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Apocrypha. look upon them that have clearly taught thy law.

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.

For we and our fathers do languish of such diseases: but because of us sinners thou shalt be called merciful.

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.

For the just, which have many good works laid up with thee, shall out of their own deeds receive reward.

For what is man, that thou shouldest take displeasure at him? or what is a corruptible generation, that thou shouldest be so bitter toward it?

For in truth them 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.

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.

Then answered he me, and said, Some things hast thou spoken aright, and according unto thy words it shall be.

For indeed I will not think on the disposition of them which have sinned before death, before judgment, before destruction:

But I will rejoice over the disposition of the righteous, and I will remember also their pilgrimage, and the salvation, and the reward, that they shall have.

Like as I have spoken now, so shall it come to pass.

For as the husbandman soweth much seed upon the ground, and planteth many trees, and yet the thing that is sown good in his season cometh not up, neither doth all that is planted take root: even so is it of them that are sown in the world; they shall not all be saved.

I answered then and said, If I have found grace, let me speak.

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:

Even so perisheth man also, which is formed with thy hands, and is called thine own image, because thou art like unto him, for whose sake thou hast made all things, and likened him unto the husbandman's seed.

Be not wroth with us but spare thy people, and have mercy upon thine own inheritance: for thou art merciful unto thy creature.

Then answered he me, and said, Things present are for the present, and things to cometh for such as be to come.

For thou comest far short that thou shouldest be able to love my creature more than I: but I have ofttimes drawn nigh unto thee, and unto it, but never to the unrighteous.

In this also thou art marvellous before the most High:

In that thou hast humbled thyself, as it becometh thee, and hast not judged thyself worthy to be much glorified among the righteous.

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.

But understand thou for thyself, and seek out the glory for such as be like thee.

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.

The root of evil is sealed up from you, weakness and the moth is hid from you, and corruption is fled into hell to be forgotten:

Sorrows are passed, and in the end is shewed the treasure of immortality.

And therefore ask thou no more questions concerning the multitude of them that perish.

For when they had taken liberty, they despised the most High, thought scorn of his law, and forsook his ways.

Moreover they have trodden down his righteous,

And said in their heart, that there is no God; yea, and that knowing they must die.

For as the things aforesaid shalt receive you, so thirst and pain are prepared for them: for it was not his will that men should come to nought:

But they which be created have defiled the name of him that made them, and were unthankful unto him which prepared life for them.

And therefore is my judgment now at hand.

These things have I not shewed unto all men, but unto thee, and a few like thee. Then answered I and said,

Behold, O Lord, now hast thou shew-