yet delyteth in him euen as a father in his owne sonne Well is him that fyndeth wisdome and opteineth vnderstanding for the gettinge of it is better then any marchaundyse of syluer and the profyt of it is better then golde Prou. 8. a Wysdome is more worth then precyouse stones and all the thynges that thou canst desire are not to be compared vnto her Vpon her ryght hande is longe lyfe and vpon her lefte hande is ryches and honoure Her wayes are plesaunt wayes and al her pathes are peaceable She is a Gene. 2. b tree of lyfe to theym that layde holde vpon her blessed is he that kepeth her fast With wysdome hath the lorde layed the foundaciō of the earth and thorow vnderstandynge hath he stablyshed the Heauens Thorow his wysdome the deapthes breake vp and the Cloudes drop downe the dewe My sonne let not these thinges depart from thyne eyes but kepe my lawe and my councell so shall it be lyfe vnto thy soule and grace vnto thy mouth Then shalt thou walke safely in thy waye and thy fote shal not stumble Pro. 1. d Yf thou sleapest thou shalte not be afrayde but shalt take thy rest and slepe swetely Thou nedest not to be afrayde of anye sodayne feare nether for the violent russhynge in of the vngodly when it commeth For the lorde shall stande by thy syde kepe thy fote that thou be not taken Withdraw no good thyng from them that haue nede so longe as thyne hande is able to do it Saye not vnto thy neighboure go thy waye and come agayne to morowe wyl I geue the where as thou haste now to geue hym Intende no hurte vnto thy neyghbour seynge he doth dwell in rest by the. Stryue not lyghtely with any man where as he hath done the no harme Pro. 1. c Folowe not a wycked man chose none of his wayes for the Lorde abhorreth the frowarde but his counsel is amonge the ryghtuous The curse of the Lord is in the house of the vngodly but he blesseth the dwellynges of the ryghtuous As for the scornefull dothe not he laugh thē to scorne but he geueth grace vnto the lowly The wyse shal haue honoure in possession but shame is the promocion that fooles shall haue ¶ Wysedom and her frutes her wayes oughte to be sought Capi. iiii HEare O ye chyldrē the father lye exhortacyon and take good hede that ye maye learne wysdome For I haue giuen you a good doctrine forsake not ye my lawe For when I my selfe was my fathers deare sonne and tenderly beloued of my mother he taught me also and sayde vnto me Deu. 6. b 11. c. 32. g Lette thyne herte receaue my wordes kepe my cōmaūdementes and thou shalt lyue Get the wysdome and get the vnderstandynge forgette not the wordes of my mouth and shrynke not from them Forsake her not and she shall preserue the loue her and she shall kepe the. The chefe poynte of wysdome is that thou be wyllynge to optayne wysdome and before all thy goodes to get the vnderstandynge * Make moche of her and she shall promote the. Yea yf thou embrace her she shall brynge the vnto honoure She shall make the a gracyous heed and garnishe the with a crowne of glory Heare my sonne receaue my wordes the yeares of thy lyfe shall be many I haue shewed the the waye of wysdome and led the in to the right pathes So that if thou goest therin there shal no straitnesse hinder the and when thou ruimest thou shalt not fall Take fast holde of doctrine and lette her not go kepe her for she is thy lyfe Psal 1. a and .27 a Come not in the path of the vngodly and walke not in the waye of the wicked Eschue it and go not therin departe asyde and passe ouer by it For they can not sleape excepte they haue fyrste done some myschefe neyther take they any rest except they haue fyrst done some harme For they eate the breade of wickednes and drynke the wyne of robbery The path of the righteous shynneth as the light that is euer brighter and brighter vnto the perfecte daye But the waye of the vngodly is as the darknesse wherin men fall Deut. 6. ◠and .11 c or they be aware My sonne marke my wordes and enclyne thyne eare vnto my sayenges Let them not departe from thyne eyes but kepe them euen in the midst of thyne herte For they are lyfe vnto all those that finde them and health vnto al theyr bodyes Kepe thyne herte with all dilygence for thereupon hangeth lyfe Put away from the a frowarde mouth and lette the lippes of sclaunder be farre from the. Let thyne eyes beholde the thyng that is right and lette thyne eye lyddes loke strayght before the. Ponder the path of thy fete and let al thy wayes be ordred a right Deut. 5. d and .27 d Turne not aside nether to the righte hande nor to the lefte but witholde thy fore from euell * For the Lorde knoweth the wayes that are on the ryght hande As for the wayes that be on the lyfte hand they be frowarde For he shall dyrect thy goynges and thy wayes shall he guyde in peace ¶ He warneth to eschew whordome he forbyddeth wastful spendyng he wylleth vs to lyue of our owne laboures Men must loue theyr wyues Capi v. MY sonne geue hede vnto my wisdome and bowe thyne eare vnto my prudence that thou mayst regarde good councell and that thy lyps maye kepe knowledge Pro. 2. b and .7 a Applye not thou thy selfe to the desceytfulnes of a woman For the lyppes of an harlotte are a droppyng hony combe and her throte is softer then oyle But at the laste she is as bytter as wormewod and her tonge as sharpe as a two edged sworde Her fete go downe vnto death and her steppes pearse thorow vnto hell She regardeth not the pathe of lyfe so vnstedfast are her waies that thou canst not knowe them Heare me nowe therfore O my sonne and departe not from the wordes of my mouthe Kepe thy waye far from her and come not nye the dores of her howse That thou geue not thy strength vnto other and thy yeares to the cruell That other men be not fylled with thy goodes and that thi labours come not in a straunge house Yea that thou mornest not at the laste whē thou hast spent thy body and goodes and then saye Alas why hated I nourtour why dyd my herte despyse correccyon Wherfore was not I obediente vnto the voyce of my teachers and herkened not vnto them that infourmed me I am come almost into al mysfortune in the myddest of the multitude and cōgregacyon Drynke of the water of thyne owne well and of the ryuers that runne out of thyne owne sprynges Lette thy welles flowe out abrode that there may be ryuers of water in the stretes but let them be only thyne owne and not straungers with the. Let thy well
4. Reg. 1. c. Kynges herte is in the hande of the Lorde lyke as are the riuers of water he may turne it whither soeuer he wyll Euerye man thynketh hys owne waye to be ryght but the Lorde iudgeth the hertes Miche 6 b To do ryghtuousnes and iudgement is more acceptable to the Lorde then Sacrifice A presumptuouse looke a proude stomake and the lanterne of the vngodli is synne The deuices of one that is diligente bryng plentuousnes but he that is vnaduysed commeth vnto pouerte Who so hoordeth vp ryches with the disceytfulnes of his tonge he is a foole and lyke vnto thē that seke they re owne deathe The robberies of the vngodly shal be they re owne destrucciō for they will not do the thinge that is right The wayes of the froward are straūg but Titum 1. c the workes of hym that is cleane are right Pro. 25. d. It is better to dwell in a corner vnder the house toppe thē with a brauling woman in a wyde house The soule of the vngodly wisheth euel and hath no pytie vpon his neighbour Pro. 19. d When the scornefull is punyshed the ignoraunt take the better hede and when a wyse man is warned he wyll receyue the more vnderstandyng The ryghtuous wysely consydereth the house of the vngodly and he seeth that God ouerthroweth the vngodli for they re owne wyckednesse Ma. 18. d. Who so stoppeth his eare at the cryenge of the poore he shall crye hym selfe and not be herde A preuy rewarde pacifieth displeasure and a gyfte in the bosome stilleth furyousnesse The iuste deliteth in doinge the thing that is right but the workers of wickednes abhorre the same The man that wandreth out of the way of wisdome shal remayne in the congregacyon of the deed Pro. 23. c. He that hathe pleasure in bankettes shal be a poore man Who so delyteth in wyne and delycates shall not be ryche The vngodly shal be geuen for the rightuous and the wicked for the Iuste Eccle. 25. c It is better to dwell in a wildernesse thē with a chidynge and an angrye woman In a wise mans house there is greate tresure plentuousnes but a folishe bodye spendeth vp all Who so foloweth rightuousnesse mercye findeth both life ryghtuousnes and honoure A wyse man wynneth the Citie of the mightie and as for the strength that they trust in he bringeth it downe Pro. 12. b. Who so kepeth hys mouthe and hys tongue the same kepeth his owne Soule from troubles He that is proude and presumptuous is called a scorneful mā which in wrath dare worke malicyously The voluptuousnesse of the slouthful is his owne deathe for his handes wil not laboure He coueteth and desyreth all the daye longe but the Ryghtuouse is alwaye geuynge and kepeth nothyng backe The sacrifice of the vngodli is abhominacion howe moche more when they offer the thinge that is gotten with wickednes Pro. 19. a. A false witnesse shall perishe but he that will be cōtent to heare shall alway haue power to speake hym selfe An vngodly man goeth forthe rashely but the iust refourmeth his owne way Esaie 1. b. and .4.6 b There is no wisdō there is no vnderstandynge there is no councell againste the Lorde Psalmus 33. c. The horse is prepared agaynste the day of battayle but the Lorde geueth the vyctory Capi. xxii A Ecclasi 41 b. Ecclesia 7. a. Good name is more worthe thē great riches louing fauoure is better thē siluer golde The riche and poore mette together the Lorde is the maker of them all A wise man seeth the plage and hydeth him selfe but the foolyshe go on stil and are punyshed The ende of lowlynes and the feare of God is ryches honour prosperytie and helthe Thornes and snares are in the waie of the frowarde but he that doth kepe his soule wyll flee from suche Teache a chylde in his youthe what waye he shulde go for he shall not leaue it when he is olde The ryche ruleth the poore and the borower is seruaunt to the lender He that soweth wyckednes shal reape sorowe and the rodde of his crueltie shall peryshe Eccle. 31. d He that hathe a louynge eye shall be blessed for he geueth of his breade vnto the poore Who so geueth rewardes shall opteyne vyctorye honoure but he taketh awaye the soule of such as receyue them Cast out the scorneful man so shal stryfe go out with him yee variaunce sclaunder shall cease Who so deliteth to be of a clene herte and of gracyous lyppes the Kynge shall be his frende The eyes of the Lorde preserue knowledge but as for the wordes of the despytefull he bringeth thē to naught The slouthfull body saythe there is a Lyon without I myghte be slayne in the strete Pro. 23. c The mouth of an harlotte is a depe pytte wherin he falleth that the lord is angrye wyth all Foolyshnes stycketh in the herte of the lande and the rodde of correccyon shall dryue it awaye from hym Who so doth a pore man wrong to increase his own ryches and geueth vnto the ryche at the last commeth to pouertye hym selfe My sonne bow downe thyn eare and herken vnto the wordes of wysdom applye thy minde vnto my doctryne for thou shalt be excellent yf thou kepe it in thin hart and practyse it in thy mouth that thou mayst put thy trust in the lorde I haue shewed the this daye the thing that thou knowest Haue not I warned the very oft with councell learning that I myghte shewe the truth and that thou with the verite myghtest answere them that send vnto the Se that thou robbe not the poore because he is weke and oppresse not the symple in iudgement for the Lord him selfe wyl defende their cause and do vyolēce vnto them that haue vsed violence Make no frend shyppe with an angrye wylfull man and kepe no cōpany with the furious lest thou learne his wayes and receyue hurt in thy soule Prou. 6. a and .11 b. and .27 c Be not thou one of them that bynde theyr hand vpon promise and art sureti for dette for yf thou hast nothynge to paye they shall take awaye thy bed from vnder the. Pro. 23. b Deu. 27. c Thou shalte not remoue the lande marcke which thy fore elders haue set Seest thou not that they which be dylygent in theyr busines stand before kinges and not among the symple people Capi. xxiii WHen thou syttest at the table to eate wyth a Lord order thy selfe manerly wyth the thynges that are set before the. Measure thyne appetyte and yf thou wylt rule thyne owne selfe be not ouer gredy of his meate for meate begileth disceyuethe Take not ouer greate trauayle and labour to be rych beware of such purpose Eccl. 27. a Iere. 17. b ◠Ti 6. b Why wylt thou set thyne eye vpon the thing which sodēly vanisheth away For ryches make them selues wynges and take theyr
brokē Or the pot be broken at the wel and the whele vpō the cesterne Thē shal the dust be turned again vnto earth from whēce it came and the spirit shal retourne vnto god which gaue it Eccles 1. a Al is but vanite saith the precher al is but playne vanytie The Preacher was yet more wise taught the people knowledge he gaue good hede soughte out the grounde set forth many parables his diligēce was to fynde out acceptable wordes ryght scripture the wordes of truthe For Hebre. 4. c the wordes of the wyse are lyke pryckes nayles that go thorow wherwith men are kepte together for they are geuen of one shepeherde only Therfore beware my sonne that aboue these thou make the not many and innumerable bokes nor take diuers doctrines in hand to weri thy body withal Let vs heare the cōclusiō of al thynges Feare god kepe his cōmaundementes For that toucheth al men For God shal iudge al workes secrete thinges whether they be good or euell ¶ The ende of the boke of the Preacher otherwyse called Ecclesiastes ¶ The Ballet of Ballettes of Salomon called in Laten Canticum Canticorum ¶ A mysticall songe of the spirituall and godly loue betwene Christe the spouse and the chyrche or congregacyon his spousesse Salomō made thys Balade or songe by him selfe and hys wyfe the daughter of Pharao vnder the shadowe of him selfe fygurynge Christ vnder the personne of his wyfe the Churche Capi. Primo ¶ The voyce of the Churche O That he wolde kysse me with the kysses of his mouth for thy loue is more plesaūt thē wyne that because of the good and plesaunt sauour Thy name is Eccle. 7. a a swete smellyng oyntmente therfore do the maydens loue the drawe thou me vnto the we wyll runne after the. ¶ The spousesse to her companions The Kyng hath brought my into his preuy chambers We wyll be glad reioyse in the we thynke more of thy loue then of wyne They that be ryghtuous loue the. ¶ The voyce of the Churche in persecution I am blacke O ye daughters of Ierusalem lyke as Gene. 25. b 2. Par. 3. c the tentes of the Cedarnes and * as the hangynges of Salomō but yet am I faier wel fauoured wyth al. Maruel not at me that I am so black for why the sunne hath shined vpon me ¶ The voyce of the Synagoge My mothers childrē had euel wil at me they made me a keper of the vyneyardes but mine own vineyard haue I not kept ¶ The voyce of the churche to Christe Tell me of him whome my Soule loueth where thou fedest where thou makest them to reste at the noone days for why shall I be lyke him that goeth wrong aboute the flockes of thy companions ¶ Chryste to the Churche Yf thou know not thy self O thou say reste amonge wemē then goo thy waye forth after the fote steppes of the shyppe and fede thy gotes besyde the shepeherdes rentes Vnto Exod. 14. c the hoost of Pharaos charettes haue I compared the O my loue Thy chekes thy necke is bewtyfull as the turtles hanged wyth spanges and godly iewelles a necke bande of golde wyll we make the with syluer buttons ¶ The voyce of the Churche When the Kynge sytteth at the table he shall smell my Nardus a bondell of Myrre is my loue vnto me he wyl lye betwyxte my brestes A cluster of grapes in the vineyardes of Engaddy is my loue vnto me Cant. 4. a O how fayer art thou my loue how fayer arte thou thou haste doues eyes ¶ Christe to the Churche O how faier arte thou my beloued howe well fauoured arte thou ¶ The Churche to Christe Our bed is decte with floures the selynges of oure houses are of Cedre tree and oure balkes of Cypresse Capi. ii The voyce of christe I Am the Lilye of the felde and Rose of the valleyes as the Rose amonge the thornes so is my loue amonge the daughters ¶ The voyce of the Churche Like as the appletre among the tres of the woode so is my beloued amonge the sonnes My delite is to sit vnder his shadowe for hys frute is swete vnto my throte he bryngeth me into hys wyne seller loueth me specialli wel Refresh me with grapes cōforte me with apples for I am sycke of loue Canti 8. a his lefte hande lyethe vnder my heed and his right hāde shall embrace me ¶ The voyce of Christe Canti 3. b I charge you O ye daughters of Ierusalem by the Roes and hyndes of the felde that ye wake not vp my loue nor touche her tyll she be contente her selfe ¶ The voyce of the Churche Me thinke I heare the voice of my beloued lo there cōmeth he hoppynge vpō the mountaynes and leapyng ouer the lytle hilles My beloued is like a Roo or a yonge hart Beholde he standeth behinde our wall he loketh in at the window and pepeth thorowe the gate My beloued answered and sayde vnto me ¶ The voyce of Christe O stande vp my loue my beutyful and come for lo the wynter is nowe past the rayne is awaye and gone The floures are come vp in the felde the tyme of the byrdes singing is come and the voyce of the turtle doue is hearde in our lande The figge tree bringeth forth her figges and the vines beare blossoms and haue a good smell O stande vp my loue my beutyful ▪ and come O my doue out of the canes of the rockes out of the holes of the wall O lette me se thy countenaunce heare thy voice for swete is thy voyce fayer is thy face ¶ The voyce agaynste the herytykes Get vs the Foxes yee the litle foxes that hurt the vynes for our vynes beare blossoms ¶ The voyce of the Churche Canti 7 ◠My loue is myne and I am hys which fedeth amonge the roses vntil the daye breake tyl the shadowes be gone Come agayne O my beloued and be lyke as a Roo or a yonge harte vpon the wyde mountaynes Capi. iii. ¶ The voyce of the Churche which is chosen out of the Heathen BY nyght in my bed I sought him whom my Soule loueth yee diligently sought I him but I foūde him not I wyl get vp thought I go about the cytie vpon the market in all the stretes wil I seke him whom my Soule loueth but when I sought him I found hym not The watchemen also that go aboute the Cytie founde me ¶ The churche speakynge of Christe Sawe ye not him whome my soule loueth So when I was a litle past them I founde him whome my soule loueth I haue gotten holde vpon him and will not let him go vntyll I bringe him into my mothers house and into her chāber that bare me ¶ The voyce of Christe Canti 2. b I charge you O ye daughters of Ierusalem by the Roes and hindes of the felde that ye wake not vp my
place where eury one beareth two twynnes not one vnfruitefull among theÌ„ Thy chekes are lyke a pece of pomgranate besydes that which lyeth hyd within There are 1. Re. 11. a .xi Quenes .lxxx. wyues and damesels wtout nomber One is my doue one is my derlinge She is the onely beloued of her mother and dere vnto her that bare her When the daughters saw her they sayd she was blessed Yee the Quenes and wiues praysed her ¶ The voyce of the synagoge What is she this that pepeth out as the mornynge fayer as the mone cleare as the sunne and feareful as an armie of men with theyr banners ¶ Christe to the Synagoge I went downe into the nut gardeyne to se what grewe by the brokes and to loke yf the vineyarde floryshed or yf the pomgranates were shot forth ¶ The voyce of the Synagoge I knewe not that my Soule had made me the people that be vnder trybute ¶ Christe to the Synagoge What wyll ye see in the Sulamyte She is lyke meÌ„ of war that be in a dauÌ„ce ¶ The voyce of the Churche callynge agayne the Synagoge Turne agayne turne agayne O thou perfecte one turne agayne turne againe and we wyll loke vpon the. Capi. vii ¶ Christe to the Churche O Howe pleasaunte are thy treadynges with thy shoes thou Princes daughter Thy thyghes are like a faier iewell which is wrought by a cunnyng worke master Thy nauell is lyke a round goblette which is neuer without drynke Thy wombe is lyke a heape of wheate that is set about wyth roses Cant. 4. a Thy two breestes are lyke two twynnes of yonge rooes Thy necke is as it were a tower of yuery thyn eyes also are lyke the water poles that are in Hesebon besyde the porte of Bathrabbim thy nose is like the tower of Libanus which loketh towarde Damascus That heed that standethe vpon the is lyke Carmel and the beare of thy heade is lyke the Kynges purple folden vp in playtes O howe fayre and louely arte thou my darlinge in pleasures Thy stature is like a Palme tree and thy brestes like a cluster of grapes ¶ The spouse speakynge of the Crosse I sayd I wyl clyme vp into the palme tree and take holde of his brauÌ„chesse ¶ The Spouse speakynge to the spousesse Thy brestes also shal be as the vyne clusters the smel of thy nostrelles lyke the smel of apples and thy throt like the best vyne This shal be puer and clere for my loue his lippes teth shal haue theyr pleasur There wyll I turne me vnto my loue and he shall turne him vnto me ¶ The Churche speakynge vnto Christe O come on my loue we wyl go forthe into the felde and take oure lodgyng in the villages In the mornyng wil we go se the vyneyarde yf it be spronge forth yf the grapes be growne and yf the pomgranates be shot out There wyl I geuethe my brestes the Mandragoras geue theyr smell and besyde our dores are all maner of pleasaunte frutes bothe newe and olde which I haue kepte for the O my beloued Capi. viii ¶ The voyce of the Patriarches â–ª speakynge of Christ O That I myght finde the without and kysse the who I loue as my brother whyche suckte my mothers breestes and that thou wouldestâ— not be offended yf I toke the brought the into my mothers house that thou mightest teach me and that I might geue the drynke of spyced wyne and of the swete sappe of my pomgranates Canti 2. a Hys lefte hande shal be vnder my heade and hys ryght hande shall embrace me ¶ The voyce of Christe I charge you yee daughters of Ierusalem that ye wake not vp my loue nor touche her tyl she be contente her selfe ¶ The Sinagoge speakyng of the churche What is she this that comme vp from the wyldernes and leueth vpoÌ„ her loue ¶ The voyce of the spouse before the spousesse I waked the vp amonge the apple trees wher thy mother brought the into the world ¶ The churche speakyng to Christe O set me as a seale vpon thyne herte and as a seale vpon thyne arme for loue is myghtye as the death and gelousy as the hell Her coales are of fyre a very flamme of the Lorde so that many waters are not able to quenche loue neither may the streames drowne it Yee yf a maÌ„ woulde geue all the good of hys house for loue she shulde counte it nothyng ¶ Christe speakynge of the Churche to the Sinagoge Our syster is but yonge and hathe no brestes what shall we do for oure syster whan she shall be spoken for ¶ The aunswere of Christe for the Churche Yf she he a wal we shall buylde a siluer bulwerke there vpoÌ„ yf she be a dore we shal fasteÌ„ her with borders of Cedre tree ¶ The Churche aunswereth vnto the Sinagoge I am a wal and my brestes lyke towers then was I as one that hath founde fauoure in his syghte The synagoge speakynge to the Churche Salomon hath a vyneyarde at Baal Hamon and thys vyneyarde delyuered he vnto the kepers that euery one for the fruyte therof shuld geue him a thousaÌ„de peces of syluer ¶ The voyce of Christe My vyneyarde is in my syght thou O Salomon must haue a thousande the kepers two hundred with the fruyte Thou that dwelleste in the gardeyns O let me heare thy voyce that my companions maye herken to the same ¶ The voyce of the Churche speakynge vnto Christe O get the away my loue and be as a Roo or a yonge herte vpon the swete smellynge mountaynes ¶ The Ende of the Ballette of Ballettes of Salomon called in Latten Canticum Canticorum ¶ The boke of wysdome ¶ An exortacion for Iudges and rulers to loue wysedome The spyrite of wysedome hateth falshed dyssimulacyon and hypocrysye rebuketh vnryghtuousnesse and abhorreth wycked doers Capi. Primo O Set your affeccyon vppon wysedome ye that be Iuges of the earth Haue a good opinyon of the Lorde and seke hym in the synglenesse of herte â—â—ar 15. a For he wyl be fouÌ„de of them that tempte him not and appereth vnto such as putte theyr truste in hym As for frowarde thoughtes they be separated froÌ„ God but vertue yf it be alowed refourmeth the vnwyse And why wysedome shall not entre in to a frowarde Soule nor dwell in the bodye that is subdued vnto sinne For the holy goost abhorreth fayned nurtoure wyth draweth hym selfe frome the thoughtes that are with out vnderstandyng and where wyckednesse hath the vpper hande she fleeth froÌ„ thence Galat. 5. c For the spyrite of wysdome is louynge gentle and gracyous wyl haue no pleasure in hym that speakethe euyll wyth hys lyppes Esay 6. a Iere. 23. d Iero. 7. c For God is a wytnes of his reynes a trew searcher out of his herte an hearer of his tongue For the spyrite of the Lord fylleth the rounde coÌ„passe of the world and the same that vp holdeth al thynges
cleane vessell therof Take awaye vngodlynes from the Kynges syght his seate shal be stably shed in ryghtuousnes Put not forth thy selfe in the presence of the kynge and preace not in the place of greate men Luc. 14. b For better is it that it be sayde vnto the come vp hither thē thou to be sette downe in the presence of the prince whōe thou seyst with thyne eyes Eccl. 8. a. Mat. 5. c. Be not hastie to go to the lawe leest happlye thou order thy selfe so at the last that thy neyghbour put the to shame Handle thy matter with thy neighbour himselfe discouer not an other mans secrete leest when men heare therof it tourne to thy dishonoure and leest thine euell name do not cease * Grace and frendshyppe doth deliuer whyche se that thou kepe for thy selfe leest thou be reproued A worde spoken in due season is lyke apples of gold in a syluer dyshe The correccyon of the wyse is to an obedient eare a golden cheine and a iewell of golde Lyke as the colde of snow in the haruest so is a faythfull messaunger to thē that sende him for he refresheth his maisters mynde Who so maketh greate boostes and geueth nothinge is like cloudes wynd without raine With pacyence is a Prynce pacified Pro. 15 a. Gen. 32. a 1. Re. 25. a. with a softe tongue is rigorousnes broken If thou findest hony eate so moch as is sufficiēt for the leest thou be ouerfull and parbracke it out agayne Withdrawe thy fote from thy neyghbours house leest he be wery of the and so abhorre the. Who so beareth false witnes agaynste his neigheboure he is a very speare a swearde and a sharpe arowe The hope of the vngodly in time of nede is like a rotten toth and a slipperi foote Who so taketh awaye a mannes garmēt in the colde wether is lyke vyneger vpon chalke or lyke hym that syngeth songes to an heuy herte * Lyke as a moth hurteth a garment and a worme the tree so doth the heuines of a man hurt the herte Ro. 12. c 1. Ro. 30. b. If thyne enemye honger fede hym if he thirst geue hym drinke for so shalt thou heape cooles of fyre vpon his heed and the Lorde shall rewarde the. The North wynde dryueth awaye the rayne euen so doth an earnest sober coūtenaunce a backbyters tonge Pro. 21. a. It is better to sytte in a corner vnder the rofe then with a brauling woman in a wyde house A good reporte out of farre countre is lyke colde water to a thyrstie soule A ryghtuous man falling downe before the vngodly is like a troubled wel and a spring that is destroyed Lyke as it is not good to eate to moch hony Eccle. 3. c. euen so he that will searche out hye thynges it shal be to heuy for hym He that can not rule hym selfe is lyke a Cytie which is brokē downe and hath no walles Capi. xxvi LYke as snowe is not mete in sommer nor rayne in haruest euen so is worshyp vnsemely for a fole Lyke as the byrde and the swalowe take they re flyght and flee here and there so the curse that is giuen in vaine shall not lyght vpon a man Psalmus 32. b. Vnto the horse belongeth a whyppe to the Asse a brydle and a rodde to the fooles backe Geue not the foole an aunswere after hys foolyshenes leest thou become lyke vnto hym but make the foole an aunswer to his foolishnesse leest he be wise in hys owne conceyte He is lame of his fete yee dronken is he in vanite that commytteth any thing to a foole Lyke as it is an vnsemely thynge to haue legges and yet to halte euen so is a parable in a fooles mouth He that setteth a foole in hye dignitie that is euen as yf a man dyd cast a precyouse stone vpon the galouse A Parable in a fooles mouthe is like a thorne that pricketh a dronken man in the hande A man of experience discerneth al thinges wel but who so hireth a fole hireth suche one as wyll take no hede 2. Pe. 2. d. Lyke as the dogge turneth againe to his vomite euē so a foole beginneth his foolyshnes agayne a freshe If thou seest a man that is wyse in his owne conceyte there is more hope in a foole then in hym Pro. 22. b. The slouthfull sayth there is a Leoparde in the waie and a Lyon in the middest of the stretes Lyke as the dore turneth aboute vpō the thressholde euen so doth the slouthfull welter hym selfe in his bed Pro. 16. c. The slouthfull bodye thrusteth hys hande into hys bosome and it greueth hym to put it agayne to his mouth The slogard thynketh hym selfe wiser then seuen men that syt and teache Who so goeth by and medlethe with other mens stryfe he is lyke one that taketh a dog by the eares Lyke as one shoteth deadly arrowes dartes out of a preuy place euē so dothe a dyssembler with his neyghbour And then sayth he * when thou arte taken I dyd it but in sporte Where no wode is ther the fyre goeth out Euen so where the backbyter is taken awaye there the stryfe ceaseth Eccle. 28 b As Cooles kendle heate and woode the fyre euen so doth a braulyng felowe steare vp varyaunce A sclaunderers wordes are lyke flatery but they pearse the inwarde partes of the bodye Venymous lyppes and a wicked herte are lyke a potsherde couered with siluer drosse An enemye shal be knowne by his talkynge and in the meane season he ymagineth mischefe but whē he speketh faier beleue hym not for ther are seuen abhomynacyons in his herte Who so kepeth euell wyll secretely to do hurt his malice shal be shewed before the whole congregacyon Eccle. 10. d Ec. 27. d. Who so dyggeth vp a pyt shall fall therin and he that weltreth a stone shal stomble vpon it hym selfe A dissemblynge tonge hateth one that rebuketh hym and a flaterynge mouthe worketh myschefe Capi. xxvii MAke not thy booste of to morowe Luce. 2. c. Eze. 28. a. Iam. 4. b. for thou knowest not what may happen to daye Let an other man praise the and not thyne owne mouthe yee other folkes lippes and not thyne The stone is heuy and the sand weightie but a fooles wrath is heuier thē they bothe Wrothe is a cruell thinge and furyousenesse is a very tempest yee who is able to abyde enuye An open rebuke is better thē a secret loue Faythfull are the woundes of a louer but the kysses of an enemye are cruel He that is ful abhorreth an hony cōbe but vnto him that is hūgry euery sower thynge is swere He that ofte times frytteth is like a byrde that forsaketh her nest The herte is glad of a swete oyntment and sauour but a stomake that can geue good counsel reioyseth a mans neyghboure Thyne owne frende and thy fathers frend se thou forsake not but go
yf she perceyue that her houswyfrie doth good her cādle goeth not out by nyghte She layeth her fingers to the spyndell and her hand taketh holde of the distaf She openeth her hande to the poore yee she stretcheth forth her hādes to such as haue nede She feareth not that the cold of wynter shal hurte her house for al her housholde folkes are double clothed She maketh her selfe fayer ornaments her clothing is whyte sylke and purple Her husbande is moche sette by in the gates whē he sitteth amonge the rulers of the lande She maketh clothe of sylke and selleth it and deliuereth a gyrdle vnto the marchaunte Strength and honour is her clothyng and in the lattre daye she shall reioyse She openeth her mouth with wisdome and in her tonge is the lawe of grace She loketh well to the wayes of her housholde and eateth not her bred with ydilnesse Her chyldrē shall arise and call her blessed and her husband shal make much of her Many daughters ther be that gather ryches together but thou goest aboue thē all As for fauour it is disceitful and beutie is a vaine thīg but a womā that feareth the lorde she is worthy to be praysed Geue her of the fruyte of her handes let her owne workes prayse her in the gates ¶ The Ende of the Prouerbes of Salomon ¶ The boke of the Preacher otherwyse called Ecclesiastes ¶ All that is in this worlde is vanite Capi. Primo THese are the wordes of the Preacher the son of Dauyd Kynge of Ierusalem Eccle. 12. c Al is but vanyte sayth the Preacher All is but playne vanyte For what elles hath a mā of al the labour that he taketh vnder the sunne One geue racyō passeth awaye an other cōmeth but the earth abydeth styll The Sunne aryseth the sunne goeth downe and returneth to his place that he may there ryse vp agayne The wynde goeth toward the South and fetcheth his compasse about vnto the North and so turneth into hym selfe agayne Iob. 14. b. Al sloudes runne into the see and yet the see is not fylled For loke vnto what place the waters runne thence they come to slowe agayne All thinges are so hard that no man can expresse them Pro. 17. Ge. 14. b. c The eye is not satisfyed with sight the eare is not fylled with hearyng Eccle. 3. b. The thynge that hath bene cōmeth to passe agayne and the thyng that hath be done is done agayne there is no newe thing vnder the sunne Is ther any thyng wherof it may be sayde lo this is new For it was long agoo in the tymes that haue bene before vs. The thinge that is past is out of remembraunce Euen so the thynges that are for to come shall no more be thought vpō amonge them that come after I my selfe the Preacher was Kyng of Israell at Ierusalem and dyd applie my minde to seke out and searche for the knowledg of all thynges that are done vnder heuen Suche trauayle and labour hathe God geuen vnto ✿ the children of men to exercyse them selues therin Thus I haue consydered all the thynges that come to passe vnder the Sunne and lo they are all but vanite and vexacyon of mynde The croked can not be made strayght and the fautes cannot be nombred I cōmoned wyth myne owne herte sayenge lo I am come to a greate estate haue gottē more wysdome then all they that haue bene before me in Ierusalem Yee my hert had greate experyence of wisdōe and knowledge for thereunto I applyed my mynde that I myght knowe what were wysdome and vnderstāding what were errour and folishnesse And I perceiued that this also was but a vexacyon of minde for wher much wisdome is there is also greate trauaile and dysquyetnesse and * the more knowledge a man hath the more is his care ¶ Aboundaunce of ryches of pleasure and of buyldyng are vayne thynges Capi. ii THen sayde I thus in my herte Nowe goo to I wyll take myne ease and haue good dayes But lo that is vanitie also in so muche that I sayd vnto laughter thou art mad and to myrth what doest thou So I thought in my hert to withdraw my fleshe from wine to aplye my mynde vnto wisdome to comprehēd folishnes vntyl the tyme that amonge al the thynges which are vnder the sun I might se what were best for mē to do so lōg as they liue vnder heuen 3. Re. 3.4.5.6.7 I made gorgyous fayre workes I builded me houses plāted vineyardes I made me orchyardes and gardēs of pleasure plāted trees in thē of al maner fruites 3. Re. 4.9 I made poles of water to water the greue fruteful trees with al. I bought seruaūtes maydens had a great houshold As for catel and shepe I had more substaūce of thē thē al they that were before me in Ierusalē I gathered syluer golde together euē a treasure of kinges landes I prouided me syngers women which could play of instrumentes to make mē myrth and pastime I gate me psalteries and sōges of musike And I was greater in more worshyp then al my predecessours in Ierusalē For wysdom remayned with me and loke what so euer mine eyes desired I let thē haue it and wherin so euer my hert delited or had any pleasur I with helde it not from it Thus my hert reioysed in all that I dyd and this was my porcion of al my trauayle But when I consydred al the workes that my hādes had wrought and al the laboure that I had taken therin so al was but vaine vexacion of mynde and nothyng of any value vnder the sūne Thē turned I me to consyder wysdom errour and folyshnes for what is he amōg mē that might be cōpared to me the kyng in such workes and I saw that wysdom excelleth folyshnes as far as lyght doth darknes For a wise mā hath his eyes in his heed but the foole goeth in the darknes I perceyued also that they both had one ende Then thought I in my mynde yf it happen vnto the fole as it doth vnto me what nedeth me thē to laboure anye more for wisdō So I cōfessed within my harte that thys also was but vanytye For the wyse are euer as lytell in remembraunce as the folyshe and al the daies for to come shal be forgottē yee the wise man dyeth as wel as the foole Thus began I to be wery of my life in so muche that I coulde away with nothyng that is done vnder the sunne for all was but vanytie and vexacyon of mynde Yea I was wery of al my labour which I had taken vnder the sunne because I shulde be faine to leaue them vnto an other mā that commeth after me And who knoweth whether he shal be a wise man or a fole And yet shal he be lord of al my labours which I with such wysdom haue taken vnder the Sunne Thys is also a vayne thynge So I
tourned me to refreine my mynde from al such trauayle as I toke vnder the Sunne for so muche as a man shuld wery hym selfe with wisdō with vnderstādyng and oportunytie and yet be fayne to leaue his labours vnto a nother that neuer swete for them This is also a vayne thynge and great miserye For what getteth a mā of al the labour and trauaile of his mind that he taketh vnder the Sunne but heuines sorowe and disquietnes all the dayes of his life In so much that his herte cannot rest in the nyght this is also a vaynt thynge Eccle. 5. d. Is it not better then for a man to eate and drinke his Soule to be meri in his laboure Yee I sawe that this also was a gyft of god For who wil eat or go more lustely to his worke thē I And why he geueth vnto man what it pleaseth him whether it be wysdome vnderstanding or gladnes But vnto the synner he geueth werynesse * superfluous care that he maye gather heape together the thing that afterward shal be gyuen vnto him whom it pleaseth God This is nowe a vayne thing yee a very disquietnes and vexacyon of mynde ¶ Al thynges come in theyr tyme and passe awaye in theyr tyme. Capi. iii. EVerye thynge hathe a tyme yee all that is vnder the heauen hathe hys conuenyent season There is a time to be borne and a time to dye There is a tyme to plant and a tyme to pluke vppe the thynge that is planted A tyme to sleye and a tyme to make whole A tyme to breake downe and a tyme to buylde vp A tyme to wepe and a tyme to laugh A tyme to mourne and a tyme to daunce A tyme to caste awaye stones and a tyme to gather stones together A tyme to embrace and a tyme to refrayne from embracynge A tyme to wynne and a tyme to lese A tyme to spare and a tyme to spende A tyme to cut in peces and a tyme to sowe together Eccl. 20. a 31. d. 32. a A tyme to kepe scylence and a tyme to speake A tyme to loue and a tyme to hate A tyme of warre and a tyme of peace What hath a man els that doth any thyng but werynes and labour For as touchyng the trauayle and carefulnesse which god hath geuen vnto men I see that he hath geuen it them to be exercysed in it Al this hath he ordeyned marueylous goodly to euery thyng his due tyme. He hath planted ignorance also in the hertes of mē that they shuld not cōprehēde the groūd of his workes which he doth from the beginnynge to the ende So I perceyued that in these thynges there is nothing better for a man thē to be mery and to do wel so longe as he lyueth For all that a man eateth and drinketh ye what soeuer a man enioyeth of al his labour that same is a gyft of god I considered also that what so euer god doth it continueth for euer and that no thing can be put vnto it nor takē from it and that God doth it to the intent that men shulde feare hym Eccle. 1. d. The thing that hath bene is now the thing that is for to come hath bene afore time for god restoreth agayne the thyng that was past Moreouer I saw vnder the Sunne vngodlynes in the steade of Iudgement iniquyte in stead of ryghtuousnes Thē thought I in my mynde god shall seperate the ryghteous from the vngodly then shal be the tyme and iugement of al councels workes I comened with myne owne hert also concernyng the chyldrē of men how god hath chosen thē and yet letteth thē to apere as though they were beastes for it happeneth vnto men as it doth vnto beastes and as the one dyeth so dyeth the other yee they haue both one maner of brethe so that in this a man hath no preeminēce aboue a beast but al are subdued vnto vanyte They go al vnto one place for as they be al of duste so shall they all turne vnto dust agayne Sapi. 2. a. Who knowethe the spirite of man that goeth vpward and the breath of the beast that goeth downe into the earth Wherfore I perceyue that there is nothyng better for a man then to be ioyful in his laboure for that is his porcion But who wyl bryng him to se the thing that shall come after him ¶ The miseries of the innocēt The superfluous laboures of men The chylde that is poore and wyse c. Capi. iiii SO I turned me and Abac. 1. d Eccle. 5. b. consydered al the violent wronge that is done vnder the sunne and beholde the teares of such as were oppressed and there was no mā to cōfort them or that wold delyuer and defend thē frō the violēce of theyr oppressours Wherfore I Iudged those that are deed to be more happie thē such as be alyue yee him that is yet vnborne to be better at ease then they both because he seeth not the miserable workes that are doone vnder the sunne Agayne I sawe that all trauayle and dilygence of labour was hated of euery man This is also a vayne thyng and a vexacion of mynd The fole foldeth his handes together and eateth vp his own fleshe One handeful is better with rest thē both the handes ful with laboure trauayle of mynd Moreouer I turned me behold yet an other vanite vnder the Sunne There is one mā no mo but him selfe alone hauing nether chyld nor brother yet is ther no end of his careful trauayle his eyes can not be satisfied with riches * yet doth he not remembre him selfe and say For whom do I take such trauaile For whose pleasure do I thus consume away my lyfe This is also a vaine a miserable thing Therfor two are better thē one for they may wel enioye the profyt of theyr laboure For yf one of thē fal his cōpanion helpeth him vp agayn But wo is him that is alone for if he fal he hath not another to helpe hī vp Againe whē two slepe together thei are warme but how cā a body be warme alone One maye be ouercome but two may make resistaunce A thre fold thred is not lyghtly broken A pore chylde beynge wyse is better then an olde kynge that doteth cannot beware in tyme to come Gen. 41. b 1. Re. 16 c 3. Reg 13 e 2. par 33. s 4. Re. 25. a Some one cōmeth out of prison and is made a king and an other which is borne in the kingdom commeth vnto pouertie And I perceyued that all men lyuing vnder the Sunne go with the seconde chylde that cōmeth vp in the stede of the other As for the people that haue bene before him and that come after him they are innumerable yet is not theyr ioye the greater thorow him This is also a vayne thynge a vexacion of my ade Whē thou cōmest into the house of God kepe thy
thy vanitie for that is thy porcion in this lyfe of al thy laboure and trauayle that thou takest vnder the sun What so euer thou takest in hand to do that do with al thy power for in the graue thou goest to ther is nether worke councel knowledge nor wisdō So I turned me vnto other thynges vnder the sun I sawe in running it helpeth not to be swyft in batayle it helpeth not to be strōge to feding it helpeth not to be wyse to riches it helpeth not to be suttel to be had in fauour it helpeth not to be cunnyng but that al lyueth in tyme and fortune For Luke 21. d a man knoweth not his tyme but lyke as the fish are taken with the angle and as the byrdes are catched with the snare Euen so are men taken in the parlous time whē it cōmeth sodenly vpon them This wysdome haue I sene also vnder the Sunne and me thought it a great thing There was a litle cytie and a fewe men within it so there came a great kynge and beseged it and made greate bulwarkes against it And in the cytie ther was foūde a pore man but he was wise whiche with his wysdō delyuered the Cytie yet was there no bodye that had any respect vnto suche a symple man Then sayde I wysdome is better then strength Neuerthelesse a symple mānes wysdome is despysed and hys wordes are not hearde A wyse mannes counsell that is folowed in scylence is farre aboue the cryenge of a captayne amonge fooles Sapi. 6. a 3. Re. 22. c 1. Re. 17. c For wisdome is better thē harnesse but one vnthryft alone destroieth much good ¶ The dyfference betwyxte a foole and a wyse man Fortunate happye is that Realme which hath a wyse Prynce Capi. x. A Deed fly doth corrupt swete ointment and maketh it to stynke Euen so oftymes he that is made of for wysdome honoure is abhorred because of a lytle foolyshenes A wise mans herte is vpon the ryght hand but a fooles herte is vpō the lefte A dotinge foole thynketh that euery man doth as foolyshely as hym selfe Yf a pryncipall spirite be geuen the to beare rule Rom. 1 2. b be not neglygent then in thine office for he that can take cure of himselfe auoideth great offences An other plage is there which I haue sene vnder the sun nameli the ignoraunce that is cōmenly amonge Princes in that a foole sytteth in great dignite and the riche are sette down beneth I haue sene seruauntes ryde vpon horses and Princes goinge vpon they re fete as it were a seruante Pro. 26. a Eccl. 27. d But he that dyggeth vp a pytte shal fal there in him selfe who so breaketh down the hedge a serpent shall byte hym Who so remoueth stones shall haue trauayle withal and he that heweth woode shal be hurte ther with When an yron is blonte and the poynte not sharpened it must be whet agayne and that with mighte Euen so doth wisdome folowe dilegēce A babler of his tonge is no better thē a Serpente that slingeth without hissing The wordes out of a wise mans mouth are gracious but the lyppes of a foole wil destroye hym selfe The beginning of hys talking is foolyshnes and the laste worde of his mouth is starke madnes A foole is full of wordes and a man cannot tell what shal come to passe who will then warne hym of it that shall folowe after hym ▪ The laboure of the foolyshe is greuouse vnto thē whyle they knowe not howe to go into the cytie Woo be vnto the o thou lande whose Kynge is but a childe and whose Prynces are early at they re bankettes But well is the O thou lande whose king is come of nobles and whose Prynces eate in due season for necessite not for luste Thorowe slouthfulnesse the balkes fall downe and thorowe ydle handes it rayneth in at the house Meate maketh men to laughe and psa 104. ◠wyne maketh them mery but vnto money are all thynges obedyent Wyshe the kynge no euel in thy thought and speake no hurte of the ryche in thy preuy chaumber for a byrde of the ayre shall betraye thy voyce and with her fethers shall she bewraye thy wordes ¶ Rychesse ought to be destrybute vnto the nedy Capi. xi SEnde thy vitayles ouer the waters and so shalte thou fynde them after manye dayes Geue it awaye amōge seuen or eyghte for thou knowest not what myserye shall come vpon earthe When the cloudes are full they poure out rayne vpon the earth And when the tree falleth whether it be towarde the Southe or Northe in what place so euer it fall there it liethe He that regardeth the wynde shall not sowe and he that hathe respecte vnto the cloudes shall not reape Nowe lyke as thou knowest not the waye of the wind nor how the bones are fylled in a mothers wombe Euē so thou knowest not the workes of God which is the worke maister of all Cease not thou therfore with thy handes to sow thy seed whether it be in the mornyng or in the eueninge for thou knowest not whether thys or that shall prospere yf they both take it is better The light is swete and a pleasaūt thing it is for the eyes to loke vpon the Sunne If a man liue many yeres and be glad in them all let him remember the dayes of darknes which shal be mani and that foloweth all thynges shal be but vanytie Be gladde then O thou yonge man in thy youth ▪ and let thine herte be mery in thy yong dayes folow the wayes of thine owne hert and the lust of thine eyes but be thou sure that God shall brynge the into iudgement for all these thinges ¶ From youth oughte we to consyder and regarde the goodnes of God Capi. xii PVt awaye dyspleasure out of thyne herte and remoue euell from thy body for chyldehode and youth is but vanyte Remember thy maker in thy youthe or euer the dayes of aduersitye come and or the yeares drawe nye whē thou shalte saye I haue not pleasure in theym before the Sunne the lighte the moone and starres be darkenned and or the cloudes turne agayne after the raine when the kepers of the house shal tremble and whē the stronge men shall bew them selues when the millers stande still because they be so fewe and whē the syght of the windowes shal waxe dymme when the doers in the stretes shal be shurte and when the voice of the myster shal be laide downe when men shal ryse vp at the voice of the byrde and when al the daugters of musike shal be brought low whē men shal feare in hye places and be afrayde in the stretes whē the Almonde tree shal florishe and be laden with the greshoper and whē al lust shal passe because when man goethe to hys longe home and the mourners go about the stretes Or euer the syluer lace be takē awaye and or the golden band be
beaste streketh it ouer with redde and paynteth it loke what foule spot is in it he casteth som colour vpon it Then maketh he a cōuenyent Tabernacle for it setteth it in the wall and maketh it fast with yron prouiding so for it leest it happē to fal for it is wel knowen that it can not helpe it self And why it is but an ymage and must of necessitie be helped Then goeth he offreth of his gooddes vnto it for his children and for hys wyf he seketh helpe at it he asketh coūsel at it he is not ashamed to speake vnto it that hath no Soule for helth he maketh his peticion vnto hym that is sicke for life he praieth vnto him that is deed he calleth vpō him for helpe that is not able to helpe him selfe and to sende him a good iurney he prayeth hym that may not go And in all the thynges that he taketh in hande whether it be to obteyne any thyng or to worke he prayeth vnto hym that can do no maner of good The detestacion and abhominacion of ymages A curse of them and of hym that maketh thē The euels that come of Ydolatrye Capi. xiiii AGayne an other man purposynge to saile beginnynge to take hys iurney thorow the ragīg see calleth for helpe vnto a stocke that is far weker thē the tree that beareth him For as for it couetuousnes of money hath founde it out and the craftesman made it with his cunnynge But thy prouidence o father gouerneth al thynges from the beginning for thou hast made awaye in the see and a suer path in the midst of the waues declaryng therby that thou hast power to helpe in all thynges yee thoughe a man wente to the see without shyppe Neuerthelesse that the workes of thy wysdom shulde not be vayne thou hast caused an arke to be made therfore do men cōmit theyr lyues vnto a small pece of woode passynge ouer the see in a shyppe Gene. 6. ◠and are saued For in the olde time also whē the proud gyaūtes peryshed Gen. ◠◠he in whom the hope was lefte to encrease the world went into the ship which was gouerned thorow thy hande and so lefte sede behynde him vnto the worlde Psalmus 114. b and 134. c Bar. 6. d Psal 7. a For happy is the tre wher thorow righteousnes cōmeth but cursed is the ymage of wood that is made with handes yee both it and he that made it He bycause he made it and it bycause it was called god wher as it is but a fraile thyng For the vngodly and his vngodlines are both like abhominable vnto god Euen so the worke and he that made it also shall be punished together Therfore shall ther a plage come vpon the ymages of the hethē for out of the creature of god they are become an abhominacion a temtacyon vnto the soules of men a snare for the fete of the vnwise And why the sekyng out of ymages is the beginnyng of horedom and the bringyng vp of them is the destruccion of life For they were not from the begynnyng nether shal they cōtinue for euer The welthi idelnes of mē hath found them out vpon erth therfore shall they come shortly to an ende When a father mourned for his sonne that was taken away from him he made him an ymage in al the hast of his deed sunne and so began to worship hym as a God which was but a deed man and ordeined his seruauntes to offer vnto him Thus by proces of time and thorow lōg custome this errour was kept as a lawe and tirauntes compelled men by violēce to honour ymages As for those that were so farre of that men myght not worship them presētly theyr pictur was brought from far lyke the ymage of a king whō they wold honoure to the entent that with great diligence they might worship hym which was farre of as thoughe he hade ben present Agayne the synguler cunning of the craftsman gaue the ignoraunt also a great occasion to worship ymages For the workeman willing to do him a pleasur that set him a worke laboured with al his cunninge to make the ymage of the best facion And so thorow the beute of the worke the cōmen people was deceiued in so much that they toke hym nowe for a god which a litle afore was but honoured as a man And this was the errour of mans life when men eyther for to serue they re owne affeccyon or to do some pleasur vnto Kinges ascribed vnto stones and stockes the name of God which ought to be geuen vnto no man Moreouer this was not ynough for thē that they erred in the knowledge of God but where as they liued in the great warres of ignoraunce those manye great plages called they peax For either thei slew theyr own children and offered them and dyd sacrifice in the nyght seasō Deut. 18. b Iere. 8. a and. 19. a or els helde vnresonable watches so that they kept neyther lyfe nor mariage cleane but eyther one slewe an other to death malyciously or els greued his neyghbour with aduoutrie And thus were al thynges mixt together blode māslaughter thefte dissimulacion corrupcion vnfaithfulnes sedicion periurye disquietinge of good men vnthankfulnes defyling of soules chaūgyng of byrth vnstedfastnes of mariage mysorder of aduoutrie and vnclennes And why the honouryng of abhomynable ymages is the cause the begynninge and ende of all euell For they that worship ydols Ymage worshyppers either they are mad whē they are mery or prophecye lyes or lyue vngodly or els lyghtly forswere thē selues for in so much as theyr truste is in the ydols which haue nether soule nor vnderstandyng thoughe they swere falsly yet they thinke it shal not hurte them Therfore commeth a great plage vpon them and that worthely for they haue an euel opinion of God geuyng hede vnto ydols sweringe vniustly to disceiue and despysynge ryghtuousnes for theyr sweringe is no vertue but a plage of them that synne and goeth euer with the offence of the vngodlye The voyce of the faythfull praysynge the mercye of god for whose graces sake they serue not Ydols Capi. xv BVt thou o our God art swete longe sufferinge true in mercy orderest thou al thynges Though we syn yet ar we thyne for we know thy strength Yf we syn not then ar we suer that thou regardest vs. For to knowe the perfect ryghtuousnes Yee to knowe thy ryghtuousnes power is the roote of immortalitie As for the thynge that men haue foūd out thorow theyr euel scyence it hath not disceyued vs as the painting of the picture vnprofytable labour and carued ymage with diuers coulours whose syght entyseth the ignoraunte so that he honourethe loueth the picture of a deed ymage that hath no soule Neuertheles thei that loue such euel thynges are worthye of death they that trust in them they that make them they that loue thē and they that honour thē The
nombred her and measured her He hath poured her out vpon al his workes and vpon all fleshe accordyng to his gyft he geueth her richlye vnto thē that loue hym The feare of the lorde is worshyp and tryumphe gladnes and a ioyfull crowne The feare of the Lorde maketh a mery harte gyueth gladnes ioye and longe lyfe Who so feareth the lorde it shal go wel with him at the laste and in the daye of hys deathe he shal be blessed The loue of God is honourable wysdome loke vnto whom it appereth they loue it for they se what wonderous thinges it doth The feare of the Lord is the begynnynge of wysdome Psa 110 b Prou. 9. b and was made with the faythful in the mothers wombe it shal go with the chosen women shal be knowen of the ryghteous faythful The feare of the Lord is the right gods seruice that preserueth and iustifyeth the hert and gyueth myrth and gladnesse Who so feareth the Lorde shall be happye and when we haue nede of conforte ▪ he shall be blessed To feare God is the wysdome that maketh ryche and bryngeth al good with her She filleth the hole house with her gyftes and the garners with her treasure The feare of the lorde is the crowne of wysdom Feare of the Lorde gyueth plentuous peace and helth He hath sent her and nombred her knowledge vnderstādyng of wysedom hath he poured out as rayne and them that helde her fast hath he brought vnto honour The feare of the lord is the rote of wysdom and her braūches are long lyfe In the tresures of wisdome is vnderstandynge and deuocyon of knowledge but wysdom is abhorred of synners The feare of the lorde dryueth out syn for he that is without feare can not be made ryghtuous and hys wylful boldnes is his owne destruccion A pacyent man wyll suffer vnto the tyme thē shal he haue the rewarde of ioye A good vnderstandyng wyl hyde his wordes for a tyme many mens lyps shal speak of his wysdom In the tresures of wysdōe is the declaracyon of doctrine but the sinner abhorreth the worshyp of God My sonne yf thou desyre wysdome kepe the commaundemēt and God shal gyue her vnto the for the feare of the Lord is wisdom nurtur he hath pleasure in fayth and louynge mekenes and he shall fyll the treasures therof Be not obstynate vnfaythfull to the feare of the Lord and come not vnto him with a double harte Be not an ypocrite in the syght of men and take good hede what thou speakest Marke wel these thynges lest thou happen to fall and brynge thy soule to dishonoure and so God discouer thy secretes and cast the downe in the myddest of the Congregacyon bycause thou woldeste not receyue the feare of god and bycause thy herte is full of faynednes and disceite ¶ He exhorteth the seruauntes of God to ryghtuousnes loue vnderstandynge and pacyence exhorteth him that feareth god to beleue to hope and to loue bycause God neuer confounded nor forsaketh them that trust in him A curse vpō the subtyll feare and impacyent of herte Capi. ii MY sonne yf thou wylte come in to the seruyce of God Mat. 4 a 2. Tim ◠b 2. Pet. 4. b stande faste in ryghteousnesse and feare and arme thy soule to temptacyon settle thyne harte and be paciente bowe downe thyne eare receyue the wordes of vnderstandynge and shrinke not away when thou art entysed Holde the fast vpō god ioyne thy selfe vnto hym and suffre that thy lyfe maye encrease at the laste What so euer happeneth vnto the receyue it suffer in heuynes and be pacyente in thy trouble For lyke as golde and syluer ar tryed in the fyre euen so are exceptable men in the fornace of aduersytie Sapi. 4. a Pro. 17. a Beleue in God and he shal helpe the order thy way a right and put thy trust in him Holde faste his feare and grow therin O ye that feare the Lord take suer holde of his mercy shrynke not away from him that ye fall not O ye that feare the Lorde beleue him and your rewarde shall not be emptye O ye that feare the Lorde put your trust in him and mercye shall come vnto you for pleasure O ye the feare the Lorde set youre loue vpon him and your hertes shal be lyghtened Consyder the olde generacions of men O ye chyldrenne marke theym well was ther euer any one confounded that put his truste in the Lorde Psal 30. a Esai 26. a Who euer continued in his feare and was forsakē Or whome dyd he euer despise that called faythfully vpō him For God is gracyous and merciful he forgeueth sinnes in the time of trouble and is a defender for all them that seke him in the truthe Who be vnto him that hath a double herte wicked lippes and euell occupyed handes and to the sinner that goeth two maner of wayes Wo be vnto theym that are lose of hert which put not theyr trust in God and therfore shall they not be defended of him Woo be vnto theym that haue loste pacyence forsaken the ryghte wayes and are tourned backe in to frowarde wayes What will they do when the Lorde shall begyn to visyt them They that feare the Lorde wyll not mystruste his worde and they that loue him wyll kepe his commaundement They that feare the Lorde Ioh 14. ◠will seke out the thinges that are pleasaunt vnto him and they that loue him shall fulfyll hys lawe Rom. 13. b They that feare the Lorde will prepare theyr hertes humble theyr soules in his sight 2. Re. 24. c They that feare the Lorde kepe his commaundementes and will be pacyent till they se him selfe saieng better it is for vs to fal into the handes of the lorde then into the hādes of men for his mercye is as great as him selfe ¶ To our father and mother oughte we to gyue double honoure Of the blessynge and curse of the father and mother No man oughte ouer curyously to searche out the secretes of God Capi. iii. THe chyldren of wysedome are a congregacyon of the rightuous Fathers and theyr exercise is obedience loue Heare me your father O my der children and do thereafter that ye may be safe Exo. 20. b Deut. 5. b Ephe. 6. a For the Lorde wil haue the father honoured of the childrē and loke what a mother cōmaundeth her childrē to do he wil haue it kept Who so honoureth his father his sinnes shall be forgeuen him he that honoureth hys mother is lyke one that gathereth treasure together Who so honoureth his father shal haue ioye of hys owne chyldren and when he maketh his prayer he shall be heard He that honoureth his father shall haue a longe lyfe and he that is obedyent for the Lordes sake Ephe. 6. a his mother shall haue ioye of him He that feareth the Lorde honoureth his father mother and doth them
pouerte How much more shal he behaue hiÌ„ self honestly in ryches And who soordereth him selfe vnhonestly in riches how much more shal he behaue him self vnhonestly in pouerte ¶ The prayse of humilite After the outwarde aperaunce ought we not to iuge Of hedy rash iugement The ryche is not without offence Al thinges come of God All men are not to be broughte into thy house Capi. xi Gene. 41. f Dani. 6. a THe wysdom of hym that is brought lowe shall lifte vp his heed and shal make hym to syt among great men Commende not a man in his beutye neyther despise a maÌ„ in his vtter apperance The Bee is but a smal beest amonge the foules Actu 12. d yet is her fruyte excedynge sweete Be not proude of thy raiment and exalte ot thy self in the day of thy honour for the workes of the hyest only are woÌ„derful yee glorious secrete vnknowen ar his workes 1. Reg. 15 â— 1. Hest 67 Many tirauÌ„tes haue bene faine to syt down vpon the earthe and the vnlykely hath worne the crowne Many myghtye men haue bene brought lowe and the honorable haue bene deliuered in to other mens handes Deut. 13. b and .7 b Iosue 7. c and .20 c Pro. 18. b CondeÌ„pne no man before thou haste tried out the matter and when thou hast made inquisicyon then refourme ryghtuously Geue no sentence before thou hast heard the cause but fyrste let men tel out theyr tales Stryue not for a mater that toucheth not thy selfe and stonde not in the iudgement of synners My sonne Mat. 19. c 1 Ti. 6. b. Pro. 10. c. medle not with many maters and if thou wilt be ryche thou shal not get it and though thou reÌ„nest thy way afore yet shalt thou not escape Ther is some man that laboureth and the more he weryeth him felfe the lesse he hathe Agayne some man is slouthfull hathe nede of helpe Iob. 13. c wanteth streÌ„gth and hath great pouerte Godes eye loketh vpoÌ„ him to good setteth hym vp from his low estat and lifteth vp his heed so that many men maruell at hym and gyue honour vnto God Iob. 1. c Eze. â—â— a. Prosperyte and aduersytie lyfe and death pouertie and rychesse come of the Lorde Wysedome nurtour and knowlege of the law are with god loue the wayes of good are with him Errour and darknesse are made for synners and they that exalte theÌ„ selues in euil waxe old in euel The gift of god remaineth for the rightuous hys good wyl shall haue prosperite for euer Luke 12. d Some maÌ„ is rich by liuing nigardly and that is the porcyon of his reward in that he saith Luk. e 12. c now haue I gotteÌ„ rest now will I eat drinke of my goodes my selfe alone And yet he coÌ„sidereth not that the tyme draweth nye and death approcheth that he must leaue all thse thynges vnto other men and dye him selfe Stande thou fast in thy coÌ„uenaunte and exercyse thy selfe therin and remaine in the worke vnto thy age Continue not in the workes of synners but put thy truste in god byde in thine estate for it is but an easy thing in the sight of god to make a poore man riche and that sodeÌ„ly The blessinge of god hasteth to the reward of the rightuous maketh hys frutes soone to florishe and prospere Saye not what helpeth it me what shall I haue the whyle Agayn saye not I haue ynough how can I wante Eccle. 18. c When thou art in welfare forget not aduersitie when it goeth not wel with the haue a good hope that it shal be better For it is but a smal thinge vnto God in the daye of death to rewarde euerye man accordynge to hys waies The aduersite of an hour maketh one to forget al pleasure and when a maÌ„ dieth his workes are discouered Praise no body before his death for a man shal be knowen in his childreÌ„ Bring not euery man in to thine house for the disceitfull laieth wayte dyuersly Like as a partrych in a maunde so is the herte of the proude and like as a spie that loketh vpon the fal of his neyghbour For he turneth good vnto euell and sclaundreth the choseÌ„ Of one sparke is made a great fire and of a disceyteful maÌ„ is blode increased an vngodly man layeth waite for bloode Beware of the deceytful for he ymagineth wicked thiÌ„ges to bring the in to a perpetual shame If thou takest an ale auÌ„t vnto the he shal destroye the in vnquyetnes driue the froÌ„ thine owne wayes ¶ Vnto whom we ought to do good Enemyes ought to be escheued Capi. xii WHen thou wylte do good knowe to whome thou dost it so shalt thou be greatly thanked for thy benefytes Gala. 6. a Tim. 5. a Do good vnto the vnrightuous and thou shalte fynde greate rewarde though not of hym yet no dout the lorde him selfe shall rewarde the. He staÌ„deth not in a good case that is alwaye occupyed in euel and geueth no almes for the hyest hateth the synners hath mercy vpon them that shew the workes of repeÌ„tance Geue thou vnto such as feare god and receyue not a synner As for the vngodly synners he shal recompence vengeaunce vnto them and kepe them to the daye of wrath Geue thou vnto the good receyue not the synner do wel vnto hym that is lowly but geue not to the vngodly Let not the bred be geuen him that he be not mightier then thy self therin For so shalt thou receiue twise as much euel in all the good that thou doest vnto hym And whi the highest hateth sinners and shal rewarde vengeaunce to the vngodly In prosperite a frende shal not be knowen and in aduersytie an enemye shal not be hyd For wheÌ„ a man is in welth it greueth his enemyes but in heuines trouble a man shal knowe his frende Truste neuer thine enemy for like as an yron rusteth so doth his wickednes â–ª and though he make much crowchyng and knelyng yet kepe wel thy minde beware of him Set him not by the neyther let him syt at thy ryght hande lest he turneth him get into thi place take thy rowme seke thy seat and so thou at the laste remeÌ„ber my wordes and be prycked at my sayenges Who wyll haue pytie of the charme that is stynged of the serpent or of al such as come nye the bestes Euen so is it with hym that kepeth company with a wycked man lappeth him selfe in his sinnes For a season wyl he byde with the but if thou stomble he taryeth not ¶ An enemye is swete in his lyps Ier. xli b ymagineth disceyte in his hert to throw the into the pit ye he caÌ„ wepe with his eyes yf he maye fynde oportunite he wyl not be satisfied with blod yf aduersite come vpoÌ„ the thou shalt find him there first though he pretend to do the helpe