Chapter 49

49. The remembrance of Josiah is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the apothecary, it is sweet as honey in all mouths, and as musick at a banquet of wine, for he behaved himself uprightly in the conversion of the people, and took away the abominations of iniquity, and he directed his heart unto the Lord, and in the time of the ungodly he strengthened the worship of God. Except David, and Hezekiah, and Josiah, all committed sin, for they forsook the law of the most High, for the Lord was wroth with them, and gave them up to the enemies, for they provoked the Lord to anger, and they were forsaken. The Lord destroyed not the seed of David for the sake of the covenant, and he left a root of the house of David, and gave him a remnant, and he left not a root of the house of David, and gave him a remnant. Jeremiah was exalted in the sight of the Lord, who was sanctified in the womb, to pull down, and to destroy, and to build, and to plant, for he was an example of repentance to all generations, and he shall be in the time of the latter times, to appease the wrath of the Lord. Ezekiel saw the glorious vision, which was shewed him upon the chariot of the cherubims, for he made mention of the enemies under the figure of the rain, and he made mention of them that were in the captivity, and he was an example of repentance to all generations. The Twelve Prophets were all great, and they were all blessed, and their names shall be remembered forever, for they comforted Jacob, and delivered them, and made them to hope in the time of trouble. How shall we magnify Zerubbabel, who was as a signet on the right hand, and Jeshua the son of Josedek, who in their time builded the house, and set up an holy temple to the Lord, which was prepared for everlasting glory? Also the memory of Nehemiah is much to be praised, who raised up for us the walls that were fallen, and set up the gates and the bars, and rebuilt our ruins. Upon the earth was created Adam above every living thing, and the memory of him shall be remembered forever, for he was the first man, and he was created of God, and he was magnified in his works.