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Chapter 11
She ordered their works in the
hand of the holy prophet: They went through the wilderness that was
not inhabited, and pitched their tents in the waste desert. They
stood against their enemies, and were avenged of their adversaries.
When they were thirsty, they called upon thee, and water was given
them out of the rock, and their thirst slackened out of the hard
stone. For by the things, where through their enemies were punished,
were they helped in their need. For unto the enemies thou gavest
mans blood instead of living water. And where as they had scarceness
in the rebuke when the infants were slain, thou gavest unto thine
own a plenteous water unlooked for: Declaring by the thirst that was
at that time, how thou wouldest bring thine own unto honor, and slay
their adversaries.
For when they were tried and nurtured with fatherly mercy,
they knowledged how the ungodly were judged, and punished through
the wrath of God. These hast thou exhorted as a father, and proved
them: but unto the other thou hast been a *boisterous king, layed
hard to their charge, and condemned them. Whether they were absent
or present, their punishment was alike. For their grief was double:
namely, mourning, and the remembrance of things past. But when they
perceived that their punishments did them good, they thought upon
the Lord, and wondered at the end. For at the last they held much of
him, of whom in the out casting they thought scorn, as of an object.
Nevertheless the righteous did not so when they were thirsty: but
even like as the thoughts of the foolish were, so was also their
wickedness, Where as certain men now ( through error) did worship
dome serpents and vain beasts, thou sendest a multitude of dumb
beasts upon them for vengeance: That they might know, that look
wherewithal a man sinneth, by the same also shall he be punished.
For unto thy almighty hand, that made the world of naught, it was
not unpossible, to send among them a multitude of Bears, or wood
lions, or cruel beasts of strange kind, such as were unknown, or
spout fire or cast out a smoking breath, or shooting horrible
sparkles out of their eyes: which might only destroy them with
hurting, but also kill them with their horrible sight. Yee without
these beasts might they have been slain with one wind, being
persecuted of their own works, and scattered abroad through the
breath of your power.
Nevertheless thou hast ordered all things in measure, number
and weight. For thou hast ever had great strength and might, and who
may withstand the power of thine arm? And why? like as the small
thing that the balance weigheth so is the world before thee: yee as
a drop of the morning dew, that falleth down upon the earth. Thou
hast mercy upon all, for thou hast power of all things: and makest
thee as though thou sawest not the sins of men, because they should
amend. For thou lovest all the things that are, and hatest none of
them whom thou hast made: neither didest thou ordain or make
anything, of evil will. How might any things endure, if it were not
thy will? Or how could anything be preserved, except it were called
of thee? But thou sparest all, for all are thine, O' Lord, thou
lover of souls.
*boisterous (boasting, uproarious)
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Chapter 12
O' Lord, how gracious and sweet
is thy spirit in all things? Therefore chasteneth thou them
measurably that go wrong, and warnest them concerning the things
wherein they offend: thou speakest unto them ( O' Lord ) and
exhortest them to leave their wickedness, and to put their trust in
thee. As for those old inhabitors of the holy land, thou mightest
not away with them, for they committed abominable works against
thee: as witchcrafts, sorcery and Idolatry: they slew their own
children without mercy: they ate up mens bowels, and devoured the
blood : yee because of such abominations, misbelieves and offerings,
thou showest the fathers of the desolate souls by the hands of our
fathers that the land which thou lovest above all other, might be a
dwelling for the children of God.
Nevertheless thou sparedest them also ( as men ) and sendest
the forerunners of thy host even hornets to destroy them out by
little and little. Not that thou wast unable to subdue the ungodly
unto righteousness in battle or with cruel beasts, or with one rough
word to destroy them together: But thy mind was to drive them out by
little and little giving them time and place to amend: knowing well,
that it was an unrighteous nation and wicked of nature and that
their thought might never be altered. For it was a cursed seed from
the beginning, and feared no man: Yet hast thou pardoned their sins.
For who will say unto thee: why hast thou done that? Or who will
stand against thy judgement? Or who will come before thy face an
avenger of unrighteous men? Or who will blame thee, if the people
perish, whom thou hast made? For their is none other God but thou,
that carest for all things: that thou mayest declare how that thy
judgement is not unright. There dare neither king, ner tyrant in thy
sight require accounts of them whom thou hast destroyed.
For so much then as thou art righteous thyself, thou orderest
all things righteously and punishest even him that hath not deserved
to be punished, and takest him for a stranger and an alien in the
land of thy power. For thy power is the beginning of righteousness:
and because thou art Lord of all things therefore art thou gracious
unto all. When men think thee not to be of a full strength, thou
declarest thy power: and boldly deliverest thou them over that know
thee not. But thou Lord of power judgest quietly, and orderest us
with great worship, for thou mayest do as thou wilt.
By such works now hast thou taught thy people, that a man
should be just and loving: and hast made thy children to be of a
good hope: for even when thou judgest, thou givest room to amend
from sins. For in so much as thou hast punished, and with such
diligence delivered the enemies of thy servants, which were worthy
to die ( where though thou gavest them time and place of amendment
that they might turn from their wickedness ) with how great
diligence then punishest thou thine own children, unto whose fathers
thou hast sworn and made covenants of good promises? So where as
thou dost but chasten us, thou punishest our enemies diverse ways to
the intent that when we punish we should remember thy goodness: and
when we ourselves are punished, to put our trust in thy mercy.
Wherefore where as men have lived ignorantly and unrighteously
thou hast punished them sore even through the same things that they
worshiped. For they went astray very long in the way of error, held
the beasts ( which even their enemies despised ) for gods living as
children of no understanding. Therefore hast thou sent a scornful
punishment among them, as among the children of ignorance. As for
such as would not be reformed by those scorns and rebukes, they felt
the worthy judgement of God. For the things that they suffered, they
bare them unpatiently, being not content in them but unwilling. And
when they perished by the same things that they took for gods, they
knowledged then, that there is but one true God, whom afore they
would not know: therefore came the end of their damnation upon them.
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Chapter 13
Vain are all men, which have not
the knowledge of God: as were they that out of the good things which
are seen, knew not him, that of himself is everlasting. Neither took
they so much regard of the works that are made, as to know, who was
the craftsman of them: but some took the fire, some the wind or air,
some the course of the stars, some the water, some took Sun and
Moon, or the lights of heaven which rule the earth, for gods. But
though they had such pleasure in their beauty, that they thought
them to have been gods: yet should they have known, how much more
fairer he is that made them. For the maker of beauty hath ordained
all these things. Or if they marveled at the power and works of
them, they should have percieved thereby, that he which made these
things are mightier than they.
For by the greatness and beauty of the creature, the maker
thereof may plainly be known. Not withstanding they are the less to
be blamed, that sought God, and would have found him, and yet
missed. And why? for so much as they went about his works and sought
after them, it is a token, that they regarded and held much of his
works that are seen. howbeit they are not wholly to be excused. For
if their knowledge and understanding was so great, that they could
discern the world and its creatures, why did they not rather find
out the Lord thereof?
But unhappy are they, and among the dead is their hope, that
call them Gods, which are but the works of mens hands: gold, silver,
and the thing that is found out by conning, the similitude of
beasts, or any vain stone that hath been made by hand of old. Or as
when a carpenter cutteth down a tree out of the wood, and pareth the
bark of it conningly: and so with the one part maketh a vessel to be
used, and *dighteth meat with the residue. As for the other part
that is left, which is profitable for nothing ( for it is a crooked
piece of wood and full of knobs, he carveth it diligently through
his vanity, and according to the knowledge of his conning ) he
giveth it some proportion, fashioneth it after the similitude of a
man, or maketh it like some beast, streak it over with red, and
painteth it, and look what foul spot is in it he casteth some color
upon it.
Then maketh he a convenient tabernacle for it, setteth it in
the wall, and maketh it fast with iron, providing so for it, least
it happen to fall: for it is well known, that it can not help
itself: And why? it is but an image, and must of necessity be
helped.
Then goeth he and offereth of his goods unto it, for his
children and his wife: he seeketh help at it, he asketh counsel at
it: he is not ashamed to speak unto it that hath no soul: for
health, he maketh his petition unto him that is sick: for life, he
prayeth unto him that is dead: he calleth upon him for help, that is
not able to help himself: and to send him a good journey, he prayeth
him that may not go. And in all the things that he taketh in hand (
whether it be to obtain anything or to work ) he prayeth unto him
that can do no manner of good.
*dighteth (boil)
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Chapter 14
Again, another man purposing to
sail, and beginning to take his journey through the raging sea,
calleth for help unto a stock that is far weaker, than the tree that
beareth him. For as for it, covetousness of money hath found it out,
and the craftsman made it with his conning. But thy providence, O'
Father, governeth all things from the beginning: for thou hast made
a way in the sea, and a sure path in the midst of the waves:
declaring thereby, that thou hast power to help in all things, ye
though a man went to sea without a ship. Nevertheless, the works of
thy wisdom should not be vain, thou hast caused an ark to be made:
and therefore do men commit their lives to a small piece of wood,
passing over the sea in a ship, and are saved.
For in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, he (
in whom the hope was left to increase the world ) went into the
ship, which was governed through thy hand, and so left seed behind
him unto the world. For happy is the tree where through
righteousness cometh: but cursed is the image of wood, that is made
with hands, yee both it and he that made it. He, because he made it:
and it because it was called God, where as it is but a frail thing.
For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both like abominable unto
God. Even so the work and he that made it also shall be punished
together. Therefore shall there a plague come upon the images of the
Heathen: for out of the creature of God they are become an
abomination, a temptation unto the souls of men, and a snare for the
feet of the unwise. And why the seeking out of images is the
beginning of whoredom, and the bringing up of them is the
destruction of life. For they were not from the beginning, neither
shall they continue forever. The wealthy idleness of men hath found
them out upon the earth, therefore shall they come shortly to an
end.
For a father mourned for his son that was taken away from him,
he made an image ( in all the hast ) of his dead son: and so began
to worship him as God, which was but a dead man, and *ordained his
servants to offer unto him. Thus by process of time and through long
custom, this error was kept as a law, and tyrants compelled men by
violence to honor images. As for those that were so far off, that
men might not worship them presently, their picture was brought from
far, like the image of a King whom they would honor, to the intent
that with great diligence they might worship him which was far off,
as though he had been present. Again, the singular conning of the
craftsman gave the ignorant also a great occasion to worship images.
For the workman willing to do him a pleasure that set him a work,
labored with all his conning to make the image of the best fashion.
And so ( through the beauty of the work ) the common people was
deceived, in so much that they took him now for a God, which alittle
afore was honored as a man. And this was the error of mans life,
when men ( either for to serve their own affection, or to do some
pleasure unto Kings ) ascribed unto stones and stocks the name of
God, which ought to be given unto no man.
Moreover, this was not enough for them that they erred in the
knowledge of God: but where as they lived in the great wars of
ignorance, those many and great plagues called they peace. For
either they slew their own children, and offered them, or did
sacrifice in the night season, or else held unreasonable watches: so
that they kept neither life ner marriage clean: but either one slew
another to death maliciously or else grieved his neighbor with *advoutry.
And thus were all things mixed together: blood manslaughter, theft,
dissimulation, corruption, unfaithfulness, sedition, perjury,
disquietness of good men, unthankfulness, defiling of souls,
changing of birth, unsteadfastness of marriage, misorder of *advoutry
and uncleanness. And why? the honoring of abominable images is the
cause, the beginning and end of all evil. For they worship Idols,
either they are mad when they be merry, or prophesy lies, or live
ungodly, or else lightly foreswear themselves. For in so much as
their trust is in the Idols ( which have neither souls ner
understanding ) though they swear falsely, yet they think it shall
not hurt them.
Therefore cometh a great plague upon them, and that worthily:
for they have an evil opinion of God, giving heed unto Idols,
swearing unjustly to deceive, and despising righteousness. For their
swearing is no virtue, but a plague of them that sin, and goeth ever
with the offense of the ungodly.
*ordened: ordained (ordered).
*advoutry: prefix "a" meaning not or without, devout: devotion;
plain hearted to God, being devoted to something or some one else.
see James 2 for adultery
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Chapter 15
But thou ( O'
our God ) art sweet, long suffering and true, and in mercy orderest
thou all things. Though we sin, yet we are thine, for we know thy
strength. If we sin not, then are we sure, that thou regard us. For
to know thee, is perfect righteousness: Yee to know thy
righteousness and power, is the root of immortality. As for the
thing that men have found out through their evil science, it hath
not deceived us: as the painting of a picture ( an unprofitable
labor ) an carved image, with diverse colors, whose sight enticeth
the ignorant: so that he honoreth and loveth the picture of the dead
image that hath no soul.
Nevertheless, they that love such evil things, are worthy of
death: they that trust in them, they that make them, they that love
them, and they that honor them. The potter also taketh and tempereth
soft earth, laboreth it, and giveth it the fashion of a vessel,
whatsoever serveth for our use: and so of one piece of clay he
maketh some clean vessel for service, and some contrary. But where
to every vessel serveth, that knoweth not the potter himself. So
with his vain labor he maketh a God of the same clay: this doth even
he, which a little afore was made of earth himself, and within a
little while after ( when he dieth ) turneth to earth again.
Notwithstanding, he careth not the more because he shall
labor, ner because his life is short: but striveth to excel
goldsmiths, the silversmiths and coppersmiths, and taketh it for an
honor to make vain things. For his heart is ashes, his hope is but
vain earth, and his life is more vile than clay: for so much as he
knoweth not his own maker, that gave him his soul to work, and
breath in him the breath of life. They count our life but a pastime
and our conversation to be but a market, and that men should ever be
getting, and that by evil means. Now he that of earth maketh frail
vessels and images, knoweth himself to offend above all other.
All the enemies of thy people and that hold them in
subjection, are unwise, unhappy, and exceedingly proud unto their
own souls: for they judge all the Idols of the Heathen to be gods,
which neither have eye sight to see, ner noses to smell, ner ears to
hear, nor fingers of hands for to grope: and as for their feet, they
are too slow to go. For man made them, and he that hath but a
borrowed spirit, fashioned them. But no man can make a God like unto
him: for seeing he is but mortal himself, it is but mortal that he
maketh with ungodly hands. He himself is better then they whom he
worshipeth, for he lived though he was mortal, but so did never
they. Yee they worship beasts also, which are most miserable: for
compare things that cannot feel unto them, and they are worse then
those. Yet is there not one of these beasts, that with his sight can
behold any good thing, neither have they given praise ner thanks
unto God.
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Chapter 16
For these and such other things
have they suffered worthy punishment, and through the multitude of
beasts are they rooted out. Instead of the which punishments thou
hast graciously ordered on thy own people, and given them their
desire that they longed for: a new and strange taste, preparing them
quails to be their meat: to the intent that ( by the things which
were showed and sent unto them ) they that were so greedy of meat,
might be withdrawn even from the desire that was necessary. But
these within a short time were brought unto poverty, and tasted a
new meat. For it was *requisite that ( without any excuse )
destruction should come upon those which used tyranny, and to show
only unto the other, how their enemies were destroyed. For the cruel
woodiness of the beasts came upon them, they perished through the
stings of the cruel serpents.
Not with standing thy wrath endured not perpetually, but they
were put in fear for a little season, that they might be reformed,
having a token of salvation, to remember the commandment of thy law.
For he that converted, was not healed by the thing that he saw, but
by thee, O' Savior of all. So in this thou showest thine enemies,
that it is thou, which deliverest from all evil. As for then when
they were bitten with grasshoppers and flys, they died, for they
were worthy to perish by such: But neither the teeth of the dragons
ner the venomous worms over came thy children, for thy mercy was
ever by them and helped them. Therefore were they punished to
remember thy words, but hastily were they healed again: lest they
should fall into so deep forgetfulness, that they might not use thy
help.
It was neither herb ner plaster that restored them to health,
but thy word ( O' Lord ) which healeth all things. It is thou ( O'
Lord ) that hast the power of life and death: thou leadest unto
deaths door, and bringest up again. But man through wickedness
slayeth his own soul, and when his spirit goeth forth, it turneth
not again, neither may he call again the soul that is taken away: It
is not possible to escape thy hand. For the ungodly that wouldnt
know thee, were punished by the strength of thine arm: with strange
waters, hails and rains were they persecute, and through fire were
they consumed. For it was a wondrous thing that fire might do more
then water which quencheth all things: but the world is the avenger
of the righteous. Some time was the fire so tame, that the beasts
which were sent to punish the ungodly, burnt not: and that because
they should see and know, that they were persecuted with the
punishment of God. And some time burnt the fire in the water on
every side, that it might destroy the unrighteous nation of the
earth. Again, thou hast fed thy own people with Angels food, and
sent them bread ready from heaven ( without their labor ) being very
pleasant and well *gusted. And to show thy riches and sweetness unto
thy children, thou gavest every one their desire, so that every man
might take what liked him best. But the snow and ice abode the
violence of thy fire, and melted not: that they might know, that the
fire burning in the hail and rain, destroyed the fruit of the
enemies: the fire also forgot his strength again, that the righteous
might be nourished. For the creature that serveth thee ( which art
the maker ) is fierce in punishing the unrighteous, but is easy and
gentle to do good, unto such as put their trust in thee. Therefore
did all things alter at the same time, and were all obedient unto
thy grace, which is the nurse of all things, according to the desire
of them that had need thereof: that thy children, O' Lord, whom thou
lovest, might know, that it is not nature and the growing of fruits
that feedeth men, but that it is thy word, which preserveth them
that put their trust in thee. For look what might not be destroyed
with the fire, as soon as it was warmed with alittle Sun beam, it
melted: that all men might know, that thanks ought to be given unto
thee before the *Sun rise, and that thou oughtest to be worshiped
before the day spring. For the hope of the unthankful shall melt
away as the winter ice, and perish as water, that is not necessary.
*requisite; (required, essential) *gusted (strong wind, out burst of
emotion) *Sun (cap S)
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Chapter 17
Great are thy judgments ( O'
Lord ) and thy counsels cannot be expressed therefore do men error,
that will not be reformed with thy wisdom. For when the unrighteous
thought to have thy holy people in subjection, they were bound with
bands of darkness and long night, shut under the roof, thinking to
escape the everlasting wisdom. And while they thought to be hid in
the darkness of their sins, they were scattered abroad in the very
midst of the dark covering of forgetfulness, put to horrible fear
and wondrously vexed for the corner where they might not keep them
from fear: because the sound came down and vexed them: yee many
terrible and strange visions made them afraid.
No power of the fire might give them light, neither might the
clear flames of the stars lighten the horrible night. For there
appeared unto them a sudden fire, very dreadful: At the which ( when
they saw nothing ) they were so afraid, that they thought the thing
which they saw, to be more fearful. As for sorcery and enchantment
that they used, it came to *derision, and the proud wisdom was
brought to shame. For they that promised to drive away the
fearfulness and dread from the weak souls, were sick for fear
themselves, and that with scorn. And though none of the wonders
feared them, yet were they afraid at the beasts which came upon
them, and at the Hissing of the serpents. In so much that with
trembling they swooned, and said they saw not the air, which no man
yet may escape.
For it is a heavy thing, when a mans own conscience beareth
record of his wickedness and condemneth him. And why? a vexed and
wounded conscience, taketh ever cruel things in hand, fearfulness is
nothing else, but declaring that a man seeketh help and defense, to
answer for himself. And look how much less hope is within, the more
the uncertainty of the matter for the which he is punished. But they
that came in the mighty night: slept the sleep that fell upon them
from under and from above: sometime were they afraid through the
fear of the wonders, and sometime they were so weak that they
swooned withal: for an hasty and sudden fearfulness came upon them.
Afterward, if any of them had fallen, he was kept and shut in prison
but with out chains. But if any dwelt in a village, if he had been
an *herd or husbandman he suffered intolerable necessity: for they
were all bound with one chain of darkness.
Whether it were a blasting wind, or a sweet song of the birds
among the thick branches of the trees, or the vehemence of hasty
running water, or the great noise of the falling down of stones, or
the playing and running of beasts whom they saw not, or the mighty
noise of roaring beasts, or the sound that answereth again in the
high mountains: it made them swoon for very fear. For all the earth
shined with clear light, and no man was hindered in his labor. Only
upon them fell a heavy night, an image of darkness that was to come
upon them. Yee they were unto themselves the most heavy and horrible
darkness.
*derision (contemptuous ridicule). *herd (hired)
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Chapter 18
Nevertheless thy saints had a
very great light ( and their enemies heard their voice, but they saw
not the figure of them ) And because they suffered not the same
things, they magnified thee: and they that were vexed afore (
because they were not hurt now ) thanked thee, and besought thee (
O' God ) that there might be a difference. Therefore had they a
burning pilar of fire to lead them in the unknown ways and thou
gavest them the Sun for a free gift without any hurt. Reason was,
that they should want light and be put in prison of darkness, which
kept thy children in captivity, by whom the uncorrupt light of the
law of the world was for to be given. When they thought to slay the
babes of the righteous ( one being layed out, and preserved to be
led unto the other ) thou broughtest out the whole multitude of the
children, and destroyest these in the mighty water. Of that night
were our fathers certified afore, that they knowing unto what oaths
they had given credence, might be of good cheer. Thus thy people
received the health of the righteous, but the ungodly were
destroyed. For like as thou hast hurt our enemies, so hast thou
promised us whom thou callest afore. For the righteous children of
the good men offered secretly and ordered the law of righteousness
unto unite: that the just should receive good and evil in like
manner, singing praises unto the father of all men. Again there was
heard an unconvenient voice of the enemies, and a piteous cry for
children that were bewailed. The master and the servant were
punished in like manner. For they all together had innumerable that
died one death. Neither were the living sufficient to bury the dead,
for in the twinkling of an eye, the noblest nation of them was
destroyed. As often as God helped them before, yet would it not make
them believe: but in the destruction of the first born they
knowledged, that it was the people of God. For while all things were
still, and when the night was in the midst of her course, thy
Allmighty word ( O' Lord ) leaped down from heaven out of thy royal
throne, as a rough man of war, in the midst of the land that was
destroyed: and the sharp sword performed their straight commandment,
standing and filling all things with death: yee it stood upon the
earth and reached unto heaven. Then the sight of the evil dreams
vexed them suddenly, and fearfulness came upon them unawares.
Then lay there one here, another there, half dead and half
quick, and showed the cause of his death. For the visions that vexed
them, showed them these things afore: so they were not ignorant,
wherefore they perished.
The *tentacion of death touched the righteous also, and among
the multitude in the wilderness there was insurrection, but thy
wrath endured not long. For the faultless man went in all the haste,
and took the battle upon him, brought forth the weapon of his
ministration: even prayer and censors of reconciling: set himself
against the wrath, and so brought the misery to an end: declaring
thereby, that he was thy servant. For he overcame not the multitude
with bodily power, ner with weapons of might: but with the word he
subdued him that vexed him, putting thee in remembrance of the oath
and covenant made unto the fathers. For when the dead were fallen
down by heaps one upon another, he stood in the midst, pacified the
wrath, and parted the way unto the living. And why? in his long
garment was all the beauty, and in the four rows of the stones was
the glory of the fathers graven, and thy majesty was written in the
crown of his head. Unto these the destroyer gave place, and was
afraid of them: for it was only a *tentacion worthy of wrath.
*tentacion (temptation / attention)
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Chapter 19
As for the ungodly, the wrath
came upon them without mercy unto the end. For he knew before what
should happen unto them: how that ( when they had consented to let
them go, and had sent them out with great diligence ) they would not
repent, and follow upon them. For when they were yet mourning and
making lamentation by the graves of the dead, they devised another
foolishness: so that they persecuted them in their fleeing, whom
they had cast out afore with prayer. Worthy necessity also brought
them unto this end, for they had clean forgotten the things that
happened unto them afore. But the thing that was wanting of their
punishment, was requisite so to be fulfilled upon them with
torments: that thy people might have a marvelous passage through,
and that these might find a strange death.
Then was every creature fashioned again of new according to
the will of their maker, obeying thy commandments that thy children
might be kept without hurt, for the cloud overshadowed their tents,
and the day earth appeared, where afore was water: so that in the
reed sea there was a way without impediment, and the great deep
became a green field: where through all the people went that were
defended with thy hand, seeing thy wondrous and marvelous works. For
as the horses, so were they fed, and leapt like lambs, praising thee
( O' Lord ) which haddest delivered them. And why? they were yet
mindful of the things, that happened while they dwelt in the land:
how the ground brought forth flies instead of cattle, and how the
river crawled with a multitude of frogs instead of fishes.
But at the last they saw a new generation of birds, what time
as they were deceived with lust, and desire for delicate meats. For
when they were speaking of their appetite, the quails came up unto
them from the sea, and punishments came upon the sinners not without
tokens which came to pass afore by the vehemence of the streams: for
they suffered worthily according to their wickedness, they dealt so
abominably and *churlishly with strangers. Some received no unknown
guests, some brought the strangers into bondage that did them good.
Beside all these things there were some, that not only received no
strangers with their wills, but persecuted those also, and did them
much evil, that received them gladly. Therefore were they punished
with blindness, like as they that were covered with sudden darkness
at the doors of the righteous so that every one sought the entrance
of his door. Thus the elements turned into themselves, like as when
one time is changed upon an instrument of music, and yet all the
residue kept their melody: which may easily be perceived, by the
sight of the things that are come to pass. The dry land was turned
into watery, and the thing that afore swam in the water, went now
upon the dry ground. The fire hath power in the water ( contrary to
his own virtue ) and the water forgot his own kind to quench. Again,
the flames of the noisome beasts hurt not the flesh of them that
went with them, neither melted they the ice, which else melted
lightly. In all things hast thou promoted the people ( O' Lord ) and
brought them to honor: thou hast not despised them, but alway and in
all places hast thou stand by them.
*churlishly (rude, boorish, miserly)
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Chapters 1-10 |
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