7. For that which could not be destroyed by fire, being warmed with
a little sunbeam, presently melted away:

16:28. That it might be known to all, that we ought to prevent the sun
to bless thee, and adore thee at the dawning of the light.

16:29. For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter's
ice, and shall run off as unprofitable water.

Wisdom Chapter 17

The Egyptian darkness.

17:1. For thy judgments, O Lord, are great, and thy words cannot be
expressed: therefore undisciplined souls have erred.

17:2. For while the wicked thought to be able to have dominion over the
holy nation, they themselves being fettered with the bonds of darkness,
and a long night, shut up in their houses, lay there exiled from the
eternal providence.

17:3. And while they thought to lie hid in their obscure sins, they were
scattered under a dark veil of forgetfullness, being horribly afraid,
and troubled with exceeding great astonishment.

17:4. For neither did the den that held them, keep them from fear: for
noises coming down troubled them, and sad visions appearing to them,
affrighted them.

17:5. And no power of fire could give them light, neither could the
bright flames of the stars enlighten that horrible night.

17:6. But there appeared to them a sudden fire, very dreadful: and being
struck with the fear of that face, which was not seen, they thought the
things which they saw to be worse:

17:7. And the delusions of their magic art were put down, and their
boasting of wisdom was reproachfully rebuked.

17:8. For they who promised to drive away fears and troubles from a sick
soul, were sick themselves of a fear worthy to be laughed at.

17:9. For though no terrible thing disturbed them: yet being scared with
the passing by of beasts, and hissing of serpents, they died for fear
and denying that they saw the air, which could by no means be avoided.

17:10. For whereas wickedness is fearful, it beareth witness of its
condemnation: for a troubled conscience always forecasteth grievous
things.

17:11. For fear is nothing else but a yielding up of the succours from
thought.

17:12. And while there is less expectation from within, the greater doth
it count the ignorance of that cause which bringeth the torment.

17:13. But they that during that night, in which nothing could be done,
and which came upon them from the lowest and deepest hell, slept the
same sleep,

17:14. Were sometimes molested with the