deade agayne what doth his watching Pro. 26. b 2. Pe. 2. b So is it with a man that fasteth for his synnes doth them agayne who wil heare his prayer Or what doth his fastinge helpe him ¶ It is well done to praye and to do sacrifice The prayer of the fatherlesse of the wydowe and hym that humbleth hym selfe Capi. xxxv WHo so kepeth the lawe Iere 7. c â–ª bryngeth offerynges ynough He that holdeth fast the coÌ„maundement offereth the right helth offeringe He that is thanckfull and recompeÌ„seth Hebre. 13c Phili. 4 c offereth fyne floure Who so is mercyfull and gueth almes that is the right thanckoffring God hath plesure when one departeth froÌ„ synne to forsake vnrighteousnes recoÌ„cileth vs with him Exo. 43. a Thou shalt not appere emptie before the lorde Gene. 4. a for all suche is done because of the coÌ„mauÌ„dement The offering of the rightuous maketh the aulter fat a swet smel is it before the hiest The offeryng of the rightuous is acceptable vnto god and shal neuer be forgotteÌ„ Geue god his honour with a cherful hert kepe not backe the firstlinges of thi haÌ„des In al thy giftes shew a merciful couÌ„tenauÌ„ce and halow thy tithes vnto god with gladnes Geue vnto god 2. Cor. 9. b according as he hath enryched and prospered the Tob. 4. b loke what thyne haÌ„des is able gyue with a cherful eye for the Lord recompenseth geueth the seuen tymes as muche agayne Geue no vnryghtuous giftes for such wyll he not receiue Beware of wroÌ„geous offringes for the Lord is a rightuous iuge regardeth no maÌ„s persoÌ„ He accepteth not the person of the poore but he heareth the prayer of the oppressed He despyseth not the desyre of the fatherles Iudi. 4. b nor the wydow wheÌ„ she poureth out her praier befor him Doth not god se the teares that reÌ„ down the chekes of the wydow Or heareth he not the coÌ„plaint ouer suche as make her to wepe For froÌ„ her chekes do the teres go vp vnto heuen the lorde which heareth them doth accept them Who so serueth god after his plesure shal be accepted his prayer reacheth vnto the cloudes Tren 3. d â—â—te 10. a The prayer of him that humbleth him self goeth thorowe the cloudes tyll she come nye She wil not be comforted nor go her wai til the hiest god haue respect vnto her gyue true sentence refourme the iudgement And the Lord wyl not be slacke in coÌ„ming nor tarye longe tyll he haue smytten in sonder the backes of the vnmerciful auenged himself of the hetheÌ„ tyl he haue takeÌ„ away the multitud of the cruel broken the cepter of the vnrighteous til he geue euery maÌ„ after his workes reward theÌ„ after theyr doynges til he haue deliuered his people maiÌ„teyned their cause reioyced then in his mercy O how fayre a thiÌ„g is mercy in the time of anguishe trouble It is lyke a cloude of rayne that coÌ„methe in the tyme of a drouth ¶ A prayer to god in the person of all faythfull men with the prayse of a good woman Capi. xxxvi HAue mercy vpon vs O Lorde thou God of al thynges Haue respect vnto vs shewe vs the lyght of thy mercyes and sende thy feate among the Heathen and strauÌ„gers which seke not after the that they may know howe that there is no god but thou and that thei may shew thy wonderous workes Lift vp thy haÌ„d ouer the outlandish hethen that they may lerne to know thy myght power Lyke as thou art halowed in vs before theÌ„ so bryng to passe that thou maist be magnifyed also in theÌ„ before vs that they may know the lyke as we know the. For there is none other god but only thou O lorde Renue the tokens chaunge the wonderous workes Shew thyn hand and thy right arme gloriousli raise vp thy indignacion and poure out thi wrath Take a way the aduersary and smyte the enemye Make the tyme short rememberthe couenaunt that thy wonderous workes may be praysed Let the wrath of the fyre consume them that lyue so careles let theÌ„ perysh that do thy people hurt Smit in sonder the heade of the prynces that be oure enemyes and saye there is none other but we Gather al the Tribes of Iacob together agayne that they may know howe that there is none other god but onlye thou that thei may shew thy wonderous workes be thou thy peoples heritage like as from the beginnynge O Lorde haue mercy vpon the people that hath thy name and vpon Israell Exo. 4. e. whome thou hast lykened to a fyrst borne sonne O be merciful vnto IerusaleÌ„ the cytye of thy saÌ„ctuary 1. par 6. g. the cytie of thy rest Fyl SioÌ„ with thy vnspekable vertues thy people with thi glori Giue witnes vnto thy creature whom thou madest froÌ„ the beginnyng and rayse vp the prophecyes that haue bene shewed in thy name Rewarde them that wayte for the that thy Prophetes maye be founde faythful O Lorde heare the prayer of thy seruauÌ„tes accordyng to the blessyng of Aaron ouer thy people gyde thou vs in the waye of ryghtuousnes that al they which dwell vpon the earth Nume 6 d maye know that thou art the Lorde the eternall god which is froÌ„ euerlastyng The bely deuoureth al meates yet is one meate better theÌ„ an other Lyke as the tonge tasteth venisoÌ„ 1. Cor. 2. b. so doth an hert of vnderstaÌ„ding marke fals wordes A froward hert geueth heuines but a maÌ„ of exeperieÌ„ce lyfteth him vp agayn The woman receyueth euery maÌ„ yet is one daughter better theÌ„ a other A fayer wyfe reioiseth her husbaÌ„d a maÌ„ loueth nothing better Yf she be louyng and vertuous withal theÌ„ is not her husbaÌ„d lyke other men He that hath gotten a vertuous woman hath a goodly possession she is vnto him an helpe pyller wher vpoÌ„ he resteth Where no hedge is there the goodes are spoiled where no huswife is there the frendles mourneth Like as ther is no credence gyuen to a robber that goeth froÌ„ one cite to an other So is not the man beleued that hath no reste and muste turne in where he maye abyde in the nyght ¶ Howe a man shulde knowe frendes and couÌ„cellers and searche the company of a hoolye man Capi. xxxvii EVerye frende saythe I wyll be frendly vnto him also But ther is some frende whych is onely a frende in name Remayneth there not heuynes vnto death when a companyon and frende is tourned an enemy O mooste wycked presumpcyon From whence art thou spronge vp to couer the earthe with falshed and dysceyte There is some companyon which in prosperite reioyseth with his freÌ„de but in the time of trouble he taketh part agaynst hym There is some coÌ„panion that mourneth with his frend for the belisake Eccle. 6. b but wheÌ„ trouble coÌ„meth he taketh hold of the
hande Agge ii c. and .ii. a. So was Iesus also the Sunne of Iosedec these men in their tymes buylded the house and set vp the Sanctuary of the Lorde agayne 2. Esd i a. 2. Es 7. a. whiche was prepared for an euerlastynge worshyppe ¶ And Nehemyas is alwaye to be commended which set vp for vs the walles that were broken downe made the portes and barres againe and buylded our houses of the newe ‡ But vpon earthe is there no maÌ„ created lyke Enoche for he was taken vp from the earthe gene v. c. Eccl. 44. c. Heb. xii a gene xli f 42. a. 45. e. And Ioseph whiche was Lorde of his brethrenne and the vpholder of his people his bones were couered and kepte Seth and Sem were in greate honoure amoÌ„ge the people and so was Adam aboue all the beastes when he was created ¶ Of Symon the Sonne of Oniah Capi. l. SIMON â— Mac. 3.4 the Sonne of Onyas the hie Preest whiche in his lyfe sette vp the house againe and in his dayes made faste the Temple The heighte of the Temple also was fouÌ„ded of him the double buyldynge and the hye walles of the Temple In his daies the welles of water flowed out were exceadinge full as the see He toke care for his people and deliuered them from destruccion He kepte his Citie and made it stronge that it shulde not be beseged He dwelt in honour and worship amonge his people and enlarged the entraunce of the house and the courte He gaue lyght as the mornynge Starre in the myddest of the Cloudes and as the Mone when it is full He shyned as the Sunne in the Temple of God He is as bryghte as the raine bowe in the fayer cloudes and florisheth as floures and Roses in the spring of the yeare and as lylyes by the riuers of water Lyke as the braunches vpon the mount Libanus in the time of Sommer as a fyre and in sence that is kyndled Lyke as an whole ornament of puer golde set with all maner of precyous stones and as an Olyue tree that is frutefull as a Cypres tre which groweth vp an hie When he putte on the garment of honoure and was clothed with all bewtie WheÌ„ he went to the holy Aulter to garnyshe the coueringe of the Sanctuarye when he toke the porcions out of the prestes hand he him self stode by the herth of the aulter and his brethrenne rounde aboute in order As the braunches of Cedre tree vpon the mount Libanus so stode they rounde aboute him And as the braunches of the Olyue tre so stode all the sonnes of Aaron in the glorye and the Oblations of the Lorde in their handes before all the Congregation of Israell And that he myght sufficiently perfourme his seruyce vpon the aulter and garnyshe the offrynge of the Hyest GOD he stretched oute his hande and toke of the drynk offrynge and poured in of the wyne so he poured vpoÌ„ the bottome of the Aulter a good smell vnto the hyest Prynce Then beganne the sonnes of Aaron to singe and to blow with trompettes and to make a greate noyse for a remembraunce and prayse vnto the Lorde Then were al the people afraide and fel downe to the earthe vpon their faces to worshyppe the Lorde their God and to geue thankes to the Almyghtye GOD They songe goodly also with their voices so that there was a pleasaunt noise in the greate house of the lorde And the people in their praier be sought the Lorde the hyest that he wolde be mercyfull tyll the honoure of the Lorde were perfourmed Thus ended they theyr ministracyon and seruyce Then wente he downe and stretched out his handes ouer the whole multitude of the people of Israell that they shuld geue prayse and thankes out of their lyppes vnto the Lord and to reioyse in his name He beganne yet once also to pray that he myght openly shew the thankes geuynge before the Hieste namely thus O geue prayse and thanckes ye al vnto the lord our god which hath euer done noble and great thinges whiche hath increased our dayes from our mothers wombe and dealt with vs accordynge to his mercye that he wyll geue vs the ioyfulnes of hert and peace for oure tyme in Israell Whiche fayth fully kepeth hys mercy for vs euermore and alwaye delyuereth vs in due season There be two maner or people that I abhorre from my herte as for the third whom I hate it is no people They that syt vpon the mountayne of Samaria the Philystynes and the folysh people that dwell in Sichimis I Iesus the sonne of Syrach Eleazarus of Ierusalem haue tokenned vp these informacions and documentes of wysdomme and vnderstandynge in this boke and poured out the wisedome of my herte Blessed is he that exercyseth hym selfe therein who so taketh suche to herte shal be wyse for euer yf he do these thinges he shal be stronge in all For the lyght of the lord leadeth hym ¶ The prayse of Iesus the sonne of Syrach Capi li. I WILL thanke the O Lorde and Kynge and prayse the O God my Sauiour I wyll yelde prayse vnto thy name for thou arte my Defender and helper and haste preserued my bodye from destruccion from the snare of trayterous tongues and from the lyppes that are occupied with lyes Thou hast bene my helper from soch as stode vppe agaynste me and haste delyuered me after the multytude of thy mercye and for thy holye names sake Thou haste delyuered me frome the roarynge of them that prepared theÌ„ selues to deuoure me out of the handes of suche as soughte after my life from the multitude of them that troubled me went about to sette fire vpon me on euery syde so that I am not brente in the myddest of the fyre From the depe of hell from an vncleane tonge from lieng wordes from the wycked Kyng from an vnryghtuous tonge My soule shall prayse the Lorde vnto deathe for my lyfe drewe nye vnto hell dounwarde They compased me rounde aboute on euery syde and there was no man to helpe I loked aboute me yf there were any man that wolde socoure me but there was none Then thought I vpon thy mercye O LORDE and vpon thy Actes that thou haste done euer of olde namely that thou delyuerest suche as putte their truste in the and ryddest theym oute of the handes of the Heathen Thus lyfte I vp my prayer from the earth and prayde for deliueraunce from death I called vpon the LORDE the Father of my Lorde that he wolde not leaue me without helpe in the daye of my trouble and in the tyme of the proude I wyll prayse thy name continually yelding honour and thanckes vnto it and so my prayer was hearde Thou sauedst me from destruccion and delyueredest me frome the vnrightuous tyme. Therfore wyll I acknowledge prayse the and magnifie thy name O LORDE When I was yet but yong or euer I went astraye I desired wysdom openly in my prayer I came therefore before the Temple and sought her vnto the laste Then florished she vnto me as a grape that is soone rype My hert reâ—oysed in her then wente my foote the ryght way ye from youth vp sought I after her I bowed downe myne eare receiued her I founde me moch wysdome and prospered greatly in her Therfore wyl I ascribe the glory vnto hym that geueth me wisdom for I am aduised to do therafter I wyll be gelouse to cleane vnto the thynge that is good so shall I not be coÌ„founded My soule dath wrestled with her and I haue bene diligent to be occupyed in her I lyfte vp myne handes on hye then was my soule lyghtened thorowe wysdom that I knoledged my folyshnes I ordered my soule after her she and I were one hert from the begynnyng and I founde her in clennesse And therfore shall I not be forsaken My hert longed after her and I gat a good treasure Thorowe her the lorde hath geuen me a newe tonge wherwith I wyll prayse him Eccl. lv a. O come vnto me ye vnlearned and dwell in the house of wysdomme withdrawe not your selues from her but talke and commen of these thinges for youre Soules are very thirstye I opened my mouth and spake O come and by wysedome without monye bowe downe your necke vnder her yocke and youre soule shall receyue wysedome She is harde at hande and is contente to be founde Beholde with youre eyes Eccl. vi â— how that I haue had but lytle labour and yet haue found moche reste O receyue wysedome and ye shall haue plentuousnesse of syluer and golde in possession Lette your mynde reioyse in his mercye and be not ashamed of his prayse Worke hys worke by tymes and he shall geue you youre rewarde in due tyme. ¶ Here endeth the boke of Iesus the sonne of Syrache which is called in Latyn ECCLESIASTIcus FINIS huius libri ⧠Imprynted at London in Paules churcheyarde at the sygne of the Kinges armes by Wylliam Bonham
The rod and correccyon minister wysdome but yf a chylde be not loked vnto he bryngeth his mother to shame When the vngodly come vp wyckednes increaseth but the ryghtuous shall se theyr fall Nurtour thy sonne with correcciō and thou shalt be at reste yee he shall do the good at thyne hart When the worde of God is not preached the people peryshe but wel is him that kepeth the lawe A seruaunt wyll not be the better for wordes for thoughe he vnderstand yet wyll he not regarde them Yf thou seest a man that is hastye to speake vnaduysed thou mayste truste a foole more then hym He that delycatelye bryngeth vp his seruaunt from a chylde shal make hym his mayster at lengthe An angrye man steareth vp stryfe and he that beareth euell well in his minde doth moche euell After pryde commeth a fall Iob. 22. d but a lowelye spyryte bryngethe great worshyppe Who so kepethe companye wyth a thefe hatethe hys owne soule he hearethe blasphemyes and tellethe it not forth He that fearethe menne shall haue a fall but who so putteth his truste in the Lorde is without daunger Manye there be that seke the Prynces fauoure but euerye mannes Iudgemente commethe frome the Lorde The ryghtuousse abhorrethe the vngodlye but as for those that be in the the ryght waye the wycked hate them * A chylde that kepethe the word shal be without destruccion ¶ The purenesse of the worde of God and what we ought to requyre of God with certaine wonderfull thynges that ar in this worlde Capi. xxx THe wordes of Agur the sonne of Iakei and the prophecye that the same mā spake vnto Ithiell euen vnto Ithyell and Vchall I am more foolyshe then anye man and haue no mannes vnderstandynge I neuer learned wysdom nor had knowledge of holy thynges Who hathe clymmed vp into heauen Who hath come downe from thence Who hath holden the wynde faste in his hande Who hath comprehended the waters in a garment Who hathe sette all the endes of the worlde What is his name or hys sōnes name canst thou tell Psa 19. ◠All the wordes of God are pure and cleane for he is a shyld vnto al thē that put theyr trust in him Deut. 4. a and .12 d Put thou nothynge vnto hys worde leest he reproue the and thou be founde a lyer Two thynges haue I required of the that thou wylt not denye me before I dye Remoue fro me vanyte and lyes geue me nether pouerti nor riches onli graūt me a necessary lyuynge Lest yf I be to full I denye the saye Exo. 5. c Deut. 8 c and .31 c Iob 21. b. who is the Lord And lest I beyng constreyned thorowe pouertie fall vnto stealynge and take the name of my god in vayne Accuse not a seruaunt vnto hys master lest he speake euel of the thou be hurt There is a generacion that curseth theyr father and dothe not blesse theyr mother There is a Generacion that thynke thē selues cleane and yet is not clensed from theyr fylthynes There is a Generacion that hath a proude loke and doth caste vp theyr eye lyddes There is a generacion whose teeth are swerdes with theyr chawebones they consume and deuoure the Symple of the earth and the poore from amonge men The horse leache hath two daughters cryeng bryng hyther bring hyther There be thre thinges that are neuer satisfyed the fourthe sayth neuer hoo The graue a womans wombe and the earth that hath neuer water ynough As for fyre it saith neuer hoo Exo. 21. v. Deu. 27. c Who so laughteth his father to scorne and setteth his mothers commaūdemēt at naughte the rauens pike out his eyes in the valleye and deuoured be he of the yonge Aegels There be thre thynges to hye for me and as for the fourth it passeth my knowledge The waye of an Aegle in the ayre the waye of a Serpent ouer a stone the waie of a shyppe in the see and the waye of a man with a yonge woman Suche is the waye also of a wyfe that breaketh wedlocke whyche wypeth her mouth like as when she hath eaten and saythe As for me I haue doone noo harme Thorowe thre thinges the earth is disquieted and the fourth maye it not beare Thorowe a seruaunt that beareth rule thorow a foole that hath to moch bread thorowe an ydell house wyfe thorowe an hādmaidē that is heyre to her mastresse These be foure thynges in the earthe the whiche are very lytle but in wysdōe they excede the wyse The emmettes are but weake people Pro. 6. a. yet gather they they re meate together in the haruest The Conyes are but a feble folke yet make they they re couches a monge the rockes The Greshoppers haue not a guyde yet go they forth together by heapes The spider laboureth with her hādes and is in Kynges places There be thre thinges that go styll ye but the goyng of the fourth is the good liest of all A Lyon whiche is strongest amonge beastes and geueth place to no man A greyhound stronge in the hinder partes A ramme also and a Kynge agaynst whome no man aryseth vp Yf thou haste done folyshly whā thou waste in hye estate or yf thou haste takē euell councel then laye thyne hāde vpon thy mouth Who so chyrmeth mylke maketh butter he that rubbeth hys nose maketh it blede Euē so he that causeth wrathe bryngeth forthe stryfe ¶ The wordes of kynge Lamuell and the lesson that hys mother taught hym ¶ Kynges ought to iudge iustely The property of an honest maryed wyfe Capi. xxxi MY sonne thou sonne of my bodye O my deare beloued Sonne geue not ouer thy strengthe and wayes vnto wemē whiche are the destruccyon euen of Kynges O Lamuel geue Kynges no wyne geue Kynges and Prynces no stronge drynke leest they beynge drōken forget the lawe and regarde not the cause of the poore and of all suche as be in aduersytie Geue stronge drynke vnto suche as be condēpned to death wyne vnto those that mourne that they may drynke it forget theyr misery and aduersyte Be thou an aduocate and stand in iudgement thy selfe to speake for al such as he domme and suckerles Open thy mouthe defende the thynge that is lawfull and ryght and the cause of the poore and helpelesse Who so fyndeth an honeste faythfull womā she is much more worth thē perls The herte of her husband may safely trust in her so that he shall haue no nede of spoyles She wyll do hym good and not euel al the dayes of her lyfe She occupyeth woll and flaxe laboureth gladly with her handes She is lyke a marchauntes shyp that bringeth her vytayles from a farre She is vp in the nyght season to prouide meat for her houshold and fode for her maydens She consydereth land and byeth it and with the frute of her handes she plāteth a vyneyarde She gyrdeth her loynes with strength and courageth her armes And
brokē Or the pot be broken at the wel and the whele vpō the cesterne Thē shal the dust be turned again vnto earth from whēce it came and the spirit shal retourne vnto god which gaue it Eccles 1. a Al is but vanite saith the precher al is but playne vanytie The Preacher was yet more wise taught the people knowledge he gaue good hede soughte out the grounde set forth many parables his diligēce was to fynde out acceptable wordes ryght scripture the wordes of truthe For Hebre. 4. c the wordes of the wyse are lyke pryckes nayles that go thorow wherwith men are kepte together for they are geuen of one shepeherde only Therfore beware my sonne that aboue these thou make the not many and innumerable bokes nor take diuers doctrines in hand to weri thy body withal Let vs heare the cōclusiō of al thynges Feare god kepe his cōmaundementes For that toucheth al men For God shal iudge al workes secrete thinges whether they be good or euell ¶ The ende of the boke of the Preacher otherwyse called Ecclesiastes ¶ The Ballet of Ballettes of Salomon called in Laten Canticum Canticorum ¶ A mysticall songe of the spirituall and godly loue betwene Christe the spouse and the chyrche or congregacyon his spousesse Salomō made thys Balade or songe by him selfe and hys wyfe the daughter of Pharao vnder the shadowe of him selfe fygurynge Christ vnder the personne of his wyfe the Churche Capi. Primo ¶ The voyce of the Churche O That he wolde kysse me with the kysses of his mouth for thy loue is more plesaūt thē wyne that because of the good and plesaunt sauour Thy name is Eccle. 7. a a swete smellyng oyntmente therfore do the maydens loue the drawe thou me vnto the we wyll runne after the. ¶ The spousesse to her companions The Kyng hath brought my into his preuy chambers We wyll be glad reioyse in the we thynke more of thy loue then of wyne They that be ryghtuous loue the. ¶ The voyce of the Churche in persecution I am blacke O ye daughters of Ierusalem lyke as Gene. 25. b 2. Par. 3. c the tentes of the Cedarnes and * as the hangynges of Salomō but yet am I faier wel fauoured wyth al. Maruel not at me that I am so black for why the sunne hath shined vpon me ¶ The voyce of the Synagoge My mothers childrē had euel wil at me they made me a keper of the vyneyardes but mine own vineyard haue I not kept ¶ The voyce of the churche to Christe Tell me of him whome my Soule loueth where thou fedest where thou makest them to reste at the noone days for why shall I be lyke him that goeth wrong aboute the flockes of thy companions ¶ Chryste to the Churche Yf thou know not thy self O thou say reste amonge wemē then goo thy waye forth after the fote steppes of the shyppe and fede thy gotes besyde the shepeherdes rentes Vnto Exod. 14. c the hoost of Pharaos charettes haue I compared the O my loue Thy chekes thy necke is bewtyfull as the turtles hanged wyth spanges and godly iewelles a necke bande of golde wyll we make the with syluer buttons ¶ The voyce of the Churche When the Kynge sytteth at the table he shall smell my Nardus a bondell of Myrre is my loue vnto me he wyl lye betwyxte my brestes A cluster of grapes in the vineyardes of Engaddy is my loue vnto me Cant. 4. a O how fayer art thou my loue how fayer arte thou thou haste doues eyes ¶ Christe to the Churche O how faier arte thou my beloued howe well fauoured arte thou ¶ The Churche to Christe Our bed is decte with floures the selynges of oure houses are of Cedre tree and oure balkes of Cypresse Capi. ii The voyce of christe I Am the Lilye of the felde and Rose of the valleyes as the Rose amonge the thornes so is my loue amonge the daughters ¶ The voyce of the Churche Like as the appletre among the tres of the woode so is my beloued amonge the sonnes My delite is to sit vnder his shadowe for hys frute is swete vnto my throte he bryngeth me into hys wyne seller loueth me specialli wel Refresh me with grapes cōforte me with apples for I am sycke of loue Canti 8. a his lefte hande lyethe vnder my heed and his right hāde shall embrace me ¶ The voyce of Christe Canti 3. b I charge you O ye daughters of Ierusalem by the Roes and hyndes of the felde that ye wake not vp my loue nor touche her tyll she be contente her selfe ¶ The voyce of the Churche Me thinke I heare the voice of my beloued lo there cōmeth he hoppynge vpō the mountaynes and leapyng ouer the lytle hilles My beloued is like a Roo or a yonge hart Beholde he standeth behinde our wall he loketh in at the window and pepeth thorowe the gate My beloued answered and sayde vnto me ¶ The voyce of Christe O stande vp my loue my beutyful and come for lo the wynter is nowe past the rayne is awaye and gone The floures are come vp in the felde the tyme of the byrdes singing is come and the voyce of the turtle doue is hearde in our lande The figge tree bringeth forth her figges and the vines beare blossoms and haue a good smell O stande vp my loue my beutyful ▪ and come O my doue out of the canes of the rockes out of the holes of the wall O lette me se thy countenaunce heare thy voice for swete is thy voyce fayer is thy face ¶ The voyce agaynste the herytykes Get vs the Foxes yee the litle foxes that hurt the vynes for our vynes beare blossoms ¶ The voyce of the Churche Canti 7 ◠My loue is myne and I am hys which fedeth amonge the roses vntil the daye breake tyl the shadowes be gone Come agayne O my beloued and be lyke as a Roo or a yonge harte vpon the wyde mountaynes Capi. iii. ¶ The voyce of the Churche which is chosen out of the Heathen BY nyght in my bed I sought him whom my Soule loueth yee diligently sought I him but I foūde him not I wyl get vp thought I go about the cytie vpon the market in all the stretes wil I seke him whom my Soule loueth but when I sought him I found hym not The watchemen also that go aboute the Cytie founde me ¶ The churche speakynge of Christe Sawe ye not him whome my soule loueth So when I was a litle past them I founde him whome my soule loueth I haue gotten holde vpon him and will not let him go vntyll I bringe him into my mothers house and into her chāber that bare me ¶ The voyce of Christe Canti 2. b I charge you O ye daughters of Ierusalem by the Roes and hindes of the felde that ye wake not vp my
shall put on ryghtuousnesse for a brest plate and take sure iudgemeÌ„t in stede of an helmet The inuyncyble shylde of equytie shal he take his cruel wrathe shal he sharpen for a speare and the hole compasse of the worlde shal fyghte with him againste the vnwise Then shall the thunder boltes go oute of the lightenynges and come out of the raynebowe of the cloudes to the place appoynted out of the harde stony indignacyon there shall fall thycke hailes and the water of the see shall be wrathe agaynst them and the floudes shall renne roughlye togyther Yee a myghtie winde shall stande vp agaynste theym and a storme shall scatter them abrode Thus the vnryghtuous dealing of them shal bring al the lande to a wildernes a wyckednes shall ouerthrowe the dwellinges of the myghtye ¶ The callynge of Kynges Princes and Iudges whyche are also exhorted to searche wysdome Capi. vi WYsedome is better then strengthe and a maÌ„ of vnderstaÌ„dyng is more worthe then one that is stronge Wysdom Eccle. 9. d Psal 3. b Kyngâ—s Rom. 13. a Heare therfore O ye Kynges and vnderstaÌ„de O learne ye that be Iudges of the endes of the earthe Gyue eare ye that rule the multitudes delite in muche people For the power is gyuen you of the lorde and the streÌ„gth from the hyghest which shall trye youre workes and searche out your ymagynacyons Howe that ye beynge offycers of hys kyngdome haue not executed trewe iugement haue not kept the law of rightuousnes nor walked after his wil. Horrybly and that ryght soone shal he apere vnto you for an harde Iudgement shall they haue that beare rule Mercy is graunted vnto the symple but they that be in auctorite shall be sore punyshed Eccle. 10. â— For God which is Lorde ouer al shal excepte no mans person neyther shal he stande in awe of any mans greatnesse for he hathe made the smal great and careth for all alyke But the myghtie shal haue the sorer punyshment Vnto you therfore O ye Kynges do I speake that we maye learne wysdome not go amysse for they that kepe ryghtuousnes shal be ryghtuously iuged and they that are learned in ryghtuouse thynges shall fynde to make aunswere Wherfore set your lust vpon my wordes and loue theym so shal ye come by nourtoure Wysdome is a noble thinge and neuer fadeth away yee she is easeli sene of them that loue her and found of such as seke her She preuenteth them that desyre her that she maye fyrste shewe her selfe vnto them Who so awaketh vnto her by tymes shal haue no greate trauayle for he shall finde her syttynge redye at hys dores To thynke vpon her is perfect vnderstandyng and who so watcheth for her shal be safe and that soone For she goeth al oute sekynge suche as are mete for her sheweth her selfe cherfully vnto them in theyr goynges and meteth them with all diligence For the vnfayned desyre of reformacyon is her begynnynge to care for nurtour is loue Rom. 13. b and loue is the kepynge of her lawe Nowe the kepynge of lawes is perfeccyon an vncorrupte lyfe an vncorrupte lyfe makeeh a man familier with God And so the desyre of wysdome leadeth to the kingdome euerlastinge Nu. 27. c Yf your delite be then in roiall seates cepters O ye Kinges of she people set your luste vpoÌ„ wisdome that ye may raygne for euermore 2. Re. 14. c 3. Reg. 3. a O loue the light of wisdome al ye that be rulers of the people As for wisdome what she is and howe she came vp I wyll tell you wyll not hyde the mysteryes of God froÌ„ you but will seke her out from the beginnynge of the Natiuite and brynge the knowledge of her in to light will not kepe backe the truth Nether wil I haue to do with consuminge enuye for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdome But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the worlde and a wise Kynge is the vpholdynge of the people O receyue nurtour then thorow my wordes and it shall do you good ¶ Wysdom oughte to be preferred before all thynges Capi. vii I My selfe also am a mortal man lyke as all other and am come of the earthly generacyon of him that was fyrste made and in my mothers wombe was I fashyoned to be fleshe In the tyme of ten monethes was I brought together in bloode thorowe the sede of man and the commodyous appetyt of slepe When I was borne I receiued lyke ayre as other men and fell vpon the earth whiche is my nature cryenge and wepynge at the fyrst as al other do I was wrapped in swadling clothes brought vp with great cares For ther is no kyng that hath had any other begynning of byrth Al meÌ„ theÌ„ haue one entrauÌ„ce vnto lyfe Iob. 1. c 1. Ti. 6. b and one goynge out in lyke maner Wherfore I desired and vnderstanding was gyueÌ„ me I called and the spyrite of wysdom came into me I set more by her then by kyngdomes and Royall seates and counted rychesse nothyng in comparison of her As for precious stone I compared it not vnto her Iob. 28. b. for all golde is grauel vnto her and siluer shal be couÌ„ted but claye before her syght I loued her aboue welfare beuti and purposed to take her for my lyght 3. Reg. 3. b Mat. 6. d for her shyne caÌ„not be quenched All good thynges came to me with her and innumerable riches thorow her handes I was glad in them all for this wysdome went before me I knewe not that she was my mother of all good thynges Nowe as I my selfe learned vnfaynedly so do I make other meÌ„ partakers of her and hyde her rychesse from no man for she is an infinite treasure vnto men which who so vse become partakers of the loue and frendshyp of God and are excepte vnto hym for the gyftes of wysdome God hath graunted me to talke wyslye and conueniently to handle the thinges that he hath gracyously lent me For it is he that leadeth vnto wysdome Sapi. 3. a and teacheth to vse wisdome a ryght In his hande are we and our wordes yeâ— al our wysdome our vnderstandyng and knowledge of al our workes For he hathe gyueÌ„ me the true scieÌ„ce of these thynges so that I know how the worlde was made and the power of the elementes the begynnyng ending and myddeste of the tymes how the tymes aulter how one goeth after an other and how they are fulfylled the course of the a yer the ordynaunces of the starres the natures and kyndnes of bestes the furyousnes of bestes the power of the wyndes by the ymagynacyons of men the diuersities of yonge plaÌ„tes the vertues of rotes and al such thynges as are secret and not loked for haue I learned For the workemayster of al thinges hath taught me wysedome In her is the spyryte of vnderstanding whych is holy manifolde
potter also takethe teÌ„poreth softe earth laboureth it and gyueth it the facion of a vessel what so euer serueth for our vse and so of one pece of claye he maketh some cleane vessell for seruyce and some contrary But wherto euery vessel serueth that knoweth the potter him self So with his vayne laboure he maketh a God of the same claye this doth eueÌ„ he which a lytle afore was made of earthe him selfe and within a lytle whyle after wheÌ„ he dieth turneth to the erth agayne Notwithstandyng he careth not the more bicause he shal labour nor bycause his lyfe is short but striueth to excel gold smythes the syluersmythes and copper smythes and taketh it for an honour to make vayne thynges For his hert is asshes his hope is but vayne earth hys lyfe is more vyle then claye for so much as he knoweth not his own maker that gaue hym hys soule to worke brethed in hym the breth of lyfe Images They count our lyfe but a pastyme and our conuersacyoÌ„ to be but a market and that men shulde euer be gettynge that by euel meanes Now he that of erth maketh frayle vessels and ymages and knoweth him selfe to offende aboue all other All the enemyes of thy people that holde theÌ„ in subieccyon Psa 113. d are vnwyse vnhappye and excedynge proud vnto theyr own soules for they iudge al the ydols of the heathen to be goddes which nether haue sight to se nor noses to smel nor eares to heare nor fingers of haÌ„des for to grope as for theyr fete they ar to slow to goo for man made them he that hathe but a borowed spiryt facyoned theÌ„ But no man can make a God lyke vnto him for seing he is but mortall him selfe it is but mortall that he maketh with vnrightuous handes He him selfe is better theÌ„ they whom he worshippeth for he lyued thoughe he was mortal but so did neuer they Yee thei worship bestes also which are most miserable for compare thinges that can not fele vnto them and they are worse then those Yet is there not one of these beastes that with his syght can be holde any good thinge neither haue they geuen prayse nor thankes vnto God The punyshment of Ydolaters and the benefytes done vnto the faythfull Capi. xvi FOr these and suche other thynges haue they suffered worthye punyshment and thorow the multitude of beastes are they roted out In stede of the whiche punyshmentes thou haste gracyously ordered thine owne people Nu. 21. a and giuen them theyr desyre that they longed for a newe and straunge taste preparing them quayles to be theyr meat to the intente that by the thinges which were shewed and sent vnto theÌ„ they that were so gredye myght be withdrawen euen from the desyre that was necessarye But these wtin short time were brought vnto pouerte and tasted a new meat For it was requisite that without any excuse destruccioÌ„ shuld come vpon those which vsed tiranny and to shew only vnto the other how theyr enemyes were destroyed For wheÌ„ the euel wodnes of the bestes came vpon them they peryshed thorowe the stinges of cruell serpentes Notwithstandyng thy wrath endured not perpetuallye but they were putte in feare for a lytle season that they myght be-refourmed hauyng a token of saluacioÌ„ to remember the commaundemeÌ„t of thy lawe for he that conuerted was not healed by the thynge that he saw but by the o sauiour of al. So in this thou shewedst thyne enemies that it is thou which delyuerest from all euell Exo. 12. d As for them wheÌ„ they were bytten with greshoppers flyes they dyed for they were worthi to perish by such But neither the teth of dragons nor of venomus wormes ouercame thy chyldren for thy mercy was euer by theÌ„ and helped them Therfor were they punyshed to remembre thy wordes but hastely were they healed agayne leest they shuld fal into so depe forgetfulnes that they myght not vse thy helpe It was neither earbe nor plaster that restored them to helth but thy worde O Lord whiche healeth all thynges It is thou O Lorde Deut. 31. â— 1. Reg. 2. d that haste power of lyfe and death thou ledest vnto dethes dore and bryngest vp agayne But man thorowe wyckednesse sleeth his own Soule and when his spirite goeth forth it turneth not agayne neyther maye he cal agayne the soule that is takeÌ„ away It is not possyble to escape thy hande Exod. 9. For the vngodly that wolde not know the were punyshed by the strength of thyne arme with straunge waters hayles raynes were they ê‘secuted thorowe fyre were they consumed For it was a wonderous thyng that fyre myght do more then water which quencheth al thinges but the worlde is the auenger of the ryghtuous Somtime was the fyre so tame that the beastes which were sente to punyshe the vngodly brent not that because they shuld se and know that they were persecuted with the punyshment of god And somtyme brent the fyre in the water on euery syde that it myght destroye the vnryghtuous nacion of the earth Agayne thou hast fed thyne own people with angelles foode Exo. 16. a and sent them breade redie from heueÌ„ without theyr laboure being very pleasaunte and well gusted And to shew thy rychesse and swetnes vnto thy chyldren thou gauest euery one theyr desyre so that euery man might take what lykes him best But the snow yse abode the violence of the fyre melted not that they might knowe that the fyre burning in the hayle rayne destroyed the fruyte of the enemyes the fyre also forgate his strenght again that the righteous myght be norished For the creatur that serueth the which art the maker is fearce in punyshyng the vnryghteous but is easy gentle to do good vnto such as put their trust in the. Therfore dyd al thinges alter at the same time and were al obedyent vnto thy grace which is the nurse of all thinges accordynge to the desyre of them that hath nede therof that thy children Deut 8. a Mat. 4. a o Lorde whom thou louest might know that it is not nature and the growynge of fruytes that fedeth men but that it is thy worde whiche preserueth them that put theyr trust in the for loke what myght not be destroyed with the fyre as soone as it was warmed with a lytle sunne beame it melted that all myght knowe that thankes ought to be geuen vnto the before the sunne ryse and that thou oughteste to be worshypped before the daye spring for the hope of the vnthaÌ„kful shall melt away as the winter yse and perish as water that is not necessarye ¶ The iudgementes of God vpon the Egyptyans Capi. xvii GReat are thy iudgemeÌ„tes o Lorde thy counsels can not be expressed therfore men do arre Rom 11. d Exod. 10 â— that will not be refourmed with thy wysdome For when the vnryghteous thought to haue thy holy
crowne of his heed Vnto these the destroier gaue place and was afraid of them for it was only a temptacion worthy of death The death of the Egyptyans and the greate ioye of the Hebrues The meate that was geuen at the desire of the people The elemēts serue not only to the wyl of God but also the wyl of man Capi. xix AS for the vngodly the wrath came vpon them withoute mercye vnto the ende For he knew what shulde happen vnto them how that when they had consented to let them go had sente them out with great diligēce they wold repente and folowe vpō them For when they were yet mournyng and makyng lamentaciō by the graues of the deed Exo. 14. a they deuised an other foolishnes so that they persecuted them in theyr fleyng whome they had caste out afore with prayer Whorty necessitie also brought them vnto this ende for they had cleane forgottē the thynges that happeneth vnto theym afore But the thynge that was wantyng of theyr punishemēt was requysite so to be fulfilled vpon theym with tormētes that thi people might haue a maruelous passage thorowe and that these myghte fynde a straunge deathe Then was euery creature facioned agayne of newe accordyng to the wyl of theyr maker obeyinge thy commandementes that thy children might be kept without hurte For the cloude ouershadowed theyr tentes the drie earth appered where afore was water so that in the red see there was a way without impediment and the great depe became a grene felde where thorowe all the people wente that were defended with thy hande seyng thy wonderous marueilous workes For as the horses so wer they fed lepte lyke lambes praysynge the o lord which hadst delyuered them And why they were yet myndefull of the thynges that happened whyle they dwelt in the land howe the grounde broughte forth flyes in stede of catel and how the ryuer scrauled with the multitud of frogges in stede of fyshes But at the laste they saw a new creacyō of byrdes Exo. 17. c Num. 11. g what tyme as they were disceiued with lust desyred delycate meates For when they were speakyng of theyr appetite the quayles came vp to them frō the see and punyshementes came vpon the synners not without the tokens which came to passe afore by the vehemence of the stremes for thei suffered wortheli according to their wickednes they delt so abhominably churlyslye with straūgers Some receyued no vnknowen gestes some broughte the straungers into bondage that dyd thē good Besyde al these thinges there were some that not only receyued no straungers with theyr wyls but persecuted those also dyd them much euell that receyued thē gladly 3. Iohn b. Therfore were they punyshed with blyndnesse lyke as they that were couered with sodeine darknes at the dores of the ryghtuous so that euery one sought the entraunce of his dore Gen. 19. ◠3. Reg. 6 d Thus the elementes turned into thē selues lyke as when one tune is chaunged vpon an instrumente of musyke and yet all the resydue kepe theyr melodye which maye easelye be perceyued by the sight of the thinges that are come to passe The drye lande was turned in to a waterie the thynges that afore swame in the water went now vpon the drye grounde The fire hath power in the water cōtrarye to his own vertue and the water forgat his owne kinde to quenche Agayne the flammes of the noisome beastes hurt not the flesh of them that went with thē neither melted they the yse whyche elles melteth lyghtly In al thinges haste thou promoted thy people O Lorde and brought them to honoure thou haste not despysed them but alwaye and in al places haste thou stande by them ¶ The ende of the boke of wysedome ¶ The boke of Iesus the Sonne of Sirach whyche is called in Laten Ecclesia sticus or Iesus ¶ The Prologue of Iesus the Sonne of Syrache vnto hys boke MAnye and greate men haue declared wisdōe vnto vs out of the law out of the Prophetes out of other that folowed theym In the which thinges Israel oughte to be cōmēded by the reason of doctrine and wysdome Therfore they that haue it and reade it shuld not only them selues be wise there thorowe but serue other also with teachynge and wrytynge After that my graūdfather Iesus had gyuen diligent labour to reade the law the Prophetes other bokes that were lefte vs of our fathers and had wel exercysed himself therī he purposed also to wryt some thyng of wyesdom and good maners to the intent that they which were wyllyng to learne and to be wise might haue the more vnderstandynge and be the more apte to leade a good conuersacion Wherfore I exhorte you to receyue it louyngly to reade it with diligence and to take it in good worth though our wordes be not so eloquent as the famous oratours For the thing that is writtē in the Hebrue tonge soundeth not well when it is translated into an other spech Not only this boke of myne but also the lawe the Prophetes other bokes sound far otherwise then they do whē they ar spoken in theyr owne language Now in the .xxxviii. yere when I came into Egypt in the tyme of Ptolomy Euerges and continued there al my life I gat lyberte to reade wryt many good thinges Wherfore I thought it good and necessarie to bestowe my diligence and trauayle to interprete this boke And cōsydering that I had tyme. I laboured dyd my beste to perfourme this boke and to bryng it vnto lyght that the straungers also which ar disposed to learne myght applye them selues vnto good maners and lyue accordynge to the lawe of the Lorde ¶ Wysdome procedeth and commeth of God A prayse of the feare of God Ryghtuousnes is a degre to come by wysdome Capi. Primo ALl wysdome commeth of God the Lorde 3. Reg. 3 b and .4 c Iob. 28. a. Iacabi 1. a and hathe bene euer wyth hym and is before all tyme. Who hath nombred the sande of the see the dropes of the raine and the dayes of the tyme. Who hath measured the heygth of heuē the bredth of the earth and the depnes of the see Who hath sought out the groūd of Goddes wisdom which hath bene before al thynges Wysdom hath bene before al thynges the vnderstandyng of prudence from euerlastyng gods word in the heyghte is the wel of wysdō the euerlastyng cōmaundemētes are the entraūce of her Vnto whō hath the rote of wisdome bene declared Or who hathe knowē her wyt Vnto whō hathe the doctryne of wisdō bē discouered shewed who hath vnderstād the manifold entraūce of her There is one euen the hyghest the maker of al thinges the almyghty the king of power of whom men ought to stande greately in awe which sytteth vpō his trone beyng a god of dominion he hath created her thorow the holy gost he hath sene her
For there are hyd yet greater thynges then these be as for vs we haue sene but few of his workes For the lorde hath made all thinges and geuen wysedome to suche as feare god ¶ The prayse of certayne holy men Henoche Noâ— Abraham Isaac and Iacob Capi. xliiii LETTE vs commende the noble famous men and the generacion of oure fore elders and Fathers Many more glorious actes hath the lord done and shewed his great power euer sence the beginning The noble famous men raigned in their Kyngdomes and bare excelleÌ„t rule In their wisedome vnderstandyng they folowed the councel shewed in the Prophecies ⊢ Exo. xviii c They led the folke thorowe the Councel and wisdome of the Scribes of the people wise sentences are founde in their instruccyon They sought the swetenesse and melodye of Musicke and brought forth the pleasaunt songes in Scripture They were ryche also and coulde comforte pacifie those that dwelt with them All these were very noble and honourable men in theyr generacions as were well reported of in their times These haue lefte a name behynd them so that their prayse shall alway be spoken of Afterwarde there were some whose remembraunce is gone ‡ gene vii d. They came to naught and perished as though they hadde neuer ben became as thoughe they had neuer be borne yee theyr chyldren also with them Neuerthelesse these are louynge meÌ„ whose rightuousnesse shall neuer be forgotten but continue by their posteritie Their chyldrenne are an holy good heritage Their sede endured fast in the couenaunte For theyr sakes shall theyr chyldreÌ„ and sede continue for euer and theyr prayse shall neuer be put downe Their bodies are buried in Peace but their name lyueth for euermore The people can speake of theyr wisedomme and the congregation can talke of their praise ⊣ Ec. 49. 6. gene v. 6. Enoche walked righte and acceptably before the lorde Therefore was he translated for an ensample of amendement vnto the Generacions ★ gene vi s and .7.8 Noe was a stedfaste and Ryghtuousman and in the tyme of wroth he became a reconcilinge Therefore was he lefte a remenante vnto the earthe wheÌ„ the floude came An euerlastinge couenaunt was made with him that al flesh shulde ★ gene ix c perish no more with the water Abraham was a ⊣ gene xvii a great father of many people in glorye was there none lyke vnto hym He kepte the lawe of the Hyest and came into a couenauÌ„t with him He sette the couenaunt in his flesh and when he ★ gene xxii a was proued he was founde faithful Therfore swore god vnto him with an othe that he wold blesse al people in his sede that he wolde multiplye and increase him as the dust of the erth and exalte his sede as the Starres yee and that his sede shulde haue the possessyon and enheritaunce of the lande froÌ„ see to see and from the riuer vnto the borders of the worlde ⊣ gene xxvi a Wyth Isaac dyd he stablyshe the same couenaunte for Abraham hys fathers sake yee that gracious blessynge and health of all men and couenauÌ„t did he stablyshe with Isaac and made it to rest vpon the heade of Iacob He knew him ‡ ge xxviii c. 29.30 in that he prospered hym so wel and richely and gaue hym an heritage and sundred his porcyon by it selfe ⊣ Iosue xviii an xix parted it amonge the twelue Tribes Mercyfull men broughte he out of him whiche founde fauoure in the syght of all fleshe ¶ The prayse of Moyses Aaron and Phynches Capi xlv MOSES ‡ Exo. ix a Actes 7. c. beloued of God and men whose remembraunce is in Hye praise hym that the Lorde made lyke in the glorye of the Saintes and magnified him so that the enemies stode in awe of him thorow his wordes he dyd great wonders He made hym great in the syght of kinges gaue him CommaundemeÌ„t before his people and shewed him his glorious power ⊣ Nu. 12. a. He stablyshed hym with faithfulnesse and mekenesse and those hym out of all meÌ„ For he hearde his voice and led hym in the darke cloude ‡ Exo. xix d. and there he gaue hym the coÌ„maundementes yee the law of lyfe and wisdom that he might teach Iacob his couenaunt and Israell his lawes He chose Aaron his brother also out of the tribe of Leuy exalted hym made him suche lyke ⊣ Exo. xxviii An euerlastynge couenaunt made with him and gaue hym the preesthode in the people He made him glorious in bewtyfull araye clothed him with the garmente of honour He put perfect ioye vpon hym and gyrded hym with strength He decte hym with syde clothes a tunicle with an ouerbodye cote also a gyrdle Rounde about made he hym belles of golde and that many ‡ Exo. xxviii that when he went in the sound myght he heard that they might make a noise in the Sanctuarye and geue the people warnyng The holy garmente was wrought and broderd with golde yelowe â—ilke and purple And in the brestlappe there was a goodly work wherin was fastened lighte and perfectnesse ¶ Vpon the same also there was a worke fastned and set with costly precious stones all bounde with golde Exo. iiii and this he brought in his ministracion The stones were fastened for a remembraunce after the nomber of the twelue Tribes of Israel Vpon his miter there was a plate of puer golde a grauen ymage of holynesse a famous and noble worke garnished and pleasaunt to loke vpon Before him were there seene no suche fayer ornamentes and these it behoueoÌ„ him alwaye to vse There might none other put theym on but onely his children and his childers chyldren perpetuallye Daylye perfourmed he hys burnte offringes two times Leui. 8. a Moses fylled his handes and anoynted hym with holy Oyle This was now confirmed him with an euerlastinge couenaunt to his sede as the dayes of Heauen namely that his childrenne shuld alway minister before him and perfourme the offyce of the Preesthoode and wysh the people good in his name Before all men lyuynge chose he him that he shulde offer inceÌ„ce before the lorde and make odours for a swete sauoure and remembrauÌ„ce that he shulde reconcile the people of the lord with hym againe ⊣ Deu. 17. c and .xxi. a. Mala. ii a He gaue him auctoritie also in his commaundementes and in the Couenaunte that he shoulde teach Iacob the statutes testimonies and to enforme Israell in hys lawe ✚ Nu. 6. a. Therefore there stode vp certain agaynst him and had enuye at hym in the wyldernes namely they that were of Dathan and Abirams syde and the furious Congregation of Chore. Thys the lorde sawe and it displeased hym and in his wrathfull indignacion were they consumed A greate woÌ„der dyd he vpon them and consumed them with the fyre â— Beside this he made Aaron yet more honorable and
glorious He gaue hym an herytage and parted the fyrste fruytes vnto hym ★ Nu. xvii b Exo. xxv f Leui. 24. b. Vnto hiÌ„ specially he appointed the breade for sustenaunce for the preestes dyd eate of the offringes of the Lorde this gaue he vnto him and his sede Elles had he no heritage nor porcion in the lande and with the people Deu. xii d. and .xviii. Eze. 44. a For the lorde him selfe in his porcion and inheritaunce The thyrd noble and excellent maÌ„ is Phinches the son Eleazer whiche pleased the God of Israel because he had the zeale and feare of the Lorde For when the people were turned backe he put hiÌ„ selfe forth ryghte soone and that with a good wyll to pacifie the wrathe of the Lorde towarde Israell Therefore was there a couenaunte of peace made with him that he shulde be the principall amonge the righteous the people that he and his posteritie shulde haue the offyce of the Preesthood for euer Lyke as there was made a couenaunt with Dauyd of the Trybe of Iuda that from amonge his sonnes onely there shuld be a Kynge And that Aaron also and his seede shulde be the heritage to geue vs wisdome in oure hert to Iudge his people in ryghtuousnesse that his goodes shuld not come in to forgetfulnesse and that they re Honoure myght enduer for euer ¶ The praise of Iosue Caleb and Samuel Capi. xlvi MANLI and stronge in battayle was Iesus the Sonne of Naue whiche in steade of Moses the Prophet was geuen to be captayn of the people which accordyng vnto hys name was a greate sauiour vnto the electe of God Iosu xii e Nu. 27. b. Deu. 34. a Iosue i. â— to punysh the ennemyes that rose vp agaynst Israell that Israell myght optaine their inheritaunce O howe greate noble and excellent was he wheÌ„ he lyfte vp his hande and drew out his swearde agaynste the Cities Who stode so manly before him For the Lord hym selfe broughte in the ennemies ¶ Stode not the sonne styll at his commaundement Iosue x. and one day was as long as â—wo He called vpon the hieste and moost mightye when the enemies preased vpon hym on euery syde and the lorde hearde him wâ—th the haile stones They smote the Heythenesse people myghtely and in fallyng downe they slew al the aduersaries so that the Hethen knew his hoost and all his defence that the lorde him selfe fought against them for he folowed vpon the myghtye men of them Nu. xiiii a In the tyme of Moises also heand Caleb the sonne of Iephune did a good worke which stode agaynst the enemies withhelde the people from synne stylled the wycked mournynge Nu. 26. â— And of syxe hundreth thousande people of fote they two were preserued to bring them into the heritage namely a lande that floweth with mylke and honye Iosu 24. â— The Lorde gaue strengthe also vnto Caleb which remained with him vnto his age so that he wente vp into the Hye places of the lande and his sede conquered the same for an heritage that all the chyldrennâ— of Israell myghte see how good a thynge it is to be obediente vnto the Lorde And the Iudges or rulers euery one after his name whose hert weÌ„t not a whoringe nor departed from the Lord and that forsoke not the Lorde vnfaythfully whose remembraunce hath a good reporte yee their bones florysh oute of their place and their names shall neuer be chaunged but honour remaineth stil with the chyldren of those holy men Samuell the prophete beloued of the lorde his god 1. Re. x. a. and .xvi. b. ordeyned a Kynge and anoynted the Princes ouer the people In the lawe of the Lord he Iudged the congregation and the lorde had respect vnto Iacob The prophete was founde dilygente in his faithfulnesse and he is knowen faythfull in his wordes 1. Re. vii a He called vpon the Lorde the Almyghtye when the enemyes preased vpon him on euery syde what tyme as he offered the suckynge lambes And the Lorde thondred from heauen and made his voyce to be hearde with a great noyse He discomfyted the Princes of Tyre and al the Rulers of the Philistines â—re xx a. Before his laste ende he made protestacion in the syghte of the Lorde and his anoynted that he toke neyther substance nor good of any man no not so muche as a shoo and no man myght accuse hym After this he tolde that his ende was at haÌ„de and shewed the Kinge also his ende and death and from the earth lyft he vp his voyce in the Prophecy that the vngodlye people shulde peryshe ¶ The prayse of Nathan Dauid and Salomon Capi. xlvii AFTERWARDE in the tyme of Kynge Dauid 2. Re. xii there rose vppe a Prophete called Nathan For lyke as the fatte is taken awaye from the offeringe so was Dauid chosen out of the Childrenne of Israell He toke his pastime with the Lyons as with Kyddes and with Beares like as with lambes 1. Reg. 17. f Slewe he not a Gyaunte when he was yet but yonge and toke away the rebuke from his people What tyme as he toke the stone in his hande and smote downe the proude Golyath with the sling For he called vpoÌ„ the Hiest Lord which gaue him streÌ„gth in his right hand so that he ouerthrew the myghty Giaunt in the battaile that he myghte set vp the horne of his people agayne * Thus brought he hym to worshyp aboue all Prynces Re. 18. b. made hym to haue a good reporte in the prayse of the Lord that he shulde were a crowne of glorye ii Re. v. b. For he destroyeth the enemies on euery side roted out the Philistines his aduersaries and brake their horne in sunder lyke as it is broken yet this day In all his workes he praysed the Hiest and holyest and ascribed the honoure vnto him With his whole herte dydde he praise the Lorde and loued god that made him 2. pa. 26. a. He sette fingers also before the Aulter in their tune he made swete songes He ordeyned to kepe the holy dayes worshypfully that the solemphne feastes thorow the whole yere shulde be honorably holden with praysynge the name of the Lorde and with syngyng by times in the morning in the Sanctuarye ¶ The Lorde toke awaye his sinnes and exalted his horne for euer He gaue him the couenaunt of the kyngdome the trone of worshyppe in Israell .2 reg 2. d 3. Re. 3 c After him there rose vp the wise sonne called Salomon and for his sake he droue the enemies awaye farre of This Salomon raygned with Peace in his tyme for God gaue him rest from his ennemyes on euery syde that he might build him an house in his name and prepare the Sanctuary for euer / lyke as he was well instructe in hys youthe and fylled with wysdome and vnderstandyng as it were with a water floude he couered and fylled the whole