And measures and matters of The Truth of the "time" we are in ...how "man" ..."thought to change time and times ... three rings of pride...
Dearly beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, how that one day is with the Lord, as a thousand year, and a thousand year as one day. The Lord is not slack to fulfil his promise, as some men count slackness: but is patient to us ward, and would have no man lost, but would receive all men to repentance. creteis@yahoo.com Behold in a nightmare of the dark season ...of the times and time ..of the season of man ...see son of man ...
and i was taken and shown a man ...
and in an instant ...was shown all the things that the man had done ...
even namely ...all things of the world ...that the worldly ...thought to be worthy ...
and the people all recognized him ...according to all the things that he had done ...
and again ...only the things that they thought were important ...or worth while ...
and wheresoever he went ...was he honored ...by the people ...according to those things ...of the world ...
and whatsoever the world thought ...was not important ...of those things ..they honored him not ...
and and the people came and put three rings on the mans fingers ...
even one ring ...for an honorable thing that he had done ...
even according to all the things of the world ...that men honor ...
even that they held in high degree ...one ring for each ...thing accomplished ...
and more ...for they would pet the man ...like their favorite dog ...
and stroked him with praises ...in and of the world ...
and groomed him the more ...to inflate his ego ...(to make him proud) ...
nevertheless i was not shown whethersoever the man went to destruction ...from the pride or not ...
for of truth pride does come before destruction ...
even as it is written ....
first ...
THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN Chpt 2
See that ye love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world (as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of goods) is not of the father, but of the world. And the world vanisheth away and the lust there of: but he that fulfilleth the will of God, abideth ever.
My son, keep thee well from all whoredom, and ( beside thy wife ) see that no fault be known of thee. Let never pride have rule in thy mind ner in thy word, for in pride began all destruction.
And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then will I punish you seven times more for your sins, and will break the pride of your strength. For I will make the heaven over you as hard as iron, and your land as hard as brass. And so your labor shall be spent in vain. For your land shall not give her increase, neither the trees of the land shall give their fruits.
Then spake David to the men that stood by and said: What shall be done to the man that beateth this Philistine and taketh away the shame from Israel? for what is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should revile the host of the living God? And the people answered as it is rehearsed saying: so shall it be done to the man that beateth him. And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the man and was angry with David and said: Why camest thou away, and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and the malice of thine heart, that thou art come to see the battle. And David answered, what have I now done? is there any more save a word? And departed from by him into another front, and spake of the same manner, and the people answered him again, as before.
Lo, all this have I seen with mine eye, heard with my ear, and understand it. Look what ye know, that same do I know also, neither am I inferior unto you. Nevertheless I am purposed to talk with the almighty, and my desire is to commune with God. As for you, ye are workmasters of lies, and unprofitable Physicians all together. Would God ye keep your tongue, that ye might be taken as wise men. Therefore hear my words, and ponder the sentence of my lips. Will ye make an answer for God with lies, and maintain him with deceit? Will ye except the person of God, and entreat for him? Shall that help you, when he calleth you to reckoning. Think ye to beguile him, as a man is beguiled? He shall punish you, and reprove you, if you do secretly except any person. Shall he not make you afraid, when he showeth himself? Shall not his terrible face fall upon you? your remembrance shall be like unto dust, and your pride shall be turned into clay. Hold your tongues now, and let me speak, for their is something come into my mind. Wherefore do I bare my flesh in my teeth, and my soul in my hands? Lo, there is neither comfort nor hope for me, if he will slay me. But if I show and reprove mine own ways in his sight, he is even the same that maketh me whole: And why? There may no hypocrite come before him. Hear my words, and ponder my sayings with your ears. Behold, now have I prepared my judgement, and know that I will be found righteous. What is he that will go to the law with me? For if I hold my tongue, I shall die. Nevertheless grant me two things, and then will I not hide myself from thee.
Should God be reproved of man? Why dost thou strive against him? because he giveth thee no *accomptes of all his doings? For when God doth once command a thing there should no man be curious, to search whether it be right. In dreams and visions of the night season When slumbering cometh upon men, that they fall asleep in their beds ) he roundeth them in the ears, he informeth them, and showeth them plainly, that it is he, which withdraweth man from evil, delivereth him from pride, keepeth his soul from destruction, and his life from the sword. He chasteneth him with sickness, and bringeth him to his bed: he layeth sore punishment upon his bones, so that his life may away with no bread, and his soul abhorreth to eat any dainty meat. In so much that his body is clean consumed away, and his bones appear no more. His soul draweth onto destruction, and his life to death. Now if there be a messenger ( one among a thousand ) sent for to speak unto man, and to show him the right way: then the Lord is merciful unto him, and sayeth: He shall be delivered, that he fall not down to destruction, for I am sufficiently reconciled. Then his flesh ( which hath been in misery and trouble ) shall be as it was in his youth. For if he submit himself unto God, he is gracious, and showeth him his countenance joyfully, and rewardeth man for his righteousness. Such a respect hath he unto men. Therefore let a man confess ( and say ) I offended, but he hath chastened and reformed me: I did unrighteously nevertheless he hath not recompensed me thereafter. Yee he hath delivered my soul from destruction, and my life, that it seeth the light. Lo, thus worketh God always with man, that he keepeth his soul from perishing, and letteth him enjoy the light of living. Mark well ( O' Job ) and hear me: hold thee still until I have spoken. But if thou hast anything to say, then answer me, and speak. for thy answer pleaseth me. If thou hast nothing, then hear me, and hold thy tongue, so shall I teach thee wisdom.
*accomptes (acceptable accounts) *accomptes; appears to be an original compound word which was later divided into two words: acceptable / accounts /accomplishments.
Who is able to stand before me? Or, who has given me anything before hand, that I am bound to reward him again? All things under heaven are mine. I fear him not, whether he threaten or speak fair. Who lifts him up, and strips him out of his clothes, or who takes him by the bit of his bridle? Who opens the doors of his face? for he has terrible teeth round about, His body is covered with scales as if it were with shields, locked in, kept, and well compact together. One is so joined to another, that no air can come in: Yes one hangs upon another, that they cannot be sundered. His *nesings are like a glittering fire, and his eyes like the morning shine. Out of his mouth go torches and fire brands, out of his nostrils there goes smoke, like as out of an hot seesing pot. His breath makes the coals burn, the flame goes out of his mouth. In his neck remains strength, and before his face sorrow is turned to gladness. The members of his body are joined so strait one to another, that he can not be moved.
His heart is as hard as stone, and as fast as the *stithie that the hammer man smites upon. When he goes: the mightiest of all are afraid, and the waves heave. If he draw out the sword, there may neither spear, nor breast plate, abide him. He sits as much by a straw as by iron, and as much by a rotten stock as by metal. He starts not away for him that bends the bow: and as for flying stones, he cares as much for stubble as for them. He counts the hammer no better than a straw, he laughs them to scorn that shakes the spear. He treads the gold in the mire like the sharp potsherds. He makes the deep to seese and boil like a pot, and stirs the sea together like an ointment. The way is light after him, the deep is his walking place. Upon earth there is no power like unto his, for he is so made that he fears not. If a man will consider all high things, this same is a king over all the children of pride.*nesings: (eye sockets) *stithie (steel anvil)
O' let not the foot of pride overtake me, O' let not the hand of the ungodly cast me down.
God showeth me his goodness plentiously, God letteth me see my desire upon mine enemies. Slay them not, lest my people forget it: but scatter them abroad by thy power, and put them down, O' Lord my defense. For the sin of their mouth, for the words of their lips, and because of their pride, let them be taken: and why? their preaching is of cursing and lies. Consume them in thy wrath, consume them that they may perish, and know that it is God, which ruleth in Jacob and in all the world. Selah.
They come in no misfortune like other folk, neither are they plagued like other men. And this is the cause that they be so puffed up in pride, and overwhelmed with cruelty and unrighteousness. Their eyes swell for fatness, they do even what they list.
Thou rulest the pride of the sea, thou fillest the waves thereof, when they arise.
Thou breakest the proud, like one that is wounded, thou scatterest thine enemies abroad with thy mighty arm.
I wisdom have my dwelling with knowledge, and prudent counsel is my own. With me is the fear of the Lord, and the eschewing of evil. As for pride, disdain, and evil way, and a mouth that speaketh wicked things, I utterly abhor them. I can give counsel, and be a guide: I have understanding, I have strength. Through me, Kings reign: through me, princes make just laws. Through me, Lords bear rule, and all judges of the earth execute judgement. I am loving unto those that love me, and they that seek me early, shall find me. Riches and honor are with me, yee excellent goods and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, and precious stone, and mine increase more worth than silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, and in the street of judgment.
Where pride is, there is shame also and confusion: but where as is lowliness, there is wisdom.
After pride cometh destruction, and honor after lowliness.
And therefore get thee soon in to some rock, and hide thee in the ground from the sight of the fearful judge, and from the glory of his Majesty: Which casteth down the high looks of presumptuous persons, and bringeth low the pride of man, and he only shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the Lord of Hosts shall go over all pride and presumption, upon all them that exalt themselves, and shall bring them all down: upon all high stout Cedar trees of Libanus, and upon all the oaks of Basan, upon all high hills, and upon all stout mountains, upon all costly towers, and upon all strong walls, upon all ships of the sea, and upon everything that is glorious and pleasant to look upon.
And it shall bring down the pride of man, and lay mans presumptuousness full low, and the Lord shall only have the victory in that day. But the Idols shall utterly be rooted out. Men shall creep into holes of stone, and into caves of the earth, from the sight of the fearful judge, and from the glory of his majesty: what time as he shall make him up to shake the earth. *Then, then, shall cast away his gods of silver and gold, ( which he nevertheless had made to honor them ) unto Moles and *Backs; that he may better creep into the caves and rocks, and into the clefts of hard stones, from the sight of the fearful judge and for the glory of his Majesty.*preace (proclaim) *calkers of mens births,( astrologers) *Then, then (2) *Backs; (bats?)
Woe unto them that rise up early to use themselves in drunkenness, and yet at night are more superfluous with wine. In those companies are harps and lutes, tabrets and pipes, and wine. But they regard not the work of the Lord, and consider not the operation of his hands. Therefore cometh my folk also in captivity, because they have no understanding. Their glory shall be mixed with hunger, and their pride shall be marred for thirst. Therefore gapeth hell, and openeth her mouth marvelous wide: that pride boasting and wisdom, with such as rejoice therin, may descend into it.
Thus shall man have a fall, he shall be brought low, and the high looks of the proud layed down. But the Lord of Hosts, that holy God: shall be exalted and untouched, when he shall declare his equity and righteousness after this manner: Then shall the lambs eat their appointed fodder, and shall feed plentiously in the mountains. Woe be unto vain persons, that draw wickedness unto them, as it were with a cord: and sin, as it were with a cart rope. Which use to speak on this manner: Let him make hast now, and go forth with his work, that we may see it. Let that counsel of the holy one of Israel come, and draw nye, that we may know it.
The Lord sent a word in to Jacob, the same is come in to Israel. And the people also of Ephraim, and they that dwell in Samaria, can say with pride and high stomachs, on this manner: The tile work is fallen down, but we will build it with harder stones. The Mulberry timber is broken, but we shall set it up again with Cedar. Nevertheless, the Lord shall prepare Razin the enemy against them, and so order their adversaries, that the Sirians shall lay hold upon them before, and the Philistines behind, and so devour Israel with open mouth.
Wherefore the Lord sayeth: As soon as I have performed my whole work upon the hill of Sion and Jerusalem, then will I also visit the noble and stout king of Assiria, with his wisdom and pride. For he standeth thus in his own conceit: This do I through the power of my own hand, and through my wisdom: For I am wise, I am he that remove the lands of the people, I rob their princes: and ( like one of the worthies) I drive them from their high seats. My hand hath found out the Hosts of the people, as it were a nest. And like as eggs, that were layed here and there, are gathered together: So do I gather all countries. And there is no man, that dare open his mouth, or once whisper.
Yee, even the fir trees and the Cedars of Libanus rejoice at your fall, saying: Now that thou art laid down, there come no more up to destroy us. Hell also trembleth at thy coming, all mighty men and Princes of the earth, step forth be fore thee. All Kings of the earth, stand up from their seats, that they may all ( one after another ) sing and speak unto thee. Art thou wounded also as we? art thou become like unto us? Thy pomp and thy pride is gone down to hell: Moths shall be layed under thee, and worms *shall be thy covering.
Then sent the Lords of the land a man of war, from the rock that lieth toward the desert, unto the hill of the daughter of Zion. ( For as for the daughters of Moab, they were as it had been a trembling bird, that is put out of her nest, by the fury of Arnon. ) which messenger said : gather your counsel, come together, cover us with your shadow in the midday, as the night doth: hide the chased, and *bewray not them that are fled, let the persecuted Moabites dwell among you, be our open refuge against the destroyer: for the adversary oppresseth us, the robber undoeth us, and the tyrant driveth us out of our land. But the throne of your kingdom is full of grace, therefore he that sitteth upon it with faithfulness and truth in the house of David, know the thing, and do his diligence to help shortly, according to equity and righteousness. As for the Moabs pride ( shall they answer ) it is well known. And all thought they be excellent proud, arrogant and high minded: yet is their strength nothing like. And therefore Moab complaineth to Moab, where through they come all to mourn: and now that they be smitten, they take their devise beneath by the brick wall, and make their complaint.
Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunken *Ephraimites, and to the fading flower, to the glory of his pomp, that is upon the top of the plentious valley: which men be overladen with wine. Behold, the strength and power of the Lord shall break into the land on every side, like a tempest of hail, that beareth down strongholds, and like an horrible, mighty and overflowing water. And the proud crown of the drunken Ephraimites, shall be trodden under foot. And as the fading flower, which is upon the top of the plentious valley: it shall happen unto him, as to an untimely fruit before the harvest come. Which as soon as it is seen, is by and by devoured, or ever it come well in a mans hand.
Your beasts have born burdens upon their backs toward the South, through the way that is full of peril and trouble, because of the lion and lions, of the Cockatrice and shutting dragon. Yee the Mules bear your substance, and the Camels brought your treasure upon their crooked backs, unto a people that can not help you. For the Egyptians help shall be but vain and lost. Therefore I told you also that your pride should have an end. Wherefore go hence and write them this in their tables, a note in a book: that it may remain by their posterity, and be still kept. For it is an obstinate people, unfaithful children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord.
I know thy ways, thy going forth and thy coming home, yee and thy madness against me. Therefore thy furriousness against me, and thy pride is come before me. I will put a ring in thy nose, and a bridle bit in the jaws of thee, and turn thee about, even the same way thou camest. I will give thee also this token, ( O Hezekiah ) this year shalt thou shall eat that is kept in store, and the next year such as groweth of himself, and in the third year ye shall sow and reap, yee ye shall plant vineyards, and enjoy the fruits thereof.
O ye shrinking children, turn again ( saying: lo, we are thine, for thou art the Lord our God:) And so I will heal your backturnings. The hills fall, and all the high pride of the mountains, but the health of Israel standeth only upon God our Lord.
Seeing thou art weary in running with the footmen, how wilt thou then run with the horses? In a peaceable sure land thou mayest be safe, but how wilt thou do in the furious pride of Jordane? For thy brethren and thy kindred have all together despised thee, and cried out upon thee in thy absence. Believe them not, though they speak fair words to thee. As for me ( say I ) I have forsaken mine own dwelling place, and left mine heritage. My life also that I love so well, have I given into the hands of mine enemies. Mine heritage is become unto me, as a Lion in the wood. It cried out upon me, therefore have I forsaken it. Mine heritage is unto me, as a speckled bird, a bird of diverse colors is upon it. Go hence, and gather all the beasts of the field together, that they may eat it up.
Then said the Lord unto me: Thus saith the Lord: Even so will I corrupt the pride of Judah, and the high mind of Jerusalem. This people is a wicked people, they will not hear my word, they follow the wicked imaginations of their own heart, and hang upon strange Gods, them have they served and worshiped: and therefore they shall be as this breech, that serveth for nothing. For as straightly as a breech lieth upon a mans loins, so straightly did I bind the whole house of Israel, and the whole house of Juda unto me, sayeth the Lord: that they might be my people: that they might have a gorgeous name: that they might be in honor: but they would not obey me. Therefore lay this riddle before them, and say: Thus saith the Lord God of Israel: Every pot shall be filled with wine. And they shall say: thinkest thou we know not, that every pot shall be filled with wine? Then shalt thou say unto them: Thus saith the Lord: Behold, I shall fill all the inhabitors of this land with drunkenness, the Kings that sit upon Davids stool, the Priests and Prophets, with all that dwell at Jerusalem. And I will *shute them one against another, yee the fathers against the sons, sayeth the Lord.
As for Moabs pride, we have heard of it, she is very high minded. I know her stoutness, her boasting, her arrogance and the pride of her stomach, sayeth the Lord. For her furriousness may neither uphold her with strength ner deed. Therefore shall their mourning be made for Moab, and every man shall cry for Moabs sake: a lamentation shall be made to the men that stand upon the wall. So will I mourn for thee also O Jazer, and for thee, O thou vineyard of Sabamah.
Thy high stomach and pride of thy heart have deceived thee, Because thou wilt dwell in the holes of stony rocks, and have the high mountains in possession. Nevertheless though thy nest were as high as the *Aegles, yet will I cast thee down, saith the Lord. Moreover Idumea shall be a wilderness: who so goeth by it, shall be abashed, and wonder at all her miserable plagues. Like as Sodom, Gomor, and the cities that lay there about, were turned up side down ( saith the Lord ) so shall no body dwell in Idumea, and no man shall have his habitation there. Behold, like as the Lion cometh up from the pleasant meadows of Jordan unto the green pastures of Etham, so will i drive him, and make him turn against her. But who is the young man that I will ordain thereto? Who is like unto me? What is he that will strive with me? What shepherd may stand in my hands?
They shall not satisfy their hungry souls, neither fill their empty bellies therewith: For it has become their own decay through their wickedness: because they made thereof not only costly Jewels for their pomp and pride, but also abominable images and Idols. For this cause will I make them to be abhorred. Moreover, I will give it into the hands of strangers to be spoiled: and to the wicked for to be robbed, and they shall destroy it. My face will I turn from them, my treasury shall be defiled: for the thieves shall go into it, and suspend it. I will make clean riddance, for the land is whole defiled with unrighteous judgement of innocent blood, and the city is full of abominations. Wherefore, I will bring the most cruel tyrants from among the Heathen, to take their houses in possession. I will make the pomp of the proud to cease, and they shall be taken in their Sanctuary. When this trouble cometh, they shall seek peace, but they shall have none. One mischief and sorrow shall follow another, and one rumor shall come after another: Then shall they seek visions in vain at their Prophets. The law shall be gone from the priests, and wisdom from the elders. The King shall mourn, the Princes shall be clothed in heaviness, and the hands of the people in the land shall tremble with fear. I will do unto them after their own ways, and according to their own judgements will I judge them: to learn them for to know, that I am the Lord.
But thy youngest sister that dwelleth on thy right hand, is Sodoma and her daughters. Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but in all thy ways thou hast been more corrupt than they. As truly as I live, saith the Lord God, Sodoma thy sister with her daughters hath not done so evil, as thou and thy daughters. Behold, the sins of thy sister Sodoma, were these: Pride, fullness of meat, and abundance and Idleness: these things had she and in her daughters. Besides that they reached not their hand to the poor and needy, but were proud and did abominable things before me: therefore I took them away, when I seen it. Neither hath Samaria done half of thy sins, yee thou hast exceeded them in wickedness: In so much that in comparison of all the abominations which thou hast done, thou has made thy sisters good women.
As for their captivity, namely the captivity of Sodoma and her daughters: the captivity of Samaria and her daughters: I will bring them again, so will I also bring again thy captive among them: that thou mayest take thine own confusion upon thee, and be ashamed of all that thou hast done, and to comfort them. Thus thy sisters ( namely ) Sodoma and her daughters: Samaria and her daughters with thy self and thy daughters, shall be brought again to your old estate. When thou was in thy pride, and before thy wickedness came to light: thou wouldest not hear speak of thy sister Sodoma, until the time that the Syrians with all their towns, and the Philistines, with all that live round about them, brought thee to shame and confusion: that thou mightest bare thine own filthiness and abomination, saith the Lord.
For thus saith the Lord God: I should ( by right ) deal with thee as thou hast done. Thou hast despised the oath and broken the covenant. Nevertheless, I will remember the covenant that I made with thee in thy youth, in so much that it shall be an everlasting covenant: so that thou also remember thy ways, and be ashamed of them: then shalt thou receive of me thy elder and younger sisters, whom I will make thy daughters, and that besides thy covenant. And so I will renew my covenant with thee, that thou mayest know that I am the Lord: That thou mayest think upon it, be ashamed, and excuse thine own confusion no more: when I have forgiven thee, all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God.*stewes=Middle English stewen, to bathe in a steam bath, see also a place of male whores: 1st Kings 14. *brodel= A house of prostitution. *proffer (to offer for acceptance of )
Thus saith the Lord: The maintainers of the land of Egypt shall fall, the pride of her power shall come down: even unto the tower of Syenes shall they be slain down with the sword, saith the Lord God: among other desolate countries they shall be desolate, and among other waste cities they shall be wasted. And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I kindle a fire in Egypt, and when all her helpers are destroyed. At that time, shall their messengers go forth from me in ships, to make the careless Moryans afraid, and sorrow shall come upon them in the day of Egypt for doubtless it shall come.
Then the king of the south shall be angry, and shall come forth to fight with the king of the north: yee he shall bring a great multitude of people together, and a great heap shall be given into his hand. these he shall carry away with great pride, for so much as he hath cast down so many thousands, nevertheless he shall not prevail. For the king of the north shall gather ( of the new ) a greater heap of people than afore, and come forth ( after a certain time of years ) with a mighty host and exceeding great good.
But the pride of Israel will be rewarded him in his face, yee both Israel and Ephraim shall fall for their wickedness, and Judah with them also. They shall come with their sheep and bullocks to seek the Lord, but they shall not find him, for he is gone from them. As for the Lord, they have refused him, and brought up bastard children: a moth therefore shall devour them with their portions. Blow with the *shawmes at Gabea, and with the trumpet in Ramah, cry out at Bethaven upon the farside of Benjamin. In that time of the plague shall Ephraim be laid waste, therefore did I faithfully warn the tribes of Israel. Yet are the princes of Juda become like them, that remove the landmarks, therefore will I pour out my wrath upon them like water. Ephraim is oppressed, and can have no right of law: for why? they follow the doctrines of men. Therefore will I be unto Ephraim as a moth, and to the house of Juda as a caterpillar.
They have devoured their own judges, all their kings are fallen: yet there is none of them that calleth upon me. Therefore must Ephraim be mixed among the Heathen. Ephraim is become like a cake, that no man turneth: Strangers have devoured his strength, yet he regardeth it not: he waxeth full of gray hairs, yet will he not know it: And the pride of Israel is cast down before their face, yee will they not return to the Lord their God, nor seek him for all this.
The Lord God hath sworn even by himself (saith the Lord the God of hosts), I will hate the pride of Jacob, and abhor his palaces: and I will give over the city, with all that is therin: so that though there remain ten men in one house, they shall die. So their next kinfolks and the dead buryers shall take them, and carry away their bones, and say unto him, that is in the innermost house: is there yet any more by thee? And he shall answer: they are all gone, hold thy tongue ( shall he say ) for they would not remember the name of the Lord.
The Lord hath sworn against the pride of Jacob: these works of theirs I will never forget. Shall not the land tremble, and all they that dwell therin, mourn for this? Shall not their destruction come upon them like a water stream, and flow over them, as the flood of Egypt? At the same time ( sayeth the Lord God) I shall cause the sun to go down at noon, and the land to be dark in the clear of day. Your high feasts will I turn to sorrow, and your songs to mourning: I will bring sack cloth upon all backs, and baldness on every head: yee such a mourning will I send them, as is made upon an only begotten son, and they shall have an miserable end.
Behold the time cometh ( sayeth the Lord God ) that I shall send an hunger into the earth: not the hunger of bread, nor the thirst of water: but an hunger to hear the word of the Lord: so that they shall go from one sea to the other, yee from the north unto the east, running about to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it. In that time shall the fair virgins and the young men perish for thirst, yee even they that swear in offense of Samaria, and say: as truly as thy God liveth at Dan, and as truly as thy God liveth at Bersaba. These shall fall, and never rise up again.This is the vision that was showed unto Abdy: Thus hath the Lord God spoken upon Edom: We have heard of the Lord that there is an assemblage sent among the Heathen: Up, let us arise, and fight against them. Behold I will make thee small among the Heathen, so that thou shall be utterly despised. The pride of thy heart hath lift thee up, thou that dwellest in the strongholds of stone, and hast made thee an high seat: Thou sayest in thine heart: who shall cast me down to the ground? But though thou wentest up as high as an Eagle, and madest thy nest above among the stars: yet would I pluck thee down from thence. If the thieves and robbers came to thee by night, thou taking thy rest: should they not steal, till they had enough? If the grape gatherers came upon thee, would they not leave thee some grapes? But how shall they rip Esau, and seek out his treasures?
Woe unto you that dwell upon the sea coast, ye murderous people: the word of the Lord shall come upon you. O Canaan thou land of the Phillistines, I will destroy thee, so that there shall no man dwell in thee any more: and as for the sea coast, it shall be herdmans cottages and sheep folds: yee it shall be a portion for such as remain of the house of Juda, to feed there upon. In the houses of Ascalon shall they rest toward the night: for the Lord their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity. I have heard the despite of Moab, and the blasphemies of the children of Ammon how they have shamefully entreated my people, and magnified themselves within the borders of their land. Therefore as truly as I live ( sayeth the Lord of hosts the God of Israel ) Moab shall be as Sodom, and Ammon as Gomora: even dry thorn hedges, *salt pits and perpetual wilderness. The residue of my folk shall spoil them, the remnant of my people shall have them in possession. This shall happen unto them for their pride, because they have dealt so shamefully with the Lord of hosts people, and magnified themselves above them . The Lord shall be grime upon them, and destroy all the goods in the land. And all the Isles of Heathen shall worship him, every man in his place.
Strangers shall dwell at Asdod, and as for the pride of the Philistines, I shall root it out. Their blood will I take away from their mouth, and their abominations from among their teeth, Thus they shall be left for our God, yee they shall be as a prince of Juda, and Accaron like as Jebusy. And so will I compass my house round about with my men of war going to and fro: that no oppressor come upon them any more. For that have I seen now with mine eyes.
Open thy doors, O Libanus, that the fire may consume thy cedar trees. Howl ye Fir trees, for the cedar is fallen, yee all the proud are wasted away. Howl ( O ye oak trees of Baasan ) for the mighty strong wood is cut down. Men may hear the shepherds mourn, for their glory is destroyed. Men may hear the lions whelps roar for the pride of Jordane is wasted away.
THE FOURTH BOOK OF ESDRAS Chpt 8
I answered then and said: If I have found grace, then let me speak. Like as the husband man seed perisheth, if it not receive rain in due season, or if there come to much rain upon it: Even so perisheth a man also, which is created with thy hands, and is like unto thine own image and to thy self, for whos sake thou hast made all things, and likened him unto the husband mans seed. Be not wroth at us, O' Lord, but spare thy people, and have mercy upon thine own inheritance: O' be merciful unto thy creature.
Then answered he me and said: Things present are for the present, and things to come for as such as be to come. For thou wantest yet much, seeing thou may lovest my creature above me: I have often times drawn near unto thee, but never to the unrighteous. In this also thou art marvelous before the Highest, in that thou has humbled thy self, as it becometh thee, and hast not regarded thine own self, that thou art had in such honor among the righteous. Therefore shall great wretchedness and misery come upon them, that in the later time shall dwell in the world, for they have walked in great pride.
THE FOURTH BOOK OF ESDRAS Chpt 11
And the fourth came, and *overwane, subdue all the beasts that were past, and had power over the world with great fearfulness, and over the whole compass of the earth with the most wicked labor, and so long time dwelt he upon the earth with deceit, and the earth thou hast not judged the truth. For thou hast troubled the meek, thou hast hurt the peaceable and quiet, thou hast loved lies, and destroyed the dwellings of them that brought forth fruit, and hast cast down the walls of such as did thee no harm. Therefore is thy wrongeous dealing and blasphemy come up unto the Highest, and thy pride unto the Mighty. The Highest also hath looked upon the proud times, and behold, they are ended, and their abominations are fulfilled. And therefore appear no more thou Eagle, and thy horrible wings, and thy wicked feathers, and thy ungracious heads, and thy sinful claws, and all thy vain body: that the earth may be refreshed, and come again to herself, when she is delivered from thy violence, and that she may hope for the judgement and mercy of him that made her.
Note Eagle *he spread his wings "over all the earth". *overwane= lord over (sml l ) over / diminish, weaken.
THE FOURTH BOOK OF ESDRAS Chpt 15
They that till the ground, shall mourn: for their feeds shall be destroyed through the blasting and hail, and an horrible star Do warneth the world and them that dwell therin, for the sword and their destruction draweth nigh, and one people shall stand up to fight against another, and swords in their hands. For men shall be unsteadfast, and some shall do violence unto the other: they shall not regard their king and princes, the ways of their doings and the handlings in their power. A man shall desire to go into the city, and shall not be able. For because of their pride the cities shall be brought in fear, the houses shall shake, and men shall be afraid. A man shall have no pity upon his neighbor, but one shall provoke another unto battle to spoil their goods because of the hunger of bread, and because of the great trouble.
My son, keep thee well from all whoredom, and ( beside thy wife ) see that no fault be known of thee. Let never pride have rule in thy mind ner in thy word, for in pride began all destruction.
Olias the son of Micha of the tribe of Simeon, a Charin ( which is also called Gothonel ) were the principal rulers at the same time. Now when Achior stood in the midst of the Senators, and before them all he told them, what answer he gave Holofernes, to the thing that he asked him, and how Holofernes people would have slain him for so saying, and how Holofernes himself was wroth, and commanded him for the same cause to be delivered unto the Israelites: that when he overcame the children of Israel he might command Achior also to be put to death with diverse torments, because he said: The God of heaven is their defender. And when Achior had plainly told out all these things, all the people fell down upon their faces, praising the Lord, and poured out their prayers together unto the Lord, with a general complaint and weeping, and said: O' Lord God of heaven and earth, behold their pride, and look upon our lowliness, and consider how it standeth with thy saints, and make it to be known, that thou forsakest not those, which hold them fast by thee, and how that thou bringest them low, that presume of themselves, and make their boast of their own strength. So when the weeping and the prayer of the people ( which they had made the whole day long ) was ended, they comforted Achior, saying: The God of our fathers, whose power and strength thou hast praised, shall so reward thee, that thou shalt rather see their destruction. When the Lord our God then shall give his servants this liberty, God be also with thee among us: So that if it please thee, thou with thine mayest dwell with us.
Nevertheless for so much as the Lord is patient, let us rather amend ourselves, pouring out tears, and beseeching him of grace. For God threateneth not as a man, neither will he be provoked into wrath as the children of men. And therefore let us heartily fall down before him, and serve him with a meek spirit, and with weeping eyes say unto the Lord, that he deal with us according to his own will and mercy: that like as our heart is now vexed, and brought low through the pride of them, it may so be comforted through his grace: in so much as we follow not the sins of our forefathers, which forsook their God, and worshiped other Gods: for the which sin they perished with the sword, were spoiled and brought to shame of all their enemies. As for us, we know none other God but only him, for whose comfort let us tarry with meekness. He shall require and make inquisition for our blood, from the vexations of our enemies: he shall bring down all the Heathen, that rise up against us, and
Even so Lord let it go with these, that trust in the power and multitude of their men of war, in their chariots, arrows and spears, and know not, that thou only art our God, which destroyest wars from the beginning, and that thou art the Lord. O' lift up thine arm now like as ever from the beginning, and in thy power bring their power to naught, cause their might to fall in thy wrath. They make their boast, that they will unhallow and defile thy Sanctuary, and to waste the tabernacle of thy name and to cast down the horn of thine altar with their sword. Bring to pass ( O' Lord) that the pride of the enemy may be cut down with his own sword that he may be taken with the snare of his eyes in me and that thou mayest smite him with the lips of my love. O' give me a steadfast mind, that I may despise him and his strength, and that I may destroy him.
Achior also was called, and he came. Then said Judith unto him: The God of Israel unto whom thou gavest witness, that he would be avenged of his enemies, even he hath this night through my hand smitten off the head of all the unfaithful. And that thou mayest see that it so is, behold this is the head of Holofernes, which in his presumptuous pride despised the God of the people of Israel, and threatened thee with destruction, saying: when the people of Israel is taken, I shall also cause thee to be sticked with the sword. When Achior saw Holofernes head he fell down upon his face to the ground for very anguish and fear, so that he swooned withal. But after that he was come again to himself, he fell down before her, and praised her, saying: Blessed art thou of thy God in all the tabernacles of Jacob: for all the people that hear of thy name, shall praise the God of Israel because of thee.
What good hath our pride done unto us? Or, what profit hath the pomp of riches brought us? All those things are passed away like a shadow, and as a messenger running before: As a ship that passeth over the waves of the water, which when it is gone by, the trace thereof cannot be found, neither the path of it in the floods. Or as a bird that flyeth through the air, and no man can see any token where she is flown, but only heareth the noise of her wings, beating the light wind, parting the air through the vehemence of her going, and flyeth on shaking her wings, where as afterward no token of her way can be found. Or like as when an arrow is shot at a mark, it parteth the air, which immediately cometh together again, so that a no man can know where it went through. Even so we in like manner, as soon as we were born, began immediately to draw to our end, and have showed no token of virtue, but are consumed in our own wickedness.
Such words shall they that have sinned speak in hell: For the hope of the ungodly is like a dry thistle flower ( or dust ) that is blown away with the wind: like as thin scum that is scattered abroad with the storm: like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there with the wind, and as the remembrance of a stranger that tarryeth for a day, and then departeth. But the righteous shall live for evermore: their reward also is with the Lord: and their remembrance with the Highest. Therefore shall they receive a glorious Kingdom and a beautiful crown of the Lords hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his own arm shall he cover them, and with his own arm shall he defend them. His jealousy also shall take away the harness, and he shall weapon the creature to be avenged of the enemies. He shall put unrighteousness as a breastplate, and take sure judgment instead of an helmet. The invincible shield of equity shall he take, his cruel wrath shall he sharpen for a spear, and the whole compass of the world shall fight with him against the unwise.
Wisdom preserved the first man, whom God made a father of the world, when he was created alone, brought him out of his offense, took him out of the mould of the earth, and gave him power to rule all things. When the unrighteous went away in his wrath from this wisdom, the brotherhead perished through the wrath of murder. Again, when the water destroyed the whole world, wisdom preserved the righteous through a poor tree, whereof she was governor herself. Moreover when wickedness had gotten the upper hand, so that the nations were puffed up with pride, she knew the righteous, preserved him faultless unto God, and layed up sure mercy for his children. She preserved the righteous, when he fled from the ungodly that perished, what time as the fire fell down upon the five cities: Like as yet this day the unfruitful, waste, and smoking land giveth testimony of their wickedness: yee the unripe and untimely fruits that grow upon the trees.
THE FIRST OF THE MACHABEES Chpt 1
And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty third year, and went toward Israel, and came up to Jerusalem with a mighty people: and entered proudly into the Sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, the *candlestick and all the ornaments thereof, the table of the showbread, the pouring vessel and the chargers, the golden spoons, the veil, the crowns and golden apparel of the temple, and break down all. He took also the silver and gold, the precious Jewels and the secret treasures that he found. And when he had taken away altogether, caused a great murder of men, and so fulfilled his malicious pride, he departed into his own land.
THE FIRST OF THE MACHABEES Chpt 2
Thus Mathathiah and his friends went about, and destroyed the altars, and circumcised the children, that had not yet received circumcision: as many as they found in the coasts of Israel: and followed mightily upon the children of pride, and this act prospered in their hands: Insomuch, that they kept the law against the power of the Gentiles and the kings, and gave not over their dominion unto wicked doers.
After this when the time drew on fast, that Mathathiah should die, he said unto his sons: Now is pride and persecution increased, now is the time of destruction and wrathful displeasure: wherefore ( O' my sons ) be ye fervent in the law, and jeopardize your lives for the Testament of the fathers: call to remembrance what acts our fathers did in their time, so shall ye receive great honor and an everlasting name.
THE SECOND OF THE MACHABEES Chpt 5
So when Antiochus had taken a thousand and eight hundred talents out of the temple, he gat him to Antioche in all the hast, thinking in his pride, that he might make men sail upon the dry land, and to go upon the sea, such an high mind had he. He left deputies there to vex the people: At Jerusalem left he Philippe a Phrygian, in manners more cruel than himself that set him there: At Garizim he left Andronicus and Menelaus, which were more grievous to the citizens then other. Now as he was thus set in malice against the Jews, he sent Apollonius an hated prince, with twenty two thousand, commanding him to slay all those that were of perfect age, and to sell the women, maidens and children. When he came now unto Jerusalem, he *fained peace, and kept him still until the Sabbath day. And then he commanded his men to take themselves to their weapons ( for the Jews kept the holy day ) and so he slew all them that were gone forth to the open *playe, running here and there through the city with his men weaponed and murdered a great number. But Judas Maccabeus which was the tenth, fled into the wilderness, led his life there with his company among the wild beasts and upon the mountains, dwelling there, and eating grass, least they be partakers of the *filthiness.
THE SECOND OF THE MACHABEES Chpt 7
And though God be angry with us a little while ( for our chastening and reformation ) yet shall he be at one again with his servants. But thou, ( O shameful and most abominable person ). Pride not thy self through vain hope, in being so malicious upon the servants of God: For thou hast not yet escaped the judgment of the God which is almighty, thou shalt be punished righteously for thy pride.
THE SECOND OF THE MACHABEES Chpt 9
Therefore he being brought from his great pride, began for to come to the knowledge of himself: for the punishment of God warned him, and his pain increased ever more and more. And when he himself could not abide his own stink, he said these words: It is reason to be *obedient unto God and that a man desire not to be like unto him. This wicked person prayed also unto the Lord, of whom he should have obtained mercy. And as for the city that he came unto so hastily, to bring it down to the ground, and to make it a grave for dead men: now he desire to deliver it free.
THE SECOND OF THE MACHABEES Chpt 15
Nicanor had devised with great pride to overcome Judas, and to bring away the victory. But Maccabeus had ever a fast confidence and a perfect hope in God that he would help him, and exhorted his people, not to be afraid at the coming of the Heathen: but always to remember the help that had been shown unto them from heaven, Yee and to be sure now also, that almighty God would give them the victory. He spake unto them out of the law and the prophets, putting them in remembrance of the battles, that they had stricken afore, and made them to be of good courage.
THE GOSPELL OF ST. MARK Chpt 7
And he called all the people unto him, and said unto them: Hearken unto me, every one of you and understand. There is nothing with out a man that can defile him when it entereth into him: but those things which proceed out of him, are those which defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And when he came to house away from the people, his disciples asked him of the similitude. And he said unto them: Are ye so without, understanding? Do ye not yet perceive, that whatsoever thing from without, entereth into a man, it cannot defile him, because it entereth not in to his heart, but into the belly: and goeth out into the *draught that purgeth out all meats.
And he said: that defileth a man which cometh out of a man. For from with in, even out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts: *advoutry, fornication, murder, theft, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, uncleanness, and a wicked eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from with in, and defile a man.
*cruses (earthen vessel), *ought (anything). *draught: natural bowel movement .
*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.THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. JOHN Chpt 2
See that ye love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world (as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of goods) is not of the father, but of the world. And the world vanisheth away and the lust there of: but he that fulfilleth the will of God, abideth ever.
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