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with darkness, the walls cover me, and nobody seeth me; what n ed I to fear? the Most High will not remember my sins: such a man only feareth the eyes of men, and knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are ten thousand times brighter than the sun, beholding all the ways of men, and considering the most secret parts He knew all things ere ver they were created; so also after they were perfected he looked upon

them all.

Proverbs.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good; for the ways of man are before the Lord and he pondereth all his goings.

1 Samuel.

The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

On Prayer.

Ecclesiasticus.

He that serveth the Lord shall be accepted with favour, and his prayer shall reach unto the clouds. The sacrifice of a just man is acceptable, and the memorial thereof shall never be forgotten. Be not fainthearted when thou makest thy prayer, and neglect not to give alms. Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord. Use not many words in a multitude of elders, and make not much babbling when thou prayest. To depart from wickedness is a thing pleasing to the Lord; and to forsake unrighteousness is a propitiation. He that keepeth the law bringeth offerings enough he that taketh heed to the commandment offereth a peace offering. The Lord is judge, and with him is no respect of persons. He will not accept any person against a poor man, but will hear the prayer of the oppressed. He will not despise the supplication of the fatherless; nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint. Do not the tears run down the widow's cheeks? and is not her cry against him that causeth them to fall? The prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds: and till it come

nigh, he will not be comforted; and will not depart, till the Most High shall behold to judge righteously and execute judgement.

On patience in affliction, and reliance on God.

Ecclesiasticus.

My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation. Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble. Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased at thy last end. Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate. For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity. Believe in him, and he will help thee; order thy way aright, and trust in him.

On Repentance.

Ecclesiasticus.

My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins. How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance ! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin. He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners: but he that feareth the Lord will repent from his heart. It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt. Say not, I have sinned, and what harm hath happened unto me? for the Lord is long-suffering, he will in no wise let thee go. And say not, His mercy is great; he will be pacified for the multitude of my sins: for mercy and wrath come from him, and his indignation resteth upon sinners. Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord, and put not off from day to day for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth, and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance. Before judgement examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy. Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance. Let nothing hinder thee

to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified. Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face. He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again what availeth his washing? So it is with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again, and doeth the same: who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humbling profit him? Return unto the Lord and forsake thy sins, make thy prayer before his face, and offend less. Turn again to the Most High, and turn away from iniquity: for he will lead thee out of darkness unto the light of health; and hate thou abomination vehemently. How great is the loving kindness of the Lord our God, and his compassion unto such as turn unto him in holiness.

Ezekiel.

As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way. and live: turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways for why will ye

die? If the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes,

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