The praises of the holy fathers, in particular of Enoch, Noe, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
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Let us now praise men of renown, and our fathers in their generation.
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The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence from the beginning.
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Such as have borne rule in their dominions, men of great power, and endued with their wisdom, shewing forth in the prophets the dignity of prophets,
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And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words.
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Such as by their skill sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures.
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Rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness: living at peace in their houses.
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All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days.
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They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related:
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And there are some, of whom there is no memorial: who are perished, as if they had never been: and are become as if they had never been born, and their children with them.
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But these were men of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed:
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Good things continue with their seed,
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Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed hath stood in the covenants.
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And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken.
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Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation.
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Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise.
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Henoch pleased God, and was translated into paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations.
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Noe was found perfect, just, and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation.
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Therefore was there a remnant left to the earth, when the flood came.
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The covenants of the world were made with him, that all flesh should no more be destroyed with the flood.
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Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and there was not found the like to him in glory, who kept the law of the most High, and was in covenant with him.
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In his flesh he established the covenant, and in temptation he was found faithful.
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Therefore by an oath he gave him glory in his posterity, that he should increase as the dust of the earth,
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And that he would exalt his seed as the stars, and they should inherit from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.
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And he did in like manner with Isaac for the sake of Abraham his father.
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The Lord gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed his covenant upon the head of Jacob.
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He acknowledged him in his blessings, and gave him an inheritance, and divided him his portion in twelve tribes.
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And he preserved for him men of mercy, that found grace in the eyes of all flesh.