Which did at Sodome dwell Of all the goods hee then possest they left him nere a dele 21. And one of them which had escap'te to Abram ranne apase And toulde hym all how that Lot to them nowe Captiue was 22. Abram with Mamre brother then of Escoll and Aner Together these in perfect league confederated were 23. Uppon this newes prepar'd themselues and Abram forth him spedde And Harnised his Yongmen freshe borne in his house and bredde 24. Three hundred and eightene were they and euery one a man They all pursude the Ennemy vntil they came to Dan. 25. And Abram there vpon them set hee and his men by Night And smote them and pursued them to Hoba in their flight 26 â–ª And there recouered all the goods and brought thence backe agayne His Brother Lot and People all that then were left vnslayne 27. When after hee returned had from slaughter of the Kinge Kederlaomer and the rest of Kinges that hee did bringe 28. There mette him in the Ualley playne which Kynges Dale is to name Kinge Bera Kinge of Sodome Lande and halste him in the same 29. Melchisedech of Salem Kinge came also forth in fine Him to salute with Presente meete and brought forth Breade and Wine 30. Hee was the Priest to God of Gods in perfecte doctrine staid And by the holy sprite of God hee Abram blest and sayd 31. Blest bee thou Abram euermore of God the Lorde on hye Possessor both of Heauen and Earth and all that liues thereby 32. And blessed bee the God most high the God of Sea and Lande Which hath thy Foes deliuered by might into thy hande 33. And then the Kinge of Sodome sayd to Abram in this wife Geue me the Soules and take the Goods as please thee them deuise 34. Abram to him thus aunswered I haue lifte vp my hande â–ª To God that owes both Heauen and Earth before whose Face I stande 35. I will not take of that is thine what euer that it bee So much as is a little Threed or Lachet shooe from thee 36. Least thou perhaps hereafter say Abram is rich by mee Saue onely that which eaten is by these Yongmen you see 37. And eke the partes I do except of those with me that wente Aner Escoll and Mamre eke their partes shall them content The Contents of the XV. Chapter The Lande agayne is promysed To Abram and his seede Abram beleeues and therefore hee Is Iustified in deede The Prophecie of Bondage great To Isralites that fell Howe they vnder Kynge Pharao Fowre hundred Yeares shoulde dwell And howe they were deliuered This same shall also tell ANd after when these thinges were done and Abram wel apayde The word of God to AbraÌ„ came in Uision thus and sayde 2. Bee of good cheare not afraid for I am thy defence Exceedinge great is thy rewarde ere thou departest hence 3. Agayne to God then Abram sayde Lorde what wilt thou mee geue Sith I goe Childlesse vp and downe thâ— Dayes that I do liue 4. The Childe of this thy Stewardship that 's of my House to showe Is hee the same Eleazer was borne at Damasco 5. O Lord my God behold and see thou geuest mee no sâ—ede And loe this Ladde borne in my House myne Heyre shal be in deede 6. The word of God yet once againe came vnto Abrams Eare Which sayde the Ladde borne in thy House hee shall not bee thine Heyre 7. But of thy Body one shall come thy Sonne and Heyre shal be And then God brought him out and sayd looke vp to Heauen and see 8. And tell the starres therein that bee if thou them number can Euen so thy Seede on Earth shal bee surpassinge reach of man 9. And what the Lorde to Abram sayde of Abram was beleeu'de Which reckned was such righteousnes as might not bee remeu'de 10. To him agayne the Lord yet sayde I am that brought thee free From Vr out of the Chaldee Lande to geue this Lande to thee 11. O Lord my God sayde Abram then whereby shall I this knowe That I this Lande shal so possesse as thou hast sayde or no 12. God hade him take an Heifer yonge of three yeares olde to bee A Female Goate a Ramme likewise whose Ages shoulde agree 13. A Turtledoue a Pigeon yonge God also had him take And Abram knewe after what sorte hee should diuision make 14. All these hee tooke and in the midd'st deuided them in twaine And then one peece gaynst other set in order so agayne 15. But yet the Foules hee sundred not ne woulde them so display As Birdes vppon their Carkasse fell hee draue them still awaye 16. And when the Sunne declined was and Darcknes did appeare On Abram fel a slumbring sleepe and eke a sodayne feare 17. And in the same God sayd to him let this be knowne to thee Thy seede shall dwell in forrayne Lande and as a Straunger bee 18. And Seruauntes theirs shall they become and do what they them will And for their paynes foure hundred Yeares shall they reward them ill 19. This Nation yet whom they shall serue shall Iudged be of mee And after shall thy seede departe with richesse and be free 20. And thou in peace shalt passe away whereas thy Fathers lye And in an Olde â–ª and goodly age shalt buried lye them by 21. And in the fourth Age after this they shall agayne come heere For why the sinne of th'Amorites more fuller shall appeere 22. And after so it came to passe when downe the Sunne did goe Aboue vnder the Firmament a darky Cloude did showe 23. A smokinge Furnace and a Brande of glowinge Fyer seene Which went the peeces as they laye oft to and fro betweene 24. And in the Daye when this was seene God did a Gou'naunt make With Abram saying to thy Seede this Lande haue I betake 25. From Egipt vnto Euphrates by Riuers as they flowe The Kenits and the Kenizites and Kadmonites also 26. The Hethites and the Pheresites and Giantes fierce and fell The Amorites and Cananites with Kinreddes where they dwell 27. The Gergesites and Iebusâ—tes with all that these possesse Unto thy Seede haue I this geuen by Cou'naunt I confesse The Contents of the XVI Chapter To Abram Sarai geueth leaue to take her Mayde to wyfe The Mayde her Maistresse doth displease by which there grewe much strife And Sarai doth intreate her ill the Mayde doth runne away The Aungell meetinge wyth the Mayde commaundeth her to staye And to her Maistresse to returne sayinge all shall bee well And that the Childe shee went wythall shoulde calde bee Ismaell ANd Sarai Abrams Wife that was bare him no Childe as yet And hauinge in her House a Mayde shee thought her for him fit 2. And therefore vnto Abram sayd the Lorde doth me restrayne So that I can no Children deare but barreyn still remayne 3. I pray thee goe in to
sprang out also vii withred Eares of Corne So thyn and blasted with the Wynd worse Corne was neuer borne 31 And those vii Eares that withred were and blasted with the Wynde Deuoured vp the Seuen good Eares and nothing left behynde 32 This haue I told my Southsayers and Wyse men of my Land But they hereof can nothing tell ne oughte do vnderstand 33 Then Ioseph vnto Pharo sayd both Pharoes Dreames are one And God doth shew what he wil doe to Pharo euen anone 34 The Seuen good Kyne do signify Seuen Yeares that happen shal The seuen good Eares are Yeares also but one Dreame is it all 35 Lykewyse the Seuen ill fauord Kyne that after them came foorth That were so Leane so poore and thynne appearing nothing worth 36 Are eke seuen Yeares the blasted Eares of corne that did appeare Shalbe Seuen Yeres of Dearth so great as Eare did neuer heare 37 This is the thing that I haue sayd before my Lord the King And God to Pharo hath declard what he to passe will bring 38 Behold Seuen Yeares of Plenty great in all the Land shal be And after them agayne shall ryse Seuen Yeeres of Penury 39 Wherein such Famine shall abound and bryng the Land in Thrall That those Seuen Yeares of Plenty great shall be forgot of all 40 Thus Famine shal consume the Land that none remember shal The plenty past by reason of the Honger that shall fal 41 And where the Dreame the Second time to Pharo doubled was Behold God hath establisht it shortly to bring to passe 42 Now therfore let the Kyng prouide for such a Man as knowes And vnderstandes what Wisdome is and set him ouer those 43 That do inhabite in the Lande to beare the rule and sway And vnder hym such Officers as may in tyme puruay 44 And let them take the fyft part vp of Foode through out the Land That shal in those Seuen plenteous Yeeres fall in th'Egiptians Hande 45 And let the same and Corne also that they shal then prouyde Be vnder th' hand of Pharo brought the same to lay asyde 46 And that there may in Citties all be stoare of Foode to serue Agaynst the tyme of Hunger come that People may not sterue 47. And that the Land not peryshe may through Hunger that shal growe This saying pleased Pharo well and Seruauntes his also 48 And Pharo sayd his Seruaunts to who then were hym beside Where shall we fynd a Man lyke this in whom Gods Sprite doth byde 49. And Pharo vnto Ioseph sayd for so much as I see That God hath shew'd these thynges to the which thou hast told to mee There is no Man that wisdome hath nor Knowledge like to thee 50. Thou shalt therefore ouer my House beare all the Rule and swaye And what thou speakste my People shall in euery thing obay 51 Onely I will aboue thee bee in Kingly Seate and Throne But otherwise thou Gouerne shall and Rule the rest alone 52. And sayd behold I haue thee sette to Rule ouer the Land So tooke his Rynge his Fynger from and put on Iosephs hand 53 And hym arayd in Cloth of Raines â–ª as Princes wont to weare Lykewyse about his necke he put a chayne of Gold to beare 54 And set him vp aloft to Ryde a Charret rych vpon Which was of all that Pharo had the best excepting one 55 And as he rode they cryde before to Ioseph â—owe the Knee Thus Pharo made him Gouernour of Egipt Land to bee 56 Sayd Pharo then I Pharo am but yet this vnderstand Without thee shal no Subiect myne lift vp his Foote or Hand 57 And Pharo called Iosephs name in Hebrew as wee fynde Zaphnath Paaneah that 's to say the Opener of the Mind 58 He gaue Asenath to his Wyfe to feede his ioyes vpon The Daughter of Potipherah the Prince or Preest of On. 59 Then Ioseph did prepare him selfe the Land to goe aboue There 〈◊〉 no peâ—â—e of Egypt Land that Ioseph sought not out 60 And Thirty 〈◊〉 was he of Age when he before the Kyng Did standin grace and had the charge to gouerne euery thyng 61 Thus from the presence of the Kynge did Ioseph now departe And went the Land of Egipt through with humble Sprite and hart 62 And in those seuen yeares plentiful late spoken of before The Earth of Corne and sundry grayne brought foorth abundaunt store 63 And Ioseph gathered all the Foode that those seuen yeares did yeld And looke what Cittie lay most neere the foode of any field 64 Within the same it was layd vp vnto the Off'cers hand This was the Order that hee kept through all th' Egiptian Land 65 The wheate that Ioseph vp had layd to serue in tyme of neede For multitude was lyke the Sand it nomber did exceede 66 And ere the yeares of hunger came Ioseph had two Sonnes borne By Asenah his wyfe that was of whom wee heard beforne 67 And hee the first of those two Sonnes Manasseth did he call For God sayd hee made mee forget my Fathers Houshold all 68 And Ephraim did Ioseph call his other second Sonne God hath me fruitful made sayd hee in mine affliction 69 And when the seuen yeares plentiful were ended with their store Then came the seuen yeeres Famin foorth as Ioseph sayd before 70 Though Famine fel in al the Landes yet Egipt Land was free For when the rest of Honger dyed yet Foode was there to see 71 And after this the Hunger came into th' Egiptian Land And then the people gan to crye for bread at Pharaos hand 72 Sayd Pharao then to Ioseph go and what he sayth to you The same perfourme and you shal see great goodnesse shall ensue 73 The Dearth was great throughout the Land and Ioseph went apace To eu'ry Towne where store was kept and sold in eu'ry place 74 All Countries els to Egipt came of Ioseph Corne to buye The Famin was so great abrode the want made manye dye The Contentes of the XLII Chapter To Egipte Iosephs Brethren come some Vytayle for to buye And Ioseph knowes them very well and doth his Brethren trye And Simeon in Hold is put in Pryson of the king Tyl they vnto their Father goe young Beniamin to bring His Father 's loath to let him goe because hee lou'de him best But at the last contented is and grauntes to their request AND Iacob saw that there was Corne in Egipt to bee had Sayd to his Sonnes why gape ye one an other on so sad In Egipt there is Corne I heare therfore let vs be glad 2 Now get you downe and thyther goe some Corne from thence to buye That wee therewith may feede and lyue and not through Hunger die 3 So went the Sonnes of Iacob downe which Tenne in number were And Brethren all by fathers syde to Ioseph that was there 4 But Beniamin who Brother was to Ioseph in whole Bloud Their father would not let him
enough and fyer it to burne But wher 's the Shepe for Sacrifice that now should serue the turne 14. My louing sonne sayd Abraham I pray thee be content God wil prouyde for Sacrifyce a shepe that shal be brent And so together louinglye vpon the Mount they went 15. And when they came vnto the place which God had shewed him There Abraham an Alter made and wood he dressed trym 16. And tooke his swete sonne Isahac and bound him as he stoode And layde hym there the Alter on aloft vpon the wood 17. And as he stretched forth his hand therein he toke the knyfe Myndyng therwith to kil his sonne and reaue him of his lyfe 18. But then the Angel of the Lorde thus spake from heauen hye O Abraham O Abraham he sayd Lord here am I. 19. Laye not thy hand sayd th'Angell than vpon thy Childe to kyl Ne any other thynge attempt wherby to do him ill 20. For now I know thou fearest God by this that thou hast done And hast not spared for my sake thy deare and onely Sonne 21. And Abraham his Eies lift vp and lookte on eu'ry syde And loe a Ramme by hornes was caught In bushie Thicket tyde 22 His Chyld he toke and did vnbynd and from the Alter sette And went vnto the Thicket there from whence the Ramme hee fette 23. And offred for a Sacrifyce the Ram that he so caught In steede of his sonne Isahacke whom he for offringe brought 24. And Abraham did call the place Almighty God wil see â–ª As it is sayd vnto this day In Mount God seene wil be 25. The Angel calde the seconde tyme from Heauen to Abraham And sayd I haue my selfe sworne by beecause thou hither cam 26. And hast thus done and hast not sparde thy onelye Sonne I see I promise make in Blessyng good I wil my selfe blesse thee 27. In multiplying I likewyse wil multiply thy Seede As Stars in Heauen and as the Sand vpon Sea Shore in deede 28. And more thy Seede shal eke possesse the gates of al his foes And in thy Seede shal Nations al vpon the Earth that growes 29 Be henceforth blessed euer more because that thou hast hearde My voyce and to fulfyl my wil. thou hast no time deferde 30 So Abraham then turned backe where his two youngmen lay They rose and so together went to Berseba the way 31. And after these thyngs ended were one vnto Abraham Brought from his brother Nahor newes how Children eyght forth came 32 From Milcha which was Nahors wyfe And sister vnto Lot I say that Nahor by his wife these children Eyght begot This Remuel that third sonne is by Pedagree you see The father of Th'Assyrians reported is to bee 〈◊〉 Milcha Vz. Buz Keâ—uel Chesed Haso â—eidâ—â—h Iâ—dlaph Bethuel Laâ—an Rebecca Rumah the Concubine Tebah Gaâ—an Thahash Maacha The difference betvvene the Wyfeand the Concubyne vvas this the one vvas taken vvith certayn solemnities of mariage and her children did enherit the Concubyne not so neyther did her children inherit but had a porcion of goodes or monye geuen theÌ„ The Contentes of the XXIII Chapter Of Saras death and burial in field that Abram bought The manner how to mourne the dead by Abram are we taught AN Hundreth twenty seuen yeares was Sara when she dyde For so long did she liue on Earth and myght no longer byde 2. TheÌ„ Abraham came for to mourn and wepe for Saras death And stode vp from the sight of hyr to talke with sonnes of Heth 3. And sayde behold a Stranger I forreyner yee see Desyre some grounde to bury in I pray you geue it me 4. That I may bury thys my Corse out of my sight to day The children then of Heth agayne this wyse to him gan say 5 Behold my Lorde thou art a Prince of God among vs all In chefest of our Sepulchres thy dead thou bury shall 6. For none of vs shal thee forbidde the Sepulchres we haue But therein mayst thou lay thy dead as thou thyselfe dost craue 7 Then Abraham stode vp and gaue obeysance for the same Before the people of the land th'ofspringe of Heth by name 8. And further sayd he vnto them if it your pleasure bee I bury shall my deade from syght then harken vnto mee 9. Ephron the sonne of Zoar hath a double Caue you knowe Which in the ende of all his Fielde appeareth there in showe 10. I you besech to speake for me that I the same may haue For so much money as it 's worth no other do I craue 11. And in the presence of you al I will the Money paye â–ª For a possession vnto me wherin I bury may 12. Ephron the Heth it answered to Abrahams request In hearyng of the Children all of Heth and of the rest 13. That went in at the Citty Gates â–ª not so my Lord heare me The Field and Caue that is therein I freely geue it thee 14 And this I speake in presence here of Sonnes and people myne I geue it thee interre thy dead for euer it is thyne 15. And Abraham his body bowd as then such was the guyse Before the people in the land and aunswerd in this wise 16 I pray thee harken vnto mee if it thee not offend I wyl geeue Syluer for the field and count thee so my freend Take it and I wyl burye there my dead and so an ende 17 Ephron agayne to Abraham in this sort did replye Four hundred sikles is the Lande of Syluer worth to buye 18 Alas my Lord and what is that twixt Abraham and mee Enterre therfore thy dead therein and take it vnto thee 19 And Abraham gaue eare to him and did the siluer pay In hearing of the Sonnes of Heth asmuch as he did say 20 Four hundreth siluer Sikles t' was of currant monye told Such as the Marchauntes vse to take for Wares when they haue sold 21 For Ephrons Fyeld with double Caue before Mamre that lay With trees therein and borders round did Abraham then paye 22 So was it made to Abraham possession good and sure In sight of Hethite Children there for euer to endure 23 Also in presence of theym all that to the Cittie went This thing was done and witnessed the Parties were content 24 And after this did Abraham interre within this Caue Sara his wyfe with auncient Rytes as Corses vse to haue 25 This Field and Caue and Trees therein Mamre before doth lye Which Hebron is and in the Land of Canaan to trye 26 So both the Field the Caue and all was by the Sonnes of Heth Thus wyse made sure to Abraham for buriall after death The Contents of the XXIIII Chapter How Abraham his Seruaunte makes to sweare ere thing be done And sendes him foorth a wyfe to seeke for Isaac his sonne He sought and brought Rebecca home as God appointed had VVhom Isaac tooke vnto wyfe
geeue it thee 20 This Laban now two daughters had and Lea was the one And Rahel shee the youngst of twaine was fayr'st to looke vpon 21 And Iacob Rahel loued well and therfore sayd in fyne Seuen yeares I wyl thy seruaunt bee for Rahell daughter thyne 22 Much better t' is sayd Laban tho my daughter thyne to bee Then his vnknowne a straunger borne and from my kinred free I am content it shal be so abyde here styl with me 23 For Rahel Iacob thus became to Laban bound as tho Those yeares with him few dayes did seeme his loue encreased so 24 And when seuen yeares expired were geeue mee my wife sayd hee That I may know her as I ought for now I am set free 25 Then Laban Father to the Mayde together streight did cal The Men and Brethren of that place and so did feast them all 26. When Night was come hee Leah tooke and vnto Iacob brought And Iacob went as Custome was to Rahel as hee thought 27 But when the Morning did appeare the matter for to trye Behold Leah not Rahel t' was with Iacob that did lye 28 Wherfore sayd Iacob hast thou playd this subtil part with mee Did I not serue for Rahel thyne this seuen yeares past with thee Wherfore hast thou thus me beguilde as al these People see 29 To whom thus Laban aunswered the maner of this place Is not the youngest to preferre before the eldest face 30 Passe out this weeke then shal this Mayde be geeuen to thee also And for the same thou shalt mee geeue seuen yeares of seruice moe 31 So Iacob did and passed out the weeke as was the guise Then Laban Rahel gaue to him to bee his wife likewise 32 So Iacob now two wyues possesâ— but Rahel loued hee For whom hee serued Fourtene yeares and after was set free 33. When God did see how Iacob did Lea his Wyfe dispise Hee blest her Wombe and fruictfull made before the Peoples Eyes 34. But Rahell whom hee lyued best did barren yet become And Lea shee conceiued streight and brought him forth a sonne 35. And Ruben called shee his name and sayd the Lorde did see My sorrowe greate and therefore nowe my Husbande will loue mee 36. And shee againe conceiued was and so to passe it cam The Lord hath hard and seene saith shee that I dispised am 37. And therefore hath this Sonne me geuen to feede my ioyes vpon And so her second Sonne shee cal'de by name of Simeon 38. The third time yet conceiued shee an other Sonne him bare For this sayth shee my husband now my company wil not spare 39 Because I haue three sonnes hym borne to make him glad wythall And therfore shee her third sonne nam'de and Leuy did him call 40 And she the fourth time dyd conceiue and bare another sonne Sayd she now will I prayse the Lord for this that hee hath donne 41. And Iuda called shee this Childe and so shee bare no moe Till afterward it pleased God his blessinge great to shoe The Contentes of the XXX Chapter Rahell and Lea both in Barrennesse do ly ue Both geue their maydes their Husbands til and they hym Children gyue Lea geues Mandragore to Rahell wyth good wyl That Iacob myght wyth Lea lye that Nyght her mynde to fill How Laban Rych is made for this same Iacobs fake And Iacob Rich is made also and so his leaue doth take WHen Rahell saw she Iacob by no Childe as yet could beare Shee at her Sister enuy had and sayd to Iacob there 2. Geue children vnto me also else presently I dye Then Iacob angry was with her and sayd a GOD am I 3. Or in Gods steede which hath withheld of Children fruict from thee Behold sayth shee there is my Mayde go in to her and shee 4. Shal Children beare vpon my Lappe and I the same will take And as my owne vpon my Knee will dandle for thy sake 5. So thus her handmaide did shee geue her husbandes Wyfe to bee By whom this Maide conceiued was and forth a Sonne brought shee Sayd Rahell then God hath me heard and sentence geuen with mee 6. For why the Lord hath heard my voyce I well perceiue the same And hath mee geuen a goodly Boye and Dan shee cal'de his name 7. Agayne Bilha conceiued was and bare another Sonne Sayd Rahel now by wrestlinge thus I haue the maistery won 8. And got of Lea Sister mine the Godly victorie So named shee her second Sonne and cal'de him Naphtalie 9. When Lea sawe shee bearinge left more Children could not haue Shee Silpha tooke her Mayde that was and to hir husband gaue Soe Iacob tooke her vnto wyfe and shee brought him a Lad 10 Sayd Lea now a Company comes and so did cal hym Gad. 21 Againe this Silpha Leas mayd another sonne him bare Ah blest am I said Lea then for Daughters al that are Will blesse me now and so that sonne shee called him Assar. 12 Now Ruben Iacobs eldest sonne and first of Lea borne Wâ—nt forth in Dayes of wheat Haruest when shocked was the Corne. 13 And found by chaunce Mandragoras in field as he did goe Which is an herbe whose roote men say the shape of man doth showe 14 To Lea did he giue the same that then his Mother was Said Rahel Sister giue me of thy Sonnes Mandragoras 15 I' st not enoughe sayd Lea then that thou my husband haue But would my Sonnes Mandragoras away likewyse to craue 16 If that thy Sonnes Mandragoras thou wylt gyue vnto me I am content that Iacob shal this Night goe sleepe wyth thee 17 So Lea gaue Mandragoras and Rahel was content At euen as Iacob homeward came to meete him Lea went 18 And sayd come vnto mee sweete hart this Night I haue the bought Wyth my swete Sonnes Mandragoras which neuer cost me ought 19 And so that Night wyth her he slept and God did Lea heare She did conceyue and so by him her fift Sonne did she beare 20 Sayd she God hath rewarded mee because my Mayde I gaue And Isachar shee cald her Sonne for so shee would him haue 21 And Lea yet conceiu'de agayne and brought the sixt Sonne foorth God hath mee now endude shee sayd with Dowrye much in worth 22 Now wil my husband dwel with mee to feede my ioyes vpon Because sixe Sonnes I haue him borne and cald him Zabulon 23 A Daughter yet she after bare and Dina was her name And God remembred Rahel too and did her keepe from blame 24 He heard her voyce and frutefull made a Mother for to bee So when shee was deliu'red of a goodly Boy to see 25 The Lord hath taken my rebuke now cleane away sayth she And Ioseph named shee her Sonne and sayd Lorde geeue to mee Another Sonne to play withall if so thy pleasure bee 26 So soone as Rahel had brought forth young
â—uer Peniél the Sunne him rose vpon So halted hee of that same Thigh the Angel stroke him on 44 The Israelites forbeare to eate The Synewe to this daye That is in that place of the Thighâ— where Iacobs Synewe lay 45 Because the man that stroue with him did touch the hollow place Of Iacobs Thighe wherein hereby the shronken Synewe was The Contentes of the XXXIII Chapiter Esau and Iacob are agreed and Esau goes to Seir. And Iacob vnto Sichem went and set his Tentes vp there THen Iacob lifting vp his eies his Brother did behold And wyth hym came foure huÌ„dreth men as erst to hym was tolde 2. Then Iacob vnto both his Wyues and to his Maidens twayne His Children put ech by themselues in order to remayne 3. The Maydens both and Children theyrs that he by them did get The formost of the company in order did hee set 4 And next to them he Lea plaste and Children hers also And Rahell last with her younge Sonne appoincted was to goe 5 And then himselfe went them before as Guide vnto them all Seuen times ere hee his Brother mette vppon the Ground did fall 6 Esau hym met embraced hym and frendly did him kisse They both brast forth with Teares and wept great Ioy to see was this 7 Then Esau lifted vp his eies and did the women see And Children theyrs standing them by whence hast thou these sayth he 8 And do these women and these youthes â–ª belonge or no to thee They are sayd he thy Seruauntes Sonnes which God hath geuen to mee 9 Then came the Maydes wyth Children theirs and did obeysaunce showe And Leah wyth her Chyldren came and did her dutye knowe 10 And last of all came Ioseph forth his Mother Rahell too Who gaue to him obeysaunce such as duty bad them doe 11 Sayd Esau vnto Iacob then what Droue is that I met Of Goates of Sheepe of Camelles Bulles of Kyne and other Neaâ—e 12 My Lord sayd he that fauour I may finde in sight of thee I haue them sent vnto my Lord as present geuen from me 13 Not so my Brother Esau sayd enough haue I in store I neede them not kepe that thou hast vnto thy selfe therefore 14 Ah nay My Lord but if I haue found fauor in thy sight Receyue this present from my handes and therein do me right 15. For I this Day haue seene thy Face as though I should beholde The Face of God and thy good will both makes mee glad and bolde 16 Ah take my blessinge that is brought for God hath mercy showne And so â—ee Esau did compell to take it for his owne 17. When hee these Presentes had receiu'de let vs sayd hee now go And I will leade the Waye before my Lord sayde hee not so 18. Thou know'ste the Children tender are the Ewes with Younge bee great So bee the Kine vnder my Hand I shall my Lord entreate 19 Least Men the Herd should ouerdriue but euen one Day to try Both Ewes and Kine and all the rest would perish by and by 20. And therefore let my louinge Lord goe on before ifâ— please And I will softly after come and driue the Herd with ease 21. So as the Cattell may endure and Children able bee I shall to Seir still follow on and there my Lord will see 22. Sayd Esau then yet let mee leaue some of my Folke with thee What needeth it my Lord sayd he this one thing graunt to mee 23. That I mayâ— grace and fauour finde before thy sight this Daye For thereof haue I nede my Lord for which I humbly pray 24. So now agayne did Esau go to Seir forthe on his way And Iacob did his Iourney take to Suchot which men say 25. Was called so by reason of the Tentes and Bothes he made Wherein his Cattel from the heate was cherisht in the shade 26 And Iacob built him there an howse and so to Salem cam Of Sichem whych a City is in Land of Canaan 27. And this was after he came from Mesopotamia Which is a Country longe and brode and sette in Asia 28 Before this City did he pitch his Tentes whereas he found Of Hamors brode of whom he bought a certaine peece of Ground And for the same in mony payd an hundreth peeces round 29 And Iacob built an Aulter there to prayse the Lord wythal And on the God of Israell continually did cal The Contents of the XXXIIII Chapter The rauishing of Dina fayre that Iacobs daughter was By Sichem Hamors sonne and Heyre who sought to bring to passe To haue this Dina to his wyfe and so was borne in hand By brethren hers who tooke the lyfe of Males all in the Land WHhylst Iacob there inhabited in Salem t' vnderstand His daughter Dina went to see the daughters of the Land 2 When Sichem Hamors sonne her saw who Lord was of that Soyle Within his brest her beautie bred of Lust such burning broyle 3 That hee by force this mayden tooke her person did abuse His hart on Dina was so layd hee had no power to chuse 4 He spake her fayre and loued her as deare as his owne lyfe And to his father Hamor sayd get mee this mayd to wyfe 5 Iacob this knew but held his prace til hee his Sonnes might see For they were keeping Beastes in field as t' was their wont to bee 6 And Hamor Sichems Father came and vnto Iacob went To common of his Sonnes request was nothing els hee ment 7 But when the Sonnes of Iacob came whose Sister Dina was And heard by Sichems likinge lewd what thing was come to passe 8 It greeu'd them much and wroth they were hee had such folly wrought In Israel which thing in deede no man to do so ought 9 And Hamor vnto Iacob sayd the Soule of this my Sonne Doth long for Dina Daughter yours in maryed state to wonne 10 Geeue her to wyfe and ioyne with vs your Daughters geeue also And take our Daughters vnto you wee may together grow 11 So shall wee then together dwell the Land for you shal bee Therein to doe as best you like and haue possession free 12 Then Sichem to her Father sayd and Brethren hers likewise Uouchsafe this fauour I may fynde and Grace before your eyes 13 And what soeuer you appoint that playnly wil I geeue Demaund large Gyftes and Dowry both it shall no whyt me greeue 14 Yea I wyl geeue according that which you shall say to mee So that the Damsel you do geeue my spoused wyfe to bee 15 Then Iacobs Sonnes sayd vnto them wee cannot do this thinge To geeue her one vncircumcis'd should shame vpon vs bring 16 Deceitfullye did Iacobs Sonnes to Sichem vse wordes mylde Because their Sister Dina hee thus Lewdly had defilde 17 In this wee wil consent sayd they if thou wilt bee as wee Let all the males among you borne then Circumcised bee 18 So will wee geeue
goe but kept him backe for good 5 Least some Misfortune might him hap as hee of Ioseph thought And so the Tenne to Egipt went and Corne for Many sought 6 And thus among the preasse they past with Monie in their hand For yet the Dearth was very great throughout all Canaan Land 7 Now Ioseph beeing Gouernour deliu'red with his hande The Corne and sold to all that came inhabiting the Land 8 Among the which his Brethren came and fell before his face Downe flat vpon the Ground they lay and him besought of Grace 9 When Ioseph had his Brethren spyde he knew them wel ynough And made him selfe al straunge to them and spake in woordes ful rough 10 From whence come you they aunswered from Land of Canaan To buye some vytayle for our Coyne in humblest wyse we can And al this whyle they knew him not from any other man 11 Now Ioseph to remembraunce cald the Dreame he dreamde of them Which hee them told ere he was sold vnto the Marchaunt men 12 And sayd you are but Spies I know which hither make Resort To see where as the Land is weake the same for to report 13 Not so my Lord wee come sayd they some Uittal for to buye We meane but troth and are no Spies as deede it selfe shall trye And are the Sonnes of one man all this Troth is and no lye 14 Sayd hee I know you are but Spies what ere you beare in hand And hyther are you come to see the weakenesse of the Land 15 Sayd they thy Seruauntes Brethren be twelue gotten by one man And he our Father doth remayne in Land of Canaan 16 Our yongest Brother Beniamin wyth him doth byde this Day And Ioseph that our brother was is dead out of the way 17 Sayd Ioseph then to them againe this makes me doubt you more To be but Spies vppon the Land as I haue sayd before 18 And hereby shal I proue you true or false in that you say Now here I swere by Pharos lyfe you shall not goe away 19 Except your youngest Brother come whom Beniamin you call Therefore send one who may him fetch and come hymself wythal 20 And you in pryson shal be kept to proue this truth or lies Elles by the Lyfe of Pharao King I take you al as Spies 21 And so he put them all in Ward wherein three Dayes they lay Then Ioseph came to them agayne and on this wise did saye 22 This do and Liue for I feare God and will not ly to you If you be Men that of your wordes wil Iust be found and true 23 Let one of you in pryson House be bound for all the rest The other Nyne shall victuall haue â–ª to carry of the best 24. Least Famine fall your Houses in but bringe you vnto mee Your younger Brother that your wordes may true appeare to bee And that you dye not through the same and so they did agree 25. One Brother to another sayd our Sinne was very great That wee gainst Brother Ioseph did when hee did vs intreat 26. Yea in the Anguishe of his Soule hee gently vs besought And wee would not regard his Wordes but set the same at nought And therefore are these troubles great vppon vs iustly brought 27. Sayd Ruben then did I not say and warninge geue of this Wee should not sinne against the Child least thinges should hap amisse You would not heare and now behold his Bloud required is 28. They thought that Ioseph had not knowne or vnderstood their Tongue For that by an Interpreter hee spake to them amonge 29. When Ioseph heard what moane they made hee turn'd aside and wept And by and by with them did talke and still his Count'naunce kept 30. And Simeon hee tooke from them and bound him for the rest And so before his Brethrens Eyes was made a Prison Ghest 31. Then Ioseph did commaund to fill their Sackes with Corne good store And that their Money should bee tyed within their Sackes before 32. Also he willed they should haue some Uyctaile for to spende As Homeward they should passe the way vnto their Iourneys ende 33. And thus did hee and they it toke with show of thankful hart Theyr Asses did they Lade with Corne and did from thence depart 34 And in their Traueil as they went an Inne they came vnto Where one of them went to his Sacke the same for to vndoe 35 To giue his Asse some Prouender and when hee it vnbound Behold within the Mouth therof his Money all he found 36 And he vnto his Brethren sayd I haue vndone my sacke And loe my Money is therein to me restored backe 37 Theyr hartes began to faint with feare and were astonied sore And one of them to other sayd alas alas wherfore Hath God our God thus delt wyth vs to make our sorrowes more 38 At length theyr Father Iacobs House by Trauell great they wan Who dâ—d Expect theyr coÌ„ming longe in Land of Canaan 39. To whome they told eche thing that hapt and sayd vnto him thus The Lord himselfe that 's of the Land did roughly speake to vs. 40. Who sayd we came as Spyalls there his Country to betray We are no Spyes but truly meane did we to him then say 41 And are in nomber Brethren twelue the Children of one man One is away the yongest is at home in Canaan 42. The Lord agayne then sayd to vs hereby I shall wel knowe Whether you meane as you haue sayd or Spyalls be or no. 43. You shall leaue one of you behynd for to abyde with me The rest shall take of foode enough for Housholds yours that bee 44. And if you brynge the Yongest Sonne that Brother is to you I shall then thinke you meane but well and all your sayinges true 45. And so wil I deliuer you your Brother backe agayne And you shal occupy the Land wherein you do remayne 46 And as they emptied al theyr Sackes theyr Father beyng by Ech one of them his Money found wythin his sacke to lye 47 The sight whereof made Children all and Father theirs afraid That in so much the Aged man vnto his Children sayd 48 You haue me robd of Children twayne for Ioseph he is gone And Simeon the Lord doth know what hym is falne vpon 39 If Beniamin you take away the youngest of you all I doe foresee the sorowes great against mee that shall fall 50 Then Ruben to his Father sayd I haue two Sonnes you see Slay them if that I bring not backe this Beniamin to thee 51 Deliuer him into my hand the charge of him to take And if I bring him not agayne my twayne kyll for his sake 52 Sayd Iacob then my Sonne shall not that way with you downe goe His Brother Ioseph's dead and hee is left alone you know 53 If some misfortune should him hap the waye you would him haue My hoarye hayres you shal then bring with sorow to my Graue
had not ben hee And dyd commaunde vpon the Borde that Breade there set should be 69 And they prepard for him alone his Dignity to show And for his Brethren by themselues and for the Egiptians soe Which eat wyth Ioseph by themselues for vnderstand and know â–ª 70 Th' Egiptians doe it accompte abhomynation great If wyth the Hebrues any tyme they happen Bread to eate 71 These Brethren sate Ioseph agaynst the Eldest in degree The Yongest placed to his youthe the Lowest set was he And much the Men among themselues did maruell this to see 72 And there were brought them sondry Meates that Ioseph stode before But Beniamin had with the râ—st so much and fyue times more 73 And thus they sate and mery were and had ynough of Wyne They Dranke with him euen of the best that strongest was and fine The Contents of the XLIIII Chap. Ioseph accuseth Beniamin of Theft whereat they mourne And Iudah is a Pledge become for Beniamins retourne AND afterwarde commaunded hee and sayd his Steward to Go fyll theyr Sackes with Corne and graine as I appoint you doe 2 And put both Corne and Foode therein asmuch as they can beare And in the mouth of ech mans Sacke close vp their Monie there 3 But in the Sacke of Beniamin that youngest is of all My Cuppe I meane my Siluer Cuppe there put the same thou shal 4 His Corne and Coyne he hyther brought likewise the same put in And so the Steward did in all as hee commaunded him 5 And in the morning when the Sunne began abroade to show The men were sent away from theÌ„ce and Asses theirs also 6 And when they were the Cittie out and not farre gone away His Steward then commaunded hee to folow them and saye 7 Wherfore haue you rewarded ill for good that 's done to you And for great Curtesye receiu'de to shew your selues vntrue 8 Is not the Cuppe wherein my Lord doth drinke and Prophecie Conueighde away by one of you you haue done naughtelye 9 And so the Steward passed foorth and when hee them oretooke He spake those Wordes as Ioseph bad whereat for feare they shooke 10 And sayd Ah las why doth my Lord declare such wordes as these God it forbyd wee should ought doe that might thy Lord displease 11 Behold the Money which we found within our Sackes to bee We brought agayne from Canaan and gaue it vnto thee 12 How then should wee from thy Lordes house steale Syluer Place or Gold With whom so euer it is found let him bee had in Hold. 13 And let him dye and wee also will further promise make Bondmen to bee vnto my Lord for his offences sake 14 Now then sayd he it shall so bee as you haue sayd to mee Hee vpon whom the thinge is found shall now my Seruaunt be 15 And you be blamelesse of the Cryme and Innocentes abyde And euerye man his Sacke tooke downe and it did open wyde 16 And at the Eldest they began to make this Search and so From one to one in their degree did search their Sackes a rowe 17 And at young Beniamin they left within whose Sacke they had The siluer Cup that missing was which made them all so sad 18 That they their Clothes be rent and tare and euerye one tooke payne To Lade his Asse and to the towne returned backe agayne 19 So Iudah and his Brethren came to Ioseph whom they found At home in house where they him left and fell vpon the Ground 20 â–ª What Act is this sayd Ioseph then that you haue done to mee Do you not know such one as I can truly Prophecie 21 Said Iudah then what shal wee say vnto my Lord as now What shall wee speake to cleare our selues Ahlas wee know not how 22 The wickednesse of seruauntes thyne the Lord hath now made plaine And wee thy Bondmen are become foreuer to remayne Both wee he with whom the Cuppe was found vnto our payne 23 Not so sayd Ioseph God forbyd you should such dealing see But hee wyth whom the Cuppe is Founde Shall Seruaunt bee with mee And you haue leaue in peace to goe vnto your Father free 24 Then Iudah drew more neere to him and sayd O Lorde I pray Geeue leaue that I in my Lordes Eares a Worde or two might saye 25 And let not Lord thy wrath be mooude against mee for the same For thou art euen as Pharao is in Dignitie and Name 26 My Lord a question did demaund of vs thy Seruauntes here Haue you a father yea or no or els a Brother deare 27 We haue a Father that is Old vnto my Lord sayd wee And a young Lad which hee begat the youngest Sonne is hee 28 In his old Age hee him begat when hoarye was his head His Father loues him passing well his Brother now is dead 29 And he alone of Mother his is left with him to bee Then thou vnto thy Seruaunts said do bring him vnto mee 30 That I may also set mine Eye vpon this Lad to see And then againe vnto my Lorde in this wise aunswerd wee 31 The Childe Ahlas cannot depart his louinge father fro For if he should his father then would Dye with Griefe and woe 32 Thou saydst agayne except you brynge your Yonger Brother downe I charge you see my face no more in Country Field or Towne 33 So to our Father when we came that nowe thy Seruaunt is And shew'd him what my Lorde had sayde would not agree to this 34 At last our Father sayd to vs goe downe againe you shall And buy for vs a little Foode that we may liue withal 35 We answered we cannot goe vnlesse you graunt this thing Our yonger Brother be with vs before my Lord to bryng 36 For we may not the man behold except our Brother goe Our Father sayde Rahell my Wife bare me two Sonnes you know 37 And one of them went out from me and I for troth did say My Sonne in peeces smal is torne as hee went by the way And I did neuer see him since the tyme he went astraye 38 Now if you take this Sonne from me and Death lykewise him haue Then shal you bringe my hoary head with sorrow to the Graue 39 Now therefore when I shall come to my Father and thy Thrall And that the Childe bee not with vs amonge his Children all 40. Seinge his life dependes vppon the Life of this younge Lad When hee shall see the Child not come will pensiue bee and Sad. 41. And dye hee will for Sorrowe sure so shall thy Seruauntes bringe Our Fathers Head vnto the Graue ah las wee wayle the thinge 42 Doubtlesse thy Seruaunt Pledge became vnto my Father deare And sayd if that I bringe him not the blame then will I beare 43. Therefore I pray let mee abide a Seruaunt thine to bee And let the Child-with Brethren goe our Father for to see 44. For how can I goe vp with
Ioseph Iacobs Sonne To Laban Iacob went and sayd thou knowest what I haue doÌ„ne 27 I haue thee serued Fourtene yeares truly vnto this dayâ— Geeue mee my Wyues and Children now that I may goe my waye 28 Unto my Countrye whence I came and where my father dwelles I pray thee send me safe from hence I aske thee nothing elles 29 To whome thus Laban aunswered if I haue fauour found Before thyne eyes or in thy sight let mee to this bee bound 30 To geeue thee what thou shalt require thy choise whereof to make For why I know the lyuing Lord hath blest mee for thy sake 31 Thou knowste sayd Iacob vnto him my seruice done to thee And in what sort thy cattel was and haue bene vnder mee 32 Before I came thy Heardes were small but now encreased mich The Lord hath blest thee for my sake and thus hath made thee rych 33 But when shall I prouision make for housholde mine also Sayd hee what shall I geeue thee then before thou hence do goe 34 Thou shalt sayd Iacob geeue mee nought saue this thing doe for mee And then wyll I come backe agayne and Sheepe keepe vnder thee 35 I wyl this day goe to thy Sheepe and separation make And those that after flecked be for my rewarde I 'le take 36 And all the blacke amonge the Lambes and such as colours haue Among the Ryddes that spotted bee is all that I do craue 37 So shal my righteousnesse declare to morow this for mee When I shall come for my rewarde before the face of thee 38 And euery one among the Goates that is not speckled tho And blacke among the Sheepe lykewise as I to thee do show 39 Let that bee theft vnto my charge to aunswere ere I goe Go too go too sayd Laban than would God it might bee so According to thy Saying now or as thy hart doth know 40 And Laban out the same day tooke al Goates that colours had And all the blacke among the Shepe as well the good as bad 41 And made his Sonnes the Heardes of them and three dayes iourney set Betwene himselfe and Iacob thus and Iacob did not let 42 To take the charge of all the rest of Labans other Sheepe That of one colour did appeare and did them safely keepe 43 And Iacob tooke of Popler greene of Hasell Roddes also And Chestnut trees and pyld the Rynde and made the whyte to show 44 And put these Roddes before the Sheepe in Trough or watring place To th' end they might conceiue thereby the roddes before their face 45 Thus when they water came to drinke they were conceiued streight And brought foorth Lambes that spotted were by reason of this sleight 46 And Iacob then did part these Lambes that were bespotted so And turnde the faces of the Flocke that Labans was to know â–ª 47 Towardes these Lambes of partie hue and to all colours blacke That was among this Labans Flocke but yeâ— hee did keepe backe 48 His Flockes of Sheepe that spotted were and by themselues did keepe So that no tyme hâ—e suffered theim to bee with Labans Sheepe 49 In Ramming tyme of stronger Sheepe Iacob his Roddes did lay In Gutters when they came to drinke whereon their eyes might stay 50 And so conceiue and Lambes foorth bring that flecked were to see But in the Ramming time of yeare when Sheepe most feeble bee 51 He did forbeare his Rodds to lay whereby the stronger Sheepe Were Iacobs al the weaker sort were Labans for to keepe 52 Thus Iacob grew exceeding rich and had a mightie stocke Of Seruauntes eke and Camels too and Asses in his Flocke The Contentes of the XXXI Chapter How Labans Children grudge agaynst this Iacobs wealth Of Iacobs backe returne homeward againe by stealth Rahell her Fathers Gods vpon Sheepes hearinge day The same did filche and steale and bare them so away How Laban followeth fast Iacob to ouertake And of the Heape of stones and cou'naunt that they make NOw LabaÌ„s Children spake in words that Laban thought in heart And Iacob heard how that they sayde our Father feeleth smart 2. For Iacob hath tane all away â–ª our Fathers was before And hath him selfe this honour got by Fathers goodes and store 3. And Iacob Laban well behelde his Countenaunce and there Which was not now as heretofore but as hee angry were 4. And then the Lord to Iacob sayd returne thee home agayne Into the Land where Father thine and Kinred do remayne 5. For I will bee with thee sayth God whereof Iacob was glad And sent for both his Wyues to Fieldâ— and to the Flocke hee had 6. And when they came his presence to I see sayd hee at last Your Fathers Countenaunce to mee is not as in time past 7. How beit the God of Father mine hath bin with mee this Night And both you know how Father yours I seru'de with all my Might 8. And yet hee oft deceiued mee in chaunginge of my Wage But God no time woulde suffer him to hurt mee in his Rage 9. For when hee sayde the spotted Sheepe thy hyred Wage shal be Then all the Sheepe bespotted were as you can witnes mee 10 And when hee sayde the straked Sheepe shall thee reward for Hier Then all the Sheepe bestraked were as one would it desier 11. Thus hath the Lord your Fathers Sheepe from him now tane away And of his goodnes geuen them mee as you do see this Daye 12 It thus befell in Ramminge time when in a Dreame I was Mine Eyes I lifted vp and sawe and so it came to passe 13. Beholde the Sheepe that steaked were and spotted here and there The Rammes vppon their Backes did Leape in Place whereas they were 14. And in my Dreame Gods Angell spake and thus gan saye to mee Iacob and him I aunswered Lord here I am by thee 15 Sayd hee lift vp thine Eyes and see the Rammes leape on the Sheepe That spotted are and straked bee and party Coullour keepe 16. I haue seene all that Laban doth or can against thee make For I the God of Bethel am where thou didste vndertake 17. The Stone to pitch vpon an ende and did Annoynte the same And where thou mad'ste a solemn Uow vnto my Sacred Name 18. Now therfore rise and get the hence out from this Countrey here And backe returne vnto the Land where Rebek did the beare 19. When Rahell and her Sister to did Iacob vnderstand Hath not sayd they thy seruice long bought vs of Fathers hand 20 For hee hath Soulde vs vnto thee and wee therewiâ—h content And hee consumed hath our Coyne and all wee see is spent 21. But haue wee any Portion else or hath hee geuen vs more Then that thy Seruice longe time Bought as wee haue sayde before 22. For all the Richesse God hath cane away from Father so Is ours and eke our Childrens to as God to thee did shee 23. And therefore