deade agayne what doth his watching Pro. 26. b 2. Pe. 2. b So is it with a man that fasteth for his synnes doth them agayne who wil heare his prayer Or what doth his fastinge helpe him ¶ It is well done to praye and to do sacrifice The prayer of the fatherlesse of the wydowe and hym that humbleth hym selfe Capi. xxxv WHo so kepeth the lawe Iere 7. c â–ª bryngeth offerynges ynough He that holdeth fast the coÌ„maundement offereth the right helth offeringe He that is thanckfull and recompeÌ„seth Hebre. 13c Phili. 4 c offereth fyne floure Who so is mercyfull and gueth almes that is the right thanckoffring God hath plesure when one departeth froÌ„ synne to forsake vnrighteousnes recoÌ„cileth vs with him Exo. 43. a Thou shalt not appere emptie before the lorde Gene. 4. a for all suche is done because of the coÌ„mauÌ„dement The offering of the rightuous maketh the aulter fat a swet smel is it before the hiest The offeryng of the rightuous is acceptable vnto god and shal neuer be forgotteÌ„ Geue god his honour with a cherful hert kepe not backe the firstlinges of thi haÌ„des In al thy giftes shew a merciful couÌ„tenauÌ„ce and halow thy tithes vnto god with gladnes Geue vnto god 2. Cor. 9. b according as he hath enryched and prospered the Tob. 4. b loke what thyne haÌ„des is able gyue with a cherful eye for the Lord recompenseth geueth the seuen tymes as muche agayne Geue no vnryghtuous giftes for such wyll he not receiue Beware of wroÌ„geous offringes for the Lord is a rightuous iuge regardeth no maÌ„s persoÌ„ He accepteth not the person of the poore but he heareth the prayer of the oppressed He despyseth not the desyre of the fatherles Iudi. 4. b nor the wydow wheÌ„ she poureth out her praier befor him Doth not god se the teares that reÌ„ down the chekes of the wydow Or heareth he not the coÌ„plaint ouer suche as make her to wepe For froÌ„ her chekes do the teres go vp vnto heuen the lorde which heareth them doth accept them Who so serueth god after his plesure shal be accepted his prayer reacheth vnto the cloudes Tren 3. d â—â—te 10. a The prayer of him that humbleth him self goeth thorowe the cloudes tyll she come nye She wil not be comforted nor go her wai til the hiest god haue respect vnto her gyue true sentence refourme the iudgement And the Lord wyl not be slacke in coÌ„ming nor tarye longe tyll he haue smytten in sonder the backes of the vnmerciful auenged himself of the hetheÌ„ tyl he haue takeÌ„ away the multitud of the cruel broken the cepter of the vnrighteous til he geue euery maÌ„ after his workes reward theÌ„ after theyr doynges til he haue deliuered his people maiÌ„teyned their cause reioyced then in his mercy O how fayre a thiÌ„g is mercy in the time of anguishe trouble It is lyke a cloude of rayne that coÌ„methe in the tyme of a drouth ¶ A prayer to god in the person of all faythfull men with the prayse of a good woman Capi. xxxvi HAue mercy vpon vs O Lorde thou God of al thynges Haue respect vnto vs shewe vs the lyght of thy mercyes and sende thy feate among the Heathen and strauÌ„gers which seke not after the that they may know howe that there is no god but thou and that thei may shew thy wonderous workes Lift vp thy haÌ„d ouer the outlandish hethen that they may lerne to know thy myght power Lyke as thou art halowed in vs before theÌ„ so bryng to passe that thou maist be magnifyed also in theÌ„ before vs that they may know the lyke as we know the. For there is none other god but only thou O lorde Renue the tokens chaunge the wonderous workes Shew thyn hand and thy right arme gloriousli raise vp thy indignacion and poure out thi wrath Take a way the aduersary and smyte the enemye Make the tyme short rememberthe couenaunt that thy wonderous workes may be praysed Let the wrath of the fyre consume them that lyue so careles let theÌ„ perysh that do thy people hurt Smit in sonder the heade of the prynces that be oure enemyes and saye there is none other but we Gather al the Tribes of Iacob together agayne that they may know howe that there is none other god but onlye thou that thei may shew thy wonderous workes be thou thy peoples heritage like as from the beginnynge O Lorde haue mercy vpon the people that hath thy name and vpon Israell Exo. 4. e. whome thou hast lykened to a fyrst borne sonne O be merciful vnto IerusaleÌ„ the cytye of thy saÌ„ctuary 1. par 6. g. the cytie of thy rest Fyl SioÌ„ with thy vnspekable vertues thy people with thi glori Giue witnes vnto thy creature whom thou madest froÌ„ the beginnyng and rayse vp the prophecyes that haue bene shewed in thy name Rewarde them that wayte for the that thy Prophetes maye be founde faythful O Lorde heare the prayer of thy seruauÌ„tes accordyng to the blessyng of Aaron ouer thy people gyde thou vs in the waye of ryghtuousnes that al they which dwell vpon the earth Nume 6 d maye know that thou art the Lorde the eternall god which is froÌ„ euerlastyng The bely deuoureth al meates yet is one meate better theÌ„ an other Lyke as the tonge tasteth venisoÌ„ 1. Cor. 2. b. so doth an hert of vnderstaÌ„ding marke fals wordes A froward hert geueth heuines but a maÌ„ of exeperieÌ„ce lyfteth him vp agayn The woman receyueth euery maÌ„ yet is one daughter better theÌ„ a other A fayer wyfe reioiseth her husbaÌ„d a maÌ„ loueth nothing better Yf she be louyng and vertuous withal theÌ„ is not her husbaÌ„d lyke other men He that hath gotten a vertuous woman hath a goodly possession she is vnto him an helpe pyller wher vpoÌ„ he resteth Where no hedge is there the goodes are spoiled where no huswife is there the frendles mourneth Like as ther is no credence gyuen to a robber that goeth froÌ„ one cite to an other So is not the man beleued that hath no reste and muste turne in where he maye abyde in the nyght ¶ Howe a man shulde knowe frendes and couÌ„cellers and searche the company of a hoolye man Capi. xxxvii EVerye frende saythe I wyll be frendly vnto him also But ther is some frende whych is onely a frende in name Remayneth there not heuynes vnto death when a companyon and frende is tourned an enemy O mooste wycked presumpcyon From whence art thou spronge vp to couer the earthe with falshed and dysceyte There is some companyon which in prosperite reioyseth with his freÌ„de but in the time of trouble he taketh part agaynst hym There is some coÌ„panion that mourneth with his frend for the belisake Eccle. 6. b but wheÌ„ trouble coÌ„meth he taketh hold of the
For there are hyd yet greater thynges then these be as for vs we haue sene but few of his workes For the lorde hath made all thinges and geuen wysedome to suche as feare god ¶ The prayse of certayne holy men Henoche Noâ— Abraham Isaac and Iacob Capi. xliiii LETTE vs commende the noble famous men and the generacion of oure fore elders and Fathers Many more glorious actes hath the lord done and shewed his great power euer sence the beginning The noble famous men raigned in their Kyngdomes and bare excelleÌ„t rule In their wisedome vnderstandyng they folowed the councel shewed in the Prophecies ⊢ Exo. xviii c They led the folke thorowe the Councel and wisdome of the Scribes of the people wise sentences are founde in their instruccyon They sought the swetenesse and melodye of Musicke and brought forth the pleasaunt songes in Scripture They were ryche also and coulde comforte pacifie those that dwelt with them All these were very noble and honourable men in theyr generacions as were well reported of in their times These haue lefte a name behynd them so that their prayse shall alway be spoken of Afterwarde there were some whose remembraunce is gone ‡ gene vii d. They came to naught and perished as though they hadde neuer ben became as thoughe they had neuer be borne yee theyr chyldren also with them Neuerthelesse these are louynge meÌ„ whose rightuousnesse shall neuer be forgotten but continue by their posteritie Their chyldrenne are an holy good heritage Their sede endured fast in the couenaunte For theyr sakes shall theyr chyldreÌ„ and sede continue for euer and theyr prayse shall neuer be put downe Their bodies are buried in Peace but their name lyueth for euermore The people can speake of theyr wisedomme and the congregation can talke of their praise ⊣ Ec. 49. 6. gene v. 6. Enoche walked righte and acceptably before the lorde Therefore was he translated for an ensample of amendement vnto the Generacions ★ gene vi s and .7.8 Noe was a stedfaste and Ryghtuousman and in the tyme of wroth he became a reconcilinge Therefore was he lefte a remenante vnto the earthe wheÌ„ the floude came An euerlastinge couenaunt was made with him that al flesh shulde ★ gene ix c perish no more with the water Abraham was a ⊣ gene xvii a great father of many people in glorye was there none lyke vnto hym He kepte the lawe of the Hyest and came into a couenauÌ„t with him He sette the couenaunt in his flesh and when he ★ gene xxii a was proued he was founde faithful Therfore swore god vnto him with an othe that he wold blesse al people in his sede that he wolde multiplye and increase him as the dust of the erth and exalte his sede as the Starres yee and that his sede shulde haue the possessyon and enheritaunce of the lande froÌ„ see to see and from the riuer vnto the borders of the worlde ⊣ gene xxvi a Wyth Isaac dyd he stablyshe the same couenaunte for Abraham hys fathers sake yee that gracious blessynge and health of all men and couenauÌ„t did he stablyshe with Isaac and made it to rest vpon the heade of Iacob He knew him ‡ ge xxviii c. 29.30 in that he prospered hym so wel and richely and gaue hym an heritage and sundred his porcyon by it selfe ⊣ Iosue xviii an xix parted it amonge the twelue Tribes Mercyfull men broughte he out of him whiche founde fauoure in the syght of all fleshe ¶ The prayse of Moyses Aaron and Phynches Capi xlv MOSES ‡ Exo. ix a Actes 7. c. beloued of God and men whose remembraunce is in Hye praise hym that the Lorde made lyke in the glorye of the Saintes and magnified him so that the enemies stode in awe of him thorow his wordes he dyd great wonders He made hym great in the syght of kinges gaue him CommaundemeÌ„t before his people and shewed him his glorious power ⊣ Nu. 12. a. He stablyshed hym with faithfulnesse and mekenesse and those hym out of all meÌ„ For he hearde his voice and led hym in the darke cloude ‡ Exo. xix d. and there he gaue hym the coÌ„maundementes yee the law of lyfe and wisdom that he might teach Iacob his couenaunt and Israell his lawes He chose Aaron his brother also out of the tribe of Leuy exalted hym made him suche lyke ⊣ Exo. xxviii An euerlastynge couenaunt made with him and gaue hym the preesthode in the people He made him glorious in bewtyfull araye clothed him with the garmente of honour He put perfect ioye vpon hym and gyrded hym with strength He decte hym with syde clothes a tunicle with an ouerbodye cote also a gyrdle Rounde about made he hym belles of golde and that many ‡ Exo. xxviii that when he went in the sound myght he heard that they might make a noise in the Sanctuarye and geue the people warnyng The holy garmente was wrought and broderd with golde yelowe â—ilke and purple And in the brestlappe there was a goodly work wherin was fastened lighte and perfectnesse ¶ Vpon the same also there was a worke fastned and set with costly precious stones all bounde with golde Exo. iiii and this he brought in his ministracion The stones were fastened for a remembraunce after the nomber of the twelue Tribes of Israel Vpon his miter there was a plate of puer golde a grauen ymage of holynesse a famous and noble worke garnished and pleasaunt to loke vpon Before him were there seene no suche fayer ornamentes and these it behoueoÌ„ him alwaye to vse There might none other put theym on but onely his children and his childers chyldren perpetuallye Daylye perfourmed he hys burnte offringes two times Leui. 8. a Moses fylled his handes and anoynted hym with holy Oyle This was now confirmed him with an euerlastinge couenaunt to his sede as the dayes of Heauen namely that his childrenne shuld alway minister before him and perfourme the offyce of the Preesthoode and wysh the people good in his name Before all men lyuynge chose he him that he shulde offer inceÌ„ce before the lorde and make odours for a swete sauoure and remembrauÌ„ce that he shulde reconcile the people of the lord with hym againe ⊣ Deu. 17. c and .xxi. a. Mala. ii a He gaue him auctoritie also in his commaundementes and in the Couenaunte that he shoulde teach Iacob the statutes testimonies and to enforme Israell in hys lawe ✚ Nu. 6. a. Therefore there stode vp certain agaynst him and had enuye at hym in the wyldernes namely they that were of Dathan and Abirams syde and the furious Congregation of Chore. Thys the lorde sawe and it displeased hym and in his wrathfull indignacion were they consumed A greate woÌ„der dyd he vpon them and consumed them with the fyre â— Beside this he made Aaron yet more honorable and
hande Agge ii c. and .ii. a. So was Iesus also the Sunne of Iosedec these men in their tymes buylded the house and set vp the Sanctuary of the Lorde agayne 2. Esd i a. 2. Es 7. a. whiche was prepared for an euerlastynge worshyppe ¶ And Nehemyas is alwaye to be commended which set vp for vs the walles that were broken downe made the portes and barres againe and buylded our houses of the newe ‡ But vpon earthe is there no maÌ„ created lyke Enoche for he was taken vp from the earthe gene v. c. Eccl. 44. c. Heb. xii a gene xli f 42. a. 45. e. And Ioseph whiche was Lorde of his brethrenne and the vpholder of his people his bones were couered and kepte Seth and Sem were in greate honoure amoÌ„ge the people and so was Adam aboue all the beastes when he was created ¶ Of Symon the Sonne of Oniah Capi. l. SIMON â— Mac. 3.4 the Sonne of Onyas the hie Preest whiche in his lyfe sette vp the house againe and in his dayes made faste the Temple The heighte of the Temple also was fouÌ„ded of him the double buyldynge and the hye walles of the Temple In his daies the welles of water flowed out were exceadinge full as the see He toke care for his people and deliuered them from destruccion He kepte his Citie and made it stronge that it shulde not be beseged He dwelt in honour and worship amonge his people and enlarged the entraunce of the house and the courte He gaue lyght as the mornynge Starre in the myddest of the Cloudes and as the Mone when it is full He shyned as the Sunne in the Temple of God He is as bryghte as the raine bowe in the fayer cloudes and florisheth as floures and Roses in the spring of the yeare and as lylyes by the riuers of water Lyke as the braunches vpon the mount Libanus in the time of Sommer as a fyre and in sence that is kyndled Lyke as an whole ornament of puer golde set with all maner of precyous stones and as an Olyue tree that is frutefull as a Cypres tre which groweth vp an hie When he putte on the garment of honoure and was clothed with all bewtie WheÌ„ he went to the holy Aulter to garnyshe the coueringe of the Sanctuarye when he toke the porcions out of the prestes hand he him self stode by the herth of the aulter and his brethrenne rounde aboute in order As the braunches of Cedre tree vpon the mount Libanus so stode they rounde aboute him And as the braunches of the Olyue tre so stode all the sonnes of Aaron in the glorye and the Oblations of the Lorde in their handes before all the Congregation of Israell And that he myght sufficiently perfourme his seruyce vpon the aulter and garnyshe the offrynge of the Hyest GOD he stretched oute his hande and toke of the drynk offrynge and poured in of the wyne so he poured vpoÌ„ the bottome of the Aulter a good smell vnto the hyest Prynce Then beganne the sonnes of Aaron to singe and to blow with trompettes and to make a greate noyse for a remembraunce and prayse vnto the Lorde Then were al the people afraide and fel downe to the earthe vpon their faces to worshyppe the Lorde their God and to geue thankes to the Almyghtye GOD They songe goodly also with their voices so that there was a pleasaunt noise in the greate house of the lorde And the people in their praier be sought the Lorde the hyest that he wolde be mercyfull tyll the honoure of the Lorde were perfourmed Thus ended they theyr ministracyon and seruyce Then wente he downe and stretched out his handes ouer the whole multitude of the people of Israell that they shuld geue prayse and thankes out of their lyppes vnto the Lord and to reioyse in his name He beganne yet once also to pray that he myght openly shew the thankes geuynge before the Hieste namely thus O geue prayse and thanckes ye al vnto the lord our god which hath euer done noble and great thinges whiche hath increased our dayes from our mothers wombe and dealt with vs accordynge to his mercye that he wyll geue vs the ioyfulnes of hert and peace for oure tyme in Israell Whiche fayth fully kepeth hys mercy for vs euermore and alwaye delyuereth vs in due season There be two maner or people that I abhorre from my herte as for the third whom I hate it is no people They that syt vpon the mountayne of Samaria the Philystynes and the folysh people that dwell in Sichimis I Iesus the sonne of Syrach Eleazarus of Ierusalem haue tokenned vp these informacions and documentes of wysdomme and vnderstandynge in this boke and poured out the wisedome of my herte Blessed is he that exercyseth hym selfe therein who so taketh suche to herte shal be wyse for euer yf he do these thinges he shal be stronge in all For the lyght of the lord leadeth hym ¶ The prayse of Iesus the sonne of Syrach Capi li. I WILL thanke the O Lorde and Kynge and prayse the O God my Sauiour I wyll yelde prayse vnto thy name for thou arte my Defender and helper and haste preserued my bodye from destruccion from the snare of trayterous tongues and from the lyppes that are occupied with lyes Thou hast bene my helper from soch as stode vppe agaynste me and haste delyuered me after the multytude of thy mercye and for thy holye names sake Thou haste delyuered me frome the roarynge of them that prepared theÌ„ selues to deuoure me out of the handes of suche as soughte after my life from the multitude of them that troubled me went about to sette fire vpon me on euery syde so that I am not brente in the myddest of the fyre From the depe of hell from an vncleane tonge from lieng wordes from the wycked Kyng from an vnryghtuous tonge My soule shall prayse the Lorde vnto deathe for my lyfe drewe nye vnto hell dounwarde They compased me rounde aboute on euery syde and there was no man to helpe I loked aboute me yf there were any man that wolde socoure me but there was none Then thought I vpon thy mercye O LORDE and vpon thy Actes that thou haste done euer of olde namely that thou delyuerest suche as putte their truste in the and ryddest theym oute of the handes of the Heathen Thus lyfte I vp my prayer from the earth and prayde for deliueraunce from death I called vpon the LORDE the Father of my Lorde that he wolde not leaue me without helpe in the daye of my trouble and in the tyme of the proude I wyll prayse thy name continually yelding honour and thanckes vnto it and so my prayer was hearde Thou sauedst me from destruccion and delyueredest me frome the vnrightuous tyme. Therfore wyll I acknowledge prayse the and magnifie thy name O LORDE When I was yet but yong or euer I went astraye I desired wysdom openly in my prayer I came therefore before the Temple and sought her vnto the laste Then florished she vnto me as a grape that is soone rype My hert reâ—oysed in her then wente my foote the ryght way ye from youth vp sought I after her I bowed downe myne eare receiued her I founde me moch wysdome and prospered greatly in her Therfore wyl I ascribe the glory vnto hym that geueth me wisdom for I am aduised to do therafter I wyll be gelouse to cleane vnto the thynge that is good so shall I not be coÌ„founded My soule dath wrestled with her and I haue bene diligent to be occupyed in her I lyfte vp myne handes on hye then was my soule lyghtened thorowe wysdom that I knoledged my folyshnes I ordered my soule after her she and I were one hert from the begynnyng and I founde her in clennesse And therfore shall I not be forsaken My hert longed after her and I gat a good treasure Thorowe her the lorde hath geuen me a newe tonge wherwith I wyll prayse him Eccl. lv a. O come vnto me ye vnlearned and dwell in the house of wysdomme withdrawe not your selues from her but talke and commen of these thinges for youre Soules are very thirstye I opened my mouth and spake O come and by wysedome without monye bowe downe your necke vnder her yocke and youre soule shall receyue wysedome She is harde at hande and is contente to be founde Beholde with youre eyes Eccl. vi â— how that I haue had but lytle labour and yet haue found moche reste O receyue wysedome and ye shall haue plentuousnesse of syluer and golde in possession Lette your mynde reioyse in his mercye and be not ashamed of his prayse Worke hys worke by tymes and he shall geue you youre rewarde in due tyme. ¶ Here endeth the boke of Iesus the sonne of Syrache which is called in Latyn ECCLESIASTIcus FINIS huius libri ⧠Imprynted at London in Paules churcheyarde at the sygne of the Kinges armes by Wylliam Bonham
truly there is scarcenesse Ryches are as a crowne vnto the wyse but the ignoraunce of foles is very foolyshnes A faythful wytnes delyuereth soules but a lyer disceyueth them The feare of the lorde is a strong holde and his chyldrē are vnder a suer defence The feare of the lorde is a well of lyfe to auoyde the snares of death The increase and prosperite of the comens is the kynges honoure but the decaye of the people is the confusion of the Prynce He that is pacyent hath moch vnderstandyng but he that is sone displeased prouoketh foolyshnes A mery hert is the lyfe of the bodye but rancoure consumeth awaye the bones Pro. 17. a Mat. 25. d He that dothe a poore man wronge blasphemeth his maker but who so hath pyte of the pore doth honoure vnto god The vngodly is afrayed of euery parel but the rightuous hath a good hope euē in death Wysdome resteth in the herte of hym that hath vnderstandynge he shal be knowne among them that are vnlerned Pro. 11. b Ryghtuousnes settethe vp the people but wyckednes bringeth folke to destruction A discrete seruaunt is a pleasur vnto the Kyng but one that is not honest prouoked hym vnto wrath Capi. xv A Pro. 25. c. Soft answere putteth downe displeasure but froward wordes prouoke vnto anger The tonge of suche as be wyse vsethe knowlege a ryght as for a folysh mouth it blabbeth out nothyng but foolyshnes The eyes of the Lorde loke on euerye place both vpon the good and bad A wholsome tonge is a tree of lyfe but he that abusethe it hathe a broken mynde A foole despyseth hys fathers correccyon but he that taketh hede whē he is reproued shall haue the moare vnderstandynge Where ryghtuousnesse is plentyfull there is very greate power but the imaginacyon of the vngodly shall be rooted out The house of the ryghtuouse is full of ryches but the encrease of the vngodly is nye destruccyon A wise mouth poureth out knowledge but the herte of the folyshe doth not so Pro. 21. d. Ecclesi 34. c. Esaie 66 a. The Lorde abhorreth the sacryfyce of the vngodly but the prayer of the ryghtuous is acceptable vnto hym The waye of the vngodly is an abhominacion vnto the Lorde but who so foloweth ryghtuousnes hym he loueth He that forsaketh the ryght waye shal be sore punyshed and who so hateth correccyon shall dye Hel and perdicyon are knowen vnto the Lorde howe much more then the hertes of men Sapi. 2. c. A scorneful bodye loueth not one that rebuketh hym neyther wyll he cōe vnto the wyse A mery herte maketh a cherefull countenaunce Pro. 12. d. and .17 d. Eccle. 30. c but an vnquiet mynde maketh it heuy The herte of hym that hath vnderstandynge doth seke after knowledge but the mouth of fooles is fed with foolishnes All the dayes of the poore are miserable but a quyet herte is as a continuall feaste Psalmus 26. b. 1. Ti. 6. b. Better is a lytle with the feare of the Lorde thē greate treasure with sorowe Better is a messe of pottage with loue then a fat oxe with euell wyll Pro. 15. a. An angrye man steareth vp stryfe but he that is pacyent stilleth discorde The waye of a sloughfull man is as it were hedged with thornes but the waie of the ryghtuous is well clensed Pro. 10. a. A wyse sonne maketh a glad father but an vndiscrete body shameth his mother A foole reioyseth in foolyshe thinges but a wise man loketh well to his owne goynges Vnaduysed thoughtes shall come to naughte but where as men are that can geue counsell there is stedfastnesse A ioyfull thynge is it when a man geueth a conuenyent answere And very plesaunte is a worde spoken in due season The waye of life leadeth vnto heuen that a mā shulde be ware of hell beneth The Lorde wil breake downe the house of the proude but he shall make faste the borders of the wyddowe The Lorde abhorreth the ymaginacyons of the wicked but pure wordes are plesaunt vnto hym The couetous man roteth vp his owne house but who so hateth rewardes shal lyue * Thorowe mercye and fayth are sinnes pourged and thorowe the feare of the Lorde dothe euery one eschue euell A righteouse man museth in his minde howe to do good but the mouth of the vngodly bringeth forth euell thynges The Lorde is farre from the vngodly but he hereth the prayer of the righteous Lyke as the clerenes of the eyes reioyseth the herte so doth a good name fede the bones The eare that harkeneth of the reformacyon of lyfe shall dwell amonge the wyse He that refuseth to be refourmed despyseth his owne soule but he that submytteth hym selfe to correccyon is wise The feare of the Lorde is the righte science of wisdome and lowlinesse goeth before honoure Capytulo xvi A Man maye well purpose a thyng in hys hert but the answer of the tonge commeth of the lorde Pro. 21. a. Psal 33. b A man thynketh all hys wayes to be cleane but it is the Lorde that Iudgeth the myndes psal 37 a. Commyt thy workes vnto the lorde and loke what thou deuisest it shal prospere The Lorde doth all thynges for hys owne sake yee and when he kepeth the vngodly for the daye of wrath The Lorde abhorteth all such as be of a proude hert there may nether strength nor power escape * The begynnyng of a good lyfe is to do ryghtuousnes for that is more accepted vnto God then to offer vp sacrifices Wyth louyng mercy and faythfulnes synnes be forgeuē and who so feareth the Lorde eschueth euell When a mans wayes please the Lorde he maketh his verye enemyes to be hys frendes Better is it to haue a lytle thing wyth ryghtuousnes then great rentes wrong fully gotten pro. 19. c A man deuyseth a waye in his herte but it is the Lorde that ordereth his goynges When the Prophecye is in the lyppes of the kynge his mouth shal not go wronge in iudgement Pro 11. a and .20 b. A true measure and a true balaunce are the Lordes he maketh al weyghtes It is a greate abhomynacion whē kynges are wicked for a kynges seate shuld he holden vp wyth ryghtuousnes Ryghtuous lyppes are pleasaunt vnto Kynges and he that speaketh the truth shal be beloued The kynges despleasure is a messāger of deth but a wyse man wyl pacify him The chereful continaunce of the king is lyfe and his louynge fauoure is as the euenynge dewe proue 3. a To haue wysdome in possessyon is better then to haue golde and to get vnderstandyng is more worth thē to haue syluer The path of the rightuous is to eschue euyl who so loketh wel to hys waye kepeth his owne soule Presumptuousnes goeth before destruccyon and after a proude stomake ther foloweth a fall Better is it to be of humble mind with the lowly thē to deuid the spoiles with the proude He that handleth a matter
thinges endure yf it were not thy wyll Or howe coulde any thing be preserued excepte it were called of the But thou sparest all for all are thine O Lorde thou louer of soules ¶ The mercye of God towarde synners the workes of God are vnreprouable God gyueth leysure to repente vs. Capi. xii O Lorde howe gracyous swete is thy spyrite in all thynges Therfore chasteneste thou them mesurabli that go wronge and warnest theÌ„ concerninge the thinges wherin they offende thou speaketh vnto theÌ„ o Lorde and exhortest theÌ„ to leaue theyr wickednes and put theyr truste in the. As for those olde inhabyters of thy holy lande thou myghtest not away with them Deut. 9. â— 12. d. 18. b for they coÌ„mytted abhomynable workes agaynst the as wytchecrafte sorcery ydolatrye they slewe theyr own childreÌ„ without mercye they eate vp mens bowels and deuoured the bloode yee bycause of such abhomynacyons misbyleues offeringes thou shewest the fathers of the desolate soules by the haÌ„des of our forefathers that the lande which thou louest aboue all other might be a dwelling for the children of God Neuerthelesse thou sparedst them also as men and sendeste the forerunners of thyne host euen hornettes to destroie out by litle lytle Not that thou waste vnable to subdue the vngodly vnto the rightuous in batell or with cruell beastes or with one roughe worde to destroy theim together But thy mynde was to dryue them out by lytle and lytle Exo. 23. d Deut. 7. d geuing them tyme and place to amend knowyng wel that it was an vnrightuous nacyon and wicked of nature that theyr thoughte myght neuer be altered for it was a cursed sede from the begynnynge feared no maÌ„ yet hast thou pardoned theyr sinnes For who wyll saye vnto the why hast thou done that Or who wyll stand agaynst thy iugemeÌ„t Or who wyl come before thy face an auenger of vnryghtuous men Or who will blame the yf the people perish whome thou haue made For there is none other God but thou 1. Pe. 5. a that carest for all thinges that thou mayst declare how that thi iudgemeÌ„t is not vnright ther dare neyther king ne tiraunt in thy sight requyre accomptes of theim whoÌ„e thou hast destroied Iob. 9. a For so much theÌ„ as thou art rightuous thy selfe thou orderest all thinges rightuously and punyshest euen hym that haue not deserued to be punysshed and takest hym for a straunger and an alyaunt in the laÌ„de of thy power For thy power is the beginniÌ„g of rightuousnes bicause thou art Lorde of all thynges therfore art thou gracious vnto all When men thinke the not to be of a ful streÌ„gth thou declarest thy power and boldli deliuerest thou them ouer that knowe the not But thou Lord of power iudgest quietly and orderest vp with greate worship for thou maist do as thou wilt By such workes now hast thou taught thy people that a man also shuld be iust and louyng and haste made the chyldren to be of a good hope for eueÌ„ whan thou iudgest thou geuest rowme to amende from sinnes For in so muche as thou haste punished and with suche diligence delyuered the enemyes of thy seruauntes which wer worthye to dye wherthorow thou gauest them â—yme and place of amendement that they myght turne froÌ„ theyr wickednes with how great diligence then punishest thou thine owne children vnto whose fathers thou hast sworne and made couenauntes of good promises so wher as thou doest but chasten vs thou punyshest oure enemyes dyuers wayes to the entente that when we punish we shuld remember thy goodnes and wheÌ„ we our selues are punyshed to put our trust in thy mercy Wherfore where as men haue liued ignorauntly and vnryghtuously thou haste punyshed theÌ„ sore Sapi. 11. c Roma 1. c euen thorowe the same thinges that they worshypped for they went astraye very longe in the waye of erroure and helde the beastes whiche euen they re enemyes dispysed for Goddes liuyng as chyldren of no vnderstandynge Therfore haste thou sent a scorneful punyshment amonge them as amonge the chyldren of ignoraunce As for suche as wolde not be refourmed by those scornes and rebukes they felt the worthi punishment of God For the thynges that they suffered they bare them vnpacieÌ„tly beynge not content in them but vnwilling And wheÌ„ they perished by the same thynges that they toke for goddes thei knowledged theÌ„ that there was but one trewe God whom afore they wolde not know therfore came the ende of theyr dampnacion vpon them All thynges be vayne excepte the knowledge of God Ydolatryes and Ydolles are mocked Capi. xiii Roma 1. c Vaine philosophers VAyne are al men whyche haue not the knowledge of God as were they that out of the good thynges whyche are sene knewe not hym that of hym selfe is euerlastynge Neyther toke they so much regarde of the workes that are made as to knowe who was the craftesman of them but some toke the fyre some the wynde or ayer some the course of the sterres some the water some toke sun and moone or the lightes of heuen which rule the yarthe for Goddes But though they had such pleasure in theyr beutye that they thought them to haue bene goddes yet shulde they haue knowen how much more fayrer he is that mad them for the maker of beutye hathe ordeyned al these thinges Or if thei merueled at the power and workes of them they shuld haue perceyued therby that he which made these thynges is myghtyer then they For by the greatnes beutye of the creature the maker therof may playnly be knowen NotwithstaÌ„dyng they are the lesse to be blamed that sought God wolde haue him fouÌ„de and â—et missed and why for in as much as they went about in his workes and sought after them it is a token that they regarded and helde muche of his workes that are sene howebeit they are not holly to be excused For yf theyr vnderstanding knowlege was so great that they coulde discerne the worlde and the creatures Roma 1. c why dyd they not rather fynde out the Lord therof He mocketh the ydolaters But vnhappy are they and amonge the deade is theyr hope that call them Goddes whych are but the workes of meÌ„s handes golde syluer and the thinge that is founde out by cunnyng the symilitude of beastes or any vayne stone that hathe bene made by hand of olde Or as wheÌ„ a carpenter cutteth down a tree out of the wode and pareth of the barke of it cunnynlye and so with the one parte maketh a vessel to be vsed and dressed meate with the residue As for the other parte that is left which is profytable for nothing for it is a croked pece of wood and ful of knobbes he carueth it diligentli thorow his vanitie and accordyng to the knowledge of hys cunnyng ymages he gyueth it some proporcyon facyoneth it after the similitude of a maÌ„ or maketh it like some
people in subieccyon they were bounde with the bondes of darkenes and longe nyght shute vnder the rofe thynking to escape the euerlasting wisdōe And whyle they thoughte to be hyde in darknes of theyr synnes they were scattered abrod in the very myddest of the darke coueryng of forgetfulnesse put to horryble feare and wonderously vexed for the corner where they myght not kepe them frō feare bicause the sounde came downe vexed thē yee many terrible and straūge visions made them afrayde No power of the fyre might geue thē light neyther myght the clere flames of the starres lighten that horrible nighte for there apered vnto them a sodeyn fyre very dredefull Exod. 7. b At the which when they sawe nothynge they were so afrayed that they thought the thinge which they saw to be the more fereful As for the sorcery enchaūtement that they vsed it came to derisyon and the proude wysdome was brought to shame for they that promised to dryue awaye the fearfulnes and drede from the weke soules were sycke for feare theym selues and that with scorne And though none of the wonders feared thē yet were they afrayd at the bestes which came vpon them and at the hyssynge of the serpentes In so much that with trymbling they swowned and said they sawe not the ayer whiche no man yet maye escape For it is an heuy thynge when a man 's owne conscyence beareth record of hys wickednes and condempneth him And why a vexed and wounded conscyence taketh euer cruell thinges in hand Fearefulnes is nothinge els but a declarynge that a man seketh helpe and defence to aunswere for him selfe Psa 45. a And loke how muche lesse the hope is within the more is the vncertēte of the mater for the which he is punyshed But they that came in the mightye night slepte the slepe that fel vpon them from vnder from aboue somtyme were they afrayed thorow the feare of the wonders and somtime they were so weke that they swowned with al for an hasti and sodeyne fearefulnes came vpō them Afterwarde yf any of thē had fallen he was kepte and shut in prison but without cheynes But yf any dwelte in a village yf it had bene an hearde or husbādman he suffered intollerable necessytie for thei were al boūd with one cheine of darkenesse Whether it were a blasyng winde or a swete songe of the byrdes amonge the thycke braunches of the trees or the vehemēce of hasty runnyng water or great noyse of the fallynge downe of stones or the plaieng and runnyng of beestes whō they sawe not or the mighti noise of rorynge beestes or the sounde that aunswereth againe in the hye mountaynes it made thē swowne for very feare For all the earth shyned with clere light and no mā was hyndered in his labour Onelie vpon them there fell an heuye nyghte an ymage of darknes that was to cōe vpon them Yee they were vnto them selues the moste heuy and horryble darknes ¶ The free lyghte that the Israelytes hade in egypte The persecucyon of the faythfull The Lorde smote all the fyrste borne of Egypte The syn of the people in the wyldernesse Aaron stode bytwyxte the lyue and the deed with hys censour Capi. xviii NEuerthelesse thy holy had a very greate lyghte and the ennemyes hearde theyr voyce but they sawe not the fygure of them And bycause they suffered not the same thinges they magnified the and they that were vexed afore bycause they were not hurt now thanked the Exo. 13. a and besought the O God that there might be a difference Therfore hadde they a burnyng pyller of fyre to leade them in the vnknowē way and thou gauest them the sōne for a free gifte wythout any hurte Reason it was that they shuld wante lyghte and be putte in the Pryson of darkenes whych kept thy chyldren in captiuytye by whome the vncorrupt light of the law of the worlde was for to be gyuen When they thoughte to slee the Babes of the Ryghtuous beynge layde oute and preserued to be leder vnto the other Exodi 1. c thou brouggtest out the hole multitude of the chyldrenne and destroiedst these in the mightye water Exo. 14. c. Of the night were our fathers certified afore that they knowinge vnto what othes they had geuen credēce might be of good chere Thus thy people receiued the helth of the ryghtuous but the vngodly were destroied For like as thou hast hurt oure enemies so haste thou promoted vs whom thou calledste afore For the ryghtuous childrē of the good men offred secretly and ordered the law of ryghtuousnes vnto vnitie that the Iuste shuld receyue good and euell in lyke maner syngynge prayses vnto the father of al mē Againe there was herde a disacordyng voyce of the enemyes a pyteous crye for chyldren that were bewayled The master the seruant were punyshed in like maner For they all together had innumerable that dyed one death Neither were the liuing suffycient to bury the deed for in the twincksing of an eye Exod. 11. c the nobliest nacion of them was destroied As oft as god helped thē aforeier wold it not make thē beleue but in the destruccion of the first borne they knowleged that it was the people of God For whyle al thinges were styl and whē the night was in the myddeste of her course thy almyghty worde o Lorde lept down frō Heuen out of thy royall Trone as a roughe man of warre in the midst of the land that was destroyed and the sharpe swearde perfourmed theyr strayght commaundement standynge and fyllyng all thynges with death yee it stode vpō the earth and reached vnto the heuen Then the syght of the euel dremes vexed them sodenly and fearefulnesse came vpon thē vnwares Then laye there one here an other there halfe deed halfe quicke and shewed the cause of his death For the visyōs that vexed them shewed them these thinges afore so that they were not ignoraūt wherfore they peryshed The temptaciō of deathe touched the ryghtuous also amongst the multitude in the wildernes there was insurreccyō but thy wrath endured not longe Nu 16. g. For the fautles mā wente in al the hast and toke the batayle vpō hym brought forth the weapō of his mynistracion euen praier and the censours of reconcilyng set him selfe againste the wrath so brought the mysery to an ende declaryng therby that he was thy seruaūt For he ouercame not the multitude with bodyly power nor with weapons of might but with the word he subdueth him that vexed him putting the in remembraunce of the othe couenaunte made vnto the fathers For when the deed were fallen downe by heapes one vpon an other Ex. 28. b. c he stode in the midste pacified the wrath parted the way vnto the liuing And why in his longe garment was al the beutye and in the foure rowes of the stones was the glory of the fathers grauen and thy maieste was wryttē in the
the fornace The noyse of the Hammer soūdeth euer in his eares and his eyes loke styll vpon the thinge that he maketh He hath set his mynde therupon that he will make out his worke therfore he watcheth howe he maye set it out and brynge it to an ende So doth the potter sytte by his worke he turneth the whele about with his fete he is deligent and careful in al doynges and his labour worke is without nomber He fashioneth the claie wyth hys arme and with his feete he temporeth it His hert ymagineth how he maye make it plesaunt and his diligence is to clense the ouen All these hope in theyr handes euery one thynketh to be connynge in his worke Without these maye not the Cyties be maynteyned inhabited nor occupied and come not hye in the Congregacyon in the councell of the people they be not requyred they vnderstāde not the couenaunt of the law they cannot declare equytie iudgemēt they cannot fynde out the darke sentēce but thorowe them shall the creature of the worlde be maynteyned theyr prayer concerneth onely the worke and laboure of connynge ¶ A wyse man The workes of God Vnto the good good thynges do profyte but vnto the euell euen good thynges are euell Capi. xxxix HE that applyeth hys mynde to vnderstāde the lawe of God doth dylygentely seke out the wisdome of them of the olde tyme and exercyseth hym selfe in the Prophetes He kepeth the saienges of famous menne preasseth to the vnderstādinge of darcke sentences of wysdome He seketh out the misterye of secret saynges and exercyseth hym selfe therin continually He doth seruice amonge greate men and appereth before the Prince He goeth in to a straūge countree and trauaileth thorowe it loke what good or euel is amōg men he proueth it and seketh it out He purposeth in his hert to resorte earli vnto the Lorde that made him and to praye before the Hyest God He openeth hys mouth in prayer and prayeth for his sinnes When the greate Lorde wyll he shal be filled with the Spirite of vnderstandinge that he maye then poure oute wyse sentences and geue thankes vnto the Lorde in his prayer He shall order his deuyce and leade his knowledge a ryghte geue hym vnderstandinge of secrete thynges He shal shewe forth the science of his learnynge and reioyse in the couenaunte of the lawe of the Lorde The whole Congregacion shall commende his wisdom and it shall neuer he put out The remembraunce of him shall neuer be forgotten Ec. 44. b. his name shall continue from one generacyō to an other Hys wysdome shall be spoken of amonge the people and the whole Congregacion shal opēly declare his praise While he liueth he hath a greater name then a thousande besyde and after hys deathe the same name remaynethe vnto hym Yet wyll I speake of no men of vnderstandyng for I am ful as the Moone Herkē vnto me ye holy vertuous chyldrē br ing forth fruit as the rose that is planted by the brokes of the felde and geue you a swete smel as Lybanus Floryshe as the Rose gardeine syng a songe of praise O geue thankes vnto god ouer al his workes Geue glory and honoure vnto the lord shew his praise with your lyppes Yee euen with the songe of your lyppes with harpes and playenge and in geuynge thankes vnto him saye after thys maner Gene. 1. d. Al the workes of the Lord are excedynge good and al hys cōmaundementes are mete and conueniēt in due season A man nede not to say what is that what is that for at time cōuenient they shall all be soughte At his commaundement the water was as a wal and at the word of his mouth the water stode styll Gene. 7. b In his commaundementes is euery thynge acceptable and reconcyled and his helth cannot be minished The workes of al fleshe are before hym and there is nothynge hyd from his eyes He seyth from euerlasting to euerlastinge there is nothing to wōderful or hie vnto him A man nede not to say then what is this or that For he hathe made all thynges to do good vnto man Hys blessyng shal renne ouer as the streame and moysture the earth lyke a floude of water Like as he maketh the water for drouth so shall his wrath fall vpon the heathen Osee 14. a Rom. 3 d His wayes are playne and ryghte vnto the Iust but the vngodlye stōble at theym For the good are good thynges created from the begynnynge and euell thynges for the vngodly Eccle. 29. c All thynges necessarye for the life of man are created from the begynnyng water fyre yron salte meel wheate and honi milke and wyne oyle and clothynge 1. Ti. 4. a All these thynges are created for the beste to the faythfull But to the vngodly shall all these thinges be turned to the hurte and harme There be spirits that are created for vengeaūce and in theyr rigorousnes haue they fastned theyr tormentes Mat. 25. d In the tyme of the ende they shal poure out theyr strength and pacyfie the wrath of him that made them Ecc. 40. b Fyre hasle honger and death al these thynges are created for vengeaunce The teeth of wylde noysome beastes the Scorpions Serpentes the swerde are created also for vengeaunce to the destruccyon of the vngodly They shall be glade to do his Cōmaundementes and when nede is they shal be redy vpō earth and when theyr houre is come they shal not ouerpasse the commaundement of the Lorde Therfore haue I taken a good corage vnto me from the beginninge thought to put these thinges in writinge and to leaue them behynde me Gene. 1. b. All the workes of the Lorde are good and he geueth euery one in due season and whē nede is so that a man nede not to saye thys is worse then that For in due season they are all pleasaunte and good And therfore prayse the Lorde with whole herte and mouthe and geue thankes vnto his name ¶ Many myseryes lyghte in a mans lyfe All thynges passe awaie but a fyrme and stable faith remayneth Of the blessynge of the rightuous prerogatyffe of the feare of God Capi. xl A Greate trauayle is created for all men and an heuy yoke vpon the chyldren of Adam frome the daye that they go oute of theyr mothers wombe tyll they be buryed in the earth the mother of all thinges namely theyr thoughtes ymaginacions feare of the herte counsell medytacyons longynge and desyre the daye of death frō the hyest that sytteth vpon the glorious seate vnto the lowest and most simple vpon the earth from him that is gorgyously arayed and weareth a crowne vntil him that is but homely and symply clothed There is nothinge but wrath zeale fearfulnesse vnquyetnesse feare of death rygorous anger and stryfe And in the nighte when one shulde rest and sleape vpon hys bedde the sleape chaungeth hys vnderstandynge and knowledge A
glorious He gaue hym an herytage and parted the fyrste fruytes vnto hym ★ Nu. xvii b Exo. xxv f Leui. 24. b. Vnto hiÌ„ specially he appointed the breade for sustenaunce for the preestes dyd eate of the offringes of the Lorde this gaue he vnto him and his sede Elles had he no heritage nor porcion in the lande and with the people Deu. xii d. and .xviii. Eze. 44. a For the lorde him selfe in his porcion and inheritaunce The thyrd noble and excellent maÌ„ is Phinches the son Eleazer whiche pleased the God of Israel because he had the zeale and feare of the Lorde For when the people were turned backe he put hiÌ„ selfe forth ryghte soone and that with a good wyll to pacifie the wrathe of the Lorde towarde Israell Therefore was there a couenaunte of peace made with him that he shulde be the principall amonge the righteous the people that he and his posteritie shulde haue the offyce of the Preesthood for euer Lyke as there was made a couenaunt with Dauyd of the Trybe of Iuda that from amonge his sonnes onely there shuld be a Kynge And that Aaron also and his seede shulde be the heritage to geue vs wisdome in oure hert to Iudge his people in ryghtuousnesse that his goodes shuld not come in to forgetfulnesse and that they re Honoure myght enduer for euer ¶ The praise of Iosue Caleb and Samuel Capi. xlvi MANLI and stronge in battayle was Iesus the Sonne of Naue whiche in steade of Moses the Prophet was geuen to be captayn of the people which accordyng vnto hys name was a greate sauiour vnto the electe of God Iosu xii e Nu. 27. b. Deu. 34. a Iosue i. â— to punysh the ennemyes that rose vp agaynst Israell that Israell myght optaine their inheritaunce O howe greate noble and excellent was he wheÌ„ he lyfte vp his hande and drew out his swearde agaynste the Cities Who stode so manly before him For the Lord hym selfe broughte in the ennemies ¶ Stode not the sonne styll at his commaundement Iosue x. and one day was as long as â—wo He called vpon the hieste and moost mightye when the enemies preased vpon hym on euery syde and the lorde hearde him wâ—th the haile stones They smote the Heythenesse people myghtely and in fallyng downe they slew al the aduersaries so that the Hethen knew his hoost and all his defence that the lorde him selfe fought against them for he folowed vpon the myghtye men of them Nu. xiiii a In the tyme of Moises also heand Caleb the sonne of Iephune did a good worke which stode agaynst the enemies withhelde the people from synne stylled the wycked mournynge Nu. 26. â— And of syxe hundreth thousande people of fote they two were preserued to bring them into the heritage namely a lande that floweth with mylke and honye Iosu 24. â— The Lorde gaue strengthe also vnto Caleb which remained with him vnto his age so that he wente vp into the Hye places of the lande and his sede conquered the same for an heritage that all the chyldrennâ— of Israell myghte see how good a thynge it is to be obediente vnto the Lorde And the Iudges or rulers euery one after his name whose hert weÌ„t not a whoringe nor departed from the Lord and that forsoke not the Lorde vnfaythfully whose remembraunce hath a good reporte yee their bones florysh oute of their place and their names shall neuer be chaunged but honour remaineth stil with the chyldren of those holy men Samuell the prophete beloued of the lorde his god 1. Re. x. a. and .xvi. b. ordeyned a Kynge and anoynted the Princes ouer the people In the lawe of the Lord he Iudged the congregation and the lorde had respect vnto Iacob The prophete was founde dilygente in his faithfulnesse and he is knowen faythfull in his wordes 1. Re. vii a He called vpon the Lorde the Almyghtye when the enemyes preased vpon him on euery syde what tyme as he offered the suckynge lambes And the Lorde thondred from heauen and made his voyce to be hearde with a great noyse He discomfyted the Princes of Tyre and al the Rulers of the Philistines â—re xx a. Before his laste ende he made protestacion in the syghte of the Lorde and his anoynted that he toke neyther substance nor good of any man no not so muche as a shoo and no man myght accuse hym After this he tolde that his ende was at haÌ„de and shewed the Kinge also his ende and death and from the earth lyft he vp his voyce in the Prophecy that the vngodlye people shulde peryshe ¶ The prayse of Nathan Dauid and Salomon Capi. xlvii AFTERWARDE in the tyme of Kynge Dauid 2. Re. xii there rose vppe a Prophete called Nathan For lyke as the fatte is taken awaye from the offeringe so was Dauid chosen out of the Childrenne of Israell He toke his pastime with the Lyons as with Kyddes and with Beares like as with lambes 1. Reg. 17. f Slewe he not a Gyaunte when he was yet but yonge and toke away the rebuke from his people What tyme as he toke the stone in his hande and smote downe the proude Golyath with the sling For he called vpoÌ„ the Hiest Lord which gaue him streÌ„gth in his right hand so that he ouerthrew the myghty Giaunt in the battaile that he myghte set vp the horne of his people agayne * Thus brought he hym to worshyp aboue all Prynces Re. 18. b. made hym to haue a good reporte in the prayse of the Lord that he shulde were a crowne of glorye ii Re. v. b. For he destroyeth the enemies on euery side roted out the Philistines his aduersaries and brake their horne in sunder lyke as it is broken yet this day In all his workes he praysed the Hiest and holyest and ascribed the honoure vnto him With his whole herte dydde he praise the Lorde and loued god that made him 2. pa. 26. a. He sette fingers also before the Aulter in their tune he made swete songes He ordeyned to kepe the holy dayes worshypfully that the solemphne feastes thorow the whole yere shulde be honorably holden with praysynge the name of the Lorde and with syngyng by times in the morning in the Sanctuarye ¶ The Lorde toke awaye his sinnes and exalted his horne for euer He gaue him the couenaunt of the kyngdome the trone of worshyppe in Israell .2 reg 2. d 3. Re. 3 c After him there rose vp the wise sonne called Salomon and for his sake he droue the enemies awaye farre of This Salomon raygned with Peace in his tyme for God gaue him rest from his ennemyes on euery syde that he might build him an house in his name and prepare the Sanctuary for euer / lyke as he was well instructe in hys youthe and fylled with wysdome and vnderstandyng as it were with a water floude he couered and fylled the whole
land with symilytudes and wyse prudent sentences Hys name went abrode in the Iles because of his peace he was beloued All landes marueyled at hys songes Prouerbes symilytudes and at hys Peace and at the name of the Lorde GOD whiche is called the God of Israell 3. re x. d. 3. re xi He gathered gold as tyn and he had as much syluer as lead ‡ he was moued in inordinate loue toward wemē was ouercome in affeccion He stained his honour and worshyp ye his posteritie defiled he also in bringing the wrath of the lorde vpon his children 3. re xii e. 2. re 7. c. and sorow after his ioye so that his kingdome was deuided and Ephram became an vnfaithful and an vncōstant kyngdom ‡ Neuerthelesse god forsoke not his mercy neither was he vtterly destroied because of his workes that he shuld leaue him no posteritie As for the seede that came vpon him whiche he loued he brought it not vtterly to naught but gaue yet a remnāt vnto Iacob and a rote vnto Dauyd out of him Thus rested Salomon with his Fathers and oute of his sede lefte behynde hym a very foolyshnesse of the people and suche one as hadde no vnderstādynge 3. re xii b euen Roboam whiche tourned awaye the people through his counsell and Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat 3. re xii d. which caused Israell to synne and shewed Ephraym the waye of vngodlynesse In so much that their synnes and mysdedes hadde the vpper hand so sore that at the last they were driuen oute of the lande for the same yee he soughte out and broughte vp al wickednesse til the vengeaunce came vpon them ¶ The praise of Eliah Elizeus Hezekiah and Esay Cap. xlviii THEN stode vp 3. re 17. ◠Eliah the prophette as a fire and his worde brente like a cressette He brought an honger vpō them and in his zeale he made theym fewe in number For they myght not awaye with the commaundementes of the Lord. Thorowe the word of the lorde he shutte the heauen * and thre tymes brought he the fire downe Thus became Elyah honourable in his wonderous dedes Who maye make his booste to be lyke hym 3. re 18. c. 4. re 1. c. One that was deade raysed he vp from death 3. reg 17. c. and in the word of the hiest he brought him out of the graue againe ¶ He caste downe Kynges and destroyed them and the honorable from their seate Vpon the mount Sina he hearde the punyshement and vpon Horeb the iudgement of the vengeaunce He prophecied recompensynge vnto Kynges ⊢ ◠re xix And ordeyned Prophets after him ⊣ 4. reg 2. c He was takē vp in the storme of fire in a Charette of horses of the Lorde He was ordeined in the reprouinges in tyme to pacifye the wrath of the Lorde ★ Luke 1 a to turne the hertes of the fathers vnto the chyldren and to sette vp the Tribes of Iacob agayne Blessed were they that saw the were garnished in loue for we liue in life but after death we shall haue no such name ★ Elias was couered in the storme but Helyzeus was fylled with his spirite Whyle he lyued he was afrayde of no prince and no man might ouercome him There coulde no worde deceaue hym ⊣ 4. Reg. 2. c iii. iiii and after his death his bodye prophecied He did wonders in his lyfe and in death were his workes marueylous For al this 4. reg xiii d iiii reg b. 6. 7. 1◠the people amended not neither departed they from their synnes tyll they were caried awaye prisoners out of the land 4. Reg. 1◠b and were scatred abrod in all countreyes so that of thē there remained but a very litle people a prince vnto the house of Dauid Howbeit some of them dyd right and some heaped vp vngodlynesse ¶ Hezekias made his Citie stronge conueied water into it digged thorow the stony rocke with yron 2. Pa. 32. a ▪ 4. reg 18. c. Esa 36. a made vp a well by the water side ¶ In his tyme came Sennaherib vp and sent Rabsakes lift vp his hande agaynste Syon and defied them with great pryde Then trimbled their hertes and handes so that they so rowed like a woman trauailing with child So they called vpon the lorde which is mercyful and lift vp their hādes before him Immediately the lord heard them out of heuen he thoughte no more vpon their synnes nor gaue thē ouer to their enemies but deliuered them by the hand of Esaye ¶ He smote the host of the Assyrians and his Aungell destroyed them For Hezekias had doone the thinge that pleased the Lorde 5. reg xix g. remayned stedfastly in the waye of Dauid his father as Esay the great and faithful Prophet in the syghte of God had commaunded him 4. re xx b. Esa 38. b In his time the Sonne wente backeward and he lengthened the Kinges life With a right spirite prophecyed he what shuld come to passe at the laste and to soch as were sorowfull in Syon he gaue consolation wherewith they myght comforte theym selues for euermore He shewed thinges that were for to come secrete or euer they came to passe ¶ Of Iosiah Hezechiah Dauid Ieremye Ezechiell ▪ zorobabell Iesus Nehemiah Enoch and Ioseph Capi. xlix THE remembraunce of 4. re 22. a and .xxiii. 1. pa. 34 a Iosias is lyke as when the Apotercarye maketh many precious swete smellynge thinges together Hys remembraunce shal be swet as hony in all mouthes and as the playeng of Musycke at a bankette of wyne He was appointed to turne the people agayne and to take awaye all abhominacion of the vngodlye He directed his herte vnto the Lord and in the time of the vngodly he set vp the worshyppe of God agayne All Kynges excepte Dauid Hezechiah and Iosyah committed wyckednesse for euen the Kynges of Iuda also forsoke the law of God For they gaue theyr horne vnto other theyr honour and worshyppe also to a straunge people Therfore was the electe Cyty of the Sanctuarye brente with fyre 4. re 25. b and the streates therof lay desolate and wast in the lande of Ieremye for they intreated him euell which neuertheles was a prophete ordeyned from his mothers wōbe that he myght root out breake of Iere. 1. a. and destroye and that he myght buylde vp and plante againe Eze. 1. a. Ezechiell sawe the glory of the Lord in a vision which was shewed hym vpon the charette of the Cherubyns For he thought vpon the ennemyes in the rayne to do good vnto suche as hadde ordered they re wayes a righte And the bones of the twelue prophetes florished from out of their place for they gaue comforte and consolation vnto Iacob and deliuered theym faythfully Agg. ii a. 1. Es iii. a. 3. Esd 5. a Howe shall we prayse zorobabell whiche was a rynge in the righte
potter also takethe teÌ„poreth softe earth laboureth it and gyueth it the facion of a vessel what so euer serueth for our vse and so of one pece of claye he maketh some cleane vessell for seruyce and some contrary But wherto euery vessel serueth that knoweth the potter him self So with his vayne laboure he maketh a God of the same claye this doth eueÌ„ he which a lytle afore was made of earthe him selfe and within a lytle whyle after wheÌ„ he dieth turneth to the erth agayne Notwithstandyng he careth not the more bicause he shal labour nor bycause his lyfe is short but striueth to excel gold smythes the syluersmythes and copper smythes and taketh it for an honour to make vayne thynges For his hert is asshes his hope is but vayne earth hys lyfe is more vyle then claye for so much as he knoweth not his own maker that gaue hym hys soule to worke brethed in hym the breth of lyfe Images They count our lyfe but a pastyme and our conuersacyoÌ„ to be but a market and that men shulde euer be gettynge that by euel meanes Now he that of erth maketh frayle vessels and ymages and knoweth him selfe to offende aboue all other All the enemyes of thy people that holde theÌ„ in subieccyon Psa 113. d are vnwyse vnhappye and excedynge proud vnto theyr own soules for they iudge al the ydols of the heathen to be goddes which nether haue sight to se nor noses to smel nor eares to heare nor fingers of haÌ„des for to grope as for theyr fete they ar to slow to goo for man made them he that hathe but a borowed spiryt facyoned theÌ„ But no man can make a God lyke vnto him for seing he is but mortall him selfe it is but mortall that he maketh with vnrightuous handes He him selfe is better theÌ„ they whom he worshippeth for he lyued thoughe he was mortal but so did neuer they Yee thei worship bestes also which are most miserable for compare thinges that can not fele vnto them and they are worse then those Yet is there not one of these beastes that with his syght can be holde any good thinge neither haue they geuen prayse nor thankes vnto God The punyshment of Ydolaters and the benefytes done vnto the faythfull Capi. xvi FOr these and suche other thynges haue they suffered worthye punyshment and thorow the multitude of beastes are they roted out In stede of the whiche punyshmentes thou haste gracyously ordered thine owne people Nu. 21. a and giuen them theyr desyre that they longed for a newe and straunge taste preparing them quayles to be theyr meat to the intente that by the thinges which were shewed and sent vnto theÌ„ they that were so gredye myght be withdrawen euen from the desyre that was necessarye But these wtin short time were brought vnto pouerte and tasted a new meat For it was requisite that without any excuse destruccioÌ„ shuld come vpon those which vsed tiranny and to shew only vnto the other how theyr enemyes were destroyed For wheÌ„ the euel wodnes of the bestes came vpon them they peryshed thorowe the stinges of cruell serpentes Notwithstandyng thy wrath endured not perpetuallye but they were putte in feare for a lytle season that they myght be-refourmed hauyng a token of saluacioÌ„ to remember the commaundemeÌ„t of thy lawe for he that conuerted was not healed by the thynge that he saw but by the o sauiour of al. So in this thou shewedst thyne enemies that it is thou which delyuerest from all euell Exo. 12. d As for them wheÌ„ they were bytten with greshoppers flyes they dyed for they were worthi to perish by such But neither the teth of dragons nor of venomus wormes ouercame thy chyldren for thy mercy was euer by theÌ„ and helped them Therfor were they punyshed to remembre thy wordes but hastely were they healed agayne leest they shuld fal into so depe forgetfulnes that they myght not vse thy helpe It was neither earbe nor plaster that restored them to helth but thy worde O Lord whiche healeth all thynges It is thou O Lorde Deut. 31. â— 1. Reg. 2. d that haste power of lyfe and death thou ledest vnto dethes dore and bryngest vp agayne But man thorowe wyckednesse sleeth his own Soule and when his spirite goeth forth it turneth not agayne neyther maye he cal agayne the soule that is takeÌ„ away It is not possyble to escape thy hande Exod. 9. For the vngodly that wolde not know the were punyshed by the strength of thyne arme with straunge waters hayles raynes were they ê‘secuted thorowe fyre were they consumed For it was a wonderous thyng that fyre myght do more then water which quencheth al thinges but the worlde is the auenger of the ryghtuous Somtime was the fyre so tame that the beastes which were sente to punyshe the vngodly brent not that because they shuld se and know that they were persecuted with the punyshment of god And somtyme brent the fyre in the water on euery syde that it myght destroye the vnryghtuous nacion of the earth Agayne thou hast fed thyne own people with angelles foode Exo. 16. a and sent them breade redie from heueÌ„ without theyr laboure being very pleasaunte and well gusted And to shew thy rychesse and swetnes vnto thy chyldren thou gauest euery one theyr desyre so that euery man might take what lykes him best But the snow yse abode the violence of the fyre melted not that they might knowe that the fyre burning in the hayle rayne destroyed the fruyte of the enemyes the fyre also forgate his strenght again that the righteous myght be norished For the creatur that serueth the which art the maker is fearce in punyshyng the vnryghteous but is easy gentle to do good vnto such as put their trust in the. Therfore dyd al thinges alter at the same time and were al obedyent vnto thy grace which is the nurse of all thinges accordynge to the desyre of them that hath nede therof that thy children Deut 8. a Mat. 4. a o Lorde whom thou louest might know that it is not nature and the growynge of fruytes that fedeth men but that it is thy worde whiche preserueth them that put theyr trust in the for loke what myght not be destroyed with the fyre as soone as it was warmed with a lytle sunne beame it melted that all myght knowe that thankes ought to be geuen vnto the before the sunne ryse and that thou oughteste to be worshypped before the daye spring for the hope of the vnthaÌ„kful shall melt away as the winter yse and perish as water that is not necessarye ¶ The iudgementes of God vpon the Egyptyans Capi. xvii GReat are thy iudgemeÌ„tes o Lorde thy counsels can not be expressed therfore men do arre Rom 11. d Exod. 10 â— that will not be refourmed with thy wysdome For when the vnryghteous thought to haue thy holy
house caÌ„ not be loused eueÌ„ so is it with the hert that is stablyshed in the thought of councel The thought of the wise shal neither fear nor be offeÌ„ded at any time Like as a fayer plastered wal in a wynter house an hye buyldyng may not abide the wind and storme eueÌ„ so is a foles hert afraid in his im gination he feareth at euery thinge cannot enduer A waueringe hert in the imaginacioÌ„ of a fole wyl not euer stande in awe but he that abydeth in the coÌ„maundementes of god wil alway fear He that â—yppeth a mans eye bringeth forth teares he that pricketh the hert bringeth forth the mening thought Who so casteth a stone at the birds fraieth them awaye he that blasphemeth his frend breketh the frendship though thou drewest a swerde at thy frend yet dispayer not for thou maist come again to thy frende yf he speak sowrely fear not for ye may be agreed together again except it be that thou blaspheme hiÌ„ disdayne him open his secretes wounde him traytrously for al such thiÌ„ges shal dryue away a frende Be faythful vnto thy neyghboure in his pouertie that thou mayst reioyse with hym also in his prosperite Abyde stedfast vnto hym in the tyme of hys trouble that thou maist be heyre with hym in his heretage Like as the vapoure and smoke goeth out at the ouen before the fyre eueÌ„ so euel wordes rebukes and thretnynges go before blodsheding Be not ashamed to defend thy frend as for me I wyl not hyde my face froÌ„ him though he shuld do me no harme Who so euer heareth it shall beware of hym Who shal set a watch before my mouth and a suer seale vpon my lyppes Psal c.xli. a that I fall not with them and that my tonge destroye me not ¶ A prayer against pryde lechery and glotony Of othes blasphemy and of wyse communicacion of the thre kyndnes of synnes Many synnes procede of aduoutryâ— Of the feare of god Cap. xxiii O Lorde father and gouernoure of my lyfe leaue me not in their imaginacion and councell Oh let me not fall in suche reprofe Who wyl kepe my thought with the scourge the doctryne of wysdome in myne hert that he spare not myne ignoraunce that I fal not with them leest myne ignorauÌ„ces increase that myne offeÌ„ces be not many in noÌ„ber and that my sinnes excede not lest I fal before myne enemyes so my aduersarye reioyse O Lorde thou father god of my lyfe leue me not in their imaginacioÌ„ O let me not haue a proud loke but turne awaye all voluptuousnes fro me Take fro me the lustes of the body let not the desyres of vnclennes take hold vpoÌ„ me geue me not ouer into an vnshame fast obstynate mynd Heare me O ye chyldren I wyll geue you a doctrine how ye shal order your mouth who so kepeth it shal not perish through his lippes nor be hurt thorow wyked workes As â—â—r the synner he shal be takeÌ„ in his owne vanitie he that is proud cursed shal fal therin Let not thy mouth be accustomed with sweringe for in it there are many falles Exo. xx d. Ecc. 27. â— Mat. v. d Let not the namynge of god be coÌ„tinually in thy mouth and medle not with the names of sayntes for thou shalte not be excused of theÌ„ for lyke as a seruant which is oft punished cannot be with out some sore eueÌ„ so what so euer he be that swereth nameth god shal not be clen purged from syn A maÌ„ that vseth much sweryng shal be filled with wyckednes the plage shal neuer go froÌ„ his house If he begyle his brother his faut shal be vpon hym if he knowlege not his syn he maketh a double offeÌ„ce and yf he swere in vayne he shal not be fouÌ„d rightuous for his house shal be full of plages The wordes of the swearer bringeth deathe god grauÌ„t that it be not fouÌ„d in the house of Iacob Ieu 24. c But they that feare God eschue all suche as lye not weltringe in synne Vse not thy mouth to vnhonest and fyl thy talkyng for in it is the word of sin RemeÌ„ber thy father thy mother Ephe. v. a wheÌ„ thou art set among great men leest god forget the in their syght lest thou doting in thy custom suffre rebuke wish not to haue bene borne and so curse the daye of thy natiuite ⊢ The maÌ„ that is accustomed with the wordes of blasphemi wyll neuer be refourmed all the dayes of his lyfe To synne twyse is to muche but the thyrd bringeth wrath destruccyon An hote stomake cannot be quenched euen lyke a burnyng fyre tyll it haue swalowed vp some thâ—ngâ— euen so an vnchast man hath no rest in his flesh tyl he haue kyndled a fyre Al breed is swete to an whoremonger he wyl not leaue of tyl he haue his purpose A man that breketh wedlocke and regardeth not his soule Esai 29. but saith Tuâ—h who seith me I am compased about with darknes the wales couer me no body seeth me whom nede I to feare The hiest wyl not remember my synnes He vnderstandeth not that his eyes se al thinges for all suche feare of men driueth away the feare of GOD from him for he feareth onely the eyes of men coÌ„sidereth not that the eyes of the Lorde are much clerer then the sonne beholdynge al the wayes of men and the ground of the depe lokyng euen to mens hertes in secrete places The lorde god knew all thinges or euer they were made after they be brought to passe also he loketh vpon theÌ„ al. The same maÌ„ shal be openly punished in the stretes of the citie shal be châ—se abrode like a yonge horse fole wheÌ„ he thinketh leest vpon it he shal be taken Thus shall he be putte to shame of euery man because he wolde not vnderstaÌ„d the feare of the Lorde And thus shal it go also with euery wife that leaueth her husbande getteth enheritaunce by a straunge mariage Fyrst she hath bene vnfaithfull vnto the law of the hiest â–ª secondly she hath forsakeÌ„ her owne husband Thirdly she hath plaid the whore in aduoutry gotteÌ„ hir children by an other maÌ„ She shal be brough out of the congregation and her childreÌ„ shal be loked vpon Her children shal not take rote as for fruite her brauÌ„ches shal bring forth none A shameful report shall she leaue behind her her dyshonour shall not be put out And they that remayne shal know that there is nothiÌ„g better theÌ„ the feare of God that ther is nothyng sweter then to take hede vnto the coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„tes of the lord A great worshyp is it to folow the lord for loÌ„ge lyfe shal be receyued of hym ¶ A prayse of wysdome procedyng forth of the mouth of god of her workes and place where she resteth Cap. xxiiii Wysdome shall prayse her self and be honoured in god
reioyse in the myddes of his people In the congregations of the Hyest shal she open her mouth and triumph in the beholdyng of his power In the myddes of her people shal she be exalted wondred at in the holy fulnesse In the multytude of the chosen she shal be coÌ„meÌ„ded among suche as be blessed she shal be praysed and shal say I am come out of the mouth of the hiest fyrst born before all creatures I caused the light that fayleth not to aryse in the heuen couered all the earth as a cloude My dwelling is aboue in the heyth my seat is in the pyller of the cloud I my self alone haue gone rounde aboute the coÌ„passe of heueÌ„ pearsed the ground of the depe I haue walked in the floudes of these and haue stande in al landes my dominioÌ„ is in euery people and in euery nacyon and with my power haue I troden down the hertes of all both hye and lowe In all these thiÌ„ges also I sought rest a dwelling in some enheritaunce So the creator of al thinges gaue me a coÌ„mauÌ„demente and he that made me apoynted me a tabernacle saide vnto me Let thy dwellinge be in Iacob and thine inheritauÌ„ce in Israel and rote thy selfe amonge my chosen Prou. 8. c I was created from the beginnyng and before the worlde shall not leaue of vnto the world to come Exod. 31. a In the holy habitacioÌ„ haue I serued before him and so was I stablyshed in SyoÌ„ Psal 13â— a In the holy Citie rested I in like maner and in Ierusalem was my power I toke roote in an honorable people eueÌ„ in the porcyon of the lorde and in his heritage and kept me in the fulnes of the saintes I am set vpp an hye lyke a Ceder vpon Libanus as a Cypers tre vpoÌ„ the mount Hermon I am exalted like a palme tree in Cades and as a rose plaÌ„t in Iericho As a faier Olyue tre in the felde and am exalted like as a planteyne tree by the water syde I haue geuen a smel in the stretes as the Cinamon and Balme that hath so good a sauour yee a swete odour haue I geuen as it were Mir of the best I haue made my dwelliÌ„ges to smel as it were of RosiÌ„ Balbanum of Cloues and Incense and as Lybanus wheÌ„ it is not hewen downe and myne odoure is as the pure Balme As the Terebynt haue I stretched out my braunches my braunches at the braunches of honour and louyng fauour â—â—huÌ„ 15. a As the vyne haue I brought forth frute of a swete sauour and my floures ar the frute of honour and ryches I am the mother of bewte of loue of feare of knowledge of holy hope â—ob 14. a In me is al grace of lyfe truth In me is al hope of lyfe vertue O come vnto me al ye that be desyrous of me and fyl your selues with my fruytes for my spirit is sweter theÌ„ hony and so is my enheritaunce more then the hony combe the remembraunce of me endureth for euermore They that eate me shal haue the more honger and they that drynke me shal thyrst the more Who so herkeneth vnto me shal not come to confusion and they that worke in me shall not offende They that make me to be knowen shal haue euerlastyng lyfe Al these thynges ar the boke of lyfe the couenaunt of the hiest and the knowlege of the truth Exo. 20. a 〈◊〉 24. a Moses coÌ„maunded the law in the preceptes of ryghtuousnes for an herytage vnto the house of Iacob â—salmus 1â— b. coÌ„mytted the ê“mises vnto Israel Out of Dauid his seruauÌ„t he ordened to raise vp a most mightie Kynge syttyng in the seat of honour for euermore Actes 7 b. Deut. 4. a and .29 b This fylleth with wysdome lyke as the floud of Physon as the floude of Tigris when the new frutes are a growing Iosue 3. c This bringeth a plentuous vnderstanding like Euphrates and fylleth it vp as Iordane in the time of haruest This maketh nurtur to breake forth as the lyghte and as the water GihoÌ„ in the haruest The first hath not knowen her perfectly no more shal the last seke out the grounde of her For her thought is fuller then the see her councel is profunder then the great depe I wisdom haue cast out floudes I am as a great waterbroke out of the ryuer I am as the ryuer Doryx and as a water condyte am I come out of the gardein of pleasure I said I wil water the garden of my yonge plantes and fyl the frute of my birth So my waterbroke became excedynge greate my ryuer aproched vnto the see For I make doctryne to be vnto al men as lyghte as the fayer mornynge and I shall make it to be euer the clearer I wyll pearse thorowe all the lower partes of the earthe I wyll loke vpon al suche as be a sleape and lyghten al them that put theyr trust in the Lord. I shal yet poure out doctrine like as prophecye and leaue it vnto such as seke after wysdom and theyr generacions shal I neuer fayle vnto the holy euerlastyng world Eccl. 33. b Beholde how that I haue not laboured for my selfe only but for al theÌ„ that seke after the truth ¶ Of thre thynges whiche pleaseth God and of thre which he hateth Of nyne thynges that be not to be suspect of the tenth chefelye of the malyce of a woman Capi. xxv THre thynges there are that my spy ryte fauoureth which be also alowed before God and men Gen. 13. b Rom 11. a The vnyte of brethren ‡ Ex. 40 a the loue of neighbours and man and wyfe that agree well together Thre thynges ther be which my soule hateth I vtterlye abhorre the lyfe of theÌ„ A poore man that is proude A rich man that is a lyer Gene. 18 b and an old body that doteth and is vnchast Yf thou hast gathered nothyng in thy youth what wylt thou fynde then in thyne age O how plesauÌ„t a thyng is it when graye heeded men ar discrete when the elders can geue good counsel â–ª O how comely a thynge is wysdom vnto aged men yee vnderstandyng and councell is a gloryous thynge The crowne of olde meÌ„ is to haue much experyence and the feare of god is theyr worshyp There be nyne thynges whiche I haue iudged in my hart to be happye and the tenth wyl I tel forthvnto men with my tonge A man that whyle he lyueth hath ioye of his chyldreÌ„ and seith the fall of his enemyes Well is him that dwelleth with a houswyfe of vnderstandyng Eccl. 19. c and 24. a. Iame. 3. c that hath not falleÌ„ with his tong that hath not bene fayne to serue such as are vnmete for him Wel is hym that findethe a faythful frend and wel is him which talketh of wysdome to an eare that heareth him