when it shined and the moone going cleerly †And my hart in secret reioysed and I kissed my hand with my mouth †Which is most great iniquitie and a denial against God the most high †If I haue beene glad of his fal that hated me haue reioysed that euil had found him †For I haue not geuen my throte to sinne that cursing I wished his soule †If the men of my tabernacle haue not sayd Who wil giue of his flesh that we may be filled †The stranger taried not without my doore was open to the wayfaring man †If as man I haue hid my sinne and haue concealed my iniquitie in my bosome †If I haue bene afrayd at a verie great multitude the contempt of kinâ—men hath terrified me and I haue not rather held my peace not gone out of the doore †Who wil grant me an hearer that the Omnipotent would heare my desire and that himself that iudgeth would write a booke †That I may carie it on my shoulder and put it about me as a crowne †At euerie steppe of mine I wil pronounce it and as to the prince I wil offer it †If my Land cry against me and with it the furrowes therof lament †If I haue eaten the fruites therof without money and haue afflicted the soule of the tillers therof †For wheate let the bryar grow to me and for batlie the thorne The wordes of Iob are ended CHAP. XXXII Eliu a young man being angrie that Iob persisted in his opinion and that his three freindes could not conuince him S. taketh vpon him to confute Iob which they could not do BVT these three men omitted to answer Iob for that he seemed iust to himself †And Eliu the sonne of Barachel a Buzite of the kinred of Ram was angrie and tooke indignation and he was angrie against Iob for that he sayd himself to be iust before God †Moreouer against his freindes he had indignation for that they had not found a reasonable answer but onlie had condemned Iob. †Therfore Eliu expected Iob speaking because they were his elders that spake †But when he saw that the three were not able to answer he was wrath excedingly †And Eliu the sonne of Barachel a Buzite answering sayd I am yonger in time and you more ancient therfore casting downe my head I was afrayd to shewe you my sentence †For I hoped that longer age would speake and that a multitude of yeares would teach wisdom †But as I see there is a Spirite in men and the inspiration of the Omnipotent geueth vnderstanding †They of many yeares are not the wise men neither doe the ancientes vnderstand iudgement †Therfore wil I speake Heare ye me I also wil shew you my wisedom †For I haue expected your wordes I haue heard your wisdom as long as you contended in wordes †And as long as I thought you said somewhat I considered but as I see here is none of you that can reproue Iob and answer to his wordes †Lest perhaps you may say We haue found wisedom God hath reiected him not man †He hath spoken nothing to me and I wil not answer him according to your wordes †They were afrayd and answered no more they haue taken away talke from themselues †Therfore because I haue expected and they spake not they stoode answered no more †I also wil answer my part and wil shew my knowledge †For I am ful of wordes and the spirit of my bellie streyneth me †Behold my bellie is as new wine without a vent which breaketh new vessels †I wil speake and take breath a litle I wil open my lippes and wil answer †I wil not accept the person of a man and I wil not make God equal to man †For I know not how long I shal continewe and whether after a while my maker wil take me away CHAP. XXXIII Eliu endeuoreth to proue by Iobs speach that he is vniust 13. arguing that God by afflicting him hath alreadly so iudged 23. but if by an Angels admonition he repent al shal be remitted HEERE therfore Iob my sayings and harken to al my wordes †Behold I haue opened my mouth let my tongue speake within my iawes †My wordes are of my simple hart and my lippes shal speake a pure sentence †The Spirit of God made me and the breath of the Omnipotent gaue me life †If thou canst answer me and stand against my face †Behold God hath made me also euen as thee and of the same clay I also was formed †But yet let not my miracle terrifie thee and let not my eloquence be burdenous to thee †Thou therfore hast sayd in my eares and I haue heard the voice of thy wordes †I am cleane and without sinne vnspotted and there is no iniquitie in me †Because he hath found quarrels in me therfore hath he thought me his enemy †He hath put my feete in the stockes he hath obserued al my waies †This therfore is it wherein thou art not iustified I wil answer thee that God is greater then man †Doest thou contend against him because he hath not answered thee to al wordes †God speaketh once repeateth not the self same the second time †By a dreame in a vision by night when heauie sleepe falleth vpon men and they sleepe in their bed †TheÌ„ doth he open the eares of men teaching instructeth them with discipline †That he may turne a man from these things which he doth may deliuer him from pride †Deliuering his soule from corruption and his life that it passe not vnto the sword †He rebuketh also by sorow in the bed and he maketh al his bones to wither †Bread is become abominable to him in his life and to his soule the meate before desired †His flesh shal consume and the bones that had beene couered shal be made naked †His soule hath approched to corruption and his life to things causing death †If there shal be an Angel speaking for him one of thousandes to declare mans equirie †He shal haue mercie on him and shal say deliuer him that he descend not into corruption I haue found wherein I may be propitious to him †His flesh is consumed with punishments let it returne to the daies of his youth †He shal beseche God and he wil be pacified towards him and he shal see his face in iubilation and he wil render to a man his iustice †He shal behold men and shal say I haue sinned and in deede I haue oftended and as I was worthie I haue not receiued †He hath deliuered his soule that it should not goe into death but liuing should see the light †Behold al these things doth God worke three times in euerie one †That he may reclame their soules from corruption and
which hath vpbraided the armies of the liuing God †And the people reported vnto him the self same worde saying These thinges shal be geuen to the man that shal strike him †Which when Eliab his eldest brother had heard when he spake with others he was angrie against Dauid and sayd Wherefore cauâ—cst thou and why hast thou left those few sheepe in the desert I know thy pride and the wickednes of thy hart that to see the battel thou art come downe †And Dauid sayd What haue I done is there not cause to speake †And he went a litle aside from him to an other and sayd the sel same word And the people answered him as before †And the wordes which Dauid spake were heard and told in the sight of Saul †To whom when he was brought he spake vnto him Let not any mans hart be discouraged in him I thy seruant wil goe and wil fight against the Philistian †And Saul sayd to Dauid Thou art not able to resist this Philistian nor to fight against him because thou art a childe but he is a man of warre from his youth †And Dauid sayd to Saul Thy seruant did fecde his fathers slock and there came a lyon or a beare and tooke a ramme out of the middes of the flocke †and I pursued them and stroke them and plucked them out of their mouth and they arose vp against me and I caught their chinne and I strangled and slew them †For both the lyon and the beare did I thy seruant kil therefore this vncircumcised Philistian also shal be as it were one of them Now wil I goe and take away the reproch of the people for who is this vncircumcised Philistian which hath beene so hardie to curse the host of the liuing God †And Dauid sayd Our Lord which hath deliuered me from the hand of the lion and of the beare he wil deliuer me from the hand of this Philistian And Saul sayd to Dauid Goe and our Lord be with thee †And Saul clothed Dauid with his rayments and put an helmet of brasse vpon his head and vested him with a coate of maile †Dauid therefore being girded with his sword ouer his rayment beganne to proue if he could goe armed for he was not accustomed And Dauid sayd to Saul I can not goe so because I am not vsed and he layd them of †And he tooke his staffe which he had alwaies in his handes he chose him fiue most bright stones out of the torrent and cast them into the shepherds skrippe which he had with him and he tooke a sling in his hand and went forth against the Philistian †And the Philistian went going and approching against Dauid and his esquier before him †And when the Philistian had seene and beheld Dauid he despised him And he was a yong man redde and beautiful to behold †And the Philistian sayd to Dauid Why am I a dogge that thou comest to me with a staffe And the Philistian cursed Dauid in his goddes †and sayd to Dauid Come to me and I wil geue thy flesh to the foules of the ayre and the beastes of the earth †And Dauid sayd to the Philistian Thou comest to me with a sword and speare and sheeld but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts the God of the bandes of Israel whom thou hast defied †this day and our Lord shal geue thee in my hand and I shal strike thee and take away thy head from thee and I shal geue the carcasses of the campe of the Philistijms this day to the fowles of the ayre and to the beastes of the earth that al the earth may knowe that there is a God in Israel †And al this assemblie shal know that not in sword nor in speare doth our Lord saue for it is his battel and he wil deliuer you into our handes †When the Philistian therefore was risen vp and came and approched against Dauid Dauid made hast ranne to the battel against the Philistian †And he put his hand into his skrippe and tooke one stone and cast it with the sling and fetching it about stroke the Philistian in the forehead and he fel on his face vpon the earth †And Dauid preuailed agaynst the Philistian with sling and stone and he stroke and slew the Philistian And whereas Dauid had no sword in his hand †he ranne and stood vpon the Philistian and tooke his sword and drew it out of the scabard and slew him and cut of his head And the Philistijms seing that the strongest of them was dead did flee †And the men of Israel and Iuda rising vp shouted and pursued the Philistians til they came into a valley to the gates of Accaron and there fel wounded of the Philistijms in the way of Saraim as farre as Geth as farre as Accaron †And the children of Israel returning after they had pursued the Philistians inuaded their campe †And Dauid taking the head of the Philistian brought it into Ierusalem but his armour he layd in his tabernacle †And at the same time that Saul saw Dauid going forth against the Philistian he sayd to Abuer the prince of the armie Of what stocke is this yong man descended Abner And Abner sayd Thy soule liueth ô king if I know †And the king sayd Aske thou whose sonne this yong man is †And when Dauid was returned after the Philisthian was slaine Abner tooke him and brought him in before Saul hauing the head of the Philistian in his hand †And Saul sayd to him O yong man of what progenie art thou And Dauid sayd I am the sonne of thy seruant Isai the Bethlemite CHAP. XVIII Dauid and Ionathas enter league of frendship 6. Saul hearing Dauid praised aboue himself is offended 10. and vexed with an euil spirit attempteth twise to kil him 17. premiseth to geue him his eldest daughter in mariage but geueth her to an other 20. and geueth him the yonger thereby to one throw him 25. putting him also in more danger by requiring of him an hundred prepuces of Philistijms 27. Dauid bringeth him two hundred and his fame encreaseth AND it came to passe when he had finished to speake vnto Saul the soule of Ionathas was ioyned fast to the soule of Dauid Ionathas loued him as his soule †And Saul tooke him in that day and did not grant vnto him to returne into his fathers house †And Dauid and Ionathas entered a league for he loued him as his soule †For Ionathas stripped himself of the cote wher with he was clothed and gaue it to Dauid and the rest of his garments vnto his sword bowe vnto his belt †Dauid also went forth to al thinges wheretosoeuer Saul sent him he behaued himself wisely and Saul placed him ouer the men of warre and he was accepted in the eies of al the people
speake against vs. These thinges did Dauid and this was decreed of him al the daies that he dwelt in the countrie of the Philistians †Achis therefore did credite Dauid saying Manie euils hath he wrought against his people Israel Therefore he shal be my seruant for euer CHAP. XXVIII The Philistians fighting against Saul Dauid promiseth fidelitie to Achis 3. Saul destroyeth magicians 6. but God not answering him 7. seeketh a woman that hath a Pithon spirite 12. willeth her to raise vp Samuel 15. who appearing fortelleth him that he and his sonnes shal die the next day AND it came to passe that in those daies the Philistijms gathered together their companies that they might be prepared to battel against Israel and Achis sayd to Dauid Knowing know thou now that thou shalt goe forth with me in the campe thou and thy men †And Dauid sayd to Achis Now thou shalt know what thy seruant wil doe And Achis sayd to Dauid And I wil appoint thee keper of my head al daies †And Samuel was dead and al Israel mourned for him and buried him in Ramatha his citie And Saul tooke al the magicians and soothsayers out of the land †And the Philistijms were gathered together and came and camped in Sunam and Saul also gathered together al Israel and came into Gelboe †And Saul saw the campe of the Philistijms and feared and his hart was afrayd excedingly †And he consulted our Lord and he answered him not neither by dreames nor by priestes nor by prophetes †And Saul sayd to his seruantes Seeke me a woman that hath a pithonical spirite and I wil goe to her and wil aske by her And his seruantes sayd to him There is a woman that hath a pithonical spirite in Endor †He therefore changed his habite and was clothed with other garmentes and he went himselfe and two men with him and they came to the woman in the night and sayd to her Deuine vnto me in the pythonical spirite and raise me vp whom I shal tel thee †And the woman sayd to him Loe thou knowest what great thinges Saul hath done and how he hath raysed the magicians and sothsayers out of the land why therefore doest thou lye in waite for my life that I may be slaine †And Saul sware vnto her in our Lord saying Our Lord liueth there shal no euil happen vnto thee for this thing †And the woman sayd to him Whom shal I rayse vp to thee Who sayd Raise me vp Samuel †And when the woman had seene Samuel she cried out with a loud voice and sayd to Saul Why hast thou deceiued me for thou art Saul †And the King sayd to her Feare not what sawest thou And the woman sayd to Saul I saw Goddes coming out of the earth †And he sayd to her What maner of forme hath he who sayd An old man is come vp and he is clothed with a mantel And “ Saul vnderstood that it was Samuel and he bowed himselfe vpon his face on the earth and adored †And Samuel sayd to Saul why hast thou disquieted me that I should be raised vp And Saul sayd I am in great distresse for the Philistijms fight against me and God is departed from me and would not heare me neither in the hand of prophetes not by dreames therefore I haue called thee that thou shouldest shew me what I shal doe †And Samuel sayd Why askest thou whereas our Lord is departed from thee and is passed to thine aduersarie †For our Lord wil doe to thee as he spake in my hand and he wil cut thy kingdome out of thy hand wil geue it to thy neighbour Dauid †because thou hast not obeyed the voice of our Lord neither didst thou the wrath of his furie in Amalec Therefore that which thou sufferest hath our Lord done to thee this day †And our Lord wil geue Israel also with thee into the handes of the Philistijms and to morow thou and thy sonnes shal be with me yea the campe also of Israel wil our Lord deliuer into the handes of the Philisthijms †And forthwith Saul fel stretched forth on the ground for he feared much the wordes of Samuel and there was no strength in him because he had not eaten bread al that day †That woman therefore went vnto Saul for he was very much trubled and sayd to him Behold thy handmaide hath obeied thy voice and I haue put my life in my hand and I heard the wordes which thou spakest to me †Now therefore heare thou also the voice of thy handmaide and I wil set before thee a morsel of bread that eating thou mayest recouer strength and be able to goe on thy iourney †Who refused and sayd I wil not eate But his seruantes and the woman forced him and at length hearing their voice he arose from the ground and sate vpon the bed †And that woman had a pasture fed calfe in the house and sâ—e made hast and killed him and taking meale kneded it and baked azimes †and sette before Saul and before his seruantes who when they had eaten rose vp and walked al that night ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXVIII 14. Saul vnderstood that it vvas Samuel It is not defined nor certaine whetherthe soule of Samuel appeared or an euil spirit tooke his shape and spake to Saul S. Augustin li. 2. q. 3. ad Simplician proposeth both the opinions as probable VVhere first he sheweth that Samuels soule might appeare either brought thither by the euil spirite which is not so much to be merueled at as that our Lord and Sauiour suffered him self to be sette vpon the pinnacle of the temple and to be caried into a high mountaine by the diuel yea to be taken prisoner bound whipped and crucified by the diuels ministers or els that the spirite of the holie prophet was not raised by force of the inchantment or anie powre of the diuel but by Gods secrete ordinance vnknowen to the pythonical woman and to Saul and so appeared in the kings presence and stroke him with diuine sentence Againe he answereth that there may be a more easie and readie sense of this place to wit that Samuels spirite or soule was not in deede raised but an imaginarie illusion made by the diuels inchantment which semed to be Samuel and which the Scripture calleth by the name of Samuel as pictures or images are commonly called those persons or thinges which they represent So when we behold pictures in a table or on a wal we say this is Cicero that is Salust that Achilles that is Rome To this effect S. Augustin discourseth more at large in the place before cited But in an other worke written after de cura pro mortuis gerenda c. 15. teaching that soules of the dead appeare sometimes to the liuing he saieth expresly Samuel the prophet being dead foretold suture thinges to King Saul yet liuing Though some be of
him bread to eate and water to drink †and also a peece of a masse of drie figges and two bunches of resinnes Who when he had eaten his spirite returned and he was refreshed for he had not eaten bread nor drunken water three daies and three nightes †Dauid therefore sayd to him Whose art thou or whence and whither goest thou who sayd I am a yong man of Aegypt the seruant of an Amalacite and my maister hath leift me because I began to be sicke three daies agone †For we brake forth at the south side of Cerethi and against Iuda and at the south of Caleb and burnt Siceleg with fire †And Dauid sayd to him Canst thou bring me to this companie Who sayd Sweare to me by God that thou wilt not kil me nor deliuer me into the handes of my lord and I wil bring thee to this companie And Dauid sware to him †Who when he had brought them behold they sate vpon the face of al the earth eating and drinking and as it were keping festiual day for al the praye and spoiles which they had taken out of the Land of the Philistijms and out of the Land of Iuda †And Dauid stroke them from euening vntil the euening of the next day and there escaped not anie of them but foure hundred yong men which had gotten vpon camels and were fled †Dauid therefore reskewed al thinges that the Amalecites had taken and he reskewed his two wiues †Neither was there anie wanting from litle to great as wel of their sonnes as of their daughters and of the spoiles and what thinges soeuer they had taken Dauid brought al againe †And he tooke al the flockes heardes and draue them before his face and they sayd This is the praye of Dauid †And Dauid came to the two hundred men which being wearie had staied neither were able to folow Dauid and he had bidden them to rest in the Torrent Besor who came forth to meete Dauid and the people that were with him And Dauid coming to the people saluted them peaceably †And euerie naughtie and wicked felow of the men that had gone with Dauid answering sayd Because they came not with vs we wil not geue them anie thing of the praye which we haue recouered but let their wife and children suffice euerie man whom when they haue receiued let them depart †But Dauid sayd You shal not doe so my brethren of these thinges which our Lord hath deliuered to vs and hath kept vs and hath geuen the theeues that were broken out against vs into our handes †neither shal anic man heare you vpon this talke For there shal be equal portion of him that went downe into battel and of him that abode at the baggage they shal diuide alike †And this hath beene downe from that day and euer after it was decreed and ordained as a law in Israel †Dauid therefore came into Siceleg and sent giftes of the praye to the ancientes of Iuda his neighboures saying Take a benediction of the praye of our Lords enemies †To them that were in Bethel and that were in Ramoth toward the South and them that were in Gether †and them in Aroer and them in Sephamoth and them in Esthamo †and them in Rachal and them in the cities of Ierameel and them in the cities of Semi †and them in Harama and them in the lake of Asan and them in Athach †and them in Hebron and to the rest that were in those places in the which Dauid had taried and his men CHAP. XXXI Saul with his sonnes are slaine in battel 7. The Philistijms possesse the place and hang the dead bodies on a wal 11. but valiant men of Iabes Galaad take them away and burne them burie their bones and fast seuen dayes AND the Philistijms fought against Israel and the men of Israel fled before the face of the Philistijms and fel being slaine in mount Gelboe †And the Philistijms fel vpon Saul and vpon his sonnes and they stroke Ionathas and Abinadab and Melchisua the sonnes of Saul †and the whole weight of the battel was turned vpon Saul and the archers ouertooke him and he was sore wounded of the archers †And Saul sayd to his esquier Drawe out thy sword and strike me lest perhaps these vncircumcised come and kil me mocking me And his esquier would not for he was frighted with exceding feare Saul therefore caught his sword and fel vpon it †Which when his esquier had seene to wit that Saul was dead himselfe also fel vpon his sword and died with him †Saul therefore died and his three sonnes his esquier and al his men in that day together †And the children of Israel that were beyond the valley and beyond Iordan seing that the men of Israel were fled and that Saul was dead and his sonnes they left their cities and fled and the Philistijms came and dwelt there †And when the next day was come the Philistijms came to spoile them that were slaine and they found Saul and his three sonnes lying in mount Gelboe †And they did cut of Saules head and spoiled him of his armour and sent into the land of the Philistians round about that it should be declared in the temple of their Idols and among their people †And they did put his armour in the temple of Astaroth but his bodie they hung on the wal of Bethsam †Which when the inhabiters of Iabes Galaad had heard whatsoeuer the Philistijms had done to Saul †al the most valiant men arose walked al the night and tooke the bodie of Saul and the bodies of his sonnes from the wal of Bethsam and they came to Iabes Galaad and burnt them there †and they tooke their bones and buried them in the wood of Iabes and fasted seuen daies THE ARGVMENT OF THE SECOND BOOKE OF KINGES BESIDES a great part of the first booke and beginning of the third this second booke is wholly of King Dauid VVhos 's manie laudable Actes as also his faultes which were fewer with his true repentance and punishment are related not in such method as may easily be diuided into distinct partes in order of the chapters but according to the distinction of thinges conteined his succession to the royal crowne first in Iuda and after in al Israel with the declination and death of his competitour Isboseth are recorded in the 2. 3. 4. and 5. chapters His vertues and praises to wit his solemne mourning for Saul and that familie his deuotion fortitude pietie and gratitude are specially touched in the 1. 6 7. 8. 9. and 10. chapters His sinnes of adulterie with Bethsabee of killing her husband Vrias of pride in numbering his people with his hartie repentance and temporal punishment for the same are written from the 11. chapter to the 21 together with the 24. The 22. and 23. chapters
cuâ—â—e the day which are readie to raise vp Leuiathan †Let the â—â—aâ—res be darkened with the mist therof let it expect light and let it not see neither the rysing of the appearing morning †Because it shut not vp the doores of the wombe that bare me nor tooke away euils from myne eies †Why died I not in the matrice perished not forthwith being come forth of the wombe †Why receiued vpon the knees why nurced with the breastes †For now sleping I should be quiet and should rest in my sleepe †With kinges and coâ—â—â—les of the earth which build themselues solitarie places †Or with princes that possesse gold and replenish their â—â—â—â—es with siluer †Or as a thing vnâ—mely borne that is hâ—â— I should not be or as they that being conceiued haue not seene the light †There the impious haue ceased from tumult there the wearied with strength haue â—ested †And they sometime bound together without griefe haue not heard the voyce of the exactor †Litle and great are there and the seruant free from his master †Why is there light geuen to a miserable man and life to them that are in bitternesse of soule †That expect death and it cometh not as they that dig vp treasure †And they reioyce excedingly when they haue found the graue †To a man whose life is hid and God hath compassed him with darkenes †Before I eate I sigh and as it were ouerflowing waters so my roaring †Because the feare which I feared hath chanced to me and that which I was afrayd of hath happened †haue I not dissembled haue I not kept silence haue I not beene at ease and indignation is come vpon me CHAP. IIII. Eliphaz blameth Iob as guiltie of impatience arguing thereupon that he was not so perfect in vertue as he semed 7. and therfore is now punished by God who as Ehiphaz falsly supposeth afflicteth not innocent men 12. alleaging for proofe an imaginarie vision BVT Eliphaz the Themanite answering sayd †If we shal begin to speake to thee perhaps thou wilt take it greuously but the word conceiued who can hold †Behold thou hast taught manie wearie handes thou hast strengthned †Them that wauered thy wordes haue confirmed and trembling knees thou hast strengthened †But now a plague is come vpon thee and thou hast faynred hath touched thee and art trubled †Where is thy feare thy strength thy patience and the perfection of thy wayes †Remember I besech thee who euer being innocent hath perished or when haue the iust bene destroyed †Yea rather I haue sene them that worke iniquitie and sow sorrowes reape them †to haue perished by the blast of God and with the spirit of his wrath to haue bene consumed †The roaring of the lion and the voice of the lionesse the teeth of the whelpes of lions are bruised †The tigre hath perished because he had no praye and the lions whelpes are destroyed †Moreouer to me there was spoken a secret word and as it were by stealth hath mine eare receiued the vaines of the whispering therof †In the horrour of a vision by night when deepe sleepe is wont to hold men †feare held me and trembling and al my bones were made sore afrayd †And when the spirit passed in my presence the heares of my flesh stood vpright †There stood one whose countenance I knew not an image before mine eies and I heard the voyce as it were of a gentle winde †What shal man be iustified in comparison of God or shal a man be more pure then his maker †Behold they that serue him are not stable and in his Angels he found wickednes †How much more they that inhabite houses of clay which haue an earthly foundation shal be consumed as it were of the moth †From morning vntil euening they shal be cut downe and because none vnderstandeth they shal perish foreuer †And they that shal be leaft shal be taken away from them they shal die and not in wisedom CHAP. V. Eliphaz prosecuteth his discourse to conuince Iob of great sinnes because he is sovâ—hemently afflicted 17. exhorteth him therfore to acknowledge his sinnes so al thinges shal succede prosperously CAL therfore if there be that wil answer thee “ turne to some of the sainctes †Anger in deede killeth the foolish and enuie sleaâ—th the litle one †I haue seene a foole with firme roote and I cursed his beautie by and by †His children shal be made far from saluation and shal be destroyed in the gate and there shal be none to deliuer †Whose haruest the hungrie shal eate the armed shal take him by violence and the thirstie shal drinke his riches †Nothing in the â—aâ—th is done without a cause and out of the ground sorrow shal nor rise †Man is borne to labour and the bird to flight †For the which thing I wil besech our Lord and toward God I wil set my speach †Who doeth great and vnsearchable and meruelous things without number †Who geueth raine vpon the face of the earth and watereth al thinges with waters †Wâ—o setteth the humble on high and them that are in heauinesse he conforteth with health †Who disspateth the cogitations of the malignant that their handes can not accompliâ—h that which they bâ—gan †Who apprehendeth the wise in their subâ—â—lâ—ie and dissipareth the counsel of the wicked †By day they shal iâ—cuâ—re darkenesse and as it were in the night so shal they grope at noone daies †Moreouer he shal saue the needâ— from the sword of their mouth and the poore from the hand of the violent †And to the needie there shal be hope but iniquitie shal draw together her mouth †Blessed is the man that is corrected of God refuse not therfore the chastising of our Lord †Because he woundeth and cureth striketh and his hands shal beale †In six tribulations he shal deliuer thee and in the seuenth euil shal not touch thee †In famine he shal deliuer thee from death and in battel from the hand of the sword †From the scourge of the tongue thou shalt be hid thou shalt not feare calamitie when it cometh †In waste and famine thou shalt laugh and the beastes of the earth thou shalt not feare †But with the stones of the landes thy couenant and the beastes of the earth shal be peaceable to thee †And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle hath peace and visiting thy beautie thou shalt not sinne †Thou shalt know also that thy seed shal be manifold and thy progenie as the grasse of the earth †Thou shalt enter into the graue in abundance as a heape of wheate is caryed in his time †Behold this is euen so as we haue searched out which thou hauing heard reuolue in thy mind ANNOTATIONS CHAP.
rather by them that may be supplied vvhich the Hebrevv vvanteth PSALME CXLV The Psalmist exciteth himself and al others to praise God for his singular regard and prouidence of al that trust in him 3. shewing that neither princes nor other men are able to helpe 5. but God can and doth continually releue al sortes of necessities Alleluia of Aggaeus and Zacharie MY soule prayse thou our Lord I wil praise our Lord in my â—te I wil sing to my God as long as I shal be Put not confidence in princes †in the sonnes of men in whom there is no saluation †His spirit shal goeforth and he shal returne into his earth in that day al their cogitations shal perish †Blessed is he whose helper is the God of Iacob his hope in our Lord his God †who made heauen and earth the sea and al thinges that are in them †Which keepeth truth for euer doth iudgement for them that suffer wrong geueth foode to the hungrie Our Lord looseth the fettered †our Lord illuminateth the blind Our Lord lifteth vp the bruised our Lord loueth the iust †Our Lord keepeth strangers the pupil and widow he wil receiue and the wayes of sinners he wil destroy †Our Lord wil reigne for euer thy God ô Sion in generation and generation PSALME CXLVI God is also to be praised by his peculiar people for particular benefites 4. for his omnipotent powre wisdom goodnes in creating and gouerning this whole world 11. and most special benignitie towards those that trust in him Alleluia PRAYSE ye our Lord because Psalme is good to our God let there be pleasant and comelie praise †Our Lord building vp Ierusalem wil gather together the dispersions of Israel †Who healeth the contrite of hart and bindeth vp their sores †Who numbereth the multitude of starres and geueth names to them al. †Great is our Lord and great is his strength and of his wisdom there is no number †Our Lord receiuing the meeke humbling sinners euen to the ground †Sing ye to our Lord in confession sing ye to our God on harpe †Who couereth the heauen with cloudes and prepareth rayne for the earth Who bringeth forth grasse in the mountaines and herbe for the seruice of men †Who geueth to beastes their foode and to the young rauens that cal vpon him †He shal not haue pleasure in the strength of an horse nor in the legges of a man shal he be wel pleased †Our Lord is wel pleased toward them that feare him and in them that hope vpon his mercie PSALME CXLVII Againe God is to be praised for his goodnes towards his peculiar people 4. yea towards al the world 7. but most abundantly towards his Church Alleluia O Ierusalem praise our Lord praise thy God ô Sion †Because he hath strengthened the lockes of thy gates he hath blessed thy children in thee †Who hath set thy borders peace and filleth thee with the fatte of corne †Who sendeth forth his speach to the earth his word runneth swiftly †Who geueth snow as wool scatereth mist as ashes †He casteth his crystal as morseles before the face of his cold l who shal endure †He shal sendforth his word and shal melt them his spirit shal blowe and waters shal flowe †Who declareth his word to Iacob his iustices and iudgements to Israel †He hath not done in like maner to anie nation and his iudgements he hath not made manifest to them Allelu-ia PSALME CXLVIIII Al creatures spiritual and corporal are inuited to praise God their Creator and Conseruer 13. as incomparably excellent Alleluia PRAYSE ye our Lord from the heauens praise ye him in the high places †Prayse ye him al his Angels prayse ye him al his hostes †Prayse ye him sunne and moone prayse him al ye starres and light †Prayse him ye heauens of heauens and the waters that are aboue the heauens †let them praise the name of our Lord. Because he sayd and they were made he commanded and they were created †He established them for euer and for euer and euer he put a precept and it shal not passe †Prayse our Lord from the earth ye dragons and al depthes †Fyre haile snow yse spirit of stormes which doe his worde †Mountaines and al litle hilles trees that beare fruite and al ceders †Beastes and al cattel serpentes and fethered fowles †Kinges of the earth and al peoples princes and al iudges of the earth †Yongmen and virgins old with yong let them prayse the name of our Lord †because the name of him alone is exalted †The confession of him aboue heauen and earth and he hath exalted the horne of his people An hymne to al his sainctes to the children of Israel a people approching vnto him Alleluia PSALME CXLIX The Church is most singularly bond to praise God 4. for the grace sanctitie victorie glorie 7. and iudicial powre which he geueth to his Sainctes Alleluia SING ye to our Lord a new song let his prayse be in the Church of sainctes †Let Israel be ioyful in him that made him and let the children of Sion reioyce in their king †Let them praise his name in quite on tymbrel and psalter let them sing to him †Because our Lord is wel pleased in his people and he wil exalt the meeke vnto saluation †The sainctes shal reioyce in glorie they shal be ioyful in their beddes †The exaltations of God in their throte and two edged swordes in their handes †To doe reuenge in the nations chastisements among the peoples †To binde their kinges in fetters and their nobles in yron manicles †That they may doe in them the iudgement that is written this glorie is to al his sainctes Alleluia PSALME CL. God absolutly most excellent is to be praised 3. with al sortes of instruments and by al other meanes Alleluia PRAYSE ye our Lord in his holies prayse ye him in the firmament of his strength †Prayse ye him in his powers prayse ye him according to the multitude of his greatnes †Prayse ye him in the sound of trumpet prayse ye him on psalter and harpe †Prayse ye him on timbrel and quire prayse ye him on stringes and organ †Prayse ye him on wel sounding cymbals prayse ye him on cymbales of iubilation †let euerie spirit prayse our Lord. Alleluia ANNOTATIONS PSALME CL. S. Augustin in the conclusion of his Enarrations or Sermons vpon the Psalmes explicateth a mysterie in the number of an hundred and fieftie signifying the concord of the two Testaments For in the old testament they kept
her hart had confidence in our Lord. †And the ancients sayd When we walked alone in the orchard this woman came in with two maydes shut the doores of the orchard and she sent away the maydes from her †And a yongman that was hid came to her and lay with her †But we being in a corner of the orchard seeing the iniquitie ranne to them and saw them lie together †And him in deed we could not take because he was stronger then we and opening the doores he lept out †but her when we apprehended we asked what yongman it was and she would not tel vs of this thing we are witnesses †The multitude beleued them as the ancients and the iudges of the people and they condemned her to death But Susanna cried out with a lowd voice and sayd Eternal God which art the knower of hidden things before they come to passe †thou knowest that they haue borne false witnes against me and loe I dye wheras I haue done none of these thinges which these men haue maliciousely forged against me †And our Lord heard her voice †and when she was led to death our Lord raysed vp the holie spirit of a yong boy whose name was Daniel †and he cried out with alowd voice I am cleane from the bloud of this woman †And al the people turning to him sayd What is this word that thou hast spoken †Who when he stood in the middes of them sayd So folish ye children of Israel not iudgeing nor discerning that which is the truth haue you condemned the daughter of Israel †Returne ye to iudgement because they haue spoken false testimonie against her †The people therfore returned with speede and the ancients sayd to him Come and sitte in the middes of vs and tel vs because God hath geuen thee the honour of old age †And Daniel sayd to the people Separate them far one from an other and I wil discouer them †When they were therfore diuided one from the other he called one of them and said to him O thou inueterated of euil dayes now are thy sinnes come which thou didst committe before iudging vniust iudgements oppressing innocents and dismissing offenders our Lord saying The innocent and the iust thou shalt not kil †Now then if thou sawest her tel vnder what tree thou sawest them talking together Who sayd Vnder a schine tree †And Daniel sayd Wel hast thou lyed agaynst thine owne head for behold the Angel of God taking the sentence of him shal cut thee in the middes †And remouing him away he commanded that the other should come and he sayd to him Seede of Chanaan and not of Iuda beautie hath deceiued thee and concupiscence hath subuerted thy hart †so did you to the daughters of Israel and they fearing spake to you but the daughter of Iuda did not abide your iniquitie †Now therfore tel me vnder what tree thou tookest them speaking one to an other Who said Vnder a prine tree †And Daniel said to him Wel hast thou also lyed against thine owne head for the Angel of our Lord tarieth hauing a sword that he may cut thee in the middes and kil you †Therfore al the assemblie cried out with a lowd voice and they blessed God which saueth them that hope in him †And they rose vp against the two elders for Daniel had conuinced them by their owne mouth to haue geuen false testimonie and they did to them as they had dealt naughtely against their neighbour †to doe according to the law of Moyses they killed them and innocent bloud was saued in that day †But Helcias and his wyfe praysed God for their daughter Susanna with Ioakim her husband and al her kinne because there was no vnhonest thing found in her †And Daniel became great in the sight of the people from that day thence forward †And king Astyages was layd to his fathers Cyrus the Persian receiued his kingdom CHAP. XIIII Daniel detecteth the fraud of Bels priestes who pretend that Bel eateth much meate 21. for which they are slaine and the idol destroyed 22. Likewise he destroyeth a dragon which the Babylonians held for a god 27. He is cast into the lake of seuen lions 32. whithet Habacuc miraculously bringeth him meate 39. the lions hurt him not his accusers are deuoured AND Daniel was the kings ghest and honoured aboue al his freindes †There was also an idol among the Babylonians named Bel and there were bestowed on him euerie day of floure twelue aâ—ctabaes and fourtie sheepe and of wine six great pottes †The king also did worshipe him and went euery day to adore him But Daniel adored his God the king sayd to him Why dost thou not adore Bel. †Who answering sayd to him Because I worshipe not idols made with hand but the liuing God that created heauen and earth and hath powre ouer al flesh †And the king sayd to him Doeth not Bel some vnto thee to be a liuing God Seest thou not how much he eateth and drinketh euerie day †And Daniel smiling sayd Be not deceiued ô king For this same is within of clay and without of brasse neither hath he eaten at any time †And the king being wrath called his priests sayd to them Vnlesse you tel me who it is that eateth these expenses you shal dye †But if you shew that Bel eateth these things Daniel shal dye because he hath blasphemed against Bel. And Daniel sayd to the king Be it done according to thy woord †And the priests of Bel were seuentie beside their wiues and litle ones children And the king came with Daniel into the temple of Bel. †And the priestes of Bel sayd Behold we goe forth thou ô king set the meates mingle the wine shut the doore seale it with thy ring †and when thou shalt come in the morning vnles thou finde al eaten of Bel dying we wil dye or Daniel that hath lyed against vs. †And they contemned because they had made vnder the table a secrete entrance by it they came in alwayes and deuoured those thinges †It came to passe therfore after they were gone out the king set the meates before Bel Daniel commanded his seruants and they brought ashes and he sifted them ouer al the temple before the king and going forth they shut the doore and sealing it with the kings ring they departed †But the priestes went in by night according to their custome and their wiues and their children and they did eate and drinke al. †And the king arose in the first breake of day and Daniel with him †And the king sayd Are the seales safe Daniel Who answered Safe ô king †And forth with when he had opened the doore the king looking on the table cried out with a lowd
and hath spared his people †And our Lord answered and sayd to his people Behold I wil send you corne and wine and oyle and you shal be replenished with them and I wil geue you no more to be a reproch in the Gentils †And him that is from the North I wil make far from you and I wil expel him into a land vnpassable desert his face against the east sea and his extreme part to the last sea his stinke shal ascend his rotennes shal ascend because he hath done proudly †Feare not ô land reioyce be glad because our Lord hath magnified to doe †Feare not ye beastes of the region because the beautiful thinges of the desert are sprung because the tree hath brought his fruite the figtree and the vine haue geuen their vigour †And ye children of Sion reioyce and be ioyful in the Lord your God because he hath geuen you a doctor of iustice and he wil make the early and the late showre to descend to you as in the beginning †And the floores shal be filled with wheare and the presses shal ouerflow with wine and oyle †And I wil render you the yeares which the locust the bruke and the blast and the eruke hath eaten my great strength which I haue sent vpon you †And you shal eate eating and shal be filled and you shal praise the name of the Lord your God that hath done meruels with you and my people shal not be confounded for euer †And you shal know that I am in the middes of Israel I the Lord your God and there is none besides and my people shal not be confounded for euer †And it shal be after this I wil powre out my spirit vpon al flesh and your sonnes your daughters shal prophecie your ancients shal dreame dreames and your yong men shal see visions †Yea and vpon my seruants and handmayds in those dayes I wil powre out my spirit †And I wil geue wonders in heauen and in earth bloud and fire and vapour of smoke †The sunne shal be turned into darkenes and the moone into bloud before the great and horrible day of the Lord doth come †And it shal be euerie one that shal inuocate the name of the Lord shal be saued because in mount Sion and in Ierusalem shal be saluation as our Lord hath sayd and in the residew whom our Lord shal cal CHAP. III. After the conuersion of the Iewes to Christ 2. shortly foloweth the general Iudgement 3. where euerie one according to their desertes shal receiue expressed here in parabolical speach 7. 19. the wicked euerlasting paine 18. 20. and the blessed eternal ioy BECAVSE loe in those dayes and in that time when I shal conuert the captiuitie of Iuda and Ierusalem †I wil gather together al Nations wil lead them into the valley of Iosaphat and I wil plead with them there vpon my people and myne inheritance Israel whom they haue dispersed in the nations and haue diuided my land †And vpon my people they haue cast lot and boy they haue geuen to be a strumpet and wench they haue sould for wine that they might drinke †But what is to me and to you ô Tyre and Sidon and al the border of the Palesthines what wil you render me reuenge and if you doe reuenge against me I wil soone render you quickly recompence vpon your head †For my siluer and my gold you haue taken and my desiderable thinges and most beautiful you haue caried into your temples †And the children of Ierusalem you haue sold to the children of the Greekes that you might make them far of from their coasts †Behold I wil rayse them vp out of the place wherin you haue sold them and I wil turne your retribution vpon your owne head †And I wil sel your sonnes your daughters into the handes of the children of Iuda and they shal sel them to the Sabaeans a nation far of because our Lord hath spoken †Proclaime ye this in the Gentils sanctifie battel rayse vp the strong let them come let al the men of warre come vp †Cut your ploughes into swordes and your spades into speares Let the weake say That I am strong †Breake out and come al ye nations from round about and be gathered together there wil our Lord make al thy strong ones to be slaine †Let them arise and let the Gentils ascend into the valley of Iosaphat because there I wil sit to iudge al nations round about †Put in the sithes because the haruest is ripe come and descend because the presse is ful the presses runne ouer because their malice is multiplied †Peoples people 's in the valley of d concision because the day of our Lord is nigh in the valley of concision †The sunne and the moone are darkened and the starres haue withdrawen their shining †And our Lord wil roare out of Sion and out of Ierusalem he wil geue his voice and the heauens the earth shal be moued and our Lord the hope of his people and the strength of the children of Israel †And you shal know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Sion my holy mount and Ierusalem shal be holie strangers shal passe through it no more †And it shal be in that day the mountaines shal distil sweetnes and the hilles shal flow with milke and through al the riuers of Iuda shal runne waters a fountaine shal issue out of the house of the Lord and shal water the torrent of thornes †Aegypt shal be into desolation Idumea into a desert of perdition for that they haue done vniustly against the children of Iuda and haue shed innocent bloud in their land †And Iewrie shal be inhabited for euer and Ierusalem vnto generation and generation †And I wil clense their bloud which I had not clensed and the Lord wil dwel in Sion THE PROPHECIE OF AMOS AMOS a heardesman of Thecua in the tribe of Zabulon was indued with the spirite of prophecie about the same time with Osee and Ioel in the reigne of Ozias king of Iuda and of Ieroboam sonne of Ioas king of Israel in Metaphores and other obscure speaches agreable to his pastoral education but profound in sense prophecieth especially against the kingdom of Israel and diuers Gentiles partly also against Iuda foreshewing their afflictions for their sinnes but at last the vocation of al Nations to Christ with abundance of spiritual graces in his Church CHAP. I. In the reigne of Iozias in Iuda and of Ieroboam in Israel this prophet Amos 3. threatneth Damascus 6. Gaza 8. Azotus and other Philistians 9. Tyre 11. Idumea 13. and Ammon for their obstinacie in sinne abusing his long patience THE wordes of Amos who was among the pastours of Thecua Which he saw vpon
geue you spirit and soule and life and the members of euerie one I my selfe framed not †But in deede the Creator of the world that hath formed the natiuitie of man and that inuented the origine of al he wil restore againe with mercie vnto you spirit and life as now you despise your selues for his lawes †But Antiochus thinking himselfe contemned and withal despising the voice of the vpbrayder when the yonger was yet aliue he did not only exhort with wordes but also with oth he affirmed that he would make him rich happie and being turned from the lawes of his fathers he would account him a freind and geue him thinges necessarie †But when the yong man was not inclined to these thinges the king called the mother and counselled her to deale with the yong man to saue his life †And when he had exhorted her in manie wordes she promised that she would counsel her sonne †Therfore bending towards him mocking the cruel tyrant she sayd in her countrie language My sonne haue pitie on me which haue borne thee in my wombe nine moneths and gaue thee milke for three yeares and nourished thee and brought thee vnto this age †I beseech thee my sonne that thou looke to heauen and earth and to al thinges that are in them and vnderstand that God of nothing made them and mankinde †so shal it come to passe that thou wilt not feare this tormenter but being made a worthie partaker with thy bretheren take thou death that in that mercie I may receiue thee againe with thy bretheren †When she as yet was saying these thinges the yong man sayd For whom stay you I obey not the commandement of the king but the commandement of the law which was geuen vs by Moyses †But thou that art become the inuenter of al malice against the Hebrewes shal not escape the hand of God †For we for our sinnes doe suffer these thinges †And if the Lord our God hath bene angrie with vs a litle for rebuke correction yet he wil be reconciled againe to his seruants †But thou ô wicked and of al men most flagicious be not in vaine extolled with vaine hopes inflamed against his seruantes †For thou hast not yet escaped the iudgement of the almightie God and him that beholdeth al thinges †For my bretheren hauing now susteyned short payne are become vnder the testament of eternal life but thou by the iudgement of God shalt receiue iust punishment for thy pride †And I as also my brethren doe yeld my life and my bodie for the lawes of our fathets inuocating God to be propicious to our nation quickly and that thou with torments and stripes maist confesse that he onlie is God †But in me and in my brethren shal the wrath of the Almightie cease which hath iustly bene brought vpon al our stocke †Then the king incensed with anger raged against him more cruelly aboue al the rest taking it grieuously that he was mocked †And this same therfore died vnspotted wholy trusting in our Lord. †And last of al after the sonnes the mother also was consumed †Therfore of the sacrifices and of the exceeding cruelties there is ynough sayd CHAP. VIII Iudas Machabeus with six thousand men commendîng their cause to God 6. prospereth in battel 8. Philippe soliciting for more helpe Nicanor and Gorgias are sent with twentie thousand men against Iudas 12. whose men beginning to feare and some flying he encoregeth the rest 19. reciting manie examples of Gods assistance 22. disposeth his armie and prâ—uayleth 30. killing manie of Timothees and Bacchideâ— men 34. The principal hardly escaping by flight acknowlege that God protecteth the lewes BVT Iudas Machabeus and they that were with him went in secretely into the townes and calling together their kinsemen and taking vnto them those that continewed in Iudaisme they brought out to them six thousand men †And they inuocated our Lord that he would haue respect vnto his people that was troden of al and would haue mercie on the temple that was cotaminated of the impious †he would haue pitie also vpon the destruction of the citie which was forth with to be made flat with the ground and would heare the voice of the bloud crying to him †he would remember also the most vniust deathes of innocent children and the blasphemies done to his name and would take indignation for them †But Machabeus hauing gathered a multitude became intolerable to the heathen for the wrath of our Lord was turned into mercie †And coming vpon the castels and cities vnlooked for he burnt them taking commodious places he made not few slaughters of the enemies †and especially in the nightes he was caried to such excursions and the fame of his manlines was spred abrode euerie where †But Philip seing the man to come forward by litle and litle and that thinges for the more part succeeded with him prosperously wrote to Ptolomee the gouernour of Coelesyria and Phoenicia to geue ayde to the kinges affaires †And he with spede sent Nicanor the sonne of Patroclus of the principals of his freindes geuing him of the nations mingled together no lesse then twentie thousand armed men to destroy vtterly al the stocke of the Iewes adioyning also vnto him Gorgias a man of warre and in martial affayres of very great experience †And Nicanor appointed that he would supplie vnto the king the tribute that was to be geuen to the Romanes two thousand talents out of the captiuitie of the Iewes †and forthwith he sent to the cities by the sea side calling men together to the buying of the Iewish slaues promising that he would sel ninetie slaues for a talent not looking to the vengeance which was to folow him from the Almightie †But Iudas when he vnderstood it shewed to those Iewes that were with him the coming of Nicanor †Of whom certaine fearing and not crediting the iustice of God fled away †and others if they had any thing left sold it withal be sought our Lord that he would deliuer them from the impious Nicanor who had sold them before he came neere them †and if not for them yet for the testament that was with their fathers and for the inuocation of his holie magnifical name vpon them †But Machabeus calling together seuen thousand that were with him desired that they would not be reconciled to the enemies nor feare the multitude of the enemies coming against them vniustly but would fight manfully †hauing before their eyes the contume lie that was vniustly done by them to the holie place and moreouer the iniurie also of the citie being made a laughing stocke besides also the ordinances of the ancesters broken †For they in dede trust to their weapons sayd he and to their boldnes also but we trust in the Almightie Lord who can vtterly destroy
ouer al the earth †And it came to passe when it reigned an end came to it and the place therof appeared not and the next rose vp reigned that held much time †And it came to passe when it reigned the end of it also came that it appeared not as the former †And behold a voice was sent forth to it saying †Heare thou that hast held the earth of long time Thus I tel thee before thou beginne not to appeare †None after thee shal hold thy time no nor the halfe therof †And the third lifted vp it selfe and held the principalitie as also the former and that also appeared not †And so it chanced to al the other by one by one to haue the principalitie agayne to appeare nowhere †And I saw and behold in time the rest of the winges were sent vp on the right side that they also might hold the principalitie and of them there were that held it but yet forth with they appeared not †For some also of them stoode vp but they held not the principalitie †And I saw after these thinges and behold the twelue winges and two litle winges appeared not †and nothing remayned in the bodie of the eagle but two heades resting and six litle winges †And I saw and behold from the six litle winges two were diuided and they remayned vnder the head that is on the right side For foure taried in their place †And I sa 〈…〉 d behold the vnderwinges thought to set vp them selues and to hold the principalities †And I saw and behold one was set vp but forth with it appeared not †And they that were second did sooner vanish away then the former †And I saw and behold the two that remayned thought with them selues that they also would reigne †and when they were thincking thereon behold one of the resting heades which was the midde one awaked for this was greater then the other two heades †And I saw that the two heades were complete with themselues †And behold the head with them that were with him turned and did eate the two vnderwinges that thought to reigne †And this head terrified al the earth ruled in it ouer them that inhabite the earth with much labour and he that held the dominion of the whole world aboue al the winges that were †And I saw after these thinges and behold the midle head sodenly appeared not as did the winges †And there remained two heads which reigned also themselues ouer the earth and ouer them that dwelt therein †And I saw and behold the head on the right side deuoured that which was on the left †And I heard a voice saying to me Looke against thee and consider what thou seest †And I saw behold as a lion raysed out of the wood roaring and I saw that he sent out a mans voyce to the eagle And he spake saying †Heare thou and I wil speake to thee and the Highest wil say to thee †Is it not thou that hast ouercome of the foure beastes which I made to reigne in my world and that by them the end of their times might come †And the fourth coming ouercame al the beastes that were past and by might held the world with much feare and al the world with most wicked laboure and he inhabited the whole earth so long time with deceipte †And thou hast iudged the earth not with truth †For thou hast afflicted the meeke and hast trubled them that were quiet and hast loued lyers hast destroyed their habitations that did fructifie and hast ouerthrowen their walles that did not hurt thee †And thy contumelie is ascended euen to the Highest and thy pride to the Strong †And the Highest hath looked vpon the proud times and behold they are ended and the abominations therof are accomplished †Therfore thou eagle appeare no more and thy horrible winges thy litle winges most wicked and thy heades malignant and thy talons most wicked and al thy bodie vayne †that al the earth may be refreshed and may returne deliuered from thy violence and may hope for his iudgement and mercie that made it CHAP. XII The eagle vanisheth away 5. Esdras prayeth 10. and the former visions are declared to him AND it came to passe whiles the lyon spake these wordes to the eagle I saw †and behold the head that had ouercome and those foure winges appeared not which passed to him and were set vp to reigne and their reigne was smal and ful of tumult †And I saw and behold they appeared not and al the bodie of the eagle was burnt the earth was afrayd excedinly and I by the tumult and traunce of minde and for great feare awaked and sayd to my spirit †Behold thou hast geuen me this in that that thou searchest the wayes of the Highest †Behold yet I am wearie in minde and in my spirit I am very feeble and there is not so much as a litle strength in me for the great feare that I was afrayd of this night †Now therfore I wil pray the Highest that he strengthen me euen to the end †And I sayd Lord Dominatour if I haue found grace before thine eyes and if I am iustified before thee aboue manie and if in deede my prayer be ascended before thy face †strengthen me and shew vnto me thy seruant the interpretation and distinction of this horrible vision that thou mayst comfort my soule most fully †For thou hast counted me worthie to shew vnto me the later times And he sayd to me †This is the interpretation of this vision †The eagle which thou sawest coming vp from the sea this is the kingdom which was sene in a vision to Daniel thy brother †But it was not interpreted to him therfore I do now interprete it to thee †Behold the dayes come and there shal rise a kingdom vpon the earth and the feare shal be more terrible then of al the kingdomes that were before it †And there shal twelue kinges reigne it it one after an other †For the second shal beginne to reigne and he shal continew more time then the rest of the twelue †This is the interpretation of the twelue winges which thou sawest †And the voice that spake which thou heardst not coming forth of her heads but from the middes of her bodie †this is the interpretation that after the time of that kingdom shal rise no smal contentions and it shal be in danger to fal and it shal not fal then but shal be constituted againe according to the beginning therof †And wheras thou sawest eight vnderwings cleauing to the wings therof †this is the interpretation eight kinges shal arise in it whose times shal be light and yeares swift and two of them shal perish †But when the middest time approcheth foure shal be kept til a time