The misery of lost souls. II. ESDRAS, 7. The reward of just souls. understanding they have wrought see how forthwith some of them [73] What then will they have to say in the judgment, or how will they answer in the last times? [74] For how great a time hath the most High been longsuffering with them that inhabit the world, and not for their sakes, but because of the times which he hath foreordained! [75] And I answered and said, If I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, shew this also unto thy servant, whether after death, even now when every one of us giveth up his soul, we shall be kept in rest until those times come, in which thou shalt renew the creation, or whether we shall be tormented forthwith. [87] The seventh way, which is more grievous than all the aforesaid ways, because they shall pine away in confusion and be consumed with shame, and shall be withered up by fears, seeing the glory of the most High before whom they have sinned whilst living, and before whom they shall be judged in the last times. [88] Now this is the order of those who have kept the ways of the most High, when they shall be separated from the corruptible vessel. [89] In the time that they dwelt therein they painfully served the most High, and were in jeopardy every hour, that they might keep the law of the lawgiver perfectly. [90] Wherefore this is the teaching concerning them: [91] First of all they shall see with great joy the glory of him who taketh them up, for they shall have rest in seven orders. [76] And he answered me, and [78] For concerning, death the teaching is: When the determinate sentence hath gone forth from the most High that a man should die, as the spirit leaveth the body to return again to him who gave it, it adoreth the glory of the most High first of all. [79] And if it be one of those that have been scorners and have not kept the way of the most High, and that have despised his law, and that hate them that fear God, [80] These spirits shall not enter into habitations, but shall wander and be in torments forthwith, ever grieving and sad, in seven ways. [81] The first way, because they have despised the law of the most High. [82] The second way, because they cannot now make a good returning that they may live. [83] The third way, they shall see the reward laid up for them that have believed the covenants of the most High. [84] The fourth way, they shall consider the torment laid up for themselves in the last days. [85] The fifth way, they shall see the dwelling places of the others guarded by angels, with great quietness. [86] The sixth way, they overcome the evil thought which [93] The second order, because [94] The third order, they see the witness which he that fashioned them beareth concerning them, that while they lived they kept the law which was given them in trust. [95] The fourth order, they understand the rest which, being gathered in their chambers, they now enjoy with great quietness, guarded by angels, and the glory that awaiteth them in the last days. [96] The fifth order, they rejoice, seeing how they have now escaped from that which is corruptible, and how they shall inherit that which is to come, while they see moreover the straitness and the painfulness from which they have been delivered, and the large room which they shall receive with joy and immortality. [97] The sixth order, when it is shewed unto them how their face shall shine as the sun, and how they shall be made like unto the light of the stars, being henceforth incorruptible. [98] The seventh order, which is greater than all the aforesaid orshall ders, because they shall rejoice Intercession unavailing 1 Joshua 2 on account of 3 Elijah 4 Hezekiah II. ESDRAS, 7. with confidence, and because they | [99] This is the order of the souls [100] And I answered and said, at the day of judgment. 41 [111] Even so now, seeing| corruption is grown up, and wickedness increased, and the righteous have prayed for the ungodly: wherefore shall it not be so now also? 42 [112] He answered me, and shall be the end of this time, and 8 5 米 then the beginning of the immortality for to come, wherein corruption is past, Shall time therefore be given unto 44 [114] Intemperance is at an 8 Self-indulthe souls after they are separated from the bodies, that they may see end, infidelity is cut off, righteous-gence that whereof thou hast spokenness is grown, and truth is sprung 45 [115] Then shall no man be able to save him that is destroyed, nor to oppress him that hath got thrust ten the victory. unto me? [101] And he said, Their freedom shall be for seven days, that for seven days they may see the things whereof thou hast been told, and afterwards they shall be gathered together in their habitations. [102] And I answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, shew further unto me thy servant whether in the day of judgment the just will be able to intercede for the ungodly or to intreat the most High for them, up. 9 46 [116] I answered then and said, This is my first and last saying, that it had been better not to have given the earth unto Adam: or else, when it was given him, to have restrained him from sinning. 47 [117] For what profit is it for [104] And he answered me, and said, Since thou hast found favour in my sight, I will shew thee this also: The day of judgment is a day of decision, and displayeth unto all the seal of truth; even as now a father sendeth not his son, or a son his father, or a master his slave, or a friend him that is most dear, that in his stead he may be sick, or sleep, or eat, or be healed: [105] So never shall any one pray 37 [107] And Jesus after him 3 39 [109] And Helias for those that received rain; and for the dead, that he might live: 40 [110] And Ezechias for the people in the time of Sennacherib: and many for many. 48 [118] O thou Adam, what hast thou done? for though it was thou that sinned, thou art not fallen alone, but we all that come of thee. 49 [119] For what profit is it unto us, if there be promised us an immortal time, whereas we have done the works that bring death? 50 [120] And that there is promised us an everlasting hope, whereas ourselves being most wicked are made vain? 51 [121] And that there are laid up for us dwellings of health and safety, whereas we have lived wickedly? 10 down 52 [122] And that the glory of se be shewed a paradise, whose fruit 54 [124] (For we have walked in 55 [125] And that the faces of them which have used abstinence shall shine above the stars, whereas our faces shall be blacker than darkness? 56 [126] For while we lived and pure 11*abun dance and healing, 12 graceless ways.) Man is bidden to choose life. 1 * way 2* dwell 3 that he 4* created II. ESDRAS, 8. Few out of many saved. committed iniquity, we considered | world for many, but the world to not that we should begin to suffer come for few. for it after death. 57 [127] Then answered he me, 58 [128] That, if he be overcome, 2 I will tell thee a similitude, Esdras; As when thou askest the earth, it shall say unto thee, that it giveth much mould whereof earthen vessels are made, but little dust that gold cometh of: even so is the course of this present world. 3 There be many created, but few shall be saved. 7 art come without 59 [129] For this is the life 4 So answered I and said, Swal- 61 [131] That there should not be such heaviness in their destruction, as shall be joy over them that are persuaded to salvation. 62 [132] I answered then, and said, I know, Lord, that the most High is called merciful, in that he hath mercy upon them which are not yet come into the world, 63 [133] And upon those also that turn to his law; 64 [134] And that he is patient, and long suffereth those that have sinned, as his creatures; 65 [135] And that he is bountiful, for he is ready to give where it needeth; servant, that we may pray before 7 For thou art alone, and we all 8 For when the body is fashioned now in the mother's womb, and ture is preserved in fire and water, thou givest it members, thy creaand nine months doth thy workmanship endure thy creature which is created in her. 66 [136] And that he is of great 68 [138] And he pardoneth; for if he did not so of his goodness, that they which have committed iniquities might be eased of them, the ten thousandth part of men should not remain living. 5 69 [139] And being judge, if he should not forgive them that are cured with his word, and put out the multitude of " contentions, 70 [140] There should be 6* offences, few left peradventure in an innumerable multitude. by 5 blot CHAPTER 8. very 1 Many created, but few saved. 6 He asketh why God destroyeth his own work, 26 and ND he answered me, saying, Or, thy will, and departest when thou Wouldest not: 8* O Lord, that art over us. suffer thy servant, that we may pray before thee, and culture there may come fruit of it, whereby every one shall live that is corrupt, who beareth the likeness of a man. 9 through great peril as of 11 That the thing which is fa- 12 Thou broughtest it up with 13 And thou shalt mortify it as thy creature, and quicken it as thy work. edst 12* lightly and destroy suddenly 13 * fa shioned by 14 If therefore thou shalt 12 destroy him which with so great labour was 13 fashioned, it is an easy thing to be ordained by thy commandment, that the thing thy comwhich was made might be pre- to what served. Or, mandment, purpose was.he made? 16 And for thine inheritance, for whose cause I mourn; and for Israel, for whom I am heavy; and for Jacob, for whose sake I am troubled; 17 Therefore will I begin to pray before thee for myself and calamities for them: for I see the falls of us * Even they who minister to thee +*whose truth endureth for ever: that dwell in the land. 18 But I have heard the swiftness of the judge which is to come, 19 Therefore hear my voice, and understand my words, and I shall speak before thee. This is the beginning of the words of Esdras, before he was taken up: and I said, 20 O Lord, thou that dwellest in everlastingness, which beholdest from above things in the heaven and in the air; 21 Whose throne is inestimable; whose glory may not be comprehended before whom the hosts of angels stand with trembling, 22 Whose service is conversant in wind and fire; whose word is true, and sayings constant; whose commandment is strong, and ordinance fearful; 23 Whose look drieth up the depths, and indignation maketh the mountains to melt away; 'which the truth witnesseth : 24 O hear the prayer of thy servant, and give ear to the petition of thy creature. 25 For while I live I will speak, and so long as I have understanding I will answer. 26 O look not upon the sins of thy people; but on them which serve thee in truth. =* doings of 27 Regard not the wicked inventions of the heathen, but the desire of those that keep thy testimonies in afflictions. hem that Heal wickedly, have lived n ways that oring death: 28 Think not upon those that have walked feignedly before thee: but remember them, which according to thy will have known thy fear. 29 Let it not be thy will to destroy them which have lived like beasts; but to look upon them that have clearly taught thy law. 30 Take thou no indignation at them which are deemed worse than beasts; but love them that always put their trust in thy righteousness and glory. 31 For we and our fathers do languish of such diseases: but be * Or, whom God hath chosen. cause of us sinners thou shalt be called merciful. 32 For if thou hast a desire to have mercy upon us, thou shalt be called merciful, to us namely, that have no works of righteousness. 33 For the just, which have many good works laid up with thee, shall out of their own deeds receive reward. 7 34 For what is man, that thou shouldest take displeasure at him? or what is a corruptible genera7 race, tion, that thou shouldest be so bitter toward it? 35 For in truth there is no man among them that be born, but he hath dealt wickedly; and among the faithful there is none which hath not done amiss. 36 For in this, O Lord, thy righteousness and thy goodness shall be declared, if thou be merciful unto them which have not the confidence of good works. 37 Then answered he me, and said, Some things hast thou spoken aright, and according unto thy words it shall be. 38 For indeed I will not think on the disposition of them which have sinned before death," before judgment, 10 before destruction: 8 no foundation fashioning 10 or their 11* their 39 But I will rejoice over the 12 disposition of the righteous, and 12 framing I will remember also their pilgrimage, and the salvation, and the reward, that they shall have. 40 Like as I have spoken now, so shall it come to pass. 41 For as the husbandman soweth much seed upon the ground, and planteth many trees, and yet 13 the thing that is sown good in 13 not all his season cometh not up, neither that is sown shall come doth all that is planted take root: up in his even so is it of them that are sown in the world; they shall not all be saved. 42 I answered then and said, If I have found grace, let me speak. 43 Like as the husbandman's seed perisheth, if it come not up, and receive not thy rain in due season; or if there come too much rain, and corrupt it: season, 14* he is made like unto thee, 15 even him hast thou made like Promises to the upright. 1* but thou hast brought thyself full nigh unto the unright eous. Let this never be. II. ESDRAS, 9. 482 In this also thou art marvellous before the most High: 49 in that thou hast humbled thyself, as it becometh thee, and 2 Yet in this hast not judged thyself worthy to be much glorified among the righteous, 50 For many great miseries shall be done to them that in the latter time shall dwell in the world, because they have walked in great pride. shalt thou be admirable in the sight of 51 But understand thou for thyself, and seek out the glory for such as be like thee. 52 For unto you is paradise opened, the tree of life is planted, the time to come is prepared, plenteousness is made ready, a city is builded, and rest is allowed, yea, perfect goodness and wisdom. 3 53 The root of evil is sealed up 3 death are from you, weakness and the moth 4 † the grave is hid from you, and corruption is and corrup-ed into hell to be forgotten : tion are fled 54 Sorrows are passed, and in into forgetthe end is shewed the treasure of fulness: immortality. 5 received 55 And therefore ask thou no more questions concerning the multitude of them that perish. 56 For when they had taken liberty, they despised the most High, thought scorn of his law, and forsook his ways. 57 Moreover they have trodden down his righteous, 58 And said in their heart, that there is no God; yea, and that knowing they must die. 59 For as the things aforesaid shall receive you, so thirst and pain are prepared for them: for it was not his will that man should come to nought: 60 But they which be created have defiled the name of him that made them, and were unthankful unto him which prepared life for them. 61 And therefore is my judgment now at hand. Who shall be saved. 62 These things have I not shewed unto all men, but unto thee, and a few like thee. Then answered I and said, 63 Behold, O Lord, now hast thou shewed me the multitude of the wonders, which thou wilt begin to do in the last times: but at what time, thou hast not shewed me. CHAPTER 9. Who shall be saved, and who not. 19 Al the world is now corrupted: 22 yet God doth save a few. 33 He complaineth that those perish which keep God's law: 38 and seeth a woman lamenting in a field. HE answered me then, and said, 6 Measure thou the time diligently in itself: and when thou seest part of the signs past, which I have told thee before, 2 Then shalt thou understand, that it is the very same time, wherein the Highest will begin to visit the world which he made. 3 Therefore when there shall be seen earthquakes and uproars of the people in the world: 4 Then shalt thou well understand, that the most High spake of those things from the days that were before thee, even from the beginning. 5 For like as all that is made in the world hath a beginning and an end, and the end is manifest: 8 6 Even so the times also of the Highest have plain beginnings in manifest wonders and powerful works, and endings in effects and signs. 7 And every one that shall be saved, and shall be able to escape by his works, and by faith, whereby ye have believed, 8 Shall be preserved from the said perils, and shall see my salvation in my land, and within my borders: for I have sanctified them for me from the beginning. 9 Then shall they be in pitiful case, which now have abused my ways: and they that have cast them away despitefully shall dwell in torments. 10 For such as in their life have received benefits, and have not known me; 11 And they that have lothed my law, while they had yet liberty, and, when as yet place of repentance, was open unto them, understood not, but despised it; 12 The same must know it after death by pain. 13 And therefore be thou not curious how the ungodly shall be punished, and when: but enquire * Or, |