truly there is scarcenesse Ryches are as a crowne vnto the wyse but the ignoraunce of foles is very foolyshnes A faythful wytnes delyuereth soules but a lyer disceyueth them The feare of the lorde is a strong holde and his chyldrē are vnder a suer defence The feare of the lorde is a well of lyfe to auoyde the snares of death The increase and prosperite of the comens is the kynges honoure but the decaye of the people is the confusion of the Prynce He that is pacyent hath moch vnderstandyng but he that is sone displeased prouoketh foolyshnes A mery hert is the lyfe of the bodye but rancoure consumeth awaye the bones Pro. 17. a Mat. 25. d He that dothe a poore man wronge blasphemeth his maker but who so hath pyte of the pore doth honoure vnto god The vngodly is afrayed of euery parel but the rightuous hath a good hope euē in death Wysdome resteth in the herte of hym that hath vnderstandynge he shal be knowne among them that are vnlerned Pro. 11. b Ryghtuousnes settethe vp the people but wyckednes bringeth folke to destruction A discrete seruaunt is a pleasur vnto the Kyng but one that is not honest prouoked hym vnto wrath Capi. xv A Pro. 25. c. Soft answere putteth downe displeasure but froward wordes prouoke vnto anger The tonge of suche as be wyse vsethe knowlege a ryght as for a folysh mouth it blabbeth out nothyng but foolyshnes The eyes of the Lorde loke on euerye place both vpon the good and bad A wholsome tonge is a tree of lyfe but he that abusethe it hathe a broken mynde A foole despyseth hys fathers correccyon but he that taketh hede whē he is reproued shall haue the moare vnderstandynge Where ryghtuousnesse is plentyfull there is very greate power but the imaginacyon of the vngodly shall be rooted out The house of the ryghtuouse is full of ryches but the encrease of the vngodly is nye destruccyon A wise mouth poureth out knowledge but the herte of the folyshe doth not so Pro. 21. d. Ecclesi 34. c. Esaie 66 a. The Lorde abhorreth the sacryfyce of the vngodly but the prayer of the ryghtuous is acceptable vnto hym The waye of the vngodly is an abhominacion vnto the Lorde but who so foloweth ryghtuousnes hym he loueth He that forsaketh the ryght waye shal be sore punyshed and who so hateth correccyon shall dye Hel and perdicyon are knowen vnto the Lorde howe much more then the hertes of men Sapi. 2. c. A scorneful bodye loueth not one that rebuketh hym neyther wyll he cōe vnto the wyse A mery herte maketh a cherefull countenaunce Pro. 12. d. and .17 d. Eccle. 30. c but an vnquiet mynde maketh it heuy The herte of hym that hath vnderstandynge doth seke after knowledge but the mouth of fooles is fed with foolishnes All the dayes of the poore are miserable but a quyet herte is as a continuall feaste Psalmus 26. b. 1. Ti. 6. b. Better is a lytle with the feare of the Lorde thē greate treasure with sorowe Better is a messe of pottage with loue then a fat oxe with euell wyll Pro. 15. a. An angrye man steareth vp stryfe but he that is pacyent stilleth discorde The waye of a sloughfull man is as it were hedged with thornes but the waie of the ryghtuous is well clensed Pro. 10. a. A wyse sonne maketh a glad father but an vndiscrete body shameth his mother A foole reioyseth in foolyshe thinges but a wise man loketh well to his owne goynges Vnaduysed thoughtes shall come to naughte but where as men are that can geue counsell there is stedfastnesse A ioyfull thynge is it when a man geueth a conuenyent answere And very plesaunte is a worde spoken in due season The waye of life leadeth vnto heuen that a mā shulde be ware of hell beneth The Lorde wil breake downe the house of the proude but he shall make faste the borders of the wyddowe The Lorde abhorreth the ymaginacyons of the wicked but pure wordes are plesaunt vnto hym The couetous man roteth vp his owne house but who so hateth rewardes shal lyue * Thorowe mercye and fayth are sinnes pourged and thorowe the feare of the Lorde dothe euery one eschue euell A righteouse man museth in his minde howe to do good but the mouth of the vngodly bringeth forth euell thynges The Lorde is farre from the vngodly but he hereth the prayer of the righteous Lyke as the clerenes of the eyes reioyseth the herte so doth a good name fede the bones The eare that harkeneth of the reformacyon of lyfe shall dwell amonge the wyse He that refuseth to be refourmed despyseth his owne soule but he that submytteth hym selfe to correccyon is wise The feare of the Lorde is the righte science of wisdome and lowlinesse goeth before honoure Capytulo xvi A Man maye well purpose a thyng in hys hert but the answer of the tonge commeth of the lorde Pro. 21. a. Psal 33. b A man thynketh all hys wayes to be cleane but it is the Lorde that Iudgeth the myndes psal 37 a. Commyt thy workes vnto the lorde and loke what thou deuisest it shal prospere The Lorde doth all thynges for hys owne sake yee and when he kepeth the vngodly for the daye of wrath The Lorde abhorteth all such as be of a proude hert there may nether strength nor power escape * The begynnyng of a good lyfe is to do ryghtuousnes for that is more accepted vnto God then to offer vp sacrifices Wyth louyng mercy and faythfulnes synnes be forgeuē and who so feareth the Lorde eschueth euell When a mans wayes please the Lorde he maketh his verye enemyes to be hys frendes Better is it to haue a lytle thing wyth ryghtuousnes then great rentes wrong fully gotten pro. 19. c A man deuyseth a waye in his herte but it is the Lorde that ordereth his goynges When the Prophecye is in the lyppes of the kynge his mouth shal not go wronge in iudgement Pro 11. a and .20 b. A true measure and a true balaunce are the Lordes he maketh al weyghtes It is a greate abhomynacion whē kynges are wicked for a kynges seate shuld he holden vp wyth ryghtuousnes Ryghtuous lyppes are pleasaunt vnto Kynges and he that speaketh the truth shal be beloued The kynges despleasure is a messāger of deth but a wyse man wyl pacify him The chereful continaunce of the king is lyfe and his louynge fauoure is as the euenynge dewe proue 3. a To haue wysdome in possessyon is better then to haue golde and to get vnderstandyng is more worth thē to haue syluer The path of the rightuous is to eschue euyl who so loketh wel to hys waye kepeth his owne soule Presumptuousnes goeth before destruccyon and after a proude stomake ther foloweth a fall Better is it to be of humble mind with the lowly thē to deuid the spoiles with the proude He that handleth a matter
thinges endure yf it were not thy wyll Or howe coulde any thing be preserued excepte it were called of the But thou sparest all for all are thine O Lorde thou louer of soules ¶ The mercye of God towarde synners the workes of God are vnreprouable God gyueth leysure to repente vs. Capi. xii O Lorde howe gracyous swete is thy spyrite in all thynges Therfore chasteneste thou them mesurabli that go wronge and warnest theÌ„ concerninge the thinges wherin they offende thou speaketh vnto theÌ„ o Lorde and exhortest theÌ„ to leaue theyr wickednes and put theyr truste in the. As for those olde inhabyters of thy holy lande thou myghtest not away with them Deut. 9. â— 12. d. 18. b for they coÌ„mytted abhomynable workes agaynst the as wytchecrafte sorcery ydolatrye they slewe theyr own childreÌ„ without mercye they eate vp mens bowels and deuoured the bloode yee bycause of such abhomynacyons misbyleues offeringes thou shewest the fathers of the desolate soules by the haÌ„des of our forefathers that the lande which thou louest aboue all other might be a dwelling for the children of God Neuerthelesse thou sparedst them also as men and sendeste the forerunners of thyne host euen hornettes to destroie out by litle lytle Not that thou waste vnable to subdue the vngodly vnto the rightuous in batell or with cruell beastes or with one roughe worde to destroy theim together But thy mynde was to dryue them out by lytle and lytle Exo. 23. d Deut. 7. d geuing them tyme and place to amend knowyng wel that it was an vnrightuous nacyon and wicked of nature that theyr thoughte myght neuer be altered for it was a cursed sede from the begynnynge feared no maÌ„ yet hast thou pardoned theyr sinnes For who wyll saye vnto the why hast thou done that Or who wyll stand agaynst thy iugemeÌ„t Or who wyl come before thy face an auenger of vnryghtuous men Or who will blame the yf the people perish whome thou haue made For there is none other God but thou 1. Pe. 5. a that carest for all thinges that thou mayst declare how that thi iudgemeÌ„t is not vnright ther dare neyther king ne tiraunt in thy sight requyre accomptes of theim whoÌ„e thou hast destroied Iob. 9. a For so much theÌ„ as thou art rightuous thy selfe thou orderest all thinges rightuously and punyshest euen hym that haue not deserued to be punysshed and takest hym for a straunger and an alyaunt in the laÌ„de of thy power For thy power is the beginniÌ„g of rightuousnes bicause thou art Lorde of all thynges therfore art thou gracious vnto all When men thinke the not to be of a ful streÌ„gth thou declarest thy power and boldli deliuerest thou them ouer that knowe the not But thou Lord of power iudgest quietly and orderest vp with greate worship for thou maist do as thou wilt By such workes now hast thou taught thy people that a man also shuld be iust and louyng and haste made the chyldren to be of a good hope for eueÌ„ whan thou iudgest thou geuest rowme to amende from sinnes For in so muche as thou haste punished and with suche diligence delyuered the enemyes of thy seruauntes which wer worthye to dye wherthorow thou gauest them â—yme and place of amendement that they myght turne froÌ„ theyr wickednes with how great diligence then punishest thou thine owne children vnto whose fathers thou hast sworne and made couenauntes of good promises so wher as thou doest but chasten vs thou punyshest oure enemyes dyuers wayes to the entente that when we punish we shuld remember thy goodnes and wheÌ„ we our selues are punyshed to put our trust in thy mercy Wherfore where as men haue liued ignorauntly and vnryghtuously thou haste punyshed theÌ„ sore Sapi. 11. c Roma 1. c euen thorowe the same thinges that they worshypped for they went astraye very longe in the waye of erroure and helde the beastes whiche euen they re enemyes dispysed for Goddes liuyng as chyldren of no vnderstandynge Therfore haste thou sent a scorneful punyshment amonge them as amonge the chyldren of ignoraunce As for suche as wolde not be refourmed by those scornes and rebukes they felt the worthi punishment of God For the thynges that they suffered they bare them vnpacieÌ„tly beynge not content in them but vnwilling And wheÌ„ they perished by the same thynges that they toke for goddes thei knowledged theÌ„ that there was but one trewe God whom afore they wolde not know therfore came the ende of theyr dampnacion vpon them All thynges be vayne excepte the knowledge of God Ydolatryes and Ydolles are mocked Capi. xiii Roma 1. c Vaine philosophers VAyne are al men whyche haue not the knowledge of God as were they that out of the good thynges whyche are sene knewe not hym that of hym selfe is euerlastynge Neyther toke they so much regarde of the workes that are made as to knowe who was the craftesman of them but some toke the fyre some the wynde or ayer some the course of the sterres some the water some toke sun and moone or the lightes of heuen which rule the yarthe for Goddes But though they had such pleasure in theyr beutye that they thought them to haue bene goddes yet shulde they haue knowen how much more fayrer he is that mad them for the maker of beutye hathe ordeyned al these thinges Or if thei merueled at the power and workes of them they shuld haue perceyued therby that he which made these thynges is myghtyer then they For by the greatnes beutye of the creature the maker therof may playnly be knowen NotwithstaÌ„dyng they are the lesse to be blamed that sought God wolde haue him fouÌ„de and â—et missed and why for in as much as they went about in his workes and sought after them it is a token that they regarded and helde muche of his workes that are sene howebeit they are not holly to be excused For yf theyr vnderstanding knowlege was so great that they coulde discerne the worlde and the creatures Roma 1. c why dyd they not rather fynde out the Lord therof He mocketh the ydolaters But vnhappy are they and amonge the deade is theyr hope that call them Goddes whych are but the workes of meÌ„s handes golde syluer and the thinge that is founde out by cunnyng the symilitude of beastes or any vayne stone that hathe bene made by hand of olde Or as wheÌ„ a carpenter cutteth down a tree out of the wode and pareth of the barke of it cunnynlye and so with the one parte maketh a vessel to be vsed and dressed meate with the residue As for the other parte that is left which is profytable for nothing for it is a croked pece of wood and ful of knobbes he carueth it diligentli thorow his vanitie and accordyng to the knowledge of hys cunnyng ymages he gyueth it some proporcyon facyoneth it after the similitude of a maÌ„ or maketh it like some
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
THE BOKES of Salomon namely Prouerbia Ecclesiastes Cantica canticorum Sapientia Ecclesiasticus or Iesus the sonne of Syrach ¶ The Prouerbes of Salomon ¶ The prayse of wysdome We maye not herken vnto the voluptuous prouocacyon and intisynges of synners wysdom complayneth to be despysed of all men and Prophecieth destruction vnto her despysers Capi. Primo THe Prouerbes of Salomon the sonne of Dauid kyng of Israel to learne wisdō and instructiō and to perceaue the wordes of vnderstandynge therby to receaue prudence ryghteousnes iudgement and equyte That the very simple myght haue wit and that yonge men myght haue knowledge and vnderstandynge By hearyng the wyse man shal come by more wysdom and he that is endued wyth vnderstandyng shal optayne wyt to parceaue a parable and the interpretacion thereof the wordes of the wyse and the darke speaches of the same Iob. 28. d Eccle. 1. c Psa 26. b Prou. ix c The feare of the Lord is the beginnynge of wysdome but fooles despyse wysdome and instruction My sonne heare thy fathers doctrine and forsake not the lawe of thy mother for that shal brynge grace vnto thy heed and shall be as a cheyne aboute thy necke My sonne consent not vnto synners if they entyse the and saye come with vs we wyl laye wayte for blode and lurke priuely for the innocent without a cause we shal Psa 124 a swalowe them vp lyke the hel and deuoure them quicke and whole as those that go downe into the pyt So shall we fynde all maner of costely ryches and fyll oure houses wyth spoyles Cast in thy lot amonge vs and let vs haue all one purse My sonne walke not thou with them refrayne thy fote from theyr waye For Psa 14. a their fete runne to euell and are hastye to shed bloude But in vayne is the net layde forth before the byrdes eyes Yea they them selues laye wayte one for an others blode and one of thē wolde slaye an other These are the wayes of al suche as be couetouse that one wolde rauyshe anothers lyfe Pro. 13. ◠Wysdom cryeth without and putteth forth her voyce in the stretes She calleth before the congregacion in the open gates and sheweth her wordes thorowe the Cytye sayenge O ye chyldren how longe wyl you loue chyldishnes how long wyl the scorners delyte in scornynge and the vnwyse be enemyes vnto knowledge O turne you vnto my correccyon lo I wyl expresse my mynde vnto you and make you vnderstande my wordes Esa 55. b Iere. 8. a I haue called and ye refused it I haue stretched out my hand and no man regarded it but al my counsels haue ye despysed set my correction at nought Therfore shal I also laughe in your destruction mocke you when that thing that ye feare commeth vpon you euen when the thynge that ye be afrayed of falleth in sodēly like a storme and your mysery lyke a tempest yea whē trouble and heuynes commeth vpon you Then shal they cal vpon me but I wil not heare they shall seke me earlye but they shal not fynde me And that because they hated knoweledge and receaued not the feare of the Lord but abhorred my councel and despysed all my correction Therfore shall they eate the fruites of theyr own waie and be filled with theyr owne inuencyons For the turninge awaye of the vnwise shall slaye them and the prosperite of foles shal be theyr owne destruccyon Pro. 3. d But who so harkeneth vnto me shall dwell safely and be suer from any feare of euell ¶ Wysdome is to be embraced and set by whiche teacheth feare and knowlege wysdome directeth vs in the waye of God And an aduouterous woman is to be eschued Capi. ii MY sonne if thou wylte receaue my wordes and kepe my commaundemētes by the that thou wilte encline thyn eares vnto wisdome apply thyne hert then to vnderstanding For yf thou cryest after wisdome and callest for knowledge if thou sekest after her as after moneye and dyggest for her as for treasure then shalte thou vnderstande the feare of the Lorde and fynde the knowledge of God Iaco. 1. a Eccle. 1. a and .7 c For it is the Lorde that giueth wisdome out of his mouth commeth knowledge and vnderstandynge He preserueth the welfare of the rightuous 3. Re. 3. b and .4 d and defendeth them that walke syncerely he kepeth them in the ryghte pathe and preserueth the waye of suche is serue him with godlynes Then shalt thou vnderstande ryghtuousnesse iudgemente and equytie yea and euery good waye When wysdome entreth in to thyne hert and thy soule deliteth in knowlege then shall councell preserue the and vnderstandynge shall kepe the. That thou mayeste be delyuered from the euell waye and from the man that speaketh frowarde thinges From suche as leaue the right pathes and walke in the wayes of darckenesse whiche reioyse in doynge euell and delite in wicked thinges whose wayes are croked and they frowarde in they re pathes That thou mayest be delyuered also Pro. 5. a and .7 a from the straunge woman and from her that is not thyne owne whiche gyueth swete wordes and which forsaketh the husbande of her youthe and forgetteth the couenaunte of her God For her house is enclined vnto death and her pathes vnto hel Al they that go in vnto her come not agayne neyther take they holde of the waye of lyfe Therfore walke thou in the way of suche as be vertuouse and kepe the pathes of the ryghtuous For the Iust shal dwel in the land and they that be perfecte shal remayne in it but the vngodly shal be roted out of the lande and the wycked doers shal be roted out of it ¶ The Commaundementes of God must be dilygently regarded and obserued Capi. iii. MY sonne Deut. 11. a forget not thou my lawe but se that thyn hart kepe my commaundementes For they shal prolonge the dayes and yeares of thy lyfe and bryng the peace Let mercy and faythfulnes neuer go from the bynde them about thy necke and wryte them in the tables of thyne harte So shalt thou fynde fauoure and good vnderstandynge in the sight of god and men Put thy trust in god wyth all thyn hart and leane not vnto thyn own wyt In all thy wayes haue respecte vnto him and he shall ordre thy goynges Esa 10.2 Be not wyse in thyne own conceyte but feare the Lorde and departe from euell so shal thy nauel be whole Rom. 12. c and thy bones stronge Tob. 4. b Honoure the Lorde wyth thy substaunce and wyth the fyrstelynges of al thyne encrease Deut. 21. a Mal. 3. b Exo. 23. c and .34 c Heb. 12. b Apoc. 3. d geue vnto the pore so shal thy barnes be fylled with plentuosnes and thy presses shal flow ouer with swete wyne My sonne despyse no the chastenynge of the Lorde neyther faynte when thou arte rebuked of him For whom the Lorde loueth hym he chasteneth and
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
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
people in subieccyon they were bounde with the bondes of darkenes and longe nyght shute vnder the rofe thynking to escape the euerlasting wisdōe And whyle they thoughte to be hyde in darknes of theyr synnes they were scattered abrod in the very myddest of the darke coueryng of forgetfulnesse put to horryble feare and wonderously vexed for the corner where they myght not kepe them frō feare bicause the sounde came downe vexed thē yee many terrible and straūge visions made them afrayde No power of the fyre might geue thē light neyther myght the clere flames of the starres lighten that horrible nighte for there apered vnto them a sodeyn fyre very dredefull Exod. 7. b At the which when they sawe nothynge they were so afrayed that they thought the thinge which they saw to be the more fereful As for the sorcery enchaūtement that they vsed it came to derisyon and the proude wysdome was brought to shame for they that promised to dryue awaye the fearfulnes and drede from the weke soules were sycke for feare theym selues and that with scorne And though none of the wonders feared thē yet were they afrayd at the bestes which came vpon them and at the hyssynge of the serpentes In so much that with trymbling they swowned and said they sawe not the ayer whiche no man yet maye escape For it is an heuy thynge when a man 's owne conscyence beareth record of hys wickednes and condempneth him And why a vexed and wounded conscyence taketh euer cruell thinges in hand Fearefulnes is nothinge els but a declarynge that a man seketh helpe and defence to aunswere for him selfe Psa 45. a And loke how muche lesse the hope is within the more is the vncertēte of the mater for the which he is punyshed But they that came in the mightye night slepte the slepe that fel vpon them from vnder from aboue somtyme were they afrayed thorow the feare of the wonders and somtime they were so weke that they swowned with al for an hasti and sodeyne fearefulnes came vpō them Afterwarde yf any of thē had fallen he was kepte and shut in prison but without cheynes But yf any dwelte in a village yf it had bene an hearde or husbādman he suffered intollerable necessytie for thei were al boūd with one cheine of darkenesse Whether it were a blasyng winde or a swete songe of the byrdes amonge the thycke braunches of the trees or the vehemēce of hasty runnyng water or great noyse of the fallynge downe of stones or the plaieng and runnyng of beestes whō they sawe not or the mighti noise of rorynge beestes or the sounde that aunswereth againe in the hye mountaynes it made thē swowne for very feare For all the earth shyned with clere light and no mā was hyndered in his labour Onelie vpon them there fell an heuye nyghte an ymage of darknes that was to cōe vpon them Yee they were vnto them selues the moste heuy and horryble darknes ¶ The free lyghte that the Israelytes hade in egypte The persecucyon of the faythfull The Lorde smote all the fyrste borne of Egypte The syn of the people in the wyldernesse Aaron stode bytwyxte the lyue and the deed with hys censour Capi. xviii NEuerthelesse thy holy had a very greate lyghte and the ennemyes hearde theyr voyce but they sawe not the fygure of them And bycause they suffered not the same thinges they magnified the and they that were vexed afore bycause they were not hurt now thanked the Exo. 13. a and besought the O God that there might be a difference Therfore hadde they a burnyng pyller of fyre to leade them in the vnknowē way and thou gauest them the sōne for a free gifte wythout any hurte Reason it was that they shuld wante lyghte and be putte in the Pryson of darkenes whych kept thy chyldren in captiuytye by whome the vncorrupt light of the law of the worlde was for to be gyuen When they thoughte to slee the Babes of the Ryghtuous beynge layde oute and preserued to be leder vnto the other Exodi 1. c thou brouggtest out the hole multitude of the chyldrenne and destroiedst these in the mightye water Exo. 14. c. Of the night were our fathers certified afore that they knowinge vnto what othes they had geuen credēce might be of good chere Thus thy people receiued the helth of the ryghtuous but the vngodly were destroied For like as thou hast hurt oure enemies so haste thou promoted vs whom thou calledste afore For the ryghtuous childrē of the good men offred secretly and ordered the law of ryghtuousnes vnto vnitie that the Iuste shuld receyue good and euell in lyke maner syngynge prayses vnto the father of al mē Againe there was herde a disacordyng voyce of the enemyes a pyteous crye for chyldren that were bewayled The master the seruant were punyshed in like maner For they all together had innumerable that dyed one death Neither were the liuing suffycient to bury the deed for in the twincksing of an eye Exod. 11. c the nobliest nacion of them was destroied As oft as god helped thē aforeier wold it not make thē beleue but in the destruccion of the first borne they knowleged that it was the people of God For whyle al thinges were styl and whē the night was in the myddeste of her course thy almyghty worde o Lorde lept down frō Heuen out of thy royall Trone as a roughe man of warre in the midst of the land that was destroyed and the sharpe swearde perfourmed theyr strayght commaundement standynge and fyllyng all thynges with death yee it stode vpō the earth and reached vnto the heuen Then the syght of the euel dremes vexed them sodenly and fearefulnesse came vpon thē vnwares Then laye there one here an other there halfe deed halfe quicke and shewed the cause of his death For the visyōs that vexed them shewed them these thinges afore so that they were not ignoraūt wherfore they peryshed The temptaciō of deathe touched the ryghtuous also amongst the multitude in the wildernes there was insurreccyō but thy wrath endured not longe Nu 16. g. For the fautles mā wente in al the hast and toke the batayle vpō hym brought forth the weapō of his mynistracion euen praier and the censours of reconcilyng set him selfe againste the wrath so brought the mysery to an ende declaryng therby that he was thy seruaūt For he ouercame not the multitude with bodyly power nor with weapons of might but with the word he subdueth him that vexed him putting the in remembraunce of the othe couenaunte made vnto the fathers For when the deed were fallen downe by heapes one vpon an other Ex. 28. b. c he stode in the midste pacified the wrath parted the way vnto the liuing And why in his longe garment was al the beutye and in the foure rowes of the stones was the glory of the fathers grauen and thy maieste was wryttē in the
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
and fastenethe his stake in her walles He shall pytche his tente nye vnto her hande and in his tente shall good thynges rest for euermore He shall set his children vnder her couerynge and shall dwell vnder her braunches Vnder her couerynge shall he be defended from the heat and in her glory shall he reste ¶ The goodnesse that foloweth hym whiche feareth god god reiecteth casteth of the synner god is not the auctor of euell Capi. xv HE that fearethe god wyll do good and who so kepeth the lawe shall optayne wysdom As an honorable mother shall she mete hym and as a virgin shal she receyue hym mat â— â— Ioh. 4. a With the breed of lyfe and vnderstandynge shall she fede hym * and geue him the water of wholsome wysdom to drynke yf he be constaunt in her he shal not be moued and yf he holde hym faste in her he shall not come to confusion She shall brynge hym to honoure amonge hys neighboures and in the myddes of the congregation shall she open hys mouthe Wyth the spirite of wysedome and vnderstandynge shall she fyll hym and cloth him with the garment of glorye She shall hepe the treasure of myrth ande ioye vpon hym and geue him an euerlastyng name to heritage Folysshe men wyll not take holde vpon her but suche as haue vnderstandynge wyll mete her Folysshe men shall not see her for she is far from pride and disceit Men that go about with lyes wyll not remember her but men of truth shall be fouÌ„d in her and shall prospere euen vnto the beholdyng of god Praise is not semelye in the mouthe of the vngodlye for he is not sent of the LORDE For of God commeth wysdome and the prayse shall stande by the wysedome of god and shall be plentuous in a faythfull mouth and the lorde shall geue her vnto hym Saye not thou It is the Lordes faute that I am goue by for thou shalt not do the thynge that God hateth Saye not thou he hath caused me to do wronge for he hath no nede of the vngodly God hateth abhominacion of erroure and they that feare God wyll loue none suche Genes 1. d. ¶ God made man from the begynnyng and left hym in the hande of hys councell He gaue hym hys commaundementes and preceptes if thou wylt obserue the commaundementes Iere. 1. b. and kepe acceptable faithfulnes for euer they shal preserue the. ¶ He hath set water and fyre before the reache on thine hande vnto whiche thou wylte Before man is lyfe and death good and euel loke what hym lyketh shal be geuen hym For the wysdome of god is greate and myghtie in power and beholdeth all men continually The eyes of the Lorde are vpon them that feare hym and he knoweth al the workes of man He hath coÌ„maunded no man to do vngodly nether hath he geuen any man space to synne ¶ Of vnhappy and wycked chyldren No man can hyd hymselfe from god An exhortacion to the receyuing of instruccion Capi. xvi DElyte not thou in the multytude of vngodly chyldren and haue no plesure in them if they feare not god Trust not thou to theyr lyfe and regarde not theyr laboures for one sonne that feareth God is better then a thousande vngodlye And better it is for a man to dye without chyldren then to leue behâ—nd him suche chyldren as are vngodly For by one that hath vnderstndynge maye a whole cytie be vpholden but though the vngodly be many yet shall it be wasted thorow theÌ„ many suche thynges hath myne eye sene greater thynges then these haue I herde with myne eares Eccle. 21. b ¶ In the congregatyon of the vngodlye shall a fyre burne and amonge vnfaythfull people shall the wrath be kyndled ¶ The olde gyauntes optayned no grace for theyr synnes Gene vi a which were destroyed trustyng to theyr owne strength Neyther spared he them amonge whome Loth whiche was a Ge. xix â— straunger but smot them and abhorred theym because of the pryde of theyr wordes He had no pytye vpon them but destroyed al the people that were so stoute in sinne ¶ And for so much as he ouer awe not the sixe hundreth thousande Nu. xiiii r and .xxvi. t that gathered them selues together in the hardnes of their hert it were meruel yf one beyng harde necked shulde be free ¶ For mercy and wrath is with hym Eâ—cle v. a he is both myghtye to forgeue to pure out displeasure Lyke as his mercye is great euen so is his punishment also he iudgeth a man accordyng to his workes The vngodly shall not escape in hys spoyle and the longe pacyence of hym that sheweth mercye shall not byde behynde All mercye shall make place vnto euerye man accordynge to the worthynesse of hys workes and after the vnderstandynge of his pilgremage Saye not thou I will hyde my selfe from God for who wyll thyncke vpon me from aboue I shall not be knowen in so greate a heape of people for what is my soule amonge so many creatures Beholde the heuen yee the heuen of heuenes the depe the earth and al that ther in is shall be moued at his presence the mountaynes the hylles and the foundacyons of the earth shall shake for feare when God visyteth them These thynges doth no hert vnderstande but he vnderstandeth euery herte and who vnderstandeth his waies No man seith his stormes and the mooste parte of his workes are secrete Who wyl declare the workes of hys ryghtuousnesse or who shall be able to abyde theÌ„ For the couenauÌ„t is far froÌ„ some and trienge out of men is in the ende He that is humble of hert thinketh vpon such thinges but an vnwyse erroneous man casteth his mynde vnto folyshe thynges My sonne herken thou vnto me and lerne vnderstandyng and marke my wordes wyth thyne herte I wyl geue the a suer doctrine and playnely shall I instructe the marke my wordes then in thyne herte for in ryghtuousnesse of the Spiryte do I speake of the wonders that God hathe shewed amonge hys workes from the begynnyng And in the truth do I shewe the knowledge of hym God hath sette hys workes in good order frome the begynning and parte of them hath he sundered from the other He hathe garnysshed his workes from euerlastynge and theyr begynnynges accordynge to theyr generacyons None of them hyndered an other nether was anye of theÌ„ disobedient vnto his wordes After this God loked vppon the earthe fylled it with his goodes With all maner of lyuynge beastes hathe he couered the grounde and they al shall be turned vnto earth agayne ¶ The creation of man and the goodnes that god hathe done vnto hym Of almes and repentaunce Capi. xvii GOd shape man of the erth and made hym after hys owne ymage and turned hym vnto earthe agayne Gene i. d and clothed hym with his own strength He gaue hym the number of dayes and certayne tyme yee and gaue hym power of
workes of wyckednesse The talking of him that feareth god is nothing but wisdom as for a foole he chaungeth as the Moone Yf thou be among the vndiscrete kepe thy worde to a conuenyent tyme but among such as be wise speake on hardely The talking of fooles is abhominacion and theyr sporte is voluptuousnes and misnurtoure Eccl. 22. b Muche swearynge maketh the heare to stande vp and to stryue with such stoppeth the eares The stryfe of the proude is bloodshedyng and theyr blaspheminge is heuy to heare Eccl. 19. b and .22 d. Who so discouerethe secretes leaseth his credence fyndeth no frende after his wyl Loue thy freÌ„de and binde thi self in faithfulnes with him but if thou bewraiest his secrets thou shalt not get him agayne For lyke as the man is that destroyeth his enemy so is he also that dealeth falslye in the freÌ„dship of his neyghbour Like as one that letteth a byrde go out of his hande cannot take her again Euen so thou yf thou geue ouer thy freÌ„de thou canst not get hym againe Yee thou canst not come by him for he is to far of He is vnto the as a Roo escaped out of the snare for his soul is wouÌ„ded As for wouÌ„des they may be bounde vp againe an euell worde may be reconcyled but who so bewraieth the secretes of a freÌ„d there is no more hope to be had vnto him He that wynketh with the eyes Pro. 10. b ymagineth some euel and no man shall take him froÌ„ it WheÌ„ thou art present he shal hyely coÌ„mende and prayse thy wordes but at the last he shal turne his tayle and slaunder thy saieng Many thinges haue I hated but nothing so euel for the lord hymself also abhorreth such a one Exod 21. b who so casteth a stone on hye it shal fal vpon hys owne hed and he that smyteth with gyle wouÌ„deth himself Who so dyggeth a pit shal fal therin he that laieth a stone in his neyghbours way shal stomble theron he that laieth a snare for an other shal be takeÌ„ in it himself Hâ—ste 7. b Psal 7. b Pro. 26. c Eccl. 10. a Who so geueth a wycked noysome counsel it shall come vpon hymselfe he shal not know froÌ„ whence The proude blaspheme and are scorneful but vengeauÌ„ce lurketh for them as a lyoÌ„ They that reioyce at the fal of the ryghtuous shal be takeÌ„ in the snare anguysh of hert shal comsume theÌ„ before they dye Anger rygorousnes ar two abhominable thinges the vngodly hath theÌ„ both vpon him We ought not to desyre vengeaunce but to forgeue the offence Of the vices of the tonge of the daungers therof Capi. xxviii HE Deut. 32 c Rom. 12. c that seketh vengeaunce shall fynde vengeaunce of the Lorde which shal surely kepe him his sinnes Math. 5. b 6. b. 18. b Forgeue thy neyghbour the hurt that he hath done the and so shal the sinnes be forgeuen the also wheÌ„ thou prayest A maÌ„ that beareth hatred against an other howe dare he desire forgeuenes of God He that sheweth no mercy to a maÌ„ which is like him self how dare he aske forgeuenes of his synnes Yf he that is but flesh beareth hatred and kepeth it who wil in treate for his sinnes remember the ende and let enmyte passe which seketh death destruccion and abyde thou in the coÌ„mauÌ„dementes Remember the coÌ„maundemeÌ„t so shalte thou not be rygoruse ouer thy neighbour Thynke vpoÌ„ the couenauÌ„t of the hyest and forgeue thy neighbours ignorauÌ„ce Eccle. 8. a Beware of strife thou shalt make thy synnes fewer For an angrye man kyndeleth variauÌ„ce the vngodly disquieteth frendes putteth dyscorde among them that be at peace Pro. 26. c The more woode there is the more vehement is the fyre the myghtier that meÌ„ be the greater is the wrath and the longer the stryfe endureth the more it burneth An hastye braulyng kyndeleth a fyre and an hasty stryfe shedeth blode A tong also that bereth false wytnes bryngeth deathe Yf thou blow the sparke it shal burn Yf thou spyt vpon it it shal go forth both these out of the mouth Eccle. 21. c The sclaunderer double tonged is cursed for manye one that be freÌ„des setteth he at variauÌ„ce The third tong hath disquieted many one dryuen them from one land to an other Strong cities of the riche hath it broken downe and ouerthroweÌ„ the houses of great meÌ„ the strength of the peple hath it brought downe and bene the decaye of mighty nacions The third tonge hath cast out many an honest woman and robbed theÌ„ of theyr labours Who so harkeneth vnto suche shal neuer fynde rest neuer dwel safely The stroke of the rod maketh yedders but the stroke of the tong smytteth the bones in sunder Ther be many that haue peryshed with the sweard but many mo thorow the tonge Well is him that is kept from an euel tonge coÌ„meth not in the anger therof which draweth not the yoke of such as be not bounde in the bandes of it For the yoke therof is of yron the hande of it of stele The death therof is a very euel death hell were better for one theÌ„ such a toÌ„ge But the fyre of it may not oppresse them that feare god the flame therof maye not burne theÌ„ Suche as forsake the Lorde shall fall therin it shall burne them and no man shal be able to quench it It shal fal vpoÌ„ them as a Lyon and deuoure them as a leoparde Thou hedgest thy goodes with thornes why doest thou not rather make doers barres for thy mouth Thou weyest thy golde siluer why dost thou not weye thy wordes also vpoÌ„ the balaunce Beware that thou slyde not in thy tonge so fall before thine ennemyes that laye wayte for the thy fall be incurable euen vnto deathe ¶ Howe we oughte to lende our money and do almes Of a faythful man aunswerynge for hys frende Of lyberalytie and hospitalitie Capi. xxix WHo so wyll shewe mercy Deut. 15. a Luce. 6. d. let him leÌ„de vnto his neighbour he that is able let him kepe the commaundement Lend vnto thy neighbour in tyme of his nede paye thou thy neyboure agayn in due season Kepe thy worde and deale faithfully with him and thou shalt alwaye fynde the thinge that is necessarye for ye. There haue bene many that wheÌ„ a thynge was lent them rekened it to be founde made theÌ„ trauayle laboure that had helped them Whyle they receyue any thing they kisse the haÌ„des of suche as geue theÌ„ for theyr neyghbours good they humble theyr voyce But wheÌ„ they shuld pay agayne they kepe it backe geue euell wordes and make many excuses by reason of the tyme though he be able yet geueth he scarse the halfe agayne rekeneth the other to be founde And yf he with holde not his money yet hath he an enemye of
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
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