length he may punish vs. †For which cause he neuer certes remoueth away his mercie from vs but chastening his people by aduersitie he forsaketh them not †But let these thinges be sayd of vs in few wordes for an admonition of the readers And now we must come to the storie †Therfore Eleazarus one of the chief of the Scribes a man striken in age and comely of countenance with open mouth gaping was compelled to eate swines flesh †But he embracing rather a most glorious death then an hateful life went before voluntarily to the punishment †And considering how he ought to come patiently susteyning he determined not to committe vnalwful thinges for loue of life †But they that stood by moued with vnlawful pitie for the old frendshipe of the man taking him in secrete desired that flesh might be brought which it was lawful for him to eate that he might feyne to haue eaten as the king had commanded of the flesh of the sacrifice †that by this fact he might be deliuered from death and for the old freindshipe of the man they did him this courtesie †But he begane to thinke vpon the worthie preeminence of his age and ancientnes and the houre heares of natural nobilitie his doinges from a childe of very good conuersation and according to the ordinances and the holie law made of God he answered quickly saying that he would rather be sent vnto hel †For it is not meete quoth he for our age to feyne that manie young men thinking that Eleazarus of foure score yeare tenne is passed to the life of Aliens †they also through my dissimulation and for a litle time of corruptible life may be deceiued and hereby I may purchase a stayne and a curse to mine old age †For although at this present time I be deliuered from the punishments of men yet neither aliue nor dead shal I escape the hand of the Almightie †Wherfore in departing manfully out of this life I shal appeare worthie of mine old age †and to yong men I shal leaue a constant example if with readie mind and stoutly I suffer an honest death for the most graue and most holie lawes These thinges being spoken forthwith he was drawen to execution †And they that led him and had bene a litle before more milde were turned into wrath for the wordes spoken of him which they thought were vttered through arrogancie †But when he was now in killing with the strokes he groned and sayd O Lord which hast the holie knowlege thou knowest manifestly that wheras I might be deliuered from death I doe susteyne sore paines of the bodie but according to the soule for thy feare I doe willingly suffer these thinges †And this man certes in this maner departed this life leauing not only to yong men but also to the whole nation the memorie of his death for an example of vertue and fortitude CHAP. VII The noble Martyrdome of seuen refusing to eate swines flesh and boldly admonishing king Antiochus of his damnable state 41. Lastly the mother hauing encoreged her sonnes likewise dyeth gloriously AND it came to passe that seuen brethren together with their mother being apprehended to be compelled by the king to eate against the law swines flesh were tormented with whippes and scourges †But one of them which was the first sayd thus What seekest thou and what wilt thou lerne of vs we are readie to dye rather then to transgresse the lawes of God coming from our fathers †The king therfore being wrath commanded frying pannes and brasen pottes to be heated †the which forth with being heated he commanded his tongue that had spoken first to be cut out and the skinne of his head being drawen of the endes also of his handes and feete to be chopped of the rest of his bretheren and his mother looking on †And when he was now made in al partes vnprofitable he commanded fire to be put vnto him and that breathing as yet he should be fried in the frying panne wherin when he was long tormented the rest together with the mother exhorted one an other to dye manfully †saying Our Lord God wil behold the truth and wil take pleasure in vs as Moyses declared in the profession of the Canticle And in his seruants he wil take pleasure †That first therfore being dead in this maner they brought the next to make him a mocking stocke the skinne of his head with the heares being drawen of they asked if he would eare before that he were punished throughout the whole bodie in euerie member †But he answering in his countrie speach said I wil not doe it Wherfore this also in the next place receiued the torments of the first †and being at the verie last gaspe thus he said Thou in dede ô most wicked man in this present life destroyest vs but the king of the world wil raise vs vp which dye for his lawes in the resurrection of eternal life †After him the third is had in derision and being demanded his tongue he quickly put it forth and constantly stretched out his handes †and with confidence he said From heauen doe I possesse these but for the lawes of God now doe I contemne these selfe same because I hope that I shal receiue them againe of him †So that the king and they that were with him merueled at the yong mans courege because he estemed the torments as nothing †And this being thus dead the fourth they vexed in like maner tormenting him †And when he was now euen to dye thus he said It is better for them that are put to death by men to exspect hope of God that they shal be raysed vp againe by him For to thee there shal not be resurrection vnto life †And when they had brought the fifth they tormented him But he looking vpon him †sayd Thou hauing power among men wheras thou art corruptible doest what thou wilt but thinke not that our stock is forsaken of God †And doe thou patiently abide and thou shalt see his great power in what sort he wil torment thee and thy seede †After him they brought the sixth and he beginning to dye sayd thus Be not deceiued vainely for we suffer this for our owne sakes sinning against our God and thinges worthie of admiration are done in vs †but doe not thinke that thou shalt escape vnpunished for that thou hast attempted to fight against God †But the mother aboue measure meruelous and worthie of good mens memorie which beholding her seuen sonnes perishing in one dayes space bare it with a good hart for the hope that she had in God †exhorted euerie one of them in their countrie language manfully being replenished with wisedome and ioyning a mans hart to a womans cogitation †she sayd to them I know not how you appeared in my wombe for neither did I
death of his Saincts Hence also is proued that seeing in this life the good are afflicted and the bad oftentimes prosper temporally there must nedes be an other Court of exact Iustice and an other Reaconing day wherin euerie one shal receiue according as they haue donne good or euil which was sufficiently intimated by Gods discussing and manifesting Abels and Cains deserts which were hidden before and in part rewarding them accordingly yet reseruing the ful reward of the one and punishment of the other to the next world Of the Iudge and his sentence Enoch alleadged by S. Iude the Apostle proficied clerly saying Behold our Lord cometh in his holie thousands to doe iudgement aganst al and to reproue al the impions of al the workes of their impietie wherby they haue donne impiously and of al the hard things which impious sinners haue spoken against him Thus holie Enoch preached touching the wicked which thought there was no Iudgement to come nor Iudge to be feared At this Iudgement al shal appeare in bodie and soule returning to life For that Al men shal rise from death is proued by the immortalitie of mans soule which God did not make nor produce of corruptible matter but immediatly Breathed into his face the breath of life and man became a liuing soule so the soule being immortal and hauing a natural inclination to the bodie mans natural perfection requireth the coniunction of bodie and soule for neither soule nor bodie separated is a man but both ioyned in one subsistence are a man in so much that mankind should perish except the bodies shal rise againe and liue with the soules And then shal the bodies be qualified according to the state of the soules happie or miserable for euer Of Eternal life the translation of Enoch is a figure For seeing God preserueth his corruptible bodie so long from death and infirmitie it is a token and manifest signe that by the same powre of God the bodies of men shal at last day after that al men are once dead rise againe and remaine with the soules for euer The good in Eternal ioy the wicked in Eternal paine Both signified by the custodie of the gate of Paradise by Angels who for euer kepe out these that are stil defiled with sinne and so they depart into fire euerlasting and admit the innocent and iust into the kingdome of heauen which is euerlasting ioy and perfect felicitie Thus we see the face and briefe summe of Religion in the beginning of the world til the floud and the state of the Church which was alwayes Visible consisting of men good and bad with a continual Succession of Rulers as wel spiritual as temporal For the first borne were both Priestes and Princes in euerie familie And amongst the same one euer chief of al. From which ranke Cain was excluded or rather excluded him selfe by Going forth from the face of our Lord. Wherupon holie Moyses râ—â—teth this Monarchical succession of one chiefe and Supreme Head from Adam by the line of Seth Enos Cainan Malaleel Iared Enoch Mathusala Lamech and Noe. Neuertheles he setteth downe also the progenie of Cain the first beginner of a worldlie schismatical and heretical conuenticle opposite to the Citie of God He denied Gods prouidence as Thargum Hierosolomitanum testifieth protesting to Abel That there was no Iustice nor Iudge nor other world then this no reward for vertue nor punishment for sinne and so desperatly he killed Abel of these negatiue principles proceeded other like detestable opinions and most wicked life sauage and barbarous crueltie and al kind of impietie And in processe of time albeit manie remained in true faith and vnitie of the Church yet by conuersation with such miscreantes especially by occasion of Mariages betwen the faithful and infidels almost the whole world was corrupted in maners But Noe was iust and perfect In punishment therefore of so great and enormious sinnes God sent the general floud wherby al Cains progenie and al other infidels were wholly destroyed and extinguished and the true Church notably purged onlie iust Noe and his familie reserued By whom the same true Church was continued and the world againe replenished with men CHAP. VIII The waters diminishing by litle and litle 6. Noe sendeth forth a crow 8. after him a doue thrise 18. lastly goeth forth with al that were with him in the arke 20. erecteth an Altar and offereth Sacrifice AND God remembred Noe and al the beasts and al the cattle which were with him in the arke and brought a winde vpon the earth and the waters decreased †And the sountaines of the depth and the floud gates of heauen were shut vp and the rayne from heauen was stayd †And the waters returned from the earth going comming and they begane to decrease after a hundred fiftie dayes †And the arke rested the seauenth moneth the seauen twentith day of the moneth vpon the mountaines of Armenia †But the waters for al that were going and decreasing vntil the tenth moneth for in the tenth moneth the first day of the moneth the topps of the mountaines appeared †And after that fourtie dayes were passed Noe opening the windowe of the arke which he had made let forth a crowe †which went forth and did not returne til the waters were dried vpon the earth †He sent forth also a doue after him to see if the waters were ceased yet vpon the face of the earth †Which finding not where her foote might rest returned to him into the arke for the waters were vpon the whole earth and he stretched forth his hand and caught her and brought her into the arke †And hauing expected yet seauen moe dayes againe he let forth a doue out of the arke †But she came to him at euentide carrying a bough of an oliue tree that had greene leaues in her mouth Noe therfore vnderstood that the waters were ceased vpon the earth †And he expected yet neuertheles other seauen dayes and he sent forth a doue which returned not any more vnto him †Therfore in the sixt hundred and one yeare the first moneth the first day of the moneth the waters were cleane diminished vpon the earth and Noe opening the roofe of the arke looked and sawe that the face of the earth was dried †In the second moneth the seuen twentyth day of the moneth the earth was dried †And God spake to Noe saying †Goe forth of the arke thou thy wife thy sonnes and the wiues of thy sonnes with thee †Al cattle that are with thee of al flesh as wel in soules as in beastes al creepers that creepe vpon the earth bring out with thee goe yee vpon the earth increase and multiplie vpon it †Noe therfore went forth and his sonnes his wife and the wiues of his sonnes with him
and watch †And Iudith stood before the bed praying with teares and with mouing of her lippes in silence †saying Confirme me o Lord God of Israel and in this houre haue respect to the workes of my handes that as thou hast promised thou mayst aduance Ierusalem thy citie and I may bring to passe that which I beleuing that it may be done by thee haue purposed †And when she had sayd these thinges she went to the piller that was at his beds head and his sword that hong tyed on it she loosed †And when she had drawen it out she tooke him by the heare of his head and sayd Confirme me ô Lord God in this houre †and she stroke twise vpon his necke and cut of his head and tooke his canopie from the pillers and rolled aside his bodie a truncke †And after a while she went out and deliuered the head of Holofernes to her mayde and bad her put it into her wallet †And they two went forth according to their custome as it were to prayer and they passed the campe and compassing the valley they came to the gate of the citie †And Iudith a far of said to the keepers of the walles Open the gates because God is with vs which hath wrought power in Israel †And it came to passe when the men had heard her voyce they called the ancientes of the citie †And they ran al to meete her from the least to the greatest because they hoped not that now she would come †And they lighting lightes gathered round about her euerie one and she going vp into a higher place commanded silence to be made And when al had held their peace †Iudith said Prayse yee the Lord our God who hath not forsaken them that hope in him †and in me his handmayde he hath sulfilled his mercie which he promised to the house of Israel and he hath killed by my hand the enemie of his people this night †And bringing forth the head of Holofernes out of the wallet she shewed it them saying Loe the head of Holofernes the general of the armie of the Assyrians and behold his canopie wherein he lay in his drunkennes where the Lord our God stroke him by the hand of a woman †But the same our Lord liueth that his Angel hath kept me both going hence and abyding there and from thence returning hither and our Lord hath not suffered me his handmayde to be defyled but without pollution of sinne he hath called me backe to you reioysing in this victorie in my escape and in your deliuerie †Confesse ye al to him because he is good because his mercie is for euer †And they al adoring our Lord said to her Our Lord hath blessed thee in his power because by thee he hath brought our enemies to nothing †Moreouer Ozias the prince of the people of Israel said to her Blessed art thou daughter of our Lord the high God aboue al wemen vpon the earth †Blessed be our Lord which made heauen and earth which hath directed thee vnto the woundes of the head of the prince of our enemies †Because this day he hath so magnified thy name that they prayse shal not depart out of the mouth of men which shal be mindeful of the power of our Lord for euer for that thou hast thy life for the distresses and tribulation of thy kinred but hast holpen the ruine before the presence of our God †And al the people sayd So be it so be it †Moreouer Achior being called came and Iudith said to him The God of Israel to whom thou gauest testimonie that he reuengeth him self of his enemies he hath cut of the head of al the vnfaithful this night by my hand †And that thou mayst proue that it is so loe the head of Holofernes who in the contempt of his pride contemned the God of Israel and threatened thee death saying When the people of Israel shal be taken I wil command thy sides to be pearsed with a sword †But Achior seing the head of Holofernes being in anguish for feare fel on his face vpon the earth and his soule was sore trubled †But after taking spirit agayne he was refreshed fel downe at her feete and adored her and sayd †Blessed art thou of thy God in euerie tabernacle of Iacob because in euerie nation which shal heare thy name the God of Israel shal be magnified in thee CHAP. XIIII Holofernes head is hanged on the wall 6. Achior is circumcised 7. The Israeelites assault the Assyrians 8. who going to awake their General 14. finde him slaine 17 and are al confounded with feare AND Iudith said to al the people Heare me brethren hang ye this head vpon our walles †and it shal be when the sunne shal rise let euerie man take his armour and yssue ye forth with violence not that you goe downe beneath but as it were inuading violently †Then the watchmen must of necessitie runne to rayse vp their prince to battel †And when the captaynces of them shal runne to the tabernacle of Holofernes and shal finde him headles rowled in bloud feare wil fal vpon them †And when you shal know that they flee goe after them securely because our Lord wil destroy them vnder your feete †Then Achior seeing the power that God of Israel wrought forsaking the rite of gentilitie beleued God and circuncided the flesh of his prepuce and was ioyned to the people of Israel and al the succession of his kinred vntil this present day †And immediatly as day brake they hong the head of Holofernes vpon the walles and euerie man tooke his armour and they went forth with great noyse and shouting †Which the watchmen seing ranne to the tabernacle of Holofernes †Moreouer they that were in the tabernacle coming and before the dore of the tabernacle making a noyse to rayse him they endeuored by art to disquiet him that Holofernes might awake not by them raysing him but by them making a noyse †For no man durst by knocking or entring to open the chamber of the chiefe of the Assyrians †But when his dukes and tribunes were come and al the chiefe of the armie of the king of the Assyrians they said to the chamberlayns †Goe in and awake him becaufe the mice yssuing out of their holes haue presumed to prouoke vs to battel †Then Vagao entring into his chamber stoode before the cortine and made a clapping with his handes for he thought that he slept with Iudith †But when with the sense of his eares he percieued no motion of person lying he came neere to the cortine and lifting it vp and seing the bodie without the head of Holofernes weltred in his bloud lye vpon the ground cried out in a lowd voyce with weeping and rent his garmentes †And going into the tabernacle of Iudith he found her not and he lept
in the hart of them that thinke euil thinges but ioy foloweth them that geue counsels of peace †It shal not make the iust sorie what soeuer shal fal to him but the impious shal be replenished with euil †Lying lippes are an abomination to our Lord but they that doe faithfully please him †A circumspect man concealeth knowlege and the hart of the vnwise prouoketh folie †The hand of the strong shal rule but that which is slothful shal serue vnder tributes †Pensifnesse in the hart of a man shal humble him with a good word he shal be made glad †He that neglecteth damage for a freind is iust but the way of the impious shal deceiue them †The fraudulent man shal not finde gayne and the substance of a man shal be the price of gold †In the path of iustice life but the by way leadeth to death CHAP. XIII A wise sonne is the doctrine of the father but he that is a scorner heareth not when he is rebuked †Of the fruite of his owne mouth man shal be filled with good thinges but the soule of the preuaricateurs is wicked †He that kepeth his mouth kepeth his soule but he that is vnaduised to speake shal feele euils †The sluggard wil and wil not but the soule of them that worke shal be made fatte †The iust shal detest a lying word but the impious confoundeth and shal be confounded †Iustice kepeth the way of the innocent but impietie supplanteth the sinner †There is one as it were with riches wheras he hath nothing and there is as it were poore wheras he is in much riches †The redemption of a mans life his riches but he that is poore beareth not reprehension †The light of the iust maketh glad but the candle of the impious shal be extinguished †Among the prowde there are alwayes brawles but they that doe al thinges with counsel are ruled by wisdom †Substance hastened shal be diminished but that which by litle and litle is gathered with the hand shal be multiplied †Hope that is differred afflicteth the soule a tree of life the desire of coning †Who so detracteth from any thing he byndeth himselfe for the time to come but he that feareth the precept shal conuers in peace Guilful soules erre in sinnes the iust are merciful haue pitie †The law of a wise man a fountaine of life that he may decline from the ruine of death †Good doctrine shal geue grace in the way of contemners a whirlepoole †The subtel man doth al thinges with counsel but he that is a foole openeth folie †The messenger of the impious shal fal into euil but a faithful legate is health †Pouertie and ignominie to him that forsaketh discipline but he that yeldeth to him that rebuketh shal be glorified †Desire if it be accomplished delighteth the soule fooles detest them that flee euil thinges †He that walketh with the wise shal be wise a freind of fooles shal be made like †Euil purseweth sinners and to the iust good thinges shal be repayed †The good man leaueth heyres sonnes and nephewes and the substance of the sinner is kept for the iust †Much meate in the tilled growndes of the fathers and to others they are gathered with our iudgement †He that spareth the rod hateth his childe but he that loueth him doth instantly nurture him †The iust eateth and filleth his soule but the bellie of the impious vnsatiable CHAP. XIIII A wise woman buildeth her house the vnwise wil with her handes destroy that also which is built †He that walketh in the right way feareth God is despised of him that goeth an infamous way †In the mouth of a foole the rod of pride but the lippes of the wise keepe them †Where oxen are not the stal is emptie but where much corne is there is the oxes strength manifest †A faithful witnesse wil not lie but a deceitful witnesse vttereth a lie †A scorner seeketh wisdom and findeth it not the doctrine of the prudent is easie †Goe against a foolish man and he knoweth not the lippes of prudence †The wisdom of a discrete man is to vnderstand his way and the imprudence of fooles erreth †A foole will â—ugh at sinne among the iust grace shal abide †The hart that knoweth the bitternes of his soule in his ioy shal not the stranger be mingled †The house of the impious shal be rased the tabernacles of the iust shal spring †“ There is a way which seemeth to a man iust but the later endes therof lead to death †Laughter shal be mingled with sorow and mourning occupieth the later endes of ioy †A foole shal be replenished with his wayes and the good man shal be aboue him †The innocent beleueth euerie word the discrete man considereth his steppes †A wise man feareth and declineth from euil the foole leapeth ouer and is confident †The impatient man shal worke folie and the subrel man is odious †The childish man shal possesse folie and the prudent shal expect knowlege †The euil shal lie downe before the good and the impious before the gates of the iust †The poore shal be odious euen to his neighbour but the freindes of the rich be manie †He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth but he that hath pitie on the poore shal be blessed †They erre that worke euil mercie and truth prepare good thinges †In euerie worke there shal be abundance but where manie wordes are there is oftentimes pouertie †The crowne of the wise their riches the sollie of fooles inprudence †A faithful witnes deliuereth soules and the dissenâ—bier vttereth lyes †In the feare of our Lord is confidence of strength and to his children there shal be hope †The feare of our Lord a fountaine of life that he may decline from the ruine of death †In the multitude of people the dignitie of the king and in fewnes of people the ignominie of the prince †He that is patient is gouerned with much wisdom but he that is impatient exalteth his foilie †“ Health of hart the life of the flesh enuie the putrefaction of the bones †He that doth calumniate the needie vpbraideth his maker but he honoreth him that hath pitie on the poore †The impious shal be expelled in his malice but the iust hopeth in his death †In the hart of the prudent resteth wisdom it shal instruct al the vnlerned †Iustice aduanceth a nation but sinne maketh peoples miserable †A
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
stake into the ground and say to thee †Thy way is good and stand ouer against thee to see what wil befal thee †With an irreligious man treate not of holines and with the vniust of iustice and with a woman of the thing whereof she is ielous with a feareful man of warre with a marchant of traficke with a byer of selling with an enuious man of geuing thankes †with the impious of pietie with the vnhonest of honestie with the field labourer of al worke †with him that worketh by the yeare of the ending of the yeare with a slothful seruant of much working attend not to these in al counsel †But be continual with a holie man whomsoeuer thou shalt know to obserue the feare of God †whose soule is according to thine owne soule and who when thou shalt stumble in the darke wil be sorie for thee †And establish with thy self an hart of good counsel for there is none other thing more worth to thee then it †The soule of a holie man vttereth sometime true thinges more then seuen watchmen that sitte in a high place to watch †And in al these beseech the Highest that he direct thy way in truth †Before al workes let a true word goe before thee and stable counsel before euerie act †A wicked word shal change the hart out of which rise foure partes good and euil life and death and the tongue is a continual ruler of them There is a subtile man teacher of manie and to his owne soule he is vnprofitable †A cunning man hath taught manie and is swete to his owne soule †He that speaketh sophistically is odious in euerie thing he shal be defrauded †Grace is not geuen him of our Lord for he is defrauded of al wisdom †There is a wise man wise to his owne soule and the fruite of his vnderstanding is laudable †A wise man teacheth his people and the fruites of his vnderstanding are faithful †A wise man shal be filled with blessinges and they that see wil praise him †The life of a man is in the number of dayes but the dayes of Israel are innumerable †A wise man in the people shal inherite honour and his name shal liue for euer †Sonne in thy life proue thy soule if it be wicked geue it not power †for al thinges are not expedient for al and euerie kinde pleaseth not euerie soule †Be not greedie in al feasting and power not out thy self vpon al meate †for in manie meates there shal be infirmitie and greedines shal approch euen to choler †Because of surfet manie haue died but he that is abstinent shal adde life CHAP. XXXVIII God hath ordained corporal 9. and spiritual medicines 16. Vse moderate not excessiue sorow for the dead 26. Tradesmen and artificers are necessarie much more spiritual pastors HONOVR the phisition for necessitie for the Highest hath created him †For al medicine is of God it shal receiue gift of the king †The knowlege of the phisition shal exalt his head and in the sight of great men he shal be praised †The Highest hath created medicines of the earth and a wise man wil not abhorre them †Was not bitter water made sweete by wood †The vertue of these thinges is come to the knowlege of men and the Highest hath geuen knowlege to men for to be honoured in his meruelous thinges †Curing with these thinges he shal mitigate paine and the apothecarie shal make confections of swetenes and shal make ointments of health and his workes shal not be consummated †For the peace of God is vpon the face of the earth †Sonne in thine infirmitie contemne not thy self but pray our Lord and he wil cure thee †Turne away from sinne and direct thy handes and from al offence cleanse thy hart †Geue sweetenes and a memorial of fine floure and make a fat oblation and geue place to the phisition †For our Lord created him and let him not depart from thee because his workes be necessarie †For there is a time when thou maist fal into their handes †and they shal beseech our Lord that he direct their rest and healing for their conuersation †He that sinneth in his sight that made him shal fal into the handes of the phisition †Sonne vpon the dead shed teares and beginne to weepe as hauing suffered doleful thinges and according to iudgement couer his bodie and neglect not his burial †But for detraction beare bitterly the mourning of him one day and be comforted for the heauines †and make mourning according to his desert one day or two because of detraction †For by heauines death hasteneth and it couereth the strength and sorow of the hart boweth the necke †In abstraction sorow is permanent and the substance of the poore is according to his hart †Geue not thine hart into heauines but expel it from thee and remember the latter endes †and forget not for neither is there returne and him thou shalt profit nothing and thou shalt hurt thy self †Be mindful of my iudgement for thine also must be so to me yesterday and to thee to day †In the repose of the dead make the memorie of him to rest and comfort him in the departing of his spirit †The wisdom of a scribe in the time of vacance and he that is lesse in action shal receiue wisdom †With what wisdom shal he be replenished that holdeth the plough and glorieth in the goade driueth oxen with the prickle and conuerseth in their workes and his talke is in the breede of bulles †He wil geue his hart to turne vp furrowes and his watching in the feeding of kine †So euerie craftsman and workemaster that passeth the night as the day that maketh grauen seales and his continual diligence varieth the picture he wil geue his hart to the similitude of the picture and his watching wil perfect the worke †So the yronsmith sitting by the anuil and considering the worke of yron The vapour of the fire wil parche his flesh and he striueth in the heate of the fournace †The noyse of the hammer reneweth his eare and his eye is against the similitude of the vessel †He wil geue his hart to the finishing of the workes and his watching wil polish to perfection †So the potter sitting at his worke turning the wheele with his feete who is alwayes set in carefulnes for his worke and al his working is in number †With his arme he wil fashion the clay and before his feete he wil bend his strength †He wil geue his hart to finish the vernishing thereof and his watching wil make cleane the fournace †Al these haue hoped in their handes and euerie one is wise in his owne art †Without these a citie is not built †And
the tribes of Iacob †Blessed are they that saw thee and were honored in thy freindshipe †For we liue by life only but after death our name shal not be such †Elias was in dede hid in the whirlewind his spirit was complete in Eliseus in his daies he feared not the prince and no man ouercame him by might †Neither did any word ouercome him and his bodie prophecied being dead †In his life he did wonders and in death he wrought meruelous thinges †In al these thinges the people repented not and they departed not from their sinnes til they were cast out of their land and were dispersed into al the earth †And there was leaft a verie smal nation and a prince in the house of Dauid †Some of them did that which pleased God but others committed manie sinnes †Ezechias fenced his citie and brough in water into the middes thereof and digged a rocke with yron and built a wel for water †In his daies came vp Sennacherib and sent Rabsaces and lifted vp his hand against them and put forth his hand vpon Sion and became proude by his mightines †Then were their harts and hands moued and they were in sorow as trauailing wemen †And they inuocated our merciful Lord and spredding their handes they lifted them vp to heauen and the holie Lord God quickly heard their voice †He was not mindful of their sinnes neither did he geue them to their enemies but purged them by the hand of Isaie the holie prophete †He ouerthrew the campe of the Assirians and the Angel of our Lord destroyed them †For Ezechias did that which pleased God and went strongly in the way of Dauid his father which Isaie commanded him the great prophet and faithful in the sight of God †In his daies the sunne returned backward added life to the king †By a great spirite he saw the last thinges and comforted the mourners in Sion †For euer he shewed the thinges to come secret thinges before they came to passe ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XLVIII 10 VVho art vvritten Amongst other quarels Protestantes except against the authentical auctoritie of this booke because the auctor saith that Enoch and Elias shal come againe to appease the wrath of our Lord to reconcile the father to the sonne and to restore the tribes of Iacob But that this is no iust exception is clere by other holie Scriptures where the same vniforme doctrin of the whole Church is no lesse euident then in this booke For God himself saith the same also by the mouth of his prophet Malachie Behold I wil send you Elias the prophet before the day of our Lord come the great and dreadful Christ also sayth Elias in deede shal come and restore al thinges VVherupon S. Chrysostom after he hath shewed how terrible Antichrist shal be by reason of his temporal powre crueltie and wicked lawes he addeth Feare thou not He shal only haue force in the reprobate that perish For then also Elias shal come to fortifie the faithful Likewise the wordes in the Apocalips I wil geue to my two witnesses they shal prophecie a thousand two hundred and three score dayes were euer inuariably vnderstood by tradition from the first preachers of Christ as the ancient writer Aretas testifieth that Enoch and Elias shal come admonish al not to geue credite to the deceiptful wonders of Antichrist and that they shal trauel in this testimonie the space of three yeares and a half For 1260. dayes come very nere to that space of time CHAP. XLIX Praises of Iosias who like to Dauid and Ezechias tooke away occasions of idolatrie 8. Praises of Ieremie 10. Ezechiel 12. and the twelue Prophetes 13. Also of Zorobabel Iesus the sonne of Iosedech Nehemias Enoch Ioseph Seth Sem and Adam THE memorie of Iosias is according to the confection of perfume made by the worke of an apothecarie †His remembrance shal be sweete as honie in euerie mouth and as musick in banket of wine †He was directed by God into the repentance of the nation and he tooke away the abominations of impietie †And he gouerned his hart toward our Lord and in the daies of sinners he strengthened pietie †Except Dauid and Ezechias and Iosias al committed sinne †For the kinges of Iuda forsooke the law of the Highest and contemned the feare of God †For they gaue their kingdom to others and their glorie to a strange nation †They burnt the chosen citie of holines and made the waies thereof desolate in the hand of Ieremie †For they euil intreated him who was consecrated a prophet from his mothers wombe to ouerthrow and pluck vp and destroy and to build againe and renewe †Ezechiel who saw the sight of glorie which he shewed him in the chariote of Cherubs †For he made mention of the enemies in rayne to doe good vnto them that haue shewed right waies †And the bones of the twelue prophets wel may they spring out of their place for they haue strengthened Iacob and haue redeemed themselues in the fidelitie of power †How may we magnifie Zorobabel for he also was as a signet on the right hand †and so Iesus the sonne of Iosedec who in their daies built the house and erected the holie temple to our Lord prepared to euerlasting glorie †And Nehemias in the memorie of much time who erected vs our walles ouerthrowen and set vp the gates and lockes who built our houses †No man hath bene borne in the earth like to Henoch for he also was taken vp from the earth †Neither as Ioseph who was a man borne prince of his bretheren the stay of the nation the ruler of his bretheren the stay of the people †and his bones were visited and after death they prophecied †Seth and Sem obteyned glorie with men and aboue euerie soule in the beginning Adam CHAP. L. Praises of Simon the High Priest 27. Detestation of certaine persecuting aduersaries 29. With conclusion that the obseruers of this doctrine shal be wise and happie SIMON the sonne of Onias the high priest who in his life held vp the house and in his daies strengthned the temple †The height also of the temple was founded by him the duble building and high walles of the temple †In his daies the welles of waters flowed out and they were filled as the sea aboue measure †Who had care of his nation and deliuered it from perdition †Who preuailed to amplifie the citie who obteyned glorie in conuersing with the nation and amplified the entrance of the house and the court †As the morning starre in the middes of a cloude and as the ful moone he shineth in his dayes †And as the sunne shining so did he shine in the temple of God †As the rainbow that shineth among
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
vertuous race of good life Much more those which also indure persecution for the truthes sake shal receiue most copious great rewardes in heauen For albeit the passions of this time in themselues are not condigne to the glorie to come that shal be reueled in vs yet our tribulation which presently is momentanie and light worketh through grace aboue measure excedingly an eternal weight of glorie VVhat shal we therfore meditate of the especial prerogatiue of English Catholiques at this time For to you it is geuen for Christ not only that you beleue in him but also that you suffer for him A litle now if you must be made pensiue in diuers tentations that the probation of your faith much more precious then gold which is proued by the fire may be found vnto praise and glorie and honour in the reuelation of Iesus Christ Manie of you haue susteyned the spoile of your goodes with ioy knowing that you haue a better and a permanent substance Others haue benne depriued of your children fathers mothers brothers sisters and nerest frendes in readie resolution also some with sentence of death to lose your owne liues Others haue had trial of reproches mockeries and stripes Others of bandes prisons and banishmentes The innumerable renowmed late English Martyres Confessors whose happie soules for confessing true faith before men are now most glorious in heauen we passe here with silence because their due praise requiring longer discourse yea rather Angels then English tongues farre surpasseth the reach of our conceiptes And so we leaue it to your deuout meditation They now secure for themselues and solicitous for vs their dearest clientes incessantly we are wel assured intercede before Christs Diuine Maiestie for our happie consummation with the conuersion of our whole countrie To you therfore dearest frendes mortal we direct this speach admonishing ourselues you in the Apostles wordes that for so much as we haue not yet resisted tentations to last bloud and death itself patience is stil necessarie for vs that doing the wil of God we may receiue the promise So we repine not in tribulation but euer loue them that hate vs pittying their case and reioycing in our owne For neither can we see during this life how much good they do vs nor know how manie of them shal be as we hartely desire they al may be saued our Lord and Sauiour hauing paide the same price by his death for them and for vs. Loue al therefore pray for al. Do not lose your confidence which hath a great remuneration For yet a litle and a very litle while he that is to come wil come and he wil not slacke Now the iust liueth by faith beleeuing with hart to iustice and confessing with mouth to saluation But he that withdraweth himself shal not please Christs soule Attend to your saluation dearest countriemen You that are farre of draw nere put on Christ And you that are within Christs fold kepe your standing perseuere in him to the end His grace dwel and remaine in you that glorious crownes may be geuen you AMEN From the English College in Doway the Octaues of AL SAINCTES 1609. The God of patience and comfort geue you to be of one mind one tovvards another in IESVS Christ that of one mind vvith one mouth you may glorifie God THE SVMME AND PARTITION OF THE HOLIE BIBLE With a brife note of the Canonical and Apochryphal Bookes By the vniforme consent of al learned Diuines the holie Bible or written word of God conteyneth Expressed orimplied al thinges that man is to beleue to obserue to auoid for obtayning of aeternal saluation That is al matters of faith maners by which we may know and serue God and so be spiritually ioyned with him in this life in eternitie For both the old new Testament propose and testifie vnto vs one and the same God the same Christ the same Church and other Mysteries of our beleefe not differing in substance but in maner of vttering the old more obscurely in figures and prophecies foretelling those thinges which the New declareth in great part as donne and performed VVherupon saith S. Augustin In the Old Testament the New lieth hidden in the New the Old lieth open And touching their names wherein appareth difference the one saith the same Doctor is called the old Testament either because it propofeth promises of temporal thinges VVherwith our old corruptnes is allured Or in respect of the New by which it is fulfilled and in some part abolished The other is called the New because by it man is renewed and hath promise of eternal life VVhich shal neuer waxe old nor decay Likewise S. Gregorie the great testifieth this conformitie and correspondence betwen the Old and New Testament affirming that the same is signified by the prophet Esccbiels vision of an hcele which had foure faces or apparence of foure whiles the shape whereof was as it were a wheele in the middes of a wheele What is this saith he nisi quod in Testamenti veteris litera Testamentum nouum latuit per Allegoriam but that in the letter of the old Testament the New lay hidden by an Allegorie And as the same is the summe and subject of both Testaments so both are diuided for the more principal partes therof into foure sortes of Bookes Legal Historical Sapiential Prophetical The Legal bookes of the old Testament are the fiue Bookes of Moises Genesis Exodus Leuiticus Numeri Deuteronomie whereto answer in the new Testament the foure Gospels of S. Matthew S. Marke S. Luke S. Iohn Historical bookes of the old Testament are the Bookes of Iosue Iudges Ruth foure bookes of Kinges two of Paralipomenon Esdras with Nehemias Tobias Iudith Hester Iob two of the Machabees vnto which in the new Testament answer the Actes of the Apostles Sapiential of the old Testament are the Prouerbes Ecclesiastes Canticles Booke of wisdome Ecclesiasticus and of like sorte are in the new Testament the Epistles of S. Paul of other Apostles Prophetical bookes are Dauids Psalter which is also Sapiential yea like wise Legal and Historical the Bookes of Isaias Ieremias with Baruch Ezechiel Daniel the twelue lesse Prophetes Osea Ioel Amos Abdias Ionas Michaeas Nahum Abacuc Sophonias Aggaeus Zacharias Malachias And in the new Testament the Apocalips of S. Iohn the Apostle Al these Bookes are vndoubtedly Canonical as the Authores cited in the inner margent testifie And consequently al and al the partes therof are of infallible truth For otherwise as S. Augustin teacheth if anie part were false or doubtful al were vncertaine once admittiug falsehood saith he Epist 8. ad Ieroni in such soueraigne authoritie no parcel of these bookes should remaine which anie way should seme hard to maners or incredible to beleue but it might by this most pernicious rule be turned to an officious
other things in the first age were figures of Christs Sacraments the Spirite of God geuing powre to the waters as Tertullian S. Hierom and others expound it and the floud of Noe by S. Peters testimonie were figures of Baptisme Mariage instituted in Paradise is the very paterne of holie Matrimonie a Sacrament in the Church of Christ where one man and one wife are on lie lawful and not more at once in anie wise Christ reforming that which in Moyses law was tolerated for hardnes of mens hartes and for auoyding murther to put away one wife and take an other to this first institution as it was in the beginning two in one flesh not three nor more The repentance of Adam and Eue was a perfect and examplare figure of the Sacrament of Penance First they were ashamed couering their nakednes and hiding them selues which shewed their griefe and sorow for the sinne committed Secondly they confessed their fault and by what meanes it happened For God examining Adam he answered truly and simply saing The woman which thou gauest me to be my companion gaue me of the tree and I did eate Likwise Eue confessed sincerly saying The serpent deceiued me and I did eate Thirdly God gaue them penance besides death before threatned and other penalties annexed that Eue should in paine and trauel bring forth her children and Adam should eate his bread in the sweate of his face And withal cast them forth of Paradise But not forth of his fauoure as appeared by his making them garments of skinnes granting them and their posteritie the rest of the earth to liue and labour in especially to serue him and do penance with admonition to remember that of duct man was made and into dust he shal returne Al which were signes of loue and that finally he would bring them and manie more to eternal saluation The first borne and heades of families were Priests al the time of the law of nature vntil the law being changed God tooke Priests only of the stock of Aaron and the rest of the Leuites to assist them in that function Aaron his sonnes thou shalt appoint saith our Lord ouer the seruice of Priesthood for I haue taken the Leuites of the children of Israel for euerie first borne And ◠Paul teacheth that changing of Priesthood and changing of the law goe alwayes together shewing euidently that euerie lawful communitie or commonwealth vnder God hath external Priesthood So that if there had benne no distinct order of external Priesthood in the law of nature or now were none in the law of grace as Protestantes say there is not there were no law at al. See more of this point in the Annotations chap. 7. ad Hebre. Here we only obserue that Abel Seth Enos and other Patriarches were Priestes and exercised priestlie functions yea Cain also was a Priest though a bad one and offered Sacrifice But external offices or ministerie without a wel disposed mind and sincere vertues producing Good workes did neuer iustifie anie man And therfore Cains Sacrifice offered with a peruerse mind was not respected by God as Abels was wherupon he becoming worse and more malicious God sharply reproued his anger and enuie conceiued without iust cause saying If thou doest wel shalt thou not receiue againe but if thou doest il shal not thy sinne forwith be present at the dore clerly shewing that euerie one shal receiue according to his workes This place also euidently sheweth Freewil yea in a wicked man For this expostulation had neuer benne vttered by our most reasonable Lord and Maister if Cain had benne depriued of freewil For he might haue excused himselfe and must needes haue benne holden excused if he had benne forced to do as he did But God charged him as inexcusable and as one that knew or ought to know that he had freewil And doth further inculcate that he had and should haue powre and freewil ouer his concupiscence to correct the same if he would saying The lust therof shal be vnder thee and thou shalt haue domion ouer it So that no sinner be he neuer so wicked much lesse a iust man lacketh freewil yet Luther abhorreth the very word and Caluin wisheth it out of the world Temporal punishment is proued to be due for sinne remitted by that both death and other penalties are inflicted by Gods iustice vpon men after iustification and by the particular punishments laid vpon Adam and Eue confessing their faultes Purgatorie is also proued by the same iustice of God For when anie dieth penitent and yet haue not madeful satisfaction they must suffer for that remaineth after death and be purged before they can enter into rest which remnant of debt our B. Sauiour calleth The last farthing and saith it must be payed The lewes also at this day hold the doctrin of Purgatorie by tradition And consequently they Pray for soules departed not only to God but also to the ancient Patriarches which likewise sheweth Inuocation of Saincts in these wordes Yee fathers which sleepe in Hebron open to him the gates of Eden that is of Paradise which was planted in Eden And Hebron is the place where Adam was buried and his sepulcher religiously conserued in the time of Iosue aboue 1500 yeares after his death The same is the place which Abraham bought and there buried Sara where also him selfe and Isaac and Iacob were buried and to which finally the bodies of the twelue sonnes of Iacob were translated from Sichem As Iosephus writeth And sichem also was specially honored because such persons had benne buried there as S. Hierom witnesseth of his owne knowledge in his time Againe by religious care of burying the dead in this first age Enoch was more certainly knowen to be Translated aliue and not to be dead For the seuentie Interpreters and S. Paul say He was not found which importeth that they sought diligently for him and that his bodie could not be found for God translated him By al which we see mutual offices and communion of good workes amongst good men aliue and dead which is called Cōmunion of Saincts And herein Angels lacked not their offices For God set Cherubins to kepe the gate of Paradise that neither man should enter being iustly expelled for sinne nor diuels as S. Augustin noteth left they should take fruite of the tree of life and geuing it to men allure them to more sinne And now Saincts being exalted to Angels glorie haue like honorable offices towards other men as Angels haue Yea the bloud of Abel vniustly shed by Cain and iustly to be reuenged by God sheweth the peculiar honour which God bestoweth vpon his Saints for their vertues and merites in this life especially in their death For Precious in the sight of our Lord is the
Hebrew and Greke may be translated The male that doth not circumcise the flesh of his prepuce which can not be ment of an infant of eight dayes old This exposition is likewise confirmed by example Exodi 4. where Moyses was in danger to be slaine by an Angel because his sonne was not circumcised Neuertheles S. Augustin li. 3. c. 18. cont Inlian li. 16. c. 27. ciuit and in other places proueth that this commination pertained also to infants whose iudgement is confirmed by the 70. Interpreters adding for explication these wordes the eight day which necessarily include infants as subiect to this punishment not for that they could transgresse this precept or commit a new sinne but for lack of circumcision The reason wherof is for that God now determined this only remedie for original sinne in the male sex of Abrahams seede in place of sacrifice or other profession of faith vsed before and that in case it could conueniently be applied for otherwise the former remedies were stil aualable Concerning the other difficultie manie ancient fathers expound these wordes shal be destroyed out of his people of only temporal punishment either death as the like phrase signifieth Exodi 12. VVhosoeuer shal eate leuened bread his soul shal perish out of Israel or temporal separation from the people of God as Num. 19. Euerie one that toucheth the dead corse shal perish out of Israel But S. Augustin li. 3. c. 18. cont Iulian. li 5. hypog alibi S. Gregorie li. 4. Moral c. 2. 3. S. Prosper li. de promiss Dei p. 1. c. 14. S. Beda li. 2. in Lucam c. 8 and S. Bernard ser 3. de circum vnderstand this threatning not only of temporal punishment but also of eternal separation from God and the societie of Saints And that also infants are so secluded only for lack of this remedie as now children which dye without Baptisme cōmitting no new fault are depriued of the vision of God for their original sinne not remitted VVherupon is geathered that albeit Circumcision was principally instituted to distinguish the people of God which should come of Abrahams seede from other nations yet it was also for remission of original sinne not in al but in those to whom God appointed this particular remedie CHAP. XVIII Angels intertained as ghests by Abraham 10. tel when Sara shal beare a sonne wherat she laughing they cōfirme that they had said 16. They also fortel the destruction of Sodom 22. for which Abraham prayed six times ANd God appeared to him in the vale of mambre as he sat in the dore of his tent in the verie heat of the day †And when he had lifted vp his eyes there appeared to him three men standing nere vnto him whom after he had sene he ranne to meete them from the dore of his tent and adored to the ground †And He said Lord if I haue found grace in thy sight goe not past thy seruant †but I wil fetch a little water and wash ye your feete and rest ye vnder the tree †And I wil fet a morsel of bread and strengthen your hart afterward you shal passe for therfore are you come aside to your seruāt Who said Do as thou hast spoken †Abraham made hast into the tent to Sara and said to her Make hast temper togeather three measures of floure and make harth cakes †But him selfe ranne to the heard and tooke from thence a calfe verie tender and verie good and gaue it to a young man who made hast and boiled it †He tooke also butter and mylke and the calfe which he had boyled and set before them but him selfe did stand beside them vnder the tree †And when they had eaten they said to him Where is Sara thy wife He answered Loe she is in the tent †To whom he said Returning I wil come to thee at this time life accompaning and Sara thy wife shal haue a sonne Which when Sara heard she laughed behind the dore of the tent †And they were both aged and farre entred in yeares and it ceased to be with Sara after the maner of wemen †Who laughed secreatly saying After I am waxen old my Lord is an old one shal I geue my selfe to pleasure †And our Lord said to Abraham Why did Sara laugh saying Shal I an old woman beare a child in deed †Is there any thing hard to God According to appointment I wil returne to thee this verie selfe same time life accompaynig and Sara shal haue a sonne †Sara denied saying I laughed not being much afraid But our Lord It is not so saith he but thou didst laugh †When the men therfore were risen vp from thence they turned their eyes against Sodome and Abraham did goe with them bringing them on the way †And our Lord said Can I conceale from Abraham the things which I wil doe †wheras he shal be into a nation great and verie strong and in him are TO BE BLESSED al the nations of the earth †For I know that he wil commande his children and his house after him that they kepe the way of the Lord and doe iudgement and iustice that for Abrahams sake the Lord may bring to effect al the things that he hath spoken vnto him Therfore said our Lord. †The crye of Sodome and Gomorre is multiplied and their sinne is aggrauated excedingly †I wil descend and see whether they haue in acte accomplished the crye that is come to me or whether it be not so that I may know †And they turned them selues from thence and went their way to Sodome but Abraham as yet stood before our Lord. †And approching he said what wilt thou destroy the iust with the wicked †If there shal be fiftie iust persons in the citie shal they perish withal and wilt thou spare that place for fiftie iust if they be therin †Be it farre from thee that thou doe this thing and that thou kil the iust with the wicked and that the iust be in like case as the wicked this is not beseeming thee which iudgest al the earth no thou wilt not do this iudgement †And our Lord said to him If I shal find in Sodome fiftie iust persons within the citie I wil spare the whole place for their sake †And Abraham answered and said Because I haue once begunne I wil speake to my Lord wheras I am dust and ashes †What if there shal be fiue lesse then fiftie iust persons wilt thou for fortie fiue destroy the whole citie And he said I wil not destroy it if I shal finde fiue and fourtie †And againe he said vnto him But if fourtie shal be found there what wilt thou doe He said I wil not strike it for fourties sake †Lord saith he be not angrie I besech thee if I speake what if thirtie shal be founde there He answered I wil not doe it if I shal
and seruants of Christ being ouercome not by force of armes but by patience peacable endeuours of those whom they most hated VVherof excellently saith S. Leo Ser. 1. in Natali Apost Although Rome renowmed by manie victories dilated her Empyre by land and by sea yet was it lesse that martial trauel subdued then that which Christian peace hath obtained The Bishops of Rome hauing larger Iurisdiction spiritual then euer the Roman Coesars had temporal Dominion CHAP. XXVII Iacob by his mothers counsail getteth his fathers blessing in place of Esau 42. And by her is aduised for auoiding Esaus wrath who threatned to kil him to flie to his vncle Laban in Haran of Mesopotamia AND Isaac was old and his eyes were dimme and he could not see and he called Esau his elder sonne and said to him my sonne Who answered Here I am †To whom his father Thou seest quoth he that I am old and know not the day of my death †Take thy instruments thy quiuer and bowe and goe abrode and when thou hast taken any thing by hunting †make me broth therof as thou knowest I like and bring that I may eate and my soule may blesse thee before I dye †Which when Rebecca had heard and he was gone into the field to fulfil his fathers commandement †she said to her sonne Iacob I heard thy father talking with Esau thy brother and saying to him †Bring me of thy hunting and make me meates that I may eate and blesse thee in the sight of our Lord before I dye †Now therfore my sonne assent to my counsel †and go thy way to the flocke bring me two kiddes of the best that I may make of them meat for thy father such as he gladly eateth †which when thou hast brought in and he hath eaten he may blesse thee before he dye †To whom he answered Thou knowest that Esau my brother is an hearie man and I am smooth †if my father shal feele me and perceaue it I feare lest he wil thinke I would haue deluded him and I shal bring vpon me a curse for a blessing †To whom his mother said This curse my sonne light vpon me only heare thou my voice and go fetch me the things which I haue said †He went and brought and gaue them to his mother She dressed meats euen as she knew his father liked †And she did on him the garments of Esau verie good which she had at home with her †and the litle skinnes of the kidds â—â—e put about his hands and couered the bare of his necke †And she gaue him the broth and deliuered him bread that she had baked †Which when he had caried in he said My father But he answered I heare Who art thou my sonne †And Iacob said I am thy first begotten Esau I haue done as thou didest command me arise sit and eate of my hunting that thy soule may blesse me †And againe Isaac to his sonne How couldest thou said he find it so quickly my sonne Who answered It was the wil of God that that which I would came quickly in my way †And Isaac said Come hither that I may feele thee my sonne and may proue whether thou be my sonne Esau or no. †He came nere to his father and when he had felt him Isaac said The voice verely is the voice of Iacob but the hands are the hands of Esau †And he knew him not because his hearie hands had made him like vnto the elder Blessing him therfore †he said Art thou my sonne Esau He answered I am †But he said Bring me the meats of thy hunting my sonne that my soule may blesse thee Which when they were brought and he had eaten he offred him wine also which after he had drunke †he said to him Come nere me and geue me a kisse my sonne †He came nere and kissed him And immediatly as he felt the fragrant sauoure of his garments blessing him he said Behold the sauoure of my sonne is as the sauoure of a plentiful field which our Lord hath blessed †God geue thee of the deaw of heauen and of the fatnes of the earth abundance of corne and wine †And let peoples serue thee and tribes adore thee be thou lord of thy brethren and thy mothers children bowe they before thee He that shal curse thee be he cursed and he that shal blesse thee be he replenished with blessings †Isaac had scarce ended his wordes and Iacob now gone forth abroad but Esau came †and brought in to his father meates made of his hunting saying Arise my father and eate of thy sonnes hunting that thy soule may blesse me †And Isaac said to him Why who arth thou Who answered I am thy first begotten sonne Esaù †Isaac was amazed and astonied exceadingly and marueling more then a man can beleue said Who is he then that euen now brought me venison that he had taken and I did eate of al thinges before thou camest and I haue blessed him and he shal be blessed †Esau hauing heard his fathers wordes roared out with a great crye and being dismaied said Blesse me also my father †Who said Thy brother came deceiptfully and tooke thy blessing †But he said again Rightly is his name called Iacob for he hath supplanted me loe the second time my first-birth-right he tooke before and now the second time he hath stollen my blessing And againe to his father he said Hast thou not reserued me also a blessing †Isaac answered I haue appointed him thy Lord and al his brethren I haue made subiect to his seruice with corne and wine I haue established him and for thee my sonne what shal I doe more after this †To whom Esau said Hast thou one only blessing father I besech thee blesse me also And when he wept that he howled againe †Isaac being moued said to him In the fat of the earth and in the deaw of heauen from aboue †shal thy blessing be Thou shalt liue by the sworde and shalt serue thy brother and the time shal come when thou shalt shake of and loose his yoake from thy necke †Esau therfore alwaies hated Iacob for the blessing wherwith his father had blessed him and he said in his hart The daies wil come of the mourning of my father and I wil kil Iacob my brother †These things were told to Rebecca who sending calling Iacob her sonne said to him Behold Esau thy brother threatneth to kil thee †Now therfore my sonne heare my voice and get thee vp and flye to Laban my brother into Haran †and thou shalt dwel with him a few daies til the furie of thy brother be asswaged †and his indignation cease and he forget those things which thou hast done to him afterward I wil send and bring thee from thence hither Why shal I be depriued of both
ancient Fathers vnderstood of Anti Christ namely S. Irenaeus lib. 5. aduers Haeres S. Hyppolitus Martyr Orat de consummaâ— soeculi S. Ambrose c. 7 de Benedict Patriarch S. Augustin q. 12. in Iosue Prosper lib. de promiss praedicts Dei P. 4. Theodoret. q. vlt. in Gen. S. Gregorie lib. 30. Moral c. 18 and many others vpon the 7. chap. of the Apocalips where they suppose S. Ioan did omitt Dan from amongst the Elect of the Israelitical Tribes in detestation of Antichrist to be borne of that Tribe And certayne it is that the Iewes wil receiue and folowe him for their Messias as our Sauiour himselfe saith VVhich maketh it very probable that he shal be a Iewe borne else they would not so easily admitt him 22. Ioseph a childe encreasing Ioseph was in manie respectes a figure of Christ especially in that he was loued of his father before al his bretheren solde by his brethrn to the Gentiles of enuie and for money aduanced to dignitie and authoritie the deliuerer of Aegypt from famine and called Sauiour of the world al performed in Christ the true Childe encreasing CHAP. L. Ioseph causeth his fathers bodie to be embawmed 3. the dayes of mourning being expired 6. with Pharaos leaue Ioseph with the ancients of Aegypt al his brethren and elder sorte of Israelites goe and solemnly burie the bodie in Chanaan 14. After their returne his brethren fearing leâ—t ioseph wil now reuenge former iniuries he freely forgeueth al. 22. At the age of 110. yeares adiuring the posteritie to carie his bones into Chanaan he dieth and is put in a coffin VVHICH Ioseph seeing fel vpon his fathers face weeping and kissing him †And he commanded his seruantes the physitians that they should embawme his father with spices †Who fulfilling his commandements there passed fourtie dayes for this was the maner of corses embawmed and Aegypt mourned him seuentie daies †And the mourning time being expired Ioseph spake to the familie of Pharao If I haue found grace in your sight speake in the eares of Pharao †for so much as my father did adiure me saing Behold I die in my sepulchre which I digged for my selfe in the land of Chanaan thou shalt burie me I wil goe vp therfore and burie my father and returne †And Pharao said to him Goe vp and burie thy father as thou wast adiured †Who going vp there went with him al the ancients of Pharaos house and al the elders of the Land of Aegypt †the house of Ioseph with his brethren sauing their little ones and the flockes and heards which they had left in the Land of Gessen †He had also in his traine chariotts and horsemen and it became no smal multitude †And they came to the floore of Atad which is situate beyond Iord aine where celebrating the exequies with great and vehement mourning they spent ful seuen dayes †Which when the Inhabiters of the Land of Chanaan had seene they said This is a great mourning vnto the Aegyptians And therfore the name of that place was called The mourning of Aegypt †Therfore the sonnes of Iacob did as he commanded them †and carying him into the Land of Chanaan they buried him in the duble caue which Abraham had bought with the field for a possession to burie in of Ephron the Hethite against Mambre †And Ioseph returned into Aegypt with his brethren and with al the traine his father being buried †After whose death his brethren fearing and talking one with an other Lest perhaps he be mindful of the iniurie which he suffered and requite vs al the euil that we haue done †they aduertised him saing Thy father commanded vs before he died †that we should say thus much to thee in his wordes I besech that thou forget the wicked fact of thy brethren and the sinne malice which they haue exercised against thee we also desire thee that to the seruants of the God of thy father thou remit this iniquitie Whom when Ioseph ad heard he wept †And his brethren came to him and adoring prostrate on the ground they said We are thy seruantes †To whom he answered Feare not can we resist the wil of God †“ You thought euil against me but God turned that into good that he might exalt me as presently you see and might saue many peoples †Feare not I wil feed you your lirle ones and he comforted them and spake gently mildly †And he dwelt in Aegypt with al his fathers house and liued an hundred and tenne yeares And he sawe the children of Ephraim vnto the third generation Also the children of Machir the sonne of Manasses were borne in Iosephs knees †Which thinges being done he spake to his brethren After my death God wil visite you and wil make you goe vp out of this land to the land which he sware to Abraham Isaac and Iacob †And when he had adiured them and said God wil visite you carie my bones with you out of this place †he died being an hundred and tenne yeares old And being embawmed with spices was put in a coffin in Aegypt ANNOTATIONS CHAP L. 20. You thought euil This plaine distinction sheweth that sinne is wholly of the sinner and that God hath no part therin but turneth it to good For those things which Iosephs brethren did against him were occasions of his aduancement in Aegypt through the omnipotent wisdome of God VVhose â—â—opeitie is out of euerie euil to draw good S. Chrisost ho. 67. in Gen. S. Aug. Enchirid. c. 11. li. 14. c. 27. de â—â—â—it 25. Carie my bones vvith you For the same reasons Ioseph would be finally buried in Chanaan for which Iacob desired to be there buried chap. 47. but Ioseph would not presently be caried thither lest it might haue geuen offence to the Aegyptians or at least haue diminished their fauoure towardes his brethren and withal he would confirme his brethren in their hope of returning seing he was content that his bodie should expect in Aegypt til the whole Nation should returne into Chanaan THE ARGVMENT OF THE BOOKE OF EXODVS MOYSES hauing prosecuted in Genesis the sacred historie of the Church vnto Iosephs death containing the space of 2310. yeares continueth the same in Exodus for 145. yeares more VVhere he first briefly recounteth how a smal number of Israelites especially after the death of Ioseph being much increased a new King risen in the meane time who knew not Ioseph together with other Aegyptians enuying their better partes both of bodie and minde and more fortunate progres in wealth fearing also lest they stil multiplying either by their owne forces or ioyning with other foreners might spoile Aegypt and returne into Chanaan and hating their Religion because they acknowledged one onlie eternal omnipotent God denying and detesting the new imaginarie goddes of the Aegyptians resolued and publickly decreed by oppression to
shal be raised againe from death and together with the soule be eternally glorified 12 In the meane time of this pilagrimage of mankind it is our way-faring special prouision dailie and supersubstantial bread til we shal possesse the promised land the kingdome of heauen in eternal blisse CHAP. XVII The people murmuring againe in Raphidim for want of drinck our Lord giueth them water out of arock 8. Amalech fighteth with them And Moyseslifting vp his hand in prayer Israel ouercometh otherwise Amalech prâ—â—aâ—leth THERFORE al the multitude of the children of Israel setting forward from the desert Sin by their mansions according to the word of our Lord camped in Raphidim where there was no water for the people to drinke †Who chiding against Moyses said Geue vs water that we may drinke To whom Moyses answered Why chide you against me Wherfore doe you tempt our Lord †The people therfore was thirstie there for lacke of water and murmured against Moyses saying Why didst thou make vs goe forth out of Aegypt to kil vs and our children and our beastes with thirst †And Moyses cried to our Lord saying What shal I doe to this people Yet a litle while and they wil stone me †And our Lord said to Moyses Goe before the people and take with thee of the ancients of Israel and the rodde wherwith thou didst strike the riuer take in thy hand and goe †Behold I wil stand there before thee vpon the rocke Horeb and thou shalt strike the rocke and water shal goe out therof that the people may drinke Moyses did so before the ancientes of Israel †and he called the name of that place Temptation because of the chiding of the children of Israel and for that they tempted our Lord saying Is the Lord amongst vs or not †And Amalec came and fought against Israel in Raphidim †And Moyses sayd to Iosue Choose out men and goe forth and fight against Amalec to morow I wil stand in the toppe of the hil hauing the rodde of God in my hand †Iosue did as Moyses had spoken and he fought against Amalec but Moyses and Aaron and Hur went vp vpon the toppe of the hil †And when Moyses lifted vp his hands Israel ouercame but if he did lette them downe a little Amalec ouercame †And the handes of Moyses were heauie therfore they tooke a stone and putte vnder him wherupon he sate and Aaron and Hur staied vp his handes on both sides And it came to passe that his handes were not wearie vntil sunne sette †And Iosue put Amalec to flight his people by the edge of the sword †And our Lord said to Moyses Write this for a monument in a booke deliuer it to the eares of Iosue for I wil destroy the memorie of Amalec from vnder heauen †And Moyses builded an Altar and called the name therof Our Lord my exaltation saying †Because the hand of our Lords throne and the warre of our Lord shal be against Amalec from generation vnto generation CHAP. XVIII Iethro Moyses father in law bringeth to him his wise and childrens 8. And hearing the great workes of God 12. offereth Sacrifice 13 and Wisely aduised Moyses to appoint subordinate officers to iudge lesse causes reseruing the greater to him selfe AND when Iethro the priest of Madian the allied of Moyses had heard al the thinges that God had done to Moyses and to Israel his people and that our Lord had brought forth Israel out of Aegypt †he tooke Sephora the wife of Moyses whom he had sent backe †and her two sonnes of which one was called Gersam his father saying I haue bene a stranger in a forren countrie †And the other Eliezer for the God of my father quoth he is my helper and hath deliuered me from Pharaoes sword †Iethro therfore the allied of Moyses came and his sonnes and his wife to Moyses into the desert where he was camped beside the mountayne of God †And he sent word to Moyses saying I Iethro thy allied come to thee and thy wife and thy two children with her †Who going forth to mere his allied adored and kissed him and they saluted on an other with wordes of peace And when he was entred into the tent †Moyses told his allied al thinges that our Lord had done to Pharao and the Aegyptians for Israel and the whole trauaile which had chanced to them in the iourney and that our Lord had deliuered them †And Iethro reioyced for al the good thinges that our Lord had done to Israel because he had deliuered them out of the handes of the Aegyptians †and he said Blessed is the Lord that hath deliuered you out of the hand of the Aegyptians and out of the hand of Pharao that hath deliuered his people out of the hand of Aegypt †Now doe I know that the Lord is great aboue al goddes for because they dealt proudely against them †Iethro therfore the allied of Moyses offered holocaustes and hostes to God and Aaron and al the ancientes of Israel came to eate bread with him before God †And the next day Moyses sate to iudge the people who stoode by Moyses from morning vntil night †Which thing when his allied had seene to witte al thinges that he did in the people he said What is this that thou doest in the people Why sittest thou alone and al the people attendeth from morning vntil night †To whom Moyses answered The people cometh to me seeking the sentence of God †And when anie controuersie chanceth among them they come vnto me to iudge betwene them and to shew the preceptes of God and his lawes †But he said Thou doest not wel †thou art tâ—red with foolish labour both thou and this people that is with thee the busines is aboue thy strength thou alone canst not susteyne it †But heare my wordes and counseils and God shal be with thee Be thou to the people in those thinges that pertaine to God to report their wordes vnto him †and to shew to the people the ceremonies and rite of worâ—hipping and the way wherin they ought to walke and the worke that they ought to doe †And prouide out of al the people men that are wise and doe feare God in whom there is truth and that doe hate auaâ—ice and appointe of them tribunes and centurions and quinquagenarians and deanes †which may iudge the people at al tymes and what great matter soeuer â—â—aâ— fal out let them referre it to thee and let them iudge the lesse matters only and so it may be lighter for thee the burden being imparted vnto others †If thou doest this thou shalt fulfil the commandment of God and shal be able to beare his preceptes and al this people shal returne to their places with pâ—eace †Which thinges when Movses heard he did al thinges that he had suggested vnto him †And choosing substantial men
wife and commit aduontrie with his neighbours wife dying let them die both the adulterer and the aduoutresse †He that lieth with his stepmother and reuealeth the ignominie of his father dying let both die their bloud be vpon them †If anie man lie with his daughter in law let both die because they haue done an heinous fact their bloud be vpon them †He that lieth with man as if he should companie with woman both haue committed abomination dying let them die their bloud be vpon them †He that besides his wife the daughter marieth her mother hath done wickednes he shal burne aliue with them neither shal there so great abomination remaine in the middes of you †He that shal companie with beast and cattel dying let him die the beast also doe ye kil †The woman that shal lie vnder anie beast shal be killed together with the same their bloud be vpon them †He that taketh his sister the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother and seeth her turpitude and she beholdeth her brothers ignominie they haue committed a shameful thing they shal be slaine in the sight of their people because they haue reuealed one an others turpitude and they shal beare their iniquitie †He rhat compaineth with a woman in her menstrual fluxe and reuealeth her turpitude and she openeth the fountaine of her bloud both shal be destroyed out of the middes of their people †The turpitude of thy aunt by thy mother and of thy aunt by thy father thou shalt not discouer he that doeth this hath disclosed the ignominie of his flesh both shal beare their iniquitie †He that compaineth with the wife of his vncle by the father or of his vncle by the mother and reuealeth the ignominie of his kinted both shal beare their sinne without children they shal die †He that marieth his brothers wife doth an vnlawful thing he hath reuealed his brothers turpitude they shal be without children †Keepe my lawes and iudgementes and doe them lest the land which you shal enter into and inhabite vomite out you also †Walke not in the ordinances of the nations which I wil expel before you For al these thinges haue they done and I haue abhorred them †But to you I speake Possesse their land which I wil geue you for an inheritance a land flowing with milke and honie I the Lord your God that haue seperated you from other peoples †Therfore doe you also seperate the cleane beast from the vncleane and the cleane foule from the vncleane pollute not your soules in beastes and birdes and al thinges that moue on the earth and which I haue shewed vnto you to be polluted †You shal be holie vnto me because I the Lord am holie and I haue separated you from other peoples that you should be mine †Man or woman in whom is a pithonical or diuining spirite dying let them die they shal stone them their bloud be vpon them CHAP. XXI At what funerals Priests may not be present 7. VVhat wemen they may not marie 9. a priests daughter committing fornication must be burned 10. The high Priest shal not vncouer his head nor rent his garment nor be present at anie funeral nor at al goe forth of the holie place 13. when he marieth he must take a virgin 16. None that hath a blemish in his bodie though he be of Aarons stock shal minister in the Sanctuarie nor approch to the Altar OVR Lord said also to Moyses Speake to the priestes the sonnes of Aaron and thou shalt say to them Let not a priest be contaminated in the deathes of his citizens †but onlie in his kinne and nigh of bloud that is to say vpon his father and mother and sonne and daughter brother also †and sister being a virgin which hath not bene maried to a husband †but neither in the prince of his people shal he be contaminated †Neither shal they shaue their head nor beard nor make incisions in their flesh †They shal be holie to their God and shal not pollute his name for the burnt sacrifice of the Lord and breades of their God doe they offer and therfore they shal be holie †A whore and a vile strumpette he shal not take to wife nor her that is put away from her husband because they are coÌ„secrated to their God †and offer the breades of proposition Be they holie therfore because I also am holie the Lord that sanctifie them †The daughter of a priest if she be taken in whordome dishonour the name of hir father shal be burnt with fire †The grand bishoppe that is to say the priest that is greatest among his brethren vpon whose head hath bene poured the oyle of vnction and whose handes were consecrated in priesthood and who was reuested with the holie vestimentes shal not vncouer his head he shal not rent his garments †and to no dead person shal he enter in at al. vpon his father also and mother shal he not be contaninated †Neither shal he goe forth out of the holie places lest he pollute the SaÌ„ctuarie of the Lord because the oyle of the holie vnction of his God is vpon him I the Lord. †He shal take a virgin vnto his wife †but a widow and her that is put away and a filth and a whore he shal not take but a maide of his owne people †that he mingle not the stocke of his kinred with the common people of his nation because I am the Lord that sanctifie him †And our Lord spake to Moyses saying †Speake to Aaron The man of thy seede throughout their families that hath a blemish shal not offer breades to his God †neither shal he approch to his ministerie If he be blinde if lame if he haue a litle or a great or a crooked nose †if his foote be broken if his hand †if he be crooke backed or blere eyed or haue a pearle in his eye or a continual scabbe or drie scurffe in his bodie or be burnt †Euerie one that hath a blemish of the seede of Aaron the priest shal not approch to offer the hostes to the Lord nor the breades to his God †He shal eate notwithstanding of the breades that are offered in the Sanctuarie †yet so that he enter not within the vâ—ilen or approch to the altar because he hath a blemish and he must not contaninate my Sanctuarie I the Lord that sanctifie them †Moyses therfore spake to Aaron and to his sonnes and to al Israel al thinges that had bene commanded him CHAP. XXII VVho may eate of sanctified things 17. And what things may be offered OVR Lord also spake to Moyses saying †Speake to Aaron and to his sonnes that they beware of those that are the consecrated thinges of the children of Israel and contaninate not the name of the thinges sanctified to me which
saying Bring him to me in the bed that he may be slaine †And when the messengers were come there was found a statua vpon the bed and skinnes of goates at the head thereof †And Saul sayd to Michol Why hast thou mocked me and let goe myn enemie that he might flee And Michol answered Saul Because he sayd to me Let me goe otherwise I wil kil thee †But Dauid fleing was saued and came to Samuel in Ramatha and told him al thinges that Saul had done to him and he Samuel went abode in Naioth †And it was told Saul by some saying Behold Dauid is in Naioth in Ramatha †Saul therefore sent seriantes to take away Dauid who when they had seene a troupe of prophetes prophecying Samuel standing ouer them the spirit of our Lord came also on them and they also began to prophecie †Which when it was told Saul he sent other messengers but they also did prophecie And againe Saul sent the third messengers who also prophecied And Saul being wrath for anger †went also him selfe into Ramatha and came as farre as the great cesterne which is in Socho and asked and said In what place are Samuel and Dauid And it was told him Loe they are in Naioth in Ramatha †And he went into Naioth in Ramatha and the Spirit of our Lord came vpon him and he walked going and he prophecied til he came into Naioth in Ramatha †And he stripped himselfe of his garments and prophecied with the rest before Samuel and sang naked al that day and night Wherupon there went out also a prouerb What is Saul also among the prophetes CHAP. XX. Ionathas comforteth Dauid 3. confirmeth their former league 18. By an appointed signe 24. endeuoring first but in vaine to pacifie his father 35. certifieth Dauid of his fathers malice against him 41. They meete againe secretly and sorowfully part ech from other BVT Dauid also fled from Naioth which is in Ramatha and coming spake before Ionathas What haue I done what is myn iniquitie and what sinne of myn against thy father that he seeketh my life †Who sayd to him God forbid thou shalt not die for neither wil my father doe any thing great or litle vnles he first tel me this word therefore only hath my father concealed from me no this shal not be †And he sware againe to Dauid And Dauid sayd Thy father surely knoweth that I haue found grace in thy sight and wil say Let not Ionathas know this left perhaps he be sad Yea more our Lord liueth and thy soule liueth by one degree only as I may so say I and death are diuided †And Ionathas said to Dauid Whatsoeuer thy soule shal say to me I wil doe for thee †And Dauid sayd to Ionathas Behold the calendes are to morowe I after the maner am wont to sitte beside the king to eate dismisse me therefore that I may be hid in the field vntil the euening of the third day †If thy father looking inquire for me thou shalt answer him Dauid desired me that he might goe quickely into Bethlehem his citie because there be solemne victimes to al of his tribe †If he shal say Wel peace shal be to thy seruant but if he be angrie know that his malice is complete †Doe mercie therefore toward thy seruant because thou hast caused me thy seruant to enter the league of our Lord with thee but if there be any iniquitie in me do thou kil me and bring me not in to thy father †And Ionathas sayd Be this farre from thee for neither can it be that I should not tel thee if I shal certainly know that my fathers malice is complete against thee †And Dauid answered Ionathas Who shal bring me word if thy father answer thee perhaps any thing sharpely of me †And Ionathas sayd to Dauid Come let vs goe forth abroad into the field and when they were both gone forth into the field †Ionathas said to Dauid Lord God of Israel if I shal search out my fathers meaning to morowe or the day after and some good thing be vpon Dauid and I send not immediatly vnto thee and make thee know thereof †these thinges doe our Lord to Ionathas and these thinges adde he But if my fathers malice shal perseuer against thee I wil reuele thyn care and wil dismisse thee that thou mayst goe in peace and our Lord be with thee as he hath beene with my father †And if I liue thou shalt doe me the mercie of our Lord but if I die †thou shalt not take away thy mercie from my house for euer when our Lord shal haue rooted out the enemies of Dauid euerie one out of the land take he away Ionathas from his house and our Lord require it of the handes of Dauides enemies †Ionathas therefore made a league with the house of Dauid and our Lord required it of the handes of Dauids enemies †And Ionathas added to sweare vnto Dauid because he loued him for as his owne soule so he loued him †And Ionathas sayd to him To morowe are the calendes and thou shalt be asked for †for thy sitting wil be inquired of til after to morowe Thou shalt therefore goe downe in hast and shalt come to the place where thou must be hid in the day when it is lawful to worke and thou shalt sit beside the stone which is named Ezel †And I wil shoote three arrowes nere it and wil shoote as it were excersising my self at a marke †I wil send also a boy saying to him Goe and fetch me the arrowes †If I shal say to the boy Loe the arrowes are on this side thee take them vp come thou to me because there is peace to thee and there is no euil our Lord liueth But if I shal speake thus to the boy Loe the arrowes are beyond thee Goe in peace because our Lord hath dimissed thee †And corcerning the word which I and thou haue spoken our Lord be betwen thee and me for euer †Dauid therefore was hidde in the fielde and the calendes came and the king sate downe to eate bread †And when the king was sette vpon his chaire according to the custome which was beside the wal Ionathas arose and Abner sate at the side of Saul and Dauids place appeared voide †And Saul sayd nothing that day for he thought it had chanced perhaps vnto him that he was not cleane nor purified †And when the second day was come after the calendes againe Dauids place appeared emptie And Saul said to Ionathas his sonne Why came not the sonne of Isa◠neither yesterday nor to day to eate †Ionathas answered Saul He desired me instantly that he might goe into Bethlehem †and he said Let me goe because there is a solemne sacrifice in the citie one of my brethren hath sent for me now therefore if I haue found grace in
opinion saieth he that Samuel himself appeared not but some euil spirit tooke his similitude And this last iudgement of S. Augustin is much confirmed first by the wordes of this text literally and plainly affirming that Samuel appeared and spake to Saul and Saul to him and that Saul vnderstood orâ—nevv not only thought imagined or supposed that it vvas Samuel Secondly this apparition came sooner preuenting the inchantment and in better order then the pithonical woman expected as appeareth by her answer saying she saw God or an excellent person ascending in comelie maner and attyre whereas euil spirites vsed to appeare as the Rabbins testifie in vglie bodies with the heeles into the ayer and head downward Thirdly the Author of Ecclestasticus ch 46. amongst the prayses of Samuel the prophet saieth he slept or died and certified the King and shevved to him the end of his life VVhere it semeth clere that the same person that died denounced Gods wil and sentence to Saul Moreouer if it had bene an illusion of an euil spirite it would hardly seme anie praise at al. Fourthly the diuel could not naturally foretel that Saul and his sonnes with manie of the people should be slaine the next day and Dauid reignâ— after him neither is it probable that God reueiled such secretes to euil spirites wherby men might take more occasion to folow nicromancie Fiftly most Fathers and Doctors are of the same iudgement S. Iustinus Martyr Dialogo cum Triphone S. Basil Epist 80. ad Eustathium S. Ambrose li. 1. in Luc. 1. S. Hierom. in Isaiae 7. Iosephus li. 6. c. 15. Antiq. and manie other old and late writers The chiefest argument for the other opinion is the authoritie of Tertullian li. de anima Procopius and Eucherius vpon this place and the vncertaine authors Questionum apud Iustinum q. 52. lib. de mirabil Sac. Script and Quest vet Testamenti q. 27. apud Augustinum tomo 3. et 4. As for the Protestantes denying that soules once parted from their bodies can appeare to anie aliue S. Augustin confuteth them both by this example of Samuel supposing the booke of Ecclesiasticus to be Canonical Scripture and of Moyses being dead and Elias yet liuing whom they hold also to be dead both appearing with Christ in his transfiguration Mat. 17. CHAP. XXIX Dauid going with the Philistijms towards the warre 4. the princes vrge and force the king to send him back THEREFORE al the companies of the Philistijms were gathered together into Aphec and Israel also camped vpon the fountaine which was in Iezrahel †And the princes in dede of the Philistijms marched in hundreds and thousandes but Dauid and his men were in the last companie with Achis †And the princes of the Philistijms sayd to Achis What meane these Hebrewes And Achis sayd to the princes of the Philistijms Doe you not knowe Dauid which was the seruant of Saul the king of Israel and is with me manie daies or yeares and I haue not found any thing in him since the day that he fled to me vntil this day †But the princes of the Philistijms were angrie against him and sayd to him Let this man returne and abide in his place wherein thou hast appointed him and let him not goe downe with vs into battel lest he become an aduersarie to vs when we shal beginne to fight for how can he otherwise pacifie his lord but in our heades †Is not this Dauid to whom they sang in dances saying Saul hath strooke his thousandes Dauid his ten thousandes †Achis therefore called Dauid and sayd to him The Lord liueth thou art iust and good in my sight and thy going out thy coming in is with me in the campe and I haue not found in thee anie euil since the day that thou camest to me vntil this day but thou pleasest not the nobles †Returne therefore and goe in peace and offend not the eies of the princes of the Philistijms †And Dauid sayd to Achis For what haue I done and what hast thou found in me thy seruant since the day that I haue beene in thy sight vntil this day that I may not come and fight against the enemies of my lord the King †And Achis answering spake to Dauid I know that thou art good in my sight as an Angel of God but the princes of the Philistijms haue sayd He shal not goe vp with vs into battel †Therefore arise in the morning thou and the seruantes of thy lord which came with thee and when you are risen in the night and it shal beginne to waxe light goe foreward †Dauid therefore arose in the night he and his men that they might sette foreward in the morning and returne to the land of the Philistijms and the Philistijms went vp into Iezrahel CHAP. XXX Dauid returning to Siceleg findeth it burned and spoiled and himself in danger of the people 7. By our Lords warrant be pursueth the enemie 11. taketh a guide 17. recouereth al that was taken away 22. and rewardeth the souldiars also those that stayed with the baggage 25. making it a lawe for the time to come shat the keepers of the baggage shal haue like share with those that fight in battel AND when Dauid and his men were come to Siceleg the third day the Amalecites had made an inuasion on the south side into Siceleg and had strooken Siceleg and burnt it with fire †And had led away wemen captiue out of it from the lesse vnto the great and had not killed any man but had led them with them and went on their iourney †When Dauid therefore and his men were come to the citie and had found it burnt with fire and their wiues and their sonnes and their daughters to be led away captiue †Dauid and the people that was with him lifted vp their voices and mourned til teares fayled them †For the two wiues also of Dauid were led away captiue Achinoam the Iezraelite and Abigail the wife of Nabal of Carmel †And Dauid was strooken very sad for the people would haue stoned him because the soule of euerie man was bitterly affected vpon their sonnes and daughters but Dauid was strengthened in our Lord his God †And he sayd to Abiathar the priest the sonne of Achimelech Applie vnto me the Ephod And Abiathar applied the Ephod to Dauid †and Dauid consulted our Lord saying Shal I pursue these theeues and shal I take them or no And our Lord sayd to him Pursue them for thou shalt take them without doubt take from them the praye †Dauid therefore went himselfe and the six hundred men that were with him and they came vnto the Torrent Besor some being wearie stayed †But Dauid himself and foure hundred men pursued for two hundred stayed who being wearie could not passe the Torrent Besor †And they found an Aegyptian in the field and brought him to Dauid and they gaue
faithfully and with a perfect hart †Euerie cause that shal come to you of your brethren that dwel in their cities betwen kinred and kinred whersoeuer there is question of the law of the commandement of ceremonies of iustifications shew it them that they sinne not agaynst our Lord and lest there come wrath vpon you and your brethren so doing therfore you shal not sinne †And Amarias the priest and your Bishop shal be chiefe in these thinges which pertayn to God moreouer Zabadias the sonne of Ismahel who is the prince in the house of Iuda shal be ouer those workes which pertayne to the kinges office and you haue maisters the Leuites before you take courage and doe diligently and our Lord wil be with the good CHAP. XX. The Ammonites Moabites and Syrians ioynning forces agaynst Iosaphat 3. he seeketh Gods helpe by publique prayer and fasting 14. A Prophet fortelleth that God wil fight for them 20. so they singing praises to God the enemies kil ech other 24. Iosaphat with his men gather verie great spoiles 30. reigneth in peace 35. but his nauie perisheth for his societee with wicked Ochozias AFTER these thinges were the children of Moab gathered together and the children of Ammon and with them of the Ammonites to fight agaynst Iosaphat †And there came messengers and told Iosaphat saying There cometh agaynst thee a great multitude from those places which are beyond the sea and out of Syria and behold they stay in Asasonthamar which is Engaddi †And Iosaphar being frighted with feare he tooke him wholy to besech ou◠Lord and he proclamed a fast to al Iuda †And Iudas was gathered together to pray to our Lord yea and al came out of their cities to besech him †And when Iosaphat stood in the middes of the assemblie of Iuda and Ierusalem in the house of our Lord before the new court †he sayd Lord God of our fathers thou art God in heauen and rulest ouer al the kingdomes of Nations in thy hand is strength and might neither can anie man resist thee †Didst not thou our God kil al the inhabitantes of this land before thy people Israel and gauest it to the seed of Abraham thy frend for euer †And they dwelt in it built in it a Sanctuarie to thy name saying †If euils fal vpon vs the sword of iudgement pestilence famine we wil stand before this house in thy sight wherein thy name is inuocated we wil crie to thee in our tribulations and thou shalt heare and saue vs. †Now therfore behold the children of Ammon and mount Seir by whom thou didst not grant Israel to passe when they came out of Aegypt but they declined from them slew them not †doe the contrarie and endeuoure to cast vs out of the possession which thou hast deliuired to vs. †Our God wilt not thou therfore iudge them In vs in deed there is not so great strength that we can resist this multitude which cometh violently vpon vs. But whereas we are ignorant what we ought to doe this onlie we haue leaft that we direct our eies to thee †And al Iuda stood before our Lord with their litle ones and wiues and their children †And there was Iahaziel the sonne of Zacharias the sonne of Banaias the sonne of Iehiel the sonne of Mathanias a Leuite of the children of Asaph vpon whom the spirit of our Lord came in the middes of the multitude †and he sayd Attend ye al Iuda and you that dwel in Ierusalem and thou king Iosaphat thus sayth our Lord to you Feare not neither dread ye this multitude for it is not your battel but Gods †To morrow you shal goe downe agaynst them for they wil come vp by the steepe named Sis and you shal find them in the vtmost part of the torrent which is agaynst the wildernesse of Ieruel †It shal not be you that shal fight but onlie stand confidently and you shal see the helpe of our Lord ouer you ô Iuda and Ierusalem feare not neither dreade ye to morrow you shal goe out agaynst them and our Lord wil be with you †Iosaphat therfore and Iuda and al the inhabitantes of Ierusalem fel flat on the earth before our Lord and adored him †Moreouer the Leuites of the children of Caath and of the children of Core praysed our Lord the God of Israel with a lowd voice on high †And when they had risen earely in the morning they went forth by the desert of Thecua and they being gone forth Iosaphat standing in the middes of them sayd Heare me ye men of Iuda and al the inhabiters of Ierusalem beleue in the Lord your God and you shal be secure beleue his prophetes and al thinges shal fal out prosperous †He gaue counsel also to the people and appoynted the singing men of our Lord that they should prayse him in their companies and should goe before the host and with agreable voice should say Confesse to our Lord because his mercie is foreuer †And when they began to sing prayses our Lord turned their embushementes vpon themselues to witte of the children of Ammon and of Moab and of mount Seir who were gone forth to fight agaynst Iuda and were striken †For the children of Ammon and of Moab rose together agaynst the inhabitantes of mount Seir to kil and destroy them and when they had in worke atcheued this being turned also agaynst themselues they fel wounded one of an other †Moreouer Iuda when they were come to the watch place that looketh to the desert saw a far of al the countrie abrode ful of dead bodies and that none remayned aliue that could escape death †Iosaphat therfore came and al the people with him to take away the spoiles of the dead and they found among the dead bodies diuerse stuffe garments also and most pretious vessels and they spoiled it soe that they could not carie al thinges nor in three dayes take a Way the spoiles for the greatnesse of the praye †And in the fourth day they were assembled in the Vale of blessing for because there they had blessed our Lord they called that place the Vale of blessing vntil this present day †And euerie man of Iuda returned and the inhabitantes of Ierusalem and Iosaphat before them into Ierusalem with great ioy because our Lord had geuen them ioy of their enemies †And they entered into Ierusalem with psalteries and harpes and trumpettes into the house of our Lord. †And the dread of our Lord fel vpon al the kingdomes of the landes when they heard that our Lord had fought agaynst the enemies of Israel †And the kidgdom of Iosaphat was quiet and God gaue him peace round about †Iosaphat therfore reigned ouer Iuda and he was fiue and thirtie yeares old when he begane to reigne and he reigned fiue and twentie yeares in Ierusalem and the name of
the Temple but commanded first to draw her forth 4. Reg. 11. 2. Par. 23. And as peculiar places so special Psalmes and Hymnes were appointed for diuers purposes and occasions 2. Par. 20. The ministerie of Angeles was very vsual in this time One was sent to comforte and direct Elias the prophet in his afflictions 3. Reg. 19. 4. Reg. 1. An Angel stroke the Assyrians whole campe 4. Reg. 19. 2. Par. 32. Also the Intercession of Angels is so euident Tobiae 12. Raphael offering Tobias prayer to God that Protestants haue no other refuge to auoide this point of faith but by denying the Booke to be Canonical Scripture Honour of other Sainctes and their Intercession is proued a Maiori For so much as honour was religiously exhibited to spiritual power and excellencie in men yet liuing in this world So a Noble man adored Elias the Prophet being farre greater then he is ciuil and worldlie respectes 3. Reg. 18. Eliseus also was adored by his disciples not for anie worldlie authoritie or eminence but for his spiritual power and superioritie amongst them 4. Reg. 2. Likewise al Prophetes and Priestes were religiously honored for their holie and spiritual functions 3. Reg. 13. Much more Sainctes are rightly honored being immortal and in eternal glorie It appeareth also that Elias seuen yeares after that he was translated from humane conuersation when Eliseus was chiefe Prophet 4. Reg. 3. which was in or before the eightenth yeare of Iosaphat who reigned fiue and twentie 3. Reg. 22. had care of Ioram and his kingdom admonishing him by letters of Gods wrath against him and his people for their sinnes 2. Par. 21. And the scripture saieth often that God spared and protected Ierusalem and the kingdom of Iuda for Dauids sake 3. Reg. 11. 15. 4. Reg. 8. 19. 20. 2. Par. 6. 21. Isa 37. we haue also example of Sainctes Reliques in the cloke of Elias 4. Reg. 2. in Eliseus bones 4. Reg. 13. and in an other Prophetes bodie buried in Bethel VVhich Iosias would not suffer to be touched 4. Reg. 23. Images were conserued in the Temple 3. Reg. 7. as before in the Tabernacle when idolartie was most destroyed 3. Reg. 15. 4. Reg. 23. yea an abuse rising of the brasen serpeÌ„t for which Ezechias destroyed it 4. Reg. 18. yet he touched not the Images of Cherubins in the Temple VVhich none but Infideles sought to destroy And Osee the Prophet ch 3. bewayleth the want of Theraphim or Images amongst other sacred thinges Sacrifice Altar and Ephod VVherby the ancient Rabbins proue very wel that Images of Angels and the same of other Sainctes are not contrarie to the Decalogue but the images of Idoles Good workes were rewarded and bad punished 3. Reg. 9. and the whole historie of this age testifieth the same VVhere by the way may be obserued that some inst men fel from their iustice as Salomon 1. Par. 28. 3. Reg. 11. Ioas 4. Reg. 12. 2. Par. 24. Ozias 2. Paral. 26. Others from wickednes returned to pietie as Manasses 4. Reg. 23. 2. Par. 33. the multitude of the people very often much folowing the disposition of their kinges Special State of life not commanded by the law was voluntarily professed and obserued by some Prophetes and their disciples called the children of Prophetes Keping particular Rules and wearing distinct habite 4. Reg. 1. 2. 4. The orders of Nazarites and Rechabites instituted before continued stil Amos. 2. Ierem. 35. stil which were very examplar figures of Religious State and Orders in the new Testament and perpetual chastitie of clergie men embraced by such as folow Euangelical counsailes proposed and not commanded by our Sauiour To which S. Paul likewise exhorteth though there be no precept therof to anie before they bind themselues Exequies for the dead were continually kept as the sacred historie witnesseth recording where and with what solennitie the kinges were buried which would be ouerlong nedeles to recite the like is also writen of some Prophetes 3. Reg. 13. 4. Reg. 23. Holie Tobias by example and fatherlie admonition exhorted his sonne to do workes of mercie not only to the liuing but also to the dead Put thy bread and thy wine vpon the sepulture of the iust c. 4. Isaias ch 57. as the Iewes both vnderstood and practised prayed that peace be geuen to the iust in his couch or resting place after his death Of the general Resurrection Elias translation is a figure who yet liuing sheweth that God can and wil restore al men to life againe in their bodies after death as he conserueth him and Enoch in their mortal bodies without corruption Ezechiel also prophecieth of the Resurrection of the dead applying it mystically to spiritual resurrection and restauration of Israel to former state ch 37. Of the last Iudgment and eternal glorie to the good and euerlasting paine to the wicked Salomon agreably to the doctrin of other Prophetes discourseth in his booke of Ecclesiastes namely ch 3. 11. and in the last concludeth thus Let vs al together heare the end of speaking Feare God and obserue his commandmentes for this is euerie man or to this end man is created and God wil bring into Iudgement al thinges that are done for euerie errour or obscure thing whether it be good or euil Neither were these and other pointes of Faith and Religion interrupted but stil beleued and professed in the Church alwaies visible and incontaminate notwithstanding some boughes anâ— branches became vnstructsul and rotten others brake of and were separated from this vine For when Salomon falling to luxurie multiplying manie wiues and concubines was by them seduced and brought to spiritual fornication and idolatrie making altars offering sacrifices to Idoles the Priestes Prophetes and people generally perseuered in Gods law seruice 3. Reg. 11. After whose death Ieroboam his seruant of the tribe of Ephraim possessing Tenne Tribes called the kingdom of Israel to maintaine his new state fearing that if the people resorted to Ierusalem for religions sake they would depart from him and returne to the right heyres of Dauid and Salomon made an egregious Schisme setting vp two golden calues in Bethel and Dan. 3. Reg. 12. made temples altares and priestes to sâ—rue them al opposite to Gods ordinance But not only the other Two Tribes called the kingdom of Iuda but also the greatest part of Israel especially Priestes Leuites and deuoutest people repayred stil to Ierusalem not yelding to that schisme and idolairie 2. Par. 11. Moreouer God raised vp and sent special Prophetes to confirme the weake and recal the seduced For Ieroboam had no sowner sette vp his new altar in Bethel and begunne to offer incense vpon it but a Prophet came out of Iuda in the word of our Lord and cried against that altar foretelling that wheras for that present they burnt frankineâ—nse vpon it the time should come when the
and began to pray with teares †saying Thou art iust ô Lord al thy iudgementes are iust and al thy waies mercie truth and iudgement †And now Lord be mindful of me and take not reuenge of my sinnes neither remember the sinnes of me or of my parentes †Because we haue not obeyed thy commandmentes therfore we are deliuered in spoile and captiuitie and death and into a fable and into reproch to al nations in which thou hast dispersed vs. †And now Lord great are thy iudgementes because we haue not done according to thy preceptes haue not walked sincerely before thee †and now Lord according to thy wil do with me command my spirite to be receiued in peace for it is expedient for me to die rather then to liue †The verie same day therfore it chanced that Sara the daughter of Raguel in Rages a citie of the Medes she also heard reproch of one of her fathers handmaydes †because she had beene deliuered to seuen husbandes the diuel named Asmodeus had killed them forth with as they were entred in vnto her †Therfore when she rebuked the wench for her fault she answered her saying Let vs no more see sonne of thee or daughter vpon the earth thou murderer of thy husbandes †What wilt thou kil me also as thou hast now killed seuen husbandes At this voice she went into an higher chamber of her house and three dayes and three nightes did not eate nor drinke †but continewing in prayer with teares besought God that he would deliuer her from this reproch †And it came to passe the third day whiles she accomplished her prayer blessing our Lord †she sayd Blessed is thy name ô God of our fathers who when thou hast bene angrie wilt doe mercie in the time of tribulation forgeuest them their sinnes that inuocate thee †To thee ô Lord I turne my face to thee I direct myne eyes †I desire Lord that thou loose me from the bond of this reproch or els take me away from the earth †Thou knowest Lord that I neuer coueted a husband and haue kept my soule cleane from al concupiscence †Neuer haue I companied my self with sporters neither haue I made my selfe partaker with them that walke in lightnesse †But a husband I consented to take with thy feare not with my lust †And either I was vnworthie of them or they perhaps were not worthie for me because perhaps thou hast kept me for an other man †For thy counsel is not in mans power †But this hath euerie one for certayne that worshippeth thee that his life if it be in probation shal be crowned and if it be in tribulation it shal be deliuered and if it be in correction it shal be lawful to come to thy mercie †For thou art not delighted in our perditions because after a tempest thou makest a calme and after teares and weeping thou powrest in ioyfulnesse †Be thy name God of Israel blessed foreuer †At that time the prayers of both were heard in the sight of the glorie of the high God †and the holie Angel of our Lord Raphael was sent to cure them both whose prayers at one time were recited in the sight of our Lord. CHAP. IIII. Tobias thincking he shal dye geueth his sonne godlie admonitions 7. especially exhorteth him to geue almes diligently 13. to flee al fornication pride and fraude 21. And telleth him of money lent to a friend THERFORE when Tobias thought his prayer to be heard that he might haue died he called to him Tobias his sonne †and sayd to him Heare my sonne the wordes of my mouth lay them as a foundation in thy hart †When God shal take my soule * burie my bodie and thou shalt doe * honour to thy mother al the dayes of her life †for thou must be mindful what perils and how great she suffered for thee in her wombe †And when she also shal haue accomplished the time of her life burie her beside me †And al the dayes of thy life * haue God in thy mind and beware thou consent not to sinne at anie time and pretermitte the preceptes of our Lord God †* Of thy substance geue almes and turne not away thy face from anie poore person for so it shal come to passe that neither the face of our Lord shal be turned from thee †As thou shalt be able so be merciful †If thou haue much geue aboundantly if thou haue litle studie to impert also a litle willingly †For thou dost treasure vp to thy self a good reward in the day of necessitie †because almes deliuereth from al sinne and from death wil not suffer the soule to goe into darkenesse †Great confidence before God most high shal almes be to al them that doe it †* Take heed to thy self my sonne of al fornication beside thy wife neuer abide to know crime †* Neuer permitte pryde to rule in thy word for in it al perdition tooke his beginning †* Whosoeuer hath wrought anie thing for thee pay him his hyre immediatly and let not the hyre of thy hyred seruant remayne with thee at al. †* That which thou hatest to be done to thee by an other see thou doe it not to an other at anie time †Eate thy bread with the hungrie needie and of thy garmentes couer the naked †* Set thy bread and thy wine vpon the burial of a iust man and doe not eate and drinke therof with sinners †Seeke counsel alwaies of a wiseman †At al time blesse God and desire of him that he direct thy waies and that al thy counsels remayne in him †I tel thee also my sonne that I gaue tenne talentes of siluer whiles thou wast yet a child to Gabelus in Rages a citie of the Medes and I haue a bil of his hand with me †and therfore enquire how thou maist come to him and receiue of him the foresayd weight of siluer and restore him the bil of his hand †Feare not my sonne we leade in dede a poore life but we shal haue many good thinges if we feare God and depart from al sinne and doe wel CHAP. V. Yong Tobias seeking a guide for his iourney Raphael the Angel in shape of a man presenteth himself and vndertaketh this office 23. The mother lamenteth the abscence and danger of her sonne THEN Tobias answered his father and sayd I wil doe al things father whatsoeuer thou hast commanded me †But how I shal require this money I can nor tel he knoweth not me and I know not him what token shal I geue him Yea neither the way which leadeth thither did I euer know †Then his father answered him and sayd I haue the bil of his hand with me which when thou shalt
counsel not of precept The eight Tobias obserued that which the Angel aduised him in burning the liuer of the fish vpon coales in their chamber ch 6. v. 19. ch 8 v. 2. So deuout persons commonly obserue that which spiritual men exhort them vnto though it be not a commandment The ninth Priuate prayer of the new maried persons ch 6. v 18. c. 8. v. 4. The tenth the sending away of the spouse to her husbands house or dwelling place with good wishes due payment of the promised dawrie and godlie admonitions by her parentes ch 10. v. 10. 11. 12. 13. CHAP. XI â—eauing Sara with the rest of the companie and the flocke to folow the Angel Raphael and Tobias goe before 5. are ioyfully receiued 8. Tobias annointeth his fathers eyes with the fishes gal and he seeth 18. Sara arriueth seuen dayes after with her familie and cattle AND when they returned they came to Charan which is in the middeway agaynst Niniue the eleuenth day †And the Angel said Brother Tobias thou knowest how thou didest leaue thy farher †If it please thee therfore let vs goe be ore and let the families folow softly after vs together with thy wife and with the beastes †And when this pleased him that they should goe Raphael said to Tobias Take with thee of the gal of the fish for it shal be necessarie Tobias therfore tooke of that gal and they departed †But Anna sate beside the way dayly in the toppe of a hil from whence she might see afar of †And whiles she watched his coming out of that place she saw afar of and by and by perceiued her sonne coming and running she told her husband saying Behold thy sonne cometh †And Raphael said to Tobias But when thou art entred into thy house forthwith adore our Lord thy God and geuing thankes to him goe to thy father and kisse him †And immediatly annointe vpon his eies of this gal of the fish which thou cariest with thee For know thou that forthwith his eies shal be opened and thy father shal see the light of heauen and shal reioice in the sight of thee †Then ranne the dogge before which had beene with them in the way and coming as it were a messenger with the fawning of his tayle reioysed †And his father that was blind rysing vp began to runne stumbling with his feete and geuing a seruant his hand went to meete his sonne †And receiuing him kissed him with his wife and they began both to weepe for ioy †And when they had adored God and geuen thankes they sate downe together †Then Tobias taking of the gal of the fish annoynted his fathers eies †And he stayed as it were almost halfe an houre the white bleâ—â—â—h began to come out of his eies as it were the skine of an egge †Which Tobias taking drewe from his eies and immediatly he receiued sight †And they glorified God to wit himselfe and his wife and al that knewe him †And Tobias said I blesse thee Lord God of Israel because thou hast chastised me and thou hast saued me and behold I see Tobias my sonne †After seuen dayes also came in Sara his sonnes wife and al the familie safe and cattel and the camels and much money of his wiues and that money also which he had receiued of Gabelus †and he told his parentes al the benefites of God which he had done to him by the man that conducted him †And Achior and Nabath Tobias sisters sonnes came reioysing at Tobias and congratulating him for al good thinges that God had shewed towards him †And for seuen daies making good chere they reioysed al with great ioy CHAP XII Old Tobias and his sonne offer the half of al the goodes which they had newly receiued to Raphael for his wages 6. VVho then declareth to them that he was sent from God to helpe them 15. and that he is an Angel â—0 He parteth â— way and they render thankes to God THEN Tobias called to him his sonne and sayd to him What may we geue to this holie man that is come with thee †Tobias answering sayd to his father Father what reward shal we geue him or what can be worthie of his benefittes †He hath led me and brought me agayne safe he receiued the money of Gabelus he caused me to haue my wife and the euil spirit he chased from her he made ioy vnto her parentes my self he deliuered from being deuoured of the fish thee also he hath made to see the light of heauen and we are replenished with al good things by him What can we geue him worthie for these things †But I beseech thee my father that thou desire him if perhaps he wil voutsafe to take vnto him the one halfe of al thinges which are brought †And they calling him to wit the father and the sonne tooke him aside began to desire him that he would voutsafe to accept the halfe part of al thinges that they had brought †Then he sayd to them secretely Blesse ye the God of heauen and before al that liue confesse to him because he hath done mercie with you †For to hide the secrete of a king is good but to reueale confesse the workes of God is an honorable thing †Prayer is good with fasting and almes rather then to lay vp treasures of gold †because almes deliuereth from death and that is it which purgeth sinnes and maketh to finde mercie and life euerlasting †But they that committe sinne and iniquitie are enemies to their owne soule †I open therfore vnto you the truth and I wil not hide from you the secrete word †When thou didst pray with teares and didst burie the dead and leaft thy dinner and didest hide the dead by day in thy house and by night didst burie them “ I offered thy prayer to our Lord. †And because thou wast acceptable to God it was necessarie that tentation should proue thee †And now our Lord sent me to cure thee and to deliuer Sara thy sonnes wife from the diuel †For I am Raphael an Angel one of the seuen which assist before our Lord. †And when they had heard these thinges they were trubled trembling fel vpon the ground on their face †And the Angel sayd to them Peace be to you feare not †For when I was with you by the wil of God I was so blesse ye him and sing to him †I seemed indeede to eate with you and to drinke but I vse an inuisible meate and drinke which can not be seene of men †It is time therfore that I returne to him that sent me but blesse ye God and tel al his maruelous workes †And when he had sayd these things he was taken from their sight and they could see him no more †Then prostrate for three houres vpon their
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
I was the father of the poore and the cause which I knew not I searched most diligently †I brake the iawes of the wicked man and out of his teeth I tooke away the praye †And I said I wil die in my litle nest as a palme-tree wil multiplie daies †My roote is opened beside the waters and dewe shal continue in my haruest †My glorie shal alwaies be renewed and my bow in my hand shal be repayred †They that heard me expected sentence and attent held their peace at my counsel †To my wordes they durst adde nothing and my speach distilled vpon them †They expected me as rayne and they opened their mouth as it were to a lateward shower †If at anie time I laughed on them they beleued not and the light of my countenance fel not on the earth †If I would haue gone to them I sate first and when I sate as a king with his armie standing about him yet was I a conforter of them that mourned CHAP. XXX Holie Iob sheweth the great change of his temporal estate from welfare into great calamitie BVT now they of yonger time scorne me whose fathers I vouchsafed not to put with the dogs of my flocke †The force of whose handes was to me as nothing and they were thought vnworthie of life it self †Barren with pouertie and famine who gnawed in the wildernes il fauoured by calamitie and miserie †And they did eate grasse and the barkes of trees and the roote of iunipers was their meat †Who taking these thinges violently out of the valles when they had found euerie thing they ranne to them with a crie †They dwelt in the deserts of torrentes and in caues of the earth or vpon grauel †Who reioysed among these kind of thinges and counted it delicacies to be vnder the briars †The children of foolish and base men and in the earth not appearing at al. †Now am I turned into their song and become a prouerb with them †They abhorre me and flee far from me and are not a frayd to spit in my face †For he hath opened his quiuer and hath afflicted me and hath put a bridle into my mouth †At the right hand of me rising my calamities forthwith arose they haue ouerthrowen my feete and as with waues haue oppressed with their pathes †They haue dissipated my waies they haue lyen in wayte against me and they haue preuailed and there was not that would helpe †As when a wal is broken and the gate opened they haue broken violently vpon me and are come trambling downe to my miseries †I brought to nothing as a wind he hath taken away my desire mand my prosperitie hath passed away as a clowde †And now my soule withereth in my self and the daies of affliction possesse me †In the night my bone is pearsed with sorrowes and they that eate me sleepe not †In the multitude of them my garment is consumed and they haue girded me about as it were with the coler of a wate †I am compared to durt and am resembled to imbers and ashes †I crie to thee and thou hearest me not I stand and thou doest not respect me †Thou art changed to be cruel toward me and in the hardenesse of thy hand thou art against me †Thou didst lift me vp and setting me as it were vpon the wind thou hast mightely dashed me †I know that thou wilt deliuer me to death where a house is appointed for euery one that liueth †But yet not to my consumption doest thou send forth thy hand and if they shal fal thou wilt saue †I wept sometime vpon him that was afflicted and my soul had compassion on the poore †I expect good thinges and euils are come vpon me I taried for light and darknesse brake forth †My inner partes haue boyled without anie rest the dayes of affliction haue preuented me †I went mourning without furie rising vp I cried in the multitude †I was the brother of dragons and felow of Ostriches †My skinne is made blacke vpon me and my bones are dried with heate †My harpe is turned into mourning and my instrument into the voice of weepers CHAP. XXXI Holie Iob reciteth sincerly his owne vertues shewing therby that he is not punished so gricuously for his sinnes but by Gods prouidence for some other cause I HAâ—â— made a couenant with mine eyes that I would 〈…〉 as thinke of a virgin †For what part should Gâ—◠〈…〉 haue in me inheritance the Omnipotent from on higâ—◠†Is there not perdition to the wicked man and alienation to them that worke iniustice †Doth not he consider my waies and number al my steppes †If I haue walked in vanitie and my foote hath hastened in guile †Let him wey me in a iust balance and let God know my simplicitie †If my steppe haue declined out of the way and if mine eie hath folowed my hart and if sporte hath cleaued to my handes †Let me sawe and let an other eate it and let my progenie be plucked vp by the rootes †If my hart hath bene deceiued vpon a woman and if I haue lyene in waite at my freinds doore †Let my wife be the harlot of an other man and let other men lye with her †For this is a hainous thing and most great iniquitie †It is a fire deuoring euen to perdition and rooting vp al thinges that spring †If I hane contemned to abide iudgement with my man seruant and my mayd seruant when they had anie controuersie against me †For what shal I doe when God shal rise to iudge and when he shal aske what shal I answer him †Did not he make me in the wombe that made him also and did not one forme me in the matrice †If I haue denied to the poore that which they would and haue made the eyes of the widow to expect †If I haue eaten my morsel alone and the pulpil hath not eaten therof with me †Because from mine infancie mercy hath growen with me and from my mothers wombe it came forth with me †If I haue dispised him that perisheth for that he had not clothing and the poore man without wherwithal to couer him †If his sides haue not blessed me he was not warmed with the flises of my sheepe †If I haue lifted vp my hand ouer the pupil yea when I saw my self in the gaâ—e the superior †Let my shoulder fal from his iuncture and let my arme with his bones be broken †For I haue alwaies feared God as waues swelling vpon me and his weight I could not beare †If I haue thought gold my strength and haue said to fine gold My confidence †If I haue reioysed vpon my great riches and because my hand found manie thinges †If I saw the sunne
when it shined and the moone going cleerly †And my hart in secret reioysed and I kissed my hand with my mouth †Which is most great iniquitie and a denial against God the most high †If I haue beene glad of his fal that hated me haue reioysed that euil had found him †For I haue not geuen my throte to sinne that cursing I wished his soule †If the men of my tabernacle haue not sayd Who wil giue of his flesh that we may be filled †The stranger taried not without my doore was open to the wayfaring man †If as man I haue hid my sinne and haue concealed my iniquitie in my bosome †If I haue bene afrayd at a verie great multitude the contempt of kinâ—men hath terrified me and I haue not rather held my peace not gone out of the doore †Who wil grant me an hearer that the Omnipotent would heare my desire and that himself that iudgeth would write a booke †That I may carie it on my shoulder and put it about me as a crowne †At euerie steppe of mine I wil pronounce it and as to the prince I wil offer it †If my Land cry against me and with it the furrowes therof lament †If I haue eaten the fruites therof without money and haue afflicted the soule of the tillers therof †For wheate let the bryar grow to me and for batlie the thorne The wordes of Iob are ended CHAP. XXXII Eliu a young man being angrie that Iob persisted in his opinion and that his three freindes could not conuince him S. taketh vpon him to confute Iob which they could not do BVT these three men omitted to answer Iob for that he seemed iust to himself †And Eliu the sonne of Barachel a Buzite of the kinred of Ram was angrie and tooke indignation and he was angrie against Iob for that he sayd himself to be iust before God †Moreouer against his freindes he had indignation for that they had not found a reasonable answer but onlie had condemned Iob. †Therfore Eliu expected Iob speaking because they were his elders that spake †But when he saw that the three were not able to answer he was wrath excedingly †And Eliu the sonne of Barachel a Buzite answering sayd I am yonger in time and you more ancient therfore casting downe my head I was afrayd to shewe you my sentence †For I hoped that longer age would speake and that a multitude of yeares would teach wisdom †But as I see there is a Spirite in men and the inspiration of the Omnipotent geueth vnderstanding †They of many yeares are not the wise men neither doe the ancientes vnderstand iudgement †Therfore wil I speake Heare ye me I also wil shew you my wisedom †For I haue expected your wordes I haue heard your wisdom as long as you contended in wordes †And as long as I thought you said somewhat I considered but as I see here is none of you that can reproue Iob and answer to his wordes †Lest perhaps you may say We haue found wisedom God hath reiected him not man †He hath spoken nothing to me and I wil not answer him according to your wordes †They were afrayd and answered no more they haue taken away talke from themselues †Therfore because I haue expected and they spake not they stoode answered no more †I also wil answer my part and wil shew my knowledge †For I am ful of wordes and the spirit of my bellie streyneth me †Behold my bellie is as new wine without a vent which breaketh new vessels †I wil speake and take breath a litle I wil open my lippes and wil answer †I wil not accept the person of a man and I wil not make God equal to man †For I know not how long I shal continewe and whether after a while my maker wil take me away CHAP. XXXIII Eliu endeuoreth to proue by Iobs speach that he is vniust 13. arguing that God by afflicting him hath alreadly so iudged 23. but if by an Angels admonition he repent al shal be remitted HEERE therfore Iob my sayings and harken to al my wordes †Behold I haue opened my mouth let my tongue speake within my iawes †My wordes are of my simple hart and my lippes shal speake a pure sentence †The Spirit of God made me and the breath of the Omnipotent gaue me life †If thou canst answer me and stand against my face †Behold God hath made me also euen as thee and of the same clay I also was formed †But yet let not my miracle terrifie thee and let not my eloquence be burdenous to thee †Thou therfore hast sayd in my eares and I haue heard the voice of thy wordes †I am cleane and without sinne vnspotted and there is no iniquitie in me †Because he hath found quarrels in me therfore hath he thought me his enemy †He hath put my feete in the stockes he hath obserued al my waies †This therfore is it wherein thou art not iustified I wil answer thee that God is greater then man †Doest thou contend against him because he hath not answered thee to al wordes †God speaketh once repeateth not the self same the second time †By a dreame in a vision by night when heauie sleepe falleth vpon men and they sleepe in their bed †TheÌ„ doth he open the eares of men teaching instructeth them with discipline †That he may turne a man from these things which he doth may deliuer him from pride †Deliuering his soule from corruption and his life that it passe not vnto the sword †He rebuketh also by sorow in the bed and he maketh al his bones to wither †Bread is become abominable to him in his life and to his soule the meate before desired †His flesh shal consume and the bones that had beene couered shal be made naked †His soule hath approched to corruption and his life to things causing death †If there shal be an Angel speaking for him one of thousandes to declare mans equirie †He shal haue mercie on him and shal say deliuer him that he descend not into corruption I haue found wherein I may be propitious to him †His flesh is consumed with punishments let it returne to the daies of his youth †He shal beseche God and he wil be pacified towards him and he shal see his face in iubilation and he wil render to a man his iustice †He shal behold men and shal say I haue sinned and in deede I haue oftended and as I was worthie I haue not receiued †He hath deliuered his soule that it should not goe into death but liuing should see the light †Behold al these things doth God worke three times in euerie one †That he may reclame their soules from corruption and
†For our Lord knoweth the way of the iust and the way of the impious shal perish ANNOTATIONS PSALME I. 1. Hath not gone not stood not sitte The Hebrew stile and maner of discourse differeth here from other nations in mentioning first the lesse euil and the greatest last VVhereas we would say in the contrary order He is happie that hath not sitte that is hath not setled himselfe in wickednes nor finally persisted obstinate more happie that hath not stood anie notable time continued in sinne and most happie that hath not gone not geuen anie consent at al to euil suggestions 2. His vvil in the vvay of our Lord. As one part of happines consisteth in declining from euil so the other is in doing good the wil desiring and diligently endeuoring to walke in the way of vertue and law of God VVhich is true iustice and right forme of good life proposed in this Psalme for attayning eternal beatitude PSALME II. Christs glorie the world repining therat 4. shal be propagated in al the world 7. His diuine powre as wel spiritual in conuerting mens hartes as external in seuere iustice is prophecied VVHY did the Gentiles rage and peoples meditate vaine things †The kings of the earth stood vp and the princes came together in one against our Lord and against his Christ †Let vs breake their bondes a sunder and let vs cast away their yoke from vs. †He that dwelleth in the heauens shal laugh at them and our Lord shal scorne them †Then shal he speake to them in his wrath in his furie he shal truble them †But I am appoynted king by him ouer Sion his holie hil preaching his precept †The Lord said to me Thou art my Sonne I this day haue be gotten thee †Aske of me and I wil geue thee the Gentiles for thyne inheritance and thy possession the endes of the earth †Thou shalt rule them “ in a rod of yron and “ as a potters vessel thou shalt breake them in peeces †And now “ ye kings vnderstand “ take instruction you that iudge the earth †Serue our Lord in feare and “ reioyce to him with trembling †Apprehend discipline lest sometime our Lord be wrath and you perish out of the iust way †When his wrath shal burne in short time blessed are al that trust in him ANNOTATIONS PSALME II. 2. Kinges and Princes against Christ VVhen Christ and his Apostles preached the Gospel both Iewes and Gentiles with their Princes Kinges and Emperors most furiously resisted but al in vaine For they could not hinder the wil and powre of God But the more they persecuted the more was increased the zele and number of Christians 8. The gentiles thyn inheritance By this promise of God to Christ S. Augustin conuinced the Donatistes in them the Protestantes that say the Church of Christ failed and became smal or inuisible as though Christ the Sonne of God could sometimes lose his inheritance which is the Catholique Church gethered of the Gentiles and his possession extended to the endes of the earth 9. As a potters vessel If a potters vessel saith S. Ierom in hunc Psal tom 8. be broken whiles it is soft it may easily be repared but after it is hard it can not be made whole againe So sinners are more easily restored to grace shortly repeating then long obdurate yet that which is vnpossible to man is possible to God Mat. 10. For as clay in the potters hand so are you in my hand saith our Lord. Iere. 18. 10. Ye kinges vnderstand Not onlie innumerable other people of al nations but also after a while Kinges and Emperors beleued in Christ And such as at first persecuted became most Christian Catholique Defenders of the faith 10. Take instruction you that iudge the earth Petilianus Gaudentius other Donatistes inueyghing against Christian Kinges for punishing heretikes most falsly auoched that Christianitie neuer found kinges but inuious enimies and persecuters To whom S. Augustin answereth in seueral bookes that Christian Kinges and Princes are not enemies to Christianitie but are enemies to heretikes the rebelles of Christ and his Church For according to this prophecie of king Dauid Christian kinges are instructed and know it is their dutie â—â— the seruice of God to defend the Church against Heretikes and other Infidelles And it is the propertie of Apostataes to fauour heretikes So good Constantin the great maintained Catholique vnitie and Iulian the Apostata to make greater diuision tooke Churches from Catholiques and gaue them to Donatistes to nourish dissention and so to oâ—eâ—â—â—row al Christians But God stil protecteth the true Church againâ—â— al such suttle and malicious dâ—uiâ—es because it is Christs inheritance 11. Râ—â—oyâ—e vvith trembling Gods seruice is tempeted with two affections with ioy in consideration of his goodnes mercie meeknes and with feare in respect of his â—ustice and â—euere iudgement The one is a remedie against desperation the other against presumption PSALME III. King Dauid recounteth his danger when his sonne Absalom conspired against him 4. and thanketh God for his deliuerie 9 acknowledging al helpe to be from God Mistically Christs persecution Death Burial and Resurrection †The “ Psalme of Dauid “ when he fled from the face of Absalom his sonne 2. Reg. 15. LORD why are they multiplied that truble me manie rise vp against me †Many say to my soule There is no saluation for him in his God †But thou Lord art my protectour my glorie exalting my head †With my voice I haue cried to our Lord and he hath heard me from his holie hil †“ I haue slept and haue bene at rest and haue risen vp because our Lord hath taken me †I wil not feare thousandes of people compassing me arise Lord saue me my God †Because thou hast stroken al that are my aduersaries without cause thou hast broken the teeth of sinners †Saluation is our Lordes and thy blessing vpon thy people ANNOTATIONS PSALME III. 1. Psalme of Dauid Al Interpreters agreably teach that king Dauid made not the titles which are before the Psalmes Neuertheles they are authentical as endited by the Holie Ghost And it is most probable Esdras added those titles which are in the Hebrew and the Seuentie interpreters writte the other in their Greke Edition Both which S. Ierom translated into Latin In these titles fiue thinges may be noted First the former two hauing no title at al the general name of Psalme common to al is particularly appropriated to some and other names to others VVhich in al are twelue to witte Psalme Inscription Prayer Canticle Psalme of Canticle Canticle of Psalme Hymne Testimonie
Caluin and his complices gether poyson of these holie wordes denying that sinnes are truly taken away but only couered and stil remayne say they in the iustest VVhich sense would make this Scripture contrarie to other places Isaie 6. thyn iniquitie shal be taken away and thy sinne shal be cleansed Ioan. 1. The lambe of God which taketh away the sinne of the world Act. 3. Be penitent and conuert that your sinnes may be put out 1. Cor. 6 you are washed you are sanctified you are iustified the like which shew the true real taking away of sinnes true sanctification and iustification As S. Ierom or some other ancient authentical autor explicateth this place saying Sinnes are so couered by baptisme penance that they are not to be reueled in the day of iudgement not imputed in him that diligently purgeth him selfe in this world or by martyrdom S. Augustin teacheth the same saying Sinnes are couered are wholly couered are abolished Neither must you vnderstand saith he that sinnes are couered as though stil they were and liued VVhy then did the prophet say sinnes are couered they are not to be punished More clerly li. 1. c 13. cont duas Epist Pelag. The Pelagians calumniating Catholiques as if they taught that sinnes are not taken away but shauen as heares are cut with a rasor the rootes remaining in he flesh vvhich he answereth none affirmeth but an infidel Likewise S. Gregorie teacheth that a sinner couereth his sinnes wel when with contrarie vertues he ouerwhelmeth former vices and with good deedes blotteth out former euil deedes He couereth them euil when either for shame or feare or obstinacie or desperation he concealeth his sinnes omitting to confesse them God couereth sinnes as a phisition couereth woundes by applying medicinal plaster which in deede cureth them Thus ancient lerned holie Fathers expound this text Further explicating that albeit thinges couered and only therby hidde from men do remaine as they were before they were hid yet whatsoeuer is hid to God is in dede vtterly taken away for nothing that is can be hid from God And the contrarie doctrin of Protestants is iniurious either to Gods powre if they say he can not quite take away sinnes or to his mercie if he wil not or to his iustice if he neuer punish sinnes euer remayning and to his truth if he repute otherwise then in deede the thing is It is also iniurious to Christ to say his bloud and death is not effectual to take away sinnes iniurious to innumerable places of holie Scripture which affirme plainly that sinnes by Gods grace are vtterly taken away Finally it is iniurious to Sainctes in heauen arguing them as stil infected with sinnes if in dede sinnes yet remaine in them which is most absurde and blasphemie to speake And yet foloweth by necessarie consequence For if the iustest liued died in sinne they should remaine eternally in sinne 2. Neither is there guile in his spirite In remission of sinnes the penitent necessarily must so cooperate that he haue no guile in his spirite or hart for if he haue then he faileth of the forsaide blessednes and his iniquities are not forgeuen nor his sinnes couered to God but to be imputed and punished Yet the repentance of a sinner be it neuer so sincere hartie and without guile doth not merite remission of sinne but only disposeth therto But after remission it is satisfactorie for the paine due for sinnes and meritorious of glorie According as S. Augustin here teacheth saying Good or meritorious workes goe not before faith and remission but folow the same PSALME XXXII The prophet exhorteth to praise God 4. describing his powre prouidence mercie and wisdom 16. no saluation but by him 20. and therfore prayeth for his helpe The Psalme of Dauid REIOYCE ye iust in our Lord praysing becometh the righteous †Confesse ye to our Lord on the harpe on a psalter of ten strings sing to him †Sing ye to him a new song sing wel to him in iubilation †Because the word of our Lord is right and al his workes are in faith †He loueth mercie and iudgement the earth is ful of the mercie of our Lord. †By the word of our Lord the heauens are established and by the spirit of his mouth al the power of them †Gathering together the waters of the sea as it were in a bottel putting the depthes in treasures †Let al the earth feare our Lord and let al the inhabitantes of the world be moued at him †Because he said and they were made he commanded and they were created †Our Lord l dissipateth the counsels of nations and he reproueth the cogitations of people and he reproueth the counsels of princes †But the counsel of our Lord abydeth for euer the cogitations of his hart in generation and generation †Blessed is the nation whose God is our Lord the people whom he hath chosen for his inheritance †Our Lord hath looked from heauen he hath sene al the children of men †From his prepared habitation he hath looked vpon al that inhabite the earth †Who made their hartes seuerally who vnderstandeth al their workes †The king is not saued by much powre and the gyant shal not be saued in the multitude of his strength †The horse fayleth to safetie and in the abundance of his force he shal not be saued †Behold the eies of our Lord be vpon them that feare him and on them that hope vpon his mercie †That he may deliuer their soules from death and nourish them in famine †Our soule expecteth our Lord because he is our helper and protector Because in him our hart shal reioyce and we haue trusted in his holie name Let thy mercie ô Lord be made vpon vs as we haue hoped in thee PSALME XXXIII King Dauid by his owne example being deliuered from danger exhorteth al men to render thankes for Gods benefites 12. shewing wherin iustice consisteth 16. and Gods special prouidence towards the iust To Dauid when “ he changed his countenance before Abimelech and he dismist him and he went away 1. Reg. 21. I WIL blesâ—e our Lord at al time his prayse alwayes in my mouth †In our Lord my soule shal be praised let the milde heare and reioyce †Magnifie ye our Lord with me and let vs exalt his name for euer †I haue sought out our Lord and he hath heard me and from al my tribulations he hath deliuered me †Come ye to him and be illuminated and your faces shal not be confounded †This poore man hath cried and our Lord hath heard him and from al his tribulations he hath saued him †The Angel of our Lord shal put in him selfe about them that feare him and shal deliuer them †Tast
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
in honour did not vnderstand he was compared to beasts without vnderstanding and became like to them †This their way is a scandal to them and afterward in their mouth they shal take pleasure †As sheepe they are put in hel death shal feede vpon them And the iust shal rule ouer them in the morning and their aide shal waxe old in hel from their glorie †Neuerthelesse God wil redeme my soule out of the hand of hel when he shal take me †Feare not when a man shal be made rich and when the glory of his house shal be multiplied †Because when he shal dye he shal not take al thinges neyther shal his glorie goe downe with him †Because his soule in his life shal be blessed he wil confesse to thee when thou shalt do him good †He shal enter in euen to the progenies of his fathers and he shal not see light for euer †Man when he was in honour did not vnderstand he was compared to beasts without vnderstanding and became like to them PSALME XLIX Christ in his first coming calleth al Nations 3. in his second wil iudge the world 7. In the meane time God exhorteth al men to serue him in puritie of vertue which he much preferreth before external sacrifice of the old law 17. reprehending such as professe or teach the right way and liue wickedly †A Psalme to Asaph THE God of goddes our Lord hath spoken and he hath called the earth from the rysing of the sunne euen to the going downe †Out of Syon the beauty of his comelines †God wil come manifestly our God and he wil not kepe silence Fire shal burne forth in his sight and round about him a mighty tempest †He shal cal the heauen from aboue and the earth to discerne his people †Gather ye together his saincts vnto him which ordaine his testament aboue sacrifices †And the heauens shal shew forth his iustice because God is Iudge †Heare ô my people and I wil speake Israel and I wil testifie to thee God thy God am I. †I wil not rebuke thee in thy sacrifices and thy holocaustes are in my sight alwaies †I wil not take calues out of thy house nor buckegoats out of thy flockes †Because al the wilde beasts of the woods be myne the cattle in the mountaines and oxen †I haue knowne al the foules of the ayer and the beauty of the fielde is with me †If I shal be hungrie I wil not tel thee for the round earth is myne and the fulnes therof †Wil I eate the flesh of oxen or wil I drinke the blood of bucke goats †Immolate to God “ the sacrifice of praise and pay thy vowes to the Highest †And inuocate me in the day of tribulation I wil deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie me †But to the sinner God hath sayde Why doest thou declare my iustices and takest my testament by thy mouth †But thou hast hated discipline cast my words behind thee †If thou didst see a theefe thou didst rune with him and with adulterers thou didst put thy portion †Thy mouth hath abounded with malice and thy tongue fourged guiles †Sitting thou spakest against thy brother and against thy mothers sonne thou didst put a scandal †these things hast thou done and I haue held my peace †Thou hast thought vniustly that I wil be like thee I wil reproue thee and set it against thy face †Vnderstand these things you that forget God lest sometime he take you violently and there be none to deliuer you †The “ sacrifice of prayse shal glorifie me and there is the way by which I wil shew him the saluation of God ANNOTATIONS PSALME XLIX 14. 23. The sacrifice of praise For better and more due performing of external sacrifice it is requisite that those which offer it or desire to participate do bring with them necessarie internal vertues or disposition as sorow and repentāce for their sinnes which is a kind of improper sacrifice mentioned in the next Psalme the sacrifice of iustice which rendereth ro euerie one that is due Psal 4. and sacrifise of praise or thankes geuing for al Gods benefites receiued or expected which kindes of internal and improper sacrifices do nothing preiudice but rightly prepare men to the fruict of external sacrifice euer vsed in the law of nature the law of Moyses and of Christ This place also hath an other higher and prophetical sense of the Sacrifice of Christs bodie in the Eucharist which is both propitiatorie and Sacrifise of praise and thankes geuing So S. Augustin orat aduersus Iudeos c. 6. teacheth that here certainly is a plaine change of the old sacrifices The same he affirmeth Ep. 120. c. 18. God foreshewing that the old sacrifices should be changed which were offered in shadow of a sacrifice to come I wil not take faith God to Israel calues nor goares at thy hand c. but appointeth that al Israel al nations from the rysing of the sunne to the setting shal immolate the sacrifice of praise the same Christ whom old Simeon knew an infant whom he receiued into his handes Likewise li. contra aduers legis prophet c. 20. The Church offereth to God in the bodie of Christ the sacrifice of praise PSALME L. King Dauid in great sorow for his sinnes of adultrie and murder most seriously prayeth God of his manifold mercies to remitte and purge al his offences and paines due for them 12. to restore vnto him the grace of the Holie Ghost lost by his sinnes 15. that he may teach others as in deede his singular example may teach the whole world true penance 19. contrition of hart worthely to offer sacrifice for the whole Church †Vnto the end a Psalme of Dauid †“ when Nathan the Prophet came to him after that he had sinned with Bethsabee 2. Reg. 12. HAVE mercie on me ô God according to thy great mercie And according to the multitude of thy commiserations take away myne iniquitie †“ Wash me more amply from mine iniquitie cleanse me from my sinne †Because I do know myne iniquitie and my sinne is before me alwaies †To thee onely haue I sinned and haue done euil before thee that thou mayst be iustified in thy words and mayst ouercome when thou art iudged †For behold “ I was conceiued in iniquities my mother conceiued me in sinnes †For behold thou hast loued truth the vncertaine and hidden thinges of thy wisdome thou hast made manifest to me †Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssope and I shal be clensed thou shalt wash me and I shal be made whiter then snow †To my hearing thou shalt
sanctuarie on the earth †Thou hast destroyed al the hedges therof thou hast made the firmament therof feare †Al that passe by the way haue spoiled him he is become a reproch to his neighbours †Thou hast exalted the righthand of them that oppresse him thou hast made al his enimies ioyful †Thou hast turned away the helpe of his sword and hast not holpen him in battel †Thou hast destroied him from emundation and his seat thou hast broken downe to the ground †Thou hast lessened the daies of his time thou hast ouerwhelmed him with consusion †How long ô Lord doest thou turne away for euer shal thy wrath burne as a fire †Remember what my substance is for hast thou made al the children of men in vaine †who is the man that shalliue and shal not see death shal deliuer his soule from the hand of hel †Where are thyne old mercies ô Lord as thou swarest to Dauid in thy truth †Be mindeful ô Lord of the acproch of thy seruantes which I haue held in my bosome of manie nations †Which thine enimies haue reproched ô Lord which they haue reproched the commutation of thy Christ †Blessed be our Lord for euer Be it be it ANNOTIONS PSALME LXXXVIII 34 My mercie I vvil not take avvay from him Although Christians signified by the childreÌ„ or successors of Dauid sinne most grieuously yea suppose they wil sinne with desperation saith S. Augustin and obstinatly persist in sinne that they offend the eyes of their Father deserue to be disenherited c. Yet for these Christ shal not remaine without inheritance the corne shal not also perish for the chafe some fishes shal be geathered out of the nette into vessels notwithstanding the euil fishes are cast away And a litle after the same Doctor discoursing of eternal glorie both in bodie and soule of those that dye in Gods fauour sayth These thinges are promised concerning Christ very certaine very firme very plaine and vndoubted For albeit some thinges are couered in mysteries yet some thinges are so manifest that by them the obscure thinges may most easily be cleared 39. But thou hast repelled c. Againe S. Augustin addeth vpon the next verses folowing God performed not these promises in Dauid that when thou seest they were not fulfilled in Dauid which necessarily must be fulfilled thou maist seke an other in whom it may be shewed that they were fulfilled God promised some thing a kingdom for euer of Dauids seede and Salomon was borne and became of so great wisdom and so great prudence that Gods promise concerning Dauids â—eede seemed to be fulfilled in him But Salomon fell and gaue place of expecting Christ that because God neither can be deceiued nor deceive he put not his promise in him whom he knew would fall but thou shouldest relie vpon God and exact his promise A litle after Thou seekest the kingdom of the lewes it is not thou seekest the altar of the Iewes it is not thou seekest the sacrifice of the Iewes it is not thou seckest the priesthood of the â—evves it is not VVherupon he concludeth Al these defectes came to the â—evves yet vvas not Christ taken from them but differred Some â—evves beleued in him and manie Gentiles As the Psalmist prophecieth from the 47. verse to the end of this Psalme PSALME LXXXIX Under the forme of prayer the psalmist describeth the shortnes of mans life and other calamites 7. Gods strict iudgement 13. but first his comfortable mercie 16. and perpetual regard of his owne worke †A prayer of Moyses the man of God Lord thou art made a refuge for vs from generation vnto generation †Before the mountaines were made or the earth and the world formed from euerlasting euen vnto euerlasting thou art God †Turne not away man into humiliation thou saidst Be conuerted ye children of men †Because a thousand years before thine eies are as yesterday that is past And as a watch in the night †thinges that are counted nothing shal their years be †In the morning as an herbe he shal passe in the morning he shal florish and passe in the euening he shal fal be hardened and withered †Because we haue faynted in thy wrath and in thy furie we are trubled †Thou hast put our iniquities in thy sight our age in the light of thy countinance †Because al our daies haue failed and in thy wrath we haue failed Our yeares shal be considered as a spyder †the daies of our yeares in them are seuentie yeares And if in strong ones eightie years and the more of them labour and sorrow Because mildnes is come vpon vs and we shal be chastised †Who knoweth the powre of thy wrath and for feare †to number thy wrath So make thy righthand knowne and men learned in hart in wisedome †Turne ô Lord how long and be intreated for thy seruants †We are replenished in the morning with thy mercie and we haue reioyced and are delighted al our daies †We haue reioyced for the daies wherin thou hast humbled vs the yeares wherin we haue seene euils †Looke vpon thy seruants and vpon thy workes and direct their children †And let the brightnes of our Lord God be vpon vs and direct thou the workes of our handes ouer vs and the worke of our handes doe thou direct PSALME XC Whosoeuer faithfully and firmly trusteth in Gods prouidence is secure from al dangers of secrete sutle and open enimies 7. his aduersaries shal come to ruine 11. Angels shal defend him 13. no kind of serpent nor beast shal hurt him 14. God himself assureth him of his protection and of eternal saluation Prayse of a Canticle to Dauid HE that dwelleth in the helpe of the Highest shal abide in the protection of the God of heauen †He shal say to our Lord Thou art my protectour and my refuge my God I wil hope in him †Because he hath deliuered me from the snare of the hunters and from the sharpe word †With his shoulders shal he ouershadowe thee and vnder his winges thou shalt hope †With shilde shal his truth compasse thee “ thou shalt not be afrayed of the feare in the night †Of the arrow flying in the day of busines walking in darkenes of inuasion and the midday diuel †A thousand shal fal on thy syde ten thousand on thy righthand but to thee it shal not approch †But thou shalt consider with thine eies and shalt see the retribution of sinners †Because thou ô Lord art my hope thou hast made the Highest thy refuge †There shal no euil come to thee and scourge shal not approch to thy tabernacle †Because he hath
sorte of al is the Idolatrie vvhich the Pâ—almist here describeth vvhen Imagees made by mens handes are immediatly honored as goddes in themselues For such goddes the Gentiles had and of them the Prophet here speaketh Compaâ—ing these visible sensles imagined goddes vvith the one eternal inuisible God vvho is made notorious by his diuine conspicuous vvorkes vvheras these idols by hovv much they are more visible so much more they are contemptible because being fashioned vvith mouth eyes eares nose handes feete throte and other members they are altogether sensles not able to speake vvith their mouth and therin more base in nature then the men that made them nor able to see heare smel taist feele to vvalke to moue nor to crie al vvhich beastes can doe And therfore these that make them or haue confidence in them as the Prophet here signifieth that some haue v. 16. are most absurde becoming like to the same idols in their vnderstanding and internal cogitations as these idols are voide of external sense And al Idolaters are most vvicked geuing diuine honour to anie creature are therin seruantes of diuels VVhether they immediatly honour diuels as vvhen sorcerers and vvitches making pact vvith the diuel adore him and he for the same doth some thing vvhich they demand or that they honour some other creature vvherin by the diuels false persvvasion they thincke there is diuine poore Both vvhich vvares diuels vsurpe Gods honour and therfore the same Prophet saide in an other Psalme Al the goddes of Gentiles are diuels PSALME CXIIII The prayer of a iust man in tribulation with confidence and gratitude towards God Allelu ia I haue loued because our Lord wil heare the voice of my prayer †Because he hath inclined his eare to me and in my daies I wil inuocate †The sorowes of death haue compassed me and the perils of hel haue found me I haue found tribulation and sorow †and I inuocated the name of our Lord. O Lord deliuer my soule †our Lord is merciful and iust and our God doth mercie †Our Lord kepeth litle ones I was humbled and he hath deliuered me †Turne ô my soule into thy rest because our Lord hath done good to thee †Because he hath deliuered my soule from death mine eies from teares my feete from sliding †I wil please our Lord in the countrie of the liuing PSALME CXV A iust man acknowledging that spiritual life beginneth by faith and by publique profession therof 4. gratfully accepteth of Christs Redemption 5. dedicateth his life and al he hath to Gods seruice Allelu ia I beleued for which cause I spake but I was humbled excedingly †I said in mine excesse Euerie man is a lyer †What shal I render to our Lord for al thinges that he hath rendred to me †I wil take the chalice of saluation and I wil inuocat the name of our Lord. †I wil render my vowes to our Lord before al his people †precious in the sight of our Lord is the death of his Sainctes †O Lord because I am thy seruant I am thy seruant and the sonne of thy hand maide Thou hast broken my bondes †I wil sacrifice to thee the hoast of praise and I wil inuocate the name of our Lord. †I wil render my vowes to our Lord in the sight of al his people †in the courtes of the house of our Lord in the middes of thee ô Ierusalem PSALME CXVI Gods mercie is largely extended to al Gentiles by Christ and his promise withal is performed to the Iewes Allelu ia PRAYSE our Lord al ye Gentiles prayse him al ye peoples †Because his mercie is confirmed vpon vs and his truth remaineth for euer PSALME CXVII Faithful people collected in the Church of Christ exhorte each other to render thankes to God for their deliuerie from spiritual and temporal tribulations 16. The Laitie demand participation of Christs Mysteries promising to serue him duly 25. Which the Pastors freely impert and together with the people solemnely celebrate Gods praise Allelu ia CONFESSE ye to our Lord because he is good because his mercie is for euer †Let Israel now say that he is good that his mercie is for euer †Let the house of Aaron now say that his mercie is for euer †Let them now say which feare our Lord that his mercie is for euer †From tribulation I inuocated our Lord and our Lord heard me in largenes †Our Lord is my helper I wil not feare what man can doe to me †Our Lord is my helper and I wil looke ouer mine enemies †It is good to hope in our Lord rather then to hope in man †It is good to hope in our Lord rather then to hope in princes †Al nations haue compassed me and in the name of our Lord am I reuenged on them †Compassing they haue compassed me and in the name of our Lord I was reuenged on them †They compassed me as bees and were inflamed as fyre in thornes and in the name of our Lord I was reuenged on them †Being thrust I was ouerturned to fal and our Lord receiued me †Our Lord is my strength and my prayse and he is made my saluation The voice of exultation and of saluation in the tabernacles of the iust †The right hand of our Lord hath wrought strength the right hand of our Lord hath exalted me the right hand of our Lord hath wrought strength †I shal not die but shal liue and I wil tel the workes of our Lord. †Our Lord chastising hath chastised me and to death he hath not deliuered me †Open ye the gates of iustice to me being entred into them I wil confesse to our Lord †this is the gate of our Lord the iust shal enter into it †I wil confesse to thee because thou hast heard me and art become my saluation †The stone which the builders reiected the same is made into the head of the corner †This was done by our Lord and it is meruelous id our eies †This is the day which our Lord made let vs reioice and be glad therein †O Lord saue me ô Lord geue good successe Blessed be he that cometh in the name of our Lord. †We haue blessed you of the house of our Lord †our Lord is God and he hath geuen light to vs. Appoint a solemne day with thicke bowes euen to the horne of the altar †Thou art my God and I wil confesse to thee thou art my God and I wil exalt thee I wil confesse to thee because thou hast heard me and art become my saluation
vvhom vve haue accesse to the euerlasting kingdom Or thus not transposing the vvordes By vocation of Christ the Head through distinct voice of signes for vvordes are signes shevving the mind vve are conducted to the eternal kingdom the happines vvhich al men desire VVhat I pray thee saith this holie Doctor is more sacred then this mysterie vvhat more pleasant then this delight VVhat meate vvhat honey are svveeter then to knovv Gods vvisdom to enter into his secrecte closset◠to behold the sense of our Creator and to teach the vvordes of thy Lord God ful of spiritual vvisdom vvhich are derided by the vvise of this vvorld VVe must also aduertise the reader of the like discourses of ancient Fathers ouer long to be here recited concerning the manifold hiegh praises of Gods Lavv conteyned in this Psalme vvith frequent repetitiō of certaine Synonyma vvordes signifying the same thing in al fourtene tovvitte The Lavv of God his VVayes Testimonies Commandments Precepts Statutes Iustifications Iudgements Iustice Equitie Veritie VVordes Speaches Sermons of vvhich there is commonly one in euerie verse and somtimes tvvo or three in the same verse But our English tongue hardly sufficing rightly to distinguish the three last which in latin are Verba Eloquia Sermones we translate VVORDES only adding in the margen Eloquia and Sermones when they occurre Leauing therfore larger commentaries to others we shal prosecute our wonted maner of briefe glosses Only here premonishing the diligent readers especially Clergimen our selues and our brethren who euerie day sing or read this whole Psalme in the Canonical houres to obserue two particular pointes of Christian doctrine euidently proued by manie places of this Psalme The one against the Pelagians heresie denying the necessitie of Gods special grace in meritorious workes For the Psalmist often here inculcateth mans insufficiencie that of himselfe and by natural forces he can not kepe the commandments of God but needeth alwayes the particular grace of God as vvel to beleue in him to repent for sinnes and to beginne good vvorkes as to procede and perseuere in good state to the end The other against the heresie of our time denying merite by grace freewil For here it is also manifest that Gods grace maketh man able to kepe his commandments and by keeping them to become iust in this life and so to merite eternal glorie Sundrie other principal Articles of Christian Catholique Religion are likevvise comprised in this one Psalme but especially Moral doctrin Alleluja Aleph Doctrine BLESSED are the immaculate in the way which walke in the law of our Lord. †Blessed are they that search his testimonies that seeke after him with al their hart †For they that worke iniquitie haue not walked in his waies †Thou hast very much commanded thy commandmentes to be kept †Would God my waies might be directed to keepe thy iustifications †Then shal I not be confounded when I shal looke throughly in al thy commandmentes †I wil confesse to thee in direction of hart in that I haue lerned the iudgements of thy iustice †I wil keepe thy iustifications forsake me not wholy Beth. House †Wherein doth a yongman correct his way in keeping thy wordes †With my whole hart I haue sought after thee repel me not from thy commandmentes †In my hart I haue hid thy wordes that I may not sinne to thee †Blessed art thou ô Lord teach me thy iustifications †In my lippes I haue pronounced al the iudgementes of thy mouth †I am delighted in the way of thy testimonies as in al riches †I wil be exercised in thy commandmentes and I wil consider thy waies †I wil meditate in thy iustifications I wil not forget thy wordes Gimel Fulnes †Render to thy seruant quicken me and I shal keepe thy wordes †Reuele mine eies and I shal consider the meruelous thinges of thy law †I am a seiourner in the land hide not thy commandmentes from me †My soule hath coueted to desire thy iustifications at al time †Thou hast rebuked the prowde cursed are they that decline from thy commandmentes †Take from me reproch and contempt because I haue sought after thy testimonies †For princes sate and they spake against me but thy seruant was exercised in thy iustifications †For both thy testimonies are my meditation and thy iustifications my counsel Daleth Of Tables †My soule hath cleaued to the pauement quicken me according to thy word †I haue vttered my wayes and thou hast heard me teach me thy iustifications †Instruct me the way of thy iustifications and I shal be exercised in thy meruelous workes †My soule hath slumbered for tediousnes confirme me in thy wordes †Remoue from me the way of iniquitie and according to thy law haue mercie on me †I haue chosen the way of truth I haue not forgotten thy iudgements †I haue cleaued to thy testimonies ô Lord do not confound me †I ranne the way of thy commandments when thou didst dilate my hart He. This thing Set me a law ô Lord the way of thy iustifications and I wil seeke after it alwayes †Geue me vnderstanding and I wil search thy law and I wil keepe it with my whole hart †Conduct me into the path of thy commandments because I would it †Incline my hart into thy testimonies and not into auarice †Turne away mine eies that they see not vanitie in thy way quicken me †Establish thy word to thy seruant in thy feare †Take away my reproch which I haue feared because thy iudgements are pleasant †Behold I haue coueted thy commandments in thine equitie quicken me Vau. And. †And let thy mercie come vpon me ô Lord thy saluation according to thy word †And I shal answer a word to them that vpbrayde me because I haue hoped in thy wordes †And take not away out of my mouth the word of truth vtterly because I haue much hoped in thy iudgementes †And I wil keepe thy law alwayes for euer and for euer and euer †And I walked in largenesse because I haue sought after thy commandments †And I spake of thy testimonies in the sight of kinges and was not confounded †And I meditated in thy commandments which I loued †And I haue lifted vp my handes to thy commandments which I loued and I was exercised in thy iustifications Zain This. †Be mindeful of thy word to thy seruant wherein thou hast
inciteth â—e her contrarie banquet of stollen water and hidde bread †VVISEDOME “ hath built herself an house she hath cut out seuen pillers †She hath immolated her victimes mingled her wine and set forth her table †She hath sent her handmaides to cal to the towre and to the walles of the citie †If any be a litle one let him come to me And to the vnwise she spake †Come eate ye my bread drinke the wine which I haue mingled for you †Leaue infancie and liue and walke by the wayes of prudence †He that teacheth a scorner doth iniurie to himself and he that rebuketh the impious purchaseth a blotte to himself †Rebuke not the scorner lest hee hate thee Rebuke a wise man and he wil loue thee †Geue occasion to a wise man and wisdom shal be added to him Teach the iust and he shal make haste to take it †The beginning of wisdom the feare of our Lord and the knowlege of the holie prudence †For by me shal thy dayes be multiplied and yeres of life shal be added to thee †If thou be wise to thyself thou shalt be and if a scorner thou alone shalt beare the euil †A foolish woman and clamorous and ful of alurementes and knowing nothing at al †sate in the doores of her house vpon a seate in a high place of the citie †to cal them that passe by the way and goe on their iourney †He that is a litle one let him turne to me And to the foole she spake †Stolen waters are sweeter and hidden bread more pleasant †and he was ignorant that giantes are there and her guestes in the depthes of hel ANNOTATIONS CHAP. IX â— VVisdom hath built herself a house According to the literal sense wherin the mystical is grounded both intended by the Holie Ghost VVisdom which is God himself Creator Conseruer of al thinges whose special good pleasure and delight is to be with men built his house the Church first in the Patriarches Priestes Prophetes and his other faithful seruantes in the old Testament partly before but more conspicously in the people of Israel establishing the same with seuen that is according to the frequent phrase of holie Scripture with manie pillers Pastors and chief gouerners by whom the whole people were directed in al spiritual causes as the Psalmist likevvise induceth God saying I haue confirmed the pillers therof And as S. Paul aftervvard calleth S. Peter S. Iames and S. Iohn pillers In this house vvisdom also prepared a banquette appointed victimes of diuers sortes as gratful Sacrifices to God therto inuited al men in much better order and to their more profite then the adultresse vvoman follie and vvicked concupiscence in citeth to her carnal and vvordlie pleasures vvhich bring to eternal ruine And for this purpose God neuer ceased to send Priestes and Prophetes to inuite the people of Israel to this strong tovvre fensed vvith vvalles In the Allegorical sense the same diuine increated VVisdom the second Person in the B. Trinitie the Diuine VVORD coeternal to the Father built himself a house his humane bodie in the virgins vvombe and therunto as to the head adioyned the members his mystical bodie the Church immolated victimes of Martyrs prepared the Table in breade and vvine vvhere also appeareth his Priesthood according to the Order of Melchisedec and called therto such as before vvere vnvvise and of smal vnderstanding because as the Apostle saith God chose the vveake of this vvorld to confound the strong As S. Augustin expoundeth this passage li. 17. c. 20. de ciuit q. 51. veter noui Test to 4. THE PARABLES OF SALOMON This repetition of the title signifieth that the sentences which folow are more properly called Parables then the former From vvhich they also differ in maner of vtterance by the figure Antithesis for most part opposing and comparing contrarie vertues and vices shevving their contrarie effectes vvith great elegancie especially in the original tongue vvhich could not be so fully expressed in Greke nor Latin much lesse in vulgar language But are the same in sense though often obscure by reason of the Hebrevv phrase shortnes of sentences and so vvithout anie certaine connexion that we can not with perspicuitie comprehend the summe therof in briefe contentes after the ordinarie maner before the chapters And therfore haue thought it better for the vulgar reader to set downe in the margent of the twentie chapters next folowing in briefe termes the vertues or other good thinges rather then the bad not hauing place for both commended in euerie sentence For though the same be not alwayes expressed in the text yet they may be vnderstood by their opposite vices VVhosoeuer desireth further explication may finde manie of these diuine sentences excellently expounded by S. Ierom S. Augustin S. Gregorie and other Fathers in seueral places Or read S. Bedas Commentaries vpon this whole booke To. 4. vel apud S. Ierom. To. 7. Or amongst late writers our lerned countriman D. Radulphus Bainus Bishop Iansenius and F. Peltanus CHAP. X. A wise sonne maketh the father glad but a foolish sonne is the sorow of his mother †The treasures of impietie shal profit nothing but iustice shal deliuer from death †Our Lord wil not afflict with famine the soule of the iust and the deceitful practises of the impious he wil ouerthrow †The slothful hand hath wrought pouertie the hand of the strong getteth riches Who so trusteth to lyes feedeth the windes and the selfe same man foloweth the flying birdes He that gathereth in the haruest is a wise sonne but he that snorteth in summer is the sonne of confusion †The blessing of our Lord is vpon the head of the iust but iniquitie couereth the mouth of the impious †The memorie of the iust is with prayses and the name of the impious shal rotte †The wise of hart shal receiue preceptes a foole is beaten with lippes †He that walketh playnly walketh confidently but he that depraueth his wayes shal be manifest †He that wincketh with the eye shal geue sorow and the foole in lippes shal be beaten †A vayne of life the mouth of the iust and the mouth of the impious couereth iniquitie †Hatred rayseth brawles and charitie couereth al sinnes †In the lippes of the wise wisdom is found and a rod on his backe that lacketh witte †Wise men hide knowledge but the mouth of the foole is next to confusion †The substance of a rich man is a citie of his strength the feare of the poore their pouertie †The worke of the iust vnto life but the fruite of the impious vnto sinne †The way of life to him that keepeth discipline but he that fo rs keth reprehensions erreth †Lying lippes hide hatred he
seruant that vnderstandeth is acceptable to the king he that is vnprofitable shal susteyne his anger ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XIIII 12. A vvay vvhich semeth iust If anie Iewes Turkes or Heretikes lead a moral good life in this world it semeth both to themselnes and to other rude people tha◠they are in a right way of saluation but their error in faith leadeth them to eternal damnation 30 Health of the hart As soundnes of the hart conserueth the rest of the same bodie in life so a pure intention often excuseth from mortal sinne as in errours committed of probable not of grosse nor affected ignorance But secrete enuie in the hart infecteth and putrifieth mans actions and destroyeth the workes that semed good which can no more endure strict examination in the day of iudgement then a rotten cloth can abide washing CHAP. XV. A soft answer breaketh anger and a hard word rayseth vp furie †The tongue of the wise adorneth knowlege the mouth of fooles boyleth forth follie †In euerie place the eies of our Lord behold the good and the euil †A peaceable tongue is a tree of life but that which is immoderate shal breake the spirite †A foole scorneth the discipline of his father but he that regardeth reprehensions shal become more prudent In abundant iustice there is greatest force but the cogitations of the impious shal be rooted out †The house of the iust is very much strength and in the fruites of the impious is perturbation †The lippes of the wise shal sow knowlege the hart of fooles shal be vnlike †The victimes of the impious are abominable to our Lord the vowes of the iust are acceptable †The way of the impious is abomination to our Lord he that foloweth iustice is beloued of him †The doctrine is euil of them that forsake the way of life he that hateth reprehensions shal dye †Hel and perdition are before our Lord how much more the hartes of the children of men †The pestilent man loueth not him that rebuketh him nor goeth to the wise †A glad hart cheereth the face in pensifnes of minde the spirit is cast downe †The hart of the wise seeketh doctrine and the mouth of fooles is fed with vnskilfulnes †Al the dayes of the poore are euil a secure minde is as it were a continual feast †Better is a litle with the feare of our Lord then great treasures and vnsatiable †It is better to be called to herbes with charitie then to a fatted calfe with hatred †An angrie man stirreth brawles he that is patient appeaseth those that are raised †The way of the slothsul is as an hedge of thornes the way of the iust is without offence †A wise sonne maketh the father ioyful and the foolish man despiseth his mother †Follie is ioy to a soole and the wiseman directeth his steppes †Cogitations are dissipated where there is no counsel but where manie counsellers are they are confirmed †A man reioyceth in the sentence of his mouth and a word in due time is best †The path of life aboue the lerned that he may decline from the lawest hel Our Lord wil destroy the house of the proude and wil make sure the borders of the widow †Euil cogitations are an abomination to our Lord and pure speach most beautiful shal be confirmed of him †He that pursueth auarice disturbeth his house but he that hateth giftes shal liue By mercie and faith sinnes are purged and by the feare of our Lord euerie one declineth from euil †The minde of the iust meditateth obedience the mouth of the impious redoundeth with euils †Our Lord is far from the impious and he wil heare the prayers of the iust †The light of the eies reioyceth the soule a good name fatteth the bones The eare that heareth the reprehensions of life shal abide in the middes of the wise †He that reiecteth discipline despiseth his soule but he that yeldeth to reprehensions is a possessour of the hart †The feare of our Lord the discipline of wisdom and humilitie goeth before glorie CHAP. XVI IT “ perteyneth to man to prepare the hart and to our Lord to gouerne the tongue †Al the wayes of man are open to his eies our Lord is the weigher of spirites †Reueale thy workes to our Lord and thy cogitations shal be directed †Our Lord hath wrought al thinges for himself the impious also to the euil day †Euerie arrogant man is an abomination to our Lord although hand shal be to hand he is not innocent The beginning of a good way is to doe iustice and it is more acceptable with God then to immolate hostes †By mercie and truth iniquitie is redemed and in the feare of our Lord euil is auoided †When the wayes of man shal please our Lord he wil conuert also his enemies to peace †Better is a litle with iustice then much fruite with iniquitie †The hart of man disposeth his way but it perteyneth to our Lord to direct his progresse †Diuination is in the lippes of the king his mouth shal not erre in iudgement †Weight and balance are iudgements of our Lord and his worke al the stones of the bagge †They are abominable to the king that doe impiously because the throne is established by iustice †The wil of kinges are iust lippes he that speaketh right thinges shal be beloued †The kings indignation messengers of death and the wise man wil pacifie it †In the cherfulnes of the kings countenance is life and his clemencie is as the later showre †Possesse wisdom because it is better then gold and gette prudence because it is more precious then siluer †The path of the iust auoideth euils the keper of his soule kepeth his way †Pride goeth before destruction and before ruine the spirit shal be exalted †It is better to be humbled with the meeke then to diuide spoyles with the proude †The lerned in word shal finde good thinges and he that hopeth in our Lord is blessed †He that is wise in hart shal be called prudent and he that is sweete in speach shal finde greater thinges †A fountaine of life the lerning of him that possesseth it the doctrine of fooles foolishnes †The hart of the wife shal instruct his mouth and shal adde grace to his lippes †Wel set wordes are a honie combe swetnes of the foule the health of the bones †There is a way that seemeth to a man right and the later endes therof lead to death †Thee soule of him that laboureth doth labour to himself because his mouth hath compelled him
not his meates †Because after the similitude of a southsayer and diuiner he esteemeth that which he knoweth not Eate and drinke wil he say to thee and his minde is not with thee †The meates which thou hadst eaten thou shalt vomite vp and shalt lose thy beautiful wordes †Speake not in the eares of the vnwise because they wil despise the doctrine of thy speach †Touch not the boundes of litle ones and into the filde of pupils enter not †For their nerekinsman is strong and he wil iudge their cause against thee †Let thy hart enter into doctrin and thyne eares to wordes of knowlege †Withdrawe not discipline from a childe for if thou shalt strike him with the rod he shal not die †Thou shalt strike him with the rod and deliuer his soule from hel †My sonne if thy minde shal be wise my hart shal be glad with thee †And my reines shal reioyce when thy lippes shal speake right thinges †Let not thy hart enuie sinners but in the feare of our Lord be thou al the day †because thou shalt haue hope in the later end and thyn exaltation shal not be taken away †Heare my sonne be wise direct thy minde in the way †Be not in the feastes of great drinkers nor in their comessations which contribute flesh together to eate †because they that are geuen to drinking and that pay shottes shal be consumed and drousines shal be clothed with ragges †Heare thy father that begot thee and contemne not thy mother when she is old †Bye truth and sel not wisedom and doctrine and intelligence †The father of the iust reioyceth with gladnes he that hath begotten a wiseman shal reioyce in him †Let thy father be glad and thy mother and let her reioyce that bare thee †My sonne geue me thy hart let thyne eies kepe my wayes †For an harlot is a deepe dich a strange woman a narrow pitte †She lyeth in wayt in the way as a robber and whom she shal see not circumspect she wil kil †To whom is woe to whose father woe to whom browles to whom diches to whom woundes without cause to whom bloud sheeding eies †Is it not to them that passe their time in wine and studie to drinke out their cuppes †Behold not wine when it waxeth yelow when the colour therof shal shine in the glasse it goeth in pleasantly †but in the end it wil bite like a snake and as a basiliske it wil powre abrode poysones †Thine eies shal see strange wemen and thy hart shal speake peruerse thinges †And thou shalt be as one sleeping in the middes of the sea and as the gouernour fast a sleepe the sterne being lost †And thou shalt say They haue beaten me but I was not greeued they drew me and I felt not When shal I awake and finde wines againe CHAP. XXIIII EMVLATE not euil men neither desire thou to be with them †because their mind doth meditate robberies and their lippes speake deceites †By wisedom the house shal be built and by prudence it shal be strengthened †In doctrine the cellars shal be replenished with al precious and most beâ—utiful substance †A wiseman is strong and a lerned man strong and valiant †Because warre is managed by due ordering there shal be saluation where manie counsels are †Wisedom is high for a foole in the gate he shal not open his mouth †He that thinketh to doe euils shal be called a foole †The cogitation of a foole is sinne and a detracter the abomination of men †If thou despaire being wearie in the day of distresse thy strength shal be diminished †Deliuer them that are led to death and those that are drawen to death cease not to deliuer †If thou say I am not of force he that seeth into the hart he vnderstandeth and nothing deceiueth the keeper of thy soule and he shal render to a man according to his workes †Eate honie my sonne because it is good and the honie-combe most sweete to thy throte †so also the doctrine of wisedom to thy soule which when thou shalt finde thou shalt haue hope in the later end and thy hope shal not perish †Lie not in wayte nor seeke impietie in the house of the iust nor spoile his rest †For “ seuen times shal the iust fal and shal rise againe but the impious shal fal into euil †When thine enemie shal fal be not glad and in his ruine let not thy hart reioyce †Lest perhaps our Lord see and it displease him and he take away his wrath from him †Contend not with the most wicked nor emulate the impious †because euil men haue not hope of thinges to come and the lampe of the impious shal be extinguished †Feare our Lord my sonne and the king with detracters medle not †because their perdition shal sodenly rise and the ruine of both who knoweth †These thinges also to the wise to know a person in iudgement is not good †They that say to the impious Thou art iust peoples shal curse them and tribes shal detest them †They that rebuke him shal be praysed and blessing shal come vpon them †He shal kisse the lippes who answereth right wordes †Prepare thy worke abrode and diligently til thy ground that afterward thou mayst build thy house †Be not witnes without cause against thy neighbour neither alure any man with thy lippes †Say not As he hath done to me so wil I doe to him I wil render to euerie one according to his worke †I passed by the filde of a slothful man and by the vineyard of a foolish man †and behold nettels had filled it wholy and thornes had couered the face therof and the wal of stones was destroyed †Which when I had seene I layd it in my hart and by the example I lerned discipline †A litle I say thou shalt sleepe a litle thou shalt slumber a litle shalt thou ioyne thy handes together to rest †and as a poste pouertie shal come to thee beggerie as a man armed ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXIIII 16. Seuen times shal the iust sal A iust man that is to say Gods true seruant free from mortal sinne is subiect during this life to manie tentations imperfections and may often fal into venial sinnes and not lose iustice nor the true title of a iust man as here he is called nor become the diuels seruant nor Gods enemie but through Gods grace helping his weaknes he riseth agaâ—ne from smal sinnes stil perseuering in Gods fauoure wheras contrariwise the impious falleth into euil towitte into more and more sinne through malice and lacke of grace riseth not so easily
and let vs enioy the good thinges that are and let vs quickly vse the creature as in youth †Let vs fil ourselues with precious wine and oyntments and let not the flowre of the time passe vs. †Let vs crowne ourselues with roses before they wither let there be no medow which our riote shal not passe through †Let none of vs be exempted from our rioteousnes euerie where let vs leaue signes of ioy because this is our portion and this our lot †Let vs oppresse the poore iust man and not spare the widow nor reuerence the oldmans grey head of long time †But let our strength be the law of iustice for that which is Weake is found vnprofitable †Let vs therfore circumuent the iust because he is vnprofitable to vs and he is contrarie to our workes and reprochfully obiecteth vnto vs the sinnes of the law and defameth in vs the sinnes of our discipline †He boasteth that he hath the knowlege of God and nameth himselfe the sonne of God †He is made vnto vs to the defaming of our cogitations †He is greuous vnto vs euen to behold because his life la vnlike to others and his wayes are changed †We are estemed of him as triflers and he absteyneth from our wayes as from vncleannes and he preferreth the later ends of the iust and glorieth that he hath God for his father †Let vs see therfore if his wordes be true and let vs proue what thinges shal come to him and we shal know what shal be his later ends †For if he be the true sonne of God he wil defend him wil deliuer him from the hands of the aduersaries †By contumelie and torment let vs examine him that we may know his reuerence and proue his patience †To a most shameful death let vs condemne him for there shal be respect had vnto him by his wordes †These thinges haue they thought and haue erred for their malice hath blinded them †And they haue not knowen the sacraments of God nor hoped for the reward of iustice nor estemed the honour of holie soules †For God created man incorruptible and to the image of his owne likenes he made him †But by the enuie of the diuel death entred into the world †and they folow him that are of his part CHAP. III The iust contemned by the wicked and proued by tentations are happie 10. and the wicked vnhappie 12. Chastitie shal be rewarded adulterous generations shal not prosper BVT the soules of the iust are in the hand of God and the torment of death shal not touch them †They semed in the eies of the vnwise to die and their decease was counted affliction †and that which with vs is the way is destruction but they are in peace †And though before men they suffered torments their hope is ful of immortalitie †Vexed in few thinges in many they shal be wel disposed of because God hath tempted them and hath found them worthie of him selfe †As gold in the furnace he hath proued them and as an host of holocaust he hath receiued them and in time there shal be respect of them †The iust shal shine and as sparkes in a place of reedes they shal runne abrode †They shal iudge nations haue dominion ouer peoples and their Lord shal reigne for euer †They that trust in him shal vnderstand truth and the faithful in loue shal rest in him because rest and peace is to his elect †But the impious according to the thinges which they haue thought shal haue correption which haue neglected the iust haue reuolted from our Lord. †For he that reiecteth wisdom and discipline is vnhappie and their hope is vaine and labours without fruite and their workes vnprofitable †Their wiues are sensles and their children most wicked †Cursed is their creature because happie is the barren woman and the vndefiled which hath not knowen bed in sinne she shal haue fruite in visitation of holie soules †and the eunuch that hath not wrought iniquitie with his hands nor thought most wicked things against God for the chosen gift of fayth shal be geuen to him and a most acceptable lot in the temple of God †For of good labour there is glorious fruite and the roote of wisdom which falleth not †But the children of adulterers shal be in consummation and the sede of the vnlawful bed shal be destroyed †And if certes they be of long life they shal be reputed for nothing their last oldage shal be without honour †And if they dye quickly they shal haue no hope nor speach of comfort in the day of acknowledging †For of a wicked nation the endes are cruel CHAP. IIII. Great difference betwen chaste and adulterous generations 7. Speedier death of the iust is recompensed by Gods prouidence 19. but the wicked incurre greater damnation by liuing long O How beautiful is the chaste generation with glorie for the memorie therof is immortal because it is knowen both with God and with men †When it is present they imitate it and they desire it when it hath withdrawen itself and it triumpheth crowned for euer winning the reward of vndefiled conflictes †But the multitude of the impious that hath manie children shal not be profitable and bastarde plants shal not take deepe roote nor lay sure fundation †And if in the boughes for a â—ime they shal spring being weakly set they shal be moued of the winde and by the vehemencie of the windes they shal be rooted out †For the vnperfect boughes shal be broken and their fruites shal be vnprofitable and sowre to eate and meete for nothing †For the children that be borne of wicked sleepes are witnesses of wickednes against the parents in their examination †But the iust if he be preuented with death shal be in a place of refreshing †For venerable oldage is not that of long time nor accounted by the number of yeares but the vnderstanding of a man are grey heares †and an immaculate life is old age †Pleasing God he is made beloued and liuing among sinners he was translated †“ He was taken away lest malice should change his vnderstanding or lest anie guile might deceiue his soule †For the bewitching of vanitie obscureth good thinges and the inconstancie of concupiscence peruerteth the vnderstanding that is without malice †Being consummate in short space he fulfilled much time †for his soule pleased God for this cause he hastened to bring him out of the middes of iniquiries but the peoples that are seing and not vnderstanding nor putting such thinges in their hartes †that the grace of God and mercie is toward his saintes and respect toward his elect †But the iust dead condemneth the impions aliue and youth soone ended the long life of the vniust †For they
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
incredulous to his word †After this God looked vpon the earth filled it with his good thinges †And the soule of euerie liuing thing shal shew before the face thereof and into it againe is their returne CHAP. XVII God creating man to his owne image gaue him gifies 9. and precepts 14. chose the Israelites for his peculiar people 18. Workes of mercie are commended to al men 20. Repentance to sinners 28. mercie is offered to al. GOD created man of the earth and after his owne image he made him †And againe he turned him into it and conformable to himselfe clothed him with strength †He gaue him a number of daies and time and gaue him power of those thinges that are vpon the earth †He put his feare ouer al flesh and he had dominion of beastes and fowles †He created of him an helper like to himself he gaue them counsel and tongue and eies eares and hart to deuise and he filled them with the discipline of vnderstanding †He created in them the knowlege of the spirit he filled their hart with vnderstanding and euil and good he shewed them †He set his eie vpon their hartes to shew them the great thinges of his workes †that they might praise the name of sanctification and glorie in his meruelous workes that thy might declare the glorious thinges of his workes †He added discipline vnto them and made them inherite the lawe of life †He made an euerlasting testament with them he shewed them iustice and his iudgementes †And their eie saw the glorious thinges of his honour and their eares heard the honour of his voice and he said to them Beware of euerie vniust thing †And he gaue them commandment euerie one concerning his neighbour †Their wayes are before him alwaies they are not hid from his eies †Ouer eucrie nation he appointed a ruler †And Israel was made the manifest portion of God †And al their workes as the sunne in the sight of God and his eies without intermission looking on their wayes †The testamentes were not hid by their iniquitie and al their iniquities are in the sight of God †The almes of a man is as a seale with him and shal preserue the grace of a man as the apple of the eâ—e †And afterward he shal arise and shal render them reward to euerie one vpon their head and shal turne into the inner partes of the earth †But to the penitent he hath geuen the way of iustice and he hath confirmed them that faile to susteine and hath appointed to them the lot of truth †Turne to our Lord and forsake thy sinnes †pray before the face of our Lord and diminish offences †Returne to our Lord and turne away from thine iniustice and hate excedingly abomination †and know the iniustices and iudgementes of God and stand in the lot of thy purpose and of praier of the most high God †Goe into the partes of the holie world with the liuing and them that geue praise to God †Tarie not in the errour of the impious before death confesse From the dead as nothing confession perisheth †Thou shalt confesse liuing aliue and in health thou shalt confesse and shalt praise God and shalt glorie in his mercies †How great is the mercie of our Lord and his propitiation to them that turne to him †For al thinges can not be in men because the sonne of man is not immortal and they haue delighted in the vanitie of malice †What is brighter then the sunne it shal faile Or what more wicked then that which flesh and bloud hath inuented and this shal be reproued †He beholdeth the powre of the height of heauen and al men be earth and ashes CHAP. XVIII Gods wonderful workes excede mans capacitie 7. Our weaknes is streingthened by grace 15. wherto man must cooperate 19. by purging his conscience 22. by prayer 24. by meditating Gods iudgements 30. and by mortifying his owne concupiscence HE that liueth for euer created al thinges together God onlie shal be iustified and remaineth an inuincible king for euer †Who is sufficient to declare his workes †For who shal search out his glorious thinges †and who shal shew forth the powre of his greatnesse or who shal adde to declare his mercie †It is not possible to diminish nor adde neither is it possible to finde the glorious workes of God †When a man shal haue done then shal he beginne and when he shal rest he shal worke †What is man and what is his grace and what is his good or what his euil †The number of the daies of men at the most an hundred yeares as droppes of the water of the sea they are reputed and as the grauel stone of the sand so a few yeares in the day of eternitie †For this cause God is patient toward them and powreth out his mercie vpon them †He hath senne the presumption of their hart that it is naught and hath knowen their subuersion that it is euil †Therefore hath he fulfilled his propitiation toward them and hath shewed them the way of equitie †Mans compassion is touching his neigbour but the mercie of God is vpon al flesh †He that hath mercie teacheth and instructeth as a pastour his flocke †He hath mercie on him that receiueth the doctrine of compassion and he that hasteneth in his iudgementes †Sonne in good deedes geue no blame and in euerie gift geue not the sadnes of an euil word †Shal not the dew colle heate so also a word better then a gift †Is not a word aboue a good gift but both are with a iustified man †A foole wil vpbraide bitterly and the gift of one vntaught maketh the eies to drie away †Before iudgement prepare thee iustice and before thou speake lerne †Before sickenes take medicine and before iudgement examine thyself and in the sight of God thou shalt finde propitiation †Before sickenes humble thy self and in time of infirmitie shew thy conuersation †Be not hindered to pray alwayes feare not to be iustified euen to death because the reward of God abideth for euer †Before praier prepare thy soule and be not as a man that tempteth God †Remember the wrath in the day of consummation and the time of reward in conuersation of the face †Remember pouertie in the time of abundance and the necessities of pouertie in the day of riches †From morning vnto euening time shal be changed al these are sowne in the eies of God †A wise man in al thinges wil feare in the daies of offences wil be ware of sloth †Euerie subtile man knoweth wisdom and to him that findeth her he wil geue prayse †The wise in wordes and they also haue done wisely and haue vnderstood truth and iustice
his life †Who is proued therin perfect shal haue eternal glorie He that could transgressâ—e and hath not transgressed and doe euils and hath not done †therfore are his good thinges stablished in our Lord al the church of saintes shal declare his almes †Art thou set at a great table open not thy iawe therevpon first †Say not this There be manie thinges which are vpon it †Remember that a naughtie eie is euil †What is created worse then the eie therefore shal it weepe at euerie face When it shal see †stretch not out thy hand first and so contaminated with enuie thou be ashamed †Be not oppressed in a feast †Vnderstand by thyself what thy neighbours thinges are †Vse as a frugal man those thinges that are set before thee lest thou be hated when thou eatest much †Leaue of first for maners sake and exceede not lest thou perhaps offend †And if thou be set in the middes of manie stretch not forth thy hand before them neither doe thou first aske to drinke †How sufficient is a little wine for a man wel taught and in sleeping thou shalt not be pained with it and thou shalt feele no griefe †Watching choler torment to an vnsatiable man †sleepe of health is in a man of spare diet he shal sleepe vntil morning and his soule with him shal be deligted †And if thou hast bene forced with eating much rise from the middes and vomite and it shal refresh thee and thou shalt not bring infirmitie to thy bodie †Heare me my sonne and despise me not and in the end thou shalt finde my wordes †In al thy workes be quicke and al infirmitie shal not chance vnto thee †The lippes of manie shal blesse him that is magnifical in breads and the testimonie of his truth is faithful †In naughtie bread the cittie wil murmur and the testimonie of the naughtines thereof is true †Prouoke not them that loue wine for wine hath destroyed very manie †Fire tryeth hard yron so wine dronken in drunkennes shal rebuke the hartes of the proud †Equal life to al men wine in sobrietie if thou drinke it moderatly thou shalt be sober †What is the life that is diminished with wine †What defraudeth life death †Wine was created for ioyfulnes and not for drunkeÌ„nes from the beginning †Wine drunken moderately is the ioy of the soule and the hart †Sober drinking is health to soule and bodie †Much wine drunken maketh prouocation wrath manie ruines †Much wine drunken is bitternes of the soule †The couragiousnes of drunkennes is offence of the vnwise lessening the strength and making woundes †In a banquet of wine rebuke not thy neighbour and despise him not in his mirth †Speake not to him wordes of repoch and presse him not in demanding againe CHAP. XXXII Superiors must rule with mekenes 4. teaching those wisdom that are capable thereof 7. Be moderate in musike and in wine 9. Let yongmen be diligent to heare and sparing to speake 13. especially before their betters 1â— Be alwayes wel occupied 17. Serue and feare God 21. admitte correction 24. do nothing without counsel HAVE they made thee Ruler be not extolled be among them as one of them †Haue care of them and so sitte thou stil and al thy care being dispatched repose †That thou maist reioyce for their sakes receiue a crowne as an ornament of grace and obteyne the dignitie of the contribution †Speake thou that art elder for it becometh thee †the first word to him that loueth with knowlege hinder not musike †Where there is no hearing power not out speache and extol not thyself out of time in thy wisdom †A litle pearle of the carbuncle in an ornament of gold and the comparison of musicians in a banket of wine †As a signet of the emerauld is in the working of gold so the melodie of musike in ioyful and moderate wine †Heare holding thy peace for thy reuerence good grace shal come to thee †Yong man speake in thine owne cause scarsely †If thou be asked twise let thyne answer hauean head †In manie thinges be as it were ignorant and heare holding thy peace and withal asking †In the middes of greate men presume not and where ancients are speake not much †Before haile there shal goe lightning grace shal goe before shamfastnes for thy reuerence good grace shal come to thee †And at the houre of rysing slacke not thyself but runne before first into thy house and there withdraw thyself and there play †and doe thy conceites and not in sinnes and proud word †And aboue al these thinges blesse our Lord that made thee that doth replenish thee with al his goodes †He that feareth our Lord shal receiue his doctrine and they that wil watch after him shal finde blessing †He that seeketh the law shal be replenished with it and he that doth deceitfully shal be scandalized by it †They that feare our Lord shal finde iust iudgement and shal kindle iustices as light †A sinful man wil flee reprehension and according to his wil wil finde excuse †A man of counsel wil not destroy vnderstanding an aliene and proud man wil not dread feare †Yea after he hath done with feare without counsel he shal be controwled euen by his owne pursuites †Sonne doe nothing without counsel and after the fact thou shalt not repent †Goe not in the way of ruine and thou shalt not stumble at stones commite not thyself to a laborious way lest thou set a scandal to thy soule †And beware of thy children and take heede of them of thy household †In al thy worke beleue thy soule by faith for this is the keeping of the commandmentes †He that beleueth God attendeth to the commandmentes and he that trusteth in him shal not be lessened CHAP. XXXIII Feare of God defendeth from al aduersaries 5. Follie is vnconstant 8. God disposeth al to the best 13. Man is in Gods hand as clay in the poâ—ters 20. Superiors must keepe their auctoritie and their subiectes in discipline TO him that feareth our Lord euils shal not happen but in tentation God wil keepe him and deliuer him from euils †A wise man hateth not the commandments and iustices and he shal not be shaken as a shippe in a storme †A man of vnderstanding beleueth the law of God and the law is sure to him †He that repeteth an interrogation shal better prepare his answer and so shal be heard and shal keepe discipline †The hart of a foole is as a wheele of a carte his cogitation as a turning axeltree †A stalion horse neyeth vnder euerie one that sitteth vpon him so a freind that is a scorner †Why doth one day
drunke euen to the dregges †There is none that can vphold her of al the children that she hath borne and there is none that taketh her by the hand of al the children that she hath brought vp †There are two thinges which haue happened to thee who shal be sorie for thee Spoile and destruction and famine and the sword who shal comfort thee †Thy children are throwen forth they haue slept in the head of alwayes as the orix that is snared ful of the indignation of our Lord of the rebuke of thy God †Therefore heare this poore little one and drunken not of wine †Thus sayth thy dominatour our Lord and thy God who hath fought for his people Behold I haue taken out of thy hand the cuppe of drousines the botome of the cuppe of mine indignation thou shalt not adde to drinke it any more †And I wil put it in their hand that haue humbled thee and haue sayd to thy soule Bow downe that we may passe ouer and thou hast layd thy bodie as the ground and as a way to them that passe ouer CHAP. LII The prophet alluding to the deliuerie of Sion and Ierusalem from Babylonical captiuitie sturreth vp the Church of Christ to reioyce for the deliuerie from sinne 7. which Christs Apostles preached 10. with great fruite in al nations ARISE arise put on thy strength ô Sion put on the garments of thy glorie ô Ierusalem the citie of the holie one because the vncircumcised and vncleane shal adde no more to passe by thee †Be shaken out of the dust arise sit vp Ierusalem loose the bonds of thy necke ô captiue daughter of Sion †Because thus sayth our Lord You were sold for nought and without siluer you shal be redemed †Because thus sayth our Lord God My people went downe into Aegypt at the beginning to be a seiourner there and Assur without any cause did oppresse them †And now what haue I here sayth our Lord because my people is taken away for nought Their rulers doe vniustly sayth our Lord and continually al the day my name is blasphemed †For this cause shal my people know my name in that day because I myself that spake loe am present †How beautiful vpon the mountaines are the feete of him that euangelizeth preacheth peace of him that telleth good preaching health that sayeth to Sion Thy God shal reigne †The voice of thy watchemen they haue lifted vp their voice they shal prayse together because eie to eie they shal see when our Lord shal conuert Sion †Reioyce prayse together ye deserts of Ierusalem because our Lord hath comforted his people he hath redemed Ierusalem †Our Lord hath prepared his holie arme in the sight of al the Gentiles and al the endes of the earth shal see the saluation of our God †Depart depart goe ye out from thence touch not a polluted thing goe out of the middes of her be cleansed ye that carie the vesseles of our Lord. †Because you shal not goe out in tumult neither with flight shal you make hast for our Lord wil goe before you and the God of Israel wil gather you together †Behold my seruant shal vnderstand he shal be exalted and shal be lifted vp and shal be exceding high †As manie haue bene astoined vpon thee so shal his looke among men be inglorious and his forme among the sonnes of men †He shal sprinkle manie nations kinges shal shut their mouthe vpon him because they to whom it was not told of him haue sene and they that heard not haue beheld CHAP. LIII Al wil not beleue Christs Gospel to whom it shal be preached 2. as the mysterie of his ignominious death for al mens sinnes 7. which he wil suffer most mekely 10. for which his name shal be glorified in al places VVHO hath beleued our hearing and the arme of our Lord to whom is it reueled †And he shal come vp as a yong spring before him and as a roote from a thirstie ground there is no beautie in him nor comelinesse and we haue sene him and there was no sightlines and we were desirous of him †Despised and most abiect of men a man of sorowes and knowing infirmitie and his looke as it were hid and despised whereupon neither haue we estemed him †He surely hath borne our infirmities and our sorowes he hath caried and we haue thought him as it were a leper and striken of God and humbled †But he was wounded for our iniquities he was broken for our sinnes the discipline of our peace vpon him and with the waile of his stripe we are healed †Al we haue strayed as sheepe euerie one hath declined into his owne way and our Lord hath put vpon him the iniquitie of al vs. †He was offered because him self would and opened not his mouth as a sheepe to slaughter shal he be led and as a lambe before his shearer he shal be dumme and shal not open his mouth †from distresse and from iudgement he was taken vp who shal declare his generation because he is cut out of the land of the liuing for the wickednes of my people haue I striken him †And he shal geue the impious for his burial and the riche for his death because he hath not done iniquitie neither was there guile in his mouth †And our Lord would breake him in infirmitie if he shal put away his soule for sinne he shal see seede of long age and the wil of our Lord shal be directed in his hand †For that his soule hath laboured he shal see and be filled in his knowlege the same my iust seruant shal iustifie manie and he shal beare their iniquities †Therefore wil I distribute vnto him verie manie and he shal diuide the spoiles of the strong for that he hath deliuered his soule vnto death and was reputed with the wicked and he hath borne the sinnes of manie and hath prayed for the transgressours CHAP. LIIII Gentiles who were barren shal multiplie in the Church of Christ 10. from which Gods mercie shal neuer be separated PRAISE ô barren woman which bearest not sing prayse and make ioyful noyse which didst not beare because manie are the children of the desolate more then of her that hath a husband saith our Lord. †Enlarge the place of thy tent and stretch out the skinnes of thy tabernacles spare not make long thy coardes and fasten thy nailes †For thou shalt penetrate to the right hand and to the left and thy seede shal inherite the Gentiles and shal inhabite the desolate cities †Feare not because thou shalt not be confounded nor blush for thou shalt not be ashamed because thou shalt forget the confusion of thy youth and the reproch of thy widowhood thou shalt remenber no more †Because he shal rule ouer thee that made thee the
prefigured the reiection of the Iewes 12. til Gods mercie recalleth them 17. The Prophet lamenting their obstinacie 22. sheweth that their sinne is the cause of their miserie THVS saith our Lord to me Goe and get thee a girdle of linnen and thou shalt put it about thy loynes shalt not put it into water †And I got a girdle according to the word of our Lord and put it about my loynes †And the word of our Lord was made to me the second time saying †Take the girdle which thou hast gotten which is about thy loynes and rising goe to Euphrates and hide it there in an hole of the rocke †And I went and hidde it in Euphrates as our Lord had commanded me †And it came to passe after manie daies our Lord said to me Arise goe to Euphrates and take from thence the girdle which I commanded thee that thou shouldst hide it there †And I went to Euphrates and digged and tooke the girdle out of the place where I had hid it and behold the girdle was rotten so that it was fitte for noe vse †And the word of our Lord was made to me saying †Thus saith our Lord so wil I make the pride of Iuda the great pride of Ierusalem †This most wicked people which wil not heare my wordes and walke in the peruersitie of their hart and haue gone after strange goddes to serue them and to adore them they shal be as this girdle which is fitte for no vse †For as the girdle cleaueth to the loynes of a man so haue I fast ioyned to me al the house of Israel and al the house of Iuda saith our Lord that they might be my people and name and prayse and glorie and they heard not †Thou shalt say therefore vnto them this word Thus saith our Lord the God of Israel Euerie bottle shal be filled with wine And they shal say to thee Why are we ignorant that euerie bottle shal be filled with wine †And thou shalt say to them Thus saith our Lord Behold I wil fil al the inhabitants of this land the kinges that of the stocke of Dauid sitte vpon his throne and the priests and the prophets and al the inhabitants of Ierusalem with drunkennes †And I wil disperse them euerie man from his brother and the fathers and sonnes together saith our Lord I wil not spare and I wil not yelde neither wil I haue mercie not to destroy them †Heare ye and geue eare Be not eleuated because our Lord hath spoken †Geue ye glorie to our Lord your God before it waxe darke and before your feete stumble at the darke mountaines you shal looke for light and he wil turne it into the shadow of death and into darkenes †But if you wil not heare this in secret my soule shal weepe because of the pride weeping it shal weepe and mine eie shal droppe teares because the flocke of our Lord is taken †Say to the king and to her that ruleth Be humbled sitte downe because the crowne of your glorie is come downe from your head †The cities of the South are shut and there is none that may open them al Iuda is transported with a perfect transmigration †Lift vp your eies and see you that come from the North where is the flocke that is geuen thee thy noble cattel †what wilt thou say when he shal visite thee for thou hast taught them against thee and instructed them against thyne owne head shal not sorowes apprehend thee as a woman in trauel †And if thou shalt say in thy hart Why are these thinges come vnto me For the multitude of thine iniquitie thy more shamelie partes are discouered the soles of thy feete are polluted †If the Aethiopian can change his skinne or the leopard his spottes you also can doe wel when you haue learned euil †And I wil scatter them as stubble which is violently taken with the winde in the desert †This is thy lot and portion of thy measure from me saith our Lord because thou hast forgotten me and hast trusted in lying †Wherefore I haue also made bare thy thighes against thy face and thine ignominie hath appeared †thine adulteries and thy neying the wickednesse of thy fornication vpon the litle hilles in the field I haue seene thine abominations Woe to thee Ierusalem thou wilt not be made cleane after me how long yet CHAP. XIIII Iurie shal be afflicted with drought and famine 11. Neither shal the prophets prayer nor their fastes nor sacrifices auaile them 14. Falseprophetes shal perish with the seduced people 17. Ieremie lamenting exhorteth them to repentance THE word of our Lord that was made to Ieremie concerning the wordes of the drought †Iurie hath mourned and the gates thereof are fallen downe are obscured on the earth and the crie of Ierusalem is come vp †The greater men haue sent their inferiours to the water they came to drawe they found no water they caried backe their vessels emptie they were confounded and afflicted and couered their heades †For the waste of the land because there came no rayne vpon the earth the husbandmen were confounded they couered their heades †For the hinde also brought forth in the field and left it because there was no grasse †And the wild asses stood vpon the rockes they drew winde as dragons their eies failed because there was no grasse †If our iniquities haue answered vs Lord do for thy names sake because our reuoltinges are manie to thee we haue sinned †O expectation of Israel the sauiour thereof in the time of tribulation why wilt thou be as a seiourner in the land and as a wayfaring man turning in to lodge †Why wilt thou be as a wandring man as the strong that can not saue but thou ô Lord art in vs and thy name is inuocated vpon vs forsake vs not †Thus saith our Lord to his people which hath loued to moue their feete and haue not rested and hath not pleased our Lord Now wil he remember their iniquities and visite their sinnes †And our Lord said to me Pray not for this people to good †When they shal fast I wil not heare their prayers and if they shal offer holocaustes and victimes I wil not receiue them because with sword and famine and pestilence I wil consume them †And I said A a a ô Lord God the Prophetes say to them You shal not see the sword and there shal be no famine among you but he wil geue you true peace in this place †And our Lord said to me The prophetes prophecie falsely in my name I sent them not and I commanded them not neither haue I spoken vnto them lying vision and deceitful diuination guilfulnes and the seduction of their owne hart they prophecie vnto you †Therefore thus saith our Lord of the prophets that
the wine †And thou hast kept the precepts of Amri and al the worke of the house of Achab and thou hast walked in their willes that I might geue thee into perdition and the inhabitants therin into hissing and the reproch of my people you shal beare CHAP. VII The prophet lamenteth that for al his preaching few are good and manie corrupt in maners 5. therfore their miseries approch 7. from which they shal be againe deliuered 14. and prosper 20. and al mankind shal be redemed by Christ VVO is me because I am become as he that gathereth in autumne the clusters of vintage there is no cluster to eate timely ripe figges my soule hath desired †The holie is perished out of the earth there is none righteous among men al lie in wayte for bloud euerie one hunteth his brother to death †The euil of their handes they cal good the prince requireth and the iudge is in rendring and the great man hath spoken the desire of his soule and they haue trubled it †He that is left among them is as a brier and he that is righteous as the thorne of the hedge The day of thy speculation thy visitation cometh now shal be the destruction of them †Beleue not a frend and trust not in prince from her that fleepeth in thy bosome keepe the closures of thy mouth †Because the sonne doth contumelie to the father the daughter ryseth agaynst her mother the daughter in law against her mother in law a mans enemies they of his owne houshold †But I wil looke towards our Lord I wil expect God my sauiour my God wil heare me †Reioyce not thou mine enemie ouer me because I am fallen I shal arise when I haue sitte in darkenes our Lord is my light †I wil beare the wrath of our Lord because I haue sinned to him vntil he iudge my iudgement he wil bring me forth into the light I shal see his iustice †And mine enemie shal behold and she shal be couered with confusion which sayth to me where is the Lord thy God Mine eyes shal looke on her now shal she be into conculcation as the myre of the streetes †The day that thy walles may be builded vp in that day shal the law be made far of †In that day and Assur shal come euen to thee euen to the fensed cities and from the fensed cities euen to the riuer and to sea from sea and to mountaine from mountaine †And the land shal be into desolation for the inhabitants therof and for the fruite of their cogitations †Feede thy people with thy e rod the flocke of thine inheritance them that dwel alone in in the forest in the middes of Carmel they shal feede vpon Basan and Galaad according to the dayes of old †According to the dayes of thy coming forth out of the Land of Aegypt I wil shew him meruels †The nations shal see and shal be confounded vpon al their strength they shal put the hand vpon the mouth their eares shal be deafe †They shal lieke dust as serpents as the creeping beasts of the earth they shal be trubled in their houses the Lord our God they shal dreade and shal feare thee †What God is like to thee which takest away iniquitie and passest ouer the sinne of the remnant of thine inheritance he wil send his furie in no more because he is willing mercie †He wil returne and wil haue mercie on vs he wil lay away our iniquities and he wil cast al our sinnes into the botome of the sea †Thou wilt geue truth to Iacob mercie to Abraham which thou hast sworne to our fathers from the dayes of old THE PROPHECIE OF NAHVM NAHVM borne in Elcese a towne in Galiley prophecied shortly after the captiuitie of the tenne tribes against Niniue about fiftie yeares after Ionas preaching and their repentance when they became more wicked then before foreshewing their vtter ruine and ignominie In figure of the destruction of idolatrie in al nations by Christ euangelizing and announcing peace to al that wil beleue in him CHAP. 1. Niniue shal be destroyed not able to escape Gods powreful wrath 9. The Asstrians shal not preuaile against Ierusalem 13. but themselves shal be slaine THE burden of Niniuie The booke of the vision of Nahum the Elceâ—eâ—te †God is ielous our Lord reuenging our Lord reuenging and hauing furie our Lord reuenging on his aduerseries and he is angrie with his enemies †Our Lord is patient and great of strength and clensing he wil not make innocent Our Lords wayes in tempest and whirle wind and clowdes the dust of his feete †Rebuking the sea and driyng it vp and bringing al riuers to a desert Basan is weakened and Carmel the floure of Libanus is faided †The mountaines were moued at him and the hilles were desolate and the earth hath trembled at his presence and the world and al that dwel therin †Befote the face of his indignation who shal stand and who shal resist in the wrath of his furie his indignation is powred out as fire and the rockes are dissolued by him †Our Lord is good and strenghning in the day of tribulation and knowing them that hope in him †And in a floud passing by he wil make a consummation of the place therof darkenes shal pursew his enemies †VVhat thinke ye against our Lord consumation he wil make there shal not rise duble tribulation †Because as thornes claspe one an other so the feast of them that drinke together they shal be consumed as stuble ful of drienes †Out of thee shal come forth one that thinketh malice against our Lord in the minde deuising preuarication †Thus saith our Lord If they shal be perfect and so a grear manie so also shal they be shorne and he shal passe by I haue afflicted thee and I wil afflict thee no more And now I wil breake his rod from of thy backe and I wil burst thy bondes in sunder †And Our Lord wil command vpon thee there shal not be sowen of thy name any more out of the house of thy God I wil destroy sculptil molten I wil put thy graue because thou art dishonored †Behold vpon the mountaines the feete of him that Euangalizeth and preacheth peace celebrate ô Iuda thy festiuities render thy vowes because Belial shal no more adde to passe through thee he is wholly perished CHAP. II. The Chaldees shal mightely inuade the Assirians 5. take and ransacke Niniue HE is come vp that shal scatter before thee that shal keepe the seige behold the way fortifie the loynes strengthen force excedingly †Because our Lord hath rendered the pride of Iacob as the pride of Israel because the waters haue dissipated them and haue marred their branches †The
went against Gorgias the gouernour of Idumea †And he went forth with footemen three thousand and horsemen foure hundred †Who buckling together it chanced few of the Iewes to be slayne †But Dositheus one of the Bacenors an horseman a valiant man held Gorgias and wheras he would haue taken him aliue a certayne horseman of the Thracians came vpon him and cut of his shoulder and so Gorgias escaped into Maresa †But they that were with Esdrin fighting long and being wearied Iudas inuocated our Lord to be their helper and captayne of the battel †beginning in his countrey language and with hymmes raising a crie draue Gorgias souldiars into flight †And Iudas hauing gathered an armie came into the citie Odollam when the seuenth day came on being purifyed according to the custome they kept the Sabbath in the same place †And the day folowing Iudas came with his companie to take away the bodies of them that were ouerthrowen and with their kinsmen to lay them in the sepulchers of their fathers †And they found vnder the coates of the slayne some of the donaryes of the idols that were in Iamnia from which the lawe forbiddeth the Iewes therfore it was made playne to al that for that cause they were slayne †Al therfore blessed the iust iudgement of our Lord who had made manifest the hidden thinges †And so turning to prayers they besought him that the same offence which was committed might be forgotten But the most valient Iudas exhorted the people to keepe themselues without sinne seing before their eyes what was done because of the sinnes of them that were ouerthrowen †And making a gathering he sent twelue thousand drachmes of siluer to Ierusalem for sacrifice to be offered for sinne wel and religiously thinking of the resurrection †for vnles he hoped that they that were slaine should rise againe it should seeme superfluous and vaine to pray for the dead †And because he considered that they which had taken their sleepe with godlines had very good grace layd vp for them †“ It is therfore a holie and healthful cogitation to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from sinnes ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XII 46 It is a holie and healthful cogitation to pray for the dead The Catholique beleefe doctrine and practise of praying for the dead is so euidently confirmed by this place that our aduersaries haue no better shift to auoide the same then by denying these bookes to be Canonical Scripture VVhich being authentically proued it may here suffice to adde that albeit the Greke text as in other innumerable places differeth from the Latin yet it is no lesse clere for this doctrin VVhich in English is thus v 45. Regarding or considering that grace is layde vp for them that sleepe or dye in pietie tovvitte in true faith and repentance in the next verse 46. inferreth thus VVherupon he Iudas Machabeus made reconciliation or expiation for the dead that they might be deliuered or loosed from their sinne that is from punishment for sinne Omitting therfore multitude of other proofes vve vvil here only cite tvvo great Doctors who with others teach that the denial of this particular point of religion is a condemned heresie S. Augustin li. de Haeresib haer 53. noteth this for a special heresie saying Aerians are named of one Aerius vvho being a priest and taking it greuously that he could not be ordained a Bishop falling into the heresie of the Arrians added some proper doctrines of his ovvne saying that vve ought not to pray nor offer sacrifice for the dead Likevvise S. Bernard Ser. 66 in Cantica in plaine termes saith they are heretikes vvhich beleue not that there is purgatorie fire after death but that the soule departing from the bodie goeth forthvvith either to rest or to damnation Let them then saith he aske of him vvho saide There is some sinne that shal not be forgeuen neither in this vvorld nor in the future why he sayd this if there remaine no remission and purgation of sinne in the future vvorld He therfore aduiseth al to bevvare of such seducers saying See the detracters see the dogges They deride vs because vve baptize infantes for that vve pray for the dead It is also most vvorthie of consideration that Iudas Machabeus vvho did this charitable act for his souldiars slaine in the holie vvarres vvas the High priest or chief Bishop of the Church at that time and defender of true faith and Religion Finally vve may also obserue that he did not anie nevv thing but practised the vsual custome of the vvhole Church For so it appeareth by their sette forme of Office for the dead called HASCHABAH that is Rest or prayer for rest in their booke MAHZOR translated and set forth by Bishop Genebrard in the yeare of our Lord. 1569. VVhere are these expresse supplications Requiescat anima ipsius in cubili suo iaceat in pace dormiat in pace His or her soule rest in his bed lye and slepe in peace Againe Ye Angels of peace come forth to mete him c. And that the Ievves this day vse to pray for the dead is a clere thing and confessed by Protestantes namely Munsterus and Fagius in their Annotations vpon the 14. of Deut. and M. VVhitaker in his first booke against F. Dureus fol 81. CHAP. XIII Menelaus a fugitiue Iewe is put to death 9. Antiochus with his great armie is defeated twise with losse of manie men 23. Philippe rebelling peace is renewed 24. And Iudas is made Lord of Ptolemais IN the yeare an hundred fourtie nine Iudas vnderstood that Antiochus Eupator came with a multitude agaynst Iurie †and with him Lysias the procuratour and cheefe ouer the affayres hauing with him of footemen an hundred tenne thousand of horsemen fiue thousand elephants twentie two chariots with hookes three hundred †And Menelaus also ioyned him selfe with them and with much deceite besought Antiochus not for the weale of his contrie but hoping that he should be appoynted to the principalitie †But the king of kinges stirred vp Antiochus mind against the sinner Lysias suggesting that he was the cause of al the euils he commanded as the custome is with them that being apprehended he should be killed in the same place †And there was in the same place a tower of fiftie cubites hauing an heape of ashes on euerie side this had a prospect steepe downe †From thence he commanded the sacrilegious person to be throwne downe into the ashes al thrusting him forward to death †And by such law it chanced the transgressour of the law to dye Menelaus not to be put into the earth †And in deede very iustly because he committed manie offences toward the altar of God the fyre and ashes wherof was holie himself was condemned into the death of ashes †But the king furiouse in mind came to shew
wombe Ch. 33. v. 14. Behold the dayes wil come sayth our Lord and I wil rayse vp the good word v. 15. I wil make the spring of iustice to bud forth vnto Dauid he shal do iudgement and iustice in the earth Ieremies Lamentations are in greatest part of Christ and his Church And some part can hardly be applied to anie other ch 3. v. 30. He shal geue the cheke to him that striketh him he shal be filled with reproches ch 4. v. 20. Christ our Lord is taken in our sinnes Baruch 2. v. 35. God promising to reduce the people from Babylon addeth And I wil establish vnto them an other testament euerlasting by Christ whose kingdom is for euer that I be their God and they shal be my people Ch. 3. v. 36. This is our God and there shal none other be esteemed against him v. 38. After these thinges he was sene vpon the earth and was conueâ—sant with men Ezechiel peculiarly called by an Angel the sonne of man was therin a special figure of our Sauiour who so calleth him self And the same prophet hath in plaine termes foreshewed the office of Christ the true Pastor of al pastors eh 34. v. 25. I wil sayth God by this prophet rayse vp ouer them one Pastor who shal feede them my seruant Dauid that is Christ prefigured by Dauid His admirable visions in the three first chapters and nine last perteyne properly and principally to the new Testament of Christ and his Church shewing the abundance of grace and glorie geuen by him to the elect Daniel 7. v. 13. With the cloudes of heauen there came in as it were the Sonne of man and he came euen to the ancient of dayes and in his sight they offered him He came euen to the ancient of dayes because in his Diuinitie he is equal to the Father and in his humanitie he is offered to God in Sacrifice v. 14 His powre is eternal and his kingdom shal not be corrupted ch 9. v. 24. Seuentie wekes of yeares are abridged that sinnes may be forgeuen grace be infused prophecies be fulfilled and the Holie one of holies be annointed Al which belong only to Christ. v. 26. After sixtie two wekes Christ shal be slaine Aggeus 2. v. 8. The desired of al nations shal come Zach. 3. v. 8. I wil bring my seruant the Orient ch 13. v. 7. Strike the Pastour and the shepe shal be dispersed fulfilled in Christs Passion Mat. 26. v. 21. Malaâ—h 3. v. 2. Forthwith shal come to his temple the Dominator whom you seke the Angel of the testament whom ye desire The booke of wisdom ch 2. v. 12. describeth the malice of the wicked against Christ Let vs say they circumuent the iust because he is vnprofitable to vs and he is contrarie to our workes and reprochfully obiecteth to vs the sinnes of the law v. 13. He boasteth that he hath the knowlege of God and nameth him self the Sonne of God Ecclesiasticus 24. v. 34. God appointed to Dauid his seruant to raise vp a king of him most strong and sitting in the throne of honour for euer Which eternal king proceeding from Dauid can be none but Christ our Sauiour And al the praises of Paâ—riarches and Prophetes in the last eight chapters consist in their fayth and expectation of Christ Likewise the Priestes and people 1. Mach. 14. v. 28. 35. and 49. shewed their fayth of Christ to come when they established Simon and his progenie in the gouernment and highpriesthood for euer til there rise the faithful Prophet to witte the Prophet of whom al the prophetes did speake Luc. 24 v. 27. Amongst the rest Ieremie ch 31. v. 23. and Ezechiel ch 44. v. 2. make also especial mention of some singular priuileges of the most excellent virgin Mother of God Of whom also Iudith and Esther were apparent figures who receiued special graces for the benefite of their nation and so did this singular Virgin receiue of God most eminent giftes aboue al other mere creatures for the benefite of the whole Church Of Angels the celestial spirites is frequent mention in the holie Scriptures of this age Their multitude is innumerable and therfore are insinuated to men by general termes Daniel 7. v. 10. Thousandes of thousandes ministered to him and tenne thousand hundred thousandes assisted him And their powre is most great and to men most profitable An Angel defended the three children in the fornace walking with them in the fire Daniel 3. v. 49 95. Another defended Daniel from the lions ch 6. v. 22. The same or an other caried Habacuc from Iurie into Babylon Dan. 14. v. 35. and restored him in his place againe v. 38. The Archangel Gabriel instructed Daniel ch 8. v. 16. 17. ch 9. v. 21. And ch 10. v. 13. 20. Other Angels the Patrones or Guardians of the Persians and Grecians prayed for those countries and S. Michael v. 21. for the Iewes An Angle spake in Zacharie ch 1. v. 9. An other Angel went to mete him ch 2. v. 3. And in respect of Angelical offices both S. Iohn Baptist and our Sauiour himself are figuratiuely called Angeles Malach. 3. v. 1 No meruel therfore that Iudas Machabeus and his armie 2. Machab. 11. v 6. prayed for the assistance of a good Angel which was granted them v. 8. And so they went promptly hauing an helper from heauen v. 10. Their like prayer had the same effect in an other battel 2. Machab. 15 v. 27. Contrarie to these glorious Angeles are other spirites at first created in grace which falling into pride and most obstinate malice are perpetual enimies to God their Creator and to al mankind continually calumniating the workes of God and of al his seruantes wherof they are called Diuels or calumniators They neuer cease tempting al they can to euil so to bring men to eternal death For by the enuie of the diuel Sap. 2. v. 7. death both of soule bodie came into this world The iust stipend of sinne Al sinnes offend God and please the diuels But more particularly they desire to be honored as God with Sacrifice Which therfore they require to themselues and their idols And for this sinne of Idolatrie aboue al others God is most prouoked to wrath for the same most especially punished his people as the Prophet Baruch chap. 4. v. 6. signifieth to the people saying You are sold to the Gentils c. You are deliuered to their aduersaries and geuing the reason why he addeth v. 7. For you haue exasperated him that made you the eternal God immolating to diuels And not to God The same al the Prophetes teach and withal that Sacrifice is the souereigne seruice due to God only and not to any creature how excellent soeuer But of Sacrifice there is so much written that it were ouer long and nedeles to recite the places It importeth more
†My righthand shal not spare sinners neither shal the sword cease vpon them that shede innocent bloud vpon the earth †Fire came forth from his wrath and hath deuoured the fundations of the earth and sinners as it were straw set on fire †Woe to them that sinne and obserue not my comandmentes sayth our Lord. †I wil not spare them depart ô children from the powre Defile not my sanctification †because the Lord knoweth al that sinne against him therefore hath he deliuered them into death and into slaughter †For now are euils come vpon the world and you shal tarrie in them For God wil not deliuer you because you haue sinned against him †Behold an horrible vision and the face of it from the east †And the nations of dragons of Arabians shal come forth in manie chariots as a winde the number of them is caried vpon the earth so that now al doe feare and tremble that shal heare them †the Carmonians madde for anger and they shal goe forth as wild boares out of the wood they shal come with great power and shal stand in fight with them they shal waste the portion of the land of the Assirians †And after these thinges the dragons shal preuaile mindful of their natiuitie and conspiring shal turne themselues in great force to pursue them †These shal be trubled and hold their peace at their force and shal turne their fete into flight †And from the territorie of the Assirians the besiegers shal beseige them and shal consume one of them and there shal be feare and trembling in their armie and contention against their kinges †Behold cloudes from the east and from the north vnto the south and their face very horrible ful of wrath and storme †And they shal beate one against an other and they shal beate downe manie starres and their starre vpon the earth and bloud shal be from the sword vnto the bellie †And mans dung vnto the camels litter and there shal be much feare and trembling vpon the earth †And they shal shake that shal see that wrath and tremble shal take them and after these thinges there shal manie showers be moued †from the south and the north and an other portion from the weast †And the windes from the east shal preuaile vpon it and shal shut it vp and the cloudes which he raised in wrath and the starre to make terrour to the east winde and the west shal be destroyed †And there shal be exalted great and mightie cloudes ful of wrath and a starre to terrifie al the earth and the inhabitantes therof and they shal powre in vpon euerie high and eminent place a terrible starre †fire and haile and flying swordes and manie waters so that al fildes also shal be filled and al riuers with the fulnes of manie waters †And they shal throw downe cities and walles and mountaines and hilles and the trees of the woodes and the grasse of the medowes and their corne †And they shal passe constant vnto Babylon and shal raise her †They shal come together against her and shal compasse her and shal power out the starre and al wrath vpon her and the dust and smoke shal goe vp euen into heauen and round about shal lament her †And they that shal remaine vnder her shal serue them that terified her †And thou Asia agreeing into the hope of Babylon and the glorie of her person †woe be to thee thou wretch because thou art like to her and hast adorned thy daughters in fornication to please glorie in thy louers which haue desired alwayes to fornicate with thee †Thou hast imitated the odious in al her workes and in her inuentions therefore sayth God †I wil send in euils vpon thee widow hood pouertie and famine and sword and pestilence to destroy thy houses by violation and death and glorie of thy vertue †As a flower shal be withered when the heate shal rise that is sent forth vpon thee †thou shalt be weakned as a litle poore soule plaged and chastised of wemen that the mightie and the louers may not receiue thee †Wil I be zealous against thee sayth our Lord †vnles thou hadst slayne myne elect at al times exalting the slaughter of the handes and saying vpon their death when thou wast drunken †Adorne the beautie of thy countenance †The reward of thy fornication is in thy bosome therefore thou shalt receiue recompence †As thou shalt doe to my elect sayth our Lord so shal God do to thee and shal deliuer thee vnto euil †And thy children shal dye for famine and thou shalt fal by the sword and thy cities shal be destroyed al thyne shal fal in the filde by the sword †And they that are in the mountaines shal perish with famine and shal eate their owne flesh drinke kloud for the famine of bread and thirst of waters †Vnhappie by the seas shalt thou come and againe thou shalt receuie euils †And in the passage they shal beate against the idle citie and shal destroy some portion of thy land and shal deface part of thy glorie againe returning to Babylon ouerthrowen †And being throwen downe thou shalt be to them for stubble and they shal be to thee fire †and deuoure thee and thy cities thy land and thy mountaynes al thy woodes and fruitful trees they wil burne with fire †Thy children they shal lead captiue shal haue thy goodes for a praye and the glorie of thy face they shal destroy CHAP. XVI Al are admonished that extreme calamities shal fal vpon this world 36. the penitent returning to iustice shal escape 55. as al thinges were made by Gods omnipotent powre at his wil so al thinges shal serue to the reward of the blessed and punishment of the wicked VVOE to thee Babylon Asia woe to thee Aegypt and Syria †Gird yourselues with sackclothes and shirtes of heare mourne for your children be sorie because your destruction is at hand †The sword is sent in vpon you and who is he that can turne it away †Fire is sent in vpon you and who is he that can quench it †Euiles are sent in vpon you and who is he that can repel them †Shal anie man repel the lion being hungrie in the woode or quench the fire in stubble forthwith when it beginneth to burne †Shal anie man repel the arrow shot of a strong archer †Our strong Lord sendeth in euiles and who is he that can repel them †Fire came forth from his wrath and who is he that can quench it †He wil lighten who shal not feare he wil thunder and who shal not be afrayde †Our Lord wil threaten and who shal not vtterly be destroyed before his face †The earth hath trembled and the fundations thereof the sea tosseth vp waues from the
made S. Peter the rocke therof b. 5. 77. Rodde of Aaron brought forth buddes flowers and fruict a 359. Rome begane to be built about the yeare of the world 3. 71. b. 1089. Romane Monarchie was greater then the former b 792. 1003. Ruth a Moabite prefigured the vocation of Gentiles a 564. She was very commendable for her vertues a 569. A comforte to the Gentiles in that Christ descended from her b 473. S Sabbath daie that is our saturdaie instituted a 7. 216. 250. 307. 430. 756. b 947. Sackcloth worne for penance a 774. 802. 977. 1021. 1042. 1080. b 501. 795. 824. 838. Sacramentes of Circumcision a 65. of hostes for sinne 267. of consecrating Priests 275. of diuers washinges and purifications 288. and manie others in the old Law More in number lesse in effect then the Sacramentes of Christ a 705. Sacramentes of the New law for most part were prefigured in the old Testament a 199. 32. 705. Sacrament of the Eucharist was prefigured a 150. 188. 210. Sacrifice is due to God only as Lord of al creatures a 5. 31. 47. 198. 262. b 424. 842. 993. And to no creature how excellent soeuer a. 15. 219. 528. 705. Sacrifice is the proper office of a Priest a 57. Three kindes of Sacrifices a 262. Sacrifice ordained for three causes a 264. b 581. Diuers for diuers sinnes a. 267. for diuers feastes a 380. with distinct hostes appointed by the Law a 425. Sacrifice in beastes birdes and other thinges mystical a 60. 362. Sacrifice by the Law of Moyses limited to one place a 423. 510. 707. 873. by dispensation in other place s. a 519. 545. 707. 893. And in the new Testament one online Sacrifice in al places of the world b 884. 993. Sacrifices of the old Law to be changed b 69. 98. 884. 993. Sacrifice of the Eucharist perpetual to the end of the world b 280. 544. 885. 993. Sacrilege seuerely punished b. 953. Sacrilegious murther reuenged a 908. Sainctes are to be honoured a 8. 34. 218. 531. 935. b 252. Are lawfully and profitably inuocated a 33â— 245. 710. 1068. 1110. b 503. 541. 575. 697. 778. 987. 996. They may know our thoughtes a 605. 107. b 541. 578. Salathiel the sonne of Iechonias and father of Zorobabel was borne and died in the captiuitie of Babylon a 824. 947. 951. b 865. Salomon signifieth Pacifier was also called Ecclesiastes the Preacher and Idida beloued He writte three bookes b 333. 334. He was also called the Gatherer b 314. Lamuel b 315. He prefigured Christ in diuers respectes a 856. b 131. 166. Salomon deposed Abiather by extraordinarie commission a 692. Salomons saluation is doubtful a 732. 866. b 354. Salt signifieth discretion and was required in euerie sacrifice a 265 361. It maketh ground barren a 537. Saluation dependeth vpon grace and merites a 33. b 267. 994. See workes meritorious Samaria the head cittie of the tenne Tribes a 737. Samaritanes Schismatiques a 734. fel into manie sectes a 744. 798. 941. Samson a Nazareite and a figure of Christ a 545. 553. He did manie strange great thinges a 548. c. He sinned not in killing himself with the Philistimes a 553. c. 941. Samuel of the tribe of Leui prophecied a childe a 574. He annointed Saul King a 590. Also Dauid 604. He appeared after his death a 631. b 441. Sanaballat procured licence for Manasses to build a schismatical temple b 960. 1000. Sapiential bookes teach the way to serue God b 267. Al fiue are Canonical Scripture b 268. Saraias Highpriest slaine in Rebla a 816. b 997. Satisfaction a 32. 270. Sauiour properly perteineth to Christ is also attributed to some men a 128. 521. Saul the first King of the sraelites began wel a 587. 595. He afterwards offended in disobedience and presumption a 596. 602. 837. He was releeued in spiritual afflition by Dauids musique a 704. Of great enuie he hated and persecuted Dauid a 610. In distresse he consulted a Pithon spirite a 629. And in desperate extremitie killed himselfe a 635. Scandal hurteth the weake not the perfect b 233. Schisme and heretical conuenticles must be auoided a 355. 358. 510. 511. 756. 771. 887. 896. 949. b 56. 232. 238. 526. 696. 710. 777. 862. 894. 896. Schismatical Temples in Garizim and in Egypt b 800. 960. 1000. Schoole of paganisme was set vs in Ierusalem by Iason an Apostata b. 955. Scriptures are of most eminent auctoritie a 3. They haue foure senses a 4. Yea many literal senses b 19. 188. Mystical sense is sometimes as certaine as the literal b 8â—1 They are hard to be vnderstood a 3. 16. 22. 46. 115. 435. b. 214. 216. 485. 490. 674. 680. 758. Scriptures seeming contrary are reconciled by tenne rules a 820. They can not in deede be contrary one place to an other ibid. b 293. They are best expounded by the holie Fathers a. 251. b 14. Secresie iustly enioyned or promised bindeth in conscience b 434. Sectes of Panimes Barbarisme Scythisme and Grecisme a. 48. Manie Sectes also of the Schismatical Samaritanes a 798. 941. Innumerable amongst the Grecians b 1000. Sepulchers a 33. 151. 515. Christs sepulcher glorious b. 468. 527. Serpentes most craftie a. 9. Serpent of brasse erected for curing infirmitie a 336. b 366. Afterwards broken in peeces a 799. Seruice of false goddes doth not appease them a 915. Seuen times signifie seuen yeares b. 783. Seuentie two Interpreters of the Hebrew Bible into Greke b 1000 Shamfastnes is sometimes good sometimes vicious b 379. Simon High priest and general captaine b 936. 1003. Simonie committed by Giezi a 770. Sinne entred by enuie of the Diuel a 11. Sinnes before the floud were great in foure respectes a 23. Sinnes of commission and omission a 272. b 820. Sinnes lesse and greater or venial and mortal a 401. 407. b 399. Sinnes of al sortes must be punished a 9. 33. 40. 351. 685. 512. 894. b 65. 95. 188. 345. 413. 459. 535. 557. 569. 576. 591. 631. 719. 817. 888. Sinners for punishment are suffered sometimes to fal into other sinnes a 455. 463. 492. 577. 910. b 389. 572. 679 697. 808. 833. Al sinnes are remissible during this life a 577. 798. 1031. b 65. 188. 328 552. 579. 666. 706. Some sinners are of the Elect and shal be called and iustified b. 8â—1 Sinful people are often vnconstant b. 627. Slouth breedeth contempt in this life and damnation in the next b. 404. Sodome and Gomorrha were destroyed with brimstone a 70. Sonnes of God are the faithful godlie people a 20. Sophonias prophecied the captiuitie of the two tribes b 861. Soules of men are dayly created a 6. b 3â—8 Soules departed may be releeued by Sacrifice and prayers a 33. 202. 637. 711. 995. b 24. 284. 979. 996. Soules sometimes appeare assuming bodies after death a 632. Spartians otherwise called Lacedemonians descended from Abraham b 933. 934. Succession a special proofe of true doctrine b 926. 934. Succession of spiritual Gouernors prooueth their
things indifferent bind in conscience Temporal punishment due after sinne is remitted Death due to al for Original sinne Yea to infants who haue no other sinne Also other penalties insticted vpon infants Math. 9 Luc. 10. S. Epiph. in compeÌ„ fâ—dei Cat. S. Aug. epist 80. Caluin l. 3. inst c. 4 parag 31. 32. Rom. 5. lib. 13. de ciuit c 6. lib. 2. de pec mer. remis c. 34. Gen. 17. Ioan. 3. S. Greg. li. 4. Moral c. 2. The second part Of the fal of man and propagation of man and of sinne :: SerpeÌ„ts most craftie to escape harme when they hurt men so is the diuel 2. Cor. 11. 3. Eccl. 25. 1. Tim. 2 14. :: After sinne they were ashamed not before S. Chris :: Al this curse perteineth to the diuel that spake in the serpeÌ„t S Aug l. 2. de Gen. ad lit cap. 36. S. Beda in hunc locum :: Earthlie or worldlie and carnal men S. Greg. in Psal 101. :: Though good men resist tentations at the first assaults and so bruise the serpeÌ„ts head yet he â—â—â—â—oâ—eth stil to deceiue especially in the end of mans life signified by the â—eele S Gre. in cap. 1. Iob. 1. Cor. 14. :: Al men trauel one way or other such as suffer wides to ouergrowe in their souls shal after this life either sustaine the fyre of Purgatorie or eternal paine S. Aug. li 2. c. 20 de Gen. coÌ„ Man :: She was mother rather of al the dying but in figure of our B. Lady who is mother of Christ life it selfe she is called mother of the liuing S. Epiph. her 78. Sinne entred among men by the enuie craft of the diuel man coÌ„senting to his suggestions Eue first sined in thought then in words last in deedes Cap. 2. 24. Ioan. 8 44. S. Aug. lib. 14. deciuit c. 11. Rupert li. de Trinit operibus eius c. 4. Bad sequels of sinne Lib. de vera Religione c. 14. Lib. 1. Retract c. 13. No sinne can be without freewil ConcupisceÌ„ce no sinne but the effect and occasion of sinne Also occasion of merite S Aug. lib. 1. de nupt con c. 23. Gal. 5. 2 Tim. 2. The Latin text defended against Kemnisius and other Protestants See Card. Bellarmin li. 2. c. 12. de verbo Dei Both readings veld the same sense As Adam was the cause and â—â—e an occasion of mans captiuitie so Christ is the true cause and his mother an occasion of our restauration * S â—â—eneus li 3. c. 33. lib. 5. circa med S. Epiph Haer. 78. S. Ieron ep 22. ad Eustoch S. Aug. or S. Fulgent ser 18 de Sanctis de fide Symb. de Agone Christiano Ser. 2. super Missus est Our B. Ladie resisted al euil suggestions Iob 42. Esai 58. Ierem. 6. Ionae 3. Mat. 11. The ceremonie of ashes on Ashwenesday Gods prouidence concurreth with mans free wil. de grat liber arb c. 6. de corrept grat ad art falso impos Paradise defended by Angels and by fire sworde God destroyeth not nature Good Angels hinder diuels of their desires S. Aug. lib. 11. de Gen ad lit c. 40. :: A figure of the Lambe that was slaine from the beginning of the world Apoc. 13 v. 8. Heb. 11. Sap. 10. â— 10. 3. :: VVilful murther is one of the sinnes that crie to God for reuenge :: By the increase of AbrahaÌ„s seede by the line onlie of Isaac and Iacob besides the issues of Ismael and Esau in litle more then 400. yeares to aboue six hundreth thousand men able to beare armes Num. 1. it appeareth that Caines progenie in as manie yeates might suffice to people a citie yea a whole countrie S. Aug. l. 15 ciuit c. 8. :: This Lamech of Cains issue is the first that is noted in Scripture to haue taken two wiues External Sacrifice due to God in euerie Law Lib 10. de ciuit â— 5. Leuit. 1 Dan 12. Mal. 1. Luc. 22. Sacrifice due to God onlie and to no creature Lib. 10. ciuit cap. 4. Aristot li. 2 Meta his â—tl iâ— 9. Polit. 7. c. 8. To. 3. q. 4. Quaest. Hebraie Lib 15. ciuit c. 7. Mala. 1. Hebr. 11. Leuit. 9. Iudic. 6. 2. Par. 7. 3. Reg 18. 2. Mac 1 Abels Sacrifice declared acceptable not Cains by some external signe Reward and punishment according to our workes Mat. 16. Rom. 2. Freewil in maÌ„ also after his falle Heretical traÌ„slation Bible 1579. â—b 15. c. 7. ciuit Quaest Hebraic in Gen. The Hebrew also Greeke text proue freewil in Cain Freewil testified by antiquitie vniuersalitie and consent of lerned reasonable persons Luther abhor red the name of freewil S. Augustin li. de vâ—ra Rel. ca. 14. lib. de seruo arbitrio Caluin also misliketh the word freewil lib. 2. c. 2. par 8. lib. 2. aduers Iouinian VVhere is necessitie there is nether reward not punishment due 1. Ioan. 2. Tract de Zelo liuore Going forth of the Church a marke of Heretikes 1. Ioan. 3. lib. de Pastore c. 8. c. 20. Scripture hard Tom. 3. ad 1. quaest Damasâ— A probable sense according to the Hebrewes Tradition S. Chris ho. 20. in Gen. Lib. 1. Antiq. ca. 2. Origen in Gen. Luc. 3. Mystical sense Suidas vocabulo Seth. Ioseph l. 1. Antâ— S. Aug. epist 99. ad Euod Publike prayer besides Sacrifice in the Church of God Sap. 2 24. Eccli 17 1. :: This Hebrew phrase vvalked vvith God signifieth that he liued wel pleased God :: The seuentie two Interpreters say God translated him And so doth S. Paul Heb. 11. :: This is the longest life of al here recited But if we consider that Adam was as strong of bodie the first day he was ere ated as these others were at the age of 60. yeares before which none are said no haue begot children and so subsract 60. yeares from Mathusala then Adam liued in mans state longer then he by 21. yeares a The second prophecie before Male on Easter Eue. S. Aug. li. 15. ciuit c. 20. The coÌ„tinual succession of Gods Church and interruption of other communities How maÌ„ died the day that he sinned 2. R. 14. ho. 37. in Euangel Psal 89. S. Ireneus li. 5. aduer Heret Cicero li. de Senec. q 1. Tuscul Al time is short in respect of eternitie Enoch Elias yet liuing in bodie li. 20. ciuit c 29. lib. 2. de gratia Christi c. 23. tract 4. in IoaÌ„ Manifest Scripture that Elias yet liueth and shal be slaine an other with him Likewise that Enoch did not see death Malac. 4 Apo. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eccli 44 Heb. 11. These Scriptures speake of temporal not of spiritual death ho. 21. in Gen. lib. 1. de pec mer. c. 2. 3. l. 9. de GeÌ„ ad lit c. 6. S. Tho. in c. 11. ad Hebreos The Fathers proue by the scriptures that Enoch is not dead Causes why Enoch Elias are reserued aliue
v. â— * ch 3. v. 3. E :: Great hurt to a king that is ruled much by one counseler Salomon teacheth that VVhere are manie counsellers cogitations are confirmed â—ron 15. v. 22. * F ch 3. v. 14. ch 4. v. 17. * Excepâ— the 72. G The Epistle on wenesday in the 1. weke of â—â—nâ— And in a votiue Masse against Paganes :: Idoles are nothing in the vvorld 1. Cor. 8. but baâ—e imaginations of men :: The Church vseth this prayer in the offertorie the 22. sunday after Pentecost as a parcel of holie Scripture Of herselfe nor for wordlie glorie she desired not to marie a heathen king but for the coÌ„mon good she maried him God dispensing with the law in this behalf See ch 2. G * H ch 13. v. 8. :: Vesâ—imâ—nta oratus not ornâ—â—â—s her playing wâ—ede :: A notable example for Noble wemen how to kepe their state remaine neuer theles humble in hart :: By this comparison of angels she ment that the king excelled al or most part of men * K ch 5. v. â— L :: At last this king saw his owne errour in beleuing one false counseller ouer much ch 1â— v. ◠〈◊〉 1â— v. 6. :: As Mardocheus suggested thâ— king confirmed the obseruation of a feast in memorie of Gods benefice and so both Iewes and Genâ—â—les kept it * M chap. 9. v. â— â— 18. c. 47. ciuit conc 2. de Lazar Rom. 9. Praesat 〈◊〉 Iob. Iob of the race of Esau VVhy God suffered him to be so afflicted The contentes according to the historie Iob an especial figure of Christ Prafâ—â— Moral documentes in this booke True logike Philosophie Hard and eaâ—ic thinges to be vnderstood are both profitable VVritten by Iob himself most part in verse Diuided into three partes This booke is read the two fâ—râ—â— wekes of September The first paâ—â— The change of Iobs prosperous sâ—aâ—â— into affliction 〈…〉 :: Diuels appeare not in Gods sight but sometime in presence of Angels which represent God S. Athan q. 8. ad Antiâ—câ—â—â— :: God doth not directly send euils bâ—t permitteth them to happen to his seruantes :: By this holie example ancient fathers condeme the senâ—â—es Stoikes who are neuer moued S. Aug. li. 1. c. 9. ciuit S. Paul also reproueth men vvithout affection Rom. 1. v. 31. Aswal Iob as other prophetes writ their owne actes and prayses Good workes are both Gods workes and mens workes Praefâ—â— in Iob. Iobs patience inuincible in â—l sortes of â—â—â—liction English Catholiques lose their goodes and children and are afflicted in bodie Great commendation to be good amongst the bad Philip. 2. Apoc. 2. â—â—ntie Sacrifice being of infinite vertue yet the valure in application is limited :: A man of plâ—ine 〈◊〉 true dealing mixed with meekâ—â—â— with out al guile is called a simple right man S. Greg. li. 1. Moral â— 2 â—â—â— :: His wife perswading him to desperation and blasphemie signified carnal cogitions which corrupt the soule inwardly as afflictions do affault the flesh outwardly S. Greg. li. 3. c. 24. :: Seuen dayes together euerie day and night some good part These visiters of Iob were in dede his freindes and professed true religion They erred in Iobs particular case li. 3. â— 24. And prefigured heretikes li. 5. â— 18. :: After so long â—â—leâ—ce at last â—â—b expresseth hiâ—â—Spandâ—â— so 〈…〉 des 〈…〉 great 〈…〉 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 〈…〉 ly 〈…〉 〈…〉 ud 〈…〉 o 〈…〉 〈◊〉 by God bu 〈…〉 to m 〈…〉 bein 〈…〉 〈…〉 nne euen from his conception and 〈◊〉 wishing that whatsoeuer concurred to his longer afflictions in this life and hâ—â—dâ—râ—â— his more spedie deliuerie from dangers and calamities had not bene for so he had benne sowner at â—est as Gods goodnes should dispose of him Al which was a lawful desire and no sinne at al. See 1. Pineda in c. 2. Iob. The second part Diuers discourses and disputes about the cause of Iobs afflictions The first constrct betwen Eliphaz and Iob. :: No innocent euer perished eternally but innocent Abel was slaine temporaly and innumerable others suffer calamities for their greater merite :: Heretikes pretend such obscure visions more to gette credite then to edifie others S. Greg. li. 5. c. 18. :: Iob easely granteth that man may not compare not contend with God ch 9. v. 1. Yet men may be innocent free from greuous sinnes :: This disputer hauing pretended an imaginarie vision from God 〈◊〉 Iob now he supposeth that neither God noâ— Angel noâ— other holie person wil patrâ—â—age his cause nor iudge of his case as he doth but that al wil condemne him of impatience follie enuie and other sinnes :: This proueth unporteth that a man must not thincke to passe his life without trauel but must get his bread vvith svveat of his brovves or suffer other calamities :: Gods goodnes deliuereth his seruantes the space of this laborious life :: And most especially in the houre of death S. Org. li. 6. c. 18. â—nuocation of Sainctes especially Angels in Iobs time li. 5. c. 30. :: A man of sincere conscience confesseth the sinnes wherof he is guiltie yet acknowledgeth not al wherwith others may vniustly charge him :: Sâ—ndâ—e wayes without water :: Iobs aduersaâ—ies preâ—â—med to teach him but because they erred in their applying of true assertions in his case which himself vnderstood and not they he acconted not their discourses for good doctrin The vse of Hyperbole in holie Scripture Treasure of satisfactorie workes in the Church Pardons do applie the suffering of some for the satisfaction of others :: A souldiar must be alwayes readie to indure trauel to be promptly obedient content to be beaten by his superior with out al resistance vpon paine of his life he is alwayes subiect to cares and to danger of death and therfore must euer be readie to dye * Seol :: Iust Iob supposing he was at the point of death prayed God to spare or cease to punish him more and to accept of that affliction which he had already suffered So the Church in behalf of soules departed in state of grace prayeth God to spare and cease from further punishing them and to geue them eternal rest :: The second confflict This second disputer charged Iob to be obâ—â—â—â—ate who in dedâ— was constant 〈◊〉 a true setled iudgement :: Euen thus heretikes imagine Catholikes to the ignorant and therfore fil their mouthes and bookes with thinges that are not denied and yet inserre much falshood sophistically applying one truth against an other being them selues ignoraÌ„t how to reconcile difficulties :: Iob here granteth that which was truly said by his aduersarie sheweth how he did wrong apliâ—â—rue doctrin against him and so stil defendeth his owne in nocencie and iust quarel :: Angeles moue the spheres of heauen :: Euen so S. Paul though he was not guiltie in conscience of anie crime yet he would not therin iustifie himself 1. Cor. 4. :: This is an assured true assertion that God afflicteth
both good euil nn this life :: Feare on mans paâ—t and hope in God do wel consist together So both presumption and desperation are auoided :: Holie Iob knowing it to be vnpossible that God calumniateth anie man inquireth what is the cause why his goodnes afflicteth the iust :: In that I am thy creature thou maist iustly destroy me but in deede because I am thy creature thou 〈◊〉 spare me through thy mâ—â—c◠〈◊〉 me thy grace which if I vse wel thou wilt also geue me eternal rest :: Repentance is alwayes necessarie but most especially at the houre of death The third conflict :: Sophar might haue applied the vice of much speaking to himself and his felowes alleaging manie thinges which proued not their opinion wheras Iobs allegations proued directly that which he affirmed :: Iobs owne conscience affirmed the contrarie c. 6. v. 3. :: He could not iustly confesse iniqeitie which he had not coÌ„mitted :: God suffereth his simple true meaning seruantes to be scorned for the time but afterward the wicked shal be forced to confesse that those whom they derided are worthily in honour before God Sap. 5. â— 3. :: Craftie plotters of deuises at last by Gods iust punishement commit so great absurdites that the meanest may see their foâ—lie :: Iobs state of sinne or innocencie was best knowen to God next to his owne conscience not at al to his aduersaries that presumed to iudge therof :: It semed to his aduersaries that of desperation he would teaâ— his flesh and so kil himself and to be so nere death as if one held his soule in his hand readie to bet it sâ—l from him :: He was in extreme anguish but stil trusted in God :: He denieth that he is guiltie in conscience but desireth to know of God if he haue anie hiâ— sinnes which himself knoweth not :: Al children taking their sâ—bstance from the mother and hauing only a temporal life continually tending to death can not but be subieâ—t to â—anie 〈◊〉 â—â—â—s 〈…〉 itselfe though it may some long is a limited thin◠〈…〉 is very 〈…〉 yea 〈…〉 proportion in respect of eternitie which is infinite yet God hath care to bring this weake creature to life eternal :: The parentes after death are not afflicted with the state of their children as they be in this life The fourt conflict :: Eliphaz not able to answer Iobs solide reasons raileth against him as if he were iniurious to God or taught others to cast away feare :: It is a very rare priuilege to be without spot :: But spot of venial sinnes may be in a iust man :: Al these miseries are incident to the wicked but are falsly applied to holie Iob who â—ndede was iust :: True and freindlie comforters ought to heare the afflicted with patience and not vnmercifully charge him with crimes which they neither know nor his conscience is guiltie of :: A great affliction when one ful of paine and distres is also forced to defend his owne innocencie against calumniators :: As the aduersaries stil obiect great iniquitie to him so he yeldeth them the same true answer :: Not hauing committed such sinnes as he was charged withal in this duble bitternes of corporal paine and calumniation his eye was stil vpon God expecting to be deliuered * Seâ—l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Infernus :: This texâ— sheweth euidently that there was a place of rest called hel The fifth conflict :: Baldad perceiuing Iob to speake confidently as the common doctrin of manie opposeth him self neuertheles against him and al that thincke as he doth and so speaketh as to manie in the plural number vvil ye speake and of himselfe his felowes are vve reputed c. So holie Iob a figure of the Church defended the common cause his aduersaries a figure of here tâ—kes speaking some truthes mixed false thinges therwith S. Greg. li. 14. c. 1. :: Blessed Iob saith S. Gregorie li. 14. c. 16. 17 looking sincerly on his owne life saw that his affliction was greater then his sinnes deserued and in that respect was not equal yet it was iust for God being iust geueth a iust reward a crowne of iustice as S. Paul speaketh of himself 2. Tim. 4 :: Al refused holie Iob in his affliction euen those whom he had loued most who therfore ought most to haue loued him againe :: An expresse profession of his faith of the Resurrection :: VVe shal rise againe not as one tree riseth in place of an other but the self same persones changed in qualities not in substance The sixth conflict :: Al mans life is short and as a moment in comparison of eternitie but it is not alwayes true that thewiked are shortly punished in respect of this life as this disputer applieth it to proue Iob to impious Therfore Iob answereth in the next chapter â— 13. That ordinarily the wicked lead their dayes to witt their whole life in vvealth and then in a moment goe downe to hel So the rest of these mens assertions are for most part true in some sense but il applied :: Though he disputed with three men yet it was concerning diuine thinges not humaine but of Gods prouidence and iustice of the resurrection of eternal life and punishment :: See ch 20. v 5. :: The same word is in Hebrew Greke and Latin for hel as in the 7 and 17. chap. other places which sheweth that besides hel of the daÌ„ned the resting place also of holie fathers in the old Testament was called by the general name of hel * a riuer of hel The seuenth conflict :: In dede wheÌ„ a iust man hath donne his dutie he is vnprofitable to God but he is profitable to himself which greatly pleaseth God who desireth mans good and it redoundeth to Gods glorie that he hath such seruantes â—â—at 5. v. 17. :: After imputation of false crimes this 〈…〉 chargeth 〈…〉 also with 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 error of the Aegyptians that God hath no prouidence of men in this world Aristotel li. dâ— mundo textu 84. So some heretikes in their phrensic accuse Catholiques of condemned heresies :: VVhiles he expected some comforth of his freindes they stil afflicted him more and more chargeing him with falâ—â— crimes and so aggrauating his grief both of bodie and mind :: Therfore he appealeth to Gods iudgement seate for sentence :: Gods seruantes know that he wil punish wickednes but know not when the wicked presume that he wil neuer punish them :: Heretikes doing and teaching against their owne knowledge are afterward striken with blindnes that they can not see the truth S. Greg. li. 16. c. 26. :: Sinners running into both extremes of defect and excesse are likewise punished with contrarie tormentes :: Man by powre of free wil ofteÌ„ presumeth to spend the time in sinning which God granteth him to do penance for former sinnes Rom. 2. The eight conflict :: Iob answered before ch 9. yet blind
Without a Redemer to do good Rom. 5. d Without faith in Christ none had meritorious workes These three verses being not in the Hebrew nor Greke yet are in the English an 1577. and are three distinct verses in other psalmes 5. 9 â—5 e They are wholly occupied in vexing others Isa 52. â— 8. f The Prophet speaketh this in the person of God g With greedines to hurt the good h Not beleeuing in God they feared Idols that is diuels i who in dede can not hurt Gods seruants k Though innumerable be very wicked yet some are iust l mocked and derided those that trust in God m The Prophet wisheth and withal prophecieth that Christ our Sauiour wilcome who is premised to Israel n Redemed man from the captiuitie of the diuel o those that supplant vice p and contem plate God VVithout Christs grace no man is nor can be iust The law shewed the insufficiencie of mans wil. Grace cureth the wil The wil being cured cooperateth with gâ—â—â—e Venial sinnes exclude not from heauen Good workes done in mortal sinnes auail not to saluation Of eternal Beatitude The 10. key a In heaue as appeareth by the last verse b One requisite thing is to be free or cleansed from sinne c the second is to do good d Sincerely in thought e word and f dede g nor harkened to detraction h Glorie is the reward of good workes i Vsurie excludeth from heauen VVhy this and certaine others are called the Psalmes of Dauid Both faith and good workes necessarie to saluation Heb. 1â— Only the state of glorie is immutable Of Christs victorie The 5. key a Stylographiae signifieth a thing most worthie to be noted towitte Christ crucified b and most worthie of the prophets consideration c Christ as man did often pray as appeareth in the Gospel d Christs passion was not needful nor profitable to God but to man e God speaketh shewing that Christ should make his meruelous charity knowen to his Apostles and other seruantes f Men feeling their infirmities and miseries g make hast in seeking remedies h Sacrifices to idols shal â— cease in Gentiles i Their names shal be changed from heathen to be called Christians k Eternal glorie coÌ„sisteth in seing God l God is the reward of suffering paines for Christ m In diuision of temporal inheritance land is measured by cordes as Iosue 10. so portions in heauen are geuen with large measure n Christ also receiued al nations for his inheritance o Wisdome to make good election of spiritual thinges rather then temporal p Not only by day but also by night q Also my corporal paines geue me instruction r Christ had God continually before his eyes cuerieman ought to thincke frequently of God Å¿ for God stil protecteth the iust Act. e. v. 25. t in limbo patrum v Christs body corrupted not in the graue Act. 2. 13 w death and resurrection is the way to life x Perfect glorie consisteth in seing God y in eternity Christ a King sometimes exercised temporal iurisdiction God the proper inheritaÌ„ce of Christ and Christians Clergie men professe expresly to serue God for God him felfe not for temporal profite psal â—â— v. 11. 2 〈◊〉 a. v. 4. Protestantes denving that Christ deâ—â—ended into limbus translate graue for bâ—â— 1552. 1577. 1603. Gods prouidence protecting the iust The 3. key a in my iust cause heare my petition b seing I pray sincerly not in feaned affection c Thou that 's seest al thinge declare my right against mine aduersaries d my inteÌ„tion e most secret cogitations f by tribulations g Whose conscience is pure from greuous sinne may pray with this confidence otherwise repentance is first necessarie But the whole Church may euer pray in this maner because there be alwayes some iust and holy in respect of whom it is truly called holy h for thy precepts i the narrow way of vertue k none can of them selues walke rightly but by Gods helpe l against thy omnipotent powre m from their cruel and furious countenance n they haue shut out al pittie or commiseration o They intend vtterly to destroy me euen to the ground p Except God preuent maÌ„s industry is not sufficieÌ„t q restraine their powre which they haue by thy permission that they may not persecute so much as they intend r This is a prophecy that the wicked from the elect Å¿ which iudgement beginneth sometimes in this life t the pleasures of this world which God approueth not nor acknowledgeth amongst good thinges v the iust shal be approued w Nothing doth satiate mans mind but the sight of God in eternal glorie This Psalme called a Praier is both a sword buck â—â—r in afflictioÌ„ Dauid singularly protected by God The â— key a Though literally this Psalme perteyned to Dauid yet in figure of Christ and of the Church or eâ—erie iust soule b The Holie Ghost inspired Dauid to render these thankes for his often deliuerie from dangers c Saul is specially named because he was his most potent worldlie enimie d These first wordes as also diuers others are added and many changed in this and other Psalmes by the Septuagint who often leauing the Hebrew text render the sense and so this agreeth in substance with the same Psalme recorded 2. Reg. 22. e by whom I am strong Hâ—b 2. f high firme saluation g This is aptly applied to al mankind after his fal declaring our state in sinne and inducing to penance in the office of Masse on Septuagesima sunday h mortal flesh subiect to death i violent incursions of tentions to sinne k exceding great afflictioÌ„s of mind like to torments of hel which I also feare l secrete tentations haue deceiued me m Earnest prayer is the best remedie in al tribulations n As it is certaine that God heard Dauids prayers so he assuredly heareth al that sincerly flee vnto him o Gods anger against sinne maketh high and loftie thinges to shake euen the most obstinate presumptuous sinners p Diuine wrath is like to smoke of the nosethrles or flaming fire and burning coles q Gods punishment sometimes cometh so swiftly as if the heauens bowed towards the earth r Gods furie is as a darke desolate night or horrible wist r Yet wheÌ„ sinners repeÌ„ God most speedely as fleing with winges of mercie comforteth protecteth them Å¿ God being in him selfe in coÌ„prehensible is also secret in his determinations and couert in his procedinges or actes t Gods spleÌ„dor oppressing maÌ„s sense yet instructeth him by his meruelous vvorkes VVhich mystically signifieth that Christ illuminateth the vvorld by his Apostles and other preachers denouncing his iustice peace and his vvil in al thinges perteyning to man v from tribulations w From Saul AbsoloÌ„ Moabites Ammonites and al temporal and spiritual enemies So in the rest of this Psalme the Prophet speaketh for most part in proper termes vvithout Metaphores or other figures
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
affliction not able to deliuer them selues seeke reuenge by murmuring and other euil speaches but the perfect resolue to rule their tongues d euen to forbeare sometimes from their owne iust defence e though therby they indure more persecution f sorow suppressed maketh the hart to burne with zele and indignation g If it may please thee let me know how long I shal liue desiring to dye as Elias desired 3. Reg. 19. h my life and al that I haue is as nothing compared to thy eternitie i as a shadow or image appearing in a glasse which is quickly forgotte k therfore there is no cause man should be trubled in mind for temporal miseries l Thou hast suffered me to be reproched by the foolish that prosper in this world m I know my tribulation is by thy prouidence o my life decayeth as a spider hauing spent al her moysture p Almen are strangers in this life heauen being our home q that I may recouer spiritual streingth in this life r after which I shal not be in state to do frceworkes of satisfaction nor merite Christs comming and redeming of manking The 5 key a perteyning vnto the new Testament b the faithful of the old and new Testament reioyce in the coming of Christ c Christ by him seâ—â—e and by others preached the Gospel of saluation d the multiplication of Christians therbâ— e â—â— sacrifice of the old testament sufficed â—o satisfie Gods iustice for the sinne of man f Christ by the eare of obedience performed the redemption of man by his death as was determined from eternitie S. Paul for eares â—aith bodie See Annotations Heb. 10. Heb. 10. g The summe of holie Scripture is of Christs Incarnation death for redemption of man h Againe Christ inculcateth the preaching and receiuing of his Gospel in the whole world i In the greatest and wisest congregations of this world Christ concealeth not his mercie and truth So himselfe professed before Annas Caiphas Pilate and their councels S. Paul preached Christ at Atheâ—s and in manie nations and so the other Apostles For their voice went into al the coastes of the earth k The prophet now speaketh in the name of Christs mystical bodie the Church praying to be made partaker of mercie and to be deliuered from euâ—les l the sinnes also of those which beleue in Christ are so manie that they can not be fully sene in particular m I almost faint in considering so manie and so great iniquities amongst those that professe Christ n The whole Church prayeth in the name of al for the infirme members o The prophet foresheweth that the reprobate for their obstinate malice seeking to hurt others shal be confounded p that skornfully say wel wel wishing al euil to good men q which not only in mouth and outward profession but also in sinceritie of hart seeke thee may with confidence reioyce and praise God r Christ speaketh in the name of sinners truly repenting whose sinnes he vndertaketh to redeme and wash away by his passion Å¿ The faithful of the old testament pray for Christs first coming into this world and the faithful now pray for his second coming to purge his Church and to reward the good Christs Passion and Resurrection The 5 key a Perteyning to the new testament as appeareth by the 10. verse alleaged by our Sauiour This Psalme is also applied by the Church in the office of the sick whom whosoeuer assisteth in that case may hope to haue assistance in their owne like necessitie Io. 13. v. 18. b He is happie that is not scandalized in Christ Luc. 7. v. 23. coming in pouertie and suffering extreme afflictions c He that trusteth in Christ notwithstanding the contrarie motiues of his wordlie miserie shal be deliuered by him in al distresse d Our Lord wil geue to such seruantes more grace in this life and glorie in the next e not suffer him to be ouercome in tentations f when such constant seruantes are sick to death Christ wil most especially comforte and helpe them g Christ in the behalf of his mystical bodie confesseth their sinnes and prayeth for them h After death suffered for mankind Christ riseth and his name and kingdom is glorious i Those that came not of good wil but of malice to obserue Christs deedes and wordes carped at both sometimes saying he taught against the law and against Moyses sometymes that he â—ast out diuels in the powre of Beelse bub k At last they resolued that he should die l But they could not so suppresse his powre for he rose againe in glorie m By our Sauiours application of this verse it is certaine that the traitor Iudas is here described Ioa. 13. v. 18. Io. 11. Act. 1. n in the day of iudgement Christ Iudge of al wil render to euerie one as they deserue o As before in respect of sinners Christ Iudge of al wil render to euerie one so here in his owne person he auoucheth his owne innocencie which made him apt to satisfie for others p For this mercie of Almightie God in sauing the elect by his Sonnes death he is to be praised for euer eternally q Al the blessed agree in this that God is eternally to be praised and therto say Amen So be it so be it Some diuide the Psalmes into fiue bookes supposing the first booke to end here with these wordes Be it be it not obseruing that the last Psalme hath not this ending S Ierom confuteth this opinion by our Sauiours and S. Peters naming it the booke not bookes of Psalmes Luc. 20. v. 42. Act. 1. Moreouer if this were the end of one booke then the Psalme folowing should not be called the 41. Psalme but the first Psalme of the second booke Eternal glory The 10. key a The sonnes of Core repented and departed from their fathers schisme and so escaped miraculosly the horrible pitte of damnation inâ—o which heir father and his complices fel. Num. 26. v. 10. By which example al seduced and deceiued Christians are admonished not to persist in schisme or other sinnes And wordlie men â—mbicious of honour be warned to desire seke God aboue al thinges first of al the kingdome of heauen â—o be liuing mâ—mbeâ—s of the Catholique Church and the iustice therof to seke thinges whâ—â—h are aboue 〈◊〉 which are vpon the earth lest hel deuoure them as it denoured the complices of Core Num 1â— v. 31. b A harte waxing old and burdened with much heare and great hornes draweth a serpent into his nosethrels so being infected with poyson desireth most ardently to drinke and afterwards casteth his hornes and heare and becometh as it were yong againe c with such feruent desire a true penitent feeling himselfe infected with poyson of sinnes seeketh the water of Gods grace d God is omnipotent and in dede the only true liuing God diuels who are honored in idols ca do no more then God permitteth and so they can
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
dignitie vvisdome or other like qualitie but their iust merites :: A prayer of iust zele e Shal most wicked men stil be suffered to speake so insolently :: A description of heathnish and heretical crueltie :: Scarse anie Atheistes are so blind as thus to thinke but manie sinners so behaue them selues as if God saw not knew not or at least cared not vvhat they do f So vnpossible is it that God should be ignorant or careles vvhat men do that he also knovveth and obserueth most secret thoughtes g Mitigate and temper his afflictions that by patience and fortitude the iust may perseuere and not be ouerwhelmed h The whole Church shal neuer be reiected nor forsaken i Iustice is conuerted into iudgement vvhen iust meaning is put in vvorke and practise that it may appeare in iudgement Also God vvho doth suffereth al iustly vvil conserue his inheritance the Church euen vnto the day of iudgement k The sense is easie by transposing the vvordes al that are right of hart are nere it that is shal like and approue Gods iustice vvhen the vvicked shal repine and blaspheme it l when I felt and complained that I was in danger thou didst assist me m Onlie faith sufficeth not but careful laboure in keping Gods commandmnts is required n The iust do hope for eternal saluation to which God wil bring them o And God the reuenger of wronges wil at last cast the wicked into eternal torments Christ our Lord and king the 5. key a Praise songue with voices b inspired to Dauid written by him This Inuitation is most fitly ordayned by the Church for the proeme or beginning of Mattins c VVith great and solemne exultation d God our Creator is also our Protector Sauiour e Let vs be more diligent and preuent our accustomed time For no man can preuent Gods grace with anie good worke who first preuenteth vs els we can neither doe nor thincke anie good thing f not only in singing his praise with voice but also with musical instruments g So also Isaias c. 45. v. 23. and S. Paul Philip. 2. teach that kneeling or bowing the knees as an external religious ceremonie is acceptable to God h It is most iust and necessarie that we adore God because he made vs and al this world for vs hath also redemed vs and made vs his people as shepe of his pasture and as a Pastor feedeth and gouerneth vs. i of his making k Though some haue often repelled and resisted Gods grace yet if they receiue it being offered againe it wil auaile them to remission of sinnes l The Israelites in the desert tempted God by desiring water and flesh of voluptuous concupiscence without necessitie For Manna did both extinguish their thirst and tasted vnto them whatsoeuer they desired Exo. 16. That also which was left vngathered when the sunne waxed hotte melted v. 21. and serued their cattel for drincke So this tentation was a figure of those which require to communicate vnder both kindes as if one did not conteine as much as both m By this mention of the offence of fourtie yeares as long before passed is conuinced that Moyses writte not this Psalme who died in the very fourtith yeare of their abode in the desert And S Paul citing the wordes of this Psalme Heb. 4. manifestly acknowlegeth Dauid the writter therof and that it was written long after Moyses time in these wordes v 7 Againe he limiteth a certaine day To day in Dauid saying after so long time as is aboue saide To day if you shal heare his voice do not obdurate your hartes For if Iesus that is Iosue had geuen them rest he would neuer speake of an other day afterward n Being greatly offended I approched nere vnto them in punishing the offenders o Those that murmured died in the desert and entered not into the promised land euen so those that finally offend Christ shal not enter into euerlasting rest Heb. 3. 4. It is in mans freewil to resist good motions Concil Triden Sess 6. c. 5 Christs diuine powre the 5. key a Inspired to Dauid and written by him b prophecying the restauration of the temple after the future captiuitie And that in figure of the vniuersal redemption of mankind by Christ from the captiuitie of the diuel â— 1. Par. 16. v. 23. c For a new benefite farre greater then the deliuerie of Israel from Aegypt d The same wordes Sing to our Lord thrise repeted signifie the Blessed Trinitie as some Fathers note Likewise v. 7. and 8. Bring ye to our Lord c. in both places concluding in the singular number blesse his name bring to his name importing one God e VVhat creatures soeuer spiritual or corporal visible or inuisible the paganes serue for goddes stil they â—e diuels that deceiue them and diuers wayes vsurpe diuine honour making such idolaters to thinke that there is diuine powre where none is f He only is true God who is Creator of heauen and of al creatures For no creature can create anie thing at al that is make anie thing of nothing but only God g Diuers ancient Doctors read more in this place Our Lord hath reigned from the wood to witte Christ by his death on the crosse conquered the diuel sinne and death and thence begane to reigne S. Iustinus Martyr dialogo aduers Triphonem Tertullian li. aduers Iudaeos c. 9. 13 aduers Marcionem li. 3 c. 19. 21. S Augustin in this place according to the old Roman Psalter Before him Arnobius and after him Cassiadorus and others wherby it is probable that it was sometimes in the Hebrew text and blotted out by the Iewes h The Psalmist in abundance of spirite inuiteth al creatures to praise God as Daniel in his Canticle c. 3. i Christ iudgeth now in the world by his ministers discerning and deciding causes rewarding and punishing but especially he wil iudge al in the last day The last iudgement the 9. key a In figure of Christ b whose bodie rose the third day after his death to whom manie returned beleuing in him after his resurrection which fel from him in his passion and to whom al thinges shal be subdued as to their true Lord in the day of iudgement c Holie Dauid and other Prophetes hauing great ioy to see long before in spirite only Christs kingdom extended in the whole earth yea to the Ilandes we Ilanders haue great cause to be gladde that God hath not only so blessed vs long since but as yet conserueth seede wherby we trust the whole Iland shal be againe restored vnto him d As in a cloud with terror God gaue his law to the Iewes so in a cloud with greater terror and maiestie he wil iudge the world e not as manie corrupted seates of iudgement in this world but as a corrected tribunal where iustice and right iudgement shal be practised :: These thinges are denounced as if they were alredy donne
our sinnes al his life l He prayed also for his resurrection and glorification m VVith al possible confusion Christs exaltation the 5. key Mat. 22. Act. 2. 1. Cor. 15. Heb. 1. 10. a God the Father b To God the Sonne the Lord of Dauid and of al mankind yet the sonne of Dauid according to his humanitie c He limiteth not the time but excludeth al time wherin the enimie might imagine that Christs kingdom should cease signifying that Christ shal reigne til al his enimies be subdued much more afterwards in al eternitie d The Church of Christ beginning in Ierusalem on whitsunday the fiftith day from his Resurrection continueth euer more e Thou shalt haue principalitie f in the day of thy powrful conquest and rising from death g in excellencie of al holie spiritual mysteries and graces h because I God the Father of my substance begate thee God the Sonne in eternitie The same which Micheas saith c. 5. v. 2. His comingforth from the beginning from the dayes of eternitie i God most firmly and vnchangeably affirmed that thou Christ our Messias art not only a King but also a Priest Heb. 5. v. 7. k not for a time as Aaron was but for euet l neither of Aarons order but according to the Order of Melchisedec m Kinges that sometimes persecute Christans are subdued with other people to Christ n He shal iudge and punish the incredulous people o make great slanghters amongst those that resist p and bring princes with their populous kingdome to nothing q He shal in the meane time and also his best seruants suffer much tribulation in this life r and for the same â—e highly exalted in life euerlasting Christs Priesthood for euer both in function and in effect The resemblance of Christs and Melchisedecs Priesthood Graces geuen to the Church the 6. key a I wil praise God both in secret for discharge of myn owne conscience b and in publique for edification of others This Psalme in the Hebrew is composed with euerie verse and middle of verse begunning with a distinct letter in order of the Alphabet c Gods wil is the whole cause of al his workes d Euerie worke of his is praise worthie and magnifical e God hath leift one most special and beneficial memorie of al other benefites his owne bodie and bloud in memorie of his Passion and our redemption f the spiritual foode and sustinance of al the soules that rightly feare him g Of his promise to conserue his Church perpetually h the powrable operation of his death and of al his mysteries i Gods commandments do iustifie al that kepe them k He also of his mercie redemed man that he might be able to kepe his precepts l Begingning with feare of God bringeth at last by other degrees to true wisdom which two are the first and last of the seuen giftes of the Holie Ghost The meanes to be happie the 7. key a The Septuagint Interpreters added this mention of Aggeus and Zacharie returning from captiuitie to signifie that this Psalme was very proper meete to be coÌ„mended to the people at that time wherby they might lerne that their sinnes were the cause of their captiuitie and of al their miseries and if they desired temporal or spiritual prosperitie they must obserue the meanes here prescribed to obtayne the same b He that sincerly feareth God wil take great delight in keping his commandments This Psalme is also composed by the Alphaber as the next before Psal 1. c So doing he and his shal prosper d The iust shal not only prosper in this world but also in the next e God wil also comfort the iust in tribulations f That shal geue discrete and wholsome counsel to the afflicted g Workes of mercie are also called iustice because they concurre to mans iustification 2. Cor. 9â— h and to his saluation Gods prouidence the 3. key a Al Gods seruants b In respect of God al creatures are low though they be in heauen c See the example of Ioseph so aduanced d of Sara Rebecca Rachael and other wemen made fruictful The meruelous passage of Israel from Aegypt the 4. key a People of false religion counted barbarous especially such as also persecute the true Religion for otherwise the Aegyptians were both ciuil in maners and lerned in manie sciences b The people of Iewes were more notoriously renowmed in the world from the time of their deliuerie out of Aegypt for the peculiar people whom God sanctified and in whom as in his elected enheritance or dominion he dwelled and reigned c The Psalmist writing in verse doth often describe thinges in poetical maner but more truly then prophane poetes for that in very dede al creatures otherwise sensles as the sea do in a sorte feele the powre of their Creator obey his wil d VVhen the Israelites went forth of Aegypt e when they entred into Chanaan f Either there was an earthquake or some other mouing of hilles not mentioned by Moyses or els the Psalmist speaketh of the rockes of the torrentes which bowed that the Israelites might rest in Ar and lie in the borders of the Moabites Num 21 v 15 g By the figure Apostrophe he speaketh to the sea riuer and hilles vsing also Prosopopoeia as if senfles thinges vnderstood and should answer h An other miraculous benefite that the rocke yelded them water in their necessitie * Here some Hebrewe Rabbins beginne an other Psalme but by the coherence of the matter S. Augustin proueth that it iâ— but one Psalme where is shewed that the true inuisible God is knowen by such workes as are here recited and contratiwise that the GeÌ„tils idoles are not goddes because they are made of siluer gold or other matter by mens handes hauing resemblance of liuing thinges are altogether sensles i Thou didstal this ô God of mere mercie towards thy people k for thy truths sake seing thou didst promise to protect them l that the Gentiles should not take occasion to blaspheme m This is a iust prayer of the zelous conforming their desires to Gods wil But if God geue idolaters grace to amend then al the iust wil also reioice in their cenuersion n Though manie Iewes fel to idolatrie yet there alwayes remained so manie in Gods true seruice that it mighst stil be truly saide The house of Israel hath hoped in our Lord as is here auerred o This in effect al worldlie politikes say in their hartes as it were quitting their interest of heauen to God p and contenting themselues with earthlie possessions q But when such prophane men are dead they make no shew at al of praising r for parting from the earth they descend into hel and there eternally blaspheme God God â— Å¿ Contrarivvise the iust aspiring to heauen vvhich is the proper kingdom of God vsing this vvorld as they ought to do for a meanes to ascend into heauen shal
blesse and praâ—e God for euermore The definition of Idolatrie Diuers sortes of Idolatrie Angels honored as goddes Men liuing or dead Corporal creatures sensible and without sense Imagees of false goddes Imagees them selues reputed goddes Idolaters are voide of reason And seruants of diuels â—sal 95. â—5 A prayer with praise of God the 7. key a I am induced to loue God b because he alwayes heareth my prayers c So long as I shal liue d VVhen serred like a stray sheepe from thee the paines of death e and the danger of hel-torments both due for sinne inuironed me and I was not ware therof f But by tribulation falling vpon me I came to knowe my dangerous estate g turned to thee and prayed as foloweth h Afflicted with tribulations i I wil endeuoure to please God in the congregation of those that liue herein grace and in heauen in glorie Thankesgeuing for our Redemer the 5. key a I beleued that God would helpe me b therfore I freely professed that I trusted in him For then in dede faith is perfect when we confesse with mouth that which we beleue in hart c I was vehemently afflicted in tribulations This in the Hebrew is ioyned to the next Psalme before d In the middes of my great affliction I professed that al mans helpe is vaine false deceipful and defestiue and therfore our trust must be in God only e Considering that God hath not only geuen and bestowed manie great benefites vpon me and al mankind but also hath rendered good for euil mercie for our sinneâ— we hâ—uâ—â—g rendered euil for good what now shal I render sayth a true penitent for al that he hath thus rendered to me deseruing so euil f Considering that God hath not only geuen and bestowed manie great benefites vpon me and al mankind but also hath rendered good for euil mercie for our sinneâ— we hâ—uâ—â—g rendered euil for good what now shal I render sayth a true penitent for al that he hath thus rendered to me deseruing so euil g Seing I am not able to render anie thing worthie of Gods fauoure to me yet I wil do that I can I wil gratfully accept his great benefite the cuppe of Christs passion which he dâ—uunke for mankind h and wil praise and cal upon his name i I wil pay voluntarie vowes k for Gods glorie and edification of others l yea I wil offer my life and suffer death when Gods glorie shal require it in whose sight the death of Sainctes is precious and most highly esteemed m Alvvayes vnderstood that such as suffer persecution be in good state of then soules the true seruantes of God n the children of the Church his handmaide o Deliuered me from captiuitie of sinne p In the Church of the faithful The Church of Christ in alnations the 6. key a Not only some but al nations of the Gentiles b and al Ievves Christs Redemption being abundantly sufficient for al are inuited to praise God Rom. 15. v. 11. c Because he hath multiplied his mercie to vs Gentiles to vvhom he made no promise d and most truly performed his promise made to the levves Christ beneficial Mysteries are celebrated by his Church the 6. key a Let vs praise God for his goodnes in making vs of nothing geuing vs manie benefites b and remitting our sinnes Psal 105. 106. 135. c Let the Church of the nevv testament especially confesse his goodnes vvhich hath receiued more mercie and grace d Let al the Clergie praise God novv in the time of more grace and of greater spiritual functions e Yea let the Whole bodie of the Church al that feare and serue God praise his mercie f As wel spiritual as temporal g Though innumerable oppose and endeuour to hurt me saith the Church or anie iust person h yet by Gods povvre not by myn ovvne I am defended and they punished and so the iust hath the victorie and triumpheth i In great troopes and furie k vvith sharpe though shorte force and vvith special noise to terrifie me but in God I ouercame al l I vvas sometimes by vehemencie of tentation declining to sinne m but Gods grace assisted and strengthned me n The same vvord right hand thrise mentioned signifieth the B. Trinitie Also Our Lord signifying Christ in his humanitie the chief instrument of God is here often repeted to signifie the singular efficacie therof o God chastiseth his children p because he vvould not that they should dye eternally So he punisheth as a father not as an enimie q The Prophet novv speaketh in the person of iust soules requiring spiritual doctrin and foode r and promising to serue God Å¿ An euident prophecie of Christ vttered by the Royal Psalmist and novv confessed by euerie Christian that our Sauiour reiected by the Ievves is neuertheles the builder of his Church by ioyning the tvvo peoples of Ievves and Gentiles as tvvo vvalles into one house t God ordayned this acceptable time of grace Mat. 21. â—â— 20. Act. 4. Iâ—m 9. 1 Pet. 2. v The songue of the Hebrevv children vvhen Christ entered Ierusalem vvith palmes of triumph and acclamations w The voice of Christ and his Apostles and other Clergie blessing the people as they desire x This was fulfilled when Christ was brought with bowes of palme and other signes of triumph from Bethania y through the whole citie euen into the Temple and vnto the Altar Mat. 21. z Our first chife and final dutie is to praise God v. 1. vlt. Perfect iustice is in keping Gods law the 7. key The obscuritie of this profound and Psalm appeareth not to the vulgar reader S Augustin differred the explication of this Psalme Omitted to d 〈…〉 e one difficultie At last made 32. sermons in explication therof S. Ambrose writte 22 sermons vpon this Psalme King Dauid a great master of moral doctrin VVhy this Psalme was composed in order of the Alphabet VVhy eight verses are begunne with euerie letter S Basils iudgement that this Psalme conteyneth the argument of manie Psalmes Other expositors of this Psalme S. Ieroms interpretation and explication of the Hebrew Alphabet Idem Proem lament 1. Cor. 13. * God in himself Most of these letters haue also other significations And are diuersly explicated by S. Ambrose S. Beda and others VVherby we may lerne though we vnderstand no more that holie Scriptures are ful of mysteries as S. Ierom calleth this and hard to be vnderstod Gods lavv especially commended in this Psalme 14 Symonyma signifying the lavv of God Gods grace necessarie in euerie good vvorke It enableth freevvil to merite This title vvas added by the Septuagint to admonish vs that this Psalme conteyneth that singular maner of praising God signified by the two Hebrevv vvordes Allelu ja as before Psal 104. a VVhereas al without exception desire to be happie and blessed b they are indede happie according to the perfectest happines of this life that are immaculate c and they
no light of vertue in himself like the moone butsometimes semeth to haue more light sometimes lesse sometimes none at al. S. Bernard Prou. 10. :: He that expresly doth iniurie to an other is iuitly punished also in this vvorld :: Hovv secretly soeuer anie hutteth an other he vvoundeth his ovvne conscience and can not escape Gods iudgement Prou. 26. Eccle. 10. :: He that seeketh reuenge contrarie to the course of iustice or of euil intention or of rancor of mind sinneth greuously â—ut 6. Râ—m 11. Charitie requireth that we remitte iniuries with three conditions if the offender be truly penitent if the remission of punishment be not against iustice nor against necessarie discipline 〈◊〉 â—â— :: Vndiscrete reporte to one what an other hath saide is often cause of much discontentment and of dissention :: To heare detraction is as bad as to speake it :: Lending is a worke of mercie a kinde of almes To repay that is borowed is a worke of iustice wittingly not to restore is as bad as theft Exo. 22. Deut. 14. Tâ—b 4. :: Great fruite of workes of mercie :: Prudence requireth that by helping an other thou doest not ouerthrovv thyself Prâ—â— 1â— 2â— Deut. 6. :: The eldest sonne being heire to his father is to haue â—pecial case of the other children euen to the aduenturing of his owne hurt for their liues :: Teeth on edge oâ— gâ—ashing of teeth is a part of hel paines â—â—â— 8. 1â— sometimes beginneth in this life :: 〈…〉 is aboue al richeâ— and honour Deut. 14. :: Suffer not vnnecessarie pensiuenes to afflict thy mind through pusillanimitie Prau 12. 15. 17. :: â—â—ut relie wholly â—â—â—â— God 's â—â—l and prouidence resigning thy wil â—â—to his :: They that imploy al their studie to getre vertues shal be more free from tentations of the flesh :: And from drawsines of mind whereupon S Ierom admonisheth Loue the studies of holie Scriptures and thou vvilt not loue the vices of the fresh Epist ad Rusticum Monach :: It is in mans freewil to transgresse therfore they are happie that through Gods grace do not breake his commandments Prou. â—â— Prou. 22. :: As bread is the chiefe sustenaÌ„ce of the bodie so doctrine is of the minde which being good nourisheth if it be bad corrupteth them that receiue it Psa 103. Prou 31. :: Humilitie is necessarie in al but most especially in men of auctoritie The greatest art in this life is to contemne vaine glorie in height of auctoritie S Greg. de cura pastorali Eccle. 3. :: God diâ—ecteth mens resolutions and actions when they vse the meanes of consultation as he hath appointed for vvhen two or three are gathered in his name he is in middes of them Mat. 18. :: Do not against thy coÌ„ference :: Men ledde with passions runne from one vice into an other without ceasing Especially heretikes runne into manie errors Against which S Paul prescribeth this rule It is best that the hart be established with grace Heb. 13. v. 9. Rom. â— :: Vaine dreames are not to be regarded but some are good from God Gen 37. 40. 41. Dan. 2. 4. Mat. 1. :: Vvhatsoeuer is written in holy Scripture is vndoubtedly true and no â—ote of the law shal perish :: God also prouideth that alwayes there be some which truly explicate his lavv Psa 32. Prou. 21. v. 27. Prou. 15. v. 8. Leuit. 19. :: He that destroyeth that an other buildeth bringeth tvvo mens labours to nothing :: Râ—cidiuation into sinne maketh the â—oâ—â—er repentaÌ„ce frustrate Mat. 18. v. 33. :: Sacrifices of penance Psal â—â— of iustice Psal â— and of praise â—â—a 4◠〈…〉 then 〈…〉 1. Reg. 15 v. 22. Iere. 7. :: Neuertheles 〈…〉 is also necessarie Exo. â—◠〈◊〉 â—4 Dâ—â—â—â—â— 2 Cor. â— â—â—â—â— :: Often times so much Aâ— Prou. 24. Seuen times shal the iust fal shal â—â—â— againe Leuit. 22. Deut. 1â— 2 Pâ—â—â—â— 19. Rom. 2. Act. 10. :: This prayer implieth also a prophecie of the conuersion of the Gentiles as the like very often in the Psalmes 58. 6â— 65. c. Exo. 4. Num. 6. :: As there iâ— difference of meates 〈◊〉 so there ought to be discret on in wordes in choosing a wiâ—e in al actions and desires :: In concord smal thinges increase by discord al thinges goe to hauocke :: As freindshippe is a most necessarie thing in humane life so fained freÌ„dshippe is most dangerous :: Man is bond to vse al pruâ—lentendeuour withal most especially to pray for Gods direction :: The dayes of the Blessed in heauen who see God are eternal :: The same which S. Paul admonisheth 1. Cor 11. let euerie one proue him self by examining rectifying his conscience 1. Cor. 6. :: Mans bodie naturally needeth sustenaÌ„ce sometimes phisike and so doth his soule which as it is more excellent so it ought to be more regarded Exo. 25. Isa 38. Spiritual infirmitie requireth spiritual phisike :: To auoide euil speach shew that thou art truly sorie for the death of thy freind But moderate thy sorow lest it hurt thy self Prou. â—5 17. 2. Reg. 12 :: VVhen pastores haue ley sure from preaching they may then profite others by writing So S. Paul not only preached but also writte So likewise the Doctors of the Church and other holie fathers :: Besides actiue life commended in the former chap. it is necessarie that vertuous men vse also meditation coÌ„templation Vnto which foure dispositions are requisite described in this chapt 1. True knowlege of holie Myâ—â—eries without the which meditation wil be erronious 2. :: Puritie of soule free froÌ„ greuous sinnes and endowed vvith vertues :: Humilitie is especially required in contemplatiue persons 3. Gen. 1. Exo. 1. :: Hope of eternal reward comforteth encoregeth the seruants of God 4. Gen. â— :: In the meane time God geueth necessaries for this life VVhich the good vse rightly to their merite the wicked vse euil to their damnation :: Diuels were created in state of grace and of their owne wil fel from God consequently are eternally punished :: The penalties which al men euen new borne infants suffer do shew that al in general are guiltie of original sinne for if they were not guiltie then punishment were not iust That Christ also would be subiect to the same penalties was for the sinnes of others And though his â— mother vvas preserued from this sinne yet she vvas not exempted from the general penaltie of al mankinde Gen. 7. Eccle. 1. :: The societie of Christs Church florishing in al vertues excelleth the benefites of the old Testament :: Euerie one is bound to labour that he want not necessaries :: It is to no purpose after death to accuse the shortnes or length of life pretending the same to haue bene cause of sinne For God doth al iustly yea and for the best if men would so vse his benefites :: It behoueth children and scholars to
diuers names or one was true and natural father an other legal or adoptiue for there were such also before the law of Moyses as appeareth in the historie of Thamar yet it were hard to geue a determinate solution of this difficultie VVhich example with manie others by vs omitted in these briefe annotations conuince the Protestants presumptuous error holding that Scriptures are easie to be vnderstood 6. Departed from his brother 8. Dvvelt in Mount Seir Here is an other difficultie though not so intricate as the former how Esau now parted into Mount Seir seing he dwelled there when his brother Iacob came from Mesopotamia chap. 22. v. 3. VVhich S. Augustin q. 119. in Gen. solueth saying Esau first dwelt in Seir after he was disapointed of his fathers blessing but dwelt againe with his father after Iacobs returne from Mesopotamia and now went to Seir againe after his fathers death CHAP. XXXVII Ioseph informing his father of his brethrens faults 5. and telling his dreames is by them more hated 13. being sent to visite them 18. they first thinke to kil him 26. but by Iudas coâ—sel sel him to the Ismaelâ—tes 29. vnwiting to Ruben 33. his father lamenteth supposing him to be slaine by some wild beast 36. He is sold againe to Putiphar in Aegypt AND Iacob dwelt in the land of Chanaan wherin his father soiourned †And these are his generations Ioseph when he was sixten e yeares old fed the flock with his brethren being yet a boy and he was with the sonnes of Bala and Zelpha his fathers wiues and he accused his brethren to his father of a most wicked crime †And Israel loued Ioseph aboue al his sonnes because he had begotten him “ in his old age and he made him a coate of diuers coloures †And his brethren seing that he was loued of his father more then al his sonnes they hated him neither could they speake any thing to him peaceably †It chanced also that he reported to his brethren a dreame that he had seene which occasion was the seed of greater hatred †And he said to them Heare my dreame which I haue seene †I thought we bounde sheaues in the field and my sheafe arose as it were and stood and your sheaues standing about did adore my sheafe †His brethren answered What shalt thou be our king or shal we be subiect to thy dominion This occasion of his dreames and wordes ministred nourishment to the enuie and hatred †He sawe also an other dreame which telling his brethren he said I sawe in a dreame as it were the sunne and the moone and eleuen starres adore me †Which when he had reported to his father and brethren his father rebuked him and said What meaneth this dreame that thou hast seene why shal I and thy mother and thy brethren adore thee vpon the earth †His brethren therfore enuyed him but his father considered the thing with him selfe †And when his brethren abode in Sichem feeding their fathers flockes †Israel said to him Thy brethren feed sheepe in Sichem come I wil send thee to them Who answering †I am readie he said to him Goe and see if al things be wel with thy brethren and the sheepe and bring me word againe what they doe Being sent therfore from the Vale of Hebron he came to Sichem †and a man found him there wandring in the field and asked what he sought †But he answered I seeke my brethren shew me where they fede the flockes †And the man said to him They are departed from this place for I heard them say Let vs goe into Dothain Ioseph therfore went forward after his brethren and found them in Dothain †Who when they had seene him a farre of before he came nighe them they deuised to kil him †and spake among them selues Behold the dreamer commeth †come let vs kil him and cast him into an old cesterne and we wil say A naughtie wild beast hath deuoured him and then it shal appeare what his dreames doe profite him †And Ruben hearing this endeuored to deliuer him out of their hands and said †Do not take away his life neyther shee l ye blood but cast him into this cesterne that is in the wildernesse and keepe your handes harmeles and he said this desirous to deliuer him out of their handes and to restore him to his father †As soone therfore as he came vnto his brethren forthwith they stripped him out of his side coate and of diuers colours †And cast him into the old cesterne that had not water †And sitting to eate bread they saw Ismaelites wayfaring men coÌ„ming from Galaad and their camels carying spices and rosen and mirrh into Aegypt †Iudas therfore said to his brethren What auaileth it vs if we kil our brother and conceale his bloode †It is better that he be sold to the Ismaelites and that our handes be not polluted for he is our brother and our flesh His brethren assented to his wordes †And when the Madianite marchants passed by they drawing him out of the cesterne sold him to the Ismaelites for twentie peeces of siluer who brought him into Aegypt †And Ruben returning to the cesterne findeth not the boy †and renting his garments went to his brethren and said The boy doth not appeare and whither shal I goe †And they tooke his coate and dipped it in the blood of a kidde which they had killed †sending some that should carie it to their father and should say This we haue founde see whether it be thy sonnes coate or no. †Which when the father acknowledged he said It is my sonnes coate a naughtie wild beast hath eaten him a beast hath deuoured Ioseph †And tearing his garments did on sackcloth mourning his sonne a great time †And al his children being gethered together to asswage their fathers sorowe he would not take comforte but said I wil descend vnto my sonne “ into hel mourning And whilest he perseuered in weeping †the Madianites sold Ioseph in Aegypt to Phutiphar an Eunuch of Pharoes maister of the souldiars ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXXVII 3. In his old age This being one cause why Iacob loued Ioseph aboue al his other sonnes for that he was the youngest of the eleuen for Beniamin the twelfth was yet an infant it is alleaged in holie Scripture saith S. Chrisostom Epist ad Olympiam as least offensiue to his bretheren For a more special cause was for his mother Rachels sake but most principal cause of al was for his great vertues and mature iudgement for which God also preferred him aboue them al and now forshewed the same by visions in sleepe VVhich they enuying and meaning to preuent did in dede vnwitting cooperate therto Gods prouidence turning their euil worke to infinite good As the same holie Ioseph truly interpreteth it to them after their fathers death
when they iustly feared reuenge for so gteat and inhumane iniuries done vnto him chap. 50. v. 20. 35. Into hel mourning Protestants denying more places for soules after this life then Heauen for the iust and Hel for the wicked translate the hebrew word Sheol graue for hel Because if they should grant that Iacob or other holie fathers of the old Testament descended into hel they must confesse some other hel then where the damned are tormented whither no Christian wil say that those fathers went If they contended only about the sense and meaning of the text it were more tolerable for therin they speake according to their erronious opinion as they thinke But knowing as some of them doe that Hel is the true word of the text there is no sinceritie nor moral honestie in putting Graue in place therof And that they know it the second table of the Bible printed at London 1602. witnesseth noting for a common place that in the 37. chap. of Genesis v. 35. Hel is taken for graue therby confessing that the true English word of the holie Scripture in that place is Hel but that they would haue it to signifie graue VVherupon anie reasonable man would thinke to finde the word Hel in the text with some glosse to shew that graue were to be vnderstood But in al their Editions also in that which was printed the yeare next folowing 1603 wherto the same table is adioyned they reade graue and not hel in that place though in some other places they much disagree in translating the same word As for the sense it can not be that Iacob ment the graue for when he said he would goe to his sonne he supposed him to be deuoured by a wild beast and not buried in a graue And therfore must necessarily meane that he would goe where he thought the soule of his sonne to be VVhich was neither in heauen for then he would rather haue ascended thither ioyful then descended to anie place mourning neither did he meane the hel of the dammed for that had bene desperation but to a lowe place where the iust soules then remained in rest which was called Limbus Patrum or Abrahams bosome That is saith S. Augustin in his answere to Bishop Euodius Epist 99. secretae cuiusdam quiet is habitatio The habitation of a certaine secret rest CHAP. XXXVIII Iudas hauing three sonnes by a Chananite 6. marieth the first and after his death the second to Thamar 10. who also dying he delayeth to match the third with her 15. But him selfe begetteth of her taking her for a harlote two sonnes twinnes Phares and Zara. THE same time Iudas going downe from his brethren turned in to a man an Odollamite named Hiras †And he sawe there the daughter of a man of Chanaan called Sue and taking her to wife he did companie with her †Who conceaued and bare a sonne and called his name Her †And conceauing a childe againe she called her sonne after he was borne Onan †She bare also the third whom she called Sela after whose birth she ceased to beare any more †And Iudas gaue a wife to Her his first begotten named Thamar †Also Her the first begotten of Iudas was wicked in the fight of our Lord and was slaine of him †Iudas therfore said to Onan his sonne companie with thy brothers wife and be ioyned to her that thou mayest “ rayse seede to thy brother †He knowing that the children should not be borne to himselfe companying with his brothers wife shed his seede vpon the ground left children might be borne in his brothers name †And therfore our Lord stroke him because he did a detestable thing †For the which cause Iudas said to Thamar his daughter in lawe Be a widowe in thy fathers house til Sela my sonne growe vp for he feared lest he also might dye as his brethren Who went her way and dwelt in her fathers house †And after many dayes were come and gone the daughter of Sue the wife of Iudas died who after his mourning hauing receiued consolation went vp to the shearers of his sheepe himselfe and Hiras his shepheard of his flocke the Odolamite into Thamnas †And it was told Thamar that her father in law came vp into Thamnas to sheare his sheepe †Who putting of the garments of her widowhood tooke a veile and changing her habite sate in the crosse way that leadeth to Thamnas because Sela was growne and she had not taken him to her husband †Whom when Iudas had seene he supposed her to be an harlot for she had couered her face lest she should be knowen †And going vnto her he said Suffer me to lye with thee for he knew her not to be his daughter in law Who answering What wilt thou geue me that thou maiest enioy my companie †He said I wil send thee a kid out of the flockes And when she said againe I wil suffer that thou wilt if thou geue me a pledge til thou send that which thou doest promise †Iudas said What wilt thou to be geuen thee for a pledge She answered Thy ring and bracelet and staffe which thou holdest in thy hand The woman therfore by once companying conceaued †and rising she went her way and putting of the apparel which me had taken put on the garments of her widowhood †And Iudas sent a kid by his shephard the Odolamite that he might receiue the pledge againe which he had geuen to the woman who when he had not found her †he asked the men of that place Where is the woman that sate in the crosse way Al making answere There was no harlot in this place †He returned to Iudas and said to him I haue not found her yea the men also of that place said vnto me that there neuer sate harlot there †Iudas said Let her take it to her surely she can not charge vs with a lye I sent the kid which I promised and thou didest not find her †And behold after three moneths they told Iudas saying Thamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot and her bellie semeth to swel And Iudas said Bring her forth that she may be burnt †Who when she was led to execution she sent to her father in law saying By that man whose these things are haue I conceaued looke whose the ring is and the bracelet and the staffe †Who acknowledging the giftes said She is iuster then I because I did not geue her to Sela my sonne But he knew her no more †And when she was readie to be brought to bed there appeared twinnes in her bellie and in the verie deliuerie of the infants one put forth the hand wherin the midwife tyed a skarlet string saying †This shal come forth the former †But he drawing backe his hand the other came forth and the woman said Why is the partition diuided
is the Sabbath of our Lord therfore it shal not be found †And the seuenth day came and some of the people going forth to gather found not †And our Lord said to Moyses How long wil you not keepe my commandementes and my law †See that our Lord hath geuen you a Sabbath and for this cause on the sixt day he geueth you duble portions let each man tarie with himselfe and let none goe forth out of his place the seuenth day †And the people kept the Sabbath on the seuenth day †And the house of Israel called the name therof Manna which was as it were coriander seede white and the taist therof like to flowre with honie †And Moyses sayd This is the word which our Lord hath commanded Fil a gomor of it and let it be kept vnto the generations to come hereafter that they may know the bread wherwith I fed you in the wildernes when you were brought forth out of the Land of Aehypt †And Moyses sayd to Aaron Take one vessel and put Manna into it so much as a gomor can hold and lay it vp before our Lord to keepe vnto your generations †as our Lord commanded Moyses And Aaron put it in the tabernacle to be reserued †And the children of Israel did â—aâ—e Manna fourtie yeares til they came into the habitable land with this meate were they fed vntil they touched the borders of the land of Chanaan †And a gomor is the tenth part of an ephi ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XVI 15. Man hu vvhat is this VVhen the people of Israel in the desert had spent their prouision of meate brought from Aegypt and according to Gods promise had receiued store of quailes going forth in the morning they sawe a strange thing lye vpon the ground like to hoare frost wherat merueling they said one to an other VVhat is this in their language Man hu VVherupon saith Theodoret q. 30. in Exod their demand vvas turned into the name and it vvas called Manna VVhich as the same and other ancient Doctors gather by the holie Scriptures was a wonderful and miraculous meate and withal a figure of a more excellent thing long after promised and geuen by our B. Sauiour in the holie Sacrament of the Eucharist As witnesse S. Gregorie Nysâ—en â—nar vitâ— Moysi â—irâ—a mâ—dium S. Ambrose li. de ijs qui Myst. inâ—â—â—ant cap. 8. S. Cyril Alexandrinus S Chryâ—ostom S. Augustin Theophilact and others vpon the sixt of S. Iohn VVhere also the text of our Sauiours long discourse with the Capharnaites sheweth euidently that he promised to geue a farre better meate then Manna to those that beleued in him Iam saieth our Lord the bread of life vvhich desended from heauen your fathers did eate Manna in the desert and died The bread vvhich I vvil geue is my flesh for the life of the vvorld My flesh 〈◊〉 meate in deede and my bloud is drinckâ— indeede c. S. Paul likewise teacheth 1. Cor 10 that this Manna and the vvater issuing out of the rocke were figures of the same B Sacrament as is noted in those places Here only we commend to the Christian readers remeÌ„brance that the thing figured doth euer excede the figure according to S Pauls doctrin Collos 2. wishing him therfore to consider that in Manna were at least twelue clere miracles Firâ—â— it was made by Angels wherof it is called the bread of Angels Secondly it was not produced from the earth nor water as ordinarie meates are but came from the ayre Thirdly how fast or slowly soeuer anie man did gather it in the end ech one had the same measure ful called a gomor and no more nor lesse Fourthly the sixth day which was next before the Sabbath that which they gathered was found to be duble portions to other dayes that is two gomors for euerie one Fiftly there fel none at al on the Sabbath day Sixtly if in the rest of the weke anie part was left al night it putrified and was corrupt in the morning but the night before the Sabbath day it remained sound and good Seuently notwithstanding diuersitie of stomakes in so great a multitude the same measure was sufficient and no more to euerie one young and old and of middle age Eightly the heate of the sunne melted and consumed that which remained in the field though otherwise it induâ—ed heate of the fire seething in water grinding in milles and beating in motters Ninthly it tasted to euerie one what they desired Tenthly it seemed neuerthelesse to the euil minded loathsome and light meate but pleasant to the good Eleuently part of it was kept in the Arke by Gods commandment and was not corrupted in manie hundreth peares Twelftly this strange and extraordinarie prouision continued fourtie yeares that is til the children of Israel came to the promised land and then ceased You see then so miraculous a figure farre excelled Zuinglius or Caluins communion bread which containeth no miracle at al only signifying Christs bodie But as our Sauiours owne wordes importe and ancient fathers teach vs by Manna was prefigured Christs verie bodie and bloud with his soule and Diuinitie vnder the forme of bread For this indeede infinitly excelleth Manna containing al the foresaid or rather much more eminent miracles For first it was consecrated by the maruelous power of Christs word and euer since the same is done by the like power communicated to Priests 2 in his Church militant 3 one and the verie same and not manie in innumerable places and in euerie lesâ—e or greater forme yea in the least particle of the accidents that may be Christ is whole and entire 4 It geueth abundance of grace in this life signified by the day before the Sabbath for the glorie of the next liâ—e in eternal â—est 5 where is no more vse of Sacraments but euerlasting fruition of glorie 6 VVhoso euer therfore would make temporal commoditie of this heauenlie foode as it were reseruing Manna for other dayes of the weke it perisheth to him and turneth to his ignominie but being reserued in the faithful soule for the life to come which is the true Sabbath it remaineth an heauenlie treasure 7 And so it auaileth to euerie one as their soule which is the spiritual stomake of supernatural meate is lesse or more disposed 8 Though heate of persecution and other aduerse power take away this Sacrament and Sacrifice abrode in the field of this world yet no power extinguisheth it within the Church where it is in due maner prepared and ministred to the children of God 9 where it yeldeth al comfort strength and contentment to good spiritual desires 10 but to the incredulous Capharnaitessemeth vnpossible and to carnal conceipts loathsome 11 Being worthely receiued into our mortal bodies our arke or temporal tabernacle it remaineth in incorruptible effect wherby the bodie
day soeuer I am in tribulation incline thine eare to me In what day soeuer I shal inuocate thee heare me speedely †Because my dayes haue vanished as smoke and my bones are withered as a drie burnt firebrand †I am striken as grasse and my hart is withered because I haue forgotten to eate my bread †For the voyce of my groning my bone hath cleaued to my flesh †I am become like a pellicane of the wildernes I am become as a nightcrow in the house †I haue watched and am become as a sparow solitarie in the housetoppe †Al the day did mine enemies vpbrayde me and they that praysed me sware against me †Because I did eate ashes as bread mingled my drinke with weeping †At the face of thy wrath and indignation because lifting me vp thou hast throwne me downe †My daies haue declined as a shadow and I am withered as grasse †But thou ô Lord endurest for euer and thy memorial in generation and generation †Thou rysing vp shal haue mercie on Sion because it is time to haue mercie on it because the time cometh †Because the stones therof haue pleased thy seruantes and they shal haue pittie on the earth therof †And the Gentiles shal feare thy name ô Lord and al the kinges of the earth thy glorie †Because our Lord hath built Sion and he shal be seene in his glorie †He hath had respect to the prayer of the humble and he hath not despised their petition †Let these thinges be written vnto an other generation and the people that shal be created shal praise our Lord. †Because he hath looked forth from his high holie place our Lord from heauen hath looked vpon the earth †That he might heare the gronings of the fettered that he might loose the children of them that are slayne †That they may shewforth the name of our Lord in Sion and his praise in Ierusalem †In the assembling of the people together in one and kinges to serue our Lord. †He answered him in the way of his strength Shew me the fewnes of my daies †Cal me not backe in the halfe of my daies thy yeares are vnto generation and generation †In the beginning ô Lord thou didst found the earth and the heauens are the workes of thy hands †They shal perish but thou art permanent and they shal al waxe old as a garment And as a vesture thou shalt change them and they shal be changed †but thou art the selfe same and thy yeares shal not faile †The children of thy seruantes shal inhabite and their seede shal be directed for euer PSALME CII Thankes to God for priuate 6. and publike benefites 17. His mercie iustice and other proprieties are immutable 20. Angels and al other creatures are inuited to praise him †To Dauid himself MY soule blesse thou our Lord and al thinges that are within me his holie name †My soule blesse thou our Lord and forget not al his retributions †Who is propitious to al thine iniquities who healeth al thine infirmities †Who redemeth thy life from deadly falling who crowneth thee in mercie and commiserations †Who replenisheth thy desire in good thinges “ thy youth shal be rewed as the eagles †Our Lord doth mercies and iudgement to al that suffer wrong †He made his waies knowne to Moyses his willes to the children of Israel †Our Lord is pitieful and merciful long suffering and very merciful †He wil not be angrie alwayes neither wil he threaten for euer †He hath not done to vs according to our sinnes neither according to our iniquities hath he rewarded vs. †For according to the height of heauen from the earth hath he strengthned his mercie vpon them that feare him †As far as the East is distant from the West hath he made our iniquities far from vs. †As a father hath compassion of his children so hath our †Lord compassion on them that feare him †because he hath knowen our making He remembred that we are dust †man his daies are as grasse as the floure of the filde so shal he florish †Because the spirit shal passe in him and he shal not stand and he shal know his place no more †But the mercie of our Lord from euerlasting and vnto euerlasting vpon them that feare him And his iustice is vpon the childrens children to them that keepe his testament †And are mindful of his commandmentes to doe them †Our Lord hath prepared his seate in heauen and his kindom shal haue dominion ouer al. †Blesse our Lord al ye his Angels mightie in powre doing his word that feare the voice of his wordes †Blesse our Lord al ye his hoastes you his ministers that doe his wil. †Blesse ye our Lord al his workes in euerie place of his dominion my soule blesse thou our Lord. ANNOTATIONS PSALME CII 5 Thy youth shal be renevved as the Eagles Aristotel and Plinie write that an Eagle decayeth not nor euer dieth by old age but the vpper part of her beake st l growing at last hâ—ndereth her from eating and so she dieth of famâ—ne Saadias and other Hebrew Rabbins reporte that an Eagle euerie tenne yeares washeth herselfe â—n the sea as in a baâ—h then flying very hiegh burneth her fethers in the elemental fire new fethers growing she becometh fresh as in her first youth tâ—l at last about an huadred yeares old she is not able to rise from the water and so is drowned S. Augustin more probably affirmeth that in long time her â—eâ—ke growing long and stopping her mouth that she can not eate she breaketh the vpper hooked part therof against a stone and so receiueth meate and recouereth strength as in her youth But whatsoeuer is the natural propert e of this kinglie birde the Royal Prophet here instructeth vs by the sâ—nilitude of her long life or by the renouation of her streingth that iust men Gods seruantes are spiritually renouated in Christ the principal rocke on whoâ— the Church al the faithful are built either by receiuing new streingth by his grace in their soules after they are weakened by sinne as S. Ierom and Eu hymius expound this place or by restauration of their bodies glorified in the resurrection as S. Augustin teacheth or by both as most Catholique Doctors vnderstand it For one sense of holie Scripture excludeth not an other Especially when one is subordinate to the other As here these two senses do very wel concurre seing the state of the bodie after the resurrection dependeth vpon the state of the soule at
the time of death 9 He vvil not be angrie alvvayes Origen misunderstood this place and some other like holding an erronius opinion that al euen the most wicked sinners both men and dâ—uels shal at last be saued and not eternally damned which is a condemned heresie contrarie to euident places of holie Scriptures Psal 9 v 6. The impious hath perished their name thou hast destroyed for euer for euer euer Mat. 2â— The wicked shal goe into fire euerlasting into euerlasting punishment Apoc. 20. The beast and the false prophet and the same reason is for al the vvicked shal be tormented day and night for euer and euer Neither are theâ—e vvordes God vvil not be angrie alvvayes spoken vniuersally touching al sinners vvhosoeuer but are limited v 13 17 to those that seare him and kepe his testament vvheras al those that dye in mortal sinne are stil oâ—â—â—â—naâ—e in malice and can neuer rightly repent nor rightly feare God nor kepe his commandments PSALME CIII The Psalmist inuiteth himself and others to praise God for his meruelous workes in the heauens 5. the earth and water 9. limiting their bondes producing al thinges necessarie for al liuing creatures in conuenient seasons 27. With continual prouidence of al. †To Dauid him self MY soule blesse thou our Lord ô Lord my God thou art magnified excedingly †Thou hast put on confession and beautie being clothed with light as with a garment Stretching out the heauen as a skinne †which couerest the higher partes therof with waters Which makest the cloude for thee to ascend on which walkest vpon the winges of windes †Which makest spirites thine Angels and thy ministers a burning fyre †Which hast founded the earth vpon the stabilitie therof it shal not be inclined for euer and euer †The depth as a garment is his clothing vpon the mountaines shal waters stand †At thy reprehention they shal flee at the voice of thy thunder they shal feare †The mountaines ascend and the plaine fildes descend into the place which thou hast founded for them †Thou hast set a bound which they shal not passe ouer neither shal they returne to couer the earth †Which sendestforth fontaines in the valles betwen the middest of mountaines shal waters passe †Al the beastes of the filde shal drinke the wilde asses shal expect in their thirst †Ouer them shal the foules of the ayre inhabite out of the middes of rockes they shal geueforth voices †Watering the mountaines from his higher places of the fruite of thy worke shal the earth be filled †Bringing forth grasse for beastes and herbe for the seruice of men That thou mayst bring forth bread out of the earth †and wine may make the hart of man ioyful That he may make the face chereful with oile and bread may confirme the hart of man †The trees of the silde shal be filled and the ceders of Libanus which he hath planted †there sparowes shal make their nest The house of the hearne is the leader of them †the high mountaines for hartes the rocke a refuge for the Irchins †He made the moone for seasons the sunne knoweth his going downe †Thou didst appoint darkenes and night was made in it shal al the beastes of the wood passe †The whelpes of lions roaring to rauen and to seeke of God meate for themselues †The sunne is risen and they are gathered together and in their couches they shal be placed †Man shal goe forth to his worke and to his working vntil euening †How magnified are thy workes ô Lord thou hast made al thinges in wisedom the earth is filled with thy possession †This great sea and very large there are creeping beastes wherof there is no number Litle beastes with great †there shippes shal passe This dragon whom thou madest to delude †al expect of thee that thou geue them meate in season †Thou geuing vnto them they shal gather it thou opening thy hand al shal be filled with bountie †But thou turning away the face they shal be trubled thou shalt take away their spirite and they shal faile and shal returne into their dust †Thou shalt sendforth thy spirit and they shal be created and thou shalt renewe the face of the earth †Be the glorie of our Lord for euer our Lord wil reioice in his workes †Who looketh vpon the earth maketh it to tremble who toucheth the mountaines and they smoke †I wil chaunte to our Lord in my life I wil sing to my God as long as I am †Let my speach be acceptable to him but I wil take delight in our Lord. †Let sinners faile from the earth and the vniust so that they be not my soule blesse thou our Lord. PSALME CIIII. The Israelites are exhorted to sing praises to God 5. for his meruelous benefites towards Abraham Isaac and Iacob 11. whose particular familie being then smal went from Chanaan into Aegypt 17. Whither Ioseph by Gods prouidence was caried before there increased in number was persecuted 26. deliuered by Moyses and Aaron working manie great miracles 36. protected and fedde in the desert 44. and finally possessed Chanaan Alleluia CONFESSE ye to our Lord and inuocate his name shewforth his workes among the Gentiles †Chaunt to him and sing to him tel ye al his meruelous workes †Prayse ye him in his holie name let the hart of them reioice that seeke our Lord. †Seeke ye our Lord and be confirmed seeke his face alwayes †Remember ye his meruelous workes which he hath done his wonders and the iudgments of his mouth †The seede of Abraham his seruantes the children of Iacob his elect †He is the Lord our God in al the earth are his iudgementes †He hath bene mindeful for euer of his testament of the word which he commanded vnto a thousand generations †Which he disposed to Abraham and of his oath to Isaac †And he appointed it to Iacob for a precept and to Israel for an eternal testament †Saying To thee wil I geue the land of Chanaan the corde of your inheritance †When they were of smal number very few and seiourners therof †And they passed from nation into nation from kingdom to an other people †He leift not a man to hurt them and he rebuked kings for their sake †Touch not my annointed and toward my prophetes be not malignant †And he called a famine vpon the land and he desstroyed al the strength of bread †He sent a man before them Ioseph was sold to be a seruant †They humbled his feete in fetters yron passed through his soule †vntil his word came The word of our Lord inflamed him †the king sent and
desire nor anie of the rest is in a mans owne powre as of himself so much as to thinke a good thought but Gods grace preuenteth sturreth men vp and continually assisteth in al good beginninges progresse and perseuerance as the same diuine auctor teacheth a litle before v. 14. wisdom preuenteth them that couete her that she first may shew herself vnto them Then to admitte or refuse is in their powre that haue good motions And therfore sinne is rightly imputed and damnation iustly inflicted vpon the wicked because as Nehemias 2. Esd 9. v. 17. testifieth of the vngratful people they would not heare And they hardened their neckes and gaue the head to returne to their seruitude as it were by contention or striuing against God through their owne free wil which appeareth here to remaine in sinners On the other side the same Nehemias in confidence of reward for good workes and of his voluntarie cooperating with Gods grace feared not to pray 2. Esd 5. v. 19 in these wordes Remember me my God to good according to al thinges which I haue done to this people Some men moreouer besides the commandments of the law voluntarily professed a peculiar state of holie life a plaine figure or rather an example of Euangelical counsels As in the former ages the Nazerites whose rule is prescribed Numeri 6. practised by Sampson Iudic. 13. and Samuel 1. Reg. 1. and the Rechabites Iere. 35. so in this last age next before Christ the Assideans or Esseni 1. Mach. 2. v. 42. of whom Iudas Machabeus in his time was head or captaine 2. Mach. 14. v. 6. Ieremie the prophet ch 16. v. 2. by Gods ordinance liued single vnmaried al the time of the captiuitie Thou shalt not take a wife and thou shalt not haue sonnes and daughters in this place to witte in Ierusalem Neither did he marie when he was afterwardes in Aegypt But of his owne accord remayned a virgin al his life as S. Ierom writeth li 1. aduers Iouinianum Prayers of Sainctes after they are departed from this world is wanifestly deduced of the sacred text lere 15. v. 1. of Moyses and Samuel not to be heard if they should pray for the people whom God had decreed to punish were consequently to be heard in some other case And more expresly 2. Mach. 15. v. 12. 14. is recorded that Onias and Ieremie did pray for al the people and for al the holie citie Reuerent estimation of Reliques and other holie thinges is manifest by the fact of the same Prophet Ieremie who by Gods ordinance 2. Mach. 2. v. 1. 5. hid the holie fire and the Tabernacle and the Arke the Altar of incense in a caue that they should not be prophaned by infidels ransaking Ierusalem and the temple Other holie ornaments also and vesseles were restored by the fauorable king Cyrus 1. Esd 1. v. 7. ch 8. v. 30. In figure also of the holie Crosse on which Christ was to redeme mankind those that mourned for the abominations in Ierusalem Ezec. 9. vvere signed in their foreheades vvith the letter Thau or T. and so were saued from the common slaughter of the vnsigned Prayer and Sacrifice for the dead is likewise clere 2. Mach. 12. v. 43. c. if either the text may be admitted for Canonical saying v. 46. It is a holie and healthful cogitation to pray for the dead or for good testimonie of Iudas fact being Highpriest and doing that which the whole Church practised and which the Iewes yet obserue to this day Of the General Resurrection is good testimnie in the same place v. 43. and 44. as the ground of Iudas his pietie towardos the dead wel and religiously thincking of the Resurrection For vnles he hoped that they which were slaine should rise againe it should seme superfluous and vaine to pray for the dead But seing he did beleue the Resurrection he did right wel and piously And seing the beleefe of resurrection is true it foloweth as this auctor inferreth that it is a holie thing to pray for the dead Malachie the last of the Prophetes in the last chapter foresheweth and describeth the General iudgement in the end of this world wherin the wicked hal be condemned and the iust eternally rewarded Which day shal come sayth he kindled as a surnace Al that do impietie dying in that state shal be stubble and that day shal in flame them And there shal rise to you that feare my name the Sunne of iustice and health in his winges or glorious beames healing and curing al body lie infirmities and defectes Before which day he foretelleth of two signes v. 5. The coming of Elias the Prophet and. v. 6. the conuersion of the Iewes to Christ And thus much may here suffice for particular pointes of religion in this age It resteth to view the state and gouernment of the Church in this time Which may be considered according to the foure Monarchies of heathen nations the Chaldees the Medes Persians the Grecians and the Romanes Vnder the Chaldees whose Emperial citie was Babylon they were in captiuitie seuentie yeares By the Medes and Persians for that Monarchie consisted of those two nations they were released from captiuitie with manie fauoures yet sometimes afflicted Vnder the Monarchie of the Grecians they were partly in extreme persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes and of other Grecian kinges and princes partly in warres for defence of Gods lawes Before and after which persecution and warres as wel vnder the Grecians as the Romans til Christs Passion the Church was for most part in peace yet some times afflicted But omitting manie intricate diffiâ—uliies about the times and reignes of sundrie heathen kinges it wil suffice our purpose to shew the general state of the Iewish nation with their owne particular gouerners spiritual and temporal with more or lesse fauour of forreine Princes First therfore concerning their estate in their captiuitie in Babylon we may here obserue Gods prouidence in that before the citie and temple of Ierusalem were destroyed and the whole nation made captiue Ioachin otherwise called Iechonias the sonne of Ioachaz who was also called Iechonias king of Iuda was transported into Babylon and his mother and manie other principal persons 4. Reg. 24. v. 15. Likewise Iosedech sonne of Saraias highpriest 1. Paral. 6. v. 15. was caried into Babylon And in the meane time Sedecias vncle to Ioachin reigned in Iuda who in the eleuenth yeare was taken and caried captiue into Babylon and there died Ioachin yet liuing in prison And Saraias the Highpriest with others was slayne in Rebla when Ierusalem was destroyed 4. Reg. 25. v. 18. 21. To whom Iosedech succeded in the highpriesthood So that both the issue of Dauid in the right line of our Sauiours genealogie and the Highpriest of Aarons stocke were in Babylon before the whole bodie of the nation was brought thither
This Iechonias or Ioachin remained in prison til the death of Nabuchodonosor the space of thirtie seuen yeares and was then deliuered by Euilmerodach and by him entertayned courteously as a prince 4. Reg. 25. v. 27. He maried there and had issue Salathiel and Salathiel hâ—d Zorobabel Who together with Iosue sonne of Iosedech highpriest Esdras Nehemias others recited 1. Esd 2. conducted the children of Israel from Babylon into their countrie There were also in a former transmigration Daniel and the other three children Ananias Misael Azarias of the royal or principal bloud in the third yeare of Ioakim otherwise called Eliacim sonne of Iosias 4. Reg. 23. v. 34 king of Iuda Dan. 1. v. 1. 6. These with others were caried â—s hostages into Babylon and brought vp more liberally Where seruing God sincerely abstayning from vnlawful meates were protected by God much also estemed and promoted in that place For Daniel about the age of twelue yeares conuinced the two wicked Iudges and deliuered Susanna from their cruel handes Dan. 13. And afterwardes for declaring and interpreting the kings dreame Dan. 2. and excellent wisdom and gift of prophecie was admired by al aduanced by the king but maligned by certaine enuious sorcerers and great men Wherby he was sometimes in great danger but stil deliuered by Gods powre protecting him Dan. 6. 14. The other three children were likewise aduanced Dan. 2. v. 49. and therfore by diuers enuied and for refusing to adore an idol set vp by Nabuchodonosor were cast into a hote burning furnace and there preserued Dan. 3. Ieremie who before this time begane to prophecie whiles he was a childe Iere. 1. continued in the time of captiuitie in Ierusalem and Iurie with much affliction and stil prophecying finally dyed in Aegypt Baruch his scribe and also a Prophete went sometimes into Babylon and returned into Iurie Baruch 1. instructing and exhorting the people Ezechiel was caried with king Iechonias and Iosedech into Babylon and there prophecied ch 1. v. 2. part of the same time with Daniel in great part the same thinges with Ieremie And during the captiuitie king Iechonias Iosedech the highpriest Ieremie Baruch Ezechiel prophetes innumerable others some Martyres and manie Confessors parted from this world But Daniel yet liued And in place of Iosedech Highpriest Iosue succeded and the progenie of king Iechonias continuing in Salathiel and Zorobabel the nation â—ad them and other eminent men with temporal dependence vpon forreine princes in the next Monarchie of the Medes and Persians For when Darius king of Medes had slaine Baâ—â—azar king of the Chaldees and so possessed Babylon with the whole countrie he brought the Monarchie to the Medes Persians Dan. 5. v. 31. and within the space of one yeare he dyed and Cyrus succeding granted leaue to al the Iewes to returne into Iurie and there to build vp their temple and citie of Ierusalem which Nabuchodonosor had destroyed At which time Daniel had his vision that Christ our Sauiour should come into the world within seuentie weekes of seuen yeares to the weke that is in foure hundred ninetie yeares after the perfect finishing of the temple and citie Dan. 9. v. 24. 25. But when they were so built againe that the wekes beganne to be counted is very obscure as it was the wil of God that the prophecie being certayne in itself should not be ouer clere to euerie mans vnderstanding but as likewise manie other prophecies shut and sealed Dan. 12. v. 6. 9. 13. In this time of the Medes and Persians Monarchie Mardocheus remayning in Chaldea after the relaxation had that vision in a dreame Esther 11. after which folowed the historie of him Quene Esther and wicked Aman with the danger and deliuerie of al the Iewes in those partes Some thinke it likewise probable that the historie of Iudith happened after the captiuitie though others suppose that it was in the time of Manasses king of Iuda which not being our purpose to discusse and decide we wil passe to thinges more certayne The prophetes Aggeus Zachatias nere twentie yeares after the relaxation earnestly exhorted the princes people to build vp the temple which had bene begunne and now was neglected vpon vaine feare thincking the time was not yet come of building the house of our Lord. Aggeus 1. v. 2. Wherupon the prophet reproueth them expostulating thus Why is it time for you to dwel in embowed houses and this house of our Lord desert And assureth them v. 10. that their ground should remaine barren and ch 2. v. 15. their sacrifices vngratful til they should build the temple promising moreouer that this new temple should be more glorious by Christs personal presence therin then the former temple built by Salomon But especially the Church of Christ presigured by the temple should farre excel the Synagoge of the old testament ch 2. v. 10. Great shal be the glorie of this last house more then of the first Which Zacharie confirmeth inuiting the Gentiles to come and the Iewes to returne into Christs Church ch 2. v. 6. O flee out of the land of the North sayth our Lord because into the foure windes of heauen haue I dispersed you v. 7. O Sion flee thou that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon And by diuers other visions and prophecies they forshew the conuersion of the Gentiles and reiection of the Iewes for their obduration but in the end they also shal be conuerted Malachie prophecied after the finishing of the temple exhorting al to offer their sacrifices with puritie of hart reprehending both priestes and people for not so doing ch 1. He also foresheweth the reiection of the Iewes calling of the Gentiles with the change of the old sacrifices and institution of a new farre more excellent and more effectual to be offered euerie where v. 10. 11. He concludeth his prophecie ch 4. foretelling the terrible day of Iudgement and life or death euerlasting These later prophetes yet liuing as Iosephus Eusehius Theodoretus and others testifie in their histories the Grecians obtained so great a Monarchie by king Alexander the Great of Macedo that being parted after his death amongst manie yet al were great kingdomes some longer some shorter time In the beginning wherof when king Alexander came to Ierusalem as Iosephus writeth li. 11. c. 8. Antiquit. Iaddus the highpriest going forth in his pontifical attyre to mete him the same king straightwayes fel downe at his feete with al reuerence And being demanded by his freindes the princes of his armie why he so much honored the highpriest he answered that he honored noâ— the man for himself but for his office and God in him who had appeared to him in slepe in that very habite and ornaments when he in Macedonia discoursed in his minde of making battel against the Persians promising him assured victorie Shortly
pittied and not affliction added to the afflicted :: Foure execrable vices Ingratitude Hypocrisie Insolencie Oppression of the poore CoÌ„cupiscence of the flesh of the eyes :: â—â—uâ—e Luxurie Auarice Ambition :: Dishonour of parents shal be senerely punished :: Youngmen folowing carnal appetite can no more geue account of their actioÌ„s then of the vvayes vvhich an eagle a serpent and a shippe haue passed :: By these examples are commended foure vertues Industrie Prudence Concord and Humilitie :: Other foure Fortitude Chastitie Order and Iustice :: Fooles ought not to gouerne :: Moderation is necessarie in al actions Some suppose one Agur to be auctor of this chapter But it semeth more probable that only Salomon is auctor of this whole booke VVhy he is called Gatherer VVhy God suffereth heresie to reigne :: VVordes perteining to Salomon spoken to him by his mother who here calleth him Lamuel signifying God vvith him :: Doctrine is most profitable to those that are modestly dumme more vvilling to heare then to speake :: The chief most proper office of a king is to do iustice :: A vvoman of such perfectioÌ„ as is here described is in dede rare yet possible to be found :: Flaxe on the distafe signifieth purpose to do good workes yarne on the spindle the vvorke vvel begune which geueth confidence in God that the same shal be perfect and haue due revvard :: They make and sel cloth which lerning and obseruing Gods lavv do teach it others :: External comelines is not durable but the feare of God is more vvorthie of praise :: Good vvorkes shal be revvarded :: at the tribunal seate of iudgement The praise of a right vvise woman vvritten in verse in order of the Alphabet Proem lament Psal 11â— v. 104. The Church hath al good properties requisite A faithful soule hath them at least in desire Rare and excellent wemen both in the old and nevv testament This booke called Ecclesiastes teacheth to contemne this vvorld Because felicitie consisteth not in anie temporal thing but in the eternal sight of God Diuided into three parts The first part of this Sermon sheweth that Felicitie consisteth not in anie temporal thing :: In the end of this world the earth shal be purified so remaine for euer :: Mens soules dayly created are of the same kind as Adams soule other creatures either were in their kindes from the beginning of the vvorld or are procreated of diuers kindes preexisting S. Tho. pa. 1. q. 73. a. 1. ad 3 :: Al natural thinges are insufficient meanes to attaine felicitie :: VVisdom is the best thing in this vvorld yet is not perfect selicitie but the meanes to attaine it VVisdom maketh men to be angrie with sinne to feare God and to proceede in vertue :: A vvordlie man may obiect that seing vvisdom bringeth not felicitie in this life it semeth best to take his pleasure ease not to labour for it :: But the wiseman coÌ„futeth this conceipt Because wordlie ioy is short vncertaine neither is anie ioy that men haue in this life true ioy of the blessed but only a consolation in miseries :: Consideration is the directorie of al good workes :: The conceit of worldlie men not considering the life to come :: It is better to vse that is honestly gotten for our necessitie then to be stil solicitous to get more :: Generation Corruption Alteration perteine only to thinges of this world vnder heauen often here described by the terme Vnder the sunne For spiritual substances are not comprehended in time nor place S. Ierom in hunc locum to 7. :: Al this sheweth that nothing of this world is perpetual but to be vsed interchangeably in due time place maner and order For disorder maketh confusion :: God suffereth the innocent to be afflicted for a time of his special prouidence because they therby merite a great reward Psal 72. It is in dede better not to be at al then to be in eternal miserie Mat. 26. v. 24. but temporal affliction which the iust suffer is not miserie as wordlie men estemeit but a special meane to attaine eternal felicitie :: True charitie not contaminate with enuie by how much it is increased in number so much it increaseth in streingth S. Iero. 1. Reg. 15. Osee 6. Man without Christs helpe can neither resist tentations nor rise from sinne Prou. 24. v. 16. And without mans free consent Christ wil not stay him nor raise him vp Ioan. 13. v. 27. * In purgatorie :: Because no man is able to attaine perfect knowlege of God it behoueth al to speake and thinke so berly of him :: Vow or promise once made must be fulfilled Deut. 23. :: The proper Angel which associateth euerie man Iob. â—â— :: As temporal riches â—e often the occasion of their owners â—uine so vaine philosophie and heresie auaile not heretikes not their folowers but as they came naked from their mothers wombe the peruerse Church so shal both such masters and scolars depart without comforth into the wrath which they prepare to themselues S. Ierom. in â—une locum :: Al this shevveth euidently ha◠〈…〉 e consisteth not in riches :: It is plainly preached saith S. Iero. of the coming of Christ vvhose name was geuen and knovven before he vvas borne in flesh None can perfectly knovv the nature of al thinges present of to come The 2. part True felicitie is procured by good life and consisteth in the eternal sight of God Anger rightly vsed is commendable beneficial to correcte our owne faultes and others Prou. 22. :: But hastie or immoderate anger is sinful and hartful :: Likewise moderate riches profite the seruants of God so that they â—ette not their mind vpon them 3. Reg. 8. 2. Par. 6. Prou. 20. 1. Ioan. 1. * The preacher :: Mans reason which is the superior part of his soule rarely thinketh good :: Sensualitie stil inclineth to euil :: God made man right he of his owne wil â—el from God Sec S. Aug li. 14. c. 11 ciuit * The obscure thing :: As probable coniecture of a mans inward disposition is made by his exteriour countenance so his good workes shining before men are good signe of internal vertues which in dede are right and meritorious when the intention is sincere referring al to Gods glorie edification of others without desire of vaine praise in the world :: By this terme vanitie is ful vnderstood that fell citie is not in prosperous thinges of this world neither are al men miserable that suffer aduersitie * 〈◊〉 〈…〉 ing :: Mortal men suffering calamities knovv not vvhether thâ— same be inâ—â—â—ted for their proofe and merite as in Iâ—b and Tobie or for their sinnes only as in Pharao the Aegyptians but shal know in the indgement after their death :: A sinner in this life may amend if he wil become inst but aâ—ter death he can not repent chap. 11. v. â—
Mystically the Gentiles were iudged by Salomon better then the Iewes S. Ierom. :: Base vicions meâ— mixt with the good corrups the whole companie much more a mortal sinne in a mans soule destroyeth al the vertues that were there before :: Euil men aduanced seme to prosper :: But they fal into their owne trappes :: Such as seke by sense and reason to obtaine true knowlege enter not into the citie the Church They labour in vaine and are afflicted in studie of Scriptures when they walke in the desert and can not finde the citie S. Ierom. This text and manie others haue two senses 1. In kinges and al superiors are required mature age diligent care of the coÌ„mon good 2. Antiquitie in matter of faith and religion is to be folowed not noueltie Iya. 8. Dan 7. Apoc. 1. Iere. 1. Also mortification and labour is required in Pastors not delicacie nor ease The B. Virgin Marie more free from sinne then the Patriarches Cant. 2. The 3. part An exhortation to beginne quickly and perseuere in Gods seruice a Of al vertues the workes of mercie corporal and spiritual most auaile for obtaining eternal felicitie Mat. 25. b So the same be grounded in true faith beleuing al that is written in the old and new testament signified by seuen eight c After deâ—th none ca 〈…〉 either â—â—erite or demerite d Both in youth and old age do good workes :: An admonition to al in general to liue wel in this world remembring the day of general iudgement before which such signes shal come as are described here and by our Sauiour Mat. 24. And likewise euerie one is admonished in particular to serue God diligently whiles he hath time before death come when al his senses former helpes shal faile * The preachet :: This is the brife summe of al proficable doctrine Feare God kepe his commandments * Hidden or obscure thing Proem in Eccle. King Salomon according to his three names writte and intitled his three bookes Salomon Pacifier king of Israel Ecclesiastes Preacher king of Ierusalem Idida Beloued This Canticle doth excel other Canticles Al are not mete to read it Heb. 5. Best methode in lerning is to beginne with doctrine of good life then studie to know natural thinges and finally contemplate diuine mysteries A sacred dialogue or Enterlude * Forma dramatis God Christ the Spous or Bridgrome Three spouses The General The special and Singular Ephes 5. Origen S. Ierom. S. Aug. lib. 8. de Gen. adli S. Greg. S. Beda S. Tho. Aâ—bor Geneb Del Rio. The particular contents are sette in the margent of euerie chapter a The Church of the old testament desireth Christs coming in flesh and the Christian Church prayeth for his coming in glorie b The Church outwardly afflicted is inwardly fayre c Christ encorageth his spouse the Church d She meditateth of his Passion and Resurrection e Christ praiseth his spouse f She againe praiseth him g VVith thankes for her repose and present consolation a Christ professeth himself the floure of mankinde yea Lord of al creatures b The Church excelleth al other societies In the Church the godlie excel sinners Among the innocent and holie the virgin Marie surpasseth al. c The Church praising Christ resteth secure vnder his protectioÌ„ d He for the weakes sake permitteth her not to be molested til she be prepared to suffer vvith patience e She feeling Christs assistance confesseth preacheth boldly his Gospel truth against al Paganes and Heretikes f VVho though he shew not himself visibly g yet encorageth her to approch vnto him h commandeth his pastors to destroy heresies i And so she reposeth in him a The Church finding Christ not in darke ignorance nor in philosophie but by his reueâ—ling him selfe to her holdeth him for euer b euen til the lewes shal at last also find him c Christ speaketh as before ch 2. v. 7 d The Church of Christ admireth her owne conuersion from Gentilitie e now ful of good workes f She also professeth that the ascending to eternal rest is by fighting manfully in obseruing the ten commandments in the six dayes of this life g euen to bloud if nedâ— be h which is the highest degree of charitie i And inuiteth al others to come vnto Christ k who in the flesh which he tooke of his mother was crowned in heauen after his Passion a Christ againe praiâ—eth the beautie of his Church b Sincere and simple intention c Al her temporal occupations directed to Gods glorie d Pastors who like nurces geue bread of good doctrine to litle ones e Faith and good workes f Preaching Christs passion g And not ashamed to professe Christ Crucified h Administration of Sacraments wherby the Church Christs mystical bodie is ioyned to him her head i which is an inexpugnable fortresse k Both Iewes and Gentiles are fed with the principles of Christian doctrin l Christ dwelleth in mortified and deuout mindes m The Church triumphant is without spotte and euerie particular soule entring into heauen the B virgin mother was also in this life alwayes immaculate n Al tentations whether they be in manifest crueltie or in flatering sureltie make constant soules more gratful to God a The spouse condescending to Gods vvil is vvel content to suffer persecution b Christ againâ— shevveth his good liking in his spouses patience c and vvilleth the glorious Sainctes to congratulate vvith the patient d The spouse desireth to rest in meditation e but is called vpon to helpe others f and vrged by Christs owne example working for al mankind g And so she imployeth herself also in actiue life h Stil conseruing a desire to returne vnto contemplation i The deuout confer together describing the excellencies of Christ k And resolue to seke him whersoeuer he be a The Church teacheth her children that Christ is delighted with the godlie desires and fructful vvorkes of the faithful b Christ gâ—â—â—â—e commendeth his Church wel composed of distinct orders some gouerning some retired in cloâ—sters from this world the rest also exercising vvorkes of mercie in the trubles of this life al together making a complete armie terrible to al enimies c The more anie contemplate Gods Maiestie the better they perceiue that he is incomprensensible d Manie true pastores e more hyrelinges that also preach truth but for temporal commoditie f And innumerable faithful soules in the Church g Al vvhich are but one bodie in vnitie of â—aith h The voice of the old synagogue admiring the beautie of Christs Church i The Church of Christ exhorteth the Synagogue of the Ievves to returne to Christ a Christ interposeth his commendation of the Ievves vvho at last shal returne to him vvith great seruoure of faith and deuotion b And so iointly praiseth his Church consisting of both peoples c The Church as it vvere taking the vvoid out of Christs mouth vvhiles he