knowen the synful bed she shal haue fruyte in the rewarde of the hooly Soules And blessed is the gelded which with his hādes hath wrought no vnrightuousnes nor imagined wicked thinges against God Esa 5 6. b For vnto him shall be gyuen the speciall gyfte of faythe and the most acceptable porcyon in the temple of God For gloryous is the fruyte of good laboure and the rote of wisdome shal neuer fade awaye As for the childrē of aduouterers they shall come to an ende the sede of an vnryghtuous bed shal be roted out And thoughe they liue lōge yet shal they be nothynge regarded theyr laste age shal be without honoure Yf they dye hastely they haue no hope neyther shall they be spoken to in the daye of knowledge For horryble is the deathe and ende of the vnrightuouse ¶ Of the chast generacyon of the faythfull and of theyr felicitie Of the death of the rightuous and of the condempnacyon of the vnfaythfull Capi. iiii O Howe fayer is a chaste generacion with vertue The memorial therof is imortall for it is knowen with good men When it is presente men take example thereat and yf it go awaye yet they desyre it It is alwaye crowned holden in honour wynneth the rewarde of the vndefiled batayle But the multitude of vngodly chyldren is vnprofitable Iere. 17. b Mala. 1. a Mat. 7. c. and the thynges that are planted with horedome shall take no depe rote nor laye any faste foundacion Thoughe they be grene in the braunches for a tyme yet shall they be shaken with the wynde for they stande not faste and thorow the vehemence of the wynd they shal be roted out For the vnperfect braūcesse shal be broken theyr fruyte shall be vnprofytable and sower to eat yee mete for nothynge And why all the chyldren that are borne of the wycked must beare recorde of the wyckednes agaynst theyr fathers and mothers whē they be asked But though the ryghtuous be ouertakē with death Age. yet shall he be in rest Age is an honourable thynge Neuerthelesse it standeth not onely in the length of tyme nor the multytude of yeres but a mans wysdom is the graye heer and an vndefyled lyfe is the olde age He pleaseth god and was beloued of hym so that where as he liued among sinners he translated him Hebre 11. d Yee sodenly was he taken away to the entent that wickednes shulde not alter his vnderstandyng and that ypocrysye shuld not begyle his soule For the crafty bewytching of lyes make good thinges darke the vnstedfastnes also and wickednes of voluptuous desyre turne asyde the vnderstandynge of the symple Though he was soone deed yet fulfylled he much time For his soule pleased god therfore hasted he to take him away frō amonge the wycked This the people see and vnderstande it not they laye not vp suche thynges in theyr hertes how that the louyng fauoure and mercy of god is vpon his Saynctes and that he hath respecte vnto his chosen Thus the ryghtuous that is deed condempneth the vngodly which ar lyuyng the youth that is soone brought to an ende the longe lyfe of the vnryghtuous For they se the ende of the wyse but they vnderstand not what god hath deuised for him and wherfore the Lorde hathe taken him awaye And why they se hym and despyse hym therfore shall god also laughe them to scorne Psal 2. So that they them selues shal dye hereafter but withoute honoure yee in shame amonge the deade for euermore For without anye voyce shall he hurste those that be put vp and remoue theym from the foundacions so that they shall be layde wast vnto the hyest They shall mourne and theyr memoriall shal perish So they beynge afrayde shall remember theyr synnes and theyr own wyckednes shall bewraye them ¶ The constauntnesse of the ryghteous before theyr persecuters The hope of the vnfaythful is vndurable and vayur The blessednes and fortunatenes of the sayntes and godly Capi. v. THen shall the ryghtuouse stande in greate stedfastnes Mat. 19 c agaynste suche as haue delte extremely with them and taken awaye theyr laboures When they se it they shall be vexed wyth horryble feare and shall wonder at the hastynesse of the sodayne healthe gronynge for a verye destresse of mynde and shal say within themselues hauing inwarde sorowe and mournyng for veri anguyshe of mynde These are they whom we somtyme had in derision Sapi. 3. a and iested vpon We foles thought theyr life very madnes and theyr ende to be without honoure But lo howe they ar counted among the chyldrē of god and their porcyon is amonge the Saynctes Therfore we haue erred frō the way of truth the lyght of ryghtuousnes hath not shyned vnto vs and the sunne of vnderstandynge rose not vp vpon vs. We haue we ryed our selues in the way of wickednes destruccyon Tedious wayes haue we gone but the waye of the Lord we haue not knowen What good hath our pryde done vnto vs Or what profyte hath the pompe of rychesse brought vs All those thynges are passed away lyke a shadow and as a messenger renuyng before 1. Pa. 30. c Sapi. 2. b Pro 30. b as a ship that passeth ouer the waues of water which whē it is gone by the trace therof cannot be founde neyther the path of it in the floudes Or as a byrde that flyethe thorow the ayre and no man can se any token where she is flowen but only heareth the noyce of her wynges beatyng the lyght wynd partyng the ayer thorow the vehemence of her flyghte and flyethe on shakynge her wynges where as afterward no token of her waye can be found Or lyke as when an arrowe is shot at a marke it parteth the ayre which immediatly cōmeth together againe so that a man can not knowe where it wente thorowe Euen so we in like maner as soone as we were borne begane immediatly to drawe to our ende and haue shewed no token of vertue but ar consumed in oure owne wyckednes Suche wordes shall they that haue sinned speake in the hel Iob. 8. a for the hope of the vngodly is lyke a drye thystell floure or dust that is blowen away with the wynd lyke as thyn scomme that is scattered abrode with the storme Psal ◠b Pro. 10. d and 11. a Iacob 1. b like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there wyth the wynde and as the remembraunce of a starunger that taryeth for a daye and then departeth Psa 39. a But the ryghtuous shal lyue foreuermore theyr rewarde also is with the lord theyr remembraūce with the hyghest Therfore shall they receyue a glorious kyngdōe a beutyful crowne of the Lordes hande for with his righte hande shall he couer them ✿ Ephe. 6. b and with his owne arme shall he defende them his gelousy also shall take harnesse and shall arme the creature to be auenged of the enemyes He
seruyce as it were vnto the lord him selfe Honour thy father in dede in worde and in all pacyence Gen. 27. d and .49 a Deut. 33. a that thou maist haue his blessing for the blessing of the father buildeth vp the houses of the children but the mothers curse roteth out the foundacions Reioyce not wheÌ„ thy Father is reproued for it is no honour vnto the but a shame For the worship of a mans father is his owne worship where the father is with out honour it is the dishonestye of the son My sonne make muche of thy father in his age greue hym not as longe as he lyueth And yf his vnderstanding faile haue pacyeÌ„ce with him and despise him not in thy strenght For the good dede that thou shewest vnto thy father shal not be forgotten and when thou thy selfe wantest it shall be rewarded the and for thy mothers offence thou shalt no be recompensed with good yee it shal be founded for the inryghtuousnes in the day of trouble thou shalt be remembred thy synnes also shall melte awaye lyke as the yse in the fayer warme wether He that forsaketh his father shal come to shame and he that defyeth his mother is cursed of god My sonne perfourme thy workes with louinge mekenesse so shalte thou be loued aboue other men The greater thou art the more humble thy selfe in al thinges and thou shalte finde fauour in the sight of God Pro. 25. d. Rom. 12. a Deut. 4. a For great power beloÌ„geth oneli vnto God he is honoured of the lowly Seke not out the thinges that are aboue thy capacytie and searche not the grounde of suche thynges as are to myghtie for the but loke what God hath coÌ„maunded the thinke vpon that alway be not curious in manye of his workes For it is nedefull for the to se with thine eyes the thinges that are secrete Make not thou to much searche in superfluous thinges and be not curyous in many of his workes for many thiÌ„ges are shewed vnto the alredy whiche be aboue the capacytie of men The medlinge with such hath begyled many a man and tangled theyr wyttes in vanytie Now he that loueth peryll shall peryshe therin An harde herte shall fare euell at the last an herte that goeth two wayes shal not prospere and he that is frowarde of hert wyl euer be the wurse and wurse A wicked hert shal be ladeÌ„ with sorowes and the vngodli sinner wil heape one sin vpoÌ„ an other The counsel of the proude hath no helth for the plaÌ„te of syn shal be roted out in them The hert of hym that hath vnderstandyng shal perceyue highe thinges and a good eare wil gladly herken vnto wysdom An herte that is wise and hath vnderstandyng wyll abstayne from sinnes increase in the workes of ryghtuousnes Psa 40 a Deut. 4. d Mat. 5. a Water queÌ„ched burnyng fyre and mercy reconcileth synnes God hath respecte vnto him that is thankful he thynketh vpon hym against the tyme to come so that when he falleth he shall fynde in a stronge holde Almes muste be done with all mekenes The study of wysedome and her frute A iudge ought to be mercyfull An exortacion to eschue euel and to do good Capi. iiii MY sonne defraude not the poore of his almes and turne not away thyne eyes from hym that hathe nede Deu. 15. d Mat. 23. c Despyse not an huÌ„gry soule and defye not the pore in his necessytie greue not the herte of hym that is helpelesse and with drawe not the gyft froÌ„ the nedeful Refuse not the prayer of one that is in trouble and turne not awaye thy face frome the nedy Cast not thine eyes asyde from the poore that thou gyue hym not occasyon to speake euyl of the. For yf he complayne of the in the bitternes of hys soule his prayer shall be hearde euen he that made him shall heare him Be curteous vnto the company of the pore huÌ„ble thy soule vnto the elder and bow down thy heade to a man of worshyppe Let it not greue the to bowe down thyne eare vnto the pore but paye thy det and gyue hym a frendly aunswere and that with mekenes Delyuer hym that suffreth wronge from the hand of the oppressoure and be not faynt herted when thou sittest in iudgement Gen. 14. c Exo. 2. b Be mercyful vnto the fatherles as a father be in stead of an husbaÌ„de vnto theyr mother so shalt thou be as an obedient sonne of the hygheste and he shall loue the more then thy mother doth Wysdom bretheth lyfe into her children receyueth them that seke her and wil go before them in the way of ryghtuousnes He that loueth her loueth lyfe they that seke her diligently shal haue great ioye They that kepe her shall haue the herytage of life for where she entreth iÌ„ there is the blessing of God They that honoure her shal be the seruauÌ„tes of the holy one they that loue her are beloued of God Who so geueth eare vnto her shal iudge the hethen and he that hath respect vnto her shal dwel safelye He that beleueth her shal haue her in possession and his generacyon shal endure for when he falleth she shall go with him before all Feare drede and temptacioÌ„ shal she bring vpon him and trye him in her doctrine tyl she haue so ê“ued him in his thoughtes that he coÌ„mit his soule vnto her TheÌ„ shal she stablysh him bryng the right waye vnto hym make him a glade man shewe hym her secretes and heape vpon him the treasures of knowlege vnderstanding and ryghtuousnesse But yf he go wrong she shal forsake him and gyue him ouer into the haÌ„des of his enemye My sonne make much of the tyme Ephe. 5. b Mat. 10 â–ª c eschue the thynge that is euel and for thy lyfe shame not to say the truth For there is ashame that bryngeth sinne and there is a shame that bringeth worship and fauour Accepte no person after thyn own wyl Leui. 19. d that thou be not confounded to thyne own decaie Be not ashamed of thy neyghboure in his aduersyte and kepe not backe thy counsel wheÌ„ it maye do good neyther hyde the wysedome in her beuty For in the tonge is wysdome knoweÌ„ so is vnderstaÌ„dyng konwledge learnynge in the talkynge of the wyse stedfastnes in the workes of rightuousnes In no wise speake against the worde of truth but be ashamed of the lyes of thyne own ignoraunce Shame not to confesse thin errour submyt not thy self vnto eury man bicause of sin WithstaÌ„de not the face of the mighte and striue not against the streme But for the truth striue thou vnto death and God shal fight for the against thine enemyes Be not hastie in thy tonge neyther slacke and negligeÌ„t in thy workes Be not as the Lyon in thyn own house destroing thy houshould folkes and oppressynge them that are vnder the. Let not thyne hande be stretched out
deade agayne what doth his watching Pro. 26. b 2. Pe. 2. b So is it with a man that fasteth for his synnes doth them agayne who wil heare his prayer Or what doth his fastinge helpe him ¶ It is well done to praye and to do sacrifice The prayer of the fatherlesse of the wydowe and hym that humbleth hym selfe Capi. xxxv WHo so kepeth the lawe Iere 7. c â–ª bryngeth offerynges ynough He that holdeth fast the coÌ„maundement offereth the right helth offeringe He that is thanckfull and recompeÌ„seth Hebre. 13c Phili. 4 c offereth fyne floure Who so is mercyfull and gueth almes that is the right thanckoffring God hath plesure when one departeth froÌ„ synne to forsake vnrighteousnes recoÌ„cileth vs with him Exo. 43. a Thou shalt not appere emptie before the lorde Gene. 4. a for all suche is done because of the coÌ„mauÌ„dement The offering of the rightuous maketh the aulter fat a swet smel is it before the hiest The offeryng of the rightuous is acceptable vnto god and shal neuer be forgotteÌ„ Geue god his honour with a cherful hert kepe not backe the firstlinges of thi haÌ„des In al thy giftes shew a merciful couÌ„tenauÌ„ce and halow thy tithes vnto god with gladnes Geue vnto god 2. Cor. 9. b according as he hath enryched and prospered the Tob. 4. b loke what thyne haÌ„des is able gyue with a cherful eye for the Lord recompenseth geueth the seuen tymes as muche agayne Geue no vnryghtuous giftes for such wyll he not receiue Beware of wroÌ„geous offringes for the Lord is a rightuous iuge regardeth no maÌ„s persoÌ„ He accepteth not the person of the poore but he heareth the prayer of the oppressed He despyseth not the desyre of the fatherles Iudi. 4. b nor the wydow wheÌ„ she poureth out her praier befor him Doth not god se the teares that reÌ„ down the chekes of the wydow Or heareth he not the coÌ„plaint ouer suche as make her to wepe For froÌ„ her chekes do the teres go vp vnto heuen the lorde which heareth them doth accept them Who so serueth god after his plesure shal be accepted his prayer reacheth vnto the cloudes Tren 3. d â—â—te 10. a The prayer of him that humbleth him self goeth thorowe the cloudes tyll she come nye She wil not be comforted nor go her wai til the hiest god haue respect vnto her gyue true sentence refourme the iudgement And the Lord wyl not be slacke in coÌ„ming nor tarye longe tyll he haue smytten in sonder the backes of the vnmerciful auenged himself of the hetheÌ„ tyl he haue takeÌ„ away the multitud of the cruel broken the cepter of the vnrighteous til he geue euery maÌ„ after his workes reward theÌ„ after theyr doynges til he haue deliuered his people maiÌ„teyned their cause reioyced then in his mercy O how fayre a thiÌ„g is mercy in the time of anguishe trouble It is lyke a cloude of rayne that coÌ„methe in the tyme of a drouth ¶ A prayer to god in the person of all faythfull men with the prayse of a good woman Capi. xxxvi HAue mercy vpon vs O Lorde thou God of al thynges Haue respect vnto vs shewe vs the lyght of thy mercyes and sende thy feate among the Heathen and strauÌ„gers which seke not after the that they may know howe that there is no god but thou and that thei may shew thy wonderous workes Lift vp thy haÌ„d ouer the outlandish hethen that they may lerne to know thy myght power Lyke as thou art halowed in vs before theÌ„ so bryng to passe that thou maist be magnifyed also in theÌ„ before vs that they may know the lyke as we know the. For there is none other god but only thou O lorde Renue the tokens chaunge the wonderous workes Shew thyn hand and thy right arme gloriousli raise vp thy indignacion and poure out thi wrath Take a way the aduersary and smyte the enemye Make the tyme short rememberthe couenaunt that thy wonderous workes may be praysed Let the wrath of the fyre consume them that lyue so careles let theÌ„ perysh that do thy people hurt Smit in sonder the heade of the prynces that be oure enemyes and saye there is none other but we Gather al the Tribes of Iacob together agayne that they may know howe that there is none other god but onlye thou that thei may shew thy wonderous workes be thou thy peoples heritage like as from the beginnynge O Lorde haue mercy vpon the people that hath thy name and vpon Israell Exo. 4. e. whome thou hast lykened to a fyrst borne sonne O be merciful vnto IerusaleÌ„ the cytye of thy saÌ„ctuary 1. par 6. g. the cytie of thy rest Fyl SioÌ„ with thy vnspekable vertues thy people with thi glori Giue witnes vnto thy creature whom thou madest froÌ„ the beginnyng and rayse vp the prophecyes that haue bene shewed in thy name Rewarde them that wayte for the that thy Prophetes maye be founde faythful O Lorde heare the prayer of thy seruauÌ„tes accordyng to the blessyng of Aaron ouer thy people gyde thou vs in the waye of ryghtuousnes that al they which dwell vpon the earth Nume 6 d maye know that thou art the Lorde the eternall god which is froÌ„ euerlastyng The bely deuoureth al meates yet is one meate better theÌ„ an other Lyke as the tonge tasteth venisoÌ„ 1. Cor. 2. b. so doth an hert of vnderstaÌ„ding marke fals wordes A froward hert geueth heuines but a maÌ„ of exeperieÌ„ce lyfteth him vp agayn The woman receyueth euery maÌ„ yet is one daughter better theÌ„ a other A fayer wyfe reioiseth her husbaÌ„d a maÌ„ loueth nothing better Yf she be louyng and vertuous withal theÌ„ is not her husbaÌ„d lyke other men He that hath gotten a vertuous woman hath a goodly possession she is vnto him an helpe pyller wher vpoÌ„ he resteth Where no hedge is there the goodes are spoiled where no huswife is there the frendles mourneth Like as ther is no credence gyuen to a robber that goeth froÌ„ one cite to an other So is not the man beleued that hath no reste and muste turne in where he maye abyde in the nyght ¶ Howe a man shulde knowe frendes and couÌ„cellers and searche the company of a hoolye man Capi. xxxvii EVerye frende saythe I wyll be frendly vnto him also But ther is some frende whych is onely a frende in name Remayneth there not heuynes vnto death when a companyon and frende is tourned an enemy O mooste wycked presumpcyon From whence art thou spronge vp to couer the earthe with falshed and dysceyte There is some companyon which in prosperite reioyseth with his freÌ„de but in the time of trouble he taketh part agaynst hym There is some coÌ„panion that mourneth with his frend for the belisake Eccle. 6. b but wheÌ„ trouble coÌ„meth he taketh hold of the
glorious He gaue hym an herytage and parted the fyrste fruytes vnto hym ★ Nu. xvii b Exo. xxv f Leui. 24. b. Vnto hiÌ„ specially he appointed the breade for sustenaunce for the preestes dyd eate of the offringes of the Lorde this gaue he vnto him and his sede Elles had he no heritage nor porcion in the lande and with the people Deu. xii d. and .xviii. Eze. 44. a For the lorde him selfe in his porcion and inheritaunce The thyrd noble and excellent maÌ„ is Phinches the son Eleazer whiche pleased the God of Israel because he had the zeale and feare of the Lorde For when the people were turned backe he put hiÌ„ selfe forth ryghte soone and that with a good wyll to pacifie the wrathe of the Lorde towarde Israell Therefore was there a couenaunte of peace made with him that he shulde be the principall amonge the righteous the people that he and his posteritie shulde haue the offyce of the Preesthood for euer Lyke as there was made a couenaunt with Dauyd of the Trybe of Iuda that from amonge his sonnes onely there shuld be a Kynge And that Aaron also and his seede shulde be the heritage to geue vs wisdome in oure hert to Iudge his people in ryghtuousnesse that his goodes shuld not come in to forgetfulnesse and that they re Honoure myght enduer for euer ¶ The praise of Iosue Caleb and Samuel Capi. xlvi MANLI and stronge in battayle was Iesus the Sonne of Naue whiche in steade of Moses the Prophet was geuen to be captayn of the people which accordyng vnto hys name was a greate sauiour vnto the electe of God Iosu xii e Nu. 27. b. Deu. 34. a Iosue i. â— to punysh the ennemyes that rose vp agaynst Israell that Israell myght optaine their inheritaunce O howe greate noble and excellent was he wheÌ„ he lyfte vp his hande and drew out his swearde agaynste the Cities Who stode so manly before him For the Lord hym selfe broughte in the ennemies ¶ Stode not the sonne styll at his commaundement Iosue x. and one day was as long as â—wo He called vpon the hieste and moost mightye when the enemies preased vpon hym on euery syde and the lorde hearde him wâ—th the haile stones They smote the Heythenesse people myghtely and in fallyng downe they slew al the aduersaries so that the Hethen knew his hoost and all his defence that the lorde him selfe fought against them for he folowed vpon the myghtye men of them Nu. xiiii a In the tyme of Moises also heand Caleb the sonne of Iephune did a good worke which stode agaynst the enemies withhelde the people from synne stylled the wycked mournynge Nu. 26. â— And of syxe hundreth thousande people of fote they two were preserued to bring them into the heritage namely a lande that floweth with mylke and honye Iosu 24. â— The Lorde gaue strengthe also vnto Caleb which remained with him vnto his age so that he wente vp into the Hye places of the lande and his sede conquered the same for an heritage that all the chyldrennâ— of Israell myghte see how good a thynge it is to be obediente vnto the Lorde And the Iudges or rulers euery one after his name whose hert weÌ„t not a whoringe nor departed from the Lord and that forsoke not the Lorde vnfaythfully whose remembraunce hath a good reporte yee their bones florysh oute of their place and their names shall neuer be chaunged but honour remaineth stil with the chyldren of those holy men Samuell the prophete beloued of the lorde his god 1. Re. x. a. and .xvi. b. ordeyned a Kynge and anoynted the Princes ouer the people In the lawe of the Lord he Iudged the congregation and the lorde had respect vnto Iacob The prophete was founde dilygente in his faithfulnesse and he is knowen faythfull in his wordes 1. Re. vii a He called vpon the Lorde the Almyghtye when the enemyes preased vpon him on euery syde what tyme as he offered the suckynge lambes And the Lorde thondred from heauen and made his voyce to be hearde with a great noyse He discomfyted the Princes of Tyre and al the Rulers of the Philistines â—re xx a. Before his laste ende he made protestacion in the syghte of the Lorde and his anoynted that he toke neyther substance nor good of any man no not so muche as a shoo and no man myght accuse hym After this he tolde that his ende was at haÌ„de and shewed the Kinge also his ende and death and from the earth lyft he vp his voyce in the Prophecy that the vngodlye people shulde peryshe ¶ The prayse of Nathan Dauid and Salomon Capi. xlvii AFTERWARDE in the tyme of Kynge Dauid 2. Re. xii there rose vppe a Prophete called Nathan For lyke as the fatte is taken awaye from the offeringe so was Dauid chosen out of the Childrenne of Israell He toke his pastime with the Lyons as with Kyddes and with Beares like as with lambes 1. Reg. 17. f Slewe he not a Gyaunte when he was yet but yonge and toke away the rebuke from his people What tyme as he toke the stone in his hande and smote downe the proude Golyath with the sling For he called vpoÌ„ the Hiest Lord which gaue him streÌ„gth in his right hand so that he ouerthrew the myghty Giaunt in the battaile that he myghte set vp the horne of his people agayne * Thus brought he hym to worshyp aboue all Prynces Re. 18. b. made hym to haue a good reporte in the prayse of the Lord that he shulde were a crowne of glorye ii Re. v. b. For he destroyeth the enemies on euery side roted out the Philistines his aduersaries and brake their horne in sunder lyke as it is broken yet this day In all his workes he praysed the Hiest and holyest and ascribed the honoure vnto him With his whole herte dydde he praise the Lorde and loued god that made him 2. pa. 26. a. He sette fingers also before the Aulter in their tune he made swete songes He ordeyned to kepe the holy dayes worshypfully that the solemphne feastes thorow the whole yere shulde be honorably holden with praysynge the name of the Lorde and with syngyng by times in the morning in the Sanctuarye ¶ The Lorde toke awaye his sinnes and exalted his horne for euer He gaue him the couenaunt of the kyngdome the trone of worshyppe in Israell .2 reg 2. d 3. Re. 3 c After him there rose vp the wise sonne called Salomon and for his sake he droue the enemies awaye farre of This Salomon raygned with Peace in his tyme for God gaue him rest from his ennemyes on euery syde that he might build him an house in his name and prepare the Sanctuary for euer / lyke as he was well instructe in hys youthe and fylled with wysdome and vnderstandyng as it were with a water floude he couered and fylled the whole
land with symilytudes and wyse prudent sentences Hys name went abrode in the Iles because of his peace he was beloued All landes marueyled at hys songes Prouerbes symilytudes and at hys Peace and at the name of the Lorde GOD whiche is called the God of Israell 3. re x. d. 3. re xi He gathered gold as tyn and he had as much syluer as lead ‡ he was moued in inordinate loue toward wemē was ouercome in affeccion He stained his honour and worshyp ye his posteritie defiled he also in bringing the wrath of the lorde vpon his children 3. re xii e. 2. re 7. c. and sorow after his ioye so that his kingdome was deuided and Ephram became an vnfaithful and an vncōstant kyngdom ‡ Neuerthelesse god forsoke not his mercy neither was he vtterly destroied because of his workes that he shuld leaue him no posteritie As for the seede that came vpon him whiche he loued he brought it not vtterly to naught but gaue yet a remnāt vnto Iacob and a rote vnto Dauyd out of him Thus rested Salomon with his Fathers and oute of his sede lefte behynde hym a very foolyshnesse of the people and suche one as hadde no vnderstādynge 3. re xii b euen Roboam whiche tourned awaye the people through his counsell and Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat 3. re xii d. which caused Israell to synne and shewed Ephraym the waye of vngodlynesse In so much that their synnes and mysdedes hadde the vpper hand so sore that at the last they were driuen oute of the lande for the same yee he soughte out and broughte vp al wickednesse til the vengeaunce came vpon them ¶ The praise of Eliah Elizeus Hezekiah and Esay Cap. xlviii THEN stode vp 3. re 17. ◠Eliah the prophette as a fire and his worde brente like a cressette He brought an honger vpō them and in his zeale he made theym fewe in number For they myght not awaye with the commaundementes of the Lord. Thorowe the word of the lorde he shutte the heauen * and thre tymes brought he the fire downe Thus became Elyah honourable in his wonderous dedes Who maye make his booste to be lyke hym 3. re 18. c. 4. re 1. c. One that was deade raysed he vp from death 3. reg 17. c. and in the word of the hiest he brought him out of the graue againe ¶ He caste downe Kynges and destroyed them and the honorable from their seate Vpon the mount Sina he hearde the punyshement and vpon Horeb the iudgement of the vengeaunce He prophecied recompensynge vnto Kynges ⊢ ◠re xix And ordeyned Prophets after him ⊣ 4. reg 2. c He was takē vp in the storme of fire in a Charette of horses of the Lorde He was ordeined in the reprouinges in tyme to pacifye the wrath of the Lorde ★ Luke 1 a to turne the hertes of the fathers vnto the chyldren and to sette vp the Tribes of Iacob agayne Blessed were they that saw the were garnished in loue for we liue in life but after death we shall haue no such name ★ Elias was couered in the storme but Helyzeus was fylled with his spirite Whyle he lyued he was afrayde of no prince and no man might ouercome him There coulde no worde deceaue hym ⊣ 4. Reg. 2. c iii. iiii and after his death his bodye prophecied He did wonders in his lyfe and in death were his workes marueylous For al this 4. reg xiii d iiii reg b. 6. 7. 1◠the people amended not neither departed they from their synnes tyll they were caried awaye prisoners out of the land 4. Reg. 1◠b and were scatred abrod in all countreyes so that of thē there remained but a very litle people a prince vnto the house of Dauid Howbeit some of them dyd right and some heaped vp vngodlynesse ¶ Hezekias made his Citie stronge conueied water into it digged thorow the stony rocke with yron 2. Pa. 32. a ▪ 4. reg 18. c. Esa 36. a made vp a well by the water side ¶ In his tyme came Sennaherib vp and sent Rabsakes lift vp his hande agaynste Syon and defied them with great pryde Then trimbled their hertes and handes so that they so rowed like a woman trauailing with child So they called vpon the lorde which is mercyful and lift vp their hādes before him Immediately the lord heard them out of heuen he thoughte no more vpon their synnes nor gaue thē ouer to their enemies but deliuered them by the hand of Esaye ¶ He smote the host of the Assyrians and his Aungell destroyed them For Hezekias had doone the thinge that pleased the Lorde 5. reg xix g. remayned stedfastly in the waye of Dauid his father as Esay the great and faithful Prophet in the syghte of God had commaunded him 4. re xx b. Esa 38. b In his time the Sonne wente backeward and he lengthened the Kinges life With a right spirite prophecyed he what shuld come to passe at the laste and to soch as were sorowfull in Syon he gaue consolation wherewith they myght comforte theym selues for euermore He shewed thinges that were for to come secrete or euer they came to passe ¶ Of Iosiah Hezechiah Dauid Ieremye Ezechiell ▪ zorobabell Iesus Nehemiah Enoch and Ioseph Capi. xlix THE remembraunce of 4. re 22. a and .xxiii. 1. pa. 34 a Iosias is lyke as when the Apotercarye maketh many precious swete smellynge thinges together Hys remembraunce shal be swet as hony in all mouthes and as the playeng of Musycke at a bankette of wyne He was appointed to turne the people agayne and to take awaye all abhominacion of the vngodlye He directed his herte vnto the Lord and in the time of the vngodly he set vp the worshyppe of God agayne All Kynges excepte Dauid Hezechiah and Iosyah committed wyckednesse for euen the Kynges of Iuda also forsoke the law of God For they gaue theyr horne vnto other theyr honour and worshyppe also to a straunge people Therfore was the electe Cyty of the Sanctuarye brente with fyre 4. re 25. b and the streates therof lay desolate and wast in the lande of Ieremye for they intreated him euell which neuertheles was a prophete ordeyned from his mothers wōbe that he myght root out breake of Iere. 1. a. and destroye and that he myght buylde vp and plante againe Eze. 1. a. Ezechiell sawe the glory of the Lord in a vision which was shewed hym vpon the charette of the Cherubyns For he thought vpon the ennemyes in the rayne to do good vnto suche as hadde ordered they re wayes a righte And the bones of the twelue prophetes florished from out of their place for they gaue comforte and consolation vnto Iacob and deliuered theym faythfully Agg. ii a. 1. Es iii. a. 3. Esd 5. a Howe shall we prayse zorobabell whiche was a rynge in the righte
THE BOKES of Salomon namely Prouerbia Ecclesiastes Cantica canticorum Sapientia Ecclesiasticus or Iesus the sonne of Syrach ¶ The Prouerbes of Salomon ¶ The prayse of wysdome We maye not herken vnto the voluptuous prouocacyon and intisynges of synners wysdom complayneth to be despysed of all men and Prophecieth destruction vnto her despysers Capi. Primo THe Prouerbes of Salomon the sonne of Dauid kyng of Israel to learne wisdō and instructiō and to perceaue the wordes of vnderstandynge therby to receaue prudence ryghteousnes iudgement and equyte That the very simple myght haue wit and that yonge men myght haue knowledge and vnderstandynge By hearyng the wyse man shal come by more wysdom and he that is endued wyth vnderstandyng shal optayne wyt to parceaue a parable and the interpretacion thereof the wordes of the wyse and the darke speaches of the same Iob. 28. d Eccle. 1. c Psa 26. b Prou. ix c The feare of the Lord is the beginnynge of wysdome but fooles despyse wysdome and instruction My sonne heare thy fathers doctrine and forsake not the lawe of thy mother for that shal brynge grace vnto thy heed and shall be as a cheyne aboute thy necke My sonne consent not vnto synners if they entyse the and saye come with vs we wyl laye wayte for blode and lurke priuely for the innocent without a cause we shal Psa 124 a swalowe them vp lyke the hel and deuoure them quicke and whole as those that go downe into the pyt So shall we fynde all maner of costely ryches and fyll oure houses wyth spoyles Cast in thy lot amonge vs and let vs haue all one purse My sonne walke not thou with them refrayne thy fote from theyr waye For Psa 14. a their fete runne to euell and are hastye to shed bloude But in vayne is the net layde forth before the byrdes eyes Yea they them selues laye wayte one for an others blode and one of thē wolde slaye an other These are the wayes of al suche as be couetouse that one wolde rauyshe anothers lyfe Pro. 13. ◠Wysdom cryeth without and putteth forth her voyce in the stretes She calleth before the congregacion in the open gates and sheweth her wordes thorowe the Cytye sayenge O ye chyldren how longe wyl you loue chyldishnes how long wyl the scorners delyte in scornynge and the vnwyse be enemyes vnto knowledge O turne you vnto my correccyon lo I wyl expresse my mynde vnto you and make you vnderstande my wordes Esa 55. b Iere. 8. a I haue called and ye refused it I haue stretched out my hand and no man regarded it but al my counsels haue ye despysed set my correction at nought Therfore shal I also laughe in your destruction mocke you when that thing that ye feare commeth vpon you euen when the thynge that ye be afrayed of falleth in sodēly like a storme and your mysery lyke a tempest yea whē trouble and heuynes commeth vpon you Then shal they cal vpon me but I wil not heare they shall seke me earlye but they shal not fynde me And that because they hated knoweledge and receaued not the feare of the Lord but abhorred my councel and despysed all my correction Therfore shall they eate the fruites of theyr own waie and be filled with theyr owne inuencyons For the turninge awaye of the vnwise shall slaye them and the prosperite of foles shal be theyr owne destruccyon Pro. 3. d But who so harkeneth vnto me shall dwell safely and be suer from any feare of euell ¶ Wysdome is to be embraced and set by whiche teacheth feare and knowlege wysdome directeth vs in the waye of God And an aduouterous woman is to be eschued Capi. ii MY sonne if thou wylte receaue my wordes and kepe my commaundemētes by the that thou wilte encline thyn eares vnto wisdome apply thyne hert then to vnderstanding For yf thou cryest after wisdome and callest for knowledge if thou sekest after her as after moneye and dyggest for her as for treasure then shalte thou vnderstande the feare of the Lorde and fynde the knowledge of God Iaco. 1. a Eccle. 1. a and .7 c For it is the Lorde that giueth wisdome out of his mouth commeth knowledge and vnderstandynge He preserueth the welfare of the rightuous 3. Re. 3. b and .4 d and defendeth them that walke syncerely he kepeth them in the ryghte pathe and preserueth the waye of suche is serue him with godlynes Then shalt thou vnderstande ryghtuousnesse iudgemente and equytie yea and euery good waye When wysdome entreth in to thyne hert and thy soule deliteth in knowlege then shall councell preserue the and vnderstandynge shall kepe the. That thou mayeste be delyuered from the euell waye and from the man that speaketh frowarde thinges From suche as leaue the right pathes and walke in the wayes of darckenesse whiche reioyse in doynge euell and delite in wicked thinges whose wayes are croked and they frowarde in they re pathes That thou mayest be delyuered also Pro. 5. a and .7 a from the straunge woman and from her that is not thyne owne whiche gyueth swete wordes and which forsaketh the husbande of her youthe and forgetteth the couenaunte of her God For her house is enclined vnto death and her pathes vnto hel Al they that go in vnto her come not agayne neyther take they holde of the waye of lyfe Therfore walke thou in the way of suche as be vertuouse and kepe the pathes of the ryghtuous For the Iust shal dwel in the land and they that be perfecte shal remayne in it but the vngodly shal be roted out of the lande and the wycked doers shal be roted out of it ¶ The Commaundementes of God must be dilygently regarded and obserued Capi. iii. MY sonne Deut. 11. a forget not thou my lawe but se that thyn hart kepe my commaundementes For they shal prolonge the dayes and yeares of thy lyfe and bryng the peace Let mercy and faythfulnes neuer go from the bynde them about thy necke and wryte them in the tables of thyne harte So shalt thou fynde fauoure and good vnderstandynge in the sight of god and men Put thy trust in god wyth all thyn hart and leane not vnto thyn own wyt In all thy wayes haue respecte vnto him and he shall ordre thy goynges Esa 10.2 Be not wyse in thyne own conceyte but feare the Lorde and departe from euell so shal thy nauel be whole Rom. 12. c and thy bones stronge Tob. 4. b Honoure the Lorde wyth thy substaunce and wyth the fyrstelynges of al thyne encrease Deut. 21. a Mal. 3. b Exo. 23. c and .34 c Heb. 12. b Apoc. 3. d geue vnto the pore so shal thy barnes be fylled with plentuosnes and thy presses shal flow ouer with swete wyne My sonne despyse no the chastenynge of the Lorde neyther faynte when thou arte rebuked of him For whom the Lorde loueth hym he chasteneth and
hath knowledge also of the voyce Therfore he that speaketh vnryghtuouse thynges caÌ„ not be hyd 3. Reg. 2. g Mat. 6. a Hebre. 4 â— neither may he escape the Iugement of reprofe And why Inquisicion shall be made for the thoughtes of the vngodly the reporte of his wordes shal come vnto god so that his wickednesse shal be punished For the eare of gelousy heareth al thynges and the noyse of the grudgynges shal not be hyd Therfore beware of murmurynge which is nothynge worthe and refrayne your tongue from slauÌ„der Luk. 12. â— For here is no worde so darke and secret that it shal go for nought and the mouth that speakethe lyes slayth the soule O seke not your owne deathe in the errour of your lif destroie not your selues thorow the wordes of your own haÌ„des Deu. 4. c For God hath not made death neyther hath he pleasure in the destruccioÌ„ of the liuinge For he created all thinges that they myght haue theyr beyng yee al the people of the earthe hathe he made that they shuld haue helth that there shulde be no destruccion in theim and that the kyngdome of Hell shulde not be vpon earth for ryghtuousnesse is euerlastyng and immortall but vnrighteousnes bringeth death Neuerthelesse the vngodli cal her vnto them bothe with wordes workes whyle they thynke to haue a frende of her they come to nought for the vngodly that are confederat with her take her parte are worthy of death ¶ The ymagynacions and desyres of the wycked and theyr counsell agaynste the faythefull Capi. ii FOr the vngodly talke ymagyne thus amonge theÌ„ selues but not ryght the time of our lyfe is but shorte and tedyouse Iob. 7. a Mat. 22. b 1 Cor. 15. d and when a man is ones gone he hath no more ioie nor pleasure neyther knowe we anye man that tourneth agayne from death for we are borne of nought we shall be hereafter as thoughe we had neuer ben e For oure breath is a smoke in oure nostrels the wordes as a sparke to moue our hert As for our bodye it shal be verye ashes that are quenched and our soule shall vanishe as the softe ayre Our life shal passe awaye as the trace of a cloude come to naught as the myste that is driuen awaye wyth the beames of the Sunne and put down wyth the heate therof Oure name also shal be forgotten by lytle and litle no man shall haue oure workes in remembraunce For our tyme is a very shadowe that passethe awaye after oure ende 2. pa. 30. c Esa 22. b and .16 c Sapi. 5. b there is no retournynge for it is fast sealed so that no man commeth agayne Come on therfore let vs enioie the pleasures that be present let vs sene vse the creature lyke as in youth We wyl fyl our selues with good wine oyntmente there shal no floure of the tyme go by vs. We wyll crowne our selues with roses afore they be withered Ther shal be no fayer medowe but our lust shal go thorow it Let euery one of you be partaker of our voluptuosnes Let vs leaue some token of our pleasure in euery place for that is our porcion elles get we nothyng Let vs oppresse the poore ryghtuous let vs not spare the wydow nor olde man let vs not regarde the heedes that are graye for age Let the law of vnryghtuousnes be our auctorytie for the thyng that is feble is nothing worth Therfore let vs defraude the ryghtuous why he is not for oure profyte yee he is cleane contrary to our doynges He checked vs for offendynge agaynst the lawe and slaundereth vs as transgressours of all nurtoure He maketh his boost to haue the knowledge of god Iohn 7. a Esay 7. a yee he calleth him self Gods sonne He is the bewraier of our thoughtes It greueth vs also to loke vpoÌ„ him for hys lyfe is not lyke other mennes his waies are of an other fassion He countethe vs but vayne persons he withdraweth him selfe from our wayes as from filthines he commendeth greatli the latter ende of the Iuste maketh his booste that God is his father Let vs se then yf hys wordes be trewe let vs ê“ue what shal come vpon him so shall we knowe what ende he shall haue For yf he be the true sonne of God he wyl receyue him and delyuer him frome the handes of his enemyes Let vs examen him with despiteful rebuke and tormentynge Psal 2â— a Mat. 27. e Iere. 11. d that we maye knowe his dignitie and proue his pacience Let vs condempne him with the mooste shamefull death for lyke as he hath spoken so shal he be rewarded Suche thynges do the vngodly ymagyn and go astraye for theyr owne wickednesse hath blynded them As for the misteryes of God they vnderstande theÌ„ not they neyther hope for the reward of ryghtuousnesse nor regarde the worship that holy soules shall haue Gene. 2. a. Gene. 3. a Ioh. 2. d For God created man to be vndestroyed yee after the ymage of his own likenes made he hym Neuerthelesse thorowe enuye of the deuel came deathe vnto the worlde and they that holde of his syde do as he doth ¶ The conseruacyon and assuraunce of the ryghtuouse The rewarde of the faythâ—â—ll Capi. iii. BVt the soules of the ryghtuouse are in the hande of God Deut. 32. a Sapi. 5. a. Hebre. 11 â— and the payne of deathe shall not touche theÌ„ In the sight of the vnwyse they appeare to dye and they re ende is taken for very destruccyon The waye of the rightuous is iudged to be vtter destruccyon but they are in rest And though they suffer payne before meÌ„ Rom. 8. c. 1. Cor. 5. a 1. Petri. 1 c yet is theyr hope ful of immortalitie They are punished but in fewe thinges neuerthelesse in many thinges shal they be well rewarded For God proueth them findeth them mete for him selfe yee as the golde in the fornace doth he trye theym and receyueth them as a brente offeringe and when the tyme commeth they shal be loked vpon Mat. 13. e 1. Cor 15. e Mat. 19. c 1. Cor. 6. a. The ryghtuous shall shine as the sparkes that ren thorow the red bushe They shal iudge the nacyons and haue dominion ouer the people and theyr lord shal raygne for euer They that put theyr truste in him shal vnderstande the truthe and such as be faythful wyll agre vnto hym in loue for his chosen shall haue gyftes and peace Ma. 25. d But the vngodli shal be punisshed accordyng to theyr own ymagynacions for they haue despised the ryghtuous and forsaken the Lorde Whoso despiseth wysdom and nurtoure he is vnhappye and as for the hope of such it is but vaine theyr labours vnfrutful and workes vnprofytable Theyr wyues are vndiscret and theyr chyldren moost vngodly Theyr creature is cursed Blessed is rather the baren vndefiled whyche hath not
vnderstāding and meanyng excepte thou gyue wisdōe and sende thy holy ghoste from aboue that the wayes of them which are vpon erth may be refourmed that men maye lerne the thynges that are pleasaunt vnto the and be preserued thorowe wisdome The delyueraunce of the ryghtuous cōmeth thorowe wysdome Capi. x. WYsdome preserued the firste man whō god made a father of the worlde when he was created alone brought him out of his offēce Genes 1. d and .2 d toke him out of the mold of the eatth gaue hym power to rule all thynges When the vnrightuous wente away in his wrath from this wysdome the brotherhed perished thorow the wrath of murther Agayne Gene. 4. b Ge. 6.7.8 when the water destroyed the hole worlde wysdom preserued the ryghtuous thorow a poore tree wherof she was gouerner her self More ouer when wickednes had gottē the vpper hand so that the nacyons were puft vp with pride she knew the ryghtuous preserued hym fauteles vnto God and layde vp suer mercy for his chyldrē She preserued the Ryghtuous whē he fledde from the vngodlye that peryshed Gen. 19. c what tyme as the fyre fel down vpon the fyue Cyties Lyke as yet this daye the vnfrutfull wast and smokyng lande geueth testimonye of theyr wyckednes yee the vnripe and vntymely fruytes that growe vpon the trees And for a token of a remembraunce of the vnfaithful soule there standeth a piller of salte For al suche as regarded not wysdō gat not only this hurt that they knew not the thynges which were good but also lefte behynde them vnto men a memoryal of theyr foolishnes so that in the thinges wherin thei sinned thei could not be hyd But as for such as take hede vnto wysdome she shall delyuer thē frō sorow When the rightuous fled bicause of his brothers wrath Gen. 28. d wysdom led him the ryght waye sheweth him the kyngdome of god gaue him knowledge of holy thynges made hym ryche in hys laboures and broughte to passe the thynges that he went about In the disceitfulnes of suche as defrauded hym she stode by hym and made him rich She saued him from the enemies and defended him frō the dysceiuers She made hym stronge in battayle and gaue him victorye that he myght knowe Gen. 37. ◠Acto 7. b howe that wysdom is stronger then al thinges When the rightuous was sold she forsoke him not but delyuered him from synners She went downe with him into the dongeon and fayled him not in the bandes tyl she had brought hym the sceptre of the Realme Gen. 41. ◠and power agaynste those that opressed him And those that had accused him she declared them to be lyers and broughte him to perpetuall worship Exo. 1. d. ◠3.4.5.7.9 She delyuered the ryghtuous people and fauteles sede from the nacyon that oppressed them She entred into the soule of the seruaūt of God and stode by him in wonders and tokens agaynst the horryble kynge She gaue the ryghtuous the rewarde of theyr laboures and led them forthe a merueylous waye on the daye tyme she was a shadowe vnto them and a lyghte of starres in the nyghte season Exo. 14. ◠She brought them thorowe the red see and caryed them thorowe the great water she drowned theyr enemyes in the see and brought them out of the depe So the rightuous toke the spoyles of the vngodly and praysed thy holy name o Lorde magnified thy victorious hande with one accorde Exod. 15. a Psal 8. a Math. 2. b For wysdome openethe the mouth of the dum and maketh the tonges of babes to speake ¶ The myracles done for Israell The vengeaunce of synners The greate power and mercye of God Capi. xi SHe ordered theyr workes in the handes of the hoolye Prophete Exo. 16. a so that they wente thorow the wyldernesse that was not inhabyted and pytched theyr tentes in the waste deserte Exo. 17. b They stode agaynst theyr ennemyes and were auenged of theyr aduersaryes When they were thyrstye they called vpon the and water was geuen thē out of the rocke and theyr thyrst slakened out of the hard stone For by the thynges where thorowe theyr enemies were punished were they helped in theyr nede For vnto the enemies thou gauest mans blode in stede of lyuynge water And where as they had scarcenes in the rebuke whē the childrē were slaine thou gauest vnto thine own a plentuous water vnloked for declaring by the thirste that was at the tyme how thou woldeste bryng thin own vnto honoure and slaye theyr aduersaries Deut. 8. a For when they were tryed nourtured with fatherly mercye they knowledged how the vngodly were iudged and punished thorow the wrath of god These hast thou exhorted as a father and proued them but vnto the other thou haste bene a boysterous kynge layed harde to theyr charge and condempneth them Where they were absente or presente theyr punyshement was alike For theyr grefe was double namely mourning the remembrynge of thynges paste But when they perceyued that theyr punyshmentes dyd them good they thought vpon the lord and wundered at the ende For at the laste they helde muche of hym of whom in the out castynge they thought scorne as of an abiecte Neuertheles the rightuous did not so when they were thyrsti but euen lyke as the thoughtes of the folish were so was also theyr wyckednes Sapi. 7 c Roma 1. c Wher as certayn men nowe thorow erroure dyd worship dom Serpentes and vayne beastes thou sendest a multitude of dom beastes vpō them for a vengeaunce that they mighte knowe that wherwith a man sinneth by the same also shall he be punished Len. 26. d Sapi. 16 a Iere 8. c. For vnto the almyghtie hand that made the world of noughte it was not vnpossible to send among them an heape of beeres or wod Lions or cruel bestes of a straūg kynde suche as are vnknowen or spoute fyre or cast out a smokyng breth or shote horrible sparkes out of their eies which myght not onely destroye them with hurtynge but also kyl thē with theyr horryble sight Yee wtout these bestes mighte they haue bene slayne with one wind beyng persecuted of theyr owne workes scatered abrode thorowe the breath of thy power Neuerthelesse thou hast ordered all thinges in mesure nomber weight for thou hast euer had greate strengthe and myghte and who maye withstande the power of thyne arme And why lyke as the small thing that the balaūce weieth so is the worde before the yee as a drop of the mornyng dewe that falleth down vpon the earthe Roma 2. a Thou hast mercye vpon al for thou hast power of al thinges and makest the as though thou sawest not the synnes of men bycause they shulde amende For thou louest all the thynges that are and hatest none of thē whome thou hast made neyther dyddest thou or deyne or make any thynge of euell will Howe myght any
behauiour of the wyse towarde hys wyfe hys frende his chyldrē hys seruaūtes hys father and mother prestes c. Capi. vii DO no euell so shal there no harme happen vnto the. Departe awaye from the thynge that is wycked no mysfortune shall medle with the My sonne sow no euel thinges in the forowes of vnrightuousnes so shalt that not reape them seuen folde Laboure not vnto man for any lordship Psa 142 a Eccle. 7. c. Iob. 9. a e Luke 18. b. neyther vnto the kynge for the seate of honour Iustifie not thy self before God for he knoweth the hert and desyre not to be reputed wyse in the presence of the kynge Make no labour to be made a Iudge except it so were that thou couldest mightely put downe wyckednes for yf thou shuldest stande in awe of the presence of the mightie thou shuldest fayle in geuynge sētence Offende not in the multitude of the citie Eccle. 12. ◠and put not thy selfe amonge the people Bynde not two sinnes together for in one sin shalt thou not be vnpunished Saye not tushe God wyll loke vpon the multitude of my oblacyons whē I offer to the hyest god he wyll accept it Be not fainte herted whē thou makest thy praier nether slacke in geuing of Almes 1. Re. 2. b. Laugh no mā to scorne in the heuynes of his soule for god which seeth al thīges is he that cā bryng downe set vp againe Accept no lesyng against thy brother neyther do the same against thy frēde Vse not to make any maner of lye for the custome therof is not good Mat. 6. b. Make not many wordes whē thou arte amonge the elders whē thou prayest Rom. 12. d make not much bablynge Let no laboryous worke be tedyouse vnto the nether the husbandrye which the almyghtye hathe created Make not thy boast in the multytude of thy wickednesse but humble thy self euē frō thyn herte remember that the wrath shal not be lōge in tarieng that the vengeaunce of the fleshe of the vngodly is a very fyre worme Geue not ouer thy frend for any good nor thy faythful brother for the best golde Depart not from a discret good woman that is fallen vnto the for thy porcion in the feare of the lorde for the gyft of her honesty is aboue gold Where as thy seruaunt worketh truely Leuit. 19. c intreat him not euel nor the hirelynge that is faythful vnto the. Loue a discrete seruaūt as thin own soule defraud him not of his lyberte nether leue him a pore mā Yf thou haue catell Deut. 25 a Eccle. 30 a loke well to thē they be for thy profite kepe thē Yf thou haue sonnes bringe thē vp in nurtur lerning and hold them in awe fro their youth vp Yf thou hast doughters kepe theyr body and shewe not thy face chereful toward thē Mary thy doughter so thou shalt perfourme a weighty matter but geue her to a man of vnderstanding Yf thou haue a wyfe after thyne own mynde forsake her not but cōmyt not thy self to the hatefull Honour thy father from thy hole hert forget not the sorowfull trauayle that thy mother had with the Eccle. 3. a Tobi. 4. a remember that thou wast borne thorow them and how canst thou recompence them the thinges that they haue done for the Deut. 12. a Feare the Lorde with all thy soule honoure hys minystres Loue thy maker with all thy strength Nu. 18. b. c and forsake not his seruauntes Feare the Lorde with al thy Soule and honour his preestes Gyue thē theyr porcion of the first frutes and increase of the earth lyke as it is cōmaunded the gyue thē the shulders theyr appointed offeringes and fyrstlinges Reach thin hand vnto the pore that God maye blesse the with plentuousnes Gala. 6. b Tobi. i. d Be lyberal vnto all mē liuyng yet let not but do good euē to thē that are deed Let not thē that wepe be without comfort but mourne with such as mourne Rom. 12. b Mat. 25. a Let it not greue the to visite the sicke for that shal make the to be beloued What so euer thou takeste in hande remembre the ende and thou shalte neuer do amisse ¶ Agaynste thy better is no stryuynge Of the deathe of thyn enemy mayst thou not reioyse nor depsyse thy neyghbours nor the wordes of the wyse Capi. viii STryue not with a myghty man Math. 5. c Eccle 31. a leste thou chaunce to fal into hys handes Make no variaūce with a riche man lest he happen to bryng vp an harde quarel against the. For gold and syluer hath vndone many a man yee euen the hertes of kniges hath it made to fal Striue not with a man that is ful of wordes laye no styckes vpon his fyre Kepe no company with the vnlerned leste he geue thy kinred an euel report Despise not a mā that turneth himselfe awaye from syn cast him not in the teeth withal Galat. 6. a 2. Cor. 2. b but remēber that we are frayle euery chone Thynke scorne of no man in his olde age for we waxe olde also Leui. 19. g. Be not glad of the death of thyn enemy but remember that we must dye al the sorte of vs and faine wold we come into ioye Despyse not the sermōs of such elders as haue vnderstāding but acquainte thy self wyth the wyse sentences of them Eccle. 6. c for of thē thou shalte learne wysdom and the doctrine of vnderstandyng and how to serue great men wythout complaint Go not from the doctrine of the elders for they haue learned it of their fathers For of thē thou shalt lerne vnderstandyng so that thou maist make aunswer in the tyme of nede Kyndle not the cooles of synners lest thou be brēt in the fyre flāmes of their sins Resist not the face of the blasphemer that he laye not wayte for thy mouth Eccle. 26 a Lēde not vnto him that is mightier thē thy self Yf thou lendest him coūt it but lost Be not suerty aboue thy power yf thou be then thynke suerly to paye it Go not to law with the iuge for he wyl iuge according to hys own honour Trauaile not by the wai with him that is brainles lest he do the euel for he foloweth his own wylfulnes so shalte thou perish thorow hys foly Gene. b Striue not with him that is angry cruel go not with him in to the wyldernes for blod is nothyng in his syght Pro. 20. d Esay 3. a. Eccle. 9. c .37 a. b. where ther is no helpe he shal murther the. Take no coūsel at foles for they loue nothyg but the thynges that please them selues Make no coūsel before a straunger for thou canste not tel what wil come of it Opē not thin hert vnto euery man lest he be vnthankful to the and put the to reprofe ¶
O how greate is he that findeth wysdom and knowledge Yet is he not aboue hym that feareth the lord The feare of god hath set it selfe aboue al thynges Blessed is the man vnto whoÌ„ it is grauÌ„ted to haue the feare of god Vnto whoÌ„e shall he be lykened that kepeth it fast The feare of god is the beginning of his loue the begynnyng of fayth is to cleue fast vnto it The heuines of the hert is al the punyshment and the wickednes of a woman goeth aboue al. Al punyshemeÌ„t and plage is nothyng in comparyson of the plage of the hart euen so all wickednes is nothyng to the wickednes of a woman What soeuer happeneth vnto a man is nothyng in comparison of it that his euel wyllers do vnto him and all vengeaunce is nothynge to the vengeauÌ„ce of the enemy Ther is not a more wycked heed then the head of the serpent thereis no wrath aboue the wrath of a womaÌ„ I wyl rather dwel with a Lyon dragon then to kepe house with a wycked wyfe Eâ—o â—1 a The wyckednesse of a woman chaungeth her face she shal moffel her countenaunce as it were a Beare and as a sacke shall she shewe it a moÌ„ge thy neyghbours her husbande is brought to shame amonge hys neighbours when he heareth it it maketh him to syghe All wickednes is but litle to the wickednesse of a woman the porcyons of the vngodly shal fal vpoÌ„ her Lyke as to clym vp a sandy waye is to the fete of the aged euen so is a wyfe ful of wordes to a styll quyet man Eccl. 42. b 2. Re. 11. a. â—nd .13 a Loke not to narowly vpon the bewtye of a woman leest thou be prouoked in desyre towarde her The wrath of a woman is dishonour and great confusion Yf a womaÌ„ get the mastrie then is she contrary to her husbande A wicked wife maketh a sory hert an heuy countenaunce and a deade wounde Gene. 3. a â— Ti. 2. b Weake handes and feble knees is a woman that her husbande is not the better for Of the woman came the begynnynge of synne thorowe her we all are deed Geue thy water no passage no not a lytle neyther geue a wicked woman her wyll Ye she walke not after thy haÌ„de she shal coÌ„founde that in the sight of thy enemyes Cut her of theÌ„ froÌ„ thy flesh that she do not all waye abuse the ¶ The prayse of a good woman Of the feare of thre thinges and of the fourth Of the Ielouze and dronken woman Of two thynges that cause sorowe and of the thyrde which moueth wrath Capi. xxvi HAppye is the man that hath a vertuous wyfe for the nomber of his yeres shall be double An honest woman maketh her husbande a ioyfull man and she shal fyl the yeres of his life in peace A vertuous woman is a noble gyft which shal be geuen for a good porcyon vnto such as feare God Whether a man be riche or poore he maye haue euer a mery herte and a cherefull countenaunce There be thre thinges that my hert feareth and my face is afrayed of the fourth Treason in a cytie a sedicious people noysome tonges all these are heuyer theÌ„ the death But wheÌ„ one is gelous ouer hys wyfe it bringeth payne sorowe vnto the herte and a womaÌ„ that telleth out all thinges is a scourge of the tunge WheÌ„ one hath an euell wife it is euen as when an vnlyke payre of Oxen must drawe together Iudi. â—6 a He that getteth her getteth a scorpyoÌ„ A dronkeÌ„ woman is a great plage for she caÌ„ not couer her owne shame The whordom of a woman maye be knowen in the pryde of her eyes and eye lyddes Eccl. 42. b Yf thy daughter be not shame fast hold her straitly leest she abuse her selfe thorowe ouer much libertie Beware of all the dishonestie of her eies and maruell not yf she do against the. Lyke as one that goeth by the waye and is thyrstie so shall she open her mouth drynke of euery next water that she may get By euery hedg shal she set her down and opeÌ„ her quyuer against euery arow A louynge wife reioyseth her husband fedeth dis bones with her wisedom A woman of fewe wordes is a gift of god and to all wel nurtured mindes may nothing be compared An honest and manerly woman is a gyft aboue other giftes ther is no weight to be coÌ„pared vnto a mynd that can rule his selfe Like as the sunne wheÌ„ it ariseth is an ornameÌ„t in the hye heueÌ„ of the lord so is a vertuous wyfe the bewtie of al her house Like as the clere light is vpoÌ„ the holy caÌ„delsticke so is the bewtie of the face vpoÌ„ an honest bodye Cant. 5. d Like as the goldeÌ„ pillers are vpoÌ„ the sockettes of siluer so are the faire legges vpon a woman that hath a constant minde Perpetuall are the foundacyons that be layde vpoÌ„ a whole stony rocke so are the commaundementes of god vpon the hert of an holy woman Ther be two thinges that greue my hert in the thyrde is a displeasure come vpoÌ„ me When an experte maÌ„ of warre suffereth scarsnes and pouerte WheÌ„ meÌ„ of vnderstaÌ„ding wisdome are not set by And wheÌ„ one departeth from rightuousnes vnto sinne Who so dothe such the Lorde hath prepared him vnto the swearde Ther be two maner of thinges which me thiÌ„ke to be hard perilous a marchaÌ„t cannot lightly kepe hym from wroÌ„g neither a tauerner him self froÌ„ sin ¶ Of the pore that wolde be rich The probacioÌ„ of the man that feareth God The vnconstantnes of a fole The secretes of a frende are not to be vttered The wicked ymagyneth euell whyche returneth vpon hym selfe Capi. xxvii BEcause of pouerte haue manye one offended he that seketh to be riche turneth his eyes asyde Like as a nayle in the wal sticketh taste betwixt two stones eueÌ„ so doth sin sticke betwyxt the bier the seller Yf he hold him not diligently in the feare of the lorde his house shal soone be ouer throwen Lyke as wheÌ„ one sifteth the filthines remaineth in the siue So remayneth there some vncleane thing in the thought of man The ouen proueth the potters vessell Sapi. 3 a 1. Pet. 1. a so doth temptacioÌ„ of trouble trye rightuous meÌ„ Mat. 7. b The tree of the felde is knowen by his frute so is the thought of maÌ„s hert knowen by his wordes Prayse no maÌ„ excepte thou haue herde him for a man is knowen by his wordes Yf thou folowest ryghtuousnes thou shalt get her put her vpon the as a fayer garment And thou shalte dwel with her she shall defende the for euer in the day of knowlege thou shalt fynde stedfastnes The byrdes resorte vnto theyr like so doth the truthe turne vnto theÌ„ that be occupied withal The LyoÌ„ wayteth the praye so do the synnes lurke vppon the