"ch. 5. 20.

* Cp. ch. 5.

21

& 7. 15. & 9. 27.

See Gen. 1. 1. * Cp. Ecclus. 42. 15. * Gen. 1. 2. * Cp. ch. 7. 30.

a Gen. 1. 3.

Ps. 135. 7. ver. 4. Gen. 1. 6.

d Cp. ver. 51.

See Gen. 1.

9.

Cp. ver. 50,

52.

Cp. ver. 38.

"I wept again, and fasted seven days in like manner, that I might fulfil the three weeks which he told me. 36 And in the eighth night was my heart vexed within me again, and I began to speak before the Most High. 37 For my spirit was greatly set on fire, and my soul was in distress. 38 And I said, O Lord, of a truth thou spakest at the beginning of the creation, upon the first day, and saidst thus; w Let heaven and earth be made; and thy word perfected the work. 39 And then was the spirit hovering, and darkness and silence were on every side; the sound of man's voice was not yet1. 40 a Then commandedst thou a ray of light to be brought forth of thy treasures, that then thy works might appear. 41 c Upon the second day again thou madest the spirit of the firmament and commandedst it to part asunder, and to make a division betwixt the waters, that the one part might go up, and the other remain beneath. 42 d Upon the third day thou didst command that the waters should be gathered together in the seventh Ipart of the earth: six parts didst thou dry up, and keep them, to the intent that of these some being both planted and tilled might serve before thee. 43 For as soon as thy word went forth the work was done. 44 For immediately there came forth great and innumerable fruit, and manifold pleasures for the taste, and flowers of inimitable colour, and odours of most exquisite smell: and this was done the third day. 45 Upon the fourth day thou commandedst that the sun should shine, and the moon give her light, and the stars should be in their order: 46 and gavest them a charge to do service unto man, that was to be made. 475 Upon the fifth day thou saidst unto the seventh part, where the water was gathered together, that it should bring forth living creatures, fowls and fishes: and so it came to pass, 48 that the dumb water and without life brought forth living things as it was bidden, that the peoples might therefore praise thy wondrous works. 49 Then didst thou preserve two living creatures, the one *Job 40. 15. thou calledst Behemoth, and the other thou calledst 'Leviathan: 50 and thou didst separate the one from the other: for the seventh part, namely, where the water was gathered together, might not hold them both. 51 Unto & Behemoth thou gavest one part, which was dried up on the third day, that he should dwell in the same," wherein are a thousand hills: 52 but unto Leviathan thou gavest mthe seventh part, namely, the moist; and thou hast kept them to be devoured of whom thou wilt, and when. 53° But upon the sixth day thou gavest

9 Gen. 1. 11.

Cp. ver. 3.

See Gen. 1. 14-16.

J Gen. 1. 20.

Ps. 74. 14.

42.

Cp. ver.

"Ps. 50. 10.

• Gen. 1. 24.

2.

See Gen. 1. 26.

& 8. 44 & 9. 13.

Isai. 40. 17. Dan. 4. 35.

commandment unto the earth, that it should bring forth before thee cattle, beasts, and creeping things: 54 and Pover Wisdom 9. these Adam, whom thou ordainedst lord over all the works that thou hast made: of him come we all, the people whom thou hast chosen. 55 All this have I spoken before thee, O Lord, because thou hast said that for our sakes thou 7 ch. 7. 11 madest this world. 56 As for the other nations, which also come of Adam, thou hast said that they are nothing, and are like unto spittle: and thou hast likened the abundance of them unto sa drop that falleth from a vessel. 57 And now, O Lord, behold, these nations, "which are reputed as nothing, be lords over us, and devour us. people, "whom thou hast called thy firstborn, thy only begotten, and thy fervent lover, are given into their hands.Cp. Ps. 74. 59 If the world now be made for our sakes, why do we not possess for an inheritance our world? how long shall this endure?

unto me the angel which had been sent unto me the nights afore: and he said unto me, Up, Esdras, and hear the words that I am come to tell thee. 3 And I said, Speak on, my Lord. Then said he unto me, There is a sea set in a wide place, that it might be broad and vast. 4 But the entrance thereof shall be set in a narrow place so as to be like a river; 5 whoso then should desire to go into the sea to look upon it, or to rule it, if he went not through the narrow, how could he come into the broad? 6 Another thing also: There is a city builded and set in a plain country, and full of all good things; 7 but the entrance thereof is narrow, and is set in a dangerous place to fall, having a Cp.ch. &8 fire on the right hand, and on the left a deep water: 8 and there is one only path between them both, even between the fire and the water, so small that there could but one man go there at once. 9 If this city now be given unto a man for an inheritance, if the heir pass not the danger set before him, how shall he receive his inheritance? 10 And I said, It is so, Lord. Then said he unto me, Even so also is Israel's portion. 11 Because for their sakes I made the world: and a when Adam transgressed my statutes, then was decreed that now is done. 12 Then were the entrances of this world made narrow, band sorrowful and toilsome: they are but few and evil, full of perils, and charged with great toils. 13 For the entrances of the greater world are wide and sure, and bring forth fruit of immortality. 14 If then they that live enter not these strait

d Cp. ch. 5.

21

& 6. 36, 37.

* See ch. 4. 38.

f Deut. 4. 1 & 6. 24

& 8. 1.

7 Cp. Rom.

8. 18, 24
& 2 Cor. 4.
17, 18.

A ch. 4. 34 & 5. 44.

¡Cp. Deut.
30. 15
& Acts 10.
35
& Rom. 2.
14, 15.

j 2 Kin. 17.
15.
Rom. 1. 21.

* See ch. 8. 58.

and vain things, they can never receive those that are laid up for them. 15d Now therefore why disquietest thou thyself, seeing thou art but a corruptible man? and why art thou moved, whereas thou art but mortal? 16 and why hast thou not considered in thy mind that which is to come, rather than that which is present? 17 Then answered I and said, e O Lord that bearest rule, lo, thou hast ordained in thy law, that the righteous should inherit these things, but that the ungodly should perish. 18g The righteous therefore shall suffer strait things, and hope for wide: but they that have done wickedly have suffered the strait things, and yet shall not see the wide. 19 And he said unto me, 2h Thou art not a judge above God, neither hast thou understanding above the Most High. 20 Yea, rather let many that now be perish, than that the law of God which is set before them be despised. 21 For God straitly commanded such as came, even as they came, what they should do to live, and what they should observe to avoid punishment. 22 Nevertheless they were not obedient unto him; but spake against him, and Jimagined for themselves vain things; 23 and framed cunning devices of wickedness; and ksaid moreover of the Most High, that he is not; and knew not his ways: 24 but they despised his law, and denied his covenants; they have not been faithful to his statutes, and have not performed his works. 25 Therefore, Esdras, for the empty are empty things, and for the full are the full things. 26 For behold, the time shall come, and it shall be, mwhen these tokens, of which I told thee before, shall come to pass, that the bride shall appear, even the city coming forth, and she shall be seen, that now is withdrawn from the earth. 27° And whosoever is delivered from the foresaid evils, the same shall see my wonders. 28 For Pmy son Jesus shall be revealed with those that be with him, and shall rejoice them that remain four hundred years. 299 After these years shall my son Christ die, and all that have the breath of life. 30 And the world shall be turned into the old silence seven days, like as in the first beginning: so that no man shall remain. 31 And after seven days the world, that yet awaketh not, shall be raised up, and that shall die that is corruptible. 328 And the earth shall restore those John 5. 28, that are asleep in her, and so shall the dust those that dwell therein in silence, and the secret places shall deliver those souls that were committed unto them. 33 And the Most High shall be

Cp. Matt. 13. 12

& Mark 4.
25

& Luke &
18.

I See ch. 4. 52.

" Cp. Rev. 21. 2.

* Cp. ch. 6.

25.

P ch. 13. 32, 37, 52 & 14. 9.

7 Cp. Dan. 9. 26.

* Cp ch. 6.

39.

Isai. 26. 19. Dan. 12. 2.

29.

Rev. 20. 13. * Dan. 7. 9, 10.

Matt. 25.

31.

13. 25.

* Cp. ch. 6.

28.

Rev. 14. 13.

Cp. Matt. 16. 27. See ch. 13.

56.

Cp. Eccles.
Rev. 19. 20

12. 14.

& 20. 10, 14, 15.

" Cp. ver. [38].

b ver. 53. ch. 4. 7

& 6. 2.

[36].

revealed upon the seat of judgement, and compassion shall pass away, and Cp. Luke longsuffering shall be withdrawn: 34 but judgement only shall remain, vtruth shall stand, and "faith shall wax strong: 35 and the work shall follow, and the reward shall be shewed, and good Rev. 22. 12. deeds shall awake, and wicked deeds shall not sleep.6 [36] And the pit of torment shall appear, and over against it shall be the place of rest: and the furnace of hell shall be shewed, and over against it the paradise of delight. [37] And then shall the Most High say to the nations that are raised from the dead, See ye and understand whom ye have denied, or whom ye have not served, or whose commandments ye have despised. [38] Look on this sideCp. ver. and on that: here is delight and rest, and there fire and torments. Thus shall he speak unto them in the day of judgement: [39]d This is a day that Cp. Isai. hath neither sun, nor moon, nor stars, [40] neither cloud, nor thunder, nor lightning, neither wind, nor water, nor air, neither darkness, nor evening, nor morning, [41] neither summer, nor spring, nor heat, nor 10 winter, neither frost, nor cold, nor hail, nor rain, nor dew, [42] neither noon, nor night, nor dawn, neither shining, nor brightness, nor light, dsave only the splendour of the glory of the Most High, whereby all shall see the things that are set before them: [43] for it shall endure as it were a week of years. [44] This is my judgement and the ordinance thereof; but to thee only have I shewed these things.

60. 19, 20 & Rev. 21. 23

& 22. 5.

Cp. ver. [104]

& ch. 6. 33 & 8 62 & 10. 38, 59 & 12. 9, 36 & 13. 56. Ps. 1. 1, 2 & 119. 2.

& 8. 17 & Neh. 1. 6 & Rom. 10.

1.

A See ch. 8. 35.

[45] And I answered, I said even then, O Lord, and I say now: Blessed are they that be now alive and keep the statutes ordained of thee. [46] But as touching them for whom my prayer Cp. ch. 5. was made, what shall I say? for who is there of them that be alive that hath not sinned, and who of the sons of men that hath not transgressed thy covenant? [47] And now I see, that the world to come shall bring delight to few, but torments unto many. [48] For an evil heart hath grown up in us, which hath led us astray from these statutes, and hath brought us into corruption and into the ways of death, hath shewed us the paths of perdition and removed us far from life; and that, not a few only, but well nigh all that have been created.

Cp. ch. 8. 1

& 9. 15. JCp.ver. [92] & ch. 3. 20 -22 & 4. 30, 31.

speak. 10 Or, storm

8 Lat. Gehenna.

1 ch. 8. 2

& 10. 9.

* Cp. ch. 8.

2.

"See ch. 4. 38.

ch. 8. 39.

ungodly abound, hear the answer thereunto. [52] If thou have choice stones exceeding few, 1 wilt thou set for thee over against them according to their number things of lead and clay?

[53] And I said, Lord, how shall this be? [54] And he said unto me, Not only this, but ask the earth, and she shall tell thee; intreat her, and she shall declare unto thee. [55] For thou shalt say unto her, m Thou bringest forth gold and silver and brass, and iron also and lead and clay: [56] but silver is more abundant than gold, and brass than silver, and iron than brass, lead than iron, and clay than lead. [57] Judge thou therefore which things are precious and to be desired, whatso is abundant or what is

rare.

[58] And I said, "O Lord that bearest rule, that which is plentiful is of less worth, for that which is more rare is more precious.

[59] And he answered me, and said, 1 Weigh within thyself the things that thou hast thought, for he that hath what is hard to get rejoiceth over him that hath what is plentiful. [60] So also is the judgement which I have promised: for I will rejoice over the few PCp. Jer. 13. that shall be saved, inasmuch as Pthese are they that have made my glory now to prevail, and of whom my name is now named. [61] 7 And I will not grieve over the multitude of them that perish; for these are they that are now like unto vapour, and are become as flame and smoke; they are set on fire and burn hotly, and are quenched.

11.

Cp. ver. 61 & ch. 8. 38.

4. 3.

[62] And I answered and said, O thou earth, wherefore hast thou brought forth, if the mind is made out of dust, Cp. Eccles. like as all other created things? [63] For it were better that the dust itself had been unborn, so that the mind might not have been made therefrom. [64] But now the mind groweth with us, and by reason of this we are tormented, because we perish and know it. [65] Let the race of men lament and the beasts of the field be glad; let all that are born lament, but let the fourfooted beasts and the cattle rejoice. [66] For it is far better with them than with us; for they look not for judgement, neither do they know of torments or of salvation promised unto them after death. [67] For what doth it profit us, that we shall be preserved alive, but yet be afflicted with torment? [68] For all that are born are 1 defiled with iniquities, and are full of sins and laden with offences: [69] and 8 if after death we were not to come into judgement, peradventure it had been better for us.

* Cr ver. 47.

[70] And he answered me, and said, When the Most High made the world,

The Latin is here corrupt.

20. 23
& 25, 34, 41
& Mark 10.

40.
"ver. [64].

-24

and Adam and all them that came of him, he first prepared the judgement Cp. Matt. and the things that pertain unto the judgement. [71] And now understand from thine own words, "for thou hast said that the mind groweth with us. [72] They therefore that dwell upon the earth shall be tormented for this reason, that having understanding they have See ver. 21 wrought iniquity, and receiving commandments have not kept them, and having obtained a law they dealt unfaithfully with that which they received. [73] What then will they have to say in the judgement, or how will they answer in the last times? [74] For how great Cp. Rom. a time hath the Most High been longsuffering with them that inhabit the world, and not for their sakes, but because of the times which he hath foreordained!

[75] And I answered and said, If I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, shew this also unto thy servant, whether after death, even now when every one of us giveth up his soul, we shall be kept in rest until those times come, in which thou shalt renew the creation, or whether we shall be tormented forthwith.

2.4 & 2 Pet. 3.

9.

* Cp. Isai. 65. 17

& Matt. 19. 28

& Acts 3. 21 & Rev. 21.

1, 5.

Matt. 6, 20. Luke 12.33.

[76] And he answered me, and said, I will shew thee this also; but join not thyself with them that are scorners, nor number thyself with them that are tormented. [77] For thou hast va treasure Tobit 4.9. of good works laid up with the Most High, but it shall not be shewed thee until the last times. [78] For concerning death the teaching is: When the determinate sentence hath gone forth from the Most High that a man should die, as the spirit leaveth the body to return again to him who gave it, ait adoreth the glory of the Most High first of all. [79] And if it be one of those that have been scorners and have not kept the way of the Most High, and that have despised his law, and that hate them that fear God, [80] these spirits shall not enter into habitations, but shall wander ver. [101]. and be in torments forthwith, ever griev Cp. ver. [85], [95]. ing and sad, in seven ways. [81] The first way, because they have despised the law of the Most High. [82] The second way, because they cannot now make a good returning that they may live. [83] The third way, d they shall see the reward laid up for them that Cp. Wishave believed the covenants of the Most High. [84] The fourth way, they shall consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days. [85] The fifth way, they shall see the dwelling places of the others guarded by angels, with great quietness. [86] The sixth way, they shall see how forthwith some of them shall pass into torment. [87] The seventh way, which is more grievous than all

/ See ch. 4. 11.

1 Cor. 15. 30.

▲ Isai. 33. 22. James 4.12. i Cp. ver. [78].

/ Cp. ver. [48].

* Cp. Rev. 14. 10. Matt. 10. 32.

Rev. 3. 5.

1 Tim. 6. 20.

the aforesaid ways, because they shall pine away in confusion and be consumed with 1shame, and shall be withered up by fears, seeing the glory of the Most High before whom they have sinned whilst living, and before whom they shall be judged in the last times. [88] Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the Most High, when they shall be separated from the corruptible /vessel. [89] In the time that they dwelt therein they painfully served the Most High, and were in jeopardy every hour, that they might keep the law of the lawgiver perfectly. [90] Wherefore this is the teaching concerning them: [91] First of all they shall see with great joy the glory of him who taketh them up, for they shall have rest in seven orders. [92] The first order, because they have striven with great labour to overcome the evil thought which was fashioned together with them, that it might not lead them astray from life into death. [93] The second order, because they see the perplexity in which the souls of the ungodly wander, and the punishment that awaiteth them. [94] The third order, they see the witness which Luke 12. 8 he that fashioned them beareth concerning them, that while they lived they kept the law which was given them in trust. [95] The fourth order, they understand the rest which, being gathered " in their chambers, they now enjoy with great quietness, guarded by angels, and the glory that awaiteth them in the last days. [96] The fifth order, they rejoice, seeing how they have now escaped from that which is corruptible, and how they & 1 Cor. 15. shall inherit that which is to come, while they see moreover Pthe straitness and the painfulness from which they have been delivered, and the large room which they shall receive with joy and immortality. [97] The sixth order, when it is 9 Dan. 12. 3. shewed unto them how their face shall shine as the sun, and how "they shall be made like unto the light of the stars, being henceforth incorruptible. [98] The seventh order, which is greater than all the aforesaid orders, because they shall rejoice with confidence, and because they shall be bold without confusion, and shall be glad without fear, for they hasten to behold the face of him whom in their lifetime they served, and from whom they shall receive their reward in glory. [99] This is the order of the souls of the just, as from henceforth is an nounced unto them, and aforesaid are the ways of torture which they that would not give heed shall suffer from henceforth. [100] And I answered and said, Shall time therefore be given unto the souls after they are separated from

2 Tim. 1. 14.

n ver. 32 (mg.). ch. 4. 35. Cp. ver. [80], [85], [101].

* Cp. Rom. 7. 24

53, 54. P Cp. Rom. 8. 18.

Matt. 13.

43.

r ver. 55.

1 John 3. 2. Rev. 22. 4. Rev. 22. 12.

" ver. [80] Cp. ver. See ch. 4. 44.

the bodies, that they may see that whereof thou hast spoken unto me? [101] And he said, Their freedom shall be for seven days, that for seven days they may see the things whereof thou hast been told, and afterwards they shall be gathered together in their habitations. [102] And I answered and said, 951 "If I have found favour in thy sight, shew further unto me thy servant whether in the day of judgement the just will be able to intercede for the ungodly or to intreat the Most High for them, [103] whether fathers for children, or children for parents, or brethren for brethren, or kinsfolk for their next of kin, or 2 friends for them that are most dear. [104] And he answered me, and said, Since thou hast found favour in my sight, I will shew thee this also: The day of judgement is a day of decision, and displayeth unto all the Cp. Joel 3. seal of truth; even as now a father sendeth not his son, or a son his father, or a master his slave, or a 2 friend him that is most dear, that in his stead he may be sick, or sleep, or eat, or be healed: [105] so never shall any one pray for another in that day, neither shall one lay a burden on another, forver. 45. then shall all bear every one his own righteousness or unrighteousness.

See ver.

[44].

14.

Cp. Ps. 49. 7-9.

Ezek. 18.

20.

Cp. Rom.
2.6

& Gal. 6. 5,
7,8.

• See Gen. 18. 23-32.

11-13.

* See Josh. 7.6-9.

1 Sam. 7.9

& 12. 23
& 15. 11.

2 Sam. 24.

36 [106] And I answered and said, How do we now find that first a Abraham prayed for the people of Sodom, and Moses for the fathers that sinned in See Ex. 32. the wilderness: 37 [107] and Joshua after him for Israel in the days of 6 Achar: 38 [108] and d Samuel 7 in the days of Saul; and David for the plague: and Solomon for them that should worship in the sanctuary: 39 [109] and Elijah for those that received rain; and for the dead, that he might live: 40 [10] and 'Hezekiah for the people in the days of Sennacherib: and many for many? 41 [1] If therefore now, when corruption is grown up, and unrighteousness increased, the righteous have prayed for the ungodly, wherefore shall it not be so then also?

42 [112] He answered me, and said, This present world is not the end; the full glory abideth not therein: therefore have they who were able prayed for the weak. 43 [113] But the day of judgement shall be the end of this time, and the beginning of the immortality for to come, wherein corruption is passed away, 44 [114] intemperance is at an end, infidelity is cut off, but righteousness is grown, and truth is sprung up. 45 [15] Then shall no man be able to have mercy on him that is cast in judgement, nor to thrust down him that hath gotten the victory.

46 [116] I answered then and said, This

& 10. 14.

" ch. 3. 5.

P (p. ver. 169] & ch. 4. 12.

"ch. 6. 53,54 is my first and last saying, "that it had been better that the earth had not o given thee Adam: or else, when it had given him, to have restrained him from sinning. 47 [117]P For what profit is it for all that are in this present time to live in heaviness, and after death to look for punishment? 48 [118] 0 thou Adam, what hast thou done? for though it was thou that sinned, the evil is not fallen on thee alone, but upon all of us Rom. 5. 18. that come of thee. 49 [119] For what profit is it unto us, if there be promised us an immortal time, whereas we have

7 ver. 11. ch. 3. 21 & 4. 30.

* ch. 8. 31. Cp. Rom. 6. 23.

done the works that bring death? 50 [120] And that there is promised us an everlasting hope, whereas ourselves most miserably are become vain? 51 [121] And that there are reserved habitations of health and safety, whereas we have lived wickedly? 52 [122] And that the glory of the Most High shall defend them which have led a pure life, whereas we have walked in the most wicked ways of all? 53[123] And that there shall be shewed a paradise, whose fruit endureth without Rev. 22. 2. decay, wherein is abundance and healing, but we shall not enter into it, 54 [124] for we have walked in unpleasant places? 55 [125] And that the faces of them which have used abstinence shall shine above the stars, whereas our faces shall be blacker than darkness? 56 [126] For while we lived and committed iniquity, we considered not what we should have to suffer after death.

* Rev. 2. 7. See ch. 4. 7.

See ver. [97]. Lam. 4. 8 (mz.). Cp. Joel 2

6

& Nah. 2. 10.

ch. 16. 40. Job 7. J. Cp. 1 Tim. 1. 18 & 6. 12 & 2 Tim. 2. 3,4

& 4.7.

10-17.

57 [127] Then he answered and said, This is the condition of the battle, which man that is born upon the earth shall fight; 58 [128] that, if he be overcome, he shall suffer as thou hast said: but if he get the victory, he shall receive the See Eph. 6. thing that I say. 59 [129] For this is the way whereof Moses spake unto the people while he lived, saying, Choose thee life, that thou mayest live. 60 [130] Nevertheless they believed not him, nor yet the prophets after him, no, nor me which have spoken unto them; 61 [131] so that there shall not be such heaviness in their destruction, as a there shall be joy over them that are persuaded to salvation.

Deut. 30. 19.

y ch. 1. 32.

Z ver. [60], [61].

Cp. Luke 15. 7, 10.

Cp. Rom. 2.4.

62 [132] I answered then and said, I know, Lord, that the Most High is now called merciful, in that he hath mercy upon them which are not yet come into the world; 63 [133] and compassionate, in that he hath compassion upon those that turn to his law; 64 [134] and longsuffering, for that he long suffereth those that have sinned, cas his creatures; dom 11. 24, 65 [135] and bountiful, for that he is ready to give rather than to exact; 66 [136] and of great mercy, for that he multiplieth more and more mercies to them that are present, and that are past, and also to

Cp. Wis

26.

& 143. 2.

them which are to come; 67 [137] (for if he multiplied not his mercies, d the world Lam. 3. 22. would not continue with them that dwell therein;) 68 [138] and one that forgiveth, for if he did not forgive of his good-Ps. 130. 3 ness, that they which have committed iniquities might be eased of them, the ten thousandth part of men would not remain living; 69 [139] and a judge, for Ps. 51. 1, 9. if he did not pardon them that were created by his word, and blot out the multitude of offences, 70 [140] there would peradventure be very few left in an innumerable multitude.

The Most High hath made this world

And he answered me, and said,

for many, but the world to come for few. I will tell thee now a similitude, Esdras; As when thou askest the earth, it shall say unto thee, that it giveth very much mould whereof earthen vessels are made, and little dust that gold cometh of: even so is the course of the present world. 39 There be many created, but few shall be saved.

Isai. 43. 25 & 44.22. Acts 3, 19.

Cr ver. 3 & ch. 7. [47] & 9. 15 & Matt. 7. 14

& Luke 13. 24.

A ch. 7. [54] & 10. 9.

Matt. 13. 23.

Mark 4. 20, 26, 27. Luke 8. 15.

& 64. 8. * See Ps. 139. 13-16.

4 And I answered and said, Swallow down understanding then, O my soul, and let my heart devour wisdom. 5 For thou art come hither without thy will, and departest when thou wouldest not: for there is given thee no longer space than only to live a short time. 60 Lord, that art over us, suffer thy servant, that we may pray before thee, and give ch. 9. 31. us seed unto our heart, and culture to our understanding, that there may come fruit of it, whereby every one shall live that is corrupt, who beareth the likeness of a man. 7 For thou art alone, and we all one workmanship of thine Isai. 45. 9 hands, like as thou hast said. 8* Forasmuch as thou quickenest the body that is fashioned now in the womb, and givest it members, thy creature is preserved 'in fire and water, and nine months Cp. ch. 7. 7. doth thy workmanship endure thy creature which is created in her. 9 But that which keepeth and that which is kept shall both be kept by thy keeping: and when the womb giveth up again that which hath grown in it, to thou hast commanded that out of the parts of the body, that is to say, out of the breasts, be given milk, which is the fruit of the breasts, 11 that the thing which is fashioned may be nourished for a time, and afterwards thou shalt order it in thy mercy. 12 Yea, thou hast brought it up in thy righteousness, and nurtured it in thy law, and corrected it with thy judgement. 13m And thou shalt mortify Rom. 8.13. it as thy creature, and quicken it as thy work. 140 If therefore thou shalt lightly and suddenly destroy him which Cp. Job 10. with so great labour was fashioned by thy commandment, Pto what pur-P Cp. Ps. 89. pose was he made? 15 Now therefore I