Part 430 (2/2)
16:20. Instead of which things, thou didst feed thy people with the food of angels, and gavest them bread from heaven, prepared without labour; having in it all that is delicious, and the sweetness of every taste.
16:21. For thy sustenance shewed thy sweetness to thy children, and serving every man's will, it was turned to what every man liked.
16:22. But snow and ice endured the force of fire, and melted not: that they might know that the fire, burning in the hail, and flas.h.i.+ng in the rain, destroyed the fruits of the enemies.
16:23. But this same again, that the just might be nourished, did even forget its own strength.
16:24. For the creature serving thee, the Creator, is made fierce against the unjust for their punishment: and abateth its strength for the benefit of them that trust in thee.
16:25. Therefore even then it was transformed into all things, and was obedient to thy grace, that nourisheth all, according to the will of them that desired it of thee:
16:26. That thy children, O Lord, whom thou lovedst, might know that it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth men, but thy word preserveth them that believe in thee.
16:27. For that which could not be destroyed by fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam, presently melted away:
16:28. That it might be known to all, that we ought to prevent the sun to bless thee, and adore thee at the dawning of the light.
16:29. For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter's ice, and shall run off as unprofitable water.
Wisdom Chapter 17
The Egyptian darkness.
17:1. For thy judgments, O Lord, are great, and thy words cannot be expressed: therefore undisciplined souls have erred.
17:2. For while the wicked thought to be able to have dominion over the holy nation, they themselves being fettered with the bonds of darkness, and a long night, shut up in their houses, lay there exiled from the eternal providence.
17:3. And while they thought to lie hid in their obscure sins, they were scattered under a dark veil of forgetfullness, being horribly afraid, and troubled with exceeding great astonishment.
17:4. For neither did the den that held them, keep them from fear: for noises coming down troubled them, and sad visions appearing to them, affrighted them.
17:5. And no power of fire could give them light, neither could the bright flames of the stars enlighten that horrible night.
17:6. But there appeared to them a sudden fire, very dreadful: and being struck with the fear of that face, which was not seen, they thought the things which they saw to be worse:
17:7. And the delusions of their magic art were put down, and their boasting of wisdom was reproachfully rebuked.
17:8. For they who promised to drive away fears and troubles from a sick soul, were sick themselves of a fear worthy to be laughed at.
17:9. For though no terrible thing disturbed them: yet being scared with the pa.s.sing by of beasts, and hissing of serpents, they died for fear and denying that they saw the air, which could by no means be avoided.
17:10. For whereas wickedness is fearful, it beareth witness of its condemnation: for a troubled conscience always forecasteth grievous things.
17:11. For fear is nothing else but a yielding up of the succours from thought.
17:12. And while there is less expectation from within, the greater doth it count the ignorance of that cause which bringeth the torment.
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