* Chap. 22.47 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved 18 ¶ He that believeth on him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God 19 And this is the condemnation * Chap. 1.4 that light is come into the world men loved darkness rather then light because their deeds were evil 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be ‖ Or discovered reproved 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God 22 ¶ After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea and there he tarried with them * Chap. 4.2 and baptized 23 ¶ And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim because there was much water there and they came and were baptized 24 For John was not yet cast into prison 25 ¶ Then there arose a question between some of Johns disciples and the Jews about purifying 26 And they came unto John and said unto him Rabbi he that was with thee beyond Jordan * Chap 1.7 34. to whom thou bearest witness behold the same baptizeth and all men come to him 27 John answered and said * Hebr. 9.4 A man can ‖ Or take unto himself receive nothing except it be given him from heaven 28 Ye your selves bear me witness that I said * Chap. ◠20 I am not the Christ but that I am sent before him 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom but the friend of the bridegroom which standeth and heareth him rejoyceth greatly because of the bridegrooms voice this my joy therefore is fulfilled 30 He must increase but I must decrease 31 He that cometh from above is above all he that is of the earth is earthly and speaketh of the earth he that cometh from heaven is above all 32 And what he hath seen and heard that he testifieth and no man receiveth his testimony 33 He that hath received his testimony * Rom. 3.4 hath set to his seal that God is true 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God for God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him 35 * Mat. 11.27 The Father loveth the Son hath given all things into his hand 36 * Hab. 2.4 1 John 5.10 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him CHAP. IV. 1 Christ talketh with a woman of Samaria and revealeth himself unto her 27 His disciples marvel 21 He declareth to them his zeal to Gods glory 39 Many Samaritans believe on him 43 He departeth into Galilee and healeth the rulers son that lay sick at Capernaum WHen therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized mo disciples then John 2 Though Jesus himself baptized not but his disciples 3 He left Judea and departed again into Galilee 4 And he must needs go through Samaria 5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar near to the parcel of ground * Gen. 33.19 48.22 Josh 24.32 that Jacob gave to his son Joseph 6 Now Jacobs well was there Jesus therefore being wearied with his journey sat thus on the well and it was about the sixth hour 7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water Jesus saith unto her Give me to drink 8 For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat 9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him How is it that thou being a Jew askest drink of me which am a woman of Samaria for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans 10 Jesus answered and said unto her If thou knewest the gift of God and who it is that saith to thee Give me to drink thou wouldest have asked of him and he would have given thee living water 11 The woman saith unto him Sir thou hast nothing to draw with and the well is deep from whence then hast thou that living water 12 Art thou greater then our father Jacob which gave us the well and drank thereof himself and his children and his cattel 13 Jesus answered and said unto her Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life 15 The woman saith unto him Sir give me this water that I thirst not neither come hither to draw 16 Jesus saith unto her Go call thy husband and come hither 17 The woman answered and said I have no husband Jesus said unto her Thou hast well said I have no husband 18 For thou hast had five husbands and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband in that saidst thou truly 19 The woman saith unto him Sir I perceive that thou art a prophet 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain and ye say that in * Deut. 1 5. Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship 21 Jesus saith unto her Woman believe me the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father 22 Ye worship ye know not what we know what we worship for salvation is of the Jews 23 But the hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him 24 * 2 Cor. 3.17 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth 25 The woman saith unto him I know that Messias cometh which is called Christ when he is come he will tell us all things 26 Jesus saith unto her I that speak unto thee am he 27 ¶ And upon this came his disciples and marvelled that he talked with the woman yet no man said What seekest thou or Why talkest thou with her 28 The woman then left her water-pot and went her way into the city and saith to the men 29 Come see a man which told me all things that ever I did is not this the Christ 30 Then they went out of the city and came unto him 31 ¶ In the mean while his disciples prayed him saying Master eat 32 But he said unto them I have meat to eat that ye know not of 33 Therefore said the disciples one to another Hath any man brought him ought to eat 34 Jesus saith unto them My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to finish his work 35 Say not ye There are yet four moneths and then cometh harvest behold I say unto you Lift up your eyes and look on the
carried away captives to Nineve all my brethren and those that were of my kindred did eat of the * Gen. 43.32 bread of the Gentiles 11 But I kept †Gr. 〈◊〉 soul my self from eating 12 Because I remembred God with all my heart 13 And the most High gave me grace and favour before Enemessar so that I was his †Gr. 〈◊〉 purveyour 14 And I went into Media and left in trust with Gabael the brother of Gabrias ‖ Or in the land 〈◊〉 countrey of Media at Rages a city of Media ten talents of silver 15 Now when Enemessar was dead Sennacherib his son reigned in his stead †Gr. the ways of whom were unsettled whole estate was troubled that I could not go into Media 16 And in the time of Enemessar I gave many alms to my brethren and gave my bread to the hungry 17 And my clothes to the naked and if I saw any of my nation dead or cast ‖ Or behinde the wâ—lls about the walls of Nineve I buried him 18 And if the king Sennacherib had slain any when he was come and * 1 King 19.35 36. Isa 37.36 3â— Ecclus 48.18 21. 1 Mac. 7.41 2 Mac. 8.19 fled from Judea I buried them privily for in his wrath he killed many but the bodies were not found when they were sought for of the king 19 And when one of the Ninivites went and complained of me to the king that I buried them and hid my self understanding that I was sought for to be put to death I withdrew my self for fear 20 Then all my goods were forcibly taken away neither was there any thing left me besides my wise Anna and my son Tobias 21 And there passed not five and fifty days before two of his sons * 2 King 19.37 2 Chr. 32.21 killed him and they fled into the mountains of Ararath and ‖ Or Eserâ—addoâ— Sarchedonus his son reigned in his stead who appointed over his fathers accounts and over all his affairs Achiacharus my brother Anaels son 22 And Achiacharus intreating for me I returned to Nineve now Achiacharus was cup-bearer and keeper of the signet and steward and over-seer of the accounts and ‖ Or Esarâ—â—ddoâ— Sarchedonus appointed him next unto him and he was my brothers son CHAP. II. 1 Tobit leaveth his meat to bury the dead 10 and becometh blinde 11 His wife taketh in work to get her living 14 Her husband and she fall out about a kid NOw when I was come home again and my wife Anna was restored unto me with my son Tobias in the feast of Pentecost which is the holy feast of the seven weeks there was a good dinner prepared me in the which I sat down to eat 2 And when I saw abundance of meat I said to my son Go and bring what poor man soever thou shalt finde out of our brethren who is mindful of the Lord and to I tarry for thee 3 But he came again and said Father one of our nation is strangled and is cast out in the market-place 4 Then before I had tasted of any meat I start up and took him up into a room until the going down of the sun 5 Then I returned and washed my self and ate my meat in heaviness 6 Remembring that prophesie of * Aaâ—â—â— 8.10 Amos as he said Your feasts shall be turned into mourning and all your mirth into lamentation 7 There fore I wept and after the going down of the sun I went and made a grave and buried him 8 But my neighbours mocked me and said This man is not yet afraid to be put to death for this matter * Chap. 1.19 who fled away and yet lo he burieth the dead again 9 The same night also I returned from the burial and slept by the wall of my court-yard being polluted and my face was uncovered 10 And I knew not that there were ‖ Or swallows sparrows in the wall and mine eyes being open the sparrows muted warm dung into mine eyes and ‖ Or white films a whiteness came in mine eyes and I went to the physicians but they helped me not moreover Achiacharus did nourish me until I went into Elymais 11 And my wife Anna ‖ Or was â—â—red to spin in the woment rooms did take womens works to do 12 And when she had sent ‖ Or 〈◊〉 work them home to the owners they paid her wages and gave her also besides a kid 13 And when it was in my house and began to cry I said unto her From whence is this kid is it not stoln render it to the owners * Deut. 22.1 for it is not lawful to eat any thing that is stoln 14 * Job 2.9 But she replied upon me It was given for a gift more then the wages howbeit I did not beleeve her but bade her render it to the owners and I was abashed at her But she replied upon me Where are thine alms and thy righteous deeds ‖ Or lo all things are known to thee behold thou and all thy works are known CHAP. III. 1 Tobit grieved with his wives taunts prayeth 11 Sara reproached by ber fathers maids prayeth also 17 An angel is sent to help them both THen I being grieved did weep and in my sorrow prayed saying 2 O Lord thou art just and all thy works and all thy ways are mercy and truth and thou judgest truly and justly for ever 3 Remember me and look on me punish me not for my sins and ignorances and the sins of my fathers who have sinned before thee 4 For they obeyed not thy commandments wherefore thou hast delivered us * Deut. 28.15 37. for a spoil and unto captivity and unto death and for a proverb of reproach to all the nations among whom we are dispersed 5 And now thy judgements are many and true deal with me according to my sins and my fathers because we have not kept thy commandments neither have walked in truth before thee 6 Now therefore deal with me as seemeth best unto thee and command my spirit to be taken from me that I may be ‖ Or dismissed or delivered dissolved and become earth for it is prositable for me to die rather then to live because I have heard false reproaches and have much sorrow command therefore that I may now be delivered out of this distress and go into the everlasting place turn not thy face away from me 7 It came to pass the same day that in Ecbatane a city of Media Sara the daughter of Raguel was also reproached by her fathers maids 8 Because that she had been married to seven husbands whom Asmodeus the evil spirit had killed before they had lien with her Dost thou not know said they that thou hast strangled thine husbands thou hast had already seven husbands neither wast thou named after any of them 9 Wherefore dost thou beat us for them if they be dead go
him 〈◊〉 upon Bel. bring him and intreat Bel that he may speak as though he were able to understand 42 Yet they cannot understand this themselves and leave them for they have no ‖ Or sense knowledge 43 The women also with cords about them sitting in the ways burn bran for perfume but if any of them drawn by some that passeth by lie with him she reproacheth her fellow that she was not thought as worthy as her self nor her cord broken 44 Whatsoever is done among them is false how may it then be thought or said that they are gods 45 They are made of carpenters and gold-smiths they can be nothing else then the workman will have them to be 46 And they themselves that made them can never continue long how should then the things that are made of them be gods 47 For they left lies and reproaches to them that come after 48 For when there cometh any war or plague upon them the priests consult with themselves where they may be hidden with them 49 How then cannot men perceive that they be no gods which can neither save themselves from war nor from plague 50 * Ps 115.4 Wisd 13.10 For seeing they be but of wood and overlaid with silver and gold it shall be known hereafter that they are false 51 And it shall manifestly appear to all nations and kings that they are no gods but the works of mens hands and that there is no work of God in them 52 Who then may not know that they are no gods 53 For neither can they set up a king in the land nor give rain unto men 54 Neither can they judge their own cause nor redress a wrong being unable for they are as crows between heaven and earth 55 Whereupon when fire falleth upon the house of gods of wood or laid over with gold or silver their priests will flee away and escape but they themselves shall be burnt asunder like beams 56 Moreover they cannot withstand any king or enemies how can it then be thought or said that they be gods 57 Neither are those gods of wood and laid over with silver or gold able to escape either from theeves or robbers 58 Whos 's gold and silver and garments wherewith they are clothed they that are strong do take and go away withal neither are they able to help themselves 59 Therefore it is better to be a king that sheweth his power or else a profitable vessel in an house which the owner shall have use of then such false gods or to be a door in an house to keep such things safe as be therein then such false gods or a pillar of wood in a palace then such false gods 60 For sun moon and stars being bright and sent to do their offices are obedient 61 In like manner the lightning when it breaketh forth is easie to be seen and ‖ Or the same â—ind after the same manner the wind bloweth in every countrey 62 And when God commandeth the clouds to go over the whole world they do as they are bidden 63 And the fire sent from above to consume hills and woods doeth as it is commanded but these are like unto them neither in shew nor power 64 Wherefore it is neither to be supposed nor said that they are gods seeing they are able neither to judge causes nor to do good unto men 65 Knowing therefore that they are no gods fear them not 66 For they can neither curse nor bless kings 67 Neither can they shew signs in the heavens among the heathen nor shine as the sun nor give light as the moon 68 The beasts are better then they for they can get under a covert and help themselves 69 It is then by no means manifest unto us that they are gods therefore fear them not 70 For as a scar-crow in a garden of cucumbers keepeth nothing so are their gods of wood and laid over with silver and gold 71 And likewise their gods of wood and laid over with silver and gold are like to a whitethorn in an orchard that every bird sitteth upon as also to a dead body that is cast into the dark 72 And you shall know them to be no gods by the ‖ Or purple and brightness bright purple that rotteth upon them and they themselves afterward shall be eaten and shall be a reproach in the countrey 73 Better therefore is the just man that hath none idols for he shall be far from reproach ¶ The song of the three holy children which followeth in the third chapter of DANIEL after this place fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace That which followeth is not in the Hebrew to wit And they walked unto these words Then Nebuchadnezzar verse 24. 2 Azarias his prayer and confession in the flame 24 wherewith the Caldeans about the oven were consumed but the three children within it were not hurt 28 The song of the three children in the oven ANd they walked in the midst of the fire praising God and blessing the Lord. 2 Then Azarias stood up and prayed on this manner and opening his mouth in the midst of the fire said 3 Blessed art thou O Lord God of our fathers thy name is worthy to be praised and glorified for evermore 4 For thou art righteous in all the things that thou hast done to us yea true are all thy works thy ways are right and * Psal â—â— 1â— all thy judgements truth 5 In all the things which thou hast brought upon us and upon the holy city of our fathers even Jerusalem thou hast executed true judgement for according to truth and judgement didst thou bring all these things upon us because of our sins 6 For we have sinned and committed iniquity departing from thee 7 In all things have we trespassed and not obeyed thy commandments nor kept them neither done as thou hast commanded us that it might go well with us 8 Wherefore all that thou hast brought upon us and every thing that thou hast done to us thou hast done in true judgement 9 And thou didst deliver us into the hands of lawless enemies most hateful forsakers of God and to an unjust king and the most wicked in all the world 10 And now we cannot open our mouths we are become a shame and reproach to thy servants and to them that worship thee 11 Yet deliver us not up wholly for thy names sake neither disanul thou thy covenant 12 And cause not thy mercy to depart from us for thy beloved Abrahams sake for thy servant Isaacs sake and for thy holy Israels sake 13 To whom thou hast spoken and promised That thou wouldest multiply their seed as the stars of heaven and as the sand that lieth upon the sea-shore 14 For we O Lord are become less then any nation and be kept under this day in all the world because of our sins 15 Neither is there at this time prince or prophet or leader or
answereth the lawyer which is the first and great commandment 41 and poseth the Pharisees about the Mestias ANd Jesus answered * Luk. 14.15 Rev. 19.9 and spake unto them again by parables said 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king which made a marriage for his son 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding and they would not come 4 Again he sent forth other servants saying Tell them which are bidden Behold I have prepared my dinner my oxen and my fatlings are killed and all things are ready come unto the marriage 5 But they made light of it and went their ways one to his farm another to his merchandise 6 And the remnant took his servants and intreated them spitefully and slew them 7 But when the king heard thereof he was wroth and he sent forth his armies and destroyed those murderers and burnt up their city 8 Then saith he to his servants The wedding is ready but they which were biddden were not worthy 9 Go ye therefore into the high-ways and as many as ye shall finde bid to the marriage 10 So those servants went out into the high-ways and gathered together all as many as they found both bad and good and the wedding was furnished with guests 11 ¶ And when the king came in to see the guests he saw there a man which had not on a wedding-garment 12 And he saith unto him Friend how camest thou in hither not having a wedding-garment And he was speechless 13 Then said the king to the servants Binde him hand and foot and take him away and cast him into outer darkness there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth 14 * Ch. 20.16 For many are called but few are chosen 15 ¶ * Mark 12.13 Luk. 20.20 Then went the Pharisees and took counsel how they might intangle him in his talk 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians saying Master we know that thou art true and teachest the way of God in truth neither carest thou for any man for thou regardest not the person of men 17 Tell us therefore What thinkest thou Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cesar or not 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness and said Why tempt ye me ye hypocrites 19 Shew me the tribute money And they brought unto him a ‖ In value seven pence half-peny Chap. 20.2 peny 20 And he saith unto them Whose is this image and ‖ Or inscription superscription 21 They say unto him Cesars Then saith he unto them * Rom. 13.7 Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesars and unto God the things that are Gods 22 When they had heard these words they marvelled and left him and went their way 23 ¶ * Mar. 12.18 Luk. 20.27 The same day came to him the Sadducees * Act. 23.8 which say that there is no resurrection and asked him 24 Saying Master * Deut. 25.5 Moses said If a man die having no children his brother shall marry his wife and raise up seed unto his brother 25 Now there were with us seven brethren and the first when he had married a wife deceased and having no issue left his wife unto his brother 26 Likewise the second also and the third unto the seventh 27 And last of all the woman died also 28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven for they all had her 29 Jesus answered and said unto them Ye do err not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God 30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the angels of God in heaven 31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God saying 32 * Exod. 3.6 I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob God is not the God of the dead but of the living 33 And when the multitude heard this they were astonished at his doctrine 34 ¶ * Mark 12.28 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence they were gathered together 35 Then one of them which was a lawyer asked him a question tempting him and saying 36 Master which is the great commandment in the law 37 Jesus said unto him * Deut. 6.5 Luk. 10.27 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy minde 38 This is the first and great commandment 39 And the second is like unto it * Levit. 19.18 Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets 41 ¶ * Mar. 12.35 While the Pharisees were gathered together Jesus asked them 42 Saying What think ye of Christ whose son is he They say unto him The son of David 43 He saith unto them How then doth David in spirit call him Lord saying 44 * Ps 110.1 The LORD said unto my Lord sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool 45 If David then call him Lord how is he his son 46 And no man was able to answer him a word neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any mo questions CHAP. XXIII 1 Christ admonisheth the people to follow the good doctrine not the evil examples of the scribes and Pharisees 5 His disciples must beware of their ambition 13 He denounceth eight woes against their hypocrisie and blindness 34 and prophesieth of the destruction of Jerusalem THen spake Jesus to the multitude and to his disciples 2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe that observe and do but do not ye after their works for they say and do not 4 * Luk. 11.46 For they binde heavy burdens and grievous to be born and lay them on mens shoulders but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men * Numb 15.38 Deu. 22.12 they make broad their phylacteries and enlarge the borders of their garments 6 * Mar. 12.38 39. Luk. 11.43 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts and the chief seats in the synagogues 7 And greetings in the markets and to be called of men Rabbi Rabbi 8 * Jam. 3.1 But he not ye called Rabbi for one is your Master even Christ and all ye are brethren 9 And call no man your father upon the earth * Mal. 1.6 for one is your Father which is in heaven 10 Neither be ye called masters for one is your Master even Christ 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant 12 * Luk. 14.11 18.14 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted 13 ¶ But
counted John that he was a prophet indeed 33 And they answered and said unto Jesus We cannot tell And Jesus answering saith unto them Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things CHAP. XII 1 In a parable of the vineyard let out to unthankful husbandmen Christ foretelleth the reprobation of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles 13 He avoideth the snare of the Pharisees and Herodians about paying tribute to Cesar 18 convinceth the errour of the Sadducees who denied the resurrection 28 resolveth the seribe who questioned of the first commandment 35 resuteth the opinion that the scribes held of Christ 38 bidding the people to beware of their ambition and hâ—pocrisy 41 and commendeth the poor widow for her two mites above all ANd * Mat. 27.33 he began to speak unto them by parables 〈◊〉 certain man planted a vineyard and set an hedge about it and digged a place for the wine-fat and built a towre and let it out to husbandmen and went into a far countrey 2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard 3 And they caught him and beat him and sent him away empty 4 And again he sent unto them another servant and at him they cast stoney and wounded him in the head and sent him away shamefully handled 5 And again he sent another and him they killed and many others beating some and killing some 6 Having yet therefore one son his welbeloved he sent him also last unto them saying They will reverence my son 7 But those husbandmen said amongst themselves This is the heir come let us kill him and the inheritance shall be ours 8 And they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard 9 What shall therefore the Lord of the vineyard do he will come and destroy the husbandmen and will give the vineyard unto others 10 And have ye not read this scripture * Psal 118.22 The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner 11 This was the Lords doing and it is marvellous in our eyes 12 And they sought to lay hold on him but feared the people for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them and they lest him and went their way 13 ¶ * Mat. 22.25 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians to catch him in his words 14 And when they were come they say unto him Master we know that thou art true and carest for no man for thou regardest not the person of men but teachest the way of God in truth Is it lawful to give tribute to Cesar or not 15 Shall we give or shall we not give But he knowing their hypocrisie said unto them Why tempt ye me bring me a ‖ Valuing of our money seven pence halspeny as Mat. 18.28 peny that I may see it 16 And they brought it and he saith unto them Whose is this image and superscription And they said unto him Cesars 17 And Jesus answering said unto them Render to Cesar the things that are Cesars and to God the things that are Gods And they marvelled at him 18 ¶ * Mat. 22.23 Then come unto him the Sadducees which say there is no resurrection and they asked him saying 19 Master Moses wrote unto us if a mans brother die and leave his wife behinde him and leave no children that his brother should take his wife and raise up seed unto his brother 20 Now there were seven brethren and the first took a wife and dying lest no seed 21 And the second took her and died neither left he any seed and the third likewise 22 And the seven had her and left no seed last of all the woman died also 23 In the resurrection therefore when they shall rise whose wife shall she be of them for the seven had her to wife 24 And Jesus answering said unto them Do ye not therefore err because ye know not the scriptures neither the power of God 25 For when they shall rise from the dead they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the angels which are in heaven 26 And as touching the dead that they rise have ye not read in the book of Moses how in the bush God spake unto him saying I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob 27 He is not the God of the dead but the God of the living ye therefore do greatly err 28 ¶ * Mat. 22 3â— And one of the scribes came and having heard them reasoning together and perceiving that he had answered them well asked him Which is the first commandment of all 29 And Jesus answered him The first of all the commandments is Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy minde and with all thy strength this is the first commandment 31 And the second is like namely this Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself there is none other commandment greater then these 32 And the scribe said unto him Well Master thou hast said the truth for there is one God and there is none other but he 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the soul and with all the strength to love his neighbour as himself is more then all whose burnt-offerings and sacrifices 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly he said unto him Thou art not far from the kingdom of God And no man after that durst ask him any question 35 ¶ * Mat. 22 4â— And Jesus answered and said while he taught in the temple How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David 36 For David himself said by the holy Ghost * Ps 110.1 The LORD said to my Lord Sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool 37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord and whence is he then his son And the common people heard him gladly 38 ¶ And he said unto them in his doctrine * Mat. 23.5 Beware of the scribes which love to go in long clothing love salutations in the market-places 39 And the chief seats in the synagogues and the uppermost rooms at feasts 40 * Mat. 23.14 Which devour widows houses and for a pretence make long prayers these shall receive greater damnation 41 ¶ * Luk. 21.1 And Jesus sat over against the treasury and beheld how the people cast ‖ A piece of brass money See Mat. 10.29 money into the treasury and many that were rich cast in much 42 And there came a certain poor widow and she threw in two ‖ It is the seventh part of one piece of that brass money mites which make a farthing 43 And he called unto
witness of myself my witness is not true 32 ¶ * Mat. 3.17 There is another that beareth witness of me and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true 33 Ye sent unto John * Chap. 1.7 and he bare witness unto the truth 34 But I receive not testimony from man but these things I say that ye might be saved 35 He was a burning and a shining light and ye were willing for a season to rejoyce in his light 36 ¶ But I have greater witness then that of John for the works which the Father hath given me to finish the same works that I do bear witness of me that the Father hath sent me 37 And the Father himself which hath sent me * Mat. 3.17 17.5 hath born witness of me Ye have neither heard his voyce at any time * Deu. 4.12 nor seen his shape 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you for whom he hath sent him ye beleeve not 39 ¶ Search the scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testifie of me 40 And ye will not come to me that ye might have life 41 I receive not honour from men 42 But I know you that ye have not the love of God in you 43 I am come in my Fathers name and ye receive me not if another shall come in his own name him ye will receive 44 * Chap. 12.43 How can ye beleeve which receive honour one of another and seck not the honour that cometh from God onely 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father there is one that accuseth you even Moses in whom ye trust 46 For had ye beleeved Moses ye would have beleeved me * Gen. 2.15 Deu. 18.15 for he wrote of me 47 But if ye beleeve not his writings how shall ye beleeve my words CHAP. VI. 1 Christ seedeth five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes 15 Thereupon the people would have made him king 16 But withdrawing himself he walketh on the sea to his disciples 26 reproveth the people flocking after him and all the fleshly hearer of his word 32 declareth himself to be the bread of life to beleevers 66 Many disciples depart from him 68 Peter confesseth him 70 Judes is a devil AFter these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee which is the sia of Tiberias 2 And a great multitude followed him because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased 3 And Jesus went up into a mountain there he sat with his disciples 4 * Lev. 23.5 Deut. 16.1 And the pass-over a feast of the Jews was nigh 5 ¶ * Mat. 14.15 When Jesus then lift up his eyes and saw a great company come unto him he saith unto Philip Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat 6 And this he said to prove him for he himself knew what he would do 7 Philip answered him Two hundred peny-worth of bread is not sufficient for them that every one of them may take a little 8 One of his disciples Andrew Simon Peters brother saith unto him 9 There is a lad here which hath five barley-loaves and two small fishes but what are they among so many 10 And Jesus said Make the men sit down Now there was much grass in the place So the men sat down in number about five thousand 11 And Jesus took the loaves and when he had given thanks he distributed to the disciples and the disciples to them that were set down and likewise of the fishes as much as they would 12 When they were filled he said unto his disciples Gather up the fragments that remain that nothing be lost 13 Therefore they gathered them together and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley-loaves which remained over and above unto them that had eaten 14 Then those men when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did said This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world 15 ¶ When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force to make him a king he departed again into a mountain himself alone 16 * Mat. 14.23 And when even was now come his disciples went down unto the sea 17 And entred into a ship and went over the sea towards Capernaum and it was now dark and Jesus was not come to them 18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew 19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs they see Jesus walking on the sea and drawing nigh unto the ship and they were afraid 20 But he saith unto them It is I be not afraid 21 Then they willingly received him into the ship and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went 22 ¶ The day following when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there save that one whereinto his disciples were entred and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat but that his disciples were gone away alone 23 Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread after that the Lord had given thanks 24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there neither his disciples they also took shipping and came to Capernaum seeking for Jesus 25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea they said unto him Rabbi when camest thou hither 26 Jesus answered them and said Verily verily I say unto you Ye seek me not because ye saw the miracles but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled 27 ‖ Or Work not Labour not for the meat which perisheth but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life which the Son of man shall give unto you * Mat. 3.17 for him hath God the Father sealed 28 Then said they unto him What shall we do that we might work the works of God 29 Jesus answered and said unto them * 1 Joh. 3.23 This is the work of God that ye beleeve on him whom he hath sent 30 They said therefore unto him What signe shewest thou then that we may see and beleeve thee what dost thou work 31 * Ex. 16.15 Num. 11.7 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert as it is written * Ps 78.25 He gave them bread from heaven to eat 32 Then Jesus said unto them Verily verily I say unto you Moses gave you not that bread from heaven but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven 33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world 34 Then said they unto him Lord evermore give us this bread 35 And Jesus said unto them I am the bread of life he that cometh to me shall never hunger he that beleeveth on me shall never thirst
Spirit unto the Father 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners but fellow-citizens with the saints and of the houshold of God 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord 22 In whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit CHAP. III. 5 The hidden mystery 6 that the Gentiles should be saved 3 was made known to Paul by revelation 8 and to him was that grace given that 〈◊〉 he should preach it 13 He desireth them not to faint for his tribulation 14 and prayeth 19 that they may perceive the great love of Christ toward them FOr this cause I Paul the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery as I wrote ‖ Or a little before afore in few words 4 Whereby when ye read ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit 6 That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel 7 Whereof I was made a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power 8 Unto me who am less then the least of all saints is this grace given that * Gal. 1.16 I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you which is your glory 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named 16 That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthned with might by his Spirit in the inner man 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height 19 And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages world without end Amen CHAP. IV. 1 He exhorteth to unity 7 and declareth that God therefore giveth divers 11 gifts unto men that his church might be 13 edified and 16 grown up in Christ 18 He calleth them from the impurity of the Gentiles 24 to put on the new man 25 to cast off lying and 29 corrupt communication I Therefore the prisoner ‖ Or in the Lord. of the Lord beseech you that ye * Phil. 1.27 Col. 1.10 1 Thes 2.12 walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called 2 With all lowliness and meekness with long-suffering forbearing one another in love 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace 4 There is one body and one Spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling 5 One Lord one faith one baptism 6 * Mal. 2.10 One God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ 8 Wherefore he saith * Psal 68.18 When he ascended up on high he led ‖ Or a multitude of captives captivity captive and gave gifts unto men 9 Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens that he might ‖ Or fulfil fill all things 11 * 1 Cor. 12.28 And he gave some apostles and some prophets and some evangelists and some pastours and teachers 12 For the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ 13 Till we all come ‖ Or into the unity in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the ‖ Or. age stature of the fulness of Christ 14 That we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive 15 But * Zec. 8.15 ‖ Or being sincere speaking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ 16 * Col. 2.19 From whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase in the body unto the edifying of it self in love 17 This I say therefore and testifie in the Lord that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their minde 18 Having the understanding darkned being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the * Rom. 1.21 ‖ Or hardness blindness of their heart 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness 20 But ye have not so learned Christ 21 If so be that ye have heard him and have been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus 22 That ye * Col. 3. ◠put off concerning the former conversation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts 23 And * Rom. 1◠2 be renewed in the spirit of your minde 24 And that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and ‖ Or holiness of truth true holiness 25 Wherefore putting away lying * Zec. 8.16 speak every man truth with his neighbour for we are members one of another 26 * Ps 4.4 Be ye angry and sin not let not the sun go down upon your wrath 27 * Jam. 4.7 Neither give
ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand 7 I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith 8 Henceforth there is faid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day and not to me onely but unto all them also that love his appearing 9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me 10 For Demas hath forsaken me having loved this present world and is departed unto Thessalonica Crescens to Galatia Titus unto Dalmatia 11 Onely Luke is with me Take Mark and bring him with thee for he is profitable to me for the ministery 12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus 13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus when thou comest bring with thee and the books but especially the parchments 14 Alexander the copper-smith did me much evil the Lord reward him according to his works 15 Of whom be thou ware also for he hath greatly withstood ‖ Or our preachingâ— our words 16 At my first answer no man stood with me but all men forsook me I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me and strengthned me that by me the preaching might be fully known and that all the Gentiles might hear and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom to whom be glory for ever and ever Amen 19 Salute Prisca and Aquila and the houshold of Onesiphorus 20 Erastus abode at Corinth but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick 21 Do thy diligence to come before winter Eubulus greeteth thee and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren 22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit Grace be with you Amen ¶ The second epistle unto Timotheus ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians was written from Rome when Paul was brought before Nero the second time ¶ The epistle of PAVL to TITUS CHAP. 1. 1 For what end Titus was left in Crete 6 How they that are to be chosen ministers ought to be qualified 11 The mouths of evil teachers to be stopped 12 and what manner of men they be PAUL a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of Gods elect and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness 2 ‖ Or For. In hope of eternal life which God that cannot lie promised * 2 Tim. 1.9 2 Pet. 1 20. before the world began 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour 4 To Titus mine own son after the common faith Grace mercy and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are ‖ Or left undone wanting and ordain elders in every city as I had appointed thee 6 * 1 Tim. 3.2 c. If any be blameless the husband of one wife having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly 7 For a bishop must be blameless as the steward of God not self-willed not soon angry not given to wine no striker not given to filthy lucre 8 But a lover of hospitality a lover of ‖ Or good things good men sober just holy temperate 9 Holding fast the faithful word ‖ Or in teaching as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gain-sayers 10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers especially they of the circumcision 11 Whose mouths must be stopped who subvert whole houses teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucres sake 12 One of themselves even a prophet of their own said The Cretians are alway liars evil beasts slow bellies 13 This witness is true wherefore rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith 14 * 1 Tim. 1.4 Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men that turn from the truth 15 * Rom. 14.20 Unto the pure all things are pure but unto them that are defiled and unbeleeving is nothing pure but even their minde and conscience is defiled 16 They profess that they know God but in works they deny him being abominable and disobedient and unto every good work ‖ Or void of judgment reprobate CHAP. II. 1 Directions given unto Titus both for his doctrine and life 9 Of the duty of servants and in general of all christians BUt speak thou the things which become sound doctrine 2 That the aged men be ‖ Or vigilant sober grave temperate sound in faith in charity in patience 3 The aged women likewise that they be in behaviour as becometh ‖ Or holy women holiness not ‖ Or makâ—-bates false accusers not given to much wine teachers of good things 4 That they may teach the young women to be ‖ Or wise sober to love their husbands to love their children 5 To be discreet chaste keepers at home good * Eph. 5.23 obedient to their own husbands that the word of God be not blasphemed 6 Young men likewise exhort to be ‖ Or discreet sober-minded 7 In all things shewing thy self a pattern of good works in doctrine shewing uncorruptness gravity sincerity 8 Sound speech that cannot be condemned that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed having no evil thing to say of you 9 Exhort * Eph. 6.5 Col. 3.22 1 Pet. 2.18 servants to be obedient unto their own masters and to please them well in all things not ‖ Or gain-saying answering again 10 Not purloining but shewing all good fidelity that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things 11 For the grace of God ‖ Or that bringeth salvation to all men hath appeared that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men 12 Teaching us that denying ungodliness and wordly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world 13 * 1 Cor. 1.7 Phil. 3.20 Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ 14 Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works 15 These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all authority Let no man despise thee CHAP. III. 1 Titus it yet further directed by Paul both concerning the things he should teach and not teach 10 He is willed also to reject obstinate hereticks 12 which done he appointeth him both time and place wherein he should come unto him and so concludeth PUt them in minde * Rom. 13.1 1 Pet. 2.13 to be subject to principalities and powers to obey
not God hath made him a liar because he beleeved not the record that God gave of his Son 11 And this is the record that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in his Son 12 He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life 13 These things have I written unto you that beleeve on the name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may beleeve on the name of the Son of God 14 And this is the confidence that we have ‖ Or concerning him in him that * Ch. 3.22 if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us 15 And if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him 16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death he shall ask and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death * Mat. 12.31 Mar. 3.23 There is a sin unto death I do not say that he shall pray for it 17 All unrighteousness is sin and there is a sin not unto death 18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself and that wicked one toucheth him not 19 And we know that we are of God and the whole world lieth in wickedness 20 And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and eternal life 21 Little children keep your selves from idols Amen ¶ The second epistle of S. JOHN He exhorteth a certain honourable matron with her children to persevere in Christian love and belief 8 lest they lose the reward of their former profession 10 and to have nothing to do with those seducers that bring not the true doctrine of Christ Jesus THe elder unto the elect lady and her children whom I love in the truth and not I onely but also all they that have known the truth 2 For the truths sake which dwelleth in us and shall be with us for ever 3 Grace be with you mercy and peace from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Father in truth and love 4 I rejoyced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth as we have received a commandment from the Father 5 And now I beseech thee lady * 1 Joh. 1.7 not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee but that which we had from the beginning that we love one another 6 And this is love that we walk after his commandments This is the commandment that as ye have heard from the beginning ye should walk in it 7 For many deceivers are entred into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh This is a deceiver and an antichrist 8 Look to your selves that we lose not those things which we have ‖ Or gained Some copies read which ye have gained but that ye receive c. wrought but that we receive a full reward 9 Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Son 10 If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds 12 Having many things to write unto you I would not write with paper and ink but I trust to come unto you and speak †Gr. mouth to mouth face to face that our joy may be full 13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee Amen ¶ The third epistle of S. JOHN He commendeth Gaius for his piety 5 and hospitality 7 to true preachers 9 complaining of the unkinde dealing of ambitious Diotrephes on the contrary side 11 whose evil example is not to be fâ—llowed 12 and giveth special testimony to the good report of Demetrius THe elder unto the welbeloved Gaius whom I love ‖ Or truly in the truth 2 Beloved I ‖ Or pray wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth 3 For I rejoyced greatly when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee even as thou walkest in the truth 4 I have no greater joy then to hear that my children walk in truth 5 Beloved thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren and to strangers 6 Which have born witness of thy charity before the church whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort thou shalt do well 7 Because that for his names sake they went forth taking nothing of the Gentiles 8 We therefore ought to receive such that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth 9 I wrote unto the church but Diotrephes who loveth to have the preeminence among them receiveth us not 10 Wherefore if I come I will remember his deeds which he doeth prating against us with malicious words and not content therewith neither doth he himself receive the brethren and forbiddeth them that would and casteth them out of the church 11 Beloved follow not that which is evil but that which is good He that doeth good is of God but he that doeth evil hath not seen God 12 Demetrius hath good report of all men and of the truth it self yea and we also bear record and ye know that our record is true 13 I had many things to write but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee 14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee and we shall speak †Gr. mouth to mouth face to face Peace be to thee Our friends salute thee Greet the friends by name ¶ The general epistle of S. JUDE He exhorteth them to be constant in the profession of the faith 14 False teachers are crept in to seduce them for whose damnable doctrine and manners horrible punishment is prepared 20 whereas the godly by the assistance of the holy Spirit and prayers to God may persevere and grow in grace and keep themselves and recover others out of the snares of those deceivers JUde the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James to them that are sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ and called 2 Mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied 3 Beloved when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation it was needful for me to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares who were before of old ordained to this condemnation ungodly men turning the grace of our God
oppress him that hath gotten the victory 46 I answered then and said This is my first and last saying That it had been better not to have given the earth unto Adam or else when it was given him to have restrained him from â—inning 47 For what profit is it for men now in this present time to live in heaviness and after death to look for punishment 48 O thou Adam what hast thou done for though it was * Rom. â— 18 thou that sinned thou art not fain alone but we all that come of thee 49 For what profit is it unto us if there be promised us an immortal time whereas we have done the works that bring death 50 And that there is promised us an everlasting hope whereas out selves being must wicked are made vain 51 And that there are laid up for us dwellings of health and safety whereas we have lived wickedly 52 And that the glory of the most High is kept to defend them which have led ‖ Or â—â—â—astâ— lise a wary life whereas we have walked in the most wicked ways of all 53 And that there should be shewed a paradise whose fruit endureth for ever wherein is ‖ Or fulness security and medicine sith we shall not enter into it 54 For we have walked in unpleasant places 55 And that the faces of them which have used abstinence shall shine above the stars whereas our faces shall be blacker then darkness 56 For while we lived and committed iniquity we considered not that we should begin to suffer for it after death 57 Then answered he me and said This is the ‖ Or intent condition of the battel which man that is born upon the earth shall fight 58 That if he be overcome he shall suffer as thou hast said but if he get the victory he shall receive the thing that I say 59 For this is the life whereof Moses spake unto the people while he lived saying * Deut. 3â— 19 Choose thee life that thou mayest live 60 Nevertheless they beleeved not him not yet the prophets after him no nor me which have spoken unto them 61 That there should not be such heaviness in their destruction as shall be joy over them that are perswaded to salvation 62 I answered then and said I know Lord that the most High is called merciful in that he hath mercy upon them which are not yet come into the world 63 And upon those also that turn to his law 64 And that * Rom. 1.4 he is patient and long suffereth those that have sinned as his creatures 65 And that he is bountiful for he is ready to give where it needeth 66 And that he is of great mercy for he multiplieth more and more mercies to them that are present and that are past and also to them which are to come 67 For if he shall not multiply his mercies the world would not continue with them that inherit therein 68 And he pardoneth for if he did not so of his goodness that they which have committed iniquities might be eased of them the ten thousandth part of men should not remain living 69 And being judge if he should not forgive them that are ‖ Or â—uâ—â—d cured with his word and put out the multitude of ‖ Or â—ontempts contentions 70 There should be very few left peradventure in an innumerable multitude CHAP. VIII 1 Many created but few saved 6 He asketh why God destroyeth his own work 26 and prayeth God to look upon the people which onely serve him 41 God answereth that all seed cometh not to good 52 and that glory is prepared for him and such like ANd he answered me saying The most High hath made this world for many but the world to come for few 2 I will tell thee a similitude Esdras As when thou askest the earth it shall say unto thee that it giveth much mold whereof earthen vessels are made but little dust that gold cometh of even so is the course of this present world 3 * Matth. â—0 16 There be many created but few shall be saved 4 So answered I and said Swallow then down O my soul understanding and devour wisdom 5 For thou hast agreed to give ear and art willing to prophesie for thou hast no songer space then onely to live 6 O Lord if thou suffer not thy servant that we may pray before thee and ‖ Or â—â—give us thou give us seed unto our heart and culture to our understanding that there may come fruit of it how shall each man live that is corrupt who beareth the place of a man 7 For thou art alone and we all one workmanship of thine hands like as thou hast said 8 For ‖ Or toâ—â— is the â—â—dy fashioned when the body is fashioned now in the mothers womb and thou givest it members thy creature is preserved in fire and water and nine moneths doth thy workmanship endure thy creature which is created in her 9 But that which keepeth and is kept shall both be preserved and when the time cometh the womb preserved delivereth up the things that grew in it 10 For thou hast commanded out of the parts of the body that into say out of the breasts milk to be given which is the fruit of the breasts 11 That the thing which is fashioned may be nourished for a time till thou disposest it to thy mercy 12 Thou broughtest it up with thy righteousness and nurturedst it in thy law and reforâ—â—â—dst it with thy judgement 13 And thou shalt mortify it as thy creature and quicken it as thy work 14 If therefore thou shalt destroy him which with so great * Job 10.8 Ps 139.14 〈◊〉 labour was fashioned it is an easie thing to be ordained by thy commandment that the thing which was made might he preserved 15 Now therefore Lord I will speak touching man in general thou knowest best but touching thy people for whose sake I am sorry 16 And for thine inheritance for whose cause I mourn and for Israel for whom I am heavy and for Jacob for whose sake I am troubled 17 Therefore will I begin to pray before thee for my self and for them for I see the falls of us that dwell in the land 18 But I have heard the swiftness of the judge which is to come 19 Therefore hear my voice and understand my words and I shall speak before thee this is the beginning of the words of Esdras before he was taken up and I said 20 O Lord thou that dwellest in everlastingness which beholdest from above things in the heaven and in the air 21 Whose throne is inestimable whose glory may not be comprehended before whom the hosts of angels stand with trembling 22 Whose service is conversant in wind and fire whose word is true and sayings constant whose commandment is strong and ordinance fearful 23 Whose look drieth up the depths and indignation maketh the mountains to melt away which
the truth witnessâ—th 24 O hear the prayer of thy servant and give ear to the petition of thy creature 25 For while I live I will speak and so long as I have understanding I will answer 26 O look not upon the sins of thy people but on them which serve thee in truth 27 Regard not the wicked inventions of the heathen but the desire of those that keep thy testimonies in afflictions 28 Think not upon those that have walked feignedly before thee but remember them which according to thy will have known thy fear 29 Let it not be thy will to destroy them which have lived like beasts but to look upon them that have clearly taught thy law 30 Take thou no indignation at them which are deemed worse then beasts but love them that alway put their trust in thy righteousness and glory 31 For we and our fathers ‖ Or are sick do languish of such diseases but because of us sinners thou shalt be called merciful 32 For if thou ‖ Or be willing hast a desire to have mercy upon us thou shalt be called merciful to us namely that have no works of righteousness 33 For the just which have many good works laid up with thee shall out of their own deeds receive reward 34 For what is man that thou shouldest take displeasure at him or what is a corruptible generation that thou shouldest be so bitter toward it 35 * 1 King 8.46 2 Chr. 6.36 For in truth there is no man among them that be born but he hath dealt wickedly and among the faithful there is none which hath not done amiss 36 For in this O Lord thy righteousness and thy goodness shall be declared if thou be merciful unto them which have not the ‖ Or substance confidence of good works 37 Then answered he me and said Some things hast thou spoken aright and according unto thy words it shall be 38 For indeed I will not think on the disposition of them which have sinned before death before judgement before destruction 39 But * Gen. 4.4 I will rejoyce over the disposition of the righteous and I will remember also their pilgrimage and the salvation and the reward that they shall have 40 Like as I have spoken now so shall it come to pass 41 For as the husbandman soweth much seed upon the ground and planteth many trees and yet the thing that is sown good in his season cometh not up neither doth all that is planted take root even so is it of them that are sown in the world they shall not all be saved 42 I answered then and said If I have found grace let me speak 43 Like as the husbandmans seed perisheth if it come not up and receive not thy rain in due season or if there come too much rain and corrupt it 44 Even so perisheth man also which is formed with thy hands and is called thine own image because thou art like unto him for whose sake thou hast made all things and likened him unto the husbandmans seed 45 Be not wroth with us but spare thy people and have mercy upon thine own inheritance for thou art merciful unto thy creature 46 Then answered he me and said Things present are for the present and things to come for such as be to come 47 For thou comest far short that thou shouldest be able to love my creature more then I but I have oft-times drawn nigh unto thee and unto it but never to the unrighteous 48 In this also thou art marvellous before the most High 49 In that thou hast humbled thy self as it becometh thee and hast not judged thy self worthy to be much glorified among the righteous 50 For many great miseries shall be done to them that in the latter time shall dwell in the world because they have walked in great pride 51 But understand thou for thy self and seek out the glory for such as be like thee 52 For unto you is paradise opened the tree of life is planted the time to come is prepared plenteousness is made ready a city is builded and rest is allowed yea perfect goodness and wisdom 53 The root of evil is sealed up from you weakness and the moth is hid from you and corruption is fled into ‖ Or the grave hell to be forgotten 54 Sorrows are passed and in the end is shewed the treasure of immortality 55 And therefore ask thou no more questions concerning the multitude of them that perish 56 For when they had taken liberty they despised the most High thought scorn of his law and forsook his ways 57 Moreover they have troden down his righteous 58 And * Ps 14. â— and 53.1 said in their heart that there is no God yea and that knowing they must die 59 For as the things aforesaid shall receive you so thirst and pain are prepared for them for it was not his will that men should come to nought 60 But they which be created have defiled the name of him that made them were unthankful unto him which prepared life for them 61 And therefore is my judgement now at hand 62 These things have I not shewed unto all men but unto thee and a few like thee Then answered I and said 63 Behold O Lord now hast thou shewed me the multitude of the wonders which thou wilt begin to do in the last times but at what time thou hast not shewed me CHAP. IX 7 Who shall be saved and who not 10 All the world is now corrupted 22 yet God doth save a few 33 He complaineth that those perish which keep Gods law 38 and seeth a woman lamenting in a field HE answered me then and said Measure thou the time diligently in it self and when thou seest part of the signs past which I have told thee before 2 Them shalt thou understand that it is the very same time wherein the Highest will begin to visit the world which he made 3 Therefore when there shall be seen * Matth. 14.7 earthquakes and uproars of the people in the world 4 Then shalt thou well understand that the most High spake of those things from the days that were before thee even from the beginning 5 For like as all that is made in the world hath a beginning and an end and the end is manifest 6 Even so the times also of the Highest have plain beginnings in wonders and powerful works and endings in effects and signs 7 And every one that shall be saved and shall be able to escape by his works and by saith whereby ye have beleeved 8 Shall be preserved from the said perils and shall see my salvation in my sand and within my borders for I have sanctified them for me from the beginning 9 Then ‖ Or. they shall marvel shall they be in pitiful case which now have abused my ways and they that have cast them away despitefully shall dwell in torments 10 For such as in their