and commaundemeÌ„tes of the obseruation and kepinge of them ca. xxiiii OUr Lorde gaue vnto our fyrst parent Adam a lyte and a easy coÌ„maundement to be fulfilled Gen. 2. Saying Thou shalt eat of euery tree of the garden but as touching the tre of knowledge of good and euyll thou shalt not eate of it But he kepte this coÌ„maundement but euyl and therfore he fel into a great and greuous paine and punyshement Notwithstanding the commaundementes seme at some tymes to bee of lyte slender maters Gen. 2. yet they oughte and with no small diligence to be obserued in asmuch as the transgressors are greuously punished For our Lorde sayde vnto Adam In what day or houre soeuer thou eatest of the tree of knowledge of good and euel thou shalt dye the death Noe dyd euery thynge euen as the Lord commaunded him Gen. 7. When the people of Israel should receyue the Commaundementes of God Exo. 19. they were commaunded to bee sanctyfyed Goe vnto the people and sanctyfy them to day and to morowe And therfore he commaunded the chyldren of Israell to make them gardes of yellow sylke in the quarters of theyr garments Nume 15. to haue a contynual remeÌ„brance of the celestyal coÌ„mandemeÌ„ts Oure Lorde when he made Iosue ruler ouer hys people Iosu. 1. gaue hym a specyall monytyon of the medytatyon and obseruatyon of hys lawe and commaundementes Balaam the sorcerer sayde vnto Balach the kyng Nume 23. Tolde not I thee saying Al that the Lord commaundeth that must I do Beholde nowe what reuerence thys euyl man had to gods commaundement Iosua omytted nor mynyshed no word of all that our lord coÌ„maunded Iosu. 11. Saule the whych was specyallye chosen 1. regu 15. was vtterly reiected and caste away for the trangressyon and breakyng of Gods commaundement Dauid instructynge and teaching Salomon hys son 1. Para. 22. the whych shoulde raygne after hym sayde Then thou shalt prosper when thou fulfillest the statutes and lawes whych our Lord gaue to Moses After the ordynaunce of Ioiada the byshoppe 2. Para. 23. they brought oute the kynges sonne and put vpon him the crown and gaue hym in hys hande the lawe that was to be kepte and made hym kynge Syrus kynge of Persia and Monarch of all the worlde 1. Esd. 1. was not ashamed to saye Oure Lorde God of heauen and earth hath commaunded mee to buylde hym a house at Ierusalem Our Lord eueÌ„ complaining doth say The commaundements of Ionadab the sonne of Recchab the whych he commaunded his children to kepe and that they should drincke no wine preuailed and were better kepte then mine Iere. 35. For they obeyed theyr fathers commaundement I haue spokeÌ„ vnto you and yet haue ye not bene obedyent vnto me Susanna putting her life and good name in pearell and daunger Dani. â—3 iudged it better to fal into the hands of man then to forsake and leaue the lawes of God Ther were two wemen accused to haue circumcysed theyr sonnes 2. Mach. 6. whoÌ„e when they had led rounde aboute the city the babes hanging at their brestes they cast them down headlinges ouer the wals Eleazar an aged maÌ„ sustayned greuous pains of the body 2. Mach. 6. and at length he was put to deathe because that he against the law of god wold nother eat swines flesh nor yet fain or dissemble that he had eaten it For the law of god the vii brethren with their mother suffred greuous intollerable pains vnder Antiochus 2. Mach. 7. Other creatures that obey the lord do induce vs to obserue his commandementes 2. regu 24. of good aungels ther is no doubt the which are his mynysters doynge hys wyll and hys worde Of euell angels 1. Para. 21. He commaunded the euell sprite to go oute of the man Luke 8. He commaunded the Rauens to fede Helias and they did so 3. regu 17. And the Psalme doth say generallye He hathe geuen them a law which shal not be brokeÌ„ Fire and haile Psal. 148. snow and Ise winde and storme fulfyll his word Iob. 9. He commaundeth the Sunne and it ryseth not The parentes of Ihon the Baptist walcked so in all the lawe Luke 1. ordinaunces and iustyfications of oure Lorde that no manne could fynde faut wyth them Our Lord answered the yong maÌ„ that axst him Mat. 19. what good he should do to haue euerlastinge life sayinge If thou wilte enter into life keepe the commaundementes ¶ Of obedience and disobedience Ca. xxv GOD willing that man beyng in the state of innocency should liue vnder obedience Gen. 2.3 bounde him wyth preceptes and lawes and punished him right sore and greuously liuing disobedyently Noe spedely obeyed our Lord in althinges that he Gen. 7. at the instant time of the floud commaunded him Notwithstanding that Gods commaundement of the circumcisioÌ„ was a greuous and an vnwont thing Gen. 17. yet Abraham made no procrastinatyon nor no delay to fulfill and accomplish the same For euen in the self same day that god coÌ„mauÌ„ded it he fulfilled it Abraham without any stop or delay offred vp his only soÌ„ne in a sacrifice Gen. 22. Beholde and consider his meruelous and wonderfull obedyence Ioseph did spedely obey his father that sent him to his brethren Gen. 37. although he had accused them wher vpon he and not without a cause might a feared to haue gone vnto them Moses obeyed our Lorde that made Exo. 3.4 him the capitayne and guyde of hys people But marke yet wyth what difficultye For he excused hym selfe fiue times The children of Israell promysed greate obedience Exo. 24. saying Al the wordes whiche oure LORDE hathe sayde wyll we doe But yet afterwardes they did the contrary in their deedes The children of Israell walkyng in the wlldernes at Gods commaundement pitched their tentes Nume 9. and at hys coÌ„maundement they toke theÌ„ downe Also the children of Israell were afraid to ascende and to go vp into the land of promise Nume 14. when God commanded them but wheÌ„ God forbad them they stroue to goe vp but it was to their paine Manye of the chyldren of Israell that went to warre againste the commaundement of God and Moses Nume 14. Nume 31. wer ouerthrown of a fewe but whan they foughte by obedience and commaundement a few ouerthrew a multitude and wan the victory In as much as Achan transgrest the commaundemente of Iosua the people wer ouercome in battaile Iosu. 7. and all Israell stoned him with stones 1. regu 13. Saule offeringe burnte sacrifyce againste the commaundemente of Samuel was reproued And likewise because he spared Agag the king of the Amalakites and theyr sheepe and other pretious chefest of their goods which shuld haue bene destroied 1. regu 15. and then Samuel saide vnto him Better is obedience then sacrifice Althoughe Dauid was annoynted king by Samuel 1. regu 17.
afterwardes to their pain Nabal vsed hiÌ„ self vnliberally towardes Dauid that desired him to geue hym somwhat 1. re 15. After that Dauid had obtained the victorye of the Amelechites 1. reg 30 he sente giftes and part of the praye vnto the elders of Iuda and to hys frendes neighbors sayinge see here is a blessyng for you Dauid commaunded that Mephibo seth should eat bread alway vpon his table 2. re 9. And he gaue him all that pertained to Saule Soby Machir and Berzillai dyd profer vnto Dauid flyinge from the face and presence of Absolon 2. re 17 manye necessarye thinges for his hoaste as wheat barly and flour This Berzillai did aid Dauid wheÌ„ he fled from his sonne Absolon 2. re 19 And after that Dauid hadde obtained and won the victory he retained Chymeam his sonne as one of his family The Quene of Saba gaue SalomoÌ„ manye thinges 3. re 10 And Salomon gaue her according to her desire what so euer she asked besides that he gaue her of a fre wil with his owne hand Certaine good men of Israell clothed the naked prisonners 2. Para. 28 and set all that were feble vpon horses brought them to their brethren King Cyrus brought forth the vessel of the temple of our Lord 1. Esd. 1. whych Nabuchodonozor had taken and sent them again to Ierusalem al the vessels of gold siluer were 5000. and 400. The children of Iuda returnynge from Babilon 1. Esd. 2 offred willingly to the building of the house of God gaue gold after their hability King Darius commaunded that the house of God should be builded in Ierusalem 1. Esdâ— 6 that the charges should be taken oute of the kinges cofers Although ther were some enuious persons that by theyr letters laboured to let and hinder the worke 1. Esd. 7 King Artaxerzes gaue a glorious a liberal epistle to Esdras the priest that came to Ierusalem to coÌ„fort the Iewes 2. esd. 2. King Artaxerzes vsed him self liberallye to Nehemias comminge into Iewry and gaue him euen suche letters as he required Nehemias was a very liberall Legate the which did not greue the people with vitall exactions 2. esd. 5. he dyd much good to those that he was seÌ„t vnto Tobias did study how to deuide all that euer he had among his brethren that wer prisoners Tob. i. and of his kin he fed the hungry and clothed the naked Raguel deliuered to yong Tobias with his daughter the half of all hys substaunce Tob. 10 Tobias the yonger was very kind vnto Raphael Tob. 12 whom he toke to be a man and well acknowledged the benifites that he had done vnto hym where vpon bothe he and hys father did offer him most liberally the moity of al theyr goodes Kinge Ahaswerus commaunded a greate feast to bee made for Esthers mariage Est. 2. caused the landes to be in quietnesse and gaue giftes as it became the royalty of a king WheÌ„ king Ahasuerus saw Quene Esther Esth. 5 he safd vnto her what wilt thou Esther what is thy peâ—icion if it bee euen the halfe of my kingdome thou shalt haue it Esth. 6 King Ahasuerus enquired what honour or rewarde Mardocheus had gotten for the fidelity that he had shewd vnto him And when he vnderstode that he was vnrewarded hee caused hym magnificently to be honoured Iobs sonnes made bankets eche of them on the daye that he made hys feast Iob. 2 sent for theyr sisters to eate and to drinke with them Blessed Iob doth declare that he was merciful to the poore Iob. 29.31 saying I comforted the widowes harte and I was a father vnto the pore Again he saithe If I haue eaten my meat alone For mercye hathe growne wyth me euen from my childhode The chefe captain of Babilon gaue Ieremy meat Iere 40 and rewardes and let him go whether so euer he wold promising him great humanity kindenesse if he wold go with him to Babilon and yet he gaue him free leaue and licence to cary Seleucus the kinge of Asia in the time of Onias the hie priest â— mach 2 payed al the charges pertaininge to the minysterye of the Sacrifices of his owne rentes and heritage The wise men opening their treasures not their litle purses with half pence Math. 2 offred vnto a pore Lord gold frankensence and mirrhe Our Lord is a liberall and a large rewarder math 19 the which to those that leaue these temporal goodes for hys cause dothe geue an hunderfolde in thys worlde and life euerlastynge in the world that is to come It came of a benigne and a gentle liberality that our Lord defended the disciples math 12 whiche vppon the Saboth day did plucke the eares of corne Lu. 6 and chafed them with theyr hands to eat against those wicked Pharises And also of the Publicanes synners that came to heare him Lu. 15.19 And of zacheus math 26 And there is an ensample of Mary Mar. 14 that kissed oure Lordes feete And of Iudas for the which signe of gentlenesse the vnhappye and wycked manne oughte to haue the soner repented The people folowed our Lord on fote into the desert and left the cities and when the euen drue on Mat. 14 his disciples said vnto him Let the people depart that they may go and bye them vitailes But hee as a liberall Lorde master answered geue ye theÌ„ to eat Zacheus in distrybutyâ—ge of hys goodes Lu. 19 and makynge of restitucyon was verye large and liberall Thus hee sayde vnto oure Lorde Beholde Lorde the halfe of my goodes I geue to the poore and if I haue done anye maÌ„ wrong I restore hym four fold The gift of the pore wydow which cast two miâ—es into the treasurye Lu. 21 is preferd of our Lord aboue the giftes of the rich Our Lord was very bountiful and liberal to the thefe that hanged asked sayinge Lu. 23 Lorde remember me when thou commest into thy kingdome And Iesus saite vnto him verelye I saye vnto thee to daye shalt thou bee wyth me in paradise Our lord vouchsaued to shewe hys benignitye and liberalitye Iohn 2 when that he beyng called to the pore maryage went thether and ther turned water into wyne to chere the poore that were there at dyner The great liberality of God apeareth in the parable of the vngratious seruant math 18. vnto whom our lord saide I forgaue the all the debt because thou desyredst me Ioses whose syr name was Barnabas had land sold it Act. 4 broughte the price and laid it downe at the Apostles fete When the disciples that wer at Antioch hard say that ther shuld be great dearth throughout al the world Act. 11 thei purposed to send socour vnto the brethreÌ„ which wer in Iewry The which thing thei also did and sent it to
did manfullye when he slew two kinges and Ochozias brethren the children of Achab and when hee kylde a greate multitude of Baals Prophets Ioiada with great strennuitye and force pluckt the kingdom of Iuda out of the handes of Athalia 4. regu 11. and crowned the kinges litle sonne of the kynred of Dauid Ioab the sonne of Seruia was the prince and head captain of the hoste 1. Para. 11 because that he before all other smote the Iebusites that dwelt in the citye of Ierusalem and so dyd Dauid appoynt it Nehemias said vnto the noble men and iudges Let vs aryse and buyld and theyr handes were strengthed to good 2. Esd. 2. The children of transmigratioÌ„ dyd build the wall of Ierusalem round about 2. Esd. 4 and wyth one hand dyd euerye one worke and wyth the other helde his weapon The ennemies of the chyldren of transmigration did diuers maner of waies put them in feare 2. Esd. 6 thinckynge that there by they woulde cease from theyr woorke But Nehemias sayde That therfore he strengthed his handes the more When the chyldren of Israel hearde of Holofernes myghte and power Iudith 4 they prepared most diligentlye to resist him for they tooke in and occupied all the toppes of the mountains and walde theyr Townes and prepared Corne for them agaynste the battayle Iudith 13 Iudith had in her self a meruelous strenuity corage when she went to Holofernes and slue him in his tent Daniels companions saide to Nabuchodonozor the kinge of Babylon Dani. 3 our God is able to keepe vs from the hote burninge ouen And if he wyll not yet shalt thou knowe O kynge that we wyll not serue nor worshyp thy Gods Dani. 6 Daniel left not of for all the kings decre to pray vnto his God 1. mach 2 Mathathias and his children had a wonderful fortitude and streÌ„gth that so withstode kyng Antiochus so oft preuailed against him Iudas Machabeus with good hope and very manfully and boldly passed ouer the riuer to his ennemyes 1. macha 5 the which had pitched their tents beyond the water Eleazar the sonne of Saura ranne boldly and with a courage to an Elephant 1. mach 6 and gat vnder him and slue him then fel the Elephant down vpon him and there he died Eleazarus saide vnto the tormentors If I die manfully and as it becommeth mine age 1. mach â— I may parauenture leaue an example of stedfastnes for such as be yonge if I with a ready minde and manfullye die an honest death for the moste worthye and holy lawesâ— Machabeus and thei that wer with him went promptly and willingly to battaile againste Lysias hauinge an helping from heauen 2. mach 11. and our Lorde was mercifull vnto them They fell mightely vpoÌ„ their enemies like Lyons they brought down xi M. fotemeÌ„ xvi C. horsmen and put all other to flight many of them being wounded and some got away naked And wyth greate power gaue the Act. 4. Apostles wytnesse of the resurrection of our Lord Iesu Christe and greate grace was in them all Steuen ful of grace and power did great wonders and miracles among the people Act. 6 His fortitude dyd mooste appeare in that that moste constantly he resisted the Iewes and toke hys most cruel death most pacientlye Fortitude as Cicero doth say is a preconsiderate susception and taking vpon of pearils and daungers And a sufferaunce or bearinge of laboures And in that it is verye euydent that Paule was Christes moste strongest Apostle and souldioure the whyche for Christes sake sustained so greate pearils and dangers Capi. 11 as it appeareth in thâ— Actes of the Apostles Capi. 11 he doth recite and nomber them in the secoÌ„de to the Corinthians ¶ Of Confydence and magnanimity Ca. lxxviii Exo. 5 MOses stode often before Pharao and constantly reproued hym Nathan the Prophet constantlye and yet reuerentely dyd reproue Dauid after he hadde committed aduoutrye and murther 2. regu 11. Helias sayde to Achab. It is not I that haue troubled the house of Israel 3. regu 18. but thou and thy fathers house in that ye haue forsaken the commauÌ„dementes of our lorde And after that he caused CCCC prophetes to be slayne Item he sayde to Ochozias the kynge of Israel 4. regu 1. Thou shalt not come down of the bed on which thou art gone vp but shalt dye the death Achab the kinge of Israel sayd vnto Helias 3. regu 21. hast thou founde me thine enemye he answered I haue founde the for thou art euen solde to worke wickednesse in the sight of oure lord Eliseus spake maruelus frely and boldlye to Ioam the kinge of Israell his host standinge about him 4. regu 3. What haue I to doo wyth the Gat the to thy fathers prophetes and to thy mothers Our lorde was with Iosaphat 2. Para. 7. because he walked in the wayes of his father Dauid Then foloweth When hys hart had taken boldâ—es by the wayes of oure lorde c. The spirite of our lorde came vpon zacharia the son of Ioiada the preast 2. para 24. whiche stode in the syghte of the people sayinge why transgresse ye the commaundementes of oure lorde the whyche thynge shall not be for your profite Hezechias comforted his menne of warre sayinge 2. Para. 32. Plucke vp your hartes and be strong Be not afraied nor discouraged for the kinge of the Assirians nor for al the multitude that he hath with him for there be mo with vs then wyth hym wyth hym is an arme of flesh But with vs is the lord oure god for to helpe vs and to fight oure battayls Sanabalat and other enemyes beynge sory that the walles of Ierusalem were a buylding 2. Esdras 4 endeuerd them selues to resiste and diuers waies to feare Nehemias but they could not Iudit 10.13 Iudith was a womaÌ„ of a maruelus great magnanimity the which vnarmed went to Holofernes tent slue him Mardocheus dyd boldely refuse to worshippe proude Aman althoughe he knew that the king had commaunded it And also he spake vnto the Quene seuerely and frelye Esther 3.4 sayinge Thinke not to saue thine owne lyfe while thou aâ—te in the kynges house for yf thou holdest thy peace at this tyme then shal the Iewes haue helpe and delyueraunce oute of an other place and thou and thy fathers house shal be destroyed Ananias his felowes said stoutly to kyng Nabuchodonosor Daniell 3. oure God whom we serue and worshyp is able to delyuer vs out of thy handes Daniell lytle regarding kyng Daâ—ius decree Daniell 6. or coÌ„maundemente dyd worshyp and pray vnto his lord God â—s he was wont accustomed to doo Matathias his sonnes dyd strongye and boldly rebell and resist kynge Antiochus 1. Macha 2 Eleazar Saures sonne ran boldlye 1. macha 6 â—o the Elephant wher he coniectured that the kyng was and gat hym vnder him and
theÌ„ Afterwardes he smote the Philistines again and tooke the bridle of bondage out of theyr hands Hesmote Moab the whiche was tributary vnto him Also he smote kyng Soba and xii M. of the Sirians And our Lord kept Dauid what so euer he toke in hande When Ioab saw that the fronte of the battaâ—l was againste him before and after hee saide vnto hys brother Abisai If the Sirians preuayle agaynste mee thou shalt healpe mee if the children of Amnon preuaile against thee 2. reg 10 I will come and succoure thee Therfore quite the like a man and let vs fighte for oure people and for the city of our God and our lorde shall do that whiche is good in hys owne eies And when the battayle was begun all his aduersaryes fled from him Absolon made vnhonest warre against his father Dauid 2. regu 18. and therfore he and his people that held with him sped there after to the entent thou maist knowe and learne that they whyche vniustly consent to an euill Prynce can neuer prosper Benadab the kinge of Syria wyth xxxii kinges besieged Samaria and at our Lordes commaundemente hee was ouerthrowen and put to flight the onlye seruauntes of the gouernours of the shyres 3. regum 20 whyche were in nomber euen CC.xxx. and two fighting againste them The nexte yeare after Bennadab came againe with a greate hoste and there were slaine of the Sirians an hundred thousande fotemeÌ„ in one day because they said The Lorde is but God of the hylles and not God of the valleis When the king of Iuda the kynge of Israel 4. regum 3. and the king of Edom were gathered to fight against Moab and had great scarsity of water the Prophet Elizeus said This broke shal be filled with water And furthermore our Lord shal deliuer Moab into your handes Samaria was so long besieged by the king of Syria 4. reg 6.7 that an Asses head was solde for lxxx siluer pence And the fourthe parte of a Cab of Doues donge for v. sicles And at the worde of Elizeus the Syrians were put to flight and by that they had greate aboundaunce of all thinges After the Amasias king of Iuda had obtaynd the victory against EdoÌ„ he seÌ„t vnto the king of Israell prouokynge him to battaile 4. regu 14. but yet he put hym to the worse And through Amasias elation and pride a great part of the wall of Ierusalem was destroyed Althoughe Ieroboam the sonne of Ioas kynge of Israel and hys people were euell 4. regu 14. yet he healped them and dyd them muche good by the hand of Ieroboam Our Lord fought wel and meruelously for Hezechias the kinge of Iuda 4. regu 19. against Sennacherib the kinge of Assyria When that the angell of our Lord slue in one night of Sennacheribs hoaste .185000 And he him selfe was slaine afterwardes of hys owne children When Abia the king of Iuda and his host saw that the battail was before and behind He cryed vnto our Lord and the priestes blew the trompets 2. Para. 13. our lord made Ieroboam and al Israel afraidâ— and ther fel down wounded of Israel 50000. stronge men so the childreÌ„ of Israel wer brought vnder and the children of Iuda comforted because they trusted vnto our Lorde Zara the Moryan came out against Asa the kynge of Iuda with an hoste often hundred thousande Asa cryed vnto our Lord saying Lorde it is no 2. Para. 14. difference wyth thee whether thou healpe in many or in fewe Then foloweth Ourâ— Lorde made the blacke Mores afrayde and they fell downe dead For they were consumed of our Lord. The children of Moab and AmmoÌ„ were gathered together to fyghte against Iosaphat 2. Para. 20. but he wholye gaue him self to pray vnto our Lord. And what time as the singing men began to laud and praise our lord he turnd the deceites of theyr aduersaryes among them selues for euery one with mutuall woundes destroyed an other Phacee Romelius son kinge of Israel slue in one day in Iuda 2. Para. 17. an hundred and twenty thousand fyghtinge men and that because they had forsaken our Lord. The victory which our Lord gaue vnto the chyldren of Israell Iudi. 16. by the handes of Iudith is famous and notorius wherfore she said after the death of Holofernes our lord almighty hindred him and deliuered him into the handes of a woman Iudas Machabeus perceiuing the Serons 1. Mach. 3. host was great his felowes beyng fearful 1. Macha 3 sayd It is a smal matter for many to be ouercome with a few yea there is no difference in the sight of God of heaueÌ„ to delyuer by a great multitude or by a smal company and Seron and his hoste was destroyed And the selfe Machabâ—us wyth three thousand men 1. macha 4. whych hadde neyther harnesse nor sweardes to theyr mindes ouerthrewe Gorgias and hys great â—ost Bachides came with a great power to fight against Ionathas and Ionathas saide vnto his menne 1. macha 9 Let vs fight and cry now vnto heauen that we may be deliuered from the hands and power of oure ennemies and so they were It is worthye to be noted of Iudas Machabeus that he which fought so often times and did so manye honest and worthy actes did so oft wynne as oft as he whan he shuld fyght did pray and call to God for healpe 1. mach 6.9 But yet we read not that he prayd in two of his most notable battailes Thone was againste Antiochus Eupator The second againste Bacchides and Alchimus and then he was slain in the battel ¶ Of Impacience and murmuring Cap. lxxxii AGar Saras maide that coulde not suffer the correction of her mistresse the which fared â—oule wyth her Gen. 16 because of her pryde fledde her wayes but at the aungels commaundemente she retourned agayne vnto her The officers of the children of Israell said vnto Aaron Exo. 5. and Moses oure Lord loke vpon you and iudge you which hathe made the sauoure of vs stincke before Pharao The children of Israell beholding the Egiptians said vnto Moses perauenture because ther be no graues in Egypte Exo. 14 haste thou therfore brought vs awaye for to dye in the wyldernesse The fyrst murmurynge of the children of Israell in the desarte was for lacke of dryncke Exo. 15. And the people murmured against Moses sayinge what shall we drincke After that the hole multitude of the congregation of Israell dyd murmur for meate sayinge Whye haue ye broughte vs into his wildernesse to kil this hole multitude with honger Exo. 16. Againe they murmured for lacke of drink after that our lord had sent theÌ„ quailes and Manna And when they suffred hoÌ„ger in the desart with murmur and impacience thei remembred the flesh which they did eat in Egipt but of the hard bondage and seruitute wherwith they were oppressed they made no mention And when the
regu 12. that I shoulde cease to pray for you and I wil teach you a ryght waye and a good When Dauid sawe the Aungell that smote the people 2. regu 24. he offerd him selfe to be beate for them let thyne haÌ„d I praye the tourne agaynst me Al they of Israel hard of the iudgement whyche the kynge had iudged betwene the two wemen 3. regu 3. and they feared the kynge for they saw that the wysedome of God was in him to do iustice It is a signe and a token that oure Lorde dothe loue the people when he geueth them a good prelate 3. regu 9. For the Quene of Saba saied our Lord loued Israell and therefore he made the king ouer it to do equity righteousnes 3. regu 20. Oure Lorde beynge purposed and wyllinge to deliuer the king of Siria into the kinge of Israels handes sent him worde by his prophet that the kinge shoulde beginne to fighte and geue battaile As longe as Ioiada the byshoppe lyued 4. regu 12. Ioas the kynge of Iuda was good and did that whyche was good in the sighte of oure Lorde But the byshoppe beynge dead he did muche harme Iosaphat the kinge of Iuda set iudges in the lande ouer the people and dyd faithfullye 2. Para. 19. and wysely instruct them Take hede sayeth he what ye do for ye execute not the iudgemeÌ„t of man but of God whiche is wyth you in the iudgemente Wherefore nowe let the feare of God bee vpon you and take hede and be doynge the thinge that pleaseth hym for there is no vnrighteousnesse with the Lord oure GOD that he shoulde haue any respecte of persons or take rewardes Hezechias kinge of Iuda caused thâ— brasen serpent to be broken in peces 4. regu 18. because it was vnto the people an occasion of committinge ydolatry The postes wente with letters thorowoute all Israell and Iuda at the kynges commaundemente and hys Lordes 2. Para. 30. sayinge Turne againe vnto oure Lorde c. As Esdras was prayinge and wepyng for the transgression of the people 1. Esd. 9. there resorted vnto him a greate company of men and women and the people folowinge his ensample wept and lamented very sore Eliachim the hye preast hearinge of the power of Holofernes Iudith 4. wente rounde aboute all Israell and spake vnto them sayinge Be ye sure that oure Lorde wyll heare youre petitions if ye contynue stedfaste in fasstinges and prayers in the syghte of oure LORDE And thus he comforted the people wyth good exhortations A good prelate must be as a good father vnto the people coÌ„mitted vnto him For it is writteÌ„ by Esai of Eliachim whome oure lorde set and dyd constitute in Sobnas the rulers place Esa. 22. he shall be as a father of such as dwel in Ierusalem After that Iudas Machabeus was dead 1. mach 9. ther spronge vp wicked persons throughout all costes of Israell and exhorted all such as did euyll to wickednes And in those daies there was greate hunger c. When men thought that Ionathas was slayne by Tryphon 1. Mach. 12. Then all the heathen that were rounde aboute them soughte to destroye them For they saied now haue they no captain nor any man to helpe them Therfore now let vs ouercome them and rote out their name from amonge men It is well sayed that the prudencye and pitye of Onias the hye preaste 1. Mach. 3. and the goodnesse of other godly subiectes was the cause of peace and good estate of the holy citye Onias did wel resyste Heliodorus goynge aboute to spoyle the temple 2. mac 3. and to take awaye suche thynges as was layed vp for wyddowes and fatherlesse chyldren Our sauiour and lord Iesus where he calleth him selfe a good shepherde Iohn 10. by and by he submitteth the cause sayinge a good shepharde geueth his lyfe for the shepe And agayne I geue my lyfe for the shepe Whereby he dothe vs to vnderstande what thinge is required that a maÌ„ may be called a good shephearde When our Sauiour after his resurrection was mynded to committe the coÌ„gregation of the church to Peter first he proued him Iohn 22. saying SimoÌ„ louest thou me more then these And note that he examined him of dilection not of knowledge not of practice or contemplation but of the dede not of the lawe Nor he asked hym not once but thryee If thou loue me fede my shepe clyppe them not nor slaye them For whye a good prelate muste feede hys shepe wyth worde example and bodely foode Peter perceyuinge that the Iewes marueled and iudged euyll of the discyples lifted vp his voyce and sayde vnto them Act. 1. Ye menne of Iewrye c. where he defendeth his flocke mooste constantly and most holsomlye ouercommeth his aduersaries We maye consider here by Paule the prelate of all excellent goodnesse that dilection dothe mooste specyallye pertaine to a good prelate Iohn 10. For the prince and chefest of all pastoures did so loue his sheape that hee gaue hys life for hys sheape The whych loued theym euen to the latter ende And Paule was meruelous feruente in that kynde of dilectyon and loue And therefore he saide I wyll verye gladlye bestowe and wyll be bestowed for your soules 2. Cor. 12. thoughe the more I loue you the lesse I am loued agayne Item there oughte to bee in a prelate the science knowledge of scripture Chuse and loue the lyghte of wisedome Sapi. 6. the which doth profyt the people Or elsse howe can he dyscerne Leprosy 1. Cor. â— 3 from no Leprosye or iudge the people coÌ„mitted vnto him Paule had an excellent knowledge bothe in deuine humain matters he gaue vnto babes in Christ milke to dryncke spake wisdome among those that are perfect And he was takeÌ„ vp into the third heauen 2 Cor. 12. harde secreat wordes which no man can vtter The loue of subiectes and knowledge of scriptures causeth a presydent or a prelate to be dilygent Roma 12. Lette him saithe Paule that ruleth doe it with diligence The which solicitude and diligence Paule vsed mooste feruently towardes his neighbors And therfore he saithe beside the thynges whych outwardlye happen vnto me I am combred dailye and do care for all Congregatyons 2. Cor. 11. And in a nother place I woulde ye knewe how great solicitude care that I haue for you Collo 2. Of and by these three foresayd thynges thinstruction of the learned doth follow and therfore our Lorde dothe promyse by Ieremy sayinge I wyll geue you herdmen after mine owne minde whiche shall â—eade you wyth learning and wisdome As Artaxerzes said to Esdras and to the iudges of the people 1. Esd. 7. Teache the vnlearned frelye the whiche thynge Paule the doctor of the heathen hath done euidently teaching the vniuersall world other by word or wryting a teacher of the gentiles wyth faythe
said Moses that your hart be not deceiued Deu. 11. and that ye turne not aside from God and serue straunge Gods and worship them And then oure Lorde beyng wroth shut vp the heauen The children of Israel haue transgressed the couenaunte Iosuâ— 7. and haue vsurped the excommunicate thynges There followeth And the wrathe of our Lord waxed hot against the children of Israel for the sinne of Achan Our Lord was greued and angrye with Osa and smote hym 1. para 13. because he touched the arke Our Lord was wroth with Salomon because his minde was tourned from our Lord. 3. reg 11. The fury of our Lord was against Israel 4. reg 13. and he deliuered them into the handes of Hazael kinge of Syria because of their Idolatry for they worshipped the calues that Ieroboas made Our Lord was wroth againste Israell and he moued Dauid agaynste them 2. reg 24 in that he saide to Ioab go and nombre Israel and Iuda After Idolatry witchcraft enchaÌ„tmentes and other diuers synnes and wickednesse 4. reg 17 the Children of Israell prouoked oure Lorde And our Lorde was exceading wroth and angri with Israell and putte them oute of hys syghte The Prophet Iehu sayde vnto Iosaphat the kynge of Iuda 2. Para. 19 that came to battaile with Achab the king of Israell Thou helpest the vngodly and dost loue those that hate oure Lorde Therfore yre and wrath come vppon thee from oure Lorde Neuerthelesse there are some good actes founde in thee Ioas the kinge of Iuda his rulers serued groues and Idols 2. para 24. then came the wrath of God vpon Iuda for this their trespasses sake Amasias kinge of Iuda ouercame in battayle throughe the healpe of GOD 2. para 25 the Edomites and broughte theyr goodes awaye and bowed hym selfe before them wherefore oure LORDE was angrye and wrothe with him Hezechias did not again vnto God according to the benefites that he had shewed him 2. para 32 for hys harte arose and there came wrath vpon him and vpon Ierusalem Iosias king of Iuda when he had hard that was wrytten in the boke of the lawe 2. para 34. sayde great is the fury and anger of our LORDE that is fallen vppon vs because your fathers haue not kepte the woordes of oure Lorde They did eat Esd. 2.9 and wer filled and became fat and liued in wealth thorow thy great goodnesse and they prouoked the to anger And Artaxerzes the gentle commaÌ„ded that all thinges shoulde be done to the mooste highest 1. Esdras 7 after the lawe of God Least his anger arise against the realme and against the king and his children Our Lord said to Eliphas the Themanite I am angrye and displeased with thee Iob. 42. and thy two frendes for ye haue not spoken before me the thing that is right Thus it is wrytten of Babilone be Iere. 50. hold she shal be the least set by among the nations voyde wasted and dried vp no man shal be able to dwel there for the fear and anger of oure Lorde but she shal be whole desolate When Machabeus had gathered a multitude together 2. Mach. 8. he was to mighty for the heathen for the wrathe of our Lord was turned into mercy And it is written in the parable of the vngratious seruaunt that would not haue compassioÌ„ on his fellow Mat. 18. his Lord was wroth and deliuered hym to the â—aylers Also it is wrytteÌ„ against those that excused them selues that they coulde not come to supper Luc. 14. Then was the good man of the house displeased and said vnto his seruaunt c. He that beleueth on the soÌ„ne hath euerlastinge life Iohn 3. he that beleueth not the soÌ„ne shall not se life but the wrathe and anger of God abideth on him The ire anger that shal be shewed at the day of iudgement is greatly to be feared Apoca. 6. Of the which it is wrytten in the reuelation of Sainte Ihon. Kinges of th earth the great men c shall say to the hils and rockes fal on vs hide vs from the presence of him that sitteth on the seate and from the wrathe of the lambe ¶ That God dothe more regard the intent of the doer then the worke it self ¶ The .xii. Chapter CAine brought of the frute of the ground an oblatyon vnto our Lorde Gen. 4. Abel also broughte of the firstlinges of his shepe Then folowâ—th Our Lord had respect vnto Abel and to hys oblation but vnto Caine and to his offering he had no respect After that promys was made to Abraham that he should haue a child by Sara Gen. 8. he laughed and so did Sara Whose laughing our Lord reproued but not Abrahams We rede that when Moses Aaron shewed wonders before Pharao Exo. 6. that Pharaos wise men and enchaunters dyd in like maner with their sorrerye Chore and his companye had euen suche censers as Aaron had Nume 16. and perchaunce of as good metall or rather better and yet god did not equally accept their censing The Bethsames lifted vp their eyes and spyed the Arke and reioysed 1. regu 6. and offered a burnt offering vnto our Lord. And although they semed to do a good worke yet oure Lorde plaged them with a greate plague because they had seene the Arke the whiche they should not haue seene 1. regu 19. Whan Saul was amonge the prophetes he strypte of hys clothes and began to prophecye but it auayled him but lyttle Oza putte foorthe hys hande to houlde the Arke that it shoulde not faull 1. para 13. and oure Lorde smote him incontynently and there he dyed Notwythstandynge it is a verye good thinge to offre incence vnto our Lorde 2. para 16. yet it pertayneth notte to euery man to doe the same For Ozias the kynge of Iuda was smytten with the leper because he would burne insence vppon the aulter of insence Oure LORDE dothe reproue by hys Prophete Esay the oblations Esa. 1. that he hym selfe dyd institute to be offerde and that because of the wickednesse of those that offerde Why offer ye so manye sacryfyces vnto me sayeth our Lord Then there foloweth Your handes are full of bloude Oure Lorde preferd the offering of the widdowe which cast two mites in to the treasury Luke 21. aboue the offeringes of the riche menne Herode desired very greatlye to see Iesus And when he saw him he was exceading glad but yet he gate no profit therby LuKe. 23. thoccasion and cause where of was nother pitye nor charitye but curiosity and vanity ¶ That God at times doth tempt and proue man The .xiii. chapter GOD did proue Abraham and said vnto him Gen. 22. Take thi sonne c. Our Lord saide vnto Moses behold Exo. 16. I will raine breade from heauen to you and the people shal go out and gather There foloweth that
I may proue them whether they wyl walk in my law or no. And whan oure LORDE spake wyth Moses Exo. 20. all the people hard their voyces and the sounde of the trompe and sawe the Lampes the Lyghteninge and the mountaine smokinge And beinge afraid they said vnto Moses Talk thou with vs. c. Moses said feare not for GOD is come to proue you and that his feare may be in you that ye sinne not Oure LORDE dyd not put all the people cleane away from the land of promission Iudi. 2. that through them Israel might proue whether they wold kepe his commaundementes Our Lord lefte Ezechias to be proued that all suche thinges as was in hys heart and minde 4. reg 20. at the comming of the king of Babilons messengers might be knowen It is written that God after that Toby was made blinde Tobi. 2. suffered that temptation to happen vnto him that they whiche came after myghte haue an example of his pacience Iudith speakinge of the children of Israell Iudi. 8. the whyche Holofernes thoughte to destroye sayd that they shuld call to remembraunce how theyr fathers in times paste were tempted that they in like maÌ„ner might be proued whether they worshypped theyr God a right or no. Iob for the great tribulations that he suffred Iob. 23. said of him selfe He hathe proued and tride me as the golde in the fyre Dauid desyred of our Lorde sayinge Examen me O Lord psal 25. psal 138. and proue me O Lord thou hast proued me c. Our Lord Iesus walkynge on the sea commaunded Peter to come vnto him Mat 14. But when he saw a myghty winde he was afraid Oure Lorde saide vnto Phillippe whence shall we by bread Iohn 6. that these maye eate Thys he sayde to proue hym Peter said maruail not that ye are proued as golde by fire 1. pet 4. which thyng is to try you ¶ That man should not tempt God ¶ The .xiiii. Chapter ABraham going towards Egipt did wiselye that he confessed not that Sara was his wife Gen. 12â— 20. for if if he had so said he might haue brought both him self and her into daunger And Isaac did in like manner For if he had done so Gen. 26. he in a manner as saithe s. Augustine had tempted oure Lord. The children of Israel teÌ„pted oure Lord very often in wildernes Nume 14. When the children of Israell were ouerthrowne in battaile by the Philistines 1. regu 4. they brought the Arke of our Lord with them into the battail it was taken and they were smitten with a great plage Dauid knewe that he was anoynted kinge 1. reg 22.23 and that he shoulde raigne after Saul as Samuel had promised and yet he wold not put him self in any ieopardy but did to kepe him selfe that he might possible When that an horrible great fishe inuaded Toby Tob. 6. he taried not that thangel shuld deliuer him that which thyng he might easely quickly haue done but he toke the fishe by the gil drue him to the dry land Ozias had promised and appoynted with the people Iudi. 8. that he if there came no healpe after fiue daies were paste would geue vp them selues and the city to Holofernes Iudith said vnto the elders of the city what are ye that ye do tempt our Lord Thys deuice or woordes optaineth no mercye Our Lorde was tempted by the deuil that he shuld cast hym self downe headlyng from the pinacle of the temple Mat. 4. But he saide to him Luke 4. Thou shalt not tempt the LORDE thy God For he mighte haue descended other waies The Pharises wyllynge to tangle Iesus in his wordes Mat. 22. caused to be demaunded of him whether it wer lawful to geue Cesar tribute or no. Iesus perceiuinge their wickednesse saide why tempt ye me ye hipocrites When he had caste out the Deuel the dombe spake certaine there were that teÌ„pted him Luke 11. and requyred of hym a signe from heauen Peter rebuking Saphira Ananias wife verye sharplye Act. 5. saide wherefore haue ye conspired together to lie and to tempt the holy ghoste Paule in that thinge that by humaine industrye he could do him self Act. 9. loked for no miracle or healpe And therfore whan the Iewes laid watch for him at Damasco he caused hym selfe to be let downe through the wal in a basket And whan they hadde hym bounde with thonges Act. 22. and that the Tribune would haue punished Paule he saide that he was a Citezen of Rome Act. 23. And againe he saide that he was a Pharisey and that to make dissention amonge the Iewes Act. 25. And whan he had an vnrighteous iudge he appealed vnto Cesar. Of vowes Ca. xv Iacob goinge vnto his vncle Labans house Gen. 18. after the vision that was shewed him vowed a vow saying If God will be with me c. King Arad the Cananite fought againste Israell Nume 21. and hauing the vpper hand and victory ouer them He toke some of them prisonners But Israel vowed a vow vnto our Lord and afterwardes ouercame them Iepte foughte against the chyldren of Ammon Iudi. 11. vowed a vowe vnto oure Lord sayinge If thou wilte delyuer the chyldren of Amon into my handes c. Anna praide vnto oure lorde and sore weping vowed a vow 1. regu 1. and saide O lorde of hostes if thou wylte geue me a man childe I wyl geue him vnto our lord Absalon willing to rebel agaynst his father king Dauid 2. regu 15 said vnto him I wil go nowe to Hebron and paye my vowe whiche I haue vowed vnto oure lorde For thy seruaunt vowed a vow when he was in Gesur in the lande of Siria saying If oure lorde shall brynge me again to Ierusalem I wil do sacrifice vnto our lord Asa the kinge of Iuda offered vp 2. Para. 15. those thinges in the house of our lord that his father had vowed and dedycated vnto our Lord euen siluer gold and diuers other vessel And the people reioysed when they were so willinge to make theyr vowes 1 para 19. for wyth all theyr heartes they offered theyr goodes vnto our Lorde And Dauid the kinge reioysed wyth great gladnesse And the children of Israel and Iuda brought in and offred their tithes 2. para 31. which they had vowed and consecrated vnto our Lord. King Artarerzes commaunded Esdâ—as and the people 1. Esd. 7. that they shoulde brynge giftes vnto our Lorde God of Israel the which they had vowed and promised our Lord. All the people after the victorye came to Ierusalem to praise and geue thankes vnto our Lord Iudi. 16. and they all offered burnt offeringes their vowes and promises The men that were in the shyppe where Ionas the Prophet was Ionas 1. feared exceadingly doing sacrifices and making vowes vnto our Lord. 2. Mach. 3. Heliodorus purposing to spoile
the tresuary and violently to take awaye such thinges as were laide there to be kepte was be the diuine power greuously scourged afterwardes made whole through the prayer of Onyas he offred vnto god made great vowes and so returned to the kyng again After that our Lorde had smytten Antiochus wyth a greuous plague which no man could heale 2. Mach. 9. he promised the Iewes to garnysh the temple with great gyftes Luke 1. It semeth that the blessed virgin made a vowe of her virginite forasmuche as she sayd How shall this be seyng I knowe not a man Those Iewes made a cruell and a wycked vowe Act. 23. that commynge to the hie rulers sayd we with deuocioÌ„ haue made a vow that we wyl nether eate nor drincke nor tast any thing tyl we haue kylled Paule ¶ Of Prayer Ca. xvi ABraham most humbly discretelye Gen. 18. constantly and mekely dyd praye oure Lorde to spare the Sodomites At some tyme we must praye oure Lord for such thinges Gen. 25. as he hath purposed to doe As Isaac made intercession vnto our Lorde for his wife because she was barren And yet oure Lorde purposed that she should conceaue and bring forth chyldren It is greatlye to be thought vpon How thankeful Gen. 32. how lowly and how importune that Iacobbe was in hys prayer saying Lord I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies And afterwardes how he sequestrated him selfe from his wiues and all his familye and remayned there alone in the nyghte Moyses prayde our Lorde oftentymes Exo. 7.8.9.10 that he would remoue the plagues from Egipt and was heard notwithstaÌ„ding that the people wer euil Moyses in the warre that the chyldren of Israel made against Amelech Exo. 17. dydde more by prayer than Iosua by fyghtynge The onelye prayer of the mynde doth cry and ascende vnto God as it well appeareth when our LORD saide vnto Moses that spake nothyng vnto him Exo. 14. wherefore cryest thou vnto me After the adoration made vnto the caulfe Exo. 32. Oure Lorde as it appeared would haue vtterly destroied the people but Moses by reason of instante prayer abtained theyr pardone But yet note the manner of hys praying ether quoth he forgeue them theyr sinne or wipe me out of thy booke After Moses intercession and praier Nume 11. the fyre that had deuoured the hostes of the murmurers and those that were heauy and sory of theyr labour quenched Our Lorde beinge euen yrâ—full against the people that demauÌ„ded flesh in wyldernesse Nume 11. graunted them theyr peticion whereby it appeareth that the extudicion and hearinge of mans prayer is not alwais a sign of deuine and godly dilection Mary by the intercession and prayer Nume 12 of Moses was healed of her leprosy The people beynge sore afflycted wyth firy serpentes said vnto Mosesâ— Nume 21 pray for vs and he made intercession for the people Anna being troubled in her minde prayed vnto oure Lorde 1. regum 1. and wepte sore and vowed a vowe she spake in her hart and her voyce was not hard at all When the children of Israel should fighte againste the Philistines 1. regum 7. they sayde to Samuel It is necessary that thou pray and cry to our Lord for vs that he may saue vs out of the hande of the Philistines It pleased not God that the childreÌ„ of Israell shoulde require a kinge to raigne ouer them 1. regum 8. And yet our Lorde saide vnto Samuell heare the voyce of the people in all that they say vnto thee Samuell saide vnto the people GOD forbid 1. regu 12â— that I should synne against our Lorde and cease prayinge for you Dauid saide 2. reg 7. that he had founde in his hart to pray to our Lord. Dauid prayed and besoughte God for the childe 2. regu 12. and fasted and went in and lay vpon the earth Thys was a very good maÌ„ner of praying but Dauid was not then worthy to be hard Helias praying for raine saide to his seruaunt 3. reg 13. loke toward the seat for from thence he trusted that some rainy cloude woulde arise but vntill the seueÌ„th time nothing appeared wherby the instancye and continuaunce of prayer is commended King Iosaphat smitten with feare gaue him self wholy to pray vnto our Lord. 2. para 20. For he heard say that a greate multitude of people was comming agaynst him Hezechias after he had hard the king of Assiryans messengers vsed verye good counsel 4. reg 19 when that he sent vnto Esay the Prophet saying make thy prayer for the remnaunt that are found and left And the kinge tourned hym to pray vnto our Lord. And note ther how faithfully and how prudently he made his prayer Hezechias that he mighte praye the more attentiuely turned hys face to the walle iiii reg xx and prayde our lorde saying I beseche thee now O Lorde remembre howe I haue walked before thee in truth and with a perfyt heart and haue done that whiche is good in thy sight and Hezechias wepte sore Manasse the kyng of Iudas prayer was very humble ii Paâ— xxxiâ—i deuoute and effectuus as men may se in the later ende of the boke Who fasted and praide our Lord to haue a sure and a ryght waye i. esd. 8. and it chaunsed prosperously And whan he gaue the kynge drincke he made hys prayers to God of heauen Nehe. 1. and whan he should answere to those thynges that were askt hym he prayde moste humbly When Tobi had heard his wiues euyl and naughtye coÌ„munication Tob. 2.3 he toke it heuely and with teares began to make his prayer When Sara the doughter of Raguell had heard the great reproche rebuke of her mayden tobi 3. she went into an hie chambre of her house and continuinge iii. dayes in prayer she besought God with teares that she myght be deliuered from that rebuke Tob. vi Raphael the aungel that the deuyl might haue no power vpon Toby the yonger warnd him that when he had taken Sara to his wife and was come into the chamber that he should with hold him self from her thre dayes and geue his diligence vnto nothynge but vnto prayer with her Iudi. 4. When the children of Israell heard of the power of Holofernes they cried vnto our Lord. But Eliachim the hie priest put them in remembrance how that Moses ouerthrew Amalech that trusted in his mighte and power not with weapoÌ„s but with holy prayers Iudit 8. Iudith did truste greatlye in other mennes prayers and therefore she purposing to go to Holofernes sayde vnto thelders pray ye vnto god that he will stablishe and bring my counsel to good ende And after followeth Do ye nothing els but pray vnto our Lord for me Iudith 13 In like mannerâ— when she shoulde smite of Holofernes heade she made her prayer with teares standynge before the bed And when
wept together 1. reg 20. Saul hering Dauids voyce that had spard him 1. reg 24. lifted vp his voyce wept When Dauid sawe that Sicelag was burnt 1. reg 30. and that the men wer takeÌ„ prisonners and caried away He and the people that were with him wept vntil they coulde wepe no more Dauid mourned and wept for Saul and Ionathas 2. reg 1. and for the other that were slaine Dauid and all the people did mourn and wepe for Abner 2. reg 3 whom Ioab murdred Dauid would not wepe for his little sonne that was deade 2. reg 12. and yet he wept for him when he was sicke NotwithstaÌ„ding AbsoloÌ„ shewed him self very naughtes wicked towards his father 2. regu 18. yet his father king Dauid bewayled his death most pyttefully Elizeus seing Azael before him begaÌ„ to wepe 4. regu 8. for the euyl that he being king of Siria shuld do to the childreÌ„ of Israel Hezechias wepte very sore praying our lorde for the death the whiche he verely estemed to be at hande 4. reg 20. When Iosias the king of Iuda herd the thretnyngs for sinne writteÌ„ in the boke of the law of god 4. regu 22. he rent his clothes wept greatli pleased our lord When the temple was reedified be those that came froÌ„ Babilone 1. Esd. 3. a man could not know or discerne the ioyful voyce or sound of those that were mery glad froÌ„ the noyse of weping amonge the people When that Esdras prayed wept for the coÌ„mixtion of the Iewes the gentiles 1. Esd. 9. a greate numbre of men and women beinge gathered together resorted vnto him wept very sore When Nehemia heard of the miserable estate and condition of the cytie 2. Esd. 1. of Ierusalem he wept mourned certaine daies fasted and prayed before the face of god of heauen Toby did eat his meat with mourning feare Tobi. 2. for he had the dead coarâ— of hys neyghboure in hys house the whiche he would bury in the night And when Toby had heard the inturius wordes of his wyfe Tobi. 3. he sighed and with teares began to make his prayer After that Sara Raguels doughter had heard her maydes contemelius greuous words Tobi. 3. she prayd besought god with teares that he would delyuer her from that rebuke When yonge Tobi was departed gone froÌ„ his parentes Tob. 5. his mother began to wepe sayd The staffe of our age haste thou taken and sent awaye from vs. When Gabelus came into Raguels house Tobi. 9. and saw yonge Toby sitting at the table He wept and blessed him Blinde Toby arose ran to mete his sonne returning homewards Tobi. 11. He receaued him he and his wife kissed him they began to wepe for ioye And wheÌ„ Achior had plainly declared all the Holofernes had sayd Iudi. 6. all the people with a coÌ„men lameÌ„tacioÌ„ pourd out their praiers together vnto oure Lorde And afterward the whole congregacion with great murning weping made their prayers together all the night longe saying we haue sinde with our fathers Iudith stode before Holofernes bed making her prayers with teares Iudi. 13. that god wolde vouchesafe to make perfect the thinge that in her thought she had deuised When Mardocheus had herd of the wicked and vniust sentence that was geuen agaynst the Iewes Esth. 4. he rent his clothes besprincled hys head with ashes and put on sakâ—loth with loud and lamentable cryinge declared the bitternes sorowfulnes of his mynd And in al landes countries as farre as the kynges cruell worde and commauÌ„dement extended ther was great lamentation amonge the Iewes fastynge weping and mourning After that Haman saw that Mardocheus Esth. 6. was so magnified and honored he gat him home in all the haste mournynge and bareheaded Holy Iob wept lameÌ„ted his owne miseries Iob. 30. saying my harp is turnd to sorow my pipe to wepinge whose vehement weping sorow dothe appere by his words before spoken Iob. 16. My face is swoln wich weping my eies ar the shadow of death he also lameÌ„ted wept for other meÌ„s sorowes trouble I wept sayth Iob with him that was in trouble Iob. 30. my soule had compassion vpon the poore psal 6. Kinge Dauid the prophete had a bathe euen of his owne teares I wyl wash my bed euery night water my couche with my teares His teares wer vnto Dauid as meat drinke psal 41. psal 69. psal 101. My teares haue beÌ„ my meat day night Thou shalt geue vs plenteousnes of teares to drincke And in a nother place He sayth I myngled my drincke with weping And Dauid remembring his owne lyfe did wepe psal 55. O God I haue opened my lyfe vnto the and thou hast set my teares in thy sight And hauing heauen in remembraÌ„ce he saide psal 136. By the waters of Babylon we sate downe and wept And in his prayer to our Lorde psal 38. he saith Heare my prayer Oâ— Lord and with thine eares receiue my teares psal 94. And in a nother place let vs wepe be fore the Lord our maker Esaias perâ—eiuing the dâ—structyon of his people Esa. 22. said Get ye hence from me for I wil weepe and make bytter lamentation Nor go not about to coÌ„forte me vppon the destructyon of the daughter of my people Ieremy said Be obedient geue ear take not disdaine at it Iere. 13. For it is the Lorde him selfe that speaketh Then there followeth But if ye wyll not heare me that geue you secreat warnyng I wil mourne from my whole hart for your pride and stubbernes Piteously wil I wepe and the teares shal gushe oute of mine eies for the lords flock shal be caried away captiue The copyous complainâ—e and bewailing that is in Ieremy Iere. 9. are signes and arguments of many teares who wil geue my hed water inoughe and a wel of teares for mine eyes Iere. 6. that I may wepe night and day for the slaughter of my people And the manifold lamentatioÌ„s therfore I do wepe Thre 1. and mine eyes gushe out of water Then foloweth for my sorow is very great and my harte is heauy And the clamerous and loude sobbinges Mine eies runne and can not cease Thre 3. Mine eies breake myne heart tourne not thy face from my syghing and cryinge And for the failing and losse of eies Mine eies Thre 2. saith Ieremy begin to fail me thorowe wepinge and my bodye and bowels are disquieted I Daniel mourned for the space of iii. wekes Dani. 9. so that I had no lust to eat bread as for â—lesh and wine ther cam none within my mouth When that Susannes frendes saw that the prestes should bear witnesse against her Dani. 13. thei weptâ— and she loking vp toward heauen
that was done after the assention of oure Lorde The aungell of oure Lorde whiche by nyghte opened the pryson doores Act. 5. and brought the Apostles forth sayd goe stande and preache in the Temple to the people all the woordes of this lyfe The Enuke Quene Candace of the Ethiopians chamberlayn Act. 8. is commended that he came oute of Ethiopia to Ierusalem to worshyppe And note that he sittynge in hys Charetâ— Reade Esaye the Prophette The whyche thynge maketh verye sore agaynste manye goynge to sanctyfyed and holye places the whyche nether read nor yet declare any holy documents or lessons but multiply vain and trifling wordes only Thoughte the Iowes persecuted Paule wyth muche hatred Act. 21. yet they woulde not murther hym in the temple but drue him out of the temple the they myght kill him withoute the region of the temple beinge vntouched and vndefiled ¶ Of the adoration and worshipping of God Ca. xxi IT came to passe Gen. 4. the Caine broughte and offered of the frute of the grounde an Oblation vnto the Lord. Abel also offered of the first â—inges of his shepe and of the fat ther of and our Lord had respect vnto hys oblation Enoch the sonne of Seth began to call vpon the name of God Gen. 4. Noe builded an aultare vnto oure Lord Gen. 8. and toke of euery cleane beast and of euery cleane foule and offered sacrifices and oure Lorde smelled a swete sauour Oure Lorde appeared vnto Abraham in the land of Canaan Gen. 12. and saide vnto hym Unto thy seede wil I geue this lande And there buylded hee an aultare vnto our Lord that appeared vnto him When Abraham had lyfted vp hys eies ther appeared iii. men standyng by him Gen. 18. And wheÌ„ he saw them he fel to the grounde and worshipped them saying Lorde if I haue founde grace and fauour in thy sighte go not from thy seruaunte Abraham being prepared and ready to offer vp in sacrifice vnto GOD his onlye sonne Isaac Gen. 22. oure Lorde otherwise prouiding therfore he offered a Ram. Our lorde appeared vnto Isaac in Bersabe Gen. 26. and said feare not for I am with thee And he builded an aultare there vnto our Lord. And God saide vnto Iacob aryse and get the vp to Bethell Gen. 35. and dwell there And make there an altare vnto God that appeared vnto the when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother When the children of Israell harde that our Lorde had visited them Exo. 4. and had loked vppon theyr trybulatyon they bowed theyr heade and worshypped And after that our Lord had spoken vnto Moses of the religion of Phase and of the destruction of the first born in the land of Egipt Exo. 12 Then there followeth The people bowed them selues and worshypped Ietro sayde to Moses bee thou vnto the people to godwarde Exo. 18 that thou mayste bringe theyr causes to God And thou shalte teache them the ceremonies and ordinaunces the waye to worshyp god And oure Lorde sayd vnto Moses come vp vnto the Lord Exo. 24 thou and Aaron Nadab and Abihu and the 70. elders of Israel and ye shal worship far of And after a few words ther dothe folow They offred peace offrynges that is xii calues vnto the Lorde And our Lord coÌ„maunded to make him a tabernacle Exo. 25 with diuers vtensiles and ministers to be ordayned to minister to his honor and worship as it is manifest in diuers Chapiters of Exodus The firste of the ten Commaundements is Exo. 20 Thou shalt haue no straÌ„ge gods Thou shalt make the no graueÌ„ Idoll Thou shalt not worship them neyther serue theim Deut. 6. And in a nother place Mat. 4. Thou shalt worshyp the Lord thy God and hym onlye shalte thou serue The angell of God sayd vnto Manne Samsons father Iudi. 13. if thou wilt offer a burnt offering thou muste offer it vnto the Lord. Elcana Samuels father wente vp out of his city at certain appointed or feastful daies 1. regu 1. to pray and to offer vnto the lord of hostes in Silo. The sin of Helis children was very great before our lorde 1. regu 2. for they wythdrue meÌ„ from the sacrifice of the lord And as Samuel offred the burnt offring the Philistines came to fyghte against Israel 1. regu 7. But our lord thuÌ„dred a great thundre the same daye amonge the Philistines and put them in such a feare that they fel and were slayne before Israell Salomon wente to offre vnto oure lord at Gabaon 3. regu 3. he offred a thousaÌ„d burnt offringes and the lord apeared vnto him in a dreme by night Salomon after the temple was edified stode before thaltare of our Lord 3. regu 8. in the sight of al the congregation of Israel stretching out his hands toward heauen kneled vpon bothe his knees and praid King Dauid gaue muche diligeÌ„ce to amplify increse the worship honor of our lord 1. Para. 15. vnto 25 in the number of singing men and prestes After that the children of Israell were returned from the captiuity of Babilon 2. Esd. 9. they red in the booke of the law of our lord iiii times on the day and iiii times on the night and worshipped the lord their God When all the Children of Israell wente to the golden Calues Tobi. 1. Thoby fled al theyr companies and got him to Ierusalem vnto the temple of god and there worshipped oure Lord god of Israel When Iob had hard the wordes of the messengers declarynge vnto hym the losse of his substance Iob. 1. he stode vp and fallinge downe vppon the grounde worshypped and sayde Naked came I oute of my mothers wombe and naked shall I tourne thither agayne Notwithstanding it was prohibyted that no manne should desyre any peticyon Dani. 6. eyther of anye God or man wythin thirtye dayes but onlye of kynge Darius yet Danyell kneeled downe vppon hys knees three tymes a daye in hys house and made hys peticion and prayer and praysed hys Lord God The wyse men went into the house and founde the Chylde wyth Marye hys mother Mat. 2. and fell downe flat and worshypped hym Beholde the deuotyon of a meruelous humility what shuld we christianes then do to the lord our god that now doth raygne if the gentyles did such reuerence to a child that wept When Iesus was come down from the mouÌ„tain Mat 8. ther came a leper worshipped him saying Lord if thou wylte thou canst make me cleane The manne that was borne blynd fallynge on hys knees worshypped hym Iohn 9. The disciples after the Lordes resurrection worshipped him Mat. 28. The priest and the people of Listra lokynge vppon Paule and Barnabas Act. 14. beleuing them to be Goddes wold haue done sacrifice vnto them But they forbode them Ihon fel before the angels feete to worship him
the Lord and his seruaunte Moses Moses vntyll he came to the waters of strife Nume 20. faithfully beleued al the sayinges and words of our Lord but somewhat he stackard there Ionathaâ— saide vnto his harnesse bearer It is no hardnesse wyth oure Lorde 1. regu 14. to saue either in manye or in fewe This was a woorde of a great and a mightye fayth 1. regu 17. That Dauid sayed when he should fight against Goliath the geyaunt Thou comest to me with a swerde a speare and a shylde But I come too thee in the name of oure Lorde Iosaphat saied vnto hys hoost gethered together to fight 2. Para. 20. Put youre trust in the Lorde youre God and ye shal be sure and in sauegarde Geue credence to his Prophetes and so shal ye prospere Aza spake a woord of a great faith saying 2. Para. 14. Lorde it is no distance or matter to the whether thou helpe in few or in many Esdras commynge to Ierusalem 1. Esdra 8. requyred not of the kynges gydes to conducte hym on his waye because it was a perylouse a ieoperdous way but turnde hym selfe to prayer and to faste When Nehemias perceiued sawe so many dangers labours hang ouer theim 2. Esdra 4 he said God shal fight for vs we wyl be laboring in the worke Daniels felowes spake a worde of a great and a feruent faythe to kyng Nabuchodonosor Dani. 3. Oure God whome we serue is able to keepe vs from the hoote burning Ouen and can ryghte well delyuer vs oute of thy handes Iudas Machabrus sayde vnto hys felowes that wer afraide 1. Mach. 3. It is a smal matter for many to be ouercome with a fewe Yee there is no difference to the God of heauen to delyuer by a greate multytude or by a small company For the victory of the battayle standeth not in the multytude of the hoost But the strength cometh frome heauen Eleazar sayde vnto those whiche would that be 2. Mach. 6. fayninge hym selfe to haue eaten of the flesh of the sacrifice shoulde haue scaped death I cannot escape the handes of God almightye nether alyue nor dead The woordes of those seuen bretherne and theyr mother proceaded and came of the aboundant faythe of the mynde 2. Mach. 7. Luc. 1. Thangel saide vnto zachary Ihon the Baptiste father Beholde it shall come to passe that thou shalt be dom and not be able to speake vntyll the daye that theese thinges be perfourmed because thou beleuedst not my wordes And Elizabeth filled with the holy ghost Luc. 1. dyd speciallye laude Marye the virgin sayinge blessed arte thou that hast beleued c. It is proued that ther was a meruelous faith in those three wisemen Mat. 2. the which comming oute of the East to Bethelem and fineding the childe with hys pore mother most humblye did worship hym and offred mistical giftes vnto him Our Lord euen meritoriously commended the faythe of the Centuryon Mat. 8. the whiche sayde Syr I am not worthye c. Then ther followeth I haue not founde so greate faythe in Israell Euery mannes proper faith maye be verye profytable vnto hym Mat. 9. yf the faith of other menne was so commodious and profitable vnto the sicke of the palsy And whan Iesus sawe the faith of them Luc. 5. he said Son be of good cheare thy synnes bee forgeuen the and oute of hande he wholye healed him A womaÌ„ whych was diseased with an issue of bloud Mat. 9. said within her self if I may touche but euen hys vesture only I shal be safe Then ther foloweth doughter be of good comfort thy faith hath made the safe Our Lord did not many miracles in his owne country Mat. 13. because of their vnbelefe When Peter walkinge on the water began to sinke mat 14. oure Lorde reproued him for lacke of faith sayinge O thou or little faith wherefore diddest thou doubte The woman of Canane is greatly praised of our Lord mat 15. to whom he said O woman greate is thy â—aiâ—he be it vnto the euen as thou wilt Peter spake a faithfull worde vnto our LORDE that asked hym mat 17. what men saide that he was Thou art said Peter the sonne of the liuing God The faith of Magdalen was maruelous and therfore she iustly deserued to heare of our LORDE Luc. 7. Thy faithe hathe made thee safe or saued thee Now when the father of the child that was lunatike beleued He moste huÌ„bly required that his faith mighte be encreased mar 9â— and wepinge hee sayde Lorde I beleue healpe thou mine vnbelefe Oure Lorde sayde vnto Thomas Bringe thy finger hither Iohn 20. c. and bee not faithlesse but beleuing Because thou hast seâ—e me thou hast beleued blessed are they that haue not sene yet haue beleued Upon Whitson sondaye after Peters first predication the receiuing of the holy ghost Act. 2. ther beleued about thre thousand men When the halting man was made whole Act. 3.4 he spake vnto the people that wondred and were sore astonyed And many of them whiche hearde the wordes beleued And the numbre of them was aboute v. thousande The Apostles chose Steuen a man full of faythe Act. 6. and full of the holye ghoste The Enuche sayde vnto Philippe See here is water what doothe lette me to be baptised Act. 8. Philip sayde vnto hym yf thou beleue with all thyne hearte thou mayest And the Enuche answered and sayd I beleue that Iesus Christ is the sonne of God And then Philip baptysed hym Saule and Cornelius were diuersty broughte vnto the faythe of Christe Act. 10.9 but yet they were broughte edificatyuely and fruitfully Some of Sipers and Ciren whiche when they were come to Antioche Act. 11. spake vnto the Grekes and preached oure Lorde Iesus And a great nombre beleaued and tourned vnto oure Lorde Paulus the Proconsull and ruler Act 13. seyng howe that Elimas the sorcerer that resisted Paule the Apostle was made blinde by the word of God beleued and wondred at the doctrine of our Lord. Paule and Barnabas saide vnto the Iewes Act. 13. It was meete that the woorde of God should fyrst haue bene preached to you But seinge ye put iâ— from you lo we turne to the Gentyles When they hearde this they were glad and gloryfied the name of God and beleued euen as many as were ordained vnto eternall lyfe A certaine man at Listra a crepell whiche neuer hadde walkedâ— Hearde Paule preache Act. 14. whiche beholdinge him and perceiuing that he had faith to be whole sayde vnto hym stande vpright on thy feete and he wente forthe and walked It fortuned in Iconium that Paul and Barnabas wente into the sinagoge of the Iewes Act. 14. and so spake that a greate multytude bothe of Iewes and also of the Grekes beleued As Paule and Barnabas wente through diuerse townes and cyties
Act. 16. the congregations were stablished in the faithe and encreased in nombre daily When the keper of the prysone in the which Paule and Silas were detained Act. 16. saw the earthquake and the prison open beyng sore troubled and afraid fel down at their fete saying what must I do to be saued and they said beleue in oure Lorde Iesus and thou shalt be saued When Paul had disputed at AtheÌ„s against Idolatry Act. 17. certaine men cleauing vnto him beleued amonge the which was Dionisius c. ¶ Of the fidelitye that ought to be kept to man Capi. xxxv ELiezer Abrahams seruaunt dyd the message coÌ„mitted vnto hym Gen. 24. by his master verye faithfullye when he went for Rebecca to Bathnals house Iacob serued his vncle Laban faithfully when that he keping his shepe by day was consumed with heat Gen. 29.31 and by night with frost Ioseph shewed him self faithful vnto his maister Gen. 39. in that he woulde not touche hys wyfe And in his counsail that he gaue vnto Pharao Gen. 41. and in suche seruice as he exhibited and dyd for hym Rachab the harlot did faithfullye with the spies which Iosue sent Iosu. 2.6 and likewise Iosue afterwardes vsed her faithfully again Althoughe the Gabaonites had deceiued Iosue and the children of Israel Iosu. 9.10 yet they kepte their othe and promise wyth them and after that faithfully defended them against theyr enemyes Ionathas did faithfully disclose his fathers yre and wrathe vnto Dauid 1. regu 20. and as much as laye in hym excused hym and afterwardes coÌ„forted hym Abiathars father beynge slaine by the occasion of Dauid 1. regu 22. I am saythe Dauid the cause of the deathe of all the soules of thy fathers house Abide with me and feare not For if anye seke my soule he shal seke thine also with me thou shalt be in sauegarde Dauid would not smyte nor laye his handes vpon Saul hys Lord and king 1. regu 24. Notwithstanding he was euel and did persecuâ—e him and yet if hee had woulde hee myghte twyse haue slaine hym The harnesse bearer of Saule was a greate signe and token of fidelitye 1. regu 31. and yet he did but vndiscretely when that he seing his master was deade woulde liue no longer but fel vppon his sweard and died with him what oughte we then to do for oure Lorde that was crucified for vs The men and inhabitours of Iabes in Galaad 1. regu 31. shewed them selues faithfull to Saule theyr Lorde notwythstandinge he was euell and wicked when they reuerently buried hym Urias the Hethite would not liue in delite and pleasure 2. regu 11. as long as hys Lord Ioab labourd and was in warfare When the city of Rabbath was in ieopardy to be loste and taken 2. regu 12. Ioab as long as he beseged it sent for Dauid to come thither to take the citye that the honor of the victory might be geuen to his master not to him self When Dauyd fled from Absolon Ethai sayde vnto him As trulye as God lyueth 2. regu 15. in what place my Lorde the kynge shal be whether in death or lyfe euen there also wyll thy seruaunt be Dauids menne woulde not that he should goe forthe with theim to battayle 2. regu 18. Saying Thou art compted to be worth ten thousand of vs. Wherby it appeareth that faythfully they loued hym And in another place Thou shalte notte goo oute with vs to battayle 2. regu 21. that thou quenche not the light of Israell All Israell separated them selues from Dauid 2. regu 20. and folowed Selon the sonne of Bochri But the Iewes cleaued vnto their kynge bothe faythfully and constantly Thre robust and stronge menne moste faithfully defended Dauid fightygne agaynste the Philistians 1. Para. 11. and brought him water out of the well of Bethelem the whyche he greatlye desyred Ioiada the hye priest dyd exceding faythfully with Ioas the sonne of Ioram kynge of Iuda 4. regu 11. Notwithstanding that he afterwardes regarded it but slenderly Onias the byshop and other priestes did faythfully trauell and labour 2. Mach. 3. to kepe such thinges as widowes and pepylles had deposed and geuen them to kepe Oure Lorde dothe commende the Mat. 25. fidelite of those seruauntes that encreased the thynges delyuered vnto them Paule wyth great faithfulnes procured 2. Cor. 9. the gatherynge of mennes almes to be done for the necessite of the poore in Iewry Paule sent faythfull and effectuous letters to Philemon for his fugitiue seruaunte Onesimus Philip. 1. Certain of the chefe of Asia gaue Paule discrete and faythfull Counsayle Act. 19. desirynge hym that he would not prease nor come into the common hall ¶ Of quietnesse and illustration of the minde Cap. xxvi AFter that Abraham went from Hur of the Chaldees Gen. 12.13.15.18 Our lord apâ—eared sondrye tymes vnto hym and visyted hym wyth dyuers reuelations Gen. 18. Our Lorde appeared vnto AbrahaÌ„ in the plaine of Mambre as he sat in his tent dore in the heat of the daye The whiche maye he expounded of a contemplatiue man Gen. 24. Isaac dwelt in the south countrey and was gone out in his meditations or to pray in the field Gen. 25. Esau became a cunning hunter a tiller of the earth but Iacob was a quiet and a symple man and dwelled in the tentes Gen. 28. Iacob departed from Bersabe to come to Haram and purposynge to reast there in a certaine place because the sonne was downe he tooke of the stones that were in that place and put them vnder his heade and layde hym downe and slept in that same place and he sawe in a dreame a ladder standinge vpon the earth c Moses kept the shepe of Ietro his father in lawe Exo. 3. and he droue the flocke to the back side of the desert and came to the mountaine of god Horeb. And Oure lorde appeared vnto hym in a flame of fire Iethro Moses father in lawe seinge hym occupied from morninge vnto euen in geuinge of iudgement to the people he sayde vnto him Exo. 18. Thou consumest and weriest thy selfe and those that are with the with vayne and vndiscrete labour Be thou vnto the people in those thinges that pertayne vnto god Our lord came doune to the mount Sinay Exo. 19. and called Moses vp to the top of the mountaine and there he reueled vnto hym the iudgementes the commaundemeÌ„tes and the ceremonies the which he should teache the people Our lorde spake vnto Moses face to face as a maÌ„ speaketh vnto his frende And Moses was with oure lorde .40 dayes and fortie nightes and did neither eate bread nor drinke water Oure Lorde spake vnto Moses saying get the vp into this mountayne Deu. 32. and frome thence beholde the lande whiche I geue vnto the chyldren of Israell Samuel did slepe in the temple and oure Lorde calde Samuell
the through hym Eccle. 12 sustain and bear it Out of these forsaide wordes it is open that Paule suffred wonderfull thinges for his neyghboures profits 2. Timo. 2. I suffer saith Paule all thynges for the electes sakes that they mighte also obtayne saluatyon Of thys loke in the title of tribulation for there thou shalt fynde manye thynges as touchyng thys matter It appeareth by S. Ihons wordes that he had greate loue to his neyghboures For his mouthe spake of the haboundance of hys hart when that he so often repeated charitye as it apeareth in hys fyrst Epystle Capit. iii. iiii ¶ Of Enuy. ¶ Capitu. xlii THorow enuy of the deuil Sapi. 2. came death into the world for when he saw that man was in a happy good estate and that he myghte ascend to that he fel from he tempted man and ouercame hym Cain moued wyth enuye slue hys brother Abell Gen. 4. because he sawe that God accepted hys brothers gyftes not hys It is wrytten of Isaac that GOD blessed hym Gen. 26 and that he waxed rych And therfore the Palestines enuyed hym And so it appeareth that prosperity occasyonally doth cause the euyl to hate and to enuy many Rachel that was baren enuied her syster whyche was full of chyldren Gen. 30. Behold howe that enuy spareth not euen those that are nigh of kin Iosephes brethren did most cruelly hate hym Gen. 37. because they sawe that theyr father loued hym more then all his brethren because of his dremes that he rehersed vnto them and note what mischefe came of it When that two men prophecied in the host Nume 11. Iosue as thoughe he enuyed the thing saide master Moses forbyd them And he saide enuyest thou for my sake wold God that all our Lordes people could prophecye Nume 11. and that our Lord would put his spirite vpon them Mary Moses sister Aaron spake agaynste Moses Nume 12â— sayinge oure Lorde hathe not onelye spoken by Moses Hath he not spoken also by vs wherby it appeareth that the enuious spareth nother frend nor kinsman For Moses was theyr brother through hym they hadde receyued greate honoure After that the Philistian was slain the women sange Saule hathe slain hys thousand 1. regu 18. and Dauid hys tenne thousande And Saul was exceading wrothe and the sayinge dyspleased hym And when Achitophell sawe that they did not after hys counsayle but after the counsail of Chusai 2. regu 17. he went home to hys own house and hanged hym self As the children of Iuda after their retourne from Babilon 1. Esd. 4. were buyldynge of our Lordes temple the people that dwelt about them wer very sory therfore and dyuers and manye waies dyd let them Samasbalath and Tobias hearde saye 2. esd. 2 that there was come a manne whyche sought the wealth of the children of Israel and it greued them very sore Daniel did excel al the princes and great estates of the realme Dani. 6. And therfore they sought an occasion to draw him oute of the kynges fauoure and presence Alchinus perceyuynge the loue that was betwixte Iudas Nicanor 2. Mach. 14 came to Demetrius and tolde hym that Nicanor had takeÌ„ straunge matters in hand and had ordeined Iudas the kynges enemye to be the kynges successour When the chefe priestes and Scribes sawe the wonders that our Lorde did Mat. 21. and the children cryinge hosanna to the son of Dauid they dysdained The brother of the prodigal sonne Luke 15. hearinge of the feaste that hys father made for hys youngest brother that was returned home disdained and woulde not go in Enuye was verye farre from Iohn the Baptist. Iohn 3. For when his disciples came vnto him saying that Christ did baptise and all men come to him He answered The frende of the bridegrome Which standeth and heareth him reioyseth greatlye because of the brydegromes voyce Thys my ioye therfore is fulfylled He must increase But I must decrease Some of the Iewes that had seene oure Lorde reuiue Lazarus Iohn 11. wente their wayes to the Pharisees and sayde What do ye wherevpon the hie preastes and the pharises gathered a counsell The hye preastes and pharises euen throughe enuy coÌ„mitted so cruel a deede Mat. 27. as to crucifie oure lorde for Pilate said that he knewe that for enuy the hie priestes had deliuered him that is the sonne of God oure Lorde Iesus Christ. As Peter and Ihon spake vnto the people Act. 4. the priestes and the rulers and the Saduces came vppon them takyng it greuouslye that they taught the people Then the chefe priest rose vp and all they that were wyth him Act. 5. seinge the signes that Peter did they were ful of indignation and enuy and laid hands on the Apostles and put them in the common prison When the Iewes hearde Steuen speake Act. 6.7 theyr hartes claue a sunder they gnashed with their tethe beyng right heauy and sad that they coulde not resist the wisdome and the sprite which spake in him The whole city almost came together to heare the worde of God Act. 13. that Paule and Barnabas preached But when the Iewes saw the people thei were full of indignation and enuye Many of the Thessalonians Iewes and Grekes and not a few of the noble and worshipfull women beleued but the disdainfull enuious Iewes Act. 17. â—â—oued and stirred vp the city against them ¶ Of brotherly reprehention Capi. xliii TO repreheÌ„d or rebuke a neighbour is a work of mercy Gen. 11. And therfore Abraham after he had sworne to Abimelech that he woulde be merciful vnto him by and by there followeth that hee rebuked Abymelech Abraham did charitably gentlye quench a pese the strife that was betwixt his herdmen Gen. 13. and the herdmen of his nephew Lot Lot did swetelye and gentlelye reprehend the Sodomites Gen. 19. notwithstaÌ„ding they listned not vnto him Ruben and Iuda did so temper the fury of theyr brethren Gen. 37. that they slue not Ioseph Moses rebuked him that did wroÌ„ge to the Hebrue very charitably Exo. 2. but he toke it il and spake iniuriouslyeâ— saying Wilt thou kil me as thou kildst the Egiptian Iethro perceiuing that the people taried to be iudged by Moyses sayde It is not well that thou doste Exod. 18. thou shalt vainly and folishly consume thy selfe And note how so notable a man dyd herken ye and folowe the admonition of a Heathen Phinehes the sonne of Eleazar the other messengers Iosu. 32. dyd discretely reproue theyr brethren that buylded an aultare to the shame and rebuke of the chyldren of Israel and they were very glad to doo satisfaction The children of Israell sente messengers thorowe oute all the tribe of Beniamin Iudi. 20. sayinge What wickednesse is this that is happened among you Nowe therfore delyuer vs those men that hath done that
For in nothing was I inferior to the chefe Apostles Paul rebuked the GalathiaÌ„s sharply and feruentlye Gala. 3. because that they after they had receiued the truth and verity of the gospel would return to circumcision and to the obseruations of the law O ye folishe Galathyans saith he who hathe bewitched you that ye shuld not beleue the truth Paule hard say that certain of the Thessalonians walked vnquietlye inordinatly 2. Thess. 3. workinge not at all but beinge curious and busybodyes And therfore he commaunded them to bee rebuked ¶ Of the compassioÌ„ that man shuld haue to his neighbor ¶ Ca. xliiii WHen Abraham hearde that Lot his brothers sonne was taken Gen. 14. he spedely and manly succourd and recouered him Ruben and Iudas wythstode their brethren that woulde haue slaine Ioseph And althoughe they broughte hym not to his father Gen. 37. yet by that menes he was the more gentlelye handled Gedeon hauing pity and compassion vpon those that folowed hym â—udi 8. asked and prepared bread for them Although the childreÌ„ of Beniamin Iudi. 21. had most greuously offended the children of Israell yet because they were destroyed they liftinge vp theyr voyces wept very sore Samuri mourned for Saule notwithstanding he knew that God had reiected and forsakened him 1. regu 15. Dauid hauing compassyoÌ„ on those that wer weary to folow and fyghte 1. regu 30. appoynted that as hys parte is that goeth downe and fyghteth so should hys parte be that tarieth by the stuffe that it might be parted a like Dauid was heauy for the death of Absolon 2. regu 18. although he had greatly offended him But Dauid knewe that in soule he was damned Helias tooke the womans sharpe wordes very gentely 3. regu 17. and hauinge coÌ„passion for the the sorow she tooke for the deathe of her sonne he prayede effectuously When Iezabell had slaine and destroyed the Prophetes of oure Lorde 3. regu 18. Abdias hyd a hundred of them and fed them for a longe season Eliseus had compassion and pittie on the wydow that was bedetted 4. regu 4. and encreased the lytle oyle that she had We should not alonely haue compassion on oure neighbours for the euylles that are presente 4. regu 8. but also for those that are to come And therfore Eliseus lookynge vpon Azael that should do euyl thinges to the children of Israel dyd wepe After that the chyldren of Israell had taken of the people of Iuda two thousande women and chyldren 2. Para. â—8 they spared them and sent them home agayne wel clothed and refresshed Nehemias hearing of the miserable estate of the cytie of Ierusalem 2. Esd. 1.2 wepâ—e many a daye and at the last he founde both counsell and good helpe When Sennacherib reygned whiche hated the children of Israel Tob. 1. Tobias wente dailye throweoute all his kinred and comforted them he fedde the hungry clothed the naked and buried the deade and that deligently Iob had greate compassion vpon hys neyghbours Iob. 19. The whiche sayde The Eare that heareth me shal blesse me for I deliuered the poore when he cried and so did I the fatherles and hym that hadde none to healpe him the blessinge of the pupyl came vppon me and I comforted the wydowes hart When quene Esther hearde of the cruell sentence that was geuen against her people Esth. 7. she tooke the matter no other wise but although she had bene one of them notwithstanding that she being the kinges moste welbeloued spowse was in securite safegard for all that sentence When Iobs three frendes hearde of all the trouble that happened vnto hym Iob. 2. they came to comforte hym but in asmuche as they coulde not vnderstande the cause of his affliction they were afterwardes a burden vnto him Esd. 21. We shoulde not onely haue compassion on the iuste being in affliction and trouble but also vpon the synful and vniuste And therfore Esay saith My loynes for the destruction of Babilon are fylled with sorowe Heuynesse hathe taken holde vppon me as the panges of a woman that is trauaylinge Esaye seinge in sprite the calamite that shoulde come or chaunce vnto his people Esd. 22. sayde Gette ye hence I will wepe and make bitter lamentation Labur not for ye shall not be hable to comforte me because of the destrucction of the doughter of my people A bemelech the morian beinge sory that Ieremye the prophet was caste into the lake or dongyonne where theire was no water butte myre Iere. 38. procured the matter soo wyth the kynge that he was drawene oute After that Baruche hadde wrytten the thretning woordes at the mouth of Ieremy Iere. 45.43 he sayde wo is me for our lorde hathe geuen me sorowe vppon sorowe And yet the people sayde that Baruch had prouoked Ieremye agaynste theym that they myghte be deliuered into the handes of the Caldees When oure lorde had disclosed vnto Ezechiel the synnes that the people had committed Eze. 3.9 and the paynes that they should suffer He was heuy and full of sorowe Kinge Darius knowinge that Daniel was cast into the lake of Lions Dani. 6. euen for very heuynes wente to bed supperlesse neyther was there any meate brought before hym And furtheremoore hys sleape faylded him Onias the preaste was in greate heuynes when he sawe that the temple should be spoyled by Heliodorus 2. Mach. 3. and that suche thinges as was layde there be widowes pupilles shuld be be taken and caried away The noble king Antiochus though he was euen specially euyl 2. mach 4. yet when he hearde that Onias the hye priest was wrongfully put to death beyng moued with mercy it pitied him and he wepte remembring his sobernes and manerly behaueour Oure Lordes disciples came vnto hym Mat. 15. and besought him for the womaÌ„ of Chanane saying Lord send her awaye for she crieth after vs. Oure Lorde against those that wil not haue pyttie of theyr neyghboure mat 18. and forgeue hym from the harte doth induce the parable of the vngratious seruaunte to whome he forgaue a thousande talentes and yet woulde not forgeue hys fellowe an hundred pence And that no man dothe gladly beare with his neyghboure nor hath mercye or compassyon on them is well proued mat 25. because that at the latter iudgement there shal be a speciall disputacion of the workes of mercy And when our Lorde sawe that the wydowe wepte whose sonne was caryed out dead He had compassyon on her Lu. 7. and sayd vnto her wepe not and he reuiued her sonne that was dead Our Lorde was moued with mercye towarde the indigent and nedye people mat 14 For they folowed him on fote in the deserte The Samaritane was moued and had compassion on the wounded Lu. 10 He bounde vp his woundes and poured in oyle and wyne and made prouision for hym and caused hym to haue meate Oure
al the ioy that we ioy for your sakes before God 1. Thes. 5. And he exhorteth them to geue thaÌ„kes for all things Reioyce euer pray continuallye In all thinges geue thankes ¶ Of gratitude for the benefites of man accepted ca. lxiiii AFter that Abraham had smitten and ouercome the foure kinges Gen. 14. and had brought againe and recouered all such substaunce goodes as they had stolne and gotten The king of Sodome came forthe to mete him and offred him al those goodes substaunce the only beastes excepted Where is to be noted that notwythding Abraham refused that was proferd him yet it was his mind that his company should haue part of the praye that was taken not beynge ingrate or vnmyndefull of theyr aid paines taken Laban seyng the Iewels that is the earinges and the bracelets that Abrahams seruaunte had geuen hys syster Rebecca Gen. 24. went oute vnto hym and said come in thou blessed of oure Lord and so he receued hym into hys house wyth great humanity and gentlenesse After that Iacob had serued his vncle Laban many yeares Gen. 29. Laban sayd vnto him Thoughe thou be my brother shuldst thou serue me for nought Pharao the king of Egipt was very kind and thankful vnto Ioseph for the exposition of his dreame Gen. 41. and magnificently he did exalt him Iethro the Priest of Madian was thankfull and kinde vnto Moses Exo. 2. because that he when his Doughters came to water their sheepe defended them he caused hym to be called into dinner and gaue hym hys doughter in marriage Iosue was verye carefull that Rahab the harlot Iosu. 6. whyche hid and saued his messengers should not pearish in Ierico that was destroyed When Gedeon had deliuered Israel from theyr ennemies Iudi. 8. they sayd vnto him Reigne thou ouer vs both thou thy sonne and thy sonnes sonne for thou hast deliuered vs oute of the hand of Madian Ruth 2. And Naomy said coÌ„mending Boom that loked most beningly vppon Ruth blessed be he of our Lord for that fauor grace that he shewed to the lyuing he hath reserued for the dead Because Cineus was good and fauourable vnto the children of Israel 1. regu 15. Saule when he destroyed Amalech dyd spare him Dauid saide to Abiather whose father loued Dauid Abide thou wyth me 1. regu 22. and fear not for if any man seke thy soul he shal seke mine also Dauid sent to the men of Iabes in Galaad 2 regu â— that buried Saule his children and gaue them thankes For the loue that Dauid had to Ionathas Sauls son 1. â—egu 9. he made an inquisition whether there wer any maÌ„ left of the house or kindred of Saule And ordained that Mephiboseth the sonne of Ionathas shuld be a continual gest at his owne table The Quene of Saba brought king Salomon many gyftes 3. regu 10. And he gaue her according to all her desire what soeuer she asked besides that he gaue her of a free wyll wyth hys owne hande Helias had compassyon vppon the widowe that sustained hym 3. regu 17. and so effectuously prayed for her sonne that was departed that hee reuyued hym again Abdias alledged the pleasures and benefites that he hadde done for oure Lordes prophets 3. regu 18. the which he hydde when they were sought for to be put to death And al was for thys intent that he should not send hym wyth no ieoperdous message When Helias shuld ascend into heauen 4. regu 2. he wel and munificently rewarded his disciple Elizeus Elizeus offred most gently the Sunamite his hostesse 4. regu 4. to speake to the kynge for her if she hadde anye businesse wyth hym Agayn he obtaind gat her a chylde and afterwardes being dead reuiued the same Naaman the Syrian being clensed of his leprosy at Elizeus woorde and peticion 4. regu 5. did offer hym giftes saying I pray the take a blessyng of thy seruaunt The Iewes accusers sent an Epystle to kinge Arthaxersâ—s amonge all other thinges containing this 1. Esd. 4. We remeÌ„ber the salt that we did eate in the palace And in as muche as we thought it against all right to see thy losse and hurtes we haue sent c. Yong Tobias rehearsed vnto hys father wyth great gratitude thaÌ„kes the benefites good tournes that he had receiued of Raphael the aungel Tobi. 12. Quene Esther was not vnkynde to Mardocheus her nourisher Esth. 4. Nabuchodonozor the kinge of Babilon hearinge the interpretatyon of hys dreame Dani. 4.5 extold Daniel and gaue hym great giftes Likewise Balthasar honoured hym for the declaration of the scrypture that was wrytten in the wall When Iudas Machabeus hearde that the Scithopolites wer fauorable vnto the Iewes in the time of theyr tribulation 2. mach 12. he thanked them The elders of the Iewes saied vnto our lord Iesus Lu. 7 of the Centurion that prayed him for hys seruaunte He is worthye that thou shuldest do this for hym for hee loueth oure nation and hath built vs a sinagoge Paule did fully recognise the benefites that were done vnto hym Gala. 4 For he sayeth to the Galathians ye receiued me as an Aungel of god would haue plucked oute youre owne eyes and haue geuen them to me I was euen fylled after that I receued of Epaphroditus the thynges which wer sent froÌ„ you with an odure of a swete smel Phil. 4 a sacrifice accepted and pleasant to god Our lord geue mercy vnto the housholde of Onesiforus 2. Timo. 8 for he ofte reâ—reshed me and was not ashamed of my chayne And also for Onesimus philemons seruaunt the which did minister vnto him in prison he writeth to PhilemoÌ„ affectuous letters ¶ Of ingratitude Capitu. lxv Gene. 40 THe chefe butler in the tyme of his prosperite had clene forgotten Ioseph his interpreter Gene. 31 Iacob dyd serue his vncle Laban profytablye and faythfully and he woulde ofte haue deceiued him When the people sawe that it was longe or Moses came downe oute of the mountayne Gene. 32 they sayed vnto Aaron vp make vs goddes to go before vs. Beholde now howe soone they hadde forgotten the benefites receyued of the true and liuinge god The children of Israel lothed in the desert that good meate geuen them Nume 11 from heauen wythoute theyr payne or laboure they wept sayinge who shall geue vs fleshe to eate The Aungel of god did impropriate and cast in the chyldren of Israels teethe the benefites of god exhibited vnto theÌ„ Iudi. 2. because they had broken the couenante and appoyntment and had transgressed the coÌ„maundementes of god Saul receyued many benefites and good turnes of Dauid 1. re 17. and yet he did his best to kyll him Dauid saued the inhabitours of the lande 1. re 23 and yet they woulde haue betraied and deliuered hym into Sauls handes that persecuted him The chyldren of
selfe theame that Iohn the baptyste beganne wyth all Do pennaunce For the kyngedome of heauen is at hande The blessed virgin Mary whyche was so reuerentlye saluted of the Angel and calde the mother of the hyest Luc. 2. waxed not proude there with nor she cald not her self the mother of God but the hande maide of God Nor she sent not for Elizabeth her kinswomaÌ„ but mekely went vnto her And when the Elisabeth replenyshed wyth the holy ghost knew what was done theÌ„ Mary commended the dyuine mercy and power sayinge My soule magnyfâ—eth the Lord Luc. 1. for he hath loked on the humility of hys hande mayden The CeÌ„turion answered mekely faythfully sayinge vnto oure Lorde being minded to go and heale his seruaunte mat 8. Lorde I am not worthy that thou shouldest come vnder my roofe When Peter sawe that he at oure lordes coÌ„maundement had inclosed a greate multytude of fyshes Luc. 5. hee fell downe at his knees sayinge lorde go from me for I am a synfull man Oure Sauioure did forbyd them to publishe his miracles Mat. 8. to learne vs to flie a voide the vice of pride vanity and to grue vs an ensample of humilitye As it appeareth in the leaper which was cleansed And in the two blind meÌ„ that wer restored vnto their sight And again in the deft and dum which were healed And in his transfiguration he said Math. 17. shew the vision to no man When our Lord had said to the womaÌ„ of Canane It is not mete to take the childreÌ„s bread mat 15. to cast it to dogs She answered Truth Lorde for the dogges eat of the crummes whyche fal from their masters table The disciples askinge Christe who is the greatest in heauen Mat. 18. he answered whosoeuer humbleth him self as this childe the same is the greatest in the kingdome of heauen Our Lord induced an ensample or a parable of humble and meke ciuility Luc. 14. saying When thou art bydden to a wedding syt not downe in the hiest roume Then sample which our Lord bringeth in of the proudeâ— Pharisey Luc. 18. the huÌ„ble Publican is very good to auoid pride and to follow and ensue humility The humility of Ihon the Baptist doth diuersly apear Iohn 2. For he did iudge but meanely of him self when that the people perchaunce estemed him to be Christe I am not Christe Also hee spake lowly Iohn 1. I am a voyce crying in the desarte He denied hym selfe to be Christ or a prophet And he was but meanely araide with Camels heereâ— And he chose but a simple a meane habitation Iohn 1. He was in the desart We read that Mary Magdalen did sit most humbly and very oftentimes at Iesus fete Luc. 7.10 and harde the worde of God Peter answered our Lorde mooste humbly Iohn 21. askinge him whether he loued hym more then the other dyscyples and said ye Lord thou knowest that I loue thee We may and ought to take the most notable examples of humility of our sauiour Iohn 7. For he would be conceyued in a despised country that is in Galile Of the which it is wrytteÌ„ Search and looke for oute of Galile aryseth no prophet And Nathanaell wondering said Can there come anye good thing out of Nazareth Iohn 1. Item he was borne of an humble and a meke mother the which said Luc. 1. Luc. 2. he beheld the humility of hys hand mayden And in a small cotage and a low place for she laide him in a maunger And for the space of xxx yere he was in the world in a manner as vnknowne so that there is nothing red of hys doynges but that he when he was xii yere of age Luc. 2. remained at Ierusalem was found in the temple hearynge questionyng determinyng The which thing maketh against those presumptuous persons Luc. ii that take vpon them to hastely the office of a teacher And then he went downe with Mary and Ioseph and was obediente and subiect vnto them Then beyng about a xxx yere of age he came to Ihon Baptist to be baptised of him But he seÌ„t not for him The which thynge maketh sore against those mat 3. that disdayne to go to theyr inferiors Likewyse he chose him lowly and pore disciples wtal humility was conuersaÌ„t among them and taughte them to be meeke humble mat 11. saying learn of me for I am mecke lowly And he cald him self more often the son of man than the son of god although they wer bothe two after the two natures which were in him Yet moste commenly he woulde name hym self after thinferiour and lowest nature He was conuersant with men Ihon. 2. and wold be present at pore mariages where they lacked wyne He went to no costly and riche mariges in the whyche there is mooste commonlye enorme and great excesse And when he knew that they would come and take him vp to make him a king Iohn 6. he fled vp into a mountain Mat. 17. and he paid as a seruaunt or as an aliene the tribute monye Luc. 9. Nor he hadde not wheron to lay his head And going about to castels and villages he went continually a fote so that he beynge weary of his iourny Iohn 4. set on the well and desyred the woman of Canane to geue him drinke And when he came to Ierusalem he had no horse to ride vpon but an asse And departing froÌ„ this world vnto his father mat 21. he lefte a speciall example of humilitye when he washed his disciples fete and wyped them with the towel Ihon. 13. wherwyth he was girded But in hys passyon he most chefely humbled hym selfe euen to death Philip. 2. and not to all kyndes of death but to the death of the Crosse the which kinde of death was mooste shamefulst as it appeareth in all the Gospelles Of this it maye be noted that proud men and such as loue the world are wont to be occupied about vii thinges and to desire the same or specially to glory in thinges obtained the whiche thinges Christe hanginge on the crosse lacked and hadde the contrarye They maye be called these earthly aboundaunce Worldly wisdome Carnal plesure The fame and praise of the people A rought of seruauntes The fall of theyr ennemyes A nomber of frendes But our Lord Christ Iesus vppon the Crosse was most poorest Ihon. 19. for he was spoyled of his garmentes He was taken for a fole and vnwise For the preachinge of the crosse is to them that pearish folishnesse 1. Cor. 1. Item he was diâ—famed and called a deceauer of the people For the hye Pryestes sayd by hym we remember that this deceiuer said c. And beyng vpon the crosse he was wel nie ouercummed inclinynge of hys heade gaue vp the ghost And ther he had no frendes I haue troden the presse
thee Exodi 32. that thou haste brought so great a sin vpon them as though he wold say the prelate should sin greatly against his subiects that would incline to theyr euil wyll and purposes Elye corrected hys sonnes but slenderlye the whyche thynge dyspleased oure Lorde verye sore 1. regu 2. and yet wyth wordes he corrected and reprehended them but he did it but softely and not profitably nor sharply what shall we then say of those that fauour men in mischefe or of those that geue men an occasion of euyll The whole wayt of the battayle tourned vppon Saule and so he fell and was slayne i. regu 31. For Dauids synne that he comitted wheÌ„ he nuÌ„bred his people 2. reg 24. there dyed of the people seuenty thousande men Because Roboam wold ouerpresse and charge his people 3. regu 12. he lost the greatest parte of them Ieroboam gaue an occasion to the people to departe leaue God 3. regum 12. when he made calues of golde and coÌ„maunded the people to adore worship them Subiectes by the occasion of euyll prelates and rulers are at some times temporallye punished 3. regu 18. Wherevpon Helias saied to Achab. Thou troublest al Israel and thy fathers house The kinge of Siria commaunded the captaines of his Charettes 3. reg 22. thus Fight neyther with small nor great saue only against the kyng of Israel And that was only against that most wicked Achab. Manasses made Iuda and the inhabiters of Ierusalem to erre 2. Para. 33. and to do worse then the Heathen whome our Lord destroyed before the chyldren of Israel Esay hathe exprest the synnes and fautes of the euel rulers and prelates that dwelt in Ierusalem esa i. saying Thy princes are wicked and companyons of theues They loue gyftes all together and gape for rewardes And of Nabuchodonozor a verye euel prynce and gouernour esa 14. it is sayd Thou hast wasted thy lande and destroyed thy people Sobna the ruler of the temple beleued that he should lyue long in Ierusalem and when he shoulde dye to be honourably buried But oure Lorde sayde thus vnto hym What hast thou to do here and whome hast thou here And a non after there foloweth I wil dryue the from thy station and dwellynge place Esa. 22. And hee semeth to be of those the whiche sayed a lytle before Let vs eate and drynke for to morow we shal dye Sedechias sayed vnto hys estates that desyred the death of Ieremy Iere. 38. Lo he is in youre handes for the kynge maye denye you nothinge Our Lorde by his prophet Ezechiel speaketh agaynst euyll prophetes and prelates Ezechi 13. Ye ascended not against them neyther made you a wall for the house of Israell that ye maye abyde the better in the daye of our Lord. Our lord most terribly doth threaten euil and naughty prelates by his prophet Ezechiell sayinge Wo be vnto you shepheardes of Israell that fede your selues shoulde not the shepheardes fede the flockes By and by he discryueth the dedes of yll pastors Ye haue eaten vp the mylke Ezech. 34. ye haue clothed you with the woll the best fed haue ye slayne The sicke haue ye not healed the broken haue ye not bound When the head preaste sawe that the Apostles dyd many sygnes and wonders Act. 5. he rose vp and al they that were with him and layed handes on the Apostles and put them into the common prison But the Aungel of oure lorde by nyghte broughte them forthe Then wente the Magistrates with ministers and broughte them agayne And after manye and longe counsailes thei calde the Apostles vnto them beate them and coÌ„maunded that they shoulde not speake in the name of Iesu. The Iewes caughte Steuen and brought him to the counsell and wheÌ„ the chefe preastes hadde obiected and layed many thynges vnto hym Act. 6.7 then sayed they is it euen so When he hadde truly faithfully defended him selfe and sharply reproued them they stoned him to death Certaine menne hauinge a damsel whome Paule delyuered of a spryte whyche Prophesied Act. 16. accused hym in suche wyse and Silas hys companion that they troubled all the cytye The Magistrates and Iudges with out any probation there of coÌ„maunded theÌ„ to be beaten and to be thruste into the hard and inner prison When Paule was broughte into the counsell he beganne to speake resonablye but euen at the fyrst worde that Paule spake Act. 23. the hye preaste coÌ„maunded hym to be smytten Then sayed Paul God shall smyte the thou paynted wall Syttest thou and iudgest mee after the lawe and commaundest me to be smitten contrarye to the lawe Paule had euyll and wycked Iudges Felyx and Festus Act. 25. the whyche would please and gratify the Iewes and therefore Paule was constrayned to appeale ¶ Of ambitious persons Capitu. Ciii MAry and Aaron spake against Moses Nume 12. and sayed hathe not our Lorde spoken also by vs But these wordes semed ambitiously to desyre the leadinge of the people Chore and his company desyringe to come to the gouernaunce of the people condemned Moses and Aaron and accused them sayinge It is sufficient for vs Nume 16. seynge all the multitude is holy and that our lorde is amonge them Why heue ye youre selues vp aboue the congregation and people of oure Lorde Abimelech Gedeons sonne did craftely procure by his mothers frendes that he was chosen kinge Iudi. 9. but yet afterwards it chaunced very vnluckely vnto them bothe The parable that Ionathas propounded how that the olyue vyne and figge tre wold not take the superiority and kingdome vpon them Iudi. 9. and that the fyrre bushe a small and a vile tree presumed to vsurpe the rule there of maye be aptlye ascryued vnto those whiche are ambitious Gad the son of Obed saied wold God this people were vnder my hand Iudi. 9. the I myght take Abimelech out of the way Absolon when meÌ„ came to the king for iudgement 2. regu 15 flatteringlye backbytingly and ambitiouslye sayde Thy wordes and matter seme to me to be good and iust but there is no man deputed of the king to hear the. Oh that I were made iudge in the land 2. re 17.18 But note what chanced vnto him afterwards Adonias the sonne of Hagith exalted him self 3. regum 1. saying I wyl raygne I wyl be king Achias the Selonite saide vnto Ieroboam Raigne according to al that thy soule desireth 3. regu 11. But after that he had obtained the kingdom vpon x. tribes he vsed hym self most wyckedly Zambry perceiuinge that Hela the kyng of Israel hys Lorde was dronken 3. reg 16. smote hym and kylled him And he raign vii daies only after him Athalia the mother of kinge Ochozias saw that her sonne was dead she had such an ambitious and burnyng â—ust to rule 4. reg 11. that she destroyed all the kinges seede Ioas
Mardocheus bowed not hys kne vnto hym Holy Iob was a gentile and as it is sayde hee descended of Esau and yet it is certaine Iob. 30. that he was maruelous noble both in faith and maners The which saide of him selfe I was the brother of dragons and the felow of Estriches Ieremy was wyth the people whithe remayned in Iudea after the destruction of Ierusalem Ier. 43. and he prayed for theym and declared the wyll of oure LORDE vnto them But they sayde vnto hym Thou liest our LORDE hathe not sente thee But Baruche prouoketh the against vs that hee myghte brynge vs into the handes and captiuitye of the Caldees Eze. 2. Our Lord sayd vnto Ezechiel thou sonne of man feare them not for the vnfaythful and prouokers are wyth the and thou dost dwel among Scorpyons Daniel Ananias Azarias and Misael dwelt among the Caldees Idolaters Dani. 3.6.14 the which labourd to induce bring them to Idolatry and to draw them from the worshipping of the very true God Dani. 13. Susanna liued in Babilon mooste chastly wheras the two olde priestes were vnchaste and vntrue iudges It semed that in Antiochus Epiphanis time that the Iewes were translated and brought to the rites and customes of the gentiles 2. Mac. 6.9 But yet there was found Mathathias and his sones Eleazarus and manye moe whyche were stable and stronge in the law of God Our Lord commending the faythe and deuotion of the Centurion Math. 8. sayd I haue not found so great faith in Israel Nicodemus a ruler of the Iewes cam to Iesus by night cōfest plainly Rabbi Iohn 3.19 we know that thou art a teacher come from God And after that our Lorde was crucifyed he came to bury him and brought a C. pound of precious oyntment Ioseph of the citye of Aramathia Mar. 15. a noble counselloure was also the dysciple of Iesu but yet a secreat disciple for feare of the Iewes But laying al feare a syde he went in boldlye vnto Pilate and made a deuoute peticyon askyng of an vndeuout tyraunte the body of Iesu. Gamaliell an honorable doctour of the lawe Act. 5. was a Pharisey and gaue good excellent counsaile to the chefe priestes for the Apostles There was a certayne man in Cesaria called Cornelius Act. 10. a deuout man and one that feared God wyth all hys housholde whiche gaue much almesse to the people prayed God alway ¶ Of the mobility and inconstancy of the people Ca. Cxiiii MOses returning out of the lād of Madian into Egipt told al the wordes of oure Lorde for the whych he had sent him Then foloweth And the people beleued And when they hard that oure Lorde had sanctified the chyldren of Israel they bowed theyr head and worshypped But afterwardes when they wer afflicted by Pharaos task masters Exo. 4.5 they said to Moses and Aaron Our Lorde loke vpon you and iudge which hath made the sauor of vs stink in the eyes of Pharao and in the eies of hys seruauntes and haue put a swearde in theyr hand to slea vs. When that the children of Israel after mani plages of Egypt came out of Egipt enriched armed our lorde going before them shewynge them the way by a cloud and fire Exo. 14.15 they saw the Egiptians folowyng after them and were sore afraid And saide vnto Moses because there were no graues in Egipt haste thou therfore brought vs awaye for to dye in the wildernesse After that they were comforted by Moses when our Lord deuided the sea that they passed ouer dry foted and that Pharaos host was drowned then the people feared oure Lorde and beleued him and hys seruaunt Moses saying we wyl sing vnto the Lord. And sone after commynge to Marath the people murmured because the waters were bytter when they were made swete by castinge in of a lyttle wodde Exo. 15.16 they murmured agayn for lacke of meat and sayde vnto Moses and Aaron would to God we had dyed in the lande of Egypt when we sate by the flesh pots and oure Lorde at the euen tyde sente them quayles and in the mornynge he sente theym Manna After thys when he shuld geue thē the law Exo. 19. they said All that our Lord hath said we wil do And whē Moses had shewed them the wordes and preceptes the whych he had receyued of our Lord Exo. 24. they sayde All the wordes whych our Lord hath sayd wyl we do But when Moses staid long in the mount with our Lorde about the description of the tabernacle Exo. 32. the people gathered them selues together vnto Aaron and said Make vs Gods to go before vs. After that the Tabernacle was reared vp Nume 11. and that the chefe men after that the fighting menne and Leuites were nombred had made theyr oblations and that all thynges were ordayned howe they should go on their iourney the people a non after began to murmur Nume 21. as greaued by muche labour After that the people had hard the spies relation they murmured and wept Nume 14. And sayde one to another Let vs make a captain and retourn vnto Egipt again They hearynge that theyr murmuring dyspleased our LORDE ascended vppe into the Mountayne and against Moses wyll and pleasure did fight and wer ouercomde by their ennemyes Nume 14. Agayne in the sedition of Chore there rose many agaynste Moses and Aaron Nume 16. and when they were most terriblye punished the multitude of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron sayinge ye haue kylled the people of oure Lorde And when oure Lorde hadde by the miracle of Aarons rod caused them to ceasse from their grudginge Nume 17. they sayed Beholde we are wasted away and consumed we all come to noughte who so euer cōmeth nye the dwelling of our Lorde dyeth Forthermore they proceded came to the waters of strife Nume 20. where they chode in suche manner wyth Moses and Aaron that they lykewyse mystrusted the diuine power And therefore oure Lorde punished them After that the people beganne to cōmit whoredome wyth the doughters of Moab Nume 25. whyche called the people vnto the sacryfice of theyr goddes Israell coupled hym selfe vnto Baall Peor And oure Lorde commaunded the heads of the people to bee hanged vp agaynst the sonne When Gedeon hadde delyuerd the chyldren of Israell from the hande of Madian and had slain zebee and Salmana the men of Israell sayed vnto him Iudi. 8. raygne thou ouer vs both thou thy sonne and thy sonnes sonne But after that he was dead hauinge .70 sonnes they went not aboute to take any of them to be their Lorde ruler Samuel the prophet delyuered the people of Israel from the hand of the Philistines 1. reg 7.8 and recouered the cityes whiche they had taken from Israell Afterwards they gathered thē selues together demaunded a king both against our Lords will and
the more vpon earth Of the two harlottes whyche contended and pleated before Salomon 3. rgu 3 shee spake folyshelye and wyckedlye that sayed of the intante Let it bee neyther myne nor thyne but denyde it When Amans wyfe hard the complaynt that her husbaÌ„d made of Mardocheus Esth. 5. she answered and sayed commaunde a loftye galous to bee made that he may be hanged thereon As Iob was sytting vpon the dunghyll and scrapinge of the fylth of his sores with a potshard Iob. 2. hys wyfe sayde vnto him Cursse God and dye But he made her a good and a dyscreate answer sayinge Thou speakest lyke a folyshe woman Shall we receyue prosperitye at the hande of GOD and not receyue aduersitye Our Lord approued not the chyldren of Zebedes mothers peticyon Mat. 20. when she said Graunt that these my two sonnes may sytte the one on the right hand and the other on the left in thy kingdom Peter at the voyce of a maid denied our Lord. mat 26. The woman of Samaria spake manye symple wordes vnto our Lorde Iohn 4. or euer she stumbled vpon the truth ¶ Of the superfluous ornamentes and raimente of wemen Capi. cxxx THamar Iudas doughter in law Gene. 38. beinge mineded to intice her father in lawe that by him she might be conceyued put her widowes garments from her and couered her self with a cloke When the comming of Iehu whiche slue Ioram the kynge of Israell was hearde of 4. regu 9. Iesabell payneted her eyes starched her face and tired her head Iudith dothe testify that her ornamentes and apparell whych she toke deceiued Holofernesse Iudith 16. She putte on the apparell of gladnesse she anoynted her face wyth oyntmentes shee bounde vp her here in an houe to beguile him We read of Esther that when she should come into the king Esth. 2. she requyred no ornamentes as other wemen did And threatninge it is wrytten Esay 3. In that day our Lorde shall take awaye the gorgiousnesse of their apparell spanges chaines partlets Colers Bracelets Houes the goodly floured wide and broydred raiment broches hedbandes ringes garlandes holye day clothes vales kerchers pinnes glasses cipresses bonets and taches Salomon describeth the reprehensible garmentes of an euill woman Prouer. 7. saying I spied a yong fole and there mette hym a woman decked lyke an harlot prepared to intrap the soul of man ful of words wandering hither and thither and vnquiet The wise man not without a cause doth monish vs Eccle. 9. when he saith Turn away thy face from a wel decked and a beautiful woman For such womeÌ„ intice and prouoke men to synne Wemens apparel shall not be outward wyth broydred hear 1. Peter 3. hanging on of gold ether in putting on of gorgyous apparell ¶ Of deathe in generall Cap. Cxxxi THe sentence of God wherwith he said vnto man Gen. 2. In what dai so euer ye shall eate thereof shalt dye the deathe It is playne and euident that man assone as sinne is committed doth die So that the liuing man doth die as it were continuallye As Sainte Augustine sayth in hys fourtene booke of the Citye of God Notwithstanding that men before the floude liued so manye yeares gen 9. yet scripture after the descriptioÌ„ of their liues saith And he died It was no maruaile that oure fore fathers feared to die and desired to be longe liued For they as yet coulde not ascende vp into heauen nor haue the fruition of the deuine vision vntyll the commyng of our sauyour the which opened the gates of heauen And therefore holye Lot was monyshed to saue him self in the mouÌ„taine Gen. 19. He feard to go thether least some misfortune should fal vpon him and that he should die there The wycked also do desire to dye wel Nume 23. I pray God that my soule may die the death of the ryghteous that my last end may be like his said Balaam Althoughe Moses would not obey our Lordes commaundement Deutâ— 24 which woulde he shoulde haue passed ouer Iordan Yet it seemeth that he wold gladly haue lyued longer if it hadde pleased our Lord. For he sayth Our LORDE is angry with me Lo I must die in this land and shal not go ouer Iordan A great part of the rewarde of Moses lawe semed to consist and stande in long lyfe Deute 32. Set your haries vnto al the woordes whyche I testifye vnto you for if ye fulfill and do them ye shal prolong your dayes in the lande whether ye go to coÌ„quere and to possesse it Zebee and Salmana desired rather to be slayne wyth the hand of worthy Gedeon Iudi. 8. then wyth the hande of Iether his yongest sonne Dauyd whych wept for hys childe beynge sycke and dyseased 2. re 12. woulde not weepe for hys chylde which was departed When Helyas sate vnder the Iunyper tree 3. re 19. he desyred for hys soule that he myghte dye And sayde It is nowe ynoughe o LORDE take my soule for I am not better then my fathers Hezechias kyng of Iuda did walk before oure Lord in truthe and was good Yet whan Esaye brought hym word that he should die Esay 38. he prayd our Lord with sorowful teares to proloÌ„g his life for a while Tobias being much prouoked with his wiues answer Tobi. 3.4 tooke it heauilye and with teares began to make hys prayer sayinge O Lorde thou arte righteous commaâ—â—de my spirite to be receiued in peace for more expedient were it for me to die then to liue So when he thoughte hys prayer to be hearde hee called vnto hym hys sonne After that Sara Raguels doughter was iniuried by her maid she praied vnto our Lord Tob. 3. and amonge all other thinges sayde I beseche the o Lorde lose me oute of the bondes of thys rebuke or els take me vtterlye awaye from of the earthe Ieremy praied king Sedechia most humbly that he wold not slaye hym Ieâ—e 38. nor commaund hym to be led agayne to that pryson where he laye before least he die there After the death of the crosse which oure Sauyoure woulde susâ—ayne and suffre Math. 27. he apertlye and manifestly declared that a iust man ought not only to dye but to suffer euen readily anye kynde of deathe for to obey oure Lord. Before the commynge of the holye ghoste math 26 the Apostles feared death exceadingly the which when our Lord was taken lefte hym and fledde from hym But after that they were fortyfyed and had receiued strengthe from aboue they beynge sette before princes and tyrants spake faithfully and chearely Paule feared but little yea he feared not death which saide I am ready not to be bound onlye Act. 21. but also to dye for the name of oure LORDE Iesu. If the Iewes knowe that I haue hurte theym Act. 25. or commytted anye thynge worthy of death I refuse not to die And this is
The ensamples of Uertue and vice gathered oute of holye scripture By Nicolas Hanape patriarch of Ierusalem Uery necessarye for all christen men and women to loke vpon ¶ And Englyshed by Thomas Paynell Anno. 1561. To the moste noble most excellent and mooste vertuous Lady Elizabeth Quene of Englande Fraunce and Irelande defender of the faith c. Thomas Paynel wisheth all felicity ALthough youre gracious life to all mens iudgementes is so cleane and pure that it neade no maner of incitatyon or ensample of vertue to vertuous charitable liuinge yet when I bethought me how corrupt how caduke how bryttle and howe sliding from vertue to vice mans nature is euen from the beginning with how diuers and manifold instigations the concupiscences and lustes of this deceitfull worlde doth embrace and intangle maÌ„ with all and that our aduersary the deuill is moste vigilante and diligente daily to deuoure the soul of manne and to alure him to his waies and tradityons â— Peter 5. I estemed it irreprehensible if I your daily orator shuld at any tyme I say not quicken youre grace for thaâ— were but lost labor but exhort your grace to the continuance of your godly and vertuous liuing and iudged my selâ— vnblameable if I in this tempesâ—ious and blustryng time shuld send your grace as it were an anker or a staffe to stay you by and fermely to stablyshe your grace least that your grace should that God forbid wauer or slide from the Catholike and true faith of God from his true and liuelye worde or from the trace of your charitable and vertuous liuinge For who is sure to stand fast and not to fal Paule saith Let him that standeth take heede he fall not Or who can say I am without syn or my harte is cleane What is more surer then to auoide thys fall than to leane to thinfallible and mighty word of God than to ensue the life of Christ our sauior and redeamer and the ensamples and vndoubted hystories gathered out of holy scripture by me your highnes most hable obedient subiect traÌ„slated for the vtilitye consolation of the vnlearned into english this is doubtlesse a verye profitable colection and the anker staffe that I spake of containing most compendiously the wonderfull miracles the noble historyes the worthy actes the wise sayinges the politike stratagemes the wicked coÌ„spiracies the due obedience faith and fidelitye of a christian with other innumerable and meruelous thynges and the parables of all scripture Rede it therfore most gratious Ladye and take good holde at the godlye ensamples and doctrines there of for in so doing youre grace shall not neade to slide from the faithe of Christe nor yet from the trace of youre godlye and vertuous life but shall stand as Christes souldier against sathan the worlde and the flesh to your eternal felicity and comfort most victoriously For where there is no pain nor battaile there can be no victory nor no triumphe For Sayncte Paule saithe Act. 14. that we throughe muche tribulation and payne must enter into the kingdom of God And again he saithe 2. Cor. 4 that this our tribulation and aduersity which is momentanye and light prepareth an exceadynge and an eternall waight of glory vnto vs yea and that a crowne of righteousnesse is laide vp for all those that suffer tribulation and aduersity 1. Timo. 4. and haue fought a good fyghte and haue kepte their faith the which our Lord that is a righteous iudge shall geue vnto all theym that loue his comming And for as much as this our slidinge life is as it were but a warfare and a continual battail against our ghostly enemi the deuil fight ye must yea and that earnestly and continually euen to the latter end for so your grace shal ouerturne sathan your enemye moste victoriouslye and be crowned with the crowne of eternal ioy and felicity ¶ An exhortation to the study of holy scripture THou shalt shewe thy sonne in that daye saying Deute 12. Thys is that which our Lord did vnto me when I came oute of Egipt And it shall be as a signe vnto thee vpon thine haÌ„d and for a remeÌ„braunce before thine eyes that our Lordes law may be alwayes in thy mouthe For in a strong hand our lord brought thee out of Egipt Ye shall not do that that semeth good in your owne eyes Deute 13. but that I commaund you that do you only vnto our lorde nor thou shalt put nought thereto nor take ought there from Thou shalt read thysâ— lawe before al Israell in their eares Deute 31 Gather the people together men women and chyldren and the stranger that is within thy gates that they may heare and learne and fear our Lord your God And kepe and obserue all the wordes of thys law Let not the boke of this law depart oute of thy mouthe but record therin day and nyghte that thou maist obserue and do according to al that is wrytten therin for then thou shalt make thy waye prosperous and then shalte thou doe wiselye Iosu. 1. Thou shalt not decline from the wordes of thys law neyther to the ryght hand nor to the left that thou maist do al thinge wiselye that thou takest in hand All the wordes of God are pure and clean for he is a shield vnto all them Prouer. 30. that putte theyr trust in him Put thou nothyng vnto hys wordes leaste he reproue thee and thou be found a lier Crye nowe as loud as thou canste leaue not of lyfte vp thy voyce lyke a trompet and shew my people theyr offences Esay 58 and the house of Iacob their sinnes Wo be vnto those folish prophets that followe theyr owne spirite Ezech. 13 and speake where they se nothing Searche the scriptures Iohn 5. for they are they whych testifye of me What so euer thynges are wrytten 1. Mat. 15. they are wrytten for our learning that we thorowe pacyente and comforte of the scriptures might haue hope 2. Timo. 4. Al scripture geuen by inspiration of God is profytable to teache to improue to amende and to instruct in rightwisenes that the man of God maye be perfecte and prepared vnto al good workes ¶ A Table of the Chapiters i. OF miracles shewed by the deuine power of God ii Of Gods prouidence secreate iudgementes iii. Of the benignitye of God toward his seruauntes iiii Of deuine consolation v. Of the benediction and blessing that God geueth vnto manne vi Of the malediction and curse wherwyth God curseth man vii Of the blessing wherwyth man blesseth God viii Of the benediction and blessing wherwith man doth blesse maÌ„ ix Of the malediction and curse wherwith man doth curse maÌ„ x. Of the seuerity of God agaynst the wicked xi Of the anger and fury of God xii That God dothe more regarde the intent of the doer then the worke it self xiiii That God at times doth tempt
oute of a manne in the Iewes Synnagoge Marke i. Luke iiii and of the woman of Cananes doughter that was healed at the instaunce and praier of her mother Math. xv Furthermore it is shewed after the sence of the letter Luke viii that he caste oute seuen deuils out of Marye Marke xvii When that SimoÌ„s mother in law was taken and vexed wyth a greate Feuer Luke 4. he rebuked the Feuer and immediatlye she arose and ministred vnto them Math. viii Mar. i. He healed a manne whyche was let downe thorowe the tilinge of the Palsey Lu. 5. Also as he was eating in the Pharises house on the Sabboth daye Luk. 14 he healed hym that had the dropsy And he erected and made straighte the woman that bowed together Lu. 13 and could in no wise loke vpwardes nor lift vp her heade He caused the man that had a wythered hande mar 3. to stretche forthe hys hande Math. 8. He healed also the Captaines seruaunte that laye sick of the palsy Mar. 7. Item he made the dumme to speake and the deafe to heare Ihon. 4. He healeth the rulers sonne of Capernaum that was euen at the poynt of death Mar. 15. He caused by the only touchinge of the hemme of his garmente the issue of bloud to cease and to be stopped in the woman Mar. 4. Our Lorde being a sleepe there arose a greate tempest or storme in the sâ—a he rebuked the windes and eftsones the winde and the Sea obeyed hym math 14. He walked on the sea his disciples wondering there at and he made Peter to walcke on the water and stretching forth his hand he saued Peter that began to sinke Mar. 9. He shewed a faire miracle to those three Discyples in hys Transfyguration mar 6. He satisfied with v. loues and two fishes fiue thousande men and they toke vp xii baskets At another time and season he refreshed with seuen loues and a fewe litle fishes â—oure thousand men Math. 15 and they toke vp vii baskets full He cursed the Figge tree hauynge leaues only without frute Math. 21 and incoÌ„tinently it withered away Gently he restored the princes seruaunte his eare that Peter smote of Math. 26. and checked Peter for the same When that oure sauiour was hanging vpon the Crosse from the syxte houre to the ninthe houre Luke 23. there was darknesse ouer all the earth the none being on the contrary part of the skye so that the Sunne coulde in no wyse suffer any Eclipse by that mone math 27. And the vaile of the temple did rente and the graues did open At the resurrection and vprising of our Lord math 28. there was a greate earthquake for the aungell of oure Lorde descended from heaueÌ„ and came and rouled backe the stone c. and for fear the kepers were astonied After this he appeared to his disciples Ihon. 20. the dores being shut Ihon. 21. Afterward did Iesus shew him self agayn at the Sea of Tiberias wher at his Commaundemente they caste oute theyr nette and it was fylde wyth greate Fyshes a hundred and liii yet was not the net broken And xl daies after his resurrection appearinge vnto hys Disciples and rebukinge and instructynge theym Actes 1. while they beheld and maruailed he was taken vp an hie and a cloud receiued him vp out of their sight These forsaide myracles are spokeÌ„ of in speciall Manye other were done as we read in general As it appeareth in dyuers places of Mathewe Ihon. 21. Marke and Luke And Ihon saythe That there are many other thinges whiche Iesus did the whyche if they shuld be wrytten I suppose the worlde coulde not containe the bookes that should be wrytten Actâ—s 2. It was no small miracle of the effusion of the holy sprite vpon the disciples at Pentecost where with the disciples were fortified made stedfast and illuminated Peter beholdynge a lame man at the gate of the Temple Actes 3 whyche was called beautifull sayde In the name of Iesus rise vp and walke and takinge him by the right hand he lifte him vp and his fete and ancle bones recouered strengthe The chiefe prieste Actes 5 and al they that were wyth hym layde handes on the Apostles and putte them in the common Prysonne But the Aungell of oure Lorde by nyghte opened the pryson dores and brought them forthe They broughte the sycke into the streates Actes 5 and layed them on Beddes and cowches that at the least waye the shadowe of Peter when he came by myghte shaddowe some of them There came also a multytude oute of the cities round about and they were all healed When Phillip preached at Samaria Act. 8. vncleane sprites crying with loude voices came out of many and many taken with Palsies and manye that halted were healed Actes 9. Peter healed one Eneas which had kept his bed of the palsey viii yeres He said vnto him Eneas our Lorde Iesu shall make thee whole Actes 9. Peter put all other forth and kneling downe he prayed and turninge him to the body he said Tabitha arise and she opened her eies and wheÌ„ she saw Peter she sate vp Actes 9. This was a maruelous dede that as Saule was going to Damasco to take Christes disciples there shyned round aboute him a lighte from heauen and he fel to the earth Inwardly he was illuminated and outwardly he was blineded Actes 12. Peter being in prison bound with two chaines and kept most diligentlye with iiii quaternions of Souldiours was losed and brought forth by the Angell of God and the yron gate opened to theÌ„ by the owne accord Actes 13. Paule did depriue Elimas the sorcerer and false prophet of his syghte because he sought to turne Paule the Proconsul and ruler from the faithe and resysted agaynste the Apostels A certaine damsell possessed with a spirite that prophecied broughte her master and mistres muche vauntage with prophecying The same folowed Paul and Luke Actes 16. and cryed saying These men are the seruauntes of the most hie God But Paule said to the spirit I commaund thee in the name of Iesu that thou come oute of her and he came out the same hour Paule and Silas were in pryson and prayed Actes 16. and lauded God And sodenly there was a great earthquake so that the foundation of the prysone was shaken and immediately all the dores opened and euerye mannes bandes were losed God wrought no smal miracles by the handes of Paule so that from his bodye were broughte vnto the sycke Actes 19. napkins and partlettes and the diseases departed from them and the euel sprites went out of them Certaine Iewes toke vpon them to â—al ouer them Actes 19. which had euel sprites â—he name of our Lord Iesus saying we adiure you by Iesu whom Paule preacheth And the euell sprite aunswered and said Iesus I knowe and Paule I know but who are
ye the man in whom the euil sprite was ran on them and preuailed against them so that they fledde awaye naked and wounded And vpon one of the sabboth daies Paule preached and continued the preachinge vnto midnight Actes 20. And ther satte in a windowe a certaine yonge manne beinge fallen into a deade sleepe And ouercome wyth sleape he fell downe from the thyrde lofte and was taken vp dead But when Paul went downe he fell on hym and embrased him And they broughte the yonge man a liue and were not a lytle comforted And in the Winter when Paule and his fellowes were scaped oute of the broken ship Actes 28. and were warminge them at the fire There came a viper oute of the heate and caught hym by the hande he shoke the viper into the â—ire and felt no harme How be it the menne of that countrye loked and beleued that he shoulde haue fallen down dead sodenly Paule by prayer and by laying his handes on the father of Publius Actes 28. deliuered him of a feuer and of a bloudye â—lixe So when this was done other also which had diseases in the I le came and were healed ¶ Of Goddes prouidence and secreat iudgementes ¶ The second Chapter OUr Lord knewe that man wold sinne Genes 1. yet he made him inclining there vnto when that he might haue made him wythoute anye suche inclinatyon or promptnesse to sinne at all But he knew how great profite and goodnesse should ensue begotten by the occasion of his fall Iacobs soÌ„nes did decre and purpose to extinguishe Ioseph theyr brother Genesis 27 but yet God disposinge the thinge otherwise they exaulted him farre aboue them selues Iacob wheÌ„ he blessed Iosephs children Ioseph wandering and beynge ignoraunt of the cause laid his right hand on Ephraims hed Genesis 48 and hys left hand vpon Manasses Exod. â— 3 After that Moises had smitten and slaine the Egiptian and by the way of rebultinge of a Iewe had offended him he fled from the face of Pharaâ—e and as a banished man dwelt manye yeares in the countrye of Madian so that it was thought that he durst appeare no more in the land of Egipte and yet by keping there his father in lawes shepe he had a more greater occasion to serue God and sawe that greate vision and was sente by God to the children of Israell and to Pharao Exod. 5.6 Our Lord knew ful wel that Pharao would not obey his commaundementes and yet he caused him to bee required and spoken to by Moyses Exod. â— Our Lord or euer he would bringe the children of Israel out of Egipte permitted and suffred them a longe time ofteÌ„ to be afflicted punished Pharaos wise menne and his enchaunters did throughe Gods sufferaunce Exod. 7 as great signes as touching certaine of them in Egypte as Moyses did Our Lord dothe permit and suffer the reproued to be indurate Exod. 9 and hys elected to be afflicted thereby to do that is wonderfull and to bee the better knowen and praised Our Lorde did oftentimes promise the children of Israel Nume xiiâ—â— a country that floweth with milke and honye and yet but two of them Saleph and Iosue of twenty yeres of age came thyther the reast came not thyther but their children only Moses the which did so often times reconcyle the synnefull people vnto oure Lorde did once sinne at the water of strife Nume 20 nor he obtained not for him selfe to enter the lande of promission In that that the children of Israell for their iniquity remained more theÌ„ xl yeres in the desert Oure Lorde was thereby greatlye magnified Deute 29. the which did feede them there so longe and kept their raimeÌ„t from wearing and at the last did woÌ„derfully bring them into the lande of promesse Of the people that did inhabite the lande of promesse Iosu. xi thys was our Lordes commaundemente and sentence that theyr hartes should be hardened and that they shoulde come agaynste Israell in battaile and vtterlye to be destroyed and that no mercy shoulde bee shewed them but that they shuld pearish and be brought to nought After that Gedeon hadde obtayned and wonne so maruelous a vyctorye of hys ennemyes Iudi. 8. and hadde refused to raigne ouer the people he made an Ephod the which dede was the decaye and ruine of him selfe and his housholde Oure Lorde was greued with the children of Israell for their iniquitye and wickednesse Iudi. 10. and said vnto them I wyll healpe you no more goe and crye vnto the Goddes which ye haue chosen And they saide vnto oure Lorde We haue sinned Then there foloweth that our Lorde had piâ—ye on theyr misery Sampson Iudi. 16 the aungell bryngynge the message was conceiued of his mother the whyche was barren And afterwardes he was often times deceyued by women and at the laste hee was destroyed by the ruine and fal of a house The children of Israel by the counsaile and will of oure Lorde Iudi. 20 foughte twise with the children of Beniamin and were ouercome but afterwardes they vtterly in a maner destroid them Our Lord suffred the Arke to be taken of the vncircumcised 1. regum 6. where hee shewed many miracles And when it was reduced brought home agayne the meÌ„ of Bethsames receiued it ioyfully and yet our Lord siue 70. of the Princes 5000. of the coÌ„men people Among al the people ther was none better then Saule 1. regum 15 when oure Lorde chose him yet afterwardes he synned and our Lord refused him Dauid was the least among al his brethren 1. regum 16 and as it wer of no reputatyon amonge theÌ„ So that when I sais children were called for this Dauid was neglected and contempned and yet our Lord gouerned all the people by him and for his cause extolled all his progeny and kindred 1. regum 28 This is much to be maruailed at that Samuel the prophet was called vp by a sorcerer Sainte Augustyne saithe in his boke de doctrina christiana that it was the similitude Image of Samuel but not the Prophet hym self nor yet his spirite for he appeared by the sacrilegious art and crafte of the deuil It is to be noted how expresly oure Lord spake vnto Nathan of the goodnes of Dauid and Salomon his sone â— regum 7. the which should build the temple yet bothe they fell into iniquitye and sinne most shamefully When Dauid should die he made a maruelous ordinaunce 3. regum 2. but for as muche as the scripture dothe so commend him it is to be supposed notwithstanding he was partlye cruell that yet he did it not without a iust a reasonable cause Our Lord gaue Salomon so great prosperity and peace 3. regum 11. that sathaÌ„ was not against him and he gaue him wisdome aboue all other kinges and yet at length our Lord suffered him to be in satuated
he cured the olde Toby of his blindenesse and replenished his house wyth all goodnesse Oure Lorde semed as it were to be afraide to offend Ieremye when that he did vtterly purpose to destroye the people for theyr sinnes Iere. 7. for he sayde I shall thrust you oute of my syghte Therfore thou shalt not pray for this people thou shalt nether geue thaÌ„kes nor prayer for them nor thou shalt not let me nor make no intercessyon to me for them For in no wise wyl I heare thee This thing is plain and manifest that GOD is with his seruauntes in their tribulation Daniell 3. For Nabuchodonosor sawe one in the burnynge fornace with Azaria and his fellowes like the sonne of God When Daniell was in the Lyons den at Babilon Daniel 5. Daniel 14. Our Lord sente him his dinner from a far of that is from Iewry by the prophet Abacucke Daniell 13. Our Lord hard the voyce of Susanna because she was vniustly condemned by thold and vnchast elders likewise by the iust iudgement of a continent and a chast childe she was delyuered Our Lord prepared a great fishe to swallow vp Ionas Ionas 2. the which semed yet for his disobedience iustly to haue deserued pain and punishment Machabeus and they that wer with him fightinge against Timothe 2. Mach. 10 had manifestlye healpe from heauen for there appeared fiue men vpon horsebackes with bridels of golde c. And afterwardes in a nother place 2. macha 11 they goynge to battaile against Lystas there appeared before them vpon horsebacke a man in white clothynge wyth harnesse of gold shakynge hys speare There was a greate benignitye in oure Sauioure Math. 4. For he wente aboute healynge all manner of Sickenesse and all manner of dyseases For if he had not so don many sick persons could not haue come vnto him Oure Lord answered the Leaper that sayde vnto him LORDE if thou wilte Math. 8. thou mayste and canste make me cleane verye meekelye and gently for Iesus puttinge forthe hys handes touched him saying I wyll be thou cleane But the Priestes abhord all suche men Oure Lord incontinent after Mathewes vocation dynde in hys house with him Math. 9. After that oure LORDE was departed and gone into the desarte math 14. he sawe muche people and was moued wyth mercye towarde them and he healed of them those that wer sick And when the euen drew on his disciples saide vnto him let the people departe Iesus as one moste liberall sayde vnto them Geue ye theym to eate When Peter begaÌ„ to sincke he cried saying Math. 14. Lord saue me And immediatlye Iesus stretchynge forthe hys hand caughte him Oure LORDE did gentlye defende Marye Magdalen agaynste the pharisy that thought euil by her Luke 7. and agaynste her owne Sister complaininge of her Mar. 14. yea and agaynste hys Disciples that for the effusyon of the oyntment Luke 10. fumed against her The vnspeakeable goodnes of god is muche declared in the example of the prodigal sonne where it is written But when he was yet a great way of Luke 15. hys father sawe hym and moued wyth compassion ranne and fell on his necke and kissed him He desyred to be one of hys hired seruauntes but yet his father interruptinge his communication receyued hym as hys sonne This was a meruelous benignity and gentelnesse of Christe Luke 19. when that he inuited and badde hym selfe to the Publicans house the whych was desirous to see him and also he blessed the same When our LORDE hadde indistinctlye spoken these wordes Ihon. 13. One of you shall betray me It followeth when Ihon leaned on Iesus breaste he sayde LORDE who is it Lo what a benignitye and familiarity was this Actes 2 Our sauioure promised his Disciples being heauye that he shoulde depart from them that his father shuld sende them a nother comfortoure the whyche thynge was well fulfilled at Whitsontide when that the holy spirite did so mightely strengthen comfort illuminate and teach them Ihon. 18. The bishops ministers commynge to take our Lord he said vnto them if ye seke me let these go theyr waye For he knew ful wel that they were not ready to suffer martirdome And therfore mekely condesceÌ„ding to their infirmity he would that they shoulde spare them Ihon. 23. The thefe desired our Lorde to remember him when hee came to hys kingdome But our LORDE dyd graunt him more then he demanded saying To day shalt thou be with me in paradise Luke 22 This was the great mekenesse and gentlenesse of Christe the which refused nor Peter that denied him thrise but beningly beheld him nor he lefte not Thomas in his doutfulnesse Ihon. 20 but did exhibite him selfe manifestly to be touched And he made Paule blinde Actes 9 folowing the act of his persecution He cast him to the earth called him and conuerted him Steuen when they stoned him Actes 7 saw oure Lorde standinge in heauen as though he had bene ready strongly to haue defended him Our Lord shewed great gentlenes to blessed S. Ihon Apoca. 1. being banyshed in to the yle of Pathmos when he appeared and sent his angel vnto hym the which with diuers reuelatioÌ„s did comfort hym ¶ Of deuine consolation ¶ The fourth chapter AFter that Abraham at the commaundement of God Gen. 12.15 went oute of his country Oure Lorde dyd comfort him wyth apparitions and reuelations Genesis 18 Iacob flyinge from the face of hys brother and sleaping vppon a stone our Lord appeared and repleanished him with great consolation Exod. 3. Oure Lorde appeared to Moses beinge exiled and kepinge sheepe the whiche thinge for the time that he was in Pharos house chaunced not vnto him Exodus 16 It rained Manna from heauen in desert to the children of Israell yea often he gaue theÌ„ miraculously fleshe and water Exodus 34 Moses beynge in the mounte For the space of fortye dayes and fortye nyghtes dyd nether eat nor dryncke but was refreshed wyth the deuyne word of God Iosu. 1. Our Lorde saide vnto Iosua be of good chear and strong for I wyll not faile thee nor forsake thee 3. regum 17 Oure Lorde commaunded the raâ—ens twise a day to bear Elias bread and flesh Afterwardes oure Lorde appeared to Elias flying from Iezabell iii. Reg. xix whose Prophettes he hadde caused to bee slaine Our Lorde did comforte kinge Hezechias effectuously 4. regum 19 both by his prophet and by his aungell the whyche smote and slue in the host of the Assiri ans an 185000. Euen at the selfe same time Saras and Tobias prayers were hard To. 3.8.11 and the angell of our Lord was sente to cure and deliuer them both that is Sara from the Deuyl that had slaine her husbandes and the elder Tobias from pouerty and blindnesse Oure Lorde vouchsafed wonderfullye to comforte his people of Israell by the
hande of one woman Iudi. 14. the whiche were in anguishe and fear of Holofernes hoast Our Lorde tourned the Iewes sorowe into ioye and gladnesse Esth. 9 when that they by Hesters procuremente slewe theyr ennemyes that were prepared to oppresse and to Murther them This thinge is notable that when the people of Israel in the time of the captiuity of Babilon were in greate affliction that they had euen than mo Prophets than in Salomons tyme whan he was in his most prosperity For Ieremy was in Iewry Ezechiel and Daniel in Chaldea Dani. 3. The Aungell of oure Lorde came downe with Azaria and his fellowes into the Ouen and smote the flame of fire out of the Ouen and made in the middest of the ouen as it had bene a cold winde blowing so that the fire neither touched them greued theym nor dyd them hurte Whereby it appeareth that the deuine pity is in euery place and ready at all times to cōfort man Dani. 6. Our Lord hath twise comforted Daniell that was put into the denne of Lions Fyrst by sending of his angel whiche shut vp the Lions mouthes Secondarily by the prophet Abacuck Dani. 14. the whiche was transported and conueyed with meat oute of Iewrye into Calde by Gods angel Our Lord by his seruaunt Daniell did sodenly deliuer Susanna whyche was calumniously and falsely condēned Daniell 13. Iudas Machabeus and they that were with him perceiuinge that aide was sente them from God 2. macha 1◠blessed the merciful Lord and toke theyr hartes againe vnto them Our Lord did well fulfill his promise made vnto his Apostles Actes 2. sayinge vnto them that he would send them a comforter when he sent them the holy spirite that instructed them comforted them and fortified them so aboundauntly Paule was happye and fortunate in this life 2. Corin. 1. which said withoute anye feare as the afflictions of Christe are plenteous in vs euen so is our consolation plenteous by Christ. The churche had reast and peace Actes 9 and was edified walking in the feare of oure Lorde and was repleanished with the comfort of the holy ghoste Our Lord sent his angel to Peter that was bound in Herodes prisone Actes 12. which deliuered him oute of Herodes and the Iewes handes As Paule and Silas were praying and lauding God in prison Actes 16. sodenlye ther was a great earthquake And the dores opened and euery mans bands were losed Our Lorde spake thus to Paule in the nighte by a vision Actes 18. preachynge at Corinth Be not afraide but speake for I am with thee Paule being in Claudius the Tribunus hold Actes 23. Our Lorde stode by hym in the nighte and saide be constante Paule for as thou haste testified of me in Ierusalem so must thou bear witnesse also at Rome Paule hauinge in will to comforte those that were with him in the shyp Actes 27. sayde There stode by me thys nyghte the aungell of God sayinge feare not Paule Thou must be brought before Cesar. And lo God hath geuen the al that saile with the. Ihon the Apostle beinge relegated and exiled into the Isle of Pathmos Apoca. 1. was manye and diuers tymes comforted wyth deuine and Godlye consolation ¶ Of the benediction and blessing that God geueth vnto man ¶ The .v. chapter GOd created man in his own Image and likenesse Genes 1. male and female created he them And God blessed them and said Grow and increase and repleanish the earth And God blessed Noe Genesis 9. hys sonnes and said vnto them bryng you forthe frute c. The feare of you and the dread shall be vpon euery beast of the earth c. Our Lord said vnto Abram Genesis 12. get the oute of thy countrye and I will blesse thee and make thy name greate that thou maist be euen a blessing And as concerning Ismaell Gene. 17 I haue hearde thee saithe oure LORDE vnto Abraham Loe I wyll blesse him and make him to encrease wil multiply him excedingly Gene. 26 Oure Lorde blessed Isaac and the man encreased in richesse and wente forth and grew Iacob speaking vnto our Lorde and his vncle Gene. 30 said It was but little that thou haddest before I came to the and thou art enriched and our Lord hath blessed thee for my sake Iacob wrestling with the angell in his oration said Genesis 32 I wil not let thee go except thou blesse me And it followeth he blessed hym in the selfe same place Our Lorde blessed the Egiptyans house for Iosephes sake Genesis 39 and the blessing of God was vpon al that he had in the house and in the field 2. regum 6 The Arke of our Lorde continued in the house of Obethedom the Ecthite thre monethes our Lord blessed Obethedom and all his houshold Thou hast blessed the workes of his handes Iob. 1. and his possession is increased in the land Iob. 4. Our Lord blessed and encresed Iob more at the latter end then at the beginning Christ ascendinge vp to heauen led his disciples to Bethany Luke 24 and lifting vp his handes he blessed them That blessing is to be desired that our Lorde shall geue to his elected in the latter day when he shal say Math. 2◠come ye blessed of my father ¶ Of the maledictyon and curse wherwith god doth curse man ¶ The .vi. Chapter WE read that the serpente was fyrst cursed of God Gene. 3 Thou arte cursed aboue all cattell and aboue euery beast of the earthe vpon thy belly shalt thou go c. And to the trauall and pain of mā it is said Genes 3. Cursed is the ground in thy worke or for thy sake And Ieremias lameniynge the destruction of Ierusalem sayde Oure Lord hath forsaken his owne aultar and cursed and abhorred hys owne sanctuary Daniel in his oration said the curse is poured vppon vs. Dani. 9. And note that cursinges are saide to be poured vpon the sinnefull and blessing to redound vppon the iust His blessing seeth the wise manne Eccle. 19. shall runne ouer as the streame Our Lord speaking by Malachy the prophet to euel priestes Mala. 2. saithr I wyll curse your blessinges And the figge tree hauing no frute but leaues onlye mat 21. was cursed of oure Lord and incontinent it wythered Math. 25. The curse that in the day of iudgement shal be pronounced agaynste the wicked shal be very terrible and fearful Departe from me ye cursed into euerlastinge fire ¶ Of the blessing wherewith man blesseth God ¶ The .vii. Chapter MElchisedech king of Salem meting with Abraham Genesis 14 returninge from the slaughter said Blessed be the highe GOD by whose aid and defēce thou haste thine enemies in thy handes When Sisera was ouerthrowen Delbora and Barak sange Iudi. 5 sayinge Ye that so willinglye put your liues in pearel ieopardy for Israell
shewed to the liuing he reserueth for the dead Boom did commend Ruth that fled to the GOD of Israell ruth 3. and sayde Blessed arte thou in oure Lorde for thou hast shewed more goodnesse and mercy in the latter end than at the beginning Hely blessed Elkana and his wife and saide vnto him 1. regum 2. Oure Lorde geue the seede of this woman for that she hath lent our Lord or for the peticion that she hath made vnto the Lorde The Ziphites sēt word vnto Saul 1. regum 23 that Dauid lurked in theyr countrey And Saule said Blessed are ye in our Lord for ye haue compassyon on me It was told Dauid that they of Iabes had buried Saule 2. regum 2. and hee sayde vnto them Blessed are ye vnto oure Lord that ye haue shewed such kindnesse vnto your Lord Saul and haue buried him King Salomon turnes his face 3. regum 8. and blessed al the congregation of Israel and all the Congregation of Israell stode still When Dauid had made an ende of the burnt offeringes 1. Para. 16◠and peace offeringes he blessed the people in the name of our Lord. And he dealte to all Israell bothe man and woman a craknell of bread and a good peece of fleshe and a flacket of wyne Raguel takyng the right hande of hys daughter Tob. 7. gaue her into the right hand of Tobias saying The God of Abraham the God of Isaac and the God of Iacob be with you Ioyne you together and fulfyll hys blessynge in you He kyssed Tobye and wepynge toke hym aboute the necke and sayd Tob. 9. Gods blessinge haue thou my sonne for thou arte the sonne of a good vertuous man Gabelus goyng into the house found Tobi he wepte and sayde the god of Israel blesse the for thou art the sonne of a ryghte vertuous and iuste man and of one that feareth god Osias the chefe ruler of the people of Israel sayd vnto Iudith blessed art thou of Our lorde the hye god Iudi. 13. aboue all wemen vpon earth And afterwardes all the elders began to prayse her wyth one voyce Iudit 15 sayinge Thou worshyp of Ierusalem thou ioye of Israell c. And it fortuned that when Elizabeth heard the salutacion of Mary LuK. 1. she cryed with a loude voyce and sayde Blessed art thou amonge wemen c. ¶ Of the malediction and cursse wherwith man dothe cursse man ca. ix IT is red that Noah amonge all other menne was the fyrst that cursed Chanaan his nephew Gen. 9. because that C ham hys father disclosed the nakednesse of Noah to the reste of his brethren when that he should rather haue kept it close Amonge the wordes of benediction that Isaac gaue to Iacob hys sonne Gen. 27. He sayd Cursed be he that curseth thee and blessed be he that blesseth thee Iacob sayd vnto Simon and Leuis father Gen. 49. cursed be their wrathe For it was shamelesse their indignation and fearcenesse for it was harde and cruell Balac sente messengers vnto Balaam Nume 22. that he should come curse the people of Israel Nume 22. for he had heard him to be acursed vpon whom maledictiō or curse fell or chaunced Who so curseth hys father or his mother Leui. 20 let him dye Moyses writeth and setteth for the Deu. 27. manye maledictions curses agaynst those that transgresse goddes cōmaundementes deliuered vnto them The Citie of Hiericho beynge destroyde Iosua sware Iosu. 6. saying cursed be the mā before our lord that riseth vp and buildeth this cyte Hiericho The Sickemites when they were eating and drinckinge and mery Iudi. 49. dyd curse Abimelech Goliah the philistine cursed Dauid in the name of his goddes 1. reg 17. Saule purposinge to ensue and folowe the philistines 1. regu 14 charged the people with an oth saying Cursed be the man that eateth anye foode tyl night vntil I be auenged of mine enemies Semei came out cursing he caste stones at Dauid 2. reg 16. sayd come forthe thou bloudsheder and thou man of Belial Eliseus cursed the chyldren that mocked him 4. reg 2. saying go vp thou balde head go vp thou bald head And there were torne in peeces with .ii. beares .xlii. chyldren When Machabeus layde sege to a certen holde named Gazer 2. mach 10. they that were within curste and bande excedingly And made great craking with wycked wordes The Pharisees berated and cursed him that was borne blynd whom our Lord Iesus dyd illuminate Iohn 9. And they sayd Be thou his disciple The Iewes reproued Paule saying Reuilest and cursest thou goddes hye Priest Actes 23. But Paule excused hym selfe and sayd I wyste not brethren that he was the hie priest and gouernoure ¶ Of the seuerite of god against the wicked ca. x. GOd punished the sinne of our first parentes greuously Gen. 23. the whiche as they beleued was veniall that it shuld not haue ben punished so extremely God spared not the original world but welnye destroyed it wholye with water Gen. 7. The .v. cities were consumed with stinkinge fyre be the angels sent from god Gen. 19. for bogery The Egiptians perceyued that the chyldren of Israel were drowned and sanke as leade Exo. 14.15 god cōmaundinge the same in the mightie waters Because Amalech people did let the children of Israel goinge to the lande of promise Exo. 17. Oure lorde sayd to Moses I will vtterly put out the remēbraūce of Amalech from vnder heuen For the calfe sake that the people worshipped Exo. 32. there fell in one daye aboute 3000. men There went a fyre oute from oure lorde and consumed Nadab and Abihu Leui. 10. the sonnes of Aaron because they tooke eyther of them his censor and putte straunge fyre therin and cens thereupon And offered it before oure Lorde Oure Lorde cōmaunded the cursed Leui. 24. speaker to be broughte wythoute the hoste and let all the multitude stone hym And while the fleshe that our lorde sent Nume 11. the children of Israell beholding and seing the same was yet betwene theyr tethe Our Lord smote the people with an exceading great plague Our Lorde plaged Marye with the Leper Nume 12. because she spake against Moses Of 600. thousand men the whiche were nombred shall none come into the land of promise and that for their sinnefull dealinge Nume 14 saue Caleb and Iosue as our Lorde did threaten them He that was found gatherynge of stickes vpon the Sabboth daye Nume 15. was stoned to deathe by Gods commaundement Our Lord consumed Chorath Dathan and Abiram Nume 16 wyth a terryble deathe Oure Lorde punished Moses greuouslye at the water of strife Nume 20. because he doubted and yet vntil then he had born him self very holily faithfully as wel vnto God as to man Our Lord sent fiery serpentes amonge the people Nume 21. because they
were fainte and weary of their iourny and laboure And they said wherfore hast thou brought vs out of Egipt Acham the sonne of Charmi pearished with all that euer he had Iosu. 7. because he tooke of the excommunycate thinges of Iericho For the crime committed agaynste the Leuites wife Iudi. 20. the whole trybe of Beniamin excepte sixe hundreth men pearished by Goddes Commaundemente Hely corrected hys Children that hadde trespassed but meanelye 1. regum 2. and therefore he was punyshed for them and wyth theym What shal we then saye of those that do not correct their children but intice them to euil both by word and dede 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For as muche as Saule dyd offer burnt at sacrifice contrary vnto Samuels commaundemente he was reproued And likewise because he reserued kynge Agag 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Amalech and hys shepe and oxen For Saules offences they of hys owne house and familye were punyshed euen after his deathe 2. regu 21. and because of them there fell a great hunger in the land As Dauid was bringing our Lordes Arke vppon a carte 2. regum 6. Oza put hys hand to the Arke and helde it 1. para 13. for the Oxen beinge a litle wilde stombled and our Lord smote him for his fault and ther he died For the elation and pride of Dauid causynge hys people to be nombred 2. regu 24. there dyed two and seuenty thousand men The manne of GOD that came out of Iewrye 3. reg 13. and declared vnto Ieroboas the successe of the office of hys priestes was slaine with a Lion because that he contrary to Gods commaundemente did eate breade in the house of a certen prophet There were two and forty children deuoured of two beares 4. reg 2. because they mocked Elizeus saying Go vp thou bald head If Echezis sinne be so greuouslye punished 4. reg 45. because he tooke giftes and rewardes of Naaman geuen him with good will what shall be said of those that eract many thynges fradulently or extort them violentlye Ozia king of Iewry tooke the censar and woulde haue burnt insence like as the priestes were wont to do â— para 20. and by and by the leprosy sprange in his forehead For as muche as Ezechias shewed the messengers of the kinge of Babilon al his treasures 4. reg 20. he lost them and yet they came out of farre countries and as it semed they should haue ben muche made of ioyfullye receiued Our Lorde deliuered his peculiare and well beloued people into Nabuâ—hodonosors handes 4. reg â—0 the whiche dyd captiâ—ate the people most cruelli burnt the holy city destroied the Temple Because the daughters of Sion are become proude c. In steade of good smell there shal be stinke among theÌ„ and thy goodly and mighty men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shal hearith with the swâ—â—â—de in battaile The kinges of Babilon cruelly entreated the children of Israel afterwardes they them selues also with their noble city wer destroied Esa. 14. euen as our Lorde threatned Io. 30.51 Heliodorus was greuouslye scourged because he was willinge to conuey away the stuffe and goodes of widowes and peoples committed to the priestes custody 2. Mach. 3. King Antiochus was smitteÌ„ wyth so greuous a plage that the wormes scrauld oute of his wicked bodye and his hoaâ—t was greued with the smell 2. Mach. 9. and stinke of him Our Lord being wroth deliuered the vngracious seruant Mat. 18. the which wold not forgeue his fellow the C. pence to the saylers vntill he had paid all the was due vnto him Our Lord commaunded the vnprofitable Mat. 25. seruaunt that would not study to multiplye the Talent deliuered vnto him to be depriued of that he had to be caste into vtter darknes That fraud and guile that Ananias coÌ„mitted act 5. his wife Saphira knowing of the same was sore punished Herode arayed with royall apparel set him in his seate and made an oratioÌ„ vnto the people Actes 12. the which lifting vp their voices saide It is the voyce of a God and not of a man And immediately the aungell of oure Lorde smote him because he gaue not God the honoure and he was eaten wyth wormes and gaue vp the ghost ¶ Of the anger and fury of God NOte and take hede that the anger of God De ciuitate dei Lib. 15 Capitu. 25. after the mind of S. Augustine is not the perturbation or motyon of his minde but his iudgement by the whiche paine is appoynted to synne his cogytatyon and recogytation of thynges mutable is hys immutable reason and iudgemente Nor GOD dothe not so repente hym of hys dede as the yrefull manne dothe whose sentence of all thinges is as fixed and stedfast as his prescience foreknowledge is certaine But if Scrypture vse no such wordes yet it doth not insinuate it selfe familiarly to all kynde of menne vnto whome he woulde it shoulde be knowen and that to feare the proud sturre vp the negligente exercise those that inquire and seeke and nourishe those that vnderstande the whiche thinge he woulde not do if hys wyll were not fyrste to bowe and incline him self and as it were to descend and come down to those whiche are weake and feble Our Lord was angry with Moses Exo. 4. that so oftentimes he refused to take vpon him the gouernaunce and leading of the people God commanding the same Our Lord was angry with the Egiptians that kepte Exo. 15. and afflicted hys people and woulde haue persecuted them goynge theyr wayes Then it followeth Thou haste sente thy anger Moses prayed vnto oure Lord saying Exo. 32. why doth thy wrath O lord waxe hote against thy people For the calfe made of molten metal to the whyche they offered burnt offeringes By the occasion of Corah sedition and his companions Nume 16. Moses and Aaron said vnto our Lord. O most mighty God of the sprites if one man hath sinned wilt thou be wroth and angri with all the multitude The people both sittinge and wepinge were muche desirous of fleshe Nume 11. Then it followeth The fury of oure Lorde was prouoked vnto wrath exceadinglye Al the multitude of the children of Israell murmured against our Lord Nume 16. Moses and Aaron sayinge ye haue killed the people of our Lorde Then there foloweth There is wrath gone oute from oure Lorde and the plage waxeth fearce and cruell The people beganne to commytte whoredome with the Doughters of Moab Nume 25. It followeth And oure Lorde beynge angry said vnto Moses Take al the heads of the people and hange them Because of Moses vnbelefe doutfulnesse at the water of stryfe Nume 20. Oure Lorde was wrothe with him as it is wrytten Our Lord was angry with me Moses for your sakes and said vnto me Deu. 1. Thou shalt not go in thither that is into the land of promise Beware
Esther shuld speake vnto kinge Ahasuerus Esth. 4 she saide to Mardocheus Gather all the Iewes together that maye be founde and faste ye and pray for me but howe deuoutlye and howe humbly they praid howe Mardocheus praied for hym selfe and the people It is wrytten in the .xiiii. Chapter of Esther The praier of Ieremy was of great reputation with God Ihere 11. when our Lord said vnto hiÌ„ pray not for this people Azarias standing in the mydst of the fornace Dani. 3. praid thus Blessed art thou o Lord God of our fathers Daniel for al king Darius acte and decre Dani. 6. left not of kneling downe vpon his knyes to pray vnto the Lorde lyke as hys manner was to do afore time three times a daye See now how precious and howe profitable a thyng he estemed it to pray vnto our Lord. Daniel perceiuynge the tyme of the Captiuitye to be compleate and at an ende prayde the more instantly for the people that were in captiuite And note howe mekely and howe feruently he maketh his intercession and prayer Dani. 9. When Susanna perceiued that she lacked all humaine ayde and counsel Dani. 13. she made her recourse to the helpe of prayer and her prayer was heard Ionas prayed vnto our Lorde out of the fyshes bellye Ionas 2. and sayde in my trouble I called vnto our Lorde and he heard me The congregation were ready gathered to fight 1. Mach. 3. to pray to make supplication vnto God for mercy grace When that Iudas Machabeus should geue battayle with Gorgias he made his praier and said i. Mac. iiii blessed be thou O sauiour of Israel i. mach Vi. In other .ii. principal battaylles we rede not that he praied The one was against king Antiochus then he wanne not but departed his wayes i. Mac. ix The other was agaynst Bacchides Alchimus and then he was slayne in the battaille i. mach xi Ionathes perceiuing that al his coÌ„pany except a few left him fightinge against straungers he rent his clothes and praid and afterwardes obtayned the victory The Iewes beinge in tribulatyon praied vnto our Lord. The priestes hauing on them their priestly stoles and vestimentes fel downe before the aultare and called vpon God ii mac iii. whych had made a law concerning stuffe geueÌ„ to kepe that it might be safely preserued for such as deliuerd it to be kepte And al the wemen held vp their handes toward heauen and praid Onias the hie priest praid for Heliodorus that was greuously scourged by God for spoiling of the temple ii mac iii. oure Lord restored him to life again Iudas Machabeus they that wer with him iii. Mac. viii praid and besought our Lorde to deliuer theÌ„ from wicked Nicanor and though he wold not do it for theyr sakes yet for the couenaunte that he made with their fathers and because they called vppon his holye and gloryous name The wycked Antiochus praid vnto our Lord of whome he should haue obtained no mercy 2. Mach. 9. Nicanor and they that were wyth him 2. Mach. 15. drue nie with shaumes songes but Iudas and his company with praier and calling vpon God They buckled together with their handes they smote but with their hartes they praied vnto our Lord and slue no lesse theÌ„ 35. thousand men for thorow the present helpe of God they were gloriously comforted Mat. 8. The Leper had a short a profitable and an humble maner of praying Luke 5. the which knelinge before oure Lorde did worship him and saide Marke 1. master if thou wilt thou canst make me cleane The Centurion vsed as it wer by a certain insinuation Mat. 8. the like manner of prayer Luke 7. when he saide Master my seruaunt lieth sicke of the palsy Ihon. 11. And also Martha and Mary for Lazarus that was dead and buried Our Lord at times will be prayed for that Luke 10. that he purposeth to do praye ye the Lord of the haruest to send forth labourers into his haruest Mat. 9. Then there followeth immediatelye Calling together c. And when the people were sente away he weÌ„t vp into a mountaine to pray alone Mat. 14. Wherby we are taughte that when we inteÌ„d to pray we shuld fie the company of man lest we shuld be troubled Our Lord and sauiour in hys holye Gospels Mat. 6. hath taughte vs to praye by word of mouth saying Thus shall ye pray Our father c. Men oughte alwaies to praye Luke 18. not be weary Also our Lord hath animated vs to praye by his promise Luke 11. Ihon. 14. Aske saithe he and ye shall haue Item what soeuer ye aske in my name that wil I do He hathe lykewise informed and taughte vs to praye by hys example Mat. 14. For he that might commaund would pray And specially he did the same Mat. 26. for the persecution of this Passion beynge at hand he prayed and warned other to pray saying watch and pray When Mary Magdalen obtaind forgeuenes of her sinnes of oure Lord saying Luke 7. Thy sinnes are forgeuen the we rede not that she vsed anye loude prayer but that she wept only where by the efficacye of the inwarde desyre appeareth without any vocall or loud praier Our Lord doth induce vs to instant and coÌ„tinual praier by thexample of one that went to his frend at midnight Luke 11. Luke 18. And by thexample of a widow the which desired wyth great importunity of the wicked iudge to auenge her And to instruct vs to pray with huâ—mility without pride Luke 18. or any auaÌ„cement of our selues Our Lorde inducâ—th thexample of the proud pharisy and the lowly humble Publicane Act. 1. After our lordes assention into heauen the Disciples returned vnto Ierusalem and they al continuedâ— with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary Thapostles being minded and willinge to chuse one of the disciples in Iudas place Act. 1. apoynted two Ioseph and Mathias and when they praied they said Thou Lord which knowest the hartes of al men shew whether of these two thou hast chosen In the primitiue church al faithful people continued in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship Act. 2. and in breaking of bread and in prayers Peter Ihon weÌ„t vp together into the temple at the ninth hour of praier Act. 3. And assone as the disciples had praied the place moued Act. 4. where they were assembled together and they were all filled with the holye ghoste and they spake the word of God boldly The Iewes stoned Steuen callinge on Act. 7. saying lord Iesu receiue my spirite And he kneled downe and cryed with a loud voyce saying Lorde laye not this sinne to their charge Peter and Ihon prayed for them of Samaria Act. 8. that they might receiue the holy
Apo. 19 he said vnto him Se thou do not for I am thy fellowe seruaunt worship God ¶ Of Idolatry Ca. xxii ANd when the people saw that it was long or Moses came downe from the mountaine Exo. 32. they gathered them selues together againste Aaron said Make vs Gods to go before vs. The people of Israell commytted Whoredome with the doughters of Moab Nume 23. whiche called them vnto the sacrifice of their gods And the people did eat and worshipped theyr gods When Iosua the son of Nun was dead Iudi. 2. the children of Israell dyd wyckedly in the sight of oure Lord serued Baalim and Astraroth and forsake the Lord God of their fathers All Israel went a whoringe in Ephod that Gedeon made Iudi. 8. which thing became a ruine vnto Gedeon and to all his house Salomon was old women depraned and turned his hart to folowe after other Gods 3. regu 11. and his hart was not perfect After that Ieroboam hadde taken counsel 3. regu 12. be made two calues of gold and saide Beholde Israel these are thy Gods whiche broughte you oute of Egipt It suffised not Achab king of Israell to walcke in the sinnes of Ieroboam 3. regu 16. but furthermore he serued Baal and worshipped him Iuda made them altares Idolles and groues on euery hie hil 3. reg 14 and vnder euery thicke tree Achaz king of Iuda walked in the way of the kinges of Israell 1. regu 16. and Iuda yea and consecrated his soÌ„ne and made him to go thorow the fire after the abhominations of the heathen wheÌ„ the children of Israel wer translated and caried amonge the Assirians diuers natyons and stronge people wer brought and put into the cyties of Samaria 4. râ—gu 17. And euerye natyon made them gods of their owne And when they shuld serue our lord they serued their goddes also after the custome of the people Sennacherib being confounded and put to rebuke and shame 4. regu 19. retourned from the impugnatyon of Esechia kynge of Iuda to Niniue And as he was praying and worshippynge hys Nefrach in the temple Adramelech Sarasar his ii soÌ„nes smote him with the sweard and escaped Manasses king of Iuda rered vp altares for Baall 4. regu 21. worshipped all the host of heauen and serued them Iudi. 6. Holofernesse taking great indignation against Achior that setforth and much coÌ„mended the power of the god of the Hebrues Said that he woulde shew him that there was none other God but Nabuchodonozor Dani. 3. Nabuchodonozor made a golden Image and commaunded that al people kinreds and tounges should fall downe and worship it Darius king of Pers made and put forth a commaundement Daui 6. that no maÌ„ within 30. daies should require anye peticion of God or man but onely of king Darius There was at Babylon an Idoll called Bell Dani. 14. hym the kynge dyd worship and honor dailye But after that Daniel had destroied him they of Babilon worshipped a dragon Antiochus coÌ„manded idols to be worshipped 1. Mach. 1. that they should edifye set vp altares aâ—d temples and offer vp swines flesh and that meÌ„ shuld leaue their children vncircumcised When Paul was abiding at AtheÌ„s his sprite Act. 17. when he saw the city geueÌ„ to worshippinge of Idols was moued in him Of blasphemy against God Ca. 23. THe Israelitish womans sonne was stoned to deathe by Gods commaundemente Leui. 24. because he blasphemed the name of our Lord. Hely saide vnto his sonnes 1. regu 2. If one man sin against an nother our Lord maye be pacified and pleased but if a man sinne against the Lord who shal pray for him Nathan the Prophet did agrauate the sinne of Dauid 2. regu 12. sayinge because thou hast geuen the ennemies of the lord a cause to rail and to blaspheme his name The manne of God said vnto Ahab kinge of Israel 3. reg 20. Because the Sirians haue said Our Lorde of hilles is but theyr Lorde and he is not god of valleis therefore will I deliuer all thys greate multitude into thy hand and ye shal know that I am the Lord. 3. reg 21. It semeth that wicked Iezabel could not excogitate nor inuent a more greuous or a greater synne to cause Naboth shortly to be stoned to death theÌ„ blasphemye where wyth she falsly accused him 4. regu 19. The blasphemies that Sennacherib king of the Assirians seruauntes spake and vsed did greatlye displease God And therfore the anger of oure Lord smote in the hoste of the Assiryans an C.lxxx and .v. M. It is not expedient for symple men to dispute agaynst the blasphemies 4. regu 18. of infidels And for that cause kyng Hezechias forbad that the vnlearned people should not aunswere the blasphemies of Rabsaâ—is the Assiriane Holofernes disdayning that Achor had commended the powre of the god of heauen Iudi. 6. said vnto him for so muche as thou haste prophecyed that the people of Israell shal be defended of their god I wyll shewe the that their is no god but Nabuchodosor ye wheÌ„ we slay them all as one man When Hieremy rebuked the people because they dyd sacryfyce vnto straunge goddes Iere. 44. they answered we wyll in no wyse heare the worde of God but we wyll do sacryfyce vnto the quene of heauen like as we oure forefathers haue done For then were we in prosperitie nor no misfortune came vpon vs. Nabuchodonosor kyng of Babilon said vnto Daniell and his companions that woulde not worshyppe the golden Image Dani. 3. what god is ther that may deliuer you out of my handes In the daies and time of Antiochus certen wicked people of Israell gaue counsell sayinge Let vs go and make a couenaunte wyth the Heathen 1. Mach. 1. for sence wee departed frome them wee haue had muche sorowe Iudas Machabeus laying siege to a certen stronge holde 2. Mac. 20. A companye of the Hethen that were within it craked spake manye blasphemous and cursed wordes But within few dayes after they were burnt and consumed with fyre The Iewes saying vnto Nicanor There is a mighty Lorde in heauen 2. Mac. 15. that commaundeth the seuenth daye to be kept The wicked Nicanor said And I am myghtye vpon earthe to commaunde them for to arme them selues to performe the kings busines After that our Lord had healed and caste the deuyll oute of the blinde and the dumme man Mat. 12. LuKe. 11. The people were a mased but the Pharises blasphemed saying This fellowe driueth the deuyls no otherwise out but by the help of Belzebub the cheif of the deuyls Our Lord hanging vpoÌ„ the crosse Mat. 27. they that passed and went by reuyled and blasphemed him waggyng their heades c. The Iewes spake agaynste those thinges that Paule spake Act. 13.18 blaspheming and rayling against it ¶ Of Goddes preceptes
yet he obeied hys father sending him with vitayles vnto his brethrē notwithstanding he was elected chosen aboue al his brethrē Our lord foretold Salomon 3. regu 9. that if he wold do fulfil al thinges that he had cōmaunded him to do that thē he wold stablish the throne of his kingdōe in Ierusalē for euer But if he turned away 2. Para. 7. wold not kepe his preceptes and commaundementes that than he wold wede Israel out of the lād for euer 3. regu 20. Obedience at some times is also cōmended in such thinges as seme to be commaunded withoute any reason therfore a Lion slue him that beynge commaunded wold not smite one of the Prophets children The man of god that foretold Ieroboas the destructiō of his aultar 3. regu 13. was killed and slain by a Lion because the contrary to Gods commaundemente he did eat bread drynke water in an other prophets house When that Naaman disdaining the prophet Elizeus commaundemēt 4. regu 5. departed from him with displesure hys seruants said vnto him father if the prophet had bidden the do som great thing surely thou shuldst haue don it Toby the yonger after he had hard his fathers exhortations Tobi. 5. answered said father al that thou hast cōmaunded me wil I do and diligently Whatsoeuer Mardocheus cōmaunded that did Esther obserue keepe Esth. 2. did all thinges so euen as she was wont to do when she was yonge and vnder hys gouernaunce The Recabites are much commended of our Lord because that they wold drinke no wine Iere. 35. obeying folowyng their fathers commaundemente saying ye shal drinke no wine Ionas 1.2.3 Ionas did refuse vn wiselye to obey our Lord commaundinge him to go and preach at Niniue but comminge backe againe He came to the place that God sent him 1. Mach. 2. Mathathias saide vnto Antiochus messenger Though all nations obey the king yet I and my sonnes wil obey the lawes of our fathers 2. Mach. 7. One of the seuen brethren said we are ready rather to suffer death then to offende the lawes of God and the fathers And the childe Iesus went downe wyth Mary and Ioseph LuKe. 2. and came to Nazareth and was subiect and obedient vnto them Mat. 4. Those Apostles did spedelye perfectly obey the which being called of our lord straight way left the nets folowed him Luke 5. Likewise Mathew lefte all and followed him Mat. 21. Of those that obey in word not in dede or in dede more than in worde Our lord putteth an example of two sonnes of the which two th one said that he woulde go into hys fathers vyneyarde and woorke and wente not The other sayde I wyll not and wente Our Lord doth commaund vs to obey euē those prelates that bear rule Mat. 23. They shall sit in Moses seate what so euer they bid you obserue that obserue and do Our sauiour and lord of the lawe Luke 2. would obey the law in circumcisyon Mat. 26. and oblatyons made in the Temple and also in eatynge of the Paschall Lambe The Apostle dothe put vs an ensample of obedyence in our sauyour Philip. 2. sayinge hee became obedyente vnto deathe whome he also declareth the frute of obedyence Then there followeth Wherefore God hath exaulted him c. The chefest of the priestes threatned and commaunded Peter and Act. 4. Ihon that they shoulde speake nor teache no more in the name of Iesu. They answered and said whether it bee righte to harken vnto you more then to God Act. 4. iudge you For we can not but speake that whiche we haue sene and hard And afterwards when the Apostles were reproued agayn of the hye prestes because they had not obserued theyr Commaundemente Peter and the other Apostles aunswered Act. 5. we ought more to obey God then men Saule lyinge prostrate vppon the earthe Act. 9. and hearynge Iesus of Nazareths wordes saide euen promptlye Lord what wilt thou haue me to do Cornelius said vnto Peter Nowe are we al here in thy presence Act. 10. readye to here al thinges that are commaunded vnto the of God Paule chose Silas to be hys felow and wente throughe Siria and Cilicia Act. 15. stablyshynge the congregatyon and Commaundynge to keepe the Preceptes of the Apostles and Elders ¶ Of holy scripture Ca. xxvi WE oughte to haue greate reuerence vnto holye scrypture Exo. 31. the which God hym self did wryte deliuer and teach Moses retourned from the Mounte bearing two tables written with the finger of God Exo. 31. Our Lord Iesus doth say that he was sent to Euangelice and preach mat 10. and he sent forthe his disciples to doe the same If it may be said then that the olde law was geuen Moses by god by the meanes of angelles as saythe the Apostle and S. Steuen doth testify the same Act. 7. Ye haue saithe he the lawe of God by the ministration of aungels The reast of the old Testament was geuen by the inspiratyon of the holy Ghoste as saith S. Peter The scripture came neuer by the wyll of man 2. Pet. 1. But holy men of God spake as they were moued by the holy ghoste The new Testamēt doth contain the wordes dedes of the Lord Iesu Christe in the Gospelles the woordes of the Apostels in the Epystels and in the Apocalipses the deades of the Apostles in the actes Christ very God and man spake parte of the Gospell by him selfe and the holye ghost and by him other wordes the whiche the Apostles the Euangelistes by him instructed did speake They wer all filled with the holy ghoste Act. 2. and began to speake with diuers other tongues A wise man seketh out the wisdom of them of the olde tyme exercyseth him selfe in the prophetes Eccle. 39. As though he would saye A wyse man must exquire and seke the wysdome of wyse men but specially he must giue his diligēce to the scriptures of the prophets Notwithstandynge that Ionathas the hie priest the elders of the Iewes were occupied in maters of warre 1. Mach. 2. yet they were vnto the Spartianes vndre this maner But as for vs we reade no such mater for why we haue the holy boke of scripture in our handes to our comfort And our Lord answering by scripture defēded his disciples against the Pharises Haue ye not read quoth he what Dauid did when he was an hōgred Mat. 12. Oure sauiour being tempted of the deuyll Mat. 4. answered by scriptures and by the auctoryte of scripture confounded him And he sayde that the scripture was fulfylled at his comminge This daye is this scripture fulfylled in your eares LuKe. 4. Oure Lorde gaue greate auctoryte to the olde Testament when he sayd Tyll heauen and earth passe Mat. 5. one iote or one tytle of the law shal not
man sitting vpon him When ther should haue bene a vehemente bataile betwene Tymothe and Iudas Machabeus 2. Mach. 1â— there appeared v. men vpon horsbacks garnished wyth brydles of golde leadynge the Iewes and two of them hauing Machabeus betwixt them that kepte him safe on euery side with their weapoÌ„s The Iewes goynge to battaile againste 2. Mach. 1â—â— the greate and myghtye hoste of Lisias Machabeus beyng theyr capitaine there appeared before theym vppon horsbacke a man in white clothynge wyth harnesse of golde shaking his speare We do read that the angel of God appeared thrise vnto Ioseph Mat. 1.2 first our lord being in his mothers womb Secondarely when he was come forthe of his mothers wombe And thyrdlye when he was in Egipt When Iesus was baptised the spirit of god was sene vpon him in a bodely shape like a doue Mat. 3. Luke 4. and the fathers voyce was hard sayinge Thys is my well be loued sonne Also in our lordes transfyguratyon ther apeared Moses and Helias speaking Mat. 17. wyth our Lord. And there came a voyce from heauen Luke 9. When our Lord Iesus arose from death to life Mat. 27. manye bodies of sainctes which slept arose and comming oute of the graues came into the holy city and appeared vnto manye When Iesus was rysen earlye the fyrst day after the saboth Mar. 16. he appeared first to Mary Magdalen After this he appeared to two dysciples goyng by the way Luke 24. and laste of all he appeared vnto the eleuen as they sate at meate Mar. 16. and caste in theyr teethe theyr vnbelefe and hardnesse of heart Our Lord Iesus shewed hym selfe alyue after hys passyon Act. 1. and that by manye argumentes and tokens appearing vnto them xl daies and speakinge of the kingdome of God Then ther followeth And while they loked stedfastly vp toward heauen behold two men stode by them in whyte apparell When the fiftye dayes were come to an end Act. 2. they wer al with one accord together in one place And ther apeared vnto them clouen tongues like as they had bene of fyre Stephen beynge full of the holye ghoste Act. 7. loked vp into heauen he sawe the glory of God and sayd Beholde I se the heauens open and the sonne of man standynge on the right hande of God And the Aungell of God was there presente and a lyghte shyned in the habitacion of the prysonne Actes 12. And he smote Peter whyche was bound with chaynes on the syde and stered hym vp saying aryse vp quickely And when Paule was come nye to Damasco to take those that were christened Act. 10. sodenly there shined round aboute hym a lyghte frome heauen And he hearde oure Lorde Iesus of Nazareth sayinge vnto hym Saull why persecutest thou me And afterwardes he appeared to Ananias Cornelius the capitayne a deuout man Act. 9. and one that feared God sawe euydentelye aboute the nynth houre of the daye an angell of God sayinge vnto him Corneli send men to Ioppa and call for one Simon whose syrname is Peter he shal tell thee what thou oughtest to dooe Peter beynge in hys prayers and a hungerd fell into a traunce sawe Heauen opened Act. 10. and a certaine vessell came downe to hym as it had bene a greate shete knytte at the foure corners and was let downe to the earth wherin were all maner of fourefoted beastes of the earth and vermen and wormes and foules of the ayre When Paule and Barnabas had gone throughe Misia they came to Troada Act. 16. And a vision appeared too Paule in the nyghte There stode a man of Macedonia and prayed him sayinge Act. 17. Come into Macedonia and helpe vs our Lorde sayd vnto Paule by a vision in the nyghte feare not speake and holde not thy peace On a certain night god standing by Paule said vnto him be constant and of good chere Paule Act. 23. for as thou haste testified of me in Ierusalem so muste thou beare witnes also at Rome Paule purposing to comforte and cheere his fellowes in the time of the tempest Act. 27. persuaded them to be of good cheere saying There stode by me this night thangel of God said fear not Paule thou muste be brought before Ceaser and lo God hath geuen the al them that sayle with the. Blessed Iohan the Apostle Euangelist exiled into the I le of Pathmos Apoca. 1. sawe Christe in the myddes of seuen golden candelstyckes Ye all the boke is full of such visions ¶ Of good angelles Capi. xxxi ANgelles appeared vnto AbrahaÌ„ wer very familier with him Gen. 18. Angels wer loged with Loth folowing in a maner his geÌ„tle violeÌ„ce deliuered him froÌ„ all perel danger Gen. 19. The angel of god called vnto Abraham forbode him to sacrifice or to offre vp his sonne Gen. 22. and promised him great thinges for his obedience Iacob fleyng froÌ„ his brother Esau Gen. 28. sawe the Angelles ascendynge and descending vpon the ladder Iacob returned from Labans seruyce to Isaac his father Gen. 31. The angels came to mete him and to defend him And the angell of God which went before the hooste of Israell when the people came oute of Egypte Exo. 14. stode betwyxte the hooste of the Egypcians and the hooste of Israell For it is wrytten Exo. 23. beholde I sende my angell before thee to keepe thee in the way and to bring thee into the place which I haue prepared Nume 22. The angell of god stode in the way against Balaam riding vpoÌ„ his Asse The angell of oure Lorde rebuked the chyldren of Israell Iudi. 2. because they hadde sworne and made a peace with the Cananites puttynge them in remembraunce of Gods benefites done and shewde vnto them The angell of oure Lorde appearynge vnto Gedeon dyd comfort him Iudi. 6. and holded him to deliuer the people The Angell appeared to Manues wyfe that was barren Iudi. 13. declarynge vnto her that she shoulde conceaue and that she should kepe abstinence After that the people at Daudis coÌ„maundement wer nombred our lorde sent a pestilence into Israel 2. regu 24. And wheÌ„ the angel stretched out his hand vpon Ierusalem to destroy it Dauid seyng the angell that smote the people said Lo it is I that haue done wyckedly Our Lordes aungell dyd comforte Helias â—â—eynge the tiranny of Iezabel and refreshed hym wyth sober meat 3. regu 19. And the angel opened vnto Helias 4. regu 1. what he should answer vnto Ochozias messengers There were mo good angels with Elizeus to defend hym 4. regu 6. then ther wer euil menne wyth hys aduersaryes to hurt hym The aungell of oure Lorde came 4. regu 19. and smote in one nyght of the Assiryans an hundred foure score and fyue thousand The aungell Raphaell that was Tobias guid Tobi. 5.6 deliuered him from the
daunger of the fysh and his wise from the deuil he restored old Toby to hys sight and throughe him as well hys parentes as his companions and felowes were repleanished wyth dyuers consolations As truly as our Lord lyueth sayth Iudith Iudi. 13. hys aungell hathe kepte me going thither remaining there and comming hither again froÌ„ thence One of the Seraphins flewe vnto Esay Esa. 6. and cleansed him with a stone whyche he toke from the altare wyth the tonges The angell of God descended with Azaria and his felowes into the ouen or fornace of fyre Dani. 3. Daniel beynge wythin the den of Lions Dani. 6. sayde vnto king Darius commyng vnto him My God hathe sente hys aungell whyche hathe shutte the Lyons mouthes so that they myghte not hurt me Afterwardes the angell of our lord brought the prophet Habacucke oute of Iewry into Chalde Dani. 14. to beare Daniel his dinner There were diuers and great misteries shewed vnto Danyell by the ministery of angels Dani. 9.10.11 Machabeus and they that wer with him praid our Lord 2. Mach. 11. that he woulde send a good aungel to deliuer Israel Then there followeth Ther appeared before them an aungell in white clothyng The angel Gabriel to auaunce and â—pon the conception of Iohn the Baptist Luke 1. appeared vnto zachary And to denounce the conception of our sauiour Luke 1. the self angell Gabryell was sent of God vnto a city of Galile named Dauid or Nazareth And againe when oure Lord was borne the aungell of our Lorde slode harde by the Shepheardes Luke 2. and there was wyth the angel a multytude of heauenly souldyors praysing God c We rede also that thangell of our Lord appeared spake vnto Ioseph Mat. 1. fyrst before his natiuity saying fear not to take vnto the Mary thy wyfe Secondly after the adoration worshipping of the wise men Mat. 2. Mat. 2. Aryse and take the child and his mother goe into Egipt Thyrdly after Herodes death Take the child and his mother and go into the land of Israel After the departure of the deuil that tempted hym Mat. 4. the angels came and ministred vnto him And after hys supper and in hys prayer made in the garden Luke 22. there appeared an angel vnto hym from heauen comforting him Mat. 28. At the tyme of hys resurrection the angel of our Lorde came downe from heauen Iohn 20. Mar. xvi Lu. xxiiii At our Lords assencion behold two men stode by them in white apparell Act. 1. The chefe prestes rose vp and all they that were wyth hym laid handes on the Apostles Act. 5. and put them in common pryson But the aungell of oure lord by night opened the prison dores and broughte them forthe and fayde go and preache in the Temple to the people The angel of our Lord spake vnto Philip Act. 8. saying Arise and go toward the South c. Cornelius saw euidently about the ninth hour of the day Act. 10. an angel of god comming into hym and saying Cornelius c. And Peter being a slepe in Herodes pryson Act. 12. the aungel of oure Lorde was then present c. Kyng Herode arayed hym in royall apparel Act. 12. and set hym in hys seat and made an oration vnto theym and the people gaue a shoute saying It is the voyce of a God and not of a manne And immedyatelye the aungel of the lorde smote hym because he gaue not the honoure to God and he was consumed and eaten of worms and gaue vp the ghost There stode an aungell of God by Paule in the ship Act. 27. counsellyng him to be of good cheare sayinge feare not Paule Our Lord signifyed thinges which must shortly come to passe Apoca. 1. And after that he spake by hys angell vnto hys seruaunte Ihon whyche bare recorde of the woorde of GOD. c. And that booke is full of angelycall reuelatyons ¶ Of euill Spirites Ca. xxxii EUil spirites are sayd to be oure Lords 1. regu 16. because they are in gods power and what so euer they do they do it by God The euil spirit of God vexed Saule The deuyll killed Saras Raguels daughter vii husbandes Tobi. 3.8 but yet by the comming of Raphael the good angel was eiected Sathan had euen so muche power vpon Iobs cattell his house wherein his children did eat Iob. 1.2 and vpon his body how much the deuine prouydence did suffer him to haue The euil sprite made the maÌ„ fearce and cruel Mat. 8. And also he maketh a man vncleane for those ii demoniakes or possessed with deuils wer out of measure fearce Luke 8. dwelt laye in graues And the deuils desired to goe into the swine not into Lambs One of those ii was more famous then thother he ware no clothes he abode in no hous but in graues he was bounde wyth chaines kepte wyth fetters and he brake the bandes and was caryed of the fende into wildernesse This euel sprite maketh a manne bothe deafe and domme Mar. 7. and when the spirite taketh hym he knocketh and teareth him and he fometh and gnasheth with his tethe pineth away LuKe. 9. Mar. 9. often times he casteth him into fire water to destroy and lose him Oure Lorde refused the laude and praise of maligne spirites LuKe. 8. Holde thy peace quod he come out of the maÌ„ Mar. 1. Our Lord dyd forbid his discyples to reioyce that the euill spirites were vnder them Luke 10. and subdued vnto them as though they shuld not esteme that thing very greatly A certaine damsel possessed wyth a sprite the prophesied Act. 19. cryed out many a day after Paule hys fellowes But Paule being heuy therfore turned about and said to the sprite I commaÌ„d the in the name vertue of Iesu christ that thou come oute of her and he came out the same hour And note that Paule would not that the doctrine of truthe shuld be confirmed by the spirit of deceitfulnesse and falshode Certain of the Iewes toke vpon theÌ„ to cal ouer theÌ„ which had euil sprites the name of our Lord Iesus sayinge Act. 19. we adiure you by Iesu whome Paule preacheth And the euyl spryte answered and said Iesus I know and Paul I know but who are ye and the man in whome the euyll spryte was ran on them and ouercame them and preuailed againste them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded ¶ Of the immortality of the resonable soule Ca. xxxiii FOr as much as it is saide of Abraham that he was put to his people Gen. 25. it is supposed that he had people in a nother world that is men which liued wel as he dyd We haue the lyke saying of Isaac He was put vnto hys people Gen. 35.49 And of Iacob And when Iacob beleued that hys
1. regu 3. When kynge Dauid satte in his house after that our Lorde had giuen him rest rounde abouâ—e from all hys enemyes 2. regu 7. he sayde vnto Nathan the Prophete Thou seyste that I dwell nowe in an howse of Cedarre trees but the Arke of God dwelleth within the curtaine It was shewed vnto Helias that fled from the face of Iezabel 3. regu 19. that our lorde was not in a greate spirite nor in no coÌ„motion nor winde nor earthquake but in a small styll voyce The mynde of man muste take his iudgement by the sumilitude and likenes of corporall thinges or els it must be lifted vp to god in whoÌ„ what soeuer is sene or thought delectable in anye creature is inseperable sounde muche better 4. regu 3. So that when the mynstrell played before Eliseus the hande of Oure lorde came vpon him When Eliseus woulde praye deligentely for the Sunamites child that was departed 4. regu 4. he dyd it not openly before al men but shutte the dore to the lad and him and prayed vnto Oure lorde Sara Raguels doughter beynge rebuked and slaundred of on of her maydens Tob. 3. went into the innermost chamber of her house and thre dayes and thre nightes she nether eat nor drank but continued in prayer and besought god with teares that he woulde deliuer her frome that rebuke Iudith perceyuing her people to be streyted and in daunger went into her closet Iudi. 9. put on an heary smocke strawed ashes vpon her head and fallynge downe before oure Lorde cryed vnto hym Quene Esther fearing the daunger that was at hande Esth. 14. fledde vnto oure lorde And when she had laide a waye her glorius apparel she put on garmentes that serued for syghinge and mourninge and prayd thus vnto our Lorde helpe me desolate woman After the tribulations and perturbations which Dauid sustained suffred Psal 54. he sayd Who shal geue me winges lyke a doue For then would I flie away and be at reste Then he sheweth the maner howe to come to these wynges rest saying Lo then would I get me away farre of and remayne in the wyldernesse When Ezechiell was amonge or in the myddes of the prisoners Eze. 1. the hande of our Lorde came vpon hym and he sawe a stormy wynde come out of the north When Daniell hearde of the cruell sentence that was pronounced against the wise men of Babilon Dani. 2. he wente home and the mysterye was shewed vnto hym by a vision by night Dani. 9. The Angell Gabriell sayde vnto Daniell that prayde feruently I am nowe come to teache thee and to make thee vnderstand that thou art a man greatly beloued I wyll stande vppon my watche sayth habacuc Haba 2. and shall fasten my ioy vpon my bulworke to looke and se what shal be sayd vnto me and what answere I should make hym that reproued me And when the people were sent awaye he wente vp into a mountaine to praye alone Math. 14. And when night was come he was there hym selfe alone By the whiche thynge he geueth the people an ensample to flee and to seke for solitariousnes And zacharias wente into the temple of our Lorde LuKe. 1. and the whole multitude of the people were wyth oute in prayer while the incense was a burnynge And then there appeared vnto hym an Angell of oure Lorde Martha was troubled and combred about muche seruinge Luke 10. but Mary syttyng at Gods feete hearde the woorde of God And it is greatly to be noted that quyetnes and the hearing of gods word should be preferde aboue al religyons and deuoute ministery seruice Iohn 11. When Iesus sawe mary wepe and the Iewes also wepinge whiche came wyth her he groned in the spirite and wepte the whyche thinge he dyd not when Martha spake vnto him Our lordes disciples wer wonderfullye illuminated and taughte at the coÌ„minge of the holy ghost Act. 2. After the light from heauen shyned rounde a boute Saule Act. 9. he fell to the earthe and was made blind the fasted and prayed by the space of thre dayes and hadde many exellente reuelations from Christ. When Peter was lodged in SimoÌ„s the Tanners house Act. 10. at a certain time he wente into the hyest place of the house to praye to the entent that he beynge farre from the troublous people that were beneathe myghte geue hym selfe the more quyetlye to hys prayers Oure Lorde Peter beynge in a traunce shewed vnto hym that the heathen oughte not to be repelled from the predication of the gospel Paule was taken vppe into the thyrd heauen 2. Cor. 12. and hard secreate wordes which no man can vtter rom 1.9.10.11 His exceading great wisdome appeareth in hys Epistles Ephe. 1.2 and principallye to the Romaynes Col. 1.2 To the Ephesyans To the Collossyans And also to the Hebrues Heb. 1. Oure Lorde disclosed vnto blessed Sainte Ihon beyng sequestred from the tumulte and consolatyon of the worlde and banyshed into the I le of Pathmos the celestial and heauenly workes and dedes as it appeareth in his reuelations ¶ Of longanimity ¶ Capit. xxxvii ABraham taried many yeares or euer he hadde any chylde by Sara Gen. 21. for hee was an hundred yere old when his sonne Isaac was borne vnto him From the fyrst promise made vnto Abraham vntyl he hadde sede were yeres 440. Oure Lorde suffered Israell to bee scourged and afflicted in Egipt a loÌ„g time and season And afterwardes to be tempted and proued in wildernes the space of 40. yeares or euer they came to the land of promise as it appeareth thorowe oute all the boke of Exodus and Numery Iudi. 20 The children of Israel fightyng against the tribe of Beniamin many against a few wer twise ouerthrown and yet at the last they preuailed Iob. 13. Iob beyng punyshed in bodye depriued of al hys chyldren laughed to scorne of hys frendes and spoyled of all hys goodes dyd say Lo though he slaye mee yet wyl I put my truste in hym Tobyas elders kinsfolkes laughed hym to scorne whyche sayde vnto hym Tob. 2. where is thy hope for the whyche thou haste done almesse and buryed the deade But Tobias rebuked them spake Say not so for we are the chyldren of holy men and looke for the lyfe which God shall geue vnto them that neuer turne their belefe from him When Susanna was condempned by the false testimony and wytnesse of two iudges Dani. 13. it is thus wrytten of her That her heart hadde a sure truste in the Lorde When one of those seuen brethren was requyred of the tyrande 2 Mach. 7. quyckely he put oute his tounge and constantly helde forth his handes and spake with a steadfaste fayeth These haue I of heauen Iudas Machabeus sente vnto Ierusalem two thousande dragmas of syluer to bee offred there for the offences and synnes of the dead 2. Mach.
appeareth by that that foloweth that such contention and strife pleased not our lorde Iohn 6. The Iewes stroue amoÌ„g theÌ„ selues sayinge how can this felowe geue vs that fleshe of his to eate And much murmuring was there of oure lorde Iesus amonge the people Iohn 7. for some sayed he is good other sayd nay but he deceiueth the people There foloweth There was dissention amonge the people After that Cornelius was christened with all his house Ac 1.11 the Apostles and brethren that wer in Iewry hard that the heathen had also receiued the worde of god And when Peter was come vp to Ierusalem thei that were of the circumcision contended against him sayinge wherefore wentest thou into men vncircumcised When Paule and Barnabas preached and did many miracles in the city of Iconium Act. 14. the multitude of the city was deuided and parte helde with the Iewes parte with the Apostles Certain menne which came downe from Iewry Act. 15. taught the brethren sayinge excepte ye be circumcised after the maner of Moses ye cannot be saued So when ther was risen discencioÌ„ not a litle vnto Paul Barnabas against theim they determined that Paule and barnabas and certaine other of theim should goo vp to Ierusalem vnto the Apostles and Elders aboute this question Act. 15. By the occasion of Iohn whose sir name was Marke whome Paule woulde not take to the woorke of the gospell there arose a dissention betwene Paule and Barnabas so that they departed asonder one from the other yet al was for the fortheraunce of the gospell Paule preaching and doinge many miracles at Ephesus Act. 19. there arose no litle a do aboute the way of our lorde for a certain man named Demetrius a siluer Smyth which made Siluer shrines for Diana was not a litle beneficial vnto crafts men c. And al the citie was in a rore and in greate confusion When certayne of the Iewes sawe Paule in the temple Act. 21. they moued all the people and layed handes on him criynge Menne of Israell helpe And al the city was moued and the people swarmed to gether When Paule had cried oute in the counsell Act. 23. Men and brethren I am a pharasei the sonne of a pharasei Of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am iudged And when he hadde so saied there arose a debate and a dissention betwene the Phariseis and the Saduces and the multitude was deuided ¶ Of good zele against synners Capi. li. THe children of Iacob were very cruell for the deflouringe of Dina their sister oppressed and forced by Sichem Gen. 34. Moses hearinge the voyces of those that songe Exo. 32. and seynge the calfe and the daunsinge his wrath waxed hote and castinge the tables oute of hys handes he brake theym And note how greuously he punished the people For whome he so faythfully and instantly prayed vnto oure lorde The zele of Phinches the sonne of Eleazar Nume 25. when he thrust the man and the medianityshe woman throughe although thei wer mighty and noble pleased oure lord very well Iosue coÌ„maunded Acham to be stoned with stones Iosu. 7. and all his stuffe to be burned because he toke of the excoÌ„municate thinges of Ierico When the children of Israell hard saye that the chyldren of Ruben and Gad Iosu. 22. had buylded theym an aultor thei came together and woulde haue foughten against them Iudi. 19.12 All the children of Israell gathered to gether as it had bene but one man to reuenge the horrible and greuous crime that the men of Gabaa Beniamin hadde committed againste the Leuites wife Helias dyd bouldelye reproue the people that did erre 3. regu 18. caused the preastes of Baal to be slayne Achab was rebuked because he let kynge Benadab 3 regu 19. a man woorthye of death to skape away a liue Although Iehu the kinge of Israell was specially euyl yet he is greatlye commended because he destroyed the sede of the house of Achab 4. regu 10. and caused Baals prophets to be slaine and hys house to be broken The spirite of God came vpon zacharia the sonne of Ioade the priest whyche stode in the syghte of the people that honoured and serued Idols 2. Para. 24. And sayd vnto them why transgresse ye the commaundements of our lord that ye cannot prosper for because ye haue forsaken our Lorde he also hath forsaken you When Esdras the priest hard saye that the Iewes wer maried with the gentiles 1. Esd. 9. he was exceading sory and by great syghing and sorowynge he shewed tokens of heauinesse Nehemias perceiuing that the Iewes maryed outlandysh women dyd reproue them 2. Esd. 13. and cursed them and smote certaine of theym and made them bare Mathathias stode vp and said Wo is me Alasse that euer I was borne to see thys myserye of my people After followeth 1. Mach. 2. of hys moste seruent zele and maruelous honesty when he slew the Iewe besides the altar whiche openly in the sight of all did sacrifice vnto Idols Onias the hie priest did manfullye resist Simon 2. Mach. 3. the which went aboute to do a certain wicked thing in the city Mat. 3.14 Ihon the Baptist was in a wonderful feruent zeale when he said O generation of vipers who hath taughte you to flee from the vengaÌ„ce to come And lykewyse when he reproued Herode Mat. 23. Our Lord did sharplye rebuke the Pharisies Scribes and Hipocrites but specially in the thre and twentye of Mathewe where that seuen times he sayde vnto theym Woe bee vnto you Oure LORDE perceiuing that the Phariseis did malitiously watche for him Mar. 3. loking angerly aboute hym was heauy that they were so blind in hart Iohn 8. and said you are of your father the deuill Our Lord did oftentimes caste theÌ„ out of the temple Luke 19. that bought sold and at sometimes with verye sharpe wordes Iohn 2. sayinge My house is the house of prayer but ye haue made it a den of theues Peter was kindled with a feruent zeale Act. 5. against Ananias and Saphyra his wife when he saw that they kept away part of the pryce of the land And the wordes that Steuen spake to the Iewes Act. 7. came of a burning zele sayinge O ye stiffenecked and of vncircumcised harts and eares ye haue alwaies resisted the holy ghost Paule and Barnabas wythstandinge Berieser the false Prophette Act. 13. Paul sayde O full of all subtlety and disceitfulnesse thou ennemye of all righteousnesse wilt thou not cease â—o peruerte the straight wayes of oure Lord When Paule preached at Athens Act 17. his sprite was moued in hym when he saw the city geuen to Idolatry The feruente zeale of Paule dyd most speciallye appeare when he reproued rebuked and prayed the Galathians Gala. 5. and likewise the Romains Roma 9. the Corinthians and the
Hebrues 2. Cor. 11. Heb. 1. ¶ Of vndiscrete zele Capit. lii WHen Iosue Moses seruant saw two menne in the hooste that Prophesyed Nume 11. he sayde mayster Moses forbyd them And Moses saide vnto hym what enuyest thou for my sake Abisai the sonne of Seruia was willing to haue cut of Semeis head 2. regu 19. because he cursed Dauid that suffred Absolons persecutiō but Dauid wold not suffer that he shoulde haue anye harme or dammage The children of the Prophets constrayned Elizeus to sende menne to seeke hys mayster 4. regu 2 leaste happely the spirit of our Lord had taken him vp and cast him vpon some mountain or into some valey Ionas fled from the face and sight of God when hee commaunded him to preach to the Niniuites And afterwardes he was sorye and discontent Ionas 1.4 that the city pearyshed not as he had preached When oure LORD had shewed hys Disciples howe that he shoulde suffer manye thinges of the hye priestes and elders of the Iewes Mat. 16. and bee killed Peter began to rebuke hym sayinge Mayster fauor thy selfe this shal not happen vnto the. The Pharises did greatly contend for the obseruation of the Sabbothe Mar. 2. when they saw oure Lorde heale the sycke LuKe. 6. and hys disciples pluck the cares of the corne and rubbe them in theyr handes on that day The Pharises contended more for the traditions of man Mat. 15. than for the cōmaundementes of God And the people contēded more for the gould of the Temple Mat. 23. then for the temple and for the giftes of the aultare then for the aultare They brought children to our Lord that he should laye his handes vppon them Mar. 10. and pray And his disciples rebuked those that brought them But Iesus said suffer the children to come vnto me for bid them not for of suche is the kingdome of God When Mary had poured the pretious oyntment vpon the Lordes hed some of the disciples disdained Mar. 14. wer not content with her for the wast and losse of the oyntment Ihon forbade a certain mā that casted out deuils in our Lorde Iesus name Luke 9. because he folowed not them with other Disciples And Iesus saide vnto him forbid him not for he that is not against vs is with vs. LuKe. 9. When Iames and Ihon hard that the Samaritans wold not receiue the messengers of our Lorde they sayde Lord wilt thou that we commaunde fire to come downe from heauen and consume them Iesus turned about rebuked them sayinge ye wotte not what manner sprite ye are of Luke 22. Our Lord reproued Peter because he had stroken of the eare of the high prestes seruaunt For it was not christes time then to shew his power but his patience It appeareth that Ihon the Baptist Disciples bare no great good zeale towardes oure Lorde Iohn 3. when they sayde vnto Ihon their master Rabby he that was wyth thee beyonde Iordan the same baptiseth and all men come to him Ihon answered them rightwel and said a man can receiue nothyng except it be geuen him from heauen When that many sick folkes were brought out of the city Act. 5. and wer healed of Peter the chefe priest rose vp and all they that were with him wer ful of indignation Paule was a great folower of hys fathers traditions againste manye of his owne felowes when he made hauocke of the congregation Act. 8.9 entrynge into euery house and drawynge oute both men and women and thrustyng them into prison Likewise he obtayned letters of the hie Priest to the sinagog◠that was at Damasco that he if he found any ther that cald vpō the name of Christ might bringe thē bound vnto Ierusalem Act. 13. The Iewes perceiuing that almost the whole city came together to hear the worde of GOD that Paule and Barnabas dyd preache they wer ful of zeale and indignation and spake rayling wordes against those things which were spoken of Paule When Paule was come to Ierusalem the brethren saide vnto hym Act. 21. how manye thousandes of Iewes be there that beleue and are earnest folowers of the law And of such speaketh Paule Roma 10. sayinge I bare them record that they haue a zeale and a feruent minde to Godwarde but not according to knowledge ¶ Of prudency and discretion Capitulo .liii. ABraham comming into Egipt dyd wysely and warely Gen. 12.20 as touchynge hys wyfe for he cloked the truthe and yet affirmed no falshode saying She is my sister He did the like when he came to Abimelech And Abraham did prudently seperate hym self from Lot Gen. 13. because theyr herd menne shoulde not stryue together Abraham discretelye while he yet liued Gen. 25. did deuide and geue euery child hys portion least that they after hys deathe shoulde stryue and hee at debate Rebecca did wiselye enstructe her sonne Iacob Gen. 27. how he should obtayne and come by his fathers blessing and prudently she caused hym to departe from those partyes vntyll hys brothers fearsnesse wer swaged Iacob by crafte dyd euen very wel begyle Labans craftinesse Gen. 30. when Laban denyed to geue hym competente wages for hys seruyce Iacob dyd prudently that he whē he shoulde meete wyth hys brother Gen. 32. sente hym Presentes and when hee deuyded hys Substaunce leaste that hee euen at one brounte shoulde lose al and put such thinges as he loued best in daunger Gen. 41. Ioseph spake prudētly before Pharao expounding the dreame vnto him and geuing him counsell againste the famine that was to come Gen. 44. Ioseph did warely and wiselye deprehend and accuse his brethren and put them in feare Iethro gaue Moses good counsaile saying Exo. 18. prouide thy selfe men of power and such as feare God true men such as hate couetousnesse Or euer Moses inuaded the land of promise Nume 13. he sent spies thither to consider the state and condition therof The spies that Iosue sente lurked and wisely kept them selues close Iosu. 1. vntil they that sought for them were returned to theyr owne agayn Iosue vsed greate policye and wisdome when he laide awaite vnto the towne of Hai Iosu. 8. and afterwards made as though he had fled his way The Gabaonites thinking by craft and subtlety to beguile Iosue by hys discretion were broughte into seruytude and bondage Iosu. 9. Phinees and other messengers that were sent to the children of Ruben Iosu. 22. spake discreately vnto theym and wyth wyse communication appeased them Ahud bringinge a present vnto Eglon kyng of Moab Iudi. 3. craftely deceyued hym Gedeon did smite and destroye the hoost of his enemies Iudi. 8. the whiche beinge wythoute care dyd cast no peryls Iephthe like a wyse man dyd signifye Iudi. 11. by messengers vnto the kynge of the chyldren of Ammon that he dyd wrong to warre agaynst him but
heary clothes withall theyr hartes cried vnto oure Lorde that he would viset hys people And in the prayse of Iudyth it is wrytteÌ„ that she ware a smock of heer and fasted all the dayes of her life except the Sabothes Iudith 8. and new mones and the solempne dayes of the house of Israell Notwithstanding that Iob was a simple Iob. 1.42 a true and a iust man such one as feared God and eschued euyll yet he sayeth I do penaunce in duste and ashes The captiuity of Ierusalem beyng at hand Esaias said Esa. 22 Our Lord God cald men in that day to wepynge and mourning to bauldnesse and gyrding about wyth sackcloth The Niniuites at Ionas preching beleued GOD Ionas 3 and Proclaimed fastynge and arayd them selues in sack cloth as well the greate as the small of them Timotheus host drawynge neare Machabeus and they that were wyth hym 2. mach 10. prayed vnto our Lord sprinkled ashes vpon their heds beinge gyrded with heary cloth about theyr loynes fel downe before the aultare and besought our Lord that he woulde bee mercifull to them and an ennemye to theyr ennemyes Ihon the Baptist was sanctified or euer he came out of his mothers woÌ„b math 11. and nourished with his holy parents and fled into the desart whâ—re he led so austere and so hard a life that as it is sayd he nother dyd eat nor drinke ye and adde thys to that he was not clothed for Camels heere is no mete garment for man How gladly our Lord receiued the sinneful to penaunce math 4. it appeareth by this Lu. 5. Lu. 7 that he began hys preaching with penaunce Also he saith that he came for that math 9. math 26 And declared the same by hys workes and by the example of Mary And of zacheus Lu. 15 Luk. xix And by the example of Peter And by diuers symylytudes the whyche hee wrote of the Sheape that was loste in the desarte And of the groate that the woman loste in her house And of the Prodygall chylde whome the Father thoughte was deade and after reuyued Mary Magdalen the example patrone of penance came vnto our lord vncommaunded Lu. vii nor was not ashamed of those that were at table wyth hym she stode at hys fete behind him weping And to brynge menne to penaunce he put an example of certain vppon whome fel the tour in Siloe and slue them Lu. xiii And then he saith Except ye repent yee shall al likewise perysh And as touchynge the example of the sheape that pearyshed and the grote that the woman lost and afterwardes was found Our Lord dothe say Lu. xv that there is in heauen more ioye ouer one synner that repenteth and doth penaunce then ouer ninety and nyne iust persones whyche neade no penaunce Oure lorde gaue vnto the woman that was taken in aduoutry Ihon. viii a lyttle and a short penaunce saying Go and synne no more Iudas seynge that oure lorde was condempned Math. xxvii repented hym self and brought againe the xxx plates of syluer saying I haue synned betraying the innocent bloud Truely he sayde the truth but inasmuch as he dispeared he deserued no forgeuenesse Peter denying his master in the hie preastes courte dyd synne Math. 26. but when hee was willynge to wepe and to do penaunce Luke 22. he went oute And note that Luke dothe ad to this that our lorde turned backe and loked vppon Peter Certaine Iewes which were compuncte and prycked in theire hartes Act. 2. sayed ye menne and brethren what shall we do Peter sayed vnto them Do penaunce and be baptised euery one of you When they hearde Peters reasons wherefore he came to Cornelius Act. 11. and that he hadde baptised hym the brethren helde they re peace and gloryfied god sayinge Then hath God also to the gentyles grauÌ„ted repentauÌ„ce and penaunce to life ¶ Of the honoure due vnto our parentes Capitu. lxii Sem and Iaphet deserued theyr fathers blessinge Gen. 9. in asmuche as they dyd theyr dewtye vnto hym beynge bare But his sonne Cain was cursed because he deryded the nakednesse of his father The fathers blessinge was a thing of greate estimation amonge oure elders Gen. 27. As it appeareth in Iacob and Esau for they carefully soughte for the same Although Esau was a wicked man reproued of god and hatinge his brother Iacob Gen. 27. yet hee woulde not kyll him duringe the lyfe of his father Isaac For he sayed The dayes of my fathers sorowe will come In that he honoured his father beinge a frayde to offende him Iudas bounde him selfe to a greate paine Gen. 42.43 When he saied to his father If I bringe not Beniamin againe and deliuer him vnto the. Then lette me beare the blame for euer And yt is to be noted that wheÌ„ Ruben said slaye my two soÌ„nes if I bring him not to the again that he agreed not vnto him But yet he agreed vnto Iudas sayinge the other forsayde wordes The selfe same Iudas desiring Ioseph to sende Beniamin again to his father amonge other things he repeted the forsaide wordes by the whiche he bounde him selfe to his father Gen. 44. And saied more ouer I caÌ„not go vp to my father if the childe be absent onelesse I would se and be a witnes of the calamite wretchednes that shall come on and oppresse my father Iacob blessinge his chyldren spake thus against Ruben Gen. 4â— Thou art caste out vnstable as water Thou shalt not growe and be cheafeste because thou wentest vp to thy fathers bedde and dydest defile it Our lorde commaunded by Moses that if a man haue a son that is stubburn and disobedient Deut. 21. that the people of the citye shoulde stone him to death Our lord recompenst the euell that Abimilech did vnto his father in sleynge his .lxx. brethren Iudi. 9. The childreÌ„ of Hely wold not heare theyr father rebukinge corrâ—tynge them 1. Reg. 2.4 and therefore they felt the Uegeaunce and punishment of god Because that Ionathas tasted a litle honye against his fathers inhibition 1. Regu 14 his father iudged him to death but yet the people deliuered him that he dyed not Dauid flâ—ing from the presence and face of Saule beinge in great necessite remembred his parentes 1 Regu 22. and diligentlye commended them to king Moab Absolon labored to expel his father Dauid oute of his kingdome 2. regu 15 but yet his chaunce was not good Salomon rose to mete hys mother comming vnto him and bowed him selfe vnto her 3. regum 2. And there was a seate set for the kinges mother Two of Sennacheribs sonnes slew hym 4. regu 19. and yet nether of them raigned after him Olde Tobias instructing his soÌ„ne amonge other things he saied Tobi. 4. When God taketh awaye my soule burye thou my bodye and holde thy mother in honoure all the dayes
of her lyfe Oure Lorde castyng those oute of the temple with a scourge that solde and bought Oxen Iohn 2. shepe and doues and the chaungers of money sayed make not my fathers house an house of marchaundise sekynge very often tymes in this and other thinges his fathers honoure It is written of the chylde Iesu that he wente downe with them Luke 2. that is with Mary and Ioseph and came to Nazareth and was subiecte and obedient vnto them Also in a nother place he sayeth Iohn 8. I honour my father And hangynge vppon the crosse he commended his mother to his welbeloued disciple Iohn 19. Whereby it appeareth what carefulnesse he hadde for hys mother that forgat her not at the poynte or laste Artycle of death ¶ Of thankes geuing for the benefites of God Capi. lxiii IAcob gaue thaÌ„ks vnto god most diligeÌ„tly Gen. 31. saiyng Lord I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and truthe whiche thou hast shewed vnto thy seruant Exo. 13. Our lorde woulde that the childreÌ„ of Israell shoulde neuer forget theyr deliueraunce oute of Aegipte And it shall be Sayth he a signe vnto thee vpon thyne hande for a remeÌ„brauÌ„ce betwene thyne eyes that the lordes lawe may be in thy mouth Moses and the chyldren of Israell sange this songe vnto our lord Exo. 15. said Let vs singe vnto our lord This was after they had so wonderfully passed ouer the red see After thei hadde obtained and gotten a wonderfull greate victorye of theyr enemyes Nume 31. the prynces of the hoste of Israel came to Moses saiyng that there was not one of the children of Israell slayne in the battayle And yet they hadde taken of men and cattayle a greate number And for that cause they offerde vppe great gyftes vnto our Lorde Our Lord commaunded that after the myraculus goyng ouer Iordan they should pitche Iosu. 3. and set vp twelue stones in and for a perpetual monument and memory of the same After the victory obtained by Barath Tebora of Sysara they saÌ„ge gaue â—hankes to our Lord. Iudi. 5. Anna praid and praised our Lorde for her sonne Samuel the which our Lord had geuen her 1. reg 2. Although the children of Israel in suche battailes as they wanne dyd fyghte stoutlye and stronglye Iudi. 20. Yet they said that it was oure Lorde that smote theyr ennemyes that the laud and praise myght be geuen vnto oure Lorde When Dauid heard of the reuelation that God made by the Prophet Nathan 2. reg 7 of the continuaunce of hys kyngdom he gaue God thankes most humbly and deuoutly Oure Lorde is muche to be lauded and praysed that geueth hys people a good prince and prelate 3. regu 5. Blessed be our Lord saith scripture which hath geuen vnto Dauid a wyse sonne ouer this mighty people 1. Esd. 1. Cyrus the kynge of Persia proclaymed thorowe oute all hys Empyre Oure LORDE God of heauen hathe geuen me al the kingdoms of the earth and hathe commaunded me to buylde hym a house at Ierusalem Whosoeuer now among you is of hys people oure Lord hys God be with him and let hym go vp to Ierusalem and build the house of our lord God of Israel Tobi. 11. When Tobias had recouered hys sighte he and his wife and all that knew him before that he was blinde praised and glorified God Iudi. 16. After the victorye of Holofernes host was obtained all the people resorted and came to IerusaleÌ„ to prayse and pray vnto our Lord. Dani. 2. After that the vision of Nabuchodonozor king of Babilon was reueled opened vnto Daniel He blessed oure Lord God of heauen and sayde The name of our Lord be blessed for wisdome and strength are his The iii. childreÌ„ being deliuered froÌ„ the burning fire and flame of the fornace Dani. 3. praysed our lorde well and deuoutly And not they only gaue thaÌ„kes vnto god for that thing but Nabuchodonozor did also cause the wonderful thinges of our lord to be proclaymed thorow out al his kingdome After that the temple vnder Iudas Machabeus was erected and purifyed 1. Mach. 4. they worshypped and gaue thankes to the GOD of heauen that hadde prospered and geuen them the victorye Iudas Machabeus and the people of IerusaleÌ„ wrote vnto Aristobolus 2. Mach. 1 saying we being deliuered by god froÌ„ great daungers and pearils magnifyceÌ„tly do geue thankes vnto hym When the blessed virgin had herd the laude and praise that Elizabeth gaue her LuKe. 1. saying Blessed art thou amonge women she praysed and lauded God for the benefytes geuen to her and to all the worlde wyth these wordes My soul magnyfyeth the lord We reade in the gospel that when our Lord purposed to do some greate miracle Iohn 6.11 that oftentimes he loked vp to heauen gaue thankes Mat. 26. as it manifestly appeareth in the multiplicatioÌ„ of the loues In the resuscitation of Lazarus and in the institucion of the blessed and holy sacrament After Ihon the Baptist was born LuKe. 1. and that zacharias had recouered his speache he prophesying praysed our Lord saying Blessed be oure Lorde God of Israel Simeon toke the child Iesus vp in hys armes Luke 2. and blessed our Lord. When the people saw that our Lorde had healed the man of the palsy Mat. 9. they meruailed and glorified god whyche had geuen such power to men And likewise when the widowes son was reuiued Luke 7. ther came a fear on theÌ„ al and they magnified god and gaue vnto him the glory saying A greate prophet is rysen vp among vs. One of those x. lepers that which wer clensed at Goddes commaundement turned backe againe Luke 17. and fell downe on hys face at hys feete and gaue hym thankes After that our Lord had supt with his disciyles Mat. 26. and had said grace they went out vnto mount Oliuer The halt that was healed by Peter Act. 3.4 entred with the Apostles into the temple walkinge and leapinge and praisyng God Then ther followeth All men praised God because of that which was done for the man was aboue xl yere old on whom the miracle of healing was shewed Paule gaue thankes for the benefits to him and other exhibited 1. Timo. 1. To hym self in his conuersyon I thancke my Lord god that coÌ„forted me in Christ wheras before I was a blasphemer a persecutor contumelious but yet I obtained merrye because I did it ignorauntly through vnbelefe And in his coÌ„uersation thankes be vnto god 2. Cor. 2. which alwais geueth vs the triumph and victory in Christ Iesu. And deuoutly he geueth thaÌ„kes for the benefites exhibited to his brethreÌ„ First verely I geue God thankes for you all Roma 1. that youre Faythe is spoken of in all the world 1. Thes. 2. And to the Thessalonians What thanckes can we recompence to God again for you ouer
to the Corinthians Some saye that our epistles are greuous but our bodely presence weake and our spech and communication rude ¶ Of Treason Capitu. lxviii SAule beynge vered wyth the deuel Dauid sung and plaied before him 2. Cor. 10. and Saule wente aboute to nayle him to the wall with the iauelynge that hee helde in hys hande Saul promised to geue Dauid his daughter in mariage 1. Re. 18.19 that throughe occasion the Philistians myghte kyll hym Dauid saued and defended the inhabitours of Seely froÌ„ the philistines 1. regu 18. hooste that besieged them And yet they would haue betrayed and delyuered him vnto Saul his enemy 1. regu 23. that euen to death did persecute him After that Saule had lamented the persecution of Dauid 1. regu 24. and that Dauid was sworne vnto him he persecuted and folowed Dauid as wrongfully and as sharpely as euer he dyd before Urias caried from Dauid to Ioab letters of hys owne death Amnon Dauids sonne caulde vnto hym his syster Thamar as thoughe he would haue eaten meate at her hand 2. regu 11. 2. regu 13. and afterwardes defiled her Absolon called his brother Amnon to a banket 2. regu 13. and slewe him When Ioab had saluted Amasam and hadde taken hym by the chyn as thoughe he woulde haue kyst him 2. regu 20. he smote him in the side and he shed out his bowels to the grounde zambry the capitayne of halfe the horsmen 3. Re. 16. slewe Hela his Lorde and mayster and did raigne after him seuen dayes onely He was besieged and he burnt him selfe and the kings palace Selum Iabes sonne conspired against zacharias the kinge of Israell his lorde and master 4. regu 15. and slewe him and after hym he raigned in his slede one moneth onely As Sennacherib was praiyng and woorshippinge his god in the temple 4. regu 19. hys two sonnes smote hym wyth the sweard But yet neither of his sonnes raigned after hym Certayne of Nehemias ennemyes would maliciusly haue made a confederation wih him 2. Esd. 6. thought to haue done him a displeasure gaue money that he might be brought to synne Two of kyng Ahaswerus porters or chamberlaines that sate at the comynge in of the Palace Esth. 2. would haue layed handes on the kynge and haue slaine him Ismael the sonne of Nathania came and many moe with him to dine with Godolia 4. regu 2â— whome the kyng had made capitayne ouer the men of Babilon whiche were in Iewry And after diner they rose and slew him that wold not haue thought nor beleued no such euel in them King Antiochus sent his chefe treasurer into the cities of Iuda 1. Mach. 1 whyche came to Ierusalem and spake peaceably but yet deceitfull woordes vnto those that were wythin For when they had geuen him credence hee fell sodenly vppon the citye and smote it sore and destroyed muche people of Israell When kynge Antiochus Eupator besieged Ierusalem and coulde not take it 1. Mach. 6. He sent vnto those that were wythin to be at peace with them and they receyued it He sware vnto theÌ„ and sone after brake his othe that he had made Ptolomeus the king of Egipt weÌ„t about through disceit to obtain Alexanders his Nephews kingdom 1. Mach. 11. And entring into the cities of Alexandria with a great host of men and receyued by the kings commaundement in to them very honourably he left meÌ„ of war to kepe them When Triphon saw that Ionathas came with so great an hoste he commaunded him to kepe but a few with him 1. Mach. 12. and to send away the reast and when he had done so he was taken and a thousand that were with hym and the other returned home again As Triphon went forthe to walke wyth the yonge kyng Antiochus hys Lord and master 1. Mach. 13. he slue him trayterously and raigned in his stede Ptolomy the sonne of Abobus the hie priestes sonne in lawe 1. Mach. 16 made a banket for Simon and his ii sonnes And when they had dronken well he slue them When Apollinus was come to Ierusalem fainingly he kept hym selfe quiet and stil vntyl the Saboth daye 2. Mach. 5. And then when the Iewes kept holy day he slue a great multitude of theÌ„ Iudas Machabeus hearing that they which besieged the towers where in theyr ennemies the Gentiles were 2. Mach. 10 had taken mony and let part of their ennemies goe he slewe them as traytoures and sellers of theyr brethren And went in hand and toke the tours The treason that the most wycked Iudas vsed against his Lorde Mat. 26. passed al other treasons in iniquity and peruersity LuKe. 22. the which sold his Lorde and master for a litle mony Iohn 18. and deliuered him with a kisse into the handes of his ennemies Certaine of the Iewes came to the chefest of the priestes and elders Act. 13. desiring them to do so muche as to cause Lysias the Tribune that had Paule in hold to bring him forth amoÌ„g theÌ„ as though they would haue knownâ— somthing more perfectly of him And they were euen readye by and by to kill him ¶ Of adulation anf flatery Cap. lxix WHen Chore and his companioÌ„s sâ—ode vp against Moses AaroÌ„ they said Num. 16 it is sufficient inough for vs that all the multytude are holye and that oure LORDE is amonge theym In the whych wordes if appeareth that they flattered and sought for the beneuolence and fauor of the people The yong man that brought Dauid tidinges of Sauls death and his soÌ„nes was slain by Dauids commaundemeÌ„t yet he thought that he hadde brought prosperous and good tidinges 2. reguâ— 1. The two theues that slew Isboseth Sauls sonne 2. regu 4. and brought hys heade vnto Dauid thought to please hym But he declared wel vnto them that it displeased him for he commaunded them to be slain and theyr hands and fete to be cut of and hanged ouer the poole in Hebron Absolon said vnto the maÌ„ that had matters before kinge Dauid 2. regu 15. thy wordes and communication seme to me good and iust But there is no maÌ„ deputed to heare thee The euell and false Prophets told Achab the kynge of Israell that hee should prosper in hys wars 3. regu 22. for they knew that he would be glad to heare such tidinges After the death of Ioiada the priest the lordes of Iuda came and made obeisaunce to the king 2. Para. 24. the whiche beinge pleased with their adulation harkned vnto them And so they lefte the house of our Lorde serued groues and Idols The Iewes ennemies that edifyed the temple after theyr returne out of captiuity 1. Esd. 4 wrote thus vnto the king We remembring the salt that we haue eaten in thy palace thoughte that it was against reason to se thy damage and losses c. Iudith 2
a remembraunce of their gladnesse Hest. 9 whiche they coÌ„ceaued and had by the death of Aman their enemy dyd order that gyftes should be distributed geuen vnto the poore Our Lorde speaketh by the Prophete Esay complayningly Esay 1. sayinge Thy princes are wicked and companions of theues they loue gyftes altogether and gape for rewardes The maister of the kyng of Babilons hooste Iere. 40 gaue Hieremy vytayles and rewardes and let him go After that Daniell had expounded the vision vnto Nabuchodonosor the kynge Dani. 2 he made hym a greate man and gaue hym many and greate gyftes Balthasar the kynge of Babilon dyd promyse Daniell greate gyftes Dani. 5 But he answered sayinge kepe thy gyftes thy selfe and gyue thy ryche gyftes to another Ionathas wente to Ptolomeis and gaue Ptolomi and Alexander greate presentes of golde and syluer 1. mach 10 found fauoure in their sight When Triphon saw that Ionathas came vnto him with so great anhoost 1. macha 12 he was afrayde and receiued him honorablye and gaue hym rewardes And by this occasion he deceiued him for after he had sent away his hoost Triphon kept him there with a few and kylde hym For the giftes which the ambitius Iason did geue and promise to kynge Antiochus 2. mach 4 hee obtayned the hye Priesthode and when he hadde sente the mony to the kyng by Menelaus he beguiled him and gotte the dominion For IasoÌ„ had paid thre hundred talentes of siluer Menelaus Lysimachus brother did obtain with the mony that he promised Antiochus 2. mach 4 the hye priesthode And afterwardes he gaue to Andronicus certaine vessel of golde that he had secreatly stolne out of the temple and caused Onias to bee slayne After all thys when that hee was accused before kynge Ptolome he procured wyth monye that he promysed to geue him that his accusers were condemned to death The wycked traytor and detractor Alchimus desiring to obtayne the hie Priesthode 2. mach 14 offered Demetrius a crowne of golde and certayne other thynges The wise menne offered vnto the poore Lorde Mat. 2. golde Frankensence and mirrhe When the souldiours that shoulde haue kept the sepulchre of our Lord math 28 hadde receiued good store of monye they sayd that hys Disciples Mat. 28 they beinge a sleape had stolen hym away LuKe. 21 The gift of the pore widow which cast into the treasurye two mytes is preferd of our Lorde farre aboue the rich mens giftes When Simon saw that throughe laying on of the Apostles handes the holy ghoste was geuen Act. 8. He offred theÌ„ money sayinge Geue mee also thys power The presidente Felix that kepte Paule bounde falslye accused by the Iewes Act. 24 did hope that Paule woulde geue some mony wherfore he called him the oftner and communed wyth him And because that he as it is veri like came not to his intent he lefte Paule in pryson bound ¶ Of Fortitude ¶ Cap. lxxvii WHen Abraham sawe that Lot his brothers sonne was taken Gen. 14. he toke his seruauntes born in hys owne house with other and sette vpon the foure kings by nighte that had taken him And after he had pursued and smitten them he broughte Lot again withall his substance and all the people of Sodome The purenesse of the conscieÌ„ce maketh a man both sure and bolde Gen. 31. and therfore Iacob beinge wrothe chode wyth Laban saying For what cause or for what offence followest thou so after mee and haste searched all my stuffe The aungell saide vnto Iacob if thou hast bene strong againste God Gen. 32 how much more shalt thou preuayle against man Moses stode boldly and constantly against Pharao Exo. 5. reprouing hym because he wold not let our Lordes people go The children of Israell came harnessed out of the land of Egipt Exo. 13 Caleph and Iosue dyd manfullye comfort the people Nu. 13.14 saying Let vs go vp and possesse the land for we be able to ouercome it And again Feare not the people of the land for they ar but bread for vs. Phinees with xii M. fighting men ouerthrew the Madianites of that whiche besides menne and wemen that were slaine Nume 31 there wer xxxii thousand virgins taken And of cattell an infynite multitude and yet ther perished not one of the children of Israell Deute 31 Moses said vnto Iosue that shoulde succede him Be stronge and bold for thou must go and lead this people into the land When Iosue went against thinhabitors Iosu. 8 of Hai he was in the fronte of the hoaste compassed wyth the ayde and strengthe of stronge and valyant menne After that the v. kinges wer taken Iosue saide vnto the chefe of the men of warre that were with him Iosu. â—0 go on and put your feete vpon the neckes of these kinges be not afraid nor faint harted Caleph said vnto Iosue I am thys day 85. yere old Iosu. 14 and yet I am as valiant and as stronge at this time as I was when I sent to search spye the country euen the same fortitude and strength doth continue in me stil. Ahud the iudge chefe captaine of the host of Israel going in the fronte of the battayle Iudi. 3 sayde vnto the people Followe me for the Lord hathe delyuered your ennemyes into youre handes The aungel said vnto Gedeon our Lorde is wyth thee Iudi. 6 thou mighty maÌ„ of warre Go hence in this thy might thou shalt deliuer Israell oute of the handes of the Madianites And when he most humbly excused him selfe he heard I wyll be with thee and thou shalt smite the Madianites as they were but one man Gedeon by the commaundemente of oure LORDE Iudi. 7 sayde vnto hys hoste if any man dread or be afrayde Let hym returne and wyth thre C. men and a proper stratageme or subtle poynt of warre he ouerthrew the Madionites Samson tare a Lion in peces with his vnarmed handes Iudi. 14.15 and .16 as hee woulde haue rent a Kid and after did manye stronge feates 1. regu 11. Saule hearing that the men and inhabiters of Iabes Galaad wer besieged he boldly efficacely and quicklye did succor and helpe them 1. regu 17. Dauid in his childehode did strongly ouercome a Lion a Beare and Goliath the Philistine Dauid with one souldiare came to Saules hoste 1. regu 26 and entringe into hys tent toke away his spear his shield and the cruse of water 2. regu 2. Twelue of Isboseths seruauntes and xii of Dauids caughte eche other by the head and thrust theyr swordes in eache other sydes and they fell downe together 2. regu 23. Dauid longed and saide oh that I had of the water that is in the cestern by the gate of Bethelem for to drink And thre mighty men brake thorow the host of the Philistines brought him of that water 4. regu 9.10 Iehu
the came to take him 4. regu 6. to haueâ— anye hurte but caused meate to be sette before them and when they had eaten he sent theÌ„ away Tobias beynge blind shewed wonderful great patience Tobi. 23. as wel against the deuine scourge plage of blindenes as againste the derisions of hys wife and his frendes Iob when he lost hys goodes hys chyldren Iob. 1.2 and almoste hym selfe â—o was pacient And it is to be noted that at once he lost his goodes hys chyldren and the Temptation was the more vehement But yet such frendes as were lefte were rather a desolation then a comfort vnto him as it is euidente in those his frendes the which were ouerous and heauye comforters vnto him Daniels companions that wer cast into the burning fornace did exhibit a mearye and a ioyfull pacience Dani. 3. and our Lord was more praysed by theyr pacience then by the sapience or wisdome of Daniel Sara Raguels daughter toke paciently the greuous rebuke and slander of one of her fathers handmaideÌ„s not answering her again Tobi. 3. but incontinently turning her self to prayer When Eleazarus was sore plaged and punished 2. Mach. 6 he saide O Lorde thou knowest that wher as I might be deliuered from death I suffer these sore paines of my bodye but in my minde I am well content to suffer them because I fear thee The seuen brethren and their mother did ioyfully suffer sore torments and punishments 2. mach 7. When Peter hadde demaunded of our Lord how oft shal I forgeue my brother if he synne againste me tyll seuen times Mat. 28. He hard our Lord saye I say not vntil seuen times but seueÌ„tye times seuen times And that we shoulde remit and forgeue oure brethren euen from the hart oure Lorde brought forth the Parable of the vngratious seruaunte whome he moste liberallye forgaue a thousande Talentes When Iames and Ihon had harde that the Samaritanes had not receyued our Lords messengers they said wylt thou that we commaund fyre to come downe from heauen Luc. 9. and consume them euen as Helias dyd And our Lorde rebuked them sayinge ye wot not what maÌ„ner sprite ye are of The woman that was taken in aduoutry and accused before our Lord answered nothinge to her accusers Iohn 8. but our Lord toke the matter in haÌ„d and mercifully absolued her Nowe and than a man muste geue place and auoid the fury of those that persecute him Luke 4. For oure Lorde that came to suffer and to die dyd not as fearful but as wise and lokynge for a competent houre of hys passion auoid and eschue oftentimes the fierce rage of the Iewes Iohn 8. Iesus hydde hym selfe LuKe. 4. and went oute of the Temple And he departed and went hys waye euen thorow the mids of them Mat. 11. Our LORD saythe of hym selfe learne of me for I am meke and lowly of heart Our Lord toke paciently the iniuries that wer done vnto him by word and deede By backbitigne woordes contradictorius tauntinge and contumelious woordes They slaundred hym bothe priuelye and openly pryuelye within them selues and iudgynge hym temerariously and falsly if thys manne were a Prophet hee woulde knowe what manner of woman this is Againe Thys manne blasphemeth Luc. â— Openlye whan the Pharises saide to his Disciples Lâ—c. 5. why doth your master eat and drynk with Publicans and sinners Mar. 2. Also when they depraued his miracles saying Mat. 12. He dryueth oute deuels by the helpe of Belzebub the chefe of the deuels Iohn 9. We know that this man is a sinner And again they saide that he was possest with the deuil He suffred contradictorius words Iohn 8. as when they said Thou bearest record of thy self thy record is not true And againe Thou art not yet l. yere old Mat. 9. and hast thou sene Abraham and scornfull wordes he suffred when he said The maid is not deade but slepeth And contumelious wordes As Say we not wel that thou art a Samaritane and haste the deuell Iohn 8. And who is this that speaketh blasphemies Luc. 5. But specially he heard these wordes in the time of his passyon or euer he came to the crosse in Annas and Caiphas house and before Pilate and Herode And at the last euen haÌ„gyng vpon the crosse he hard suche wordes spoken against him Likewise in dedes he hathe suffred greuous iniuries for as he was preching all they in the Sinagoge were filled with wrath and thrusting him out of the city Luke 4. they would haue caste him downe headling from the toppe of the mountaine Ihon. 8 And againe they toke stones to stone him And when he went out of Ierusalem minedynge to goe by Samaria LuKe. 9. but the Samaritans woulde not receiue his messengers the whyche he sent before him And when he preached and rebuked the Iewes of theyr malice sinne they gathered vp stones to haue stoned him Ihon. 8. But all this was in a manner nothing in respect of those thynges which he sustained in his passion wher vpon thou maiste note that he euen as he foretolde it was mocked scourged and crucified mocked in Caiphas house For it is wrytten that the men that held him Mar. 15. did scorn him saying All haile king of the Iewes And likewise in Pilates iudgements house mat 27. they mocked hym bowynge their kne And in Herodes house Herode wyth hys men of war despysed hym Lu. 23 and mocked hym Item oure lorde Iesus was illuded hanging vpon the crosse Luc. 23. and mocked of the souldiars preastes and commenly of those that passed by and of the theues Of the souldiours it is writteÌ„ Luc. 13. The souldiours dyd mocke hym and proferd him vineger Mat. 27. And of the preastes Also the hie preastes mocking him with the Scribes and the elders sayed he saued other Mar. 15. him selfe can he not saue They that passed by blasphemed him shaking their heddes Luc. 23. And the theues whiche were crucified with him rayled on him Furthermore note that he was scorned with beâ—kys signes whan thei wagged their headdes and bowed theyr knees And wyth woordes As whan thei that did salute him sayde ma. 15. All hayle kynge of Iewes And with dede when they crownde hym wyth thorne and in place of a cepter put a rede in hys hande and defyled with spittle and now clothed with a purple vesture now with a white Oure sauioure shewed mekenes in his passion to Iudas the traytoure Mat. 26. whom he called frend and to Malcas the sergeant whose eare he restored and healed Iohn 18.19 And to Annas Caiphas and Pilate before whome he was accused he answered very gentely and mekely And to those that crucifyed him for the whiche he prayed and to the theefe Luc. 23. vnto whome hee aunswered so courteously We must thinke and â—ounder the diuers sâ—ourginges
of oure lorde Mar. 15. For first he was scourged vpon the heade he was smitten vpon the heade wyth a rede Iohn 18. And vpon the face One of the ministers whiche slode by the bishop smote hym on the face Mat. 27. Aud they dyd smyâ—e hym in the necke and ouer all his body And Pilate delyuerd Iesus that was scourged to be crucifyed And in this thynge it is to be noted that all such as do learne are wont to be scourged and beaâ—eÌ„ vpon the heade seruantes vpon the necke the whiche men thrust out of the house gilty persons vpon the face and sceleraâ—e persons thorowout all the body Also a faythfull soule muste consider that hee was scourged wyth the tonges of blasphemers dispisers and of those that cried oute and sayde Mat. 26. crucifie him and that smote hym wyth their handes as it is wrytten They smote hym on his face wyth the palme of their handes And with a rede and scourges As Mathew and Marke do testifie And to the heape of all iniuryes it maketh that the lorde of all lordes and rulers the whiche doth lose that be fetered and dothe illuminate the blynde was taken and bounde lyke a thefe Iohn 18. The Iewes ministers sayth Iohn toke Iesus and bounde him Also he was lesse estemed theÌ„ a thefe for the Iewes demaunded that Barrabas Luc. 23. should be loosed oure lorde to be crucified Mat. 27. yet Barrabas was a thefe and in seditioÌ„ had coÌ„mitted murther So that Barrabas was a murtherer a sediâ—ius person a famous thefe and in malyce sore diffamed forther more he was hanged and set betwene two theues as thoughe he had bene their maister and worste of all other For Iohn saith Iohn 19. And Iesus in the middes Forthermore we must way ponder that he was afflicted and punyshed in all the members and sences of his body His eies behelde and sawe those cruell tormentors And also his mooste mekest mother the whiche in soule was crucified his derely beloued disciple and the deuoute wemen that in minde suffered with him His eares did heare blasphemouse mocking iniurious and dispising wordes Likewyse hys nose by reason of the place in the whiche he was crucified where the misdoers were beheaded might with filthy slenche be offeÌ„ded His tast was noied because they gaue him wine mingled with myrre or vineger with gall to quenche his thurst withall wherby we may well vnderstand that the drinke which thei gaue him was very bitter His sense of feeling or touching sprede thorowout all his body felte paine in his members which wer scourged in his handes and feete Which were borde thorow with nayles It may be likewise coÌ„sidered Iohn 19. that he sustained losse in things longing and pertayning to his bodye For he was spoyled of hys raiment his frendes went from him Mar. 14. For his disciples for soke him ran awaye Thus he was afflicted as it is sayed in all partes of his body by his most bytter passion Also in hart and minde he suffered for he was sorye for his frendes that stode by and for his enemies that ignorauntly did crucify him And againe in a maner he sufferd was hurte in his good name fame Mat. 27. For they called him a seductor of the people Sir sayd the chefe of the priestes to Pilate we remeÌ„ber that this deceiuer said while he was yet a liue c. And yet we muste marke as touching the helthfull passioÌ„ of our Lord Iesu Christ that it was most fylthy most ignominius shameful be reasoÌ„ of the place because it was done in Ierusalem Wher he was knowen and honored and wher he had done many miracles Item because of the time day for it was done in the solempne feast of Ester when a greate multitude came together vnto the feast and he was led vnto his crosse and passion at nyne of the clocke to thenâ—ent he myghte bee sene and knowen of all menne And agayne it was most fylthy coÌ„sidering the kinde of death For it was the deathe of the crosse a death dewe vnto yll spoken menne yll doers and vniuste menne And the maner of goynge to his deathe Iesus wente forth bearynge his crosse the whiche thinge is not red of other two wicked persones which wer led with him Iohn 19. And again bi reason of his coÌ„panions For he was crucyfied betwixt ii theues asthough he had ben one of theÌ„ or the greatest or maister of them Forthermore the bitternes of hys blessed passyoÌ„ was increased by the naturall complection of our lords body For manifest it is that his holi bodi was of the best most purest coÌ„plectioÌ„ made fashioned by the worke of the holye goost without any faute or errour of nature and so his holye fleshe had no rebellion or fyght against the spirite And therfore the spirit did loue not without a good cause his body more then any other mans spirite or soule shuld loue his body Item the bitternes of his passion was agrauate by the continuaunce of the same For many marâ—irs that wer burnt or drowned or beheaded did accomplish and ende their martirdome very shortly But oure Lordes passion endured euen in a manner from thinstance of his conception vntil the houre of his death For he foreknewe mooste certenlye what his humanity shulde suffer but specially it continued from the tyme of his laste supper vntill the nynthe hour of the syxte daye folowyng And also it was aggrauate by the quality of the members in the which he suffred that is in his fete and handes the whiche are members full of neaues sinewes most ready to receiue dolor and pain And that our lordes passyoÌ„ was most bitter and very greuous it may be most chefely gathered by this that Luke sheweth for in his oration prayer had after supper hys sweate throughe the vehement imaginacion of the anguishe and paines that were to come Luc. 22. wer like droppes of bloude trickeling downe to the ground But that our Lord went frely and willingli vnto his passion that made it most gratious Mat. 26. Râ—â—e saith he let vs be going Behold he is at hande that shal betray me And Ihon saithe he went forth to mete the ministers that sought Iesus of Nazareth Iohn 18. and when they hard our Lord say I am he they wente backewardes and fell to the ground And when he was taken bounde ignominiousâ—y led away falsly accused buffeted be spued scourged mockingly crowned with thorne yet hee neuer shewed anye word or signe of impacience or trouble but shewed them manifolde benefites that so dyd handle him For hee healed the seruaunts eare that was cut of he spake many deuout and profitable wordes vnto theÌ„ and praid meekely for those that crucified him calliuge mooste swetely vppon his father beninglye excusinge them Luc. 23. sayinge father Forgeue them for they wotte not what they
and hewed them eueÌ„ vnto Horma King Arad fought against the children of Israel and toke some of them prisoners Nume 21. But Israel vowed a vowe vnto our Lord and ouercame them and destroyed the cityes of theyr enemies The children of Israel fighting by Moses commaundement against the Madianites Nume 21. hadde and obtained so great a victory that they toke for a pray 3200. virgines and yet of the Israelites there was but 1200. fighting men of the whyche ther was not one man slaine When the people shouted blewe wyth trompets Iosu. 6. as Iosue coÌ„maunded them the walles of Iericho fel down and so was the city taken By the accasion of Achams preuarication the chyldren of Isrell were dryuen from the citye of Hai. Iosu. 7.8 But after the synne was pourged at goddes coÌ„maundement the citye was taken and ouerthroen When Iosue fought against the .v kinges which came to destroi the Gabaonites Iosu. 10 Our lorde cast downe from heauen great stones vpon them And there were mo dead wyth the hayle stones then they were whome the childreÌ„ of Israel slew with the swerd Then the sunne and the moone stode styll at Iosues worde and commaundement for the space of a daye that he might vtterly destroye his enemyes And it is to be noted that notwythstandinge it be written that Iosue in the conquering of the lande of promise did smite and destroy al the land with the kinges therof and the fightinge he toke theÌ„ all except Gabaon Yet it is red there Iosu. 10 That our lorde fought for Israel NotwithstaÌ„ding therfore that the childreÌ„ of Israel did fight strongly wyth theyr handes yet the victorye was ascriued to god Iudi. 1. We reade not that the chyldren of Israell after the death of Iosua went to fight except that they fyrst counseled with oure lorde And oure lorde deluered the Cananites and the pharesites into theyr handes Iudi. 3. Oure lorde lefte many nations amonge the childreÌ„ of Israel to instruct Israel And all that knew not the warres of the Cananites that their children myght learne to fight with their enemies haue the custome of fightiÌ„g Iudi. 3. Oure lorde styrde vp a sauioure vnto Israell named Ahud the whiche slew Eglon the kynge of Moab And the chyldren of Israell wente downe wyth hym goynge before them The whyche sayed vnto them folowe me for oure lorde hathe deliuered youre enemyes into oure handes And they slew of the Moabites vppon a ten M. menne Delbora sayed vnto Barach vp for this is the day Iudi. 4. in which our lorde hath delyuered Sisara into thy handes oure lorde feared and destroyed Sysara all hys charettes and all his hoost with the edge of the sweard With .300 menne that with theyr handes did cast water into their mouthes Iudi. 7. oure lorde deliuered Israel from the hande of Madian and Amalech the which in Gedeons tyme wer many in numbre Abimelech Gedeons sonne through his concubine slew .70 of his brethren vpon one stone Iudi. 9. to th entent he might raygne alone After that a certayne woman whilste he beseiged the tours of Sichem cast a pece of a mylstone vpon his head and all to breake his brayne panne Iâ—phethe went to fight agaynst the chyldren of Amnon Iudi. 12. whome our lord delyuered into his hands And he destroyed with a very great plage .xx. of the chyldren of Amons cyties Samson through the great strength that oure Lorde gaue hym Iudi. 15. obtayned against the PhilistiaÌ„s many victoryes the which did oppresse kepe the children of Israel in greate seruitute and bondage 600. men of the tribe of Dan came to Lais Iudi. 18 euen to a people that were at rest and without mistrust and smote them with the edge of the swearde and burnt the city with fire And ther was no manne to healpe because Lais was farre from Sidon And they hadde no medlynge with any other manne Althoughe the chyldren of Israell were iustely moued agaynst the chyldren of Beniamin Iudic. 20. and were .vii. tymes as many mo as they were yet thei trusting to their fortitude numbre were of them ouercomed Afterwardes they wepte and fasted before oure lordeâ— and oure lorde sayed vnto them To morowe I wyll delyuer them into youre handes And then they hadde a full vyctory ouer them In the tyme of Eli the preaste the philistians ouercame the chyldren of Israell 1. regu 4. the whyche afterwardes as thouge they woulde tempte GOD brought the Arke of oure lorde wyth them presumptuously trustinge that by it they shoulde obtayne the victorye But the philistines comfortinge one an other ouercame them againe And tooke the Arke of god in the battayle Samuel dyd crye vnto oure lorde for the chyldren of Israell 1. regu 7. and offerd vp sacrifice for them And oure lorde thundred a greate thunder amonge the philistines and they were put to flyte and slayne When the townes of Iabes Galaad were besieged by Nahaz the king of the Ammonites Saul did sone succur theÌ„ 1. regum 11. for he with a great multitude of men of war came in vpon the hoost in the mornyng watch scattred their enemies so that two of theÌ„ were not left together Ionathas Sauls sonne seynge the station and watche of the philistines sayd vnto his harnes bearer 1. regum 14 it is no hardnes with our lord to saue ether in many or in fewe And there chaunsed as it were a myracle of god for the multitude was slayne by them 1. regu 14. and fleynge hether and thether were scattered in euery place At Samuels commaundemeÌ„t Saul slew Amalech 1. regu 15. and tooke Agag the kynge of the Amalekytes alyue And vtterly destroyed al the people There was a maruelous fyght betwene Dauid Goliath of Grath the gyante 1. regu 17. Dauid was a chylde vnmete and vnapte for suche a purpose without armure yet he trustinge in our Lorde preuayled agaynst the armed gyante that was stronge and experte in sâ—ynge and stone When Dauid hearde saye that the Amalechites had burnt Sicelag 1. regu 30. and had led their wyues awaye captiues he toke counsell with our lorde whether he should folowe those theues or no. Our lorde sayd vnto him folowe and with foure hundred men he vanquished them and brought the whole praye agayne After many wrong and vniust persecutions moued by Saule agaynste Dauid the Philistines foughte against him 1. regu 31. the wait of the battail was turned against Saul Then toke he hys sweard and through desperation fell vpon it And so Saule dyed and hys thre sonnes and al his men There was cruell warre betwene Dauids xii seruaunts 2. regu 2. and Isboseths xii seruauntes when they slewe eche other When the Philistines hard that they had anoynted Dauid king ouer Israel 2. regu 5.8 they came al vp to seke Dauid and Dauid asked counsail of oure Lorde and smote
disciples that wer a fyshinge and coulde take nothynge Iohn 21. sayinge Luc. 6. Cast out the nette on the ryghte syde of the shyp and ye shall fynde Then foloweth that they drewe out the net full of greate fyshes And oure Lorde gaue hys dysciples of those fyshes But vnto the Iewes as carnall men and carynge for carnall thynges He gaue fleshe to eate to theyr euill mischaunce and hinderaunce Abstinence doth easely cause a man to watche and praye Mar. 26. For oure Lorde after his last supper rebuked his disciples sayinge What coulde ye not watche with me one houre We reade not that oure Sauiour whose actions are oure instruction Iohn 21. dyd at any tyme eate fleshe but when he eate the pascall lambe But of the fyshe whyche was brought vnto him he dyd eate When our Lord sent his disciples to preach Luke 10. he said Into what so euer city or house ye enter eat such things as they haue or suche as is set before you That is that they shuld be content with such as they had not curyously seking for other Peter being a hongred in Symon tanners house fel into a traunce and saw heauen opened Actes 10. c. In the which vision wer offred and presented vnto him such beastes as were prohibited by the law But he refused to eate of them although as it is said he hongred There were in the congregation that was at Antioche prophets and Doctors c. Actes 13. As they ministred to our lord and fasted the holy ghoste said separate me Barnabas and Paule The children of Israell came together with fastinge 2. Esdras 9 sackclothes and earthe vpon them c. And they stode and knowledged their sinnes and red in the boke of the law When there was a good dinner or feast in Tobias house Toby 2. he hearde that one of the children of Israell lay slain vpon the streat Immediatly he lepte from the table and leauing the feast and fasting went to the dead coarse and buried it Daniell speaking of him self dothe saye Daniell 9. I turned me vnto my God oure Lord praying and making intercession with fastinge sackclothe and ashes and then he perceiued a speciall reuelation of the incarnation passioÌ„ and death of Christ. Baruch did read the wordes of the boke Baruch 1. in the audieÌ„ce of Iechonia Ioachim the king of Iuda sonne and in the presence and audyence of all the people whyche when they hearde it wepte fasted and prayed before oure Lorde ¶ Of glotony and dronkennesse Cap. lxxxviii THe fyrst faut and sinne of man was finished and ended by the vice of gluttony Genesis 3. Noe by drinking of wine Genesis 9. was droÌ„ken and vncouered within his tent Lot beinge dronken coÌ„mitted incest with his owne doughters Gen. 19.25 And Esau sold his birthright for a messe of pottage Exo. 32. And the people sat them downe to eat and drinke and began to play Our Lord said vnto Aaron Thou shalt not drinke wine nor stroÌ„g drink that maye cause thee to be dronken Leui. 10. thou nor thy sonnes that are wyth thee when ye go into the tabernacle of wytnesse least ye dye Whosoeuer maketh a vowe in the law Nume 6. and wil consecrate and appoynt hym self vnto God must abstain from wine and froÌ„ all that thing that may make him dronken Nume 11. The people lusted after flesh sate downe and wept saying Who shall geue vs flesh to eat The first teÌ„ptation and grudginge of the childreÌ„ of Israel was for drink Nu. 15.16 the second for bread and after that vpon like occasion they sinned oftentimes With these iii. C. men that lapped water wyth theyr handes and dyd drinke moderately Iudi. 7. our Lord delyuered Israel from the hand of Madian Men beinge at meate waxe more bolder and fuller of words beinge at meat drink Iudi. 9. they cursed Abimelech The Philistines being at meat and meary Iudi. 16. the house fel vpon them The children of Israel woulde receiue no sodden fleshe of those that offred but raw 1. regu 2. to th entent they myght prepare it the more delicately Ionathas did eate againste hys fathers commaundement a little hony 1. regu 14. his father therfore would haue put hym to death but that the people helpt hym and intreated for him Amnon Dauids sonne being mery with wine and dronken 2. regu 13. was slain in Absolons house at a banket Benadab the kinge of Syria was dronken and hadde in his pauilion a great multitude of fighting men 3. regu 20. and yet he was ouerthrowen and put to flight by the seruants of the gouernors of the prouinces and shires They did eat and were filled and became fat 2. Esd. 9. lyued in welth thorow thy greate goodnesse And yet they prouoked thee to anger Wine ouercommeth all those that dryncke it 3. Esdras 3 it seduceth and deceaueth the mynde and bryngeth bothe the poore man and the kynge to dotage and vanity Holofernes dranke more wine theÌ„ euer he did in one day afore in al hys life Iudit 12.13 And Iudith was alone in the chambre as for Holofernes lay vpon the bed al dronken and of very dronkennes fel a slepe and so Iudith had good oportunity to kil him Aman came ioyfully and merilye from the Quenes feast and bancket Esther 5.7 But the nexte day after bothe he and hys ten sonnes were confounded and heauy for he was hangde vppon the Galowes Iob knew that many things went amisse in feastes and bankets Iob. 1. therfore after that his children had banketted and feasted one an other hee gat vp early and offred for euery one a burnt offring At the time that Ierusalem should be destroyed it is wrytten that oure Lord cald men vnto weping mourning And beholde they haue ioy and gladnesse Esa. 22. slaying oxen and killynge shepe eating flesh drinking wyne Let â—â—eat and drinke for to morowe we shall die The priest and the prophet knâ—we nothing through dronkennesse Esa. 28. they are dronken with wine they goe amisse thorow strong drinke for theyr tables are so ful of vomite and filthinesse that no place is cleane Ptolomy Abobus soÌ„ne made a banket for Simon the hie priest and hys two sonnes 1. Mach. 16. And when they wer mery and had dronken well he slue theÌ„ In our lordes temptation after the mind of Mathew Luke we read Mat. 4. If thou be the sonne of God Luc. 4. commaund that these stones be made bread Herode made hys byrth daye supper and the Doughter of Herodias daunsed there Mat. 14. Mar. 6. and pleased Herode and those that sate with him and by this occasion at the peticyon of the damsell that daunsed Ihon the Baptist was beheaded Uncleane spyrites loue vncleane places Luc. 8. So that the Demoniake that had a legion of Deuels in
or euer she had any talke with man the which thing was both hurtful to her to her posterity And note there how euill she repeted oure lordes cōmaundement geuē vnto mā C ham Noes sonne had sene hys fathers priuities Gen. 9. he shewed his brethrē and so he incurde hys fathers cursse and malediction After that our Lord had spoken to Moses Exodi 4. he was slow mouthed slowe tunged Whereby he declareth that spirituall and deuout men the which doo oft cōmen and speake with God should be tardius and slow to speake Ara Calebs doughter syttinge vpon her asse did fyght but when her husbande hadde perswaded her Iosu. 15. he moued her father to aske what she ailed and afterwardes she obtayned of her father sprynges of water bothe aboue and beneath Sampson dysclosed that secreat to his wyfe Iudi. 14. the whyche he woulde not open and dysclose to hys parentes And she eftsones publyshed the same to hys great losse and dammage And the selfe same Sampson declared vnto Dalida Iudi. 16. how he myghte lese his fortitude and strength And she without any stop or let disclosed it vnto his enemyes Anna Samuels mother cōminge to the tabernacle of our Lorde 1. regu 1. spake in her hart and her lippes did moue only but her voyce was not hearde Samuel beinge a slepe in the tabernacle did not open the vision vnto Ely 1. regu 3. that was shewed him vntill he asked and adiured hym to dysclose it When the men of Belial saide thus of Saule theyr new kinge 1. regu 10. Can thys man saue vs He dissimbled to heare them wherby we vnderstande that he helde his tonge wisely Dauid beinge sore troubled against Nabal was afterwards through the wise cōmunication wordes of Abigail pacified again 1. regu 25. Nor she told Nabal nother lesse nor more vntil the morowe daye that he had well dysgested the wyne that he had dronken Whē Saras maid had spoken to her mastres shamefully curssedly Sara wyth silence gaue place to the strife Tobi. 3. going vp into a chamber of her house began to praye deuoutely Esther kept long silence nor would not iudge her people nor her country as Mardocheus comaunded her Esth. 2.3 and that least the kinge shoulde hate her Iobes wife he beynge punished of God Iob. 1. spake folyshlye vnto hym Iob semeth to reprehende rebuke him selfe more for speakinge Iob. 40. then for any other thing For he saieth I that haue lytely spoken vnto the cannot answer one thynge haue I spoken the which I would I had not spoken Iob. 42. And agayne I haue spoken vnwysely and those thynges that passe my vnderstandinge When Rasin king of Siria Esa. 7. Phacee the kinge of Israell had purposed to fight against Iuda the prophet Esaye saide to Acham the king of Iuda Take hede to thy selfe and be stil but feare not neyther be faynte harted Hezechias the king of Iuda sent word Esa. 36. that the people shoulde not answer Rabsaketh And they helde theyr tonges and answered not one worde Ieremy which was sanctified in his mothers wōb Iere. 1. ordeined to be a prophet excused him self saying Oh oh Lord God Lo. I cannot speake for I am yet but yong When Susan was brought Dani. 13. she least those two wycked olde priestes shuld beare false witnesse against her wept and loked vp toward heauen and cried to God for her hart had a sure trust in our lord but yet it is not red that she did directly answer to her accusers The Iewes gaue them selues to husbandry 2. Mach. 12. but Nicanor and certaine other woulde not let them lyue in sylence rest and peace We reade in the gospell that the blessed virgyn Marie spake to the Angell Luc. 12. and to her sonne Why hast thou thus dealte wyth vs And they haue no wine Iohn 2. And when she instructed the mynisters of the maryage What so euer he sayeth to you doo it And althoughe Helizabeth dyd magnificentely commende her Luc. 1. yet she made no answere but turnde her selfe to laude and prayse God And Mary whych was a synner cōminge to the fete of our Lorde in Simons house spake nothinge Luc. 7. as men say but began to washe his fete with teares and did wype them wyth the here 's of her head and kyssed his fete and anoynted thē wyth the oyntment Nor she answered not her sister Martha complayninge of her Luc. 10. nor yet the dysciples that dysdayned and wer not contente wythin them selues for the effusion and waste of the oyntmente Mar. 14. And inasmuche as she kept sylence Oure Lorde dyd answer and euery where defended her The woman that was taken in aduoutry and accused before our Lorde Iohn 8. spake but fewe wordes but our lorde answered for her and at lengthe did mercyfully absolue her When Paule should speake in the synagoge Act. 13. he stode vp and beckened wyth the hand for silence For he knew that there was no speakinge where there is no audience the which thing is oftentymes proued in scripture The chyldren of Israell flyinge out of Egypt sawe Pharoos hooste Exo. 14. and were greately a frayed vnto whome Moses sayed oure Lorde shall fyghte for vs and ye shall holde your peace ¶ Of carnall effection Capitu. xciiii MOses gaue vnto the Leuites .xii. oxen Nume 7. and vi charettes the which the Lordes of the tribes and children of Israel dyd offer But vnto the children of Caat he gaue none although they wer nyer of kynne vnto hym Nor it is not red that Moses gaue to any of his children any greate office althoughe the people had him in greate reuerence When Moses shuld dye he diligentlye besought our Lord Nume 27. to prouide for the people a mete and a good capitayne And yet he woulde name none of his owne generation When Iosue distributed the land amonge the children of Israel he gaue so small a portion vnto hys owne tribe Iosu. 17. that they made a speciall complainte there of But marke what an answer he made them Eli heringe of the death fall of hys two sōnes in battail semed not greatly to care therfore 1. regu 4. but whē the messenger tolde him the the arke of God was taken he fel from of hys stole dyed When Ioab sawe that Dauid be wayled but to muche the death of his sonne Absolon 2. regu 19. he layed to Dauids charge that he woulde haue bene nothynge sorye if he had lost all hys hoost That wonderful mother and worthy to be remembred of al good men 2. mach 7. seing al her vii children pearishe vpon one day toke theyr death willingly and gladly The Iewes care goinge to battaile against Nicanor 2. Mach 15. was but meane for theyr wiues and children or for their brethren or kinsfolke but their great and fyrste care
were now in dyspleasure and anger althoughe that a little before they were mylde and gentle After the oration and words of the seuenth brother 2. Mach. 7. king Antiochus being kindled in anger was more cruel vpon him then vpon all the other 2. mach 9. Antiochus perceiuing nowe that it lay not in his power to spoil the city of Persepolis hee auauncynge hym self in his wrath thought he was able to aduenge the iniury that was done to those that fled vpon the Iewes It happened that when the heatheÌ„ hard 1. mach 5. how that the altare was set vp in the sanctuary in the old estate thei were very angry When Herode sawe that he was mocked of the wise men he was exceading wroth mat 2. and sendynge forthe men of warre he slue all the children that were in Bethleem When they of Nazareth had heard our Lord say Luc. 4. No prophet is accepted in hys owne country All they in the sinagoge wer fylled with anger and wrath A certain maÌ„ named Demetrius a siluer smith Act. 19. which made siluer shryâ—es for Diana cald together the workmen of like occupation and said that Paul had turned away much people saying that they be no Gods whyche are made with hands When they hard these sayinges they were full of wrathe ¶ Of Humility Capi. xcvii THe angel said vnto Agar turne againe to thy mastresse Gen. 16. submit and humble thy selfe vnder her handes Abraham spake most humbly vnto our lord Gen. 18. saying I wil speake vnto my Lord which am but dust ashes Iacob did humiliate humble hym self very much before Esau Gen. 33. and so he abated his anger Moses excused him selfe vii times or euer he would take vpon hym the leading and gouernaunce of the people Gen. 3.4 the which our Lorde put and appoynted vnto him nor wold not agre vnto it vntil he vnderstode that oure Lord was angry For in the text it is wrytten And our Lord was angrye wyth Moses Moses despised not the profytable counsel of a heathen Exo. 18. but most huÌ„bly graunted and agreed vnto it Moses perceyued and sawe that he had of our Lord the special gouernaÌ„ce and leadinge of the people and yet he dysdained not to desire and praye Oâ—ab the sonne of Raguell to go wyth him Nume 10. and that he shoulde be the guide and leader of the people Gedeon answered the Aungel saying thus vnto him Go hence in this thy might thou shalt deliuer Israell Iudi. 5. And he answered Beâ—olde my kyndred is poore in Manaâ—ses and I am lytle in my fathers house The men of Ephraim chode a good proudly with Gedeon Iudi. 8. yet through his meke and lowly answer they wer quieted The men of Isael saied vnto Gedeon Raigne thou ouer vs Iudi. 8. both thou thy soÌ„ne And Gedeon saied vnto theÌ„ I wyll not raigne ouer you neyther shall my chylde raygne ouer you but our Lorde shall raygne ouer you Saule or euer hee was anoynted kinge 1â— regu 9.15 when he sought his fathers asses and excused him selfe to Samuel pretended humility in dede in word And afterwardes it was sayed vnto hym When thou wast lytle in thine owne sight wast thou not made the heade of the tribes of Israell Althoughe Samuell had anoynted Dauid kinge 1. regu 17. yet at his fathers commaundement hee bare vitayles vnto hys brethren before whome he was preelected and chosen Dauyd dyd humble hym before Saule 1. regu 18. when he shoulde marye hys doughter And agayne before Semei the seruaunt When he hearde that he cursed him Forthermore he humiliated hym selfe vnto God 2. regu 16. when he daunste before the arke And when Nathan came vnto hym 2. Re. 6.7 shewynge him the wil of our Lord as touchinge the perpetuitye and continuance of his kingedome Mephâ—boseth beyng falsely accused of his seruaunt 2. regu 19. and vniustly put froÌ„ his enheritaunce made a meke and a gentle answer Achab that moste wycked kynge of Israel 3. regu 21. hearinge how he shoulde be punished for his trespaces humbled hym selfe before our Lorde and therfore he diminished sumwhat his pain and punishement The fire touched nor consumed not the capitayne that spake mekely vnto Helias 4. regu 1. as it touched the other other two wyth theyr fyftyes whiche came before hym Helizeus commynge to Iordayne smote fyrste the waters sayinge nothinge and they departed not a sonder 4. regu 2. But afterwardes he calde vpon the name of his master then they departed this waye and that waye Semeas the prophet sayed to Roboam and his Lordes 2. Para. 12. Thus sayeth our Lord ye haue lefte me therefore haue I lefte you Then they beynge astoned sayed our Lorde is ryghteous and when our Lord sawe that they submitted theÌ„ selues The worde of our Lord came to Semeas sayinge They submit and huÌ„ble them selues therfore I wyll not destroye them Hezechias submitted him selfe after that his hart was rysen vp at the coÌ„minge of the messengers of Babilon 2. Para. 22. and therefore the wrath of our Lorde came not vpon them in hys dayes When the chyldren of Israel harde of the mighty and terrible power of Holofernes Iudith 4. they cried earnestly vnto God and humbled theyr soules with fastinges and prayers Quene Ester fled vnto oure Lord and humbled her body with fastings Esth. 14. And praying amonge other thinges she saied Thou knowest lord that I abhor the signe of pride prehemineÌ„ce c WheÌ„ our Lord sayd that Ieremy was a prophet Iere. 1. he verye humbly excused him selfe and sayed Oh Oh Lorde God I can not speake c. Nabuchodonozor walkinge in the palace of Babilon spake arrogantly and proudlye Dani. 4. but after that he was cast oute of mennes companye and had recouered his vnderstandinge he knew that al they that dwel vpon the earth in comparison of God Were to be reputed as nothinge When our Lorde had smitten Antiochus with an incurable plage and dysease 2. Mach. 9. so that he myght not abide hys owne stinche He sayed It is reason to bee obedyente vnto God and that manne desyre not to be lyke vnto hym Ioseph humbly thinking him selfe vnworthy to be ioyned with the blessed Mary Mat. 1. whome he sawe was conceyued Beleuinge that thinge to be wrought by God not by the worke of man was minded priuely to departe from her In those daies great humility appeared in the wyse menne that they Mat. 2. when they founde the chylde wyth Mary his mother fell downe flat and worshiped him When Iohn the baptist was of so Mat. 3. greate reputation that the people beleued that he was Christ he sayed There shall come a myghtyer after me whose shoes I am not worthy to vnlachet Oure Lord Christ the vertue and wisedome of God mat 3.4 was not ashamed to begynne his predication with the same
of trouble they cryed vnto thee and thou hardest them froÌ„ heauen 2. Esdra 9. And thorowe thy great mercye thou gauest them sauiours whych healped them out of the hand of theyr enemyes Tobias after many good dedes god suffring the same Tob. 2. waxed blynde and afterwardes was laughed to scorn of those that shuld haue comforted him But our Lord after that dyd dyuers maner a waies recreate and comfort him againe Iudith speaking of her owne people said Iudi. 8. Ye ought to remembre that whan your father Abraham was teÌ„pted and tried thorow manye tribulations that he was made and found a louer and a frend of God Iob sustained tribulatyon by hys wyfe and by the reproches and contumelious woordes of his frendes the which thing ought to haue prouoked him to heauines Iob. 1.2.30 And in body he was diseased with a meruailous sore infirmity euen from the sole of hys foote to the crowne of his heade And in the losse of his substaunce and chyldren In the taking away of hys solace and comfort for hys wife abhord him and could not abide his breath Other yoÌ„g and vile persons derided him staind his face with spittle Ieremy which was saÌ„ctifyed in his mothers wombe Iere. 15. and ful of the spirit of prophecye said thus of hym selfe that he was a brauler a man of dyscord and dissention and a rebuker of the whole land and that all men cursed and spake euil vpon him Ieremy for preaching the truth vnto the people Iere. 16.18 was now and then punyshed and ofte imprysonned and at lengthe the people stoaned hym to deathe Ezechiel being in Caldea as a banyshed man Ezech. 1.5 saw in the middes of the Captiues the wonderfull visions of God Wherby it appeareth that god doth oftentimes comfort those whych are in tribulation It appeareth wel by Daniels coÌ„panions that our Lord is with him that is in tribulation Dani. 3. for Nabuchodonozor saw wyth theym a fourth lyke the sonne of God Nabuchodonozor in hys prosperity was arrogant and proud Dani. 4. and therefore he was cast out of mens companye and chaunged into a beast But after that he recouered hys vnderstaÌ„ding the which he being in dignity honour lost by elation and pryde he praysed the hyest whome before hee blasphemed Our Lord was as highlye or more praysed throughe the pacience of the iii. children Dani. 2. the which they toke in the tribulation of the fornace as he was with the sapience and wisdom of Daniel the which he had in the expositioÌ„ and interpretation of dreames Susanna being condeÌ„ned to death Dani. 13. hauing no recourse to any humayne aid or healpe weping loked vp vnto heauen as doth the bird which coÌ„pased on earthe with men and dogges hath no refuge except it eleuate it self into the ayre After the death of Iudas Machabeus wicked men came vp ther was a great dearth in the land 1. mach 9. And wycked Bachides toke away the Lordes rulers of the country And there be came great trouble in Israel There went forth a very vniust decre and commaundement against the Iewes 2. mach 6. that who so would not do sacrifice after the lawes of the gentils shuld be put to death And there was great tribulation in Israel Antiochus being in good healthe was a cruell and a proude homicide 2. mach 9. but afterwards smytten by god with a greuous and vncurable plague he chaunged bothe hys wordes and his purposes After that our Lord was borne he sone after felt and suffred the pressures and torments of the world so that Ioseph tooke him and his mother math ii fled into Egipt Of diuers and many afflictions and iniuries whych our lord hath suffred read in the titles of mercy and pacience The Apostles beyng scourged by the precepte and commaundement of the Magestrates Act. 5. departed from the couÌ„sel reioysing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for the name of Iesu. And although Paul was not euen theÌ„ wyth the Apostles ii Corin. xii yet he sayde afterwardes of him self we reioyce in our tribulations And again Uery gladly wyl I reioyce of my weaknes that the strength of Christe may dwell in me Act. 8. After that Steuen was stoned too death there was a great persecutyon agaynste the Congregatyon whiche was at Ierusalem and they were all scattred abrode thorow out the regyons of Iewry and Samaria excepte the Apostles But yet note That it was muche profytable for the dinulgation of the gospell It may be well knowen by the actes of the Apostles that Paule after his conuersion suffered tribulations and persecutions Act. 9. For the Iewes toke counsell together 2. Corin. 11. to kyll hym by nighte And when they went aboute their deceitfulnesse he was let downe thorowe the wall in a basket When Paule and Barnabas wer in Antioche Pisidia Act. 13. they sowed and preached the word of God thorowout al the country But the Iewes raysed persecusion agaynst them and were expelled oute of theyr coastes But they shoke of the dust of their feete against them and came to Iconium In the citye of Liâ—tris they wer had in such honoure Act. 14. because of the creapel whome Paule healed that they wold haue done sacrifice vnto theÌ„ But thyther came certain Iewes which wheÌ„ they had obtained the peoples consent had stoned Paul thei drewe him out of the city supposing he had bene dead And in Macedonia by the occasion of a damsell oute of whome Paule cast forth a sprite that prophesied her master beynge heauye for the gayne that they lost thereby Act. 16. they apprehended and toke Paul and his felow Silas and saied that thei wer disturberâ— of the citye The rulers coÌ„maunded theÌ„â—o be chastened with rods to be cast in prison to set their feete in the stockes Afterwards at Thessalonica when many of them beleued the disdainfull Iewes by certaine euell men slyrde vp Act. 17. and set all the citye in a roar But the brethren immediatly sent awaye Paule and Silas vnto Berrea But when the Iewes perceyued that they had receyued also the word of God at Berrea they came and moued troubled the people there And theÌ„ immediately the brethren sent away Paul and by sea brought him to Athens Paule in lyke manner preached at Corinthe and testified to the Iewes that Iesus was very Christ. And wheÌ„ they saide contrary blasphemed Act. 18. he shoke hys raymente and sayed vnto them youre bloude bee vpon youre owne headdes When Callio was a ruler of the countrey of Acaia the Iewes made insurrection with one accorde against Paule Act. 18. and brought him to the iudgement seate sayinge This felowe counceleth men to worship God contrary to the lawe Paule departinge from Ephesus and preachinge boldely the worde of God and doynge there many myracles Act. 19. A certain manne named Demetrius a
hath saued thee Luc. 7. go in peace And the woman that had an issue of bloud Luc. 8. had so greate faythe vnto oure Lord that it suffised her only to touch the hem of his raiment And therfore she deserued to heare a swete woorde of oure Lorde Doughter bee of good cheare and comfort thy faythe hathe saued thee The woman of Canane nother for longe expectatyon mat 15. nor yet for sharpe aunswer lefte of to crye vnto oure LORDE and therefore at length she hearde O woman greate is thy faythe be it vnto thee euen as thou wylt The woman of Samaria did fully coÌ„fesse saying Iohn 4. Messias is come whych is called Christ And afterwards many of the Samaritans beleued in our Lord for the saying of the woman Marthas confessyon of faith which said I beleue that thou art Christ the sonne of God Iohn 11. which should come into the world was verye like the confessyon of Peter We read of many men that doubted of oure Lordes resurrectyon math 28. and how that our Lord reproued their in credulity and hardnes of hart Ther is no such thinge red of wemen But that when our Lord rose Fyrst of all he appeared to a woman that is to Mary Magdalen and she wyth spede brought the tidinges vnto the Disciples the whiche were in heauinesse A certaine woman calde Lydia a seller of purple hard Paule preache Act. 16. whose hart our Lord opened and she was baptised and her houshold ¶ Of the wisdome of wemen Capi. Cxxiiii SAra did wisely vnderstaÌ„d and perceiue Gene. 21. that the play betwene Isaac Ismael was not good and it was the Lordes wil that Abraham should agre vnto Saras wyll to heare her voyce Rebecca was verye wilye and subtile to procure Gen. 27. that Iacob might obtain his fathers blessynge the which was due vnto the fyrste borne And afterwardes she caused hym euen wyttely to auoyd his brothers anger Raab the harlot did very discreatly hide the spies Iosu. 2. so that there by she wholy deliuered and saued her selfe and all her houshold Delbora Lapidoths wife a prophesesse Iudged the people of Israel Iuhi. 4 and laught Barach Abinoams son what he should do to deliuer the people of God from the handes of Sisara Noemi was very careful and wise to inuent howe Ruth an aliane Ruth 2. and her doughter in lawe myghte marry wyth that noble and mightye manne Booz Anna Samuels mother discretlye excused her selfe 1. regu 1. as touchinge that that Hely the preast layed vnto her when she required a chlde of god Abigaile throughe her wisedome eloquence 1. â—egu 25. and liberality saued her husbandes Nabals lyfe and letted Dauyd from commyttynge of murther The wisewoman Thecuris induced Dauid to fetche his sonne Absolon home againe 2. regu 14. As Ioab besieged the citye of Abel A wise woman spake so vnto hym 2. regu 21. and afterwardes to the cityzens that he left the siege and departed to the great vtylitye and profyte of all the countrey Bethsaba Salomons mother spake wysely before kinge Dauid that her son Salomon might raign after him 3. regu 1. That woman of the two whyche condented before Salomon answered wisely and mercifully 3. regu 3. sayingeâ— I beseche thee my Lorde geue her the lyuynge chylde and in no wise slaye it There was greate prudencye and wysedome in the Quene of Saba 3. regu 10. that came to here the wisedome of Salomon The Sunamite Elyzeus hostesse dyd wyselye abyde wyth hym 4. regu 4. nor woulde not leaue hym for all Giezyel vntyll hee hadde reuyued her sonne Holda the prophetesse Sellumus wyfe 4. regu 22. dyd comforte kynge Iosias and foretold the people the euils that were to come for their offences Sara Raguells doughter prayed oure LORDE dyscreatly and deuoutely Tobi. 3. to delyuer her from the rebuke that shee hadde hearde of her mayde Iudith speakinge vnto the people Iudith 8.13 and in deceauinge of Holofernes so pusant and myghty a prince shewde greate constantye and wisedome Esther after shee hadde inuyted the kynge to dynner Esth. 7. and that hee was wel heated wyth wyne made her peticion circumspectly and warelye Luc. 1. Elizabeth Ihon the Baptiste mother knew very discreatly of the comming of blessed Mary and named her the Lordes mother It appeareth that the blessed vyrgin was wonderfullys prudent and wise aswel in silence kepinge as in speaking In silence for we find that she spake very few words She spake with the angel questioning with him discreatlye and agreinge vnto hym more discreatly Howe shall thys beâ— And agayne Luc. 1. behold the hand maiden of the Lorde And wyth holy Elyzabeth when she saluted her And note that after Elizabethes greate praises the whych she gaue her she answered her nothyng directly but turnde her to geue laude and prayses vnto the Lord sayinge My soule magnifyeth the Lord. Also she spake wyth her sonne askyng hym most swetely Luc. 2. Sonne why haste thou thus dealte wyth vs And prayinge or intreatinge hym for the shamefast pore people Iohn 2. saying They haue no wyne Mary Magdalen did very prudentlye Luc. 7.10 when she sate her downe at the Lordes feete For there she obtayned forgeuenesse for her selfe Iohn 11. lyfe for her brother hard the wysedome of God and exhibited vnto Christ deuout reuerence Pilates wife spake so vnto hym that if he woulde haue beleued her Mat. 27. he had done wisely ¶ Of the pitye and compassion of wemen Cap. Cxxv. REbecca seing that Abrahams seruaunt a straunger Gen. 24. was desirous to dryncke aunswered wythout any delay drinke my lorde Ye and I wyl draw water for thy camels also vntil they haue al dronkeÌ„ The mid wyues feared God dyd not as the king commaunded theÌ„ Exo. 1. but saued the men chyldren When Pharaos doughter saw the childe wope Exo. 2. she had compassion on it and said It is one of the Hebrues children And causinge it to be nurssed made it her sonne Iosu. 2. Raab the harlot hearinge that the spyes were soughte for to bee put to death hadde compassion ouer them and hydinge them deliuered them and sent them a waye safe 2. regu 17. The messengers sente to Dauid were hydden in a well and saued by a woman whiche spred a couerlet ouâ—er the welles mouth and begiled those that soughte them Of those two wemen whiche contended before Salomon 3. regu 3. her hart was the pityfulste that woulde haue lefte of her sute whose bowels yerned vpon her sonne The wyddowe woman of Sarepta was Elias the prophetes hostesse 3. regu 17. and she sustaynde him The Sunamite induced her husbaÌ„d to make an apte and a mete place with in his house 4. Re. 4. for Eliseus to lodge in Whan Athalia had destroied al the kinges seed 4. Re. 11. Iosaba the doughter of Ioram
it vnto her frendes although it was to the hindraunce of her husband Iudi. 16. Dalida by great importunitye obtayned that Sampson tolde wher in his mighty strength did reast Anna Samuels mother wepte and coulde take no sustinaunce 1. Reg. 1. for the greate desyre she hadde to haue Chyldren 3. Reg. 3. She was verye greadye to haue a Chylde that tooke awaye an nother mannes Iezabel was so desirous and greadye to delyuer vp Nabothes vineyard to her husband 3. reg 21. that she brought forth false witnesses and thrise procured and caused Naboth to be stoned most cruelly When that the Sunamite woulde go to Elizeus 4. reg 4. and that her husbande would not fullye consent there to she said I wil go so immediatly she prepared an asse and sayde vnto her seruaunt by the waye looke thou by no impedimeÌ„t or let vnto me but do that I commaund thee Athalia Ochozias mother coneting to raign ouer the land 4. reg 11. destroyed al the kinges sede except Ioas thinfant the which was secreatly hidden and taken away Anna Tobias wife daily loked went about the stretes Tob. 10. where by she thought there shoulde be any hope of his comming that she might see hym comming a farre of Esther was not contente that the kinge had geuen her Amans house Esther 9. that he had destroyd and slain in Susan the chefe city 500. men But also the next day folowing she caused 300. mo to be slain The woman of Canane obtayned her doughters healthe throughe importune Math. 15. prayer The mother of Zebedes children taried not that our lord shuld reward her children after thexcelleÌ„cy of theyr merits Mat. 20. But preuenting the time she desyred that the one mighte be set on his right-righthand in his kingdome the other on his left Herodias laid such wait and so hated Ihon the Baptist that she chose that her doughter should rather ask his body Mat. 14. then the half of Herodes kingdoÌ„ Our lord doth put an ensample of a widow Luc. 18. the whiche was so molestious and greuous vnto a iudge which feared not God nether regarded man that at the last he aduenged her of her aduersary Act. 12. A maid named Rhoda perceiuinge that Peter knocked at the doore dyd not open it but for gladnesse leauing hym wythout ran in and told theim that were wythin ¶ Of the deceitfulnesse of wemen Ca. Cxxviii ADam by the occasion of Eue was deceyued although he was not seduced in that Gen. 3. that Eue was but then onely when he by her perswasion and counsell did eate of the tree forbyden Sara hearing the promise that she shoulde conceyue a chylde Gen. 18. laughed within her selfe But when she was reproued of her mystrust with a lye she excused her selfe Whilst Lothes ii doughters desiring to haue childreÌ„ by theyr own father Gen. 19â— durst not induce him there vnto with wordes but with wyne they accomplished their purpose They woulde sone haue deceaued an other when they spared not their owne father Rachel with a proper inuention beguyled her father Gen. 31. seekynge hys Idoles Iosephs lady and mestres to excuse her selfe Gen. 39. accused him vniustlye to her husbande and afterwards at her husbandes handes reuenged her selfe of Ioseph most wickedly Al be it the Hebrues mydwyues hadde a good and a deuout intente in reseruynge of the chyldren Exo. 1. yet by the fyndinge oute of a lye they deceiâ—ed Pharao the king of Egipte The wemen of Moab deceyued the children of Israell Nume 25. when that Balaam the sothesayer wyth all hys magicall crafte coulde doo nothinge against them Rathab the harlot hyd Iosues spyes and caused those that inquyred for them Iosu. 2. to runne and pursue after them vnto the ferye of Iordan sayinge that they wente forthe at the shuttinge of the gate Iahel wente forthe to mete Sisara and sayed vnto him Iuhi. 4 tourne into me my LORDE and feare not and yet at length she kylde hym beynge a sleape Sampfons wyfe wept before him and sayed Surelye thou hatest me and therefore thou hast not tolde me the ryddle Iudi. 14. And he reuelde it vnto her to his owne destruction Dalida was continuallye molestius vnto Sampson Iudi. 16. and sufferde him not one daye to be at rest and quyet so that his soule was faynte and incombred euen vnto death thus strong Sampson was ouercomde and folishlye opened all thynges vnto her When Michol vnderstode that Saule her father soughte Dauid 1. regu 19 her husbande to slaye him she caused him to departe and layed an Image vpon his bed The men that should haue brought worde vnto Dauid of Absolons estate and condition 2. Re. 17. were let downe into a well and a certayne woman spreadinge a couerlet ouer it as thoughe she had bene dryinge furmenty corne thereon fayned that they were departed and gone Iudith al be it she dyd it of a good zele and intente Iudith 10. deceyued Holofernes of whome all the earthe stode in awe and feare Herode feared Iohn the Baptist knowinge that he was a iust manne Mar. 6. and yet Herodias labourd the mater so that she causde him to be beheaded in prison Saphira and Ananias her husbande dyd lye vnto Peter as concerning parte of the price of the land Act. 5. But Peter punyshed that lye mooste greuouslye ¶ Of the folyshe and vndiscrete coÌ„munication of wemen Ca. C.xxix WE reade that Eue spake fyrste with the serpente or euer she spake with god how to worship him Gen. 3. or wyth her husband to receaue any erudition of him Sara when our Lorde did promise that she should haue a childe mistrustinge it dyd laughe Gen. 18. and afterwardes denyde that she laughed When Rachel sawe that she was vnfrutfull and baren Gen. 30. she sayed vnto her husbande Geue me children or els I am but deade asthoughe it had bene in Iacobs power to make the baren frutfull Assone as Sampsons wyfe knewe her husbandes obscure and darke riddle Iudi. 14. she disclosed it to her cityzens to the greate hynderaunce of her husbande Assone as Dalida saw that Sampson had coÌ„fessed and opened his hole minde vnto her Iudi. 16. how he mighte be depriued and lose his strengthe she caulde his ennemyes vnto her and eftsones dysclosed the thynge vnto them Because Dauid vpon greate deuotion did daunce before the arke of our Lorde 2. regu 6. Michol Saules doughter sayd scornefully vnto hym O how gloryous was the kynge of Israell thys daye When Tobias spake of the kydde Sayinge Take hede and looke that yt be not stolen Tob. 2 Anna his wife being angrye answered Nowe is thy hope become vayne openlye When Sara the doughter of Raguel dyd iustlye rebuke her mayden she answered her impaciently and verye iniuriouslye Tobi. 3. sayinge God let vs neuer see sonne or doughter of
house with fyre Achab beinge wounded in battayl dyed at euen and the dogges licked vp Nabothes bloud 3. Re. 21.22 the which Achab dissemblinge the thyng that he shuld and myght haue voyded was stoned and he dyed 4. regu 1. When Eliseus went vp to Bethel a sorte of yll taughte chyldren mocked hym And there came oute two beares and tare .42 of them One of those two which were present wyth the kinge of Israell 4. regu 7. would not credit Heliseus wordes for speakynge of the abundaunce that was to come The next daye after the people that ranne to the spoyle trode hym downe and so he dyed Benadab kinge of Siria whiche dyd the children of Israel much woo 4. regu 8. was at the laste strangled of Asahell hys sonne Iehu beholdinge wicked Iezabell the whyche was the cause of muche euyll 4. regu 9. commaunded her to be caste down hedlyng the which was so trotrodeÌ„ with horses that she albeit she was a kings doughter was not buried for there was nothinge left but her skul her fret and the palmes of her hands Athalia Ochozias mother destroyed all the kynge seede that she might raygne ouer the people 4. regu 11. afterwardes by Ioiada the preastes coÌ„maundement she was slayne mooste fylthelye Ioas that euyll and vnkynde kinge of Iuda 4. regu 12. the whiche caused Zacharias Ioiada the preaste sonne to be stoned was slayn after that of his own seruants Senacheryb that proude kinge of the Assyrians 4. regu 19. and blasphemer of God of heauen auoyded and fledde oute of Iewry wyth shame ynoughe hys owne sonnes flewe him Sedechias kynge of Iuda beynge euyll to God and man was taken as he fled and wente hys wayes 4. regu 25. The kynge of Babylon flewe hys sonnes before hys eyes And after that hys owne were put oute he was caryed to Babilon and there he dyed wretchedlye Holofernes toke and destroied many conntreys Iudith 13. and at lengthe beynge a sleape and dronken a woman smote of hys head Proude Aman the whyche caused men to worshippe him Esther 7. was hanged on the galowes that he had made for Mardocheus Balthazar the king of BabiloÌ„ was nothing amended by the ensample of his father Nabuchodonozor Dani. 3.5 the whiche euen before him was changed into a beast And being at his banket he saw a wryting in the wall Mane Thetel Phares and the very same night he was slain and his kingdome translated to the Medes and Perses Dani. 6. Danyels accusers by Darius the kinge of Perses commaundemente were cast into the Lions den and deuoured The like chaunced in the xiiii chapter It is said that Alexander after that he went vnto hys bed 1 Mach. 1 knewe that he should die as though that before that time he neyther had remembraunce nor knowledge of death Alchinus the traytor was to smytten with the palsy 1. Mach. 9. that he coulde not speake nor coÌ„maund any of his house concerning his businesse and so he died in great misery Antiochus was sorye in his minde that Andronicus had vniustly put Onias the hie priest to death 2. mach 4. And commaunded that Andronicus should be slayne in the same place wher he coÌ„mitted to great impiety and wyckednesse When Lysimachus had commytted many great sacrilegis in the temple 2. Mach. 4. the multitude gathered them together againste him and killed hym beside the treasury Wicked Iason that toke his owne brother prisonner 2. Mach. 5. and had expelled many out of theyr country peryshed from home and was throwne out vnburyed no man mournyng for hym Antiochus whiche had martired other mens bowels suffred an horryble and greuous payne of hys bowels 2. Mach. 9. and he died a miserable and a meruelous death vpon the mountaines Menelaus the whiche for a time had gotten the dominion and rule 2. Mach. 13. was cast headlonge oute of a hie tower among the ashes The riche manne whose grounde brought forth plentiful frutes thought to destroy hys barnes Luc. 12. and builde greater he trusted to liue longe But the Lord said vnto him Thou foole this night thou shalt die The example of the rich glutton is very terrible Luc. 16. he died was buried and brought into hell Because that Ananias and his wife Saphira craftely kept away parte of the price of the land which was sold Act. 5. they at Peters increpatyon fearfully gaue vp the ghost Herode arayed in royall apparell fate in hys iudgement seat Act. 12. and made an oration to the people And they gaue a shout sayinge It is the voyce of a God and not of a man And immediatly the angell of the LORDE smote hym because he gaue not God the honoure and he was eaten of wormes and gaue vp the ghost ¶ Of the pretious deathe of the iust Cap. Cxxxiiii WHen Caine and Abell were in the field Gen. 4. Caine rose vp against Abel and slue hym Ihon dothe shewe the cause for hys woorkes and doynges were euel and hys brothers iust Enoche walked wyth God Gen. 5. and he was no more sene for God toke hym awaye Abraham dyed in a lustye age Gen. 25. verye olde and was putâ—e to hys people The dayes of Isaac were an 180. yeares Gene. 35. he died euen for very age and was put vnto his people beyng olde and ful of dayes When Iacob hadde commaunded all that he would vnto hys sonnes Gene. 49. he plucked vppe hys feete vnto the bed and dyed and was putte vnto hys people After that Ioseph hadde taken an oth of hys brethren Gene. 50. and hadde sayde GOD wyll visytte you carye my bones hence wyth you he died Nume 20. Moses and Aaron as the LORD commaunded them went vppe into mount Hor in the syght of al the multitude And whan Aaron had put of his clothes and put them vpon Eleazar his sonne he died there Moses the seruaunt of God dyed at Gods commaundement in the lande of Moab Deut. 34. The Lord buried hym but no manne knoweth of hys sepulchre vnto this day 1. Para. 29. Dauid after he had instructed hys sonne Salomon and made hys oratyon vnto God for him and al the people he died in a good age ful of dais richesse and honor 4 re 2. As Helias and Helizeus were walking together a charet of fyre horses of fyre departed them a sondre and Helias went vp thorow the whirlwinde into heauen 2. Para. â—4 The spirit of God came vpon Zacharia Ioâ—adas sonne Whiche sayde vnto the people Why transgresse ye the commaundementes of the Lord that ye can not prosper And they gathered them selues agaynst hym and stoned him at the commaundemeÌ„t of the king and so he dyed Thobias in the hour of his death Tobi. 14. called hys sonne vnto hym and seuen spryngaldes hys sonnes Children and sayde vnto them My deathe is at hande And a little after it is sayde of hys sonne that when he was ninety yeare of age and had fulfylled them in the feare of the LORDE wyth ioy and gladnesse they buried him Iob after his afflyctyons lyued an hundred and fortye yeares Iob. 41. and sawe his childers children into the fourthe generation and so died beinge olde and of a perfect age Dauid whyche lamented for hys sonne beyng sicke 2. re 12.18 woulde not weepe for hys innocente Chylde that dyed But hee wepte sore for Absolon the paricide Matathias after he had instructed comforted his Children 1. mach 2. gaue them his blessynge and dyed and was put vnto hys fathers 1. Mach. 9. When Iudas Machabeus saw the multitude of hys ennemyes and so fewe of hys owne men he sayde If our time be come let vs die manfully for our brethren Eleazarus after manye tormentes dyed 2. Mach. 6 leauinge to all the people a remembraunce of hys deathe for an example of vertue and manlinesse 2. Mach. 7. The seuen brethren wyth their deuout mother made a wonderfull and a laudable end And there may be noted many examples of vertue Mar. 6. Ihon the Baptist for the truthe and honesty of mariage was beheaded of Herode the Tetrarch It is wrytten thus of Lazarus that famous poore man And it fortuned that the begger dyed Luc. 16. and was caryed by the aungels into Abrahams bosome Dauid after he had instructed hys sonne Salomon 1. Para. 29. and made hys oratyon vnto God for him and al the people he died in a good age ful of dais richesse and honor How so euer the thefe lyued vnto whome Christe sayde Luc. 23. This day shalt thou be wyth me in Paradise He died happely When Sainte Steuen was stoned hee called on the LORDE saying Act. 7. LORDE Iesu receaue my spirit And hee knealed downe and cryed wyth a loude voyce and saide Lorde laye not thys synne to theyr charge And when he hadde thus spoken hee fell a sleape Lette vs geue dylygence that oure deathe maye bee lyke vnto hys And oure Sauyoure and LORD IESUS CHRISTE by hys syngulare deathe Li. 4. de tri Lib. 14. de ciui dei as sayth Saint Augustyne destroyed oure dowble Deathe and graunted vnto vs as saythe the selfe Augustyne so greate grace of faythe that hee was and became the instrumente of deathe the whyche is as it manyfestly appeares contrary to lyfe by the whyche wee should come to lyfe The which life the true author of eternall healthe that is the waye the truthe and lyfe and hathe the dominyon ouer death and lyfe Graunt vs. The whyche wyth the father and the holye ghoste lyueth and raygneth one God worlde without end So be it FINIS
blesse and praise ye the Lord. It is saide that Dauid after the victorye that God gaue hym against Goliah the Philistian 1. regum 17 made this psalm Blessed be the Lord my God Psal. 144 whiche teacheth my handes to warre and my fingers to fight When Hyram had hard the words of Saloman 3. regum 5. he reioysed greatly and said Blessed be God which hath geueÌ„ vnto Dauid a wise sonne ouer thys people The Temple being finished Salomon in the presence of all the people 3. regum 8. sayd Blessed be the LORDE GOD of Israell whyche spake with his mouthe vnto Dauid my father Dauid did appoynt chefely Asaph and his brethren to thanke our Lord. 1. Par. 26 It foloweth then blessed be the Lord God of Israel for euer and euer and let al the people say Amen King Dauid was very pleasaunt and ioyful 1. Para. 16 and blessed our Lorde before the vniuersall multitude Esdras perceiuinge Arthaxerses to be wel minded towards the Iewes said 1. Esdras 7 Blessed be the Lord God of oure fathers whiche so hathe inspired the kinges harte to garnishe the house of our Lord that is at Ierusalem When Esdras hadde opened the boke of the lawe Es. 2. ca. 7. all the people stode vp and Esdras blessed our Lord god with a loud voyce and all the people answeared Amen 2. Esdras 9 After that the wall of the citye of Ierusalem was finyshed vnder Esdras and Nehemia the Leuites said Stand vp and blesse the Lorde foreuer and euer When Sara the doughter of Raguel had made an end of her prayer To. 3. she saide Blessed is thy name o God of our fathers Tobias instructinge and teachyng his sonne Tob. 4. Amonge all other thinges he said vnto him Blesse thou and be alway thanckful vnto God beseche him that he will order and direct thy waies Raguell and his wife perceiuynge that Sathan had not hurte nor touched yonge Toby Tob. 8. sayde Blessed bee thou o Lorde God of Israell for it is not hapned vnto vs as we thoughte Raphaell dyd diligentlye monyshe Tobye and his sonne Tob. 12 that they shuld blesse and be thanckefull vnto God and tell oute al hys wonderous workes After that Tobye hadde recouered his sighte Tob. 13 and had harde Raphaels communication he opened hys mouthe and praised our Lord and sayde Greate arte thou O Lorde for euermore Osias the chefe ruler of the people of Israell Iudi. 13. seing Iudith with the hed of Holofernes sayde Blessed bee oure Lorde the maker of heauen and earthe A mistery was reueled in the night to Danyell by a vision and he praysed our Lorde of heauen saying The name of God be blessed for euer and euer Dani. â— for wisdome and strength ar hys owne and he chaungeth the tymes and ages Ananias and his fellowes beynge cast into the burning ouen did walke in the myddest of the fyre Dani. 3. praysyng blessing our Lorde And kyng Nabuchodonoser afterwardes perseuynge and seinge so greate a myracle sayd blessed be the God of Sidrach Misach and Abednago After they had obtayned of their enemies the victorye 1. Mach. 4. and had builded an aulter the children of Israel worshypped gaue thankes to God that he had prosperd them and geueÌ„ them the victory Forasmuche as Heliodorus that woulde haue spoyled the temple of oure Lorde 2. macha 3. was through the vertue of God moste terribly scourged they praysed our Lord that had magnified his place and temple Whan Machabeus and suche as were with hym perceyued that God had sent them ayde 2. Mach. 11. they blessed and praised our Lorde altogether whiche had shewed them mercye and were comforted in their myndes When Iohn the baptist was borne zacharis mouthe was opened Luke 1. And he prophesied saying Blessed be the Lorde God of Israel When Mary Ioseph had brought the childe Iesus into the temple Symeon toke him vp in hys armes Lu. 2. and blessed oure Lorde God saying Now lettest thou thy seruaunte departe in peace And after Christes ascention Lu. 24. there were in the temple that praysed and lauded God And Paule suffering tribulacions 2. Corin. 1. sayd blessed be God the father of our Lorde Iesus Christ. 1. Pet. 1. And lykewyse Peter To blesse god is as it were a heauenlye worke and office Apoca. 5. And I hearde them all saye blessinge honoure glorye and power be vnto him that sitteth vpon the seate and vnto the lambe for euermore ¶ Of the benediction and blessing wherwith man doth blesse man ¶ The viii chapter MElchisedech kinge of SaleÌ„ met Abraham and blessed him Gen. 14 saying Blessed be Abraham vnto the high God Genesis 27 Isaac blessed Iacob sayinge God geue the of the dewe of heauen and of the fatnesse of the earth and plenty of corne and wine When that Esau cried oute aboue measure Genesis 17 Isaac sayde vnto hym Thy blessinge shall be the fatnesse of the earth and of the dew of heauen from aboue And with thy swerde shalt thou lyue and shalt be thy brothers seruaunt And Ioseph broughte in Iacob his father to Pharao Genes 47. And Iacob blessed him And Pharo asked him how olde he was Iacob blessed his sonne Ioseph and sayde Genes 48. God before whom my fathers did walk blesse these laddes He spake of Manasses and Effraim whom Iosephe desired that hys father shoulde blesse Gene. 49 For after this Iacob blessed euery one of his children with proper and seuerall benedictions Our Lorde spake vnto Moses sayinge On this wise ye shall blesse the chyldren of Israell Numer 6. Our Lorde blesse thee and kepe thee Our Lorde make his face shyne vpon thee And Aaron lyftynge vp his hande ouer the people Leui. 9. blessed them Balaam the sonne of Beâ—r sayde vnto Balach Numer 23. I am brought and conueyde hether to blesse and it is not in me to alter it The poore mannes pledge shal not remayne with thee all the nyght but thou shalt deliuer hym the pledge againe or euer the sunne goe downe Deuter. 24 that sleping in his owne raiment he may blesse thee Moses the manne of God blessed the children of Israell before hys deathe Deuter. 33. and said our Lord came from Sinai and shewed his beames from Seir vnto them Iosua called the Rubenites the Gaddites and the halfe tribe of Manasses Iosue 22. and saide vnto them Haue ye kept all that Moses commanded you so he blessed them sent them away In the songe and thankes geuynge for the victorye againste Sisara we read Iudi. 5. Blessed be thou Iahel the wyfe of Haber the Kenite amonge all women and blessed shall she be in her teÌ„t and tabernacle Noemi perceiuinge Ruth his doughter in law to be honored of Boom ruth 2. said blessed be he of our Lorde for the lyke fauor grace that he