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
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
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
knowen the synful bed she shal haue fruyte in the rewarde of the hooly Soules And blessed is the gelded which with his hādes hath wrought no vnrightuousnes nor imagined wicked thinges against God Esa 5 6. b For vnto him shall be gyuen the speciall gyfte of faythe and the most acceptable porcyon in the temple of God For gloryous is the fruyte of good laboure and the rote of wisdome shal neuer fade awaye As for the childrē of aduouterers they shall come to an ende the sede of an vnryghtuous bed shal be roted out And thoughe they liue lōge yet shal they be nothynge regarded theyr laste age shal be without honoure Yf they dye hastely they haue no hope neyther shall they be spoken to in the daye of knowledge For horryble is the deathe and ende of the vnrightuouse ¶ Of the chast generacyon of the faythfull and of theyr felicitie Of the death of the rightuous and of the condempnacyon of the vnfaythfull Capi. iiii O Howe fayer is a chaste generacion with vertue The memorial therof is imortall for it is knowen with good men When it is presente men take example thereat and yf it go awaye yet they desyre it It is alwaye crowned holden in honour wynneth the rewarde of the vndefiled batayle But the multitude of vngodly chyldren is vnprofitable Iere. 17. b Mala. 1. a Mat. 7. c. and the thynges that are planted with horedome shall take no depe rote nor laye any faste foundacion Thoughe they be grene in the braunches for a tyme yet shall they be shaken with the wynde for they stande not faste and thorow the vehemence of the wynd they shal be roted out For the vnperfect braūcesse shal be broken theyr fruyte shall be vnprofytable and sower to eat yee mete for nothynge And why all the chyldren that are borne of the wycked must beare recorde of the wyckednes agaynst theyr fathers and mothers whē they be asked But though the ryghtuous be ouertakē with death Age. yet shall he be in rest Age is an honourable thynge Neuerthelesse it standeth not onely in the length of tyme nor the multytude of yeres but a mans wysdom is the graye heer and an vndefyled lyfe is the olde age He pleaseth god and was beloued of hym so that where as he liued among sinners he translated him Hebre 11. d Yee sodenly was he taken away to the entent that wickednes shulde not alter his vnderstandyng and that ypocrysye shuld not begyle his soule For the crafty bewytching of lyes make good thinges darke the vnstedfastnes also and wickednes of voluptuous desyre turne asyde the vnderstandynge of the symple Though he was soone deed yet fulfylled he much time For his soule pleased god therfore hasted he to take him away frō amonge the wycked This the people see and vnderstande it not they laye not vp suche thynges in theyr hertes how that the louyng fauoure and mercy of god is vpon his Saynctes and that he hath respecte vnto his chosen Thus the ryghtuous that is deed condempneth the vngodly which ar lyuyng the youth that is soone brought to an ende the longe lyfe of the vnryghtuous For they se the ende of the wyse but they vnderstand not what god hath deuised for him and wherfore the Lorde hathe taken him awaye And why they se hym and despyse hym therfore shall god also laughe them to scorne Psal 2. So that they them selues shal dye hereafter but withoute honoure yee in shame amonge the deade for euermore For without anye voyce shall he hurste those that be put vp and remoue theym from the foundacions so that they shall be layde wast vnto the hyest They shall mourne and theyr memoriall shal perish So they beynge afrayde shall remember theyr synnes and theyr own wyckednes shall bewraye them ¶ The constauntnesse of the ryghteous before theyr persecuters The hope of the vnfaythful is vndurable and vayur The blessednes and fortunatenes of the sayntes and godly Capi. v. THen shall the ryghtuouse stande in greate stedfastnes Mat. 19 c agaynste suche as haue delte extremely with them and taken awaye theyr laboures When they se it they shall be vexed wyth horryble feare and shall wonder at the hastynesse of the sodayne healthe gronynge for a verye destresse of mynde and shal say within themselues hauing inwarde sorowe and mournyng for veri anguyshe of mynde These are they whom we somtyme had in derision Sapi. 3. a and iested vpon We foles thought theyr life very madnes and theyr ende to be without honoure But lo howe they ar counted among the chyldrē of god and their porcyon is amonge the Saynctes Therfore we haue erred frō the way of truth the lyght of ryghtuousnes hath not shyned vnto vs and the sunne of vnderstandynge rose not vp vpon vs. We haue we ryed our selues in the way of wickednes destruccyon Tedious wayes haue we gone but the waye of the Lord we haue not knowen What good hath our pryde done vnto vs Or what profyte hath the pompe of rychesse brought vs All those thynges are passed away lyke a shadow and as a messenger renuyng before 1. Pa. 30. c Sapi. 2. b Pro 30. b as a ship that passeth ouer the waues of water which whē it is gone by the trace therof cannot be founde neyther the path of it in the floudes Or as a byrde that flyethe thorow the ayre and no man can se any token where she is flowen but only heareth the noyce of her wynges beatyng the lyght wynd partyng the ayer thorow the vehemence of her flyghte and flyethe on shakynge her wynges where as afterward no token of her waye can be found Or lyke as when an arrowe is shot at a marke it parteth the ayre which immediatly cōmeth together againe so that a man can not knowe where it wente thorowe Euen so we in like maner as soone as we were borne begane immediatly to drawe to our ende and haue shewed no token of vertue but ar consumed in oure owne wyckednes Suche wordes shall they that haue sinned speake in the hel Iob. 8. a for the hope of the vngodly is lyke a drye thystell floure or dust that is blowen away with the wynd lyke as thyn scomme that is scattered abrode with the storme Psal ◠b Pro. 10. d and 11. a Iacob 1. b like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there wyth the wynde and as the remembraunce of a starunger that taryeth for a daye and then departeth Psa 39. a But the ryghtuous shal lyue foreuermore theyr rewarde also is with the lord theyr remembraūce with the hyghest Therfore shall they receyue a glorious kyngdōe a beutyful crowne of the Lordes hande for with his righte hande shall he couer them ✿ Ephe. 6. b and with his owne arme shall he defende them his gelousy also shall take harnesse and shall arme the creature to be auenged of the enemyes He
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
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 thinges that are vpon earthe He made all flesh to stande in awe of him so that he hadde the domynyon of all beastes and foules ¶ He made oute of hym an helper lyke vnto hym selfe and gaue them dyscrecion and tonge Gene. ii d. eyes and eares and a herte to vnderstande and fylled them with instruccion and vnderstandynge He created for them also the knowledge of his spirite fylled theyr hertes with vnderstandynge shewed them good and euell He set his eye vpon their hertes declarynge vnto them his great noble workes that they shulde prayse his holy name together reioyse of his wonders Exo â—â— a. Deu. 4. v. and .ix. and be tellynge of his noble actes Besyde this he gaue them instruccion and the lawe of lyfe for an herytage He made an euerlastynge couenaunt wyth them and shewed them his rightuousnes and iudgemâ—ntes They sawe his glorye wyth theyr eyes and theyr eares harde the maiestie of his voyce And he sayde vnto them beware of al vnryghtuous thinges he gaue euery man also a commaundement concerning his neyghbour Their waies are euer before him and are not hyd from his eyes Ro. xiii a. Deu. iii. c and .x. c. He hath set a ruler vpon euery people * but Israell is the Lordes porcyon Al theyr workes ar as the sunne in the syght of God and his eyes are alwaye lokynge vpon theyr wayes All their vnrightuousnes are manifest vnto hym Eccl. xxixb and all their wyckednesses are open in his sight ¶ The mercye that a man sheweth is as it were apurse with hym mat 33. c. and the grace that is gyuen to man preserueth hym as the apple of an eye At the last shal he awake and rewarde euery man vpon his hed and shall turne them to gether into the nethermoste partes of the earth Acre iii c. ¶ But vnto them that wil repent he hath geueÌ„ the waye of rightuousnes As for such as be weake he comforted them suffered them and sendeth them the porcyon of the verytie O turne then vnto the Lorde forsake thy sinnes make thy prayer before the Lorde do the lesse offence thine ageyne vnto the Lorde forsake thine vnryghtuousnesse be an vtter enemye to abhominacion learne to knewe ryghtuousnes and iudgementes of God stande in the porcion that is set forth for the and in the prayer of the most hie God Go in the porcyon of the hole worlde Psal viâ—â— Es 38. d with suche as be liuing and geue thankes vnto god Who wyll prayse the Lorde in the hel Abyde not then in the errour of the vngodli but geue hym thankes before death As for the deed thanckfulnes peryshed from him as nothynge Geue thou thankes in thy lyfe yee whyle thou art liuyng and whole shalt thou geue thankes and prayse God and reioise in his mercye O howe great is the louynge kyndnesse of the Lorde and his mercyful goodnes vnto such as turne vnto hym Foâ— all thinges maye not be in man and why the sonne of man is not immortall and he hath pleasure in the vanyte of wickednes What is moore clere then the Sunne yet shal it fayle Or what is more wycked then the thynge that fleshe and bloode hath ymagyne and that same shall be reproued The Lorde seeth the power of the hie heuen and al are but earth and ashes ¶ The meruelous workes of God the misery and wretchednes of man Agaynst God ought we not to complayne Praye must we continually Capi. xviii HE that lyueth for euermore made all thinges together Gene. i. a. Psal c.v. a Eccle. 45. d God onelye is ryghtuouse and remayneth a victorious kyng for euer ¶ Who shall be able to expresse the workes of hym Who wyll seke out the grounde of his noble actes Who shall declare the power of his greatenes Or who wyl take vpon hym to tel out his mercy As for the wonderous workes of the Lorde there maye nothynge be taken from them nothynge maye be put vnto them neyther maye the ground of them be found out But when a man hath done his best he must begyn agayne and when he thynketh to be come to an ende he muste go agayne to his labour What is man Wherto is he worth Psal cx a. What good or euyll can he do ¶ yf the nomber of a mannes dayes be almoste an hundreth yeare ii Pe. 3. b it is moche Lyke as the droppes of rayne are vnto the see and as a grauell stone is in comparison of the sande soo are these few yeares to the dayes of euerlastynge Therefore is the lorde paciente with them and poureth out his mercy vpon them He sawe and perceyued the thoughtes and ymaginacyons of their hert that they were euell therfore heaped he vp his mercyfull goodnes vpon them and shewed them the waye of ryghtuousnes The mercy that a man hath reacheth to his neyghbour but the mercy of god is vpon all fleshe He chasteneth he teacheth and nourtoureth yee euen as a shepehearde turneth agayne hys flocke so doth he all them that receiue chastenynge nourtour and doctryne Esa xlvi a ¶ Mercyfullis he vnto them that stande in awe of his iugementes My sonne when thou dost good make no grudgynge at it and what soeuer thou geuest speake no discomfortable workes Pro. 1â— a. â— 25. c. Eccle. xli b. Shal not the dewe coole the heat euen so is a worde better then a gift ¶ Is not a frendlye worde a good honeste gyfte but a gracyous man geueth theym both ¶ A fole shal caste a man in the teeth and that roughlye a gyft of the nygarde putteth out the eyes Get the out rightousnes before thou come to iudgement Learne before thou speake and go to physycke or euer thou be sycke i. Corin. xi exameÌ„ iudge thy selfe before the iudgement came so shalt thou fynde grace in the syghte of God Humble thy selfe afore thou be sycke and in tyme of thy disease shewe thy conuersacion Let not to praye alwaye stande not in feare to be refourmed vnto deth Luke 18. a Tes vx e. for the rewarde of god endureth for euer Before thou prayest prepare thy soule be not as one that tempted god Thinke vpon the wrathfull indignation that shal be at the ende and the houre of vengeauÌ„ce Ecle xi d when he shall turn awaye his face when thou haste ynoughe remember the tyme of hunger and when thou arte ryche thynke vpon the tyme of pouerte and scarsnes From the mornynge vntyll the euenige the tyme is chaunged and all suche thinges are sone done in the syght of god A wyse man fearethe god in al thinges and in the dayes of transgression he kepeth hym selfe from synne A discrete man hath pleasure in wysdome the that fyndeth her maketh much of her They that haue had vnderstandynge haue delte wysely in wordes haue vnderstande the truth and ryghtuousnes Ro. vi b. and .xiii. c. and haue sought out wise
A man of vnderstandyng geueth credeÌ„ce vnto the law of god the law is faithfull vnto him Be suer of the matter theÌ„ talke therof Be fyrst wel instructe thou mayst thou geue answere The hert of the folysh is like a cart whele his thoughtes ren aboute lyke the axeltre Lyke as a wylde horse that naieth vnder euery one that sytteth vpoÌ„ him so is it with a scorneful frende Why doth one daye excell an other seyng all the dayes of the yere come of the sun The wysdom of the lord hath so parted them a sunder and so hathe he ordeyned the tymes and solempne feastes Some of them hath he choseÌ„ halowed before other dayes And al men are made of the Gene. 2. â— grounde and out of the earthe of Adam In the multytude of science hath the Lorde sundred them and make theyr wayes of dyuers fashyons Some of theÌ„ hath he blessed made much of them halowed them claymed them to hym self But some of theÌ„ hath he cursed brought them low put them out of theyr estate Lyke as the clay is in the potters hande and al the ordryng therof at his plesure Rom. 9. c so are men also in the hande of him that made them so that he may geue them as it lyketh him beste 1. Cor. 6. c Against euel is good and against death is lyfe so is the vngodlye againste such as feare God Beholde these are the workes of the hiest ther are euer two agaynst two one set agaynste an other I am a waked vp last of all as one that gathereth after in haruest In the gyftes of god in hys blessynge I am increased and haue fylled my wyne presse like a grape gatherer Eccl. 24. c Beholde howe I haue not laboured not onlye for my self but for all such as loue nurtour wisdoÌ„ Heare me O ye great men of the people and herkeÌ„ with youre eares ye rulers of the congregacion Geue not thy sonne wife thy brother and frende power ouer the while thou liuest and geue not away thy substance and good to an other leest it repent the thou be faine to beg therfore thy self As longe as thou liuest and hast brethe let no man chaunge the For better it is thy children to paye the then that thou shuldeste be fayne to loke in theyr haÌ„des In al thy workes be excelleÌ„t that thy honour be neuer stayned At the tyme when thou shalt ende thy daies fynish thy lyfe distribute thyne inheritaunce The foder the whyp and the burtheÌ„ belongeth vnto the Asse Meat correccioÌ„ worke vnto the seruauÌ„t Yf thou set thy seruaunt to labour thou shalt finde rest But yf thou let him go ydel he shal seke libertie The yoke the whip bow down the hard necke but tame thou thy euell seruaunt with bondes and correccion Sende him to laboure that he go not ydle For ydilnes bringeth much euell Set him to worke for that belongeth vnto him becoÌ„meth him wel Yf he be not obedyent bynde his fete but do not to muche vnto him in any wise and without discrecion do nothinge Eccle. 7. c Yf thou haue a faithful seruaunte lette hym be vnto the as thyn own soule iÌ„treate him as a brother for in blode haste thou gotten hym Yf thou haue a seruaunte holde him as thy selfe for thou hast nede of him as of thy selfe Yf thou intreatest him euel kepest him harde and makest him to be proude and to ren away from the thou canst not tell what waye thou shalt seke him ¶ Of dremes diuinacions and enchauntemeÌ„tes We ought to confute vayne hope and lying The prayse of them that feare god Of diuers workes of men God doth not alowe the workes of an vnfaythful man Capi. xxxiiii VNwyse people begyle them selues with vayne and disceytfull hope and foles trust in dremes Who so regardeth dremes is lyke him that wyll take holde of a shadow and folow after the winde EueÌ„ so is it with the apperinges of dremes Before the face is the lycknes of a face Who can be clensed of the vncleane Or what truth can be spoken of a liar Soth saying witchcraft sorceri dreming is but vanite like as wheÌ„ a woman trauaileth with childe hath mani fantasies in her hert Where as such vysyons come not of god set not thine hert vpon them For dreames haue deceyued many a man and they fayled that putte theyr truste therin The lawe shal be fulfylled without lyes and wysdome is sufficient to a faithful mouth What knowledge hathe he that is not tryed A wyse man that is wel instructe vnderstandeth much and he that hath good experience can talke of wysdome he that hath no experience knoweth lytle he that erreth causeth much wickednes He that is not tryed what thiÌ„ges knoweth he Who so foloweth no rule is full of wickednes When I was yet in errour I learned much also yee I was so learned that I coulde not expresse it al and came ofte in parel of death therouer tyl I was delyuered from it thorowe the grace of God Now I se that they whiche feare God haue the ryght spiryte for theyr hope staÌ„deth in him that can helpe theÌ„ And the eyes of the Lord are on theym that loue him Who so feareth the Lorde standeth in awe of no man and is not afrayde for the Lorde is his hope and comforte Blessed is the soule of him that feareth the Lord In whoÌ„ putteth he his truste who is his strengthe Par. 16. b For the eyes of the Lord haue respecte vnto them that loue him He is theyr mighty proteccion and stronge grounde A defence for the heate a refuge for the hote none daye a succour for stomblynge an helpe for fallynge He setteth vp the Soule and lighteneth the eyes He geueth life and blessinge He that geueth an offeringe of vnryghtuous good his offering is refused and the scornefull dealinges of the vnrightuous please not god The Lorde is theyrs only that paciently abyde him in the waye of the truth of rightuousnes The highhest doth not alowe the giftes of the wycked Pro. 15. a And God hath no delight in the offerynges of the vngodly nether maye sinne be reconcyled in the multitude of oblacyons Who so bringeth an offerynge out of the goodes of the poore doth euen as one that killeth the sonne before the fathers eyes The breade of the nedefull is the life of the pore he that defraudeth him theyr of is a man of bloode Who so robbeth hys neyghboure of his liuynge doth as greate synne as thoughe he slewe him to death Deâ— 24 c Eccâ—e 7. c He that defraudeth the laborer of his hyre is a bloode shedder When one buildeth an other breaketh downe what profyt haue they theÌ„ but laboure When one praieth and an other curseth whose voyce will the Lorde heare Nu. 19. b He that washeth him selfe because of a deed bodye theÌ„ toucheth the
For there are hyd yet greater thynges then these be as for vs we haue sene but few of his workes For the lorde hath made all thinges and geuen wysedome to suche as feare god ¶ The prayse of certayne holy men Henoche Noâ— Abraham Isaac and Iacob Capi. xliiii LETTE vs commende the noble famous men and the generacion of oure fore elders and Fathers Many more glorious actes hath the lord done and shewed his great power euer sence the beginning The noble famous men raigned in their Kyngdomes and bare excelleÌ„t rule In their wisedome vnderstandyng they folowed the councel shewed in the Prophecies ⊢ Exo. xviii c They led the folke thorowe the Councel and wisdome of the Scribes of the people wise sentences are founde in their instruccyon They sought the swetenesse and melodye of Musicke and brought forth the pleasaunt songes in Scripture They were ryche also and coulde comforte pacifie those that dwelt with them All these were very noble and honourable men in theyr generacions as were well reported of in their times These haue lefte a name behynd them so that their prayse shall alway be spoken of Afterwarde there were some whose remembraunce is gone ‡ gene vii d. They came to naught and perished as though they hadde neuer ben became as thoughe they had neuer be borne yee theyr chyldren also with them Neuerthelesse these are louynge meÌ„ whose rightuousnesse shall neuer be forgotten but continue by their posteritie Their chyldrenne are an holy good heritage Their sede endured fast in the couenaunte For theyr sakes shall theyr chyldreÌ„ and sede continue for euer and theyr prayse shall neuer be put downe Their bodies are buried in Peace but their name lyueth for euermore The people can speake of theyr wisedomme and the congregation can talke of their praise ⊣ Ec. 49. 6. gene v. 6. Enoche walked righte and acceptably before the lorde Therefore was he translated for an ensample of amendement vnto the Generacions ★ gene vi s and .7.8 Noe was a stedfaste and Ryghtuousman and in the tyme of wroth he became a reconcilinge Therefore was he lefte a remenante vnto the earthe wheÌ„ the floude came An euerlastinge couenaunt was made with him that al flesh shulde ★ gene ix c perish no more with the water Abraham was a ⊣ gene xvii a great father of many people in glorye was there none lyke vnto hym He kepte the lawe of the Hyest and came into a couenauÌ„t with him He sette the couenaunt in his flesh and when he ★ gene xxii a was proued he was founde faithful Therfore swore god vnto him with an othe that he wold blesse al people in his sede that he wolde multiplye and increase him as the dust of the erth and exalte his sede as the Starres yee and that his sede shulde haue the possessyon and enheritaunce of the lande froÌ„ see to see and from the riuer vnto the borders of the worlde ⊣ gene xxvi a Wyth Isaac dyd he stablyshe the same couenaunte for Abraham hys fathers sake yee that gracious blessynge and health of all men and couenauÌ„t did he stablyshe with Isaac and made it to rest vpon the heade of Iacob He knew him ‡ ge xxviii c. 29.30 in that he prospered hym so wel and richely and gaue hym an heritage and sundred his porcyon by it selfe ⊣ Iosue xviii an xix parted it amonge the twelue Tribes Mercyfull men broughte he out of him whiche founde fauoure in the syght of all fleshe ¶ The prayse of Moyses Aaron and Phynches Capi xlv MOSES ‡ Exo. ix a Actes 7. c. beloued of God and men whose remembraunce is in Hye praise hym that the Lorde made lyke in the glorye of the Saintes and magnified him so that the enemies stode in awe of him thorow his wordes he dyd great wonders He made hym great in the syght of kinges gaue him CommaundemeÌ„t before his people and shewed him his glorious power ⊣ Nu. 12. a. He stablyshed hym with faithfulnesse and mekenesse and those hym out of all meÌ„ For he hearde his voice and led hym in the darke cloude ‡ Exo. xix d. and there he gaue hym the coÌ„maundementes yee the law of lyfe and wisdom that he might teach Iacob his couenaunt and Israell his lawes He chose Aaron his brother also out of the tribe of Leuy exalted hym made him suche lyke ⊣ Exo. xxviii An euerlastynge couenaunt made with him and gaue hym the preesthode in the people He made him glorious in bewtyfull araye clothed him with the garmente of honour He put perfect ioye vpon hym and gyrded hym with strength He decte hym with syde clothes a tunicle with an ouerbodye cote also a gyrdle Rounde about made he hym belles of golde and that many ‡ Exo. xxviii that when he went in the sound myght he heard that they might make a noise in the Sanctuarye and geue the people warnyng The holy garmente was wrought and broderd with golde yelowe â—ilke and purple And in the brestlappe there was a goodly work wherin was fastened lighte and perfectnesse ¶ Vpon the same also there was a worke fastned and set with costly precious stones all bounde with golde Exo. iiii and this he brought in his ministracion The stones were fastened for a remembraunce after the nomber of the twelue Tribes of Israel Vpon his miter there was a plate of puer golde a grauen ymage of holynesse a famous and noble worke garnished and pleasaunt to loke vpon Before him were there seene no suche fayer ornamentes and these it behoueoÌ„ him alwaye to vse There might none other put theym on but onely his children and his childers chyldren perpetuallye Daylye perfourmed he hys burnte offringes two times Leui. 8. a Moses fylled his handes and anoynted hym with holy Oyle This was now confirmed him with an euerlastinge couenaunt to his sede as the dayes of Heauen namely that his childrenne shuld alway minister before him and perfourme the offyce of the Preesthoode and wysh the people good in his name Before all men lyuynge chose he him that he shulde offer inceÌ„ce before the lorde and make odours for a swete sauoure and remembrauÌ„ce that he shulde reconcile the people of the lord with hym againe ⊣ Deu. 17. c and .xxi. a. Mala. ii a He gaue him auctoritie also in his commaundementes and in the Couenaunte that he shoulde teach Iacob the statutes testimonies and to enforme Israell in hys lawe ✚ Nu. 6. a. Therefore there stode vp certain agaynst him and had enuye at hym in the wyldernes namely they that were of Dathan and Abirams syde and the furious Congregation of Chore. Thys the lorde sawe and it displeased hym and in his wrathfull indignacion were they consumed A greate woÌ„der dyd he vpon them and consumed them with the fyre â— Beside this he made Aaron yet more honorable and