THE Testament of the twelve Patriarchs, the sons of Jacob: translated out of Greek into Latin by Robert Grosthead, sometime Bishop of Lincoln: and out of his copy into French and Dutch by others: and now Englished. To the credit whereof, an ancient Greek copy, written in parchment, is kept in the university library of Cambridge.  
London, Printed by E C for the company of Stationers. 1658.   

To the Christian Reader.  
ALbeit these our happy days, in some respect, good Christian, have and enjoy divers ●nd sundry works tending ●o the subversion of Belial, and the erection of godliness: yet considering, that as earthly, so we spiritual soldiers, seldom run to the watch without alarm; I thought it convenient to call upon you with this grave and godly book, of long time hid in Hebrew, now come to light in English. The malice of the Jewish people in concealing it, by reason of Christ the righteous, so often prefigured, was intolerable; but the singular providence of God in preserving it, unspeakable; and now at last though charg●able, yet fruitful is the expressing, and printing in our natural language of this so worthy, so golden a writ: being of itself, without the accessary painting of eloquent speech, a mirror for Princes, a Preacher for all Christians, a beautiful glass for women, for children, servants, and such like; a wise, plausible, and most ready schoolmaster, for to apply to every particular estate his peculiar property, Art thou a Prince, a Magistrate, a Rule? let Juda rule thee: If thou thinkest upon manly courage, he teacheth valiantness: if thou seek to govern a right, he willeth thee to fly tyranny: if thou thirst after manners of life, he foundeth it out, that vainglory▪ fornication, and discord, blemish, weaken, & at length utterly consume nobility. Let me proceed farther & ask a question: Art thou a Bishop, a Minister, a preacher of Christ's birth, life, and death? behold Levi as a lantern. 
Levi  Thou canst teach thyself, but he can teach thee better: thou speakest to others, harken to him that talketh to thee; of thy office, how holy it is, how honourable, the contemners thereof how miserable; by whom begun, continued, and confirmed: of thy state of life, what, & how it should be; Nunquam sine Sale, sine Sole: to be short, of thy blessedness, if thou art godly, wise, & learned: of thine and their plagues where thou livest, if wicked and ignorant. What should I say more? Look upon Jacob, 
Jacob.  O you Parents, peruse the 12 godly Fathers in time and order: learn of him & his, to pray to God in Christ his name for your children, have regard to their instruction: the want of the former, your children shall miss: the neglect of the latter, you yourselves shall bewail. For the hearty prayer of a Father to the almighty for his children, is a right singular benefit: but he that for foolish pity giveth them the bridle, is before God accounted a guilty partaker of their sinful race. View this book therefore, harken how to teach yourselves and your children. You have already handled a sick man's Salve, enjoy now at length a sick man's tongue, to instruct them when you leave them, and what to leave them when you die: else their end will be lamentation, but yours lamentable misery. And come you hither you children of the earth; read, see and say, that old father Reuben, with his good brethren, readily and rightly describe the blessed path of righteousness, and the forlorn way of Belial, the one to fly, the other to follow. Wilt thou begin with the eldest, for that old age seemeth wisest? stop not then the ears of thy heart & body to so wise & sweet a charmer. O the number, O the uglisome portraiture of those deadly spirits, that he hath so orderly numbered, and cunningly coloured▪ 

Lechery,  
Envy.  
Gluttony,  
Bravery,  
Pride,  
Vainglory,  
Unrighteousness,  
Wilful ignorance.    
All these, as they seem, are indeed pernicious: but the former is most detestable, the end whereof is consumption of this earthly body, & destruction of the soul. Which wellspring & puddle of evil, if thou wilt have dried up, cease from drunkenness: if not see it, have not a narrow and greedy eye upon a beautiful face: if not drink, yet stop thy mouth from busy questions with women: to conclude, if not therein be ducked and drowned, use labour, tame youthfulness. For in this I overshooting myself, (saith Reuben to his Children) defiled my father's bed. Therefore look not upon the beauty of women, muse not upon their doings, but keep yourselves occupied either in learning, or some work; charge your wives and daughters that they trim not their heads; will them to chasten their looks, for every woman that deals deceitfully in those things, is reserved to the punishment of the world to come. Which trade of life to eschew, seeing it is difficult, without the fulfilling of the law, and the law partly consisteth in mutual love; strive, with Simeon the second brother, 
Simeon.  to avoid strife, which blindeth the mind, pineth the body, provoketh murder. The remedy whereof, is both forgiving and forgetting. Take to thee Joseph's cheerful countenance, a perfect platform of a quiet mind: yet set before thine eyes Simeons' withered hand, a right plague for such a sin. All which disquietness and mischief safely to set a side, let not Juda be set a part. Gather by him experience, that for a man to glory in his own works is sinful, & he which upbraideth another man's vice, standeth slippery. Juda choked Reuben his eldest brother with his fornication: mark, who sinned immediately but envious & railing Juda? 
Judas.  Did he not offend after the flesh in the Canaanites house? did he not take a wife without consent of his Parents? two great sins, and alas in these our days too much used; yet punished, the one with want, or at least small joy of children, saith father Juda the Patriarch; but the other with intolerable danger of body and soul, saith S. Paul. Wherefore abstraine from wine, abhor drunkenness: for such a one slandereth not, rehearseth not another man's sins, breedeth no sedition, but embraceth love and charity in a single heart: as good Father Isachar, 
Isachar.  who never railed, nor was hurtful and spiteful to his neighbour, never ate his meat alone, but gave part to the poor; never removed the bounds and marks of other men's ground, but loved all men as his natural children. O that as we read this, so we might express the same in life and conversation. Mercy and Love is a precious jewel, the maintainers whereof being jointly connexed prosper; once dissevered, come to nought. For the waters (saith Zabulon) wash away the sand, 
Zabulon.  when the stones and timber are dissolved: whose mercy and singular compassion was rewarded singularly. Sift his testament, resemble his rare charity, in clothing the naked, and feeding the hungry, known & unknown, as well strangers as his countrymen. Let not the spirit of Dan possess your mind. 
Dan.  Suffer not the wrath of Gad to settle in your heart, 
Gad.  for such work with 3 sore instruments, bitter speech, treachery, and violent hands, yielding fruit not much unlike, as you may read, as you may see. Wilt thou be taught the ready path to that that thou dost seek? Two ways there be (saith Aser) Vice the one, 
Aser.  the other, virtue. Neptalim's race. 
Neptalim.  Embrace the latter, eschew the former. But he that walketh in them both, blindeth men, deceiveth himself, and mocketh GOD, whose double faced dealing shall be double punished. Such are the covetous, such are they that are merciful in evilness, such are they, saith Aser, that fast from meats, but not from fornication. Have therefore a simple heart, with righteous Joseph, 
Joseph.  the blessed of the Lord, that right figure of Jesus Christ: for hatred he showed love: being cursed he blessed: being shot through he did not so much as bend his bow: albeit his brethren would have slain him, albeit they cast him into a Well, though they sold him as a bondslave, and that to strangers, and such as hated shepherds to the death, of whom he was whipped and tormented, yet he, when they stood in fear, gave them comfort: when they were well-nigh famished, gave them food: when by his authority he might destroy, he by his authority did preserve: being their Lord, using them as his betters: being their brother, accepting them as his children: their unkindness not spoken of, their conspiracies forgotten, their cruel dealing most lovingly, most mercifully forgiven. You have heard his love towards his neighbour, harken his obedience toward God: when he was miserably afflicted, did he rage & swell? when he was made a bondslave of a free man's son, did he cry out on heaven? being utterly forsaken, did he impatiently accuse God's justice? no, Expectans expectavit Dominum: And at the last, the Lord which hid his face did show his countenance; of a caitiff, in respect, making him free; of a freeman, wealthy; of a wealthy subject, an honourable personage, Lord President of Pharo's land: whom the Egyptians being alive loved: being dead, l●ved: being rotten, loved: whom living, neither wealth nor woe could m●ke to swell: neither promise or threats of the Egyptian strumpet could make slide: and therefore being dead, neither world, devil, nor man's policy could make forgotten. O that our mortal race might thus begin, thus persevere, might thus, thus O Lord, most happily finish. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Learn therefore of Benjamin to inflame thy heart, 
Benjamin.  that thou Mayst be ready both in body and soul. Let us, saith Ecclesiast. 
Eccles 14●  commend (and so say I, let us behold) the noble famous men, and the generation of our fore-elders. For many glorious acts hath the Lord done in them, & showed his great power ever since the beginning. Upon the consideration whereof, and especially for that I would have nothing wanting in this book that might serve thy contentation, I thought it as well pertinent to deal with the righteous Father, as with the godly children. For to shadow a face only without a body, hath his deserved commendation: but who so painteth a leg without a body, or a body without a head, it shall not be amiss, as I suppose, as well to term him a foolish painter, as to judge the thing undiscreetly painted. Wherefore as well to see the head as the leg, & to hear the Father as the children, I have faithfully drawn out of Scripture (and not according to my fancy fashioned) the death & testament of Jacob, that blessed and right happy Father, added to this ancient monument of the Children. Therefore, to recompense my pains, read them, but read them diligently; neither read only, but be content to follow. For the imitation of good and godly men, is the direct way & course to godliness: So may we account of Jacobs' blessing: So may we throughly challenge to be his children: Children I mean, not by flesh, but spirit. The Lord which made heaven and earth, the Lord which gave his son to shed his heartblood for us, GOD which disposeth all things to his pleasure, preserve our King, increase our faith, and make us thankful for his benefits. Amen.  
Richard Day.   

The Testament of Jacob, made at his death, to his twelve sons, the Patriarchs, concerning what should betide them in the last days: gathered out of Genesis 48, 49. and added unto this book. 

Come harken my sons, two things I give, my blessing, and my ban:  
The first, to them that godly live; the last, to wicked man.    
The Testament of Jacob.  
IAcob the son of Isaac, borne of Rebecca in the year of the world 2108. his Father being threescore years of age, 
Gen. 23.  
Simple for innocence.  was a perfect man and rig●●eous, dwelling in Lents; not given to pl●a●ure and hunting, as his elder brother, elder by nature, not by grace. For the elder shall serve the younger, saith the Lord. Why? not for that Jacob had so deserved, 
Jacob beloved, not of merit, Rom. 9 but of grace.  but GOD had so appo●nted. Wherefore when he thus by the determinate will of God, and heavenly disposition, which ordereth all things whatsoever, had got his brother's birthright, 
Gen. 25.  and his father's blessing, 
Gen. 26.  his parents considering that the slippery days of carnal copulation did approach, 
Gen. 27.  and warily fearing his Brother Esau, for that he conceived murder in his heart, & instituted a birthday for his devilish purpose, sent him from Bersaba to Mesopotamia to Laban his mother's brother, there honestly to take a wife, and quietly to live. For matrimony, 
A caveat for marriage.  without consent of Parents, and due consideration of either party contracted, as it breedeth their disquietness, so it provoketh God's displeasure. Jacob therefore, after long travel, being placed with his uncle Laban, and serving him fourteen years in labour and pain (albeit bee was the child of promise, 
Trouble & pain are destined to the Elect.  the Blessed of the Lord, borne of a Free woman, and that which is more, his uncle's bone and flesh, and Lord of Canaan: 
An example for children.  not arguing with himself as the worldly Children of this earth, saying, Shall I which am a free and wealthy man's son be made a servant? Shall I be a drudge in my kinsman's house, being sent to marry, and not to serve?) had given him by Laban to Wife for his good service (by which GOD blessed that little that Laban had before) his two daughters, 
A godly note for servants.  Lea first, than Rachel, with their handmaids, Bilha and Zilpha: of whom, according to the promise made to him in Bethel, that his seed should be multiplied, he begat twelve sons, twelve godly Fathers of the earth. 

Reuben.  
Simeon.  
Levi.  
Juda.  
Dan.  
Neptalim  
Gad.  
Aser.  
Isachar.  
Zabulon.  
Joseph.  
Benjamin.   Thus he being blessed of the Lord, 
man's life is but a pilgrimage.  as well in Children as in substance, returned again to his native country, he and his Children, there to live, and there to die. But behold the divine providence of God after three and thirty years expired, he was removed from Canaan to Gosen in Egypt, by means of his son Joseph, chief Steward of Pharaoh's land, whom his brethren heretofore had sold. Where, when he had lived 17. years, and seen his family increased exceedingly, to his great joy and comfort no doubt, especially all the other Countries about being plagued with a great famine, and he by God's mercy not greatly feeling the same, 
God always provideth for the righteous.  perceiving also his troublesome pilgrimage drawing to an end, called his son Joseph unto him, and said, If I have found grace in thy sight, oh put thy hand under my thigh (for in this order they took an oath in Jacob's time) deal mercifully with me and truly, bury me not in Egypt, but let me sleep with my Fathers: Where noting his sure faith in the promise of God made to his Fathers, willed him to look for Canaan his hoped inheritance, and not to trust in Pharaoh's land. To which his request, when Joseph his loving son obediently did condescend, Jacob taking a little more strength unto him, and sitting up, 
parent's ought to tell their children God's blessings.  desirous also to show forth the great goodness of the Lord in preserving him and his, said: God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz, in the Land of Canaan, and blessed me: saying, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and cause thee to multiply, & will make a great number of people of thee, and will give this Land unto thy seed for an everlasting possession. Thy sons, Manasses and Ephraim, I take as mine own, their own brethren shall be called after their name, As I came from Mesopotamia, 
That is, shall be under their tribes.  Rachel died in the Land of Canaan, and was buried by the way to Ephrata, the same is Bethlehem.  
Then Jacob, albeit somewhat dim for age, beholding Joseph's two sons, said: What are these? To whom Joseph answered: They are my sons which God hath given me. O bring them to me, said Jacob, and let me bless them: I had not thought to have seen thy face Joseph, yet lo God hath showed me thy seed.  
God, in whose sight my father's Abraham and Isaac did walk: GOD which hath fed me all my life long unto this day, 
Christ.  and the angel which hath delivered me from all evil, bless these lads, 
Counted as one of his children, not that they should pray unto him being, dead as Eckius gathered. God hath mercy on whom he will. By saith Jacob divideth the Land, a yet but hoped for  and let my name be named on them, and the name of my Fathers, Abraham and Isaac, and that they may grow into a multitude in the midst of the Earth.  
Then as Joseph lifted his father's hand from Ephraim, to Manasses the elder, Jacob said: Let it be, I know well my son, he shall also be a great people, but his younger brother shall be greater: in thee let Israel bless and say, God make thee as Ephraim & Manasses. After this he fainting said: Behold Joseph, I die, God shall be with you, & bring you again to the land of your fathers. Moreover, I give unto thee a portion of land above thy brethren, which I conquered by sword and bow of the Amorites. And come you hither also, O my children, that I may tell you what shall come on you in the last days: Gather ye together, and hear ye sons of Jacob, harken unto Israel your Father.  
Reuben my fi●st borne, my might, my strength, 
Begotten in my youth.  excellent in dignity and power, unconstant as water, thou shalt not excel, because thou didst defile my couch.  
Simeon and Levi, 
Levi had no Tribe, & Simeon was under Juda. Jud. 1.  Brethren in evil, who in your wrath slew a man, & in your selfewill digged down a Wall: Cursed be your wrath, for it was shameless, & your fierceness, for it was cruel. I will divide you in Jacob, and scatter you in Israel.  
Juda, 
Blessings of Juda a worthy captain.  thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies. Thy brethren shall stoop unto thee: as a lion's whelp shalt thou come up from the spoil: thou shalt couch as a lion, and as a lioness; who shall stir thee up? 
A noble Prince, Christ.  2. The sceptre shall not depart from thee, nor a lawgiver from between thy feet, until Shiloh come: all Nations shall seek after him. 3. 
A fertile Land.  Thou shalt bind thy ass Fole to the Vine, and the ass's Colt to the best Vine; thou shalt wash thy garment in wine, and thy cloak in the blood of grapes: thy eyes shall be red with Wine; and thy teeth white with milk.  
Zabulon, thou shalt dwell by the sea side, and thou shalt be an Haven for ships: thy border shall be unto Zidon.  
Isachar, thou shalt be a strong ass, couching down between two burdens: And thou shalt see that rest is good, and that the Land is pleasant, and shalt bow thy shoulder to bear, and shalt be subject unto tribute.  
Dan, thou shalt judge the people, 
Judge 13.14.15.16.  as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan thou shalt be a serpent by the way, an Adder by the path, biting the horse heel, so that his Rider shall fall backward. Then Jacob foreseeing in his mind the great calamity that should betide his posterity, comforting himself, and resting in gods promise, cried out with heart and mind: O Lord, I have waited for thy salvation.  
Gad, an host of men shall overcome thee, but thou shalt overcome at the last. 
Josh. 1.21.   
And what shall I say to Aser? his bread shall be fat, 
Num. 33.  and he shall have pleasures for a King.  
Neptalim is a hind, sent for a present, 
Judg. 4.5.  giving goodly words.  


The blessing of Joseph.  
increase of family   Joseph is a flourishing Bough by a Welside, the small boughs shall ru● upon the Wall. The Archers shot against him, and hated him: but his bough was made strong and his arms strengthened by the hands of the almighty God of Jacob. Out of him shall come an herdsman, a stone in Israel. All these things shall come from my father's God which hath helped thee, 
All things come of God.  and blessed thee with blessings of the Heaven, with blessings of the deep beneath, with blessings of the breast and womb. The blessings of (me) thy father, that I give thee, are stronger than the blessings that I had of mine elders. Until the end of the hills of the world they shall be on thy head.  
Benjamin shall ravine as a wolf, in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night divide the spoil. And now when I shall be gathered to my people, 
Not for the holiness of the place, but for memory of God's promise.  bury me with my father, in the cave that is in the Field of Ephron the Hittite, in the cave that is in the field of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the Field of Ephron the Hittite, for a possession to bury in, where as were buried Abraham and Sara his wife, and Isaac with Rebecca; and there I buried Lea. The Field, and the Cave that is therein, was bought of the Children of Heth.  
When Jacob had made an end of commanding all that he would unto his sons, having lived one hundred forty and seven years, he plucked up his feet into the bed, and quickly died. 
A token of a good conscience.  Then Joseph falling upon his father's face, and kissing him with tears, caused him to be embalmed by Physicians, to the space of forty days, and mourned for him threescore and ten days. Who departing from Egypt into Canaan, with noble men of the Land in Chariots, and horsemen, buried him in the place which Jacob had appointed.   

The Testament of Reuben, made to his Children at his death, concerning the things that he had in his mind, by the suggestion of the spirit of foreknowledge. 

Behold, the pot, the bear, the bed, do note the strength, the lust,  
Of Reuben, and unconstant head, who therefore was accursed.    
The Testament of Reuben.  
THis is the copy of Rubens' testament, concerning all the things which he gave in charge to his children before he died, in the 125. year of his life. Two years after the decease of Joseph, his children and children's children came to visit him in his sickness, and be said unto them.  
My children, I die, & go the way of my Fathers. And seeing there his brethren, Juda, Gad, and Aser, he said unto them; Lift me up, my brethren, that I may tell you and my Children the things that I have hidden in my heart, for I am henceforth drawing to my long home. 
Death is our long home.  Then standing up, he kissed them, and weeping said; Harken my brethren, and you my children, give ear to the words of your father Reuben, mark what I give in charge to you. Behold, I command you this day before the God of Heaven, that ye walk not in the ignorance of youthfulness and fornication, wherein I overshot myself, 
Fornication plagued. Gen. 15.  and defiled the bed of my Father Jacob. For I assure you that the Lord did therefore strike me with a sore plague in my flanks the space of 7 months, & 
a Prayer and repen●●nce stayeth Go●● wrath.  I had perished if my Father 
b The blessing & prayer of a father to god for his children of what benefit.  Jacob had not prayed to the Lord for me, because he was minded to have slain me. I was thirty years old when I did this evil in the sight of the Lord, and seven months was I sick to the death, 
In repentance the heart is to be considered, not external action.  and with a free heart did I seven year penance before the Lord. I drank no wine nor strong drink: no flesh came within my mouth, 
The eight Instruments whereby man worketh & the effect of them.  I tasted not any fine bread: but I mourned for my sin, for it was great, and there shall none such be done in Israel. And now my sons hear me, that I may show you what I saw concerning the seven spirits of error in my repentance. Belial giveth seven spirits against a man, which are the wellsprings of youthful works: and seven spirits are given man in h●s creation, whereby all his works are done. The first is the spirit of life, 
1 Life.  wherewith is created his being. The second is the spirit of seeing, 
2 Seeing.  wherewith cometh lusting. The third, the spirit of hearing, 
3. Hearing.  wherewith cometh learning. The 4 is the spirit of smelling, 
4 Smelling.  wherewith cometh delight, by drawing in of the air, and by breathing of it out again. The fift is the spirit of speech, 
5. Speech.  wherewith knowledge is made. The sixt is the spirit of Tasting, 
6 Tasting  whereof cometh the feeding upon things that are to be eat●n and drunk, and through them is engendered strength, because the substance of streng●h is in meat. The seventh is the spirit of seed and generation, 
7. Seed, & of what property.  wherewith entereth in the lust of pleasure.  
For this cause it is the last of creation, and the first of youth, because it is full of Ignorance, and Ignorance leadeth the younger sort as a blind body into the ditch, and as an ore to the stall. Among all these is the eight spirit, which is of sleep, 
8 Sleep, & of what property. Eight spirits of error, & of what property.  with whom is created the wasting away of Nature, and the Image of Death. With these spirits, are mingled the spirits of error. Whereof the first is the spirit of lechery, 
1. Lechery.  who lieth within the nature and senses of man. The second spirit of unsatiablenes, 
2. Gluttony.  lieth in the belly. The third spirit of strife, 
3. envy.  lieth in the Liver & in choler. The fourth spirit is of bravery and gallantness, 
4. Bravery  that the party may seem comely by excess. The fifth is the spirit of Pride, 
5. Pride of what property.  which moveth a man to mind over great things, or to think well of himself. The sixt is the spirit of lying or vain gloriousness, 
6. vainglory, in what it consisteth.  in boasting a man's self, and in desire to file his talk concerning his own kindred and acquaintance. The seventh is the spirit of unrighteousness, 
7. unrighteousness.  which stirreth up the affections that a man should perform the lustful pleasures of his heart. For unrighteousness worketh with all the other spirits, by taking guile unto him. Unto all these spirits is matched the eight spirit, 
8. Wilful ignorance.  which is the spirit of sleep or sluggishness, in error & imagination, and so the souls of young folks perish; because their minds are darkened and hidden from the truth, 
Discommodities of ignorance.  & understand not the law of the Lord, neither obey the doctrine of their Fathers, as befell to me in my youth. But now my children love the truth, and that shall preserve you, 
Ringleaders to fornication  Harken to your Father Reuben, and let not your eyes 1. run a-gazing after women, 
1. a greedy eye.  neither be ye 2. alone with a Woman that is married; 
2. Close company with women.  neither do ye seek about 3. what Women are doing For if I had not seen Bilha bathing herself in a secret place, 
3. B●sie questions.  I had not fallen into that great w●ckednes. But my mind ra●so so upon the naked Woman, till it suffered me not to sleep till I had committed abomination. For while my Father Jacob was away at his Father Isaac's, and I in Gader hard by Euphrata, a house of Bethlehem, Bilha fell 4. drunken, 
4. drunkenness.  and as she lay asleep uncovered in her chamber, I went in so, and seeing her nakedness, wrought wickedness with her: & leaving her asleep went my way. By and by an Angel of God bewrayed my wickedness to my father Jacob, 
Nothing so secretly done, but it shall be open.  who coming home mourned for me, and touched not Bilha any more. Therefore look not upon the beauty of women, 
A godly caveat.  neither muse you upon their doings, but walk ye with a single heart in the fear of the Lord God, busying yourselves about some work, and keeping yourselves occupied either in learning or about your flocks, 
Labour a preservative from fornication.  until such time as God give you such wives as he listeth, lest you do suffer as I have done. I durst not look my Father in the face to his dying day, nor speak to any of my brethren for shame. My conscience bi●eth me even yet still for my sin. 
A guilty conscience is a great burden.  But my Father comforted me, and prayed for me unto the Lord, that his wrath might pass away from me, as the Lord himself showed, unto me. Therefore from that time forth, I was kept from sinning any more. And you my children likewise, keep ye that I shall tell you, and you shall not sin. For Fornication is the destruction of the soul, 

The fruit of fornication.  
1. Destruction of the soul.  
2. Idolatry.  
3. shortness of life.  
4 Ignominious shame.   separating it from God, and making it to draw unto Idols, because it leadeth the mind and understanding into error, and bringeth men to their grave before their time. For whoredom hath undone many men: & although a man be ancient or noble, yet doth it shame him, and make him a laughing stock both before Belial, and the sons of men. But Joseph, 
Joseph's chastity rewarded.  because he kept himself from all Women, and cleansed his thoughts from all fornication, found favour both before the Lord and men. The Egyptian Woman did much so him, by using the help of witches, and by offering him slaubar sauces: but the purpose of his mind admitted no noisome desire. For this cause the God of our fathers delivered him from all death, both seen and unseen. For if fornication overrule not your mind, neither shall Belial prevail against you. Women are hurtful things, my sons, 
Properties of unchaste women.  because that when they want power and strength against a man, they work guilefully to draw him to them by trains: & whom they cannot overmatch in strength, him they overcome by deceit. For the Angel of the Lord which taught me, told me of them, that they be overmastered by the spirit of fornication more than men be, and that they be ever practising in their hearts against men, first making their minds to err by decking of themselves; then shedding their poison into them by sight, and finally catching them prisoners by their doings: for a woman is notable to enforce a man. Therefore my sons fly fornication, 
A note for garish attire, and wanton looks.  charge your wives and daughters that they trim not their heads, and will them to chasten their looks: for every woman that dealeth deceitfully in these things, is reserved to the punishment of the world to come. 
An example of this mischief, Gen. 6.  For by such means were the watchers deceived before the flood: as soon as they saw them, they fell in love one with another, & conceived a working in their mind, and turned themselves into the shape of men, and appeared to them in their companying with their husband: and the woman by conceiving the desire of them in the imagination of their mind, brought forth Giants. For the Watches appeared to them of height unto heaven. 
Teachers infectious company corrupteth the mind  Therefore keep yourselves from fornication: and if ye intend to have a clear mind, keep yourselves from all Women, and forbid them likewise the company of men, that they may have also clean minds. For although continual companyings do not always work wickedness, yet breed they incurable stings to them, and to us everlasting shame before Belial, because that fornication hath neither understanding nor godliness in it, 
envy accompanieth fornication, shame followeth.  and all enviousness dwelleth in the desire thereof; and for that cause shalt ye envy the Children of Levi, and seek to be exalted above them, but ye shall not be able to compass it: 
Gen 4.9.  for God will avenger them, and you shall die a dangerous death: for unto Levi and Juda hath the Lord given the sovereignty, and unto me, and Dan and Joseph, hath he granted to be Princes with them. Wherefore I charge you, hear Levi: for he shall know the law of the Lord, & deal forth judgement, and offer sacrifices, for all Israel, till the full time of Christ, 
He prophesieth of Christ.  the chief● priest because the Lord hath spoken it. I charge you by the God of heaven, that every of you do deal faithfully with his neighbour, 
Faithful dealing with neighbours.  and flicke unto Levi in humbleness of heart, that ye may receive blessing at his mouth: 
Gen. 5.49.  for he shall bless Israel and Juda. God hath chosen Juda to be the King of all people, wherefore worship you his seed, for he shall die for you in battles both visible and invisible, and shall reign over you world without end.  
Reuben having given his Children the foresaid charge, and blessed them, died: Then they put him in a coffin, & carrying him out of Egypt, buried him at Hebron, in the double Cave where his Fathers slept.   

The Testament of SIMEON, made to his Children at his death, concerning envy. 

The heart in woman's mouth, the face,  
the sword, the wolf, the cap:  
All these paint out the envious race,  
That run to their mishap.    
The Testament of Simeon.  
THe copy of Simeons' words which he spoke unto his sons at his death in the hundreth & twentieth year of his life, in the which Joseph died. For they came to visit him upon his deathbed, and he sitting up, kissed them, saying.  
harken my Children, hear me your father Simeon, whatsoever I have in my heart. I am my father Jacob's second son, and my mother Lea named me Simeon, because the Lord heard her prayer. 
Gen. 29.  I became very mighty. I went through with my doings, and was not afraid of any thing. For my heart was stout, my mind unmovable, and my stomach undiscourageable: for hardiness is given of the highest into men's souls and bodies. 
Hardiness of whom it is.  In those days I envied Joseph, 
Gen. 37.  because my father loved him: I hardened my heart against him to kill him, because the prince of error sending forth the spirit of envy, so blinded my mind, that I could not take heed to spare my father Jacob. But his God, 
Man purposeth, God disposeth.  & the God of his father's sending his angel, did rid him out of my hands. For while I went into Sichem to carry fare for our flocks, and Reuben into Dotaim, where all our necessaries were laid up in store: our brother Juda sold him unto the Ismaelites: & therefore when my brother was come again, he was sorry, for he intended to have conveyed himself again to our father. But I was angry with Juda, for letting him go alive, and bare him grudge five months after: howbeit God letted me, and restrained the working of my hands; for my right hand was half withered up for seven. day's together. Then did I perceive (my sons) that that befell me for Joseph's sake: whereupon I repented soon after, and besought the Lord to restore my hand, and I would abstain from all rancour, envy, and folly. For I knew I had conceived a wicked thought against the Lord, and against my Father Jacob, 
envy desc●ibed.  for my brother Joseph's sake whom I envied.  
Now therefore my children keep yourselves from the spirits of error and envy. For envy overruleth the 
a Blindeth the mind.  mind of every Man, suffering 
b hindereth ●●stenance  him not to eat or drink in rest, or so do any good thing, and is always egging him to 
c Provoketh murder.  slay the party whom he envieth, and 
d Pineth a● men's prosperity  pining away at his prosperity. Two years together I punished my soul with fasting in the fear of the Lord. For I knew that the way to deliver me from envy, 
A remedy against envy.  was the fear of the Lord. If a man flie unto the Lord, the wicked Spirit flieth from him, so as his mind becometh meek, and of spiteful he becometh pitiful, bearing no grudge towards such as love him, and so his envy ceaseth. And because my father saw me sad, he asked me the cause of it. In whom I lied, saying: I have a pain in my stomach for I was sor●iest of all my brothers, for that I had been the cause of Joseph's selling into Egypt. And when I came into Egypt, and was put inward by him as a s●te, than perceived I, 
Gen. 42.  that I was justly punished, and I was not sorry for it. But Joseph being a good man, 
Joseph merciful to his brethren.  and having God's spirit in h●m, and being full of pity and mercy, minded not to do me any harm, but loved me as well as the residue of my brethren. 
Gen. 50.  Therefore my children keep yourselves from all spite and envy, and walk in singleness of mind, and good conscience, after the example of your father's brother, that God may give you grace, glory, and blessedness, upon your heads as you see in him. Of all the days of his life, he did never cast us in the teeth with it, but loved us as his own soul, and more than his own Children, honouring us, and giving us riches, cattle and corn abundantly. You therefore my children, love ye one another with a good heart, 

A sure token of good.  
Properties of envy.  
1 Corruption of life.  
2 Distemperature of body.  
3 Small sleep.   and put from you the spirit of envy; for it maketh a man's sou'e to grow savage, marreth his body, breedeth wrath and war in his thoughts, setteth his blood on fire, driveth him out of his wits, and suffereth no reason to bear any sway or rule. Moreover, it taketh away his sleep, disquieteth his mind, and maketh his body to tremble. For even in sleep some spice of imagined malice gnaweth him, cumbering his soul with Spirits of mischief, making his body ghastly, and his mind affrighted with trouble, and appearing unto men, as it were with a pernicious Spirit, and pouring out of poison. 
Gen. 39  Therefore was Joseph fair of face, 
A token of a quiet mind.  beautiful and comely to behold, because no wicked thing dwelled in him, for he had a countenance clear from cumverance of mind. And now my children let your hearts be meek before the Lord, and walk right before man: so shall ye find favour both with God & man: and beware that ye fall not to whoredom. For whoredom is the mother of all naughtiness, 
Effects of whoredom.  separating a man from God, & sending him to Belial. For I have seen in Enoch's writings, 
Gen. 49.  that you and your children shall be corrupted with whoredom, and do Levi wrong by the sword. But they shall not prevail against Levi, because he shall fight the Lord's battles, and take all your tents, and very few shall be divided in Levi and Juda, 
Parents. teaching not their Children, are guilty. Commodities of concord.  for he shall be your captain, as my Father Jacob prophesied in his blessings. Behold I tell you all these things aforehand, that I may be clear from the sin of your souls. Now if you put from you all enviousness, and all stiffneckednes, all my bones shall flourish as a rose in Israel, and my flesh as a Lil●ie in Jacob, and my savour shall be as the sent of Libanus, & my holy ones shall be multiplied as the Cedars for ever, & their boughs shall spread out in length for evermore. Then shall the seed of Canaan perish together with all the remnant of Amalek. 
Exod. 17.  All the Cappadocians shall perish, and all t●e Sethians shall likewise be destroyed. Then shall the land of Cham fail, and all the people go to wreck. Then shall the Earth rest from trouble, and all men under Heaven from war. Then shall Sem be glorified, when the great Lord God of Israel appeareth upon earth as a man, to save Adam in him. Then shall the spirits of error he trodden under foot, and men shall reign over hurtful fiends: 
Ioh. 1.  then shall I arise again in joy, and bless the highest in his wonderful works: for God taking a body upon him, and eating with men, shall save men. And now my children obey Levi, and you shall be delivered by Juda: 
The fruit of obedience.  and advance not yourselves above these two tribes, for of them two shall the saving health of God spring unto us. 
Gen. 49.  For the Lord shall set up, of Levi the prince of priests, and of Juda the King of K●ngs, God & man. So shall he save all the Gentiles, & the offspring of Israel. For these things sake I charge you to command your children, 
A note for Parents.  to keep these things throughout all their generations.  
And Simeon making an end of these his sayings and commandments, to his children, slept with his fathers, when as he was of the age of an hundred & twenty years. And then they laid him in a coffin of wood that rotteth not, that they might carry his bones again into Hebron: & they conveyed him privily in the wart of the Egyptians. For the Egyptians kept the bones of Joseph, in the King's treasure. For their enchanters told them that whensoever Joseph's bones were carried away, there should be such a plague of mist and darkness among the Egyptians, as one brother should not know another, no not even by torchlight: and Symeons' children bewailed there Father according to the Law of mourning, & continued in Egypt till the day of their departing thence under the hand of Moses.   

The Testament of LEVI, made to his Childrena this death, concerning Priesthood. 

Fly sin, be just, rage not, give light,  
Ye Preachers of God's Word:  
For what else showeth Sun and moon,  
Dame Venus, wolf, and Sword?    
〈…〉  
THe Copy of Levies words, namely which he spoke to his children concerning all the things which they should do; and which should happen unto them, until the day of judgement. He was in health when he called them unto him, for he knew before when he should die. So when they were come together he said unto them.  
I Levi was bred and borne in Charran, 
Levi h●s birth and count●ey, Gen. 34.  and afterward came with my father into Sichem. I was at that time but young, about 20 years old, when I helped my brother Simeon to revenge our sister Dina against Hemor. Now as we were ●eeding of our flocks in Abelmuel, the spirit of the understanding of the Lord came upon me, & I saw all men undermining their own ways, and how unrighteousness had builded herself a fortress, & wickedness sat upon the throne thereof. And I was sorry for mankind, & besought the Lord to save them. Then there fell a sleep upon me, and I saw a very high mountain: It was the mountain of Aspis in Abelmuel. And behold the heavens opened, and the angel of God said unto me, Levi, come hither; 
Christ  and went from the first heaven to the second, and there saw the water hanging between the one and the other. And I saw the third heaven much brighter than them both: for the height thereof was infinite. 
Christ.  And I said to the angel, what meaneth this? And the angel answered me, Marvel not at these things, for thou shalt see four heavens yet brighter, & without comparison when thou comest up to them. For thou shalt stand by the Lord, & be his Minister, and utter his secrets unto men, and preach of the deliverer of Israel which is to come by thee and by Juda the Lord will appear to men to save all mankind in them. Thy life shall depend upon the Lord, by him shalt thou have thy fields, vineyards, fruits, gold, and silver. Therefore harken as touching the seven heavens. The lowest is most lowering, because it is nearest to all the unrighteousness of men. The second hath fire, snow, & ice, prepared by the Lord's appointment against the day of God's rightful judgement. In it are all the spirits of vengeance for the punishing of the wicked. In the third are the powers of hosts orda●ned against the day of judgement, to take vengeance upon the spirits of error and Belial. In the fourth above these, are the saints: for in the higher places dwelleth great glory in the holy of all holies above all holiness. In the next unto this are the angels that do serve in God's presence, and seek his favour in all the ignorances of the righteous. They offer to the Lord the sweet savour of a reasonable service, a sacrifice without blood. In the other that is under this, are the Angels that bring answers from the Angels in God's presence: In that which is above it, are the thrones and potestates, wherein is continual offering up of hymns unto God. Therefore whensoever the Lord looketh upon us, all of us are moved; yea, and even heaven, earth, & the bottomless deep are moved at the sight of his greatness, but the children of men being witless, shall sin and provoke the highest unto wrath; Now therefore understand that the Lord will execute judgement upon the children of men. Because that men will still continue in unbelief and unrighteousness, even when the stone shall cleave asunder, the sun be darkened, the waters dried up, the fire quake, & all creatures be troubled at the fainting of the invisible Spirit, and the spoiling of hell in the passion of the highest: therefore shall they be condemned to punishment. The highest than hath heard thy prayer to separate thee from unrighteousness, 
A minister what he should be of himself not righteous. Mat. 5. End of the priesthood prophesied. Christ his passion prophesied.  and to make thee his son and servant, and a minister in his presence, a lantern of knowledge to lighten Jacob throughly, and to be as a day sun among the children of Israel, and unto thee and thy seed shall the power of blessing be given, till God visit all nations in the bowels of the mercy of his son for ever. Nevertheless, thy sons shall lay their hands upon him to crucify him, and for this cause is wisdom and understanding given unto thee, to give thy children knowledge of him, because that if they bless him, they shall be blessed, and they that curse him shall perish in his sight. And the angel opened me the gates of heaven, and I saw the holy Temple, and the highest sitting on the throne of glory, 
Christ.  and he said unto me: Levi I have given thee the blessings of the Priesthood, till I come myself to dwell in the midst of Israel. Then the angel brought me down to the earth, and gave me a shield and a sword, saying: Execute vengeance in Sechem for Dina, and I will be with thee, for God hath sent me. 
Gen. 34.  And at that time I slew the sons of Hemor, as it is written in the tables of Heaven. And I said unto him, Lord I pray thee tell me thy name, that I may call upon thee in the time of my trouble. And he answered, 
Christ our redeemer.  I am an angel which excuseth Israel, that he might not be stricken for ever, because all wicked spirits he in wait for him. Afterward being waked as it were out of sleep, I blessed the most highest, and the angel that excuseth the offspring of Israel and all righteous men. And when I came to my Father, I found an asp of b●●sse whereupon the hill took the name of 〈◊〉 is, which is hard by Gebat on the rig●● side of Abila. And I laid up these sayings in my hear● and I counselled my father an● my brother Reuben to persuade the sons of Hem●r to be circumcised, 
The zeal of a Minister.  because I was z●●lously grieved for the abomin●●ion which they had wrought in Israel For first fall I killed Sichem, 
Gen. 34.  & then Simeon killed Hemor, and after this came our brethren, who smo●e the city with the edge of the sword. 
Gen. 34.  When my father heard of it he was angry, because they had received circumcision, 
Gen. 49.  and were killed afterward, and therefore he dealt otherwise with us in blessing. 
The manner, not the doing rebuked.  For we sinned in doing it against his will, & he fell sick the same day. But I knew then the Lord intended evil to the Sichemites, 
The sin of the Sichemites.  because they had heretofore purposed to have done the like unto Sara, as they did unto our sister Dina: 
Raped Dina.  but GOD letted them. And they persecuted our father Abraham (as then a stranger) & carried away his cattle, 
Persecuted strangers.  and furthermore did beat Jeblao very sore, who was born in his house. After the same manner dealt they with all oth●r strangers, 
Gen. 12.  taking away their wives from them by force, 
Ravished their wives.  & driving the men themselves out of their country. For which cause the wrath of the Lord came upon them in the end. And I said to my father: Sir be not offended, for God will bring the Canaanites to nothing before thee, & give their land unto thee, & unto thy holy one after thee. For from henceforth Sichem shall be called the city of fools, because that as men do scorn fools, so have we scorned them for their working of folly in Israel in taking away our sister for to defile her. Then came we into Bethel, 
Gen. 35.  and there when I had sacrificed threescore and ten days together, 
The ministry described.  I saw the thing again as I had seen it before. And I saw seven men in white raiment, saying unto me, up, put on the Stole of Priesthood, the crown of righteousness, 
Exod. 28. Levit. 8.  the Reasonal of understanding, the Robe of truth, the breastplate of faith, the Mitre of holiness, and the Ephod of prophecy. And so every of them bringing something with him, did put them upon me, saying, Be thou henceforth the Lord's Priest, thou and thy seed for evermore. The first of them anointed me with holy oil, and gave me the sceptre of judgement. The second washed me with clean water, and fed me with Bread and Wine, that is to wit, with the most Holy of Holies, and clothed me with a glorious Robe down to the ground. The third did put upon me a Silken garment like to an Ephod. The fourth girded me with a girdle like to Purple. The fift gave unto me an Olive bough, very full of fatness. The sixt did set the Mitre of Priesthood upon my head. The seventh filled my hands with incense, to the intent I should execute the office of a priest unto the Lord. And he said unto me, Levi, unto three principal things is thy seed appointed of God: namely, to be a sign of the glorious Lord that is to come, 
The three blessings of the family of Levi. Christ prophesied.  & he that believeth shall be the first. The great lot shall not fall upon him, the second shall be in Priesthood, and the third shall have a new name, because a King shall rise up in Juda, and renew my priesthood, according unto the figure of the Gentiles, among all nations. But the coming of him is unutterable, as who shall be the Prophet of the highest, born of our Father Abraham. All the pleasant things of Israel shall be given unto thee & to thy seed, and you shall eat all that is fair to see to, 
A distributing excludeth the sole receiving of the Sacrament.  and thy seed shall distribute the Lord's Table, and of them shall be high Priests, judges, and Scribes: for in their mouth shall the holy things be kept. When I awoke, I perceived that this vision was like the other, and I laid it up in mine heart, and showed it not unto any man living upon the earth. The first two days I & Juda went to our grandfather Isaac, and he blessed me according to all the sayings of the visions that I had seen, but he would not ●o with us unto Bethel. But when we came to Bethel, my father Jacob saw in a vision concerning me, that I should be their priest before the Lord. And he arose in the morning, and tithed all things to the Lord by me. Then came we to Hebron to dwell there, and by and by Isaac called me to expound the law of the Lord acc●rding as God's angel had showed it to me, 
Exod. 29 Levi. 1.2, 3.  and he taught me the law of Priesthood, Sacrifices, Burnt offerings, ●ir●●●ings, freewill offerings, and offerings for health. Every day he taught me understanding, and called upon me continu●lly before the Lord, saying, My son, 
An exhortation for Ministers. A minister may be married. Levit. 21. He must come with a pure mind to ex●cute his office. Levit. 1.2, 3, 4,  give no care to the spirit of fornication, for he will follow thee and defile the holy things by thy seed. Therefore take thee a Wife in thy youth, such an one that hath not any blemish nor uncleanness, nor is of the kindred of the Allophytes or of the Gentiles. And before thou enter into the Holies, wash and likewise ere thou sacrificest, & also when thou hast done, offer unto the Lord the fruits of the twelve trees that are ever green, as my father Abraham taught me to do: and the fruit of all clean beasts, and of clean souls offer thou in sacrifice. Likewise offer up thy first-born of all things, and the first fruits of thy Vine, and sprinkle thy Sacrifices with Salt. Now therefore my Sons, keep ye all the things that I command you: for whatsoever I have heard of my Fathers, that have I told unto you. I am clear from all the wickedness and sin which you shall commit to the end of the world. 

A comfort for godly parents. Prophecy of the destruction of Israel.  
The Realm plagued, whose ministry is wicked.   Ye shall work wickedness against the Saviour of the world, and ye shall seduce Israel, stirring up much evil against him from the Lord, and dealing wickedly with him, so that Jerusalem shall not continue, by reason of your naughtiness. The Veil of the Temple shall be rent in sunder to discover your foulness, and ye shall be scattered as prisoners amongst the Heathen, and be scorned, cursed, and trodden underfoot. Nevertheless, the House which the Lord shall choose, shall be called Jerusalem, as the Book of Enoch the righteous containneth. Therefore when I was twenty and eight years old, 
Gen. 36. Levi his progeny.  I took a Wife, whose name was Melcha, and she conceived and bare me a son, & called his name Gershon, because we were but strangers in our land: for Gershon signifieth vanishment. Now I knew of him that he should not be of the chief degree. The second was Caath, who was born the five and thirtieth year. I saw a vision Eastward, how all the congregation stood up aloft, and therefore I called his name Caath, which signifieth the beginning of greatness and learning. The third was Merari, who was born in the five and fiftieth year of my life: 
Exod. 6.  And because his mother was hardly delivered of him, she called him Merari, which is as much to say, as my bitterness. And in the threescore and fourth year of my life, was my daughter Jochebed born in E●●pt: and so was I honourable among my ●rethren. Also my son Gershon took him a wife, which bare him Lybni, and Schimi. The sons of Caath were Amram, Yshvar, Hebron and Uziel: and the sons of Merari were Mahali and Mushi. An the fourscore and fourteenth year of my life, Amram took unto wife my daughter Jochebed, because that be and she were born both on one day. 
Levi made Priest at 18 years.  I was eight year old when I entered into the Land of Canaan, and eighteen year old when I entered into the office of Priesthood. At eight and twenty years' 〈◊〉 a Wife, 
Married at 28.  and at forty years ●ld I en●red into Egypt, and behold ye be ●ow my children's children in the third generation. Joseph died in the hundreth and tenth year. And now my Children, I warn you fear the Lord your God with all your heart, 
A note for Parents.  and walk plainly in all things, according to his Law. Moreover, bring up your children in learning, that they may have understanding by reading the law of God, without ceasing all their life long. For whosoever knoweth God's law, 
Blessings of the learned Minister.  shall be honoured; and go wheresoever he will, be shall be no stranger▪ also he shall have more friends than his forefathers had, 〈◊〉 many shall be glad to serve him, and 〈◊〉 hear the law at his mouth. My sons, deal rightfully upon earth, that you may find Heaven, and sow good things in your minds, 
wisdom a precious jewel.  that you may find them in your life. For if ye sow evil things, ye shall find and reap all manner of cumbrance and trouble. Get ye wisdom i● the fear of God: for if captivity come and Cities and Countries be destroyed gold and silver and all possessions perish but none can take away the wise man wisdom, save only the blindness of ungodliness and sin. 

Sin blindeth wisdom.  
Commodities of wisdom.   For his wisdom shall become a shield to him among his enemies, and make a strange country to be as his own home, and cause him to find friendship in the midst of his foes. If he teach and do such things, 
Christ his death, and spitefulness of the Jews, prophesied. Mat. 27.  he shall sit with Kings, as did our brother Joseph. And truly my Children, I know by the writings of Enoch, that in the end ye shall do wickedly, laying your hands most spitefully upon the Lord, and through you your brethren shall be confounded, and made a scorning stock to all nations. Howbeit our Father Israel is clear from the wickedness of the high Priests, which shall lay hands upon the Saviour of the World. The Heaven above the earth is clean, & you be the lights of the heathen, as the Sun and the moon. What shall all the heathen do, if you be overdarkned with wickedness, 
Ministers what they are.  and bring cursedness upon your country folk, for whose sakes the light of the World is put into you, to enlighten all men withal? this light of the World shall you most wilfully steal, and teach commandments contrary to the righteousness of God. Ye shall purloin the Lords offering, 
The wicked Priesthood and their misery described. 1 Sam. 2.  and filch away pieces of it. Before you do your sacrifices unto the Lord, ye shall steal away the choicest things, and eat them disdainfully with Harlots, teaching commandments of covetousness. Ye shall defile married women, and enforce maidens in Jerusalem, you shall match yourselves with who●es, and Harlots, you shall take the daughters of the Heathen unto wife, purifying them with unrighteous purifying, and your mingling shall be like unto Sodom and Gomorrha, and ye shall be swollen with wickedness in the Priesthood, insomuch that you shall most disdainfully and spitefully laugh the holy things to scorn, not only vaunting and boasting yourselves against men, but also being puffed and swollen up with pride against the commandments of God. 
A Prophecy of their destruction.  For this cause shall the Temple which the Lord shall have chosen, be undoubtedly left desolate in uncleanness, and you yourselves become captives to all Nations, and be loathed and abhorred among them, and receive endless shame and confusion, through God's righful judgement: and all that see you shall shun you. And were it not for our Fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, 

A prophecy of Christ's persecution.  
Mark the right portraiture of the Shaveling generation.   there should not one of my seed be left upon earth. Furthermore I know by the Book of Enoch, that ye shall go astray by the space of threescore and ten wreks, and defile the Priesthood, stain the Sacrifices, destroy the Law, despise the sayings of the Prophets, frowardly persecute righteous folk, hate the godly, abhor the sayings of soothfast men, and call him heretic that goeth about to renew the Law by the power of the Highest: 
Christ and his members.  and in the end ye shall kill him out of hand, as you think; not knowing that he shall rise again, and so shall ye receive his innocent blood wilfully upon your own heads. For his sake shall your holy places be left desolate, which you shall have defiled, even by utter forswearing, and your dwelling shall not be clean, but you shall be accursed among the Heathen, and despair shall vex you, till he visit you again, and mercifully receive you through faith and water. 
Ergo faith & the holy Ghost justifieth, and not merits.  And forsomuch as ye have heard of the threescore and ten weeks, hear ye also of the Priesthood. For in every jubilee shall be Priesthood. In the first jubilee the first anointed into the priesthood shall be great, & talk to God, as to his father, & his priesthood shall be full of the fear of the Lord, and in the day of his gladness he shall rise up unto the salvation of the world. In the second jubilee, the anointed shall be conceived in the heaviness of the beloved sort, and his priesthood shall be honourable, and he shall be glorified amongst all men. The third priest shall be taken up in sorrow, and the fourth shall be in grief, because the multitude of iniquities shall be laid upon him, and throughout all Israel every man shall hate his neighbour. The fift shall be held fast in darkness, and likewise the sixt and the seventh. And in the seventh shall be such abomination both before▪ God and man, as I am not able to express. Howbeit that the doers thereof shall not be known. For this cause shall they be in captivity & corruption, and their land and substance shall be destroyed, but in the fifth week they shall retu●ne into their desolate country, and renew the Lord's house. In the seventh week, shall come idolatrous priests, covetous warriors, unrighteous scribes, and filth●e abusers of men, children, and beasts. After that the Lord hath sent vengeance upon them in the priesthood, 
Christ & his true mnistery described  then will God raise up a new Priest, unto whom all the Lord's word shall be opened: and he shall execute true judgement upon earth many days, and his star shall arise in heaven. As a King shall he shed forth the light of knowledge in the open sunshine of the day, and he shall be magnified over all the World, and be received and shine as the Sun upon the earth, and drive away all darkness, and there shall be peace upon all the earth. In his days the heavens shall rejoice, 
Christ lighneth the world. Baptism of Christ prophesied.  the earth shall be glad, the clouds shall be merry, the knowledge of the Lord shall be poured out upon the earth as the waters of the Seas, and the angels of glory that are in the Lord's presence shall rejoice in him. The heavens shall be opened, & out of the temple of glory shall sanctification come upon him with the father's voice, as from Abraham the Father of Isaac, and the glory of the highest shall be spread out upon him, and the Spirit of understanding & sanctification shall rest upon him, whereof he shall give abundantly and mightily to his children in truth for evermore, and there shall none succeed him from generation to generation, 

No Priesthood shall succeed Christ.  
Priesthood of Christ how beneficial.   world without end. In his Priesthood all sin shall come to an end, and the unrighteous shall cease from their naughtiness: but the righteous shall rest in him, and he shall open the gates of Paradise, and stay the threatning sword against Adam, and feed the Lambs with the fruit of life, and the spirit of holiness shall be in them. He shall bind up Belial, and give his own children power to tread down hurtful spirits, 

Christ our propitiator.  
Christ giveth power to his to tread down spirits.   and the Lord shall rejoice in his children, and accept them as his beloved for evermore. Then shall Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob be glad, and then shall I and all Saints rejoice. Now my children ye have heard all. Therefore choose un●o you either light or darkness, either the Law of the Lord, or the works of Belial; and we answered our Father, saying: We will walk before the Lord according to his law. And our Father said, the Lord is witness, and his Angels are witnesses, and I am a witness, and you yourselves are witnesses of the words of my mouth. And when we had answered, We will be witnesses, Levi rested with this charge given unto his children.  
And stretched out his feet, and was put to his fathers, when he had lived a hundred and seven and thirty years, and they laid him in a coffin, and buried him afterward in Hebron, besides Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.   

The Testament of Juda made to his Children at his death, concerning valiantness, covetousness and fornication. 

Lo here the blessed Princely state  
Of Juda suffering not his mate.  
The sceptre, Lion, Purse and crown  
Betoken glory and renown.    
The Testament of Juda.  
THe copy of all the sayings of Juda, which he spoke unto his Children at the time of his death: when they were come together before him, he said unto them.  
I was my father's fourth son, 

Juda his exhortation.  
The duty of children.   and my mother called me Juda, saying, I thank the Lord for that he hath given me a fourth son. I was swift of foot and painful in my youth, and obeyed my Father in all things, and blessed my mother and my mother's sisters. And when I came unto man's estate, 
valiantness of Juda: the gift of God.  my father Jacob prayed over me, saying: Thou shalt be a King and prosperous in all things. Behold, God gave me grace in all my works both abroad, & at home. Upon a time I saw a Hind, and ran after her, and caught her, & made good meat of her for my father. Also I outran the Roes, and overtook all things that were in the fields, insomuch that I caught a wild Mare, and tamed her. I plucked a kid out of the mouth of a bear, 
The manhood of Juda.  & taking him by the paw overthrew him, and rent asunder all wild beasts that turned upon me, as if I had been a Dog. I encountered with a wild Boar, and overrunning him tore him in pieces. In Hebron a bastard lion leapt upon a Dog, and I catching him by the tail, flung him away by and by, and be braced asunder. In the borders of Gare a wild Bull was feeding in the fields, and I took him by the horns, and swinged him about, and finally killed him. There came two Kings of the Chananites armed, upon our flock, and much people with them, and I alone running unto the flock, stepped to King Sur, and striking up his legs, overthrew him, and so slew him. Also I killed another King named Thaphes, sitting on his Horse, and so scattered all their people. I overtook King Achor a Giant on horseback, shooting forward and backward: and throwing a stone of threescore pound weight upon his Horse I overthrew him and killed him, and fighting two hours with Achor, at length I c●ave his shield, and maimed his feet, and finally slew him. As I was pulling off his breastplate, behold eight of his friends assailed me, whereupon I filled my hands with stones, and flinging them at them with a sting, slew four of them, and put the other four to flight. Also our Father Jacob slew the Giant Beelisa King of all the Kings, 
The valiantness of Jacob.  who was mighty and huge, of the stature of twelve cubits. By reason whereof fear fell upon them, and they left their fighting against us. For this cause my father was careful of me when I was in battle with my brethren. He saw in a vision concerning me, that the angel of strength followed me everywhere, to the intent I should not be overcome. The second handsel was a greater battle to us, then that which we had at Sichem: in so much that in fighting valiantly with my Brethren, I chased a thousand men, and slew of them two hundreth persons & four of their Kings, and following after them, scaled the walls of their city, & there slew two Kings more, & so we delivered Hebron, & led them all away as prisoners. Then the next day we went to a strong walled, & unapprochable city, called Areca, which threatened to kill us. Therefore I & Gad went to the east side of the city, and Reuben and Levi unto the West & South side. They that stood upon the walls supposing there had been no more but Gad & I, did set fire upon us while in the mean time my brother that lay in stale, broke out upon the other two sides, and scaling the walls with ladders, entered the city ere our enemies wist it, & so we won it by the Sword, and set fire upon the Lower, and burned it up with such as were fled into it. As we returned, the men of Thaffie lay in wait for our prey, and took it with our children. But we followed them to Thaffie & slew them, and buried their City, spoiling all that was in it. And while I was at the waters of Gureba, we fell upon the men of Jobel, that came against us in battle, and slew and spoiled both them, and also their complices, that came to their aid from Selon, so as we gave them no respite to return again upon us. The fift day after, there came men from Machir to fetch away our prisoners, whom we met in battle notwithstanding that they were a mighty boast, and slew them before they could get up to the place that they came from. And when we came to their City, their women tumbled down stones upon us from the top of the hill whereon their city stood: but I & Simeon coasting to the back side of the town, got unto the higher places, and destroyed the whole city. The next day it was told us that the cities of two Kings came against us with a huge host. I therefore and Dan feigning ourselves to be Amorrheans and fellows with them, went into their City, and taking the entrances in the dead time of the night, did set the gates wide open to our brethren that came after us: by means whereof we destroyed them & all that they had, & when we had sacked the city, one did cast down the three walls thereof. Then went we to Thamua, which was the refuge of all the Kings for their wars. Where being angry for a hurt that I took, I charged upon those that stood above me: but they threw down stones out of slingings upon me, and shot arrows at me, & had killed me, but that my brother Dan rescued me. Therefore we came running upon them in a rage, and put them all to flight: and they passing by another way, went and sued humbly unto my Father, who made a Covenant with them, so as we did them not any more harm, but received them into league with us, & delivered them all their prisoners. Then builded I Chamma, & my father builded Rambahel. Twenty years old was I when this war was made, and the Chanaanites were afraid of me, and my Brethren. I had much cattle, & my chief herdsman was Yran of Odellam, in whose company I saw Bersa King of Odellam who made us a feast, & with much entreatance gave me his daughter Bethsue to wife, which brought me forth ere, Anan, and Sylon, of which three God slew two childless. For Sylon lived, of whom some of you be the Children. My Father and we made eighteen years' peace, with his brother Esau and his children. When the eighteen years were past after our coming out of Mesopotamia, in the fortieth year of my life Esau our father's brother came upon us with a great strong host, & was slain by the bow of Jacob, & conveyed away dead unto Mount Seir. we also followed upon the Children of Esau, but his city was very strong with high walls, and gates of iron and brass, so as we could not enter into it, howbeit we did shut them up within it, and besieged it. Now when they showed not themselves abroad in twenty days together, I put my Helmet upon my head, and in fight of them all set up a ladder, and scaling the walls, slew four of their noble men with a stone of the weight of three talents. The next day Reuben and Gad went and slew threescore others. Then they offered peace, and we by our Fathers advise, received them into tribute. And they gave us two hundred quarters of corn, five hundreth bats of oil, and a thousand & five hundred measures of Wine, until we went down into Egypt. After this my son Er married Thamar, of Mesopotamia, the Daughter of Aram. 
Er & Anan slain for not using the benefit of lawful marriage.  Now ere was a very wicked imp, and doubted much of Thamar, because she was not of the land of Chanaan. Therefore the Angel of the Lord slew him the third night after his marriage, when he had not yet accompanied with her, by reason of his mother's subtlety, and so died in his naughtiness, for she was loath that he should have had any children by her.  
When Anan was marriageable, I gave Thamar unto him, and he likewise of a spite accompanied not with her, notwithstanding that he lived a full year with her, and when I threatened him, than he companied with her, but yet by his mother's commandment he let his seed fall upon the ground, and so also he died in his wickedness. I minded to have given her unto Sylon also, but my wife Bethsue would not suffer me. For she spited Thamar because she was not of the daughters of Chanaan as herself was. Now I knew, the offspring of Chanaan was mischievous, but yet did youthful fancy blind my heart. 
fornication a fruit of drunkenness.  And as I beheld her pouring out wine, I was deceived with drunkenness, and fell in love with her.  
Upon a time while I was away, she married Sylon to a woman of Chanaan: 
Gen. 38.  which her deed when I understood, I cursed her in the bitterness of my soul, & so she died in the wickedness of her sons. A two years after these things, as I went to shear my sheep, 
An intolerable custom of the Amorites.  Thamar decking herself live a Bride, sat her down at the gate of the City. For it was the custom of the Amorites, that their brides do set themselves forth at the gates of their cities, 
apparel, Beauty, & wine provoketh whoredom.  by the space of 7 da●es together, to be abused by fornication. I therefore being drunken with the waters of Horek, knew her not, by reason of wine, insomuch that her beauty together with the attire in decking of herself deceived me, and thereupon turning aside unto her, I said, shall I come in unto thee? and she answered, what wilt thou give me? and I gave her my staff, and my girdle, 
fornication is chargeable.  and the crown of my kingdom. Upon my companying with her, she conceived: afterward I not knowing myself to have been the doer thereof, would have put her to death for it. But she having kept my pledges in store, shamed me with them: and when I had heard my own words of her in secret, which I had spoken to her when I lay with her in my drunkenness, 
Happy are they that can cease from doing ill.  I could not put her to death because it was of the Lord's doing, but I touched her not any more to my dying day. For when I had done this abomination in Israel, lest she might work wiles with me, I said I would fetch my pledges again of her: but when I inquired for her, the townsmen said there was no bride in the city, because she came from another place, and had sit there but a little while, & she deemed that no man knew of my going in unto her. Afterward we came into Egypt to Joseph, because of the dearth. Six and forty years old was I when we came hither, & threescore & thirteen years have I lived here. And now my sons hear me your father in all things that I charge you withal, and keep you all my sayings, in doing all manner of righteousness before the Lord, and in obeying the commandments of the Lord God, and walk not after your own lusts, nor after conceits of your own minds, 
It is sinful to any man to glory in his felicity  in the pride of your hearts, neither glory in the works of the strength of your youth, because it is sinful in the sight of the Lord. For in as much as I gloried in my battles, and upbraided my brother Reuben with Bilha my father's Wife, 
See what it is to upbraid men their vice.  because no face of any beautiful woman had yet deceived me, therefore the spirit of fondness and fornication fell upon me, so that I was overtak●n both in Bethuse the Chanaanite, and in Thamar the Wife of my own sons. And I said unto my father in Law, I have made my father privy to the matter, & therefore I will take thy daughter to my wife. Hereupon he showed me an infinite mass of gold in his daughter's be●alf (for he was ● king) & decking her with Gold and Pearl, willed her to pour out wine to us at the Supper. The beauty of the woman, and the wine together dazzled mine eyes, and voluptuousness did so darken mine understanding, that I fell in love with her, 

Children that marry without consent of parents plagued. Discommodities of wine.  
1. Blindeth understanding.  
2. Servant of lechery.   and broke the commandment of God, and of my fathers, & took her to wife. According to the intent of my heart, the Lord paid me home for it: for I had no joy of the children that I had by her. Now therefore my Children be not drunken with wine, for wine turneth a man's understanding away from the truth, and kindleth in him the fire of lust, lead●ng his eyes into error, insomuch as wine is a servant to the spirit of lechery, to further the feeding of the mind with voluptuousness, and so these twain bereave a man of all power. 
fruit of drunkenness. A drunken man is shameless  For if a man drink wine till he be drunken, he traineth his mind unto the filthy thoughts of lechery, and kindleth the body to carnal copulation. And if desired occasion serve, sin is wrought without shame. Such a thing is wine my sons, for a drunken man is ashamed of nothing. Behold, it made both me & Thamar do amiss, so as I blushed not at the multitude in the city, 
Example  but went aside unto her in the sight of all men, and committed a great sin in discovering the unclean privities of my own sons. Through drinking of wine I was not ashamed to break God's commandment, in taking a woman of Chanaan to Wife. Wherefore my sons, he that drinketh wine had need of discretion, & the discretion that every man ought to use in drinking of wine is, 
Who ought to drink wine.  that he be ashamed to over-drink himself. For if he pass that bond, he foregoeth his understanding, & cleaveth to the spirit of error, which causeth the drunken man to talk filthily, 

Properties of a drunken man is filthy talk & wicked deeds.  
discommodity: of whoredom.   & to do wickedly, & not to be ashamed, but to boast of his lewdness, thinking it to be good. He that committeth whoredom is bereft of his liberty and becometh a bondslave of lechery, and cannot get out of it again, after the same manner that I was made naked. For I gave over my staff, that is to say, the stay of my tribe; & my girdle, that is, my power: & my crown, that is, the glory of my kingdom. H●wbeit repenting these things, I forbore all wine and flesh unto mine old age, and was utterly unacquainted with all mirth And the angel of God showed me that women should from time to time overmaster all men, as well Kings as captives, and bereave great men of their glory. For the poverty of a poor man is a greater fence to him than is the strength of a mighty man. 

Four noisome Spirits follow drunkenness  
1. Concupiscence.  
2. Heart burning.  
3. Lechery  
4. covetousness.   Therefore my children keep measure in drinking, for there are in it four noisome spirits, that is to wit, of concupiscence, of heart burning, of lechery, and of filthy gain. If ye drink wine merrily in the fear of the Lord with shamefastness, ye shall live: But if ye drink without regard of shame & fear of God, than turneth it to drunkenness, & dishonesty stealeth in. 

Astibnenc from wine what commodity it hath.  
2. It slandreth not.  
2. It quarreleth not, nor raileth.  
3 It breaketh not the commandments.  
4. It perisheth not before the time.   And if ye drink none of all, then shall ye not sin, neither in slanderous words, nor in quarrelling, nor in railing, nor in breach of God's commandments, neither shall ye perish before your time. For wine discloseth the secrets of God & man unto Strangers, like as I bewrayed the secrets of God and of my Father Jacob to Bethsue the Chanaanite, which God hath forbidden to be disclosed. Also wine is a cause of war and sedition. Moreover I charge you my sons that you love not money, ne look upon the beauty of women, for money & womanly beauty made me to overshoote shoot myself in Bethuse the Chanaanite. And I am sure that these two things shall corrupt mine offspring, and mar the wise men of my lineage, and hurt the kingdom of Juda, 
Obedience to parents how profitable.  which God hath given me for obeying my Father, for I never repined at my father Jacob's commandments, but did whatsoever be willed me. And Abraham the Father of my father's blessed me to fight for Israel, & so did Isaac bless me likewise: & I know that the kingdom shall stand by me, but I have read in the books of Enoch the righteous, that ye shall work wickedness in the latter days. 
The discommodites of covetousness.  therefore my Children keep yourselves from lechery and covetousness, and give ear unto your father Juda: for those things withdraw men from God's law, & blind the understanding of their minds, & teach them 
a Fill of Pride.  pride, neither suffer they any man to show mercy 
b merciless  to his neighbour; they bereave his soul 
c Disquiets the soul.  of all good things, & hold it down in pains and sorrows, also they disappoint him of his rest & sleep 
d Consumes the body.  and consume his flesh. F●nally, 
e contemns God's holy word.  they hinder God's sacrifices, neglect his blessings, disobey the speaking of the Prophets, and are offended at the word of godliness: for these two passions are contrary to the commandments of God. He that serveth them cannot obey God, because they dazzle men's minds, 
The covetous & lecherous cannot fear God. Idolatry the fruit of covetousness.  and walk abroad as well a nights as of days. My children, covetousness leadeth men to Idolatry. For through doting upon money, he calleth them gods which are not, and compelleth the infected party to grow most vilely out of kind. For moneys sake I lost my children, and had not the penance of the flesh, and the humbling of my soul, & had not the prayers of my father Jacob been, I had died as now without Children. But the God of my father's being merciful, and full of pity and compassion, knew that I sinned through ignorance. For the prince of error had blinded me, and I overshot myself as a fleshly man, and being corrupted with sin, knew not mine own infirmity, but thought myself to be invincible. Know ye therefore my sons, that two spirits do wait upon a man: 
Two Spirits wait upon a man.  that is to wit, the Spirit of truth, and the Spirit of error, and in the midst between them is set the Spirit of understanding of the mind, whose property is to incline which way it listeth: the things that belong both to truth and untruth, are written in the breast of man, and God knoweth every whit of it, and none of all men's works can be hidden at any time from him, because all the privities and secrets of men's hearts are written before the Lord, and the spirit of truth beareth witness of all things and accuseth all, and he that sinneth hath a burning in his heart, and cannot lift up his face to his judge. And now my children love ye Levi, that ye may abide, and exalt not your selve● above him, lest ye perish. The Lord hath given unto me the kingdom, and unto him the Priesthood, and hath pu● the kingdom 
a In respect that heavenly things are better than earthly, not in external rule & government.  under the Priesthood unto Levi is given the Priesthood, an● unto Juda the kingdom, and God hat● put the kingdom under the Priesthood unto me he hath given the things tha● are upon the Earth, and unto 
b Ergo jure divino, the Pope can challenge no earthly power.  him the things that are in heaven. As far as the Heaven surmounteth the earth, so far● doth 
c Not in power and rule, but in the excel●ēcy of the office appertaining to God.  the priesthood surmount the kingdom that is upon the earth. For the Lo●● hath chosen him above me to approach u●to him, and to eat of his table, and to tak● the firstlings of the children of Israel, and thou shalt be as a Sea to him. For like as in the Sea both the righteous and unrighteous are in danger, and the one sort are caught Prisoners, and the other sort are enriched: even so shall all kind of men be hazarded in thee, some sinking in misery, & other some floating in prosperity. For in thee shall reign great whales, 
Tyrants & wicked men described and prophesied.  which shall swallow up men as fishes, and bring free men's sons and daughters into bondage. They shall take away men's Houses, Lands, cattle, and money by force, and wrongfully they shall feed ravens & other greedy fowls with many folk's flesh, and they shall prosper and flourish in naughtiness, and be exalted through covetousness, and there shall be false Prophets like storms, which shall persecute all righteous men. 
mutual discord is a plague for tyrants.  But the Lord shall set them together by the ears among themselves, & there shall be continual wars in Israel, and my kingdom shall be knit up in strangers, till the saviour of Israel come, 
Christ prophesied.  even till the coming of the God of righteousness, that Jacob & all nations may rest in peace, and he shall maintain my kingdom in peace for ever. For the Lord hath sworn to me, that the kingdom of me and of my seed, shall never fail world without end. But I am very sorry my Children, 
Note this ye that seek after witches for lost goods.  for the filthiness, & treachery, & idolatry which ye shall work against the kingdom, by following Witches and Conjurers, by vowing your Daughters to deceitful devils, by making them enchanters, 
The misery of Jerusalem.  charmers, and Strumpets, and by intermeddling yourselves with the abominations of the heathen, for the which things the Lord shall bring upon you 
a Famine  famine, & 
b Pestilence.  pestilence, death and 
c Death & Sword.  sword, wrathful 
d Besiegement.  besiegement, & 
e Devouring dogs.  devouring dogs, reproach 
f Daily reproach.  of friends and foes, loss & 
g loss & pain of eyes.  pain of eyes, slaughter 
h Slaughter of children.  of your children, ravishings 
i Ravishing of Wives.  of Wives, spoil of your goods, the burning 
k Burning of the Temple.  of your temple, the desolation 
l Desolation of the country.  of your country, and the 
m Captivity. A remedy for these. First, Repentance. Obedience  captivity of yourselves among all nations, which shall geld some of you, to make eunuchs for their wives, but if ye return to the Lord with hearty repentance & humility, & walk in all the commandments of God, he will visit you with mercy, and lovingly deliver you from the bondage of your enemies. After this shall rise among you a Star out of Jacob, and a man shall spring out of my seed, which shall walk as the Day-sun of righteousness among the children of men, in peace and meekness, and righteousness, and no sin shall be found in him. The heavens shall open upon him, to pour out the spirit of blessedness upon him from the Father, and he shall shed out the spirit of grace upon you, and you shall be his children in truth, walking in his first and last commandments. This is the offspring of the most high God, and the wellspring of life to all flesh. Then shall the sceptre of my Kingdom shine bright, and out of your root shall spring the vessel of planting, in whom shall grow up the Rod of righteousness unto the Gentiles, 
The most heavenly benefit of Christ his second coming.  to judge and save all such as call upon him. After this shall Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob rise up again to life, and I and the Princes my brethren, shall be your sceptre in Israel: Levi first, I next, Joseph the third, Benjamin the fourth, Simeon the fift, Isachar the sixt, and so all the rest. And the Lord hath blessed us. Levi shall be the messenger of my presence, Simeon the power of my glory, Reuben Heaven, Issachar the earth, Zabulon the Sea, Joseph the Mountains, Benjamin the Tabernacle, Dan the lights, Neptalim the Dainties, Gad the day-sun, and Aser an Olive-tree. 
A sweet comfort for the godly Christian. Matth. 5.  And there shall be one people of the Lord, and one tongue, and there shall be no more the false spirit of Belial, because he shall be cast into endless fire. They that are buried in sorrow, shall rise in joy: 
Note.  and they that were poor for the Lord's sake, shall be made rich. They that suffered penury, shall have plenty: and they that were weak, 
The blessed estate of the elect after death.  shall be made strong, they that died for the Lord's sake, shall wake up unto life, and run in Jacob: yea they shall run skipping and leaping, and they shall fly as Eagles for joy. But the ungodly shall be sorrowful, and the sinners shall mourn, and all people shall glorify the Lord for ever. Therefore my children, keep all the law of the Lord, for there is hope for all such as walk aright. A hundred and nineteen years old do & die in your sight. Let none of you bury me in costly clothes, nor rip my belly, for so will Rulers do, but carry me back into Hebron with you. With these words Juda died: and his Children doing in all things as he commanded them, buried him with his Fathers in Hebron.   

¶ The Testament of ISACHAR, made to his Children at his death, concerning a single heart. 

Learn here a simple life,  
Not void of pain, but strife:  
The sith, the Spade, the ass,  
Set forth what man he was.    
The Testament of Isachar.  
THE copy of Isachars words. He calling his children about him, said unto them, 
The exhortation.  Ye children of Isachar hear your Father, and harken to the words of the beloved of the LORD. I am Jacob's fift son in the reward of mandrake. For Reuben brought Mandrakes out of the field, & Rachel meeting him, 
Gen. 30.  took them of him. Thereat Reuben wept, and at his noise my mother Lea came out. Now the Mandrakes were sweet scented Apples, which the Land of Aram bringeth forth in high countries, by the water valleys. And Rachel said, I will not give thee these apples, because they shall help me to children. Now there were two of these apples: and Lea said, doth it not suffice thee, that thou hast gotten away the husband of my virginity, but that thou wilt have this al●o? She answered, Let Jacob lie with thee to night, for thy sons Mandragoras. Lea said unto her, do not boast nor brag: for Jacob is mine, and I am the wife of his youth. And Rachel answered, How so? was he not first handfasted unto me, and served he not our Father fourteen years for me? What shall I do to thee? For many are the wiles and policies of men, and guile goes forward upon earth. If it had been otherwise, thou shouldest not have seen Jacob in the face at this day. For thou art not his wife, but wert guilefully put to him in my stead. My father deceived me, and conveying me away that night, suffered me not to see him. For had I been there, this had not come to pass. Wherefore take the one Mandrake, and in lieu of the other, I grant thee him for one night: and Jacob knew Lea, who conceiving bare me, and called my name Issachar, because of the hire. Then an Angel of the Lord appeared unto Jacob, and said that Rachel should bear but two sons, because she had forsaken the company of her husband, and chosen continency: and if my mother Lea had not given the two Apples for his company, she should have born eight children, whereas by reason of that she bare but six, Rachel two, and because God visited her in the Mandrakes. For he knew that she greatly desired to company with Jacob for Issues sake, and not for lust of pleasure: for she laid up the Mandrake, and delivered it unto Jacob the next day, and therefore God heard Rachel in the Mandrakes, because that although she had a mind● unto them, yet she ate them not, but offered them to the Priest of the most High, which was in those days, and laid them up in the Lord's House. Therefore my Children, 
The godly life of Issachar, & his true dealing.  when I came unto man's state, I walked with an upright heart, and became bailiff of Husbandry unto my fathers, and brought them the fruits of their Lands in their due seasons, 
An example for godly children.  and my father blessed me, when he saw how I walked plainly and simply. 
A pattern of a virtuous life.  I was no busy body in my doings, I was not hurtful nor spiteful to my neighbour, I railed not upon any man, neither dispraised I the life of any, that walked in singleness of mind. By reason hereof, when I was thirty years old I took a Wife, because labour had consumed my strength. I never knew the pleasures of a woman through wantonness, but my labour made me to sleep soundly, and my father did always rejoice of my simplicity. For whatsoever pains I took, first of all I offered all the first fruits and the first engendered cattle unto the Lord by the Priest, and then gave my Father the rest, and the Lord doubled his benefits in my hands. Yea, and Jacob himself perceived well that God wrought with my plain dealing. For unto every poor man, and to every man in adversity, gave I of the fruits of the earth with a single heart. And now my children harken and walk in singleness of mind, for I know that the Lord is very well pleased with it. 
With a plain dealing man the Lord is pleased.  The single-hearted man coveteth not gold, undermineth not his neighbour, lusteth not after diversity of meats, desireth not shift of apparel, nor behighteth himself long time, but only hath an eye to God's will, and the spirits of error can do nothing against him. 
A single-hearted man described, who and what he is.  For he cannot skill to entertain a fair woman, lest he should defile his own mind: wrath overmastereth not his wit, envy melteth not his soul, neither doth his mind run covetously upon gain. For he leadeth an upright life, and beholdeth all things with a single eye, excluding all hurtfulness of worldly error, lest he should oversee any of the commandments of God. Therefore, my Children, keep God's Law, and hold fast plainness: walk on in innocency, and be not too inquisitive into God's secrets, or of your neighbours doings, 
Learn you children of the earth.  but love God and your neighbour: pity the poor and weak, bow down your back to Husbandry, and labour in tilling of the Earth in all manner of Husbandry, offering presents to the Lord with thanksgiving, who blessed the earth with increase, and a new spring of fruits, as he blessed all holy men from Abel to this day: for there is none other portion given thee, than of the fatness of the Earth, whose fruits come by pains taking: for our Father Jacob blessed me with the benefits of the Earth, and the firstlings of fruits. Levi and Juda are glorified of the Lord among the Children of Jacob. For God hath planted himself in them, giving to the one the Priesthood, and to the other the Kingdom. 
Obedience and plain dealing commended.  Therefore obey ye them, and walk plainly as our Father Jacob did. For unto Gad it is given to destroy the temptations of Israel. My Children, I know that in the last days, your Children shall forsake plainness, and cleave to covetousness, let go innocency, and follow lewdness, leave God's commandments, and stick unto Belial, give over husbandry, 
A Plague for disobedience.  and gad after wicked devices, and therefore shall they be scattered amongst the heathen, and become bondslaves to their enemies.  
Wherefore warn your Children of it, that if they sin, they may return quickly to the Lord, for he is merciful, and will deliver them and bring them home again into their own Land. I am now an hundred and two and twenty years old, and I know not any deadly sin upon me. I have not known any woman but my Wife, 
The innocency of Issachar. A godly pattern to follow.  neither have I committed whoredom in the lust of mine eyes. I have not drunk wine unto drunkenness, neither have I coveted any pleasant things of my neighbours. There hath been no guile in my heart, neither hath there any lying gone out of my lips. I have been sorry with every man that was in heaviness, 
harken you landlords.  and given my bread to the poor. 
Learn you wealthy of the earth.  I have not eaten my meat alone, nor removed the bounds and buttels of lands. I have been pitiful all the days of my life, & dealt truly in all cases. I have loved the Lord with all my strength, and all men as mine own children. My sons, if you also do the like, all the spirits of Belial will fly from you, and nothing that mischievous men can do against you, shall have power over you. You shall bring all wild Beasts into subjection to you, because ye have the Lord of Heaven with you, if ye walk with him in singleness of heart. And he willed them to carry his body into Hebron, and to bury him there in the cave with his fathers. Thus he stretched out his feet, and died in a good age, having all his limbs strong and sound, and slept the sleep of all the world.   

¶ The Testament of ZABULON, made to his Children at his death, concerning compassion and mercy. 

The poor man at home Z●bulon fed,  
The stranger unknown also clothed:  
When sh●p did sail but gave him wit to govern it.  
God did not fail, but gave him wit to govern it.    
The Testament of Zabulon.  
THE charge that Zabulon gave to his Children, in the hundred and fourteenth year of his life, 
His exhortation, when it was given. Gen. 30.  two and thirty years after the decease of Joseph. And he saith unto them, Hear ye me, ye sons of Zabulon, a good gift to my Father and Mother. For when I was begotten, my Father was greatly increased in Sheep and cattle, by reason of the good luck that he had through the streaked rods. I wist not, my Children, I wist not that I sinned in those days. For I considered not that I dealt wickedly through ignorance in Joseph's case: and moreover concealed it with my brothers from our Father, howbeit that I wept much for it in secret: for I was sore afraid of my Brothers, because they had all conspired together to kill him with the sword that should bewray that secret. Nevertheless when they would have killed him, 
The love of Zabulon towar● Joseph.  I besought them most earnestly with tears, that they would not do such wickedness. For Simeon and Gad came upon Joseph to have killed him, and Joseph falling upon his knees, said unto them, Have pity upon me my Brethren, have pity upon the bowels of our Father Jacob. 
A good conscience refuseth no trial. Love between brethren is as a precious ointment.  Lay not your hands upon me to shed innocent blood, for I have not sinned against you. If I have done amiss, nurture me with chastisement, but lay not your hands upon me, for our Father Jacob's sake. Upon his saying of these words, I being moved with compassion came and wept, and my heart melted within me, and all the substance of my bowels were loosened upon my soul. 
mutual love is mutual safety.  Also Joseph wept, and I with him, and my heart trembled and the joints of my body quaked, and I was not able to stand. And when he saw me weeping with him, and them coming towards him to kill him, he fled behind me, and besought them to take pity of him. Then Reuben stepping in, said: My brethren, let us not kill him, but let us cast him into the dry pit, that our Fathers digged and found no water in it. GOD suffered not any water to spring up in it, because it shouldbe a safeguard for Joseph. And so God did, till they sold him to the Ismaelites. Thus gave I no consent to the sin against Joseph: but Simeon, Gad, and the other of my brothers taking money for Joseph, 
A figure of the treachery and covetousness of Judas, read Matth. 27.  bought thooes with it, for themselves, their Wives, and their Children, saying: Let us not eat it, because it is the price of our brother's blood,; but let us tread & trample it under our feet, because he said, he should reign over us, and we shall see what his dreams will come unto. Therefore in the sceptre of Enoch's Law, it is written of him that would not raise up seed to his brother, I have loosed Joseph's shoe. For when we came out of Egypt the young men unbuckled Joseph's shoes at the Gate, and so we worshipped Joseph, as if it had been Pharaoh: and not only worshipped him, but also kneeled down before him with blushing, and so were we put to shame before the Egyptians, for afterward the Egyptians heard of all the ill that we had offered and done to Joseph. After the laying of him in the pit, my brothers set meat upon the Table to eat. But I mourning for Joseph did taste no meat by the space of two days and two nights together, neither would Juda eat with them, 
Juda careful for his Brother.  but had an eye unto the pit, because he feared lest Simeon and Gad should step there and kill him: When they saw that I ate nothing, they set me to keep him till he was sold. He was in the Pit three days and three nights, without repast, yet he was sold. Reuben hearing that he was sold in his absence, 
Reuben his love toward Joseph.  rent his garments, and wept, saying, How shall I look my Father Jacob in the face? And therewithal taking money, he ran after the Merchantmen: but he could not find them; for they had left the King's highway, and were gone away apace by by-lanes, and Reuben ate no meat that day. Dan therefore coming unto him, said, Weep not, neither be sad for the Boy: for I wot what we may say unto our Father Jacob. 
Mark the wicked policy of the ungodly.  We will kill a Kid, and stain Joseph's coat with the blood of it, and say unto him, See if this be thy son's coat or no. For when they intended to sell Joseph, they stripped him out of our father's coat, and put upon him an old coat of a bond-servant, simeon had gotten his coat, and would not deliver it us, but was minded to have cut it in pieces with his sword: and he was angry that he was yet alive, & that he had not slain him. Then all my brethren rising up together, said unto him: Why shouldest thou not give it us, seeing that thou only art the worker of this mischief in Israel? Hereupon he gave it them, and they did as Dan had counselled. 
Zabulon his exhortation.  And now my children I warn you keep the Lord's commandments, be merciful to your neighbours, and have inward compassion towards all, not only men, but also beasts. 
Compassion is to be showed as well to beasts as men.  For in that respect the Lord blessed me, insomuch that when all my brothers were sick, I escaped without sickness. For God knoweth every man's intent. Therefore my children, have compassion in your bowels, because that as any man dealeth with his neighbour, so will God deal with him. For the children of my brothers fell sick also and died for Joseph's sake because their fathers pitied him not, 
The unmerciful punished▪ both they and their children.  but my children were preserved without sickness as you know. And while I was upon the Sea-coast of Canaan, I fell to fishing for my father Jacob: 
fisher's Boats fi●st invented by Zabulon, but God gave the wisdom. Gen. 49.  and whereas many others were drowned in the Sea, I abode unbu●t. I was the first that made a fisherboat to float on the sea, for God gave me understanding and wisdom therein, so that I did set up a mas● in the boat, and fastened a sail to the midst of the wood, and coasing along the shore in it, I fished for my father's household, till we came into Egypt: 
The singular compassion of Zabulon.  and for pity sake I gave of my fishing to every stranger that I met with: if there were any foreigner born, or any sick body, or any aged person, I boiled my fish and dressed it well according to every man's need, and carried it to them, comforting them, and having compassion with them. And therefore God made me to catch much fish in the sea. 
Note.  For he that giveth his neighbour, receiveth the things multiplied of the Lord. Five years did I fish, giving to every man ●hat I saw, and serving all my father's house sufficiently: in harvest time I fished, and in winter time I fed sheep with my brothers. 
Zabulon his mercy in giving food.  Now will I tell you what I did, I ●aw a miserable man in the deep of winter, and having compassion upon him, I stole a garment privily out of my house, and gave it the naked man. 
A merciful deed to clothe the naked.  You therefore, my Children, take pity indifferently of all men, and show mercy with the things which the Lord giveth you, and deal them abroad to all men with a good heart. And if ye have not wherewith to succour the needy out of hand: yet have compassion on him with inward mercy. 
Inward compassion wanting ability serveth.  I know that my hand forslowed not to give to him that wanted, and to spend the time with him, insomuch that I have walked above seven. furlongs with such a one weepi●g and my heart yerned upon him for compassion: 
A rare example of a merciful heart.  You therefore my children have earnest and inward mercy towards all that are in m●sery, that God having pity upon you may be merciful to you likewise. 
God dwelleth ●n a mercifu●l heart.  For in the last days God will send his mercy upon the earth, and wheresoever he findeth inward and hearty mercy there will he dwell. For look how much mercy man showeth to his neighbour, so much w●ll God show to him again, Now when we came down into Egypt. Joseph minded not our evil dealing with him, 
Joseph rewarded good for evil.  but when he saw me, it made his heart yearn: whom look ye upon my children, and learn to forget the harm that is done to you Love ye one another, and do not one of you think upon another's ill dealing: for that breaketh unity, and displeaseth all ki●dred, and troubleth the mind. For he that is mindful of harm past, hath not the bowels of mercy. 
He that is mindful of injuries, is not merc●full.  mark the water, and see how it washeth away the sand when the stones and timber are removed asunder And if a brook be drawn into many streams, 
Apt similitudes.  the earth sucketh it up, and it cometh to nothing: and so shall you, if you be divided among yourselves. 
An exhortation to concord.  Therefore divide not yourselves into 2. heads: for all things that God hath created have but one head apiece. He hath given a man two shoulders, two hands, and two feet: but yet do all the members obey one head. 
The end of discord is misery.  I know by the writings of my fathers, that in the last days ye shall depart from the Lord, and be divided in Israel, following two Kings, working all abomination, and worshipping all manner of Idols, and your enemies shall take you prisoners, and you shall sit among the heathen in all misery, tribulation and sorrow of mind: and afterward you shall remember the Lord and repent, and he shall turn you again: for he is merciful and full of compassion, and thinketh not upon the lewdness of the children of men, because they be flesh, and the spirits of error beguile them in all their doings. After this shall God himself raise up unto you the light of righteousness: and wholesomeness & mercy are in his punishments. He shall redeem all men from the bondage of Belial, and all the spirits of error shall be trodden down, and he shall turn all nations to the following of him, and ye shall see God in the shape of man; for God hath chosen Jerusalem, and God is his Name: nevertheless, by the wickedness of your words, you shall provoke him to wrath, and ye shall be cast off, till the time of full finishing. And now my children be not sad for my death, neither be ye out of heart because I leave you. For I shall rise up again among you, as a Captain in the midst of my Tribe, among as many as have kept the law of the Lord, and the commandments of their father Z●bulon. But as for the wicked, 
The state of the wicked at the latter day.  God shall bring everlasting fire upon them and destroy them for ever. I return to my rest, as my fathers have done: now fear you the Lord your God, with all your strength all the days of your life. As he had spoken these words he fell asleep, to his singular benefit: and his sons laid him in a Coffin, and carrying him back again unto Hebron, buried him there with his fathers.   

The Testament of Dan, made to His children at his death, concerning anger and lying. 

The Serpent with weapon and Dan declare  
The intent of those men that wrathful are.    
The Testament of Dan.  
THe copy of Dan his words which he spoke unto them in his last days: in the hundred five and twentieth year of his life, he called his tribe unto him and said:  
Ye Children of Dan, hear my sayings, and give heed to the words of your father's mouth. 
Heart and outward profession must be, consociate. Lies & anger schoolmasters of evil life, self-love thinketh himself as good as other.  I l●ked in mine heart, and showed in my whole life the thing that is good: for truth joined with right dealing pleaseth God well. I have hated hurtful things, as lying and anger, because they te●c● a man all manner of naughtiness. I confess unto you my Children this day, that I was glad in my heart at the death of Joseph, that true and good man; and rejoiced of the selling of him, because our Father loved him more than us. For the spirit of spitefullnes and pride said unto me: 
Desire of prerogative enticeth to murder.  Thou art his son ●eo, as well as he. And one of the spirits of Belial wrought with me, saying: Take this sword and slay, Joseph with it, and when he is dead, thy father shall love thee. This was that spirit of spitefulness which counselled me to devour Joseph, as the Leopard devoured a Kid. 
Man purposeth, but God disposeth.  But the God of our Father Jacob did not put him into my hands, nor suffer me to find him alone, that I might dispatch two sceptres in Israel by committing that wickedness. And now my children, I tall you of a truth, that unless you keep yourselves from this spirit of lying and wrath, and love truth and long sufferance, ye shall perish. Wrath is blind, my children, and no wrathful man looketh truth in the face, 
A wrathful man lively described.  because that although they were 
a He accounteth his Parents as enemies.  his Father and mother, yet doth he hold them all his enemies. Though he be his brother, yet he 
b He knoweth not his brother.  knoweth him not: though he be the Lord's 
c He obeyeth not the Minister.  prophet, yet obeyeth he him not: though he be a 
d He regardeth not the righteous.  righteous man, yet he regardeth him not, and though he be his 
e He considereth not his friend.  friend, yet he considereth it not. For the Spirit of wrath besetteth him with the snares of error, blinding his natural eyes, and dimming the eyes of his mind by falsehood, and giving to him a sight of his own making. And wherein bleareth he his eyes? In hatred of heart, for he giveth him a self-willed heart against his brother, to spite him, and envy him. My sons, wrath is mischievous, for it becometh a soul to the soul, 
The properties of wrath.  and subdueth the body to itself by overmastering the soul, and giveth power to the body to work all wickedness. And when the soul hath wrought, it justifieth the thing done because it seeth not.  
Therefore he that is wrathful, 

A wrathful man worketh three ways,  
1 By servants.  
2 By riches  
3 By himself.   if he be a man of might, hath treble power in his anger. One, through the help and furtherance of his Servants: Another, of his riches wherethrough he persuadeth and overcometh his unrighteousness: and a third of the nature of his own body, which of itself worketh evil. And though he that is angry be a poor man, yet hath he his natural power doubled. For the said Spirit do●h always further his wickedness, by causing his deeds to be matched with lying. Wherefore consider the power of wrath how vain it is. For he is bitter in speech, and walketh at Satan's right hand, that his deeds may be wrought in untrustiness and lying. 
Two instruments of wrath; bitter speech: violent hands.  For Satan doth first of all sting him by speech, and when he hath once pricked him forward, be strengtheneth him by deeds, and troubleth his understanding with bitter nips and losses, and so provoketh his mind to excessive wrath. Therefore when any man speaketh against you, 
Remedy against wrath is forbearing of words.  be not moved to anger: and if he praise you as good men, be not puffed up, nor changed into voluptuousness and sternness of countenance. For when a man heareth a thing that misliketh him, first it tickleth him and stingeth his mind, so that he thinks he hath just cause to be angry. Now therefore my children, if ye fall into any loss and hindrance, 
The effect of impatience.  be not out of patience, for the spirit of impatience maketh men to lust for the things that is foregone, and to be angry for the want of it. Bear your losses willingly, and be not out of quiet for it: for unquietness engendereth anger and untruth: and it is evil to have a double face. Anger and untruth talk one to another, to trouble the understanding. And when the mind is cumbered with disdain, the Lord departeth from it, and Belial getteth the domin●on of it. Therefore my children, keep the Lord's commandments and laws, eschew untruth and hate it, that the Lord may dwell in you, and Belial fl●e from you. Speak every of you the truth to his neighbour, that ye fall not willingly into encumbrance, and so shall ye be in quiet, and ye shall have the God of peace, war shall not prevail against you. Love the Lord all your life long, and love ye one another with a soothfast heart. For I am sure that in the latter days ye shall depar● from the Lord, and walk in naughtiness, 
He prophesieth their wickedness.  work●ng the abominations of the Gentiles, and haunting wicked women in all lewdness by the working of deceitful spirits in you. For I have read in Enoch that Satan is your prince, and tha● all the spirits of fornication and pride, shall ply themselves in laying snares for the children of Dan, to make them sin before the Lord. But my children, stick ye unto Levi, and look upon him in all things. The children of Juda shall snatch away other men's good like lions through covetousness. 
A note for covetousness.  For this cause shall ye be led away with them into captivity, and there receive all the plagues of Egypt, 

Repentance obtaineth mercy.  
A prophecy of Christ his humanity.   and all the malice of the heathen: whereupon ●e shall return to ●h● Lord and obtain mercy, and he shall bring you into ●is holy place, and proclaim peace to you The Lor●s saving health shall spring up unto you out of the Tribes of Juda and Levi He shall make war against Belial, and give our young men the victory in revengement. He shall deliver the imprisoned souls of the Saints from Belial, 
Christ lively described.  and turn your unbelieving hearts to the Lord, and give everlasting peace to such as call upon him. The Saints shall rest in him, and the righteous shall rejoice in the new Jerusalem, which shall glorify GOD for ever. Jerusalem shall no more be wasted, nor Israel led into captivity, because the Lord shall be conversant among men in the midst of it, and the holy one of Israel shall reign over you in lowliness and poverty, and he that believeth in him shall certainly reign in Heaven. Now my Children fear the Lord, and beware of Satan and his spirits. And draw near to God, and to the angel that excuseth you: for he is the Mediator between God and man to set peace in Israel. 
Christ our mediator. Christ assisteth us in all temptations.  He shall stand against the Kingdom of the enemy, and therefore will the enemy labour to overthrow all that call upon the Lord: for he knoweth, that whensoever Israel decayeth, than shall his enemy's kingdom come to an end. But the said Angel shall strengthen Israel, that he come not to an evil end. At that time shall Israel depart from iniquity, and the Lord shall visit such as do his will in all places of Israel, and among the heathen his name shall be, The Saviour. Therefore my children, keep yourselves from all noisome dealings, and put from you wrath, and all untruth. Love truth and mildness, and look what you have heard of your father, deliver it over to your children, that the Father of Nations may receive you. For he was soothfast, long suffering, meek, lowly, and a teacher of God's law by his own works. Therefore depart from all unrighteousness, that ye may stick to the righteousnes● of the Lord's Law, and bury ye me by my Fathers. In saying these things he kissed them, and slept the sleep of the world. And his sons buried him, laying his bones by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And like as Dan had prophes●ed to them, that they should one day neglect God's law, and estrange themselves from the offspring and native country of Israel, so came it to pass.   

The Testament of Neptalim, made to his Children at his death concerning goodness. 

Run Neptalim's race, but run apace:  
Embrace his goodness and trustiness.  
If your state you see servants to be,  
Than God will you bless, & give success.    
The Testament of Neptalim.  
THe copy of Neptalim's Testament, concerning the things which he discoursed at the end of his time, in the hundreth and two and thirtieth year of his life. At the coming of his Children together in the seventh month, the fourth day of the month, he being yet in good health, commanded a sumptuous feast, and great cheer to be prepared. When he awoke in the morning from sleep, because he was even at death's door, he praised the Lord that had strengthened him, and began to speak to his children, in this wise:  
My Children, give ear to Neptalim, harken to your father's words I was borne of Bilha, and because Rachel dealt craftily in putting Bilha to Jacob, 
His birth.  in her own stead, and Bilha was delivered of me in Rachel's lap, therefore was I called Neptalim. 
Why he was called Neptalim.  And Rachel loved me because I was borne on her lap, and she kissed me when I was a little one, saying: God let me see a brother of thine out of mine own womb after thee. By reason whereof, Joseph was like to me in all things according to Rachel's request. 
Why Joseph was like Neptalim.  Now my mother Bilha was the daughter of Rotheus, the brother of Deborah, Rebecca's nurse, and was born the selfsame day that Rachel was born: 
his family.  for Rotheus was a Chaldean, of Abraham's kindred, a worshipper of GOD, freeborn and a noble man. Howbeit forsomuch as he was taken prisoner, Laban bought him, and married him so a bondwoman of his, called Eve, who brought him forth a son, whom he named Zeliphas, after the name of the Castle wherein he was taken. Afterward she bare Bilha, calling her, her new hasty daughter, because she was fond of the Dug as soon as she was born. 
The swiftness of Neptalim. Gen. 49.  And because I was as swift of foot as a Stag, my father Jacob appointed me to run of all messages and errands, and blessed me by the name of Stag. For as the Potter knoweth what his vessel shall contain, and tempereth his quantity of clay thereafter: 
God his wisdom in creating us, lively set forth.  so the Lord maketh a man's body proportionable to the spirit that he will put unto it, and fliteth the spirit to the ability of the body, so as there is no inequality or odds betwixt them: for all the Lord's creatures are made by weight, measure and rule. And as the Potter knoweth the use of every of them to what things they be meetest, so the Lord knoweth the body, how far forth it is fit for goodness, and when it beginneth in evil. For there is not any Creature reasonable, nor unreasonable, which the Lord knoweth not, for he hath created all men after his own image: and as man's strength is, so is his work: as is his will, so is his work: as is his forecast, so is his doing: as is his heart, so is his mouth: as is his eye, so is his sleep: and as is his mind, so is his talk, either of the Law of the Lord, or of the Law of Belial. And look what diversity is between light and darkness, or between sight and hearing, the same diversity is there in man and woman. Neither is it to be said, that there is any bitterness in any thing either of the face, or of other like things, For God hath made all things good in their order or degrees: he hath set the five wits in the head, and knit the head to the neck, and covered it with hair for his glory. Moreover, he hath assigned the heart to wisdom, the bell● to the avoidance of the stomach, 〈…〉 health, the Liver to anger, the gall to bitterness, the spleen to laughter, the kidneys to craftiness, the loins to strength, the ribs to comeliness, the seed to lustiness, and so forth. So my children do all things in order, 
All things must be done in time and order.  and in the fear of God, neither do ye any thing disorderly in scorn, or out of due season. For thou canst not command the eye to bear, 
The reason.  neither canst thou do the works of light in darkness. Therefore haste you not to mar● your doings through covetousness, or to beguile your own souls with fond talk. For by holding your peace with a clean heart, ye shall be able to keep the will of God, and to cast away the will of the devil: the sun, Moon, and Stars, break not their order, neither break you God's law in the order of your doings. The Gentiles by going astray and by forsaking the Lord, have changed their order, and followed stocks and stones, and spirits of error. But do you not so (my children:) know ye that your only one God is the Lord in the skies, on the earth, in the Sea, and of all creatures, for he is the m●ker of them. And be not like Sodom, which altereth the order of her Nature: likewise the waters altered the order of their nature, and they whom God cursed in the flood, making the earth desolate and fruitless for their sakes. My children, 
Neptalim prophesieth the misery of his children.  I say these things, because I have read in the holy writings of Enoch, that you also shall depart from the Lord, and walk in all the wickedness of Sodom, and the Lord shall bring thraldom upon you, so as you shall serve your enemies, and be pinched with all manner of tribulation and pain, till God consume you every one: and when ye be made few and small, ye shall turn again, and know the Lord your God, and he shall bring you again into your own land, according to his manifold mercy. And it shall come to pass, that when they shall be come into the country of their fathers, they shall forget the Lord again, and deal wickedly, so as the Lord shall scatter them all over the face of the whole earth, till in the mercy of the Lord come a man that poureth out mercy and righteousness upon all men both far and near. 
A Vision.  For in the xl. year of my life, upon mount Olivet toward the east side of Jerusalem, I saw, the Sun and Moon stand still, and behold. Isaac my father's father said to us, Come hither apace, and every one of you take hold, according to his strength, for the sun and moon may be caught. And we came running all togeth●r, and Levi caught hold of the sun, and Juda jumping up caught told of the Moon, and were both of them lifted up with them. And when as Levi became as the sun, a certain young m●n delivered him twelve boughs of Palm tree, and Juda shined as the Moon, and twelve beams or rays were under his feet, and Levi and Juda running together, beheld one another. And behold there was a Bull upon earth that had great horns, and eagle's wings upon his back, and we would have caught him, but we could not: for Joseph stepping before us, caught him, and mounted aloft upon him. And behold, there appeared unto us an holy writing, saying: the Assyrians, Medes, Elamites, Galathites, Caldees, and Syrians, shall hold the sceptre of Israel in thraldom. And again, a seven months after, I saw our father Jacob standing in the sea of Jamma, and us his sons with him. And behold, there came a ship sailing by full of 〈◊〉 flesh, without Mariner or Pilate. Upon the ship was written Jacob, and our Father said to us, Let us go to our ship: When we were within it, there rose a sore tempest, and a mighty gale of wind, and our father who held the stern, flew away from us, and then we being tossed with the storm, were carried into the sea, and our ship was filled with water, and weather-●eat●n, and torn on all sides. Then Joseph fled out in the boat, and we all were divided upon twelve boards, and Levi, and Juda was among us, so were we scattered on all coasts, and Levi being clad in sackc●oth, prayed unto the Lord for us all. As soon as the tempest was allayed, the ship came quickly to land, and behold our Father Jacob came, and we rejoiced all together with one mind. I told my father these two dreams, and he said to me, these things must be fulfilled in their time, and Israel must endure many things. Then said he further to me, I believe that Joseph is alive, for I see that the Lord doth always number him with us. And he said, thou livest my son Joseph, 
Remorse of conscience moveth open confession.  but yet I see thee not, neither seest thou Jacob that begat thee: truly he made us to weep at these words of his, and my vowels glowed within me, to bewray unto him that Joseph was sold, but I was afraid of my brothers. Behold, my sons, I have showed you the last times, and all things that shall be done in Israel. You therefore command your children to be helpful unto Levi and Juda. For by Juda shall health and welfare spring up unto Israel, and in him shall Jacob be blessed. For by his sceptre shall God appear, and dwell among men upon earth, to save the flock of Israel, and to gather the righteous from amongst the Heathen. My children if you do well, both men and angels shall praise and bless you, and God shall be glorified by you among the Gentiles, the devil shall fl●e from you, 
By doing well, God is glorified, men bless●d, & the devil v●nquished.  the beasts shall stand in awe of you, and the Angels shall receive you. For like as if a man bring up his children well, the child giveth and endeavoureth always to be mindful and thankful: So of good works there is a good remembrance with God. But as for him that doth not good, him shall men and Angels curse, and God shall be dishonoured through him among the Gentiles, and the devil shall possess him, as a peculiar vessel and instrument, and all beasts shall overmas●er him, and the Lord shall hate him. For the commandments of the law are of two sorts, and are fulfilled in work. For there is a time for a man to company with his wife, and a time to forbear her, that he may give himself to prayer. There are two commandments which breed sin, except they be done in their due order, and so it is in the rest of the commandments. Therefore be you wise and skilful in the Lord, knowing the order of his commandments, and the laws of all things, that God may love ye. Having commanded them many other such things, he prayed them to convey his bones to Hebron, and to bury him by his Fathers. And so eating and drinking with a merry heart, he covered his face and died. And Neptalim's children did all things according as their Father had commanded them.   

The Testament of GAD, made to his Children at his death, concerning Hatred. 

You that excel in martial feats,  
Lo Gad, but GOD obey:  
Lest in Gad's wrath you GOD offend,  
And lose your hoped prey.    
The Testament of Gad.  
THe Copy of Gad's Testament, and of the things that he spoke to his Children, in the hundred and seventh year of his life, saying: I was Jacob's seventh son, and skilful and strong in keeping of sheep. I kept the flocks by night, and when there came any Lion, 
Gad a good and valiant shepherd.  Leopard, Wolf, bear, or other wild Beast upon our Ca●tel, I ran to it and killed it. Joseph also did feed sheep with us about a thirty days, who being tender, fell sick by reason of overmuch heat, and went home to Hebron to his father, whom he lodged by himself, because he loved him▪ And Joseph told our father, t●at the sons of Bilha wasted his goods at Z●lpha, and made havoc of them, without the knowledge of Juda and Reuben. For he knew that I had rescued a lamb out of a bear's mouth, and killed the Bear, and that because the lamb could not live (which thing grieved me) we killed it also and ate it. He told our father of it, and our brothers were greatly discontent●d with his doing, even to the day that he was sold into Egypt, and the spirit of hatred was in me, insomuch as I could not find in my heart to hear Joseph speak, or to see him, because he had rebuked us openly, 
Gad hated Joseph for his complaining to his father.  for eating the lamb without Juda. To be shor●, he made our father believe whatsoever he told him. But now I acknowledge my sin, my children, that I was often in mind to have killed him, for I hated him from my heart, and I was utterly without compassion towards him, and the cause of this my great hatred towards him, was his dreams: 
2. For his dreams.  Therefore I would have devoured him, as an ox eateth up grass from the earth. And for that cause I and Juda sold him to the Ismaelites for 30 gildernes, of the which we kept away ten privily, and showed the other xx to our brethren. And so covetousness persuaded me to wish his death. But the God of our Fathers delivered him out of my hands, to the intent I should not do such wickedness in Israel: and now my children give ear to the words of truth, that ye may live righteously, and keep the law of the highest, and not go astray through the Spirit of hatred, for that is evil in all men's doings. Whatsoever another man do h● that doth the hater mislike and abhor. If one keep the law of the Lord, he praiseth it not: if one fear the Lord, and deal righteously, him he loveth not, but dispraiseth the truth, he envieth him that ordereth his ways aright, he embraceth backbiting, he loveth scornfulness: and because that hatred hath blinded his mind, he doth to his neighbours as we did to Joseph: therefore my Children keep yourselves from hatred, because it committeth wickedness even against the Lord; for it will not hear the words of God's commandment, concerning the loving of a man's neighbour, but sinneth spitefully against God. If a brother offend, by and by it blazeth him abroad, and is hasty to have him condemned and killed, or punished for his offence. And if the offender be a servant or bondman, it accuseth him to his master, and deviseth all means that may be to persecute him, and to put him to death if it be possible: for hatred worketh with spitefulness, and is always sorry to hear or see men go forward, or prosper in well-doing. 
A comparison.  For like as love beareth good will then to the dead, and wisheth them alive, and would (if it were possible) stay them from death, which are condemned to die: So hatred seeketh to stay the living, and deemeth them unworthy of life which have offended never so lightly. For the spirit of hatred doth through cankered frowardness of heart, work jointly with Satan in all things, even to the death and destruction of men. But the spirit of love doth through long sufferance work with God's Law to the welfare of men. Hatred is evil, 
The property of hatred.  because it abideth with lying, speaking continually against the truth, making a great ado of small matters, overshadowing the l●ght with darkness, counting sweet to be sour, teaching slanderousness, war, wrong, and abundance of all mischief, and finally filling the heart with devilish poison. My children I speak these t●ings upon experience, to the intent you should eschew hatred, and stick to godly love. Righteousness driveth out hatred, 
A righteous man described.  and lowliness killeth it, for a righteous and lowly person is ashamed to do wrong, not for fear of rebuke, but for conscience sake, because God seeth his intent. He backbiteth no man, because the fear of the highest overcometh hatred: for the fear of the Lord offendeth not; neither will do any man wrong, no not even in thought. At length I came to the knowledge of these things, when I had repented the of my dealings toward Joseph▪ For the true Repentance that is according to God's will, mortifieth a man to obedience, chaseth away darkness, inlightneth the eyes, giveth knowledge to the mind, and leadeth the soul to salvation. And whatsoever men know not of themselves, that doth repentance teach them. For it brought upon me the pain of the heart, and if my father Jacob's prayers had not been, surely I had died out of hand. For lo●k wherein a man sinneth, by the same he is punished. Forasmuch therefore as my heart was merciless toward Joseph, I suffered God's rigorous justice in my heart by the space of xi months, that the time of my punishment might fall out even, with the time that I urged the selling of Joseph. Now therefore my children, each of you love his brothers, and put away hatred from your hearts, loving one another in deed, word, and t●ought of mind. 
Love consisteth in deed, in word, and mind.  For before my father's face I spoke mildly of Joseph, but behind his back, the spirit of hatred darkened my understanding, and tempted my mind to kill him. Wherefore love ye one another heartily: and if any of you offend other, tell him of it gently, driving out the poison of hatred, and fostering no deceit in heart. And if the offender confess it, and be sorry for it, give it him: and if he deny it, strive not with him, lest he fall to swearing, and so sin double. Let no stranger hear you uttering one another's secrets in variance, lest he turn to be your ill-willer, and work some great mischief against you. For he will talk guilefully with thee, and undermine thee to do thee a shrewd turn, taking his poison at thine own hand. Therefore if he deny it, and he ashamed of it, and hold his peace when he is rebuked, draw him not out, for in denying he repenteth him, so as he will no more offend thee, but honour thee, and fear thee, and be in quiet. But if he be unshamefaced and abide by his naughtiness, then refer the revengement of it to God with all thy heart. 
Envy no man's prosperity. It may be perchance your profit.  If another man prosper more than thou, be not grieved at it, but pray for him, that he may have perfect prosperity. For peradventure, it may be to your own benefit. And if he be exalted more and more, envy him not, but remember that all flesh shall die: and praise God for it, who giveth good and profitable things to all men. Seek the Lord's judgements, and so thy mind shall let him alone and be in quiet. Now, if a man be enriched by evil means, as Esau my father's brother was, envy him not: for in so doing ye control the Lord, who either taketh away his benefits from the wicked, or leaveth them still to the repentant, or else reserveth them in the unrepentant to their endless punishment. For the poor man having sufficient of all things, 
A poor man how he is rich.  giveth thanks unto the Lord, and is enriched of all men, because men wish him no harm. Therefore (my children) away with hatred out of your hearts, and love one another with a right meaning mind. Also will you your children to honour Levi and Juda: for out of them shall the Lord make the Saviours of Israel to come. 
A prophecy of Christ.  I know that in the end your children shall depart from them, and walk in all manner of mischief, naughtiness and corruption before the Lord. And after a little pausing, he said again: My sons hear me your Father, bury me by my fathers: And so plucking up his feet, he slept in peace: and after five years, they carried him thence, and laid him with his Fathers in Hebron.   

The Testament of ASER made to his Children at his death, concerning two Faces, of Vice and virtue. 

Two ways, saith Aser, are prepared for men: the one for joy;  
The last for death▪ 〈…〉,    
The Testament of ASER.  
THe Copy of Aser his Testament, and of the things that he spoke to his Children in the 120. year of his life. Being still in health, he said unto them: Ye children of Aser, harken unto your father, and I will show you all things that are right before the Lord. The Lord hath given two ways unto the Sons of men, 
Two ways for a man to walk in.  two minds, two doings, two places, and two ends: and therefore all ways may be one; yea though they be contraries, as are the ways of good and evil. Also there are two minds in our breasts, 
Two minds in a man. of good & of evil.  which do move us either to honesty or dishonesty. Therefore if a man be led to goodness, all his doings are occupied about righteousness: and if that be do any thing amiss, by and by he repenteth him: for in as much as his mind is bent unto righteousness, he putteth away naughtiness, and out of hand amendeth his misdeeds, and correcteth the corruptions of his mind. But if his mind incline unto evil, all his doings tend unto naughtiness, in so much that he thrusteth away the good, and taketh unto him the bad, because he is under the dominion of Belial: and if he do any good thing, he turneth the same unto evil. For if he begin to do any good, he bringeth the end of his doings to an evil work, because the treasure of his heart is infected with the venom of a divel●sh and mischievous Spirit, and therefore the evil overmastereth the good in his mind, and bringeth the end of the thing to naughtiness. Some man showeth compassion upon him that serveth his turn in naughtiness, that man hath two faces, 
Diverse sorts of double faces.  and that deed of his is stark lewdness. Another man loveth ungraciousness, and he is lewd likewise: and although he could find in his heart to die for the compassing of his evil, yet it is manifest that he is double faced, and his doing is altogether stark nought. For his love being but lewdness, doth as it were cloak his evil with a good Name, whereas the drift of his doings tendeth unto a wicked end. 
The covetous man's wickedness described.  Another healeth, doth open wrong, pilleth and polleth, is covetous, and pitieth not the poor. He also hath a double face, and all this is stark nought: for in being niggardly towards his neighbour, he provoketh God's wrath, and denyeth the highest, in not pitying the poor. He despiseth and spiteth the Lord, which is the commander of the law, he suffereth not the poor to rest, he defileth his own scent to make his body gay, he killeth many, and p●●ieth few: this is the part of a double faced person. Another committeth whoredom and fornication, or vexeth many men piteously with his power and riches, and yet abstaineth from meats: his fast is nought, for he doth the commandments with an evil conscience, and that is a double faced dealing, which is altogether nought. Such manner of folk are right Swine and Hares, for they seem to be half clean: but in very deed they be utterly unclean. You therefore my children become not like them, neither bear you in one hood two faces, the one of goodness, and the other of naughtiness, but stick all only unto goodness: for in goodness doth God rest, 
God abideth with the plain dealer.  and men like well of it. Shun naughtiness, and kill the devil in your good works: for they that are double faced, serve not God, but their own lusts, because they seek to please Belial, and such as are like themselves. Now, though plain dealing men and such as pretend but one face are taken for offenders, 
The preposterous judgement of the world makes not good or bad.  at the hands of such as bear two faces, yet are they righteous before GOD. For many in killing wicked persons, do two works at once, namely, good by evil: but indeed, the whole work is good, because that he which hath rooted out the evil, hath destroyed it. Some man hating his neighbour, 
Other kinds of double faced men.  mercifully blameth him for his advoutry, or theft, such a one is double faced: but yet is the whole work good, because he followeth the Lord's example, not respecting what seemeth good, when it is evil in deed. Another will not make merry with Rioters, lest he should be stained by them, and defile his own soul. This man also is double faced, but yet is all his doings good: and he is like a Roe or a stag, which in a common wild beard seem to be unclean, and yet are altogether clean, because he walked in the zeal of the Lord, shunning and hating those whom God willeth to be shunned, in his commandments, and so killeth be evil with welldoing. See therefore my sons, how there are two in all things one against the other, and the one hidde● under the other. Death succeedeth to life, shame to glory, night to day, and darkness unto light. All righteous things are under light and life, therefore doth eternal life overmaster death. It is not to be said that truth is untruth, righteousness unrighteousness, or right wrong, because that as all things are under God, so all truth is under light. I have practised all these things in my life, 
Aser his righteous living.  and not strayed from the truth of the Lord, but sought out the commandments of the Highest, to the uttermost of my power, and walked with one face in goodness. Take heed therefore my Children to the Lord's commandments, and fo●low the truth with one single face. For they that are double faced shall be double punished. 
Double faced, double punished.  The spirit of error hateth the man that fighteth against it. Keep the law of the Lord, and regard not evil that seemeth good, but have an eye to the thing that is good indeed, and keep the same, returning to the Lord in all his commandments, and resting upon him: for the ends whereat men do aim, do show their righteousness. And know the Angels of the Lord from the Angels of Satan. For if ye cleave to wicked spirits, your souls shall be tormented of the wicked Spirit whom ye serve, in wicked lusts and work. But if ye quietly and cheerfully acquaint yourselves with the Angel of Peace, he shall comfort you in your life time. My children, become not like the Sodomites which knew not the Angel, and perished for ever. For I am sure that you shall sin, and be delivered into the hands of your enemies, your land shall be laid waste, and yourselves shall be scattered into the four corners of the earth, and be despised as unprofitable water in your dispersing abroad, 
A prophecy of C●rist his humanity.  until the Highest do visit the earth, eat●ng and drinking as a man with men, and breaking the serpent's head in pieces without noise. He shall save Israel, and all the Heathen by water, being GOD hidden in man. Therefore tell your children these things, that they neglect not God's Law written in the Tables of heaven. For the time will come, that they shall give no credit to the Law of the Lord. And you falling unto naughtiness, shall deal wickedly against God, giving no heed to his Law, but unto men's commandments. For this cause shall ye be scattered abroad, as my brother's Gad and Dan, which were not acquainted with their own country, tribe and tongue. Nevertheless the Lord shall gather you together again in faith, for the hope of his mercy, for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob's sake. When he had so said, he commanded them to bury him in Hebron. And he died, sleeping a good sleep, and afterward his sons doing as he had willed them, carried him back, and buried him with his Fathers.   

The Testament of JOSEPH, made to his Children at his death, concerning Chastity and Patience. 

Let Joseph teach thee  
Love and Chastity,  
So shalt thou have  
A long blessed life,  
Void of all strife,  
Even to thy grave.    
The Testament of Joseph.  
MY sons and my brethren, hear ye Joseph the well-beloved of Israel. My children hear your Father. I h●ve known in my life Envy and Death, with the which my brethren would have destroyed me. For they hated me, 
Joseph's afflictions.  and God loved me: they would have killed me, and the God of my Fathers kept me: they put me into a pit, and the most high brought me out again: I was sold as a bondman, and the Lord made me free, and his strong hand helped me. I was kept in hunger, 
God helpeth in distress.  and the Lord himself nourished me: I was left alone, and the Lord comforted me: I was sick, and the Lord visited me: I was in prison, and the Saviour made me glad: I was fastened in chains, and the Lord unbound me: He pleaded my cause in the accusations of the Egyptians; and not only delivered me from Envy and Deceit, but also exalted me, insomuch that Putiphar, chief Steward of Pharaoh's house, did lend me ladging, where I was in jeopardy of my life, by reason of a shameless woman, which enticed me to do naughtiness with her, through the flam● of voluptuousness burning about her breast. I was cast in prison for her: I was beaten and mocked for her, yet the Lord caused the Keeper of the Prison to be moved with mercy towards me. He forsaketh not them that fear him, 
God never forsaketh his.  neither in darkness, neither in bonds, neither in tribulations, or necessities. God is not ashamed as man, neither dreadeth he as men, neither shaketh or shrinketh he for fear as earthly men. He is present in all places, and in their most grievous sorrows he comforteth his. He goeth away for a season, to try the thoughts of their mind. He found me trusty in ten Temptations: 
Joseph constant in temptations.  and in every one I was constant and preserved. For sufferance is a great medicine, and causeth much goodness. 
Sufferance what it is.  How often did the Egyptian threaten my death? How often was I punished, and yet the woman called me again? How often did she threaten me to die, because I would not have to do with her? She said unto me, thou shalt have governance of me, and all that be mine, if thou wilt give thyself unto me, and obey my desire, 
A present medicine in temptation.  and thou shalt be Lord over us. But I remembered the words of my father Jacob, and entering into my chamber, made my prayer to the Lord, and fasted seven days: 
Not from meat, but from wanton fare.  yet I appeared unto the Egyptian, in the self same estate of body, as if I had lived in pleasures and delights. For they that fast for GOD, receive beauty of face. When I had wine given unto me, I drunk none: and fasting three days, I took my meat daily, and gave it to the sick and needy, and early I awaked unto the Lord, and wept for Metemphetica the Egyptian, because she was evermore troubling of me. 
A crafty practice of a woman.  She came unto me in the night, as though she would have visited me. And first truly because she had never a son, she feigned to take me as her son. And I prayed to God to send her a son: until which time she embraced me, as though I had been her son, and perceived not the cause. And for a conclusion, she drew me to have done fornication with her, and I remembering myself, was sorrowful to the death. And when she was gone out, I came to myself, and sorrowed many days: for I perceived her deceit and error. And I spoke unto her the words of the most high God, if peradventure she might be turned away from her pernicious concupiscence. 
Flattery the devil's sweet bait.  Many times as to a holy man she spoke flattering words to me, not without deceit, lauding my chastity before her Husband, which would utterly have destroyed me: both manifestly and secretly she said unto me, Fear not my Husband, for he is persuaded of thy chastity. For if so be that any man showed him of thee and me, he would not believe it. 
A token of a zealous heart.  For because of this thing, I covered me with sackcloth, and laid me flat upon the Earth, and prayed unto Almighty God, that he would deliver me from this woman of Egypt. When she could do nothing this way, 
Hypocrites are of all religions for luere.  she came unto me again armed with other reasons: th●t is to say, that she would fain learn the word of God of me, and began to speak after this manner. If thou wilt have me to forsake mine Idols, follow my desire, and I will persuade my husband the Egyptian to go from his Idolatry, and we shall walk in the law of thy God. 
Double faced men GOD abhorreth.  I made answer to these things: GOD will have none to worship him with uncleanness, neither hath he any pleasure in adulterers: and she held her peace, desiring to fulfil her concupiscence. And I fasted and prayed, that God might deliver me from her. Again at another time, 
Note the fruit of lust.  she said unto me: If thou wilt not do adultery with me, I will kill my Prince, and so by the law I shall take thee to my Husband. When I heard that, I rent my garment, and said: Woman, I pray thee be ashamed of these things before GOD, and fear God, and do thou not such an abominable thing: Neither despair utterly, that thou drown not thyself in thine own evil: for if thou go about, I shall utter and declare the thoughts of thine iniquity. She fearing these things, prayed me that I would not bewray her naughtiness, and so departed. Yet again, she went about to beguile me with gifts, sending unto me all things that men have need of, and she sent me meat strewed about with enchantment. And as the Eunuch brought it in, I beheld and saw a terrible fellow giving me a sword with the dish, and I perceived that she went about to deceive me. And when he was gone, I wept, and touched not that meat, nor any other of her sending, for a good while after. A day after that, she came to me and said, What is the matter that thou hast not eaten of the meat? And I said unto her, because thou hast poisoned it. Therefore thou shalt know that I will not come unto Idols, 
Joseph did first admonish & not proclaim.  but only unto God. Now understand therefore, that the God of my Father by his Angel, hath showed thy mischief unto me, and I have kept the meat to thy shame, if perchance thou mightest repent, or learn that the malice of wicked doers prevaileth not against them that worship the Lord in chastity. And I took and did eat before her, saying: The God of my fathers, and the angel of Abraham shall be with me, and then she fell down at my feet and wept. Then lifting her up, 
The Name of God, & fear of infamy, pricketh the conscieece: Note this.  I exhorted her many ways, and she promised unto me, that she would never do such iniquity after that day. Yet because her heart was mourning, and did burn toward me in adultery with sighs coming from the depth of her stomach, she cast down her countenance. The Egyptian her husband perceiving her, said, Wherefore holdest thou down the face? She answered, I am even sorrowful at the heart: and he comforted her that was not sick: yet again she entered in to me (her Husband being without) and said: I am strangled or choked: either I will break thy neck, or else drown myself, without thou wilt obey me. And I perceiving that the Spirit of Belial troubled and vexed her prayed unto the Lord my God, and said thus: wherefore art thou vexed and troubled, all blind in sin? Remember thyself, for if thou do kill thyself, the concubine of thy husband called Secon, envying thee, shall beat thy children, and destroy the memory of thee from the earth. And she said unto me: Have done, have done, I perceive that yet thou hast some care for me: I have even enough that thou defendest my life and my children's. I have good hope in time to come, that I shall obtain my wished desire. And she perceived not that for the love of my Lord God I said so, and not for her sake. Whatsoever he be, that followeth the concupiscence of his most filthy and pernicious desire, is made servant unto the same, as this woman was. And if he hear any good thing in the passion wherein he is overcome, he draweth the same to his pernicious or filthy desire. I say unto you my sons, that it was about six of the clock when she went from me, and I fell upon my knees, praying to God all that day, with the night following. 
A remedy against temptation.  And about the break of the day I arose weeping, that I might once be de●ivered from this Egyptian woman. Finally, she caught me fast by the garment, drawing me to have gone to bed with her. Then perceiving that she waxed mad, and that violently and with strength she held my clothes, I let my clothes slip from me, and fled away.  
Then sh● complained to her husband of me, which put me in prison in the King's house. The day following after, I was sore beaten and cast in prison. And when I lay bound in fetters, this Egyptian Woman waxed sick for sorrow, and hearkened how I lauded GOD, being in a House of darkness. For I rejoicing, with a glad voice, glorified my God, only that by such occasion I was delivered from the Egyptian woman. 
Note a subtle woman.  Yet she left not to stand harkening, & said, Have done, and take the offer which I put unto thee, and fulfil my desire, and I will deliver thee from thy Bond, 
Joseph's singular chastity.  and bring thee out from the darkness: but all that could persuade me nothing, insomuch that in thought I was not inclined to any desire of her. For God loveth him better which fasteth in chastit●, being in a prison of darkness, than him which taketh his pleasure with voluptuousness in a chamber of honour & riches. For if a man live in chastity and desire glory (if God perceive it to be expedient for him) he giveth it unto him, as he hath done unto me. Many times as though she had been sick, she descended unto me unlooked for, and heard the voice of my praying, and stood the more still. But when I heard her sigh I held my peace, 
A property of a Harlot.  for in her house she stripped herself naked, breasts, legs, and arms, whereby she might have kindled me into the love of her. For she was very fair, and gloriously adorned to have deceived me, but God kept me from her works. Therefore my sons, behold what sufferance with prayer and fasting doth. 
The commodity of prayer and sufferance.  And therefore if you love Soberness and Chastity in Sufferance and Humility of the heart, the Lord shall dwell in you, for he loveth sobriety: and when the most High doth dwell in a man, although he chance to fall into envy, or into bondage, or slander, the Lord which dwelleth in him will for his chastity not only deliver him, but also exalt him, and glorify him, as he hath done me, for he is always with him in word, in deed, and thought.  

Joseph's lowliness in prosperity.  My Children, ye know well how my Father did love me, and yet I was never the prouder thereof in my heart. For though I was a child, I had ever the fear of God in my mind. When I grew unto age, I moderated myself, and honoured my brethren whom I feared. I held my peace when I was sold, because I would not have the Ismaelites to know my flock and kindred, how I was the son of Jacob, a man of great strength and power. Therefore have you in your deeds the fear of God, and honour your Brethren, for all men that observe the Law of God, are loved of him. Then I came with the Ismaelites to a certain place called Indoclep, and they demanded of me what I was: and I said (because I would not reprove my brethren) that I was one of their household Slaves. Then said the chief of them, thou art no slave: for thy countenance doth show thee what thou art. And he threatened me unto the death, 
An amiable countenance a token of a liberal mind.  yet for all that I said again I was their slave. But when we came into Egypt, they began to strive who should have me for the money that was paid: and they agreed that I should abide in Egypt with a Merchant of their faculty until such time as they had made their Merchandise and returned again: and God gave me in the fight of the Merchant, that he gave me the charge of his house, and the Lord blessed him by my hand, for the Lord gave him plenty of Gold and Silver, and I was with him three months and five days. In this time, passed by Memphitica the wife of Putiphar in great glory, and she cast her eyes upon me (for the eunuchs had showed her of 〈◊〉 & she showed her husband of the Merchant whi●h was made rich in the hand of a young man being an Hebrew, 
A covetous heart like Acha●.  and she said they had 〈◊〉 ●im out of the land of Chanaan, therefore do now judgement upon him, and that the young man to be your steward, and t●e God of the Hebrews shall bless you, for grace from heaven is in him. Putiphar her husband persuaded with these words caused the Merchant to be sent for, and said unto him: what do I bear of thee, that stealest souls out of the Land of the Hebrews, in selling of Children? The Merchant fell down upon his knees, and prayed him, saying: I beseech thee Lord, show me, for I know not what thou sayst. He answered again. Where gates● thou this Hebrew child? and he said, the Ismaelites left him with me, until they came this way again. When he had said so, Putiphar said, bring the young man hither: and I being brought in, did reverence to the Prince of the eunuchs, for he was the third man in dignity with Pharaoh, and Prince of all the eunuchs, and he had wife, children, and concubines. And when he had taken me apart, he said, Art thou ●ond, or art thou free? I answered, bond. And he said unto me, whose bondman art thou? I answered him, the Ismaelites. And he said again unto me: how came it to pass that thou ●ast made their bondman? And I said: for they bought me in the land of Chanaan: yet he did not believe me, saying: truly thou ●iest, and commanded me to be beaten. Memphitica his Wife spied me ●eaten, at a window, and sent unto her Husband, 
A token of mercy, if it were not for an ill end.  saying, Thy judgement is unjust, for thou dost punish wrongfully the young man that is stolen. But because I changed not my word, yet again was I beaten, and commanded to be kept at his commandment, till such time as my masters came.  
And his wife said unto him, Wherefore do ye keep in captivity the noble child? 
Note a flattering woman.  it were more alms to let him go, and to beat you. She would fain have spied me in desire of sin, and I knew nothing of this. He said again to Memphitica, it is not honest among the Egyptians, to take away another man's goods before he show him of it. He said that of the Merchant and of me, when I should be imprisoned. After that, xxiiii. days, the Ismaelites came, and they hearing that Jacob my father was heavy for me, fa●● unto me, wherefore is it that thou saidst thou wast a bondman, and now we ●now that thou art the son of a great-man in the land of Canaan, and thy father sorroweth for thee in sackcloth. 
A good nature.  Then I could fain have wept, yet I refrained myself for shaming of my brethren, and said, I know if not, for I am a bondman. Then they took counsel amongst themselves, whither or to whom they might sell me, lest I should be found in their hands, for they feared Jacob lest he should be revenged of them: for they had heard that he was mighty both to God and man. Then said the Merchant to them, Redeem him now from the judgement of Putiphar: they hearing this, went and asked for me, saying: that they had bought me for money, & he delivered me. Memphitica spoke unto her husband to buy me, for she said, I hear say they would sell him. 
Thus the Righteous be bought and sold.  And they sent an Eunuch to the Ismaelites, & desired to buy me, and when he could not bargain with them, his returned & showed his Lady that they asked a great price for the child: she sent again another Eunuch, saying; Although they ask two besaunces of gold, see that thou spare not for money, but buy the child and bring him to me. He paid 80 golden Crowns for me, & said to his Lady that he paid 100 and I perceiving this, held my peace, lest the Eunuch should have been searched: Behold my sons what I have sustained: love one of you another, and with continuance cast out from among you deceitful minds, for God delighteth in the concord of brethren, 
Concord between brethren pleaseth God.  & hath pleasure also in the love & choice of a proved heart. For when my brothers came out of Egypt and knew me, I gave them their money, and never gave reproach unto them, but comforted them, 
Joseph's merciful heart declared.  & after the death of Jacob I loved them more abundantly, and all that ever he commanded me I did very gladly, and they marvelled because I suffered not them to be troubled for a small cause, for all that was in my power I gave them. Their children were reputed to me as mine own, and mine own children as their servants. Their life was my life, and their sorrow was my sorrow, and all their infirmity or disease was mine, my Land was their land, my counsel was the counsel of them and I never exalled myself above them in pride for mine own worldly glory, but was amongst them as one of the least. T●erefore my sons if ye walk in the commandments of the Lord, the Lord shall exalt you and bless you in ric●●s p●rpetual. 
A promise for them that pray for their enemies.  And if any man will do ev●ll to you, with meekness look that ye pray for him, and God shall deliver you from all evil. For behold and see, that for my long sufferance the Daughter of my Lord was given me to wife, 
God provideth for his Elect.  and there was given to me with her an hundred talents of Gold, for God made them to serve me, and gave me beauty that I should be as a flower above them that were fair in Israel, and he kept me unto mine age both in strength and beauty, because I was like to Jacob in all things. 
Joseph's dreams.  And what dreams I have seen, my children now hear. There were xii. Heart's feeding, and nine were divided abroad in the earth, also I saw how that of Juda was a Virgin born having a white silken robe, and of her came forth an immaculate Lamb: And on the left hand of the said Lamb, was as it were a lion, and all Beasts made against him, 
Christ prophesied.  and the Lamb overcame them, and trod them under his feet, and in him joyed the Angels, the men, and all the earth. These things shall come to pass in their time, that is to say, in the latter days. Therefore my Sons keep the commandment of the Lord, and honour Juda and Levi. For of them, to you shall spring the Lamb of God, which by his grace shall preserve all Gentiles and Israel. The kingdom of him is a kingdom eternal, which shall never pass. For my kingdom shall be ended in you, a● the keeping of an Orchard, for after the harvest it shall appear no more. I know right well that after my death the Egyptians shall trouble you: but God shall revenge you, and bring you to the promised land which he share to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But carry my bones with you: for in so doing, the Lord shall be in the light with you against the Egyptians, and Belial shall be in darkness with the Egyptians. Also carry wi●h you your Mother Zilph●, and ●igh unto the valley, near unto Rachel bury her. When he had said these words, he stretched forth his feet, and slept the sleep of all the World. Then they imbalmed him with spices, putting him in a Chest in Egypt, after he had lived 110. years, who saw Ephraim's Children unto the third generation. For unto Machir the son of Manasse●, were children born on Joseph's knees. After this all 〈◊〉 of Israel bewailed him, and all the Egyptians with a great mourning. For he had compassion of Egypt as of his own proper members, and assisted them both with his labour and counsel, and did them good at all times and seasons.   

The Testament of Benjamin, made to his Children at his death, concerning a clean mind. 

Lo what true faithful love doth mean,  
All you that Lovers be.  
It is in heart and not in lust,  
As here you plainly se●.    
The Testament of Benjamin.  
THe Copy of Benjamin● words, which he uttered to his Children, being of the age of an hundred, and twenty years. He kissed them and said: As Isaac was born in the hundreth year of Abraham, so was I in the hundreth year of Jacob: and because Rachel died at my birth, I sucked her bondwoman Bilha. For after that Rachel had born Joseph, she was barren twelve years. And when she had prayed to the Lord in those twelve years, she conceived and bare me: for my father loved Rachel exceedingly, and wished to see two sons by her, and therefore I was called Benjamin, 
Benjamin what it signifieth.  that is to say, the son of my days, or the son of my sorrow, because my Mother died in the birth of me. When I came first into Egypt, and that my brother Joseph knew me, he said to me: What said they to me Father, when they had sold me? I answered: They stained thy Coat with blood, and bringing it to him said: See if this be thy son's coat or no. And my Brother also said unto me: Truly when the Ismaelites took me, one of them stripping me out of my coat, gave me a thin shirt to put on, and lashing me with a w●ip, bade the run. 
Joseph's distress revenged by God.  And as he went aside to hide my garment, a Lion met him, and flew him, and his partners being afraid, sold me is their fellows. You therefore my Children love the God of Heaven, and obey his commandments, following that good and holy man Joseph, and let your mind be set upon goodness, as ye know that mine hath been. He that hath a good mind looketh rightly upon all things. Fear God, 
Temptation sha● not overcome them that fear the Lord.  and love your neighbours, and then although the spirit of Belial tempt you to all naughtiness to trouble you, yet shall it not get the uppermost hand of you, no more than it did of my brother Joseph. How many folk would have killed him, and yet God still defended him? For he that feareth God, and loveth his neighbour, cannot be wounded of the airy Spirit Belial: and he that is shielded with the fear of the Lord, is safe from harm both of man and beast, and cannot be overcome because he is helped by the love of God, which he hath towards his neighbour: for Joseph be●ought our father Jacob to pray for my brethren to the Lord, that he would not lay unto their charges, the mischief that they had devised against him. Whereat Jacob cried out, O son Joseph, 
Joseph aright figure of Jesus Christ.  thou hast overcome my heart. And therewithal embracing him, he kissed him two hours together, and said: In thee shall the prophecy of Heaven be resembled to the full, concerning the Lamb of God, and Saviour of the world, that the unspotted s●all be delivered for the wicked doers, and he that is without sin, shall die for the sinners in the blood of his testament, to the salvation both of the Gentiles and of Israel, and he shall dash Belial and all his servants. My Children 〈◊〉 upon the end of that good man, and follow his mercifulness with a good mind, that you also may have a Crown of glory upon your heads. A good man hath not a dark eye, 
A good man,  for he is merciful and pitiful to all men, yea though they be sinners, and have devised mischief against him: and he that doth good, overcometh evil 1 by the defence of goodness, 
1 Overcōmeth evil.  and loveth 2 the righteous as his own soul. 
2 Loveth the righteous.  If another 3 man be honoured, he envieth it not: 
3 Envieth not.  if a man be enriched, it grieveth him not: If a man be strong 4 or valiant, 
4 Praiseth the valiant.  he praiseth him, and believing him also to be chaste, he defendeth 5 him that hath the fear of God. 
5 Defendeth him that feareth God.  He worketh together with him that loveth God, and if a man forsake the 6 Almighty, 
6 Admonisheth the Sinner.  he warneth him to return again. Whosoever hath the grace of the good spirit, him doth he love as his own life. He 7 pitieth the poor, 
7 Pitieth the poor. The example of a godly man converteth Sinners.  succoureth the weak, and praiseth and honoureth God. My children if ye have a good mind, evil men shall stand in awe of you, and unthrifts shall for very shame be converted to goodness. So that covetous men shall not only depart from their niggardliness, but also give of their abundance too the needy. If ye be good doers, both unclean spirits shall flee from you, and shrewd beasts shall shun for fear of you. For where the regard of good works is in the mind, there darkness flieth away. For if he do wrong to any holy man, he is sorry for it: And if a holy man receive wrong, he p●tieth the doer, and putteth it up with silence. And if any man betray a righteous soul, and the righteous pray for his betrayer, the betrayed is not a little disgraced, and the Righteous becometh much more notable afterward, as did my Brother Joseph. The guileful spirit of Belial hath no power over a good man's mind: 
The properties of a righteous man.  for the angel of peace guideth his soul. He looketh not affectionately upon corruptible things, ●e ●aketh together riches in the desire of voluptuousness. He is not delighted with pleasures. He grieveth not his neighbour, he stuffeth not himself with meat, neither wandreth he in the pride of his eyes: For the Lord is his portion. He taketh no glory for giving good counsel: he passeth not how men dishonour him, neither can he skill in any fraud or guile, untruth, strife, or slanderousness: for the Lord dwelleth in him, and inlightneth his mind, and he rejoiceth before all men in a good time. A good mind hath not two tongues; one to bless with, and another to curse with: one to slander with, and another to honour with: one of sorrow, and another of joy: one of quietness, and another of trouble: one of dissimulation, and another of truth: one of poverty and another of riches: but it hath one only disposition, pure and uncorrupt towards all. It hath no double sight nor double hearing. For in all things that he doth, speaketh, or seeth, he knoweth that the Lord beholdeth his heart, and therefore he cleanseth his mind, that he may not be found faulty, before God and man. But all the works of Belial are double, and utterly void of simplicity. Wherefore my children shun the naughtiness of Belial: for at the first he delighteth those that obey him, but in the end he is a sword, and the father of seven mischiefs. For when the mind hath once conceived by Belial, it bringeth forth first envy, secondly desperateness, thirdly sorrow, fourthly bondage, fifthly neediness, sixthly trouble somness, & seventhly desolation: and for that cause was Cain tormented with seven punishments by God, 

Disobedience the father of seven mischiefs.  
1 Envy.  
1 Desperation.  
3 Sorrow.  
4 bondage.  
5 neediness.  
6 Trouble.  
7 Desolation.  
An example of Cain.   for in 7. years together God brought every year a new plague upon Cain. Two hundred years he suffered, and in the nine hundredth year, the earth was made desolate with the flood, for his righteous brother Abel's sake. In seven hundred years is Cain judged, and Lamech in seventy times seven: for they that are like Cain in spightfulness, & hatred towards their brethren, shall be punished with the same punishment for ever, as he was. You therefore my children eschew malice, envy and hatred towards your brethren, and cleave to goodness and lovingness. He that hath a m●nd clean in love, looket● not upon a woman in way of lechery. Fo● he hath no defi●ing in his heart because the spirit of the Lord resteth in him. 
An apt similitude to a mind resisting sins.  For as the Sun is not defiled by shining upon a puddle or dunghill, but doth rather dry up and drive away the stink: even so a pure mind striveth against the uncleanness of the earth, and overcommenth it, but is not defiled itself. And I perceive by the sayings of the righteous Enoch, that there shall be evil deeds among you. For you shall defile yourselves with the fo●nication of S●dom, and perish all save a few, & multiply inordinate lusts in Women, and the reign of the Lord shall not be among you, for he shall take it away suddenly. Nevertheless the Lord's Temple shall be made in our portion, 
A prophecy of the nativity of Christ.  and it shall be glorious among you. For the Lord himself shall take the kingdom upon him, and the twelve Tribes shall be gathered together there, and all Nations shall resort thither, until the most High send his salvation in the visitation of his only begotten. And he shall enter into the first Temple, 
Of his passion.  and there the Lord shall suffer wrong, and be despised, and be lifted up unto a piece of timber. And the veil of the Temple shall be rent asunder, 
Matth. 27. Of the coming of the holy Spirit.  and the Spirit of the Lord shall come down upon the Gentiles, poured out as fire: and rising up from the grave, he shall ascend from earth to Heaven. 
Of his ascension.  He shall remember how base he hath been upon earth, and how glorious he is in heaven. When Joseph was in Egypt, I longed to see his person, and the form of his countenance. And through the prayers of my Father Jacob, I saw him awake in the day of his full and perfect shape. Now therefore my Children, know you that I shall die. Wherefore deal every of you truly and rightfully with his neighbour, work ye justly and faithfully, and keep ye the law and commandment of the Lord: for that do I teach you instead of all Inheritance: And give you the same to your Children for an everlasting possession. For so did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they gave us all these things for an Inheritance, saying: Keep the Lord's commandments till he reveal his saving health unto all Nations. Then shall ye see Enoch, Noah, 
A prophecy of the last coming of Christ.  Sem, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, rising at his right hand with joyfulness. Then shall we rise also every of us to his own sceptre, worshipping the King of heaven, 
The resurrection & judgement described.  which appeared on earth in the base shape of man. As many as believe in him, shall rejoice with him at that time. And all these shall rise again to glory, and the residue unto shame. And the Lord shall first of all judge Israel for the unrighteousness committed against him, because they believed not in God that came in the flesh to deliver. Then shall he judge all Nations, as many as believed not in him when he appeared upon earth, and he sh●ll reprove Israel among the chosen of the Gentiles, as he reproved Esau in the Midianites, that seduced his brethren by fornication and Idolatry, who were estranged from God, and fell away from the Inheritance of the Children, because they feared not God. But if you walk in holiness before the Lord, ye shall dwell in Hope again in me. And all Israel shall be gathered to the Lord, and I shall no more be called a ravening wolf, for your Robberies sakes, but I shall be called the Lord's Workm●n, which g●veth food unto such as do good. 
A prophecy of the nativity of Christ.  And in my seed shall be raised up the Beloved of the Lord, whose voice shall be heard upon the earth, and he shall give new knowledge, and enlighten all Nations with the light of understanding, and shall come up to save Israel. He shall take from them as a wolf, 
Christ described.  and give to the Synagogue of the Gentiles, a●d continue in the S●nagogue of the Gentiles to the world's end. H● shall be among their Princes as musical melody in the mouths of all men, and his doings and sayings shall be written in ●oly books. He sha●l be the Lord's darling for evermore. 
Christ wipeth away our sins.  And as concerning him my Father Jacob taught me, saying: He shall ame●d the defaults of thy Tribe. And when he had ended t●ese sayings; he commanded his Children to carry his bones out of Egypt, and to bury them in Hebron, by his Fathers. So Benjamin died in hundred and five and twenty years old, in a good age, and they put him in a Coffin, and in the fourscore and eleventh year before the departure of the Israelites out of Egypt, they and their brethren conveyed their father's bones privily again into the Land of Chanaan, and buried him in Hebron, at the feet of his Fathers, and returned again out of the Land of Chanaan, and dwell in Egypt, till the day of their departure thence all together.  
FINIS.   

How these Testaments of the twelve Patriarchs were first found, and by whose means they were translated out of Greek into Latin.  
THese Testaments were hidden and concealed a long time, so as the Teachers and the ancient Interpreters could not find them. Which thing happened through the spitefulness of the Jews, who by reason of the most evident, manifest and often Prophecies of Christ, that are written in them, did hide them a long while. At length the Greeks being very narrow searchers out of ancient writings, taught these Testaments warily, and got them more warily, and translated them faithfully out of Hebrew into Greek. Nevertheless this writing continued yet still unknown, because there was not any man to be found that was skilful both in the Greek and Latin, nor any Interpreter that might procure the translation of this noble work, until the time of Robert the second, surnamed Grosthead, Bishop of Lincoln, who sent diligent searchers as far as Greece, to fetch him a Copy of the said writing, without respect of their charges, which he bare most liberally. Therefore, to continue the memories of those most lightsome Prophecies, to the strengthening of the Christian faith, that reverend Bishop did in the year of our Lord, 1242. translate them painfully and faithfully, word for word out of Greek into Latin (in which two tongues he was counted very skilful) by the help of M. Nicholas Greek, Parson of the Church of Datchot, and Chaplain to the Abbot of St. Albon, to the intent that by that means the evident Prophecies which shine more bright than the day light, might the more gloriously come abroad, to the greater confusion of the Jews, and of all heretics, and enemies of the Church of Christ, to whom be praise and glory for ever, Amen.   

1658.  
At LONDON Printed for the Company o● the STATIONERS.