or Ecclesiastae c. but stil Lectio libri Sapientiae The solution therfore is very probable that this booke of wisdom was written by Philo Iudeus not he that liued after Christ but an other of the same name nere two hundred yeares before And Ecclesiasticus by Iesus the sonne of Sirach Who not only imitated Salomon but also compiled their bookes for most part of Salomons sentences conserued til their times by tradition or in separated scrolles of papers yea they so vtter some sentences in his person as if himself had written them As touching the auctoritie of these two bookes and some others it is euident that the Iewes refuse them And therfore manie ancient Fathers writing against them spared sometimes to vrge such bookes as they knew would be reiected Especially hauing abundant testimonies of other holie Scriptures for deciding matters of faith against them Euen as our Sauiour himself proued the Resurrection of the dead against the Sadduces out of the bookes of Moyses which they confessed for Canonical Scripture denying other partes where the same point might otherwise haue bene more euidently shewed And so S. Ierom in respect of the Iewes saide these bookes were not Canonical Neuertheles he did often alleage testimonies of them as of other diuine Scriptures sometimes with this parenthesis si cui tamen placet librum recipere in cap. 8. 12. Zachariae other times especially in his last writinges absolutly without such restriction as in cap. 1. 56. Isaiae in 18. Ieremiae Where he professeth to alleage none but Canonical Scripture As for al the other ancient fathers here aboue mentioned ascribing this booke to Salomon and manie others cited by Doctor Iodocus Coccius To. 1. Thesauri li. 6. art 9. they make no doubt at al but that it is Canonical Scripture as appeareth by their expresse termes Diuine Scripture Diuine word Sacred letters Prophetical saying the Holie Ghost saith the like Finally aswel ancient General counsels namely that of Charthage an D. 419. With others as the later of Florence and Trent haue declared this booke to be Canonical And that conformably to the most ancient and lerned Fathers as S. Augustin not only iudgeth himself but also plainly testifieth li. de Pradestinat Sanct. c. 14. saying The sentence of the booke of wisdom ought not to be reiected by certaine inclining to Pelagianisme Which hath bene so long publiquely read in the Church of Christ and receiued of al Christians Byshops and others euen to the last of the Laitie Penitents and Catecumes cum veneratione diuinae auctoritatis With veneration of diuine auctoritie Which also the excellent writers next to the Apostles times alleaging for witnes nihil se adâ—ibere nisi diuinum testimonium crediderunt thought they alleaged nothing but diuine testimonie The summe and contents of this booke is an Instruction and Exhortation to Kinges and al Magistrates to minister iustice in the comonwealth teaching al sortes of vertues vnder the general names of iustice Wisdom With frequent Prophecies of Christs Coming Passion Resurrection other Christian Mysteries Al may be commodiously diuided into three partes In the six first chapters the auctor admonisheth al Superiors to loue and exercise iustice and wisdom In the next three he teacheth that Wisdom procedeth only from God is procured by prayer good life In the other tenne chapters he sheweth the excellent effects and vtilitie of wisdom and Iustice THE BOOKE OF WISDOM CHAP. I. Superiors are admonished to do iustice sincerely seking God 7. Who being euery where seeth al thinges 11. Murmuration detraction and lying bring to perdition 13. God created men to liue but they brought death vpon themselues LOVE iustice you that iudge the earth Thincke of our Lord in goodnes and in simplicitie of hart seeke him †because he is found of them that tempt him not and he appeareth to them that haue saith in him †For peruerse cogitations seperate from God and proued powre chasteneth the vnwise †because wisdom wil not enter into a malicious soule nor dwel in a bodie subiect to sinnes †For the Holie Ghost of discipline wil flie from him that feyneth and wil withdraw himselfe from the cogitations that are without vnderstanding and he shal be chastened of iniquitie â—niâ— wing †For the spirite of wisdom is gentle and wil no 〈…〉 the â—â— for from his lippes because God is witnes of 〈…〉 is a true searcher of his hart and an hâ—arâ—r 〈…〉 cause the Spirite of our Lord â—ath 〈…〉 who le world and that which contayneth al 〈…〉 â—udge of voice †For this cause he that speaketh â—â—â—â—st thinges can not be hid neither shal the chastising iudgment passe him †For in the cogitations of the impâ—ouâ— there shal be examination and the hearing of his workes shal come to God to the chastising of his iniquities †Because the eare of ielousie heareth al thinges and the tumult of murmurings shal not be hid †Kepe your selues therfore from murmuring which profiteth nothing and refraine your tongue from detraction because an obscure speache shal not passe in vaine and the mouth that lyeth killeth the soule †Zeale not death in the errour of your life neither procure ye perdition by the workes of your handes †Because God made not death neither doth he reioyce in the perdition of the liuing †For he created al thinges to be and he made the nations of the earth to health and there is no medicine of destruction in them nor kingdome of hel in the earth †For iustice is pâ—rpetual and immortal †But the impious with handes wordes haue prouoked it and esteming it a freind haue fallen to decay and haue made couenances with it because they are worthie to be of the part therof CHAP. II. Such as hope not of life to come 6. addict themselues to 〈…〉 â—â— and persecute the iust especially our Sauioâ—◠〈…〉 their wickednes 23. Death came vpon man by the 〈…〉 FOR they haue said thinking with the 〈…〉 Little and with tediousnes is the time of 〈…〉 the end of a man there is no recouâ—â—â—â— and 〈…〉 knowne that hath returned from hel †because oe of 〈…〉 were we borne and after this we shal be as if 〈…〉 bene because the breath is a smoke in our nosthrels â—â—â—â—ch a sparke to moue our hart †Which being extinguished our bodie shal be ashes and the spirit shal be powred abrode as soft ayre and our life shal passe as the trace of a cloude and shal be dissolued as a mist which is driuen away by the beames of the sunne and oppressed with the heate therof †and our name in time shal be forgotten and no man shal haue remembrance of our workes †For our time is the passing of a shadow and there is no returne of our end because it is sealed and no man returneth †Come therfore
supposing me to be like a ruinous or shaken wal that is easily throwne downe g They thinck stil to depriue me of my reward the price of my laboures and merites h but I runne so much more diligently as thirsting after righteousnes in this life and glorie in the next to finish my course i A most dangerous tentation when after threates and crueltie persecutors endeuour by swete wordes and promises to perswaed the iust to fal into sinne k I resolutly purpose not to yeld to anie tentations l Gods faithful seruantes are not only constant themselues but also exhorte and perswade al others as much as in them lieth to serue God and trust in him m Vsing false weightes they defraud one an other n God hauing nce spoken it is most assured o Two especial attributes of God p God is Omnipotent so that he can both reward and punish infinitly q and Merciful that he is readie to receiue al sinners into his fauour if they wil repent and turne vnto him Mat. 16. Rom. 2. 1. Cor. 3. Gal. 6. Dauids deuotion in banishment the 8. key a Holie Dauid made this deuout meditation when he was in the forest of Haret or desert of Ziph 1. Reg. 22. 23. and could not come to the tabernacle of God nor to Ierusalem where he especially desired to be in the inheritance of our Lord which was to him a great affliction As the like is now to Catholiques when they are put in close prison for their faith or otherwise hindered that they can not be present at the most holie and daylie Sacrifice In which ease we must supplie as we may this great losse and comfort ourselues with this or like Psalme or prayer saying O God my God to thee I watch b Euen from the first downing of the morning c my soule thirsteth after thee d yea also my very flesh and whole bodie feeleth great paines by this affliction of mind and desireth releefe and rest e Being now in case that I can not serue thee ô God as I would yet I exhibite myselfe present in spirite before thy holie place f meditating thy powre and thy glorie g This consolation in banishment from thy diuine Seruice is sweeter to me then manie temporal liues or anie worldlie prosperitie h For as the Passions of Christ abound in vs saith S. Paul 2. Cor. 1. so also by Christ our comfort aboundeth i Replenish my soul ô God with the aboundance of thy grace k so shal I be more able to praise thee l Seing in the night also in my bed I meditate of thee m I wil more diligently do the same in the morning n My temporal and spiritual enimies o and they shal be damned for their sinnes p It happened lâ—terally to Saul that he was slaine in battle which he made against his enimies q and his dead bodie was hung on a wall 1. Reg. 31. exposed to wilde beastes or birdes though it was after wards bu nt and buried r Dauid was presently after Sauls death exalted to the kingdome in figure of Christ whose name and glorie was exalted after the destruction of the Iewes by Pagane Emperours A confident prayer in trihâ—lation the 7. key a By example of thy former protection b from the conspiracie of wicked men I trust most assuredly in thy helpe c They are resolued to intrappe me d But as they haue failed so 〈…〉 and be ouerreached in their bad counsels as Achitophel 2. Reg. 17. e God hath chosen the weake of this world â—o confound the strong f much merueled seing the wicked so punished g The iust shal be praised for rightly seruing God Conuersion oâ— Gentiles the 6. key a The seuentie interpreters seing Dauid here prophecie of the peoples returne from Babylou added the names of Ieremie and Ezechiel who being in that captiuitie prophecied the same more largely As likewise these and other Prophetes foresavv in spirite and more especially prophecied the going forth of al nations from Babylon that is forsaking Idolatrie and embracing true Religion â—n the Church of Christ so S. Augustin Eutymius and others b Not in Babylon nor els vvhere but only in the Church praises and vovves are gratful to God c Alnations shal know thee d The wicked are insolent in threatning e but thou mercifully pardoning our sinnes they shal not hurt vs. f They are happie to whom thou hast prepared grace and glorie g The voice of the faithful reioycing in the hope of eternal glorie Rom. 5 h nothing polluted shal enter into heauen Apo. 21. i Thou which art al powreful as appeareth by the huge montaines k seas and other thy workcâ— l Thou wilt by thy omnipotent powre moue the hartes of obdurate men and so conuert innumerable of al nations to thee m Thou wilt draw manie to thee with ioy and gladnes from the vttermost coastes of the east and weast n God wrought diuers miracles in waters Gen. 7. Exo. 7. 14. 15. Iosue 3. 4. Reg. 5. 6. c. o likewise in prouiding meate for his people Exo. 16. 3. Reg. 17. 4. Reg. 4. 7. c. which were figures of Baptisme Eucharist and other Sacraments of Christ washing from sinnes and augmenting grace p so replenishing the Chureh with most sacred Mysteries q Endewing the Apostles and other preachers with spiritual grace and lerning r continuing the succession of pastores to watter and feede the faithful people Å¿ God blesseth the whole course or circle of time of the Church militant in this world t and the crowne or happie end of euerie iust persons life vv those vvhich are more eminent shal particularly reioyce in their ovvne and others spiritual progresse in vertue v Euen those which before had only a shew of beautie but in dede vvere barren shal yelde abundant fruict x The principal pastores shal in proportion reioyce aboue the rest for the grace and glorie of al their flocke y the subiectes also and inferior people shal be satiate vvith their happie lotte z Al together prelates and people higher and lovver shal vvith vn forme voice sing praises to God and perpetual hymnes Perpetuitie of the Church S. Aug. Eutym Reward of the iust Sainctes crownes are of Gods benignitie The Corones of our Lord and our Ladie Gentils succede the Iewes the 6. key a Mystical resurrection Gentiles succeding in place of the Iewes b Shew your internal ioy by external wordes and deedes c In drovvning the vvorld in confounding the tongues in Babel in burning Sodom and Gomorrha with brimston in plaging the Aegyptians in drovvning Pharao and his vvhole armie in the read sea in destroying the Chananites and other infideles in punishing the tenne tribes and aftervvards the other tvvo by captiuitie and innumerable other punishments al for sinnes d for vvhich euen the vvicked though not sincerly conuerted yet of seruile feare feaned and falsly promised to amend but performed it not as Pharao afflicted vvith plagues vvas
Blesse our Lord ye fountaines prayse and superexalt him for euer †Seas and riuers blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Whales and al things that moue in the waters blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Blesse our Lord al ye foules of heauen prayse and superexalt him for euer †Al beasts and cattel blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Sonnes of men blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Let Israel blesse our Lord prayse and superexalte him for euer †Priests of our Lord blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Seruants of our Lord blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Spirits and soules of the iust blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Holie and humble of hart blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer †Ananias Azarias and Misael blesse ye our Lord prayse and superexalt him for euer Because he hath deliuered vs from hel and saued vs out of the hand of death and deliuered vs out of the middes of the burning flame and out of the middes of the fire hath he rid vs. †Confesse ye to our Lord because he is good because his mercie is for euer †Al religious blesse ye our Lord the God of goddes prayse and confesse ye to him because his mercie is vnto al worldes Hitherto it is not in the Hebrevv and that vvhich vve haue put is translated out of the Edition of Theodotion †Then Nabuchodonosor the king was astonied and he arose hastely said to his nobles Did we not cast three men fettered into the middes of the fire Who answering the king said It is true ô king †He answered and said Behold I see foure men loose and walking in the middes of the fire and there is no corruption in them the forme of the fourth is like to the sonne of God †Then came Nabuchodonosor to the doore of the fornace of burning fire and said Sidrach Misach Abdenago seruants of the high God goe ye forth and come And forthwith Sidrach Misach and Abdenago went out of the middes of the fire †And the nobles and the magistrates and iudges and the potentates of the king being gathered together beheld those men that the fire had no powre on their bodies not a heare of their head was singed yea their breeches were not altered the sent of the fire had not passed by them †And Nabuchodonosor breaking forth said Blessed be the God of them to witte of Sidrach Misach and Abdenago who hath sent his Angel and hath deliuered his seruants that beleued in him and they changed the kings word deliuered their bodies that they might not serue and might not adore anie god except their owne God †By me therfore this decree is made that euerie people tribe and tongue whatsoeuer shal speake blasphemie against the God of Sidrach Misach and Abdenago he perish and his house be wasted for there is none other God that can so saue †Then did the king promote Sidrach Misach and Abdenago in the prouince of Babylon †Nabuchodonosor the king to al peoples nations and tongues that dwel in the whole earth peace be multiplied vnto you †The high God hath wrought signes and meruelous thinges with me It hath pleased me therfore to publish †his signes because they are great and his meruels because they are strong and his kingdom an euerlasting kingdom his powre in generation and to genaration CHAP. IIII. King Nabuchodonosor hauing an other dreame telleth it to Daniel demanding of him the interpretation 16. who encoreged and warrented to speake freely sheweth that the king shal become like a beast in forme seuen yeares 28. the same is confirmed by a voice from heauen 30. and being fulfilled he is at last restored to his owne forme and state I Nabuchodonosor was quiet in my house and florishing in my palace †I saw a dreame that made me sore afrayd and my cogitations in my bed and the visions of my head disturbed me †And by me there was a decree setforth that al the wisemen of Babylon should be brought into my sight and that they should shew me the solution of the dreame †Then came in the southsayers magicians Chaldees and diuiners and I told the dreame in their sight the solution therof they shewed me not †til their collegue Daniel came into my fight whose name is Baltassar according to the name of my God who hath the spirit of the holie goddes in himself and I told the dreame before him †Baltassar prince of the southsayers because I know that thou hast the spirit of the holie goddes in thee and no secrete is impossible to thee tel thou the visions of my dreames which I haue sene and the solution of them †The vision of my head in my bed I saw and behold a tree in the middes of the earth and the height therof exceding †A great tree and strong and the height therof touching the heauen the sight therof was euen to the endes of al the earth †The leaues therof most fayre and the fruit therof exceding much and the foode of al thinges in it vnder it dwelt cattel and beasts and in the boughes therof conuersed the foules of heauen and of it al flesh did eate †I saw in the vision of my head vpon my bed behold a watchman and an holie one descended from heauen †He cried mightely and thus he sayd Cut ye downe the tree choppe of the boughes therof shake of the leaues therof and scatter the fruits therof let the beasts flie that are vnder it and the foules from the boughes therof †But yet leaue the spring of the rootes therof in the earth and let it be tyed with yron and brasen band among the grasse that is without and let it be dipped with the dew of heauen and with wild beasts his portion in the grasse of the earth †“ Let his hart be changed from humane let the hart of a wild beast be geuen him and let seuen times be changed ouer him †In the sentence of the watchman is the decree and the word of saintes and the petition til the liuing know that the hiegh one ruleth in the kingdom of men and to whom soeuer it shal please him he wil geue it the basest man he wil appoint ouer it †This dreame saw I Nabuchodonosor the king thou therfore ô Baltassar tel the interpretation quickly because al the wisemen of my kingdom can not declare the solution vnto me but thou canst because the spirit of holie goddes is in thee †Then Daniel whose name was Baltassar began secretely to thinke within himself as it were for one houre his cogitations trubled him But the king answering said Baltassar let not the dreame
reproches v God semed to be wel pleased with Christ as with his owne Sonne if it be so let him deliuer him from these afflictions say these blasphemers w diuine powre without man formed me in the wombe of my mother a virgin x As I haue no father but thee O God so without intermission from myn incarnation to this time I haue had thee my protector y leaue me not now without comforte seing I must dye as thou hast determined and I freely consented yet leaue me not in death but raise me againe to life Psal 15. v. 9. 10. z Almost al are become myn enemies and those few that would can not helpe me a Delicate lasciuious yougmen b and the scribes Pharises and elders of the people haue al conspired against me c condemning me and perswading the people to crie Crucifie crucifie him d So weakned with paines of torments as fluide water not able to consist e My bones and strongest partes of my bodie are weakned verified when our Sauiour fel downe vnder his crosse f the part that first and last liueth is weakened as soft waxe by heat of the fire and ready to faile g al my powres and radical humiditie is dried vp as a potters vessel is baked in the furnace h Through exceding great drught which our Sauiour professed on the crosse saying I thirst i thus thou O God hast suffered me to come to the last breath of life next to death Yet finally ouâ— Seuiour gaue vp his spirite before he should haue died v. 21. k Agane this royal Prophet recounteth by whom and how our B. Sauiour should suffer euen as clere as tho Euangelistes afterwards haue written the historie â—â—â— 19. l Our Sauiours body was so racked on the crosse that his bones might be seene and counted m The persecuters vvittingly determined al tiâ—â— crueltie beheld it vvith their eyes and vvithout al compassion persisted in malice reioyced and blasphemed n the souldiars that crucified our Sauiour taking his garments for their praye o yet in mysterie of his Church diuided not his coate p He prophecieth Christs speedy resurrection q Christs saul vvas not seperated from his bodie by force of the torments but he preuenting death freely yelded vp his spirite Ioan. 10. v. 9. 10. r the most pure and sanctified soule of vvhose fulnes al other iust soules are sanctified Å¿ that it stay not in hel vvhich deuoured al other soules in the old Testament t The propagation of the Church of Christ in al nations v not the carnal but spiritual children of Iacob Isaac and Abraham Rom. 9. v. 8. w the Church gethered both of Ievves and Gentiles is very great and vniuersal x Our Sauiour promised to geue his ovvne bodie the bread of life Ioan. 6 and performed the same at his last supper y those that be faithful humble and poore in spirit participat the sruict of this most excellent Sacrament z The effect of this B. Sacrament is the resurrection in glorie and life euerlasting a Gentiles which haue bene idolaters shal recollect themselues when they heare Christ preached and shal turne to true Religion b Although men can neither deserue to be conuerted nor to perseuere in iustice yet Christ meriteth to haue a continual kingdom which is the perpetual visible Catholique Church c Not only the poore sorte but also the mightie ones of the world shal be conuerted to Christ participate his B. Bodie in the Sacrament d and religiously adore the same e Al that adore God shad adore him in this Sacraments f Death being once ouercome it shal haue no more powre g Againe the prophet inculcateth the continuance of the Catholique Church h Apostles and other preachers of Christ Christs Resurrection The Passion of Christ according to Dauid Christs conditional prayer was not heard His absolute prayers were alwaies heard Christs suffered for our example â— Pet. 2. The Hebrew text corrupted by the Iewes This Psalme is of Christ Prophecie of the visible and vniuersal Church in huâ—â— Psal S. Agustin proueth the Church to be alwaies visible and great by this Psalme The Eucharist prophecied in this place Real presence of Christ in the Eucharist ThaÌ„ksgeuing for Gods protection The 7. key a Christ the good pastor gouerneth protecteth Isa 40. Iere. 23. Ezech. 34. Ioan. 10. 1. Pet. 2. 5. b and feedeth his faithful flocke c Baptisme of regeneration d which is the first iustification e Gods precepts which the baptised must obserue Mat. 28. v. 20. f Saluation is in the name and powre of Christ not in mans owne merites g in great dangers of tentations to mortal sinne h yet by Gods grace we may resist i Gods direction and law is streight k and strong l Christ hath prepared for our spiritual foode the B. Sacrament of the Eucharist S. Cyprian Epist 63. Eutim in hunc Psal m against al spiritual enemies the world the flesh and the diuel n Christian soules are also streingthned by the Sacraments of Confirmation Penance holie-Orders Matrimonie and Extreme Vnction o The B. Sacrament and Sacrifice of Christs bodie and bloud p continual and final peseuerance is by Gods special grace q in eternal life Christ Lord of al the world The 5. key a Christ rising from death the first day of the weeke had al powre geuen him in heauen and in earth Mat. 28. b Not only the soile it selfe but al the fruict and al that dwel therin are Gods c Though Christ created and redeemed al yet only the iust shal inherite heauen d not occupied himselfe in vaine and vnprofitable thinges but in commendable workes e Gods mercy goeth before iustifications iust workes folow and so glorie is the reward of al. f This sorte of people thus seruing God shal receiue euerlasting blisse g The prophet contemplating in spirite Christs Ascension inuiteth Angels to receiue him and by prosopopeia speaketh also to the gates of heauen by which he is to enter h Angels answer admiring demanding as in a dialogue how Christ is become so glorious i The Prophet answereth that Christ by his powre hath ouercome al enemies in battel k Againe he willeth Angels to open the gates and biddeth the gates to enlarge them selues l the Angels demand as before m the prophet answereth that Christ is Lord also of Angels and al heauenlie powres vnder God A prayer of the faithful The 7. key a This Psalme perteyneth more properly to the new testament And is artificially composed the verses beginniÌ„g with distinct letters in order of the Hebrew Alphabet to the last verse b my minâ— to be atteÌ„tiue c not be frustrate of my petition d that patiently expect the time when God wil assist e This maner of praying is frequent in the Psalmes signifying as a prophecie that so it wil come to passe and the conformitie of the iust to Gods iustice f in true faith and religion g al our
is most faithful that he vvil forgeue sinners and receiue them into his fauoure againe when so euer they resoluing to serue him repent and cease to sinne h Thou ô God that hast care of al creatures not only of men but also of brute beastes art euer readie of thy part to saue both moderate men in vvhom the light of reason remaineth and also grosse senseles persons vvhich are become brutish like horse and mule or other beastes i For so our Lord multiplieth his mercie k Yet with condition that sensles or brutish men must become reasonable men the children of men not coltes whelpes pigges c. l Sinners thus conuerted shal not only haue al necessaries in this life as al liuing creatures haue in this world but also shal hope of spiritual heauenly eternal glorie prepared for Angels and children of men as in the verses folovving m Leâ—t anie impediment hinder the obtayning and possession of eternal revvard the iust must specially pray not to be infected vvith pride n nor be ouercome by the forcible tentations of other sinners by persvvasion not euil example o The first sinne tovvit of diuels vvas pride and mans sinne vvas by persvvasion of the diuel p neither of which could escape punishment An exhortatioÌ„ to contempt of this vvorld The 7. key This Psalme is composed in order of the Alphabet euerie distick beginning vvith a diuers letter to moue the reader to diligent attention which may serue in place of a larger coÌ„mentarie a For Dauids and euery iust mans instruction b Neither be thou offended that the wicked do prosper in this world nor imitate them that thou maist also prosper c For al this life and consequently the prosperitie therof is shorte and vncertaine d Put thy trust in God liuing content in this world e he wil geue thee that is necessarie f Commend al thyn affaireâ— to God g Partly making vertue appeare to the comfort of the vertuous and example of others in this life but especially in the next world h the land of the liuing Matâ— i By way of imprecation as in manie other places the prophet forsheweth that wicked men shal fal into the euils which they prepare for others k Though the iust fal of frailtie orignorance into venial sinne yet Gods grace shal stay him that he fal not into mortal The iust falleth seuen times in the day riseth Prou. 24. l So king Dauid obserued and it very rarely happeneth that the iust or their children are â—â—cle 2. destitute of necessarie sustenance in this vvorld If it chance in some it is to their greater merite and is manifestly recompensed in spiritual giftes In which sense S. Basil expoundeth that it is alwayes verified For God euer rewardeth good workes either temporally or spiritually or both wayes S. Augustin also conc 3. in hunc Psal exemplifieth in Abraham Isaac and Iacob with al his familie who were forced to goe into other countries by reason of famine and by Gods prouidence were there susta ned Gen. 12. 26 46 and S Paul among his other tribulations mentioneth famine and thirst 2. Cor. 11. v. 27. Seing therfore these so iust persons sought their bread in necessitie he expoundeth this holie Scripture in the Allegorical sense that the Church from her beginning in Ierusalem to the end of the world neuer wanteth the true word of God true faith and doctrin which is the spiritual bread vvher vvith the soule is nourished m In these tvvo priÌ„ciples declining froÌ„ euil and doing good true iustice consisteth n and he that finally obserueth these tvvo pointes merâ—teth and shal possesse heauen Pro. 31. Isa â—â— o to draw him to mortal sinne which is death of the soule p rewardes q mans iustice and wel doing is not of his owne powre but of Gods grace The third penitential Psalme The 7. key a In remembrance that by sinne â—â— lost the rest and peace which man had in the state of innocencie secondly we lost the peace of conscience thirdly the rest and peace of eternal felicitie b Condemne me not to eternal paine c nor punish me in purgatorie fire but purge me so in this life that the purging fite be not needful By which fire saith S Augustin though some shal be saued grauâ—or tamen erâ—t ille â—gnis quam quicquid potest homo paâ—â—n hac vita yet that fire shal be more greuous hen whatsoeuer a man can suffer in this â—â—ife S. Gregoâ—y also expoundeth this same place as if Dauid sayd thus I â—new it will coâ—e to passe that after the end of this life some shal be cleansed by purging flames some shal be vnder the senteâ—ce of eternal damnation But because I do esteme that transitorie fire more intolerable then al present tribulation I desire not only not to be rebuked in furie of eternal damnation but also I feare to be purged in the wrâ—th of transitorie correption Thou therfore ó Lord whom I serue in my spâ—â—iâ—â— whom I know to be the Sauiour of al men rebuke me not in furie of perpetual damnation not chatise me in wrath of purging punishment See Annotat. Psal 6. d Afflictions of mind and bodie sent by thy iust iudgement e thou hast strooke me with an heauie hand f I already feele in my flesh in al my bones and powreâ— great affliction g considering thy iustice h and my sinnes i which are excedingly increased almost ouerwhelming my spirite sinnes not washed away by penance by their weight carie the soule into more and more wickednes l stil corrupting those partes which were whole before as a pestered sore that is not cured m not able to goe streight to do anie good worke being guiltie of greuous sinne n concupiscence striuing in me o from the sorrow of my hart my voice hath broken out into clamour p â— God thou knowest my desire to be restored to thy fauour q those that were my freindes and companions in sinne are become myn enemies because I forsake them r sought by al meanes to intangle me againe Å¿ I now renouÌ„ce al sinne t I now relie vpon thee ô God v for this cause I am returned to thee and do pray that mine enemies may not preuail against me w I resigne my selfe to thee x though thou knowest al yet with mouth consession is made to saluation y and I meditate of that which my sinne hath deserued z one kind of detraction is in reueling secrete faultes an other in feaning and imputing false crimes the third here mentioned in calling vertue vice as penance hypochrisie a Graunt me Lord final perseueraÌ„ce in thy grace and seruice Gods prouidence The 3. key a Some expound this Psalme of the Iewes in captiuitie in Babylon but this title and the matter conteyned shew that it rather peteineth to the new Testament b to be songue by Idithun and his scholars successors or rather by Christianes c weake men in
spirite the perfections which he wisheth in Christ in maner of congratulating describeth his fortitude fighting against the diuel for the Church n purposing o prosecuting p and perfecting the conquest and so establishing thy spiritual kingdome q Not vvith warlike armour of this world but by assaulting the aduersarie with truth r defending thyseâ—fe and thy souldiers with the shield of mildnes Å¿ and striking the enemie with the sword of iustice VVhich right force of spiritual fight hath meruelous good successe t Preaching of Christs Gospel his grace mouing the hartes of the hearers is liuelie and forcible more pearcing then anie two edged sword v The example of people conuerted shal moue the hartes of the aduersaries to come also vnto the truth w Christs kingdom shal haue no end Luc 1. v. 33. x Thou defendest and rewardest the good finally forsakest and punishest the wicked y more peculiarly the God of Christ by hypostatical vnion z Diuers kinges as Dauid him selfe Iosaphat Ezechias and Iosias were as godlie as Salomon and perseuered good to the end which is doubted Salomon did not but Christ incomparably was annointed indued with al graces aboue al kinges a Mortification which conserueth from putrifying b humilitie aswaging pride c being smal in the first spring grovveth great d humanitie assumpted and sanctified persons in vvhom Christ dwelleth as in cleane shining odoriferous houses e sincere faithful soules more deare to their spouse Christ then daughters of temporal kinges f The Catholique Church in faith purified as gold g vvith varietie of states as Clergie Laity and diuers sortes of religious Orders and other professions al vnited in the same faith hope and charitie h carifully al that Christ thy spouse speaketh to thee by his Spirite i diligently put the same in practise k vvith al obedience and readines and returne not to former infidelitie noâ— to corrupt life l Christ loueth the Church adoined with his giftes m and mutually his true children loue and serue him n Manie of al nations submitle themselues and al that they haue to Christ o Internal vertues are most especial ornaments p exterior are required to edifie others in diuers sortes of vertues q By this meanes manie more are conuerted to christianitie r and one countrie inuiteth and draweth another Å¿ As Apostles came in place of Patriarches and Prophetes so stil Bishops and Priestes succede in the Church pastors and gouernours therof t These pastores shal stil teach the true Christian doctrin v and stil there shal be Christian people that wil folow and professe the same Caluin expoundeth this Psalme contratie to S. â—aul No saluation out of the Church Perpetual succession of Byshops in place of the Apostles The Church prospereth also in persecution The 6. key a Belonging to the Church of Christ b As wel the cause vvhy God suffereth his Church to be persecuted at his assured protection in difficulties are hidden secretes to the world c Al refuge is not secure for one man is not able alwayes to defend an other but God is a sure and strong refuge d euer able and in conuenient time vvilling to helpe e This whole vvorld is ful of tribulations but the Church suffered the greatest in the first persecutions shal suffer as great in the time of Antichrist English Catholiques suffer most of al nations in this age and can not be suppressed but stil increase in number and fortitude f Therfore al Catholiques may assuredly know that the whole Church can not faile g though very manie as now in England h and very eminent persons as some noblemen and some Priestes haue reuolted yet al vvil not i Such bad examples make the good to recollect themselues more diligently and to reiâ—ycâ— in Gods grace by which they stand fast k before the heate of persecution shal inuade al for the elect the dayes of tribulation are shortned l Sometimes one nation or kingdome rebelleth against the Church but can not destroy it m by the spirite of Christ Antichrist and al his members shal be destroyed n The Church sometimes hath great peace and tranquilitie o God himselfe restrayneth the wicked suddainly abating their furie or cutting of their forces Vocation of Gentiles The 6. key a For Christians that leaue the sinnes of their fathers and reioyce in Christ crucified See Annotation Psal 41. b True ioy of the hart sheweth it selâ—e both in voice of exultation and also in gesture of body by clapping of handes dancing as king Dauid did before the Arke 2 Reg â— likevvise vvith instruments c To al the wicked d not only of one or few kingdoms but of al the earth e VVhen kinges and countries become Christians they are made subiectes to the Church that vvas before not heades and rulers therfore f Christ God man after his Passion rose from death and ascended g not leauing his Church desolate but making her ioyful by an other comforter the Holie Ghost h The same Christ is our God by his Diuinitie i and our king by his Humanitie k Doe your endeuour to vnderstand vvhat you sing read or heare in Gods word At least to know the principal Mysteries and pointes of Christian doctrin euerie one according to their capacitie and state or profession l The faithful of the old and nevv Testament are vnited in the seruice of one and the same eternal God m In respect of the Blessed Trinitie holie Scripture here and in manie places vseth names of the plural number as Eloim Goddes not diuiding Gods substance vvhich is one but insinuating distinction of Diuine Persons The Father the Sonne and the Holie Ghost VVhich Mysterie is more expresly mentioned in Baptisme and professed by Christian gentils then it was by the people of the Ievves The Church founded and protected by God The 6. key a Voices beginning the musike instruments prosecuted b especially for the second day of the weke the day after the sabbath which is our Sunday called Dominica our Lords day c Ierusalem and mount Sion were most obliged to praise God for greatest benefites receiued so the Catholique Church therby prefigured and hauing receiued farre greatter is most of al bonden to be gratful d This can not be affirmed of Sion or Ierusalem but is only verified of the Catholique Christian Church e whose coastes do extend to the North and to al quarters of the round earth f The same one God one Christ one Faith and one Religion in al particular Churches of the vvhole militant Church g And this Vniuersalitie and Vnitie shal be after that Christ taking mans nature shal be ascended and shal send the Holie Ghost to found beginne this Church h For the assured certaintie of that is foreshewed the Prophet speaketh in the preteâ—â—ence as if it vvere already done in his time which he then savv in spirite i Nothing more moueth he hart affecteth al the bodie and soule then
Doctors found confessed great difficulties in these first chapters which they with much studie endeuored to explicate And therfore it is a wonder to see our Protestants Puritans hold this Paradox that Scriptures are easie to be vnderstood VVheras both by testimonie of those that haue in deede studied laboured in them and by a litle due consideration the coÌ„trarie is most euident For whosoeuer wil looke into the holie Scriptures shal find that some times in shew one place semeth contrarie to an other some times the letter phrase are obscure ambiguous some times the sentences vnperfect Againe manie speaches are prophetical manie parabolical metaphorical and vttered vnder other tropes and figures and that in the literal sense Moreouer there are three spiritual senses besides the literal very frequent in holie Scripture Allegorical pertayning to Christ and the Church Moral pertayning to maners and Anagogical pertayning to the next life As this word Ierusalem literally signifieth the head citie of Iewrie Morally the soule of man Allegorically the Church militant and Anagogically the Church triumphant And sometimes this and the like of others metaphorically in the literal sense signifieth the Church militant and not the citie of Iewrie as in the 12. chapter to the Hebrewes and some times the Church triumphant as in the 21. of the Apocalips 2. The Spirite of God In the Hebrew it is signified that the Spirite of God was on the waters to make them fertile for that fishes and birdes were to be procreated therof the word is merahepheth incubabat sate vpon to produce fruict saith S. Ierom from the waters as a henne by her heate produceth life in the egges And the same S. Ierom and before him Tertullian teach that this was a figure of Baptisme which consisteth of water and the Holie Ghost For as water in the beginning of the world receiued a certain vital vertue of the Holie Ghost to produce liuing creatures so also Baptisme receiueth vertue of the same Holie Ghost to procreate new men VVherupon Tertullian calleth Christians fishes because they are gotten from the waters and thence haue their first spiritual life Let it not therfore seme strange saith he that in Baptisme VVaters geue life 16. Tvvo great lights and starres Here occurreth an other example of the hardnes of holie Scripture For if the two great lights towit the Sunne the Moone and also the starres vvere made the fourth day and not before as it mâ—y seme by the wordes in this place then what was that light and in what subiect was it that was made the first day S. Basil S. Gregorie Nazianzen Theodoret and some others writing vpon this place do thinke that the light which was made the first day remayned though an accident without his subiect til the fourth day And albeit most other Doctors rather think that the substance of the Sunne Moone of other planets and starres were created the first day and the fourth day set in that order and course which now they kepe with more distinction for signes and seasons and dayes and yeares yet it is clere that the foresaid ancient Doctors iudged it possible that accidents may remaine without their subiect which a Sacramentarie wil be loath to grant lest it might be proued possible as both these al other Catholique Doctors beleued and taught that the accidents of bread and wine remaine in the blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist without their subiects VVhich Protestants denie 26. Let vs make man to our Image For better consideration of Gods bountie towards vs and sturring our selues to gratitude towards him we may here note tenne prerogatiues bestowed on vs by our Lord maker in our creation aboue al other earthlie creatures First wheras God by an imperial word of commandment made other creatures Fiat lux Fiat firmamentum Be there light Be there a firmament intending to make man he procedeth familiarly by way as it were of consultation and as to his owne vse and seruice to make man saying Let vs make man to our image and likenes that is to say a reasonable creature with vnderstanding and free wil which beastes haue not Secondly in this worke God first insinuateth the high Mysterie of the B. Trinitie or pluralitie of Persons in one God because man is to beleue the same signifying the pluralitie of Persons by the wordes Let vs make and to our and the vnitie in substance by the wordes Image and likenes the first in the plural number the later in the singular Thirdly other creatures were produced by the waters and earth Let the vvaters bring forth fishe and soule Let the earth bring forth grasse and catâ—le other beastes but God brought forth man not by the earth though of the earth nor by water nor by heauen nor by Angels but by him selfe geuing him a reasonable soule not sensual only as to beastes and the same not produced of anie creature but created immediatly of nothing Fourthly God gaue man Paradise a most pleasant place to dwel in Fiftly God gaue man dominion and imperial authoritie ouer alliuing creatures vnder heauen Sixtly man was created in that innocencie of life and integritie of al vertues that his mind was wholly subiect to God his sense to reason his bodie to his spirite and al other liuing creatures obedient to him euen the terrible Lions the cruel Tigres the huge Elephants and the wildest birdes Seuently God brought them al to man as to do him homage and to take their names of him VVhich by his excellent knowledge he gaue them conformable to their natures Eightly God gaue man in some sorte an immortal bodie that if he had kept Gods commandment he had liued long and pleasantly in this world and so should haue bene translated to eternal life without dying Ninthly God did not only adorne man with al natural knowledge and supernatural vertues but also with the gift of prophecie VVherby the knew that Eue was a bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh though being a slepe he knew not when she was made Tenthly which was the chiefe benefite of al God conuersed familiarly with man and that in shape of man which was a token of his meruelous great loue to man and a singular incitment of him to loue God Reade more if you please of the dignitie of man and the benefites of God towards him in his creation in S. Bernard vpon the 99. Psalme And vpon the 61. chapter of Esaie 28. Increase and multiplie VVhether this be a commandment or no at least it is a blessing for so the wordes before conuince God blessed them and said Increase and multiplie He said the same also to brute creatures which are not capable of a precept but by this were made fertile VVherby we see that Gods blessing alwayes worketh some real effect as of fertilitie in this and other places of multiplication of the
that the earth was corrupted for al flesh had corrupted his way vpon the earth †he said to Noe The end of al flesh is come before me the earth is replenished with iniquitie from the face of them I wil destroy them with the earth †Make thee an arke of timber planke cabinets shalt thou make in the arke and shalt pitch it within and without with bitume †And thus shalt thou make it The length of the Arke shal be three hundred cubitts fiftie cubitts the breadth and thirtie cubitts the height of it †Thou shalt make a windowe in the arke and in a cubit finish the toppe of it and the dore of the arke thou shalt set at the side belowe middle chambers and third loftes shalt thou make in it †Behold I wil bring the waters of a great floud vpon the earth that I may destroy al flesh wherin there is breath of life vnder heauen Al thinges that are in the earth shal be consumed †and I wil establish my couenant with thee and thou shalt enter into the arke thou and thy sonnes and thy wife and the wiues of thy sonnes with thee †And of al liuing creatures of al flesh thou shalt bring payres into the arke that they may liue with thee of the male sexe and the female †Of foules according to their kind and of beastes in their kind of al that creepeth on the earth according to their kind payres of al sortes shal enter in with thee that they may liue †Thou shalt take therfore with thee of al meates that may be eaten and thou shalt lay them vp with thee and they shal be meate for thee and them †Noe therfore did al thinges which God commanded him ANNOTATIONS CHAP. VI. 2. Sonnes of God The progenie of Seth professing true faith Religion were called the sonnes of God and those of Cains issue and congregation folowing erronious and wicked opinions were called the sonnes of men VVhich were then the distinctiue termes of true and false Religion as afterwardes were the termes of Iewes and Gentiles after Christ Christians and Paganes and lastly true and false Christians are distinguished by the names of Catholiques and Heretikes As S. Augustin teacheth in his questions vpon Genesis other places VVhich is confirmed by the like iugement of S. Ciril Alexandrinus li. 9. aduers Iulianum S. Ambrose li. de Noe arca c. 4. S. Pacianus epist ad Symphorianum Theodoret. manie others vpon this place 3 An hundred and tvventie yeares Mans life was not here shortned to an hundred and twentie yeares as some haue misunderstood this place For after this diuers liued much longer as appeareth in the genealogie of Sem to Abram in the 11. chapter of Genesis And Abraham liued 175. yeares c. 25. Isaac 180. c. 35. Iacob 147. c. 47. and Ioiadas borne 1500. yeares after liued 130. yeares 2. Par. 24. But 120. yeares were granted before the floud for that generation to repent in as the Chaldee Edition expresseth more plainely Terminus dabitur ei centum viginti annorum si sorte conuertatur The tearme of an hundred and twentie yeares shal be geuen them if perhaps they may conuert And so S. Chrisostom S. Hierom. and S. Augustin expound this Scripture Yet whether God cut of 20. of these yeares and brought the floud after a 100 for Noe had his sonnes when he was 500. yeares old the floud came in the 600. yeare of his age or that this warning was geuen twentie yeares before anie of his soÌ„nes were borne is not so easely decided by the holie Doctors How easie soeuer Protestants say al Scriptures are Though vnder correction of better iudgement it semeth more probable that Moyses by anticipation ioyneth the birth of Noes sonnes when he was 500. yeares old to the rest of the geneologie of the first Patriarkes in the former chapter and then telleth of this admonition geuen 20. yeares before their birth And so God expected the peoples repentance the whole time of 120. yeares prescribed 4. Grants vvere vpon the earth Some haue thought that these giantes were not men nor begotten by men but that either diuels which fel at first from heauen or other Angels allured with concupiscence begate them of the daughters of Cain Philo Iudeus in his booke de Gigantibus writeth that those whom Moyses here called Augels the Philosophers called Genios Qui sunt animalia aëâ—ea vvhich are liuing creatures vvith ayrie bodies Iosephus li. 1. Antiq. saith that Angels begate these giants Tertullian also li. de habitu muliebri holdeth the same error and diuers more otherwise good authors But S. Ciril of Alexandria li. 9. aduer Iulian S. Chrisostom homil 22. in Gen S. Ambrose de Noe arca c. 4. S. Augustin li. 15. c. 23. de ciuit S. Hierom Tradit Hebraic and other most principal Doctors teach it to be vntrue yea vnpossible that these giants should haue bene begotten by anie other creatures then by men For that Angels and diuels are mere spirits without al natural bodies And if they had ayrie bodies as they haue not yet they could not haue such generation For the powre or force to engender belongeth to the vegatatiue soule whose proper operations are to tuine nutriment into the substance of the subiect wherin it is and to engender new issue or ofspring from the same as Aristotle sheweth li. 2. de anima textu 24. And in what bodies soeuer there is vegetatiue soule it must needes be that the same was engendred and must some times decay and die and so diuels should be mortal Moreouer if they could haue generation togeather with mankind then such issue should be a distinct species both from man and diuel as a mule differeth both from horse and asse Againe if spirits had abused wemen in assumpted bodies and shape of men yet they did not take them to wiues as the Scripture saith they did who begate these giants Finally the holie Scripture here expresly calleth the giants men These be the mightie ones famous men The modestie of Scripture terming them famous whom our common phrase would cal infamous being more monstrous in wickednes of mind then in hugenes of bodie For they were most insolent lasciuious couetous cruel and in al kinde of vices most impious 5. Al the coigtation bent to euel Luther in his 21. article condemned by Leo the tenth would proue by these wordes and the like folowing Al siesh had corrupted his vvay vpon earth that al workes of men are sinnes For saith he seeing the hartes of al men are bent alwaies to euil and al humane actions proceede from the hart it must needes be that the hart as the fountaine being corrupt the streames also issuing from the same must be corrupted Againe al flesh hauing corrupted his way vpon earth there is not any iust man saith he nor any man without sinne and
by his only wil could in a moment haue drowned al the rest of the world sauing whom he pleased not needing in any thing the helpe of his creatures yet would vse both natural supernatural meanes as the labour of Noe to build the arke new fountaines springing and the heauens powring downe water fourtie dayes togeather afterwards the winde to dry vp the earh and because the dore being great for Elephantsâ— to enter in and was to be firmed without as S. Ambrose noteth for better induring the forcible waters could not commodiously be closed by Noe our Lord by the ministrie of Angels shut him in on the out side to teach vs by al this and the like disposition of things that albeit his Diuine omnipotencie can do what he wil al alone yet he wil haue his creatures to concurre and cooperate as secundarie causes sometimes naturally sometimes supernaturally or miraculously as it pleaseth his goodnes to impert to them powre and vertue 23. But only Noe As there is not anie thing in al the old Testament from the creation of the world til the coming of Christ more notable more admirable or of greater importance then this historie of the general floud so was there nothing though al or most chanced to them in figure that euer more aptly more liuely or more exactly prefigured Christ and his Church with the rest of al mankind then did Noe and the arke the drowning of the rest of the world in that deluge VVhich S. Augustin declareth in many places but most especially and of purpose in his twelfth booke against Faustus the Manichee from the 14. chapter to the 22. and in his fifteenth booke of the citie of God in the two last chapters where he sheweth at large both the certaintie of the historie and that as certainely it was a figure of things in the new Testament and withal the great congruitie betwen the figure the things figured The same did Origen explicate homil 2. in Gen. S. Gregorie homil 12. in Ezech. Rupertus li. 4. comment in Gen. c. 71. sequent and diuers other ancient Doctors confirming their expositions by S. Peters testimonie saying In the arke a fevv that is eight soules or persons vvere saued from drowning by vvater vvherunto Baptisme being of the like forme novv saueth you also And by our Sauiours wordes saying As in the dayes of Noe so shal also the comming of the sonne of man be In summe the Doctors teach that Noe signifying rest was a figure of Christ the very rest of mans soule VVhom who soeuer foloweth shal find rest for their soules The arke signifieth the Church the forme therof being six times so long as broad and tenne times so long as hiegh resembleth the proportion of mans bodie lying prone or prostrate The dore in the side representeth the wound in Christs side from whence flowed the holie Sacraments by which the faithful enter into the Church and are sanctified The timber wherof the arke is made the water bearing it vp signified the Crosse of Christ and Baptisme For as Noe saith S. Augustin vvith his vvas deliuered by the vvater and the vvoode so the familie of Christ by Baptisme signed vvith Christs Passion on the Crosse Likewise the squarnes of the timber which both sustayned the burden of al contayned in the arke and resisted the boystrous waues of the floud beating without did signifie such men in the Church as be constant stand firmly in al sortes of tentations especially godlie lerned Doctors and Pastors who by worde and example vphold and coÌ„firme the faithful people in al afflictions within and withstand and conuince al Heretikes and other Infidels that oppugne the Church without Againe the hiegher lower rowmes with the midle chambers third loftes other distinctions of cabinets and partitions and al sortes of liuing creatures cleane and vncleane receiued therin did signifie the varieties of al states functions and diuersitie of maners and merites in the Church in which are persons of al degrees Clergie and Laitie Potentates Princes subiectes good and euil The most strong kind of glew called bitumen signified the permanent or euerlasting stabilitie and vnseparable coÌ„nexion of the Church by the grace and continual assistance of the Holie Ghost conseruing the same The consummation of the arke in one cubite signified the vnitie of the same Church which is one in al times and places Neither would God almightie haue manie arkes for Noe and his sonnes or other creatures nor manie chiefe rulers though he would that of them should come manie Nations but one only arke and one chiefe gouernour therof and that al without the same should corporally dye to signifie that al which dye without the Church do perish and are eternally damned wherupon S. Hierom amongst other Fathers sheweth that al within the Church that communicate with the Sea Apostolique wherin S. Damasus sate then gouernour are as those in the arke of Noe and al Schismatikes Heretikes and other Infidels are in like case with the rest of the world that were drowned with the floud The end of the first age A BRIEFE REMONSTRANCE OF THE STATE OF THE CHVRCH AND FACE OF Religion in the first age of the world From the creation to Noes floud the space of 1656. yeares HERE according to our purpose mentioned before we wil briefly recite certaine principal points of Religion taught and obserued in the first age In which the foundations of the true maner of seruing God that should be continued to the end of the world were laid and prospered in some as appeareth in these seuen first chapters of Genesis But first of al we shal in two words repete as it is clerly geathered in the same holie Scripture the state of man before and immediatly after his fall being the subiect to whom al this pertayneth After therfore that God had created other things both in heauen and earth last of al he made Man to his owne image and likenes with vnderstanding and freewil therin like to Angels and superior to al other creatures and so made him Lord and maister of al earthlie things Neither were these the greatest benesits which God bestowed on man for his diuine goodnes indâ—ed also this his reasonable creature with innocencie original iustice whereby al things were most rightly ordered within him and about him His mind wil and reason were obedient to God his senses inferior part of his soule were subiect to reason his flesh and bodie obeyed the spirite and al earthlie creatures obeyed him God also adorned man with excellent knowledge both natural and supernatural And albeit his bodie was of corruptible substance yet the same and al his posteritie if they had not sinned should haue benne conserued and without dying haue benne translated to euerlasting life Thus man was placed in Paradise and Eâ—â— there made of
eaten therof Moreouer the Hebrew word Hotsi brought forth is a word pertayning to Sacrifice as in the 6. chap of Iudges v. 18. and 19 and importeth that the bread and wine were first offered in Sacrifice and then doubtles they did participat though they wanted not other fufficient corporal foode Againe the wordes folowing For he vvas the Priest of God most hiegh can haue no other sense but that he did the function of a Priest in the bread wine which he brought otherwise if the only cause of bringing that prouision had benne to releue the campe with victuals the reason would rather haue benne yelded because he was a bountiful King a liberal Prince a special freind to Abraham as in deede he was but none of these reasons or the like fitted this purpose so wel nor touched the cause of bringing forth bread and wine as to signifie that he was a Priest whose office is to offer Sacrifice Here againe some Protestants take exception against the Latin text that the causual coniunction Enim for is not agreable to the Hebrew but should be the copulatiue Et and which is a meere wrangling For the lerned know wel ynough that the Hebtew particle is better expressed in such places by Enim or quia for or because then by And so the English Bible printed in the yeare of our Lord. 1552. readeth Melchisedech king of Salem brought forth bread and vvine for he vvas the Priest of the most hieghest God The latter Editions also in like places haue not the copulatiue And but some other word as the sense requireth Gen. 20. v. 3. Thou art but a dead man for the vvomans sake vvhich thou hast taken for she is a mans vvife where the Hebrew phrase is And she is maried to a husband Gen. 30. v. 27. they read thus For I haue proued that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake where precisly construing the Hebrew they should say I diuined or coniectured and the Lord blessed me for thy sake Likewise Esaie 64. v. 5. they read But Loe thou hast bene angrie for vve offended the Hebrew is thus Loe thou art angrie and vve haue sinned In the same place they translate Yet shal vve be saued vvhich the Hebrew expresseth by the copulatiue And we shal be saued So when they thinke it conuenient they translate the Hebrew particle For that yet which strictly signifieth And. Now let vs also see the original in this place In the Hebrew it is thus VMALCHI TSEDEC MELEC CHALEM HOTSI LECHEM VAIAIIN VEHV COHEN LEEL ELION VAIE VARECHEHV c. In English word for word thus And Melchisedech king of Salem brought forth bread and vvine And he the priest to God most hiegh And he blessed him c. where albeit the causual word For is not expressed yet these wordes And he the priest further declaring that besides the office and dignitie of a King which was said before Melchisedec was also a Priest must nedes signifie that he did something about the bread and wine belonging to a Priests office And what that something was perhaps the Vniuersitie of Cambridge wil testifie whose late professor of Diuinitie teacheth plainly that Melchisedech offered Sacrifice and was therin a figure of Christ Pag. 6. Reprehen Sacerdotes saith he ij vere proprie sunt qui sacrificia faciunt qualis fuit Aaron Aaronis silij Melchisedechus quem illi adumbrabant Christus Priestes truly and properly are they that offer sacrifices such as vvas Aaron and the sonnes of Aaron and Melchisedech and Christ vvhom they prefigured If then both Aaron Melchisedech were truly and properly Priests because they offered sacrifices according to this Professors definition and both were figures of Christ it must needes be granted that as Christ fulfilled the figure of Aarons bloudie sacrifices in offering him selfe vpon the Crosse so he also fulfilled the figure as wel of vnbloudie sacrifices of Aaron as especially of Melchisedechs Sacrifice in some other besides that on the Crosse seeing the prophet Dauid and S. Paul say Christ is a Priest not according to Aarons order for that was to haue an end but For euer according to the order of Melchisedech And what other Sacrifice did our Sauiour offer to remaine perpetual but of his owne bodie bloud in vnbloudie maner vnder the formes of bread and wine with commandment to his Apostles and Priests to do the same til the end of the world Let the indifferent reader weigh it wel And whosoeuer is not very proud wil for his better instruction or confirmation esteme the vniforme iudgement of manie ancient godlie and lerned Fathers writing vpon this place VVe wil only recite their wordes without other deduction for breuitie sake S. Clemens Alexandrinus li 4. Strom. versus finem writeth thus Melchisedech king of Salem Priest of God most hiegh gaue wine bread santified nutriment in type of the Eucharist S. Cyprian Epist 63. ad Caecilium Christ is Priest for euer according to the order of Melchisedech which order is this coming from that Sacrifice and thence descending that Melchisedech was Priest of God most hiegh that he offered bread wine that he blessed Abraham For who is more a Priest of God most hiegh then our Lord Iesus Christ who offered Sacrifice to God the Father and offered the same which Melchisedech had offered bread and wine to wit his owne bodie and bloud And a litle after That therfore in Genesis the blessing might be rightly celebrated about Abraham by Melchisedec the Priest the image of Christs Sacrifice coâ—sisting in bread and wine went before which thing our Lord perfecting and performing offered bread and chalice mixt with wine and he that is the plenitude fulfilled the veritie of the prefiguted image Eusebius Cesariensis li 5. Demonst Euang. c. 3. Euen as he who was Priest of Nations was neuer sene to offer corporal sacrifices but only bread wine when he blessed Abraham so first our Lord Sauiour him selfe then priests that come from him exercising the spiritual office of Priesthood in al nations after the Ecclesiastical ordinances do represent the mysteries of his bodie and healthful bloud in bread wine which mysteries Melchisedech knew so long before by diuine spirite and vsed as representations of things to come S. Ambrose li. 5 de Sacramen c. 1. VVe know the figure of the Sacraments went before in Abrahams times when Melchisedech offered Sacrifice Idem in cap. 5 Heb. It is clere that oblations of cattle are vanished which were in Aarons order but Melchisedechs institution remayneth which is celebrated al the world ouer in administration of the Sacraments S Hierom. Epist ad Marcellamo vt migret Bethleem Haue recourse to Genesis and you shal find Melchisedech king of Salem prince of this citie who euen then in figure of Christ offered bread and wine and dedicated the Christian mysterie in our Sauiours bodie and bloud Idem Epist
banket he remembred the maister of the cupbearers and the chiefe of the bakers †And he restored the one into his place to reach him the cuppe †the other he hanged on a gibbet that the truth of the interpreter might be approued †And yet notwithstanding the chiefe of the cupbearers prosperous thinges succeeding forgat his interpreter ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XL. 8. Doth not interpretation belong to God Dreames do come of diuers causes Some of natural complexion or disposition wherby Philosophers or Phisitions may probably iudge of the state of mans bodie Some are rather effects of things past then signes of anie thing to come Of which sorte the wise man saith Dreames do folovv manie cares Eccle 5. Some are suggested by euil spirites either to flatter worldlings with great pretenses or to terrifie weake mindes with dangers and afflictions or to vexe and truble those in sleepe whom they can not easely moue waking as S. Gregorie discourseth li. 8. Moral in cap 7. Iob Some dreames are of God as in Iacob Ioseph these Eunuches Pharao Nabuchodonosor and others both good and euil men But to discerne and assuredly to iudge of some dreames whether they be from God by holie Angels or illusions of euil spirites is a special gift of God as also the interpretation therof belongeth to God as Ioseph here testifieth VVhosoeuer therfore wil be secure must relie either vpon expresse Scripture or iudgement of the Church as in ominous speaches was noted before chap. 24. Otherwise the general rule is not to obserue dreames Deut. 18. CHAP. XLI Pharao dreaming of fat and leane kine 5. also of ful and thinne eares of corne 8. no other being able to interprete 9 Ioseph is remembred 25. who interpreting the same â—8 is made ruler ouer al Aegypt 50. marieth and hath two sonnes Manasses and Ephraim AFTER two yeares Pharao saw a dreame He thought he stood vpon a riuer †out of the which came vp seuen kine faire and fat exceedingly and they fed in marish places †Other seuen also came vp out of the riuer foule and caryan leane and they fed on the very banke of the riuer in grene places †and they deuoured them that had the merucylous beautie and good state of bodies Pharao after he waked †slept againe and saw an other dreame Seuen eares of corne grew forth vpon one stalke ful and faire †there sprang also other eares as many thinne and blasted with adustion †deuouring al the beautie of the former Pharao awaking vp after his rest †and when morning was come being frighted with feare he sent to al the interpreters of Aegypt and to al the wise men and they being called for told them his dreame neither was there anie that could interprete it †Then at length the maister of the cupbearers remembring himselfe said I confesse my sinne †The king being angrie with his seruantes commanded me and the chiefe of the bakers to be cast into the prison of the captaine of the souldiers †where in one night both of vs saw a dreame portending things to come †There was there a young man an hebrew seruant to the same captaine of the souldiers to whom telling our dreames †we heard whatsoeuer afterward the euent of the thing proued to be so for I was restored to my office and he was hanged vpon a gibbet †Forthwith at the kinges commandment Ioseph being brought out of the prison they polled him and changing his apparel brought him vnto him †To whom he said I haue seene dreames and there is not anie that can expound them which I haue heard thou doest most wisely interprete †Ioseph answered Without me God shal answere prosperous thinges to Pharao †Pharao therfore told that he had seene Me thought I stoode vpon the banke of the riuer †and seuen kine came vp out of the banke of the riuer exceeding faire and ful of flesh which grazed on greene places in a marish pasture †And behold there folowed these other seuen kine so passing il fauored and leane that I neuer saw the like in the land of Aegypt †which hauing deuoured and consumed the former †gaue no token of their fulnes but with the like leanenes and deformitie looked heauelie Awaking and fallen againe into a deepe sleepe †I sawe a dreame Seuen eares of corne grew forth vpon one stalke ful and verie faire †Other seuen also thinne and blasted with adustion sprang of the stalke †which deuoured the beautie of the former I told the dreame to the coniecturers and there is no man that can declare it †Ioseph answered The kinges dreame is one God hath shewed to Pharao the thinges that he wil doe †The seuen faire kine and the seuen “ ful eares be seuen yeres of plentifulnes and both conteine the selfe same meaning of the dreame †Also the seuen leane and thinne kine that came vp after them and the seuen thinne eares and blasted with the burning winde are seuen yeares of famine to come †Which shal be fulfilled in this order †Behold there shal come seuen yeares of great fertilitie in the whole Land of Aegypt †after which shal folowe other seuen yeares of so great sterilitie that al the abundance before shal be forgotten for the famine shal consume al the land †and the greatnes of the scarsitie shal destroy the greatnes of the plentie †And in that thou didest see the second time a dreame perteining to the same thing it is a token of the certeintie for that the worde of God shal come to passe and be fulfilled spedely †Now therfore let the king prouide a wise man and industrious and make him ruler ouer the Land of Aegypt †that he may appointe ouerseers ouer al countries and gether into barnes the fifth part of the fruites during the seuen yeares of the fertilitie †that now presently shal ensewe and let al the corne be laid vp vnder Pharaoes handes and let it be reserued in the cities †And let it be in a readines against the famine of seuen yeares to come which shal oppresse Aegypt and the land shal not be consumed with scarsitie †The counsel pleased Pharao and al his seruants †and he spake to them Can we find such an other man that is ful of the spirite of God †He said therfore to Ioseph Because God hath shewed thee al things that thou hast spoken can I find a wiser and one like vnto thee †Thou shalt be ouer my house and at the commandment of thy mouth al the people shal obey only in the throne of the kingdome I wil goe before thee †And againe Pharao said to Ioseph Behold I haue appointed thee ouer the whole land of Aegypt †And he tooke his ring from his owne hand and gaue it into his hand and he put vpon him a silke roabe and put a chaine of gold about his necke †And he
Moyses Stretch forth thy hand vpon the sea that the waters may returne to the Aegyptians vpon their chariottes and horsemen †And when Moyses had stretched forth his hand against the sea it returned in the first breake of day to the former place and the Aegyptians fleeing away the waters came vpon them and our Lord enwrapt them in the middes of the waues †And the waters returned and ouerwhelmed the chariottes and the horsemen of al Pharaoes armie who folowing were entred into the sea neither did there so much as one of them remaine †But the children of Israel marched through the middes of the drie sea the waters were vnto them as in stede of a wal on the right hand and on the left †and our Lord deliuered Israel in that day out of the hand of the Aegyptians †And they saw the Aegyptians dead vpon the sea shore and the mightie hand that our Lord had exercised against them and the people feared our Lord they beleued our Lord Moyses his seruant CHAP. XV. Moyses with the people sing a Canticle of thanks-geuing for their deliuerie 22. The people being three daies in the desert without water then finding that is bitter do murmure 25. It is made swete 27. Coming to Elim they finde twelue fountaines and seuentie palmetrees THEN sang Moyses and the children of Israel this song to our Lord and said Let vs sing to our Lord for he is glouriously magnified the horse and the rider he hath throwen into the sea †My strength and my praise is our Lord and he is made vnto me a saluation this is my God and I wil glorifie him the God of my father and I wil exalt him †Our Lord is a man of warre omnipotent is his name †Pharaoes chariottes and his armie he hath cast into the sea his chosen princes are drowned in the red sea †The depthes haue ouerwhelmed them they are sonke into the botome like a stone †Thy right hand ô Lord is magnified in strength thy right hand ô Lord hath striken the enimie †And in the multitude of thy glorie thou hast put downe thy aduersaries thou hast sent thy wrath which hath deuoured them like stuble †And in the spirite of thy furie were the waters gathered together the flowing water stoode the depthes were gathered together in the middes of the sea †The enimie said I wil pursew and ouertake I wil diuide the spoiles my soule shal haue his fil I wil draw forth my sword my hand shal kil them †The spirit blewe and the sea ouerwhelmed them they sanke as lead in the vehement waters †Who is like to thee among the strong ô Lord who is like to thee magnifical in sanctitie terrible and laudable doing meruailes †Thou didst stretch forth thy hand and the earth deuoured them †Thou hast in thy mercie bene a guide to the people which thou hast redemed and in thy strength thou hast caried them vnto thy holie habitation †Nations rose vp and were angrie sorowes possessed the inhabiters of Philisthijm †Then were the princes of Edom trubled trembling ceazed on the sturdie of Moab al the inhabiters of Chanaan were starke †Let feare and dread fal vpon them in the greatnes of thy arme let them become vnmoueable as a stone vntil thy people ô Lord shal passe vntil thy people shal passe this which thou hast possessed †Thou shalt bring them in and plant them in the mountaine of thy inheritance in thy most firme habitation which thou hast wrought ô Lord thy sanctuarie Lord which thy handes haue confirmed †Our Lord shal reigne for euer and euermore †For Pharao on horsebake entred in with his chariottes and horsemen into the sea and our Lord brought backe vpon them the waters of the sea but the children of Israel walked on drie ground in the middes therof †Marie therfore the prophetesse Aarons sister tooke a tymbrel in her hand and al the wemen went forth after her with tymbrels and daunces †to whom she beganne the song saying Let vs sing to our Lord for he is gloriously magnified the horse and his rider he hath cast into the sea †And Moyses remoued Israel from the red sea and they went forth into the desert Sur and they walked three dayes through the wildernesse and found not water †And they came into Mara neither could they drinke the waters of Mara because they were bitter wherupon he gaue a name also agreable to the place calling it Mara that is bitternesse †And the people murmured against Moyses saying What shal we drinke †But he cried to our Lord. who did shew him a peece of woode which when he had cast into the waters they were turned into swetenesse There he appointed him precepts and iudgements and there he proued him †saying If thou wilt heare the voice of the Lord thy God and doe that is right before him and obey his commandementes and keepe al his preceptes none of the maladies that I layd vpon Aegypt wil I bring vpon thee for I am the Lord God thy curer †And the children of Israel came into Elim where there were twelue fountaines of water seuentie palme trees and they camped byside the waters The end of the third age THE CONTIN VANCE OF THE CHVRCH AND RELIGION IN THE THIRD AGE from Abrahams going forth of Chaldea to the parting of Israel out of Aegypt The space of 430. yeares ONE and the same Church and Religion begunne in the first age of the world and continued in the second became more and more conspicuous in the third For in this age not only the same principal and particular pointes of faith were beleued and professed but also the number of professors encreased and partly by seperation of place and abode and specially by diuersitie of maners outward rites and conuersation were more distinct from infidels then before as vve shal now shew by the sacred historie of that time VVhich beginneth with Abrahams going forth of his countrey of Chaldea about 2024. yeares from the beginning of the vvorld in the 75. yeare of his age From which time forward God often appeared to him and after him to Isaac and Iacob in the title of EL SADDAI that is God Almightie Creator of al things Lord God most high Possessor of heauen and earth Gen. 14. To Moyses more familiarly Exod. 3. in his most proper name HE WHICH IS In the name of foure letters which the Iewescount ineffable And in diuers other names al shewing One Eternal Omnipotent infinite Maiestie Of whom al other things depend and haue their being himselfe independent of any other thing This one diuine nature and indiuisible substance is aboue al reach of reason three in Persons represented to Abraham Gen. 18 by three Angels in forme of men vvhom by special instinct of God he adored as one and first spake vnto them
that the people of God should offer sacrifice though for special purposes certaine particular sacrifices were some times appointed but this dutie obligation presupposed our Lord first admonishing to offer the best and perfectest things in euerie kind prescribeth with what rites and ceremonies it shal be done As in offering an holocaust of the heard it must be a male vvithout spotte and be offered at the dore of the tabernacle the offerer putting his handes vpon the head of the hoste the priests must offer the bloud povvring it in the circuite of the altar plucke of the skinne cut the ioyntes in peeces lay them in order the entrales and feete being vvashed burne al vpon the Altar And the like in other sacrifices al for iust and reasonable causes without which the wisdome of God doth nothing Sap. 7. Psal 103. v 24. 3. An holocaust In respect of diuers things offered the diuers maner and causes of offering there were manie sortes of Sacrifices but al are reduced to three kindes The first was Holocaust in which al was burned in the honour of God and resolued into vapour which ascendeth vpwards in signe that al we haue is of God The second was Sacrifice for sinne that of diuers sortes for the varietie of sinnes and persons and part of this sacrifice was burned the other part belonged to the Priests The third was Pacifique sacrifice wherof one part was burnt an other pertayned to the Priests and an other to them that gaue the oblation And of this kinde there were two sortes one of thanksgeuing for benefites receiued the other to procure fauoure in anie good enterprise or desire Al the which did prefigure and forshew one only Sacrifice of Chtists bodie and bloud offered by him in two maners bloudie on the Crosse once for euer wherof S. Paul expressy speaketh Heb. 9. vnbloudie in formes of bread and wine wherof the same S. Paul speaketh Heb. 13. v. 10. shewing that Christians haue an Altar and consequently a Sacrifice farre excelling those of the Tabernacle and our Sauiour him selfe Math. 26. v. 25. speaking of the contents in the chalice said it was his bloud of the nevv Testament which he then instituted and dedicated as is there noted And the ancient Fathers by Caluins confession in Heb. 9. generally vse this distinction of the same Sacrifice offered in bloudie in vnbloudie maner They likewise teach that al lawful Sacrifices of the Law of nature and of Moyses did end and were complete in this one which is our daylie Sacrifice our immaculate lâ—mâ—e our manna our libament our holocaust our Sacrifice for sinne our Pacifique Sacrifice for al purposes and in steede of al old Sacrifices So S. Augustin lib 8. c. 27. lib. 17. c. 20. de ciuit lib. 3 de Bapis c. 19. lib. 1. cont aâ—uâ—rs lâ—g ptophet c. 18. 20. S. Chrysost in Psal 95. S. Leo. ser 8. de Pass and other fathers teach 9. Svvetesauour Not that the sauour of corporal things though it were sweter then of burnt flesh and bones delighteth Gods most pure substance but for that mans frailtie in some good sorte performing his dutie is very acceptable to his diuine goodnes For otherwise he required not these Sacrifices nor other external Rites for him felf but he would haue his people for their owne good to be exercised therein especially for three causes First to kepe them from Idolatrie wherto they were very prone as appeareth by their often falling notwithstanding continual admonitions to the contrarie For being as it were burdened with manie ceremonies pertaining to Gods true seruice they might haue lesse mind leysure and occasion to serue Idols Secondly for so much as man consisteth of soule and bodie as the soule must interiorly vvorship God in spirite and veritie so the bodie must also honour him exteriorly seruing iustice vnto sanctification that is by external good workes to increase iustice and sanctitie when by them the mind is instructed and inuited to know and honoure God For otherwise saieth S Dionyse c. 1. â—alest Hiâ—rer vnles mans vnderstanding vse the helpe of corporal things diuine veritie can not be attained And S. Augustin lib. 10. c. 5 ciuit teacheth that God commanded external Sacrifices thereby to lead his seruants vnto mortified spirites contrite and humbled harts to mercie and compassion towards others In briefe c. 3. Enchir to the true and perfect seruing of his Diuine powre by faith hope and charitie Thirdly that these external Sacrifices and Rites might prefigure and signifie greater more excellent and more effectual Mysteries of the new Testament For as S. Paul speaketh Heb. 10. the lavv of Moyses hauing a shadovv of good things to come not the verie image of the things brought not to perfection nor tooke avvay sinnes by the bloud of oxen or goaâ—es but being asisâ—â—id a shadovv rather shaded then perfectly shewed the great benefites which the new law as a perfect image liuely representeth especially Christs passion which is the verie fountaine of grace and mercie And wheras the old law could not iustifie Gal. 3. the law of Christ doth in dede iustifie as the Gospel witnesseth saying Ioan 1 v. 17. The lavv vvas geuen by Moyses grace and veritie vvaâ— made by Iesus Christ CHAP. II. How to offer flovvre 4. loaues wafers with oile and incense without leauen or honie 12. also first fruictes 13. And salt in euerie oblation VVHEN a soule shal offer an oblation of sacrifice to our Lord fine flowre shal be his oblation and he shal poure oyle vpon it and put franckincense †and shal carie it to the sonnes of Aaron the priests of whom one shal take a handful of the flowre and the oile and al the franckincense and shal put it a memorial vpon the Altar for a most sweete sauour to our Lord. †And that which shal be left of the sacrifice shal be Aarons and his sonnes Holie of holies among the oblations of our Lord. †But when thou offerest a sacrifice baked in the ouen of flowre to wit loaues without leauen tempered with oyle and wafers vnleauened layd ouer with oyle †If thine oblation be of the frying panne of flowre tempered with oyle and without leuen †thou shalt diuide it in litle peeces and shalt poure oyle vpon it †And if the sacrifice be from the gridiron in like maner the flowre shal be tempered with oyle †which offering to our Lord thou shalt deliuer to the handes of the priest †Who hauing offered it shal take a memorie of the sacrifice and burne vpon the altar for a swete sauour to our Lord †and whatsoeuer is left shal be Aarons and his sonnes Holie of holies among the oblations of our Lord. †Euerie oblation that is offered to our Lord shal be made without leauen neyther shal any leauen and honie be burned in the sacrifice of our Lord. †The first fruites only of them and
of an vnicorne in them shal he winow the Nations euen to the endes of the earth these are the multitudes of Ephraim and these the thousandes of Manasses †And to Zabulon he said Reioyse Zabulon in thy going out and Issachar in thy tabernacles †They shal cal the peoples to the mountaine there shal they immolate the victimes of iustice Who shal sucke the inundation of the sea as milke and the hidden treasures of the sandes †And to Gad he said Blessed be Gad in breadth as a lion hath he rested and taken the arme and the toppe of the head †And he saw his principalitie that in his part the doctor was reposed which was with the princes of the people and did the iustices of our Lord and his iudgement with Israel †To Dan also he said Dan a lions whelpe he shal flow largely from Basan †And to Nephthali he said Nephthali shal enioy abundance and shal be ful of the blessinges of our Lord the sea and the south he shal possesse †To Aser also he said Blessed be Aser in children be he acceptable to his brethren and dippe he in oile his foote †His shoe yron and brasse As the daies of thy youth so also thy old age †There is no other God as the God of the rightest the mounter of heauen is thy helper By his magnificence the cloudes runne hither and thither †his habitation is aboue and vnder the euerlasting armes he shal cast out the enemie from thy face and shal say Be destroyed †Israel shal dwel confidently and alone The eie of Iacob in the land of corne and wine and the heauens shal be mistie with dew †Blessed art thou Israel who is like to thee o people that art saued in our Lord the shield of thy helpe and the sword of thy glorie thy enemies shal denie thee and thou shalt treade their neckes ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXXIII 2. Came from Sinai According to the historie Moyses recounteth here three benefites First that God gaue the Law in Sinai Exod. 20. Secondly he cured those which were bitten with serpentes nere to Seir. Num. 21. Thirdly in mount Pharan he appointed Seuentie ancientes to assist Moyses in iudgementes Num. 11. But according to the Mysterie which specially is intended S. Augustin q. 56. in Deut. saieth this prophecie is not to be negligently passed ouer For it euidently appeareth that this benediction perteineth to a new people whom Christ our Lord hath sanctified in whose person Moyses spake and not in his owne So in this prophetical and proper sense saieth this Doctor our Lord and Sauiour cometh from Sinai which is interpreted tentation when he passed the tentation of his passion and death Heb. 2. v. 18. Christ riseth from Seir interpreted hearie for that in the similitude of the flesh of sinne eâ—en of sinne he damned sinne in the flesh Rom. 8. v. 3. He appeareth from mount Pharan interpreted fruitful mountaine in that he geueth abundance of grace in his Church of the new Testament which is a citie set vpon a hil Mat. 5. CHAP. XXXIIII Moyses seeth the promised land but is not suffered to goe into it 5. He dieth at the age of 120. yeares God burieth his bodie secretly and al Israel mourne for him thirtie dayes 9. Iosue replenished by imposition of Moyses handes with the spirite of God succedeth 10. But Moyses for his special familiaritie with God and for most wonderful miracles is commended aboue al other Prophetes MOYSES therfore went vp from the champion of Moab vpon mount Nebo into the toppe of Phasga against Iericho and our Lord shewed him al the land of Galaad as farre as Dan †and al Nephthali and the land of Ephraim and Manasses and al the Land of Iuda vnto the vtmost sea †and the south part and the bredth of the plaine of Iericho a citie of palmetrees as farre as Sego◠†And our Lord said to him This is the Land for the which I sware to Abraham Isaac and Iacob saying To thy seede wil I geue it Thou hast seene it with thyne eies and shalt not passe ouer to it †And Moyses the seruant of our Lord died there in the land of Moab our Lord commanding it †and he buried him in the valley of the Land of Moab against Phogor and no man hath knowne his sepulchre vntil this present day †Moyses was an hundred and twentie yeares old when he died his eie was not dimme neither were his teeth moued †And the children of Israel mourned him in the champion countrie of Moab thirtie daies and the daies of their mourning that mourned for Moyses were accomplished †And Iosue the sonne of Nun was replenished with the spirit of wisedome because Moyses did put his handes vpon him And the children of Israel obeied him and did as our Lord commanded Moyses †And there rose no more a prophete in Israel as Moyses whom our Lord had knowen face to face †in al signes and wonders which he sent by him to doe in the Land of Aegypt to Pharao and to al his seruantes and to his whole Land †and al the strong hand and great meruailes which Moyses did before al Israel The end of the fiue bookes of Moyses conteining the Law THE SECOND PART OF THE OLD TESTAMENT CONTEINING HISTORICAL BOOKES The argument of the booke of Iosue VVHETHER Iosue himself writ this booke which is the common opinion or some other it was euer held vndoubtedly by al for Canonical Scripture and according to the distribution of the whole Bible into Legal Historical Sapiential and Prophetical Bookes this is the first of the historical sorte But as the fiue procedent called Legal besides the Law comprehend also the historie of the Church from the beginning of the world nere 2500. yeares and withal conteine much diuine Wisdome Prediction of thinges to come so these bookes now folowing called Historical and likewise the Sapiential and Prophetical ensuing after participate each with others in their seueral argumentes euerie one more or lesse inducing Gods seruantes to keepe his Law recording thinges donne teaching what is most meete to be donne and foreshewing before hand thinges donne afterwardes or which yet shal come to passe So this booke doth not only set forth the Actes of Iosue who succeded Moyses in teÌ„poral gouernment of Gods people commanding and directing them by lawe and wisedome but also the same thinges donne by him and his verie name as S. Hierom other Fathers teach prefigure our Lord IESVS Christ For in Hebrew IEHOSVA is the name both of this Capitaine General the leader of The Israelites ouer Iordan into the Land of promise and of our Lord and SAVIOVR who by his Baptisme and other Sacramentes bringeth his people of al Nations into the true Land of the liuing where is life and felicitie euerlasting Touching thâ—fore the historie these foure special thinges are here described
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
face they blessed God and rysing vp they told al his maruelous workes ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XII 12. I offered thy prayer to our Lord. Here the Angel Raphael reporteth certaine good offices which he had done for Tobias He did other like for his sonne and for Raguel and his daughter which are likewise recorded in this booke And the whole world especially Gods seruantos receiue continual great benefites by holie Angeles as partly may be gathered in this holie historie and more els where For first the office of Angeles is to assist or be alwayes readie as most diligent seruitoures of God expecting what his diuine goodnes wil appoint them whither to goe and what to doe for the benefite of men as holie Raphael was sent when yong Tobias wanted a guide Secondly Angels offer the prayers of the faithful or as the Greke text â—eadeth v. 15 Angels present the prayers of Sainctes that is of godlie men and wemen to God so Raphael testifieth here him self that he offered Tobias prayers to our Lord. Thirdly Angeles ayde and assist those that loue puritie of life sincere seruice of God hate vice embrace vertue do workes of mercie so Raphael assisted Tobias when he traueled to butie the dead fleing from the kings furie and hiding himself ch â— v. 21. 23. Fourthly Angels exhort to good workes as in this 12. chapter v. 6 8 9 10 18 Fiftly they sâ—â—gest â—â—d instruct what to do ch 6. v. 4. 5. Raphâ—â—â—â—â—â—ght yong Tobias to â—ake the fiâ—h vâ—b wel him reserue partes therof 〈…〉 〈◊〉 aâ—â—ised him to lodge at Raguels house to demand Sâ—ra to wife and v. 16. 17. iâ—structed him against whom diuels haue powre Sixthly they expel diuels from persons and places ch 8. v. 3. Raphael tooke and bound the diuel Asmodeus in the desert of hiegher Egypt Seuenthly they deliuer men from dangers and euiles c. 6. v. 3 as when the great fish assaulted Tobias and Sara from molestation and slaunder and old Tobias from blindnes chap. 3 v. 10. ch 11. v. 8. ch 12. v. 14. Eightly VVhen it redoundeth to the honour and more seruice of God and good of the soule Angeles procure riches and worldly commodities ch 12. v. 3. Yong Tobias gratfully confessed the great benefites receiued by his guide concluding generally by him vve are replenished sayth he vvith al good thinges Ninthly Good Angels also proue men for their more merite so the Angel witnesseth ch 12. v. 13. Because thou vvast acceptable to God it vvas necessarie that tentation should proue thee Tenthly and finally for we remite the reader to larger documentes of others after proofe of patience fortitude and other vertues holie Angeles comforte good men so Raphael encoraged old Tobias saying ch 5. v. 13. his blindenes should shortly be cured ch 12. v. 12. shewed him how gratful his prayers with teares and woorkes of mercie were in Gods fight He comforted Raguel and his familie by bringing yong Tobias to their house ch 7. v. â— Much more ch 8. v. 16. both them and al Tobias his familie by driuing away the diuel and lastly by reuealing himselfe vnto them So holie Angeles especially the proper gardian patrones of euerie one are alwayes readie to helpe men guard them exhort them to good do instruct them do expel euil spirites and deliuer men from many euils dangers do procure them temporal commodities proue their vertues offer their prayers and good workes assist them al their liues and at their deathes then also bring their soules to the Iudgement seate and if they die in good state to eternal ioy and glorie wherof the ancient fathers writinges are ful S. Gregorie the great in his Dialogue li. 4. c. 58 S. Athanasius li. de communi essentia S. Chrisostom ho. 3. in Epist. ad Colloss li. 6. de Sacerdotio Gregorius Turonen li. de gloria Martyrum Confessorum S. Augustin Epist ad probam c. 9. Epist 68. ad fratres in eremo li. 11. c. 31. ciuit octoginta trium qq q. 79. Our Sauiour himself testifieth that Angels reioyce at the conuersion of a sinner Luc. 15. and therfore they know and haue care of mens states in this life and finally Angeles caried the soule of poore Lazarus into Abrahams bosome Luc. 16. CHAP. XIII Tobias the father prayseth God exhorting al Israel to do the same 11. prophecieth the restauration and better state of Ierusalem AND Tobias the elder opening his mouth blessed our Lord and sayd Thou art great Lord for euer and thy kingdom world without end †because thou scourgest and sauest leadest downe to hel and bringest backe agayne and there is none that may escape thy hand †CoÌ„fesse to our Lord ye children of Israel and in the sight of the Gentiles prayse him †because he hath therfore dispersed you among the gentiles which know not him that you may declare his maruelous workes and make them know that there is no other God omnipotent besides him †He hath chastised vs for our iniquities and he wil saue vs for his mercie †Behold therfore what he hath done with vs and with feare and trembling confesse ye to him and extol the king of the worldes in your workes †And I in the land of my captiuitie wil confesse to him because he hath shewed his maiestie toward a sinful nation †Conuert therfore ye sinners do iustice before God beleuing that he wil doe his mercie with you †And I and my soule wil reioyce in him †Blesse ye our Lord al his elect celebrate daies of gladnes and confesse to him †Ierusalem the citie of God our Lord hath chastised thee in the workes of thy handes †Confesse to our Lord in thy good thinges and blesse the God of the worldes that he may reedefie his tabernacle in thee and may cal backe al the captiues to thee thou mayst reioyce for euer and euer †Thou shalt shine with a glorious light and al the coastes of the earth shal adore thee †Nations from far shal come to thee and bringing giftes they shal adore our Lord in thee and shal esteeme thy land for sanctification †For they shal inuocate the great name in thee †Cursed shal they be that shal contemne thee and damned shal they be that shal blaspheme thee and blessed shal they be that shal build thee †And thou shalt reioyce in thy children because they shal al be blessed shal be gathered together to our Lord. †Blessed are al that loue thee and that reioyce vpon thy peace †My soule blesse thou our Lord because he hath deliuered Ierusalem his citie from al her tribulations the Lord our God †Blessed shal I be if there shal remayne of my seede to see the glorie of Ierusalem †The gates of Ierusalem shal be built of Saphire and the Emerauld and al the compasse of the walles therof of pretious stone †With white
clowde is consumed and passeth away so he that shal descend to hel shal not ascend †Neither shal he returne anie more into his house neither shal his place know him anie more †Wherfore I also wil not spare my mouth I wil speake in the tribulation of my spirit I wil talke with the bitternesse of my soule †Why am I a sea or a whale that thou hast compassed me with a prison †If I saâ— My litle bed shal confort me and I shal be releeued speaking with myself in my couch †Thou wilt terrefie me by dreames and by visions shake me with horrour †For the which thing my soule hath chosen hanging and my bones death †I haue despayred I shal now liue no longer Spare me for my daies are nothing †What is man that thou magnifiest him or why settest thou thy hart toward him †Thou doest visite him early and sodenly thou prouest him †How long doest thou not spare me nor suffer me that I swallow my spitle †I haue sinned what shal I doe to thee ô keeper of men why hast thou sette me contrarie to thee and I am become burdenous to my self †Why doest thou not take away my sinne and why doest thou not take away mine iniquitie Behold now I shal sleepe in the dust and if thou seeke me in the morning I shal not be CHAP. VIII Baldad chargeth Iob to haue spoken vniustly exhorting him to turne to God and so he shal prosper better then heretofore 13. shâ—wing that hypocrites shal not prosper 20. inferreth falfly that God afflicteth not the sincere nor helpeth the malignant BVT Baldad the Suhite answering sayd †How long wilt thou speake such thinges and shal the spirit of the word of thy mouth be multiplied †Why doth God supplant iugement or doth the Omnipotent subuert that which is iust †Although thy children haue sinned to him and he hath leaft them in the hand of their iniquitie †Yet if thou wilt arise early to God and wilt besech the Omnipotent †If thou wilt walke cleane vpright he wil â—orthwith awake vnto thee and wil make the habitation of thy iustice peaceable †In so much that if thy former thinges haue bene litle thy later thinges may be multipled excedingly †For aske the old generation and search diligently the memorie of the fathers †For we are but as yesterday and are ignorant that our daies vpon the earth are as a shadow †And they shal teach theâ— they shal speake to thee and from their hart shal vtter wordes †Can the rush be greene without moysture or a seggie place grow without water †When it is yet in his flowre and is not plucked with the hand it witereth before al hâ—atbes †Euen so the waies of al that forget God and the hope of the hypocrite shal perish †His folie shal not please him and his confidence as the spiders webbe †He shal leane vpon his house and it shal not stand he shal stay it vp and it shal not rise †He semeth moystened before the sunne come and in his rising his blossome shal goe forth †Vpon a heape of rockes his rootes shal be thicke and among stones he shal abide †If he swallow him vp out of his place he wil denie him wil say I know thee not †For this is the ioy of of his way that others may spring againe of the earth †God wil not reiect the simple nor reach his hand to the malignant †Vntil thy mouth be filled with laughter and thylippes with iubilation †They that hate thee shal be clothed with confusion and the tabernacle of the impious shal not stand CHAP. IX Iob approueth that no man auouching his owne iustice before God is iustified 22. Teacheth that affliction of the innocent standeth wel with Gods iustice wisdom and powre AND Iob answering said †In deede I know it is so that man can not be iustified compared with God †If he wil contend with him he can not answer him one for a thousand †He is wise of hart and strong of force who hath resisted him hath had peace †He that transported mountaynes and they whom he subuerted in his surie knew not †He that remoueth the earth out of her place and the pillers therof are shaken †He that commandeth the sunne it riseth not and shutteth vp the staires as it were vnder a seale †He that alone spreadeth the heauens and goeth vpon the waues of the sea †He that maketh Arcturus and Orion and Hyades and the inner partes of the sout◠†He that doth great thinges and incomprehensible and meruelous of the which there is no number †If he come to me I sâ—al not see him if he depart I shal not vnderstand †If sodenly he aske who shal answer him or who can say Why doest thou so †God whose wrath no man can resist and vnder whom they stoope that carie the world †How great am I then that I may answer him and speake in my wordes with him †Who although I haue anie iust thing wil not answer but wil besech my iudge †And when he shal heare me inuocating I doe not beleue that he hath heard my voice †For in a hurlewinde shal he breake me and shal multiplie my woundes yea without cause †He graunteth not my spirit to rest and he filleth me with bitternesse †If strength be demaunded he is most strong if equitie of iudgement not man dare geue testimonie for me †If I wil iustifie my self mine owne mouth shal condemne me if I wil shew my self innocent he shal proue me wicked †Although I shal be simple the self same shal my soul be ignorant of and I shal be wearie of my life †One thing there is that I haue spoken both the innocent and the impious he consumeth †If he scourge let him kil at once and not laugh at the paynes of innocentes †This earth is geuen into the handes of the impious he couereth the face of the iudges therof and if it be not he who is it then †My dayes haue bene swifter then a poste they haue fled and haue not sene good †They haue passed by as shippes carying fruites as an eagle flying to meate †When I shal say I wil not speake so I change my face and am tormented with sorow †I feared al my workes knowing that thou didst not spare the offender †But if so also I am impious why haue I laboured in vayne †If I be washed as it were with snow waters and my handes shal shine as most cleane †Yet shal thou dippe me in filth and my garmentes shal abhorre me †For neither I wil answer a man that is like my self nor that may be heard with me equally in iudgement †There is none that may be able to reproue
me from them that goe downe into the lake †Sing to our Lord ye his sainctes and confesse to the memorie of his holines †Because wrath is in his indignation and life in his wil. At euening shal weeping abide and in the morning gladnesse †And I said in my abundance I wil not be moued for euer †O Lord in thy wil thou hast geuen strength to my beautie Thou hast turned away thy face from me and I became trubled †To thee ô Lord I wil crie and I wil pray to my God †What profite is in my bloud whiles I descend into corruption Shal dust confesse to thee or declare thy truth †Our Lord hath heard and had mercie on me our Lord is become my helper ††Thou hast turned my mourning into ioy vnto me thou hast cut my sackcloth and hast compassed me with gladnes †That my glorie may sing to thee and I be not compunct Lord my God for euer wil I confesse to thee PSALME XXX A prayer of a iust man excedingly afflicted stil confident in God 11. describing his manie calamities in respect of his enemies vndeserued 18. prayeth for his owne deliuerie and their iust punishment 20. praiseth and thanketh God for his goodnes 24. exhorteth al others to do the same †Vnto the end the Psalme of Dauid for excesse of minde IN THEE ô Lord haue I hoped let me not be confounded for euer in thy iustice deliuer me †Incline thine eare to me make hast to deliuer me Be vnto me for a God protector and for a house of refuge that thou mayst saue me †Because thou art my strength and my refuge and for thy name thou wilt conduct me and wilt nourish me †Thou wilt bring me out of this snare which they haue hid for me because thou art my protector †Into thy handes I commend my spirit thou hast redeemed me ô Lord God of truth †Thou hast hated them that obserue vanities vnprofitably But I haue hoped in our Lord †I shal reioyce and be ioyful in thy mercie Because thou hast respected my humilitie thou hast saued my soule out of necessities †Neither hast thou shut me vp in the handes of the enemie thou hast set me feete in a large place †Haue mercie vpon me ô Lord because I am in tribulation myne eiâ—is trubled for wrath my soule and my bellie †Because my life is decayed for sorrowe and my yeares for gronings My strength is weakened for pouertie and by bones are trubled †Aboue al myne enemies I am made a reproch both to my neighbours excedingly and a feare to my acquantance They that saw me fled forth from me †I am forgotten from the hart as one dead I am made as a vessel destroyed †because I haue heard the reprehension of manie that abide round about In that whiles they assembled together against me they consulted to take my soule †But I haue hoped in thee ô Lord I sayd Thou art my God †my lottes are in thy handes Deliuer me out of the handes of my enemies and from them that persecute me †Illustrate thy face vpon thy seruant saue me in thy mercie †Lord let me not be confounded because I haue inuocated thee Let the impious be ashamed and brought downe into hel †let the deceitful lippes be made mute Which speake iniquitie against the iust in pride and abuse †How great is the multitude of thy sweetnesse ô Lord which thou hast hid for them that feare thee Thou hast perfited it for them that hope in thee in the sight of the children of men †Thou shalt hide them in the secrete of thy face from the disturbance of men Thou shalt protect them in thy tabernacle from the contradiction of tongues †Blessed be our Lord because he hath made his mercie merueilous to me in the fensed citie But I haue said in the excesse of my minde I am cast away from the sight of thine eies Therfore thou hast heard the voice of my praier whiles I cried to thee †Loue our Lord al ye his sainctes because our Lord wil require truth wil repay them abundantly that doe proudly Do ye manfully and let your hart take courage al ye that hope in out Lord. PSALME XXXI Forgeuenes of sinnes is a happie thing 3. wherto manie are brought by affliction geuing them vnderstanding so mouing them to confesse their sinnes 6. pray for remission 10 not despaire but hope in Gods mercie and so reioyce with sincere hart †To Dauid himselfe “ vnderstanding BLESSED are they whose iniquities are forgeuen and “ whose sinnes be couered †Blessed is the man to whom our Lord hath “ not imputed sinne “ neither is there guile in his spirit †Because I held my peace my bones are * inueterated whiles I cried al the day †Because day and night thy hand is made heauie vpon me I am turned in my anguish whiles the thorne is fastened †I haue made my sinne knowen to thee and my iniustice I haue not hid I said I wil confesse against me my iniustice to our Lord and thou hast forgeuen the impietie of my sinne †For this shal euerie holie one pray to thee in time conuenient But yet in the floud of manie waters they shal not approche to him †Thou art my refuge from tribulation which hath compassed me my exultation deliuer me from them that compasse me †I wil geue thee vnderstanding and wil instruct thee in the way that thou shalt goe I wil fasten mine eies vpon thee †Doe not become as horse and mule which haue no vnderstanding In bit and bridle binde fast their cheekes that approch not to thee †Manie are the scourges of a sinner but him that hopeth in our Lord mercie shal compasse †Be ioyful in our Lord and reioyse ye iust and glorie al ye right of hart ANNOTATIONS PSALME XXXI 1. Vnderstanding VVhen Dauid had sinned and somewhile neglected to confesse his fault Gods mercie by affliction made him to vnderstand his owne estate who then repenting confessing and sorowing for his sinnes made this Psalme which is therfore intitled Vnderstanding or Instruction of Dauid It geueth vs also to vnderstand and to know saith S. Augustin that we must neither trust in our owne merites nor presume to escape punishment of sinne Thy first vnderstanding therfore or lesson must be to know thy self to be a sinner The nex is that when with faith thou beginnest to worke wel by loue thou attribute not this to thyn owne streingth but to the grace of God 1. VVhose sinnes are couered 2. not imputed
ye and see that our Lord is sweete blessed is the man that hopeth in him †Feare ye our Lord al ye his sainctes because there is no lacke to them that feare him †The rich haue wanted and haue bene hungrie but they that seeke after our Lord shal not be diminished of any good †Come children heare me I wil teach you the feare of our Lord. †Who is the man that wil haue life loueth to see good daies †“ Stay thy tongue from euil and thy lippes that they speake not guile †Turne away from euil and do good seeke after peace and pursewe it †The eies of our Lord vpon the iust and his eares vnto their prayers †But the countenance of our Lord is vpon them that doe euil things to destroy their memorie out of the earth †The iust haue cried and our Lord hath heard them and out of al their tribulations he hath deliuered them †Our Lord is nigh to them that are of a contrite hart and the humble of spirit he wil saue †Manie are the tribulations of the iust and out of al these our Lord wil deliuer them Our Lord keepeth al their bones there shal not one of them be broken The death of sinners is verie il and they that hate the iust shal offend Our Lord wil redeme the soules of his seruantes and al that hope in him shal not offend ANNOTATIONS PSALME XXXIII 1. He changed his countenance S. Augustin by holie Dauids changing of his countenance and by changing the king of Geth his name who in the booke of kinges where the historie is recorded is called Achis and here Abimelech gethereth that here is an hidden and great Mysterie VVhich he explicateth partly by interpretation of the Hebrew names but more especially by Dauids changing of his countenance which prefigured Christ eternal God becoming also man and so making great changes in the world For as Dauid killed Goliath and for his good act gotte enuie so Christ killing the diuel and humilitie in Christs meÌ„bers killing pride are persecuted by the wicked For Christ was both to the ruine and Resurrection of manie He changed Sacrifice and Priesthood The Iewes had sacrifice according to the order of Aaron in victims of cattle and this was in mysterie For there was not then the Sacrifice of the bodie and bloud of our Lord which the faithful and those that haue read the Gospel do know which Sacrifice is now spread in al the round earth Aâ—litle after the Sacrifice of Aaron is taken away and the Sacrifice according to the order of Melchisedech begane to be He therfore I knovv not vvho changed his countenance Let it not be I knovv not vvho for our Lord Iesus Christ is knowen He would haue our health to be in his bodie and bloud From whence did he commend his bodie and bloud from his humilitie For vnles he were humble he would neither be eaten nor druncke Behold his highnes In the beginning was the vvord and the vvord was with God and God the vvord Loe the euerlasting meate and Angels eate it supernal powres eate it celestial spirites eate it and they eate and are fatted and the thing remaineth whole which satiateth and reioyceth them How then hath the vvisdome of God fedde vs vvith the same bread the word was made flesh and dwelt in vs It were too long to recite this great Doctors vvhole discourse He further sheweth that Christ dismissed the Ievves and vvent from them to the Gentiles Thou seekest novv Christ saith he among the Ievves and findest him not because he hath changed his countenance For they sticking to the sacrifice according to the order of Aaron held not the Sacrifice according to the order of Melchisedech and haue lost Christ and the Gentiles haue begunne to haue him Againe this holie father vvilleth vs to remember the Gospel VVhen our Lord Iesus Christ spake of his bodie he said Vnles you eate the flesh of the Sonne of man and drinke his bloud you shal not haue life in you because he had changed his countenance this semed as furie and madnes vnto them to geue his flesh to be eaten of men his bloud to be drunke therfore Dauid vvas reputed madde before Achis vvhen he said you haue brought this madde man vnto me Doth it not seme madnes Eate ye my flesh and drinke my bloud He semed to be madde thus S. Augustin Neuer imagining the figuratiue interpretation of our nevv Sacramentaries vvho say Christ gaue no more but a figure of his bodie bloud for then it had bene easily vnderstood by the Capharnaites and no such contradiction nor murmuring had happened Yet S. Augustin saith more plainly if more plaine may be Christ caried himselfe in his ovvne handes And hovv this can be done bretheren in man vvho can vnderstand For vvho is caried in his ovvne handes A man may be caried in the handes of others no man is caried in his ovvne handes VVe find not hovv it can be vnderstood in Dauid according to the letter but in Christ vve find it For Christ vvas caried in his ovvne handes vvhen geuing his verie bodie he said This is my bodie for he caried his bodie in his ovvne handes 14 15. â—tay thy tongue c. Both these verses and frequent other places in the Psalmes shevv plainly that iustice consisteth not only in faith but in abstayning from euil and doing good yet requiring and presupposing true faith vvithout which no workes are aualable to iustice nor to euerlasting life PSALME XXXIIII Dauid in figure of Christ prophetically by way of inuocating Gods helpe forsheweth his persecution and the iust reuenge vpon his persecutors 9. with praise to God 13. his charitie towards his cruel aduersaries 17. whom neuertheles God punisheth 20. for pretending peace in wordes and in fact persecuting 23. rendering to al as they deserue To Dauid himself IVDGE ô Lord them that hurt me ouerthrow them that impugne me †Take armour and shield and rise vp to helpe me †Bring forth the sword and shut vp against them that perfecute me say to my soule I am thy saluation †Let them be counfounded ashamed that seeke my soule Let them be turned backward and be confounded that thinke euil against me †Be they made as dust before the face of winde and the angel of our Lord straictning them †Let their way be made darkenesse and slippernes and the angel of our Lord pursewing them †Because they haue hid the destruction of their snare for me without cause in vaine haue they vpbrayded my soule †Let the snare which he knoweth not come on him and the net which he hath hid catch him and let him fal into the verie same snare †But my soule shal reioyce in our Lord and shal be delighted vpon his saluation †Al
continew his grace and protection against the malice of the enimie 5. Recounteth Gods mercie in deliuering him from falling into tentations 6. prayeth for the same in old age or weakenes of bodie and spirite 20. and promiseth perpetual gratitude and praises A Psalme for Dauid of the sonnes of Ionadab and the former captiues IN thee ô Lord I haue hoped let me not be confounded for euer †in thy iustice deliuer me and receiue me Incline thine eare to me and saue me †Be vnto me for a God protector and for a fensed place that thou maist saue me Because thou art my firmament and my refuge †My God deliuer me out of the hand of the sinner and ouâ— of the hand of him that doth aganst the law and of the vniust Because thou art my patience ô Lord my hope from my youth †Vpon thee haue I bene confirmed from the wombe from my mothers bellie thou art my protector In thee is my singing alwaies †I was made to manie as a wonder and thou art a strong helper †Let my mouth be filled with praise that I may sing thy glorie al the day thy greatnes †Reiect me not in the time of olde age when my strength shal â—aile forsake me not †Because mine enimies haue said to me and they that watched my soule consulted together †Saying God hath forsaken him pursew and take him because there is none to deliuer †O God be not farre from me my God haue respect to mine ayde †Let them be confounded and fayle that detract from my soule let them be couered with confusion and shame that seeke euils to me †But I wil alwaies hope and wil adde vpon al thy praise †My mouth shal shew forth thy iustice al the day thy saluation Because I haue not knowne lerning I wil enter into the powres of our Lord †ô Lord I wil be mindful of thy iustice onely †O God thou hast taught me from my youth and vntil now I wil pronounce thy meruelous workes †And vnto ancient age and olde age ô God forsake me not Vntil I shew forth thy arme to al the generation that is to come Thy might †and thy iustice ô God euen to the highest great meruailes which thou hast done ô God who may be like to thee †How great tribulations hast thou shewed me manie and euil and turning thou hast quickened me and from the depthes of the earth thou hast brought me backe againe †Thou hast multiplied thy magnificence and being turned thou hast comforted me †For I also wil confesse to thee in the instruments of Psalme thy truth ô God I wil sing to thee on the harpe holie one of Israel †My lippes shal reioyce when I shal sing to thee and my soule which thou hast redemed †Yea and my tongue al the day shal meditate thy iustice when they shal be confounded and ashamed that seeke euils to me PSALME LXXI By way of prayer the Psalmist prophecieth Christs coming our King and Iudge 4. the deliuerer of mankind from the thraldom of the diuel â— the greatnes of his spiritual kingdom in the Gentiles 16. and his continual glorie and praise Concerning Salomon O God giue thy iudgement to the king and thy iustice to the sonne of the king To iudge thy people in iustice and thy poore in iudgement †Let the mountains receiue peace for the people and the litle hilles iustice †He shal iudge the poore of the people and shal saue the children of the poore and he shal humble the calumniator †And he shal continew with the sunne and before the moone in generation and generation †He shal descend as rayne vpon a fleece and as droppes distilling vpon the earth †There shal rise in his dayes iustice and aboundance of peace vntil the moone be taken away †And he shal rule from sea vnto sea and from the riuer euen to the ends of the round world †Before him shal the Aethiopians fal downe and his enimies shal lick the earth †The kinges of Tharsis and the Ilands shal offer presentes the kings of the Arabians and of Saba shal bring giftes †And al kinges of the earth shal adore him al nations shal serue him †Because he shal deliuer the poore from the mightie and the poore which had no helper †He shal spare the poore and needy and he shal saue the soules of the poore †From vsuries and iniquitie he shal redeme their soules and their name shal be honorable before him †And he shal liue and there shal be giuen him of the gold of Arabia and they shal adore it alwaies al the day they shal blesse him †And there shal be a firmament in the earth in the toppes of mountanes the fruite therof shal be extolled farre aboue Libanus and they shal florish of the citie as the grasse of the earth †Be his name blessed for euer before the sunne his name is permanent And al the tribes of the earth shal be blessed in him al nations shal magnifie him †Blessed be our Lord the God of Israel who only doth meruelous thinges †And blessed be the name of his maiestie for euer and al the earth shal be filled with his maiestie Be it be it †The praises of Dauid the sonne of Iesse are ended PSALME LXXII The royal prophet first professing the vnspeakable goodnes of God 2. in the person of the weake complaineth that the wicked prosper and the iust are afflicted 15. reprehendeth the murmuration for though we can not comprehend the secrete iudgements of God 18. yet they are most iust 25. So with desire to rest in God he promiseth euer to praise him A Psalme to Asaph HOW good is God to Israel to them that are of a right hart †But my feete were almost moued my steppes almost slipped †Because I haue had zele vpon the wicked seing the peace of sinners †Because there is no respect to their death and stabilitie in ther plague †In the labours of men they are not and with men they shal not be scourged †Therfore hath pride helde them they are couered with their iniquitie and impietie †Their iniquitie hath proceded as it were of fatte they haue passed into the affection of the hart †They haue thought and haue spoken wickednes they haue spoken iniquitie on high †They haue sette their mouth vnto heauen ad their tongue hath passed in the earth †Therfore wil my people returne here and ful daies shal be found in them †And they haue saide How doth God know and is there knowledge in the highest †Loe the sinners them selues and they that abounde in
that he might saue al the meeke of the earth †Because the cogitation of man shal confesse to thee and the remanes of the cogitation shal keepe festiual day to thee †Vowe ye and render to our Lord your God al ye that round about him bring giftes To the terrible †and him that taketh away the spirite of princes terrible to the kinges of the earth PSALME LXXVI Anie faithful deuout person meditating Gods benefites 7. examineth his cōscience that nothing be in his soule that may offend God Who is alwayes readie to forgeue 11. and therfore he stil reneweth his purpose to serue God sincerly 15. particularly remembring the deliuerie of Israel from Aegypt Vnto the end for Idithun a psalme to Asaph †VVith my voice I haue cried to our Lord with my voice to God and he attended to me †In the day of my tribulation I sought God with my handes in the night before him and I was not deceiued My soule refused to be comforted †I was mindeful of God and was delighted and was exercised and my spirite fainted Myne eies preuented the watches I was trubled spake not †I thought vpon old daies and the eternal yeares I had in minde †And I meditated in the night with my hart and I was exercised and I swept my spirite Why wil God reiect for euer or wil he not adde to be better pleased as yet †Or wil he cutte of his mercie for euer from generation vnto generation †Or wil God forget to haue mercie or wil he in his wrath keepe in his mercies And I sayde Now haue I begune this is the change of the right hand of the Highest †I haue bene mindful of the workes of our Lord because I wil be mindful from the beginning of thy meruelous workes †And I wil meditate in al thy workes and in thy inuentions I wil be exercised †O God in the holie is thy way what God is great as our God †thou art the God that doest meruelous thinges Thou hast made thy powre knowne among peoples †thou hast with thine arme redemed thy people the children of Iacob and Ioseph †The waters saw thee ô God the waters saw thee and they were afrayd and the depthes were trubled †A multitude of the sounding of waters the cloudes gaue a voice For in deede arrowes doe passe †the voice of thy thunder in a wheele Thy lightenings shined to the rounde world the earth was moued and trubled †Thy way in the sea and thy pathes in many waters and thy steppes shal not be knowne †Thou hast conducted thy people as sheepe in the hand of moyses and Aaron PSALME LXXVII The royal prophet exhorting the people to attend 5. reciteth manie great benefites of God towards their forefathers whose ingratitude often rebellion and chatisement he stil noteth 9. as in their entrance into the land of Chanaan 12. also before the same in Aegypt and in the desort 42. How God plagued the Aegyptians 52. protected and conducted his people into the promised land 56. where likewise they often offended were punished 65. yet were stil conserued 69. and the tribe of Inde exalted in king Dauid Vnderstanding to Asaph MY people attend ye to my law incline your eare vnto the wordes of my mouth †I wil open my mouth in parables I wil speake propositions from the beginning †How great thinges haue we heard and haue knowne them and our fathers haue told vs. †They were not hid from their children in an other generation Telling the prayses of our Lord and his powers and his meruelous workes which he hath done †And he raised vp a testimonie in Iacob and made a law in Israel How great thinges he commanded our fathers to make the same knowne to their children †that an other generation may know The children that shal be borne and shal rise vp and shal tel their children †That they may put their hope in God and may not forget the workes of God and may seeke after his commandmentes †That they become not as their fathers a peruerse generation and exasperating A generation that hath not directed their hart their spirit hath not bene faithful towards God †The children of Ephrem bending and shooting with bow were turned in the day of battel †They kept not the testament of God and in his law they would not walke †And they forgate his benefites and his meruelous workes which he shewed them †Before their fathers he did meruelous thinges in the land of Aegypt in the filde of Tanis †He diuided the sea brought them through and he made the waters to stand as in a bottle †And he conducted them in a cloude by day and al the night by light of fire †He stroke the rocke in the desert and gaue them water to drinke as in a great depth †And he broughtforth water out of the rocke and made waters runne downe as riuers †And they added as yet to sinne vnto him they prouoked the Highest to wrath in the place without water †And they tempted God in their hartes so that they asked meats for their liues †And they spake euil of God they saide Can God prepare a table in the desert †Because he stroke the rocke and waters ranne torrentes flowed Can he also giue bread or prepare a table for his people †Therfore our Lord heard and made delay and fire was kindled in Iacob and wrath ascended vpon Israel †Because they beleued not in God nor hoped in his saluation †And he commanded the cloudes from aboue and opened the gates of heauen †And he rayned them Manna to eate and bread of heauen he gaue to them †Bread of Angels did man eate he sent them victuals in abundance †He transported the Southwinde from heauen and in his powre he brought in the Southwestwinde †And he rayned vpon them flesh as dust and as the sand of the sea fethered fowles †And they fel in the middes of their campe about their tabernacles †And they did eate and were filled excedingly and their desire he brought to them †They were not defrauded of their desire As yet their meats were in their mouth †And the wrath of God ascended vpon them And he killed their fat ones and the chosen of Israel he hindered †In al these things they sinned as yet and they beleued not in his meruelous workes †And their daies failed in vanitie and their years in hast †When he slew them they sought him and they returned and early they came to him †And they
and his iustice contineweth for euer and euer †He hath made a memorie of his meruelous workes a merciful and pittiful Lord †he hath geuen meate to them that feare him He wil be mindful for euer of his testament †the force of his workes he wil shewforth to his people †To geue them the inheritance of the gentiles the workes of his handes truth and iudgement †Al his commandmentes are faithful confirmed for euer and euer made in truth and equitie †He sent redemption to his people he commanded his testament for euer Holie and terrible is his name †the feare of our Lord is the beginning of wisedom Vnderstanding is good to al that doe it his prayse remaineth for euer and euer PSALME CXI True happines consisteth in fearing God keping his commandments 5. and in doing workes of mercie 10. The contrarie bringeth to miserie Alleluia Of the returne of Aggeus and Zacharie BLESSED is the man that feareth our Lord he shal haue great delight in his commandmentes †His seede shal be mightie in the earth the generation of the righteous shal be blessed †Glorie and riches in his house and his iustice abideth for euer and euer †Light is risen vp in darkenes to the righteous he is merciful and pitiful and iust †Acceptable is the man that is merciful and lendeth that shal dispose his wordes in iudgement †Because he shal not be moued for euer †The iust shal be in eternal memorie he shal not feare at the hearing of euil †His hart is readie to hope in our Lord his hart is confirmed †he shal not be moued til he looke ouer his enemies †He distributed he gaue to the poore his iustice remaineth for euer and euer his horne shal be exalted in glorie †The sinner shal see and wil be angrie he shal gnash his teeth and pine away the desire of sinners shal perish PSALME CXII God is to be praised who being hiegh regardeth and prouideth for the needie in this world Allelu ia PRAYSE our Lord ye children praise ye the name of our Lord. †Be the name of our Lord blessed from henceforth now and for euer †From the rising of the sunne vnto the going downe the name of our Lord is laudable †Our Lord is high aboue al nations and his glorie aboue the heauens †Who is as the Lord our God that dwelleth on high †and beholdeth the low thinges in heauen and in earth †Raising vp the needie from the earth and lifting vp the poore out of the dung †To place him with princes with the princes of his people †Who maketh the d barren woman to dwel in a house a ioyful mother of children PSALME CXIII For the meruelous passage of I srael out of Aegypt 3. the red sea the riuer Iordan 7. and the hilles geuing them place 8. the rockes yelding them water 9. God not themselues is to be praised 12. Idoles and Idolaters are vaine and shal be confounded 17. the faithful trust in God 20. are blessed and for euer praise God Allelu ia IN the comming forth of Israel out of Aegypt of the house of Iacob from the barbarous people †Iewrie was made his sanctification Israel his dominion †The sea saw and fled Iordan was turned backeward †The mountaines leaped as rammes and the litle hilles as the lambes os sheepe †What ayleth thee ô sea that thou didst flee and thou ô Iordan that thou wast turned backeward †Ye mountaines leaped as rammes and ye litle hilles as the lambes of shepe †At the face of our Lord was the earth moued at the face of the God of Iacob †Who turned the rocke into pooles of waters and stonie hil into fountaines of waters †NOT TO VS O LORD NOT TO VS but to thy name geue the glorie †For thy mercie and thy truth lest at any time the Gentiles say Where is their God †But our God is in heauen he hath done al thinges what soeuer he would †“ The idols of the gentiles are siluer and gold the workes of mens handes †They haue mouth and shal not speake they haue eies and shal not see †They haue eares and shal not heare they haue nosthrels and shal not smel †They haue handes and shal not handle they haue feete and shal not walke they shal not crie in their throte †Let them that make them become like to them and al that haue confidence in them †The house of Israel hath hoped in our Lord he is their helper and their protector †The house of Aaron hath hoped in our Lord he is their helper and their protector †They that feare our Lord haue hoped in our Lord he is their helper and their protector †Our Lord hath beene mindful of vs and hath blessed vs He hath blessed the house of Israel he hath blessed the house of Aaron †He hath blessed al that feare our Lord the litle with the great †Our Lord adde vpon you vpon you vpon your children †Blessed be you of our Lord which made heauen and earth †The heauen of heauen is to our Lord but the earth he hath geuen to the children of men †The dead shal not prayse thee ô Lord nor al they that goe downe into hel But we that liue doe blesse our Lord from this time and for euer ANNOTATIONS PSALME CXIII 12. The Idols of the Gentiles are siluer and gold Al Catholique Diuines agree in this authentical definition of Idolattie that it is diuine honour geuen to anie creature as to a god Of the diuers so tâ—s also of Idolatrie the ancient lerned Doctors haue vvritten much Namely Iustinus Martyr in his Orations against the Gen iles Tertullian in Apologetico Arnobius Orat. ad Gentes Lactantius li. 2. c 17. Diuinar Instit and manie others But most copiously and profoundly S Augustin especially in his tenne first bookes de Câ—uitate Dei Into vvhich error crime the Platonistes sel holding that spiritual inuisible createdsubstances to vvitte Angels good and euil vvhom they called Intelligentias separatas had diuine povvre so gaue to them diuine honour O hers honour dead men and some before their death as goddes for their notable actes atchiued in this life as Saturne â—uppiter Hercules and the like Some yeld diuine honour to mere corporal creatures liuing or vvithout life as to beastes and serpentes the sunne the moone fire vvater earth the vvhole machin of the vvoâ—ld as if it vvere animate and that vvith diuine spirite or soule Againe al these haue bene vvorshipped as gods not only in them selues but also in their imagees But to omite other diuersities the most grosse
my soule he hath humbled my life in the earth He hath set me in obscure places as the dead of the world †and my spirit is in anguish vpon me within me my hart is trubled †I was mindful of old dayes I haue meditated in al thy workes in the factes of thy handes did I meditate †I haue stretched forth my handes to thee my soule is as earth without water vnto thee †Heare me quickly ô Lord my spirite hath faynted Turne not away thy face from me and I shal be like to them that descend into the lake †Make me heare thy mercie in the morning because I haue hoped in thee Make the way knowen to me wherein I may walke because I haue lifted vp my soule to thee †Deliuer me from mine enemies ô Lord to thee I haue fled †teach me to doe thy wil because thou art my God Thy good spirite wil conduct me into the right way †for thy name sake ô Lord thou wilt quicken me in thine equitie Thou wilt bring forth my soule our of tribulation †and in thy mercie thou wilt destroy mine enemies And thou wilt destroy al that afflict my soule because I am thy seruant PSALME CXLIII The royal Prophet thanketh God for al his victories and possession of the kingdom 3. Admiring Gods benignitie towards man 5. prayeth to be stil defended from al enimies 9. promiseth a new songue of prayse 11. describeth the vanitie of worldlie men 15. concluding that true felicitie is in seruing God A Psalme of Dauid against Goliath BLESSED be our Lord my God who teacheth my handes to battel and my fingers to warre †My mercie and my refuge my defender and my deliuerer My protectour and I haue hoped in him who subdeweth my people vnder me †Lord what is man that thou art made knowne to him or the sonne of man that thou estemest him †Man is made like to vanitie his dayes passe as a shadow †Lord incline thy heauens and descend touch the mountaynes and they wil smoke †Lighten lightening and thou shalt disperse them shoote out thine arrowes and thou shalt destroy them †Send forth thy hand from on high take me out and deliuer me from manie waters from the hand of children strangers †Whose mouth hath spoken vanitie and their right hand is the right hand of iniquitie †O God I wil sing to thee a new song in the psalter of ten stringes I wil sing to thee †Who geuest saluation to kinges who hast redemed Dauid thy seruant from the malignant sword †deliuer me And rescue me out of the hand of children strangers whose mouth hath spoken vanitie and their right hand is the right hand of iniquitie †Whose sonnes are as new plantes in their youth Their daughters comly trimmed decked about after the similitude of a temple †Their storehouses ful flowing out of this into that Their ewes ful of yong abunding in their going forth †their oxen are fatte There is no ruine of wal nor passage nor crie in their streates †They haue said that it is a happie people which hath these things blessed is the people whose God is our Lord. PSALME CXLIIII God is and for euer ought to be praised 3. for his immensiue infinite glorious Maiestie meruelous workes merciful benefites for his powre wisdom iustice 19. who wil reward the good and destroy the wicked Praysing to Dauid himselfe I “ Wil exalt thee my God the king and I wil blesse thy name for euer and for euer and euer †Euerie day wil I blesse thee and wil praise thy name for euer and for euer and euer †Great is our Lord and exceding laudable and of his greatnes there is no end †Generation and generation shal praise thy workes and they shal pronounce thy powre †They shal speake the magnificence of the glorie of thy holines and shal tel thy meruelous workes †And they shal tel the force of thy terrible thinges and shal declare thy greatnes †They shal vtter the memorie of the abundance of thy swetnes and in thy iustice they shal reioyce †Our Lord is pitiful and merciful patient and very merciful †Our Lord is sweete to al and his commiserations are ouer al his workes †Let al thy workes ô Lord confesse to thee and let thy sainctes blesse thee †They shal tel the glorie of thy kingdom and shal speake thy might †That they may make thy might knowne to the children of men and the glorie of the magnificence of thy kingdom †Thy kingdom is a kingdom of al worldes and thy dominion in al generation and generation †“ Our Lord is faithful in al his wordes and holie in al his workes †Our Lord lifteth vp al that fal and setteth vp al that are bruised †The eies of al hope in thee ô Lord and thou geuest their meate in time conuenient †Thou openest thy hand and fillest euerie liuing creature with blessing †Our Lord is iust in al his wayes and holie in al his workes †Our Lord is neere to al that inuocate him to al that inuocate him in truth †He wil doe the wil of them that feare him and wil heare their prayer and saue them †Our Lord keepeth al that loue him and he wil destroy al sinners †My mouth shal speake the prayse of our Lord and let al flesh blesse his holie name for euer and for euer and euer ANNOTATIONS PSALME CXLIIII I vvil exalt thee As this Psalme is the first of the seuen vvhich conteyne more particular instruction of perpetually praising God so it is the seuenth of those vvhich are composed in order of the Alphabet tovvitte the 24 33. â—â— 110. 111. 118. and this 144 Of vvhich the three former vvant some letters signifying as Cassiodorus interpreteth such in Gods Church as sing his praises but vvith some imperfections the other foure haue the perfect Alphabet signifying those that sing Gods praises vvith perfect deuotion VVhich only foure S. Ierom calleth Alphabetical Psalmes Epist ad Paulam Vrbiâ—am Proâ—m in Lament Ierem. 1â— Our Lord is faithful This verse is not novv in the ordinarie Hebrevv texâ— and therfore either the same is defectiue or els this Psalme should senâ—e noâ— to be composed vvith a perfect Alphabet in the fountaine tongue For here it vvanteth the letter Nun. But seing S. Ierom counteth this one of the foure Alphabetical Psalmes omitting the other three vvhich consist of vnperfect Alphabets it is very probable that this verse vvas once in the Hebrevv text as it is both in Greke Latin VVherby amongst other places appeareth that there is no certaintie to correct the Greke or Latin Bible by the Hebrâ—â—â— vvhich is novvextant but
yongmen their strength and the dignitie of oldmen a gray head †The blewnesse of the wound shal wipe away euils and stripes in the more secrete place of the bellie CHAP. XXI AS diuisions of waters so the hart of the king is in the hand of our Lord whither soeuer he wil he shal incline it †Euerie way of a man semeth to himself right but our Lord weigheth the hartes †To doe mercie and iudgement doth more please our Lord then victimes †Exaltation of the eies is the dilatation of the hart the lampe of the impious sinne †The cogitations of the strong are alwayes in abundance but euerie sluggard is alwayes in pouertie †He that gathereth treasures with a lying tongue is vaine and witles and shal stumble at the snares of death †The robberies of the impious shal draw them downe because they would not doe iudgement †The peruerse way of a man is strange but he that is cleane his worke is right †It is better to sitte in a corner of the house toppe then with a brawling woman and in a common house †The soule of the impious desireth euil he wil not haue pitie on his neighbour †The pestilent man being punished the litle one wil be wiser and if he folow the wiseman he wil take knowlege †The iust deuiseth concerning the house of the impious that he may draw the impious from euil †He that stoppeth his eare at the crie of the poore himself also shal crie and shal not be heard †A gift hid quencketh angers and a gift in the bosome the greatest indignation †It is a ioy to the iust to doe iudgement and dread to them that worke iniquitie †A man that shal erre from the way of doctrine shal abyde in the assemblie of giantes †He that loueth good cheere shal be in pouertie he that loueth wine and fatte thinges shal not be rich †The impious shal be geuen for the iust and the vniust for the righteous †It is better to dwel in a desert land then with a brawling and angrie woman †Treasure to be desired and oyle in the habitation of the iust and the vnwise man shal dissipate it †He that foloweth iustice and mercie shal finde life iustice and glorie †The wise hath scaled the citie of the strong and hath destroyed the confidence therof †He that kepeth his mouth and his tongue kepeth his soule from distresses †The proude and arrogant is called vnlerned which in anger worketh pride †Desires kil the slothful for his handes would not worke any thing †al the day he longeth and desireth but he that is iust wil geue and wil not cease †The hostes of the impious abominable because they are offered of wickednes †A lying witnes shal perish an obedient man shal speake victorie †The impious man malepertly hardeneth his countenauce but he that is righteous correcteth his way †There is no wisdom there is no prudence there is no counsel against our Lord. †The horse is prepared to the day of battel but our Lord geueth saluation CHAP. XXII BEtter is a good name then much riches aboue siluer and gold good grace †The rich and poore haue mette one an other our Lord is the maker of both †The subtel saw euil and hyd himself the innocent passed by and was afflicted with damage †The end of modestie the feare of our Lord riches and glorie and life †Armour and swordes in the way of the peruerse but the keper of his owne soule departeth far from them †It is a prouerbe A yongman according to his way when he is old wil not depart from it †The richman ruleth ouer the poore and he that boroweth is the seruant of him that lendeth †He that soweth iniquitie shal reape euils and with the rod of his wrath he shal be consumed †He that is prone to mercie shal be blessed for of his breades he hath geuen to the poore He that geueth giftes shal purchase victorie and honour but he that receiueth taketh away the soule of the geuer †Cast out the scorner and brawling shal goe forth with him and cause shal cease and contumelies †He that loueth cleanes of hart for the grace of his lippes shal haue the king his frend †The eies of our Lord keepe knowlege and the wordes of the iust are supplanted †The slothful sayth A lyon is without in the middes of the streates I am to be slayne †A deepe pitte the mouth of a strange woman he with whom our Lord is angrie shal fal into it †Follie is tyed together in the hart of a childe and the rod of discipline shal driue it away †He that doth calumniate the poore to increase his riches himself shal geue to a richer and shal be in neede †Incline thine eare and heare the wordes of wisemen and set thy hart to my doctrine †which shal be beautiful for thee when thou shalt kepe it in thy bellie and it shal flow in thy lippes †That thy confidence may be in our Lord wherfore I haue shewed also it to thee this day †Behold I haue described it to thee three maner of wayes in cogitations and knowledge †that I might shew thee the stabilitie and the wordes of truth out of these to answer them that sent thee †Doe not violence to the poore because he is poore neither oppresse the needie in the gate †because our Lord wil iudge his cause and wil pearse them that haue pearsed his soule †Be not frend to an angrie man nor walke with a furious man †lest perhaps thou lerne his pathes and take scandal to thy soule †Be not with them that sticke downe their handes and that offer themselues sureties for debts †for if thou haue not wherewith to restore what cause is there that he should take the couering from thy bed †Trangresse not the ancient boundes which thy fathers haue put †Hast thou sene a man quicke in his worke he shal stand before kinges neither shal be before the vnnoble CHAP. XXIII VVHEN thou shalt sitte to eate with a prince attend diligently what thinges are set before thy face †and set a knife in thy throte if notwithstanding thou haue thy soule in thine owne power †Desire not his meates in which is the bread of lying †Labour not to be rich but set a meane to thy prudence †Lift not vp thine eies to the riches which thou canst not haue because they shal make to themselues winges as of an eagle and shal flie into heauen †Eate not with an enuious man and desire
And therfore the wisman here admonisheth not to lie in waite nor calumniously to seke impietie in the house that is in the soule of the iust For though he committe some faultes yet he riseth againe and is not impious vniust nor guiltie of mortal crime as the wicked man is CHAP. XXV THese also are the parables of Salomon which the men of Ezechias king of Iuda wrote out †It is the glorie of God to conceale the word and the glorie of kinges to search the speach †The heauen aboue and the earth beneth and the hart of kinges is vnscrutable †Take away the rust from siluer and there shal comeforth a most pure vessel †Take away impietie from the kings countenance and his throne shal be established with iustice †Appeare not glorious before the king and in the place of great men stand not †For it is better that it be said to thee Come vp hither then that thou be humbled before the prince †The thinges which thy eies haue sene vtter not quickly in a brawle lest afterward thou canst not amend it when thou hast dishonoured thy frend †Treate thy cause with thy frend and reueale not a secret to a stranger †lest perhaps he insult against thee when he heareth and cease not to vpbraide thee Grace and frendshipe deliuer which kepe to thyself lest thou become reprochful †Apples of gold in siluer beddes he that speaketh a word in his time †A golden earlet and a shining precious stone he that rebuketh a wiseman and an obedient eare †As the cold of snow in the day of haruest so a faithful legate to him that sent him maketh his soule to rest †Cloudes and winde and no rayne folowing a glorious man and not accomplishing his promises †By patience the prince shal be pacified and a soft tongue shal breake hardnes †Thou hast found honie eate that which sufficeth thee lest perhaps being filled thou vomite it vp †Withdraw thy foote from the house of thy neighbour lest some time hauing his fil he hate thee †A dart and sword and a sharpe arrow a man that speaketh false testimonie against his neighbour †A rotten tooth and wearie foote he that hopeth vpon the vnfaithful in the day of distresse †and that loseth his cloke in the day of cold Vineger in nither he that singeth songes to a naughtie hart As a moth the garment and a worme the woode so the sadnes of a man hurteth the hart †If thine enemie shal hunger geue him meate if he thirst geue him water to drinke †for thou shalt heape hote coales vpon his head and our Lord wil reward thee †The northwinde dissipateth raynes a sad looke the tongue that detracteth †It is better to sitte in a corner of the house toppe then with a brawling woman and in a common house †Cold water to a thirstie soule and good tydings from a far countrie †A fountaine trubled with the foote and a vaine corrupted the iust falling before the impious †As he that eateth much honie it is not good for him so he that is a searcher of the maiestie shal be oppressed of the glorie †As a citie being open and without compasse of walles so a man that can not represse his spirit in speaking CHAP. XXVI AS snow in the summer and rayne in the haruest so is glorie vndecent for a foole †As a birde flying to other places a sparow going whither he list so a curse vttered in vaine shal light vpon some man †A whippe for a horse and a snaffle for an asse and a rod on the back of the vnwise †Answer not a foole according to his follie lest thou be made like to him †Answer a foole according to his follie lest he seme to himself to be wise †Lame of feete and drinking iniquitie he that sendeth wordes by a foolish messenger †As a lame man hath fayre legges in vaine so a parable is vndecent in the mouth of fooles †As he that casteth a stone into the heape of Mercurie so he that geueth honour to the vnwise †As if a thorne should grow in the hand of the drunkard so a parable in the mouth of fooles †Iudgement determineth causes and he that putteth a foole to silence apeaseth angers †As a dog that returneth to his vomite so the vnwise that reiterateth his follie †Hast thou sene a man seeme to himselfe wise the foole shal haue hope rather then he †The slothful sayth A lyon is in the way and a lyonesse in the iourneis †as a doore turneth on his hinge so the slothful in his bed †The slothful hideth his hand vnder the armehole and is greeued if he turneth it to his mouth †The slothful seemeth wiser to himselfe then seuen men speaking sentences †As he that taketh a dog by the eares so he that passeth by impatient and medleth with an other mans brawle †As he is hurtful that shooteth arrowes and speares vnto death †so a man that hurteth his frende fraudulently and when he is taken with al sayth I did it in iest †When wood fayleth the fire shal be extinguished and the whisperer taken away brawles cease †As coles to burning coles and wood to fire so an angrie man rayseth brawles †The wordes of the whisperer as it were simple and the same come to the inmost partes of the bellie †As if thou wouldest adorne an earthen vessel with drossie siluer so swelling lippes ioyned with a most wicked hart †An enemie is perceiued by his lippes when he shal handle deceites in his hart †When he shal submit his voyce beleue him not because there are seuen mischiefes in his hart †He that couereth hatred fraudulently his malice shal be reuealed in the councel †He that diggeth a pit shal fal into it and he that rolleth a stone it shal returne to him †A deceitful tongue loueth not truth and a slipper mouth worketh ruines CHAP. XXVII BOast not for to morow being ignorant what the day to come may bring forth †Let an other prayse thee and not thine owne mouth a stranger and not thine owne lippes †A stone is heauie and sand weightie but the anger of a foole is heauier then both †Anger hath no mercie nor furie breaking forth and the violence of a moued spirit who can susteyne †Better is manifest correption then loue hidden †Better are the woundes of him that loueth then the fraudulent kisses of him that hateth †A soule that is ful shal treade vpon the honiecombe and a soule that is hungrie shal take bitter also for sweete †As a bird fleeting from her nest so a man that forsaketh his place †The
the ruines of them †Nurter thy sonne and he shal refresh thee and shal geue delightes to thy soule †When prophecie shal fayle the people shal be dissipated but he that keepeth the Law is blessed †A seruant can not be taught by wordes because he vnderstandeth that which thou sayst and contemneth to answer †Hast thou seene a man swifte to speake follie is rather to be hoped then his amendement †He that nourisheth his seruant delicatly from his childhood afterward shal feele him stubburne †An angrie man prouoketh brawles and he that is easie to indign 〈…〉 shal he more prone to sinne †Humiliation foloweth the proude and glorie shal receiue the humble of spirite †He that is partaker with a theefe hateth his owne soule he heareth one adiuring and telleth not †He that feareth man shal soone fal he that trusteth in our Lord shal be lifted vp †Manie seeke after the face of the prince the iudgement of euerie one commeth forth from our Lord. †The iust abhorre an impious man the impious abhorre them that are in the right way The sonne that keepeth the word shal be out of perdition CHAP. XXX Aright wiseman thinketh humbly of himself 4. knowing that Gods workes are inscrutable and perfect 8. desireth truth in al thinges mediocritie in riches 11. Abhorreth certaine sortes of men 1. 5. certaine execrable thinges 18. noteth certaine thinges hard to be knowen 21. other thinges intolerable 24. others admirable 32. the tongue dangerous THE wordes of the Gatherer the sonne of Vomiter The vision that the man spake with whom God is and who being strengthened by God abiding with him sayd †I am most foolish of men the wisedom of men is not with me †I haue not learned wisedom and haue not knowen the science of saints †Who hath ascended into heauen and descended who hath conteyned the spirit in his handes who hath bound the waters together as in a garment who hath raysed vp al the borders of the earth what is his name and what is the name of his sonne if thou know †Enerie word of God tryed by fyre is a buckler to them that hope in him †Adde not any thing to his wordes and so thou be reproued and found a lyer †Two thinges I haue asked thee denie them not to me before I dye †Vanitie and lying wordes make far from me Beggerie and riches geue me not geue only things necessarie for my sustenance †lest perhaps being filled I be allured to denie and may say Who is the Lord or being compelled by pouertie I may steale and forsweare the name of my God †Accuse not a seruant to his master lest perhaps he curse thee and thou fal †There is a generation that curseth their father and that blesseth not their mother †A generation that semeth to itself cleane yet is not washed from their filthines †A generation whose eies are loftie and the eielids therof set vp on high †A generation that for teeth hath swordes and chaweth with theyr grinding teeth that they may eate the needie out of the earth and the poore from among men †The horseleach hath two daughters that say Bring bring Three things are vnsatiable the fourth neuer sayth it sufficeth †Hel and the mouth of the matrice the earth which is not satisfied with water but the fyre neuer sayth it sufficeth †The eie that scorneth his father that despiseth the trauail of his mother in bearing him let the rauens of the torrents pick it out and the young of the eagle eate it †Three thinges are hard to me and of the fourth I am vtterly ignorant †The way of an eagle in the ayre the way of a serpent vpon a rocke the way of a shippe in the middes of 〈…〉 and the way of a man in youth †Such is also the way of an adulterous woman which eateth and wyping her mouth sayth I haue done no euil †By three thinges the earth is moued and the fourth it can not susteyne †By a seruant when he shal reigne by a foole when he shal be filled with meate †by an odious woman when she shal be taken in matrimonie by “ a bondwoman when she shal be heyre to her mistresse †There are foure the least thinges of the earth and they are wiser then the wise †The antes a weake people which prepareth in the haruest meate for themselues †The leueret a people not strong which placeth his bed in the rocke †The locust hath no king and they go our al by their troopes †The stellion stayeth on his handes 〈…〉 in kings houses †There are three thinges which 〈…〉 l and the fourth that goeth happely †The lyon the strongest of beastes shal feare at the meeting of none †the cocke gyrded about the loines and the ramme also the king against whom none can resist †There is that hath appeared a foole after that he was listed vp on high for if he had vnderstood he would haue layd his hand vpon his mouth †And he that strongly presseth the pappes to wring out milke strayneth out butter and he that violently cleanceth his nose wringeth out bloud he that prouoketh angers bringeth forth discordes ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXX 1. The vvordes of the Gatherer Some Interpreters take these foure Hebrew wordes Agur Iache Ithiel and Vcal conteined in this first verse to be proper names of men supposing that a certaine wiseman named Agur the sonne of Iache spake the sentences folowing in this chapter to his sonnes or scholars called Ithiel Vcal And so this supposed Agur not Salomon should be the auctor of this chapter But the old Interpreter whom S. Ierom approueth and foloweth translated the same wordes as noones appellatiues Neither doth anie ancient Father account this Agur amongst the writers of holie Scriptures And if there were a peculiar auctor of this chapter it is like the same should haue bene placed last and not before that which now foloweth and is by al men confessed to be Salomons And therfore we thinke it more probable with S. Beda and the common opinion that there vvas no other auctor of anie part of this booke besides King Salomon VVho is here called CONGREGANS the Gatherer because he gathered these excellent Parables and Prouerbes as the sonne of the Holie Ghost signified by the word IACHE povvring forth diuine sentences for instruction of ITHIEL VCAL that is of al those vvith vvhom God is by his grace and vvho are streingthened by God abiding vvith them 23. A bond vvoman vvhen she shal be heyre Of al thinges in this world it semeth most absurde that heresie doth dominiere ouer Catholique religion vvhich God some times and in some places suffereth for the greater merite of his elect CHAP. XXXI
be done †Nothing vnder the sunne is new neither is anie man able to say Behold this is new for it hath already gone before in the ages that were before vs. †There is no memorie of former thinges but neither of those thinges verily which hereafter are to come shal there be remenbrance with them that shal be in the later end †I Ecclesiastes haue bene king of Israel in Ierusalem †and haue proposed in my mind to seke and search wisely of al thinges that are done vnder the sunne This very euil occupation hath God geuen to the children of men that they might be occupied in it †I haue sene al thinges that are done vnder the sunne and behold al are vanitie affliction of spirit †The peruerse are hardly corrected and the number of fooles is infinite †I haue spoken in my hart saying Loe I haue bene made great and haue gone beyond al in wisdom that were before me in Ierusalem and my minde hath contemplated manie thinges wisely and I haue lerned †And I haue geuen my hart to know prudence and doctrine and errors and follie and I haue perceiued that in these also there was labour and affliction of spirite †for that “ in much wisdom there is much indignation and he that addeth knowlege addeth also labour ANNOTATIONS CHAP. I. 18. In much vvisdom is much indignation How much more anie man profiteth in wisdom so much more he is angrie with himself for the euils which he hath done so much better he knovveth the strict iudgement of God which he must passe so much more he vnderstandeth the vvant of perfect vvisdom so much more he seeth that labour is required to procede in vertue and to conserue that smal portion vvhich he hath gotten Neither is anie man ordinarily assured that he hath gotte anie part of true vvisdom for he knovveth not vvhether he be vvorthie of loue or hate Eccle. 9. CHAP. II. Humane deligthes are al vaine 4. as gorgious buildinges fruitful vinyards plentie of fish cattle seruantes siluer gold musike 11. not satisfying mans desire 18. Neither can anie man know how his heyre wil behaue himself ISayde therfore in my hart I wil goe flow in delightes and enioy good thinges And I saw that this also was vanitie †Laughter I haue reputed errour and to ioy I haue saide Why art thou deceiued in vaine †I haue thought in my hart to withdraw my flesh from wine that I might transferre my minde to wisdom and might auoid follie til I might see what should be profitable for the children of men what is nedeful to be done vnder the sunne in the number of the dayes of their life †I haue magnified my workes I haue built me houses planted vineyards †I haue made gardens and orchards and set them with trees of al kindes †and I haue made me ponds of waters to watter the wood of springing trees †I haue possessed menseruants and wemenseruants and haue had a great familie heardes also and great flockes of shepe aboue al that were before me in Ierusalem †I haue heaped together to myself siluer and gold and the substance of kinges and prouinces I made me singingmen singingwemen and the delightes of the children of men cuppes and goblets to serue to powre out wines †and I surpassed in riches al that were before me in Ierusalem wisdom also hath perseuered with me †And al thinges that myne eies desired I haue not denied to them neither haue I stayed my hart but that it enioyed al pleasure delighted itself in these thinges which I had prepared and this I estemed my portion if I did vse my labour †And when I had turned myself to al the workes which my handes had done to the laboures wherin I had swette in vaine I saw in al thinges vanitie and affliction of minde nothing to be permanent vnder the sunne †I passed further to contemplate wisdom and errors and follie what is man quoth I that he can folow the king his Maker †and I saw that wisdom so much excelled follie as light differeth from darknes †The eyes of a wiseman are in his head the foole walketh in darknes and I haue lerned that there was one death of both †And I sayd in my hart If the fal of the foole myne shal be one what doth it profite me that I haue bestowed greater labour for wisdom And speaking with my minde I perceiued that this also was vanitie †For there shal be no memorie of the wise in like maner as of the foole for euer and the times to come shal couer al thinges together with obliuion the lerned dieth in like maner as the vnlerned †And therfore I haue bene wearie of my life seing al thinges vnder the sunne to be euil and al thinges vanitie and affliction of spirite †Againe I detested al myne industrie wherwith I haue laboured vnder the sunne most studiously being like to haue an heyre after me †whom I know not whether he wil be a wiseman or a foole and he shal rule in my labours wherewith I haue swette and haue bene careful and is there anie thing so vaine †Wherfore I ceased and my hart hath renounced to labour anie more vnder the sunne †For whereas one laboreth in wisdom and doctrine and carefulnes he leaueth the thinges gotten to an idle man and this therfore is vanitie and great euil †For what profite shal be to a man of al his labour and affliction of spirite wherwith he is vexed vnder the sunne †Al his daies are ful of sorowes and miseries neither by night doth he rest in minde and is not this vanitie †Is it not better to eate and drinke and shew vnto his soule good thinges of his laboures this is of the hand of God †Who shal so deuour and flow with delightes as I †To a man good in his sight God hath geuen wisdom and knowlege and ioy but to the sinner he hath geuen affliction and superfluous care to adde and to gather together and deliuer it to him that hath pleased God but this also is vanitie vaine carefulnes of the minde CHAP. III. Contrarie thinges succede in their seasons and passe away 9. wherof man getteth no perfect knowlege how long soeuer he liueth and laboreth to know them 16. neither wil there be equitie where it ought to be in this world 21. but in the next good and euil shal be separated and iudged according to their desertes AL thinges haue a time and in their spaces al thinges passe vnder heauen †A time to be borne a time to dye A time to plant a time to pluck vp that which was planted †A time to kil and a time to heale A time to destroy and a time to builde †A time to wepe a time to laugh A time to mourne
and his hope vaine earth and his life viler then clay †because he was ignorant who made him and who inspired into him the soule which worketh and who breathed into him the vital spirite †Yea and they estemed our life to be a pastime and the conuersation of life made for a gayne that we must get euerie way euen of euil †For he knoweth that he offendeth aboue al men which of the matter of earth fashioneth frayle vessels and sculptils †For al the vnwise and vnhappie aboue measure of the soule proude are the enemies of thy people and rule ouer them †because they haue estemed al the idols of the nations for goddes which neither haue vse of eies to see nor nosthrels to take breath nor eares to heare nor fingers of the hands to handle yea and their feete are slow to walke †For a man made them and he that borowed breath the same fashioned them For no man can make God like to himself †For wheras himself is mortal he maketh a dead thing with his wicked handes For he is better then they whom he worshippeth because he in deede liued though he were mortal but they neuer †But they worship also most miserable beasts for the senslesse thinges compared to these are worse then they †Yea neither by sight can any man see good of these beasts But they haue fled from the prayse of God and from his blessing CHAP. XVI God plaguing the Aegyptians for idolatrie and crueltie deliuered the Israelites 5. Chasticed them also but againe shewed them mercie 20. and fedde them with Manna FOR these thinges and by the like to these they haue worthely suffered torments and were destroyed by a multitude of beasts †For the which torments thou didst wel dispose of thy people to whom thou gauest the desire of their delectation a new taste preparing them the quaile for meate †that they in deede coueting meate because of those thinges which were shewed and sent them might be turned away euen from necessarie concupiscence But they in short time being made needie tasted a new meate †For it behoued that without excuse destruction should come vpon them exercising tyrannie but to these onlie to shew how their enemies were destroyed †For when the cruel wrath of beastes came vpon them they were destroyed with the bytings of peruerse serpents †Howbeit thy wrath endured not for euer but for chastisement they were trubled a short time hauing a signe of saluation for the remembrance of the commandment of thy law †For he that turned to it was not healed by that which he saw but by thee the sauiour of al †and in this thou didst shew to our enemies that thou art he which deliuerest from al euil †For the bitings of locusts and flies killed them and there was found no remedie for their life because they were worthie to be destroyed by such thinges †But neither the teeth of venemous dragons ouercame thy children for thy mercie coming healed them †For in memorie of thy wordes they were examined were quickly saued lest falling into deepe obliuion they might noâ— vse thy helpe †For neither herbe not plaâ—ster healed them but thy word ô Lord which healeth al thinges †For iâ— is thou ô Lord that hast powre of life and death and bringest downe to the gates of death and fetchest agayne †but man certes killeth by malice and when the spirit is gone forth it shal not returne neither shal he cal backe the soule that is receiued †but it is vnpossible to escape thy hand †For the impious denying to knowe thee haue bene scourged by the strength of thine arme suffering persecution by strange waters and haile and rayne and consumed by fyre †For that which was meruelous in water which extinquisheth al thinges fyre more preuayled for the world is reuenger of the iust †For a certayne time the fyre was mitigated that the beasts which were sent to the impious might not be burnt but that they seing might know that by Gods iudgement they suffer punishment †And at a certaine time the fyre aboue his powre burnt in water on euerie side that it might destroy the nation of a wicked land †For the which thinges thou didst nourish thy people with the meate of Angels and bread prepared thou gauest them from heauen without labour hauing in it al delectation and the sweetnes of al taste †For thy substance did shew thy sweetnes which thou hast toward thy children and seruing euerie mans wil it was turned to that that euerie man would †Yea snow and yee susteyned the force of fyre and melted not that they might know that fyre burning in hayle and lightening in rayne destroyed the fruites of the enemies †And this againe that the iust might be nourished it forgat also his owne strength †For the creature seruing thee the Creatour is fierce into torment against the vniust and is made more gentle to doe good for them that trust in thee †For this cause euen then being transformed into al thinges they serued thy grace the nource of al at their wil that desired thee †that thy children might know whom thou louedst ô Lord that not the fruites of natiuitie doe feede men but thy word preserueth them that beleue in thee †For that which could not be destroyed by fyre forthwith being heated with a litle beame of the sunne did melt †that it might be knowen to al men that we ought to preuent the sunne to blesse thee and at the rysing of light to adore thee †For the fayth of the vngratful shal melt as winter yee shal perish as vnprofitable water CHAP. XVII Horrible darkenes falling in Aegypt 19. the rest of the world had ordinarie light FOR thy iudgements ô Lord are great thy wordes inexphcable for this cause the soules lacking discipline haue erred †For whiles the wicked are perswaded that they can rule ouer the holie nation fettered with the bands of darknes and long night shut vp vnder roofes they haue lyen fugitiues from the euerlasting prouidence †And whiles they thincke that they lie hid in obscure sinnes they were dispersed by the darke couert of obliuion being horribly afrayd and disturbed with exceding admiration †For neither did the denne that conteyned them keepe them without feare because the sound coming downe trubled them and sorowful visions appearing to them put them in feare †And no force certes of the fyre could geue them light neither could the clere flames of the starres lighten that horrible night †But there appeared to them soden fyre ful of feare and being stroken with the feare of that face which was not sene they estemed the thinges that were sene to be worse †and there were added derisions of the magical art and contumelious rebuke of the glorie of
†and shal open her mouth in the churches of the Highest and shal glorie in the sight of his power †and in the middes of her people she shal be exalted and in the holie assemblie she shal be admired †and in the multitude of the elect she shal haue praise and among the blessed she shal be blessed saying †I come forth from the mouth of the Highest the first begotten before al creatures †I made that in the heauens there should rise light that faileth not and as a cloud I couered al the earth †I dwelt in the highest places and my throne is in the pillar of a cloude †I alone haue gone round about the compasse of heauen and haue penetrated into the bottome of the depth and haue walked in the waues of the sea †and stood in al the earth and in al people †and in euerie nation I haue had the primacie †and I haue by strength troden downe the hartes of al the excellent and the base and in al these thinges I sought rest I shal abide in the inheritance of our Lord. †Then the creatour of al commanded and said to me he that created me rested in my tabernacle †and he said to me Inhabite in Iacob and inherite in Israel and take roote in myne elect †From the beginning and before the worlds was I created and vnto the world to come I shal not cease and in the holie habitation I haue ministred before him †And so in Sion was I established and in the sanctified cittie likewise I rested and my power was in Ierusalem †And I tooke roote in an honorable people and in the portion of my God his inheritance and my abiding is in the ful assemblie of saintes †I am exalted as a cedar in Libanus and as a cypres tree in mount Sion †As a palme tree in Cades am I exalted and as a rose plant in Iericho †As a faire oliue tree in the fieldes and as a plane tree by the water in the streates am I exalted †I gaue an odout as cinnamon aromatical balme as chosen myrrhe haue I geuen the sweetenes of odour †and as storax and galbanum and onyx and aloes and as Libanus not cut haue I perfumed myne habitation and myne odour is as baulme non mingled †I haue spred out my boughes as the terebinth and my boughes are of honour and grace †I as a vine haue fructified sweetenes of odour and my flowers are fruite of honour and honestie †I am the mother of beautiful loue and of feare and of knowledge and of holie hope †In me is al grace of way and truth in me al hope of life and vertue †Passe to me al ye that desire me and be filled of my generations †For my spirit is sweete aboue honie and myne inheritance aboue honie and the honie combe †My memorie is vnto generations of worldes †They that eate me shal yet hunger and they that drinke me shal yet thirst †He that heareth me shal not be confounded and they that worke in me shal not sinne †They that explicate me shal haue life euerlasting †Al these thinges are the booke of life and the testament of the Highest the knowlege of truth †Moyses commanded a law in the preceptes of iustices and an inheritance to the house of Iacob and the promises to Israel †He appointed to Dauid his seruant for to raise vp a king of him most strong and sitting in the throne of honour for euer †Who filleth wisdom as Phison and as Tigris in the daies of new fruites †Who replenisheth vnderstanding as Euphrates who multiplieth it as Iordan in the time of haruest †Who sendeth discipline as the light and assisting as Gehon in the day of vintage †Who first hath perfect knowledge of it a weaker shal not searche it out †For her cogitation shal abound aboue the sea and her counsels aboue the greate depth †I wisdom haue powred out riuers †I as a sluse of a mightie water out of the riuer I as the riuer Dioryx as a water coundite I came out of paradise †I said I wil water my garden of plantes and wil inebriate the fruite of my medow †And hehold my sluse was made aboundant and my riuer came neere to a sea †Because I illuminated doctrine to al as the morning light I wil declare it far †I wil penetrate al the inferiour partes of the earth and wil behold al that sleepe and wil illuminate al that hope in our Lord. †I wil yet powre out doctrine as prophecie and wil leaue it to them that seeke wisdom and wil not cease vnto their progenies euen to the holie age †See ye that I haue not laboured for myself only but for al that seeke out the truth CHAP. XXV Concord betwen bretheren neighboures and man and wife much pleaseth God 3. A poore man proud a richman a lier and an old man doting in carnal or worldlie thinges are very hateful 9. He that seeth his children good and his enemies ouerthrowne hath a good wife offendeth not in speach consenteth not to sinne hath a true freind teacheth good doctrine hath sacred and humane knowlege hath vndoubtedly nine happie thinges but to feare God conteyneth 14. and excelleth al. 17. A wicked woman heresie is very detestable 30. and most vntolerable if she haue supreme dominion IN three thinges my spirit is pleased which are approued before God and men †The concord of bretheren and the loue of neighboures and man and wife wel agreeing together †Three sortes my soule hateth and I am greatly greeued at their life †A poore man proud a rich man a lyer an old man a foole and doting †The thinges that thou hast not gathered in thy youth how shalt thou find them in thy old age †How beautiful is iudgement for a grey head and for ancientes to know counsel †How beautiful is wisdom for the aged vnderstanding glorious and counsel †Much cunning is the croune of old men and the feare of God is their glorie †Nine thinges not to be imagined of the hart haue I magnified and the tenth I wil tel vnto men with my tongue †A man that hath ioy in his children liuing and seeing the subuersion of his enemies †Blessed is he that dwelleth with a wise woman that hath not offended with his tongue and that hath not serued such as are vnworthie of him †Blessed is he that findeth a true freind and that declareth iustice to an eare that heareth †How great is he that findeth wisdom and knowlege but he is not aboue him that feareth our Lord. †The feare of God hath set it self aboue al thinges †blessed is the man to whom is geuen to haue the feare of God he that holdeth it to
haue not lent not because of wickednes but they were afraid to be defrauded without cause †But yet vpon the humble be stronger of minde for almes differre him not †Because of the commandment receiue the poore and because of his pouertie send him not away emptie †Lose money for thy brother and thy freind and hide it not vnder a stone vnto perdition †Put thy treasure in the precepts of the Highest it shal profite thee more then gold †Shut vp almes in the hart of the poore and the same shal obteyne for thee against al euil †Aboue the shilde of the mightie aboue the speare it shal fight against tnyne enemie †A good man becometh suretie for his neighbour and he that hath lost shame wil leaue him to himself †Forget not the kindnes of a suertie for he hath geuen his life for thee †The sinner and vncleane person fleeth from his suretie †A sinner counteth the goodes of his suretie to himself and vnthankful in minde wil forsake him that deliuered him †A man is suretie for his neighbour and when he hath lost shame he shal be forsaken of him †Naughtie suretieshippe hath vndone manie that were In good case and hath tossed them as a waue of the sea †Whurling round about it hath made mightie men to remoue and they haue wandred in strange nations †A sinner that trangresseth the commandment of our Lord shal fal into naughtie suretieshippe and he that endeuoureth to doe manie thinges shal fal into iudgement †Recouer thy neighbour according to thy power and take heed to thy self that thou fal not †The beginning of mans life water bread and garment and house couering his turpitude †Better is the poore mans fayre vnder a roofe of bordes then sumptuous cheere in a strange place without a house †Let the least thing please thee in steede of a great and thou shalt not heare the reproach of peregrination †It is a naughtie life to change lodging from house to house and where he shal lodge he shal not deale boldely nor open his mouth †He shal lodge and feede and make the vnthanckful drinke and beside these thinges he shal heare bitter wordes †Passe thou stranger furnish the table with the thinges thou hast in thy hand feede the rest †Depart from the presence of the honour of my freindes for the necessitie of my house my brother is to be lodged with me †These thinges be greuous to a man that hath vnderstanding rebuke for the house and the reproch of the lender CHAP. XXX Chastisment of children is necessarie and indulgence very dangerous 14. Health is better then riches 17. A trublesome life is worse then death 22. Be not pensiue but chereful in mind HE that loueth his soune doth accustome him to stripes that he may reioyce in his later end and not grope after the doores of his neighboures †He that teacheth his sonne shal be praised in him in the middes of them of his houshold he shal glorie in him †He that teacheth his sonne doth cast the enemie into emulation and in the middes of his freindes he shal glorie in him †His father is dead he is as it were not dead for he hath left behind him the like to himself †In his life he sawe and reioyced in him in his death he was not made sorie neither was he confounded before the enemies †For he left a defender of his house against the enemies one that should render thanck to his freindes †For the soules of his sonnes he wil binde vp his woundes at euerie voice his bowels shal be trubled †An vntamed horse becometh stubburne and a dissolute childe wil become headie †Pamper thy sonne and he wil make thee afraid play with him and he wil make thee sorowful †Laugh not with him lest thou be sorie and at the last thy teeth shal be on edge †Geue him not power in his youth and contemne not his cogitations †Curbe his necke in youth and knock his sides whiles he is a childe lest perhaps he be hardned and beleeue thee not and he shal be sorow of minde to thee †Teach thy sonne and worke in him that thou offend not in his dishonestie †Better is a poore man whole and strong of force then a rich man weake and scourged with miserie †The health of the soule in holines of iustice is better then al gold and siluer and a sound bodie then infinite reuenewes †There is no riches aboue the riches of the health of the bodie and there is noe delight aboue the ioy of the hart †Better is death then a bitter life and euerlasting rest then continual sicknes †Good thinges hid in a mouth that is shut are as messes of meates set about a graue †What shal sacrifice profite an idol for neither shal he eate nor smel †so he that is chased away of our Lord beareth the rewardes of iniquitie †seing with his eies groning as an eunuch embracing a virgin and sighing †Geue not heuines to thy soule afflict not thyself in thy counsel †Ioyfulnes of the hart this is the life of a man and a treasure without defect of holines and the ioy of a man is long life †Haue mercie on thine owne soule pleasing God and refraine and comfort thy hart in his holines and expel sorow far from thee †For sorow hath killed manie and there is noe profite in it †Enuie and anger diminish the daies and thought wil bring old age before the time †A magnifical hart is good in bankettes for his bankettes are made diligently CHAP. XXXI By seeking vertue and laboring for necessaries the flesh is subdued to the spirite 8. Moderate riches are best 12. with temperance in diette 30. especially in drinking VVATCHING after honestie shal pine the flesh the thought thereof taketh away sleepe †The thought of foreknowlege turneth away the vnderstanding greuous infirmitie maketh a sober soule †The riche man hath laboured in gathering of substance together in his rest he shal be replenished with his goodes †The poore man hath laboured in the diminishing of his liuing and in the end he is made poore †He that loueth gold shal not be iustified he that foloweth after corruption shal be replenished of it †Manie haue bene geuen into falles for gold and their perdition hath come by the beautie thereof †The gold of them that sacrifice is a wood of offence wo to them that folow after it and euerie vnwise man shal perish in it †Blessed is the rich man that is found without spot and that hath not gone after gold nor hoped in money and treasures †Who is this we wil praise him for he hath done meruelous thinges in
shal perish from their wise men and the vnderstanding of their prudent shal be hid †Woe vnto you that are deepe of hart to hide your counsel from our Lord whose workes are in darkenes and they say Who seeth vs and who knoweth vs †This your cogitation is peruerse as if the clay should thinke against the potter and the worke should say to the maker therof Thou madest me not or the thing formed should say to the fashioner therof Thou vnderstandest not †Shal not yet within a litle while and in a short time Libanus be turned into Charmel Charmel reputed for a forest †And in that day the deafe shal heare the wordes of the booke and out of the darkenes and mist the eies of the blinde shal see †And the meeke shal adde ioyfulnesse in our Lord and the poore men shal reioyce in the holie one of Israel †Because he hath fayled that did preuaile the scorner is consumed and they are al cut downe that watched vpon iniquitie †that made men sinne in word and supplanted him that reproued them in the gate and declined in vayne from the iust †For this cause thus sayth our Lord to the house of Iacob he that redemed Abraham Iacob shal not now be confounded neither shal now his countenance be ashamed †but when he shal see his children the workes of mine handes in the middes of him sanctifying my name and they shal sanctifie the holie one of Iacob and shal preach the God of Israel †and they that erre in spirit shal know vnderstanding and the mutteters shal learne the law CHAP. XXX The Iewes are blamed for seeking counsel and helpe of the Aegyptians 18. but if they repent they shal find releefe and spiritual riches of the soule 27. Gods iudgement wil be strict 33. and hel is most horrible VVOE vnto renegate children sayth our Lord that you would take counsel and not of me would beginne a webbe and not by my spirite that you might adde sinne vpon sinne †which walke to goe downe into Aegypt haue not asked my mouth hoping for helpe in the strength of Pharao and hauing confidence in the shadow of Aegypt †And the strength of Pharao shal be a confusion to you and the confidence of the shadow of Aegypt an ignominie †For thy princes were in Tanis and thy messengers came euen to Hanes †Al were confounded vpon the people that could not profite them they were no helpe nor to any profite but to confusion and to reproch †The burden of the beastes of the South In a land of tribulation and distresse the lionesse and the lion of them the viper the flying basiliscus carying their riches vpon the shoulders of beasts and their treasures vpon the bunch of camels to a people that can not be able to profite them †For Aegypt shal helpe in vaine and to no purpose therfore haue I cried vpon this It is pride onlie cease †Now therfore going in write to her vpon boxe and drawe it diligently in a booke and it shal be in the latter day for a testimonie for euer †For it is a people prouoking to wrath and lying children children that wil not heare the law of God †Which say to the seers See not and to them that behold Behold vs not those thinges that are right Speake vnto vs pleasant thinges see errours vnto vs. †Take from me the way turne away the path from me let the holie one of Israel cease from our face †Therfore thus sayth the holie one of Israel For that you haue reiected this word haue hoped in calumnie and tumult and haue leaned therevpon †therfore shal this iniquitie be vnto you as a breach that falleth and is found lacking in an high wal because sodenly whiles it is not hoped shal come the destruction therof †And it shal be broken smal as the potters vessel is broken with mightie breaking there shal not a shread be found of the fragments therof wherein a litle fyre may be caried from the burning or a litle water be drawen out of the pitte †Because thus sayth our Lord the God of Israel If you returne and be quiet you shal be saued in silence and in hope shal your strength be And you would not †and you haue sayd No but we wil flee to horses therfore shal you flee And we wil mount vpon swift ones therfore shal they be fwifter that shal persecute you †A thousand men at the face of the terrour of one and at the face of the terrour of fiue shal you flee til you be leaft as the mast of a shippe in the toppe of a mountaine and as a signe vpon a litle hil †Therfore our Lord expecteth that he may haue mercie on you and therfore shal he be exalted sparing you because our Lord is the God of iudgment blessed are al they that expect him †For the people of Sion shal dwel in Ierusalem weeping thou shalt not weepe pitying he wil pitie thee at the voice of thy crie as soone as he shal heare he wil answer thee †And our Lord wil geue you straite bread and short water and wil not make thy doctor to flee away from thee any more and thine eies shal see thy master †And thine eares shal heare the word of him that behinde thy backe admonisheth thee This is the way walke in it and decline ye not neither to the right hand nor to the left †And thou shalt contaminate the plates of the sculptils of thy siluer and the garment of the molten of thy gold and shalt scatter them as the vncleannes of a menstruous woman Thou shalt say to it Get thee hence †And rayne shal be geuen to thy seede wheresoeuer thou shalt sow in the land and the bread of the corne of the land shal be most plentiful and fatte The lambe in that day shal feede at large in thy possession †and thyne oxen as the asse coltes that til the ground shal eate mingled prouender as it was fanned in the floore †And there shal be vpon euerie high mountayne and vpon euerie litle hil eleuated riuers of running waters in the day of the killing of manie when the towres shal fal †And the light of the moone shal be as the light of the sunne and the light of the sunne shal be seuenfold as the light of seuen daies in the day when our Lord shal bind vp the wound of his people shal heale the stroke of their wound †Behold the name of our Lord commeth from farre his burning furie and heauie to beare his lippes are filled with indignation and his tongue as a deuouring fire †His spirite as a torrent ouerflowing euen to the middes of the necke to destroy the nations to nothing and the bridle of errour that was in the iawes of peoples †There shal be a song vnto
Sion the zele of the Lord of hostes shal doe this †Therfore thus sayth our Lord concerning the king of the Assyrians He shal not enter this citie and he shal not shoote arrow there and shilde shal not occupie it and he shal not cast rampier about it †In the way that he came by the same he shal returne and into this citie he shal not enter sayth our Lord. †And I wil protect this citie that I may saue it for myne owne sake and “ for Dauids sake my seruant †And the Angel of our Lord came forth and stroke in the campe of the Assyrians an hundred eightie fiue thousand And they arose in the morning and behold al were carcasses of dead men †And he went out and departed and Sennacherib the king of the Assyrians returned and dwelt in Niniue †And it came to passe when he adored in the temple of Nesroch his god Adramelech and Sarasar his sonnes stroke him with the sword and they fled into the land of Ararat Asarhaddon his sonne reigned for him ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXXVII â—5 For Dauids sake VVe haue here a manifest example that the merites of Sainctes departed forth of this world do profite the liuing God protecting Ierusalem not only for his owne but also for his seruant Dauids sake Against which plaine sense Protestantes denying merites and prayers of Sainctes seme to haue no better quasion then this sillie shift â—eâ—ned without vvarrant of holie Scripture or ancient Father to interprete these vvordes for Dauids sake to signifie for Gods promise sake made to Dauid But if they be demanded vvhere and when God promised to Dauid that he vvould protect and saue the citie of Ierusalem from sacking by enimies or from ruine they can neuer shevv it God made Dauid conquerour of Ierusalem extirpating there the Iebusites who vntil his time kept the tovvre of Sion 2. Reg. 5. v. 7. protected the same citie al his time and long after And in certaine particular dangers promised to Achaz a vvicked king Isaie 7. and to this good king Ezechias here â— 4. Reg. 19. â— that he vvould saue and deliuer Ierusalem from oher particular distresses vvherin it vvas at those times but he promised not this to king Dauid Neither did God make a general promise to protect that citie perpetually For if he had so promised it should not haue bene subdued brought into captiuitie defaced as it was by the Babylonians And therfore this glosse of Protestants is built vpon false ground And the vvordes are as manifest as if the kings Maiestie should say I vvil protect the â—â—â—â— of London that I may saue it for myn ovvne sake and such my former subiectes sake that haue faithfully heretofore serued their kinges Or if he should say I vvil protect such a noblemans chiefe Manour place for myn owne sake for such his progenitors sake who serued me loyally VVherby is plainely signified that the king doâ—â— this â—ouour not only forth is ovvne sake but also for the merites of some that liued there and deserued vvel before Neither do vve produce this similitude to proue that is in controuersie but to explaine the Catholique doctrine apparent by this text and approued by the ancient Fathers and the vvhole Church of God CHAP. XXXVIII Ezechias being sick and advertised by the prophete that he shal then dye by prayer 〈…〉 prolongation of life 6. with promise of victorie confirmed by a signe 9. For which he rendereth thankes to God with a Canticle of praise IN those dayes Ezechias was sick euen to death and Isaie the sonne of Amos the prophet went in vnto him and said to him Thus sayth our Lord. Take order with thy house for thou shalt die and shalt not liue †And Ezechias turned his face to the wal and prayed to our Lord †and said I besech thee Lord remember I pray thee how I haue walked before thee in truth and in a perfect hart and haue done that which is good in thine eies And Ezechias wepte with great weeping †And the word of our Lord was made to Isaie saying †Goe tel Ezechias Thus saith our Lord the God of Dauid thy father I haue heard thy prayer and seene thy teares Loe I wil adde vpon thy dayes fiftene yeares †and out of the hand of the king of the Assirians wil I deliuer thee and this citie and wil protect it †And this shal be a signe to thee from our Lord that our Lord wil doe this word which he hath spoken †Behold I wil make the shadow of the lines returne by the which it is now gone downe in the dyal of Achaz in the sunne backward ten lines And the sunne returned ten lines by the degrees whereby it was gone downe †The scripture of Ezechias the king of Iuda when he had bene sicke and was recouered of his infirmitie I haue said In the middes of my daies shal I goe to the gates of hel I haue sought the residue of my yeares †I haue said I shal not see our Lord God in the land of the liuing I shal behold man no more and the inhabiter of rest †My generation is taken away and is wrapped together from me as the tent of shepehards My life is cut of as by a weauer whiles I yet began he cut me of from morning vntil night thou wilt make an end of me †I hoped vntil morning as a lion so hath he broken al my bones From morning vntil euening thou wilt make an end of me †As a yong swallow so wil I crie I wil meditate as a doue Mine eies are weakened looking on high Lord I suffer violence answer for me †What shal I say or what shal he answer me wheras him self hath done it I wil recount to thee al my yeares in the bitternes of my soule †Lord if mans life be such and the life of my spirit in such thinges thou shalt chasten me and shalt quicken me †Behold in peace is my bitternes most bitter But thou hast deliuered my soule that it should not perish thou hast cast al my sinnes behind thy backe †Because hel shal not confesse to thee neither shal death prayse thee they that goe downe into the lake shal not expect thy truth †The liuing the liuing he shal confesse to thee as I also this day the father shal make thy truth knowen to the children †O Lord saue me and we shal sing our psalmes al the dayes of our life in the house of our Lord. †And Isaie commanded that they should take a lumpe of figges plaster it vpon the wound and he should be healed †And Ezechias sayd What shal be the signe that I shal goe vp into the house of our Lord CHAP. XXXIX The king of Babylon sent legates to visite king Ezechias and congratulate his recouerie
desolation among al peoples into which our Lord hath dispersed vs. †And we are made vnderneath and not aboue because we haue sinned to the Lord our God in not obeying his voice †To the Lord our God iustice but to vs and to our fathers confusion of face as is this day †Because our Lord hath spoken vpon vs al these euils that are come vpon vs †and we haue not besought the face of the Lord our God to returne euerie one of vs from our most wicked waies †And our Lord hath watched in euils and hath brought them vpon vs because our Lord is iust in al his workes which he hath commanded vs †and we haue not heard his voice to walke in the precepts of our Lord which he hath geuen before our face †And now ô Lord God of Israel which brought out thy people out of the Land of Aegypt in a strong hand and in signes and in wonders and in thy great strength and in a mightie arme and madest thee a name as is this day †we haue sinned we haue done impiously we haue dealt vniustly ô Lord our God in al thy iustices †Let thy wrath be turned away from vs because we are left a few among the nations where thou hast dispersed vs. †Heare ô Lord our prayers and our petitions and bring vs our for thine owne sake and grant vs to fynde grace before their face that haue led vs away †that al the earth may know that thou art the Lord our God and that thy name is inuocated vpon Israel and vpon his stocke †Looke ô Lord from thy holie house vpon vs and incline thine eare and heare vs. †Open thine eies see because the dead that are in hel whose spirite is taken from their bowels shal not geue honour and iustification to our Lord †but the soule that is sorowful for the greatnes of euil and goeth crooked and weake and the eyes fayling and the hungrie soule geueth glorie and iustice to thee their Lord. †For not according to the iustices of our fathers doe we powre out prayers and aske mercie before thy sight ô Lord our God †but because thou hast sent thy wrath and thy furie vpon vs as thou hast spoken by the hande of thy seruants the prophets saying †Thus sayth our Lord Bowe downe your shoulder your necke and doe workes for the king of Babylon and you shal sitte in the land which I haue geuen to your fathers †But if you wil not heare the voice of the Lord your God to worke for the king of Babylon I wil make you to faile out of the cities of Iuda and from without Ierusalem †and I wil take from you the voice of mirth and the voice of ioy and the voice of the bridegrome and the voice of the bride and al the land shal be without foote steppe that inhabite it †And they heard not thy voice to worke for the king of Babylon and thou hast established thy wordes which thou spakest by the handes of thy seruants the prophets that the bones of our kinges and of our fathers should be transported out of their place †and behold they are cast forth in the heare of the sunne and in the frost of the night and they are dead in verie sore paines in famine and by sword and by casting forth †And hast made the temple in which thy name was there inuocated as it is this day for the iniquitie of the house of Israel and of the house of Iuda †And thou hast done in vs ô Lord our God according to al thy goodnes and according to al that thy great compassion †as thou spakest by the hand of thy seruant Moyses in the day that thou didst command him to write thy law before the children of Israel †saying If you wil not heare my voice this great multitude shal be turned into a verie litle one among the Gentiles whither I wil disperse them †because I know that the people wil not heare me for it is a people of a stiffe necke and they shal be conuerted to their hart in the land of their captiuitie †and they shal knowe that I am the Lord their God and I wil geue them a hart and they shal vnderstand and eares and they shal heare †And they shal praise me in the land of their captiuitie and shal be mindful of my name †And they shal turne away them selues from their hard backe and from their malignant workes because they shal remember the way of their fathers that sinned against me †And I wil recal them backe into the land which I sware to their fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob and they shal haue the dominion therof and I wil multiplie them and they shal not be lesned †And I wil establish vnto them an other testament euerlasting that I be their God and they shal be my people and I wil no more moue my people the children of Israel from the land that I haue geuen them CHAP. III. VVith further confession of their sinnes 8. they acknowledge their iust captiuitie 12. because they haue left true wisdome 16. which was geuen to their fathers 23. not to rich men or mightie giants 29. but to those that serue God 34. whom the starres obey 36. with a cleare prophecie of Christ. AND now ô Lord omnipotent God of Israel the soule in distresses the pensiue spirite cryeth to thee †heare Lord and haue mercie because thou art a merciful God and haue mercie vpon vs because we haue sinned before thee †Because thou sittest for euer and shal we perish euerlastingly †O Lord omnipotent God of Israel heare now the prayer of the dead of Israel and of their children that haue sinned before thee and haue not heard the voice of the Lord their God and euils haue stoocke fast to vs. †Remember not the iniquities of our fathers but remember thy hand and thy name in this time †because thou art the Lord our God and we wil praise thee ô Lord †because for this end thou hast geuen thy feare in our hartes and that we may inuocate thy name and may praise thee in our captiuitie because we are conuerted from the iniquitie of our fathers which haue sinned before thee †And behold we are in our captiuitie this day wherby thou hast dispersed vs into reproch and into malediction and into sinne according to al the iniquities of our fathers which haue reuolted from thee ô Lord our God †Heare Israel the commandments of life harken with your eares that you may know prudence †What is the matter Israel that thou art in the land of the enemies †Thou art waxen old in a strange land thou art defiled with the dead thou art reputed with them that goe downe into hel †Thou hast forsaken the fountaine of wisdom †for if thou
throne in the firmament AND IT came to passe in the thirtith yeare in the fourth in the fifth if the moneth when I was in the middes of the captiues beside the riuer Chobar the heauens were opened and I saw the visions of God †In the fifth of the moneth the same is the fifth yeare of the transmigration of king Ioachin †the word of our Lord was made to Ezechiel the sonne of Buzi priest in the land of the Chaldees by the riuer Chobar and there the hand of our Lord was made vpon him †And I saw and behold a whirlewinde came from the North and a great clowde a fire inuoluing and brightnes round about it out of the middes therof as it were the forme of amber that is out of the middes of the fire †and out of the middes therof the similitude of soure * liuing creatures and this was their look the similitude of a man in them †There were four faces to one and foure winges to one †Their feete streight feete and the sole of their foote as the sole of a calues foote and sparkes as the forme of glowing braâ—â—◠†And the handes of a man vnder their winges in foure partes 〈…〉 ey had faces and winges by the foure partes †And the winges of them were ioyned one to an other They returned not when they went but euerie one went before his face †And the similitude of their countenance the face of a man and the face of a lyon on the right hand of them foure and the face of an oxe on the lefe hand of them foure and the face of an eagle ouer them foure †And their faces and their winges were streched out aboue two winges of euerie one were ioyned and two couered their bodies †and euerie one of them walked before his face where the force of the spirite was thither they went neither did they returne when they went neither did they returne when they walked †And the similitude of the liuing creatures their looke as it were of coales of burning fire as it were the resemblance of lampes This was the vision running in the middes of the liuing creatures brightnes of fire and from the fire lightening going forth †And the liuing creatures went and returned after the similitude of glistering lightning †And when I beheld the liuing creatures there appeared one wheele vpon the earth by the liuing creatures hauing foure faces †And the shape of the wheeles and the worke of them as it were apparence of the sea and one similitude of them foure and their apparence and worke as if it were a wheele in the middes of a wheele †By their foure partes going they went and they returned not when they walked †There was a stature also to the wheeles and height and a fearful forme and the whole 〈…〉 was ful of eies round about them foure †And when the liuing creatures walked the wheeles also walked together by them and when the liuing creatures were lifted vp from the earth the wheeles also were lifted vp together †Whithersoeuer the spirit went thither the spirit going the wheeles also were lifted vp withal folowing it for the spirit of life was in the wheeles †With them going they went and with them standing they stood and with them lifted vp from the earth the wheeles also were lifted vp together folowing them because the spirit of life was in the wheeles †And a similitude ouer the heades of the liuing creatures of the firmament as it were the sight of christal dreadful and streched out ouer their heades aboue †And vnder the firmament the winges of them streight one toward an other euerie one with two winges couered his bodie and the other was couered in like maner †And I heard the sound of the winges as it were the sound of manie waters as it were the sound of the high God when they walked it was as the voice of multitude as the sound of a campe and when they stood their winges were let downe †For when a voice was made aboue the firmament that was ouer their head they stood and let downe their winges †And aboue the firmament that hung ouer their head as it were the forme of the sapphire stone the similitude of a throne and vpon the similitude of the throne a similitude as it were the shape of a man aboue †And I saw as it were the forme of amber as the resemblance of fire within it round about from his loines vpward and from his loines downward I saw as it were the resemblance of fire glistering round about †As the forme of the bow when it is in a clowde on a day of rayne this was the forme of the brightnes round about CHAP. II. The Prophet terrified with the vision is encoreged by Gods spirite 3. And is sent to preach 9. penance and the seruice of God THIS was the vision of the similitude of the glorie of our Lord. And I saw and I fel on my face and I heard the voice of one speaking And he said to mee Sonne of man stand vpon thy feete and I wil speake with thee †And the spirit entered into me after that he spake to me and he sette me vpon my feete and I heard him speaking to me †and saying Sonne of man I send thee to the children of Israel to nations apostates wich haue reuolted from me they and their fathers haue transgressed my couenant euen vnto this day †And they are children of an hard face and of an hart that can not be tamed to whom I send thee and this thou shalt say to them Thus saith our Lord God †If perhaps they at the least wil heare and if perhaps they wilcease because it is an exasperating house and they shal know that there was a prophet in the middes of them †Thou therfore ô sonne of man feare them not neither be afrayd of their wordes because the incredulous and subuerters are with thee and thou dwellest with scorpions Feare not their wordes and of their lookes be not afrayd because it is an exasperating house †Thou therefore shalt speake my wordes to them if perhaps they wil heare and be quiet because they are prouokers to anger †But thou sonne of man heare whatsoeuer I speake to thee be not exasperating as it is an exasperating house open thy mouth and eate whatsoeuer I geue thee †And I looked and behold an hand sent to me wherin was a rowled booke and he spred it before me which was writen within and without and there were writen in it lamentations and a song and woe CHAP. III. Against a stubborne people to whom he must preach 8. the prophet is streingthened 12. by increase of spirite 17. charged to execute his office 22. But first to be silent for a time AND he said to me Sonne of man whatsoeuer
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
Babylon and was trubled lying in my chamber and my cogitations came vp ouer my hart †because I saw the desolation of Sion and the abundance of them that dwelt in Babylon †And my spirit was tossed excedingly and I began to speake to the highest timorous wordes †and sayd O Lord dominatour thou spakest from the beginning when thou didst plant the earth and that alone and didst rule ouer the people †and gauest Adam a dead bodie but that also was the worke of thy handes didst breath into him the spirit of life and he was made to liue before thee †and thou broughst him into paradise which thy right hand had planted before the earth came †And him thou didst command to loue thy way and he transgressed it forth with thou didst institute death in him and in his posteritie and there were borne nations and tribes and peoples and kinreds wherof there is no number †And euerie nation walked in their owne wil they did meruelous thinges before thee and despised thy preceptes †And agane in time thou broughst in the floud vpon inhabitantes of the world and didst destroy them †And there was made in euery one of them as vnto Adam to dye so to them the floud †But thou didst leaue one of them Noe with his house and of him were al the iust †And it came to passe when they began to be multiplied that dwelt vpon the earth multiplied children and peoples and manie nations and they begane againe to doe impietie more then the former †And it came to passe when they did iniquitie before thee thou didst choose thee a man of them whose name was Abraham †And thou didst loue him and to him on lie thou didst shew thy wil. †And thou didst dispose vnto him an euerlasting testament and toldst him that thou wouldst neuer forsake his seede And thou gauest him Isaac and to Isaac thou gauest Iacob and Esau †And Iacob thou didst seuer to thy selfe but Esau thou didst separate And Iacob grewe to a great multitude †And it came to passe when thou didst bring forth his sede out of Aegypt thou broughst it vpon mount Sinai †And thou didst bowe the heauens and fasten the earth and didst shake the world and madest the depthes to tremble and trubledst the world †and thy glorie passed foure gates of fire and of earthquake and winde and frost that thou mightst geue a law to the seede of Iacob and to the generation of Israel diligence †And thou didst not take away from them a malignant hart that thy law might bring forth fruite in them †For Adam the first bearing a viâ—ious hart transgressed and was ouercome yea and al that were borne of him †And it was made a permanent infirmitie and the law with the hart of the people with the wickednes of the roote and that which is good departed and the wicked remayned †And the times passed the yeares were ended and thou didst raise vp vnto thee a seruant named Dauid †and spakest vnto him to build a citie of thy name and to offer vnto thee in it frankencense and oblations †And this was done manie yeares and they that inhabited the citie forsooke thee †in al things as Adam and al his generations For they also vsed a wicked hart †And thou didst deliuer thy citie into the hands of thyne enimies †Why doe they better thinges that inhabite Babylon And for this shal she rule ouer Sion †It came to passe when I was come hither and had sene the impieties that can not be numbred and my soul saw manie offending this thirteth yeare my hart was astonied †because I saw how thou bearest with their sinne and didst spare them that did impiously and didst destroy thine owne people and preserue thine enimies and didst not signifie it †I nothing remember how this way should be forsaken doth Babylon better thinges then Sion †Or hath anie nation knowen thee beside Israel or what tribes haue beleued thy testamentes as Iacob †Whose reward hath not appeared nor their labour fructified For passing through I passed among the nations and I saw them abound and not mindeful of thy commandmentes †Now therfore wey our iniquities in a ballance and theirs that dwel in the world thy name shal not be found but in Israel †Or when haue not they sinned in thy sight that inhabite the earth or what nation hath so obserued thy commandmentes †These cettes by their names thou shalt finde to haue kept thy commandmentes but the nations thou shalt not finde CHAP. IIII. Mans witte and reason is not able to vnderstand the counsel and iudgement of God 22. why his people are afflicted by wicked nations 33. nor of times and thinges to come AND the Angel answered me that was sent to me whose name was Vriel †and sayd to me Thy hart exceding hath exceded in this world thou thinkest to comprehend the way of the Highest †And I sayd It is so my Lord. And he answered me sayd I am sent to shew thee three wayes to propose to thee three similitudes †Of the which if thou shalt declare to me one of them I also wil shew thee the way which thou desirest to see and wil teach thee whence a wicked hart is †And I sayd Speake my Lord. And he sayd to me Goe wey me the weight of the fire or measure me the blast of the winde or cal me backe the day that is past †And I answered and sayd what man borne can doe it that thou askest me of these thinges †And he sayd to me If I should aske thee saying How great habitations are there in the hart of the sea or how great vaines be there in the beginning of the depth or how great vaines be there aboue the firmament and what are the issues of paradise †thou wouldest perhaps say to me I haue not descended into the depth nor into hel as yet neither haue I ascended at anie time into heauen †But now I haue not asked thee sauing of the fire and the winde and the day by the which thou hast passed and from the which thou canst not be separated and thou hast not answered me of them †And he sayd to me Thou canst not know the thinges that are thine which grow together with thee †and how can thy vessel comprehend the way of the Highest and now the world being outwardly corrupted vnderstand the corruption euident in my sight †I sayd to him Better were it for vs not to be then yet liuing to liue in impieties and to suffer and not to vnderstand for what thing †And he answered me said Going forth I went forward to a wood of trees in the filde and they deuised a deuise †and sayd Come and let vs goe and make watre against the sea that it
of the earthlie world and before the endes of the world stood and before the congregation of the windes did blow †and before the voyces of thunders sounded before the flashinges of lightenings shined and before the fundations of paradise were confirmed †and before beautiful flowers were sene and before the moued powers were established and before the innumerable hostes of Angels were gathered †and before the heightes of the ayre were aduanced and before the measures of the firmamentes were named and before the chymneies were hote in Sion †and before the present yeares were searched out and before their inuentions that now sinne were put away and they signed that made fayth their treasure †then I thought and they were made by me only and not by any other and the end by me and not by any other †And I answered and sayd What separation of times shal there be and when shal the end of the former be and the begynning of that which foloweth †And he sayd to me from Abraham vnto Isaac when Iacob and Esau were borne of him the hand of Iacob held from the bigynning the heele of Esau †for the end of this world is Esau and the begynning of the next Iacob †The hand of a man betwen the heele and the hand Aske no other thing Esdras †And I answered and sayd O Lord dominatour if I haue found grace before thyne eyes †I pray thee shew thy seruant the end of thy signes wherof thou didst shew me part the night before †And he answered and sayd to me Arise vpon thy feete and heare a voice most ful of sound †And it shal be as it were a commotion neither shal the place be moued wherin thou standest †Therfore when it speaketh be not thou afrayd because of the end is the word and the fundation of the earth vnderstood †for concerning them the word trembleth and is moued for it knoweth that their end must be changed †And it came to passe when I had heard I rose vpon my feete and I heard and behold a voice speaking and the sound therof as the sound of manie waters †and it sayd Behold the dayes come and the time shal be when I wil begyne to approch that I may visite the inhabitantes vpon the earth †And when I wil begin to enquire of them that vniustly haue hurt with their iniustice and when the humilitie of Sion shal be accomplished †And when the world shal be ouersigned that shal beginne to passe I wil doe these signes Bookes shal be opened before the face of the firmament and al shal see together †and infantes of one yeare shal speake with their voices wemen with child shal bring forth vntimely infantes not ripe of three or foure monethes and shal liue and shal be raysed vp †And sodenly shal appeare sowen places not sowen ful cellers shal sodenly be found emptie †and a trumpet shal sound which when al shal heare they wil sodenly be afrayd †And it shal be in that time freindes as enimies shal ouerthrow freindes and the earth shal be afrayd with them the vaynes of fountaynes shal stand and shal not runne in three howres †and it shal be euerie one that shal be leaft of al these of whom I haue foretold thee he shal be saued and shal see my saluation the end of your world †And the men that are receiued shal see they that tasted not death from their natiuitie and the hart of the inhabitantes shal be turned into an other sense †For euil shal be put out and deceite shal be extinguished †but fayth shal florish and corruption shal be ouercome and truth shal be shewed which was without fruite so manie dayes †And it came to passe when he spake to me I loe by litle litle looked on him before whom I stood †and he sayd to me these wordes I am come to shew thee the time of the night to come †If therfore thou pray agayne and fast agayne seuen dayes agayne I wil tel thee greater thinges by the day which I haue heard †For thy voice is heard before the Highest For the strong hath sene thy direction and hath fore sene the ehastitie which thon hast had from thy youth †and for this cause he hath sent me to shew thee al these thinges and to say to thee haue confidence and feare not †and hasten not with the former times to thinke vayne thinges that thou hasten not from the last times †And it came to passe after these thinges and I wept againe and in like maner I fasted seuen dayes to accomplish the three weekes that were told me †And it came to passe in the eight night and my hart was trubled againe in me and I began to speake before the Highest †For my spirit was inflamed excedingly and my soul was distressed †And I sayd O Lord speaking thou didst speake from the beginning of creature from the first day saying Let heauen be made and earth and thy word was a perfect worke †And then there was spirit and darknesse was caried about and silence the sound of the voyce of man was not yet from thee †Then thou didst command the lighsome light to be brought forth of thy treasures wherby thy worke might appeare †And in the second day thou didst create the spirit of the firmament and commandest it to diuide and to make a diuision betwen the waters that a certayn part should depart vpward and part should remaine beneth †And in the third day thou didst command the waters to be gathered together in the seueneth part of the earth but sixe partes thou didst drie and preserue that of them might be seruing before thee thinges sowen of God and tilled †For thy word proceded and the worke forth with was made †For sodenly came forth fruite of multitude infinite and diuerse tastes of concupiscence and flowers of vnchangeable colour and odours of vnsearcheable smel and in the third day these thinges were made †And in the fourth day thou didst command to be made the brightnesse of the sunne the light of the moone the disposition of the starres †and didst command them that they should serue man that should be made †And in the fifth day thou saydst to the seuenth part where the water was gathered together that it should bring forth beastes and foules and fishes and so was it done †the dumme water and without life the thinges that by Gods appointement were commanded made beastes that therby the nations may declare thy meruelous workes †And then thou didst preserue two soules the name of one thou didst cal Henoch and the name of the second thou didst cal Leuiathan †and thou didst separate them from eche other For the seuenth part where the water was gathered together could not hold them †And thou gauest to Henoch one part
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
depth and the floudes of it shal be destroyed and the fishes thereof at the face of our Lord and at the glorie of his powre †because his right hand is strong which bendeth the bow his arrowes be sharpe that are shot of him they shal not misse when they shal begine to be shot into the endes of the earth †Behold euiles are sent and they shal not returne til they come vpon the earth †The fire is kindled and it shal not be quenched til it consume the fundations of the earth †For as the arrow shot of a strong archer returneth not so shal not the euils returne backe that shal be sent vpon the earth †Woe is me woe is me who shal deliuer me in those dayes †The beginning of sorrowes and much mourning the beginning of famine and much destruction The beginning of warres and the potestates shal feare the beginning of euiles and al shal tremble †In these what shal I doe when the euiles shal come †Behold famine and plague and tribulation and distresse are sent al as scourges for amendment †and in al these they wil not conuert themselues from their iniquities neither wil they be alwayes mindful of the scourges †Behold there shal be good cheape victuals vpon the earth so that they may thinke that peace is directly coming toward them and then shal euiles spring vpon the earth sword famine and great confusion †For by famine manie that inhabit the earth shal dye and the sword shal destroy the rest that remained aliue of the famine †and the dead shal be cast forth as dung and there shal be none to comfort them For the earth shal be left desert and the cities therof shal be throwen downe †There shal not be left a man to til the ground and to sow it †The trees shal yeeld fruites and who shal gather them †The grape shal become ripe who shal tread it For there shal be great desolation to places †For a man shal desire to see a man or to heare his voyce †For there shal be leaft ten of a citie and two of the filde that haue hid themselues in thicke woodes and cliffes of rockes †As there are left in the oliuet and on euerie tree three or foure oliues †Or as in a vinyeard when it is gathered there are grapes left by them that diligently search the vineyard so shal there be left in those dayes three or foure by them that search their houses in the sword †And the earth shal be left desolate and the fildes thereof shal waxe old the wayes thereof and al the pathes thereof shal bringforth thornes because no man shal passe by it †Virgins shal mourne hauing no bridegromes wemen shal mourne hauing no husbandes their daughters shal mourne hauing no helpe †their bridegromes shal be consumed in battel and their husbandes be destroyed in famine †But heare these thinges and know them ye seruantes of our Lord. †Behold the word of our Lord receiue it beleue not the goddes of whom our Lord speaketh †Behold the euiles approch and slacke not †As a woman with childe when shee bringeth forth her child in the ninth moneth the houre of her deliuerance approching two or three howres before paines come about her wombe and the infants coming out of her wombe they wil not tarrie one moment †So the euiles shal not slacke to come forth vpon the earth and the world shal lament and sorowes shal hold it round about †Heare the word my people prepare yourselues vnto the fight in the euiles so be ye as strangers of the earth †He that selleth as if he should flee and he that byeth as he that should lose it †He that playeth the marchant as he that should take no fruite and he that buildeth as he that should not inhabite †He that soweth as he that shal not teape so he also that pruneth a vinyeard as if he should not haue the vintage †They that marie so as if they should not get children they that marie not so as it were widowes †Wherfore they that labour labour without cause †â—or soreners shal reape their fruites shal violently take their goodes and ouerthrow their houses and lead theire children captiue because in captiuitie and famine they beget their children †And they that play the marchantes by robrie the longer they adorne their cities and houses and their possessions and persons †so much the more wil I be zealous toward them vpon their sinnes sayth our Lord. †As a whore enuieth an honest very good woman †so shal iustice hate impietie when she adorneth herselfe and accuseth her to her face when he shal come that may defend him that searcheth out al vpon the earth †Therefore be not made like to her nor to her workes †For yet a little whyle iniquitie shal be taken away from the earth iustice shal reigne ouer you †Let not the sinner say he hath not sinned because he shal burne coales of fire vpon his head that sayth I haue not sinned before our Lord God and his glorie †Behold our Lord shal know al the workes of men and their inuentions their cogitations and their hartes †For he sayd Let the earth be made and it was made let the heauen be made it was made †And by his worde the starrs were made he knoweth the number of the starres †Who searcheth the depth and the treasures therof who hath measured the sea capacitie therof †Who hath shut vp the sea in the midest of waters hath hanged the earth vpon the waters with his word †Who hath spred heaueÌ„ as it were a vault ouer the waters he hath fouÌ„ded it †Who hath put fountaines of waters in the desert and lakes vpon the toppes of mountaines to sendforth riuers from the high rocke to watter the earth †Who made man put his hart in the midds of the bodie and gaue him spirit life and vnderstanding †And the inspiration of God omnipotent that made al thinges and searcheth al hid thinges in the secretes of the earth †He knoweth your inuention and what you thinke in your hartes sinning and willing to hide your sinnes †Wherfore our Lord in searching hath searched al your workes and he wil put you al to open shame †and you shal be confounded when your sinnes shal come forth before men and the iniquities shal be they that shal stand accusers in â—hat day †What wil you doe or how shal you hide your sinnes before God and his Angels †Behold God is the Iudge feare him Cease from your sinnes and now forget your iniquities to doe them anie more God wil bring you out and deliuer you from al tribulation †For behold the heate of a great multitude is kindled ouer you and they shal take certaine
Gen. 24. :: Iosue being a prophet saw some of their hartes inclined to idoles though exteriorly they then had none among them S. Aug. q. 29. in Iosue :: This renouation of the same couenaÌ„t presigured the law of the new Testament S. Aug. q. 30. in Iosue :: To the more confusion of reasonable creatures wilfully offending vnsensible things are made witnesses because they euer obey Gods wil which is the best maner of hearing Theod. q. 19. in Iosue :: If Iosue writ the rest of this booke then Samuel added these last verses Hist Sâ—hol :: Iosephs Mausoleum oâ— famous sepulchre remained in Sichem in S. Hieroms time as he wit nesseth Tradit Hebra in Gen. prope sinem Gen. 5â— â—xo 13. Thare sometime serued false goddes but Abraham neuer Before Christ none entered into heauen A rule for reading historical bookes The Iudges of Israel figures of Christs Apostles They were al finally holie men Eâ—â—li 4â— The Contents of this booke Diuided into three partes The first part A geneâ—al recapitulation of the peoples state :: The maner of consulting our Lord was by the High priest praying in the tabernacle Exo. 29. v. 42. :: The first general captaine after Iosue and diuers of the Iudges were of the tribe of Iuda but not al as appeareth in this booke :: Strong weapons crooked like sickles made fast to the chariottes which cut in peeces men horses and other chariottes that came in their way :: An Angel taking the forme of a man as before to Iosue ch 5. so now appearing to the people spake to them in the name of God whose messenger he was :: By special dispensation sacrifice was sometimes lawfully offered in other places though the Tabernacle and afterward the Temple was the onlie place commanded Deut. 12. Iosue 22. S. Aug. q. 36. in Iudic. :: These Iudges were extraordinarily raised vp to deliuer the people repenting when they were fallen into afflictioÌ„s for their sinnes The second part Of the common peoples often falling to idolatrie their repentance and deliuetie :: In manie places we see the worde sauiour and like titles geuen to men as the seruantes and officers of God who is the proper and principal Sauiour of al. S. Aug. q. 18. in Iudic. :: In these 40. yeares are included the eight yeares of their seruitude v. 8. so in the rest of this historie otherwise the number of yeres agreeth not with the count 3. Reg. 6. v. 1. :: Aod hauing special inspiration from God to do this fact as S. Augustin noteth vpon these wordes q 20. in Iudic. is not to be imitated by priuat men See Num. 25. v. 11. :: Being a prophetesse she resolued hard and obscure thinges but exercised no iurisdiction in anie causes for that belonged to the councel of Priestes and of seuentie ancientes where the high priest was the chief Iudge Num. 11. Deut. 17. Spiritually Debbora signified the Church Barac christian Princes who are directed in their warres and other actions by spiritual superiors as Origen and other ancient writers expouud this historie :: VVho is this woman ful of confidence piercing the temples of the enimies head with a naile but the faith of the Church destroying the diuels kingdomes with the crosse of christ S. Aug. li. 12. â— 32. cont Iaust Manich. Iabel also prefigured our B. Ladie who crushed the serpentes head :: The greater blesse the lesse by imparting spiritual benefites so God and superiors blesse their subiectes Men blesse God the lesse their betters by geuing thankes and prayses :: She inculcateth that she must so much more praise God for this victorie because he forshewed it by her by her directed the general captaine Barac lest it might be ascribed either to wisdome or valure of anie man :: Those that subdew their bodies to the spirite ride vpon fayre asses Origen hom 6. in c. 5. Iudic. :: Iahel the figure was blessed amongst wemen much more the most holie virgin mother of God is blessed aboue alwemen :: S. Augustin q 31. in Iudic. supposeth that this messenger sent from God called a man a prophete for the forme wherin he appeared was the same Angel which sate vnder the oke and sent Gedeon to deliuer Israel v. 11. 12. c. :: He meant not to offer sacrifice to the Angel but that either the Angel or himselfe in presence of the Angel should offer it to God and so in dede the Angel partly directed him what to do partly executed the office himselfe by touching the oblation with his rodde and miraculously bringing fire to consume the sacrifice :: An altar for a monument not for sacrifice :: The strength of Baal or stronger then Baal :: Dew first in the fleece and after on the ground signified grace and true religion first in one people after in al nations Sainct Amb. Ser. 13. de Natal Dom. Venr Beda qq in Iudic. c. 4. Also Christs Incarnation without detriment of his mothers virginitie of whose grace al are replenished S. Bernard ho. 2. in Missus est :: Obseruation of dreames is generally forbid Leuit. 19. v. 26. Deut. 18 v. 10. yet here and in other places it is euident God would haue some obserued See Annot. Gen. 40. :: These thinges were ridiculous saieth venerab Beda c. 5. qq in Iudic. if they had not bene terrible to the enemies :: It is no derogation to God that honour is also geuen to his seruantes :: Trumpetes signified preachers of Christ pitchers the bodies of Martyres lampes their vertues and miracles Vener Beda qq in Iudic. c. 5. :: A soft answer breaketh anger hard speach stirreth vp furie Prou. 15. :: Zebee and Salmana were not of anie of the seuen nations whom God commanded to destroy and therfore Gedeon might haue spared their liues if he would :: Kinges may do ante thing not contrarie to the law but Iudges Dukes may onlie do according to the law See 1. Reg. 8. :: His handmaide oâ— seruant not a harlotte to wit such a one as had not the priuiledge of a wife as Gen. 25. v. 6. :: This sonne of Gedeon by his seruant prefigured Antichrist who wil persecute the Church and reigne for a while but in the end shal be destroyed S. Beda c. 6. qq in Iudic. :: True pastores in the time of Antichrist wil still auouch the truth and the right of the Church :: Oyle spiritually signifieth the grace of the Holie Ghost making peace of conscience in mens soules towardes God :: The swetnes of Gods law producing good workes :: Contemtible in outward shew but bringing forth liquour of meruelous force which sorte of workes God is most delighted withal and men most admire Psal 85 :: The rhamnus signifieth base and ambicious men * brierre bramble â—rthistle :: God doth suggest only good cogitations as remoâ—â—e of conscience in the secheâ—â—tes for their ingratitude towardes Gedeon and for so wicked and cruel a murder of his sonnes
answer :: Euil wordes for curteous vsage heret o sore and for late gentil intreating by messengers :: Things tyeâ— in bundels are stronger and more secure then single and loose :: Dauid is resolute and often repeteth that it is not lawful for priuate subiectes to kil their prince no although him selfe was annointed to succede :: Gods prouidence sent this extraordinary sleepe and inspired Dauid to doe this fact for more iustification of his innocencie :: These countries were neither subiect to the Philistijms not to the Israelites and were also of those nations whom God had coÌ„manded to destâ—roy dwelling within the land of Chanaan Deut 25. The fourth part Of the ruine of Saul and exaltation of Dauid :: Not manie but one excellent person an old man come lie in apparel Saul adored not Samuel with diuine honour but with dulia reuerencedue to a blessed soule * â—iadagâ— cognouit Luevv :: In state of the dead in an other world not in the same particular state S. Augustin opinion whether Samuele soule appeared or no. More probable that his verie soule appeared not compelled by the euil spirite but obeying Gods secrete ordinance First proose 2 3 4 â— to â— pag. 210. Soules sometimes appeare after death loco 〈◊〉 tatâ— :: He speaketh by amplification to make his fact seme more reasonable whereas the time of Dauids abode with him was but foute monethes ch 27. v. 7. :: Consuit out Lord for me so Dauid by the priests mediation was instructed what to do :: It is not against Gods coÌ„mandment Deut. 4. 12. to make new lawes so they be conformable not contrarie to Gods former lawes Saul killing himself after that he was wounded 〈◊〉 his enimies signifieth those that being ouercome by tentations desperatly persist wilfully die in their sinne S. Greg. â—â—o 10 :: These men are coÌ„mendable for gratitude towards Saul who had deliuered them ch 11. for a vvorke of mercie in burying the dead for pietie towards their king and princes and for fortitude in atchiuing so heroical an act This booke is wholly of Dauid His succession to the kingdom His vertues Faultes Thankes and Prophecie :: He fained al this thincking to get fauoure for Saul killed himself li. 1. ch 31. but Dauid punished him as such a crime desetued v. 15. :: Exequies of Saul obserued with mourning weeping and fasting :: The Philisthijms were strong cunning archers therefore Dauid commanded that his subiectes should lerne and exercise the same maner of fight :: This second annointing as also the third ch â— was in confirmation and to put him in possession of the first mâ—â—â— long before 1. Reg. 16. :: He reigned two yeares before he beganne much to decline but in al seuen yeares and a half for so long Dauid reigned only in Iuda v. 11. :: Hence perhaps cometh the phraise that one armie playeth vpon an other vvith smal and great arâ—â—lane that is strike and kil their enimies with al sortes of gunnes Iosephus li. 7. c. 1. Antiq. :: Am I coâ—temptible in thy sight and yet head of them that oppose against Dauid I that haue donne so much for thee wil not indure to be reprehended for a smal fault So God suffereth the maintainers of an euiâ— quarel to fal out among them selues wherby the right cause is aduanced :: weake being newly receiued king and not able to punish strong offenders But Ioab others were afterwardes punished 3. Reg. 2. :: They annoint him againe in confirmation of their consent as Iuda had donne chap. 2 acknowledging Gods ordinance 1. Reg. 16. :: King Dauid now atcheued that the tribe of Iuda could not in the time of Iosue Iosue 15. :: Idoles that haue eyes and can not see feete and can not goe shal not enter into the Church of Christ * â—câ—lp â—â—lia :: 〈…〉 there 〈…〉 〈…〉 that 〈…〉 as he 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 S. 〈…〉 S. 〈…〉 :: To dance before the arke is to dance before our Lord. :: The tabernacle made by Moyses was a goodlie thing but being couered with skinnes and in manie respectes insufficient for Gods seruice Dauid desired to build a glorious Temple But was not permitted to do it for mysterie sake to signifie that Christ the true Salomon should build his Church that farre excelleth the Synagogue of the Iewes and old Testament S. Augustin li. 17. c. 8. deciuit a He that supposeth this great promise to be fulfilled in Salomon erreth much sayeth S. Augustin ibidem b S. Paul expoundeth this of Christ Heb. 1. v 5. c This can not be saied of Christ but of Salomon and of anie christian so this place hath manie literal senses d The Sea Apostolique priestly powre in the church of christ is this perpetual kingdom S. Epiphanius Heresi 29. e Here and in manie other places the Hebrew word is of the plural number Elohim Goddes signifying more diuine Persons f The worke of mans Redemption is appropriated to God the Sonne :: For 〈◊〉 â—â—pâ—â—â—â— Dauid compâ—ssing then with cordes as 〈…〉 are eâ—â—iâ—â—â—â—d cast them on the around and by lotte killed some and spared some aliue :: Sette 〈◊〉 an Arch in memorie of triumph * â—rchaâ—â—â—lâ—r :: These were archers and sling throwers of the guard Pharaâ—â—rasis â—hâ—ll :: Or priestes oâ— chief rulers See the annotation Gen 47. v. 22. 1. Paâ—â—l 18. v. 17. :: The partiâ—â—lar inhereâ—â—â—â— that perâ—â—ined to Sauls familie :: Not siâ—â—e 〈◊〉 table with the king but haue his diet of the kinges prouision besides the forsaide inheritance :: This Naas king of Ammon curtously intertained Dauids freindes which escaped from the king of Moab killing most of them that were coÌ„mended to him because Dauid had leift his countrie and was returned into Iuda 1. Reg. 22. Histor Eccles :: Then do sius the Eâ—â—rerour pretenâ—ing to be excused from punishment for his sinnes because king Dauid also was an adulter â— and a manslaver S. Ambrose replied saying Thou that hast solovveding Dauid evving folovv him â—epenting After which admonâ—tion the Emperour most humbly did publique penance inioyned him by the Bishop in vâ—â—a Theodâ—sij :: Now then some of thy seede shal be violently slaine so were slaine three of his owne sonnes Ammon chap. 13. Absalom chap. 18. Adonias 3. Reg. 2. six sonnes of Iosaphat and al Iorams sonnes saue one â— paralip 21. also Ochozias Amasias Iosias 2. Par. 24 25. 35. and the sonnes of Sedechias himselfe hauing his eyes put out and so brought into Babylon 4. Reg. 25. :: Praised and thanked the king :: These children died before him as appeareth cha 18. :: Concubines were lawfully maried but had not al priuilegies as other wiues See 〈◊〉 25. Iudiâ— 19. :: He couered his head that he might not be seene to weepe lest he should discorege the people neuertheles the people also wept and likewise couered their heades :: King Dauid was here abused by false information to which he ought not so easely to
haue geuen credite chap. 19. v. 24. :: God suffered Semei being of his owne free wil malicious for punishment of Dauids sinnes to curse him but was not the author of his malice for so Semei had committed no fault therein and then he could not lawfully haue benne punished for it as he was 3. Reg. 2. :: The people doubting lest AbsaloÌ„ might be reconciled to his father were not allured vnto him til they saw such a crime committed as semed to make reconciliatioÌ„ impossible So al rebelles and vsurperâ— of others right seeke by some enormious fact to make their adherentes and folowers sure vnto them but God plagueth them in the end as he did both Achitophel and Absalom :: Bad counsaâ—â— often falleth worst to the counseller :: Dauid moued with compassion towardes his sonne Absalom being in actual rebellion against him presigured Christs coÌ„passion towards his persecuters being his creatures praying for them in his passion S. Ambrose in Psal â—18 v. 108. :: Al his sonnes being â—eaâ— â—â—t he had once three sonnes a daughter chap. 14. v. 〈◊〉 :: Al the eleuen tribes are called by the name oâ— Ioseth being chiefe after Iuda Sâ— Semei not of the proper tribe of Ioseph â—ut of Beniamin pleading for pardon of his former faâ—lt alleageth that he came first of the eleuen tribes to submitte him self and serue the king :: Chiefe or great in â—amilâ—â—itiâ— Iosue â— :: After that Dauid was deliuered from the handes of Saul 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 must dangerously of â— mâ—â—â—â—secutâ—â—â—â—â— and 〈…〉 here specially named and from al his enimies câ—rpâ—ral spiritual when he had good repose of mind his visible enimies being 〈…〉 â—ed and his sinnes remitted acknowledging Gods infinite goodnes by inspiraâ—ion of the Holie Ghost made this Can title of thanks geuing and praise of God It is inserted amongst the Psalmes the 17 in order al one in sense so differing in some wordes that the one explicateth the other :: Though some few Gentiles were subdued by Dauid and some were conuerted to true religion in the old TestameÌ„t yet the fulcon uersion of Gentiles perâ—eineth to the Church of Christ which is here forshewed and described to haue perpetual seede for euer :: King Dauid in this last prophecie plainly distinguisheth betwen the couenant proâ—â—ise made to him touching â—â—s earthlie kingdom and the kingdom of Christ who should be borne of his 〈…〉 In both which 〈…〉 the reward of the good and punishment of 〈…〉 :: The king proposed not this for desire of that water but to trie and exercise his mens fortitude :: Precious thinges are most mete to be offered to God :: This sinne punishment happened before when Dauid had health and streingth of bodie The furie of our Lord that is Satan a â—uâ—â—oâ—s spirite yet Gods creature not our Lord him selfe but by permission only 1. Par. 2. 1. Satan arose against Israel 〈◊〉 Dauid :: Contrition :: Confession :: Satisfaction The Epistle in a votiue Masse in tyme of plague or mortalitie :: Temporal punishment inflicted after the guilt of sinne was remitted :: If subiectes had not proprietie in their goodes but that the right and dominion of al perteyned to the prince then could nothing at al in anie case be geuen gratis by the subiect but only yelded as due to his souereigne The contentes of this booke diuided into three partes The first paâ—â— King Dauides admonitions to his sonne and his death :: For this conspiracie Abiathar was deposed ch â— v. 27. :: Basely estemed or punished as offenders vpon suspition or â—â—loâ—â—â— :: King Dauid did not adâ—â—e his sonne as a subject adoreth his prince â—aâ— adored God geuing thankes for this beneâ—â—â—e of a succedâ—â— as it foloweth in the next verse The second part Oâ— Salomons râ—â—â—ne and actes good and bad :: In al coâ—â—e 〈◊〉 suiresâ—◠〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 to heare his mother :: By special instinct Salomon did this extraordinarie fact as a prophet minister of God executing his sentence geuen before against the house of â—â—l◠〈◊〉 the sinnes of his children â— Reg. 2. â— 31. and for Aâ—â—athars proper fault 〈◊〉 with Adonias against Salomon 3. Reg. 1. :: Salomon was not only a kiÌ„g but also a prophet Moreouer some secular princes do◠〈◊〉 â—â—inate spiritual superiours are in shal them in ther 〈◊〉 yet theiâ— iâ—â—â—sdâ—ction is not depending on the 〈◊〉 but the 〈◊〉 to be 〈◊〉 by them Num 27. v. 21. The Epistle on monday in the 4 weke of Leâ—â— :: So hereâ—â—â—es not being able to proue that their synagogue is the true permanent Church would destroy the Catholique and so haue none at al. :: These bookes are not extant * Narovv vvithout broad vvithin :: 〈…〉 :: Holie of holies or most holie place :: Stones in buildinges and bones in â—â—â—ng bodies represent the state of religious persones who being hidde in their Monisteties and câ—llâ—s so much the more fortifie the Church by how much 〈◊〉 they appeare abrode because their office is not to tâ—â—ch but to mouâ—ne S. Bernard Ser. 64. :: It is a clere 〈◊〉 that al â—ar ued grauen pictures or images were not vnlawful but were religiously made sette in the holie Temple for the more honour of God The end of the fourth age Articles of â—aith other pointes of religion state of the Church more expressed in this fourth age then before Beleefe in one God Diuine lawes Moral Ceremonial Iudicial Mat. 22. Onely God to be 〈…〉 The 〈…〉 q. 154. in Eoxd Mat. 22. 〈…〉 Christ Freewil in Angels and men Obiection of Gods â—or â—novvledge answered Grace necessarie 2. Cor. â— Gods coÌ„mand mentes possible to be kept Good workes Meritorious Dâ—â—ers sertes of Sacrifices Holocaust â—â—â— sinne Pacifique Fire sent from God 〈…〉 charitie Sacraments Alanus de Sacra c. 9. Manie more in the old Testament then in the new li de vera Religiâ—ne c. 17. Christs Sacraments more excellent Most of Christs Sacraments presigured in the old law but not al. S. Aug. in hunc Psal ser de veâ—bis Domini li. 17. ciuit c. 20 li. 1. cont aduers leg c. 18. S. Cyril li. 3. m Ioan. S. Leo ser 8. le passione Some like imâ—â—â—â—ments in â—se of holie Rites Tabernacle Propitiatorie with appertinances The Tabernacle and afterwardes the Temple the onlie place for Sacrifice Qâ—est 56. in Leuit. Yet God some times dispensed therein ibidem Feastes of the old law Fighâ—sortes of feastes besides the dailie sacrifice S. Beda de Embolismo 〈◊〉 1. Prescribed fast from euen to euen Seuenth yeare of rest and Iubiley yeare Oâ—â—â—r ceremonial obseruances 〈…〉 and vncleane No bloud to be eaten nor 〈…〉 Not 〈…〉 â—eedâ— in one field No cloth of dâ—â—ers matter Strict commandment to kepâ—â—l the Law The obseruers blessed and rewarded Transâ—râ—ssâ—â—â—s cursed and punished VVorkâ—â— of supererogation Vowes Nazaritâ—â— Rechabites Three soâ—â—â— of Chri 〈…〉 prefigured Laitie Clergie Mounkes Holie scipâ—â—res expo 〈…〉 mystically S. Bern.
WITH THE PRAYER OF MANASSES folow after the MACHABEES Heretikes denie some scriptures because they coÌ„uince their errors Lib. de Praedest Sanct. c. 14. The Churches canon of more authority theÌ„ the Iewes A canon is an infallible rule of direction The Gospel is knowne by the Church Bookes doubted of beiore the Churches definition are not doubtful after Praefat. in Iudith De viris illustrib verbo â—acobus Other testimonies that this Booke is canonical chap. 1â— Toma 4. 〈◊〉 in â— Reg. 10. It was written in Chaldee The coÌ„tentes Diuided into three partes This booke is read at Mattins the third weke of September The first part Tobias his holie maner of life :: Not absolutly al but very manie for some of the same tribe and kinred did also feare God c. â— v. 2. :: Al the people of the tenne tribes did not serue Ieroboams golden calues but some feared God consequently refrayned from euil Prou. 3. at least from idolatrie Amos. 8. v. 10. :: True zele is not hindred from workes of mercie by feare of death because perfect charitie casteth out feare I Ioan 4. :: Both elder and yonger sorte of his kinred derided him not his proper parentes for he was depriued of father and mother when he was a child as it semeth c. 1. v. 4. :: In a prouince of the Medes wherof Rages was the head citie for when they came where Raguel dwelt Tobias stayed there and the Angel went to the citie of Rages where Gabelus dwelt c. 9. As one may say such a one dwelleth in Rome that dwelleth in anie part of Romania in Yorck Lincolne or Mum moth that dwelleth in one of those shires :: Asmodâ—os signifying Destroyer is a captaine or king of those diuels which specially destroy soules by the sinnes of the flesh afterward tormenteth both soules and bodies for the same sinnes :: Act. 10. An Angel shewed Cornelius that his prayers were heard Apoc. 5. prayers of the faithful are offered to God by Angels other Sainctes :: As Moyses to the people Deut. 33. and Dauid to Salomon 3. Reg. 2. So Tobias gaue holie admonitions to his sonne in al fourtene noted in the inner margin 1 2 3 :: The same doctrine of good workes and reward is taught Daniel 4. v. 24. 4 5 6 7 :: A notable rule agreable to the law of nature 8 :: VVorkes of mercie exteÌ„d also to the dead 9 10. 11 12 :: It perteyneth to good men amongst other thinges to geue notice and to dispose of their temporal goodes by their last wil. 13 14 The second part The iourney and affayres of yong Tobias assisted by the Angel Raphael :: The Angel Raphael appearing in forme of a man prefigured our Sauiour who indede became a verie man S. Beda :: Raphael signifying medâ—â—inâ— of God â— Greg. ho. 34 calleth himselfe Azarias whose shape and viâ—a â—e he tooke vpon him which name also signifieth the helpe of God :: S. Paul also calleth flesh of fish 1. Cor. 15. and Plinie lib. 9. c. 15. * and liuer v. 19. :: Diuels who exalted them selues as equal with God aâ—e iustly made subiect to corporal creatures God coÌ„curring with natural causes whose good pleasure is sometimes to vse instrumeÌ„ts naturally vnapt as when Christ gaue sight to the blinde by putting clay on his eyes Ioan. 9. sometimes more apt as when he fed manie with few loaues Ioan. 6. So the Angel by Gods appointment vsed this meanes to expel the diuel :: Into the place where good soules rested none then hauing accesse into heauen See Annotations â—en 37. * and hart v. 8. :: The second night he asked and obtayned this grace for he knew not his wife vntil the fourth night v. 22. :: A iust man sayth S. Ambrose lib 3. Off. c. 14. feared other mens harmes and would rather his daughter should not be maried then others should be in danger preferring honestie before profite :: See chap. 6. v. â— Mystically it signified Christs passion whereby the diuel was expelled out of mens hartes S. Aug ser 28. de Sanctis Prosper li. de promiss p. 2. c. 39. :: In the one familie there were no more children but one sonne in the other one onlie daughter :: The Angel went to the citie iâ— selfe called Rages Tobias remaining in the ter â—iâ—orie or prouince therof wâ—â— Raâ—â—eâ— which place is also called Rages c. v 7. :: Such of the Iewes as beleue in Christ hartely lament that he â—aâ—â—eth so loÌ„g from their nation Some more assuredly with old Tobias others more doubtfully with his wife expect his returne S. Beda â—n Tobiam Euen so the remnant of Catholiques in countries fallen to heresie haue great sadnes and continual sorovv in their hart Rom. 9. vvishing with what temporal losse soeuer the saluation of their brethren kinsmen and countriemen some hoping more confidently and comforting others that Christ wil againe illuminate our whole nation as sight was restored to old Tobias Instructions to maried persons out of the example of Tobias and Saras Mariage Ephes 5. Mat. 19. True Mariage alwayes a holie contract Now a Sacrament Proper instructions for man and wife part 2 de Matrim q. 22. 23. Three necessarie pointes in Matrimonie Exod. 34. Deu. 7. Leuit. 18. Nu. 36. v. 7. Tenne godly Rites obserued in the Mariage of Tobias and Sara 1. 2. 35 4. 5. * Apud Munstâ—rum Gen. 29. v. 27. Iudic. 14. v. 17. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. :: It nothing disgraceth the sacred historie that a smal matter being also true is recorded with the rest As not one letter nor one title of the lavv may be omitted Mat. 5 S. Beâ—â— also expoundeth it mystically of Gods preachers S. Ierom. doth the like in Isaiae 56 and S Augustin li 22. c 56. câ—â—t Faustum Manich. :: God vsed this gal of a fish in curing Tobias eyes in like sorte as the liuer in driuing away the diuel c. 6. v. 8. * 1 2. 3 4. 5 6 7 * 1 2. 3 4. 5 6 7 * 1 2. 3 4. 5 6 7 * 1 2. 3 4. 5 6 7 * 1 2. 3 4. 5 6 7 * 1 2. 3 4. 5 6 7 :: Gratful Tobias recounteth seuen benefites receiued by the companion of his iourney that they haue receiued not manie but al good things by him :: Fasting and almes are as two wingues with which prayer flyeth into heauen :: O how swete or excellent a thing is it saith S. Augustin ser 3. de Natiuit when Angeles guardianes of our life offer our vowes or resolution to flee vices and embrace vertues before the sight of Gods Maiesty Offices of Angels towardes men Readic to helpe al. Offer mens prayers and good workes Ayde the godlie Exhort to good Instruct Expel euil spirites Deliuer from euils and dangers Procure temporal commodities for the soules good Proue the good by tribâ—lations Comforte the patient and aâ— vertuous Angeles guardians haue special care of soules committed to their charge The third part
Old Tobias prayseth God prophecieth better state of Gods people :: Temporal affliction for the spiritual good of others :: His bodie being in captiuitie yet his spirit was free to praise and thank God S. â—â—pr li. de mortaluate :: He prophecieth the reedifying of the temple and citie of â—eâ—usalem :: Onlie celestial Ierusalem shal be free from al tribulations :: No Christian in ignorant sayth S. Augustin Epist 86. that Alleluia is a voice of praise In English it is Praise ye the Lord vvith ioy :: This can not be vnderstood of the citie of Ierusalem but of the Church of Christ :: Gods seruantes must not only expect what shal be commanded but also seeke to know what they ought to do :: A notable coÌ„mendation of Tobias familie and posteritie And a plaine testimonie that true Religion neuer failed wholy in the tenne tribes much lesse in the kingdom of Iuda least of al in the Church of Christ new Testament S. Ierom for the authoritie of the councel of Nice held this booke to be canonical which before he did not Epist 111 115. Prefat in Iudith Others Doctors both before and after the councel of Nice accounted this booke canonical VVhen this hisâ—orie happened Anâ— by whom it was written 2. Para. 33. The coÌ„tentes Diuided into foure partes This booke is read at Mattins the fourth weeke of September The first part The occasion of the Iewes persecution at this time :: The author being resolued to write this historie ioyneth his narration to his internal purpose saying Arphaxad therfore c. S. Greg. ho. 2. in Ezech. :: Thou foole this night they shal take thy life from thee these things whose shal they be Luc. 12. ◠〈◊〉 * defenderet se :: This cruel coÌ„mandment was as cruelly put in execution by Holofernes ch 3. â— 11. :: An expresse figure of Antichrist 2. Thes 2. for whom al heretikes make way as precursers for the singular man of sinne wil confesse no God but himself The second part Gods people are in great feare and distresse :: The high priest managed also the temporal afsayres of the coÌ„mon welth at this time by consent commission of king Manasses as is most probable these thinges happening shortly after his repentaÌ„ce 2. Paral. 33. Exo. 17. :: Holofernes could not be altogether ignorant of so famous a people as the Iewes but in his rage marueling at their attempt demaÌ„deth more particularly of their habilitie to resist him See v. 27. Gen. 11. Gen. 12. Exod. 1. Exo. 7. c. * made solide or firme Exo. 14. Exod. 1â— 16. 17. Iudie 2. 3. 4. â— Nu. 21. Iâ—s 12. :: He semeth to speake of the captiuitie of king Manasees Paralâ— 33. See the argument of this booke pag. 1011. 4. Reg. 21. :: As Holofernes v. 3. demanded that which he in great part knew so his men knowing Achior wel ynough in rage demand vvho he is that dare say such thinges :: Nabucodonosors vassals would haue no other God but him And God almightie is also ielous and wil haue no God but him selfe :: God regardeth the pride of sinners :: the humiliation of penitentes :: the sanctitie of his Church in general as wel holie persons as holie thinges :: and true coÌ„fidence in him without presumiÌ„g of mens poure :: Gods seruantes first of al before they fight do workes of penaÌ„ce coÌ„mend their cause to God then take wea pons in hand expect opportunitie to encounter with the enimies :: A common frailtie of people in distresse to impute error to their Superiour though in deede Ozias erred rather in yelding at last to their suggestion v. 2â— then in withstanding thus long The third pare Iudith delinereth her whole nation from persecution :: In three special obseruances this holie widow led a most religions life In much priuate prayer in wearing hearecloth and in much fasting as it were a perpetual lent aldayes but Sabbathes feastes excepted * the first day of the moneth :: In this especially they offended that they prefixed a tiâ—â— meaning then to yeld the citie for they shold rather haue fought against the enemie then deliuer Gods people to a tyranne holie thinges into prophane handes by their example put Ierusalem and the temple in like danger Rabanus :: S. Paul 1. Cor. 10. v. 10. alleaging that happened to the people of Israel in the desert addeth this word destroyer which is only in this place and not Num 11. nor 14 nor els in the old TestameÌ„t which is an other argumeÌ„t that this boke is Canonical :: Some thinke Abra was a proper name but whether it was or no it signifieth an handmaide of more honour as we speake A maide of honour :: Of such priuate oratories as this our Sauiour semeth to speake Mat. 6. saying Fâ—ter into thy chamber c. Of like oratories among Christians read Card Baronius An. D 293. S. Cyp. ep 56. :: The zele of Simeon and Leui was commendable but for diuers ' euil circumstances the fact was re proued by Iacob Gen. 34. 49. Ixo. 14. :: She prayed that Holofernes should be moued with her beautie swete speach which he might be and not sinne but he by his free wil sinning God turned his sinne to the good of others See Annot Exod. 7. pag. 173. S. Aug. Ser. 228. :: See ch 8. â— 32. * â—â—nd◠〈◊〉 :: God by this testifie â— her holie intention in adorning herselfe :: Not only certaine meates were forbid by the law Leuis 11. but in maner al the meates of the Gentiles were vnlawful being offered to idoles for which cause Daniel and the three children would not eate of the kings meates in Babylon Dan 1. * Stiped barley :: She told manie thingâ— cuidently true other things conditionally as it was like to come to passe if God sent not better meaneâ— :: S. â—ulgentius probably iudgeth that Iudith was now about fourtie yeares old Epist 2. cap. 6. :: Al that Iudith sayth is true in her sense as she meant it but not in the vnderstanding of Holofernes and his souldiars yet was no lesse lawful then that Iosue did in deâ—euing the citezenes of Hay Iosue 8. S. Aug. q. 10. in Iosue :: See chap. 10 v. 5. :: This puritie confisted in abstaining from meates forbid by the Law or offered to Idoles * Pâ—ellâ— :: The sâ—sâ—ing of one woman ouer â—hâ—ew an innumerable host of drâ—â—kaâ—dâ— â— Amb. li. 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Elâ—â— c. 9. :: If Bethulia had benne taken Ierusalem also had bâ—uâ— in extreme danger sor 〈…〉 wherof God had made more special promise to Dauid and others Isaâ—â— 37 38. c :: Iudiths â—â—opeâ— Augâ—â—â—â— defended her as Iacobâ—â—â—gel deliuered him from all euiles 〈◊〉 48. :: Achior an Ammonite ch 5. v. 5. being truly conuerted and beleeuing in God was admitted into the Church notwithstanding that Ammonites and Moabites were excluded by name Deut. 23. v. 3. which is therfore
his seâ—uâ—ce before vvorldlie cares b In one Sonne of Man Christ is saluation saith S. Augustin and in him not because he is the sonne of man but because he is the Sonne of God c He saith not that the spirit or soule shal turne into the earth but the soule shal depart from the bodie and so euerie one in whom worldlie men put their trust shal according to the bodie returne into his earth Gods excellencie in creating and gouerning the vvorld the 2. key a It is good to sing Psalmes of praise to God b A prophecâ—e of the estauratâ—on of Ierusalem after the captiuitie c Remitteth sinnes to the penitent d Besides experience of euerie one that shal behold the firmament in a clere night the holie Scripture Gen. 15. v. 5. sheweth that the starres are innumerable to man For albeit Pâ—olomaey other Astronomers numbereth certaine more notorious starres which serue especially for some knowlege in the science of Astronomie numbering 349. such in the Zodiach 316. in the South part therof and 360. on the North part which are in al 1025. Yet al acknowlege that no man can come nere to anie probable coniecture of the whole number nor is able to attaine anie perfect knovvlege of their natural influences and special proprietes And therfore the Psalmist proposeth here the admirable and vnsearchable knovvlege of God who both most exactly knovveth the number e and so perfectly their nature that his diuine Omniscience geueth to euerie starre a proper name according to their singular differences and proprieties f Thinges subiect to Gods knovvlege and vvisdom are innumerable g Al these and the like benefites do shevv Gods imcomparable greatnes vvisdom and goodnes h Both sacred and prophane auctors testifie that rauens seing their yong ones either vvithout fethers or to haue vvhitish vnlike to theirs as suspecting that they are not their ovvne birdes but of some other kinde leaue them destitute of meate therfore God the auctor of nature and conseruer of al kindes of creatures by his special prouidence feedeth them either by a certaine dew hanging nere them in the ayre as Isidorus supposeth or by litle beastes or flees sent by Gods prouidence vvhich they catching into their mouthes are nourished and brought vp as S. Chrysostom teacheth ser in Heliam or by vvhat other meanes soeuer al agree that yong rauens are neglected by their parents and are fedde meruelously by Gods ordinance by vvhich example the Psalmist shevveth that much more God hath care of men especially of Ho. in hunc Psalm such meu saith S. Chrysostom as honour him vvith hymnes and praises vvhom also he hath called to be his peculiar people and his ovvne portion or inheritance Gods prouidence especially tovvards the Church the 6. key a Ierusalem in the latter part of Dauids time al the time of Salomon and part of other kings reignes til the captiuitie had peace prospered Againe after the captiuitie the Citie was repared the Temple reedified and the whole land receiued and enioyed manie blessinges But al this was no more then a figure of the excellent benefites here prophecied and more euidently verified in Christs Catholique Church partly here militant in the whole world and especially in the glorious Ierusalem and Sion the perfect vision of peace and contemplation of God in eternal life The Hebrews ioyne this Psalme vvith the precedent b In comparison of other cities and peoples of the world the gates of Ierusalem were strongly fensed c and the citizens blessed much more the Church of Christ is built vpon a fure rock her faithful children indued with al spiritual graces and most of al heauen it â—â—lâ—â— is free from al danger of calamitie and the Sainctes are most secure most happie enioying eternal fruit on of God d Hath geuen peace in thy borders e and the very best corne and al other fruictes wine oyle milke honey and the rest Allegorically in the Church reconciliation with God by remission of sinnes and peace of conscience in the Sacraments of Baptisme Penance vvith the most spiritual food of Christs Bodie and Bloud in the Eucharist and graces of other Sacraments In heauen most assured peace and ioy without end f This perteyneth most specially to Euangelical doctrine preached g and quickely receiued in al the world Rom 10. v. 18. h Snow nourisheth the earth making it vvarme by Antiperistasis as is euident in natural Philosophie i and noysome ayre is changed into clere vveather In the Church by penance austere life men are purged from sinnes and vices euil spirites are also driuen avvay If your sinnes shal be as scarlet they shal be made vvhite as snovv and if they be redde as vermilion they shal be vvhite as vvool Isaâ—e 1. v. 18. k Yea some that are hardned in sinne as yse or chrystal shal be melted broken or made fitte to be ingraffed in Gods Church So S. Peter vvas admonished by a vision Act. â—0 v 1â— to kil and eate Othervvise vvithout Gods grace geuing remorse and sorovv no man can ouercome his ovvne vices m But Gods vvord preached n and his grace touching mens hartes o innumerable are conuerted p The Church only enioyeth these spiritual benefiâ—es q Considering that al mankind vvas in the masse of sinne and that God letteth manie iustly perish those to whom he geueth his grace to iustification are specially bond to praise him r And therfore the Prophet concludeth this Psalme and the rest folovving vvith Alleluia Our Creator to be praised by al creatures the 2. key a Al ye heauenlie spirites praise God for the excellencie of your nature b And for your innumerable multitude c Al creatures wanting sense or reason shewforth the Maiestie and excellencie of their Creator d Againe God is to be praised for the diuersitie of stares in men wherby the whole communitie is conserued gouerned e God only no false imagined god made disposed al thinges in order f More especially for that God hath so fortified his Church g Sanctified children h that by grace and free wil which he geueth them approch vnto him i Al this considered the Psalmist concluding with Alleluia inuiteth al to praise our Lord. The Church must euer praise God the 6. key a God our Lord whom al creatures are bond to praise only accepteth those mens praises that liue in his holie Church b eternal rest c Hieghest praises of God shal be continually vttered by Sainctes in glorie for stil as praises passe by their tongues and mouthes more like praises shal succede from their throte and hartie affection so out of the abundance of the hart their mouth shal stil speake Gods praise d Glorified Sainctes shal also haue iudiciarie povvre First al in general shal like and approue Gods iustice in punishing the vvicked Secondly the vvicked shal be iustly condemned in comparison of the blessed vvho passed through and ouercame the like yea and greater tribulations
secure True testimonie Liberalitie Industrious trauel Solide doctrine True testimonie VVise fitte magistrates Pa 〈…〉 ce â—â— teachers â—oyâ—ltie to kinges and Prâ—nâ—es Don estical peace A good wife is Gods gift Diligence Obedience Almes dedes Moderate chastâ—â—meâ—t Patience Folow good counsel Trust in God Good wil to helpe the poore Feare of God Diligent trauel Iust correction Honour of parents Desire to lerne True testimonie Feare of eternal punishment Sobrietie Obedience to Princes Concord Industrie Profound counsel Fidelitie Sinceritie Execution of Iustice Neceâ—sitie of grace â—â—quitie Good toward â—â—â—es Right vse of senses Diligent trauel Prudence Knowlege is 〈…〉 ewel Secu 〈…〉 in â—â—eâ—â—snipe Truth Counsel in warre Consult with the faithful Honour of parents Law ful gaine Meeknes Equitie Trust in Gods prouidence Performance of vowes Publique iustice Puritie of minde Three kinglie vertues Prudence with fortitude Punishment of sinnes Gods prouidence ch 14. v. 12. 16 v. 2. Mercie and iudgement Humilitie Fortitude Truth Equitie Right in hart Domestical peace Commiseration Chastisment of sinne Charitie Almes dedes Almes in secrete Iust punishment Obseruation of orders Temperance paâ—cimonie Pietie Domestical peace Frugalitie Iustice and mercie Fortitude Guard of the tongue Modestie Diligent trauel Liberalitie Sinceritie in religion True testimonie and found doctrine Amendment of faultes Conformitie to Gods wil. Gods grace necessarie Honest fame Contentment with out state Prudence Pouertie of spirite Care of the soules health Good custome in vertues Diligent trauel Equitie Almes dedes Better to geue then to take Expel the incorrigible Cleanes of hart The godlie prosper Fortitude Care of chastitie Chatisment Compassion :: Rules of wisdom are necessarie profitable and vpon practise found pleasant rightly directing al our thougtes wordes and dedes Care of the poore because they are deare to God Flee from euil companie which may corrupt thee Auoide suretishipe leâ—t thou fal into distresse Kepe ancient traditions Diligent trauel Modestie and discretion at the table of great persons Mediocritie of riches and contentment with meane state Eate not with a niggard lest he be secretly greued ouâ—wardly dissembling and thyself repent it Aduise not the vncapable Hurt not orphanes for they are deare to God Diligent studie of wisdom Moderate chatisment profiteth youth Vertues of children are ioyful to the parentes Contentment with Gods wil. Hope of reward Lerne and practise vvisdom Sobrietie and Temperance Honour of parents VVisdom most precious See v. 15. and 16. Bodelie and spiritual puritie So brietie alvvayes necessarie Detest drunkennes Drunkennes is deceiptful dangerous beastlie hurtful to others senselesse and vnsatiable Flee euil companie lest thou be alured to vice VVisdom and vertues not wickednes do prosper temporally and spiritually Counsel in warres and other great affayres Good purposes Report wel of others Fortitude VVorkes of mercie according to our ha biliue VVisdom is swete and geueth hope Toleration of others imperfections * Oftentimes S. Aug. li. 11. c. 31. ciust VVith out which none liueth Charitie towards enemies Haue peace with al so much as may be Loialâ—ie to God king Equitie in iudgement condemning the guiltie deliuering the innocent is very gratful to al. Order in al affaires Discretion in bearing witnes Reuenge not Diligent labour and vigilance to prouide necessaâ—ies and to auoide beggerie A iust man falling into venial sinnes is not therby vniust nor Gods enimie Al sinnes are not mortal The 2. part More Parables of Salomon gathered by others Gods workes are not al reueled Kinges haue some secretes Publique iustice and punishment of sinne Modestie and Humilitie Care of others fame Compose controuersies secretly rather then contend in publique court Speake in due time Prudent admonition Diligence in publique affaires Performance of promised industrie Meeknes * 〈…〉 â—eare Temperance Modestie True testimonie Trust not a dissembler * A consuming 〈◊〉 hard earth Striue not with the incorrigible Alacritie Charitie towards enimies Rom. 12. Heare not detraction Domestical peace Ioy of wel doing Profession of truth Humilitie in knowlege Gouernment of the tongue Aduance not the vicious Patience in false sclander Chastisment Answer a foole wisely detecting his follie Place fitte men in office VVise men in authoritie Vertuous in honour and Lerned to teach Make fooles to kepe silence Returne not to sormer sinnes Humble opinion of thy self Fortitude Profitable laboures At least some good worke Loue not idlenes 2. Pet. 2. Intermedle not in brawles Vnfained friendshipe especially in familiar acquantance Punish batemakers Pacific the wrathful Heare not whisperers of euil reportes Flee from hypocrites VVhose flaterie and soft speach are suspicious they wil fal at last into their owne trappes truth preuailing Trust not to future vncertainties Praise not thyself Beware of a fooles wrath for it hath no mercie Loue freindlie seueritie not enemies flaterie Temperance in meate Iust care of thy familie Esteme freindlie counsel Old friendes are better surer then a kinsman Be wise euen for thy fathers sake Foresee and preuent dangers Trust not enimies Suspect extraordinarie curtesie Tolerate incorrigible brawlers with patience lest they become worse by thy striuing to amend them Conserue that is good Conscience is best witnes Contentment with our state Humilitie desireth not praise Right of hart Strine not to teach a foole Discharge thy dutie VVhiles thou art in this life Be content with thinges necessarie and they shal be geuen to thee Mat 6. v. 33. Innocencie is without feare General pietie of the people procureth Gods fauour Neighbourlie compassion Zele of iustice Remember the day of iudgement Honestie and pouertie No want nor waste Just gaine in traffike Obedience to magistrates Geue counsel sincerely Humilitie in authoritie Place the godlie in office Acknowlege thy faultes Feare to offend Clemencie in princes and prudent liberalitie Reuenge bloudshed Harmles life Diligent labour Iust dealing Iust iudgement Moderate gaine Freindlie correption To robbe parents is a greuous crime â—â—alt not thyself Trust not thyne owne iudgement Almes dedes Godlie magistrates Loue to â—â—e corrrected Choose godlie magistrates Loue wisdom Iust and liberal magistrates Sincere amitie Iust joy of the wickeds fal Compassion of the poore Care of common good Contend not with a foole Defend the iust Discretion in iust anger Derestation of lying Contentment in state of life Equitie in iudgement Chastisment of youth God neuer permitteth al to be euil Instruct children Pray to haue good Pastors Compel the froward to obey Consideration in speaking Subdue the flesh to the spirite Meeknes Humilitie Participate not with sinne Feare not men in Gods cause remembring that God is Iudge of al. Hate al wickednes Obey spiritual and temporal parents The fourth part Other singular precepts with prayse of a prudent woman :: The wisest man best knoweth that he wanteth much of perfect wisdom yet in his humilitie supposeth that others haue attained some what more then himself :: Christ the Sonne of God is wisdom it self and as the Sonne of man hath perfect wisdom :: Bondslades are to be
spiritual cogitations of faith and religion and therfore it is compared to a woman traueling with child who hath moâ—â— careful and greuous paines k In vvhich great confflict of mans spirite God by his grace geueth force to breake through the contrarie assaultes of our enimie to remoue al impediments and to ouercome the difficulties l This consideration that al is now done that was of old prophecied is a meruelous confirmation and consolation to Christians m Grace and mercie is only granted to those that are vvithin or come vnto the Catholique Church n As God is praised for his mercie so also for his iustice which do neuer preiudice the one the other o Consider the fortresses of the Church which are the holie Fathers and Doctors that watch and defend her vvalles p So rest you assured for al matters of faith in this pillar of truth q obserue and marke diligently how manie particular Churches were spedely founded in the world r and declare this to other generations that they may also hold fast the same faith or returne vnto it if they be relapsed or at last embrace it if sowner they haue not Å¿ Christ God incarnate that vvorketh al this is our very God and Sauiour not for a few yeares an hundred six hundred or a thousand but for euer and euer t he shal rule as a king and consequently haue a kingdom his militant Church euermore to the very end of this vvorld As he shal like vvise haue his triumphant Church in eternitie Exhortation â—o flee from sinne for feare of hel The 7. key a In this and diuers other titles both before and ye ensuing is said To the sonnes or for the sonnes of Core a Psalme or Canticle or vnderstanding the like but in no place a Psalme Canticle c. of the sonnes of Core vvhich no way proueth that they vvere the authores of such Psalmes but rather the contrarie b Al ye nations and sortes of people c that dwel vpon the earth lerne this lesson vvhich I wil teach you d Holie Dauid harkened to God inspiring him e and declared to others that vvhich he receiued from God f not only by his penne or tongue but also for better instilling it into their mindes he sounded it vpon the instrument called the Psalter vvhich had tâ—nne stringes signifying the obseruation of the tenne commandments g What especial thing is there in this life vvhy or for vvhich I or anie haue cause to feare â—he dreadful day of iudgement h Marry this we must feare iniquitie by which any supplanteth defraudeth oppresseth or anie vvay wrongeth others for that vvil inuolue the offender in the sentence of eternal damnation i Such be they that trust in their present powre riches or other wordlie thing k A mans owne brother can not helpe a sinner in that day l much lesse anie other man so the Hebrew phraise by zeugma vnderstandeth an other negatiue particle m stil suffer paine n and not dye but liue in eternal torments o Al both wise and foolish do dye temporally but the wise liuing in eternal ioy the foolish liue in eternal paine p those that beleue not anie other life after this q and those that beleuing an other life yet liue badly in this shal perish in eternal damnation r They shal neuer returne from their sepulchers Å¿ to enioy againe their houses and earthlie possessions t which vainely they labour to establish in their posteritie v A most pithie and brief consideration for man to thinke how absurdly he being endewed with reason vnderstanding free wil like vnto Angels and capable of eternal glorie setteth his vvhole studie and care vpon corporal and temporal thinges so making himselfe like vnto brute beastes vv This care of wordlie thinges is the stumbling block and cause of eternal ruine x yet they shal be obstinate and praise their owne desires stil persisting therin y Amongst other creatures a sheepe can least helpe her selfe in miserie euen so the damned in hel are altogether vnable to deliuer themselues from thence or to get any relief z in the general resurrection they shal be most of al in miserie as euer dying and neuer dead the iust vvhom they vvronged shal be their iudges al freindes shal faile them after they haue passed their glorie and pleasure in this vvorld a The confidence of the iust b He shal leaue al worldlie thinges and take nothing with him c temporally d so long as he enioyeth wordlie profites he wil seme gratful to God e but they shal not see the true light of heauen f Remember and consider ô worldlie man that God made thee an excellent creature which thou neglecting makest thyself like to a beast As v. 13. General Iudgement the 9. Key a To be songue or tuned by Asaph a maister of musike b God almightie who is greater then are al falsly supposed goddes or holie persons that patticipating of his goodnes are called goddes as Kinges Priestes Iudges coming into this world in mans nature calleth al men to saluation c The Church of Christ began in Sion d Christ that came in humilitie and more obscurely to suffer and to redeme vs vvil come iâ— maiestie and manifestly to iudge e Immediately before the general iudgement fire shal burne al transitorie thinges f Geue signes in the firmament g and in earth h VVhich know that to keepe Gods commandments in folowing vertues is aboue the oblation of external sacrifice i God instructeth his people k Sacrifices are gratful to God l but in regard that God needeth not these earthly thinges he rather requireth a gratful mind For otherwise man in dede can geue nothing to God seing al that is in the whole world is Gods owne in proprietie m Spiritual sacrifice of prayse n due payment of voluntarie vowes made in honour of God o and praying to him for helpe in tribulation are most grateful p He that wil teach others must especially flee from sinne serue God sincerly q God is honored by mans gratitude and other good workes Sacrifice of praise disposeth men to the fruit of external sacrifice The Sacrifice of the Eu harist prophecied The fourth penitential Psalme The 7. key a Pertayning not only to Dauid but also to al penitentes especially of the new testament b My sinnes being very great nede thy great mercie c Yea manie sortes of thy mercies not only remission of the crimes but also mitigation of the paines due for the same Thy merciful grace to be truly sorie to make some part of satisfaction to beware hereafter not to fal againe to geue better example of penance and of vertuous life and to perseuer to the end d O God thou hast forgeuen me and taken away my sinnes as thy prophet hath told me 2. Reg. 12. v. 13. but my soule so fouly polluted nedeth yet more washing e cleanse also the dregges that remaine and al