Wisdom — Chapter 16

The Aegyptians were plagued for their idolatrie. And that by beasts, because they worshipped beasts for Gods.

Para. 2.becaufe he is found ef them thattempt hin not: and 15. CuHuar, Tz superiours are admonished to doe suftice, fincerelyfeek'ng God:7 .'0 being euery- The Tevart. An ap ere feeth al things. 11. Marneuration, detrattion, and hing bring roperdi- iironiion 0 tion.13.God created men to line, but they'brought death Vpon them/clues. \ctife iuftice. Ove iuftice, you that indge the earth, Thinke of our he appearethto them that haue taith in him, 3. For(4) lea) Mortal fin- peruerfe cogitarions feperate from God: and proued el arc not . ~ : m v Yit- power chafteneth the ynwife : 4, becauiewifdom wij 07". commt W: : : on : . — = ted indeeds & not enter into a malicious foule, nor dwel in a bodie fubiect to finnes, , ~ . - wordes , bur i Forthe Holie Ghoft of difcipline wil flye from Inmthat feyneth, and alfo in though-' ‘wil withdraw himfelfe from the cogitations that arc without vnder- tes. ef wifdom is gentle, and wil not deliver (6) the curfer from his lips; ! byHe thet me: jDecaule God is wintnes of his reynes,and he is a true fearcher of his harr ()He that ma- : en , 2 dicioufly cur- and an hearer of histong, 7. Becaufe the Spirit of our Lord hathrepie : : - feth is eurfed nished .he whole world: and that which contayneth al things, hath of God. the knowledge of voice, 8, For this caufe he that {peakerh vniutt things, can not be hid neither shal the chaftifing judgement paffe him, y. For inthe cogitations of the impious there shai be exantination: and the hearing of his workes shal come ro God , to the chaftiting of his iniqui- ties. 10, Becaufe the eare of ieloufie heareth althings, arid therumuit of murmurings shal not be hid, 11. Keep your felues therfore from murmu- ting , Which profiteth nothing , and retraine your tong from detra¢tion, becaufe an obf{cure {peaeh shal not pafle in vaine: andthe mouth that lyeth, killeth the foule. 12, (¢) Zeale not death in the errour of your life, neither procure ye perdition by the workes of your hands, 13. Becaufe God made not death , neither doth he reioyce in the perdition of the Ji- uing. 14. For he created al things to be: and he made the nations of the earth to health: and (d ) there is no medicine of dediruétion in them, (c) Be not cau- fe of your owine eternal death oy euil life. (d) Defperarc death deliuc- reth not rhe wicked from galamities. (e)nor oe > --- PAGE 1367 --- . j¢e) Neither are nie damned whiles they jare inthis life: (f) Bat ‘finners ‘mot repenting bring eternal :250 THE BOOK (e) nor Kihgdome of hel inthe earth,'( 15. For iuftice is perpetual and immortal, )16,Burthe impious with hands & words haue (f) prouoked it:and efteemingit afreind , hane fallen to decay,and haue made couc- nants with it : becaufe they are worthic tobe of the part therof. death wo them- felues. tugk ing the “onl Gale to be mortal and fo Meither Paine Nor reward ro (@)Carnal men' CHrapr, II, Such as hope not of life to céme,6. adds themafelnes to prefent plealures :10.and perfecese the suf? ,efpecially our Saniour Chrift,as coptrarie to their wickednes. 23.Death came vponman by the dinels enute. ‘Or they haue faid thmking with themfelues not a] wel:(4) Lirtle,and withtedioufnes isthe time of our = life and inche end of amanthere is no recoucrie, andthere is noneknownce that hath returned from hel: 2.becavfe of nothing were we borne, and after ‘his we hal be as if we had notheen:becaufe the I atrer death, ifal to thefe lprophane thoughts and beacnes of infidciitie, (S)OF infideli-. tie touching paine or re- vard afcer death, procee- deth rhe Epi- scures Ife. Wc) Infidels are otcontent te. luc in tiot, but doealfo . yenuie and per- ecure the suit: whofe good examples vexe their minds, dtirred therto by the diuel., (d@) Aneuident prophecie of the Iewes ma- lice perfecu- ting our Saui- our.Fuinlled by the chief Prieftes , Scri- bes,and Anci- man fhal haue remembrance of our workes, -be exempted from our riotoufines : evierie-wherc let id ee 72 ina fparketo moue our hart. 3. Which being extingui- ined,our bodie «al be afles,and the fpirit inal be powred abrode as loft ayre,and our life fhal pafle as rhe trace of a cloud, and fhal be diffolued as amift, which is driuen away by the beames of the fine, and oppreffed with the heate therof : 4. and our naine in time fhal be forgotten, and no 5 For our timeis the paffin of a fhadow, and thereis no returne of our end : becaufe it is fealed , and no man returneth.6,/b) Come therfore, and let vs enioy the good things that are,and let-vs quickly vfe the creature as in youth, 7, Let vs fil our (cj. ues with precious wine,and oyntments:and Jet notthe owre of the time paffe vs.8.Let vs croyne our.telues with rofes, before they wither:let there be no medow , whic our riote thal not paffe through.9,Ler none of ys vs leaue fignes of ioy: becaufe this is our pottié,and this our lot10. Let vs( ¢ opprefic the poore inft, man, and not {pare the Widow, .rior.reuerence the o}d Mans grey head of long ume, 11, But let our firength be the law of iuftiee! for that which 1s weeke, is found vnprofitable. 12. (d) Let vs therfore cir- cumuentthe uit , becaufe he is vnprofitable to vs; and heis contrarieto our workes , andreprochtully obieéteth vnto vs the finnes ot the jaw. and defameth in vs the finnes of our difcipline, 13. He boafteth that he hath the knowledge of God,and nameth himfelte the jonne of God, 14. He ts made vnto ys tothe dctaming of our cogitarions, 15. He isgrieuous vnto vs euen to behold, becaufe his life is vnlike to others. & his wayes are changed,16.W’e are efteemed of him astriflers »and he abftcyneth fom OUT Wayes as fr6.vncleannes,and he preterreth the later ends of the iuft and glorieth that he hath Ged for his father.17,.Let vs fee therfore it his words be true,and let ys proue what things tial cometo him > -and we ents,resor~ breath is a {mokein our noithrels : & {peach a 45. Ma.27,' disal --- PAGE 1368 --- OF WISDOM. 351 thal know what fhal be his later end, 18. For if he be thetrue fonne of !ded by the E- God,hewil defend him, & wil deliuer him from the hands of the aduer-. uangelifts. faries, 19. By contumelieand torment Jet vs examine him , that we may Mariay 3 know hisreuerence, and proue his patience. 20, Toamoft fhametul (¢) Want of be~ death let vs condemne him: for there shal be refpect had vnto him by his lieuing diuine wordes, 21. Thefe things haue they theught, and haue erred : for their Myfteries, malice hath blinded them, 22. And they haue not knowen (e) the facre- namely pe re- ments of God, nor hoped for the reward of iuftice, ner efteemed the ho- ware ore - ; iuft, & punish- nour of-holie foules. 23. For God created man incorruptible , and tothe métofthe wie. 4 ‘mage of his owne likenes hemade him,2 4.But by the enuie of the diuel, ked, is caufe of death entredinto the world:25.and theyfolow him that are of his part. diffolute life, and of hatred againft the good. Cuarv. TIL rhe iuft condemned by the wicked , and proued by tentations are bappie : 10. and the wicked “vnbuppie. 12. Chaftisse shal be rewarded , cx adulserous genera-. tiens.sLal not projper. (a) Temporal = Vr (a) the foules ofthe tuft are inthe hand of wait isthe way Chap fo: 2 Z God , and thetorment of death fhal not touch to eternal life, tage AA them.2.(b) They feemed in the cies of the vnwife Where dam- a to die: andtheir deceafe -was counted affliction; nation(called

and thar which withvs is the way , is deftru- here the tor- tion: bur they are in peace. 4, And though be- shal not tach fore men they fuffered torments, their hope is \them, 1 ' tuLof immortalitie.s. Vexed in few thins, in-ma- (6) Foralbeit ny they fhakbewel difpofed of : becaufe God hath Martyrs fecme tempted them,and hath found them worthie of himfelfe, 6. As gold in iP the eyes of the furnace he hath preued them, and 4s an hoft of holocauft he hath re- dye ortohe. ceiued them,& in time there fhal be refpect of them,7.Theiuft fhatthine, extingui shed, Watts ond as {patkes in a place of reeds they fhal runne abrode,-8, They (¢) thal they paffe-in- YU. 43. iudge.nations;& haue.dominion oucr peoples,and their Lord final reiene [deed into eter- for cuer.g. They that truftin him, fhal vnderftand truth:& the faichful in re ? gna Joue fhal reft in him: becaufe reft and peace isto hiselect, 10. Buttheim- 'glor ._ pious according to the things-which they haue thought, fhal haue corre- ¢. )Althe inft ption: which haueneglected the iuft, & haue reuolted trom our ‘Lord, 11, shal approue For he that reieéteth wifdam and difcipline,is vnhappie:and their hope Godsiudgemet is vaine,and labours without fruir,& their-workes vnprofitable.12.Theiz’ condemning (d)w iues are fenfles, and their children moft wicked, 13, Curfed is their «dy iterally ic creature:becaufe happie is the barren woman : and the vndefiled , Which ynderfood, 1s see 5 hath not knowen bed in finne, fhe fhal haue fruit invifitatié of holie {ou- that the wit es Werom, les:14.and* the eunuchthat hath not wrought iniquitie with his hands, -aduleerers, in Ifa. nor thought moft wicked things againft God:for the chofen guitt of faith", fGen e ; , ad iltreffes, & ‘$6.04 fhal be giuen to him,and a moit acceptable lot in the téple ot God, 15, For heir “hil, eur Tr 3 ot wicked. —< UL 7 A Pa -& SHE, yy Pa: — --- PAGE 1369 --- Morally , thei: fenfualitie & al cheir workes are wholly carrypted, (a) Chaftitie a. fingular greatverrue,& 1 ter,and more generally commended, qas the roote of-al verrues.. For without faith ir is vn- poffible ro pleafe God. euer the iuft [his immacu- late Hifcis more com- ‘ mendable then old age. “TW. 16. they-be-of long life, they shal be reputed for nothing, & their lait old- of the bodie is’ S$ fpiritual cha- # flitie of crue ‘BY : faith and reli- _ : . ar gion is great- of vndchied confli€s. 3, But the nmultitude of the impious-that bath fand foundatid 42) When fo- ‘tdieth ir is pro- fitable for him: & dying yon g. in the wicked. 352 THE BOOK of good labour there is glorious fruit, and the-roote of-wifdom which talleth not. 16. But the children of adulterers shal be in confummation, andthe feede of the -vnlawful bed-shal be deftroyed. 17. And if certes age shal. be without honour, 18. Andif they dye quickly: they shal haue no hope, nor {peach of comfort inthe day of acknowledging.

The brasen serpent not by anie vertue inherent, but as a signe of Gods favour, was the meanes of curing the people.

feede thy kids byfide the ta- bernacles of the paftours, 9, To my companie of horfemen,in the cha riots of Pharao,haue I likened thee,6 my loue.10, Thy cheeks ate beauti- ful asthe rurtel-doues,thy necke as iewels.11. We wil make thee cheynes of gold,enameled with filuer,12,(d) Whiles the King was at his repofe, my {pikenard gauethe odour thereot.13.A bundle of myrrhe my beloued is tome,he fhal abide between my brefts,14.A cluftreaf cypre my loue is to me,in the vineyards of Engaddi, 15. (¢ } Behold.thou art fayre, 6my loue, behold thou art fayre,thyne cyes are as of doues,16.(f) Behold thou art tayre my beloued,& comelie:(g) our litle bed is fourifhing, 17, The beames of our houfes are of cedar,ourrafters af cyprefie trees, Crap, q OF CANTICLES. 341 CHurapre It Am (a) the flower of the field , and the lilie of the valleyes. 2.(b)Asthe lilie among the thornes, fo is my loue ainong the daughters. 3. (¢) Asthe apple-tree amongtrees of the woods, fo is mmiy beloued among the fonnes, Wnder his shadow, whom I defired 51 fate: and his fruite was {weete - vnto mythrote, 4, Hebrought me into the wine-- : celiar , he hath ordered in me charitie. 5: ‘Stay me vp with flowers, compafie me about with apples: becaufe I languish with loue, 6. His lett hand vnder my head, and his right hand thal embraceme. 7. I adiure you o daughters of Icrufalem, by the roes, and the harts of the fields (d) that yourayfe nor, nor make the beloued to awake, vntil her felfe wil..8.(e) The voice of my beloued , behold he commeth leaping in the mountaines., leaping ouer the litle hils: 9. m beloued is like vnioaroe, and toatawne of harts. Behold he ttandeth behind our wal, (f) looking through the windowe , looking forth by che. grates. 10. Behold my beloued fpeaketh to me: (g) Arife , make haft my loue, my doue , my beautiful one , and come, 11. For winter is now paft, the rayneis gone, and departed, 12, The flowers haue appeared in our land, rhe time of pruning is come: the voice of the turtle-doue is heard in our land; 13, the figge-tree hath -brought forch her greene figges: the flourifhing vineyards haue giuen their {auour, Arife my loue, my beautiful one ,.& comie.14. My douein the holes of the rocke, in the holow places of the wal fnew me thy face, let thy voice found in mine eares : for thy voice is fweete, and thy tace comely, 15, (4) Catch vs the litle foxes, that deftroy the vineyards : for our vineyard hath flourifhed, 16.(7)My beloued to me,and I to him, who feedeth among thelilies, 17. til the day breake , and the thadowes de- cline, Returne: be like, my beloued, to aroc, and tothe fawne of harts vpon the mountaines of Bether. y paffeth al: {be prepared to # (a) Chrift pro- feffeth himfelf, the fowre of mankind: yea - Lord. of al creatures. (6) TheChurch excelleth al other focietics: In the Church the godlie ex- cel finners: Among the innocent and hole, the Vir- gin Marie fur- €¢}The Church praifing Chrift refteth fecure vnder his pro- tedtion. (a) He for the weakes fake permitteth her nottobe mo- iefted til she © fuffer with pa- tience, (e)She feeling Chrifts afsi- tance, confef- feth,&-prea- cheth beldly his Ghofpel & in him. S{ 2 GHapP- al Pagans and Heretikes. (f) Who though he shew not himfelf vitibly , (g)-yet encourageth her to approch ynto him: (+2commandeth his paftours to deftroy herefes. (1) And foshe repofeth trach againit: (4) The Charch finding Chri inor indarke henorance nor j1a philofophie, but by his re- veiling him Ifelfe to her, 'Roldeth him. for euer: Ce) cuen til the lewes shal at iaft alfo find oim, (4)Chrift fpea- keta as before chiz.v.g. (d@)The Church of Chrift ad- & WS 42 THE CANTICLE Cuarp, Ml. 9 N(a)-my litlebed-inthe nights T haue fought him whom my foule loueth,] haue fought him,and haue not found, 2.1 wilrife,and wil goe about the citie:by the fireets and high waies I-wil fecke him whom my foule loueth : J 1% SY haue fought him, and haue not found,3. The watchmen pata Sy which keepe the citie found me: Haue you feen him, whé ny foule loueth? 47WhenI had alitle paffed by them,] found him whem my foule loueth :J held him: neither wil I let him goe, til ] bring himinto () myamothers houfe,and into the chamber of her that bare me,s.(c) I adiure you, daughters of Ierufalem by the roes,and the harts of the fields, that you rayfe not vp, nor make the beloued to awake , til herfclfe wil.6. (d, Whatis fhe,that afcendeth by the defert;as a litlerod of fmoke of (e)the aromatical {pices of myrrh and frank incenfe, & of al powder of the apothecarie?7.( f ) Behold thréefcore valiants of the moft valiant of Ifrael,compaffe the litlebed of Salomon:8.al holding {words, mireth her owne conuer- ful of good Workes, i(f)Ske alfo pro- feffeth that fion from Gen- sees t tulitie , (e) now, and moft cunning to battels:euerie mans {word vpon his thigh for fares by night,9.King Salomon hath made him a portable: hrone of the wood ‘of Libanus: 10.the piliers therof he hath made of filuer,the feate of gold, the going vp(g)ot purple:the middes he hath paued with( b}charitie for the daughters of lerufalem.11.(:) Goe forth ye daughters of Sion, and fee King Salomon in (4) the diademe, wherewith his mother hath crowned him inthe day of this defpoufing,and in the day of the ioy of his hart, the _afcending by fighting manfully,in obferuing the ren commandements, in the fix dayes of this life:(g}euen to bloud,if neede be;(h) whichis the highert degree of charitie.(#)And-inuiteth al other to come ynto Chrift ; (A) who inthe flesh whichhetooke of his mother, was crownedin heauen after his pation. (a)Chritt agai~ ne praifeth the beautie of his Church. Cuapr, ILIL O w (4) beautiful art thou my loue, how beautiful art (4)Sincere and SBD (9 thou ' chine (6) gies -asit were of doues , befides that fimple inten- re which lyeth hid wihin, Thy (¢) eares as the flockes of (c) Alher tem- f AUS K( goats,which haue come vp.from mount Galaad.2, Thy(d ) poraloccupa~- Spr Seed cecth as flocks of them that are shorne,which haue come vp: tions directed trom the jauatorie , al with (e) twinnes,and there is no barren among to Gods: gloric. them,3. Thy (f)lippes as a {carlet lace:and thy {peach fweete.As apiece of va! { wholike nurces. 2 POMegranatc , fo are aifo thy (g) checks, befides that which lyeth hid giuebread within, 4.Thy (4) necke is as the(s)towre of Dauid,which Is built With of good do- loulworkte. a thoufand rargets hag on it,al the armour of the Valiants... Grine to litle Ones, hana my fifter fpoufe ! thy breaits are more beautiful then wine, and the {oe 'Northwinde, & come Southwinde, blowthrough my garden, and let ithe principles OF CANTICLES, 243, } : . Th two breafts as two fawnes the twines of a roe , which teede (e)Faithand 5 hes 6, tilthe day afpire, and the fhadowes decline, (!) I wil good workes. among the 20. : er . : . iGf) Preaching goe to the mount of myrrhe, and to the litle hil of frankincenfe. 7, Thou ! Chrifts pat art al fayre o my loue, and thereis (m) not a fpotinthee, 8, Come fromm jon, Libanus my fpoufe , come from Libanus , come: thou fhalt be crowned g) Andnot fromthe head of Amana, from the top of Sanir & Hermon, from the 1ashamed to denis of lions, from the mountaynes of leopardes. 9, Thou halt wounded profefie pet my hart, my. fitter fpoufe , thou haft wounded my hart in one of thine : - (hb) Admini- cies , and inonehaire of thy necke, 10. How beautiful are thy brealts iivation of Sa icrameéts where our of thine ointments aboue.al aromatical {pices, 1. Thy lips my by theChurch, f{poufe.are as an honie-combe diftilling , honie and milk are vider thy Tees mre tongue : and theodourofthy garments asthe odour of trankincenfe. ioyned tc him 12, My fifter{poufe is agarden inclofed , a garden inclofed , a fountaine jher head, ~ - fealed vp. 13.. Thy ofsprings a paradife of pomegranates wi.h orchard (i)which is al - . fruits, Cypres with fpikenard, 14. fpikenard, and fafren, {weer cane inexpugnable and cinnamon, with.al the trees.of Libanus, myrrhe and aloes with al (ik) Bacblewel the chiefe ointments.15, The fountaine of gardens: the wel of liuing : tae - . _» iand Gentils waters , which runne with violence trom Libanus, 16..(# ) Arif jare fed with the aromatical {pices therof flow. jof Chriftian . ; do@rin. (1) Chrift dwelleth in mortified ,atid devout minds. (»)-The Church- tiumplhiant is without fpor, and euerie-particular foule emtring into heanen ; the:-B. Virgin Mother was alfo in this life alwayes Immaculate.(n) Al rentations,whetherthcy be in wanifeft-cruclte, or in flatering fubceltie , make conftant foules more grateful to God. Cuare, Vv. OL E x (4) mybeloued come intochis garden , andeate the fruit of C4) Ae Tpoute! his apple-trees, (b)1 am come into my garden o my fifter fpoufe, ro Gods wil 5 LLhaue reaped my myrthe, with myne aromatical {pices : I haue jwel content to carenthe honie-combewith nine honie , “1 ihauedrunke. my wine with {futfer perfe- L my. milke: (¢) eate ofreinds,and drinke,and be incbriated my deareft, 2. cution. (djl fleepc,and my hart:watchet h:(e)the voice of my berouec Knocking: to x oe eth Opento me my fifter, my.loue,my doue, mine immaculate: ( f ).becaufe jyr5 good li- ry head_is ful ofdew, and my Jockes -of the drops-of the nights, 3, I king.in his. haue fpoyledmy felfe ofany robe, how shal] be-clothed with it? Lhaue 'ifpoufes patien- wafhed my feete, how shal I defile thent?4, Mybeloued puthishand © through the hole, and my bellie trembied at his-touch, 5. ( g) I arofe, Me glorion . that I might open to my beloued ; my hands hauediftilled myrrhe, and saints to con- my fingers are ful of moft approued mysrhe,.6. lopened the bolr of my .gratulate with dore.to my beloued ; but-he had turned afide , and was pafled, My foule 'thepatiene. melted , as he fpake : Lfought , and found him not’: I called, and he did ‘(@ The: fpoufe or idefireth to reft not anfwet me. 7. The keepers that goe about the citic found me : they i nedit ation: a ‘Sf 3 Truck ‘(¢) buts} 7 called ypon to helpe others: (f> and vrged by Chritts owne example working for-al mankind, (¢) Andfo she tnovleverth her felr alfo in actiue Irfe. {hYSzit confer- ung adefire to greturne vnto coremplation. (4) The deuoit conferre tozc- ther deferioing the excellécies of Chrift. (k) And re- folue to feeke him , where- foeuerhe be. teacheth her children that Chrift is deli- ghted with the iodlie defires, and frutfal workes of the faithful, (e)Chrift agal- ne commedeth his Church, wel compofed of dittin€ orders ( fome jZouerning, fome retired‘in cloifters from tits world, the reft alfo exer- erfiag workes of mercic, in ‘fhe croubles off is lif-)alto- gether making letearmie , terrible to.al enimies. (c) The more anie. contemplate Gods Maieftic , the better: camp ’ (2)TneCharch : o44 THE CANTICLE {truck me, and wounded me : the keepers of the wals tooke awa my cloke, 8. (bh) Tadiure you o daughters of Hierufalem, if you thal finde my beloued, that vou tel him that I languifh with loue, 9. (t) What manner of one is thy beloucd of the beloued, o moft beautiful of women? What manner of oneis thy beloued of the beloued, that chou haft fo adiured ys? 10. My beloued is white and ruddie, chofen of thoufands, 11, His head is asthe beft gold: his haires as the branches of palme-trees, blacke as a rauen. 12. His eies as doues vponthe litle truers of waters, which arewashed with milke, andfitte befide the moft ful ftreames, 13, His cheeks are asiitie beddes of aromatical {pices fet of the pigmétaries, His lippes are as lilies diftilling principal myrthe. 14. His hands wrought round of cold, ful of hyacinths, His bellie of iuorie , diftinguifhed with fapphirs, 15. His thighcs as pillers of marble, thar are vpon teete of gold, His forme as of Libanus, elect as the cedars, 16, Histhrot. mott {weere, and he whole to be defired:{uch anone is my beloued, and hé is-my freind, o daughters of Jerufalem. 17. (4) Whither is thy beloued gone o moft beautitul of women? whither is thy beloued-turned afide ? and we wil fecke him with thee, ce4 Crap, VI. Y (4) beloued ts gone downt into his garden,to the bed of aro- matical {pices , to feede inthe gardens , and to gather lilies, 2. I to my beloued , and my beloued to me,who feedeth among the lilies. 3, (6) Thou art fayre o my loue,fweete, arid comelie as Hierufalem: terrible asthe armic of a campe fet in aray. 4.(¢) Turne away thine cies tromuine, hecaufe they haue made me flye away. Thy haires as a flocke of goates, which haue appeared from Galaad,5. Thy teeth asa flocke of iheep,which haue come vp fromthe Jauatorie , al with twins , and there is no barren.amongthem, 6, Asthe barke of a pomegranate , fo are thy cheeks, befide thy hidden.7, There are (d )threelcore Queenes,& (e)four- core concubines, and of ( f) yong mayds there is no number. 8, My.doue is (g} bare her, The daughters haue feen her, and declared her to be moft blef- 1ed:rhe Qucenesand cécubines,and haue prayfed her.g. (+) What is fhe, thar cOmeth forth asthe morning ryfing,fayre as the moone , elec as the funne,terrible asthe armie of a campe tet in aray? ro, I came downe into the garden of nuts , tofee the fruits of the valleyes, andto looke if the vineyard had flouriihed , andthe pomegranates budded. 11,1 knew not: my {ouletroubled me for the chariots ot Aminadab, 12. (i) Returne, rc- turne o Sulamitefie: returne,returne, that we may behold thee, : is incoprehenfible, (d) Manze true paftours,(e) more hyrelings, that.alfo preach hey percetae that nes commoditie.( f And innumerable faithful foules in the Church.(g) Al which truth ba A in vnitie of faith, (h) The voice of che old fynagogue , admiring the beautie af re DUt hriits Church. (3) The Church of Chrift exhorteth the Synagogue of the Lewes to returneto Chrift, Cuar, one, my. perfect one, fhe isthe only of her mother, elect to her thar ae OF CANTICLES. 345 CHuar, VII, hou fee in the Sulamiteffe bur ae cnt es of campes > How beautiful are thy t {esin {hoes , o Princes daughter! hs € icints . of th thighes are asiewels, that are made byt F 4 hand of the attuificer, 2, Thy nave ae rounc HP boul , neuer wanting cuppes, Thy i ie : WY ean of wheat, compaffed about wit ilies, 3. h brefts , as two fawnes the twinneso necke arenee of yuorie. Thine eies as the fifh-pools is ‘Hefeb A ach are in the gate of the daughter of the multitude, in Hefebon, ; i hat looketh againft Damatcus, Thy nofe as the rowrs of id che kaiees of thy head as a Kings purple ony eae a Nipes. 6. Hlow beautiful art chou , and how comely my treats waders Thy ftauure is like to apalme-tree,& thy br id wil ccareft,in delig . re 1 fayd : I wil goe vp into the Palretreean » ; clufters or Pike fruits therof: and thy breits fhal be as t ed ulte a lewaed. and the odour ay ae for ny rare 5 atime a ic, throate as the belt wine, ) Ww Ito my beloued , and histutnine hislips and his rect i Y Come my beloued,jer vs goe forth into pe rele, le vetdelathe villcees 12, Letvs rile earely to the vineyards, et: Thy (@)Chrift in- :erpofeth his commendation of the lewes, who at laft shal rcturne to him with grea, feruour of faith and de- uotion, (6) And fo jointly praifeth his Church 'confifting of iboth peoples. \(c) The Church las ir were itaking the iword out of iChrifts mouth \fed her, she re- turned al rhe ipraifeco him. \(@) Praying thim to come ; _ eg Fruits, if and fil semai- i Ww die to bring forth fruits, if :and fii fee it the vi ifh, ifthe flowers be rea fee if the vineyard flourith, $ i i] I gine thee my brefts, 13. The Man- fh: there wil I giuetheer a ree ane giuen afinel Inour gates al fruits: (e) the new and the -dragor oldemy beloued,] haue kept for thee. Cuapr, VIII. i brefts i hee my. brother, fucking the fe one tha 1 may finde thee without 5 and Kile thee, fj ond now no man defpifeme? 2, “I wileate holdof thee » and wil bring thee into my mothers houfe: phere thou m ny pomegtanaces il oi iced wine, ew ’ mi ae ‘hand vader iny head, and his right hand hana mes A (b) L adiure you o daughters of lerufalem ; that you rahe oF NP» nor make the beloued to aw ia til herfelfe wil. 5..(¢) Wy oe Yeon hehe meth vp from the defert ,“ flowing with delights can 1B Pon ete loued? nder the apple-treeI rayfedthee vp: (4) the - y monies Was corrupted there she was Acfloured that bare thee. Lente i as 2 , e vpon thyne . 2. fener Joule ‘s hard rs hel, the Jampes thereof lampes “of fyre ine with her, i(e) Acknow- ledging him to be the only Sa- uiour of both iold and new teftament, fa) The Syna- £ogue profe. cuteth her prayer, defi- ting Chrifts ncarnation. (b)Chrift ad- ] menisheth worldlie men not to moleft thofethat ferue bim ii contem- platic, & other fpiritual ver- tucs, other Sainrs fthe trium- ore finceu- : 5 no arly of the moft glorious irgin Mo- therof God. f i ~ . (©) Angels and, of fyre and flames. 7, Manie waters-can-not- hant Chur on houfe for loue,.as nothing he shal defpife it. 8. (e) Our fitter is litle, and (345 THE CANTICLE quench charitie, neithet {shal flouds ouerwhelme it: if a man shal. ziue al the fubftance of his hath rio breafts, Whatshalwe doeto out fifterin the day when: she is to be {poken vnto? 9, If dhe bea wal., let: vs baild-vpon it bulwarkes of fuer : if the be adoore, ict vsioyne it together with bordes of ceder, 10, (f) 1 am.awal:,and my breafts. are as atowre, fince 1 was made before him asone finding peace.r1. The peace-maker hada vineyard , in that. whichhath peoples: he deliuered the fame ( &) to keepers, aman bringed tor the fruite chereot a rhoufand-pieces of filuer. 12.'(b) My vineyard is before me, A thoufand are thy peace-makers , atid two hundred forthem , chat keepe the fruits thereot,.13. Thou dwelleft in the gardens, the freinds doe harken: make me heare thy voice. 14. (i) Flye,o my. beloued,and be like tothe roe,and to the tawne of harts vpon the mountaines of aromatical {pices, (4) The Synagogue of the lewes.was corrupt vnder the tree of Chrifts Croffe , when they cried: Crucifie him, Crucifiehim.And againe: His blond be vpon vs, and vpon our children. Againe: We ‘thaue no King but Cefar , &c. (e) Chrift againe sheweth is affetion towards his Church of the {Gentiles:calling her-his owne fifter,and the Synagogues fifter,pronnfing andbeftowmg-oh her mahie fexcellemt benefns. (f) The Church of Gentiles reioyceth in the fttoag defence , wherwith her ' Sauiour hath eftablished her. (g) Keepers of thisvineyard were the.Prophetes and-Apoftles, and eir Succcflors are ftil the keepers therof.( h) Chrift sheweth thar together withthe paftors,himfelf pecially hath care of his Church, alwayes afsifting the vifible gouerners therof with his inuifible yerace. (i) The wholeChurch militant wel contented, yea defiring Chrifts Afcenfion into heauen, for the good of althat hereferuehim, prayeth him , from thence to fend aboundance of his grace, at we may afcend the high mountaines of perfed charitic and zcle of Gods honour, that he wil ake our Soules fuch hilles , the gardenof al vermes, & fo voutfafe to.dwel sherin.Amen.,. “THE eArgu, li.Reg. Cha.7 ,. 347, chiar Sry cley Seles Shy Sealey rele Sell a a a a THE ARGVMENT OF THE BOOK OF WISDOM. gree wel of the authour, asof the antboritie-of this booke, bane been diners opinions among the learned, But in proceffe of timesthe firft 1s probably difcu- fed, the other is cleerly decided by the Church..For concerning the former doubt, Manie ancient Fathersaleadge fentencesof.this Booke, asthe fayings of Salomon. Namely S.treneus ( apud Eufebuam, lib. 5. ¢.8.Hift: ) S. Clement of Alexandria,li.s .c- 6.Stromat, Origen.ho.12.in Lewit.c~ lib. 8. in Epift. ad muanos.S.Epiphanins hereft.6 7.5.Gregorie Nasan(en.lib.de Frde.S. Gregorie Niffen.in Teftimonys ex vet. TeStam.cap.de Natwitate ex Virgine. 5. Chrijoft. hom. 33.¢> 34.in Mat.S.Cyril of Alexandriali.:0.¢.4. Alfo S.Cyprianli.de exhortar. Martyrum.c.12.¢> [.3.¢.§9.4d Quirin.c> li.de Mortalitate. S.Hila~ vie in Pfal.12.7.S.Ambrofe;li.de Selomone.c.1.and diners others fuppofe Salomon ‘to be authour of this booke.To whom likewife feme of them afcribe the booke of EcclefiaSticus. But S.Tevom Prafasione in libros Saomonis teftsheth that fome ancient writers affirme this booke to-be writien by Philo a lew, and-the other by Tefus the fonne of Sirach. And 5. Auguftin Very plainly ( 11.17.¢.2r0.de cimit. ) farth,cuftome preuailed,that the bookes of Wifdom,& Eccleftafticus, for fome fimilicude of {peach are called Salomons: but the more learned affuredly iudge that they are not his. What then shal: we fay , feeing fomanie ot ber ancient learned Dottours cite the as his. Fhe anfooer is eafie , and{ufficiently infinuated by S. Auguftin, shat thefe twobookes being like “vato the other three, which are Salomons,were alfo.called bis. Wherto we may adde.a like example in ‘the two firft beokes of Kings, which are called the bookes of Samuel , though he writ not althe firft,nor anie part of the fecond. Morconer al thefe fiue are called by one general.tisle Sapiential bookes. In fo much that the Clurchreadeth in the facred office before al Epiftlessaken out of anie of thefe finebookes not Leétio Prouerbioram,or Ecclefiafte,co-c. bus ftil, LeGtio libri Sapientia. The folution therfore is “very probable, that this booke of wifdom was written by Philo Iudeus. not he that lined after Christ , but an other of she fame name , neve two hundred yeares before. And Ecclefiafticus by lefus the fonne of Sirach.Who wot only imi- tated Salomon, but al{o compiled their bookes, for moSt part of Salomons fenten: ces, conferued til their times by tradition, or tn [eparated (croles of paperssyea they fo viter fome fentences in his perfon-as if himfelf bad written them. As touching the auctoritie of theferwo bookes, and fome others, itis euident that the. lewes refufe shem. V£nd therfore manie ancient Fathers writing against them, [pared fometimes to “vrge fuch bookes as they knew would be retetted. Ejpectally Rom.S. Athanafius in Synopfi,c~ Or.2.cont. Arrian.S.Bafil.ls.5 .con. Euno- Both the av- cor rg audto- ritre of this booke were fometimes doubtful, Thef ame doubt 1s of Ecclefiafticas. Tt is moft pre- : foable,that Philo alew Writ this booke colle- cing manie fentences of Salomons, Fiue Sapien- tial books of the old tefta-- ment. The Tewes deni2thefe bookes ta be Canonical. bameng aboundant teSEimonies of other holie Scriptures , for deciding matters of Tom, 2.. Tt faith Phe They are iud- Teed by very manie ancient fathers,and Sned by the’ ‘Church ro be Canonical Seripurres, te eee +The contents. ' Diuided into three parts. lafterward de-' 348 THE ARGVMENT, farthyg sin them. Euen as our Sauiour bimfelf proved the Refurrection of th€ Atat. dead againft the Sadducees out of the books of Moyfes, wich they confefed for 2* Canonical Scripture , denying other parts , where the fame point might otherwife : x0. 3. haue been more eusdently shewed. And fo S. Leromin re(peé? of the lewes faide ' thee book were not Canonical. Nenertheleshe did often alleadge tefrmomes cf them,as of other diune Scriptures: fometimes with this paventhefts (fi cui tamen placet librum recipere)in cap.8.¢o 12 -Zacharia: other times, efpecially pris. Last writings, abjolutely without fach refiriftion,as in cap.t.c~s6.Tfaia,cr 9 18. leremiae Where he profeffeth to alleadge none but Canonical Scripiure. AS for al the other ancient fathers bere aboue mentioned, a{cribing this book to Salomox,and mane others cited by Doftor Iodocus Coccius (To0.1. Thefatrits.6.art.g. ) the; make no doubt at al.but that itis Canonical Scripture , as appeareth by their ex- prejfe termes, Diuine Scripture , Diuine word, Sacrealetters , Prophetical faying,the Holy Ghoft faich, z> the like. Finally,x wel ancient General coune cels,namelyithat of Charthage.an, D.419. with others,as the later of Florence and Trent, have declared this book tobe Canonical. And that conformably to the moft ancient and learned Fathers: as S. Auguftin , not only mdgeth himfelf , bus alfe plainly teftifierh ( lide Pradeftinat. Sanct, c.1 4.) faysng: Lhe fentence of the book of wifdom ought not to be reiected ( by certaine snclimng to Pelagia- nifme } which hath been fo log publikely read inthe Church of Chrift, and receiued of al-Chriftians, Byshops,and others,cuen to the laft of the Laitic, Penitents, and Catecumes ( cum “veneratione diutne autloritatss.) with veneratid of diuine authoritie. Which alfo the excellent writers, next to the Apoitles mes, alleadging for witnes(nsiail fe ad/ubere,nifi diuinum te- fimonium crediderunt )thought they alleadged nothing but dine teffimonie. The fumme and contents of this book 1; an Inferultion and Exbertation to Kings and al Magiftrates,to minifter imflicein the comonweal th,reaching al fortes of “versues “ynder the general names of luftice ex wifdom. With frequent Pro- phecies of Chrifts Comming. Pafsion, Refurrettion, Co other Chriftian Mysteries. AAI may be commodiouly diuided into three parts, Inthe fix firft chapters , the aushour admonishesh al Superiours tolowe and exerc.fe mftice-and wifdom.\n the next three,be teacheth that Wifdom preceedeth only from God,¢> 15 procured by prayer eo good life. Inthe otber ten chapters , he sheweshthe excellent effets, and “ytilitie of yt[dom and lustice, 4 Et li, 17.6. ‘2D. Cit THE IGal.5, ftanding, and he shal be chaftened ot iniquitie enfuing. 6, Forthe fpizir ¥.22, Reg 3. : : ON... - . The Bi fay Lordin goodnes , and in fimplicirie of hart feeke him:

With the plague of hail there was also fire mixed, which destroyed the profitable cattle.

For of a.wicked nation the ends are cruel, Cuarp. III. Great difference between chaffe and adulterous generations. 7. Speedier death of the suft 1s recompenfed by Gods promdence, 19. but the wicked incurre grea- ter damnation by liuing long H.ow beautifulis (4) the chafte generation. with glorie! ©, cor the memorie rherof is immortal.: becaufe it is knowen FP both with God and with mé.2,When it is preséc, they inu- ihe tate it, and they defire it when it hath withdrawen. it-felf, Ester and it triumpheth crowned for euer, winning the reward. manie children,shal not be.profitable, and baflarde plants shal not take: deepe roote, nor lay fure foundatié. 4. And if in the boughes for a time. they shal {pring being weakly fet, they shal be moued of theawinde,and by theyvehemencie of the winds they. shal be rooted out, 5. For.rbevn- perfect boughes shal be broken, and their fruits shalbe vnprofitable, and fowrg 20 eate, and meete for nothing, 6. For the children rhat be. borne of wicked fleeps , are witnefles of wickednes againit the parents in their examination.-7, But (b) theiuft if he be preuented-with death, shal be ina place of-refreshing.$. For venerable old ageis.nat that of long time, net accounted by rhe number of yeares : bur the vnderitan- ding of a man ate grey haires : 9. andan immaculate life is oldage.- 10, Pleafing God he is made beloued , and liuiag among finners he was tranflated, 11.” He was taken away left malice should ‘change his vp= derftanding, or left anie guile might deceiue his foule.2. For the bewit- ching of vanitie obf{eureth.good things , and the inconitancie of con- cupiicéce peruerteth the vnderftanding that is without malice.1; Being confummate in short {pace he fulfilled much time: 1-4. for his foule plea- fed God:for this caufe he baftned to bring him out of the middes of ini- quities : but the peoples that are feeing , and not ynderftanding, nor putting fuch things in their harts: 15. thatthe grace of God,and mer- cie is toward his faints, and refpé@ coward hiseleét. 16. But the iuft: dead condemneth the impious aliue , and youth foone ended’, the lon life of the vniuft, 17. For they shal fee theend of the wife, and shal not voderftand what God hathithoughtof him, and why our Lord hath -~ --- PAGE 1370 --- Pa “OF WisDOM™M. 355 hath fenfed him, 18,. For they shal feeand shal .contremne him:bur our Lord shal laugh them to -foorne, 19. and they shakfal after rhis’ with- out honour , andin contumelie among the dead for cuer : becaufe he shal breake them puffed vp (¢) withour'voice, and shal remoue tee damned them fromthe foundations, and they shal be made defolare vmo the out al exca fe higheft degree ; and shal be mourning , and the memorie of them shal hreerly con- perish, 20. They shal come feareful in eogitation oftheir finnes,and their tfounded in iniquities onthe contrarie shal conuince them. their owne konfciences. ANNOTATIONS, Cruarv. IIIT .11. He vuas taken avvay..) By this place S. Auguftin proweth that fach as died in ‘good ftate, might have fallen into wickednes , ift they hadimed tonger : and there- oreit wasa benefit rothemtto dye fooner.- And-that it is neuerthcles:certaine ,'that ‘God both knew the pofsibilieie that fuclrmight, yea-would haue finned, if they bad liued longer , and-alfo knew that they sheuld die fooner , and fo efcape that danger. ‘Which ailured foreknowledge of al things that shal be,or may be, ftandeth wel with mans free-wil : againft certaine that inclined to Pelagianifme, attributing too ‘mucitto mans free-wil, and detraéting from’ Gods foreknowledge amd providence. j£¢l. 131-Which he prouing by this place, his aduerfaries excepted agaiaft the anctoritie of 4/-20 ci) this bouke,and therfore he alfo proneththacit ‘is Canonical Seripure. li.r.dePre- 4M dch.Sand&. ch: 14. Gods prefcien- ce doth not pretudice mans freewil, - Char V. In the generalindgement, the voickedfeeing the int , wohomstheybad-contemned, tobe sngreat honour,sha-bewaile their owne miferie, 9. confidering that their pleafure-was'short, 16. and the roy of the Bleffed shal be for euer.18. God wil- arme bimfelf ; and al:creatures,to punish theumpiows. yy H En shaltheiuft ftand in great conitancie againft thofe g) wie, iif that haue afflicted them, ‘and (4) taken away their la-: Sai re bours, 2, They feeing shal be troubled with horrible’ menin their 4 aife conceipt udge the tra- els of the iuft to be vaine & ruitles, > feare, and shal merue] atthe fodainnes of vnexpected Y faluation , 3, faying within themfelues , ( }.) repenting, PPeg and fighing for anguihh of fpirit: Thefe are they, whom

See the miracles of Manna, Annot. Exod. 16.

Haile did not extinguish the fire, by Gods power above nature.