house and Judahs gave to thee If in thine eyes that too little had beene I would moreover unto thee have given Even such and such things great renowne and fame Which I bestow on these that feare my name Why hast thou beene so foolish and unwise As Gods precepts thus to tread and despise Most wickedly to do evill in his sight To seeme godly and yet to use such slight Poore Uriah the Hittite in a word Thou cruelly hast killed with the sword Thou first defil'd and now hast tae'n to wife His deare ewe-lamb and reft him of his life Thou lives secure as though no ill were done Thou hast him slaine with the sword of Amon. Now after sin shall surely come the smart Hence from thine house the sword shal not depart Because by blood and vile adulterie Two scandals great thou hast despised me Thus saith the Lord who is most righteous I will against thee out of thine house Raise up much evill I will before thine eyes Even take thy wives and give them for to please Thy neighbour who with them shall openly Before the Sunne in beastly manner lye These most vile sins in secret thou hast done But this before all Israel and the sun Shall be see what shall be in end thy luck When for such sinnes such sorrowes thou shalâ— truck And so exchange that for thy filthie lust Thou shalt still smart untill thou turne to dust Ev'n as a bird greev'd in a wierie gail Doth lowring droop and hang the wing anâ— taile Even so shalt thou the rest of all thy time Perplexed be for thy most bloody crime Then David pierced through the very heart Of his folies began to feel the smart He was so lively touched for his sin That how to speak or how his speach begin He doubted much whiles this whiles that did sound Within his breast his thoughts did him confound At last with teares his mouth utt'red this word I have alas sinned against the Lord By my fleshly and most uncleane desire I like a swine have wallow'd in the mire I like a beast have not well understood What guiltinesse comes by shedding of blood Heere in thy presence to thy Holinesse Against my self my sin I do confesse These bloods alas are ever in presence They weigh down sore upon my conscience How can I hence before thee lift my face Who have profest and yet practisd disgrace Against thee who me from the ewes did take And of a sheepheard me a King did make Most justly may thy wrath with loudest raps Ev'n through my heart thrill roaring thunder claps But oh O Lord forget my hainous sin Take mercies kyes and let my soul come in Though I have sinn'd yet will I still beleeve That thou in mercy wilt my sins forgive Then Nathan said The Lord thy sinnes surelie Hath put away fear not thou shalt not die From death eternall I will thee protect But justice willeth that I thee correct Thy sinne therefore I will visit in hast Ev'n blood for blood for adulterie incest Thou shalt not faile to feel a greevous smart For from thine house the sword shall not depart Because thy sinne hath caused blasphemie Therefore thy Sonne shall now most surely die When Nathan was departed to his house Then God the Lord who is most righteous Did strike the child with great and sore sicknesse Then David God besought in his goodnesse That he would not remove the child by death For this he fasting lay upon the earth The Elders came and urged him to eat But he would not refresh himself with meat When it was told him that the child by death Removed was he quickly rose from th' earth He wash'd himself and chang'd his countenance To the Lords house he went with diligence From thence to his owne house there he sought meate They gave him bread and he began to eat What thing is this then did his servants say While thy childe liv'd thou did both fast and pray But when the child was knowne for to be dead Thou rose from earth with courage to eat bread Then answ'red he While the childe was alive I did then pray that God would let him live But now h 'is dead God would it so to be I know he will no more returne to me After his death Bathshebah bare a son To David who did call him Solomon But Nathan sent from the great JEHOVAH Changed his name unto Jedidiah A man of peace beloved of the Lord Of both the names the clear sense doth afford In this meane time the great GOD JEHOVAH Remembred what had beene done to Vriah Then his threatnings began to take effect Great plagues were sent David for to correct Amnon defil'd his dear sister Tamar For this Absalom Amnons life did mar This man who did excell in great beautie In Hebron made a lewd conspiracie To slay David both his father and King That after he upon his throne might reigne He not ceasing from this ill work begun His fathers wives defil'd before the Sun He wanting the true feare of th'Eternell ' Gainst his father fiercely went to battell At Bahurim that vile rogue Shimei Like a cur dog did raile most bitterly Crying Come out thou man of Belial A bloody man thou shalt now pay for all The Lord at last who is most wise and good Hath upon thee returned all the blood Of King Sauls house in whose stead than dost reigne Thy son shall rule thou shalt no more be King The LORD hath plagued thee with shame and griefe Behold thou art taken in thy mischief Then stout Abishai son of Zerviah Davids sister not knowing that JOVAH Made David smart said Why should this dogg dead So curse th King I will take off his head He said to David Let me go anone That for his fault I may fall him upon But David knowing the minde of JOVAH Said What with you the sons of Zerviah Have I to do Let him now curse he said For upon him the LORD this taske hath laid That he David should curse who then shall say Wherefore hast thou vile man so done this day Yea more David unto Abishai said A greater grief upon my heart is laid Behold the son of my bowels is come To seeke my life and to take my Kingdome How much more may this beastly Benjamite Do what he doth with a despightfull sprite Seeing I am so wronged by my Son I pray you all to let this man alone Let him curse still touch him not with youâ— hand For what he saith it is by GODS command It may be that God with compassion Will looke upon my great affliction And that he will though he a space delay Requite me good for his cursing this day Then Davids armie ready with great might Prepar'd themselves ' gainst Absalom to fight When David view'd the march of his armie He said to Joab and Abishai Deare friends I pray deal gently with my Son Deal gently with the young man Absalom When
last of all â—y Nehemiah thou made up the wall â—f fair Salem O make us all to feel â—ithin our hearts such burning holy zeal NEHEMIAH The consolation of the Lord. Chap. 1. AS I was in Shushan there came to me One of my brethren called Hanani With certaine men of Judah of whom I â—hat was the state of the poor Jewes did try â—hat had escapt from among dangers great â—nd which of the captivity were left And they againe together said to me â—he remnant left of the captivitie â—e in reproach and great affliction And Salems wall is also broken downe Our foes most fierce who ' gainst us did coâ—spire The gates thereof have all now burnt with firâ— It came to passe when I these words did heâ— From great mourning I could no more forbeaâ— While that my heart greev'd to and fro wâ— driven I did both fast and pray the GOD of Heav'n I said O LORD of Heav'n I beseech thee Great and terrible that keepeth mercie And Covenant for them that do him love And keep the precepts of the Lord above Unto thy servant give attentive eare That thou thy servants prayer well may heare Which before thee I pray both day and night Israels sins confessing in thy sight Not onely so but oh alas both I And al 's my fathers house have sinn'd greatly Against thee wee have most corruptly dealt For which great grief and sorrows we have feâ— Thy statuts and thy most righteous judgementâ— We have not keept which thou by thy servant Moses did give Remember I pray thee What thou in justice and al 's in mercie Spake by Moses saying If yee transgresse I will you scatter but if yee confesse Humblie your sinne and returne timeously â—o me I will you gather most quickly 〈◊〉 our enemies also I will defame â—nd will you bring where I will set my name Now these are thy most faithfull servants and â—eople whom thou by thy Almighty hand â—edeemed hast O LORD my GOD now grant â—n eare attentive unto thy servant â—nd to thy servants prayer now give eare â—ho thy great name alwayes desire to feare â—hat I intend now prosper I thee pray â—hat I may find thine assistance this day 〈◊〉 the sight of this man me mercy grant â—or I cupbearer was the Kings servant Chap. 2. THe twenty year of Artaxerxes King I his cupbearer wine to him did bring 〈◊〉 his presence I had not beene before â—s I was then in great sadnesse wherefore â—he King himself thus looking on me said â—hat aileth thee and why art thou so sad â—eeing with sicknesse thou not troubled art This nothing else is but sorrow of heart When by the King these wordes were to 〈◊〉 said Then I anone was very sore afraid When at this time fear made my lips to quiver Unto the King I said King live for ever Why should I not be sad and all agast When the city of Salem lieth wast The place of my fathers sepulchres deare Its gates are burnt from greefe who can forbeare Then said the King to me See what is best For what dost thou now greeved make request Then lifting up my heart I did soone pray Unto the Lord and to the King did say If it the King please and if thy servant Have in thy sight found favour to me grant That I be sent unto Judahs citie That it anone may builded be by me Then said the King the Queene al 's sitting bâ— For how long shall be this thy great journey And when wilt thou againe to us returne Now set a time it keep and not adjourne When I this heard I set to him a time To let me go the King did well incline Moreover I said to the King humblie If it the King shall please let soone to me Letters be given for them that do govern Beyond the river that they well may learn That thy will is for th' honour of JOVAH â—hat they convey me over to Judah â—lso a letter to get I thought best â—o Asaph the keeper of the forrest â—hat he timber should give for beams quickly â—o make the gates of palace house city â—hat I did seek that did the king command â—ccording as on me was GODS good hand â—hen I beyond the river came quickly â—ving Captaines which the king sent with me When Sanbalat the wicked Horonite â—d Tobiah the servant Ammonite â—eard of it it them greev'd exceedingly â—hat any sought the good of GODS City So GOD who me did save in all my wayes â—ought me to Salem where I was three dayes 〈◊〉 the night tyme when sleep sad on men falls 〈◊〉 went and viewd the ruine of the wals Thereafter I the Jews did all invite 〈◊〉 build the wals and that even in despite 〈◊〉 all their foes Ye know said I what 's past â—rusalem GODS City lyeth waste â—a what our greatest foes did most require â—e wals are down the gates are burnt with fire â—en I to them declared most clearly â—w that the good hand of GOD was on me â—d how the king before I did depart Spake to me words which did comfort my heaâ— Let us rise up and build couragiously So GOD their hearts made stout and hands readâ— But when that Sanballat the Horonite And Tobiah the servant Ammonite And Geshen the Arabian did hear They at our work began to laugh and gyre And us despise what is this great doing Said they Will ye rebell against the king Then unto them I most boldly did say The God of Heaven will prosper us this day Therefore we now his servants will arise And build but you who Gods servants despise In Gods Salem have no memoriall You have no portion yea no right at all Chap. 3. IN this Chapter we have the names of all These who did build fair Salems broken wall Chap. 4. BUT after when that wicked Sanballat Heard that we did so build the wall and thâ— We courage had he wroth with indignation Did scoffe and mock the whole Jewish nation Before his brethren and of Samaria â—e armie he said laughing with Ha ha â—hese feeble Jewes what Will they fortifie â—emselves Or what Will they most foolishly 〈◊〉 sacrifice Will they even in a day â—d all this work Will they revive I say â—e stones out of their bruised rubbish heape â—hich are all burnt Now was the Ammonite â—obiah by him who said scornfully â—l that they build will fall down by and by 〈◊〉 that a Foxe but leap upon their wall â—e shall it break down and make all to fall Heare LORD how wee despised are indeed â—nd their reproach turn upon their own head â—nd make them all at last a prey to be â—en in the land of their captivity â—nd cover not their great sins lesse or more â—r thee to anger the builders before â—ey have provocked so we did anone â—ild all the wall till all was fully done But when Sanballat and Tobiah vain â—ith Ammonits Arabians profane â—nd Ashdodites that Salems wall did hear â—as
passe ov'r his glory is alway 12 As roaring of a Lion fierce so a Kings wrath doth passe But his favour most gracious is as dew upon the grasse 13 To his father a foolish son is great calamity And the contentions of a wife do drop continually 14 House richesse are th' inheritance which fathers do afford But he that hath a prudent wife her hath even from the LORD 15 Men into slumber and deep sleep are cast by slouthfulnesse A soul that 's idle suffer shall both hunger and distresse 16 He that keeps the commandment well his own soul keeps safely But he that doth despise his wayes undoubtedly shall dy 17 He that hath pitie on the poor unto the Lord doth lend â—nd that which he hath given will he in payment to him send 8 While there is any hope thy son ev'n chasten by and by â—et not thy soul him spare at all though he aloud do cry 9 A man of great wrath punishment shall suffer and sustaine â—or if thou him deliver yet thou must doe it againe 10 Hear wise counsell and also good instruction soone receive â—hat so thou in thy latter end may'st alwayes wisdome have 11 In a mans heart that is profound devices many be â—everthelesse the counsell of the Lord shall stand most free 12 Of a man worthy the desire his kindnesse is most sure â—â—d better then a lyar is a man though he be poore The fear of the Almighty LORD to life doth alwayes tend â—e that it hath is satisfi'd no ill shall him offend 24 In his bosome a slouthfull man doth hide his hand in vaine And will not so much as it bring unto his mouth againe 25 A scorner smite and simple men will sure beware therefore Also reprove the wise and he will be wise more and more 26 He that doth wast his father and his mother chase away Is a vile son that causeth shame and brings reproach alway 27 My son I counsell thee to cease th' instruction for to hear That causeth men alwayes to erre from wordes of knowledge dear 28 A wicked witnesse judgement all doth scorne both lesse and more And the mouth of the wicked doth iniquity devore 29 Judgements severe for scorners are prepared by Gods hand And sore stripes for the back of fooles that nothing understand Chap. 20. WIne is a mocker and strong drink is raging great alwayes â—nd whosoever is thereby deceived is not wise As roaring of a Lion so is of a King the fear Who him provokes to wrath doth sin ' gainst his own soul most dear It for a man an honour is to cease from strife quickly â—ut every foole of knowledge void therewith will medling be The sluggard will not plow because of cold showres that down fall â—herefore in harv'st time shall he beg and have nothing at all Counsell is in the heart of man like waters deep surelie â—ut one of understanding good will draw it out quickly Of men the most part will proclaime each one his own goodnesse â—ut who can by his wisdome finde â— a man of faithfulnesse 7 The man that is just wisely walks in his integrity His children deare are after him a blest posterity 8 A King that sitteth in the throne of judgement just alway With his owne eyes all wickednesse doth scatter cleane away 9 Who can in truth affirme and say my heart I have made sure Cleane from all sort of wickednesse I from my sin am pure 10 Weights diverse and such measure al 's though they much gaine afford They both abomination are alike unto the Lord. 11 Even a young child is knowne by that which he doth in mens sight Whether his work be good and pure and whether it be right 12 The eare that is inclin'd to heare and al 's the seeing eye The Lord hath even made both of them by his hand for to be 13 Love not long sleep lest that thou come to poverty with speed Thine eyes open and thou shalt be well satisfied with bread 14 The merchand saith it 's nought it's nought when he desires to buy But when from thence he is away he boasteth by and by 15 Of Gold and Rubies men esteeme but the lips that can say The words of wisdome are indeed a jewell rare alway 16 His garment take that surety is even for a strangers sake And of him for a woman strange see that a pledge thou take 17 Bread that is gotten be deceit unto a man seemes sweet But afterwards his mouth shall be with gravell fil'd for meat 18 Each purpose well establish'd is by counsell good and wise And when thou mindest to make war do it with good advice 19 Who bearing false tales goth about mens secrets with great slips Revealeth therefore haunt him not that flattreth with his lips 20 Who so his father curseth or his mother dear most sure His lamp shall be put out anone in darknesse most abscure 21 An heritage may at the first be gotten hastilie But out of doubt the end thereof shall no way blessed be 22 Say not when thou provoked art ill recompence I will But waite on God and he shall sure thee save from danger still 23 Weights diverse are unto the Lord abomination all And a false ballance is not good with either great or small 24 Mans goings all are of the Lord who ordreth them alway How can a man then understand to walk in the good way 25 It is a snare to him that doth the holy things devore And after his vowes for to make enquirie strick therefore 26 A King that cunning is and wise can ill men scatter well â—nd for a just judgement also bring over them the wheele 27 The sprit of man Gods candle is which shineth in our hearts 〈◊〉 of the belly searcheth still ev'n all the inward parts 28 Mercy and truth most safely do preserve the King alone â—y mercy to his subjects all upholden is his Throne 29 Of young strong men the glory great is their great strength indeed â—nd of old men the beautie is the gray and hoary head 30 The bluenesse of a wound surely the ill doth cleanse away 〈◊〉 of the belly th' inward parts stripes still do purg alway Chap. 21. THe Kings heart in the hand of GOD is as a river still â—le doth it turne by his great might whethersoever he will The way or work of every man in his owne eyes is right But the LORD pondreth well the hearts by his wisdome and might 3 To do judgement with upright heart and al 's to do justice Is more acceptable unto the LORD then sacrifice 4 A haughty look disdaining men a proud and lofty heart And plowing of the wicked men is sin in every part 5 All the thoughts of the diligent tend unto plenteousnesse But every one that hastie is to want and to distresse 6 The getting of great treasures by great lyes a vanitie Is tossed to and fro of them that seeke death foolishly 7 The robbery