The holie Bible faithfully translated into English, out of the authentical Latin. Diligently conferred with the Hebrew, Greeke, and other editions in diuers languages. With arguments of the bookes, and chapters: annotations. tables: and other helpes ... By the English College of Doway

THE THIRD PART OF THE OLD TESTAMENT, CONTEINING SAPIENTIAL BOOKES. (Book 3)

The argument of Sapiential Bookes.

Hitherto the Law, and Historie of Gods peculiar people are set* 1.1 forth in the former partes of the holie Bible: after which folowed the Booke of Psalmes, which in maner of stile, being al in verse, is a distinct part, but in substance of matter, is an Epitome or briefe Summe of al holie Scripture: most conueniently therfore placed in the middes of the rest, as the Sunne amongst other Planetes, a shining great light in a large house. Now ensueth the third part, conteining Diuine Instructions, or Rules of good life. A doctrine most agreable to Gods hiegh wisdom, and most fitly* 1.2 commended to Man, his reasonable creature in earth. But besides this prin∣cipal subiect, as before is noted (that each part participateth with others in* 1.3 their proper contents) so here be manie precepts of the Law renewed; sundrie examples of men, and thinges past repeted; and diuers prophe∣cies vttered of thinges to come: though in this part more specially is shewed the ground, and as it were, the very life or soule of the Law, which is Reason, the true Rule or Directorie wherin al good lawes are grounded.

For it both sheweth what ought to be done, or auoided, & directeth mans iudgement to embrace that is good, and to flee from al euil, not only illumi∣nating the vnderstanding to see that is right and iust, but also disposing the internal affection to desire, loue, choose, and preferre the right path of Gods law, before whatsoeuer otherwise semeth pleasant or profitable: & so, not∣withstanding al dangers, difficulties, distresses, worldlie calamites, and death it self, effectually perswading to perseuere to the end in holie conuersation. Al* 1.4 which by a general name is called Wisdom: comprising in one word, al good desires, holie vertues, supernal giftes, godlie endeuoures, and the whole meanes wherby God is rightly knowen, & duly ser∣ued; wherof these fiue Bookes, teaching this most excellent and most neces∣sarie maner of life, are called Sapiential. Neuertheles foure of them haue also other particular names, as appareth in their titles. Only the fourth is cal∣led the Booke of Wisdom, by appropriation of the general name.

Al fiue are Canonical and assured holie Scripture: as is shewed before:* 1.5 * 1.6 and may be further proued of the two later, which Protestants denie. It is also euident that King Salomon was Auctor of the three former: as S. Ierom, S. Augustin, and other Fathers proue by the holie text it selfe. As it is likewise certaine that he either writte, or at least by diuine inspira∣tion vttered, much more then is now extant. For the holie Scripture* 1.7 * 1.8 (3. Reg. 4.) testifieth, that he spake three thousand Parables: and his Songes were a thousand and fiue. He disputed of the trees from the ceder that is in Libanus, vnto the hyssop which cometh out of the wal: and he dis∣coursed of beastes, and foules, and creeping wormes, and fishes. Iosephus (li. S. c. 2. Antiq.) folowing some other Edition, saith his songes were fiue thou∣sand, and parables (as the ordinarie text hath) three thousand. For he dedu∣ced a parable (saith Iosephus) through out euerie kinde of trees, from the hyssop to the ceder. In the same maner he treated of beastes, and other liuing creatures of the earth, water, and ayre. For he was not ignorant of anie natural thing, neither omitted to treate therof, but clerly explicated al their natural proprieties. Most briefly S. Ierom declareth both the Auctor, and* 1.9 * 1.10 matter of these three bookes, saying: Salomon the Peaceable, and amiable of our Lord a 1.11 correcteth maners: b 1.12 teacheth the nature (of creatu∣res) c 1.13 ioyneth the Church and Christ; and singeth the swete bridal song of the holie Mariage.

THE ARGVMENT OF THE PROVERBES

THE first booke called Prouerbes, that is, common & vsual pithie* 1.14 sentences, shorte in wordes, ample in sense; and Parables, signifying likenes or similitudes, wherby more important thinges are vnderstood then expressed; instructeth and exhorteth new beginners, to lerne, and practise al sortes of vertues, the only right way to true wisdome and eternal happines.* 1.15 It may be diuided into foure partes. In the first nine chapters the auctor in∣terposing certaine general preceptes, produceth wisdom her selfe inuiting* 1.16 al men to seeke her, for the spiritual profite, they shal therby enioy. From thence to the 25. chap. he geueth sundrie more particular precepts, as wel for embracing vertues, as shunning of vices. In the next fiue chapters, more like precepts of the same auctor, are added by the care of King Ezechias. In the two last chapters, either an other Auctor, or rather the same vnder an other title, commendeth to al men certaine most excellent precepts, receiued of his mother; wherto he adioyneth the praise of a right wise woman: propheti∣cally the Catholique Church.

THE BOOKE OF PROVERBES, WHICH THE HERBREWES CAL MISLE.

CHAP. I.* 1.17 Parables are profitable to those that loue and wil lerne wisdom. 10. Al are admonished not to folow the alurements of sinners: 20. but to embrace wisdome; 24. and ruine is threatned to the contemners.

THE Parables of Salomon, the sonne of Dauid, [ 1] king of Israel. † a 1.18 To know“ wisdom, and disci∣pline: [ 2] † to vnderstand the wordes of prudence: [ 3] and to receiue instruction of doctrine, iustice, and iudgement, and equitie: † that b 1.19 subtilitie may be geuen to [ 4] litle ones, knowlege and vnderstanding to the youngman. † The c 1.20 wise man hearing shal be wiser: and he that vnder∣standeth, [ 5] d 1.21 shal possesse gouernementes. † He shal vnderstand [ 6] a parable, and interpretation, the wordes of the wise, and their darke sayings. † e 1.22 The feare of our Lord is the begynning of [ 7] wisdom. Fooles despise wisedom and doctrine. † My sonne, [ 8] f heare the discipline of thy father, and leaue not the lawe of thy mother: † that grace may be added to thy head, and a [ 9] cheyne of gold to thy necke. † My sonne, g if sinners shal [ 10] entise thee, condescend not to them. † If they shal say: Come [ 11] with vs, let vs lye in waite for bloud, let vs hide snares against the innocent without cause: † let vs swalow him aliue as hel, [ 12] and whole as one descending into the lake. † We shal finde al [ 13] precious substance, we shal fil our house with spoiles. † Cast in [ 14] thy lot with vs, let there be one purse of vs al. † My sonne, [ 15] walke not with them, stay thy foote from their pathes. † For [ 16] their feete runne to euil, and make haste to shede bloud. † But [ 17] h a nette is cast in vayne before the eies of them that haue winges. † Them selues also lye inwayte against their owne [ 18]

bloud & practise deceites against their owne soules. † So the [ 19] pathes of euerie couetous man, take violently the soules of the possessors. † Wisdom preacheth abrode, she geueth her [ 20] voice in the streates: † In the head of multitudes she cryeth, [ 21] in the doores of the gates of the citie she vttereth her wordes, saying: † O children how long doe you loue infancie, and [ 22] fooles couet those thinges, which are hurtful to them selues, and the vnwise hate knowlege? † Turne-ye at my correption: [ 23] behold I wil vtter my spirite to you, and wil shewe you my wordes † “ Because I called, and you refused: I streched [ 24] out my hand, and there was none that regarded. † You haue [ 25] despised al my counsel, and haue neglected my reprehensions. † I also wil laugh in your destruction, and wil scorne, [ 26] when that shal come to you, which you feared. † When soden calamirie shal fal on you, and destruction, as a tempest [ 27] g 1.23 shal be at hand: when tribulation, and distresse shal come vpon you: † Then shal they inuocate me, and I wil not [ 28] heare: in the morning shal they arise, and shal not finde me:h 1.24 † for that they haue hated discipline, and not receiued the [ 29] feare of our Lord, † nor consented to my counsel, & detracted [ 30] from al my correption. † They shal eate therefore the fruites [ 31] of their way, and shal be filled with their owne counsels. † The auersion of litle ones shal kil them, and the prosperitie [ 32] of fooles shal destroy them. † “ But he that shal heare me, [ 33] shal rest without terrour, and shal enioy abundance, feare of euils being taken away.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. I.

2 VVisdom.] As wel in these Sapiential bookes, as in other holie Scriptures,* 1.25 and sacred writers, the vvord vvisdom hath three significations. Sometimes it importeth the Diuine Attribute called Gods wisdom; sometimes supernatural wisdom geuen to men by the Holie Ghost; and sometimes it signifieth mere* 1.26 humane vvisdom, gotten by the natural light of reason and mans industrie. The first, as like vvise other Diuine Attributes, Gods Povvre, Goodnes, Iustice, Truth, Mercie and the like, are not qualities, or other accidents in God, as the same termes signifie in creatures. For in God there is no Accident, but al in him is this Diuine Substance and Essence, vvhose diuers Excellences are called by such names as mans capacitie can better conceiue: and so Gods vvisdom is God himselfe: and is approprieted to the second Person of the blessed Tri∣nitic,* 1.27 as Povvre is approprieted to God the Father, and Goodnes to the Holie Ghost. In this sense: chap 3. v. 16. is saide: Our Lord by vvisdom founded the earth &c. The second is called (Sap. 3. v. 25.) the vapore of Gods povvre, and a pure ema∣nation (orinfluence) of the glorie of Almightie God, and so is a participation of* 1.28 Diuine increated wisdom called also diuine, according to a certaine anologie, or similitude of Gods owne wisdom, and is the principal gifte of the Holie

Ghost, by vvhieh God is righstly knovvne, and duly serued, including al other supernal giftes and vertues, vvherof is treated in these bookes, and so vvhich al men are inuited, vvith assured promise of celestial and eternal revvard. The* 1.29 third vvisdome is mere humane, gotten by natural vvitte and studie, such as Phi∣losophers haue, knovving manie truthes, but mixt vvith manie errors, and much ignorance, truly called vvorldlie vvisdom, seruing only for this vvorld. But the second kind, vvhich is as asparkecle of Gods vvisdom, maketh meu, othervvise ignorant and of smal capacitie, rightly vvise in dede, the true ser∣uants of God, and enheriters of the kingdom of heauen, as these bookes do most copiously teach.

24. Because I called and you refused] God voursaffeth foure benefites of grace* 1.30 to euerie man, al necessarie and sufficient for his saluation: 1. He calleth al by preaching, or good inspiration. 2. He offereth helpe. 3. He instructeth the ignorant what is good, that they may choose it if they wil. 4. And reprehendeth euil, that they may shunne it. They therfore that neglect this manifold grace in this life, shal without al remedie be damned, being to late to repent in an other world. For then they shal crie and not be heard. v. 28.

33. But he that shal heare me.] Contrariwise those that accept Gods grace, and* 1.31 cooperate therwith, shal haue eternal rest and ioy. The very same, which S. Paul teacheth, 2. Cor. 5. v. 10. Euerie one shal receiue the proper thinges of the bodie, according as he hath done, either good or euil.

CHAP. II. Gaining of wisdom bringeth much good, 10. and auoydeth much euil: 16. deliuering from error of Idolaters and Haretikes.

† MY sonne, a 1.32 if thou wilt receiue my wordes, and wilt [ 1] hide my commandments with thee, † that thyne [ 2] eare may heare wisdom: incline thyne hart to knowe pru∣dence. † For if thou shalt cal for wisdom, and incline thyne [ 3] hart to prudence: † If thou shalt seeke her b 1.33 as money, and [ 4] as treasures shalt dig her vp: † then shalt thou vnderstand the [ 5] feare of our Lord, and shalt finde the knowlege of God. † Because our Lord geueth wisdom: and out of his mouth [ 6] prudence and knowlege. † He wil keepe the saluation of [ 7] the righteous, & protect them that walke simply † Keeping [ 8] the pathes of iustice, & garding the wayes of saints. † Then [ 9] * 1.34 shalt thou vnderstand iustice, and iudgement, and equitie, and euerie good path. † If wisdom shal enter into thy hart, and [ 10] knowlege please thy soule: † counsel shal keepe thee, and [ 11] prudence shal preserue thee, † that thou mayst be deliuered [ 12] from the euil way, and from the man, that speaketh peruerse thinges: † “ who c leaue the right way, and walke by darke [ 13] wayes: † “ who are glad when they haue done euil, and [ 14] reioyce in most wicked thinges: † whose wayes are peruerse, [ 15] and their steppes infamous. † That thou mayst be deliuered [ 16]

from “ the strange woman, and from the forener, which mollifieth her wordes, † forsaketh the guide of her youth, [ 17] † and hath forgotten the couenant of her God. For her house [ 18] c 1.35 is bowed downe to death, and her pathes to hel. † Al “ that [ 19] goe in vnto her, shal not returne neithet shal they apprehend the pathes of life. † That thou mayst walke in a good way: [ 20] and mayst keepe the pathes of the iust. † For they that are [ 21] right, shal dwel in the earth, and the simple shal continue in it. † But the impious shal be destroyed from the earth: [ 22] and they that doe vniustly shal be taken away from it.

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. II.

13. VVho leaue the right vvay.] Generally this description of wicked men, agreeth to al that committe and persist in mortal sinne, whether they walked* 1.36 right at anie time before or no; but most especially sheweth the properties of heretikes: who forsake and leaue the direct, ancient, beaten, knovvne vvay of* 1.37 the Catholique Church, and teach nevv obscure doctrines, not heard of, or not approued in our forefathers time Secondly (v. 14) they glorie in their ovvne deuises, and reioyce in most vvicked thinges, as in seducing multitude* 1.38 of peoples, to rebel against their Catholique Princes, and other Superiors spiritual and temporal, in breaking vovves; in despising good vvorkes; trusting to only faith, and that not the Catholique faith of al true Christians, but euerie one his particular persvvasion, that himself is iust, & shal be saued, vvhich by their ovvne doctrin, none is bond to beleue of an others state, but of his owne only. In so much that the chiefest point of a Protestants imagined faith, is not a general Article, which al do or should beleue, but a most particular and singular phantasie, which each one must conceiue of himself, or herself. Thirdly (v. 16.) Heresie, called here the strange and forrene woman, tem∣pereth* 1.39 her vvordes, to please the itching eares of her auditorie, framing her doctrine to the humour of those, vvhom she seeketh to peruert. The same vvich the Apostle saith in other vvordes, by svvere speaches and benedictions* 1.40 they seduce the hartes of innocents Fourthly (v. 19.) Those that do enter into* 1.41 error of heresie, shal not returne, that is, very hardly and rarely returne into the right vvay of life; the reason whereof the same Apostle yeldeth, because an* 1.42 heretike is condemned by his ovvne iudgement. For being in error, and admit∣ting no iudge but himself, he parteth from the Church, excludeth the meanes of better iustruction, & through his erronious iudgement, remaineth in dam∣nable opinion, and so in the state of damnation.

CHAP. III. Wisdom exhorteth to kepe Gods law (geuing long life) to obserue mercie, and truth. 5. to confide in God, 7. to feare, 9. and honour him, 11. to take his correction gladly (13. for al good thinges folow wisdom) 27. to releue the needie without delay, 30. not to contend with the wicked, nor to imitate them. 33. The euil shal faile, and the godlie shal prosper.

MY sonne, a 1.43 forget not my law, and let thy b 1.44 hart keepe [ 1] my precepts. † For they shal adde to thee length of [ 2]

dayes, and yeares of life, and peace. † Let not c 1.45 mercie and [ 3] truth leaue thee, put them about thy throte, and write them in the tables of thy hart: † and thou shalt finde grace, and good [ 4] discipline before God and men. † d 1.46 Haue confidence in our [ 5] Lord with al thy hart, and leane not vpon thyne owne pru∣dence. † In al thy wayes thinke on him, and he wil direct thy [ 6] steppes. † Be not wise in thyne owne conceipte: feare God, [ 7] and depart from euil: † for it shal be health to thy nauil, [ 8] and watering of thy bones. † Honour our Lord with thy [ 9] substance, and geue to him of the first of al thy fruites: † and [ 10] thy barnes shal be replenished with fulnes, and thy presses shal runouer with wine. † My sonne, cast not away the discipline [ 11] of our Lord: neither doe thou faint when thou art chaste••••d of him: † e 1.47 for whom our Lord loueth he chasticeth and as [ 12] a father in the sonne he pleaseth himself. † Blessed is the man [ 13] that findeth wisdom, and floweth with prudence: † better is [ 14] the purchasing therof then marchandise of siluer, and her fruite then chiefe and the purest gold: † she is more precious [ 15] then al riches: and al thinges that are desired, are not able to be compared with her. † f 1.48 Length of dayes in her right hand, [ 16] & in her left hand g 1.49 riches and glorie † Her wayes are beau∣tiful [ 17] wayes, and al her pathes peaceable. † She is a tree of [ 18] life to them that shal apprehend her: and he that shal hold her is blessed. † Our Lord by wisdom founded the earth, establi∣shed [ 19] the heauens by prudence. † By his wisdom the depthes [ 20] haue broken forth, and the cloudes waxe thicke with dew. † My sonne, let not these thinges depart from thyne eies: [ 21] kepe the law & counsel: † and there shal be life to thy soule, [ 22] and h 1.50 grace to thy iawes. † Then shalt thou walke confi∣dently [ 23] in thy way, and thy foote shal not stumble: † if thou [ 24] sleepe, thou shalt not feare: thou shalt rest, and thy sleepe shal be sweete. † Dread not at soden terrour, and the power [ 25] of the impious falling vpon thee. † For our Lord wil be at [ 26] thy side, and wil keepe thy foote that thou be not taken. † Doe not prohibite him to doe good, that is able: if thou [ 27] be able, thy selfe also doe good. † Say not to thy frend: goe, [ 28] and returne; and i 1.51 tomorow I wil geue to thee: wheras thou mayest geue forth with. † Practise not euil against thy freind, [ 29] when he hath affiance in thee. † Contend not against man [ 30] without cause, wheras he hath done thee no euil. † Doe not [ 31] enuie an vniust man, nor imitate his waies: † because euerie [ 32]

deluder is an abomination of our Lord, and his communi∣cation is with the simple. † There is pouertie from our Lord [ 33] in the house of the impious: but the habitations of the iust shal be blessed. † He shal delude the deluders, and to the [ 34] milde he wil geue grace. † The wise shal possesse glorie: the [ 35] exaltation of fooles ignominie.

CHAP. IIII. The wiseman exhorteth others by his owne example to seeke wisdom, 14. to decline from the wicked, and to imitate the iust, 23. to guide wel the hart, mouth, and feete.

CHILDREN heare ye the fathers discipline, and attend [ 1] that you may knowe prudence. † I wil geue you a [ 2] good gift, forsake not my law. † For :: 1.52 I also was the sonne of [ 3] my father, tender and as onlie begotten in my mothers sight: † and he taught me, & sayd: Let thy hart receiue my wordes, [ 4] kepe my preceptes, and thou shalt liue. † Possesse wisedom, [ 5] possesse prudence: forget not, neither decline from the wordes of my mouth. † Leaue her not, and she wil keepe [ 6] thee: loue her, and she wil preserue thee. † :: 1.53 The beginning [ 7] of wisdom, possesse wisdom, and in al thy possession purchase prudence: † take quickly, and she wil exalt thee: thou shalt [ 8] be glorified of her, when thou shalt embrace her. † She wil [ 9] geue to thy head increase of graces, and with a noble crowne she wil protect thee. † Heare my sonne, and receiue my [ 10] wordes, that yeares of life may be multiplied to thee. † The [ 11] way of wisdom I wil shew to thee, I wil leade thee by the pathes of equitie. † Which when thou shalt haue entered, [ 12] thy steppes shal not be straytened, and running thou shalt not haue a stumbling blocke. † Hold discipline, leaue it not: kepe [ 13] it, because the same is thy life. † Be not delighted in the pathes [ 14] of the impious, neither let the way of the euil please thee. † Flee from it, neither passe thou by it: goe aside, and forsake [ 15] it. † For they sleepe not vnlesse they haue done il: and they [ 16] take no sleepe vnlesse they supplant. † They eate the bread [ 17] of impietie, and drinke the wine of iniquirie. † But the path [ 18] of the iust, as shyning light proceedeth euen to perfect day. † The way of the impious is darkesom: they know not [ 19] where they fal. † My sonne, heare my wordes, and incline [ 20] thyne eare to my sayinges. † Let them not depart from thyne [ 21] eies, kepe them in the middes of thy hart. † For they are [ 22]

life to those that finde them, and health to al flesh. † With al [ 23] garde keepe thy :: 1.54 hart, because life proceedeth from it. † Remoue from thee a froward mouth, and let detracting [ 24] lippes be far from thee. † Let thyne eies see right thinges, [ 25] & let thine eieliddes goe before thy steppes. † Direct the path [ 26] to thy feete, and al thy wayes shal be established. † Decline [ 27] not to the right hand, nor to the left: turne away thy foote from euil. † For our Lord knoweth the wayes that are on the [ 28] right hand: but those are peruers, which are on the left hand. † But he wil make thy courses right, and thy wayes he wil [ 29] bring forward in peace.

CHAP. V. Againe wisdom dehorteth from fornication (carnal and spiritual) 6. shew∣ing that in the end sinners shal see and feele the effect of their follie: 20. which God seeth and wil punish.

MY sonne, attend to my wisdom, and to my prudence in∣cline [ 1] thyne eare, † that thou mayst keepe a 1.55 cogita∣tions, [ 2] and thy lippes preserue discipline. † Attend not to [ 3] the deceipt of a b 1.56 woman: for the lippes of an harlot are as a hony combe distilling, and her throte netter then oyle. † But [ 4] her later endes are bitter as wormewood, and sharpe as a two edged sword. † Her feete goe downe into death, and her [ 5] steppes penetrate vnto hel. † They walke not by the path of [ 6] life, her steppes are wandering, and vnsearcheable. † Now [ 7] therfore my sonne heare me, and depart not from the wordes of my mouth. † Make thy way far from her, and aproch not [ 8] to the doores of her house. † Geue not thy honour c 1.57 to stran∣gers, [ 9] and thy yeres to the d 1.58 cruel. † Lest perhaps strangers be [ 10] filled with thy strength, and thy labours be in an other mans house, † and thou mourne in the end, when thou shalt haue [ 11] spent thy flesh and thy bodie, and say: † Why haue I detested [ 12] discipline, and my hart consented not to reprehensions, † nor [ 13] I heard the voice of them that taught me, and haue not incli∣ned mine eare to masters? † I haue almost bene in al euil, in [ 14] the middes of the church and of the synagoge. † Drinke [ 15] water of thyne owne cesterne, and the stremes of thy wel: † e 1.59 Let thy fountaines be deriued abrode, and in the streates [ 16] diuide thy waters. † f 1.60 Haue them alone, neither let strangers [ 17] be partakers with thee. † Let thy vayne be blessed, and re∣ioyce [ 18] with the woman of thy youth: † a hinde most deare, and [ 19]

a most grateful fawne: let her breastes inebriate thee at al time, in her loue be thou delighted continually. † Why art thou se∣duced [ 20] my sonne of a strange woman, and art cherished in the bosome of an other? † Our Lord beholdeth the wayes of a [ 21] man, and considereth al his steppes. † His owne iniquities [ 22] take the impious, and he is fast bonde with the ropes of his sinnes. † He shal die because he hath not had discipline, and [ 23] in the multitude of his folie he shal be deceiued.

CHAP. VI. He that is suretie for an other, must haue care to discharge that he pro∣miseth. 6. The slouthful must lerne diligence of the emmotte. 12. The description of an Apostata. 16. Aboue other six bad thinges, God de∣testeth the sower of discord. 20. Al are exhorted to kepe Gods law, 24. namely to flee fornication, and al occasions therof.

MY sonne, :: if thou shalt be suretie for thy freind, and [ 1] * 1.61 hast made fast thy hand to a stranger, † thou art en∣trapped [ 2] with the wordes of thy mouth, & caught with thyne owne wordes. † Doe therefore my sonne that which I say, [ 3] and deliuer thyselfe, because thou art fallen into the hand of thy neighbour. Runne diuers wayes, make hast, rayse thy freind: † Geue not sleepe to thine eies, neither let thine eie∣liddes [ 4] slumber. † Deliuer thyselfe as a litle doa from the hand, [ 5] and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. † Goe to the em∣mote [ 6] ô sluggard, and consider her wayes, and lerne wisdom. † Who wheras she hath no guide, nor master, nor captaine, [ 7] † prepareth meate for herselfe in the summer, and gethereth [ 8] in the haruest for to eare † How long wilt thou sleepe ô slug∣gard? [ 9] when wilt thou rise out of thy sleepe? † Thou shalt [ 10] sleepe a litle, a litle shalt thou slumber, a litle shalt thou ioyne thy handes to sleepe: † and penurie shal come to thee, as a [ 11] wayfaring man, and pouertie as a man armed. But if thou be not sluggish, thy haruest shal come as a fountaine, and penurie shal flee farre from thee. † A man that is an :: 1.62 Apostata, a [ 12] man vnprofitable, goeth with peruerse mouth, † winketh [ 13] with the eies, treadeth with the foote, speaketh with the fin∣ger, † with wicked hart he deuiseth euil, and at al time he [ 14] soweth brawles. † To him his destruction shal come forth∣with, [ 15] and he shal sodenlie be destroyed, neither shal he haue remedie any more. † Six thinges there are, which our Lord [ 16] hateth, and the seuenth his soule detesteth: † Loftie eies, a [ 17]

lying tongue, handes that shede innocent bloud, † a hart [ 18] that deuiseth most wicked deuises, feete swift to runne into euil, † a deceitful witnesse that vttereth lies, and him that [ 19] among brether :: 1.63 soweth discordes. † My sonne keepe the [ 20] preceptes of thy father, and leaue not the lawe of thy mother. † Bynde them in thy hart continualy, and put them about [ 21] thy throte. † When thou shalt walke, let them goe with [ 22] thee: when thou shalt sleepe, let them kepe thee, and awaking talke with them. † Because the commandment is a lampe, [ 23] and the lawe a light, and the way of life the increpation of discipline: † that they may kepe thee from the euil woman, [ 24] and from the faire spoken tongue of the stranger. † Let not [ 25] thy hart couet her beautie, be not caught with her beckes: † for the price of an harlot is scarse worth one loafe: but a [ 26] woman catcheth the precious soule of man. † :: 1.64 Can a man [ 27] hide fyre in his bosome, that his garmentes burne not? † Or walke vpon hote coales, that his soales be not burnt? [ 28] † so he that goeth in vnto his neighbours wife, shal not be [ 29] cleane when he shal touche her. † It is :: 1.65 no greate fault, [ 30] when a man shal haue stollen: for he stealeth to fil his hungrie soule: † also being taken he shal restore seuenfold, [ 31] and shal geue vp al the substance of his house. † But he that is [ 32] an aduouterer, for penurie of harr shal destroy his owne soule: † shame and ignominie he gethereth to himsefe, & his [ 33] reproch shal not be blotted out. † Because the zele and furie [ 37] of the husband wil not spare in the day of reuenge, † neither [ 38] wil he yeld to any mans prayers, neither wil he take for redemption verie many giftes.

CHAP. VII. He further exhorteth youngmen to seke wisdom, 5. especially to flee from the intisements of harlots, largely describing the same, 22. and the ruine of them that are so deluded.

MY sonne, :: 1.66 keepe my wordes, and my preceptes hide [ 1] with thee. Sonne, † keepe my commandmentes, and [ 2] thou shalt liue: and my law as the apple of thine eie: † binde [ 3] it on thy fingers, write it in the tables of thy hart. † Say to [ 4] wisdom, thou art my sister: & cal prudence thy freind, † that [ 5] she may keepe thee from the strange woman, and from the forenrer which maketh her wordes sweete. † For out of the [ 6] window of my house I looked out through the lattise, † and [ 7]

I see litle ones, I behold a foolish youngman, † which passeth [ 8] through the streates by the corner, and goeth nigh the way of her house, † in the darke the day being toward euening, [ 9] in the darkenes of the night, and dimnes, † And behold [ 10] the woman meeteth him in harlotes atyre, prepared to de∣ceiue soules: babling and wandering, † impatient of rest, nor [ 11] able to consist in the house on her feete, † now abrode, [ 12] now in the streates, now lying in wayte neere the corners. † And taking the youngman she kisseth him, and with male∣pert [ 13] countenance speaketh fayre, saying: † I vowed victi∣mes [ 14] for welfare, this day I haue payed my vowes. † Therfore [ 15] I am come forth to meete thee, desirous to see thee, and I haue found thee. † I haue wouen my bed with cordes, [ 16] I haue adorned it with tapestrie pictured out of Aegypt. † I [ 17] haue sprinkled my bed with myr••he, aloes, and cinamome. † Come let vs be inebriated with brestes, and let vs enioy [ 18] desired embracings, til the day appeare. † For my husband is [ 19] not at home, he is gone a very long iourney. † he caried with [ 20] him a bagge of money: in the day of the ful moone he wil returne to his house. † She intangled him with many wordes, [ 21] and with flatterie of lippes drewe him. † Immediatly he folo∣weth [ 22] her :: 1.67 as an oxe led to be a victime, & as a lambe playing the wanton, and not knowing that he is drawen as a foole to bondes, † til the arow pearse his liuer: as if a birde should [ 23] make haste to the snare, and knoweth not that his life is in danger. † Now therfore my sonne, heare me, and attend [ 24] to the wordes of my mouth. † Let not thy mind be drawen [ 25] away in her wayes: neither be thou deceiued with her pathes. † For she hath cast downe manie wounded, and al the most [ 26] strong are slaine by her. † Her house the wayes of hel, pene∣trating [ 27] to the inner partes of death.

CHAP. VIII. Wisdom is preached in conspicious and most frequented places, that none may pretend wante of admonition, 7. her doctrin is true, godlie, pro∣fitable, & necessarie to al sortes of men. 12. wisdom (increated which is God himselfe) is eternal. 32. and bringeth eternal happines.

DOTH not wisdom crie, and prudence geue her voice? [ 1] † Standing :: 1.68 in the high & loftie toppes ouer the way, [ 2] in the middes of the pathes, † beside the gates of the citie in [ 3]

the verie doores she speaketh, saying: † O men, to you I crie, [ 4] and my voice is to the children of men. † O litle ones vnder∣stand [ 5] subtiltie, and ye vnwise marke. † Heare ye, because I [ 6] wil speake of great thinges: and my lippes shal be opened to preach right thinges. † My throte shal meditate truth, and my [ 7] lippes shal detest the impious. † Al my wordes are iust, there [ 8] is no wicked, nor peruerse thing in them. † They are right to [ 9] them that vnderstand, and iust to them that finde knowlege. † Receiue ye discipline, & not money: choose doctrine rather [ 10] then gold. † For wisdom is better then al most precious riches: [ 11] and whatsoeuer is to be desired can not be compared to it. † I [ 12] :: 1.69 wisdome dwel in counsel, and am present in lerned cogitati∣ons. † The feare of our Lord hateth euil: arrogancie, and [ 13] pride, and wicked way, and a duble toungued mouth I doe detest. † Myne is counsel & equitie, prudence is mine, strength [ 14] is mine. † By me kinges doe reigne, and the makers of law [ 15] decree iust thinges. † By me princes rule, and the mightie [ 16] decree iustice. † I loue them that loue me: and they that [ 17] watch toward me shal finde me. † With me are riches, and [ 18] glorie, glorious riches, and iustice. † For my fruite is better [ 19] then gold, and precious stone, and my blosomes then chosen siluer. † I Walke in the wayes of iustice, in the middes of the [ 20] pathes of iudgement, † that I may enriche them that loue [ 21] me, and may replenish their treasures. † Our Lord posses∣sed [ 22] me in the beginning of his wayes, before he had made any thing from the beginning. † From eternitie I was orday∣ned [ 23] & of old before the earth was made. † The depthes were [ 24] not as yet, and I was now conceiued, neither had the foun∣taines of waters as yet gushed forth: † the mountaines with [ 25] heauie hugenesse stoode not as yet: before the litle hilles I was brought forth: † he had not yet made the earth, and the [ 26] riuers, and the poles of the round world. † When he prepared [ 27] the heauens, I was present: when with a certaine law, and circuite he compassed the depthes: † When he established the [ 28] firmament aboue, & poysed the fountaines of waters: † when [ 29] he compassed the sea with her limites, and set a law to the wa∣ters that they should not passe their boundes: when he han∣ged the foundations of the earth. † I was with him framing [ 30] al thinges: and was delighted euetie day, playing before him at al time; † playing in the world: & :: 1.70 my delights to be with [ 31] the children of men. † Now therfore children heare me: [ 32]

blessed are they, that keepe my wayes. † Heare ye discipline, [ 33] and be wise, and reiect it not. † Blessed is the man that [ 34] heareth me, & that watcheth at my doores dayly, & wayteth at the postes of my doore. † He that shal finde me, shal finde [ 35] life, and shal draw saluation of our Lord: † but he that shal sinne against me, shal hurt his owne soule. Al that hate me, loue death.

CHAP. IX. Wisdom hauing built her house with seuen pillers, inuiteth al to a prepared banquette, 11. promising to multiplie ioyful dayes. 13. Folie inciteth ••e her contrarie banquet of stollen water and hidde bread.

† VVISEDOME “ hath built herself an house, she hath [ 1] cut out seuen pillers. † She hath immolated her [ 2] victimes, mingled her wine, and set forth her table. † She [ 3] hath sent her handmaides to cal to the towre, and to the walles of the citie: † If any be a litle one, let him come to me. And [ 4] to the vnwise she spake: † Come, :: 1.71 eate ye my bread, & drinke [ 5] the wine which I haue mingled for you. † Leaue infancie, [ 6] and liue, and walke by the wayes of prudence. † He that [ 7] teacheth a scorner doth iniurie to himself; and he that rebuketh the impious, purchaseth a blotte to himself. † Rebuke :: 1.72 not the scorner lest hee hate thee. :: 1.73 Rebuke [ 8] a wise man, and he wil loue thee. † Geue occasion to a wise [ 9] man, and wisdom shal be added to him. Teach the iust, and he shal make haste to take it. † The beginning of wisdom, the [ 10] feare of our Lord: and the knowlege of the holie, prudence. † For by me shal thy dayes be multiplied, and yeres of life shal [ 11] be added to thee. † If thou be wise, to thyself thou shalt be; [ 12] and if a scorner, thou alone shalt beare the euil. † A foolish [ 13] woman and clamorous, and ful of alurementes, and knowing nothing at al, † sate in the doores of her house vpon a seate [ 14] in a high place of the citie, † to cal them that passe by the [ 15] way, and goe on their iourney: † He that is a litle one, let [ 16] him turne to me. And to the foole she spake: † Stolen [ 17] waters are sweeter, and hidden bread more pleasant. † and [ 18] he was ignorant that giantes are there, and her guestes in the depthes of hel

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. IX.

••. VVisdom hath built herself a house.] According to the literal sense, wherin* 1.74 the mystical is grounded (both intended by the Holie Ghost) VVisdom which is God himself, Creator & Conseruer of al thinges, whose special good pleasure, and delight is to be with men, built his house the Church, first in the Patriar∣ches,* 1.75 Priestes, Prophetes and his other faithful seruantes in the old Testament; partly before; but more conspicously in the people of Israel, establishing the same with seuen, that is (according to the frequent phrase of holie Scripture) with manie pillers, Pastors and chief gouerners, by whom the whole people were directed in al spiritual causes; as the Psalmist likevvise induceth God,* 1.76 saying: I haue confirmed the pillers therof. And as S. Paul aftervvard calleth S. Peter, S. Iames, and S. Iohn, pillers. In this house vvisdom also prepared a banquette, appointed victimes of diuers sortes, as gratful Sacrifices to God, & therto inuited al men in much better order, and to their more profite, then the adultresse vvoman, follie and vvicked concupiscence, in citeth to her carnal and vvordlie pleasures, vvhich bring to eternal ruine. And for this purpose, God neuer ceased to send Priestes and Prophetes to inuite the people of Israel, to this strong tovvre fensed vvith vvalles. In the Allegorical sense, the same diuine increated VVisdom, the second Person in the B. Trinitie, the Diuine* 1.77 VVORD coeternal to the Father, built himself a house, his humane bodie in the virgins vvombe, and therunto, as to the head, adioyned the members, his mystical bodie the Church, immolated victimes of Martyrs, prepared the Table in breade and vvine, vvhere also appeareth his Priesthood, according to the Order of Melchisedec, and called therto such as before vvere vnvvise, and of smal vnderstanding: because as the Apostle saith: God chose the vveake of this vvorld to confound the strong. As S. Augustin expoundeth this passage li.* 1.78 17. c. 20. de ciuit. & q. 51. veter. & noui. Test. to. 4.* 1.79

THE PARABLES OF SALOMON.

This repetition of the title signifieth, that the sentences which folow are more properly called Parables, then the former. From vvhich they also differ in maner of vtterance, by the figure Antithesis, for most part opposing, and comparing contrarie vertues and vices, shevving their contrarie effectes; vvith* 1.80 great elegancie, especially in the original tongue; vvhich could not be so fully expressed in Greke, nor Latin, much lesse in vulgar language. But are the same in sense, though often obscure by reason of the Hebrevv phrase, shortnes of sentences, and so vvithout anie certaine connexion, that we can not with perspicuitie, comprehend the summe therof in briefe contentes after the ordi∣narie maner before the chapters And therfore haue thought it better for the vulgar reader, to set downe in the margent of the twentie chapters next folow∣ing,* 1.81 in briefe termes, the vertues, or other good thinges (rather then the bad, not hauing place for both) commended in euerie sentence▪ For though the same be not alwayes expressed in the text, yet they may be vnderstood by their opposite vices VVhosoeuer desireth further explication, may finde manie of these diuine sentences, excellently expounded by S. Ierom, S. Augustin. S. Gregorie and other Fathers in seueral places. Or read S. Bedas Commentaries vpon this whole booke To. 4. vel apud S. Ierom. To. 7. Or amongst late writers, our lerned countriman D. Radulphus Bainus: Bishop Iansenius; and F. Peltanus.

CHAP. X.

[ 1] A wise sonne maketh the father glad: but a foolish sonne * 1.82 is the sorow of his mother.

[ 2] † The treasures of impietie shal profit nothing: but iustice * 1.83 shal deliuer from death.

[ 3] † Our Lord wil not afflict with famine the soule of the iust, * 1.84 and the deceitful practises of the impious he wil ouerthrow.

[ 4] † The slothful hand hath wrought pouertie: the hand of the * 1.85 strong getteth riches.

Who so trusteth to lyes feedeth the windes: and the selfe* 1.86 same man foloweth the flying birdes.

[ 5] He that gathereth in the haruest, is a wise sonne: but he that * 1.87 snorteth in summer, is the sonne of confusion.

[ 6] † The blessing of our Lord is vpon the head of the iust: but * 1.88 iniquitie couereth the mouth of the impious.

[ 7] † The memorie of the iust is with prayses: and the name of * 1.89 the impious shal rotte.

[ 8] † The wise of hart shal receiue preceptes: a foole is beaten * 1.90 with lippes.

[ 9] † He that walketh playnly, walketh confidently: but he * 1.91 that depraueth his wayes, shal be manifest.

[ 10] † He that wincketh with the eye, shal geue sorow: and the * 1.92 foole in lippes shal be beaten.

[ 11] † A vayne of life, the mouth of the iust: and the mouth of the impious couereth iniquitie.

[ 12] † Hatred rayseth brawles: and charitie couereth al sinnes. * 1.93

[ 13] † In the lippes of the wise wisdom is found: and a rod on his backe that lacketh witte.

[ 14] † Wise men hide knowledge: but the mouth of the foole is next to confusion.

[ 15] † The substance of a rich man, is a citie of his strength: the * 1.94 feare of the poore their pouertie.

[ 16] † The worke of the iust vnto life: but the fruite of the impi∣ous * 1.95 vnto sinne.

[ 17] † The way of life, to him that keepeth discipline: but he that * 1.96 fors keth reprehensions, erreth

[ 18] † Lying lippes hide hatred, he that vttereth contumelie is * 1.97 vnwise.

[ 19] † In much talke there shal not want sinne: but he that mode∣rateth his lippes is most wise.

[ 20] † The tongue of the iust, is chosen siluer: but the hart of the impious is nothing worth.

[ 21]

† The lippes of the iust teach verie many: but they that are * 1.98 vntaught, shal die in the penurie of witte.

[ 22] † The blessing of our Lord maketh men rich: neither shal * 1.99 affliction be ioyned to them.

[ 23] † A foole worketh mischeefe as it were by laughter: but wis∣dom * 1.100 is prudence to a man.

[ 24] † That which the impious feareth, shal come vpon him: * 1.101 to the iust their desire shal be geuen.

[ 25] † As a tempest passing the impious shal not be: but the iust * 1.102 as an euerlasting fundation.

[ 26] † As vinegre to the teeth, and smoke to the eies, so a sluggard * 1.103 to them, that sent him.

[ 27] † The feare of our Lord shal adde dayes: and the yeares of the * 1.104 impious shal be shortened.

[ 28] † The expectation of the iust is ioy: but the hope of the * 1.105 impious shal perish.

[ 29] † The strength of the simple the way of our Lord: and feare * 1.106 is to them that worke euil.

[ 30] † The iust for euer shal not be moued: but the impious shal not dwel on the earth.

[ 31] † The mouth of the iust shal bring forth wisdom: the tongue * 1.107 of the froward shal perish.

[ 32] † The lippes of the iust consider grateful thinges: and the mouth of the impious peruerse thinges.

CHAP. XI.

[ 1] A deceitful balance, is abomination before God: and * 1.108 an equal weight is his wil.

[ 2] † Where pride shal be, there shal be contumelie also: but * 1.109 where humilitie, there also wisdom.

[ 3] † The simplicitie of the iust shal direct them: and the supplan∣ting * 1.110 of the peruers shal waste them.

[ 4] † Riches shal not profit in the day of reuenge: but iustice shal * 1.111 deliuer from death.

[ 5] † The iustice of the simple shal direct his way: and the * 1.112 impious shal fal in his impietie.

[ 6] † The iustice of the righteous shal deliuer them: and the * 1.113 vniust shal be caught in their deceitful practises.

[ 7] † The impious man being dead, there shal be no hope any * 1.114 more: and the expectation of the careful shal perish.

[ 8] † The iust is deliuered from distresse: and the impious shal be * 1.115 geuen for him.

[ 9]

† The dissembler with his mouth deceiueth his freind: but * 1.116 the iust shal be deliuered by knowlege.

[ 10] † In the good thinges of the iust the citie shal reioyce; and * 1.117 in the destruction of the impious there shal be prayse.

[ 11] † With the benediction of the iust the citie shal be exalted: and by the mouth of the impious it shal be subuerted.

[ 12] † He that despiseth his freind, lacketh hart: but the wise man * 1.118 wil hold his peace.

[ 13] † He that walketh fraudulently, reueleth secretes: but he that * 1.119 is faithful, concealeth the thing comitted of his freind.

[ 14] † Where there is no gouernour, the people shal fal: but there * 1.120 is health where is much counsel.

[ 15] † He shal be afflicted with euil, that is suretie for a stranger: * 1.121 but he that is ware of the snares, shal be secure.

[ 16] † A gracious woman shal finde glorie: and the strong shal * 1.122 haue riches.

[ 17] † A merciful man doth good to his kinred also. * 1.123

[ 18] † The impious maketh an vnstable worke: but to him that * 1.124 soweth iustice, is a faythful reward.

[ 19] † Clemencie prepareth life: & the pursewing of euil thinges * 1.125 death.

[ 20] † A peruers hart is abominable to our Lord: and his wil * 1.126 is in them that walke simply.

[ 21] † Hand in hand the euil man shal not be innocent: but the * 1.127 seede of the iust shal be saued.

[ 22] † A ring of gold in a swines snoute, a fayre woman & a foole. * 1.128

[ 23] † The desire of the iust is al good: the expectation of the impious furie.

[ 24] † Some diuide their owne goodes, and are made richer: others take violently not their owne, and are alwayes in pouertie.

[ 25] † The soule which blesseth, shal be made fatte: and he * 1.129 that inebriateth himself shal also be inebriated.

[ 26] † He that hydeth corne, shal be cursed among the peoples: * 1.130 but blessing vpon the head of them that sel.

[ 27] † Wel riseth he early who seeketh good thinges: but he * 1.131 that is a searcher after euil thinges, shal be oppressed of them.

[ 28] † He that trusteth in his riches shal fal▪ but the iust shal spring * 1.132 as a greene leafe.

[ 29] † He that trubleth his house, shal possesse the windes: and * 1.133 he that is a foole shal serue the wise.

[ 30]

† The fruite of the iust man a tree of life: and he that gaineth * 1.134 soules, is wise.

[ 31] † If the iust man receiue in the earth, how much more the impious and sinner?

CHAP. XII.

[ 1] HE that loueth discipline, loueth knowlege: but he that * 1.135 hateth reprehensions is vnwise.

[ 2] † He that is good, shal draw grace from our Lord: but he * 1.136 that trusteth in his owne cogitation, doth impiously.

[ 3] † Man shal not be strengthened by impietie: and the roote * 1.137 of the iust shal not be moued.

[ 4] † A diligent woman is a crowne to her husband: and putre∣faction * 1.138 in his bones, she that doth thinges worthie of con∣fusion.

[ 5] † The cogitations of the iust are iudgements: & the counsels * 1.139 of the impious are fraudulent.

[ 6] † The wordes of the impious lie in wayte for bloud: the * 1.140 mouth of the iust shal deliuer them.

[ 7] † Turne the impious, and they shal not be: but the house * 1.141 of the iust shal be permanent.

[ 8] † A man shal be knowen by his doctrine: but he that is vaine * 1.142 and foolish, shallye open to contempt.

[ 9] † Better is the poore and sufficient to himself, then he that * 1.143 is glorious and wanteth bread.

[ 10] † The iust knoweth the liues of his beastes: but the bowels * 1.144 of the impious are cruel.

[ 11] † He that tilleth his land, shal be filled with breads: but he * 1.145 that purseweth idlenes is a verie foole.

He that is delighted in much quaffing of wine, leaueth con∣tumelie* 1.146 in his munitions.

[ 12] † The desire of the impious is the * 1.147 muniment of the most * 1.148 wicked: but the roote of the iust shal prosper.

[ 13] † For the sinnes of the lippes ruine approcheth to the euil man: but the iust escapeth out of distresse.

[ 14] † Of the fruite of his owne mouth shal euerie man be reple∣nisded with good thinges, and according to the workes of his handes it shal be repayed him.

[ 15] † The way of a foole is right in his eies: but he that is wise * 1.149 heareth counsels.

[ 16]

† A foole by & by she weth his anger: but he that dissembleth * 1.150 iniuries is wise.

[ 17] † He that speaketh that which he knoweth, is an v••rerer of * 1.151 iustice: but he that lyeth, is a fraudulent witnesse.

[ 18] † There is that promiseth, and is pricked as it were with the * 1.152 sword of conscience: but the tongue of the wise is health.

[ 19] † The lippe of truth shal be stable for euer: but he that is an * 1.153 hastie witnesse, frameth a tongue of lying.

[ 20] † Guile is in the hart of them that thinke euil thinges: but ioy * 1.154 foloweth them that geue counsels of peace.

[ 21] † It shal not make the iust sorie what soeuer shal fal to him: * 1.155 but the impious shal be replenished with euil.

[ 22] † Lying lippes are an abomination to our Lord: but they that * 1.156 doe faithfully please him.

[ 23] † A circumspect man concealeth knowlege: and the hart of * 1.157 the vnwise prouoketh folie.

[ 24] † The hand of the strong shal rule, but that which is slothful, * 1.158 shal serue vnder tributes.

[ 25] † Pensifnesse in the hart of a man shal humble him, & with * 1.159 a good word he shal be made glad.

[ 26] † He that neglecteth damage for a freind, is iust: but the way * 1.160 of the impious shal deceiue them.

[ 27] † The fraudulent man shal not finde gayne: and the substance * 1.161 of a * 1.162 man shal be the price of gold.

[ 28] † In the path of iustice, life: but the by way leadeth to * 1.163 death.

CHAP. XIII.

[ 1] A wise sonne, is the doctrine of the father: but he that * 1.164 is a scorner, heareth not when he is rebuked.

[ 2] † Of the fruite of his owne mouth man shal be filled with * 1.165 good thinges: but the soule of the preuaricateurs is wicked.

[ 3] † He that kepeth his mouth, kepeth his soule: but he that * 1.166 is vnaduised to speake shal feele euils.

[ 4] † The sluggard wil and wil not: but the soule of them that * 1.167 worke, shal be made fatte.

[ 5] † The iust shal detest a lying word: but the impious confoun∣deth, * 1.168 and shal be confounded.

[ 6] † Iustice kepeth the way of the innocent: but impietie sup∣planteth * 1.169 the sinner.

[ 7] † There is one as it were with riches wheras he hath nothing: * 1.170 and there is as it were poore, wheras he is in much riches.

[ 8]

† The redemption of a mans life, his riches: but he that is * 1.171 poore, beareth not reprehension.

[ 9] † The light of the iust maketh glad: but the candle of the * 1.172 impious shal be extinguished.

[ 10] † Among the prowde there are alwayes brawles: but they * 1.173 that doe al thinges with counsel, are ruled by wisdom.

[ 11] † Substance hastened shal be diminished: but that which by * 1.174 litle and litle is gathered with the hand, shal be multiplied.

[ 12] † Hope that is differred afflicteth the soule: a tree of life the * 1.175 desire of coning.

[ 13] † Who so detracteth from any thing, he byndeth himselfe for the time to come: but he that feareth the precept, shal conuers in peace.

Guilful soules erre in sinnes: the iust are merciful & haue pitie.* 1.176

[ 14] † The law of a wise man a fountaine of life, that he may de∣cline from the ruine of death.

[ 15] † Good doctrine shal geue grace: in the way of contemners a whirlepoole.

[ 16] † The subtel man doth al thinges with counsel: but he that * 1.177 is a foole openeth folie.

[ 17] † The messenger of the impious shal fal into euil: but a faithful * 1.178 legate, is health.

[ 18] † Pouertie, and ignominie, to him that forsaketh discipline: * 1.179 but he that yeldeth to him that rebuketh, shal be glorified.

[ 19] † Desire if it, be accomplished, delighteth the soule: fooles * 1.180 detest them that flee euil thinges.

[ 20] † He that walketh with the wise, shal be wise: a freind of * 1.181 fooles shal be made like.

[ 21] † Euil purseweth sinners, and to the iust good thinges shal be * 1.182 repayed.

[ 22] † The good man leaueth heyres, sonnes and nephewes: and * 1.183 the substance of the sinner is kept for the iust.

[ 23] † Much meate in the tilled growndes of the fathers: and to * 1.184 others they are gathered with our iudgement.

[ 24] † He that spareth the rod, hateth his childe: but he that loueth * 1.185 him doth instantly nurture him.

[ 25] † The iust eateth and filleth his soule: but the bellie of the * 1.186 impious vnsatiable.

CHAP. XIIII.

[ 1] A wise woman buildeth her house: the vnwise wil with * 1.187 her handes destroy that also which is built.

[ 2]

† He that walketh in the right way, & feareth God is despised * 1.188 of him, that goeth an infamous way.

[ 3] † In the mouth of a foole the rod of pride: but the lippes * 1.189 of the wise keepe them.

[ 4] † Where oxen are not, the stal is emptie: but where much corne is, there is the oxes strength manifest.

[ 5] † A faithful witnesse wil not lie: but a deceitful witnesse * 1.190 vttereth a lie.

[ 6] † A scorner seeketh wisdom and findeth it not: the doctrine * 1.191 of the prudent is easie.

[ 7] † Goe against a foolish man, and he knoweth not the lippes * 1.192 of prudence.

[ 8] † The wisdom of a discrete man is to vnderstand his way: and * 1.193 the imprudence of fooles erreth.

† A foole will ••ugh at sinne, & among the iust grace shal abide. [ 9]

[ 10] † The hart that knoweth the bitternes of his soule, in his ioy shal not the stranger be mingled.

[ 11] † The house of the impious shal be rased: the tabernacles of the iust shal spring.

[ 12] † “ There is a way, which seemeth to a man iust: but the * 1.194 later endes therof lead to death.

[ 13] † Laughter shal be mingled with sorow, and mourning * 1.195 occupieth the later endes of ioy.

[ 14] † A foole shal be replenished with his wayes, and the good * 1.196 man shal be aboue him.

[ 15] † The innocent beleueth euerie word: the discrete man consi∣dereth * 1.197 his steppes.

[ 16] † A wise man feareth and declineth from euil: the foole * 1.198 leapeth ouer and is confident.

[ 17] † The impatient man shal worke folie: and the subrel man * 1.199 is odious.

[ 18] † The childish man shal possesse folie, and the prudent shal * 1.200 * 1.201 expect knowlege.

[ 19] † The euil shal lie downe before the good, and the impious * 1.202 before the gates of the iust.

[ 20] † The poore shal be odious euen to his neighbour: but the * 1.203 freindes of the rich be manie.

[ 21] † He that despiseth his neighbour, sinneth: but he that hath * 1.204 pitie on the poore, shal be blessed.

[ 22] † They erre that worke euil: mercie and truth prepare good * 1.205 thinges.

[ 23]

† In euerie worke there shal be abundance: but where * 1.206 manie wordes are, there is oftentimes pouertie.

[ 24] † The crowne of the wise, their riches: the sollie of fooles, inprudence.

[ 25] † A faithful witnes deliuereth soules: and the * 1.207 dissen••bier * 1.208 vttereth lyes.

[ 26] † In the feare of our Lord is confidence of strength, and to * 1.209 his children there shal be hope.

[ 27] † The feare of our Lord a fountaine of life, that he may de∣cline from the ruine of death.

[ 28] † In the multitude of people the dignitie of the king: and in * 1.210 fewnes of people the ignominie of the prince.

[ 29] † He that is patient, is gouerned with much wisdom: but he that is impatient, exalteth his foilie.

[ 30] † “ Health of hart, the life of the flesh: enuie, the putrefaction * 1.211 of the bones.

[ 31] † He that doth calumniate the needie, vpbraideth his maker: * 1.212 but he honoreth him, that hath pitie on the poore.

[ 32] † The impious shal be expelled in his malice: but the iust * 1.213 hopeth in his death.

[ 33] † In the hart of the prudent resteth wisdom, & it shal instruct * 1.214 al the vnlerned.

[ 34] † Iustice aduanceth a nation: but sinne maketh peoples * 1.215 miserable.

[ 35] † A seruant that vnderstandeth is acceptable to the king: he * 1.216 that is vnprofitable shal susteyne his anger.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XIIII.

12. A vvay vvhich semeth iust.] If anie Iewes, Turkes, or Heretikes lead a* 1.217 moral good life in this world, it semeth both to themselnes, and to other rude people, tha•• they are in a right way of saluation, but their error in faith lea∣deth them to eternal damnation.

30 Health of the hart.] As soundnes of the hart conserueth the rest of the same bodie in life, so a pure intention often excuseth from mortal sinne, as in er¦rours* 1.218 committed of probable, not of grosse, nor affected ignorance. But secrete* 1.219 enuie in the hart infecteth and putrifieth mans actions, and destroyeth the workes that semed good: which can no more endure strict examination in the day of iudgement, then a rotten cloth can abide washing.

CHAP. XV.

[ 1] A soft answer breaketh anger: and a hard word rayseth * 1.220 vp furie.

[ 2] † The tongue of the wise adorneth knowlege: the mouth of * 1.221 fooles boyleth forth follie.

[ 3]

† In euerie place the eies of our Lord behold the good and * 1.222 the euil.

[ 4] † A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immo∣derate, * 1.223 shal breake the spirite.

[ 5] † A foole scorneth the discipline of his father: but he that * 1.224 regardeth reprehensions, shal become more prudent.

In abundant iustice there is greatest force: but the cogitations* 1.225 of the impious shal be rooted out.

[ 6] † The house of the iust is very much strength: and in the * 1.226 fruites of the impious is perturbation.

[ 7] † The lippes of the wise shal sow knowlege: the hart of fooles shal be vnlike.

[ 8] † The victimes of the impious are abominable to our Lord: * 1.227 the vowes of the iust are acceptable.

[ 9] † The way of the impious is abomination to our Lord: he that foloweth iustice is beloued of him.

[ 10] † The doctrine is euil of them that forsake the way of life: * 1.228 he that hateth reprehensions shal dye.

[ 11] † Hel, and perdition are before our Lord: how much more the hartes of the children of men?

[ 12] † The pestilent man loueth not him, that rebuketh him: nor goeth to the wise.

[ 13] † A glad hart cheereth the face: in pensifnes of minde the spirit is cast downe.

[ 14] † The hart of the wise seeketh doctrine: and the mouth of fooles is fed with vnskilfulnes.

[ 15] † Al the dayes of the poore are euil: a secure minde is as it * 1.229 were a continual feast.

[ 16] † Better is a litle with the feare of our Lord, then great trea∣sures * 1.230 and vnsatiable.

[ 17] † It is better to be called to herbes with charitie: then to a fatted calfe with hatred.

[ 18] † An angrie man stirreth brawles: he that is patient appeaseth * 1.231 those that are raised.

[ 19] † The way of the slothsul is as an hedge of thornes: the way * 1.232 of the iust is without offence.

[ 20] † A wise sonne maketh the father ioyful: and the foolish * 1.233 man despiseth his mother.

[ 21] † Follie is ioy to a soole: and the wiseman directeth his * 1.234 steppes.

[ 22]

† Cogitations are dissipated where there is no counsel: but * 1.235 where manie counsellers are, they are confirmed.

[ 23] † A man reioyceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word * 1.236 in due time is best.

[ 24] † :: 1.237 The path of life aboue the lerned, that he may decline from the lawest hel.

[ 25] Our Lord wil destroy the house of the proude: and wil make sure the borders of the widow.

[ 26] † Euil cogitations are an abomination to our Lord: and pure speach most beautiful shal be confirmed of him.

[ 27] † He that pursueth auarice disturbeth his house: but he that hateth giftes shal liue.

By mercie and faith sinnes are purged: and by the feare of our* 1.238 Lord euerie one declineth from euil.

[ 28] † The minde of the iust meditateth obedience: the mouth of * 1.239 the impious redoundeth with euils.

[ 29] † Our Lord is far from the impious: and he wil heare the * 1.240 prayers of the iust.

[ 30] † The light of the eies reioyceth the soule: a good name * 1.241 fatteth the bones.

[ 31] The eare that heareth the reprehensions of life, shal abide in * 1.242 the middes of the wise.

[ 32] † He that reiecteth discipline, despiseth his soule: but he that * 1.243 yeldeth to reprehensions, is a possessour of the hart.

[ 33] † The feare of our Lord, the discipline of wisdom: and humi∣litie * 1.244 goeth before glorie.

CHAP. XVI.* 1.245

[ 1] IT“ perteyneth to man to prepare the hart: and to our Lord to gouerne the tongue

[ 2] † Al the wayes of man are open to his eies: our Lord is the weigher of spirites.

[ 3] † Reueale thy workes to our Lord: and thy cogitations shal be directed.

[ 4] † Our Lord hath wrought al thinges for himself: the impious also to the euil day.

[ 5] † Euerie arrogant man is an abomination to our Lord: although hand shal be to hand he is not * 1.246 innocent.

The beginning of a good way, is to doe iustice: and it is more acceptable with God, then to immolate hostes.

[ 6]

† By mercie and truth iniquitie is redemed: and in the feare * 1.247 of our Lord euil is auoided.

[ 7] † When the wayes of man shal please our Lord, he wil * 1.248 conuert also his enemies to peace.

[ 8] † Better is a litle with iustice, then much fruite with iniquitie. * 1.249

[ 9] † The hart of man disposeth his way: but it perteyneth to our Lord to direct his progresse.

[ 10] † :: 1.250 Diuination is in the lippes of the king, his mouth shal not erre in iudgement.

[ 11] † Weight and balance are iudgements of our Lord: and his worke al the stones of the bagge.

[ 12] † They are abominable to the king that doe impiously: because the throne is established by iustice.

[ 13] † The wil of kinges are iust lippes: he that speaketh right * 1.251 thinges shal be beloued.

[ 14] † The kings indignation, messengers of death: and the wise * 1.252 man wil pacifie it.

[ 15] † In the cherfulnes of the kings countenance is life: and his clemencie is as the later showre.

[ 16] † Possesse wisdom, because it is better then gold: and gette * 1.253 prudence, because it is more precious then siluer.

[ 17] † The path of the iust auoideth euils: the keper of his soule * 1.254 kepeth his way.

[ 18] † Pride goeth before destruction, and before ruine the spirit * 1.255 shal be exalted.

[ 19] † It is better to be humbled with the meeke, then to diuide * 1.256 spoyles with the proude.

[ 20] † The lerned in word shal finde good thinges: and he that * 1.257 hopeth in our Lord, is blessed.

[ 21] † He that is wise in hart, shal be called prudent: and he that is * 1.258 sweete in speach shal finde greater thinges.

[ 22] † A fountaine of life the lerning of him that possesseth it: * 1.259 the doctrine of fooles foolishnes.

[ 23] † The hart of the wife shal instruct his mouth: and shal adde * 1.260 grace to his lippes.

[ 24] † Wel set wordes are a honie combe: swetnes of the foule the * 1.261 health of the bones.

[ 25] † There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the later * 1.262 * 1.263 endes therof lead to death.

[ 26] † Thee soule of him that laboureth doth labour to himself, * 1.264 because his mouth hath compelled him:

[ 27]

The impious man diggeth euil, and in his lippes fire burneth. * 1.265

[ 28] † A peruerse man raiseth contentions: and one ful of wordes * 1.266 separateth princes.

[ 29] An vniust man allureth his frende: and leadeth him by a way * 1.267 not good.

[ 30] † He that with astoinied eies thinketh wicked thinges, byting * 1.268 his lippes bringeth euil to passe.

[ 31] † A crowne of dignitie old age, which shal be found in the * 1.269 wayes of iustice.

[ 32] † Better is the patient then a strong man: and he that ruleth * 1.270 his minde, then the ouerthrower of cities.

[ 33] † Lottes are cast into the bosome, but they are ordered of our * 1.271 Lord.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XVI.

1. It perteineth to man to prepare the hart▪] For the better vnderstanding of this * 1.272 and other hard places of holie Scripture, this general rule euer approued by al Christians, is most necessarie, that al holie Scripture is true and certaine, as being al indited by the Holie Ghost, the Spirite of truth: and so one place is neuer contrarie to an other, though at first sight they may so seme to mans vnderstanding. For by this place the Pelagians would proue, that man can of himself, without the helpe of Gods grace, beginne a good thing, though without this helpe he cannot performe it, because it is here sayd: that it pettey∣neth to man to prepare the hart: that is, ••o beginne a good thing. But S. Augu∣stin * 1.273 sheweth that it may not be so vnderstood the cause so it should be contrarie to that saying of our Sauiour▪ VVithout me you can do nothing; and that of S. Paul VVe are not sufficient to thinke anie thing of our selues, as of our selues: but our sufficiencie is of God. VVhich tvvo euident places, vvith otherlike, do shevv that this place hath an other different sense, from that vvhich the Pelagians gather. An•• so S. Augustin, and other Fathers teach, that * 1.274 the vvisman here affirmeth not, that man of himself can prepare his hart, or beginne a good vvorke, but that it perteineth to man to prepare his hart, presupposing helpe of Gods grace, and hauing so begunne, God also gouer∣neth the tongue, and by more grace directeth it ••o speake those thinges vvel, vvhich the hart purposed, and disposed to be vttered; vvithout vvhich helpe none is able, neither to beginne anie meritorious vvorke, nor to prose∣cute, nor perfect that is vvel begunne. The like sentence foloweth in the 9. verse: The hart of man disposeth his vvay: but it perteyneth to our Lord to direct his progresse; signifying in both places, that after a thing is vvel begunne (vvhich can not be vvithout the helpe of Gods grace) yet it can not procede vvel, vvithout more grace, stil directing and streingthning mans freevvil.

CHAP. XVII.

[ 1] BEtter is a drie morsel with ioy, then a house ful of victimes * 1.275 with brawling.

[ 2]

† A wise seruant shal rule ouer foolish children, and diuide * 1.276 inheritance among bretheren.

[ 3] † As siluer is tried by fyre, and gold in the fournace: so our * 1.277 Lord proueth the the harts.

[ 4] † The euil man obeyeth an vniust tongue: and the deceitful * 1.278 obeyeth lying lippes.

[ 5] † He that despiseth the poore, vpbraydeth his maker: and he that reioyceth at an other mans ruine, shal not be vnpunished.

[ 6] † The crowne of oldmen the childrens children: and the * 1.279 glorie of children their fathers.

[ 7] † Eloquent wordes become not a foole, nor lying lippes a * 1.280 prince.

[ 8] † A most gratful pearle, the expectation of him that expecteth: * 1.281 whither soeuer he turneth himself, he vnderstandeth wisely.

[ 9] † He that concealeth offence, seeketh frendshipes: he that in * 1.282 other word repeteth it, seperateth the confederate.

[ 10] † Reprehension doth more profit with a wiseman, then an * 1.283 hundred stripes with a foole.

[ 11] † An euil man alwayes seeketh brawles: but a cruel angel * 1.284 shal be sent against him.

[ 12] † It is better to meete a beare when her yong are taken a∣way, * 1.285 then a foole trusting to himselfe in his owne follie.

[ 13] † He that rendereth euil thinges for good, euil shal not depart * 1.286 from his house.

[ 14] † He that letteth water goe, is the head of brawles: & before * 1.287 he suffer contumelie, he forsaketh iudgement.

[ 15] † He that iustifieth the impious, and he that condemneth the * 1.288 iust, both are abominable before God.

[ 16] † What doth it profit a foole to haue riches, wheras he can * 1.289 not buy wisdom?

He that maketh his house high, seeketh ruine: and he that re∣fuseth* 1.290 to learne, shal fal into euils.

[ 17] † He loueth at al time that is a frend: and a brother is proued * 1.291 in distresses.

[ 18] † A foolish man wil clappe the handes, when he is suretie for * 1.292 his freind.

[ 19] † He that meditateth discordes, loueth brawles: and he * 1.293 that exalteth the doore, seeketh ruine.

[ 20] † He that is of a peruerse hart, shal not finde good: and he * 1.294 that turneth his tongue, shal fal into euil.

[ 21] † A foole is borne to his owne ignominie: but neither shal * 1.295 the father reioyce in a foole.

[ 22]

† A ioyful minde maketh a florishing age: a sorowful spirit * 1.296 dryeth vp the bones.

[ 23] † The impious receiueth giftes out of the bosome, that he * 1.297 may peruert the pathes of iudgement.

[ 24] † In the face of the prudent wisdom shineth: the eies of * 1.298 fooles are in the endes of the earth.

[ 25] † A foolish sonne is the anger of the father: and the sorow * 1.299 of the mother that bare him.

[ 26] † It is not good, to doe hurt to the iust: nor to strike the * 1.300 prince, which iudgeth right.

[ 27] † He that moderateth his wordes, is lerned and prudent: and * 1.301 the lerned man is of a precious spirit.

[ 28] † The foole also if he hold his peace, shal be reputed wise: and * 1.302 if he close his lippes, a man of vnderstanding.

CHAP. XVIII.

[ 1] HE seeketh occasions that wil depart from a frend: he * 1.303 shal euer be subiect to reproch.

[ 2] † A foole receiueth not the wordes of prudence: vnlesse thou * 1.304 say those thinges which are in his hart.

[ 3] † The impious when he shal come into the depth of sinnes, * 1.305 contemneth: but ignominie and reproch folow him.

[ 4] † Deepe water wordes from the mouth of a * 1.306 man: and a * 1.307 streame ouer flowing the fountaine of wisdom.

[ 5] † To accept the person of the impious in iudgement is not * 1.308 good, that thou decline from the truth of iudgement.

[ 6] † The lippes of a foole mingle him with strife: and his mouth * 1.309 prouoketh brawles.

[ 7] † The mouth of a foole is his destruction: and his lippes are * 1.310 the ruine of his soule.

[ 8] † The wordes of the duble tongued, as it were simple: and * 1.311 the same come euen to the inner part of the bellie.

Feare casteth downe the slothful: and the soules of the effe∣minate* 1.312 shal be hungrie.

[ 9] † He that is soft and dissolute in his worke, is the brother of * 1.313 him that destroyeth his owne workes.

[ 10] † A most strong towre, the name of our Lord: the iust runneth * 1.314 to it and shal be exalted.

[ 11] † The substance of the rich man a citie of his strength: and as * 1.315 a strong wal compassing him about.

[ 12]

† Before he be broken, the hart of a man is exalted: and * 1.316 before he be glorified, it is humbled.

[ 13] † He that answereth before he heare, sheweth him self to be * 1.317 a foole, and worthie of confusion.

[ 14] † The spirit of a man vpholdeth his imbecilitie: but a spirit * 1.318 that is casie to be angrie who can susteyne?

[ 15] † A wise hart shal possesse knowlege: and the eare of the * 1.319 wise seeketh doctrine.

[ 16] † The gift of a man enlargeth his way, & maketh him roome * 1.320 before princes.

[ 17] † The iust is first accuser of himself: his frend commeth, and * 1.321 shal search him.

[ 18] † Lotte suppresseth contradictions, and betwen the mightie also it determineth.

[ 19] † Brother that is holpen of brother, is as a strong citie: and iudgements are as the barres of cities.

[ 20] † Of the fruite of mans mouth his bellie shal be filled: and the ofsprings of his lippes shal fil him.

[ 21] † Death and life in the hand of the tongue: they that loue it, * 1.322 shal eate the fruites therof.

[ 22] † He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, * 1.323 and hath receiued a pleasure of our Lord.

[ 23] † The poore speaketh with supplications, and the rich wil speake roughly.

[ 24] † A man amiable to societie, shal be more frendlie, then a * 1.324 brother.

CHAP. XIX.

[ 1] BEtter is a poore man, that walketh in his simplicitie, * 1.325 then a rich writhing his lippes, and vnwise.

[ 2] † Where is no knowlege of the soule, is not good: and he * 1.326 that is hastie with his feete shal stumble.

[ 3] † The follie of a man supplanteth his steppes: and he boileth * 1.327 in his minde against God.

[ 4] † Riches adde manie frendes: but from the poore they also which he had are separated.

[ 5] † A false witnes shal not be vnpunished: & he that speaketh lies, shal not escape.

[ 6] † Manie worshipe the person of the mightie, and are frendes * 1.328 of him that geueth giftes.

[ 7] † The brethren of the poore man hate him: more ouer also his * 1.329 frendes haue departed far from him.

[ 8]

† He that purse weth wordes only, shal haue nothing: but he * 1.330 that is possessour of the minde, loueth his soule, and the keper of prudence shal finde good thinges.

[ 9] † A false witnesse shal not be vnpunished: and he that * 1.331 speaketh lies shal perish.

[ 10] † Delicacies become not a foole: not a seruant to rule ouer * 1.332 princes.

[ 11] † The doctrine of man is knowen by patience: and his glorie is to ouerpasse vniust thinges.

[ 12] † As the roaring of a lion, so also the anger of a king: and as dew vpon grasse, so also his cherefulnes.

[ 13] † The sorow of the father, a foolish sonne: and roofes conti∣nually dropping through, a woman ful of brawling.

[ 14] † House and riches are geuen of the parents: but of our Lord * 1.333 properly a prudent wife.

[ 15] † Slothfulnesse bringeth drousinesse, and a dissolute soule * 1.334 shal be an hungred.

[ 16] † He that kepeth the commandement, kepeth his soule: but * 1.335 he that neglecteth his way, shal die.

[ 17] † He lendeth our Lord that hath mercie on the poore: and he * 1.336 wil repay him the like.

[ 18] † Nurter thy sonne, despayre not: but to the killing of him * 1.337 set not thy soule.

[ 19] † He that is impatient, shal susteyne damage: and when he * 1.338 shal take away violently, he shal adde an other thing.

[ 20] † Heare counsel, and receiue discipline, that thou mayst be * 1.339 wise in thy later endes.

[ 21] † Manie cogitations in the hart of a man: but the wil of our * 1.340 Lord shal be permanent.

[ 22] † A needie man is merciful: and better is the poore then the * 1.341 lying man.

[ 23] † The feare of our Lord vnto life: and in fulnes he shal abide, without the visitation most noysome.

[ 24] † The slothful hideth his hand vnder the armehole, neither * 1.342 doth he put it to his mouth.

[ 25] † The pestilent man being whipped, the foole shal be wiser: * 1.343 but if thou rebuke a wiseman he wil vnderstand discipline.

[ 26] † He that afflicteth his father, and fleeth from his mother, is * 1.344 ignominious and vnhappie.

[ 27] † Cease not ô sonne to heare doctrine, neither be ignorant of * 1.345 the wordes of knowlege.

[ 28]

† An vniust witnes scorneth iudgement: and the mouth of * 1.346 the impious deuoureth iniquitie.

[ 29] † Iudgements are prepared for scorners: & hammers striking * 1.347 for the bodies of fooles.

CHAP. XX.

[ 1] VVIne is a luxurious thing, & drunkenes tumultuous: * 1.348 whosoeuer is delighted therwith shal not be wise.

[ 2] † As the roaring of a lyon, so also the terrour of a king: he * 1.349 that prouoketh him, sinneth also against his owne soule.

[ 3] † It is honour to a man, that separateth himself from conten∣tions: * 1.350 but al fooles medle with contumelies.

[ 4] † Because of cold the slothful would not plowe: he shal * 1.351 begge therfore in the summer, and it shal not be geuen him.

[ 5] † As deepe water, so counsel in the hart of a man: but a wise * 1.352 man shal draw it out.

[ 6] † Manie men are called merciful: but a faithful man who shal * 1.353 fynd?

[ 7] † The iust that walketh in his simplicitie, shal leaue blessed * 1.354 children.

[ 8] † The king, that sitteth in the throne of iudgement, dissipa∣teth * 1.355 al euil with his looke.

[ 9] † Who can say: My hart is cleane, I am pure from sinne? * 1.356

[ 10] † Weight and weight, measure and measure: both are abomi∣nable before God.

[ 11] † By his conuersation a child is perceiued, if his workes be * 1.357 cleane and right.

[ 12] † The eare hearing, and the eie seing, our Lord made both. * 1.358

[ 13] † Loue not sleepe, lest pouertie oppresse thee: open thyne eies and be filled with breades.

[ 14] † It is naught, it is naught, sayth euerie byer: and when he is departed he wil boast.

[ 15] † There is gold, and multitude of pearles: but a precious * 1.359 vessel the lippes of knowlege.

[ 16] † Take his garment, that was the suretie of a stranger, and * 1.360 for strangers take a pledge from him.

[ 17] † The bread of lying is swete to a man: and afterward his * 1.361 mouth shal be filled with the grauelstone.

[ 18] † Cogirations are strengthened by counsels: and battels are * 1.362 to be handled by gouernmentes.

[ 19]

† Medle not with him that reuealeth mysteries, and walketh * 1.363 fraudulently, and dilateth his lippes.

[ 20] † He that curseth his father, and mother, his lampe shal be * 1.364 extinquished in the middes of darkenes.

[ 21] † The inheritance wherunto haste is made in the beginning, * 1.365 in the later end shal lacke blessing.

[ 22] † Say not: I wil requit euil: expect our Lord, and he wil * 1.366 deliuer thee.

[ 23] † Weight and weight are abomination with our Lord: * 1.367 a deceitful balance is not good.

[ 24] † The steppes of man are directed of our Lord: but who of * 1.368 men can vnderstand his owne way?

[ 25] † It is ruine to a man to deuoure saintes, and afterward to * 1.369 retracte the vowes.

[ 26] † A wise king dissipateth the impious, and bendeth ouer them * 1.370 a triumphant arch.

[ 27] † The lampe of our Lord, the breath of a man, which sear∣cheth * 1.371 al the secretes of the bellie.

[ 28] † Mercie, & truth kepe the king, and his throne is strengthe∣ned * 1.372 by clemencie.

[ 29] † The ioy of yongmen their strength: and the dignitie of * 1.373 oldmen a gray head.

[ 30] † The blewnesse of the wound shal wipe away euils: and stripes in the more secrete place of the bellie.

CHAP. XXI.

[ 1] AS diuisions of waters, so the hart of the king is in the * 1.374 hand of our Lord: whither soeuer he wil, he shal incline it.

[ 2] † Euerie way of a man semeth to himself right: but our Lord * 1.375 weigheth the hartes.

[ 3] † To doe mercie and iudgement, doth more please our * 1.376 Lord, then victimes.

[ 4] † Exaltation of the eies is the dilatation of the hart: the * 1.377 lampe of the impious sinne.

[ 5] † The cogitations of the strong are alwayes in abundance: * 1.378 but euerie sluggard is alwayes in pouertie.

[ 6] † He that gathereth treasures with a lying tongue, is vaine * 1.379 and witles, and shal stumble at the snares of death.

[ 7] † The robberies of the impious, shal draw them downe, * 1.380 because they would not doe iudgement.

[ 8]

† The peruerse way of a man is strange: but he that is cleane, * 1.381 his worke is right.

[ 9] † It is better to sitte in a corner of the house toppe, then * 1.382 with a brawling woman, and in a common house.

[ 10] † The soule of the impious desireth euil, he wil not haue pitie * 1.383 on his neighbour.

[ 11] † The pestilent man being punished, the litle one wil be * 1.384 wiser: and if he folow the wiseman, he wil take knowlege.

[ 12] † The iust deuiseth concerning the house of the impious, that * 1.385 he may draw the impious from euil.

[ 13] † He that stoppeth his eare at the crie of the poore, himself * 1.386 also shal crie, and shal not be heard.

[ 14] † A gift hid quencketh angers: and a gift in the bosome the * 1.387 greatest indignation.

[ 15] † It is a ioy to the iust to doe iudgement: and dread to them * 1.388 that worke iniquitie.

[ 16] † A man, that shal erre from the way of doctrine, shal abyde * 1.389 in the assemblie of giantes.

[ 17] † He that loueth good cheere, shal be in pouertie: he that * 1.390 loueth wine, and fatte thinges, shal not be rich.

[ 18] † The impious shal be geuen for the iust: and the vniust for * 1.391 the righteous.

[ 19] † It is better to dwel in a desert land, then with a brawling * 1.392 and angrie woman.

[ 20] † Treasure to be desired, and oyle in the habitation of the iust: and the vnwise man shal dissipate it.

[ 21] † He that foloweth iustice and mercie, shal finde life, iustice, * 1.393 and glorie.

[ 22] † The wise hath scaled the citie of the strong, and hath * 1.394 destroyed the confidence therof.

[ 23] † He that kepeth his mouth, and his tongue, kepeth his * 1.395 soule from distresses.

[ 24] † The proude and arrogant is called vnlerned, which in * 1.396 anger worketh pride.

† Desires kil the slothful: for his handes would not worke [ 25] * 1.397 any thing: † al the day he longeth and desireth: but he that [ 26] is iust, wil geue, and wil not cease.

[ 27] † The hostes of the impious abominable, because they are * 1.398 offered of wickednes.

[ 28] † A lying witnes shal perish: an obedient man shal speake * 1.399 victorie.

[ 29]

† The impious man malepertly hardeneth his countenauce: * 1.400 but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.

[ 30] † There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no * 1.401 counsel against our Lord.

[ 31] † The horse is prepared to the day of battel: but our Lord * 1.402 geueth saluation.

CHAP. XXII.

[ 1] BEtter is a good name, then much riches: aboue siluer * 1.403 and gold, good grace.

[ 2] † The rich and poore haue mette one an other: our Lord * 1.404 is the maker of both.

[ 3] † The subtel saw euil, and hyd himself: the innocent passed * 1.405 by, and was afflicted with damage.

[ 4] † The end of modestie the feare of our Lord, riches and * 1.406 glorie and life.

[ 5] † Armour and swordes in the way of the peruerse: but the * 1.407 keper of his owne soule departeth far from them.

[ 6] † It is a prouerbe: A yongman according to his way, when * 1.408 he is old, wil not depart from it.

[ 7] † The richman ruleth ouer the poore: and he that boroweth * 1.409 is the seruant of him that lendeth.

[ 8] † He that soweth iniquitie, shal reape euils, and with the rod * 1.410 of his wrath, he shal be consumed.

[ 9] † He that is prone to mercie, shal be blessed: for of his breades * 1.411 he hath geuen to the poore.

He that geueth giftes shal purchase victorie and honour: but* 1.412 he that receiueth taketh away the soule of the geuer.

[ 10] † Cast out the scorner, and brawling shal goe forth with * 1.413 him, and cause shal cease and contumelies.

[ 11] † He that loueth cleanes of hart, for the grace of his lippes, shal haue the king his frend.

[ 12] † The eies of our Lord keepe knowlege: and the wordes * 1.414 of the iust are supplanted.

[ 13] † The slothful sayth: A lyon is without, in the middes of * 1.415 the streates I am to be slayne.

[ 14] † A deepe pitte the mouth of a strange woman: he with * 1.416 whom our Lord is angrie, shal fal into it.

[ 15] † Follie is tyed together in the hart of a childe, and the rod of * 1.417 discipline shal driue it away.

[ 16]

† He that doth calumniate the poore, to increase his riches, * 1.418 himself shal geue to a richer, and shal be in neede.

† :: 1.419 Incline thine eare, and heare the wordes of wisemen: [ 17] and set thy hart to my doctrine: † which shal be beautiful for [ 18] thee, when thou shalt kepe it in thy bellie, and it shal flow in thy lippes.

[ 19] † That thy confidence may be in our Lord, wherfore I haue shewed also it to thee this day.

† Behold I haue described it to thee three maner of wayes, in [ 20] cogitations and knowledge: † that I might shew thee the [ 21] stabilitie, and the wordes of truth, out of these to answer them, that sent thee.

† Doe not violence to the poore, because he is poore: neither [ 22] * 1.420 oppresse the needie in the gate: † because our Lord wil iudge [ 23] his cause, and wil pearse them, that haue pearsed his soule.

† Be not frend to an angrie man, nor walke with a furious [ 24] man: † lest perhaps thou lerne his pathes, and take scandal [ 25] to thy soule.

† Be not with them, that sticke downe their handes, and that [ 26] offer themselues sureties for debts: † for if thou haue not [ 27] wherewith to restore, what cause is there, that he should take the couering from thy bed?

[ 28] † Trangresse not the ancient boundes, which thy fathers haue put.

[ 29] † Hast thou sene a man quicke in his worke? he shal stand before kinges, neither shal be before the vnnoble.

CHAP. XXIII.

VVHEN thou shalt sitte to eate with a prince, attend [ 1] * 1.421 diligently what thinges are set before thy face: † and set a knife in thy throte, if notwithstanding thou haue [ 2] thy soule in thine owne power. † Desire not his meates, in [ 3] which is the bread of lying.

[ 4] † Labour not to be rich: but set a meane to thy prudence. * 1.422

[ 5] † Lift not vp thine eies to the riches, which thou canst not haue: because they shal make to themselues winges as of an eagle, and shal flie into heauen.

† Eate not with an enuious man, and desire not his meates. [ 6]

[ 7] † Because after the similitude of a southsayer, and diuiner, he esteemeth that which he knoweth not. Eate and drinke, wil he say to thee: and his minde is not with thee.

[ 8]

† The meates which thou hadst eaten thou shalt vomite vp: and shalt lose thy beautiful wordes.

[ 9] † Speake not in the eares of the vnwise: because they wil despise the doctrine of thy speach.

[ 10] † Touch not the boundes of litle ones: and into the filde of * 1.423 pupils enter not.

[ 11] † For their nerekinsman is strong: and he wil iudge their cause against thee.

[ 12] † Let thy hart enter into doctrin: and thyne eares to wordes * 1.424 of knowlege.

[ 13] † Withdrawe not discipline from a childe: for if thou shalt * 1.425 strike him with the rod, he shal not die.

[ 14] † Thou shalt strike him with the rod: and deliuer his soule from hel.

† My sonne, if thy minde shal be wise, my hart shal be glad [ 15] * 1.426 with thee: † And my reines shal reioyce, when thy lippes [ 16] shal speake right thinges.

† Let not thy hart enuie sinners: but in the feare of our Lord [ 17] be thou al the day: † because thou shalt haue hope in the [ 18] later end, and thyn exaltation shal not be taken away.

† Heare my sonne, & be wise: & direct thy minde in the way. [ 19]

† Be not in the feastes of great drinkers, nor in their comessa∣tions, [ 20] which contribute flesh together to eate: † because [ 21] they that are geuen to drinking, and that pay shottes, shal be consumed, and drousines shal be clothed with ragges.

[ 22] † Heare thy father, that begot thee: and contemne not thy * 1.427 mother when she is old.

[ 23] † Bye truth, and sel not wisedom, and doctrine, and * 1.428 intelligence.

[ 24] † The father of the iust reioyceth with gladnes: he that hath * 1.429 begotten a wiseman, shal reioyce in him.

[ 25] † Let thy father be glad, and thy mother, and let her reioyce that bare thee.

[ 26] † My sonne geue me thy hart: & let thyne eies kepe my wayes. * 1.430

[ 27] † For an harlot is a deepe dich: & a strange woman a narrow pitte.

[ 28] † She lyeth in wayt in the way as a robber, and whom she * 1.431 shal see not circumspect, she wil kil.

† To whom is woe? to whose father woe? to whom browles? [ 29] to whom diches? to whom woundes without cause? to whom bloud sheeding eies? † Is it not to them that passe their time [ 30] in wine, and studie to drinke out their cuppes?

† Behold not wine when it waxeth yelow, when the colour [ 31] * 1.432 therof shal shine in the glasse: it goeth in pleasantly, † but [ 32] in the end, it wil bite like a snake, and as a basiliske it wil* 1.433 powre abrode poysones.

[ 33] † Thine eies shal see strange wemen, and thy hart shal speake * 1.434 peruerse thinges.

[ 34] † And thou shalt be as one sleeping in the middes of the sea, * 1.435 and as the gouernour fast a sleepe, the sterne being lost.

[ 35] † And thou shalt say: They haue beaten me, but I was not * 1.436 greeued: they drew me, and I felt not: When shal I awake, and finde wines againe?

CHAP. XXIIII.

EMVLATE not euil men, neither desire thou to be with [ 1] * 1.437 them: † because their mind doth meditate robberies, [ 2] and their lippes speake deceites.

[ 3] † By wisedom the house shal be built, and by prudence it shal be strengthened.

[ 4] † In doctrine the cellars shal be replenished with al precious, and most be••utiful substance.

† A wiseman is strong: and a lerned man, strong and valiant. [ 5]

[ 6] † Because warre is managed by due ordering: & there shal be * 1.438 saluation where manie counsels are.

[ 7] † Wisedom is high for a foole, in the gate he shal not open his mouth.

[ 8] † He that thinketh to doe euils, shal be called a foole. * 1.439

[ 9] † The cogitation of a foole is sinne: and a detracter the abo∣mination of men.

[ 10] † If thou despaire being wearie in the day of distresse: thy strength shal be diminished.

[ 11] † Deliuer them that are led to death: and those that are * 1.440 drawen to death cease not to deliuer.

[ 12] † If thou say: I am not of force: he that seeth into the hart, he vnderstandeth, and nothing deceiueth the keeper of thy soule, and he shal render to a man according to his workes.

† Eate honie my sonne, because it is good, and the honie∣combe [ 13] * 1.441 most sweete to thy throte: † so also the doctrine of [ 14] wisedom to thy soule: which when thou shalt finde, thou shalt haue hope in the later end, and thy hope shal not perish.

[ 15] † Lie not in wayte, nor seeke impietie in the house of the * 1.442 iust, nor spoile his rest.

[ 16]

† For “seuen * 1.443 times shal the iust fal, and shal rise againe: * 1.444 but the impious shal fal into euil.

† When thine enemie shal fal, be not glad, and in his ruine let [ 17] not thy hart reioyce: † Lest perhaps our Lord see, and it dis∣please [ 18] him, and he take away his wrath from him.

† Contend not with the most wicked, nor emulate the im∣pious: [ 19] * 1.445 † because euil men haue not hope of thinges to come, [ 20] and the lampe of the impious shal be extinguished.

† Feare our Lord, my sonne, and the king: & with detracters [ 21] medle not: † because their perdition shal sodenly rise: and [ 22] the ruine of both who knoweth?

[ 23] † These thinges also to the wise: to know a person in iudge∣ment * 1.446 is not good.

[ 24] † They that say to the impious: Thou art iust: peoples shal curse them, and tribes shal detest them.

[ 25] † They that rebuke him, shal be praysed: and blessing shal come vpon them.

† He shal kisse the lippes, who answereth right wordes. [ 26]

[ 27] † Prepare thy worke abrode, and diligently til thy ground: * 1.447 that afterward thou mayst build thy house.

[ 28] † Be not witnes without cause against thy neighbour: nei∣ther alure any man with thy lippes.

[ 29] † Say not: As he hath done to me, so wil I doe to him: I wil render to euerie one according to his worke.

† I passed by the filde of a slothful man, and by the vineyard of [ 30] * 1.448 a foolish man: † and behold nettels had filled it wholy, and [ 31] thornes had couered the face therof, and the wal of stones was destroyed.

[ 32] † Which when I had seene, I layd it in my hart, and by the ex∣ample I lerned discipline.

† A litle I say, thou shalt sleepe, a litle thou shalt slumber, a [ 33] litle shalt thou ioyne thy handes together, to rest: † and as a [ 34] poste, pouertie shal come to thee, & beggerie as a man armed.

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXIIII.

16. Seuen times shal the iust sal.] A iust man, that is to say, Gods true seruant,* 1.449 free from mortal sinne, is subiect during this life, to manie tentations, imper∣fections, and may often fal into venial sinnes, and not lose iustice, nor the true title of a iust man (as here he is called) nor become the diuels seruant, nor Gods enemie: but through Gods grace helping his weaknes, he riseth aga••ne from smal sinnes, stil perseuering in Gods fauoure: wheras contrariwise the impious falleth into euil, towitte, into more and more sinne, through malice,

and lacke of grace, & riseth not so easily. And therfore the wisman here admo∣nisheth, not to lie in waite, nor calumniously to seke impietie in the house, (that is, in the soule) of the iust. For though he committe some faultes, yet he* 1.450 riseth againe, and is not impious, vniust, nor guiltie of mortal crime, as the wicked man is.

CHAP. XXV.* 1.451

[ 1] THese also are the parables of Salomon, which the men of Ezechias king of Iuda wrote out.

[ 2] † It is the glorie of God to conceale the word, and the glorie of kinges to search the speach.

[ 3] † The heauen aboue, and the earth beneth, and the hart of kinges is vnscrutable.

† Take away the rust from siluer, and there shal comeforth a [ 4] most pure vessel: † Take away impietie from the kings coun∣tenance, [ 5] and his throne shal be established with iustice.

[ 6] † Appeare not glorious before the king, and in the place of great men stand not.

[ 7] † For it is better that it be said to thee: Come vp hither; then that thou be humbled before the prince.

[ 8] † The thinges which thy eies haue sene, vtter not quickly in a * 1.452 brawle: lest afterward thou canst not amend it, when thou hast dishonoured thy frend.

† Treate thy cause with thy frend, and reueale not a secret to [ 9] * 1.453 a stranger: † lest perhaps he insult against thee, when he [ 10] heareth, and cease not to vpbraide thee.

Grace and frendshipe deliuer * 1.454: which kepe to thyself, lest thou become reprochful.

[ 11] † Apples of gold in siluer beddes, he that speaketh a word in his time.

[ 12] † A golden earlet, and a shining precious stone, he that rebu∣keth a wiseman, and an obedient eare.

[ 13] † As the cold of snow in the day of haruest, so a faithful legate to him, that sent him, maketh his soule to rest.

[ 14] † Cloudes, and winde, and no rayne folowing, a glorious man, and not accomplishing his promises.

[ 15] † By patience the prince shal be pacified, and a soft tongue shal breake hardnes.

[ 16] † Thou hast found honie, eate that which sufficeth thee, lest * 1.455 perhaps being filled thou vomite it vp.

[ 17] † Withdraw thy foote from the house of thy neighbour, lest * 1.456 some time hauing his fil he hate thee.

[ 18]

† A dart, and sword, and a sharpe arrow, a man that speaketh * 1.457 false testimonie against his neighbour.

† A rotten tooth, and wearie foote, he that hopeth vpon the [ 19] * 1.458 vnfaithful in the day of distresse, † and that loseth his cloke [ 20] in the day of cold.

Vineger in * 1.459 nither, he that singeth songes to a naughtie hart.* 1.460 As a moth the garment, and a worme the woode: so the sadnes of a man hurteth the hart.

† If thine enemie shal hunger, geue him meate: if he thirst, [ 21] * 1.461 geue him water to drinke: † for thou shalt heape hote coales [ 22] * 1.462 vpon his head, and our Lord wil reward thee.

[ 23] † The northwinde dissipateth raynes, & a sad looke the tongue * 1.463 that detracteth.

[ 24] † It is better to sitte in a corner of the house toppe, then with * 1.464 a brawling woman, and in a common house.

[ 25] † Cold water to a thirstie soule, and good tydings from a far * 1.465 countrie.

[ 26] † A fountaine trubled with the foote, and a vaine corrupted, * 1.466 the iust falling before the impious.

[ 27] † As he that eateth much honie, it is not good for him: so * 1.467 he that is a searcher of the maiestie, shal be oppressed of the glorie.

[ 28] † As a citie being open and without compasse of walles, so a * 1.468 man that can not represse his spirit in speaking.

CHAP. XXVI.

[ 1] AS snow in the summer, and rayne in the haruest: so is * 1.469 glorie vndecent for a foole.

[ 2] † As a birde flying to other places, & a sparow going whither * 1.470 he list: so a curse vttered in vaine shal light vpon some man.

[ 3] † A whippe for a horse, and a snaffle for an asse, and a rod on * 1.471 the back of the vnwise.

[ 4] † Answer not a foole according to his follie, lest thou be * 1.472 made like to him.

[ 5] † Answer a foole according to his follie, lest he seme to himself to be wise.

[ 6] † Lame of feete, and drinking iniquitie, he that sendeth * 1.473 wordes by a foolish messenger.

[ 7] † As a lame man hath fayre legges in vaine: so a parable is vn∣decent * 1.474 in the mouth of fooles.

[ 8] † As he that casteth a stone into the heape of Mercurie: so he * 1.475 that geueth honour to the vnwise.

[ 9]

† As if a thorne should grow in the hand of the drunkard: so a parable in the mouth of fooles.

[ 10] † Iudgement determineth causes: and he that putteth a foole to silence, apeaseth angers.

[ 11] † As a dog that returneth to his vomite, so the vnwise that rei∣terateth * 1.476 his follie.

[ 12] † Hast thou sene a man seeme to himselfe wise? the foole shal haue hope rather then he.

† The slothful sayth: A lyon is in the way, and a lyonesse in the [ 13] iourneis: † as a doore turneth on his hinge so the slothful in [ 14] his bed.

[ 15] † The slothful hideth his hand vnder the armehole, and is greeued if he turneth it to his mouth.

[ 16] † The slothful seemeth wiser to himselfe, then seuen men speaking sentences.

[ 17] † As he that taketh a dog by the eares, so he that passeth by * 1.477 impatient, and medleth with an other mans brawle.

† As he is hurtful that shooteth arrowes, and speares vnto [ 18] death: † so a man, that hurteth his frende fraudulently: and [ 19] when he is taken with al sayth: I did it in iest.

[ 20] † When wood fayleth, the fire shal be extinguished: and the whisperer taken away, brawles cease.

[ 21] † As coles to burning coles, and wood to fire, so an angrie man rayseth brawles.

[ 22] † The wordes of the whisperer as it were simple, and the same * 1.478 come to the inmost partes of the bellie.

[ 23] † As if thou wouldest adorne an earthen vessel with drossie siluer, so swelling lippes ioyned with a most wicked hart.

[ 24] † An enemie is perceiued by his lippes, when he shal handle deceites in his hart.

[ 25] † When he shal submit his voyce, beleue him not: because there are seuen mischiefes in his hart.

[ 26] † He that couereth hatred fraudulently, his malice shal be re∣uealed in the councel.

[ 27] † He that diggeth a pit, shal fal into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shal returne to him.

[ 28] † A deceitful tongue loueth not truth, and a slipper mouth worketh ruines.

CHAP. XXVII.

[ 1] BOast not for to morow, being ignorant what the day to * 1.479 come may bring forth.

[ 2]

† Let an other prayse thee, and not thine owne mouth: a * 1.480 stranger and not thine owne lippes.

[ 3] † A stone is heauie, and sand weightie: but the anger of a foole * 1.481 is heauier then both.

[ 4] † Anger hath no mercie, nor furie breaking forth: and the * 1.482 violence of a moued spirit who can susteyne?

[ 5] † Better is manifest correption, then loue hidden. * 1.483

[ 6] † Better are the woundes of him that loueth, then the frau∣dulent kisses of him that hateth.

[ 7] † A soule that is ful shal treade vpon the honiecombe: and a soule that is hungrie shal take bitter also for sweete.

[ 8] † As a bird fleeting from her nest, so a man that forsaketh his place.

[ 9] † The hart is delighted with oyntement and diuers odours: * 1.484 and with the good counsels of a frend the soule is sweetned.

[ 10] † Thy frend, and thy fathers frend do not leaue: and goe not * 1.485 into thy brothers house in the day of thyne affliction.

Better is a neighbour neere thene a brother far of.

[ 11] Studie wisedom my sonne, & make my hart ioyful, that thou maist make answer to the vpbrayder.

[ 12] † The subtel man seeing euil, hideth himself: litle ones pas∣sing through haue susteyned euil detriments.

[ 13] † Take his garment, that hath bene suretie for a stranger: and for alienes take from him a pledge.

[ 14] † He that blesseth his neighbour with a loud voice, rising in the night, he shal be like him that curseth.

† Dropping through in the day of cold, and a brawling [ 15] woman are compared together: † He that reteyneth her, as [ 16] he that should hold the winde, and shal cal in the oyle of his right hand.

[ 17] † Iron is sharpened with iron, and a man sharpeneth the face of his frend.

[ 18] † He that kepeth the feegtree, shal eate the frute therof: and he that is the keper of his master, shal be glorified.

[ 19] † As in waters the countenance of them that looke therin shyneth, so the hartes of men ate manifest to the prudent.

[ 20] † Hel and perdition are neuer filled: in like maner also the eies of men are vnsatiable.

[ 21] † As siluer is tried in the forge, and gold in the fornace: so a man is proued by the mouth of him that praiseth.

The hart of the wicked seeketh after euils, but the righteous* 1.486 hart seeketh after knowlege.

[ 22] † If thou shalt bray a foole in a morter, as when a pestle striketh * 1.487 vpon prisane, his follie shal not be taken from him.

† Know diligently the countenance of thy cattel, and con∣sider [ 23] thy flockes: † For thou shalt not haue power always: [ 24] but a crowne shal be geuen into generation and generation.

[ 25] † The medowes are open, and the grene herbes haue appea∣red, and the grasse is gathered out of the mountaines.

† Lambes for thy garment: and kiddes the price of the filde. [ 26]

[ 27] † Let the milke of the goates suffice thee for thy meates, and for the necessities of thy house: and for victual to thy hand∣maides.

CHAP. XXVIII.

[ 1] THE impious fleeth, no man pursewing: but the iust * 1.488 confident as a lyon, shal be without terrour.

[ 2] † For the sinnes of the land the princes therof shal be manie: & for the wisedom of a man, & the knowlege of those thinges that are said, the life of the prince shal be longer.

[ 3] † A poore man calumniating the poore, is like a vehement showre, wherby famine is gotten.

[ 4] † They that forsake the lawe, praise the impious: they that * 1.489 kepe it, are set on fire against him.

[ 5] † Euil men thinke not on iudgement: but they that seeke after * 1.490 our Lord, marke al thinges.

[ 6] † Better is a poore man walking in his simplicitie, then the rich in crooked wayes.

[ 7] † He that kepeth the law is a wise sonne, but he that feedeth gluttons, shameth his father.

[ 8] † He that heapeth together riches by vsuries and ocker, gathe∣reth * 1.491 them for him that is liberal to the poore.

[ 9] † He that turneth away his eares from hearing the law, his * 1.492 prayer shal be execrable.

[ 10] † He that deceiueth the iust in a wicked way, shal fal into his * 1.493 destruction: and the simple shal possesse his goodes.

[ 11] † The rich man seemeth to him self wise: but the poore man * 1.494 being prudent shal searche him.

[ 12] † In the exultation of the iust there is much glorie: when the * 1.495 impious reigne ruines of men.

[ 13]

† He that hideth his wicked deedes, shal not be directed: but * 1.496 he that shal confesse, and shal forsake them, shal obtayne mercie.

[ 14] † Blessed is the man, that is alwayes fearful: but he that is of * 1.497 an obstinate mynde, shal fal into euil.

[ 15] † A roaring lyon, and hungrie beare, an impious prince ouer * 1.498 the poore people.

[ 16] † A prince lacking prudence, shal oppresse many by calum∣nie: but he that hateth auarice, his dayes shal be made long.

[ 17] † A man that doth calumniat the bloud of a soule, if he shal flee into a lake, no man abideth.

[ 18] † He that walketh simply shal be saued: he that goeth per∣uerse * 1.499 wayes, shal fal once.

[ 19] † He that tilleth his ground, shal be filled with breads: but he * 1.500 that purseweth idlnesse, shal be replenished with pouertie.

[ 20] † A faithful man shal be much praysed: but he that hasteneth * 1.501 to be rich, shal not be innocent.

[ 21] † He that knoweth a person in iudgement, doth not wel: this * 1.502 man euen for a morsel of bread forsaketh the truth.

[ 22] † A man, that hasteneth to be rich, and enuyeth others, is * 1.503 ignorant that pouertie shal come vpon him.

[ 23] † He that rebuketh a man, shal afterward find fauour with * 1.504 him more then he, that by flatteries of tongue deceiueth.

[ 24] † He that pilfereth any thing from his father, and from his * 1.505 mother: & saith this is no sinne, is the partaker of a mankiller.

[ 25] † He that exalteth, and dilateth himselfe, rayseth brawles: but he that trusteth in our Lord, shal be healed.

[ 26] † He that hath confidence in his owne hart, is a foole: but who so walketh wisely shal be saued.

[ 27] † He that geueth to the poore, shal not lacke: he that despiseth him that asketh, shal susteyne penurie.

[ 28] † When the impious shal rise, men shal be hid: when they shal * 1.506 perish, the iust shal be multiplied.

CHAP. XXIX.

[ 1] THE man, that with stiffe necke contemneth him that re∣buketh, * 1.507 soden destruction shal come vpon him: and health shal not folow him.

[ 2] † In the multiplication of iust men, the common people shal * 1.508 reioyce: when the impious shal take princedom, the people shal mourne.

[ 3]

† A man that loueth wisedom, maketh his father glad: but he * 1.509 that maintaineth harlots, shal destroy his substance.

[ 4] † A iust king setteth vp the land, a couetous man shal * 1.510 destroy it.

[ 5] † A man, that with fayre, and fayned wordes speaketh to his frend, spreadeth a nette to his steppes.

[ 6] † A snare shal intangle the wicked man sinning: and the * 1.511 iust shal praise and reioyce.

[ 7] † The iust knoweth the cause of the poore: the impious is * 1.512 ignorant of knowlege.

[ 8] † Pestilent men dissipate a citie: but the wise turne away furie. * 1.513

[ 9] † A wise man, if he contend with a foole, whether he be angrie, or whether he laugh, shal not finde rest.

† Men of bloud hate the simple: but iust men seeke his soule. [ 10]

[ 11] † A foole vttereth al his spirit: a wiseman differreth, and reser∣ueth til afterward.

[ 12] † A prince that gladly heareth wordes of lying, hath al his ser∣uants impious.

[ 13] † The pooreman and the creditour haue mette one an other: our Lord is illuminatour of both.

[ 14] † The king, that iudgeth the poore in truth, his throne shal be replenished for euer.

[ 15] † Rod and rebuke geueth wisedom: but the childe, that is * 1.514 left to his owne wil, confoundeth his mother.

[ 16] † In the multiplication of the impious, wickednes shal be multiplied, and the iust shal see the ruines of them.

[ 17] † Nurter thy sonne, and he shal refresh thee, and shal geue delightes to thy soule.

[ 18] † When prophecie shal fayle, the people shal be dissipated: but he that keepeth the Law, is blessed.

[ 19] † A seruant can not be taught by wordes: because he vnder∣standeth * 1.515 that which thou sayst, and contemneth to answer.

[ 20] † Hast thou seene a man swifte to speake? follie is rather to be hoped, then his amendement.

[ 21] † He that nourisheth his seruant delicatly from his child∣hood, afterward shal feele him stubburne.

[ 22] † An angrie man prouoketh brawles: and he that is easie to indign〈…〉〈…〉, shal he more prone to sinne.

[ 23] † Humiliation foloweth the proude: and glorie shal receiue * 1.516 the humble of spirite.

[ 24] † He that is partaker with a theefe, hateth his owne soule: he * 1.517 heareth one adiuring, and telleth not.

[ 25]

† He that feareth man, shal soone fal: he that trusteth in our * 1.518 Lord shal be lifted vp.

[ 26] † Manie seeke after the face of the prince: & the iudgement of euerie one commeth forth from our Lord.

[ 27] † The iust abhorre an impious man: & the impious abhorre them that are in the right way.

The sonne that keepeth the word, shal be out of perdition.

CHAP. XXX. Aright wiseman thinketh humbly of himself. 4. knowing that Gods workes* 1.519 are inscrutable, and perfect: 8. desireth truth in al thinges, & mediocritie in riches. 11. Abhorreth certaine sortes of men, 1. 5. & certaine execrable thinges 18. noteth certaine thinges hard to be knowen: 21. other thinges intolerable: 24. others admirable. 32. the tongue dangerous.

THE wordes of the Gatherer the sonne of Vomiter. The [ 1] vision, that the man spake, with whom God is, and who being strengthened by God abiding with him, sayd: † I am [ 2] :: 1.520 most foolish of men, & the wisedom of men is not with me. † I haue not learned wisedom, and haue not knowen the sci∣ence [ 3] of saints. † :: 1.521 Who hath ascended into heauen and des∣cended? [ 4] who hath conteyned the spirit in his handes? who hath bound the waters together as in a garment? who hath raysed vp al the borders of the earth? what is his name, and what is the name of his sonne, if thou know? † Enerie word [ 5] of God tryed by fyre, is a buckler to them that hope in him: † Adde not any thing to his wordes, and so thou be repro∣ued [ 6] and found a lyer: † Two thinges I haue asked thee, denie [ 7] them not to me before I dye. † Vanitie, and lying wordes [ 8] make far from me. Beggerie, and riches geue me not: geue only things necessarie for my sustenance: † lest perhaps being [ 9] filled I be allured to denie, and may say: Who is the Lord? or being compelled by pouertie I may steale, and forsweare the name of my God. † :: 1.522 Accuse not a seruant to his master, lest [ 10] perhaps he curse thee, and thou fal.

† There is :: 1.523 a generation that curseth their father, and that [ 11] blesseth not their mother. † A generation, that semeth to it∣self [ 12] cleane, & yet is not washed from their filthines. † A ge∣neration, [ 13] whose eies are loftie, and the eielids therof set vp on high. † A generation, that for teeth hath swordes, and [ 14] chaweth with theyr grinding teeth, that they may eate the needie out of the earth, and the poore from among men.

† The horseleach hath :: two daughters that say: Bring, [ 15] bring. Three things are vnsatiable, the fourth neuer sayth it sufficeth. † :: 1.524 Hel, and the mouth of the matrice, & the earth [ 16] which is not satisfied with water: but :: 1.525 the fyre neuer sayth it sufficeth. † :: 1.526 The eie, that scorneth his father, & that despi∣seth [ 17] the trauail of his mother, in bearing him, let the rauens of the torrents pick it out, and the young of the eagle eate it.

† Three thinges are hard to me, and of the fourth I am [ 18] vtterly ignorant. † The way of an eagle in the ayre, the way [ 19] of a serpent vpon a rocke, the way of a shippe in the middes of 〈…〉〈…〉 and :: 1.527 the way of a man in youth. † Such is also the [ 20] way of an adulterous woman, which eateth, and wyping her mouth sayth: I haue done no euil.

† By three thinges the earth is moued, and the fourth it can [ 21] not susteyne. † By a seruant when he shal reigne: by a foole [ 22] when he shal be filled with meate: † by an odious woman [ 23] when she shal be taken in matrimonie: & by “ a bondwoman when she shal be heyre to her mistresse.

† There are :: 1.528 foure the least thinges of the earth, and they are [ 24] wiser then the wise. † The antes, a weake people, which pre∣pareth [ 25] in the haruest meate for themselues: † The leueret, [ 26] a people not strong, which placeth his bed in the rocke: † The locust hath no king, and they go our al by their troopes: [ 27] † The stellion stayeth on his handes, &〈…〉〈…〉 in kings houses. [ 28] † :: 1.529 There are three thinges which 〈…〉〈…〉l, and the fourth that [ 29] goeth happely. † The lyon, the strongest of beastes shal feare [ 30] at the meeting of none: † the cocke gyrded about the loines, [ 31] and the ramme: also the king, against whom none can resist.

† There is that :: 1.530 hath appeared a foole after that he was listed [ 32] vp on high: for if he had vnderstood, he would haue layd his hand vpon his mouth. † And he that :: strongly presseth the [ 33] pappes to wring out milke, strayneth out butter, and he that violently cleanceth his nose, wringeth out bloud: & he that prouoketh angers, bringeth forth discordes.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XXX.

1. The vvordes of the Gatherer.] Some Interpreters take these foure Hebrew* 1.531 wordes, Agur, Iache, Ithiel, and Vcal, conteined in this first verse, to be proper names of men, supposing that a certaine wiseman named Agur, the sonne of Iache, spake the sentences folowing in this chapter, to his sonnes or scholars, called Ithiel & Vcal. And so this supposed Agur, not Salomon, should be the auctor of this chapter. But the old Interpreter, whom S. Ierom appro∣ueth and foloweth, translated the same wordes as noones appellatiues. Neither* 1.532

doth anie ancient Father account this Agur, amongst the writers of holie Scriptures. And if there were a peculiar auctor of this chapter, it is like the same should haue bene placed last, and not before that which now foloweth, and is by al men confessed to be Salomons. And therfore we thinke it more probable, with S. Beda, and the common opinion, that there vvas no other auctor of anie part of this booke, besides King Salomon VVho is here called CONGREGANS, the Gatherer, because he gathered these excellent Parables,* 1.533 and Prouerbes; as the sonne of the Holie Ghost, signified by the word IACHE, povvring forth diuine sentences, for instruction of ITHIEL & VCAL, that is, of al those vvith vvhom God is by his grace; and vvho are streingthened by God abiding vvith them.

23. A bond vvoman vvhen she shal be heyre.] Of al thinges in this world, it semeth* 1.534 most absurde, that heresie doth dominiere ouer Catholique religion: vvhich God some times, and in some places suffereth, for the greater merite of his elect.

CHAP. XXXI. An exhortation to chastitie, temperance, 8. and to workes of mercie. 10. with praise of a valiant wise woman.

THE :: 1.535 wordes of Lamuel the king. The vision wherwith [ 1] his mother instructed him. † What ô my beloued, what ô [ 2] the beloued of my wombe, what ô beloued of my vowes? † Geue not thy substance to wemen, & thy riches to destroy [ 3] kinges. † Geue not to kinges, ô Lamuel, geue not wine to [ 4] kinges: because there is no secrete where drunknes reigneth, † & lest perhaps they drinke, & forget iudgements, & change [ 5] the cause of the children of the poore. † Geue strong drinke to [ 6] them that be sad, and wine vnto them, that are of a pensiue minde: † let them drinke, and forget their pouertie, and not [ 7] remember their sorow any more. † Open thy mouth to :: 1.536 the [ 8] dumme, & to the causes of al the children that passe: † open thy mouth, :: 1.537 decree that which is iust, & iudge the needie & poore. † A valiant woman :: 1.538 who shal finde? far, and from the [ 10] vtmost borders is the price of her. † The hart of her husband [ 11] trusteth in her, and he shal not neede spoyles. † She shal [ 12] render good, and not euil, al the dayes of her life. † She hath [ 13] sought wool and flaxe, and hath wrought by the counsel of her handes. † She is become as a marchants shippe, bringing [ 14] her bread from farre. † And she hath risen in the night, and [ 15] geuen pray to her houshold, and meates to her handmaides. † She hath vewed a filde, and bought it, of the fruite of her [ 16] handes she hath planted a vineyard. † She hath gyrded her [ 17] loines with strength, and hath strengthened her arme. † She [ 18] hath tasted, and sene that her traficke is good: her lampe shal not be extinguished in the night. † She hath put her hand to [ 19]

strong thinges, and her fingers haue taken hold of :: 1.539 the spindle. † She hath opened her hand to the neddie, and [ 20] stretched out her palmes to the poore. † She shal not feare [ 21] for her house in the coldes of snow: for al her houshould are clothed with duble. † Tapestrie clothing she hath made [ 22] to herself: silke, and purple is her garment. † Her husband [ 23] is noble in the gates, when he shal sitte with the senatours of the land. † She :: 1.540 made sindon, and sold it, and deliuered a [ 24] girdle to the Chananeite. † Strength and beautie is her [ 25] garment, and she shal laugh in the later day. † She hath [ 26] opened her mouth to wisedom, and the law of clemencie is in her tongue. † She hath considered the pathes of her house, [ 27] and hath not eaten her bread idle. † Her children arose, and [ 28] commended her to be most blessed: her husband, and he praysed her. † Manie daughters haue gathered together [ 29] riches: thou hast passed them al. † :: 1.541 Grace is deceitful, and [ 30] beautie is vayne: the woman that feareth our Lord shal be praysed. † Geue ye to her :: 1.542 of the fruite of her handes: and [ 31] let her workes praise her :: 1.543 in the gates.

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXXI.

10. A valiant vvoman vvho shal finde?] Vpon occasion of his mothers most* 1.544 prudent admonition, the wiseman singularly praiseth a perfect vertuous woman. And that in an exquisite kind of stile: in Tetramical lambike verse, with perfect order and number of the Alphabet letters Signifying, as S Ierom* 1.545 teacheth, that as none can reade, or speale wordes, vnles they first lerne to know the letters: so we can not attaine to know the greater Mysteries in holie Scriptures, except we beginne with moral good life, according to that the Prophet sayth: By thy commandments I haue vnderstood. And therfore* 1.546 wi••e Salomon, by instinct of the Holie Ghost, as wel by the maner of stile, as* 1.547 by the doctrine conteined, concludeth his Booke of Parables, with praise both of the Church in general, which hath al the vertues, and good properties here mentioned; and of euerie faithful soule, sincerely seruing God, which either in dede, or in desire of mind, hath such part of them, as may suffice to the attaining of eternal life. For concerning the whole Church, S Augustin in two Sermons (217. and 218 de temp.) S. Beda vpon this place, and other Fathers shew it euidently. Touching also particular soules, not only of holie men, but also of vvemen, the frailer sexe, holie Scriptures, and Ecclesiastical monuments yelde manie examples, besides the most Excellent and immacu∣late* 1.548 virgin Mother of God; as of Sara, Rebecca, Lia, Rachael, Elizabeth, Marie Magdalen, Martha, and innumerable others, most precious pearles, deare spouses of Christ, and singular ornaments of his Church.

THE ARGVMENT OF ECCLESIASTES.

KIng Salomon a diuine Preacher, wherof this Booke is called* 1.549 Ecclesiastes, exhorteth al such as haue lerned the principles of good life, to contemne this world: because al thinges therin are vaine, and insufficient to geue repose to mans soule: shewing that true felicitie, which al men desire, consisteth not in natural knowlege, gotten by witte and industrie; nor in worldlie pleasures, much lesse in carnal; nor in riches; nor in auctoritie or dominion; nor in anie other temporal thing; as diuers diuersly thinke: but only in the true seruice of God, by flying from sinne, and doing good workes, as in the meritoricus cause, and essentially in the clere vision of God: the proper end, for which man was created. And so this Booke conteyneth three principal parts. First this diuine preacher confuteth al their opinions, that imagine a false felicitie in humane,* 1.550 worldlie, or temporal thinges: to the beginning of the 7. chapter. In the rest of that chapter, and three folowing, he teacheth that true felicitie consisteth in the eternal fruition of God: and is procured by declining from vices, and embracing vertues. In the two last chapters, he exhorteth al to beginne spedily to serue God, and to perseuere therin to the end of this life.

ECCLESIASTES, IN HEBREW CALLED COHELETH.

CHAP. I. Al temporal thinges (in comparison of true felicitie) are vaine, 4. because* 1.551 they are mutable, 8. neither can anie man attaine perfect knowlege, to his satisfaction: 12. as appeareth by Salomons owne experience.

THE wordes of Ecclesiastes, the sonne of Dauid, [ 1] king of Ierusalem. † Vanitie of vanities, sayd [ 2] Ecclesiastes: vanitie of vanities, & al thinges vani∣tie. † What hath a man more of al his labour, [ 3] wherby he laboreth vnder the sunne? † Generation passeth, [ 4] and generation cometh: but :: 1.552 the earth standeth for euer.

† The sunne riseth, and goeth downe, and returneth to his [ 5] place: and there rising againe, † compasseth by the South, [ 6] and bendeth to the North: compassing al thinges, goeth forward in circuite, & returneth vnto his circles. † Al riuers [ 7] enter into the sea, and the sea ouerfloweth not: to the place, whence the riuers issueforth, they do returne, that they may flow againe. † Al thinges are hard: man can not explicate [ 8] them in word. The eye is not filled with seing, neither is the eare filled with hearing. † What is that hath bene? the same [ 9] thing that shal be. What is that hath bene done? the same that is to be done. † :: 1.553 Nothing vnder the sunne is new, [ 10] neither is anie man able to say: Behold this is new: for it hath already gone before in the ages, that were before vs. † There [ 11] is no memorie of former thinges: but neither of those thinges verily, which hereafter are to come, shal there be remen∣brance with them, that shal be in the later end. † I Eccle∣siastes [ 12] haue bene king of Israel in Ierusalem, † and haue pro∣posed [ 13] in my mind, to seke and search wisely of al thinges, that are done vnder the sunne. This very euil occupation hath God geuen to the children of men, that they might be occupied in it. † I haue sene al thinges, that are done vnder the sunne, and [ 14] behold :: 1.554 al are vanitie, & affliction of spirit. † The peruerse [ 15] are hardly corrected, and the number of fooles is infinite. † I haue spoken in my hart, saying: Loe I haue bene made [ 16] great, and haue gone beyond al in wisdom, that were before me in Ierusalem: and my minde hath contemplated manie thinges wisely, and I haue lerned. † And I haue geuen my [ 17] hart to know prudence, and doctrine, and errors and follie: and I haue perceiued that in these also there was labour, and affliction of spirite, † for that “in much :: 1.555 wisdom there is [ 18] much indignation: and he that addeth knowlege, addeth also labour.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. I.

18. In much vvisdom is much indignation.] How much more anie man pro∣fiteth in wisdom, so much more he is angrie with himself, for the euils which* 1.556 he hath done: so much better he knovveth the strict iudgement of God, which he must passe: so much more he vnderstandeth the vvant of perfect vvisdom: so much more he seeth that labour is required to procede in vertue: and to con∣serue that smal portion vvhich he hath gotten. Neither is anie man ordinarily assured that he hath gotte anie part of true vvisdom; for he knovveth not, vvhether he be vvorthie of loue or hate. Eccle. 9.

CHAP. II. Humane deligthes are al vaine: 4. as gorgious buildinges, fruitful vinyards, plentie of fish, cattle, seruantes, siluer, gold, musike: 11. not satisfying mans desire. 18. Neither can anie man know, how his heyre wil behaue himself.

ISayde :: 1.557 therfore in my hart: I wil goe, & flow in delightes, [ 1] and enioy good thinges. :: 1.558 And I saw that this also was vani∣tie. † Laughter I haue reputed errour: and to ioy I haue [ 2] saide: Why art thou deceiued in vaine? † I haue thought in [ 3] my hart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, that I might transferre my minde to wisdom, and might auoid follie, til I might see what should be profitable for the children of men: what is nedeful to be done vnder the sunne, in the number of the dayes of their life. † I haue magnified my workes, I haue [ 4] built me houses, & planted vineyards, † I haue made gardens, [ 5] and orchards, and set them with trees of al kindes, † and [ 6] I haue made me ponds of waters, to watter the wood of springing trees, † I haue possessed menseruants and wemen∣seruants, [ 7] and haue had a great familie: heardes also, and great flockes of shepe, aboue al that were before me in Ierusalem: † I haue heaped together to myself siluer, and gold, and the [ 8] substance of kinges, and prouinces: I made me singingmen, & singingwemen, and the delightes of the children of men: cuppes, and goblets to serue to powre out wines: † and I [ 9] surpassed in riches al, that were before me in Ierusalem: wisdom also hath perseuered with me. † And al thinges, that [ 10] myne eies desired, I haue not denied to them: neither haue I stayed my hart, but that it enioyed al pleasure, & delighted itself in these thinges, which I had prepared: and this I este∣med my portion, if I did vse my labour. † And when I had [ 11] turned myself to al the workes, which my handes had done, & to the laboures, wherin I had swette in vaine, I saw in al thin∣ges vanitie, and affliction of minde, & nothing to be perma∣nent vnder the sunne. † I passed further to contemplate [ 12] wisdom, and errors, and follie (what is man, quoth I, that he can folow the king his Maker?) † and I saw that wisdom so [ 13] much excelled follie, as light differeth from darknes. † The [ 14] :: 1.559 eyes of a wiseman are in his head: the foole walketh in darknes: and I haue lerned that there was one death of both. † And I sayd in my hart: If the fal of the foole & myne shal [ 15]

be one, :: 1.560 what doth it profite me, that I haue bestowed greater labour for wisdom? And speaking with my minde, I perceiued that this also was vanitie. † For there shal be no memorie of [ 16] the wise in like maner as of the foole for euer, and the times to come shal couer al thinges together with obliuion: the lerned dieth in like maner as the vnlerned. † And therfore I haue bene [ 17] wearie of my life, seing al thinges vnder the sunne to be euil, and al thinges vanitie and affliction of spirite. † Againe I [ 18] detested al myne industrie, wherwith I haue laboured vnder the sunne most studiously, being like to haue an heyre after me: † whom I know not, whether he wil be a wiseman or a foole, [ 19] and he shal rule in my labours, wherewith I haue swette and haue bene careful: and is there anie thing so vaine? † Wher∣fore [ 20] I ceased, and my hart hath renounced to labour anie more vnder the sunne. † For whereas one laboreth in wisdom, and [ 21] doctrine, and carefulnes, he leaueth the thinges gotten to an idle man: and this therfore is vanitie, and great euil. † For [ 22] what profite shal be to a man of al his labour, and affliction of spirite, wherwith he is vexed vnder the sunne? † Al his [ 23] daies are ful of sorowes and miseries, neither by night doth he rest in minde, and is not this vanitie? † Is it not better to eate [ 24] and drinke, and shew vnto his soule good thinges of his la∣boures? :: 1.561 & this is of the hand of God. † Who shal so deuour, [ 25] and flow with delightes as I? † To a man good in his sight, [ 26] God hath geuen wisdom, and knowlege, and ioy: but to the sinner he hath geuen affliction, and superfluous care, to adde, and to gather together, and deliuer it to him that hath pleased God: but this also is vanitie, & vaine carefulnes of the minde.

CHAP. III. Contrarie thinges succede in their seasons, and passe away, 9. wherof man getteth no perfect knowlege, how long soeuer he liueth, and laboreth to know them: 16. neither wil there be equitie where it ought to be in this world: 21. but in the next, good and euil shal be separated, and iudged according to their desertes.

AL thinges haue a time, and in their spaces al thinges passe [ 1] vnder :: 1.562 heauen. † A time to be borne, & a time to dye. [ 2] A time to plant, & a time to pluck vp that which was planted. † A time to kil, and a time to heale. A time to destroy, [ 3] and a time to builde.

[ 4]

† A time to wepe, & a time to laugh. A time to mourne, and a time to dance.

† A time to disperse stones, and a time to gather. [ 5]

A time to embrace, and a time to be farre from embracings.

† A time to gette, and a time to lose. [ 6]

A time to kepe, and a time to cast away.

† A time to rent, and a time to sow together. [ 7]

A time to kepe silence, & a time to speake.

† A time of loue, and a time of hatred. A time of warre, [ 8] and a time of peace. † :: 1.563 What hath man more of his labour? [ 9] † I haue sene the affliction, which God hath geuen to the [ 10] children of men, that they may be distracted in it. † He hath [ 11] made al thinges good in their time, and hath deliuered the world to their disputation, and that man can not finde the worke, which God hath wrought from the beginning vnto the end. † And I haue knowne that there was no better [ 12] thing then to reioyce, and to do wel in his life. † For euerie [ 13] man, that eateth and drinketh, and seeth good of his labour, this is the gift of God. † I haue lerned that al the workes, [ 14] which God hath made, perseuere for euer: we can not adde anie thing, nor take away from those thinges, which God hath made that he may be feared. † That which hath bene [ 15] made, the same is permanent: the thinges that shal be, haue already bene: and God restoreth that which is past. † I saw [ 16] vnder the sunne in the place of iudgement impietie, and in the place of iustice iniquitie. † And I sayde in my hart: the iust [ 17] and the impious God wil iudge, and then shal be the time of euerie thing. † I sayd in my hart of the children of men, that [ 18] God would proue them, and shew them to be like beastes. † Therfore there is one death of man, and beastes, and the [ 19] condition of both equal: as man dieth, so they also dye: al thinges breath alike, and man hath nothing more then beast: al thinges are subiect to vanitie, † and al thinges passe to one [ 20] place: of earth they were made, and into earth they returne together. † Who knoweth if the spirit of the children of [ 21] Adam ascend vpward, and if the spirite of beastes descend downward? † And I haue found that nothing is better then [ 22] for a man to reioyce in his worke, and that this is his portion. For who shal bring him, to know the thinges that shal be after him?

CHAP. IIII. In this would manie innocents are oppressed, 4. The potent sometimes enuied, contemned, 15. and forsaken by their subiectes, 17. especially when the superiors obey not God.

ITurned myself to other thinges, and I saw the oppressions, [ 1] that are done vnder the sunne, and the :: 1.564 teares of the innocents, and no comforter: & that they can not resist their violence, being destitute of al mens helpe. † And I praised [ 2] rather the dead, then the liuing: † and happier then both [ 3] haue I iudged him, that is not yet borne, nor hath sene the euils that are done vnder the sunne. † Againe I haue contemplated [ 4] al the labours of men, and their industries I haue perceiued to lie open to the enuie of their neighbour: and in this therfore there is vanitie, and superfluous care. † A foole foldeth his [ 5] handes together, and eateth his owne flesh, saying: † Better [ 6] * 1.565 is an handful with rest, then both handes ful with labour, and affliction of mind. † Considering I found also an other vanitie [ 7] vnder the sunne: † There is one, and he hath not a second, [ 8] not a sonne, not a brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he recount, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soule of good thinges? in this also is vanitie, and very il affliction. † “ It is better therfore that two be together, then [ 9] one: for they haue profite of their societie: † if one fal, he [ 10] shal be stayed vp of the other. Woe to him that is alone: because when he falleth, he hath none to lift him vp. † And [ 11] if two sleepe together, they shal warme eche other: one how shal he be warmed? † And if a man preuaile against one, two [ 12] resist him: a :: 1.566 triple coard is hardly broken. † Beter is a [ 13] child that is poore and wise, then a king old and foolish, that knoweth not to foresee for hereafter † Because out of the [ 14] prison, and cheynes sometime there cometh one forth to a kingdom: and an other borne in his kingdom, is consumed with pouertie. † I saw al men aliue, that walke vnder the [ 15] sunne, with the second yongman, which shal rise vp for him. † The number of the people, of al that haue bene before him [ 16] is infinite: and they that shal be afterward, shal not reioyce in him. But this also is vanitie, and affliction of spirite. † Take [ 17] heede to kepe thy foote, when thou entrest into the house of

God, and approch thou to heare. † For much better is obe∣dience, [ 18] then the victimes of fooles, who know not what euil* 1.567 they doe.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. IIII.

9. It is better that tvvo be together] Besides the commendation of charitie,* 1.568 and freindshipe amongst men: which is one proper sense of this place: S. Ierom expoundeth it also of the necessitie of Christs dwelling in mans soule, & of his continual assisting grace: that man alone lie not open to the deceiptes of the aduersarie. The benefite of feloshippe (sayth he) is streightwayes shewed in the profite of societie. For if the one fal (as * the iust falleth often) Christ* 1.569 raiseth vp his partner: for vvoe to him, vvho falling hath not Christ in him, to raise him vp. If one also slepe, that is, be dissolued by death, and haue Christ vvith him, being vvarmed, and quickned, he sooner reuiueth. And if the diuel be stronger in impugning against a man, the man shal stand, and Christ vvil stand (pro homine suo, pro sodali suo) for his man, for his companion. Not* 1.570 that Christs povvre alone is vveake against the diuel, but that free wil is leift to man, and we doing our endeuour he becometh stronger in feighting. And if the Father, the Sonne, and the Holie Ghost come vvithal, this sodalitie is not soone broken. Yet that vvhich is not soone broken, may sometimes be broken. For this triple coard, vvas in Iudas the Apostle, but because after the morsel* 1.571 the diuel entered into him, this coard was broken. Thus S. Irom teacheth, that neither can man without Christ resist tentations, nor rise from anie sinne in this life, or * 1.572 in the next; neither vvil Christ vvithout mans consent and endeuour, stay him from falling, nor raise him vp being fallen.

CHAP. V. An exhortation to speake discretly, and reuerently of God; 3. to performe vowes; 6. not to be trubled with imaginations, nor present oppressions of the poore. 9. Auarice is neuer satiate, 11. riches sometimes cause sicknes, ruine of the bodie, 18. and obliuion of God.

SPEAKE :: 1.573 not anie thing rashly, neither let thy hart be [ 1] swift to vtter a word before God. For God is in heauen, and thou vpon the earth: therfore let thy wordes be few. † Dreames do folow manie cares, and in manie wordes follie [ 2] wil be found. † :: 1.574 If thou hast vowed anie thing to God, [ 3] differre not to pay it: for an vnfaithful and foolish promise* 1.575 displeaseth him. But what soeuer thou hast vowed, pay it: † and it is much better not to vow, then after a vow not to [ 4] performe the thinges promised. † Geue not thy mouth to [ 5] make thy flesh to sinne: neither say thou before :: 1.576 the Angel: There is no prouidence: lest perhaps God being wrath against thy wordes, dissipate al the workes of thy handes. † Where [ 6] manie dreames are, there are manie vanities, and wordes innumerable: but do thou feare God. † If thou shalt see the [ 7]

oppressions of the poore, and violent iudgements, and iustice to be subuerted in the prouince, meruel not at this matter: because there is an other higher then the high, and ouer these also there are others more eminent: † and besides the king [ 8] of al the earth reigneth ouer his seruant. † A couetous man [ 9] shal not be filled with money: and he that loueth riches, shal take no fruite of them: and this therfore is vanitie. † Where [ 10] great riches are, there are also manie that eate them. And what doth it profite the owner, but that he seeth the riches with his eyes? † Sleepe is swete to him that worketh, [ 11] whether he eate much or litle: but the sarietie of the rich* 1.577 doth not suffer him to sleepe. † There is also an other very il [ 12] infirmitie, which I haue sene vnder the sunne: riches kept to the hurt of the owner. † For they perish in very euil [ 13] affliction: he :: 1.578 hath begotten a sonne, which shal be in great pouertie. † As he came forth naked from his mothers [ 14] wombe, so shal he returne, and shal take nothing away with him of his labour. † An infirmitie vtterly miserable: as he [ 15] came, so shal he returne. What doth it then profite him, that he hath labored into the winde? † Al the dayes of his life he [ 16] eateth in darknes, and in miserie, and in heauines. † This [ 17] therfore hath semed good to me, that a man eate, and drinke, and take ioy of his labour, wherwith he hath labored vnder the sunne, the number of the dayes of his life, which God hath geuen him, and this is his portion. † And to euerie man, [ 18] vnto whom God hath geuen riches, and substance, and hath geuen him powre to eate of them, and to enioy his portion, and to reioyce of his labour: this is the gift of God. † For he [ 19] shal not greatly remember the dayes of his life, because God doth occupie his hart with delightes.

CHAP. VI. Riches make not men happie, because manie dye shortly: 3. and manie rich men wil not vse their riches. 8. Likewise studie to know al secrete thinges is vanitie, not felicitie.

THERE is also an other euil, which I haue sene vnder the [ 1] sunne, and that frequent with men: † A man to whom [ 2] God hath geuen riches, and substance, and honour, and nothing is lacking to his soule of al thinges, which he desireth: neither doth God geue him powre to eate therof:

but a strange man shal eate it vp. This is :: 1.579 vanitie and great miserie. † If a man shal begette an hundred children, and [ 3] shal liue manie yeares, and haue manie dayes of age, and his soule vse not the goods of his substance, and he lacke burial: of this man I pronounce, shat the vntimely borne is better then he. † For he came in vaine, and passeth to darknes, and [ 4] his name shal be cleane forgotten. † He hath not sene the [ 5] sunne, nor knowen the distance of good and euil: † although [ 6] he liued two thousand yeares, and hath not enioyed good thinges: do not al thinges hasten to one place? † Al the [ 7] labour of man is in his mouth: but his soule shal not be filled. † What hath the wiseman more then the foole? and what [ 8] the poore man, but to passe thither, where life is? † Better it [ 9] is to see that, which thou maist couere, then to desire that, which thou canst not know. But this also is vanitie, and presumption of spirite. † :: 1.580 He that shal be, his name is al∣ready [ 10] called: and it is knowne, that he is a man, and can not contend in iudgement against a stronger then himself. † There [ 11] be manie wordes, that haue much vanitie in disputing.

CHAP. VII. It is in vaine to seke, and vnpossible to know al natural thinges. 2. It impor∣teth to leade this shorte life in mortification, 4. paenance, 8. and patience: 12. seeking wisdom, with competent temporal meanes; 15. prouiding for the next world; 24. not yelding to concupiscence.

[ 1] VVHAT nedeth a man to seke thinges greater then * 1.581 himself, wheras he is ignorant, what is profitable for him in his life, in the number of the dayes of his peregri∣nation, and the time that passeth as a shadow? Or who can tel him what shal be after him vnder the sunne?

† Better is a good name then precious ointments: and the day [ 2] * 1.582 of death, then the day of natiuitie. † It is better to goe to the [ 3] * 1.583 house of mourning, then to the house of banketing: for in that the end of al men is signified, and he that liueth thinketh what shal be. † :: Anger is better then laughter: because by [ 4] sadnes of the countenance, the mind of the offender is corrected. † The hart of wisemen where sadnes is, and the [ 5] hart of fooles where mirth. † It is better to be rebuked of a [ 6] wiseman, then to be deceiued with the flaterie of fooles. † Because as the sound of thornes burning vnder a potte, so [ 7]

the laughter of a foole: but this also is vanitie. † Oppression [ 8] trubleth the wise, and shal destroy the streingth of his hart. † Better is the end of a speach, then the beginning. :: 1.584 Better is [ 9] the patient man then the arrogant. † Be not quickly angrie, [ 10] because anger resteth in the bosom of a foole. † Say not: What [ 11] is the cause thinkest thou that the former times were better then they are now? for this maner of question is foolish. † Wisdom with :: 1.585 riches is more profitable, and doth more [ 12] profite them that see the sunne. † For as wisdom protecteth, [ 13] so money protecteth. But lerning and wisdom haue this much more, that they geue life to their owner. † Consider the [ 14] workes of God, that no man can correct whom he hath despi∣sed. † In the good day enioy good thinges, and beware [ 15] before of the euil day. For as this, so that also hath God made, that man finde not against him iust complants. † These thinges [ 16] also I saw in the dayes of my vanitie: The iust man perisheth in his iustice, and the impious liueth a long time in his malice. † Be not iust too much: neither be more wise, then is neces∣sarie, [ 17] lest thou be come more dul. † Doe not impiously much: [ 18] and be not foolish, lest thou dye not in thy time. † It is good [ 19] that thou hold vp the iust; yea and from him withdraw not thy hand: because he that feareth God, neglecteth nothing. † Wisdom hath streingthned the wise aboue tenne princes of [ 20] the citie. † For there is no iust man in the earth, that doth [ 21] * 1.586 good, and sinneth not. † But to al wordes also, that are [ 22] spoken, do not applie thy hart: lest perhaps thou heare thy seruant cursing thee. † For thy conscience knoweth, that [ 23] thou also hast cursed others. † I haue proued al thinges in [ 24] wisdom. I haue sayd: I wil become wise, & it departed farder from me † much more then it was: and a depe profunditie, [ 25] who shal finde it? † I haue vewed al thinges with my minde, [ 26] that I might know, and consider, and might seke wisdom, and reason: and that I might know the impietie of the foole, and the errour of the imprudent: † and I haue found that a [ 27] woman is more bitter then death, who is the snare of hunters, and her hart a nette, her handes are bandes. He that pleaseth God, wil auoide her: but he that is a sinner, wil be caught of her. † Loe this haue I found, sayd * 1.587 Ecclesiastes, [ 28] one thing and an other, that I might finde reason, † which yet [ 29] my soule seketh, and I haue not found it. :: 1.588 A man of a thousand I haue found one, :: 1.589 a woman of al I haue not

found. † Only this I haue found, that :: 1.590 God made man right, [ 30] and he hath intangled himself with infinite questions. Who is such a one as the wise? and who hath knowne the resolution of * 1.591 the word.

CHAP. VIII. A signe of true wisdom appereth in obseruing Gods commandments, 6. in this shorte time of meriting eternal reward. 9. Rule of others, 11. and want of feare hurt manie. 14. Why God suffereth the wicked to prosper, and the iust to be afflicted in this life, no mortal man can know.

THE wisdom of a man :: 1.592 shineth in his countenance, and [ 1] the most mightie wil change his face, † I obserue the [ 2] mouth of the king, and the precepts of the oath of God. † Hasten not to depart from his face, nor continew thou in [ 3] an euil worke: because al that he pleaseth, he wil doe, † and [ 4] his word is ful of powre: neither can anie man say to him. Why dost thou so? † He that kepeth the precept, shal finde [ 5] no euil. The hart of a wiseman vnderstandeth time and answer. † There is a time for al busines, and opportunitie, [ 6] and much affliction of man: † because he is ignorant of [ 7] thinges past, and thinges to come he can know by no messenger. † It is not in mans powre to prohibite the spirite, [ 8] neither hath he powre in the day of death, neither is he suffered to rest when warre is at hand, neither shal impietie saue the impious. † Al these thinges I haue considered, and [ 9] gaue my hart on al the workes, that are done vnder the sunne. Sometime man ruleth ouer man to his owne hurt. † I saw the [ 10] impious buried: who also when they yet liued, were in holie place, and were praised in the citie as men of iust workes. But this also is vanitie. † Because sentence is not speedely [ 11] pronounced against the euil, the children of men committe euils without anie feare. † But yet a sinner by this that he doth [ 12] euil an hundred times, & by patience is borne withal, I know that it shal be good to them that feare God, which dread his face. † Let there be no good to the impious, neither let his [ 13] dayes be prolonged, but as a shadow let them passe, that feare not the face of our Lord. † There is also an other [ 14] :: 1.593 vanitie, which is done vpon the earth. There are iust men, to whom euils happen, as though they had done the workes of the impious: and there are impious men, which are so

secure, as though they had the dedes of the iust. But this also I iudge most vaine. † I therfore haue praised mirth that there [ 15] was no good thing for a man vnder the sunne, but that he should eate, and drinke, and be glad: and this only he should take away with him of his labour in the dayes of his life, which God hath geuen him vnder the sunne. † And I haue set my [ 16] hart to know wisdom, and to vnderstand the * 1.594 distraction that is in the earth: There is a man that dayes and nightes taketh no slepe with his eyes. † And I vnderstood that man [ 17] can sinde no reason of al those workes of God, that are done vnder the sunne: and the more he shal labour to seke, so much the lesse he can finde: yea if the wisman shal say, that he knoweth, he is not able to finde it.

CHAP. IX. None knoweth (certainly and ordinarily) whether they be in Gods grace or no. 4. The euil are in worse case dead then aliue, 11. neither can we know the euent of temporal thinges, nor the terme of our life, nor how gratful others wil be towards vs. 16. Sure it is, that wisdom is better then streingth.

AL these thinges haue I discoursed in my hart, that I [ 1] might curiously vnderstand them: there are iust men and wise, and their workes are in the hand of God: and yet :: 1.595 man knoweth not, whether he be worthie of loue, or hatred: † but al thinges are reserued vncertaine for the time [ 2] to come, because al thinges do equally chance to the iust and impious, to the good and the euil, to the cleane and vncleane, to him that immoleth victimes, and him that contemneth sacrifices. As the good so also is the sinner: as the periured, so he also that sweareth truth. † This is a very euil thing among [ 3] al, which are done vnder the sunne, that the same thinges chance to al men. Wherby also the hartes of the children of men are filled with malice, and with contempt in their life, and after that they shal be brought downe to hel. † There is no man that may liue alwayes, and that can haue confi∣dente [ 4] of this thing: better is :: 1.596 a dog liuing then a lion dead. † For the liuing know that they shal dye, but the dead know [ 5] nothing more, neither haue they reward anie more: because the memorie of them is forgotten. † Loue also, and hatred, [ 6] and enuies haue perished together, neither haue they part in this world, and in the worke, that is done vnder the sunne.

† Goe therfore and eate thy bread in ioy, & drinke thy wine [ 7] with gladnes: because thy workes please God. † At al time [ 8] let thy garments be white, and let not oyle fal from of thy head. † Enioy life, with thy wife whom thou louest, al the [ 9] dayes of the life of thy instabilitie, which are geuen to thee vnder the sunne, al the time of thy vanitie: for this is the portion in life, and in thy labour, wherwith thou laborest vnder the sunne. † Whatsoeuer thy hand is able to doe, [ 10] worke it instantly: for neither worke, nor reason, nor wisdom nor knowlege shal be in hel, whither thou dost hasten. † I turned me to an other thing, and I saw vnder the sunne, that [ 11] neither running is of the swift, nor warre of the strong, nor bread of the wise, nor riches of the lerned, nor grace of the ar∣tificers: but time and chance in al. † Man knoweth not his [ 12] owne end: but as fishes are taken with the hooke, and as birdes are caught with the snare: so men are taken in the euil time, when it shal sudenly come vpon them. † This wisdom also [ 13] I haue sene vnder the sunne, and haue proued it to be very great: † A litle citie, and few men in it: there came against it [ 14] a great king, and compassed it, and builded fortes round a∣bout, and the siege was perfired. † And there was found in [ 15] it a man poore and wise, and he deliuered the citie by his wisdom, and no man afterward remembred that pooreman. † And I sayd, that wisdom is better then streingth: how then [ 16] was the wisdom of the pooreman contemned, & his wordes were not heard? † The wordes of the wise are heard in [ 17] silence, more then the crie of a prince among fooles. † Better [ 18] is wisdom, then weapons of warre: and he that shal offend in one point, shal lose manie good thinges.

CHAP. X. Considering the great difference betwen wisdom and follie, 4. it behoueth to resist vehement tentations diligently. 5. As when euil, & ignorant men haue auctoritie ouer the wise. 8. The wicked often fal into their owne snares, 10. are hard, yet not vnpossible to be corrected. 11. Detracters are like serpents. 12. wise graue princes are profitable; childish are hurt∣ful to the commonwealth; 18. which by their negligence tendeth to ruine: 20. yet subiectes ought not to iudge euil of them.

FLIES :: 1.597 dying marre the sweetnes of ointment. Wisdom [ 1] and glorie is more precious, then a litle and temporal follie. † The hart of a wiseman is in his righthand, and the [ 2]

hart of a foole is in his lefthand. † Yea and the foole walking [ 3] in the way, wheras himself is vnwise, estemeth al men fooles. † If the spirite of him that hath powre, ascend vpon thee, [ 4] leaue not thy place: because carefulnes wil make the greatest sinnes to cease. † There is an euil that I haue sene vnder the [ 5] sunne, as it were by errour proceding from the face of the prince: † a foole set in high dignitie, and the rich to sitte [ 6] beneth. † I haue sene :: 1.598 seruants vpon horses: and princes [ 7] walking on the ground as seruants. † He :: 1.599 that diggeth a [ 8] pitte, shal fal into it: and he that breaketh the hedge, a serpent shal bite him. † He that remoueth stones, shal be afflicted in [ 9] them: and he that cutteth trees, shal be wounded of them. † If the iron shal be blunt, and that not as before, but shal [ 10] be made blunt, it shal be sharpened by great labour, and after industrie shal wisdom solow. † If a serpent bite in silence, [ 11] nothing lesse then it hath he, that detracteth seo••etly. † The [ 12] wordes of the mouth of a wiseman grace: and the lippes of the vnwise shal throw him downe headlong. † The begin∣ning [ 13] of his wordes is follie, and the later end of his mouth is most wicked errour. † A foole multiplieth wordes. A man is [ 14] ignorant what hath bene before him: and what shal be after him, who can tel him? † The labour of fooles shal afflict [ 15] them, that know not to goe into :: 1.600 the cittie. † “ Woe to thee [ 16] ô land, whose king is a childe, and whose princes eate in the morning. † Blessed is the land, whose king is noble, & whose [ 17] princes eate in their time to refection, and not to riotousnes. † In slouthfulnes the roofe of the house shal goe to ruine, & [ 18] in the infirmitie of the handes the house shal droppe through. † They make bread for laughter, and wine that liuing they [ 19] may make merie: and to money al thinges obey. † In thy co∣gitation [ 20] detract not from the king, and in the secret of thy chamber curse not the richman: because euen the birdes of the ayre wil carie thy voice, and he that hath winges wil de∣clare the sentence.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. X.

16 VVoe to thee o land, vvhose king is a childe.] S. Ierom (as in most part of* 1.601 his commentaries vpon this booke) expoundeth this passage in two senses: simply according to the first apparance of the letter; and mystically concer∣ning the Church. The wiseman semeth in dede (sayth he) to reproue the principalitie of yongmen, and to condemne luxurious iudges; for that in the* 1.602 one by want of age is infirme wisdom; in the other, mature age is weakened by delicacies. And contrary wise he approueth a prince of good partes, & liberal

education; & commendeth those Iudges, which do not preferre voluptuousnes before publique affayres: but after great labour, and administration of the commonwealth, are constrained as by necessitie to take meate. Yet to me (saith this great Doctor) something more sacred semeth to lye hidde in the let∣ter: that in Scripture they are called yongmen, who forsake old auctoritie, and contemne ancient precepts of forefathers; who neglecting Gods command¦ment* 1.603 desire to establish traditions of men. Touching which points, our Lord threatneth Israel by Isaias, for that this people hath refused the water of Siloe,* 1.604 that runneth with silence, and hath turned away the old fishpond, choosing the streames of Samaria, and gulfes of Damascus, I wil geue yongmen to be their princes, and deluders shal rule ouer them. Read Daniel: Thou shalt finde God ancient of dayes. Read the Apocalips of S. Iosu; Thou shalt finde the head of* 1.605 our Sauiour white as snow, and as white wool. Ieremie also because he was wise and grauitie was reputed in his wisdom, was forbid to cal himself a childe.* 1.606 VVoe therfore to the land, whose king is the diuel, who alwayes couering nouelties, rebelled in Absalom against the father. VVoe to that land whose Iudges, and Princes loue the pleasures of this vvorld. VVho, vntil the day of death come, say: Let vs eate and drinke, for to morow we shal dye. Contra∣rivvise blessed is the land of the Church, vvhose King is Christ, the Sonne of the freeborne, descending from Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, the stock of Pro∣phetes, and of al Saintes, ouer vvhom sinne ruled not: and for that cause they* 1.607 vvere truly free: of vvhom vvas borne the holie Virgin Marie more free: hauing no shrubbe, nor branch out of the side, but her vvhole fruite sprung∣forth into a floure: saying in the Canticles: I am the floure of the filde, the lillie of the valles. The princes also of this land are the Apostles, and al* 1.608 sainctes, vvho haue their king the sonne of the freeborne, the sonne of the freevvoman, not of the bondvvoman Agar, but borne of the freedom of Sara. Neither do they eate in the morning, nor quickly. For they seke not pleasure in this present vvorld; but shal eate in their due time, vvhen the time of revvard shal come, and they shal eate in fortitude, and not in confusion. Al the good of this present vvorld is confusion: but of the future vvorld is perpetual fortitude. Thus farre S. Ierom. VVhose discourse vve haue here cited at large for a taste of his profound exposition of this vvhole booke; that such as haue apportunitie, may read the rest in the auctor himself. To. 7.

CHAP. XI.* 1.609 Workes of mercie are necessarie, whiles we haue time, 3. because after death none can merite: 4. neither must we differ to beginne, nor cease from good dedes, 8. but stil be mindful of death and iudgement: 10. auoiding wrath and malice.

CAST thy bread vpon the passing waters: a 1.610 because after [ 1] much time thou shalt finde it. † Geue a portion b 1.611 to se∣uen, [ 2] and also to eight: because thou knowest not what euil shal be vpon the earth: † If the cloudes be ful, they wil [ 3] powre out raine vpon the earth. If the tree shal fal to the South, or to the North, in what place soeuer it shal fal, c 1.612 there shal it be. † He that obserueth the winde, soweth not: and he [ 4]

that considereth the cloudes, shal neuer reape. † As thou art [ 5] ignorant which is the way of the spirite, & how the bones are framed together in the wombe of her that conceiueth childe: so thou knowest not the workes of God, who is the maker of al. † In d 1.613 the morning sow thy seede, and in the euening [ 6] let not thy hand cease: for thou knowest not which may ra∣ther spring, this or that: and if both together, it shal be the better, † The light is sweete: and it is delectable for the eyes [ 7] to see the sunne. † If a man shal liue manie yeares, and shal [ 8] haue reioyced in them al, he must remember the darkesome time, and manie dayes: which when they shal come, the thinges past shal be reproued of vanitie. † Reioyce therfore [ 9] yongman in thy youth, and let thy hart be in good, in the dayes of thy youth, and walke in the wayes of thy hart, and in the sight of thyne eyes: and know that for al these God wil bring thee into iudgement. † Take away anger from thy [ 10] hart, and remoue malice from thy flesh. For youth and plea∣sure are vaine.

CHAP. XII. In youth is fittest time, and most meritorious to serue God. In age the same is more and more necessarie, but harder then to beginne, and lesse gratful, 8. In this booke the preacher hath shewed, that al worldlie thinges are vanitie, 13. and that true felicitie is only procured by wisdom, which consteth in the feare of God; and obseruation of his commandments.

REMEMBER thy Creator in the dayes :: 1.614 of thy youth, [ 1] before the time of affliction come, & the yeares approch, of which thou maist say: They please me not, † before the [ 2] sunne, and light, and moone, and starres be darke, and the cloudes returne after the raine: † when the kepers of the [ 3] house shal be moued, and the strongest men shal stagger, and the grinders shal be idle in a smal number: and they shal waxe darke that looke through the holes: † and they shal shut the [ 4] doores in the streate, at the basenes of the grinders voice, and they shal rise vp at the voice of the birde, and al the daughters of song shal be deafe. † The high thinges also shal feare, and [ 5] they shal be afrayd in the way, the almondtree shal florish, the locust shal be fatted, and the capertree shal be destroyed: because man shal goe into the house of his eternitie, and the mourners shal goe round about in the streate. † Before the [ 6] siluer coard be broken, and the golden headband recurre,

and the water pot be broken vpon the fountaine, and the wheele be broken vpon the cesterne, † and the dust returne [ 7] into his earth, from whence it was, and the spirite returne to God, who gaue it. † Vanitie of vanities, sayd * 1.615 Ecclesiastes, [ 8] and al thinges vanitie. † And wheras Ecclesiastes was most [ 9] wise, he taught the people, and declared the thinges that he had done: and searching forth made manie parables. † He sought profitable wordes, and wrote wordes most [ 10] right, and ful of truth. † The wordes of wisemen are as [ 11] prickes, and as nailes deepely stricken in, which by the counself of maisters are geuen of one pastour. † More then [ 12] these my sonne require not. Of making manie bookes there is no end: and often meditation is affliction of the flesh. † :: 1.616 Let vs al heare together the end of speaking. Feare God, [ 13] and obserue his commandments: for this is euerie man: † and al thinges that are done, God wil bring into iudgement [ 14] for euerie * 1.617 errour, whether it be good, or euil.

THE ARGVMENT OF THE CANTICLE OF CANTICLES.

SALOMON, called also Ecclesiastes, and Idida, according to these* 1.618 * 1.619 three names (as S. Ierom noteth) writte three bookes of three particular arguments, directed to three degrees of people, with three distinct titles, al tending to one end, the true seruice of God, which bringeth to eternal felicitie. In the first he teacheth the principles of good life, to flee from vices, and folow vertues: belonging to such as beginne to obserue Gods law, wherin true wisdom consisteth: and this booke is called the Prouerbes, or Parables, that is to say, Pithie, brief, sentencious precepts; of Salomon, which signi∣fieth* 1.620 Pacificus, Peaceable, or Pacifier: the sonne of Dauid, King of Israel. In the second he exhorteth to contemne this world, shewing that true felicitie consisteth not in anie worldlie or temporal thinges, but in the eternal fruition of God, which is obtayned by keping his commandments. And this booke he intitleth: The wordes of Ecclesiastes, which is Concionator,* 1.621 Preacher, Sonne of Dauid, King of Ierusalem, because he there ex∣horteth such as haue made some progresse in vertues, called Proficientes, signified by the inhabitants of the Metropolitan citie Ierusalem; whereas in the former he stiled himself king of Israel, proposing precepts mete for al

the twelue tribes, and al vulgar men desirous and beginning to serue God. In both bookes, for more auctoritie sake, making mention of his godlie renow∣med father the Royal Prophet Dauid, with his owne title also of king. But in this third booke he only expresseth his proper name Salomon, whom God* 1.622 singularly loued, wherof he was called Idida. Because this alone, without mention of father or king, was most conuenient for the Perfect, who not as seruants, or yong scholars are moued by feare of auctoritie, but as children* 1.623 are swetly drawne by loue. And this he writte in verse, intitling it not simply a Canticle, but The Canticle of Canticles, as preeminent aboue other Canticles. The bridal songue for the Mariage, to be solemnized betwen God himself and his glorious spouse. For though al holie Scriptures are the spiritual bread, and food of the faithful, yet al are not meate for al, at al* 1.624 seasons. Some parts are not for sinners, nor for beginners, nor for such as are yet in the way towards perfection, but only for the perfect. According to* 1.625 the Apostles doctrine: Milke is for children, that are yet vnskilful of the word of iustice. But strong meate is for the perfect, them that by custom, haue their senses exercised to the discerning of good and euil. With what moderation therfore, and humilitie, this Canticle of Gods perfect spouse may be read, the discrete wil consider, and not presume aboue their reach, but be wise with sobrietie. For here be very high and hidden Mysteries, as Origen teacheth in his lerned Commentaries (which S. Ierom translated into Latin, and singularly commendeth) and so much harder to be rightly vnderstood, for that the feruent spiritual loue, of the inward man, reformed in soule, and perfected in spirite, is here vttered in the same vsual wordes and termes, wherwith, natural, worldlie, yea and carnal loue of the outward man, old Adam, corrupted by sinne, is commonly expressed: and are so much more dangerous to be mistaken, as we are more addicted to proper wil, & priuate iudgement, or subiect to carnal, or passio∣nate* 1.626 motions. Wherfore it semeth most mete to kepe the same order in reading these three bookes, which the auctor wise Salomon obserued in writing them. And which Philosophers also folow in their forme of discipline. For they first lerne and teach Moral Philosophie, then Natural; & lastly Metaphisikes which is their Diuinitie. As Salomon had geuen them example: first teaching precepts of good life, and maners, in his Prouerbes: after, discoursing of natural thinges in Ecclesiastes, deduced thence a conclusion, which prophane Philosophers wel vnderstood not, to contemne this world: and finally cometh to high mystical Diuinitie, in this supereminent Canticle: written in an other stile, in verse, and in forme of a sacred* 1.627 Dialogue betwen Christ and his spouse: or as Origen calleth it, in forme of an * 1.628 Enterlude, in respect of diuers speakers & actors, & of diuers persons, to whom the speaches are directed, and of whom they are vttered. For by

the Spous or Bridgrome, is not only vnderstood Christ as Man, but also as* 1.629 God, and the whole Blessed Trinitie; to whom manie prayers, praises, and thankes are offered vp; and by whom manie benefites are geuen, praises returned, & promises made to his spouse, Likewise by the Spouse or Bride,* 1.630 the ancient fathers vnderstand three sortes of spouses: al espoused to Christ, and to God. towitt, his General Spouse, the whole Church of the old and* 1.631 new Testaments; of al that are, and shal be perfect, making one mystical* 1.632 bodie, free from sinne, without spotte, or wrinkle, sanctified in Christ. Also* 1.633 his special spouse, which is euerie particular holie soule. And his singular spouse, his most blessed & most immaculate Ʋirgin Mother. This being the* 1.634 general summe of this excellent Canticle, remitting the reader, for explication therof to the lerned deuout Commenters, both of ancient and late writers, we shal also endeuour together the same contents more particularly, not before the chapters, because we can not there so conueniently distinguish the same* 1.635 by verses, but in the margent. Where we shal especially note the speakers, as semeth more probable of euerie parcel, according to the first sense (not hauing rowme for more) perteyning to the General spouse, the Catholique Church: which is the great, and euerlasting holie Citie of God the eternal King.

SALAMONS CANTICLE OF CANTICLES, [ 1] WHICH IN HEBREW IS CALLED SIR HASIRIM.

CHAP. I.

LET a 1.636 him kisse me with the kisse of his mouth: [ 2] because thy brestes are better then wine, † smel∣ling [ 3] fragrantly of the best ointments. Oile pow∣red out is thy name: therfore haue yongmaydes loued thee. † Draw me: we wil runne after thee in the odour [ 4] of thine ointments. The king hath brought me into his cellars: we wil reioyce & be glad in thee, mindful of thy brests aboue wine: the righteous loue thee. † b 1.637 I am blacke but beutiful, [ 5] ô ye daughters of Ierusalem, as the tabernacles of Cedar, as the skinnes of Salomon. † Doe not consider me that I am [ 6] browne, because the sunne hath altered my colour: the sonnes of my mother haue fought against me, they haue made me a

keeper in the vinyards: my vinyard I haue not kept. † Shew [ 7] me ô thou, whom my soule loueth, where thou feedest, where thou lyest in the midday, lest I beginne to wander after the flockes of thy companyons. † c 1.638 If thou know not thyselfe, [ 8] ô most fayrest among wemen, goeforth, and folow after the steppes of the flockes, and feede thy kiddes byside the taber∣nacles of the pastours. † To my companie of horsemen, in [ 9] the chariotes of Pharao, haue I likened thee, ô my loue. † Thy [ 10] cheekes are beautiful as the turteldoues, thy necke as iewels. † We wil make thee cheynes of gold, enamoled with siluer. [ 11] † d 1.639 Whiles the king was at his repose, my spikenard gaue the [ 12] odour thereof. † A bundle of myrrhe my beloued is to me, [ 13] he shal abide betwen my brestes. † A clustre of cypre my loue [ 14] is to me, in the vineyardes of Engaddi. † e 1.640 Behold thou art [ 15] fayre, ô my loue, behold thou art fayre, thyne eyes are as of [ 16] doues. † f 1.641 Behold thou art fayre my beloued, & comlie: g 1.642 our [ 17] litle bed is florishing. † The beames of our houses are of cedar, our rafters of cypresse trees.

CHAP. II.

I AM a 1.643 the flower of the filde, and the lilie of the valley, [ 1] † b 1.644 As the lilie among the thornes, so is my loue among [ 2] the daughters. † c 1.645 As the apletree among trees of the woddes, [ 3] so is my beloued among the sonnes. Vnder his shadow, whom I desired, I sate: and his fruite was sweete vnto my throte. † He brought me into the wineceller, he hath ordered in me [ 4] charitie. † Stay me vp with flowers, compasse me about [ 5] with apples: because I languish with loue. † His lefthand [ 6] vnder my head, and his righthand shal embrace me. † I ad∣iure you ô daughters of Ierusalem, by the roes, and the hartes of the fildes, d 1.646 that you rayse not, nor make the beloued to awake, vntil herselfe wil. † e 1.647 The voice of my beloued, be∣hold [ 8] he cometh leaping in the mountaines, leaping ouer the little hilles: † my beloued is like vnto a roe, and to a fawne [ 9] of hartes. Behold he standeth behind our walle, f 1.648 looking through the windowes, looking forth by the grates. † Be∣hold [ 10] my beloued speaketh to me: g 1.649 Arise, make hast my loue, my doue, beautiful one, and come. † For winter is now past, [ 11] the rayne is gone, and departed. † The flowers haue appea∣red [ 12] in our land, the time of pruning is come: the voice of the turtledoue is heard in our land: † the figgerree hath brought [ 13]

forth her greene figges: the florishing vineyards haue geuen their sauour. Arise my loue, my beautiful one, & come. † My [ 14] doue in the holes of the rocke, in the holow places of the wal, shew me thy face, let thy voice sound in mine eares: for thy voice is sweete, and thy face comely. † h 1.650 Catch vs the litle [ 15] foxes, that destroy the vineyards: for our vineyard hath flori∣shed. † i My beloued to me, and I to him, who feedeth among [ 16] the lilies, † til the day breake, and the shadowes decline. [ 17] Returne: be like, my beloued, to a roe, and to the fawne of hartes vpon the mountaynes of Bether.

CHAP. III.

IN a 1.651 my litle bed in the nightes I haue sought him, whom [ 1] my soule loueth, I haue sought him, and haue not found. † I wil rise, and wil goe about the citie: by the streates and [ 2] high waies, I wil seeke him whom my soule loueth: I haue sought him, and haue not found. † The watchmen which [ 3] kepe the citie found me; Haue you seene him, whom my soule loueth. † When I had a litle passed by them, I found him [ 4] whom my soule loueth: I held him: neither wil I let him goe, til I bring him into b 1.652 my mothers house, and into the chamber of her that bare me. † c 1.653 I adiure you ô daughters of Ierusa∣lem [ 5] by the roes, and the hartes of the fildes, that you rayse not vp, nor make the beloued to awake, til herselfe wil. † d 1.654 What [ 6] is she, that ascendeth by the desert, as a litle rod of smoke of e 1.655 the aromatical spices of myrtrhe, and frankincense, & of al powder of the apothecharie? † f 1.656 Behold threescore valiants [ 7] of the most valiant of Israel, compasse the litle bed of Salo∣mon: † al holding swordes, and most cunning to battels: eue∣ree [ 8] mans sword vpon his thigh for feares by night. † King [ 9] Salomon hath made him a portable throne of the wood of Libanus: † the pillers therof he hath made of siluer, the seare [ 10] of gold, the going vp g 1.657 of purple: the middes he hath paued with h 1.658 charitie for the daughters of Ierusalem. † i 1.659 Goe forth [ 11] ye daughters of Sion, and see king Salomon in k 1.660 the diademe, wherewith his mother hath crowned him in the day of his despousing, and in the day of the ioy of his heart.

CHAP. IIII.

HOW a 1.661 beautiful art thou my loue, how beautiful art [ 1] thou! thine b 1.662 eies as it were of doues, besides that, which lyeth hid within. Thy c 1.663 heares as the flockes of goates, which haue come vp from mount Galaad. † Thy d 1.664 teeth as [ 2] flockes of them that are shorne, which haue come vp from the lauatorie, al with e 1.665 twinnes, and there is no barren among them. † Thy f 1.666 lippes as a scarlet lace: and thy speach sweete. [ 3] As à peece of a pomegranate, so are also thy g 1.667 cheekes, besides that which lyeth hid within. † Thy h 1.668 necke is as the i 1.669 towre [ 4] of Dauid, which is built with bulworkes: a thousand targattes hang on it, al the armour of the valiants. † Thy k 1.670 two breastes [ 5] as two fawnes the twinnes of a roe, which feede among the lilies, † til the day aspire, and the shadowes decline. l 1.671 I wil [ 9] goe to the mount of myrrhe, and to the little hil of franken∣cense. † Thou art al fayre ô my loue, and there is m 1.672 not a [ 7] spotte in thee. † Come from Libanus my spouse, come from [ 8] Libanus, come: thou shalt be crowned from the head of Amena, from the toppe of Sanir & Hermon, from the dennes of lions, from the mountaynes of leopardes. † Thou hast [ 9] wounded my heart, my sister spouse, thou hast wounded my heart in one of thine eies, and in one heare of thy necke. † How beautiful are thy breastes my sister spouse! thy breastes [ 10] are more beautiful then wine, and the odour of thine ointmentes aboue al aromatical spices. † Thy lippes my [ 11] spouse are as an honie combe distilling, honie and mile kare vnder thy tongue: and the odour of thy garments as the odour of frankincense. † My sister spouse is a garden inclosed, [ 12] a garden inclosed, a fountaine sealed vp. † Thy ofsprings a [ 13] paradise of pomegranats with orchard fruites. Cypres with spiknard, † spiknard, and safren, sweete cane and cinnamon, [ 14] with al ••he trees of Libanus, myrrhe and aloes with al the chiefe ointmentes. † The fountaine of gardens: the wel of [ 15] liuing waters, which runne with violence from Libanus. † n 1.673 Arise Northwinde, & come Southwinde, blow through [ 16] my garden, and let the aromatical spices therof flowe.

CHAP. V.

LET a 1.674 my beloued come into his garden, and eate the [ 1] fruite of his appletrees. b 1.675 I am come into my garden ô my sister spouse, I haue reaped my myrrhe, with myne aromatical spices: I haue eaten the honiecombe with mine honie, I haue drunke my wine with my milke: c 1.676 eate ô frendes, and drinke, and be inebriated my dearest. d 1.677 I sleepe, [ 2] and my hart watcheth: e 1.678 the voice of my beloued knocking: Open to me my sister, my loue, my doue, mine immaculate: f 1.679 because my head is ful of dew, and my lockes of the droppes of the nightes. † I haue spoyled myselfe of my robe, how [ 3] shal I be clothed with it? I haue washed my feete, how shal I defile them? † My beloued put his hand through the hole, [ 4] and my bellie trembled at his touch. † g 1.680 I arose, that I might [ 5] open to my beloued: my handes haue distilled myrrhe, and my fingers are ful of most approued myrrhe. † I opened the [ 6] bolt of my dore to my beloued: but he had turned aside, and was passed. My soule melted, as he spake: I sought, and found him not: I called, and he did not answer me. † The keepers [ 7] that goe about the citie found me: they stroke me, and wounded me: the keepers of the walles tooke away my cloke. † h 1.681 I adiure you ô daughters of Hierusalem, if you shal finde [ 8] my beloued, that you tel him, that I languishe with loue. † i 1.682 What maner of one is thy beloued of the beloued, ô most [ 9] beautiful of wemen? What maner of one is thy beloued of the beloued, that thou hast so adiured vs? † My beloued is [ 10] white and ruddie, chosen of thousands. † His head is as the [ 11] best gold: his heares as the branches of palmetrees, blacke as à rauen. † His eies as doues vpon the litle riuers of waters, [ 12] which are washed with milke, and sitte beside the most ful streames. † His cheekes are as litle beddes of aromatical spices [ 13] set of the pigmentaries. His lippes are as lilies distilling princi∣pal myrrhe. † His handes wrought round of gold, ful of [ 14] hyacinthes. His bellie of iuorie, distinguished with sapphires. † His thighes as pillers of marble, that are vpon feete of gold. [ 15] His forme as of Libanus, elect as the cedars. † His throte most [ 16] sweete, and he whole to be desired: such an one is my beloued, and he is my frend, ô daughters of Hierusalem. † k 1.683 Whither is [ 17] thy beloued gone ô most beautiful of wemen? whither is thy beloued turned aside, and we wil seeke him with thee?

CHAP. VI.

MY a 1.684 beloued is gone downe into his garden, to the bed [ 1] of aromatical spices, to feede in the gardens, and to gather lilies. † I to my beloued, and my beloued to me, who [ 2] feedeth among the lilies. † b 1.685 Thou art fayre ô my loue, [ 3] sweete, and comelie as Hierusalem: terrible as the armie of a campe set in aray. † c 1.686 Turne away thine eies from me, [ 4] because they haue made me flee away. Thy heares as a flocke of goates, which haue appeared from Galaad. † Thy teeth as [ 5] à flocke of sheepe, which haue come vp from the lauatorie, al with twinnes, and there is no barren among them. † As the [ 6] barke of a pomegranate, so are thy cheekes beside thy hidden. † There are d 1.687 threescore queenes, & e 1.688 fourescore concu∣bines, [ 7] and of f 1.689 yongmaydes there is no number. † My doue [ 8] is g 1.690 one, my perfect one, she is the only to her mother, elect to her that bare her. The daughters haue seene her, and decla∣red her to be most blessed: the queenes and concubines, and haue praysed her. † h 1.691 What is she, that cometh forth as the [ 9] morning rysing, fayre as the moone, elect as the sunne, terrible as the armie of a campe set in aray? † I came downe into the [ 10] garden of nuttes, to see the fruites of the valles, and to looke if the vineyarde had florished, and the pomegranats budded. † I knew not: my soule trubled me for the chariotes of [ 11] Aminadab. † i 1.692 Returne, returne ô Sulamitesse: returne, [ 12] returne that we may behold thee.

CHAP. VII.

VVHAT a 1.693 shalt thou see in the Sulamitesse but the [ 1] companies of campes? How beautiful are thy pases in shoes, ô princes daughter! b the ioyntes of thy thighes are as iewels, that are made by the hand of the arti∣ficer. † Thy nauel as à round bowle, neuer wanting cuppes. [ 2] Thy bellie as an heape of wheate, compassed about with lilies. † Thy two breasts, as two fawnes the twinnes of a roe. [ 3] † Thy necke as a towre of yuorie. Thine eies as the fishpooles [ 4] in Hesebon, which are in the gate of the daughter of the

multitude. Thy nose as the towre of Libanus, that lookethb 1.694 against Damascus. † Thy head as Carmelus: and the heares [ 5] of thy head as a kings purple tyed to cundite pipes. † How [ 6] beautiful art thou, and how comely my dearest, in delightes! † Thy stature is like to a palmetree, & thy breastes to clusters [ 7] of grapes. † I sayd: I wil goe vp into the palmetree, and wil [ 8] take hold of the fruites therof: and thy breasts shal be as the clusters of a vineyard: and the odour of thy mouth as it were of apples. † Thy throate as the best wine, c 1.695 worthie for my [ 9] beloued to drinke, & for his lippes and his teeth to ruminate. † I to my beloued, and his turning is toward me. † d 1.696 Come [ 10] my beloued, let vs goeforth in to the filde, let vs abide in the [ 11] villages. † Let vs rise earely to the vineyards, let vs see if the [ 12] vineyard florishe, if the flowers be readie to bring forth fruites, if the pomegranates florish: there wil I giue thee my breasts. † The Mandragoraes haue geuen a smel. In our gates [ 13] al fruites: e 1.697 the new and the old, my beloued, I haue kept for thee.

CHAP. VIII.

VVHO a 1.698 shal giue to me thee my brother, sucking the [ 1] breasts of my mother, that I may finde thee with∣out, and kisse thee, and now no man despise me? † I wil take [ 2] hold of thee, and wil bring thee into my mothers house: there thou shalt teach me, and I wil giue thee a cuppe of spiced wine, and new wine of my pomegranats. † His left hand [ 3] vnder my head, and his right hand shal embrace me. † b 1.699 I [ 4] adiure you ô daughters of Ierusalem, that you rayse not vp, nor make the beloued to awake til herselfe wil. † c 1.700 Who is [ 5] this, that cometh vp from the desert, flowing with delightes, leaning vpon her beloued? Vnder the appletree I raysed thee vp: d there thy mother was corrupted, there she vas defloured that bare thee. † Put me as a seale vpon thy hart, as a seale vpon [ 6] thyne arme: because loue is strong as death: ielousie is hard as hel, the lampes thereof lampes of fyre and flames. † Manie [ 7] waters can not quench charitie, neither shal floudes ouer∣whelme it: if a man shal giue al the substance of his house for loue, as nothing he shal despise it. † e Our sister is litle, and [ 8] hath no breasts. What shal we doe to our sister in the day when she is to be spoken vnto? † If she be a wal, let vs build vpon [ 9]

it bulwarkes of siluer: if she be a doore, let vs ioyne it together with bordes of ceder. † f 1.701 I am a wal: and my breasts are as a [ 10] towre, since I was made before him as one finding peace. † The peacemaker had a vinyard, in that which hath peoples: [ 11] he deliuered the same g 1.702 to keepers, a man bringeth for the fruite thereof a thousand peeces of siluer. † h 1.703 My vineyard [ 12] is before me. A thousand are thy peacemakers, and two hundreth for them, that keepe the fruites thereof. † Thou [ 13] that dwellest in the gardens, the frends doe harken: make me heare thy voice. † i 1.704 Flee, ô my beloued, and be like to the roe, [ 14] d 1.705 and to the fawne of harts vpon the mountaines of aromatical spices.e 1.706

THE ARGVMENT OF THE BOOKE OF WISDOM.

AS wel of the auctor, as of the auctoritie of this booke, there haue bene* 1.707 diuers opinions among the lerned. But in processe of time, the first is probably discussed, the other is clerly decided by the Church. For concerning the former doubt, Manie ancient Fathers alleage sentences of this Booke, as the sayinges of Salomon. Namely S. Ireneus (apud Eusebium, lib. 5. c. 8. Hist.) S. Clement of Alexandria, li. 5. & 6. Stromat. Origen. ho. 12. in Leuit. & li. 8. in Epist. ad Rom. S. Athanasius in Synopsi, & Orat. 2. cont. Arrian. S. Basil li. 5. cont. Eunomianos. S. Epiphanius heresi 67. S. Gregorie Nazianzen. lib. de Fide. S. Gregorie Nissen. in Testimonijs ex vet. Testam. cap. de Natiuitate ex Virgine. S. Chrisost. hom. 33. & 34. in Mat. S. Cyril of Alexandria li. 10. c. 4. Also S. Cyprian li. de

exhortat. Martyrum. c. 12. & li. 3. c. 59. ad Quirin. & li. de Mortalitate. S. Hilarie in Psal. 127. S. Ambrose, li. de Salomone. c. 1. and diuers others suppose Salomon to be auctor of this booke. To whom likewise some of them* 1.708 ascribe the booke of Ecclesiasticus. But S. Ierom Praefatione in libros Salo∣monis testifieth that some ancient writers affirme this booke to be written by Philo a Iew, and the other by Iesus the sonne of Sirach. And S. Augustin very plainly (li. 17. c. 20. de ciuit.) saith, custom preuailed, that the bookes of Wisdom, & Ecclesiasticus, for some similitude of speach are called Salomons: but the more lerned assuredly iudge that they* 1.709 are not his. what then shal we say, seing so manie other ancient lerned Doctors cite them as his. The answer is easie. And sufficiently insinuated by S. Augustin, that these two bookes being like vnto the other three, which are Salomons, were also called his. VVherto we may adde a like example in* 1.710 the two first bookes of Kinges, which are called the bookes of Samuel, though he writte not al the first, nor anie part of the second. Moreouer al these fiue are called by one general title Sapiential bookes. In so much that the Church readeth in the sacred Office before al Epistles, taken out of anie of these fiue* 1.711 bookes, not Lectio Prouerbiorum, or Ecclesiastae, &c. but stil, Lectio libri Sa∣pientiae. The solution therfore is very probable, that this booke of wisdom was written by Philo Iudeus, not he that liued after Christ, but an other of the same name, nere two hundred yeares before. And Ecclesiasticus by Iesus the sonne of Sirach. Who not only imitated Salomon, but also compiled their bookes, for most part of Salomons sentences; conserued til their times by tra∣dition, or in separated scrolles of papers; yea they so vtter some sentences in* 1.712 his person, as if himself had written them. As touching the auctoritie of* 1.713 these two bookes, and some others, it is euident that the Iewes refuse them. And therfore manie ancient Fathers writing against them, spared sometimes to vrge such bookes, as they knew would be reiected. Especially ha∣uing abundant testimonies of other holie Scriptures, for deciding matters of* 1.714 faith against them. Euen as our Sauiour himself proued the Resurrection of the dead against the Sadduces, out of the bookes of Moyses, which they confes∣sed* 1.715 for Canonical Scripture, denying other partes, where the same point might otherwise haue bene more euidently shewed. And so S. Ierom in respect of the Iewes saide these bookes were not Canonical. Neuertheles he did often alleage testimonies of them, as of other diuine Scriptures: sometimes with this parenthesis [si cui tamen placet librum recipere] in cap. 8. & 12. Zachariae; other times, especially in his last writinges, absolutly without such restriction, as in cap. 1. & 56. Isaiae. & in 18. Ieremiae. Where he professeth to alleage none but Canonical Scripture. As for al the other ancient fathers* 1.716 here aboue mentioned, ascribing this booke to Salomon, and manie others cited by Doctor Iodocus Coccius (To. 1. Thesauri. li. 6. art. 9.) they make

no doubt at al, but that it is Canonical Scripture, as appeareth by their expresse termes, Diuine Scripture, Diuine word, Sacred letters, Pro∣phetical saying, the Holie Ghost saith, & the like. Finally aswel ancient General counsels, namely that of Charthage, an. D. 419. With others, as the later of Florence, and Trent haue declared this booke to be Canonical. And that conformably to the most ancient, and lerned Fathers, as S. Augustin, not only iudgeth himself, but also plainly testifieth (li. de Pra∣destinat.* 1.717 Sanct. c. 14.) saying: The sentence of the booke of wisdom ought not to be reiected (by certaine inclining to Pelagianisme) Which hath bene so long publiquely read in the Church of Christ, and receiued of al Christians, Byshops, and others, euen to the last of the Laitie, Penitents, and Catecumes (cum veneratione diuinae auctori∣tatis) With veneration of diuine auctoritie. Which also the excel∣lent writers, next to the Apostles times, alleaging for witnes (nihil se ad••ibere, nisi diuinum testimonium crediderunt) thought they allea∣ged nothing but diuine testimonie.

The summe and contents of this booke is an Instruction, and Exhortation to Kinges and al Magistrates, to minister iustice in the comonwealth, teaching* 1.718 al sortes of vertues vnder the general names of iustice & Wisdom. With fre∣quent Prophecies of Christs Coming, Passion, Resurrection, & other Christian Mysteries. Al may be commodiously diuided into three partes. In the six first* 1.719 chapters, the auctor admonisheth al Superiors to loue and exercise iustice and wisdom. In the next three, he teacheth that Wisdom procedeth only from God, & is procured by prayer & good life. In the other tenne chapters, he sheweth the excellent effects, and vtilitie of wisdom and Iustice.

THE BOOKE OF WISDOM.

CHAP. I. Superiors are admonished to do iustice, sincerely seking God. 7. Who being euery where seeth al thinges. 11. Murmuration, detraction, and lying* 1.720 bring to perdition. 13. God created men to liue, but they brought death vpon themselues.

LOVE iustice, you that iudge the earth. Thincke [ 1] * 1.721 of our Lord in goodnes, and in simplicitie of hart seeke him: † because he is found of them, that [ 2] tempt him not: and he appeareth to them, that haue saith in him. † For :: 1.722 peruerse cogitations seperate from [ 3] God: and proued powre chasteneth the vnwise: † because [ 4]

wisdom wil not enter into a malicious soule, nor dwel in a bodie subiect to sinnes. † For the Holie Ghost of discipline, [ 5] wil flie from him that feyneth, and wil withdraw himselfe from the cogitations, that are without vnderstanding, and he shal be chastened of iniquitie ••ni•• wing▪ † For the spirite of [ 6] wisdom is gentle, and wil no〈…〉〈…〉 :: 1.723 the •••• for from his* 1.724 lippes: because God is witnes of 〈…〉〈…〉 is a true searcher of his hart, and an h••ar••r 〈…〉〈…〉cause [ 7] the Spirite of our Lord ••ath 〈…〉〈…〉 whole world▪ and that, which contayneth al 〈…〉〈…〉 ••udge of voice. † For this cause he that speaketh ••••••••st thinges, can [ 8] not be hid, neither shal the chastising iudgment passe him. † For in the cogitations of the imp••ou•• there shal be exami∣nation: [ 9] and the hearing of his workes shal come to God, to the chastising of his iniquities. † Because the eare of ielousie [ 10] heareth al thinges, and the tumult of murmurings shal not be hid. † Kepe your selues therfore from murmuring, which [ 11] profiteth nothing, and refraine your tongue from detraction, because an obscure speache shal not passe in vaine: and the mouth that lyeth, killeth the soule. † :: 1.725 Zeale not death in [ 12] the errour of your life, neither procure ye perdition by the workes of your handes. † Because God made not death, nei∣ther [ 13] doth he reioyce in the perdition of the liuing. † For he [ 14] created al thinges to be: and he made the nations of the earth to health▪ and :: 1.726 there is no medicine of destruction in them, :: 1.727 nor kingdome of hel in the earth. († For iustice is p••rpe∣tual [ 15] and immortal.) † But the impious with handes & wordes [ 16] haue :: 1.728 prouoked it: and esteming it a freind, haue fallen to decay, and haue made couenances with it: because they are worthie to be of the part therof.

CHAP. II. Such as hope not of life to come, 6. addict themselues to 〈…〉〈…〉▪ ••••▪ and persecute the iust, especially our Sauio•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 their wickednes. 23. Death came vpon man by the 〈…〉〈…〉.

FOR they haue said thinking with the 〈…〉〈…〉 [ 1] * 1.729 :: Little, and with tediousnes is the time of 〈…〉〈…〉 the end of a man there is no recou••••••••, and 〈…〉〈…〉 knowne that hath returned from hel: † because oe of 〈…〉〈…〉 [ 2] were we borne, and after this, we shal be as if 〈…〉〈…〉 bene: because the breath is a smoke in our nosthrels: & ••••••••ch

a sparke to moue our hart. † Which being extinguished, our [ 3] bodie shal be ashes, and the spirit shal be powred abrode as soft ayre, and our life shal passe as the trace of a cloude, and shal be dissolued as a mist, which is driuen away by the beames of the sunne, and oppressed with the heate therof: † and our [ 4] name in time shal be forgotten, and no man shal haue remem∣brance of our workes. † For our time is the passing of a sha∣dow, [ 5] and there is no returne of our end: because it is sealed, and no man returneth. † :: 1.730 Come therfore, and let vs enioy [ 6] the good thinges that are, and let vs quickly vse the creature as in youth. † Let vs fil ourselues with precious wine, and oynt∣ments: [ 7] and let not the flowre of the time passe vs. † Let vs [ 8] crowne ourselues with roses, before they wither: let there be no medow, which our riote shal not passe through. † Let [ 9] none of vs be exempted from our rioteousnes: euerie where let vs leaue signes of ioy: because this is our portion, and this our lot. † Let vs :: 1.731 oppresse the poore iust man, and not spare [ 10] the widow, nor reuerence the oldmans grey head of long time. † But let our strength be the law of iustice: for that [ 11] which is Weake, is found vnprofitable. † :: 1.732 Let vs therfore [ 12] circumuent the iust, because he is vnprofitable to vs, and he is contrarie to our workes, and reprochfully obiecteth vnto vs the sinnes of the law, and defameth in vs the sinnes of our discipline. † He boasteth that he hath the knowlege of God, [ 13] and nameth himselfe the sonne of God. † He is made vnto [ 14] * 1.733 vs to the defaming of our cogitations. † He is greuous vnto [ 15] vs euen to behold, because his life la vnlike to others, and his wayes are changed. † We are estemed of him as triflers, and [ 16] he absteyneth from our wayes as from vncleannes, and he preferreth the later ends of the iust, and glorieth that he hath God for his father. † Let vs see therfore if his wordes be true, [ 17] and let vs proue what thinges shal come to him, and we shal know what shal be his later ends. † For if he be the true sonne [ 18] of God, he wil defend him, & wil deliuer him from the hands of the aduersaries. † By contumelie and torment let vs exa∣mine [ 19] him, that we may know his reuerence, and proue his pa∣tience. † To a most shameful death let vs condemne him: for [ 20] there shal be respect had vnto him by his wordes. † These [ 21] thinges haue they thought, and haue erred: for their malice hath blinded them. † And they haue not knowen :: 1.734 the sa∣craments [ 22] of God, nor hoped for the reward of iustice, nor

estemed the honour of holie soules. † For God created man [ 23] incorruptible, and to the image of his owne likenes he made him. † But by the enuie of the diuel, death entred into the [ 24] world: † and they folow him that are of his part. [ 25]

CHAP. III The iust contemned by the wicked, and proued by tentations are happie. 10. and the wicked vnhappie. 12. Chastitie shal be rewarded, & adulterous generations shal not prosper.

BVT :: 1.735 the soules of the iust are in the hand of God, and [ 1] the torment of death shal not touch them. † :: 1.736 They se∣med [ 2] * 1.737 in the eies of the vnwise to die: and their decease was counted affliction: † and that which with vs is the way, is [ 3] destruction: but they are in peace. † And though before men [ 4] they suffered torments, their hope is ful of immortalitie. † Vexed in few thinges, in many they shal be wel disposed of: [ 5] because God hath tempted them, and hath found them wor∣thie of him selfe. † As gold in the furnace he hath proued [ 6] them, and as an host of holocaust he hath receiued them, and in time there shal be respect of them. † The iust shal shine, [ 7] * 1.738 and as sparkes in a place of reedes they shal runne abrode. † They :: 1.739 shal iudge nations, & haue dominion ouer peoples, [ 8] and their Lord shal reigne for euer. † They that trust in him, [ 9] shal vnderstand truth: and the faithful in loue shal rest in him: because rest and peace is to his elect. † But the impious accor∣ding [ 10] to the thinges which they haue thought, shal haue cor∣reption: which haue neglected the iust, & haue reuolted from our Lord. † For he that reiecteth wisdom, and discipline, is [ 11] vnhappie: and their hope is vaine, and labours without fruite and their workes vnprofitable. † Their :: 1.740 wiues are sensles, [ 12] and their children most wicked. † Cursed is their creature: [ 13] because happie is the barren woman: and the vndefiled, which hath not knowen bed in sinne, she shal haue fruite in visitation of holie soules: † and * 1.741 the eunuch, that hath not [ 14] wrought iniquitie with his hands, nor thought most wicked things against God: for the chosen gift of fayth shal be geuen to him, and a most acceptable lot in the temple of God. † For [ 15] of good labour there is glorious fruite, and the roote of wisdom which falleth not. † But the children of adulterers [ 16] shal be in consummation, and the sede of the vnlawful bed

shal be destroyed. † And if certes they be of long life, they [ 17] shal be reputed for nothing, & their last oldage shal be with∣out honour. † And if they dye quickly they shal haue no [ 18] hope, nor speach of comfort in the day of acknowledging † For of a wicked nation the endes are cruel [ 19]

CHAP. IIII. Great difference betwen chaste, and adulterous generations. 7. Speedier death of the iust is recompensed by Gods prouidence, 19. but the wicked incurre greater damnation by liuing long.

O How beautiful is :: 1.742 the chaste generation with glorie: [ 1] for the memorie therof is immortal: because it is knowen both with God, and with men † When it is present, [ 2] they imitate it, and they desire it when it hath withdrawen it∣self, and it triumpheth crowned for euer, winning the reward of vndefiled conflictes. † But the multitude of the impious, [ 3] that hath manie children shal not be profitable, and bastarde plants shal not take deepe roote, nor lay sure fundation. † And if in the boughes for a ••ime they shal spring being [ 4] weakly set, they shal be moued of the winde, and by the vehe∣mencie of the windes they shal be rooted out. † For the vn∣perfect [ 5] boughes shal be broken, and their fruites shal be vn∣profitable, and sowre to eate, and meete for nothing. † For [ 6] the children that be borne of wicked sleepes, are witnesses of wickednes against the parents in their examination. † But [ 7] :: 1.743 the iust if he be preuented with death, shal be in a place of refreshing. † For venerable oldage is not that of long time, [ 8] nor accounted by the number of yeares: but the vnderstan∣ding of a man are grey heares: † and an immaculate life is [ 9] old age. † Pleasing God he is made beloued, and liuing among [ 10] sinners he was translated. † “ He was taken away lest malice [ 11] should change his vnderstanding, or lest anie guile might de∣ceiue his soule. † For the bewitching of vanitie obscureth [ 12] good thinges, and the inconstancie of concupiscence peruer∣teth the vnderstanding that is without malice. † Being con∣summate [ 13] in short space he fulfilled much time: † for his soule [ 14] pleased God: for this cause he hastened to bring him out of the middes of iniquiries: but the peoples that are seing, and not vnderstanding, nor putting such thinges in their hartes: † that the grace of God, and mercie is toward his saintes, and [ 15] respect toward his elect. † But the iust dead condemneth the [ 16]

impions aliue, and youth soone ended, the long life of the vniust. † For they shal see the end of the wise, and shal not [ 17] vnderstand what God hath thought of him, and why our Lord hath fensed him. † For they shal see and shal contemne him: [ 18] but our Lord shal laugh them to scorne, † and they shal fal [ 19] after this without honour, and in contumelie among the dead for euer: because he shal breake them puffed vp :: 1.744 without voice, and shal remoue them from the fundations, and they shal be made desolate vnto the highest degree: and shal be moorning, and the memorie of them shal perish. † They shal [ 20] come feareful in cogitation of their sinnes, and their iniqui∣ties on the contrarie shal conuince them.

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. IIII.

11. He vvas taken avvay] By this place S. Augustin proueth that such as died in good state, might haue fallen into wickednes, if they had liued longer: and* 1.745 therefore it was a benefite to them, to dye sooner And that it is neuertheles certaine, that God both knew the possibilitie that such might, yea would haue sinned, if they had liued longer, and also knew that they should d••e sooner, and so escape that danger. VVhich assured foreknowlege of al thinges that shal be, or may be, standeth wel with mans freewil: against certaine that inclined to Pelagianisme, attributing too much to mans freewil; and detracting from Gods foreknowlege, and prouidence. VVhich he prouing by this place, his aduersaries excepted against the auctoritie of this booke, and therfore he also* 1.746 proueth that it is Canonical Scripture. li. de Predest. Sanct. c. 14.

CHAP. V. In the general iudgement, the wicked seing the iust, whom they had con∣temned, to be in great honour, shal bewaile their owne miserie, 9. consi∣dering that their pleasure was short, 16. and the ioy of the blessed shal be for euer. 18. God wil arme himself, and al creatures, to punish the impious.

THEN shal the iust stand in great constancie against those [ 1] that haue afflicted them, and :: 1.747 taken away their labours. † They seing shal be trubled with horrible feare, and shal [ 2] meruel at the sodennes of vnexpected saluation, † saying with∣in [ 3] themselues, :: 1.748 repenting, and sighing for anguish of spirit: These are they, whom we had sometime in derision, and in a parable of reproch. † We senslesse estemed their life madnes, [ 4] * 1.749 and their end without honour. † Behold how they are coun∣ted [ 5] among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints. † We therfore haue erred from the way of truth, and [ 6]

the light of iustice hath not shined to vs, and the sunne of vnderstanding rose not to vs. † We are weried in the way of [ 7] iniquitie and perdition, and haue walked hard wayes, but the way of our Lord we haue not knowen. † What hath pride [ 8] profited vs? or what commoditie hath the vaunting of riches brought to vs? † Al those thinges are passed away as a shadow, [ 9] and as a messenger running before, † and as a shippe, that [ 10] passeth through the surging waters: wherof, when it is past, the trace can not be found, nor the path of that shippes keele* 1.750 in the waues: † or as a bird, that flyeth through in the ayre, [ 11] of which there is no token can be found of her passage, but only a sound of the winges beating the light winde: and by vehemence of going cutting the ayre, mouing the winges she is flowen through, and afterward there is no signe found of her way: † or as when an arrow is shotte forth to a sette [ 12] marke, the diuided ayre is forthwith closed in itself againe, so that the passage therof is not knowen: † so we also being [ 13] borne forthwith ceased to be: and of vertue certes haue bene able to shew no signe: but in our naughtines we are con∣sumed. † Such thinges :: 1.751 sayd they in hel, which sinned: [ 14] † because the hope of the impious is as dust, which is taken [ 15] away with the winde: and as a thinne froth, which is dispersed by the storme: and as smoke that is scatered abrode by the winde: and as the memorie of a ghest of one day that passeth. † But the iust shal liue for euer, and their reward is with our [ 16] Lord, and cogitation of them with the Highest. † Therfore [ 17] shal they receiue a kingdom of honour, & a crowne of beautie at the hand of our Lord: because with his right hand he wil couer them, and with in his holie arme he wil defend them. † And :: 1.752 his zele wil take armour, and he wil arme the crea∣ture [ 18] to the reuenge of the enemies. † He wil put on iustice [ 19] for a brestplate, & wil take sincere iudgement for an helmet: † he wil take equitie for an inuicible shilde: † and he wil [ 20] sharpen fierce wrath for a speare, and the round world shal [ 21] fight with him against the senslesse. † The shottes of lighte∣nings [ 22] shal goe directly, & as it were from a bow of the clouds wel bent they shal be cast forth, and shal light on a certaine place. † And from rocked wrath shal thicke haile stones be [ 23] cast, the water of the sea shal rage against them, and the riuers shal runne together roughly. † A spirit of powre shal stand [ 24] against them, and as a hurle winde shal diuide them: and their

iniquitie shal bring al the land to a desert, and naughtines shal ouerthrow the seates of the mightie.

CHAP. VI. Kinges and al Magistrates are againe admonished to exercise iustice: 7. otherwise they shal be more greuously punished. 13. wisdom may easely be found, 18. by those that sincerely desire it. 22. And is very profitable (25. excepting the enuious, or il disposed) 26. both to prince and people.

VVISEDOM is better then strength: and a wiseman [ 1] * 1.753 then a strong. † Heare therfore ye kinges, & vnder∣stand, [ 2] lerne ye iudges of the endes of the earth. † Geue eare ye, [ 3] that rule multitudes, and that please yourselues in multitudes of nations: † because the :: 1.754 powre is geuen you of our Lord, [ 4] * 1.755 and strength by the Highest, who wil examine your workes, and search your cogitations: † because when you were the [ 5] ministers of his kingdom, you iudged not rightly, nor kept the law of iustice, nor haue walked according to the wil of God. † Horribly and quickly wil he appeare to you: because most [ 6] seuere iudgement shal be done on them, that beare rule. † For [ 7] to the litle one mercie is granted: but :: 1.756 the mightie shal migh∣tely suffer torments. † For God wil not except any mans per∣son, [ 8] neither wil feare the greatnes of any man: because he made the litle and the great, & he hath equally care of al. † But [ 9] to the stronger more strong torment is imminent. † To you [ 10] therfore ô kings are these my wordes, that you may lerne wis∣dom, and not fal. † For they that haue kept iust thinges iustly, [ 11] shal be iustified: and they that haue lerned these thinges, shal find what they may answer. † Couet ye therfore my wordes, [ 12] and loue them, and you shal haue discipline. † Wisdom is [ 13] cleere, and such as neuer fadeth, and is easely sene of them that loue her, and is found of them that seeke her. † She preuen∣teth [ 14] them that couete her, that she first may shew herself vnto them. † He that awaketh early to her, shal not labour: for [ 15] he shal find her sitting at her doores. † To thinke therfore [ 16] of her, is perfect vnderstanding: and he that watcheth for her, shal quickly be secure. † Because she goeth about seeking [ 17] them that be worthie of her, and in the wayes she wil shew her self to them cheerefully, and in al prouidence she wil meete them. † For :: 1.757 the beginning of her is the most true [ 18] desire of discipline. † The care therfore of discipline, is loue: [ 19]

and loue, is the keeping of her lawes: and the keeping of the lawes, is the consummation of incorruption: † and incor∣ruption [ 20] maketh to be next to God. † Therfore the desire of [ 21] wisdom leadeth to the euerlasting kingdom. † If therfore [ 22] you be delighted with thrones, and with scepters ô ye kinges of the people, loue wisdom, that you may reigne for euer. † Loue the light of wisdom al ye that beare rule ouer peoples. [ 23] † But what wisdom is, and how she was made, I wil declare: [ 24] and I wil not hide from you the mysteries of God, but from the beginning of her natiuitie I wil search out, and sette the knowlege of her into light, and wil not let passe the truth: † neither wil I goe with pyning enuie: because such a man [ 25] shal not be partaker of wisdom. † But the multitude of the [ 26] wise is the health of the round world: and a wise king is the stabilitie of the people. † Therfore take ye discipline by my [ 27] wordes, and it shal profite you.

CHAP. VII.* 1.758 Wheras al men haue the like birth and death, 7. Wisdom maketh great difference, bringing al goodnes, 13. and knowlege, 17. as wel of natural thinges, 22. as moral. 25 Which heauenlie gift is a sparckle, and partici∣pation of wisdom increated, God himself.

I also certes am a mortal man, like to al, and of the earthlie [ 1] kinred of him, that was made first, and in the wombe of my mother was I fashioned flesh, † the time of :: 1.759 ten mone∣thes [ 2] was I brought together in bloud, of the seede of man, and the delectation of :: 1.760 sleepe concurring. † And I being borne [ 3] receiued the common ayre, and fel vpon the earth, that is made alike, and the first voice like to al men did I put forth weeping. † I was nourished in swadling clothes, and great [ 4] cares. † For none of the kinges had other begynning of nati∣uitie. [ 5] † There is one entrance therfore into life to al men, [ 6] and like departure † For this cause :: 1.761 I wished, and vnderstan∣ding [ 7] was geuen me: and I inuocated, and the spirit of wisdom came vpon me: † and I preferred her before kingdoms and [ 8] thrones, and riches I counted to be nothing in comparison offer. † Neither did I compare the precious stone to here [ 9] because al gold in comparison of her, is a litle sand, and siluer in the sight of her shal be estemed as clay. † Aboue health [ 10] and beautie did I loue her▪ and purposed to haue her for light:* 1.762 because her light can not be extinguished. † And al good [ 11]

thinges came to me together with her, and very much ho∣nestie by her handes, † and I reioyced in al: because :: 1.763 this [ 12] wisdom went before me, and I was ignorant that she is the mother of al these. † Which I lerned without fiction, and [ 13] doe communicate without enuie, and her honestie I hid not. † For she is an infinite treasure to men: which who so haue, [ 14] are made partakers of the frenship of God, commended for the gifts of discipline. † And to me God hath geuen to speake [ 15] according to my minde, and to presume thinges worthie of those, that are geuen me: because he is the guide of wisdom, and the creator of the wise: † for in his hand are both we, & [ 16] our wordes, and wisdom, and the knowlege and discipline of workes. † For he gaue me :: 1.764 the true knowlege of those [ 17] thinges, which are: that I may know the disposition of the round world, and the vertues of the elements, † the begin∣ning, [ 18] & end, & middes of times, the permutations of change∣able seasons, and consummations of times, † the courses of [ 19] the yeare, and dispositions of the starres, † the natures of [ 20] beastes, and furies of wilde beastes, the force of windes, and the cogitations of men, the differences of plantes, and ver∣tues of rootes, † and whatsoeuer are hid thinges and not for∣sene, [ 21] I haue lerned: for wisdom the worker of al taught me. † For in her is the spirite of vnderstanding, :: 1.765 holie, onlie, mani∣fold, [ 22] subtil, eloquent, moueable, vndefiled, sure, swete, louing good, sharpe, who nothing hindereth wel doing, † gentle, [ 23] benigne, stable, certaine, secure, hauing al powre, forseing al thinges, and that conteyneth al spirites: intelligible, cleane, subtile. † For wisdom is more moueable then al moueable [ 24] thinges: and reacheth euerie where because of her cleannes. † For she :: 1.766 is a vapour of the powre of God, & a certaine sin∣cere [ 25] emanation of the glorie of God omnipotent: and ther∣fore no defiled thing cometh vnto her. † For she is the bright∣nes [ 26] of eternal light, & the vnspotted glasse of Gods maiestie,* 1.767 and the image of his goodnes. † And wheras she is one, she [ 27] can doe al thinges: and permanent in herselfe she reneweth al thinges, and by nations transporteth herself into holie soules, she maketh the frendes of God, and Prophetes. † For God lo∣ueth [ 28] none, but him, that dwelleth with wisdom. † For she is [ 29] more beautiful then the sunne, and aboue al disposition of the starres, being compared to light she is found the first. † For [ 30] night succedeth to it, but malice ouercometh not wisdom.

CHAP. VIII VVisdom excelling al thinges, that can be desired, 9. is worthely preferred as the cause of much estimation, 13. and of immortal glorie, 16. without molestation. 21. Alwhich is Gods gift.

SHE :: 1.768 reacheth therfore from end vnto end mightely, and [ 1] disposeth al thinges swetely. † Her haue I loued, and haue [ 2] sought her out from my youth, and haue sought to take her for my spouse, and I was made a louer of her beautie. † She [ 3] * 1.769 glorifieth her nobilitie, hauing consociation with God: yea and the Lord of al hath loued her. † For she is the mistresse of the [ 4] discipline of God, & the chooser of his workes. † And if riches [ 5] be desired in life, what is richer then wisdom, which worketh al thinges? † And if vnderstanding doe worke: who is the [ 6] worker of those things that are, more then she? † And if a [ 7] man loue iustice: her labours haue great vertues: for she tea∣cheth sobrietie, and prudence, and iustice, and strength, then the which nothing is more profitable in life to men. † And if a man desire multitude of knowlege: she knoweth [ 8] thinges past, & coniectureth of thinges to come: she knoweth* 1.770 the subtilities of wordes, and the solution of arguments: she knoweth signes and wonders before they be done, and the euentes of times and ages. † :: 1.771 I purposed therfore to bring [ 9] her to me to liue together: knowing that she wil communi∣cate vnto me of good thinges, and wil be a comfort of my co∣gitation & tediousnes. † I shal haue for her sake :: 1.772 glorie with [ 10] the multitudes, and honour with the ancient being yong: † and I sh•••• be ••••••nd sharpe in iudgement, and in the sight [ 11] of the mightie I shal be meruelous, and the faces of princes wil meruel at me. † Holding my peace they shal expect me, [ 12] and whiles I speake manie wordes, they shallay their hands on their mouth. † Moreouer by her I shal haue :: 1.773 immortalitie: [ 13] and I shal leaue an eternal memorie to them, that shal be after me. † I shal dispose peoples: and nations shal be subiect to [ 14] me. † Horrible kings hearing shal feare me: in the multitude [ 15] I shal seme good, and in battel strong. † Entring into my [ 16] house, I shal rest with her: for her conuersation hath no bit∣ternes, nor her companie tediousnes, but ioy and gladnesse. † Thinking these thinges with myselfe, and recording in my [ 17] hart, that :: 1.774 immortalitie is in the kindred of wisedom, † and [ 18] good delectation in her frendship, and in the workes of her

handes honestie without defect, and wisdom in the disputa∣tion of her talke, and glorie in the communication of her wordes: I went about seeking, that I might take her to me. † And I was a wittie childe, and had gotten a good soule. [ 19] † And wheras I was more good, I came to :: 1.775 a bodie vnde∣field. [ 20] † And as I knew that I could not otherwise be conti∣nent, [ 21] vnlesse God gaue it, this verie thing also was wisdom, to know whose this gift was: I went to our Lord, and besought him, and said from my whole hart.

CHAP. IX. A prayer (made by Salomon) for wisdom, 9. wherby Superiors are able to gouerne: 13. Which by only humane wisdom, they can not rightly performe.

GOD of my fathers, and Lord of mercie, which madest al [ 1] * 1.776 thinges with thy word, † and by thy wisdom didst ap∣point [ 2] man, that he should haue dominion of the creature, that was made by thee, † that he should dispose the round∣world [ 3] in equitie and iustice, and execute iudgement in dire∣ction of hart: † geue me wisdom the assistant of thy seates, [ 4] and repel me not from thy children: † because I am thy ser∣uant, [ 5] and the sonne of thy handmaide, a weake man, and of smal time, and lesse to the vnderstanding of iudgement and lawes. † And if one be perfect among the children of men, [ 6] and thy wisdom be absent from him, he shal be counted for nothing. † :: 1.777 Thou hast chosen me king to thy people, and [ 7] * 1.778 iudge of thy sonnes, and daughters: † and badst me build a [ 8] temple in thy holie mount, and an altar in the citie of thy ha∣bitation, a similitude of thy holie tabernacle, which thou didst* 1.779 prepare from the beginning: † and :: 1.780 thy wisdom with thee, [ 9] which knew thy workes, which then also was present when* 1.781 thou madest the roundworld, and knew what was pleasing to thyne eyes, and what was direct in thy precepts. † :: 1.782 Send [ 10] her from thy holy heauens, and from the seate of thy greatnes, that she may be with me, and may labour with me, that I may know what is acceptable with thee: † for she knoweth al [ 11] thinges, & vnderstandeth, and shal conduct me in my workes soberly, & shal keepe me with her might. † And my workes [ 12] shal be acceptable, and I shal gouerne thy people iustly, and shal be worthie of the seates of my father. † For :: 1.783 who of [ 13]

men is able to know the counsel of God? or who can thinke what God wil? † For the cogitations of mortal men be fear∣ful, [ 14] and our prouidences vncertaine. † For the bodie, that [ 15] is corrupted burdeneth the soule, and the earthlie habita∣tion presseth downe the vnderstanding that thinketh manie thinges. † And we doe hardly coniecture the thinges that [ 16] are in the earth: and the thinges that are in sight, we finde with labour. But the thinges that are in the heauens who shal search out? † And thy sense who shal know, vnles thou geue [ 17] wisdom, and send thy holie spirit from on high: † and so the [ 18] pathes of them, that are on the earth may be corrected, and men lerne the thinges that please thee? † For by wisdom [ 19] they were healed, whoseouer haue pleased thee ô Lord from the begynning.

CHAP. X. The benefites of wisdom are declared by examples, in Adam, 4. Noe,* 1.784 5. Abraham, 6. Lot, 10. Iacob, 13. Ioseph, 15. And the people of Israel.

SHE kept him, :: 1.785 that was first made of God father of the [ 1] * 1.786 world, when he was created alone, † and she :: 1.787 brought [ 2] him out of his sinne, and gaue him powre to conteyne al thinges. † After the vniust departed in his anger from [ 3] * 1.788 her, by the furie of brothers man slaughter perished. † For whose cause, when water destroyed the earth, wisdom hea∣led [ 4] * 1.789 it againe, gouerning the :: 1.790 iust by contemptible wood. † She euen in the consent of wickednes, when the nations [ 5] had confederated themselues, knewe :: 1.791 the iust, and pre∣serued* 1.792 him without blame to God, and in his sonnes mercie kept the strong. † She deliuered :: 1.793 the iust, fleing from the im∣pious [ 6] that perished, when the fyre came downe vpon Penta∣polis: † to whom for a witnes of their wickednes the desert [ 7] land standeth smoking, and :: 1.794 trees hauing fruites at vncertain season; and the memorie of an incredulous soule a standing :: 1.795 piller of salt. † For pretermitting wisdom they did not only [ 8] slippe in this, that they were ignorant of good thinges, but they left also vnto men a memorie of their foolishnes, that in those thinges, in which they sinned in, they could not be hid neither. † But wisdom hath deliuered them, that obserue her [ 9] from sorowes. † And :: 1.796 the iust fleing his brothers wrath, she [ 10] * 1.797 conducted by the right wayes, and shewed him the kingdom of God, and gaue him the knowlege of the holie, did honest

him in labours, and accomplised his labours. † In the fraude [ 11] of the circumuenters of him she was present with him, and made him honorable. † She kept him from the enemies, and [ 12] from seducers she defended him, and from seducers she defended him, and gaue him a strong fight, thas he might ouercome, and know that wisdom is mightier then al. † She [ 13] * 1.798 forsooke not :: 1.799 the iust being sold, but deliuered him from sinners: and she went downe with him into the pitte, † and [ 14] * 1.800 in bands leaft him not, til she brought him the scepter of a kingdome, and might against them, that oppressed him: and shewed them to be lyers, that spotted him, and gaue him eter∣nal glorie. † The :: 1.801 iust people, and seede without blame [ 15] she deliuered from the nations, that oppressed them. † She [ 16] * 1.802 entered into the soule of the seruant of God, and stood against* 1.803 dreadful kinges in wonders and signes. † And she rendred to [ 17] the iust the hope of their labours, and conducted them in a meruelous way: and she was vnto them for a couerr in the day, and for the light of starres by night: † and she transpor∣ted [ 18] * 1.804 them through the Redsea, and caried them ouer through a great water. † But their enemies she drowned in the sea, [ 19] and from the depth of hel she brought them out. Therfore the iust tooke the spoyles of the impious, † and they sang thy [ 20] * 1.805 holie name ô Lord, and thy victorious hand they praised toge∣ther:* 1.806 † because wisdom hath opened the mouth of the [ 21] dumme, and the tongues of infants she hath made eloquent.

CHAP. XI. Other benefites of wisdom, protecting the Israelites in the desert; 3. ouer∣throwing their enimies; 4. geuing them water out of a rocke; 8. plaguing the Aegyptians, 21. yet not al sudenly, but by often admonitions, that they might haue repented if they would.

SHE directed their workes in the handes of :: 1.807 a holy prophet. [ 1] * 1.808 † They made a iourney through the deserts, that were not [ 2] * 1.809 inhabited: and in desert places they pitched cottages. † They [ 3] stood against :: 1.810 the aduersaries, and reuenged themselues of the enemies. † They thirsted, and inuocated thee, and water [ 4] * 1.811 was geuen them out of a most high rorcke, and quenching of their thirst out of the hard stone. † For by the thinges wherby [ 5] their enemies suffered punishment, for defect of their drinke, and therein, when the children of Israel abunded, they did reioyce; † by these thinges, when others lacked the same, it [ 6]

went wel with them. † For in steede of the fountaine of an [ 7] euerlasting riuer, thou gauest mans bloud to the vniust. † Who [ 8] when they were diminished in the destruction of the murde∣red infants, thou gauest them abundant vnlooked for: † shew∣ing [ 9] by the thirst, that then was, how thou didst exalt thine, & didst kil their aduersaries. † For when :: 1.812 they were tempted, [ 10] and in deede with mercie taking discipline, they knew how :: 1.813 the impious being iudged with wrath did suffer torments. † These certes admonishing as a father thou didst proue: but [ 11] them examining as a hard king thou didst condemne. † For [ 12] the absent and the present were tormented alike. † For duble [ 13] tediousnes had taken them, and sighing with the memorie of good thinges past. † For when they vnderstood :: 1.814 by their [ 14] punishement that it went wel with them, they remembred our Lord, merueling at the end of the euent. † For :: 1.815 whom [ 15] before they derided, being cast forth in that wicked laying out to perish, him they merueled at in the end of the euent: not thirsting in like maner to the iust: † but for senseles cogita∣tions [ 16] of their iniquitie, for that :: 1.816 some erring did worshippe dumme serpents, and superfluous beasts, thou didst send vpon them a multitude of dumme beasts for reuenge: † that they [ 17] might know that by what thinges a man sinneth, by the same also he is tormented. † For thine omnipotent hand, which [ 18] * 1.817 made the world of inuisible matter, was not vnable to send vpon them a multitude of beares, or fierce lyons, † or vn∣knowen [ 19] * 1.818 beasts ful of anger of a new kind; or breathing the vapour of fires, or casting forth the sauour of smoke, or shoo∣ting* 1.819 horrible sparkes from their eies: † of which not onlie [ 20] their hurt was able to destroy them, but also their sight to kil them for feare. † Yea and without these with one spirit, they [ 21] might haue beene slaine suffering persecution of their owne factes, and dispersed by the spirit of thy powre: but thou hast disposed al thinges in measure, and number, and weight. † For, to be of great force rested alwaies in thee onlie: & who [ 22] shal resist the powre of thyne arme? † Because as the least [ 23] weight of the balance, so is the round world before thee, and as a droppe of the dewe before day, that falleth vpon the earth. † But thou hast mercie on al, because thou canst do al [ 24] thinges, and dissemblest the sinnes of men for repentance. † For thou :: 1.820 louest al thinges that are, and hatest nothing of [ 25] those which thou hast made: for thou didst not ordaine, or

make any thing hating it. † And how could any thing con∣tinew, [ 26] vnles thou wouldest? or be preserued which was not called of thee? † But thou sparest al: because they are thine [ 27] ô Lord, which louest soules.

CHAP. XII. Gods wisdom and mercie in destroying the wicked inhabitants of Chanaan, by parts (10. that they might haue amended,) whom he could haue slaine sudenly. 15. In that God neuer condemneth the iust, 19. his people are instructed to confide in him, 25. and sinners to turne vnto him.

O how good, and sweete is thy spirit ô Lord in al! † And [ 1] therefore those, that erre, by partes thou doest chastise: [ 2] and doest admonish, and speake to them, concerning the thinges wherin they sinne: that leauing naughtines, they may beleue in thee ô Lord. † For, those old inhabitantes of thy [ 3] holie land, whom thou didst abhorre, † because they did [ 4] workes odious to thee by sorceries, and vniust sacrifices, † and the murderers of their owne children without mercie, [ 5] and eaters of mens bowels, and deuourers of bloud from the middes :: 1.821 of thy sacrament, † and the parents authors of [ 6] aydelesse soules, thou wouldst destroy by the handes of our parents, † that they might receiue a peregrination worthie of [ 7] the children of God, which is a land of al most deare to thee. † But them also as men thou didst spare, and didst send fore∣runners [ 8] of thine host, waspes, that by litle and litle they might destroy them. † Not because thou wast vnable in battel to [ 9] subdewe the impious to the iust, or with cruel beastes, or with a sharpe word to destroy them together: † but iudging by partes thou gauest place of repentance, being [ 10] * 1.822 not ignorant, that the nation of them is wicked, and their malice :: 1.823 natural, & that their cogitation could not be changed for euer. † For it was a cursed seede from the begynning: [ 11] neither fearing any, didst thou geue pardon to their sinnes. † For who shal say to thee: what hast thou done? or who shal [ 12] stand against thy iudgement? or who in thy sight shal come reuenger of the wicked men? or who shal impute it to thee, if the nations perish, which thou hast made? † For there is [ 13] no other God but thou, who hast care of al, that thou mayst shew that thou doest not geue iudgement vniustly. † Neither [ 14] king, nor tyrant in thy sight shal enquire of them, whom thou hast destroyed. † For so much then as thou art iust, thou [ 15]

doest dispose al thinges iustly: thou also estemest it disagreable from thy powre, to condemne him, who ought not to be punished. † For thy powre is the begynning of iustice: and [ 16] for this that thou art Lord of al, thou makest thyself to spare al. † For thou shewest powre, which art not thought to be [ 17] absolute in powre, and thou conuincest the boldnes of them, that know thee not. † But thou dominatour of powre, [ 18] iudgest with tranquilitie, and with great reuerence disposest of vs: for :: 1.824 it is in thy powre when thou wilt, to be able. † And thou hast taught thy people by such workes, that [ 19] they must be iust and gentle, and hast made thy children of good hope: because iudging thou geuest in sinnes place of repentance. † For if thou didst punish the enemies of thy ser∣uants, [ 20] and that deserued to die, with so great consideration, geuing time and place, whereby they might be changed from their wickednes. † With what diligence hast thou iudged [ 21] thy children, to whose parents thou gauest othes and coue∣nants of good promises? † Therfore when thou geuest vs [ 22] discipline, thou scourgest our enemies very manie wayes, that iudging we may thinke vpon thy goodnes: and when we are iudged, we may hope for thy mercie. † Wherfore to [ 23] them also, which in their life haue liued foolishly & vniustly, thou hast geuen great torments by the same thinges, which they did worshipe. † For they wandered long in the way of [ 24] * 1.825 errour, esteming for goddes those thinges, that in beasts :: 1.826 are superfluous, liuing after the maner of sensles infants. † For this [ 25] cause thou hast geuen iudgement on them as on sensles children to be in derision. † But they that were not amended [ 26] by scornes and reprehensions, haue tried the worthie iudge∣ment of God. † For in what thinges they suffering tooke indi∣gnation, [ 27] by those whom they thought goddes, when seing they were destroyed in them, him, whom in time past they denied that they knewe, they acknowleged the true God: :: 1.827 for the which cause the end also of their condemnation shal come vpon them.

CHAP. XIII. Men folowing their phantasies knew not God by his creatures, but honored the creatures for goddes. 10. Most sottishly also worshipped thinges fa∣shioned by mens handes, as goddes.

BVT al men be vame, in Whom there is not the knowlege [ 1] of God: and of these good thinges, which are sene :: 1.828 they* 1.829 could not vnderstand him :: that is, neither attending to the workes haue they agnised who was the workeman: † but [ 2] * 1.830 either the fyre, or the wind, o•• the swift ayre, or a circle of starres or exceding much water, or the sunne and the moone, they thought to be goddes rulers of the world. † With whose [ 3] beautie if being delighted, they thought them goddes: let them know how much the Lord of them is more beautiful then they. For the author of beautie made al those thinges. † Or if they merueled at their vertue, & operations, let them [ 4] vnderstand by them, that he which made these, is stronger then they: † for by the greatnes of the beautie, and of the creature [ 5] the creator of them may be sene, to be knowen therby. † But [ 6] not withstanding there is yet in these lesse complainte. For they also perhaps erre, seeking God, and desirous to finde him. † For whereas they conuerse in his workes, they enquire: & [ 7] they are perswaded that the thinges be good which are seene. † But againe neither ought these to be pardoned. † For if [ 8] they could know so much, that they were able to estimate the [ 9] world: how did they not more easely find the Lord therof? † But they are vnhappie, & their hope is among the dead, who [ 10] haue called :: 1.831 the workes of mens handes godds, gold & siluer, the inuention of art, and the similitudes of beastes, or an vn∣profitable stone the worke of an old hand. † Or if an artificer [ 11] * 1.832 a carpenter, cut streight timber out of the wood, & pare of al the barke therof cunningly, and vsing his art, diligently fra∣meth* 1.833 a vessel profitable for the common vse of this life, † and [ 12] vseth the chippes of that worke to dresse his meate: † and [ 13] maketh that which is left therof, which is for no vses, but being a crooked peece of wood, and ful of knobes, carueth it diligently in the holownes therof, and by the skil of his art fashioneth it, and maketh it like to the image of a man, † or compareth it to some beast, straking it ouer with redde, [ 14] and with paynting making the colour therof ruddie, and lay∣eth a colour ouer euerie spot that is in it: † and maketh a [ 15] worthie habitation for it, and setting it in a wal, and fastening it with yron, † lest perhaps it fal, prouiding for it, knowing [ 16] that it can not helpe it selfe: for it is an image, and it nedeth helpe. † And concerning his substance, & his children, & for [ 17] mariage, making a vow he seeketh to it. He is not ashamed to

speake with him, that is without soule: † and for health certes [ 18] he besecheth the weake, and for life asketh the dead, and for helpe inuocateth him that is vnprofitable: † and for a iourney [ 19] asketh him, that can not walke: and for getting, and for working, and for the euent of al thinges he asketh him, that in al is vnprofitable.

ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XIII.

1. They could not vnderstand him, that is.] Philosophers discussing the nature* 1.834 of manie creatures, saw that euerie creature proceded of some other thing, & so there must nedes be one beginning of al, absolute of itselfe, neither pro∣ceding nor depending of an other, nor a limited substance. As the thing that is a man, is not a beast; an oxe is not a horse: &c. and telling what anie thing is, we exclude therby that it is not other thinges, but saying without addition, HE WHICH IS, we shew the beginning of al, in no sorte limited: and this is God. VVhom some Philosophers, by such discourse found, & knew, in general, & sometimes confessed, but did not honour him as God, and therefore were in∣excusable, as S. Paule concludeth against them. Rom. 1.

CHAP. XIIII. Foolish men intending to saile, honour woodden idols, in regard of the profite they receiue by shippes: 6. by which some were saued in the general di∣luge. 8. Idols, and idolmakers are cursed. 12. They were not from the beginning, 15. but were deuised for memorie of the dead, and worshipped with diuine honour. 22. So men forgetting God, proceeded in idolatrie, with other abominable, and cruel enormities.

AGAYNE an other thinking to sayle, and begynning to [ 1] make a iorney through the fierce waues, inuocateth wood :: 1.835 more fraile then the wood that carieth him. † For [ 2] couetousnes of getting inuented it, and the craftesman by his wisdom framed it. † But thy prouidence, ô Father, doth go∣uerne: [ 3] because thou hast geuen a way euen in the sea, and among the waues a most sure path, † shewing that thou art [ 4] able to saue out of al thinges, yea :: 1.836 if a man goe to the sea without art. † But that thy workes might not be voyde of [ 5] wisdom: for this cause also men commit their liues euen to a little wood, and passing ouer the sea are deliuered by shippe. † But from the begynning also when the prowde giants [ 6] perished, the hope of the world fleing to a shippe, rendered to the world feede of natiuitie, which was gouerned by thy hand. † For :: 1.837 blessed is the wood, by the which :: iustice is [ 7] made. † But the idol that is made by handes, cursed is both it,

and he that made it: because he in deede wrought it: and the same being fraile, was called god. † But to God the impious [ 9] and his impietie are odious alike. † For that which is made, [ 10] with him that made it, shal suffer torments. † For this cause [ 11] also in the idol of the nations there shal be no respect: because the creatures of God were made to hatred, and for tentation to the soules of men, and for a snare to the feete of the vnwise. † For the begynning :: 1.838 of fornication is the deuising of idols: [ 12] and the inuenting of them is the corruption of life. † For [ 13] neither were they from the begynning, neither shal they be for euer. † For this vanitie of men came into the world: and [ 14] therfore there is found a short end of them. † For “ the father [ 15] being sorowful with bitter moorning, made vnto himself the image of his sonne quickly taken away: and him, that then was a dead man, now :: 1.839 he began to worshipe as god, and appointed holie thinges and sacrifices among his seruants. † :: 1.840 Afterward by succession of time, the wicked custom pre∣uayling, [ 16] this errour was kept as a law, and thinges grauen were worshipped by the commandement af tyrants. † And [ 17] those, whom openly men could not honour, for that they were far of, their figure being brought from a far, they made an euident image of the king, whom they would honour: that by their carefulnes they might honour as present, him that was absent. † And to the worshipping of these, the excellent [ 18] diligence also of the artificer, holpe them forward, that were ignorant. † For he willing to please him, that entertained him, [ 19] laboured by his art, to fashion the similitude in better sort. † And the multitude of men caried away by the beautie of the [ 20] worke, him that a little before had bene honoured as a man, now they estemed for a god. † And this was the deceyuing [ 21] of mans life: because men seruing either affection, or kinges, gaue the name that is :: 1.841 not communicable to stones and wood. † And it was not sufficient that they erred about the [ 22] knowlege of God, but also liuing in a great battail of ignorance so manie and so great euils they cal peace. † For :: either [ 23] sacrificing their children, or making abscure sacrifices, or hauing watches ful of madnes, † they now neither keepe [ 24] life, nor mariage cleane, but one killeth an other by enuie,* 1.842 or playing the adulterer maketh him sorowful: † and al [ 25] thinges are mingled together, bloud, manslaughter, theft and fiction, corruption, and infidelitie, truble, and p••••iutie,

disquieting of the good, † forgetfulnes of God, inquination [ 26] of soules, immutation of natiuitie, inconstancie of mariage, disorder of adulterie, and vnchastnes. † For the worshippe [ 27] of idols not to be named, is the cause of al euil, and the begin∣ning and end. † For either when they reioyce, they are madde: [ 28] or certes prophecie false thinges, or liue vniustly, or quickly forsweare themselues. † For whiles they trust in idols, which [ 29] are without soule, swearing amisse they hope not to be hurt. † :: 1.843 Two euil thinges therfore shal happen to them worthely, [ 30] because they haue thought euil of God, attending to idols, and haue sworne vniustly, in guile contemning iustice. † For it is [ 31] not the powre of them, that are sworne by, but the punish∣ment of them that sinne, goeth alwayes through the trangres∣sion of the vniust.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XIIII.

15. The father made vnto himself the image of his sonne.] Caluin here chargeth* 1.844 this booke with error, in affirming that idolatrie begane by supersticiously honoring images of the dead. Against which he alleageth that Labans idoles,* 1.845 and others more ancient, were before anie images of dead men were honou∣red. But he argueth vpon a false ground. For labans idols were images, as the Hebrew word Teraphim signifieth, and is so translated in the English Bibles (1552. and 1577.) but because they were images of false goddes, and for that Laban called them his goddes, a later Bible (1603.) rranslateth it better, idoles,* 1.846 as the Latin and Greke haue idola. It is also certaine that Ninus king of Assi∣rians long before Laban, yea before Abraham, sette vp the image of his Father Belus (otherwise called Iuppiter) to be publikly honored by the people as S. Cyril sheweth. li. 3. in Iulianum, nere the end, and S. Ambrose, or an other graue Auctor writeth the same, in cap. 1. ad Romanos. Likewise S. Cyprian li. de Idolorum vanitate. S. Chrysostom. ho. 87. in Matth. and Egesippus, apud S. Ieronym. li. de Viris Illustrib. testifie, that the making of mens images, in memorie of the dead, was the occasion, and beginning of idol••tric, according as this place repotteth, that a Father sorovving for the death of his sonne,* 1.847 made an image in his memorie, & begane to worshippe him as a god, causing his seruants also to honour his dead sonne, vvith rites and sacrifices. VVhich priuate idolatrie vvas absolutely the first, that is recorded in holie Scripture, or anie other good auctor. And the first publique is counted by most auctors, that of Ninus, vvorshipping the image of his father Belus, vvith diuine honour, who also pardoned al offenders, how enormious soeuer their crimes were, that fled vnto that image. VVhich allurment together vvith so great a kinges aucto∣titie,* 1.848 drevv innumerable to publique idolatrie. VVherupon S. Ierom noteth (in cap. 2. Oseae) that Ninus became so great and glorious, as to make his father to be honored as a god▪

CHAP. XV. The wise gratfully praise the swetenes, and mercie of God, by whom they are deliuered from idolatrie: 6. detesting the makers, & worshippers of idols.

BVT ô thou our God, art sweete, and true, patient, and [ 1] disposing al thinges in mercie. † For if we sinne, we are [ 2] thine, knowing thy greatnes: and if we sinne not we know that we are counted with thee. † For to know thee, is abso∣lute [ 3] iustice: and to know iustice, and thy powre, is the roote of immortalitie. † For mens inuention of euil art hath not [ 4] brought vs into errour, nor the shadow of a picture being a labour without fruite, a shape grauen by diuerse colours, † the sight wherof geueth concupiscence to the sensles, and [ 5] and he loueth the shape without life of a deade image. † The [ 6] louers of euils, are worthie to haue their hope in such thinges, both they that make them, and that loue, and that worshippe them. † Yea and the potter pressing softe earth, with labour [ 7] fashioneth euerie vessel to our vses, and of the same clay ma∣keth the vessels, that are cleane to vse, and in like maner them, that are contrarie to these: but what the vse of these vessels is, the potter is iudge. † And with vaine labour he :: 1.849 fashio∣neth [ 8] a god of the same clay: he which a litle before was made of earth, and a litle after returneth backe whence he was ta∣ken, being exacted the debte of the life which he had. † But [ 9] his care is, not because he shal labour, nor because he hath a short life, but he contendeth with goldsmithes and siluer smithes: yea and he imitateth the copper smithes, and coun∣teth it a glorie, because he maketh vaine thinges. † For his [ 10] hart is ashes, and his hope vaine earth, and his life viler then clay: † because he was ignorant who made him, and who in∣spired [ 11] into him the soule which worketh, and who breathed into him the vital spirite. † Yea and :: 1.850 they estemed our life [ 12] to be a pastime, and the conuersation of life made for a gayne, & that we must get euerie way euen of euil. † For he know∣eth [ 13] that he offendeth aboue al men, which of the matter of earth fashioneth frayle vessels, and sculptils. † For al the vn∣wise, [ 14] and vnhappie aboue measure of the soule, proude :: 1.851 are the enemies of thy people, and rule ouer them: † because [ 15] they haue estemed al the idols of the nations for goddes, which neither haue vse of eies to see, nor nosthrels to take breath, nor eares to heare, nor fingers of the hands to handle, yea and their feete are slow to walke. † For a man made them: [ 16] and he that borowed breath, the same fashioned them. For no man can make God like to himself. † For wheras himself [ 17] is mortal, he maketh a dead thing with his wicked handes For

he is better then they, whom he worshippeth, because he in deede liued, though he were mortal, but they neuer. † But [ 18] :: 1.852 they worship also most miserable beasts: for the senslesse thinges compared to these, are worse then they. † Yea neither [ 19] by sight can any man see good of these beasts. But they haue fled from the prayse of God, and from his blessing.

CHAP. XVI. God plaguing the Aegyptians for idolatrie, and crueltie, deliuered the Israelites. 5. Chasticed them also, but againe shewed them mercie; 20. and fedde them with Manna.

FOR :: 1.853 these thinges, and :: 1.854 by the like to these, they haue [ 1] worthely suffered torments, and were destroyed by a multitude of beasts. † For the which torments thou didst wel [ 2] dispose of thy people, to whom thou gauest the desire of their delectation a new taste, preparing them the quaile for meate: † that they in deede coueting meate, because of those thinges [ 3] which were shewed and sent them, might be turned away euen from necessarie concupiscence. But they in short time being made needie, tasted a new meate. † For it behoued that [ 4] without excuse destruction should come vpon them exerci∣sing tyrannie: :: 1.855 but to these onlie to shew how their enemies were destroyed. † For when the cruel wrath of beastes came [ 5] vpon them, they were destroyed with the bytings of peruerse serpents † Howbeit thy wrath endured not for euer, but [ 6] for chastisement they were trubled a short time, hauing a signe of saluation for the remembrance of the command∣ment of thy law. † For he that turned to it, :: 1.856 was not healed [ 7] by that which he saw, but by thee the sauiour of al: † and in [ 8] this thou didst shew to our enemies, that thou art he which deliuerest from al euil. † For the bitings of locusts, and flies [ 9] killed them, and there was found no remedie for their life: because they were worthie to be destroyed by such thinges. † But neither the teeth of venemous dragons ouercame thy [ 10] children: for thy mercie coming healed them. † For in [ 11] memorie of thy wordes they were examined, & were quickly saued, lest falling into deepe obliuion, they might no•• vse thy helpe. † For neither herbe, not pla••ster healed them, but thy [ 12] word, ô Lord, which healeth al thinges. † For i•• is thou, ô [ 13] Lord, that hast powre of life and death, and bringest downe to

the gates of death, and fetchest agayne: † but man certes [ 14] killeth by malice, and when the spirit is gone forth, it shal not returne, neither shal he cal backe the soule that is receiued: † but it is vnpossible to escape thy hand. † For the impious [ 15] denying to knowe thee, haue bene scourged by the strength [ 16] of thine arme, suffering persecution by strange waters, and haile, and rayne, and consumed by fyre. † For that which [ 17] was meruelous in water, which extinquisheth al thinges, :: 1.857 fyre more preuayled: for the world is reuenger of the iust. † For a certayne time, the fyre was mitigated, that :: 1.858 the [ 18] beasts which were sent to the impious might not be burnt, but that they seing might know that by Gods iudgement they suffer punishment. † And at a certaine time the fyre aboue his [ 19] powre burnt :: 1.859 in water on euerie side, that it might destroy the nation of a wicked land. † For the which thinges thou [ 20] didst nourish thy people with the meate of Angels, and bread prepared thou gauest them from heauen without labour, :: 1.860 hauing in it al delectation, and the sweetnes of al taste. † For [ 21] thy substance did shew thy sweetnes which thou hast toward thy children, and seruing euerie mans wil, it was turned to that, that euerie man would. † Yea snow and yee susteyned [ 22] the force of fyre, and melted not: that they might know that fyre burning in hayle, and lightening in rayne destroyed the fruites of the enemies. † And this againe, that the iust might [ 23] be nourished, it forgat also his owne strength. † For the [ 24] creature seruing thee the Creatour, is fierce into torment against the vniust: and is made more gentle to doe good for them, that trust in thee. † For this cause euen then being [ 25] transformed into al thinges they serued thy grace the nource of al, at their wil that desired thee: † that thy children might [ 26] know, whom thou louedst ô Lord, that not the fruites of nati∣uitie doe feede men, but thy word preserueth them, that beleue in thee. † For that which could not be destroyed by [ 27] fyre, forthwith being :: 1.861 heated with a litle beame of the sunne did melt: † that it might be knowen to al men, that we ought [ 28] to preuent the sunne to blesse thee, and at the rysing of light to adore thee. † For the :: 1.862 fayth of the vngratful shal melt as [ 29] winter yee, & shal perish as vnprofitable water.

CHAP. XVII. Horrible darkenes falling in Aegypt. 19. the rest of the world had ordinarie light.

FOR thy iudgements ô Lord are great, & thy wordes inex∣phcable, for this cause the soules lacking discipline haue erred. † For whiles the wicked are perswaded that they can [ 2] rule ouer the holie nation: fettered with the bands of darknes,* 1.863 and :: 1.864 long night, shut vp vnder roofes, they haue lyen fugi∣tiues from the euerlasting prouidence. † And whiles they [ 3] thincke that they lie hid in obscure sinnes, they were dispersed by the darke couert of obliuion, being horribly afrayd and disturbed with exceding admiration. † For neither did the [ 4] denne that conteyned them, keepe them without feare: because the sound coming downe trubled them, and sorowful visions appearing to them, put them in feare. † And no force [ 5] certes of the fyre could geue them light, neither could the clere flames of the starres lighten that horrible night. † But [ 6] there appeared to them soden fyre, ful of feare: and being stroken with the feare of that face, which was not sene, they estemed the thinges that were sene to be worse: † and there [ 7] were added derisions of the magical art, and contumelious rebuke of the glorie of their wisdom. † For they which pro∣mised [ 8] that they would expel feares and perturbations from the languishing soule, these with derision languished ful of feare. † For although none of the monsters disturbed them: [ 9] being moued with the passing by of beasts, and hissing of ser∣pents, they perished trembling: and denying that they saw the ayre, which by no meanes any man could avoyde. † For [ 10] wheras wickednes is fearful, it geueth testimonie of con∣demnation: for :: 1.865 a trubled conscience doth alwayes presume cruel thinges. † For feare is nothing els but a bewraying of [ 11] the aydes of cogitation. † And whiles inwardly there is lesse [ 12] expectation, the greater doth he count the ignorance of that cause which maketh the torment. † But they that during the [ 13] night in deede impotent, and coming vpon them from the lowest and highest hel, slept the same sleepe, † were sometime [ 14] molested with the feare of monsters, sometime fayled by passing away of the soule: for soden feare and vnlooked for came vpon them. † Moreouer if any of them had fallen [ 15] downe, he was kept shut vp in prison without yron. † For if [ 16] one were a husbandman, or if a shepheard, or worker of the labours in the silde were sodenly taken, he susteyned necessitie ineuitable. † For with one chayne of darkenes they were al [ 17] tyed together. Whether it were the hissing winde, or among

the thicke boughes of trees the sweete sound of birdes, or the force of water running downward exceedingly, † or the [ 18] mightie sound of rockes tumbled headlong, or the running of playing beasts, that were not sene, or the mightie noyse of roaring beastes, or an Echo resounding from the highest moun∣taynes: they made them swoone for feare. † For :: 1.866 al the world [ 19] was illuminated with a cleare light, & none was hindered in their workes. † But ouer them onlie was layd an heauie night, [ 20] the image of darkenes, which was to come vpon them. They therfore were vnto themselues more heauie then the darknes.

CHAP. XVIII. In the Aegyptian darknes, the Israelites saw clerly, and were not sene of their enimies. 5. For the Aegyptians crueltie against the Hebrewes in∣fants, al their owne first borne were slaine, and their whole armie drow∣ned in the redsea. 20. But fire deuouring the rebellions in Chores schisme, was quenched by Aarons intercession.

BVT to thy :: 1.867 saincts there was very great light, and their [ 1] voyce in deede they heard, but figure they saw not. And because themselues also did not suffer by the same thinges, they magnified thee: † and they that before had bene hurt, [ 2] because they were not hurt, gaue thankes: and that there might be a difference, they asked a gift. † For the which [ 3] cause they had a burning pillar of fyre for a guide of the vnknowen way, and thou gauest them the sunne without hurt of a good harbour. † They in deede worthie to lacke [ 4] light, and to suffer the prison of darkenes, which kept thy children shut vp, by whom the vncorrupt light of the law began to be geuen to the world. † When they decreed to [ 5] kil the infantes of the iust: and :: 1.868 one child being layd forth, and deliuered, thou to the reprouing of them, didst take away a multitude of children, and destroyedst them together in the mightie water. † For that night was knowen before of our [ 6] fathers, that they knowing in deede what othes they had cre∣dited, might be of better comfort. † And by thy people in [ 7] deede the health of the iust, was receiued, but destruction by the vniust. † For as thou didst hurt the aduersaries: so vs also [ 8] thou didst magnifie, prouoking vs. † For the iust children of [ 9] the good sacrificed secretly, and disposed the law of iustice in concorde: that the iust should receiue both good & euil alike, singing now the prayses of the fathers. † But there sounded a [ 10]

disagreing voyce of the enemies, and a lamentable moorning was heard for the bewayled infants. † And the seruant with [ 11] the master was afflicted with like punishment, and a man of the vulgar sort suffered the like thinges to the king. † Al ther∣fore [ 12] alike by one name of death had dead ones innumerable. For neitheir did the liuing suffice to burie them: because in one moment, that which was the nobler nation of them, was destroyed. † For concerning al thinges being incredulous [ 13] because of the inchantments, but then first when there was destruction of the first begotten, they promised to be the people of God. † :: 1.869 For when quiet silence conteyned al [ 14] thinges, and the night was in the midde way of her course, † thy omnipent word salying out of heauen from the royal [ 15] seates, lighted as a seuere conquerour vpon the middes of the land of destruction, † a sharpe sword carying thy vnfeyned [ 16] commandment, and standing filled al with death, and reached euen to heauen standing on the earth. † Then incontinent [ 17] the visions of naughtie dreames trubled them, and feares vnlooked for came vpon them. † And one here an other [ 18] there, cast forth halfe aliue, shewed for what cause of death he died. † For the visions, that trubled them, forewarned [ 19] these thinges, that they might not perish as ignorant why they suffered euils. † But then :: 1.870 there touched the iust also a [ 20] tentation of death, and a disturbance of the multitude was* 1.871 made in the wildernes: but thy wrath did not long continew. † For a man without blame hasting to pray for the people, [ 21] bringing forth the shilde of his ministerie prayer, and by incense alleaging supplication, resisted the wrath, and made an end of the necessitie, shewing that he is thy seruant. † And [ 22] he ouercame the multitudes, not in strength of bodie, nor with might of armour, but with a word subdewed he him, that vexed him, rehearsing the oathes of the parents, and the testament. † For when they were now fallen dead by heapes [ 23] one vpon an other, he stood betwen, and cut of the violence, and seperated that way which leadeth to the liuing. † For [ 24] in the vesture downe to the foote, which he had, was al the world: and the glorious thinges of the fathers were grauen in the foure iewels of stones & thy magnificence was written in the diademe of his head. † And to these he that destroyed [ 25] gaue place, & these did he feare: for the proofe onlie of wrath was sufficient.

CHAP. XIX. Aegyptians persecuting the Hebrewes were drowned, 10. hauing bene plagued before with flies, and frogges. 11. Quailes were geuen to the people of Israel. 13. The barbarous not receiuing, or euil intreating Gods people, were strooken with blindnes. 17. And al creatures serue God in punishing the impious, and rewarding the godlie.

BVT vpon the impious euen to the later end there came [ 1] wrath without mercie. For :: 1.872 he foreknew also the* 1.873 thinges that should come vnto them: † because when they [ 2] had permitted that they should depart, and had sent them away with great diligence, they repenting pursued them. For hauing as yet moorning betwen their hands, and lamen∣ting [ 3] at the graues of the dead, they tooke to themselues an other cogitation of follie: and whom by intreating they had cast forth, them they pursued as fugitiues: † for worthie ne∣cessitie [ 4] brought them to this end: and they lost the remem∣brance of those thinges, which had chanced, that punishment might fulfil the thinges that wanted to the torments: † and [ 5] that thy people certes might passe through meruelously, but they might finde a new death. † For euerie creature according [ 6] to his kind was fashioned agayne from the begyning, seruing thy precepts, that thy children might be kept without hurt. † For a clowde ouer shadowed their campe, and out of the [ 7] water which was before, there appeared drie land, and in the redsea a way without impediment, and of the great depth a springing filde: † through the which al the nation [ 8] passed, which was protected with thy hand, seing thy mer∣uelous thinges and wonders. † For euen as horses they [ 9] fed on meate, and as lambes they reioyced, magnifying thee ô Lord, which didst deliuer them. † For they were mindful [ 10] of those thinges, which had bene done in their seiourning, how for the nation of beasts the earth brought forth flies, and for fishes the riuer yelded a multitude of frogges. † And last [ 11] of al they saw a new creature of birdes, when allured by con∣cupiscence they desired meates of deliciousnes. † For in com∣fort [ 12] * 1.874 of their desire, there came vp to them the quaile from the sea: and vexations came vpon the sinners, not without those arguments, which were made before by the force of light∣ninges: for they suffered iustly occording to their wickednes.

† For they instituted a more detestable in hospitalitie: :: 1.875 some [ 13] certes receiued not the vnknowen strangers, and other some brought the good strangers into seruitude. † And not onlie [ 14] these thinges, but in deede there was an other respect also of them: for they against their wil receiued the strangers. † But [ 15] they that receiued them with gladnes, did afflict them with most cruel sorowes, that vsed the same rightes: † but they [ 16] were striken with blindnes: as they in the dores of the iust, when they were couered with sodaine darkenes, euerie man sought the passage of his doore. † For whiles the :: elements [ 17] * 1.876 are turned in themselues, as in an instrument the sound of the qualitie is changed, and al keepe their sound: wherfore it may be certainly iudged by the very sight. † For the thinges [ 18] of the fild were turned into thinges of the water: and what soeuer were swimming thinges passed into the land. † The [ 19] * 1.877 fyre had force in water aboue his powre, and the water forgot her quenching nature. † On the contrarie the flames vexed [ 20] not the flesh of corruptible beasts walking therewith, neither* 1.878 did they melt that good meate, which was easely dissolued euen as yce. For in al thinges thou didst magnifie thy people ô Lord, and didst honour them, and didst not despise them, at al time, and in euerie place assisting them.

THE ARGVMENT OF ECCLESIASTICVS.

IN what sense this Booke is sometimes called Salomons, we haue shewed in the argument before the Booke of wisdom. As likewise that it is Ca∣nonical Scripture. Wherto we might adde more testimonies of ancient Fathers: as S. Clement of Alexandria, li. 1. c. 8. Pedagogi, Origen. ho.* 1.879 8. in Numer. & ho. 1. in Ezech. S. Cyprian de opere & eleemos. S. Atha∣nasius in Synopsi, & li. de virginitate. S. Basil in regul. disput. resp. 104. S. Gregorie Nazianzen. Orat. 2. aduers. Iulian. S. Epiphanius. haer. 76. & in Ancorato. S. Hilarie, in Psal. 144. S. Ambrose de bono mortis. c. 8. & Ser. 22. in Psal. 118. S. Chrysostom ho. 33. ad populum Antioch. S. Au∣gustin, li. 2. ca. 8. Doct. Christ. & li. 17. c. 20. de Ciuit. S. Gregorie the great. in Psal. 50. and manie others expresly cite this booke as holie Scripture, But chiefly we re••ie vpon the auctoritie of the Church defining that it is Ca∣nonical.

It was written by Iesus the sonne of Sirach in Hebrew, about the* 1.880 time of Simon Iustus, otherwise called Priscus: and translated into Greke by the auctors Nephew, as the same Translator testifieth in his Prologue, but expresseth not his owne name. It is called Ecclesiasticus, which signifieth a Collector or Gatherer, as a common title of euerie ordinarie preacher, instructing and exhorting the multitude gathered to a sermon: with difference from Ecclesiastes: Which signifieth The* 1.881 Preacher, as a greater title of the chief or principal Preacher of anie Church, Citie, or Prouince, and agreeth most eminently to Christ our Sauiour: Who preached, and sendeth preachers to the whole world. And for the excellent contents, it may also rightly be called Panaretos,* 1.882 that is, a Receptacle, or storehouse of al vertues, for the instruction of al in general, to cooperate with Gods grace in this life, and so enherite eternal glorie. In fourtie and three whole chapters, are mixtly the commendations,* 1.883 and precepts of al sortes of vertues; sometimes in particular, but more often vnder the general names of wisdom and Iustice. In the other eight chapters are recited manie excellent examples of most renowmed holie men: with praises and thankes to God.

THE PROLOGVE VPON ECCLESIASTICVS OF IESVS THE SONNE OF SIRACH.

THE knowlege of manie and great thinges hath bene* 1.884 shewed vs by the Law, and the Prophetes, and others that folowed them: in which we ought :: to prayse Israel for doctrine & wisdom: because not onlie they in speaking must nedes be cunning, but strangers also both lerning & writing, may become most lerned. My grandfather Iesus, after he gaue himselfe more amply to the diligence of reading the Law, and the Prophetes, and other Bookes, that were deliuered vs from our fathers: himself also would write some of those thinges, which perteyne to doctrine and wisdom: that such as are desirous to lerne, and to be made counning in the same thinges, may more and more be attent in minde, and be confirmed to the life that is according to the law. I exhort you therfore to come with bene∣uolence, and to read with attent studie, and to pardon vs for those thinges, wherein we seming to folow the image of wisdom, may

fayle in the composition of wordes: for the Hebrew wordes also :: 1.885 fayle when they shal be translated to an other tongue. And not onlie these, but the Law also itself, and the Prophetes, and the rest of other bookes, haue no smal difference, when they are spoken within themselues. For in the eight and thirteth yeare, in the time of Prolomee Euergetes the king, after I came into Aegypt: and when I had bene there much time, I found there bookes leaft, of no smal nor contemptible doctrine. Therfore myself also thought it good, and necessarie to adde some diligence and labour to inter∣prete this booke: and with much watching I brought forth this doctrin in space of time, that men may lerne those thinges which teach them, that wil applie their minde, how they ought to order their maners, them that purpose to lead their life according to the Law of our Lord.

ECCLESIASTICVS. CHAP. I. Wisdom procedeth from God, appeareth in his creatures. 10. and is geuen* 1.886 in competent measure to al that feare God, 16. it bringeth al vertues, 27. excludeth al vices, 33. and is to be sought in simplicitie of hart.

AL wisdom is of our Lord God, & hath bene alwayes [ 1] with him, & is before al time. † The sand of the sea, [ 2] & the droppes of rayne, & the dayes of the world :: 1.887 who hath numbred? The height of heauen, and breadth of the earth, & profunditie of the depth who hath mea¦sured? † The wisdom of God that goeth before al thinges who [ 3] hath searched out? † Wisdom was created before al thinges, & [ 4] the vnderstanding of prudence from euerlasting. † A foun∣tayne [ 5] of wisdom the word of God on high, and the entrance therof euerlasting commandments. † The roote of wisdom to [ 6] whom hath it bene reueled, & the subtilties therof who hath knowen? † The discipline of wisdom to whom hath it bene [ 7] reueled, and made manifest, and the multiplication of her entrance who hath vnderstood? † There is one most high [ 8] Creatour omnipotent, and mightie King, and to be feared excedingly, sitting vpon his throne and the God of dominion. † He created her in the Holie Ghost, and hath sene, and [ 9] nummbred, and measured her. † And he hath powred her [ 10] out vpon al his workes, and vpon al flesh according to his

gift, and hath geuen her to them that feare him. † The feare [ 11] of our Lord is :: 1.888 glorie, and gloriation, and ioy, and a crowne of exultation. † The feare of our Lord shal delight the hart, [ 12] and shal geue ioy, gladnes in length of dayes. † With him [ 13] that feareth our Lord it shal be wel in the later end, and in the day of his death he shal be blessed. † The loue of God is [ 14] honorable wisdom. † But they to whom she shal appeare in [ 15] vision, they loue her in the vision, and in the agnising of her great workes. † The feare of our Lord, is the begynning [ 16] of wisdom, and was created with the faythful in the wombe,* 1.889 and goeth with the elect wemen, and is knowen with the iust and faythful. † The feare of our Lord is religiositie of know∣lege. [ 17] † Religiositie shal keepe and iustifie the hart, shal geue [ 18] ioy and gladnes. † With him that feareth our Lord it shal be [ 19] wel, and in the dayes of his consummation he shal be blessed. † The fulnesse of wisdom is to feare God, and fulnesse is of [ 20] the fruites therof. † Al her house she shal fil with her gene∣rations, [ 21] and the storehouses with her treasures. † A crowne [ 22] of wisdom, the feare of our Lord, replenishing place, and the fruite of saluation: † and he hath sene, and numbred her: [ 23] but both are the giftes of God. † Wisdom shal distribute [ 24] knowlege, and vnderstanding of prudence: and exalteth the glorie of them that hold it. † The roote of wisdom is to feare [ 25] our Lord: for the boughes therof are of long time. † In the [ 26] treasures of wisdom is vnderstanding, & religiositie of know∣lege, but to sinners wisdom is abomination. † The feare of [ 27] our Lord expelleth sinne: † for he that is without feare, can [ 28] not be iustified: for the anger of his animositie, is his subuer∣sion. † Vntil a time the patient shal susteyne, and after shal [ 29] be rewarded of ioyfulnes. † A good vnderstanding wil hide [ 30] his wordes vntil a time, and the lippes of manie shal shew forth his vnderstanding. † In the treasures of wisdom is signi∣fication [ 31] of discipline: † but the worshipe of God, :: 1.890 is abomi∣nation [ 32] to a sinner. † Sonne, coueting wisdom, keepe iustice, [ 33] and God wil geue her to thee. † For the feare of our Lord is wisdom and discipline: and that which wel pleaseth him, [ 34] † is fayth, and meeknes, and he wil fil his treasures. † Be not [ 35] incredulous to the feare of our Lord: and come not to him with a duble hart. † Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, [ 37] and be not scandalized in thy lippes. † Attend to them, lest [ 38] perhaps thou fal, and bring dishonour to thy soule, † and God [ 39]

reuele thy secretes, and in the middes of the synagogue cast thee downe: † because thou camest to our Lord wickedly, & thy hart is ful of guile and deceite.

CHAP. II. Whosoeuer wil serue God must haue iustice, feare of God, and patien••••; 6. with confidence in God. 14. Dissemblers, incredulous, and impatient shal be miserable; 18. but the godlie shal receiue more grace.

SONNE coming to the seruice of God, stand in iustice, and [ 1] in feare, & prepare thy soule to tentation. † Represse thy [ 2] hart, & susteyne: incline thine eare, & receiue the wordes of vnderstanding: :: 1.891 and make no hast in the time of * 1.892 obduction. † Susteyne the sustentations of God: be ioyned to God, and [ 3] susteyne, that thy life may increase in the later end. † Al, that [ 4] shal be applied to thee, receiue: and in sorow susteyne, and in thy humiliation haue patience: † for gold and siluer are [ 5] tryed in the fyre, but acceptable men in the fornace of humi∣liation. † Beleue God, and he wil recouer thee: and direct [ 6] thy way, and hope in him. Keepe his feare, and grow old therin. † Ye that feare our Lord expect his mercie: & decline [ 7] not from him lest ye fal. † Ye that feare our Lord, beleue him, [ 8] and your reward shal not be voyde. † Ye that feare our Lord, [ 9] hope in him: and mercie shal come to you for your delecta∣tion. † Ye that feare our Lord, loue him, & your hartes shal [ 10] be illuminated. † Children behold the nations of men: and [ 11] know ye that none hath hoped in our Lord, and hath bene confounded. † For who hath continewed in his command∣ment, [ 12] and hath bene forsaken? or who hath inuocated him, and he despised him? † Because God is pitiful and mer∣ciful, [ 13] and wil forgeue sinnes in the day of tribulation: and he is protector to al that seeke him in truth. † :: 1.893 Woe to them of [ 14] a duble hart, and to wicked lippes, and to the handes that doe euil, and to the sinner that goeth on the earth two wayes. † Woe to them that be dissolute of hart, which beleue not [ 15] God: and therefore they shal not be protected of him. † Woe [ 16] be to them, that haue lost patience, and that haue forfaken the right wayes, and haue declined into peruerse wayes. † And what wil they doe, when our Lord shal begynne to [ 17] looke on them? † They that feare our Lord, wil not be [ 18] incredulous to his word: and they that loue him, wil kepe

his waye. † They that feare our Lord, wil seeke after the [ 19] thinges that are wel pleasing to him: and they that loue him, shal be filled with his law. † They that feare our Lord, wil [ 20] prepare their hartes, and in his sight wil sanctifie their soules. † They that feare our Lord, kepe his commandements, and [ 21] wil haue patience euen vntil his visitation, † saying: If we [ 22] doe not penance, we shal fal into the handes of our Lord, and not into the handes of men. † For according to his greatnes, [ 23] so also his mercie is with him.

CHAP. III. Honour of parents procureth Gods blessing, 11. dishonoring them his curse. 19. Mekenes and modestie auaile much: but curiositie to know secret mysteries is dangerous. 27. A charitable, sincere, and docile hart, 33. with workes of mercie merite reward.

THE children of wisdom, are the Church of the iust: and [ 1] their :: 1.894 nation, obedience and loue. † :: 1.895 Heare your [ 2] fathers iudgement ò children, and so doe that you may be saued. † For God hath honoured the father in the children: [ 3] and inquiring of the mothers iudgement, hath confirmed it vpon the children. † He that loueth God, praying shal [ 4] obteyne for sinnes, and shal refrayne himself from them, and shal be heard in the prayer of dayes. † And as he that gathereth [ 5] treasure, so he also that honoureth his mother. † He that [ 6] honoureth his father, shal haue ioy in children, and in the day of his prayer he shal be heard. † He that honoureth his [ 7] father, shal liue the longer life: & he that obeyeth the father, shal refresh the mother. † He that feareth our Lord honou∣reth [ 8] * 1.896 his parents, and as his lordes he wil serue them, that begat him. † In worke and word, & al patience honour thy father, [ 9] † that blessing may come vpon thee from him, & his blessing [ 10] * 1.897 may remayne in the later end. † The fathers blessing establi∣sheth the houses of the children: but the mothers curse rooteth vp the foundation. † Glorie not in the contumelie of [ 12] thy father: for his confusion is no glorie to thee. † For the [ 13] glorie of a man is by the honour of his father, and the father without honour is the dishonour of the sonne. † Sonne [ 14] receiue the old age of thy father, and make him not sorowful in his life: † and if he fayle in vnderstanding, pardon him, [ 15] and despise him not in thy strength: for the almes to the father shal not be in obliuion. † For good shal be restored [ 16]

thee :: 1.898 for the sinne of thy mother, † and in iustice it shal be [ 17] builded to thee, and in the day of tribulation there shal be re∣membrance of thee: and as yee in the clere weather shal thy sinnes melt away. † Of what an euil fame is he, that forsaketh [ 18] his father: and he is cursed of God, that doth exasperate his mother. † Sonne doe thy workes in meekenes, and thou [ 19] shalt be beloued aboue the glorie of men. † The :: 1.899 greater [ 20] * 1.900 thou art, humble thy self in al thinges, and thou shalt finde grace before God: † because the might of God onlie is great, [ 21] and he is honoured of the humble. † Seeke not thinges [ 22] * 1.901 higher then thy self, and search not thinges stronger then thy habilitie: but the thinges that God hath commanded thee, thincke on them alwayes, and in manie of his workes be not curious. † For it is not necessarie for thee, to see with thyne [ 23] eies those thinges that are hid. † In superfluous thinges [ 24] search not manie wayes, and in manie of his workes thou shalt not be curious. † For verie manie thinges are shewed [ 25] to thee aboue the vnderstanding of men. † Manie also haue [ 26] their suspicion supplanted, and haue held their senses in vani∣tie. † A hard hart shal fare il in the later end: and he :: 1.902 that [ 27] loueth danger, shal perish in it. † A hart that goeth two [ 28] wayes, shal not haue successe, and the peruerse of hart shal be scandalized in them. † A wicked hart shal be laden with [ 29] sorowes, and the sinner wil adde to commit sinne. † To the [ 30] synagogue of the proude there shal be no health: for the shrubbe of sinne shal be rooted vp in them, and it shal not be perceiued. † The hart of the wise is vnderstood in wisdom, [ 31] and a good eare wil heare wisdom with al desire. † A wise [ 32] hart, and that which hath vnderstanding wil absteyne it self from sinnes, and in the workes of iustice shal haue successe. † Water quencheth burning fyre, and almes resisteth sinnes: [ 33] * 1.903 † and God is the beholder of him that rendreth grace: he re∣membreth [ 34] him afterward, and in the time of his fal he shal finde a sure stay.

CHAP. IIII. An exhortation to practise workes of mercie. 12. With commendation of wisdom: 23. (& obseruing due times) not to omite for anie feare, or sham fastnes, to say the truth, 34. also to be diligent, meke, and liberal.

SONNE defraude not the almes of the poore, and turne [ 1] not away thyne eies from the poore. † Despise not the [ 2]

hungrie soule: and exasperate not the poore in his pouertie. † Afflict not the hart of the needie, and deferre not the gift to [ 3] him that is in distresse. † Reiect not the petition of him that [ 4] is afflicted: and turne not away thy face from the needie. † From the poore turne not away thine eies for anger: and [ 5] :: 1.904 leaue not to them that aske of thee, to curse thee behinde thy backe. † For the prayer of him that curseth thee in the [ 6] bitternes of his soule, :: 1.905 shal be heard: and he that made him, wil heare him. † Make thyself affable to the congregation of [ 7] the poore, and to the ancient humble thy soule, and to a great man bow thy head. † Bow downe thyne eare to the poore [ 8] without sadnesse, and render thy debt, and answer him peaceable wordes in mildenes. † Deliuer him that suffereth [ 9] iniurie out of the hand of the proud: and be not faynt harted in thy soule. † In iudging be merciful to pupils as a father, & [ 10] as an husband to their mother: † and thou shalt be as the [ 11] obedient sonne of the Highest, and he wil haue mercie on thee more then a mother. † Wisdom inspireth life to her [ 12] children, and receaueth them that seeke after her, and wil goe before them in the way of iustice. † And he that loueth [ 13] her, loueth life: and they that shal watch to her, shal embrace her sweetnes. † They that shal hold her, shal inherite life: [ 14] and whither soeuer he shal enter, God wil blesse him. † They [ 15] that serue her, shal be seruants to the holie: and them that loue her God loueth. † He that heareth her, shal iudge nations: [ 16] and he that beholdeth her, shal remayne confident. † If he [ 17] beleue her, he shal inherite her, and her :: 1.906 creatures shal be in confirmation: † because in tentation she walketh with [ 18] him, and first of al she chooseth him. † Feare and dread, and [ 19] probation she wil bring vpon him: and she wil torment him in the tribulation of her doctrine, til she trie him in her cogi∣tations, and credite his soule. † And she wil establish him, [ 20] and make a direct way vnto him, and reioyce him, † and wil [ 21] disclose her secretes to him, and wil heape vpon him as trea∣sures knowlege and vnderstanding of iustice. † But if he goe [ 22] amis, she wil forsake him, and deliuer him into the handes of his enimie. † Sonne obserue time, and avoyd from euil. [ 23] For thy soule be not ashamed to say the truth. † For there is [ 24] :: 1.907 shame that bringeth sinne, & there is :: 1.908 shame that bringeth [ 25] glorie and grace. † Accept no face against thine owne face, [ 26] nor against thy soule a lie. † Reuerence not thy neighbour [ 27]

in his offence: † nor kepe in a word in time of saluation. [ 28] Hide not thy wisdom in the beautie thereof. † For by the [ 29] tongue wisdom is discerned: and vnderstanding, and know∣lege, and doctrine by the word of the wise, and steedfastnes in the workes of iustice. † :: 1.909 Doe not gaynesay the word of [ 30] truth by any meanes, and be ashamed of the lie of thyne vnskilfulnes. † Be not ashamed to confesse thy sinnes, and [ 31] submite not thy self to euerie man for sinne. † Resist not [ 32] against the face of the mightie, neither labour against the streame of the riuer. † For :: 1.910 iustice contend for thy soule, and [ 33] vnto death striue for iustice, and God wil ouerthrow thyne enemies for thee. † Be not hastie in thy tongue: and vnpro∣fitable, [ 34] and remisse in thy workes. † Be not as a lion in thy [ 35] house, ouerthrowing them of thy houshold, and oppressing them that are subiect to thee. † Let not thine hand be stret∣ched [ 36] out to receiue, and closed to geue.

CHAP. V. Let not riches, youth, nor streingth hold thee in sinne: 5. but do penance for sinnes remitted, and adde not sinne vpon sinne. 6. Neither presume to sinne, because God is merciful. 10. Be not couetous, nor vnconstant. 13. Be meeke in lerning, and careful in teaching. 16. not a bat••maker, nor duble tongued.

ATTEND not to vniust possessions, and say not: I haue [ 1] sufficient liuelihood: for it shal nothing profite in the time of vengeance & affliction. † Folow not in :: thy strength [ 2] * 1.911 the concupiscence of thy hart: † and say not: How mightie [ 3] am I? and who shal bring me vnder for my factes? for God reuenging wil reuenge. † Say not: I haue sinned, and what [ 4] sorowful thing hath chanced to me? For the Highest is a pa∣tient rewarder. † :: 1.912 Of sinne forgeuen be not without feare, [ 5] neither adde thou sinne vpon sinne. † And say not: The [ 6] mercie of our Lord is great, he wil haue mercie on the multi∣tude of my sinnes. † For mercie and wrath quickly approch [ 7] from God, and his wrath looketh vpon sinners. † Slacke not [ 8] to be conuerted to our Lord, and differre not from day to day. † For his wrath shal come sodainly, and in the time of ven∣geance [ 9] he wil destroy thee. † Be not careful in vniust riches: [ 10] for they shal not profite thee in the day of * 1.913 obduction and vengeance. † Tosse not thy self into euerie winde, and goe [ 11]

not into euerie way: for so euerie sinner is proued by a duble* 1.914 tongue. † :: 1.915 Be stedfast in the way of our Lord, & in the truth of thy vndestanding and in knowlege, and let the :: 1.916 word of peace and iustice accompanie thee. † Be milde to heare the [ 13] word, thou maist vnderstand: and with wisdom vtter thou a true answer. † If thou haue vnderstanding, answer thy [ 14] neighbour: but if not, let thine hand be vpon thy mouth, lest thou be taken in an vnskilful word, and be confounded. † Honour and glorie in the word of the wise, but the tongue [ 15] of the vnwise is his subuersion. † Be not called a whisperer [ 16] and be not taken in thy tongue, & confounded † For vpon a [ 17] theefe is confusion & repentance, and a verie euil condemna∣tion vpon the duble tongued, but to the whisperer hatred, and emnitie, and contum••lie. † Iustifi•• thou the litle one, and [ 18] the great alike.

CHAP. VI. Reproch, enuie, and ferocitie hinder from louing our neighbour, 5. swetenes norisheth it. 6. A trustie freind is much worth. ••8. Seeke and kepe wisdom, with al diligence. 35. Frequent the companie of the wise: and meditate in Gods law.

BE not for a frend made an enemie to thy neighbour: for [ 1] the euil man shal inherite reproch and contumelie, and euerie sinner enuious and duble tongued. † Extol not thyself [ 2] in the cogitation of thy soule as it were a bul: lest perhaps thy strength be quashed, † and it eate thy leaues, and destroy thy [ 3] fruites, and thou be leaft as a drie tree in the wildernes. † For [ 4] a wicked soule shal destroy him that hath it, and it geueth him to be a ioy to his enemies, and shal lead him into the lot of the impious. † :: 1.917 A sweete word multiplieth frends, & appeaseth [ 5] enemies, and a gratious tongue in a good man aboundeth. † Let there be manie at peace with thee, and let one of a [ 6] thousand be thy counseler. † If thou possesse a frend, in ten∣tation [ 7] possesse him, and not easely credite him. † For he is a [ 8] frend according to his owne time, and wil not abide in the day of tribulation. † And there is a frend that is turned to [ 9] emnitie: and there is a frend that wil disclose hatred, and reproches. † And there is a frend companion at the table, and [ 10] he wil not abide in the day of necessitie. † A frend if he con∣tinew [ 11] stedfast, shal be to ••hee as an equal, and in them of thy houshold shal deale confidently: † if he humble himself [ 12]

against thee, and hide himself from thy face, thou shalt haue frendshippe of one accord for good. † Be seperated from [ 13] thine enemies, & take heede of thy frends. † A faithful frend, [ 14] is a strong protection: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure. † To a faythful frend there is no comparison, and [ 15] there is no poyse of gold and siluer able to counteruaile the goodnes of his fidelitie. † A faythful frend, is the medecine of [ 16] life & immortalitie: & they that feare our Lord, shal finde him. † He that feareth God, shal likewise haue good frendshipe: [ 17] because according to him shal his frend be. † Sonne, from [ 18] thy youth receiue doctrine, and euen to thy hoare heares thou shalt finde wisdom. † As he that ploweth, and that soweth, [ 19] goe to her, and expect her good fruites. † For in her worke [ 20] thou shalt labour a litle, and shalt quickly eate of her gene∣ration. † How exceding sharpe is wisdom to the vnlerned [ 21] men, and the vnwise wil not continew in her. † As the ver∣tue [ 22] of a stone she shal be a probation in them, and they wil not stay to cast her forth. † For :: 1.918 the wisdom of doctrine is [ 23] according to her name, and she is not manifest to manie, but to whom she is knowen, she contineweth euen to the sight of God. † Heare my sonne, and take counsel of vnderstanding, [ 24] and cast not away my counsel. † Thrust thy foote into her [ 25] fetters, and thy necke into her cheynes: † put vnder thy [ 26] shoulder, and carie her, and be not wearie of her bands. † With al thy minde goe to her, and with al thy strength keepe [ 27] her wayes. † Search her out, and she shal be made manifest [ 28] to thee, and hauing obteyned her, forsake her not: † for in [ 29] the later end, thou shalt finde rest in her, and she shal be turned vnto delectation. † And her fetters shal be to thee for a pro∣tection [ 30] of strength, and foundation of powre, & her cheynes for a stole of glorie: † For the beautie of life is in her, and her [ 31] bands are a healthful bynding. † Thou shalt put on her a stole [ 32] of glorie, and as a crowne of gratulation thou shalt set her vpon thee. † Sonne, if thou attend to me, thou shal•• learne: [ 33] and if thou wilt applie thy minde, thou shalt be wise. † If [ 34] thou wilt incline thine eare, thou shalt receiue doctrine: and if thou loue to heare, thou shalt be wise. † Stand in the mul∣titude [ 35] of wise ancients, and be ioyned to their wisdom from thy hart, that thou maist heare al the narration of God, and the prayse may not escape thee. † And if thou see a wise man, [ 36] watch after him, and let thy soote weare the steppes of his

doores. † Haue thy cogitation in the precepts of God, and in [ 27] his commandements most of al be dayly conuersant: and he wil geue thee hart, and the desire of wisdom shal be geuen thee.

CHAP. VII. Flie from al euil thinges, 4. as ambition, presumption, scandal, pusilla∣nimitie, lying, and babling. 16. Husbandrie of the ground, 21. a good wife, and good seruantes are to be cherised, 25. kepe children in discipline. 29. Honour parents, and elders, 36. & pittie the poore. 40. Memorie of the last thinges preserueth from sinne.

DOE :: 1.919 not euils, and they shal nor apprehend thee. [ 1] † Depart from the wicked, & euil shal fayle from thee. [ 2] † Sonne, sow not euils in the furrowes of iustice, & thou shalt [ 3] * 1.920 not reape them seuenfold. † Seeke not of the lord chiefe [ 4] * 1.921 principalitie, nor of the king the chayre of honour. † Iustifie not thyself before God, because he is the knower of the hart:* 1.922 and before the king desire not to seme wise. † :: 1.923 Seeke not [ 6] to be made a iudge, vnles thou be able by power to breake iniquities: lest perhaps thou feare the face of the mightie, and put a scandal in thyne equitie. † Sinne not against the multi∣tude [ 7] of a citie, neither thrust thyself into the people, † nor [ 8] binde together duble sinnes: for neither in one shalt thou be free from punishment. † Be not fayntharted in thy minde: [ 9] † despise not to pray, and to geue almes. † Say not: In the [ 10] multitude of my giftes God wil haue respect, and when I [ 11] offer to God most high, he wil receiue my giftes. † Laugh [ 12] not a man to scorne in the bitternes of his soule: for there is that humbleth and exalteth, God the ouerseer of al. † Plowe [ 13] not a lie agaynst thy brother: neither doe thou likewise agaynst thy frend. † Be not willing to make any lie: for the [ 14] custome therof is not good. † Be not ful of wordes in a mul∣titude [ 15] of ancients, and :: 1.924 iterate not a word in thy speach. † Hate not laborious workes, and husbandrie created of the [ 16] Highest. † Counte not thy selfe in the multitude of men [ 17] without discipline. † Be mindeful of wrath, because it wil [ 18] not slacke. † Humble thy spirit very much: because the ven∣geance [ 19] of the flesh of the impious, is :: fyre and the worme. † Doe not preuaricate against thy frend differring money, nor [ 20] despise thy dearest brother for gold. † Depart not from a wise [ 21] and good woman, which thou hast gotten in the feare of our

Lord: for the grace of her bashfulnes is aboue gold. † Hurt [ 22] * 1.925 not the seruant that worketh in truth, nor the hyred man that geueth his soule. † Let a wise seruant be beloued of thee as [ 23] thy soule, defraude him not of libertie, nor leaue him needie. † Hast thou cattel? looke wel to them: and if they be profita∣ble, [ 24] let them continew with thee. † Hast thou children? [ 25] instruct them, & bowe them from their childehood. † Hast [ 26] thou daughters? keepe their bodie, and shew not thy counte∣nance merrie towards them. † Bestow thy daughter, and thou [ 27] shalt doe a great worke, and geue her to a wise man. † If thou [ 28] haue a wife according to thy soule, cast her not of: and to her that is hateful commit not thyself. With thy whole hart † honour thy father, and forget not the gronings of thy [ 29] * 1.926 mother: † remember that thou hadst not bene borne but by [ 30] them: and recompence them, as they also thee. † In al thy [ 31] soule feare our Lord, and sanctifie his priestes. † With al thy [ 32] strength loue him that made thee: & forsake not his ministers.* 1.927 † Honour God with al thy soule, and honour the priestes, and [ 33] purge thyself with the armes. † Geue them the portion, as it [ 34] * 1.928 is commanded thee, of the first fruites and purgation: and of* 1.929 thy negligence purge thy self with few. † The gift of thyne [ 35] armes and the sacrifice of sanctification thou shalt offer to our Lord, and the first of holie thinges: † and to the poore stretch [ 36] out thyne hand, that thy propitiation may be perfected, and thy blessing. † The grace of a gift is in the sight of al the [ 37] liuing, :: 1.930 and from the dead stay nor grace. † Want not in con∣solation [ 38] * 1.931 to them that weepe, and walke with them that moorne. † Be not loth to visite the sicke: for by these thinges [ 39] thou shalt be confirmed in loue. † In al thy workes :: 1.932 re∣member [ 40] thy later ends, and thou wilt not sinne for euer.

CHAP. VIII. Contend not with a man of powre, rich, ful of tongue, or very ignorant. 6. Despise not the penitent, nor old folke. 8. Reioyce not at an enemies death. 9. Lerne of the elder. 13. Obserue discretion in admonishing, lending, and in being suertie. 17. Reproue not Iudges. 18. Conuerse not with the fu∣rious, foolish, nor with strangers.

STRIVE not with a mightie man, lest perhaps thou fal [ 1] into his handes. † Contend not with a rich man, lest [ 2] perhaps he make an action against thee. † For:: 1.933 gold and [ 3] siluer hath destroyed manie, and hath reached euen to the

hart of kinges, and hath turned them. † Striue not with a man [ 4] ful of tongue, and thou shalt not heape stickes vpon his fyre. † Communicate not with the ignorant man, lest he speake [ 5] il of thy progenie. † Despise not a man that turneth himself [ 6] from sinne, nor vpbrayde him therwith: remember that we* 1.934 are al in state to be blamed. † Despise not a man in his old [ 7] age: for we also shal become old. † Reioyce not of thine [ 8] enemie dead: knowing that we doe al die, and would not that others should ioy therat. † Despise not the narration of wise [ 9] ancients, and in their prouerbes be thou conuersant. † For of [ 10] them thou shalt lerne wisdom, and doctrine of vnderstanding, and to serue great men without blame. † Let not the narra∣tion [ 11] of the ancients escape thee: for they lerned of their fathers: † because of them thou shalt lerne vnderstanding, and [ 12] in time of necessitie to geue answer. † Kindle not the coles of [ 13] sinners rebuking them, and be not kindled with the flame of* 1.935 the fire of their sinnes. † Stand not against the face of a con∣tumelious [ 14] person, lest he sitte as a spie in wayte for thy mouth. † Lend not to a man mightier then thyself, and if thou doest [ 15] lend, count it as lost. † Be not suretie aboue thy power: and [ 16] if thou be surerie, thinke as if thou were to pay it. † Iudge [ 17] not agaynst a iudge: because he iudgeth according to that which is iust. † With the audacious goe not on the way, lest [ 18] perhaps he burden thee with his euils: for he goeth according to his owne wil, and thou shalt perish together with his follie. † With an angrie man make no brawle, and with the [ 19] * 1.936 audacious goe not into the desert: because bloud is as nothing before him, and where there is no helpe, he wil ouerthrow thee. † Conferre no counsel:: 1.937 with fooles, for they can not [ 20] loue but such thinges as please them. † Before a stranger doe [ 21] no matter of counsel: for thou knowest not what he wil bring forth. † Make not thy hart manifest to euerie man: [ 22] lest perhaps he repay thee false kindnes, and speake reproch∣fully to thee.

CHAP. IX. Great prudence is required in conuersation betwen men and wemen. 14. Esteme old freindes. 16. Emulate not sinners. 18. Auoide the companie of malicious. 21. Consult with the prudent, hauing God euer before thyne eyes.

BE :: 1.938 not ielous ouer the wife of thy bosome, lest she shew [ 1] vpon thee the malice of wicked doctrine. † Geue not to [ 2] a woman the power of thy soule, lest she goe in thy strength, and thou be confounded. † Looke not vpon a woman that is [ 3] desirous of manie: lest perhaps thou fal into her snares. † With her that is a dauncer be not daily conuersant, nor [ 4] heare her, lest perhaps thou perish in her efficacie. † Behold [ 5] not a virgin, lest perhaps thou be scandalized in her beautie. † Geue not thy soule to harlottes in any poynt: lest thou de∣stroy [ 6] * 1.939 thyself, and thine inheritance. † Looke not round [ 7] about in the waves of the citie, nor wander vp and downe in the streates therof. † Turne away thy face from a trimmed [ 8] woman, and gaze not about vpon an others beautie. † By the [ 9] beautie of a woman manie haue perished: and hereby con∣cupiscence is inflamed as a fire. † Euerie woman, that is an [ 10] harlot, shal be troden vpon as dung in the way. † Manie [ 11] hauing admired the beautie of an other mans wife, haue be∣come reprobate. for her communication burneth as fire. † Sit [ 12] not at al with an other mans wife, nor repose vpon the bed with [ 13] her: † and striue not with her at the wine, lest perhapes thy hart decline toward her, & with thy bloud thou fal into perdition. † :: 1.940 Forsake not an old frend: for the new wil not be like to [ 14] him. † A new frend, is as new wine: it shal waxe old, and [ 15] thou shalt drinke it with sweetnes. † :: 1.941 Doe not zelousely [ 16] desire the glorie, and the riches of a sinner: for thou knowest not what his subuersion shal be. † Let not the iniurie of the [ 17] vniust please thee, knowing that euen to hel the impious shal not please. † Be far from the man that hath power to kil, and [ 17] thou shalt not suspect the feare of death. † And if thou come [ 18] to him, committe nothing, lest perhaps he take away thy life. † Know it to be communication with death; because thou [ 20] shalt goe in the middes of snarres, and shalt walke vpon the weapons of the sorowful. † According to thy powre beware [ 21] thee of thy neighbour; and treate with the wise and prudent. † Let iust men be thy ghests, and let thy gloriation be in the [ 22] feare of God, † and let the cogitation of God be in thy vnder∣standing, [ 23] & al thine enarration in the precepts of the Highest. † Workes shal be praysed in the handes of artificers, and the [ 24] prince of the people in the wisdom of his speach, but the word of the ancients in the sense. † A man ful of tongue is terri∣ble in his citie, and he that is rash in his word shal be odious.

CHAP. X. Wise superiors are very necessarie, because the multitude folow their example. 6. Remitte and forget iniuries, detest pride, iniustice, contu∣melie, and auarice. 12. Life is short. 14. Pride is the roote of al sinnes. 23. Iust pouertie is better then sinful riches. 31. Mekenes and modestie are ne∣cessarie in al men.

A wise iudge shal iudge his people, and the principalitie [ 1] of the wise shal be stable. † :: 1.942 According to the Iudge [ 2] * 1.943 of the people, so also are his ministers: and what maner of man the ruler of a citie is, such also are the habitants therein. † An vnwise king shal destroy his people: and cities shal be [ 3] inhabited by the vnderstanding of the prudent. † The powre [ 4] of the earth is in the hand of God, and he wil rayse vp a profi∣table ruler for a time ouer it. † The prosperitie of man is in [ 5] the hand of God, & vpon the face of the scribe he wil put his honour. † Anie iniurie of thy neighbour remember not, and [ 6] doe nothing by workes of iniurie. † Pride is odious before [ 7] * 1.944 God and men: and al the iniquitie of the nations is execrable. † A :: 1.945 kingdome is translated from nation vnto nation, [ 8] because of iniustices, and iniuries, and contumelies, and di∣uerse deceites. † But :: 1.946 nothing is more wicked then the [ 9] couetous man. Why is earth and ashes proud? † Nothing is [ 10] more wicked then to loue money. For he hath his soule also to sel: because in his life he hath cast forth his most in ward thinges: † Al power is of short life. Long sicknes greueth the [ 11] Physicion. † Short sicknes the Physicion cutteth of at the [ 12] first: so also the king is to day, & to morow he shal die. † For when a man shal die, he shal inherite serpents, and beasts, and [ 13] wormes. † The begynning of the pride of man, is to aposta∣tate [ 14] from God: † because his hart is departed from him that [ 15] made him, for :: 1.947 pride is the begynning of al sinne: he that hol∣deth it, shal be filled with curses, & it shal subuert him in the end. † Therfore hath our Lord dishonoured the congregations [ 16] of the euil, & hath destroyed them euen to the end. † God hath [ 17] destroyed the seates of proud princes, and hath made the meeke sitte in their stead. † God hath made the rootes of the [ 18] proud nations to wither, and hath planted the humble of the nations themselues. † Our Lord hath subuerted the landes of [ 19] the gentiles, and hath destroyed them euen to the fundation.

† He hath made of them to wither, and hath destroyed them, [ 20] and hath made the memorie of them to cease from the earth. † God hath destroyed the memorie of the proud, and hath left [ 21] the memorie of them that are humble in vnderstanding. † Pride was not created to men: nor wrath to the nation of [ 22] wemen. † That seede of men shal be honoured, which feareth [ 23] God: but that seede shal be dishonoured, which transgresseth the commandments of our Lord. † In the middes of brethren [ 24] their ruler shal be in honour: and they that feare our Lord, shal be in his eyes. † The glorie of the rich, of the honou∣rable, [ 25] and of the poore, is the feare of God: † Despise not [ 26] the iust man that is poore, and magnifie not the sinful man that is rich. † The great one, and the iudge, and the mightie is [ 27] in honour, and there is none greater then he, that feareth God. † Free men wil serue a seruant, that is wise: and a man [ 28] * 1.948 that is prudent and hath discipline, wil not murmur being re∣buked, and the ignorant shal not be honoured. † Extol not [ 29] thyself in doing thy worke, and linger not in the time of distresse: † better is he that worketh, and abundeth in al [ 30] * 1.949 thinges, then he that glorieth, and lacketh bread. † Sonne in [ 31] mildenes keepe thy soule, and geue him honour according to his desert. † Him that sinneth agaynst his owne soule who [ 32] shal iustifie? and who shal honour him that dishonoureth his owne soule? † The poore man is glorified by his discipline [ 33] and feare: & there is a man that is honoured for his substance. † But he that is glorified in pouertie, how much more in [ 34] substance? and he that is glorified in substance, let him feare pouertie.

CHAP. XI. Wisdom by humilitie meriteth exaltation. 7. Iudge not before examination. 16. Trust not in riches. 14. God sendeth both prosperitie and aduersitie, for the good of his seruants. 31. Take heede of the deceiptful.

THE :: 1.950 wisdom of the humble shal exalt his head, & shal [ 1] make him sitte in the middes of great men. † Prayse not [ 2] a man in his beautie, neither despise a man by his looke. † The [ 3] bee is smal among fowles, and her fruite hath the beginning of sweetnes: † In apparel doe not glorie at any time, nor be [ 4] extolled in the day of thine honour, because the workes of the Highest onlie be meruelous, and his workes are glorious,

and secrete, and not seene. † Manie tyrantes haue sitte in the [ 5] throne, and he whom no man would thincke hath worne the crowne. † Manie mightie men haue bene greatly oppres∣sed, [ 6] and the glorious haue bene deliuered into the handes of others. † Before thou enquire, blame no man: and when [ 7] thou hast enquired, chasten iustly. † :: 1.951 Before thou heare, [ 8] answer not a word, and in the middes :: 1.952 of ancients adde not* 1.953 to speake. † Striue not for that thing, which doeth not [ 9] molest thee: and consiste not in the iudgement of sinners. † Sonne let not thy doings be in manie thinges: and if thou [ 10] be rich, thou shalt not be free from sinne. for if thou pursew, thou shalt not attayne: and if thou runne before, thou shalt not escape. † There is one that laboureth, and hasteneth, and [ 11] is a sorowful impious man, and so much the more he shal not abound. † There is a lither man that wanteth recouerie, [ 12] more fayling in strength, and abunding in pouertie: † and [ 13] * 1.954 the eie of God hath respected him in good, and hath erected him from his low estate, and hath exalted his head: and manie haue merueled at him, and haue honoured God. † Good [ 14] thinges and euil, life and death, pouertie and honestie are of God. † Wisdom and discipline, and the knowlege of the [ 15] law are with God. Loue, and the wayes of good thinges are with him. † :: 1.955 Errour and darkenes are created with sinners: [ 16] and they that reioyce in euils, waxe old in euil. † The gift of [ 17] God is permanent to the iust, and his prospering shal haue suc∣cesse for euer. † There is that is enriched by doing sparingly, [ 18] and this is the portion of his reward † in that he sayth: I [ 19] haue found me rest, and now I wil eate of my goods alone: † and he knoweth not that time passeth, & death approcheth, [ 20] and he must leaue al to others, and shal die. † Stand in thy [ 21] couenant, and commen therein, and grow old in the worke of thy commandements. † Abide not in the workes of [ 22] sinners. But trust in God, and tarie in thy place. † For it is easie in the eies of God sodainly to enrich the poore man. † The blessing of God hasteth to the reward of the iust, and [ 24] in a swift houre his prospering fructifieth. † Say not: What [ 25] neede I, and what good shal I haue by this? † Say not: I am [ 26] sufficient for my self: and what shal I be made worse by this? † :: 1.956 In the day of good thinges be not vnmindful of euils: [ 27] and in the day of euils be not vnmindful of good thinges: † because it is easie before God in the day of death to reward [ 28]

euerie one according to his wayes. † The malice of an houre [ 29] maketh obliuion of great voluptuousnes, and in the end of a man is the disclosing of his workes. † Before death prayse no [ 30] man, because a man is knowen in his children. † Bring not [ 31] euerie man into thine house: for there be manie traynes of the deceitful man. † For as the stomakes belche of stinking brea∣thes, [ 32] and as the partriche is brought in the cage, and as the doe into the snare: so also the hart of the proude, and as a watche man that seeth the fal of his neighbour. † For turning [ 33] good thinges into euil he lyeth in wayte, and on the elect he wil lay a blot. † For of one sparke fire is increased, and of a [ 34] deceitful man bloud is increased: and a sinful man lyeth in wayte for bloud. † Take heede to thy self of the pestiferous [ 35] person, for he forgeth euils: lest perhaps he bring vpon thee derision for euer. † Admitte a straunger to thee, and he shal [ 36] ouerthrow thee in an hurlewind, & shal make thee an aliene from thine owne.

CHAP. XII. Ʋse beneuolence towards good men. 10. Trust not enemies ouer much.

IF thou wilt doe good, :: 1.957 know to whom thou doest it, and [ 1] there shal be much thanke in thy good deedes. † Doe [ 2] good to the iust, and thou shalt finde great rewarde: and if not of him, assuredly of our Lord. † For it is not wel with [ 3] him, that is euer occupied in euil thinges, and that geueth not almes: because the Highest both hateth sinners, and hath mercie on them :: 1.958 that are penitent. † Geue to the merciful, [ 4] and receiue not the sinner: both to the impious, & to sinners he wil repay vengeance, keping them vnto the day of ven∣geance. † Geue to the good, and receiue not a sinner. † Doe [ 5] good to the humble, and geue not to the impious: prohibite [ 6] to geue him bread, lest therin he be mightier then thou: † for [ 7] thou shalt finde duble euils in al the good, whatsoeuer thou shalt do to him: because the Highest hateth sinners, and wil repay vengeance to the impious. † A freind shal not be [ 8] knowen in prosperitie, and an enimie shal not be hid in aduer∣sitie. † In the prosperitie of a man, his enimies are in sorow, [ 9] and in affliction a freind is knowne. † :: 1.959 Credite not thyn [ 10] enemie for euer: for as a brasse potte his wickednes rusteth: † and if humbling himself he goe crouching, be aduised in thy [ 11] mind, and beware of him. † Place him not by thee, neither [ 12]

let him sitte on thy right hand, lest perhaps turning into thy place, he seke after thy seate: and at the last thou know my wordes, and be pricked in my sayinges. † Who wil haue pittie [ 13] vpon the inchanter stricking of a serpent, or of anie that come nere to beastes? so also he that kepeth companie with a wicked man, and is wrapped in his sinnes. † For one houre [ 14] he wil tarie with thee: but if thou decline, he wil not abide it. † In his lippes the enimie speaketh swetely, and in his hart he [ 15] lyeth in wayte, that he may ouerthrow thee into the pitte. † In his eyes the enimie weepeth: and if he may finde a time, [ 16] he wil not be satisfied with bloud: † and if euils happen to [ 17] thee, thou shalt finde him there first † In his eyes the enimie [ 18] weepeth, and as it were helping thee, he wil vndermine thy feete. † He wil shake his head, and clappe his hand, and [ 19] whispering manie thinges he wil change his countenance.

CHAP. XIII. Conuersation with the proud, rich, and potent is dangerous. 9. Relie vpon Gods helpe, 11. Beware of pusillanimitie, & of presumption. 19. A meane is necessarie, and the companie of equals is most secure.

HE that toucheth pitch, shal be defiled with it: and he that [ 1] * 1.960 communicateth with the proud, shal put on pride. † :: 1.961 He shal take a burden vpon him that communicateth with [ 2] one more honorable then himself. And be not companion with one richer then thyself. † What societie shal the caudron [ 3] haue with the earthen potte? for when they shal knock one against the other, it shal be broken. † The rich man hath done [ 4] vniustly, and he wil fume: but the poore man being hurt wil hold his peace. † If thou geue, he wil take thee: and if thou [ 5] haue not, he wil forsake thee. † If thou haue, he wil liue [ 6] with thee, and wil emptie thee, and he wil not be sorie for thee. † If thou be necessarie for him, he wil supplant thee, [ 7] and smiling wil put thee in hope, telling thee good thinges, and wil say: What wantest thou? † And he wil confound [ 8] thee in his meates, til he emptie thee twise, & thrise, and at the last he wil mocke thee: and afterward seeing he wil forsake thee, and wil shake his head at thee. † Humble thyself to [ 9] God, and expect his handes. † Take heede lest seduced into [ 10] follie thou be humbled. † :: 1.962 Be not humble in thy wisdom, [ 11] lest hmbled thou be seduced into follie. † Being called of the [ 12] mightier depart: for by this he wil cal thee the more. † Be [ 13]

not importune, lest thou be reiected: and be not farre from him, lest thou goe into obliuion. † Stay not to speake felow∣like [ 14] with him: neither credite his manie wordes. For by much talke he wil proue thee, and smiling wil examine thee of thy secretes. † His cruel mind wil kepe thy wordes: and he wil [ 15] not spare for malice, and for bandes. † Take heede to thyself, [ 16] and attend diligently to thyn hearing: because thou walkest with thy subuersion. † But hearing those thinges see as it were [ 17] in sleepe, and thou shalt watch. † Loue God al thy life, and [ 18] inuocate him for thy saluation. † Euerie beast loueth the like [ 19] to it self: so also euerie man the nerest to himself. † Al flesh [ 20] wil match with the like to itself, and euerie man wil associate himself to his like. † If the woolfshal at anie time communi∣cate [ 21] with the lambe, so the sinner with the iust. † What fellow∣shippe [ 22] hath an holy man with a dogge, or what part hath the riche with the poore? † The wilde asse in the deserte is [ 23] the lyons pray: so the poore are also the pastures of the riche. † And as humilitie is abomination to the proude: so also the [ 24] poore man is the execration of the riche. † The riche man [ 25] being moued is confirmed by his frendes: but the humble when he is fallen, shal be thrust out euen of his familiars. † To [ 26] the rich deceeued there are many recouerers: he hath spoken proud wordes, and they haue iustified him. † The humble [ 27] was deceiued, he moreouer is rebuked also: he hath spoken wisely, and place was not geuen vnto him. † :: 1.963 The rich man [ 28] spake, and al helde their peace, and they wil carry his worde euen to the cloudes. † The poore man spake and they say: [ 29] Who is this? and if he stumble, they wil ouerthrowe him. † Substance is good, to him that hath no sinne in his con∣science: [ 30] and pouertie is most wicked in the mouth of the impious. † The hart of a man altereth his countenance, either [ 31] into good, or into euil. † The token of a good hart, and a [ 32] good countenance thou shalt hardly finde, and with labour.

CHAP. XIIII. Offence of the tongue is a frequent and dangerous sinne. 3. Riches are hurtful to a couetous, and to an enuious mind. 11. workes of mercie necessarie. 22. and perseuerance in wisdom.

BLESSED is the man that hath not offended in a worde [ 1] * 1.964 out of his mouth, and is not pricked with the sorrow

of sinne. † Happie is he, that hath not had heauines of his [ 2] minde, and hath not fallen from his hope. † Substance is [ 3] without reason to the couetous man and niggard, and for the spiteful enuious man to what purpose is gold? † He that [ 4] heapeth together from his hart vniustly, gathereth for others, and in his goodes an other wil kepe riote. † He that is wicked [ 5] to himselfe, to what other man wil he be good? and he shal haue no pleasure in his goodes. † :: 1.965 He that enuieth himselfe, [ 6] nothing is worse then he, and this is the reward of his malice: † and if he doe good, he doth yt ignorantly, and not willing [ 7] and at the last he manifesteth his malice. † The eye of the [ 8] enuious is wicked, and turneth away his face, and despiseth his owne soule. † The eye of the couteous man insatiable in [ 9] * 1.966 a portion of iniquitie, wil not be satisfied til he consume his owne soule withering it. † An euil eye is towards euil [ 10] thinges: & he shal haue his fil of bread, needie & in heauines shal he be at his table. † Sonne if thou haue it, doe good to [ 11] thyselfe, and offer to God worthie oblations. † Be mindful [ 12] that death slacketh not, and that :: 1.967 the couenant of hel hath beene shewed thee: for the couenant of this world shal dye the death. † Before death do good to thy freind, and accor∣ding [ 13] to thine abilitie stretching out thy hand, geue to the poore. † Be not defrauded of thy good day, and let not a litle [ 14] portion of a good gift ouerpasse the. † Shalt thou not leaue [ 15] to others thy sorrowes, & labours in the deuision of the lotte? † Geue and take, and iustifie thy soule. † Before thy death [ 16 17] worke iustice: for in hel there can not meat be found. † Al [ 18] flesh shal waxe olde as grasse, and as the leafe fructifying on* 1.968 a greene tree. † Some grow, and some are shaken of: so the [ 19] generation of flesh and bloude, one is ended, and an other is borne. † Al corruptible worke shal faile in the end: and he [ 20] that worketh it shal goe therwith. † And :: 1.969 euerie excellent [ 21] worke shal be iustified: and he that worketh it, shal be honoured therin. † Blessed is the man that shal continew [ 22] in wisdom, and that shal meditate in his iustice, and in vnder∣standing shal consider the prouidence of God. † He that [ 23] considereth her wayes in his hart, and hath vnderstanding in her secrets, going after her as a searcher, and consisting in her wayes: † He that looketh through her windowes, and [ 24] heareth in her gates: † He that resteth by her house, & in her [ 25] walles fastening a stake wil set vp his corage beside her handes,

and good thinges shal rest in his cottage for euer. † He shal [ 26] set his children vnder her couering, and shal abide vnder her boughes: † he shal be protected vnder her couering from [ 17] the heate, and shal rest in her glorie.

CHAP. XV. The fruictes of fearing God; 7. Which fooles, and liers reape not, but the wise only. 11. God is no way auctor of sinne, 14. but sinners themselues are the auctors, abusing their freewil.

HE that feareth God, shal doe good thinges, and he that [ 1] hath :: 1.970 iustice shal apprehend her, † and she wil meete [ 2] him as an honourable mother, and as a wife from virginitie she wil receiue him. † She shal fede him with the bread of [ 3] life and vnderstanding, and geue him the water of wholsome wisdom to drinke: and she shal be made sure in him, and he shal not be bowed: † and she shal hold him fast, and he [ 4] shal not be confounded: and she shal exalt him before his neighbours, † and in the middest of the Church she shal open [ 5] his mouth, and shal fil him with the spirite of wisdom and vnderstanding, and shal clothe him with a stole of glorie. † Ioy & exultation she shal heape vpon him, & shal make him [ 6] inherite an euerlasting name. † Foolish men shal not appre∣hend [ 7] her, & wise men shal meete her, foolish men shal not see her: for she is far from pride and deceite. † Lying men shal not [ 8] be myndful of her: and true men shal be found in her, and shal haue successe, euen to the beholding of God. † :: 1.971 Prayse is not [ 9] comelie in the mouth of a sinner: † Because wisdom proceded [ 10] from God. For prayse shal be with the wisdom of God, & shal abound in a faithful mouth, & the dominator wil giue praise to yt. † Say not: :: 1.972 It is by God, that she is absent: for doe not [ 11] thou the thinges that he hateth. † Say not: He hath made me [ 12] erre: for impious men are not necessarie for him. † Our Lord [ 13] hateth al abomination of errour, and it shal not be amiable to them, that feare him. † God from the beginning made man, [ 14] * 1.973 and left him in the hand of his owne counsel. † He added his [ 15] commandmentes and precepts. † If thou wilt keepe the [ 16] * 1.974 commandment, and keepe acceptable fidelitie for euer, they shal preserue thee. † He hath set before thee water and fire: [ 17] to which thou wilt, stretch forth thine hande. † Before [ 18] * 1.975 man there is life and death, good and euil: what pleaseth him shal be geuen him: † Because the wisdom of God is much, [ 19]

and he is strong in mighte, seing al men without inter∣mission. † The eies of our Lord are towards them that feare [ 20] him, and he knoweth al the worke of man. † He hath com∣manded [ 21] no man to do impiously, and he hath geuen no man space to sinne: † for he desireth not a multitude of faithlesse [ 22] and vnprofitable children.

CHAP. XVI. A few good children, yea none at al, are better then manie wicked. 9. Gods wrath falleth vpon the euil, and his mercie on the good. 14. workes of mercie merite great reward. 15. Nothing is hid from God, 20. but manie thinges from men.

REIOICE not in impious children, if they be multiplied: [ 1] neither be delighted vpon them, if the feare of God be not in them. † Credite not their life, and respect not their [ 2] labours. † For better is one fearing God, then a thousand [ 3] impious children. † And it is more profitable to die without [ 4] children, rather then to leaue impious children. † By one [ 5] wise a countrie shal be inhabited, and the tribe of the impious shal be made desolate. † Manie such thinges hath mine eie [ 6] sene, and myne eare hath heard thinges of more force then these. † In the synagogue of sinners :: 1.976 a fire shal flame, and in [ 7] an incredulous nation wrath shal waxe hotte. † The old [ 8] giantes did not obteine for their sinnes, who were destroied* 1.977 trusting to their owne strength: † and he spared not the pere∣grination [ 9] of Lot, and he detested them for the pride of their word. † He had not pitie on them, destroying the whole [ 10] nation, and extolling themselues in their sinnes. † And as the [ 11] * 1.978 six hundred thousand foote men, which were gathered toge∣ther in the hardnes of their hart: and if one had bene stiffe necked, it is meruel if he had bene vnpunished. † For there [ 12] is mercie and wrath with him. Mightie exoration, & powring out wrath: † according to his mercie, so his chastisement [ 13] iudgeth a man according to his workes. † The sinner shal [ 14] not escape in robberie, and the sufferance of him that doth mercie shal not slacke. † Al mercie shal make a place to [ 15] * 1.979 euerie man according to :: 1.980 the merite of his workes, & accor∣ding to the vnderstanding of his peregrination. † Say not; I [ 16] shal be hid from God, and from on high who shal remember me? † In a great people I shal not be knowen: for what is [ 17] my soule among so innumerable creatures? † Behold heauen, [ 18]

and the heauens of heauens, the depth, and al the earth, & the thinges that are in them, in his sight shal be moued, † the [ 19] mountaines together, and the litle hilles, & the fundations of the earth:& when God shal behold them, they shal be shaken with trembling. † And in al these thinges the hart is senseles: [ 20] and euerie hart is vnderstood of him: † and his wayes who [ 21] doth vnderstand, and the storme, which neither the eie of man shal see? † For manie of his workes are in secretes: but the [ 22] workes of his iustice who shal declare? or who shal susteine? For the testament is far from some, and the examination of al is in consummation. † He that is lesse of hart, thinketh vaine [ 23] thinges: and the vnwise, and erring man, thinketh folish thinges. † Heare me my sonne, and lerne the discipline of [ 24] vnderstanding, and attend to my wordes in thy hart, † and I [ 25] wil speake discipline in equitie, and wil search to declare wisedom, and to my wordes attend in thy hart, and I speake in equitie of spirit the vertues, that God hath put vpon his workes from the beginning, and in truth I shew forth his knowlege. † In the iudgement of God are his workes from [ 26] the beginning, and from the institution of them he distingui∣shed their partes, and their beginninges in their nations. † He adorned their workes for euer, neither haue they hun∣gred, [ 27] nor laboured, and they haue not ceased from their workes. † Euerie one shal not vexe his neighbour for euer. [ 28] † Be not incredulous to his word. † After this God looked [ 29,30] vpon the earth, & filled it with his good thinges. † And :: 1.981 the [ 31] soule of euerie liuing thing shal shew before the face thereof, and into it againe is their returne.

CHAP. XVII. God creating man to his owne image, gaue him gifies, 9. and precepts. 14. chose the Israelites for his peculiar people. 18. Workes of mercie are commended to al men. 20. Repentance to sinners. 28. mercie is offered to al.

GOD created man of the earth, and after his owne image [ 1] he made him. † And againe he turned him into it, and [ 2] conformable to himselfe clothed him :: 1.982 with strength. † He [ 3] gaue him a number of daies and time, and gaue him power of those thinges, that are vpon the earth. † He put his feare ouer [ 4] al flesh, and he had dominion of beastes and fowles. † He [ 5] created of him an helper like to himself: he gaue them counsel,

and tongue, and eies, & eares, and hart to deuise: and he filled them with the discipline of vnderstanding. † He created in [ 6] them the knowlege of the spirit, he filled their hart with vnderstanding, and euil and good he shewed them. † He set [ 7] his eie vpon their hartes to shew them the great thinges of his workes: † that they might praise the name of sanctification: [ 8] and glorie in his meruelous workes, that thy might declare the glorious thinges of his workes. † He added :: 1.983 discipline [ 9] vnto them, and made them inherite the lawe of life. † He [ 10] made an euerlasting testament with them, & he shewed them iustice and his iudgementes. † And their eie saw the glorious [ 11] thinges of his honour, and their eares heard the honour of his voice, and he said to them: Beware of euerie vniust thing. † And he gaue them commandment euerie one concerning [ 12] his neighbour. † Their wayes are before him alwaies, they [ 13] are not hid from his eies. † Ouer eucrie nation he appointed [ 14] a ruler. † And Israel was made the manifest portion of God. [ 15] * 1.984 † And al their workes as the sunne in the sight of God: and [ 16] his eies without intermission looking on their wayes. † The [ 17] testamentes were not hid by their iniquitie, and al their ini∣quities are in the sight of God. † The almes of a man is as a [ 18] seale with him, and shal preserue the grace of a man as the apple of the e••e: † And afterward he shal arise, and shal [ 19] render them reward, to euerie one vpon their head, and shal turne into the inner partes of the earth. † But to the penitent [ 20] he hath geuen the way of iustice, and he hath confirmed them that faile to susteine, and hath appointed to them the lot of truth. † Turne to our Lord, and forsake thy sinnes: † pray [ 21 22] before the face of our Lord, and diminish offences. † Returne [ 23] to our Lord, and turne away from thine iniustice, and hate excedingly abomination: † and know the iniustices and [ 24] iudgementes of God, and :: 1.985 stand in the lot of thy purpose, and :: 1.986 of praier of the most high God. † Goe into the partes of the [ 25] holie world, with the liuing, and them that geue praise to God. † Tarie not in the errour of the impious, before death [ 26] confesse. From the dead as nothing, confession perisheth. † Thou shalt confesse liuing, aliue and in health thou shalt [ 27] confesse, and shalt praise God, and shalt glorie in his mercies. † How great is the mercie of our Lord, and his propitiation [ 28] to them that turne to him! † For al thinges can not be in men, [ 29] because the sonne of man is not immortal, and they haue

delighted in the vanitie of malice. † What is brighter then the [ 30] sunne? & it shal faile. Or what more wicked then that which flesh and bloud hath inuented? and this shal be reproued. † He beholdeth the powre of the height of heauen: and al [ 31] men be earth and ashes.

CHAP. XVIII. Gods wonderful workes excede mans capacitie. 7. Our weaknes is streing∣thened by grace. 15. wherto man must cooperate, 19. by purging his conscience, 22. by prayer, 24. by meditating Gods iudgements, 30. and by mortifying his owne concupiscence.

HE that liueth for euer, created al thinges :: 1.987 together. God [ 1] onlie shal be iustified, and remaineth an inuincible king for euer. † Who is sufficient to declare his workes? † For [ 2 3] who shal search out his glorious thinges? † and who shal [ 4] shew forth the powre of his greatnesse? or who shal adde to declare his mercie? † It is not possible to diminish, nor adde, [ 5] neither is it possible to finde the glorious workes of God: † When a man shal haue done, then shal he beginne: and [ 6] when he shal rest, he shal worke. † What is man, and what is [ 7] his grace? and what is his good, or what his euil? † The num∣ber [ 8] of the daies of men at the most an hundred yeares: as* 1.988 droppes of the water of the sea they are reputed: and as the grauel stone of the sand, so a few yeares in the day of eternitie. † For this cause God is patient toward them, and powreth [ 9] out his mercie vpon them. † He hath senne the presumption [ 10] of their hart that it is naught, and hath knowen their subuer∣sion that it is euil. † Therefore hath he fulfilled his propi∣tiation [ 11] toward them, and hath shewed them the way of equi∣tie. † Mans compassion is touching his neigbour: but the [ 12] mercie of God is vpon al flesh. † He that hath mercie, tea∣cheth, [ 13] and instructeth, as a pastour his flocke. † He hath [ 14] mercie on him that receiueth the doctrine of compassion, and he that hasteneth in his iudgementes. † Sonne in good deedes [ 15] geue no blame, and in euerie gift geue not the sadnes of an euil word. † Shal not the dew colle heate? so also a word [ 16] better then a gift. † Is not a word aboue a good gift? but [ 17] both are with a iustified man. † A foole wil vpbraide bitterly: [ 18] and the gift of one vntaught maketh the eies to drie away. † Before iudgement prepare thee iustice, and before thou [ 19] speake lerne. † Before sickenes take medicine, and before [ 20]

iudgement examine thyself, and in the sight of God thou shalt* 1.989 finde propitiation. † Before sickenes humble thy self, and in [ 21] time of infirmitie shew thy conuersation. † Be not hindered [ 22] :: 1.990 to pray alwayes, & feare not to be iustified euen to death:* 1.991 because the reward of God abideth for euer. † Before praier [ 23] * 1.992 prepare thy soule: and be not as a man that tempteth God. † Remember the wrath in the day of consummation, and the [ 24] time of reward in conuersation of the face. † Remember [ 25] pouertie in the time of abundance, and the necessities of pouertie in the day of riches. † From morning vnto euening [ 26] time shal be changed, & al these are sowne in the eies of God. † A wise man in al thinges wil feare, & in the daies of offences [ 27] wil be ware of sloth. † Euerie subtile man knoweth wisdom, [ 28] and to him that findeth her he wil geue prayse. † The wise in [ 29] wordes, and they also haue done wisely: and haue vnder∣stood truth and iustice, and haue rayned prouerbes & iudge∣mentes. † Goe not after thy concupiscences, and turne away [ 30] from thy wil. † If thou geue to thy soule her concupiscences, [ 31] she wil make thee a ioy to the enemies. † Be not delighted [ 32] in multitudes, not in few: for their concertation is continual. † Be not poore in contention of borowing, and thou hast [ 33] nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt be enuious to thine owne life.

CHAP. XIX. An admonition against drunkennes, luxurie, 4. light suspition, 7. and detraction. 13. Freindlie correption is necessarie, 23. and sincere humili∣tie. 27. Exterior carege is a signe of internal disposition.

A workman that is a drunkard shal not be rich: and he [ 1] :: 1.993 that contemneth smal thinges, shal fal by litle and litle. † Wine and wemen make wisemen to apostatate, and shal [ 2] * 1.994 reproue the prudent: † and he that ioyneth himself to har∣lotes, [ 3] shal be naught. Rottennes and wormes shal inherite him, and he shal be lifted vp for a greater example, and his life shal be taken out of the number. † He that geueth credite [ 4] quickly, is light of hart, and shal be lessened: and he shal more* 1.995 ouer be counted one that sinneth against his owne soule. † He thar reioyceth in iniquitie, shal be reprehended, and he [ 5] that hateth chastisement, shal be diminished of life: and he that hateth babbling, extinquisheth malice. † He that sinneth [ 6] against his owne soule, shal repent: and he that is delighted in

naughtinesse, shal be reprehended. † Iterate not a wicked [ 7] and hard word, and thou shalt not be lessened. † To freind [ 8] and foe tel not thy minde: and if thou haue sinne, :: 1.996 disclose it not. † For he wil heare thee, and wil watch thee, and as it [ 9] were defending the sinne he wil hate thee, and so wil he be present with thee alwaies. † Hast thou heard a word against [ 10] thy neighbour? let it die together in thee, trusting that it wil not burst thee. † At the presence of a word the foole traue∣leth, [ 11] as the groning of the childbirth of an infant. † An arrow [ 12] stickt in the thigh of flesh: so is a word in the hart of a foole. † Rebuke a freind, lest perhapes he hath not vnderstood, and [ 13] * 1.997 say: I did it not: or if he did it, that he doe it not againe.* 1.998 † Rebuke thy neighbour, lest perhaps he said it not: and if [ 14] he said it, lest perhaps he iterate it. † Rebuke thy freind: for [ 15] there is often a fault committed. † And beleue not euerie [ 16] word. There is that offendeth with the tongue, but not from his hart. † For who is there that hath not offended in his [ 17] * 1.999 tongue? Rebuke thy neighbour before thou threaten. † And: [ 18] geue place to the feare of the Highest: because the feare of God is al wisedom, and to feare God is in it, & the disposition of the law is in al wisdom. † And the discipline of wickednes [ 19] is not wisedom: and the cogitation of sinners is not prudence. † There is wickednes, and in it execration: and there is a [ 20] foole that hath lesse wisedom. † Better is a man that hath lesse [ 21] wisdom, and lacketh vnderstanding, in feare, then he that abundeth in vnderstanding, and transgresseth the law of the Highest. † There is an assured subtilitie, & the same wicked. [ 22] † And there is that vttereth an exact word telling the truth. [ 23] There is that :: 1.1000 wickedly humbleth himselfe, and his inner partes be ful of deceite: † and there is a iust man :: 1.1001 that sub∣mitteth [ 24] himselfe ouermuch of great humilitie: and there is a iust one :: 1.1002 that boweth his face, and feyneth himself not to see that which is vnknowen: † and if he be forbidden to sinne [ 25] for imbecillitie of power, if he shal finde a time to do euil, he wil do euil. † A man is knowen by the sight, and a wiseman [ 26] is knowen by the shew of his face. † The clothing of the [ 27] bodie, and the laughing of the teeth, and the going of the man tel of him. † There is a lying chastisement in the anger of [ 28] a contumelious person: and there is a iudgement, that is not allowed to be good: and there is that holdeth his peace, and he is wise.

CHAP. XX. Correction ought to be without passion of anger. 5. much discretion is required in speach, and in silence. 14. Also in geuing, 20. & promising, 29. and in vttering knowlege, where and when it behoueth.

HOW good a thing is it to rebuke, rather then to be an∣grie, [ 1] and not to hinder him that confesseth in prayer! † The concupiscence of an eunuch shal defloure a young [ 2] maide: † so he that by violence doth vniust iudgement. [ 3] * 1.1003 How good a thing is it :: 1.1004 being rebuked to shew repentance! [ 4] for so thou shalt auoid wilful sinne. † There is that holdeth [ 5] his peace, which is found wise: and there is that is odious, he which is malepert to speake. † There is that holdeth his peace [ 6] hauing not vnderstanding to speake: and there is that holdeth his peace, knowing the time of fitte opportunitie. † A wise [ 7] man wil hold his peace vntil a time: but a wanton, and the vnwise wil not obserue time. † He that vseth manie wordes, [ 8] shal hurt his owne soule: & he that taketh authoritie to him∣self vniustly, shal be hated. † There is proceding in euils to a [ 9] man without discipline, and there is finding to losse. † There [ 10] is a gift, that is not profitable: and there is a gift, the reward whereof is duble. † There is debasing because of glorie: and [ 11] there is that from humilitie shal lift vp the head. † There is [ 12] that redemeth manie thinges for a smale price, and restoreth the same seuen fold. † A man wise in wordes shal make him [ 13] selfe beloued: but the graces of fooles shal be powred out. † The gift of the vnwise shal not be profitable for thee: for [ 14] his eies are :: 1.1005 seuen fold. † He wil geue few thinges, and vp∣braide [ 15] manie: and the opening of his mouth is an inflamma∣tion. † To day a man lendeth, and to morow he asketh it a∣gaine: [ 16] such a man is odious. † A foole shal haue no freind, [ 17] and there shal be no thanke to his goodes. † For they that [ 18] eate his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how manie wil laugh him to scorne? † For he doth not distribute [ 19] with right vnderstanding, that which was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had. † The slipping [ 20] of a false tongue, as he that falleth on the pauement: so the falles of the euil shal come hastely. † A man without grace [ 21] is as a vaine fable, it shal be continual in the mouth of them that are without discipline. † A parable out of a fooles [ 22]

mouth shal be reiected: for he doth not speake it in his time. † There is that is forbid to sinne for pouertie, and in his rest [ 23] he shal be pricked. † There is thar wil destroy his soule for [ 24] shamfastnes, and by an vnwise person he wil destroy it: and by acception of person he wil destroy himself. † There is that [ 25] for shamfastnes promiseth to his freind, and hath gotten an enemie of him for naught. † Lying is a wicked reproch in a [ 26] man, and in the mouth of men without discipline it shal be continually. † Better is a theefe, then the continual custome [ 27] of a lying man, but both shal inherite perdition. † The maners [ 28] of lying men are without honour: and their confusion is with them without intermission. † A wiseman in his wordes shal [ 29] vtter himself, and a prudent man shal please great persons. † He that tilleth his land, shal make an high heape of corne: [ 30] * 1.1006 and who so worketh iustice, he shal be exalted: and he that pleaseth great men, shal avoide iniquitie. † Presentes, & giftes [ 31] * 1.1007 blind the eies of iudges, and as one dumbe in the mouth tur∣neth* 1.1008 away their chastisementes. † :: 1.1009 Wisdom hid, and treasure [ 32] not sene: what profit is there in both? † :: 1.1010 Better is he that [ 33] concealeth his foolishnes, then the man that hideth his wisdom.

CHAP. XXI. An inuectiue against sinne in general, 5. and diuers in particular.

SONNE hast thou sinned? doe so no more: but for the [ 1] old also pray that they may be forgeuen thee. † :: 1.1011 As from [ 2] the face of a serpent flee from sinnes: and if thou approch to them, they wil receiue thee. † The teeth of a lion the teeth [ 3] thereof, killing the soules of men. † Al iniquitie is as a two [ 4] edged sword, there is no remedie for the wound thereof. † Brawling and iniuries shal bring the substance to nothing: [ 5] and the house that is verie rich, shal be made nothing by pride: so the substance of the proude shal be rooted out. † The prayer of the poore out of the mouth shal come to his [ 6] eares, and iudgement shal come for him spedely. † He that [ 7] hateth chastisement, is :: 1.1012 the trace of a sinner: and he that feareth God, :: 1.1013 wil turne to his owne hart. † The mightie in [ 8] a bold tongue is knowen a far of, and a wiseman knoweth himself to fal by ••••••m. † He that buildeth his house at other [ 9] menes charges, is as he that gathereth his stones :: in the winter. † The synagogue of sinners is as tow gathered toge∣ [ 10]

ther, and their consummation à flame of fire. † The way of [ 11] sinners is paued with stones, & in their end, hel, & darkenes, and paines. † He that keepeth iustice, shal conteine the [ 12] :: 1.1014 vnderstanding therof. † The consummation of the feare of [ 13] God wisdom and vnderstanding. † He shal not be taught, that [ 14] is not wise in good. † But there is wisdom that abundeth in [ 15] euil: and there is no vnderstanding where bitternes is. † The [ 16] knowlege of the wise shal abound as an inundation, and his counsel is permanent as a fountaine of life. † The hart of a [ 17] foole is as a broken vessel, and al wisdom it shal not hold. † A man of knowlege wil praise whatsoeuer wise word he [ 18] shal heare, and wil applie it to himself: the riotous man hath heard it, and it shal displease him, and he wil cast it behind his back. † The :: 1.1015 narration of a foole is as a burden in the way: [ 19] for in :: 1.1016 the lippes of the wise shal grace be found. † The [ 20] mouth of the prudent is sought in the Church, and they wil thinke vpon his wordes in their hartes. † As a house destroied, [ 21] so is wisdom to a foole: & the knowlege of the vnwise inex∣plicable wordes. † Fetters on the feete, doctrine to a foole, [ 22] and as manicles vpon the right hand. † A foole in laughter [ 23] exalteth his voice: but a wiseman wil scarse laugh secretly. † Doctrine to the prudent is a golden ornament, and as it [ 24] were a bracelet on the right arme. † The foote of a foole [ 25] goeth easely into his neighbours house: & a cunning man wil be abashed at the person of the mightie. † A foole wil looke [ 26] from the window into the house: but the nurtered wil stand without. † It is the follie of a man to harken by the dore: [ 27] and a wiseman wil be greued with the contumelie. † The [ 28] lippes of the vnwise shal tel foolish thinges: but the wordes of the wise shal be pondered in balance. † The hart of fooles [ 29] is in their mouth: and the mouth of wisemen is in their hart. † Whiles :: 1.1017 the impious curseth the diuel, he curseth his [ 30] owne soule. † The whisperer shal defile his soule, and shal be [ 31] hated in al: and he that shal abide with him, shal be odious: the stil man and wise shal be honored.

CHAP. XXII. An other admonition against slouth, 3. dissolute children, 6. and mirth out of season. 7. Fooles are hardly corrected, 10. more to be bewayled then the dead. 14. Much talke doth not profite them. 24. Offend not, nor seare not a freind. 33. Kepe alwayes guard of thy torgue.

THE sluggard is stoned :: 1.1018 with a durtie stone, & al men wil [ 1] speake of his disgrace. † The sluggard is stoned with the [ 2] dung of oxen: and euerie one, that shal touch him, wil shake his handes. † The coufusion of the father is of a sonne [ 3] without discipline: and the daughter shal be made of lesse account. † A wise daughter is an inheritance to her husband. [ 4] for she that confoundeth, is made a contumelie to her father. † She that is bold shameth father and husband, and shal not [ 5] be inferiour to the impious: but of them both she shal be dishonored. † Musike in mourning is a tale out of time: [ 6] scourges and doctrine are at al time wisdom. † He that tea∣cheth [ 7] a foole, is as he that gleweth together a potshard. † He [ 8] that telleth a word to him that heareth not, is as he that raiseth vp a man sleepeing out of an heauie sleepe. † He [ 9] speaketh with him that sleepeth, which vttereth wisdom to a foole: and in the end of the narration he saieth: Who is this? † Weepe vpon the dead, for his light hath failed: and weepe [ 10] vpon :: 1.1019 a foole, for he faileth in vnderstanding. † Weepe a [ 11] little vpon the dead, because he is at rest. † For the wicked [ 12] * 1.1020 life of the very wicked, aboue the death of a foole. † The [ 13] * 1.1021 moorning of the dead is seuen daies: but of a foole and of the impious, al the daies of their life. † Speake not much with a [ 14] foole, and goe not with the vnwise. † Keepe thy selfe from [ 15] him, that thou haue no molestation, and thou shalt not be de∣filed with his sinne. † Turne aside from him, and thou shalt [ 16] finde rest, and shalt not be wearied with his follie: † What [ 17] shal be heauier then lead? and what other name hath it but foole. † It is easier to beare sand and salt, and a masse of yron, [ 18] * 1.1022 then an vnwise man, and a foole, and impious. † A frame of [ 19] wood bound together in the fundation of a building, shal not be dissolued: so also the hart confirmed in the cogitation of counsel. † The cogitation of the wise at al time, yea by [ 20] feare shal not be depraued. † As stakes in high places, and [ 21] plaisteringes laid without cost, shal not abide against the face of the winde: † so also a feareful hart in the cogitation of a [ 22] foole shal not resist against the violence of feare▪ † As a trem∣bling [ 23] hart in the cogitation of a foole, al time wil not feare, so also he that continueth alwaies in the preceptes of God. † He that pricketh the eie, bringeth forth teares: and he that [ 24] pricketh the hart, bringeth forth feeling. † He that casteth a [ 25]

stone at fowles, and shal throw them downe: so he that spea∣keth reprochefully to his freind, dissolueth freindship. † :: 1.1023 Al¦though [ 26] thou drowest a sword at a freind, despaire not: for there is returning to a freind. † If thou open a sad mouth, [ 27] feare not▪ for there is agreement: :: 1.1024 except taunt, and reproch and pride, and reuealing of secret, and a traiterous wound: in al these thinges a freind wil flee away. † Possesse fidelitie [ 28] with a freind in his prouertie, that in his goodes also thou maist reioyce. † In the time of his tribulation continew [ 29] faithful to him, that in his inheritance also thou maist be heire with him. † Before the fire the vapour of the chimney, and [ 30] the smoke of the fire riseth on high: so also before bloud euil wordes, and contumelies, & threates. † I wil not be ashamed [ 31] to salute a freind, from his face I wil not hide myself: and if there chance euiles to me by him, I wil beare it. † Euerie one [ 32] that shal heare, wil beware of him. † Who wil geue a gard [ 33] to my mouth, and a sure seale vpon my lippes, that I fal not by them, and my tongue destroy me?* 1.1025

CHAP. XXIII. A prayer against pride, 6. gluttonie, and luxurie. 7. Beware of offending in spèach. 9. especialliy of vnlawful swearing 15. blasphemie, 17. irreuerent and reprocheful wordes. 21. Also of auarice, 24. fornication, and adul∣trie, 30. al which God seeth, and wil seuerly punish. 33. With other sinnes that folow therof.

O Lord father, and dominatour of my life :: 1.1026 leaue me not [ 1] in their counsel: nor suffer me to fal in them. † Who [ 2] laieth on stripes in my cogitation, and in my hart the doctrine of wisdom, and in their ignorances they spare me not, and their offences appeare not, † and my ignorances increase not, [ 2] and my offences be multiplied, and my sinnes ahound, and I fal in the sight of mine aduersaries, & mine enemies reioyce. † O Lord father, and God of my life, leaue me not in their co∣gitation. [ 4] † Hautines of mine eies geue me not, and al desire turne away from me. † Take from me the concupiscences of [ 6] the bellie, and let not the concupiscences of copulation take hold of me, and geue me not ouer to a shamelesse and foolish minde. † O children heare :: 1.1027 the doctrine of the mouth: and [ 7] he that wil keepe it, shal not perish by his lippes, nor be scan∣dalized in most wicked workes. † A sinner is taught in his [ 8]

vanirie, and the proud and the euil speaker shal he scandalized in them. † Let not thy mouth be accustomed :: 1.1028 to swearing: [ 9] for there be manie falles in it. † But let not the naming of [ 10] * 1.1029 God be vsual in thy mouth, and meddle not with the names of Sainctes, because thou shalt not scape free from them. † For [ 11] as a seruant daily examined, lacketh not the marke therof: so euerie one that sweareth, and nameth, shal not be wholy purged from sinne. † A man that sweareth much shal be [ 12] filled with iniquitie, and plague shal not depart from his house. † And if he frustrate it, his sinne shal be vpon him: [ 13] and if he dissemble, he offendeth duble: † and if he sweare [ 14] in vaine, he shal not be iustified: for his house shal be filled with retribution. † There is an other :: 1.1030 contrarie speach, also [ 15] :: 1.1031 to death, be it not found in the inheritance of Iacob. † For of the merciful al those thinges shal be taken away, [ 16] and they wil not wallow in sinnes. † Let not thy mouth be [ 17] accustomed to :: 1.1032 vnnurtered speach: for there is in it a word of sinne. † :: 1.1033 Remember thy father and thy mother, for thou [ 18] sittest in the middest of greate men: † lest perhapes God [ 19] forget thee in their sight, and being sotted with thy dailie custome, thou suffer reproch, and hadst better not haue bene borne, and curse the day of thy natiuitie. † A man accustomed [ 20] to the wordes of reproch, wil not be instructed in al his daies. † Two sortes abound in sinnes, and the third bringeth wrath [ 21] and perdition. † An :: 1.1034 hote soule as a burning fire wil not be [ 22] quenched, til it swallow somewhat. † and a wicked man in [ 23] the mouth of his flesh wil not cease til he kindle a fire. † To a [ 24] man that is :: 1.1035 a fornicatour al bread is sweete, he wil not be wearie transgressing vnto the end. † Euerie man that passeth [ 25] :: 1.1036 beyond his owne bed, contemning against his owne soule, and saying: Who seeth me? † Darkenes compasseth me, and [ 26] * 1.1037 the walles couer me, and no man beholdeth me: whom do I feare? the Highest wil not be mindful of my sinnes. † And [ 27] he vnderstandeth not that his eye seeth al thinges, for that such feare of man expelleth from him the feare of God, & the eies of men fearing him: † and he knoweth not that the eies [ 28] of our Lord are much more brighter then the sunne, behol∣ding round about al the waies of men, and the botome of the depth, and the hartes of men looking into the hidden partes. † For al thinges were knowen to our Lord God, before they [ 29] were created: so also after it is perfected he beholdeth al

thinges. † :: 1.1038 Reuenge shal be taken on this man in the streates [ 30] * 1.1039 of the cittie, and as an horsecolt he shal be chased: and where* 1.1040 he expected not, he shal be apprehended. † And he shal be in [ 31] dishonour with al men, for that he vnderstood not the feare of our Lord. † So euerie woman also that forsaketh her [ 32] husband, & getteth inheritance by mariage of an other. † For [ 33] first she hath bene vnfaithful in the law of the Highest: and secondly she hath sinned against her busband: thirdly she hath fornicated in adulterie, and hath gotten her children of an other man. † This woman shal be brought into the Church, [ 34] and vpon her children there shal be examination. † Her [ 35] children shal not take roote, and her boughes shal not yeld fruite. † She shal leaue her memorie to be cursed, and her [ 36] dishonour shal not be wiped out. † And they that are leaft [ 37] shal know, that nothing is better then the feare of God: and nothing sweter, then to haue regard to the commandmentes of our Lord. † It is great glorie to folow our Lord: for length [ 38] of daies shal be taken of him.

CHAP. XXIIII. True and laudable wisdom 5. proceding from God, 6. shineth in his workes: 12. especially in his Church; where she bringeth forth al vertues. 26. She inuiteth al vnto her. 44. and lighteneth her folowers with splendore of doctrine.

VVISDOM shal praise :: 1.1041 her soule, & shal be honoured [ 1] in God, and shal glorie in the middes of her people, † and shal open her mouth in the churches of the Highest, and [ 2] shal glorie in the sight of his power, † and in the middes of her [ 3] people she shal be exalted, and in the holie assemblie she shal be admired, † and in the multitude of the elect she shal haue [ 4] praise, and among the blessed, she shal be blessed, saying: † I come forth from the mouth of the Highest, the first be∣gotten [ 5] before al creatures. † I made that in the heauens there [ 6] should rise light that faileth not, and as a cloud I couered al the earth. † I dwelt in the highest places, and my throne is in [ 7] the pillar of a cloude. † I alone haue gone round about the [ 8] compasse of heauen, and haue penetrated into the bottome of the depth, and haue walked in the waues of the sea, † and [ 9] stood in al the earth: and in al people, † and in euerie nation [ 10] I haue had the primacie: † and I haue by strength troden [ 11]

downe the hartes of al the excellent, and the base; and in al these thinges :: 1.1042 I sought rest, & I shal abide in the inheritance of our Lord. † Then the creatour of al commanded, and said [ 12] to me: & he that :: 1.1043 created me, rested in my tabernacle, † and [ 13] he said to me: Inhabite :: 1.1044 in Iacob, and inherite in Israel, and take roote in myne elect. † From the beginning and before [ 14] the worlds was I created, and vnto the world to come I shal not cease, and in the holie habitation I haue ministred before him. † And so in Sion was I established, and in the sanctified [ 15] cittie likewise I rested, and my power was in Ierusalem. † And [ 16] I tooke roote in an honorable people, and in the portion of my God his inheritance, and my abiding is in the ful assemblie of saintes. † I am exalted as a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypres [ 17] tree in mount Sion. † As a palme tree in Cades am I exalted, [ 18] and as a rose plant in Iericho: † As a faire oliue tree in the [ 19] fieldes, and as a plane tree by the water in the streates am I exalted. † I gaue an odout as cinnamon, & aromatical balme: [ 20] as chosen myrrhe haue I geuen the sweetenes of odour: † and as storax, and galbanum, and onyx, and aloes, and as Li∣banus [ 21] not cut, haue I perfumed myne habitation, and myne odour is as baulme non mingled. † I haue spred out my [ 22] boughes as the terebinth, and my boughes are of honour and grace. † I as a vine haue fructified sweetenes of odour: and [ 23] my flowers are fruite of honour and honestie. † I am the mo∣ther [ 24] of beautiful loue, and of feare, and of knowledge, and of holie hope. † In me is al grace of way and truth, in me al [ 25] hope of life and vertue. † Passe to me al ye that desire me, [ 26] and be filled of my generations. † For my spirit is sweete a∣boue [ 27] * 1.1045 honie, and myne inheritance aboue honie and the honie combe. † My memorie is vnto generations of worldes. [ 28] † They that :: 1.1046 eate me, shal yet hunger: and they that drinke [ 29] me, shal yet thirst. † He that heareth me, shal not be con∣founded: [ 30] and they that worke in me, shal not sinne. † They [ 31] that explicate me, shal haue life euerlasting. † Al these thinges [ 32] are the booke of life, and the testament of the Highest, & the knowlege of truth. † Moyses commanded a law in the pre∣ceptes [ 33] of iustices, and an inheritance to the house of Iacob, and the promises to Israel. † He appointed to Dauid his ser∣uant [ 34] for to raise vp a king of him most strong, and sitting in the throne of honour :: 1.1047 for euer. † Who filleth wisdom as [ 35] Phison, and as Tigris in the daies of new fruites. † Who [ 36]

replenisheth vnderstanding as Euphrates, who multiplieth it* 1.1048 as Iordan in the time of haruest. † Who sendeth discipline as [ 37] the light, and assisting as Gehon in the day of vintage. † Who [ 38] first hath perfect knowledge of it, & a weaker shal not searche it out. † For her cogitation shal abound aboue the sea, and [ 39] her counsels aboue the greate depth. † I wisdom haue [ 40] powred out riuers. † I as a sluse of a mightie water out of the [ 41] riuer, I as the riuer Dioryx, & as a water coundite I came out of paradise. † I said: I wil water my garden of plantes, and [ 42] wil inebriate the fruite of my medow. † And hehold my [ 44] sluse was made aboundant, and my riuer came neere to a sea. † Because I illuminated doctrine to al as the morning light, [ 44] & I wil declare it far. † I wil penetrate al the inferiour partes [ 45] of the earth, and wil behold al that sleepe, and wil illuminate al that hope in our Lord. † I wil yet powre out doctrine as [ 46] prophecie, and wil leaue it to them that seeke wisdom, and wil not cease vnto their progenies euen to the holie age. † See [ 47] ye that I haue not laboured for myself only, but for al that seeke out the truth.

CHAP. XXV. Concord betwen bretheren, neighboures, and man and wife, much pleaseth God. 3. A poore man proud, a richman a lier, and an old man doting in carnal, or worldlie thinges, are very hateful. 9. He that seeth his children good; and his enemies ouerthrowne; hath a good wife; offendeth not in speach; consenteth not to sinne; hath a true freind; teacheth good doctrine; hath sacred; and humane knowlege: hath vndoubtedly nine happie thinges: but to feare God conteyneth 14. and excelleth al. 17. A wicked woman (heresie) is very detestable, 30. and most vntolerable, if she haue supreme dominion.

IN three thinges my spirit is pleased, which are approued [ 1] before God, and men: † :: 1.1049 The concord of bretheren, and [ 2] the loue of neighboures, and man and wife wel agreeing together. † Three sortes my soule hateth, and I am greatly [ 3] greeued at their life; † :: 1.1050 A poore man proud: & a rich man a [ 4] lyer: an old man a foole, and doting. † The thinges that thou [ 5] hast not gathered in thy youth, how shalt thou find them in thy old age? † How beautiful is iudgement for a grey head, [ 6] and for ancientes to know counsel! † How beautiful is [ 7] wisdom for the aged, & vnderstanding glorious, and counsel! † Much cunning is the croune of old men, and the feare of [ 8]

God is their glorie. † :: 1.1051 Nine thinges not to be imagined of [ 9] the hart haue I magnified, and the tenth I wil tel vnto men with my tongue: † A man that hath ioy in his children; liuing [ 10] and seeing the subuersion of his enemies. † Blessed is he that [ 11] * 1.1052 dwelleth with a wise woman; & that hath not offended with his tongue; and that hath not serued such as are vnworthie of him. † Blessed is he that findeth a true freind; and that decla∣reth [ 12] iustice to an eare that heareth: † How great is he, that [ 13] findeth wisdom; and knowlege; but he is not aboue him :: 1.1053 that feareth our Lord. † The feare of God hath set it self aboue al [ 14] thinges: † blessed is the man, to whom is geuen to haue the [ 15] feare of God: he that holdeth it, to whom shal he be re∣sembled? † The feare of God is the beginning of his loue: [ 16] and the beginning of faith is to be fast ioyned vnto it. † The [ 17] heauines of the hart is al plague: & al malice, :: 1.1054 the wickednes of a woman. † And he wil see al plague, and not the plague of [ 18] the hart: † & al wickednes, & not the wickednes of a woman: [ 19] † and al obduction, and not the obduction of them that hate [ 20] him: † and al reuenge, and not the reuenge of the enemies. [ 21] † There is no head worse then the head of a serpent: † and [ 22] there is no anger aboue the anger of woman. It shal be more [ 23] * 1.1055 pleasant to abide with a lyon and dragon, then to dwel with a wicked woman. † The wickednes of a woman changeth her [ 24] face: and darkeneth her countenace as a beare: and wil shew it as a sacke. In the middes of her neighbours, † her husband [ 25] groned, and hearing he sighed a litle. † Al malice is short to [ 26] the malice of a woman, the lot of sinners fal vpon her. † As [ 27] the goeing vp a grauelie way in the feete of the aged, so a woman ful of tongue to a quiet man. † Looke not vpon a [ 28] womans beautie, and desire not a woman for beautie. † A [ 29] womans anger, and impudencie, and confusion is great. † A [ 30] woman :: 1.1056 if she haue superioritie, is contrarie to her husband. † An humbled hart, and heauie countenance, and plague of [ 31] hart, is a wicked woman. † Feeble handes, and disiointed [ 32] knees, a woman that doth not make her husband happie. † From woman came the beginning of sinne, and by her we [ 33] doe al die. † Geue not issue to thy water, no not a litle: nor [ 34] to a wicked woman leaue, to goe forth. † If she walke not [ 35] at thine hand, she wil confound thee in the sight of thyn enemies. † Cut her of from thy flesh, lest she alwaies abuse [ 36] ••hee.

CHAP. XXVI. The praises of a good woman. 5. The betraying of a citie, mutenie of people, and fal••e accusation are terrible, but a ielous woman is more greuou••. 10. Diuers il qualities of a bad woman. 16. More commendations of a good woman. 25. A doleful thing to see a valiant warier wanting liuelihood, a wiseman not regarded, and greatest griefe to see a iust man become wicked. 28. A man ful of busines hardly careth for his soule: and a•••• Inns keper often sinneth in wordes.

THE husband of a good wife is happie: for the number of [ 1] his yeares is :: 1.1057 duble. † A strong woman delighteth her [ 2] husband, and shal accomplish the yeares of his life in peace. † A good woman is a good portion, in the good portion of [ 3] them that feare God shal she be geuen to a man for good deedes: † And the hart of rich and poore is good, at al time [ 4] their countenance is merie. † Of three thinges my hart hath [ 5] bene▪ afraid, and at the fourth my face hath trembled: † The [ 6] betraying of a citie, and a gethering together of the people: † false calumnie, al more greuous then death. † A ielous [ 7 8] woman, is the sorow and moorning of the hart. † In a ielous [ 9] woman is a scourge of the tongue, communicating with al. † As :: 1.1058 a yoke of oxen, that is moued, so also a wicked woman: [ 10] he that holdeth her, is as he that taketh hold of a scorpion. † A woman geuen to drunkennes is great anger: & her con∣tumelie [ 11] and turpitude shal not be hid. † The fornication of a [ 12] woman shal be knowen in the lifting vp of her eies, and in her eieliddes. † On thy daughter that turneth not away her [ 13] self, set sure watche: lest occasion found she abuse herself. † Take heede of the impudencie of her eies, and meruel not [ 14] if she contemne thee. † As a wayfaring man that thirsteth, [ 15] wil she open her mouth to the fountaine, and wil drinke of euerie water that is next, and wil sit against euerie hedge, and open her quiuer against euerie arrow, vntil she faile. † :: 1.1059 The [ 16] grace of a diligent woman shal delight her husband, and shal farte his bones. † Her discipline is the gift of God. † A wise [ 17 18] and stil woman, there is no exchange for a soule instructed. † A holie and shamefast woman, is grace vpon grace. † And [ 19 20] al weight is not worthie a continent soule. † As the sunne [ 21] rysing to the world in the highest places of God, so is the beautie of a good woman for an ornament of her house. [ 22]

† A lampe shyning vpon the holie candlesticke, & the beautie [ 22] of the face vpon stayed age. † Pillars of gold vpon feete of [ 23] siluer, and stable feete vpon the soules of a stayed woman. [ 24] † Eternal fundations vpon a sound rocke, and the command∣ments of God in the hart of a holie woman. † At two thinges [ 25] my hart is greeued, and at the third anger is come vpon me: † A man of warre decaying by pouertie: and a wise man con∣temned: [ 26] † and he that transgresseth from iustice to sinne, [ 27] God hath prepared him to the sword. † Two sortes haue [ 28] appeared vnto me hard and dangerous, a merchant is hardly rid of negligence: and :: 1.1060 a viteler shal not be iustified from the sinnes of the lippes.

CHAP. XXVII. For want, and desire of riches, manie committe sinne. 4. from which the feare of God preserueth. 6. Tentation proueth, who is iust, 12. constant, and modest. 17. Freindes are bond to secresie, 25. and fidelitie.

THROVGH pouertie manie haue offended: and he that [ 1] * 1.1061 seeketh to be made rich, turneth away his eie. † As a [ 2] stake is fastened in the middes of stones compact together, so also in the middes of selling and buying, sinne shal be strayt∣ened. † Sinne shal be destroyed with the sinner. † If thou [ 3] hold not thyselfinstantly in the feare of our Lord, :: 1.1062 thy house [ 4] shal quickly be subuerted. † As in the shaking of a sieue the [ 5] dust wil remaine: so :: 1.1063 the perplexitie of a man in his cogita∣tion. † The fornace tryeth the potters vessels, and the tenta∣tion [ 6] * 1.1064 of tribulation iust men. † As the husbandrie about a tree [ 7] sheweth the fruite thereof, so a word out of the thought of the hart of man. † Prayse not a man before ful discourse, for [ 8] this is the trial of men. † If thou folow iustice, thou shalt [ 9] apprehend it: and shalt put it on as a long to be of honour, and thou shalt dwel with it: and it shal protect thee for euer, and in the day of knowleging thou shalt finde stedfastnes. † The [ 10] foules flocke together to their like: and truth shal returne to them, that worke it. † The lion alwayes lyeth in wayte for a [ 11] pray: so sinnes for them that worke iniquities. † A holie man [ 12] continueth in wisdom :: as the sunne: for a foole is changed* 1.1065 as :: the moone. † In the middes of the vnwise keepe the word [ 13] til his time: but in the middes of deepe considerers be conti∣nually. † The narration of sinners is odious, & their laugther [ 14] is in the deligthes of sinne. † Speach that sweareth much [ 15]

shal make the heare of the head to stand vpright: and his lacke of reuerence is the stopping of the eares. † Sheding of [ 16] bloud is in the brawling of the proud: and their cursing is a greeuous hearing. † He that discloseth the secrete of a freind, [ 17] loseth credite, and he shal not finde a freind to his minde. * 1.1066 † Loue thy neighhour, and be ioyned with him in fidelitie. [ 18] † But if thou discouer his secrets, thou shalt not pursew after [ 19] him. † For as a man that loseth his freind, so also he that [ 20] loseth the freindshipe of his neigbbour. † And as he that [ 21] letteth a bird goe out of his hand, so hast thou leaft thy neighbour, & shalt not take him. † Folow him not, because [ 22] he is far absent, for he is fled, as a doe out of the snare: because his soule is wounded. † Thou canst no more blinde him, and [ 23] of a curse there is reconciliation: † but to disclose the secrets [ 24] of a freind, is the desperation of an vnhappie soule. † He that [ 25] * 1.1067 winketh with the eie, forgeth wicked thinges, and no man wil cast him of: † in the sight of thyne eyes he wil sweete his [ 26] mouth, and wil be in admiration vpon thy wordes: but at the last he wil peruert his mouth, and in thy wordes he wil lay a scandal. † I haue heard manie thinges, & haue not esteemed [ 27] them equal to him, and our Lord wil hate him. † He that [ 28] :: 1.1068 casteth a stone on high, it wil fal vpon his head: and :: 1.1069 the deceitful stroke wil diuide the woundes of the deceitful. † He [ 29] that diggeth a pit, shal fal into it: and he that setteth a stone for* 1.1070 his neighbour, shal stumble on it: & he that layeth a snare for * 1.1071 an other, shal perish in it. † To a man that doth most wicked [ 30] counsel, it shal be turned vpon himself, and he shal not know from whence it cometh to him. † Derision & reproch of the [ 31] proud, and vengeance as a lyon shal lie in waite for him. † They shal perish in a snare that are delighted with the fal of [ 32] the iust: and sorow shal consume them before they die. † Anger and furie, both are execrable, and the sinful man shal [ 33] be subiect to them.

CHAP. XXVIII. Abstaine from reuenge, 8. and strife, 15. from making debate, 28. from hearing, and speaking euil.

HE :: 1.1072 that wil be reuenged, shal finde reuenge of our [ 1] Lord, and keepeing he wil keepe his sinne. † :: Forgeue [ 2] * 1.1073 thy neighbour hurting thee: & then shal thy sinnes be loosed * 1.1074

to thee when thou prayest. † Man to man reserueth anger, [ 3] and doth he seeke remedie of God? † He hath not mercie on [ 4] a man like vnto himself, and doth he intreate for his owne sinnes? † Himself whereas he is flesh, reserueth anger, and [ 5] doth he aske propitiation of God? Who by prayer shal obteyne for his sinne? † Remember the last thinges, & cease [ 6] * 1.1075 to be at enmitie: † for consumption and death are imminent [ 7] in his commandmentes. † Remember the feare of God, and [ 8] be not angrie with thy neighbour. † Remember the testa∣ment [ 9] of the High, & contemne the ignorance of thy neigbour. † Refraine thyself from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy [ 10] sinnes: † for an angrie man kindleth strife, and a sinful man [ 11] wil truble his freindes, and in the middes of them that are at peace he wil cast in enmitie. † For according to the wood of [ 12] * 1.1076 the forest, so the fire burneth: and according to the power of a man, so shal his anger be, and according to his substance he wil increase his anger. † Hastie contention kindleth a fire: [ 13] and hastie strife shedeth bloud: and an il testifying tongue bringeth death. † If thou blow vpon a sparck, it wil burne as [ 14] a fire: and if thou spitte thereon, it shal be quenched: both procede out of the mouth. † The whisperer & duble tounged [ 15] is accurst: for he hath trubled manie that were at peace. † A [ 16] :: 1.1077 third tongue hath moued manie, and dispersed them from nation into nation. † It hath destroyed the walled citie of the [ 17] rich, and hath digged downe the houses of great men. † It [ 18] hath cut the forces of peoples, and vndone strong nations. † A third tongue hath cast out manlie wemen, and depriued [ 19] them of their labours. † He that regardeth it, shal not haue rest, [ 20] neither shal he haue a freind in whom he may repose. † The [ 21] stroke of a whippe maketh a blew marke: but the stroke of the tongue wil breake the bones. † Manie haue fallen by [ 22] the edge of the sword, but not so as they that haue perished by their tongue. † Blessed is he that is couered from a wicked [ 23] tongue, that hath not passed into the anger therof, and that hath not drawen the yoke therof, and hath not bene tyed in the bandes therof: † for the yoke of it, is a yoke of yron: and [ 24] the band of it is a band of brasse. † The death of it, is a most [ 25] wicked death: and hel is more profitable then it. † The conti∣nuance [ 26] of it shal not be permanent, but it shal obteyne the waies of the vniust: and it shal not burne the iust in the flame therof. † They that forsake God, shal fal into it, and it shal [ 27]

burne in them, and shal not be quenched, and it shal be sent in vpon them as a lion, and as a leopard it shal hurt them. † :: 1.1078 Hedge thine eares with thornes, and heare not a wicked [ 28] tongue, and make doores to thy mouth, and locks. † Lay [ 29] together thy siluer, and make balance to thy wordes, and right bridles to thy mouth: † and take heede lest perhaps thou [ 30] slippe in thy tongue, & fal in the sight of the enemies, that lie in wayte for thee, and thy fal be vncurable vnto death.

CHAP. XXIX. Lend charitably, 3. and restore faithfully. 10. For the fault of il debters, omitte not to helpe the honest. 12. rather geue almes where nede is. 19. Be thankful for suretiship, 28. Liue frugally. 32. Goe not a ghestning for delicate chere.

HE that :: 1.1079 lendeth to his neighbour, doth mercie: and [ 1] he that preuayleth with hand, keepeth the command∣ments. † Lend to thy neighbour in the time of his necessitie, [ 2] and :: againe repay thy neighbour in his time. † Confirme [ 3] thy word, and doe faithfully with him: & thou shalt finde at al time, that which is necessarie for thee. † Manie haue esteemed [ 4] a thing lent as a thing found, and haue geuen molestation to them that did helpe them. † Til they receiue, they kisse the [ 5] handes of the lender, and in promises they humble their voice: † and in the time of repaying they wil aske a time, and [ 6] wil speake wordes of tediousnes and murmurings, and wil make the time an excuse: † and if he be able to pay, he wil [ 7] resist, he wil pay scarse halfe of the whole, and wil account it as a thing found: † but if not, he wil defraude him of his [ 8] money, and possesse him an enemie without cause: † and wil [ 9] repay him reproches and curses, and for honour and benefite wil repay him contumelie. † Manie haue not lent, not [ 10] because of wickednes, but they were afraid to be defrauded without cause. † But yet vpon the humble be stronger of [ 11] minde, & for almes differre him not. † Because of the com∣mandment* 1.1080 [ 12] receiue the poore: and because of his pouertie,* 1.1081 send him not away emptie. † Lose money for thy brother and [ 13] thy freind: and hide it not vnder a stone vnto perdition. † Put* 1.1082 [ 14] thy treasure in the precepts of the Highest, :: 1.1083 & it shal profite thee more then gold. † Shut vp almes in the hart of the poore, [ 15] and the same shal obteyne for thee against al euil. † Aboue the [ 16] shilde of the mightie, & aboue the speare, it shal fight against [ 17]

tnyne enemie. † A good man becometh suretie for his [ 18] neighbour : and he that hath lost shame, wil leaue him to himself. † Forget not the kindnes of a suertie: for he hath [ 19] geuen his life for thee. † The sinner and vncleane person [ 20] fleeth from his suretie. † A sinner counteth the goodes of [ 21] his suretie to himself: and vnthankful in minde wil forsake him that deliuered him. † A man is suretie for his neighbour: [ 22] and when he hath lost shame, he shal be forsaken of him. † Naughtie suretieshippe hath vndone manie, that were [ 23] In good case, and hath tossed them as a waue of the sea. † Whurling round about, it hath made mightie men to re∣moue, [ 24] and they haue wandred in strange nations. † A sinner [ 25] that trangresseth the commandment of our Lord, shal fal into naughtie suretieshippe: and he that endeuoureth to doe manie thinges, shal fal into iudgement. † Recouer thy [ 26] neighbour according to thy power, and :: 1.1084 take heed to thy self that thou fal not. † The beginning of mans life water & [ 27] bread, and garment, and house couering his turpitude. † Better is the poore mans fayre vnder a roofe of bordes, then [ 28] sumptuous cheere in a strange place without a house. † Let [ 29] the least thing please thee in steede of a great, and thou shalt not heare the reproach of peregrination. † It is a naughtie [ 30] life to change lodging from house to house : and where he shal lodge, he shal not deale boldely, nor open his mouth. † He shal lodge, and feede, and make the vnthanckful [ 31] drinke, and beside these thinges he shal heare bitter wordes. † Passe thou stranger, & furnish the table, & with the thinges [ 32] thou hast in thy hand, feede the rest. † Depart from the [ 33] presence of the honour of my freindes: for the necessitie of my house my brother is to be lodged with me. † These thinges [ 34] be greuous to a man that hath vnderstanding: rebuke for the house, and the reproch of the lender.

CHAP. XXX. Chastisment of children is necessarie, and indulgence very dangerous. 14. Health is better then riches. 17. A trublesome life is worse then death. 22. Be not pensiue but chereful in mind.

HE that loueth his soune, doth accustome him to stripes, [ 1] * 1.1085 that he may reioyce in his later end, and not grope after the doores of his neighboures. † He that teacheth his sonne, [ 2] shal be praised in him, & in the middes of them of his houshold he shal glorie in him. † He that teacheth his sonne, doth cast [ 3]

the enemie into emulation, and in the middes of his freindes he shal glorie in him. † His father is dead, & he is as it were [ 4] * 1.1086 not dead: for he hath left behind him the like to himself. † In his life he sawe and reioyced in him: in his death he was [ 5] not made sorie, neither was he confounded before the ene∣mies. † For he left a defender of his house against the enemies, [ 6] & one that should render thanck to his freindes. † :: 1.1087 For the [ 7] soules of his sonnes he wil binde vp his woundes, & at euerie voice his bowels shal be trubled. † An vntamed horse be∣cometh [ 8] stubburne, and a dissolute childe wil become headie. † Pamper thy sonne, and he wil make thee afraid: play with [ 9] him, and he wil make thee sorowful. † Laugh not with him, [ 10] lest thou be sorie, and at the last :: 1.1088 thy teeth shal be on edge. † Geue him not power in his youth, and contemne not his [ 11] cogitations. † Curbe his necke in youth, and knock his [ 12] sides whiles he is a childe, lest perhaps he be hardned, and beleeue thee not, and he shal be sorow of minde to thee. † Teach thy sonne, and worke in him, that thou offend not [ 13] in his dishonestie. † Better is a poore man whole, and strong [ 14] of force, then a rich man weake and scourged with miserie. † The :: 1.1089 health of the soule in holines of iustice, is better [ 15] then al gold and siluer: and a sound bodie, then infinite re∣uenewes. † There is no riches aboue the riches of the health [ 16] of the bodie: and there is noe delight aboue the ioy of the hart. † Better is death then a bitter life: and euerlasting rest, [ 17] then continual sicknes. † Good thinges hid in a mouth that [ 18] is shut, are as messes of meates set about a graue. † What shal [ 19] sacrifice profite an idol? for neither shal he eate, nor smel: † so he that is chased away of our Lord, beareth the rewardes [ 20] * 1.1090 of iniquitie: † seing with his eies, & groning, as an eunuch [ 21] embracing a virgin and sighing. † :: 1.1091 Geue not heuines to thy [ 22] * 1.1092 soule, & afflict not thyself in thy counsel. † Ioyfulnes of the [ 23] hart, this is the life of a man, and a treasure without defect of holines: and the ioy of a man is long life. † Haue mercie on [ 24] thine owne soule, :: 1.1093 pleasing God, and refraine: and comfort thy hart in his holines : and expel sorow far from thee. † For [ 25] sorow hath killed manie, and there is noe profite in it. † Enuie and anger diminish the daies, and thought wil bring [ 26] old age before the time. † A magnifical hart, is good in [ 27] bankettes: for his bankettes are made diligently.

CHAP. XXXI. By seeking vertue, and laboring for necessaries, the flesh is subdued to the spirite. 8. Moderate riches are best, 12. with temperance in diette, 30. especially in drinking.

VVATCHING :: 1.1094 after honestie shal pine the flesh, & [ 1] the thought thereof :: 1.1095 taketh away sleepe. † The [ 2] thought of foreknowlege turneth away the vnderstanding, & greuous infirmitie maketh a sober soule. † The riche man [ 3] hath laboured in gathering of substance together, & in his rest he shal be replenished with his goodes. † The poore man [ 4] hath laboured in the diminishing of his liuing, and in the end he is made poore. † He that loueth gold shal not be iustified: [ 5] & he that foloweth after corruption, shal be replenished of it. † Manie haue bene geuen into falles for gold, and their perdi∣tion [ 6] hath come by the beautie thereof. † The gold of them [ 7] that sacrifice is a wood of offence: wo to them, that folow after it, and euerie vnwise man shal perish in it. † Blessed is [ 8] the rich man that is found without spot: and that hath not gone after gold, nor hoped in money and treasures. † Who is [ 9] this, & we wil praise him, for he hath done meruelous thinges in his life. † Who is proued therin, & perfect, shal haue eternal [ 10] glorie. He that :: 1.1096 could transgress••e, and hath not transgressed: and doe euils, and hath not done: † therfore are his good [ 11] thinges stablished in our Lord, & al the church of saintes shal declare his almes. † Art thou set at a great table? open not thy [ 12] iawe therevpon first. † Say not this: There be manie thinges [ 13] which are vpon it. † Remember that a naughtie eie is euil. [ 14] † What is created worse then the eie? therefore shal it weepe [ 15] at euerie face. When it shal see, † stretch not out thy hand first, [ 16] and so contaminated with enuie thou be ashamed. † Be not [ 17] oppressed in a feast. † Vnderstand by thyself what thy neigh∣bours [ 18] thinges are. † Vse as a frugal man those thinges, that [ 19] are set before thee: lest thou be hated when thou eatest much.* 1.1097 † Leaue of first, for maners sake, and exceede not, lest thou [ 20] perhaps offend. † And if thou be set in the middes of manie, [ 21] stretch not forth thy hand before them: neither doe thou first aske to drinke. † How sufficient is a little wine for a man wel [ 22] taught, and in sleeping thou shalt not be pained with it, and thou shalt feele no griefe. † Watching, & choler, & torment to [ 23] an vnsatiable man: † sleepe of health is in a man of spare diet: [ 24]

he shal sleepe vntil morning, and his soule with him shal be deligted. † And if thou hast bene forced with eating much, [ 25] rise from the middes, and vomite, and it shal refresh thee, and thou shalt not bring infirmitie to thy bodie. † Heare me my [ 26] sonne, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt finde my wordes. † In al thy workes be quicke, and al infirmitie shal [ 27] not chance vnto thee. † The lippes of manie shal blesse him [ 28] that is magnifical in breads, and the testimonie of his truth is* 1.1098 faithful. † In :: 1.1099 naughtie bread the cittie wil murmur, and the [ 29] testimonie of the naughtines thereof is true. † Prouoke not [ 30] them that loue wine: for wine hath destroyed very manie. † Fire tryeth hard yron: so wine dronken in drunkennes [ 31] shal rebuke the hartes of the proud. † Equal life to al men, [ 32] wine in sobrietie: if thou drinke it moderatly, thou shalt be sober. † What is the life that is diminished with wine? † What [ 33 34] defraudeth life? death. † Wine was created for ioyfulnes, and [ 35] not for drunkēnes from the beginning. † Wine drunken mo∣derately [ 36] * 1.1100 is the ioy of the soule, and the hart. † Sober drink∣ing [ 37] * 1.1101 is health to soule and bodie. † Much wine drunken ma∣keth [ 38] prouocation, & wrath, & manie ruines. † Much wine [ 39] drunken is bitternes of the soule. † The couragiousnes of [ 40] drunkennes, is offence of the vnwise, lessening the strength, and making woundes. † In a banquet of wine rebuke not [ 41] thy neighbour: and despise him not in his mirth. † Speake not to him wordes of repoch: and presse him not in demanding [ 42] againe.

CHAP. XXXII. Superiors must rule with mekenes, 4. teaching those wisdom that are capable thereof. 7. Be moderate in musike, and in wine. 9. Let yongmen be dili∣gent to heare, and sparing to speake. 13. especially before their betters. 1••. Be alwayes wel occupied. 17. Serue, and feare God. 21. admitte correction. 24. do nothing without counsel.

HAVE they made thee Ruler? :: 1.1102 be not extolled: be [ 1] among them as one of them. † Haue care of them, and [ 2] so sitte thou stil, and al thy care being dispatched, repose. † That thou maist reioyce for their sakes, & receiue a crowne [ 3] as an ornament of grace, and obteyne the dignitie of the con∣tribution. † Speake thou that art elder: for it becometh thee, [ 4] † the first word to him that loueth with knowlege, & hinder [ 5] not musike. † Where there is no hearing, power not out [ 6] * 1.1103

speache, and extol not thyself out of time in thy wisdom. † A litle pearle of the carbuncle in an ornament of gold, and [ 7] the comparison of musicians in a banket of wine. † As a [ 8] signet of the emerauld is in the working of gold: so the melo∣die of musike in ioyful and moderate wine. † Heare holding [ 9] thy peace, & for thy reuerence good grace shal come to thee. † Yong man speake in thine owne cause scarsely. † If thou [ 10 11] be asked twise, let thyne answer hauean head. † In manie [ 12] thinges be as it were ignorant, and heare holding thy peace and withal asking. † In the middes of greate men presume [ 13] not: and where ancients are, speake not much. † Before [ 14] haile there shal goe lightning: & grace shal goe before sham∣fastnes, & for thy reuerence good grace shal come to thee. † And at the houre of rysing slacke not thyself: but runne [ 15] before first into thy house, and there withdraw thyself, and there play, † and doe thy conceites, and not in sinnes and [ 16] proud word. † And aboue al these thinges blesse our Lord, [ 17] that made thee, & that doth replenish thee with al his goodes. † He that feareth our Lord, shal receiue his doctrine: and [ 18] they that wil watch after him, shal finde blessing. † He that [ 19] seeketh the law, shal be replenished with it: and he that doth deceitfully, shal be scandalized by it. † They that [ 20] feare our Lord, shal finde iust iudgement, and shal kindle iustices as light. † A sinful man wil flee reprehension, and [ 21] according to his wil, wil finde excuse. † A man of counsel [ 22] wil not destroy vnderstanding, an aliene and proud man wil not dread feare: † Yea after he hath done with feare without [ 23] counsel, he shal be controwled euen by his owne pursuites. † Sonne :: 1.1104 doe nothing without counsel, and after the fact [ 24] thou shalt not repent. † Goe not in the way of ruine, and [ 25] thou shalt not stumble at stones: commite not thyself to a laborious way, lest thou set a scandal to thy soule. † And [ 26] beware of thy children, and take heede of them of thy house∣hold. † In al thy worke beleue thy soule :: 1.1105 by faith: for this is [ 27] the keeping of the commandmentes. † He that beleueth God, [ 28] attendeth to the commandmentes: and he that trusteth in him, shal not be lessened.

CHAP. XXXIII. Feare of God defendeth from al aduersaries. 5. Follie is vnconstant. 8. God disposeth al to the best. 13. Man is in Gods hand, as clay in the po••ters. 20. Superiors must keepe their auctoritie: and their subiectes in discipline.

TO him that feareth our Lord euils shal not happen, but [ 1] in tentation God wil keepe him, and deliuer him from euils. † A wise man hateth not the commandments and [ 2] iustices, and he shal not be shaken as a shippe in a storme. † A man of vnderstanding beleueth the law of God, and the [ 3] law is sure to him. † He that repeteth an interrogation, [ 4] shal better prepare his answer, and so shal be heard, and shal keepe discipline. † :: 1.1106 The hart of a foole is as a wheele [ 5] of a carte: & his cogitation as a turning axeltree. † A stalion [ 6] horse neyeth vnder euerie one that sitteth vpon him, so a freind that is a scorner. † Why doth one day excel an other, [ 7] and one light an other, and one yeare an other yeare of the sunne? † By the knowlege of our Lord they were sepe∣rated, [ 8] the sunne being made, and keeping the precept. † And [ 9] he changed times, and the festiual daies thereof, and in the same they celebrated the festiual daies at an houre. † Of [ 10] them God exalted and magnified, and of them he put into the number of daies. And al men are of the ground, and of the earth, from whence Adam was created. † In the multitude [ 11] of the discipline of our Lord he separated them, and changed their waies † Of them he blessed, and exalted: and of them [ 12] he sanctified, and applied to himself: and of them he cursed and humbled, and conuerted them from their separation. † As potters clay is in his hand, to fashion and dispose it. [ 13] * 1.1107 † Al his wayes according to his disposition: so man in the [ 14] hand of him, and he wil render to him according to his iudge∣ment. † Against euil is good, and against death life: so also [ 15] against a iust man a sinner. † And so looke vpon al the workes of the Highest. Two against two, and one against one. † And [ 16] I awaked last, and as he that gathereth bearies after the grape gatherers. † In the blessing of God I also haue hoped: and as [ 17] he that gathereth grapes, haue I filled the wine presse. † See [ 18] that I haue not laboured for myself only, but for al that seeke out discipline. † Heare me ye great men, and al peoples, and [ 19] ye rulers of the Church karken with your eares. † To sonne [ 20] and wife, brother and freind, geue not power ouer ther in thy life: and geue not thy possession to an other: lest perhaps thou repent thee, and thou entreate for them. † Whiles thou [ 21] art yet aliue and takest breath, al flesh shal not change thee. † For it is better that thy children aske of thee, then that thou [ 22] looke toward the hands of thy children. † In al thy workes [ 23]

be exquisite. † Geue no staine to thy glorie. In the day of the [ 24] consummation of the dayes of thy life, and in the time of thy decease distribute thine inheritance. † Fodder, and wande, [ 25] and burden for an asse: bread, and discipline, and worke for a seruant. † He worketh in discipline, and seeketh to rest: [ 26] release him his handes, and he seeketh libertie. † The yoke [ 27] and the reyne bend a stiff necke, and continual workes do bowe a seruant. † For a malicious seruant torment & fetters, [ 28] send him into worke, that he be not idle. † For idlenes hath [ 29] taught much naughtines. † Set him to worke: for so it be∣cometh [ 30] him. And if he be not obedient, bow him with fet∣ters, and exceede not ouer al flesh: but without iudgement doe no greuous thing. † If thou haue a faithful seruant, let [ 31] him be vnto thee as thy soule: as a brother so entreate him: be∣cause in the bloud of thy soule thou hast gotten him. † If [ 32] thou hurt him vniustly, he wil runne away: † if rising vp he [ 33] depart: thou knowest not whom to aske, and what way to seeke him.

CHAP. XXXIIII. Trust not vaine dreames, southsayinges, nor lies. 9. Much good is got by experience: 14. and more by fearing God. 21. God reiecteth the oblation, of the wicked. 24. Defrauding the poore is like to manslaughter. 28. Destroy not that an other buildeth. 30. Repentance without amendment is nothing worth.

VAINE hope, & lying is to a foolish man: & :: 1.1108 dreames [ 1] extol the vnwise. † As he that apprehendeth a shadow, [ 2] and pursueth the winde: so is he also that attendeth to lying visions. † According to this is the vision of dreames: as a [ 3] mans similitude before the face of a man. † Of the vncleane [ 4] what shal be made cleane? and of a lyer what truth shal be said? † Diuination of errour, and lying southsayinges, and the [ 5] dreames of them that do euil, are vanitie. † And as a woman [ 6] that traueleth thy hart suffereth phantasies: vnlesse it be a vision sent forth from the Highest, set not thy hart vpon them. † For dreames haue made manie to erre, and they that hoped [ 7] in them haue failed. † :: 1.1109 The word of the law shal be fulfilled [ 8] without lying, and :: 1.1110 wisedom in the mouth of the faithful shal be made plaine. † He that hath not bene proued, what [ 9] knoweth he? A man expert in manie thinges, shal thinck manie thinges: and he that hath lerned manie thinges, shal declare vnderstanding. † He that is not tryed, knoweth [ 10]

few thinges: and he that hath bene in manie things, multi∣plyeth wickednes. † He that hath not bene proued, what [ 11] maner of thinges knoweth he? He that is deceiued, shal abound with wickednes. † I haue seene manie thinges in [ 12] wandring to and fro, and very manie fashions of words. † Some times I haue bene in danger vnto death for these [ 13] thinges, and I was deliuered by the grace of God. † The spirit [ 14] of them that feare God is sought, & at his sight shal be blessed. † For their hope is on him that saueth them, and the eies of [ 15] God vpon them that loue him. † He that feareth our Lord [ 16] shal tremble at nothing, and shal not dread: because he is his [ 17] hope. † His soule is blessed that feareth our Lord. † To [ 18] whom doth he looke, and who is his strength? † The eies of [ 19] our Lord are vpon them that feare him, a protectour of might,* 1.1111 a stay of strength, a couer from the heate, and shadow for the noone time, † a sauing from offence, and helpe from falling, [ 20] exalting the soule, and illuminating the eies, geuing health, and life, and blessing. † The oblation of him that immolateth [ 21] * 1.1112 of an vniust thing is spotted, and the scorninges of the vniust are not acceptable. † Our Lord is onlie theirs that expect him [ 22] in the way of truth and iustice. † The Highest alloweth not [ 23] * 1.1113 the giftes of the wicked: neither hath he regard to the obla∣tions of the vniust, neither wil he be made propitious for sinnes by the multitude of their sacrifices. † He that offereth [ 24] sacrifice of poore mens substance, is as he that sacrificeth the sonne in the presence of his father. The bread of the needie, is [ 25] the life of the poore: he that defraudeth it, is a man of bloud. † He that taketh away bread in swet, is as he that killeth [ 26] his neighbour. † He that sheddeth bloud, and that defraudeth [ 27] * 1.1114 the hired man, are bretheren. † :: 1.1115 One building, and an other [ 28] destroing: what profite haue they but the labour? † One [ 29] praying, and an other cursing: whethers voice wil God heare? † He that is washed from the dead, :: 1.1116 and toucheth him [ 30] againe, what doth his washing profit? † so a man that [ 31] fasteth in his sinnes: and doing the same againe, what doth he profite in humbling himself? who wil heare his prayer?

CHAP. XXXV. Obseruation of the commandments, 4. and sacrifice of the iust please God, 12. not the sacrifice of the wicked. 14. God protecteth the poore and desolate, 19. heareth the prayer of the humble, and rendereth to alas they deserue.

HE :: 1.1117 that keepeth the law, multiplieth oblation. † It is [ 1] * 1.1118 an holsome sacrifice to attend to the commandments, [ 2] and to depart from al iniquitie. † To depart from iniquitie [ 3] is a thing that pleaseth our Lord wel: and to depart from in∣iustice is an intreating for sinnes. † :: 1.1119 Thou shalt not appeare [ 4] * 1.1120 before the sight of our Lord emptie. † For al these thinges [ 5] * 1.1121 are done because of the commandment of God. † The obla∣tion [ 6] of the iust maketh a fatte altar, and is an odour of sweetenes in the sight of the Highest. † The sacrifice of the [ 7] iust is acceptable, and our Lord wil not forget the memorie thereof. † Render glorie to God with a good minde: and [ 8] diminish not the first fruites of thine handes. † In euerie gift [ 9] * 1.1122 make thy countenance chereful, and in ioyfulnes sanctifie thy tithes. † Geue to the Highest according to his gift, and with [ 10] a good eie, doe according to the abilitie of thine handes: † because our Lord is a rewarder, and wil repay thee :: 1.1123 seuen [ 11] times so much. † Offer not wicked giftes, for he wil not [ 12] * 1.1124 receiue them. † And looke not vpon an vniust sacrifice, [ 13] because our Lord is iudge, and there is not with him the glorie of person. † Our Lord wil not accept person against [ 14] * 1.1125 the poore, and he wil heare the prayer of him that is hurt. † He wil not despise the prayers of the pupil: nor the widow, [ 15] * 1.1126 if she power out speach of mourning. † Do not the widows [ 16] teares runne downe to the cheeke, & her exclamation vpon him that causeth them to runne? † For from the cheeke they [ 17] goe vp euen to heauen, and our Lord the hearer wil not be delighted in them. † He that adoreth God in delectation, shal [ 18] be receiued, & his petition shal approch euen to the cloudes. † The prayer of him that humbleth himself, shal penetrate [ 19] the cloudes: and til it approch he wil not be comforted: and he wil not depart til the Highest behold. † And our Lord wil [ 20] not be long, but wil iudge the iust, and wil do iudgement: and the strongest wil not haue patience in them, that he may crush their backe: † and he wil repay vengeance to the Gentiles, til [ 21] he take away the multitude of the proude: & breake the scep∣ters of the vniust, † til he reward men according to their do∣ings: [ 22] and according to the workes of man, and according to his presumption, † til he iudge the iudgement of his people, [ 23] and shal delight the iust with his mercie: † The mercie of God [ 24] is beautiful in the time of tribulation, as a cloude of raine in the time of drught.

CHAP. XXXVI. A prayer for conuersion of al nations: 14. and for conseruation of the Isra∣elites. 20. Discretion is necessarie in al actions, and desires.

HAVE mercie vpon vs ô God of al, and respect vs, and [ 1] shew vs the light of thy mercies: † and send in thy feare [ 2] vpon :: 1.1127 the nations, that haue not sought after thee, that they may know that there is no God but thou, and that they may shewforth thy glorious thinges. † Lift vp thy hand ouer the [ 3] strange Nations, that they may see thy might. † For as in [ 4] their sight thou art sanctified in vs, so in our sight thou shalt be magnified in them, † that they may know thee, as we [ 5] also haue knowen, that there is no God beside thee ô Lord. [ 6] † Renewe signes, and change meruels. † Glorifie thy hand, [ 7] and thy right arme. † Raise vp furie, and power out wrath. [ 8] † Take away the aduersarie, and afflict the enemie. † Hasten [ 9] the time, and remember the end, that they may declare thy [ 10] meruels. † Let him that is saued be deuoured in the wrath of [ 11] flame: and let them that euil intreate thy people, finde perdi∣tion. † Breake the head of princes of the enemies, that saie: [ 12] There is none other beside vs. † Gather together al the tribes [ 13] of Iacob: and let them know that there is no God but thou, that they may declare thy great workes: & thou shalt inherite them as from the beginning. † Haue mercie on thy people, [ 14] vpon which thy name is inuocated: and vpon Israel, whom* 1.1128 thou hast made equal to thy first begotten. † Haue mercie on [ 15] the citie of thy sanctification Ierusalem, the citie of thy rest. † Replenish Sion with thy wordes that can not be vttered, [ 16] & thy people with thy glorie. † Geue the testimonie to them, [ 17] that are thy creatures from the beginning, and raise vp the prophecies, which the former prophets spake in thy name. † Geue reward to them that patiently expect thee, that thy [ 18] prophets may be found faithful: and heare the prayers of thy seruants, † according to Aarons benediction of thy people, [ 19] and direct vs into the way of iustice, and let al knowe that* 1.1129 inhabite the earth, that thou art God the beholder of the worldes. † The :: 1.1130 bellie wil eate al meate, and one meate is [ 20] better then an other meate. † The iawes taist venison, & :: the [ 21] wise hart lying wordes, † A peruerse hart wil geue sorow, and [ 22] a cunning man wil resist it. † Some woman wil receiue euerie [ 23] man: and one daughter is better then an other daughter.

† The beautie of a woman chereth the face of her husband, [ 24] and increaseth the desire aboue al mans concupiscence. † If [ 25] there be a tongue of curing, there is also of mitigating and of mercie: her husband is not according to the sonnes of men. † He that possesseth a good woman, beginneth riches: she [ 26] is an helpe like vnto him, & a piller as :: 1.1131 rest. † Where there is [ 27] no hedge, the possession shal be spoiled: and where there is no wife, he mourneth wanting. Who doth credite him that hath no nest, and turning aside wheresoeuer it waxeth darke, as a robber girded, leaping from citie to citie.

CHAP. XXXVII. Beware of a feaned, & loue à sure freind, 7. consult with the wise, trustie, 15. and vertuous, 19. especially relying vpon God. 21. The tongue is cause of much good, or much euil. 30. Be temperate in diet.

EVERIE freind wil say: I also haue ioyned freindshipe: [ 1] :: 1.1132 but there is a freind, in name only a freind. Doth there not sorow remaine euen to death? † But a companion and [ 2] freind wil be turned to enmitie. † O most wicked presump∣tion, [ 3] whence wast thou created to couer the drie land with ma∣lice, and with the deceitfulnes thereof? † A companion is [ 4] pleasant with his freind in delectations, and in the time of tri∣bulation he wil be an aduersarie. † A companion is sorie with [ 5] his freind for his bellies sake, and he wil take a shield against the enemie. † Forgete not thy freind in thy minde, and be [ 6] not vnmindeful of him in thy riches. † Consult not with him [ 7] which betraieth, and hide thy counsel from them that enuie thee. † Euerie counseler vttereth counsel, but there is a coun∣seler [ 8] in him selfe. † From such a counseler keepe thy soule. [ 9] First know what his necessitie is: for he wil deuise to his owne minde: † lest perhaps he thrust a sharpe stake into the ground [ 10] and say to thee: † Thy way is good; and stand ouer against [ 11] thee to see what wil befal thee. † With an irreligious man [ 12] treate not of holines, and with the vniust of iustice, and with a woman of the thing whereof she is ielous: with a feareful man of warre, with a marchant of traficke, with a byer of selling, with an enuious man of geuing thankes, † with the [ 13] impious of pietie, with the vnhonest of honestie, with the field labourer of al worke, † with him that worketh by the [ 14] yeare of the ending of the yeare, with a slothful seruant of much working: attend not to these in al counsel. † But be [ 15]

continual with a holie man, whomsoeuer thou shalt know to obserue the feare of God, † whose soule is according to thine [ 16] owne soule: and who when thou shalt stumble in the darke, wil be sorie for thee. † And establish with thy self an hart of [ 17] good counsel: for there is none other thing more worth to thee then it. † The soule of a holie man vttereth sometime [ 18] true thinges, more then seuen watchmen that sitte in a high place to watch. † And in al these :: 1.1133 beseech the Highest, that [ 19] he direct thy way in truth. † Before al workes let a true word [ 20] goe before thee, and stable counsel before euerie act. † A [ 21] wicked word shal change the hart: out of which rise foure partes, good, and euil, life, and death: and the tongue is a con∣tinual ruler of them. There is a subtile man teacher of manie, and to his owne soule he is vnprofitable. † A cunning man [ 22] hath taught manie, and is swete to his owne soule. † He that [ 23] speaketh sophistically, is odious: in euerie thing he shal be defrauded. † Grace is not geuen him of our Lord: for he is [ 24] defrauded of al wisdom. † There is a wise man, wise to his [ 25] owne soule: and the fruite of his vnderstanding is laudable. † A wise man teacheth his people, and the fruites of his [ 26] vnderstanding are faithful. † A wise man shal be filled with [ 27] blessinges, and they that see wil praise him. † The life of a man [ 28] is in the number of dayes: but the dayes :: 1.1134 of Israel are in∣numerable. † A wise man in the people shal inherite honour, [ 29] and his name shal liue for euer. † Sonne in thy life :: 1.1135 proue [ 30] thy soule: & if it be wicked, geue it not power: † for al thinges [ 31] * 1.1136 are not expedient for al, and euerie kinde pleaseth not euerie soule. † Be not greedie in al feasting, and power not out thy [ 32] self vpon al meate: † for in manie meates there shal be infir∣mitie, [ 33] and greedines shal approch euen to choler. † Because [ 34] of surfet manie haue died: but he that is abstinent, shal adde life.

CHAP. XXXVIII. God hath ordained corporal, 9. and spiritual medicines. 16. Ʋse moderate, not excessiue sorow for the dead. 26. Tradesmen and artificers are ne∣cessarie, much more spiritual pastors.

HONOVR the phisition :: 1.1137 for necessitie: for the Highest [ 1] hath created him. † For al medicine is of God, & it shal [ 2] receiue gift of the king. † The knowlege of the phisition shal [ 3] exalt his head, and in the sight of great men he shal be praised.

† The Highest hath created medicines of the earth, and a wise [ 4] man wil not abhorre them. † Was not bitter water made [ 5] * 1.1138 sweete by wood? † The vertue of these thinges is come to [ 6] the knowlege of men, and the Highest hath geuen knowlege to men, for to be honoured in his meruelous thinges. † Curing with these thinges he shal mitigate paine, and the [ 7] apothecarie shal make confections of swetenes, and shal make ointments of health, and his workes shal not be con∣summated. † For the peace of God is vpon the face of the [ 8] * 1.1139 earth. † Sonne in thine infirmitie contemne not thy self, [ 9] * 1.1140 but pray our Lord, and he wil cure thee. † Turne away from [ 10] sinne, and direct thy handes, and from al offence cleanse thy hart. † Geue sweetenes and a memorial of fine floure, and [ 11] make a fat oblation, and geue place to the phisition. † For [ 12] our Lord created him: and let him not depart from thee, because his workes be necessarie. † For there is a time when [ 13] thou maist fal into their handes: † and they shal beseech our [ 14] Lord, that he direct their rest, and healing; for their conuersa∣tion. † He that sinneth in his sight, that made him, shal fal [ 15] into the handes of the phisition. † Sonne vpon the dead [ 16] shed teares, and beginne to weepe as hauing suffered doleful thinges, and according to iudgement couer his bodie, and neglect not his burial. † But :: 1.1141 for detraction beare bitterly [ 17] the mourning of him one day, and be comforted for the* 1.1142 heauines, † and make mourning according to his desert one [ 18] day, or two, because of detraction. † For by heauines death [ 19] hasteneth, and it couereth the strength, and sorow of the hart boweth the necke. † In abstraction sorow is permanent: and [ 20] the substance of the poore is according to his hart. † Geue [ 21] not thine hart into heauines, but expel it from thee: and re∣member the latter endes, † and forget not: for neither is [ 21] there returne, and him thou shalt profit nothing, and thou shalt hurt thy self. † Be mindful of my iudgement: for thine [ 23] also must be so: to me yesterday, and to thee to day. † In the [ 24] repose of the dead make the memorie of him to rest, and com∣fort* 1.1143 him in the departing of his spirit. † :: 1.1144 The wisdom of [ 25] a scribe in the time of vacance: and he that is lesse in action, shal receiue wisdom. † With what wisdom shal he be reple∣nished, [ 26] that holdeth the plough, and glorieth in the goade, driueth oxen with the prickle, and conuerseth in their workes, and his talke is in the breede of bulles? † He wil [ 27]

geue his hart to turne vp furrowes, and his watching in the feeding of kine. † So euerie craftsman and workemaster that [ 18] passeth the night as the day, that maketh grauen seales, and his continual diligence varieth the picture: he wil geue his hart to the similitude of the picture, and his watching wil perfect the worke. † So the yronsmith sitting by the anuil and [ 29] considering the worke of yron. The vapour of the fire wil parche his flesh, and he striueth in the heate of the fournace: † The noyse of the hammer reneweth his eare, and his eye is [ 30] against the similitude of the vessel. † He wil geue his hart to [ 31] the finishing of the workes, and his watching wil polish to perfection. † So the potter sitting at his worke, turning the [ 32] wheele with his feete, who is alwayes set in carefulnes for his worke, and al his working is in number: † With his arme [ 33] he wil fashion the clay, and before his feete he wil bend his strength: † He wil geue his hart to finish the vernishing [ 34] thereof, and his watching wil make cleane the fournace. † Al [ 35] these haue hoped in their handes, and euerie one is wise in his owne art. † Without these a citie is not built. † And they [ 36] shal not inhabite, nor walke therein, and they shal not leape [ 37] high into the congregation. † Vpon the iudges seate they [ 38] shal not sitte, and the ordinance of iudgement they shal not vnderstand, neither shal they declare discipline and iudge∣ment, and in parables they shal not be found: † but they [ 39] shal confirme the creature of the world, and their prayer shal be in the worke of their art, applying their soule, & searching in the law of the Highest.

CHAP. XXXIX. Goldie knowlege, 16. puritie of soule, 20. humble conceipt of our selues, 27. and consideration of eternal reward, are good dispositions to spiritual contemplation.

THE :: 1.1145 wise man wil search out the wisdom of al the [ 1] ancientes, and wil be occupied in the prophetes. † He [ 2] wil keepe the narration of famous men, and wil enter withal into the subtilities of parables. † He wil search out the hidden [ 3] senses of prouerbes, and wil conuerse in the secretes of para∣bles. † In the middes of great men he wil minister, and in the [ 4] sight of the president he shal appeare. † He shal passe into the [ 5] land of strange nations: for he shal trie good and euil in men. † He wil geue his hart to watch early vnto our Lord, that [ 6]

made him, and he wil pray in the sight of the Highest. † He [ 7] Wil open his mouth in prayer, and wil entreate for his sinnes. † For if it shal please our great Lord, he wil fil him with :: the [ 8] * 1.1146 spirit of vnderstanding: † and he wil power forth the wordes [ 9] * 1.1147 of his wisdom as showres, and in prayer wil confesse to our Lord. † And he wil direct his counsel, and discipline, and in [ 10] his secretes he wil consult. † He wil open the discipline of [ 11] his doctrine, and wil glorie in the law of the testament of our Lord. † Manie wil praise his wisdom, and it shal not be [ 12] abolished for euer. † The memorie of him shal not depart, [ 13] and his name shal be required from generation to generation. † Nations shal declare his wisdom, and the church wil shew [ 14] forth his praise. † If he continew, he shal leaue a name more [ 15] then a thousand: and if he rest, it shal profite him. † I wil yet [ 16] consult that I may declare: For as with furie I am replenished. † In voice he saith: Heare me ye diuine fruites, and as the [ 17] * 1.1148 rose planted vpon the riuers of waters fructifie ye. † As Li∣banus [ 18] :: 1.1149 haue ye the odours of sweetnes. † Florish ye [ 19] flowres, as the lilie, and geue forth an odour, and bring forth leaues in grace, and praise with songue, and blesse our Lord in his workes. † :: 1.1150 Geue magnificence to his name, and confesse [ 20] * 1.1151 vnto him in the voice of your lippes, and in songues of the lippes, and harpes, & thus shal ye say in confession: † Al the [ 21] * 1.1152 workes of our Lord are exceeding good. † At this word the [ 22] water stood as an heape: and at the word of his mouth as it* 1.1153 were receptacles of waters: † because in his commandment [ 23] placabilitie is made, and there is no diminishing of his salua∣tion. † The workes of al flesh are before him, and there is [ 24] nothing hid from his eyes. † From world to world he behol∣deth, [ 25] and nothing is meruelous in his sight. † It is not to be [ 26] saied: What is this, or what is that? for al thinges shal be sought in their time. † :: 1.1154 His blessing hath ouerflowed as a [ 27] * 1.1155 streame. † And as a flood hath watered the drie land, so his [ 28] * 1.1156 wrath shal inherite the nations, that haue not sought him: † euen as he turned waters into drught, and the earth was [ 29] made drie: and his waies are direct to the waies of them: so to sinners stumbling blockes in his wrath. † Good thinges were [ 30] created for the good from the beginning, so for the wicked, good thinges and euil. † :: 1.1157 The beginning of the thing ne∣cessarie [ 31] for the life of men, water, fire, and yron, salt, milke, and bread of flower, and honie, and the cluster of grape, and

oyle, & clothing. † Al these shal be conuerted to saintes into [ 32] good, so also to the impious and to sinners into euil. † There [ 33] are spirites, that were created :: 1.1158 for vengeance, and in their furie they haue confirmed their tormentes: † in the time of [ 34] consummation they shal power our strength: and they shal accomplish the furie of him, that made them. † Fire, haile, [ 35] famine, and death, al these were created for vengeance: † the [ 36] teeth of beastes, and scorpions, and serpentes, and sword re∣uenging the impious vnto destruction. † In his command∣mentes [ 37] they shal make merrie, and on the earth they shal be prepared when nede is, and in their times they shal not pre∣termitte a word. † Therefore from the beginning I was con∣firmed, [ 38] and I haue consulted, and thought, and leaft written. † Al the workes of our Lord are good, & he wil geue euerie [ 39] worke in his houre. † It is not to be said: This is worse then [ 40] that: for al shal be approued in their time. † And now with [ 41] al hart and mouth praise ye, and blesse the name of our Lord.

CHAP. XL. The first matter of spiritual meditation may be mans miserie, contracted by original sinne, 4. and increased by actual, 17. reliued by God grace: 22. which geueth manie benefites, 27. man adding his voluntarie cooperation.

GREAT trauel is created to al men, and an heauie yoke [ 1] vpon the children of Adam, from :: 1.1159 the day of their coming forth of their mothers wombe, vntil the day of their burying, into the mother of al. † Their cogitations, and [ 2] feares of the hart, imagination of thinges to come, and the day of their ending: † from him that sitteth vpon the glo∣rious [ 3] seate, vnto him that is humbled in earth & ashes. † From [ 4] him that weareth hyacinth, and beareth the crowne, euen to him, that is couered with rude linen: furie, enuie, tumult, wauering, and the feare of death, anger perseuering, and contention, † and in the time of repose in bed, the sleepe [ 5] of night changeth his knowlege. † A litle is as nothing [ 6] in rest, and afterward in sleepe, as in the day of watch••. [ 7] † He is trubled in the vision of his hart, as he that hath escaped in the day of battel. In the time of his safetie he rose vp, and merueleth at noe feare: † With al flesh, from man euen to [ 8] beast, and vpon sinners seuenfold. † Beside these thinges, [ 9] death, bloud, contention, and sword, oppressions, famine,

and contrition, and scourges: † for the wicked al these were [ 10] * 1.1160 created, and for them the floud was made. † Al thinges that [ 11] * 1.1161 are of the earth, shal turne into the earth, and al waters shal returne into the sea. † Al bribing, and iniquitie shal be cleane [ 12] taken away, and fidelitie shal stand for euer. † The riches of [ 13] the vniust shal be dried vp as a riuer, and they shal sound as great thunder in rayne. † In opening his handes he shal re∣ioyce: [ 14] so transgressors shal pine away in consumption. † The [ 15] nephewes of the impious shal not multiplie boughes, nor vn∣cleane rootes sound vpon the toppe of a rocke. † Ouer al water [ 16] grennes, and at the brincke of the riuer it shal be plucked vp before al grasse. † Grace is as paradise in blessinges, and mercie [ 17] remayneth for euer. † The life of a workeman that is suffi∣cient [ 18] for himself shal be sweete, and in it thou shalt finde a treasure. † Children, and building of a citie shal confirme the [ 19] name, and an vnspotted woman shal be counted aboue this. † Wine and musicke make a ioyful hart: and the loue of wise∣dom [ 20] is aboue both. † Shalmes, and Psalterie make sweete [ 21] melodie, and a sweete tongue is aboue both. † Thine eye wil [ 22] desire grace and beautie, and :: 1.1162 greene sowen fieldes are a∣boue this. † A freind and companion meeting together in [ 23] time, and aboue them both is a woman with her husband. † Bretheren are an helpe in the time of tribulation, and mercie [ 24] shal deliuer more then they. † Gold and siluer are the establi∣shing [ 25] of the feete: and counsel is wel accepted aboue them both. † Riches and strength exalt the hart, and aboue these is [ 26] the feare of our Lord. † There is no diminution in the feare [ 27] of our Lord, and in it there is no neede to seeke for helpe. † The feare of our Lord is as a paradise of blessing, and they [ 28] haue couered it aboue al glorie. † Sonne in thy life time :: 1.1163 want [ 29] not: for it is better to die then to want. † A man that looketh [ 30] toward an other mans table, his life is as no life, thinking how to liue, for he feedeth his soule with an other mans meates. † But a man nurtered, and taught wil looke to him selfe. [ 31] † Pouertie wil be sweete in the mouth of the vnwise, and in [ 32] his bellie a fire wil burne.

CHAP. XLI. An other matter of meditation is death, 8. wherof sinne is the cause. 1••. Care of a good fame is necessarie. 19. Let shamfastnes be a bridle to auoide fornication, 22. iniquitie, 24. theft, and other sinnes.

O DEATH how bitter is thy memorie to a man that hath [ 1] peace in his riches: † to a man that is at rest, and whose [ 2] wayes are prosperous in al thinges, and that is yet able to take meate! † O death, thy iudgement is good to a needy man, and [ 3] him that is diminished in strength, † and fayleth in age, and [ 4] that is careful of al thinges, and to the incredulous, that loseth patience! † Feare not the iudgement of death. Remember [ 5] what thinges haue bene before thee, and what come after thee: this is the iudgement from our Lord to al flesh: † and [ 6] what shal come vpon thee by the good pleasure of the Highest? whether it be ten, or an hundred, or a thousand yeares. † For in hel there is no :: 1.1164 accusing of life. † The [ 7] children of sinners be come children of abominations, and [ 8] they that conuerse neere the houses of the impious. † The [ 9] inheritance of the children of sinners shal perish, and with their seede shal be continuance of reproch. † The children [ 10] complaine of an impious father, because for him they are in reproch. † Woe to you ye impious men, which haue forsaken [ 11] the law of our Lord the Highest. † And if ye be borne, ye [ 12] shal be borne in malediction: and if ye die, in malediction shal be your portion. † Al thinges that are of the earth, shal [ 13] returne into the earth: so the impious from malediction to perdition. † The moorning of men is in their bodie, but the [ 14] name of the impious shal be cleane wyped out. † Haue care [ 15] of a good name: for this shal be more permanent to thee, then a thousand treasures precious and great. † There is a [ 16] number of the daies of a good life: but a good name shal con∣tinew for euer. † Children, keepe ye discipline in peace. For [ 17] wisdom hid, and treasure not seene, what profite is there in them both? † Better is the man that hideth his follie, then [ 18] the man that hideth his wisdom. † But yet :: 1.1165 haue reue∣rence [ 19] to these thinges, which proceede from my mouth. † For it is not good to obserue al shamfastnes: & :: 1.1166 al thinges [ 20] do not please al men in opinion. † Be ashamed before father & [ 21] before mother, of fornication: and before the president and before the mightie, of lying: † before the prince, and before [ 22] the iudge, of offence: before the sinagogue and the people, of iniquitie: before companion and freind, of iniustice: and [ 23] before the place where thou dwellest, † of theft, of the [ 24] truth of God, and his testament: of leaning on the bread, and of reproofe for the thing geuen and taken: † before them that [ 25]

salute thee, of silence: of beholding a woman that is an harlot: and of turning away thy countenance from thy kinsman. † Turne not away thy face from thy neighbour, & of taking [ 26] away part and not restoring. † Behold not an other mans [ 27] * 1.1167 wife, and search not his handmayde, neither stand by her bed. † Before freindes of opprobrious wordes: and when thou [ 28] hast geuen, vpbrayde not.

CHAP. XLII. Further admonition to auoide sinnes in wordes, and deedes. 6. with care that others offend not by our negligence. 15. An other matter of medita∣tion is Gods excellencie, appearing in his workes.

REPEATE notthe word :: 1.1168 which thou hast heard, neither [ 1] reueale thou of a secret word, & thou shalt in deede be without confusion, and shalt finde grace in the sight of al men: be not ashamed for al these thinges, and accept not per∣son therby to sinne. † Of the law of the Highest, and his [ 2] * 1.1169 testament, and of iudgement to iustifie the impious, † of the [ 3] word of companions and wayfaring men, and of the geuing of the inheritance of freindes, † of the equalitie of balance [ 4] and weightes, of the getting of manie thinges and few, † of [ 5] the corruption of bying, and of marchantes, and of much discipline of thy children, and to make bloudie the side of a wicked seruant. † Ouer a naughtie woman a seale is good. [ 6] † Where there are manie handes, shutvp, and what soeuer [ 7] thou shalt deliuer, number, and weight it: and write euerie thing geuen and receiued. † Of the discipline of the vnwise [ 8] and foolish, and of ancientes, that are iudged of young men: and thou shalt be wel instructed in al thinges, and approued in the sight of al the liuing. † A daughter is the secret watch of [ 9] the father, and the care of her taketh away sleepe, lest perhaps in her youth she become past age, & abiding with an husband she become odious: † lest at anie time she be corrupted in [ 10] her virginitie, and in her fathers house she be found with childe: lest perhaps abyding with her husband she transgresse, or at the least become barren. † Ouer a dissolute daughter [ 11] keepe sure watch: lest at anie time she make thee come into reprooche with thine enemies, because of detraction in the citie, and the obiection of the people, and she confound thee in the multitude of the people. † Looke not on euerie bodie [ 12]

for beautie sake▪ & among wemen tarie not. † For out of gar∣ments [ 13] cometh forth the moth, and from a woman the iniqui∣tie of a man. † For :: 1.1170 better is the iniquitie of a man, then a [ 14] woman doing a good turne, and a woman shaming vnto reproche. † I therefore wil be mindeful of the workes of our [ 15] Lord, and I wil shew forth which I haue seene. By the words of our Lord are his workes. † The sunne illuminating hath [ 16] looked through out al, and ful of the glorie of our Lord is his worke. † Hath not our Lord made the sainctes to declare al [ 17] his meruelous thinges, which our Lord the omnipotent con∣firmed to be established in his glorie? † He hath searched out [ 18] the depth, and the hart of men: and in their subtilitie he hath considered. † For our Lord hath knowen al knowlege, and [ 19] hath beheld the signe of age, declaring what thinges are past, and what are to come, reueling :: 1.1171 the tokens of secret thinges. † No cogitation escapeth him, and no word hideth [ 20] it self from him. † The glorious workes of his wisdom he [ 21] hath beautified: who is before the world and world without end, neither is there added, † nor diminised, and he needeth [ 22] not anie mans counsel. † How are al his workes to be desi∣red, [ 23] and which is as it were a sparke to consider! † Al these [ 24] liue, and remaine for euer, and in al necessitie al thinges obey him. † Al thinges duble, one against one, and he hath made [ 25] nothing to want. † He hath confirmed the good thinges of [ 26] euerie one. And who shal be filled seeing his glorie?

CHAP. XLIII. Gods incomparable excellencie appeareth in the heauens; 2. in the sunne, 6. moone, 9. other starres, 12. rainebow, 14. snow, 15. cloudes, 16. hayle, 17. winde, 18. thunder, 21. frost, 22. christal, 24. dew, 26. the sea, and innumerable thinges therin. 29. No man is able to praise God sufficiently.

THE firmament of height is his beautie, the beautie of [ 1] heauen is in the vision of glorie. † The :: 1.1172 sunne in sight [ 2] declaring at his coming forth, a meruelous instrument, the worke of the Highest. † At noone it burneth the earth, and [ 3] who can abide in the presence of the heate thereof: kepeing a fornace in the workes of heate: † the sunne three times so [ 4] much burning the mountaines, casting out fyrie beames, and shining with his beames blindeth the eyes. † Great is our [ 5]

Lord that made it, and by his wordes it hath hastened his course. † And the moone in al in her time, is the shewing of [ 6] season and the signe of age. † By the moone is the signe of a [ 7] festiual day, a light that diminisheth in consummation. † The [ 8] moneth is according to her name, increasing meruelously in consummation. † An instrument of the campe on high, [ 9] shining gloriously in the firmament of heauen. † The glorie [ 10] of the starres is the beautie of heauen, our Lord illuminating the world on high. † In the words of the holie one they shal [ 11] stand to iudgement, and shal not faile in their watches. † See [ 12] the bow, and blesse him that made it: it is very beautiful in his brightnes. † It hath compassed heauen in the circuite of his [ 13] glorie, the handes of the Highest haue opened it. † But by [ 14] his commandement he hath hastened snow, & he hasteth to send forth the lightninges of his iudgement. † Therefore are [ 15] the treasures opened, and the cloudes flie forth as birdes. † By [ 16] his greatnes he hath set the cloudes, and the hailestones are broken. † In his sight the mountaines shal be moued, and at [ 17] his wil the south winde hath blowen. † The noyse of his [ 18] thunder shal beate the earth, the tempest of the northwind, and the gathering together of wind: † and as the bird lighting [ 19] downe to sitte, he scatereth snow, and the falling thereof, is as the locust dyuing downeward. † The eye shal admire the [ 20] beautie of the whitenes thereof, and the hart quaketh at the shower thereof. † He shal power out frost vpon the earth as [ 21] salt: and when it freeseth, it shal be made as the toppes of a thistle. † The cold north winde blewe, & of water there frose [ 22] chrystal, vpon al gathering together of waters it shal rest, & as a* 1.1173 brest plate it shal put it self vpon the waters. † And it shal de∣uoure [ 23] the mountaines, & burne the desert, & extinguish that which is grene as fire. † The remedie of al is in the hastie co∣ming [ 24] of a cloude, and a dew meeting it by the heate that co∣meth, shal make it quaile. † At his word the wind was stil, and [ 25] with his thought he appeased the depth, and our Lord planted Ilandes therein. † They that saile on the sea, tel the perils ther [ 26] of: & hearing with our eares we shal meruel. † There are [ 27] goodly workes, & meruelous: diuers kindes of beastes, & of al cattel, & the creature of mightie beastes. † Through him is the [ 28] end of their iourney confirmed, and by his word al thinges are set in order. † We shal say manie thinges, & shal faile in wor∣des; [ 29] but the summe of our wordes is, he is in al. † Glorifying [ 30]

him how far shal we be able? for the omnipotent himself is aboue al his workes. † Our Lord is terrible, & exceeding great, [ 31] & his might is meruelous. † Glorifying our Lord as much as [ 32] euer you can, he shal yet surpasse, and his magnificence is meruelous. † Blessing our Lord, exalt him as much as you [ 33] can: for he is greater then al praise. † Exalting him be ye re∣plenished [ 34] with strength. Labour not: for you shal not com∣prehend. † Who shal see him, and shal declare him? and who [ 35] shal magnifie him as he is from the beginning? † Manie [ 36] thinges hid are greater then these: for we haue seene few of his workes. † But our Lord made al thinges, and to them that [ 37] liue piously he hath geuen wisdom.

CHAP. XLIIII. Praises of holie fathers in general: 16. and in particular of Enoch, 17. Noe,* 1.1174 20. Ahraham, 24. Isaac, and Iacob.

LET vs praise glorious men, and our fathers in their gene∣ration. [ 1] † Much glorie hath our Lord made by his magni∣ficence [ 2] from the beginning of the world. † Ruling in their [ 3] :: 1.1175 dominions, men great for force, and endued with their wisdom, declaring in the prophetes the dignitie of prophetes, † and ruling in the people that was present, and by the vertue [ 4] of wisdom most holie wordes to the peoples. † In their kil [ 5] seeking out musical melodies, & vttering songnes of scriptures. † Rich men in force studying beautifulnes: liuing at peace in [ 6] their houses. † Al these in the generations of their nation [ 7] haue obteyned glorie, and in their daies are praised. † They [ 8] that were borne of them haue leaft a name to tel their praises: † and there are some of whom there is no memorie: they are [ 9] perished, as they that neuer were; & are borne, as not borne at al, & their children with them. † But they are men of mercie, [ 10] whose godlie deedes haue not failed: † good thinges con∣tinew [ 11] with their seede, † their nephewes are an holie inheri∣tance, [ 12] and their seede hath stoode in the testamentes: † and [ 13] their children because of them abide for euer: their seede and their glorie shal not be forsaken. † Their bodies are buried [ 14] in peace, and their name liueth vnto generation and genera∣tion. † :: 1.1176 Let peoples tel their wisdom, and the Church de∣clare [ 15] their praise. † Henoch pleased God, and was translated [ 16] * 1.1177 into paradise, that he may :: geue repentance to the nations.

† Noe was found :: 1.1178 perfect, iust, and in the time of wrath he [ 17] * 1.1179 was made a reconciliation. † Therefore was there a remnant [ 18] least to the earth, when the flood was made. † The testaments [ 19] of the world were made with him, that al flesh should no more be destroyed with the flood. † Abraham the great [ 20] * 1.1180 :: 1.1181 father of the multitude of the nations, and there was not found the like to him in glorie, who kept the law of the Highest, and was in couenant with him. † In his flesh he [ 21] * 1.1182 made the couenant to stand, and in tentation he was found faithful. † Therefore by an oath he gaue him glorie in his [ 22] nation, that he should encrease as an heape of earth, † and [ 23] that he would exalt his seede as the starres, and they should inherite from sea to sea, and from the riuer to the endes of the earth. † And he did in like manner in Isaac for Abraham his [ 24] father. † Our Lord gaue him the :: 1.1183 blessing of al nations, and [ 25] confirmed his couenant vpon the head of Iacob. † He knew [ 26] him in his blessinges, and gaue him an inheritance, & diuided him his portion in twelue tribes. † And he preserued vnto [ 27] him men of mercie, and found grace in the eies of al flesh.

CHAP. XLV. Praises of Moyses, 7. Aaron, 16. and his priestlie progenie. 22. Against whom Chore with his complices rebelling, were destroyed.

MOYSES beloued of God, and men: whose memorie is [ 1] * 1.1184 in benediction. † He made him like in the glorie of [ 2] saintes, and magnified him in the feare of his enemies. And with his wordes he appeased monsters. † He glorified him in [ 3] the sight of kinges, and gaue him commandment before his people, & shewed him his glorie. † In his faith and meekenes [ 4] * 1.1185 he made him holie, and chose him of al flesh. † For he heard [ 5] him, and his voice, and brought him into a cloude. † And [ 6] he gaue him precepts :: 1.1186 face to face, and a law of life and disci∣pline, to teach Iacob his testament, and Israel his iudgements. † He exalted Aaron his brother high, and like to himself of the [ 7] tribe of Leui. † He established vnto him :: 1.1187 an euerlasting [ 8] * 1.1188 testament, and gaue him the priesthood of the nation, and made him blessed in glorie, † and he girded him about with a [ 9] girdle, and put vpon him a robe of glorie, and crowned him in furniture of power. † Garments to the feete, and breches, [ 10] and an Ephod he put vpon him, and compassed him with litle

belles of gold very manie round about, † to geue a sound in [ 11] his going, to make sound heard in the temple for a memorie to the children of his nation. † An holie robe, of gold, and [ 12] hyacinthe, and purple, a wouen worke, of a wiseman, indued with iudgement and truth: † Of twisted scarlet the [ 13] worke of an artificer, with precious stones figured in the clo∣sure of gold, and grauen by the worke of a lapidarie for a me∣morial, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. † A [ 14] crowne of gold vpon his miter grauen with a seale of holines, and the glorie of honour: a worke of power, and the adorned desires of the eies. † There were none such so faire before [ 15] him, euen from the beginning. † No stranger was clothed [ 16] with them, but only his children alone, and his nephewes for euer. † His sacrifices were consumed with fire euerie day. [ 17] * 1.1189 † Moyses filled his handes, & anoynted him with holie oile. [ 18] † It was made vnto him for an euerlasting testament, and to [ 19] his seede as the daies of heauen, to doe the function of priesthood, and to haue praise and to glorifie his people in his name. † He chose him of al that liued, to offer sacrifice to [ 20] God, incense, and good odour, for a memorial to pacifie for his people: † and he gaue them power in his preceptes, in the [ 21] testaments of his iudgementes, to teach Iacob his testimo∣nies, and in his law to geue light to Israel. † Because strangers [ 22] * 1.1190 stood against him, and for enuie men compassed him about in the desert, they that were with Dathan and Abiron, and the congregation of Core in anger. † Our Lord God saw, and it [ 23] pleased him not, and they were consumed in the violence of wrath. † He did prodigious thinges vnto them, and consu∣med [ 24] them in flame of fire. † And he added glorie to Aaron, [ 25] and gaue him an inheritance, and diuided vnto him the first fruites of the increase of the earth. † He prepared them [ 26] bread in the first vnto satietie: for the sacrifices also of our Lord they shal eate, which he gaue to him, and to his seede. † But :: 1.1191 he shal not inherite the nations in the land, and he [ 27] hath no part in the nation: for himself is his portion & inhe∣ritance. † Phinees the sonne of Eleazar is the third in glorie, [ 28] * 1.1192 in imitating him in the feare of our Lord: † and to stand in [ 29] the reuerence of the nation: in the goodnes and alacritie of his soule he pacified God for Israel. † Therefore did he esta∣blish [ 30] vnto him a couenant of peace, to be the prince of the holies, and of his nation, that the dignitie of priesthood should

be to him and to his seede for euer. † And the testament to [ 31] :: 1.1193 Dauid king, the sonne of Iesse of the tribe of Iuda, and inhe∣ritance to him and to his seede, that he might geue wisdom into our hart to iudge his nation in iustice, that their good thinges might not be abolished, & their glorie in their nation he made euerlasting.

CHAP. XLVI. Praises of Iosue, 9. Caleb, 13. the Iudges of Israel, 16. Namely of Samuel Iudge and Prophet.

STRONG in battel was Iesus the sonne of Naue, :: 1.1194 succes∣sour [ 1] of Moyses among the prophets, who was great accor∣ding to his name, † most great in the saluation of Gods elect, [ 2] to ouerthrow the enemies rising vp, that he might get the in∣heritan•• of Israel. † What glorie obteyned he in lifting vp his [ 3] handes, and casting swordes against the cities? † Who before [ 4] him did so resist? ••or our Lord himself brought the enemies. † Whether was not the sunne hindered in his anger, and one [ 5] * 1.1195 day was made as two? † He inuocated the mightie soueraine [ 6] in assaulting of the enemies on euerie side, and the great and holie God heard him in haile stones of exceeding great force. † He made violent assault against the nation of his enemies, [ 7] and in the goeing downe he destroyed the aduersaries, † that [ 8] the nations might know his might, that it is not easie to fight against God. And he folowed at the back of the mightie. † And in the daies of Moyses did mercie, and Caleb the sonne [ 9] * 1.1196 * 1.1197 of Iephone, did stand against the enemie, and stayed the nation from sinnes, and appeased the murmuring of malice. † And [ 10] they two being appointed, were deliuered out of danger from among the number of six hundred thousand footemen, to bring them into their inheritance, into the land that yeldeth milke and honie. † And our Lord gaue strength to Caleb himself, [ 11] * 1.1198 and his strength continued euen vntil old age, so that he went vp into the high place of the land, & his seede obteyned inhe∣ritance. † That al the children of Israel might see, that it is [ 12] good to obey the holie God. † And :: 1.1199 al the iudges by their [ 13] name, whose hart was not corrupted: which were not turned away from our Lord, † that their memorie might be blessed, [ 14] * 1.1200 and their bones spring out of their place, † and their name [ 15] continew for euer, the glorie of the holie men remayning vnto their children. † The beloued of our Lord his God [ 16]

Samuel the prophet of our Lord, renewed the empire, and :: 1.1201 anoynted princes in his nation. † By the law of our Lord [ 17] he iudged the congregation, and the God of Iacob saw, and in his fidelitie was proued a prophet. † And he was knowen [ 18] faithful in his wordes, because he saw the God of light: † and [ 19] inuocated our Lord omnipotent, in assaulting the enemies besetting him on euerie side, in the oblation of an immaculate lambe. † And our Lord thundered from heauen, and in great [ 20] * 1.1202 sound he made his voice heard, † and he descomfited the [ 21] princes of the Tyrians, and al the dukes of the Philisthiims: † and before the time of the end of his life, and the world, he [ 22] * 1.1203 gaue testimonie before our Lord, and his Christ, money and what soeuer besides vnto the verie shoes he tooke not of al flesh, and no man accused him. † And after this he slept, and [ 23] :: 1.1204 he notified to the king, and shewed him the end of his* 1.1205 life, and he exalted his voice out of the earth in prophecie to take cleane away the impietie of the nation.

CHAP. XLVII. Praises of Nathan, 2. Dauid, 14. and Salomon; in whose progenie (21. not∣withstanding his fal) 27. the royal scepter remained for Dauids sake, though for his and the peoples sinnes, tenne tribes were cut of, and fel into schisme.

AFTER these thinges arose Nathan the Prophet in the [ 1] * 1.1206 daies of Dauid. † And as the fatte separated from the [ 2] flesh, so was Dauid from the children of Israel. † He plaied [ 3] * 1.1207 with lyons as it were with lambes: and with beares he did in like maner as with lambes of sheepe in his youth. † Did not [ 4] * 1.1208 he kil the giant, and tooke away reproch from his nation? † In lifting vp his hand, with a stone of the sling he ouerthrew [ 5] the boasting of Goliah: for he inuocated our Lord the omni∣potent, [ 6] and he gaue in his right hand, to take away the man strong in battel, and to exalt the horne of his nation. † So [ 7] * 1.1209 in ten thousand did he glorifie him, and praised him in the blessinges of our Lord, in offering to him a crowne of glorie: † for he destroyed the enemies on euerie side, and rooted out [ 8] the Philisthijms the aduersaries euen vntil this present day: he brake their horne for euer. † In euerie worke he gaue [ 9] confession to the Holie one, and to the Highest, in the word of glorie. † From :: 1.1210 al his hart he praised our Lord, & loued [ 10]

God that made him: and gaue him might against his enemies: † and he made singers to stand before the altar, and by their [ 11] * 1.1211 sound he made sweete tunes. † And in the solennities he gaue [ 12] honour, and adorned the times euen to the end of his life, that they should praise the holie name of our Lord, and magnifie the holines of God in the morning. † Our Lord purged his [ 13] * 1.1212 sinnes, and exalted his horne for euer: and he gaue him a testa∣ment of the kingdom, and the seate of glorie in Israel. † After [ 14] him arose a wise sonne, and for :: 1.1213 him did he ouerthrowe al the might of the enemies. † Salomon reigned in dayes of [ 15] * 1.1214 peace, to whom God subdewed al his enemies, that he might build an house in his name, and prepare holines for euer: as :: 1.1215 thou art instructed in thy youth. † And thou art replenished [ 16] * 1.1216 as a riuer with wisdom, and thy soule discouered the earth. † And thou didst multiplie darke sayinges in comparisons: [ 17] thy name was bruited to the ilandes far of, and thou wast beloued in thy peace. † The landes merueled at the songes [ 18] and prouerbes, and comparisons, and interprerations, † and [ 19] at the name of our Lord God, whose name is, God of Israel. † Thou didst gather gold as copper, and filledst siluer as lead, [ 20] * 1.1217 † and bowdest thy thighes to wemen: thou hast had power [ 21] on thy bodie, † thou :: 1.1218 hast made a blotte in thy glorie, and [ 22] * 1.1219 profaned thy seede to bring wrath to thy children, and thy follie to be kindled, † to make the kingdom diuided, and a [ 23] stubburne kingdom to reigne of Ephraim. † But God wil not [ 24] * 1.1220 leaue his mercie, and he wil not corrupt, no•• abolish his owne workes, neither wil he destroy from the stocke the nephewes of his elect: and he wil not corrupt the seede of him, that loueth our Lord. † But he gaue a remnant to Iacob, [ 25] and to Dauid of the same stocke. † And Salomon had an end [ 26] with his fathers. † And he leaft after him of his seede, the follie [ 27] of the nation, † and Roboam hauing litle wisedom, who [ 28] * 1.1221 turned away the nation by his counsel, † and Ieroboam the [ 29] sonne of Nabat, who made Israel to sinne, and made a way of sinning to Ephraim, and their sinnes did abound very manie. † They remoued them away from their land very far. [ 30] † And he sought al iniquities, til there came defense vnto [ 31] them, and he ••id them from al sinnes.

CHAP. XLVIII. Praises of Elias, 13. Eliseus, 19. Ezechias, 23. and Isaias.

AND there arose Elias the prophet, as it were fire, and [ 1] * 1.1222 his word burnt as a litle torche. † Who brought famine [ 2] vpon them, and they prouoking him in their enuie, were made fewe. for they could not abide the preceptes of our Lord. † By the word of our Lord he stayed heauen, and he [ 3] brought downe fire from heauen :: 1.1223 thrise. † So was Elias magnified in his meruelous workes. And who can so glo∣rie [ 4] like vnto thee? † Who didst rayse vp the dead from hel, [ 5] from the lotte of death, in the word of our Lord God. † Who didst cast downe kinges to destruction, and didst [ 6] easily breake their might, and the glorious from their bed. † Who hearest iudgement in Sina, and in Horeb iudgementes [ 7] of defence. † Who anoyntest kinges to repentance, and [ 8] * 1.1224 makest prophetes successoures after thee. † Who wast re∣ceiued [ 9] in a whirlewind of fire, in a chariot of fierie horses. † “ Who art written in the iudgements of times, to appeale [ 10] the wrath of our Lord, to reconcile the hart of the father to the sonne, and to restore the tribes of Iacob. † Blessed are [ 11] they, that saw thee, and were honored in thy freindshipe. † For we liue by life only, but after death our name shal not [ 12] be such. † Elias was in dede hid in the whirlewind, & his spirit [ 13] was complete in Eliseus: in his daies he feared not the prince, and no man ouercame him by might. † Neither did any word [ 14] ouercome him, and his bodie :: 1.1225 prophecied being dead. † In [ 15] * 1.1226 his life he did wonders, and in death he wrought meruelous thinges. † In al these thinges the people repented not, and [ 16] they departed not from their sinnes, til they were cast out of their land, and were dispersed into al the earth. † And there [ 17] was leaft a verie smal nation, and a prince in the house of Dauid. † Some of them did that which pleased God: but [ 18] others committed manie sinnes. † Ezechias fenced his citie, [ 19] and brough in water into the middes thereof, and digged a rocke with yron, and built a wel for water. † In his daies [ 20] * 1.1227 came vp Sennacherib, and sent Rabsaces, and lifted vp his hand against them, and put forth his hand vpon Sion, and became proude by his mightines. † Then were their harts, [ 21] and hands moued: and they were in sorow as trauailing wemen. † And they inuocated our merciful Lord, and spred∣ding [ 22] their handes, they lifted them vp to heauen: and the holie Lord God :: 1.1228 quickly heard their voice. † He was not [ 23] mindful of their sinnes, neither did he geue them to their

enemies, but purged them by the hand of Isaie the holie pro∣phete. † He ouerthrew the campe of the Assirians, and the [ 24] * 1.1229 Angel of our Lord destroyed them. † For Ezechias did that [ 25] which pleased God, and went strongly in the way of Dauid his father, which Isaie commanded him, the great prophet, and faithful in the sight of God. † In his daies the sunne returned [ 26] * 1.1230 backward, & added life to the king. † By a great spirite he saw [ 27] the last thinges, and comforted the mourners in Sion. † For [ 28] euer he shewed the thinges to come, & secret thinges before they came to passe.

ANNOTATIONS. CHAP. XLVIII.

10 VVho art vvritten:] Amongst other quarels, Protestantes except against* 1.1231 the authentical auctoritie of this booke, because the auctor saith, that Enoch and Elias shal come againe, to appease the wrath of our Lord, to reconcile the father to the sonne, and to restore the tribes of Iacob. But that this is no iust exception, is clere by other holie Scriptures, where the same vniforme doctrin of the whole Church, is no lesse euident, then in this booke. For God himself saith the same also by the mouth of his prophet Malachie: Behold I wil send* 1.1232 you Elias the prophet, before the day of our Lord come, the great and dreadful. Christ also sayth: Elias in deede shal come, and restore al thinges. VVherupon* 1.1233 S. Chrysostom, after he hath shewed how terrible Antichrist shal be, by reason of his temporal powre, crueltie, and wicked lawes, he addeth: Feare thou not; He shal only haue force in the reprobate, that perish. For then also Elias shal come, to fortifie the faithful. Likewise the wordes in the Apocalips, I wil* 1.1234 geue to my two witnesses, & they shal prophecie a thousand two hundred and three score dayes, were euer inuariably vnderstood by tradition, from the first preachers of Christ (as the ancient writer Aretas testifieth) that Enoch and Elias shal come, & admonish al, not to geue credite to the deceiptful wonders of Antichrist: and that they shal trauel in this testimonie the space of three yeares and a half. For 1260. dayes come very nere to that space of time.

CHAP. XLIX. Praises of Iosias, who (like to Dauid, and Ezechias) tooke away occasions of idolatrie. 8. Praises of Ieremie, 10. Ezechiel, 12. and the twelue Pro∣phetes. 13. Also of Zorobabel, Iesus the sonne of Iosedech, Nehemias, Enoch, Ioseph, Seth, Sem, and Adam.

THE memorie of Iosias is according to the confection of [ 1] * 1.1235 perfume made by the worke of an apothecarie. † His [ 2] remembrance shal be sweete as honie in euerie mouth, and as musick in banket of wine. † He was directed by God into the [ 3] * 1.1236 repentance of the nation, and he tooke away the abomina∣tions of impietie. † And he gouerned his hart toward our [ 4] * 1.1237 Lord, and in the daies of sinners he strengthened pietie.

† Except Dauid, and Ezechias, and Iosias, :: 1.1238 al committed [ 5] sinne. † For the kinges of Iuda forsooke the law of the [ 6] Highest, and contemned the feare of God. † For they gaue [ 7] their kingdom to others, and their glorie to a strange nation. † They burnt the chosen citie of holines, and made the [ 8] * 1.1239 waies thereof desolate in the hand of Ieremie. † For they euil [ 9] intreated him, who was consecrated a prophet from his mo∣thers wombe, to ouerthrow, and pluck vp, and destroy, and to build againe, and renewe. † Ezechiel who saw the sight [ 10] * 1.1240 of glorie, which he shewed him in the chariote of Cherubs. † For he made mention of the enemies in rayne, to doe good [ 11] vnto them, that haue shewed right waies. † And the bones [ 12] of the twelue prophets wel may they spring out of their place: for they haue strengthened Iacob, and haue redeemed themselues in the fidelitie of power. † How may we ma∣gnifie [ 13] * 1.1241 Zorobabel, for he also was as a signet on the right hand, † and so Iesus the sonne of Iosedec? who in their daies [ 14] built the house, and erected the holie temple to our Lord, prepared to euerlasting glorie. † And Nehemias in the me∣morie [ 15] of much time, who erected vs our walles ouerthrowen, and set vp the gates and lockes, who built our houses. † No [ 16] man hath bene borne in the earth like to Henoch: for :: 1.1242 he also was taken vp from the earth. † Neither as Ioseph who was [ 17] a man borne prince of his bretheren, the stay of the nation, the ruler of his bretheren, the stay of the people: † and his bones [ 18] were visited, and after death :: 1.1243 they prophecied. † Seth, and [ 19] Sem obteyned glorie with men: and aboue euerie soule, in the beginning Adam.

CHAP. L. Praises of Simon the High Priest. 27. Detestation of certaine persecuting aduersaries. 29. With conclusion that the obseruers of this doctrine shal be wise and happie,

SIMON :: 1.1244 the sonne of Onias, the high priest, who in his life [ 1] held vp the house, and in his daies strengthned the temple. † The height also of the temple was founded by him, the [ 2] * 1.1245 duble building and high walles of the temple. † In his daies [ 3] the welles of waters flowed out, and they were filled as the* 1.1246 sea aboue measure. † Who had care of his nation, and deliue∣red [ 4] it from perdition. † Who preuailed to amplifie the citie, [ 5]

who obteyned glorie in conuersing with the nation: and amplified the entrance of the house, and the court. † As the [ 6] morning starre in the middes of a cloude, and as the ful moone he shineth in his dayes. † And as the sunne shining, so did [ 7] he shine in the temple of God. † As the rainbow that shineth [ 8] among the cloudes of glorie, and as a flower of roses in the daies of the spring, and as the lilies that are in the passage of water, and as frankensence smelling in summer daies. † As [ 9] fire glistering, and frankensence burning in the fire. † As [ 10] a massie vessel of gold, adorned with euerie precious stone. † As an oliue tree budding, and a cypresse tree aduancing it [ 11] self on high, when he tooke the robe of glorie, and was re∣uested to the consummation of strength. † In going vp to the [ 12] holie altar, he made the vesture of holines, glorie. † And in [ 13] receiuing the portions out of the hand of the priestes, himself also standing by the altar. About him was the ring of his bretheren: and as the ceder plant in mount Libanus, † so [ 14] stoode they about him as boughes of the palme tree, & al the children of Aaron in their glorie. † And the oblation of our [ 15] Lord in their handes, before al the synagogue of Israel: and executing the consummation on the altar, to amplifie the oblation of the high king, † he stretched forth his hand [ 16] in * 1.1247 oblation of moist sacrifice, and offered of the blood of the grape. † He powred out on the fundation of the altar a [ 17] diuine odour to the high prince. † Then cried out the chil∣dren [ 18] of Aaron, they sounded with beaten trumpets, and made a great voice to be heard for a remembrance before God. † Then al the people together made hast, and fel on their face [ 19] vpon the earth, to adore our Lord their God, and to make prayers to God omnipotent the Highest. † And the singers [ 20] amplified in their voices, and in the great house the sound was* 1.1248 encreased ful of sweetenes. † And the people in prayer desired [ 21] our Lord the Highest, vntil the honour of our Lord was per∣fected,* 1.1249 and they finished their office. † Then coming downe, [ 22] he lifted vp his handes ouer al the congregation of the chil∣dren of Israel, to geue glorie to God from his lippes, and to glorie in his name, † and he repeated his prayer, willing to [ 23] shew the power of God. † And now pray ye the God of al, [ 24] who hath done great thinges in al the land, who hath encrea∣sed our daies from our mothers wombe, and hath done with vs according to his mercie: † geue he vnto vs ioyfulnes of [ 25]

euerlasting: † that Israel may beleue that the mercie of God [ 26] is with vs, to deliuer vs in his dayes. † Two nations my soule [ 27] hateth: and the third is :: 1.1250 no nation, which I hate: † they that [ 28] sitte in mount Seit, and the Philisthijms, and the :: foolish people that dwel in Sichem. † Iesus the sonne of Sirach, a [ 29] man of Ierusalem, wrote the doctrine of wisdom and disci∣pline in this booke, who renewed wisdom from his hart. † Blessed is he, that conuerseth in these good thinges: and [ 30] he that layeth them in his hart, shal be wise always. † For [ 31] if he doe them, he shal be able to doe al thinges: because his steppes are in the light of God.

CHAP. LI. The auctor rendereth praises and thankes to God; 18. and inuiteth others to do the same, by his owne example, 31. and by earnest exhortation.

THE prayer of Iesus the sonne of Sirach. :: 1.1251 I wil confesse [ 1] to thee ô Lord king, and wil praise thee God my sauiour. † I wil confesse to thy name: because thou art become my [ 2] helper and protectour, † and hast deliuered my bodie from [ 3] perdition, from the snare of an vniust tongue, and from the lippes of them that worke lying, and in the sight of them that stoode vp thou art become my helper. † And thou hast deli∣uered [ 4] me according to the multitude of the mercie of thy name from them that did roare, prepared to deuoure, † out [ 5] of the handes of them that seeke my soule, and from the gates of tribulations which haue compassed me: † from the op∣pression [ 6] of the flame, which hath compassed me, and in the middes of fire I was not burnt. † From the depth of the bellie [ 7] of hel, and from a defiled tongue, and from the word of lying, from a wicked king, and from an vniust tongue: † my soule [ 8] shal praise our Lord euen to death, † and my life was appro∣ching [ 9] to hel beneth. † They haue compassed me on euerie [ 10] side, & there was none that would helpe. I looked toward the helpe of men, & there was none. † I remembred thy mercie [ 11] ô Lord, and thy operation, which are from the beginning of the world. † Because thou deliuerest them that patiently [ 12] expect thee ô Lord, and sauest them out of the handes of the nations. † Thou hast exalted my habitation vpon the earth, [ 13] and I haue prayed for death to passe away. † I haue inuocated [ 14] our Lord the father of my Lord, that he leaue me not in the

day of my tribulation, and in the time of the proude without helpe. † I wil praise thy name continually, and wil collaude [ 15] it in confession, and my prayer was heard. † And thou hast [ 16] deliuered me from perdition, and hast rescued me from the wicked time. † Therfore wil I confesse, & say praise to thee, [ 17] and blesse the name of our Lord. † When I was yet :: 1.1252 young, [ 18] before I erred, I sought for wisdom openly in my prayer. † Before the temple I prayed for it, and vnto the later end I [ 19] wil se••ke after it, and it shal flourish as the grape timely ripe, † my hart hath reioyced in it, my foote hath walked the right [ 20] way, from my youth I searched after it. † I bowed mine eare [ 21] a litle, and receiued it. † I found much wisdom in myself, & [ 22] I haue much profited therein. † To him that geueth me [ 23] wisdom, wil I geue glorie. † For I haue consulted to doe it: [ 24] I haue had a zele to good, and shal not be confounded. † My [ 25] soule hath wrestled in it, and in doing it I was confirmed. † I [ 26] stretched forth my handes on high, & I lamented foolishnes. † I directed my soule to wisdom, and in knowlege I found [ 27] it. † I possessed with it an hart from the beginning: for this [ 28] cause I shal not be forsaken. † My bellie was trubled in see∣king [ 29] it: therefore shal I possesse a good possession. † Our [ 30] Lord hath geuen me a tongue for my reward: and with the same I wil praise him. † Approch vnto me ye vnlerned, and [ 31] gather yourselues together into the house of discipline. † Why [ 32] slacke ye yet? and what say you herein? your soules are excee∣ding thirstie. † I haue opened my mouth, and haue spoken: [ 33] Bye it for you without siluer, † and submit your necke to the [ 34] yoke, and let your soule receiue discipline: for it is very neere to finde it. † See with your eyes that I haue laboured a litle, [ 35] and haue found much rest to myself. † Take ye discipline :: 1.1253 in [ 36] a great summe of siluer, and possesse abundance of gold in it. † Let your soule reioyce in his mercie, and you shal not be [ 37] confounded in praise. † Worke your worke :: 1.1254 before the [ 39] time, and he wil geue you your reward in his time.

The end of the Sapiential Bookes.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The cohe∣rence of this part with the rest.
• * 1.2

  The contents of Sapiential bookes.
• * 1.3

  Preface. before Iosue.
• * 1.4

  Why they are so called.
• * 1.5

  They are al Canonical Scripture. Salomon is auctor of the three first.
• * 1.6

  Proem. Annot. Prefac. Tobiae.
• * 1.7

  Other bookes of Salomon not extant.
• * 1.8

  S. Iero, in proem S. Aug. li. 17. c. 20. ••iuii.
• * 1.9

  A brief summe of these three:
• * 1.10

  Prologo galeato.
• a 1.11

  Prouerbs,
• b 1.12

  Ecclesiastes,
• c 1.13

  Canticles.
• * 1.14

  VVhy this booke is cal∣led Prouerbes and Parables.
• * 1.15

  The contents.
• * 1.16

  Diuided into foure parts.
• * 1.17

  The first part▪ An inuitation to seeke vvis∣dom: vvith some general precepts.
• a 1.18

  By these sentencious si∣militudes the studious may better con∣ceiue and vn∣derstand true vvisdom, and the vertues belonging therto.
• b 1.19

  profound & solide vvitte.
• c 1.20

  Not only yongmen and inexperienced but also the vvise may lerne more vvisdom by these patables.
• d 1.21

  shal be fitte to gouerne others.
• e 1.22

  Feare of our Lord, that is, reuerence of his diuine Maiestie vvith desire duly to serue him, and neuer to of∣fend him, is the first de∣gree in ascen∣ding to per∣fect vvisdom: vvhich con∣sisteth not only in the vnderstanding but also in action.
• g 1.23

  The second to resist euil suggestions.
• h 1.24

  The proper remedie a∣gainst such alurements is to be vvatch∣ful, and to ••ee from them.
• * 1.25

  Three kindes of vvisdom.
• * 1.26

  Diuine Attri∣butes are not qualiries in God, but his substance.
• * 1.27

  VVisdom in∣created is God himselfe.
• * 1.28

  VVisdom the gifte of Holie Ghost.
• * 1.29

  Humane vvisdom.
• * 1.30

  :: Four bene∣fites of God Vocation, Helpe. Instruction, Reprehea∣sion.
• * 1.31

  Reward of workes.
• a 1.32

  This fre∣quent maner of propo∣sing the vvay and meanes to vvisdom If thou vvilt receiue my vvordes, &c. shevveth most cuidently the povvre of mans free vvil.
• b 1.33

  Not euerie desire, or sleight seeking of vvi••dom sufficieth, but such laborious seeking is re∣quired, as a couetous man s••ekerb••re••∣sure vvhich he knoweth to be hid in the ground.
• * 1.34

  Sap. 3. v. 32. 10. v. ••.
• c 1.35

  A descrip∣tion of per∣uers sinners especially of heretikes.
• * 1.36

  Foure markes of an heretike. 1. He forsaketh the knowen faith.
• * 1.37

  Isaiae. 35. v. ••.
• * 1.38

  2. He glo∣rieth in his ovvne inven∣tion.
• * 1.39

  3 Teacheth pleasing thin∣ges.
• * 1.40

  Rom. 1••. v. 18.
• * 1.41

  4. Admitteth no iudge but himself.
• * 1.42

  ••it. ••. v. 11.
• a 1.43

  It auaileth litle to heare good instru∣ctions, except we〈…〉〈…〉 them in memorie.
• b 1.44

  not ••n books only but in the hart.
• c 1.45

  and ••ut them in execution.
• d 1.46

  knovv also that al thy streingth is in Go••▪ in whom th•••• m••••st 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••ust, not in th•••• o〈…〉〈…〉 〈…〉〈…〉e
• e 1.47

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 and〈…〉〈…〉 〈…〉〈…〉those that endeuour 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God, is a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his s••u••ur to∣vvards them; and therfore his other pro∣mises vvhich seme to be temporal, are to be vnder∣stood of the next life.
• f 1.48

  God revvar∣deth as it vvere vvith both handes promising eternal life,
• g 1.49

  and compe∣tent meanes in this life.
• h 1.50

  M〈…〉〈…〉 for the wordes of thy mouth
• i 1.51

  Almes in sea∣son 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vvorth to that vvhich is dif∣ferred long.
• :: 1.52

  As Salomon was instructed by his father king Dauid so he teacheth others, the right order hovve to lerne vvisdom.
• :: 1.53

  The first part of wis∣dom is to de∣sire it. For no∣thing hinde res•• from being ••ust but that ••ustice is not desired S. Aug in Psal. 118. v. 20.
• :: 1.54

  As the hart is the princi∣pal part of the bodie, so the vvil is the chiefest powre of the soule: from vvhich good or euil procedeth.
• a 1.55

  To auoide al impietie it is first of al necessarie, not to thinke, speake, nor heare vnlaw∣ful thinges.
• b 1.56

  By woman is generally vn∣derstood con∣cupiscence of vvhat sinne soeuer, as. ch. 1. v. 10. & ch 3. v. 33 chap 4. v. 14.
• c 1.57

  The vvorld the flesh and the diuel are strangers.
• d 1.58

  And cruel enemies that render for re∣vvard eternal damnation.
• e 1.59

  Good doctri∣ne is to be im∣perted to men of sincere in∣tention.
• f 1.60

  no to con∣temners and obstinate in∣••idels.
• * 1.61

  The vvisman doth not abso∣lutly disvvade from al ma∣ner of sure∣tishippe, but from rashly, or vnaduisedly ansvvering for others. And especially ex∣horteth to vse al diligence in performing, or causing o∣thers to per∣forme that vvhich is pro∣mised or co∣uenanted.
• :: 1.62

  Euerie one that sinneth vvittingly and of malice re∣fusing to obey God, imploy∣eth his mouth, eyes, feete, handes and al partes vvith a vvicked hart and intention to peruerte others: most proper to he∣retikes, apo∣states from the faith.
• :: 1.63

  The forme•• six are al dam∣nable, but this seuenth is most detesta¦ble, because it is opposite to the chief ver∣tue charitie, it breaketh vnitie, & is the proper sinne of the diuel.
• :: 1.64

  Al occasions of sinne, espe∣cially proba∣ble are to be shunned.
• :: 1.65

  Theift is also mortal sinne, against the seuenth cōmandment, but not so great as ad••l∣terie.
• :: 1.66

  Because tentations stil occurre in this life, and man is fraile, good exhor∣tations, and earnest admo∣nitions must also be conti∣nually incul∣cated as here the vvisman often repe∣teth and much vrgeth the same good and necessarie aduises to em∣brace vvisdom and to vvalke stil in the vvay of vertue, e∣specially to flee from vi∣ces, and dan∣gers of sinne.
• :: 1.67

  Sinners after consent geuen to tentations, are as inconsi∣derate of their ovvne state, & of their perile and ruine, as an oxe, vvhen he is ledde to the shamles, or a ••••rd allured vvith a ba••e, that ••••••eth into the snare or n••••te.
• :: 1.68

  True vvis∣dom directing to good life & so to eternal saluation, is only found in the visible Church stan∣ding vpon a mountaine, not hidde in corners or ob∣scure places.
• :: 1.69

  These sin∣gular praises perteine to the increated wisdom, God himself, from whom proce∣deth wisdom geuen to men by the Holie Ghost. See Annot. ch. 1. v. 2.
• :: 1.70

  God much preferreth man before al other corpo∣ral creatures.
• :: 1.71

  S. Cyprian li. 2. ep. 3. citeth this whole passage of Christs Sa¦crifice in the formes of bread and vvine.
• :: 1.72

  VVhere is no hope of amendment prudence di∣recteth vs not to admonish, nor rebuke sinners, le••t without an••e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••e pro∣cure emnitie, charitie also requireth ra∣ther to expect better oppor∣tunitie, lest the offender become worse by our admo∣nition.
• :: 1.73

  But when there is hope of good, euerie one is bond, especially superiors to correct offen∣ders. S. Aug. li. 1. c. 9. de ciuit. S. Basil. regulis fuse disput. 158.
• * 1.74

  God built his Church with spiritual Pa∣stors & Rites of Religion in the old Testa∣ment.
• * 1.75

  Prou. 8. v. 3••.
• * 1.76

  Psal. 74. Galat. 2.
• * 1.77

  The same are more excel∣lent in the Church of Christ.
• * 1.78

  1. Cor. 1.
• * 1.79

  The second part. Sentencious moral pre∣cepts.
• * 1.80

  How these Pa∣rables folow∣ing differ from the for∣mer.
• * 1.81

  VVhy the contents of the twentie chapters fo∣lowing are put in the margent.
• * 1.82

  VVisdom in general.
• * 1.83

  Iustice.
• * 1.84

  Confidence in God.
• * 1.85

  Industrie.
• * 1.86

  Truth.
• * 1.87

  Diligence.
• * 1.88

  Equitie.
• * 1.89

  Good fame.
• * 1.90

  Desire to lerne.
• * 1.91

  Sinceritie.
• * 1.92

  Vnfained freindshipe. VVhol some talke.
• * 1.93

  Charitie. Prudent speach. Discretion in∣speaking.
• * 1.94

  Iust gaine.
• * 1.95

  Iust intention.
• * 1.96

  Loue to be corrected.
• * 1.97

  Internal and external cha¦ritie. Moderate spe••••h Sinceritie of hart.
• * 1.98

  Loue of do∣ctrin.
• * 1.99

  Spiritual ri∣ches.
• * 1.100

  Sorow for sinne.
• * 1.101

  Remorfe of conscience
• * 1.102

  Iustice in ge∣neral
• * 1.103

  Diligence.
• * 1.104

  Feare of God
• * 1.105

  Pietie.
• * 1.106

  Obseruation of Gods lavv, fulfulling al iustice.
• * 1.107

  Speaking and Meditating good thinges.
• * 1.108

  Equitie
• * 1.109

  Humilitie.
• * 1.110

  Sinceritie.
• * 1.111

  Spiritual ri∣ches.
• * 1.112

  Pietie.
• * 1.113

  Iustice.
• * 1.114

  Care of the other life.
• * 1.115

  Future ioy.
• * 1.116

  Truth in wordes.
• * 1.117

  Common good. Publique ioy.
• * 1.118

  True freind∣shipe.
• * 1.119

  Fidelitie.
• * 1.120

  Good gouern∣ment.
• * 1.121

  Prudence in suretishipe.
• * 1.122

  Diligence.
• * 1.123

  Mercie.
• * 1.124

  Iustice.
• * 1.125

  Clemencie.
• * 1.126

  Sinceritie.
• * 1.127

  Iust dealing.
• * 1.128

  Internal ver∣tue. Expectation of glorie. Almes dedes.
• * 1.129

  Beneuolence.
• * 1.130

  Care of the poore.
• * 1.131

  Good desires.
• * 1.132

  Trust in Gods goodnes.
• * 1.133

  Frugalitie.
• * 1.134

  Spiritual in∣struction Straict way of saluation.
• * 1.135

  Loue of disci∣pline.
• * 1.136

  Progresse in vertue.
• * 1.137

  Pietie.
• * 1.138

  Diligent in∣dustrie.
• * 1.139

  Desire of iustice.
• * 1.140

  Sinceritie in vvordes
• * 1.141

  Iustice.
• * 1.142

  Sound do∣ctrine.
• * 1.143

  Contentment of minde.
• * 1.144

  Compassion.
• * 1.145

  Diligent tra∣uel.
• * 1.146

  Temperance.
• * 1.147

  defence
• * 1.148

  Iust punish∣ment of the wicked. Guard of the tongue. Godlie instru∣ctions: and good dedes.
• * 1.149

  Yelding to good counsel.
• * 1.150

  Toleration of iniuries.
• * 1.151

  True testi∣monie.
• * 1.152

  Aduised pro∣mising.
• * 1.153

  Considerate testimonie.
• * 1.154

  Pacification.
• * 1.155

  Iustice in ge∣neral.
• * 1.156

  Fidelitie.
• * 1.157

  Prudent si∣lence.
• * 1.158

  Resistance of tentation▪
• * 1.159

  Alacritie in good workes.
• * 1.160

  Freindshipe▪
• * 1.161

  Honest indu∣strie.
• * 1.162

  a 〈…〉〈…〉 man.
• * 1.163

  Good life.
• * 1.164

  ••••••al feare.
• * 1.165

  Sound doct¦••e.
• * 1.166

  Discretion in speach.
• * 1.167

  Constant en∣deuour.
• * 1.168

  Truth in wor∣des and dedes.
• * 1.169

  Iustice.
• * 1.170

  True acknow∣legement of temp•• al state.
• * 1.171

  Mediocritie of riches.
• * 1.172

  Sincere con∣science.
• * 1.173

  Humilitie.
• * 1.174

  Iust gaine.
• * 1.175

  Speedie per∣formance of promise. Good reporte.
• * 1.176

  Plaine dea∣ling. Good instru∣ction. True doctrine.
• * 1.177

  Prudence.
• * 1.178

  Faithful mes∣sage.
• * 1.179

  Desire to lerne.
• * 1.180

  Hate of sinne.
• * 1.181

  Conuersation with the good.
• * 1.182

  Iustice.
• * 1.183

  Succession.
• * 1.184

  Frugalitie.
• * 1.185

  Chatisment.
• * 1.186

  Contentment of state.
• * 1.187

  Frugal indu∣strie.
• * 1.188

  Feare of God.
• * 1.189

  Gnard of the tongue. Diligent la∣bores.
• * 1.190

  Truth in al speach.
• * 1.191

  Seke wisdom modestly.
• * 1.192

  Feloshipe with the wise.
• * 1.193

  Knowlege of ourselues. Detestation of s••ane. Internal com∣forth. Contempt of thir world.
• * 1.194

  The Catho∣lique faith.
• * 1.195

  Spiritual ioy.
• * 1.196

  Reward of workes.
• * 1.197

  Beleue not al reportes.
• * 1.198

  Mature consi∣deration.
• * 1.199

  Patience.
• * 1.200

  Desire of so∣lide knowlege
• * 1.201

  1. Cor. 14. v. 20.
• * 1.202

  Pietie shal be ••evvarded.
• * 1.203

  Compassion of the poore.
• * 1.204

  Almes dedes.
• * 1.205

  Mercie and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.206

  Good dedes with few wordes. Right vse of riches
• * 1.207

  Versi∣p•••••• a 〈◊〉〈◊〉, ••••turne∣trait.
• * 1.208

  Tiue testimo∣nie as v. 5.
• * 1.209

  Feare to of∣fend God pre∣uen 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.210

  Procu〈…〉〈…〉 and fid〈…〉〈…〉 in subiectes. Patience.
• * 1.211

  Sincere inten∣tion.
• * 1.212

  Compassion.
• * 1.213

  Confidence in iustice.
• * 1.214

  Instruction of the ignorant.
• * 1.215

  Publique iu∣stice.
• * 1.216

  Industrie in euerie man.
• * 1.217

  VVithout true faith none can be saued.
• * 1.218

  Sincere inten∣tion excuieth some errors.
• * 1.219

  S. Greg. li. 5. c. 34. Moral.
• * 1.220

  Meeknes.
• * 1.221

  Discretion.
• * 1.222

  Gods omni∣science.
• * 1.223

  Caulmnes of speach.
• * 1.224

  Loue to be corrected.
• * 1.225

  Desire to ful∣fil al iustice.
• * 1.226

  Diligence in teaching others.
• * 1.227

  Puritie of hart.
• * 1.228

  Lerne of good men. Al secretes knowen to God. Harken to good admoni¦tions. A cherful hart is de••••••ous to ••erne.
• * 1.229

  A quiet mind.
• * 1.230

  Contentment w••••h suffici∣encie.
• * 1.231

  Patience.
• * 1.232

  Diligence.
• * 1.233

  H••••our of parents.
• * 1.234

  D••••••r••••••on.
• * 1.235

  Desire to liue wel.
• * 1.236

  Counsel in season.
• :: 1.237

  To him that is wel trained in good wor∣kes, heauen gates are open. Honest thoughts and wordes. A liberal mind
• * 1.238

  Mercie and iustice.
• * 1.239

  Obedience.
• * 1.240

  God assisteth the iust.
• * 1.241

  VVordes of edification.
• * 1.242

  Loue of disci∣pline.
• * 1.243

  and Admonition.
• * 1.244

  Humilitie.
• * 1.245

  Gods grace necessarie in euerie good action. Mans iudge∣ment is not secure. Commend thyne affayres to God. Gods proui∣dence. Punishment of sinne. Equitie.
• * 1.246

  v••pu∣••ished.
• * 1.247

  Mercie▪
• * 1.248

  Deuotion.
• * 1.249

  Iust gaine. Necessitie of Gods grace.
• :: 1.250

  God assisteth superiors in gouerning their subiectes. Iust balance do please God & good kinges.
• * 1.251

  Righteousnes.
• * 1.252

  Feare, and reuerence of authoritie.
• * 1.253

  Loue of wisdom.
• * 1.254

  Iustice in ge∣neral.
• * 1.255

  Humilitie.
• * 1.256

  Meknes.
• * 1.257

  Hope in God.
• * 1.258

  Mildnes.
• * 1.259

  Teaching others.
• * 1.260

  Sincere hart.
• * 1.261

  Sweetnes in conuersation.
• * 1.262

  True faith & Religion.
• * 1.263

  〈…〉〈…〉 12.
• * 1.264

  Proper indu∣strie.
• * 1.265

  Charitie.
• * 1.266

  Common good.
• * 1.267

  True freind∣shipe.
• * 1.268

  Sincere thoughts.
• * 1.269

  Holie oldage.
• * 1.270

  Patience.
• * 1.271

  Gods proui∣dence.
• * 1.272

  A general rule that one place of holie Scripture is not contrarie to an other.
• * 1.273

  li▪ 2. c. 8. cont d••as Epistolas Palag Ioan. 15. 2. Cor. 3.
• * 1.274

  Gods grace is necessarie both to begine and to prose∣cute anie good worke.
• * 1.275

  Peace.
• * 1.276

  VVisdom in general.
• * 1.277

  Purification.
• * 1.278

  Feloshipe with the good. Commisera∣tion.
• * 1.279

  Succession.
• * 1.280

  Grauitie in speach.
• * 1.281

  Desire of eter∣nal life.
• * 1.282

  Remitting offences.
• * 1.283

  Discrete cor∣rection.
• * 1.284

  Concord.
• * 1.285

  Gentienes.
• * 1.286

  Gratitude.
• * 1.287

  Conseruation of peace.
• * 1.288

  Iust censure.
• * 1.289

  Spiritual riches.
• * 1.290

  Humilitie.
• * 1.291

  Constancie.
• * 1.292

  Carefulnes in promising.
• * 1.293

  Concord.
• * 1.294

  Sinceritie.
• * 1.295

  Education of youth.
• * 1.296

  Alacritie of hart.
• * 1.297

  Iust iudge∣ment▪
• * 1.298

  Contempt of the world.
• * 1.299

  ••••lial obe∣dience.
• * 1.300

  Obedience to Magistrates.
• * 1.301

  Discretion in speaking.
• * 1.302

  Moderate silence.
• * 1.303

  Constantami∣tie.
• * 1.304

  Harken to good counsel.
• * 1.305

  Speedie repen∣tance.
• * 1.306

  a vvise∣man.
• * 1.307

  VVise dis∣course.
• * 1.308

  Equitie.
• * 1.309

  Studie of pea∣ce.
• * 1.310

  Guard of the tongue.
• * 1.311

  Auoid secrete bate makers.
• * 1.312

  Fortitude.
• * 1.313

  Constant la∣bour.
• * 1.314

  Confidence in God.
• * 1.315

  Spiritual ri∣ches.
• * 1.316

  Humilitie.
• * 1.317

  Consideration in answering.
• * 1.318

  Quietnes of spirite.
• * 1.319

  Desire to lerne.
• * 1.320

  Almes dedes.
• * 1.321

  Acknowle∣ging of faultes. Vse of lote to make agree¦ment. ••••••ternal concord. Godhe instru∣ctions.
• * 1.322

  Right vse of the tongue.
• * 1.323

  A wiues ver∣tue is her best dowrie. Meeknes.
• * 1.324

  Amitie with 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.325

  Honest pouer∣tie.
• * 1.326

  Knowlege of ourselues.
• * 1.327

  Mans owne wil the cause of euil. Spiritual ri∣ches secure. True testimo∣nie.
• * 1.328

  Liberalitie.
• * 1.329

  Industrious trauel.
• * 1.330

  Solide doctri∣ne.
• * 1.331

  True testimo∣nie.
• * 1.332

  VVise & fitte magistrates. Pa〈…〉〈…〉ce •••• teachers. ••oy••ltie to kinges, and Pr••n••es. Don estical peace.
• * 1.333

  A good wife is Gods gift.
• * 1.334

  Diligence.
• * 1.335

  Obedience.
• * 1.336

  Almes dedes.
• * 1.337

  Moderate chast••••me••t.
• * 1.338

  Patience.
• * 1.339

  Folow good counsel.
• * 1.340

  Trust in God.
• * 1.341

  Good wil to helpe the poore. Feare of God.
• * 1.342

  Diligent tra∣uel.
• * 1.343

  Iust corre∣ction.
• * 1.344

  Honour of parents.
• * 1.345

  Desire to lerne.
• * 1.346

  True testimo∣nie.
• * 1.347

  Feare of eter∣nal punish¦ment.
• * 1.348

  Sobrietie.
• * 1.349

  Obedience to Princes.
• * 1.350

  Concord.
• * 1.351

  Industrie.
• * 1.352

  Profound counsel.
• * 1.353

  Fidelitie.
• * 1.354

  Sinceritie.
• * 1.355

  Execution of Iustice.
• * 1.356

  Nece••sitie of grace. ••••quitie.
• * 1.357

  Good toward ••••••es
• * 1.358

  Right vse of senses. Diligent tra∣uel Prudence.
• * 1.359

  Knowlege is 〈…〉〈…〉ewel.
• * 1.360

  Secu〈…〉〈…〉 in ••••e••••snipe.
• * 1.361

  Truth.
• * 1.362

  Counsel in warre.
• * 1.363

  Consult with the faithful.
• * 1.364

  Honour of parents.
• * 1.365

  Law ful gaine.
• * 1.366

  Meeknes.
• * 1.367

  Equitie.
• * 1.368

  Trust in Gods prouidence.
• * 1.369

  Performance of vowes.
• * 1.370

  Publique iustice.
• * 1.371

  Puritie of minde.
• * 1.372

  Three kinglie vertues.
• * 1.373

  Prudence with fortitu∣de. Punishment of sinnes.
• * 1.374

  Gods proui∣dence.
• * 1.375

  ch 14. v. 12. & 16 v. 2.
• * 1.376

  Mercie and iudgement.
• * 1.377

  Humilitie.
• * 1.378

  Fortitude.
• * 1.379

  Truth.
• * 1.380

  Equitie.
• * 1.381

  Right in hart.
• * 1.382

  Domestical peace.
• * 1.383

  Commisera∣tion.
• * 1.384

  Chastisment of sinne.
• * 1.385

  Charitie.
• * 1.386

  Almes dedes.
• * 1.387

  Almes in se∣crete.
• * 1.388

  Iust punish∣ment.
• * 1.389

  Obseruation of orders.
• * 1.390

  Temperance & pa••cimonie.
• * 1.391

  Pietie.
• * 1.392

  Domestical peace. Frugalitie.
• * 1.393

  Iustice, and mercie.
• * 1.394

  Fortitude.
• * 1.395

  Guard of the tongue.
• * 1.396

  Modestie.
• * 1.397

  Diligent tra∣uel. Liberalitie.
• * 1.398

  Sinceritie in religion.
• * 1.399

  True testimo∣nie, and found doctrine.
• * 1.400

  Amendment of faultes.
• * 1.401

  Conformitie to Gods wil.
• * 1.402

  Gods grace necessarie.
• * 1.403

  Honest fame.
• * 1.404

  Contentment with out state.
• * 1.405

  Prudence.
• * 1.406

  Pouertie of spirite.
• * 1.407

  Care of the soules health.
• * 1.408

  Good custome in vertues.
• * 1.409

  Diligent tra∣uel.
• * 1.410

  Equitie.
• * 1.411

  Almes dedes.
• * 1.412

  Better to geue then to take.
• * 1.413

  Expel the in∣corrigible. Cleanes of hart.
• * 1.414

  The godlie prosper.
• * 1.415

  Fortitude.
• * 1.416

  Care of chasti∣tie.
• * 1.417

  Chatisment.
• * 1.418

  Compassion.
• :: 1.419

  Rules of wisdom are necessarie, profitable, and vpon practise found plea∣sant: rightly directing al our thougtes wordes and dedes.
• * 1.420

  Care of the poore, becau∣se they are deare to God. Flee from euil companie which may corrupt thee. Auoide sureti∣shipe, le••t thou fal into distresse. Kepe ancient traditions. Diligent tra∣uel.
• * 1.421

  Modestie and discretion at the table of great persons.
• * 1.422

  Mediocritie of riches, and contentment with meane state. Eate not with a niggard, lest he be se∣cretly greued, ou••wardly dissembling, and thyself re∣pent it. Aduise not the vncapable.
• * 1.423

  Hurt not or∣phanes: for they are deare to God.
• * 1.424

  Diligent studie of wisdom.
• * 1.425

  Moderate chatisment profiteth youth.
• * 1.426

  Vertues of children are ioyful to the parentes. Contentment with Gods wil. Hope of reward. Lerne and practise vvis∣dom. Sobrietie and Temperance.
• * 1.427

  Honour of parents.
• * 1.428

  VVisdom most precious.
• * 1.429

  See. v. 15. and 16.
• * 1.430

  Bodelie and spiritual puri∣tie.
• * 1.431

  So brietie alvvayes ne∣cessarie. Detest drun∣kennes.
• * 1.432

  Drunkennes is deceiptful,
• * 1.433

  dangerous,
• * 1.434

  beastlie,
• * 1.435

  hurtful to o∣thers.
• * 1.436

  senselesse, and vnsatiable.
• * 1.437

  Flee euil com∣panie, lest thou be alured to vice. VVisdom and vertues, not wickednes, do prosper tem∣porally and spiritually.
• * 1.438

  Counsel in warres, and o∣ther great af∣fayres.
• * 1.439

  Good purpo∣ses▪ Report wel of others▪ Fortitude.
• * 1.440

  VVorkes of mercie, accor∣ding to our ha biliue.
• * 1.441

  VVisdom is swete: and geueth hope.
• * 1.442

  Toleration of others imper∣fections:
• * 1.443

  Often∣times. S. Aug. li. 11. c. 31. ciust.
• * 1.444

  VVith out which none liueth. Charitie towards enemies.
• * 1.445

  Haue peace with al: so much as may be. Loial••ie to God & king.
• * 1.446

  Equitie in iudgement, condemning the guiltie, & deliuering the innocent, is very grat∣ful to al.
• * 1.447

  Order in al affaires. Discretion in bearing wit∣nes. Reuenge not.
• * 1.448

  Diligent la∣bour, and vi∣gilance to prouide ne∣cessa••ies, and to auoide beggerie.
• * 1.449

  A iust man falling into venial sinnes is not therby vniust, nor Gods enimie.
• * 1.450

  Al sinnes are not mortal.
• * 1.451

  The 2. part. More Para∣bles of Salo¦mon gathered by others. Gods workes are not al re∣ueled. Kinges haue some secretes. Publique iu∣stice and pu∣nishment of sinne. Modestie, and Humilitie.
• * 1.452

  Care of others fame.
• * 1.453

  Compose con∣trouersies se∣cretly, rather then contend in publique court. Speake in due time. Prudent ad∣monition. Diligence in publique affai∣res. Performance of promised industrie. Meeknes.
• * 1.454

  〈…〉〈…〉 ••eare.
• * 1.455

  Temperance.
• * 1.456

  Modestie.
• * 1.457

  True testimo∣nie.
• * 1.458

  Trust not a dissembler.
• * 1.459

  A con∣suming 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hard earth.
• * 1.460

  Striue not with the in∣corrigible. Alacritie.
• * 1.461

  Charitie to∣wards enimies
• * 1.462

  Rom. 12.
• * 1.463

  Heare not de∣traction.
• * 1.464

  Domestical peace.
• * 1.465

  Ioy of wel doing.
• * 1.466

  Profession of truth.
• * 1.467

  Humilitie in knowlege.
• * 1.468

  Gouernment of the tongue.
• * 1.469

  Aduance not the vicious.
• * 1.470

  Patience in false sclander.
• * 1.471

  Chastisment.
• * 1.472

  Answer a foole wisely: detecting his follie.
• * 1.473

  Place fitte men in office:
• * 1.474

  VVise men in authoritie:
• * 1.475

  Vertuous in honour: and Lerned to teach. Make fooles to kepe si∣lence. Returne not to sormer sinnes. Humble opi∣nion of thy self. Fortitude. Profitable la∣boures. At least some good worke. Loue not idle∣nes.
• * 1.476

  2. Pet. 2.
• * 1.477

  Intermedle not in brawles Vnfained friendshipe, especially in familiar ac∣quantance. Punish bate∣makers. Pacific the wrathful.
• * 1.478

  Heare not whisperers of euil reportes. Flee from hypocrites. VVhose flate∣rie and soft speach are suspicious, they wil fal at last into their owne trappes, truth preuai∣ling.
• * 1.479

  Trust not to future vncer∣tainties.
• * 1.480

  Praise not thyself.
• * 1.481

  Beware of a fooles wrath:
• * 1.482

  for it hath no mercie.
• * 1.483

  Loue freindlie seueritie not enemies flate∣rie. Temperance in meate. Iust care of thy familie.
• * 1.484

  Esteme freind∣lie counsel.
• * 1.485

  Old friendes are better, & surer then a kinsman. Be wise euen for thy fathers sake. Foresee and preuent dan∣gers. Trust not enimies. Suspect extra∣ordinarie cur∣tesie. Tolerate in∣corrigible brawlers with patience; lest they become worse, by thy striuing to amend them. Conserue that is good. Conscience is best witnes. Contentment with our state. Humilitie de∣sireth not praise.
• * 1.486

  Right of hart.
• * 1.487

  Strine not to teach a foole. Discharge thy dutie: VVhiles thou art in this life. Be content with thinges necessarie, and they shal be geuen to thee. Mat▪ 6. v. 33.
• * 1.488

  Innocencie is without feare. General pietie of the people procureth Gods fauour, Neighbourlie compassion.
• * 1.489

  Zele of iustice.
• * 1.490

  Remember the day of iudgement. Honestie and pouertie. No want nor waste.
• * 1.491

  Just gaine in traffike.
• * 1.492

  Obedience to magistrates.
• * 1.493

  Geue counsel sincerely.
• * 1.494

  Humilitie in authoritie.
• * 1.495

  Place the god∣lie in office.
• * 1.496

  Acknowlege thy faultes.
• * 1.497

  Feare to offend.
• * 1.498

  Clemencie in princes, and prudent libe∣ralitie. Reuenge bloudshed.
• * 1.499

  Harmles life.
• * 1.500

  Diligent la∣bour.
• * 1.501

  Iust dealing.
• * 1.502

  Iust iudge∣ment.
• * 1.503

  Moderate gaine.
• * 1.504

  Freindlie cor∣reption.
• * 1.505

  To robbe pa∣rents is a gre∣uous crime. ••••alt not thy∣self. Trust not thyne owne iudgement. Almes dedes.
• * 1.506

  Godlie magi∣strates.
• * 1.507

  Loue to ••••e corrrected.
• * 1.508

  Choose god∣lie magistra∣tes.
• * 1.509

  Loue wisdom.
• * 1.510

  Iust and libe∣ral magistra∣tes. Sincere amitie
• * 1.511

  Iust joy of the wickeds fal.
• * 1.512

  Compassion of the poore.
• * 1.513

  Care of com∣mon good. Contend not with a foole. Defend the iust. Discretion in iust anger. Derestation of lying. Contentment in state of life. Equitie in iudgement.
• * 1.514

  Chastisment of youth. God neuer permitteth al to be euil Instruct chil∣dren. Pray to haue good Pastors.
• * 1.515

  Compel the froward to obey. Considera∣tion in spea∣king. Subdue the flesh to the spirite. Meeknes.
• * 1.516

  Humilitie.
• * 1.517

  Participate not with sinne.
• * 1.518

  Feare not men in Gods cause remembring that God is Iudge of al. Hate al wic∣kednes. Obey spiri∣tual and tem∣poral parents.
• * 1.519

  The fourth part. Other singu∣lar precepts, with prayse of a prudent woman.
• :: 1.520

  The wisest man best knoweth that he wanteth much of per∣fect wisdom yet in his hu∣militie suppo∣seth, that others haue attained some what more then himself.
• :: 1.521

  Christ the Sonne of God is wisdom it self and as the Sonne of man hath perfect wisdom.
• :: 1.522

  Bondslades are to be pit∣tied, and not affliction ad∣ded to the afflicted.
• :: 1.523

  Foure ex∣ecrable vices. Ingratitude▪ Hypocrisie: Insolencie: Oppression of the poore. Cōcupiscence of the flesh, & of the eyes.
• :: 1.524

  ••••u••e, Luxu∣rie, Auarice, & Ambition.
• :: 1.525

  Dishonour of parents shal be senere¦ly punished.
• :: 1.526

  Youngmen folowing car∣nal appetite, can no more geue account of their actiōs, then of the vvayes vvhich an eagle, a ser∣pent, and a shippe haue passed.
• :: 1.527

  By these ex∣amples are commended foure vertues, Industrie, Prudence, Concord, and Humilitie.
• :: 1.528

  Other foure Fortitude, Chastitie, Order, and Iustice
• :: 1.529

  Fooles ought not to gouerne.
• :: 1.530

  Moderation is necessarie in al actions.
• * 1.531

  Some suppose one Agur to be auctor of this chapter.
• * 1.532

  But it semeth more proba∣ble that only Salomon is au∣ctor of this whole booke.
• * 1.533

  VVhy he is called Gathe∣rer.
• * 1.534

  VVhy God suffereth here∣sie to reigne.
• :: 1.535

  VVordes perteining to Salomon spo∣ken to him by his mother: who here cal∣leth him La∣muel, signify∣ing, God vvith him.
• :: 1.536

  Doctrine is most profita∣ble to those, that are mo∣destly dumme, more vvilling to heare then to speake.
• :: 1.537

  The chief & most proper office of a king is to do iustice.
• :: 1.538

  A vvoman of such perfectiō as is here de∣scribed, is in dede rare, yet possible to be found
• :: 1.539

  Flaxe on the distafe signifi¦eth purpose to do good wor∣kes, yarne on the spindle the vvorke vvel begune, which geueth confi¦dence in God that the same shal be perfect and haue due revvard.
• :: 1.540

  They make and sel cloth, which lerning and obseruing Gods lavv, do teach it others
• :: 1.541

  External co∣melines is not durable: but the feare of God is more vvorthie of praise.
• :: 1.542

  Good vvorkes shal be revvarded,
• :: 1.543

  at the tribunal seate of iudgement.
• * 1.544

  The praise of a right vvise woman vvrit∣ten in verse, & in order of the Alphabet.
• * 1.545

  Proem. lament.
• * 1.546

  Psal. 11••. v. 104.
• * 1.547

  The Church hath al good properties re∣quisite. A faithful soule hath them at least in desire.
• * 1.548

  Rare and ex∣cellent wemen both in the old and nevv testament.
• * 1.549

  This booke called Ecclesi∣astes, teacheth to contemne this vvorld. Because feli∣citie consisteth not in anie temporal thing: but in the eternal sight of God.
• * 1.550

  Diuided into three parts.
• * 1.551

  The first part of this Ser∣mon sheweth, that Felicitie consisteth not in anie tempo∣ral thing.
• :: 1.552

  In the end of this world the earth shal be purified, & so remaine for euer.
• :: 1.553

  Mens soules dayly created are of the same kind as Adams soule: other creatures ei¦ther were in their kindes from the be¦ginning of the vvorld, or are procreated of diuers kindes preexisting. S. Tho. pa. 1. q. 73. a. 1. ad. 3
• :: 1.554

  Al natural thinges are in∣sufficient mea∣nes to attaine felicitie.
• :: 1.555

  VVisdom is the best thing in this vvorld, yet is not per∣fect selicitie, but the mea¦nes to attaine it.
• * 1.556

  VVisdom ma¦keth men to be angrie with sinne, to feare God, and to proceede in vertue.
• :: 1.557

  A vvordlie man may ob∣iect, that se∣ing vvisdom bringeth not felicitie in this life, it semeth best to take his pleasure & ease, & not to labour for it.
• :: 1.558

  But the wise∣man cōfuteth this conceipt. Because word∣lie ioy is short & vncertaine, neither is anie ioy that men haue in this life true ioy of the blessed, but only a conso∣lation in mise∣ries.
• :: 1.559

  Considera∣tion is the di∣rectorie of al good workes.
• :: 1.560

  The conceit of worldlie men not con∣sidering the life to come.
• :: 1.561

  It is better to vse that is honestly got∣ten for our necessitie, then to be stil solicitous to get more.
• :: 1.562

  Generation, Corruption, & Alteration perteine only to thinges of this world vnder heauen, often here described by the terme, Vnder the sunne. For spiritual sub∣stances are not comprehen∣ded in time, nor place. S. Ierom in hunc. locum. to 7.
• :: 1.563

  Al this sheweth that nothing of this world is perpetual, but to be vsed interchange∣ably, in due time, place, maner, and order. For dis∣order maketh confusion.
• :: 1.564

  God suffe∣reth the inno∣cent to be afflicted for a time, of his special prouidence: because they therby merite a great reward Psal. 72.
• * 1.565

  :: It is in dede better not to be at al then to be in eternal miserie, (Mat. 26. v. 24.) but temporal affli∣ction which the iust suffer is not miserie, as wordlie men estemeit, but a special meane to attaine eter∣nal felicitie.
• :: 1.566

  True chari∣tie not conta∣minate with enuie, by how much it is in∣creased in number, so much it in∣creaseth in streingth. S. Iero.
• * 1.567

  1. Reg. 15. Osee. 6.
• * 1.568

  Man without Christs helpe can neither resist tenta∣tions, nor rise from sinne.
• * 1.569

  Prou. 24. v. 16.
• * 1.570

  And without mans free consent Christ wil not stay him, nor raise him vp.
• * 1.571

  Ioan. 13. v. 27.
• * 1.572

  In pur∣gatorie.
• :: 1.573

  Because no man is able to attaine per∣fect knowlege of God, it be∣houeth al to speake and thinke so berly of him.
• :: 1.574

  Vow or pro∣mise once made must be fulfilled.
• * 1.575

  Deut. 23.
• :: 1.576

  The proper Angel which associateth euerie man.
• * 1.577

  Iob. ••••.
• :: 1.578

  As temporal riches ••e of∣ten the occa∣sion of their owners ••uine: so vaine philo∣sophie, and heresie auaile not heretikes, not their fo∣lowers, but as they came naked from their mothers wombe, the peruerse Church, so shal both such masters, and scolars depart without com∣forth into the wrath which they prepare to themselues. S. Ierom. in ••une locum.
• :: 1.579

  Al this shevveth eui∣dently ha•• 〈…〉〈…〉e con∣sisteth not in riches.
• :: 1.580

  It is plainly preached (saith S. Iero.) of the coming of Christ, vvhose name was geuen, and knovven before he vvas borne in flesh.
• * 1.581

  None can per∣fectly knovv the nature of al thinges pre∣sent, of to come.
• * 1.582

  The 2. part. True felicitie is procured by good life, and consisteth in the eternal sight of God. :: Anger right∣ly vsed, is commendable & beneficial to correcte our owne faultes and others.
• * 1.583

  Prou. 22.
• :: 1.584

  But hastie, or immoderate anger is sinful and hartful.
• :: 1.585

  Likewise moderate riches profite the seruants of God, so that they ••ette not their mind vpon them.
• * 1.586

  3. Reg. 8. 2. Par. 6. Prou. 20. 1. Ioan. 1.
• * 1.587

  The preacher.
• :: 1.588

  Mans reason which is the superior part of his soule, rarely thin∣keth good.
• :: 1.589

  Sensualitie stil inclineth to euil.
• :: 1.590

  God made man right, & he of his owne wil ••el from God. Sec S. Aug li. 14. c. 11 ciuit.
• * 1.591

  The obscure thing.
• :: 1.592

  As probable coniecture of a mans inward disposition is made by his exteriour countenance: so his good workes shi∣ning before men are good signe of internal ver∣tues, which in dede are right and me∣ritorious, when the in∣tention is sincere, refer∣ring al to Gods glorie, & edification of others, without desi∣re of vaine praise in the world.
• :: 1.593

  By this terme vanitie is ful vnder∣stood that fell- citie is not in prosperous thinges of this world: neither are al men mi¦serable, that suffer aduersi∣tie.
• * 1.594

  〈◊〉〈◊〉〈…〉〈…〉ing
• :: 1.595

  Mortal men suffering cala∣mities knovv not vvhether th•• same be in••••••ted for their proofe and merite as in I••b and Tobie, or for their sinnes only, as in Pharao, & the Aegyptians: but shal know in the indge∣ment after their death.
• :: 1.596

  A sinner in this life may amend if he wil & become inst. but a••ter death he can not repent. chap. 11. v. ••. Mystically, the Gentiles were iudged by Salomon better then the Iewes. S. Ierom.
• :: 1.597

  Base & vi∣cions me•• mixt with the good corrups the whole companie: much more a mortal sinne in a mans soule destroyeth al the vertues, that were there before.
• :: 1.598

  Euil men ad∣uanced seme to prosper:
• :: 1.599

  But they fal into their owne trappes
• :: 1.600

  Such as seke by sense and reason to obtaine true knowlege, enter not into the citie, the Church: They labour in vaine and are afflicted in studie of Scriptures, when they walke in the desert, and can not finde the citie. S. Ierom.
• * 1.601

  This text, and manie others, haue two sen∣ses.
• * 1.602

  1. In kinges and al superiors are required mature age, & diligent care of the cōmon good.
• * 1.603

  2. Antiquitie in matter of faith and religion is to be folowed, not noueltie.
• * 1.604

  Iya. 8.
• * 1.605

  Dan 7. Apoc. 1. Iere. 1.
• * 1.606

  Also mortifi∣cation and la∣bour is requi∣red in Pastors, not delicacie nor ease.
• * 1.607

  The B. Virgin Marie more free from sinne then the Patriarches.
• * 1.608

  Cant. 2.
• * 1.609

  The 3. part. An exhorta∣tion to be∣ginne quickly, and perseuere in Gods ser∣uice.
• a 1.610

  Of al ver∣tues, the workes of mercie, cor∣poral and spi∣ritual, most auaile for ob∣taining eter∣nal felicitie: Mat. 25.
• b 1.611

  So the same be grounded in true faith, beleuing al that is written in the old and new testament signified by seuen & eight.
• c 1.612

  After de••th none ca〈…〉〈…〉 either ••••erite or demerite.
• d 1.613

  Both in youth and old age do good workes.
• :: 1.614

  An admoni∣tion to al in general to liue wel in this world, re∣membring the day of general iudgement before which such signes shal come as are described here, and by our Sauiour Mat. 24. And likewise eue∣rie one is ad∣monished in particular to serue God dili∣gently whiles he hath time, before death come, when al his senses & former hel∣pes shal faile.
• * 1.615

  The preachet.
• :: 1.616

  This is the brife summe of al profica∣ble doctrine: Feare God, & kepe his com∣mandments.
• * 1.617

  Hidden, or obscure thing.
• * 1.618

  Proem. in Eccle.
• * 1.619

  King Salo∣mon accor∣ding to his three names writte and in∣titled his three bookes.
• * 1.620

  Salomon Pa∣cifier king of Israel.
• * 1.621

  Ecclesiastes, Preacher king of Ierusalem.
• * 1.622

  Idida, Beloued.
• * 1.623

  This Canticle doth excel other Canti∣cles.
• * 1.624

  Al are not mete to read it.
• * 1.625

  Heb. 5.
• * 1.626

  Best methode in lerning is to beginne with doctrine of good life, then studie to know natural thinges: and finally con∣template di∣uine mysteries
• * 1.627

  A sacred, dia∣logue or En∣terlude.
• * 1.628

  Forma dramatis
• * 1.629

  God & Christ the Spous, or Bridgrome.
• * 1.630

  Three spouses
• * 1.631

  The General.
• * 1.632

  The special. and Singular.
• * 1.633

  Ephes. 5.
• * 1.634

  Origen. S. Ierom. S. Aug. lib. 8. de Gen. adli. S. Greg. S. Beda, S. Tho. A••bor. Geneb. Del Rio.
• * 1.635

  The particu∣lar contents are sette in the margent of euerie chapter.
• a 1.636

  The Church of the old te∣stament desi∣reth Christs coming in flesh: and the Christian Church pray∣eth for his coming in glorie.
• b 1.637

  The Church outwardly afflicted, is in∣wardly fayre.
• c 1.638

  Christ enco∣rageth his spouse the Church.
• d 1.639

  She medita∣teth of his Passion, and Resurrection.
• e 1.640

  Christ prai∣seth his spouse
• f 1.641

  She againe praiseth him;
• g 1.642

  VVith than∣kes for her repose, and present con∣solation.
• a 1.643

  Christ pro∣fesseth himself the floure of mankinde: yea Lord of al creatures.
• b 1.644

  The Church excelleth al other socie∣ties: In the Church the godlie excel sinners, Among the innocent and holie, the vir∣gin Marie sur∣passeth al.
• c 1.645

  The Church praising Christ resteth secure vnder his protectiō.
• d 1.646

  He for the weakes sake permitteth her not to be mo∣lested, til she be prepared to suffer vvith patience.
• e 1.647

  She feeling Christs assi∣stance, confes∣seth, & prea∣cheth boldly his Gospel, & truth against al Paganes, and Heretikes.
• f 1.648

  VVho though he shew not himself visibly:
• g 1.649

  yet encorageth her to approch vnto him:
• h 1.650

  commandeth his pastors to destroy heresies. i And so she reposeth in him.
• a 1.651

  The Church finding Christ not in darke ignorance nor in philosophie but by his re∣ue••ling him selfe to her, holdeth him for euer:
• b 1.652

  euen til the lewes shal at last also find him.
• c 1.653

  Christ spea∣keth as before ch 2. v. 7
• d 1.654

  The Church of Christ ad∣mireth her owne conuer∣sion from Gen¦tilitie,
• e 1.655

  now ful of good workes.
• f 1.656

  She also pro∣fesseth that the ascending to eternal rest, is by fighting manfully, in obseruing the ten commandments, in the six dayes of this life:
• g 1.657

  euen to bloud, if ned•• be,
• h 1.658

  which is the highest degree of charitie.
• i 1.659

  And inuiteth al others to come vnto Christ,
• k 1.660

  who in the flesh which he tooke of his mother, was crowned in heauen after his Passion.
• a 1.661

  Christ againe prai••eth the beautie of his Church.
• b 1.662

  Sincere and simple inten∣tion.
• c 1.663

  Al her tem∣poral occupa∣tions directed to Gods glorie
• d 1.664

  Pastors who like nurces geue bread of good do∣ctrine to li∣tle ones.
• e 1.665

  Faith and good workes.
• f 1.666

  Preaching Christs pas∣sion.
• g 1.667

  And not ashamed to professe Christ Crucified.
• h 1.668

  Administra∣tion of Sacra∣ments wherby the Church, Christs mysti∣cal bodie, is ioyned to him her head,
• i 1.669

  which is an inexpugnable fortresse.
• k 1.670

  Both Iewes and Gentiles are fed with the principles of Christian doctrin.
• l 1.671

  Christ dwelleth in mortified, and deuout mindes.
• m 1.672

  The Church triumphant is without spotte, and euerie particular soule entring into heauen; the B▪ virgin mother was also in this life alwayes immaculate.
• n 1.673

  Al tentations, whether they be in manifest crueltie, or in flatering sureltie, make constant soules more gratful to God.
• a 1.674

  The spouse condescen∣ding to Gods vvil, is vvel content to suffer perse∣cution.
• b 1.675

  Christ again•• shevveth his good liking in his spouses patience:
• c 1.676

  and vvilleth the glorious Sainctes to congratulate vvith the pa∣tient.
• d 1.677

  The spouse desireth to rest in medita∣tion.
• e 1.678

  but is called vpon to helpe others:
• f 1.679

  and vrged by Christs owne example wor∣king for al mankind.
• g 1.680

  And so she imployeth her∣self also in actiue life.
• h 1.681

  Stil conser∣uing a desire to returne vnto contem∣plation.
• i 1.682

  The deuout confer toge∣ther descri∣bing the ex∣cellencies of Christ.
• k 1.683

  And resolue to seke him, whersoeuer he be.
• a 1.684

  The Church teacheth her children that Christ is deli∣ghted with the godlie desires, and fructful vvorkes of the faithful.
• b 1.685

  Christ g••••••••e commendeth his Church, wel composed of distinct orders (some gouerning, some retired in clo••sters from this world, the rest also exercising vvorkes of mercie, in the trubles of this life) al toge∣ther making a complete armie terri∣ble to al eni∣mies.
• c 1.686

  The more anie contemplate Gods Maiestie, the better they perceiue that he is incom∣prensensible.
• d 1.687

  Manie true pastores,
• e 1.688

  more hyrelinges, that also preach truth, but for tem∣poral commoditie.
• f 1.689

  And innumerable faithful soules in the Church.
• g 1.690

  Al vvhich are but one bodie in vnitie of ••aith
• h 1.691

  The voice of the old synagogue, admiring the beautie of Christs Church
• i 1.692

  The Church of Christ exhorteth the Synagogue of the Ievves to returne to Christ.
• a 1.693

  Christ inter∣poseth his commenda∣tion of the Ievves, vvho at last shal re∣turne to him vvith great seruoure of faith and de∣uotion.
• b 1.694

  And so ioint∣ly praiseth his Church consisting of both peoples.
• c 1.695

  The Church, as it vvere taking the vvoid out of Christs mouth vvhiles he praised her, she returneth al the praise to him.
• d 1.696

  Praying him to come and stil remaine vvith her,
• e 1.697

  Acknovvle∣ging him to be the only Sauiour of both old and nevv testament.
• a 1.698

  The Syna∣gogue prose∣cuteth her prayer, desi∣ring Christs Incarnation.
• b 1.699

  Christ ad∣monisheth vvordlie men not to molest those that serue him in contempla∣tion, & other spiritual ver∣tues.
• c 1.700

  Angels and other Sainctes of the trium∣phant Church admire the beautie of the C••n••les con∣uerted, which is also vnder∣stood of euerie holie soule as∣cending from this world into heauen, And more sin∣gularly of the most glorious virgin mother of God.
• f 1.701

  The Church of Gentiles reioyceth in the strong defence, vvhervvith her Sauiour hath established her.
• g 1.702

  Keepers of this vinyard, vvere the Prophetes and Apostles, and their Successors are stil the kepers therof.
• h 1.703

  Christ shevveth that together vvith the pastors, himself especially hath care of his Church, alvvayes assisting the visible gouerners therof vvith his inuisible grace.
• i 1.704

  The vvhole Church militant vvel contented, yea desiring Christs Ascension into heauen, for the good of al that here serue him, prayeth him from thence to send abundance of his grace, that vve may ascend the high mountaines of perfect charitie, and zele of Gods honour, that he vvil make our soules such hilles, the garden of al vertues, & so voutsafe to dwel therin. Amen.
• d 1.705

  The Syna∣gogue of the Iewes was corrupt vnder the tree of Christs Crosse, when they cried: Crucifie him, Crucifie him. And againe: His bloud be vpon vs, and vpon our children. Againe: VVe haue no King but Caesar. &c.
• e 1.706

  Christ againe sheweth his affection towards his Church of the Gentiles: calling her his owne sister, and the Synagogs sister, promising and bestowing on her manie excellent benefites.
• * 1.707

  Both the au∣ctor & aucto∣ritie of this booke were sometimes doubtful.
• * 1.708

  The same doubt is of Ecclesiasticus.
• * 1.709

  It is most pro∣bable, that Philo a Iew writte this booke colle∣cting manie sentences of Salomons.
• * 1.710

  Argum. lib. Reg.
• * 1.711

  Fiue Sapien∣tial bookes of the old testa∣ment.
• * 1.712

  Chap. 7. 8. 9.
• * 1.713

  The Iewes denie these bookes to be Canonical.
• * 1.714

  Mat. 22.
• * 1.715

  Exo. 3.
• * 1.716

  They are iud∣ged by very manie ancient fathers, and afterwards de∣fined by the Church to be Canonical Scriptures.
• * 1.717

  Et li. 17. c. 20. ••••••••.
• * 1.718

  The contents.
• * 1.719

  Diuided into three patts.
• * 1.720

  The 1. part. An admoni∣tion to loue and practise iustice.
• * 1.721

  3. Reg. 3. Isa 56. 2. Par. 1••.
• :: 1.722

  Mortal sin∣nes are not only commit∣ted in dedes & vvordes, but also in though tes.
• :: 1.723

  He that ma∣liciously cur∣seth s••u••sed of God.
• * 1.724

  ••al. 5. v. 22.
• :: 1.725

  Be not cause of your owne eternal death by euil life.
• :: 1.726

  Desperate death deliue∣reth not the wicked from calamities.
• :: 1.727

  Neither are an••e damned vvhile they are in th•••• life▪
• :: 1.728

  But sinners not repenting being et••••nal 〈…〉〈…〉 them 〈…〉〈…〉▪
• * 1.729

  〈…〉〈…〉 be 〈…〉〈…〉, and 〈…〉〈…〉 be after death, fal to these prophane thoughts and speaches of infidelitie.
• :: 1.730

  Of infideli∣tie touching paine or re∣ward after death, proce∣deth the Epi∣cures life.
• :: 1.731

  Infidels are not content to liue in riote, but doe also enuie and per∣secute the iust. vvhose good examples vexe their mindes, sturred therto by the diuel.
• :: 1.732

  An euident prophecie of the Iewes ma¦lice persecu∣ting our Saui∣our. Fulfilled by the chief Priestes, Scri∣bes, and Anci∣entes, recor∣ded dy the E∣uangelists. Mat. 27. v. 41. Mar, 14. v. 53.
• * 1.733

  Mat. 27. v. 43.
• :: 1.734

  vvant of be∣leuing diuine Mysteries, namely the re∣ward of the iust, & punish∣mēt of the wic ked, is cause of dissolute life, and of hatred against the good.
• :: 1.735

  Temporal death of the iust, is the way to eternal life. vvhere dam∣nation (called here the tor∣mēt of death) shal not touch them.
• :: 1.736

  For albelt Martyrs seme in the eyes of the vnwise to dye, or to be extinguished, they passe in dede into eter¦nal, and vn∣speakeable glorie.
• * 1.737

  Chap. 5. v. 4
• * 1.738

  Mat. 13. v. 43.
• :: 1.739

  Al the iust shal approue Gods iudgmēt condemning the wicked.
• :: 1.740

  Literally is vnderstood, that the wiues of adulterers, often become adultresses, & their children wicked. Morally, their sensualitie & al their vvorkes are wholly corrupted.
• * 1.741

  See. S. Ierom. in Isa. 56. v. 4.
• :: 1.742

  Chastitie of the bodie is a singular great vertue, & spi¦ritual chastitie of true faith and religion is greatter, and more gene∣rally commen∣ded, as the roote and fun∣dation of al vertues. For vvithout faith it is vnpossible to please God.
• :: 1.743

  VVhen so∣euer the iust dieth it is pro∣fitable for him & dying yong his immacu∣late life is more com∣mendable then old age in the wicked. v. 16.
• :: 1.744

  The damned shal be vvith∣out al excuse vtterly con∣founded in their owne consciences.
• * 1.745

  Gods presci∣ence d••••th not preiudice mans free wil.
• * 1.746

  ••tl 17. ••. 30. ciuit.
• :: 1.747

  VVicked men in their false conceipt iudge the tra∣uels of the iust to be vaine & fructles.
• :: 1.748

  Repentance of the damned is only for the losse & paine whereinto they are fallen not of loue to∣wards God, or vertue, nor of hate towards sinne, & ther∣fore is fructles bringing no comforte nor helpe at al, but euerlasting torment and anguish of mind.
• * 1.749

  Chap. 3. v. 2.
• * 1.750

  Pro. ••0 v. 19.
• :: 1.751

  For the cer∣taintie of thinges that shal be, Pro∣phetes do very often speake in the preter∣tence, of thin∣ges to come as if they vvere already past.
• :: 1.752

  As the ioy of the blessed, so contrariwise the miserie of the damned is meruelous great, & for e∣uer vnchange∣able.
• * 1.753

  Eccle. 9. v. 18.
• :: 1.754

  Al powre is from God: & therfore to be respected, though the magistrates sometimes abuse their au∣ctoritie.
• * 1.755

  Rom. 1••. v. 1.
• :: 1.756

  As euerie ones charge is more or lesse, so his account is easier or har der, and the punishment (if he offend) smaller or greater. S. Gre. ho. 9. in Euang.
• :: 1.757

  VVisdom is attained by this gradation and so from first to last, a resolute desire ioyneth faith∣ful soules to God. v. 21.
• * 1.758

  The second part. VVisdom pro∣cedeth from God, and is procured by prayer.
• :: 1.759

  The perfe∣ctest children are borne in the beginning of the tenth moneth.
• :: 1.760

  Children in the mothers wombe are as in slepe.
• :: 1.761

  Salomon (whose say∣inges are here recited) praied for wisdom, & obtained it. 3. Reg. 3.
• * 1.762

  3. Reg ••. v. 9.
• :: 1.763

  God first gaue him grace to desire wisdom be∣fore al other thinges, as he explicateth plainly cap. 8. v. 21.
• :: 1.764

  Salomon was a most ex∣cellent Philo∣sopher.
• :: 1.765

  Proper Epi∣thetons of the spirite of wis∣dom.
• :: 1.766

  See the An∣notation, Pro∣uerb. 1. v. 2.
• * 1.767

  Heb. 1. v. 3.
• :: 1.768

  God, the in∣created wis∣dom is infinite and wisdom created is also most excellent amongst Gods giftes.
• * 1.769

  3. Reg. 3.
• * 1.770

  Prou. ••.
• :: 1.771

  This is also the speach of Salomon, re∣cited by the writer of this booke.
• :: 1.772

  Of Salomons wisdom, ri∣ches, glorie & renowmed fame not only the bookes of Kinges & Pa∣ralipomenon, but also our Sauiour doth witnes. Mat. 6. & 12.
• :: 1.773

  It is not cer∣taine that Sa∣lomon hath immortal glo∣rie, but rather by immortalitie is here vnder∣stood that his glorious fame remaineth to the end of this world.
• :: 1.774

  Neuertheles wisdom of her part, geueth life and glorie euerlasting, to al that perse∣uere to the end of this life.
• :: 1.775

  It is certaine that Salomon was sometime innocent and holie, but was peruerted by wemen. 3. Reg. 11.
• * 1.776

  3 Reg. 3. v 9. 12.
• :: 1.777

  Here againe it is euident, that the Au∣ctor reporteth Salomons speaches.
• * 1.778

  1. Paral. 28. v. 5.
• * 1.779

  2. Par. 1. v. 9.
• :: 1.780

  VVisdom in∣created is with God, yea is God him selfe.
• * 1.781

  Prou. 8. v. 22.
• :: 1.782

  VVisdom vvhich is ge∣uen to men procedeth from God as a gift created.
• :: 1.783

  Mans wis∣dom vvithout special wis∣dom from God is not suf∣ficient to go∣uerne our∣selues, much lesse others.
• * 1.784

  The 3. part. The excellent effectes of wis∣dom & iustice.
• :: 1.785

  Adam.
• * 1.786

  Gen. 1. v. 27.
• :: 1.787

  By this it is certaine that our first parēt Adam truly repented, and had remission of his sinne.
• * 1.788

  Gen. 4. v. 8.
• * 1.789

  Gen. 6.
• :: 1.790

  Noe.
• :: 1.791

  Abraham.
• * 1.792

  Gen. 19.
• :: 1.793

  Lot.
• :: 1.794

  In al trees about Sodom there is only shew of fruite, which when it is touched fal¦leth into dust.
• :: 1.795

  Lots wife an example of in∣constancie.
• :: 1.796

  Iacob.
• * 1.797

  Gen. 28.
• * 1.798

  Gen. 37.
• :: 1.799

  Ioseph.
• * 1.800

  Gen. 41.
• :: 1.801

  Gods pecu∣liar people.
• * 1.802

  Exo. 1.
• * 1.803

  Exo. 3.
• * 1.804

  Exo. 14.
• * 1.805

  Exo. 12.
• * 1.806

  Exo. 15.
• :: 1.807

  Moyses.
• * 1.808

  Exo. 16.
• * 1.809

  Exo. 27.
• :: 1.810

  The Amala∣chites. Exo. 17.
• * 1.811

  Num 20.
• :: 1.812

  VVhen the Israelites wan¦ted water God gaue them a∣bundance out of rockes.
• :: 1.813

  But turned the Aegyptians waters into blood.
• :: 1.814

  After affli∣ction the be∣nefite of peace is more grat∣ful.
• :: 1.815

  Moyses was reiected when he iudged be¦twen his bre∣theren Exo. 2.
• :: 1.816

  14. but was afterwards the deliuer of the whole people Act. 7. v. 45.
• * 1.817

  Leuit. 26. v. 22.
• * 1.818

  Iere. 8. v. 17.
• * 1.819

  •• Aegyptians seruing beasts for goddes, were plaged by frogges, stuiphes, flees, and locustes.
• :: 1.820

  God made no creature e∣uil as the Ma∣nichees foo∣lishly imagi∣ned, neither is. there any God but one who alone created al thinges.
• :: 1.821

  From the land of Iurie called sacred because God was there tightly serued in the old te∣stament, and mans redemp∣tion vvas wrought there by Christ.
• * 1.822

  Exo. 23. Deut. 7.
• :: 1.823

  By custom malice be∣came as it were natural, after that na∣ture was cor∣rupted.
• :: 1.824

  Gods powre being almigh∣tie is only li∣mited by his vvil.
• * 1.825

  Rom. 1. v. 23.
• :: 1.826

  Serpents, battes, moles, & like beastes, which seme not only super fluous in the world, but also hurtful, yet were estemed as goddes.
• :: 1.827

  Knowing him to be the only true God, by vvhom they saw their false goddes de∣stroyed, yet they did not serue him as God.
• :: 1.828

  Gods most proper name is HE WHICH 1••. Exo. 3. v. 14.
• * 1.829

  Rom. 1.
• * 1.830

  Deut. 4.
• :: 1.831

  Seing no creature how excellent soeuer, is or may be este∣med a god, it is more foo∣lish to thinke, an Image, or statua, or anie thing framed by mans handes can be God.
• * 1.832

  Isa. 4.
• * 1.833

  Iere. 10.
• * 1.834

  God is the be∣ginning of al thinges, abso∣lute and inde∣pending.
• :: 1.835

  Great mad∣nes to inuo∣cate a wodden idol more base & commonly more corrup∣tible then the wood of a shippe.
• :: 1.836

  As the Israe∣lites went through the redsea.
• :: 1.837

  The auctor prophetically alludeth to the wood of the Crosse, on which our Sa∣uiour rede∣med mankind.
• :: 1.838

  From whole death proce∣deth mans iu∣stification.
• :: 1.839

  Inuention of Idols brought men to spiritual fornications, & corruption of maners.
• :: 1.840

  This first idolatrie was only pr••u••tly exercised by the father and his seruants at their masters cōmandment, by which occasion pub∣lique idola∣trie came into the world, wicked cu∣stom in time preuailing.
• :: 1.841

  The name GOD in the proper signi∣fication, can not be geuen to anie cre∣ature.
• * 1.842

  Manie enor∣mious crimes procede from dolatrie.
• :: 1.843

  Two sort es of periurie: swearing by false goddes, and swearing vntruthes.
• * 1.844

  Caluin falsly chargeth this booke vvith ••r••or.
• * 1.845

  Gen. 31.
• * 1.846

  Images of false goddes are rightly called idols.
• * 1.847

  Idolatrie be∣gane by vvor∣shipping ima∣ges of dead men vvith di∣uine honour.
• * 1.848

  Priuate idola∣trie was before publique.
• :: 1.849

  Of the di∣ue••s sortes of idols and ••do∣laters see our brife Anno∣tion vpon the 113. Psal.
• :: 1.850

  Idolaters hauing forsa∣ken and for∣got the onlie true God, be∣come as Athe∣ists, making their tempo∣ral gaine of false goddes.
• :: 1.851

  And so waxing inso∣lent, con∣temte and persecute the seruants of God.
• :: 1.852

  Some idola∣ters worship∣ped brute beastes for goddes, as being better then sensles images: but al are abomi∣nable.
• :: 1.853

  The Aegyp∣tians were plagued for their idolatrie.
• :: 1.854

  And that by beastes, be∣cause they worshipped beastes for goddes: and by death of their first be∣gotten, for their crueltie against Gods people.
• :: 1.855

  God puni∣shed his owne people as a father, for their amend∣ment.
• :: 1.856

  The brasen serpent not by anie vertue inherent, but as a signe of Gods fauoure, vvas the mea∣nes of curing the people. Num. 21.
• :: 1.857

  VVith the plague of haile there vvas also fire mixed. Exo. 9. v. 24. VVhich destroyed the profitable cattle.
• :: 1.858

  But burnt not other beastes, that plagued the Aegyptians.
• :: 1.859

  Haile did not extinguish the fire, by Gods povvre aboue nature.
• :: 1.860

  See the mi∣racles of Manna. Annoe. Exod 16.
• :: 1.861

  He speaketh againe of Manna.
• :: 1.862

  The vaine imagination of the vvicked that himself shal be saued vvil faile him.
• * 1.863

  Exo. •• & 10.
• :: 1.864

  Literally the 〈…〉〈…〉s ••••••••a knes th••er dayes to∣gether Exo 10. v. 22. Morally they & other g••n•• les vvere in darknes vvithout faith in God, til Christs Resur∣rection the third day.
• :: 1.865

  A trubled conscience is a great tor∣ment.
• :: 1.866

  This signi∣fied the con∣uersion of al nations to Christ.
• :: 1.867

  The Church is called holie because it pro∣fesseth holines and hath al∣wayes some holie men, & without the Church there is no sanctitie.
• :: 1.868

  VVhen the Aegyptians drowned the Hebrews chil∣dren, Moyses was saued, and reserued to guide the Isra∣elites, when the Aegyptians were drow∣ned.
• :: 1.869

  A prophecie of Christ, com∣ming into this world when there was tem∣poral peace, but extreme darkenes of ••gnorance.
• :: 1.870

  An other ex∣ample of diffe∣rence in Gods punishing his people for their ••mend∣ment, and of the obstinate vnto their ••uine. Exo▪ 14. ••. ••8. Num. 16. ••. 46.
• * 1.871

  Num 10
• :: 1.872

  God fore∣seing the Aegyptians malice, per∣mitted them to persecute his people, but was no way the cause nor auctor of their sinne.
• * 1.873

  Exo. 14.
• * 1.874

  Exo. 16.
• :: 1.875

  The Amor∣rheites refu∣sed to grant them passage. Num 21. v. 21. The Aegypti∣ans brought them into ser∣uitude, Exo. 1.
• * 1.876

  God changing the natural properties of elementes, by them wrought iustice on sin∣ners, S. Greg. ••••. 35. in Euang.
• * 1.877

  Exo. 9. v. 24.
• * 1.878

  Exo. 16. v. 2••.
• * 1.879

  Particular te∣stimonies that this booke is holie Scrip∣ture.
• * 1.880

  It was written in Hebrew & translated into Greke.
• * 1.881

  Difference betwen Eccle∣siasticus, and Ecclesiastes.
• * 1.882

  Panaretos.
• * 1.883

  The contents diuided into two partes.
• * 1.884

  By reason of a more perfect law the people of Israel were more renow∣med then anie other nation in the world. Deut. 4.
• :: 1.885

  Translations into other lan¦guages hardly expresse the se••se of the o∣riginal ton∣gue.
• * 1.886

  The 1. part. Praises and preceptes of vvisdom.
• :: 1.887

  Mans vvis∣dom is not able to com∣prehend the vvorkes of God.
• :: 1.888

  Eternal glo∣rie is the fruicte of the feare of our Lord: not that this one ver∣tue sufficeth, but it is the beginning, grounded in true faith, and bringeth forth other vertues, diuine giftes vvith the frui∣tes of the Ho∣lie Ghost, & a ioyful crowne in the end.
• * 1.889

  Prou. 1. & 9.
• :: 1.890

  Men drow∣ned in sinne thincke the seruice of God a most ted••ous & loathsome thing.
• :: 1.891

  Desire not to dye, that thou maist therby be co∣uered from vvorldl••e mi∣series, for that is a desperate desire, but haue patience in this l••fe that thou maist fi••de rest in God.
• * 1.892

  Co••••∣••ing.
• :: 1.893

  As vertues are to be re∣vvarded: so al sinnes shal be punished. Namely exter∣nal pretence of holines, vvith secrete euil intention. Distrust in God. Impa∣tience, and the like.
• :: 1.894

  The proge∣nie of Gods children bring forth the fruite of obedience and loue.
• :: 1.895

  Honour and estimation of parents is the chiefest obli∣gation that man hath to∣wardes his neighbour, & the first after his dutie to God.
• * 1.896

  Exo. 20. Deut. 5.
• * 1.897

  Gen. 27. &. 49.
• :: 1.898

  Almes ge∣uen, or prayer made, or sacri∣fice offered for parents, doth merite re¦ward at Gods hand.
• :: 1.899

  Al greatnes in men proce∣ding from God, bindeth them so much the more to humilitie. VVhich ver∣tue God most specially lo∣ueth, that so they may shew gratitude for his benefites.
• * 1.900

  Philip. 2.
• * 1.901

  Pro. ••••. v. ••.
• :: 1.902

  Those that dare liue in sinful state, tempting God euen to the last houre, commonly pe∣rish therin.
• * 1.903

  Dan 4. v. 24.
• :: 1.904

  Geue not occasion by thy hard dea∣ling with the poore, that they curse thee.
• :: 1.905

  For if thou geue cause, God who is their prote∣ctor, wil re∣uenge them against thee.
• :: 1.906

  They that folow wisdom shal be safe.
• :: 1.907

  Through shamfastnes to yeld vnto sinne: or not to reproue sinne, is vi∣cious.
• :: 1.908

  But to be ashamed, and to abhorre sinne is very good and ne∣cessarie.
• :: 1.909

  Al men are bonde to say the truth at conuenient times, v 23. And euer bond to auoide vn∣truthes.
• :: 1.910

  Euerie one is bond ••ather to lose his l••fe, then to do a¦gainst iustice, o•• to denie the truth.
• * 1.911

  Though thou be so potent, that no man can hinder thy euil de sign∣ment; yet do it not because God wil pu∣nish it.
• :: 1.912

  After that sinne is for∣geuen there remaineth of∣••e•• times pu∣nishment for satisfaction.
• * 1.913

  Coue∣ring, or death.
• * 1.914

  Prou 10. v. 4.
• :: 1.915

  Constancie in good pur∣pose, meriteth
• :: 1.916

  the promised peace, and iust reward.
• :: 1.917

  So Gedeon pacified the Ephraimites, that were in∣censed against him. Iudic. 8
• :: 1.918

  Manie pre∣ferre lerning before pietie, which S. Au∣gustin repro∣ueth, prefer∣ring the godlie before the lerned that are lesse ver∣tuous: The vnlerned rise (sayth he) and take the king∣dom of hea∣uen, and we with our ler∣nings without halt, loe how we tumble in the durt. li. 8. c. 8. Consess.
• :: 1.919

  what soeuer anie soweth that he shal reape, and the wicked shal eate the frui∣tes of his owne workes
• * 1.920

  Iob. 9.
• * 1.921

  Psal. 142
• * 1.922

  Eccle. 7.
• :: 1.923

  Great pru∣dence and sor∣titude are re∣quired in al Iudges spiri∣tual and tem∣poral.
• :: 1.924

  In hel are two punish∣ments: fire burning, and the worme of conscience vering the soule, & both are eternal.
• * 1.925

  Leuit. ••••.
• * 1.926

  T••b. ••.
• * 1.927

  Deut. 1••.
• * 1.928

  Leuit. ••.
• * 1.929

  Num ••••.
• :: 1.930

  VVorkes of mercie are also profitable to the dead, as prayer, almes, and sacrifice for soules in purgatorie.
• * 1.931

  Rom 1••, v. 15.
• :: 1.932

  A most espe∣cial preserua∣tiue from sinne.
• :: 1.933

  Briberie sometimes corrupteth kinges much more other in∣ferior Iudges. And therfore it is better to suffer damage then to con∣tend by law against the rich.
• * 1.934

  Gal 6.
• * 1.935

  Prou. 26.
• * 1.936

  Prou. 22. v. 24.
• :: 1.937

  In al consul∣tations con∣ferre with the skilful; for the blinde can not iudge of co∣lours, the dease of mu∣sike, the sicke of taist: nor worldlie m••n of spiritual thinges.
• :: 1.938

  Seing ielo∣sie betwen man & wife is dangerous, much more vnnecessarie conuersation betwen other men and we∣men, especi∣ally probable occasions of sinne must be auoided.
• * 1.939

  Prou. ••.
• :: 1.940

  Constancie in good thinges name∣ly in freind∣shippe is very necessarie.
• :: 1.941

  A sinner that prospereth is like to a somer floure in the filde, that is quickly cut downe, and withereth,
• :: 1.942

  Example of rulers is of greate efficacie.
• * 1.943

  Prou. 29.
• * 1.944

  Dan. 4.
• :: 1.945

  The causes of translating kingdomes, & dominions.
• :: 1.946

  Couetuosnes is the roote of al euiles, 1. Tim. 6. in that for lucie manie fal into al sor∣tes of sinnes, euen into schisme and heresie, erring from the faith. ibidem. v. 1••.
• :: 1.947

  Neuertheles pride is the beginning of al sinne, as this text expresly testifieth, and the reason is, for that mans inordinate self loue is the cause of de∣clining from Gods com∣mandments. & they which runne on in that course, cast themsel∣ues headlong into the depth of al mischief, and of eternal miserie.
• * 1.948

  Prou. 17.
• * 1.949

  Prou. 1••.
• :: 1.950

  A wisman humbling himself by penance as Daniel did, or being vniustly humbled by others, as Io∣seph was shal be exalted by God.
• :: 1.951

  Expect the end of an other mans speach, before you beginne to answer.
• :: 1.952

  Expect also if anie that is elder, or bet∣ter able wil answer first.
• * 1.953

  Deut. 13.
• * 1.954

  Iob. 42.
• :: 1.955

  One punish∣ment of sinne is blindnes of hart. Especi∣ally where is no remorse of conscience.
• :: 1.956

  In prosperi∣tie is feare, and in aduersi∣tie hope of change.
• :: 1.957

  It is rather crueltie then mercie to nou∣rish a wicked man persisting in sinne: for so he runneth stil into more wickednes, and into eter∣nal damna∣tion,
• :: 1.958

  but the penitent is to be comforted and assisted.
• :: 1.959

  Euerie one is bond to loue his ene∣mie of chari∣tie; but in pru∣dence it be houeth not to credite him. According to our Sauiours rule: Be wise as serpents; and simple as dooues. Mat. 10
• * 1.960

  Deut. 7.
• :: 1.961

  He that con∣uerseth with a greater man then himself (except it be with vertuous) is forced often to suffer much and to yeld to manie incon∣ueniences.
• :: 1.962

  Pusill animi∣tie in a supe∣rior maketh him omite his dutie, & com∣mitte errors, fearing to do that pertey∣neth to his of∣fice, & which his auctoritie requireth.
• :: 1.963

  Acception of persous hin∣dereth manie good counsels: & promoteth manie euil thinges.
• * 1.964

  Iac. 3.
• :: 1.965

  He that can not afforde nourishment to his owne bodie by such meanes as he hath, sinneth against God, abusing his benefites, a∣gainst himself whom he vn∣iustly afflicteth and against his neighbour whom he scandalizeth.
• * 1.966

  Prou. 27. v. ••0.
• :: 1.967

  In the old testament al descended into some part of hel.
• * 1.968

  Isa. 40. v. 7.
• :: 1.969

  There shal be particular reward of euerie good worke.
• :: 1.970

  VVho so euer shal resolue with himself to liue iustly, shal be sure to haue grace, for God pre∣uenteth our weakenes and so continueth to helpe al that acccept his grace.
• :: 1.971

  He doth in∣iurie to God, & to his word, that prea∣cheth wel and liueth euil.
• :: 1.972

  Beza sayeth, God ordained Adams fall, but to a good end: and that God iustly decreed that which men vniustly haue done. in refut. 2. calumnae, ad Castel. But this holie Scrip∣ture teacheth the contrarie, that God gaue man both freewil, and sufficient grace, that he might if he would haue kept his pre∣ceps. The same is also clerely taught. Deut 7. 11. 30. and other places.
• * 1.973

  Gen. 2.
• * 1.974

  Mat. 19. v. 17.
• * 1.975

  Ier. 2. v. 8.
• :: 1.976

  Fire of con∣cupiscence, if it be not ouer∣come in this life, wil pro∣cure the fire of Gods wrath, which shal ne∣uer be extin∣guished.
• * 1.977

  Gen. 6.
• * 1.978

  Num. 26.
• * 1.979

  Rom. 2. v. 6.
• :: 1.980

  Euen a dish of colde water geuen in almes shal be rewar∣ded. Mat. 10.
• :: 1.981

  Reasonable soules (if they folow reason) and al sensible soules doe (in their maner) praise the pro∣uidence of God, in vsing al creatures to that end for which they were treated.
• :: 1.982

  Man at first recemed ori∣ginal iustice, by losing wherof we al fel into origi∣nal sinne.
• :: 1.983

  God gaue a precept to man to be ob∣serued for ex∣ercise of his obedience & so to be re∣warded, and vnder paine of punishment if he trans∣greded. ••en. 2.
• * 1.984

  Rom. 13.
• :: 1.985

  Perseueran∣ce in vertue to the end is ne∣cessarie which none can me∣rite:
• :: 1.986

  But must stil pray for it.
• :: 1.987

  Al creatures according to their substan∣tial forme in general, were created toge∣ther, though they were afterwards formed in particular kindes, as they are distinctly recited in Ge∣nesis, with the order & orna∣ments of the world. S. Aug. li. 4. c. 33 & 34. de Gen. ad litter. VVhere he ex∣presly affir∣meth that this Scripture was written by inspiration of the same spi∣rite of truth, wherby Ge∣nesis was written.
• * 1.988

  Psal. 89. v. 10.
• * 1.989

  1. Cor. 11.
• :: 1.990

  They pray alwayes that pray at cer∣taine conue∣nient times. And stil haue intention so to frequent the same exer∣cise al their life. S. Aug. Epist. 121. c. 9. ad Probam.
• * 1.991

  Luc. 18. 1.
• * 1.992

  1. Thes. 5.
• :: 1.993

  The best re∣medie against great sinnes is to auoide smal ones, and not to contemne the least, but diligently to amend al.
• * 1.994

  3. Reg. 11.
• * 1.995

  Ios. 22.
• :: 1.996

  That this document perteyneth to common con∣uersation with worldie men, appea∣reth by the next verse. But to reuele se∣crete sinnes to a spiritual father, in sa∣cramental confession, is necessarie vvholesome and secure. It is al••o very commendable and most law∣ful in holie religious So∣cieties, vvhere they willingly for their owne spiritual good submitte themselues to such a godlie rule.
• * 1.997

  L••uit. 1••.
• * 1.998

  Mat. 15.
• * 1.999

  Iac. 3.
• :: 1.1000

  False pre∣tence of pietie is hypocrisie.
• :: 1.1001

  And in a Su∣perior, to oppen his ovvne secrete fault to his subiects is pusillanimitie.
• :: 1.1002

  Discretion auoideth both: by concealing and reueling faultes as rea∣son directeth and iustice re∣quireth.
• * 1.1003

  Eccle. ••.
• :: 1.1004

  He that ta∣keth reptchen¦sion in good part when he is faulty meri∣teth pardon, and when he is not faultie he satifieth for his other sin∣nes and meri∣teth reward.
• :: 1.1005

  His inten∣tion is ful of guile that flat∣tereth by shew of loue and of praise, but he wil detract so much the more, & in the end reproch thee when he may gette pro∣bable aduan∣tage against thee.
• * 1.1006

  Prou. 12.
• * 1.1007

  Exo 23.
• * 1.1008

  Deut▪ 16.
• :: 1.1009

  VVisdom is to be shewed in vvordes and deedes vvhen it may profite others.
• :: 1.1010

  To conceale faultes, so they be amended, is most conue∣nient.
• :: 1.1011

  As a serpent deceiptfully approcheth & stingeth the bodie, so al sinnes inuegle and hurt the soule.
• :: 1.1012

  It is a signe that he is guil∣tie, who con∣temneth frein∣dly admoni∣tion.
• :: 1.1013

  He that truly feareth God wil diligently examine his ovvne actes, & defectes when he is vvarned.
• :: 1.1014

  As walles of stone built in the frost, so riches or good name vniustly gotten wil not cōtinue long
• :: 1.1015

  Senseles, or bad talke is tedious to al good men.
• :: 1.1016

  VVordes that may edi∣fie are gratful to al godlie eares.
• :: 1.1017

  VVicked men condem∣ning the diuel or anie other wicked, do in dede condeme them selues. And to them agreeth that sentence: of our Sauiour. By thyne owne mouth I iudge thee, naughtie ser∣uant. Luc. 19.
• :: 1.1018

  Contempt & ignominie is the worldlie punishment of the slouth∣ful, besides his eternal dam∣nation at the day of iudge∣ment. Mat. 25▪ ••. 30▪
• :: 1.1019

  In this and o∣ther places is not vnder∣stood a foole that by defect of natural vvitte is igno∣rant, or an i∣deote, but he that is voide of grace, ful of malice, and wickednes. For the wic∣ked life of such a one is worse then his death. v. 12.
• * 1.1020

  Gen 50.
• * 1.1021

  Prou. ••3.
• * 1.1022

  Prou▪ ••••.
• :: 1.1023

  A true freind wil not be lost for tem¦poral damage no•• danger.
• :: 1.1024

  But the vices of derision, re∣proch, and the like violate al freindshipe with wise and good m••n▪
• * 1.1025

  Ps. 140.
• :: 1.1026

  Man being weake and the enimie suttle & strong, he is not able to re∣sist tentations without Gods special grace, for which the vvisman ther∣fore prayeth, instructing al by his example to do the same.
• :: 1.1027

  Precepts how to go∣uerne the mouth, and tongue.
• :: 1.1028

  Against rash, vntrue, & vn∣lawful swea∣ring. Iere. 4.
• * 1.1029

  Mat. 5.
• :: 1.1030

  In oathes God is called to witnes as he that can not lie, but b••a••phemie attributeth th••t to God which pertey∣neth not him, or attributeth to some crea∣ture that which only belongeth to God, and so is a contrarie sinne to vnlaw¦ful swearing.
• :: 1.1031

  Both are mortal sinnes.
• :: 1.1032

  Admonition against sinnes, of the tongue.
• :: 1.1033

  Reproch to parents, and other neigh∣boures.
• :: 1.1034

  Against co∣uetousnes.
• :: 1.1035

  Fornication.
• :: 1.1036

  Adultrie.
• * 1.1037

  Isa. 29.
• :: 1.1038

  Seing earnal adultrie shal be seuerely punished, much more spiritual: as schisme here∣sie, and apo∣stasie from Catholique Religion.
• * 1.1039

  Leui 20.
• * 1.1040

  Deut. 22.
• :: 1.1041

  Diuine wis∣dom the Se∣cond Person of the B. Tri∣nitie begotten not created praiseth it self. According to the phrase of speach Iere. 51. v. 14. The Lord of hostes hath svvorne by his soule, that is, by himself.
• :: 1.1042

  God offereth his grace, but forceth not anie to accept it.
• :: 1.1043

  Creation is not here taken in the strict signification, but for diuine production, in that God the Father by vn∣derstanding begetteth God the Sonne. As likewise the Father and the Sonne by loue produce the Holie Ghost.
• :: 1.1044

  in the Church only is effe∣ctual grace.
• * 1.1045

  Psa. ••••••
• :: 1.1046

  The more grace any hath the more he desireth and receiueth.
• :: 1.1047

  In Dauids progenie God preserued the kinglie state til the captiui∣tie: and the estimation of the royal bloud vnto Christ But in al this Dauid was a figure of Christ. VVho sitteth in the Throne of honour abso∣lutly for eu••••.
• * 1.1048

  Ios••. 3.
• :: 1.1049

  Three very commendable thinges.
• :: 1.1050

  Other three detestable.
• :: 1.1051

  Nine happie thinges in this life.
• * 1.1052

  Iac. 3.
• :: 1.1053

  Al happines in this life is grounded in the feare of God.
• :: 1.1054

  The de∣scription of heresie vnder the figure of a wicked wo∣man: whose malice is secretly co∣uered vnder pretence of truth and ••••••∣••••••.
• * 1.1055

  Prou▪ ••••.
• :: 1.1056

  Layhead∣shi••e in spiri∣tual causes is so vnreaso∣nab le and absurde, that ••••w heretikes 〈…〉〈…〉ure it.
• :: 1.1057

  An vnqu•••••• life dep••iu••th a man of much comforth: and therfore con∣tinual peace •••• as a duble life.
• :: 1.1058

  As whe•• o••••n mo••e▪ the yoke o•• their necke•• doth moue withal: so a wicked wo∣man (to witt•• heresie) can not rest, nor let others rest, quiet.
• :: 1.1059

  The Catho∣lique faith is the ground al al vertues.
• :: 1.1060

  Those that kepe innes or ailehouses are alwayes talking, as willing to please al, but in much talke wanteth not sinne. Prou. 10. v. 19.
• * 1.1061

  1. Tim 6.
• :: 1.1062

  The soule is kept in good state by fea∣ring God.
• :: 1.1063

  After that sinne is purged there remaine reliques in the soule, as dust in a siene, vvhen the chaffe is cast out, til it be more purged or washed Psal. 50. v. 4.
• * 1.1064

  Prou. 27.
• * 1.1065

  VVhether the sunne shineth forth or not, it is alvvayes light: so is a vvisman al∣vvayes ver∣tuous, vvhe∣therit appea•••• outvvardly or no.
• * 1.1066

  A foole, or vvicked man, hath no light of vertue in himself (like the moone) butsometimes semeth to haue more light, some∣times lesse, sometimes none at al. S. Bernard.
• * 1.1067

  Prou. 10.
• :: 1.1068

  He that expresly doth iniurie to an other is iuitly punished also in this vvorld.
• :: 1.1069

  Hovv se∣cretly soeuer anie hutteth an other, he vvoundeth his ovvne con∣science, and can not escape Gods iudge∣ment.
• * 1.1070

  Prou. 26.
• * 1.1071

  Eccle. 10.
• :: 1.1072

  He that seeketh re∣uenge contra∣rie to the course of iu∣stice, or of euil intention, or of rancor of mind, sinneth gre∣uously.
• * 1.1073

  ••ut. 6.
• * 1.1074

  R••m. 11.
• * 1.1075

  :: Charitie requireth that we remitte iniuries with three condi∣tions, if the offender be truly penitent, if the remis∣sion of punish∣ment be not against iustice, nor against necessarie discipline.
• * 1.1076

  〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ ••••▪
• :: 1.1077

  Vndiscrete reporte to one what an other hath saide, is often cause of much discontent∣ment, and of dissention.
• :: 1.1078

  To heare detraction is as bad as to speake it.
• :: 1.1079

  Lending is a worke of mer∣cie, & a kinde of almes. To repay that is borowed is a worke of iu∣stice, wittingly not to restore is as bad as theft.
• * 1.1080

  Exo. 22.
• * 1.1081

  Deut. 14.
• * 1.1082

  T••b. 4.
• :: 1.1083

  Great fruite of workes of mercie.
• :: 1.1084

  Prudence requireth that by helping an other, thou doest not ouerthrovv thyself.
• * 1.1085

  Pr••••. 1••. &. 2••.
• * 1.1086

  Deut. 6.
• :: 1.1087

  The eldest sonne being heire to his father, is to haue ••pecial case of the o∣ther children, euen to the ad¦uenturing of his owne hurt for their liues.
• :: 1.1088

  Teeth on edge o•• g••a∣shing of teeth, is a part of hel paines. ••••••. 8. & 1•• & some∣times begin∣neth in this life.
• :: 1.1089

  〈…〉〈…〉 is a∣boue al riche••, and honour.
• * 1.1090

  Deut. 14.
• :: 1.1091

  Suffer not vnnecessarie pensiuenes to afflict thy mind, through pusillanimitie.
• * 1.1092

  Prau. 12. 15. & 17.
• :: 1.1093

  ••••ut relie wholly •••••••• Gods ••••l and prouidence. resigning thy wil ••••to his▪
• :: 1.1094

  They that imploy al their studie to getre vertues, shal be more free from ten∣tations of the flesh.
• :: 1.1095

  And from drawsines of mind: where∣upon S Ierom admonisheth: Loue the studies of holie Scrip∣tures, and thou vvilt not loue the vices of the fresh. Epist ad Rusticum Mo∣nach.
• :: 1.1096

  It is in mans freewil to transgresse, & therfore they are happie, that through Gods grace do not breake his command¦ments.
• * 1.1097

  Prou. ••••.
• * 1.1098

  Prou. 22.
• :: 1.1099

  As bread is the chiefe su∣stenāce of the bodie, so do∣ctrine is of the minde, which being good nourisheth, & if it be bad corrupteth them that re∣ceiue it.
• * 1.1100

  Psa. 103.
• * 1.1101

  Prou 31.
• :: 1.1102

  Humilitie is necessarie in al, but most especially in men of aucto∣ritie. The grea¦test art in this life is to con∣temne vaine glorie in height of au∣ctoritie. S Greg. de cura pastorali
• * 1.1103

  Eccle. 3.
• :: 1.1104

  God di••e∣cteth mens re∣solutions, and actions, when they vse the meanes of con¦sultation, as he hath appoin∣ted▪ for vvhen two or three are gathered in his name, he is in middes of them. Mat. 18.
• :: 1.1105

  Do not a¦gainst thy cō∣ference.
• :: 1.1106

  Men ledde with passions runne from one vice into an other with∣out ceasing. Especially he∣retikes runne into manie er∣rors. Against which S Paul prescribeth this rule. It is best that the hart be establi∣shed with grace. Heb. 13. v. 9.
• * 1.1107

  Rom. ••.
• :: 1.1108

  Vaine drea∣mes are not to be regarded: but some are good, & from God. Gen 37. 40. 41. Dan. 2. 4. Mat. 1.
• :: 1.1109

  Vvhatsoeuer is written in holy Scripture is vndoubtedly true: and no ••ote of the law shal perish.
• :: 1.1110

  God also prouideth that alwayes there be some which truly explicate his lavv.
• * 1.1111

  Psa. 32.
• * 1.1112

  Prou. 21. v. 27.
• * 1.1113

  Prou. 15. v. 8.
• * 1.1114

  Leuit. 19.
• :: 1.1115

  He that de∣stroyeth that an other buil∣deth bringeth tvvo mens la∣bours to no∣thing.
• :: 1.1116

  R••cidiuati∣on into sinne maketh the ••o••••er repen∣tāce frustrate. Mat. 18. v. 33.
• :: 1.1117

  Sacrifices of penance, Psal ••••▪ of iustice Psal. •• and of praise, ••••a. 4••. 〈…〉〈…〉 then 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.1118

  1. Reg. 15▪ v. 22. Iere. 7.
• :: 1.1119

  Neuertheles 〈…〉〈…〉 is also ne∣cessarie
• * 1.1120

  Exo. ••••.
• * 1.1121

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••4. D•••••• ••••.
• * 1.1122

  2 Cor. ••. •••••• ••.
• :: 1.1123

  Often times so much. A•• Prou. 24. Seuen times shal the iust fal, & shal •••••• againe.
• * 1.1124

  Leuit. 22. Deut. 1••.
• * 1.1125

  2 P••••••••. 19.
• * 1.1126

  Rom. 2. Act. 10.
• :: 1.1127

  This prayer implieth also a prophecie of the con∣uersion of the Gentiles, as the like very often in the Psalmes. 58. 6••. 65. &c.
• * 1.1128

  Exo. 4.
• * 1.1129

  Num. 6.
• :: 1.1130

  As there i•• difference of meates▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so there ought to be discre∣t on in wor∣des, in choo∣sing a wi••e & in al actions, and desires.
• :: 1.1131

  In concord smal thinges increase, by discord al thinges goe to hauocke.
• :: 1.1132

  As freind∣shippe is a most necessa∣rie thing in humane life; so fained frēd∣shippe is most dangerous.
• :: 1.1133

  Man is bond to vse al pru∣••lentendeuour & withal most especially to pray for Gods direction.
• :: 1.1134

  The dayes of the Blessed in heauen, who see God, are eternal.
• :: 1.1135

  The same which S. Paul admonisheth (1. Cor 11.) let euerie one proue him self, by ex∣amining & re∣ctifying his conscience.
• * 1.1136

  1. Cor. 6.
• :: 1.1137

  Mans bodie naturally nee∣deth sustenāce & sometimes phisike, and so doth his soule; which as it is more excel∣lent, so it ought to be more regar∣ded.
• * 1.1138

  Exo. 25.
• * 1.1139

  Isa. 38.
• * 1.1140

  Spiritual in∣firmitie requi∣reth spiritual phisike.
• :: 1.1141

  To auoide euil speach, shew that thou art truly sorie for the death of thy freind. But moderate thy sorow, lest it hurt thy self.
• * 1.1142

  Prou. ••5. & 17.
• * 1.1143

  2. Reg. 12
• :: 1.1144

  VVhen pa∣stores haue ley sure from pre∣aching they may then pro∣fite others by writing. So S. Paul, not only preached, but also writte. So likewise the Doctors of the Church and o∣ther holie fa∣thers.
• :: 1.1145

  Besides a∣ctiue life com∣mended in the former chap. it is necessarie that vertuous men vse also meditation, & cōtemplation. Vnto which foure disposi∣tions are requi¦site, described in this chapt.
• * 1.1146

  1.
• * 1.1147

  True know∣lege of holie My••••eries: without the▪ which medi∣tation wil be erronious.
• * 1.1148

  2.
• :: 1.1149

  Puritie of soule free frō greuous sin∣nes, and en∣dowed vvith vertues.
• :: 1.1150

  Humilitie is especially re∣quired in con∣templatiue persons.
• * 1.1151

  3.
• * 1.1152

  Gen. 1.
• * 1.1153

  Exo. 1.
• :: 1.1154

  Hope of e∣ternal reward comforteth, & encoregeth the seruants of God.
• * 1.1155

  4.
• * 1.1156

  Gen. ••.
• :: 1.1157

  In the meane time God ge¦ueth necessa∣ries for this life. VVhich the good vse rightly to their merite & the wicked vse euil to their damnation.
• :: 1.1158

  Diuels were created in state of grace, and of their owne wil fel from God, & consequently are eternally punished.
• :: 1.1159

  The penal∣ties which al men euen new borne infants suffer, do shew that al in ge∣neral are guil∣tie of original sinne, for if they were not guiltie then punishment were not iust. That Christ also would be subiect to the same penalties was for the sinnes of o∣thers. And though his •• mother vvas preserued from this sinne yet she vvas not exempted from the ge¦neral penaltie of al man∣kinde.
• * 1.1160

  Gen. 7.
• * 1.1161

  Eccle. 1.
• :: 1.1162

  The societie of Christs Church flori∣shing in al ver¦tues excelleth the benefites of the old Te∣stament.
• :: 1.1163

  Euerie one is bound to la∣bour that he want not ne∣cessaries.
• :: 1.1164

  It is to no purpose after death to ac∣cuse the short∣nes, or length of life, preten∣ding the same to haue bene cause of sinne. For God doth al iustly, yea and for the best, if men would so vse his benefites.
• :: 1.1165

  It behoueth children, and scholars to esteme that which their elders teach:
• :: 1.1166

  though the same doth not seme reaso∣nable in their owne opinion.
• * 1.1167

  Mat 5. v. 28.
• :: 1.1168

  It is not lawful to re∣ueale that, which we iustly promise to conceale.
• * 1.1169

  Leuit 19. Deu. 1▪ 16 Prou. 24. Iacob. ••▪
• :: 1.1170

  There is lesse danger in conuersing familiarly with a wicked man, then with a freind∣lie woman. In which con∣uersarion, much pru∣dence is re∣quired, as is before admo∣nished. chap. ••.
• :: 1.1171

  The excel∣lencie of God, which can not be sene with mortal eye (Exo. 33.) is proposed to our medita∣tion in his workes. The like in, Iob. 38. 39. 40. 41. and in manie places of holie Scripture.
• :: 1.1172

  Of al sensles creatures, yea & of sensible also, that haue not reason, the sunne is most excellent. Of which al cor∣poral ••rea∣tures receiue their light: & by whose in∣fluence al ge∣neration of creatures pro∣cedeth: wher∣of is this Maxime in Philosophie, that the sunne and man begette a man, And Aristotel cal∣leth the sunne the father of men and of goddes. li. 2. de anima But the faithful know it is a creature in∣ferior to man, in respect of his reasonable soule, and in them both & in al other creatures, acknowlege superexcel∣lent & infinite Maiestic in God.
• * 1.1173

  VVhich al∣so appeareth euen in the least creatures whose natural substances & qualities, with other acci∣dents, the more anie man conside∣reth the more he shal ad∣mire God, the onlie Creator of al.
• * 1.1174

  The 2. part. Examples and praises of holie men: with praise & thankes to God.
• :: 1.1175

  Vertuous men are rightly called Lordes, and Princes; so the children of Heth sayde to Abraham. My Lord, the•••• art a prince of God among v••. Gen. 23.
• :: 1.1176

  Enoch shal preach pe¦nance in the time of Anti∣christ.
• * 1.1177

  Gen 5. Gen. 6.
• :: 1.1178

  Noe was perfect.
• * 1.1179

  Gen. 9.
• * 1.1180

  Gen. 12.
• :: 1.1181

  Abraham father of al the beleuers in Christ.
• * 1.1182

  Gen. 22. Heb. 11.
• :: 1.1183

  Isaac, and Iacob were blessed in A∣braham.
• * 1.1184

  Exo. 3.
• * 1.1185

  Num. 12.
• :: 1.1186

  Moyses saw Gods workes more clerely then other Prophets, yet saw not his substances, as is noted. Exo. 33.
• :: 1.1187

  Aarons priesthood continued so long as Moy∣ses law: that was til Christ. And now the priesthood ac∣cording to the order of Melchisedech continueth to the end of the world.
• * 1.1188

  Exo. 28.
• * 1.1189

  Leuit. 8.
• * 1.1190

  Num. 16.
• :: 1.1191

  The tribe of Leui had not a portion of in∣heritance se∣parate from the iest, but had tithes, first fruites, and oblations for their tempo∣ral prouision
• * 1.1192

  Num. 25.
• :: 1.1193

  King Dauid gaue special assistance to the Priestes, and greatly aduanced Gods seruice 1. Paral 23. •••• ••.
• :: 1.1194

  Iosue succe∣ded in the temporal go∣uernment: for the spiritual perteyned to the successors of Aaron. Num. 27.
• * 1.1195

  Iosu. 10.
• * 1.1196

  :: Only Iosue and Caleb re∣mained of those which came out of Aegypt, al the rest dyed in the desert, and their children entered into Chanaan.
• * 1.1197

  Num. 14••
• * 1.1198

  Iosu. 14.
• :: 1.1199

  Though some of the Iudges were sometimes great sinners, yet they were finally iust & for their good actes much renowmed.
• * 1.1200

  1. Reg 17
• :: 1.1201

  Samuel an∣nointed Saul. and Dauid kinges.
• * 1.1202

  1. Reg 7.
• * 1.1203

  •• Reg. 12
• :: 1.1204

  If Samuel himself had not appeared, (but some o∣ther spitite) it could not haue bene no∣ted in his praises. See. 1. Reg. 28.
• * 1.1205

  1 Reg. 28
• * 1.1206

  2. Reg 11
• * 1.1207

  1. Reg. 17
• * 1.1208

  Ibidem.
• * 1.1209

  1. Reg 18
• :: 1.1210

  Amongst al the renoumed actes of Dauid his pure and sincere hart most pleased God.
• * 1.1211

  1. Par. 25
• * 1.1212

  2. Reg 12
• :: 1.1213

  For Dauids sake God gaue wisdom to Salomon, and peace in his kingdom.
• * 1.1214

  3. Reg. 3.
• :: 1.1215

  By Apostro∣phe the auctor turneth his speach to Sa∣lomon.
• * 1.1216

  3. Reg 4.
• * 1.1217

  3. Reg. 10
• :: 1.1218

  Salomons sinnes were punished, but Gods mercie continued in conseruing his posteritie. Psal. 88.
• * 1.1219

  3 Reg. 11
• * 1.1220

  Psal. 88. v. 34.
• * 1.1221

  3 Reg. 1••
• * 1.1222

  3. Reg 17
• :: 1.1223

  Elias procu∣red fire from heauen to burne his sa∣crifice, 3. Reg. 18 and ••w••e more to burne an hundred men which persecuted him. 4. Reg. 1.
• * 1.1224

  3. Reg. 19 4. Reg. 2.
• :: 1.1225

  The miracle wrought by his dead bodie shewed that he was an holie prophet. 4. Reg. 13. See the mira∣cles of Elias, and Eliseus. To. 1. pag. 940.
• * 1.1226

  4 Reg 13
• * 1.1227

  4. Reg. 20 4. Reg. 18
• :: 1.1228

  Prayer pre∣uailed, when forces were not sufficient. Sec, 4. Reg. 19.
• * 1.1229

  4 Reg. 19 Isa. 37.
• * 1.1230

  4. Reg 2•• Isa. 38.
• * 1.1231

  Not only this booke but also other holie scriptures witnes that Elias shal re∣turne and preach before the end of the world. S. Chrysostom Aretas, and other Doctors testifie the same. See. Annot. Gen. 5.
• * 1.1232

  Mal. 4.
• * 1.1233

  Mat. 17. In 2. Thes 2.
• * 1.1234

  Apoc. 11.
• * 1.1235

  4. Reg. 22
• * 1.1236

  2. Par 34
• * 1.1237

  4. Reg. 23
• :: 1.1238

  Manie other kinges of Iuda refrained alwayes from committing idolatrie, but these three destroyed al places of idolatrie in their king∣dom, which the others did not.
• * 1.1239

  4. Reg. 25 Iere. 1.
• * 1.1240

  Ezech. 1.
• * 1.1241

  Agge. 2. 1. Esd. 3. 3. Esd. 5. Zach. 3. 2. Esd. 2. Gen. 5. Gen. 39. 40. &c.
• :: 1.1242

  See the An∣notation. ch. 38 v. 10.
• :: 1.1243

  Ioseph pro∣phecying that the people should depart from Aegypt, willed them to carie his bones with them. Gen. 50. So by carying his bones they professed, that he had truly prophecied.
• :: 1.1244

  This Simon called Iustus, and Priscus, was high priest when this booke was written (in the time of Ptolomie the first, king of Aegypt) a very holie man, and dead before it was translated into Greke. about the time of Ptolo∣mie the third called Euer∣getes, nere 300. yeares before Christ.
• * 1.1245

  Iosephus li. 12.
• * 1.1246

  Antiqui
• * 1.1247

  Liba∣tion••.
• * 1.1248

  Three na∣tions; the Idu∣means, Phi∣listijmes, and Samaritanes, did most per∣secute the Isralites: the Samaritanes were not one pure nation, but mixt of Assirians and Iewes: and so here called no nation.
• * 1.1249

  Num. 6. v. 23.
• :: 1.1250

  They are also called a foolish people, because they knowing true religion, mixed idola∣trie therwith, according to diuers sectes. as appeareth 4. Reg. 17. v. 29.
• :: 1.1251

  VVhere we are not able to render re∣compence to benefactors; especially to God, we are the more bond to acknow∣lege his manie great benefi∣tes, altogether vndeserued by vs.
• :: 1.1252

  VVhen sen∣ses are most ripe, and the soule most free from great sinnes, is the aptest time to serue God, & to get al ver∣tues, and true knowlege. Eccle. 12.
• :: 1.1253

  In stead of riches labour to get wisdom for it is much better then al gold & siluer.
• :: 1.1254

  Merite is in this life, and reward in the next.