here die we must come therfore and let vs runne away to the campe of Syria If they spare vs we shal liue but if they wil kil vs we shal die neuerthelesse †They arose therfore in the euening to come to the campe of Syria And when they were come to the beginning of the campe of Syria they found no man there †For our Lord had made them in the campe of Syria to heare the sound of chariotes and horses and of a verie great armie and they sayd one to an other Behold the king of Israel hath for wages hyred agaynst vs the kinges of the Hetheites and of the Aegyptians and they are come vpon vs. †They arose therfore and fled in the darke and leaft their tentes and their horses and asses in the campe and fled desirous to saue their liues only †Therfore when these lepers were come to the beginning of the campe they entered into one tabernacle and did eate and drinke and they tooke thence siluer and gold and rayment and went and hid it againe they returned to an other tabernacle and from thence likewise taking away they hid it †And they said one to an other We doe not wel for this is a day of good tydinges If we shal hold our peace and wil not tel vntil morning we shal be blamed of a heinous offence Come let vs goe and make report in the kinges court †And when they were come to the gate of the citie they told them saying We went to the campe of Syria and found no man there but horses and asses tyed and the tentes pitched †The porters therfore went and told it to the king within his palace †Who arose in the night sayd to his seruants I tel you what the Syrians haue done to vs They know that we suffer great famine and therfore they are gone out of the campe and lie hid in the fieldes saying When they shal come forth out of the citie we wil take them aliue and then we may enter into the citie †But one of his seruantes answered Let vs take fiue horses that are remaining in the citie because they onlie are in the whole multitude of Israel for the other are consumed and sending we may trie †They brought therfore two horses and the king sent into the campe of the Syrians saying Goe ye and see †Who went after them as far as Iordan and behold al the way was ful of rayment and vessels which the Syrians had cast away when they were amased and the messengers returning told the king †And the people going forth spoyled the campe of Syria and a bushel of floure became at one stater and two bushels of barley at one stater according to the word of our Lord. †Moreouer the king appoynted that duke on whose hand he leaned to stand at the gate whom the multitude trode in the entrance of the gate he died according as the man of God had spoken when the king came downe to him †And it came to passe according to the word of the man of God which he spake to the king when he sayd Two bushels of barley shal be at one stater and a bushel of floure at one stater this verie tyme to morow it the gate of Samaria †when that duke answered the man of God and sayd Although our Lord would make fludgates in the heauen can this be done which thou speakest And he said to him Thou shalt see with thine eies and shal not eate therof †It chanced therfore to him as it was foretold and the people trode him in the gate and he died CHAP. VIII After seuen yeares famine fortold by Eliseus the Sumanite Woman returning home recouereth her landes and reuenewes 7. Eliseus forsheweth the death of Benadad king of Syria and cruel reigne of Hazael 16. Ioram reigning in Iuda the Idumeans reuolt from him also Lobna 23. He dieth and his sonne Ochozias succeedeth AND Eliseus spake to the woman whose sonne he restored to life saying Arise goe thou and thy house and soiourne whersoeuer thou shalt finde for our Lord hath called a famine and it shal come vpon the land seuen yeares †Who arose did according to the word of the man of God going with her houshould she soiourned in the land of the Philistijms many dayes †And when the seuen yeares were ended the woman returned out of the Land of the Philisthijms and she went forth to speake to the king for her house and for her landes †And the king spake with Giezi the seruant of the man of God saying Tel me al the meruelous thinges that Eliseus hath done †And when he had told the king how he had raysed a dead man the woman appeared whose sonne he had reuiued crying to the king for her house and her landes And Giezi sayd My lord king this is the woman and this is her sonne whom Eliseus raysed †And the king asked the woman who told him And the king gaue her an eunuch saying Restore her al thinges that are hers and al the reuenewes of the landes from the day that she leaft the land vntil this present †Eliseus also came to Damascus and Benadad the king of Syria was sicke and they told him saying The man of God cometh hither †And the king sayd to Hazael Take with thee presentes and goe to meete the man of God and consult the Lord by him saying Can I escape of this myne infirmitie †Hazael therfore went to meete him hauing with him presentes and al good thinges of Damascus the lodes of fourtie camels And when he stood before him he sayd Thy sonne Benadad the king of Syria hath sent me to thee saying Can I recouer of this mine infirmitie †And Eliseus sayd to him Goe tel him Thou shalt be healed but our Lord hath shewed me that dying he shal die †And he stood with him and was trubled so far that he blushed and the man of God wept †To whom Hazael sayd Why doeth my lord weepe But he sayd Because I know what euils thou wilt doe to the children of Israel Their fensed cities thou wilt burne with fyre and their yongmen thou wilt kil with the sword and their litle ones thou wilt dash in peeces and wemen with childe thou wilt diuide †And Hazael sayd What am I thy seruant a dog that I should doe this great thing And Eliseus sayd Our Lord hath shewed me that thou shalt be king of Syria †Who when he was departed from Eliseus came to his maister who sayd to him What sayd Eliseus to thee But he answered He told me Thou shalt recouer health †And when the next day was come he tooke a couerlette and powred water theron and spred it vpon his face who being dead Hazael reigned for him †In the fifth yeare of Ioram the sonne of Achab the king of Israel and of Iosaphat the king of Iuda reigned Ioram the
saith our Lord God Behold I wil deliuer thee into the handes of them whom thou hatest into their handes of whom thy soule is filled †And they shal deale with thee in hatred and they shal take away al thy labours and shal let thee goe naked and ful of ignominie and the ignominie of thy fornications shal be reueled thy wicked dede and thy fornications †They haue done these thinges to thee because thou hast fornicated after the Nations among which thou wast polluted in their idols †Thou hast walked in the way of thy sister and I wil geue her cuppe in thy hand †Thus saith our Lord God The cuppe of thy sister thou shalt drinke deepe and wide thou shalt be into derision and into scorne which is most capable †With drunckennes and sorow thou shalt be replenished with the cuppe of pensifenes and sadnes with the cuppe of thy sister Samaria †And thou shalt drinke it and shalt drinke it vp euen to the dregges and the fragments therof thou shalt deuoure thou shalt rent thy breastes because I haue spoken saith our Lord God Therfore thus saith our Lord God Because thou hast forgotten me and hast cast me of behind thy bodie thou also beare thy wickednes and thy fornications †And our Lord spake to me saying Sonne of man doest thou iudge Oolla and Ooliba and shewest thou them their wicked deedes †because they haue committed aduoutrie and bloud is in their handes and with their idols they haue fornicated moreouer also their children whom they begate for me they haue offered vnto them to be deuoured †Yea and they haue done this to me They polluted my sanctuarie in that day and profaned my sabbathes †And when they immolated their children to their idols and went into my sanctuarie in that day to pollute it these thinges also they did in the middes of my house †They sent to men comming from far to whom they had sent a messenger therfore loe they came to whom thou didst wash thyself and didst annoint thine eyes about with stibikestone and wast adorned with wemens ornaments †Thou satest in a very faire bed and a table was decked before thee mine incense and mine oyntment thou didst set vpon it †And the voice of a multitude reioycing was on it and on the men that were brought of the maltitude of men and came from the desert they did put bracelets on their handes and beautiful crownes on their heades †And I said to her that was worne in aduoutries Now wil this woman also fornicate in her fornication †And they went to her as to an harlot woman so went they vnto Oolla and Ooliba wicked wemen †They therfore are iust men these shal iudge them with the iudgement of adulteresses and with the iudgement of bloudshedders because they are adultresses and bloud is in their handes †For thus saith our Lord God Bring a multitude to them and deliuer them into tumult and into spoile †and let them be stoned with the stones of peoples and let them be thrust through with their swordes they shal kil their sonnes and daughters and their houses they shal burne with fire †And I wil take away the wickednes out of the land al wemen shal learne not to doe according to the wickednes of them †And they shal geue your wickednes vpon you and the sinnes of your idols you shal carie and you shal know that I am the Lord God CHAP. XXIIII Ierusalem manie wayes chasticed of God and not amended 11. shal at last be melted like a brasse potte 15. and shal not dare to mourne for the death of her dearest AND the word of our Lord was made to me in the ninth yeare in the tenth moneth the tenth day of the moneth saying †Sonne of man write thee the name of this day wherin the king of Babylon is confirmed against Ierusalem to day †And thou shalt speake by a prouerbe to the exasperating house a parable and shalt say to them Thus saith our Lord God Set thou a potte st it I say and put water into it †Heape together the peeces therof into it euerie good part the thigh and the shoulder the chosen thinges and ful of bones †Take the fattest beast and lay together pyles of bones also vnder it the seething therof is boyling hotte and the bones therof are throughly sodden in the middes therof †Therfore thus saith our Lord God Wo to the citie of bloud to the potte whose rustines is in it and the rustines therof is not gone out of it by her partes and by her partes cast her out there hath no lotte fallen vpon her †For her bloud is in the middes of her she hath shed it vpon the most cleare rocke she shed it not vpon the ground that it might be couered with dust †That I might bring mine indignation in vpon her and might reuenge with vengeance I gaue her bloud vpon the most clere rocke that it might not be couered †Therfore thus saith our Lord God Wo to the citie of bloud whose bonefire I wil make great †Heape together the bones which I wil burne with fire the flesh shal be consumed and al the composition shal be sod and the bones shal drie away †Set it also vpon hote burning coles emptie that the brasse therof may waxe hote and be melted and let the filth of it be melted in the middes therof let the rust therof be consumed †There hath bene sweating with much labour and the exceding rust therof is not gone out no not by fire †Thine vncleannes is exectable because I would clense thee and thou art not clensed from thy filthines yea neither shalt thou be clensed before I make myne indignation to cease in thee †I the Lord haue spoken It shal come and I wil doe it I wil not passe nor spare nor be pacified according to thy wayes and according to thine inuentions wil I iudge thee saith our Lord. †And the word of our Lord was made to me saying †Sonne of man behold I take from thee the thing that thine eyes desire in a plague and thou shalt not lament nor weepe neither shal thy teares runne †Sigh holding thy peace thou shalt not make the mourning of the dead let thy crowne be tyed round about thee and thy shoes shal be on thy feete neither shalt thou couer thy face with a cloth neither shalt thou eare the meates of mourners †I spake therfore to the people in the morning and my wife died at euen and I did in the morning as he had commanded me †And the people sayd to me Why doest thou not tel vs what these thinges signifie that thou doest †And I sayd to them The word of our Lord was made to me saying †Speake to the house of Israel Thus sayth our Lord God Behold I wil pollute my sanctuarie
may seme to beare wisheth the Pope who was also very lerned to examine al more at large putting him in mind that Origen writ his twelfth and thirtenth bookes vpon this onlie place The most probable exposition semeth to be gathered out of the Hebrewes Tradition that this Lamech of the issue of Cain for there was an other Lamech of Seths progenie much addicted to hunting and his eyes decaying vsed in that excercise the direction of a young man his nephew the sonne of Tubalcain VVho seing something moue in bushes supposing it to be a wild beast willed his grandfather to shoote at the same which he did and stroke the marke with a deadlie wound and approching to take the pray found it to be old Cain VVhereupon sore amazed afflicted and moued with great passion did so beate the young man for his il direction that he also died of the drie blowes After both which mishappes and his passion at last caulmed Lamech lamenteth as the text saith that he had killed a man and stripling towit the one with a wound the other with drie blowes for which he feared seuenfold punishment more then Cain suffered for killing Abel Neuertheles S. Hierom other Fathers thinke it probable that Lamech killing the one of ignorance the other in passion was not so seuerly punished as he feared And so they vnderstand the rest of this passage that seuenfold vengance was taken of Cain by prolongation of his miserable life til his seuenth generation when one of his owne issue slew him and an other of the same linage with him And Lamech was punished seuentie seuenfold when his seuentie seuen children for so manie he had as Iosephus writeth and al their ofspring perished in the floud Mystically by seuentie seuen may be signified that the sinne of mankind should be punished and expiated in Christ our Redemer who was borne in the seuentie seuenth generation from Adam 26. Begane to inuocate Seth was a most holie man and so brought vp his children that they were called the sonnes of God Gen. 6. Adam also and Eue were penitent and became great confessors and are now Sainctes And so it can not be doubted but amongst other spiritual exercises they prayed and inuocated God And therfore that which is here said He towit Enos bagane or as the Hebrew hath then was begune to inuocate the name of our Lord can not be vnderstood of priuate but of some publique prayer of many meeting togeather obseruing some rites set forme in peculiar place dedicated to diuine Seruice the Church being now growne to a competent multitude And that besides Sacrifice which was also before as appeareth both by Cain Abel CHAP. V. The progenie of Adam number of their yeares vvith the death of the rest translation of Enoch in the line of Seth to Noe his three sonnes THIS is the booke of the generation of Adam In the day when God created man to the likenes of God made he him †Male and female created he them and blessed them and called their name Adam in the day when they were created †And Adam liued a hundred and thirtie yeares and begat to his owne image and likenes and called his name Seth. †And the dayes of Adam after he begat Seth came to eight hundred yeares and he “ begat sonnes and daughters †And al the time that Adam liued came to nine hundred and thirtie yeares “ and he died †Seth also liued a hundred fiue yeares and begat Enos †And Seth liued after he begat Enos eight hundred and seuen yeares and begat sonnes and daughters †And al the dayes of Seth came to nine hundred twelue yeares and he died †And Enos liued nintie yeares and begat Cainan †After Whose birth he liued eight hundred fiftene yeares and begat sonnes and daughters †And al the dayes of Enos came to nine hundred and fiue yeares and he died †Cainan also liued seuentie yeares begat Malaleel †And Cainan liued after he begat Malaleel eight hundred fourtie yeares and begat sonnes daughters †And al the dayes of Cainan came to nine hundred and ten yeares and he died †And Malaleel liued sixtie fiue yeares and begat Iared †And Malaleel liued after he begat Iared eight hundred and thirtie yeares and begat sonnes and daughters †And al the dayes of Malaleel came to eight hundred nyntie fiue yeares he died †And Iared liued a hundred sixtie two yeares and begat Enoch †And Iared liued after he begat Enoch eight hundred yeares and begat sonnes and daughters †And al the dayes of Iared came to nine hundred sixtie two yeares he died †Moreouer Enoch liued sixtie fiue yeares begat Mathusala †And Enoch walked with God liued after he begat Mathusala three hundred yeares and begat sonnes and daughters †And al the dayes of Enoch came to three hundred sixtie fiue yeares †And he walked with God and “ was seene no more because God tooke him †Mathusala also liued a hundred eightie seuen yeares begat Lamech †And Mathusala liued after he begat Lamech seuen hundred eightie two yeares and begat sonnes and daughters †And al the dayes of Mathusala came to nyne hundred sixtie nine yeares he died †And Lamech liued a hundred eightie two yeares and begat a sonne †and he called his name Noe saying This sonne shal comfort vs from the workes labours of our handes on the earth which our Lord cursed †And Lamech liued after he begat Noe fiue hundred nintie fiue yeares and begat sonnes and daughters †And al the dayes of Lamech came to seuen hundred seuentie seuen yeares and he died And Noe when he was fiue hundred yeares olde begat Sem Cham and Iaphat ANNOTATIONS CHAP. V. 4. Begate sonnes and daughters Moyses in this genealogie reciteth not alwayes the first begotten nor the whole progenie by their names for then he should haue repeated Cain and Abel and haue named many others but those onlie by whom the Church of God continued signifying the rest in general whose succession was cut of by the floud 5. And he died By this Gods word is verified saying that Adam should dye if he should eate of the forbidden tree And the diuel is proued a lyer saying they should not dye It is also most true that Adam dyed that day in which he did eate For he began that very day to decline to death and so doth al mankind euer since as truly said the woman of Thecua to king Dauid vve doe al die and as vvaters that returne not vve fal dovvne on the earth And vvhat els saith S. Gregorie is this daylie decaying of our corruption but a lingering death And none of al these that liued longest reaching to a thousand yeares which with God is as one day man dyed in that day in which he
common maner of diuiding the first table into three precepts directing vs to God the second into seuen belonging to our neighbour approued for the better by S. Augustin q 71 in Exodum and generally receiued of al Catholiques grounded vpon this reason among others because to make or haue a picture or similitude of anie creature to the end to adore it as God were in dede to haue a strange God which is forbid in the first wordes and so al that foloweth to the comination and promise forbiddeth false goddes and appeareth to be but one precept in substance But the desire and internal consent to adultrie and to theift differ altogether as much as the external actes of the same sinnes and therfore seing adultrie and theift are forbidden to be committed by two distinct precepts the prohibition of the internal desire with mental consent to the same doth also require two precepts CHAP. XXI Iudicial precepts concerning bondmen and bondvvemen 12. Manslaughter and striking killing and cursing of parents 23. The lavv of like paine for a hurt 28. of an oxe striking vvith his horne THESE are the iudgements which thou shalt propose to them †If thou bye an Hebrew seruant six yeares shal be serue thee in the seuenth he shal goe out free gratis †With what rayment he entred in with the like let him go out if hauing a wise his wife also shal goe out with him †But if his lord geue him a wife and she beare sonnes daughters the woman and her children shal be her lordes but himselfe shal goe out with his rayment †And if the seruant say I loue my lord and wife children I wil not goe out free †his lord shal present him to the goddes and he shal be sette to the dore and the postes and he shal bore his eare through with an awle and he shal be his bondman for euer †If any man sel his daughter to be a seruant she shal not goe out as bondweman are wont to goe out †If she mislike the eyes of her maister to whom she was deliuered he shal dismisse her but he shal not haue authoritie to sel her vnto a strange people if he despise her †But if he despouse her to his sonne he shal doe to her after the maner of daughters †And if he take an other wife for him he shal prouide her a mariage and rayment and thē price of her chastitie he shal not denie †If he doe not these three thinges she shal goe out gratis without monie †He that striketh a man wilfully to kil him dying let him die †But he that did not lye in waite for him but God deliuered him into his handes I wil appoint thee a place whereunto he ought to flee †If a man of sette purpose kil his neighbour and by lying in waite for him thou shalt plucke him out from mine Altare that he may die †He that striketh his father or mother dying let him die †He that shal steale a man and sel him being conuicted of the trespasse dying let him die †He that curseth his father or mother dying let him die †If men fal at wordes and the one strike his neighbour with a stone or with his fist and he die not but lye in his bedde †if he rise and walke abrode vpon his stafe he that did strike shal be quitte yet so that he make restitution for his worke and for his expenses vpon the phisicians †He that striketh his man or mayde seruant with a rodde and they die in his handes he shal be guiltie of the crime †But if the partie remayne aliue a day or two he shal not be subiect to punishment because it is his money †If certaine fal at wordes and one strike a woman with child and she in deede aborte but her selfe liue he shal be subiect to so much damage as the womans husband shal require and as arbiters shal award †But if her death doe ensue thereupon he shal render life for life †eye for eye tooth for tooth hand for hand foote for foote †adustion for adustion wound for wound stripe for stripe †If any man strike the eye of his manseruant or maidseruant and leaue them but one eye he shal make them free for the eye which he put out †Also if he strike out a tooth of his manseruant or maydseruant he shal in like maner make them free †If an oxe with his horne strike a man or a woman and they die he shal be stoned and his flesh shal not be eaten the owner also of the oxe shal be quitte †But if the oxe were wont to strike from yesterday and the day before and they warned his maister neither did he shutte him vp and he kil a man or a woman both the oxe shal be stoned and they shal put to death his owner also †And if they sette a price vpon him he shal geue for his life whatsoeuer he is asked †Also if with his horne he strike a sonne or a daughter he shal be subiect to the like sentence †If he inuade abondman or bondwoman he shal geue thirtie sicles of siluer to their maister but the oxe shal be stoned †If a man open a cesterne and digge one and doe not couer it an oxe or an asse fal into it †the owner of the cesterne shal pay the price of the beastes and that which died shal be his owne †If one mans oxe gore an other mans oxe and he die they shal sel the oxe that liueth and shal diuide the price and the carcasse of that which died they shal parte betwen them †But if he knew that his oxe was wont to strike from yesterday and the day before and his maister did not keepe him in he shal render oxe for oxe and shal take the carcasse whole CHAP. XXII The punishment of theift 5. and other trespasses 7. if a thing committed to custodie or lent doth perish 16. of deflovvring a virgin 18. of inchanting bestialitie and idolatrie 21. of hurting strangers vvidovves and orphanes 25. The lavv of lending vvithout vsurie 26. of taking pleadge 28. of reuerence to superiors and of paying tithes IF any man steale an oxe or a sheepe and kil or sel it he shal restore fiue oxen for one oxe and foure sheepe for one sheepe †If the theefe be found breaking vp the house or vndermining it and taking a wound die the striker shal not be guiltie of bloud †But if he doe this when the sunne is risen he hath cōmitted manslaughter and himself shal die If he haue not wherwith to make restitution for the theft himselfe shal be sold †If that which he stole be found with him aliue either oxe or asse or sheepe he shal restore duble †If anie man hurt a field or a vineyard and let goe his beast to feede vpon that which
is other mens the best of whatsoeuer he hath in his owne field or in his vineyard he shal restore according to the estimation of the damage †If fire breaking forth light vpon the thornes and catch stackes of corne or corne standing in the fieldes he shal render the damage that kindled the fire †If a man committe money or vessel vnto his frend to keepe and they be stolen away from him that receaued them if the theefe be found he shal restore duble †if the theefe be not knowen the maister of the house shal be brought to the goddes and shal sweare that he did not extend his hand vpon his neighbours good †to doe any fraud as wel in oxe as in asse and sheepe and rayment and whatsoeuer may bring damage the cause of both parties shal come to the goddes and if they geue iudgement he shal restore duble to his neighbour †If a man committee asse oxe sheepe or any beast to his neigbours custodie and it die or be hurt or be taken of enemies and no man saw †there shal be an oath betwen them that he did not put forth his hand to his neighbours good and the owner shal admitte the oath and he shal not be compelled to make restitution †But if it were taken away by stelth he shal restore the damage to the owner †If it were eaten of a beast let him bring vnto him that which was slaine and he shal not make restitution †He that asketh of his neighbour to borow any of these thinges and it be hurt or dead the owner being not present he shal be compelled to make restitution †But if the owner be present he shal not make restitution especially if it were hired and came for the hire of the same †If a man seduce a virgin being not yet despoused and lie with her he shal endowe her and haue her to wife †If the virgins father wil not geue her he shal geue money according to the maner of the dowrie which virgins are wont to receaue †Inchanters thou shalt not suffer to liue †He that lieth with a brute beast dying let him die †He that sacrificeth to goddes shal be put to death but to the Lord only †Thou shalt not molest a stranger nor afflict him for your selues also were strangers in the Land of Aegypt †A widow and an orphane you shal not hurt †If you hurt them they wil crie out to me and I wil heare their crie †and my furie shal take indignation and I wil strike you with the sword and your wiues shal be widowes and your children orphanes †If thou lend money to my people being poore that dwelleth with thee thou shalt not vrge them as an exactour nor oppresse them with vsuries †If thou take of thy neighbour a garment in pledge thou shalt geue it him againe before sunne sette †For that same is the onlie thing wherwith he is couered the clothing of his bodie neither hath he other to sleepe in if he the goddes and the prince of thy people thou shalt not curse †Thy tithes and thy first fruites thou shalt not slacke to pay the first-borne of thy sonnes thou shalt geue me †Of thy oxen also sheepe thou shalt doe in like maner seuen dayes let it be with the damme the eight day thou shalt render it to me †Holie men you shal be to me the flesh that beastes haue tasted of before you shal not eate but shal cast it to the dogges CHAP. XXIII Lawes are appointed to Iudges the enemies oxe or asse to be saued 8. namely not to take bribes 10. The seuenth yeare and day al must rest 14. Three principal feastes must be solemnized euerie yeare 20. Conduction and protection of an Agel is promised 24. the people is agane commanded to destroy Idols 29. VVhy their enemies shal be destroyed by litle and litle THOV shalt not admitte a lying voice neither shalt thou ioyne thy hand to say false testimonie for a wicked person †Thou shalt not folow the multitude to doe euil neither shalt thou in iudgement argree to the sentence of the most part to stray from the truth †The poore man also thou shalt not pitie in iudgement †If thou meete thy enemies oxe or asse going astray bring it backe to him †If thou see the asse of him that hareth thee lye vnderneth his burden thou â—halt not passe by but shalt liâ—t him vp with the same †Thou shalt not decline the poore mans iudgement †A lye thou shalt auoide The innocent and iust person thou shal not put to death because I abhorre the impious man †Neither shalt thou take bribes which doe blind also the wise and peruert the wordes of the iust †The stranger thou shalt not molest for you know the hartes of strangers because your selues also were strangers in the Land of Aegypt †Six yeares thou shalt sow thy ground and shalt gather the corne therof †But the seuenth yeare thou shalt let it alone and make it to rest that the poore of thy people may eate and whatsoeuer shal be leift let the beastes of the field eate it so shalt thou doe in thy vineyard and thy oliuete †Six dayes thou shalt worke the seuenth day thou shalt cease that thy oxe may rest and thine asse and the sonne of thy handmaide may be refreshed and the stranger †Kepe al thinges that I haue said to you And by the name of foren goddes you shal not sweare neither shal it be heard out of your mouth †Three times euerie yeare you shal celebrate feastes to me †Thou shalt keepe the solemnitie of Azymes Seuen dayes shalt thou â—aâ—e azymes as I commanded thee in the time of the moneth of new corne when thou didst come forth out of Aegypt thou shalt not appeare in my sight emprie †And the solemnitie of the haruest of the first fruites of thy worke whatsoeuer thou didst sow in the field The solemnitie also in the end of the yeare when thou hast gathered al thy corne out of the field †Thrise a yeare shal al thy male sexe appeare before the Lord thy God †Thou shalt not sacrifice the bloud of my victime vpon leuâ—n neither shal the fatte of my solemnitie remaine vntil the morning †The first fruites of the corne of thy ground thou shalt carrie into the house of the Lord thy God Thou shalt not boyle a kidde in the milke of his damme †Behold I wil send myne Angel which shal goe before thee and keepe thee in thy iourney and bring thee into the place that I haue prepared †Obserue him and heare his voice neither doe thou thinke him one to be contemned for he wil not forgeue when thou hast sinned and my name is in him †But iâ— thou wilt heare his voice and doe al that I speake I wil be enemie to
he destroyed her denne and brake the most filthie idol and burnt it in the torrent cedron †but the excelses he did not take away Otherwise the hart of Asa was parfect with our Lord al his daies †and he caried in those thinges which his father had sanctified and vowed into the house of our Lord siluer and gold and vessels †And there was warre betwen Asa and Baasa the king of Israel al their daies †Baasa also the king of Israel went vp into Iuda and built Rama that no man might go out or come in of Asaes side the king of Iuda †Asa therfore taking al the siluer and gold that remained in the treasures of the house of our Lord and in the treasures of the kinges house gaue it into the handes of his seruantes and he sent to Benadad the sonne of Tabremon the sonne of Hezion the king of Syria which dwelt in Damascus saying †There is a league betwen me and thee betwixt my father and thy father therfore I haue sent thee giftes siluer and gold and I desire thee that thou come and make void the league that thou hast with Baasa the king of Israel and he may retire from me †Benadad agreing to king Asa sent the princes of his armie into the citiees of Israel and they stroke Ahion and Dan and Abeldomum of Maacha and al Cenneroth to witte al the Land of Nephthali †Which when Baasa had heard he intermitted to build Rama and returned into Thersa †But king Asa sent word into al Iuda saying Let no man be excused and they tooke stones from Rama and the timber therof wherwith Baasa had built and Asa of it built Gabaa Beniamin and Maspha †But the rest of al the wordes of Asa and al his forces and al that he did the cities that he built are not these written in the Booke of the words of the dayes of the kinges of Iuda How beit in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feete †And he slept with his fathers was buried with them in the citie of Dauid his father And Iosaphat his sonne reigned for him †But Nadab the sonne of Ieroboam reigned ouer Israel the second yeare of Asa the king of Iuda and he reigned ouer Israel two yeares †And he did that which is euil in the sight of our Lord and walked in the waies of his father and in his sinnes wherwith he made Israel to sinne †And Baasa the sonne of Ahias of the house of Issachar lay in wayte against him and stroke him in Gebbethon which is a citie of the Philistimes for Nadab and al Israel besieged Gebbethon †Baasa therfore slew him in the third yeare of Asa the king of Iuda and reigned for him †And when he reigned he stroke al the house of Ieroboam he leaft not so much as one soule of his seede til he destroied him according to the word of our Lord which he had spoken in the hand of Ahias the Silonite †for the sinnes of Ieroboam which he had sinned and wherwith he had caused Israel to sinne and for the offence wherwith he prouoked our Lord the God of Israel †But the rest of the wordes of Nadab and al that he wrought are not these thinges written in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Israel †And there was warre betwen Asa and Baasa the king of Israel al their daies †In the third yeare of Asa the king of Iuda reigned Baasa the sonne of Ahias ouer al Israel in Thersa foure and twentie yeares †And he did euil before our Lord walked in the waies of Ieroboam and in his sinnes wherwith he made Israel to sinne CHAP. XVI Iehu for prophecying the destruction of Baasa and his house 7. is slaine 8. yet his sonne Ela reigneth tvvo yeares 9. Then Zambri rebelleth killeth Ela and reigneth 16. Part of the people choosing Amri prince of the armie their king 18. Zambri desperatly burneth himselfe and the kings palace 21. an other part folow Thebni as king til his death 23. Amri reigneth tvvelue yeares vvickedly 29. His sonne Achab succedeth marieth Iezabel and serueth Baal 34. In the meane time Hiel repairer◠Iericho AND the word of our Lord came to Iehu the sonne of Hanani agaynst Baasa saying †For so much as I haue exalted thee out of the dust sette thee duke ouer my people Israel but thou hast walked in the way of Ieroboam and hast made my people Israel to sinne that thou mightest anger me with their sinnes †behold I wil cut downe the posteritie of Baasa and the posteritie of his house and I wil make thy house as the house of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat †Whosoeuer of Baasa shal die in the citie him shal the dogges eate and whosoeuer of his shal die in the countrie him shal the fowles of the ayre deuoure †But the rest of the wordes of Baasa and whatsoeuer he did and his battels are not these things written in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Israel †Baasa therfore slept with his fathers and was buried in Thersa and Ela his sonne reigned for him †And when the word of our Lord came in the hand of Iehu the sonne of Hanani the prophete agaynst Baasa and agaynst his house and agaynst al the euil that he had done before our Lord to anger him in the workes of his handes that it should be made as the house of Ieroboam for this cause he slew him that is to say Iehu the sonne of Hanani the prophete †In the sixe and twenteth yeare of Asa the king of Iuda reigned Ela the sonne of Baasa ouer Israel in Thersa two yeares †And his seruant Zambri rebelled agaynst him the captayne of the halfe part of the horsemen and Ela was in Thersa drinking and dronken in the house of Arsa the gouernour of Thersa †Zambri therfore rushing in stroke and slew him in the seuen and twenteth yeare of Asa the king of Iuda he reigned for him †And when he teigned and sate vpon his throne he stroke al the house of Baasa and he leaft not of it one that could pysse agaynst a wal his kinsfolke and frendes †And Zambri destroyed al the house of Baasa according to the word of our Lord that he had spoken to Baasa in the hand of Iehu the prophet †for al the sinnes of Baasa and the sinnes of Ela his sonne who sinned and made Israel to sinne prouoking our Lord the God of Israel in their vanities †But the rest of the wordes of Ela and al that he did are not these writen in the Booke of the wordes of the daies of the kinges of Israel †In the seuen and twenteth yeare of Asa the king of Iuda reigned Zambri seuen daies in Thersa moreouer the armie besieged Gebbethon a citie of the Philisthines †And
thy father and leaue not the lawe of thy mother †that grace may be added to thy head and a cheyne of gold to thy necke †My sonne g if sinners shal entise thee condescend not to them †If they shal say Come with vs let vs lye in waite for bloud let vs hide snares against the innocent without cause †let vs swalow him aliue as hel and whole as one descending into the lake †We shal finde al precious substance we shal fil our house with spoiles †Cast in thy lot with vs let there be one purse of vs al. †My sonne walke not with them stay thy foote from their pathes †For their feete runne to euil and make haste to shede bloud †But h a nette is cast in vayne before the eies of them that haue winges †Them selues also lye inwayte against their owne bloud practise deceites against their owne soules †So the pathes of euerie couetous man take violently the soules of the possessors †Wisdom preacheth abrode she geueth her voice in the streates †In the head of multitudes she cryeth in the doores of the gates of the citie she vttereth her wordes saying †O children how long doe you loue infancie and fooles couet those thinges which are hurtful to them selues and the vnwise hate knowlege †Turne-ye at my correption behold I wil vtter my spirite to you and wil shewe you my wordes †“ Because I called and you refused I streched out my hand and there was none that regarded †You haue despised al my counsel and haue neglected my reprehensions †I also wil laugh in your destruction and wil scorne when that shal come to you which you feared †When soden calamirie shal fal on you and destruction as a tempest shal be at hand when tribulation and distresse shal come vpon you †Then shal they inuocate me and I wil not heare in the morning shal they arise and shal not finde me †for that they haue hated discipline and not receiued the feare of our Lord †nor consented to my counsel detracted from al my correption †They shal eate therefore the fruites of their way and shal be filled with their owne counsels †The auersion of litle ones shal kil them and the prosperitie of fooles shal destroy them †“ But he that shal heare me shal rest without terrour and shal enioy abundance feare of euils being taken away ANNOTATIONS CHAP. I. 2 VVisdom As wel in these Sapiential bookes as in other holie Scriptures and sacred writers the vvord vvisdom hath three significations Sometimes it importeth the Diuine Attribute called Gods wisdom sometimes supernatural wisdom geuen to men by the Holie Ghost and sometimes it signifieth mere humane vvisdom gotten by the natural light of reason and mans industrie The first as like vvise other Diuine Attributes Gods Povvre Goodnes Iustice Truth Mercie and the like are not qualities or other accidents in God as the same termes signifie in creatures For in God there is no Accident but al in him is this Diuine Substance and Essence vvhose diuers Excellences are called by such names as mans capacitie can better conceiue and so Gods vvisdom is God himselfe and is approprieted to the second Person of the blessed Trinitic as Povvre is approprieted to God the Father and Goodnes to the Holie Ghost In this sense chap 3. v. 16. is saide Our Lord by vvisdom founded the earth c. The second is called Sap. 3. v. 25. the vapore of Gods povvre and a pure emanation orinfluence of the glorie of Almightie God and so is a participation of Diuine increated wisdom called also diuine according to a certaine anologie or similitude of Gods owne wisdom and is the principal gifte of the Holie Ghost by vvhieh God is righstly knovvne and duly serued including al other supernal giftes and vertues vvherof is treated in these bookes and so vvhich al men are inuited vvith assured promise of celestial and eternal revvard The third vvisdome is mere humane gotten by natural vvitte and studie such as Philosophers haue knovving manie truthes but mixt vvith manie errors and much ignorance truly called vvorldlie vvisdom seruing only for this vvorld But the second kind vvhich is as asparkecle of Gods vvisdom maketh meu othervvise ignorant and of smal capacitie rightly vvise in dede the true seruants of God and enheriters of the kingdom of heauen as these bookes do most copiously teach 24. Because I called and you refused God voursaffeth foure benefites of grace to euerie man al necessarie and sufficient for his saluation 1. He calleth al by preaching or good inspiration 2. He offereth helpe 3. He instructeth the ignorant what is good that they may choose it if they wil. 4. And reprehendeth euil that they may shunne it They therfore that neglect this manifold grace in this life shal without al remedie be damned being to late to repent in an other world For then they shal crie and not be heard v. 28. 33. But he that shal heare me Contrariwise those that accept Gods grace and cooperate therwith shal haue eternal rest and ioy The very same which S. Paul teacheth 2. Cor. 5. v. 10. Euerie one shal receiue the proper thinges of the bodie according as he hath done either good or euil CHAP. II. Gaining of wisdom bringeth much good 10. and auoydeth much euil 16. deliuering from error of Idolaters and Haretikes †MY sonne if thou wilt receiue my wordes and wilt hide my commandments with thee †that thyne eare may heare wisdom incline thyne hart to knowe prudence †For if thou shalt cal for wisdom and incline thyne hart to prudence †If thou shalt seeke her as money and as treasures shalt dig her vp †then shalt thou vnderstand the feare of our Lord and shalt finde the knowlege of God †Because our Lord geueth wisdom and out of his mouth prudence and knowlege †He wil keepe the saluation of the righteous protect them that walke simply †Keeping the pathes of iustice garding the wayes of saints †Then shalt thou vnderstand iustice and iudgement and equitie and euerie good path †If wisdom shal enter into thy hart and knowlege please thy soule †counsel shal keepe thee and prudence shal preserue thee †that thou mayst be deliuered from the euil way and from the man that speaketh peruerse thinges †“ who c leaue the right way and walke by darke wayes †“ who are glad when they haue done euil and reioyce in most wicked thinges †whose wayes are peruerse and their steppes infamous †That thou mayst be deliuered from “ the strange woman and from the forener which mollifieth her wordes †forsaketh the guide of her youth †and hath forgotten the couenant of her God For her house is bowed downe to death and her pathes to hel †Al “ that goe in vnto her shal
send the sword after them til they be consumed †Thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel Consider and cal ye lamenting wemen and let them come send to them that are wise and let them make haste †let them hasten take vp a lamentation vpon vs let our eies shede teares our eieliddes rune downe with waters †Because a voice of lamentation is heard from Sion How are we wasted and confounded exceedingly because we haue left the land because our tabernacles are cast downe †Heare therefore ye wemen the word of our Lord and let your eares take the word of his mouth and teach your daughters lamentation and euerie one her neighbour mourning †because death is come vp through our windowes it is entred into our houses to destroy the children from without the young men our of the streetes †Speake Thus saith our Lord and the carcasse of man shal fal as dung vpon the face of the countrie and as a grasse behind the backe of the mower and there is none to gather it †Thus saith our Lord Let not the wiseman glorie in his wisedom and let not the strong man glorie in his strength let not the rich man glorie in his riches †but he that glorieth let him glorie in this to vnderstand know me because I am the Lord that do mercie and iudgement and iustice in the earth for these thinges please me saith our Lord. †Behold the daies come saith our Lord and I wil visite vpon euerie one that hath the prepuce circumcised †vpon Aegypt and vpon Iuda and vpon Edom and vpon the children of Ammon and vpon Moab and vpon al that haue their heare powled dwelling in the desert because al nations haue the prepuce but al the house of Israel are vncircumcised in the hart CHAP. X. Influence of starres nor imagined powre of idols is not to be feared but God only 6. whose Maiestie is infinite and idols haue no powre at al. 19. Ierusalem lamenteth 24. and prayeth God to pardon and protect his owne people HEARE ye the word which our Lord hath spoken concerning you ô house of Israel †Thus saith our Lord According to the waies of the Gentils learne not and of the fignes of heauen which the heathen feare be not afraid †Because the lawes of the people are vaine because the worke of the hand of the artificer hath cut a tree out of the forest with an axe †with siluer and gold he hath decked it with nailes and hammers he hath compacted it that it fal not asunder †They are framed after the simulitude of a palme tree and shal not speake being caried they shal be remoued because they are not able to go Therefore feare them not because they can neither doe il nor wel †There is not the like vnto thee ô Lord thou art great and great is thy name in strength †Who shal not feare thee ô king of Nations For thine is the glorie among al the wise of the Gentiles in al their kingdoms there is none like vnto thee †They shal be proued altogether vnwise and foolish the doctrine of their vanitie is wood †Siluer wrapped vp is brought from Tharsis and gold from Ophaz the worke of the artificer and the handes of the coppersmith hyacinth and purple are their clothing al these thinges are the worke of artificers †But our Lord is the true God he is the liuing God and the King euerlasting at his indignation the earth shal be moued the Gentils shal not sustaine his threatning †Thus then you shal say to them The goddes that made not heauen and earth let them perish from of the earth and from these places that are vnder heauen †He that maketh the earth in his strength prepareth the world in his wisedom and with his prudence stretcheth out the heauens †At his voice he geueth a multitude of waters in the heauen lifteth vp the cloudes from the endes of the earth he maketh lightninges into rayne and bringeth forth the winde out of his treasures †Euerie man is become a foole for knowlege euery craftes man is confounded in the sculptil because it is false that he hath melted and there is no spirite in them †They are vaine thinges and a worke worthie to be laughed at in the time of their visitation they shal perish †The portion of Iacob is not like to these for it is he that formed al thinges and Israel is the rodde of his inheritance the Lord of hosts is his name †Gather thy confusion out of the land thou that dwellest in beseige †Because thus saith our Lord Behold I wil cast forth farre of the inhabitans of the land at this time I wil afflict them so that they may not be found †Woe is me for my destruction my plague is very sore But I said Truly this is myne infirmitie and I wil beare it †My tabernacle is wasted al my cordes are broken in sunder my children are gone out from me and are not there is none to stretch out my tent anie more to set vp my courtaines †Because the pastours haue done foolishly and haue not sought our Lord therefore haue they not vnderstood and al their flocke is dispersed †Loe the voice of a bruit cometh a great commotion from the land of the North to make the cities of Iuda a desert an habitation of dragons †I know Lord that mans way is not his owne neither is it in a man to walke and to direct his steppes †Correct me ô Lord but yet in iudgement and not in thy furie lest perhappes thou bring me to nothing †Power out thine indignation vpon the Gentiles that haue not knowen thee and vpon the prouinces that haue not inuocated thy name because they haue eaten Iacob and deuoured him and consumed him and haue dissipated his glorie CHAP. XI The Prophet being commanded to preach the obseruation of Gods couenant is not heard 9. The people folovv their fathers example adoring idols 11. and shal therefore be seuerely punished neither shal their idols nor prayers of the iust profite them 15. their malice against Christ is described 20. and the reuenge therof THE word that was made from our Lord to Ieremie saying †Heare ye the wordes of this couenant and speake to the men of Iuda and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem †and thou shalt say to them Thus saith our Lord the God of Israel Cursed is the man that shal not heare the wordes of this couenant †which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them out of the Land of Aegypt out of the yron fornace saying Heare ye my voice and doe al thinges that I command you and you shal be my people and I wil be your God †That I may raise vp the othe which I sware to your
charitie God gaue him an other particular law that he should not eate of the tree of knovvlege of good and euil And that for two special reasons which S. Augustin noteth vpon this place First that God might declare him selfe to be Lord of man VVhich was absolutely necessarie for man and nothing at al profitable to God who nedeth not our seruice but we without his dominion should vtterly fal to nothing Nec enim ipso non creante c. For he not creating vs neither could vve haue bene noâ— he not conseruing vs could vve remayne nor he not gouerning vs could vve liue rightly VVherfore he onlie is our true Lord vvhom not for his but for our ovvne profite and saluation vve serue The other reason was that God might geue man matter wherin to exercise the vertue of obedience and to shew him selfe a subiect of God VVhich could not be so properly and effectually declared by keping other lawes nor the enormitie of disobedience appeare so euidently as by fulfilling of Gods wil commanding him or by doing his owne wil moued to the contrarie in a thing of it selfe indifferent only made vnlawful because it was forbid But let vs heare S. Augustins owne wordes Nec potuit melius aut diligentius coÌ„â—endâ—ri quantum malum sit sola inobedientia c. Neither could it saith this great Doctor be better nor more exactly signified how bad a thing sole disobedience is then where a man became guiltie of iniquitie because he touched that thing contrarie to prohibition which if he not forbidden had touched he had not sinned at al. For he that saith for example sake Touch not this herbe supposing it is poysenful and doth forwarne one of death if he touch it death assuredly falleth on the contemner of the precept yea though no man had prohibited and he had touched for he should dye because the same thing bereueth him of health and life whether it had benne forbidden him or no. Also when one forbiddeth that thing to be touched which would not in dede preiudice him that toucheth but him that forbiddeth as if one take an others money being forbid by him whose the money is it is a sinne in him that is forbidden because it is iniurie to him that forbiddeth But when that thing is touched which neither should hurt him that toucheth nor any other if it were not forbid wherfore is it prohibited but that the proper goodnes of obedience and the euil of disobedience might appeare Thus S. Augustin sheweth that disobedience is a sinne because it is against a precept though otherwise the thing that is done were not euil And amongst other good notes teacheth that true obedience inquireth not wherfore a thing is commanded but leauing that to the Superior promptly doth that is appointed 17. Of the tree eate thou not This example of our first parents transgression sheweth how friuolous an answer it is to say that breaking of commanded fastes or eating meates forbidden can not hurt vs the meate being good and holsome for so the fruite of the tree was good and should haue hurt no man if it had not benne forbidden Euen so al meates of their owne nature are good yet the precept of fasting foretold by our Sauiour in general and determined by his Church in particular and so of anie other like law though it be in things otherwise indifferent proceeding from lawful Superiors bindeth the subiects in conscience And the transgression is properly disobedience what other sinne soeuer may also be mixed therwith 17. Thou shalt dye the death Against the new doctrine denying that after sinne is remitted anie temporal punishment remaineth for the same this place declareth that death wherof God forewarned Adam if he should eate of the fruite forbidden remained due and was at last inflicted vpon him for his sinne which was presently remitted vpon his repentance Againe for so much as we are al subiect to death it proueth that we were al guiltie of this sinne by which death came vpon al men as S. Paul teacheth Els God should punish vs without our fault which is vnpossible that his goodnes should do Especially it appeareth in infants who dying before they come to vse of reason can neuer coÌ„mit other sinne for though they were circumcised or had Sacrifice offered or other remedie vsed for them before Christ or baptised since Christ yet they suffer as S. Augustin noteth both death and manie other penalties of sickenes cold heate hunger and the like which can neither be to them matter of merite as to others it may be nor profite them for auoiding of other sinnes seing they dye in their infancie Yea moreouer if they dyed without circumcisioÌ„ or other remedie of those former times their soules perished from their people and now without Baptisme can neuer enter into the kingdome of heauen which could not stand with Gods iustice if they were not guiltie of sinne CHAP. III. By the craft of the Diuel speaking in a serpent our first parents transgressed Gods commandment 7. who being ashamed vvould hide them selues 9 but are reproued by God 14. and besides other particular punishements yet with promise of a Redemer are cast out of Paradise BVT the serpent also was more subtile then al the beasts of the earth which our Lord God had made Which said to the woman Why hath God commanded you that you should not eate of euerie tree of Paradise †To whom the woman answered Of the fruite of the trees that are in paradise we doe eate †but of the fruite of the tree which is in the middes of paradise God hath commanded vs that we should not eate and that we should not touch it lest perhapes we die †And the serpent said to the woman No you shal not dye the death †For God doth know that in what day soeuer you shal eate therof your eyes shal be opened and you shal be as gods knowing good euil †The woman therfore sawe that the tree was good to eate and fayre to the eyes and delectable to behold and she tooke of the fruite therof and did eate and gaue to her husband who did eate †And the eyes of them both were opened and when they perceiued themselues to be naked they sowed togeather leaues of a figge tree and made themselues aprons †And hearing the voice of our Lord God walking in paradise at the after none ayre Adam hid himselfe and so did his wife from the face of our Lord God amidst the trees of paradise †And our Lord God called Adam and said to him Where art thou †Who said I heard thy voice in paradise and I feared because I was naked and I hid me †To whom he said And who hath told thee that thou wast naked but that thou hast eaten of the tree whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eate †And Adam
transgressed Morally ancient Fathers here note that albeit the life of the Patriarkes seemeth long to vs yet if we coÌ„pare the same to eternitie it is nothing Neither by the iudgement of Philosophers may aniething be counted long that hath an end as Tullie bringing Cato wisely disputing sheweth the longest life to be but a short moment VVhereby againe we may see what losse we sustaine by sinne seeing if sinne had not benne we should al haue benne translated from earth to heauen and neuer haue dyed 24. VVas seene no more That Enoch and Elias are yet aliue is a constant knowne truth in the hartes and mouthes of the faithful saith S. Augustin in his first booke de peccat merit remiss c. 3. and confirmeth the same in diuers other places And it is testified by very many both Greeke and Latin Doctors S. Ireneus li. 5. S. Iustinus Martyr q. 85. ad Orthodoxos S. Hippolitus li. de Antichristo S. Damascen li. 4. de Orthodoxafide S. Hierom. epist 61. ad Pamach c. 11. S. Ambrose in Psalm 45. S. Chrysostom ho. 21. in Gen. ho. 58. in Mat. ho. 4. in epist 2. ad Thess ho. 22. in ep ad Heb. S. Greg. li. 14. Moral c. 11 ho. 12. in Ezech. S. Prosp li. vlt. de promis S. Bede in c. 9. Marc. Theophilact and Oâ—cumenius in cap. 17. Mat. and others innumerable Touching Elias it is manifest in Scriptures that he shal come preach be slaine with an other witnes of Christ before the terrible day of Iudgement Of Enoch Moyses here maketh the matter more then probable saying of euerie one of the rest he dyed onlie of Enoch saith not so but that he appeared or vvas seene no more For which the seuentie two interpreters say And he vvas not found for God translated him VVhich can not signifie death but transporting or remouing to an other place VVhereto agreeth the author of Ecclesiasticus saying Enoch pleased God and vvas translated But most clearly S. Paul saith Enoch vvas translated that he should not see death and he vvas not found for God translated him VVith what plainer wordes can any man declare that a special person were not dead then to say He vvas translated or coÌ„ueyed away that he should not see death Neither is it a reasonable euasion to interprete this of spiritual death For so Adam being eternally saued as S. Irenaeus li. 3. c. 34. Epiphan con haeresim 46. S. Aguâ—â—in epist 99. ad Euodium and others teach and the whole Church beleeueth was preserued from that death and so vndoubtedly were Seth and Enos being most holie and the rest here recounted as is most probable Neuertheles for further confutation of the contrarie opinion of Protestants the reader may also obserue the iudgement of S. Chrisostom who affirmeth that Though it be not a matter of faith vvhether Enoch be novv in Paradise from vvhence Adam and Eue vvere expelled or in some other pleasant place Dicunt tamen sacrae Scriprurae quod Deus transtulit eum quod viuentem transtulit eum quod mortem ipse non sit expertus The holie Scriptures say that God translated him and that he translated him aliue that he felt not or hath not experienced death And S. Augustin as expresly saith Non mortuus sed viuus translatus est He to vvit Enoch is translated not dead but aliue Yea he teacheth how his life is sustayned thus many thousand yeares vpon earth And sheweth moreouer that both Enoch and Elias shal dye For seing Enoch and Elias saith he are dead in Adam and carying the ofspring of death in their flesh to pay that debt are to returne to this life of common conuersation and to pay this debt vvhich so long is deferred Diuers reasons are also alleaged why God would reserue these two aliue First to shew by example that as their mortal bodies are long conserued from corrupting or decaying in like sorte Adam and Eue and al others not sinning should haue bene conserued and according to Gods promise neuer haue died but after some good time translated to heauen and indued with immortalitie Secondly to giue vs an argument of immortalitie which is promised after the general Resurrection For seing God doth preserue some mortal so long from al infirmitie we may assuredly beleue that he wil geue immortal eternal life of bobie and soule to his Sainctes after they haue payed the debt of death and are risen againe Thirdly these two one of the law of nature the other of the law of Moyses are preserued aliue to come amongst men againe towards the end of the world to teach testifie and defend the true faith and doctrin of Christ against Antichrist when he shal most violently oppugne persecute the Church Of Enoch it is said in the booke of Ecclesiasticus that he was translated vt det gentibus poenitenntiam that he geue repentance to the nations by his preaching reducing the deceiued from Antichrist And of Elias Malachie prophicieth that he shal come before the great and terrible day of our Lord and shal turne the hart of the fathers that is the people of the Iewes to the sonnes the Christians and of the sonnes the deceiued Christians to the fathers the ancient true Catholiques CHAP. VI. Mans sinnes cause of the deluge 4. Giants vvere then vpon the earth 8. Noe being iust vvas commanded to build the Arke 18. vvherin he vvith seuen persons more and the seede of other liuing things vvere saued AND after that men began to be multiplied vpon the earth had procreation of daughters †The sonnes of God seing the daughters of men that they were faire tooke to them selues wiues out of al which they had chosen And God said My spirit shal not remaine in man for euer because he is flesh his dayes shal be an huÌ„dred twentie yeares †And Giants were vpon the earth in those dayes For after the sonnes of God did companie with the daughters of men and they brought forth children these be the mightie of the olde world famous men †And God seing the malice of men was much on the earth and that al the cogitation of their hart was bent to euil at al times †it repented him that he had made man on the earth And touched inwardly with sorrowe of hart †I wil saith he cleane take away man whom I haue created from the face of the earth from man euen to beastes from that which creepeth euen vnto the foules of the ayre for it repenteth me that I haue made them †But Noe found grace before our Lord †These are the generations of Noe Noe was a iust and perfect man in his generations he did walke with God †And he begat three sonnes Sem Cham Iapheth †And the earth was corrupted before God and was replenished with iniquitie †And when God had perceiued
a ribbe of his side to be his mate and vnseparable companion as man and wife ioyned in Mariage with Gods blessing for increase and multiplication As appeareth in the two first chapters of this booke But God hauing made man right he intangled him selfe â—â— holie Scripture speaketh with infinite questions For the diuel enuying mans felicitie inâ—â—gled our mother Eâ—e with questions and lies and then by her first seduced and deceiued allured also Adam to the transgression of Gods commandment And so they lost original iustice which Adam had receiued for him selfe and al mankind and al proceeding from them by natural propagation are borne the children of wrath in original sinne contracted from Adam slaues of the diuel not only subiect to temporal death but also are excluded for euer from heauenly blisse and glorie except by Christs redemption particularly applied they be restored to grace iustice in this life And touching Adam and Eue whose sinne was not original but actual directly committed by them selues Gods mercie so reclamed them by new grace that they despared not as Cain and some orhers did afterwards but with hope of remission were sorie and penitent and accordingly receiued penance and redemption For God brought Adam from his sinne as holie writte testifieth and the same is collected of Eue God shewing the like signes of his prouident mercie towards them both of which we shal by and by note some for example Now let vs see the more principal points of faith and Religion professed and obserued by the Church of God before Noes floud First they beleeued in one Eternal and Omnipotent God who made the whole world and al things therin of nothing which is easely confessed of al that are not plaine Atheists and may be proued against them by reason And therfore Adam and other Patriarches could not erre in this Article nor others be ignorant therof except they were very wicked The Mysterie also of the Blessed Trinitie three Diuine Persons in one God though farre aboue the reach of mans reason yet was beleued more expresly by somâ— more implied by others and conserued from age to age by tradition at least amongst the chiefe heades and leaders wherupon Moyses afterwardes insinuated the same great Mysterie by diuers wordes and phraseâ— writing of God and his workes The two wordes God created if they be rightly considered importe so much For the word Elohim God in the plural number signifyeth pluralitie of Persons for manie Gods it can not signifie seeing there is but one God and the verbe bara created in the singular number signifyeth one God in nature and substance albeit three Persons For whatsoeuer God doth in creatures is the worke of the whole Trinitie though holie Scriptures do oftentimes appropriate some worke to one Diuine Person some to another which also proueth distinction of Persons in God So the wordes God created heauen and earth signifie the Father to whom powre is attributed In the beginning signifie the Sonne to whom wisdome is appropriated and the words The Sprite of God moued ouer the waters signifie the Holie Ghost by whose bountiful goodnes the waters were made fruictful Likewise Gods owne wordes Let vs make man signifie the pluralitie of Persons and Image and likenes in the singular number signifie one God Men also knew by faith manie things perteyning to them selues As that the bodie was made of the slime of the earth the soule not produced of anie thing formerly existing but created immediatly of nothing and naturally immortal that the soule of Adam was indued with grace and iustice that he fel from that happie state by yelding to tentation and breaking Gods commandment of abstinence that for the same sinne Adam and Eue were cast forth of Paradise and al mankind subiect to death and other calamities For remedie against sinne restauration to grace they beleeued in Christ promised to be borne of the womans seede who by his death should conquer the wicked serpent deliuer man from captiuitie and restore him to spiritual life And this is the cause of the perpetual enmitie betwen the woman especially the most blessed Virgin Mother of whom Christ tooke flesh and the serpent and betwen her seede the spiritual children of Christ and the serpents seede the whole companie of the wicked Of this battle and conquest Targhum Hierosolimitanum thus speaketh There shal be remedie and health to the children of wemen but to thee o serpent there shal be no medicine yea they shal tread thee vnder their feete in the latter dayes by the powre of Christ their King Likewise Gods familiar conuersation with diuers men in mans shape Gen. 2. 3. 4. 6. and 7. was a signe of Christs incarnation And The Sacrifices immolated did prefigurate his death in respect wherof it is said in the Apocalips The Lambâ— was slaine from the beginniing of the world But more expresly S. Paul testifieth that Abel Enoch and Noe beleeued in Christ naming them for example of the first age and others of other times and in the end concludeth that manie more being approued by the same faith receiued not the promise to wit in their life time God prouiding that they without others of the new Law should not be consummate that is not admitted into heauenlie ioyes fruition of God vntil the way of eternal glorie were opened by our Lords Passion and Asâ—ension Neither did the true seruants of God in those first dayes only beleeue in hart but they also professed their saith Religion by external Rites namely in offering of Sacrifice the most special homage seruice to God which is clerly testified cha 4. as wel bloudie in figure of Christs Passion as vnbloudie in figure of the holie Eucharist Also the accepting of the one rightly offered by Abel reiecting the other not donne sincerly by Cair was declared by external signes which Cain disdayning and enuying his brothers good worke knowing his owne to be naught of mere malice killed his brother Besides Sacrifice they had also other Rites in publique Assemblies praying and inuocating the name of our Lord in more solemne maner from Enos time and so forvvard according to that is recorded of him in the end of the fourth chapter for douteles Adam Abel and Seth did also pray and call vpon God and therfore it was some addition or increase of solemnitie in the seruice of God which is referred to Enos They had moreouer other ceremonies of the seuenth day particularly blessed and sanctified by God kept holie by Adam and other Patriarches as Abben Ezra witnesseth in his commentaries vpon the tenne commandements Of abstayning from meates for it semeth the more godlie sorte did eate no flesh before the floud which was after permitted Obseruation of cleane and vncleane beastes for Sacrifice Of peculiar places dedicated to religious vses where people mette together to pray Likwise diuers
other things in the first age were figures of Christs Sacraments the Spirite of God geuing powre to the waters as Tertullian S. Hierom and others expound it and the floud of Noe by S. Peters testimonie were figures of Baptisme Mariage instituted in Paradise is the very paterne of holie Matrimonie a Sacrament in the Church of Christ where one man and one wife are on lie lawful and not more at once in anie wise Christ reforming that which in Moyses law was tolerated for hardnes of mens hartes and for auoyding murther to put away one wife and take an other to this first institution as it was in the beginning two in one flesh not three nor more The repentance of Adam and Eue was a perfect and examplare figure of the Sacrament of Penance First they were ashamed couering their nakednes and hiding them selues which shewed their griefe and sorow for the sinne committed Secondly they confessed their fault and by what meanes it happened For God examining Adam he answered truly and simply saing The woman which thou gauest me to be my companion gaue me of the tree and I did eate Likwise Eue confessed sincerly saying The serpent deceiued me and I did eate Thirdly God gaue them penance besides death before threatned and other penalties annexed that Eue should in paine and trauel bring forth her children and Adam should eate his bread in the sweate of his face And withal cast them forth of Paradise But not forth of his fauoure as appeared by his making them garments of skinnes granting them and their posteritie the rest of the earth to liue and labour in especially to serue him and do penance with admonition to remember that of duct man was made and into dust he shal returne Al which were signes of loue and that finally he would bring them and manie more to eternal saluation The first borne and heades of families were Priests al the time of the law of nature vntil the law being changed God tooke Priests only of the stock of Aaron and the rest of the Leuites to assist them in that function Aaron his sonnes thou shalt appoint saith our Lord ouer the seruice of Priesthood for I haue taken the Leuites of the children of Israel for euerie first borne And ◠Paul teacheth that changing of Priesthood and changing of the law goe alwayes together shewing euidently that euerie lawful communitie or commonwealth vnder God hath external Priesthood So that if there had benne no distinct order of external Priesthood in the law of nature or now were none in the law of grace as Protestantes say there is not there were no law at al. See more of this point in the Annotations chap. 7. ad Hebre. Here we only obserue that Abel Seth Enos and other Patriarches were Priestes and exercised priestlie functions yea Cain also was a Priest though a bad one and offered Sacrifice But external offices or ministerie without a wel disposed mind and sincere vertues producing Good workes did neuer iustifie anie man And therfore Cains Sacrifice offered with a peruerse mind was not respected by God as Abels was wherupon he becoming worse and more malicious God sharply reproued his anger and enuie conceiued without iust cause saying If thou doest wel shalt thou not receiue againe but if thou doest il shal not thy sinne forwith be present at the dore clerly shewing that euerie one shal receiue according to his workes This place also euidently sheweth Freewil yea in a wicked man For this expostulation had neuer benne vttered by our most reasonable Lord and Maister if Cain had benne depriued of freewil For he might haue excused himselfe and must needes haue benne holden excused if he had benne forced to do as he did But God charged him as inexcusable and as one that knew or ought to know that he had freewil And doth further inculcate that he had and should haue powre and freewil ouer his concupiscence to correct the same if he would saying The lust therof shal be vnder thee and thou shalt haue domion ouer it So that no sinner be he neuer so wicked much lesse a iust man lacketh freewil yet Luther abhorreth the very word and Caluin wisheth it out of the world Temporal punishment is proued to be due for sinne remitted by that both death and other penalties are inflicted by Gods iustice vpon men after iustification and by the particular punishments laid vpon Adam and Eue confessing their faultes Purgatorie is also proued by the same iustice of God For when anie dieth penitent and yet haue not madeful satisfaction they must suffer for that remaineth after death and be purged before they can enter into rest which remnant of debt our B. Sauiour calleth The last farthing and saith it must be payed The lewes also at this day hold the doctrin of Purgatorie by tradition And consequently they Pray for soules departed not only to God but also to the ancient Patriarches which likewise sheweth Inuocation of Saincts in these wordes Yee fathers which sleepe in Hebron open to him the gates of Eden that is of Paradise which was planted in Eden And Hebron is the place where Adam was buried and his sepulcher religiously conserued in the time of Iosue aboue 1500 yeares after his death The same is the place which Abraham bought and there buried Sara where also him selfe and Isaac and Iacob were buried and to which finally the bodies of the twelue sonnes of Iacob were translated from Sichem As Iosephus writeth And sichem also was specially honored because such persons had benne buried there as S. Hierom witnesseth of his owne knowledge in his time Againe by religious care of burying the dead in this first age Enoch was more certainly knowen to be Translated aliue and not to be dead For the seuentie Interpreters and S. Paul say He was not found which importeth that they sought diligently for him and that his bodie could not be found for God translated him By al which we see mutual offices and communion of good workes amongst good men aliue and dead which is called Cōmunion of Saincts And herein Angels lacked not their offices For God set Cherubins to kepe the gate of Paradise that neither man should enter being iustly expelled for sinne nor diuels as S. Augustin noteth left they should take fruite of the tree of life and geuing it to men allure them to more sinne And now Saincts being exalted to Angels glorie haue like honorable offices towards other men as Angels haue Yea the bloud of Abel vniustly shed by Cain and iustly to be reuenged by God sheweth the peculiar honour which God bestoweth vpon his Saints for their vertues and merites in this life especially in their death For Precious in the sight of our Lord is the
wash his stole in wine and in the bloud of the grape his cloke †His eyes are more beautiful then wine and his teeth whiter then milke †Zabulon shal dwel in the shore of the sea and in the road of shippes reaching as farre as Sidon †Issachar a strong asse lying at rest betwen the borders †He saw rest that it was good and the earth that it was very good and he put vnder his shoulder to cary and became seruing vnder tributes †Dan shal iudge his owne people as also an other tribe in Israel †Be Dan “ a snake in the way a serpent in the path byting the hoosses of the horse that his ryder may fal backward †I wil expect THY SALVATION O Lord. †Gad the gyrded shal fight before him and himself shal be gyrded backward †Aser his bread is sat and he shal geue daynties to kinges †Nepthali a â—art let forth geuing speaches of beautie †Ioseph a child encreasing encreasing and comelie to behold the daughters coursed to and for vpon the wall †But the dart men did exasperate him brawled and enuied him †His bowe sate vpon the strong the bands of his armes and his handes were dissolued by the handes of the mightie of Iacob thence came forth a pastour the stone of Israel †The God of thy father shal be thy helper the Almightie shal blesse thee with the blessinges of heauen from aboue with the blessinges of the deapth that lieth beneath with the blessings of the pappes and of the wombe †The blessinges of thy father were strengthned with the blessings of his fathers vntil the desire of the eternal hilles came be they vpon the head of Ioseph vpon the crowne of the Nazarite among his brethren †Beniamin a rauening woolfe in the morning shal eate the pray and in the euening shal diuide the spoile †Al these in the tribes of Israel twelue these things spake their father to them and he blessed euerie one with their proper blessings †And he commanded them saying I am geathered vnto my people burie you me with my fathers in the duble caue which is in the field of Ephron the Hethite †against Mambre in the Land of Chanaan which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hethite for a possession to burie in †There they buried him Sara his wife there was Isaac buried with Rebecca his wife there also Lia doth lie buried †And when he had finished the precepts wherwith he instructed his sonnes he plucked vp his feet vpon the bed and died he was put vnto his people ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XLIX 4. Because thou didest ascend thy fathers bed For this crime of incest Ruben was depriued of his first birth-right VVho being by order of birth former in guiltes wherby he should haue had duble portion and greater in Empire wherby he should haue bene Prince or Lord ouer his bretheren the former prerogatiue was geuen to Ioseph whose two sonnes were heades of two Tribes the other was geuen to the Tribe of Iuda in Dauid and his posteritie He was also depriued of his prerogatiue in Priesthood which was after annexed to the Tribe of Leui wherupon the Chaldee paraphrasis speaketh thus to Ruben It belonged to thee to haue receaued three better lettes then thy brethren Priesthood Best portion and the Kingdome But because thou hast sinned the duble portion is geuen to Ioseph the Kingdome to Iudas and Priesthood to Leui. 5. Veselles of iniquitie Albeit Simeon and Leui were moued with iust zeale to punish the soule crime committed by Sichem against their sister and whole familie yet in their maner of reuenging were manie sinnes worthely condemned by Iacob both immediatly after the fact and here at his death For before the slaughter they committed there greate sinnes in that they rashly did it vnknowne to their father therby putting him themselues in extreme danger if God had not maruelously protected them in falsly pretending agreement and league with the Sichamites which they ment not to performe and in sacrilegiously abusing the Sacrament of Circumcision making it a cloke to deceiue their ennemies In the fact also they committed other foure grosse crimes cruelly killing those that offered other abundant satisfaction murthering others that were altogether innocent sacking and destroying the citie and carying away wemen and children captiue Mystically S. Ambrose Ruffinus Isidorus and others vnderstand this prophecie of the Scribes and the Priestes descending of Simeon and Leui who were most eagre against our Sauiour as himself more plainely fortold saing The sonne of man balbe betrayed to the chiefe Priestes and to the Scribes and they shal condemne him to death Their furic was cursed aboue al surie Because as Iacob here saith it vvas stubborne or obstinate for they did not only condemne Christ to death in their wicked councel but also vrged and pressed Pilat endeuoringe to saue him sturred vp the people to crye Take him avvay Crucisie him Yea their indignation was so hard that they preferred Barabbas before Christ 10. The scepter shal not be taken avvay Here the Patriarch Iacob fortelleth the time when the promised Messias should come into the world by this signe that the scepter should not be taken from Iuda til the same Redeemer of mankind were at hand Not that the regal scepter should remaine in the Tribe of Iuda from Iacobs death â—il Christes comming for that Kingdome beganne first in Dauid aboue six hundred yeares after Iacobs death and after the captiuitie of Babylon the highe Priests of the Tribe of Leui did gouerne also the state not only the Church other six hundred yeares But the sense is that of the Tribe of Iuda should rise most gloriouse Kinges whose crowne and Kingdome should remaine with the Iewish Nation vntil their expected Messias should drawe nere and then be taken from them by the Gentiles VVhich was downe by Herod whose father was an Idumean his mother an Arabique Thus the Ancient fathers with one accorde vnderstood this prophecie S. Iustinus Martyr Ser. cum Triphone Eusebius Cesarien lib Hist Eccles. cap 6. S. Athanasius lib. de Incarnat S. Ambrose lib de Benedict Patriarch c. 4. S. Chrysostom Ilo 67. in Gen. S. Augustin lib. 18. c. 45. de ciuit Theodoretus q. vlt. in Gen. 11. He shal vvash hisstole in vvyne By wine and bloud of the grape what other thing is shewed saith S. Cyprian Epist ad Coecil 63 but the wine of the Chalice of our Lordes bloud Likwise Tertullian lib 4. contra Marcionem expoundeth the stole to signifie Christs flesh and the wine his bloud In al which booke his drift is to shewe that Christ did not destroy the olde Testament but fulfilled the figures and prophecie therof And not that Christ gaue his bodie in figure only as our aduersaries alleadge him 17. Be Dan a snake in the vvay This prophecie most
ancient Fathers vnderstood of Anti Christ namely S. Irenaeus lib. 5. aduers Haeres S. Hyppolitus Martyr Orat de consummaâ— soeculi S. Ambrose c. 7 de Benedict Patriarch S. Augustin q. 12. in Iosue Prosper lib. de promiss praedicts Dei P. 4. Theodoret. q. vlt. in Gen. S. Gregorie lib. 30. Moral c. 18 and many others vpon the 7. chap. of the Apocalips where they suppose S. Ioan did omitt Dan from amongst the Elect of the Israelitical Tribes in detestation of Antichrist to be borne of that Tribe And certayne it is that the Iewes wil receiue and folowe him for their Messias as our Sauiour himselfe saith VVhich maketh it very probable that he shal be a Iewe borne else they would not so easily admitt him 22. Ioseph a childe encreasing Ioseph was in manie respectes a figure of Christ especially in that he was loued of his father before al his bretheren solde by his brethrn to the Gentiles of enuie and for money aduanced to dignitie and authoritie the deliuerer of Aegypt from famine and called Sauiour of the world al performed in Christ the true Childe encreasing CHAP. L. Ioseph causeth his fathers bodie to be embawmed 3. the dayes of mourning being expired 6. with Pharaos leaue Ioseph with the ancients of Aegypt al his brethren and elder sorte of Israelites goe and solemnly burie the bodie in Chanaan 14. After their returne his brethren fearing leâ—t ioseph wil now reuenge former iniuries he freely forgeueth al. 22. At the age of 110. yeares adiuring the posteritie to carie his bones into Chanaan he dieth and is put in a coffin VVHICH Ioseph seeing fel vpon his fathers face weeping and kissing him †And he commanded his seruantes the physitians that they should embawme his father with spices †Who fulfilling his commandements there passed fourtie dayes for this was the maner of corses embawmed and Aegypt mourned him seuentie daies †And the mourning time being expired Ioseph spake to the familie of Pharao If I haue found grace in your sight speake in the eares of Pharao †for so much as my father did adiure me saing Behold I die in my sepulchre which I digged for my selfe in the land of Chanaan thou shalt burie me I wil goe vp therfore and burie my father and returne †And Pharao said to him Goe vp and burie thy father as thou wast adiured †Who going vp there went with him al the ancients of Pharaos house and al the elders of the Land of Aegypt †the house of Ioseph with his brethren sauing their little ones and the flockes and heards which they had left in the Land of Gessen †He had also in his traine chariotts and horsemen and it became no smal multitude †And they came to the floore of Atad which is situate beyond Iord aine where celebrating the exequies with great and vehement mourning they spent ful seuen dayes †Which when the Inhabiters of the Land of Chanaan had seene they said This is a great mourning vnto the Aegyptians And therfore the name of that place was called The mourning of Aegypt †Therfore the sonnes of Iacob did as he commanded them †and carying him into the Land of Chanaan they buried him in the duble caue which Abraham had bought with the field for a possession to burie in of Ephron the Hethite against Mambre †And Ioseph returned into Aegypt with his brethren and with al the traine his father being buried †After whose death his brethren fearing and talking one with an other Lest perhaps he be mindful of the iniurie which he suffered and requite vs al the euil that we haue done †they aduertised him saing Thy father commanded vs before he died †that we should say thus much to thee in his wordes I besech that thou forget the wicked fact of thy brethren and the sinne malice which they haue exercised against thee we also desire thee that to the seruants of the God of thy father thou remit this iniquitie Whom when Ioseph ad heard he wept †And his brethren came to him and adoring prostrate on the ground they said We are thy seruantes †To whom he answered Feare not can we resist the wil of God †“ You thought euil against me but God turned that into good that he might exalt me as presently you see and might saue many peoples †Feare not I wil feed you your lirle ones and he comforted them and spake gently mildly †And he dwelt in Aegypt with al his fathers house and liued an hundred and tenne yeares And he sawe the children of Ephraim vnto the third generation Also the children of Machir the sonne of Manasses were borne in Iosephs knees †Which thinges being done he spake to his brethren After my death God wil visite you and wil make you goe vp out of this land to the land which he sware to Abraham Isaac and Iacob †And when he had adiured them and said God wil visite you carie my bones with you out of this place †he died being an hundred and tenne yeares old And being embawmed with spices was put in a coffin in Aegypt ANNOTATIONS CHAP L. 20. You thought euil This plaine distinction sheweth that sinne is wholly of the sinner and that God hath no part therin but turneth it to good For those things which Iosephs brethren did against him were occasions of his aduancement in Aegypt through the omnipotent wisdome of God VVhose â—â—opeitie is out of euerie euil to draw good S. Chrisost ho. 67. in Gen. S. Aug. Enchirid. c. 11. li. 14. c. 27. de â—â—â—it 25. Carie my bones vvith you For the same reasons Ioseph would be finally buried in Chanaan for which Iacob desired to be there buried chap. 47. but Ioseph would not presently be caried thither lest it might haue geuen offence to the Aegyptians or at least haue diminished their fauoure towardes his brethren and withal he would confirme his brethren in their hope of returning seing he was content that his bodie should expect in Aegypt til the whole Nation should returne into Chanaan THE ARGVMENT OF THE BOOKE OF EXODVS MOYSES hauing prosecuted in Genesis the sacred historie of the Church vnto Iosephs death containing the space of 2310. yeares continueth the same in Exodus for 145. yeares more VVhere he first briefly recounteth how a smal number of Israelites especially after the death of Ioseph being much increased a new King risen in the meane time who knew not Ioseph together with other Aegyptians enuying their better partes both of bodie and minde and more fortunate progres in wealth fearing also lest they stil multiplying either by their owne forces or ioyning with other foreners might spoile Aegypt and returne into Chanaan and hating their Religion because they acknowledged one onlie eternal omnipotent God denying and detesting the new imaginarie goddes of the Aegyptians resolued and publickly decreed by oppression to
of two former lawes the one Leuit. 25. prouiding that inheritance of landes should not be sold nor otherwise alienated but vntil the Iubilee yeare and then returne to him or his heyres to whom it pertained before the other Num. 27. ordaining that for lack of a sonne daughters should enherite this difficultie did rise in case an enheretrixe did marrie a man of an other tribe her landes by that meanes should passe from tribe to tribe and not be restored in the Iubilee yeare For auoiding of which inconuenience a further law is made that none shal marrie out of their owne tribe Neuerthelesse the tribe of Leui made mariages with the tribe of Iuda as appeareth by that Zacharie the priest married Elizabeth cosin to our B. Ladie of the tribe of Iuda though in the old Testament there is no such expresse dispensation nor explication of the law but by tradition was holden for lawful and practised by so holie a man as Zacharie And not without mysterie as S. Augustin noteth li. 2. c. 2. d◠consen Euang. for that Christ the Annointed of God was prefigured by the annointing of Kings and Priests and borne of the royal and priestlie tribes being both a King and a Priest THE ARGVMENT OF DEVTERONOMIE DEVTERONOMI in English The second law so called not that there be two lawes of Moyses but because the same which was first geuen in Mount Sinai fiftie dayes after the children of Israel parted from Aegypt is here repeted in the eleuenth moneth of the fourtith yeare of their abode in the desert In which repetition albeit Moyses explicateth the same law adding also diuers things not expressed before yet is it but an Abbridgement conceiued and vttered in fewer wordes VVhereupon S. Bode in princ Leuit. compareth this booke with the foure precedent as one made of them al. For wheras the former foure prefigured the foure Gospels this signified the whole Gospel contained in al foure Likewise S. Hierom calleth it A prefiguration of the Euangelical law so iterating former things that al become new of old Epist ad Paulin. ca. 7. de Mans 42. But touching the literal sense Moyses here compriseth foure general things vnto which after his death the fifth is added and so the whole conteineth fiue partes First he briefly reciteth Gods special benefites bestowed on this people and their ingratitude incredulitie murmurings and punishments in the three first chapters Secondly he repeteth and explicateth Gods precepts moral ceremonial and iudicial with the functions and offices of Priests and Leuites from the 4. chap. to the 27. Thirdly he denounceth Gods promises of manie blessings and thretes of punishments for keeping or breaking his commandments from the 27. chap. to 31 Fourthly he exhorteth them to serue and loue God but withal fortelleth that they wil often fal to great sinnes and for the same shal be punished and at last forsaking Christ shal be forsaken yet finally blesseth their tribes in figure of the Gentiles that shal be called in their place chap. 31. 32. and 33. Fiftly in the last chapter losue writeth the death burial and singular commendation of Moyses THE BOOKE OF DEVTERONOMIE IN HEBREW ELLE HADDEBARIM CHAP. I. Moyses beginneth the first day of the eleuenth moneth and fourtith yeare after the children of Israel parted from Aegypt to repete and explicate the Law 6. first putting them in mind of Gods munisicence his owne and other superiors care ouer them their ingratitude incredultie murmuring 34. and punishment for the same THESE are the wordes which Moyses spake to al Israel beyond Iordan in the champion wildernesse against the Read sea betwen Pharan and Thophel and Laban and Haseroth where there is verie much gold †eleuen daies from Horeb by the way of mount Seir to Cadesbarne †The fourtith yeare the eleuenth moneth the first day of the moneth Moyses spake to the children of Israel al thinges that our Lord had commanded him to say vnto them †after that he had stroke Sehon king of the Amorrheites which dwelt in Hesebon and Og the king of Basan which abode in Aseroth and in Edrai †beyond Iordan in the Land of Moab And Moyses began to expound the law and to say †The Lord our God spake to vs in Horeb saying It is sufficient for you that you haue stayed in this mountaine †returne and come to the mountaine of the Amorrheites and to the rest that are next to it champion and hillie and lower places against the South and beside the shore of the sea the Land of the Chananeites and of Libanus vnto the greate riuer Euphrates †Behold quoth he I haue deliuered it to you enter in and possesse it vpon the which our Lord sware to your fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob that he would geue it to them and to their seede after them †And I said to you at that time †I alone can not susteyne you because the Lord your God hath multiplied you and you are this day as the starres of heauen verie manie †The Lord God of your fathers adde to this number manie thousandes and blesse you as he hath spoken †I alone am not able to susteyne your businesses and the charge of you and your quareles †Geue from among you wise and skilful men and such whose conuersation is approued in your tribes that I may appoint them your princes †Then you answered me The thing is good which thou meanest to do †And I tooke of your tribes men wise and noble and appointed them princes tribunes and centurions and quinquagenarians and deanes that might teach you al thinges †And I commanded them saying Heare them and iudge that which is iust whether he be the same countrie man or a stranger †There shal be no difference of persons so shal you heare the litle as the great neither shal you accept any mans person because it is the iudgement of God And if any thing seme hard to you referre it to me and I wil heare it †And I commanded al thinges that you ought to do †And departing from Horeb we passed through the terrible and huge wildernesse which you saw by the way of the mountaine of the Amorrheite as the Lord our God had commanded vs. And when we were come into Cadesbarne †I said to you You are come to the mountaine of the Amorrheite which the Lord our God wil geue to vs. †See the Land which the Lord thy God geueth thee goe vp and possesse it as the Lord our God hath spoken to thy fathers feare not neither dread you any thing †And you came al vnto me and said Let vs send men that may view the Land and may bring vs word what way we shal ascend and to what cities to goe †And because the saying pleased me I sent of you twelue men one of euerie tribe †Who when they had gone
which fighteth against thee CHAP. XXI How to seeke out a secrete murtherer 10. wemen taken in battel may be maried and afterwardes can not be sold nor made bond wemen 15. The eldest sonne may not be depriued of his birthright for hatred of his mother 18. A stubburne sonne must be stoned to death 22. VVhen one is hanged on a gibbet he must be taken downe the same day and buried VVHEN there shal be found in the Land which our Lord thy God wil geue thee the corps of a man slaine and he that is guiltie of the murder is not knowne †thy ancientes and iudges shal goe forth and measure from the place of the corps the distance of euerie citie round about †and which they shal perceiue to be neerer then the rest the ancientes of that citie shal take an heifer out of the heard that hath not drawen yoke nor ploughed the ground †and shal bring her to a rough and stonie valley that neuer was ploughed nor receiued seede and in it they shal strike of the necke of the heifer †and the priestes the sonnes of Leui shal come whom our Lord thy God hath chosen to minister to him and to blesse in his name and at their word euerie matter dependeth and whatsoeuer is cleane or vncleane must be iudged †And the ancientes of that citie shal come to the slaine person and shal wash their handes ouer the heifer that was strooken in the valley †and shal say Our handes did not sheede this bloud nor our eies seee it †be merciful to thy people Israel whom thou hast redemed o Lord and impute not innocent bloud in the middes of thy people Israel And the guilte of bloud shal be taken from them †and thou shalt be free from the innocents bloud that was shed when thou shalt haue done that which our Lord hath commanded thee †If thou goe forth to fight against thyne enemies and our Lord thy God deliuer them in thy hande and thou leade them away captiue †and seest in the number of the captiues a beautiful woman and louest her and wilt haue her to wife †thou shalt bring her into thy house who shal shaue of her hare and payre her nailes †and put of the rayment wherein she was taken and sitting in thy house shal mourne her father and mother one moneth and afterward thou shalt enter vnto her and shalt sleepe with her and she shal be thy wife †But if afterward she content not thy mynde thou shalt let her goe free neither canst thou sel her for money nor oppresse her by might because thou hast humbled her †If a man haue two wiues one beloued and the other hated and they haue begotten children by him and the sonne of the hated be the firstborne †and he meaneth to diuide his substance among his sonnes he can not make the sonne of the beloued the first borne and preferre him before the sonne of the hated †but the sonne of the hated he shal acknowledge for the first borne and shal geue to him of those thinges which he hath al duble for this is the beginning of his children to this are dew the first brith rightes †If a man begette a stubbourne and froward sonne that wil not heare the commandementes of his father and mother and being chastened contemneth to be obedient †they shal take him and bring him to the ancientes of his citie and to the gate of iudgement †and shal say to them This our sonne is froward and stubborne he contemneth to heare our admonitions he geueth himself to comessation and to ryote and banketinges †the people of the citie shal stone him and he shal die that you may take away the euil out of the middes of you and al Israel hearing it may be afrayde †When a man hath offended so that he is to be punished by death and being condemned to die is hanged on a gybbet †his bodie shal not remaine vpon the tree but the same day shal be buried because he is accursed of God that hangeth on a tree and thou shalt not contaminate thy Land which our Lord thy God geueth thee in possession CHAP. XXII Pietie towardes neighboures 5. neither sexe may vse the apparel of the other 6. crueltie to be auoided euen towardes birdes 8. batlement about the roofe af a house 9. Things of diuers kindes not to be mixed 12. cordes in the hemes of a cloke 13. Trial and punishment of adulterie and of deflowring virgines 30. the sonne may not marie his stepmother THOV shalt not see thy brothers oxe or sheepe straying and passe by but shalt bring it backe to thy brother †although thy brother be not nigh and thou know him not thou shalt bring them vnto thy house and they shal be with thee vntil thy brother seeke them and receiue them †In like manner shalt thou doe with his asse and with his rayment and with euerie thing of thy brothers that shal be lost if thou finde it neglect it nor as perteyning to an other †If thou see thy brothers asse or oxe to be fallen in the way thou shalt not contemne it but shalt list it vp with him †A woman shal not be clothed with mans apparel neither shal a man vse womans apparel for he is abominable before God that doeth these thinges †If walking by the way thou finde a birdes nest in a tree or on the ground and the damme sitting vpon the young or the egges thou shalt not hold her with her young †but shalt let her goe taking the young and holding them that it may be wel with thee and thou mayest liue a long time †When thou buildest a new house thou shalt make a batlement to the roofe round about lest bloud be shed in thy house and thou be guiltie an other slipping and falling headlong †Thou shalt not sowe thy vineyard with diuerse seede lest both the seede which thou didst sow and the thinges that grow of the vineyard be sanctisied rogether †Thou shalt not plough with an oxe and asse together †Thou shalt not weare a garment that is wouen of wolle and linnen †Thou shalt make litle cordes in the hemme at the foure corners of thy cloke wherwith thou shalt be couered †If a man marrie a wife and afterward hate her †and seeke occasions to put her away obiecting vnto her a verie il name and say I tooke this wife and compayning with her I found her not a virgin †her father and mother shal take her and shal carie with them the signes of her virginitie to the ancientes of the citie that are in the gate †and the father shal say I gaue my daughter vnto this man to wife whom because he hateth †he layeth vnto her a verie il name so that he sayeth I found not thy daughter a virgin and behold these are the signes of my
man of Bethleem Iuda to seiourne in the land of Moab with his wife and two children †him self was called Elimelech and his wife Noemi and his two sonnes the one Mahalon and the other Chelion Ephraites of Bethleem Iuda And entring into the countrie of Moab they abode there †And Elimelech the husband of Noemi died and she remained with her sonnes †Who tooke wiues of the Moabites of the which one was called Orpha and the other Ruth And they abode there ten yeares †and both died to witte Mahalon and Chelion and the woman remayned destitute of her two children her husband †And she arose to goe into her countrie with both her daughters in law from the countrie of Moab for she had heard that our Lord had respected his people had geuen them victuals †She therfore went forth from the place of her peregrination with both her daughters in law and being now sette in the way to returne into the Land of Iuda †she said to them Goe into your mothers house our Lord doe mercie with you as you haue done with the dead and with me †Grant he vnto you to find rest in the houses of your husbandes which you shal take And she kissed them Who lifting vp their voice beganne to weepe †to say We wil goe on with thee to thy people †To whom she answered Returne my daughters why come you with me shal I haue sonnes any more in my wombe that you may hope for husbandes of me †Returne my daughters and goe your wayes for I am now spent with old age and not fitte for wedlocke Although I might conceiue this night and beare children †if you would expect til they grow and be of mans age you shal be old women beâ—o you marrie Doe not so my daughters I besech you for your distresse doth the more greue me and the hand of our Lord is come forth against me †Therfore lifting vp their voice they beganne to weepe agayne Orpha kissed her mother in law and returned Ruth cleaued to her mother in law †to whom Noemi said Behold thy kinse woman is returned to her people and to her goddes goe with her †Who answered Be not against me to the end that I should leaue thee and depart for whither soeuer thou shalt goe I wil goe and where thou shalt abide I also wil abide Thy people my people and thy God my God †The land that shal receiue thee dying in the â—ame wil I die and there wil I take a place for my burial These thinges doe God to me these thinges adde he if death onlie shal not separate me and thee †Noemi therfore seing that Ruth with a stidfast mind had determined to goe forward with her would not be against it nor perswade her any more to returne to her frendes †and they went forth together and came into Bethlehem Who being entered into the citie a brute was quickly spred among them and the wemen said This is that Noemi †To whom she said Cal me not Noemi that it to say beautiful but cal me Mara that is to say bitter because with bitternes hath the Almightie very much replenished me †I went forth ful and our Lord hath brought me backe emptie Why therfore doe you cal me Noemi whom our Lord hath humbled and the Almightie hath afflicted †Noemi therfore came with Ruth the Moabite her daughter in law from the Land of her peregrination and returned into Bethlehem when barley was first reaped CHAP. II. Ruth gathering eares of corne in Booz field 8. he kindly biddeth her tarie with his seruantes 17. At night she returneth carying good quantitâ—e of corne and part of the meate which they gaue her to her mother in law AND Elimelech her husband had a cosin a mightie man and of great riches named Booz †And Ruth the Moabite said to her mother in law If thou command I wil goe into the field and gather the eares of corne that shal escape the handes of the reapers where soeuer I shal find the grace of the father of the house fauorable towardes me To whom she answered Goe my daughter †She went therfore and gathered the eares of corne after the backes of the reapers And it chanced that the owner of the same field was Booz who was of the kinred of Elimelech †And behold he came out of Bethlehem and said to the reapers Our Lord be with you Who answered him Our Lord blesse thee †And Booz said to the yongman that was ouerseer of the reapers Whose maide is this †To whom he answered This is that Moabite which came with Noemi from the countrie of Moab †and she desired that she might gather the eares of corne that remayne folowing the steppes of the reapers and from morning vntil now she stayeth in the field and not so much as for a very moment hath she returned home †And Booz said to Ruth Heare me daughter goe not into an other field to gather neither depart thou from this place but ioyne thy selfe to my maides †and where they haue reaped folow For I haue commanded my seruantes that no man molest thee but if thou shalt thirst also goe to the fardels and drinke the waters wherof the seruantes also doe drinke †who falling on her face and adoring vpon the ground said to him Whence cometh this to me that I should find grace before thine eies and that thou wouldest voutsafe to know me a strange woman †To whom he answered Al thinges haue beene told me which thou hast done to thy mother in law after the death of thy husband and that thou hast leift thy parentes and the land wherein thou wast borne and art come to a people which before thou knewest not †Our Lord render vnto thee for thy worke and God grant thou mayest receiue a ful reward of our Lord the God of Israel to whom thou art come vnder whose winges thou art fled †Who said I haue found grace in thine eies my lord which hast comforted me and hast spoken to the hart of thy handmaide which am not like to one of thy maides †And Booz said to her When the houre shal come to eate come hither and eate bread and dippe thy morsel in the vinagre She therfore sate at the side of the reapers and she heaped to her selfe polent and did eate and was filled and tooke the leauinges †And from thence she arose to gleane the eares of corne after her maner And Booz commanded his seruantes saying Yea and if she wil reape with you forbid her not †and of your owne handfuls also cast forth of purpose and let them remaine that she may gather them without bashefulnes and gathering let no man controwle her †She gleaned therfore in the field vntil euening that which she had gathered beating with a rodde threshing she found of barley as it
Aegypt †And he apprehended Agag the king of Amalec aliue but al the comon people he slewe in the edge of the sword †And Saul and the people spared Agag and the best flockes of sheepe and heardes and the garmentes and rammes and al thinges that were fayre neither would they destroy them but whatsoeuer was vile and refuse that they destroyed †And the word of our Lord was made to Samuel saying †It repenteth me that I haue made Saul king because he hath forsaken me hath not fulfilled my wordes in worke And Samuel was strooken sadde and cried to our Lord al the night †And when Samuel had risen in the night to goe to Saul in the morning it was told Samuel that Saul was come into Carmelus and had erected to him selfe a triumphant arch and returning was passed and gone into Galgal Samuel therefore came to Saul and Saul offered an holocaust to our Lord of the first of the prayes which he had brought from Amalec †And when Samuel was come to Saul Saul sayd to him Blessed be thou to our Lord I haue fulfilled the word of our Lord. †And Samuel sayd And what is this voice of flockes which soundeth in myne eares and of heardes which I heare †And Saul said They haue brought them from Amalec for the people hath spared the better sheepe and heardes that they might be immolated to our Lord thy God but the rest we haue slaine †And Samuel said to Saul Suffer me and I wil shew thee what our Lord hath spoken to me this night And he sayd to him Speake †And Samuel said When thou wast a little one in thyne owne eyes was thou not made chief in the tribes of Israel And our Lord annointed thee to be king ouer Israel †and our Lord sent thee on the way and sayd Goe and kil the sinners of Amalec and thou shalt fight against them vntil the vtter destruction of them †Why therefore hast thou not heard the voice of our Lord but art turned to the praye and hast done euil in the eies of our Lord †And Saul said to Samuel Yea I haue heard the voice of our Lord and haue walked in the way by which our Lord sent me and haue brought Agag the king of Amalec and Amalec I haue slaine †But the people tooke of the praye sheepe and oxen the principal of those thinges which were slaine to immolate to our Lord their God in Galgal †And Samuel said Why wil our Lord haue holocaustes and victimes and not rather that the voice of our Lord be obeyed For BETTER is obedience then victimes and to harken rather then to offer the fatte of rammes †Because it is as it were the sinne of inchantment to resist and as it were the wickednes of idolatrie to refuse to obey For as much therefore as thou hast reiected the word of our Lord our Lord hath reiected thee that thou shalt not be king †And Saul said to Samuel I haue sinned because I haue transgressed the saying of our Lord and thy wordes fearing the people and obeying their voice †But now beare I besech thee my sinne and returne with me that I may adore our Lord. †And Samuel sayd to Saul I wil not returne with thee because thou hast reiected the word of our Lord and our Lord hath reiected thee that thou shalt not be king ouer Israel †And Samuel turned him selfe to depart but he caught the hemme of his cloke which also did rent †And Samuel said to him Our Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day and hath deliuered it to thy neighbour better then thou †Moreouer the Triumpher in Israel wil not spare and he wil not be turned with repentance for neither is he a man that he may repent †But he said I haue sinned how be it now honour me before the ancientes of my people and before Israel and returne with me that I may adore our Lord thy God †Samuel therefore returning folowed Saul and Saul adored our Lord. †And Samuel said Bring vnto me Agag the king of Amalec And Agag was presented to him very fatte trembling And Agag sayd Doth bitter death thus separat †And Samuel said As thy sword hath made wemen without children so shal thy mother among wemen be without children And Samuel hewed him into peeces before our Lord in Galgal †And Samuel departeth into Ramatha but Saul ascended vnto his house into Gabaa †And Samuel saw Saul no more vnto the day of his death but yet Samuel lamented Saul because it repented our Lord that he had appointed him king ouer Israel CHAP. XVI Samuel by Gods commandment annointeth Dauid King 14. Gods spirite parteth from Saul and a wicked spirite vexeth him 16. the vexation is mitigated by Dauids playing on a harpe AND our Lord said to Samuel How long doest thou mourne Saul whom I haue reiected that he rule not ouer Israel fil thy horne with oile and come that I may send thee to Isai the Bethlehemite for I haue prouided me a king among his sonnes †And Samuel said How shal I goe for Saul wil heare of it and wil kil me And our Lord said A calfe of the heard shalt thou take in thy hand and shalt say I am come to immolate vnto our Lord. †And thou shalt cal Isai to the victime and I wil shew thee what thou must doe and thou shalt annointe whomsoeuer I shal shew to thee †Samuel therefore did as our Lord spake to him And he came into Bethlehem and the ancientes of the citie merueled meeting him and they said Is thy entrance peaceable †And he said Peaceable I am come to immolate vnto our Lord be ye sanctified and come with me that I may immolate He therefore sanctified Isai and his sonnes and called them to the sacrifice †And when they were entered in he saw Eliab and said Is there before our Lord his Christ †And our Lord said to Samuel Respect not his countenāce nor the talnes of his stature because I haue reiected him neither doe I iudge according to the looke of man for man seeth those thinges which appeare but our Lord “ beholdeth the hart †And Isai called Aminadab and brought him before Samuel Who said Neither this hath our Lord chosen †And Isai brought Samma of whom he sayd This also hath not our Lord chosen †Isai therefore brought his seauen sonnes before Samuel and Samuel sayd to Isai Our Lord hath not chosen of these †And Samuel sayd to Isai Are al thy sonnes now fully come Who answered Yet there is left a litle one and he feedeth sheepe And Samuel sayd to Isai Send and bring him for neither wil we sitte downe til he come hither †He sent therefore and brought him And he was reade and beautiful to behold and of a comelie face And our Lord said Arise and annoint him for
38. VVith promise to prosper if he serue God 42. Salomon dieth AND king Salomon loued manie wemen strangers the daughter also of Pharao and Moabites and Ammonites Idumeians and Sidonians and Hetheians †of the nations wherof our Lord sayd to the children of Israel You shal not goe in vnto them neither shal anie of them come in vnto yours for they wil most certainly turne away your hartes to folow their goddes To these therfore was Salomon copled in most seruent loue †And he had wiues as it were queenes seuen hundred and concubines three hundred and the wemen turned away his hart †And when he was now old his hart was depraued by wemen that he folowed strange goddes neither was his hart perfect with our Lord his God as the hart of Dauid his father †But Salomon worshipped Astarthee the goddesse of the Sidonians and Moloch the idol of the Ammonites †And Salomon did that which was not liked before our Lord and he accomplished not to folow our Lord as Dauid his father †Then built Salomon a temple to Camos the idol of Moab in the mount that is agaynst Ierusalem and to Moloch the idol of the children of Ammon †And in this maner did he to al his wiues that were strangers which burnt frankencense and immolated to their goddes †Therfore our Lord was wrath with Salomon because his minde was turned away from our Lord the God of Israel who had appeared vnto him the second tyme †and had commanded him concerning this word that he should not folow strange goddes he kept not the thinges which our Lord commanded him †Our Lord therfore sayd to Salomon Because thou hast done this and hast not kept my couenant and my preceptes which I haue commanded thee breaking I wil rent asunder thy kingdom and wil geue it to thy seruant †Neuerthelesse in thy dayes I wil not doe it because of Dauid thy father out of the hand of thy sonne I wil rent it †neither wil I take away the whole kingdom but one tribe I wil geue to thy sonne for Dauid my seruant and Ierusalem Which I haue chosen †And our Lord raysed vp an aduersarie to Salomon Adad an Idumeite of the kinges seede who was in Edom. †For when Dauid was in Idumea and Ioab the general of the warfare was gone vp to burie them that were slayne and had slayne al malekind in Idumea †for Ioab taried there six monethes and al Israel til he slew al malekind in Idumea †Adad him self fled and men of Idumea of his fathers seruantes with him to goe into Aegypt and Adad was a litle boy †And when they rose out of Madian they came into Pharan and they tooke with them men of Pharan and entered into Aegypt to Pharao the king of Aegypt who gaue him a house and appoynted him meates and assigued him land †And Adad found grace before Pharao excedingly in so much that he gaue him to wife the germane sister of his wife Taphnes the queene †And the sister of Taphnes bare him a sonne Genubath and Taphnes brought him vp in the house of Pharao and Genubath was dwelling at Pharaoes house with his children †And when Adad in Aegypt had heard that Dauid slept with his fathers and that Ioab the general of the warefare was dead he sayd to Pharao Dismisse me that I may goe into my countrie †And Pharao sayd to him For what lackest thou with me that thou seekest to goe into thyne owne countrie But he answered Nothing yet I besech thee that thou dismisse me †God also raysed vp to him an aduersarie Razon the sonne of Eliada who had fled Adarezer the king of Soba his lord †and he gathered men agaynst him and he became the captayne of theues when Dauid killed them and they went to Damascus and dwelt there and they made him king in Damascus †and he was an aduersarie to Israel al the dayes of Salomon and this is the euil of Adad and hatred agaynst Israel and he reigned in Syria †Ieroboam also the sonne of Nabath an Ephratheite of Sareda the seruant of Salomon whose mother was called Serua a woman widow lifted vp his hand agaynst the king †And this is the cause of his rebellion agaynst him because Salomon built Mello and filled vp the breache of the citie of Dauid his father †And Ieroboam was a strong man and mightie and Salomon seing the youngman of a good witte industrious had made him chief ouer the tributes of al the house of Ioseph †It came to passe therfore at that tyme that Ieroboam went out of Ierusalem and the prophete Ahias the Silonite found him in the way couered with a new cloke and they two onlie were in the field †And Ahias taking his new cloke wherwith he was couered cut it into twelue partes †And he sayd to Ieroboam Take vnto thee ten pieces for thus sayth our Lord the God of Israel Behold I wil rent the kingdom out of the hand of Salomon and wil geue thee ten tribes †But one tribe shal remayne to him for my seruant Dauid and Ierusalem the citie which I haue chosen of al the tribes of Israel †because he hath forsaken me and hath adored Astarthee the goddesse of the Sidonians Chamos the god of Moab and Moloch the god of the children of Ammon and hath not walked in my waies to doe iustice before me and my preceptes and iudgementes as Dauid his father †Neither wil I take away al the kingdom out of his hand but I wil make him prince al the daies of his life for Dauid my seruant whom I chose who kept my commandmentes and my preceptes †But I wil take away the kingdom out of his sonnes hand and wil geue thee ten tribes †and to his sonne I wil geue one tribe that there may remayne a lampe to Dauid my seruant at al times before me in Ierusalem the citie which I haue chosen that my name might be there †And thee wil I take and thou shalt reigne ouer al thinges that thy soule desireth and thou shalt be king ouer Israel †If therfore thou wilt heare al thinges that I shal command thee and wilt walke in my waies and doe that which is right before me keeping my commandmentes and my preceptes as Dauid my seruant did I wil be with thee and wil build thee a faythful house as I built a house to Dauid and I wil deliuer Israel to thee †and I wil afflict the seede of Dauid vpon this but yet not alwaies †Salomon therfore would haue killed Ieroboam who arose and fled into Aegypt to Sesac the king of Aegypt and was in Aegypt vntil the death of Salomon †And the rest of the wordes of Salomon and al that he did and his wisedom behold they are al written in the Booke of the wordes of the
heauen to burne his sacrifice thereby confounding foure hundred and fifty false prophets of Baal 6. By prayer procured rayne 3. Reg. 18. 7. Fasted vvithout eating or drincking fourtie daies and nightes together 3. Reg. 19. 8. Procured fire from heauen which deuoured two insolent captaines and their hundred men 4. Reg. 1. 9. Diuided the riuer of Iordan vvith his cloke that himselfe and Elisens passed ouer the drie chanel 10. VV as assumpted in a firie chariote into some place vvhere he yet liueth And parting a vvay Obtained of God the like duble spirit of prophecie and miracles to Eliseus In like maner Eliseus 1. diuided Iordan againe by Elias cloke and so returned to his disciples 2. Amended the bitternes of certaine waters by casting in salte 3. Boies being cursed by him for deriding him were forth vvith torne by beares 4. Reg. 2. 4. He procured water without rayne for three kinges in the campe 4. Reg. 3. 5. Multiplied a poore vvidovves Oile 6. By his prayers barren woman became frutefull 7. He raised her sonne from death 8. Made the bitter broth of his disciples sweete 9. Fedde maine with few loaues 4. Reg. 4. 10. Cured Naaman of leprosie 11. Stroke Giezi with the same 4. Reg. 5. 12. Naaman of leprosie 11. Stroke Giezi with the same 4. Reg. 5. 12. Made yron to swimme 13. Knewe the secret counsels of the Syrian king 14. Made one see horsemen and firie chariotes which to others were inuisible 15. Made the Syrianes blinde that vvere sent to apprehend him and so ledde them into samaria 16. For shewed vnexpected plentie of corne the next day VVith the death of a great man that would not beleue it 4. Reg. 7. 17. And after his death an other mans dead bodie touching his bones reuiued 4. Reg. 13. Other Prophets vvrought also miracles but these for example may suffice to she vve that God preserued religion also in the kingdome of Israel VVhich himselfe further testified euen in most desolate times vvhen Elias lamented that he vvas leift alone 3. Reg. 19. For God ansvvered that seuen thousand meaning therby a great multitude had not bowed their knees to Baal not so much as in out vvard she vve conformed themselues to infidelitie or idolatrie Iehu in his time destroyed all the worshippers of Baal 4. Reg. 10. But none at anie time could wholy destroy true Israelites For God would not suffer it 4. Reg. 14. v. 27. Yea not vvithstanding diuers notorious heresies vvere preached folovved in that kingdome of the Tenne tribes yet ab did not fall nor embrace them Iecoboam not onlie made and set vp golden calues but also taught that they vvere Gods saying Behold thy goddes O Israel which brought thee out of the land of Aegypt 3. Reg. 12. making temples altars and imaginarie priestes which were not of the children of Leui. Also a feast the fiftenth day of the moneth after the similitude of the solemnitie that was celebrated in Iuda Al which the holie Scripture saith He fourged of his owne hart The very propertie of Archeretickes But the true Priestes Leuites and manic others that had geuen their hart to seke our Lord went into Ierusalem to immolate theire victimes before our Lord the God of their fathers 2 Par. 11. Yea Naaman a stranger of Syria and a Neophite in religion taught by his example that none may yeld conformitie nor otherwise communicate with Infideles then Gods Priests or Prophetes approue for lawful 4. Reg. 5. Vnto this heresie of leroboam Achab by Iezabels perswasion added the worshipping of Baal as God 3. Reg. 16. making both temple and altar to him in Samaria Ieroboams priests seruing fitly this purpose Though al the former heretikes no more agreed to this new heresie then Iutherans now admitte of Caluinisme For Iehua Ieroboamite destroyed al Iezabilits that he could by a stratageme gette together 4. Reg. 10. v. 28. 29. Muchlesse did al Israel serue Baal Againe after that Salmanazar king of Assyria had taken Samaria and placed there a new people 4. Reg. 17. they learning the rites of the Israelits religion mixed their Paganisme there with and made a new heresie or rather manie new heresies For being diuers nations they had in seueral conuentieles their particular goddes and so manie diuers Sects The Babylonians Cutheites Emathites Heueites and Sapharuaimites 4. Reg. 17. But as the Priestes which taught them rites of true religion allowed not of this mixture so doubtles some people harkened to their admonitions and kept religion simply and sincerely And at this very time of the Tenne tribes captiuitie holie Tobias who was carried captiue with the rest neither before nor after the captiuitie leift the law of God But went to Ierusalem when others serued leroboams golden calues to the Temple of our Lord and there adored the Lord God of Israel And in captiuitie bestowed himselfe in workes of mercie towardes the liuing and dead of his nation Tob. 1. As for the kingdom of Iuda it was more free from heresies For very few or none of those kinges that fell to other grosse enormities yea to manifest idolatrie became heretikes as is probablie collected by that Isaias the Prophet being sent to Achaz admonished him conuersed and dealt with him as with one that beleued wholly and solely true religion assuring him that God would protect Ierusalem bidding him not to feare the two smoking firebrandes in the wrath of Rasin king of Syria and of Phacce king of Israel Isa 7. Further bidding him aske a singe of God he answered though frovvardliâ— yet not as an infidel I wil not aske and I wil not tempt our Lord. Yea though Vrias the High Priest by commandment of the same king 4 Reg. 16. made a new altar in place of Gods Altar yet he erred not in faith nor in doctrine as teaching in Moyses chayre but in fact onclie and of frailtie for feare of the king aâ— the king offended in his externall act to slatter the king of Syria And in this case God sent Isaiâ—â— to admonish the king which Vrias neglected or durst not do Likwise Ioram 4. Reg. 8 2. Par. 21. Ochozias 2. Par. 22. Ioas in the latter part of his life 2. Par. 24. Manasses in the former part of his reigne 4. Reg. 2. 2. Par 33. and sowe other kinges of Iuda committing idolatrie and making others to fall with them either were not wholie peruerted or at least drew not al with them For not onlie Prophets in whose hand or ministerie God spake and reproued these sinnes but manie others kept their Zele of true religion as appeared in their promptnes to serue God when by good kinges Asa Iosaphat Ezechias Iosias and others they were exhorted or admitted so to do 4. Reg. 18. 23. 2. Par. 15. 17. 29. 30. 31. 33. 34. c. Finally wheras diuers good princes disposed thinges belonging to Diuine seruice in the temple correcting faultes and
forth to the people †and sayd One Hebrewe woman hath made confusion in the house of king Nabuchodonosor for behold Holofernes lyeth vpon the ground and his head is not vpon him †Which when the princes of the power of the Assyrians had heard they al rent their garmentes and intollerable feare and dread fel vpon them and theit mindes were trubled excedingly †And there was made an incomparable crie in the middes of their campe CHAP. XV. The Assyrians flee for feare 3. the Hebrewes pursue them 7. and are enriched by the spoyles 9. The high priest with others come from Ierusalem and prayse Iudith 14. The goodes of Holofernes are genen so her AND when al the armie heard that Holofernes was beheaded courage and counsel fel from them and being shaken with trembling onlie and feare they helpe them selues by flight †so that none spake with his neighbour but hanging the head al thinges leaft behind they made hast to escape the Hebrewes whom they heard to come armed vpon them fleing by the waies of the fieldes and the pathes of the hilles †The children of Israel therfore seing them fleing folowed them And they went downe sounding with trumpettes and shouting after them †And because the Assyrians were not vnited together they went headlong into flight but the children of Israel pursewing in one companie discomfited al that they could find †Ozias therfore sent messengers through al the cities and countries of Israel †Euerie countrie therfore and euerie citie sent chosen youth armed after them and they pursewed them in the edge of the sword vntil they came to the extremetie of their borders †And the rest that were in Bethulia entered into the campe of the Assyrians and tooke away the praye which the Assyrians fleing had leaft and were loden excedingly †But they that were returned conquerers to Bethulia tooke away with them al thinges that were theirs so that there was no number in cattel and beastes and al their moueables that from the leaft vnto the greatest al were made rich of their prayes †And Ioachim the high Priest came from Ierusalem into Bethulia with al his ancientes to see Iudith †Who when she was come out to him they al blessed her with one voyce saying Thou art the glorie of Ierusalem thou the ioy of Israel thou the honour of our people †because thou hast done manfully and thy hart was strengthened for that thou hast loued chastirie and after thy husband not knowne any other therfore also the hand of our Lord hath strengthened thee and therfore shalt thou be blessed for euer †And al the people sayd So be it so be it †And for thirtie daies scarse were the spoyles of the Assyrians gathered of the people of Israel †Moreouer al thinges that were proued to be the peculiar goodes of Holofernes they gaue to Iudith in gold and siluer and garmentes and pretious stones and al stuffe and al the thinges were deliuered her of the people †And al the people reioysed with wemen and virgins and yongmen on instrumentes and harpes CHAP. XVI Iudith singeth a canticle of thanks geuing to our Lord. 22. The people goe to Ierusalem and offer sacrifices 25. She in great honour liueth a widow til her death in good old age 30. the people haue long peace and a feaâ—â—â—ual day is instituted in perpetual memorie of her fact THEN sang Iudith this song to our Lord saying †Beginne ye to our Lord in timbrels sing ye to our Lord in cymbals tune to him a new psalme reioyse and inuocate his name †Our Lord confoundeth battels Lord is his name †Who hath set his campe in the middes of his people that he might deliuer vs from the hand of al our enemies †Assur came out of the mountaynes from the North in the multitude of his strength whose multitude stopped vp the torrentes and their horses couered the valles †He said that he would set my borders on fyre and kil my yongmen with the sword to geue my infantes into praye and virgins into captiuitie †But our Lord omnipotent hath hurt him and hath deliuered him into the hands of a woman and hath pearsed him †For not by yongmen is their mightie one fallen neither haue the sonnes of Titan strooken him neither did the high giantes set them selues vpon him but Iudith the daughter of Merari in the beautie of her face dissolued him †For she put from her the garmentes of widowhood and put on her the garmentes of ioy in the reioysing of the children of Israel †She anoynted her face with oyntment and tyed together her lockes with a crowne she tooke a new stole to deceiue him †Her sandals rauished his eies her beautie made his soule captiue she with a sword cut of his head †The Persians did quake at her constancie and the Medes at her boldnesse †Then did the campe of the Assyrians howle when my humble ones appeared withering in thirst †The sonnes of yongwemen haue pearsed them and they haue killed them as boyes fleing away they haue perished in battel before the face of the Lord my God †Let vs sing an hymne to our Lord let vs sing a new hymne to our God †Adonai ô Lord great art thou and noble in thy power and whom no man can ouercome †Let euerie creature of thyne serue thee because thou saydst and they were made thou didst send thy spirit and they were created and there is none that can resist thy voyce †The mountaynes with the waters shal be moued with the foundations the rockes shal melt as waxe before thy face †But they that feare thee shal be great with thee in al thinges †Wo be to the nation that ryseth vp vpon my kinred for our Lord omnipotent wil be reuenged on them in the day of iudgement he wil visite them †For he wil geue fyre and wormes into their flesh that they may be burnt and may feele for euer †And it came to passe after these thinges al the people after the victorie came into Ierusalem to adore our Lord and forthwith as they were purified they al offered holocaustes and vowes and their promises †Moreouer Iudith offered for an anathema of obliuion al the instrumentes of warre of Holofernes which the people gaue her and the canopie that her self had taken away out of his chamber †And the people was pleasant according to the face of sainctes and for three monethes the ioy of this victorie was celebrated with Iudith †And after those daies euerie man returned into his house and Iudith was made great in Bethulia and she was more glorious to al the land of Israel †There was also chastitie ioyned to her vertue so that she knew not man al the daies of her life “ after that Manasses her husband was dead †And on festiual daies she came forth with great glorie â€
And she abode in her husbands house an hundred fiue yeares and dismist her abra free and she died and was buried with her husband in Bethulia †And al the people mourned for her seuen dayes †And in al the space of her life there was not that trubled Israel and after her death manie yeares †But the day of the festiuitie of this victorie is receiued of the Hebrewes in the number of holie daies and is worshiped of the Iewes from that time vntil this present day ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XVI 26. After that her husband vvas dead As yong Toblas and Sara were notable patterns to maried persons so Iudith is a like good example to deuout widowes excelling most partin manie respectes For first she professed this holie state of life in the old Testament when it was most rare the law prouiding that the brother or next kinsman should marie the widow of him that died without children as it semeth she had none the Greke text affirming that she gaue al her goodes before her death to other kinred ch 16. v. 24. Secondly she was only once maried ch 15. v. 13. ch 16. v. 26. wheras it is also commendable after twise or oftenner mariage at last to abstaine Thirdly she was yong about 36. yeares for three yeares and a half after that her husband was dead she was called a yong maide ch 12. v. 12. Fourtly she was of excellent beautie ch 8 v. 7. Fiftly exceeding rich ibidem Sixtly very noble especially after the deliuerie of the people from such distresse ch 15. v. 10. Seuently for this renowmed fact and for her other great vertue ch 8. v. 8 manie principal men desired to marie her ch 16. v. 22 Eightly al the people wished much issue of so noble a stock ch 16. v. 25. Nintly she liued long in the state of widowhood about threescore and nine yeares from 36. to 105 ch 16. v. 28. Tently there was great and long peace in al Israel after that she had releeued Bethulia ch 16. v. 30. Al which might easely haue inuited an other to haue maried but her great deuotion and feruent desire to serue God in a retired austere life fasting praying ch 8. v. 6. cutte of al incitements to mariage and made her before the Gospel to embrace Euangelical counsel not commanded but for better attaining to perfecton counseled by our Sauior and S. Paul Mat. 19. 1. Cor. 7. THE ARGVMENT OF THE BOOKE OF ESTHER OF the authoritie of this booke only two or three ancient writers doubted before the councels of Laodicea and Carthage declared it to be Canonical Al the rest did euer esteme it as diuine Scripture For albeit S. Ierom in his time found not certaine partes therof in the Hebrew and therfore transposed the same to the end of the booke as now we haue them yet in the Greeke he found al these sixtenne chapters conteyned in tenne And it is not vnprobable that these parcels were sometimes in the Hebrew as were diuers whole bookes which are now lost But whether they were at anie time in the Hebrew or no the Church of Christ accounteth the whole Booke of infallible authoritie reading as wel these partes as the rest in her publique office And the councel of Trent sess 4. For more expresse declaration defiueth that al the bookes recited in the same Decree amongst which is Esther with al the partes therof as they are accustomed to be read in the Catholique Church and be conteyned in the old vulgare latin Edition are sacred and Canonical Scripture It conteyneth a particular great danger of the people of Israel hapening as is probable shortly after their general relaxation returne of some from the captiuitie of Babylon and their deliuere from it through the godlie Zele and other vertues of Quene Esther directed herein by Mardocheus who being also in imminent danger was deliuered aduanced and finally writ the historie which may be diuided into foure partes not by order of the chapters as hey are here transposed but in order of time first the author reporteth some thinges going before the peoples danger in the 11. 1. 2. 12. chapters and part of the 3. Secondly their danger and distresse in the rest of the 3. and part of 13. chapters Thirdly their deliuerie from the 4. chapter to the middes of the. 9. and rest of the 13. and in the 14. 15. and 16. Fourtly the thinges that ensued hereupon in the other half of the ninth chapter the 10. chapter and first verse of the eleuenth VVho soeuer vvil please to read this historie in order of the time as the thinges happened adioyning the latter chapters vvhich are in the Greke and not in the Hebrevv may folovve the letters of the Alphabet as here vve haue placed them in the margent beginning at the second verse of the 11. chapter vvhere he findeth the letter A. and vvhen he cometh to B. returne vvhere the same letter is noted ch 1. And so in the rest folovv the same direction THE BOOKE OF ESTHER CHAP. I. King Assuerus celebrateth a great banket to shew his glorie 10. calleth quene Vasthi therto who refusing to come is by aduise of his counsel deposed IN the daies of Assuerus who reigned from India vnto Aethiopia ouer an hundred twentie seuen prouinces †when he sate in the throne of his kingdō the citie Susá was in the begynning of his kingdom †In the third yeare therfore of his empyre he made a great feast to al the princes and to his seruantes to the most valiant of the Persians and the nobles of the Medes and the rulers of the prouinces in his sight †that he might shew the riches of the glorie of his kingdom and the greatnes vaunting of his might a great time to witte an hundred foure score dayes †And when the daies of the feast were accomplished he inuited al people that was found in Susan from the greatest to the least and commanded seuen daies a feast to be prepared in the entrance of the garden and of the wood which was planted with royal garnishing and with hand †And there hong on euerie side hangings of skie colour and grene and hyacinthine colour held vp with cordes of silke and of purple which were put into rings of yuorie and were held vp with marble pillers Beddes also of gold and siluer were placed in order vpon the floore paued with the emerauld and the touch stone which paynting adorned with meruelous varietie †And they that were inuited dranke in golden cuppes and the meates were brought in change of vessels Wine also plenteous and the best was set downe as was worthie of a kings magnificence †Neither was there that compelled them to drinke that would not but as the king had appointed making ech of his princes ouerseer of euerie table that euerie man might take what he would †Vasthi also the
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
thee †The way of wisdom I wil shew to thee I wil leade thee by the pathes of equitie †Which when thou shalt haue entered thy steppes shal not be straytened and running thou shalt not haue a stumbling blocke †Hold discipline leaue it not kepe it because the same is thy life †Be not delighted in the pathes of the impious neither let the way of the euil please thee †Flee from it neither passe thou by it goe aside and forsake it †For they sleepe not vnlesse they haue done il and they take no sleepe vnlesse they supplant †They eate the bread of impietie and drinke the wine of iniquirie †But the path of the iust as shyning light proceedeth euen to perfect day †The way of the impious is darkesom they know not where they fal †My sonne heare my wordes and incline thyne eare to my sayinges †Let them not depart from thyne eies kepe them in the middes of thy hart †For they are life to those that finde them and health to al flesh †With al garde keepe thy hart because life proceedeth from it †Remoue from thee a froward mouth and let detracting lippes be far from thee †Let thyne eies see right thinges let thine eieliddes goe before thy steppes †Direct the path to thy feete and al thy wayes shal be established †Decline not to the right hand nor to the left turne away thy foote from euil †For our Lord knoweth the wayes that are on the right hand but those are peruers which are on the left hand †But he wil make thy courses right and thy wayes he wil bring forward in peace CHAP. V. Againe wisdom dehorteth from fornication carnal and spiritual 6. shewing that in the end sinners shal see and feele the effect of their follie 20. which God seeth and wil punish MY sonne attend to my wisdom and to my prudence incline thyne eare †that thou mayst keepe cogitations and thy lippes preserue discipline †Attend not to the deceipt of a woman for the lippes of an harlot are as a hony combe distilling and her throte netter then oyle †But her later endes are bitter as wormewood and sharpe as a two edged sword †Her feete goe downe into death and her steppes penetrate vnto hel †They walke not by the path of life her steppes are wandering and vnsearcheable †Now therfore my sonne heare me and depart not from the wordes of my mouth †Make thy way far from her and aproch not to the doores of her house †Geue not thy honour to strangers and thy yeres to the cruel †Lest perhaps strangers be filled with thy strength and thy labours be in an other mans house †and thou mourne in the end when thou shalt haue spent thy flesh and thy bodie and say †Why haue I detested discipline and my hart consented not to reprehensions †nor I heard the voice of them that taught me and haue not inclined mine eare to masters †I haue almost bene in al euil in the middes of the church and of the synagoge †Drinke water of thyne owne cesterne and the stremes of thy wel †Let thy fountaines be deriued abrode and in the streates diuide thy waters †Haue them alone neither let strangers be partakers with thee †Let thy vayne be blessed and reioyce with the woman of thy youth †a hinde most deare and a most grateful fawne let her breastes inebriate thee at al time in her loue be thou delighted continually †Why art thou seduced my sonne of a strange woman and art cherished in the bosome of an other †Our Lord beholdeth the wayes of a man and considereth al his steppes †His owne iniquities take the impious and he is fast bonde with the ropes of his sinnes †He shal die because he hath not had discipline and in the multitude of his folie he shal be deceiued CHAP. VI. He that is suretie for an other must haue care to discharge that he promiseth 6. The slouthful must lerne diligence of the emmotte 12. The description of an Apostata 16. Aboue other six bad thinges God detesteth the sower of discord 20. Al are exhorted to kepe Gods law 24. namely to flee fornication and al occasions therof MY sonne if thou shalt be suretie for thy freind and hast made fast thy hand to a stranger †thou art entrapped with the wordes of thy mouth caught with thyne owne wordes †Doe therefore my sonne that which I say and deliuer thyselfe because thou art fallen into the hand of thy neighbour Runne diuers wayes make hast rayse thy freind †Geue not sleepe to thine eies neither let thine eie-liddes slumber †Deliuer thyselfe as a litle doa from the hand and as a bird from the hand of the fowler †Goe to the emmote ô sluggard and consider her wayes and lerne wisdom †Who wheras she hath no guide nor master nor captaine †prepareth meate for herselfe in the summer and gethereth in the haruest for to eare †How long wilt thou sleepe ô sluggard when wilt thou rise out of thy sleepe †Thou shalt sleepe a litle a litle shalt thou slumber a litle shalt thou ioyne thy handes to sleepe †and penurie shal come to thee as a wayfaring man and pouertie as a man armed But if thou be not sluggish thy haruest shal come as a fountaine and penurie shal flee farre from thee †A man that is an Apostata a man vnprofitable goeth with peruerse mouth †winketh with the eies treadeth with the foote speaketh with the finger †with wicked hart he deuiseth euil and at al time he soweth brawles †To him his destruction shal come forthwith and he shal sodenlie be destroyed neither shal he haue remedie any more †Six thinges there are which our Lord hateth and the seuenth his soule detesteth †Loftie eies a lying tongue handes that shede innocent bloud †a hart that deuiseth most wicked deuises feete swift to runne into euil †a deceitful witnesse that vttereth lies and him that among brether soweth discordes †My sonne keepe the preceptes of thy father and leaue not the lawe of thy mother †Bynde them in thy hart continualy and put them about thy throte †When thou shalt walke let them goe with thee when thou shalt sleepe let them kepe thee and awaking talke with them †Because the commandment is a lampe and the lawe a light and the way of life the increpation of discipline †that they may kepe thee from the euil woman and from the faire spoken tongue of the stranger †Let not thy hart couet her beautie be not caught with her beckes †for the price of an harlot is scarse worth one loafe but a woman catcheth the precious soule of man †Can a man hide fyre in his bosome that his garmentes burne not †Or walke
that vttereth contumelie is vnwise †In much talke there shal not want sinne but he that moderateth his lippes is most wise †The tongue of the iust is chosen siluer but the hart of the impious is nothing worth †The lippes of the iust teach verie many but they that are vntaught shal die in the penurie of witte †The blessing of our Lord maketh men rich neither shal affliction be ioyned to them †A foole worketh mischeefe as it were by laughter but wisdom is prudence to a man †That which the impious feareth shal come vpon him to the iust their desire shal be geuen †As a tempest passing the impious shal not be but the iust as an euerlasting fundation †As vinegre to the teeth and smoke to the eies so a sluggard to them that sent him †The feare of our Lord shal adde dayes and the yeares of the impious shal be shortened †The expectation of the iust is ioy but the hope of the impious shal perish †The strength of the simple the way of our Lord and feare is to them that worke euil †The iust for euer shal not be moued but the impious shal not dwel on the earth †The mouth of the iust shal bring forth wisdom the tongue of the froward shal perish †The lippes of the iust consider grateful thinges and the mouth of the impious peruerse thinges CHAP. XI A deceitful balance is abomination before God and an equal weight is his wil. †Where pride shal be there shal be contumelie also but where humilitie there also wisdom †The simplicitie of the iust shal direct them and the supplanting of the peruers shal waste them †Riches shal not profit in the day of reuenge but iustice shal deliuer from death †The iustice of the simple shal direct his way and the impious shal fal in his impietie †The iustice of the righteous shal deliuer them and the vniust shal be caught in their deceitful practises †The impious man being dead there shal be no hope any more and the expectation of the careful shal perish †The iust is deliuered from distresse and the impious shal be geuen for him †The dissembler with his mouth deceiueth his freind but the iust shal be deliuered by knowlege †In the good thinges of the iust the citie shal reioyce and in the destruction of the impious there shal be prayse †With the benediction of the iust the citie shal be exalted and by the mouth of the impious it shal be subuerted †He that despiseth his freind lacketh hart but the wise man wil hold his peace †He that walketh fraudulently reueleth secretes but he that is faithful concealeth the thing comitted of his freind †Where there is no gouernour the people shal fal but there is health where is much counsel †He shal be afflicted with euil that is suretie for a stranger but he that is ware of the snares shal be secure †A gracious woman shal finde glorie and the strong shal haue riches †A merciful man doth good to his kinred also †The impious maketh an vnstable worke but to him that soweth iustice is a faythful reward †Clemencie prepareth life the pursewing of euil thinges death †A peruers hart is abominable to our Lord and his wil is in them that walke simply †Hand in hand the euil man shal not be innocent but the seede of the iust shal be saued †A ring of gold in a swines snoute a fayre woman a foole †The desire of the iust is al good the expectation of the impious furie †Some diuide their owne goodes and are made richer others take violently not their owne and are alwayes in pouertie †The soule which blesseth shal be made fatte and he that inebriateth himself shal also be inebriated †He that hydeth corne shal be cursed among the peoples but blessing vpon the head of them that sel †Wel riseth he early who seeketh good thinges but he that is a searcher after euil thinges shal be oppressed of them †He that trusteth in his riches shal fal but the iust shal spring as a greene leafe †He that trubleth his house shal possesse the windes and he that is a foole shal serue the wise †The fruite of the iust man a tree of life and he that gaineth soules is wise †If the iust man receiue in the earth how much more the impious and sinner CHAP. XII HE that loueth discipline loueth knowlege but he that hateth reprehensions is vnwise †He that is good shal draw grace from our Lord but he that trusteth in his owne cogitation doth impiously †Man shal not be strengthened by impietie and the roote of the iust shal not be moued †A diligent woman is a crowne to her husband and putrefaction in his bones she that doth thinges worthie of confusion †The cogitations of the iust are iudgements the counsels of the impious are fraudulent †The wordes of the impious lie in wayte for bloud the mouth of the iust shal deliuer them †Turne the impious and they shal not be but the house of the iust shal be permanent †A man shal be knowen by his doctrine but he that is vaine and foolish shallye open to contempt †Better is the poore and sufficient to himself then he that is glorious and wanteth bread †The iust knoweth the liues of his beastes but the bowels of the impious are cruel †He that tilleth his land shal be filled with breads but he that purseweth idlenes is a verie foole He that is delighted in much quaffing of wine leaueth contumelie in his munitions †The desire of the impious is the muniment of the most wicked but the roote of the iust shal prosper †For the sinnes of the lippes ruine approcheth to the euil man but the iust escapeth out of distresse †Of the fruite of his owne mouth shal euerie man be replenisded with good thinges and according to the workes of his handes it shal be repayed him †The way of a foole is right in his eies but he that is wise heareth counsels †A foole by by she weth his anger but he that dissembleth iniuries is wise †He that speaketh that which he knoweth is an vâ—rerer of iustice but he that lyeth is a fraudulent witnesse †There is that promiseth and is pricked as it were with the sword of conscience but the tongue of the wise is health †The lippe of truth shal be stable for euer but he that is an hastie witnesse frameth a tongue of lying †Guile is
and from him withdraw not thy hand because he that feareth God neglecteth nothing †Wisdom hath streingthned the wise aboue tenne princes of the citie †For there is no iust man in the earth that doth good and sinneth not †But to al wordes also that are spoken do not applie thy hart lest perhaps thou heare thy seruant cursing thee †For thy conscience knoweth that thou also hast cursed others †I haue proued al thinges in wisdom I haue sayd I wil become wise it departed farder from me †much more then it was and a depe profunditie who shal finde it †I haue vewed al thinges with my minde that I might know and consider and might seke wisdom and reason and that I might know the impietie of the foole and the errour of the imprudent †and I haue found that a woman is more bitter then death who is the snare of hunters and her hart a nette her handes are bandes He that pleaseth God wil auoide her but he that is a sinner wil be caught of her †Loe this haue I found sayd Ecclesiastes one thing and an other that I might finde reason †which yet my soule seketh and I haue not found it A man of a thousand I haue found one a woman of al I haue not found †Only this I haue found that God made man right and he hath intangled himself with infinite questions Who is such a one as the wise and who hath knowne the resolution of the word CHAP. VIII A signe of true wisdom appereth in obseruing Gods commandments 6. in this shorte time of meriting eternal reward 9. Rule of others 11. and want of feare hurt manie 14. Why God suffereth the wicked to prosper and the iust to be afflicted in this life no mortal man can know THE wisdom of a man shineth in his countenance and the most mightie wil change his face †I obserue the mouth of the king and the precepts of the oath of God †Hasten not to depart from his face nor continew thou in an euil worke because al that he pleaseth he wil doe †and his word is ful of powre neither can anie man say to him Why dost thou so †He that kepeth the precept shal finde no euil The hart of a wiseman vnderstandeth time and answer †There is a time for al busines and opportunitie and much affliction of man †because he is ignorant of thinges past and thinges to come he can know by no messenger †It is not in mans powre to prohibite the spirite neither hath he powre in the day of death neither is he suffered to rest when warre is at hand neither shal impietie saue the impious †Al these thinges I haue considered and gaue my hart on al the workes that are done vnder the sunne Sometime man ruleth ouer man to his owne hurt †I saw the impious buried who also when they yet liued were in holie place and were praised in the citie as men of iust workes But this also is vanitie †Because sentence is not speedely pronounced against the euil the children of men committe euils without anie feare †But yet a sinner by this that he doth euil an hundred times by patience is borne withal I know that it shal be good to them that feare God which dread his face †Let there be no good to the impious neither let his dayes be prolonged but as a shadow let them passe that feare not the face of our Lord. †There is also an other vanitie which is done vpon the earth There are iust men to whom euils happen as though they had done the workes of the impious and there are impious men which are so secure as though they had the dedes of the iust But this also I iudge most vaine †I therfore haue praised mirth that there was no good thing for a man vnder the sunne but that he should eate and drinke and be glad and this only he should take away with him of his labour in the dayes of his life which God hath geuen him vnder the sunne †And I haue set my hart to know wisdom and to vnderstand the distraction that is in the earth There is a man that dayes and nightes taketh no slepe with his eyes †And I vnderstood that man can sinde no reason of al those workes of God that are done vnder the sunne and the more he shal labour to seke so much the lesse he can finde yea if the wisman shal say that he knoweth he is not able to finde it CHAP. IX None knoweth certainly and ordinarily whether they be in Gods grace or no. 4. The euil are in worse case dead then aliue 11. neither can we know the euent of temporal thinges nor the terme of our life nor how gratful others wil be towards vs. 16. Sure it is that wisdom is better then streingth AL these thinges haue I discoursed in my hart that I might curiously vnderstand them there are iust men and wise and their workes are in the hand of God and yet man knoweth not whether he be worthie of loue or hatred †but al thinges are reserued vncertaine for the time to come because al thinges do equally chance to the iust and impious to the good and the euil to the cleane and vncleane to him that immoleth victimes and him that contemneth sacrifices As the good so also is the sinner as the periured so he also that sweareth truth †This is a very euil thing among al which are done vnder the sunne that the same thinges chance to al men Wherby also the hartes of the children of men are filled with malice and with contempt in their life and after that they shal be brought downe to hel †There is no man that may liue alwayes and that can haue confidente of this thing better is a dog liuing then a lion dead †For the liuing know that they shal dye but the dead know nothing more neither haue they reward anie more because the memorie of them is forgotten †Loue also and hatred and enuies haue perished together neither haue they part in this world and in the worke that is done vnder the sunne †Goe therfore and eate thy bread in ioy drinke thy wine with gladnes because thy workes please God †At al time let thy garments be white and let not oyle fal from of thy head †Enioy life with thy wife whom thou louest al the dayes of the life of thy instabilitie which are geuen to thee vnder the sunne al the time of thy vanitie for this is the portion in life and in thy labour wherwith thou laborest vnder the sunne †Whatsoeuer thy hand is able to doe worke it instantly for neither worke nor reason nor wisdom nor knowlege shal be in hel whither thou dost hasten †I turned me to an other thing and I saw vnder the sunne
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
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
violence of manie waters ouerflowing sent forth vpon a large ground †The crowne of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim shal be troden vnder feete †And the flowre of the glorie of his exultation which is vpon the toppe of the valley of fatte ones shal be falling as a timely fruite before the ripenesse of autumme which when he that seeth it shal behold as soone as he taketh it in his hand he wil deuoure it †In that day the Lord of hostes shal be a crowne of glorie and a garland of exultation to the residue of his people †and a spirit of iudgement to him that sitteth in iudgement and strength to them that returne out of battel to the gate †But these also haue bene ignorant because of wine and by drunkennes haue erred the priest and the prophete haue bene ignorant because of drunkennes they are swalowed vp with wine they haue erred in drunkennes they haue not knowne him that seeth they haue bene ignorant of iudgement †For al tables were filled with vomiting and filth so that there was no more place †Whom shal he teach knowledge and whom shal he make to vnderstand the thing heard them that are weyned from the milke that are plucked away from the breasts †For command recommand command recommand expect reexpect expect reexpect a litle there a litle there †For in the speach of lippe and in an other tougue he wil speake to his people †To whom he sayd This is my rest refresh the wearie and this is my refreshing they would not heare †And the word of our Lord shal be to them command recommand command recommand expect reexpect expect reexpect a litle there a litle there that they may goe and fal backward and be destroyed and snared and taken †For this cause heare the word of our Lord ye scorneful men which rule ouer my people that is in Ierusalem †For you haue sayd We haue stroken a league with death and with hel we haue made a couenant The scourge ouerflowing when it shal passe shal not come vpon vs because we haue made lying our hope and with lying we are protected †Therfore thus sayth our Lord God Behold I wil send in the foundations of Sion a stone an approued stone a corner stone pretious founded in the foundation He that beleueth let him not make hast †And I wil put iudgement in weight and iustice in measure and haile shal ouerthrow the hope of lying and waters shal ouerflow the protection †And your league with death shal be abolished and your couenant with hel shal not stand when the scourge ouerflowing shal passe you shal be troden downe of it †Whensoeuer it shal passe through it shal take you away because in the morning early it shal passe through in the day and in the night and vexation alone shal geue vnderstanding in the hearing †For the bed is streitened so that one must fal out and a short mantel can not couer both †For our Lord shal stand as in the mount of diuisions as in the valley which is in Gabaon shal he be angrie that he may doe his worke his strange worke that he may worke his worke is strange from him †And now mocke not lest perhaps your bonds be tied strayte For I haue heard of our Lord the God of hostes consummation and abridgement vpon al the earth †Harken with your eares and heare my voice attend and heare my speach †Wil the ploughman plowe al the day to sow wil he cut and harrow his ground †Wil he not when he hath made euen the face therof sprinkle cummine and place the wheate by order and the barley and millet and vetche in their bondes †And his God wil instruct him in iudgement he wil teach him †For gith shal not be threshed with instruments that haue teeth neither shal the wayne wheele turne about vpon cummine but gith shal be beaten out with a rodde and cummine with a staffe †But bread corne shal be broken smal but the thresher shal not thresh it for euer neither shal the wayne wheele vexe it nor breake it with the teeth therof †And this is come forth from our Lord the God of hostes that he might make his counsel meruelous and magnifie iustice CHAP. XXIX The Prophet bewaleth the Iewes destruction 9. for their blinde obstinacie 17. prophecying the Gentiles conuersion VVOE to Ariel Ariel the citie which Dauid ouercame yeare is added to yeare the solemnities are at an end †And I wil make a trench about Ariel and it shal be sorowful moorning and it shal be to me as Ariel †And I wil compasse as a sphere round about thee and wil cast a rampier against thee and place munitions to besiege thee †Thou shalt be humbled thou shalt speake out of the earth and out of the gronnd thy speach shal be heard and thy voice shal be out of the earth as the Pythons and out of the ground thy speach shal mutter †And the multitude of them that fanne thee shal be as smal dust and as issles passing away the multitude of them that haue preuailed agaynst thee †And it shal be sodenly forthwith It shal be visited of the Lord of hostes in thunder and earth quake and with great voice of whirlewind and tempest and with flame of deuouring fyre †And the multitude of al nations that haue fought agaynst Ariel shal be as the dreame of a vision in the night and al that haue waried and beseged preuailed agaynst it †And as he that is hungrie dreameth eateth but when he is awake his soule is emptie as he that is thirstie dreameth and drinketh and after he is awake faint as yet thirsteth and his soule is emptie so shal the multitude be of al the Gentiles that haue fought agaynst mount Sion †Be astonied and meruel wauer and stagger be ye drunke and not of wine be moued not of drunkenes †Because our Lord hath mingled vnto you the spirit of drowsines he wil shut your eyes he wil couer your prophetes and princes that see visions †And the vision of al shal be vnto you as the wordes of a booke sealed which when they shal geue to him that knoweth letters they shal say Read this and he shal answer I can not for it is sealed †And the booke shal be geuen to one that knoweth not letters and it shal be sayd to him Reade and he shal answer I know not letters †And our Lord sayd Because this people approcheth with their mouth and with their lippes glorifieth me but their hart is far from me and they haue feared me by the commandement and doctrines of men †therfore behold I wil adde to make admiration to this people by a great and wonderful miracle for wisdom
they had taken the king they brought him to the king of Babylon into Reblatha which is in the land of Emath and to him iudgements †And the king of Babylon killed the sonnes of Sedecias before his eies yea and al the princes of Iuda he slew in Reblatha †And he plucked out the eies of Sedecias and bound him with fetters and the king of Babylon brought him into Babylon and he put him in the prison house euen to the day of his death †And in the fifth moneth the tenth of the moneth the same is the ninetenth yeare of Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon came Nabuzardan the prince of the warfare who stood before the king of Babylon in Ierusalem †And he burnt the house of our Lord and the kings house and al the houses of Ierusalem and euerie great house he burnt with fire †And al the host of the Chaldees that was with the prince of the warfare destroyed al the wall of Ierusalem round about †But of the poore of the people and of the rest of the vulgar sorte which remayned in the citie and of the fugitiues that were fled to the king of Babylon and the rest of the multitude Nabuzardan the prince of the warfare transported †But of the poore of the land Nabuzardan the prince of the warfare left some to be dressers of vineyards and husbandmen †The brasen pillers also that were in the house of our Lord and the feete and the sea of brasse that was in the house of our Lord the Chaldees brake and they tooke al the brasse of them into Babylon †And the kettles and the fleshhookes and the psalteries and the phials and the litle mortars and al the brasen vessels that had bene in the ministrie they tooke †and the water pottes and the censars and the pitchers and the basins and the candlestickes and the mortars the gobblets as manie as of gold of gold and as manie as of siluer of siluer did the prince of the warfare take †and two pillars and one sea twelue oxen of brasse that were vnder the feete which king Salomon had made in the house of our Lord there was no weight of the brasse of al these vessels †And concerning the pillars there were eightene cubits of height in one pillar and a corde of twelue cubits did compasse it about moreouer the thicknes thereof of foure fingers and within it was holow †And the litle heads of brasse vpon both the height of one litle head of fiue cubits and the litle nettes and the pomegranates vpon the crowne round about al of brasse Likewise of the second piller and the pomegranates †And there were nintie six pomegranates hanging downe and al the pomegranates an hundred were compassed with litle nettes †And the master of the warefare tooke Saraias the chiefe priest and Sophonias the second priest and the three kepers of the entrie †And of the citie he tooke one eunuch that was chiefe ouer the men of warre and seuen men of them that saw the kings face that were found in the citie and a scribe the captayne of the souldiars who tryed the yong souldiars and three score of the people of the land that were found in the middes of the citie †And Nabuzardan the prince of the warfare tooke them and he brought them to the king of Babylon into Reblatha †And the king of Babylon stroke them and he killed them in Reblatha in the land of Emath and Iuda was transported from his land †This is the people which Nabuchodonosor transported In the seuenth yeare Iewes three thousand and twentie three †In the eightenth yeare of Nabuchodonosor from Ierusalem soules eight hundred thirtie two †In the three and twentith yeare of Nabuchodonosor Nabuzardan the prince of the warefare transported of the Iewes seuen hundred fourtie fiue soules al the soules therfore were foure thousand six hundred †And it came to passe in the seuen and thirtith yeare of the transmigration of Ioachin the king of Iuda the twelfth moneth the fiue and twentith of the moneth Euilmerodach the king of Babylon lifted vp in the very yeare of his reigne the head of Ioachin the king of Iuda and he brought him out of the prison house †And he spake with him good thinges and he sette his throne aboue the thrones of the kinges that were after himself in Babylon †And he changed his prison garments and he did eate bread before him alwaies al the daies of his life †And his allowance of meate a continual prouision of meate was geuen him by the king of Babylon euerie day a certaine euen vnto the day of his death al the daies of his life THE ARGVMENT OF IEREMIES LAMENTATIONS THESE Lamentations in Greeke called Threni and by the Hebrew Rabhins intituled Cinoth were written by Ieremie before the greatest part of his oâ—her prophecies as semeth most probable to S. Ierom and were first songue at the death of Iosias king of Iuda Againe when king Sedecias with manie others were taken captiues manie also slaine and the Temple and citie of Ierusalem destroyed But most especially he prophecieth the Iewes miserable estate and iust cause of Lamentation after Christs coming and their reiecting him And therfore his Church singeth the same in the Aniuersarie or Commemoration of his Passion and Death and most piously inuiteth al sinners both Iewes and Gentiles to returne vnto Christ our Redemer saying Ierusalem IERVSALEM conuertere ad Dominum Deum tuum In this litle booke the diligent reader wil easely obserue manie doleful patheticalspeaches powred out from a pensiue hart as in great calamities it commonly happeneth with litle connexion of sentences but otherwise foure whole chapters are very artificially compiled in verse not by number of times with measure of long and short syllables as the Grekes and Latines vse but after the Hebrew maner obseruing number of syllables and beginning euerie verse with a distinct letter from the first to the last in order with some smal varietie of the Hebrew Alphabet Doubtles with great mysteries as S. Ierom iudgeth and therfore explicateth the significations and certains connexions of the two and twentie Hebrew letters as we haue noted vpon the 118. Psalme but aboue the capacitie of our vnderstanding In the last chapter the Prophet omitting the obseruation of Initial letters in twentie two verses prayeth lamentably as the whole people shal pray in captiuitie THE THRENES that is to say THE LAMENTATIONS OF IEREMIE THE PROPHET And it came to passe after that Israel was brought into captiuitie and Ierusalem was desolate Ieremie the prophete sate weeping and he mourned with this lamentation vpon Ierusalem and with a pensiue mind sighing and wayling he sayd CHAP. I. HOW doeth the citie ful of people sitte solitarie how is the ladie of the Gentiles become as a widow the princesse of prouinces is made tributarie Weeping she
al your preuarications wherin you haue preuaricated and make to yourselues a new hart and a new spirit and why wil you dye ô house of Israel †Because I wil not the death of him that dieth saith our Lord God returne ye and liue ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XVIII â—â— Is the death of a sinner my vvil In manie places of holie Scripture it is clâ—â—â— that Gods vvil is most assuredly fulfilled in al thinges vvhatsoeuer he vvould and none can resist his vvil c. Neuertheles here and in other places it is also expresly affirmed that God would haue al sinners to repent and none to dye in their sinnes vvhich semeth to repugne vvith the former doctrin For solution of vvhich difficultie S. Damascen li. 2. c. 29 de Orthodoxa side and other Doctors distinguish Gods vvil vvhich is either called Antecedent and conditional and so God vvould haue al men to be saued as appeareth by creating al to that end by his frequen admonitions preceptes threates temporal punishments and revvardes and especially by our Sauiours death and redemption of al mankind vvherby he merited most sufficient meanes and offereth his sufficient grace to euerie one that they may be saued if they vvil Othervvise Gods wil is called Consequent and absolute and so for iustice sake his diuine vvil is that impenitent sinners shal be damned and eternally punished for their sinnes As a iust Iudge condionally and antecedently vvould haue al men to obserue good lavves and to liue so long as they can by nature but absolutely consequently finding some to be murderers or othervvise pernicicious to the commonvvelth he panisheth them with death CHAP. XIX The Israelites calaminitie is described by two parables of lions 10. and of a vine planted and plucked vp AND thou take vp lamentation vpon the princes of Israel †and thou shalt say Why lay thy mother a lionesse among the lions in the middes of young lions brought vp her whelpes †And she brought out one of her young lions he became a lion and he lerned to catch prayes and to eate man †And the Gentils heard of him and not without their woundes they tooke him and they brought him in cheynes into the Land of Aegypt †Who when she saw that she was weakened and her expectation was lost she tooke one of her young lions she made him a lion †Who went among the lions and became a lion and he lerned to take praye and to deuoure men †He lerned to make widowes and to bring their cities into a desert and the land was made desolate and the fulnes therof by the voice of his roaring †And the Gentils came together against him on euerie side out of the prouinces they spred their nette vpon him in their wounds he was taken †And they put him into a caue in cheynes they brought him to the king of Babylon and they cast him into prison that his voice might no more be heard vpon the mountaines of Israel †Thy mother as it were a vine in thy bloud is planted vpon the water her fruit and her branches haue growen out of manie waters †And there were made to her strong roddes for the scepters of them that rule and her stature was exalted among the branches and she saw her height in the multitude of her branches †And she was plucked vp in wrath and cast on the ground and the burning winde hath dried vp her fruite the roddes of her strength are withered and dried vp fire hath eaten her †And now she is transplanted into the desert in a land not passable and drie †And there came forth fire from the rod of her boughes which hath eaten her fruite and there was not in her a strong rod the scepter of rulers Lamentation it is and it shal be into lamentation CHAP. XX. God wil not answer the elders of Israel asking by the prophet 4. but by him setteth his benefites before their eyes and their owne heynous sinnes 30. threatning yet greater punishments 40. but stil mixt with mercie AND it came to passe in the seuenth yeare in the fifth the tenth of the moneth there came men of the ancients of Israel to aske our Lord they sare before me †And the word of our Lord was made to me saying †Sonne of man speake to the ancients of Israel thou shalt say to them Thus saith our Lord God Why are you come to aske me Liue I that I wil not answer you saith our Lord God †Doest thou iudge them doest thou iudge ô sonne of man shew to them the abominations of their fathers †And thou shalt say to them Thus saith our Lord God In the day that I chose Israel lifted vp my hand for the stocke of the house of Iacob and appeared to them in the Land of Aegypt and lifted vp my hand for them saying I the Lord your God †in that day I lifted vp my hand for them that I might bring them out of the Land of Aegypt into a Land which I had prouided for them flowing with milke and honie which is excellent among al landes †And I said to them Let euerie man cast away the scandals of his eyes and in the idols of Aegypt be ye not polluted I the Lord your God †And they prouoked me and would not heare me euerie one did not cast away the abominations of his eyes neither did they leaue the idols of Aegypt and I said I would powre out mine indignation vpon them and fil my wrath in them in the middes of the Land of Aegypt †And I did for my name sake that it might not be violated before the Gentils in the middes of whom they were and among whom I appeared to them to bring them out of the Land of Aegypt †I cast them out therfore of the Land of Aegypt and brought them forth into the desert †And I gaue them my precepts and I shewed to them my iudgements which a man doing shal liue in them †Moreouer also my sabbathes I gaue to them to be a signe betwen me and them and that they might know that I am the Lord sanctifying them †And the houses of Israel prouoked me in the desert they walked not in my precepts and my iudgements they reiected which a man doing shal liue in them and my sabbathes they violated excedingly I said therfore I would powre out my furie vpon them in the desert and would consume them †And I did for my name sake lest it should be violated before the Gentils from which I cast them out in their sight †I therfore lifted vp my hand vpon them in the desert not to bring them into the Land which I gaue them flowing with milke and honie the chiefe of al landes †Because they reiected my iudgements and walked not in my precepts and violated my sabbathes
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
already Praef. Tobiae that the Canon of the Christian Catholique Church is of souereigne auctoritie though the Iewes Canon haue them not Finally wheras these bookes were not canonized in the former General Councels it sufficeth that they are since declared to be Canonical Diuine Scripture as some other partes haue likewise bene which English Protestants do not denie As the Epistle of S. Iames the second of S. Peter the second and third of S. Iohn and S. Iudes epistle of al which Eusebius and S. Ierom testifie that some lerned Fathers doubled sometimes whether they were Apostolical or no. But afterwards the same with these two bookes of Machabees and others were expresly declared to be Diuine Scripture by the third Councel of Carthage can 47. By the Councel of seuentie Bishops vnder Gelasius though by the name of one booke as also Esdras and Nehemias as but one booke Last by the Councels of Florence and Trent If anie further require the iudgement of more ancient Fathers diuers doe alleage these bookes as Diuine Scriptures S. Dyonise c. 2. celest Hierar S. Clemens Alexan. li. 1. Stromat S. Cyprian li. 1. Epist ep 3. ad Cornelium li. 4. ep 1. de exhort ad Martyrium c. 11. Isidorus li. 16. c. 1. Etym. S. Gregorie Nazianzen hath a whole Oration of the seuen Machabees Martyrs and their mother S. Ambrose li. 1. c. 41. Offic. But to omite others albeit S. Ierom vrged not these bookes against the Iewes yet he much estemed them as appeareth in his commentaries vpon Daniel c. 1. 11. 12. S. Augustin most clerly auoucheth li. 2. c. 8. de doct christ li. 18. c. 36. de ciuit that notwithstanding the Iewes denie these bookes the Church holdeth them Canonical And wheras one Gaudentius an heretike alleaged for defense of his haeresie the example of Razias who slew him self 2. Mac. 14. S. Augustin denieth not the auctoritie of the booke but discusseth the fact and admonisheth that it is not vnprofitably receiued by the Church si sobrie legatur vel audiatur if it be read or heard soberly VVhich was a necessarie admonition to those Donatistes who not vnderstanding the holie Scriptures depraued them as S. Peter speaketh of like heretikes â—p 2. c. 3. to their owne perdition Now touching the contentes a great part of the same historie which is written in the former booke is repeted in the second with such varietie of some thinges added some omitted as in the bookes of Kinges and Paralipomenon and as the Gospel is written by the foure Euangelistes Ioyning therfore these two bookes together the Concordance therof conteyneth foure principal partes The Preface the Historie an Appendix the Conclusion But the three former partes are very extraordinarily disposed For the writer of the second booke who doubtles was a distinct person from him that writte the former first of al added an Appendix to the historie written before making mention of two Epistles and reciting the summe of one of them in the first chapter and part of the second as though he meant to haue writte no more of the same matter But then as it may seme vpon new resolution intending to abridge the historical bookes of Iason maketh a preface to his worke in the rest of that second chapter And so prosecuteth his purpose and finally maketh a briefe conclusion in the three last verses of the same second booke The mayne historie conteyneth two special partes The first sheweth the state of Gods peculiar people the Iewish nation from the beginning of the Grecian Monarchie parted after the death of Alexander amongst his folowers of which some did exceedingly persecute the Iewes by diuers both suttle and cruel meanes to the ruine of manie and euen to death and martyrdom of some most constant obseruers of Gods Lawes and true Religion til the warres of the Machabees in the first chapter of the first booke and in the 3. 4 5 6. and 7. chapters of the second booke In the other fiftene chapters of the former booke and other eight of the second are described the battles victories triumphes of the valient Machabees Of which holie warres Mathathias was the beginner and first captaine Iudas the second the third Ionathas and Simon the fourth after whose death his sonne Iohn Hyrcanus succeded Duke and Hieghpriest But because these bookes are intermixed the one with the other whâ—soeuer please to read them in order of the historie may folow the direction of the Alphabet letters set in the inner margen beginning with A. at the twentith verse of the second chapter of the second booke to the end of the same chapter Thence procede as the signe of a starre directeth to the next letter B. which is at the beginning of the first booke the first chapter first verse And so in the rest And when the capital letters are ended the smaller wil direct you THE FIRST BOOKE OF MACABEES CHAP. I. King Alexander conquering manie countries erecteth a new Monarchie 6. who dying his chief folowers succeede in seueral kingdomes of the same Monarchie 11. King Antiochus approueth that a prophane schole be setup in Ierusalem 17. subdueth Aegypt 21. inuadeth Iudea entreth by force into Ierusalem spoyleth the temple 25. and killeth manie 30. Two yeares after sendeth an other spoyler who killing manie robbeth and burneth lerusalem 35. fortisieth the towre of Dauid 38. prophaneth al holie thinges 4â— commandeth al to committe idolatrie 47. and to forsake the rites of Gods law 52. vpon paine of death 57. He setteth vp an abominable idol in the Temple 60. persecuteth and murdereth those that conforme not themselues to these innouations AND it came to passe after that Alexander Philips sonne the Macedonian that first reigned in Greece being gone out of the land of Cethim stroke Darius king of the Persians and the Medes †he made manie battels and obteyned the munition of al and slewe the kinges of the earth †and he passed through euen to the ends of the earth and tooke the spoiles of the multitude of the Gentils and the earth was silent in his sight †And he gathered powre and an armie exceding strong and his hart was exalted and eleuated †and he obtayned the regions of the Gentils and the tyrantes and they were made tributaries to him †And after these thinges he fel downe in his bed and he knew that he should dye †And he called his seruants the Nobles that were brought vp with him from his youth he diuided his kingdom to them when he yet liued †And Alexander reigned twelue yeares and he died †And his seruants possessed the kingdom euerie one in his place †and they did al put crownes on them after his death their sonnes after them manie yeares euils were multiplied in the earth †And there came forth of them a sinful roote Antiochus Illustre the sonne of king Antiochus
and the citizens flying together to the wal at the last the citie being taken Menelaus fled into the castel †But Iason spared not his citizens in murder nor considered that prosperitie against kinsmen is a verie great euil supposing that he should take the victorious spoiles of the enemies and not of his citizens †And the princedome verily he obteyned not but receiued confusion the end of his treacherie and went againe a fugitiue into the countrie of the Ammanites †At the last to his owne destruction being inclosed of Aretas the tyrant of the Arabians flying from citie to citie odious to al men as an apostata from the lawes and execrable as an enemie of his countrie and citizens he was thrust out into Egypt †and he that had expelled manie out of their countrie perished in a strange place going to the Lacedemonians as being like for kindred sake to haue refuge there †but he that cast away manie vnburyed himself both vnlamented and vnburyed is cast forth neither enioying forrein buryal nor partaker of the sepulcher of his fathers †These thinges therefore being done the king suspected that the Iewes would forsake the societie and for this departing out of Aegypt with a furious mind he tooke the citie by armes †And he bad the souldiars kil and not spare them that came in their way to murder them that went vp into the houses †Slaughters therfore were made of youngmen old and destructions of wemen and children and murders of virgins and litle ones †And there were in the whole three dayes foure score thousand slaine fourtie thousand prisoners and no lesse sold †But neither do these thinges suffice he presumed also to enter into the temple in al the earth the most holie Menelaus being his leader who was betrayer of the lawes and his countrie †And with wicked handes taking the holie vessels which by other kinges and cities were set for the ornament and the glorie of the place he vnworthily handled and contaminated them †So Antiochus being alienated in minde considered not that for the sinnes of them that inhabit the citie God had bene angrie a litle for the which also hapned the contempte about the place †otherwise vnles it had chanced them to haue bene wrapped in manie sinnes as Heliodorus who was sent of Seleucus the king to spoile the treasurie this man also immediately as he came had bene scourged and repelled verily from his boldnes †But not the nation for the place but the place for the nation hath God chosen †And therefore the place also it self is made partaker of the peoples euils but afterward it shal be partaker of the good thinges and it that was forsaken in the wrath of almightie God shal be exalted againe with great glorie in the reconciliation of the great Lord. †Therefore Antiochus hauing taken away out of the temple a thousand and eight hundred talents spedily went backe to Antioch thinking through pride that he might bring the land to sayle vpon the sea to goe vpon through haughtines of minde †And he left also rulers to afflict the nation at Ierusalem Philip a Phrygian borne more cruel of maners then he himself by whom he was appointed †and in Garizim Andronicus and Menelaus who lay more greiuously vpon the citizens then the rest †And wheras he was set against the Iewes he sent the odious prince Apollonius with an armie of two twentie thousand commanding him to kil al of perfect age to sel the wemen and the young ones †Who when he was come to Ierusalem feyning peace rested vntil the holie day of the Sabbath and then the Iewes keping holie day he commanded his men to take weapons †And he murdered al that were gone forth to behold the gammes running through the citie with armed men he slew a very greate multitude †But Iudas Machabeus who was the tenth was retyred into a desert place and there amongst wilde beastes he led his life in the mountaines with his companie and they abode eating meate of grasse that they might not be partakers of the contamination CHAP. VI. The law of God is abolished the temple prophaned and named of Iupiter Olympius 7. The feast of Bacchus is kept 10. wemen with their circumcised children are slaine 11. others for celebrating the sabbath 12. an admonition to the reader 18. old Eleazarus constantly obseruing the law suffereth glorious death BVT not long after the king sent a certaine ancient man of Antioch that should compel the Iewes to remoue them selues from the lawes of their fathers and of God †to contaminate also the temple that was in Ierusalem and to cal it by the name of Iupiter Olympius and in Garizim according as they were that inhabited the place of Iupiter Hospitalis †And the inuasion of the euiles was sore and grieucus to al †for the temple was ful of the lecherie and glottonie of the Gentiles of them that played the harlots with whoores And wemen thrusting themselues of their owne accord into the sacred houses bringing in thouse thinges which were not lawful †The altar also was ful of vnlawful thinges which were forbidden by the lawes †And neither were the Sabbaths kept not the soleme dayes of the fathers obserued neither plainely did anie man confesse him selfe to be a Iewe. †But they were led with bitter necessitie in the kings birth day to sacrifices and when the feast of Bacchus was kept they were compelled to goe about crowned with Iuie vnto Bacchus †And there went forth a decree into the next cities of the Gentiles the Ptolomeans geuing the aduise that they also in like manner should doe against the Iewes that they sacrifice †and them that would not paste to the ordinances of the heathen they should kil A man then might see the miserie †For two wemen were accused to haue circuncided their children whom the infantes hanging at their breasts when they had openly led them about through the citie they threwe downe headlong by the walles †And others coming together to the next caues secretely 2. keping the day of the Sabbath when they were discouered to Philip were burnt with fyre because they feared for religion and obseruance to helpe themselues with their hand †But I beseech them that shal read this booke that they abhorre not for the aduersities but that they account those thinges which haue happened not to be for the destruction but for the chastening of our stocke †For not to suffer sinners a long time to doe as they wil but forthwith to punish is a token of a great benefite †For not as in other nations our Lord patiently expecteth that when the day of iudgement shal come he may punish them in the fulnes of sinnes †so also doth he determine in vs that our sinnes being come to the end so at
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
This Iechonias or Ioachin remained in prison til the death of Nabuchodonosor the space of thirtie seuen yeares and was then deliuered by Euilmerodach and by him entertayned courteously as a prince 4. Reg. 25. v. 27. He maried there and had issue Salathiel and Salathiel hâ—d Zorobabel Who together with Iosue sonne of Iosedech highpriest Esdras Nehemias others recited 1. Esd 2. conducted the children of Israel from Babylon into their countrie There were also in a former transmigration Daniel and the other three children Ananias Misael Azarias of the royal or principal bloud in the third yeare of Ioakim otherwise called Eliacim sonne of Iosias 4. Reg. 23. v. 34 king of Iuda Dan. 1. v. 1. 6. These with others were caried â—s hostages into Babylon and brought vp more liberally Where seruing God sincerely abstayning from vnlawful meates were protected by God much also estemed and promoted in that place For Daniel about the age of twelue yeares conuinced the two wicked Iudges and deliuered Susanna from their cruel handes Dan. 13. And afterwardes for declaring and interpreting the kings dreame Dan. 2. and excellent wisdom and gift of prophecie was admired by al aduanced by the king but maligned by certaine enuious sorcerers and great men Wherby he was sometimes in great danger but stil deliuered by Gods powre protecting him Dan. 6. 14. The other three children were likewise aduanced Dan. 2. v. 49. and therfore by diuers enuied and for refusing to adore an idol set vp by Nabuchodonosor were cast into a hote burning furnace and there preserued Dan. 3. Ieremie who before this time begane to prophecie whiles he was a childe Iere. 1. continued in the time of captiuitie in Ierusalem and Iurie with much affliction and stil prophecying finally dyed in Aegypt Baruch his scribe and also a Prophete went sometimes into Babylon and returned into Iurie Baruch 1. instructing and exhorting the people Ezechiel was caried with king Iechonias and Iosedech into Babylon and there prophecied ch 1. v. 2. part of the same time with Daniel in great part the same thinges with Ieremie And during the captiuitie king Iechonias Iosedech the highpriest Ieremie Baruch Ezechiel prophetes innumerable others some Martyres and manie Confessors parted from this world But Daniel yet liued And in place of Iosedech Highpriest Iosue succeded and the progenie of king Iechonias continuing in Salathiel and Zorobabel the nation â—ad them and other eminent men with temporal dependence vpon forreine princes in the next Monarchie of the Medes and Persians For when Darius king of Medes had slaine Baâ—â—azar king of the Chaldees and so possessed Babylon with the whole countrie he brought the Monarchie to the Medes Persians Dan. 5. v. 31. and within the space of one yeare he dyed and Cyrus succeding granted leaue to al the Iewes to returne into Iurie and there to build vp their temple and citie of Ierusalem which Nabuchodonosor had destroyed At which time Daniel had his vision that Christ our Sauiour should come into the world within seuentie weekes of seuen yeares to the weke that is in foure hundred ninetie yeares after the perfect finishing of the temple and citie Dan. 9. v. 24. 25. But when they were so built againe that the wekes beganne to be counted is very obscure as it was the wil of God that the prophecie being certayne in itself should not be ouer clere to euerie mans vnderstanding but as likewise manie other prophecies shut and sealed Dan. 12. v. 6. 9. 13. In this time of the Medes and Persians Monarchie Mardocheus remayning in Chaldea after the relaxation had that vision in a dreame Esther 11. after which folowed the historie of him Quene Esther and wicked Aman with the danger and deliuerie of al the Iewes in those partes Some thinke it likewise probable that the historie of Iudith happened after the captiuitie though others suppose that it was in the time of Manasses king of Iuda which not being our purpose to discusse and decide we wil passe to thinges more certayne The prophetes Aggeus Zachatias nere twentie yeares after the relaxation earnestly exhorted the princes people to build vp the temple which had bene begunne and now was neglected vpon vaine feare thincking the time was not yet come of building the house of our Lord. Aggeus 1. v. 2. Wherupon the prophet reproueth them expostulating thus Why is it time for you to dwel in embowed houses and this house of our Lord desert And assureth them v. 10. that their ground should remaine barren and ch 2. v. 15. their sacrifices vngratful til they should build the temple promising moreouer that this new temple should be more glorious by Christs personal presence therin then the former temple built by Salomon But especially the Church of Christ presigured by the temple should farre excel the Synagoge of the old testament ch 2. v. 10. Great shal be the glorie of this last house more then of the first Which Zacharie confirmeth inuiting the Gentiles to come and the Iewes to returne into Christs Church ch 2. v. 6. O flee out of the land of the North sayth our Lord because into the foure windes of heauen haue I dispersed you v. 7. O Sion flee thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon And by diuers other visions and prophecies they forshew the conuersion of the Gentiles and reiection of the Iewes for their obduration but in the end they also shal be conuerted Malachie prophecied after the finishing of the temple exhorting al to offer their sacrifices with puritie of hart reprehending both priestes and people for not so doing ch 1. He also foresheweth the reiection of the Iewes calling of the Gentiles with the change of the old sacrifices and institution of a new farre more excellent and more effectual to be offered euerie where v. 10. 11. He concludeth his prophecie ch 4. foretelling the terrible day of Iudgement and life or death euerlasting These later prophetes yet liuing as Iosephus Eusehius Theodoretus and others testifie in their histories the Grecians obtained so great a Monarchie by king Alexander the Great of Macedo that being parted after his death amongst manie yet al were great kingdomes some longer some shorter time In the beginning wherof when king Alexander came to Ierusalem as Iosephus writeth li. 11. c. 8. Antiquit. Iaddus the highpriest going forth in his pontifical attyre to mete him the same king straightwayes fel downe at his feete with al reuerence And being demanded by his freindes the princes of his armie why he so much honored the highpriest he answered that he honored noâ— the man for himself but for his office and God in him who had appeared to him in slepe in that very habite and ornaments when he in Macedonia discoursed in his minde of making battel against the Persians promising him assured victorie Shortly
†My righthand shal not spare sinners neither shal the sword cease vpon them that shede innocent bloud vpon the earth †Fire came forth from his wrath and hath deuoured the fundations of the earth and sinners as it were straw set on fire †Woe to them that sinne and obserue not my comandmentes sayth our Lord. †I wil not spare them depart ô children from the powre Defile not my sanctification †because the Lord knoweth al that sinne against him therefore hath he deliuered them into death and into slaughter †For now are euils come vpon the world and you shal tarrie in them For God wil not deliuer you because you haue sinned against him †Behold an horrible vision and the face of it from the east †And the nations of dragons of Arabians shal come forth in manie chariots as a winde the number of them is caried vpon the earth so that now al doe feare and tremble that shal heare them †the Carmonians madde for anger and they shal goe forth as wild boares out of the wood they shal come with great power and shal stand in fight with them they shal waste the portion of the land of the Assirians †And after these thinges the dragons shal preuaile mindful of their natiuitie and conspiring shal turne themselues in great force to pursue them †These shal be trubled and hold their peace at their force and shal turne their fete into flight †And from the territorie of the Assirians the besiegers shal beseige them and shal consume one of them and there shal be feare and trembling in their armie and contention against their kinges †Behold cloudes from the east and from the north vnto the south and their face very horrible ful of wrath and storme †And they shal beate one against an other and they shal beate downe manie starres and their starre vpon the earth and bloud shal be from the sword vnto the bellie †And mans dung vnto the camels litter and there shal be much feare and trembling vpon the earth †And they shal shake that shal see that wrath and tremble shal take them and after these thinges there shal manie showers be moued †from the south and the north and an other portion from the weast †And the windes from the east shal preuaile vpon it and shal shut it vp and the cloudes which he raised in wrath and the starre to make terrour to the east winde and the west shal be destroyed †And there shal be exalted great and mightie cloudes ful of wrath and a starre to terrifie al the earth and the inhabitantes therof and they shal powre in vpon euerie high and eminent place a terrible starre †fire and haile and flying swordes and manie waters so that al fildes also shal be filled and al riuers with the fulnes of manie waters †And they shal throw downe cities and walles and mountaines and hilles and the trees of the woodes and the grasse of the medowes and their corne †And they shal passe constant vnto Babylon and shal raise her †They shal come together against her and shal compasse her and shal power out the starre and al wrath vpon her and the dust and smoke shal goe vp euen into heauen and round about shal lament her †And they that shal remaine vnder her shal serue them that terified her †And thou Asia agreeing into the hope of Babylon and the glorie of her person †woe be to thee thou wretch because thou art like to her and hast adorned thy daughters in fornication to please glorie in thy louers which haue desired alwayes to fornicate with thee †Thou hast imitated the odious in al her workes and in her inuentions therefore sayth God †I wil send in euils vpon thee widow hood pouertie and famine and sword and pestilence to destroy thy houses by violation and death and glorie of thy vertue †As a flower shal be withered when the heate shal rise that is sent forth vpon thee †thou shalt be weakned as a litle poore soule plaged and chastised of wemen that the mightie and the louers may not receiue thee †Wil I be zealous against thee sayth our Lord †vnles thou hadst slayne myne elect at al times exalting the slaughter of the handes and saying vpon their death when thou wast drunken †Adorne the beautie of thy countenance †The reward of thy fornication is in thy bosome therefore thou shalt receiue recompence †As thou shalt doe to my elect sayth our Lord so shal God do to thee and shal deliuer thee vnto euil †And thy children shal dye for famine and thou shalt fal by the sword and thy cities shal be destroyed al thyne shal fal in the filde by the sword †And they that are in the mountaines shal perish with famine and shal eate their owne flesh drinke kloud for the famine of bread and thirst of waters †Vnhappie by the seas shalt thou come and againe thou shalt receuie euils †And in the passage they shal beate against the idle citie and shal destroy some portion of thy land and shal deface part of thy glorie againe returning to Babylon ouerthrowen †And being throwen downe thou shalt be to them for stubble and they shal be to thee fire †and deuoure thee and thy cities thy land and thy mountaynes al thy woodes and fruitful trees they wil burne with fire †Thy children they shal lead captiue shal haue thy goodes for a praye and the glorie of thy face they shal destroy CHAP. XVI Al are admonished that extreme calamities shal fal vpon this world 36. the penitent returning to iustice shal escape 55. as al thinges were made by Gods omnipotent powre at his wil so al thinges shal serue to the reward of the blessed and punishment of the wicked VVOE to thee Babylon Asia woe to thee Aegypt and Syria †Gird yourselues with sackclothes and shirtes of heare mourne for your children be sorie because your destruction is at hand †The sword is sent in vpon you and who is he that can turne it away †Fire is sent in vpon you and who is he that can quench it †Euiles are sent in vpon you and who is he that can repel them †Shal anie man repel the lion being hungrie in the woode or quench the fire in stubble forthwith when it beginneth to burne †Shal anie man repel the arrow shot of a strong archer †Our strong Lord sendeth in euiles and who is he that can repel them †Fire came forth from his wrath and who is he that can quench it †He wil lighten who shal not feare he wil thunder and who shal not be afrayde †Our Lord wil threaten and who shal not vtterly be destroyed before his face †The earth hath trembled and the fundations thereof the sea tosseth vp waues from the
of you by violence shal make the slaine to be meate for idols †And they that shal consent vnto them shal be to them in derision and in reproch and in conculcation †For there shal be place against places and against the next cities great insurrection vpon them that feare our Lord. †They shal be as it were madde sparing no bodie to spoyle and waste yet them that feare our Lord. †because they shal waste and spoyle the goodes and shal cast them out of their houses †Then shal appeare the probation of mine elect as gold that is proued by the fire †Heare my beloued sayth our Lord Behold the dayes of tribulation are come and out of them I wil deliuer you †Doe not feare nor stagger because God is your guide †And he that kepeth my commandmentes and precepts sayth our Lord God Let not your sinnes ouerway you nor your inquities be aduanced ouer you †Woe to them that are entangled with their sinnes and are couered with their iniquities as a filde is entangled with the wood the path therof couered with thornes by which no man passeth it is closed out cast to be deuoured of the fire FINIS A table of the Epistles taken forth of the old Testament vpon certayne festiual dayes The other feastes and al the sundayes haue their Epistles in the new Testament As is there noted In the feast of our Blessed Ladies Conception Prou. 8 v. 22 to the v. 36 S. Iohn Euangelist Eccli 15. v. 1. to v. 7. The Epiphanie Isaioe 60. v. 1. to v. 7. Candlemasse day Malach 3. v. 1. to v. 5. S. Thomas Aquinas Sap. 7. v. 7. to v. 15. The Annunciation of our B. Ladie Isaioe 7. v. 11. to v. 16. S. Marke Ezechiel 1. v. 5. to v. 14. S. Philippe and S. Iames. Sap. 5. v. 1. to v. 6. S Iohn ante portam Latinam the same The Natiuitie of S. Iohn Baptist Isa 49. v. 1. to v. 6. v. 23. Visitation of our B. Ladie Cant. 2. v. 8. to v. 15. The octaue of S. Peter and S. Paul Eccli 44. v. 10. to v. 16. S. Marie Magdalen Cant. 3. v. 2. to 6. ca. 8. v. 6. to 8. S. Anne Prouerb 31. v. 10. to the end of the chap. The Assumption of our B. Ladie Eccli 24. v. 11. to 21. Decollation of S. Iohn Baptist Iere. 1. v. 17. to the end The Natiuitie of our B. Ladie Prouerb 8. v. 22. to 36. S. Mathew Ezech. 1. v. 10. to 15. S. Martin Eccli 44. v. 25. ca. 45. v. 1. to v. 9. S. Cecilie Eccli 51. v. 13. to 18. S. Catherin Eccli 51. v. 1. to 13. In the Anniuersarie of the dead 2. Mach. 12. v. 42. to the end of the chapter Deo Gratias AN HISTORICAL TABLE OF THE TIMES SPECIAL PERSONS MOST NOT ABLE THINGES AND CANONICAL BOOKES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT Anni mundi Pattiarches Especial pointes of the sacred historie of Gods Church euer visible Schismes and infidelitie Canonical Scriptures a The first yeare first weeke Adam the first man of whom al mankind is propagated a Creation of heauen and earth and al thinges therin in six dayes Gen. 1. Man last created was made lord of al corporal creatures of this lower world placed in paradise Gen. 2. For transgressing Gods cōmandment Adam and Eue were cast out of paradise But by Gods grace repenting had promise of a Redemer Gen. 3.  Genesis conteyneth the historie of the visible Church from the beginning of the world to the death of Ioseph in the yeare of the world 2340. b 130. Seth borne Cain the first borne became a husbandman Abel next borne a shepheard Gen. 4. God respecting Abels sacrifice and not Cains Cain killed Abel Gen. 4.   c. 235. Enos borne Seths children and other faythful were called the sonnes of God to distinguish the true Church from the wicked citie begune by Cain Gen. 6. Cain wentforth from the face of our Lord begane a new city opposite to the Citie of God  d. 325. Cainan In the dayes of Enos begane publique prayers of manie assembling together besides Sacrifice which was before Gen. 4. v. 26. Gen. 4. v. 16. His generations in the right line to Lamech who slew him are these without notice of time when they were borne or dyed Enoch Irad Mauiael Mathusael Lamech Gen. 4. v. 17.  e 395. Malaleel    f 460. Iared    g 622. Enoch Mathusala Lamech Enoch a Prophet pleased God in al his wayes None borne in the earth like to Enoch Eccli 49. v. 16. Some declining from God and marchīg in mariage with Cains race begate those monstruous men huge of stature most wicked cruel called giantes  h 687. Noe bor k Adam dyed at the age of 930. yeares Gen. 5. v. 5. To whom Seth succeded chief Patriarch And so in the rest Gen. 6. v. 4.  i 874. Sem bor And the next two yeares Cham Iaphet l Enoch in the yeare of his age 365. was sene no more because God tooke him Gen. 5. v. 24. Enoch was translated that he should not see death Heb. 11. v. 5.   k 930.  m Seth dyed in the yeare of his age 912.   l 987.  o Enos dyed anno aetatis 905.   m 1042.  p Cainan dyed an aet 980.   n 1056.  q Malaleel dyed an aet 895.   o 1140.  r Iared dyed an aet 962.   p 1265.  s Noe the preacher of iustice forewarned al men that except they repented God would destroy them with a floud And by Gods commandement built an Arke or shippe wherin himself his familie with other liuing creatures were preserued from drowning   q 1290.  v Lamech dyed before his father in the yeare of his age 777.   r 1422.  w Mathusala dyed an aet 969. immediatly before the floud as semeth most probable   s 1536.     t 1556.     v 1651.     w 1656     x 1656.  x The same yeare of the world 1656. the 17. day of the second moneth Noe with his three sonnes his wife and their wiues in al eight persons and seuen payres of euerie kinde of cleane liuing creatures and two payres of vncleane entered into the Arke And presently it rayned fourtie dayes and nightes together Wherby al liuing creatures on the earth out of the arke were drowned Gen. 7. Al Cains race with other wicked infideles were vtterly destroyed by the flould Gen. 7.  THE END OF THE FIRST AGE AND BEGINNING OF THE SECOND y 1658. Arphaxad borne the sonne of Sem. The whole earth being couered with water Noe with his familie and other liuing creatures remained in the arke twelue monethes and ten dayes a iust yeare of the sunne then coming forth built an altar and offered
prophecied of al his twelue sonnes and in Iudas of Christ Gen. 49. v. 10. And then dyed  Iob either of the progenie of Nachor or as semeth more probable of Esau liued the same time in which the children of Israel were pressed with seruitude in Aegypt Himselfe writte the historie of his affliction in the Arabian tongue which Moyses translated into Hebrew m 2286. Amrā Esron n Ioseph buried his father in Chanaan and nourished his bretheren with their families as their patron superior Gen. 50. v. 18.   o 2340.   o He dyed at the age of 110. yeares Gen. 50. After his death the Superioritie of the children of Israel descended not to his sonnes but to his bretheren and rested in Leui the third brother liuing longest of al the twelue to the age of 137. yeares Exodi 6. v. 16. whose genealogie is there declared to shew the descent of Aaron and Moyses About this time was Atlas the great Astronomer brother of Prometheus grandfather to Mercurius the elder whose nephew Mercurius otherwise called Tris megistus the master of moral philosophie must nedes be a good while after Moyses S. Aug. li. 18. c. 39. de ciuit Also Cecrops the first king and builder of Athens was in Moyses time after him Cadmus built Thebes and the first that brought letters into Grece more ancient then manie Pammes goddes S. Aug. li. 18. c. 8. c. The booke of Exodus conteyneth the affliction and deliuerie of the children of Israel precepts of Gods law p 2401. Aaron borne Aram. r Moyses an infant of three monethes was put in a basket on the water taken thence by Pharaos daughter nurced by his owne mother and brought vp in Pharaos court Exod. 2.   q 2404. Moyses borne  s At the age of fourty yeares he went to his bretheren to comfort them Where killing an Aegyptian that oppressed an Israelite he was forced to flee into Madian Exod. 2.   s 2244.   t After other fourtie yeares God appeared to Moyses in a bush burning not wasting Sent him into Aegypt with powre to worke miracles to bring the children of Israel out of that bondage   t 2484.  Aminadab v Pharao and the Aegyptians resisting were plaged with tenne sundrie afflictions At last the Israelites were deliuered and Pharao with al his armie drowned Exo. 3. to 15.   THE END OF THE THIRD AGE THE BEGINNING OF THE FOVRTH AGE Anni mūdi High-priests The line of Iudas The sacred historie Schismes and infidelitie Scriptures    w The law was geuen in Mount Sina the fifteth day after their going out of Aegypt Exod. 19. 20. In the absence of Moyses the people forcing Aaron to consent made adored a golden calfe for God Exod. 32.   x 2485.   x The tabernacle with al thinges perteyning therto was prepared in the first yeare and erected the first day of the second yeare of their abode in the desert Exod. 40.     Aaron  y In the same second yeare Aaron was consecrated Highpriest and his sonnes Priestes for an ordinarie succession Moyses remayning Superior extraordinarie during his life Leuit. 8. Nadab Abiu offered strange fire in sacrifice and were burnt to death Leuit. 10. Leuiticus conteyneth the Rites of Sacrifices Priestes Feastes Fastes and Vowes Numeri so called because in it are numbered the men of twelue tribes able to beare armes also the Leuites deputed to Gods seruice about the tabernacle and the mansions of the people in the desert with other thinges happening in the 40. yeares of their abode there     z Balaam a sorcerer hyred by Balac king of Moab to curse the Israelites was forced by Gods powre to prophecy good things of them Num. 22. 23. 24. Chore Dathan Abiron with manie others murmuring rebellīg against Moyses Aaron were partly swalowed aliue into the earth others burnt with fire from heauen Num. 16.      a Moyses and Aaron doubting that God would not geue water out of a rock to the murmuring people were foretold that they should dye in the desert and not enter into the promised land Num. 20.    b 2523. Eleazar  b Aaron dyed in the mount Hor and his sonne Eleazar was made Highpriest Num. 20.    c 2524.   c Moyses repeted the law commending it earnestly to the people Then dyed and was secretly buried by Angels in the valley of Moab Deut. 34.      To whom Iosue succeded in temporal gouernment his spiritual remayning in the Highpriest Nu. 27. v 20. d Al the children of Israel that came forth of Aegypt aboue the age of twentie yeares dyed in the desert except two Iosue Caleb Num. 26. v. 64. 65. Al nations generally besides the Iewes seruing many false goddes those thought themselues most religious that were most supersticious studious of art Magike Nigromancy the like And euerie countrie yea almost euerie towne village had their peculiar imagined goddes as S. Athanasius discourseth Orat contra idola Deuteronomie is an abridgement and repetition of the law conteyned more largely in the former bookes    e Presently after Moyses death Iosue brought the people ouer Iordan into Chanaan Iosue ◠And in the space of seuen yeares conquered the land Iosue 6. c.   f 2531   f And diuided the same amongst the tribes Iosue 13.   g 2533.   g The tribes of Ruben Gad and half Manasses hauing receiued enheritance on the other side of Iordan Num. 32. v. 33. and now returning thither made an altar by the riuer side which the other tribes suspecting to be for sacrifice and so to make a schisme prepared to fight against them but they answering that it was only for a monument al were satisfied Iosue 22.  The booke of Iosue is the first of those which are properly called Historical declaring how the Israelits conquered possessed the land of Chanaan it conteyneth the historie of 32. yeares   Naasson  The Romanes otherwise most prudent accoūted al inuenters of artes conqueroures of countries al archiuers of great explores at least after their deathes to be goddes And not only men but also manie other thinges were held for goddes  h 2556. h Iosue at the age of 110. yeares dyed Iosue 24. v. 29. had no proper successor     i 2556.   i Eleazarus the Highpriest dyed the same yeare Iosue 24. v. 33. And his sonne Phinees succeded    Phinees  k After the death of Iosue the people were afflicted by forreine nations God so permitting for their sinnes but repenting he raised vp certaine captaines who were called Iudges of diuers tribes without ordinarie succession to deliuer defend the countrie from inuasions These were in al fourtenne
in the space of nere 300. yeares   l 2564.   l Othoniel the first Iudge of the tribe of Iuda deliuered the Israelites from molestation of the king of Syria He gouerned comprehending also the intermission fourtie yeares Iudic. 3. v. 11. Neither did it suffice their phancies to coÌ„mend themselues and their goodes to the protection of few goddes but diuers thinges yea and the same thinges according to diuers state to diuers goddes and goddesses As S. Augustin noteth li. 4. c. 8. de ciuit that they thought it not sufficient to coÌ„mend their landes possessions to one god or goddesse but the fieldes to one mouÌ„taines to an other little hilles to an other valleys or medowes to an other Likewise their corne not al to one but the sede newly sowne to one beginning to brewerd to an other when it riseth beginneth to haue knottes to an other when it bladeth to an other when the eare springeth to an other when it is ripe readie to be reaped to an other And so without end more and more vaine goddes were imagined by the diuels suggestion The booke of Iudges sheweth the state of the people of God the space of nere three hundred yeares after the death of Iosue when they had sometimes temporal gouerners of diuers tribes some times none m 2588.   m Aod of the tribe of Beniamin the second Iudge killed Eglon king of Moab and so deliuered Israel and slew tenne thousand Moabites Iud. 3. v. 20. 29.      n Samgar a husbandman the third Iudge killing six hundred Philisthimes with the culter of a plough defended Israel Iudic. 3. v. 31. He with Aod and the times wanting iudges gouerned seuentie fiue yeares   o 2663.   o Barach by direction of Debora a prophetesse fighting against Sisara chiefe captaine of Iabin king of Asor Iahil a stout woman slew the same captaine striking a naile in his head Iud. 4. They gouerned 38. yeares    Abisue Salmon p Gedeon confirmed by miracles that he was sent of God ouertherw the Madianites and deliuered Israel gouerning fourtie yeares Iudic. 6. 7. 8.   p 2701.   q Abimelech the base sonne of Gedeon vniustly vsurping auctoritie killed his seuenty bretheren one only escaping but within three yeares was hated of his folowers and slaine by a woman Iud 9.   q 2741.   r Thola defended the countrie from inuasion of enimies three yeares Iud. 10.   r 2744.   s Iair a potent noble man defended the people twentie two yeares Iud. 10. v. 3.   s 2767. Bocci  t Iepte first reiected but afterwards intreated by the ancientes of the people fought for them and ouerthrew the enemies And vpon an vndiscrete vow offered his daughter in sacrifice Iud. 11.   t 2789.  Booz   who so deluding men brought them to eternal ruine    v He killed in ciuil warre fourtie two thousand Ephraimites and gouerned six yeares Iud. 12.   w 2795.   w Abesan a fortunate good man ruled in peace seuen yeares Iudic. 12. v. 9. About this time Booz of the tribe of Iuda maried Ruth a Moabite by whom the right line of Iudas descended by Phares to Dauid Ruth 4. v. 18. c. The people in this time of peace fel againe to idolatrie For which God suffered the Philistimes to afflict them Iud. 13. The tribe of Dan set vp idolatrie Iud. 18.  x 2802.   x Ahialon gouerned likewise in peace tenne yeares Iud. 12. v. 11. A hainous crime being committed in the tribe of Beniamin and not punished the other Israelites made battle against them being themselues also great sinners lost manie men in two conflictes but in the third the tribe of Beniamin was almost destroyed Iud. 19. v. 20. The booke of Ruth amongst other mysteries sheweth the genealogie of Dauid of whose sede Christ was borne y 2812.  Obed. y Abdon an other nobleman gouerned eight yeares Iud. 12. v. 13.   z 2820. Ozi  z Samson from his birth a Nazareite of admirable streingth did manie heroical actes killed manie Philistimes in his life more by his owne death He gouerned twentie yeares Iud. 13. v. 5. c. ch 16. v. 31.   a 2840. Hei otherwise Zaraias  a Heli of the stocke of Aaron by the line of Ithamar was High priest and gouerned Israel fourtie yeares 1. Reg. 4. v. 18.     Isai or Iesse b Samuel whose mother being long barren had presented him an infant in the temple according to her vow was a Nazareire and a prophet from a child 1.  The foure bookes of kings shew the state of the Church from the b 2880.     first kinges of Gods people to their captiuitie And the two bookes of Paralipomenon do repete briefly some thinges written before partly adde thinges omitted in other bookes  Maraioth Dauid b. Reg. 1. 3. And after the death of Heli gouerned the people of Israel before Saul twentie yeares And with him twentie yeares more About the yeare of the world 2830. Troy was taken and destroyed by the Grecians In which battel were Agamemnon Vlisses Achilles Nestor many others not in dede so renowmed for anie vertues or factes of their owne as Homer Horace Viâ—gil Onid others by poetical libertie flatterie sette them forth But most follie appeareth in that the citie of Rome was afterwards commended to those goddes which were taken in Troy not able to defend them selues from inuasion and spoile S. Aug. li. 1. c. 3. ciuit The psalmes written by Dauid a summarie of al holie Scriptures c 2900. Achimelech or Amarias Dauid king c By the importunitie of the people to haue a king God appointed Samuel to annoint Saul 1. Reg. 10. who at first gouerned wel but afterwards declining from God was deposed Dauid annointed by the same prophet Samuel 1. Reg. 16. Yet Saul was not actually depriued of the scepter so long as he liued 1. Reg. 31.   d 2920. Abiathar or Achitob Salomon d Dauid king prophetâ—â— led his kingdom as a right parterne of al good kinges made the booke of Psalmes ful of al diuine knowlege prepared meanes for building the temple ordained diuers sortes of musitians and reigned fourtie yeares 2. Reg. totus 2. Par. 23 c.   e 2960. Sadoc  e Salomon excelling in wisdom prospered in this world 3. Reg. 3. c.   f 2964.   f He built the temple and adorned the same with al excellent furniture requisite for Gods seruice disposing al in order as Dauid had ordained   THE END OF THE FOVRTH AGE THE BEGINNING OF THE FIFTH AGE AnnimuÌ„di High-priests kinges of luda The sacred Historie Schismes and infidelitie Scriptures g 2972.   g The temple being finished in seuen yeares was
theâ— dedicated most solemnly with exceding deuotion of the king and al the people with abuÌ„dance of sacrifices And afterwardes the same king Salomon writte three sapiential bookes The Prouerbes Ecclesiastes the CaÌ„â—icle of Canticles But in his old age fel from God and it is vncertaine whether he dyed penitent or no. He reigned fourtie yeares 3. Reg. 11. Ieroboam the first king of the tenne tribes made a wicked schisme setting vp two golden calues in Bethâ—l and Dan which most of the people serued as their goddes  h 3000. Achimaas Roboam h King Roboam leauing the aduise of ancientes and folowing young counselers â—ffended the people and â—s seruant Ieroboam was made king of tenne tribes only Iuda Benâ—amin remayning to him He reigned seuentene yeares 3. Reg. 14. v. 21. He reâ—â—ned 22. yeares 3. Reg. 12 After him were these kinges of diuerse families of the same tenne tribes The Prouerbes Ecclesiâ—st s. Canticle of Canticles i 3017.  Abias i His sonne Abias reigned wickedly three yeares 3. Reg. 15. v. 2. Nadab sonne of Ieroboam reigned two yeares 3. Reg. 14. Basa of the tribe of Issachar reigned 24 yeares 3. Reg. 15. Ela two yeares 3. Reg. 16.  k 3020. Azarias Asa k Asa a good king destroyed idolatrie and reigned 41. yeares 3. Reg. 15. v. 10. Zambri but seuen dayes 3. Reg. 16. v. 15. Amri 12. yeares wherof The bni reigned in ciuil warre against him three yeares v. 22. Achab maried Iezabel a Sidonian and serued Baal reigning 21. yeares 3. Reg. 10. c.  l 3061.  Iosaphat l Iosaphat gouerned the kingdom wel 25. yeares 3. Reg. 22. v. 42. 43. sauing that he ioyned affinitie with Achab king of Israel and with Iezabel 2. Paral. 18. v. 1.    Iohanam     m 3086.  Ioram m Ioram reigned wickedly eight yeares 4. Reg. 8. v. 17. 18. 2. Paral. 21. v. 5. 6. The three next are omitted by S. Mathew Ochozias reigned two yeares 3. Reg. 22. v 52. Elias Elizeus and diuers other Prophetes preached did manie miracles in the kingodm of Iuda and Israel not writing any particular bookes n 3094. Ioiada * Ochozias n By the euil counsel of his mother Athalia Ochozias gouerned wickedly one yeare was slaine by Iehu together with Ioram king of Israel 4. Reg. 8. v. 27. ch 9. v. 27. 2. Paral. 22. v 3. 9. Ioram twelue yeares 4. Reg. 3. Iehu killed Ioram and Iezabel destroying the whole house of Achab reigned 8. yeares 4. Reg. 9. 10.  o 3095.   o Quene Athalia murthering the children of her owne sonne the late king vsurped the kingdom six yeares 4. Reg. 11. v. 1. Ioachaz reigned 17. yeares 4. Reg. 13.  p 3101.  * Ioas. p The youngest sonne of Ochozias called Ioas being saued from the slaughter was made king by meanes of Ioiada Highpriest and Athalia slaine 4. Reg. 11. v. 4. Ioas reigned sixtene yeares 4. Reg. 13. v. 10. Ieroboam 41. yeares 4. Reg. 14. v. 23.   Zacharias  He gouerned wel during the life of Ioiada But afterwards fel to idolatrie caused Zacharias the High-priest and sonne of Ioiada to be slaine 2. Paral. 24. v. Zacharias reigned but six monethes 4. Reg. 15. v. 8.   Sadoc or Ioathan  22. And shortly after the sameking was trecherously slaine when he had reigned 41. yeares 4. Reg. 12. v. 20. 2. Paral. 24. v. 25. Sellum but one moneth 4. Reg. 15. v. 15.  q 3142. Sellum * Amasias q Amasias beginning wel did some good thinges 4. Manahem reigned 10. yeares 4. Reg. 15. v. 17. Phaceia two yeares 4. Reg. 15. v. 23.  Helcias  Reg. 14. v. 3. But after the spoile of the Idumeans he worshipped their idols 2. Paral. 25. v. 14. And reigned 29. yeares ibidem Phacee reigned 20. yeares 4. Reg. 15. v. 27.  r 3171.  Ozias or Asarias r Ozias sometime reigned wel 4. Reg. 15. v. 3. but afterwards presuming to offer incense on the altar was repelled by the Highpriest presently strooken with leprosie and cast out of the temple and citie He liued after that he was king 52. yeares 2. Par. 26. v. 16. Osee reigned nine yeares 4. Reg. 17.   Azarias  s Ioathan a godlie king gouerned a great part of his fathers time and after his death sixtene yeares 4. Reg. 15. 2. Par. 27. The kingdom of Israel hauing stood aboue two hundred and fifetie yeares was subdued by the Assitians much people caried captiue into Assyria 4. Reg. 17. v. 6. In the dayes of king Ozias was Isaias the Prophet Likewise Osee Ioel Amos Abdias and Ionas s 3223.  Ioathan t Achaz a wicked king after manie benefits receiued from God fel to idolatrie reigning sixtene yeares destroyed holie thinges shut vp the temple and peruerted manie of the people 4. Reg. 16. 2. Paral. 28. The Grecians euerie fourth yeare set forth enter Iudes in honour of Iuppiter Olimpius wherof begane the count of Olimpias about the yeare of the world 3247. Micheas prophecied in the reigne of Ioathan the former prophetes yet liuing  Vrias  v Ezechias a most godlie king aduanced true religioÌ„ which was much decayed He recouered health being mortally sicke which was confirmed by miracle in the sunne returning backe and made a Canticle of praise with thankes to God and reigned 29. yeares 4. Reg. 18. 2. Paral. 29. 30. 31. 32. And after six Olimpiades that is 24. yeares Rome was built  t 3239.  Achaz  New inhabitantes being sent from Assiria into Iurie mixed their paganisme with the Israelites religion made manie wicked and detestable Sectes 4. Reg. 17. v. 29. Nahum and Habacuc prophecied after the captiuitie of the tenne tribes v 3255.  Ezechias    w 3284.  Manasses w Manasses for his great sinnes was caried captiue into Babylon where he repented and was restored to his kingdom he reigned liued in captiuirie 55. yeares 4. Reg. 21. â— Par. 33.  About this time happened the historie of To bie who liued in al 102. yeares Tob. 14. v. 2. x 3339.  Amon. x Amon reigned euil two yeares 4. Reg. 21. 2. Par. â—3  Sophonias prophecied in the reigne of Iosias king of Iuda y 3341.  Iosias y Iosias a very good king purged the Church of idolatrie repayred the temple celebrated a most solemne Pasch was slaine in battel by the king of Aegypt which al the people much lamented especially Ieremie the prophet when he had reigned 31. yeares 4. Reg. 22. 23. 2. Par. 34 35. In the time of Numa the second king of the Romanes Pithagoras taught transmigratioÌ„ of soules from one bodie to an other Ieremie also begane to prophecie beiÌ„g a child in the dayes of Iosias continued in the captiuity of the two tribes Baruch was his Scribe and also a Prophet z â—372  Ioachaz or Iechonias z Ioachaz otherwise
to fight for them See Iosue 23. Psal 135. :: He destroyed the places where sacrifice was offered to idoles ch 17. v. 6. but tolerated other places where the people offered to God our Lord without the temple not being able to reduce al to perfection 4. Reg. 8. :: Elias was assumpted from ordinarie conuersation with mortal men the eighttenth yeare of king Iosaphat 4. Reg. 2. 3. who reigned twentie fiue yeares 3. Reg. 22. v. 42. So he shewed this special care of Ioram and his kingdom after his assumption seuen yeares 4. Reg. 8. v. 25. ch 9. :: To wit when he beganne to reigne alone for he reigned together with his father at the age of 22. 4. Reg. 8. v. 26. And after his fathers death but one yeare :: See 4. Reg. 8. v. 18. :: Human hope failed but Gods prouidence vsed meanes to conserue some of Dauids issue to sitte in his throne yea to continue the succession 〈◊〉 Christ Mat. 1. 4. Reg. 11. :: Gods promise being absolute and certayne yet humane meanes were neuertheles required * the vveâ—eliâ— vvatch :: In case of right and necessitie we see here what the high Priest could do and did by his authoritie who otherwise intermedled not in the kings affayres ch 19 v 11. :: They are wilfully blind that wil not see difference betwen images of Baal of Christ or of Sainctes * simulâ—â—ra :: By the law euerie one payed yearly halfe a sicle towards the repayring of the tabernacle and so afterwardes of the temple Ex. 30. Ma◠〈◊〉 :: He that killed his spiritual father was slaine by his owne seruantes 4. Reg. 14. Dâ—â—t 24 4. Reg. 8. :: Obduration of hart for former sinne :: So long as this king obserued the ordinance of God to be directed by the high priest Nâ— 27. v 2â— he prospered in his affayres :: For vsurping spiritual authority which pertayned not to him the high priest with his assistantes opposed themselues against the king and God confirmed their sentence by striking the same king with leprosie And so he was not only cast out of the temple but also out of his kingdom and common conuersation with other men forced to dwel in a separet house without the citie according to the law Leuit. 13. v. 46. :: Neither could he be buried in the propet sepulchres of the kinges 4. Reg. 15. 4. Reg. 16. VVicked policie auaileth nothing but hurteth much 4. Reg. 18. :: Being peniteÌ„t in haâ—t for their sinnes Gods dispensation might be sappâ—sed foâ— legal purification iâ— case of â—â—ce â—ine which otherwise was stâ—â—â—ly commaâ—â—â—â— Lâ—â—â—t 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deut. 27. c. :: Voluntarie workes of superetogation more then was commanded :: Besides consession of sinnes there is also coÌ„fession of Gods excellencie goodnes 4. Râ—g 18. Isaie 36. :: â—ore danger of pâ—â—â—e in prosperitie then in aduersitie 4. Reg. 21. :: A pregnant example of the effect of harty repentance :: This prayer is not extant in the Hebrew but in Greke Latin as yet neither receiued for canonical by the Church noâ— refused 4. Reg. 22. â— Reg. 12. :: Geuen by the hand of Moyses :: It is a benefite to be taken out of this world before generaâ— miseâ—â—e come vpon the people :: This Phase o 〈…〉 h made by Ioâ—â—as is fanious partly for that this feast had bene omitted some yeares but specially for the great and extraordinarie solemnitie made at this umâ— 4. Reg. 16. :: Iosias thought that the king of Aegypt intended to inuade his kingdome And it was Gods wil he should be slaine and not see the euiles that should happen to the people :: Solemne exequies with lamentations and musike :: Hitherto from K. Danids death the sonne had euer succeded to his father â—â—re 25. :: It is like that Esdras added this coÌ„clusion when he restored the holie Scriptures that were lost for he beginneth his owne booke with the same wordes The end of the fifth age The Church stil visible and the same faith as before One God Three Persons Christ Sacrifices Sacramentes to be changed by Christ Fruict of penance Abstinence Fastes Lent Feastes Place of the Temple designed long before Synagogues Sanctuarie Sette forme of prayers Ministerie of Angeles Honour and Intercession of Sainctes Reliques Images Good workes meâ—itorions Euangelical counselles pre figured Chastitie of clergie men religious orders Mat. 19 1 Cor. 7. Act. 5. 1. Tim. 5. Solemne Exequies for the dead Gen. 5. Resurrection Iudgement Eternal glorie or paine Church without interruption Ieraboams wicked policie Prophets inspired by God to resist Schisme and Heresie 4. Reg. 23. The often change of Kinges and euil successe in the kingdoÌ„ of Israel The first familie reigned but 24. yeares The second newe familie 26. The third but 7. daies The fourth 48. yeares The fifth 103. The sixth one moneth The seuenth 12. yeares The eight 20. yeares The ninthnine yeares Then ouerthrowen and the kingdom neuer restored The kingdom of Iuda for Dauids sake conserued in his sede Succession of Priestes continued Extraordinary mission of Prophetes Great effectes of their preaching and miracles Elias his miracles Eliseus his miracles Religion not wholly destroyed in the kingdom of Israel Heresies in the kingdom of Israel Ieroboamites Manie constant in true religion Iezabelites Samaritaniteâ— diuided into manie Sectes Tobias neues yelded to Schisme The Kingdom of Iuda more free from herefie King Achaz Vrias high priest King Ioram and others committing idolatrie in fact manie others stil professed true Religion Authoritie depending vpon diuine ordinance is not changed by factes or practise Good kinges defended and promoted religion not as chiefe in spiritual causes but by way of execution dispensation oâ— coÌ„mission Mat. 1â— Priestes by their negligeÌ„ce do sinne but lose not their authoritie Deut. 17. v. 〈◊〉 The Church of the old Testament conserued in truth Much more the Church of Christ â—â— Psal 30. conc â— li. 3. â— 32. de doctrin christ â— Tim. 3 4. Reg. 19. â— Esâ—r 7 The two bookes of Esdras and Nehemias are but one in the Hebrew The third and fourth are not canonical Epist ad Paulin. This historie hath also a spiritual sense First booke diuided into two partes The first part The returne of gods people from Babylon Isaiae 44. 45 Ierem. 25. 29. :: Liberally gaue such thinges into their handes :: This enumeration of the Israelites which aseended into Ierusalem signifieth the Elect which ascend from the militant Chuch to the triumphant :: Such as say they are priestes and can not shew their vocatioÌ„ must not exercise that functon ... Al aboue numbred of the tribes of Iuda Beniamin Leui do not amouÌ„t to 30. thousand three hundred So in this general number are contained aboue twelue thousand of other tribes not recited among the rest as Rabbi Salomoa explicateth the difficultie :: Notwithstanding the terrour of infideles Gods seruantes too 〈◊〉 corage to offer sacrifice :: By the ordinance of Dauid
powre amongst the dead h Myn enimies haue endeuored not only to beleue me of temporal life wherby I should goe into limbus but also to kil my soule spiritually wherby I should descend into the lower hel of the damned i Thy iust wrath also ô God hath excedingly afflicted me k O God deliuer me whiles I am yet liuing for I may not looke for extraordinarie and miraculous helpe as to be raised againe after death l When I shal be dead buried I can not denounce thy praises as now I can to mortal men m Much lesse shal the damned praise thee in eternal perdition n As wel young o as waxing elder I haue bene stil afflicted p My miserable estate hath alienated al freindes neighboures acquantances from me The Church of Christ neuer faileth the 6. key a Otherwise called Idithun 1. Paral. 25. or rather Ethan who was very wise mentioned with others to whom Salomon is preferred for wisdom 3. Reg. 4. v. 31 and signifieth strong applied here to those that are strong in assured hope of Christs promises notwithstanding it semeth sometimes to the weake that his promises are not performed b In al generations c The heauens shal rather fal then Gods truth faâ—le Mystically in the Apostles and by their preaching the Church of Christ is built for euer d Dauids seede conserued til Christ was borne of his virgin mother and in his spiritual seede his kingdom the Church is for euer conserued Otherwise not verified of Dauids temporal kingdom which decayed in the captiuitie of Babylon and is now wholly destroyed e The Angels f The prophet aludeth to the plagues and miracles in Aegypt and in other enimies g Conuersion of Gentiles h VVhether God punish as with the left hand i or bestow benefites as with the right hand al is to his glorie and according to mercie and truth k They are spiritually happie that do thus consider of Gods meruelous procedings praise the same and reioyce therin l powre and kingdom :: Thus God promised to establish the kingdom of the Iewes in Dauid and his familie 1 Reg. 16. 2. Reg. 5. and other places which was performed aâ— in a figure but more fully in Christ Act. 13. v. 22. * I vvil not lie m Christian iust soules as the sunne n and as the perfect or full moone See the first Tome page 716. S. Augustin also expoundeth this verse in the Anagogical sense of the iust after the Resurrection in glorie where the soule shal be like the sunne and the bodie which now is mutable shal be like the moone not as now alwayes changing but as the ful moone alwayes perfect :: God hauing promised al the aforsaide the prophet in the person of the weake lamenteth that the contrarie shal happen as wel in the temporal kingdom oppressed by the Assirians Babylonians Persians Grecians and Romanes as in the Church impugned by innumerable sortes of Heretikes and other Infidels o Amongst manie pensiue thinges this one word doth comforte vs thy promise remaineth thou hast not denied to send Christ but differred him p From the use of Sacrifice and Sacraments wherby sinners were wount to be cleansed :: The Psalmist prayeth and prophecieth that God wil respect the weaknes of man maintaine his Church in mante natioÌ„s saue manie soules q As though Christivere changed and turned from vs. r So we wish and pray that al may blesse and praise thee Amen Though Christians do sinne yet Christ loseth not his Church Hard places explicated by the cleare Gods Promises to Dauid were not fulfilled in Salomon but in Christ Defectes in the lewes supplied in the Gentiles Man rightly created fel by sinne into miseries the 2. key a Some Expositors thincke Moyses was the author of this Psalme and of the tenne next folowing But others hold that Dauid vvas author of al and that Moyses his name is here put in the title by Esdras because this Psalme is like to the prayer of Moyses vvhen the people prouoked Gods vvrath by their sinnes in the desert And because mans creation fal punishmeÌ„t and Gods mercie to vvards him are here described which Moyles first vvritte as going before the vvritten lavv And that Moyses made not this Pialme is probably gethered by the 10. verse where the ordinarie age of men is described to be in streingth and vigore senentie yeares or of some fourscore and the greater part of the one or the other is in labour and sorovv And it is euident Deut. 34. that Moyses liued in al an hundred and tvventie yeares and his eye was not dimme neither vvere his reeth moued So Aaron Iosue and others commonly liued longer then is here mentioned But Dauid vvas old and impotent at seuentie yeares 3. Reg. 1. S. Hâ—larion liuing neere seuentie yeares in his heremitage S Remigius gouerning the Church of Rhemes seuentie yeares and the like are accounted to haue bene ful of dayes and such as liued longer are reputed extraord narie Agane it is more euidenly proued that Moyses vvas not author of the 94. and 95. Psalmes b Alwayes from the beginning of the world to the end c The Prophet sheweth that the world was created in and with time not eternal d And that only God is eternal e God hath often saide that he vvould not the death of sinners but rather that they be connerted and liue for euer f Though some liued long none for al that did reach to a thousand yeares yet it is nothing before God and in respect of eternitie g The youth of man quickly passeth h old age can not last long vvherof cometh our English prouerb A young man may dye sovvne an old man can not liue long i Sinne the cause of shortnes of mans life * Seculum k Mans life as brickle as a spiders vveb or mans life vvasteth continually as a spider vvasteth her self by spinning and consuming her ovvne substance l These numbers literarly shew the shortnes of the longer sorte of mens liues Mystically seuen signifie the rest after laboures of this vvorld and perteyn to the old testament eight signifie the revvard in the resurrection perteyning to the nevv testament VVhich multiplied by tenne a perfect number make seuentie and eightie VVhich ioyned together make an hundred and fiftie The number of al these Psalmes m These numbers literarly shew the shortnes of the longer sorte of mens liues Mystically seuen signifie the rest after laboures of this vvorld and perteyn to the old testament eight signifie the revvard in the resurrection perteyning to the nevv testament VVhich multiplied by tenne a perfect number make seuentie and eightie VVhich ioyned together make an hundred and fiftie The number of al these Psalmes n It is of Gods milde prouidence that mans life is short for that manie if they vvere sure or had probabilitie to liue long vvould presume to sinne more o Seing God of his iustice punished al mankind for one sinne of our first
spiritual Et cont Mend. c. 1â— â—â—â—ym in Pâ—al 1â—7 VVhy God would haue them obscure Isai of noble lineage and a marâ—iâ— prophecied a long time Presat ad Paul Lusto Is called the Euangelical Prophet Hewritte in a high stile S. Ieâ—o Epist ad Paâ—â—â—â— Et in com Isaâ— S. Aug. â—â— 18. c. 27. â—uâ—t lib 9 c. â— conâ—â—â—â— Heb. 1. Liued in the kingdom of Iuda The contents diuided into two general partes and into eight particular 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. The first part The kingdom of Iuda shal be captiue in Babylon for their ingratitude towards Gods and other sinnes :: Not Aâ—â—s the third of the lesse prophetes for this name is written in other letters in Hebrew but one of the royal bloud as S. Ierom. testifieth :: Prince Priest and people are al sicke of ingratitude against God other iniquities :: Ierusalem defaced and destroyed :: God continually preserueth some holie seede that his Church neuer faileth Rom. 9. :: Much wickednes reigned in Ierusalem before their captiuitie in Babylon but much more at Christs passion when they persecuted him euen to the Crosse and his disciples and al christians til their citie was taken by the Romanes and the whole nation dispersed :: The Rabbins vnderstand those Iudges and Priestes that gouerned the people after their deliuerie from captiuitie but S. Ierom expoundeth this and the like places of the Apostles and their successâ—â—s :: It is not only certaine but also euident that the prophet speaketh here and in innumerable other places of the Church of Christ which is the citie set vpon a mountaine Mat 5. vnto which al nations are gathered aâ—d al the time of the new Testament is called the last houre 1. Ioan. 2. because no time shal folow after this but al eternitie :: The Iewes were reiected after Christs death before which they were stil conserued though often seuerely punished And so now the Church of Christ shal neuer be reiected noâ— :: It is most absurde and contrarie to this and other Scriptures that Protestants seyne of great idolatrie in the Christian world for a thousand or more yeares together professing Christs name Religion and yet continually committing as these new masters imagine grosse idolatrie :: This was fulfilled first in the captiuitie of Babylon and more notoriously after Christs passion in the destruction of Ierusalem and dispersion of the Iewes euen to this day and yet forward til nere the end of this world :: An Ecclesiastical preacher must not flatter the people He must moue teares sayth S. Ierom not laughter Apoc. 1. :: By the metaphor of wemen S. Ierom vnderstandeth the cities of Iurie of which Ierusalem was the head and Sion the chiefe place there of al which were defaced by the Babylonians but more fully destroyed by Titus and Vespatian fourtie yeares after Christs Passion :: After the reduction of heathnish or heretical people to catholique religion there wil be great want of spiritual pastors :: Not al the Iewes that escaped temporal death in the destruction of Ierusalem but those only shal be eternally saued that beleuing shal be baptized and liue wel :: Isaie of the tribe of Iuda here prophecieth the doleful songue which Christ vttered weeping ouer Ierusalem fore seeing foretelling their destruction Luc. 19. v. 41. Mat. 21. :: Al this sheweth that God only subtracting his protection no man nor people is able to stand of whose ruine God is not the auctor but only permitteth that they fal into sinnes and so into other miseries :: An admonition to celebrate festiual dayes with â—oly religious exercises and not to folow drunkennes nor other wicked or vaine thinges Rom. 12. :: Greuous sinnes must be greuously punished Such as was the sinne of the Ievves persecuting Christ 4. Reg. 15 2. Par. 26 :: Neither Isaie nor Moyses nor anie other mortal man did euer see God in himselfe but only shadowed Yet the wicked calumniously accused condemned and put Isaie to cruel death vpon pretence of blasphemie for saying that he saw God VVhich he otherwise said not but couered by the vvinges of the Seraphimes Origen in hunc locum S. Ierom. Tradi Hebraicis in Paral. Apoc. 4. Rom. 1â— :: Isaie was not only an Euangelical but also an Apostolical prophet with whom God here treateth and procedeth as with an Apostle saying VVhom shal I send and the prophet answering Send me God sent him saying Goe c. S. Ierom in Proâ—mio Isais Mat. 23. :: Before this the kinges of Syria and of Israel had taken king Achaz in battel and caried avvay great spoyles 2. Paral. 28. But presuming to do the like againe God suffered them not to preuaile My stically this signified that heretikes of diuers sectes conspire together to impugne the Catho like Church VVhich they do much afflict and terrifie but can neuer ouerthrow iâ— S. Ierom in hunc loâ—â—â— 4. Reg. 16 :: Though Achaz vvas very vvicked and committed idolatrie 4. Reg. 16. 2. Par. 28. yet he beleued in God Almightie knovving that he ought not to tempt him :: Vpon occasion of Gods mercie promised vvithout mans desert which king Achaz hardly beleued to confirme the same with a farre greatter example God inspired the Prophet also to forshevv the greater mysterie of Christs Incarnation his conception birth of a virgin for the redemption of â—l mankind Luc. 1. 4. Reg. 19. :: The mysterie here prophocied is of so great importance as would require a very great booke for ful explication therof :: Christ the Sonne of God and virgins child quickly taketh the pray from the diuel who before possessed almost al the world :: The prophet speaketh of the tenne tribes vvhich ioyned forces with the king of Syria against Ierusalem but them selues vvere first brought into captiuity by the Assyrians God protecting Ierusalem for that time and long after Luc. 2. Rom. 9. 1. Pet. 2. :: VVheter they seke to God in their extreme distresse not sincerely but â—â—acted :: or seke worldlie helpe they shal not escape miserie :: S. Mathew expoundeth this prophecie of Christ first preaching in Galilee VVhere his disciples beleued in him folowed him Mat. 4. :: But after his passion few Iewes beleued in him in comparison of the Gentiles Iudic. 7. :: He that is great yea omnipotent God is borne a litle one in this vvorld and vvithout violence conquereth ruleth al the vvorld Luc. 2. :: God punishing sinners and they not repenting his iust furie stil increaseth punishing eternally al those that neuer repent :: VVhere is no repentance there can be no remission As v. 12. 17. ch 10. v. 4. c. :: VVheras good lawes are the stabilitie of the coÌ„mon wealth wicked are the ruine therof Such as Ieroboam made forbidding to goe to Ierusalem and setting vp golden calues in Bethel and Dan causing the people to serue them as the goddes of Israel 3. Reg. 12. v. 16. Such also as the Scribes and
After the general Resurrection the heauens and earth shal be altered in qualities not in substance Psal 31. :: The greatest and proudest Gentiles being conuerted to Christ do humble themselues to the simple maners of Christians to penance fasting praying and al vvorkes of mortification Act. 7. v. 49 :: A prophecie that the Temple shal cease :: and sacrifices of the old Testament shal become vnlawful Prou. â—4 Iere. 7. â— 13. :: Iosephus expoundeth this of the Angels voice vttered in the temple before the destruction saying Migremus hinc Let vs depart from hence S Ierome confirmeth the same by the wordes of the Psalme 54 I savv contradiction in the citie :: God geueth natural powre to al lâ—uing creatures of generation but himself bringeâ—h forth children of his Church :: Immediatly before Christ come to iudge this whole world shal be destroyed by fire :: Christ ascending to his Father left the signe of Thau Ezech 9. the crosse vnto vs or put it in our foreheades that we may freely say the light of thy countenance is signed vpon vs. S. Ierom. in hunc locum :: Men of al nations shal be brought into the Church by the mynistrie of particular Angels S. Iero. ibid. Apoc. 21. :: General resurrection of al men Mar. 9. v. 44. As God was serued more specially in the temple so he is now in Churches but is in al places See Act. 7. v. 48. Clergimen in the old law succeded by bloud in the new by election The summe of Ieremies life 4. Reg. 23. 24. â—ha 44. v. 8. He wrote two Bookes one Epistle The contents of his bookes Epist ad Paulin. His propheciâ— diuided into fiue partes eb 1. 13. 21. 29. 40. The first part Gods clemencie inuiteth to repentance his iustice punisheth obstinate sinners * 4. Reg. 22. â— 8. :: He prophecied also inbanishment ch 44. in Aegypt :: Ieremie had fiue special prerogatiues He was sanctified in his mothers wombe a Priest a Prophet a perpetual virgin a Martyr Isa 51. v. 16. 59. v. 21. :: He prophecied not only of the Iewes but also of the Gentiles * or a nuttie rodde :: God is watchful to performe his word and a nuttie rodde as the 70. translate that is his Law is outwardlie hard and bitter like a nut shel but sweete pleasant as the kernel when the shel is broken S. Theodoret :: God promised not peace in his life but victorie in his death :: God multiplied Israel in Aegypt deliuered them from seruitude :: Not of anie desert but of Gods mere grace Israel was preferred before other nations Miâ—h 6. â—â— :: Into a fruitful land :: God commanding two thinges to flee from euil to do good the Iewes contrariwise left God and serued idols Isa â— Mat. 21. v. 33. :: God created al thinges good planted his Church in iustice and sanctiâ—ie no euil proceded from him Iere. 32. v. 33. Iere. 11. â— 13. :: Gods intention when he punisheth is to moue sinners to repentance afflicting them in this life that they may escape eternal damnation :: No idolatâ—ie nor other sinne whatsoeuer can be so great but God wil remitte it if the sinner be penitent :: The tenne tribes :: The two tribes :: The kingdom of Iuda receiuing more benefites was more faultie then the kingdome of Israel but neither of them excusable :: After the captiuitie manie â—evves returned to God but especially this prophecie is fulfilled in the Gentiles since Christ :: The kingdom of Israel being in captiuitie long before Iuda at last they vvere released al together S. Theodoret in hunc locum :: An othe is an act of religion lavvful so it be made by God almightie not by false goddes and vvith other three conditions in truth not falsly in iudgement vvith due consideration not rashly and in iustice in matter that is iust and of importance Oseâ— â—0 Sap. 1. :: If they were in dede natural fooles they should be excused :: Gods prouidence neuer suffereth the Church to be destroyed :: Except al requisite conditioÌ„s be obserued in an othe it is vnlavvful as vvhen one svveareth by God almighty but vntruly of rashly or to do an vnlavvful thing it is periurie :: By the lion the prophet semeth to vnderstand Nabuchodonosor :: By the vvulf Nabuzardan :: By the leopard AlexaÌ„der the great or Antiochus Epiphanes Ezec. 22. :: As before v. 10. ch 4. v. 27. Isa 1. Zach. 7. :: It is against Gods iust iudgement to omitte such thinges vnpunished v. 9. ch 9. v. 9. :: Captaines are called pastours because they feede and gouerne their soldiars Isa 56. Mat. II. :: Afâ—er al the Prophetes of the old testament Christ himself and lastly his Apostles called the levves vvho stil contemning the Gentils are called they heare and obey Mat. 10. v. 5. Act. 13 v. 46. Isa 1. :: That is from Babylon which is northward from Ierusalem :: The Ievves presumed that God would neuer suffer his Temple to be destroied they thought also that external sacrifices vvithout internal repeÌ„tance should take avvay the sinnes but for their impenitence they their sacrifices are reiected and the temple destroied Mat. â—1 :: It is true that God sanctified the tabernacle in Silo and aftervvards the temple in Ierusalem but if the people be not sanctified he is not â—ied to the place Ios 18. Iud. 18. 1. Reg. â— Isa 65. 1. Reg. 4. :: The Kingdome of â—ene tribes :: God gaue his perfect law comprised in the ten commandments which alone being kept wil suffice aftervvardes added ceremonial precepts to exercise the people in external sacrifices of beastes and other corporal thinges to be offered to him self as wel to kepe them from idolatrie as to leade them therby to internal vertues and to signifie Mysteries of the new testament As is noted Leuit. 1. â—â—â—â— â—â— :: Persecuters spoile the shrines of kinges and other principal persons of crueltie also of auarice if they be richly adorned :: Those that professe knowlege of the law obserue it not in workes haue not true wisdom :: As serpents can not be hindered by inchantments from hurting men no more can the furious Chaldees be disswaded by anie speach from killing spoyling and ransaking the Israelites :: Not a few teares but a fountaine or riuer is scarse sufficient to lament the slaughter of Psa 27. After the destruction of Ierusalem most of the people especially the richer sort were caried into caâ—tâ—uitie others were persecuted til they were consumed that is euen to death destruction But not al the nation consumed for he prophecied the contrarie ch 4. v. 27. ch 5. v. 10. 18 And after 70. yeares the reliques were released and returned into Iewrie manie also remained stil there As is euident in the bookes of Esdras â— Cor. â— â— Cor. 10. :: These nations are also circumcised in flesh but neither they noâ— the Iewes
Ierusalem according to Salomons prayer 3. Reg. 8. v. 47. 48. he obserued the same custome stil and vvas not senne publiquely of manie but his enimies searching curiously v. 11. found him praying accused him of breaking the kings Edict :: To this miracle wrought by the powre of God in defence and for the merites of this holie prophet S. Paul alludeth Heb. 11. v. 33. :: The law of like-punishment is so agreable to the law of nature that this Pagane king punished Daniels accusers when it appeared to him that Daniel had not committed treason but only vsed his religion and deuotion The 2. part Prophetical visions of Christ and of Antichrist a In order of time these two visions vvere before the histories written in the two precedent chapters b Foure winds may signifie the great tumultes which happen in the beginning of monarchies by vvarres and bloudshed of much people c Foure beastes do signifie the foure Monarchies of the Chaldees Medes and Persians the Grecians and the Romanes as was also signified before in Nabuchodonosors dreame ch 2. d A lionesses crueltie and the pride of an eagle do resemble the Chaldees monarchie e A beare of rude shape vveake sight content vvith litle and base meate represented the Medes Persians f The leopard vvith vvinges and foure heades signified the speedie victories of the Grecians vnder Alexander in foure quarters of the vvorld after his death diuided into foure kingdomes g By the fourth beast without name is vnderstood the incomparable povvre of the Romanes gouerning first by kinglie auctoritie aftervvards by Consuls then ioyning to them Tribunes sometimes Dictators finally Emperial h The litle horne becoming so great and strong as to ouercome al the other signifieth Antichrist whose outragious furie shal continevv but a shorte time v. 25. n. ch 12. v. 7. 11. 12. Apoc. 11. v. 2. 3. Apoc. 12. v. 6. 14. Apoc. 13. v. 5. â— God the Father is called the Ancient of dayes not as though one Person of the Blessed Trinitie vvere more ancient then an other for euerie Person is eternal and al are one eternal God But in order of proceding one from an other the Father is the beginning of vvhom the Sonne is begotten and from vvhom as also from the Sonne the Holie Ghost procedeth k By multiplication of these cardinal numbers is signified the innumerable multitude of Angels vvho doe excede al corporal creatures in number as the celestial spheres excede terrestrial bodies in greatnes l And the hieghest Hierarchie vvho are Assitants do farre excede the other Hierarchies in multitude S. Dionys c. 14. Hierar caelest S. Tho p. 1. q. 112. a. 4 m Our Sauiour Christ is here clearly prophecied by vvhose povvre Antichrist shal be vtterly destroyed a He insinuateth that this vision vvas in explication of some part of the former vvhich he had tvvo yeares before ch 7. where foure monarchies are mentioned so here is foretold the great conflict betvven the Persians Greciaus about 220. yeares after or riuer b The ramme represeÌ„ted the king of Persians Medes c The goat signified Alexander the great d breaking the tvvo hornes that is conquering the tvvo nations of Persians Medes e King Alexander died when he vvas very yong strong not fully 33. yeares of age f Foure of his solovvers possessed euerie one a kingdome of his Monarchie g Antiochus Epiphanes persecuting the people of God destroyed the sacrifice polluted the temple setting vp the image of Iupiter Olimpius i 2300. euenings and mornings that is 2300. dayes vvhich make six years and vvel nere foure monethes the whole time from the beginning of Antiochus persecution vnto his death for he begane to persecute in the yeare 143. 1 Mâ—â— 1. v 21. he died an 149. 1. Mac 6. v 16. vvithin which time an 148 the temple was purged 1. Mac. 4. v 52. l Ezechiel is very often called by the name of sonne of man here also Daniel is so called by an Angel as vvel to distinguish Angelical and humane nature as in honour of mankind vvhich Christ would assume therfore calleth himself by the very same rule in the Gospel b One Angel demanded of an other to knovv a thing to come l Historically Antiochus mystically Antichrist as ch 12. Mat. 24. * obscure speaches m So much as perteyned to the prophanation of the temple was fulfilled aboue 300. yeares after this prophecie as the same is also a figure of Antichrist it shal happen towards the end of this world S Greg. li. 30. c. 12. Moral a Assuerus or achasuerus not a proper name signifieth a great prince or head of people b Darius had reigned in Persia before this time but this vvas the first yeare of his reigne ouer the Chaldees also the last neither did he reigne a ful yeare for Cyrus reigned some part of the seuentith yeare of the Ievves captiuitie in Babylon in vvhich also Baltassar vvas slaine Ier. 25. v. 12. Ier. 29. v. 10. 2 Par. 36. v. 22. c Daniel seing the seuentith yeare of captiuitie vvas comen in vvhich God promised to deliuer his people Ier. 29. v. 10 prayed vvith great zele confidence for their release Iere. 29. v. 10. Deut 17. v. 14. d This singular deuotion with austere works of penance zele of his countrie merited this commendable title to be called the man of desires e And vvheras the prayed particularly for the release of the Ievves from captiuitie of Babylon a farre greater thing is promised and reueled to him that within seuentie vvekes of yeares that is â—â— yeares the Messias Christ vvil come and redeme mankinde from captiuitie of finne and the diuel f These foure thinges v. 24 Forgeuenes of sinnes Infusion of iustice Fulfilling of prophecies Annoiated Holie of holies agree only to Christ g Hebdâ—mas or Septenarius signifying seuen vnderstood of dayes importeth a weeke of yeares as Leui. 25 seuen yeares so seuentie vveekes 490. yeares S Bed li. de rat temp c. 6. 7. 8. truble some 〈◊〉 â—â—at 24. a Pharao had a vision in slepe Gen. 41. Baltassar vvaking savv a hand writing in the vval Dan. 5. but neither of them vnderstood their visions therfore vvere not prophets Ioseph vnderstood the former Daniel this other and so they vvere prophets For as this text teacheth vnderstanding is required that a vision be prophetical â— â—â—o 2. 2. q 175 a. 2 4. b The Angel iepereth this honorable nevv title to encorege him being sore frighted prayers c The Angel guardian of Persia S. Ierom S. Theodoret. S. Gregorie d This Angel for his office sake not yet knowing Gods vvil in this particular prayed that the Iewes might remain among the Persians for their edification and spiritual good e Daniels proper Angel ioyned his prayers vvith him for the deliuerie of the Ievves from captiuitie f S. Michael the guardian Angel of the whole Church also prayed for the same purpose a
The Angel prosecuting his speach to the prophet sheweth that he had prayed for the king of Persians from the first time after the ouerthrow of Babylon seing him vvel affected tovvards the levves as vvas also the next king Cyrus vvho in dede released them * Cambyses 1. Smerdes magus Darius Histaspis * Xerxes Alexander come to his height b Scarsely touching other successors of Alexander the holie scripture here prophecieth of the kinges of Aegypt on the south side of Iurie Syrians on the North by whose warres the Ievves were most molested c Euerie prophecie saith S. Irâ—n li. 4. c. 43 before it be fulfilled is aenigma a ridle or obscure proposition But vvhen it is past may more easily sometimes certainly be interpreted So by histories of things now past he gathereth very probably that by this king of the south vvas vnderstood â—â—olomeus sonne of Lagus king of Aegypt king of Aegypt king of Syria Isa 19. v. 19. d His sonne called Ptolomeus Philadelphus excelled his father in povvre and magnificence e This king of the North semeth to be Antiochus Theos king of Syria f Ptolomeus Euergetes king of Aegipt inuaded and spoyled Syria g Seleucus Ceraunus and Antiochus magnus sonnes of Seleucus callinicus shal raise nevv warres against Ptolomeus Philopator king of Aegypt but the elder brother being slaine in the way Antiochus shal prosecute the vvarre h He shal in uade and kilmanie but not preuaile i Manie Ievves deceiued by Onias fleeing into Aegypt shal erect a temple and sacrifice falsly auouching that they fulfil the prophecie of Isaie ch 19. v. 19. m Euen in the hotest persecution of Antiochus Nero or Antichrist some shal constantly confesse true religion k According to the historie al expositers vnderstand this of Antiochus Epiphanes who liued and died basely but mystically of Antichrist very potent glorious in this world yet shal haue base beginning and an ignominious end l This title Prince of the league or couenant perteyneth directly to Antichrist who wil ioyne himself vvith the Iewes pretending to obserue the law of Moyses and so they vvil receiue him as their Messias Ioan. 5. v. 43. S. Ireneus li. 5. c. 25. S. Ierom. alij n The God of povvre or strength either Iupiter the Grecians great god or their ovvne streingth vvherin Antiochus and Antichrist shal trust o His royal tabernacle or palace betvven the dead se a and the mediteranian a â— Michael the guardian Angel and protector of the Ievves in the old testament ch 10. v. 13. 21. now of the Church of Christ vvil defend the same against Antichrist nuisibly as the Ecclesiastical pastors shal do visibly b Al shal rise in bodie but al shal not be changed into better 1. Cor. 15 v. 51. * in the lavv of God c A glorious Aâ—reola or accidental revvard besides the essential be atitude shal be geâ—en to those that duly performe the office of pastors in teaching others as there is an other like to Martyrs and an other to Virgins d Daniels prophecie is shut and sealed not to be interpreted by humane vvitte but by the spirite of God vvhervvith the Church is illuminated taught gouerned moued viuificated S. Iero. in Gal. e A time ordinarily signifieth one yeare as ch 4. v. 13 so here is signified the space of three yeares and a halfe as ch 7 and Apo. 12. v. 14. c. f From the taking avvay of the daylie sacrifice and placing of abomination tovvite the practise of heresie to desolation that is abolishing so much as is possible the holie Sacrifice of Masse to the end of that persecution shal be 1290. dayes g VVhy 45. dayes are added to the former number is meruelous obscure neither may vve presume amongst diuers expositions to censure vvhich semeth most probable h But vve are content to goe avvay vvith Daniel v. 9. and 13. vvithout further searching the profound sense of so hiegh mysteries Mat. 24. Antichrists persecution shal not be long Ancient fathers vnderstand this terme to be three yeares and a halfe Agreably to other scriptures S Iren li. 5. cont heres 8. Ierom S. Theod. in hun lo S. Aug. li. 20. c. 23. ciuit S. Prim. S. Beda c. The 3. part Other histories not novv extant in Hebrevv a S. Athanasius in Synopsi reciteth this historie in the beginning of Daniel And S. Aug. ser 242. de tem supposeth that Daniel about the age of tvvelue yeares indued vvith the spirit of prophecie discouered the malicious falshood of them that accused Susanna b In the transmigration vvhich vvas made in the third yeare of Ioakim king of Iuda the Iewes were better entreated and had their ovvne iudicial tribunal other priuilegies vntil the captiuitie vvhich happened about 19 yeares after in the eleuenth yeare of Sedecias At which time they were brought into much more bondage c For more colour of iust proceding these vvicked men gaue their false testimonie sentence before the people d The people gaue their opinions that she deserued death but the false Iudges gaue sentence For so the forme of the lavv required vvhich they prerended to fulfil Leu. 20. Deut. 22. e Daniel by the gift of prophecie savv declared that she vvas innocent f VVheras therfore the people had consented to her death he denied his consent vndertooke to conuince the false vvitnesses as he did v. 54. 58. Iere. 22. v. 3. Exo. 23. v. 7. Deut. 19. v. 19. g By this first prophetical act Daniel begane vvorthely to be esteemed h This last verse of Astyages otherwise called Darius and of Cyrus succeeding him perteyneth to the ninth chapter And here mention is made of them to signifie that Daniel beginning to prophecie in his childhood continued euen to old age For betvven this historie of Susanna the death of Darius vvere about nintie yeares a It semeth most probable that this king vvas Euilmerodach who fauoured the Ievves deliuered Iechonias otherwise called Ioachin out of prison 4. Reg. 25. v. 17. Gen. 10. v 10. * amphorâ— b VVhich supposed Daniel vvas novv about the age of 55. yeares For being caried into Babylon at the age of tenne yeares vvas there 8. yeares before Ioachin who was there 37. yeares before he vvas deliuered from prison vvhich make in al. 55. c Not only the Babylonians as is manifest in manie places but also the Romanes and most nations worshipped Bel for a great god But it is more wonderful that both the Chaldees and the Romans otherwise most wise worshiped a serpent or dragon a beast naturally most hating men most abhorred by al men The cause of this blindnes can be no other but Gods iust punishment suffering them for their abominable pride and other sinnes to fal into so sotish conceites as to thinke that serpentes could either greatly benefite them or by such vvorshippe be appeased and cease from annoying them As Valerius vvriteth li. 1. c. 8. â— Augustin also li. 14
v. 3. :: This legate vvas sent almost two yeares before to Rome ch 14. v. 24. and now brought letters not only to the Ievves but also to sundrie kinges and peoples in their behalf :: Simon subdued these tvvo tovvnes because they anoyed the Ievves but because they othervvise perteyned not to Iurie he payed for them an hundred talentes :: By the riuer of Cedron ouer which Dauid passed 2. Reg â—â— v. 23. and our Sauiour Ioa. 18. a citie vvas novv built or rather repared being decayed before :: After Simons death his eldest sonne Iohn surnamed Hyrcanus succeeded him in gouernment spiritual and temporal v. 24. :: He beginning to gouerne in the yeare 170. ch 13. v. 41. 42. had difficulties the first last yeares in the rest they had peace To be inebriated signifieth no more but to be repâ—enished vvith drinke competently or abundantly vvithout excesse As Psal 64. v. 10 the earth inebriated and v. 11. riuers inebriated That is abundantly replenished vvithout excesse S. August q. 144. in Gen. :: Out of the booke here mentioned some thinke the fourth booke of Machabees vvas translated See Sixâ—us Seâ—en li. 1. Biblioth pag. â—â— * li. 2. â— â— v. â— This Appendix coÌ„cerning tvvo epistles of the Ievves vvas added to the historie of the first booke by him that vvritte this second e :: As they had vvritten before in their afflictions so novv they exhorte their bretheren to be thankful to God and amongst other meanes to shevv their gratful minde by celebrating the feast of dedication of the nevv altar li 2. â— 4. v. 7. :: It semeth that either this Iudas vvas the first sonne of Iohn Hyrâ—amus othervvise called Aristobolus or rather Iudas Essenus of vvhom ch 2. v. 14. and of vvhom Iosephus vvriteth li. 13. â— 19. :: Chaldea being nere to Persis is sometimes comprehended vnder the same name so Mamertinus in Panagerâ—ca ad Iulia reciteth Tigris and Euphrates amongst the riuers of Persi S. Chrysostom ho. 6. in Math. saith the Ievves vvere deliuered from captiuitie of Perâ—â—s meaning Babylon :: In this fire vvere foure miracles First it vvas not changed into ayre but into vvater v. 20. :: Secondly this vvater being cast on the hostes of sacrifice vvas kindled as fire v. 22. :: Thirdly it burned also being cast vpon stones v. 32. :: Fourth it vvas extinguished by the light that came from the altar v. 32. :: Nephthar signifieth deliuerie vvhich is the effect of purification for the temple other holie thinges being purified were deliuered from prophane vse :: S. Ambrose li 3. c. 14. Offic. vvriteth at large of this miracle Epis Iere. Baruc. 6. :: Neither the tabernacle nor the arke vvere caried avvay by Nabuchodonosor but vvere preserued by some meanes and most like besides the auctoritie of this scripture by Ieremie the propher vvho had spocial fauour of the Babylonians vvhen Ierusalem vvas taken Iere. 39. v. 11. Exâ— 40. 3. Râ—g 8. â—euit 9. 7. 24. :: This semeth to be the same Iudas Essenus vvho vvith others vvritte this epistle ch â— v. 10. * li. 2. c. 15. v. 38. :: After the auctor had written this Appendix to the former booke he resolued also to adde an abridgement of the vvhole historie vvherunto he maketh this Preface signifying the matter vvherof he vvil vvrite v. 20. in vvhat maner v. 24. and why v 25. auouching his diligence v. 26. vvith breuitie v. 29. A :: God assisting the vvtiâ—ers of diuine histories doth not alvvayes deliuer them from labour in seeking to knovv the same of sueh as knew particular thinges So S Luke vvritte the Gospel hauing diligently attained to al thinges Luc. 1. v. 3. * exact declaration * li. 1. c. 1. v. 1. The first part The persecution of the Church by Antiochus :: Three thinges make a coÌ„monwealth to be in good state C 1 Good agreement of principal men amongst themselues with the commonaltie 2 Exact obseruation of good lavves 3 And eminent vertue of the supreme gouernour vvith exercise of pietie and hate of sinnes Other three thinges do truble the state Obstinacie in offenders not content to be corrected 2 Inueterate malice seking reuenge against iust Superiors 3. and auarice of princes to robbe the holie or common treasure :: These virgins remained in places nere to the temple brought vp in exercises of pietie fasting and praying til they were despoused 1. Reg. 2. v. 22. S. Amb. li. 1. de virgine S. Greg. Nissen Orat. de Christ Natiuit S. Damas li. 4. c. 13. :: 4. Reg. 2. v. 11. A firie chariotte and firie horses caried Elias from Elizeus 4. Reg. 6. v. 17. And the mountaine appeared ful of horses and of firie chariots round about Elizeus no lesse strange then this vision See S. Ambrose li. 2. c 29. offic discoursing vpon this historie :: It is the common practise of al traytors to calumniate and defame good gouerners And the best remedie a gainst such seducers is by auctoritie of Superior povvre not by the people vvho are commonly more prone to fauour faction then iustice * li. 1. c. 1. v. 11. E :: VVhere true Religion is abolished most men neglect al shew of religion and rather applie themselues to vanities or woise sinnes * li. 1. c. 1. v. 17. G :: This king falsly pretended to restore his kinsman his sisters sonne to the kingdom being depriued by his younger brother Liuius li. 44 but the true cause of his sending Apolonius into Aegypt was to subdue that kingdom to himself 1. Mach. 1. v. 17. :: Menelaus brother of Simon v. 23 of the tribe of Beniamin ch 3. v. 4. vvas not by the law capable of the priesthood which only perteined to the progenie of Aaron of the tribe of Leui So in this trublesome time the right succession of high priestes was intermitted and restored in Mathathias li. 1. c. 2. :: True and solide vertue moued the common people to compassion the King himself to teares the Tyrians to honour the bodies of the innocent with costlie burial v. 49. :: Strange thinges aboue the ordinarie course of nature doe euer signifie Gods vvrath for mens transgression and are admonitions to turne from sinne vvith spede that vve may escape the heauie hand of Gods iustice So the Emperour Charles the Great interpreted the apparition of a great Comete as vvitnesseth Fasciculus temporum Lacedemonians othervvise called Spartians descended from the stocke of Abraham li. 1. c. 12. v. 2. * li. 1. c. 1. v. 21. I ch 3. v. 23. 27. :: Al rites of religion vvith temples and other holie thinges are ordayned to the Seruice of God and for mens spiritual good and therfore vvhen men cease to serue God as holie thinges are destroyed or taken avvay :: Iudas vvas the tenth lawful highpriest from the Monarchie of the Grecians :: Sanaballat in the time of Alexander the great procured a temple to be built in Garizim like to that in Ierusalem An other was
king Dauid sent to Sadoc and Abiathar the priestes saying Speake to the Ancientes of Iuda saying Why come you last to bring backe the king into his house And the saying of al Israel was come to the king in his house †You are my brethren you my bone and my flesh why do you last bring backe the king †And say ye to Amasa Art not thou my bone and my flesh These thinges do God to me and these adde he if thou be not the chiefe captayne of warfare before me alwayes for Ioab †And he inclined the hart of al the men of Iuda as it were of one man and they sent to the king saying Returne thou and al thy seruantes †And the king returned and came as far as Iordan and al Iuda came as far as Galgal to meete the king and to bring him ouer Iordan †And Semei the sonne of Gera the sonne of Iemini of Bahurim made hast and went downe with the men of Iuda to meete king Dauid †with a thousand men of Benjamin and Siba the seruant of the house of Saul and his fiftene sonnes and twentie seruantes were with him and rushing into Iordan †passed the fordes before the king that they might helpe ouer the kinges houshould and doe according to his commandement And Semei the sonne of Gera prostrate before the king when he had now passed Iordan †sayd to him Impute not to me my lord the iniquirie nor remember the iniuries of thy seruant in the day that thou my lord king wentest out of Ierusalem nor put it in thy hart o king †For I thy seruant acknowledge my sinne and therefore this day I am first come of al the house of Ioseph and am descended to meete my lord the king †But Abâ—â—aâ— the sonne of Saruia answering sayd What shal Semei for these wordes not be slayne because he reuiled the annoynted of our Lord †And Dauid sayd What is to me and you ye sonnes of Saruia Why are you made this day as satan to me Shal there a man be killed in Israel to day Doe I not know that this day I am made king ouer Israel †And the king sayd to Semei Thou shalr not die And he sware to him †Miphiboseth also the sonne of Saul came downe to meete the king his feete vnwashed and his beard not pouled and he had not washed his garmentes from the day that the king went forth vntil the day of his returne in peace †And when he had mette the king at Ierusalem the king sayd to him Why camest thou not with me Miphiboseth †And he answering sayd My lord king my seruant contemned me and I thy seruant spake to him that he should fadle me an asse that getting on I might goe with the king for I thy seruant am lame †Moreouer he hath also accused me thy seruant to thee my lord king but thou my lord king art as an Angel of God doe what pleaseth thee †For neither was my fathers house ought els but guiltie of death to my lord king and thou hast put me thy seruant among the guestes of thy table What iust complaynt therfore haue I or what can I further crie out to the king †The king therfore sayd to him What speakest thou any more That is determined which I haue spoken Thou and Siba diuide the possessions †And Miphiboseth answered the the king Yea let him take al for so much as my lord king is returned peaceably into his house †Berzellai also the Galaadite coming downe from Rogelim brought the king ouer Iordan being readie also to attend on him beyond the riuer †And Berzellai the Galaadite was verie old that is to say of foure score yeares and he gaue the king victuals when he abode in the Fild for he was an exceding rich man †The king therfore sayd to Berzellai Come with me that thou mayst rest secure with me in Ierusalem †And Berzellai sayd to the king How manie are the daies of the yeares of my life that I should goe vp with the king into Ierusalem †I am this day foure score yeares old are my senses quicke to discerne sweete or sowre or can meate or drinke delight thy seruant or can I heare more the voyce of singing men and singing wemen Why should thy seruant be a burden to my lord the king †I thy seruant wil goe forward a litle from Iordan with thee I neede not this recompense †but I besech thee that I thy seruant may returne and die in my citie and be buried by the sepulchre of my father and my mother But there is thy seruant Chamaam let him goe with thee my lord king and doe to him whatsoeuer semeth good to thee †The king therfore sayd to him Let Chamaam passe on with me and I wil doe for him whatsoeuer shal please thee and al that thou shalt aske of me thou shalt obtayne †And when al the people and the king had passed Iordan the king kissed Berzellai and blessed him and he returned into his place †The king therfore passed into Galgal and Chamaam with him and al the people of Iuda had brought ouer the king and the halfe part onlie of the people of Israel were present †Therfore al the men of Israel concurring to the king sayd to him Why haue our brethren the men of Iuda stolen thee and brought the king and his houshould ouer Iordan and al the men of Dauid with him †And euerie man of Iuda answered the men of Israel Because the king is neerer to me why art thou angrie for this matter haue we eaten any thing of the kinges or were there giftes geuen vs †And a certayne man of Israel answered the men of Iuda and sayd I am greater by ten partes with the king to me pertayneth Dauid more then to thee Why hast thou done me wrong and it was not told me first that I might bring backe my king And the men of Iuda answered more sharply then the men of Israel CHAP. XX. Seba raiseth rebellion is pursued by Ioab 10. VVho in the way trecherously killeth Amasa 13. Abela is besieged because Seba saueth him self there 20. but his head being cut of and cast ouer the wal to Ioab the armie departeth 23. Chief men in office are mentioned IT chanced also that there was there a man of Belial named Seba the sonne of Bochri a man of Iemini and he sounded the trumpet and sayd We haue no part in Dauid nor inheritance in the sonne of Isai Returne into thy tabernacles Israel †And al Israel was separated from Dauid and folowed Seba the sonne of Bochri but the men of Iuda stucke to their king from Iordan vnto Ierusalem †And when the king was come into his house to Ierusalem he tooke the ten wemen his concubines which he had leift to keepe the house and he deliuered them into custodie allowing them victuals and he went
not in vnto them but they were shut vp vntil the day of their death liuing in widowhood †And the king sayd to Amasa Cal me together al the men of Iuda agaynst the third day and be thou present †Amasa therfore went to cal together Iuda and taryed beyond the time appoynted which the king had assigned him †And Dauid sayd to Abisai Now wil Seba the sonne of Bochri more astlict vs then Absalom take therefore the seruantes of thy Lord and pursew him lest perhaps he finde fensed cities escape vs. †There went forth therfore with him Ioabs men Cerethi also and Phelethi and al the strong men yssued forth of Ierusalem to pursew Seba the sonne of Bochri †And when they were beside the great stone which is in Gabaon Amasa coming mette them Moreouer Ioab was clothed with a strayte cote according to the measure of his stature and vpon it girded with a sword hanging downe to the flanke in a scabbarde which being made for the purpose could with light mouing come sorth and strike †Ioab therfore sayd to Amasa God saue thee my brother And he held with his right hand the chinne of Amasa as it were kissing him †But Amasa marked not the sword which Ioab had who strick him in the side and powred out his bowels on the ground neither added he the second wound and he dyed And Ioab and Abisai his brother pursewed Seba the sonne of Bochri †In the meane time certayne men when they stoode by the carcasse of Amasa Ioabs company sayd Loe he that would haue beene for Ioab the companion of Dauid †And Amasa embrewed with bloud lay in the middes of the way A certayne man saw this that al the people stayed to see him and he remoued Amasa out of the way into the filde and couered him with a garment that they which passed might not stay because of him †He therefore being remoued out of the way euery man passed folowing Ioab to pursew Seba the sonne of Bochri †Moreouer he had passed through al the tribes of Israel vnto Abela and Bethmaaca and al the chosen men were gathered together vnto him †They therfore came and assaulted him in Abela and in Bethmaaca and they compassed the citie with munitions and the citie was besieged and al the multitude that was with Ioab laboured to destroy the walles †And a wise woman cryed out from the citie Heare ye heareye tel Ioab Approche hither and I wil speake with thee †Who when he was come to her she sayd to him Art thou Ioab And he answered I am To whom she spake thus Heare the wordes of thy handmayd Who answered I doe heare †And she agayne sayd A saying was vsed in the old prouerbe They that aske let them aske in Abela and so they prospered †Am not I she that answer truth in Israel and thou seekest to subuert the citie to ouerthrowe a mother citie in Israel Why throwest thou downe hedlong the inheritance of our Lord †And Ioab answering sayd God sorbid God sorbid that I should I do not throw downe nor destroy †The matter is not so but a man of mount Ephraim Seba the sonne of Bochri by name hath lifted vp his hand agaynst king Dauid Deliuer him onlie and we wil depart from the citie And the woman sayd to Ioab Behold his head shal be throwen to thee of the wal †She therfore went to al the people and spake to them wisely who threw the head of Seba the sonne of Bochri being cut of to Ioab And he sounded the trumpet and they departed from the citie euery one into their tabernacles and Ioab returned to Ierusalem vnto the king †Ioab therfore was ouer al the armie of Israel and Banaias the sonne of Ioiada ouer the Cheretheites and Pheletheites †But Aduram ouer the tributes moreouer Iosaphat the sonne of Ahilud was register †And Siua a scribe and Sadoc and Abiathar priestes †And Ira the â—aiâ—ite was the priest of Dauid CHAP. XXI Eâ—mine oppressing Isiael three yeares for the sinne of Saul agaynst the Gabaonites 6. seuen of Saulsrace 7. Miphiboseth saned are crucisied 12. Their bones with Sauls and Ionathas are buried in the Land of Beniamin 15. Dauid hath foure great battels and victories against the Philistians AND there came a famine in the daies of Dauid three yeares continually and Dauid consulted the oracle of our Lord. And our Lord sayd For Saul and his bloudy house because he slewe the Gabaonites †The king therfore calling the Gabaonites sayd to them Moreouer the Gabaonites were not of the children of Israel but the reliques of the Amorrheites For the children of Israel had sworne to them and Saul would strike them of zeale as it were for the children of Israel and Iuda †Dauid therfore sayd to the Gabaonites What shal I do for you And what shal be the expiation for you that you may blesse the inheritance of our Lord †And the Gabaonites sayd to him We haue no question vpon siluer and gold but agaynst Saul and agaynst his house neither wil we that a man be slayne of Israel To whom the king sayd What wil you then that I do for you †Who sayd to the king The man that hath wasted vs and oppressed vs vniustly we must so destroy that there be not so much as one leift of his stocke in al the coastes of Israel †Let there be geuen vs seuen men of his children that we may crucifie them to our Lord in Gabaa of Saul once the chosen of our Lord. And the king sayd I wil geue them †And the king spared Miphiboseth the sonne of Ionathas the sonne of Saul for the oth of our Lord that had beene betwen Dauid and betwen Ionathas the sonne of Saul †The king therfore tooke the two sonnes of Respha the daughter of Aia whom she bare to Saul Armoni and Miphiboseth and the fiue sonnes of Michol the daughter of Saul which she bare to Hadriel the sonne of Berzellai that was of Molathi †and gaue them into the handes of the Gabaonites who crucified them on a hil before our Lord and these seuen dyed together in the first dayes of haruest when the reaping of barley began †And Respha the daughter of Aia taking a heare cloth spred it vnder her vpon the rocke from the beginning of haruest til water dropped vpon them from heauen and she suffered not the birdes to teare them by day nor the beastes by night †And the thinges were told Dauid which Respha had done the daughter of Aia the concubine of Saul †And Dauid went and tooke the bones of Saul and the bones of Ionathas his sonne from the men of Iabes Galaad who had stolen them out of the streate of Bethsan in the which the Philistijms hanged them when they had killed Saul in Gelboe †And he caried thence the bones of Saul and the bones
daies of Salomon †And the daies that Salomon reigned in Ierusalem ouer al Israel are fourtie yeares †And Salomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the citie of Dauid his father and Roboam his sonne reigned for him CHAP. XII Roboam folowing youngmens counsel 16. Ieroboam possesseth ten tribes of his Kingdom 21. VVhich he endouoring to recouer by warre is admonished by a prophet to cease 26. Hieroboam setteth vp golden calues to be adored making temples altares and priestes fitte for his purpose AND Roboam came into Sichem for thither was al Israel gathered together to make him king †But Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat when he was yet in Aegypt fugitiue from the face of king Salomon hearing of his death returned out of Aegypt †And they sent and called him Ieroboâ—m therfore came and al the multitude of Israel and they spake to Roboam saying †Thy father layd a most hard yoke vpon vs thou therfore diminish now a litle of thy fathers most hard empire and of the most heauie yoke that he layd vpon vs and we wil serue thee †Who sayd to them Goe vntil the third day and returne to me And when the people was gone †king Roboam tooke counsel with the ancientes that assisted before Salomon his father whiles he yet liued and he sayd What counsel doe you geue me that I may answer this people †Who sayd to him If this day thou wilt yeld to this people and condescend to them and graunt to their petition and wilt speake to them gentle wordes they wil be thy seruantes alwaies †Who leaft the counself of the ancientes which they had geuen him and admitted yongmen that had bene brought vp with him and wayted on him †and he sayd to them What counsel geue you me that I may answer this people which haue sayd to me Make the yoke lighter which thy father hath put vpon vs †And the yongmen that had bene brought vp with him sayd Thus speake to this people which haue spoken to thee saying Thy father aggrauated our yoke doe thou ease it Thus shalt thou speake to them My least finger is grosser then the backe of my father †And now my father layd vpon you a heauie yoke but I wil adde vpon your yoke my father bette you with scourges but I wil beate you with scorpions †Ieroboam therfore came and al the people to Roboam the third day as the king had spoken saying Returne to me the third day †And the king answered the people rough wordes leauing the counsel of the ancientes which they had geuen him †and he spake to them according to the counsel of the youngmen saying My father made your yoke heauie but I wil adde to your yoke my father bette you with whippes but I wil beate you with scorpions †And the king condescended not to the people because our Lord was turned away from him that he might rayse vp his word which he had spoken in the hand of Ahias the Silonite to Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat †The people therfore seing that the king would not heare them answered him saying What part haue we in Dauid or what inheritance in the sonne of Isai Goe into thy tabernacles Israel now see to thy house Dauid And Israel went into their tabernacles †But ouer the children of Israel whosoeuer dwelt in the cities of Iuda Roboam reigned †King Roboam therfore sent Aduram who was ouer the tributes and al Israel stoned him and he died moreouer King Roboam in hast went vp into his chariote and fled into Ierusalem †and Israel reuolted from the house of Dauid vntil this present day †And it came to passe when al Israel had heard that Ieroboam was returned they sent and called him an assemblie being gathered and they made him king ouer al Israel neither did any man folow the house of Dauid beside the tribe of Iuda onlie †And Roboam came to Ierusalem and gathered together al the house of Iuda and the tribe of Benjamin an hundred fourescore thousand chosen men warriers to fight agaynst the house of Israel and to reduce the kingdom to Roboam the sonne of Salomon †But the word of our Lord came to Semeias the man of God saying †Speake to Roboam the sonne of Salomon the king of Iuda and to al the house of Iuda and Beniamin and the rest of the people saying †Thus sayth our Lord You shal not goe vp neither shal you fight agaynst your brethren the children of Israel let euerie man returne into his house for this word is done by me They heard the word of our Lord and returned from their iourney as our Lord had commanded them †And Ieroboam built Siehem in mount Ephraim and dwelt there and departing thence he built Phanuel †And Ieroboam sayd in his hart Now wil the kingdom returne to the house of Dauid †if this people shal goe vp to make sacrifices in the house of our Lord into Ierusalem and the hart of this people wil be turned to their lord Roboam the king of Iuda and they wil kil me and returne to him †And finding out a deuise he made two golden calues and sayd to them Goe vp no more into Ierusalem Behold thy goddes Israel which brought thee out of the Land of Aegypt †And he put one in Bethel and the other in Dan †and this thing was an occasion of sinne for the people went to adore the calfe as farre as Dan. †And he made temples in the excelses and priestes of the abiectes of the people which were not of the children of Leui. †And he appoynted a solemne day in the eight moneth the fiftenth day of the moneth after the similitude of the solemnitie that was celebrated in Iuda And going vp he made in like maner an altar in Bethel to immolate to the calues which he had framed and he ordayned in Bethel priestes of the excelses which he had made †And he went vpon the altar which he had built in Bethel the fiftenth day of the eight moneth which he had â—orged out of his owne hart and he made a solemnitie to the children of Israel and went vp vpon the altar to burne incense CHAP. XIII A prophet sent from Iuda to Bethel fortelleth the birth of Iosias and destruction of Ieroboams altar 4. whose hand being sudenly withered 6. is restored by the prophets prayer 11. The same prophet is deceiued by an other prophet and slame by a lion 33. Hieroboam proceedeth in impictie AND behold a man of God came out of Iuda in the word of our Lord into Bethel Ieroboam standing vpon the altar and censing †And he cried out against the altar in the word of our Lord and sayd Altar altar thus saith our Lord Behold a child shal be borne to the house of Dauid named Iosias and he shal immolate vpon thee priestes of the excelses