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
one only subtyll curteous discret quycke vndefiled playne swete louyng the thyng that is good sharpe which forbiddeth not to do well gentle kynde stedfast suer free hauynge al vertues circunspecte in al thinges receyuyng al spyrites of vnderstandynge beyng cleane and sharpe For wysdome is nymbler then al nymble thinges she goeth thorowe and attayneth to all thinges because of her clennes For she is the breth of the power of God and a pure cleane expressynge of the clerenes of almyghty God Hebre. 1. a Therfore cā no vndefyled thing come vnto her for she is the brightnes of the euerlastynge lyght the vndefyled myrrour of the maiestye of God and the ymage of his goodnesse And for so much as she is one she may do all thynges and beynge stedfaste her selfe she renueth al and amonge the people conueyeth she her selfe into the holy Soule She maketh Goddes frēdes and Prophetes for God loueth no man but him in whom wisdom dwelleth For she is more beutiful then the Sunne and gyueth more lyght thē the starres and the daye is not to be compared vnto her for vpon the daye commeth nyght But wickednesse cannot ouercome wysdome and foolyshenes maye not be with her ¶ The effectes of wysedome Capi. viii WYsedome reachethe frome one ende vnto an other myghtely and louinglye dothe she order all thynges I haue loued her and laboured for her euen fro my youth vp I dyd my diligēce to mary my selfe with her suche loue had I vnto her beutie Who so hath the company of God commendeth her nobilitie yee the Lorde of al thynges him selfe loue her For she is the scolemastresse of the nurtour of God and the choser out of hys workes Yf a mā wold desire riches in this lyfe what is richer then wysdom that worketh al thynges thou wylt say vnderstandyng worketh What is it amonge al thinges that worketh more then wysdome Yf a man loue vertue and ryghtuousnesse let hym laboure for wysdome for she hathe great vertues And why she teacheth sobernes and prudence rightuousnes and strength which are such thinges as men cā haue nothing more profitable in their lyfe Yf a man desyre much knowledge she can tel the thinges that are past and discerne thynges for to come she knowethe the subtilities of wordes cā expoūd darke sentences She can tell of tokens woūderous thinges or euer they come to passe and the ende of al tymes and ages So I purposed after thys maner I wil take her vnto my company and commen louingly with her no doubte she shall gyue me good counsell and speake comfortably vnto me in my carfulnes gref For her sake shal I be well and honestly taken amonge the comens Lordes of the counsel Though I be yong yet shal I haue sharpe vnderstandyng so that I shal be meruelous in the sight of greate men and the faces of Princes shal wonder at me When I holde my tonge they shal abyde my leisure whē I speake thei shal loke vpō me Iob. 26. c. yf I talke much they shal laye theyr hādes vpon theyr mouth Moreouer by the meanes of her I shal obtayne immortalyte and leaue behinde me an euerlastynge memoryall amonge them that come after me I shall set the people in order and the nacyons shal be subdued vnto me Horrible tiraunte shal be afrayed when they do but hear of me amonge the multitude I shall be counted good and myghtye in batayle When I come home I shall fynde rest with her for her company hath no bitternesse and her felowshippe hath no tediousnes but myrth and ioye Nowe when I consydered these thynges by my selfe and pondred thē in my herte howe that to be ioyned vnto wysdome is immortalytye and greate pleasure to haue her frendshyp howe that in the workes of her handes are infinite ryches howe that who so kepeth cōpany with her shal be wise and that he which talketh with her shal cōe to honoure I wente about sekyng to get her vnto me For I was a childe of a rype wytte and had a good vnderstandynge But whē I grew to more vnderstandyng I came to an vndefyled bodye Neuertheles when I perceyued that I coulde not kepe my selfe chaste Iacob 1. b Chastitie excepte god gaue it me and that was a poynte of wysdome also to knowe whose gyfte it was I stept vnto the Lorde and besought hym and with my hole harte I sayd after this maner A Prayer of Salomon to obtayne wysdome Capi. ix O God of my fathers and Lorde of mercye thou that haste made all thynges with thy worde 3. Reg. 3. d Gene. 1. c and ordeyned man thorow thy wysdō that he shuld haue domynyon ouer the creature which thou hast made that he shuld order the worlde accordyng to equitie and ryghtuousnes and execute iugement with a true hert gyue me wysdome which is euer about thy seate Psa 115 b and put me not out from among thy chyldren for I thy seruaunt and sonne of thy handmayden am a feble personne of a shorte tyme and to yong to the vnderstandyng of Iugemēt and thy lawes And though a man be neuer so perfecte amonge the chyldren of men 1. Pa 29. b yet yf thy wysdom be not with him he shal be nothynge regarded But thou hast chosen me to be a kyng vnto thy people and the Iudge of thy sonnes daughters Exo. 25. d Actu 7. f Hebre. 8. b thou hast cōmaunded me to buylde a Temple vpon thy holy mount and an aulter in the cytie wherin thou dwellest a lykenesse of thy holy Tabernacle which thou hast prepared from the begynnyng and thy wisdō with the which knoweth thy workes which also was with the Prou. 8. c Iohn 1. a whē thou madest the worlde and knew what was exceptable in thy syght and righte in thy commaundementes O sende her out of the holy heuens and from the trone of thy maiestye that she maye be with me and laboure wyth me that I maye knowe what is acceptable in thy sight For she knoweth vnderstādeth al thynges and she shall leade me soberli in my workes and preserue me in her power So shal my workes be acceptable and thē shal I gouerne thy people ryghtuously and be worthy to syt in my fathers seate Esa 40. b Rom. 11. d 1. Cor. 1. b. For what man is he that maye knowe the councell of God Or who can thinke what the wyl of god is For the thoughtes of mortal men ar myserable and our forecastes ar but vncertayne And why a mortall and corruptyble bodye 1. Cor. 5. a is heuy vnto the soule and the earthly mansion kepeth down the vnderstandyng that museth vpon many thynges Very hardly can we discerne the thinges that are vpon earthe and greate laboure haue we or we can fynde the thynges which are before our eyes Who wil thē seke out the grounde of the thynges that are done in heuen Oh Lorde who can haue knowlege of thy
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
but the rote of the ryghtuous bryngeth forth frute The wycked falleth into the snare thorow the malyce of his owne mouth but the iust shall escape out of parell Euery man shall enioye good accordynge to the frute of his mouth and after the workes of his handes shal he be rewarded Loke what a fole taketh in hande he thinketh it wel done but he that is wise wyll be counselled A fole vttereth his wrath in al the hast but a discrete man forgeueth wronge A iuste man wyll tell the truthe and shew the thing that is ryght but a false wytnes disceaueth A sclaunderous person prycketh lyke a swearde but a wise mannes tongue is wholsome A true mouthe is euer constaunt but a dissemblynge tongue is soone chaunged They that ymagyn euyl in their mynd wil disceyue but the couÌ„cellers of peace shall haue ioye folowynge them There shal no mysfortune happen vnto the iust but the vngodly are ful of euyl The Lord abhorreth disceytful lyppes but they that labour for truth Prou. 9. d pleaseth hym He that hath vnderstandyng dothe hyde wysdome but an vndiscrete herte telleth out his foolyshnes A dilygent hande shall beare rule but the ydle shal be vnder trybute Pro. 15. b and .17 d. Eccle. â—0 c Heuynes dyscorageth the herte of man but a good worde maketh it glade agayne The ryghtuous is lyberall vnto his neyghboure but the way of the vngodly wyll disceyue them selues A dysceytfull man shall not fynde the thynge that he hunteth for but 2. Ti vi b Hebr. 13. a he that is contente wyth that he hathe is more worth then golde In the waye of ryghtuousnes there is lyfe and in the same waye there is no deathe Capi. xiii A Wyse sonne wyll herken vnto his fathers warnynge but he that is scornefull wyll not here when he is reproued A good man shal enioye the frut of his mouth but he that hath a frowarde mynde shal be spoyled He that kepeth his mouth kepeth his lyfe but who so speaketh vnaduised findeth harme The slougarde wolde fayne haue and cannot get his desyre but the soule of the dilygent shall haue plenty A ryghtuouse man abhorreth lyes but the vngodli shameth both other and himselfe Ryghtuousnes kepeth the innocent in the way but vngodlines doth ouerthrowe the synner Psa 37 b and .112 a. Pro. 11. c Some men are ryche thoughe they haue nothyng agayn some men are pore hauynge great ryches Wyth goodes euerye man delyuerethe his lyfe and the poore wyll not be reproued The lyght of the ryghtuouse maketh ioyfull but Pro. 24. c the candle of the vngodlye shal be put out Among the proude there is euer strife but among those that do al thinges with aduysement there in wysdome Hastely gotteÌ„ goodes are soone spent but they that be gathered together with the hande shall increase Longe taryeng for a thyng that is dyfferred greueth the hert but when the desyre commeth it is a tree of lyfe Who so despysethe anye thynge shal be hurte for the same but he that feareth the commaundementes shall haue the rewarde A desceytful son shall haue no good but a dyscrete seruaunt shall do full wel and hys waye shall prospere The law is a well of lyfe vnto the wise that it may kepe him from the snares of deathe Good vnderstandynge geueth fauoure but harde is the waye of the despisers A wyse man doth all thynges with discrecyoÌ„ but a foole will declare his foly An vngodly messanger falleth into mischefe but a faythfull Ambassatoure is wholsome He that thynketh scorne to be refourmed commeth to pouerte and shame but who so regardeth correccyon shall coÌ„e to honoure When a desyre is brought to passe it delyteth the soule but fooles counte it abhominacyon to departe from euell He that goeth in the company of wise men shal be wyse but who so is a companyon of fooles shal be hurte Mischefe foloweth vpon synners but the righteous shall haue a good reward He that is vertuous leaueth an enherytaunce vnto hys chylders chyldren Iob. 27. c. the ryches of the synner is layd vp for the iuste There is plentuousnes of fode in the feldes of the poore Eccle. 30 a. Hebre. 3. b. but some gather with out discrecyon Psalmes 34. b. He that spareth the rodde hateth his sonne but who so loueth hym holdeth him euer in nurtoure * The ryghtuous eateth and is satisfyed but the belly of the vngodlye hath neuer ynoughe Capi. xiiii WYse womeÌ„ vpholde theyr house but a folyshe wyfe plucketh it downe He that walketh in the right path of the Lorde feareth hym but he that turneth hym selfe awaye from hys wayes dispyseth hym In the mouth of the foolyshe is the bostinge of pryde but the lyppes of the wyse wylbe ware of suche Where no oxen are there the crybbe is emptye but where the oxen laboure there is muche fruyte A faythfull witnesse wil not dissemble but a false recorde wyll make a lye A scorneful body seketh wisdome fyndeth it not but Pro. 8. a. knowledge is easy to coÌ„e by vnto him that will vnderstaÌ„d Se that thou medle not with a foole in whome thou perceyuest to be no knoweledge The wisdome of him that hath vnderstandinge is to take hede vnto his waie but the folishnes of the vnwise disceiueth Fooles make but a sporte of sinne but there is fauourable loue amonge the rightuouse The herte of hym that hath vnderstandyng wyl nether dispayre for any sorow nor be to presumptuous for any sodayne ioye The house of the vngodly shal be ouerthrowen but the Tabernacle of the rightuouse shall floryshe Pro. 16. c Deut. 12 a Esa 55. b. Ther is a way whiche some men thynke to be ryghte but the ende therof leadeth vnto death The hart is sorowful euen in laughter and the ende of myrth is heuynes An vnfaythfull personne shal be fylled with his owne wayes but a good man shall lyue of his frutes An ignoraunte body beleueth all thynges but who so hath vnderstandyng loketh well to his goynges * A disceytfull sonne shall haue no good but a discret seruaunt shall do full well and his waye shall prospere A wyse man feareth and departeth froÌ„ euel but a fole goeth on presumptuously An vnpacient man dealeth folyshly but he that is wel aduised doth other waies The ignoraunt haue folyshnes in possessyon but the wyse are crowned wyth knowledge The euell shal bow them selues before the good and the vngodly shal wayte at the doores of the ryghtuouse The poore is hated euen of hys own neyghboures but the ryche hathe many frendes Who so despyseth his neighbour doth a mysse but Psa 41. d blessed is he that hath pytye of the poore * He that putteth his trust in the lorde loueth to be mercyfull They that imagyn wickednes shal be disapoynted but they that muse vppon good thynges vnto such shal happeÌ„ mercye and faythfulnes Dylygent labour bryngeth ryches but wher many vayne wordes ar
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
fyndeth a good woman findeth a good thynge and receyuethe an wholsom benefyte of the lorde * He that putteth awaye a good woman putteth awaye a good thynge but he that kepeth an harlotte is a fole and vnwyse The pore makethe supplycacyon and prayeth mekely but the ryche geueth a a roughe answere A frende that delyteth in loue doth a man more frendshyp and sticketh faster vnto him then a brother Capi. xix BEtter Pro 28. a is the pore that lyueth godly then the blasphemer that is but a foole Wher no discrecyon is there the soule is not well and who so is swyft on fote stembleth hastely Foolyshnes makethe a man to go oute of his waye and then is his hert vnpacyent agaynst the lorde Ryches make many frendes but the poore is forsaken of his neyghbour Deu 19. b A false witnes shal not remayne vnpunyshed he that speaketh lyes shall not escape The multitude hangethe vpon greate men and euery man fauoureth him that geueth rewardes As for the poore he is hated amonge at his brethren yee his owne frendes forsake him and he that geueth credeÌ„ce vnto wordes getteth nothyng He that is wyse loueth his own soule and kepeth vnderstandyng that he may prospere A false wytnesse shall not remayne vnpunyshed he that speaketh lyes shall peryshe Pleasure becommeth not a fole much more vnsemeli is it a bond man to haue the rule of Prynces A wyse man can put of displesure and it is honoure to let some fautes passe Pro. 28. c. Kynges disfauoure is lyke the roryng of a Lyon but Psa 233. a hys frenshyppe is lyke the dewe vpon the grasse Pro. 17. d An vndescrete sonne is the heuynesse of his father ‡ pro 27. b and a braulinge wife is like the toppe of an house wher thorow it is euer droppynge House and riches maye a man haue by the heretage of his elders but Pro. 18. d a dyscrete woman is the gyft of the Lorde Slouthfulnes bryngeth in sleape an ydell soule shall suffer honger Who so kepeth the commaundement kepeth his own soule but he that regardeth not hys waye shal dye He that hath pytie vpon the poore lendeth vnto the lord and loke what he layeth out it shal be payde him agayne Christen thy sonne whyle ther is hope but lette not thy Soule be moued to slee hym For great wrath bryngeth harme therfore let hym go and so mayst thou teach hym more nurture O geue care vnto good counsel and be coÌ„tent to be refourmed that thou mayst be wyse here after Pro. 16. v There are many deuyces in a mans hert neuertheles the counsel of the lord shall stande * for euer It is a mans worshyppe to do good and better it is to be a poore man theÌ„ a dissembled The feare of the lorde preserueth the lyfe yee it geueth pleÌ„tuousnes without the visitacion of any plage Pro. 26. b A slouthfull body hydeth his hande in his bosome and disdayneth to put it to his mouth Yf thou smytest a scornefull persone the ygnorauÌ„t shal take better hede Prou. 11. b and if thou reprouest one that hath vnderstaÌ„dynge he wyll be the wyser He that hurteth his father or shutteth out his mother is a shameful and an vnworthy sonne My sonne heare no more the doctryne that leadeth the vnto errours from the wordes of vnderstandynge A false witnes laugheth iudgement to scorne and the mouth of the vngodly eateth wickednes Punyshementes are ordeyned for the scorneful and stryppes for foles backes Capi. xx WYne maketh a maÌ„ to be scorneful and dronkennes causeth a maÌ„ to be vnquyet Who so delyteth therein shall neuer be wyse Pro. 19. b. The kyng oughte to be feared as the roryng of a LyoÌ„ who so prouoketh him vnto anger offendeth agaynst his owne soule It is a mans honour to kepe him selfe from stryfe but they that haue pleasure in brawlynge are fooles euery one A slouthful body wyl not go to plowe for colde therfore shall he go a begginge in Sommer and haue nothing Wyse councell in the herte of man is lyke a water in the depe of the earth and a man that hath vnderstaÌ„dinge draweth it forth Many there be that are called good doers but where shal one finde a true faith full man Psalmus 37. c. Who so leadeth a godly and an innocent lyfe is rightuous happie shall his children be whom he leueth behynde hym A Kynge that sytteth in Iudgemente loketh well about him driueth awaye all euell 1. IohaÌ„ 1 d 3. re 8. c. 2. Pa. 6. g. Eccle. 7. c. Who can saye my herte is cleane I am innocent from synne To vse two maner of weightes or two maner of measures both these are abhominable vnto the Lorde A chylde is knowne by his conuersacyon whether his workes be pure right As for the hearing of the eare and the syghte of the eye the Lorde hathe made them bothe Delyte not thou in sleape leste thou come vnto pouertie but opeÌ„ thine eyes that thou mayst haue breade ynoughe It is naughte It is naught saith he that byeth any thyng but wheÌ„ it is gone they geue it a good worde A mouthe of vnderstandynge is more worth theÌ„ golde many precyous stones and costely iewels Pro. 9. a. and 17. c. Take his garment that is suertie for a straunger and take a pledge of hym for the vnknowne mans sake Euerye man lyketh the breade that is gotten with disceyte but at the laste his mouth shal be fylled with grauell Thorowe councel the thynges that meÌ„ deuyse go forwarde and with discrecioÌ„ ought warre to be taken in hande Medle not with him that bewrayeth secretes and is a slaunderer and dysceyueth with his lyppes Exo. 20. b. Leui. 20. b. Deu. 27. c. Who so curseth hys father and mother his lyght shal be put out in the middest of darknesse â—re xv a. The herytage that commeth in hastely at the fyrste shall not be praised at the ende Math 5. c. Ro. 12. c. Saye not thou I wyll recoÌ„pence euel but put thy trust in the Lorde and be shall defende the. Pro. 11. a. and. 16. b. The Lorde abhorreth two maner of weightes and a false balauÌ„ce is an euel thynge Iere. 10. d. The Lorde ordereth euery mans goinges howe maye a man then vnderstaÌ„d his owne waye It is a snare for a man to blaspheme that whiche is holy and theÌ„ to go about with vowes 1. Reg. 15. â— A wyse kyng destroyeth the vngodly and bringeth the whele ouer them The lanterne of the Lorde is the breth of man goeth thorowe all the inward partes of the body Pro. 29. b Mercye and faithfulnes preserue the Kynge and with louynge kyndnesse his seate is holden vp The strengthe of yonge men is they re worshyppe and a greye heade is an honour vnto the aged Woundes dryue awaye euell and so doo stripes the inwarde parte of the bodye Capi. xxi THe
4. Reg. 1. c. Kynges herte is in the hande of the Lorde lyke as are the riuers of water he may turne it whither soeuer he wyll Euerye man thynketh hys owne waye to be ryght but the Lorde iudgeth the hertes Miche 6 b To do ryghtuousnes and iudgement is more acceptable to the Lorde then Sacrifice A presumptuouse looke a proude stomake and the lanterne of the vngodli is synne The deuices of one that is diligente bryng plentuousnes but he that is vnaduysed commeth vnto pouerte Who so hoordeth vp ryches with the disceytfulnes of his tonge he is a foole and lyke vnto thē that seke they re owne deathe The robberies of the vngodly shal be they re owne destrucciō for they will not do the thinge that is right The wayes of the froward are straūg but Titum 1. c the workes of hym that is cleane are right Pro. 25. d. It is better to dwell in a corner vnder the house toppe thē with a brauling woman in a wyde house The soule of the vngodly wisheth euel and hath no pytie vpon his neighbour Pro. 19. d When the scornefull is punyshed the ignoraunt take the better hede and when a wyse man is warned he wyll receyue the more vnderstandyng The ryghtuous wysely consydereth the house of the vngodly and he seeth that God ouerthroweth the vngodli for they re owne wyckednesse Ma. 18. d. Who so stoppeth his eare at the cryenge of the poore he shall crye hym selfe and not be herde A preuy rewarde pacifieth displeasure and a gyfte in the bosome stilleth furyousnesse The iuste deliteth in doinge the thing that is right but the workers of wickednes abhorre the same The man that wandreth out of the way of wisdome shal remayne in the congregacyon of the deed Pro. 23. c. He that hathe pleasure in bankettes shal be a poore man Who so delyteth in wyne and delycates shall not be ryche The vngodly shal be geuen for the rightuous and the wicked for the Iuste Eccle. 25. c It is better to dwell in a wildernesse thē with a chidynge and an angrye woman In a wise mans house there is greate tresure plentuousnes but a folishe bodye spendeth vp all Who so foloweth rightuousnesse mercye findeth both life ryghtuousnes and honoure A wyse man wynneth the Citie of the mightie and as for the strength that they trust in he bringeth it downe Pro. 12. b. Who so kepeth hys mouthe and hys tongue the same kepeth his owne Soule from troubles He that is proude and presumptuous is called a scorneful mā which in wrath dare worke malicyously The voluptuousnesse of the slouthful is his owne deathe for his handes wil not laboure He coueteth and desyreth all the daye longe but the Ryghtuouse is alwaye geuynge and kepeth nothyng backe The sacrifice of the vngodli is abhominacion howe moche more when they offer the thinge that is gotten with wickednes Pro. 19. a. A false witnesse shall perishe but he that will be cōtent to heare shall alway haue power to speake hym selfe An vngodly man goeth forthe rashely but the iust refourmeth his owne way Esaie 1. b. and .4.6 b There is no wisdō there is no vnderstandynge there is no councell againste the Lorde Psalmus 33. c. The horse is prepared agaynste the day of battayle but the Lorde geueth the vyctory Capi. xxii A Ecclasi 41 b. Ecclesia 7. a. Good name is more worthe thē great riches louing fauoure is better thē siluer golde The riche and poore mette together the Lorde is the maker of them all A wise man seeth the plage and hydeth him selfe but the foolyshe go on stil and are punyshed The ende of lowlynes and the feare of God is ryches honour prosperytie and helthe Thornes and snares are in the waie of the frowarde but he that doth kepe his soule wyll flee from suche Teache a chylde in his youthe what waye he shulde go for he shall not leaue it when he is olde The ryche ruleth the poore and the borower is seruaunt to the lender He that soweth wyckednes shal reape sorowe and the rodde of his crueltie shall peryshe Eccle. 31. d He that hathe a louynge eye shall be blessed for he geueth of his breade vnto the poore Who so geueth rewardes shall opteyne vyctorye honoure but he taketh awaye the soule of such as receyue them Cast out the scorneful man so shal stryfe go out with him yee variaunce sclaunder shall cease Who so deliteth to be of a clene herte and of gracyous lyppes the Kynge shall be his frende The eyes of the Lorde preserue knowledge but as for the wordes of the despytefull he bringeth thē to naught The slouthfull body saythe there is a Lyon without I myghte be slayne in the strete Pro. 23. c The mouth of an harlotte is a depe pytte wherin he falleth that the lord is angrye wyth all Foolyshnes stycketh in the herte of the lande and the rodde of correccyon shall dryue it awaye from hym Who so doth a pore man wrong to increase his own ryches and geueth vnto the ryche at the last commeth to pouertye hym selfe My sonne bow downe thyn eare and herken vnto the wordes of wysdom applye thy minde vnto my doctryne for thou shalt be excellent yf thou kepe it in thin hart and practyse it in thy mouth that thou mayst put thy trust in the lorde I haue shewed the this daye the thing that thou knowest Haue not I warned the very oft with councell learning that I myghte shewe the truth and that thou with the verite myghtest answere them that send vnto the Se that thou robbe not the poore because he is weke and oppresse not the symple in iudgement for the Lord him selfe wyl defende their cause and do vyolēce vnto them that haue vsed violence Make no frend shyppe with an angrye wylfull man and kepe no cōpany with the furious lest thou learne his wayes and receyue hurt in thy soule Prou. 6. a and .11 b. and .27 c Be not thou one of them that bynde theyr hand vpon promise and art sureti for dette for yf thou hast nothynge to paye they shall take awaye thy bed from vnder the. Pro. 23. b Deu. 27. c Thou shalte not remoue the lande marcke which thy fore elders haue set Seest thou not that they which be dylygent in theyr busines stand before kinges and not among the symple people Capi. xxiii WHen thou syttest at the table to eate wyth a Lord order thy selfe manerly wyth the thynges that are set before the. Measure thyne appetyte and yf thou wylt rule thyne owne selfe be not ouer gredy of his meate for meate begileth disceyuethe Take not ouer greate trauayle and labour to be rych beware of such purpose Eccl. 27. a Iere. 17. b ◠Ti 6. b Why wylt thou set thyne eye vpon the thing which sodēly vanisheth away For ryches make them selues wynges and take theyr
The rod and correccyon minister wysdome but yf a chylde be not loked vnto he bryngeth his mother to shame When the vngodly come vp wyckednes increaseth but the ryghtuous shall se theyr fall Nurtour thy sonne with correcciō and thou shalt be at reste yee he shall do the good at thyne hart When the worde of God is not preached the people peryshe but wel is him that kepeth the lawe A seruaunt wyll not be the better for wordes for thoughe he vnderstand yet wyll he not regarde them Yf thou seest a man that is hastye to speake vnaduysed thou mayste truste a foole more then hym He that delycatelye bryngeth vp his seruaunt from a chylde shal make hym his mayster at lengthe An angrye man steareth vp stryfe and he that beareth euell well in his minde doth moche euell After pryde commeth a fall Iob. 22. d but a lowelye spyryte bryngethe great worshyppe Who so kepethe companye wyth a thefe hatethe hys owne soule he hearethe blasphemyes and tellethe it not forth He that fearethe menne shall haue a fall but who so putteth his truste in the Lorde is without daunger Manye there be that seke the Prynces fauoure but euerye mannes Iudgemente commethe frome the Lorde The ryghtuousse abhorrethe the vngodlye but as for those that be in the the ryght waye the wycked hate them * A chylde that kepethe the word shal be without destruccion ¶ The purenesse of the worde of God and what we ought to requyre of God with certaine wonderfull thynges that ar in this worlde Capi. xxx THe wordes of Agur the sonne of Iakei and the prophecye that the same mā spake vnto Ithiell euen vnto Ithyell and Vchall I am more foolyshe then anye man and haue no mannes vnderstandynge I neuer learned wysdom nor had knowledge of holy thynges Who hathe clymmed vp into heauen Who hath come downe from thence Who hath holden the wynde faste in his hande Who hath comprehended the waters in a garment Who hathe sette all the endes of the worlde What is his name or hys sōnes name canst thou tell Psa 19. ◠All the wordes of God are pure and cleane for he is a shyld vnto al thē that put theyr trust in him Deut. 4. a and .12 d Put thou nothynge vnto hys worde leest he reproue the and thou be founde a lyer Two thynges haue I required of the that thou wylt not denye me before I dye Remoue fro me vanyte and lyes geue me nether pouerti nor riches onli graūt me a necessary lyuynge Lest yf I be to full I denye the saye Exo. 5. c Deut. 8 c and .31 c Iob 21. b. who is the Lord And lest I beyng constreyned thorowe pouertie fall vnto stealynge and take the name of my god in vayne Accuse not a seruaunt vnto hys master lest he speake euel of the thou be hurt There is a generacion that curseth theyr father and dothe not blesse theyr mother There is a Generacion that thynke thē selues cleane and yet is not clensed from theyr fylthynes There is a Generacion that hath a proude loke and doth caste vp theyr eye lyddes There is a generacion whose teeth are swerdes with theyr chawebones they consume and deuoure the Symple of the earth and the poore from amonge men The horse leache hath two daughters cryeng bryng hyther bring hyther There be thre thinges that are neuer satisfyed the fourthe sayth neuer hoo The graue a womans wombe and the earth that hath neuer water ynough As for fyre it saith neuer hoo Exo. 21. v. Deu. 27. c Who so laughteth his father to scorne and setteth his mothers commaūdemēt at naughte the rauens pike out his eyes in the valleye and deuoured be he of the yonge Aegels There be thre thynges to hye for me and as for the fourth it passeth my knowledge The waye of an Aegle in the ayre the waye of a Serpent ouer a stone the waie of a shyppe in the see and the waye of a man with a yonge woman Suche is the waye also of a wyfe that breaketh wedlocke whyche wypeth her mouth like as when she hath eaten and saythe As for me I haue doone noo harme Thorowe thre thinges the earth is disquieted and the fourth maye it not beare Thorowe a seruaunt that beareth rule thorow a foole that hath to moch bread thorowe an ydell house wyfe thorowe an hādmaidē that is heyre to her mastresse These be foure thynges in the earthe the whiche are very lytle but in wysdōe they excede the wyse The emmettes are but weake people Pro. 6. a. yet gather they they re meate together in the haruest The Conyes are but a feble folke yet make they they re couches a monge the rockes The Greshoppers haue not a guyde yet go they forth together by heapes The spider laboureth with her hādes and is in Kynges places There be thre thinges that go styll ye but the goyng of the fourth is the good liest of all A Lyon whiche is strongest amonge beastes and geueth place to no man A greyhound stronge in the hinder partes A ramme also and a Kynge agaynst whome no man aryseth vp Yf thou haste done folyshly whā thou waste in hye estate or yf thou haste takē euell councel then laye thyne hāde vpon thy mouth Who so chyrmeth mylke maketh butter he that rubbeth hys nose maketh it blede Euē so he that causeth wrathe bryngeth forthe stryfe ¶ The wordes of kynge Lamuell and the lesson that hys mother taught hym ¶ Kynges ought to iudge iustely The property of an honest maryed wyfe Capi. xxxi MY sonne thou sonne of my bodye O my deare beloued Sonne geue not ouer thy strengthe and wayes vnto wemē whiche are the destruccyon euen of Kynges O Lamuel geue Kynges no wyne geue Kynges and Prynces no stronge drynke leest they beynge drōken forget the lawe and regarde not the cause of the poore and of all suche as be in aduersytie Geue stronge drynke vnto suche as be condēpned to death wyne vnto those that mourne that they may drynke it forget theyr misery and aduersyte Be thou an aduocate and stand in iudgement thy selfe to speake for al such as he domme and suckerles Open thy mouthe defende the thynge that is lawfull and ryght and the cause of the poore and helpelesse Who so fyndeth an honeste faythfull womā she is much more worth thē perls The herte of her husband may safely trust in her so that he shall haue no nede of spoyles She wyll do hym good and not euel al the dayes of her lyfe She occupyeth woll and flaxe laboureth gladly with her handes She is lyke a marchauntes shyp that bringeth her vytayles from a farre She is vp in the nyght season to prouide meat for her houshold and fode for her maydens She consydereth land and byeth it and with the frute of her handes she plāteth a vyneyarde She gyrdeth her loynes with strength and courageth her armes And
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
nombred her and measured her He hath poured her out vpon al his workes and vpon all fleshe accordyng to his gyft he geueth her richlye vnto thē that loue hym The feare of the lorde is worshyp and tryumphe gladnes and a ioyfull crowne The feare of the Lorde maketh a mery harte gyueth gladnes ioye and longe lyfe Who so feareth the lorde it shal go wel with him at the laste and in the daye of hys deathe he shal be blessed The loue of God is honourable wysdome loke vnto whom it appereth they loue it for they se what wonderous thinges it doth The feare of the Lord is the begynnynge of wysdome Psa 110 b Prou. 9. b and was made with the faythful in the mothers wombe it shal go with the chosen women shal be knowen of the ryghteous faythful The feare of the Lord is the right gods seruice that preserueth and iustifyeth the hert and gyueth myrth and gladnesse Who so feareth the Lorde shall be happye and when we haue nede of conforte ▪ he shall be blessed To feare God is the wysdome that maketh ryche and bryngeth al good with her She filleth the hole house with her gyftes and the garners with her treasure The feare of the lorde is the crowne of wysdom Feare of the Lorde gyueth plentuous peace and helth He hath sent her and nombred her knowledge vnderstādyng of wysedom hath he poured out as rayne and them that helde her fast hath he brought vnto honour The feare of the lord is the rote of wysdom and her braūches are long lyfe In the tresures of wisdome is vnderstandynge and deuocyon of knowledge but wysdom is abhorred of synners The feare of the lorde dryueth out syn for he that is without feare can not be made ryghtuous and hys wylful boldnes is his owne destruccion A pacyent man wyll suffer vnto the tyme thē shal he haue the rewarde of ioye A good vnderstandyng wyl hyde his wordes for a tyme many mens lyps shal speak of his wysdom In the tresures of wysdōe is the declaracyon of doctrine but the sinner abhorreth the worshyp of God My sonne yf thou desyre wysdome kepe the commaundemēt and God shal gyue her vnto the for the feare of the Lord is wisdom nurtur he hath pleasure in fayth and louynge mekenes and he shall fyll the treasures therof Be not obstynate vnfaythfull to the feare of the Lord and come not vnto him with a double harte Be not an ypocrite in the syght of men and take good hede what thou speakest Marke wel these thynges lest thou happen to fall and brynge thy soule to dishonoure and so God discouer thy secretes and cast the downe in the myddest of the Congregacyon bycause thou woldeste not receyue the feare of god and bycause thy herte is full of faynednes and disceite ¶ He exhorteth the seruauntes of God to ryghtuousnes loue vnderstandynge and pacyence exhorteth him that feareth god to beleue to hope and to loue bycause God neuer confounded nor forsaketh them that trust in him A curse vpō the subtyll feare and impacyent of herte Capi. ii MY sonne yf thou wylte come in to the seruyce of God Mat. 4 a 2. Tim ◠b 2. Pet. 4. b stande faste in ryghteousnesse and feare and arme thy soule to temptacyon settle thyne harte and be paciente bowe downe thyne eare receyue the wordes of vnderstandynge and shrinke not away when thou art entysed Holde the fast vpō god ioyne thy selfe vnto hym and suffre that thy lyfe maye encrease at the laste What so euer happeneth vnto the receyue it suffer in heuynes and be pacyente in thy trouble For lyke as golde and syluer ar tryed in the fyre euen so are exceptable men in the fornace of aduersytie Sapi. 4. a Pro. 17. a Beleue in God and he shal helpe the order thy way a right and put thy trust in him Holde faste his feare and grow therin O ye that feare the Lord take suer holde of his mercy shrynke not away from him that ye fall not O ye that feare the Lorde beleue him and your rewarde shall not be emptye O ye that feare the Lorde put your trust in him and mercye shall come vnto you for pleasure O ye the feare the Lorde set youre loue vpon him and your hertes shal be lyghtened Consyder the olde generacions of men O ye chyldrenne marke theym well was ther euer any one confounded that put his truste in the Lorde Psal 30. a Esai 26. a Who euer continued in his feare and was forsakē Or whome dyd he euer despise that called faythfully vpō him For God is gracyous and merciful he forgeueth sinnes in the time of trouble and is a defender for all them that seke him in the truthe Who be vnto him that hath a double herte wicked lippes and euell occupyed handes and to the sinner that goeth two maner of wayes Wo be vnto theym that are lose of hert which put not theyr trust in God and therfore shall they not be defended of him Woo be vnto theym that haue loste pacyence forsaken the ryghte wayes and are tourned backe in to frowarde wayes What will they do when the Lorde shall begyn to visyt them They that feare the Lorde wyll not mystruste his worde and they that loue him wyll kepe his commaundement They that feare the Lorde Ioh 14. ◠will seke out the thinges that are pleasaunt vnto him and they that loue him shall fulfyll hys lawe Rom. 13. b They that feare the Lorde will prepare theyr hertes humble theyr soules in his sight 2. Re. 24. c They that feare the Lorde kepe his commaundementes and will be pacyent till they se him selfe saieng better it is for vs to fal into the handes of the lorde then into the hādes of men for his mercye is as great as him selfe ¶ To our father and mother oughte we to gyue double honoure Of the blessynge and curse of the father and mother No man oughte ouer curyously to searche out the secretes of God Capi. iii. THe chyldren of wysedome are a congregacyon of the rightuous Fathers and theyr exercise is obedience loue Heare me your father O my der children and do thereafter that ye may be safe Exo. 20. b Deut. 5. b Ephe. 6. a For the Lorde wil haue the father honoured of the childrē and loke what a mother cōmaundeth her childrē to do he wil haue it kept Who so honoureth his father his sinnes shall be forgeuen him he that honoureth hys mother is lyke one that gathereth treasure together Who so honoureth his father shal haue ioye of hys owne chyldren and when he maketh his prayer he shall be heard He that honoureth his father shall haue a longe lyfe and he that is obedyent for the Lordes sake Ephe. 6. a his mother shall haue ioye of him He that feareth the Lorde honoureth his father mother and doth them
seruyce as it were vnto the lord him selfe Honour thy father in dede in worde and in all pacyence Gen. 27. d and .49 a Deut. 33. a that thou maist haue his blessing for the blessing of the father buildeth vp the houses of the children but the mothers curse roteth out the foundacions Reioyce not wheÌ„ thy Father is reproued for it is no honour vnto the but a shame For the worship of a mans father is his owne worship where the father is with out honour it is the dishonestye of the son My sonne make muche of thy father in his age greue hym not as longe as he lyueth And yf his vnderstanding faile haue pacyeÌ„ce with him and despise him not in thy strenght For the good dede that thou shewest vnto thy father shal not be forgotten and when thou thy selfe wantest it shall be rewarded the and for thy mothers offence thou shalt no be recompensed with good yee it shal be founded for the inryghtuousnes in the day of trouble thou shalt be remembred thy synnes also shall melte awaye lyke as the yse in the fayer warme wether He that forsaketh his father shal come to shame and he that defyeth his mother is cursed of god My sonne perfourme thy workes with louinge mekenesse so shalte thou be loued aboue other men The greater thou art the more humble thy selfe in al thinges and thou shalte finde fauour in the sight of God Pro. 25. d. Rom. 12. a Deut. 4. a For great power beloÌ„geth oneli vnto God he is honoured of the lowly Seke not out the thinges that are aboue thy capacytie and searche not the grounde of suche thynges as are to myghtie for the but loke what God hath coÌ„maunded the thinke vpon that alway be not curious in manye of his workes For it is nedefull for the to se with thine eyes the thinges that are secrete Make not thou to much searche in superfluous thinges and be not curyous in many of his workes for many thiÌ„ges are shewed vnto the alredy whiche be aboue the capacytie of men The medlinge with such hath begyled many a man and tangled theyr wyttes in vanytie Now he that loueth peryll shall peryshe therin An harde herte shall fare euell at the last an herte that goeth two wayes shal not prospere and he that is frowarde of hert wyl euer be the wurse and wurse A wicked hert shal be ladeÌ„ with sorowes and the vngodli sinner wil heape one sin vpoÌ„ an other The counsel of the proude hath no helth for the plaÌ„te of syn shal be roted out in them The hert of hym that hath vnderstandyng shal perceyue highe thinges and a good eare wil gladly herken vnto wysdom An herte that is wise and hath vnderstandyng wyll abstayne from sinnes increase in the workes of ryghtuousnes Psa 40 a Deut. 4. d Mat. 5. a Water queÌ„ched burnyng fyre and mercy reconcileth synnes God hath respecte vnto him that is thankful he thynketh vpon hym against the tyme to come so that when he falleth he shall fynde in a stronge holde Almes muste be done with all mekenes The study of wysedome and her frute A iudge ought to be mercyfull An exortacion to eschue euel and to do good Capi. iiii MY sonne defraude not the poore of his almes and turne not away thyne eyes from hym that hathe nede Deu. 15. d Mat. 23. c Despyse not an huÌ„gry soule and defye not the pore in his necessytie greue not the herte of hym that is helpelesse and with drawe not the gyft froÌ„ the nedeful Refuse not the prayer of one that is in trouble and turne not awaye thy face frome the nedy Cast not thine eyes asyde from the poore that thou gyue hym not occasyon to speake euyl of the. For yf he complayne of the in the bitternes of hys soule his prayer shall be hearde euen he that made him shall heare him Be curteous vnto the company of the pore huÌ„ble thy soule vnto the elder and bow down thy heade to a man of worshyppe Let it not greue the to bowe down thyne eare vnto the pore but paye thy det and gyue hym a frendly aunswere and that with mekenes Delyuer hym that suffreth wronge from the hand of the oppressoure and be not faynt herted when thou sittest in iudgement Gen. 14. c Exo. 2. b Be mercyful vnto the fatherles as a father be in stead of an husbaÌ„de vnto theyr mother so shalt thou be as an obedient sonne of the hygheste and he shall loue the more then thy mother doth Wysdom bretheth lyfe into her children receyueth them that seke her and wil go before them in the way of ryghtuousnes He that loueth her loueth lyfe they that seke her diligently shal haue great ioye They that kepe her shall haue the herytage of life for where she entreth iÌ„ there is the blessing of God They that honoure her shal be the seruauÌ„tes of the holy one they that loue her are beloued of God Who so geueth eare vnto her shal iudge the hethen and he that hath respect vnto her shal dwel safelye He that beleueth her shal haue her in possession and his generacyon shal endure for when he falleth she shall go with him before all Feare drede and temptacioÌ„ shal she bring vpon him and trye him in her doctrine tyl she haue so ê“ued him in his thoughtes that he coÌ„mit his soule vnto her TheÌ„ shal she stablysh him bryng the right waye vnto hym make him a glade man shewe hym her secretes and heape vpon him the treasures of knowlege vnderstanding and ryghtuousnesse But yf he go wrong she shal forsake him and gyue him ouer into the haÌ„des of his enemye My sonne make much of the tyme Ephe. 5. b Mat. 10 â–ª c eschue the thynge that is euel and for thy lyfe shame not to say the truth For there is ashame that bryngeth sinne and there is a shame that bringeth worship and fauour Accepte no person after thyn own wyl Leui. 19. d that thou be not confounded to thyne own decaie Be not ashamed of thy neyghboure in his aduersyte and kepe not backe thy counsel wheÌ„ it maye do good neyther hyde the wysedome in her beuty For in the tonge is wysdome knoweÌ„ so is vnderstaÌ„dyng konwledge learnynge in the talkynge of the wyse stedfastnes in the workes of rightuousnes In no wise speake against the worde of truth but be ashamed of the lyes of thyne own ignoraunce Shame not to confesse thin errour submyt not thy self vnto eury man bicause of sin WithstaÌ„de not the face of the mighte and striue not against the streme But for the truth striue thou vnto death and God shal fight for the against thine enemyes Be not hastie in thy tonge neyther slacke and negligeÌ„t in thy workes Be not as the Lyon in thyn own house destroing thy houshould folkes and oppressynge them that are vnder the. Let not thyne hande be stretched out
to receyue Act. 20. a. shut wheÌ„ thou shuldest gyue In ryches may we not put anye confydence The vengeauÌ„ce of god ought to be feared and to repentaunce may we not be slowe Capi. v. TRuste not vnto thy ryches say not tush Luke 12. b Eccle. 1â— â— I haue ynough for my lyfe For it shall not helpe in the time of vengeaunce and temptacion Followe not the luste of thyne owne herte in thy strength saye not tushe howe haue I had strength or who wil bring me vnder bycause of my workes for doubtles god shal auenge it And say not I haue committed mo synnes but what euell hathe happened me For the almightie as a pacient rewarder Bicause thy sinne is forgeuen the Rom. 6. a Eccle. 21. a be not therfore without feare neither heape one sin vpoÌ„ an other And saye not tushe the mercy of the lorde is greate Eccl. 16. b he shal forgyue me my sinnes be they neuer so manye For like as he is merciful so goeth wrath from him also and his indignacion coÌ„meth downe vpoÌ„ sinners Make no tarying to turne vnto the Lorde put not of from daye to daye for sodenly shall his wrath come and in the tyme of vengeaunce he shall destroye the. Pro. 10. a and .11 a Ezech. 7. b Sepho 1. c Trust not in wicked riches for they shal not helpe the in the daye of punyshment and wrath Be not caryed about to euery wind and go not into euery waye for so doth the sinner that hath a double tongue Stande fast in the way of the lorde be stedfast in thy vnderstaÌ„dyng abyde by the worlde and folow the word of peace and rightuousnes Be gentle to heare the worde of god Iaco. 1. â— that thou maist vnderstaÌ„d it and make a trewe aunswer with wysdome Be swifte to heare but flowe and pacieÌ„t in giuynge answere If thou hast vnderstnadyng shape thy neyghbour an aunswere Yf no laye thyne hande vpon thy mouthe leest thou be trapped in an vndiscrete worde and so confounded Honour and worship is in a mans wise talkynge but the tonge of the vndiscrete is his owne destruccyon Be not a pryue accuser as longe as thou liuest Leui. 19. d and vse no sclauÌ„der with thy tonge For shame and sorowe goeth ouer the thefe and an euell name ouer him that is double toÌ„ged but he that is a preuy accuser of other men shal be hated enuyed confounded Se that thou iustifie the small and great alyke ¶ It is the propertye of a synner to be euell tonged The doctrine and good councell of the wyse is to be enbraced wisdom shuld bescarched for The profyte therof Capi. vi BE not thy neighbours enemy for thy freÌ„des sake for who so is euel shal be the heyre of rebuke dsyhonour who soeuer beareth enuye a double tonge offendeth Rom. 12. c Phili. 2. a Be not proude in the deuyce of thyne vnderstanding leest thy leues wyther and thy fruyte be destroied and so thou be lefte as a drie tree For a wicked soule destroyeth hym that hathe it maketh hym to be laughed to scorne of his enemyes and bringeth him to the porcyon of the vngodly Eccl. 20. b A swete worde multiplieth freÌ„des and pacyfieth them that be at varyaunce and a thankful toÌ„ge wil be plentuous in a good maÌ„ Holde frendshyp with manye neuertheles haue but one counceller of a thousande Frendes Yf thou gettest a frend proue hym first and be not hastye to gyue him credence For some man is a frende but for a tyme and wyll not abyde in the day of trouble And there is some frende that turneth to enimite Deut. 23. b add 23. b. Mich 7. a Mat. 10. c Eccl. 37. a and taketh part agaynste the and yf he bnowe any hurt by the he telleth it out agayne some freÌ„de is but a companyon at the table and in the day of nede he continueth not But a sure frende wil be vnto the euen as thyne own selfe and deale faythfully with thy housholde folke yf thou suffre trouble and aduersite he is with the hideth not himselfe from the Departe from thyn enemies yee and beware of thy frendes A faythful frend is a strong defeÌ„ce who so fyndeth such one findeth a noble treasure A faithful freÌ„de hath no pere the weight of golde and syluer is not to be compared to the goodnes of is faith A faythfull frende is a medicyne of lyfe they that feare the Lorde shal finde him Who so feareth the Lorde shal prospere with freÌ„des as he is him selfe so shall his freÌ„de be also My sonne receyue doctrin froÌ„ thi youth vp so shalt thou fynde wysdome tyll thou be olde Go to her as one that ploweth sowethe wait pacieÌ„tly for her good fruites For thou shalt haue but litle labour in her worke Eccle. 5. a but thou shalt eat of her frutes ryght so one O how excedyng sharpe is wysedome to vnlerned meÌ„ an vnstedfast body wil not remayne in her Vnto suche she is as it were a touchestone he casteth her froÌ„ him in al the haste for wisdome is with hym but in name there be but fewe that haue knowlege of her But with the that knowe her she abydeth euen vnto the appering of god Geue eare my sonne receyue my doctrine refuse not my counsell Put thy fote into her linkes take her yoke vpoÌ„ thy necke bow down thy shulder vnder her beare her pacyeÌ„tly Mat. 6. a be not wery of her bandes Come vnto her with thy hole hart kepe her wayes with all thy power Seke after her she shal be shewed the and wheÌ„ thou hast her forsake her not For at the laste thou shalt finde reste in her that shall be turned to thy great ioye Then shal her letters be a stroÌ„g defeÌ„ce for the and her yoke a gloryous raymente For the bewtye of lyfe is in her her handes are the couplinge together of saluacion Yee a glorious rayment is it thou shalt put it on and the same crown of ioye shalt thou weare My sonne yf thou wylt take hede thou shalt haue vnderstandyng and yf thou wilt apply thy minde thou shalt be wise Yf thou wilte bow downe thin eare thou shalt receiue doctrine and yf thou delight in hearing thou shalt be wise Stande with the multitude of suche elders as haue vnderstaÌ„dinge consent vnto theyr wysdome with thine hert that thou mayst heare al godlye sermons and that the worthye sentences escape the not Eccle. 5. a And yf thou see a man of duâ—rete vnderstanding get the sone vnto him and let thy fote treade vpon the steppes of his dores Psal 1. a Let thy mynde be vpon the commaundementes of God be earnestly occupyed in his lawes so shall he stablishe thy herte geue the wisdome at thyne owne desyre ¶ We must forsake euel and yet not iustifye our selues 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
to kepe trew measure and weyghte to be content whether thou gettest muche or lytell to deale truly with temporall goodes in byenge and selling to bringe vp chyldren with dilygence to correct an euel seruaunt to kepe that thine is from an euel wife to set a lock where many handes are what thou deliuerest and gauest out to be kepte to tel it and waye it to write vp all thy outegeuynge and receiuynge to enfourme the vnlerned and vnwise Of the aged that are iudged of the ionge If thou be diligēt in these thinges truely thou shalt be learned and wise and accepted of al men The doughter maketh the father to watche secretely and the carefulnesse that he hath for her taketh awaye his slepe yee in the youth lest she shuld ouergrow hym And when she hath an husbande leest she shulde be hated leest she shulde be defiled or rauyshed in her virginitie or gotten with chyld in her fathers house Or when she commeth to the man lest she behaue her selfe not righte or contynue vnfrutefull ★ If thy doughter be wanton kepe her straytelye leeste she cause thyne enemies to laugh the to scorn and the whole Cytie to geue the an euel report and so thou be faine to hear thy shame of euerye man and be confoūded before all the people Eccl. 25. c. Beholde not euery bodyes bewtye and haue not muche dwellynge amonge wemen For lyke as the worme and moth commeth oute of clothinge gene iii. d so doth wickednesse come of wemen It is better to be with an euell man then with a frendly wife that putteth one to shame and rebuke I wyll remember the wordes of the Lorde and declare the thyng that I haue sene In the wordes of the Lorde are his workes The sunne ouerloketh al thynges with his shyne and all his workes are full of the clearenesse therof Hath not the Lord brought to passe that his Saintes shuld tell out all his wonderous workes whiche the Almyghty Lord hath stablyshed All thinges endure in his glory He seketh out the grounde of the depe the herte of men and he knoweth al theyr ymaginacion and wisedome For the Lorde knoweth all science and he loketh into the token of the tyme. He declareth the thynges that are paste and for to come and discloseth thynges that are secrete Iob. 42. a. No thoughte may escape hym neither maye any worde be hyd from hym He hath garnished the hye excellēt workes of his wysedome Esa 29. c. and he is frō euerlastynge to euerlastyng Vnto him may nothinge be added neither can he be minished he hath no nede also of any mans councel O howe amiable are al his workes and as a sparke to loke vpon They lyue all and enduer for euer and when so euer nede is they are all obedient vnto hym They are all double one agaynste an other he hath made nothing that hath faute or blemyshe Deu. 32. a He hathe stablyshed the goodes of euery one and who maye be satisfied with his glorye when he seith it ¶ The summe of the creacion of the workes of god Capi. xliii THE Glorye of the Heygthe is ‡ the fayer and cleare Firmamente the bewtye of the heauen is his glorious clearenesse The Sunne when it appeareth declareth the day in the goyng out of it Psal 8 a. a marueylous worke of the hyeste At noone it burnethe the earth and who may abyde for the heat therof Who so kepeth an ouen whē it is hote thre times more doth the sūne burne vpon the monutaynes whē it bretheth out the fyrye beames and shyneth with the bryghtnesse of it it blyndeth the eyes Great is the lorde that made it in his commaundement he causeth it to rē hastely gene i. b The moone also is in all and at conuenient season it sheweth the times and is a token of the time Exo. xii a The token of the solempne feaste is taken of the Moone a lyghte that minisheth and encreaseth agayne The moneth is called after the Mone it groweth wonderously in her chaungynge The armye of heauen also is in the Heigth in the firmament of heuen it geueth a cleare and glorious shine This is the clearenes of the Starres the bewtifull apparell of heauen the apparell that the lorde lyghteneth in the heigth In his holy word they cōtinue in their order and not one of them faileth in his watche gene ix a Loke vpon the rayne bowe and prayse him that made it very beutifull is it in her shyne He compassethe the Heauen about with his clerenes glorye the handes of the hyest haue bēded it Thorowe his commaundement he maketh the snowe to fal and the thōder of his iudgement to smite hastelye Thorowe his commaundement the tresures are opened and the cloudes fle as the foules In his power hath he strengthened the cloudes and broken the haile stones The mountaines melte at the sighte of him the wynd bloweth according to his wyll The sound of his thonder beateth the earth and so doth the storme of the North the whirle wind also lighteth downe as a fethered foule casteth oute and spreadeth the snowe abrode and as the greshoppers that destroye all so falleth it downe The eye maruayleth at the bewty of the whitenesse therof and the hert is afrayde at the raine of it He poureth out the frost vpō erth like salt and when it is frosen it is as sharpe as the pricke of a thistle When the colde Northwind bloweth harde Christall commeth of the water He lyghteth downe vpon all the gatheringes together of water and putteth on the waters as a brest plate He deuoureth the moūtaines burneth the wyldernesses loke what is grene he putteth it out like fyre The medicine of al these is when a cloude commeth hastely and when a dew commeth vpō the heath it shall be refreshed againe In his worde he stylleth the wynde In his councel he setteth the depe and the Lord Iesus planted it They that sayle ouer the see tell of the parelles harmes therof and whē we heare it with our eares we maruaile therat For ther be straunge wonderous workes diuers maner of nyce beastes and whalefishes Thorowe him are all thinges sette in good order and perfourmed and in hys worde all thinges enduer I speake moche but I can not sufficiently attaine vnto it for he hym selfe onely is the perfeccion of all wordes We shulde prayse the lorde after ol our power for he is great in all his workes The Lord is to be feared yee very great is he ⊣ and marueylous in hys power Prayse the Lord and magnifie hym as moche as ye maye yet doth he farre exceade all prayse ‡ psal xcvi a. Psal cvi a. O magnyfye hym with al your power and labour earnestly yet are ye in no wise able sufficiently to prayse him Who hath sene hym that he myght tell vs. ⊢ Deu. v. c Iohn i. b. Who can magnifie him so greately as he is
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
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