good euil eate thou not For in what day soeuer thou shalt eate of it “ thou shalt dye the death †Our Lord God also said It is not good for man to be alone let vs make him a helpe like vnto him selfe †Our Lord God therfore hauing formed of clay al beastes of the earth and foules of the ayre brought them to Adam that he might see what to cal them for al that Adam called any liuing creature the same is his name †And Adam called al beastes by their names and al foules of the ayre and al cattel of the filde but vnto Adam there was not found an helper like him selfe †Our Lord God therfore cast a dead sleepe vpon Adam and when he was fast a sleepe he tooke one of his ribbes filled vp flesh for it †And our Lord God built the ribbe which he tooke of Adam into a woman and brought her to Adam †And Adam said This now is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh she shal be called woman because she was taken out of man †Wherfore man shal leaue his father mother shal cleaue to his wife they shal be two in one flesh †And they were both naked to wit Adam his wife and were not ashamed ANNOTATIONS CHAP. II. 2. The seuenth day Al creatures benig made in their kindes in six dayes complete and perfect God not neding as men often do in their workes to perfect poolish or amend the same rested the seuenth day and therfore the natural perfection of Gods workes is attributed to the seventh day and the supernatural perfecting of men in eternal life after the Resurrection is attributed to the eight day as S. Augustin and other fathers teach And for this cause God blessed and sanctifyed the seuenth day and after we haue in the Decalogue or tenne commandments that this day al should rest and abstaine from workes yea and kepe it festiual occupying them selues in spiritual exercises seruice and special worshipe of God as the Iewes did euen til Christs and his Apostles time praying and hearing the word of God read and expounded in the Sabboth day VVherby we see that distinction of dayes pertayneth to Religion the people of God thus obseruing the Sabboth in memorie of the Creation diuers other feastes in memorie of other benefites And we now kepe the Sunday holie in memorie of Christs Resurrection and other feastes in gratful remembrance of other Mysteries of Christs Natiuitie the coming of the Holie Ghost and the like Yea also feastes of his blessed Mother and other Sainctes for the benefites receiued from Christ by them and for more honour to Christ in them So this Catholique obseruation of feastes is neither Iudaical which also in the law was good but now is abrogated nor heathnish for we honour not Iupiter nor Iuno noranie false god or goddesse but our Lord God Creator Redemer for his sake his best seruants VVherof see the Annotations in the English new Testament 4. chap. to the Galathians VVherto we here only adde these wordes of S. Basil VVhich may serue for a general answer to the most common obiection Honor seruorum redundat in communâ—m Dominâ—m The honour of the seruantes redoundeth to the common Lord or Maister So saith he the honour of Sainctes is the honour of Christ their Lord and ours 17. Of the tree of knovvledge Besides the law of nature by which Man was bound to direct al his actions according to the rule of reason and besides the supernatural diuine law by which he was bound to beleue and trust in God and to loue him aboue al things hauing receiued the giftes of faith hope and
out of al Israel he appointed them princes of the people tribunes and centurions and quinquagenarians and deanes †Who iudged the people at al time and whatsoeuer was of greater difficultie they referred to him themselues iudging the easier cases only †And he dismissed his allied who returning went into his countrie CHAP. XIX Nere to mount sinai with commemoration of their deliuerie from Aegyptâ— the people are commanded to be sanctified â—6 and so our Lord coming in thunders and lightnings speaketh with Movses IN the third moneth of the depature of Israel out of the Land of Aegept this day they came into the wildernesle of Sinai †For departing out of Raphidim and coming to the desert of Sinai they camped in the same place and there Israel pitched their tentes ouer against the mountaine †And Moyses went vp to God and our Lord called him from the mountaine and said This shalt thou say to the house of Iacob and shalt tel the children of Israel †Your selues haue sene what I haue done to the Aegyptians how I haue carried you vpon the winges of eagles and haue taken you vnto me †If therfore you wil heare my voice and keepe my couenant you shal be my peculiar of al peoples for al the earth is myne †And you shal be vnto me a priestlie kingdome and a holie nation these are the wordes that thou shalt speake to the children of Israel †Moyses came and calling together the nations of the people he declared al the wordes which our Lord had commanded him †And al the people answered together Al thinges that our Lord hath spoken we wil doe And when Moyses had reported the peoples wordes to our Lord †our Lord said to him Now presently wil I come to thee in the darkenesse of a cloude that the people may heare me speaking to thee and may beleue thee for euer Moyses therfore told the peoples wordes to our Lord †Who said to him Goe to the people and sanctifie them to day and to morow and let them wash their garmentes †And let them be readie against the third day for in the third day the Lord wil descend in the sight of al the people vpon the mount Sinai †And thou shalt appoynt certaine limites to the people in circuite and shalt say to them Beware ye ascend not into the mount and that you touch not the endes therof euerie one that toucheth the mount dying shal dye †Handes shal not touch him but he shal be stoned to death or shal be shot through with arrowes whether it be beast or man it shal not liue When the trumpet shal beginne to sound then let them ascend into the mount †And Moyses came downe from the mount to the people and sanctified them And when they had washed their garments †he said to them Be readie against the third day and come not neere your wiues †And now the third day was come and the morning appeared and behold thunders deganne to be heard and lightenings to flash and a verie thicke cloude to couet the mount and the noyse of the trumpet sounded exceedingly and the people that was in the campe feared †And when Moyses had brought them forth to mete with God from the place of the campe they stoode at the botome of the mount †And al the mount Sinai smoked for because our Lord was descended vpon it in fyre and the smoke arose from it as out of a fornace and al the mount was terrible †And the sound of the trumpet grew lowder by litle and litle and was drawen out a length Moyses spake and God answered him †And our Lord descended vpon the mount Sinai in the very toppe of the mount and he called Moyses into the toppe therof Whither when he was ascended †he said vnto him Goe downe and charge the people lest perhaps they wil passe their limittes to see the Lord and a very great multitude of them perish †The priestes also that come to the Lord let them be sanctified lest he strike them †And Moyses said to our Lord The comon people can not ascend into the mount Sinai for thou didst charge and command saying Put limittes about the mount and sanctifie it †To whom our Lord said Goe gette thee downe and thou shalt come vp Aaron with thee but the priests and the people let them not passe the limittes nor ascend to the Lord lest perhappes he kil them †And Moyses went downe to the people and told them al. ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XIX 1. This day The first day of the third moneth the children of Israel came into the desert of Sinai so counting 16 dayes remaining of the first moneth when they parted from Aegypt al the second moneth of 〈◊〉 dayes this first day of the third moneth and three dayes more in which they were sanctified by washing and other ceremonies v. 10. the Law was geuen the fifteth day in figure of the Law of Christ promulgated on whitsunday the fifteth day after our Redemption VVherby we see meruelous correspondence of diuine Mysteries in the old and new Testament S. Augustin Epist 119 c. 16. CHAP. XX. Moyses receiueth the D cologue or tenne commandments of God for al the people 23. with repâ—â—tion that they â—â—al not make â—aâ—â— goddes nor make Altares but of earth or vnbeâ—ved stone and without slippes AND our Lord spake al these wordes †I am the Lord thy God which brought thee forth out of the Land of Aegypt out of the house of seruitude †Thou shalt not haue strange goddes before me †Thou shalt not make to thee a grauen thing noâ— any similitude that is in heauen aboue that is in the earth beneth neither of those thinges that are in the waters vnder the earth †Thou shalt not adore them nor serue them I am the Lord thy God mightie ielous visiting the iniquitie of the fathers vpon the children vpon the third and fourth generation of them that hate me †and doing mercie vpon thousandes to them that loue me and keepe my preceptes †Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord wil not hold him innocent that shal take the name of the Lord his God vainly †Remember that thou saâ—ctifâ—â— the sabbath day †Six dayes shalt thou worke and shalt doe al thy workes †But on the seuenth day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God thou shalt doe to worke in it thou and thy sonne and thy daughter thy man seruant and thy woman seruant thy beast and the stranger that is with in thy gates †For six dayes the Lord made heauen and earth and the sea and al thinges that are in in them and rested in the seuenth day therfore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and sanctified it †Honour thy father and thy mother that thou mayst be long liude vpon the earth
might be your God CHAP. XVI Core and his complices making schisme against Moyses and Aaron 31. some are swalowed in the earth with their families and substance 35. other two hundred and fiftie offering incense 41. and fourtene thousand seuen hundred of the common people murmuring in behalfe of the sedicious are consumed with fire from heauen AND behold Core the sonne of Isaar the sonne of Caath the sonne of Leui and Dathan and Abiron the sonnes of Eliab Hon also the sonne of Pheleth of the children of Ruben †“ rose against Moyses and other of the children of Israel two hundred fiftie men princes of the synagogue and which in the time of assemblie were called by name †And when they had stoode vp against Moyses and Aaron they said Let it suffice you that al the multitude consisteth of holie ones and our Lord is among them Why lift you vp your selues aboue the people of our Lord †Which when Moyses had heard he fel flatte on his face †and speaking to Core and al the multitude he said In the morning our Lord wil make it knowne who pertaine to him and the holie the wil ioyne to him selfe and whom he shal choose they shal approch to him †This do therfore Take euerie man their censars thou Core and al thy councel †and taking fire in them to morrow put vpon it incense before our Lord and whom soeuer he shal choose the same shal be holie you do much exalt your selues ye sonnes of Leui. †And he said againe to Core Heare ye sonnes of Leui †Is it a smal thing vnto you that the God of Israel hath separated you from al the people and ioyned you to him selfe that you should serue him in the seruice of the tabernacle and should stand before the ful assemblie of the people and should minister to him †did he therfore make thee and al thy brethren the sonnes of Leui to approch vnto him that you should chalenge vnto you the priesthood also †and al thy companie should stand against our Lord for what is Aaron that you murmur against him †Moyses therfore sent to cal Dathan and Abiron the sonnes of Eliab Who answered We come not †Why is it a smal matter to thee that thou hast brought vs out of a land that folowed with milke and honie to kil vs in the desert vnles thou rule also like a lord ouer vs †In deede hast thou brought vs into a land that floweth with riuers of milke and honie hast thou geuen vs possessions of fieldes vineyardes What wilt thou plucke out our eies also We come not †Moyses therfore being very wrath said to our Lord Respect not their sacrifices thou knowest that I haue not taken of them so much as a little asse at anie time neither haue afflicted anie of them †And he said to Core Thou and al thy congregation stand ye apart before our Lord and Aaron to morrow apart †Take euerie one your censars and put incense vpon them offering to our Lord two hundred fiftie censars Let Aaron also hold his censar †Which when they had done Moyses and Aaron standing †and had heaped together al the multitude against them to the dore of the tabernacle the glorie of our Lord appeared to them al. †And our Lord speaking to Moyses and Aaron said †Separate your selues from the middes of this congregation that I may sodenly destroy them †Who felilatte on their face and said Most mightie God of the spirites of al flesh when one sinneth shal thy wrath rage against al †And our Lord said to Moyses †Command the whole people that they separate them selues from the tabernacles of Core and Dathan and Abiron †And Moyses arose and went to Dathan and Abiron and the ancientes of Israel folowing him †he said to the multitude Depart from the tabernacles of the impious men and touch not the thinges that pertaine to them lest you be wrapped in their sinnes †And when they were departed from their tentes round about Dathan and Abiron coming forth stood in the entrie of their pauilions with their wiues and children and al the multitude †And Moyses said In this you shal know that our Lord hath sent me to do al thinges that you see and that I haue not forged them of my owne mind †If they die the accustomed death of men and if the plague wherwith others also are wont to be visited do visite them out Lord did not send me †but if our Lord do a new thing that the earth opening her mouth swallow them downe al thinges that pertaine to them and they descend quicke into hel you shal know that they haue blasphemed our Lord. †Immediatly therfore as he ceased to speake the earth brake insunder vnder their feete †and opening her mouth deuoured them with their tabernacles al their substance †and they went downe into hel quicke couered with the ground and perished out of the middes of the multitude †But al Israel that stoode round about fled at the cric of them that perished saying Lest perhappes the earth swallow vs also †But a fire also coming forth from our Lord slew the two hundred fiftie men that offered the incense †And our Lord spake to Moyses saying †Command Elâ—zar the sonne of Aaron the priest that he take vp the censars that lie in the burning fire and that he sprinkle the fire hither and thither because they be sanctified †in the deathes of the sinners and let him beate them into plates and fasten them to the altar because there hath bene offered incense in them to the Lord and they are sanctified that the children of Israel may see them for a signe and a monument †Eleazar therfore the priest tooke the brasen censars wherin they had offered whom the burning fire deuoured and bette them into plates fastening them to the altar †that the children of Israel afterward might haue wherwith to be admonished that no stranger approch and he that is not of the seede of Aaron to offer incense to our Lord lest he suffer as Core hath suffered and al his congregation according as our Lord spake to Moyses †And al the multitude of the children of Israel murmured the day folowing against Moyses and Aaron saying You haue killed the people of our Lord. †And when there rose a sedition and the tumult grew farder †Moyses and Aaron fled to the tabernacle of couenant Which after they were entred the cloude couered it and the glorie of our Lord appeared †And our Lord said to Moyses †Depart from the middes of this multitude euen now wil I destroy them And as they lay vpon the ground †Moyses said to Aaron Take the censar and drawing fire from the altar put incense vpon it going quickly to the people to pray for them for euen now is the wrath come forth
First the passage of the Israelites ouer Iordan In the five first chapters Secondly their conquest of the promised Land In the seuen chapters folowing Thirdly the partition of the same Land amongst nine Tribes and a half from the. 13. chap. to the 22. Fourthly In the three last chapters the returne of the other two Tribes and a half to their possessions on the east side of Iordan with Iosues last admonition to them al to serue God sincerly and his and Eleazars death THE BOOKE OF IOSVE IN HEBREW IEHOSVA CHAP. I. Iosue encoreged by our Lord 10. admonisheth the people to prepare themselues to passe ouer Iordan 12. and al the able men of the tribes of Ruben Gad and half Manasses to march armed before the rest 16. Al promise to doe whatsoeuer he commandeth AND it came to passe after the death of Moyses the seruant of our Lord that our Lord spake to Iosue the sonne of Nun the minister of Moyses and said to him †Moyses my seruant is deade arise and passe ouer this Iordan thou and al the people with thee into the Land which I wil geue to the children of Israel †Euerie place the steppe of your foote shal treade wil I deliuer to you as I haue spoken to Moyses †From the desert and Libanus vnto the great riuer Euphrates al the land of the Hetheites vnto the great sea against the going downe of the sunne shal be your border †No man shal be able to resist you al the daies of thy life as I haue beene with Moyses so wil I be with thee I wil not leaue nor forsake thee †Take courage and be strong for thou shalt by lotte diuide to this people the Land for the which I sware to their fathers that I would deliuer it to them †Take courage therfore and be very strong that thou keepe and doe al the Law which Moyses my seruant hath commanded thee decline not from it to the right hand or to the left that thou mayest vnderstand al thinges which thou doest †Let not the volume of this law depart from thy mouth but thou shalt meditate in it daies and nightes that thou maiest keepe and doe al thinges that be written in it then shalt thou direct thy way and vnderstand it †Behold I command thee take courage and be strong Feare not and dreade not because the Lord thy God is with thee in al the thinges to whatsoeuer thou shalt goe †And Iosue commanded the princes of the people saying Passe through the middes of the campe and command the people and say †Prepare for your selues victuals for after the third day you shal passe ouer Iordan and shal enter to possesse the Land which our Lord your God wil geue you †To the Rubenites also and Gaddites and halfe tribe of Manasses he said †Remember the word which Moyses the seruant of our Lord commanded you saying Our Lord your God hath geuen you rest and al this Land †Your wiues and children and cattel shal tarie in the Land which Moyses deliuered to you beyond Iordan but passe you ouer armed before your brethren al that are strong of hand fight for them †vntil our Lord geue rest to your brethren as to you also he hath geuen and they also possesse the Land which our Lord your God wil geue them and so returne into the Land of your possession and you shal dwel in it which Moyses the seruant of our Lord gaue you beyond Iordan against the rysing of the sunne †And they made answer to Iosue and said Al thinges that thou hast commanded vs we wil doe and whither soeuer thou shalt send vs we wil goe †As we obeyed Moyses in al thinges so wil we obey thee also only be our Lord thy God with thee as he was with Moyses †He that shal gainesay thy mouth and not obey al thy wordes that thou shalt command him let him die thou only take courage and doe manfully CHAP. II. Two discoueres sent into Hiericho are hid and concealed by Rahab 8. and vpon promise of like safetie to her whole samilie 21. she helpeth them secretly away THERFORE Iosue the sonne of Nun sent from Setim two men to spie in secrete and said to them Goe and view the Land and the citie of Iericho Who going entred into the house of a woman a harlot named Rahab and rested with her †And it was told the king of Iericho and said Behold there are men come in hither by night of the children of Israel to spie the Land †And the king of Iericho sent to Rahab saying Bring forth the men that came to thee and are entred into thy house for they be spies and are come to view al the Land †And the woman taking the men hid them and said I confesse they came to me but I knew not whence they were †and when the gate was a shutting in the darke and they withal went out I know not whither they be gone pursew quickly and you shal ouertake them †But she made the men to goe vp into the roofe of her house and couered them with the stalke of flaxe which was there †And they that were sent folowed them the way that leadeth to the ford of Iordan and they being gone out the gate for with was shutte †Neither were they yet a sleepe that lay hidde and behold the woman went vp to them and said †I know that the Lord hath geuen this Land to you for your terrour is fallen vpon vs and al the inhabitantes of the Land are become fainte †We haue heard that the Lord dried vp the water of the Redsea at your entring when you came out of Aegypt and what thinges you did to the two kinges of the Amorrheites that were beyond Iordan Sehon and Og whom you slew †And hearing these thinges we greatly feared and our hart fainted neither did there remaine spirite in vs at your entring in for the Lord your God he is God in heauen aboue in the earth beneth †Now therfore sweare to me by the Lord that as I haue done mercie with you so you also doe with my fathers house and you geue me a true signe †that you saue my father and mother my brethren and sisters and al thinges that he theirs and deliuer our soules from death †Who answered her Be our liues for you vnto death only if thou betray vs not And when our Lord shal haue deliuered vs the land we wil doe in thee mercie and truth †She therfore did let them downe by a corde out of a window for her house ioyned fast to the wall †And she said to them Goe vp to the mountaines lest perhaps they meete you returning and there lie hid three daies til they returne and so you shal goe on your way †Who said to her We shal be quitte from this oath wherwith thou hast sworne vs †if
Philisthims heard the voice of the crie and said What is this voice of a great crie in the campe of the Hebrewes And they knewe that the arke of our Lord was come into the campe †And the Philisthijms were afrayd saing God is come into the campe And they mourned saing †Woe to vs for there was not so great reioysing yesterday and the day before woe to vs. Who shal keepe vs from the hand of these high Goddes these be the Goddes that stricke Aegypt with al plague in the desert †Take courage and be men ye Philisthijms lest you be seruantes to the Hebrewes as they also haue ferued you take courage and fight †The Philisthijms therfore fought and Israel was slaine and euerie man fled into his tabernacle and there was made an exeeding great plague and there fel of Israel thirtie thousand footemen †And the arke of God was taken the two sonnes also of Heli died Ophni and Phinees †And a man of Beniamin running out of the battle aray came into Silo that day his garment rent and sprinkled on his head with dust †And when he was come Heli sate vpon a stoole ouer against the way looking For his hart was fearful for the arke of God And that man after he was entred in told it to the citie and al the citie howled †And Heli heard the sound of the crie and said What is this sound of this same tumult But he hastened and came and told Heli. †And Heli was nintie and eight yeares old and his eyes were dimme and he could not see †And he said to Heli I am he that came from the battle and I he that fled out of the field this day To whom he said What is done my sonne †And he brought the newes answering Israel quoth he is fled before the Philisthijms and a great ruine is made in the people moreouer also thy two sonnes are dead Ophni and Phinees and the arke of God is taken †And when he had named the arke of God he fel from his stoole backward beside the doore his necke being broken he died For he was an old man and of a great age and he iudged Israel fourtie yeares †And his daughter in law the wife of Phinees was great with childe and nigh to be deliuered and hearing the reporte that the arke of God was taken and her father in law was dead and her husband she bowed her self and was deliuered for sudden paynes were fallen vpon her †And in the very moment of her death they said to her that stoode about her Feare not because thou hast borne a sonne Who answered them not nor gaue heede to it †And she called the childe Ichabod saing The glorie is translated from Israel because the arke of God is taken and for her father in law and for her husband †and she said The glorie is translated from Israel for that the arke of God was taken CHAP. V. Dagon falleth downe twise in presence of the Arke his head and handes broken of 6. The Philisthijms being sore plagued in al their cities where the arke cometh 11. determine to send it backe to the Israelites AND the Philistijms tooke the arke of God and caried it from the Stone of helpe into Azotus †And the Philistijms tooke the arke of God and brought it into the temple of Dagon and sette it beside Dagon †And when the Azotians had risen early the next day behold Dagon lay flatte on the ground before the arke of our Lord and they tooke Dagon and restored him into his place †And agayne early the next day rising vp they found Dagon lying vpon his face on the earth before the arke of our Lord and the head of Dagon and the two palmes of his handes were cutte of vpon the threshold †moreouer the bodie only of Dagon was remayning in his place For this cause the priestes of Dagon and al that enter into his temple tread not vpon the threshold of Dagon in Azotus vntil this day †And the hand of our Lord was heauie vpon the Azotians and he plagued them and stroke Azotus and the coastes thereof in the secrete part of the fundament And the townes and fieldes bubbled forth in the middes of that country and there came forth mise and there was confusion of great death in the citie †And the men of Azotus seing this maner of plague said Let not the arke of the God of Israel tarie with vs because his hand is sore vpon vs and vpon Dagon our God †And sending they gathered together al the princes of the Philistijms to them and said What shal we doe with the arke of the God of Israel And the Getheites answered Let the arke of the God of Israel be caried about and they caried about the arke of the God of Israel †And they carying it about the hand of our Lord was made through euerie citie by an exceding great slaughter and it strake the men of euery city from litle vnto great they had emeroides in their secrete partes And the Getheites tooke counseil and made themselues stooles of skinnes †They sent therfore the arke of God into Accaron And when the arke of God was come into Accaron the Accaronites cryed out saying They haue brought vnto vs the arke of the God of Israel to kil vs our people †They sent therefore gathered together al the princes of the Philistijms who sayd Dimisse the arke of the God of Israel let it returne into his place not kil vs with our people †For there was made the feare of death in euery citie the hand of God exceding greuous the men also that had not died were striken in the secrete part of the buttockes and the howling of euery citie went vp into heauen CHAP. VI. The Arke is sent backe with siue emeroids and fiue mise of gold vpon a new wayne drawne by two milch kyne 13. which coming directly to Bethsames are sacrificed the wayne seruing for fire the Leuites kepe the Arke 19. Many others are slaine looking of curiositie into it THEREFORE the arke of God was in the country of the Philisthijms seuen monethes †And the Philisthijms called the priestes and soothsaiers saying What shal we doe with the arke of the Lord tel vs how we may send it backe into his place Who said †If you send back the arke of the God of Israel send it not away emptie but that which you owe render vnto it for sinne and then you shal be cured and you shal know why his hand departeth not from you †Who answered What is that which we ought to render vnto it for sinne And they answered †According to the number of the prouinces of the Philisthijms you shal make siue golden emroides and fiue golden mise because there hath bene one plague to you and to your princes And you shal make the similitudes of your
the number of the description of the people to the king and there were found of Israel eight hundred thousand strong men that could drawe sword and of Iuda fiue hundred thousand fighting men †But Dauids hart strooke him after the people was numbred and Dauid sayd to our Lord I haue sinned very much in this fact but I pray thee Lord to transferre the iniquitie of thy seruant because I haue done exceding folishly †Dauid therfore arose in the morning and the word of our Lord was made to Gad the prophete and Seer of Dauid saying †Goe and speake to Dauid Thus sayth our Lord Choyse is geuen thee of three thinges choose one of them which thou wilt that I may do it to thee †And when Gad was come to Dauid he told him saying Either famine shal come to thee seuen yeares in thy land or three monethes thou shalt flee thy aduersaries and they shal pursew thee or certes three dayes the pestilence shal be in thy land Now therfore deliberate and see what word I shal answer to him that sent me †And Dauid sayd to Gad I am distressed excedingly but it is better that I fal into the handes of our Lord for his mercies be manie then into the handes of men †And our Lord sent the pestilence in Israel from morning vnto the time appoynted and there died of the people from Dan to Bersabee seuentie thousand men †And when the Angel of Our Lord had stretched forth his hand ouer Ierusalem to destroy it our Lord had pitie vpon the affliction and sayd to the Angel that stroke the people It is sufficient now hold thy hand and the Angel of our Lord was beside the floore of Areuna the Iebuseite †And Dauid sayd to our Lord when he saw the Angel striking the people I am he that haue sinned I haue done wickedly these that are the sheepe what haue they done let thy hand I beseche thee be turned agaynst me and agaynst my fathers house †And Gad came to Dauid in that day and sayd to him Goe vp and build an altar to our Lord in the â—â—oore of Areuna the Iebuseite †And Dauid went vp according to the word of Gad which our Lord had coÌ„manded him †And Areuna looking perceiued the king and his seruantes to come towards him †And going forth he adored the king with his face bowing to the earth and sayd What is the cause that my lord the king cometh to his seruant To whom Dauid sayd That I may bye of thee the floore and build an altar to our Lord and the slaughter may cease which rageth among the people †And Areuna sayd to Dauid Let my lord the king take and offer as it pleaseth him thou hast the oxen for holocauste and the wayne and the yokes of the oxen for prouision of wood †Areuna gaue al thinges to the king and Areuna sayd to the king The Lord thy God receiue thy vowe †To whom the king answering sayd Not so as thou wilt but I wil bye it of thee at a price and I wil not offer to our Lord my God holocaustes geuen gratis Dauid therfore bought the floore and the oxen for fiftie sicles of siluer †and Dauid built there an altar to our Lord offered holocaustes and pacifiques and our Lord became merciful to the land and the plague was stayed from Israel THE ARGVMENT OF THE THIRD BOOKE OF KINGES VVITH commemoration of king Dauids old age of his appointing a successour and of his death in the first and part of the second chapters this booke conteyneth two other principal partes the former is of king Salomon of his entrance to the kingdom his deuotion wisdom magnificence richesse great familie building of the Temple and other sumptuous palaces of his fal also into luxurie and idolatrie in the rest of the second chapter to the end of the eleuenth The other part sheweth the diuision of the kingdom onlie two tribes remayning to Roboam Salomons sonne with title of king of Iuda and tenne passing to Ieroboam his seruant called king of Israel So folow the seueral reignes of Abias Asa and Iosaphat kinges of Iuda and of Madab Baasa Ela Zambri Amri Achab with Iezabel and Ochosias kinges of Israel with the preaching miracles and other actes of Abias Elias Eliseus and other prophetes in the other eleuen chapters THE THIRD BOOKE OF KINGES ACCORDING TO THE HEBREWES THE FIRST OF MALACHIM CHAP. I. King Dauid waxing old Abisag a Sunamite is brought to him 5. Adonias pretending to reigne 11. Nathan and Bethâ—abee obtaine 28. that Salomon is declared and annointed King 41. VVherupon Adonias his folowers parting to their houses 50. fleeth to the altar in the tabernacle but vpon promise of safeâ—â—â— doth homage to Salomon AND king Dauid was old and had manie daies of age and when he was couered with clothes he was not warmed †His seruantes therfore sayd to him Let vs seeke for our lord the king a yong woman a virgin and let her stand before the king and cherishe him and sleepe in his bosome and warme our lord the king †They sought therfore a beautiful yong woman in al the costes of Israel and they found Abisag a Sunamite and brought her to the king †And the damsel was exceding beautiful and she slept with the king and serued him but the king did not know her †And Adonias the sonne of Haggith was eleuated saying I wil reigne And he made him self chariotes and horsemen and fiftie men that should runne before him †Neither did his father controwle him at any time saying Why didst thou this And he also was very beautiful the second borne after Absalom †And he had talke with Ioab the sonne of Saruia with Abiathar the priest who furthered Adonias side †But Sadoc the priest and Banaias the sonne of Ioiada and Nathan the prophet and Semei and Rei and the strength of Dauids armie was not with Adonias †Adonias therfore hauing immolated rammes and calues and al satte beastes beside the Stone zoheleth which was nigh to the Fountaine Rogel called al his brethren the sonnes of the king and al the men of Iuda the seruantes of the king †But Nathan the prophet and Banaias and al the strong ones and Salomon his brother he called not †Nathan therfore sayd to Bethsabee the mother of Salomon Hast thou not heard that Adonias the sonne of Haggith hath reigned and our lord Dauid is ignorant therof †Now therfore come take counsel of me and saue thy life and thy sonne Salomons †Goe and enter in to king Dauid and say to him Didst not thou my lord king sweare to me thy handmayd saying Salomon thy sonne shal reigne after me and he shal sitte in my throne Why then reigneth Adonias †And whiles thou art yet speaking there with the king I wil come after thee and make vp thy wordes â€
cuâ—â—e the day which are readie to raise vp Leuiathan †Let the â—â—aâ—res be darkened with the mist therof let it expect light and let it not see neither the rysing of the appearing morning †Because it shut not vp the doores of the wombe that bare me nor tooke away euils from myne eies †Why died I not in the matrice perished not forthwith being come forth of the wombe †Why receiued vpon the knees why nurced with the breastes †For now sleping I should be quiet and should rest in my sleepe †With kinges and coâ—â—â—les of the earth which build themselues solitarie places †Or with princes that possesse gold and replenish their â—â—â—â—es with siluer †Or as a thing vnâ—mely borne that is hâ—â— I should not be or as they that being conceiued haue not seene the light †There the impious haue ceased from tumult there the wearied with strength haue â—ested †And they sometime bound together without griefe haue not heard the voyce of the exactor †Litle and great are there and the seruant free from his master †Why is there light geuen to a miserable man and life to them that are in bitternesse of soule †That expect death and it cometh not as they that dig vp treasure †And they reioyce excedingly when they haue found the graue †To a man whose life is hid and God hath compassed him with darkenes †Before I eate I sigh and as it were ouerflowing waters so my roaring †Because the feare which I feared hath chanced to me and that which I was afrayd of hath happened †haue I not dissembled haue I not kept silence haue I not beene at ease and indignation is come vpon me CHAP. IIII. Eliphaz blameth Iob as guiltie of impatience arguing thereupon that he was not so perfect in vertue as he semed 7. and therfore is now punished by God who as Ehiphaz falsly supposeth afflicteth not innocent men 12. alleaging for proofe an imaginarie vision BVT Eliphaz the Themanite answering sayd †If we shal begin to speake to thee perhaps thou wilt take it greuously but the word conceiued who can hold †Behold thou hast taught manie wearie handes thou hast strengthned †Them that wauered thy wordes haue confirmed and trembling knees thou hast strengthened †But now a plague is come vpon thee and thou hast faynred hath touched thee and art trubled †Where is thy feare thy strength thy patience and the perfection of thy wayes †Remember I besech thee who euer being innocent hath perished or when haue the iust bene destroyed †Yea rather I haue sene them that worke iniquitie and sow sorrowes reape them †to haue perished by the blast of God and with the spirit of his wrath to haue bene consumed †The roaring of the lion and the voice of the lionesse the teeth of the whelpes of lions are bruised †The tigre hath perished because he had no praye and the lions whelpes are destroyed †Moreouer to me there was spoken a secret word and as it were by stealth hath mine eare receiued the vaines of the whispering therof †In the horrour of a vision by night when deepe sleepe is wont to hold men †feare held me and trembling and al my bones were made sore afrayd †And when the spirit passed in my presence the heares of my flesh stood vpright †There stood one whose countenance I knew not an image before mine eies and I heard the voyce as it were of a gentle winde †What shal man be iustified in comparison of God or shal a man be more pure then his maker †Behold they that serue him are not stable and in his Angels he found wickednes †How much more they that inhabite houses of clay which haue an earthly foundation shal be consumed as it were of the moth †From morning vntil euening they shal be cut downe and because none vnderstandeth they shal perish foreuer †And they that shal be leaft shal be taken away from them they shal die and not in wisedom CHAP. V. Eliphaz prosecuteth his discourse to conuince Iob of great sinnes because he is sovâ—hemently afflicted 17. exhorteth him therfore to acknowledge his sinnes so al thinges shal succede prosperously CAL therfore if there be that wil answer thee “ turne to some of the sainctes †Anger in deede killeth the foolish and enuie sleaâ—th the litle one †I haue seene a foole with firme roote and I cursed his beautie by and by †His children shal be made far from saluation and shal be destroyed in the gate and there shal be none to deliuer †Whose haruest the hungrie shal eate the armed shal take him by violence and the thirstie shal drinke his riches †Nothing in the â—aâ—th is done without a cause and out of the ground sorrow shal nor rise †Man is borne to labour and the bird to flight †For the which thing I wil besech our Lord and toward God I wil set my speach †Who doeth great and vnsearchable and meruelous things without number †Who geueth raine vpon the face of the earth and watereth al thinges with waters †Wâ—o setteth the humble on high and them that are in heauinesse he conforteth with health †Who disspateth the cogitations of the malignant that their handes can not accompliâ—h that which they bâ—gan †Who apprehendeth the wise in their subâ—â—lâ—ie and dissipareth the counsel of the wicked †By day they shal iâ—cuâ—re darkenesse and as it were in the night so shal they grope at noone daies †Moreouer he shal saue the needâ— from the sword of their mouth and the poore from the hand of the violent †And to the needie there shal be hope but iniquitie shal draw together her mouth †Blessed is the man that is corrected of God refuse not therfore the chastising of our Lord †Because he woundeth and cureth striketh and his hands shal beale †In six tribulations he shal deliuer thee and in the seuenth euil shal not touch thee †In famine he shal deliuer thee from death and in battel from the hand of the sword †From the scourge of the tongue thou shalt be hid thou shalt not feare calamitie when it cometh †In waste and famine thou shalt laugh and the beastes of the earth thou shalt not feare †But with the stones of the landes thy couenant and the beastes of the earth shal be peaceable to thee †And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle hath peace and visiting thy beautie thou shalt not sinne †Thou shalt know also that thy seed shal be manifold and thy progenie as the grasse of the earth †Thou shalt enter into the graue in abundance as a heape of wheate is caryed in his time †Behold this is euen so as we haue searched out which thou hauing heard reuolue in thy mind ANNOTATIONS CHAP.
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
are we reputed as beastes and accounted vile before you †Which destroyest thy soule in thy furie shal the earth be forsaken for thee and shal rockes be transported out of their place †Shal not the light of the impious be extinguished and the flame of his fire not shine †The light shal be darke in his tabernacle and the candel that is ouer him shal be extinguished †The steppes of his power shal be straytened and his owne counsel shal cast him downe headlong †For he hath thrust his feere into a nette and wal keth in the mashes therof †The sole of his foote shal be held in a snare and thirst shal burne against him †His ginne is hid in the earth and his spring vpon the path †Feares shal terrifie him on euerie side and his feete shal entangle him †Let his strength be extenuated with famine and let hung erinuade his ribbes †Let it deuoure the beautie of his skinne let death the firstborne consume his armes †Let his considence be plucked away out of his tabernacle and let destruction as a king tread vpon him †Let the companious of him that is not dwel in his tabernacle let brinston be sprinkled in his tent †Let his rootes be dried downward and his haruest destroyed vpward †Let the memorie of him perish from the earth and let not his name be renowmed in the streates †He shal expel him out of light into darkenesse and shal transport him out of the world †His seed shal not be nor his progenie in his people nor anie remnantes in his countries †In his daie the last shal be astonied and horrour shal inuade the first †These are then the tabernacles of the wicked man and this is the place of him that knoweth not God CHAP. XIX Iob lamenteth of his freindes crueltie 6 affirmeth that his so great affliction is not for his sinnes 25. and comforteth himself with his vndoubted beliefâ— of the Resurrection BVT Iob answering sayd †How long doe you afflict my soule and weare me with wordes †Behold ten times you counfound me and are not ashamed oppressing me †For although I haue beene ignorant mine ignorance shal be with me †But you are set vp against me and reproue me with my reproches †At the least now vnderstand ye that God hath afflicted me not with equal iudgement and hath compassed me with his scourges †Behold I shal crie suffering violence and no man wil heare I shal crie out and there is none to iudge †He hath hedged my path round about and I can not passe and in my way hath put darkenesse †He hath spoiled me of my glorie and hath taken the crowne from my head †He hath destroved me on euerie side and I perish and as it were from a tree plucked hath he taken away my hope †His furie is wrath against me and he hath so accounted me as his enemie †His serianâ—es haue come together and haue made them selues a way by me and haue besieged my tabernacle round about †He hath made my brethren far from me and my acquaintance as strangers haue departed from me †My kinfemen haue forsaken me and they that knew me haue forgotten me †The ghestes of my house and my maydseruantes haue counted me an aliene and I haue bene as it were a stranger in their eies †I called my seruant and he did not answer me with mine owne mouth I besought him †My wife hath abhorred my breath and I prayed the children of my wombe †Fooles also despised me and when I was departed from them they backbited me †My counselers sometime haue abhorred me and he whom I loued most hath turned against me †The flesh being consumed my bone hath cleaued to my skinne and there are left onlie lippes about my teeth †Haue mercie vpon me haue mercie vpon me at the least you my frendes because the hand of our Lord hath touched me †Why doe you as God persecute me and are filled with my flesh †Who wil grant me that my wordes may be writen who wil geue me that they may be drawen in a booke †with yron penne and in plate of leade or els with stile might be grauen in flintstone †For I know that my Redemer liueth and in the last day I shal rise out of the earth †And I shal be compassed agayne with my skinne and in my flesh I shal see God †Whom I my self shal see and mine eies shal behold and none other this my hope is layd vp in my bosome †Why then doe you say now Let vs persecute him and let vs finde roote of word agaynst him †Flee therfore from the face of the sword because the sword is the reuenger of iniquities and know ye that there is iudgement CHAP. XX. Sophar auoucheth that some wicked men florish for a time but are afterwards iustly plaged 29. therupon condemneth Iob as an hypocrite BVT Sophar the Naamathite answering sayd †Therfore my diuerse cogitations succede one an other and my minde is rapt into sundrie things †The doctrine wherwith thou reprouest me I wil heare and the spiâ—it of my vnderstanding shal answer me †This I know from the beginning since man was placed vpon the earth †That the praise of the impions is short and the ioy of the hypocrite as it were for a moment †If his pride rise vp euen to the heauen and his head touch the cloudes †As a dunghil in the end he shal be destroyed and they that had sene him shal say Where is he †As a dreame thar fleeth away he shal not qe found he shal passe as a vision by night †The eie that had sene him shal not see him neither shal his place behold him anie more †His children shal come to naught with pouâ—rtie and his handes shal render him his sorow †His bones shal be filled with the vices of his youth and they shal sleepe with him in the dust †For when euil shal be sweete in his mouth he wil hide it vnder his tongue †He wil spare it and not leaue it and wil hide it in his throte †His bread in his belly shal be turned into the gaule of * aâ—pâ—s within him †The riches which he hath deuoured he shal vomite out and God shal draw them forth out of his belly †He shal sucke the head of aspes and the vipers tongue shal kil him †Let him not see the streames of the riuer the toâ—â—â—nâ—es of home of butter †He shal be punished for al thinges that he did yet not be coÌ„sumed according to the multitude of his inuentions so also shal he suffer †Because breaking in he hath made the poore naked he hath violently taken house built it not †Neither is his bellie filled and when he shal haue the thinges he coueted he
these things are sayd in part of his waies and where as we haue heard scarce a litle droppe of his word who shal be able to behold the thunder of his greatnes CHAP. XXVII More and more â—ob confirmeth his innocencie auouching that God not presently iudging 11. wil in time condemne the wicked IOB also added taking his parable and sayd †God liueth who hath taken away my iudgement and the Omnipotent which hath brought my soule to bitternesse †That as long as breath remaineth in me and the spirit of God in my nosthrels †My lippes shal not speake iniquitie neither shal my tongue meditate lying †God forbid that I should iudge you to be iust til I faile I wil not departe from mine innocencie †My iustification which I haue begune to hold I wil not forsake for my hart doth not reprehend me in al my life †Let mine enemie be as the impions and mine aduersarie as the wicked one †For what is the hypocrites hope if couetousely he take by violence and God deliuer not his soule †Wil God heare his crie when distresse shal come vpon him †Or can he be delighted in the Omnipotent and inuocate God at al time †I wil teach you by the hand of God what the Omnipotent hath neither wil I hide it †Loe you doe al knowe and why speake you vaine thinges without cause †This is the portion of an impions man with God and inheritance of the violent which they shal receiue of the Omnipotent †If his children be multiplied they shal be in the sword nephewes shal not be filled with bread †They that shal be leaft of him shal be buried in death and his widowes shal not weepe †If he shal heape together siluer as earth and as clay shal prepare garmentes †He shal prepare in deede but the iust man shal be clothed with them and the innocent shal diuide the siluer †He hath built his house as a moth and as a keeper hath he made a bowre †The rich man when he shal sleepe shal take away nothing with him he shal oppen his eies finde nothing †Pouertie as water shal apprehend him in the night a tempest shal oppresse him †The burning wind shal take him vp and cary him away and as a whirle winde shal pul him violently out of his place †And he shal cast vpon him and shal not spare out of his hand fleing he shal flee †He shal claspe his handes vpon him and shal hisse vpon him beholding his place CHAP. XXVIII The maruâ—lous workes of God the author of nature shew his powre and wisdome 12. and that true riches consist not in temporal creatures but in wisdome 28. and feare of God SILVER hath beginnings of her vaines and gold hath a place where in it is molten †Yron is taken out of the earth and stone resolued with heate is turned into brasse †He hath set a time for darkenesse and the end of al thinges he considereth the stone also of darkenesse and the shadow of death †The torrent diuideth from the pilgrime people them whom the foote of the needie man hath forgotten and to whom there is no way †The land out of which bread grew in his place is destroyed with fire †The place of the sapphire the stones thereof and the cloddes of it gold †The bird hath not knowen the path neither hath the eie of the vulter beheld it †The children of merchantes haue not troden it neither hath the lionesse passed by it †He hath stretched forth his hand to the flint he hath ouerthrowen mountaines from the rootes †In the rockes he hath cut out riuers and his eie hath seene euerie pretious thing †The depthes also of riuers he hath searched hid things he hath brought forth to light †But where is wisdome to be found and what is the place of vnderstanding †Man knoweth not the price therof neither is it found in the land of them that liue pleasently †The depth sayth It is not in me and the sea speaketh It is not with me †The finest gold shal not be geuen for it neither shal siluer be weyed in the change therof †It shal not be compared with the died colours of India nor with Sardonyx the most pretious stone or with the Sapphire †Gold or glasse shal not be equal to it neither shal vessels of gold be changed for it †High and eminent thinges shal not be mentioned in comparison of it and wisedom is drawen out of secrete places †The topazius of Aethiopia shal not be equal to it neither shal it be compared to the cleanest diyng †From whence then cometh wisedom and what is the place of vnderstanding †It is hid from the eies of alliuing the foules of the ayre also know it not †Perdition and death haue sayd With our eares we haue heard the fame therof †God vnderstandeth the way of it and he knoweth the place therof †For he beholdeth the endes of the world looketh on al thinges that are vnder heauen †Who made a poise to the windes and weyed the waters in a measure †When he gaue a lawe to the raynes and a way to the sounding stormes †Then he saw it and declared and prepared and searched it †And he sayd to man Behold the feare of our Lord that is wisedom and to depart from euil vnderstanding CHAP. XXIX Againe Iob recounteth Gods former benefites as Wel his grace wherby he did good workes 5. as temporal prosperitie 9. and wisdome aboue other princes IOB also added taking his parable and sayd †Who wil grant me that I may be according to the former monethes according to the daies in which God kept me †When his lampe shined ouer my head I walked by his light in darknes †As I was in the daies of my youth when God was secretly in my tabernacle †When the Omnipotent was with me and my seruantes round about me †When I washed my feete with butter and the rocke powred me riuets of oile †When I went forth to the gatte of the citie and in the streate they prepared me a chaire †Yong men sawe me and hid them selues and old men rising vp stoode †The princes ceased to speake and did put the finger vpon their mouth †Dukes held in their voice and their tongue cleaued to their throte †The eare hearing counted me blessed and the eie seing gaue testimonie to me †For that I had deliuered the poore man crying out and the pupil that had no helper †The blessing of him that was readie to perish came vpon me and I conforted the hart of the widow †I was clothed with iustice and I reuested me with my iudgement as with a garment and crowne †I was an eie to the blind and a foote to the lame â€
illuminate them with the light of the liuing †Attend Iob and heare me and hold thy peace whiles I speake †But if thou hast what to speake answer me speake for I would thee to appeare iust †And if thou haue not heare me hold thy peace and I wil teach thee wisedom CHAP. XXXIIII Againe Eliu chargeth Iob with blasphemie and other crimes 10. sheweth the equitie of Gods iudgement 20. and that al thinges are subiect to Gods powre and knowlege ELIV therfore pronouncing spake these wordes also †Heare ye wise men my wordes and ye learned harken to me †For the eare proueth wordes and the throate discerneth meates by the ras◠†Let vs choose vs iudgement and among vs let vs see what is the better †Because Iob sayd I am iust and God hath subuerted my iudgement †For in iudging me there is a lie mine arrow is violent without anie sinne †What man is there as is Iob that drinketh skorning as it were water †That goeth with them that worke iniquitie and walketh with impious men †For he hath sayd Man shal not please God although he runne with him †Therfore ye discrete men heare me far from God be impietie and iniquitie from the Omnipotent †For he wil render a man his worke and according to the waies of euerie one he wil recompence them †For in verie deed God wil not condemne without cause neither wil the Omnipotent subuert iudgement †What other hath he appointed ouer the earth or whom hath he sette ouer the world which he made †If he direct his hart to him he shal drawe his spirit and breath vnto him †Al flesh shal faile together and man shal returne into ashes †If then thou haue vnderstanding heare that is sayd and harken to the voice of my speach †Can he that loueth not iudgement be healed and how doest thou so far condemne him that is iust †That sayth to the king Apostata that calleth dukes impious †Who accepteth not the persones of princes nor hath knowen the tyrant when he contended against the poore man for al are the worke of his handes †They shal sodenly die and at midnight peoples shal be trubled and shal passe and take away the violent without hand †For his eies are vpon the waies of men and he considereth al their steppes †There is not darkenesse and there is not shadow of death that they may be hid there which worke iniquitie †For it is no more in mans powre to come to God into iudgement †He shal destroy manie innumerable shal make other to stand for them †For he knoweth their workes and therfore he shal bring night and they shal be destroyed †As impious men he hath stroken them in the place of them that see †Who as it were of purpose haue reuolted from him and would not vnderstand al his waies †That they caused the crie of the needie man to come to him and he heard the voice of the poore †For he granting peace who is there that can condemne After he shal hide his countenance who is there that may behole him both vpon nations and vpon al men †Who maketh a man that is an hypocrite reigne for the sinnes of the people †Therfore because I haue spoken to God thee also I wil not prohibite †If I haue erred teach thou me if I haue spoken iniquitie I wil adde no more †Doth God require it of thee because it hath displeased thee for thou beganst to speake and not I but if thou know anie better thing speake †Let men of vnderstanding speake to me and let a wiseman heare me †But Iob hath spoken folishly and his wordes sound not discipline †O my father let Iob be proued euen to the end cease not from the man of iniquity †Who addeth blasphemie vpon his sinnes let him be restrayned in the meane time among vs and then let him prouoke God to iudgement with his speaches CHAP. XXXV Eliu pretending that Iob had sayde God to be vniusts she weth that mans pietie nor impietie neither profiteth nor disprofiteth God 13 and that he iudgeth al thinges rightly THERFORE Eliu againe spake these wordes †Doth thy cogitation seme iust to thee that thou sadyst I am iuster then God †For thou saydst That which is right doth not please thee or what wil it profite thee if I sinne †Therfore wil I answer to thy wordes to thy frendes with thee †Looke vp to heauen and see and behold the skie that it is higher then thou †If thou sinne what shalt thou hurt him and if thine iniquiries be multiplied what shalt thou doe against him †Moreouer if thou doe iustly what shalt thou geue him or what shal he receiue of thy hand †Man that is like to thee thy impietie shal hurt and thy iustice shal helpe the sonne of man †Because of the multitude of calumniatours they shal cry and shal waile for the force of the arme of tyrantes †And he hath not sayd Where is God that made me that hath geuen songs in the night †Who teacheth vs aboue the beastes of the earth and instructeth vs aboue the foules of the ayre †There shal they crie and he wil not heare because of the pride of the euil †God therfore wil not heare without cause and the Omnipotent wil behold the causes of euerie one †Yea when thou shalt say He considereth not be iudged before him expect him †For he doth not now inferre his furie neither doth he reuenge wickednesse excedingly †Therfore Iob in vaine openeth his mouth and without knowledge multiplieth wordes CHAP. XXXVI Yet further Eliu sheweth that God by his powre and wisdome geueth to euerie one that is iust 16. inferring falsly that al Iobs affliction is for his sinnes 22. discoursing stil of Gods poure wisdom and prouidence ELIV also adding speake these wordes †Beare with me a litle and I wil shew to thee for as yet I haue what to speake for God †I wil repete my knowledge from the beginning and I wil proue my maker iust †For in deede my wordes are without lye and perfect knowledge shal be proued to thee †God doth not cast away the mightie wheras as himself also is mightie †But he saueth not the impious and he giueth iudgement to the poore †He shal not take away his eyes from the iust man and he placeth kinges in the throne for euer and there they are extolled †And if they shal be in cheines and be bound with the ropes of pouertic †He shal shew them their workes and their wicked deedes because they haue bene violent †He also shal reuele their eare to chastise them and shal speake that they may returne from iniquitie †If they shal heare and obserue they shal accomplish their daies in good and their years in
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
Caluin and his complices gether poyson of these holie wordes denying that sinnes are truly taken away but only couered and stil remayne say they in the iustest VVhich sense would make this Scripture contrarie to other places Isaie 6. thyn iniquitie shal be taken away and thy sinne shal be cleansed Ioan. 1. The lambe of God which taketh away the sinne of the world Act. 3. Be penitent and conuert that your sinnes may be put out 1. Cor. 6 you are washed you are sanctified you are iustified the like which shew the true real taking away of sinnes true sanctification and iustification As S. Ierom or some other ancient authentical autor explicateth this place saying Sinnes are so couered by baptisme penance that they are not to be reueled in the day of iudgement not imputed in him that diligently purgeth him selfe in this world or by martyrdom S. Augustin teacheth the same saying Sinnes are couered are wholly couered are abolished Neither must you vnderstand saith he that sinnes are couered as though stil they were and liued VVhy then did the prophet say sinnes are couered they are not to be punished More clerly li. 1. c 13. cont duas Epist Pelag. The Pelagians calumniating Catholiques as if they taught that sinnes are not taken away but shauen as heares are cut with a rasor the rootes remaining in he flesh vvhich he answereth none affirmeth but an infidel Likewise S. Gregorie teacheth that a sinner couereth his sinnes wel when with contrarie vertues he ouerwhelmeth former vices and with good deedes blotteth out former euil deedes He couereth them euil when either for shame or feare or obstinacie or desperation he concealeth his sinnes omitting to confesse them God couereth sinnes as a phisition couereth woundes by applying medicinal plaster which in deede cureth them Thus ancient lerned holie Fathers expound this text Further explicating that albeit thinges couered and only therby hidde from men do remaine as they were before they were hid yet whatsoeuer is hid to God is in dede vtterly taken away for nothing that is can be hid from God And the contrarie doctrin of Protestants is iniurious either to Gods powre if they say he can not quite take away sinnes or to his mercie if he wil not or to his iustice if he neuer punish sinnes euer remayning and to his truth if he repute otherwise then in deede the thing is It is also iniurious to Christ to say his bloud and death is not effectual to take away sinnes iniurious to innumerable places of holie Scripture which affirme plainly that sinnes by Gods grace are vtterly taken away Finally it is iniurious to Sainctes in heauen arguing them as stil infected with sinnes if in dede sinnes yet remaine in them which is most absurde and blasphemie to speake And yet foloweth by necessarie consequence For if the iustest liued died in sinne they should remaine eternally in sinne 2. Neither is there guile in his spirite In remission of sinnes the penitent necessarily must so cooperate that he haue no guile in his spirite or hart for if he haue then he faileth of the forsaide blessednes and his iniquities are not forgeuen nor his sinnes couered to God but to be imputed and punished Yet the repentance of a sinner be it neuer so sincere hartie and without guile doth not merite remission of sinne but only disposeth therto But after remission it is satisfactorie for the paine due for sinnes and meritorious of glorie According as S. Augustin here teacheth saying Good or meritorious workes goe not before faith and remission but folow the same PSALME XXXII The prophet exhorteth to praise God 4. describing his powre prouidence mercie and wisdom 16. no saluation but by him 20. and therfore prayeth for his helpe The Psalme of Dauid REIOYCE ye iust in our Lord praysing becometh the righteous †Confesse ye to our Lord on the harpe on a psalter of ten strings sing to him †Sing ye to him a new song sing wel to him in iubilation †Because the word of our Lord is right and al his workes are in faith †He loueth mercie and iudgement the earth is ful of the mercie of our Lord. †By the word of our Lord the heauens are established and by the spirit of his mouth al the power of them †Gathering together the waters of the sea as it were in a bottel putting the depthes in treasures †Let al the earth feare our Lord and let al the inhabitantes of the world be moued at him †Because he said and they were made he commanded and they were created †Our Lord l dissipateth the counsels of nations and he reproueth the cogitations of people and he reproueth the counsels of princes †But the counsel of our Lord abydeth for euer the cogitations of his hart in generation and generation †Blessed is the nation whose God is our Lord the people whom he hath chosen for his inheritance †Our Lord hath looked from heauen he hath sene al the children of men †From his prepared habitation he hath looked vpon al that inhabite the earth †Who made their hartes seuerally who vnderstandeth al their workes †The king is not saued by much powre and the gyant shal not be saued in the multitude of his strength †The horse fayleth to safetie and in the abundance of his force he shal not be saued †Behold the eies of our Lord be vpon them that feare him and on them that hope vpon his mercie †That he may deliuer their soules from death and nourish them in famine †Our soule expecteth our Lord because he is our helper and protector Because in him our hart shal reioyce and we haue trusted in his holie name Let thy mercie ô Lord be made vpon vs as we haue hoped in thee PSALME XXXIII King Dauid by his owne example being deliuered from danger exhorteth al men to render thankes for Gods benefites 12. shewing wherin iustice consisteth 16. and Gods special prouidence towards the iust To Dauid when “ he changed his countenance before Abimelech and he dismist him and he went away 1. Reg. 21. I WIL blesâ—e our Lord at al time his prayse alwayes in my mouth †In our Lord my soule shal be praised let the milde heare and reioyce †Magnifie ye our Lord with me and let vs exalt his name for euer †I haue sought out our Lord and he hath heard me and from al my tribulations he hath deliuered me †Come ye to him and be illuminated and your faces shal not be confounded †This poore man hath cried and our Lord hath heard him and from al his tribulations he hath saued him †The Angel of our Lord shal put in him selfe about them that feare him and shal deliuer them †Tast
to God †Ye kingdomes of the earth sing to God sing to our Lord †Sing ye to God that mounteth vpon the heauen of heauen to the East Behold he wil giue to his voice the voice of strength †giue you glorie to God vpon Israel his magnificence and his powre in the cloudes †God is meruelous in his saintes the God of Israel he wil giue powre and strength to his people God be blessed ANNOTATIONS PSALME LXVII 16. The mountaine of God For better discerning the true Church from other congregations the Prophet here describeth certaine proprieties therof for he calleth it a mountane because it is most visible to al men Secondly a fatte mountane that is replenished vvith al vertues and giftes of the Holie Ghost vvherof it is called Holie Thirdly it is crudded or consolidated in vnitie of faith and Religion vvhich conioyne the vvhole bodie making it solide and firme as the ruen turneth liquide milke into curde and so into cheese Fourtly it is the Congregation vvherin God alvvayes remaneth euen to the end for euer vvhich shevveth tvvo other proprieties that the Church neuer faileth nor erreth in doctrin God stil dvvelling therin and consequently conserueth it from error in doctrin 17. VVhy suppose you crudded montaines As for other congregations it is certaine and euident that they are not the Church of God because they are not crudded that is not vnited in the same pointes of faith but only in negatiue pointes and in general opposition against the Catholique Church and among themselues notoriously disagreing and diuided As they also vvant the other markes of the true Church PSALME LXVIII Christ in middes of afflictions as one in dangerous waters 5. describing the malice of persecutors and his owne true zele 14. prayeth his heauenlie Father for helpe 23. By way of iust imprecation forsheweth the seuere punishment of his aduersaries 30. his owne glorious Resurrection and prosperous building of his Church For which he inuiteth al creatures to praise God Vnto the end for them that shal be changed to Dauid SAVE me ô God because waters are entered into my soule †I sticke fast in the myre of the depth and there is no sure standing I am come into the depth of the sea and a tempest hath ouerwhelmed me †I haue labored crying my iawes are made hoarse my eies haue failed whiles I hope in my God †They are multiplied aboue the heares of my head that hate me without cause Mine enimies are made strong that haue persecuted me vniustly then did I pay the thinges that I tooke not †O God thou knowest my foolishnes and mine offences are not hide from thee †Let them not be ashamed vpon me which expect thee ô Lord Lord of hostes Let them not be confounded vpon me that seeke thee ô God of Israel †Because for thee haue I sustained reproch confusion hath couered my face †I am become a forener to my brethren and a stranger to the sonnes of my mother †Because the zele of thy house hath eaten me and the reproches of them that reproched thee fel vpon me †And I couered my soule in fasting and it was made a reproch to me And I put heare cloth my garment I became a parable to them †They spake aganst me that sat in the gate and they soong aganst me that dranke wine †But I my prayer to thee ô Lord a time of thy good pleasure ô God In the multitude of thy mercie heare me in the truth of thy saluation †Deliuer me out of the myre that I stick not fast deliuer me from them that hate me and from the depthes of waters †Let not the tempest of water drowne me nor the depth swallowe me neyther let the pit shut his mouth vpon me †Heare me ô Lord because thy mercie is benigne according to the multitude of thy commiserations haue respect to me †And turne not away thy face from thy seruant because I am in tribulation heare me speedily †Attend to my soule and deliuer it because of mine enimies deliuer me †Thou knowest my reproch my confusion my shame †In thy sight are al they that afflict me my hart hath looked for reproch and miserie And I expected some bodie that would be sorie together with me and there was none and that would confort me and I founde not †And they gaue gal for my meate in my thirst they gaue me vinegre to drinke †Let their table be made a snare before them for retributions and for a scandal †Let Their eies be darkned that they see not and make their backe crooked alwaies Poure out thy wrath vpon them and let the furie of thy wrath ouertake them Let their habitation be made desert and in their tabernacles let there be none to dwel Because whom thou hast striken they haue persecuted and vpon the sorrow of my wounds they haue added †Adde thou iniquitie vpon their iniquitie and let them not enter into thy iustice †Let them be put out of the booke of the liuing and with the iust let them not be written I am poore and sorowful thy saluation ô God hath receiued me †I wil praise the name of God with canticle and wil magnifie him in prayse †And it shal please God more then a young calfe that bringeth forth hornes and hoofes †Let the poore see and reioyce seeke ye God and your soule shal liue †Because our Lord hath heard the poore and he hath not despised his prisoners †Let the heauens and earth praise him the sea and al the creeping beastes in them †Because God wil saue Sion and the cities of Iuda shal be built vp And they shal inhabite there by inheritance they shal get it †And the seede of his seruants shal possesse it and they that loue his name shal dwel in it PSALME LXIX An other prayer of Dauid when he was persecuted by Absolom made in a Psalme after his deliuerie Vnto the end a Psalme of Dauid in remembrance that our Lord saued him O God intend vnto my helpe Lord make hast to helpe me †Let them be confounded and be ashamed that seeke my soule †Let them be turned away backeward and be ashamed that wil me euils Let them be turned away forthwith ashamed that say to me Wel wel †Let al that seeke thee reioyce and be glad in thee and let them say alwayes Our Lord be magnified which loue thy saluation †But I am needie and poore ô God helpe me thou art my helper and deliuerer ô Lord be not slacke PSALME LXX King Dauid or anie other iust person prayeth God to
Ammon and Amalec the for eners with the inhabitantes of Tyre †Yea and Assur also is come with them they are made an aide to the children of Lot †Doe to them as to Madian and Sisara as to Iabin in the torrent Cisson †They perished in Endor they were made as the dung of the earth †Put their princes as Oreb and Zeb and Zebee and Salmana Al their princes †which haue saide Let vs possesse the Sanctuarie of God for an inheritance †My God put them as a wheele and as stubble before the face of the winde †Euen as fire that burneth a wood as a flame that burneth the mountaines †So shalt thou pursew them in thy tempest and in thy wrath thou shalt truble them †Fil their faces with ignominie and they wil seeke thy name ô Lord. †Let them be ashamed and trubled for euer and euer and let them be confounded and perish †And let them know that Lord is thy name thou onlie the Highest in al the earth PSALME LXXXIII Deuout persons feruently desire eternal glorie 6. accounting it in the meane time a happie state to be in the militant Church 12. where God first geuing grace wil geue glorie in the triumphant †Vnto the end for wine presses t the children of Core a Psalme HOW beloued are thy tabernacles ô Lord of hoastes †my soule coueteth and fainteth vnto the courtes of our Lord. My hart and my flesh haue reioyced toward the liuing God †For the sparow also hath found her an house and the turtledoue a nest for her selfe where she may lay her young ones Thine altars ô Lord of hoastes my King and my God †Blessed are they that dwel in thy house ô Lord for euer and euer they shal praise thee †Blessed is the man whose helpe is from thee he hath disposed ascension in his hart †in the vaile of teares in the place which he hath appointed †For the lawgeuer shal geue blessing they shal goe from vertue into vertue the God of goddes shal be seene in Sion †Lord God of hoastes heare my prayer receiue with thine eare ô God of Iacob †Behold ô God our protectour and looke vpon the face of thy Christ †Because better is one day in thy courtes aboue thousands I haue chosen to be an abiect in the house of my God rather then to dwel t in the tabernacles of sinners †Because God loueth mercie and truth our Lord wil geue grace and glorie †He wil not depriue them of good thinges that walke in innocencie ô Lord of hoastes blessed is the man that hopeth in thee PSALME LXXXIIII With commemoration of Gods former benefites 5. Christs Incarnation is prophecied 9. bringing peace and saluation 11. mercie and iustice concurring together Vnto the end to the children of Core a Psalme O Lord thou hast blessed thy land thou hast turned away the captiuitie of Iacob †Thou hast forgeuen the iniquitie of thy people thou hast couered al their sinnes †Thou hast mitigated al thy wrath thou hast turned away from the wrath of thine indignation †Conuert vs ô God our sauiour and auert thy wrath from vs. †Wil t thou be wrath with vs for euer or wilt thou extend thy wrath from generation vnto generation †O God thou being turned shalt quicken vs and thy people shal reioyce in thee †Shew vs ô Lord thy mercie and giue vs thy saluation †I wil heare what our Lord God wil speake in me because he wil speake peace vpon his people And vpon his saincts and vpon them that are conuerted to the hart †But yet his saluation is nigh to them that feare him that glorie may inhabite in our land †Mercie and truth haue met each other iustice and peace haue kissed †Truth is risen out of the earth and iustice hath looked downe from heauen †For our Lord certes wil geue benignitie and our land shal giue her fruite †Iustice shal walke before him and shal set his steppes in the way PSALME LXXXV In consideration of his owne imperfections the royal prophet or other faithful person prayeth God 5. according to his mercie and goodnes 9. shewed in conuerting Gentiles 13. and in deliuering the supplicant him self from the state of damnation 16. that he wil stil direct and defend him against al enimies †A praier to Dauid him selfe Incline thine eare ô Lord and heare me because I am needie and poore †Keepe my soule because I am holie saue thy seruant my God that hopeth in thee †Haue mercie on me ô Lord because I haue cried to thee al the day †make ioyful the soule of thy seruant because to thee ô Lord haue I lifted vp my soule †Because thou ô Lord art swete and milde and of much mercie to al that inuocate thee †Receiue ô Lord my praier with thine ears and attend to the voice of my petition †In the day of my tribulation I haue called to thee because thou hast heard me †There is not the like to thee amongst goddes ò Lord and there is not according to thy workes †Al nations what soeuer thou hast made shal come and shal adore before thee ô Lord and they shal glorifie thy name †Because thou art great and doing meruelous thinges thou onlie art God †Conduct me ô Lord in thy way and I wil walke in thy truth let my hart reioyce that it may feare thy name †I wil confesse to thee ô Lord my God with al my hart and wil glorifie thy name for euer †Because thy mercie is great vpon me and thou hast deliuered my soule out of the lower hel †O God the wicked are risen vp vpon me and the synagogue of the mightie haue sought my soule and they haue not set thee in their sight †And thou ô Lord the God of compassion and merciful patient and of much mercie and true †Haue respect to me and haue mercie on me giue thine empire to thy seruant and saue the sonne of thy handmaide †Make with me a signe vnto God that they may see which hate me and may be confounded because thou ô Lord hast holpen me PSALME LXXXVI The Church of Christ beginning in Ierusalem 3. is extended to al Nations 5. glorious 6. and permanent 7. in holie ioy To the children of Core a Psalme of Canticle THE fundations thereof in the holie mountaynes †our Lord loueth the gates of Sion aboue al the tabernacles of Iacob †Glorious thinges
be done †Nothing vnder the sunne is new neither is anie man able to say Behold this is new for it hath already gone before in the ages that were before vs. †There is no memorie of former thinges but neither of those thinges verily which hereafter are to come shal there be remenbrance with them that shal be in the later end †I Ecclesiastes haue bene king of Israel in Ierusalem †and haue proposed in my mind to seke and search wisely of al thinges that are done vnder the sunne This very euil occupation hath God geuen to the children of men that they might be occupied in it †I haue sene al thinges that are done vnder the sunne and behold al are vanitie affliction of spirit †The peruerse are hardly corrected and the number of fooles is infinite †I haue spoken in my hart saying Loe I haue bene made great and haue gone beyond al in wisdom that were before me in Ierusalem and my minde hath contemplated manie thinges wisely and I haue lerned †And I haue geuen my hart to know prudence and doctrine and errors and follie and I haue perceiued that in these also there was labour and affliction of spirite †for that “ in much wisdom there is much indignation and he that addeth knowlege addeth also labour ANNOTATIONS CHAP. I. 18. In much vvisdom is much indignation How much more anie man profiteth in wisdom so much more he is angrie with himself for the euils which he hath done so much better he knovveth the strict iudgement of God which he must passe so much more he vnderstandeth the vvant of perfect vvisdom so much more he seeth that labour is required to procede in vertue and to conserue that smal portion vvhich he hath gotten Neither is anie man ordinarily assured that he hath gotte anie part of true vvisdom for he knovveth not vvhether he be vvorthie of loue or hate Eccle. 9. CHAP. II. Humane deligthes are al vaine 4. as gorgious buildinges fruitful vinyards plentie of fish cattle seruantes siluer gold musike 11. not satisfying mans desire 18. Neither can anie man know how his heyre wil behaue himself ISayde therfore in my hart I wil goe flow in delightes and enioy good thinges And I saw that this also was vanitie †Laughter I haue reputed errour and to ioy I haue saide Why art thou deceiued in vaine †I haue thought in my hart to withdraw my flesh from wine that I might transferre my minde to wisdom and might auoid follie til I might see what should be profitable for the children of men what is nedeful to be done vnder the sunne in the number of the dayes of their life †I haue magnified my workes I haue built me houses planted vineyards †I haue made gardens and orchards and set them with trees of al kindes †and I haue made me ponds of waters to watter the wood of springing trees †I haue possessed menseruants and wemenseruants and haue had a great familie heardes also and great flockes of shepe aboue al that were before me in Ierusalem †I haue heaped together to myself siluer and gold and the substance of kinges and prouinces I made me singingmen singingwemen and the delightes of the children of men cuppes and goblets to serue to powre out wines †and I surpassed in riches al that were before me in Ierusalem wisdom also hath perseuered with me †And al thinges that myne eies desired I haue not denied to them neither haue I stayed my hart but that it enioyed al pleasure delighted itself in these thinges which I had prepared and this I estemed my portion if I did vse my labour †And when I had turned myself to al the workes which my handes had done to the laboures wherin I had swette in vaine I saw in al thinges vanitie and affliction of minde nothing to be permanent vnder the sunne †I passed further to contemplate wisdom and errors and follie what is man quoth I that he can folow the king his Maker †and I saw that wisdom so much excelled follie as light differeth from darknes †The eyes of a wiseman are in his head the foole walketh in darknes and I haue lerned that there was one death of both †And I sayd in my hart If the fal of the foole myne shal be one what doth it profite me that I haue bestowed greater labour for wisdom And speaking with my minde I perceiued that this also was vanitie †For there shal be no memorie of the wise in like maner as of the foole for euer and the times to come shal couer al thinges together with obliuion the lerned dieth in like maner as the vnlerned †And therfore I haue bene wearie of my life seing al thinges vnder the sunne to be euil and al thinges vanitie and affliction of spirite †Againe I detested al myne industrie wherwith I haue laboured vnder the sunne most studiously being like to haue an heyre after me †whom I know not whether he wil be a wiseman or a foole and he shal rule in my labours wherewith I haue swette and haue bene careful and is there anie thing so vaine †Wherfore I ceased and my hart hath renounced to labour anie more vnder the sunne †For whereas one laboreth in wisdom and doctrine and carefulnes he leaueth the thinges gotten to an idle man and this therfore is vanitie and great euil †For what profite shal be to a man of al his labour and affliction of spirite wherwith he is vexed vnder the sunne †Al his daies are ful of sorowes and miseries neither by night doth he rest in minde and is not this vanitie †Is it not better to eate and drinke and shew vnto his soule good thinges of his laboures this is of the hand of God †Who shal so deuour and flow with delightes as I †To a man good in his sight God hath geuen wisdom and knowlege and ioy but to the sinner he hath geuen affliction and superfluous care to adde and to gather together and deliuer it to him that hath pleased God but this also is vanitie vaine carefulnes of the minde CHAP. III. Contrarie thinges succede in their seasons and passe away 9. wherof man getteth no perfect knowlege how long soeuer he liueth and laboreth to know them 16. neither wil there be equitie where it ought to be in this world 21. but in the next good and euil shal be separated and iudged according to their desertes AL thinges haue a time and in their spaces al thinges passe vnder heauen †A time to be borne a time to dye A time to plant a time to pluck vp that which was planted †A time to kil and a time to heale A time to destroy and a time to builde †A time to wepe a time to laugh A time to mourne
that neither running is of the swift nor warre of the strong nor bread of the wise nor riches of the lerned nor grace of the artificers but time and chance in al. †Man knoweth not his owne end but as fishes are taken with the hooke and as birdes are caught with the snare so men are taken in the euil time when it shal sudenly come vpon them †This wisdom also I haue sene vnder the sunne and haue proued it to be very great †A litle citie and few men in it there came against it a great king and compassed it and builded fortes round about and the siege was perfired †And there was found in it a man poore and wise and he deliuered the citie by his wisdom and no man afterward remembred that pooreman †And I sayd that wisdom is better then streingth how then was the wisdom of the pooreman contemned his wordes were not heard †The wordes of the wise are heard in silence more then the crie of a prince among fooles †Better is wisdom then weapons of warre and he that shal offend in one point shal lose manie good thinges CHAP. X. Considering the great difference betwen wisdom and follie 4. it behoueth to resist vehement tentations diligently 5. As when euil ignorant men haue auctoritie ouer the wise 8. The wicked often fal into their owne snares 10. are hard yet not vnpossible to be corrected 11. Detracters are like serpents 12. wise graue princes are profitable childish are hurtful to the commonwealth 18. which by their negligence tendeth to ruine 20. yet subiectes ought not to iudge euil of them FLIES dying marre the sweetnes of ointment Wisdom and glorie is more precious then a litle and temporal follie †The hart of a wiseman is in his righthand and the hart of a foole is in his lefthand †Yea and the foole walking in the way wheras himself is vnwise estemeth al men fooles †If the spirite of him that hath powre ascend vpon thee leaue not thy place because carefulnes wil make the greatest sinnes to cease †There is an euil that I haue sene vnder the sunne as it were by errour proceding from the face of the prince †a foole set in high dignitie and the rich to sitte beneth †I haue sene seruants vpon horses and princes walking on the ground as seruants †He that diggeth a pitte shal fal into it and he that breaketh the hedge a serpent shal bite him †He that remoueth stones shal be afflicted in them and he that cutteth trees shal be wounded of them †If the iron shal be blunt and that not as before but shal be made blunt it shal be sharpened by great labour and after industrie shal wisdom solow †If a serpent bite in silence nothing lesse then it hath he that detracteth seoâ—etly †The wordes of the mouth of a wiseman grace and the lippes of the vnwise shal throw him downe headlong †The beginning of his wordes is follie and the later end of his mouth is most wicked errour †A foole multiplieth wordes A man is ignorant what hath bene before him and what shal be after him who can tel him †The labour of fooles shal afflict them that know not to goe into the cittie †“ Woe to thee ô land whose king is a childe and whose princes eate in the morning †Blessed is the land whose king is noble whose princes eate in their time to refection and not to riotousnes †In slouthfulnes the roofe of the house shal goe to ruine in the infirmitie of the handes the house shal droppe through †They make bread for laughter and wine that liuing they may make merie and to money al thinges obey †In thy cogitation detract not from the king and in the secret of thy chamber curse not the richman because euen the birdes of the ayre wil carie thy voice and he that hath winges wil declare the sentence ANNOTATIONS CHAP. X. 16 VVoe to thee o land vvhose king is a childe S. Ierom as in most part of his commentaries vpon this booke expoundeth this passage in two senses simply according to the first apparance of the letter and mystically concerning the Church The wiseman semeth in dede sayth he to reproue the principalitie of yongmen and to condemne luxurious iudges for that in the one by want of age is infirme wisdom in the other mature age is weakened by delicacies And contrary wise he approueth a prince of good partes liberal education commendeth those Iudges which do not preferre voluptuousnes before publique affayres but after great labour and administration of the commonwealth are constrained as by necessitie to take meate Yet to me saith this great Doctor something more sacred semeth to lye hidde in the letter that in Scripture they are called yongmen who forsake old auctoritie and contemne ancient precepts of forefathers who neglecting Gods commandment desire to establish traditions of men Touching which points our Lord threatneth Israel by Isaias for that this people hath refused the water of Siloe that runneth with silence and hath turned away the old fishpond choosing the streames of Samaria and gulfes of Damascus I wil geue yongmen to be their princes and deluders shal rule ouer them Read Daniel Thou shalt finde God ancient of dayes Read the Apocalips of S. Iosu Thou shalt finde the head of our Sauiour white as snow and as white wool Ieremie also because he was wise and grauitie was reputed in his wisdom was forbid to cal himself a childe VVoe therfore to the land whose king is the diuel who alwayes couering nouelties rebelled in Absalom against the father VVoe to that land whose Iudges and Princes loue the pleasures of this vvorld VVho vntil the day of death come say Let vs eate and drinke for to morow we shal dye Contrarivvise blessed is the land of the Church vvhose King is Christ the Sonne of the freeborne descending from Abraham Isaac and Iacob the stock of Prophetes and of al Saintes ouer vvhom sinne ruled not and for that cause they vvere truly free of vvhom vvas borne the holie Virgin Marie more free hauing no shrubbe nor branch out of the side but her vvhole fruite sprungforth into a floure saying in the Canticles I am the floure of the filde the lillie of the valles The princes also of this land are the Apostles and al sainctes vvho haue their king the sonne of the freeborne the sonne of the freevvoman not of the bondvvoman Agar but borne of the freedom of Sara Neither do they eate in the morning nor quickly For they seke not pleasure in this present vvorld but shal eate in their due time vvhen the time of revvard shal come and they shal eate in fortitude and not in confusion Al the good of this present vvorld is confusion but of the future vvorld is perpetual fortitude Thus farre
and let vs enioy the good thinges that are and let vs quickly vse the creature as in youth †Let vs fil ourselues with precious wine and oyntments and let not the flowre of the time passe vs. †Let vs crowne ourselues with roses before they wither let there be no medow which our riote shal not passe through †Let none of vs be exempted from our rioteousnes euerie where let vs leaue signes of ioy because this is our portion and this our lot †Let vs oppresse the poore iust man and not spare the widow nor reuerence the oldmans grey head of long time †But let our strength be the law of iustice for that which is Weake is found vnprofitable †Let vs therfore circumuent the iust because he is vnprofitable to vs and he is contrarie to our workes and reprochfully obiecteth vnto vs the sinnes of the law and defameth in vs the sinnes of our discipline †He boasteth that he hath the knowlege of God and nameth himselfe the sonne of God †He is made vnto vs to the defaming of our cogitations †He is greuous vnto vs euen to behold because his life la vnlike to others and his wayes are changed †We are estemed of him as triflers and he absteyneth from our wayes as from vncleannes and he preferreth the later ends of the iust and glorieth that he hath God for his father †Let vs see therfore if his wordes be true and let vs proue what thinges shal come to him and we shal know what shal be his later ends †For if he be the true sonne of God he wil defend him wil deliuer him from the hands of the aduersaries †By contumelie and torment let vs examine him that we may know his reuerence and proue his patience †To a most shameful death let vs condemne him for there shal be respect had vnto him by his wordes †These thinges haue they thought and haue erred for their malice hath blinded them †And they haue not knowen the sacraments of God nor hoped for the reward of iustice nor estemed the honour of holie soules †For God created man incorruptible and to the image of his owne likenes he made him †But by the enuie of the diuel death entred into the world †and they folow him that are of his part CHAP. III The iust contemned by the wicked and proued by tentations are happie 10. and the wicked vnhappie 12. Chastitie shal be rewarded adulterous generations shal not prosper BVT the soules of the iust are in the hand of God and the torment of death shal not touch them †They semed in the eies of the vnwise to die and their decease was counted affliction †and that which with vs is the way is destruction but they are in peace †And though before men they suffered torments their hope is ful of immortalitie †Vexed in few thinges in many they shal be wel disposed of because God hath tempted them and hath found them worthie of him selfe †As gold in the furnace he hath proued them and as an host of holocaust he hath receiued them and in time there shal be respect of them †The iust shal shine and as sparkes in a place of reedes they shal runne abrode †They shal iudge nations haue dominion ouer peoples and their Lord shal reigne for euer †They that trust in him shal vnderstand truth and the faithful in loue shal rest in him because rest and peace is to his elect †But the impious according to the thinges which they haue thought shal haue correption which haue neglected the iust haue reuolted from our Lord. †For he that reiecteth wisdom and discipline is vnhappie and their hope is vaine and labours without fruite and their workes vnprofitable †Their wiues are sensles and their children most wicked †Cursed is their creature because happie is the barren woman and the vndefiled which hath not knowen bed in sinne she shal haue fruite in visitation of holie soules †and the eunuch that hath not wrought iniquitie with his hands nor thought most wicked things against God for the chosen gift of fayth shal be geuen to him and a most acceptable lot in the temple of God †For of good labour there is glorious fruite and the roote of wisdom which falleth not †But the children of adulterers shal be in consummation and the sede of the vnlawful bed shal be destroyed †And if certes they be of long life they shal be reputed for nothing their last oldage shal be without honour †And if they dye quickly they shal haue no hope nor speach of comfort in the day of acknowledging †For of a wicked nation the endes are cruel CHAP. IIII. Great difference betwen chaste and adulterous generations 7. Speedier death of the iust is recompensed by Gods prouidence 19. but the wicked incurre greater damnation by liuing long O How beautiful is the chaste generation with glorie for the memorie therof is immortal because it is knowen both with God and with men †When it is present they imitate it and they desire it when it hath withdrawen itself and it triumpheth crowned for euer winning the reward of vndefiled conflictes †But the multitude of the impious that hath manie children shal not be profitable and bastarde plants shal not take deepe roote nor lay sure fundation †And if in the boughes for a â—ime they shal spring being weakly set they shal be moued of the winde and by the vehemencie of the windes they shal be rooted out †For the vnperfect boughes shal be broken and their fruites shal be vnprofitable and sowre to eate and meete for nothing †For the children that be borne of wicked sleepes are witnesses of wickednes against the parents in their examination †But the iust if he be preuented with death shal be in a place of refreshing †For venerable oldage is not that of long time nor accounted by the number of yeares but the vnderstanding of a man are grey heares †and an immaculate life is old age †Pleasing God he is made beloued and liuing among sinners he was translated †“ He was taken away lest malice should change his vnderstanding or lest anie guile might deceiue his soule †For the bewitching of vanitie obscureth good thinges and the inconstancie of concupiscence peruerteth the vnderstanding that is without malice †Being consummate in short space he fulfilled much time †for his soule pleased God for this cause he hastened to bring him out of the middes of iniquiries but the peoples that are seing and not vnderstanding nor putting such thinges in their hartes †that the grace of God and mercie is toward his saintes and respect toward his elect †But the iust dead condemneth the impions aliue and youth soone ended the long life of the vniust †For they
thy soule a lie †Reuerence not thy neighbour in his offence †nor kepe in a word in time of saluation Hide not thy wisdom in the beautie thereof †For by the tongue wisdom is discerned and vnderstanding and knowlege and doctrine by the word of the wise and steedfastnes in the workes of iustice †Doe not gaynesay the word of truth by any meanes and be ashamed of the lie of thyne vnskilfulnes †Be not ashamed to confesse thy sinnes and submite not thy self to euerie man for sinne †Resist not against the face of the mightie neither labour against the streame of the riuer †For iustice contend for thy soule and vnto death striue for iustice and God wil ouerthrow thyne enemies for thee †Be not hastie in thy tongue and vnprofitable and remisse in thy workes †Be not as a lion in thy house ouerthrowing them of thy houshold and oppressing them that are subiect to thee †Let not thine hand be stretched out to receiue and closed to geue CHAP. V. Let not riches youth nor streingth hold thee in sinne 5. but do penance for sinnes remitted and adde not sinne vpon sinne 6. Neither presume to sinne because God is merciful 10. Be not couetous nor vnconstant 13. Be meeke in lerning and careful in teaching 16. not a batâ—maker nor duble tongued ATTEND not to vniust possessions and say not I haue sufficient liuelihood for it shal nothing profite in the time of vengeance affliction †Folow not in thy strength the concupiscence of thy hart †and say not How mightie am I and who shal bring me vnder for my factes for God reuenging wil reuenge †Say not I haue sinned and what sorowful thing hath chanced to me For the Highest is a patient rewarder †Of sinne forgeuen be not without feare neither adde thou sinne vpon sinne †And say not The mercie of our Lord is great he wil haue mercie on the multitude of my sinnes †For mercie and wrath quickly approch from God and his wrath looketh vpon sinners †Slacke not to be conuerted to our Lord and differre not from day to day †For his wrath shal come sodainly and in the time of vengeance he wil destroy thee †Be not careful in vniust riches for they shal not profite thee in the day of obduction and vengeance †Tosse not thy self into euerie winde and goe not into euerie way for so euerie sinner is proued by a duble tongue †Be stedfast in the way of our Lord in the truth of thy vndestanding and in knowlege and let the word of peace and iustice accompanie thee †Be milde to heare the word thou maist vnderstand and with wisdom vtter thou a true answer †If thou haue vnderstanding answer thy neighbour but if not let thine hand be vpon thy mouth lest thou be taken in an vnskilful word and be confounded †Honour and glorie in the word of the wise but the tongue of the vnwise is his subuersion †Be not called a whisperer and be not taken in thy tongue confounded †For vpon a theefe is confusion repentance and a verie euil condemnation vpon the duble tongued but to the whisperer hatred and emnitie and contumâ—lie †Iustifiâ— thou the litle one and the great alike CHAP. VI. Reproch enuie and ferocitie hinder from louing our neighbour 5. swetenes norisheth it 6. A trustie freind is much worth â—8 Seeke and kepe wisdom with al diligence 35. Frequent the companie of the wise and meditate in Gods law BE not for a frend made an enemie to thy neighbour for the euil man shal inherite reproch and contumelie and euerie sinner enuious and duble tongued †Extol not thyself in the cogitation of thy soule as it were a bul lest perhaps thy strength be quashed †and it eate thy leaues and destroy thy fruites and thou be leaft as a drie tree in the wildernes †For a wicked soule shal destroy him that hath it and it geueth him to be a ioy to his enemies and shal lead him into the lot of the impious †A sweete word multiplieth frends appeaseth enemies and a gratious tongue in a good man aboundeth †Let there be manie at peace with thee and let one of a thousand be thy counseler †If thou possesse a frend in tentation possesse him and not easely credite him †For he is a frend according to his owne time and wil not abide in the day of tribulation †And there is a frend that is turned to emnitie and there is a frend that wil disclose hatred and reproches †And there is a frend companion at the table and he wil not abide in the day of necessitie †A frend if he continew stedfast shal be to â—hee as an equal and in them of thy houshold shal deale confidently †if he humble himself against thee and hide himself from thy face thou shalt haue frendshippe of one accord for good †Be seperated from thine enemies take heede of thy frends †A faithful frend is a strong protection and he that hath found him hath found a treasure †To a faythful frend there is no comparison and there is no poyse of gold and siluer able to counteruaile the goodnes of his fidelitie †A faythful frend is the medecine of life immortalitie they that feare our Lord shal finde him †He that feareth God shal likewise haue good frendshipe because according to him shal his frend be †Sonne from thy youth receiue doctrine and euen to thy hoare heares thou shalt finde wisdom †As he that ploweth and that soweth goe to her and expect her good fruites †For in her worke thou shalt labour a litle and shalt quickly eate of her generation †How exceding sharpe is wisdom to the vnlerned men and the vnwise wil not continew in her †As the vertue of a stone she shal be a probation in them and they wil not stay to cast her forth †For the wisdom of doctrine is according to her name and she is not manifest to manie but to whom she is knowen she contineweth euen to the sight of God †Heare my sonne and take counsel of vnderstanding and cast not away my counsel †Thrust thy foote into her fetters and thy necke into her cheynes †put vnder thy shoulder and carie her and be not wearie of her bands †With al thy minde goe to her and with al thy strength keepe her wayes †Search her out and she shal be made manifest to thee and hauing obteyned her forsake her not †for in the later end thou shalt finde rest in her and she shal be turned vnto delectation †And her fetters shal be to thee for a protection of strength and foundation of powre her cheynes for a stole of glorie †For the beautie of life is in her and her bands are a healthful
thinke as if thou were to pay it †Iudge not agaynst a iudge because he iudgeth according to that which is iust †With the audacious goe not on the way lest perhaps he burden thee with his euils for he goeth according to his owne wil and thou shalt perish together with his follie †With an angrie man make no brawle and with the audacious goe not into the desert because bloud is as nothing before him and where there is no helpe he wil ouerthrow thee †Conferre no counsel with fooles for they can not loue but such thinges as please them †Before a stranger doe no matter of counsel for thou knowest not what he wil bring forth †Make not thy hart manifest to euerie man lest perhaps he repay thee false kindnes and speake reprochfully to thee CHAP. IX Great prudence is required in conuersation betwen men and wemen 14. Esteme old freindes 16. Emulate not sinners 18. Auoide the companie of malicious 21. Consult with the prudent hauing God euer before thyne eyes BE not ielous ouer the wife of thy bosome lest she shew vpon thee the malice of wicked doctrine †Geue not to a woman the power of thy soule lest she goe in thy strength and thou be confounded †Looke not vpon a woman that is desirous of manie lest perhaps thou fal into her snares †With her that is a dauncer be not daily conuersant nor heare her lest perhaps thou perish in her efficacie †Behold not a virgin lest perhaps thou be scandalized in her beautie †Geue not thy soule to harlottes in any poynt lest thou destroy thyself and thine inheritance †Looke not round about in the waves of the citie nor wander vp and downe in the streates therof †Turne away thy face from a trimmed woman and gaze not about vpon an others beautie †By the beautie of a woman manie haue perished and hereby concupiscence is inflamed as a fire †Euerie woman that is an harlot shal be troden vpon as dung in the way †Manie hauing admired the beautie of an other mans wife haue become reprobate for her communication burneth as fire †Sit not at al with an other mans wife nor repose vpon the bed with her †and striue not with her at the wine lest perhapes thy hart decline toward her with thy bloud thou fal into perdition †Forsake not an old frend for the new wil not be like to him †A new frend is as new wine it shal waxe old and thou shalt drinke it with sweetnes †Doe not zelousely desire the glorie and the riches of a sinner for thou knowest not what his subuersion shal be †Let not the iniurie of the vniust please thee knowing that euen to hel the impious shal not please †Be far from the man that hath power to kil and thou shalt not suspect the feare of death †And if thou come to him committe nothing lest perhaps he take away thy life †Know it to be communication with death because thou shalt goe in the middes of snarres and shalt walke vpon the weapons of the sorowful †According to thy powre beware thee of thy neighbour and treate with the wise and prudent †Let iust men be thy ghests and let thy gloriation be in the feare of God †and let the cogitation of God be in thy vnderstanding al thine enarration in the precepts of the Highest †Workes shal be praysed in the handes of artificers and the prince of the people in the wisdom of his speach but the word of the ancients in the sense †A man ful of tongue is terrible in his citie and he that is rash in his word shal be odious CHAP. X. Wise superiors are very necessarie because the multitude folow their example 6. Remitte and forget iniuries detest pride iniustice contumelie and auarice 12. Life is short 14. Pride is the roote of al sinnes 23. Iust pouertie is better then sinful riches 31. Mekenes and modestie are necessarie in al men A wise iudge shal iudge his people and the principalitie of the wise shal be stable †According to the Iudge of the people so also are his ministers and what maner of man the ruler of a citie is such also are the habitants therein †An vnwise king shal destroy his people and cities shal be inhabited by the vnderstanding of the prudent †The powre of the earth is in the hand of God and he wil rayse vp a profitable ruler for a time ouer it †The prosperitie of man is in the hand of God vpon the face of the scribe he wil put his honour †Anie iniurie of thy neighbour remember not and doe nothing by workes of iniurie †Pride is odious before God and men and al the iniquitie of the nations is execrable †A kingdome is translated from nation vnto nation because of iniustices and iniuries and contumelies and diuerse deceites †But nothing is more wicked then the couetous man Why is earth and ashes proud †Nothing is more wicked then to loue money For he hath his soule also to sel because in his life he hath cast forth his most in ward thinges †Al power is of short life Long sicknes greueth the Physicion †Short sicknes the Physicion cutteth of at the first so also the king is to day to morow he shal die †For when a man shal die he shal inherite serpents and beasts and wormes †The begynning of the pride of man is to apostatate from God †because his hart is departed from him that made him for pride is the begynning of al sinne he that holdeth it shal be filled with curses it shal subuert him in the end †Therfore hath our Lord dishonoured the congregations of the euil hath destroyed them euen to the end †God hath destroyed the seates of proud princes and hath made the meeke sitte in their stead †God hath made the rootes of the proud nations to wither and hath planted the humble of the nations themselues †Our Lord hath subuerted the landes of the gentiles and hath destroyed them euen to the fundation †He hath made of them to wither and hath destroyed them and hath made the memorie of them to cease from the earth †God hath destroyed the memorie of the proud and hath left the memorie of them that are humble in vnderstanding †Pride was not created to men nor wrath to the nation of wemen †That seede of men shal be honoured which feareth God but that seede shal be dishonoured which transgresseth the commandments of our Lord. †In the middes of brethren their ruler shal be in honour and they that feare our Lord shal be in his eyes †The glorie of the rich of the honourable and of the poore is the feare of God †Despise not the iust man that is poore and magnifie
so also a feareful hart in the cogitation of a foole shal not resist against the violence of feare †As a trembling hart in the cogitation of a foole al time wil not feare so also he that continueth alwaies in the preceptes of God †He that pricketh the eie bringeth forth teares and he that pricketh the hart bringeth forth feeling †He that casteth a stone at fowles and shal throw them downe so he that speaketh reprochefully to his freind dissolueth freindship †Although thou drowest a sword at a freind despaire not for there is returning to a freind †If thou open a sad mouth feare not for there is agreement except taunt and reproch and pride and reuealing of secret and a traiterous wound in al these thinges a freind wil flee away †Possesse fidelitie with a freind in his prouertie that in his goodes also thou maist reioyce †In the time of his tribulation continew faithful to him that in his inheritance also thou maist be heire with him †Before the fire the vapour of the chimney and the smoke of the fire riseth on high so also before bloud euil wordes and contumelies threates †I wil not be ashamed to salute a freind from his face I wil not hide myself and if there chance euiles to me by him I wil beare it †Euerie one that shal heare wil beware of him †Who wil geue a gard to my mouth and a sure seale vpon my lippes that I fal not by them and my tongue destroy me CHAP. XXIII A prayer against pride 6. gluttonie and luxurie 7. Beware of offending in spèach 9. especialliy of vnlawful swearing 15. blasphemie 17. irreuerent and reprocheful wordes 21. Also of auarice 24. fornication and adultrie 30. al which God seeth and wil seuerly punish 33. With other sinnes that folow therof O Lord father and dominatour of my life leaue me not in their counsel nor suffer me to fal in them †Who laieth on stripes in my cogitation and in my hart the doctrine of wisdom and in their ignorances they spare me not and their offences appeare not †and my ignorances increase not and my offences be multiplied and my sinnes ahound and I fal in the sight of mine aduersaries mine enemies reioyce †O Lord father and God of my life leaue me not in their cogitation †Hautines of mine eies geue me not and al desire turne away from me †Take from me the concupiscences of the bellie and let not the concupiscences of copulation take hold of me and geue me not ouer to a shamelesse and foolish minde †O children heare the doctrine of the mouth and he that wil keepe it shal not perish by his lippes nor be scandalized in most wicked workes †A sinner is taught in his vanirie and the proud and the euil speaker shal he scandalized in them †Let not thy mouth be accustomed to swearing for there be manie falles in it †But let not the naming of God be vsual in thy mouth and meddle not with the names of Sainctes because thou shalt not scape free from them †For as a seruant daily examined lacketh not the marke therof so euerie one that sweareth and nameth shal not be wholy purged from sinne †A man that sweareth much shal be filled with iniquitie and plague shal not depart from his house †And if he frustrate it his sinne shal be vpon him and if he dissemble he offendeth duble †and if he sweare in vaine he shal not be iustified for his house shal be filled with retribution †There is an other contrarie speach also to death be it not found in the inheritance of Iacob †For of the merciful al those thinges shal be taken away and they wil not wallow in sinnes †Let not thy mouth be accustomed to vnnurtered speach for there is in it a word of sinne †Remember thy father and thy mother for thou sittest in the middest of greate men †lest perhapes God forget thee in their sight and being sotted with thy dailie custome thou suffer reproch and hadst better not haue bene borne and curse the day of thy natiuitie †A man accustomed to the wordes of reproch wil not be instructed in al his daies †Two sortes abound in sinnes and the third bringeth wrath and perdition †An hote soule as a burning fire wil not be quenched til it swallow somewhat †and a wicked man in the mouth of his flesh wil not cease til he kindle a fire †To a man that is a fornicatour al bread is sweete he wil not be wearie transgressing vnto the end †Euerie man that passeth beyond his owne bed contemning against his owne soule and saying Who seeth me †Darkenes compasseth me and the walles couer me and no man beholdeth me whom do I feare the Highest wil not be mindful of my sinnes †And he vnderstandeth not that his eye seeth al thinges for that such feare of man expelleth from him the feare of God the eies of men fearing him †and he knoweth not that the eies of our Lord are much more brighter then the sunne beholding round about al the waies of men and the botome of the depth and the hartes of men looking into the hidden partes †For al thinges were knowen to our Lord God before they were created so also after it is perfected he beholdeth al thinges †Reuenge shal be taken on this man in the streates of the cittie and as an horsecolt he shal be chased and where he expected not he shal be apprehended †And he shal be in dishonour with al men for that he vnderstood not the feare of our Lord. †So euerie woman also that forsaketh her husband getteth inheritance by mariage of an other †For first she hath bene vnfaithful in the law of the Highest and secondly she hath sinned against her busband thirdly she hath fornicated in adulterie and hath gotten her children of an other man †This woman shal be brought into the Church and vpon her children there shal be examination †Her children shal not take roote and her boughes shal not yeld fruite †She shal leaue her memorie to be cursed and her dishonour shal not be wiped out †And they that are leaft shal know that nothing is better then the feare of God and nothing sweter then to haue regard to the commandmentes of our Lord. †It is great glorie to folow our Lord for length of daies shal be taken of him CHAP. XXIIII True and laudable wisdom 5. proceding from God 6. shineth in his workes 12. especially in his Church where she bringeth forth al vertues 26. She inuiteth al vnto her 44. and lighteneth her folowers with splendore of doctrine VVISDOM shal praise her soule shal be honoured in God and shal glorie in the middes of her people
rootes sound vpon the toppe of a rocke †Ouer al water grennes and at the brincke of the riuer it shal be plucked vp before al grasse †Grace is as paradise in blessinges and mercie remayneth for euer †The life of a workeman that is sufficient for himself shal be sweete and in it thou shalt finde a treasure †Children and building of a citie shal confirme the name and an vnspotted woman shal be counted aboue this †Wine and musicke make a ioyful hart and the loue of wisedom is aboue both †Shalmes and Psalterie make sweete melodie and a sweete tongue is aboue both †Thine eye wil desire grace and beautie and greene sowen fieldes are aboue this †A freind and companion meeting together in time and aboue them both is a woman with her husband †Bretheren are an helpe in the time of tribulation and mercie shal deliuer more then they †Gold and siluer are the establishing of the feete and counsel is wel accepted aboue them both †Riches and strength exalt the hart and aboue these is the feare of our Lord. †There is no diminution in the feare of our Lord and in it there is no neede to seeke for helpe †The feare of our Lord is as a paradise of blessing and they haue couered it aboue al glorie †Sonne in thy life time want not for it is better to die then to want †A man that looketh toward an other mans table his life is as no life thinking how to liue for he feedeth his soule with an other mans meates †But a man nurtered and taught wil looke to him selfe †Pouertie wil be sweete in the mouth of the vnwise and in his bellie a fire wil burne CHAP. XLI An other matter of meditation is death 8. wherof sinne is the cause 1◠Care of a good fame is necessarie 19. Let shamfastnes be a bridle to auoide fornication 22. iniquitie 24. theft and other sinnes O DEATH how bitter is thy memorie to a man that hath peace in his riches †to a man that is at rest and whose wayes are prosperous in al thinges and that is yet able to take meate †O death thy iudgement is good to a needy man and him that is diminished in strength †and fayleth in age and that is careful of al thinges and to the incredulous that loseth patience †Feare not the iudgement of death Remember what thinges haue bene before thee and what come after thee this is the iudgement from our Lord to al flesh †and what shal come vpon thee by the good pleasure of the Highest whether it be ten or an hundred or a thousand yeares †For in hel there is no accusing of life †The children of sinners be come children of abominations and they that conuerse neere the houses of the impious †The inheritance of the children of sinners shal perish and with their seede shal be continuance of reproch †The children complaine of an impious father because for him they are in reproch †Woe to you ye impious men which haue forsaken the law of our Lord the Highest †And if ye be borne ye shal be borne in malediction and if ye die in malediction shal be your portion †Al thinges that are of the earth shal returne into the earth so the impious from malediction to perdition †The moorning of men is in their bodie but the name of the impious shal be cleane wyped out †Haue care of a good name for this shal be more permanent to thee then a thousand treasures precious and great †There is a number of the daies of a good life but a good name shal continew for euer †Children keepe ye discipline in peace For wisdom hid and treasure not seene what profite is there in them both †Better is the man that hideth his follie then the man that hideth his wisdom †But yet haue reuerence to these thinges which proceede from my mouth †For it is not good to obserue al shamfastnes al thinges do not please al men in opinion †Be ashamed before father before mother of fornication and before the president and before the mightie of lying †before the prince and before the iudge of offence before the sinagogue and the people of iniquitie before companion and freind of iniustice and before the place where thou dwellest †of theft of the truth of God and his testament of leaning on the bread and of reproofe for the thing geuen and taken †before them that salute thee of silence of beholding a woman that is an harlot and of turning away thy countenance from thy kinsman †Turne not away thy face from thy neighbour of taking away part and not restoring †Behold not an other mans wife and search not his handmayde neither stand by her bed †Before freindes of opprobrious wordes and when thou hast geuen vpbrayde not CHAP. XLII Further admonition to auoide sinnes in wordes and deedes 6. with care that others offend not by our negligence 15. An other matter of meditation is Gods excellencie appearing in his workes REPEATE notthe word which thou hast heard neither reueale thou of a secret word thou shalt in deede be without confusion and shalt finde grace in the sight of al men be not ashamed for al these thinges and accept not person therby to sinne †Of the law of the Highest and his testament and of iudgement to iustifie the impious †of the word of companions and wayfaring men and of the geuing of the inheritance of freindes †of the equalitie of balance and weightes of the getting of manie thinges and few †of the corruption of bying and of marchantes and of much discipline of thy children and to make bloudie the side of a wicked seruant †Ouer a naughtie woman a seale is good †Where there are manie handes shutvp and what soeuer thou shalt deliuer number and weight it and write euerie thing geuen and receiued †Of the discipline of the vnwise and foolish and of ancientes that are iudged of young men and thou shalt be wel instructed in al thinges and approued in the sight of al the liuing †A daughter is the secret watch of the father and the care of her taketh away sleepe lest perhaps in her youth she become past age abiding with an husband she become odious †lest at anie time she be corrupted in her virginitie and in her fathers house she be found with childe lest perhaps abyding with her husband she transgresse or at the least become barren †Ouer a dissolute daughter keepe sure watch lest at anie time she make thee come into reprooche with thine enemies because of detraction in the citie and the obiection of the people and she confound thee in the multitude of the people †Looke not on euerie bodie for beautie sake among wemen tarie not †For
day a man shal nourish a young cowe and two ewes †And for the abundance of milke he shal eate butter for butter and honie shal euerie one eate that shal be leaft in the middes of the land †And it shal be in that day euerie place where there shal be a thousand vines for a thousand peeces of siluer they shal be into thornes and bryers †With arrowes and bow they shal goe in thither for bryers and thornes shal be in al the land †And al mountaines that shal be weeded with a weeding hooke the terrour of thornes and bryers shal not come thither and it shal be for the oxe to feede on and cattle to treade vpon CHAP. VIII Vnder the figure of a new name Christs birth of a virgin is againe prophecied 4. but first the kingdomes of Syria and Israel shal be destroyed and Iuda sore afflicted 8. yet conserued with losse of manie 16. which is a mysterie hidden from the Iowes 21. Great euils hang ouer them that depart from the law AND our Lord sayd to me Take thee a great booke write in it with the pen of man Take away the spoiles spedely quickly take prayes †And I tooke to me faithful witnesses Vrias the priest Zacharias the sonne of Barachias †And I went to the prophetesse and she conceiued and bare a sonne And our Lord sayd to me Cal his name Hasten to take away the spoiles make hast to take prayes †For before the childe know to cal his father and his mother the strength of Damascus shal be taken away and the spoiles of Samaria before the king of the Assirians †And our Lord added yet to speake vnto me saying †For that this people hath cast away the waters of Siloé that runne with silence and rather taken Rasin and the sonne of Romelia †for this cause behold our Lord wil bring vpon them the waters of the riuer strong and manie the king of the Assirians and al his glorie and he wil ascend ouer al their riuers and wil flowe ouer al their bankes †And wil goe through Iuda ouerflowing and passing through shal come euen to the necke And the stretching out of his winges shal fil the bredth of thy land ô Emmanuel †Gather ye together ô peoples and be ouercome and heare al ye landes far of Take courege and be ouercome gird yourselues be ouercome †Take counsel and it shal be defeated speake a word and it shal not be done because God is with vs. †For thus sayth our Lord to me As in a strong arme he hath taught me that I should not walke in the way of this people saying †Say not Conspiracie for al thinges that this people speaketh is conspiracie and feare ye not their feare neither dread ye †The Lord of hostes him sanctifie ye be he your dread and he your terrour †And he shal be a sanctification to you But for a stone of offence and for a rocke of scandal to the two houses of Israel for a snare and a ruine to the inhabitants of Ierusalem †And verie manie of them shal stumble and fal and shal be broken in peeces and shal be snared and taken †Binde the testimonie seale the law in my disciples †And I wil expect our Lord who hath hid his face from the house of Iacob and I wil wayte for him †Behold I and my children whom our Lord hath geuen me for a signe and for a wonder in Israel from the Lord of hostes which dwelleth in mount Sion †And when they shal say to you Aske of Pythones and of diuiners which whisper in their inchantments shal not the people aske vision of their God for the liuing of the dead †To the law rather and to the testimonie And if they speake not according to this word they shal not haue the morning light †And he shal passe by it shal fal and be hungrie and when he shal be hungrie he wil be angrie and curse his king and his God and wil looke vpwards †And he wil looke to the earth and behold tribulation and darknes dissolution and distresse and mist persecuting and he can not flie away from his distresse CHAP. IX Theglath Phalasar carieth some Israelites captiue and Salman asar manie more in figure of a few disciples conuerted to Christ in Gallilee and al Iewrie but manie more in the whole world 7. Whose Impyre shal be great and durable 8. but the Iewes glorie especially of the tenne tribes shal be obscured for their pride hypochrisie and other sinnes AT the first time was the land of Zabulon alleuiated and the land of Nepthali and at the last was aggrauated the way of the sea beyond Iordan of Galilee of the Gentiles †The people that walked in darknes hath sene great light to them that dwelt in the countrie of the shadow of death light is risen †Thou hast multiplied the nation and not magnified the ioy They shal reioyce before thee as they that reioyce in haruest as conquerors reioyce after a pray is taken when they diuide the spoiles †For the yoke of their burden and the rod of their shoulder and the scepter of their exactour thou hast ouercome as in the day of Madian †Because al violent taking of pray with tumult and garment mingled with bloud shal be to be burnt and foode for the fyre †For A LITLE CHILD IS BORNE TO VS and a sonne is geuen to vs and principalitie is made vpon his shoulder and his name shal be called Meruelous Counseler God Strong Father of the world to come the Prince of peace †His empire shal be multiplied and there shal be no end of peace he shal sit vpon the throne of Dauid and vpon his kingdom that he may confirme it and strengthen it in iudgement and iustice from this time for euer the zeale of the Lord of hostes shal doe this †Our Lord hath sent a word into Iacob and it is fallen in Israel †And al the people of Ephraim shal know the inhabitans of Samaria saying in pride greatnes of hart †Brickes are fallen but we wil build with square stones they haue cut downe sycomores but we wil change them into ceders †And our Lord shal lifte vp the enemies of Rasin ouer him and shal turne his enemies into tumult †Syria from the East and the Philisthims from the West and they shal deuoure Israel with ful mouth In al these thinges his furie is not turned away but his hand is yet stretched forth †And the people is not returned to him who hath strooken them and haue not sought after the Lord of hostes †And our Lord shal destroy from Israel the head the tayle the peruerter and restrayner in one day †The aged and honorable he is the head the prophet that teacheth a lie he is the
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
thy God out of the Land of Aegypt I wil yet make thee sitte in tabernacles as in the dayes of festiuitie †And I haue spoken vpon the prophets and I haue multiplied vision and in the hand of the prophets I haue bene resembled †If an idol in Galaad then in vaine were they in Galgal immolating with oxen for their altars also as heapes vpon the furrowes of the filde †Iacob fled into the countrie of Syria and Israel serued for a wife and for a wife he kept her †But by a prophete our Lord brought Israel out of Aegypt and by a prophete he was preserued †Ephraim hath prouoked me to wrath in his bitternes and his bloud shal come vpon him and his reproch his Lord wil restore to him CHAP. XIII For their obstinacie in idolatrie 7. greatest plagues are threatned 10. from which none shal be able to deliuer them 14. But at last Christ coming wil redeme al by his death EPHRAIM speaking horrour inuaded Israel and he sinned in Baal and died †And now they haue added to sinne and they haue made to themselues a molten of their siluer as it were the similitude of idols the whole is the worke of craftesmen the these they say Immolate men adoring calues †Therfore they shal be as a morning cloude and as a morning dew passing away as dust caught with a whirlewind out of the floore and as smoke out of the chimnie †But I the Lord thy God out of the Land of Aegypt and God beside me thou shalt not know and there is no Sauiour beside me †I knew thee in the desert in the land of wildernes †According to their pustures they were filled and were made ful they haue lifted vp their harr and haue forgotten me †And I wil be vnto them as a lionesse as a leopard in the way of the Assyrians †I wil meete them as a beare her yong being violently taken away and I wil breake in sunder the inner partes of their liuer and wil consume them there as a lion the beast of the filde shal teare them †Perdition is thine ô Israel onlie in me thy helpe †Where is thy king Now especially let him saue thee in al thy cities thy iudges of whom thou saydst Geue me kinges and princes †I wil geue thee a king in my furie and wil take him away in mine indignation †The iniquitie of Ephraim is bound together his sinne is hidden †The sorowes of a woman in trauel shal come to him he a sonne not wise for now he shal not stand the confraction of the children †Out of the hand of death I wil deliuer them from death I wil redeme them I wil be thy death ô death thy bitte wil I be ô hel consolation is hidden from mine eyes †Because he shal diuide betwen bretheren our Lord wil bring a burning winde rising from the desert and it shal drie vp his vaines and shal make his fountaine desolate and he shal spoyle the treasure of euerie vessel that is to be desired CHAP. XIIII The prophet forewarning the people of their future afflictions 2. exhorteth them to repentance and confession of their sinnes 5. foreshewing that God wil geue much grace to the penitent 10. Al which mysteries only the godlie wise shal vnderstand LET Samaria perish because she hath stirred vp her God to bitternes let them perish by the sword let their litle ones be dashed and let the wemen with child be cut in sunder †Conuert ô Israel to our Lord thy God because thou art fallen in thine iniquitie †Take wordes with you and conuert to our Lord and say to him Take away al iniquitie and receiue good and we wil render the calues of our lippes †Assur shal not saue vs we wil not mount vpon horse neither wil we say any more Our goddes the worke of our handes because thou wilt haue mercie on that pupil which is in thee †I wil heale their confractions I wil loue them voluntarily because my furie is auerted from them †I wil be as dew Israel shal spring as the lillie and his roote shal breake forth as that of Libanus †His boughes shal goe and his glorie shal be as the oliuetree and his smel as of Libanus †They shal be conuerted that sitte vnder his shadow they shal liue with wheate and they shal spring as a vine his memorial as the wine of Libanus †Ephraim what haue I to doe any more with idols I wil heare and I wil direct him as a verdant firretree out of me thy fruit is found †Who is wise and shal vnderstand these thinges of vnderstanding and shal know these thinges because the wayes of our Lord be right and the iust shal walke in them but preuaricatours shal fal in them THE PROPHECIE OF IOEL IOEL the sonne of Phatuel borne in Bethoron of the tribe of Issachar prophecied the same time or part therof with Osee according to S. Ieromes rule approued by most expositers that when anie of these twelue Prophetes expresseth not what time he writte the same time is vnderstood which the precedent prophet noteth He prophecied to the kingdom of Iuda as appeareth by expresse mention of Sacrifice Priestes house of God Ierusalem and Sion but describeth also the whole land of twelue tribes consumed by the Eruke Locust Bruke and Blast And after the euersion of the former people the coming of the Holie Ghost vpon the seruants of God men and wemen the 120. faithful gathered in the chamber in Sion Finally foreshewing the general Iudgement and future eternal world CHAP. I. The Chaldees shal miserably waste the kingdom of Iuda 9. take away sacrifice by destroying the temple 10. and so make the land barren spiritually and temporally THE word of our Lord that was made to Ioel the sonne of Phatuel †Heare this ye ancients and harken with your eares al ye inhabitants of the land if this hath bene done in your dayes or in the dayes of your fathers †Vpon this tel you to your children and your children to their children and their childred to an other generation †“ The residue of the eruke hath the locust eaten the residue of the locust hath the bruke eaten and the residue of the bruke hath the blast eaten †Awake you that be drunke and weepe and how le al ye that drinke wine in sweetnes because it is perished from your mouth †For a nation is ascended vpon my land strong innumerable his teeth as the teeth of a lion and his checkteeth as of a lions whelpe †He hath layd my vineyard into a desert and hath pilled of the barke of my figtree stripping he hath spoiled it and cast it forth the boughes therof are made white †Mourne as a virgin girded with sackcloth vpon the husband of her
suffer molestation for these thinges which haue bene done by ignorance †And we haue sent also Menelaus to speake to you †Fare ye wel In the yeare an hundred fortie eight of the moneth Xanthicus the fiftenth day †And the Romans also sent an epistle which is thus QVINTVS Memmius and Titus Manilius legats of the Romans to the people of the Iewes health †Concerning these thinges which Lysias the kings cosin hath granted you we also haue granted †But touching the thinges which he thought good to be referred to the king send ye forthwith some bodie conferring diligently among your selues that we may decree as is conuenient for you for we goe to Antioch †And therfore make hast to write agayne that we also may know of what minde you are †Fate ye wel In the yeare an hundred fourtie eight the fiftenth day of the moneth Xanthicus CHAP. XII VVhiles the Iewes haue peace with the king others stil persecute them 5. which Iudas reuengeth 13. and in Caspâ—n maketh great slaughter and reposeth in Charaâ—a 19. Tenne thousand of Timothees men are slayne 20. whom Iudas pursuing killeth manie in Carnion 34. taketh him but releaseth him againe 27. the like in Ephron 32. Some Iewes are slaine in battel against Gorgias 38. Iudas and his men are purified and gathering the dead bodies finde that some had taken vnlawful spoiles 42. For whose soules he prayeth and causeth sacrifice to be offered THESE couenants being made Lysias went foreward to the king and the Iewes gaue themselues to husbandrie †But they that stayed there Timothie Appollonius the sonne of Gennaius also Ierom Demophon besides these also Nicanor the gouerner of Cyprus did not suffer them to liue in rest and quietnes †And the Ioppites committed a certaine flagicious fact which was this They desired the Iewes with whom they dwelt to goe into the botes which they had prepared with their wiues children as though no secret emnities were between them †Therefore according to the common decree of the citie they agreeing therto because of the peace suspecting nothing when they were gone forward into the depth they drowned no lesse then two hundred †Which crueltie Iudas as he vnderstood to be done vpon the men of his nation commanded the men that were with him and inuocating God the iust iudge †he came against the murderers of his brethren the hauen he set on fire in the night the botes he burnt them that were fled from the fire he flew with the sword †And when he had thus done these thinges he departed as to returne againe and to roote out al the Ioppites †But when he vnderstood that they also which were at Iamnia would doe in like maner to the Iewes dwelling with them †he came vpon the Iamnites also by night and set the hauen on fyre with the shippes so that the light of the fire appeared at Ierusalem two hundred fourtie furlongs of †When they were now departed thence nine furlongs and made their iourney towards Timothee the Arabians fiue thousand men and fiue hundred horsemen ioyned battel with them †And when there was a mightie battel and by the helpe of God it had succeded prosperously the rest of the Arabians that were ouercome besought Iudas that the right hand might be geuen them promising that they would geue pastures and profite them in other thinges †And Iudas thinking in very deede that they might be profitable in manie thinges promised peace and right handes being taken they departed to their tabernacles †And he set also vpon a certaine citie strong with bridges and enuironed with walles which was inhabited with multitudes of heathen of al sortes the name wherof is Caspin †But they that were within trusting in the firmenes of the walles the prouision of victuals dealt the more stackly with reuiling wordes prouoking Iudas and blaspheming and speaking such thinges as is not lawful to speake †But Machabeus inuocating the great prince of the world who without rammes and engines in Iesus time threwe downe Ierico fiercely assaulted the walles †And the citie being taken by the wil of our Lord he made innumerable slaughters so that the poole adioyning of two furlongs in bredth semed to runne died with bloud †From thence they departed seuen hundred fiftie furlongs and they came to Characa to those Iewes that are called Tubianeians †and in those places they tooke not Timothee and nothing being done he went backe hauing left in a certaine place a very strong garrison †But Dositheus and Sosipater who were captayns with Machabeus slewe them that were left of Timothee in the hold ten thousand men †And Machabeus ordayning about him six thousand and placing them by bandes went forth against Timothee who had with him an hundred twenty thousand footemen of horsemen two thousand fiue hundred †And the coming of Iudas being knowen Timothee sent the wemen and children and the other baggage before into the fortresse that is called Catnion for it was inuincible and hard to come by by reason of the straites of the places †And when the first band of Iudas had appeared seare was stroken into the enemies by the presence of God who seeth al thinges and they were put to flight one of an other so that they were rather ouerthrowen of their owne companie and were weakened with the strokes of their owne swordes †But Iudas was exceding earnest punishnig the prophane men and he ouerthrewe of them thirtie thousand men †And Timothee him selfe fel into the handes of Dositheus and Sisipaters partes and with manie prayers he besought that he might be let go aliue because he had parents brethren of manie of the Iewes whom it might happen by his death to be deceiued †And when he had geuen his faith that he would restore them according to the appointmeÌ„t they let him goe without harme for the safetie of their brethren †And Iudas came backe from Carnion hauing slayne twentie fiue thousand †After the flight and slaughter of these he moued his armie to Ephron a strong citie wherin a multitude dwelt of diuerse nations strong young men standing before the walles resisted manfully in this were manie engins and prouision of dartes †But when they had inuocated the Almightie who with his power breaketh the forces of the enemies they tooke the citie and of them that were within they ouerthrew twentie fiue thousand †From thence they departed to a citie of the Scythians which was distant from Ierusalem six hundred furlongs †But those Iewes that were with the Scythopolitans testifying that they were vsed curteously of them euen in the times of miserie that they dealt modestly with them †geuing them thankes and exhorting them also thence forward to be fauourable toward their stock they came to Ierusalem the solemne day of the weekes approching †And after Pentecost they
went against Gorgias the gouernour of Idumea †And he went forth with footemen three thousand and horsemen foure hundred †Who buckling together it chanced few of the Iewes to be slayne †But Dositheus one of the Bacenors an horseman a valiant man held Gorgias and wheras he would haue taken him aliue a certayne horseman of the Thracians came vpon him and cut of his shoulder and so Gorgias escaped into Maresa †But they that were with Esdrin fighting long and being wearied Iudas inuocated our Lord to be their helper and captayne of the battel †beginning in his countrey language and with hymmes raising a crie draue Gorgias souldiars into flight †And Iudas hauing gathered an armie came into the citie Odollam when the seuenth day came on being purifyed according to the custome they kept the Sabbath in the same place †And the day folowing Iudas came with his companie to take away the bodies of them that were ouerthrowen and with their kinsmen to lay them in the sepulchers of their fathers †And they found vnder the coates of the slayne some of the donaryes of the idols that were in Iamnia from which the lawe forbiddeth the Iewes therfore it was made playne to al that for that cause they were slayne †Al therfore blessed the iust iudgement of our Lord who had made manifest the hidden thinges †And so turning to prayers they besought him that the same offence which was committed might be forgotten But the most valient Iudas exhorted the people to keepe themselues without sinne seing before their eyes what was done because of the sinnes of them that were ouerthrowen †And making a gathering he sent twelue thousand drachmes of siluer to Ierusalem for sacrifice to be offered for sinne wel and religiously thinking of the resurrection †for vnles he hoped that they that were slaine should rise againe it should seeme superfluous and vaine to pray for the dead †And because he considered that they which had taken their sleepe with godlines had very good grace layd vp for them †“ It is therfore a holie and healthful cogitation to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from sinnes ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XII 46 It is a holie and healthful cogitation to pray for the dead The Catholique beleefe doctrine and practise of praying for the dead is so euidently confirmed by this place that our aduersaries haue no better shift to auoide the same then by denying these bookes to be Canonical Scripture VVhich being authentically proued it may here suffice to adde that albeit the Greke text as in other innumerable places differeth from the Latin yet it is no lesse clere for this doctrin VVhich in English is thus v 45. Regarding or considering that grace is layde vp for them that sleepe or dye in pietie tovvitte in true faith and repentance in the next verse 46. inferreth thus VVherupon he Iudas Machabeus made reconciliation or expiation for the dead that they might be deliuered or loosed from their sinne that is from punishment for sinne Omitting therfore multitude of other proofes vve vvil here only cite tvvo great Doctors who with others teach that the denial of this particular point of religion is a condemned heresie S. Augustin li. de Haeresib haer 53. noteth this for a special heresie saying Aerians are named of one Aerius vvho being a priest and taking it greuously that he could not be ordained a Bishop falling into the heresie of the Arrians added some proper doctrines of his ovvne saying that vve ought not to pray nor offer sacrifice for the dead Likevvise S. Bernard Ser. 66 in Cantica in plaine termes saith they are heretikes vvhich beleue not that there is purgatorie fire after death but that the soule departing from the bodie goeth forthvvith either to rest or to damnation Let them then saith he aske of him vvho saide There is some sinne that shal not be forgeuen neither in this vvorld nor in the future why he sayd this if there remaine no remission and purgation of sinne in the future vvorld He therfore aduiseth al to bevvare of such seducers saying See the detracters see the dogges They deride vs because vve baptize infantes for that vve pray for the dead It is also most vvorthie of consideration that Iudas Machabeus vvho did this charitable act for his souldiars slaine in the holie vvarres vvas the High priest or chief Bishop of the Church at that time and defender of true faith and Religion Finally vve may also obserue that he did not anie nevv thing but practised the vsual custome of the vvhole Church For so it appeareth by their sette forme of Office for the dead called HASCHABAH that is Rest or prayer for rest in their booke MAHZOR translated and set forth by Bishop Genebrard in the yeare of our Lord. 1569. VVhere are these expresse supplications Requiescat anima ipsius in cubili suo iaceat in pace dormiat in pace His or her soule rest in his bed lye and slepe in peace Againe Ye Angels of peace come forth to mete him c. And that the Ievves this day vse to pray for the dead is a clere thing and confessed by Protestantes namely Munsterus and Fagius in their Annotations vpon the 14. of Deut. and M. VVhitaker in his first booke against F. Dureus fol 81. CHAP. XIII Menelaus a fugitiue Iewe is put to death 9. Antiochus with his great armie is defeated twise with losse of manie men 23. Philippe rebelling peace is renewed 24. And Iudas is made Lord of Ptolemais IN the yeare an hundred fourtie nine Iudas vnderstood that Antiochus Eupator came with a multitude agaynst Iurie †and with him Lysias the procuratour and cheefe ouer the affayres hauing with him of footemen an hundred tenne thousand of horsemen fiue thousand elephants twentie two chariots with hookes three hundred †And Menelaus also ioyned him selfe with them and with much deceite besought Antiochus not for the weale of his contrie but hoping that he should be appoynted to the principalitie †But the king of kinges stirred vp Antiochus mind against the sinner Lysias suggesting that he was the cause of al the euils he commanded as the custome is with them that being apprehended he should be killed in the same place †And there was in the same place a tower of fiftie cubites hauing an heape of ashes on euerie side this had a prospect steepe downe †From thence he commanded the sacrilegious person to be throwne downe into the ashes al thrusting him forward to death †And by such law it chanced the transgressour of the law to dye Menelaus not to be put into the earth †And in deede very iustly because he committed manie offences toward the altar of God the fyre and ashes wherof was holie himself was condemned into the death of ashes †But the king furiouse in mind came to shew
the immortalitie to come wherein corruption is past †intemperance is dissolued incredulitie is cut of and iustice hath increased truth is sprong †For then no man can saue him that hath perished nor drowne him that hath ouercome And I answered †and sayd This is my word the first and the last that it had bene better not to geue the earth to Adam or when he had now geuen it to restraine him that he should not sinne †For what doth it profit men presently to liue in sorow and being dead to hope for punishment †O what hast thou done Adam For if thou didst sinne it was not made thy fal only but ours also which came of thee †For what doth it profit vs if immortal time be promised to vs but we haue done mortal workes †And that euerlasting hope is foretold vs but we most wicked are become vayne †And that habitations of health and securitie are reserued for vs but we haue conuerst naughtely †And that the glorie of the Highest is reserued to protect them that haue slowly conuerst but we haue walked in most wicked wayes †And that paradise shal be shewed whose fruite continueth incorrupted wherin is securitie and remedie †but we shal not enter in for we haue conuerst in vnlawful places †And their faces which haue had abstinence shal shyne aboue the starres but our faces blacke aboue darkenes †For we did not thinke liuing when we did iniquitie that we shal beginne after death to suffer †And he answered and sayd This is the cogitation of the battel which man shal fight who is borne vpon the earth †that if he shal be ouercome he suffer that which thou hast sayd but if he ouercome he shal receiue that which I say †for this is the life which Moyses spake of when he liued to the people saying Choose vnto thee life that thou mayst liue †But they beleued him not no nor the Prophetes after him no nor me which haue spoken to them †Because there should not be sorow vnto their perdition as there shal be ioy vpon them to whom saluation is perswaded †And I answered and sayd I know Lord that the Highest is called merciful in that that he hath mercie on them which are not yet come into the world †and that he hath mercie on them which conuerse in his law †and he is long suffering because he sheweth long sufferance to them that haue sinned as it were with their owne workes †and he is bountiful because he wil geue according to exigentes †and of great mercie because he multiplieth more mercies to them that are present and that are past and that are to come †For if he shal not multiplie his mercies the world shal not be made aliue with them that did inherite it †And he geueth for if he shal not geue of his bountie that they may be releeued which haue done iniquitie the tenth thousand part of men can not be quickned from their iniquities †And the iudge if he shal not forgeue them that are cured with his word and wype away a multitude of contentions there should not perhaps be leaft in an innumerable multitude but very few CHAP. VIII God is merciful in this world yet fewe are saued 6. Gods workes and disposition of his creatures are meruelous 15 Esdras prayeth for the people of Israel 37. and saluation is promised to the iust and punishment threatned to the wicked AND he answered me sayd This world the Highest made for manie but that to come for few †And I wil speake a similitude Esdras before thee For as thou shalt aske the earth and it wil tel thee that it wil geue much more earth wherof earthen worke may be made but a liâ—le dust wherof gold is made so also is the act of this present world †Manie in deede are created but few shal be saued †And I answered and sayd Then ô soul swallow vp the sense and deuoure that which is wise †For thou art agred to obey and willing to prophecie For there is no space geuen thee but only to liue †O Lord if thou wilt not permitte thy seruant that we pray before thee and thou geue vs seede to the hart and tillage to the vnderstanding wherof may the fruite be made wherby euerie corrupt person may liue that shal beare the place of a man †For thou art alone and we are one workmanshippe of thy handes as thou hast spoken †and as now the bodie made in the matrice and thou doest geue the meÌ„bers thy creature is preserued in fire water and nine monethes thy workemanship doth suffer thy creature that is created in it †and it self that keepeth and that which is kept both shal be preserued and the matrice being preserued rendreth agayne at some time the thinges that are growen in it †For thou hast commanded of the members that is the brestes to geue milke vnto the fruite of the brestes †that the thing which is made may be nourished til a certayne time and afterward thou mayst dispose him to thy mercie †For thou hast brought him vp in thy iustice and hast instructed him in thy law and hast corrected him in thy vnderstanding †and thou shalt mortifie him as thy creature and shalt geue him life as thy worke †If then thou wilt destroy him that is made with so great labours it is easie by thy commandment to be ordayned that also which was made might be preserued †And now Lord I wil speake of euerie man thou rather knowest but concerning thy people for which I am sorowful †and concerning thine inheritance for which I mourne and for Israel for whom I am pensiue and concerning Iacob for whom I am sorowful †Therfore wil I begin to pray before thee for me for them because I see our defaultes that inhabite the earth †But I haue heard of the celeritie of the iudge that shal be †Therfore heare my voyce and vnderstand my word and I wil speake before thee †The beginning of the wordes of Esdras before he was assumpted and I sayd Lord which inhabitest the world whose eyes are eleuated vnto thinges on high and in the ayre †and whose throne is inestimable and glorie incomprehensible by whom standeth an host of Angels with trembling †whose keping is turned in wynde and fire thou whose word is true and sayings permanent †whose commandment is strong and disposition terribe whose looke dryeth vp the depthes and indignation maketh the mountaynes to melt and truth doth testifie †Heare the prayer of thy seruant with thine eares receiue the petition of thy creature †For whiles I liue I wil speake and whiles I vnderstand I wil answere †Neither doe thou respect the sinnes of thy people but them that serue thee in truth †Neither doe thou attend the impious endeuours of the nations but them
†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
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