Chapter 17
God's Works and Commandments
17. The Lord created man of the earth, and turned him into it again, giving them few days and a short time, but enduing them with strength and making them according to his image, and putting the fear of man upon all flesh, giving him dominion over beasts and fowls, and endowing him with reason and an understanding heart, so they could distinguish good and evil; the Lord reserved nothing from them and their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, their ears heard his glorious voice, and he commanded every man concerning his neighbour, warning them to beware of all unrighteousness. Their ways are ever before him, and none of their unrighteous deeds are hid from him, but every man from his youth was given to wickedness; yet the Lord, being gracious and knowing his workmanship, neither left nor forsook them, but spared them, for in the division of the nations, he set a ruler over every people, but Israel is the Lord’s portion, whom he nourished as his firstborn with discipline, and giving him the light of his love doth not forsake him. The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and he will keep the good deeds of man as the apple of the eye, giving repentance and afterwards rising up to reward them, but unto them that repent, he grants return and comforts those who failed in patience. Therefore, return unto the Lord, forsake thy sins, make thy prayer before his face, and offend less, turning again to the most High and away from iniquity, for he will lead thee out of darkness into the light of health, so hate thou abomination vehemently; for who shall praise the most High in the grave, since thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, and only the living and sound in heart shall praise the Lord? How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness unto them that turn unto him, for all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal, and though nothing is brighter than the sun, yet its light faileth, and flesh and blood will imagine evil, for he vieweth the power of the height of heaven, and all men are but earth and ashes.