[1]Therfore by such things are they worthyly punished, & thorowe the multitude of beastes are they rooted out.
[2]In steede of the whiche punishmentes thou hast graciously ordred thine owne people, preparing for the desire of their appetite a straunge taste, euen quayles to be their meate:
[3]To the intent that by the thinges whiche were shewed & sent vnto them, they that were so greedie of meate, might begin to lothe euen their necessarie appetite, and they which had suffred penurie for a short space, might be partakers of the newe taste.
[4]For it was requisite that without any excuse pouertie should come vpon those whiche vsed tirannie, and to shewe onlye vnto the other howe their enemies were destroyed.
[5]For when the cruell woodnesse of the beastes came vpon them, and they perished thorowe the stinges of the cruell serpentes, [Notwithstanding] thy wrath endured not perpetually.
[6]But they were put in feare for a litle season, that they might be refourmed, hauing a token of saluation to remember the commaundement of thy lawe.
[7]For he that looked backe [to it] was not healed by the thing that he sawe, but by thee O sauiour of all.
[8]So in this thou shewedst our enemies, that it is thou whiche deliuerest from all euyll.
[9]For then when they were bitten with grashoppers and flyes, they dyed, neither was there any remedie founde for their life, for they were worthy to be punished by suche.
[10]But not the very teeth of venemous dragons dyd ouercome thy chyldren: for thy mercy was euer by them, and healed them.
[11]For they were pricked because they should remember thy wordes, but speedyly were they healed agayne, lest they shoulde fall into so deepe forgetfulnesse, that they might not be called backe by thy benefite.
[12]For it was neither hearbe nor plaster that restored them to health: but thy word O Lord, which healeth al things.
[13]It is thou O Lord that hast the power of life and death, thou leadest vnto deathes doore, and bringest vp againe.
[14]A man in deede thorowe his wickednesse may slay [another] but when his spirite is gone foorth, it turneth not agayne, neither may he call agayne the soule that is taken away.
[15]But it is not possible to escape thy hande.
[16]For the vngodly that woulde not knowe thee, were punished by the strength of thyne arme: with straunge raynes, hayles, and showres were they persecuted that they coulde not auoyde, and thorowe fire were they consumed.
[17]For it was a wonderous thing that fire might do more then water whiche quencheth all thinges: but the worlde is the auenger of the righteous.
[18]For sometimes was the fyre so tame, that the beastes whiche were sent to punish the vngodly, brent not, and that because they should see and knowe that they were persecuted with the punishment of God.
[19]And sometyme brent the fire in the middest of the water, that it might destroy the fruites of the vniust lande.
[20]In steede wherof, thou hast fed thine owne people with angels foode, and sent them bread redye from heauen without their labour, being very pleasaunt and of good taste.
[21]For this thy substaunce vnto thy chyldren declared thy sweetenes, and seruing to his appetite that toke it, tempered it selfe according to his desire.
[22]But the snowe and yse abode the violence of the fire and melted not, that they might know that the fire burning in the hayle, & sparkeling in the rayne, destroyed the fruite of the enemies.
[23]The fire also forgat his owne strength agayne, that the righteous might be nourished.
[24]For the creature that serueth thee whiche art the maker, is fierce in punishing the vnrighteous, but is easie [and gentle] to do good, vnto such as put their trust in thee.
[25]Therefore dyd it alter at the same tyme into all fashions, and was obedient vnto thy grace, whiche is the nurse of all thinges, according to the desire of them that had neede thereof:
[26]That thy chyldren O Lorde whom thou louest, might knowe that it is not the growing of fruites that feedeth men, but that it is thy word which preserueth them that put their trust in thee.
[27]For looke what myght not be destroyed at all with the fire, assoone as it was warmed with a litle sunne beame, it melted:
[28]That all men might knowe, that thankes ought to be geuen vnto thee before the sunne ryse, and that thou oughtest to be worshipped before the day spring.
[29]For the hope of the vnthankfull shall melt away as the winter yse, and flowe away as vnprofitable water.
|