ling into deep forgetfulness, they might not be
able to use thy help.

16:12. For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaster, that healed
them, but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things.

16:13. For it is thou, O Lord, that hast power of life and death, and
leadest down to the gates of death, and bringest back again:

16:14. A man indeed killeth through malice, and when the spirit is gone
forth, it shall not return, neither shall he call back the soul that is
received:

16:15. But it is impossible to escape thy hand:

16:16. For the wicked that denied to know thee, were scourged by the
strength of thy arm, being persecuted by strange waters, and hail, and
rain, and consumed by fire.

16:17. And which was wonderful, in water, which extinguisheth all
things, the fire had more force: for the world fighteth for the just.

The fire had more force... Viz., when the fire and hail mingled together
laid waste the land of Egypt. Ex. 9.

16:18. For at one time the fire was mitigated, that the beasts which
were sent against the wicked might not be burnt, but that they might
see, and perceive that they were persecuted by the judgment of God.

16:19. And at another time the fire, above its own power, burnt in the
midst of water, to destroy the fruits of a wicked land.

16:20. Instead of which things, thou didst feed thy people with the food
of angels, and gavest them bread from heaven, prepared without labour;
having in it all that is delicious, and the sweetness of every taste.

16:21. For thy sustenance shewed thy sweetness to thy children, and
serving every man's will, it was turned to what every man liked.

16:22. But snow and ice endured the force of fire, and melted not: that
they might know that the fire, burning in the hail, and flashing in the
rain, destroyed the fruits of the enemies.

16:23. But this same again, that the just might be nourished, did even
forget its own strength.

16:24. For the creature serving thee, the Creator, is made fierce
against the unjust for their punishment: and abateth its strength for
the benefit of them that trust in thee.

16:25. Therefore even then it was transformed into all things, and was
obedient to thy grace, that nourisheth all, according to the will of
them that desired it of thee:

16:26. That thy children, O Lord, whom thou lovedst, might know that it
is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth men, but thy word
preserveth them that believe in thee.

16:2