dyd repent 14 He also reioyceth in God for the efficacie of his doctrine 17 confutyng therby such quarell pykers as vnder pretence of speakyng agaynst his person sought nothyng but the ouerthrowe of his doctrine 1 BVt I determined this in my selfe y t I would not come againe to you in heauynesse 2 For if I make you sorie who is he y t shoulde make me glad but the same which is made sorie by me 3 And I wrote this same vnto you lest when I came I shoulde take heauynesse of them of whom I ought to reioyce This confidence haue I toward you all that my ioy is the ioy of you all 4 For in great affliction and anguishe of heart I wrote vnto you with many teares not that ye shoulde be made sorie but that ye myght perceaue the loue which I haue most specially vnto you 5 But yf any man hath caused sorowe the same hath not made me sorie but partly lest I shoulde greeue you all 6 It is sufficient vnto the same man that he was rebuked of many 7 So that nowe contrarywise ye ought rather to forgeue hym and comforte hym lest that same person shoulde be swallowed vp with ouermuche heauynesse 8 Wherfore I pray you that you would confirme your loue towardes hym 9 For this cause veryly did I write that I myght knowe the profe of you whether ye be obedient in all thynges 10 To whom ye forgeue any thyng I forgeue also For if I forgaue any thing to whom I forgaue it for your sakes forgaue I it in the sight of Christe 11 Lest Satan shoulde circumuent vs For his thoughtes are not vnknowen vnto vs. ☜ 12 Furthermore when I came to Troada to preache Christes Gospell and a doore was opened vnto me of the lorde 13 I had no rest in my spirite because I founde not Titus my brother but toke my leaue of them and went away into Macedonia 14 Nowe thankes be vnto God whiche alwayes geueth vs the victorie in Christe and openeth the sauour of his knowledge by vs in euery place 15 For we are vnto God the sweete sauour of Christe in them that are saued and in them which perisshe 16 To the one part are we the sauour of death vnto death and vnto the other part are we the sauour of lyfe vnto lyfe And who is meete vnto these thynges 17 For we are not as many are whiche chop chaunge with the word of God but as of purenesse of God in the syght of God so speake we in Christe ☜ ¶ The .iij. Chapter 1 He taketh for example the fayth of the Corinthians for a probation of the trueth which he preached 6 and to exalt his apostleship agaynst the braggers of the false apostles 7.13 he maketh comparison betwixt the lawe and the Gospell 1 DO we begyn to prayse our selues agayne Or neede we as some other of epistles of recōmendation vnto you or letters of recommendation from you 2 Ye are our epistle written in our heartes whiche is vnderstande and read of all men 3 Forasmuche as ye declare that ye are the epistle of Christ ministred by vs and written not with ynke but with the spirite of the lyuyng God not in tables of stone but in fleshly tables of the heart 4 ☞ Such trust haue we through Christe to Godwarde 5 Not that we are sufficiēt of our selues to thynke any thyng as of our selues but our ablenesse is of God 6 Which hath made vs able ministers of the newe testament not of the letter but of the spirite For the letter kylleth but the spirite geueth lyfe 7 Yf the ministration of death through the letters figured in stones was in glorie so that the chyldren of Israel coulde not beholde the face of Moyses for the glorie of his countenaunce whiche glorie is done away 8 Howe shall not the ministration of the spirite be much more in glorie 9 For yf the ministration of condempnation be glorie much more doth the ministration of ryghteousnes exceede in glorie ☜ 10 For euen that which was glorified is not glorified in respect of this exceedyng glorie 11 For yf that whiche is destroyed was glorious much more that which remayneth is glorious 12 Seyng then that we haue such truste we vse great boldnesse 13 And not as Moyses which put a vayle ouer his face that the chyldren of Israel shoulde not see for what purpose that serued which is put away 14 * But their myndes were blynded For vntyll this day remayneth the same coueryng vntaken away in the reading of the olde testament which vayle is put away in Christe 15 But euen vnto this day when Moyses is read * the vayle is layde vppon their heart 16 Neuerthelesse * when it shall turne to the Lorde the vayle shal be taken away 17 The Lorde is a spirite And where the spirite of the Lorde is there is libertie 18 But we all behold as in a mirrour the glorie of the Lorde with his face open and are chaunged vnto the same similitude from glorie to glorie euen as of the spirite of the Lorde ¶ The .iiij. Chapter 1 He declareth his diligence and roundnesse in his office 8 and that which his enemies toke for his disaduauntage to wit the crosse and affliction which he endured he turned it to his great aduauntage 11 17 shewyng what profite commeth therby 1 THerfore seyng that we haue such a ministerie as we haue receaued mercie we faynt not 2 But haue cast from vs the clokes of vnhonestie and walke not in craftynesse neither handle we the word of God disceitefully but in openyng of the trueth and report our selues to euery mans conscience in the syght of God 3 ☞ Yf our Gospell be yet hyd it is hyd in them that are lost 4 In whom the god of this worlde hath blinded the myndes of them whiche beleue not lest the lyght of the Gospell of the glorie of Christe which is the image of God should shine vnto them 5 ☞ For we preache not our selues but Christe Iesus the Lord and our selues your seruauntes for Iesus sake 6 For it is God that commaundeth the lyght to shine out of darknesse whiche hath shined in our heartes for to geue the lyght of the knowledge of the glorie of God in the face of Iesus Christe 7 But we haue this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellencie of the power be Gods and not ours 8 We are troubled on euery syde yet are we not without shyft We are in pouertie but not vtterly without somewhat 9 We suffer persecution but are not forsaken therin We are cast downe but we perisshe not 10 We alwayes beare about in the body the dying of the Lorde Iesus that the lyfe of Iesus myght also appeare in our bodie ☜ 11 For we which lyue are alwayes deliuered vnto death for Iesus sake that the lyfe also of Iesu myght appeare in
no eye had seene me 19 And that I were as though I had not ben but brought from the wombe to the graue 20 Are not my dayes fewe Let him then leaue of fro me and let me a lone that I may comfort my selfe a litle 21 Afore I go thyther from whence I shall not turne againe euen to the lande of darknesse and shadowe of death 22 Yea a lande as darke as darknesse it selfe and into the shadowe of death where is none order but the light is there as darknesse The .xi. Chapter 1 Iob is vniustly reprehended of Sophar 7 God is incomprehensible 14 He is mercifull to the repentaunt 18 Their assuraunce that liue godlie 1 THen aunswered Sophar the Naamathite and sayde 2 Shoulde not he that maketh many wordes be aunswered Shoulde he that bableth much be commended therin 3 Shoulde thy lies make men holde their peace and when thou mockest others shall no man make thee ashamed 4 For thou hast sayde my doctrine is pure and I am cleane in thyne eyes 5 But O that God woulde speake and open his lippes against thee 6 That he might shewe thee the secretes of wysdome howe thou hast deserued double according to right Know therfore that God hath forgotten thee for thyne iniquitie 7 Art thou able to finde out the secretes of God Or wilt thou attayne to the perfectnesse of the almightie 8 It is hier then heauen what art thou able to do deeper then the hel how wilt thou then knowe it 9 The measure of it is longer then the earth and broder then the sea 10 Though he turne all thinges vpsyde downe close them in gather them together who will turne hym from his purpose 11 For it is he that knoweth vayne men he seeth their wickednesse also shoulde he not then consider it 12 Yet vayne man would be wyse though man newe borne is lyke a wilde asses coulte 13 If thou preparedst thyne heart and liftedst vp thyne handes towarde hym 14 If thou wouldest put away the wickednes whiche thou hast in hande so that no vngodlinesse dwell in thy house 15 Then mightest thou lift vp thy face without shame then shouldest thou be sure and haue no neede to feare 16 Then shouldest thou forget thy miserie and thinke no more vpon it then vpon the waters that runne by 17 Then should thy lyfe be as cleare as the noone day thou shouldest shine forth and be as the morning 18 Then mightest thou be bolde because there is hope and take thy rest quietly as compassed with a trenche 19 Then mightest thou lye downe and none to make thee afrayde yea many one should make suite vnto thee 20 As for the eyes of the vngodly they shall faile and they shal not escape and their hope shal be sorowe of minde The .xij. Chapter 1 Iob accuseth his friendes of ignoraunce 7 He declareth the might and power of God 17 And how he chaungeth the course of thinges 1 SO Iob aunswered saide 2 Then no doubt ye are the men alone and wysdome shall perishe with you 3 But I haue vnderstanding aswell as ye and am not inferior to you Yea who knoweth not these thinges 4 I am as one mocked of his neighbour who calleth vpon God he heareth him The iust the vpright is laughed to scorne 5 Being as alight despised in the heartes of the riche and as one redy to fall 6 The houses of robbers are in wealth and prosperitie and they that maliciouslie meddle against God dwell without care in those thinges that God hath geuen richely with his hande 7 Aske the cattaile and they shall enfourme thee the foules of the ayre and they shall tell thee 8 Or the encrease of the earth and it shall shew thee or the fishes of the sea and they shall certifie thee 9 What is he but he knoweth that the hande of the Lorde made all these 10 In whose hande is the soule of euery liuing thing and the breath of all mankinde 11 Haue not the eares pleasure in hearing and the mouth in tasting the thing that it eateth 12 Among olde persons there is wysedome and in age is vnderstanding 13 Yea with God is wysdome and strength it is he that hath counsell and foreknowledge 14 Beholde if he breake downe a thing who can set it vp againe yf he shut a thing who wyll open it 15 Beholde if he withholde the waters they drye vp yf he let them go they destroy the earth 16 With him is strength and wysdome both the deceauer and he that is deceaued are his 17 He carieth away the wyse men as it were a spoyle and bringeth the iudges out of their wittes 18 He taketh away the subiection of the people from their kinges and girdeth their loynes with a bonde 19 He leadeth away the great men into captiuitie and turneth the mightie vpside downe 20 He stoppeth the mouth of them that speake trueth disapoynteth the aged of their reason 21 He powreth contempt vpon princes and maketh the strength of the mightie weake 22 Loke what lyeth hid in darkenesse he declareth it openly and the very shadowe of death bringeth he to light 23 He both increaseth the people and destroyeth them he maketh them to multiplie and diminisheth them 24 He taketh away the hearte of them that be heades of y e people of the earth and causeth them to wander in the wildernesse out of the way 25 They grope in the darke without light and he maketh them to stacker like a drunken man ¶ The .xiii. Chapter 1 Iob compareth his knowledge with the experience of his friendes 16 The penitent shal be saued and the hypocrite condempned 20 He prayeth vnto God that he would not handle him rigorously 1 LO all this haue I seene with mine eye heard with mine eare and vnderstande it 2 What ye knowe that same do I know also neither am I inferior vnto you 3 Neuerthelesse I talke with the almightie and my desire is to commune with God 4 As for you ye are workmaisters of lyes and vnprofitable phisitians altogether 5 Woulde God ye kept your tongue for then might ye be taken for wise men 6 Now heare my reasoning and ponder the argument of my lippes 7 Wyll you speake wickedlie for gods defence and talke deceitfully for his cause 8 Wyll ye accept the person of him or wyll ye contende for God 9 Shall that helpe you when he calleth you to reckening For as one man mocketh an other so do ye mocke him 10 He shall punishe you and reproue you if ye do secretly accept any person 11 Shall not his excellencie make you afrayde Shall not his terrible feare fall vpon you 12 Your remembraunce is lyke vnto a sparke and your bodies lyke the claye 13 Holde your tongues for my sake that I also may speake and my sorowe shal be the lesse 14
Osee xiii c. Apoc. vii c. and .xxi. c. i. Cor. xv f. Ephe. ii Pro. xviii c. Zacha. ii a. Psa cxviii b Rom. v. a. Esai xxv a. Prou vi a. Iere. x. d. Psal lxiii a. and .cxliii. a. Phil. ii â— Leu. xxvâ— Iohn xvi â— Rom. viii d. i. Câ— â–ª 〈…〉 a By Leuiathan the greatest of fishes in the sea is ment the kingdome of Satan and the mightie tirauntes of the worlde enemies to Christe and persecutoâ—s of his religion i. Câ— xâ—â— â–ª Apoâ— xâ—i â— (b) God calleth his worde his strength because thereby he winneth men â–ª and bindeth them vnto him selfe (c) God vseth afflictions as â–ª meanes to call men to repentaunce whervpon foloweth forgeuenesse of sinnes Deut. 32. b. Ose◠〈…〉 Math. xvi c. Esai â–ª â—x a. Esai iii. â— Esai x. a. Mat. xxiii a i. Cor. xiiii e (a) Who so thorowe fayth doth stay hym selfe vpon Christe in hastie going forwarde shall not fal that is shall not fayle of that he hopeth to obtaine (b) The gospell is compared to hayle fluddes for that it breaketh downe and carieth away idolatrie and superstition wherein men do◠〈◊〉 in vayne Esa xxxvi f ii Reg. v. b. Iosu x. b. ii Par. xiii d. Esa xxxvi f ii Reg. v. b. Iosu x. b. ii Par. xiii d. â— Reg. v. b. Psal â— b. Psal 8â— â— â–ª Math. xv d. Esai vi b. Math. xv a. Mar. vii a. Abdi i. c. i. Cor. i. c. Esaâ— xlvii b. Eccl xxiii d Ezech. ix c. E◠〈…〉 Esai viii b. 4 Reg. 18. d. Iere. xvii b. Eze. xxix a. Esai viii â— Esai i. d Psâ—l 〈…〉 Exo. xiiii c. i. Par. xx c. Leui xxvi â— Iosu xxiii a Rom. ii a. Deut. iiii a. ii Pet. iii. b. Esai x. a. Mat. xxv b. Apoc. v. a. Gen. xlix b Apoc. v. a. Gen. xlix b Deut. 32. d. Esai â—i c. Esai 37. c. Pro. xvâ—i b. Rom. v. a. Iere. xxxiii Exo. xxi b. Leuit. 24. d. Sapi. xi c. Mat. vii a. Psal ix b. Iere. v. c. Psal xiiii a. and .xxiii. a. i. Cor. i. a. Heb ix b. Iacob iiii c. (a) God declareth his loue and care to preserue his Churche by his seuere punishyng of the enemies to his Church (a) The baren nature of mankynde to all goodnes shal be made fruitfull by grace promised in Christe Heb. xii b. Deut. xx a. and xxxi b. (b) God geueth strength of grace to the feeble consciences by preachyng the worde Mat. xi a. and xv c. Luk. xvii c. Psal viii a. Esa xli e. xliii c. xliiii a. 4. Reg 18. c. 2. Par. 32 a. Esai vii b. viii b. x. a. xvii d. and xxxâ—â— 4. Reg. 18. b. Eze. xxix a. Esai x. a. 4 Reg â— Iona 〈…〉 â–ª Esai xxxi b 1. Reg. 23 â— 3. Reg. 17. a. Exo. xxv c Gen. i. a. Baruc. i. c. 4. Reg 19 g Eccle 48. d. Esai 31. b. 2. Mac. 15 d. 4. Reg. 20. a. 2 Par. 34. f. 4. Reg. 20. a. 2 Par. 34. f. i. Reg 〈…〉 â—sâ—â— x. Iob. 4. b. Psal vi a. lxxviii b. cxv b. Luk. i. g. 4. Reg. 20. c. 2. Par. 32 â— â–ª 4. Reg 24 â–ª c. Mar. iii. a. Mat. i. a. Luk. iii. a. Ioh. i. c. Esa lvii c. Ioh. x. b. Psal x. c. Iacob i. c. i. Pet. i. b. Eccle. xiiii b Psal 33. b. and .117 i. Pet i. d. Iacob i. b. Sapi. ix b. Rom â–ª xi b. Psal lxii d. Esai xliiii d. Psal cxlvii a Iere. xvii d. (a) By the Ilandes God meaneth the gentiles whoÌ„ he reproueth for their idolatrie (b) By the iust man is ment Abraham who being called out of Vr of the Chaldeans who being iustified by fayth became the father of many nations whom God alwayes defended against all his enemies Esai xliiii a. and .xlviii. â— Apoc. ii b. Esai xliii b. Gene. xxi c. Esai xxv b. xliii xliiii a. Esai xliii â— Cyruâ— Math. iii. b. xii a. xvii a. 〈◊〉 x. c. and xâ—â—iii â— Esai xiix b. Luke ii â— Zach. ix b. Psal cl a. (a) Christe for a tyme deferreth as it were with payne to deliuer his elect from the tirannie of Antichriste but at the time appointed he will enforce hym selfe as a woman in her trauayle to deliuer his people Esai xliiii b. Math. xv b. (b) By the seruaunt messenger and the perfect man he meaneth the Iewes their priestes who ought of all other people to haue had knowledge and to haue serued God perfectly (c) A greeuous sentence against those that wyll not beholde the light when it shineth nor beleue Gods worde when it is preached Deut. 28 b. Esai xiilii d. Baruc i. d. Tob. iii. a. Dani. ix a. iiii Re. xvii c Esai xli b. Deut. vii a. and .xxvi. d. Exod. xiiii c Dani. iii. a. Esai xli d. Math. viii b Esai xxix d Gala. iii. a. Luk. xiiii c. Ephe. ii c. Esai xliiii b. Apoc. â— b. Osee xiii b. Iohn x. f. Esai v â— â—su iii c. Exod. xiiii â— Esai x. a and .xxvii. f. a 〈◊〉 is the wâ— the wâ—rlde is the desert the doctrine of the gospel the waters â–ª 〈◊〉 beasteâ— the cruel aâ—d superstitioâ—s misbeleueâ—s Psal vi d. Esa xxxv b xli c. xliiii a. 〈◊〉 â— d. Iere xvâ—â— c. Psa xxiiii a Ier. xxxiâ—i b Ge. 〈…〉 Num xx â— Esai 35. b. xi and .xiiii. c. Eze. xxxvi d Ioel. ii f. Actes ii b. Esai xii a. Apoc. i. b. Esai xlviii c Apo. xxii c. Esai xliii b. â—sa xiiâ— b. Esai xlii c. Esai xliii d. Gene ii a. Esai xlv â— i. Esdr i. a. (a) The loynes that is the power and strength Gene. 39. a. Esai xliii g. Iere. i. a. Gene. i. a. Iudit ix b. Gene. i. a. Iudit ix b. Esai xxix c Iere. xviii c. and .xix c. Rom ix c. Eccle 33 b. i. Esdr â— a. Rom. xâ— d. Gene. i. a. Exod xx â— Esai lxiiii c. Baruc. vi â— Esai xlvi b. Esai xliiii b Rom. xiiii b Pâ—il ii a. 〈…〉 c. 〈◊〉 â–ª xv a. Exod. xx a. Exo. xxxii a Esai xliiii c. Baruc. vi c. Exâ— xâ—i a 〈…〉 iiii a. Prou. xxi b Iere. l. b. Esai xx b. Apo. xviii c Dani. v e. Esai xxix c Ephe. ii b. Esai li. c. and .liiii. a. Iere. xxxi f. Esai 38. â— Exâ—d iii. b. Esai xli a· xliii b. xliiii b. Rom. vii b. i Tim. i. b. Tit. iii. b. Deu. xxviii Iere. li. a. i. Esd i. b. Exo xvii â— Num. xx b. Es lvâ— Esai li. c. Eph. vi c. Esai li. c. Eph. vi c. Ioh. xâ—ii b. Esai xlii b. Ioh. viii b. Act. xiii c. ii Cor. vi a. Iere. xi a. 〈◊〉 xiii â— Esa xlii a. Zach ix b. Luk. iiii b. Apoc. vâ— c Esai lii a. Rom. xi â— Gen. xv a. Esai xl a. Rom. ix d. Iere. iii. a. Esai lix a· Num. xi e. Esai lix a. Exo. xiiii c. Iosu iii. d. Exo. xiiii c. Iosu iii. d. Exod. x. e. i. Cor. i. a. Psal 39. b. Hebr. x. a. Mat. xxvi
whosoeuer is wylling may this day consecrate his hande vnto the Lorde 6 And so the auncient fathers and the lordes of the tribes of Israel the captaynes of thousandes and hundredes with the lordes that were rulers ouer the kinges worke were willing 7 And gaue for the seruice of the house of God fiue thousand talentes of golde and ten thousand peeces of golde and ten thousand talentes of siluer eyghtteene thousand talentes of brasse and one hundred thousand talentes of iron 8 And they with whom precious stones were founde gaue them to the treasure of the house of the Lord by the hand of Iehiel the Gersonite 9 And the people reioyced when they were so wylling to geue their goodes and with a perfect heart they offered wyllingly to the Lord And Dauid the king reioyced with great gladnesse 10 And Dauid blessed the Lorde before all the congregation and sayde Blessed be thou Lorde God of Israel our father from euer and for euer 11 Thyne O Lorde is greatnesse and power glory victorie and prayse for all that is in heauen and in earth is thyne and thyne is the kingdome O Lorde and thou excellest aboue all euen as the head of all 12 And richesse and honour come of thee and thou raignest ouer all and in thyne hande is power strength and in thyne hand it is to make great and to geue strength vnto all 13 And nowe our God we thanke thee and prayse thy glorious name 14 But who am I and what is my people that we should enforce our selues to geue these thinges so willingly But all thinges come of thee of that which we receaued at thyne hand we haue geuen thee 15 For we be but straungers before thee and soiourners as were al our fathers Our dayes on the earth also are but as a shadowe and there is none abiding 16 O Lorde our God all this stuffe that we haue prepared to builde thee an house for thy holy name commeth of thyne hand and is all thyne 17 I wot also my God that thou tryest the heartes and hast pleasure in vnfaynednesse in the vnfaonednesse of myne heart I haue wyllingly offered al these thinges And now haue I seene thy people which are founde here to offer vnto thee wyllyngly and with gladnesse 18 O Lorde God of Abraham Isahac and of Israel our fathers keepe this for euer in the desire of the thoughtes of the heart of thy people prepare their heartes vnto thee 19 And geue vnto Solomon my sonne a perfect heart to keepe thy commaundementes thy testimonies thy statutes and to do all and builde the house for the which I haue made prouision 20 And Dauid saide to all the congregation Now blesse the Lorde your God And all the congregation blessed the Lorde God of their fathers and bowed downe their heades and worshipped the Lorde and the king 21 And they offered offringes vnto the Lorde And on the morowe after the saide day they offred burnt offringes vnto the Lorde euen a thousand young oxen a thousand rammes and a thousand sheepe with their drinke offrings Many sacrifices offred they for all Israel 22 And did eate drinke before the Lord the same day with great gladnesse And they made Solomon the sonne of Dauid king the second time and annoynted him prince before the Lorde and Zadoc to be the hie priest 23 And Solomon sate on the seate of the Lorde and was king in steade of Dauid his father and prospered and all they of Israel obeyed him 24 And all the lordes and men of power and all the sonnes of king Dauid submitted them selues were vnder king Solomon 25 And the Lorde magnified Solomon in dignitie in the sight of all them of Israel and gaue him so glorious a kingdome as no king had before him in Israel 26 And so Dauid the sonne of Isai raigned ouer all Israel 27 And the space that he raigned ouer Israel was fouretie yeres Seuen yeres raigned he in Hebron and thirtie and three yeres raigned he in Hierusalem 28 And he dyed in a good age ful of dayes riches and honour and Solomon his sonne raigned in his steade 29 The actes of Dauid the king first and last beholde they are written in the booke of Samuel the sear and in the booke of Nathan the prophete and in the booke of Gad the sear 30 With all his kingdome and power and times that went ouer him ouer all Israel and ouer all the kingdomes of the earth ⧠The end of the first booke of the Chronicles otherwyse called the first booke of Paralipomenon ⧠The second booke of the Chronicles which in the Hebrue is one with the first ¶ The first Chapter 6 The offering of Solomon at Gibeon 8 He prayeth vnto God to geue him wysedome 11 which he geueth him and more 14 The number of his charets and horses 15 and of his riches 1 ANd Solomon the sonne of Dauid waxed strong in his kingdome and the Lord his God was with him and magnified him in dignitie 2 And Solomon spake vnto all Israel to the captaynes ouer thousandes to the captaynes ouer hundredes to the iudges and to euery officer in all Israel and to the auncient fathers 3 And so Solomon and all the congregation with him went to the hie place that was at Gibeon for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God which Moyses the seruaunt of the Lorde made in the wyldernesse 4 But the arke of God had Dauid brought from Kiriathiarim into the place which Dauid had prepared therfore For he had pitched a tent for it at Hierusalem 5 Moreouer the brasen aulter that Bezaleel the sonne of Vri the sonne of Hur had made was there before the tabernacle of the Lorde And Solomon and the congregation went to visite it 6 And Solomon gat vp there before the Lord to the brasen aulter that was before the tabernacle of the congregation and offered a thousand burnt sacrifices vpon it 7 And the same night did God appeare vnto Solomon and said vnto him Aske what I shall geue thee 8 And Solomon saide vnto God Thou hast shewed great mercie vnto Dauid my father and hast made me to raigne in his steade 9 Now therefore O Lorde God let thy promise which thou madest vnto Dauid my father be true For thou hast made me king ouer a people which is lyke the dust of the earth in multitude 10 Wherefore geue me now wysedome and knowledge that I may be able to go in and out before this people for who els can iudge this people that is so great 11 And God saide to Solomon Because this was in thyne heart and because thou hast not asked treasure and riches and honour the liues of thyne enemies neither yet long lyfe but hast asked wysedome and knowledge for thy selfe to iudge my people ouer which I haue made thee
13 For this God is our God for euer and euer he wyll be our guide vnto death The argument of the .xlix. psalme ¶ The prophete speakyng to the poore and riche declareth what a vanitie it is for a man to put his trust in worldly goodes and through them to become stout and arrogant for that they can neitheir delyuer any man from trouble calamitie sicknesse sinne death and displeasure of God neither can any man assure them to hym selfe or to his children for any tyme of continuaunce ¶ To the chiefe musition a psalme of the children of Corach 1 HEare this all ye people geue eare all ye that dwell in the worlde 2 As well lowe as high riche and poore one with another 3 My mouth shall vtter wisdome the cogitations of myne heart wyll bryng foorth knowledge 4 I wyll encline myne eare to a parable I wyll open my darke sentence vpon a harpe 5 Wherfore shoulde I feare in euyll dayes the wickednesse of my heeles then would compasse me round about 6 There be some that put their trust in their goodes and boast them selues in the multitude of their riches 7 But no man at all can redeeme his brother nor geue a raunsome vnto God for hym 8 For the redemption of their soule is very costly and must be let alone for euer yea though he lyue long and see not the graue 9 For he seeth that wyse men dye and that the foole and ignoraunt perishe together and leaue their riches for other 10 And yet they thynke that their houses shall continue for euer and that their dwellyng places shall endure from one generation to another therfore they call landes after their owne names 11 Neuerthelesse man can not abyde in such honour he is but lyke vnto bruite beastes that perishe 12 This their way is their foolishnesse yet their posteritie prayse their saying Selah 13 They shal be put into a graue dead as a sheepe death shall feede on them but the ryghteous shall haue dominion of them in the mornyng their beautie shall consume away hell shall receaue them from their house 14 But God wyll delyuer my soule from the place of hell for he wyll receaue me Selah 15 Be not thou afrayde though one be made riche or yf the glorie of his house be encreased 16 For he shall cary nothyng away with hym when he dyeth neither shall his pompe folowe after hym 17 For whyle he lyued he counted him selfe an happy man and so long as thou doest well vnto thy selfe men wyll speake good of thee 18 But he shal folowe the generations of his fathers and shall neuer see lyght 19 A man is in an honourable state but he wyll not vnderstande it he is lyke herein vnto bruite beastes that perishe ¶ The argument of the L. Psalme ¶ The prophete bryngeth in God to call to iudgement heauen earth and all the worlde declaryng that he is not ryghtly worshypped of them who offer sacrifices without fayth and who pretendyng religion in wordes and countenaunces leade a lyfe cleane contrary The true worship of God consisteth in offeryng vnto hym prayses in prosperitie and callyng vpon his name in aduersitie and withall in leadyng a good conuersation of lyfe A psalme of Asaph 1 THe most mightie Lorde God hath spoken and called the earth from the rysyng vp of the sunne vnto the goyng downe therof 2 Out of Sion hath the Lorde appeared in perfect beautie 3 Our Lorde commeth and he wyll not kepe scilence there goeth before hym a consumyng fire and a mightie tempest is sturred rounde about hym 4 He calleth from aboue the heauen and the earth that he may iudge his people 5 Gather my saintes together vnto me those that haue made a couenaunt with me with sacrifice 6 And the heauens shall declare his ryghteousnesse for God is iudge hym selfe Selah 7 Heare O my people and I wil speake I my selfe wyll testifie vnto thee O Israel I am the Lorde euen thy Lorde 8 I wyll not reproue thee because of thy sacrifices or for thy burnt offerynges for that they be not alway before me 9 I wyll take no bullocke out of thy house nor goates out of thy foldes 10 For all the beastes of the forest are myne and so are the cattel vpon a thousande hylles 11 I knowe all the foules vpon the mountaynes and the wylde beastes of the fielde are at my commaundement 12 If I be hungry I wyll not tell thee for the whole worlde is myne and all that is therin 13 Thinkest thou that I will eate bulles fleshe and drynke the blood of goates 14 Offer vnto God prayse and pay thy vowes vnto the most hyghest 15 And call vpon me in the tyme of trouble I wyll heare thee and thou shalt glorifie me 16 But the Lorde sayd vnto the vngodly why doest thou preache my lawes and takest my couenaunt in thy mouth 17 Seyng that thou hatest discipline and hast cast my wordes behynde thee 18 When thou sawest a thiefe thou dydst consent vnto hym and thou hast ben partaker with the adulterers 19 Thou hast let thy mouth speake wickednesse and with thy tongue thou hast set foorth deceipt 20 Thou sattest and spakedst agaynst thy brother yea and hast slaundered thine owne mothers sonne 21 These thynges hast thou done and I helde my tongue thou thoughtest that I am euen such a one as thou thy selfe art but I wyll reproue thee and I wyll set foorth in order before thine eyes all that thou hast done 22 Consider this I pray you ye that forget the Lorde lest I plucke you away and there be none to delyuer you 23 Who so offereth vnto me thankes and prayse he honoureth me and to hym that ordereth his conuersation ryght I wyll shewe the saluation of God ⧠The argument of the .lj. psalme ¶ Dauid acknowledgyng his great offence in committyng adulterie besecheth most humbly God of his great mercie to pardon his sinnes partly that Gods promises may appeare true who hath promised pardon to all them that from the bottome of their heart do confesse their faultes partly also that he myght lyue to builde the walles and temple of Hierusalem where sacrifices of righteousnes must be offered ¶ To the chiefe musition a psalme of Dauid when the prophete Nathan came vnto hym after he was gone in to Bethsabe ii Samuel xi 1 HAue mercie on me O Lorde accordyng to thy louyng kindnesse accordyng vnto the multitudes of thy mercies wype out my wickednesse 2 Washe me throughly from myne iniquitie and clense me from my sinne 3 For I do acknowledge my wickednesse and my sinne is euer before me 4 Agaynst thee only agaynst thee I haue sinned and done this euyll in thy sight that thou mightest be iustified in thy saying and founde pure when thou art iudged 5 Beholde I was ingendred in iniquitie and in sinne my mother conceaued me
〈◊〉 exul cxâ— Dominus reguauit 〈◊〉 câ— Ecce nunc benedicite câ—iii Ecce quâ—m bonum liâ— Etipe iâ—e de â—micis câ— Eâ—ipe me domine xlv E◠〈…〉 câ—r câ—lv Exaltâ— te deus xxx Exalâ— te domine lv Exaudi deus â—ratio lxi Exaudi deus depreâ—a lxiiii Exaudi deus oratâ— meâ—m xâ—ii Exaudi domine 〈◊〉 xx Exâ—utidiâ— te dominiâ— xl Expectanâ— expectâ— lxxxi Exultâ—te deo xxxiii Exultate 〈◊〉 lxviii Exuâ—at deus lxxxvii Fundamenta eius lxxxvi Iâ—clâ—na domine cxxvi Iâ— conuerteâ—do xâ— In domino câ—nâ—o cxiiii In exitu Iâ—ael xxxi In te domine speratii lxvi Iubilate deo C. Iubilate dâ—mâ—no xxxv Iudica domine xliii Iudica me deus xxvi Iuâ—ca me domine lxxi Iuâ— domine spâ—ratii non cxlâ— Iâ—da anima mea cxlâ—ii 〈◊〉 Hierusalem cxâ— cxvâ—◠〈…〉 omnes cxxi Leua◠〈◊〉 cxxii Laâ—tâ—tus â—um câ—v Laudâ—te â—men cxlvii Laâ—date dâ—minum cxlviii Laâ—dâ—te dominâ— de coâ—lis cl Laudate dominum in xlâ—iii l◠〈…〉 deuâ— i. lvi 〈…〉 deuâ— ii lâ—ii Miserere mei de◠〈◊〉 lxxxix câ— Miseri◠〈…〉 câ—i Memâ—nto domine xxxâ—ii No◠〈◊〉 lxâ—i Nâ—â—uâ—e de 〈…〉 lxxvi Notus in Iudaeâ— cxv Non 〈…〉 cxxâ—iâ— Nisi quiâ— dominâ— cxxâ—ii Nisi dominu◠〈◊〉 xlvii Omnes gentes cviii Paâ—atum cor ii Quare fremuerunt xlii Qâ—em admodum lii Quid gloriaâ—iâ— lxxiii Quâ—m bonus Isâ—ael lxxâ— Qui regis Israel lâ—xiiii Quâ—m dilâ—ta xâ—i Qui â—abiâ—atâ— ad ii câ—xv Quâ— confidâ—t xii Saluum me fac domiâ—e lâ—ii Sâ—ere vâ—que lâ—ix Saluum me fac deâ— cxxix Sâ—pe expugnaâ—erunt cxxxvii Super â—mina lxv Te decet hymnâ—s v. Verba meâ— x Vt quâ—d domine xiii Vs◠〈◊〉 domine lxxiiii Vt 〈◊〉 deus lxxvii 〈…〉 ad dominum xcv 〈…〉 exusteâ— cxiii Vâ— mea ad domâ—am ⧠The prouerbes of Solomon ¶ The first Chapter 1 The power and vse of the worde of God 7 Of the feare of God and knowledge of his worde 10 We may not consent to the intisinges of sinners 20 Wysdome complayneth that she is contemned 14 The punishment of them that contemne her 1 THe prouerbes of Solomon the sonne of Dauid king of Israel 2 To learne wisdome and instruction to perceaue the wordes of vnderstanding 3 To receaue the instruction of wysdome iustice iudgement and equitie 4 To geue wyt vnto the simple that the young men might haue knowledge and vnderstanding 5 The wyse man wyll geue eare and wyll come by more wysdome and he that is endued with vnderstanding shall attayne vnto wyse counselles 6 To vnderstande a parable and the interpretation thereof the wordes of the wyse and their darke speaches 7 The feare of the Lorde is the beginning of knowledge but fooles dispise wysdome and instruction 8 My sonne heare thy fathers doctrine forsake not the lawe of thy mother 9 For they shal be an encrease of grace vnto thy head and as a chayne about thy necke 10 My sonne if sinners entice thee consent not vnto them 11 If they say come with vs let vs lay wayte for blood and lurke priuily for the innocent without a cause 12 Let vs swallowe them vp lyke the graue quicke and whole as those that go downe into the pit 13 So shall we finde all maner of costly riches and fill our houses with spoyles 14 Cast in thy lot among vs and let vs all haue one purse 15 My sonne walke not thou with them refrayne thy foote from their wayes 16 For their feete runne to euill and are hastie to shed blood 17 But as in vayne the nette is layde foorth before the byrdes eyes 18 So these lay wayte for the blood of them and lye priuily for their liues 19 Suche are the wayes of euery one that is greedie of gayne who taketh away the lyfe of the owner therof 20 Wysdome cryeth without and putteth foorth her voyce in the streates 21 She calleth before the congregation in the open gates and sheweth her wordes thorowe the citie saying 22 O ye chyldren howe long will ye loue chyldishnes howe long wyll the scorners delite in scorning and the vnwyse hate knowledge 23 O turne you at my correction lo I wyll expresse my minde vnto you and make you vnderstande my wordes 24 Because I haue called and ye refused I haue stretched out my hand and no man regarded 25 But all my counsels haue ye dispised and set my correction at naught 26 Therefore wyll I also laugh at your destruction and mocke you when the thing that ye feare commeth vpon you 27 Euen when the thing that ye be afraide of falleth in sodenly like a storme and your miserie lyke a tempest yea when trouble and heauines commeth vpon you 28 Then shall they call vpon me but I wyll not aunswere they shall seeke me early but they shall not finde me 29 And that because they hated knowledge and did not chose the feare of the Lorde 30 They woulde none of my counsayle but dispised all my correction 31 Therfore shall they eate of the fruite of their owne way and be filled with their owne inuentions 32 For the turning away of the vnwyse shall slay them and the prosperitie of fooles shall destroy them 33 But whoso hearkeneth vnto me shal dwell safely and be sure from any feare of euyll ¶ The .ii. Chapter 1 Wysdome exhorteth to obay her 5 She teacheth the feare of God â— She is geuen of God 1â— She preserueth from wickednes 1 MY sonne if thou wylt receaue my wordes and laye vp my commaundementes within thee 2 That thou wylt encline thyne eares vnto wysdome applye thyne heart then to vnderstanding 3 For if thou cryest after wysdome and cryest for knowledge 4 If thou seekest for her as for siluer and searchest for her as for treasures 5 Then shalt thou vnderstand the feare of the Lorde and finde the knowledge of God 6 For the Lorde geueth wysdome out of his mouth commeth knowledge and vnderstanding 7 He stirreth vp health for the righteous and defendeth them that walke vprightly 8 That they may kepe the right path and he preserueth the way of suche as do serue hym with godlynesse 9 Then shalt thou vnderstande righteousnesse and iudgement and equitie yea and euery good path 10 When wysdome entreth into thyne heart and thy soule deliteth in knowledge 11 Then shall counsell preserue thee and vnderstanding shall kepe thee 12 That thou mayest be deliuered from the euyll way and from the man that speaketh frowarde thinges 13 From such as leaue the wayes of righteousnesse to walke in the wayes of darknesse 14 Whiche reioyce in doyng naught and delite in the wickednesse of the euill 15 Whose wayes are crooked and they frowarde in their pathes 16 That thou mayest be deliuered also from the straunge woman and from her that is not thyne owne whiche geueth sweete wordes 17 Forsaketh the husbande of her youth forgetteth the couenaunt of her God 18 For
his heritage and the foole shal be seruaunt to the wise 30 The fruite of the ryghteous is a tree of life and he that winneth mens soules is wise 31 If the ryghteous be recompensed vpon earth howe much more then the vngodly and the sinner The .xij. Chapter 1 WHo so loueth correction loueth knowledge but he that hateth to be reproued is a foole 2 A good man is acceptable vnto the Lorde but the wicked imaginer wyll he condempne 3 A man can not endure in vngodlinesse but the roote of the ryghteous shall not be moued 4 A huswifely woman is a crowne vnto her husbande but she that behaueth her selfe vnhonestly is as corruption in his bones 5 The thoughtes of the ryghteous are ryght but the imaginations of the vngodly are deceptfull 6 The talkyng of the vngodly is howe they may lay wayte for blood but the mouth of the righteous will deliuer theÌ„ 7 God ouerturneth the estate of the wicked and they stande not but the house of the ryghteous shall stande 8 A man shal be commended for his wisdome but a foole shal be dispised 9 He that is dispised and is yet his owne man is better then the glorious that lacketh bread 10 A ryghteous man regardeth the lyfe of his cattell but the vngodly haue cruell heartes 11 He that tylleth his lande shall haue plenteousnesse of bread but he that foloweth idlenesse is a very foole 12 The desire of the vngodly is a net of euyls but the roote of the ryghteous bryngeth foorth fruite 13 The wicked falleth into the snare thorowe the malice of his owne mouth but the iust shall escape out of all perill 14 Man shal be satisfied with good thinges by the fruite of his mouth and after the workes of his handes shall he be rewarded 15 The way of a foole is strayght in his owne eyes but he that hearkeneth vnto counsayle is wise 16 A foole vttereth his wrath in all the haste but a discrete man couereth his owne shame 17 A iust man wyll tell the trueth and shewe the thyng that is ryght but a false witnesse deceaueth 18 A slaunderous person pricketh lyke a sworde but a wise mans tongue is wholsome 19 The lippe of trueth shal be stable for euer but a dissemblyng tongue is soone chaunged 20 Deceipt is in the heart of them that imagine euyll but to the counsaylers of peace shal be ioy 21 There shall no aduersitie happen vnto the iust but the vngodly shal be fylled with miserie 22 The Lorde abhorreth lying lippes but they that deale truely please hym 23 A discrete man doth hyde knowledge but the heart of fooles blabbeth out foolishnesse 24 A diligent hande shall beare rule but the idle shal be vnder tribute 25 Heauinesse discourageth the heart of man but a good worde maketh it glad agayne 26 The ryghteous excelleth his neyghbour but the way of the vngodly wyll deceaue them selues 27 The deciptfull man shall not roste that he toke in huntyng but the riches of the iust man is of great value 28 In the way of ryghteousnesse there is life in the same way there is no death The .xiij. Chapter 1 A Wise sonne wil hearken to his fathers warnyng but he that is scorneful wil not heare when he is reproued 2 Of the fruite of a wise mans mouth shall eche man eate good thynges but the wicked shall eate of the fruite of the transgressours 3 He that kepeth his mouth kepeth his lyfe but who so rashlye openeth his lippes destroyeth hym selfe 4 The sluggarde woulde fayne haue and can not get his desire but the soule of the diligent shall haue plentie 5 A ryghteous man abhorreth lyes but the vngodly shameth hym selfe and is put to scilence 6 Ryghteousnesse kepeth the innocent in the way but vngodlinesse doth ouerthrowe the sinner 7 Some men make them selues riche though they haue nothyng agayne some make them selues poore hauyng great riches 8 With goodes a man redeemeth his life and the poore wyll not be reproued 9 The lyght of the ryghteous maketh ioyfull but the candell of the vngodly shal be put out 10 Among the proude there is euer strife but with the well aduised is wisdome 11 Vaynly gotten goodes are soone spent but they that be gathered together with the hande shall encrease 12 Hope deferred greeueth the heart but wheÌ„ the desire coÌ„meth it is a tree of life 13 Who so dispiseth the worde shall perishe for the same but he that feareth the commaundement shall haue the rewarde 14 The lawe of the wise is a well of life to auoyde from the snares of death 15 Good vnderstandyng geueth fauour but harde is the way of the dispisers 16 A wise man doth all thynges with discretion but a foole wyll declare his follie 17 An vngodly messenger falleth into mischiefe but a faythfull embassadour is as health 18 He that thinketh scorne to be refourmed commeth to pouertie and shame but who so regardeth correction shall come to honour 19 When a desire is brought to passe it deliteth the soule but fooles count it abhomination to depart from euyll 20 He that goeth in the companie of wise men shal be wise but who so is a companion of fooles shal be afflicted 21 Mischiefe foloweth vpon sinners but the righteous shal haue a good reward 22 He that is vertuous leaueth an heritaunce vnto his childers children the riches of y e sinner is layde vp for the iust 23 There is plenteousnesse of foode in the fieldes of the poore but the fielde not well ordered is without fruite 24 He that spareth the rodde hateth his sonne but who so loueth hym chasteneth hym betymes 25 The righteous eateth and is satisfied but the belly of the vngodly hath neuer enough The .xiiij. Chapter 1 WYse women vpholde their house but a foolishe wyfe plucketh it downe 2 He that walketh vpryghtlye feareth the Lorde but he that turneth hym selfe from his wayes dispiseth hym 3 In the mouth of the foolishe is the rodde of pryde but the lippes of the wyse wyll preserue them 4 Where no oxen are there the cribbe is emptie but much encrease commeth by the toyle of the oâ—â— 5 A faithfull witnesse will not dissemble but a false recorde wyll make a lye 6 A scornfull body seketh wisdome and fyndeth â—t not but knowledge is easie vnto hym that wyll vnderstande 7 Get thee from a foolishe man when thou perceauest not in hym the lippes of knowledge 8 The wisdome of the circumspect man is to vnderstande his way but the foolishnesse of the vnwise deceaueth 9 Fooles make but a sport of sinne but there is a fauourable loue among the ryghteous 10 The heart knoweth his owne soules bitternesse and the straunger shall not be partaker of his ioy 11 The house of the vngodly shal be ouerthrowen but the tabernacle of the righteous shall florishe 12 There is a
way which seemeth right vnto a man but the ende therof are the wayes of death 13 The heart is sorowfull euen in laughter and the ende of myrth is heauinesse 14 A backe slydyng heart shal be fylled with his owne wayes but a good man shall depart from hym 15 An ignoraunt body beleueth euery worde but who so hath vnderstanding loketh well to his goynges 16 A wyse man feareth and departeth from euyll but the foole is angry and counteth hym selfe sure 17 An vnpatient man dealeth foolishly but he that is well aduised is hated of the foole 18 The ignoraunt haue foolishnesse in possession but the wyse are crowned with knowledge 19 The euyll shall bowe them selues before the good and the vngodly shall wayte at the gates of the ryghteous 20 The poore is hated euen of his owne neyghbours but the riche hath many fâ—endes 21 Who so dispiseth his neighbour sinneth but blessed is he that hath pitie of the poore 22 Without doubt they erre that worke wickednesse but they that muse vpon good thynges vnto such shall happen mercie and trueth 23 In euery labour there is some profite â–ª but vayne wordes bryng foorth onely penurie 24 Riches are as a crowne vnto the wise â–ª but the ignoraunce of fooles is very foolishnesse 25 A faythfull witnesse deliuereth soules but a deceiptfull witnesse bryngeth foorth lyes 26 In the feare of the Lord is an assured strength and his children are vnder a sure defence 27 The feare of the Lorde is a well of lyfe to auoyde the snares of death 28 In the multitude of people is the kynges honour but the decay of the people is the confusion of the prince 29 He that is patient hath much vnderstanding but he that is soone displeased exalteth foolishnesse 30 A mery heart is the lyfe of the body but enuie consumeth away the bones 31 He that doth a poore man wrong blasphemeth his maker but who so honoureth him hath pitie on the poore 32 The vngodly is cast away for his iniquitie but the ryghteous hath a good hope euen in death 33 Wisdome resteth in the heart of hym that hath vnderstandyng and it shal be knowen among them that are vnlearned 34 * Righteousnesse setteth vp the people but the sacrifice of the heathen is sinnefull 35 A discrete seruaunt is a pleasure vnto the kyng but his wrath is agaynst hym that doth dishonour hym The .xv. Chapter 1 A Soft aunswere appeaseth wrath but rough wordes stirre vp anger 2 The tongue of such as be wise vseth knoweledge aryght as for a foolishe mouth it babbleth out nothyng but foolishnesse 3 The eyes of the Lorde in euery place â–ª beholdeth both the good and the bad 4 A wholsome tongue is a tree of lyfe but the frowardnesse therof doth make sad the spirite 5 A foole dispiseth his fathers correction â–ª but he that taketh heede when he is reproued shall haue the more vnderstandyng 6 The house of the ryghteous is full of riches but in the fruites of the vngodly there is trouble 7 The lippes of the wise do sowe knowledge but the heart of the foolishe do not so 8 The Lorde abhorreth the sacrifice of the vngodly but the prayer of the righteous is acceptable vnto hym 9 The way of the vngodly is an abhomination vnto the Lorde but who so foloweth righteousnesse him he loueth 10 Correction is greeuous vnto hym that forsaketh the way and who so hateth correction shall dye 11 Hell and destruction are before the Lorde howe much more then the heartes of the children of men 12 A scornefull body loueth not one that rebuketh hym neither wyll he come vnto the wyse 13 A mery heart maketh a chearfull countenaunce but by the sorowe of the heart the mynde is heauy 14 The heart of hym that hath vnderstandyng doth seke knowledge but the mouth of fooles is fed with foolishnesse 15 All the dayes of the poore are miserable but a quiet heart is a continuall feast 16 Better is a litle with the feare of the Lorde then great treasure and trouble therwith 17 Better is a dynner of hearbes with loue then a fat oxe with euyll wyll 18 An angry man stirreth vp strife but he that is patient stylleth discorde 19 The way of a slouthfull man is as an hedge of thornes but the way of the ryghteous is playne 20 A wyse sonne maketh a glad father but a foolishe man dispiseth his mother 21 Foolishnesse is ioy to him that is destitute of knowledge but a man of vnderstandyng walketh vprightly 22 Thoughtes without counsayle shall come to naught but wheras men are that can geue good counsayle there is stedfastnesse 23 A ioyfull thing it is to a man wheÌ„ his counsayle is folowed and howe good is a worde spoken in season 24 The way of lyfe is on hygh to the wise that a man shoulde beware of hell beneath 25 The Lorde wyll breake downe the house of the proude but he shall make fast the borders of the wydowe 26 The Lorde abhorreth the imaginations of the wicked but the wordes of the pure are pleasaunt 27 The greedy couetous man rooteth vp his owne house but who so hateth rewardes shall lyue 28 The heart of the ryghteous studyeth his aunswere afore but the wicked mans mouth spueth out mischiefe 29 The Lorde is farre from the vngodly but he heareth the prayer of the ryghteous 30 The clearnes of the eye reioyseth the heart a good name feedeth the bones 31 The eare that hearkeneth to the refourmation of lyfe shall dwell among the wyse 32 He that refuseth to be refourmed dispiseth his owne soule but he that submitteth him selfe to correction is wyse 33 The feare of the Lorde is the ryght science of wisdome and lowlynesse goeth before honour The .xvj. Chapter 1 A Man may wel purpose a thyng in his heart but the aunswere of the tongue commeth of the Lorde 2 A man thynketh all his wayes to be cleane but it is the Lorde that iudgeth the myndes 3 Commit thy workes vnto the Lorde and what thou deuisest it shall prosper 4 The Lorde hath made all thynges for his owne sake yea the vngodly for the day of wrath 5 The Lorde abhorreth all such as be of a proude heart and though hande be ioyned in hande yet they shall not be vnpunished 6 With mercie and faythfulnesse sinnes be forgeuen and by the feare of the Lorde euyll is eschewed 7 When a mans wayes please the Lord he maketh his very enemies to be his frendes 8 Better it is to haue a litle with ryghteousnesse then great rentes wrongfully gotten 9 A man deuiseth a way in his heart but it is the Lorde that ordereth his goynges 10 When the prophecie is in the lippes of the kyng his mouth shall not go wrong in iudgement 11 A true wayght and ballaunce are the Lordes iudgement all the wayghtes of the bagge
are his worke 12 Wicked doers are an abhomination to the kyng for a kynges seate shoulde be holden vp with ryghteousnesse 13 Ryghteous lippes are pleasaunt vnto kynges and them that speaketh the trueth shall he loue 14 The kinges displeasure is a messenger of death but a wise man wyll pacifie hym 15 The chearfull countenaunce of the kyng is life and his louyng fauour is as a cloude of the latter rayne 16 To haue wisdome in possession is better then to haue golde and to get vnderstandyng is rather to be chosen then to haue siluer 17 The path of the ryghteous is to eschewe euyll and who so loketh well to his wayes kepeth his owne soule 18 Pryde goeth before destruction and an hygh mynde before the fall 19 Better it is to be of humble mynde with the lowly thē to deuide the spoyles with the proude 20 He that handleth a matter wisely obteyneth good and blessed is he that putteth his trust in the Lorde 21 Who so is wyse in heart shal be called prudent and the sweetnesse of his lippes encreaseth learnyng 22 Vnderstandyng is a well of lyfe vnto hym that hath it as for the chastenyng of fooles it is but foolishnesse 23 A wyse heart ordereth his mouth wisely and ministreth learnyng vnto his lippes 24 Fayre wordes are an hony combe a refresshyng of the mynde and health of the bones 25 There is a way that men thynke to be ryght but the ende therof leadeth vnto death 26 A troublous soule disquieteth her selfe for her owne mouth hath brought her therto 27 An vngodly person stirreth vp euyll and in his lippes he is as an hotte burnyng fyre 28 A frowarde body causeth strife and he that is a blabbe of his tongue maketh deuision among princes 29 A wicked man beguyleth his neyghbour and leadeth hym into the way that is not good 30 He shutteth his eyes to deuise mischiefe and moueth his lippes to bryng euyll to passe 31 Age is a crowne of worshyp yf it be founde in the way of ryghteousnesse 32 A patient man is better thē one strong and he that can rule hym selfe is more worth then he that wynneth a citie 33 The lottes are cast into the lappe but the orderyng therof standeth all in the Lorde The .xvij. Chapter 1 BEtter is a drye morsell with quietnesse then a house full of fat offeryng with strife 2 A discrete seruaunt shall haue rule ouer a lewde sonne and shal haue heritage with the brethren 3 As siluer is tryed in the fire and golde in the furnace so doth the Lorde proue the heartes 4 A wicked body geueth heede to false lippes and a lyer geueth eare to a deceiptfull tongue 5 Who so scorneth the poore blasphemeth his maker and he that is glad at another mans hurt shall not be vnpunished 6 Childers children are a crowne of the aged and the fathers are the honour of the children 7 Speache of aucthoritie becommeth not a foole much lesse a lying mouth then beseemeth a prince 8 A gyft is as a precious stone vnto hym that hath it but vnto whom soeuer it turneth it maketh hym vnwise 9 Who so couereth a fault procureth loue but he that discloseth it deuideth very frendes 10 One reproofe more feareth a wise man then an hundred stripes doth a foole 11 A seditious person seketh mischiefe and a cruell messenger shal be sent agaynst hym 12 It were better to meete a shee beare robbed of her whelpes then a foole trustyng in his foolishnesse 13 Who so rewardeth euill for good euill shall not depart from his house 14 The begynnyng of strife is as when a man maketh an issue for water therfore leaue of before the contention be medled with 15 The Lorde hateth as well hym that iustifieth the vngodly as hym that condempneth the innocent 16 Wherto hath a foole treasure in his hande to bye wisdome seyng he hath no mynde therto 17 He is a frende that alway loueth and in aduersitie a man shall knowe who is his brother 18 Who so promiseth by the hande and is suretie for his neighbour he is a foole 19 He that delighteth in sinne loueth strife and who so setteth his doore to hye seeketh destruction 20 Who so hath a frowarde heart obteyneth no good and he that hath a double tongue shall fall into mischiefe 21 He that begetteth a foole begetteth his sorowe and the father of a foole can haue no ioy 22 A mery heart make a lustie age ▪ but a sorowfull mynde dryeth vp the bones 23 The vngodly taketh gyftes out of the bosome to wrest the wayes of iudgement 24 Wisdome shyneth in the face of hym that hath vnderstandyng but the eyes of fooles wander throughout al landes 25 An vndiscrete sonne is a griefe vnto his father and an heauinesse vnto his mother 26 Certaynly to condempne the iust is not good nor to strike the gouernours which iudge ryghtly 27 A wyse man vseth fewe wordes and a man of vnderstandyng is of a patient spirite 28 Yea a very foole when he holdeth his tongue is counted wyse and he that stoppeth his lippes is esteemed prudent The .xviij. Chapter 1 WHo so hath an earnest desire to wisdome he will sequester him selfe to seke it and occupie him selfe in all stedfastnesse sounde doctrine 2 A foole hath no delyght in vnderstandyng but only to vtter the fansies of his owne heart 3 When the vngodly commeth then commeth also disdayne and with the dishonest person commeth shame and dishonour 4 The wordes of a wise mans mouth are lyke deepe waters and the well of wisdome is lyke a full streame 5 It is not good to regarde the person of the vngodly to ouerthrowe the righteous in iudgement 6 A fooles lippes come with brawlyng and his mouth prouoketh vnto stripes 7 A fooles mouth is his owne destruction and his lippes are the snare for his owne soule 8 The wordes of a slaunderer are very woundes and go through vnto the innermost partes of the body 9 Who so is slouthfull in his labour is the brother of hym that is a waster 10 The name of the Lorde is a strong castell the ryghteous runneth vnto it and is in safegarde 11 The riche mans goodes are his strong citie and as an hygh wall in his owne conceipt 12 Before destruction the heart of a man is proude and before honour goeth humilitie 13 He that geueth sentence in a matter before he heare it the same to hym is follie and shame 14 A good stomacke beareth out sicknesse but the mynde beyng sicke who shall heale it 15 A wyse heart possesseth knowledge a prudent eare seeketh vnderstanding 16 A mans gyft maketh an open way to bryng hym before great men 17 The ryghteous declareth his owne cause first hym selfe and his neyghbour commeth and tryeth hym 18 The lot causeth variaunce to ceasse and parteth the mightie a sunder 19
heart is in the hand of the Lord lyke as are the riuers of water he maye turne it whyther soeuer he wyll 2 Euery mans way seemeth right in his owne eyes but the Lorde pondereth the heart 3 To do righteousnes and iudgement is more acceptable to the Lorde then sacrifice 4 An high looke a proude heart and the plowing of the vngodly is sinne 5 The deuises of one that is diligent bring plenteousnesse but he that is vnaduised commeth vnto pouertie 6 To hoorde vp riches with a deceiptfull tongue is vanitie tossed to and fro of them that seeke death 7 The robberies of the vngodly shal be their owne destruction for they wyll not do the thing that is right 8 The way of the vngodly is frowarde and straunge but of the pure man his worke is right 9 It is better to dwell in a corner on the house toppe then with a brawling woman in a wide house 10 The soule of the vngodly wisheth euyll and his neighbour findeth no fauour in his eyes 11 When the scornefull is punished the ignoraunt take the better heede and when the wise is instructed he wyll receaue vnderstanding 12 The righteous man wysely considereth the house of the wicked and for their wickednesse God ouerthroweth the vngodly 13 Who so stoppeth his eares at the crying of the poore he shall crye hym selfe and not be hearde 14 A priuie rewarde pacifieth displeasure and a gyft in the bosome stilleth furiousnesse 15 The iust delighteth in doing the thing that is right but destruction shal be to the workers of wickednesse 16 The man that wandereth out of the way of wysdome shall remaine in the congregation of the dead 17 He that hath pleasure in bankettes shal be a poore man and whoso delighteth in wine and delicates shall not be riche 18 The vngodly shal be a raunsome for the righteous and the wicked for the iust 19 It is better to dwell in the wyldernesse then with a chydyng and an angrye woman 20 In a wise mans house there is a great treasure and oyle but a foolishe body spendeth vp all 21 Who so foloweth righteousnesse and mercy findeth both life righteousnesse and honour 22 A wyse man skaleth the citie of the mightie ouerthroweth the strength wherein they trusted 23 Who so kepeth his mouth and his tongue the same kepeth his soule from troubles 24 He that is proude and arrogant is called a scorner whiche in his wrath worketh presumptuously 25 The desire of the slouthfull kylleth him for his handes wyll not labour 26 He coueteth greedyly all day long but the righteous geueth and spareth not 27 The sacrifice of the vngodly is abhomination howe muche more when they offer the thing that is gotten with wickednesse 28 A false witnesse shall perishe but a good man speaketh constantly what he hath hearde 29 An vngoly man hardeneth his face but the iust refourmeth his owne way 30 There is no wysdome there is no vnderstanding there is no counsayle against the Lorde 31 The horse is prepared against the day of battayle but the Lorde geueth victorie ¶ The .xxii. Chapter 1 A Good name is more to be desired then great riches and louing fauour is better then siluer and golde 2 The riche and poore meete together the Lorde is the maker of them all 3 A wyse man seeth the plague and hydeth hym selfe but the foolishe go on still and are punished 4 By humilitie and the feare of the Lorde commeth riches honour and life 5 Thornes and snares are in the way of the frowarde but he that doth kepe his soule wyll flee farre from them 6 Teache a chylde what way he should go for he shall not leaue it when he is olde 7 The ryche ruleth the poore and the borower is seruaunt to the lender 8 He that soweth wickednes shal reape wickednes and the rodde of his anger shall fayle 9 He that hath a bountifull eye shal be blessed for he geueth of his bread to the poore 10 Cast out the scorneful man and so shal strife go out with hym yea variaunce and sclaunder shall ceasse 11 Who so loueth cleannes of heart for the grace of his lippes the kyng shal be his frende 12 The eyes of the Lord preserue knowledge and he ouerthroweth the wordes of the transgressours 13 The slouthfull body saith there is a Lion without I might be slaine in the streate 14 The mouth of straunge women is a deepe pit wherein he falleth that the Lorde is angrye withall 15 Foolishnes is bounde in the heart of the chylde and the rodde of correction shall driue it away 16 Who so doth a poore man wrong to increase his owne riches and geueth vnto the ryche at the last commeth to pouertie hym selfe 17 Bowe downe thyne eare and heare the wordes of the wise applie thy mind vnto my doctrine 18 For it is a pleasaunt thing if thou kepe them in thyne heart and order them in thy lippes 19 That thou mayest put thy trust in the Lorde I haue shewed thee this day the thing that thou knowest 20 Haue not I warned thee very oft with counsayle and learning 21 That I might make thee knowe the trueth that thou with the veritie mightest aunswere them that sende vnto thee 22 Rob not the poore because he is poore and oppresse not the simple in iudgement 23 For the Lorde him selfe wyll defende their cause and do violence vnto them that haue vsed violence 24 Make no frendship with an angrye wylfull man and walke not with the furious 25 Lest thou learne his wayes and receaue hurt to thy soule 26 Be not thou one of them that binde their hande vpon promise and are suretie for waightie causes 27 For if thou hast nothing to pay they shall take away thy bed from vnder thee 28 Thou shalt not remoue the auncient lande marke whiche thy fore elders haue set 29 Seest thou not that they which be diligent in their businesse stande before kinges not among the simple people The .xxiij. Chapter 1 WHen thou sittest to eate with a noble man consider diligently what is set before thee 2 Measure thyne appetite if it be gredyly set 3 Be not desirous of his daintie meates for meate begyleth and deceaueth 4 Take not ouer great trauayle to be riche beware of suche a purpose 5 Wylt thou set thyne eye vpon the thing which sodenly vanisheth away For riches make them selues wynges and take their flight lyke an Egle into the ayre 6 Eate thou not the bread of hym that hath an euyll eye neither desire thou his daintie meate 7 For as though he thought it in his heart he saith eate and drinke where as his heart is not with thee 8 The morsels that thou hast eaten shalt thou parbreake and loose those sweete wordes 9 Tell nothing into the eares of a foole for he wyll despise the wysdome
of thy wordes 10 Remoue not the olde lande marke and come not within the fielde of the fatherlesse 11 For their redeemer is mightie euen he shall defend their cause against thee 12 Applye thyne heart vnto correction and thyne eare to the wordes of knowledge 13 Withholde not correction from the chylde for if thou beatest hym with the rodde he shall not dye thereof 14 If thou smyte hym with the rodde thou shalt deliuer his soule from hell 15 My sonne if thy heart receaue wysdome my heart also shall reioyce 16 Yea my raynes shal be very glad if thy lippes speake the thing that is right 17 Let not thyne heart be ielous to folowe sinners but kepe thee styll in the feare of the Lorde all the day long 18 For veryly there is an ende and thy pacient abiding shall not be cut of 19 My sonne geue eare and be wyse and set straight thyne heart in the way of the Lorde 20 Kepe not company with wine bibbers and riotous eaters of fleshe 21 For suche as be drunkardes and riotours shall come to pouertie and he that is geuen to muche sleepe shall go with a ragged coate 22 Geue eare vnto thy father that begat thee and despise not thy mother when she is olde 23 Purchase trueth wysdome nurture and vnderstanding and sell them not 24 The father of the righteous shall greatly reioyce and he that begetteth a wyse chylde shall haue ioy of hym 25 Do so that thy father and mother may be glad of thee and that she that bare thee may reioyce 26 My sonne geue me thyne heart and let thyne eyes haue pleasure in my wayes 27 For an whore is a deepe graue and a straunge woman is a narowe pit 28 She lyeth in wayte as for a pray and increaseth the transgressours amongst men 29 Who hath wo who hath sorowe who hath strife who hath brawling and who hath woundes without a cause 30 Or who hath red eyes euen they that be euer at the wine seeke excesse 31 Looke not thou vpon the wine howe red it is and what a colour it geueth in the glasse 32 It goeth downe sweetely but at the last it byteth like a serpent and stingeth lyke an adder 33 Thyne eyes shall beholde straunge women and thyne heart shall vtter lewde thinges 34 Yea thou shalt be as though thou layest in the middest of the sea or slepest vppon the top of the maste of a ship 35 They haue beaten me shalt thou say and I was not sicke they haue stricken me and I felt it not When I am well wakened I wil go to the drinke again ¶ The .xxiiij. Chapter 1 BE not thou enuious to folow wicked men and desire not to be among them 2 For their heart imagineth to do hurt and their lippes talke mischiefe 3 Thorowe wysdome is an house buylded with vnderstanding is it set vp 4 Thorowe discretion shall the chaumbers be filled with all costly and pleasaunt riches 5 A wise man is euer strong yea a man of vnderstanding increaseth strength 6 For with discretion must warres be taken in hand and where as are many that can geue counsaile there is health 7 Wysdome is to hye a thyng for a foole for he dare not open his mouth in the gate 8 He that imagineth mischiefe maye well be called an vngratious person 9 The wicked thought of the foolishe is sinne and the scornefull is an abhomination vnto men 10 If thou be faynt in the day of aduersitie thy strength is small 11 Deliuer them that are drawen vnto death and ceasse not to preserue them that are led to be slayne 12 If thou wylt say beholde I knewe not of it doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it And he that kepeth thy soule knoweth he it not Shall not he also recompence euery man according to his workes 13 My sonne eate thou hony because it is good and the hony combe for it is sweete vnto thy mouth 14 So sweete shal the knowledge of wysdome be vnto thy soule when thou hast found it and there shal be hope and thy hope shall not be cut of 15 Laye no priuie wayte O wicked man against the house of the righteous and spoyle not his resting place 16 For a iust man falleth seuen tymes and ryseth vp agayne but the vngodly fall into mischiefe 17 Reioyce not thou at the fall of thyne enemie and let not thyne heart be glad when he stumbleth 18 Lest the Lorde when he seeth it be angry and turne his wrath from hym vnto thee 19 Fret not thy selfe because of the malitious neither be enuious at the wicked 20 For the wicked shall haue no posteritie and the candle of the vngodly shal be put out 21 My sonne feare thou the Lorde and the kyng and kepe no company with them that slide backe from his feare 22 For their destruction shall rise sodainlye and who knoweth the aduersitie that may come from them both ¶ These are also the sayinges of the wyse 23 It is not good to haue respect of any person in iudgement 24 He that saith to the vngodly thou art righteous hym shall the people curse yea the comminaltie shall abhorre him 25 But they that rebuke the vngodly in them doth God delight and a rych blessing shall come vpon them 26 Euery man shall kisse his lippes that geueth a good aunswere 27 Make redie thy worke that is without and looke well vnto that whiche thou hast in the fielde and then buylde thyne house 28 Be not a false witnesse against thy neighbour and speake no falsehood with thy lippes 29 Say not I wyll handle hym euen as he hath dealt with me and wyll rewarde euery man according to his deedes 30 I went by the fielde of the slouthfull and by the vineyarde of the foolishe man 31 And lo it was all couered with nettles and stoode full of thornes and the stone wall was broken downe 32 This I sawe and considered it well I looked vpon it and toke it for a warning 33 Yea sleepe on styll I say a litle slumber a litle folde thy handes together yet a litle 34 So shall pouertie come vnto thee as one that trauayleth by the way and necessitie lyke a weaponed man The .xxv. Chapter ¶ These are also parables of Solomon which the men of Ezekia king of Iuda copied out 1 IT is the glory of God to kepe a thing secrete but the kynges honour is to searche out a thing 2 The heauen is hye the earth is deepe and the kinges heart is vnsearcheable 3 Take the drosse from the siluer and there shal be a vessell for the finer 4 Take away the vngodly from the kyng and his seate shal be stablished with righteousnesse 5 Put not foorth thy selfe in the presence of the king and preasse not into the place of great men 6 For better is it that it
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdome and in her tongue is the lawe of grace 27 She loketh well to the wayes of her housholde and eateth not her bread with idlenesse 28 Her children arise vp call her blessed and her husbande shall make much of her 29 Many daughters there be that gather riches together but thou goest aboue them all 30 As for fauour it is deceiptfull beautie is a vayne thyng but a woman that feareth the Lorde shal be praysed 31 Geue her of the fruite of her handes and let her owne workes prayse her in the gates A. P. C. The ende of the prouerbes of Solomon ⧠The booke of the preacher otherwise called Ecclesiastes which is Solomon the king ¶ For Solomon is called in scripture by three sundry names The one Solomon that is the maker of peace The seconde Idida that is beloued of God The thirde Ecclesiastes that is a preacher teachyng that true and eternall felicitie consisteth not in any worldly wisdome or aboundaunce of riches or in carnall pleasure which all be but vayne and transitorie but he proueth that true felicitie consisteth in a whole ioynyng our selues to God by pure religion that is with a sincere fayth and the feare of God obseruyng his commaundementes The first Chapter 2 All thynges in this worlde are full of vanitie and of none induraunce 13 All mans wisdome is but follie and griefe 1 THe wordes of the preacher y e sonne of Dauid kyng of Hierusalem 2 All is but most vayne vanitie saith the preacher all is most vayne I say and but playne vanitie 3 For what els hath a man of all the labour that he taketh vnder the sunne 4 One generation passeth away another commeth but the earth abideth styll 5 The sunne aryseth the sunne goeth downe and returneth to his place that he may there ryse vp agayne 6 The wynde goeth towarde the south and turneth vnto the north fetcheth his compasse whirleth about and goeth foorth and returneth agayne to his circuites from whence he dyd come 7 All fluddes runne into the sea and yet is the sea it selfe not fylled For loke vnto what place the waters runne thence they come to flowe agayne 8 All thinges are so harde to be knowen that no man can expresse them The eye is not satisfied with sight the eare is not fylled with hearyng 9 The thyng that hath ben commeth to passe agayne and the thyng that hath ben done shal be done agayne There is no newe thyng vnder the sunne 10 Is there any thyng wherof it may be sayde lo this is newe for it was long ago in the tymes that haue ben before vs. 11 The thyng that is past is out of remembraunce euen so the thynges that are for to come shal no more be thought vpon among them that come after 12 I my selfe the preacher was kyng of Israel at Hierusalem 13 And dyd applie my mynde to seke out searche for knowledge of all thynges that are done vnder heauen Such trauayle and labour hath God geuen vnto the children of men to exercise them selues therin 14 Thus haue I considered all these thynges that come to passe vnder the sunne and lo they are all but vanitie and vexation of mynde 15 The croked can not be made straight nor the imperfection of thynges can be numbred 16 I communed with myne owne heart saying lo I am come to great estate and haue gotten more wisdome then all they that haue ben before me in Hierusalem 17 Yea my heart had great experience of wisdome knowledge for thervnto I applied my mynde that I myght knowe what were wisdome and vnderstandyng what were errour and foolishnesse and I perceaued that this was also but a vexation of mynde 18 For where much wisdome is there is also great trauayle and disquietnesse and the more knowledge a man hath the more is his care The .ij. Chapter 1 Pleasures sumptuous buildynges riches and possessions are but vanitie 14 The wise and the foole haue both one ende touchyng the bodyly death 1 THen sayde I thus in my heart Nowe go to I will take myne ease and haue good dayes But lo that is vanitie also 2 Insomuch that I saide vnto the man geuen to laughter thou art mad and to mirth what doest thou 3 So I thought in my heart to geue my fleshe vnto wine and agayne to apply my mynde vnto wisdome and to comprehende foolishnesse vntyll the tyme that among all the thynges which are vnder the sunne I myght see what were best for men to do so long as they liue vnder heauen 4 I made gorgious faire workes I builded my houses and planted vineyardes 5 I made me orchardes and gardens of pleasure and planted trees in them of all maner of fruites 6 I made pooles of water to water the greene and fruitfull trees withall 7 I bought seruauntes and maydens and had a great housholde As for cattel and sheepe I had more substaunce of them then all they that were before me in Hierusalem 8 I gathered together siluer and golde and the chiefe treasures of kynges and landes I haue prouided me men singgers and women singers and the delites of the sonnes of men as a woman taken captiue and women taken captiues 9 And I was greater and in more worship then all my predecessours in Hierusalem For wisdome remayned with me 10 And loke whatsoeuer myne eyes desired I let them haue it and wherin soeuer my heart delited or had any pleasure I withhelde it not from it Thus my heart reioyced in all that I did and this was my portion of all my trauayle 11 But when I considered all the workes that my handes had wrought and all the labour that I had taken therin lo all was but vanitie and vexation of mynde and nothing of any value vnder the sunne 12 Then turned I me to consider wisdome errour and foolishnesse for what is he among men that myght be compared to me the kyng in such workes 13 And I sawe that wisdome excelleth foolishnesse as farre as light doth darknesse 14 For a wise man hath his eyes in his head but the foole goeth in darknesse I perceaued also that they both had one ende 15 Then thought I in my mynde yf it happen vnto the foole as it doth vnto me what needeth me then to labour any more for wisdome So I confessed within my heart that this also was but vanitie 16 For the wise are euer as litle in remembraunce as the foolishe for the dayes shall come when all shal be forgotten yea the wise man dyeth as well as the foole 17 Thus began I to be weery of my life insomuch that I coulde away with nothyng that is done vnder the sunne for all was but vanitie and vexation of mynde 18 Yea I was weery of my labour which I had taken vnder the sunne because I shoulde be fayne to leaue
minde for wrath resteth in the bosome of fooles 10 Say not thou What is the cause that the dayes of the old time were better then they that be nowe for that were no wyse question 11 Wysdome with inheritaunce is good yet better is it with them that without care may beholde the sunne 12 For wysdome defendeth aswell as money and the excellent knowledge wysdome geueth lyfe vnto hym that hath it in possession 13 Consider the worke of God how that no man can make the thing straight whiche he maketh crooked 14 Vse well the tyme of prosperitie and remember the tyme of misfortune for God doth so temper the one and the other that a man can finde nothing els 15 All thinges haue I considered in the time of my vanitie that the iust man perisheth for his righteousnesse sake the vngodly liueth in his wickednesse 16 Therfore be thou neither to righteous nor ouer wyse that thou perishe not 17 Be neither to vnrighteous also nor to foolishe lest thou die before thy time 18 It is good for thee to take holde of this and not to let that go out of thy hande For he that feareth God commeth foorth with them all 19 Wysdome geueth more courage vnto the wyse then ten mightie men of the citie 20 For there is not one iust vpon earth that doth good and sinneth not 21 Take no heede vnto euery word that is spoken lest thou heare thy seruaunt curse thee for thyne owne heart knoweth that thou thy self also hast ofttimes spoken euyll by other men 22 All these thinges haue I proued in wysdome for I thought to be wyse but she went farther fro me then she was before yea and so deepe that I might not reache vnto her 23 I applied my minde also vnto knowledge and to seeke and searche out science wysdome and vnderstanding to knowe the foolishnesse of the vngodly and the errour of doting fooles 24 And I founde that a woman is bitterer then death the whiche hath cast abrode her heart as a net that men fishe with and her handes are chaynes Who so pleaseth God shall escape from her but the sinner wyll be taken with her 25 Beholde saith the preacher this haue I diligently searched out and proued One thing must be considered with another that a man may come by knowledge which as yet I seeke and finde it not 26 Among a thousande men I haue founde one but not one woman among all 27 Lo this onlye haue I founde that * God made man iust and right but they sought many inuentions ¶ The .viij. Chapter 2 To obey princes and magistrates 17 The workes of God passe mans knowledge 1 WHo is wise who hath knowledge to make an aunswere A mans wysdome maketh his face to shine but vnshamefastnes putteth it out of fauour 2 Kepe the kynges commaundement namely for the oth that thou hast made vnto God for the same 3 Be not hastie to go out of his sight and see thou continue in no euyll thing for whatsoeuer it pleaseth hym that doth he 4 Like as when a king geueth a charge his commaundement is mightie Euen so who may say vnto him what doest thou 5 Who so kepeth the commaundement shall feele no harme but a wyse mans heart discerneth the tyme and iudgement 6 For euery thing wyll haue oportunitie and iudgement and this is the thing that maketh men full of carefulnesse and sorowe 7 And why a man knoweth not what is for to come for who can tell hym when it shal be 8 Neither is there any man that hath power ouer the spirite to kepe styll the spirite nor to haue any power in the tyme of death nor that can make an ende of the battayle neither may vngodlynesse deliuer them that meddle withall 9 All these thinges haue I considered and applied my mynde vnto euery worke that is vnder the sunne howe one man hath lordship vpon another to his owne harme 10 For I haue seene often the vngodly brought to their graues and yet they haue returned into the citie agayne and came from the place of holy men whiche in the citie were growen out of memorie as were those also that liued well This is also a vayne thing 11 Because nowe that euyll workes are not hastyly punished the heart of man geueth hym selfe ouer vnto wickednesse 12 Because an euyll person offendeth an hundred tymes and God deferreth geuing hym long life therefore am I sure that it shall go well with them that feare God whiche haue hym before their eyes 13 Againe as for the vngodly it shall not be well with him neither shall he prolong his dayes but euen as a shadowe so shall he be that feareth not God 14 Yet is there a vanitie vpon earth There be iust men vnto whom it happeneth as though they had the workes of the vngodly Againe there be vngodly with whom it goeth as though they had the workes of the righteous This haue I called also a vayne thing 15 Therfore I commende gladnesse because a man hath no better thing vnder the sunne then to eate and drinke and to be merie for that shall he haue of his labour al the dayes of his life which God geueth hym vnder the sunne 16 And so I applied my minde to learne wysdome and to knowe the trauayle that is in the worlde and that of suche a fashion that I suffred not mine eyes to sleepe neither day nor night 17 I vnderstoode of all the workes of God but it is not possible for a man to attayne vnto the workes that are done vnder the sunne and though he bestowe his labour to seeke them out yet can he not reach vnto them yea though a wyse man would vndertake to know them yet shall he not finde them ¶ The .ix. Chapter 1 By no outwarde thing can man know whom God loueth or hateth 11 No man knoweth his ende 1◠Wysdome excelleth strength 1 FOr all these thinges purposed I in my mynde to seeke out The righteous wise yea their seruauntes also are in the hand of God and there is no man that knoweth eyther loue or hate but all thinges are before them 2 It happeneth vnto one as vnto another it goeth with the righteous as with the vngodly with the good and cleane as with the vncleane with hym that offereth as with him that offereth not like as it goeth with the vertuous so goeth it also with the sinner as it happeneth vnto the pariured so happeneth it also to hym that is afrayde to be forsworne 3 Among all thinges that come to passe vnder the sunne this is a miserie that it happeneth vnto all alike This is the cause also that the heartes of men are full of wickednesse and madde foolishnesse is in their heartes as long as they liue vntyll they dye 4 And why as long
in youth and not to deferre tyll age 7 The soule returneth to God 12 Wisdome is the gyft of God and consisteth in fearing hym and keping his commaundementes 1 PVt away displeasure out of thine heart and remoue euill from thy body for chyldhood and youth is but vanitie 2 Remember thy maker the sooner in thy youth or euer the dayes of aduersitie come and or the yeres drawe nye when thou shalt say I haue not pleasure in them 3 Before the sunne the light the moone and starres be darkened and or the cloudes turne agayne after the rayne 4 When the kepers of the house shall tremble and when the strong men shall bowe them selues when the milners stand styll because they be so fewe and when the sight of the windowes shall waxe dimme 5 When the doores in the streetes shal be shut and when the voyce of the milner shal be layde downe when men shall ryse vp at the voyce of the byrde and when all the daughters of musicke shal be brought lowe 6 When men shall feare in hye places and be afraide in the streetes when the Almonde tree shall florishe and be laden with the grashopper and when all lust shal passe because man goeth to his long home and the mourners go about the streetes 7 Or euer the siluer lace be taken away and or the golden well be broken Or the pot be broken at the well and the wheele broken vpon the cesterne 8 Then shall the dust be turned agayne vnto earth from whence it came and the spirite shall returne vnto God who gaue it 9 All is but vanitie saith the preacher all is but playne vanitie 10 The preacher was yet more wyse and taught the people knowledge he gaue good heede sought out the ground and set foorth many parables His diligence was to finde out acceptable wordes right scripture the wordes of trueth 11 For the wordes of the wyse are like prickes and nayles that go thorowe of the auctoures of gatheringes which are geuen of one shephearde 21 Therefore beware my sonne of that doctrine that is beside this for to make many bookes it is an endlesse worke and to muche studie weerieth the body 13 Let vs heare the conclusion of all thinges Feare God and kepe his commaundementes for that toucheth all men For God shall iudge all workes and secrete thinges whether they be good or euyll ¶ The ende of the booke of the preacher otherwise called Ecclesiastes ⧠The Ballet of Ballettes of Solomon called in Latin Canticum Canticorum The first Chapter 1 The familier talke and misticall communication of the spirituall loue betweene Iesus Christe and his Churche 6 The domesticall enemies that persecute the Churche 1 O That he would kisse me with the kisses of his mouth for thy loue is more pleasaunt then wine and that because of the good and pleasaunt sauour of thy most precious baulmes 2 Thy name is a sweet smelling oyntment when it is shed foorth therfore do the maydens loue thee 3 Drawe thou me vnto thee we wyll runne after thee The kyng hath brought me into his priuie chaumbers We wylbe glad and reioyce in thee we thinke more of thy loue then of wine they that be righteous loue thee 4 I am blacke O ye daughters of Hierusalem but yet fayre and well fauoured like as the tentes of the Cedarenes and as the hanginges of Solomon 5 Marueyle not at me that I am so blacke for why the sunne hath shined vpon me my mothers chyldren haue euyll wyll at me they made me the keper of the vineyardes but mine owne vineyarde haue I not kept 6 Tell me O thou whom my soule loueth where thou feedest the sheepe where thou makest them rest at the noone day for why shall I be like hym that goeth wrong about the flockes of thy companions 7 If thou knowe not thy selfe O thou fayrest among women then go thy way foorth after the footesteppes of the sheepe and feede thy goates besyde the shepheardes tentes 8 Vnto the hoast of Pharaos charets haue I compared thee O my loue 9 Thy cheekes and thy necke is beautifull as the turtles and hanged with spanges and goodly iewels a neckband of golde wyll we make thee with siluer buttons 10 When the king sitteth at the table he shall smell my Nardus a bundell of myrre is my loue vnto me he wyll lye betwixt my brestes a cluster of Camphire in the vineyardes of Engaddi is my loue vnto me 11 Oh howe fayre art thou my loue Oh howe fayre art thou thou hast doues eyes O howe fayre art thou my beloued howe well fauoured art thou 12 Our bed is dect with flowres the seelinges of our house are of Cedar tree and our crosse ioyntes of Cipresse The .ij. Chapter 3 The Churche desireth to rest vnder the shadowe of Christe 8 She heareth his voyce 14 She is compared to the doue 15 And the enemies to the foxes 1 I Am the rose of the fielde and lillie of the valleys 2 As the lillie among the thornes so is my loue among the daughters 3 Like as the apple tree among the trees of the wood so is my beloued among the sonnes 4 My delight is to sit vnder his shadowe for his fruite is sweete vnto my throte 5 He bringeth me into his wine seller his banner spread ouer me whiche is his loue 6 Set about me cuppes of wine comfort me with apples for I am sicke of loue 7 His left hande lyeth vnder my head and his right hande shall imbrace me 8 I charge you O ye daughters of Hierusalem by the roes and hindes of the fiede that ye wake not vp my loue nor touche her tyll she be content her selfe 9 Me thinke I heare the voyce of my beloued lo there commeth he hopping vpon the mountaines and leaping ouer the litle hilles 10 My beloued is lyke a roe or a young hart beholde he standeth behinde our wall he looketh in at the windowe and peepeth thorowe the grate 11 My beloued aunswered and sayd vnto me O stande vp my loue my beautifull and go to thyne owne for lo the winter is nowe past the rayne is away and gone 12 The flowres are come vp in the field the tyme of the byrdes singing is come and the voyce of the turtle doue is hearde in our lande 13 The figge tree bryngeth foorth her figges and the vines beare blossomes and haue a good smell 14 O stande vp then and come my loue my beautifull and come I say O my doue out of the caues of the rockes out of the holes of the wall O let me see thy countenaunce and heare thy voyce for sweete is thy voyce and fayre is thy face 15 Get vs the foxes yea the litle foxes that hurt
And the hurt thereof is lyke an earthen vessell whiche breaketh without helpe so that in the bursting of it there is not founde one sheuer to fetch fire in or to take water withall out of the pit 15 For thus saith the Lorde God euen the holy one of Israel In repentaunce and in rest shall ye be safe in quietnesse and sure confidence shal be your strength but ye haue had no list thereto 16 For ye haue sayde No but we wyll escape thorowe horses therefore shall ye flee And we wyll get vs vp vpon swift beastes and therefore shall your persecutours be swifter 17 A thousande shall flee at the rebuke of one and at the rebuke of fiue shall ye all flee till ye be left as a ship mast vpon the top of a mountaine and as a beaken vpon an hill 18 Therefore doth the Lorde cause you to wayte that he may haue mercy vpon you to the entent that he may haue the preeminence when he is gratious vnto you For the Lord is the God of iudgement Blessed are all they that hope in hym 19 If the people remaine in Sion and at Hierusalem thou shalt not be in heauinesse but at the voyce of thy complaint shall he haue mercy vpon thee and when he heareth it he shall geue thee an aunswere 20 And though the Lorde geue you the bread of trouble and the water of aduersitie thy rayne shal be no more so scant but thyne eyes shall see thy rayne 21 Yea and thyne eare shall heare the talking of him that doth speake behinde thee This is the way walke ye in it turne not aside neither to the right hande nor to the left 22 Ye shall destroy also the couering of your siluer images and the decking of your golden idols euen as filthynesse shalt thou put them away And thou shalt say vnto it Get thee hence 23 Then shall God geue rayne vnto thy seede that thou shalt sowe the grounde withall and bread of the increase of the earth whiche shal be fat and very plenteous in that day also shall thy cattell be fed in large pastures 24 The oxen lykewyse and the young asses that eare the grounde shall eate cleane prouender whiche is purged with the winde and the fanne 25 Finally vpon euery hye mountayne and hyll shall there be riuers and streames of waters in the day of the great slaughter when the towres fall 26 Moreouer the light of the moone shal be as the light of the sunne and the sunne light shal be seuen folde and haue as much shine as in seuen dayes beside when the Lorde bindeth vp the sore of his people and healeth the stroke of their wounde 27 Beholde the fame of the Lorde commeth from farre and his presence is so hotte that no man is able to abyde his lippes are full of indignation and his tongue is as a consuming fire 28 His breath is a vehement flud of water that reacheth vp to the necke that he may sift away the heathen in the siue of vanitie and his breath is a brydle of errour in the lawes of the people 29 And ye shall sing lyke as in the night when the holy solempnitie beginneth and ye shall haue gladnesse of heart like as when one commeth with a pipe vnto the hill of the Lorde and to the most mightie one of Israel 30 And the Lorde shall cause his glorious voyce to be hearde and shall declare his stretched out arme with a terrible countenaunce with the flambe of a consuming fire with noysome lightening with a showre and with hayle stones 31 For thorowe the voyce of the Lorde shall Assur be destroyed which smote other men with the rodde 32 And it shall come to passe that whyther soeuer he goeth the rodde shall cleaue vnto him which the Lorde shall laye vpon hym with tabrettes and harpes and with great warre shall he fight against his hoast 33 For the fire of hell is ordayned from the beginning yea euen for the kyng is it prepared This hath the Lorde set in the deepe and made it wide the burning whereof is fire and muche wood The breath of the Lorde whiche is like a riuer of brimstone doth kindle it The .xxxi. Chapter 1 He curseth them that forsake God and seeke for the helpe of men 1 WO be vnto them that go downe into Egypt for helpe and trust in horses and put their confidence in charrets because they be many and in horsemen because they be lustie and strong but they regarde not the holy one of Israel and they aske no question at the Lorde 2 And he neuerthelesse is wise and will plague the wicked and goeth not from his worde he wyll aryse against the housholde of the frowarde and against the helpe of euyll doers 3 Nowe the Egyptians are men and not God and their horses fleshe and not spirite And assoone as the Lord stretcheth out his hande then shall the helper fall and he that shoulde haue ben helped and they shall altogether be destroyed 4 For thus hath the Lorde spoken vnto me Lyke as the lion and lions whelpe roareth vpon the pray that he hath gotten and is not afraide though the multitude of shepheardes crye out vpon him neither be abashed for all the heape of them so shall the Lorde of hoastes come downe to fight for mount Sion and defende his hyll 5 Like as the byrdes flutter about their nestes so shall the Lorde of hoastes kepe saue defende and deliuer Hierusalem 6 Therefore O ye chyldren of Israel turne againe vnto him whom you haue ofttimes forsaken 7 For in that day euery man shall cast out his idols of siluer and his idols of golde whiche ye haue made with your owne handes vnto your sinne 8 Assur also shal be slayne with the sworde not with a mans sworde neither shal the sworde of any man deuour hym and he shall flee from the slaughter and his choise young men shal be discomfited 9 He shall go for feare to his strong holdes and his princes shall flee from his standerd saith the Lord whose fire is in Sion and his fornace in Hierusalem ¶ The .xxxij. Chapter 1 The conditions of good rulers and officers 1 BEholde a kyng shall gouerne after the rule of righteousnesse and the princes shall rule according to the ballaunce of equitie 2 And that man shal be vnto men as a defence for the winde and as a refuge for the tempest lyke as a ryuer of water in a thirstie place and the shadowe of a great rocke in a drye lande 3 The eyes of the seeing shall not be dim and the eares of them that heare shall take diligent heede 4 The heart of the vnwyse shall attayne to knowledge and the vnperfect tongue shall speake playnely and distinctly 5 Then shall the foolishe nigarde be no more called gentle nor the churle liberall 6 But the nigarde wyll speake nigardlye and his heart wyll worke euyll
grounde trees of Cedar Boxe Myrre and Oliues and in the drie I set Firre trees Elmes and Hawthornes together 20 All this do I that they altogether may see and marke perceaue with their heartes and consider that the hande of the Lorde maketh these thinges and that the holy one of Israel bringeth them to passe 21 Stande at your cause saith the Lord bryng foorth your strongest grounde saith the kyng of Iacob 22 Let them bring foorth their gods and let their gods tel vs what shall chaunce hereafter yea let them shewe vs the thinges that are past what they be let them declare them vnto vs that we may take them to heart and knowe them hereafter 23 Either shewe vs thinges for to come and tell vs what shall be done hereafter so shall we know that ye are gods do something either good or bad so wyl we both knowledge the same and tell it out 24 Beholde ye are gods of naught and your making is of naught yea abhomible is the man that hath chosen you 25 Neuerthelesse I haue waked vp one from the north and he shall come from the east he shal call vpon my name and shall treade vpon princes as vpon clay and as the potter treadeth downe the mire 26 Who declared this from the beginning and we will knowe hym or from the olde times and we wil confesse and say that he is righteous but there is none that sheweth or declareth any thing there is none also that heareth your wordes 27 The first is he that shall say to Sion beholde beholde they are present and to Hierusalem it selfe wyll I geue an euangelist 28 But when I consider there is not a man among them nor any that can geue counsayle nor that when I examine them that can aunswere one worde 29 Lo wicked are they and vayne with the thinges also that they take in hand yea their images are but winde and vayne thinges ¶ The .xlij. Chapter The comming of Christe 1 BEhold this is my seruaunt vpon whom I leane my elect in whō my soule is pacified I haue geuen my spirite vpon him that he may shewe foorth iudgement among the gentiles 2 He shall not be an outcryer nor lift vp his voyce his voyce shall not be hearde in the streetes 3 And a broosed reede shall he not breake and the smoking flaxe shall he not quench but faythfully and truely shall he geue iudgement 4 He shall not be pensiue nor carefull that he may restore righteousnesse vnto the earth and the gentiles also shall loke for his lawes 5 For thus saith God the Lorde vnto hym euen he that made the heauens and spread them abroade and set foorth the earth with her increase whiche geueth breath vnto the people that is in it and spirite to them that dwell therein 6 I the Lorde haue called thee in righteousnesse and wyll holde thee by the hande and wyll also defende thee and geue thee for a couenaunt of the people to be the light of the gentiles 7 That thou mayest open the eyes of the blinde let out the prisoners from their bondes and them that sit in darknesse out of the dungeon house 8 Euen I am the Lord and this is my name and my glory wyll I geue to none other neither mine honour to grauen images 9 Beholde olde thinges are come to passe and newe thinges do I declare and or euer they come I tell you of them 10 Sing vnto the Lorde a newe song of thankesgeuing blowe out his prayse from the ende of the worlde they that be vpon the sea and all that is therein prayse hym the Isles and they that dwell in them 11 Let the wildernesse with the cities lift vp her voyce the townes also that they of Cedar dwell in let them be glad that sit vpon rockes of stone and let them crye downe from the high mountaines 12 Ascribing glory vnto the Lorde and magnifiyng hym among the gentiles 13 The Lorde shall come foorth lyke a giaunt and take a stomacke to him like a freshe man of warre he shall roare and crye and ouercome his enemies 14 I haue long holden my peace saith the Lorde I haue ben styll and refrained my selfe but now I wyll crie like a trauayling woman and at once wyll I destroy and deuour 15 I wyll make waste both mountaine and hill and drye vp euery greene thing that groweth theron I wyll drye vp the fluddes to become Ilandes and drinke vp the riuers 16 I wyll bryng the blinde into a streete that they know not and leade them into a foote path that they are ignoraunt in I shall make darknesse light before them and the thing that is crooked to be straight These things haue I done vnto them and not forsaken them 17 They are fallen backe yea and let them be ashamed earnestly that hope in idols and say to the moulten images ye are our gods 18 Heare O ye deafe men and sharpen your eyes to see O ye blinde 19 Who is blinde but my seruaunt or so deafe as my messenger whom I sent vnto them for who is so blinde as the perfect man and so blinde as the Lords seruaunt 20 Thou hast seene much and kepest nothing the eares are open and no man heareth 21 The Lorde is mercyfull vnto them for his righteousnesse sake that his word might be magnified and praysed 22 But the people them selues is robbed and troden vnder the foote chayned in dungeons and they all I say are shut into prison houses they be caryed away captiue and no man doth loose them they be troden vnder foote and no man doth labour to bryng them agayne 23 But who is he among you that pondereth this that considereth it and taketh it for a warning in tyme to come 24 Who gaue Iacob to be troden vnder foote and Israel to be spoyled Did not the Lorde Because we haue sinned against hym and haue had no delight to walke in his wayes neither ben obedient vnto his lawe 25 Therfore he hath powred vpon hym his wrathfull displeasure and strong battayle and hath fired hym on euery side yet wyll he not vnderstand he burneth hym vp yet sinketh it not into his heart The .xliij. Chapter 1 God promiseth to sende his Christe whiche shall deliuer his people He forgeueth sinnes for his owne sake 1 BVt nowe the Lorde that made thee O Iacob and he that fashioned thee O Israel saith thus feare not for I haue redeemed thee I haue called thee by thy name thou art mine owne 2 If thou goest thorow y e water I wyl be with thee the strong fluddes shal not ouerwhelme thee and if thou walkest thorowe the fire it shall not burne thee the flambe shal not kindle vpon thee 3 For I am the Lord thy God the holye one of Israel thy sauiour I gaue Egypt for thy deliueraunce the Ethiopians and the Sabees for thee 4 Because
fire 17 And of the residue he maketh hym a god and grauen image for him selfe he kneeleth before it he worshippeth it he prayeth vnto it and saith Deliuer me for thou art my god 18 Yet men neither consider nor vnderstande because their eyes be stopped that they can not see and their heartes that they can not perceaue 19 They ponder not in their mindes for they haue neither knowledge nor vnderstanding to thinke thus I haue brent one peece in the fire I haue baked bread with the coales thereof I haue rosted fleshe withall and eaten it and I wyll nowe of the residue make an abhominable idoll and fall downe before a rotten peece of wood 20 Thus doth he but lose his labour and his heart whiche is deceaued doth turne hym aside so that none of them can haue a free conscience to thinke Do not I erre 21 Consider this O Iacob and Israel for thou art my seruaunt I made thee that thou mightest serue me O Israel forget me not 22 As for thyne offences I haue driuen them away lyke the cloudes and thy sinnes as the mist Turne thee agayne vnto me for I haue redeemed thee 23 Be glad ye heauens for the Lorde hath dealt graciously with his people let all that is here beneath vpon the earth be ioyfull reioyce ye mountaines and woods with all the trees thereof for the Lorde hath redeemed Iacob and wyll shewe his glory vpon Israel 24 Thus saith the Lorde thy redeemer euen he that fassioned thee from thy mothers wombe I the Lorde do all thinges my selfe alone I only spreade out the heauens and I only haue laide abrode the earth by my owne selfe 25 I destroy the tokens of witches and make the soothsayers fooles As for the wise I turne them backwarde and make their cunning foolishnesse 26 He doth set vp the purpose of his seruaunt and fulfilleth the counsaile of his messengers concerning Hierusalem he saith it shal be inhabited and of the cities of Iuda they shal be buylded againe and I will repayre their decayed places 27 He saith to the deapth be drye and I wyll drye vp water fluddes 28 He saith of Cyrus he is my heardman so that he shall fulfill all thinges after my wyll He saith also of Herusalem it shal be buylded and of the temple it shal be fast grounded The .xlv. Chapter 1 The deliueraunce of the people by Cyrus 20 The comming of Christe and the calling of the gentiles 1 THus saith the Lorde vnto Cyrus his annointed whoÌ„ I haue taken by the right hande to subdue nations before hym I wyl loose the loynes of kinges and I wyl open the gates before his face and the gates shall not be shut 2 I wyll go before thee and make the crooked straigth I shall breake the brasen doores and burst the iron barres 3 I shall geue thee hid treasures and the thing whiche is secretly kept that thou mayest know that I am the Lord God of Israel whiche haue called thee by thy name 4 For Iacob my seruauntes sake and for Israel my chosen I called thee by thy name and ordayned thee or euer thou knewest me 5 I am the Lord and there is none other for without me there is no God I haue prepared thee or euer thou knewest me 6 Therfore they shall knowe from the rising of the sunne vnto the goyng downe of the same that all is nothing without me for I am the Lorde and there is els none 7 It is I that created light and darknesse I make peace and trouble yea euen I the Lorde do all these thinges 8 Ye heauens from aboue drop downe and let the cloudes rayne righteousnesse the earth open it selfe let saluation and righteousnesse growe foorth let it bryng them foorth together I the Lorde haue created him 9 Wo be vnto hym that striueth with his maker let the potsherde striue with the potsherdes of the earth Saieth the clay to the potter What makest thou or thy worke is not perfectly done 10 Wo be vnto hym that saieth to his father what begettest thou and to his mother what bearest thou 11 Thus saith the Lorde euen the holy one and maker of Israel Aske me of thinges for to come concerning my sonnes and put me in remembraunce as touching the workes of my handes 12 I haue made the earth and created man vpon it With my handes haue I spread foorth heauen and geuen a commaundement for all the hoast thereof 13 I shall wake hym vp with righteousnesse and order all his wayes He shall buylde my citie and let out my prisoners and that neither for gyftes nor rewardes saith the Lorde of hoastes 14 Thus saith the Lorde The occupiers of Egypt the marchauntes of the Ethiopians and Sabees shall come vnto thee with tribute they shal be thyne they shall folowe thee and go with chaines vpon their feete they shall fall downe before thee and make supplication vnto thee for God without whom there is none other God shal be with thee 15 O howe profounde art thou O God thou God and sauiour of Israel 16 Confounded are they all and put to dishonour thei are gone hence together with shame euen the makers of images 17 But Israel shal be saued in the Lord with an euerlasting saluation ye shall not come to shame nor confusion world without ende 18 For thus saith the Lorde Euen he that created heauen the God that made the earth fassioned it and set it foorth he dyd not make it for naught but to be inhabited euen I the Lorde without whom there is none other 19 I haue not spoken secretly neither in darke places of the earth I sayde not in vayne to the seede of Iacob seeke me I am the Lorde whiche when I speake do declare the thing that is righteous and true 20 Gather you and come together drawe nigh hither you that escaped of the people they haue no vnderstanding that set vp the stockes of their idols and pray vnto a god that can not helpe them 21 Drawe nye come hyther and let them aske counsaile one at another and shew foorth what is he that â—old this before or who spake of it euer since the beginning haue not I the Lorde done it without whom there is none other God the true God and sauiour and there is els none but I. 22 And therfore turne you vnto me all ye endes of the earth that ye may be saued for I am God and there is els none 23 I sweare by my self out of my mouth commeth the worde of righteousnesse and that may no man turne but all knees shall bowe vnto me and all tongues shall sweare by my name 24 Saying veryly in the Lorde is my righteousnesse and strength to hym shall men come but all they that thinke scorne of him shal be confounded 25 And the whole seede of Israel shal be iustified and glory in the Lorde The
spirite of discipline fleeth from deceipt and withdraweth hym selfe from thoughtes that are without vnderstanding and is declared when wickednesse commeth 6 For the spirite of wysdome is louing and will not absolue hym that blasphemeth with his lippes for God is witnesse of his raynes and a true beholder of his heart an hearer of his tongue 7 For the spirite of the Lorde filleth the rounde compasse of the worlde and the same that vpholdeth all thinges hath knowledge also of the voyce 8 Therfore he that speaketh vnrighteous thinges can not be hid neither shall the iudgement of reprofe let him escape 9 And why inquisition shal be made for the thoughtes of the vngodly and the sounde of his wordes shall come vnto God so that his wickednesse shal be punished 10 For the eare of ielousie heareth all thinges the noyse of the grudginges shall not be hid 11 Therefore beware of murmuring whiche is nothing worth and refraine your tongue from sclaunder For there is no worde so secrete that it shall go for naught and the mouth that speaketh lyes slayeth the soule 12 O seeke not your owne death in the errour of your lyfe destroy not your selues thorowe the workes of your owne handes 13 For God hath not made death neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the liuing 14 For he created all thinges that they might haue their being and the generations of the worlde were healthfull and there is no poyson of destruction in them nor the kyngdome of hell vpon the earth 15 For righteousnesse is euerlasting and immortall but vnrighteousnesse bringeth death 16 Neuerthelesse the vngodly call it vnto them both with workes and wordes and whyle they thinke to haue it their friende they come to naught they haue made an agreement with it for they are worthy to be of her part ¶ The .ii. Chapter The imaginations and desires of the wicked and theyr counsayle against the faythfull 1 FOr the vngodly say reasoning with them selues but not a right our life is short and tedious and in the death of a man there is no remedie neither is there any man knowen to haue returned from the graue 2 For we are borne at all aduenture and we shal be here by more fortune after as though we had neuer ben for our breath is as a smoke in our nosetrilles and wordes as a sparke raysed out of our heartes 3 Whiche being extinquished our body shal be turned into ashes and our spirite shall vanishe as the soft ayre 4 Our life shall passe away as the trace of a cloude and come to naught as the miste that is driuen away with the beames of the sunne and put downe with the heate thereof Our name also shal be forgotten by litle and litle and no man shall haue our workes in remembraunce 5 For our tyme is a very shadowe that passeth away and after our ende there is no returning for it is fast sealed so that no man commeth agayne 6 Come on therefore let vs enioy the pleasures that are present and let vs chearefully vse the creatures like as in youth 7 Let vs fill our selues with good wine and oyntment and let there no flowre of the tyme escape vs 8 Let vs crowne our selues with rose buddes afore they be withered 9 Let there be no fayre medowe but our lust go thorowe it Let euery one of vs be partakers of our volupteousnes let vs leaue some token of our pleasure in euery place for that is our portion and this only our lot 10 Let vs oppresse the poore righteous let vs not spare the wydowe nor olde man let vs not regarde the heades that are gray for age 11 Let the lawe of vnrighteousnesse be our strength for the thing that is feeble is nothing worth 12 Therefore let vs defraude the righteous and why he is not for our profite yea he is cleane contrary to our doinges he checketh vs for offending against the lawe and slaundereth the faultes of our maner of liuing 13 He maketh his boast to haue the knowledge of God yea he calleth hym selfe Gods sonne 14 He is made vnto vs for reproffe of our thoughtes 15 It greeueth vs also to looke vpon him for his life is not like other mens his wayes are of another fashion 16 He counteth vs but vayne persons he withdraweth hym selfe from our wayes as from filthynes he commendeth greatly the latter ende of the iust and maketh his boast that God is his father 17 Let vs see then if his wordes be true let vs proue what shall happen in the ende of hym 18 For if the iust man be the sonne of god he wyll receaue hym and deliuer hym from the handes of his enemies 19 Let vs examine him with despitefull rebuke and tormenting that we may know his meekenesse and proue his pacience 20 Let vs condempne him with the most shamefull death for as him selfe saith he shal be rewarded of God 21 Suche thinges do they imagine and go astray for their owne wickednesse hath blinded them 22 As for the mysteries of God they vnderstande them not they neither hope for the rewarde of righteousnesse nor regarde the worship that holy soules shall haue 23 For God created man to be vndestroyed yea after the image of his owne lykenes made he hym 24 Neuerthelesse thorowe enuie of the deuyll came death into the worlde and they that helde of his side do finde it The .iij. Chapter 1 The conseruation and assuraunce of the ryghteous 7 The rewarde of the faythfull 11 Who are miserable 1 BVt the soules of the ryghteous are in the hande of God there shal no torment touche them 2 In the syght of the vnwise they appeared to die their ende is taken for miserie 3 And their departyng from vs to be vtter destruction but they are in rest 4 For though they suffer payne before men yet is their hope full of immortalitie 5 They are punished but in few thinges neuerthelesse in many thinges shal they be well rewarded for God proueth thē and findeth them meete for hym selfe 6 As golde in the furnace doth he trye them and receaueth them as a burnt offeryng and when the tyme commeth they shal be loked vpon 7 They shall shyne and runne through as the sparkcles among the stubble 8 They shal iudge the nations and haue dominion ouer the people and their Lorde shall raigne for euer 9 They that put their trust in him shall vnderstande the trueth and such as be faythfull shall perseuer with hym in loue for his saintes haue grace mercie and he hath care for his elected 10 But the vngodly shal be punished accordyng to their owne imaginations for they haue dispised the righteous and forsaken the Lorde 11 For who so dispiseth wisdome and nurture he is vnhappy and as for the hope of such it is but vayne their labours vnfruitfull and their workes vnprofitable 12 Their wyues are vndiscrete and
that his workes might be knowen vpon the earth vnder the heauen 16 His mercie is knowen to all creatures he hath seperated his light from the darkenesse with an adamant 17 Say not thou I wyll hide my selfe from God for who wyll thinke vpon me from aboue I shall not be knowen in so great an heape of people for what is my soule among so many creatures 18 Beholde the heauen yea the heauen of heauens of God the deepe the earth and all that therein is shal be moued at his presence 19 The mountaynes the hilles and the foundations of the earth shall shake for feare when God visiteth them 20 These thinges doth no heart vnderstand worthyly but he vnderstandeth euery heart 21 And who vnderstandeth his wayes No man seeth his stormes and the most part of his workes are secrete 22 Who wyll declare the workes of his righteousnesse or who shal be able to abide them For the couenaunt is farre from some and trying out of men is in the ende 23 He that is humble of heart thinketh vpon such thinges but an vnwyse and erronious man casteth his minde vnto foolishe thinges 24 My sonne hearken thou vnto me and learne vnderstanding and marke my wordes with thyne heart I wyll geue thee a sure doctrine and plainely shall I instruct thee 25 Marke my wordes then in thyne heart for in righteousnesse of the spirite do I speake of the wonders that God hath shewed among his workes from the beginning in the trueth do I shew the knowledge of him 26 God hath set his workes in good order from the beginning part of them hath he sundred from the other 27 He hath garnished his workes from euerlasting and their beginninges according to their generations they are not hungrie nor weeried in their labours nor ceasse from their offices 28 None of them hindred another neitheir was any of them disobedient vnto his wordes 29 After this God loked vpon the earth and filled it with his goodnesse 30 With all maner of liuing beastes hath he couered the grounde and they all shal be turned vnto earth againe ¶ The .xvii. Chapter 1 The creation of man and the goodnesse that God hath done vnto him 20 Of almes 26 and repentaunce 1 GOd shaped man of the earth made him after his owne image and turned him vnto earth againe and cloathed him with his owne strength 2 He gaue him the number of dayes and certaine time yea and gaue him power of the thinges that are vpon earth 3 He made all fleshe to stand in awe of him so that he had the dominion of all beastes and foules 4 He made out of him an helper lyke vnto to him selfe gaue them discretion and tongue eyes and eares and a heart to vnderstande 5 He gaue them a spirite and a speache to declare his workes filled them with instruction and vnderstanding 6 He created for them also the knowledge of the spirite filled their heartes with vnderstanding and shewed them good and euill 7 He set his eye vpon their heartes declaring vnto them his great and noble workes 8 That they should prayse his holy name together reioyce of his wonders and be telling of his noble actes 9 Beside this he gaue them instruction and the lawe of life for an heritage that they might now know that they were mortall 10 He made an euerlasting couenaunt with them and shewed them his righteousnesse and iudgementes 11 They sawe the maiestie of his glorie with their eyes and their eares heard the maiestie of his voyce and he saide vnto them beware of all vnrighteous thinges 12 He gaue euery man also a cōmaundement concerning his neighbour 13 Their wayes are euer before him and are not hid from his eyes 14 Euery man from his youth is geuen to euill and their stony heartes can not become fleshe 15 He hath set a ruler vpon euery people but Israel is the Lordes portion 16 Whom he nourisheth with discipline as his first borne and geueth him most louing light and doth not forsake him 17 All their workes are as the sunne in the sight of God his eyes are alway looking vpon their wayes 18 All their vnrighteousnesses are manifest vnto him and al their wickednesses are open in his sight 19 And as he is mercifull and knoweth his worke he doth not leaue them nor forsake them but spareth them 20 The mercie that a man sheweth is as a seale with him and the grace that is geuen to man preserueth him as the apple of an eye and geueth repentaunce to their sonnes and daughters 21 At the last shall he awake and reward euery man vpon his head shall turne them together into the neathermost partes of the earth 22 But vnto them that wyll repent he hath geuen the way of righteousnesse As for such as be weake he comforteth them suffereth them and sendeth them the portion of the veritie 23 O turne then vnto the Lorde forsake thy sinnes make thy prayer before the Lorde do the lesse offence 24 Turne againe vnto the Lorde for he wyll bring thee from darkenesse vnto holsome light forsake thyne vnrighteousnesse be an vtter enemie to abhomination 25 Learne to know the righteousnesse and iudgementes of God stand in the portion that is set foorth for thee and in the prayer of the most hye God 26 Go in the portion of the holy worlde with such as be lyuing geue thankes vnto God 27 Who wil prayse the Lorde in the hel abide not thou in y e errour of the vngodlie but geue him thankes before death 28 As for the dead thankfulnes perisheth from him as nothing Geue thou thankes in thy lyfe yea whyle thou art lyuing and whole shalt thou geue thankes and prayse God and reioyce in his mercie 29 O how great is the louing kindnesse of the Lorde and his mercifull goodnes vnto such as turne vnto him 30 For all thinges may not be in man and why the sonne of man is not immortal and he hath pleasure in the vanitie of wickednesse 31 What is more cleare then the sonne yet shall it fayle 32 Or what is more wicked then the thyng that fleshe and blood hath imagined and that same shal be reproued 33 The Lorde seeth the power of the hye heauen and al are but earth and asshes The .xviii. Chapter 1 The marueylous workes of God 6 The miserie and wretchednes of man 9 Against God ought we not to complaine 21 The perfourming of vowes 1 HE that lyueth for euermore made al thinges together God onely is righteous and there is none other but he and remaineth a victorious king for euer 2 He ordereth the worlde with the power of his hande and all thinges obey his wyl for he gouerneth all thinges by his power and deuideth the holy thinges from the prophane 3 Who shal be able to expresse the workes of him who wyll seeke out the grounde of his
broken vessel he can keepe no wysdome 15 When a man of vnderstanding heareth a wyse worde he shall commend it and make much of it but if a voluptuous man heare it he shall haue no pleasure therein but cast it behinde his backe 16 The talking of a foole is lyke an heauy burthen by the way but to heare a wise man speake it is pleasure 17 Where a doubt is in the congregation it is asked at the mouth of the wyse and they shall ponder his wordes in their heartes 18 Lyke as is a house that is destroyed euen so is wysdome vnto a foole as for the knowledge of the vnwyse it is but darke wordes 19 Doctrine is vnto him that hath no vnderstanding euen as fetters about his feete and lyke manicles vpon his right hande 20 A foole lifteth vp his voyce with laughter but a wyse man shall sâ—ase laugh secretly 21 Learning is vnto a wyse man a iewell of golde and lyke an armlet vpon his right arme 22 A foolishe mans foote is soone in his neighbours house but one that hath experience shal be ashamed at the person of the mightie 23 A foole wyll peepe in at the windowe into the house but he that is wel nurtured wyll stande without 24 A foolishe man standeth hearkening at the doore but he that is wyse wyll be ashamed 25 The lippes of the vnwyse wyl be telling foolishe thinges but the wordes of such as haue vnderstanding shal be wayed in the balaunce 26 The heart of fooles is in their mouth but the mouth of the wyse is in their heart 27 When the vngodly curseth the blasmer he curseth his owne soule 28 A priuie accuser of other men shall defile his owne soule and be hated of euery man but he that keepeth his tongue and is discreete shal come to honour ¶ The .xxii. Chapter 1 Of the sluggard 12 Not to speake much to a foole 16 A good conscience feareth not 1 A Slouthfull bodye is moulded of a stone of claye and euery man wyll speake to his disprayse 2 A slouthfull body is made of the doung of oxen and euery one that toucheth him must wasshe his handes againe 3 A misnurtured sonne is the dishonour of the father a foolishe daughter shal be litle regarded 4 A wyse daughter is an heritage vnto her husband but she that coÌ„meth to dishonestie bringeth her father in heauinesse 5 A daughter that is past shame dishonoureth both her father and her husband the vngodly shall regarde her but they both shall despise her 6 A tale out of time is as musicke in mourning but wysdome knoweth the seasons of correction and doctrine 7 If children lyue honestly and haue wherewithall they shall put away the shame of their parentes 8 But if children be proude with hautines and foolishnes they blot out the nobilitie of their kinred 9 Who so teacheth a foole is euen as one that gleweth a potsharde together as one that telleth a tale to him that heareth him not and as one that rayseth a man out of an heauy sleepe 10 Who so telleth a foole of wysdome is euen as a man which speaketh to one that is a sleepe when he hath tolde his tale he saith What is the matter 11 When one dyeth lamentation is made for him because the light fayleth him euen so let men mourne ouer a foole for he wanteth vnderstanding Make but litle weeping because of the dead for he is come to rest but the lyfe of the foole is worse then the death 12 Seuen dayes do men mourne for him that is dead but the lamentation ouer the vnwyse and vngodly should endure all the dayes of their lyfe 13 Talke not much with a foole and go not with him that hath no vnderstanding beware of him lest it turne thee to trauaile and thou shalt not be defiled with his sinne Depart from him and thou shalt finde rest and shalt not be drawen backe into his foolishnes 14 What is heauier then leade and what shoulde a foole be called els but leade 15 * Sande salte and a lumpe of iron is easier to beare then an vnwyse foolishe and vngodly man 16 Lyke as the bande of wood bounde together in the foundation of the house can not be loosed euen so is it with the heart that is stablished in the thought of counsell The thought of the wyse shall neuer feare nor be offended at any time 17 Lyke as a faire plastered wall in a winter house and a hye building may not abide the winde and storme euen so is a fooles heart afraide in his imagination he feareth at euery thing and can not endure 8 A wâ—uering heart in the imagination of a foole wyll not euer stande in awe but he that abideth in the commaundementes of God wyll alway feare 19 He that nippeth a mans eye bringeth foorth teares and he that pricketh the heart bringeth foorth the meaning and thought 20 Who so casteth a stone at the birdes frayeth them away and he that blasphemeth his freend breaketh frendship 21 Though thou drewest a sworde at thy freend yet dispaire not for thou mayst come againe to thy freend 22 If he speake sourely feare not for ye may be agreed together againe except it be that thou blaspheme him disdayne him open his secretes and wounde him trayterouslie for all such thinges shall dryue away a freend 23 Be faithfull vnto thy neighbour in his pouertie that thou mayst reioyce with him also in his prosperitie abyde stedfast vnto him in the time of his trouble that thou maist be heyre with him in his heritage for pouertie is not alwayes to be contempned nor the riche that is foolish to be had in estimation 24 Lyke as the vapour and smoke goeth out at the ouen before the fire euen so euill wordes rebukes and threatninges go before bloodshedding 25 Be not ashamed to defende thy freend as for me I wyll not hide my face from him though he should do me harme whosoeuer heareth it shall beware of him 26 Who shal set a watch before my mouth and a sure seale vpon my lippes that I fall not with them and that my tongue destroy me not The .xxiii. Chapter 1 Prayer against pride lechery and gluttony 13 Of othes blasphemy and vnwyse communication 16 Of the three kindes of sinnes 23 Many sinnes proceede of adultrie 27 Of the feare of God 1 O Lorde father and gouernour of my lyfe leaue me not in their imagination and counsell Oh let me not fall in such reproofe 2 Who wyll keepe my thought with the scourge and the doctrine of wysdome in myne heart that he spare not myne ignoraunce that I fall not with them 3 Lest myne ignoraunces increase that myne offences be not many in number and that my sinnes exceede not lest I fall before myne enemies and so my aduersarie reioyce whose hope is farre froÌ„ thy mercie 4 O Lorde thou father and God of my lyfe leaue me not in their imagination
thou feelest that thou hast eaten to much arise go thy way cast it of thy stomacke and take thy rest and it shall ease thee so that thou shalt bring no sicknesse vnto thy body 22 My sonne heare me and despise me not and at the last thou shalt finde as I haue tolde thee In all thy workes be diligent and quicke so shall there no sicknesse happen vnto thee 23 Who so is liberall in dealing out his meate many men shall blesse him and prayse him with their lippes and the same is a sure token of his loue faithfulnesse 24 But he that is vnfaithfull in meate the whole citie shall complaine of him and that is a sure experience of his infidelitie and wickednesse 25 Shewe not thy valiantnes in wine for wine hath destroyed many a man 26 The fire prooueth the hard iron euen so doth wine prooue the heartes of the proude when they be druncken 27 Wine soberly druncken quickeneth the lyfe of man If thou drinkest it measurably thou shalt be temperate What is the lyfe of him that is ouercome 〈◊〉 wine what taketh away the lyfe euen death 28 Wine was made from the beginning to make men glad and not for drunkennesse wine measurably drunken is a reioycing of the soule and body A measurable drinking is health to soule and body 29 But if it be druncken with excesse it maketh bitternesse and sorowe vnto the minde 30 Drunkennesse filleth the minde of the foolishe with shame ruine minisheth the strength and maketh woundes 31 Rebuke not thy neighbour at the wine and despise him not in his mirth Geue him no dispitefull wordes and preasse not vpon him with contrary sayinges ¶ The .xxxii. Chapter 1 Of the discretion and prayse of the preacher and of the hearer 15 Of the feare faith and confidence in God 1 IF thou be made a ruler pride not thy selfe therein but be thou as one of the people take diligent care for them and loke well thereto 2 And when thou hast done all thy dueie sit thee downe that thou mayst be mery with them and receaue a crowne of honour 3 Speake thou that art the elder for it becommeth thee but with sure knowledge hinder not musicke 4 Speake not where there is no audience and poure not foorth wysdome out of time at an importunitie 5 Lyke as the carbuncle stone shineth that is set in golde so doth a song garnishe the wine feaste 6 And as the Smaradge that is set in golde so is the sweetenes of musicke by the mirth of wine 7 Geue eare and be still and for thy good behauour thou shalt be loued 8 Thou young man speake that becommeth thee and that is profitable and yet scarse when thou art twyse asked 9 Comprehēde much with fewe wordes in many thinges be as one that is ignoraunt geue eare and holde thy tongue withall 10 If thou be among men of high aucthoritie desire not to compare thy selfe vnto thē and when an elder speaketh make not thou many wordes therein 11 Before the thunder goeth lightening and before nurture and shamefastnesse goeth loue and fauour 12 Stand vp betimes and be not the last but get thee home soone 13 And there take thy pastime and do what thou wilt so that thou do no euil and defie no man 14 But for all thinges geue thankes vnto him that hath made thee and replenished thee with his goodes 15 Who so feareth the Lord wyl receaue his doctrine and they that get them to him betimes shall finde grace 16 He that seeketh the law shall be filled withal as for him that is but fayned he wyll be offended thereat 17 They that feare the Lorde shall finde the iudgement and their righteousnesse shal be kindled as a light 18 An vngodly man wyll not be refourmed but can helpe him selfe with the example of other in his purpose 19 A man of vnderstanding despiseth no good counsaile but a wylde and proude body hath no feare yea euen when he hath dealt rashly with another man but his owne doinges shal be his rebuke 20 My sonne do nothing without aduisement so shall it not repent thee after the deede 21 Go not in the way where thou mayst fall nor where thou mayst stumble against the stone againe neither trust thou to the way that is playne 22 And beware of thyne owne children and take heede of them that be of thyne owne householde 23 In all thy workes put thy trust in God from thy whole heart for that is the keeping of the commaundementes 24 Who so beleueth gods worde taketh heede to the commaundementes and he that putteth his trust in the Lorde shall want nothing The xx◠Chapter 1 The deliueraunce of him that feareth God 4 The aunswere of the wyse 5 The litle discretion of a foole 12 Man is in the hande of God as the earth is in the hande of the potter 25 We ought not to dispose our selues to become subiect to other 1 THere shall no euil happen vnto him that feareth God but when he is in temptation the Lorde shall deliuer him keepe him from euill 2 A wyse man hateth not the lawe but an hypocrite is as a ship in raging water 3 A man of vnderstanding geueth credence vnto the lawe of God and the law is faithfull vnto him 4 Be sure of the matter then talke therof be first wel instructe then mayst thou geue aunswere 5 The heart of the foolishe is lyke a cart wheele and his thoughtes runne about lyke the axeltree 6 Lyke as a wylde horse that neyeth vnder euery one that sitteth vpon him so it is with a scornefull friende 7 Why doth one day excell an other seeing all the dayes of the yere come of the sunne 8 The wysdome of the Lorde hath so parted them a sunder and so hath he ordayned the times and solempne feastes 9 Some of them hath he chosen and halowed before other dayes 10 And all men are made of the grounde and out of the earth of Adam In the multitude of science hath the Lorde sundred them and made their wayes of diuers fashions 11 Some of them hath he blessed made much of them halowed them and claymed them to him selfe but some of them hath he cursed brought them low and put them out of their estate 12 Lyke as the claye is in the potters hande and all the ordering therof at his pleasure so are men also in the hande of him that made them so that he may geue them as lyketh him best 13 * Against euil is good and against death is lyfe so is the vngodlie against such as feare God 14 Beholde these are the workes of the hiest and there are euen two against two and one set against another 15 I am awaked vp last of al as one that gathereth after in haruest in the giftes of God and in his blessing I am increased and haue filled my wine presse lyke a grape gatherer 16
Beholde how I haue not laboured onely for my selfe but for all such as loue nurture and wysdome 17 Heare me O ye great men of the people and hearken with your eares ye rulers of the congregation 18 Geue not thy sonne and wyfe thy brother and friend power ouer thee whyle thou liuest and geue not away thy substaunce good to another lest it repent thee and thou be faine to aske of them againe 19 As long as thou lyuest and hast breath let no man chaunge thee 20 For better it is thy children to pray thee then that thou shouldest be faine to loke in their handes 21 In all thy workes be excellent that thy honour be neuer stayned 22 At the time when thou shalt ende thy dayes and finishe thy lyfe distribute thyne inheritaunces 23 The fodder the whippe and the burthen belongeth vnto the asse meate correction and worke vnto the seruaunt 24 If thou set thy seruaunt to labour thou shalt finde rest but if thou let him go idle he shall seeke libertie 25 The yoke and the whippe bowe downe the hard necke but tame thou thy euill seruaunt with bondes and correction 26 Sende him to labour that he go not idle for idlenesse bringeth much euill 27 Set him to worke for that belongeth vnto him and becommeth him wel 28 If he be not obedient binde his feete but do not to much vnto him in any wyse and without discretion do nothing 29 If thou haue a faithfull seruaunt let him be vnto thee as thyne owne soule entreate him as a brother for in blood hast thou gotten him if thou haue a seruaunt holde him as thy selfe for thou hast neede of him as of thy selfe 30 If thou intreatest him euil and kepest him hard and makest him to be proude and to runne away from thee thou canst not tell what way thou shalt seeke him The .xxxiiij. Chapter 1 Of dreames dâ—â—inations and enchauntmentes 6 We ought to confute vaine hope and lying 13 The prayse of them that feare God 22 Of diuers workes of men 27 God doth not alowe the workes of an vnfaithfull man 1 VNwyse people beguile them selues with vaine and deceitfull hope and fooles trust in dreames 2 Who so regardeth dreames is lyke him that wyll take holde of a shadowe and folowe after the winde 3 Euen so is it with the appearinges of dreames before the face is the lykenesse of a face 4 Who can be cleansed of the vncleane or what trueth can be spoken of a lyer 5 Soothsaying witchcrafte sorcerie and dreaming is but vaine lyke as when a woman trauayleth with childe hath many fantasies in her heart 6 Where as such visions come not of God set not thyne heart vpon them 7 For dreames haue deceaued many a man and they failed that put their trust therein 8 The lawe shal be fulfilled without lyes wysdome is sufficient to a faithfull mouth what knowledge hath he that is not tryed 9 A wyse man that is well instruct vnderstandeth much and he that hath good experience can talke of wysdome 10 He that hath no experience knoweth litle and he that erreth causeth much wickednesse he that is not tryed what thinges knoweth he he that hath ben deceaued is full of subtiltie 11 When I was yet in errour I learned much also yea I was so learned that I could not expresse it all 12 And came oft in perill of death therefore tyll I was delyuered from it through the grace of God 13 Now I see that they which feare God haue the right spirit for their hope standeth in him that can helpe them and the eyes of the Lorde are on them that loue him 14 Who so feareth the Lorde standeth in awe of no man and is not afraide for the Lorde is his hope and comforte 15 Blessed is the soule of him that feareth the lord in whom putteth he his trust who is his strength 16 For the eyes of the Lord haue respect vnto them that loue him he is their mightie protection and strong grounde A defence for the heate a refuge for the hot noone day a succour for stumbling and an helpe for falling 17 He setteth vp the soule and lighteneth the eyes he geueth lyfe and blessing 18 He that geueth an offering of vnrighteous good his offering is refused and the scornefull dealinges of the vnrighteous please not God 19 The Lorde is theirs onely that patiently abide him in the way of the trueth and of righteousnesse 20 The highest doth not alowe the giftes of the wicked and God hath no delight in the offeringes of the vngodly neither may sinne be reconciled in the multitude of oblations 21 Who so bringeth an offering out of the goodes of the poore doth euen as one that killeth the sonne before the fathers eyes 22 The bread of the nedefull is the lyfe of the poore he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood 23 Who so robbeth his neighbour of his lyuing doth as great sinne as though he slue him to death he that defraudeth the labourer of his hyre is a blood shedder 24 When one buildeth and an other breaketh downe what profite haue they then but labour 25 When one prayeth and another curseth whose voyce wyl the Lorde heare 26 He that washeth him selfe because of a dead body and then toucheth the dead againe what doth his washing 27 So is it with a man that fasteth for his sinnes and doth them againe who wyll heare his prayer or what doth his fasting helpe him ¶ The .xxxv. Chapter 1 It is well done to pray and to do sacrifice 14 The prayer of the fatherlesse and of the widowe and of him that humbleth himselfe 1 WHo so kepeth the lawe bringeth offeringes inough he that holdeth fast the coÌ„maundement offereth the right health offering 2 He that is thankefull and recompenceth offereth fine floure who so is merciful and geueth almes that is the right thanke offering 3 God hath pleasure when one departeth from sinne and to forsake vnrighteousnesse reconcileth vs with him 4 Thou shalt not appeare emptie before the Lorde 5 For al such is done because of the commaundement of God 6 The offering of the righteous maketh the aulter fat and a sweete smell is it before the highest 7 The offering of the righteous is acceptable vnto God and shall neuer be forgotten 8 Geue God his honour with a chearefull heart and keepe not backe the firstlinges of thyne handes 9 In all thy giftes shewe a chearefull countenaunce and halowe thy tythes vnto God with gladnesse 10 Geue vnto God according as he hath enriched and prospered thee and loke what thyne hande is able geue with a chearefull eye 11 For the Lorde recompenceth and geueth thee seuen times as much againe 12 Geue no vnrighteous giftes for such wyll he not receaue Beware of wrong offeringes for the Lorde is a righteous iudge and regardeth no mans person 13 He accepteth not the person of the poore but he
of his body though sometyme straungers and forreyners farre of â–ª and made neare by the blood of Christe and made citizens vvith the saintes and of the housholde of God let vs direct our heartes thither vvhere our head is deliting our selfe in all heauenly cogitations vvalking in all spirituall vvorkes and fruites of the spirite as Gods deare elect God graunt that Christe may so dvvell in our heartes by fayth that vve may be hable to comprehende vvith all sainctes the vnspeakable loue of Christe vvhich passeth all mans knovvledge Vnto him therefore vvhiche 〈◊〉 hable to do exceeding aboundauntly aboue all that vve can aske or thinke be prayse in the Churche by Christe Iesus throughout all generations for euer Amen And here yet once againe let the reader be admonished charitably to examine this translation of the nevve Testament folovving and be not offended vvith diuersitie of interpretation though he finde it not to agree to his vvont text or yet to disagree from the common translation Remembring vvhat Santes Pagninus testifieth of that auncient interpreter saint Hierome that in many places of his commentaries he doth reade and expounde othervvise then is founde in the common translation Yea saith Santes Hierome doth retract very many places and doth playnely confesse that him selfe vvas deceaued by the haste of his translating in the doubtfull signification of the vvordes And therfore saith the saide Hierome thus I thinke it better to rebuke mine ovvne errour then vvhyle I am ashamed to confesse my lacke of skill to persist in an errour For vvho vvas euer saith he so vvell learned that hath not somevvhere ben deceaued Thus farre saint Hierome vvhervpon good reader I exhort thee reade aduisedly expende learnedly anâ—â—orrect charitably and be not offended good englishe reader to see the holy scriptures in thyne ovvne language as a matter nevvly seene seeing that our ovvne countreyman that venerable priest Bede many yeres agone did translate saint Iohns gospell into the vulgare tongue Ad vtilitatem ecclesiae to the profite of the Church 〈◊〉 Cuâ—â—beâ—â— Duâ—ham â—â—y who reporteth Bedes ovvne saying Nâ—lo vt discipuli mei mendatium legant I vvoulde not that my disciples should reade any lye or spende their labour after my departure vvithout fruite VVhiche thing 〈…〉 doth testifie of him In hâ—â—s diebus etiam euangelium Iohannis in Anglicaâ—â— transtulit linguam iuxta Apostolum Sapientibus 〈◊〉 ipsipientibus debitor sum omnibus omnia factus In these dayes of his sicknesse he did translate the gospell of saint Iohn into the englishe tongue saying vvith the apostle I am detter to the learned and vnlearned â–ª I am made all to all The rather he so did saith VVilliam Malmesberiâ— Quia â—â—c euangelium difficultate sui mentes legentium excreâ—i Because this gospell by the difficultie that is in it doth so much exercise the vvitteâ—â—f the readers therfore he did interprete it into the englishe tongue and so did condiscende saith he to them vvhiche vvere not skilfull in the latin tongue God graunt that all readers may take so much profite therby as the good translatour-ment vnto them Amen ¶ The Gospell by Saint Matthewe ⧠The first Chapter ¶ 1 The Genealogie of Christe from Abraham 18 The maryage of his mother Marie 20 The Angell satisfieth Iosephes mynde 21 The interpretation of Christes names 1 THis is the booke of the generation of Iesus Christ the sonne of Dauid the sonne of Abraham 2 Abraham begat Isaac Isaac begat Iacob Iacob begat Iudas and his brethren 3 Iudas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar Phares begat Esrom Esrom begat Aram. 4 Aram begat Aminadab Aminadab begat Naasson Naasson begat Salmon 5 Salmon begat Boos of Rachab Boos begat Obed of Ruth Obed begat Iesse 6 Iesse begat Dauid the kyng Dauid the kyng begat Solomon of her that was the wyfe of Vrie 7 Solomon begat Roboam Roboam begat Abia Abia begat Asa 8 Asa begat Iosaphat Iosaphat begat Ioram Ioram begat Ozias 9 Ozias begat Ioatham Ioatham begat Achas Achas begat Ezekias 10 Ezekias begat Manasses Manasses begat Amon Amon begat Iosias 11 Iosias begat Iacim Iacim begat Iechonias and his brethren about the tyme they were caryed away to Babylon 12 And after they were brought to Babylon Iechonias begat Salathiel Salathiel begat Zorobabel 13 Zorobabel begat Abiud Abiud begat Eliakim Eliakim begat Azor. 14 Azor begat Sadoc Sadoc begat Achen Achen begat Eliud 15 Eliud begat Eleazar Eleazar begat Matthan Matthan begat Iacob 16 Iacob begat Ioseph the husband of Marie of whoÌ„ was borne Iesus that is called Christe ☜ 17 And so all the generations from Abraham to Dauid are fourteene generations and from Dauid vntyll the carying away into BabyloÌ„ are fourteene generations and froÌ„ the carying away into Babylon vnto Christe are fourteene generations 18 The birth of Iesus Christe was on this wise ☞ When as his mother Marie was betrouthed to Ioseph before they came together she was founde with chylde of the holy ghost 19 Then Ioseph her husbande beyng a ryghteous man and not wyllyng to make her a publique example was mynded priuily to put her away 20 But whyle he thought these thinges beholde the Angell of the Lord appeared vnto hym in a dreame saying Ioseph thou sonne of Dauid feare not to take vnto thee Marie thy wife for that which is conceaued in her is of the holy ghost 21 She shall bryng foorth a sonne and thou shalt call his name Iesus for he shall saue his people from their sinnes 22 All this was done that it myght be fulfilled which was spoken of the lorde by the prophete saying 23 Behold a virgin shal be with childe and shall bryng foorth a sonne and they shall call his name Emmanuel whiche is by interpretation God with vs. 24 Then Ioseph being raysed froÌ„ slepe dyd as the Angel of the Lorde had bidden hym and he toke his wyfe 25 And knewe her not tyll she hadde brought foorth * her first borne sonne called his name Iesus ¶ The .ij. Chapter ¶ 1 The tyme and place of Christes birth 11 The wyse men offer their presentes 14 Christe fleeth into Egipte 16 The young chyldren are slayne 23 Christe turneth into Galilee 1 WHen Iesus was borne in Bethlehem a citie of Iurie in the dayes of Herode the kyng beholde there came wise men from the east to Hierusalem 2 Saying Where is he that is borne kyng of Iewes For we haue seene his starre in the east and are come to worship hym 3 When Herode the kyng had hearde these thynges he was troubled and all the citie of Hierusalem with hym 4 And when he hadde gathered all the chiefe Priestes and Scribes of the people together he demaunded of them where Christe shoulde be borne 5 And they saide vnto him At Bethlehem in Iurie For thus it
one euen by our father Isaac 11 For yer the chyldren were borne when they had neither done good neither bad that the purpose of God by election might stande not by the reason of workes but by the caller 12 It was sayde vnto her * The elder shall serue the younger 13 As it is written Iacob haue I loued but Esau haue I hated 14 What shall we say then Is there any vnrighteousnes with God God forbid 15 For he sayth to Moyses I wyll shewe mercy to whom I shewe mercy And wyll haue compassion on whom I haue compassion 16 So then it is not of the wyller nor of the runner but of the mercy of God 17 For the scripture sayth vnto Pharao Euen for this same purpose haue I stirred thee vp to shewe my power in thee that my name myght be declared throughout all the worlde 18 So hath he mercy on whom he wyll and whom he wyll he hardeneth 19 Thou wylt say then vnto me Why then blameth he vs yet For who hath ben able to resist his wyll 20 But O man what art thou which disputest with God Shall the worke say to the workeman why hast thou made me on this fashion 21 Hath not the potter power ouer the clay euen of the same lumpe to make one vessel vnto honour and another vnto dishonour 22 If then God wyllyng to shewe his wrath and to make his power knowē suffred with long patience the vessels of wrath ordayned to destruction 23 To declare the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had prepared vnto glory 24 Whom also he called not of y e Iewes only but also of the Gentiles 25 As he sayth also in Osee I wyll call them my people which were not my people and her beloued which was not beloued 26 And it shall come to passe that in the place where it was sayde vnto them Ye are not my people there shall they be called y e chyldren of the lyuyng God 27 And Esaias cryeth concerning Israel Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sande of the sea yet but a remnaunt shal be saued 28 For he finisheth the worde and maketh it short in ryghteousnesse For a short worde wyll the Lorde make on earth 29 And as Esaias sayde before * Except the Lorde of Sabboth had lefte vs seede we had ben made as Sodoma and had ben lykened to Gomorrha 30 What shall we say then that the gentiles which folowed not ryghteousnes haue obtayned righteousnesse euen the ryghteousnesse which cōmeth of fayth 31 But Israel which folowed the lawe of ryghteousnesse hath not attayned to the lawe of ryghteousnesse 32 Wherfore Because they sought it not by fayth but as it were by the workes of the lawe For they haue stumbled at the stumblyng stone 33 As it is written Beholde I put in Sion a stumblyng stone and a rocke of offence And whosoeuer beleueth on hym shall not be confounded ¶ The .x. Chapter 3 Paul sheweth the cause of the fall of the Iewes 5 The difference betwene the iustice of the lawe and fayth 16 The castyng of of the Iewes and callyng of the Gentiles 1 BRethren my heartes desire prayer to God for Israel is that they myght be saued 2 For I beare them recorde that they haue a zeale of God but not accordyng to knowledge 3 For they beyng ignoraunt of Gods ryghteousnesse and goyng about to stablyshe their owne righteousnesse haue not ben obedient vnto the ryghteousnes of God ☜ 4 For * Christe is the c ende of the lawe for ryghteousnesse to all that beleue 5 For * Moyses writeth of the ryghteousnesse which is of the lawe howe that the man which doth those thinges shall lyue by them 6 But the ryghteousnesse which is of fayth speaketh on this wise Say not thou in thyne heart who shall ascende into heauen That is to fetch Christe downe from aboue 7 Either who shall descende into the deepe That is to fetch vp Christe agayne from the dead 8 But what sayth he The worde is nye thee euen in thy mouth and in thy heart This same is the worde of faith which we preache 9 For if thou shalt knowledge with thy mouth the Lorde Iesus and shalt beleue in thyne heart that God raysed hym from the dead thou shalt be saued 10 ☞ For with the heart man beleueth vnto ryghteousnesse and with y e mouth man confesseth to saluation 11 For the scripture sayth Whosoeuer beleueth on him shall not be cōfounded 12 There is no difference betwene the Iewe the Greke for the same Lorde ouer al is riche vnto al y t call vpon him 13 For whosoeuer shall call on the name of the Lorde shal be saued 14 Howe then shall they call on hym on whom they haue not beleued Howe shall they beleue on hym of whom they haue not hearde Howe shal they heare without a preacher 15 And howe shall they preache except they be sent As it is written Howe beautifull are the feete of them whiche bryng good tydynges of peace bryng good tydynges of good thynges 16 But they haue not all obeyed y e Gospel For Esaias sayth Lorde who hath beleued our sayinges 17 So then fayth commeth by hearyng and hearyng commeth by the worde of God 18 But I aske Haue they not hearde No doubt their sounde went out into all landes and their wordes into the endes of the worlde ☜ 19 But I demaunde whether Israel did knowe or not First Moyses sayth I wyll prouoke you to enuie by them that are no people and by a foolyshe nation I wyll anger you 20 And Esaias is bolde and sayeth I am founde of them that sought me not I am manifest vnto them that asked not after me 21 But agaynst Israel he sayeth All day long haue I stretched foorth my handes vnto a people that beleueth not but speaketh agaynst me ¶ The .xj. Chapter 1 God hath his Churche though it appeare not alway to the worlde 8 God hath forsaken the Iewes and chosen the gentiles 18 whom yet he warneth to humble them selues 29 God repenteth hym not of his giftes 33 The depth of Gods iudgementes 1 I Say then hath God cast away his people God forbid For I also am an Israelite of the seede of Abraham of the tribe of Beniamin 2 God hath not cast away way his people which he knewe before Wote ye not what the scripture sayth of Elias howe he maketh intercession to God agaynst Israel 3 Saying Lord they haue kylled thy prophetes and dygged downe thyne aulters and I am left alone and they seke my lyfe 4 But what sayth the aunswere of God vnto hym * I haue reserued vnto my selfe seuen thousande men which haue not bowed the knee to y e image of Baal 5 Euen so at this tyme there is a remnaunt according to the election of
Christe for you heathen 2 Yf ye haue hearde of the dispensatioÌ„ of the grace of God which is geuen me to you warde 3 For by reuelation shewed he the misterie vnto me as I wrote afore in fewe wordes 4 Whereby when ye reade ye may vnderstande my knowledge in the misterie of Christe 5 Which misterie in other ages was not opened vnto the sonnes of men as it is nowe reuealed vnto his holy apostles and prophetes by the spirite 6 That the gentiles shoulde be inheritours also and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christe by the Gospell 7 Wherof I am made a minister accordyng to the gyfte of the grace of God which is geuen vnto me after the workyng of his power 8 Vnto me the least of all saintes is this grace geuen that I shoulde preache among the gentiles the vnsearchable ryches of Christe 9 And to bring to lyght to all men what the felowship of the misterie is whiche from the begynnyng of the world hath ben hid in god which made all thinges through Iesus Christe 10 To thintent that nowe vnto the rulers and power in heauenly thynges myght be knowen by y e Church the very manyfolde wysedome of God 11 According to y e eternall purpose which he wrought in Christe Iesus our Lord 12 By whoÌ„ we haue boldnesse entraunce in y e confidence which is by faith of him 13 ☞ Wherfore I desire that ye faynt not in my tribulations for you whiche is your glorie 14 For this cause I bowe my knees vnto the father of our Lorde Iesus Christe 15 Of whoÌ„ all the famyly in heauen and earth is named 16 That he would graunt you according to the rychesse of his glorie to be strengthed with myght by his spirite in the inner man 17 That Christe may dwell in your heartes by fayth that ye beyng rooted and grounded in loue 18 Myght be able to comprehende with al saintes what is the breadth length and deapth and heygth 19 And to knowe the loue of Christe whiche excelleth knowledge that ye might be fylled with all fulnesse of God 20 Vnto him that is able to do exceeding aboundauntly aboue all that we aske or thynke accordyng to the power that worketh in vs 21 Be prayse in the Churche by Christe Iesus throughout all ages worlde without ende Amen ☜ ¶ The .iiij. Chapter He exhorteth them vnto mekenesse long sufferyng and vnto loue and peace 3 euery one to serue and edifie another with the gyft that God hath geuen hym 14 to beware of strange doctrine 22 To lay asyde the olde conuersation of greedy lustes to walke in a newe lyfe 1 I Therfore a prisoner in the Lorde exhorte you that ye walke worthy of the vocatioÌ„ wherewith ye are called 2 With all lowlynesse mekenesse with long sufferyng forbearyng one another in loue 3 Endeuoryng to kepe the vnitie of the spirite in the bonde of peace 4 One body and one spirite euen as ye are called in one hope of your calling 5 One Lorde one fayth one baptisme 6 One God and father of all whiche is aboue all and through all and in you all ☜ 7 ☞ But vnto euery one of vs is geuen grace accordyng to the measure of the gyft of Christe 8 Wherfore he saith * When he went vp an hye he ledde captiuitie captiue and gaue gyftes vnto men 9 But that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower partes of the earth 10 He that descended is euen the same also that ascended vp farre aboue all heauens to fulfyll all thynges 11 And he gaue some apostles and some prophetes and some euangelistes and some shepheardes and teachers 12 To the gatheryng together of the saintes into the worke of ministration into the edifiyng of the body of Christe 13 Tyll we all meete together into the vnitie of fayth and knowledge of the sonne of God vnto a perfect man vnto the measure of the age of the fulnesse of Christe ☜ 14 That we hencefoorth be no more children wauering and caryed about with euery wynde of doctrine in the wylynesse of men in craftynesse to the laying wayte of deceyte 15 But folowyng trueth in loue let vs growe vp into him in all thynges whiche is the head Christ 16 In whom all the body beyng coupled and knit together by euery ioynt of subministration accordyng to the effectuall power in y e measure of euery part maketh increase of the body vnto the edifiyng of it selfe in loue 17 ☞ This I say therfore and testifie in the Lorde that ye hencefoorth walke not as other gentiles walke in vanitie of their mynde 18 Darkened in cogitation being alienated from the lyfe of God by the ignoraunce that is in them by the blindnesse of their heartes 19 Whiche beyng past feelyng haue geuen theÌ„ selues ouer vnto wantonnesse to worke al vncleanenesse with greedynesse 20 But ye haue not so learned Christe 21 Yf so be that ye haue hearde hym and haue ben taught in hym as the trueth is in Iesus 22 To â—ay downe accordyng to the former conuersation y e olde man which is corrupt accordyng to the lustes of error ☜ 23 ☞ To be renued in the spirite of your mynde 24 And to put on that newe man which after God is shapen in righteousnesse holynesse of trueth 25 Wherfore puttyng away lying speake euery man trueth vnto his neyghbour forasmuch as we are members one of another 26 Be ye angry and sinne not let not the sunne go downe vpon your wrath 27 Neither geue place to the deuyll 28 * Let hym that stole steale no more but let hym rather labour workyng with his handes the thyng whiche is good that he may geue vnto hym that needeth ☜ 29 Let no fylthy communication procede out of your mouth but that whiche is good to edifie withal as oft as neede is that it may minister grace vnto the hearers 30 And greeue not the holy spirite of God by whom ye are sealed vnto the day of redemption 31 Let all bytternesse and fiercenesse wrath and crying and euyll speakyng be put away from you with all maliciousnesse 32 Be ye curteous one to another merciful forgeuing one another euen as God for Christes sake hath forgeuen you ⧠The .v. Chapter 2 He exhorteth them vnto loue 3 warneth them to beware of vncleannesse couetousnesse foolyshe talkyng and false doctrine 17 to be circumspect 18 to auoyde dronkennesse 19 to reioyce and to be thankefull towarde God 21 to submit them selues one to another 22 He entreateth of corporall mariage of the spirituall betwixt Christe and his Churche 1 BE ye therefore folowers of God as deare chyldren 2 And walke ye in loue euen as Christe hath loued vs and hath geuen hym selfe for vs an offering and a sacrifice of a sweete smellyng sauour to
praying 4 Sence we hearde of your fayth in Christe Iesus and of the loue which is to all saintes 5 For the hopes sake which is layde vp for you in heauen of which hope ye hearde before in the worde of trueth of the Gospell 6 Which is come vnto you euen as it is into all the worlde is fruitfull as it is also in you from the day ye hearde of it and knewe the grace of God in trueth 7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our deare felowe seruaunt which is for you a faythfull minister of Christe 8 Who also declared vnto vs your loue in the spirite 9 ☞ For this cause we also sence y e day we hearde haue not ceassed to pray for you and to desire that ye myght be fulfylled with knowledge of his wyll in all wisdome spiritual vnderstandyng 10 That ye myght walke worthie of the Lorde in all pleasyng beyng fruitefull in all good workes and encreasyng in the knowledge of God 11 Strenthened with all might through his glorious power vnto all patience and long sufferyng with ioyfulnesse ☜ 12 Geuyng thankes vnto y e father which hath made vs meete to be partakers of the inheritaunce of the saintes in lyght 13 Who hath delyuered vs from the power of darcknesse and hath translated vs into the kingdome of his deare sonne 14 In whō we haue redemptiō through his blood the forgeuenesse of sinnes 15 Who is the image of the inuisible God the first borne of all creatures 16 For by him were all thinges created that are in heauē and that are in earth visible and inuisible whether they be maiestie or lordeshippe either rule or power All thynges were created by hym and for hym 17 And he is before all thynges and in hym all thynges consist 18 And he is the head of the body of the Churche he is the begynnyng the first borne of the dead that in all thynges he myght haue the preeminence 19 For it pleased the father that in hym shoulde all fulnesse dwell 20 And by hym to * reconcile all thynges vnto hym selfe to set at peace through the blood of his crosse by hym both the thynges in earth and thynges in heauen 21 And you which were sometyme straungers and enemies by cogitation in euyll workes hath he nowe yet reconciled 22 In the body of his fleshe through death to present you holye and vnblameable without fault in his syght 23 If ye continue grounded stablisshed in the fayth and be not moued away from the hope of the Gospell which ye haue hearde howe it is preached to euery creature which is vnder heauen wherof I Paul am made a minister 24 Nowe iowe I in my sufferynges for you and fulfyll that which is behynde of the passions of Christe in my fleshe for his bodyes sake which is y e Church 25 Wherof I am made a minister accordyng to the dispensation of God which is geuen to me to you warde to fulfyll the worde of God 26 The misterie hyd sence the worlde began and sence the begynnyng of generations but nowe is opened to his saintes 27 To whom God woulde make knowē what is the riches of the glorie of this misterie among the gentiles which is Christe in you the hope of glorie 28 Whom we preache warnyng euery man and teachyng euery man in all wisdome to present all men perfect in Christe Iesus 29 Wherunto I also labour striuyng according to his workyng which worketh in me mightylie ¶ The .ij. Chapter 1 Hauyng protected his good wyll towarde them 4 he admonisheth them not to turne backe from Christe 8 to the seruice of Angels or any other inuention or els ceremonies of the lawe 17 which haue finished their office and are ended in Christe 1 FOr I woulde that ye knew what great fight I haue for you and for them that are at Laodicea and for as many as haue not seene my face in the fleshe 2 That their heartes myght be comforted beyng knyt together in loue and in al riches of certaintie of vnderstanding to knowe the misterie of God and of the father and of Christe 3 In whom are hyd all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge 4 This I say lest any man shoulde begyle you with perswasion of wordes 5 For though I be absent in the fleshe yet am I with you in the spirite ioying and beholdyng your order and your stedfast fayth in Christe 6 As ye haue therfore receaued Christe Iesus the Lorde so walke ye in hym 7 Rooted and built in hym stablished in the fayth as ye haue ben taught aboundyng therin with thankes geuing 8 ☞ * Beware lest any man spoyle you through philosophie vayne deceipt after the tradition of men and after the rudimentes of the worlde and not after Christe 9 For in hym dwelleth all the fulnesse of the Godhead bodyly 10 And ye are complete in him which is the head of all principalitie and power 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with circumcisiō made without handes by puttyng of the body of sinnes of the fleshe in the circumcision of Christe 12 Buried with him in baptisme in whō ye are also risen agayne through y e fayth of the operation of God who hath raysed hym from the dead 13 * And ye beyng dead to sinne and to the vncircumcision of your fleshe hath he quickened with him forgeuyng all your trepasses ☜ 14 And puttyng out the hande writing of ordinaunces that was agaynst vs and that hath he taken out of the way fastenyng it to his crosse 15 Spoylyng all principalities powers hath made a shewe of them openly triumphyng ouer them in it 16 Let no man therfore iudge you in meate or in drinke or in part of an holy-day or of the newe moone or of the Sabboth dayes 17 Which are shadowes of thynges to come but the body is of Christe 18 Let no man begile you of victorie in the humblenesse and worshippyng of Angels intrudyng hym selfe into those thinges which he hath not seene causelesse puft vp with his fleshly mynde 19 And holdeth not the head wherof all the body by ioyntes bandes supported and knit together encreaseth with the encrease of God 20 Wherefore yf ye be dead with Christe from y e rudimentes of the world why as though lyuyng in the worlde are ye led with traditions 21 Touche not taste not handle not 22 Which all be in corruption in abusyng after the commaundementes and doctrines of men 23 Which thynges haue a shewe of wisdome in superstition humblenesse of mynde and in hurtyng of the body not in any honour to the satisfiyng of y e flesh ¶ The .iij. Chapter 1 He sheweth where we shoulde seke Christe 5 he exhorteth to mortification 10 to put of the olde man and to put on Christe 12 to the which he addeth exhortation both generall and
ix a. Ioh. xv d. Iohn xiiii d and xv d. Actes ii a. () Or coÌ„uince (a) That when the world shal se after his asceÌ„sâ—on the power of his spirite shewed vpon the apostles by hym 〈◊〉 shal be coÌ„peâ—ed in consâ—e â—o confesse thâ—t he was iust and that he was 〈…〉 â–ª Math. xi d. xxviii d. Luk. x. d. Iohn iii. d. Iohn â–ª vii d. Math. xi d. xxviii d. Luk. x. d. Iohn iii. d. Iohn â–ª vii d. Iohn xx â— (b) By the power of the holy spirite which I wyl sende to you wherby your heartes shal be comforted â–ª (c) They weâ— not yet induced to the certayne knowledge that â—e was the only mediatour â— therfore that whiche they asked before was nothing â–ª in respecte of that whiche they shoulde aske obtaine by fayth wheÌ„ their knowledge was grounded â–ª that he was â—scended Zaâ— xiii c. Math. xvi c Mar. xiiii c. Iohn xiiii b ☞ Iohn xiii d. i Iohn i. a. Iohn xix f. () That is to the Apostles (a) That is the reprobate that seke the worlde 〈◊〉 not Chriâ—te (b) That theâ— may be ioyned together in loue vnitie of loue fayth and spirite Ioh. xviii b. (c) That is Iudas Iscariot Psal cix a. Iohn xv c. Sapien. ii d. Math. vi b. Luk. xi a. Galath iii. d Iohn xii d. (d) That is after they haue fulfylled their course in this lyfe they may enioy eternall lyfe Mâ—â—â—â— Lukâ— xâ—â— â–ª Math. 26. d. Mar. xiii d. Luk. xxii d. (a) The apoâ—â—les and disciples that are with me Ioh. xvii b. Mat xxvi â— Gene. ix â— Iohn xi f. Mat. xxvi f (b) Thhat is Iohn Mar. xiiii â— Luk. xxii g. 〈◊〉 xxiii â— Iohn xiiâ— d. Math. 27. â— Mark· xv a. Luk. xxiii a (c) Because the Romanes had takeÌ„ that auctoritie froÌ„ them Math. xx a. Math. 27 b. Mark xv a. Luk. xxiii b Iohn vi b. Math. 27. c. Mark xv a. Luk. xxiii c Actes iii. c. Math 2â— c. Mark xv b Math. 27 c. Mark xv a. Luk xxiii d â—eui xxiii c Iohn v. b. Sapien. vi a. â—ohn iii. d. Rom. xiii a. Math. 27. d. Mark xv c. Luk. xxiii e Act. xvii b. Act. xvii b. Math. 27. d. Mark xv c. Luk. xxiii c Hebr. xiii c. Math 27 d. Mâ—rk xv c. Luk. xxiii â— Math. 27. d. Mark xv c. Luk. xxiii â— Psal xxii a. Iohn xiii a. (a) That is Iohn Psal lxix e. Math. 27. f. Mark xv d. Iohn xvii a (b) The misterie of mans redemption saluation is perfected by the only sacrâ—fice of Christâ— the promise to the fathers fulfylled the ceremonies of the law endeâ— (c) Because they were not yet dead for that was their custome 〈◊〉 xâ— g. â—â—m ix b. Zach. xii c. Math. 27. g. Mark xv d. Luk. xxâ—â—◠☞ () That is of the weeke Math. 27. a. Lu. xxiiii a. Mark xvi a Iohn xiii c. Luke 24. a. Psal xvi b. Actes ii b. Luke 24. 〈…〉 to much to his 〈◊〉 presence â— therfore he puâ—led â—er from outward and eâ—terne officers towarde his bodylye presense a wylled her to be myndfull of his ascenâ—ion Lu. xxiiii d () Or weeke (b) He came in miraculously to geâ—e the Apostles comfort as also an outward taste and sure argumeÌ„t of his diuinitie â–ª that by his notable miracle he might coÌ„firme the Apostles in the fayth of his resurrection Iohn xi b. Iohn xxi g (c) The scripture written is sufficient to confirme our faith vnto saluation by Christe ☞ Iohn â— f () Or. Siteâ— Luk. â— â— Iohn xiiâ—â— Luk xxâ—â—â— () Or sonne of Ioanna Iohn xvi g. Iohn xiii d. Actes xii a. Ioh. xiii c. and .xix. c. Iohn xx g. ☞ Iohn xx a. and xxi c. Lu. xxiiii g Iohn iiii d. xv d. xvi b. Iohn i. â— Math. â—4 c. Lu. xxiii â— â–ª Acte â— a. Acte â—â— Iohn xv â— Mark xvi â— Luâ— xx◠〈◊〉 vii d. Math 24. ◠〈◊〉 xxv c. Mark xiii c Luk. xvii ◠〈◊〉 xxi c. Apoc. i. b. Math. x. a. Mark iii. c. Luk. vi e. (a) That is of men for men are wont namely to be counted when they are numbred Math. 26. b. Mar. xiiii e. Luk. xxii e. Math. x. a. Mark i. c. Luk. iii. c. Math. 26. b. Mar. xiiii e. Luk. xxii e. Math. x. a. Mark i. c. Luk. iii. c. (b) It is called y e rewarde or iniquitie because the wicked Iewes gaue the rewarde and the wicked Iudas receaued y e reward to shedde the blood of christ that innocent lambe Psal lxix f. Psal â—ix a. (c) That is to say after the language of the Hebrewes he had his conuersation and lyued with vs 1 Par. 28. b. Psal vii c. (d) Lottes for chosing of officers or deuidyng of inheritaunce grounde or goodes are alowed of god as appeareth in the holye scriptures lottes stay strife sayth SolomoÌ„ But lottes of diuinatioÌ„ to know supersticiously of thynges to come are disalowed of god and vtterly forbidden ☞ Deut. xvi b. Leu. xxiii e. Actes iiii f. and .xi. b 〈…〉 that the 〈…〉 and also in y e heareâ—s In the speakers for that they speaking the Hebrue tongue â–ª dyd well perceaue y e straungers of diuers nations and languages dyd vnderstande them And in the bearers for that euery man hearde sensibly his owne countrâ—y language out of the Apostles speakyng in their mother toÌ„gue (b) That is such as were conuerted to the Iewes religion and whose auncetours were no Iewes (c) The Iewes count the houre of the day from sixe of the clocke in y e mornyng to six at night â–ª Therfore the thirde houre after y e Iewes computation is our nyne of the clocke Ioel. ii g. Math. 27. e. Luk. xxiii f Rom. x. c. Psal xv â— iii Reg. ii b. Actes i. a. Psal cx a. Mat. xxii d Luk. iii. b. (d) By felowship â–ª is meant 〈◊〉 companying together in practising y e workes of charitie in tendering helâ—ing one an other is disposyng by aimes their goodes to shewn by neyghbour By breakyng of bread is meÌ„t y e misterie wherein our sauiour Christ doth communicate and distribute vnto vs his body blood by his blessed Sacrament of bread and wyne where is represented to y e eyes of our fayth the breakyng of Christes bodye and the sheadyng of his blood Math. ix a. iii. Reg. vi a. Iohn ii c. Actes v â— (a) He correcteth the abâ—se of man which attribute to mans holynesse which only appertayneth to God Math. 27. a. Mark xv a. Luk. xxiii a Math. 27. e. Ioh. xviii g. Math. iiii c. 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 when y e godly which in this worlde are tuâ—moyled and troubled shoulde fynde rest and quietnesse Deu. xviii c Actes vii e. (c) So they are called because they came of the same stoâ—keâ— and therfore were heyâ—es of the same promise which appertayneth to the whole body of the people Gen. xii a. Exod. ii c. Mat. xxi â— Actes vii d. Math. i. e. Philip ii b. (a) Christe is called y e chiefe
Cor. i. a. Ephe. i. a. Iob. xxiii b. Sâ—pi ii a. Iames. i. a. Rom. v. a. Iohn x. g. Actes x. g. Esai ix a. Daniel ii g. Agge ii b. Actes ii a. Luk. xii c. Ephe. vi c. Mat. xvi d. Psal xviii â— Rom ii b. Hebâ—e ix â— i Iohn i. b Apoca â— b. (c) Wheâ— Christ appeared vnto the worlde and when the Gospel was preached Philip. â—â— Esai xl b. Eccle. xiiii b Iacob i. b. Mat xviii a Exod. xix a Deut. vii â— â—â—th v. e. 〈…〉 d. Math. v. b. Rom. xiii a. Tâ—tus iii. a. Rom. xii c. Ephe. vi a. Coloss iii. d. i. Tim. vi a. Titus ii b. Math. v. a. Iohn xiii b. Ephe. v. a. Math. viii c. Esai liii b. Ephe. v. c. Coloss iii. c. () meke (a) God hath made vs wheÌ„ we were his enimes heires of his kyngdome shall not we forgeue our brethren a small â—ault Psal 34. c. (b) To take vengeaunce on hym Math. v. b. Esai viii c. Math. x. d. i. Pet. 〈…〉 Tituâ—â—â— i. Pet. ii b Math. v. a. Rom. v a. Gene. vi a. Gene. vii â— Rom. vi a. Heb. i. b. ii b Rom i. d. Ephe. iiii d. (a) Although the wicked thynke this Gospel newe and vexe you that imbrace it yet hath it ben preached to theÌ„ of tyme past whiche now are deade to the intent y t they myght haue ben condempned of dead to sinne in the flesshe also myght haue lyued to God in the spirite â–ª which two are the effect of the Gospell Prou. xi d. (a) By elders he vnderstandeth all them which preach teach or minister in the Church Actes xxi f ii Cor. i. e. i. Tim. iiii b. Titus ii d. ii Tim. i. c. ii Cor. i. e. i. Tim. iiii b. Titus ii d. ii Tim. i. c. i Cor. ix d. ii Tim. iiii b Math. vi d. Luk. xii c. Iohn i. b. Iacob iiii b. i. Pet. i. a. (a) The sum of our saluation and religioÌ„ is to be ledde by Christe to y e father who calleth vs in the sonne Iohn i c. Coloss ii b. i. Cor. viii a. (b) 〈…〉 be sure in it self forasmuch as god cannot chaunge yet we must confirme it in our selues by the fruites of the spirite knowyng that the purpose of god electeth â–ª calleth sanctifieth and iustifieth vs. ii Cor. v. â— Iohn xxi d i. Iohn i. a. Mat. xvii d. Mark i. b Luk. iii. d. Acteâ— xx â— i. Tâ—m iii. a. ii Tim. iii. a. i Pet. iii. a. Iudâ— i. â— (a) That is euidently sene in the Pope his priestes which by lyes and flatteries sell mens soules so that it is certayne y t he is not the successour of SimoÌ„ Peter but of Simon Magus Genes vii a. Gene. xii d. Iob. xv b. i. Cor. x. c. (b) For in your holy feastes they syt as members of the church where as in deede they be but spottes so deceaue you reade Luk. 1â— Num. xxii b Iudic. i. d. Iohn viii d. Rom. vi c. Hebr. vi a. and .x. c. Math. xii d. Pâ—o xv â— Actes xx f. ii Pet. ii a. Iudi. i. e. i. Tim. iiii e. ii Tim. ii a. (a) He meaneth theÌ„ whiche had once professed christian religion but became afterward contemners and mockers as Epicurians Atheistes Iohn xiiii b Esaâ—s â—i b. Psal xâ— a. i Cor. vii c. Math 14 d. i. Thess v. a Apoc iii â— Apoc. xx â— Mat. xvii a. (a) The effect of y e Gospell is that we all beyng ioyned together in Christ by faith shuld be the sonnes of God (b) That is Christe with vs and we with our selues 3. Reg. viii e. ii Par. vi g. Ioh. xiii c. Psal 32. d. Luk. xv d. (a) That is by fayth and so obey hym for knowlege can not be without obedience Iohn xiii d. Leuit. xix d Ioh. xvii b. Actes xx f. (b) the grace of the holy ghost Esaâ—â—iiii d. (c) Christ coÌ„municateth hym selfe vnto you teacheth you by the holy ghost and his ministers d By this name â–ª â—e meâ—neth y e wholâ— Churche of Christe in generall â–ª â—uk xx ◠〈◊〉 â— b Geâ—e 〈…〉 Iohn 〈…〉 (a) This loue is the speciall fruite of our fayth and a certayne signe of our regeneration Math. vâ—â— Iohn xv b. Iacob i. a. i Iohn v. c. Ioh. xiii d. Math. vii c. â— Deut. xiâ—i a. Ma. xxiiii a. Mar. xiii a. Luk. xxi d. (a) Who beyng very god came from his father toke vpon hym our fleshe He that confesseth oâ— preacheth this truely â–ª hath the spirite of God els not Iohn xiii d i Thess i. b. Iohn iii. c. Rom. v. b. Exod â— d. 〈◊〉 v. â— Iohn xiii c. Math. xii d. i Cor. xv g. (a) The water blood that came out of his syde declare that we haue our sinnes washed by hym â–ª and he hath made ful satisfaction for the same (b) Whiche testifieth to our heartes that we be the childreÌ„ of god Mat. vii a. Mark xi d. Luk. xi b. Iohn xiiii â— (a) According to godlynesse and not with any worldly affections (b) We can not receaue the grace of God except we haue the true knowledge of hym of the whiche knowledge loue proceadeth (c) According to Gods worde Iohn xiiii c i. Iohn v. a. (a) That is in godly conuersation as they whiche haue both the knowledge and feare of God (a) Agaynst assaultes of Satan and heretiques Gen. xix f. Gen. iiii b. Num. xvi f. Gen. iiii b. Num. xvi f. Apoc. i. â— Esai iii â— Actes xx f. â— Timâ— iiii a â— Tim iii. a. â— Peter ii a. (a) Of things which were hyd before (b) Christe receaued this reuelation out of his fathers bosome as his owne doctrine but it was hid in respect of vs so that Christe as Lorde God reuealed it to Iohn his seruaunt by the ministerie of his Angel to the edification of his Church Math 24. c. Dani. vii d. Mat. xvii a. Esai xliiii b Rom. vi b. Gene. â—â— b. (a) The eternall diuinitie of Iesus Christe is here moste playnely declared with his manhood and victorie ouer death to aâ—re his 〈…〉 shall not 〈◊〉 â—uercome â—y death (b) In spiritual treasures (c) The word of God is the sworde with two edges Nu. xxxi c. 3. Reg. xvi g iiii Reg. x. d Ier. xxvii b. Psal ii b. i Thess v. a. ii Pet. iii. c. Esai xxii f Iob. xii c. ii Cor. v. a. Prou. ii b. Heb. xii b. Esai vi b. Esa â–ª xxvii â— Iob. xxii b. Ose â— b. Luk. â—xâ— â— Esaias ii d. Osee x. e. Luk. xxiii d Ezech. ii c. Ezech. iii. c. Gene ix b. Math. 26 c. Act. xiiii c Esai xxi c. Ieremi li. a. Ioel. iii. e. â—sai xxi c. Iere. li. a. Math. â—â— d. ii Peter iii â— i Thess â—â— i Tim. vi â— Esa xlvii d. Ierem. li. a Ierem. li. b. Ierem 〈…〉 () That is prayse ye god because y e antichrist and all wickednes is taken out of the worlde Mâ— xxâ— a. 〈…〉 Esai liii b. Esaias â— Esai xlv c. ii Pet. iii. a. Esai xxv d. Esai lx â— Esai lx c Esaias lx d. Apoc. i. a Apoc. xi b. Esai xliiii b Apoc. i. b. Esai lv a. Iohn vii f. Deut. iiii a. Pro. xxx a.