doth the Lord God hate from which we should depart Yea an abomination great sev'n are unto his heart 17 A proud look and a tongue also in lying understood The wicked and the cruel hands that shed much sakelesse blood 18 A heart that doth most wicked things with a full aime and drift And also feet that to mischeef in running be most swift 19 A false witnesse that speaketh lies before the face of men And him that craftily doth sow discord among brethren 20 Thy dear fathers commandments all my son keep and in aw See that thou stand and not forsake thy loving mothers law 21 Bind them most sure continually Fastned upon thine heart And ty them fast about thy neck that they thence not depart 22 When thou shalt goe it shall thee lead and sleeping shall thee keep And it shall talk with thee when thou awakest out of sleep 23 For the commandment is a lamp the law is light as day And reproofs of instruction good are of our life the way 24 To keep thee from the wicked wife and safely thee preserve From flatt'ring of a woman strange which maks mens hearts to swerve 25 After her beauty fill'd with faird in thine heart never lust Nor let her twinkling eye lids once thus take thee under trust 26 For by a whoore a man is brought to a poore piece of bread And the adultresse for his life will hunt with all her speed 27 In his bosome can any man take such a kindled fire And shall not all his cloths be burnt with such a vaine desire 28 Can any man securely goe on burning coales with heate Can such a man so save him self that he burn not his feete 29 So he that to his neighbours wife doth go to make a rent What ever he be that doth her touch shall not be innocent 30 A theefe that steels his neighbours goods men do not so despise If hunger move him to such things when they doe him surprise 31 But if he be found he restore which is most righteous Shall seven fold more he shall give all the substance of his house 32 But who adultry so commits with her that is a wife He is a foole he that it doth destroyes his soule and life 33 Wounds and dishonour shall he get GOD shall him so repay And his shamefull and vile reproch shall not be wip'd away 34 For jealousie is of a man the rage he not therefore In the day of his vengeance great will spare thee lesse or more 35 He wroth no ransome will regard for to make up that rent Yea though that thou give many gifts will he so rest content Chap. 7. MY dear son keep thou well my words which thou dost hear from me And also my commandments all lay thou up now with thee 2 With care keep my commandments well and happy live thereby And also keep thou well my law as th' apple of thine eye 3 Upon thy fingers bind them fast and let them not depart Most carefully write them upon the table of thine heart 4 Say unto wisedome in these words Thou art my sister dear And understanding also call thy kins-woman most neere 5 That they thee from the woman strange more dangerous then swords May keep yea from the stranger which doth flatter with her words 6 For at the window of my house attentive as I went I did behold and constantly I look'd through the casement 7 Behold among the simple ones among rhe youth abide A young man I discerned well of understanding void 8 He through the street her corner neer passing without delay Unto her house that leads to death most quickly went the way 9 The times he went the evening was when it is the twilight And also at another time in the black and dark night 10 Behold a woman there him met in harlots vile attire Subtile in heart to catch the youth and kindle his desire 11 This is her fashion she is lowd and stubborne full of pride With her servants within her house her feet do not abide 12 Now she without now in the streets prepares for youth a baite At every corner shamlesly she lieth still in waite 13 So she caught him and did him kisse their hearts for to solace And then at last she said to him with a most shamelesse face 14 With me I have Peace-offrings now with all sorrows away To GOD I payed have my vows most perfectly the day 15 Therefore with diligence I came foorth for to meet with thee And now behold I have thee found who art full dear to me 16 I have my bed with cov'rings deckt of tapestrie that 's mine With carved workes and linnen clean of Egypt good and fine 17 My bed I well perfumed have As I may now thee tell With Myrrhe Aloes and Cinamom which have the sweetest smell 18 Come let us take our fill of love and each other embrace Untill the morning with loves sweet let us our selves solace 19 For the good man is not at home nor yet in the countrey He for his worldly businesse is gone a long journey 20 He taken hath a bag with him of money for his way And afterward he will come home at the appointed day 21 With much fair speech she caused him to yeeld without remorse With the fair flattring of her lips at last she did him force 22 As an oxe to the slaughter goth he go'th with her straight way Or as a foole unto the stocks correction to essay 23 Till a dart through his liver strake as a bird to the snare Makes haste not knowing that such things men for its life prepare 24 Unto me now hearken therefore ye children for your well And now attend unto the words which my mouth shall reveale 25 Let not thine heart by foolishnesse decline unto her way In her paths most pernicious see thou goe not astray 26 For she right many hath cast downe who wounded not againe Could rise yea many strong men al 's have thus beene by her slaine 27 Her house is most pernicious it is the way to hell A going to the chambers downe of death that 's eternell Chap. 8 MOst worthy wisdome for mans well aloud doth she not cry And understanding al 's put foorth her sweet voice by and by 2 She in the top of places high most openly doth stand Yea in the places of the paths to make men understand 3 Unto you all yee men of worth with my words do I call 4 And my voice to the sons of man directed is with all 5 Yee simple wisedome understand and yee fooles lest yee smart With diligence see yee be of an understanding heart 6 Heare for I of things excellent will speak with all my might And all the op'ning of my lips shall be of things most right 7 For my mouth shall most constantly speak truth and shall not slip And wickednesse shall not at all proceed once from my lip 8 All the words that come from my mouth
came to Laban in the night and said Take heede to speake to Jacob good or bad My daughters to Jacob was Labans word Are like poore captives taken by the sword What hast thou done wherefore didst thou flee In so doing thou hast done foolishly Behold one thing which meriteth the rods Thou art a theefe why hast thou stolne my gods Why hast thou thus of my love made a rent Behold they are stolne and hid in thy tent From tent to tent last he came to Rachel But where thy were these dumb gods could not tell At last Laban no more would Iacob grieve But to returne resolv'd to take his leave For Rachels sake and Leahs he did gâ—ant To make with Iacob a sure Covenant Of many stones they made a goodly heape Upon the which they did together eate This heape of witnesse by godly Jacob â—n Hebrew tongue was called GILEAD â—ut this great heap in words of SYRIA â—ABAN called Jegar Sahadutha â—fter kissing and blessing for a space â—is children LABAN return'd to his place â—hen this was past behold ESAU with boast â—ut God did meet his servant with an hoast â—hen this was done the great God eternall â—restled with Jacob long in Peniel â—hey strove all night unto the light of day â—ow let me go to JACOB God did say â—o said JACOB a blessing first appoint â—o me whose thigh thou hast thrust out of joint â—hy name said God hence ISRAEL shall be â—revaile with man thou hast prevail'd with me â—ehold now Esau with foure hundred men â—ehold also the love of these brethren Behold JACOB seven times hee bowes knee ESAU him meets and kisseth lovingly They weepe they kisse in others armes goe ESAU content will be no more a foe Is this feare past a new sorrow doth come His dear Dinah defil'd by Hamors sonne How his two sons did make his name to stinâ— By Sichems blood it hurts my heart to thinkâ— He purg'd his hoâ—se of all idolatrie Their idole gods he hide under a tree As he did passe f'om Ephrath to Bethel Death came and tooke from him his fair Racâ— From this sorrow having a little breath Behold another by his fathers death REUBEN his sonne defiled had his bed As though with bread he was with sorrâ— fed This prickt his heart and this his bowels smâ— When he did see good JOSEPHS bloody coat This holy man so toss'd with griefe and strife Past so the few and ill yeares of his life At last on bed most ready for to die To all his sonnes he left a Legacie To some reproofs to some comforts most swâ— When he had done he gathred up his feet The Use 〈◊〉 serve how God of twins can one forsake â—d th' other choose ev'n for his mercies sake 〈◊〉 one he did love because it did him please 〈◊〉 th' other he abhorr'd to cast his eyes 〈◊〉 hated infant an abhorr'd Esau â—efore that ever this worlds light he saw 〈◊〉 Jacob learne to get thee hastilie â—rre from an Esaus wicked companie â—ith staffe in hand where God shall thee direct â—r wicked men most hurtfully infect 〈◊〉 Jacob learne when thou begins to pray 〈◊〉 wrestle well and not let God away â—ll he thee blesse though it were all the night â—cob prevail d not till the day vvas light 〈◊〉 Jacob learne if thou a Laban serve â—ost vvatchfully his goods all to preserve â—hough he churlish have not to thee regard â—hou shalt not faile to get the LORDS revvard â—earne heere to look for sable clouds of grief â—fore death bring full and finall releefe REUBEN See a sonne HEre see a Sonne for REUBEN is his naâ— With vile incest he did himselfe defame Because his sinne was grievous in Gods sight Of thâ— first-borne this REUBEN lost the right LEVI Judah and JOSEPH for his spot His Crown portion and al 's his Priesthood goâ— Because he weept with a repenting eye Let Reuben live said MOSES and not die The Use Great losse by sin yet if we can repent The LORD in mercy shall make up our rent Beware of sin flee farre from it anone Lest that thou heare thy dignitie is gone SIMEON Hearing BEcause the LORD did LEAHS prayer heareâ— She call'd him SIMEON when She did hiâ— beare In MOSES writs so faâ— as they us tell Of his brethren he was the most cruell Hâ— heard not GOD nor yet good JACOBS voice 〈◊〉 shed much blood he gladly did rejoice 〈◊〉 get of SICHEM his cruell intent 〈◊〉 vilely did abuse GODS Sacrament 〈◊〉 any reading hardly can I try â—hy MOSES blessing the rest past him by The Use â—ere learne in wrongs thine anger to asswage â—ODS pen doth curse all sinfull wrath and rage â—t men beware either to do or think â—t which may make their parents name to stinke LEVI Joining BIrth of Children in husbands breasts doth coine â—ew love which makes their tender hearts to joine â—r this chiefe cause as in the historie 〈◊〉 manifest LEAH call'd him LEVI â—mong these tribes this LEVI was the priest With Vrim Tummim on his holy breast Because he bare the Sword of crueltie His race in JACOB scattred was to be The Use Learne this before to doe ill thou begin Divide and scatter are the fruits of sin The sins of men great Tribes do spoile aâ— spill For this cause sorrowes them pinch pierce thrill If we feare GOD hee such griefs shall presse Yea kill our cares and calme stormes distresse But if we joine with Levi to shed blood To rage and roare as men in a mad mooâ— Wee shall at last with confusion be cloatheâ— Wrapped in shame dispersde despisde and thed JUDAH Praise THis is the King the great God will him raiâ— This is the man whom his brethren shall praise â—e shall be LORD his shall be the Kingdome â—ntill the time that great SHILOH shall come â—his is the man enrich'd with gifts divine â—eth white with milk and al 's eyes red with wine â—oth grave and wise he was as may appeare 〈◊〉 that his speach made for Benjamin dear â—is was his fault from vice he was not pure â—e lay with TAMAR masked like a whoore The Use â—et men heere learne who have received grace 〈◊〉 feare to faile and fall into disgrace 〈◊〉 men be loose when as they should be chest â—hey may at last fall into vile incest ZEBULON Dwelling THis is the sixt a rich and good dowry Said LEAH JACOB now will dwell with mee â—is younger sonne then ISSACHAR and yet â—e was before him at the blessing set 〈◊〉 rich merchant appointed for to be 〈◊〉 stately ships sailling on the deep sea The Use Observe heere how the great Jovah commanâ— Some to be King some Priest and somâ— Merchands ISSACHAR An hire FIft Sonne of LEAH thy name is a hire Great rest and ease were chiefly thy desire When rest and ease to thee were brought 〈◊〉 passe Betweene two burdens thou crouch'd like an asse The Use Take heed beware this is a great disease To
me a man of noble fame Most angel-like he told me not his name He said unto me when he did appear Behold a son thou shalt conceive and bear No rasor shall at all come on his head For he shall be a Nazarite indeed LORD said Manoah Let the man of GOD Now come and tell us what with this young lad We have to do for we are ignorant That we may follow thy commandement The LORD him heard the Angel came anone And told them both all that was to be done Then Man'oah said I pray thee now tary Till we in haste prepare a kid for thee I am a sprite said he I eat no bread With sacrifice unto the LORD proceed What is thy name said Manoah tell me It is secret said he now let it be When he heard thus the Angel him forbid A meat-offring he offred for a kid Unto the LORD as the sacred story Tels us the Angel did most wondrously Behold th'angel who had the secret name Of the offring ascended in the flame Alas said he unto his worthy wife We have seen GOD we shall both losse the life No not said she we need not for to fear Because GODS Angel to us did appear If to kill us this had been his earand He had disdain'd the offring in our hand Then young Samson the Sprite of GOD began At times to move in the great camp of Dan At last he did require a Philistine For wife which he at Timnah had new seen His parents to this could not well accord For they knew not that it was of the LORD While he to Timnah went a beast did roar As though he would the young Samson devore But he anone him pulling by the beard Rent him as though he would have rent a kid The LORD did this who made the sea and land For young Samson had nothing in his hand Returning after to his wife he sees In the dead Lion a fair swarm of bees The honey comb most sweet he took to eat For this to him in mister was for meat When Philistines his feast began to taste Then he this riddle did propone in haste Out of the eater said he came there meat Out of the strong came that which was most sweet Seven dayes they had at this riddle to guesse But the meaning thereof could not expresse With furie great they were puft up in rage Because they saw they were to losse their pledge Of thirtie shirts and thirtie garments dear These great charges they had not will to bear Then said they all unto strong Samsons wife If we these cloaths losse thou shalt losse the life Entise him soone the doubt try by request Why should we losse so much at his fair feast Then did she presse him by day and by night Untill he had declar'd his riddle right Then said these men in words not to be long Sweet is the honey and the lion strong Then said he With my heifer have ye plow'd Who hath unto you my dark riddle shew'd Then GODS good Sprite this strong man came upon Who in his strength went down to Askelon Thirty Philistins he kild in that place Whose garments pay'd for his riddels disgrace Then his fair wife her father took him fro And gave her to his friend who was his fo Then he bethinking how he might revenge This wrong he did three hundred foxes range Knut tail to tail with a burning fire-brand Which did consume the cornes upon the land When all was known the Philistins in ire Burnt the Timnite and Samsons wife with fire This is no mends yet aveng'd will I be Said Samson I will smite them hip and thigh The Philistins who did like lions ramp In JUDAH LEHI soon did pitch their camp What means this war to them Judah did say To binde Samson with ropes and thongs said they Then of Judah went three thousand anone To Etams top where was the strong Samson To him they said What hast thou brought to passe We all will smart for this thy great trespasse To these men I have done no wrong said he I did to them as they have done to me We will thee binde said they with cords and bands After we will put thee into their hands Swear to me said he by GOD that made all That ye your selves will not upon me fall Truely said they thy blood we must not spill Thou needs not fear that Judahs men thee kill But unto this we with one voice accord To binde thine hands fast with these two new coar◠Then when his foes saw him bound at Lehi For joy they cry'd and shouted mightily Upon him then came a Sprite from the LORD With great power hee brake both bands and coards When he himself did thus shake in his ire His bands became like flaxe burnt in the fire When GOD had this great work thus brought to passe Strong Samson found the jaw-bone of an asse No sword he had no other weapons then With that asse-bone he slew a thousand men After this battel sore troubled with thirst Upon his eyes he felt of death the mist Thou hast me helped greatly LORD said he Oh suffer not me now for thirst to die Then GOD did cleave of the jaw the hollow From this bone soone great waters out did flow Because that bone by GOD was made a Well Samson that place Enhakore did call The Word signifieth the Well of him that called or cryed SAMSON in Gaza went to an harlot His foes it heard and they in anger hote Laid wait for him in their great strength might Resolv'd they were to kill him in that night But he the gates of their Gaza did take With the two posts and barre upon his back He thence them cari'd to fair Hebron hill Thus the Gazits could not strong Samson kill Againe Samson in Sorek land did love Delilah fair who dayly would him move With her fair words decit and flattery To tell wherein his greatest strength did ly First wit hs then coards then with the web and 〈◊〉 To her such answers thus he did begin But at the last for which he suffred smart He unto her revealed all his heart A Nazarite said he from my youth-head I have been no rasor upon mine head Hath come If any cut mine hair from me Like other men I surely weak shall be When she saw that Samson had thus reveal'd That which from her he had so long conceal'd The Philistins she spake and cald apart Come now said she for I know all his heart Then these proud lords came up in a great band And brought to her much money in their hand Then she him made upon her knees to sleep And from his head his seven locks she did swee◠Up up said she arise Samson quickly Behold the strong Philistins be on thee I will arise said Samson and me shake As heretofore of strength I have no lake But Oh Samson this did not understand That GOD the LORD had left him
his name unto Iedidiah To change this name the LORD did Nathan move To testifie that he the child did love When on his throne he was by good JOVAH Established to him came Bathshebah From Adonijah causer of much strife That he might have faire Abishag to wife Well well Solomon said I know that thing Aske also for him that he may be King Consider well and hearken what I say Adonijah surely shall die this day Benaiah come and hearken to my word Vaine Adonijah now kill with the sword To Abiathar the Priest said the King I will not now these stroaks upon thee bring Which thou deserves because thou had a part In troublous times of my deare fathers smart Thou with my foes against me was too stout Therefore thou shalt from thy place be thrust out To povertie thy race shall beggars be Thus was fulfil'd Gods word against Eli. When Ioab heard of all was past and done Unto Gods house in feare he fled right soone There as the practice of some had him taught Of Gods altars the hornes with hands he caught Then Benajah directed by the King Went unto him with these few words Saying Thus saith the King Thou Ioab thou must come foorth It is not seemly for a man of worth Unto the hornes of Altars for to flee No not said Ioab heere I minde to die Then Benajah brought the King word againe That Ioab would at the Altar still remaine Then said the King Go fall upon him fall For the two Captains famous in Israel Abner Amasa men of dignitie Did kill and boutcher by his treacherie Now let their blood returne upon his head But peace shall be on Davids house and seed Then Benaiah to Joab in distresse Came and him kill'd and in the wildernesse In his own house him buri'd In short space Captaine Benaiah was put in his place After because of Adonijah jarre Zadok was Priest in roome of Abiathar Then for Shimei the King in all haste sent And gave to him this strait commandement To build and dwell in faire Salem anone But if said he thou passe the brook Kidron To go abroad Let this be knowne to thee None shall thee save for thou shalt surely die Three yeers after he forgetting this charge Did seeke his servants with a licence large Hee past thee brook and the Kings charge forgot Therefore with death stout Benaiah him smot Remember now said the King to Shimei How thou my father revil'd bitterly Thy wickednesse shall come upon thine head But I and mine shall be blessed indeede After he thus had slaine these men of strife King Pharos daughter he took for his wife He loved God and with his heart him fear'd In Gibeon the Lord to him appear'd In dreame by night to him in great mercie The Lord said Aske what I shall do thee Then Solomon unto the Lord did say Great kindnesse hast thou showne to me this day Thou hast me chosen for Gods people King That I with wisedome may them rule and reigneâ— I am a child who am but to begin I know not how to go out or come in Of my desirs this is the cheefest part That thou would give an understanding heart To me thy servant by thy grace made glade Whereby I may discerne twixt good and bad When God this heard he rested well content He said unto him at this Parliament Thou hast not asked riches or long life Nor yet revenge against the men of strife Thy foes but hast desired a wise heart To rule my people well in ev'ry part Therefore both riches and honour to thee Will I now give with wisedome in plentie If thou godly will walk in Davids wayes In great mercy I will lengthen thy dayes By him in sleep these things were heard and seen When he awoke Behold it was a dreame Then came two harlots who before him stood Each one striving to make her cause seeme good Behold O King said one Wee two women In one house were deliv'red of children I bare a son after it came to passe Three dayes after that she delivered vvas Wee vvere in house as seem'd vvithout danger For in the house vvith us vvas no stranger Behold O King her childe dead in the night By her ov'rlaid then cunningly with flight She rose from bed and vvith great treacherie Came to my bed and stall my son from me Alas O King What heart can this abide For my sweet son this dead lump at my side She laid when I arose my son to feed With my two breasts behold he was cold dead Judge yee O King how great then was my smart When his cold lips did touch me neere the heart But when the light more clearely let me see I saw I was jugled with treacherie The dead child is hers but the living mine Thou the whole matter as Judge now define But Oh the other with tears in her eyes Said All she saith is full stuffed with lies Believe her not she hath a brasen brow She can right vvell false lyes as truth avow Let not thine heart incline to take her part Though in her speach she hath now the forestart A judge must know he hath an ear and ear That after one the other he may hear Alas O King the Lords vvisedome divine Doth clearly knovv the living son is mine The other said I am not such a beast Anothers childe to bring up on my breast If this my son vvere dead and hers living I vvould not of him novv make a changling His dry dead bones should dearer be to me Then her son living full of rare beautie While thus the two reason'd before the King The King did cry a sword now to me bring When it was brought the King said so and so With sword the living childe divide in two No man such doubts can now discusse by art Divide divide let each one have her part When this was said and ready to be done The mothers bowels yerned upon her son My Lord the King let not this sword now fall Upon my childe but to her give it all Not said th' other the judge must now define Let it be cut and so not mine nor thine Then said the King in words both wise and milde This is the mother give to her the childe When all Isra'l this wise judgement did hear Their hearts were mov'd King Solomon to fear This man was great and full of Majestie Great pleasure was his orders for to see Some were his Scribes and others were Recorders Some rul'd the Hoast some were his Priests by orders Some officers and some ov'r the tribute Were set and also some did distribute Some Officers twelve moneths in the yeer Twelve men did serve each man a month entire Provided for the King and his houshold The best victuals for uses manifold His house by day as Gods word doth reveale Spent fourescore ten measures of floure and meal Ten Oxen fat and twenty from Pastures Were for his house each foure and
I reckned till morning that as a Lion so surelie He will my bones break Of me thou wilt make an end speedie 5 Like a poor cran in great distresse or a troubled swallow So did I chatter I did mourne as doth the simple dove My eyes do faile with looking up and very dimmed be O Lord I am oppressed sore now undertake for me 6 What shall I say He spoken hath and al 's hath done no lesse I shall go softly all my yeeres in my soules bitternesse 7 In all these things is the life of my Sprite they that believe Do live by them Recover me and so make me to live 8 Behold for a desired peace I had great bitternesse But thou in love hast sav'd me from the pit of rottenesse For thou who of afflicted men dost ever notice take In thy great mercie all my sinnes hast cast behinde thy back 9 For grave cannot thee praise and death can not celebrate thee They that goe to the pit can not hope for thy trueth surelie 10 The living the living he shall praise thee as I this day The fathers shall to their children make knowne thy truth alway 11 The Lord was ready me to save therefore we with accord To the string'd instruments will sing in the house of the Lord. The Use â—f Kings shall serve the Lord with all their heart â—n great trouble the Lord shall take their part But this the Lord of heav'n can not abide â—hat hearts of Kings be lifted up with pride 13. MANASSEH Forgetting JOseph comforted by Gods great mercy Which made him quite forget his misery From such forgetting he his first born Son Called Manasseh so for such reason â—t may be this King at first got his name He in his life was stain'd with sin and shame â—ike heathen men void of Gods feare and grace He in folie did build up the high place Which his father commanded to destroy He did it build with chearfulnesse and joy As though a God had not beene in Isra'l He madly rear'd up Altars for Baal He made a grove and with much folly driv'n He gave worship unto the host of Heav'n Observing times and using inchantments He did despise the Lords commandements He al 's provoking the Lord unto ire Made his own sons to passe through burning fiâ— He dealt with wizards and sin worthy death He did which did God much provoke to wraâ— In his folly worthy the name of rage He set in Gods house a most vile image This man practisde more vile abominations Then were done by profane heathen nations Who by the force of the great Eternell Destroyed were before his Israel At last the Lord full of compassions Abhorred such abominations Because this man said he hath plaide foole Defiling Judah with his vile idole Behold I bring such troubles and such feares Which shall cause tingle all the hearers earâ— â—r such doings wherein is no relish â—rusalem now wiped like a dish â—all be In red war their foes shall them foil â—hey shall to them become a prey and spoil â—r since from Egypt I brought them the way â—hat was most right they ever went astray Manasseh more in his furie most rude 〈◊〉 Salem did shed much innocent blood While Manasseh did not regard Gods check â—rong Babels captaine took him by the neck â—mong the thornes and him with fetters bound â—o the Lord did this vile man much confound Yet when he was in great affliction â—e ran to God with supplication â—efore the Lord he much humbled his heart â—e pray'd to God who heard him in his smart â—nd helped him and brought him back againe â—rom Babel for in Salem to remaine Then Manasseh did by experience â—ost surely know that God was his defence â—hen was his heart inflamed with gods love â—e all strange gods with idols did remove â—ll strange Altars he brake downe speedily â—ith zeal and cast them out of the city â—t last this King who to God gracious â—eturned was buri'd in his owne house The Use Let sinners learne for no sinne to despaire No sin there is but God can it repaire For witchcraft blood and vile idolatry Manasseh humble did obtaine mercy 14. AMON Faithfull true THis wicked man of two and twenty year Began to reigne He voide of all Gods feâ—â— Did reigne two years God made his Kingdoâ— short Because he made of wickednesse a sport He with Manassch in his wayes was bad But did not with Manasseh turne to God At last against this King unrighteous His servants rose and slew him in his house After this done the people all in ire Did kill these men who did his death conspirâ—â— The Use Let Kings beware of sin to make a sport For many sins doe cut their honours short â—â—t parents learne to feare to goe astray â—â—r their children often follow their way â—â—t Subjects learne to feare their Kings to kill â—â—r other shall not faile their blood to spill 15. JOSIAH The fire of the Lord. BEhold Josiah consider a part The fire of Zeale cleare burning in his heart â—â—ght years he was when he upon the Throne â—â—gan to sit he reigned thirty one â—â—e did with God most constantly abide â—â—om Davids wayes he turned not aside â—hen he was come to eighteene years of age â—ough young in years he was both grave and sage He sent scribe Shaphan to Priest Hilkijah â—â—at the silver for the house of JOVAH â—â—th'red at doores as GODS word did command â—ight be shortly put in the workemans hand Then to Shaphan said the Priest Hilkijah â—ave now found in the house of JOVAH â—ods Law-book Then Shaphan tooke it with speed And with great joy and gladnesse it did read After Shaphan this book did with him bring And it in haste did read before the King When he the words heard of that Testament For greef and sorrow the King his cloaths rent Then diverse men by him were set to looke To try right soone the meaning of the Booke A great wrath said he is against us kindled For our fathers against God have rebelled Then at the last the good Priest Hilkijah With others went to Prophetesse Huldah This woman in a Colledge at Salem Did dwell with wisedome she said unto them Thus saith the great Lord God of Israel Vnto the man that sent you yee shall tell Behold I will bring ill upon this place Th' inhabitants I will greatly disgrace All the plagues I will send without remeed Which good Josiah in that Booke did read My wrath against this place shall kindled bee Because of their most vile idolatrie But go and tell the good King Josiah This message from the mighty Lord Jovah Because thou had a trembling tender heart And for such sins did often weepe apart Because when I did speake against this place Thou rent thy cloaths with teares drenching thy face â—hold thou shalt now this great comfâ—rt have 〈◊〉 peace thou shalt be gath'red to thy grave â—ough dayes be coming full of miseries â—â—ore
be after him Who can him tell surelie 15 Fooles do themselves with labour great even weary every day Because they do not know so much as the broad cities way 16 Woe unto thee O wretched land when childish is thy king And thy Princes as gluttons eat early in the morning 17 Blest art thou land when thy King is come of a noble race And thy Princes eat soberly for strength not drunkenesse 18 By slothfulnesse the building all most quickly doth decay And through great idlenesse the house it droppeth through alway 19 A feast sure is for laughter made and wine makes merry men â—ut money answ'reth constantly all things both now and then 20 See that the King that rules the land thou curse not in thy thought And likewise curse thou not the rich to thy bedchamber brought For a bird of the aire the voice shall cary by and by That which hath wings the matter shall tell even as it doth ly Chap. 11. UPon the waters cast thy bread and spare it not alwayes For thou shalt sure it finde againe though after many dayes 2 To seven or eight a portion give and that most liberally For thou know'st not what hindrance soone upon the earth may be 3 If that the clouds of heaven above be filled well with raine They for the fruits upon the earth emptie themselves againe If towards south or yet the north at last shall fall the tree In the same place where it doth fall there also shall it be 4 He that too strict observ's the wind shall not well sow his seed He that too strict regards the clouds shall sheaves not reape with speed 5 The sprites way thou know'st not nor how bones in the womb do grow Even so thou not the workes of God who maketh all dost know 9 When it's morning then sow thy seed upon thy labour'd land And in the evening time also with hold thou not thine hand For whether this shall prosper well or that not understood It is by any who can tell if both alike be good 7 Truely the light is sweet and al 's a pleasant thing it seemes Unto the eyes for to behold the sunnes faire glistring beames 8 But if a man live many yeeres and in them more or lesse Rejoice let him remember well the dayes of great darknesse For they unpleasant surely shall in a great number be All that which comes under the sun is very vanitie 9 O young man in thy youth rejoice and let thy heart thee please Walk in the wayes of thy heart and in the sight of thine eyes But know thou this assuredly that even for every thing God in his justice thee at last will into judgement bring 10 Therefore all sorrow from thy heart see thou remove quicklie Put ill away for childhood and youth are but vanitie Chap. 12. THy Creator remember well in youth while the ill day Is not come nor the yeares draw nigh when thou shall surely say In all such things under the sun no pleasure I at all Have in my heart I loth such things yea whether great or small 2 While the Sun light or yet the Moone or the starres in their traine Be not darkned nor yet the clouds returne after the raine 3 In the day when the keepers of the house as in palsie Shall tremble and the strong men shall themselves bow faintingly The grinders then shall cease to be as mouldred all away And these that out at windowes looke al 's dark'ned be alway 4 And in the streetes the doores shall be shut when the grinding sound Is low he at the chirp of birds shall rise from sleep unsound His sprits also shall be so dull that he shall nothing know The daughters all of musick then shall be brought very low 5 Of high things they shall be afraid and feares al 's in the way Shall be and al 's the Almond tree shall flourish white alway Desire shall faile a grashopper a burden shall be so Because man dies the mourners then about the streetes doe go 6 Before al 's that the silver cord be loosed at the length Or that the golden bowle at last be broken with its strength Or that the pitcher broken be even at the maine fountaine Or yet that broken be the wheele that 's hard by the cisterne 7 Then shall the dust returne to earth as it was most vile dust Then shall the sprite returne to God who gave it at the first 8 Even vanitie of vanities the Preacher well doth call The things that are on earth below yea vanitie is all 9 Because the Preacher wise was he did teaâ—h the people still Yea he gave good heed and sought out wise Proverbes with great skill 10 The Preacher sought to find out wordes acceptable to heare What written was it was upright words to the truth most neere 11 Wise words are like to goads and nailes by preachers fastned well Which from one shepheard are all given who doth the same reveale 12 By these my son admonish'd be of makeing bookes no end There is much study al 's the flesh with wearinesse doth spend 13 Let us now heare the end of all feare God and as thou can His precepts keep for sure this is the duety all of man 14 For God in judgement every work most clearly shall reveale With every secret thing also yea whether good or ill The Use LET Men heere learne where all may clearly see Vnder the Welkin all but vanitie Heer tears in eyes and fears in heart as house With many sorrows have their Rendevouz Of earthly things the vast confused crowd Is now or then all cov'red with a clowd Though men on Thrones advanced have their Seat All 's nought except they be as Good as Great Loke not to see beneath the Firmament A state of life that heer gives full content A dying still is in poor queasie man His life at longest is but like a span It like a Post doth passe even in a streame And is anone forgotten like a dreame Gods holy Law is only pure and plain In life and death Christ is our only gaine Let us heer learn in time to turn our back On vanitie and quickly it forsake With bended knees and al 's with broken hearts Let us be carefull that we in all parts May fear the Lord and dayly on him call For this to do it is the end of all All other thoughts are surely vile and vaine A brood most base even of a burly braine Who so profane this earthly glory seeks Shall losse his life among such crooked creeks O happy he who hating vanitie Doth rest content Gods pensioner to be Not careing for the leeks and garlick fell Th' Egyptian hotch potch which Gods Israel Preferr'd to Man their whilom-Angels food Admir'd at first but well not understood â—hile it most sweet like Coriander round â— like hoare frost did ly upon the ground â— heav'n above is onely rest below he Trump of war doth still