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Lesson III.

nourished thee, and brought thee up

BUT the mother was marvellous unto this age, and endured the

troubles of education.
Ry. This is. p. cxxiii.

above all, and worthy of honourable memory: for when she saw her seven sons slain within the space of one day, she bare it with a good courage, because of the hope that sheI

had in the LORD. Yea, she exhorted every one of them in her own language, filled with courageous spirits; and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly stomach, she said unto them, I cannot tell how ye came into my womb; for I neither gave you breath nor life, neither was it I that formed the members of every one of you; but doubtless the Creator of the world, who formed the generation of man, and found out the beginning of all things, will also of his own mercy give you breath and life again, as ye now regard not your own selves for his law's sake.

Ry. They praised. p. cxxii.

TUESDAY.

Of the 2nd Book of Maccabees.

Lesson I. Chap. vii.

NOW Antiochus, thinking himself

despised, and suspecting it to be a reproachful speech, whilst the

Lesson II.

BESEECH thee, my son, look upon the heaven and the earth, and all that is therein, and consider that God made them of things that were not: and so was mankind made likewise: fear not this tormentor, but, being worthy of thy brethren, take thy death, that I may receive thee again in mercy with thy brethren. Whiles she was yet speaking these words, the young man said, Whom wait ye for? I will not obey the king's commandment: but I will obey the commandment of the law that was given unto our fathers by Moses. And thou, that hast been the author of all mischief against the Hebrews, shalt not escape the hands of GOD. For we suffer because of our sins: and though the living LORD be angry with us a little while for our chastening and correction, yet shall he be at one again with his servants.

Ry. Thou, O LORD. p. cxxiii.

Lesson III.

all other most wicked, be not lifted up without a cause, nor puffed up with uncertain hopes, lifting up thy hand against the servants of GOD: for thou hast not yet escaped the judgment of Almighty God, who seeth all things.

youngest was yet alive, did not only BUT thou, O godless man, and of exhort him by words, but also assured him with oaths, that he would make him both a rich and a happy man, if he would turn from the laws of his fathers; and that also he would take him for his friend, and trust him with affairs. But when the young man For our brethren, who would in no case hearken unto him, now have suffered a short pain, are the king called his mother, and ex- dead under GoD's covenant of everhorted her that she would counsel the lasting life: but thou, through the young man to save his life. And judgment of GOD, shalt receive just when he had exhorted her with many punishment for thy pride. But I, as words, she promised him that she my brethren, offer up my body and would counsel her son. But she bow-life for the laws of our fathers, ing herself toward him, laughing the cruel tyrant to scorn, spake in her country language on this manner: O my son, have pity upon me that bare thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee suck three years, and

beseeching God that he would speedily be merciful unto our nation; and that thou by torments and plagues mayest confess, that he alone is GOD; and that in me and my brethren the wrath of the Almighty, which is justly

brought upon all our nation, may | in the Almighty God, who at a beck cease. Then the king, being in a can cast down both them that come rage, handled him worse than all the against us, and also all the world. rest, and took it grievously that he Moreover he recounted unto them was mocked. So this man died what helps their forefathers had found, undefiled, and put his whole trust in and how they were delivered, when the LORD. Last of all after the sons under Sennacherib an hundred fourthe mother died. score and five thousand perished. Rz. Open. p. cxxiii. Ry. They decked. p. cxxii.

WEDNESDAY.

Of the 2nd Book of Maccabees.

Lesson I. Chap. viii.

So Nicanor undertook to make so much money of the captive Jews, as should defray the tribute of two thousand talents, which the king was to pay to the Romans. Wherefore immediately he sent to the cities upon the sea coast, proclaiming a sale of the captive Jews, and promising that they should have fourscore and ten bodies for one talent, not expecting the vengeance that was to follow upon him from the Almighty God. Now when word was brought unto Judas of Nicanor's coming, and he had imparted unto those that were with him that the army was at hand, they that were fearful, and distrusted the justice of GOD, fled, and conveyed themselves away. Others sold all that they had left, and withal besought the LORD to deliver them, being sold by the wicked Nicanor before they met together.

Ry. The sun shone. p. cxxii.

Lesson II.

So Maccabeus called his men together unto the number of six thousand, and exhorted them not to be stricken with terror of the enemy, nor to fear the great multitude of the heathen, who came wrongfully against them; but to fight manfully, and to set before their eyes the injury that they had unjustly done to the holy place, and the cruel handling of the city, whereof they made a mockery, and also the taking away of the government of their forefathers: For

they, said he, trust in their weapons and boldness; but our confidence is

VOL. II.

Lesson III.

THUS when he had made them bold with these words, and ready to die for the laws and the country,

he divided his army into four parts; and joined with himself his own brethren, leaders of each band, to wit, Simon, and Joseph, and Jonathan, giving each one fifteen hundred men. Also he appointed Eleazar to read the holy book: and when he had given them this watchword, The help of GoD; himself leading the first band, he joined battle with Nicanor. And by the help of the Almighty they slew above nine thousand of their enemies, and wounded and maimed the most part of Nicanor's host, and so put all to flight; and took their money that came to buy them, and pursued them far: but lacking time they returned: for it was the day before the sabbath, and therefore they would no longer pursue them. when they had gathered their armour together, and spoiled their enemies, they occupied themselves about the sabbath, yielding exceeding praise and

So

thanks to the LORD, who had preserved them unto that day, which was the beginning of mercy distilling upon them. And after the sabbath, when they had given part of the spoils to the maimed, and the widows, and orphans, the residue they divided among themselves and their servants.

Ry. They praised. p. cxxii.

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of Persia. For he had entered the city called Persepolis, and went about to rob the temple, and to hold the city; whereupon the multitude running to defend themselves with their weapons put them to flight; and so it happened, that Antiochus being put to flight of the inhabitants returned with shame. Now when he came to Ecbatane, news was brought him what had happened unto Nicanor and Timotheus. Then swelling with anger he thought to avenge upon the Jews the disgrace done unto him by those that made him flee. Therefore commanded he his chariotman to

drive without ceasing, and to dispatch the journey, the judgement of GOD now following him. For he had spoken proudly in this sort, That he would come to Jerusalem, and make it a common burying-place of the Jews.

Ry. The LORD open. p. cxx.

Lesson II.

BUT the LORD Almighty, the GOD

of Israel, smote him with an incurable and invisible plague: for as soon as he had spoken these words, a pain of the bowels that was remediless came upon him, and sore torments of the inner parts; and that most justly for he had tormented other men's bowels with many and strange torments. Howbeit he nothing at all ceased from his bragging, but still was filled with pride, breathing out fire in his rage against the Jews, and commanding to haste the journey: but it came to pass that he fell down from his chariot, carried violently; so that having a sore fall, all the members of his body were much pained. Ry. The LORD hear. p. cxx.

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forth unto all the manifest power of GOD. So that the worms rose up out of the body of this wicked man, and whiles he lived in sorrow and pain, his flesh fell away, and the filthiness of his smell was noisome to all his army. And the man, that thought a little afore he could reach to the stars of heaven, no man could endure to carry for his intolerable stink. Ry. Our enemies. p. cxxi.

FRIDAY.

Of the 2nd Book of Maccabees.

Lesson I. Chap. x.

Now Maccabeus and his company, the LORD guiding them, recovered the temple and the city: but the altars which the heathens had built in the open street, and also the chapels, they pulled down. And having cleansed the temple they made another altar, and striking stones they took fire out of them, and offered a sacrifice after two years, and set forth incense, and When that besought the LORD that they might was done, they fell flat down, and if they sinned any more against him, come no more into such troubles; but that he himself would chasten them with mercy, and that they might not be delivered unto the blasphemous and barbarous nations. Now upon the same day that the strangers profaned the temple, on the very same day it was cleansed again, even the five and twentieth day of the same month, which is Casleu.

lights, and shewbread.

Ry. Fear ye not. p. cxxi.
Lesson II.

NOW Timotheus, whom the Jews

But

had overcome before, when he had gathered a great multitude of foreign forces, and horses out of Asia not a few, came as though he would take Jewry by force of arms. when he drew near, they that were with Maccabeus turned themselves to pray unto GoD, and sprinkled earth upon their heads, and girded their loins with sackcloth, and fell down at

the foot of the altar, and besought him |
to be merciful to them, and to be an
enemy to their enemies, and an ad-
versary to their adversaries, as the
law declareth. So after the prayer
they took their weapons, and went on
further from the city: and when they
drew near to their enemies, they kept
by themselves.

Ry. The heathen. p. cxxi.
Lesson III.

NOW the sun being newly risen,

they joined both together; the one part having together with their virtue their refuge also unto the LORD

made them more cheerful. And when he had stirred up their minds, he gave them their charge, shewing them therewithal the falsehood of the heathen, and the breach of oaths. Thus he armed every one of them, not so much with defence of shields and spears, as with comfortable and good words: and beside that, he told them a dream worthy to be believed, as if it had been so indeed, which did not a little rejoice them.

Ry. The sun shone. p. cxxii.

Lesson II.

AND this was his vision: That

for a pledge of their success and Onias, who had been high priest, victory: the other side making their a virtuous and a good man, reverend rage leader of their battle. But when in conversation, gentle in condition, the battle waxed strong, there appeared well spoken also, and exercised from a unto the enemies from heaven five child in all points of virtue, holding comely men upon horses, with bridles up his hands prayed for the whole of gold, and two of them led the Jews, body of the Jews. This done, in like and took Maccabeus betwixt them, manner there appeared a man with and covered him on every side with their weapons, and kept him safe, but who was of a wonderful and excellent gray hairs, and exceeding glorious, shot arrows and lightnings against the majesty. Then Onias answered, sayenemies : so that being confounded ing, This is a lover of the brethren, with blindness, and full of trouble, who prayeth much for the people, and they were killed. And there were for the holy city, to wit, Jeremias the slain of footmen twenty thousand and prophet of GOD. Whereupon Jeremias five hundred, and six hundred horse-holding forth his right hand gave to As for Timotheus himself, he Judas a sword of gold, and in giving it fled into a very strong hold, called spake thus, Take this holy sword, a gift Gazara, where Chereas was governor. from GOD, with the which thou shalt Ry. Thine, O LORD. p. cxxii. wound the adversaries.

men.

SATURDAY.

Of the 2nd Book of Maccabees.

Lesson I. Chap. xv.

BUT Maccabeus had ever sure confidence that the LORD would help him; wherefore he exhorted his people not to fear the coming of the heathen against them, but to remember the help which in former times they had received from heaven, and now to expect the victory and aid, which should come unto them from the Almighty. And so comforting them out of the law and the prophets, and withal putting them in mind of the battles that they won afore, he

Ry. They decked. p. cxxiv.

Lesson III.

THUS being well comforted by the

words of Judas, which were very good, and able to stir them up to valour, and to encourage the hearts of the young men, they determined not to pitch camp, but courageously to set upon them, and manfully to try the matter by conflict, because the city and the sanctuary and the temple were in danger. For the care that they took for their wives, and their children, their brethren, and kinsfolks, was in least account with them: but the greatest and principal fear was for

the holy temple. Also they that were in the city took not the least care, being troubled for the conflict abroad. Ry. They praised. p. cxxii.

FIRST SUNDAY IN NOVEMBER.

FIRST NOCTURN.

went; they went every one straight forward.

Ry. Look down, O LORD, from Thy holy habitation, and think upon us: LORD, bow down Thine ear, and hear * open Thine eyes, O LORD, and see our tribulation. y. Hear, O Thou

Here beginneth the Book of Ezekiel Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest

the Prophet.

Lesson I. Chap. i.

NOW it came to pass in the thirtieth

year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity, the word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him. And I looked, and behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire.

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ALSO out of the midst thereof came

And

the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot and they sparkled like the colour of burnished brass. And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings. Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they

Joseph like a sheep. Open.

Lesson III.

AS for the likeness of their faces,

they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. Thus were their faces: and their wings were stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went.

Ry. Behold, O LORD, because the city doth sit solitary which was full of riches! how is she become a widow ! she that was great among the nations. * She hath none to comfort her, but Thou, O LORD our GOD. Y. She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks. She. Glory. She.

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