Contemplations vpon the historicall part of the Old Testament. The eighth and last volume. In two bookes. By I.H. deane of Worcester
         Contemplations upon the principall passages of the Holy Storie. Vol. 8
         Hall, Joseph, 1574-1656.
      
       
         
           1626
        
      
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             Contemplations vpon the historicall part of the Old Testament. The eighth and last volume. In two bookes. By I.H. deane of Worcester
             Contemplations upon the principall passages of the Holy Storie. Vol. 8
             Hall, Joseph, 1574-1656.
          
           [8], 544, 535-556, [2] p.
           
             Printed by M. Flesher for Nath. Butter,
             London :
             1626.
          
           
             Dedication signed: Ios. Hall.
             Books 20-21.
             With a final postscript leaf.
             The first volume was issued under the title: Contemplations upon the principall passages of the holie storie.
             Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Contemplations
           VPON
           THE
           HISTORICALL
           Part
           of
           the
           Old
           Testament
           .
        
         
           THE
           EIGHTH
           and
           LAST
           VOLVME
           .
        
         
           In
           two
           Bookes
           .
        
         
           By
           
             I.
             H.
          
           Deane
           of
           Worcester
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           Printed
           by
           
             M.
             Flesher
          
           for
           
             Nath.
             Butter
          
           .
        
         
           1626.
           
        
         
      
       
         
         
           
             TO
             THE
             HIGH
             AND
             MIGHTY
             MONARCH
          
           CHARLES
           ,
           
             BY
             The
             Grace
             of
             God
             KING
             of
          
           Great
           Britaine
           ,
           France
           and
           Ireland
           ,
           
             Defender
             of
             the
             Faith
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           
             My
             dread
             Soueraigne
             Lord
             and
             Master
             .
          
           
             May
             it
             please
             your
             Maiesty
             :
          
        
         
           NOw
           at
           last
           (
           thankes
           be
           to
           my
           good
           God
           )
           I
           haue
           finished
           the
           long-taske
           of
           my
           Meditations
           vpon
           the
           historicall
           part
           of
           the
           Old
           Testament
           :
           A
           Worke
           that
           I
           foresaw
           must
           be
           the
           issue
           both
           of
           time
           ,
           and
           thoughts
           ;
           It
           
           presumed
           to
           intitle
           it selfe
           at
           first
           ,
           to
           your
           Gracious
           name
           ,
           in
           succession
           to
           your
           immortall
           Brothers
           ;
           and
           now
           ,
           it
           brings
           to
           your
           Royall
           hands
           ,
           a
           due
           account
           of
           an
           happy
           dispatch
           .
        
         
           Besides
           my
           owne
           publique
           ingagement
           ,
           the
           incouragements
           of
           many
           worthy
           Diuines
           ,
           both
           at
           home
           ,
           and
           abroad
           ,
           drew
           me
           on
           ,
           in
           this
           pleasing
           ,
           though
           busie
           ,
           labour
           ;
           and
           made
           mee
           beleeue
           the
           seruice
           would
           not
           be
           of
           more
           paine
           ,
           then
           vse
           .
        
         
           I
           humbly
           present
           it
           to
           your
           Maiestie
           ;
           not
           fearing
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           in
           regard
           of
           the
           subiect
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           so
           fit
           for
           any
           eies
           as
           Princely
           ;
           For
           what
           doth
           it
           else
           but
           comment
           vpon
           that
           ,
           which
           God
           hath
           thought
           good
           to
           say
           of
           Kings
           ;
           what
           they
           haue
           done
           ,
           what
           they
           should
           haue
           done
           ;
           how
           they
           sped
           in
           good
           ,
           in
           euill
           ?
           Certainly
           there
           can
           be
           none
           such
           miroir
           
           of
           Princes
           vnder
           heauen
           ,
           as
           this
           ,
           which
           God
           hath
           made
           for
           the
           faces
           of
           his
           Deputies
           on
           earth
           .
           Neither
           can
           the
           eyes
           of
           Soueraigne
           Greatnesse
           be
           better
           taken
           vp
           then
           with
           this
           sacred
           reflection
           .
           If
           my
           defects
           haue
           not
           been
           notorious
           ,
           the
           matter
           shall
           enough
           commend
           the
           worke
           ;
           which
           together
           with
           the
           vnworthy
           Author
           ,
           humbly
           casts
           it selfe
           at
           the
           feet
           of
           your
           Maiesty
           ;
           with
           the
           best
           vowes
           of
           fidelity
           and
           obseruance
           ,
           from
           him
           ,
           that
           prides
           himselfe
           in
           nothing
           more
           ,
           then
           in
           the
           style
           of
        
         
           
             Your
             Maiesties
             most
             faithfully
             deuoted
             seruant
             ,
             IOS
             :
             HALL
             .
          
        
         
      
    
     
       
         
           
             
             
               Contemplations
               .
            
             
               The
               20th
               Booke
               .
            
             
               
                 1
                 The
                 Shunamite
                 suing
                 to
                 Iehoram
                 :
                 Elisha
                 conferring
                 with
                 Hazael
                 .
              
               
                 2
                 Iehu
                 with
                 Iehoram
                 and
                 Iezebel
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Iehu
                 killing
                 the
                 sonnes
                 of
                 Abab
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Priests
                 of
                 Baal
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Athaliah
                 and
                 Ioash
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 Ioash
                 with
                 Elisha
                 dying
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Vzziah
                 leprous
                 .
              
               
                 7
                 Ahaz
                 with
                 his
                 new
                 Altar
                 .
              
               
                 8
                 The
                 vtter
                 destruction
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 Israel
                 .
              
               
                 9
                 Hezekiah
                 and
                 Senacherib
                 .
              
               
                 10
                 Hezekiah
                 sicke
                 ,
                 recouered
                 ,
                 visited
                 .
              
               
                 11
                 Manasseh
                 .
              
               
                 12
                 Iosiahs
                 reformation
                 .
              
               
                 13
                 Iosiahs
                 death
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 desolation
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 and
                 Ierusalem
                 .
              
            
             
          
        
         
           
             
             
               Contemplations
               .
            
             
               
                 The
                 SHVNAMITE
                 
                   suing
                   to
                
                 IEHORAM
                 ;
                 ELISHA
                 
                   conferring
                   with
                
                 HAZAEL
                 .
              
               
                 HOw
                 royally
                 hath
                 Elisha
                 
                 paid
                 the
                 Shunamite
                 for
                 his
                 lodging
                 !
                 To
                 him
                 already
                 she
                 owes
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 her
                 sonne
                 ,
                 both
                 giuen
                 ,
                 and
                 restored
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 againe
                 (
                 after
                 so
                 many
                 yeares
                 ,
                 as
                 might
                 well
                 haue
                 worne
                 out
                 the
                 memory
                 of
                 
                 so
                 small
                 a
                 courtesie
                 )
                 her selfe
                 ,
                 her
                 sonne
                 ,
                 her
                 family
                 owe
                 their
                 liues
                 to
                 so
                 thankfull
                 a
                 guest
                 .
                 That
                 table
                 ,
                 and
                 bed
                 ,
                 and
                 stoole
                 ,
                 and
                 candlesticke
                 was
                 well
                 bestowed
                 :
                 That
                 candlesticke
                 repaid
                 her
                 the
                 light
                 of
                 her
                 future
                 life
                 and
                 condition
                 ,
                 that
                 table
                 the
                 meanes
                 of
                 maintenance
                 ,
                 that
                 stoole
                 a
                 seat
                 of
                 safe
                 abode
                 ,
                 that
                 bed
                 a
                 quiet
                 rest
                 from
                 the
                 common
                 calamities
                 of
                 her
                 nation
                 :
                 Hee
                 is
                 a
                 niggard
                 to
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 that
                 scants
                 his
                 beneficence
                 to
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 whose
                 very
                 cold
                 water
                 shall
                 not
                 go
                 vnrewarded
                 .
                 Elijah
                 preserued
                 the
                 Sareptan
                 from
                 famine
                 ;
                 Elisha
                 the
                 Shunamite
                 ;
                 he
                 ,
                 by
                 prouision
                 of
                 oyle
                 and
                 meale
                 ;
                 this
                 ,
                 by
                 premonition
                 :
                 
                   Arise
                   ,
                   and
                   goe
                   ,
                   thou
                   and
                   thine
                   houshold
                   ,
                   and
                   soiourne
                   wheresoeuer
                   thou
                   canst
                
                 
                 soiourne
                 .
                 The
                 Sareptan
                 was
                 poore
                 ,
                 and
                 driuen
                 to
                 extremes
                 ,
                 therefore
                 the
                 Prophet
                 prouides
                 for
                 her
                 ,
                 from
                 hand
                 to
                 mouth
                 :
                 The
                 Shunamite
                 was
                 wealthy
                 ,
                 and
                 therfore
                 the
                 Prophet
                 sends
                 her
                 to
                 prouide
                 for
                 her selfe
                 :
                 The
                 same
                 goodnes
                 that
                 relieues
                 our
                 necessity
                 ,
                 leaues
                 our
                 competency
                 to
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 our
                 owne
                 counsell
                 ;
                 in
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 make
                 vse
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 power
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 ,
                 of
                 our
                 prouidence
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 very
                 Prophet
                 aduises
                 this
                 holy
                 Client
                 to
                 leaue
                 the
                 bounds
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 :
                 and
                 to
                 seeke
                 life
                 ,
                 where
                 she
                 should
                 not
                 finde
                 religion
                 :
                 Extremity
                 is
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 a
                 iust
                 dispensation
                 with
                 some
                 common
                 rules
                 of
                 our
                 outward
                 demeanure
                 ,
                 and
                 motions
                 ,
                 euen
                 from
                 
                 better
                 to
                 worse
                 .
                 All
                 Israel
                 and
                 Iudah
                 shall
                 be
                 affamished
                 ;
                 The
                 body
                 can
                 be
                 preserued
                 no
                 where
                 ,
                 but
                 where
                 the
                 soule
                 shall
                 want
                 ;
                 Somtimes
                 the
                 conueniences
                 of
                 the
                 soule
                 must
                 yeeld
                 to
                 bodily
                 necessities
                 .
                 Wantonnesse
                 and
                 curiosity
                 can
                 finde
                 no
                 aduantage
                 from
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 done
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 need
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 long
                 famine
                 that
                 shall
                 afflict
                 Israel
                 ;
                 Hee
                 vpon
                 whom
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 Elijah
                 was
                 doubled
                 ,
                 doubled
                 the
                 iudgement
                 inflicted
                 by
                 his
                 Master
                 ;
                 Three
                 yeares
                 and
                 an
                 halfe
                 did
                 Israel
                 gaspe
                 vnder
                 the
                 drought
                 of
                 Elijah
                 ;
                 seauen
                 yeares
                 dearth
                 shall
                 it
                 suffer
                 vnder
                 Elisha
                 :
                 The
                 tryals
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 many
                 times
                 not
                 more
                 grieuous
                 for
                 their
                 sharpnesse
                 ,
                 then
                 for
                 their
                 continuance
                 .
              
               
               
                 This
                 scarcity
                 shall
                 not
                 come
                 alone
                 ;
                 God
                 shall
                 call
                 for
                 it
                 :
                 what
                 euer
                 be
                 the
                 second
                 cause
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 the
                 first
                 .
                 The
                 executioners
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 (
                 such
                 are
                 his
                 iudgments
                 )
                 stand
                 ready
                 waiting
                 vpon
                 his
                 iust
                 Throne
                 ;
                 and
                 doe
                 no
                 sooner
                 receiue
                 the
                 watch-word
                 ,
                 then
                 they
                 flye
                 vpon
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 and
                 plague
                 it
                 for
                 sinne
                 ;
                 Onely
                 the
                 cry
                 of
                 our
                 sinnes
                 moues
                 God
                 to
                 call
                 for
                 vengeance
                 :
                 And
                 if
                 God
                 once
                 call
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 come
                 ;
                 How
                 oft
                 ,
                 how
                 earnestly
                 are
                 we
                 called
                 to
                 repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 stir
                 not
                 ?
                 the
                 messengers
                 of
                 Gods
                 wrath
                 flye
                 forth
                 at
                 the
                 least
                 becke
                 ;
                 and
                 fulfill
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 his
                 reuenge
                 vpon
                 those
                 ,
                 whose
                 obedience
                 would
                 not
                 fulfill
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 his
                 command
                 .
              
               
                 After
                 so
                 many
                 proofes
                 of
                 fidelitie
                 
                 the
                 Shunamite
                 cannot
                 distrust
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ;
                 not
                 staying
                 therfore
                 to
                 be
                 conuicted
                 by
                 the
                 euent
                 ,
                 she
                 remoues
                 her
                 family
                 into
                 the
                 Land
                 of
                 the
                 Philistims
                 :
                 No
                 nation
                 was
                 more
                 opposite
                 to
                 Israel
                 ,
                 none
                 more
                 worthily
                 odious
                 ;
                 yet
                 ,
                 there
                 doth
                 the
                 Shunamite
                 seeke
                 ,
                 &
                 finde
                 shelter
                 ;
                 Euen
                 the
                 shade
                 of
                 those
                 trees
                 that
                 are
                 vnwholsome
                 ,
                 may
                 keepe
                 vs
                 from
                 a
                 storme
                 ;
                 Euery
                 where
                 will
                 God
                 finde
                 roome
                 for
                 his
                 owne
                 .
                 The
                 fields
                 of
                 Philistins
                 flourish
                 ,
                 whiles
                 the
                 soyle
                 of
                 Israel
                 yeelds
                 nothing
                 but
                 weeds
                 and
                 barrennesse
                 :
                 Not
                 that
                 Israel
                 was
                 more
                 sinfull
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 the
                 sin
                 of
                 Israel
                 is
                 more
                 intolerable
                 .
                 The
                 offers
                 of
                 grace
                 are
                 so
                 many
                 aggrauations
                 of
                 wickednesse
                 :
                 In
                 equall
                 offences
                 those
                 doe
                 iustly
                 smart
                 
                 more
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 more
                 obliged
                 .
                 No
                 pestilence
                 is
                 so
                 contagious
                 as
                 that
                 which
                 hath
                 taken
                 the
                 purest
                 ayre
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 Philistine
                 neighbours
                 would
                 neuer
                 haue
                 endured
                 themselues
                 to
                 be
                 pestered
                 with
                 forrainers
                 ;
                 especially
                 Israelites
                 ,
                 whom
                 they
                 hated
                 (
                 besides
                 religion
                 )
                 for
                 their
                 vsurpation
                 :
                 neyther
                 were
                 they
                 in
                 all
                 likelihood
                 pressed
                 with
                 multitude
                 :
                 The
                 rest
                 of
                 Israel
                 were
                 led
                 on
                 with
                 hopes
                 ;
                 presuming
                 vpon
                 the
                 amends
                 of
                 the
                 next
                 haruest
                 ,
                 till
                 their
                 want
                 grew
                 desperate
                 ,
                 and
                 irremediable
                 ;
                 onely
                 the
                 forwarned
                 Shunamite
                 preuents
                 the
                 mischiefe
                 ;
                 now
                 she
                 findes
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 haue
                 a
                 Prophet
                 her
                 friend
                 :
                 Happy
                 are
                 those
                 soules
                 that
                 vpon
                 all
                 occasions
                 consult
                 with
                 Gods
                 Seers
                 ;
                 they
                 shall
                 be
                 freed
                 from
                 the
                 
                 plagues
                 ,
                 wherein
                 the
                 secure
                 blindnesse
                 of
                 others
                 is
                 heedlesly
                 ouertaken
                 .
              
               
                 Seauen
                 yeares
                 had
                 this
                 Shunamite
                 soiourned
                 in
                 Palestine
                 ,
                 now
                 she
                 returnes
                 to
                 her
                 owne
                 ;
                 and
                 is
                 excluded
                 :
                 She
                 that
                 found
                 harbour
                 among
                 Philistines
                 ,
                 findes
                 oppression
                 and
                 violence
                 among
                 Israelites
                 :
                 Those
                 of
                 her
                 kinred
                 ,
                 taking
                 aduantage
                 of
                 her
                 absence
                 ,
                 had
                 shared
                 her
                 possessions
                 .
                 How
                 oft
                 doth
                 it
                 fall
                 out
                 that
                 the
                 worst
                 enemies
                 of
                 a
                 man
                 are
                 those
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 ,
                 house
                 ?
                 All
                 went
                 by
                 contraries
                 with
                 this
                 Shunamite
                 ;
                 In
                 the
                 famine
                 she
                 had
                 enough
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 common
                 plenty
                 she
                 was
                 scanted
                 ;
                 Philistines
                 were
                 kinde
                 to
                 her
                 ,
                 Israelites
                 cruell
                 :
                 Both
                 our
                 feares
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 hopes
                 doe
                 not
                 seldome
                 disappoint
                 
                 vs
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 safe
                 trusting
                 to
                 that
                 stay
                 which
                 can
                 neuer
                 faile
                 vs
                 ;
                 who
                 can
                 easily
                 prouide
                 vs
                 both
                 of
                 friendship
                 in
                 Palestine
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 iustice
                 in
                 Israel
                 .
                 Wee
                 may
                 not
                 iudge
                 of
                 the
                 religion
                 by
                 particular
                 actions
                 ;
                 A
                 very
                 Philistine
                 may
                 be
                 mercifull
                 ,
                 when
                 an
                 Israelite
                 is
                 vniust
                 ;
                 The
                 person
                 may
                 be
                 faulty
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 profession
                 is
                 holy
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 was
                 not
                 long
                 since
                 the
                 Prophet
                 made
                 that
                 friendly
                 offer
                 to
                 the
                 Shunamite
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 desire
                 of
                 a
                 thankfull
                 requitall
                 ;
                 
                   VVhat
                   is
                   to
                   be
                   done
                   for
                   thee
                   ?
                   wouldest
                   thou
                   be
                   spoken
                   for
                   to
                   the
                   King
                   ,
                   or
                   to
                   the
                   Captaine
                   of
                   the
                   Host
                   ?
                
                 and
                 she
                 answered
                 ;
                 
                   I
                   dwell
                   among
                   my
                   brethren
                
                 .
                 Little
                 did
                 she
                 then
                 thinke
                 of
                 this
                 iniurious
                 measure
                 ;
                 else
                 she
                 might
                 haue
                 said
                 ;
                 I
                 dwell
                 amongst
                 mine
                 enemies
                 ,
                 I
                 
                 dwell
                 amongst
                 robbers
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 like
                 they
                 were
                 then
                 friendly
                 ,
                 who
                 were
                 now
                 cruell
                 ,
                 and
                 oppressiue
                 ;
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 trust
                 to
                 be
                 reposed
                 in
                 flesh
                 and
                 blood
                 :
                 How
                 should
                 their
                 fauors
                 be
                 constant
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 in
                 their
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 disposition
                 ,
                 variable
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 furest
                 way
                 to
                 relye
                 on
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 euer
                 like
                 himselfe
                 ;
                 the
                 measure
                 of
                 whose
                 loue
                 is
                 eternitie
                 .
              
               
                 Whither
                 should
                 the
                 Shunamite
                 goe
                 to
                 complaine
                 of
                 her
                 wrong
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 the
                 Court
                 ?
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 other
                 refuge
                 of
                 the
                 oppressed
                 ,
                 but
                 publike
                 authoritie
                 :
                 All
                 Iustice
                 is
                 deriued
                 from
                 Soueraignty
                 :
                 Kings
                 are
                 not
                 called
                 Gods
                 for
                 nothing
                 ;
                 They
                 doe
                 both
                 sentence
                 and
                 execute
                 for
                 the
                 Almighty
                 .
              
               
                 Doubtlesse
                 ,
                 now
                 the
                 poore
                 
                 Shunamite
                 thought
                 of
                 the
                 courteous
                 profer
                 of
                 Elisha
                 ;
                 and
                 missing
                 a
                 friend
                 at
                 the
                 Court
                 ,
                 is
                 glad
                 to
                 be
                 the
                 presenter
                 of
                 her
                 owne
                 petition
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 happily
                 doth
                 God
                 contriue
                 all
                 euents
                 for
                 the
                 good
                 of
                 his
                 !
                 This
                 suppliant
                 shall
                 fall
                 vpon
                 that
                 instant
                 for
                 her
                 suit
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 King
                 shall
                 bee
                 talking
                 with
                 Gehezi
                 ;
                 when
                 Gehezi
                 shall
                 bee
                 talking
                 of
                 her
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 ;
                 The
                 words
                 of
                 Gehezi
                 ,
                 the
                 thoughts
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 the
                 desires
                 of
                 the
                 Shunamite
                 shall
                 be
                 all
                 drawne
                 together
                 by
                 the
                 wise
                 prouidence
                 of
                 God
                 into
                 the
                 center
                 of
                 one
                 moment
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 oppressed
                 seruant
                 might
                 receiue
                 a
                 speedy
                 iustice
                 .
                 Oh
                 the
                 infinite
                 wisedome
                 ,
                 power
                 ,
                 mercy
                 of
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 insensibly
                 
                 orders
                 all
                 our
                 wayes
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 his
                 owne
                 holy
                 purposes
                 ,
                 so
                 to
                 our
                 best
                 aduantage
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 doth
                 Iehoram
                 the
                 King
                 talking
                 with
                 Gehezi
                 the
                 Leper
                 ?
                 That
                 very
                 presence
                 was
                 an
                 eye-sore
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 if
                 the
                 cohabitation
                 with
                 the
                 infectious
                 were
                 forbidden
                 ,
                 yet
                 not
                 the
                 conference
                 .
                 Certainly
                 ,
                 I
                 begin
                 to
                 thinke
                 of
                 some
                 goodnesse
                 in
                 both
                 these
                 :
                 Had
                 there
                 not
                 beene
                 some
                 goodnesse
                 in
                 Iehoram
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 taken
                 pleasure
                 to
                 heare
                 ,
                 euen
                 from
                 a
                 leprous
                 mouth
                 ,
                 the
                 miraculous
                 acts
                 and
                 praises
                 of
                 Gods
                 Prophet
                 ;
                 Had
                 there
                 not
                 beene
                 some
                 goodnesse
                 in
                 Gehezi
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 after
                 so
                 fearfull
                 an
                 infliction
                 of
                 iudgment
                 ,
                 thus
                 ingenuously
                 recounted
                 the
                 
                 praises
                 of
                 his
                 seuere
                 Master
                 ;
                 Hee
                 that
                 told
                 that
                 deare-bought
                 lye
                 to
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 tells
                 now
                 all
                 truths
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 :
                 Perhaps
                 his
                 leprosie
                 had
                 made
                 him
                 cleane
                 ;
                 If
                 so
                 :
                 Happy
                 was
                 it
                 for
                 him
                 that
                 his
                 forhead
                 was
                 white
                 with
                 the
                 disease
                 ,
                 if
                 his
                 soule
                 became
                 hereupon
                 white
                 with
                 repentance
                 .
                 But
                 wee
                 may
                 well
                 know
                 that
                 the
                 desire
                 ,
                 or
                 report
                 of
                 historicall
                 Truths
                 ,
                 doth
                 not
                 alwayes
                 argue
                 grace
                 .
                 Still
                 Iehoram
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 inquiry
                 of
                 the
                 Prophets
                 miracles
                 ,
                 continues
                 his
                 Idolatry
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 was
                 curious
                 to
                 harken
                 after
                 the
                 wonders
                 of
                 Elisha
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 carefull
                 to
                 follow
                 his
                 doctrine
                 ;
                 Therefore
                 are
                 Gehezi
                 and
                 the
                 Shunamite
                 met
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 hee
                 may
                 be
                 conuicted
                 ,
                 who
                 will
                 not
                 
                 be
                 reformed
                 :
                 Why
                 was
                 it
                 els
                 that
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 the
                 persons
                 should
                 thus
                 inexpectedly
                 make
                 good
                 the
                 relation
                 ,
                 if
                 God
                 had
                 not
                 meant
                 the
                 inexcusablenesse
                 of
                 Iehoram
                 ;
                 whiles
                 he
                 must
                 needs
                 say
                 within
                 himselfe
                 ;
                 Thus
                 potent
                 is
                 the
                 Prophet
                 of
                 that
                 God
                 ,
                 whom
                 I
                 obey
                 not
                 ;
                 Were
                 not
                 Elishaes
                 ,
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 how
                 could
                 hee
                 worke
                 such
                 wonders
                 ?
                 And
                 if
                 he
                 be
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 why
                 is
                 he
                 not
                 mine
                 ?
                 But
                 what
                 ?
                 Shall
                 I
                 change
                 Ahabs
                 God
                 for
                 Iehosaphats
                 ?
                 No
                 ;
                 I
                 cannot
                 deny
                 the
                 miracles
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 admit
                 of
                 the
                 author
                 :
                 Let
                 Elisha
                 be
                 powerfull
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 be
                 constant
                 .
                 O
                 wretched
                 Iehoram
                 ;
                 how
                 much
                 better
                 had
                 it
                 been
                 for
                 thee
                 neuer
                 to
                 haue
                 seene
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 Gehezi
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 son
                 of
                 the
                 Shunamite
                 ;
                 then
                 to
                 goe
                 
                 away
                 vnmoued
                 with
                 the
                 vengeance
                 of
                 leprosie
                 in
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 mercifull
                 resuscitation
                 of
                 the
                 other
                 ?
                 Therfore
                 is
                 thy
                 iudgment
                 fearfully
                 aggrauated
                 ,
                 because
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 not
                 yeeld
                 to
                 what
                 thou
                 couldst
                 not
                 oppose
                 .
                 Had
                 not
                 Ahabs
                 obduratenesse
                 beene
                 propagated
                 to
                 his
                 sonne
                 ,
                 so
                 powerfull
                 demonstrations
                 of
                 diuine
                 power
                 could
                 not
                 haue
                 been
                 vneffectuall
                 .
                 Wicked
                 hearts
                 are
                 so
                 much
                 worse
                 by
                 how
                 much
                 God
                 is
                 better
                 ;
                 This
                 anvile
                 is
                 the
                 harder
                 by
                 being
                 continually
                 beaten
                 vpon
                 ,
                 whether
                 with
                 iudgments
                 ,
                 or
                 mercy
                 .
              
               
                 Yet
                 this
                 good
                 vse
                 will
                 God
                 haue
                 made
                 of
                 this
                 report
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 presence
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 poore
                 Shunamite
                 shall
                 haue
                 iustice
                 ;
                 That
                 sonne
                 ,
                 whose
                 life
                 was
                 restored
                 ,
                 shall
                 
                 haue
                 his
                 inheritance
                 reuiued
                 ;
                 His
                 estate
                 shall
                 fare
                 the
                 better
                 for
                 Elishaes
                 miracle
                 :
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 will
                 our
                 mercifull
                 God
                 second
                 his
                 owne
                 blessings
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 fauors
                 of
                 vniust
                 men
                 are
                 therefore
                 drawne
                 to
                 vs
                 ,
                 because
                 wee
                 haue
                 beene
                 the
                 subiects
                 of
                 diuine
                 beneficence
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 large
                 ,
                 and
                 full
                 award
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 occurrence
                 drew
                 from
                 the
                 King
                 ;
                 
                   Restore
                   all
                   that
                   was
                   hers
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   fruits
                   of
                   the
                   field
                   ,
                   since
                   the
                   day
                   that
                   she
                   left
                   the
                   land
                   ,
                   euen
                   vntill
                   now
                   .
                
                 Not
                 the
                 present
                 possession
                 onely
                 is
                 giuen
                 her
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 arerages
                 .
              
               
                 Nothing
                 hinders
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 outward
                 iustice
                 may
                 stand
                 with
                 grosse
                 Idolatry
                 .
                 The
                 Widow
                 may
                 thanke
                 Elisha
                 for
                 this
                 ;
                 His
                 miracle
                 
                 wrought
                 still
                 ;
                 and
                 put
                 this
                 new
                 life
                 into
                 her
                 dead
                 estate
                 ;
                 His
                 absence
                 did
                 that
                 for
                 the
                 preseruation
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 which
                 his
                 presence
                 did
                 for
                 the
                 restoring
                 it
                 from
                 death
                 .
                 Shee
                 that
                 was
                 so
                 ready
                 to
                 expostulate
                 with
                 the
                 man
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 vpon
                 the
                 losse
                 of
                 her
                 sonne
                 ,
                 might
                 perhaps
                 haue
                 beene
                 as
                 ready
                 to
                 impute
                 the
                 losse
                 of
                 her
                 estate
                 to
                 his
                 aduice
                 ;
                 Now
                 ,
                 that
                 for
                 his
                 sake
                 shee
                 is
                 enriched
                 with
                 her
                 owne
                 ;
                 how
                 doth
                 shee
                 blesse
                 God
                 for
                 so
                 happy
                 a
                 guest
                 ?
                 When
                 we
                 haue
                 forgotten
                 our
                 owne
                 good
                 turnes
                 ,
                 God
                 remembers
                 and
                 crownes
                 them
                 :
                 Let
                 vs
                 do
                 good
                 to
                 all
                 whiles
                 we
                 haue
                 time
                 ,
                 but
                 especially
                 to
                 the
                 houshold
                 of
                 faith
                 .
              
               
                 Could
                 Israel
                 haue
                 beene
                 sensible
                 of
                 their
                 owne
                 condition
                 ,
                 it
                 
                 was
                 no
                 small
                 vnhappinesse
                 to
                 lose
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 Elisha
                 :
                 Whether
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Idolatries
                 ,
                 or
                 for
                 the
                 famine
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 the
                 Prophet
                 is
                 gone
                 into
                 Syria
                 ;
                 No
                 doubt
                 Naaman
                 welcomd
                 him
                 thither
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 would
                 force
                 vpon
                 him
                 those
                 thankes
                 for
                 his
                 cure
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 man
                 of
                 God
                 would
                 not
                 receiue
                 at
                 home
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 famous
                 is
                 he
                 now
                 grown
                 that
                 was
                 taken
                 from
                 the
                 Teame
                 ?
                 His
                 name
                 is
                 not
                 confined
                 to
                 his
                 owne
                 Nation
                 ;
                 Forraine
                 countries
                 take
                 notice
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 Kings
                 are
                 glad
                 to
                 listen
                 after
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 wooe
                 him
                 vvith
                 presents
                 :
                 Benhadad
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Syria
                 ,
                 whose
                 counsells
                 he
                 had
                 detected
                 ,
                 reioyeeth
                 to
                 heare
                 of
                 his
                 presence
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 ,
                 as
                 hauing
                 forgotten
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 sent
                 a
                 
                 vvhole
                 host
                 ,
                 to
                 besiege
                 the
                 Prophet
                 in
                 Dothan
                 ,
                 sends
                 an
                 honorable
                 messenger
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 laden
                 with
                 the
                 burden
                 of
                 fourty
                 Camels
                 ,
                 to
                 consult
                 with
                 this
                 Oracle
                 ,
                 concerning
                 his
                 sicknesse
                 ,
                 and
                 recouery
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 Syrian
                 belike
                 in
                 his
                 distresse
                 dares
                 not
                 trust
                 to
                 his
                 owne
                 gods
                 ;
                 but
                 hauing
                 had
                 good
                 proofe
                 of
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 both
                 in
                 Naamans
                 cure
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 miraculous
                 defeats
                 of
                 his
                 greatest
                 forces
                 ,
                 is
                 glad
                 to
                 send
                 to
                 that
                 seruant
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 had
                 persecuted
                 .
                 Wicked
                 men
                 are
                 not
                 the
                 same
                 in
                 health
                 and
                 in
                 sicknesse
                 :
                 their
                 affliction
                 is
                 worthy
                 of
                 the
                 thankes
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 be
                 well-minded
                 ;
                 not
                 themselues
                 .
              
               
                 Doubtlesse
                 the
                 errand
                 of
                 Benhadad
                 was
                 not
                 onely
                 to
                 inquire
                 of
                 
                 the
                 issue
                 of
                 his
                 disease
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 require
                 the
                 prayers
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet
                 for
                 a
                 good
                 issue
                 :
                 Euen
                 the
                 worst
                 man
                 doth
                 so
                 loue
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 that
                 hee
                 can
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 make
                 a
                 beneficiall
                 vse
                 of
                 those
                 instruments
                 ,
                 whose
                 goodnesse
                 he
                 hateth
                 .
              
               
                 Hazael
                 ,
                 the
                 chiefe
                 Peere
                 of
                 Syria
                 is
                 designed
                 to
                 this
                 message
                 ;
                 The
                 wealth
                 of
                 his
                 present
                 striues
                 with
                 the
                 humility
                 of
                 his
                 cariage
                 ,
                 and
                 speech
                 :
                 
                   Thy
                   sonne
                   Benhadad
                   King
                   of
                   Syria
                   hath
                   sent
                   me
                   to
                   thee
                   ,
                   saying
                   ,
                   Shall
                   I
                   recouer
                   of
                   this
                   disease
                   ?
                
                 Not
                 long
                 since
                 ,
                 Iehoram
                 King
                 of
                 Israel
                 had
                 said
                 to
                 
                   Elisha
                   ,
                   My
                   father
                   ,
                   shall
                   I
                   smite
                   them
                
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 Benhadad
                 King
                 of
                 Syria
                 ,
                 sayes
                 ,
                 
                   My
                   father
                   ,
                   shall
                   I
                   recouer
                   :
                
                 Lo
                 how
                 this
                 poore
                 Meholathite
                 hath
                 Kings
                 to
                 his
                 sons
                 :
                 How
                 great
                 is
                 the
                 honor
                 of
                 Gods
                 
                 Prophets
                 with
                 Pagans
                 ,
                 with
                 Princes
                 ?
                 Who
                 can
                 bee
                 but
                 confounded
                 to
                 see
                 Euangelicall
                 Prophets
                 despised
                 by
                 the
                 meanest
                 Christians
                 ?
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 more
                 then
                 a
                 single
                 answer
                 that
                 the
                 Prophet
                 returnes
                 to
                 this
                 message
                 :
                 One
                 answer
                 he
                 giues
                 to
                 Benhadad
                 ,
                 that
                 sent
                 it
                 ;
                 another
                 hee
                 giues
                 to
                 Hazael
                 ,
                 that
                 brings
                 it
                 :
                 That
                 to
                 Benhadad
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   maiest
                   surely
                   recouer
                
                 ;
                 That
                 to
                 
                   Hazael
                   ,
                   The
                   Lord
                   hath
                   shewed
                   me
                   that
                   he
                   shall
                   surely
                   dye
                   :
                
                 What
                 shall
                 we
                 say
                 then
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 a
                 lye
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 equiuocation
                 in
                 the
                 holy
                 mouth
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ?
                 God
                 forbid
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 one
                 thing
                 what
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 issue
                 of
                 the
                 disease
                 ;
                 Another
                 thing
                 what
                 may
                 outwardly
                 befall
                 the
                 person
                 of
                 Benhadad
                 :
                 The
                 question
                 
                 is
                 moued
                 of
                 the
                 former
                 ;
                 wherto
                 the
                 answer
                 is
                 direct
                 ;
                 The
                 disease
                 is
                 not
                 mortall
                 ;
                 But
                 withall
                 an
                 intimation
                 is
                 giuen
                 to
                 the
                 bearer
                 ,
                 of
                 an
                 euent
                 beyond
                 the
                 reach
                 of
                 his
                 demand
                 ;
                 which
                 hee
                 may
                 know
                 ,
                 but
                 eyther
                 needs
                 not
                 ,
                 or
                 may
                 not
                 returne
                 :
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   hath
                   shewed
                   me
                   that
                   he
                   shall
                   surely
                   dye
                
                 ;
                 by
                 another
                 meanes
                 ,
                 though
                 not
                 by
                 the
                 disease
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Seer
                 of
                 God
                 descries
                 more
                 in
                 Hazael
                 ,
                 then
                 hee
                 could
                 see
                 in
                 himselfe
                 ;
                 hee
                 fixes
                 his
                 eyes
                 therefore
                 stedfastly
                 in
                 the
                 Syrians
                 face
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 in
                 those
                 lines
                 read
                 the
                 bloody
                 story
                 of
                 his
                 life
                 .
              
               
                 Hazael
                 blushes
                 ,
                 Elisha
                 weepes
                 ;
                 The
                 intention
                 of
                 those
                 eyes
                 did
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 amaze
                 Hazael
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 teares
                 ;
                 As
                 yet
                 he
                 vvas
                 not
                 guilty
                 to
                 
                 himselfe
                 of
                 any
                 wrong
                 that
                 might
                 straine
                 out
                 this
                 iuyce
                 of
                 sorrow
                 :
                 
                   Why
                   weepeth
                   my
                   Lord
                
                 ?
              
               
                 The
                 Prophet
                 feares
                 not
                 to
                 foretell
                 Hazael
                 all
                 the
                 villanies
                 which
                 he
                 should
                 once
                 do
                 to
                 Israel
                 ;
                 How
                 he
                 should
                 fire
                 their
                 forts
                 ,
                 and
                 kill
                 their
                 yong
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 rip
                 the
                 mothers
                 ,
                 and
                 dash
                 the
                 children
                 .
                 I
                 maruell
                 not
                 now
                 at
                 the
                 teares
                 of
                 those
                 eies
                 which
                 foresaw
                 this
                 miserable
                 vastation
                 of
                 the
                 inheritance
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 The
                 very
                 mention
                 whereof
                 is
                 abhorred
                 of
                 the
                 future
                 author
                 :
                 
                   What
                   is
                   thy
                   seruant
                   a
                   dog
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   should
                   doe
                   this
                   great
                   thing
                   ?
                
                 They
                 are
                 sauage
                 cruelties
                 whereof
                 thou
                 speakest
                 ;
                 It
                 were
                 more
                 fit
                 for
                 mee
                 to
                 weepe
                 that
                 thou
                 shouldest
                 repute
                 mee
                 so
                 brutish
                 ;
                 I
                 should
                 no
                 lesse
                 condemne
                 my
                 
                 selfe
                 for
                 a
                 beast
                 ,
                 if
                 I
                 could
                 suspect
                 my
                 owne
                 degeneration
                 so
                 farre
                 .
                 Wicked
                 men
                 are
                 caryed
                 into
                 those
                 heights
                 of
                 impiety
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 in
                 their
                 good
                 mood
                 haue
                 possibly
                 beleeued
                 ;
                 Nature
                 is
                 subiect
                 to
                 fauourable
                 opinions
                 of
                 it selfe
                 ;
                 and
                 will
                 rather
                 mistrust
                 a
                 Prophet
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 then
                 her
                 owne
                 good
                 disposition
                 :
                 How
                 many
                 from
                 honest
                 beginnings
                 ,
                 haue
                 risen
                 to
                 incredible
                 licentiousnesse
                 ,
                 whose
                 liues
                 are
                 now
                 such
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 were
                 as
                 hard
                 for
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 beleeue
                 they
                 had
                 euer
                 beene
                 good
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 haue
                 perswaded
                 them
                 once
                 they
                 should
                 proue
                 so
                 desperately
                 ill
                 .
              
               
                 To
                 giue
                 some
                 ouerture
                 vnto
                 Hazael
                 of
                 the
                 oportunitie
                 of
                 this
                 ensuing
                 mischiefe
                 ;
                 the
                 Prophet
                 
                 foretells
                 him
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 hee
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Syria
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 that
                 shewes
                 the
                 euent
                 ,
                 doth
                 not
                 appoint
                 the
                 meanes
                 ;
                 Far
                 was
                 it
                 from
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 Gods
                 Prophet
                 to
                 set
                 ,
                 or
                 encourage
                 a
                 treason
                 :
                 whiles
                 hee
                 said
                 therefore
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   be
                   King
                   of
                   Syria
                
                 ;
                 he
                 said
                 not
                 ,
                 Goe
                 home
                 ,
                 and
                 kill
                 thy
                 master
                 :
                 The
                 wicked
                 ambition
                 of
                 Hazael
                 drawes
                 this
                 damnable
                 conclusion
                 out
                 of
                 holy
                 premises
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 hauing
                 fed
                 the
                 hopes
                 of
                 his
                 Soueraigne
                 with
                 the
                 expectation
                 of
                 recouery
                 ;
                 the
                 next
                 day
                 he
                 smothers
                 his
                 Master
                 .
                 The
                 impotent
                 desire
                 of
                 rule
                 brookes
                 no
                 delay
                 :
                 Had
                 not
                 Hazael
                 been
                 gracelesly
                 cruell
                 ,
                 after
                 hee
                 had
                 receiued
                 this
                 prediction
                 of
                 the
                 Seer
                 ,
                 hee
                 should
                 haue
                 patiently
                 awaited
                 for
                 
                 the
                 crowne
                 of
                 Syria
                 ,
                 till
                 lawfull
                 meanes
                 had
                 set
                 it
                 vpon
                 his
                 head
                 ;
                 now
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 by
                 a
                 close
                 execution
                 make
                 way
                 to
                 the
                 throne
                 ;
                 A
                 wet
                 cloth
                 hath
                 stopt
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 his
                 sicke
                 Soueraigne
                 ;
                 No
                 noyse
                 is
                 heard
                 ;
                 the
                 carcasse
                 is
                 faire
                 ;
                 Who
                 can
                 complaine
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 but
                 the
                 disease
                 ?
              
               
                 O
                 Hazael
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 not
                 thus
                 easily
                 stop
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 thine
                 owne
                 conscience
                 ;
                 that
                 shall
                 call
                 thee
                 Traytor
                 ,
                 euen
                 in
                 thy
                 chaire
                 of
                 state
                 ;
                 and
                 shall
                 checke
                 all
                 thy
                 royall
                 triumphs
                 ,
                 with
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   hast
                   founded
                   thy
                   throne
                   in
                   blood
                   .
                
                 I
                 am
                 deceiued
                 if
                 this
                 wet
                 cloth
                 shall
                 not
                 wipe
                 thy
                 lips
                 in
                 thy
                 iollyest
                 feasts
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 thy
                 best
                 morsells
                 vnsavory
                 :
                 Soueraignty
                 is
                 painfull
                 vpon
                 the
                 fairest
                 termes
                 ;
                 but
                 vpon
                 
                 trechery
                 ,
                 and
                 murder
                 ,
                 tormenting
                 :
                 Wofull
                 is
                 the
                 case
                 of
                 that
                 man
                 whose
                 publike
                 cares
                 are
                 aggrauated
                 with
                 priuate
                 guiltinesse
                 ;
                 and
                 happy
                 is
                 he
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 inioy
                 a
                 little
                 with
                 the
                 peace
                 of
                 an
                 honest
                 heart
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 IEHV
                 with
                 IEHORAM
                 and
                 IEZEBEL
                 .
              
               
                 YEt
                 Hazael
                 began
                 his
                 
                 cruelty
                 with
                 losse
                 :
                 
                   Ramoth
                   Gilead
                
                 is
                 won
                 from
                 him
                 ;
                 Iehoram
                 the
                 son
                 hath
                 recouered
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 Ahab
                 his
                 father
                 attempted
                 in
                 vaine
                 ;
                 That
                 City
                 was
                 dear-bought
                 of
                 Israel
                 ;
                 it
                 cost
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 Ahab
                 ,
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Iehoram
                 ;
                 Those
                 wounds
                 were
                 healed
                 with
                 victory
                 ;
                 The
                 King
                 tends
                 his
                 health
                 at
                 Iezreel
                 ,
                 whiles
                 the
                 Captaines
                 were
                 enioying
                 ,
                 and
                 seconding
                 their
                 successe
                 at
                 Ramoth
                 .
              
               
               
                 Old
                 Elisha
                 hath
                 neither
                 cotage
                 ,
                 nor
                 foot
                 of
                 land
                 ,
                 yet
                 sitting
                 in
                 an
                 obscure
                 corner
                 ,
                 he
                 giues
                 order
                 for
                 Kingdomes
                 ;
                 Not
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 authority
                 (
                 this
                 vsurpation
                 had
                 been
                 no
                 lesse
                 proud
                 ,
                 then
                 vniust
                 )
                 but
                 by
                 way
                 of
                 message
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 kings
                 ;
                 Euen
                 a
                 meane
                 Herald
                 may
                 goe
                 on
                 a
                 great
                 errand
                 :
                 The
                 Prophets
                 of
                 the
                 Gospell
                 haue
                 nothing
                 to
                 doe
                 but
                 with
                 spirituall
                 Kingdoms
                 ;
                 To
                 beate
                 downe
                 the
                 kingdomes
                 of
                 sinne
                 and
                 Satan
                 ;
                 to
                 translate
                 soules
                 to
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 heauen
                 .
              
               
                 Hee
                 that
                 renued
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 the
                 Shunamites
                 sonne
                 ,
                 must
                 stoope
                 to
                 age
                 ;
                 That
                 blocke
                 lies
                 in
                 his
                 way
                 to
                 Iehu
                 ;
                 The
                 aged
                 Prophet
                 imployes
                 a
                 speedier
                 messenger
                 ,
                 who
                 must
                 also
                 gird
                 vp
                 his
                 loynes
                 ,
                 for
                 
                 hast
                 :
                 No
                 common
                 pace
                 will
                 serue
                 vs
                 when
                 we
                 goe
                 on
                 Gods
                 message
                 ;
                 The
                 very
                 losse
                 of
                 minutes
                 may
                 be
                 vnrecouerable
                 .
                 This
                 great
                 Seer
                 of
                 God
                 wel
                 saw
                 a
                 present
                 concurrence
                 of
                 all
                 oportunities
                 :
                 The
                 Captaines
                 of
                 the
                 Host
                 were
                 then
                 readily
                 combined
                 for
                 this
                 exploit
                 :
                 the
                 Army
                 was
                 on
                 foot
                 ;
                 Iehoram
                 absent
                 ;
                 a
                 small
                 delay
                 might
                 haue
                 troubled
                 the
                 work
                 ;
                 the
                 dispersion
                 of
                 the
                 Captaines
                 ,
                 and
                 Host
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 might
                 eyther
                 haue
                 defeated
                 ,
                 or
                 slacked
                 the
                 dispatch
                 :
                 He
                 is
                 prodigall
                 of
                 his
                 successe
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 slow
                 in
                 his
                 execution
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 directions
                 of
                 Elisha
                 to
                 the
                 young
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 are
                 full
                 ,
                 and
                 punctuall
                 :
                 whither
                 to
                 goe
                 ;
                 what
                 to
                 cary
                 ;
                 what
                 to
                 doe
                 ;
                 where
                 to
                 doe
                 
                 it
                 ;
                 what
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 what
                 speed
                 to
                 make
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 act
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 returne
                 :
                 In
                 the
                 businesses
                 of
                 God
                 it
                 matters
                 not
                 how
                 little
                 is
                 left
                 to
                 our
                 discretion
                 ;
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 important
                 businesse
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 wherin
                 his
                 precepts
                 are
                 not
                 strict
                 ,
                 and
                 expresse
                 ;
                 Looke
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 specialty
                 there
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 charge
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 danger
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 violation
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 young
                 Prophet
                 is
                 curiously
                 obedient
                 ;
                 in
                 his
                 haste
                 ;
                 in
                 his
                 obseruation
                 and
                 cariage
                 :
                 and
                 finding
                 Iehu
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 Elishaes
                 prediction
                 ,
                 set
                 amongst
                 the
                 Captaines
                 of
                 the
                 Host
                 ,
                 he
                 singles
                 him
                 forth
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 reuerent
                 compellation
                 ;
                 
                   I
                   haue
                   an
                   errand
                   to
                   thee
                   ,
                   O
                   Captaine
                
                 ;
                 Might
                 not
                 the
                 Prophet
                 haue
                 stayed
                 till
                 the
                 table
                 had
                 risen
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 
                 haue
                 followed
                 Iehu
                 to
                 his
                 lodging
                 ?
                 Surely
                 ,
                 the
                 wisdome
                 of
                 God
                 hath
                 purposely
                 pitcht
                 vpon
                 this
                 season
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 publike
                 view
                 of
                 a
                 sacred
                 messenger
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 hasty
                 euocation
                 of
                 so
                 noted
                 a
                 person
                 ,
                 to
                 such
                 a
                 secrecy
                 ,
                 might
                 prepare
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 those
                 Commanders
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 expectation
                 of
                 some
                 great
                 designe
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 inmost
                 roome
                 is
                 but
                 close
                 enough
                 for
                 this
                 act
                 ;
                 Ere
                 many
                 houres
                 ,
                 all
                 Israel
                 shall
                 know
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 yet
                 may
                 not
                 bee
                 trusted
                 with
                 one
                 eye
                 ;
                 The
                 goodnesse
                 of
                 God
                 makes
                 wise
                 prouision
                 for
                 the
                 safety
                 of
                 his
                 messengers
                 ,
                 and
                 whiles
                 he
                 imployes
                 their
                 seruice
                 ,
                 preuents
                 their
                 dangers
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 how
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Kings
                 of
                 the
                 Ten
                 tribes
                 ,
                 none
                 
                 was
                 euer
                 anointed
                 but
                 Iehu
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 for
                 that
                 the
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 not
                 countenance
                 the
                 erection
                 of
                 that
                 vsurped
                 throne
                 ,
                 would
                 countenance
                 the
                 alteration
                 ?
                 Or
                 is
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 this
                 visible
                 testimony
                 of
                 diuine
                 ordination
                 ,
                 the
                 courage
                 of
                 the
                 Israelitish
                 Captaines
                 might
                 be
                 raised
                 vp
                 to
                 second
                 the
                 high
                 and
                 bold
                 attempt
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 whom
                 they
                 saw
                 destin'd
                 from
                 heauen
                 to
                 rule
                 ?
              
               
                 Together
                 with
                 the
                 oyle
                 of
                 this
                 vnction
                 ,
                 here
                 was
                 a
                 charge
                 of
                 reuenge
                 ;
                 A
                 reuenge
                 of
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 the
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 vpon
                 Iezebel
                 ;
                 of
                 wickednesse
                 and
                 Idolatry
                 ,
                 vpon
                 Ahab
                 :
                 neither
                 was
                 the
                 extirpation
                 of
                 this
                 leud
                 family
                 fore-prophesied
                 onely
                 to
                 Iehu
                 ,
                 but
                 inioyned
                 .
              
               
                 Elijah
                 foretold
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 world
                 
                 expected
                 some
                 fearfull
                 account
                 of
                 the
                 abhominable
                 cruelty
                 ,
                 and
                 impiety
                 of
                 that
                 accursed
                 house
                 ;
                 Now
                 it
                 is
                 called
                 for
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 seemed
                 forgotten
                 :
                 Ahab
                 shall
                 haue
                 no
                 posterity
                 ,
                 Iezebel
                 shall
                 haue
                 no
                 toomb
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 doggs
                 .
                 This
                 woful
                 doome
                 is
                 committed
                 to
                 Iehues
                 execution
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 the
                 sure
                 ,
                 though
                 patient
                 ,
                 iustice
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 :
                 Not
                 only
                 Ahab
                 and
                 Iezebel
                 had
                 beene
                 bloody
                 ,
                 and
                 idolatrous
                 ,
                 but
                 Israel
                 was
                 drawne
                 into
                 the
                 partnership
                 of
                 their
                 crimes
                 ;
                 All
                 these
                 shall
                 share
                 in
                 the
                 iudgment
                 :
                 Elijahs
                 complaint
                 in
                 the
                 caue
                 now
                 receiues
                 this
                 late
                 answer
                 ;
                 Hazael
                 shall
                 plague
                 
                   Israel
                   ;
                   Iehu
                
                 shall
                 plague
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 Ahab
                 and
                 
                   Iezebel
                   ;
                   Elishaes
                
                 seruant
                 thus
                 seconds
                 Elishaes
                 master
                 :
                 
                 When
                 wickednes
                 is
                 ripe
                 in
                 the
                 field
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 let
                 it
                 shee
                 l
                 to
                 grow
                 againe
                 ,
                 but
                 cuts
                 it
                 vp
                 by
                 a
                 iust
                 ,
                 and
                 seasonable
                 vengeance
                 :
                 Ahabs
                 drouping
                 vnder
                 the
                 threat
                 hath
                 put
                 off
                 the
                 iudgment
                 from
                 his
                 owne
                 dayes
                 ;
                 now
                 it
                 comes
                 ,
                 and
                 sweepes
                 away
                 his
                 wife
                 ,
                 his
                 issue
                 ;
                 and
                 falls
                 heauy
                 vpon
                 his
                 subiects
                 .
                 Please
                 your selues
                 ,
                 ô
                 ye
                 vaine
                 sinners
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 slow
                 pace
                 of
                 vengeance
                 ;
                 it
                 will
                 be
                 neither
                 lesse
                 certaine
                 ,
                 nor
                 more
                 easie
                 for
                 the
                 delay
                 ;
                 rather
                 it
                 will
                 pay
                 for
                 that
                 leasure
                 in
                 the
                 extremitie
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Prophet
                 hath
                 done
                 his
                 errand
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 gone
                 .
                 Iehu
                 returnes
                 to
                 his
                 fellowes
                 ,
                 with
                 his
                 head
                 not
                 more
                 wet
                 with
                 oyle
                 ,
                 then
                 busied
                 with
                 thoughts
                 :
                 no
                 doubt
                 ,
                 his
                 face
                 bewrayed
                 some
                 inward
                 tumults
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 distractions
                 of
                 imagination
                 ;
                 neyther
                 seem'd
                 hee
                 to
                 returne
                 the
                 same
                 he
                 went
                 out
                 .
                 They
                 aske
                 therefore
                 ,
                 
                   Is
                   all
                   well
                   ?
                   Wherefore
                   came
                   this
                   mad
                   fellow
                   to
                   thee
                   ?
                
                 The
                 Prophets
                 of
                 God
                 were
                 to
                 these
                 idolatrous
                 Israelites
                 ,
                 like
                 comets
                 ;
                 who
                 were
                 neuer
                 seene
                 without
                 the
                 portendement
                 of
                 a
                 mischiefe
                 :
                 When
                 the
                 priests
                 of
                 their
                 Baal
                 were
                 quietly
                 sacrificing
                 ,
                 all
                 was
                 well
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 when
                 a
                 Prophet
                 of
                 God
                 comes
                 in
                 sight
                 ,
                 their
                 guiltinesse
                 askes
                 ,
                 
                   Is
                   all
                   well
                
                 ?
                 All
                 would
                 be
                 well
                 but
                 for
                 their
                 sinnes
                 ;
                 they
                 feare
                 not
                 these
                 ,
                 they
                 feare
                 their
                 reprouer
                 .
              
               
                 Israel
                 was
                 comne
                 to
                 a
                 good
                 passe
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Prophets
                 of
                 God
                 went
                 with
                 them
                 for
                 mad
                 men
                 :
                 Oh
                 ye
                 Baalitish
                 Ruffians
                 ,
                 whither
                 
                 hath
                 your
                 impiety
                 and
                 profanenesse
                 caryed
                 you
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 should
                 thus
                 blaspheme
                 the
                 seruants
                 of
                 the
                 liuing
                 God
                 ?
                 Ye
                 that
                 run
                 on
                 madding
                 after
                 vaine
                 Idols
                 ,
                 taxe
                 the
                 sober
                 guides
                 of
                 true
                 worship
                 ,
                 for
                 madnesse
                 .
                 Thus
                 it
                 becomes
                 the
                 godlesse
                 enemies
                 of
                 truth
                 ,
                 the
                 heralds
                 of
                 our
                 patience
                 ,
                 to
                 mis-call
                 our
                 innocence
                 ,
                 to
                 reuile
                 our
                 most
                 holy
                 profession
                 :
                 What
                 wonder
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 Gods
                 messengers
                 are
                 mad
                 men
                 vnto
                 those
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 the
                 wisedome
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 foolishnes
                 ?
              
               
                 The
                 message
                 was
                 not
                 deliuered
                 to
                 Iehu
                 for
                 a
                 concealment
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 publication
                 :
                 Silence
                 could
                 not
                 effect
                 the
                 word
                 that
                 was
                 told
                 him
                 ;
                 common
                 notice
                 must
                 ;
                 
                   Yee
                   know
                   the
                   man
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   communication
                   :
                
                 The
                 habit
                 showes
                 you
                 the
                 man
                 ;
                 
                 the
                 calling
                 showes
                 you
                 his
                 errād
                 :
                 Euen
                 Prophets
                 were
                 distinguished
                 by
                 their
                 clothes
                 ;
                 Their
                 mantle
                 was
                 not
                 the
                 common
                 weare
                 ;
                 why
                 should
                 not
                 this
                 sacred
                 vocation
                 be
                 knowne
                 by
                 a
                 peculiar
                 attyre
                 ?
                 These
                 Captaines
                 had
                 not
                 calld
                 him
                 a
                 mad-man
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 not
                 knowne
                 him
                 a
                 Prophet
                 :
                 By
                 the
                 man
                 therefore
                 they
                 might
                 guesse
                 at
                 his
                 message
                 ;
                 Prophets
                 doe
                 not
                 vse
                 to
                 appeare
                 ,
                 but
                 vpon
                 serious
                 errands
                 ;
                 whether
                 of
                 reproofe
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 prediction
                 .
              
               
                 Nice
                 ciuilities
                 of
                 denialls
                 were
                 not
                 then
                 knowne
                 to
                 the
                 world
                 ;
                 They
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   It
                   is
                   false
                   ,
                   tell
                   vs
                   now
                   :
                
                 Amongst
                 these
                 Captains
                 no
                 combat
                 ,
                 no
                 vnkindnesse
                 followes
                 vpon
                 a
                 word
                 so
                 rudely
                 familiar
                 .
              
               
                 Iehu
                 needs
                 not
                 tell
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 
                 the
                 man
                 was
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ;
                 hee
                 tels
                 them
                 the
                 prophesie
                 of
                 the
                 man
                 ;
                 what
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 what
                 hee
                 had
                 done
                 .
              
               
                 Their
                 eies
                 had
                 no
                 sooner
                 seene
                 the
                 oyle
                 ;
                 their
                 eares
                 had
                 no
                 sooner
                 heard
                 ,
                 
                   Thus
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   I
                   haue
                   anointed
                   thee
                   King
                   ouer
                   Israel
                   ,
                
                 then
                 they
                 rise
                 from
                 their
                 seates
                 ,
                 as
                 rapt
                 with
                 a
                 tempest
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 hurled
                 into
                 armes
                 ;
                 So
                 doe
                 they
                 hast
                 to
                 proclaime
                 Iehu
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 scarce
                 stay
                 to
                 snatch
                 vp
                 their
                 garments
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 had
                 perhaps
                 left
                 behind
                 them
                 for
                 speed
                 ,
                 had
                 they
                 not
                 meant
                 with
                 these
                 rich
                 abiliments
                 to
                 garnish
                 a
                 state
                 for
                 their
                 new
                 Soueraigne
                 ;
                 To
                 whom
                 hauing
                 now
                 erected
                 an
                 extemporall
                 Throne
                 ,
                 they
                 doe
                 by
                 the
                 sound
                 of
                 Trumpets
                 giue
                 the
                 style
                 of
                 
                 Royalty
                 ,
                 
                   Iehu
                   is
                   King.
                
                 
              
               
                 So
                 much
                 credit
                 hath
                 that
                 mad
                 fellow
                 with
                 these
                 gallants
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 that
                 vpon
                 his
                 word
                 they
                 will
                 presently
                 aduenture
                 their
                 liues
                 ,
                 &
                 change
                 the
                 Crowne
                 .
                 God
                 giues
                 a
                 secret
                 authority
                 to
                 his
                 despised
                 seruants
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 they
                 which
                 hate
                 their
                 person
                 ,
                 yet
                 reuerence
                 their
                 truth
                 :
                 Euen
                 very
                 scorners
                 cannot
                 but
                 beleeue
                 them
                 ;
                 If
                 when
                 the
                 Prophets
                 of
                 the
                 Gospell
                 tell
                 vs
                 of
                 a
                 spirituall
                 Kingdome
                 ,
                 they
                 be
                 distrusted
                 of
                 those
                 which
                 professe
                 to
                 obserue
                 them
                 ,
                 how
                 shamefull
                 is
                 the
                 disproportion
                 ?
                 how
                 iust
                 shall
                 their
                 iudgment
                 be
                 ?
              
               
                 Yet
                 I
                 cannot
                 say
                 whether
                 meer
                 obedience
                 to
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 or
                 personall
                 dislikes
                 of
                 Iehoram
                 ,
                 or
                 partiall
                 respects
                 to
                 Iehu
                 ,
                 drew
                 the
                 Captaines
                 
                 of
                 Israel
                 ;
                 The
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 may
                 be
                 done
                 thanklesly
                 ,
                 when
                 fulfilling
                 the
                 substance
                 ,
                 we
                 faile
                 of
                 the
                 intention
                 ,
                 and
                 erre
                 in
                 circumstance
                 .
              
               
                 Onely
                 Ramoth
                 is
                 conscious
                 of
                 this
                 sudden
                 Inauguration
                 ;
                 This
                 new
                 prince-dome
                 yet
                 reaches
                 no
                 further
                 then
                 the
                 sound
                 of
                 the
                 trumpet
                 :
                 Iehu
                 is
                 no
                 lesse
                 subtile
                 ,
                 then
                 valiant
                 ;
                 he
                 knew
                 that
                 the
                 notice
                 of
                 this
                 inexpected
                 change
                 might
                 worke
                 a
                 busie
                 ,
                 and
                 dangerous
                 resistance
                 ;
                 he
                 therfore
                 giues
                 order
                 that
                 no
                 messenger
                 of
                 the
                 newes
                 may
                 preuent
                 his
                 personall
                 execution
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 he
                 might
                 surprise
                 Iehoram
                 in
                 his
                 palace
                 of
                 Izreel
                 ,
                 whether
                 tending
                 his
                 late
                 wounds
                 ,
                 or
                 securely
                 feasting
                 his
                 friends
                 ,
                 and
                 dreaming
                 of
                 nothing
                 
                 lesse
                 then
                 danger
                 ;
                 and
                 might
                 be
                 seene
                 ,
                 and
                 felt
                 at
                 once
                 .
                 Secresie
                 is
                 the
                 safest
                 gard
                 of
                 any
                 designe
                 ;
                 disclosed
                 proiects
                 are
                 either
                 frustrated
                 ,
                 or
                 made
                 needlesly
                 difficult
                 .
              
               
                 Neither
                 is
                 Iehu
                 more
                 close
                 ,
                 then
                 swift
                 ;
                 That
                 very
                 trumpet
                 with
                 the
                 same
                 wind
                 sounds
                 his
                 march
                 ;
                 from
                 the
                 toppe
                 of
                 the
                 staires
                 ,
                 he
                 steps
                 downe
                 into
                 his
                 charet
                 ;
                 That
                 man
                 meanes
                 to
                 speed
                 ,
                 who
                 can
                 bee
                 at
                 once
                 reserued
                 in
                 his
                 counsels
                 ,
                 and
                 resolute
                 and
                 quicke
                 in
                 his
                 performances
                 .
              
               
                 Who
                 could
                 but
                 pity
                 the
                 vnhappy
                 and
                 vnseasonable
                 visitation
                 of
                 the
                 grand-childe
                 of
                 Iehosaphat
                 ,
                 were
                 it
                 not
                 that
                 hee
                 was
                 degenerate
                 into
                 the
                 family
                 of
                 
                   Abab
                   ?
                   Ahaziah
                
                 King
                 of
                 Iudah
                 is
                 comne
                 to
                 visit
                 Iehoram
                 King
                 of
                 Israel
                 ;
                 the
                 
                 knowledge
                 of
                 his
                 late
                 receiued
                 wounds
                 hath
                 drawn
                 thither
                 this
                 kind
                 ill-matched
                 allie
                 :
                 He
                 who
                 was
                 partner
                 of
                 the
                 warre
                 ,
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 a
                 visitor
                 of
                 the
                 wounds
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 two
                 Kings
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 height
                 of
                 their
                 complement
                 ,
                 and
                 entertainments
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 watchman
                 of
                 the
                 Tower
                 of
                 Izreel
                 espies
                 a
                 troupe
                 ,
                 a
                 farre
                 off
                 .
                 For
                 ought
                 was
                 knowne
                 ,
                 there
                 was
                 nothing
                 but
                 peace
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 Land
                 of
                 Israel
                 ;
                 and
                 Iudah
                 was
                 now
                 so
                 combined
                 with
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 both
                 their
                 Kings
                 were
                 feasting
                 vnder
                 one
                 roofe
                 ;
                 yet
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 this
                 supposed
                 safety
                 ,
                 the
                 watch-tower
                 is
                 not
                 vnfurnished
                 with
                 heedy
                 eyes
                 :
                 No
                 securitie
                 of
                 peace
                 can
                 free
                 wise
                 Gouernors
                 from
                 a
                 carefull
                 suspition
                 of
                 what
                 may
                 come
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 
                 prouidence
                 against
                 the
                 worst
                 .
                 Euen
                 whiles
                 we
                 know
                 of
                 no
                 enemies
                 ,
                 the
                 watch-tower
                 of
                 due
                 intelligence
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 empty
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 vaine
                 are
                 dangers
                 fore-seen
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 be
                 not
                 premonished
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 all
                 one
                 to
                 haue
                 a
                 blind
                 and
                 a
                 mute
                 watch-man
                 ;
                 This
                 speakes
                 what
                 he
                 sees
                 ;
                 
                   I
                   see
                   a
                   company
                
                 .
              
               
                 Doubtlesse
                 Iehorams
                 head
                 was
                 now
                 full
                 of
                 thoughts
                 ;
                 neither
                 knew
                 hee
                 what
                 construction
                 to
                 put
                 vpon
                 this
                 approching
                 troupe
                 ;
                 Perhaps
                 ,
                 the
                 Syrians
                 (
                 hee
                 thinkes
                 )
                 may
                 haue
                 recouered
                 Ramoth
                 ;
                 and
                 chased
                 the
                 garison
                 of
                 Israel
                 ;
                 neither
                 can
                 hee
                 imagine
                 whether
                 these
                 should
                 be
                 hostile
                 victors
                 ,
                 or
                 vanquished
                 subiects
                 ,
                 or
                 conspiring
                 rebells
                 .
                 Euery
                 way
                 this
                 rout
                 was
                 dreadfull
                 .
                 Oh
                 Iehoram
                 ,
                 thou
                 
                 beginst
                 thy
                 feares
                 too
                 late
                 ;
                 Hadst
                 thou
                 beene
                 afraid
                 to
                 prouoke
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 thine
                 innocency
                 had
                 yeelded
                 no
                 roome
                 to
                 these
                 terrors
                 .
              
               
                 An
                 horseman
                 is
                 dispatcht
                 to
                 discouer
                 the
                 meaning
                 of
                 this
                 descryed
                 concourse
                 :
                 Hee
                 meets
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 inquires
                 of
                 peace
                 ;
                 but
                 receiues
                 a
                 short
                 answer
                 ,
                 
                   What
                   hast
                   thou
                   to
                   doe
                   with
                   peace
                   ?
                   turne
                   thee
                   behind
                   mee
                   ?
                
                 A
                 second
                 is
                 addressed
                 ;
                 with
                 the
                 same
                 successe
                 :
                 Both
                 attend
                 the
                 traine
                 of
                 Iehu
                 in
                 stead
                 of
                 returning
                 ;
                 Indeed
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 priuate
                 persons
                 to
                 hope
                 to
                 rectifie
                 the
                 publike
                 affaires
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 growne
                 to
                 an
                 height
                 of
                 disorder
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 thence
                 to
                 a
                 ripenesse
                 of
                 mis-cariage
                 :
                 Sooner
                 may
                 a
                 well-meaning
                 man
                 hurt
                 
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 then
                 redresse
                 the
                 common
                 danger
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 messengers
                 were
                 now
                 within
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 a
                 multitude
                 ,
                 had
                 they
                 but
                 indeuored
                 to
                 retire
                 ,
                 they
                 had
                 perished
                 as
                 wilfully
                 ,
                 as
                 vainly
                 :
                 Whosoeuer
                 will
                 be
                 striuing
                 against
                 the
                 torrent
                 of
                 a
                 iust
                 iudgment
                 ,
                 must
                 needs
                 bee
                 caried
                 downe
                 in
                 the
                 streame
                 :
                 Sometimes
                 there
                 is
                 as
                 much
                 wisdome
                 in
                 yeelding
                 ,
                 as
                 courage
                 in
                 resistance
                 .
              
               
                 Had
                 this
                 troupe
                 beene
                 farre
                 off
                 ,
                 the
                 watchman
                 could
                 not
                 haue
                 descryed
                 the
                 arriuall
                 of
                 the
                 messengers
                 ,
                 their
                 turning
                 behind
                 ,
                 the
                 manner
                 of
                 the
                 march
                 ;
                 Iehu
                 was
                 a
                 noted
                 Captaine
                 ,
                 his
                 cariage
                 and
                 motion
                 was
                 obserued
                 more
                 full
                 of
                 fire
                 ,
                 then
                 his
                 fellowes
                 ;
                 The
                 
                 
                   driuing
                   is
                   like
                   Iehues
                   ,
                   for
                   hee
                   driueth
                   furiously
                   :
                
                 God
                 makes
                 choyce
                 of
                 fit
                 instruments
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 so
                 of
                 reuenge
                 ;
                 These
                 spirits
                 were
                 needfull
                 for
                 so
                 tragicall
                 a
                 scene
                 ,
                 as
                 was
                 now
                 preparing
                 in
                 Israel
                 .
              
               
                 Iehoram
                 and
                 Abaziah
                 ,
                 as
                 netled
                 with
                 this
                 forced
                 patience
                 of
                 expectation
                 ,
                 can
                 no
                 longer
                 keepe
                 their
                 seates
                 ;
                 but
                 will
                 needs
                 hasten
                 their
                 charets
                 ;
                 and
                 fetch
                 that
                 costly
                 satisfaction
                 ,
                 which
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 sent
                 ,
                 but
                 giuen
                 .
              
               
                 They
                 are
                 infatuated
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 perish
                 ;
                 otherwise
                 Iehoram
                 had
                 beene
                 warned
                 enough
                 by
                 the
                 forceable
                 retention
                 of
                 his
                 messengers
                 ,
                 to
                 expect
                 none
                 but
                 an
                 enemy
                 .
                 A
                 friend
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 subiect
                 could
                 not
                 haue
                 beene
                 vnwilling
                 to
                 bee
                 knowne
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 lookt
                 for
                 ;
                 Now
                 ;
                 
                 forgetting
                 his
                 wounds
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 go
                 to
                 fetch
                 death
                 .
              
               
                 Yet
                 when
                 he
                 sees
                 Iehu
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 left
                 a
                 subiect
                 ,
                 hopes
                 striue
                 with
                 his
                 doubts
                 ,
                 
                   Is
                   it
                   peace
                   ,
                   Iehu
                
                 ?
                 what
                 may
                 be
                 the
                 reason
                 of
                 this
                 sudden
                 iourney
                 ?
                 Is
                 the
                 army
                 foyled
                 by
                 the
                 Syrians
                 ?
                 Is
                 Ramoth
                 recouered
                 ?
                 or
                 hath
                 the
                 flight
                 of
                 the
                 enemy
                 left
                 thee
                 no
                 further
                 worke
                 ?
                 or
                 is
                 some
                 other
                 ill
                 newes
                 guilty
                 of
                 thy
                 hast
                 ?
                 What
                 meanes
                 this
                 vnwished
                 presence
                 ,
                 and
                 returne
                 ?
              
               
                 There
                 needs
                 no
                 stay
                 for
                 an
                 answer
                 ;
                 The
                 very
                 face
                 of
                 Iehu
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 sparkling
                 eyes
                 of
                 his
                 spake
                 fury
                 ,
                 and
                 death
                 to
                 Iehoram
                 ;
                 which
                 yet
                 his
                 tongue
                 angerly
                 seconds
                 :
                 
                   What
                   peace
                   ,
                   so
                   long
                   as
                   the
                   whordomes
                   of
                   thy
                   mother
                   Iezebel
                   ,
                   and
                   her
                   witchcrafts
                   are
                   so
                   many
                   ?
                
              
               
               
                 Wicked
                 Tyran
                 ,
                 what
                 speak'st
                 thou
                 of
                 peace
                 with
                 men
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 hast
                 thus
                 long
                 waged
                 warre
                 with
                 the
                 Almightie
                 ?
                 That
                 cursed
                 mother
                 of
                 thine
                 hath
                 nursed
                 thee
                 with
                 blood
                 ,
                 and
                 trained
                 thee
                 vp
                 in
                 abominable
                 Idolatries
                 .
              
               
                 Thou
                 art
                 not
                 more
                 hers
                 ,
                 then
                 her
                 sinne
                 is
                 thine
                 ;
                 thou
                 art
                 polluted
                 with
                 her
                 spirituall
                 whoredomes
                 ,
                 and
                 inchanted
                 with
                 her
                 hellish
                 witchcrafts
                 :
                 Now
                 that
                 iust
                 God
                 whom
                 thou
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 parents
                 haue
                 so
                 hainously
                 despited
                 ,
                 sends
                 thee
                 by
                 me
                 this
                 last
                 message
                 of
                 his
                 vengeance
                 ;
                 which
                 whiles
                 hee
                 spake
                 ,
                 his
                 hand
                 is
                 drawing
                 vp
                 that
                 deadly
                 arrow
                 ,
                 which
                 shall
                 cure
                 the
                 former
                 wounds
                 with
                 a
                 worse
                 .
              
               
                 Too
                 late
                 now
                 doth
                 wretched
                 
                 Iehoram
                 turne
                 his
                 charet
                 ,
                 and
                 flee
                 ;
                 and
                 cry
                 Treason
                 ,
                 ô
                 Ahaziah
                 ;
                 There
                 was
                 treason
                 before
                 ,
                 ô
                 Iehoram
                 ;
                 thy
                 treason
                 against
                 the
                 Maiesty
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 now
                 reuenged
                 by
                 the
                 treason
                 of
                 Iehu
                 against
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 That
                 fatall
                 shaft
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 the
                 swift
                 pace
                 of
                 both
                 the
                 charets
                 ,
                 is
                 directed
                 to
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 Iehoram
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 erring
                 of
                 those
                 feathers
                 which
                 are
                 guided
                 by
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 destinie
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 iust
                 are
                 the
                 iudgments
                 of
                 God!
                 It
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 field
                 of
                 Naboth
                 ,
                 wherein
                 Iehoram
                 met
                 with
                 Iehu
                 ;
                 That
                 very
                 ground
                 called
                 to
                 him
                 for
                 blood
                 ;
                 And
                 now
                 this
                 new
                 auenger
                 remembers
                 that
                 prophesie
                 which
                 he
                 heard
                 from
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 Elijah
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 very
                 place
                 ,
                 following
                 the
                 heeles
                 of
                 Ahab
                 ;
                 
                 and
                 is
                 carefull
                 to
                 performe
                 it
                 .
                 Little
                 did
                 Iehu
                 thinke
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 heard
                 that
                 message
                 of
                 Elijah
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 hands
                 should
                 act
                 it
                 ;
                 now
                 ,
                 as
                 zealous
                 of
                 accomplishing
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ;
                 hee
                 giues
                 charge
                 to
                 Bidkar
                 his
                 Captaine
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 bleeding
                 carkasse
                 of
                 Iehoram
                 should
                 be
                 cast
                 vpon
                 that
                 very
                 platt
                 of
                 Naboth
                 :
                 Oh
                 Naboths
                 blood
                 well
                 paid
                 for
                 !
                 Ahabs
                 blood
                 is
                 licked
                 by
                 dogs
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 place
                 where
                 those
                 dogs
                 lickt
                 
                   Naboths
                   ;
                   Iehorams
                
                 blood
                 shall
                 manure
                 that
                 ground
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 wrung
                 from
                 Naboth
                 ;
                 and
                 Iezebel
                 shall
                 adde
                 to
                 this
                 compost
                 .
                 Oh
                 garden
                 of
                 hearbes
                 dearly
                 bought
                 ,
                 royally
                 dunged
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 a
                 resemblance
                 there
                 is
                 betwixt
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 the
                 father
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 the
                 sonne
                 ;
                 Ahab
                 and
                 Iehoram
                 ?
                 Both
                 are
                 slaine
                 in
                 their
                 charet
                 ;
                 Both
                 with
                 an
                 arrow
                 ;
                 Both
                 repay
                 their
                 blood
                 to
                 Naboth
                 ;
                 and
                 how
                 perfit
                 is
                 this
                 retaliation
                 ?
                 Not
                 only
                 Naboth
                 miscaried
                 in
                 that
                 cruell
                 iniustice
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 sonnes
                 also
                 ;
                 else
                 the
                 inheritance
                 of
                 the
                 vineyard
                 had
                 descended
                 to
                 his
                 heires
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 his
                 pretended
                 offence
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 not
                 onely
                 Ahab
                 forfaits
                 his
                 blood
                 to
                 this
                 field
                 ;
                 but
                 his
                 sonne
                 Iehoram
                 also
                 :
                 Face
                 doth
                 not
                 more
                 answer
                 to
                 face
                 ,
                 then
                 punishment
                 to
                 sinne
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 was
                 time
                 for
                 Ahaziah
                 King
                 of
                 Iuda
                 ,
                 to
                 flee
                 :
                 Nay
                 it
                 had
                 beene
                 time
                 long
                 before
                 to
                 haue
                 fled
                 from
                 the
                 sins
                 ,
                 yea
                 from
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 Ahab
                 ;
                 That
                 brand
                 is
                 fearfull
                 which
                 God
                 sets
                 vpon
                 him
                 ;
                 Hee
                 
                 
                   did
                   euill
                   in
                   the
                   sight
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   as
                   did
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   Ahab
                
                 ;
                 for
                 he
                 was
                 the
                 
                 sonne
                 in
                 law
                 of
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 Ahab
                 ;
                 Affinity
                 is
                 too
                 often
                 guilty
                 of
                 corruption
                 ;
                 The
                 son
                 of
                 good
                 Iehosaphat
                 is
                 lost
                 in
                 Ahabs
                 daughter
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 hee
                 payes
                 for
                 his
                 kinde
                 alliance
                 ;
                 accompanying
                 the
                 son
                 of
                 Ahab
                 in
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 whom
                 hee
                 consorted
                 with
                 in
                 his
                 Idolatry
                 :
                 Yong
                 Ahaziah
                 was
                 scarce
                 warme
                 in
                 his
                 throne
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 mis-matched
                 blood
                 of
                 Athaliah
                 is
                 required
                 from
                 him
                 ;
                 Nothing
                 is
                 more
                 dangerous
                 then
                 to
                 be
                 imped
                 in
                 a
                 wicked
                 family
                 ;
                 this
                 relation
                 too
                 often
                 drawes
                 in
                 a
                 share
                 both
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 and
                 punishment
                 .
              
               
                 Who
                 would
                 not
                 haue
                 lookt
                 that
                 Iezebel
                 hearing
                 of
                 this
                 bloody
                 
                 end
                 of
                 her
                 son
                 ;
                 and
                 pursuit
                 of
                 her
                 allye
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 fearfull
                 proceedings
                 of
                 this
                 prosperous
                 conspiracy
                 ,
                 should
                 haue
                 put
                 her selfe
                 into
                 sack-cloth
                 and
                 ashes
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 finding
                 no
                 meanes
                 either
                 of
                 defence
                 ,
                 or
                 escape
                 ,
                 should
                 haue
                 cast
                 her selfe
                 into
                 such
                 a
                 posture
                 of
                 humiliation
                 ,
                 as
                 might
                 haue
                 moued
                 the
                 compassion
                 of
                 Iehu
                 ;
                 Her
                 proud
                 heart
                 could
                 not
                 suddenly
                 learne
                 to
                 stoope
                 :
                 rather
                 she
                 recollects
                 her
                 high
                 spirits
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 stead
                 of
                 humbling
                 her
                 soule
                 by
                 repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 addressing
                 her selfe
                 for
                 an
                 imminent
                 death
                 ;
                 she
                 pranks
                 vp
                 her
                 old
                 carkasse
                 ,
                 and
                 paints
                 her
                 wrinkled
                 face
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 vainly
                 hopes
                 to
                 daunt
                 the
                 courage
                 of
                 an
                 vsurper
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 sudden
                 beames
                 of
                 Maiesty
                 ;
                 she
                 
                 lookes
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 thinks
                 to
                 fright
                 him
                 with
                 the
                 challenge
                 of
                 a
                 traitor
                 ,
                 whose
                 either
                 mercy
                 ,
                 or
                 iustice
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 auoided
                 :
                 Extremitie
                 findes
                 vs
                 such
                 as
                 our
                 peace
                 leaues
                 vs
                 ;
                 Our
                 last
                 thoughts
                 are
                 spent
                 vpon
                 that
                 wee
                 care
                 most
                 for
                 ;
                 those
                 that
                 haue
                 regarded
                 their
                 face
                 more
                 then
                 their
                 soule
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 latter
                 end
                 are
                 more
                 taken
                 vp
                 with
                 desire
                 of
                 seeming
                 faire
                 ,
                 then
                 being
                 happy
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 maruell
                 if
                 an
                 heart
                 obdured
                 with
                 the
                 custome
                 of
                 sinne
                 shut
                 vp
                 gracelesly
                 .
                 Counterfait
                 beauty
                 agrees
                 well
                 with
                 inward
                 vncleannesse
                 .
              
               
                 Iebues
                 resolution
                 was
                 too
                 strongly
                 setled
                 to
                 bee
                 remoued
                 with
                 a
                 painted
                 face
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 opprobrious
                 tongue
                 ;
                 He
                 lookes
                 vp
                 to
                 the
                 window
                 ,
                 and
                 sayes
                 ,
                 
                   Who
                   is
                   on
                
                 
                 
                   my
                   side
                   ,
                   who
                
                 ?
                 There
                 want
                 not
                 those
                 euery
                 where
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 be
                 ready
                 to
                 obserue
                 preuailing
                 greatnesse
                 :
                 Two
                 or
                 three
                 Eunuchs
                 looke
                 out
                 ;
                 He
                 bids
                 them
                 ,
                 
                   Throw
                   her
                   downe
                
                 :
                 They
                 instantly
                 lay
                 hold
                 on
                 their
                 lately
                 adored
                 Mistris
                 ,
                 and
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 her
                 shrieks
                 and
                 prayers
                 ,
                 cast
                 her
                 downe
                 headlong
                 into
                 the
                 street
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 heed
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 taken
                 of
                 the
                 deepe
                 professed
                 seruices
                 of
                 hollow
                 harted
                 followers
                 ;
                 All
                 this
                 while
                 they
                 haue
                 with
                 humble
                 smiles
                 ,
                 and
                 officious
                 deuotions
                 fawned
                 vpon
                 their
                 great
                 Queene
                 ;
                 now
                 vpon
                 the
                 call
                 of
                 a
                 prosperous
                 enemy
                 ,
                 they
                 forget
                 their
                 respects
                 ,
                 her
                 royalty
                 ;
                 and
                 cast
                 her
                 downe
                 ,
                 as
                 willing
                 executioners
                 ,
                 into
                 the
                 iawes
                 of
                 a
                 fearfull
                 death
                 :
                 
                 It
                 is
                 hard
                 for
                 greatnesse
                 to
                 know
                 them
                 whom
                 it
                 may
                 trust
                 :
                 Perhaps
                 the
                 fairest
                 semblance
                 is
                 from
                 the
                 falsest
                 heart
                 ;
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 iust
                 plague
                 of
                 God
                 vpon
                 wicked
                 Iezebel
                 ,
                 that
                 shee
                 was
                 inwardly
                 hated
                 of
                 her
                 owne
                 ;
                 He
                 whose
                 seruants
                 she
                 persecuted
                 ,
                 raised
                 vp
                 enemies
                 to
                 her
                 from
                 her
                 owne
                 elbow
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 must
                 pride
                 fall
                 ;
                 Insolent
                 ,
                 idolatrous
                 ,
                 cruell
                 Iezebel
                 besprinkles
                 the
                 walls
                 ,
                 and
                 pauement
                 with
                 her
                 blood
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 those
                 braines
                 that
                 deuised
                 mischiefe
                 against
                 the
                 seruants
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 are
                 strawed
                 vpon
                 the
                 stones
                 ;
                 and
                 she
                 that
                 insulted
                 vpon
                 the
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 is
                 trampled
                 vpon
                 by
                 the
                 horses
                 heeles
                 :
                 
                   The
                   wicked
                   is
                   kept
                
                 
                 
                   for
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   destruction
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   be
                
                 
                 
                   brought
                   forth
                   to
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   wrath
                   .
                
              
               
                 Death
                 puts
                 an
                 end
                 commonly
                 to
                 the
                 hyest
                 displeasure
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 was
                 seuere
                 in
                 the
                 execution
                 of
                 the
                 liuing
                 ,
                 is
                 mercifull
                 in
                 the
                 sepulture
                 of
                 the
                 dead
                 ;
                 
                   Goe
                   see
                   now
                   this
                   cursed
                   woman
                   ,
                   and
                   bury
                   her
                   ,
                   for
                   she
                   is
                   a
                   Kings
                   daughter
                
                 ;
                 She
                 that
                 vpbrayded
                 Iehu
                 with
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 Zimri
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 interred
                 by
                 Iehu
                 as
                 Omries
                 daughter
                 in
                 law
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 Sydonian
                 Princesse
                 ;
                 Somewhat
                 must
                 bee
                 yeelded
                 to
                 humanity
                 ;
                 somewhat
                 to
                 State.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 dogs
                 haue
                 preuented
                 Iehu
                 in
                 this
                 purpose
                 ,
                 and
                 haue
                 giuen
                 her
                 a
                 liuing
                 toomb
                 more
                 ignoble
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ;
                 Onely
                 the
                 scull
                 ,
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 feet
                 of
                 that
                 vanished
                 carkasse
                 yet
                 remaine
                 ;
                 The
                 scull
                 which
                 was
                 the
                 roofe
                 of
                 
                 all
                 her
                 wicked
                 deuices
                 ,
                 the
                 hands
                 and
                 feet
                 which
                 were
                 the
                 executioners
                 ;
                 these
                 shall
                 remaine
                 as
                 the
                 monuments
                 of
                 those
                 shamefull
                 exequies
                 :
                 that
                 future
                 times
                 seeing
                 these
                 fragments
                 of
                 a
                 body
                 ,
                 might
                 say
                 ,
                 The
                 dogges
                 were
                 worthy
                 of
                 the
                 rest
                 ;
                 Thus
                 Iezebel
                 is
                 turned
                 to
                 dung
                 ,
                 and
                 dogs-meat
                 ;
                 Elijah
                 is
                 verified
                 ,
                 Naboth
                 is
                 reuenged
                 ;
                 Izreel
                 is
                 purged
                 ,
                 Iehu
                 is
                 zealous
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 all
                 ,
                 God
                 is
                 iust
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 IEHV
                 
                   killing
                   the
                   sonnes
                   of
                
                 AHAB
                 ,
                 
                   and
                   the
                   Priests
                   of
                
                 BAAL
                 .
              
               
                 THere
                 were
                 two
                 
                 prime
                 Cities
                 of
                 the
                 Ten
                 Tribes
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 the
                 set
                 Courts
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 
                   Israel
                   ;
                   Samaria
                
                 and
                 Iezreel
                 ;
                 The
                 chiefe
                 palace
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 was
                 Iezreel
                 ,
                 the
                 mother
                 City
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 ,
                 was
                 
                   Samaria
                   ;
                   Iehu
                
                 is
                 possessed
                 of
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 sword
                 drawne
                 against
                 him
                 ;
                 Iezreel
                 willingly
                 changes
                 the
                 master
                 ,
                 yeelding
                 it selfe
                 to
                 the
                 
                 victor
                 of
                 two
                 Kings
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 auenger
                 of
                 Iezebel
                 ;
                 the
                 next
                 care
                 is
                 Samaria
                 ;
                 Either
                 policy
                 ,
                 or
                 force
                 shall
                 fetch
                 in
                 that
                 head
                 of
                 the
                 Tribes
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 plentifull
                 issue
                 of
                 Princes
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 assurance
                 to
                 the
                 people
                 ;
                 Ahab
                 had
                 sonnes
                 enough
                 to
                 furnish
                 the
                 Thrones
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 neighbour
                 nations
                 ,
                 to
                 maintaine
                 the
                 hopes
                 of
                 succession
                 ,
                 to
                 all
                 times
                 ;
                 How
                 secure
                 did
                 he
                 think
                 the
                 perpetuation
                 of
                 his
                 posterity
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 saw
                 seuenty
                 sons
                 from
                 his
                 owne
                 loynes
                 ?
                 Neither
                 was
                 this
                 Royall
                 issue
                 trusted
                 ,
                 either
                 to
                 weake
                 walls
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 one
                 roofe
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 the
                 strong
                 bulwarkes
                 of
                 Samaria
                 ,
                 and
                 therein
                 to
                 the
                 seuerall
                 guards
                 of
                 the
                 chiefe
                 Peeres
                 ;
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 wise
                 care
                 of
                 their
                 parents
                 
                 not
                 to
                 haue
                 them
                 obnoxious
                 to
                 the
                 danger
                 of
                 a
                 common
                 mis-cariage
                 ,
                 or
                 ,
                 of
                 those
                 emulations
                 which
                 wait
                 vpon
                 the
                 cloyednesse
                 of
                 an
                 vndiuided
                 conuersation
                 ;
                 but
                 ,
                 to
                 order
                 their
                 separation
                 so
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 may
                 rescue
                 other
                 from
                 the
                 perill
                 of
                 assault
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 may
                 respect
                 other
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 familiar
                 strangenesse
                 .
                 Had
                 Ahab
                 and
                 Iezebel
                 beene
                 as
                 wise
                 for
                 their
                 soules
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 were
                 for
                 their
                 seed
                 ,
                 both
                 had
                 prospered
                 .
              
               
                 Iehu
                 is
                 yet
                 but
                 in
                 his
                 first
                 act
                 ;
                 If
                 all
                 the
                 sonnes
                 of
                 Ahab
                 bleed
                 not
                 ,
                 the
                 prophesie
                 is
                 vnanswered
                 ;
                 There
                 shall
                 be
                 no
                 need
                 of
                 his
                 sword
                 ,
                 his
                 penne
                 shall
                 worke
                 all
                 this
                 slaughter
                 .
                 He
                 writes
                 a
                 Challenge
                 to
                 Samaria
                 ,
                 and
                 therein
                 to
                 the
                 guardians
                 of
                 the
                 sons
                 of
                 Ahab
                 ;
                 
                 daring
                 them
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 confidence
                 in
                 their
                 defenced
                 City
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 charets
                 ,
                 and
                 horses
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 associats
                 and
                 armes
                 ,
                 to
                 set
                 vp
                 the
                 best
                 of
                 their
                 masters
                 sonnes
                 ,
                 on
                 his
                 fathers
                 throne
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 fight
                 for
                 his
                 succession
                 .
              
               
                 All
                 the
                 Gouernours
                 of
                 Ahabs
                 children
                 conspire
                 in
                 one
                 common
                 feare
                 ;
                 no
                 doubt
                 there
                 wanted
                 not
                 in
                 that
                 numerous
                 brood
                 of
                 Kings
                 ,
                 some
                 great
                 spirits
                 that
                 if
                 ,
                 at
                 least
                 they
                 attained
                 to
                 the
                 notice
                 of
                 this
                 designe
                 ,
                 longed
                 for
                 a
                 reuenge
                 ,
                 and
                 suggested
                 counsels
                 of
                 resolution
                 to
                 their
                 cowardly
                 guardians
                 ;
                 Shall
                 an
                 audacious
                 vsurper
                 runne
                 thus
                 away
                 with
                 the
                 Crowne
                 of
                 Israel
                 ?
                 Shall
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Iezebel
                 be
                 thus
                 traiterously
                 spilt
                 ,
                 thus
                 wilfully
                 forgotten
                 ?
                 O
                 Israelites
                 ,
                 
                 can
                 ye
                 be
                 so
                 base
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 ruled
                 by
                 my
                 fathers
                 seruant
                 ?
                 Where
                 are
                 the
                 merits
                 of
                 Ahab
                 ,
                 and
                 Iehoram
                 ?
                 What
                 is
                 becomne
                 of
                 the
                 loyall
                 courage
                 of
                 Israel
                 ?
                 Doubtlesse
                 ,
                 ye
                 shal
                 not
                 wāt
                 able
                 seconds
                 to
                 your
                 valour
                 ;
                 Do
                 ye
                 thinke
                 the
                 royall
                 and
                 potent
                 alliances
                 of
                 our
                 mother
                 Iezebel
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 remayning
                 heyres
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 can
                 draw
                 back
                 their
                 hands
                 from
                 your
                 aide
                 ?
                 will
                 they
                 indure
                 to
                 swallow
                 so
                 cruell
                 an
                 indignity
                 ?
                 Stir
                 vp
                 your
                 astonished
                 fortitude
                 ,
                 ô
                 ye
                 Nobles
                 of
                 Israel
                 ;
                 redeeme
                 your
                 bleeding
                 honour
                 ,
                 reuenge
                 this
                 trecherous
                 conspirator
                 ,
                 and
                 establish
                 the
                 right
                 of
                 the
                 vndoubted
                 heires
                 of
                 your
                 Soueraignes
                 ;
                 But
                 as
                 warm
                 clothes
                 to
                 a
                 dead
                 man
                 ,
                 so
                 are
                 the
                 motions
                 of
                 valour
                 to
                 a
                 fearfull
                 
                 heart
                 :
                 
                   Behold
                   two
                   Kings
                   stood
                   not
                   before
                   him
                   ,
                   how
                   then
                   shall
                   we
                   stand
                   ?
                
              
               
                 Feare
                 affrights
                 it selfe
                 rather
                 then
                 it
                 will
                 want
                 bugs
                 of
                 terror
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 :
                 Two
                 Kings
                 fell
                 before
                 Iehu
                 ;
                 but
                 ,
                 two
                 Kings
                 vnarmed
                 ,
                 vnguarded
                 ;
                 Had
                 not
                 the
                 surprizall
                 of
                 Iehu
                 taken
                 aduantage
                 of
                 the
                 vnsuspitious
                 nakednesse
                 of
                 these
                 two
                 Princes
                 ,
                 his
                 victory
                 had
                 not
                 beene
                 thus
                 successfull
                 ,
                 thus
                 easie
                 .
                 Halfe
                 one
                 of
                 those
                 two
                 Kings
                 ,
                 vpon
                 aduertisement
                 and
                 preparation
                 ,
                 had
                 abated
                 the
                 fury
                 of
                 that
                 hot
                 Leader
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 fashion
                 of
                 feare
                 to
                 represent
                 vnto
                 vs
                 alwaies
                 the
                 vvorst
                 ,
                 in
                 euery
                 euent
                 :
                 not
                 looking
                 at
                 the
                 inequality
                 of
                 the
                 aduantages
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 misery
                 of
                 the
                 successe
                 :
                 as
                 contrarily
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 guise
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 and
                 valour
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 
                 good
                 issue
                 of
                 one
                 enterprise
                 to
                 raise
                 vp
                 the
                 heart
                 to
                 an
                 expectation
                 and
                 assurance
                 of
                 more
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 mens
                 hearts
                 are
                 dead
                 with
                 their
                 Kings
                 ,
                 neither
                 dare
                 entertaine
                 the
                 hope
                 of
                 a
                 safe
                 and
                 prosperous
                 resistance
                 ,
                 but
                 basely
                 returne
                 ,
                 
                   We
                   are
                   thy
                   seruants
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   doe
                   all
                   that
                   thou
                   shalt
                   bid
                   vs
                   ,
                   we
                   will
                   not
                   make
                   any
                   King
                   ;
                   doe
                   thou
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   good
                   in
                   thine
                   eyes
                   .
                
              
               
                 Well
                 may
                 Iehu
                 think
                 ,
                 these
                 men
                 which
                 are
                 thus
                 disloyall
                 to
                 their
                 charge
                 ,
                 cannot
                 be
                 faithfull
                 to
                 me
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 their
                 feare
                 that
                 drawes
                 them
                 to
                 this
                 obseruation
                 :
                 Were
                 they
                 not
                 cowards
                 ,
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 traitors
                 to
                 their
                 Princes
                 ,
                 subiects
                 to
                 me
                 :
                 I
                 may
                 vse
                 their
                 hands
                 ,
                 but
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 trust
                 them
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 thanklesse
                 obedience
                 that
                 is
                 grounded
                 
                 vpon
                 feare
                 ;
                 there
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 true
                 fidelity
                 without
                 loue
                 ,
                 &
                 reuerēce
                 .
                 Neyther
                 is
                 it
                 other
                 betwixt
                 God
                 and
                 vs
                 ;
                 if
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 dread
                 of
                 hel
                 we
                 be
                 officious
                 ,
                 who
                 shall
                 thanke
                 vs
                 for
                 these
                 respects
                 to
                 our selues
                 ?
              
               
                 As
                 one
                 that
                 had
                 tasted
                 already
                 the
                 sweetnesse
                 of
                 a
                 resolute
                 expedition
                 ,
                 Iehu
                 writes
                 backe
                 instantly
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   ye
                   be
                   mine
                   ,
                   and
                   if
                   ye
                   will
                   harken
                   vnto
                   my
                   voyce
                   ;
                   take
                   ye
                   the
                   heads
                   of
                   the
                   men
                   your
                   Masters
                   sonnes
                   ,
                   and
                   come
                   to
                   me
                   to
                   Iezreel
                   by
                   to
                   morrow
                   this
                   time
                   .
                
                 Valiant
                 Iehu
                 was
                 so
                 well
                 acquainted
                 with
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 feare
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 well
                 knew
                 this
                 passion
                 once
                 growne
                 desperate
                 ,
                 would
                 be
                 ready
                 to
                 swallow
                 all
                 conditions
                 :
                 so
                 far
                 therefore
                 doth
                 his
                 wisedome
                 improue
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 make
                 these
                 Peers
                 his
                 executioners
                 ;
                 who
                 presently
                 
                 vpon
                 the
                 receit
                 of
                 his
                 charge
                 turne
                 cruell
                 ,
                 &
                 by
                 a
                 ioynt
                 consent
                 fetch
                 off
                 the
                 seauenty
                 heads
                 of
                 those
                 Princes
                 ,
                 whom
                 they
                 vndertooke
                 to
                 guard
                 ,
                 vvhom
                 they
                 had
                 flattered
                 vvith
                 the
                 hopes
                 of
                 greater
                 honour
                 .
              
               
                 No
                 doubt
                 ,
                 but
                 amongst
                 so
                 many
                 sonnes
                 of
                 Ahab
                 ,
                 some
                 had
                 so
                 demeaned
                 themselues
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 had
                 wonne
                 zealous
                 professions
                 of
                 loue
                 from
                 their
                 guardians
                 :
                 Except
                 perhaps
                 death
                 stole
                 vpon
                 them
                 in
                 sleepe
                 ,
                 what
                 teares
                 ,
                 what
                 intreaties
                 ,
                 what
                 cōiurations
                 must
                 here
                 needs
                 haue
                 beene
                 ?
              
               
                 What
                 haue
                 wee
                 done
                 ,
                 ô
                 yee
                 Peeres
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 that
                 might
                 deserue
                 this
                 bloody
                 measure
                 ?
                 We
                 are
                 the
                 sonnes
                 of
                 Ahab
                 ,
                 therefore
                 haue
                 ye
                 hitherto
                 professed
                 to
                 obserue
                 vs
                 ;
                 
                 what
                 change
                 is
                 this
                 ?
                 vvhy
                 should
                 that
                 which
                 hath
                 hitherto
                 kept
                 you
                 loyall
                 ,
                 now
                 make
                 you
                 cruell
                 ?
                 Is
                 this
                 the
                 reward
                 of
                 the
                 long
                 peaceable
                 gouernment
                 of
                 our
                 father
                 ?
                 are
                 these
                 the
                 Trophees
                 of
                 Ahabs
                 victories
                 against
                 
                   Benhadad
                   ,
                   Iehorams
                
                 against
                 Hazael
                 ?
                 If
                 wee
                 may
                 not
                 raigne
                 ,
                 yet
                 at
                 least
                 ,
                 let
                 vs
                 liue
                 :
                 Or
                 if
                 vve
                 must
                 dye
                 ;
                 why
                 will
                 your
                 hands
                 bee
                 imbrued
                 in
                 that
                 blood
                 ,
                 vvhich
                 ye
                 had
                 vvont
                 to
                 terme
                 royall
                 ,
                 and
                 sacred
                 ?
                 vvhy
                 will
                 ye
                 of
                 Tutors
                 turne
                 murtherers
                 ?
                 All
                 pleas
                 are
                 in
                 vaine
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 deafned
                 with
                 their
                 owne
                 feares
                 .
                 Perhaps
                 these
                 expostulations
                 might
                 haue
                 fetched
                 some
                 dewes
                 of
                 pity
                 from
                 the
                 eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 kisses
                 from
                 the
                 lips
                 of
                 these
                 vnfaithfull
                 Tutors
                 ,
                 but
                 cannot
                 preuent
                 
                 the
                 stroke
                 of
                 death
                 ;
                 These
                 Crocodiles
                 vveepe
                 vpon
                 those
                 ,
                 vvhom
                 they
                 must
                 kill
                 :
                 &
                 if
                 their
                 owne
                 sonnes
                 had
                 beene
                 in
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 Ahabs
                 ,
                 doubtlesse
                 they
                 had
                 beene
                 sacrificed
                 to
                 the
                 vvill
                 of
                 an
                 vsurper
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 paients
                 safety
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 ill
                 relying
                 vpon
                 timerous
                 natures
                 ;
                 vpon
                 euery
                 occasion
                 those
                 crazie
                 reeds
                 vvill
                 breake
                 ,
                 and
                 runne
                 into
                 our
                 hands
                 .
                 How
                 vvorthy
                 were
                 Ahab
                 and
                 Iezebel
                 of
                 such
                 friends
                 ?
                 They
                 had
                 been
                 euer
                 false
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 how
                 should
                 men
                 be
                 true
                 to
                 thē
                 ?
                 They
                 had
                 sold
                 themselues
                 to
                 vvorke
                 wickednes
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 they
                 are
                 requited
                 with
                 a
                 mercenary
                 fidelity
                 :
                 for
                 a
                 few
                 lines
                 haue
                 these
                 men
                 sold
                 all
                 the
                 heads
                 of
                 Ahabs
                 posterity
                 :
                 Could
                 euer
                 the
                 policy
                 of
                 Iezebel
                 haue
                 reacht
                 so
                 farre
                 ,
                 as
                 
                 to
                 suspect
                 the
                 possibility
                 of
                 the
                 extirpation
                 of
                 so
                 ample
                 an
                 issue
                 in
                 one
                 night
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 her
                 trustiest
                 subiects
                 ?
              
               
                 Now
                 she
                 that
                 by
                 her
                 letter
                 sent
                 to
                 the
                 Elders
                 of
                 Iezreel
                 ,
                 shed
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Naboth
                 and
                 his
                 sonnes
                 ,
                 hath
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 all
                 her
                 sonnes
                 shed
                 by
                 a
                 letter
                 sent
                 from
                 Iezreel
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Elders
                 of
                 Samaria
                 .
                 At
                 last
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 come
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 debt
                 of
                 vvicked
                 sinners
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 pay
                 them
                 with
                 that
                 coyne
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 both
                 most
                 proper
                 ,
                 and
                 least
                 lookt
                 for
                 .
              
               
                 Early
                 in
                 the
                 morning
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 gate
                 of
                 Iezreel
                 where
                 Ahab
                 had
                 passed
                 many
                 an
                 vniust
                 sentence
                 ,
                 is
                 presented
                 vnto
                 Iehu
                 ,
                 the
                 fearfull
                 pledge
                 of
                 his
                 soueraignty
                 ,
                 seuenty
                 gastly
                 heads
                 of
                 the
                 sons
                 of
                 Ahab
                 .
              
               
               
                 Some
                 carnall
                 eye
                 that
                 had
                 seene
                 so
                 many
                 young
                 and
                 smooth
                 faces
                 besmeared
                 vvith
                 blood
                 ,
                 would
                 haue
                 melted
                 into
                 compassion
                 ,
                 bemoning
                 their
                 harmlesse
                 age
                 ,
                 their
                 vntimely
                 end
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 the
                 iustice
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 stand
                 at
                 the
                 barre
                 of
                 our
                 corrupted
                 iudgment
                 .
                 Except
                 we
                 include
                 some
                 grandchildren
                 of
                 Ahab
                 within
                 this
                 number
                 ,
                 none
                 of
                 these
                 dyed
                 before
                 they
                 vvere
                 seasoned
                 vvith
                 horrible
                 Idolatry
                 ;
                 or
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 ;
                 they
                 were
                 in
                 the
                 loynes
                 of
                 Ahab
                 when
                 hee
                 sold
                 himselfe
                 to
                 worke
                 wickednesse
                 ;
                 &
                 now
                 it
                 is
                 iust
                 vvith
                 God
                 to
                 punish
                 Ahabs
                 vvickednesse
                 in
                 this
                 fruit
                 of
                 his
                 loynes
                 .
                 The
                 holy
                 seuerity
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 reuenge
                 of
                 sinne
                 sometimes
                 goes
                 so
                 farre
                 that
                 our
                 ignorance
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 mistake
                 
                 it
                 for
                 cruelty
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 vvonder
                 and
                 horror
                 of
                 those
                 two
                 heapes
                 hath
                 easily
                 drawne
                 together
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 
                   Iezreel
                   :
                   Iehu
                
                 meets
                 them
                 in
                 that
                 seat
                 of
                 publique
                 iudgment
                 ;
                 and
                 finding
                 much
                 amazednes
                 &
                 passionate
                 confusion
                 in
                 their
                 faces
                 ;
                 he
                 cleares
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 sends
                 them
                 to
                 the
                 true
                 originall
                 of
                 these
                 sudden
                 and
                 astonishing
                 massacres
                 .
              
               
                 Howeuer
                 his
                 owne
                 conspiracy
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 cowardly
                 trechery
                 of
                 the
                 Princes
                 of
                 Israel
                 had
                 been
                 (
                 not
                 vvithout
                 their
                 hainous
                 sinne
                 )
                 the
                 visible
                 meanes
                 of
                 this
                 iudgment
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 directs
                 their
                 eyes
                 to
                 an
                 hyer
                 authoritie
                 ;
                 the
                 iust
                 decree
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 manifested
                 by
                 his
                 seruant
                 Elijah
                 ;
                 vvho
                 euen
                 by
                 the
                 vvilling
                 sinnes
                 of
                 men
                 can
                 most
                 
                 wisely
                 ,
                 most
                 hostilely
                 fetch
                 about
                 his
                 most
                 righteous
                 and
                 blessed
                 purposes
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 the
                 Peers
                 of
                 Samaria
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 base
                 feare
                 ,
                 if
                 Iehu
                 out
                 of
                 an
                 ambition
                 of
                 raigning
                 shed
                 the
                 foule
                 blood
                 of
                 Ahabs
                 posterity
                 ;
                 the
                 sin
                 is
                 their
                 owne
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 meane
                 time
                 the
                 act
                 is
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 what
                 the
                 infinite
                 iustice
                 of
                 God
                 would
                 iustly
                 worke
                 by
                 their
                 mis-intentions
                 .
                 Let
                 these
                 Israelites
                 but
                 looke
                 vp
                 from
                 earth
                 to
                 heauen
                 ,
                 these
                 tragicall
                 changes
                 cannot
                 trouble
                 thē
                 ;
                 thither
                 Iehu
                 sends
                 them
                 ;
                 wiping
                 off
                 the
                 enuy
                 of
                 all
                 this
                 blood
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 warrant
                 of
                 the
                 diuine
                 preordination
                 :
                 In
                 obedience
                 whereunto
                 he
                 sends
                 after
                 these
                 heyres
                 of
                 Ahab
                 ,
                 all
                 his
                 kinsfolkes
                 ,
                 fauourites
                 ,
                 priests
                 that
                 remained
                 in
                 Iezreel
                 :
                 
                 and
                 now
                 hauing
                 cleared
                 these
                 coasts
                 ,
                 he
                 hasts
                 to
                 Samaria
                 :
                 whom
                 should
                 he
                 meet
                 with
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 brethren
                 of
                 Ahaziah
                 King
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 going
                 to
                 visit
                 their
                 cozens
                 the
                 sonnes
                 of
                 Ahab
                 :
                 This
                 young
                 troupe
                 was
                 thinking
                 of
                 nothing
                 but
                 iollity
                 ,
                 and
                 courtly
                 intertainment
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 meet
                 with
                 death
                 :
                 So
                 suddenly
                 ,
                 so
                 secretly
                 had
                 Iehu
                 dispatched
                 these
                 bold
                 executions
                 ,
                 that
                 these
                 Princes
                 could
                 imagine
                 no
                 cause
                 of
                 suspition
                 :
                 How
                 could
                 they
                 thinke
                 it
                 might
                 be
                 dāgerous
                 to
                 be
                 knowne
                 for
                 the
                 brethren
                 of
                 Ahaziah
                 ,
                 or
                 friends
                 to
                 the
                 brethren
                 of
                 Iehoram
                 ?
                 The
                 iust
                 prouidence
                 of
                 the
                 Almightie
                 hath
                 brought
                 all
                 this
                 covie
                 vnder
                 one
                 net
                 ;
                 Iehu
                 thinkes
                 it
                 not
                 safe
                 to
                 let
                 goe
                 so
                 many
                 auengers
                 
                 of
                 Ahaziahs
                 blood
                 ;
                 so
                 many
                 corriuals
                 of
                 his
                 Soueraignty
                 .
                 The
                 vnhappy
                 affinitie
                 of
                 Iehosaphat
                 with
                 Ahab
                 is
                 no
                 lesse
                 guilty
                 of
                 this
                 slaughter
                 ,
                 then
                 Iehues
                 ambition
                 ;
                 This
                 match
                 by
                 the
                 inoculation
                 of
                 one
                 bud
                 ,
                 hath
                 tainted
                 all
                 the
                 sap
                 of
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 Iudah
                 .
                 The
                 two
                 &
                 fourtie
                 brethren
                 of
                 Ahaziah
                 are
                 therefore
                 sent
                 after
                 the
                 seuentie
                 sonnes
                 of
                 Ahab
                 ;
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 ouertake
                 them
                 in
                 death
                 ,
                 whom
                 they
                 came
                 to
                 visit
                 ;
                 God
                 will
                 much
                 lesse
                 brooke
                 Idolatry
                 from
                 the
                 loines
                 of
                 a
                 Iehosaphat
                 :
                 Our
                 intirenesse
                 with
                 wicked
                 men
                 feoffs
                 vs
                 both
                 in
                 their
                 sinnes
                 and
                 iudgments
                 .
              
               
                 Doubtlesse
                 ,
                 many
                 Israelites
                 that
                 were
                 deuoted
                 to
                 the
                 family
                 and
                 allies
                 of
                 Ahab
                 ,
                 lookt
                 (
                 what
                 they
                 
                 durst
                 )
                 awry
                 at
                 this
                 cōmon
                 effusion
                 of
                 royal
                 blood
                 ;
                 yet
                 in
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 the
                 deprauednes
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 there
                 were
                 some
                 which
                 both
                 drouped
                 vnder
                 the
                 deplored
                 Idolatry
                 of
                 the
                 times
                 ,
                 and
                 congratulated
                 to
                 Iehu
                 this
                 seuere
                 vindication
                 of
                 Gods
                 inheritance
                 :
                 Amongst
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 Ionadab
                 the
                 son
                 of
                 Rechab
                 was
                 most
                 eminent
                 .
                 That
                 man
                 was
                 by
                 descent
                 deriued
                 from
                 Iethro
                 ;
                 a
                 Midianite
                 by
                 nation
                 ,
                 but
                 incorporated
                 into
                 Israel
                 ;
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 whose
                 piety
                 ,
                 and
                 strict
                 conuersation
                 did
                 both
                 teach
                 ,
                 and
                 shame
                 those
                 twelue
                 Tribes
                 to
                 which
                 he
                 was
                 ioyned
                 ;
                 He
                 was
                 the
                 author
                 of
                 an
                 austere
                 rule
                 of
                 ciuility
                 to
                 his
                 posterity
                 ;
                 to
                 whom
                 he
                 debarred
                 the
                 vse
                 of
                 wine
                 ,
                 cities
                 ,
                 possessions
                 :
                 This
                 old
                 and
                 rough
                 friend
                 of
                 Iehu
                 ,
                 (
                 out
                 of
                 
                 his
                 mouing
                 habitations
                 )
                 meets
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 applauds
                 his
                 successe
                 ;
                 He
                 that
                 allowed
                 not
                 wine
                 to
                 his
                 seed
                 ,
                 allowes
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Ahabs
                 seed
                 poured
                 out
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 Iehu
                 ;
                 He
                 that
                 shun'd
                 the
                 city
                 ,
                 is
                 caryed
                 in
                 Iehues
                 charet
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 palace
                 of
                 Samaria
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 easily
                 might
                 Iehu
                 haue
                 beene
                 deceiued
                 ?
                 Many
                 a
                 one
                 professes
                 vprightnesse
                 ,
                 who
                 yet
                 is
                 all
                 guile
                 :
                 Ionadabs
                 cariage
                 hath
                 been
                 such
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 word
                 merits
                 trust
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 blessing
                 vpon
                 the
                 plaine-hearted
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 can
                 be
                 beleeued
                 :
                 Honest
                 Ionadab
                 is
                 admitted
                 to
                 the
                 honor
                 of
                 Iehues
                 seat
                 ;
                 and
                 called
                 (
                 in
                 stead
                 of
                 many
                 )
                 to
                 witnesse
                 the
                 zeale
                 of
                 the
                 new-anointed
                 King
                 of
                 Israel
                 .
              
               
                 Whiles
                 Iehu
                 had
                 to
                 doe
                 with
                 
                 Kings
                 ,
                 his
                 cunning
                 and
                 his
                 courage
                 held
                 equal
                 pace
                 together
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 to
                 deale
                 with
                 idolatrous
                 priests
                 ,
                 his
                 wile
                 goes
                 alone
                 ,
                 and
                 preuailes
                 :
                 He
                 calls
                 the
                 people
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 dissembling
                 his
                 intentions
                 ,
                 sayes
                 ,
                 
                   Ahad
                   serued
                   Baal
                   a
                   little
                   ,
                   but
                   Iehu
                   shall
                   serue
                   him
                   much
                   :
                   Now
                   therefore
                   call
                   vnto
                   me
                   all
                   the
                   Prophets
                   of
                   Baal
                   ,
                   all
                   his
                   seruants
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   his
                   priests
                   ,
                   let
                   none
                   be
                   wanting
                   :
                   for
                   I
                   haue
                   a
                   great
                   sacrifice
                   to
                   doe
                   to
                   Baal
                   :
                   whosoeuer
                   shall
                   be
                   wanting
                   ,
                   he
                   shall
                   not
                   liue
                   .
                
              
               
                 What
                 a
                 dead
                 palenesse
                 was
                 there
                 now
                 in
                 the
                 faces
                 of
                 those
                 few
                 true-harted
                 Israelites
                 ,
                 that
                 looked
                 for
                 an
                 happy
                 restauration
                 of
                 the
                 religion
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 How
                 could
                 they
                 choose
                 but
                 think
                 ;
                 Alas
                 ,
                 how
                 are
                 we
                 fallen
                 from
                 our
                 hopes
                 ?
                 Is
                 
                 this
                 the
                 change
                 we
                 lookt
                 for
                 ?
                 was
                 it
                 only
                 ambition
                 that
                 hath
                 set
                 this
                 edge
                 vpon
                 the
                 sword
                 of
                 Iehu
                 ?
                 It
                 was
                 not
                 the
                 person
                 of
                 Ahab
                 that
                 we
                 disliked
                 but
                 the
                 sins
                 :
                 If
                 those
                 must
                 still
                 succeed
                 ,
                 what
                 haue
                 we
                 gained
                 ?
                 Woe
                 be
                 to
                 vs
                 ,
                 if
                 onely
                 the
                 author
                 of
                 our
                 misery
                 be
                 changed
                 ,
                 not
                 the
                 condition
                 ,
                 not
                 the
                 cause
                 of
                 our
                 misery
                 .
              
               
                 On
                 the
                 other
                 side
                 ,
                 what
                 insultations
                 and
                 triumphs
                 sounded
                 euery
                 where
                 of
                 the
                 ioyfull
                 Baalites
                 ?
                 What
                 glorying
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 their
                 profession
                 ,
                 because
                 of
                 the
                 successe
                 ?
                 what
                 scornes
                 of
                 their
                 deiected
                 opposites
                 ?
                 what
                 exprobrations
                 of
                 the
                 disappointed
                 hopes
                 ,
                 and
                 predictions
                 of
                 their
                 aduerse
                 Prophets
                 ?
                 what
                 promises
                 to
                 thēselues
                 of
                 a
                 perpetuity
                 of
                 Baalisme
                 ?
                 
                 How
                 did
                 the
                 dispersed
                 priests
                 of
                 Baal
                 now
                 flock
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 applaud
                 each
                 others
                 happinesse
                 ,
                 and
                 magnifie
                 the
                 deuotions
                 of
                 their
                 new
                 Soueraigne
                 ?
                 Neuer
                 had
                 that
                 Idoll
                 so
                 glorious
                 a
                 day
                 as
                 this
                 for
                 the
                 pompe
                 of
                 his
                 seruice
                 ;
                 Before
                 ,
                 he
                 was
                 adored
                 singlely
                 in
                 corners
                 ,
                 now
                 solemne
                 sacrifices
                 shall
                 bee
                 offered
                 to
                 him
                 by
                 all
                 his
                 clients
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 great
                 Temple
                 of
                 the
                 mother
                 Citie
                 of
                 Israel
                 .
                 I
                 can
                 commend
                 the
                 zeale
                 of
                 Iehu
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 commend
                 the
                 fraud
                 of
                 Iehu
                 ;
                 We
                 may
                 come
                 to
                 our
                 end
                 euen
                 by
                 crooked
                 wayes
                 :
                 He
                 that
                 bad
                 him
                 to
                 smite
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 did
                 not
                 bid
                 him
                 to
                 lie
                 for
                 him
                 :
                 Falshood
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 be
                 but
                 tentatiue
                 ,
                 is
                 neither
                 needed
                 ,
                 nor
                 approued
                 by
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 truth
                 :
                 If
                 policy
                 haue
                 allowed
                 officious
                 
                 vntruths
                 ,
                 Religion
                 neuer
                 .
              
               
                 By
                 this
                 deuice
                 ,
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 Baal
                 is
                 well
                 furnished
                 ,
                 well
                 filled
                 ;
                 not
                 one
                 of
                 his
                 Chemarim
                 eyther
                 might
                 ,
                 or
                 would
                 be
                 absent
                 :
                 not
                 one
                 of
                 those
                 which
                 were
                 present
                 ,
                 might
                 be
                 vnrobed
                 :
                 False
                 Gods
                 haue
                 euer
                 affected
                 to
                 imitate
                 the
                 true
                 .
                 Euen
                 Baal
                 hath
                 Temples
                 ,
                 Altars
                 ,
                 Priests
                 ,
                 vestments
                 :
                 All
                 religions
                 haue
                 allotted
                 peculiar
                 habits
                 to
                 their
                 hyest
                 deuotions
                 .
                 Those
                 Vestments
                 which
                 they
                 mis-called
                 sacred
                 are
                 brought
                 forth
                 ,
                 and
                 put
                 on
                 for
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 this
                 seruice
                 .
              
               
                 Iehu
                 and
                 Ionadab
                 are
                 first
                 carefull
                 that
                 this
                 separation
                 be
                 exact
                 ;
                 they
                 search
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 that
                 no
                 seruant
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 be
                 crept
                 into
                 that
                 thrōg
                 :
                 What
                 should
                 a
                 religious
                 Israelite
                 
                 doe
                 in
                 the
                 Temple
                 of
                 Baal
                 ?
                 Were
                 any
                 such
                 there
                 ,
                 hee
                 had
                 deserued
                 their
                 smart
                 ,
                 who
                 would
                 partake
                 with
                 their
                 worship
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 curiosity
                 should
                 haue
                 drawne
                 any
                 thither
                 ,
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 Iehu
                 seekes
                 his
                 rescue
                 :
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 fauourable
                 is
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 mercies
                 in
                 not
                 taking
                 aduantage
                 of
                 our
                 infirmities
                 .
              
               
                 Well
                 might
                 this
                 search
                 haue
                 bred
                 suspition
                 ,
                 were
                 it
                 not
                 that
                 in
                 all
                 those
                 Idolatrous
                 sacrifices
                 ,
                 the
                 first
                 care
                 was
                 to
                 auoid
                 the
                 profane
                 :
                 Euen
                 Baal
                 would
                 admit
                 no
                 mixture
                 ,
                 how
                 should
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 abide
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Nothing
                 wanted
                 now
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 sacrifice
                 :
                 No
                 doubt
                 whole
                 heards
                 and
                 flockes
                 were
                 ready
                 for
                 a
                 pretence
                 of
                 some
                 royall
                 hecatombs
                 ;
                 
                 whereof
                 some
                 had
                 now
                 already
                 smoked
                 on
                 their
                 Altars
                 .
                 O
                 Iehu
                 what
                 meanes
                 this
                 dilation
                 ?
                 If
                 thou
                 abhorrest
                 Baal
                 ,
                 why
                 didst
                 thou
                 giue
                 way
                 to
                 this
                 last
                 sacrifice
                 ?
                 why
                 didst
                 thou
                 not
                 cut
                 off
                 these
                 Idolaters
                 before
                 this
                 vpshot
                 of
                 their
                 wickednesse
                 ?
                 Was
                 it
                 that
                 thou
                 mightst
                 be
                 sure
                 of
                 their
                 guiltinesse
                 ?
                 was
                 it
                 that
                 their
                 number
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 their
                 sinne
                 ,
                 might
                 be
                 complete
                 ?
                 What
                 acclamations
                 were
                 here
                 to
                 Baal
                 ,
                 what
                 ioy
                 in
                 the
                 freedome
                 of
                 their
                 reuiued
                 worship
                 :
                 when
                 all
                 on
                 the
                 sudden
                 ,
                 those
                 that
                 had
                 sacrificed
                 ,
                 are
                 sacrificed
                 ;
                 The
                 Souldiers
                 of
                 Iehu
                 by
                 his
                 appointment
                 rush
                 in
                 with
                 their
                 swords
                 drawne
                 ,
                 and
                 turne
                 the
                 temple
                 into
                 a
                 slaughter-house
                 .
                 How
                 is
                 the
                 tune
                 now
                 changed
                 ?
                 
                 What
                 shrieking
                 was
                 here
                 ?
                 what
                 out-cries
                 ?
                 what
                 running
                 from
                 one
                 sword
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 edge
                 of
                 another
                 ?
                 what
                 scrambling
                 vp
                 the
                 walls
                 and
                 pillars
                 ?
                 what
                 climbing
                 into
                 the
                 windowes
                 ?
                 what
                 vaine
                 endeuors
                 to
                 escape
                 that
                 death
                 which
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 shunned
                 ?
                 whether
                 running
                 ,
                 or
                 kneeling
                 ,
                 or
                 prostrate
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 dye
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 first
                 part
                 of
                 the
                 sacrifice
                 was
                 Baals
                 ,
                 the
                 latter
                 is
                 Gods
                 :
                 The
                 blood
                 of
                 beasts
                 was
                 offered
                 in
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 of
                 men
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 ;
                 the
                 shedding
                 of
                 this
                 was
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 acceptable
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 how
                 much
                 these
                 men
                 were
                 more
                 beasts
                 ,
                 then
                 those
                 they
                 sacrificed
                 .
                 Oh
                 happy
                 obedience
                 ;
                 God
                 was
                 pleased
                 with
                 a
                 sacrifice
                 from
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 Baal
                 ;
                 The
                 Idolaters
                 are
                 
                 slaine
                 ,
                 the
                 Idols
                 burnt
                 ,
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 Baal
                 turn'd
                 to
                 a
                 draught
                 (
                 tho
                 euen
                 thus
                 lesse
                 vncleane
                 ,
                 lesse
                 noysome
                 ,
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 former
                 perfumes
                 ;
                 )
                 and
                 in
                 one
                 word
                 ,
                 Baal
                 is
                 destroyed
                 out
                 of
                 Israel
                 .
              
               
                 Who
                 that
                 had
                 seene
                 all
                 this
                 zeale
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 would
                 not
                 haue
                 said
                 ;
                 Iehu
                 is
                 a
                 true
                 Israelite
                 .
                 Yet
                 ,
                 he
                 that
                 rooted
                 out
                 Ahab
                 ,
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 rid
                 of
                 Ieroboam
                 :
                 He
                 that
                 destroyed
                 Baal
                 ,
                 maintained
                 the
                 two
                 Calues
                 of
                 Dan
                 and
                 Bethel
                 .
                 That
                 Idolatry
                 was
                 of
                 a
                 lower
                 ranke
                 ;
                 as
                 being
                 a
                 mis-worship
                 of
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 whereas
                 the
                 other
                 was
                 a
                 worship
                 of
                 the
                 false
                 :
                 Euen
                 the
                 easier
                 of
                 both
                 is
                 haynous
                 ;
                 and
                 shall
                 robb
                 Iehu
                 of
                 the
                 praise
                 of
                 his
                 vprightnesse
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 false
                 heart
                 may
                 laudably
                 quit
                 
                 it selfe
                 of
                 some
                 one
                 gross
                 sin
                 ,
                 &
                 in
                 the
                 meane
                 time
                 hugg
                 some
                 lesser
                 euill
                 that
                 may
                 condemne
                 it
                 :
                 As
                 a
                 man
                 recouered
                 of
                 a
                 Feuer
                 ,
                 may
                 dye
                 of
                 a
                 Iaundis
                 ,
                 or
                 a
                 Dropsie
                 .
                 We
                 lose
                 the
                 thanke
                 of
                 all
                 ,
                 if
                 wee
                 wilfully
                 fault
                 in
                 one
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 an
                 intire
                 goodnes
                 that
                 God
                 cares
                 for
                 :
                 Perhaps
                 (
                 such
                 is
                 the
                 bounty
                 of
                 our
                 God
                 )
                 a
                 partiall
                 obedience
                 may
                 be
                 rewarded
                 with
                 a
                 temporall
                 blessing
                 ;
                 (
                 as
                 Iehues
                 seuerity
                 to
                 Ahab
                 shal
                 cary
                 the
                 crown
                 to
                 his
                 seed
                 for
                 foure
                 generations
                 )
                 but
                 we
                 can
                 neuer
                 haue
                 any
                 comfortable
                 assurance
                 of
                 an
                 eternall
                 retribution
                 ,
                 if
                 our
                 hearts
                 &
                 wayes
                 be
                 not
                 perfit
                 with
                 God.
                 Woe
                 be
                 to
                 vs
                 ,
                 ô
                 God
                 ,
                 if
                 wee
                 bee
                 not
                 all
                 thine
                 :
                 wee
                 cannot
                 but
                 euerlastingly
                 depart
                 from
                 thee
                 ,
                 if
                 wee
                 
                 depart
                 not
                 from
                 euery
                 sinne
                 :
                 Thou
                 hast
                 purged
                 our
                 hearts
                 from
                 the
                 Baal
                 of
                 our
                 grosse
                 Idolatries
                 ,
                 oh
                 cleare
                 vs
                 from
                 the
                 golden
                 Calues
                 of
                 our
                 pety-corruptions
                 also
                 ;
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 take
                 pleasure
                 in
                 our
                 vprightnesse
                 ;
                 and
                 wee
                 may
                 reape
                 the
                 sweet
                 comforts
                 of
                 thy
                 gracious
                 remuneration
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 ATHALIAH
                 and
                 IOASH
                 .
              
               
                 OH
                 the
                 wofull
                 ruines
                 
                 of
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 good
                 
                   Iehosaphat
                   :
                   Iehu
                
                 hath
                 slain
                 two
                 and
                 fourty
                 of
                 his
                 issue
                 ;
                 Athaliah
                 hopes
                 to
                 root
                 out
                 the
                 rest
                 :
                 This
                 daughter
                 of
                 Ahab
                 was
                 not
                 like
                 to
                 be
                 other
                 then
                 fatall
                 to
                 that
                 holy
                 Line
                 ;
                 One
                 drop
                 of
                 that
                 wicked
                 blood
                 was
                 enough
                 both
                 to
                 impure
                 ,
                 and
                 spill
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 which
                 affinity
                 had
                 mixed
                 with
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 vnlike
                 that
                 Ahaziah
                 betaking
                 himselfe
                 to
                 the
                 society
                 of
                 
                 Iehorams
                 warres
                 ,
                 committed
                 the
                 sway
                 of
                 his
                 Scepter
                 to
                 his
                 mother
                 Athaliah
                 .
                 The
                 daughter
                 of
                 Iezebel
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 plotting
                 :
                 when
                 she
                 heares
                 of
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 Ahaziah
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 brethren
                 ,
                 inflicted
                 by
                 the
                 heauy
                 hand
                 of
                 Iehu
                 ,
                 shee
                 straight
                 casts
                 for
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 Iudah
                 :
                 The
                 true
                 heires
                 are
                 infants
                 ,
                 their
                 minority
                 giues
                 her
                 both
                 colour
                 of
                 rule
                 ,
                 and
                 oportunity
                 of
                 an
                 easie
                 extirpation
                 .
                 Perhaps
                 ,
                 her
                 ambition
                 was
                 not
                 more
                 guilty
                 then
                 her
                 zeale
                 of
                 Baalisme
                 :
                 she
                 saw
                 Iehu
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 detestation
                 of
                 Idolatry
                 ,
                 trampling
                 on
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 
                   Iehoram
                   ,
                   Iezebel
                   ,
                   Ahaziah
                
                 ,
                 the
                 sonnes
                 of
                 Ahab
                 ,
                 the
                 brethren
                 of
                 Ahaziah
                 ,
                 the
                 priests
                 and
                 prophets
                 of
                 Baal
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 one
                 word
                 ,
                 triumphing
                 in
                 the
                 destruction
                 both
                 of
                 Ahab
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Gods
                 
                 out
                 of
                 Israel
                 :
                 and
                 now
                 she
                 thinks
                 ,
                 Why
                 should
                 not
                 I
                 destroy
                 Iehosaphat
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 God
                 out
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ?
              
               
                 Who
                 euer
                 saw
                 an
                 Idolater
                 that
                 was
                 not
                 cruell
                 ?
                 Athaliah
                 must
                 needs
                 let
                 out
                 some
                 of
                 her
                 owne
                 blood
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 throat
                 of
                 Ahaziahs
                 sonnes
                 ;
                 yet
                 she
                 spares
                 not
                 to
                 shed
                 it
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 thirst
                 of
                 soueraignty
                 .
                 O
                 God
                 how
                 worthy
                 of
                 wonder
                 are
                 thy
                 iust
                 and
                 mercifull
                 dispensations
                 ?
                 In
                 that
                 thou
                 sufferest
                 the
                 seed
                 of
                 good
                 Iehosaphat
                 to
                 bee
                 destroyed
                 by
                 her
                 hand
                 ,
                 in
                 whose
                 affinity
                 he
                 offended
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 sauest
                 one
                 branch
                 of
                 this
                 stock
                 of
                 Iehosaphat
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 so
                 faithfull
                 a
                 progenitor
                 .
              
               
                 Wicked
                 Athaliah
                 ,
                 couldst
                 thou
                 thinke
                 God
                 would
                 so
                 farre
                 forget
                 his
                 Seruant
                 Dauid
                 (
                 though
                 no
                 
                 other
                 of
                 those
                 loynes
                 had
                 seconded
                 his
                 vertues
                 )
                 as
                 to
                 suffer
                 all
                 his
                 seed
                 to
                 be
                 rooted
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ?
                 This
                 vengeance
                 was
                 for
                 thy
                 father
                 Ahab
                 ;
                 The
                 man
                 according
                 to
                 Gods
                 owne
                 heart
                 shall
                 haue
                 a
                 lineall
                 heyre
                 to
                 succeed
                 in
                 his
                 Throne
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 and
                 thy
                 fathers
                 house
                 shall
                 haue
                 vanished
                 into
                 forgetfulnesse
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 this
                 purpose
                 hath
                 the
                 wise
                 prouidence
                 of
                 God
                 ordained
                 a
                 Iehosheba
                 ,
                 and
                 matcht
                 her
                 in
                 the
                 priestly
                 Tribe
                 :
                 Such
                 reuerence
                 did
                 Iehoram
                 ,
                 King
                 of
                 Iudah
                 (
                 though
                 degenerated
                 into
                 the
                 Idolatry
                 of
                 his
                 father
                 in
                 law
                 Ahab
                 )
                 beare
                 to
                 this
                 sacred
                 function
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 marries
                 his
                 daughter
                 to
                 Iehoiada
                 the
                 Priest
                 .
                 Euen
                 Princesses
                 did
                 not
                 then
                 scorne
                 the
                 bed
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 
                 serued
                 at
                 Gods
                 Altar
                 :
                 Why
                 should
                 the
                 Gospel
                 poure
                 contempt
                 vpon
                 that
                 which
                 the
                 Law
                 honoured
                 ?
              
               
                 That
                 good
                 Lady
                 had
                 too
                 much
                 of
                 Iehosaphat
                 in
                 her
                 ,
                 to
                 suffer
                 the
                 vtter
                 extirpation
                 of
                 that
                 royall
                 seed
                 ;
                 She
                 could
                 not
                 doubtlesse
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 extreme
                 danger
                 of
                 her
                 owne
                 life
                 ,
                 saue
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 her
                 nephew
                 Ioash
                 ;
                 With
                 what
                 a
                 louing
                 boldnesse
                 doth
                 she
                 aduenture
                 to
                 steale
                 him
                 from
                 amongst
                 those
                 bleeding
                 carkasses
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 chamber
                 of
                 death
                 ?
                 Her
                 match
                 gaue
                 her
                 oportunity
                 to
                 effect
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 both
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 religion
                 moued
                 her
                 to
                 attempt
                 :
                 neyther
                 know
                 I
                 ,
                 whether
                 more
                 to
                 wonder
                 at
                 the
                 cunning
                 of
                 the
                 deuice
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 courage
                 of
                 the
                 enterprise
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 secresie
                 of
                 the
                 concealment
                 ,
                 or
                 
                 the
                 happinesse
                 of
                 the
                 successe
                 :
                 Certainly
                 ,
                 Athaliah
                 was
                 too
                 cruelly-carefull
                 to
                 forget
                 this
                 so
                 late
                 borne
                 sonne
                 of
                 Ahaziah
                 ;
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 his
                 age
                 would
                 not
                 suffer
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 out
                 of
                 her
                 eye
                 :
                 In
                 all
                 likelihood
                 therefore
                 ,
                 shee
                 must
                 needs
                 haue
                 missed
                 so
                 noted
                 a
                 corps
                 ,
                 had
                 there
                 not
                 beene
                 a
                 substitution
                 of
                 some
                 other
                 dead
                 chyld
                 in
                 his
                 roome
                 :
                 In
                 that
                 age
                 ,
                 the
                 fauour
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 distinguishable
                 ;
                 especially
                 of
                 a
                 dead
                 face
                 .
                 Without
                 some
                 pious
                 deceit
                 this
                 worke
                 could
                 neuer
                 haue
                 beene
                 effected
                 ;
                 Else
                 ,
                 had
                 the
                 chyld
                 beene
                 secretly
                 subduced
                 ,
                 and
                 missed
                 by
                 his
                 bloody
                 grandmother
                 ,
                 her
                 perpetuall
                 iealousie
                 had
                 both
                 expected
                 a
                 suruiuing
                 heyre
                 ,
                 and
                 continued
                 a
                 curious
                 ,
                 and
                 vnauoydable
                 search
                 :
                 both
                 
                 which
                 were
                 now
                 shunned
                 at
                 once
                 ,
                 whilst
                 Athaliah
                 reckons
                 him
                 for
                 dead
                 ,
                 whom
                 Iehosheba
                 hath
                 preserued
                 .
                 Mischiefe
                 sometimes
                 failes
                 of
                 those
                 appointments
                 ,
                 wherein
                 it
                 thinkes
                 to
                 haue
                 made
                 the
                 surest
                 worke
                 ;
                 God
                 laughes
                 in
                 heauen
                 at
                 the
                 plots
                 of
                 Tyrans
                 ;
                 and
                 befooles
                 them
                 in
                 their
                 deepest
                 proiects
                 .
                 He
                 had
                 said
                 to
                 
                   Dauid
                   ,
                   Of
                   the
                   fruit
                   of
                   thy
                   body
                   will
                   I
                   set
                   vpon
                   thy
                   seate
                
                 ;
                 In
                 vaine
                 shall
                 earth
                 and
                 hell
                 conspire
                 to
                 frustrate
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Sixe
                 yeares
                 hath
                 Ioash
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 nurse
                 beene
                 hid
                 in
                 a
                 close
                 cell
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 :
                 Those
                 roomes
                 were
                 destin'd
                 onely
                 to
                 the
                 holy
                 Tribe
                 ;
                 yet
                 now
                 reioyce
                 to
                 harbour
                 such
                 a
                 guest
                 ;
                 The
                 rigour
                 of
                 the
                 ordinary
                 Law
                 must
                 yeeld
                 to
                 cases
                 of
                 so
                 important
                 necessity
                 .
              
               
               
                 All
                 this
                 could
                 not
                 possibly
                 be
                 done
                 and
                 continued
                 without
                 the
                 priuity
                 of
                 many
                 faithfull
                 Priests
                 &
                 Leuites
                 ;
                 who
                 were
                 as
                 carefull
                 to
                 keepe
                 this
                 counsell
                 ,
                 as
                 hopefull
                 of
                 the
                 issue
                 of
                 it
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 hard
                 for
                 many
                 honest
                 hearts
                 to
                 agree
                 in
                 a
                 religious
                 secresie
                 ;
                 Needs
                 must
                 those
                 lips
                 bee
                 shut
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 sealed
                 vp
                 .
              
               
                 Iudah
                 had
                 not
                 been
                 vsed
                 to
                 such
                 a
                 yoke
                 ;
                 long
                 had
                 it
                 groned
                 vnder
                 the
                 tyranny
                 not
                 of
                 a
                 woman
                 onely
                 ,
                 but
                 an
                 Idolatrous
                 Sydonian
                 :
                 If
                 any
                 of
                 that
                 sexe
                 might
                 haue
                 claimed
                 that
                 Scepter
                 ,
                 none
                 had
                 so
                 much
                 right
                 to
                 it
                 ,
                 as
                 Iehosheba
                 her selfe
                 ;
                 But
                 good
                 Iehoiada
                 the
                 Priest
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 rather
                 to
                 bee
                 a
                 loyall
                 guardian
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 then
                 an
                 husband
                 to
                 a
                 Queene
                 ,
                 now
                 findes
                 
                 time
                 to
                 set
                 on
                 foot
                 the
                 iust
                 title
                 of
                 Ioash
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 put
                 him
                 into
                 the
                 misvsurped
                 throne
                 of
                 his
                 father
                 Ahaziah
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 seuenth
                 yeare
                 ,
                 therefore
                 ,
                 he
                 sends
                 for
                 the
                 Captaines
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Gard
                 ;
                 and
                 hauing
                 sworne
                 them
                 secrecy
                 ;
                 by
                 vndoubted
                 witnesses
                 makes
                 faith
                 vnto
                 them
                 of
                 the
                 truth
                 of
                 their
                 natiue
                 Prince
                 ,
                 thus
                 happily
                 rescued
                 from
                 the
                 bloody
                 knife
                 of
                 his
                 mercilesse
                 Grandmother
                 ;
                 marshals
                 the
                 great
                 businesse
                 of
                 his
                 Inauguration
                 ;
                 giues
                 euery
                 one
                 his
                 charge
                 ;
                 sets
                 euery
                 one
                 his
                 station
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 disposes
                 of
                 his
                 holy
                 forces
                 ,
                 as
                 was
                 most
                 needfull
                 for
                 the
                 safety
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 the
                 reuenge
                 of
                 the
                 Vsurper
                 ,
                 the
                 preuention
                 of
                 tumults
                 ,
                 the
                 establishment
                 of
                 the
                 Crowne
                 
                 vpon
                 the
                 owners
                 head
                 in
                 Peace
                 and
                 Ioy.
                 
              
               
                 There
                 was
                 none
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 agents
                 who
                 did
                 not
                 hold
                 the
                 businesse
                 to
                 bee
                 his
                 owne
                 ;
                 Euery
                 true
                 subiect
                 of
                 Iudah
                 was
                 feelingly
                 interessed
                 in
                 this
                 seruice
                 ;
                 neither
                 was
                 there
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 who
                 was
                 not
                 secretly
                 heart-burned
                 all
                 this
                 while
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 hatefull
                 gouernment
                 of
                 this
                 Idolatrous
                 Tyrannesse
                 :
                 And
                 now
                 this
                 inward
                 fire
                 is
                 glad
                 to
                 find
                 a
                 vent
                 ;
                 How
                 gladly
                 do
                 they
                 address
                 themselues
                 to
                 this
                 welcome
                 imployment
                 ?
                 The
                 greatest
                 part
                 of
                 this
                 secret
                 band
                 were
                 Leuites
                 ,
                 who
                 might
                 therefore
                 both
                 meet
                 together
                 with
                 least
                 suspition
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 more
                 securely
                 trusted
                 by
                 Iehoiada
                 ,
                 vnder
                 whom
                 they
                 serued
                 ;
                 Euen
                 that
                 
                 holy
                 Priest
                 of
                 God
                 in
                 stead
                 of
                 teaching
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 sets
                 the
                 gard
                 ,
                 orders
                 the
                 Captaines
                 ,
                 ranges
                 the
                 troupes
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 stead
                 of
                 a
                 Censer
                 ,
                 brings
                 forth
                 the
                 Speares
                 and
                 Shields
                 of
                 Dauid
                 ;
                 the
                 Temple
                 is
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 ,
                 a
                 Field
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 Artillery-yard
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 Ephods
                 are
                 turned
                 into
                 harnesse
                 .
                 That
                 house
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 rearing
                 whereof
                 not
                 the
                 noyse
                 of
                 an
                 hammer
                 might
                 be
                 heard
                 ,
                 now
                 admits
                 of
                 the
                 clashing
                 of
                 armour
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 secret
                 murmurs
                 of
                 some
                 military
                 atchieuement
                 :
                 No
                 circumstances
                 either
                 of
                 place
                 ,
                 or
                 calling
                 ,
                 are
                 so
                 punctuall
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 publique
                 necessity
                 may
                 not
                 dispense
                 with
                 their
                 alteration
                 .
              
               
                 All
                 things
                 are
                 now
                 ready
                 for
                 this
                 solemnity
                 :
                 Each
                 man
                 reioyces
                 
                 to
                 fixe
                 vpon
                 his
                 owne
                 footing
                 ;
                 and
                 longs
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 their
                 long-concealed
                 Soueraigne
                 ;
                 and
                 vowes
                 his
                 blood
                 to
                 the
                 vindication
                 of
                 the
                 common
                 liberty
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 punishment
                 of
                 a
                 cruell
                 intruder
                 :
                 Now
                 Iehoiada
                 brings
                 forth
                 vnto
                 them
                 the
                 Kings
                 Son
                 ,
                 and
                 presents
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 Peeres
                 ,
                 and
                 people
                 ;
                 Hardly
                 can
                 the
                 multitude
                 containe
                 it selfe
                 from
                 shouting
                 out
                 too
                 soone
                 :
                 One
                 sees
                 in
                 his
                 countenance
                 the
                 features
                 of
                 his
                 Father
                 ,
                 Ahaziah
                 ;
                 another
                 of
                 his
                 Grandfather
                 ,
                 Iehoram
                 ;
                 a
                 third
                 professes
                 to
                 discerne
                 in
                 him
                 some
                 lines
                 ,
                 and
                 fashion
                 of
                 his
                 great-grandfather
                 Iehosaphat
                 ;
                 all
                 find
                 in
                 his
                 face
                 the
                 naturall
                 impressions
                 of
                 Maiesty
                 ;
                 and
                 reade
                 in
                 it
                 the
                 hopes
                 ,
                 yea
                 the
                 prophesies
                 of
                 their
                 
                 future
                 happinesse
                 .
                 Not
                 with
                 more
                 ioy
                 ,
                 then
                 speed
                 ,
                 doth
                 Iehoiada
                 accomplish
                 all
                 the
                 rites
                 of
                 the
                 Coronation
                 .
                 Before
                 that
                 young
                 King
                 could
                 know
                 what
                 was
                 done
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 hee
                 is
                 anointed
                 ,
                 crowned
                 ,
                 presented
                 with
                 the
                 booke
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 :
                 Those
                 ceremonies
                 were
                 instructiue
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 no
                 doubt
                 ,
                 Iehoiada
                 failed
                 not
                 to
                 comment
                 vpon
                 them
                 in
                 due
                 time
                 ,
                 to
                 that
                 royall
                 Pupill
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Oyle
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 he
                 was
                 anointed
                 ,
                 signified
                 his
                 designation
                 to
                 that
                 high
                 seruice
                 ;
                 and
                 those
                 indowments
                 from
                 heauen
                 that
                 might
                 inable
                 him
                 to
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 function
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Crowne
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 he
                 was
                 adorned
                 ,
                 signified
                 that
                 glorie
                 and
                 maiesty
                 which
                 should
                 
                 both
                 incourage
                 ,
                 and
                 attend
                 his
                 Princely
                 cares
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 booke
                 of
                 the
                 Testimony
                 signified
                 the
                 diuine
                 rules
                 and
                 directions
                 ,
                 whereto
                 he
                 must
                 frame
                 his
                 heart
                 and
                 actions
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 weilding
                 of
                 that
                 Crowne
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 improuement
                 of
                 that
                 oile
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 three
                 ,
                 the
                 oile
                 ,
                 the
                 Crown
                 the
                 Testimonie
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 inward
                 powers
                 ,
                 outward
                 magnificence
                 ,
                 true
                 pietie
                 and
                 iustice
                 make
                 vp
                 a
                 perfect
                 Prince
                 ;
                 None
                 of
                 these
                 may
                 be
                 wanting
                 ;
                 If
                 there
                 be
                 not
                 a
                 due
                 calling
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 abilities
                 meet
                 for
                 that
                 greatnesse
                 ,
                 the
                 oile
                 faileth
                 :
                 If
                 there
                 be
                 not
                 a
                 Maiesticke
                 grace
                 and
                 royaltie
                 ,
                 that
                 may
                 command
                 reuerence
                 ,
                 the
                 Crowne
                 is
                 missing
                 ;
                 If
                 there
                 be
                 not
                 a
                 carefull
                 respect
                 to
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 absolute
                 
                 guide
                 of
                 all
                 counsells
                 ,
                 and
                 determinations
                 ,
                 the
                 Testimonie
                 is
                 neglected
                 ;
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 concurring
                 ,
                 make
                 both
                 King
                 and
                 people
                 happy
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 time
                 for
                 the
                 people
                 to
                 clap
                 their
                 hands
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 their
                 lowd
                 acclamations
                 to
                 witnesse
                 their
                 ioy
                 ;
                 which
                 must
                 needs
                 break
                 forth
                 with
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 force
                 ,
                 by
                 how
                 much
                 it
                 was
                 longer
                 ,
                 vpon
                 feares
                 and
                 policy
                 ,
                 suppressed
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Court
                 and
                 the
                 Temple
                 were
                 neere
                 together
                 ;
                 Howeuer
                 it
                 was
                 with
                 Athaliah
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 late
                 reuolted
                 Princes
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 common
                 word
                 ,
                 the
                 neerer
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 the
                 further
                 from
                 God
                 ;
                 their
                 religious
                 predecessors
                 held
                 it
                 the
                 greatest
                 commodity
                 of
                 their
                 house
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 neighboured
                 
                 vpon
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 From
                 her
                 palace
                 might
                 Athaliah
                 easily
                 heare
                 the
                 ioyfull
                 shouts
                 of
                 the
                 multitude
                 ,
                 the
                 lowd
                 noise
                 of
                 the
                 Trumpets
                 ;
                 and
                 as
                 astonished
                 with
                 this
                 new
                 tumult
                 of
                 publike
                 gratulations
                 ,
                 she
                 comes
                 running
                 into
                 the
                 Temple
                 :
                 Neuer
                 had
                 her
                 foot
                 trod
                 vpon
                 that
                 holy
                 pauement
                 ,
                 till
                 now
                 that
                 she
                 came
                 to
                 fetch
                 a
                 iust
                 reuenge
                 from
                 that
                 God
                 whose
                 worship
                 shee
                 had
                 contemned
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 fell
                 out
                 well
                 ,
                 that
                 her
                 sudden
                 amazednesse
                 called
                 her
                 forth
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 attendance
                 of
                 any
                 strong
                 guard
                 ;
                 whose
                 side-taking
                 might
                 haue
                 made
                 that
                 quarrell
                 mutually
                 bloody
                 :
                 Shee
                 soone
                 heares
                 ,
                 and
                 sees
                 what
                 shee
                 likes
                 not
                 ;
                 her
                 eare
                 meets
                 with
                 ,
                 God
                 
                 saue
                 the
                 King
                 ;
                 her
                 eye
                 meets
                 with
                 the
                 vnlooked
                 for
                 heyre
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 ,
                 sitting
                 on
                 his
                 throne
                 ,
                 crowned
                 ,
                 and
                 robed
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 royall
                 fashion
                 ;
                 guarded
                 with
                 the
                 Captaines
                 and
                 souldiers
                 ,
                 proclaimed
                 by
                 the
                 Trumpeters
                 ,
                 acclamed
                 &
                 applauded
                 by
                 the
                 people
                 .
              
               
                 Who
                 can
                 say
                 whether
                 this
                 sight
                 draue
                 her
                 more
                 neer
                 to
                 frenzie
                 ,
                 or
                 death
                 ?
                 How
                 could
                 it
                 bee
                 otherwise
                 ,
                 when
                 those
                 great
                 spirits
                 of
                 hers
                 ,
                 that
                 had
                 beene
                 long
                 vsed
                 to
                 an
                 vncontrolled
                 soueraigntie
                 ,
                 find
                 themselues
                 so
                 inexpectedly
                 suppressed
                 .
              
               
                 Shee
                 now
                 rends
                 her
                 cloathes
                 ,
                 and
                 cryes
                 ,
                 Treason
                 ,
                 treason
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 that
                 voice
                 of
                 hers
                 could
                 still
                 command
                 all
                 hearts
                 ,
                 all
                 hands
                 ;
                 as
                 if
                 one
                 breath
                 of
                 hers
                 were
                 powerfull
                 
                 enough
                 to
                 blow
                 away
                 all
                 these
                 new
                 designes
                 :
                 Oh
                 Athaliah
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 dost
                 thou
                 complaine
                 thy selfe
                 ?
                 they
                 are
                 thy
                 iust
                 executioners
                 wherewith
                 thou
                 art
                 incompassed
                 ;
                 If
                 it
                 be
                 treason
                 to
                 set
                 vp
                 the
                 true
                 heire
                 of
                 Ahaziah
                 ,
                 thou
                 appealest
                 to
                 thy
                 Traitors
                 .
                 The
                 treason
                 was
                 thine
                 ,
                 theirs
                 is
                 iustice
                 ;
                 The
                 time
                 is
                 now
                 come
                 of
                 thy
                 reckoning
                 for
                 all
                 the
                 royall
                 blood
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 which
                 thine
                 ambition
                 shed
                 ;
                 wonder
                 rather
                 at
                 the
                 patience
                 of
                 this
                 long
                 forbearance
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 rigor
                 of
                 this
                 execution
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 needs
                 no
                 formall
                 seat
                 of
                 Iustice
                 in
                 so
                 apparent
                 offence
                 ,
                 Iehoiada
                 passes
                 the
                 sentence
                 of
                 death
                 vpon
                 her
                 ;
                 
                   Haue
                   her
                   forth
                   of
                   the
                   ranges
                   ;
                   Let
                   her
                   not
                   be
                   slaine
                   in
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ;
                   and
                   him
                   that
                   followeth
                
                 
                 
                   her
                   ,
                   kill
                   with
                   the
                   sword
                   .
                
              
               
                 Had
                 not
                 this
                 vsurpation
                 beene
                 palpable
                 ,
                 Iehoiada
                 would
                 not
                 haue
                 presumed
                 to
                 intermedle
                 ;
                 Now
                 being
                 both
                 the
                 Priest
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Vnckle
                 and
                 Protector
                 to
                 the
                 lawfull
                 King
                 ,
                 he
                 doth
                 that
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 the
                 state
                 ,
                 which
                 his
                 infant
                 Soueraigne
                 (
                 if
                 hee
                 could
                 haue
                 beene
                 capable
                 of
                 those
                 thoughts
                 )
                 would
                 haue
                 desired
                 .
              
               
                 Violent
                 hands
                 are
                 layd
                 vpon
                 Athaliah
                 ,
                 whom
                 no
                 doubt
                 a
                 proud
                 and
                 furious
                 disdaine
                 of
                 so
                 quicke
                 a
                 charge
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 so
                 rough
                 an
                 vsage
                 made
                 miserably
                 impatient
                 ;
                 Now
                 she
                 frownes
                 ,
                 and
                 cals
                 ,
                 and
                 shrieks
                 and
                 commands
                 ,
                 and
                 threatens
                 ,
                 and
                 reuiles
                 ,
                 and
                 intreats
                 in
                 vaine
                 ;
                 and
                 dyes
                 with
                 as
                 much
                 ill
                 will
                 from
                 her selfe
                 ,
                 as
                 she
                 liued
                 with
                 
                 the
                 ill
                 will
                 of
                 her
                 repining
                 subiects
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 see
                 not
                 any
                 one
                 man
                 of
                 all
                 her
                 late
                 flatterers
                 ,
                 that
                 followes
                 her
                 ,
                 either
                 for
                 pitty
                 ,
                 or
                 rescue
                 ;
                 Euery
                 man
                 willingly
                 giues
                 her
                 vp
                 to
                 iustice
                 ;
                 Not
                 one
                 sword
                 is
                 drawn
                 in
                 her
                 defence
                 ;
                 Not
                 one
                 eye
                 laments
                 her
                 .
                 Such
                 is
                 the
                 issue
                 of
                 a
                 tyrannicall
                 mis-gouernment
                 ;
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 obeyed
                 not
                 without
                 secret
                 hate
                 ,
                 is
                 lost
                 not
                 without
                 publique
                 ioy
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 like
                 is
                 Athaliah
                 to
                 her
                 mother
                 Iezebel
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 conditions
                 and
                 carriage
                 ,
                 so
                 euen
                 in
                 death
                 :
                 Both
                 killed
                 violently
                 ,
                 both
                 killed
                 vnder
                 their
                 owne
                 walls
                 ;
                 both
                 slaine
                 with
                 Treason
                 in
                 their
                 mouthes
                 ;
                 both
                 slaine
                 in
                 the
                 entrance
                 of
                 a
                 changed
                 gouernment
                 :
                 
                 One
                 trod
                 on
                 by
                 the
                 horses
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 slaine
                 in
                 the
                 horse-gate
                 .
                 Both
                 paid
                 their
                 owne
                 blood
                 for
                 the
                 innocent
                 blood
                 of
                 others
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 suddenly
                 ,
                 how
                 easily
                 is
                 Iudah
                 restored
                 to
                 it selfe
                 ,
                 after
                 so
                 long
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 fearfull
                 a
                 deprauation
                 ;
                 The
                 people
                 scarce
                 beleeue
                 their
                 owne
                 eyes
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 wonder
                 of
                 this
                 happy
                 change
                 ;
                 neither
                 know
                 I
                 whether
                 they
                 bee
                 more
                 ioyed
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 their
                 new
                 King
                 ,
                 thus
                 strangely
                 preserued
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 Iehoiada
                 ,
                 that
                 had
                 preserued
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 No
                 man
                 can
                 enuy
                 the
                 protection
                 of
                 the
                 young
                 King
                 vnto
                 him
                 ,
                 by
                 whose
                 meanes
                 hee
                 liues
                 and
                 raignes
                 :
                 That
                 holy
                 man
                 cares
                 onely
                 to
                 improue
                 his
                 authority
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 common
                 good
                 :
                 
                   He
                   makes
                   a
                
                 
                 
                   couenant
                   betweene
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   King
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   people
                   :
                
                 and
                 after
                 so
                 long
                 &
                 dangerous
                 a
                 disjunction
                 ,
                 reunites
                 them
                 to
                 each
                 other
                 .
                 Their
                 reuiued
                 zeale
                 bestirs
                 it selfe
                 ,
                 and
                 breakes
                 downe
                 the
                 Temples
                 ,
                 and
                 altars
                 ,
                 and
                 images
                 of
                 Baal
                 ,
                 and
                 sacrifices
                 his
                 idolatrous
                 Priest
                 ;
                 Shortly
                 ,
                 both
                 Ahab
                 ,
                 and
                 Baal
                 is
                 destroyed
                 out
                 of
                 Iudah
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Scepter
                 of
                 Iudah
                 is
                 changed
                 from
                 a
                 woman
                 ,
                 to
                 a
                 child
                 ;
                 but
                 ,
                 a
                 Child
                 trained
                 vp
                 ,
                 and
                 tutored
                 by
                 Iehoiada
                 ;
                 This
                 minority
                 so
                 guided
                 was
                 not
                 inferiour
                 to
                 the
                 mature
                 age
                 of
                 many
                 predecessors
                 .
                 Happy
                 is
                 that
                 land
                 ,
                 the
                 non-age
                 of
                 whose
                 Princes
                 falls
                 into
                 holy
                 and
                 iust
                 hands
                 .
                 Yet
                 euen
                 these
                 holy
                 and
                 iust
                 hands
                 came
                 short
                 of
                 what
                 they
                 might
                 haue
                 done
                 ;
                 The
                 
                 high
                 places
                 remained
                 still
                 :
                 Those
                 altars
                 were
                 erected
                 to
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 a
                 wrong
                 place
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 maruell
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 not
                 some
                 blemishes
                 found
                 in
                 the
                 best
                 gouernment
                 :
                 I
                 doubt
                 Iehoiada
                 shall
                 once
                 abuy
                 it
                 deare
                 that
                 hee
                 did
                 not
                 his
                 vtmost
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 for
                 the
                 mayne
                 ,
                 all
                 was
                 wel
                 with
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 dayes
                 of
                 Iehoiada
                 ;
                 euen
                 after
                 that
                 Ioash
                 was
                 growne
                 past
                 his
                 pupillage
                 :
                 Hee
                 that
                 was
                 the
                 Tutor
                 to
                 his
                 infancie
                 ,
                 was
                 the
                 councellor
                 of
                 his
                 ripe
                 age
                 ;
                 and
                 was
                 equally
                 happy
                 in
                 both
                 :
                 How
                 pleasing
                 was
                 it
                 to
                 that
                 good
                 High
                 Priest
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 commanded
                 by
                 that
                 charge
                 of
                 his
                 in
                 the
                 businesse
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 The
                 yong
                 King
                 giues
                 order
                 to
                 the
                 Priests
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 collection
                 of
                 large
                 summs
                 ,
                 
                 to
                 the
                 repayring
                 of
                 the
                 breaches
                 of
                 Gods
                 House
                 .
                 It
                 becomes
                 him
                 well
                 to
                 take
                 care
                 of
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 the
                 nursery
                 of
                 his
                 infancy
                 :
                 And
                 now
                 ,
                 after
                 three
                 and
                 twentie
                 yeares
                 he
                 expostulates
                 with
                 his
                 late
                 Guardian
                 ,
                 Iehoiada
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 his
                 coate
                 ,
                 
                   Why
                   repayre
                   ye
                   not
                   the
                   breaches
                   ?
                
              
               
                 Oh
                 gracious
                 and
                 happy
                 vicissitude
                 ;
                 Iehoiada
                 the
                 Priest
                 had
                 ruled
                 the
                 infancy
                 of
                 King
                 Ioash
                 in
                 matters
                 of
                 state
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 Ioash
                 the
                 King
                 commands
                 aged
                 Iehoiada
                 the
                 Priest
                 in
                 matter
                 of
                 deuotion
                 .
                 In
                 the
                 affaires
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 the
                 action
                 is
                 the
                 Priests
                 ,
                 the
                 ouersight
                 and
                 coaction
                 is
                 the
                 Princes
                 :
                 By
                 the
                 carefull
                 indeuor
                 of
                 both
                 ,
                 Gods
                 house
                 is
                 repayred
                 ,
                 his
                 seruice
                 flourisheth
                 .
              
               
               
                 But
                 alas
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 too
                 well
                 appeare
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 ground
                 of
                 this
                 motion
                 was
                 not
                 altogether
                 inward
                 ,
                 no
                 sooner
                 doth
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 Iehoiada
                 cease
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 deuotion
                 of
                 Ioash
                 begins
                 to
                 languish
                 :
                 and
                 after
                 some
                 languor
                 ,
                 dyes
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 benefit
                 of
                 a
                 truly
                 religious
                 Prelate
                 ,
                 or
                 States-man
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 knowne
                 till
                 his
                 losse
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 some
                 idolatrous
                 Peeres
                 of
                 Iudah
                 haue
                 soone
                 mis-carryed
                 the
                 King
                 from
                 the
                 House
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 God
                 of
                 their
                 Fathers
                 ,
                 to
                 serue
                 Groues
                 ,
                 and
                 Idols
                 .
                 Yea
                 ,
                 whither
                 goe
                 we
                 wretched
                 men
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 be
                 left
                 by
                 our
                 Maker
                 ?
                 King
                 Ioash
                 is
                 turned
                 ,
                 not
                 idolater
                 onely
                 ,
                 but
                 persecutor
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 (
                 which
                 is
                 yet
                 more
                 horrible
                 to
                 consider
                 )
                 persecutor
                 of
                 the
                 sonne
                 of
                 that
                 Iehoiada
                 
                 to
                 whom
                 he
                 owes
                 his
                 owne
                 life
                 .
                 Zechariah
                 his
                 Cosen
                 german
                 ,
                 his
                 foster-brother
                 ,
                 the
                 holy
                 issue
                 of
                 those
                 parents
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 Ioash
                 liues
                 ,
                 and
                 raignes
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 conscionable
                 rebuke
                 of
                 the
                 idolatry
                 of
                 Prince
                 ,
                 and
                 people
                 ,
                 is
                 vniustly
                 ,
                 and
                 cruelly
                 murthered
                 by
                 that
                 vnthankfull
                 hand
                 :
                 How
                 possible
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 faire
                 and
                 Saint-like
                 beginnings
                 to
                 shut
                 vp
                 in
                 monstrous
                 impieties
                 ?
                 Let
                 him
                 that
                 thinkes
                 hee
                 stands
                 ,
                 take
                 heed
                 lest
                 he
                 fall
                 .
                 When
                 did
                 God
                 euer
                 put
                 vp
                 so
                 foule
                 ingratitude
                 to
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 to
                 his
                 seruants
                 ?
                 O
                 Ioash
                 ,
                 what
                 eye
                 can
                 pitty
                 the
                 fearfull
                 destruction
                 of
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 Iudah
                 ?
              
               
                 If
                 ye
                 haue
                 forgotten
                 the
                 kindnesse
                 of
                 Iehoiada
                 ,
                 your
                 vnkindness
                 to
                 Iehoiada
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 forgotten
                 :
                 
                 
                   A
                   small
                   army
                   of
                   Syrians
                   came
                   vp
                   against
                   Iudah
                   and
                   Ierusalem
                   ,
                   and
                   destroyed
                   all
                   the
                   Princes
                   of
                   the
                   people
                   ,
                   and
                   sent
                   all
                   the
                   spoyle
                   of
                   them
                   to
                   Damascus
                   .
                
                 Now
                 Hazael
                 reuenges
                 this
                 quarrell
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 anointed
                 ;
                 and
                 plagues
                 that
                 people
                 which
                 made
                 themselues
                 vnworthy
                 to
                 bee
                 the
                 Lords
                 inheritance
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 what
                 becomes
                 of
                 Ioash
                 ?
                 Hee
                 is
                 left
                 in
                 great
                 diseases
                 ,
                 when
                 his
                 owne
                 seruants
                 conspired
                 against
                 him
                 
                   for
                   the
                   blood
                   of
                   the
                   sonnes
                   of
                   Iehoiada
                   ,
                   and
                   slew
                   him
                   on
                   his
                   bed
                   ,
                   and
                   he
                   dyed
                   ;
                   and
                   they
                   buryed
                   him
                   not
                   in
                   the
                   Sepulcher
                   of
                   the
                   Kings
                   .
                
                 Dying
                 Zechariah
                 had
                 sayd
                 in
                 the
                 bitternesse
                 of
                 his
                 departing
                 soule
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   looke
                   vpon
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   require
                   it
                   :
                
                 I
                 confesse
                 I
                 had
                 rather
                 to
                 haue
                 
                 heard
                 him
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   passe
                   it
                   ouer
                   ,
                   and
                   remit
                   it
                
                 ;
                 so
                 said
                 Steuen
                 ;
                 such
                 difference
                 there
                 is
                 betweene
                 a
                 Martyr
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Gospell
                 :
                 although
                 I
                 will
                 hope
                 the
                 zeale
                 of
                 iustice
                 ,
                 not
                 the
                 vncharitable
                 heate
                 of
                 reuenge
                 drew
                 forth
                 this
                 word
                 :
                 God
                 heares
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 giues
                 an
                 account
                 of
                 his
                 notice
                 ;
                 Thus
                 doth
                 the
                 Lord
                 require
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Iehoiadaes
                 son
                 ;
                 euen
                 by
                 the
                 like
                 vnthankfull
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 obliged
                 seruants
                 of
                 Ioash
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 was
                 guilty
                 of
                 abhominable
                 Idolatry
                 ,
                 yet
                 (
                 as
                 if
                 God
                 meant
                 to
                 waue
                 that
                 challenge
                 )
                 is
                 called
                 to
                 reckoning
                 for
                 his
                 cruell
                 vnthankfulnesse
                 to
                 Iehoiada
                 ;
                 This
                 crime
                 shall
                 make
                 him
                 odious
                 aliue
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 abandon
                 him
                 dead
                 from
                 the
                 sepulcher
                 of
                 
                 his
                 fathers
                 ;
                 as
                 if
                 this
                 last
                 royalty
                 were
                 too
                 good
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 forgotten
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 humanity
                 .
                 Some
                 vices
                 are
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 Nature
                 smiles
                 vpon
                 ,
                 though
                 frowned
                 at
                 by
                 diuine
                 Iustice
                 :
                 Others
                 are
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 euen
                 Nature
                 it selfe
                 abhorres
                 ;
                 such
                 is
                 this
                 of
                 Ingratitude
                 ,
                 which
                 therefore
                 caries
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 detestation
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 more
                 odious
                 euen
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 haue
                 blotted
                 out
                 the
                 image
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
            
             
               
               
                 IOASH
                 with
                 ELISHA
                 dying
                 .
              
               
                 THe
                 two
                 Kingdoms
                 
                 of
                 Iudah
                 and
                 Israel
                 ,
                 how
                 euer
                 diuided
                 both
                 in
                 gouernement
                 ,
                 and
                 affection
                 ,
                 yet
                 loued
                 to
                 interchange
                 the
                 names
                 of
                 their
                 Kings
                 ;
                 Euen
                 Israel
                 also
                 had
                 their
                 Ioash
                 ,
                 no
                 better
                 then
                 that
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ;
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 more
                 the
                 father
                 of
                 a
                 later
                 Ieroboam
                 ,
                 then
                 (
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 mis-worship
                 )
                 he
                 was
                 the
                 son
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 Ieroboam
                 ,
                 who
                 made
                 Israel
                 to
                 sin
                 ;
                 Those
                 Calues
                 of
                 Dan
                 and
                 Bethel
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 politick
                 mis-deuotion
                 ,
                 besotted
                 all
                 
                 the
                 succession
                 of
                 the
                 ten
                 vsurped
                 Tribes
                 :
                 yet
                 euen
                 this
                 Idolatrous
                 King
                 of
                 Israel
                 comes
                 downe
                 to
                 visit
                 the
                 sicke
                 bed
                 of
                 Elisha
                 ,
                 and
                 weeps
                 vpon
                 his
                 face
                 .
              
               
                 That
                 holy
                 Prophet
                 was
                 neuer
                 any
                 flatterer
                 of
                 Princes
                 ,
                 neyther
                 spared
                 he
                 inuectiues
                 against
                 their
                 most
                 plausible
                 sinnes
                 :
                 yet
                 King
                 Ioash
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 beaten
                 by
                 his
                 reproofes
                 ,
                 washes
                 that
                 face
                 with
                 the
                 teares
                 of
                 loue
                 ,
                 and
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 which
                 had
                 often
                 frowned
                 vpon
                 his
                 wickednesse
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 much
                 difference
                 there
                 was
                 betwixt
                 the
                 Ioash
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Ioash
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ?
                 That
                 of
                 Iudah
                 hauing
                 beene
                 preserued
                 and
                 nurtured
                 by
                 Iehoiada
                 the
                 Priest
                 ,
                 after
                 all
                 professions
                 of
                 dearnesse
                 shuts
                 vp
                 in
                 the
                 vnkinde
                 murther
                 
                 of
                 his
                 sonne
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 meerly
                 for
                 the
                 iust
                 reproofe
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Idolatry
                 :
                 This
                 of
                 Israel
                 hauing
                 beene
                 estranged
                 from
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Elisha
                 ,
                 and
                 sharply
                 rebuked
                 for
                 the
                 like
                 offence
                 ,
                 makes
                 loue
                 to
                 his
                 dying
                 reprouer
                 ,
                 and
                 bedewes
                 his
                 pale
                 face
                 with
                 his
                 teares
                 :
                 Both
                 were
                 bad
                 enough
                 ,
                 but
                 this
                 of
                 Israel
                 was
                 ,
                 howeuer
                 vicious
                 ,
                 yet
                 good-natur'd
                 :
                 That
                 of
                 Iudah
                 added
                 to
                 his
                 wickednesse
                 ,
                 an
                 ill
                 disposition
                 ,
                 a
                 dogged
                 humor
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 varieties
                 euen
                 of
                 euill
                 men
                 ;
                 some
                 are
                 worse
                 at
                 the
                 root
                 ,
                 others
                 at
                 the
                 branch
                 ;
                 some
                 more
                 ciuilly
                 harmlesse
                 ,
                 others
                 fouler
                 in
                 morality
                 .
                 According
                 to
                 the
                 exercise
                 of
                 the
                 restraining
                 grace
                 ,
                 naturall
                 men
                 doe
                 eyther
                 rise
                 ,
                 or
                 fall
                 in
                 their
                 ill
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 longest
                 day
                 must
                 haue
                 his
                 
                 euening
                 :
                 Good
                 Elisha
                 ,
                 that
                 had
                 liued
                 some
                 ninety
                 yeares
                 ,
                 a
                 wonder
                 of
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 outworne
                 many
                 successions
                 in
                 the
                 thrones
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 &
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 is
                 now
                 cast
                 vpon
                 the
                 bed
                 of
                 his
                 sicknesse
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 :
                 That
                 very
                 age
                 might
                 seeme
                 a
                 disease
                 ;
                 which
                 yet
                 is
                 seconded
                 with
                 a
                 languishing
                 distemper
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 any
                 holinesse
                 to
                 priuiledge
                 vs
                 from
                 infirmity
                 of
                 body
                 ,
                 from
                 finall
                 dissolution
                 :
                 He
                 that
                 stretched
                 himselfe
                 vpon
                 his
                 bed
                 ,
                 ouer
                 the
                 dead
                 carkasse
                 of
                 the
                 Shunamites
                 sonne
                 ,
                 and
                 reuiued
                 it
                 ;
                 must
                 now
                 stretch
                 out
                 his
                 owne
                 limmes
                 vpon
                 his
                 sicke
                 bed
                 ,
                 and
                 dye
                 :
                 Hee
                 saw
                 his
                 Master
                 Elijah
                 rapt
                 vp
                 suddenly
                 from
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 and
                 fetcht
                 by
                 a
                 fiery
                 chariot
                 from
                 this
                 vale
                 
                 of
                 mortalitie
                 ;
                 himselfe
                 must
                 leasurely
                 wait
                 for
                 his
                 last
                 pangs
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 lingring
                 passage
                 to
                 the
                 same
                 glory
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 not
                 one
                 way
                 appointed
                 to
                 vs
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 diuine
                 prouidence
                 ,
                 vnto
                 one
                 common
                 blessednesse
                 :
                 One
                 hath
                 more
                 paine
                 ,
                 another
                 hath
                 more
                 speed
                 :
                 Violence
                 snatcheth
                 away
                 one
                 ,
                 another
                 by
                 an
                 insensible
                 pace
                 drawes
                 euery
                 day
                 neerer
                 to
                 his
                 terme
                 :
                 The
                 wisedome
                 and
                 goodnesse
                 of
                 God
                 magnifies
                 it selfe
                 in
                 both
                 :
                 Happy
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 after
                 due
                 preparation
                 ,
                 is
                 past
                 through
                 the
                 gates
                 of
                 death
                 ,
                 ere
                 he
                 be
                 aware
                 ;
                 Happy
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 by
                 the
                 holy
                 vse
                 of
                 long
                 sicknesse
                 is
                 taught
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 gates
                 of
                 death
                 afarre
                 off
                 ,
                 and
                 addressed
                 for
                 a
                 resolute
                 passage
                 :
                 The
                 one
                 dyes
                 like
                 Elijah
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 like
                 
                 Elisha
                 ,
                 both
                 blessedly
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 time
                 was
                 ,
                 when
                 a
                 great
                 King
                 sent
                 to
                 Elisha
                 to
                 know
                 if
                 he
                 should
                 recouer
                 ;
                 now
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 as
                 knowing
                 that
                 Elisha
                 shall
                 not
                 recouer
                 (
                 so
                 had
                 his
                 consumption
                 spent
                 him
                 )
                 comes
                 to
                 visit
                 the
                 dying
                 Prophet
                 ;
                 &
                 when
                 his
                 teares
                 would
                 giue
                 him
                 leaue
                 ;
                 breakes
                 forth
                 into
                 a
                 passionate
                 exclamation
                 ,
                 
                   O
                   my
                   father
                   ,
                   my
                   father
                   ,
                   the
                   chariot
                   of
                   Israel
                   and
                   the
                   horsmen
                   thereof
                   .
                
                 Yet
                 the
                 Calues
                 of
                 Dan
                 and
                 Bethel
                 haue
                 left
                 some
                 goodnesse
                 in
                 Ioash
                 :
                 As
                 the
                 best
                 man
                 hath
                 something
                 in
                 him
                 worthy
                 of
                 reproofe
                 ;
                 so
                 the
                 faultiest
                 hath
                 somthing
                 commendable
                 .
                 Had
                 not
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 God
                 himselfe
                 told
                 vs
                 ,
                 that
                 Ioash
                 did
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 euill
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 wee
                 had
                 
                 admired
                 this
                 piety
                 ,
                 this
                 reuerent
                 respect
                 to
                 the
                 Prophet
                 .
                 The
                 holiest
                 man
                 could
                 not
                 haue
                 said
                 more
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 possible
                 for
                 the
                 clients
                 of
                 a
                 false
                 worship
                 ,
                 to
                 honor
                 (
                 out
                 of
                 another
                 regard
                 )
                 the
                 professors
                 of
                 Truth
                 ;
                 From
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 Elisha
                 had
                 Iehu
                 the
                 grandfather
                 of
                 Ioash
                 receiued
                 his
                 vnction
                 to
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 :
                 this
                 fauour
                 might
                 not
                 be
                 forgotten
                 .
              
               
                 Visitation
                 of
                 the
                 sicke
                 is
                 a
                 duty
                 required
                 both
                 by
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 humanity
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 religion
                 ;
                 Bodily
                 infirmity
                 is
                 sad
                 ,
                 and
                 comfortlesse
                 ;
                 and
                 therefore
                 needs
                 the
                 presence
                 ,
                 and
                 counsell
                 of
                 friends
                 to
                 relieue
                 it
                 ;
                 Although
                 ,
                 when
                 wee
                 draw
                 the
                 curtaines
                 of
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 eminently
                 gracious
                 ,
                 wee
                 doe
                 rather
                 fetch
                 (
                 with
                 Ioash
                 )
                 then
                 
                 bring
                 a
                 blessing
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 sensible
                 should
                 wee
                 bee
                 of
                 the
                 losse
                 of
                 holy
                 men
                 ,
                 when
                 a
                 Ioash
                 spends
                 his
                 teares
                 vpon
                 Elisha
                 ?
                 If
                 we
                 be
                 more
                 affected
                 with
                 the
                 forgoing
                 of
                 a
                 naturall
                 friend
                 ,
                 or
                 kinsman
                 ,
                 then
                 of
                 a
                 noted
                 and
                 vsefull
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 it
                 argues
                 more
                 loue
                 to
                 our selues
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 GOD
                 himselfe
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 vse
                 there
                 was
                 of
                 charets
                 and
                 horsemen
                 in
                 those
                 warres
                 of
                 the
                 Ancient
                 ,
                 all
                 Histories
                 can
                 tell
                 vs
                 :
                 All
                 the
                 strength
                 of
                 the
                 battell
                 stood
                 in
                 these
                 :
                 There
                 could
                 bee
                 neither
                 defence
                 ,
                 nor
                 offence
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 them
                 :
                 such
                 was
                 Elisha
                 vnto
                 Israel
                 ;
                 The
                 greatest
                 safegard
                 to
                 any
                 nation
                 is
                 the
                 sanctity
                 ,
                 and
                 faithfulnesse
                 of
                 their
                 Prophets
                 ;
                 without
                 
                 which
                 ,
                 the
                 Church
                 and
                 State
                 lyes
                 open
                 to
                 vtter
                 desolation
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 same
                 words
                 that
                 Elisha
                 said
                 of
                 his
                 master
                 Elijah
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 saw
                 him
                 taken
                 vp
                 from
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 doth
                 Ioash
                 now
                 speake
                 of
                 Elisha
                 ,
                 neere
                 his
                 dissolution
                 :
                 
                   O
                   my
                   father
                   ,
                   my
                   father
                   ,
                   the
                   charets
                   of
                   Israel
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   horsemen
                   thereof
                   .
                
                 The
                 words
                 were
                 good
                 ;
                 the
                 teares
                 were
                 pious
                 ;
                 but
                 where
                 are
                 the
                 actions
                 ?
                 O
                 Ioash
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Prophet
                 were
                 thy
                 father
                 ,
                 wher
                 was
                 thy
                 filiall
                 obedience
                 ?
                 he
                 cry'd
                 downe
                 thy
                 Calues
                 ,
                 thou
                 vpheldst
                 them
                 ;
                 he
                 counsell'd
                 thee
                 to
                 good
                 ,
                 thou
                 didst
                 euill
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
                 
              
               
                 If
                 the
                 Prophet
                 were
                 the
                 charets
                 and
                 horsemen
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 why
                 didst
                 thou
                 fight
                 against
                 his
                 holy
                 doctrine
                 ?
                 If
                 thou
                 weepest
                 for
                 his
                 
                 losse
                 ,
                 why
                 didst
                 thou
                 not
                 weepe
                 for
                 those
                 sinnes
                 of
                 thine
                 ,
                 that
                 procured
                 it
                 ?
              
               
                 Had
                 thine
                 hand
                 answered
                 thy
                 tongue
                 ,
                 Israel
                 had
                 been
                 happy
                 in
                 
                   Elisha
                   ;
                   Elisha
                
                 had
                 beene
                 happy
                 in
                 Israel
                 ,
                 and
                 thee
                 ;
                 Words
                 are
                 no
                 good
                 tryall
                 of
                 profession
                 :
                 The
                 worst
                 men
                 may
                 speake
                 well
                 :
                 Actions
                 haue
                 onely
                 the
                 power
                 to
                 descry
                 hypocrites
                 .
              
               
                 Yet
                 euen
                 a
                 Ioash
                 thus
                 complying
                 ,
                 shall
                 not
                 goe
                 away
                 vnblessed
                 :
                 This
                 outward
                 kindnesse
                 shall
                 receiue
                 an
                 outward
                 retribution
                 ;
                 These
                 few
                 drops
                 of
                 warme
                 water
                 shed
                 vpon
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 a
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 shall
                 not
                 lose
                 their
                 reward
                 ;
                 The
                 spirit
                 of
                 prophesie
                 forsakes
                 not
                 the
                 death-bed
                 of
                 Elisha
                 ;
                 Hee
                 calls
                 for
                 bow
                 ,
                 and
                 arrowes
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 puts
                 them
                 into
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 Ioash
                 ,
                 and
                 putting
                 his
                 hands
                 vpon
                 the
                 Kings
                 hand
                 ,
                 hee
                 bids
                 to
                 shoot
                 Eastward
                 :
                 and
                 whiles
                 the
                 shaft
                 flyes
                 ,
                 and
                 lights
                 ,
                 he
                 sayes
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   arrow
                   of
                   the
                   Lords
                   deliuerance
                   from
                   Syria
                   ;
                   for
                   thou
                   shalt
                   smite
                   the
                   Syrians
                   in
                   Aphek
                   ,
                   till
                   thou
                   haue
                   consumed
                   them
                   :
                
                 If
                 the
                 weake
                 and
                 withered
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet
                 had
                 not
                 beene
                 vpon
                 the
                 youthfull
                 ,
                 and
                 vigorous
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 this
                 bow
                 had
                 been
                 drawn
                 in
                 vaine
                 ;
                 the
                 strength
                 was
                 from
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 the
                 blessing
                 from
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet
                 :
                 He
                 whose
                 reall
                 parable
                 hath
                 made
                 the
                 earth
                 to
                 be
                 Syria
                 ,
                 the
                 arrow
                 ,
                 reuenge
                 ,
                 the
                 archer
                 ,
                 Ioash
                 ,
                 hath
                 obtained
                 for
                 his
                 last
                 boone
                 from
                 God
                 to
                 Israel
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 archer
                 shall
                 shoot
                 this
                 arrow
                 
                 of
                 reuenge
                 ,
                 into
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 Syria
                 ,
                 and
                 wound
                 it
                 to
                 death
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet
                 drawes
                 together
                 ,
                 there
                 cannot
                 choose
                 but
                 successe
                 must
                 follow
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 readily
                 doth
                 Elisha
                 now
                 make
                 good
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 Ioash
                 ?
                 How
                 truly
                 is
                 he
                 the
                 Charets
                 ,
                 and
                 Horsemen
                 of
                 
                   Israel
                   ?
                   Israel
                
                 had
                 not
                 fought
                 without
                 him
                 ,
                 much
                 lesse
                 had
                 been
                 victorious
                 ;
                 If
                 theirs
                 be
                 the
                 indeuour
                 ,
                 the
                 successe
                 is
                 his
                 :
                 Euen
                 the
                 dying
                 Prophet
                 puts
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 speed
                 into
                 the
                 Forces
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 and
                 whiles
                 hee
                 is
                 digging
                 his
                 owne
                 graue
                 ,
                 is
                 raising
                 Trophees
                 to
                 Gods
                 people
                 .
              
               
                 Hee
                 had
                 receiued
                 kindnesse
                 from
                 the
                 Syrians
                 ;
                 amongst
                 them
                 was
                 hee
                 harbour'd
                 in
                 the
                 dearth
                 ;
                 
                 and
                 from
                 some
                 of
                 their
                 Nobles
                 ,
                 was
                 presented
                 with
                 rich
                 gifts
                 ;
                 but
                 their
                 enmity
                 to
                 Israel
                 drowns
                 all
                 his
                 priuate
                 respects
                 ;
                 he
                 cannot
                 but
                 professe
                 hostility
                 to
                 the
                 publique
                 enemies
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 :
                 Neither
                 can
                 he
                 content
                 himselfe
                 with
                 a
                 single
                 prediction
                 of
                 their
                 ruine
                 .
                 Hee
                 bids
                 Ioash
                 to
                 take
                 the
                 arrowes
                 ,
                 and
                 smite
                 vpon
                 the
                 ground
                 ;
                 hee
                 sets
                 no
                 number
                 of
                 those
                 strokes
                 ;
                 as
                 supposing
                 the
                 frequēce
                 of
                 those
                 blowes
                 ,
                 which
                 Ioash
                 might
                 well
                 (
                 vpon
                 his
                 former
                 parabolicall
                 act
                 )
                 vnderstand
                 to
                 bee
                 significant
                 .
                 The
                 slacke
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 smites
                 but
                 thrise
                 .
                 So
                 apt
                 we
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 wanting
                 to
                 our selues
                 ;
                 so
                 coldly
                 doe
                 wee
                 execute
                 the
                 commands
                 of
                 God
                 :
                 The
                 sick
                 Prophet
                 is
                 not
                 more
                 greeued
                 ,
                 
                 then
                 angry
                 at
                 this
                 dull
                 negligence
                 ;
                 Doubtlesse
                 God
                 had
                 reuealed
                 to
                 him
                 (
                 for
                 his
                 last
                 gratification
                 )
                 that
                 vpon
                 his
                 feruent
                 prayers
                 ,
                 so
                 oft
                 as
                 Ioash
                 should
                 voluntarily
                 (
                 after
                 his
                 generall
                 charge
                 )
                 smite
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 so
                 oft
                 should
                 Israel
                 smite
                 
                   Syria
                   .
                   Elishaes
                
                 zeale
                 doth
                 not
                 languish
                 with
                 his
                 body
                 :
                 with
                 a
                 fatherly
                 authoritie
                 hee
                 chides
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 styled
                 him
                 father
                 ;
                 not
                 fearing
                 to
                 spend
                 some
                 of
                 his
                 last
                 winde
                 in
                 a
                 myld
                 reproofe
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   shouldst
                   haue
                   smitten
                   fiue
                   or
                   six
                   times
                   ,
                   then
                   thou
                   hadst
                   smitten
                   Syria
                   till
                   thou
                   hadst
                   consumed
                   it
                   ,
                   whereas
                   now
                   thou
                   shalt
                   smite
                   Syria
                   but
                   thrise
                   .
                
                 Not
                 that
                 the
                 vnchangeable
                 decree
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 meant
                 to
                 suspend
                 it selfe
                 vpon
                 the
                 vncertaine
                 issue
                 of
                 Ioashes
                 will
                 ;
                 but
                 ,
                 hee
                 that
                 put
                 this
                 
                 word
                 into
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 his
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 puts
                 this
                 motion
                 into
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 which
                 did
                 not
                 more
                 willingly
                 stay
                 ,
                 then
                 necessarily
                 obey
                 that
                 prouidence
                 wherby
                 it
                 was
                 stirred
                 .
                 Euen
                 whiles
                 wee
                 haue
                 our
                 freest
                 choyce
                 ,
                 wee
                 fall
                 vpon
                 those
                 actions
                 and
                 circumstances
                 ,
                 whereby
                 the
                 iust
                 and
                 holy
                 will
                 of
                 our
                 God
                 is
                 brought
                 about
                 .
                 Our
                 very
                 neglects
                 ,
                 our
                 ignorances
                 shall
                 fulfill
                 his
                 eternall
                 councells
                 .
              
               
                 Elisha
                 dyes
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 buried
                 ;
                 his
                 miracles
                 doe
                 not
                 cease
                 with
                 his
                 life
                 :
                 Who
                 can
                 maruell
                 that
                 his
                 liuing
                 prayers
                 raised
                 the
                 sonne
                 of
                 the
                 Shunamite
                 ,
                 when
                 his
                 dead
                 bones
                 raise
                 the
                 carkasse
                 that
                 touched
                 them
                 .
                 God
                 will
                 bee
                 free
                 in
                 his
                 works
                 ;
                 he
                 that
                 must
                 dye
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 
                 yet
                 shall
                 reuiue
                 another
                 ;
                 the
                 same
                 power
                 might
                 haue
                 continued
                 life
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 gaue
                 it
                 by
                 his
                 bones
                 .
                 Israel
                 shall
                 well
                 see
                 that
                 he
                 liues
                 ,
                 by
                 whose
                 vertue
                 ,
                 Elisha
                 was
                 both
                 in
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 death
                 ,
                 miraculous
                 :
                 Whiles
                 the
                 Prophet
                 was
                 aliue
                 ,
                 the
                 impetration
                 might
                 seeme
                 to
                 be
                 his
                 ,
                 though
                 the
                 power
                 were
                 Gods
                 ;
                 now
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 dead
                 ,
                 the
                 bones
                 can
                 challenge
                 nothing
                 ,
                 but
                 send
                 the
                 wondring
                 Israelites
                 to
                 that
                 almighty
                 Agent
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 it
                 is
                 all
                 one
                 to
                 worke
                 by
                 the
                 quicke
                 ,
                 or
                 dead
                 .
                 Were
                 not
                 the
                 men
                 of
                 Israel
                 more
                 dead
                 then
                 the
                 carkasse
                 thus
                 buryed
                 ,
                 how
                 could
                 they
                 choose
                 but
                 see
                 in
                 this
                 reuiued
                 corps
                 ,
                 an
                 embleme
                 of
                 their
                 owne
                 cōdition
                 ?
                 how
                 could
                 they
                 choose
                 but
                 thinke
                 ,
                 If
                 wee
                 adhere
                 to
                 the
                 
                 God
                 of
                 Elisha
                 ,
                 he
                 shall
                 raise
                 our
                 decayed
                 estates
                 ,
                 and
                 restore
                 our
                 nation
                 to
                 the
                 former
                 glory
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Sadduces
                 had
                 as
                 yet
                 no
                 being
                 in
                 Israel
                 ,
                 with
                 what
                 face
                 could
                 that
                 heresie
                 euer
                 after
                 looke
                 into
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 when
                 before
                 the
                 birth
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 so
                 palpably
                 conuinced
                 ,
                 with
                 an
                 example
                 of
                 the
                 resurrection
                 ?
                 Intermission
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 degrees
                 of
                 corruption
                 adde
                 nothing
                 to
                 the
                 impossibilitie
                 of
                 our
                 rising
                 :
                 The
                 body
                 that
                 is
                 once
                 cold
                 in
                 death
                 ,
                 hath
                 no
                 more
                 aptitude
                 to
                 a
                 reanimation
                 ,
                 then
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 moldred
                 into
                 dust
                 ;
                 Onely
                 the
                 diuine
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 Maker
                 must
                 restore
                 eyther
                 ,
                 can
                 restore
                 both
                 :
                 When
                 wee
                 are
                 dead
                 ,
                 and
                 buryed
                 in
                 the
                 graue
                 of
                 our
                 sinne
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 only
                 the
                 touch
                 of
                 Gods
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 
                 applying
                 vnto
                 vs
                 the
                 death
                 and
                 resurrection
                 of
                 the
                 Sonne
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 put
                 new
                 life
                 into
                 vs
                 ;
                 No
                 lesse
                 true
                 ,
                 though
                 spirituall
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 miracle
                 of
                 our
                 raising
                 vp
                 from
                 an
                 estate
                 of
                 inward
                 corruption
                 ,
                 to
                 a
                 life
                 of
                 grace
                 .
              
               
                 Yet
                 all
                 this
                 preuailes
                 not
                 with
                 Israel
                 :
                 No
                 bones
                 of
                 Elisha
                 could
                 raise
                 them
                 from
                 their
                 wicked
                 Idolatry
                 :
                 and
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 their
                 grosse
                 sins
                 ,
                 Ioash
                 their
                 King
                 prospers
                 :
                 Whether
                 it
                 were
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 Iehu
                 ,
                 whose
                 grand-chyld
                 he
                 was
                 ;
                 or
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 Elisha
                 ,
                 whose
                 face
                 hee
                 wept
                 vpon
                 ,
                 his
                 hand
                 is
                 notably
                 successfull
                 :
                 not
                 onely
                 against
                 the
                 son
                 of
                 Hazael
                 ,
                 King
                 of
                 Syria
                 ,
                 whom
                 hee
                 beates
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Cities
                 of
                 Israel
                 ;
                 but
                 ,
                 against
                 Amaziah
                 King
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 
                 whom
                 he
                 tooke
                 Prisoner
                 ,
                 beating
                 downe
                 the
                 very
                 walls
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 and
                 returning
                 laden
                 with
                 the
                 sacred
                 ,
                 and
                 rich
                 spoyle
                 both
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 and
                 Court
                 ,
                 to
                 his
                 Samaria
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 the
                 depth
                 of
                 the
                 diuine
                 Iustice
                 ,
                 and
                 wisedome
                 in
                 these
                 outward
                 administrations
                 !
                 The
                 best
                 cause
                 ,
                 the
                 best
                 man
                 doth
                 not
                 euer
                 fare
                 best
                 :
                 Amaziah
                 did
                 that
                 which
                 was
                 right
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 Ioash
                 ,
                 euill
                 :
                 Amaziah
                 followes
                 Dauid
                 (
                 though
                 not
                 with
                 equall
                 paces
                 )
                 Ioash
                 followes
                 Ieroboam
                 ,
                 yet
                 is
                 Amaziah
                 shamefully
                 foyled
                 by
                 Ioash
                 ;
                 Whether
                 God
                 yet
                 meant
                 to
                 visit
                 vpon
                 this
                 King
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 the
                 still-odious
                 vnthankfulnes
                 of
                 his
                 father
                 to
                 Iehoiada
                 ;
                 or
                 ,
                 to
                 plague
                 Iudah
                 for
                 their
                 share
                 in
                 the
                 blood
                 
                 of
                 Zechariah
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 late
                 reuolt
                 to
                 Idolatry
                 ;
                 or
                 ,
                 whether
                 Amaziahs
                 too
                 much
                 confidence
                 in
                 his
                 own
                 strength
                 (
                 which
                 moued
                 his
                 bold
                 challenge
                 to
                 Ioash
                 )
                 were
                 thought
                 fit
                 to
                 be
                 thus
                 taken
                 downe
                 ,
                 or
                 what
                 euer
                 other
                 secret
                 ground
                 of
                 Gods
                 iudgment
                 there
                 might
                 be
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 our
                 presumption
                 to
                 inquire
                 :
                 Who
                 so
                 by
                 the
                 euent
                 shall
                 iudge
                 of
                 loue
                 ,
                 or
                 hatred
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 run
                 vpon
                 that
                 woe
                 ,
                 which
                 belongs
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 call
                 good
                 euill
                 ,
                 and
                 euill
                 good
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 a
                 sauage
                 peece
                 of
                 Iustice
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 put
                 the
                 right
                 ,
                 whether
                 of
                 inheritance
                 ,
                 or
                 honor
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 decision
                 of
                 the
                 sword
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 newes
                 for
                 the
                 better
                 to
                 mis-cary
                 by
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 worse
                 ?
              
               
                 The
                 race
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 the
                 swift
                 ;
                 the
                 
                 battell
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 the
                 strong
                 ;
                 no
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 the
                 good
                 :
                 Perhaps
                 ,
                 God
                 will
                 correct
                 his
                 owne
                 by
                 a
                 foyle
                 ;
                 perhaps
                 he
                 will
                 plague
                 his
                 enemy
                 by
                 a
                 victory
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 only
                 our
                 spirituall
                 combats
                 wherein
                 our
                 faithfull
                 courage
                 is
                 sure
                 of
                 a
                 crowne
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 VZZIAH
                 Leprous
                 .
              
               
                 EVen
                 the
                 Throne
                 of
                 
                 Dauid
                 passed
                 many
                 chāges
                 of
                 good
                 ,
                 and
                 euill
                 :
                 Good
                 Iehosaphat
                 was
                 followed
                 with
                 three
                 successions
                 of
                 wicked
                 Princes
                 ;
                 and
                 those
                 three
                 ,
                 were
                 again
                 succeeded
                 with
                 three
                 others
                 godly
                 ,
                 and
                 vertuous
                 ;
                 Amaziah
                 for
                 a
                 long
                 time
                 shone
                 fair
                 ,
                 but
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 ,
                 shut
                 vp
                 in
                 a
                 cloud
                 ;
                 The
                 gods
                 of
                 the
                 Edomites
                 marred
                 him
                 ;
                 his
                 rebellion
                 against
                 God
                 ,
                 stirr'd
                 vp
                 his
                 peoples
                 rebellion
                 against
                 him
                 :
                 The
                 same
                 hands
                 that
                 
                 slew
                 him
                 ,
                 crowned
                 his
                 sonne
                 Vzziah
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 the
                 yong
                 King
                 might
                 imagine
                 it
                 was
                 not
                 their
                 spight
                 ,
                 that
                 drew
                 violēce
                 vpō
                 his
                 father
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 owne
                 wickednesse
                 ;
                 Both
                 early
                 did
                 this
                 Prince
                 raigne
                 ,
                 and
                 late
                 ;
                 he
                 began
                 at
                 sixteene
                 ;
                 and
                 sat
                 fifty
                 two
                 yeares
                 in
                 the
                 Throne
                 of
                 Iudah
                 :
                 They
                 that
                 mutined
                 in
                 the
                 declining
                 age
                 of
                 Amaziah
                 ,
                 the
                 father
                 ;
                 are
                 obsequious
                 to
                 the
                 childhood
                 of
                 the
                 sonne
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 professed
                 to
                 adore
                 souerainty
                 ,
                 whiles
                 they
                 hated
                 lewdnesse
                 :
                 The
                 vnchanged
                 gouernment
                 of
                 good
                 Princes
                 is
                 the
                 happinesse
                 ,
                 no
                 lesse
                 of
                 the
                 subiects
                 then
                 of
                 themselues
                 :
                 The
                 hand
                 knowes
                 best
                 to
                 guide
                 those
                 reines
                 to
                 which
                 it
                 hath
                 beene
                 inured
                 ;
                 and
                 euen
                 meane
                 hackneyes
                 goe
                 on
                 cheerfully
                 in
                 
                 their
                 wonted
                 rode
                 ;
                 Custome
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 makes
                 euils
                 more
                 supportable
                 ,
                 so
                 where
                 it
                 meets
                 with
                 constant
                 mindes
                 ,
                 makes
                 good
                 things
                 more
                 pleasing
                 and
                 beneficiall
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 wise
                 and
                 holy
                 Prophet
                 Zechariah
                 ,
                 was
                 an
                 happy
                 Tutor
                 to
                 the
                 minority
                 of
                 King
                 Vzziah
                 ;
                 That
                 vessell
                 can
                 hardly
                 mis-cary
                 where
                 a
                 skilfull
                 steres-man
                 sits
                 at
                 the
                 helme
                 :
                 The
                 first
                 praise
                 of
                 a
                 good
                 Prince
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 iudicious
                 ,
                 &
                 iust
                 ,
                 and
                 pious
                 ,
                 in
                 himselfe
                 ;
                 the
                 next
                 is
                 ,
                 to
                 giue
                 eare
                 ,
                 and
                 way
                 ,
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 are
                 such
                 :
                 Whiles
                 Zechariah
                 hath
                 the
                 visions
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 Vzziah
                 takes
                 the
                 counsels
                 of
                 Zechariah
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 hard
                 to
                 say
                 whether
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 State
                 be
                 happier
                 .
              
               
                 God
                 will
                 be
                 in
                 no
                 mans
                 debt
                 ;
                 
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 Vzziah
                 sought
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   God
                   made
                   him
                   to
                   prosper
                
                 .
                 Euen
                 what
                 we
                 doe
                 out
                 of
                 duty
                 cannot
                 want
                 a
                 reward
                 :
                 Godlinesse
                 neuer
                 disappointed
                 any
                 mans
                 hopes
                 ,
                 oft
                 hath
                 exceeded
                 them
                 .
                 If
                 Vzziah
                 fight
                 against
                 the
                 Philistims
                 ,
                 If
                 against
                 the
                 Arabians
                 ,
                 and
                 Mehunims
                 ;
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 names
                 ,
                 the
                 
                 strength
                 ,
                 the
                 help
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 is
                 with
                 him
                 :
                 The
                 Ammonites
                 come
                 in
                 with
                 presents
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 neighbour
                 nations
                 ring
                 of
                 the
                 greatnesse
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 happinesse
                 of
                 Vzziah
                 ;
                 His
                 bounty
                 and
                 care
                 makes
                 Ierusalem
                 both
                 strong
                 ,
                 and
                 proud
                 of
                 her
                 new
                 Towers
                 ;
                 yea
                 the
                 very
                 Desert
                 must
                 tast
                 of
                 his
                 munificence
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 outward
                 magnificence
                 of
                 Princes
                 cannot
                 stand
                 firme
                 ,
                 vnlesse
                 
                 it
                 be
                 built
                 vpon
                 the
                 foundations
                 of
                 prouidence
                 and
                 frugality
                 ;
                 Vzziah
                 had
                 not
                 beene
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 King
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 been
                 so
                 great
                 an
                 husband
                 ;
                 he
                 had
                 his
                 flockes
                 in
                 the
                 deserts
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 heards
                 in
                 the
                 plaines
                 ;
                 his
                 plowes
                 in
                 the
                 fields
                 ,
                 his
                 vine-dressers
                 vpon
                 the
                 mountaines
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 Carmel
                 :
                 neither
                 was
                 this
                 more
                 out
                 of
                 profit
                 ,
                 then
                 delight
                 ,
                 
                   for
                   he
                   loued
                   husbandry
                
                 .
                 Who
                 can
                 contemne
                 those
                 callings
                 for
                 meannesse
                 ,
                 which
                 haue
                 beene
                 the
                 pleasures
                 of
                 Princes
                 ?
              
               
                 Hence
                 was
                 Vzziah
                 so
                 potent
                 at
                 home
                 ,
                 so
                 dreadfull
                 to
                 his
                 neighbours
                 ;
                 his
                 warres
                 had
                 better
                 sinewes
                 then
                 theirs
                 ;
                 which
                 of
                 his
                 predecessors
                 was
                 able
                 to
                 maintaine
                 so
                 setled
                 an
                 army
                 ,
                 of
                 more
                 then
                 of
                 three
                 hundred
                 and
                 tenne
                 
                 thousand
                 trained
                 souldiers
                 ,
                 well
                 furnished
                 ,
                 well
                 fitted
                 for
                 the
                 suddenest
                 occasion
                 ?
                 Thrift
                 is
                 the
                 strongest
                 prop
                 of
                 power
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 greatnesse
                 of
                 Vzziah
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 rare
                 deuices
                 of
                 his
                 artificiall
                 Engines
                 for
                 war
                 ,
                 haue
                 not
                 more
                 raised
                 his
                 fame
                 ,
                 then
                 his
                 heart
                 :
                 so
                 is
                 hee
                 swolne
                 vp
                 with
                 the
                 admiration
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 strength
                 ,
                 and
                 glory
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 breaks
                 againe
                 ;
                 How
                 easie
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 the
                 best
                 man
                 to
                 dote
                 vpon
                 himselfe
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 bee
                 lifted
                 vp
                 so
                 high
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 lose
                 the
                 sight
                 both
                 of
                 the
                 ground
                 ,
                 whence
                 he
                 rises
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 the
                 hand
                 that
                 aduanced
                 him
                 :
                 How
                 hard
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 him
                 that
                 hath
                 inuented
                 strange
                 engines
                 for
                 the
                 battering
                 of
                 his
                 enemies
                 ,
                 to
                 find
                 out
                 any
                 meanes
                 to
                 beat
                 downe
                 his
                 owne
                 proud
                 
                 thoughts
                 ?
                 Wise
                 Salomon
                 knew
                 what
                 he
                 did
                 ,
                 when
                 hee
                 prayed
                 to
                 bee
                 deliuered
                 from
                 too
                 much
                 :
                 Lest
                 ,
                 said
                 he
                 ,
                 
                   I
                   be
                   full
                   ,
                   and
                   deny
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   say
                   ,
                   Who
                   is
                   the
                   Lord
                   ?
                
                 Vpon
                 this
                 Rocke
                 did
                 the
                 sonne
                 of
                 Salomon
                 run
                 ,
                 and
                 split
                 himselfe
                 ;
                 His
                 full
                 sayles
                 of
                 prosperity
                 caryed
                 him
                 into
                 presumption
                 &
                 ruine
                 :
                 what
                 may
                 he
                 not
                 now
                 doe
                 ?
                 what
                 may
                 he
                 not
                 be
                 ?
                 Because
                 hee
                 found
                 his
                 power
                 otherwise
                 vnlimited
                 ;
                 ouer-ruling
                 in
                 the
                 Court
                 ,
                 the
                 Cities
                 ,
                 the
                 Fields
                 ,
                 the
                 Deserts
                 ,
                 the
                 Armies
                 ,
                 and
                 Magazins
                 ,
                 therefore
                 he
                 thinkes
                 hee
                 may
                 doe
                 so
                 in
                 the
                 Temple
                 too
                 :
                 as
                 things
                 royall
                 ,
                 ciuill
                 ,
                 husbandly
                 ,
                 military
                 passed
                 his
                 hands
                 ,
                 so
                 why
                 should
                 not
                 (
                 thinkes
                 hee
                 )
                 sacred
                 also
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 dangerous
                 indiscretion
                 for
                 a
                 man
                 
                 not
                 to
                 know
                 the
                 bounds
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 calling
                 :
                 What
                 confusion
                 doth
                 not
                 follow
                 vpon
                 this
                 breaking
                 of
                 rankes
                 ?
              
               
                 Vpon
                 a
                 solemne
                 day
                 ,
                 King
                 Vzziah
                 clothes
                 himselfe
                 in
                 Pontifical
                 robes
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 view
                 of
                 that
                 populous
                 assembly
                 ,
                 walkes
                 vp
                 in
                 state
                 ,
                 into
                 the
                 Temple
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 boldly
                 approching
                 to
                 the
                 Altar
                 of
                 Incense
                 ,
                 offers
                 to
                 burne
                 sweet
                 odours
                 vpon
                 it
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 heauen
                 :
                 Azariah
                 the
                 Priest
                 is
                 sensible
                 of
                 so
                 perillous
                 an
                 incrochment
                 ;
                 he
                 therefore
                 attended
                 with
                 fourscore
                 valiant
                 assistants
                 ,
                 of
                 that
                 holy
                 Tribe
                 ,
                 hastēs
                 after
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 and
                 finding
                 him
                 with
                 the
                 censer
                 in
                 his
                 hand
                 ,
                 readie
                 addressed
                 to
                 that
                 sinfull
                 deuotion
                 ,
                 stayes
                 him
                 with
                 a
                 free
                 ,
                 and
                 graue
                 expostulation
                 :
                 
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 place
                 wherein
                 I
                 could
                 be
                 sory
                 to
                 see
                 thee
                 ,
                 ô
                 King
                 ,
                 but
                 this
                 ,
                 where
                 thou
                 art
                 ;
                 neither
                 is
                 there
                 any
                 act
                 ,
                 that
                 wee
                 should
                 grudge
                 thee
                 so
                 much
                 ,
                 as
                 this
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 sacred
                 ;
                 Is
                 it
                 possible
                 that
                 so
                 great
                 an
                 ouersight
                 should
                 fall
                 into
                 such
                 wisedome
                 ?
                 Can
                 a
                 religious
                 Prince
                 ,
                 trained
                 vp
                 vnder
                 an
                 holy
                 Zechariah
                 ,
                 after
                 so
                 many
                 yeares
                 zealous
                 profession
                 of
                 piety
                 ,
                 be
                 either
                 ignorant
                 ,
                 or
                 regardlesse
                 of
                 those
                 limits
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 set
                 to
                 his
                 owne
                 seruices
                 ?
              
               
                 Oh
                 ,
                 what
                 meanes
                 this
                 vncouth
                 attempt
                 ?
                 Consider
                 ,
                 ô
                 deare
                 Soueraigne
                 ,
                 for
                 Gods
                 sake
                 ,
                 for
                 thy
                 soules
                 sake
                 ,
                 consider
                 ,
                 where
                 thou
                 art
                 ,
                 what
                 thou
                 doest
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 Gods
                 house
                 wherein
                 thou
                 standest
                 ,
                 not
                 
                 thine
                 owne
                 ;
                 Looke
                 about
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 see
                 ,
                 whether
                 these
                 vailes
                 ,
                 these
                 Tables
                 ,
                 these
                 Pillars
                 ,
                 these
                 Walls
                 ,
                 these
                 Pauements
                 ,
                 haue
                 any
                 resemblance
                 of
                 earth
                 :
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 place
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 whence
                 thy
                 God
                 hath
                 excluded
                 thee
                 ,
                 but
                 only
                 this
                 ;
                 this
                 he
                 hath
                 reserued
                 for
                 his
                 own
                 vse
                 :
                 And
                 canst
                 thou
                 think
                 much
                 to
                 allow
                 one
                 roome
                 as
                 proper
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 not
                 grudged
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 to
                 thee
                 ?
                 But
                 if
                 it
                 bee
                 thy
                 zeale
                 of
                 a
                 personall
                 seruice
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 caried
                 thee
                 hither
                 ;
                 alas
                 ,
                 how
                 canst
                 thou
                 hope
                 to
                 please
                 the
                 Almighty
                 with
                 a
                 forbidden
                 sacrifice
                 ?
                 Which
                 of
                 thine
                 holy
                 Progenitors
                 euer
                 dared
                 to
                 tread
                 ,
                 where
                 thy
                 foot
                 now
                 standeth
                 ?
                 which
                 of
                 thē
                 euer
                 put
                 forth
                 their
                 hand
                 to
                 touch
                 this
                 sacred
                 Altar
                 ?
                 
                 Thou
                 knowest
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 set
                 apart
                 ,
                 and
                 sanctified
                 his
                 owne
                 attendants
                 ;
                 wherefore
                 serues
                 the
                 Priesthood
                 ,
                 if
                 this
                 be
                 the
                 right
                 of
                 Kings
                 ?
                 Were
                 it
                 not
                 for
                 the
                 strict
                 prohibition
                 of
                 our
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 could
                 seeme
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 an
                 honour
                 to
                 our
                 profession
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 King
                 should
                 thinke
                 to
                 dignifie
                 himselfe
                 by
                 our
                 employment
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 ,
                 knowing
                 the
                 seuere
                 charge
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 King
                 of
                 heauen
                 ,
                 wee
                 cannot
                 but
                 tremble
                 to
                 see
                 that
                 censer
                 in
                 thine
                 hand
                 ;
                 who
                 euer
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 holy
                 Tribe
                 ,
                 hath
                 weilded
                 it
                 vnreuenged
                 ?
                 This
                 affront
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 vs
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 whō
                 we
                 serue
                 ;
                 In
                 awe
                 of
                 that
                 terrible
                 Maiesty
                 ,
                 as
                 thou
                 wouldst
                 auoid
                 some
                 exemplary
                 iudgement
                 ,
                 O
                 King
                 ,
                 withdraw
                 thy selfe
                 ,
                 not
                 
                 without
                 humble
                 deprecations
                 ,
                 from
                 this
                 presence
                 ;
                 and
                 lay
                 down
                 that
                 interdicted
                 handfull
                 ,
                 with
                 feare
                 and
                 trembling
                 ;
                 Bee
                 thou
                 euer
                 a
                 King
                 ,
                 let
                 vs
                 bee
                 Priests
                 ;
                 The
                 Scepter
                 is
                 thine
                 ,
                 let
                 Censers
                 be
                 ours
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 religious
                 heart
                 could
                 do
                 other
                 then
                 relent
                 at
                 so
                 faithfull
                 and
                 iust
                 an
                 admonition
                 ?
                 But
                 how
                 hard
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 great
                 persons
                 to
                 yeeld
                 they
                 haue
                 offended
                 ?
                 Vzziah
                 must
                 not
                 be
                 faulty
                 ;
                 what
                 is
                 done
                 rashly
                 shall
                 be
                 born
                 out
                 with
                 power
                 ;
                 He
                 was
                 wroth
                 ;
                 and
                 thus
                 expresses
                 it
                 :
                 What
                 meanes
                 this
                 saucy
                 expostulation
                 ,
                 O
                 ye
                 sons
                 of
                 Leui
                 ?
                 how
                 dare
                 ye
                 thus
                 malapertly
                 controll
                 the
                 well-meant
                 actions
                 of
                 your
                 Soueraigne
                 ?
                 If
                 ye
                 be
                 Priests
                 ,
                 remember
                 that
                 ye
                 are
                 subiects
                 ;
                 or
                 
                 if
                 ye
                 will
                 needs
                 forget
                 it
                 ,
                 how
                 easie
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 this
                 hand
                 to
                 awake
                 your
                 memory
                 ?
                 What
                 such
                 offence
                 can
                 it
                 be
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 come
                 into
                 that
                 house
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 touch
                 that
                 Altar
                 ,
                 which
                 my
                 royall
                 Progenitors
                 haue
                 made
                 ,
                 beautified
                 ,
                 consecrated
                 ?
                 Is
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 this
                 place
                 only
                 yours
                 ?
                 Why
                 doe
                 ye
                 thus
                 ambitiously
                 ingrosse
                 Religion
                 ?
                 If
                 Princes
                 haue
                 not
                 intermedled
                 with
                 these
                 holy
                 affaires
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 because
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 ,
                 not
                 because
                 they
                 might
                 not
                 ;
                 When
                 those
                 lawes
                 were
                 made
                 for
                 the
                 Sanctuary
                 ,
                 there
                 were
                 no
                 Kings
                 to
                 grace
                 these
                 diuine
                 ceremonies
                 ;
                 yet
                 euen
                 then
                 ,
                 Moses
                 was
                 priuiledged
                 :
                 The
                 persons
                 of
                 Princes
                 (
                 if
                 yee
                 know
                 not
                 )
                 are
                 no
                 lesse
                 sacred
                 then
                 your
                 owne
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 your
                 presumption
                 to
                 
                 account
                 the
                 Lords
                 anointed
                 ,
                 prophane
                 :
                 Contest
                 with
                 those
                 ,
                 whose
                 dry
                 &
                 vnhallowed
                 heads
                 are
                 subiect
                 to
                 your
                 power
                 ;
                 For
                 me
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 aske
                 your
                 leaue
                 to
                 bee
                 deuout
                 ;
                 Looke
                 yee
                 to
                 your
                 owne
                 Censers
                 ,
                 presume
                 not
                 to
                 meddle
                 with
                 mine
                 ;
                 In
                 the
                 meane
                 time
                 ,
                 can
                 ye
                 thinke
                 this
                 insolence
                 of
                 yours
                 shall
                 escape
                 vnreuenged
                 ?
                 Can
                 it
                 stand
                 with
                 the
                 honour
                 of
                 my
                 soueraignty
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 thus
                 proudly
                 checked
                 by
                 subiects
                 ?
                 God
                 doe
                 so
                 to
                 me
                 and
                 more
                 also
                 ,
                 if
                 .
                 Whiles
                 Vzziah
                 yet
                 speakes
                 ,
                 God
                 strikes
                 :
                 Ere
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 fury
                 can
                 come
                 forth
                 of
                 his
                 mouth
                 ,
                 the
                 leprosie
                 appeares
                 in
                 his
                 forhead
                 :
                 Leprosie
                 was
                 a
                 most
                 loathsome
                 disease
                 ;
                 the
                 forhead
                 is
                 the
                 most
                 conspicuous
                 part
                 :
                 Had
                 this
                 shamefull
                 scurfe
                 
                 broken
                 forth
                 vpon
                 his
                 hand
                 ,
                 or
                 foot
                 ,
                 or
                 brest
                 ,
                 it
                 might
                 haue
                 been
                 hid
                 from
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 men
                 ;
                 now
                 the
                 forhead
                 is
                 smitten
                 with
                 this
                 iudgement
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 may
                 proclaime
                 to
                 all
                 beholders
                 ,
                 Thus
                 shal
                 it
                 be
                 done
                 to
                 the
                 man
                 whose
                 arrogance
                 hath
                 thrust
                 him
                 vpon
                 a
                 sacred
                 charge
                 .
                 Publique
                 offences
                 must
                 haue
                 open
                 shame
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 dangerous
                 thing
                 to
                 put
                 our selues
                 into
                 the
                 affaires
                 ,
                 into
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 vnwarranted
                 ;
                 There
                 cannot
                 be
                 a
                 more
                 foolish
                 mesprision
                 ,
                 then
                 ,
                 because
                 we
                 are
                 great
                 on
                 earth
                 ,
                 to
                 thinke
                 wee
                 may
                 be
                 bold
                 with
                 heauen
                 :
                 When
                 Gods
                 messengers
                 cannot
                 preuaile
                 by
                 counsels
                 ,
                 intreaties
                 ,
                 threats
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 time
                 for
                 God
                 to
                 show
                 his
                 immediate
                 iudgements
                 .
                 Wilfull
                 offenders
                 
                 can
                 expect
                 nothing
                 but
                 a
                 fearfull
                 reuenge
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 begins
                 Vzziah
                 to
                 be
                 confounded
                 in
                 himselfe
                 ;
                 and
                 shame
                 striues
                 with
                 leprosie
                 ,
                 for
                 a
                 place
                 in
                 his
                 forehead
                 ;
                 The
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 hath
                 done
                 that
                 in
                 an
                 instāt
                 ,
                 which
                 all
                 the
                 tōgues
                 of
                 men
                 had
                 attempted
                 in
                 vaine
                 :
                 There
                 needs
                 no
                 further
                 solicitor
                 of
                 his
                 egresse
                 ,
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 his
                 plague
                 sends
                 him
                 forth
                 alone
                 :
                 And
                 now
                 he
                 thinks
                 ;
                 Wretched
                 man
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 how
                 haue
                 I
                 angred
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 vndone
                 my selfe
                 ?
                 I
                 would
                 needs
                 come
                 in
                 like
                 a
                 Priest
                 ,
                 I
                 now
                 goe
                 forth
                 a
                 leper
                 :
                 the
                 pride
                 of
                 my
                 hart
                 made
                 me
                 thinke
                 my selfe
                 worthy
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 a
                 God
                 ;
                 Gods
                 iust
                 displeasure
                 hath
                 now
                 made
                 me
                 vnworthy
                 of
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 men
                 :
                 
                 whiles
                 I
                 affected
                 the
                 altar
                 ,
                 I
                 haue
                 lost
                 my
                 throne
                 ;
                 whiles
                 I
                 scornfully
                 reiected
                 the
                 aduice
                 and
                 censures
                 of
                 Gods
                 ministers
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 now
                 becomne
                 a
                 spectacle
                 of
                 horror
                 ,
                 and
                 deformity
                 ,
                 to
                 my
                 owne
                 seruants
                 ;
                 I
                 that
                 would
                 be
                 sending
                 vp
                 perfumes
                 to
                 heauē
                 ,
                 haue
                 made
                 my
                 nastinesse
                 hatefull
                 to
                 my
                 own
                 senses
                 .
                 What
                 doe
                 I
                 vnder
                 this
                 sacred
                 roofe
                 ?
                 Neither
                 is
                 Gods
                 house
                 now
                 ,
                 for
                 mee
                 ,
                 nor
                 mine
                 owne
                 ;
                 what
                 cell
                 ,
                 what
                 dungeon
                 is
                 close
                 enough
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 wherin
                 to
                 weare
                 out
                 the
                 residue
                 of
                 mine
                 vnhappy
                 and
                 vncomfortable
                 dayes
                 ?
                 O
                 God
                 thou
                 art
                 iust
                 ,
                 and
                 I
                 am
                 miserable
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 with
                 a
                 deiected
                 countenance
                 ,
                 and
                 sad
                 heart
                 ,
                 doth
                 Vzziah
                 hast
                 to
                 retire
                 himselfe
                 ;
                 &
                 wishes
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 could
                 be
                 no
                 lesse
                 hid
                 from
                 
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 then
                 from
                 others
                 :
                 how
                 easie
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 heauen
                 to
                 bring
                 downe
                 the
                 hyest
                 pitch
                 of
                 earthly
                 greatnesse
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 humble
                 the
                 stubbornest
                 pride
                 ?
              
               
                 Vpon
                 the
                 leasure
                 of
                 second
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 Vzziah
                 cannot
                 but
                 acknowledge
                 much
                 fauour
                 in
                 this
                 correction
                 ,
                 and
                 confesse
                 to
                 haue
                 escaped
                 well
                 ;
                 Others
                 ,
                 hee
                 knew
                 ,
                 had
                 beene
                 strucke
                 dead
                 ,
                 or
                 swallow'd
                 vp
                 quick
                 for
                 so
                 presumptuous
                 an
                 intrusion
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 happy
                 for
                 him
                 if
                 his
                 forehad
                 may
                 excuse
                 his
                 soule
                 .
              
               
                 Vzziah
                 ceased
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 King
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 began
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 leper
                 ;
                 the
                 disease
                 of
                 his
                 forhead
                 did
                 not
                 remoue
                 his
                 Crowne
                 :
                 his
                 sonne
                 Iotham
                 raigned
                 for
                 him
                 ,
                 vnder
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 whiles
                 he
                 was
                 not
                 seene
                 ,
                 yet
                 
                 hee
                 was
                 obeyed
                 .
                 The
                 character
                 of
                 soueraignty
                 is
                 indeleble
                 ,
                 whether
                 by
                 bodily
                 infirmity
                 ,
                 or
                 by
                 spirituall
                 censure
                 :
                 Neither
                 is
                 it
                 otherwise
                 ,
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 betwixt
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 vs
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 be
                 once
                 a
                 royall
                 generation
                 vnto
                 thee
                 ,
                 our
                 leprosies
                 may
                 deforme
                 vs
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 dethrone
                 vs
                 :
                 stil
                 shall
                 we
                 haue
                 the
                 right
                 ,
                 still
                 the
                 possession
                 of
                 that
                 glorious
                 kingdome
                 ,
                 wherin
                 wee
                 are
                 inuested
                 from
                 eternity
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 AHAZ
                 
                   with
                   his
                   new
                   Altar
                
                 .
              
               
                 AFter
                 many
                 vnhappy
                 
                 changes
                 of
                 the
                 two
                 thrones
                 ;
                 Ahaz
                 succeedes
                 Iotham
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 Iudah
                 :
                 an
                 ill
                 sonne
                 of
                 a
                 good
                 father
                 ;
                 not
                 more
                 the
                 heyre
                 of
                 Dauids
                 seat
                 ,
                 then
                 of
                 Ieroboams
                 sinne
                 :
                 Though
                 Israel
                 play
                 the
                 harlot
                 ,
                 yet
                 who
                 can
                 abide
                 that
                 Iudah
                 should
                 sin
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 hard
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 infected
                 with
                 a
                 contagious
                 neighbourhood
                 :
                 who
                 euer
                 read
                 that
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 Israel
                 was
                 seasoned
                 with
                 the
                 vicinity
                 of
                 the
                 true
                 religion
                 
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ?
                 Goodnesse
                 (
                 such
                 as
                 our
                 nature
                 is
                 )
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 apt
                 to
                 spread
                 :
                 A
                 tainted
                 ayre
                 doth
                 more
                 easily
                 affect
                 a
                 sound
                 body
                 ,
                 then
                 an
                 wholsome
                 ayre
                 can
                 cleare
                 the
                 sicke
                 :
                 Superstition
                 hath
                 euer
                 bin
                 more
                 successefull
                 ,
                 then
                 truth
                 ;
                 The
                 yong
                 yeares
                 of
                 Ahaz
                 are
                 soone
                 mis-led
                 to
                 a
                 plausible
                 mis-deuotiō
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 man
                 that
                 is
                 once
                 falne
                 from
                 truth
                 ,
                 knowes
                 not
                 where
                 he
                 shall
                 stay
                 :
                 From
                 the
                 Calues
                 of
                 Ieroboam
                 is
                 Ahaz
                 drawne
                 to
                 the
                 gods
                 of
                 the
                 heathen
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 now
                 ,
                 bulls
                 and
                 goates
                 are
                 too
                 little
                 for
                 those
                 new
                 deities
                 ,
                 his
                 owne
                 flesh
                 and
                 blood
                 is
                 but
                 deare
                 enough
                 ;
                 
                   He
                   made
                   his
                   son
                   to
                   passe
                   through
                   their
                   fire
                   .
                
                 Where
                 doe
                 we
                 finde
                 any
                 religious
                 Israelite
                 thus
                 zealous
                 for
                 God
                 ?
                 Neither
                 doth
                 the
                 holinesse
                 and
                 mercy
                 
                 of
                 our
                 God
                 require
                 so
                 cruell
                 a
                 sacrifice
                 :
                 neither
                 is
                 our
                 dull
                 ,
                 and
                 niggardly
                 hand
                 ready
                 to
                 gratifie
                 him
                 with
                 more
                 easie
                 obediences
                 ;
                 O
                 God
                 how
                 gladly
                 should
                 wee
                 offer
                 vnto
                 thee
                 our
                 soules
                 ,
                 and
                 bodies
                 ,
                 which
                 wee
                 may
                 inioy
                 so
                 much
                 the
                 more
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 thine
                 ;
                 since
                 zealous
                 Pagans
                 sticke
                 not
                 to
                 leese
                 their
                 owne
                 flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 blood
                 in
                 an
                 Idols
                 fire
                 ?
              
               
                 He
                 that
                 hath
                 thus
                 shamefully
                 cast
                 off
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 his
                 fathers
                 ,
                 cannot
                 bee
                 long
                 without
                 a
                 fearefull
                 reuenge
                 .
                 The
                 King
                 of
                 Israel
                 galls
                 him
                 on
                 the
                 one
                 side
                 ;
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Syria
                 on
                 the
                 other
                 :
                 To
                 auoid
                 the
                 shocke
                 of
                 both
                 ,
                 Ahaz
                 doth
                 not
                 betake
                 himselfe
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 whō
                 he
                 had
                 offended
                 ;
                 who
                 was
                 able
                 to
                 make
                 his
                 enemies
                 at
                 peace
                 
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 
                   Tiglath
                   Pileser
                
                 King
                 of
                 Ashur
                 :
                 Him
                 doth
                 hee
                 wooe
                 with
                 suits
                 ,
                 with
                 gifts
                 ;
                 and
                 robs
                 God
                 of
                 those
                 presents
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 indeare
                 so
                 strong
                 an
                 helper
                 .
                 Hee
                 that
                 thought
                 not
                 his
                 son
                 too
                 deare
                 for
                 an
                 Idol
                 ,
                 thinkes
                 not
                 Gods
                 siluer
                 and
                 gold
                 too
                 deare
                 for
                 an
                 Idolatrous
                 abettor
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 the
                 infinite
                 patience
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 !
                 God
                 giues
                 successe
                 a
                 while
                 to
                 so
                 offensiue
                 a
                 riuality
                 :
                 This
                 Assyrian
                 King
                 preuailes
                 against
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Syria
                 ;
                 kils
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 takes
                 his
                 chiefe
                 City
                 ,
                 Damascus
                 ;
                 The
                 quarrell
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Iudah
                 hath
                 inlarged
                 the
                 territories
                 of
                 his
                 assistant
                 ,
                 beyond
                 hope
                 ;
                 And
                 now
                 ,
                 whiles
                 this
                 Assyrian
                 victor
                 is
                 inioying
                 the
                 possession
                 of
                 his
                 new-won
                 
                   Damascus
                   :
                   Ahaz
                
                 
                 goes
                 vp
                 thither
                 to
                 meet
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 congratulate
                 the
                 victory
                 ,
                 to
                 adde
                 vnto
                 those
                 triumphs
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 drawne
                 on
                 by
                 his
                 solicitation
                 .
                 There
                 hee
                 sees
                 a
                 new
                 fashion'd
                 Altar
                 ,
                 that
                 pleases
                 his
                 eye
                 ;
                 That
                 old
                 forme
                 of
                 Salomons
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 made
                 by
                 the
                 pattern
                 showd
                 to
                 Moses
                 in
                 the
                 Mount
                 ,
                 is
                 now
                 growne
                 stale
                 ,
                 and
                 despicable
                 ;
                 A
                 modell
                 of
                 this
                 more
                 exquisite
                 frame
                 is
                 sent
                 to
                 Vrijah
                 ,
                 the
                 Priest
                 ;
                 and
                 must
                 be
                 sampled
                 in
                 Ierusalem
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 dangerous
                 presumption
                 to
                 make
                 innouations
                 ,
                 if
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 circumstances
                 of
                 Gods
                 worship
                 .
                 Those
                 humane
                 additions
                 which
                 would
                 seeme
                 to
                 grace
                 the
                 institution
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 depraue
                 it
                 ;
                 That
                 infinite
                 wisedome
                 knowes
                 best
                 what
                 will
                 please
                 it selfe
                 ,
                 and
                 prescribes
                 
                 accordingly
                 ;
                 The
                 foolishnesse
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 wiser
                 then
                 the
                 wisedome
                 of
                 men
                 ;
                 Idolatry
                 and
                 falshood
                 is
                 commonly
                 more
                 gawdy
                 and
                 plausible
                 ,
                 then
                 truth
                 ;
                 That
                 hart
                 which
                 can
                 for
                 the
                 outward
                 homelinesse
                 despise
                 the
                 ordinances
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 is
                 already
                 aliened
                 from
                 true
                 religion
                 ,
                 and
                 lyes
                 open
                 to
                 the
                 grossest
                 superstition
                 .
              
               
                 Neuer
                 any
                 Prince
                 was
                 so
                 foully
                 idolatrous
                 ,
                 at
                 that
                 he
                 wanted
                 a
                 Priest
                 to
                 second
                 him
                 :
                 An
                 Vrijah
                 is
                 fit
                 to
                 humor
                 an
                 Ahaz
                 .
                 Greatnesse
                 neuer
                 could
                 command
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 which
                 some
                 seruile
                 wits
                 were
                 not
                 ready
                 both
                 to
                 applaud
                 ,
                 and
                 iustifie
                 .
              
               
                 Ere
                 the
                 King
                 can
                 be
                 returned
                 from
                 Damascus
                 ,
                 the
                 altar
                 is
                 finished
                 ;
                 It
                 were
                 happy
                 if
                 true
                 godlinesse
                 
                 could
                 be
                 so
                 forward
                 in
                 the
                 prosecutions
                 of
                 good
                 :
                 Neither
                 is
                 this
                 strange
                 pile
                 reared
                 onely
                 ,
                 but
                 thrust
                 vp
                 betwixt
                 Gods
                 altar
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 temple
                 ;
                 in
                 an
                 apparent
                 precedency
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 said
                 ,
                 Let
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Iudah
                 come
                 behind
                 the
                 Deities
                 of
                 Syria
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 now
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 vp
                 the
                 full
                 measure
                 of
                 his
                 impiety
                 ,
                 this
                 idolatrous
                 King
                 will
                 himselfe
                 be
                 sacrificing
                 vpon
                 his
                 new
                 altar
                 ,
                 to
                 his
                 new
                 gods
                 ;
                 the
                 gods
                 of
                 Damascus
                 :
                 An
                 vsurped
                 priesthood
                 well
                 becomes
                 a
                 false
                 Deity
                 .
                 Because
                 (
                 saith
                 he
                 )
                 
                   the
                   gods
                   of
                   the
                   Kings
                   of
                   Syria
                   helpe
                   them
                   ,
                   therefore
                   will
                   Isacrifice
                   to
                   them
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   helpe
                   mee
                   .
                
              
               
                 Oh
                 blinde
                 superstition
                 !
                 how
                 did
                 the
                 gods
                 of
                 Syria
                 helpe
                 their
                 
                 Kings
                 ,
                 when
                 both
                 those
                 Kings
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 gods
                 were
                 vanquished
                 ,
                 and
                 taken
                 by
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Assyria
                 ?
                 Euen
                 this
                 Damascus
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 altar
                 were
                 the
                 spoyle
                 of
                 a
                 forraigne
                 enemy
                 ;
                 How
                 then
                 did
                 the
                 gods
                 of
                 Syria
                 helpe
                 their
                 Kings
                 ,
                 any
                 other
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 their
                 ruine
                 ?
                 what
                 dotage
                 is
                 this
                 to
                 make
                 choice
                 of
                 a
                 foyled
                 protection
                 ?
                 But
                 had
                 the
                 Syrians
                 prospered
                 ,
                 must
                 their
                 gods
                 haue
                 the
                 thanks
                 ?
                 Are
                 there
                 no
                 authors
                 of
                 good
                 but
                 blocks
                 or
                 Deuils
                 ?
                 Or
                 is
                 an
                 outward
                 prosperity
                 the
                 only
                 argument
                 of
                 truth
                 ,
                 the
                 onely
                 motiue
                 of
                 deuotion
                 ?
                 O
                 foolish
                 Ahaz
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 God
                 thou
                 hast
                 forsaken
                 ,
                 that
                 plagues
                 thee
                 ,
                 vnder
                 whose
                 onely
                 arme
                 thou
                 might'st
                 haue
                 preuailed
                 .
                 His
                 power
                 beats
                 those
                 Pagan
                 stockes
                 ,
                 one
                 against
                 
                 other
                 ,
                 so
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 while
                 ,
                 one
                 seems
                 victorious
                 ,
                 another
                 vanquisht
                 ;
                 and
                 at
                 last
                 hee
                 confounds
                 both
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 their
                 proudest
                 clients
                 :
                 Thy selfe
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 best
                 instance
                 .
              
               
                 Of
                 all
                 the
                 Kings
                 of
                 Iudah
                 hitherto
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 none
                 so
                 dreadfull
                 an
                 example
                 either
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 or
                 iudgement
                 ,
                 as
                 this
                 son
                 of
                 good
                 Iotham
                 .
                 I
                 abhor
                 to
                 think
                 that
                 such
                 a
                 monster
                 should
                 descend
                 from
                 the
                 loynes
                 of
                 Dauid
                 ;
                 where
                 shall
                 bee
                 the
                 period
                 of
                 this
                 wickednesse
                 ?
                 Hee
                 beganne
                 with
                 the
                 hie
                 places
                 ,
                 thence
                 he
                 descends
                 to
                 the
                 Calues
                 of
                 Dan
                 and
                 Bethel
                 ;
                 from
                 thence
                 he
                 falls
                 to
                 a
                 Syrian
                 altar
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Syrian
                 god
                 ;
                 then
                 from
                 a
                 partnership
                 hee
                 falls
                 to
                 an
                 vtter
                 exclusion
                 of
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 blocking
                 vp
                 
                 his
                 Temple
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 to
                 the
                 sacrifice
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 sonne
                 ;
                 and
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 hell
                 were
                 broken
                 loose
                 vpon
                 Gods
                 inheritance
                 ,
                 euery
                 seuerall
                 City
                 ,
                 euery
                 hie
                 place
                 of
                 Iudah
                 hath
                 a
                 new
                 god
                 :
                 No
                 maruell
                 if
                 he
                 bee
                 branded
                 by
                 the
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 with
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   is
                   that
                   King
                   Ahaz
                
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 a
                 fearfull
                 plague
                 did
                 this
                 noysome
                 deluge
                 of
                 sin
                 leaue
                 behind
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 land
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ?
                 who
                 can
                 expresse
                 the
                 horror
                 of
                 Gods
                 reuenge
                 vpō
                 a
                 people
                 that
                 should
                 haue
                 beene
                 his
                 ?
                 Pekah
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 slew
                 an
                 hundred
                 and
                 twentie
                 thousand
                 of
                 them
                 in
                 one
                 day
                 ;
                 amongst
                 whom
                 was
                 Maseiah
                 the
                 sonne
                 of
                 Ahaz
                 :
                 O
                 iust
                 iudgement
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 !
                 Ahaz
                 sheds
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 one
                 sonne
                 
                 to
                 an
                 idoll
                 :
                 The
                 true
                 God
                 sheds
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 another
                 of
                 his
                 sons
                 ,
                 in
                 reuenge
                 .
              
               
                 Yet
                 ,
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 is
                 stretched
                 out
                 still
                 :
              
               
                 Two
                 hundred
                 thousand
                 of
                 them
                 were
                 caried
                 away
                 by
                 the
                 Israelites
                 captiue
                 to
                 Samaria
                 :
              
               
                 The
                 Edomites
                 came
                 ,
                 and
                 caried
                 away
                 another
                 part
                 of
                 them
                 for
                 bondslaues
                 ,
                 to
                 their
                 country
                 :
              
               
                 The
                 Philistims
                 came
                 vp
                 and
                 shared
                 the
                 Cities
                 of
                 the
                 south
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 villages
                 thereof
                 ;
                 Shortly
                 ,
                 what
                 other
                 is
                 miserable
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 prey
                 ,
                 and
                 spoile
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 neighbouring
                 Nations
                 ?
                 
                   For
                   the
                   Lord
                   brought
                   Iudah
                   low
                   because
                   of
                   Ahaz
                   King
                   of
                   Israel
                   ,
                   for
                   hee
                
                 
                 
                   made
                   Iudah
                   naked
                   ,
                   and
                   transgressed
                   sore
                   against
                   the
                   Lord
                   :
                
                 As
                 for
                 the
                 
                 great
                 King
                 of
                 Ashur
                 ,
                 whom
                 Ahaz
                 purchased
                 with
                 the
                 sacrilegious
                 pillage
                 of
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 stead
                 of
                 an
                 ayd
                 ,
                 hee
                 proues
                 a
                 burden
                 ;
                 How
                 euer
                 he
                 sped
                 in
                 his
                 first
                 onsets
                 ;
                 now
                 ,
                 
                   hee
                   distressed
                   Iudah
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   but
                   strengthned
                   it
                   not
                
                 :
                 The
                 charge
                 was
                 as
                 great
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 benefit
                 small
                 :
                 sooner
                 shall
                 hee
                 eate
                 them
                 out
                 ,
                 then
                 rescue
                 them
                 .
                 No
                 arme
                 of
                 flesh
                 can
                 shelter
                 Ahaz
                 from
                 a
                 vengeance
                 .
              
               
                 Be
                 wise
                 ,
                 ô
                 ye
                 Kings
                 ,
                 be
                 instructed
                 ô
                 yee
                 Iudges
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ;
                 serue
                 the
                 Lord
                 with
                 feare
                 ,
                 and
                 reioyce
                 with
                 trembling
                 :
                 Kisse
                 the
                 Sonne
                 lest
                 he
                 be
                 angry
                 ,
                 and
                 ye
                 perish
                 from
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 when
                 his
                 wrath
                 is
                 kindled
                 but
                 a
                 little
                 .
              
               
                 His
                 subiects
                 complaine
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 died
                 so
                 late
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 as
                 repenting
                 that
                 
                 he
                 euer
                 was
                 ,
                 deny
                 him
                 a
                 roome
                 in
                 the
                 sepulchers
                 of
                 Kings
                 :
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 said
                 ;
                 the
                 common
                 earth
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 is
                 too
                 good
                 for
                 him
                 that
                 degenerated
                 from
                 his
                 Progenitors
                 ,
                 marr'd
                 his
                 kingdome
                 ,
                 depraued
                 his
                 people
                 ,
                 forsooke
                 his
                 God.
                 
              
            
             
               
               
                 
                   The
                   vtter
                   Destruction
                   of
                   the
                   Kingdome
                   of
                
                 ISRAEL
                 .
              
               
                 IVdah
                 was
                 at
                 a
                 sore
                 
                 heaue
                 ,
                 yet
                 Israel
                 shall
                 mis-cary
                 before
                 it
                 ;
                 such
                 are
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 both
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 striue
                 whether
                 shall
                 fall
                 first
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 lot
                 must
                 light
                 vpon
                 the
                 ten
                 Tribes
                 ;
                 though
                 the
                 late
                 King
                 of
                 Iudah
                 were
                 personally
                 worse
                 then
                 the
                 most
                 of
                 Ieroboams
                 successors
                 ,
                 yet
                 ,
                 the
                 people
                 were
                 generally
                 lesse
                 euill
                 :
                 vpon
                 whom
                 the
                 incroachments
                 of
                 Idolatry
                 were
                 more
                 by
                 obtrusion
                 ,
                 then
                 by
                 consent
                 ,
                 
                 besides
                 that
                 the
                 thrones
                 of
                 Iudah
                 had
                 some
                 interchanges
                 of
                 good
                 Princes
                 ,
                 Israel
                 none
                 at
                 all
                 :
                 The
                 same
                 iustice
                 therefore
                 that
                 made
                 Israel
                 a
                 scourge
                 to
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 made
                 Assyria
                 a
                 scorpion
                 to
                 Israel
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 quarrell
                 of
                 Iudah
                 that
                 first
                 ingaged
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Ashur
                 in
                 this
                 warre
                 against
                 Israel
                 ;
                 now
                 he
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 easily
                 fetcht
                 off
                 ;
                 So
                 we
                 haue
                 seen
                 some
                 eager
                 mastiue
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 beene
                 set
                 on
                 by
                 the
                 least
                 clap
                 of
                 the
                 hand
                 ,
                 but
                 could
                 not
                 bee
                 loosned
                 by
                 the
                 force
                 of
                 staues
                 .
              
               
                 Salmaneser
                 King
                 of
                 Assyria
                 comes
                 vp
                 against
                 Hoshea
                 King
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 and
                 subdues
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 puts
                 him
                 to
                 his
                 Tribute
                 :
                 This
                 yoke
                 was
                 vncouth
                 and
                 vnpleasing
                 ;
                 The
                 vanquisht
                 Prince
                 was
                 neither
                 
                 able
                 to
                 resist
                 ,
                 nor
                 willing
                 to
                 yeeld
                 ;
                 secretly
                 therefore
                 he
                 treats
                 with
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Egipt
                 for
                 assistance
                 ,
                 as
                 desiring
                 rather
                 to
                 hazard
                 his
                 liberty
                 by
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 an
                 equall
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 inioy
                 a
                 quiet
                 subiection
                 vnder
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 an
                 ouer-ruling
                 power
                 ;
                 wee
                 cannot
                 blame
                 Princes
                 to
                 bee
                 iealous
                 of
                 their
                 soueraignties
                 ;
                 The
                 detaining
                 of
                 his
                 yearely
                 Tribute
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 whisperings
                 with
                 new
                 confederates
                 ,
                 haue
                 drawne
                 vp
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Ashur
                 to
                 perfect
                 his
                 own
                 victories
                 :
                 He
                 returnes
                 therefore
                 with
                 a
                 strong
                 power
                 ,
                 and
                 after
                 three
                 yeares
                 siege
                 ,
                 takes
                 Samaria
                 ,
                 imprisons
                 Hoshea
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 exchange
                 of
                 a
                 wofull
                 captiuity
                 ,
                 he
                 peoples
                 Israel
                 with
                 Assyrians
                 ,
                 and
                 Assyria
                 with
                 Israelites
                 .
                 Now
                 that
                 
                 abused
                 soyle
                 hath
                 vpon
                 a
                 surfet
                 of
                 wickednesse
                 ,
                 cast
                 out
                 her
                 perfidious
                 owners
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 try
                 how
                 it
                 can
                 fare
                 with
                 heathenish
                 strangers
                 :
                 Now
                 the
                 Assyrian
                 gallants
                 triumph
                 in
                 the
                 Palaces
                 of
                 Samaria
                 and
                 Iezreel
                 ;
                 whiles
                 the
                 Peeres
                 and
                 Captaines
                 of
                 Israel
                 are
                 driuen
                 manicled
                 through
                 the
                 Assyrian
                 streets
                 ,
                 and
                 billeted
                 to
                 the
                 seuerall
                 places
                 of
                 their
                 perpetuall
                 seruitude
                 :
                 Shortly
                 ,
                 now
                 the
                 flourishing
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 the
                 tenne
                 Tribes
                 is
                 comne
                 to
                 a
                 finall
                 and
                 shamefull
                 end
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 vanished
                 in
                 this
                 last
                 dissipation
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 since
                 that
                 day
                 ,
                 no
                 man
                 could
                 euer
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   This
                   was
                   Israel
                
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 terrible
                 example
                 of
                 vengeance
                 ,
                 vpon
                 that
                 peculiar
                 people
                 ,
                 whom
                 God
                 hath
                 chosen
                 forhimselfe
                 ,
                 
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 :
                 All
                 the
                 world
                 were
                 witnesses
                 of
                 the
                 fauours
                 of
                 their
                 miraculous
                 deliuerances
                 ,
                 and
                 protections
                 ;
                 All
                 the
                 world
                 shall
                 be
                 witnesses
                 of
                 their
                 iust
                 confusion
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 sleight
                 errors
                 to
                 set
                 off
                 that
                 infinite
                 mercy
                 :
                 What
                 was
                 it
                 ,
                 ô
                 God
                 ,
                 what
                 was
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 caused
                 thee
                 to
                 cast
                 off
                 thine
                 owne
                 inheritance
                 ?
                 What
                 but
                 the
                 same
                 that
                 made
                 thee
                 to
                 cast
                 the
                 Angells
                 out
                 of
                 heauen
                 ?
                 Euen
                 their
                 rebellious
                 sins
                 .
                 Those
                 sins
                 dared
                 to
                 emulate
                 the
                 greatnesse
                 of
                 thy
                 mercies
                 ,
                 no
                 lesse
                 ,
                 then
                 they
                 forced
                 the
                 seuerity
                 of
                 thy
                 iudgments
                 :
                 
                   They
                   left
                   all
                   the
                   commandements
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   their
                   God
                   ;
                   and
                   made
                   them
                   molten
                   Images
                   ,
                   euen
                   two
                   Calues
                   ;
                   and
                   made
                   a
                   groue
                   and
                
                 
                 
                   worshipped
                   all
                   the
                   host
                   of
                   heauen
                   ;
                   and
                   serued
                   Baal
                   ;
                   and
                   caused
                   their
                   sonnes
                   and
                   daughters
                   to
                   passe
                   through
                   the
                   fire
                   ,
                   and
                   vsed
                   diuination
                   ,
                   and
                   enchantments
                   ,
                   and
                   sold
                   themselues
                   to
                   doe
                   euill
                   in
                   the
                   sight
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   to
                   prouoke
                   him
                   to
                   anger
                   .
                
              
               
                 Neither
                 were
                 these
                 slips
                 of
                 frailty
                 ,
                 or
                 ignorant
                 mis-takings
                 ,
                 but
                 wilfull
                 crimes
                 ,
                 obstinate
                 impieties
                 ,
                 in
                 spight
                 of
                 the
                 doctrines
                 ,
                 reproofes
                 ,
                 menaces
                 ,
                 miraculous
                 conuictions
                 of
                 the
                 holy
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 sent
                 amongst
                 them
                 :
                 Thy
                 destruction
                 is
                 of
                 thy selfe
                 ,
                 ô
                 Israel
                 ;
                 what
                 could
                 the
                 iust
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 doe
                 lesse
                 then
                 consume
                 a
                 nation
                 so
                 incorrigibly
                 flagitious
                 ?
                 A
                 nation
                 so
                 vnthankfull
                 for
                 mercies
                 ,
                 so
                 impatient
                 of
                 remedies
                 ,
                 so
                 vncapable
                 of
                 repentance
                 :
                 
                 so
                 obliged
                 ,
                 so
                 warned
                 ,
                 so
                 shamelesly
                 ,
                 so
                 lawlesly
                 wicked
                 ?
              
               
                 What
                 nation
                 vnder
                 heauen
                 can
                 now
                 challenge
                 an
                 vndefaisible
                 interest
                 in
                 God
                 ;
                 when
                 Israel
                 it selfe
                 is
                 cast
                 off
                 ?
                 what
                 Church
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 can
                 show
                 such
                 deare
                 loue-tokens
                 from
                 the
                 Almighty
                 as
                 this
                 ,
                 now-abhorred
                 ,
                 and
                 adulterous
                 spouse
                 ?
                 Hee
                 that
                 spared
                 not
                 the
                 naturall
                 Oliue
                 ,
                 shall
                 hee
                 spare
                 the
                 wild
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 vs
                 sinners
                 of
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 to
                 be
                 high-minded
                 ,
                 but
                 awfull
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Israelites
                 are
                 caryed
                 captiue
                 into
                 Assyria
                 ;
                 those
                 goodly
                 Cities
                 of
                 the
                 ten
                 tribes
                 may
                 not
                 lie
                 wast
                 ,
                 and
                 vnpeopled
                 :
                 The
                 wisedome
                 of
                 the
                 victor
                 findes
                 it
                 fit
                 to
                 transplant
                 his
                 owne
                 Colonies
                 thither
                 ;
                 that
                 so
                 he
                 may
                 raise
                 profit
                 thence
                 ,
                 
                 with
                 security
                 :
                 From
                 Babylon
                 therfore
                 ,
                 and
                 Cuthah
                 ,
                 and
                 Aua
                 ,
                 and
                 Hamath
                 ,
                 and
                 Sepharuaim
                 ,
                 doth
                 he
                 send
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 subiects
                 to
                 possesse
                 ,
                 and
                 inhabit
                 the
                 Cities
                 of
                 Samaria
                 .
                 The
                 land
                 doth
                 not
                 brook
                 her
                 new
                 Tenants
                 :
                 
                   They
                   feared
                   not
                   the
                   Lord
                
                 ;
                 (
                 how
                 should
                 they
                 ,
                 they
                 knew
                 him
                 not
                 ?
                 )
                 
                   Therefore
                   the
                   Lord
                   sent
                   Lyons
                   amongst
                   them
                   which
                   slew
                   some
                   of
                   them
                   :
                
                 Not
                 the
                 veriest
                 Pagan
                 can
                 bee
                 excused
                 for
                 his
                 ignorance
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 Euen
                 the
                 deprauedst
                 nature
                 might
                 teach
                 vs
                 to
                 tremble
                 at
                 a
                 Deity
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 iust
                 with
                 the
                 Almighty
                 not
                 to
                 put
                 vp
                 neglect
                 ,
                 where
                 hee
                 hath
                 bestowed
                 reason
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 brute
                 creatures
                 are
                 sent
                 to
                 reuenge
                 the
                 quarrell
                 of
                 their
                 Maker
                 ,
                 vpon
                 worse
                 beasts
                 ,
                 then
                 
                 themselues
                 .
                 Still
                 hath
                 God
                 left
                 himselfe
                 Champions
                 in
                 Israel
                 :
                 Lyons
                 teare
                 the
                 Assyrians
                 in
                 pieces
                 ;
                 and
                 put
                 them
                 in
                 mind
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 had
                 it
                 not
                 beene
                 for
                 wickednesse
                 ,
                 that
                 land
                 needed
                 not
                 to
                 haue
                 changed
                 masters
                 .
                 The
                 great
                 Lord
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 cannot
                 want
                 meanes
                 to
                 plague
                 offenders
                 :
                 If
                 the
                 men
                 bee
                 gone
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 beasts
                 are
                 there
                 ;
                 And
                 if
                 the
                 beasts
                 had
                 beene
                 gone
                 ,
                 yet
                 so
                 long
                 as
                 there
                 were
                 stones
                 in
                 the
                 wals
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 quarries
                 God
                 would
                 be
                 sure
                 of
                 auengers
                 :
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 security
                 but
                 in
                 being
                 at
                 peace
                 with
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 King
                 of
                 Assyria
                 is
                 sued
                 to
                 ,
                 for
                 remedy
                 :
                 Euen
                 these
                 Pagans
                 haue
                 learned
                 to
                 know
                 that
                 these
                 Lyons
                 were
                 sent
                 from
                 a
                 God
                 ;
                 that
                 this
                 punishment
                 is
                 for
                 sinne
                 ;
                 
                 
                   They
                   know
                   not
                   the
                   manner
                   of
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   the
                   land
                   ,
                   therefore
                   he
                   hath
                   sent
                   Lyons
                   among
                   them
                   :
                
                 These
                 blind
                 Heathen
                 that
                 thinke
                 euery
                 land
                 hath
                 a
                 seuerall
                 God
                 ;
                 yet
                 ,
                 hold
                 that
                 God
                 ,
                 worthy
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 worship
                 ;
                 yet
                 ,
                 hold
                 that
                 worship
                 must
                 bee
                 grounded
                 vpon
                 knowledge
                 ;
                 the
                 want
                 of
                 that
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 punishable
                 ,
                 the
                 punishmēt
                 of
                 that
                 want
                 ,
                 iust
                 ,
                 and
                 diuine
                 :
                 How
                 much
                 worse
                 then
                 Assyrians
                 are
                 they
                 that
                 are
                 ready
                 to
                 ascribe
                 all
                 calamities
                 to
                 nature
                 to
                 chance
                 ?
                 that
                 acknowledging
                 but
                 one
                 God
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 are
                 yet
                 carelesse
                 to
                 know
                 him
                 to
                 serue
                 him
                 ?
              
               
                 One
                 of
                 the
                 Priests
                 of
                 Israel
                 is
                 appointed
                 to
                 bee
                 caried
                 backe
                 to
                 Samaria
                 ,
                 to
                 teach
                 the
                 Assyrian
                 Colony
                 the
                 fashions
                 of
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 
                 the
                 land
                 ;
                 not
                 for
                 deuotion
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 impunity
                 :
                 vaine
                 Politicians
                 thinke
                 to
                 satisfie
                 God
                 by
                 patching
                 vp
                 religions
                 ;
                 any
                 formes
                 are
                 good
                 enough
                 for
                 an
                 vnknowne
                 deity
                 :
                 The
                 Assyrian
                 Priests
                 teach
                 ,
                 and
                 practise
                 the
                 worship
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 Gods
                 ;
                 The
                 Israelitish
                 Priest
                 prescribes
                 the
                 worship
                 of
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 ;
                 The
                 people
                 will
                 follow
                 both
                 ;
                 the
                 one
                 out
                 of
                 liking
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 out
                 of
                 feare
                 :
                 What
                 a
                 prodigious
                 mixture
                 was
                 here
                 of
                 religions
                 ?
                 true
                 with
                 false
                 ,
                 Iewish
                 with
                 Paganish
                 ,
                 diuine
                 with
                 diuellish
                 ;
                 Euery
                 diuision
                 of
                 these
                 transplanted
                 Assyrians
                 had
                 their
                 seuerall
                 deities
                 ,
                 high
                 places
                 ,
                 sacrifices
                 ;
                 this
                 Priest
                 of
                 Israel
                 intercommons
                 with
                 euery
                 of
                 them
                 :
                 So
                 as
                 now
                 these
                 fathers
                 of
                 Samaritanisme
                 ,
                 
                 are
                 in
                 at
                 all
                 ;
                 
                   They
                   feare
                   the
                   Lord
                   and
                   serue
                   their
                   idols
                   :
                
                 No
                 beggers
                 cloak
                 is
                 more
                 peeced
                 then
                 the
                 religion
                 of
                 these
                 new
                 inhabitants
                 of
                 Israel
                 .
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 how
                 their
                 bodies
                 sped
                 for
                 the
                 Lyons
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 sure
                 their
                 soules
                 fared
                 the
                 worse
                 for
                 this
                 medlie
                 :
                 Aboue
                 all
                 things
                 God
                 hates
                 a
                 mungrell
                 deuotion
                 ;
                 If
                 we
                 be
                 not
                 all
                 Israel
                 ,
                 it
                 were
                 better
                 to
                 bee
                 all
                 Ashur
                 ;
                 It
                 cannot
                 so
                 much
                 displease
                 God
                 to
                 bee
                 vnknowne
                 or
                 neglected
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 bee
                 consorted
                 with
                 Idols
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 HEZEKIAH
                 and
                 SENACHERIB
                 .
              
               
                 ISrael
                 is
                 gone
                 ,
                 Iudah
                 
                 is
                 left
                 standing
                 ;
                 or
                 rather
                 some
                 few
                 sprigs
                 of
                 those
                 two
                 Tribes
                 :
                 so
                 we
                 haue
                 seene
                 in
                 the
                 shredding
                 of
                 some
                 large
                 Timber-tree
                 ,
                 one
                 or
                 two
                 boughes
                 left
                 at
                 the
                 top
                 to
                 hold
                 vp
                 the
                 sap
                 .
                 Who
                 can
                 but
                 lament
                 the
                 poore
                 remainders
                 of
                 that
                 languishing
                 kingdome
                 of
                 Dauid
                 ?
              
               
                 Take
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 two
                 Tribes
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 and
                 Beniamin
                 ,
                 one
                 hundred
                 and
                 twenty
                 thousand
                 ,
                 whom
                 
                 Pekah
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Israel
                 slew
                 in
                 one
                 day
                 .
                 Take
                 out
                 two
                 hundred
                 thousand
                 that
                 were
                 caried
                 away
                 captiue
                 to
                 Samaria
                 ;
                 Take
                 out
                 those
                 that
                 were
                 transported
                 into
                 the
                 bondage
                 of
                 the
                 Edomites
                 ;
                 and
                 those
                 that
                 were
                 subdued
                 in
                 the
                 South
                 parts
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 Philistims
                 ;
                 alas
                 ,
                 what
                 an
                 handfull
                 was
                 left
                 to
                 the
                 king
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ;
                 scarce
                 worth
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 a
                 dominion
                 :
                 Yet
                 ,
                 euen
                 now
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 gleeds
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 doth
                 God
                 raise
                 vp
                 a
                 glorious
                 light
                 to
                 his
                 forlorne
                 Church
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 wretched
                 loynes
                 of
                 Ahaz
                 ,
                 doth
                 God
                 fetch
                 an
                 holy
                 Ezekiah
                 .
                 It
                 had
                 beene
                 hard
                 to
                 conceiue
                 the
                 state
                 of
                 Iudah
                 worse
                 then
                 it
                 was
                 ;
                 neither
                 was
                 it
                 more
                 miserable
                 ,
                 then
                 sinfull
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 both
                 ,
                 desperate
                 ;
                 when
                 beyond
                 
                 hope
                 ,
                 God
                 reuiues
                 this
                 dying
                 stocke
                 of
                 Dauid
                 ,
                 and
                 out
                 of
                 very
                 ruines
                 builds
                 vp
                 his
                 owne
                 house
                 .
                 Ahaz
                 was
                 not
                 more
                 the
                 ill
                 sonne
                 of
                 a
                 good
                 father
                 ,
                 then
                 he
                 was
                 the
                 ill
                 father
                 of
                 a
                 good
                 sonne
                 .
                 He
                 was
                 the
                 ill
                 sonne
                 of
                 good
                 Iotham
                 ,
                 the
                 ill
                 father
                 of
                 good
                 Hezekiah
                 .
                 Good
                 Hezekiah
                 makes
                 amends
                 for
                 his
                 fathers
                 impietie
                 ;
                 and
                 puts
                 a
                 new
                 life
                 into
                 the
                 hartlesse
                 remnant
                 of
                 Gods
                 people
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 wisedome
                 of
                 our
                 good
                 God
                 knowes
                 when
                 his
                 ayd
                 will
                 bee
                 most
                 seasonable
                 ,
                 most
                 welcome
                 ;
                 which
                 hee
                 then
                 loues
                 to
                 giue
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 findes
                 vs
                 left
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 hopes
                 :
                 That
                 mercifull
                 hand
                 is
                 reserued
                 for
                 a
                 dead
                 lift
                 ;
                 then
                 ,
                 he
                 failes
                 vs
                 not
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 ,
                 you
                 might
                 haue
                 seene
                 
                 this
                 pious
                 Prince
                 busily
                 bestirring
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 in
                 so
                 late
                 and
                 needfull
                 a
                 reformation
                 ,
                 remouing
                 the
                 high
                 places
                 ,
                 battering
                 and
                 burning
                 the
                 Idolls
                 ,
                 demolishing
                 their
                 temples
                 ,
                 cutting
                 downe
                 their
                 groues
                 ,
                 opening
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 purging
                 the
                 altars
                 ,
                 and
                 vessells
                 ,
                 sanctifying
                 the
                 Priests
                 ,
                 rekindling
                 the
                 Lampes
                 ,
                 renuing
                 the
                 incense
                 ,
                 reinstituting
                 the
                 sacrifices
                 ,
                 establishing
                 the
                 order
                 of
                 Gods
                 seruice
                 ,
                 appointing
                 the
                 courses
                 ,
                 setling
                 the
                 maintenance
                 of
                 the
                 ministers
                 ,
                 publishing
                 the
                 decrees
                 for
                 the
                 long-neglected
                 Pass-ouer
                 ;
                 celebrating
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 other
                 feasts
                 ,
                 with
                 due
                 solemnity
                 ,
                 incouraging
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 contributing
                 bountifully
                 to
                 the
                 offerings
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 in
                 one
                 word
                 ,
                 so
                 ordering
                 all
                 the
                 affayres
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 
                 as
                 if
                 hee
                 had
                 beene
                 sent
                 downe
                 from
                 heauen
                 to
                 restore
                 Religion
                 ;
                 as
                 if
                 Dauid
                 himself
                 had
                 been
                 aliue
                 againe
                 in
                 this
                 blessed
                 heyre
                 ,
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 of
                 his
                 Crowne
                 ,
                 as
                 of
                 his
                 piety
                 .
                 Oh
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 happy
                 in
                 thy
                 Ezekiah
                 ,
                 Oh
                 Ezekiah
                 happy
                 in
                 the
                 gratious
                 restauration
                 of
                 thy
                 
                   Iudah
                   :
                   Ahaz
                
                 shall
                 haue
                 no
                 thanke
                 for
                 such
                 a
                 sonne
                 ;
                 The
                 God
                 that
                 is
                 able
                 of
                 the
                 very
                 stones
                 to
                 raise
                 children
                 to
                 Abraham
                 ,
                 rayses
                 a
                 true
                 seed
                 of
                 Dauid
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 corrupt
                 loynes
                 of
                 an
                 Idolater
                 :
                 That
                 infinite
                 mercy
                 is
                 not
                 tyed
                 to
                 the
                 termes
                 of
                 an
                 immediate
                 propagation
                 :
                 For
                 the
                 space
                 of
                 three
                 hundred
                 yeares
                 ,
                 the
                 man
                 after
                 Gods
                 owne
                 heart
                 had
                 no
                 perfect
                 heyre
                 till
                 now
                 ;
                 Till
                 now
                 did
                 the
                 high
                 places
                 stand
                 :
                 the
                 deuotions
                 of
                 
                 the
                 best
                 Princes
                 of
                 Iudah
                 were
                 blemished
                 with
                 some
                 weake
                 omissions
                 ;
                 Now
                 the
                 zeale
                 of
                 good
                 Ezekiah
                 cleares
                 all
                 those
                 defects
                 ,
                 and
                 workes
                 an
                 intyre
                 change
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 seasonably
                 hath
                 the
                 prouidence
                 of
                 God
                 kept
                 the
                 best
                 man
                 for
                 the
                 worst
                 times
                 ?
                 When
                 God
                 hath
                 a
                 great
                 worke
                 to
                 doe
                 ,
                 hee
                 knowes
                 to
                 fit
                 himselfe
                 with
                 instruments
                 .
              
               
                 No
                 maruell
                 if
                 the
                 Paganish
                 Idolls
                 goe
                 to
                 vvracke
                 ,
                 vvhen
                 euen
                 the
                 brazen
                 Serpent
                 that
                 Moses
                 had
                 made
                 by
                 Gods
                 owne
                 appointment
                 ,
                 is
                 broken
                 in
                 peeces
                 :
                 The
                 Israelites
                 were
                 stung
                 with
                 fiery
                 Serpents
                 ,
                 this
                 brazen
                 Serpent
                 healed
                 them
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 did
                 no
                 sooner
                 see
                 ,
                 then
                 they
                 recouered
                 :
                 But
                 now
                 ,
                 such
                 was
                 the
                 venome
                 of
                 
                 the
                 Israelitish
                 Idolatry
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 Serpent
                 of
                 brasse
                 ,
                 stung
                 worse
                 then
                 the
                 fiery
                 ;
                 That
                 ,
                 which
                 first
                 cured
                 by
                 the
                 eye
                 ,
                 now
                 by
                 the
                 eye
                 poysoned
                 the
                 soule
                 ;
                 That
                 which
                 was
                 at
                 first
                 ,
                 the
                 type
                 of
                 a
                 Sauiour
                 ,
                 is
                 now
                 ,
                 the
                 deadly
                 engine
                 of
                 the
                 Enemy
                 .
                 Whiles
                 it
                 helped
                 ,
                 it
                 stood
                 ;
                 it
                 stood
                 whiles
                 it
                 hurt
                 not
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 once
                 wicked
                 abuse
                 hath
                 turned
                 it
                 into
                 an
                 Idoll
                 ;
                 what
                 was
                 it
                 but
                 Nehushtan
                 ?
              
               
                 The
                 holinesse
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 institution
                 cannot
                 priuiledge
                 ought
                 from
                 the
                 danger
                 of
                 a
                 future
                 profanation
                 ;
                 nor
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 case
                 may
                 stand
                 ,
                 from
                 an
                 vtter
                 abolition
                 :
                 What
                 antiquity
                 ,
                 what
                 authoritie
                 ,
                 what
                 primary
                 seruice
                 might
                 this
                 Serpent
                 haue
                 pleaded
                 ?
                 All
                 that
                 cannot
                 keepe
                 it
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 dust
                 .
                 
                 Those
                 things
                 which
                 are
                 necessarie
                 in
                 their
                 being
                 ,
                 beneficiall
                 in
                 their
                 continuance
                 ,
                 may
                 still
                 remaine
                 when
                 their
                 abuse
                 is
                 purged
                 ;
                 but
                 those
                 things
                 whose
                 vse
                 is
                 but
                 temporary
                 ,
                 or
                 whose
                 duration
                 is
                 needlesse
                 and
                 vnprofitable
                 ,
                 may
                 cease
                 with
                 the
                 occasion
                 ,
                 and
                 much
                 more
                 perish
                 with
                 an
                 inseparable
                 abuse
                 .
                 Ezekiah
                 willingly
                 forgets
                 who
                 made
                 the
                 Serpent
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 fees
                 the
                 Israelites
                 make
                 it
                 an
                 idoll
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 lesse
                 intolerable
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 haue
                 a
                 riuall
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 making
                 .
              
               
                 Since
                 Hezekiah
                 was
                 thus
                 ,
                 aboue
                 all
                 his
                 Ancestors
                 ,
                 pright
                 with
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 maruell
                 if
                 the
                 Lord
                 were
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 if
                 he
                 prospered
                 ,
                 whither
                 soeuer
                 hee
                 went
                 ;
                 The
                 same
                 God
                 that
                 would
                 haue
                 
                 his
                 iustice
                 magnified
                 in
                 the
                 confusion
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 Princes
                 of
                 Issrael
                 ,
                 and
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 would
                 haue
                 his
                 mercy
                 no
                 lesse
                 acknowledged
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 blessings
                 of
                 faithfull
                 Hezekiah
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 great
                 King
                 of
                 Assyria
                 had
                 in
                 a
                 sort
                 swallowed
                 vp
                 both
                 the
                 Kingdomes
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 and
                 Israel
                 ;
                 yet
                 not
                 with
                 an
                 equall
                 cruelty
                 ;
                 He
                 made
                 Israel
                 captiue
                 ,
                 Iudah
                 (
                 vpon
                 a
                 willing
                 composition
                 )
                 tributary
                 .
                 Israel
                 is
                 vanished
                 in
                 a
                 transportation
                 ,
                 Iudah
                 continues
                 vnder
                 the
                 homage
                 wherein
                 Ahaz
                 left
                 it
                 :
                 Hezekiah
                 had
                 raigned
                 but
                 sixe
                 yeares
                 when
                 he
                 saw
                 his
                 neighbours
                 of
                 Israel
                 packing
                 into
                 a
                 miserable
                 captiuity
                 ;
                 &
                 the
                 proud
                 Assyrians
                 Lording
                 in
                 their
                 Cities
                 ;
                 yet
                 ,
                 euen
                 then
                 ,
                 when
                 hee
                 stood
                 alone
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 corner
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 durst
                 Hezekiah
                 
                 draw
                 his
                 necke
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 yoke
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 ,
                 and
                 victorious
                 Monarch
                 of
                 Assyria
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 one
                 enemy
                 had
                 not
                 beene
                 enough
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 same
                 time
                 ,
                 hee
                 falls
                 vpon
                 the
                 incroaching
                 Philistims
                 ,
                 and
                 preuailes
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 asked
                 ,
                 what
                 powers
                 a
                 man
                 can
                 make
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 what
                 termes
                 he
                 stands
                 with
                 heauen
                 .
                 The
                 vnworthy
                 father
                 of
                 Hezekiah
                 had
                 clogged
                 Iudah
                 with
                 this
                 seruile
                 fealty
                 to
                 the
                 Assyrian
                 ;
                 what
                 the
                 conditions
                 of
                 that
                 subiection
                 were
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 too
                 late
                 ,
                 and
                 needlesse
                 for
                 vs
                 to
                 inquire
                 ,
                 If
                 this
                 payment
                 were
                 limited
                 to
                 a
                 period
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 the
                 expiration
                 acquitted
                 him
                 ;
                 If
                 vpon
                 couenants
                 of
                 ayd
                 ,
                 the
                 cessation
                 thereof
                 acquitted
                 him
                 ;
                 If
                 the
                 reforming
                 of
                 religion
                 ,
                 &
                 banishment
                 of
                 Idolatry
                 ran
                 vnder
                 the
                 
                 censure
                 of
                 rebellion
                 ,
                 the
                 quarrell
                 on
                 Ezekiahs
                 part
                 ,
                 was
                 holy
                 ,
                 on
                 Senacheribs
                 vniust
                 :
                 but
                 if
                 the
                 restipulation
                 were
                 absolute
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 withdrawing
                 of
                 this
                 homage
                 vpon
                 none
                 but
                 ciuill
                 grounds
                 ,
                 I
                 cannot
                 excuse
                 the
                 good
                 King
                 from
                 a
                 iust
                 offence
                 :
                 It
                 was
                 an
                 humane
                 frailty
                 in
                 an
                 obliged
                 Prince
                 by
                 force
                 to
                 affect
                 a
                 free
                 and
                 independant
                 soueraignty
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 doe
                 we
                 mince
                 that
                 fact
                 ,
                 which
                 holy
                 Ezekiah
                 himselfe
                 censures
                 ?
                 
                   I
                   haue
                   offended
                   ,
                   returne
                   from
                   mee
                   ,
                   what
                   thou
                   putst
                   on
                   mee
                   will
                   I
                   beare
                   ?
                
                 The
                 comfort
                 of
                 liberty
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 had
                 with
                 an
                 vnwarranted
                 violence
                 .
                 Holinesse
                 cannot
                 free
                 vs
                 from
                 infirmity
                 :
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 weaknes
                 to
                 doe
                 that
                 act
                 ,
                 which
                 must
                 bee
                 soone
                 vndone
                 with
                 
                 much
                 repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 losse
                 ;
                 This
                 reuolt
                 shall
                 cost
                 Ezekiah
                 (
                 besides
                 much
                 humiliation
                 )
                 three
                 hundred
                 yearely
                 talents
                 of
                 siluer
                 ,
                 thirty
                 talents
                 of
                 gold
                 :
                 How
                 much
                 better
                 had
                 it
                 beene
                 for
                 the
                 Cities
                 of
                 Iudah
                 to
                 haue
                 purchased
                 their
                 peace
                 with
                 an
                 easie
                 tribute
                 ,
                 then
                 warre
                 with
                 an
                 intolerable
                 taxation
                 .
              
               
                 Fourteene
                 years
                 had
                 good
                 Hezekiah
                 fed
                 vpon
                 a
                 sweet
                 peace
                 ,
                 sauced
                 only
                 with
                 a
                 set
                 pension
                 ;
                 now
                 he
                 must
                 prepare
                 his
                 pallat
                 for
                 the
                 bitter
                 morsels
                 of
                 warre
                 .
                 The
                 King
                 of
                 Assyria
                 is
                 comne
                 vp
                 against
                 all
                 the
                 defenced
                 Cities
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ;
                 and
                 hath
                 taken
                 them
                 :
                 Ezekiah
                 :
                 is
                 faine
                 to
                 buy
                 him
                 out
                 with
                 too
                 many
                 talents
                 ;
                 The
                 poore
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 Iudah
                 is
                 exhaust
                 ,
                 
                 with
                 so
                 deepe
                 a
                 payment
                 ;
                 in
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 the
                 King
                 is
                 forced
                 to
                 borrow
                 of
                 God
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 for
                 
                   Hezekiah
                   gaue
                   him
                   all
                   the
                   siluer
                   that
                   was
                   found
                   in
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ;
                   yea
                   ,
                   at
                   that
                   time
                   did
                   Hezekiah
                   cut
                   off
                   the
                   gold
                   from
                   the
                   doores
                   of
                   the
                   temple
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   from
                   the
                   pillars
                   which
                   he
                   had
                   ouer-laid
                   ,
                   and
                   gaue
                   it
                   to
                   the
                   King
                   of
                   Assyria
                   .
                
                 How
                 hard
                 was
                 good
                 Hezekiah
                 driuen
                 ,
                 ere
                 he
                 would
                 bee
                 thus
                 bold
                 with
                 his
                 God
                 ?
                 Surely
                 if
                 the
                 mines
                 ,
                 or
                 cofers
                 of
                 Iudah
                 could
                 haue
                 yeelded
                 any
                 supply
                 ,
                 this
                 shift
                 had
                 beene
                 hatefull
                 ;
                 to
                 fetch
                 back
                 for
                 an
                 enemy
                 ,
                 that
                 which
                 hee
                 had
                 giuen
                 to
                 his
                 Maker
                 :
                 Onely
                 necessity
                 excuses
                 that
                 from
                 sacriledge
                 in
                 the
                 sonne
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 ,
                 made
                 sacriledge
                 in
                 the
                 father
                 :
                 That
                 which
                 
                 is
                 once
                 deuoted
                 to
                 a
                 sacred
                 vse
                 ,
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 called
                 backe
                 to
                 a
                 profane
                 :
                 But
                 he
                 whose
                 the
                 earth
                 is
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 fulnesse
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 taken
                 with
                 our
                 metals
                 ,
                 that
                 hee
                 should
                 more
                 regard
                 our
                 gold
                 ,
                 then
                 our
                 welfare
                 :
                 His
                 goodnes
                 cannot
                 grudge
                 any
                 outward
                 thing
                 for
                 the
                 price
                 of
                 our
                 peace
                 :
                 To
                 rob
                 God
                 out
                 of
                 couetousnesse
                 ,
                 or
                 wantonnesse
                 ,
                 or
                 neglect
                 is
                 iustly
                 damnable
                 ;
                 wee
                 cannot
                 robbe
                 him
                 out
                 of
                 our
                 need
                 ;
                 for
                 then
                 he
                 giues
                 vs
                 all
                 we
                 take
                 ;
                 and
                 bids
                 vs
                 ransome
                 our
                 liues
                 ,
                 our
                 liberties
                 ;
                 The
                 treasures
                 of
                 Gods
                 house
                 were
                 precious
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 sake
                 ,
                 to
                 whom
                 they
                 were
                 consecrated
                 ,
                 but
                 more
                 precious
                 in
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 was
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 any
                 one
                 of
                 his
                 Saints
                 .
              
               
               
                 Euery
                 true
                 Israelite
                 was
                 the
                 spirituall
                 house
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 why
                 should
                 not
                 the
                 doore
                 of
                 the
                 materiall
                 tēple
                 be
                 willingly
                 stripped
                 ,
                 to
                 saue
                 the
                 whole
                 frame
                 of
                 the
                 spirituall
                 Temple
                 .
                 Take
                 therefore
                 ,
                 ô
                 Hezekiah
                 what
                 thou
                 hast
                 giuen
                 ,
                 no
                 gold
                 is
                 too
                 holy
                 to
                 redeeme
                 thy
                 vexation
                 :
                 It
                 matters
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 how
                 bare
                 the
                 doores
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 bee
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 case
                 of
                 necessity
                 ,
                 as
                 how
                 wel
                 the
                 insides
                 be
                 furnished
                 with
                 sincere
                 deuotion
                 .
                 O
                 the
                 cruell
                 hard
                 hartednesse
                 of
                 those
                 men
                 which
                 will
                 rather
                 suffer
                 the
                 liuing
                 Temples
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 be
                 ruined
                 ;
                 then
                 they
                 will
                 ransome
                 their
                 life
                 ,
                 with
                 farthings
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 could
                 not
                 bee
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 the
                 store
                 of
                 needy
                 Iudah
                 must
                 soone
                 be
                 drawne
                 dry
                 with
                 so
                 deepe
                 an
                 
                 exaction
                 ;
                 that
                 sum
                 cannot
                 be
                 sent
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 cannot
                 be
                 raised
                 :
                 The
                 cruell
                 Tyran
                 calls
                 for
                 his
                 brickes
                 whiles
                 he
                 allowes
                 no
                 straw
                 ;
                 His
                 anger
                 is
                 kindled
                 because
                 Ezekiahs
                 cofers
                 haue
                 a
                 bottome
                 ;
                 with
                 amighty
                 host
                 doth
                 he
                 come
                 vp
                 a
                 gainst
                 Ierusalem
                 ;
                 therefore
                 shal
                 that
                 City
                 be
                 destroyed
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 because
                 by
                 him
                 it
                 hath
                 bin
                 impouerished
                 ;
                 the
                 inhabitants
                 must
                 bee
                 slaues
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 beggers
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 lamentable
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 in
                 sight
                 ,
                 desperate
                 condition
                 of
                 distressed
                 Ierusalem
                 :
                 wealth
                 it
                 had
                 none
                 ;
                 strength
                 it
                 had
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 little
                 ;
                 all
                 the
                 Country
                 round
                 about
                 was
                 subdued
                 to
                 the
                 Assyrian
                 ;
                 that
                 proud
                 victor
                 hath
                 begirt
                 the
                 wals
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 with
                 an
                 innumerable
                 army
                 ,
                 scorning
                 that
                 such
                 a
                 shouell-full
                 of
                 
                 earth
                 should
                 stand
                 out
                 but
                 one
                 day
                 ;
                 Poore
                 Ierusalem
                 stands
                 alone
                 ,
                 block't
                 vp
                 with
                 a
                 world
                 of
                 enemies
                 ,
                 helplesse
                 ,
                 friendlesse
                 ,
                 comfortlesse
                 ;
                 looking
                 for
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 an
                 hostile
                 fury
                 ;
                 when
                 Tartan
                 and
                 Rabsaris
                 ,
                 and
                 Rabshakeh
                 ,
                 the
                 great
                 Captaines
                 of
                 the
                 Assyrians
                 ,
                 call
                 to
                 a
                 parlee
                 .
                 Hezekiah
                 sends
                 to
                 them
                 three
                 of
                 his
                 prime
                 officers
                 ,
                 his
                 Steward
                 ,
                 his
                 Secretary
                 ,
                 his
                 Recorder
                 .
                 Lord
                 ;
                 What
                 insolent
                 blasphemies
                 doth
                 that
                 foule
                 mouth
                 of
                 Rabshakeh
                 belch
                 out
                 against
                 the
                 liuing
                 God
                 ,
                 against
                 his
                 anointed
                 seruant
                 ?
              
               
                 How
                 plausibly
                 doth
                 hee
                 discourage
                 the
                 subiects
                 of
                 Ezekiah
                 ,
                 how
                 proudly
                 doth
                 hee
                 insult
                 vpon
                 their
                 impotency
                 ,
                 how
                 doth
                 he
                 braue
                 them
                 with
                 base
                 offers
                 of
                 
                 aduantage
                 ;
                 and
                 lastly
                 ,
                 how
                 cunningly
                 doth
                 he
                 fore-lay
                 their
                 confidence
                 (
                 which
                 was
                 onely
                 left
                 them
                 )
                 in
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 protesting
                 not
                 to
                 bee
                 comne
                 vp
                 hither
                 without
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 
                   The
                   Lord
                   said
                   to
                   me
                   ,
                   Goe
                   vp
                   to
                   this
                   land
                   ,
                   and
                   destroy
                   it
                
                 ;
                 How
                 fearfull
                 a
                 word
                 was
                 this
                 ?
                 The
                 rest
                 were
                 but
                 vaine
                 crackes
                 ,
                 this
                 was
                 a
                 thunderbolt
                 to
                 strike
                 dead
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 Ezekiah
                 ;
                 If
                 Rabshakeh
                 could
                 haue
                 been
                 beleeued
                 ,
                 Ierusalem
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 haue
                 flowne
                 open
                 ;
                 How
                 could
                 it
                 think
                 to
                 stand
                 out
                 no
                 lesse
                 against
                 God
                 ,
                 then
                 men
                 ?
                 Euen
                 thus
                 doth
                 the
                 great
                 enemy
                 of
                 mankinde
                 ;
                 if
                 hee
                 can
                 dis-hearten
                 the
                 soule
                 from
                 a
                 dependance
                 vpon
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 mercies
                 ,
                 the
                 day
                 is
                 his
                 :
                 Lewd
                 miscreants
                 care
                 not
                 
                 how
                 they
                 be-lye
                 God
                 for
                 their
                 owne
                 purposes
                 .
              
               
                 Eliakim
                 the
                 steward
                 of
                 Hezekiah
                 well
                 knew
                 ,
                 how
                 much
                 the
                 people
                 must
                 needes
                 bee
                 affected
                 with
                 this
                 pernicious
                 suggestion
                 ;
                 and
                 faine
                 would
                 therefore
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 stop
                 that
                 wicked
                 mouth
                 ,
                 yet
                 diuert
                 these
                 blasphemies
                 into
                 a
                 forraigne
                 expression
                 .
                 I
                 wonder
                 that
                 any
                 wise
                 man
                 should
                 looke
                 for
                 fauour
                 from
                 an
                 enemy
                 :
                 
                   Speak
                   I
                   pray
                   thee
                   ,
                   to
                   thy
                   seruants
                   in
                   the
                   Syrian
                   language
                   :
                
                 What
                 was
                 this
                 but
                 to
                 teach
                 an
                 aduersary
                 hovv
                 to
                 doe
                 mischiefe
                 ?
                 Wherfore
                 came
                 Rabshakeh
                 thither
                 but
                 to
                 gall
                 Ezekiah
                 ,
                 to
                 vvith-dravv
                 his
                 subiects
                 ?
                 That
                 tongue
                 is
                 properest
                 for
                 him
                 vvhich
                 may
                 hurt
                 most
                 ;
                 Deprecations
                 of
                 euill
                 to
                 a
                 malicious
                 man
                 
                 are
                 no
                 better
                 then
                 aduices
                 .
                 An
                 vnknowne
                 idiome
                 is
                 fit
                 to
                 keepe
                 counsell
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 familiar
                 words
                 that
                 must
                 conuey
                 ought
                 to
                 the
                 vnderstanding
                 .
                 Leud
                 men
                 are
                 the
                 worse
                 for
                 admonitions
                 .
              
               
                 Rabshakeh
                 had
                 not
                 so
                 strained
                 his
                 throat
                 ,
                 to
                 corrupt
                 the
                 citizens
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 had
                 it
                 not
                 beene
                 for
                 the
                 humble
                 obtestation
                 of
                 Eliakim
                 ;
                 Now
                 he
                 reares
                 vp
                 his
                 voyce
                 ,
                 and
                 holds
                 his
                 sides
                 ,
                 and
                 roares
                 out
                 his
                 double
                 blasphemies
                 ;
                 one
                 while
                 affrighting
                 the
                 people
                 with
                 the
                 great
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 mighty
                 king
                 of
                 Assyria
                 ;
                 another
                 while
                 debasing
                 the
                 contemptible
                 force
                 of
                 Hezekiah
                 ;
                 now
                 smoothly
                 alluring
                 them
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 assurances
                 of
                 a
                 safe
                 and
                 successfull
                 yeeldance
                 ;
                 then
                 ,
                 discouraging
                 them
                 with
                 the
                 
                 impossibility
                 of
                 their
                 deliuerance
                 ;
                 laying
                 before
                 them
                 the
                 fearfull
                 examples
                 of
                 greater
                 nations
                 vanquished
                 ,
                 by
                 that
                 sword
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 now
                 shaken
                 ouer
                 them
                 ;
                 triumphing
                 in
                 the
                 impotency
                 ,
                 and
                 mis-cariage
                 of
                 their
                 gods
                 :
                 
                   Who
                   are
                   they
                   among
                   all
                   the
                   Gods
                   of
                   the
                   countries
                   ,
                   that
                   haue
                   deliuered
                   their
                   Country
                   out
                   of
                   mine
                   hand
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Lord
                   should
                   deliuer
                   Ierusalem
                   out
                   of
                   mine
                   hand
                   ?
                   Where
                   are
                   the
                   Gods
                   of
                   Arpad
                   ,
                   and
                   of
                   Hamath
                   ?
                
                 Where
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 that
                 hellish
                 darknesse
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ordained
                 both
                 for
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 barbarous
                 Assyrian
                 ,
                 that
                 darest
                 thus
                 open
                 thy
                 mouth
                 against
                 thy
                 Maker
                 :
                 And
                 can
                 those
                 Atheous
                 eyes
                 of
                 thine
                 see
                 no
                 differēce
                 of
                 Gods
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 no
                 distance
                 betwixt
                 a
                 stocke
                 ,
                 or
                 stone
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 infinite
                 
                 Deity
                 that
                 made
                 heauen
                 &
                 earth
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 enough
                 that
                 thou
                 now
                 feelest
                 it
                 ;
                 thy
                 torments
                 haue
                 taught
                 thee
                 too
                 late
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 affrontedst
                 a
                 liuing
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 How
                 did
                 the
                 fingers
                 &
                 tongues
                 of
                 these
                 Iewish
                 Peeres
                 and
                 people
                 ,
                 itch
                 to
                 be
                 at
                 Rabshakeh
                 ;
                 in
                 a
                 reuengefull
                 answer
                 to
                 those
                 impieties
                 :
                 All
                 is
                 whus
                 ht
                 ;
                 not
                 a
                 word
                 sounds
                 from
                 those
                 vvalls
                 :
                 I
                 doe
                 not
                 more
                 wonder
                 at
                 Hezekiahs
                 wisedome
                 ,
                 in
                 commanding
                 silence
                 ,
                 then
                 at
                 the
                 subiects
                 obedience
                 ,
                 in
                 keeping
                 it
                 ;
                 This
                 rayler
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 more
                 spighted
                 ,
                 then
                 with
                 no
                 answer
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 exasperated
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 bee
                 reformed
                 ;
                 besides
                 ,
                 the
                 rebounding
                 of
                 those
                 multiplyed
                 blasphemies
                 ,
                 might
                 leaue
                 some
                 ill
                 impressions
                 
                 in
                 the
                 multitude
                 ;
                 This
                 sulphurous
                 flaske
                 ,
                 therefore
                 ,
                 dyes
                 in
                 his
                 owne
                 smoke
                 :
                 onely
                 leauing
                 an
                 hatefull
                 stench
                 behind
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Good
                 Hezekiah
                 cannot
                 easily
                 passe
                 ouer
                 this
                 deuillish
                 oratory
                 ;
                 no
                 sooner
                 doth
                 he
                 heare
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 thē
                 he
                 rends
                 his
                 clothes
                 ,
                 and
                 couers
                 himselfe
                 with
                 sack-cloth
                 ,
                 and
                 betakes
                 himselfe
                 to
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 sends
                 his
                 officers
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 grauest
                 of
                 the
                 Priests
                 ,
                 clad
                 in
                 sack-cloth
                 ,
                 to
                 Esay
                 the
                 Prophet
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 dolefull
                 and
                 querulous
                 message
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 the
                 noble
                 piety
                 of
                 Hezekiah
                 ;
                 notwithstanding
                 all
                 the
                 straits
                 of
                 the
                 siege
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 danger
                 of
                 so
                 powerfull
                 an
                 enemy
                 ;
                 I
                 find
                 not
                 the
                 garments
                 of
                 this
                 good
                 King
                 ,
                 any
                 otherwise
                 then
                 
                 whole
                 ,
                 and
                 vnchanged
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 so
                 soon
                 as
                 euer
                 a
                 blasphemy
                 is
                 vttered
                 against
                 the
                 Maiesty
                 of
                 his
                 God
                 ,
                 (
                 though
                 by
                 a
                 Pagan
                 dog
                 )
                 his
                 clothes
                 are
                 torne
                 ,
                 and
                 turned
                 into
                 sack-cloth
                 :
                 There
                 can
                 bee
                 no
                 better
                 argument
                 of
                 an
                 vpright
                 heart
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 be
                 more
                 sensible
                 of
                 the
                 indignities
                 offered
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 then
                 of
                 our
                 owne
                 dangers
                 .
                 Euen
                 these
                 desperate
                 reproches
                 send
                 Ezekiah
                 to
                 the
                 Temple
                 :
                 The
                 more
                 we
                 see
                 Gods
                 name
                 profaned
                 ,
                 the
                 more
                 shall
                 we
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 be
                 truely
                 religious
                 ,
                 loue
                 and
                 honor
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Whither
                 should
                 Hezekiab
                 run
                 but
                 to
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ?
                 There
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 the
                 refuge
                 of
                 all
                 faithfull
                 ones
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 may
                 speak
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 may
                 bee
                 spoken
                 to
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 fetch
                 comfort
                 from
                 both
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 possible
                 that
                 a
                 beleeuing
                 heart
                 should
                 bee
                 disappointed
                 :
                 Isaiah
                 sends
                 that
                 message
                 to
                 the
                 good
                 King
                 ,
                 that
                 may
                 dry
                 vp
                 his
                 teares
                 ,
                 and
                 cheere
                 his
                 countenāce
                 ,
                 and
                 change
                 his
                 suit
                 ;
                 
                   Thus
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   Be
                   not
                   afraid
                   of
                   the
                   wordes
                   which
                   thou
                   hast
                   heard
                   ,
                   with
                   which
                   the
                   seruants
                   of
                   the
                   King
                   of
                   Syria
                   haue
                   blasphemed
                   me
                   ;
                   Behold
                   I
                   will
                   send
                   a
                   blast
                   vpon
                   him
                   ;
                   and
                   bee
                   shall
                   heare
                   a
                   rumor
                   ,
                   and
                   shall
                   returne
                   to
                   his
                   owne
                   Land
                   ;
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   cause
                   him
                   to
                   fall
                   by
                   the
                   sword
                   in
                   his
                   owne
                   Land.
                   
                
              
               
                 Loe
                 ;
                 euen
                 whiles
                 Senacherib
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 height
                 of
                 his
                 iollity
                 &
                 assurance
                 ;
                 Gods
                 Prophet
                 foresees
                 his
                 ruine
                 ;
                 and
                 giues
                 him
                 for
                 dead
                 ,
                 whiles
                 that
                 Tyran
                 thought
                 of
                 nothing
                 but
                 life
                 and
                 victory
                 .
                 
                 Proud
                 &
                 secure
                 worldlings
                 little
                 dreame
                 of
                 the
                 neere
                 approach
                 of
                 their
                 iudgements
                 :
                 whiles
                 they
                 are
                 plotting
                 their
                 deepest
                 designes
                 ,
                 the
                 ouer-ruling
                 iustice
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 hath
                 contriued
                 their
                 sudden
                 confusion
                 ,
                 and
                 sees
                 ,
                 and
                 sets
                 them
                 their
                 day
                 .
              
               
                 Rabshakeh
                 returnes
                 ,
                 and
                 finding
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Assyria
                 warring
                 against
                 Libnah
                 ,
                 reports
                 to
                 him
                 the
                 silent
                 ,
                 (
                 and
                 therein
                 )
                 contemptuous
                 answer
                 ,
                 and
                 firme
                 resolutions
                 of
                 Hezekiah
                 ;
                 In
                 the
                 meane
                 time
                 God
                 pulls
                 Senacherib
                 by
                 the
                 eare
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 newes
                 of
                 the
                 approching
                 army
                 of
                 Tirhakah
                 King
                 of
                 Ethiopia
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 comming
                 vp
                 to
                 raise
                 the
                 siege
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 succour
                 his
                 confederats
                 :
                 That
                 dreadfull
                 power
                 will
                 not
                 allow
                 the
                 
                 Assyrian
                 King
                 ,
                 in
                 person
                 to
                 lead
                 his
                 other
                 forces
                 vp
                 against
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 nor
                 to
                 continue
                 his
                 former
                 Leaguer
                 long
                 before
                 those
                 walls
                 .
                 But
                 now
                 ,
                 hee
                 writes
                 big
                 words
                 to
                 Hezekiah
                 ,
                 and
                 thinks
                 with
                 his
                 thundering
                 menaces
                 to
                 beat
                 open
                 the
                 gates
                 ,
                 and
                 leuell
                 the
                 bulwarks
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 :
                 Like
                 the
                 true
                 master
                 of
                 Rabshakeh
                 ,
                 hee
                 reuiles
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Heauen
                 ;
                 and
                 basely
                 parallels
                 him
                 with
                 the
                 dunghill
                 deities
                 of
                 the
                 heathen
                 .
              
               
                 Good
                 Ezekiah
                 gets
                 him
                 into
                 his
                 Sanctuary
                 ;
                 there
                 he
                 spreads
                 the
                 letters
                 before
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 and
                 calls
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 that
                 dwells
                 between
                 the
                 Cherubims
                 ,
                 to
                 reuenge
                 the
                 blasphemies
                 of
                 Senacherib
                 ,
                 to
                 protect
                 and
                 rescue
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 people
                 .
                 Euery
                 one
                 of
                 those
                 words
                 
                 pierced
                 heauen
                 ;
                 which
                 was
                 no
                 lesse
                 open
                 to
                 mercy
                 vnto
                 Hezekiah
                 ;
                 then
                 ,
                 vengeance
                 to
                 Senacherib
                 ;
                 Now
                 is
                 Isaiah
                 addressed
                 with
                 a
                 second
                 message
                 of
                 comfort
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 doubtlesse
                 distrusted
                 not
                 the
                 first
                 :
                 onely
                 the
                 reiteration
                 of
                 that
                 furious
                 blasphemy
                 made
                 him
                 take
                 faster
                 hold
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 faithfull
                 deuotion
                 .
                 Now
                 ,
                 the
                 iealous
                 God
                 in
                 a
                 disdaine
                 of
                 so
                 blasphemous
                 a
                 contestation
                 ,
                 rises
                 vp
                 in
                 a
                 stile
                 of
                 Maiesty
                 ,
                 and
                 gloriously
                 tramples
                 vpon
                 this
                 saucie
                 insolency
                 ,
                 
                   Because
                   thy
                   rage
                   against
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   thy
                   tumult
                   is
                   comne
                   vp
                   into
                   mine
                   eares
                   ,
                   therefore
                   I
                   will
                   put
                   my
                   hooke
                   into
                   thy
                   nose
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   beidle
                   into
                   thy
                   lips
                   :
                   and
                   will
                   turne
                   this
                   backe
                   by
                   the
                   way
                   thou
                   camest
                   .
                
                 Lod
                 ,
                 Senacherib
                 ,
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 heauen
                 makes
                 
                 a
                 beast
                 of
                 thee
                 ,
                 who
                 hast
                 so
                 brutishly
                 spurned
                 at
                 his
                 name
                 ;
                 If
                 thou
                 be
                 a
                 rauenous
                 Beare
                 ,
                 hee
                 hath
                 an
                 hooke
                 for
                 thy
                 nosthrils
                 :
                 If
                 thou
                 be
                 a
                 resty
                 horse
                 ,
                 he
                 hath
                 a
                 bridle
                 for
                 thy
                 mouth
                 ;
                 In
                 spight
                 of
                 thee
                 ,
                 thou
                 shalt
                 follow
                 his
                 hooke
                 ,
                 or
                 his
                 bridle
                 ;
                 and
                 shalt
                 be
                 led
                 to
                 thy
                 iust
                 shame
                 by
                 either
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 vs
                 to
                 bee
                 the
                 Lords
                 of
                 our
                 owne
                 actions
                 ;
                 
                   Thus
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   concerning
                   the
                   King
                   of
                   Assyria
                   ;
                   He
                   shall
                   not
                   come
                   into
                   this
                   city
                   ,
                   nor
                   shoot
                   an
                   arrow
                   there
                   ,
                   nor
                   come
                   before
                   it
                   with
                   shield
                   ,
                   nor
                   cast
                   a
                   banke
                   against
                   it
                   ;
                   by
                   the
                   way
                   that
                   he
                   came
                   shal
                   he
                   returne
                   ;
                   &c.
                   
                
                 Impotent
                 men
                 ,
                 what
                 are
                 we
                 in
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ?
                 we
                 purpose
                 ,
                 he
                 ouer-rules
                 ;
                 wee
                 talke
                 of
                 great
                 matters
                 ,
                 and
                 thinke
                 to
                 doe
                 wonders
                 ;
                 he
                 
                 blowes
                 vpon
                 our
                 proiects
                 ,
                 and
                 they
                 vanish
                 with
                 our selues
                 :
                 He
                 that
                 hath
                 set
                 bounds
                 to
                 the
                 Sea
                 ,
                 hath
                 appointed
                 limits
                 to
                 the
                 rage
                 of
                 the
                 proudest
                 enemies
                 ;
                 yea
                 ,
                 euen
                 the
                 Deuils
                 themselues
                 are
                 confined
                 ;
                 Why
                 boast
                 yee
                 your selues
                 ,
                 ô
                 ye
                 Tyrans
                 ,
                 that
                 ye
                 can
                 doe
                 mischiefe
                 ;
                 yee
                 are
                 stinted
                 :
                 and
                 euen
                 within
                 those
                 lists
                 ,
                 is
                 confusion
                 .
              
               
                 O
                 the
                 Trophees
                 of
                 diuine
                 Iustice
                 ,
                 
                   That
                   very
                   night
                   the
                   Angell
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   went
                   out
                   ,
                   and
                   smote
                   in
                   the
                   campe
                   of
                   the
                   Assyrians
                   an
                   hundred
                   fourescore
                   &
                   fiue
                   thousand
                   ;
                   and
                   when
                   they
                   arose
                   earely
                   in
                   the
                   morning
                   ,
                   behold
                   they
                   were
                   all
                   dead
                   corps
                   .
                
              
               
                 How
                 speedy
                 an
                 execution
                 was
                 this
                 ,
                 how
                 miraculous
                 ?
                 No
                 humane
                 arme
                 shall
                 haue
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 this
                 victory
                 ;
                 It
                 was
                 God
                 that
                 
                 was
                 defied
                 by
                 that
                 presūptuous
                 Assyrian
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 God
                 that
                 shall
                 right
                 his
                 owne
                 wrongs
                 ;
                 Had
                 the
                 Egyptian
                 ,
                 or
                 Ethyopian
                 forces
                 beene
                 comne
                 vp
                 ,
                 though
                 the
                 same
                 God
                 had
                 done
                 this
                 worke
                 by
                 them
                 ,
                 yet
                 some
                 praise
                 of
                 this
                 slaughter
                 had
                 perhaps
                 cleau'd
                 to
                 their
                 fingers
                 .
                 Now
                 an
                 inuisible
                 hand
                 sheds
                 all
                 this
                 blood
                 ;
                 that
                 his
                 very
                 enemies
                 may
                 cleare
                 him
                 frō
                 all
                 partnership
                 of
                 reuenge
                 .
                 Go
                 now
                 ,
                 wicked
                 Senacherib
                 ,
                 and
                 tell
                 of
                 the
                 gods
                 of
                 Hamath
                 and
                 Arpad
                 ,
                 and
                 Sepharuaim
                 ,
                 and
                 Hena
                 ,
                 &
                 Iuah
                 ,
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 destroyed
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 that
                 Hezekiahs
                 God
                 is
                 but
                 as
                 one
                 of
                 these
                 :
                 Goe
                 ,
                 and
                 adde
                 this
                 Deity
                 to
                 the
                 number
                 of
                 thy
                 conquests
                 :
                 Now
                 ,
                 say
                 that
                 Ezekiahs
                 God
                 in
                 whom
                 hee
                 trusted
                 hath
                 
                 deceiued
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 graced
                 thy
                 Tryumphes
                 .
              
               
                 With
                 shame
                 and
                 griefe
                 enough
                 is
                 that
                 sneaped
                 Tyran
                 returned
                 to
                 his
                 Niniue
                 ,
                 hauing
                 left
                 behinde
                 him
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 pride
                 and
                 strength
                 of
                 Assyria
                 ,
                 for
                 compost
                 to
                 the
                 Iewish
                 fields
                 .
                 Well
                 were
                 it
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 ô
                 Senacherib
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 couldst
                 escape
                 thus
                 ;
                 vengeance
                 waits
                 for
                 thee
                 at
                 home
                 ,
                 and
                 welcomes
                 thee
                 into
                 thy
                 place
                 ;
                 whiles
                 thou
                 art
                 worshipping
                 in
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 Nisroch
                 thy
                 god
                 ,
                 two
                 of
                 thine
                 own
                 sons
                 shall
                 be
                 thine
                 executioners
                 .
                 See
                 now
                 ,
                 if
                 that
                 false
                 Deity
                 of
                 thine
                 can
                 preserue
                 thee
                 frō
                 that
                 stroke
                 which
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 sends
                 thee
                 by
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 thine
                 owne
                 flesh
                 ;
                 Hee
                 that
                 slew
                 thine
                 hoast
                 by
                 his
                 Angell
                 ,
                 slayes
                 thee
                 by
                 thy
                 sonnes
                 :
                 
                 The
                 same
                 Angell
                 that
                 killed
                 all
                 those
                 thousands
                 ,
                 could
                 as
                 easily
                 haue
                 smitten
                 thee
                 ;
                 but
                 he
                 rather
                 reserues
                 thee
                 for
                 the
                 further
                 torment
                 of
                 an
                 vnnaturall
                 stroke
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 mayest
                 see
                 too
                 late
                 ,
                 how
                 easie
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 him
                 in
                 spight
                 of
                 thy
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 arme
                 thine
                 owne
                 loines
                 against
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 Thou
                 art
                 auenged
                 ,
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 thou
                 art
                 auenged
                 plentifully
                 of
                 thine
                 enemies
                 ▪
                 Whosoeuer
                 striues
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 is
                 sure
                 to
                 gaine
                 nothing
                 but
                 losse
                 ,
                 but
                 shame
                 ,
                 but
                 death
                 ,
                 but
                 hell
                 .
                 The
                 Assyrians
                 are
                 slaine
                 ,
                 Senacherib
                 is
                 rewarded
                 for
                 his
                 blasphemy
                 :
                 Ierusalem
                 is
                 rescued
                 ,
                 Ezekiah
                 reioyces
                 ,
                 the
                 nations
                 wonder
                 and
                 tremble
                 .
                 O
                 loue
                 the
                 Lord
                 all
                 ye
                 his
                 Saints
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 Lord
                 preserueth
                 the
                 faithfull
                 ,
                 &
                 plenteously
                 rewarded
                 the
                 proud
                 doer
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 HEZEKIAH
                 
                   sicke
                   ,
                   recouered
                   ,
                   visited
                
                 .
              
               
                 HEzekiah
                 was
                 freed
                 
                 from
                 the
                 siege
                 of
                 the
                 Assyrians
                 ,
                 but
                 hee
                 is
                 surprised
                 with
                 a
                 disease
                 :
                 he
                 that
                 deliuered
                 him
                 from
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 his
                 enemies
                 ,
                 smites
                 him
                 with
                 sicknesse
                 :
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 let
                 vs
                 loose
                 from
                 all
                 afflictions
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 redeemes
                 vs
                 from
                 one
                 .
              
               
                 To
                 thinke
                 that
                 Ezekiah
                 was
                 either
                 not
                 thankfull
                 enough
                 for
                 his
                 deliuerance
                 ,
                 or
                 too
                 much
                 lifted
                 vp
                 with
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 so
                 miraculous
                 
                 a
                 fauour
                 ;
                 were
                 an
                 iniurious
                 mis-construction
                 of
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 an
                 vncharitable
                 censure
                 of
                 an
                 holy
                 Prince
                 :
                 For
                 ,
                 though
                 no
                 flesh
                 and
                 blood
                 can
                 auoid
                 the
                 iust
                 desert
                 of
                 bodily
                 punishment
                 ,
                 yet
                 God
                 doth
                 not
                 alwayes
                 strike
                 with
                 an
                 intuition
                 of
                 sinne
                 ;
                 sometimes
                 he
                 regards
                 the
                 benefit
                 of
                 our
                 triall
                 ;
                 sometimes
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 his
                 mercy
                 in
                 our
                 cure
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 was
                 no
                 sleight
                 distemper
                 ,
                 that
                 seized
                 vpon
                 Ezekiah
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 disease
                 both
                 painfull
                 ,
                 and
                 fierce
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 nature
                 deadly
                 .
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 how
                 thou
                 lashest
                 euen
                 those
                 whom
                 thou
                 louest
                 :
                 Hadst
                 thou
                 euer
                 any
                 such
                 dearling
                 in
                 the
                 throne
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 as
                 Hezekiah
                 ?
                 Yet
                 he
                 no
                 sooner
                 breatheth
                 from
                 a
                 miserable
                 
                 siege
                 ,
                 then
                 hee
                 panteth
                 vnder
                 a
                 mortall
                 sicknesse
                 :
                 when
                 as
                 yet
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 comfort
                 of
                 a
                 child
                 ,
                 to
                 succeed
                 him
                 ,
                 thy
                 Prophet
                 is
                 sent
                 to
                 him
                 with
                 the
                 heauy
                 message
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 
                   Set
                   thine
                   house
                   in
                   order
                   ,
                   for
                   thou
                   shalt
                   dye
                   and
                   not
                   liue
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 mercy
                 of
                 God
                 that
                 he
                 giues
                 vs
                 warning
                 of
                 our
                 end
                 ;
                 we
                 shall
                 make
                 an
                 ill
                 vse
                 of
                 so
                 gratious
                 a
                 premonition
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 make
                 not
                 a
                 meet
                 preparation
                 for
                 our
                 passage
                 .
                 Euen
                 those
                 that
                 haue
                 not
                 an
                 house
                 ,
                 yet
                 haue
                 a
                 soule
                 ;
                 no
                 soule
                 can
                 want
                 important
                 affaires
                 to
                 be
                 ordered
                 for
                 a
                 finall
                 dissolution
                 ;
                 the
                 neglect
                 of
                 this
                 best
                 thrift
                 is
                 desperate
                 .
                 Set
                 thy
                 soule
                 in
                 order
                 ,
                 ô
                 man
                 ,
                 for
                 thou
                 shalt
                 dye
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 liue
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 God
                 had
                 giuen
                 Ezekiah
                 a
                 
                 son
                 ,
                 nature
                 had
                 bequeathed
                 his
                 estate
                 ;
                 now
                 ,
                 hee
                 must
                 study
                 to
                 find
                 heyres
                 :
                 Euen
                 these
                 outward
                 things
                 ,
                 (
                 though
                 in
                 themselues
                 worthlesse
                 )
                 require
                 our
                 carefull
                 disposition
                 ,
                 to
                 those
                 we
                 leaue
                 behind
                 vs
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 wee
                 haue
                 delayed
                 these
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 till
                 then
                 ,
                 our
                 sicke
                 beds
                 may
                 not
                 complaine
                 of
                 their
                 importunity
                 ;
                 We
                 cannot
                 leaue
                 to
                 our
                 families
                 a
                 better
                 legacy
                 ,
                 then
                 Peace
                 .
              
               
                 Neuer
                 was
                 the
                 Prophet
                 Esay
                 vnwelcome
                 to
                 this
                 good
                 King
                 ,
                 vntill
                 now
                 :
                 Euen
                 sad
                 tidings
                 must
                 be
                 caried
                 by
                 those
                 messengers
                 ,
                 which
                 would
                 be
                 faithfull
                 :
                 neither
                 may
                 wee
                 regard
                 so
                 much
                 how
                 they
                 will
                 bee
                 taken
                 ,
                 as
                 by
                 whom
                 they
                 are
                 sent
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 bold
                 and
                 harsh
                 word
                 
                 to
                 say
                 to
                 a
                 King
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   dye
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   liue
                   :
                
                 I
                 doe
                 not
                 heare
                 Hezekiah
                 rage
                 ,
                 &
                 fret
                 at
                 the
                 message
                 ;
                 or
                 threat
                 the
                 bearer
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 meekly
                 turnes
                 his
                 face
                 to
                 the
                 wall
                 ,
                 and
                 weepes
                 ,
                 and
                 prayes
                 :
                 Why
                 to
                 the
                 wall
                 ?
                 Was
                 it
                 for
                 the
                 greater
                 secrecie
                 of
                 his
                 deuotion
                 ?
                 was
                 is
                 for
                 the
                 more
                 freedome
                 from
                 all
                 distraction
                 ?
                 was
                 it
                 that
                 the
                 passion
                 which
                 accompanied
                 his
                 prayer
                 ,
                 might
                 haue
                 no
                 witnesses
                 ?
                 Or
                 ,
                 was
                 it
                 for
                 that
                 this
                 wall
                 lookt
                 towards
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 which
                 his
                 heart
                 and
                 eyes
                 still
                 moued
                 vnto
                 ,
                 though
                 his
                 feet
                 could
                 not
                 ?
              
               
                 Howsoeuer
                 ,
                 the
                 patient
                 soule
                 of
                 good
                 Ezekiah
                 turnes
                 it selfe
                 to
                 that
                 holy
                 God
                 ,
                 from
                 whom
                 hee
                 smarts
                 ,
                 and
                 bleeds
                 ;
                 and
                 poures
                 out
                 it selfe
                 into
                 a
                 feruent
                 deprecation
                 ,
                 
                 
                   I
                   beseech
                   thee
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   remember
                   now
                   how
                   I
                   haue
                   walked
                   before
                   thee
                   in
                   truth
                   ,
                   and
                   with
                   a
                   perfect
                   hart
                   ;
                   and
                   haue
                   done
                   that
                   which
                   is
                   good
                   in
                   thy
                   sight
                   .
                
              
               
                 Couldst
                 thou
                 feare
                 ,
                 ô
                 Ezekiah
                 ,
                 that
                 God
                 had
                 forgotten
                 thine
                 integrity
                 ?
                 The
                 grace
                 that
                 was
                 in
                 thee
                 ,
                 was
                 his
                 owne
                 worke
                 ;
                 could
                 he
                 in
                 thee
                 neglect
                 himselfe
                 ?
                 Or
                 dost
                 thou
                 therefore
                 doubt
                 of
                 his
                 remembrance
                 of
                 thy
                 faithfulness
                 ,
                 because
                 hee
                 summons
                 thee
                 to
                 receiue
                 the
                 crowne
                 of
                 thy
                 faithfulnesse
                 ,
                 glory
                 ,
                 and
                 immortality
                 ?
                 wherein
                 canst
                 thou
                 bee
                 remembred
                 ,
                 if
                 this
                 bee
                 to
                 forget
                 thee
                 ?
                 What
                 challenge
                 is
                 this
                 ?
                 Is
                 God
                 a
                 debter
                 to
                 thy
                 perfection
                 ?
                 Hath
                 thine
                 holy
                 cariage
                 merited
                 any
                 thing
                 from
                 that
                 infinite
                 Iustice
                 ?
                 
                 Farre
                 ,
                 farre
                 were
                 these
                 presumptuous
                 conceits
                 from
                 that
                 humble
                 and
                 mortified
                 soule
                 :
                 Thou
                 hadst
                 hated
                 thine
                 owne
                 brest
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 could
                 once
                 haue
                 harboured
                 so
                 proud
                 a
                 thought
                 .
                 This
                 perfection
                 of
                 thine
                 was
                 no
                 other
                 ,
                 then
                 an
                 honest
                 soundnesse
                 of
                 hart
                 ,
                 &
                 life
                 ,
                 which
                 thou
                 knowest
                 God
                 had
                 promised
                 to
                 reward
                 :
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 the
                 couenant
                 that
                 thou
                 pleadedst
                 ,
                 not
                 the
                 merit
                 of
                 thine
                 obedience
                 .
              
               
                 Euery
                 one
                 of
                 these
                 words
                 were
                 steeped
                 in
                 teares
                 :
                 But
                 what
                 meant
                 these
                 words
                 ,
                 these
                 teares
                 ?
                 I
                 heare
                 not
                 of
                 any
                 suit
                 moued
                 by
                 Hezekiah
                 ;
                 onely
                 he
                 wishes
                 to
                 bee
                 remembred
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 which
                 could
                 neuer
                 bee
                 forgotten
                 ,
                 though
                 hee
                 should
                 haue
                 intreated
                 for
                 an
                 obliuion
                 .
              
               
               
                 Speake
                 out
                 Hezekiah
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 thy
                 teares
                 craue
                 ,
                 whiles
                 thy
                 lips
                 expresse
                 not
                 ?
                 
                   O
                   let
                   me
                   liue
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   shall
                   praise
                   thee
                   ,
                   O
                   God.
                   
                
              
               
                 In
                 a
                 naturall
                 man
                 none
                 could
                 wonder
                 at
                 this
                 passionate
                 request
                 ;
                 who
                 can
                 but
                 wonder
                 at
                 it
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 Saint
                 ?
                 whose
                 happinesse
                 doth
                 but
                 then
                 begin
                 ,
                 when
                 his
                 life
                 ceaseth
                 :
                 whose
                 misery
                 doth
                 but
                 then
                 end
                 ,
                 when
                 his
                 death
                 enters
                 :
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 faith
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 
                   Oh
                   let
                   me
                   dye
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   may
                   inioy
                   thee
                   .
                
                 How
                 then
                 doth
                 the
                 good
                 King
                 crye
                 at
                 the
                 newes
                 of
                 that
                 death
                 ,
                 which
                 some
                 resolute
                 Pagans
                 haue
                 intertained
                 with
                 smiles
                 ?
                 Certainly
                 ,
                 the
                 best
                 man
                 cānot
                 strip
                 himselfe
                 of
                 some
                 flesh
                 ,
                 and
                 whiles
                 nature
                 hath
                 an
                 vndeniable
                 share
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 he
                 cannot
                 but
                 retaine
                 some
                 smatch
                 of
                 
                 the
                 sweetnesse
                 of
                 life
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 horror
                 of
                 dissolution
                 ;
                 Both
                 these
                 were
                 in
                 Hezekiah
                 ,
                 neither
                 of
                 them
                 could
                 transport
                 him
                 into
                 this
                 passion
                 :
                 they
                 were
                 higher
                 respects
                 that
                 swayed
                 with
                 so
                 holy
                 a
                 Prince
                 ;
                 a
                 tender
                 care
                 of
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 a
                 carefull
                 pitty
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 His
                 very
                 teares
                 said
                 ;
                 ô
                 God
                 ,
                 thou
                 knowest
                 that
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 are
                 bent
                 vpon
                 me
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 hath
                 abandoned
                 their
                 idolatry
                 ,
                 and
                 restored
                 thy
                 sincere
                 worship
                 ;
                 I
                 stand
                 alone
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 a
                 wicked
                 and
                 idolatrous
                 generation
                 ,
                 that
                 lookes
                 thorough
                 all
                 my
                 actions
                 ,
                 all
                 my
                 euents
                 ;
                 If
                 now
                 they
                 shall
                 see
                 me
                 snatcht
                 away
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 my
                 dayes
                 ,
                 what
                 will
                 these
                 Heathen
                 say
                 ;
                 how
                 can
                 thy
                 great
                 name
                 but
                 suffer
                 in
                 
                 this
                 mine
                 vntimely
                 extinction
                 ?
              
               
                 Besides
                 ,
                 what
                 will
                 become
                 of
                 thy
                 poore
                 Church
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 shall
                 leaue
                 feebly
                 religious
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 yet
                 scarce
                 warme
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 a
                 pious
                 reformation
                 ?
                 how
                 soone
                 shall
                 it
                 be
                 miserably
                 ouer
                 growne
                 with
                 superstition
                 ,
                 and
                 heathenisme
                 ;
                 how
                 soone
                 shall
                 the
                 wild
                 Boare
                 of
                 Assyria
                 root
                 vp
                 this
                 little
                 vineyard
                 of
                 thine
                 ?
                 What
                 need
                 I
                 beseech
                 thee
                 ,
                 ô
                 Lord
                 ,
                 to
                 regard
                 thy
                 name
                 ,
                 to
                 regard
                 thine
                 inheritance
                 ?
              
               
                 What
                 one
                 teare
                 of
                 Hezekiah
                 can
                 run
                 wast
                 ?
                 What
                 can
                 that
                 good
                 King
                 pray
                 for
                 ,
                 vnheard
                 ,
                 vnanswered
                 ?
                 Senacherib
                 came
                 in
                 a
                 proud
                 confidence
                 to
                 swallow
                 vp
                 his
                 citie
                 ,
                 and
                 people
                 :
                 prayers
                 and
                 teares
                 send
                 him
                 away
                 confounded
                 :
                 
                 Death
                 comes
                 to
                 swallow
                 vp
                 his
                 person
                 ,
                 (
                 and
                 that
                 not
                 without
                 authority
                 )
                 prayers
                 and
                 teares
                 send
                 him
                 away
                 disappointed
                 .
                 Before
                 Isaiah
                 was
                 gone
                 out
                 into
                 the
                 midle
                 Court
                 ,
                 the
                 word
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 came
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 saying
                 ;
                 
                   Turne
                   againe
                   ,
                   and
                   tell
                   Hezekiah
                   the
                   Captaine
                   of
                   my
                   people
                   ;
                   Thus
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   Dauid
                   thy
                   father
                   ;
                   I
                   haue
                   heard
                   thy
                   prayer
                   ,
                   I
                   haue
                   seene
                   thy
                   teares
                   ;
                   behold
                   I
                   will
                   heale
                   thee
                   ;
                   On
                   the
                   third
                   day
                   thou
                   shalt
                   goe
                   vp
                   to
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ;
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   adde
                   to
                   thy
                   dayes
                   fifteene
                   yeares
                   .
                
              
               
                 What
                 shall
                 we
                 say
                 then
                 ,
                 ô
                 God
                 ,
                 hast
                 thou
                 thus
                 soone
                 changed
                 thy
                 purpose
                 ?
                 Was
                 it
                 not
                 thy
                 true
                 message
                 which
                 thy
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 euen
                 now
                 ,
                 deliuered
                 to
                 Ezekiah
                 ?
                 Is
                 some
                 what
                 falne
                 out
                 that
                 thou
                 
                 fore-sawst
                 not
                 ?
                 or
                 ,
                 doest
                 thou
                 now
                 decree
                 somewhat
                 thou
                 meantst
                 not
                 ?
                 The
                 very
                 thought
                 of
                 any
                 of
                 these
                 were
                 no
                 better
                 then
                 blasphemous
                 impiety
                 .
                 Certainly
                 ,
                 Hezekiah
                 could
                 not
                 liue
                 one
                 day
                 longer
                 ,
                 then
                 was
                 eternally
                 decreed
                 ;
                 The
                 decree
                 of
                 Gods
                 eternall
                 counsell
                 had
                 from
                 euerlasting
                 ,
                 determined
                 him
                 fifteene
                 yeeres
                 yet
                 longer
                 :
                 Why
                 then
                 doth
                 God
                 say
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 
                   Thou
                   shalt
                   dye
                   ,
                   and
                   not
                   liue
                   ?
                
                 He
                 is
                 not
                 as
                 man
                 that
                 he
                 should
                 repent
                 ;
                 the
                 message
                 is
                 changed
                 ,
                 the
                 will
                 is
                 not
                 changed
                 ;
                 yea
                 rather
                 the
                 message
                 is
                 explicated
                 ,
                 not
                 changed
                 ;
                 For
                 the
                 signified
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 though
                 it
                 sound
                 absolutely
                 ,
                 yet
                 must
                 bee
                 vnderstood
                 with
                 condition
                 ;
                 that
                 tells
                 Hezekiah
                 what
                 hee
                 must
                 expect
                 
                 frō
                 the
                 nature
                 of
                 his
                 disease
                 ,
                 what
                 would
                 befall
                 him
                 ,
                 without
                 his
                 deprecations
                 :
                 There
                 was
                 nothing
                 but
                 death
                 in
                 the
                 second
                 causes
                 ;
                 what
                 euer
                 secret
                 purpose
                 there
                 was
                 in
                 the
                 first
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 purpose
                 shall
                 lye
                 hid
                 for
                 a
                 time
                 ,
                 vnder
                 a
                 reserued
                 condition
                 :
                 The
                 same
                 decree
                 that
                 sayes
                 ,
                 Niniue
                 shall
                 be
                 destroyed
                 ,
                 meanes
                 ,
                 if
                 Niniue
                 repent
                 ,
                 it
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 destroyed
                 ;
                 hee
                 that
                 finds
                 good
                 reason
                 to
                 say
                 ,
                 Hezekiah
                 shall
                 dye
                 ,
                 yet
                 still
                 meanes
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 quickned
                 deuotion
                 of
                 Hezekiah
                 shall
                 importune
                 mee
                 for
                 life
                 ,
                 it
                 shall
                 be
                 protracted
                 .
                 And
                 the
                 same
                 God
                 that
                 hath
                 decreed
                 this
                 addition
                 of
                 fifteene
                 years
                 ,
                 had
                 decreed
                 to
                 stirre
                 vp
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 Hezekiah
                 ,
                 to
                 that
                 vehement
                 and
                 weeping
                 importunity
                 ,
                 which
                 should
                 obtaine
                 
                 it
                 .
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 thou
                 workest
                 thy
                 good
                 pleasure
                 in
                 vs
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 vs
                 ;
                 and
                 by
                 thy
                 reuealed
                 will
                 mouest
                 vs
                 in
                 those
                 wayes
                 ,
                 whereby
                 thou
                 effectest
                 thy
                 secret
                 will.
                 
              
               
                 How
                 wonderfull
                 is
                 this
                 mercy
                 ?
                 Hezekiahs
                 teares
                 are
                 not
                 dry
                 vpon
                 his
                 cheekes
                 ,
                 yea
                 his
                 breath
                 is
                 not
                 passed
                 his
                 lips
                 ,
                 when
                 God
                 sends
                 him
                 a
                 comfortable
                 answer
                 .
                 How
                 carefull
                 is
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 compassions
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 holy
                 seruant
                 should
                 not
                 languish
                 one
                 houre
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 expectation
                 of
                 his
                 denounced
                 death
                 ?
                 What
                 speed
                 was
                 here
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 errand
                 ,
                 so
                 in
                 the
                 act
                 of
                 recouery
                 ?
                 within
                 three
                 daies
                 shall
                 Hezekiah
                 be
                 vpon
                 his
                 feet
                 ;
                 yea
                 his
                 feet
                 shall
                 stand
                 in
                 the
                 Courts
                 of
                 Gods
                 house
                 ;
                 he
                 that
                 now
                 in
                 his
                 bed
                 sighes
                 ,
                 and
                 grones
                 ,
                 &
                 weeps
                 
                 out
                 a
                 petition
                 ,
                 shall
                 then
                 sing
                 out
                 a
                 thanksgiuing
                 in
                 the
                 Temple
                 .
                 Oh
                 thou
                 that
                 hearest
                 the
                 prayer
                 ,
                 vnto
                 thee
                 shall
                 all
                 flesh
                 come
                 :
                 With
                 what
                 cheerfull
                 assurance
                 shold
                 we
                 approach
                 to
                 the
                 throne
                 of
                 that
                 grace
                 ,
                 which
                 neuer
                 fayled
                 any
                 suppliant
                 .
              
               
                 Neither
                 was
                 this
                 grant
                 more
                 speedie
                 ,
                 then
                 bountifull
                 ;
                 wee
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 reckon
                 seuen
                 yeares
                 for
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 a
                 man
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 ,
                 behold
                 ,
                 more
                 then
                 two
                 liues
                 hath
                 God
                 added
                 to
                 the
                 age
                 of
                 Hezekiah
                 .
                 How
                 vnexampled
                 a
                 fauour
                 is
                 this
                 ?
                 who
                 euer
                 but
                 Hezekiah
                 knew
                 his
                 period
                 so
                 long
                 before
                 ?
                 the
                 fixednesse
                 of
                 his
                 terme
                 ,
                 is
                 no
                 lesse
                 mercy
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 protraction
                 ;
                 we
                 must
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 liue
                 or
                 die
                 at
                 vncertainties
                 ;
                 we
                 are
                 not
                 worthy
                 
                 to
                 calculate
                 the
                 date
                 of
                 our
                 owne
                 times
                 :
                 
                   Teach
                   vs
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   so
                   to
                   number
                   our
                   dayes
                   ,
                   that
                   we
                   may
                   apply
                   our
                   hearts
                   to
                   wisedome
                   .
                
              
               
                 There
                 is
                 little
                 ioy
                 in
                 many
                 daies
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 be
                 euill
                 ;
                 Ezekiah
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 blessed
                 onely
                 with
                 life
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 peace
                 ;
                 The
                 proud
                 Assyrian
                 threatens
                 an
                 inuasiō
                 ;
                 his
                 late
                 foyle
                 still
                 stickes
                 in
                 his
                 stomacke
                 ,
                 and
                 stirs
                 him
                 to
                 a
                 reuenge
                 ;
                 the
                 hooke
                 is
                 in
                 his
                 nosthrils
                 ,
                 hee
                 cannot
                 moue
                 whither
                 he
                 lists
                 ;
                 The
                 God
                 of
                 heauen
                 will
                 maintaine
                 his
                 owne
                 quarrell
                 :
                 
                   I
                   will
                   defend
                   this
                   City
                   for
                   mine
                   owne
                   sake
                   ,
                   and
                   for
                   my
                   seruant
                   Dauids
                   sake
                   .
                
                 Loe
                 ;
                 for
                 his
                 life
                 ,
                 Ezekiah
                 is
                 beholden
                 (
                 next
                 vnder
                 the
                 infinite
                 goodnes
                 of
                 God
                 )
                 to
                 his
                 prayers
                 ;
                 for
                 his
                 protection
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 deare
                 memory
                 of
                 his
                 father
                 
                 Dauid
                 ;
                 surely
                 ,
                 for
                 ought
                 we
                 find
                 ,
                 Ezekiah
                 was
                 no
                 lesse
                 vpright
                 ,
                 and
                 lesse
                 offensiue
                 then
                 Dauid
                 ;
                 yet
                 both
                 Ezekiah
                 and
                 Ierusalem
                 shall
                 fare
                 the
                 better
                 for
                 Dauids
                 sake
                 ,
                 aboue
                 three
                 hundred
                 yeares
                 after
                 .
              
               
                 To
                 that
                 man
                 after
                 his
                 owne
                 heart
                 ,
                 had
                 God
                 ingaged
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 gracious
                 promise
                 ,
                 to
                 preserue
                 his
                 throne
                 ,
                 his
                 seed
                 :
                 God
                 loues
                 to
                 remember
                 his
                 ancient
                 mercies
                 :
                 How
                 happy
                 a
                 thing
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 faithfull
                 with
                 God
                 ;
                 this
                 is
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 oblige
                 those
                 which
                 are
                 yet
                 vnborne
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 intayle
                 blessings
                 vpon
                 the
                 successions
                 of
                 future
                 generations
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 seemes
                 it
                 was
                 some
                 pestilent
                 vlcer
                 that
                 thus
                 indangered
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 
                   Hezekiah
                   .
                   Isaiah
                
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 Prophet
                 
                 only
                 ,
                 but
                 a
                 Physician
                 .
                 
                   And
                   Isaiah
                   said
                   ,
                   Take
                   a
                   lump
                   of
                   figs
                   :
                
                 Hee
                 that
                 gaue
                 an
                 assurance
                 of
                 recouery
                 ,
                 giues
                 a
                 receit
                 for
                 the
                 recouery
                 .
                 The
                 decree
                 of
                 God
                 includes
                 the
                 meanes
                 :
                 neither
                 can
                 the
                 medicine
                 worke
                 without
                 a
                 word
                 ;
                 neither
                 will
                 the
                 word
                 worke
                 without
                 the
                 medicine
                 ;
                 both
                 of
                 them
                 must
                 meet
                 in
                 the
                 cure
                 :
                 If
                 we
                 so
                 trust
                 the
                 promise
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 neglect
                 the
                 prescript
                 ,
                 we
                 presume
                 to
                 no
                 purpose
                 .
                 Happy
                 is
                 that
                 soule
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 regards
                 the
                 promise
                 of
                 Gods
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 withall
                 he
                 receiues
                 their
                 counsells
                 .
              
               
                 Nothing
                 could
                 bee
                 more
                 proper
                 for
                 the
                 ripening
                 of
                 hard
                 and
                 purulent
                 tumors
                 ,
                 then
                 dryed
                 figs
                 ;
                 Herein
                 Isaiahs
                 direction
                 was
                 according
                 to
                 nature
                 ;
                 Wherefore
                 
                 should
                 wee
                 balke
                 the
                 ordinary
                 road
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 both
                 fayre
                 and
                 neere
                 ?
              
               
                 The
                 sudden
                 contradiction
                 of
                 the
                 message
                 causes
                 a
                 iust
                 difficulty
                 in
                 the
                 assent
                 .
                 Hezekiah
                 therefore
                 craues
                 a
                 signe
                 ;
                 not
                 for
                 that
                 he
                 distrusted
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 hee
                 might
                 trust
                 the
                 more
                 ;
                 wee
                 can
                 neuer
                 take
                 too
                 fast
                 hold
                 of
                 those
                 promises
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 haue
                 not
                 more
                 comfort
                 in
                 the
                 application
                 ,
                 then
                 naturall
                 impossibility
                 in
                 the
                 performance
                 .
                 We
                 beleeue
                 ,
                 Lord
                 ,
                 helpe
                 our
                 vnbeleefe
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 sicke
                 King
                 hath
                 his
                 option
                 ;
                 His
                 father
                 was
                 offred
                 a
                 signe
                 and
                 refused
                 it
                 ;
                 hee
                 sues
                 for
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 obtaines
                 it
                 :
                 
                   Shall
                   the
                   shadow
                   goe
                   for
                   ward
                   ten
                   degrees
                   ,
                   or
                   backe
                   ten
                   degrees
                   ?
                
                 As
                 if
                 heauen
                 it selfe
                 lay
                 
                 open
                 to
                 his
                 choyce
                 ;
                 and
                 were
                 ready
                 either
                 to
                 mend
                 this
                 pace
                 ,
                 or
                 retire
                 for
                 his
                 confirmation
                 ;
                 What
                 creature
                 is
                 not
                 cheerfully
                 forward
                 to
                 obey
                 the
                 faith
                 of
                 Gods
                 seruāts
                 ?
              
               
                 Hezekiah
                 fastens
                 rather
                 vpon
                 that
                 signe
                 which
                 is
                 more
                 hard
                 ,
                 more
                 disagreeing
                 from
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 nature
                 ;
                 not
                 without
                 good
                 reason
                 ;
                 Euery
                 proofe
                 must
                 bee
                 clearer
                 then
                 the
                 thing
                 to
                 bee
                 proued
                 ,
                 neither
                 may
                 there
                 want
                 a
                 meet
                 proportion
                 betwixt
                 both
                 ;
                 now
                 the
                 going
                 forward
                 of
                 the
                 shadow
                 was
                 a
                 motion
                 ,
                 no
                 other
                 thē
                 naturall
                 ,
                 the
                 recouery
                 of
                 that
                 pestilent
                 disease
                 was
                 against
                 the
                 streame
                 of
                 nature
                 ;
                 the
                 more
                 difficult
                 signe
                 therefore
                 ,
                 the
                 surer
                 euidence
                 .
              
               
                 Whether
                 shall
                 we
                 more
                 wonder
                 
                 at
                 the
                 measure
                 of
                 the
                 loue
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 Hezekiah
                 ,
                 or
                 at
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Isaiahs
                 faith
                 in
                 God
                 ?
                 Out
                 of
                 both
                 ,
                 either
                 the
                 Sun
                 goes
                 backe
                 in
                 heauen
                 that
                 his
                 shadow
                 may
                 goe
                 backe
                 on
                 earth
                 :
                 or
                 the
                 shadow
                 no
                 lesse
                 miraculously
                 goes
                 backe
                 on
                 earth
                 ,
                 whiles
                 the
                 Sunne
                 goes
                 forward
                 in
                 heauen
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 that
                 the
                 Prophet
                 speakes
                 of
                 the
                 shadow
                 ,
                 not
                 of
                 the
                 Sun
                 ;
                 except
                 perhaps
                 because
                 the
                 motion
                 of
                 the
                 Sun
                 is
                 best
                 discerned
                 by
                 the
                 shadow
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 motion
                 of
                 the
                 shadow
                 is
                 led
                 by
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 the
                 Sunne
                 :
                 besides
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 demonstration
                 of
                 this
                 miracle
                 is
                 reported
                 to
                 be
                 locall
                 in
                 the
                 Diall
                 of
                 Ahaz
                 ,
                 not
                 vniuersall
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 sensible
                 length
                 of
                 the
                 day
                 ;
                 withall
                 ,
                 the
                 retrait
                 of
                 the
                 Sunne
                 had
                 made
                 a
                 
                 publike
                 and
                 noted
                 change
                 in
                 the
                 frame
                 of
                 nature
                 ,
                 this
                 particular
                 alteration
                 of
                 the
                 shadow
                 in
                 places
                 limited
                 ,
                 might
                 satisfie
                 no
                 lesse
                 without
                 a
                 confusiue
                 mutation
                 in
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ;
                 Whethersoeuer
                 ;
                 to
                 draw
                 the
                 Sun
                 backe
                 together
                 with
                 the
                 shadow
                 ;
                 or
                 to
                 draw
                 the
                 shadow
                 backe
                 without
                 the
                 Sunne
                 was
                 the
                 proofe
                 of
                 a
                 diuine
                 omnipotency
                 ;
                 able
                 therefore
                 to
                 draw
                 backe
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 Hezekiah
                 ,
                 fifteene
                 degrees
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 night
                 of
                 death
                 ;
                 towards
                 which
                 it
                 was
                 hasting
                 .
              
               
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 thou
                 wilt
                 rather
                 alter
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 heauen
                 and
                 earth
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 faith
                 of
                 thy
                 children
                 shall
                 sinke
                 for
                 want
                 of
                 supportation
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 should
                 seeme
                 the
                 Babylonians
                 finding
                 the
                 Assyrian
                 power
                 abated
                 
                 by
                 the
                 reuengefull
                 hand
                 of
                 Gods
                 Angell
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 owne
                 discord
                 ,
                 tooke
                 this
                 aduantage
                 of
                 a
                 reuolt
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 to
                 strengthen
                 their
                 part
                 ,
                 fall
                 in
                 with
                 Hezekiah
                 King
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 whom
                 they
                 found
                 the
                 old
                 enemy
                 to
                 the
                 Assyrians
                 ,
                 &
                 the
                 great
                 fauourite
                 of
                 heauen
                 :
                 him
                 they
                 wooe
                 with
                 gifts
                 ;
                 him
                 they
                 congratulate
                 with
                 Ambassages
                 :
                 The
                 fame
                 of
                 Hezekiahs
                 sicknesse
                 ,
                 recouery
                 ,
                 forme
                 ,
                 and
                 assurance
                 of
                 cure
                 ,
                 haue
                 drawne
                 thither
                 messengers
                 ,
                 and
                 presents
                 from
                 
                   Berodach
                   Baladan
                
                 King
                 of
                 Babylon
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Chaldees
                 were
                 curious
                 searchers
                 into
                 the
                 secrets
                 of
                 nature
                 ,
                 especially
                 into
                 the
                 motions
                 of
                 the
                 celestiall
                 bodies
                 ;
                 Though
                 there
                 had
                 beene
                 no
                 politicke
                 relations
                 ,
                 
                 this
                 very
                 Astronomicall
                 miracle
                 had
                 beene
                 enough
                 to
                 fetch
                 them
                 to
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 might
                 see
                 the
                 man
                 ,
                 for
                 whose
                 sake
                 the
                 Sun
                 forsooke
                 his
                 place
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 shadow
                 forsooke
                 the
                 Sun.
                 
              
               
                 How
                 easily
                 haue
                 we
                 seene
                 those
                 holy
                 men
                 mis-caried
                 by
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 against
                 whom
                 no
                 miseries
                 could
                 preuaile
                 ?
                 Hee
                 that
                 stood
                 out
                 stoutly
                 against
                 all
                 the
                 Assyrian
                 onsets
                 ,
                 clinging
                 the
                 faster
                 to
                 his
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 how
                 much
                 he
                 was
                 harder
                 assaulted
                 by
                 Senacherib
                 ,
                 melteth
                 now
                 with
                 these
                 Babylonian
                 fauours
                 ,
                 and
                 runnes
                 abroad
                 into
                 offensiue
                 weaknesses
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Babylonian
                 Ambassadors
                 are
                 too
                 welcome
                 to
                 Ezekiah
                 ;
                 As
                 a
                 man
                 transported
                 with
                 the
                 honor
                 of
                 their
                 respectiue
                 ,
                 and
                 costly
                 visitations
                 ,
                 
                 he
                 forgets
                 his
                 teares
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 turning
                 to
                 the
                 wall
                 ;
                 he
                 forgets
                 their
                 incompatible
                 Idolatry
                 ;
                 so
                 hugging
                 them
                 in
                 his
                 bosome
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 there
                 had
                 beene
                 no
                 cause
                 of
                 strangenesse
                 :
                 All
                 his
                 doores
                 fly
                 open
                 to
                 them
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 a
                 vainglorious
                 ostentation
                 all
                 his
                 new-gathered
                 treasures
                 ,
                 all
                 his
                 strong
                 armoryes
                 entertaine
                 their
                 eyes
                 ;
                 nothing
                 in
                 his
                 house
                 ,
                 nothing
                 in
                 his
                 Dominion
                 is
                 hid
                 from
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Oh
                 Ezekiah
                 ,
                 what
                 meanes
                 this
                 impotent
                 ambition
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 long
                 since
                 thou
                 tarest
                 off
                 the
                 very
                 plates
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 doores
                 ,
                 to
                 giue
                 vnto
                 Senacherib
                 ;
                 and
                 can
                 thy
                 treasures
                 be
                 suddenly
                 so
                 multiplied
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 can
                 be
                 worthy
                 to
                 astonish
                 forraine
                 beholders
                 ?
                 Or
                 ,
                 if
                 thy
                 store-house
                 were
                 as
                 rich
                 as
                 
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 can
                 thy
                 heart
                 be
                 so
                 vain
                 as
                 to
                 be
                 lifted
                 vp
                 with
                 these
                 heauie
                 metals
                 ?
                 Didst
                 thou
                 not
                 see
                 that
                 heauen
                 it selfe
                 was
                 at
                 thy
                 becke
                 ,
                 whilest
                 thou
                 wert
                 humbled
                 ?
                 and
                 shall
                 a
                 little
                 earthlie
                 drosse
                 haue
                 power
                 ouer
                 thy
                 soul
                 ?
                 Can
                 the
                 flattering
                 applause
                 of
                 strangers
                 let
                 thee
                 loose
                 into
                 a
                 proud
                 ioy
                 ,
                 whom
                 the
                 late
                 message
                 of
                 Gods
                 Prophet
                 resolued
                 into
                 teares
                 ?
                 Oh
                 God
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 do
                 not
                 keepe
                 vs
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 in
                 our
                 sun-shine
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 our
                 storme
                 ,
                 wee
                 are
                 sure
                 to
                 perish
                 :
                 As
                 in
                 all
                 time
                 of
                 our
                 tribulation
                 ,
                 so
                 in
                 all
                 time
                 of
                 our
                 wealth
                 ,
                 good
                 Lord
                 deliuer
                 vs.
                 
              
               
                 Alas
                 ,
                 how
                 sleight
                 doth
                 this
                 weaknesse
                 seeme
                 in
                 our
                 eyes
                 ,
                 to
                 reioyce
                 in
                 the
                 abundance
                 of
                 Gods
                 
                 blessings
                 ?
                 to
                 call
                 in
                 forraine
                 friēds
                 to
                 be
                 witnesses
                 of
                 our
                 plenty
                 ?
                 to
                 raise
                 our
                 conceits
                 ,
                 some
                 little
                 ,
                 vpon
                 the
                 acclamations
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 vpon
                 the
                 value
                 of
                 our
                 owne
                 abilities
                 ?
              
               
                 Lay
                 thine
                 hand
                 vpon
                 thy
                 mouth
                 ,
                 ô
                 foolish
                 flesh
                 and
                 blood
                 when
                 thou
                 seest
                 the
                 censure
                 of
                 thy
                 Maker
                 .
              
               
                 Isaiah
                 the
                 Prophet
                 is
                 sent
                 speedily
                 to
                 Hezekiah
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 sharpe
                 and
                 heart-breaking
                 message
                 :
                 
                   Behold
                   the
                   dayes
                   come
                   that
                   all
                   that
                   is
                   in
                   thine
                   house
                   ,
                   and
                   that
                   which
                   thy
                   fathers
                   haue
                   layd
                   vp
                   in
                   store
                   vnto
                   this
                   day
                   ,
                   shall
                   be
                   caried
                   into
                   Babylon
                   ;
                   nothing
                   shall
                   be
                   left
                   ,
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ;
                   And
                   of
                   thy
                   sonnes
                   that
                   shall
                   issue
                   from
                   thee
                   ,
                   which
                   thou
                   shalt
                   beget
                   ,
                   shall
                   they
                   take
                   away
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   shall
                   bee
                   Eunuches
                   in
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   Palace
                   of
                   the
                   King
                   of
                   Babylon
                   .
                
              
               
                 No
                 sinne
                 can
                 bee
                 light
                 in
                 Hezekiah
                 :
                 the
                 holinesse
                 of
                 the
                 person
                 addes
                 to
                 the
                 vnholinesse
                 of
                 the
                 act
                 ;
                 Eminency
                 of
                 profession
                 doubles
                 both
                 the
                 offence
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 iudgement
                 .
                 This
                 glory
                 shall
                 end
                 in
                 an
                 ignominious
                 losse
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 great
                 and
                 holy
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 digest
                 pride
                 in
                 any
                 ,
                 much
                 lesse
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 owne
                 .
                 That
                 which
                 was
                 the
                 subiect
                 of
                 Hezekiahs
                 sin
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 matter
                 of
                 his
                 punishment
                 ;
                 those
                 with
                 whom
                 he
                 sinned
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 his
                 auengers
                 ;
                 It
                 was
                 his
                 treasure
                 and
                 munitiō
                 ,
                 wherin
                 he
                 prides
                 himselfe
                 to
                 these
                 men
                 of
                 Babylon
                 :
                 The
                 men
                 of
                 Babylon
                 shall
                 cary
                 away
                 his
                 treasure
                 and
                 munition
                 ;
                 What
                 now
                 doth
                 Hezekiah
                 but
                 tempt
                 them
                 with
                 a
                 glorious
                 
                 booty
                 ;
                 as
                 some
                 fond
                 traueler
                 that
                 would
                 show
                 his
                 gold
                 to
                 a
                 Thiefe
                 ?
              
               
                 These
                 worldly
                 things
                 are
                 furthest
                 off
                 from
                 the
                 heart
                 ;
                 Perhaps
                 Hezekiah
                 might
                 not
                 bee
                 much
                 troubled
                 with
                 their
                 losse
                 :
                 Loe
                 ,
                 God
                 comes
                 closer
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 yet
                 .
              
               
                 As
                 yet
                 was
                 Ezekiah
                 childlesse
                 ;
                 how
                 much
                 better
                 had
                 it
                 beene
                 to
                 continue
                 so
                 still
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 bee
                 plagued
                 in
                 his
                 issue
                 ?
                 He
                 shall
                 now
                 beget
                 children
                 to
                 seruitude
                 ;
                 his
                 loines
                 shall
                 yeeld
                 Pages
                 to
                 the
                 Court
                 of
                 Babylon
                 :
                 Whiles
                 he
                 sees
                 them
                 borne
                 Princes
                 ,
                 he
                 shal
                 foresee
                 them
                 made
                 Eunuches
                 in
                 a
                 forraigne
                 Palace
                 :
                 What
                 comfort
                 can
                 he
                 take
                 in
                 the
                 wishes
                 and
                 hopes
                 of
                 sonnes
                 ,
                 when
                 ere
                 they
                 bee
                 borne
                 ,
                 hee
                 heares
                 them
                 destin'd
                 
                 to
                 captiuitie
                 and
                 bondage
                 ?
              
               
                 This
                 rod
                 was
                 smart
                 ,
                 yet
                 good
                 Ezekiah
                 kisses
                 it
                 ;
                 his
                 heart
                 strucke
                 him
                 no
                 lesse
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ;
                 meekly
                 therefore
                 doth
                 he
                 yeeld
                 to
                 this
                 diuine
                 correction
                 ;
                 
                   Good
                   is
                   the
                   Word
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   which
                   thou
                   hast
                   spoken
                   .
                
                 Thou
                 hast
                 spoken
                 this
                 word
                 ,
                 but
                 from
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 thine
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 ;
                 and
                 being
                 his
                 ,
                 it
                 must
                 needs
                 bee
                 ,
                 like
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 good
                 :
                 Good
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 iust
                 ,
                 for
                 I
                 haue
                 deserued
                 more
                 ,
                 and
                 worse
                 ;
                 Good
                 ,
                 because
                 mercifull
                 ;
                 for
                 I
                 suffer
                 not
                 according
                 to
                 my
                 deserts
                 .
                 
                   Is
                   it
                   not
                   good
                   ,
                   if
                   there
                   be
                   peace
                   and
                   truth
                   in
                   my
                   daies
                   ?
                
                 I
                 haue
                 deserued
                 a
                 present
                 paymēt
                 ,
                 O
                 God
                 thou
                 deferrest
                 it
                 ;
                 I
                 haue
                 deserued
                 it
                 in
                 person
                 ,
                 thou
                 reseruest
                 it
                 for
                 those
                 whom
                 I
                 cannot
                 
                 yet
                 so
                 feele
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 ;
                 I
                 haue
                 deserued
                 war
                 &
                 tumult
                 ,
                 thou
                 fauorest
                 me
                 with
                 peace
                 ;
                 I
                 haue
                 deseru'd
                 to
                 be
                 ouer-run
                 with
                 superstition
                 ,
                 and
                 Idolatry
                 ,
                 thou
                 blessest
                 me
                 with
                 truth
                 ;
                 shouldst
                 thou
                 continue
                 truth
                 vnto
                 me
                 ,
                 (
                 though
                 vpon
                 the
                 most
                 vnquiet
                 termes
                 )
                 the
                 blessing
                 were
                 too
                 good
                 for
                 me
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 thou
                 hast
                 promised
                 ,
                 and
                 wilt
                 not
                 reuerse
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 both
                 truth
                 and
                 peace
                 shall
                 bee
                 in
                 my
                 dayes
                 ;
                 Lord
                 I
                 adore
                 thy
                 iustice
                 ,
                 I
                 blesse
                 thy
                 mercy
                 .
              
               
                 Gods
                 children
                 are
                 neither
                 waspish
                 nor
                 fullen
                 whē
                 they
                 are
                 chid
                 or
                 beaten
                 ,
                 but
                 patiently
                 hold
                 their
                 backes
                 to
                 the
                 stripes
                 of
                 a
                 displeased
                 mercy
                 ;
                 knowing
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 God
                 is
                 to
                 be
                 magnified
                 ,
                 for
                 what
                 he
                 might
                 haue
                 done
                 ,
                 then
                 
                 repined
                 at
                 ,
                 for
                 what
                 hee
                 hath
                 done
                 ;
                 resigning
                 themselues
                 ouer
                 into
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 that
                 gracious
                 iustice
                 ,
                 which
                 in
                 their
                 smart
                 seekes
                 their
                 reformation
                 and
                 glory
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 MANASSEH
                 .
              
               
                 AT
                 last
                 ,
                 some
                 three
                 yeares
                 after
                 his
                 recouery
                 ,
                 
                 Hezekiah
                 hath
                 a
                 sonne
                 ;
                 but
                 such
                 a
                 one
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 could
                 haue
                 foreseene
                 ,
                 orbity
                 had
                 beene
                 a
                 blessing
                 .
              
               
                 Still
                 in
                 the
                 throne
                 of
                 Iudah
                 there
                 is
                 a
                 succession
                 ,
                 and
                 interchange
                 of
                 good
                 and
                 euill
                 :
                 Good
                 Iotham
                 is
                 succeeded
                 by
                 wicked
                 Ahaz
                 ;
                 wicked
                 Ahaz
                 is
                 succeed
                 by
                 good
                 Ezekiah
                 ;
                 Good
                 Ezekiah
                 is
                 succeeded
                 by
                 wicked
                 Manasseh
                 :
                 Euill
                 Princes
                 succeed
                 to
                 good
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 
                 exercise
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 :
                 and
                 good
                 succeed
                 to
                 euill
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 comfort
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 young
                 yeares
                 of
                 Manasseh
                 giue
                 aduantage
                 to
                 his
                 mis-cariage
                 ;
                 Euen
                 ,
                 whiles
                 he
                 might
                 haue
                 been
                 vnder
                 the
                 Ferule
                 ,
                 hee
                 swayed
                 the
                 Scepter
                 :
                 Whither
                 may
                 not
                 a
                 child
                 be
                 drawne
                 ,
                 especially
                 to
                 a
                 garish
                 ,
                 and
                 puppet-like
                 superstition
                 ?
                 As
                 infancy
                 is
                 capable
                 of
                 all
                 impressions
                 ,
                 so
                 most
                 of
                 the
                 worst
                 .
              
               
                 Neither
                 did
                 Manasseh
                 beginne
                 more
                 earely
                 thē
                 he
                 held
                 out
                 long
                 ;
                 He
                 raigned
                 more
                 yeares
                 then
                 his
                 good
                 father
                 liu'd
                 :
                 notwithstanding
                 the
                 miraculous
                 addition
                 to
                 his
                 age
                 ;
                 More
                 then
                 euer
                 any
                 King
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 besides
                 ,
                 could
                 reach
                 :
                 Length
                 of
                 daies
                 is
                 no
                 true
                 rule
                 of
                 Gods
                 fauour
                 ;
                 As
                 plants
                 last
                 longer
                 
                 then
                 sensitiue
                 creatures
                 ,
                 and
                 brute
                 creatures
                 out-liue
                 the
                 reasonable
                 ;
                 so
                 ,
                 amongst
                 the
                 reasonable
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 newes
                 for
                 the
                 wickedly
                 great
                 ,
                 to
                 inherit
                 these
                 earthly
                 glories
                 ,
                 longer
                 then
                 the
                 best
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 wants
                 not
                 apparent
                 reason
                 for
                 this
                 difference
                 ;
                 Good
                 Princes
                 are
                 fetcht
                 away
                 to
                 a
                 better
                 Crowne
                 ;
                 They
                 cannot
                 bee
                 losers
                 ,
                 that
                 exchange
                 a
                 weake
                 and
                 fading
                 honor
                 ,
                 for
                 a
                 perfection
                 and
                 eternity
                 of
                 blessednesse
                 :
                 Wicked
                 men
                 liue
                 long
                 to
                 their
                 owne
                 disaduantage
                 ;
                 they
                 do
                 but
                 cary
                 so
                 many
                 more
                 brands
                 to
                 their
                 hell
                 :
                 If
                 therefore
                 there
                 be
                 a
                 iust
                 man
                 that
                 perisheth
                 in
                 his
                 righteousnesse
                 ;
                 and
                 there
                 bee
                 a
                 wicked
                 man
                 that
                 prolongs
                 his
                 life
                 in
                 his
                 wickednesse
                 ,
                 farre
                 be
                 it
                 
                 from
                 vs
                 ,
                 either
                 to
                 pity
                 the
                 remouall
                 of
                 the
                 iust
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 enuie
                 the
                 continuance
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 ;
                 This
                 continues
                 to
                 his
                 losse
                 ,
                 that
                 departs
                 to
                 an
                 happy
                 aduancement
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 very
                 like
                 that
                 Ezekiah
                 marrying
                 so
                 late
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 vigour
                 both
                 of
                 his
                 age
                 ,
                 and
                 holinesse
                 ,
                 made
                 a
                 carefull
                 choyce
                 of
                 a
                 wife
                 sutable
                 to
                 his
                 owne
                 piety
                 ;
                 Neither
                 had
                 his
                 delight
                 beene
                 so
                 much
                 in
                 her
                 (
                 according
                 to
                 her
                 name
                 )
                 if
                 her
                 delight
                 had
                 not
                 beene
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 ,
                 in
                 God
                 ;
                 Their
                 issue
                 swarues
                 from
                 both
                 ,
                 so
                 fully
                 inheriting
                 the
                 vices
                 of
                 his
                 grandfather
                 Ahaz
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 there
                 had
                 beene
                 no
                 interuention
                 of
                 an
                 Ezekiah
                 :
                 So
                 wee
                 haue
                 seene
                 the
                 kernell
                 of
                 a
                 well
                 fruited
                 plant
                 degenerate
                 into
                 that
                 crab
                 ,
                 or
                 willow
                 ,
                 which
                 gaue
                 the
                 originall
                 to
                 
                 his
                 stocke
                 ;
                 yet
                 can
                 I
                 not
                 say
                 that
                 Ezekiah
                 was
                 as
                 free
                 from
                 traducing
                 euill
                 to
                 his
                 sonne
                 Manasseh
                 ,
                 as
                 Ahaz
                 was
                 free
                 from
                 traducing
                 good
                 to
                 his
                 sonne
                 Hezekiah
                 :
                 Euill
                 is
                 incorporated
                 into
                 the
                 best
                 nature
                 ,
                 whereas
                 euen
                 the
                 least
                 good
                 descends
                 from
                 aboue
                 .
              
               
                 We
                 may
                 not
                 measure
                 grace
                 by
                 meanes
                 :
                 Was
                 it
                 possible
                 that
                 Manasseh
                 hauing
                 beene
                 trained
                 vp
                 in
                 the
                 religious
                 Court
                 of
                 his
                 father
                 Hezekiah
                 ,
                 vnder
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 so
                 holy
                 Prophets
                 and
                 Priests
                 ,
                 vnder
                 the
                 shadow
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 after
                 a
                 childhood
                 seasoned
                 with
                 so
                 gracious
                 precepts
                 ,
                 with
                 so
                 frequent
                 exercise
                 of
                 deuotiō
                 ,
                 should
                 run
                 thus
                 wild
                 into
                 all
                 heathenish
                 abominations
                 ;
                 as
                 if
                 there
                 had
                 bin
                 nothing
                 but
                 Idolatry
                 in
                 the
                 seed
                 
                 of
                 his
                 conception
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 milke
                 of
                 his
                 nourishment
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 rules
                 of
                 his
                 institution
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 his
                 examples
                 ?
                 How
                 vaine
                 are
                 all
                 outward
                 helpes
                 without
                 the
                 influence
                 of
                 Gods
                 Spirit
                 ?
                 and
                 that
                 spirit
                 breathes
                 where
                 he
                 listeth
                 :
                 good
                 educatiō
                 raiseth
                 great
                 hopes
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 proofe
                 of
                 them
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 diuine
                 benediction
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 feare
                 to
                 looke
                 at
                 the
                 out-rages
                 of
                 this
                 wicked
                 sonne
                 of
                 Ezekiah
                 :
                 What
                 hauocke
                 doth
                 hee
                 make
                 in
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 as
                 if
                 hee
                 had
                 beene
                 borne
                 to
                 ruine
                 Religion
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 his
                 onely
                 felicity
                 had
                 beene
                 to
                 vntwist
                 ,
                 or
                 teare
                 ,
                 in
                 one
                 day
                 ,
                 that
                 holy
                 web
                 which
                 his
                 father
                 had
                 beene
                 weauing
                 ,
                 nine
                 and
                 twenty
                 yeares
                 ?
                 and
                 contrarily
                 ,
                 to
                 set
                 vp
                 in
                 one
                 houre
                 that
                 offensiue
                 pile
                 ,
                 
                 which
                 had
                 beene
                 aboue
                 three
                 hundred
                 yeares
                 in
                 pulling
                 down
                 :
                 so
                 long
                 had
                 the
                 high
                 places
                 stood
                 ;
                 the
                 zeale
                 of
                 Ezekiah
                 in
                 demolishing
                 them
                 honored
                 him
                 ,
                 aboue
                 all
                 his
                 predecessors
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 the
                 first
                 act
                 of
                 this
                 greene
                 head
                 was
                 their
                 reedifiyng
                 :
                 That
                 mischiefe
                 may
                 be
                 done
                 in
                 a
                 day
                 ,
                 which
                 many
                 ages
                 cannot
                 redresse
                 .
              
               
                 Fearefull
                 were
                 the
                 presages
                 of
                 these
                 bold
                 beginnings
                 ;
                 From
                 the
                 mis-building
                 of
                 these
                 chappels
                 of
                 the
                 Hills
                 to
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 Manasseh
                 proceeds
                 to
                 erecting
                 of
                 altars
                 to
                 a
                 false
                 :
                 euen
                 to
                 Baal
                 ,
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Ahab
                 ,
                 the
                 stale
                 Idoll
                 of
                 the
                 heathen
                 ;
                 yet
                 further
                 ,
                 not
                 content
                 with
                 so
                 few
                 Deities
                 ;
                 he
                 worships
                 all
                 the
                 hoast
                 of
                 heauen
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 that
                 hee
                 might
                 despight
                 God
                 yet
                 
                 more
                 ,
                 he
                 sets
                 vp
                 altas
                 to
                 these
                 abused
                 riuals
                 of
                 their
                 Maker
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 house
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ;
                 that
                 holy
                 place
                 doth
                 hee
                 not
                 feare
                 to
                 defile
                 with
                 the
                 grauen
                 Image
                 of
                 the
                 groue
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 made
                 :
                 Neuer
                 Amorite
                 did
                 so
                 wickedly
                 as
                 Manasseh
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 yet
                 worse
                 ,
                 it
                 sufficed
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 thus
                 wicked
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 but
                 hee
                 seduced
                 Gods
                 people
                 to
                 these
                 abominations
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 example
                 might
                 moue
                 the
                 more
                 ,
                 he
                 spares
                 not
                 his
                 owne
                 sonne
                 from
                 the
                 fire
                 of
                 the
                 Idol
                 sacrifices
                 .
                 Neither
                 were
                 his
                 witcheries
                 lesse
                 enormious
                 ,
                 then
                 his
                 Idolatry
                 ;
                 he
                 obserued
                 times
                 ,
                 hee
                 vsed
                 inchantments
                 ,
                 he
                 dealt
                 with
                 familiar
                 spirits
                 ,
                 &
                 with
                 wizards
                 :
                 Neither
                 were
                 either
                 of
                 these
                 worse
                 then
                 his
                 cruelty
                 ;
                 Hee
                 shed
                 
                 innocent
                 blood
                 till
                 hee
                 had
                 filled
                 Ierusalem
                 from
                 one
                 end
                 to
                 another
                 .
              
               
                 O
                 Manasseh
                 ,
                 how
                 no
                 lesse
                 cruell
                 wert
                 thou
                 to
                 thine
                 owne
                 soule
                 ,
                 thē
                 to
                 thy
                 Iudah
                 :
                 What
                 an
                 hideous
                 list
                 of
                 monstrous
                 impiety
                 is
                 here
                 ;
                 Any
                 one
                 of
                 which
                 were
                 enough
                 to
                 draw
                 iudgment
                 vpon
                 a
                 world
                 ;
                 but
                 what
                 hell
                 is
                 sufficient
                 for
                 all
                 together
                 ?
              
               
                 What
                 browes
                 are
                 not
                 now
                 lifted
                 vp
                 to
                 an
                 attentiue
                 expectation
                 of
                 some
                 present
                 ,
                 and
                 feareful
                 vengeance
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 vpon
                 such
                 flagitious
                 wickednesse
                 ?
                 
                   Therefore
                   thus
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   Behold
                   I
                   am
                   bringing
                   such
                   euill
                   vpon
                   Ierusalem
                   ,
                   &
                   Iudah
                   ,
                   that
                   whosoeuer
                   heareth
                   of
                   it
                   ,
                   both
                   his
                   eares
                   shall
                   tingle
                   :
                
                 The
                 person
                 of
                 Manasseh
                 is
                 not
                 capable
                 of
                 
                 reuenge
                 enough
                 ;
                 as
                 his
                 sin
                 dilated
                 it selfe
                 by
                 an
                 infectious
                 diffusion
                 to
                 his
                 people
                 ,
                 so
                 shall
                 the
                 punishment
                 .
                 Wee
                 are
                 sensible
                 of
                 the
                 least
                 touch
                 of
                 our
                 owne
                 miseries
                 ,
                 how
                 rarely
                 are
                 wee
                 affected
                 with
                 other
                 mens
                 calamities
                 ?
                 yet
                 this
                 euill
                 shall
                 be
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 the
                 rumor
                 of
                 it
                 shall
                 beat
                 no
                 eare
                 that
                 shall
                 not
                 glow
                 with
                 an
                 astonishing
                 commiseration
                 :
                 What
                 thē
                 ô
                 God
                 ,
                 what
                 shall
                 that
                 plague
                 be
                 ,
                 which
                 thou
                 threatnest
                 with
                 so
                 much
                 preface
                 of
                 horror
                 ?
                 
                   I
                   will
                   stretch
                   ouer
                   Ierusalem
                   the
                   line
                   of
                   Samaria
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   plummet
                   of
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   Ahab
                   ;
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   wipe
                   Ierusalem
                   as
                   a
                   man
                   wipeth
                   a
                   dish
                   ,
                   wiping
                   it
                   and
                   turning
                   it
                   vpside
                   downe
                   :
                   And
                   I
                   will
                   forsake
                   the
                   remnant
                   of
                   mine
                   inheritance
                   ;
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   deliuer
                   them
                   into
                   the
                   hand
                
                 
                 
                   of
                   their
                   enemies
                   ,
                   and
                   they
                   shall
                   become
                   a
                   prey
                   and
                   a
                   spoile
                   vnto
                   all
                   their
                   enemies
                   .
                
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 enough
                 ô
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 enough
                 :
                 What
                 eare
                 can
                 but
                 tingle
                 ?
                 what
                 eye
                 can
                 but
                 weepe
                 ?
                 what
                 haire
                 can
                 but
                 start
                 vp
                 ?
                 what
                 heart
                 can
                 bee
                 but
                 confounded
                 at
                 the
                 mention
                 of
                 so
                 dreadfull
                 a
                 reuenge
                 ?
                 Can
                 there
                 bee
                 a
                 worse
                 iudgement
                 then
                 desolation
                 ,
                 captiuity
                 ,
                 desertion
                 ,
                 spoyle
                 ,
                 and
                 torture
                 of
                 preuailing
                 enemies
                 ?
                 but
                 howeuer
                 ,
                 other
                 Cities
                 and
                 nations
                 haue
                 vndergone
                 these
                 disasters
                 ,
                 without
                 wonder
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 this
                 should
                 befall
                 to
                 thy
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 the
                 place
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 chosen
                 to
                 thy selfe
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 whole
                 earth
                 ,
                 the
                 lot
                 of
                 thine
                 inheritance
                 ,
                 the
                 seat
                 of
                 thine
                 abode
                 ,
                 whereof
                 
                 thou
                 hast
                 said
                 ,
                 
                   Here
                   shall
                   bee
                   my
                   rest
                   for
                   euer
                   ,
                
                 it
                 is
                 able
                 to
                 amaze
                 all
                 eyes
                 ,
                 all
                 eares
                 .
              
               
                 No
                 City
                 could
                 fare
                 worse
                 then
                 Samaria
                 ,
                 whose
                 inhabitants
                 after
                 a
                 wofull
                 siege
                 ,
                 were
                 driuen
                 ,
                 like
                 cattle
                 ,
                 into
                 a
                 wretched
                 seruitude
                 ;
                 Ierusalem
                 shall
                 fare
                 no
                 better
                 from
                 Nebuchadnezzar
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 
                   Babylon
                   :
                   Ierusalem
                
                 ,
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 the
                 dearling
                 of
                 heauen
                 ,
                 See
                 ,
                 ô
                 ye
                 vaine
                 men
                 ,
                 that
                 boast
                 of
                 the
                 priuiledges
                 of
                 Chaires
                 ,
                 and
                 Churches
                 ,
                 see
                 ,
                 and
                 tremble
                 .
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 place
                 vnder
                 heauen
                 to
                 which
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 so
                 wedded
                 as
                 that
                 the
                 sins
                 thereof
                 shall
                 not
                 procure
                 a
                 disdainfull
                 ,
                 &
                 finall
                 diuorce
                 :
                 The
                 height
                 of
                 former
                 fauors
                 shall
                 be
                 but
                 an
                 aggrauation
                 of
                 vengeance
                 .
              
               
               
                 This
                 totall
                 vastation
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 shall
                 take
                 time
                 :
                 onwards
                 ,
                 God
                 begins
                 with
                 the
                 person
                 of
                 wicked
                 Manasseh
                 ;
                 against
                 whom
                 he
                 stirres
                 vp
                 the
                 Captaines
                 of
                 the
                 hoast
                 of
                 the
                 late
                 friend
                 ,
                 and
                 old
                 enemy
                 of
                 Iudah
                 :
                 Those
                 thornes
                 amongst
                 which
                 hee
                 had
                 shrouded
                 his
                 guilty
                 head
                 ,
                 cannot
                 shelter
                 him
                 from
                 their
                 violence
                 ;
                 they
                 take
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 binde
                 him
                 with
                 fetters
                 of
                 yron
                 ,
                 and
                 cary
                 him
                 to
                 Babylon
                 ;
                 There
                 hee
                 lyes
                 loaded
                 with
                 chaines
                 ,
                 in
                 an
                 vncomfortable
                 dungeon
                 exercised
                 with
                 variety
                 of
                 tortures
                 ,
                 fed
                 with
                 such
                 coorse
                 pittances
                 of
                 bread
                 ,
                 and
                 sips
                 of
                 water
                 ,
                 as
                 might
                 maintaine
                 an
                 vn
                 willing
                 life
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 punishmēt
                 of
                 the
                 owner
                 .
                 What
                 eye
                 can
                 now
                 pity
                 the
                 deepest
                 miseries
                 of
                 
                 Manasseh
                 ?
                 What
                 but
                 bondage
                 can
                 befit
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 so
                 lawlesly
                 abused
                 his
                 liberty
                 ?
                 What
                 but
                 an
                 vtter
                 abdication
                 can
                 befit
                 him
                 that
                 hath
                 cast
                 off
                 his
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 doted
                 vpon
                 Deuils
                 ?
                 What
                 but
                 a
                 dying
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 tormenting
                 death
                 can
                 bee
                 fit
                 for
                 a
                 man
                 of
                 blood
                 ?
              
               
                 Who
                 now
                 wold
                 not
                 haue
                 giuē
                 this
                 man
                 for
                 lost
                 ;
                 and
                 haue
                 lookt
                 when
                 hell
                 should
                 claime
                 her
                 owne
                 ?
                 But
                 oh
                 the
                 height
                 ,
                 oh
                 the
                 depth
                 of
                 diuine
                 mercy
                 !
                 After
                 all
                 these
                 prodigies
                 of
                 sin
                 ,
                 Manasseh
                 is
                 a
                 conuert
                 ;
                 
                   When
                   he
                   was
                   in
                   affliction
                   he
                   besought
                   the
                   Lord
                   his
                   God
                   :
                   and
                   humbled
                   himselfe
                   greatly
                   before
                   the
                   God
                   of
                   his
                   fathers
                   .
                
                 How
                 true
                 is
                 that
                 word
                 of
                 the
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 
                   Vexation
                   giues
                   vnderstanding
                
                 ;
                 The
                 viper
                 
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 lashed
                 ,
                 casts
                 vp
                 his
                 poyson
                 :
                 The
                 traitor
                 when
                 hee
                 is
                 racked
                 ,
                 tells
                 that
                 truth
                 which
                 he
                 had
                 else
                 neuer
                 vttered
                 ;
                 If
                 the
                 crosse
                 beare
                 vs
                 not
                 to
                 heauen
                 ,
                 nothing
                 can
                 :
                 What
                 vse
                 were
                 there
                 of
                 the
                 graine
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 the
                 edge
                 of
                 the
                 sickle
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 it
                 is
                 cut
                 downe
                 ;
                 the
                 stroke
                 of
                 the
                 flayle
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 it
                 is
                 beaten
                 ;
                 the
                 weight
                 and
                 attrition
                 of
                 the
                 mill
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 it
                 is
                 crushed
                 ;
                 the
                 fire
                 of
                 the
                 ouen
                 wherewith
                 it
                 is
                 baken
                 ?
                 Say
                 now
                 ,
                 Manasseh
                 ,
                 with
                 that
                 grandfather
                 of
                 thine
                 (
                 who
                 was
                 ,
                 till
                 now
                 ,
                 too
                 good
                 for
                 thee
                 )
                 
                   It
                   is
                   good
                   for
                   mee
                   that
                   I
                   was
                   afflicted
                   :
                
                 Euen
                 thine
                 yron
                 was
                 more
                 precious
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 then
                 thy
                 gold
                 ;
                 thy
                 Gaole
                 was
                 a
                 more
                 happy
                 lodging
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 then
                 thy
                 palace
                 ;
                 
                 Babylon
                 was
                 a
                 better
                 Schoole
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 thē
                 Ierusalem
                 :
                 what
                 fooles
                 are
                 wee
                 to
                 frowne
                 vpon
                 our
                 afflictions
                 ?
                 These
                 ,
                 how
                 crabbed
                 soeuer
                 ,
                 are
                 our
                 best
                 friends
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 not
                 ,
                 indeed
                 ,
                 for
                 our
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 for
                 our
                 profit
                 :
                 their
                 issue
                 makes
                 them
                 worthy
                 of
                 a
                 welcome
                 .
                 What
                 doe
                 wee
                 care
                 how
                 bitter
                 that
                 potion
                 bee
                 which
                 brings
                 health
                 ?
              
               
                 How
                 farre
                 a
                 man
                 may
                 goe
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 turne
                 ?
                 Could
                 there
                 bee
                 fouler
                 sinnes
                 then
                 these
                 ?
                 Lo
                 ,
                 here
                 was
                 Idolatrie
                 in
                 the
                 height
                 ,
                 violation
                 of
                 Gods
                 house
                 ,
                 sorceries
                 of
                 all
                 kinds
                 ,
                 bloodie
                 crueltie
                 to
                 his
                 owne
                 flesh
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Saints
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 these
                 against
                 the
                 streame
                 of
                 a
                 religious
                 institution
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 zealous
                 counsels
                 of
                 Gods
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 
                 of
                 the
                 checks
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 heart
                 .
              
               
                 Who
                 can
                 complaine
                 that
                 the
                 way
                 of
                 heauen
                 is
                 blocked
                 vp
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 when
                 hee
                 sees
                 such
                 a
                 sinner
                 enter
                 ?
                 Say
                 the
                 worst
                 against
                 thy selfe
                 ,
                 ô
                 thou
                 clamorous
                 foule
                 ;
                 Here
                 is
                 one
                 that
                 murdered
                 men
                 ,
                 defied
                 God
                 ,
                 worshipt
                 Diuels
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 finds
                 the
                 way
                 to
                 repentance
                 ;
                 if
                 thou
                 bee
                 worse
                 then
                 he
                 ,
                 deny
                 (
                 if
                 thou
                 canst
                 )
                 that
                 to
                 thy selfe
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 not
                 denied
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 capacitie
                 of
                 grace
                 :
                 In
                 the
                 meane
                 time
                 ;
                 know
                 that
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 thy
                 sinne
                 ,
                 but
                 thine
                 impenitence
                 that
                 barres
                 heauen
                 against
                 thee
                 .
              
               
                 Presume
                 not
                 yet
                 ,
                 ô
                 man
                 ,
                 whosoeuer
                 thou
                 art
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 libertie
                 of
                 thy
                 conuersion
                 ;
                 as
                 if
                 thou
                 couldest
                 
                 run
                 on
                 lawlesly
                 in
                 a
                 course
                 of
                 sinning
                 ,
                 till
                 thou
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 brim
                 or
                 hell
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 couldst
                 suddenly
                 stop
                 ,
                 and
                 returne
                 at
                 leasure
                 :
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 God
                 did
                 neuer
                 set
                 period
                 to
                 a
                 wilfull
                 sinner
                 ;
                 neither
                 yet
                 did
                 his
                 owne
                 corrupt
                 desires
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 when
                 he
                 is
                 gone
                 the
                 furthest
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 yet
                 stay
                 himselfe
                 from
                 another
                 step
                 :
                 No
                 man
                 that
                 truly
                 repents
                 is
                 refused
                 :
                 but
                 many
                 a
                 one
                 sins
                 so
                 long
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 cannot
                 repent
                 .
                 His
                 custome
                 of
                 wickedness
                 hath
                 obdur'd
                 his
                 hart
                 ,
                 &
                 made
                 it
                 flint
                 to
                 all
                 good
                 impressions
                 .
                 There
                 were
                 Ieroboams
                 ,
                 and
                 Abijams
                 ,
                 and
                 Ahabs
                 ,
                 and
                 Ioashes
                 ,
                 &
                 Ahazes
                 ,
                 in
                 these
                 sacred
                 thrones
                 ,
                 there
                 was
                 but
                 one
                 Manasseh
                 :
                 God
                 hath
                 not
                 left
                 in
                 any
                 mans
                 hād
                 the
                 reines
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 hart
                 ,
                 to
                 pace
                 ,
                 &
                 
                 turne
                 ,
                 and
                 stop
                 as
                 hee
                 lists
                 ;
                 This
                 priuiledge
                 is
                 reserued
                 to
                 him
                 that
                 made
                 it
                 ;
                 
                   It
                   is
                   not
                   of
                   him
                   that
                   wils
                   ,
                   nor
                   of
                   him
                   that
                   runs
                   ,
                   but
                   of
                   God
                   that
                   showes
                   mercy
                   :
                
                 and
                 that
                 mercy
                 neglected
                 ,
                 iustly
                 binds
                 ouer
                 to
                 iudgement
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 wonder
                 not
                 at
                 Manasseh
                 ,
                 either
                 sinning
                 ,
                 or
                 repenting
                 ,
                 I
                 wonder
                 at
                 thy
                 goodnesse
                 ,
                 ô
                 Lord
                 ;
                 who
                 after
                 thy
                 iust
                 permission
                 of
                 his
                 sinne
                 ,
                 callest
                 him
                 thus
                 graciously
                 to
                 repent
                 ,
                 and
                 so
                 graciously
                 receiuest
                 him
                 repenting
                 :
                 So
                 as
                 Manasseh
                 was
                 not
                 a
                 more
                 loathsome
                 and
                 monstrous
                 spectacle
                 of
                 wickednesse
                 ,
                 then
                 he
                 is
                 now
                 a
                 pleasing
                 and
                 vsefull
                 patterne
                 of
                 conuersion
                 ;
                 Who
                 can
                 now
                 despaire
                 of
                 thy
                 mercie
                 ,
                 ô
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 sees
                 the
                 teares
                 of
                 a
                 Manasseh
                 accepted
                 ?
                 whē
                 
                 wee
                 haue
                 debauched
                 our
                 worst
                 ;
                 our
                 euill
                 cannot
                 match
                 with
                 thy
                 goodnesse
                 ;
                 rather
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 praise
                 of
                 thine
                 infinite
                 store
                 ,
                 that
                 where
                 sinne
                 abounds
                 ,
                 grace
                 abounds
                 much
                 more
                 ;
                 O
                 keepe
                 vs
                 from
                 a
                 presumption
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 that
                 wee
                 may
                 repent
                 ;
                 and
                 raise
                 vs
                 from
                 a
                 distrust
                 of
                 grace
                 when
                 wee
                 haue
                 repented
                 .
              
               
                 No
                 sooner
                 is
                 Manasseh
                 penitent
                 ,
                 then
                 he
                 is
                 free
                 ;
                 his
                 prayers
                 haue
                 at
                 once
                 loosed
                 him
                 from
                 his
                 sinnes
                 ,
                 and
                 from
                 his
                 chaines
                 ;
                 and
                 of
                 a
                 captiue
                 haue
                 made
                 him
                 a
                 King
                 ;
                 and
                 from
                 the
                 dungeon
                 of
                 Babylon
                 haue
                 restored
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 palace
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 :
                 How
                 easie
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 the
                 same
                 hand
                 that
                 wounds
                 to
                 cure
                 :
                 What
                 cannot
                 feruent
                 prayers
                 doe
                 ,
                 eyther
                 for
                 our
                 rescuing
                 
                 from
                 euill
                 ,
                 or
                 for
                 our
                 inuesting
                 with
                 good
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Then
                   Manasseh
                   knew
                   that
                   the
                   Lord
                   he
                   was
                   God.
                
                 Then
                 ?
                 and
                 not
                 before
                 ?
                 Could
                 his
                 yonger
                 eares
                 escape
                 the
                 knowledge
                 of
                 Gods
                 miraculous
                 deliuerance
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 from
                 the
                 Assyrians
                 ?
                 Could
                 hee
                 but
                 know
                 the
                 slaughter
                 that
                 Gods
                 Angell
                 made
                 in
                 one
                 night
                 ,
                 of
                 an
                 hundred
                 fourescore
                 and
                 fiue
                 thousand
                 ?
                 Could
                 he
                 but
                 haue
                 heard
                 the
                 iust
                 reuenge
                 vpon
                 Senacherib
                 ?
                 Could
                 he
                 be
                 ignorant
                 of
                 his
                 fathers
                 supernaturall
                 recouery
                 ?
                 Could
                 hee
                 but
                 see
                 that
                 euer-lasting
                 monument
                 of
                 the
                 noted
                 degrees
                 in
                 the
                 Dyall
                 of
                 Ahaz
                 ?
                 Could
                 he
                 auoid
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 those
                 fifteene
                 yeares
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 super-added
                 to
                 his
                 fathers
                 age
                 ?
                 What
                 one
                 of
                 these
                 
                 proofes
                 doth
                 not
                 euince
                 a
                 Deity
                 ?
                 Yet
                 ,
                 till
                 his
                 owne
                 smart
                 ,
                 and
                 cure
                 ,
                 Manasseh
                 knew
                 not
                 that
                 the
                 Lord
                 was
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 Foolish
                 sinners
                 pay
                 deare
                 for
                 their
                 knowledge
                 ;
                 neither
                 will
                 indure
                 to
                 be
                 taught
                 good-cheape
                 :
                 so
                 we
                 haue
                 seene
                 resty
                 horses
                 that
                 will
                 not
                 moue
                 till
                 they
                 bleed
                 with
                 the
                 spur
                 :
                 So
                 we
                 haue
                 seene
                 dull
                 and
                 carelesse
                 children
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 learne
                 nothing
                 but
                 what
                 is
                 put
                 into
                 them
                 with
                 the
                 rod.
                 
              
               
                 The
                 Almighty
                 wil
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 be
                 knowne
                 for
                 what
                 he
                 is
                 :
                 if
                 not
                 by
                 faire
                 meanes
                 ,
                 yet
                 by
                 foule
                 ;
                 If
                 our
                 prosperity
                 ,
                 and
                 peace
                 ,
                 and
                 sweet
                 experience
                 of
                 his
                 mercy
                 can
                 win
                 vs
                 to
                 acknowledge
                 him
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 more
                 for
                 our
                 ease
                 ,
                 but
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 will
                 needes
                 bee
                 taught
                 by
                 stripes
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 
                 no
                 lesse
                 for
                 his
                 glory
                 .
              
               
                 Manasseh
                 now
                 returnes
                 another
                 man
                 to
                 Ierusalem
                 :
                 With
                 what
                 indignation
                 doth
                 hee
                 looke
                 vpon
                 his
                 old
                 follies
                 ?
                 and
                 now
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 amends
                 he
                 can
                 make
                 ,
                 is
                 to
                 vndoe
                 what
                 he
                 did
                 ;
                 to
                 doe
                 that
                 which
                 hee
                 vndid
                 :
                 
                   Hee
                   tooke
                   away
                   the
                   strange
                   Gods
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   Idoll
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   altars
                   that
                   he
                   had
                   built
                   in
                   the
                   mount
                   of
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   in
                   Ierusalem
                   ,
                   and
                   cast
                   them
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   City
                   .
                
                 True
                 repentance
                 beginnes
                 to
                 decline
                 at
                 the
                 ablatiue
                 ;
                 destroying
                 those
                 monuments
                 of
                 shame
                 which
                 former
                 errour
                 had
                 reared
                 ;
                 The
                 thornes
                 must
                 first
                 be
                 stubbed
                 vp
                 ,
                 ere
                 the
                 ground
                 can
                 be
                 capable
                 of
                 seed
                 ;
                 The
                 true
                 method
                 of
                 grace
                 ,
                 is
                 ,
                 first
                 ,
                 
                   Cease
                   to
                   doe
                   euill
                
                 ;
                 then
                 ,
                 
                 
                   Learne
                   to
                   doe
                   good
                
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 vaine
                 had
                 Manasseh
                 professed
                 a
                 repentance
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 strange
                 gods
                 had
                 still
                 held
                 possession
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Idoll
                 had
                 still
                 harboured
                 in
                 Gods
                 Temple
                 ,
                 if
                 forraigne
                 altars
                 had
                 still
                 smoked
                 vpon
                 the
                 holy
                 mountaine
                 ;
                 Away
                 with
                 all
                 this
                 trash
                 ,
                 when
                 once
                 Manasseh
                 comes
                 to
                 a
                 true
                 sense
                 of
                 piety
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 is
                 nothing
                 but
                 hypocrisie
                 in
                 that
                 penitent
                 ,
                 who
                 after
                 all
                 vowes
                 ,
                 and
                 teares
                 ,
                 retaines
                 his
                 old
                 abhominations
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 that
                 poore
                 peece
                 of
                 satisfactiō
                 which
                 we
                 can
                 giue
                 to
                 the
                 diuine
                 iustice
                 ,
                 in
                 an
                 hearty
                 indignation
                 ,
                 to
                 fling
                 downe
                 that
                 cup
                 of
                 wickednesse
                 wherewith
                 wee
                 haue
                 beene
                 bewitched
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 trample
                 vpon
                 the
                 
                 shreads
                 :
                 without
                 which
                 ,
                 confession
                 is
                 but
                 winde
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 drops
                 of
                 contrition
                 ,
                 water
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 liuing
                 God
                 loues
                 to
                 dwell
                 cleane
                 ,
                 hee
                 will
                 not
                 come
                 vnder
                 the
                 roofe
                 of
                 Idols
                 ,
                 nor
                 admit
                 Idols
                 to
                 come
                 vnder
                 his
                 :
                 First
                 therfore
                 ,
                 Manasseh
                 casts
                 out
                 the
                 strange
                 Gods
                 and
                 Idols
                 ,
                 and
                 altars
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 ,
                 
                   He
                   repaires
                   the
                   Altar
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   and
                   sacrifices
                   thereon
                   peace-offerings
                   ,
                   and
                   thanke-offerings
                   .
                
                 Not
                 ,
                 till
                 he
                 had
                 pull'd
                 down
                 ,
                 might
                 he
                 build
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 hee
                 had
                 pull'd
                 downe
                 ,
                 hee
                 must
                 build
                 :
                 True
                 repentance
                 is
                 no
                 lesse
                 actiue
                 of
                 good
                 .
                 What
                 is
                 it
                 the
                 better
                 ,
                 if
                 when
                 the
                 Idolatrous
                 altars
                 are
                 defaced
                 ,
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 hath
                 not
                 an
                 Altar
                 erected
                 to
                 his
                 Name
                 ?
                 In
                 many
                 Altars
                 was
                 superstition
                 ,
                 
                 in
                 no
                 altars
                 ,
                 Atheisme
                 .
              
               
                 Neither
                 doth
                 penitent
                 Manasseh
                 build
                 God
                 a
                 new
                 Altar
                 ,
                 but
                 hee
                 repaires
                 the
                 old
                 ,
                 which
                 by
                 long
                 dis-vse
                 lay
                 wast
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 mossie
                 &
                 mouldred
                 with
                 age
                 &
                 neglect
                 .
              
               
                 God
                 loues
                 well
                 his
                 owne
                 institutions
                 ;
                 neither
                 can
                 he
                 abide
                 innouations
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 in
                 the
                 out-sides
                 of
                 his
                 seruices
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 an
                 happy
                 worke
                 to
                 vindicate
                 any
                 ordinance
                 of
                 God
                 from
                 the
                 iniurie
                 of
                 times
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 restore
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 originall
                 glory
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 haue
                 our
                 pious
                 gouernors
                 done
                 other
                 in
                 religion
                 ?
                 had
                 wee
                 gone
                 about
                 to
                 lay
                 a
                 new
                 foundation
                 ,
                 the
                 worke
                 had
                 been
                 accursed
                 ;
                 now
                 wee
                 haue
                 onely
                 scraped
                 off
                 some
                 superfluous
                 mosse
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 growne
                 vpon
                 
                 these
                 holy
                 stones
                 ,
                 we
                 haue
                 cemented
                 some
                 broken
                 peeces
                 ,
                 we
                 haue
                 pointed
                 some
                 crazie
                 corners
                 with
                 wholsome
                 morter
                 ,
                 in
                 stead
                 of
                 base
                 clay
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 it
                 was
                 disgracefully
                 patched
                 vp
                 :
                 The
                 altar
                 is
                 old
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 Gods
                 altar
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 new
                 ,
                 not
                 ours
                 :
                 If
                 we
                 haue
                 layd
                 one
                 new
                 stone
                 in
                 this
                 sacred
                 building
                 ,
                 let
                 it
                 flye
                 in
                 our
                 faces
                 ,
                 and
                 beat
                 out
                 our
                 eyes
                 .
              
               
                 On
                 this
                 repaired
                 altar
                 doth
                 Manasseh
                 send
                 vp
                 the
                 sacrifices
                 of
                 his
                 peace
                 ,
                 of
                 his
                 thankfulnesse
                 ;
                 and
                 doubtlesse
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 heauen
                 smels
                 a
                 sweet
                 sauour
                 of
                 rest
                 ;
                 No
                 perfume
                 is
                 so
                 pleasing
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 which
                 is
                 cast
                 in
                 by
                 a
                 penitent
                 hand
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 had
                 not
                 serued
                 the
                 turne
                 that
                 Manasseh
                 had
                 approched
                 alone
                 to
                 
                 this
                 renued
                 altar
                 ;
                 As
                 his
                 leud
                 example
                 had
                 withdrawn
                 the
                 people
                 from
                 their
                 God
                 ;
                 so
                 now
                 
                   he
                   commands
                   Iudah
                   to
                   serue
                   the
                   Lord
                   God
                   of
                   Israel
                
                 ;
                 Had
                 he
                 been
                 silent
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 haue
                 been
                 vnfollowed
                 :
                 Euery
                 act
                 of
                 greatnesse
                 is
                 preceptiue
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 that
                 religion
                 is
                 made
                 Law
                 ,
                 what
                 Israelite
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 deuout
                 ?
              
               
                 The
                 true
                 God
                 hath
                 now
                 no
                 competitour
                 in
                 Iudah
                 ;
                 All
                 the
                 Idolls
                 are
                 pull'd
                 downe
                 ,
                 the
                 high
                 places
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 pull'd
                 downe
                 ;
                 An
                 ill
                 guise
                 is
                 easilie
                 taken
                 vp
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 easily
                 left
                 .
                 After
                 a
                 common
                 deprauation
                 of
                 religion
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 hard
                 to
                 returne
                 vnto
                 the
                 first
                 purity
                 :
                 as
                 when
                 a
                 garmēt
                 is
                 deeply
                 soiled
                 ,
                 it
                 cannot
                 without
                 many
                 lauers
                 recouer
                 the
                 former
                 cleannesse
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 IOSIAH'S
                 Reformation
                 .
              
               
                 YEt
                 ,
                 if
                 wee
                 must
                 alter
                 
                 from
                 our selues
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 better
                 to
                 bee
                 a
                 Manasseh
                 ,
                 then
                 a
                 
                   Ioash
                   :
                   Ioash
                
                 beganne
                 well
                 ,
                 and
                 ended
                 ill
                 :
                 Manasseh
                 began
                 ill
                 ,
                 and
                 ended
                 well
                 ;
                 his
                 age
                 varied
                 from
                 his
                 youth
                 ,
                 no
                 lesse
                 ,
                 then
                 one
                 mans
                 condition
                 can
                 varie
                 from
                 another
                 ;
                 His
                 posterity
                 succeeded
                 in
                 both
                 ;
                 Amnon
                 his
                 sonne
                 succeeded
                 in
                 the
                 sinnes
                 of
                 Manassehs
                 youth
                 ;
                 Iosiah
                 his
                 grandchild
                 succeeded
                 in
                 the
                 vertues
                 of
                 his
                 age
                 .
                 What
                 a
                 vast
                 differēce
                 doth
                 grace
                 make
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 age
                 ?
                 Manasseh
                 began
                 his
                 reigne
                 at
                 twelue
                 
                 yeares
                 ;
                 Iosiah
                 at
                 eight
                 ;
                 Manasseh
                 was
                 religiously
                 bred
                 vnder
                 
                   Hezekiah
                   ;
                   Iosiah
                
                 was
                 mis-nurtured
                 vnder
                 Amnon
                 ;
                 and
                 yet
                 Manasseh
                 runs
                 into
                 absurd
                 Idolatries
                 ,
                 Iosiah
                 is
                 holie
                 and
                 deuout
                 .
                 The
                 Spirit
                 of
                 God
                 breathes
                 freely
                 ;
                 not
                 confining
                 it selfe
                 to
                 times
                 ,
                 or
                 meanes
                 .
              
               
                 No
                 rules
                 can
                 bind
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 the
                 Almightie
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 in
                 ordinarie
                 proofe
                 too
                 true
                 a
                 word
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 said
                 of
                 old
                 ,
                 
                   Woe
                   be
                   to
                   thee
                   ,
                   O
                   Land
                   ,
                   whose
                   King
                   is
                   a
                   child
                   :
                
                 the
                 goodnesse
                 of
                 God
                 makes
                 his
                 owne
                 exceptions
                 ;
                 Iudah
                 neuer
                 fared
                 better
                 ,
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 green
                 years
                 of
                 a
                 Iosiah
                 :
                 If
                 wee
                 may
                 not
                 rather
                 measure
                 youth
                 ,
                 and
                 age
                 by
                 gouernment
                 ,
                 and
                 disposition
                 ,
                 then
                 by
                 yeares
                 :
                 Surely
                 thus
                 ,
                 Iosiah
                 was
                 older
                 with
                 smooth
                 cheekes
                 ,
                 then
                 
                 Manasseh
                 with
                 gray
                 haires
                 .
                 Happy
                 is
                 the
                 infancie
                 of
                 Princes
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 falls
                 into
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 faithfull
                 Counsellors
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 good
                 patterne
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 helpe
                 for
                 young
                 beginners
                 ;
                 Iosiah
                 sets
                 his
                 father
                 Dauid
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 not
                 Amnon
                 ,
                 not
                 Manasseh
                 :
                 Examples
                 are
                 the
                 best
                 rules
                 for
                 the
                 inexperienced
                 ;
                 where
                 their
                 choice
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 the
                 directions
                 are
                 easiest
                 :
                 The
                 lawes
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 Dauid
                 ;
                 Those
                 lawes
                 were
                 the
                 rule
                 ,
                 these
                 wayes
                 were
                 the
                 practice
                 ;
                 Good
                 Iosiah
                 walkes
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 wayes
                 of
                 his
                 Father
                 Dauid
                 .
              
               
                 Euen
                 the
                 minority
                 of
                 Iosiah
                 was
                 not
                 idle
                 ;
                 we
                 cannot
                 be
                 good
                 too
                 early
                 :
                 At
                 eight
                 yeares
                 it
                 was
                 enough
                 to
                 haue
                 his
                 eare
                 open
                 to
                 heare
                 good
                 counsaile
                 ;
                 to
                 haue
                 his
                 
                 eies
                 &
                 hart
                 opē
                 to
                 seek
                 after
                 God
                 :
                 At
                 twelue
                 ,
                 he
                 begins
                 to
                 act
                 :
                 and
                 showes
                 well
                 that
                 hee
                 hath
                 found
                 the
                 God
                 he
                 sought
                 :
                 Then
                 he
                 addresses
                 
                 himselfe
                 to
                 purge
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 and
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 high
                 places
                 ,
                 groues
                 ,
                 images
                 ,
                 altars
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 it
                 was
                 defiled
                 ;
                 burning
                 the
                 bones
                 of
                 the
                 idolatrous
                 Priests
                 vpon
                 their
                 altars
                 ;
                 strawing
                 the
                 ashes
                 of
                 the
                 idols
                 vpon
                 the
                 graues
                 of
                 them
                 that
                 had
                 sacrificed
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 striuing
                 by
                 those
                 fires
                 ,
                 and
                 mattocks
                 to
                 testifie
                 his
                 zealous
                 detestation
                 of
                 all
                 idolatry
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 house
                 must
                 first
                 be
                 clensed
                 ,
                 ere
                 it
                 can
                 bee
                 garnished
                 ;
                 no
                 man
                 will
                 cast
                 away
                 his
                 cost
                 vpon
                 vncleane
                 heaps
                 ;
                 so
                 soone
                 as
                 the
                 Temple
                 was
                 purged
                 ,
                 Iosiah
                 bends
                 his
                 thoughts
                 vpon
                 the
                 repayring
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 beautifying
                 of
                 this
                 house
                 of
                 the
                 Lord.
                 
              
               
                 What
                 stir
                 was
                 there
                 in
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 wherein
                 Gods
                 Temple
                 suffered
                 not
                 ?
                 Sixe
                 seuerall
                 times
                 was
                 it
                 pillaged
                 ,
                 whether
                 out
                 of
                 force
                 ,
                 or
                 will
                 :
                 First
                 ,
                 Iehoash
                 King
                 of
                 Iudah
                 is
                 faine
                 by
                 the
                 spoile
                 of
                 it
                 to
                 stop
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 Hazael
                 ;
                 Then
                 ,
                 Ioash
                 King
                 of
                 Israel
                 fils
                 his
                 owne
                 hands
                 with
                 that
                 sacred
                 spoile
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 dayes
                 of
                 Amaziah
                 ;
                 after
                 this
                 ,
                 Ahaz
                 rifles
                 it
                 for
                 
                   Tiglath
                   Pileser
                
                 ,
                 King
                 of
                 Assyria
                 ;
                 then
                 Hezekiah
                 is
                 forced
                 to
                 ransacke
                 the
                 treasures
                 of
                 it
                 for
                 Senacherib
                 ;
                 yet
                 after
                 ,
                 the
                 sacriledge
                 of
                 Manasseh
                 makes
                 that
                 booty
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 which
                 his
                 later
                 times
                 indeuoured
                 to
                 restore
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 lastly
                 ,
                 Amnon
                 his
                 sonne
                 neglects
                 the
                 frame
                 ,
                 embeazels
                 the
                 furniture
                 
                 of
                 this
                 holy
                 place
                 :
                 The
                 very
                 pile
                 began
                 to
                 complaine
                 of
                 age
                 and
                 vnrespect
                 :
                 Now
                 comes
                 good
                 Iosiah
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 his
                 eighteenth
                 yeare
                 (
                 when
                 other
                 young
                 Gallants
                 would
                 haue
                 thought
                 of
                 nothing
                 but
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 and
                 iollity
                 )
                 takes
                 vp
                 the
                 latest
                 care
                 of
                 his
                 father
                 Dauid
                 ,
                 and
                 giues
                 order
                 for
                 the
                 repayring
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 keepers
                 of
                 the
                 doore
                 haue
                 receiued
                 the
                 contribution
                 of
                 all
                 faithfull
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 for
                 this
                 pious
                 vse
                 ;
                 the
                 King
                 sends
                 Shaphan
                 the
                 scribe
                 to
                 Hilkijah
                 the
                 Priest
                 to
                 summe
                 it
                 vp
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 deliuer
                 it
                 vnto
                 Carpenters
                 ,
                 and
                 Masons
                 ,
                 for
                 so
                 holy
                 a
                 worke
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 well
                 doth
                 it
                 beseeme
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 a
                 religious
                 Prince
                 ,
                 to
                 set
                 the
                 Priests
                 and
                 Scribes
                 in
                 hand
                 
                 with
                 reedifying
                 the
                 Temple
                 ?
                 The
                 command
                 is
                 the
                 Kings
                 ,
                 the
                 charge
                 is
                 the
                 high-Priests
                 ,
                 the
                 execution
                 is
                 the
                 workmens
                 ;
                 when
                 the
                 laborers
                 are
                 faithfull
                 in
                 doing
                 the
                 worke
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 high
                 Priest
                 in
                 directing
                 it
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 King
                 in
                 inioining
                 it
                 ,
                 Gods
                 House
                 cannot
                 faile
                 of
                 an
                 happy
                 perfection
                 ;
                 but
                 when
                 any
                 of
                 these
                 slackens
                 ,
                 the
                 businesse
                 must
                 needs
                 languish
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 God
                 blesses
                 the
                 deuout
                 indeuours
                 of
                 his
                 seruants
                 ?
                 Whiles
                 Hilkijah
                 was
                 diligently
                 suruaying
                 the
                 breaches
                 and
                 the
                 reparation
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 hee
                 lights
                 vpon
                 the
                 booke
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 :
                 The
                 authenticke
                 and
                 originall
                 Booke
                 of
                 
                 Gods
                 Law
                 was
                 by
                 a
                 speciall
                 charge
                 appointed
                 to
                 be
                 carefully
                 kept
                 within
                 a
                 safe
                 shrine
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 
                 Sanctuary
                 :
                 In
                 the
                 depraued
                 times
                 of
                 idolatry
                 ,
                 some
                 faithfull
                 Priest
                 (
                 to
                 make
                 sure
                 worke
                 )
                 had
                 locked
                 it
                 fast
                 vp
                 ,
                 in
                 some
                 secret
                 corner
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 reach
                 of
                 all
                 hands
                 ,
                 of
                 all
                 eyes
                 :
                 as
                 knowing
                 how
                 impossible
                 it
                 was
                 ,
                 that
                 diuine
                 monument
                 could
                 otherwise
                 escape
                 the
                 fury
                 of
                 prophane
                 guiltinesse
                 :
                 Some
                 few
                 transcripts
                 there
                 were
                 doubtlesse
                 ,
                 (
                 parcels
                 of
                 this
                 sacred
                 Book
                 )
                 in
                 other
                 hands
                 ;
                 neither
                 doubt
                 I
                 ,
                 but
                 as
                 Hilkijah
                 had
                 been
                 formerly
                 well
                 acquainted
                 with
                 this
                 holy
                 volume
                 (
                 now
                 of
                 long
                 time
                 hid
                 )
                 so
                 the
                 eares
                 of
                 good
                 Iosiah
                 had
                 beene
                 inured
                 to
                 some
                 passages
                 thereof
                 ;
                 but
                 the
                 whole
                 body
                 of
                 these
                 awfull
                 Records
                 ,
                 since
                 the
                 late
                 night
                 of
                 Idolatrous
                 confusion
                 ,
                 and
                 persecution
                 
                 saw
                 no
                 light
                 ,
                 till
                 now
                 ;
                 This
                 precious
                 treasure
                 doth
                 Hilkijah
                 find
                 ,
                 whiles
                 he
                 digs
                 for
                 the
                 Temple
                 :
                 Neuer
                 man
                 laboured
                 to
                 the
                 reparation
                 of
                 Gods
                 Church
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 met
                 with
                 a
                 blessing
                 more
                 thē
                 he
                 looked
                 for
                 .
              
               
                 Hilkijah
                 the
                 Priest
                 ,
                 and
                 Shaphan
                 the
                 scribe
                 do
                 not
                 ingrosse
                 this
                 invaluable
                 wealth
                 into
                 their
                 owne
                 hands
                 ,
                 nor
                 suppresse
                 these
                 more
                 then
                 sacred
                 roles
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 owne
                 aduantage
                 ;
                 but
                 trans-mit
                 them
                 ,
                 first
                 to
                 the
                 eares
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 then
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 people
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 praise
                 of
                 a
                 good
                 scribe
                 ,
                 to
                 lay
                 vp
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 bring
                 forth
                 ,
                 both
                 old
                 and
                 new
                 :
                 And
                 if
                 the
                 Priests
                 lips
                 shall
                 keepe
                 knowledge
                 ,
                 they
                 keep
                 it
                 to
                 impart
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 smother
                 :
                 
                   The
                   people
                   shall
                   seeke
                   the
                   Law
                   at
                   his
                
                 
                 
                   mouth
                   ;
                   for
                   hee
                   is
                   the
                   messenger
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   of
                   Hosts
                   .
                
              
               
                 So
                 soone
                 as
                 the
                 good
                 King
                 heares
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 booke
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 speciall
                 ,
                 those
                 dreadfull
                 threats
                 of
                 iudgement
                 ,
                 denounced
                 against
                 the
                 Idolatries
                 of
                 his
                 Iudah
                 ;
                 he
                 rends
                 his
                 clothes
                 ,
                 to
                 show
                 his
                 heart
                 rent
                 with
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 and
                 fearfull
                 expectation
                 of
                 those
                 plagues
                 ;
                 and
                 washes
                 his
                 bosome
                 with
                 teares
                 .
                 Oh
                 gracious
                 tendernesse
                 of
                 Iosiah
                 :
                 he
                 doth
                 but
                 once
                 heare
                 the
                 Law
                 read
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 thus
                 humbled
                 ;
                 humbled
                 for
                 his
                 fathers
                 sins
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 his
                 people
                 :
                 how
                 many
                 of
                 vs
                 ,
                 after
                 a
                 thousand
                 hammerings
                 of
                 the
                 menaces
                 of
                 Gods
                 Law
                 ,
                 vpon
                 our
                 guilty
                 soules
                 ,
                 continue
                 yet
                 insensible
                 of
                 our
                 danger
                 ?
                 The
                 very
                 reading
                 
                 of
                 this
                 Law
                 doth
                 thus
                 affect
                 him
                 ;
                 the
                 preaching
                 of
                 it
                 stirs
                 not
                 vs
                 ;
                 The
                 sinnes
                 of
                 others
                 strucke
                 thus
                 deepe
                 with
                 him
                 ;
                 our
                 owne
                 are
                 sleighted
                 by
                 vs
                 :
                 A
                 soft
                 hart
                 is
                 the
                 best
                 tempered
                 for
                 God
                 :
                 So
                 Physitians
                 are
                 wont
                 to
                 like
                 those
                 bodies
                 best
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 easiest
                 to
                 worke
                 vpon
                 :
                 O
                 God
                 make
                 our
                 clay
                 ,
                 waxe
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 waxe
                 pliable
                 to
                 thine
                 hand
                 ;
                 so
                 shall
                 we
                 be
                 sure
                 to
                 be
                 free
                 either
                 from
                 sin
                 ,
                 or
                 from
                 the
                 hurt
                 of
                 sin
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 holy
                 sorrow
                 that
                 sends
                 vs
                 not
                 to
                 God
                 ;
                 Iosiah
                 is
                 not
                 moaped
                 with
                 a
                 distractiue
                 griefe
                 ,
                 or
                 an
                 astonishing
                 feare
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 height
                 of
                 his
                 passion
                 ,
                 sends
                 fiue
                 choice
                 messengers
                 to
                 Huldah
                 the
                 Prophetesse
                 ,
                 to
                 enquire
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 for
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 for
                 Iudah
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 
                 an
                 happie
                 trouble
                 that
                 driues
                 vs
                 to
                 this
                 refuge
                 .
                 I
                 doe
                 not
                 heare
                 any
                 of
                 these
                 Courtiers
                 reply
                 to
                 this
                 godly
                 motion
                 of
                 their
                 young
                 King
                 :
                 Alas
                 ,
                 Sir
                 ,
                 what
                 meanes
                 this
                 deepe
                 perplexity
                 ?
                 What
                 needs
                 all
                 this
                 busie
                 inquisition
                 ?
                 If
                 your
                 father
                 were
                 idolatrous
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 that
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 who
                 haue
                 abandoned
                 his
                 sinnes
                 ?
                 If
                 your
                 people
                 were
                 once
                 idolatrous
                 ,
                 what
                 is
                 that
                 to
                 you
                 ,
                 yea
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 who
                 haue
                 expiated
                 these
                 crimes
                 by
                 their
                 repentance
                 ?
                 Haue
                 you
                 not
                 carefully
                 reformed
                 all
                 those
                 abuses
                 ?
                 hath
                 not
                 your
                 happy
                 reformatiō
                 made
                 an
                 abūdant
                 amends
                 for
                 those
                 wrongs
                 ?
                 Spare
                 your
                 teares
                 ,
                 and
                 saue
                 the
                 labor
                 of
                 your
                 messengers
                 ;
                 All
                 is
                 well
                 ,
                 all
                 shall
                 be
                 well
                 ;
                 these
                 iudgements
                 are
                 for
                 
                 the
                 obstinate
                 ;
                 had
                 we
                 beene
                 still
                 guilty
                 ,
                 these
                 feares
                 had
                 been
                 iust
                 :
                 were
                 wee
                 still
                 in
                 danger
                 ,
                 what
                 had
                 we
                 gained
                 by
                 our
                 conuersion
                 ?
                 Rather
                 ,
                 as
                 glad
                 to
                 second
                 the
                 religious
                 cares
                 of
                 their
                 young
                 King
                 ,
                 they
                 feed
                 his
                 holy
                 anxieties
                 with
                 a
                 iust
                 aggrauation
                 of
                 perill
                 ;
                 and
                 by
                 their
                 good
                 counsell
                 ,
                 whet
                 these
                 his
                 zealous
                 desires
                 of
                 a
                 speedy
                 resolution
                 :
                 That
                 state
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 happy
                 ,
                 whose
                 Priests
                 and
                 Peeres
                 are
                 ready
                 as
                 to
                 suggest
                 ,
                 so
                 to
                 cherish
                 ,
                 and
                 execute
                 the
                 deuout
                 proiects
                 of
                 their
                 Soueraignes
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 graue
                 Priest
                 ,
                 the
                 learned
                 scribe
                 ,
                 the
                 honourable
                 Courtiers
                 doe
                 not
                 disdaine
                 to
                 knocke
                 at
                 the
                 doore
                 of
                 a
                 Prophetesse
                 :
                 Neither
                 doth
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 say
                 ;
                 It
                 were
                 hard
                 if
                 wee
                 should
                 not
                 haue
                 as
                 much
                 
                 acquaintance
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 woman
                 ;
                 but
                 in
                 an
                 humble
                 acknowledgement
                 of
                 her
                 Graces
                 ,
                 they
                 come
                 to
                 learne
                 the
                 will
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 from
                 her
                 mouth
                 :
                 True
                 piety
                 is
                 modest
                 ,
                 and
                 stands
                 not
                 vpon
                 termes
                 of
                 reputation
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 businesses
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 but
                 willingly
                 honors
                 his
                 gifts
                 in
                 any
                 subiect
                 ,
                 least
                 of
                 all
                 in
                 it selfe
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 sexe
                 is
                 not
                 more
                 noted
                 in
                 Huldah
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 condition
                 ;
                 As
                 she
                 was
                 a
                 woman
                 ,
                 so
                 a
                 wife
                 ;
                 the
                 wife
                 of
                 Shallum
                 :
                 Holy
                 matrimony
                 was
                 no
                 hindrance
                 to
                 her
                 diuine
                 reuelations
                 ;
                 she
                 was
                 at
                 once
                 a
                 Prophetesse
                 in
                 her
                 colledge
                 ,
                 an
                 huswife
                 in
                 her
                 family
                 ;
                 It
                 was
                 neuer
                 the
                 practice
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 confine
                 his
                 graces
                 to
                 virginitie
                 :
                 At
                 this
                 very
                 time
                 the
                 famous
                 Prophet
                 
                 Ieremy
                 flourished
                 ,
                 some
                 years
                 had
                 he
                 already
                 spent
                 in
                 this
                 publike
                 seruice
                 ;
                 why
                 was
                 not
                 he
                 rather
                 consulted
                 by
                 Iosiah
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 vnlike
                 that
                 some
                 propheticall
                 imployments
                 called
                 him
                 away
                 ,
                 at
                 this
                 time
                 from
                 Ierusalem
                 :
                 His
                 presence
                 could
                 not
                 haue
                 beene
                 balked
                 :
                 purposely
                 ,
                 doubtlesse
                 doth
                 God
                 cast
                 this
                 message
                 vpon
                 the
                 point
                 of
                 that
                 absence
                 ,
                 that
                 hee
                 might
                 honor
                 the
                 weaker
                 vessell
                 with
                 his
                 diuine
                 oracle
                 ;
                 and
                 exercise
                 the
                 humility
                 of
                 so
                 great
                 clients
                 :
                 In
                 the
                 answers
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 regarded
                 ,
                 who
                 speakes
                 ,
                 but
                 from
                 whom
                 :
                 The
                 iniury
                 redounds
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 weaknesses
                 of
                 the
                 person
                 cause
                 vs
                 to
                 vndervalue
                 the
                 authority
                 of
                 the
                 function
                 .
              
               
               
                 As
                 Iosiah
                 and
                 his
                 messengers
                 do
                 not
                 despise
                 Huldah
                 ,
                 because
                 shee
                 was
                 a
                 woman
                 ;
                 so
                 Huldah
                 doth
                 not
                 flatter
                 Iosiah
                 ,
                 because
                 a
                 King
                 :
                 
                   Goe
                   tell
                   the
                   man
                   that
                   sent
                   you
                   ;
                   Thus
                   saith
                   the
                   Lord
                   :
                   Behold
                   I
                   will
                   bring
                   euill
                   vpon
                   this
                   place
                   .
                
                 Loe
                 ,
                 hee
                 that
                 was
                 as
                 God
                 to
                 his
                 subiects
                 ,
                 is
                 but
                 as
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 the
                 Prophetesse
                 :
                 neither
                 is
                 the
                 message
                 euer
                 the
                 sweeter
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 is
                 required
                 by
                 a
                 Prince
                 :
                 No
                 circumstance
                 may
                 vary
                 the
                 forme
                 of
                 diuine
                 truth
                 .
              
               
                 Euill
                 must
                 befall
                 Ierusalem
                 and
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 that
                 booke
                 ,
                 must
                 allight
                 vpon
                 the
                 inhabitants
                 of
                 both
                 :
                 In
                 how
                 bad
                 a
                 case
                 we
                 may
                 bee
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 thinke
                 our selues
                 not
                 safe
                 onely
                 ,
                 but
                 happy
                 ?
                 These
                 Iewes
                 had
                 forgotten
                 their
                 old
                 reuolts
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 hauing
                 
                 framed
                 themselues
                 to
                 holy
                 courses
                 ;
                 promised
                 themselues
                 nothing
                 but
                 peace
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 Prophetesse
                 foresees
                 ,
                 and
                 foretels
                 their
                 approching
                 ruine
                 :
                 Euen
                 their
                 old
                 score
                 must
                 be
                 paid
                 ,
                 after
                 the
                 opinion
                 of
                 a
                 cleer
                 agreement
                 .
                 In
                 vaine
                 shall
                 wee
                 hope
                 to
                 quit
                 our
                 arrerages
                 by
                 prorogation
                 .
                 This
                 Prophetesse
                 had
                 immediate
                 visions
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 yet
                 shee
                 must
                 speake
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Booke
                 ;
                 There
                 was
                 neuer
                 any
                 reuelation
                 from
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 that
                 crossed
                 his
                 writings
                 :
                 His
                 hand
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 tongue
                 agree
                 eternally
                 :
                 If
                 that
                 booke
                 haue
                 cursed
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 she
                 may
                 not
                 absolue
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Yet
                 ,
                 what
                 a
                 gracious
                 mixture
                 was
                 here
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 with
                 souerity
                 ;
                 seuerity
                 to
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 mercy
                 to
                 Iosiah
                 ;
                 
                 Iudah
                 shall
                 be
                 plagued
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 become
                 a
                 desolation
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 curse
                 ;
                 Iosiah
                 shall
                 bee
                 quietly
                 housed
                 in
                 his
                 graue
                 ,
                 before
                 this
                 storme
                 fall
                 vpon
                 Iudah
                 :
                 His
                 eye
                 shall
                 not
                 see
                 ,
                 what
                 his
                 people
                 shall
                 feele
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 enough
                 that
                 the
                 expectation
                 of
                 these
                 euills
                 afflicts
                 him
                 ,
                 the
                 sense
                 shall
                 not
                 .
              
               
                 Whence
                 is
                 this
                 indulgence
                 ?
                 
                   Because
                   thine
                   heart
                   was
                   tender
                   ,
                   and
                   thou
                   hast
                   humbled
                   thy selfe
                   before
                   the
                   Lord.
                
                 How
                 happy
                 a
                 thing
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 bee
                 a
                 reed
                 vnto
                 Gods
                 iudgements
                 ,
                 rather
                 then
                 an
                 oake
                 ,
                 the
                 meeke
                 and
                 gentle
                 reed
                 stoops
                 and
                 therefore
                 stands
                 ,
                 the
                 oake
                 stands
                 stiffely
                 out
                 against
                 the
                 strongest
                 gust
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 is
                 turned
                 vp
                 by
                 the
                 roots
                 :
                 At
                 least
                 ,
                 let
                 vs
                 lament
                 those
                 sins
                 wee
                 haue
                 not
                 auoyded
                 ;
                 
                 and
                 mourne
                 for
                 the
                 sins
                 of
                 others
                 ,
                 whiles
                 wee
                 hate
                 our
                 owne
                 .
              
               
                 He
                 that
                 found
                 himselfe
                 exempted
                 from
                 this
                 vengeance
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 repentance
                 and
                 deepe
                 humiliatiō
                 ,
                 would
                 faine
                 find
                 the
                 fame
                 way
                 for
                 the
                 deliuerance
                 of
                 his
                 people
                 :
                 The
                 same
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 therefore
                 ,
                 that
                 had
                 wrought
                 vpon
                 his
                 heart
                 ,
                 are
                 by
                 him
                 caused
                 to
                 be
                 publikely
                 read
                 in
                 the
                 eares
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 and
                 Ierusalem
                 ;
                 The
                 assembly
                 is
                 vniuersall
                 ,
                 of
                 Priests
                 ,
                 Prophets
                 ,
                 people
                 ,
                 both
                 small
                 and
                 great
                 ;
                 because
                 the
                 sin
                 was
                 such
                 ,
                 the
                 danger
                 was
                 such
                 :
                 that
                 no
                 man
                 may
                 complaine
                 to
                 want
                 information
                 ,
                 the
                 Law
                 of
                 God
                 soūds
                 in
                 euery
                 eare
                 .
                 If
                 our
                 eare
                 be
                 shut
                 to
                 the
                 Law
                 ,
                 the
                 sin
                 is
                 ours
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 the
                 Law
                 be
                 shut
                 
                 to
                 our
                 eares
                 ,
                 the
                 sin
                 is
                 of
                 our
                 gouernors
                 :
                 Woe
                 be
                 to
                 them
                 that
                 hide
                 Gods
                 booke
                 from
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 would
                 doe
                 rats-bane
                 from
                 the
                 eye
                 of
                 children
                 :
                 Ignorant
                 soules
                 cannot
                 perish
                 without
                 their
                 murder
                 :
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 feare
                 of
                 knowing
                 too
                 much
                 ,
                 there
                 is
                 too
                 much
                 feare
                 of
                 practizing
                 too
                 little
                 :
                 Now
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 people
                 doe
                 not
                 imitate
                 their
                 King
                 in
                 relenting
                 ,
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 worthy
                 to
                 partake
                 with
                 him
                 in
                 his
                 impunitie
                 .
                 Howsoeuer
                 ,
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 want
                 a
                 great
                 example
                 ;
                 as
                 of
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 so
                 of
                 amendment
                 .
                 Good
                 Iosiah
                 stands
                 by
                 the
                 pillar
                 ,
                 and
                 solemnly
                 renewes
                 his
                 Couenant
                 with
                 his
                 God
                 ;
                 the
                 people
                 cannot
                 for
                 shame
                 refuse
                 to
                 second
                 him
                 :
                 Euen
                 they
                 that
                 lookt
                 for
                 a
                 destruction
                 ,
                 
                 yet
                 doe
                 not
                 with-draw
                 their
                 obedience
                 ;
                 Gods
                 Children
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 sullen
                 vnder
                 his
                 corrections
                 ,
                 but
                 whether
                 they
                 expect
                 or
                 feele
                 smart
                 ,
                 are
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 dutifull
                 to
                 his
                 awfull
                 hand
                 .
                 As
                 a
                 man
                 that
                 findes
                 hee
                 hath
                 done
                 something
                 that
                 might
                 indanger
                 the
                 forfait
                 of
                 his
                 fauour
                 ,
                 puts
                 himselfe
                 into
                 some
                 deseruing
                 action
                 ,
                 whereby
                 hee
                 may
                 hope
                 to
                 re-indeare
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 so
                 doth
                 Iosiah
                 here
                 ;
                 No
                 indeauor
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 testifie
                 his
                 zeale
                 to
                 that
                 name
                 of
                 God
                 which
                 was
                 so
                 profaned
                 by
                 his
                 peoples
                 Idolatry
                 ;
                 What
                 euer
                 monuments
                 were
                 yet
                 remaining
                 of
                 wicked
                 Paganisme
                 ,
                 hee
                 defaces
                 with
                 indignation
                 ;
                 hee
                 burnes
                 the
                 vessels
                 of
                 Baal
                 ,
                 and
                 puts
                 downe
                 his
                 Chemarim
                 ,
                 destroyes
                 the
                 houses
                 
                 of
                 the
                 Sodomites
                 ,
                 strawes
                 the
                 powder
                 of
                 their
                 idols
                 in
                 the
                 brooke
                 Kedron
                 ,
                 defiles
                 Topheth
                 ,
                 takes
                 away
                 the
                 horses
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 Sun
                 ,
                 burns
                 the
                 charets
                 of
                 the
                 Sun
                 with
                 fire
                 ,
                 and
                 omits
                 nothing
                 that
                 might
                 reconcile
                 God
                 ,
                 cleare
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 perfit
                 a
                 reformation
                 .
              
               
                 Neither
                 is
                 this
                 care
                 confined
                 to
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 neighboring
                 Townes
                 ,
                 but
                 stretches
                 it selfe
                 to
                 the
                 vtmost
                 coasts
                 of
                 Iosiahs
                 Kingdome
                 ;
                 Bethel
                 was
                 the
                 infamous
                 seat
                 of
                 the
                 pollution
                 of
                 Israel
                 ;
                 it
                 seemes
                 the
                 heyres
                 of
                 Ieroboam
                 (
                 who
                 set
                 vp
                 his
                 goldē
                 calfe
                 there
                 )
                 inioyed
                 it
                 not
                 long
                 ;
                 the
                 Kings
                 of
                 Iudah
                 recouered
                 it
                 to
                 their
                 crown
                 ,
                 but
                 ,
                 it
                 had
                 not
                 yet
                 recouered
                 it selfe
                 from
                 that
                 ancient
                 infection
                 :
                 Thither
                 doth
                 good
                 Iosiah
                 send
                 the
                 
                 vnhallowed
                 ashes
                 of
                 Baals
                 Reliques
                 ,
                 to
                 staine
                 that
                 altar
                 first
                 ,
                 which
                 hee
                 will
                 soone
                 after
                 deface
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 time
                 was
                 ,
                 and
                 it
                 was
                 no
                 lesse
                 then
                 three
                 hundred
                 and
                 fiftie
                 yeares
                 since
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 man
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 cried
                 against
                 Ieroboams
                 altar
                 ;
              
               
                 
                   O
                   Altar
                   ,
                   Altar
                   ;
                   Thus
                   saith
                   the
                
                 
                 
                   Lord
                   ;
                   Behold
                   a
                   Child
                   shall
                   be
                   borne
                   ,
                   vnto
                   the
                   House
                   of
                   Dauid
                   ,
                   Iosiah
                   by
                   name
                   ,
                   and
                   vpon
                   thee
                   shall
                   he
                   offer
                   the
                   Priests
                   of
                   the
                   high-places
                   ,
                   that
                   burne
                   incense
                   vpon
                   thee
                   ,
                   and
                   mens
                   bones
                   shall
                   be
                   burnt
                   vpon
                   thee
                   .
                
              
               
                 And
                 now
                 is
                 the
                 houre
                 come
                 ,
                 wherein
                 euerie
                 of
                 those
                 words
                 shall
                 bee
                 accomplished
                 :
                 It
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 bee
                 a
                 great
                 confirmation
                 to
                 Iosiah
                 ,
                 to
                 see
                 that
                 God
                 had
                 so
                 
                 long
                 agoe
                 fore-markt
                 him
                 for
                 his
                 owne
                 ;
                 and
                 fore-nam'd
                 him
                 to
                 so
                 zealous
                 a
                 seruice
                 .
              
               
                 All
                 our
                 names
                 are
                 equally
                 fore-known
                 of
                 that
                 diuine
                 prouidēce
                 ,
                 though
                 not
                 fore-spoken
                 :
                 neither
                 can
                 any
                 act
                 passe
                 from
                 vs
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 not
                 pre-determined
                 in
                 that
                 eternall
                 Counsell
                 of
                 the
                 Almightie
                 :
                 neither
                 can
                 any
                 act
                 that
                 is
                 there
                 pre-determined
                 bee
                 vnfulfilled
                 vpon
                 earth
                 :
                 Interuention
                 of
                 time
                 breakes
                 no
                 square
                 in
                 the
                 diuine
                 decrees
                 :
                 Our
                 pur-blind
                 eies
                 see
                 nothing
                 ,
                 but
                 that
                 which
                 toucheth
                 their
                 lidds
                 ;
                 the
                 quicke
                 sight
                 of
                 Gods
                 prescience
                 sees
                 that
                 ,
                 as
                 present
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 a
                 world
                 off
                 :
                 According
                 to
                 the
                 prediction
                 ,
                 the
                 stench
                 of
                 dead
                 mens
                 bones
                 is
                 a
                 fit
                 perfume
                 to
                 send
                 vp
                 from
                 this
                 
                 altar
                 to
                 heauen
                 ;
                 whose
                 best
                 sacrifices
                 sauoured
                 worse
                 in
                 the
                 nosthrils
                 of
                 God.
                 And
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 the
                 idolatrous
                 sacrificers
                 was
                 a
                 meet
                 oblation
                 to
                 that
                 God
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 beene
                 dishonoured
                 by
                 their
                 burnt-offerings
                 to
                 his
                 base
                 corriualls
                 .
              
               
                 Euen
                 that
                 Prophet
                 who
                 fore-told
                 this
                 ,
                 had
                 his
                 toomb
                 in
                 Bethel
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 toomb
                 had
                 his
                 inscription
                 ;
                 His
                 last
                 weakenesse
                 might
                 not
                 rob
                 him
                 of
                 the
                 honour
                 of
                 his
                 sepulture
                 :
                 How
                 palpablie
                 doe
                 these
                 Israelites
                 condemne
                 themselues
                 ,
                 whiles
                 they
                 reserue
                 so
                 famous
                 a
                 monument
                 of
                 their
                 own
                 conviction
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 no
                 preiudice
                 to
                 this
                 holy
                 Prophet
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 bones
                 lay
                 amongst
                 the
                 sepulchers
                 of
                 idolaters
                 .
                 His
                 Epitaph
                 preserued
                 
                 those
                 bones
                 from
                 burning
                 ,
                 vpon
                 that
                 altar
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 had
                 accursed
                 ;
                 As
                 the
                 Lyon
                 might
                 not
                 teare
                 his
                 carcasse
                 ,
                 when
                 hee
                 died
                 ,
                 so
                 now
                 ,
                 the
                 furie
                 of
                 the
                 multitude
                 may
                 not
                 violate
                 his
                 verie
                 bones
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 graue
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 doe
                 not
                 see
                 Iosiah
                 :
                 saue
                 them
                 for
                 reliques
                 ;
                 I
                 heare
                 him
                 command
                 they
                 shall
                 rest
                 in
                 peace
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 fit
                 the
                 dead
                 bodies
                 of
                 Gods
                 Saints
                 should
                 be
                 as
                 free
                 from
                 contempt
                 ,
                 as
                 from
                 superstition
                 .
              
               
                 After
                 the
                 remouall
                 of
                 these
                 rites
                 of
                 false
                 worship
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 time
                 to
                 bring
                 in
                 the
                 true
                 :
                 Now
                 a
                 solemne
                 Passouer
                 shall
                 be
                 kept
                 vnto
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 charge
                 of
                 Iosiah
                 :
                 That
                 book
                 of
                 the
                 Law
                 sets
                 him
                 ,
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 place
                 ,
                 circumstances
                 of
                 this
                 sacrament
                 ,
                 his
                 zeale
                 so
                 carefully
                 followes
                 
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 since
                 the
                 dayes
                 of
                 Samuel
                 ,
                 this
                 feast
                 was
                 neuer
                 so
                 gloriously
                 ,
                 so
                 punctually
                 celebrated
                 .
                 Ierusalē
                 is
                 the
                 place
                 ,
                 the
                 fourteenth
                 day
                 of
                 the
                 first
                 moneth
                 is
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 the
                 Leuites
                 are
                 the
                 actors
                 ,
                 a
                 yearling
                 and
                 spotlesse
                 Lambe
                 is
                 the
                 prouision
                 ;
                 no
                 bone
                 of
                 it
                 is
                 broken
                 ,
                 the
                 blood
                 is
                 sprinkled
                 vpon
                 the
                 doore-postes
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 roasted
                 whole
                 ,
                 eaten
                 with
                 sowre
                 herbs
                 ,
                 with
                 bread
                 vnleauened
                 ;
                 the
                 remainder
                 is
                 consumed
                 by
                 fire
                 .
                 The
                 law
                 ,
                 the
                 sacrifices
                 ,
                 had
                 beene
                 in
                 vaine
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 Passouer
                 had
                 beene
                 neglected
                 .
                 No
                 true
                 Israelite
                 might
                 want
                 ,
                 whether
                 this
                 monument
                 of
                 their
                 deliuerance
                 past
                 ,
                 or
                 this
                 Type
                 of
                 the
                 Messiah
                 to
                 come
                 .
                 Rather
                 then
                 faile
                 ,
                 Iosiahs
                 bountie
                 shall
                 supplie
                 to
                 Iudah
                 Lambs
                 for
                 
                 their
                 paschall
                 deuotion
                 :
                 No
                 almes
                 is
                 so
                 acceptable
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 whereby
                 the
                 soule
                 is
                 furthered
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 IOSIAH
                 
                   'S
                   Death
                   ;
                   with
                   the
                   desolation
                   of
                   the
                   Temple
                   ,
                   and
                
                 Ierusalem
                 .
              
               
                 IOsiah
                 hath
                 now
                 happily
                 setled
                 the
                 
                 affaires
                 both
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 &
                 the
                 state
                 :
                 and
                 now
                 hath
                 sweet
                 leisure
                 to
                 inioy
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 people
                 :
                 his
                 conscience
                 doth
                 not
                 more
                 cheare
                 him
                 at
                 home
                 ,
                 then
                 his
                 subiects
                 abroad
                 ;
                 Neuer
                 King
                 raigned
                 with
                 more
                 officious
                 piety
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 with
                 more
                 loue
                 ,
                 and
                 applause
                 of
                 men
                 :
                 But
                 what
                 stability
                 is
                 there
                 in
                 these
                 
                 earthly
                 things
                 ?
                 how
                 seldome
                 is
                 excellency
                 in
                 any
                 kind
                 long-liu'd
                 ?
                 In
                 the
                 very
                 strength
                 of
                 his
                 age
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 height
                 of
                 his
                 strength
                 ,
                 is
                 Iosiah
                 withdrawne
                 from
                 the
                 earth
                 ;
                 as
                 not
                 without
                 a
                 mercifull
                 intention
                 of
                 his
                 glory
                 ,
                 on
                 Gods
                 behalfe
                 ,
                 so
                 ,
                 not
                 without
                 some
                 weaknesse
                 ,
                 on
                 his
                 own
                 .
                 
                   Pharaoh
                   Necho
                
                 King
                 of
                 Egipt
                 comes
                 vp
                 to
                 fight
                 against
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Assyria
                 :
                 What
                 is
                 that
                 to
                 Iosiah
                 ?
                 Perhaps
                 the
                 Egiptians
                 attempted
                 to
                 passe
                 through
                 the
                 land
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 towards
                 Carchemish
                 the
                 seat
                 of
                 his
                 war
                 ;
                 but
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 neighbour
                 ,
                 not
                 as
                 an
                 enemy
                 :
                 Iosiah
                 resists
                 him
                 ;
                 as
                 neither
                 holding
                 it
                 safe
                 to
                 admit
                 a
                 forraigne
                 power
                 into
                 the
                 bosome
                 of
                 his
                 Countrey
                 ,
                 nor
                 daring
                 to
                 giue
                 so
                 faire
                 an
                 occasion
                 of
                 prouoking
                 the
                 
                 Assyrian
                 hostility
                 against
                 him
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 King
                 of
                 Egipt
                 mildly
                 deprecates
                 this
                 enmity
                 ,
                 hee
                 sends
                 Ambassadors
                 to
                 Iosiah
                 ,
                 saying
                 ,
                 
                   What
                   haue
                   I
                   to
                   doe
                   with
                   thee
                   thou
                   King
                   of
                   Iudah
                   ,
                   I
                   come
                   not
                   against
                   thee
                   ,
                   this
                   day
                   ,
                   but
                   against
                   the
                   house
                   wherewith
                   I
                   haue
                   warre
                   ;
                   for
                   God
                   commanded
                   me
                   to
                   make
                   hast
                   ;
                   forbeare
                   thee
                   from
                   medling
                   with
                   God
                   ,
                   who
                   is
                   with
                   me
                   ,
                   that
                   hee
                   destroy
                   thee
                   not
                   .
                
              
               
                 What
                 friend
                 could
                 haue
                 sayd
                 more
                 ?
                 what
                 Prophet
                 could
                 haue
                 aduised
                 more
                 holily
                 ?
                 why
                 doth
                 not
                 good
                 Iosiah
                 say
                 with
                 himselfe
                 ;
                 There
                 may
                 bee
                 truth
                 in
                 this
                 suggestion
                 ;
                 God
                 may
                 haue
                 sent
                 this
                 man
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 scourge
                 of
                 mine
                 old
                 enemy
                 ,
                 of
                 Ashur
                 :
                 If
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 be
                 in
                 this
                 designe
                 ,
                 why
                 doe
                 I
                 oppose
                 it
                 ?
                 The
                 quarrell
                 
                 is
                 not
                 mine
                 ,
                 why
                 do
                 I
                 thrust
                 my
                 finger
                 into
                 this
                 flame
                 ,
                 vnbidden
                 ?
                 Wherefore
                 should
                 I
                 hazard
                 the
                 effusion
                 of
                 blood
                 ,
                 vpon
                 an
                 harmlesse
                 passage
                 ?
                 Can
                 I
                 heare
                 him
                 plead
                 a
                 command
                 from
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 inquire
                 into
                 it
                 ?
                 How
                 easie
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 me
                 to
                 know
                 the
                 certainty
                 of
                 this
                 pretended
                 commission
                 ?
                 Haue
                 not
                 I
                 the
                 Priests
                 ,
                 and
                 Prophets
                 of
                 God
                 about
                 me
                 ?
                 Let
                 mee
                 first
                 goe
                 and
                 consult
                 his
                 oracle
                 ;
                 If
                 God
                 haue
                 sent
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 forbidden
                 mee
                 ,
                 why
                 should
                 my
                 courage
                 cary
                 me
                 against
                 my
                 piety
                 ?
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 strange
                 that
                 the
                 good
                 hart
                 of
                 Iosiah
                 could
                 escape
                 these
                 thoughts
                 ;
                 these
                 resolutions
                 :
                 Yet
                 ,
                 hee
                 that
                 vpon
                 the
                 generall
                 threats
                 of
                 Gods
                 Law
                 against
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 sends
                 messengers
                 
                 to
                 inquire
                 of
                 a
                 Prophetesse
                 ;
                 now
                 ,
                 vpon
                 these
                 particular
                 threats
                 of
                 danger
                 to
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 speaks
                 not
                 ,
                 stirs
                 not
                 .
                 The
                 famous
                 Prophet
                 Ieremy
                 was
                 then
                 liuing
                 ,
                 and
                 Zephaniah
                 ;
                 besides
                 a
                 whole
                 Colledge
                 of
                 Seers
                 ,
                 Iosiah
                 doth
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 send
                 out
                 of
                 doores
                 ,
                 to
                 aske
                 ,
                 
                   Shall
                   I
                   goe
                   vp
                   against
                   the
                   King
                   of
                   Egipt
                   ?
                
                 Sometimes
                 ,
                 both
                 grace
                 and
                 wit
                 are
                 asleepe
                 in
                 the
                 holiest
                 and
                 wariest
                 brests
                 :
                 The
                 best
                 of
                 all
                 Gods
                 Saints
                 may
                 bee
                 sometimes
                 miscaried
                 by
                 their
                 passions
                 ,
                 to
                 their
                 cost
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 wise
                 prouidence
                 of
                 God
                 hath
                 mercifully
                 determined
                 to
                 leaue
                 Iosiah
                 to
                 his
                 owne
                 counsels
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 the
                 weaknesse
                 of
                 his
                 seruant
                 ,
                 hee
                 might
                 take
                 occasion
                 to
                 perfit
                 his
                 glory
                 :
                 Euen
                 that
                 wherein
                 
                 Iosiah
                 was
                 wanting
                 vnto
                 God
                 ,
                 shall
                 concurre
                 to
                 the
                 making
                 vp
                 of
                 Gods
                 promise
                 to
                 Iosiah
                 :
                 when
                 we
                 are
                 the
                 most
                 blind-folded
                 ,
                 we
                 run
                 on
                 the
                 waies
                 of
                 Gods
                 hidden
                 decrees
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 what
                 euer
                 our
                 intents
                 be
                 ,
                 cannot
                 ,
                 if
                 wee
                 would
                 ,
                 goe
                 out
                 of
                 that
                 vnknowne
                 path
                 .
              
               
                 Needs
                 will
                 Iosiah
                 put
                 himselfe
                 into
                 armes
                 against
                 an
                 vnwilling
                 enemie
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 to
                 bee
                 lesse
                 noted
                 ,
                 disguises
                 himselfe
                 .
                 The
                 fatall
                 arrow
                 of
                 an
                 Egyptian
                 archer
                 findes
                 him
                 out
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 throng
                 ,
                 and
                 giues
                 him
                 his
                 deaths-wound
                 ;
                 Now
                 ,
                 too
                 late
                 hee
                 calls
                 to
                 a
                 retrait
                 ;
                 his
                 changed
                 Charet
                 is
                 turned
                 to
                 a
                 Biere
                 ,
                 to
                 carie
                 his
                 bleeding
                 corps
                 to
                 his
                 graue
                 ,
                 in
                 Ierusalem
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 eye
                 doth
                 not
                 now
                 pitie
                 and
                 lament
                 the
                 vntimely
                 end
                 of
                 
                 a
                 Iosiah
                 ?
                 Whom
                 can
                 it
                 choose
                 but
                 affect
                 ,
                 to
                 see
                 a
                 religious
                 ,
                 iust
                 ,
                 vertuous
                 Prince
                 snatcht
                 away
                 in
                 the
                 vigour
                 of
                 his
                 age
                 ?
                 After
                 all
                 our
                 foolish
                 moane
                 ,
                 the
                 prouidence
                 that
                 directed
                 that
                 shaft
                 to
                 his
                 lighting
                 place
                 ,
                 intends
                 that
                 wound
                 for
                 a
                 stroke
                 of
                 mercy
                 :
                 The
                 God
                 whō
                 Iosiah
                 serues
                 ,
                 looks
                 through
                 his
                 death
                 ,
                 at
                 his
                 glorie
                 :
                 and
                 by
                 this
                 sudden
                 violence
                 will
                 deliuer
                 him
                 from
                 the
                 view
                 ,
                 and
                 participation
                 of
                 the
                 miseries
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 which
                 had
                 beene
                 many
                 deaths
                 ;
                 and
                 fetches
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 participation
                 of
                 that
                 happinesse
                 ,
                 which
                 could
                 countervaile
                 more
                 deathes
                 ,
                 then
                 could
                 be
                 incident
                 into
                 a
                 Iosiah
                 .
                 Oh
                 the
                 wonderfull
                 goodnesse
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 whose
                 verie
                 iudgements
                 are
                 mercifull
                 ;
                 Oh
                 
                 the
                 safe
                 condicion
                 of
                 Gods
                 children
                 ,
                 whom
                 very
                 paine
                 easeth
                 ,
                 whom
                 death
                 reuiues
                 ,
                 whom
                 dissolutiō
                 vnites
                 ,
                 whom
                 lastly
                 their
                 verie
                 sinne
                 and
                 temptation
                 glorifies
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 happily
                 hath
                 Iosiah
                 gained
                 by
                 this
                 change
                 ?
                 In
                 stead
                 of
                 a
                 froward
                 people
                 ,
                 he
                 now
                 is
                 sorted
                 with
                 Saints
                 and
                 Angels
                 ;
                 in
                 stead
                 of
                 a
                 fading
                 ,
                 and
                 corruptible
                 crowne
                 ,
                 he
                 now
                 inioyes
                 an
                 eternall
                 .
                 The
                 orphane
                 subiects
                 are
                 readie
                 to
                 weepe
                 out
                 their
                 eyes
                 ,
                 for
                 sorrow
                 ;
                 their
                 losse
                 cannot
                 be
                 so
                 great
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 gaine
                 :
                 he
                 is
                 glorious
                 ,
                 they
                 ,
                 as
                 their
                 sins
                 had
                 deserued
                 ,
                 miserable
                 .
                 If
                 the
                 separated
                 soule
                 could
                 be
                 capable
                 of
                 passion
                 ,
                 could
                 Iosiah
                 haue
                 seene
                 ,
                 after
                 his
                 departure
                 ,
                 the
                 calamities
                 of
                 his
                 sons
                 ,
                 of
                 
                 his
                 people
                 ,
                 it
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 haue
                 laid
                 siege
                 to
                 his
                 peace
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 sad
                 subiects
                 proclaime
                 his
                 sonne
                 Iehoahaz
                 ,
                 King
                 ,
                 in
                 stead
                 of
                 so
                 lamented
                 a
                 father
                 ;
                 He
                 both
                 doth
                 ill
                 ,
                 and
                 fares
                 ill
                 :
                 By
                 that
                 time
                 he
                 hath
                 sat
                 but
                 three
                 moneths
                 in
                 the
                 throne
                 ,
                 
                   Pharaoh
                   Nechoh
                
                 King
                 of
                 Egypt
                 secōds
                 the
                 fathers
                 death
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 sonnes
                 captiuity
                 :
                 This
                 victorious
                 enemy
                 puts
                 downe
                 the
                 wicked
                 sonne
                 of
                 Iosiah
                 ,
                 and
                 lades
                 him
                 with
                 chains
                 at
                 Riblath
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 land
                 of
                 Hamath
                 ;
                 and
                 lades
                 his
                 people
                 with
                 the
                 tribute
                 of
                 an
                 hundred
                 talents
                 of
                 siluer
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 talent
                 of
                 gold
                 :
                 Yet
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 that
                 was
                 vnwilling
                 to
                 fight
                 with
                 Iosiah
                 ,
                 were
                 no
                 lesse
                 vnwilling
                 to
                 root
                 out
                 his
                 posterity
                 ,
                 this
                 Egyptian
                 sets
                 Eliakim
                 ,
                 the
                 second
                 sonne
                 of
                 
                 Iosiah
                 ,
                 vpon
                 the
                 seat
                 of
                 his
                 father
                 ;
                 &
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 be
                 al
                 his
                 ,
                 changes
                 his
                 name
                 to
                 Iehoiakim
                 :
                 oh
                 the
                 woful
                 &
                 vnworthy
                 successiō
                 of
                 Iosiah
                 ;
                 one
                 son
                 is
                 a
                 prisoner
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 is
                 a
                 tributary
                 ;
                 both
                 are
                 wicked
                 .
                 After
                 that
                 Iehoiakim
                 hath
                 been
                 some
                 yeares
                 Pharaohs
                 Bayliue
                 ,
                 to
                 gather
                 ,
                 and
                 racke
                 the
                 deare
                 rents
                 of
                 
                   Iudah
                   ;
                   Nebuchadnezzar
                
                 the
                 great
                 King
                 of
                 Babylon
                 comes
                 vp
                 ,
                 and
                 sweepes
                 away
                 both
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Feodary
                 ,
                 Pharaoh
                 ,
                 and
                 Iehoiakim
                 .
              
               
                 So
                 farre
                 was
                 the
                 ambitious
                 Egyptian
                 from
                 maintaining
                 his
                 incroachment
                 vpon
                 the
                 territories
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 that
                 hee
                 could
                 not
                 now
                 hold
                 his
                 owne
                 :
                 From
                 Nilus
                 to
                 Euphrates
                 ,
                 all
                 is
                 lost
                 :
                 So
                 subiect
                 are
                 the
                 lesser
                 powers
                 still
                 to
                 bee
                 swallowed
                 vp
                 of
                 the
                 greater
                 ;
                 so
                 
                 iust
                 it
                 is
                 with
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 which
                 will
                 bee
                 affecting
                 vndue
                 inlargement
                 of
                 their
                 estates
                 ,
                 should
                 fall
                 short
                 of
                 what
                 they
                 had
                 .
              
               
                 Iehoiakim
                 is
                 caried
                 in
                 fetters
                 to
                 Babylon
                 :
                 and
                 now
                 in
                 that
                 dungeon
                 of
                 his
                 captiuity
                 ,
                 hath
                 more
                 leasure
                 ,
                 then
                 grace
                 ,
                 to
                 bethinke
                 himselfe
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 abominations
                 ;
                 and
                 whiles
                 hee
                 inherits
                 the
                 sad
                 lodging
                 of
                 his
                 great
                 grandfather
                 ,
                 Manasseh
                 ,
                 inherits
                 not
                 his
                 successe
                 .
              
               
                 Whiles
                 hee
                 is
                 rotting
                 in
                 this
                 Goale
                 ,
                 his
                 young
                 sonne
                 Iehoiachin
                 starts
                 vp
                 in
                 his
                 throne
                 ;
                 like
                 to
                 a
                 mushrom
                 that
                 rises
                 vp
                 in
                 a
                 night
                 ,
                 and
                 withers
                 in
                 a
                 day
                 :
                 Within
                 three
                 moneths
                 ,
                 and
                 ten
                 dayes
                 ,
                 is
                 that
                 young
                 Prince
                 (
                 the
                 meet
                 son
                 
                 of
                 such
                 a
                 father
                 )
                 fetcht
                 vp
                 in
                 irons
                 to
                 his
                 fathers
                 prison
                 ;
                 Neither
                 shall
                 he
                 goe
                 alone
                 ;
                 his
                 attendance
                 shal
                 adde
                 to
                 his
                 misery
                 ;
                 His
                 mother
                 ,
                 his
                 wiues
                 ,
                 his
                 officers
                 ,
                 his
                 peeres
                 ,
                 his
                 craftsmen
                 ,
                 his
                 warriours
                 accompany
                 him
                 ,
                 manicled
                 ,
                 and
                 chained
                 ,
                 to
                 their
                 perpetuall
                 bondage
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 Isaiahs
                 word
                 ,
                 it
                 would
                 haue
                 been
                 great
                 preferment
                 for
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 Hezekiahs
                 loynes
                 to
                 bee
                 Pages
                 in
                 the
                 Court
                 of
                 Babylon
                 .
              
               
                 One
                 only
                 branch
                 yet
                 remaines
                 of
                 the
                 vnhappy
                 stocke
                 of
                 holy
                 
                   Iosiah
                   ,
                   Mattaniah
                
                 ,
                 the
                 brother
                 of
                 Iehoiakim
                 ,
                 whom
                 Nebuchadnezar
                 (
                 changing
                 his
                 name
                 to
                 Zedekiah
                 )
                 sets
                 vp
                 in
                 that
                 forlorne
                 ,
                 and
                 tributary
                 throne
                 ;
                 There
                 might
                 hee
                 
                 haue
                 liued
                 (
                 though
                 an
                 vnderling
                 )
                 yet
                 peaceable
                 ;
                 This
                 man
                 (
                 to
                 make
                 vp
                 the
                 measure
                 of
                 Gods
                 iust
                 iudgments
                 )
                 as
                 he
                 was
                 euer
                 a
                 rebell
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 proues
                 rebellious
                 to
                 his
                 Soueraigne
                 master
                 ,
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Babylon
                 :
                 The
                 Prophet
                 Ieremy
                 hath
                 forewarn'd
                 him
                 in
                 vain
                 ;
                 nothing
                 could
                 teach
                 this
                 man
                 ,
                 but
                 smart
                 .
              
               
                 Who
                 can
                 looke
                 for
                 other
                 then
                 fury
                 frō
                 Nebuchadnezzar
                 ,
                 against
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 which
                 now
                 had
                 affronted
                 him
                 with
                 three
                 seuerall
                 successions
                 of
                 reuolts
                 ,
                 and
                 conspiracies
                 against
                 his
                 gouernment
                 ;
                 and
                 thrice
                 abused
                 his
                 bounty
                 ,
                 and
                 indulgence
                 ?
                 with
                 a
                 mighty
                 army
                 doth
                 he
                 therfore
                 come
                 vp
                 against
                 his
                 seditious
                 deputy
                 ;
                 and
                 besieges
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 and
                 blockes
                 it
                 vp
                 with
                 forts
                 round
                 about
                 .
                 After
                 two
                 
                 yeares
                 siege
                 ,
                 the
                 Chaldees
                 without
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 famine
                 within
                 ,
                 haue
                 preuailed
                 ;
                 King
                 Zedekiah
                 and
                 his
                 souldiers
                 are
                 fled
                 away
                 by
                 night
                 ,
                 as
                 thinking
                 themselues
                 happy
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 might
                 abandon
                 their
                 walls
                 ,
                 and
                 saue
                 their
                 liues
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Chaldees
                 (
                 as
                 caring
                 more
                 for
                 the
                 birdes
                 ,
                 then
                 for
                 the
                 nest
                 )
                 pursue
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 ouertake
                 Zedekiah
                 ,
                 forsaken
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 forces
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 plaine
                 of
                 Iericho
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 him
                 to
                 Nebuchadnezzar
                 ,
                 King
                 of
                 Babylon
                 .
                 What
                 can
                 so
                 vnthankfull
                 and
                 perfidious
                 a
                 vassall
                 expect
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 worst
                 of
                 reuenge
                 ?
                 The
                 sentence
                 is
                 fearfull
                 :
                 First
                 ,
                 the
                 sonnes
                 of
                 Zedekiah
                 are
                 slaine
                 before
                 his
                 eyes
                 ;
                 then
                 those
                 eyes
                 of
                 his
                 (
                 as
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 seene
                 enough
                 ,
                 when
                 they
                 had
                 seene
                 him
                 childlesse
                 )
                 
                 are
                 put
                 out
                 :
                 His
                 eyes
                 are
                 onely
                 lent
                 him
                 so
                 long
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 torment
                 him
                 with
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 vtmost
                 discomfort
                 ;
                 Had
                 his
                 sonnes
                 but
                 ouer-liued
                 his
                 eies
                 ,
                 the
                 griefe
                 had
                 beene
                 so
                 much
                 the
                 lesse
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 apprehension
                 of
                 it
                 had
                 beene
                 lesse
                 liuely
                 ,
                 and
                 piercing
                 ;
                 Now
                 ,
                 this
                 wofull
                 obiect
                 shall
                 shut
                 vp
                 his
                 sight
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 euen
                 when
                 his
                 bodily
                 eyes
                 are
                 gone
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 eyes
                 of
                 his
                 minde
                 might
                 euer
                 see
                 what
                 he
                 last
                 saw
                 ;
                 That
                 thus
                 his
                 sonnes
                 might
                 bee
                 euer
                 dying
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 and
                 himselfe
                 in
                 their
                 death
                 euer
                 miserable
                 .
              
               
                 Who
                 doth
                 not
                 now
                 wish
                 that
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Hezekiah
                 and
                 Iosiah
                 could
                 haue
                 beene
                 seuered
                 from
                 these
                 impure
                 dregs
                 of
                 their
                 lewd
                 issue
                 ?
                 no
                 man
                 could
                 pity
                 the
                 offenders
                 ,
                 
                 were
                 it
                 not
                 for
                 the
                 mixture
                 of
                 the
                 interest
                 of
                 so
                 holy
                 progenitors
                 .
              
               
                 No
                 more
                 sorrow
                 can
                 come
                 in
                 at
                 the
                 windowes
                 of
                 Zedekiah
                 ,
                 more
                 shall
                 come
                 in
                 at
                 his
                 doores
                 ;
                 his
                 care
                 shall
                 receiue
                 what
                 more
                 to
                 rue
                 for
                 his
                 
                   Ierusalem
                   :
                   Nebuzaradan
                
                 the
                 great
                 Marshall
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 Babylon
                 comes
                 vp
                 against
                 that
                 deplored
                 City
                 ,
                 and
                 breakes
                 downe
                 the
                 walls
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 round
                 about
                 ,
                 and
                 burnes
                 the
                 Temple
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Kings
                 house
                 ,
                 and
                 euery
                 faire
                 Pallace
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 with
                 fire
                 ;
                 driues
                 away
                 the
                 remainder
                 of
                 her
                 inhabitants
                 ,
                 into
                 Captiuity
                 ,
                 caries
                 away
                 the
                 last
                 spoiles
                 of
                 the
                 glorious
                 Temple
                 .
                 Oh
                 
                   Ierusalem
                   ,
                   Ierusalem
                
                 ,
                 the
                 wonder
                 of
                 all
                 times
                 ,
                 the
                 paragon
                 of
                 
                 nations
                 ,
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 the
                 fauourite
                 of
                 heauen
                 ,
                 how
                 art
                 thou
                 now
                 become
                 heapes
                 of
                 ashes
                 ,
                 hilles
                 of
                 rubbish
                 ,
                 a
                 spectacle
                 of
                 desolation
                 ,
                 a
                 monument
                 of
                 ruine
                 ?
                 Iflater
                 ,
                 yet
                 no
                 lesse
                 deepe
                 hast
                 thou
                 now
                 pledged
                 that
                 bitter
                 cup
                 of
                 Gods
                 vengeance
                 ,
                 to
                 thy
                 sister
                 Samaria
                 ;
                 How
                 carefully
                 had
                 thy
                 God
                 forwarned
                 thee
                 ?
                 Thogh
                 Israel
                 play
                 the
                 harlot
                 ,
                 yet
                 ,
                 let
                 not
                 Iudah
                 sinne
                 :
                 Loe
                 now
                 ,
                 as
                 thine
                 iniquities
                 ,
                 so
                 thy
                 iudgements
                 haue
                 ouertaken
                 her
                 :
                 Both
                 lye
                 together
                 in
                 the
                 dust
                 ,
                 both
                 are
                 made
                 a
                 curse
                 to
                 all
                 posterities
                 :
                 Oh
                 God
                 ,
                 what
                 place
                 shall
                 thy
                 iustice
                 spare
                 ,
                 if
                 Ierusalem
                 haue
                 perished
                 ?
                 If
                 that
                 delight
                 of
                 thine
                 were
                 cut
                 off
                 for
                 her
                 wickednesse
                 ,
                 Let
                 not
                 vs
                 bee
                 high
                 minded
                 but
                 feare
                 .
              
               
               
                 What
                 pity
                 it
                 was
                 to
                 see
                 those
                 goodly
                 Cedars
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 flaming
                 vp
                 higher
                 then
                 they
                 stood
                 in
                 Lebanon
                 ?
                 to
                 see
                 those
                 curious
                 marbles
                 ,
                 which
                 neuer
                 felt
                 the
                 dint
                 of
                 the
                 pick-axe
                 ,
                 or
                 hammer
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 laying
                 ,
                 wounded
                 with
                 mattockes
                 ,
                 and
                 wounding
                 the
                 earth
                 in
                 their
                 fall
                 ?
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 holy
                 of
                 holies
                 ,
                 whereinto
                 none
                 might
                 enter
                 but
                 the
                 high-priest
                 ,
                 once
                 a
                 yeare
                 ,
                 thronged
                 with
                 Pagans
                 ;
                 the
                 vailes
                 rent
                 ,
                 the
                 sacred
                 Arke
                 of
                 God
                 vilated
                 ,
                 and
                 defaced
                 ,
                 the
                 Tables
                 ouer-turned
                 ,
                 the
                 altars
                 broke
                 down
                 ,
                 the
                 pillars
                 demolished
                 ,
                 the
                 pauements
                 digged
                 vp
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 the
                 very
                 groūd
                 ,
                 where
                 that
                 famous
                 pile
                 stood
                 ,
                 deformed
                 .
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 thou
                 woldst
                 rather
                 haue
                 no
                 visible
                 house
                 vpon
                 earth
                 ,
                 then
                 indure
                 
                 it
                 defiled
                 with
                 Idolatries
                 .
              
               
                 Foure
                 hundred
                 thirty
                 and
                 sixe
                 yeares
                 had
                 that
                 Temple
                 stood
                 ,
                 and
                 beautified
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 and
                 honored
                 heauen
                 ,
                 now
                 it
                 is
                 turned
                 into
                 rude
                 heapes
                 ;
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 prescription
                 to
                 be
                 pleaded
                 for
                 the
                 fauour
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 :
                 Onely
                 that
                 Temple
                 ,
                 not
                 made
                 with
                 hands
                 ,
                 is
                 eternall
                 in
                 the
                 heauens
                 .
                 Thither
                 hee
                 graciously
                 bring
                 vs
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 ordain'd
                 vs
                 thither
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 that
                 glorious
                 high-Priest
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 once
                 for
                 all
                 entred
                 into
                 that
                 holy
                 of
                 holies
                 ,
              
            
             
               Amen
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
           
             
             
               Contemplations
               ON
               THE
               HISTORIE
               OF
               THE
               OLD
               TESTAMENT
               .
            
             
               The
               21th
               .
               and
               last
               Booke
               .
            
          
           
             
               Wherein
               are
               ,
            
             
               
                 1
                 Zerubbabel
                 and
                 Ezra
                 .
              
               
                 2
                 Nehemiah
                 building
                 the
                 walls
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 .
              
               
                 3
                 Nehemiah
                 redressing
                 the
                 extortion
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 .
              
               
                 4
                 Abasuerus
                 feasting
                 ;
                 Vashti
                 cast
                 off
                 :
                 Esther
                 chosen
                 .
              
               
                 5
                 Haman
                 disrespected
                 by
                 Mordecai
                 ;
                 Mordecaies
                 message
                 to
                 Esther
                 .
              
               
                 6
                 Esther
                 suing
                 to
                 Ahasuerus
                 .
              
               
                 7
                 Mordecai
                 honored
                 by
                 Haman
                 .
              
               
                 8
                 Haman
                 hanged
                 ;
                 Mordecai
                 aduanced
                 .
              
            
             
          
        
         
           
             
               
               
                 ZERVBBABEL
                 and
                 EZRA
                 .
              
               
                 THE
                 first
                 transportation
                 into
                 Babylon
                 ,
                 vnder
                 Iehoiakim
                 ,
                 (
                 wherein
                 
                   Daniel
                   ,
                   Ezekiel
                
                 ,
                 and
                 many
                 other
                 of
                 the
                 best
                 note
                 ,
                 were
                 driuen
                 into
                 captiuity
                 ,
                 )
                 was
                 (
                 some
                 eleuen
                 yeares
                 after
                 )
                 followed
                 with
                 a
                 second
                 ,
                 vnder
                 Zedekiah
                 ;
                 wherin
                 the
                 remnant
                 of
                 the
                 ,
                 now-ruined
                 ,
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 and
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 were
                 swept
                 away
                 .
                 Seuenty
                 yeares
                 was
                 
                 the
                 period
                 of
                 their
                 longest
                 seruitude
                 ;
                 whiles
                 Babylō
                 was
                 a
                 Queen
                 ,
                 Iudah
                 was
                 her
                 vassall
                 :
                 when
                 that
                 proud
                 Tyrannesse
                 fell
                 ,
                 Gods
                 people
                 began
                 to
                 rise
                 againe
                 :
                 The
                 Babylonian
                 Monarchie
                 was
                 no
                 sooner
                 swallowed
                 vp
                 of
                 the
                 Persian
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 Iewes
                 felt
                 the
                 comfort
                 of
                 libertie
                 .
              
               
                 For
                 Cyrus
                 conquering
                 Babylon
                 ,
                 and
                 finding
                 the
                 Iewes
                 groaning
                 vnder
                 that
                 miserable
                 captiuity
                 ,
                 straight
                 releases
                 them
                 ,
                 and
                 sends
                 them
                 ,
                 vnder
                 the
                 conduct
                 of
                 their
                 Captaine
                 Zorobabel
                 ,
                 backe
                 to
                 their
                 almost-forgotten
                 country
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 world
                 stands
                 vpon
                 vicissitudes
                 ;
                 Euery
                 Nation
                 hath
                 her
                 turne
                 ,
                 and
                 must
                 make
                 vp
                 her
                 measure
                 :
                 Threescore
                 and
                 tenne
                 yeares
                 agoe
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 the
                 course
                 of
                 
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 the
                 iniquity
                 of
                 that
                 rebellious
                 people
                 was
                 full
                 .
                 Some
                 hundred
                 and
                 thirty
                 yeares
                 before
                 that
                 ,
                 was
                 the
                 turne
                 of
                 Samaria
                 ,
                 and
                 her
                 Israelites
                 :
                 Now
                 the
                 staffe
                 is
                 come
                 to
                 the
                 doores
                 of
                 Babylon
                 ,
                 euen
                 that
                 wherewith
                 Iudah
                 was
                 beaten
                 :
                 and
                 those
                 Persians
                 which
                 are
                 now
                 victorious
                 ,
                 must
                 haue
                 their
                 terme
                 also
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 in
                 vaine
                 for
                 any
                 earthly
                 state
                 to
                 promise
                 to
                 it selfe
                 an
                 immutable
                 cōdition
                 .
                 At
                 last
                 ,
                 the
                 rod
                 that
                 scourged
                 Gods
                 children
                 ,
                 is
                 cast
                 into
                 the
                 fire
                 :
                 
                   Thou
                   hast
                   remembred
                   ,
                   O
                   Lord
                   ,
                   the
                   Children
                   of
                   Edom
                   in
                   the
                   day
                   of
                   Ierusalem
                   ,
                   how
                   they
                   said
                   ,
                   Downe
                   with
                   it
                   ,
                   downe
                   with
                   it
                   ,
                   euen
                   to
                   the
                   ground
                   :
                   O
                   daughter
                   of
                   Babylon
                   wasted
                   with
                   misery
                   ,
                   how
                   happy
                   is
                   hee
                   that
                   rewardeth
                   thee
                   as
                   thou
                   hast
                   serued
                   them
                   :
                
                 It
                 is
                 Cyrus
                 that
                 
                 hath
                 wrought
                 this
                 reuenge
                 ,
                 this
                 rescue
                 .
              
               
                 Doubtlesse
                 ,
                 it
                 did
                 not
                 a
                 little
                 moue
                 Cyrus
                 to
                 this
                 fauour
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 found
                 himselfe
                 honorably
                 fore-named
                 in
                 these
                 Iewish
                 prophesies
                 ,
                 and
                 fore
                 appointed
                 to
                 this
                 glorious
                 seruice
                 ,
                 no
                 lesse
                 then
                 an
                 hundred
                 and
                 seuenty
                 yeares
                 ,
                 before
                 
                 he
                 was
                 :
                 Who
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 glad
                 to
                 make
                 good
                 so
                 noble
                 and
                 happy
                 a
                 destiny
                 ?
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 if
                 wee
                 heare
                 that
                 thou
                 hast
                 ordained
                 vs
                 to
                 life
                 ,
                 how
                 gladly
                 ,
                 how
                 carefullie
                 ,
                 should
                 we
                 worke
                 out
                 our
                 saluation
                 ?
                 if
                 to
                 good
                 workes
                 ,
                 how
                 should
                 we
                 abound
                 ?
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 first
                 yeare
                 of
                 his
                 Monarchy
                 ,
                 doth
                 Cyrus
                 both
                 make
                 proclamations
                 ,
                 and
                 publish
                 them
                 in
                 writing
                 ,
                 through
                 all
                 his
                 Kingdome
                 ;
                 
                 wherein
                 he
                 both
                 professeth
                 his
                 zealous
                 resolutions
                 ,
                 and
                 desires
                 to
                 build
                 vp
                 Gods
                 house
                 ,
                 in
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 and
                 inioynes
                 ,
                 and
                 incourages
                 all
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 through
                 his
                 dominions
                 ,
                 to
                 addresse
                 themselues
                 to
                 that
                 sacred
                 worke
                 ;
                 and
                 incites
                 all
                 his
                 subiects
                 to
                 ayd
                 them
                 with
                 siluer
                 ,
                 and
                 gold
                 ,
                 and
                 goods
                 ,
                 and
                 beasts
                 .
                 How
                 gracious
                 was
                 the
                 command
                 of
                 that
                 ,
                 whereof
                 the
                 very
                 allowance
                 was
                 a
                 fauour
                 ?
              
               
                 Was
                 it
                 Cyrus
                 that
                 did
                 this
                 ?
                 was
                 it
                 not
                 thou
                 ,
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 whose
                 hands
                 are
                 the
                 harts
                 of
                 Kings
                 ,
                 that
                 stirredst
                 vp
                 the
                 spirit
                 of
                 this
                 Persian
                 ;
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 beene
                 more
                 then
                 a
                 sonne
                 of
                 thy
                 Church
                 ,
                 a
                 father
                 ?
                 How
                 easie
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 thee
                 to
                 make
                 very
                 Pagans
                 protectors
                 to
                 thy
                 Church
                 ;
                 enemies
                 ,
                 benefactors
                 ?
              
               
               
                 Not
                 with
                 an
                 empty
                 grace
                 doth
                 this
                 great
                 King
                 dismisse
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 but
                 with
                 a
                 royall
                 bountie
                 ;
                 
                   Hee
                   brings
                   forth
                   the
                   vessels
                   of
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   which
                   Nehuchadnezzar
                   had
                   brought
                   forth
                   out
                   of
                   Ierusalem
                   ,
                   and
                   had
                   put
                   them
                   in
                   the
                   house
                   of
                   his
                   gods
                   ;
                   and
                   causes
                   them
                   to
                   be
                   numbred
                   by
                   his
                   Treasurer
                   to
                   the
                   hands
                   of
                   Sheshbazzar
                   the
                   Prince
                   of
                   Iudah
                   ,
                   for
                   the
                   vse
                   of
                   the
                   Temple
                   ;
                   no
                   fewer
                   then
                   fiue
                   thousand
                   and
                   foure
                   hundred
                   vessels
                   of
                   gold
                   and
                   siluer
                   .
                
              
               
                 Certainly
                 ,
                 this
                 great
                 Monarch
                 wanted
                 not
                 wit
                 to
                 thinke
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 rich
                 booty
                 that
                 I
                 find
                 in
                 the
                 Temples
                 of
                 Babylon
                 ;
                 by
                 the
                 law
                 of
                 conquest
                 it
                 is
                 mine
                 ;
                 hauing
                 vanquisht
                 their
                 gods
                 ,
                 I
                 may
                 well
                 challenge
                 their
                 spile
                 ;
                 how
                 seasonably
                 doth
                 it
                 now
                 fall
                 into
                 my
                 
                 hands
                 ,
                 vpon
                 this
                 victorie
                 ,
                 to
                 reward
                 my
                 souldiers
                 ,
                 to
                 settle
                 my
                 new
                 Empire
                 :
                 what
                 if
                 this
                 treasure
                 came
                 from
                 Ierusalem
                 ?
                 the
                 proprietie
                 is
                 now
                 altered
                 ;
                 the
                 very
                 place
                 (
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 cōceit
                 of
                 Iewes
                 )
                 hath
                 profaned
                 it
                 ;
                 The
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 I
                 haue
                 heard
                 ,
                 is
                 curious
                 ;
                 neither
                 will
                 abide
                 those
                 vessels
                 ,
                 which
                 haue
                 beene
                 polluted
                 with
                 idolatrous
                 vses
                 :
                 It
                 shall
                 bee
                 enough
                 if
                 I
                 loose
                 the
                 bonds
                 of
                 this
                 miserable
                 people
                 :
                 If
                 I
                 giue
                 liberty
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 next
                 giue
                 wealth
                 :
                 they
                 will
                 think
                 themselues
                 happy
                 in
                 bare
                 walls
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 natiue
                 earth
                 :
                 To
                 what
                 purpose
                 should
                 I
                 pamper
                 their
                 penurie
                 with
                 a
                 sudden
                 store
                 ?
                 But
                 the
                 Princely
                 hart
                 of
                 Cyrus
                 would
                 admit
                 of
                 no
                 such
                 base
                 sacrilegious
                 thoughts
                 ;
                 Those
                 vessels
                 that
                 hee
                 
                 finds
                 stampt
                 with
                 Gods
                 marke
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 returne
                 to
                 their
                 owner
                 ;
                 neither
                 his
                 owne
                 occasions
                 ,
                 nor
                 their
                 abuse
                 shall
                 be
                 any
                 colour
                 of
                 their
                 detention
                 .
                 O
                 Cyrus
                 ,
                 how
                 manie
                 close-handed
                 ,
                 griple-minded
                 Christians
                 shall
                 once
                 be
                 choked
                 in
                 iudgement
                 with
                 the
                 example
                 of
                 thy
                 iust
                 munificence
                 ?
                 thou
                 restoredst
                 that
                 which
                 wee
                 purloine
                 :
                 woe
                 bee
                 to
                 those
                 houses
                 that
                 are
                 stored
                 with
                 the
                 spoiles
                 of
                 Gods
                 Temple
                 :
                 woe
                 bee
                 to
                 those
                 fingers
                 that
                 are
                 tainted
                 with
                 holy
                 treasures
                 .
              
               
                 Kings
                 can
                 hardly
                 doe
                 good
                 alone
                 ;
                 their
                 lawes
                 are
                 not
                 more
                 followed
                 ,
                 then
                 their
                 examples
                 :
                 No
                 sooner
                 doe
                 the
                 chiefe
                 of
                 the
                 fathers
                 of
                 Iudah
                 and
                 Beniamin
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Priests
                 ,
                 and
                 Leuites
                 set
                 their
                 
                 faces
                 towards
                 Ierusalem
                 for
                 the
                 building
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 liberall
                 hands
                 of
                 their
                 Pagan
                 neighbours
                 furnish
                 them
                 with
                 gold
                 ,
                 and
                 siluer
                 ,
                 and
                 precious
                 things
                 .
                 Euer
                 Persian
                 is
                 glad
                 to
                 be
                 at
                 the
                 charge
                 of
                 laying
                 a
                 stone
                 ,
                 in
                 Gods
                 house
                 .
                 The
                 same
                 God
                 that
                 had
                 giuen
                 them
                 these
                 mettals
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 cofers
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 giues
                 it
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 cofers
                 to
                 his
                 Temple
                 .
                 He
                 that
                 tooke
                 away
                 by
                 the
                 Chaldees
                 ,
                 giues
                 by
                 the
                 Persians
                 :
                 Where
                 the
                 Almighty
                 intends
                 a
                 worke
                 ,
                 there
                 cannot
                 bee
                 any
                 want
                 of
                 meanes
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 hartened
                 ,
                 thus
                 laded
                 ,
                 doe
                 the
                 ioyfull
                 families
                 of
                 Iudah
                 returne
                 to
                 their
                 old
                 home
                 ;
                 How
                 many
                 thousands
                 of
                 them
                 were
                 worne
                 out
                 ,
                 and
                 lost
                 in
                 that
                 seuenty
                 
                 yeares
                 seruitude
                 ?
                 How
                 few
                 of
                 them
                 yet
                 suruiued
                 ,
                 that
                 could
                 know
                 the
                 place
                 of
                 their
                 birth
                 ,
                 and
                 habitation
                 ;
                 or
                 ,
                 say
                 ,
                 Here
                 stood
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 here
                 the
                 Palace
                 ?
                 Amongst
                 those
                 fourty
                 and
                 two
                 thousand
                 ,
                 three
                 hundred
                 &
                 threescore
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 that
                 returned
                 in
                 this
                 first
                 expedition
                 ;
                 there
                 were
                 whō
                 the
                 confusion
                 of
                 their
                 long
                 captiuity
                 
                 had
                 robbed
                 of
                 their
                 pedigree
                 ;
                 They
                 knew
                 themselues
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 but
                 could
                 not
                 deriue
                 their
                 line
                 :
                 these
                 were
                 yet
                 admitted
                 ,
                 without
                 difficulty
                 ;
                 But
                 those
                 of
                 the
                 Priestly
                 tribe
                 ,
                 which
                 could
                 not
                 deduce
                 their
                 genealogy
                 from
                 the
                 register
                 ,
                 are
                 cashiered
                 as
                 vncleane
                 .
                 Then
                 ,
                 God
                 would
                 bee
                 serued
                 in
                 a
                 blood
                 ,
                 now
                 in
                 a
                 due
                 succession
                 :
                 If
                 we
                 could
                 not
                 fetch
                 
                 the
                 line
                 of
                 our
                 pedigree
                 from
                 Christ
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 Apostles
                 ,
                 we
                 were
                 not
                 fit
                 for
                 the
                 Euangelicall
                 altars
                 .
                 Their
                 calling
                 was
                 by
                 nature
                 ,
                 ours
                 by
                 grace
                 ;
                 The
                 grace
                 of
                 inward
                 abilities
                 ,
                 of
                 outward
                 ordination
                 ;
                 if
                 we
                 cannot
                 approue
                 both
                 these
                 ,
                 we
                 are
                 iustly
                 abādoned
                 ;
                 now
                 had
                 the
                 children
                 of
                 Israel
                 taken
                 down
                 their
                 Harpes
                 from
                 the
                 Willowes
                 ,
                 which
                 grew
                 by
                 the
                 waters
                 of
                 Babylon
                 ,
                 &
                 could
                 ,
                 vnbidden
                 ,
                 sing
                 the
                 true
                 sōgs
                 of
                 their
                 recouered
                 Zion
                 :
                 They
                 are
                 newly
                 setled
                 in
                 their
                 old
                 māsions
                 ,
                 when
                 vpō
                 the
                 first
                 publike
                 feast
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Autumne
                 ,
                 immediately
                 following
                 their
                 return
                 ,
                 they
                 flock
                 vp
                 to
                 Ierusalē
                 :
                 their
                 first
                 care
                 is
                 their
                 publike
                 sacrifice
                 ;
                 That
                 school
                 of
                 their
                 Captiuity
                 ,
                 wherin
                 they
                 haue
                 been
                 long
                 trained
                 ,
                 hath
                 
                 taught
                 them
                 to
                 begin
                 with
                 God
                 :
                 A
                 forced
                 discontinuance
                 ,
                 makes
                 deuotion
                 more
                 sauoury
                 ,
                 more
                 sweet
                 to
                 religious
                 hearts
                 ;
                 whereas
                 in
                 an
                 open
                 freedome
                 ,
                 piety
                 doth
                 too
                 often
                 languish
                 .
              
               
                 Ieshua
                 the
                 Priest
                 ,
                 and
                 Zorobabel
                 the
                 Prince
                 are
                 fitly
                 ioyned
                 in
                 the
                 building
                 of
                 the
                 Altar
                 :
                 neither
                 of
                 their
                 hands
                 may
                 be
                 out
                 of
                 that
                 sacred
                 worke
                 :
                 no
                 sooner
                 is
                 that
                 set
                 vpon
                 the
                 bases
                 ,
                 then
                 it
                 is
                 imployed
                 to
                 the
                 daily
                 burnt-offerings
                 :
                 The
                 Altar
                 may
                 not
                 stay
                 the
                 leisure
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 ;
                 Gods
                 Church
                 may
                 not
                 want
                 her
                 oblations
                 ;
                 He
                 can
                 be
                 none
                 of
                 the
                 sons
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 that
                 doth
                 not
                 euery
                 day
                 renue
                 his
                 acknowledgements
                 of
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 How
                 feelingly
                 doe
                 these
                 Iewes
                 
                 keepe
                 their
                 feast
                 of
                 Tabernacles
                 ,
                 whiles
                 their
                 soiourning
                 in
                 Babylon
                 was
                 still
                 in
                 their
                 thoughts
                 ;
                 whiles
                 as
                 yet
                 their
                 Tēts
                 must
                 supply
                 their
                 ruined
                 houses
                 ?
                 The
                 first
                 motions
                 of
                 zeale
                 are
                 commonly
                 strong
                 ,
                 and
                 feruent
                 ;
                 How
                 carefully
                 doe
                 these
                 Gouernours
                 and
                 Priests
                 make
                 preparatiō
                 for
                 Gods
                 Temple
                 ?
                 Carpenters
                 and
                 Masons
                 are
                 hyred
                 ;
                 Tyrian
                 workmen
                 are
                 againe
                 called
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 Lebanon
                 is
                 now
                 anew
                 solicited
                 for
                 Cedar
                 trees
                 .
                 The
                 materials
                 are
                 ready
                 ;
                 Euery
                 Israelite
                 ,
                 with
                 such
                 courage
                 addresses
                 himselfe
                 to
                 this
                 seruice
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 his
                 life
                 lay
                 in
                 those
                 stones
                 :
                 And
                 now
                 ,
                 whiles
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 was
                 laying
                 ,
                 the
                 Priests
                 stand
                 in
                 their
                 habits
                 ,
                 with
                 Trumpets
                 ,
                 the
                 Leuites
                 with
                 
                 Cymbals
                 ,
                 interchanging
                 their
                 holy
                 Musicke
                 ,
                 and
                 melodiously
                 singing
                 praises
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 turned
                 their
                 captiuity
                 as
                 the
                 streames
                 in
                 the
                 South
                 ,
                 and
                 honoured
                 their
                 eyes
                 and
                 hands
                 with
                 the
                 first
                 stones
                 of
                 his
                 house
                 :
                 The
                 people
                 second
                 their
                 songs
                 with
                 shouts
                 ;
                 The
                 earth
                 sounds
                 ,
                 and
                 heauen
                 rings
                 with
                 the
                 ioyfull
                 acclamations
                 of
                 the
                 multitude
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 comfort
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 good
                 action
                 ,
                 to
                 haue
                 begun
                 wel
                 ;
                 The
                 entrance
                 of
                 any
                 holy
                 enterprise
                 is
                 commonly
                 encountred
                 with
                 many
                 discouragements
                 ,
                 which
                 if
                 wee
                 haue
                 once
                 ouercome
                 ,
                 the
                 passage
                 is
                 smooth
                 .
              
               
                 How
                 would
                 these
                 men
                 haue
                 shouted
                 at
                 the
                 laying
                 on
                 of
                 the
                 last
                 stone
                 of
                 the
                 battlements
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 
                 thus
                 ioyed
                 with
                 laying
                 the
                 first
                 stones
                 of
                 the
                 foundation
                 ?
                 The
                 end
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 is
                 better
                 then
                 the
                 beginning
                 :
                 that
                 hath
                 certainty
                 ,
                 this
                 danger
                 ;
                 this
                 labour
                 ,
                 that
                 rest
                 :
                 little
                 did
                 these
                 men
                 thinke
                 that
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 this
                 ,
                 few
                 of
                 them
                 should
                 liue
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 roofe
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 different
                 affections
                 shall
                 wee
                 see
                 produced
                 in
                 men
                 by
                 the
                 same
                 occasion
                 ?
                 The
                 younger
                 Iewes
                 shouted
                 at
                 this
                 sight
                 ,
                 the
                 elder
                 wept
                 :
                 The
                 yonger
                 shouted
                 to
                 see
                 a
                 new
                 foundation
                 ;
                 The
                 elder
                 wept
                 to
                 remember
                 the
                 old
                 :
                 They
                 who
                 had
                 seene
                 no
                 better
                 ,
                 thought
                 this
                 goodly
                 ;
                 They
                 who
                 had
                 seen
                 the
                 former
                 ,
                 thought
                 this
                 meane
                 ,
                 and
                 homely
                 ;
                 more
                 sorrowing
                 for
                 what
                 they
                 had
                 lost
                 ,
                 then
                 reioycing
                 in
                 so
                 vnequal
                 a
                 reparation
                 .
              
               
               
                 As
                 it
                 may
                 fall
                 out
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 some
                 peece
                 of
                 misery
                 to
                 haue
                 beene
                 happier
                 ;
                 euery
                 abatement
                 of
                 the
                 degrees
                 of
                 our
                 former
                 height
                 laies
                 siege
                 to
                 our
                 thankfulnesse
                 ,
                 for
                 lesser
                 mercies
                 .
                 Sometimes
                 ,
                 it
                 proues
                 an
                 aduantage
                 to
                 haue
                 knowne
                 no
                 better
                 ;
                 he
                 shall
                 more
                 comfortably
                 inioy
                 present
                 benefits
                 ,
                 who
                 takes
                 them
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 ,
                 without
                 any
                 other
                 comparisons
                 ,
                 then
                 of
                 the
                 weakenesse
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 deseruings
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 nothing
                 to
                 mee
                 what
                 my selfe
                 or
                 others
                 haue
                 beene
                 ,
                 so
                 I
                 bee
                 now
                 well
                 :
                 Neither
                 is
                 it
                 otherwise
                 in
                 particular
                 Churches
                 ,
                 if
                 one
                 be
                 more
                 gloriously
                 built
                 then
                 another
                 ,
                 yet
                 if
                 the
                 foundation
                 be
                 rightly
                 layd
                 in
                 both
                 ;
                 one
                 may
                 not
                 insult
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 may
                 not
                 repine
                 :
                 Ech
                 must
                 
                 congratulate
                 the
                 truth
                 to
                 other
                 ,
                 each
                 must
                 thankfully
                 inioy
                 it selfe
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 noise
                 was
                 not
                 more
                 loud
                 ,
                 then
                 confused
                 ;
                 here
                 was
                 a
                 discordant
                 mixture
                 of
                 lamentation
                 ,
                 and
                 shouting
                 ;
                 it
                 was
                 hard
                 to
                 say
                 whether
                 drowned
                 the
                 other
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 assembly
                 of
                 Iewes
                 was
                 a
                 true
                 image
                 of
                 Gods
                 Church
                 on
                 earth
                 ;
                 one
                 sings
                 ,
                 another
                 cries
                 ;
                 neuer
                 doth
                 it
                 all
                 either
                 laugh
                 or
                 mourne
                 at
                 once
                 .
                 It
                 shall
                 bee
                 in
                 our
                 triumph
                 that
                 all
                 teares
                 shall
                 be
                 wipt
                 from
                 our
                 eyes
                 ;
                 till
                 then
                 ,
                 our
                 passions
                 must
                 bee
                 mixed
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 occasions
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Iewes
                 are
                 busie
                 at
                 worke
                 ,
                 not
                 more
                 full
                 of
                 ioy
                 ,
                 then
                 hopes
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 that
                 the
                 wals
                 begin
                 to
                 ouerlook
                 the
                 earth
                 ;
                 their
                 thoughts
                 
                 seeme
                 to
                 ouerlooke
                 the
                 walls
                 .
                 But
                 what
                 great
                 enterprise
                 was
                 euer
                 set
                 on
                 foot
                 for
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 found
                 not
                 some
                 crosses
                 ?
              
               
                 There
                 was
                 a
                 mungrell
                 brood
                 of
                 Samarit-Assyrians
                 ,
                 which
                 euer
                 since
                 the
                 daies
                 of
                 Senacherib
                 dwelt
                 in
                 the
                 land
                 of
                 Israel
                 ;
                 whose
                 religion
                 was
                 a
                 patched
                 coate
                 of
                 seuerall
                 shreds
                 ;
                 some
                 little
                 part
                 Iewish
                 ,
                 the
                 rest
                 Pagan
                 ,
                 not
                 without
                 much
                 variety
                 of
                 idolatry
                 .
                 These
                 hollow
                 neighbours
                 profer
                 their
                 assistance
                 to
                 the
                 children
                 of
                 the
                 captiuity
                 ;
                 
                   Let
                   vs
                   build
                   with
                   you
                   ,
                   for
                   we
                   seeke
                   your
                   God
                   ,
                   as
                   ye
                   doe
                   :
                   and
                   doe
                   sacrifice
                   to
                   him
                   .
                
                 Might
                 men
                 be
                 their
                 owne
                 iudges
                 ,
                 there
                 would
                 bee
                 no
                 heresie
                 in
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 no
                 mis-worship
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 ;
                 these
                 men
                 did
                 sacrifice
                 to
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 ;
                 
                 The
                 Lyons
                 taught
                 them
                 to
                 seeke
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Israelitish
                 Priest
                 taught
                 them
                 to
                 find
                 the
                 fashions
                 of
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 the
                 land
                 :
                 Some
                 of
                 these
                 Iewes
                 knew
                 their
                 deuotion
                 of
                 old
                 ;
                 They
                 serued
                 Israels
                 God
                 ;
                 but
                 with
                 their
                 owne
                 :
                 As
                 good
                 no
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 too
                 many
                 .
                 In
                 a
                 iust
                 indignation
                 therefore
                 do
                 these
                 Iewish
                 gouernours
                 repell
                 the
                 partnership
                 of
                 such
                 helpers
                 :
                 
                   You
                   haue
                   nothing
                   to
                   doe
                   with
                   vs
                   ,
                   to
                   build
                   an
                   house
                   to
                   our
                   God
                   ;
                   but
                   we
                   our selues
                   together
                   will
                   build
                   vnto
                   the
                   Lord
                   God
                   of
                   Israel
                   .
                
                 The
                 hand
                 of
                 an
                 idolater
                 is
                 contagious
                 .
                 Yet
                 ,
                 had
                 it
                 beene
                 to
                 the
                 building
                 of
                 some
                 fortresse
                 ,
                 or
                 common-hall
                 ,
                 perhaps
                 their
                 ayd
                 had
                 not
                 beene
                 refused
                 ,
                 but
                 when
                 the
                 wals
                 of
                 Gods
                 house
                 are
                 to
                 be
                 raised
                 ,
                 this
                 society
                 had
                 beene
                 piacular
                 .
              
               
               
                 Those
                 that
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 allowed
                 to
                 helpe
                 the
                 worke
                 ,
                 will
                 aske
                 no
                 leaue
                 to
                 hinder
                 it
                 :
                 their
                 malicious
                 suggestions
                 weaken
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 and
                 stirre
                 vp
                 authoritie
                 to
                 suppresse
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 Cyrus
                 was
                 farre
                 off
                 ;
                 neither
                 liued
                 he
                 long
                 after
                 that
                 gracious
                 commission
                 ;
                 and
                 besides
                 was
                 so
                 taken
                 vp
                 the
                 while
                 with
                 his
                 wars
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 haue
                 leasure
                 to
                 sift
                 those
                 querulous
                 accusations
                 .
                 Now
                 therefore
                 ,
                 during
                 the
                 last
                 yeares
                 of
                 Cyrus
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 raigne
                 of
                 his
                 sonne
                 Cambyses
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 long
                 gouernment
                 of
                 
                   Darius
                   Hystaspides
                
                 ,
                 and
                 of
                 his
                 sonne
                 Xerxes
                 ,
                 or
                 Ahasuerus
                 ,
                 and
                 lastly
                 of
                 his
                 sonne
                 Artaxerxes
                 ,
                 vntill
                 the
                 daies
                 of
                 
                   Darius
                   Nothus
                
                 ,
                 (
                 which
                 was
                 no
                 lesse
                 
                 then
                 fiue
                 successions
                 of
                 Kings
                 ,
                 (
                 besides
                 Cyrus
                 )
                 doe
                 the
                 wals
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 stand
                 still
                 ,
                 yea
                 lye
                 waste
                 ;
                 subiect
                 to
                 the
                 wrongs
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 wether
                 :
                 the
                 fit
                 matter
                 of
                 sorrow
                 to
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 insultation
                 to
                 the
                 enemies
                 ,
                 derision
                 to
                 passengers
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 a
                 wide
                 gap
                 of
                 time
                 was
                 here
                 betwixt
                 the
                 foundation
                 of
                 Gods
                 house
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 battlements
                 ?
                 How
                 large
                 a
                 triall
                 doth
                 God
                 now
                 secondly
                 take
                 of
                 the
                 faith
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 patience
                 of
                 his
                 people
                 ?
                 How
                 large
                 a
                 proofe
                 doth
                 he
                 giue
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 long-suffering
                 ?
                 Oh
                 God
                 ,
                 when
                 thou
                 hadst
                 but
                 one
                 house
                 vpon
                 earth
                 ,
                 thou
                 wert
                 content
                 to
                 put
                 vp
                 delayes
                 ,
                 yea
                 affronts
                 in
                 the
                 building
                 of
                 it
                 ;
                 now
                 thou
                 hast
                 many
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 no
                 maruell
                 if
                 thy
                 longanimity
                 
                 and
                 iustice
                 ,
                 abide
                 some
                 of
                 them
                 to
                 lie
                 desolate
                 :
                 They
                 are
                 not
                 stones
                 ,
                 or
                 mettals
                 ,
                 or
                 men
                 that
                 can
                 make
                 thee
                 more
                 glorious
                 ;
                 thou
                 best
                 knowest
                 when
                 to
                 serue
                 thy selfe
                 of
                 all
                 these
                 ;
                 when
                 to
                 honour
                 these
                 with
                 thy
                 seruice
                 .
              
               
                 A
                 small
                 matter
                 hinders
                 the
                 worthiest
                 action
                 ;
                 as
                 a
                 little
                 fish
                 (
                 they
                 say
                 )
                 stayes
                 the
                 greatest
                 ship
                 :
                 Before
                 ,
                 the
                 Iewes
                 were
                 discouraged
                 with
                 words
                 ,
                 but
                 now
                 they
                 are
                 stopped
                 by
                 commands
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 enuious
                 Samaritans
                 haue
                 corrupted
                 the
                 gouernours
                 which
                 the
                 Persian
                 Kings
                 set
                 ouer
                 those
                 parts
                 ;
                 and
                 from
                 their
                 hands
                 haue
                 obtained
                 letters
                 of
                 deepe
                 calumniation
                 ,
                 to
                 Ahasuerus
                 the
                 King
                 ;
                 and
                 after
                 him
                 ,
                 to
                 his
                 sonne
                 Artaxerxes
                 ;
                 wherein
                 Ierusalem
                 is
                 
                 charged
                 with
                 old
                 rebellion
                 to
                 Kings
                 ;
                 and
                 for
                 proofe
                 ,
                 appellation
                 is
                 made
                 to
                 the
                 records
                 ;
                 frō
                 which
                 euidence
                 ,
                 is
                 spightfully
                 inferred
                 ,
                 that
                 if
                 these
                 wals
                 bee
                 once
                 built
                 ,
                 the
                 King
                 shall
                 receiue
                 no
                 tribute
                 on
                 this
                 side
                 the
                 riuer
                 .
                 Neuer
                 was
                 Gods
                 Church
                 but
                 subiect
                 to
                 reproaches
                 .
              
               
                 Princes
                 haue
                 reason
                 to
                 bee
                 iealous
                 of
                 their
                 rights
                 .
                 The
                 records
                 are
                 searcht
                 ;
                 It
                 soone
                 appeares
                 that
                 within
                 one
                 Century
                 of
                 yeares
                 ,
                 Ierusalem
                 had
                 rebelled
                 against
                 Nebuchadnezzar
                 ,
                 and
                 held
                 out
                 two
                 yeares
                 siege
                 of
                 that
                 great
                 Babylonian
                 .
                 The
                 scandall
                 of
                 disloyaltie
                 is
                 perpetuall
                 :
                 although
                 indeed
                 they
                 held
                 him
                 rather
                 a
                 preuailing
                 enemie
                 ,
                 then
                 a
                 lawfull
                 Soueraine
                 ;
                 One
                 act
                 disparages
                 either
                 place
                 ,
                 or
                 
                 person
                 ,
                 to
                 all
                 posterities
                 .
                 Therefore
                 shall
                 the
                 wals
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 lie
                 waste
                 ,
                 because
                 it
                 had
                 once
                 beene
                 trecherous
                 ;
                 After
                 an
                 hundred
                 yeares
                 doth
                 that
                 Citie
                 rue
                 one
                 perfidious
                 act
                 of
                 Zedekiah
                 .
                 Fidelitie
                 to
                 our
                 gouernours
                 is
                 euer
                 both
                 safe
                 ,
                 and
                 honourable
                 .
              
               
                 Command
                 is
                 now
                 sent
                 out
                 from
                 *
                 Artaxerxes
                 ,
                 (
                 euen
                 the
                 son
                 of
                 Queene
                 Esther
                 )
                 to
                 restrain
                 the
                 worke
                 :
                 All
                 respects
                 must
                 cease
                 with
                 carnall
                 minds
                 ,
                 when
                 their
                 honors
                 ,
                 or
                 profits
                 are
                 in
                 question
                 .
                 Rehum
                 the
                 Chancellor
                 ,
                 and
                 Shimshai
                 the
                 Scribe
                 ,
                 come
                 now
                 armed
                 with
                 authoritie
                 :
                 The
                 sword
                 hath
                 easily
                 preuailed
                 against
                 the
                 trowell
                 .
                 Still
                 do
                 the
                 Iewes
                 find
                 themselues
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 captiues
                 at
                 home
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 silence
                 ,
                 and
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 cease
                 
                 from
                 their
                 labors
                 ,
                 vntill
                 the
                 dayes
                 of
                 the
                 next
                 successour
                 ,
                 
                   Darius
                   Nothus
                
                 .
              
               
                 As
                 those
                 that
                 had
                 learn'd
                 to
                 sow
                 after
                 a
                 bad
                 crop
                 ,
                 these
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 vpon
                 the
                 change
                 of
                 the
                 Prince
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 incouragement
                 of
                 the
                 Prophets
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 Haggai
                 ,
                 and
                 Zechariah
                 ,
                 take
                 new
                 heart
                 to
                 build
                 againe
                 :
                 If
                 others
                 power
                 hinder
                 vs
                 in
                 the
                 worke
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 our
                 will
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 guilty
                 .
              
               
                 Their
                 new
                 gouernors
                 come
                 ,
                 as
                 before
                 ;
                 to
                 expostulate
                 ;
                 
                   Who
                   hath
                   commanded
                   you
                   to
                   build
                   this
                   house
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   make
                   vp
                   this
                   wall
                   ?
                   and
                   what
                   are
                   your
                   names
                   ?
                
                 They
                 wisely
                 and
                 modestly
                 plead
                 the
                 seruice
                 of
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 heauen
                 ,
                 the
                 decree
                 of
                 Cyrus
                 ;
                 still
                 persisting
                 to
                 build
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 the
                 prohibition
                 of
                 Artaxerxes
                 had
                 
                 dyed
                 with
                 the
                 author
                 .
                 The
                 vnpartiall
                 Gouernours
                 doe
                 neither
                 claw
                 ,
                 nor
                 exasperate
                 ;
                 but
                 relating
                 the
                 humble
                 and
                 iust
                 answer
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 moue
                 the
                 King
                 that
                 search
                 may
                 be
                 made
                 in
                 the
                 rolles
                 of
                 Babylon
                 ,
                 whether
                 such
                 an
                 Edict
                 were
                 made
                 by
                 Cyrus
                 ;
                 and
                 require
                 his
                 royall
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 concerning
                 the
                 validity
                 of
                 such
                 pretended
                 decree
                 .
                 Darius
                 searches
                 ,
                 findes
                 ,
                 ratifies
                 ,
                 inlargeth
                 it
                 ,
                 not
                 onely
                 charging
                 his
                 officers
                 not
                 to
                 hinder
                 the
                 worke
                 ,
                 but
                 commanding
                 to
                 leuie
                 summes
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 Tribute
                 ,
                 beyond
                 the
                 riuer
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 expences
                 of
                 the
                 building
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 furnishing
                 of
                 sacrifices
                 ;
                 threatning
                 vtter
                 ruine
                 to
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 that
                 man
                 ,
                 and
                 death
                 to
                 his
                 person
                 ,
                 who
                 shold
                 offer
                 to
                 impeach
                 
                 this
                 bounty
                 :
                 and
                 shutting
                 vp
                 with
                 a
                 zealous
                 imprecation
                 ;
                 
                   The
                   God
                   of
                   heauen
                   that
                   hath
                   caused
                   his
                   name
                   to
                   dwell
                   there
                   ,
                   destroy
                   all
                   Kings
                   and
                   people
                   that
                   shall
                   put
                   to
                   their
                   hand
                   to
                   alter
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   destroy
                   this
                   house
                   of
                   God
                   which
                   is
                   at
                   Ierusalem
                   :
                   I
                   Darius
                   haue
                   made
                   a
                   decree
                   ,
                   let
                   it
                   be
                   done
                   with
                   speed
                   .
                
              
               
                 Who
                 would
                 haue
                 lookt
                 for
                 such
                 an
                 edict
                 from
                 a
                 Persian
                 ?
                 No
                 Salomon
                 ,
                 no
                 Dauid
                 could
                 haue
                 said
                 more
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 ruler
                 of
                 all
                 hearts
                 makes
                 choyce
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 instruments
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 hee
                 pleaseth
                 ,
                 can
                 glorifie
                 himselfe
                 by
                 those
                 meanes
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 least
                 expected
                 :
                 That
                 sacred
                 work
                 which
                 the
                 husband
                 ,
                 and
                 son
                 of
                 an
                 Esther
                 crossed
                 ,
                 shall
                 bee
                 happily
                 accomplished
                 by
                 a
                 
                 Darius
                 :
                 In
                 the
                 sixt
                 yeare
                 of
                 his
                 raigne
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 Temple
                 of
                 God
                 fully
                 finished
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 the
                 Dedication
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 is
                 celebrated
                 ,
                 by
                 a
                 ioyfull
                 feast
                 :
                 An
                 hundred
                 bullocks
                 ,
                 two
                 hundred
                 rams
                 ,
                 foure
                 hundred
                 lambes
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 meet
                 proportion
                 ,
                 smoke
                 vpon
                 their
                 altars
                 :
                 And
                 now
                 the
                 children
                 of
                 the
                 captiuitie
                 thinke
                 this
                 day
                 a
                 sufficient
                 payment
                 for
                 all
                 their
                 sorrowes
                 :
                 We
                 haue
                 reason
                 to
                 thinke
                 it
                 the
                 fairest
                 day
                 that
                 euer
                 shone
                 forth
                 to
                 vs
                 ,
                 wherein
                 the
                 spirituall
                 building
                 of
                 Gods
                 house
                 is
                 raised
                 vp
                 in
                 our
                 soules
                 .
                 How
                 should
                 wee
                 shout
                 at
                 the
                 laying
                 of
                 this
                 foundation
                 ,
                 and
                 feast
                 at
                 the
                 laying
                 on
                 of
                 the
                 roofe
                 ?
                 What
                 other
                 ,
                 what
                 better
                 sacrifice
                 can
                 wee
                 offer
                 vp
                 to
                 God
                 in
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 our
                 ioy
                 ,
                 then
                 our
                 
                 selues
                 ?
                 Let
                 our
                 hearts
                 be
                 at
                 once
                 ,
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 the
                 Altar
                 ,
                 the
                 sacrifice
                 ;
                 Oh
                 God
                 ,
                 bee
                 thou
                 glorified
                 in
                 all
                 these
                 ,
                 who
                 hast
                 graciously
                 honoured
                 all
                 these
                 with
                 thy selfe
                 .
              
               
                 Euery
                 holy
                 feast
                 is
                 now
                 duely
                 kept
                 ,
                 the
                 Priests
                 know
                 their
                 diuisions
                 ,
                 the
                 Leuites
                 their
                 courses
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 whole
                 seruice
                 of
                 God
                 is
                 put
                 into
                 a
                 setled
                 order
                 ;
                 But
                 ,
                 as
                 there
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 new
                 beginnings
                 without
                 imperfection
                 ,
                 nor
                 long
                 continuance
                 ,
                 without
                 corruption
                 ;
                 reformation
                 is
                 no
                 lesse
                 necessary
                 then
                 good
                 institutions
                 ;
                 Ataxerxes
                 *
                 Mnemon
                 hath
                 learn'd
                 of
                 his
                 father
                 Darius
                 to
                 befriend
                 Gods
                 people
                 ;
                 and
                 striues
                 to
                 inherit
                 his
                 beneficence
                 :
                 vnder
                 his
                 gouernment
                 ,
                 is
                 Ezra
                 the
                 Priest
                 ,
                 &
                 learned
                 scribe
                 ,
                 sent
                 with
                 a
                 large
                 commission
                 frō
                 
                 Babylon
                 ,
                 to
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 to
                 inquire
                 into
                 the
                 wants
                 ,
                 and
                 redresse
                 the
                 disorders
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ;
                 with
                 full
                 power
                 not
                 onely
                 to
                 cary
                 with
                 him
                 all
                 the
                 voluntaries
                 of
                 his
                 nation
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 treasures
                 contributed
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 prouince
                 of
                 Babylon
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 raise
                 such
                 summes
                 ,
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 Kings
                 reuenues
                 ,
                 as
                 should
                 be
                 found
                 requisite
                 ;
                 and
                 withall
                 to
                 ordaine
                 Magistrates
                 and
                 Iudges
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 crowne
                 the
                 Lawes
                 with
                 due
                 execution
                 ,
                 whether
                 to
                 death
                 ,
                 or
                 banishment
                 ,
                 or
                 confiscation
                 ;
                 and
                 lastly
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 large
                 exemption
                 of
                 the
                 Priests
                 and
                 Leuites
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 the
                 inferiour
                 officers
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 from
                 all
                 toles
                 ,
                 tributes
                 ,
                 customes
                 .
                 Nothing
                 wanted
                 here
                 ,
                 whether
                 for
                 direction
                 ,
                 or
                 incouragement
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 signe
                 of
                 Gods
                 
                 great
                 fauour
                 to
                 any
                 nation
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 Soueraigne
                 gouernours
                 are
                 raised
                 vp
                 ,
                 both
                 to
                 the
                 choice
                 of
                 worthy
                 agents
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 the
                 commanding
                 of
                 pious
                 ,
                 and
                 restauratiue
                 actions
                 .
              
               
                 Holy
                 and
                 carefull
                 Ezra
                 gathers
                 a
                 new
                 colony
                 of
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 takes
                 view
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 riuer
                 of
                 Ahaua
                 ;
                 and
                 finding
                 a
                 misse
                 of
                 the
                 sonnes
                 of
                 Leui
                 (
                 without
                 whom
                 no
                 company
                 ,
                 no
                 plantation
                 can
                 bee
                 compleat
                 )
                 sends
                 for
                 their
                 supply
                 ;
                 And
                 now
                 ,
                 fully
                 furnished
                 ,
                 hee
                 proclaimes
                 a
                 fast
                 in
                 the
                 way
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 doe
                 not
                 heare
                 him
                 say
                 ,
                 The
                 iourney
                 is
                 long
                 and
                 dangerous
                 ;
                 the
                 people
                 haue
                 need
                 of
                 all
                 their
                 strength
                 .
                 I
                 could
                 well
                 wish
                 vs
                 al
                 afflicted
                 with
                 a
                 religious
                 fast
                 ,
                 were
                 it
                 not
                 that
                 the
                 abatement
                 of
                 
                 the
                 courage
                 ,
                 and
                 vigour
                 of
                 the
                 multitude
                 may
                 indanger
                 our
                 successe
                 ;
                 But
                 without
                 all
                 these
                 carnall
                 consultations
                 ,
                 he
                 begins
                 with
                 this
                 solemne
                 act
                 of
                 humiliation
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 better
                 to
                 haue
                 God
                 strong
                 in
                 our
                 weaknesse
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 haue
                 flesh
                 and
                 blood
                 strong
                 in
                 his
                 neglect
                 .
              
               
                 Artaxerxes
                 was
                 a
                 Patron
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 yet
                 a
                 Pagan
                 by
                 profession
                 ;
                 wise
                 Ezra
                 was
                 afraid
                 of
                 quenching
                 those
                 sparkes
                 of
                 piety
                 which
                 he
                 descryed
                 in
                 this
                 semi-proselite
                 .
                 Rather
                 therefore
                 then
                 hee
                 will
                 seeme
                 to
                 imply
                 a
                 distrust
                 in
                 the
                 prouidēce
                 of
                 that
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 whose
                 seruice
                 he
                 went
                 by
                 seeking
                 a
                 conuoy
                 of
                 souldiers
                 from
                 the
                 King
                 ;
                 Ezra
                 chooses
                 to
                 put
                 himselfe
                 vpon
                 the
                 hazard
                 of
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 
                 immediate
                 protection
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 .
                 Any
                 death
                 were
                 better
                 then
                 to
                 heare
                 Artaxerxes
                 say
                 ,
                 Is
                 this
                 the
                 man
                 that
                 so
                 confidently
                 told
                 me
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   hand
                   of
                   our
                   God
                   is
                   vpon
                   all
                   them
                   for
                   good
                   that
                   seeke
                   him
                   ;
                   but
                   his
                   power
                   and
                   his
                   wrath
                   is
                   against
                   all
                   them
                   that
                   forsake
                   him
                   ?
                
                 Doth
                 he
                 beleeue
                 himselfe
                 that
                 he
                 thus
                 doubts
                 ere
                 he
                 begin
                 ?
                 Dare
                 he
                 not
                 trust
                 his
                 God
                 with
                 his
                 owne
                 businesses
                 ?
              
               
                 The
                 resolutions
                 of
                 faithfull
                 hearts
                 are
                 heroicall
                 :
                 No
                 heathen
                 man
                 shall
                 stumble
                 at
                 Ezraes
                 feare
                 :
                 Hee
                 can
                 finde
                 more
                 assurance
                 in
                 his
                 fast
                 ,
                 then
                 in
                 a
                 Persian
                 band
                 :
                 with
                 a
                 couragious
                 relyance
                 vpon
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 his
                 God
                 he
                 puts
                 himselfe
                 into
                 the
                 iourney
                 ;
                 and
                 finds
                 nothing
                 but
                 safety
                 
                 and
                 successe
                 :
                 The
                 fidelity
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 neuer
                 disappointed
                 the
                 confidence
                 of
                 his
                 seruants
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 army
                 of
                 Artaxerxes
                 could
                 not
                 haue
                 been
                 so
                 strong
                 a
                 gard
                 to
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 as
                 their
                 inuisible
                 protection
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 space
                 of
                 foure
                 moneths
                 is
                 Ezra
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 company
                 happily
                 ariued
                 at
                 Ierusalem
                 :
                 where
                 hee
                 ioyes
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 new
                 Temple
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 old
                 Colleagues
                 :
                 and
                 now
                 hauing
                 deliuered
                 vp
                 the
                 charge
                 of
                 his
                 treasure
                 ,
                 by
                 waight
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 chambers
                 of
                 the
                 house
                 of
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 hee
                 applies
                 himselfe
                 to
                 his
                 worke
                 ,
                 and
                 deliuers
                 the
                 Kings
                 Commissions
                 to
                 the
                 Lieu-tenants
                 and
                 Gouernors
                 ,
                 for
                 their
                 vtmost
                 assistance
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Princes
                 of
                 Iudah
                 doe
                 not
                 
                 (
                 for
                 ought
                 I
                 heare
                 )
                 repine
                 at
                 the
                 large
                 Patent
                 granted
                 to
                 this
                 Priest
                 ,
                 nor
                 say
                 ,
                 What
                 doth
                 a
                 man
                 of
                 this
                 robe
                 meddle
                 with
                 placing
                 ,
                 or
                 displacing
                 Magistrates
                 ?
                 with
                 execution
                 of
                 iudgements
                 to
                 death
                 ,
                 bonds
                 ,
                 banishment
                 ?
                 but
                 rather
                 as
                 congratulating
                 this
                 power
                 to
                 sacred
                 hands
                 ,
                 gladly
                 present
                 vnto
                 him
                 all
                 their
                 grieuances
                 .
                 Truly
                 religious
                 hearts
                 cannot
                 grudge
                 any
                 honour
                 to
                 their
                 spirituall
                 guides
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 holy
                 Commissioner
                 is
                 soone
                 welcomed
                 with
                 a
                 sad
                 Bill
                 of
                 complaint
                 ,
                 from
                 some
                 good
                 Peeres
                 of
                 Israel
                 ;
                 wherein
                 they
                 charge
                 diuers
                 of
                 the
                 Priests
                 ,
                 Leuites
                 ,
                 people
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 haue
                 separated
                 themselues
                 from
                 the
                 idolatrous
                 inhabitants
                 of
                 the
                 lands
                 ,
                 nor
                 
                 (
                 therefore
                 )
                 from
                 their
                 abominations
                 ,
                 euen
                 from
                 
                   Canaanites
                   ,
                   Hittites
                   ,
                   Perizzites
                
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 those
                 branded
                 nations
                 ;
                 That
                 they
                 haue
                 taken
                 of
                 their
                 daughters
                 for
                 themselues
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 their
                 sonnes
                 :
                 So
                 that
                 the
                 holy
                 seed
                 haue
                 mingled
                 themselues
                 with
                 those
                 forbidden
                 people
                 ;
                 and
                 ,
                 (
                 which
                 made
                 the
                 matter
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 hainous
                 ,
                 lesse
                 remediable
                 )
                 that
                 
                   the
                   hand
                   of
                   the
                   Princes
                   ,
                   and
                   Rulers
                   ,
                   hath
                   beene
                   chiefe
                   in
                   this
                   trespasse
                   .
                
              
               
                 Oh
                 hypocriticall
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 did
                 ye
                 refuse
                 to
                 suffer
                 your
                 Samaritan
                 neighbours
                 to
                 ioyne
                 with
                 you
                 in
                 building
                 a
                 liuelesse
                 house
                 vnto
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 doe
                 ye
                 now
                 ioyne
                 affinitie
                 with
                 a
                 more
                 accursed
                 generatiō
                 for
                 the
                 building
                 of
                 liuing
                 houses
                 vnto
                 posteritie
                 ?
                 for
                 the
                 
                 pulling
                 down
                 of
                 the
                 liuely
                 house
                 of
                 God
                 ?
              
               
                 How
                 could
                 Ezra
                 heare
                 this
                 with
                 his
                 cloathes
                 ,
                 his
                 haire
                 ,
                 his
                 beard
                 vntorne
                 ?
                 What
                 griefe
                 ,
                 what
                 astonishment
                 must
                 this
                 newes
                 needs
                 bring
                 to
                 a
                 zealous
                 heart
                 ?
                 And
                 ,
                 were
                 it
                 not
                 that
                 the
                 conscience
                 of
                 his
                 sincere
                 respect
                 to
                 Gods
                 glory
                 relieued
                 him
                 ,
                 how
                 could
                 Ezra
                 choose
                 but
                 repent
                 him
                 of
                 his
                 iourney
                 ;
                 and
                 say
                 ;
                 Am
                 I
                 comne
                 from
                 Babylon
                 to
                 find
                 Paganisme
                 in
                 Iudah
                 ?
                 Did
                 I
                 leaue
                 Persians
                 ,
                 to
                 meet
                 with
                 Canaanites
                 ?
                 what
                 doe
                 I
                 here
                 ,
                 if
                 Ierusalem
                 bee
                 remoued
                 ?
                 How
                 much
                 better
                 were
                 a
                 cleare
                 captiutie
                 ,
                 then
                 an
                 idolatrous
                 freedome
                 ?
                 Wo
                 is
                 me
                 ,
                 that
                 hauing
                 left
                 many
                 Iewish
                 harts
                 in
                 Babylon
                 ,
                 I
                 now
                 am
                 forced
                 to
                 find
                 heathen
                 
                 blood
                 in
                 Ierusalem
                 .
              
               
                 As
                 a
                 man
                 distracted
                 with
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 Ezra
                 sits
                 downe
                 vpon
                 the
                 earth
                 with
                 his
                 garmēts
                 rent
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 haire
                 of
                 his
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 beard
                 pluckt
                 off
                 ,
                 wringing
                 his
                 hands
                 ,
                 knocking
                 his
                 brest
                 ,
                 not
                 mouing
                 from
                 his
                 place
                 vntill
                 the
                 euening
                 sacrifice
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 hard
                 to
                 be
                 too
                 much
                 affected
                 with
                 the
                 publike
                 sinnes
                 of
                 Gods
                 people
                 .
                 Those
                 who
                 find
                 themselues
                 in
                 the
                 ship
                 of
                 Gods
                 Church
                 ,
                 cannot
                 but
                 bee
                 much
                 troubled
                 with
                 euery
                 dangerous
                 leake
                 that
                 it
                 takes
                 :
                 Common
                 cases
                 are
                 not
                 more
                 neglected
                 by
                 the
                 carelesse
                 ,
                 then
                 taken
                 to
                 heart
                 by
                 the
                 wise
                 ,
                 and
                 godly
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 ,
                 and
                 thus
                 ,
                 Ezra
                 sits
                 astonied
                 vntill
                 the
                 euening
                 sacrifice
                 :
                 others
                 resorted
                 to
                 him
                 the
                 while
                 ;
                 
                 euen
                 all
                 that
                 trēbled
                 at
                 the
                 words
                 of
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Israel
                 ;
                 but
                 to
                 help
                 on
                 his
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 relieue
                 it
                 ;
                 neither
                 doth
                 any
                 man
                 with
                 a
                 mitigation
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 ,
                 or
                 others
                 griefe
                 .
                 At
                 last
                 ,
                 hee
                 rises
                 vp
                 from
                 his
                 heauinesse
                 ,
                 and
                 casts
                 himselfe
                 vpon
                 his
                 knees
                 ,
                 and
                 spreads
                 out
                 his
                 hands
                 vnto
                 the
                 Lord
                 his
                 God
                 :
                 Wherefore
                 was
                 all
                 that
                 pensiuenesse
                 ,
                 fasting
                 ,
                 silence
                 ,
                 tearing
                 of
                 haire
                 and
                 clothes
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 serue
                 as
                 a
                 meete
                 preface
                 to
                 his
                 prayers
                 ?
                 wherein
                 he
                 so
                 freely
                 powres
                 out
                 his
                 hart
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 had
                 beene
                 all
                 dissolued
                 into
                 deuotion
                 ;
                 professing
                 his
                 shame
                 to
                 lift
                 vp
                 his
                 face
                 towards
                 the
                 throne
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 confessing
                 the
                 iniquities
                 of
                 his
                 people
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 increased
                 ouer
                 their
                 heads
                 ,
                 and
                 growne
                 vp
                 vnto
                 
                 heauen
                 ;
                 fetching
                 their
                 trespasse
                 farre
                 ,
                 and
                 charging
                 them
                 deepe
                 ;
                 feelingly
                 acknowledging
                 the
                 iust
                 hand
                 that
                 had
                 followed
                 them
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 iudgements
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 iust
                 confusion
                 wherein
                 they
                 now
                 stand
                 before
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 their
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 Teares
                 ,
                 and
                 sighes
                 ,
                 and
                 grouelings
                 accompanied
                 his
                 prayers
                 ;
                 the
                 example
                 and
                 noise
                 whereof
                 drew
                 Israel
                 into
                 a
                 participation
                 of
                 this
                 publike
                 mourning
                 ,
                 
                   For
                   the
                   people
                   wept
                   very
                   sore
                   :
                
                 How
                 can
                 they
                 choose
                 but
                 thinke
                 ,
                 If
                 he
                 thus
                 lament
                 for
                 vs
                 ,
                 how
                 should
                 wee
                 grieue
                 for
                 our selues
                 ?
              
               
                 All
                 Iudah
                 went
                 away
                 merrily
                 with
                 their
                 sinne
                 ,
                 till
                 this
                 checke
                 of
                 Ezra
                 ,
                 now
                 they
                 are
                 afflicted
                 :
                 Had
                 not
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 the
                 Peeres
                 
                 beene
                 in
                 this
                 trespasse
                 ,
                 the
                 people
                 had
                 not
                 beene
                 guilty
                 ;
                 had
                 not
                 the
                 cheekes
                 of
                 Ezra
                 beene
                 first
                 drenched
                 with
                 teares
                 ,
                 the
                 people
                 had
                 not
                 beene
                 penitent
                 .
                 It
                 cannot
                 be
                 spoken
                 ,
                 what
                 power
                 there
                 is
                 in
                 a
                 great
                 example
                 ,
                 whether
                 to
                 euill
                 ,
                 or
                 good
                 .
              
               
                 Prayers
                 and
                 teares
                 are
                 nothing
                 without
                 indeauors
                 .
                 Shechaniah
                 ,
                 the
                 sonne
                 of
                 Iehiel
                 puts
                 the
                 first
                 life
                 into
                 this
                 businesse
                 .
                 Hauing
                 seconded
                 the
                 complaint
                 of
                 Ezra
                 ,
                 he
                 now
                 addes
                 ,
                 
                   Yet
                   there
                   is
                   hope
                   in
                   Israel
                   concerning
                   this
                   thing
                   .
                   Now
                   therefore
                   let
                   vs
                   make
                   a
                   couenant
                   with
                   our
                   God
                   to
                   put
                   away
                   all
                   the
                   wiues
                   ,
                   and
                   such
                   as
                   are
                   borne
                   of
                   them
                   .
                   Arise
                   ,
                   for
                   this
                   matter
                   belongeth
                   to
                   thee
                   ,
                   wee
                   also
                   will
                   be
                   with
                   thee
                   ;
                   Be
                   of
                   good
                   courage
                   ,
                   and
                   doe
                   it
                   .
                
              
               
               
                 When
                 mischiefe
                 is
                 once
                 done
                 ,
                 the
                 chiefe
                 care
                 is
                 how
                 to
                 redresse
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 best
                 way
                 of
                 redresse
                 is
                 the
                 deliberate
                 vndoing
                 of
                 that
                 which
                 wee
                 haue
                 rashly
                 committed
                 ;
                 The
                 surest
                 obligation
                 to
                 the
                 vndoing
                 of
                 an
                 euill
                 act
                 ,
                 is
                 an
                 oath
                 or
                 couenant
                 made
                 with
                 God
                 for
                 the
                 performance
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 man
                 so
                 wise
                 ,
                 but
                 hee
                 may
                 make
                 vse
                 of
                 good
                 counsell
                 ;
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 man
                 so
                 forward
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 may
                 abide
                 incitation
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 incouragement
                 to
                 see
                 an
                 harty
                 assistance
                 in
                 an
                 enuious
                 and
                 difficult
                 seruice
                 .
                 
                   Then
                   arose
                   Ezra
                   ,
                   and
                   made
                   the
                   chiefe
                   Priests
                   ,
                   the
                   Leuites
                   and
                   all
                   Israel
                   to
                   sweare
                   that
                   they
                   should
                   doe
                   according
                   to
                   this
                   word
                   .
                
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 halfe
                 done
                 that
                 is
                 thus
                 assured
                 .
                 There
                 was
                 need
                 of
                 a
                 strōg
                 
                 power
                 to
                 dissolue
                 a
                 matrimoniall
                 ,
                 though
                 inordinate
                 loue
                 :
                 Doubtlesse
                 ,
                 these
                 men
                 had
                 maried
                 out
                 of
                 affection
                 ;
                 their
                 hearts
                 were
                 no
                 lesse
                 set
                 vpon
                 these
                 wiues
                 (
                 though
                 heathenish
                 )
                 then
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 beene
                 of
                 their
                 owne
                 Tribes
                 ;
                 neither
                 were
                 their
                 children
                 ,
                 thus
                 begotten
                 lesse
                 deare
                 vnto
                 them
                 ,
                 then
                 if
                 they
                 had
                 laine
                 in
                 Iewish
                 wombes
                 :
                 Nothing
                 lesse
                 then
                 an
                 oath
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 therefore
                 could
                 quit
                 these
                 passions
                 ;
                 That
                 is
                 both
                 required
                 and
                 taken
              
               
                 Now
                 begins
                 Ezra
                 to
                 conceiue
                 some
                 hope
                 of
                 present
                 redresse
                 ;
                 the
                 comfort
                 whereof
                 ,
                 yet
                 ,
                 cannot
                 turne
                 off
                 his
                 sorrow
                 for
                 the
                 offence
                 passed
                 ;
                 Hee
                 neither
                 eates
                 bread
                 ,
                 nor
                 drinkes
                 water
                 ;
                 willingly
                 punishing
                 himself
                 ,
                 because
                 
                 Israel
                 had
                 sinned
                 :
                 Now
                 shall
                 his
                 Countreymen
                 easily
                 reade
                 in
                 his
                 face
                 their
                 owne
                 penance
                 ,
                 and
                 iust
                 humiliation
                 ;
                 and
                 say
                 ;
                 This
                 man
                 takes
                 no
                 ioy
                 in
                 our
                 sufferings
                 ;
                 hee
                 would
                 not
                 smart
                 thus
                 for
                 vs
                 ,
                 if
                 he
                 did
                 not
                 descry
                 more
                 danger
                 towards
                 vs
                 then
                 we
                 can
                 apprehēd
                 .
              
               
                 Proclamation
                 is
                 made
                 through
                 Iudah
                 and
                 Ierursalem
                 ,
                 vnder
                 paine
                 of
                 forfaiture
                 of
                 substance
                 ,
                 and
                 excommunication
                 from
                 Gods
                 people
                 ;
                 that
                 all
                 the
                 children
                 of
                 the
                 captiuity
                 should
                 gather
                 themselues
                 together
                 vnto
                 Ierusalem
                 .
                 They
                 are
                 met
                 accordingly
                 ;
                 The
                 Courts
                 of
                 Gods
                 house
                 are
                 thronged
                 with
                 penitents
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 the
                 heauen
                 would
                 teach
                 them
                 what
                 to
                 doe
                 ,
                 the
                 cloudes
                 raine
                 downe
                 aboundance
                 of
                 teares
                 .
                 
                 What
                 with
                 those
                 sad
                 showres
                 ,
                 what
                 with
                 their
                 inward
                 remorse
                 ,
                 the
                 people
                 sit
                 trembling
                 in
                 the
                 open
                 Courts
                 ;
                 and
                 humbly
                 wait
                 for
                 the
                 reproofe
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 sentence
                 of
                 Ezra
                 .
                 He
                 rises
                 vp
                 ;
                 and
                 with
                 a
                 seuere
                 countenance
                 ,
                 layes
                 before
                 them
                 their
                 sinne
                 ,
                 their
                 amends
                 :
                 The
                 sinne
                 of
                 their
                 strange
                 wiues
                 ;
                 the
                 amends
                 of
                 their
                 confession
                 ,
                 of
                 their
                 separation
                 :
                 not
                 sparing
                 to
                 search
                 their
                 wound
                 ;
                 not
                 neglecting
                 the
                 meet
                 plaister
                 for
                 their
                 cure
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 people
                 ,
                 as
                 willing
                 to
                 bee
                 healed
                 ,
                 yeeld
                 themselues
                 patiently
                 to
                 that
                 rough
                 hand
                 ;
                 not
                 shrinking
                 at
                 the
                 paine
                 ,
                 not
                 fauouring
                 the
                 sore
                 ;
                 
                   As
                   thou
                   hast
                   said
                   ,
                   so
                   must
                   wee
                   doe
                
                 ;
                 Onely
                 crauing
                 a
                 fit
                 proportion
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 due
                 assistance
                 
                 for
                 the
                 dispatch
                 of
                 so
                 long
                 and
                 important
                 a
                 worke
                 .
                 Ezra
                 gladly
                 harkens
                 to
                 this
                 ,
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 request
                 ,
                 as
                 counsell
                 of
                 Israel
                 ;
                 The
                 charge
                 is
                 diuided
                 to
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 dayes
                 ;
                 For
                 two
                 moneths
                 space
                 the
                 commissioners
                 sit
                 close
                 ;
                 and
                 within
                 that
                 compasse
                 ,
                 finish
                 this
                 businesse
                 ,
                 not
                 more
                 thanklesse
                 then
                 necessary
                 :
                 Doubtlesse
                 much
                 varietie
                 of
                 passion
                 met
                 with
                 thē
                 in
                 this
                 busie
                 seruice
                 ;
                 Here
                 you
                 should
                 haue
                 seene
                 an
                 affectionate
                 husband
                 bitterly
                 weeping
                 at
                 the
                 dismission
                 of
                 a
                 louing
                 wife
                 ,
                 and
                 drowning
                 his
                 last
                 farewell
                 in
                 sobs
                 :
                 there
                 you
                 might
                 haue
                 seen
                 a
                 passionate
                 wife
                 ,
                 hanging
                 vpon
                 the
                 armes
                 of
                 her
                 beloued
                 husbād
                 ,
                 and
                 on
                 her
                 knees
                 ,
                 coniuring
                 him
                 by
                 his
                 former
                 vowes
                 ,
                 and
                 
                 the
                 deare
                 pledges
                 of
                 their
                 loues
                 ;
                 and
                 profering
                 with
                 many
                 teares
                 ,
                 to
                 redeeme
                 the
                 losse
                 of
                 her
                 husband
                 with
                 the
                 change
                 of
                 her
                 religion
                 :
                 Here
                 ,
                 you
                 might
                 haue
                 seene
                 ,
                 the
                 kindred
                 and
                 parents
                 of
                 the
                 dismissed
                 ,
                 shutting
                 vp
                 their
                 denyed
                 suites
                 with
                 rage
                 and
                 threats
                 .
                 There
                 ,
                 the
                 abandoned
                 children
                 kneeling
                 to
                 their
                 seemingly-cruell
                 father
                 ,
                 beseeching
                 him
                 not
                 to
                 cast
                 off
                 the
                 fruit
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 loynes
                 ;
                 and
                 expostulating
                 ,
                 what
                 they
                 haue
                 offended
                 in
                 being
                 his
                 :
                 The
                 resolued
                 Israelites
                 must
                 be
                 deafe
                 ,
                 and
                 blind
                 to
                 these
                 mouing
                 obiects
                 ;
                 and
                 so
                 farre
                 forget
                 nature
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 put
                 off
                 part
                 of
                 themselues
                 .
                 Personall
                 inconueniences
                 haue
                 reason
                 to
                 yeeld
                 to
                 publike
                 mischiefes
                 Long
                 intertainment
                 
                 makes
                 that
                 sinne
                 hard
                 to
                 be
                 eiected
                 ;
                 whose
                 first
                 motions
                 might
                 haue
                 beene
                 repelled
                 with
                 ease
                 .
              
               
                 Had
                 not
                 the
                 prohibition
                 of
                 these
                 mariages
                 been
                 expresse
                 ,
                 and
                 their
                 danger
                 and
                 mischiefe
                 palpable
                 ,
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 their
                 separation
                 had
                 not
                 bred
                 so
                 much
                 tumult
                 in
                 Israel
                 .
                 Hee
                 that
                 ordained
                 matrimony
                 ,
                 had
                 vpon
                 fearefull
                 curses
                 forbidden
                 an
                 vnequall
                 yoke
                 with
                 Infidels
                 .
                 Besides
                 the
                 marring
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 by
                 the
                 mixture
                 of
                 an
                 vnholy
                 seed
                 ,
                 religion
                 suffered
                 for
                 the
                 present
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 good
                 hearts
                 with
                 it
                 .
                 Many
                 teares
                 ,
                 many
                 sacrifices
                 needed
                 to
                 expiate
                 so
                 foule
                 an
                 offence
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 set
                 Israel
                 straight
                 againe
                 .
              
               
                 All
                 this
                 while
                 euen
                 these
                 mesline
                 
                 Iewes
                 were
                 yet
                 forward
                 to
                 build
                 the
                 Temple
                 ;
                 The
                 worst
                 sinners
                 may
                 yeeld
                 an
                 outward
                 conformity
                 to
                 actions
                 of
                 piety
                 :
                 Ezra
                 hath
                 done
                 more
                 seruice
                 in
                 pulling
                 downe
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 Iewes
                 in
                 building
                 ;
                 without
                 this
                 act
                 ,
                 the
                 temple
                 might
                 haue
                 stood
                 ,
                 religion
                 must
                 needes
                 haue
                 falne
                 .
                 Bebel
                 had
                 beene
                 translated
                 to
                 
                   Ierusalem
                   ;
                   Iewes
                
                 had
                 turned
                 Gentiles
                 .
                 Oh
                 happy
                 indeauors
                 of
                 deuout
                 and
                 holy
                 Ezra
                 that
                 hath
                 at
                 once
                 restored
                 Iudah
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 it selfe
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 NEHEMIAH
                 
                   building
                   the
                   walls
                   of
                
                 Ierusalem
                 .
              
               
                 THirteen
                 years
                 were
                 
                 now
                 passed
                 since
                 Ezraes
                 going
                 vp
                 to
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 whē
                 Nehemiah
                 the
                 religious
                 Courtier
                 of
                 Artaxerxes
                 ,
                 inquires
                 of
                 the
                 estate
                 of
                 his
                 Country
                 ,
                 and
                 brethren
                 of
                 Iudaea
                 :
                 Hee
                 might
                 well
                 finde
                 that
                 holy
                 scribe
                 had
                 not
                 beene
                 idle
                 :
                 The
                 commission
                 of
                 Artaxerxes
                 had
                 beene
                 improued
                 by
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 vtmost
                 ;
                 Disorders
                 were
                 reformed
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 walls
                 lay
                 wast
                 ;
                 The
                 Temple
                 
                 was
                 built
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 Citie
                 was
                 ruinous
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 some
                 streets
                 were
                 repaired
                 ,
                 yet
                 they
                 stood
                 vngarded
                 ;
                 open
                 to
                 the
                 mercy
                 of
                 an
                 enemie
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 infestation
                 of
                 ill
                 neighbourhood
                 :
                 Great
                 bodies
                 must
                 haue
                 slow
                 motions
                 ;
                 As
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 so
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 whose
                 type
                 it
                 was
                 ,
                 must
                 bee
                 finisht
                 by
                 leasure
                 .
              
               
                 Nehemiah
                 sate
                 warme
                 in
                 the
                 Court
                 at
                 Shushan
                 ,
                 fauored
                 by
                 the
                 great
                 King
                 Artaxerxes
                 ;
                 nothing
                 could
                 be
                 wanting
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 whether
                 for
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 or
                 state
                 ;
                 what
                 needed
                 hee
                 to
                 trouble
                 his
                 head
                 with
                 thoughts
                 for
                 Ierusalem
                 ?
                 what
                 if
                 those
                 remote
                 wals
                 lay
                 on
                 heaps
                 whiles
                 himselfe
                 dwelt
                 faire
                 ?
                 what
                 if
                 his
                 far-distant
                 countrymen
                 be
                 despised
                 ,
                 whiles
                 himselfe
                 is
                 honoured
                 ,
                 
                 by
                 the
                 great
                 Monarch
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ?
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 easie
                 for
                 gracious
                 dispositions
                 to
                 turne
                 off
                 the
                 publike
                 calamities
                 of
                 Gods
                 Church
                 ;
                 neither
                 can
                 they
                 doe
                 other
                 then
                 leese
                 their
                 priuate
                 felicities
                 in
                 the
                 common
                 distresses
                 of
                 the
                 vniuersall
                 body
                 .
                 
                   If
                   I
                   forget
                   thee
                   ,
                   O
                   Ierusalem
                   ,
                   let
                   my
                   right
                   hand
                   forget
                   her
                   cunning
                   ;
                   If
                   I
                   doe
                   not
                   remember
                   thee
                   ,
                   let
                   my
                   tongue
                   cleaue
                   to
                   the
                   roofe
                   of
                   my
                   mouth
                   .
                
              
               
                 Many
                 Iewes
                 went
                 vp
                 from
                 Babylon
                 ,
                 and
                 Shushan
                 ,
                 to
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 few
                 euer
                 returned
                 voluntarily
                 from
                 their
                 natiue
                 home
                 to
                 the
                 region
                 of
                 their
                 captiuity
                 :
                 Some
                 occasion
                 drew
                 Hanani
                 with
                 certaine
                 others
                 of
                 Iudah
                 ,
                 to
                 this
                 voyage
                 .
                 Of
                 them
                 doth
                 Nehemiah
                 
                 carefully
                 inquire
                 the
                 present
                 condition
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 :
                 It
                 was
                 no
                 newes
                 that
                 the
                 people
                 were
                 afflicted
                 ,
                 and
                 reproached
                 ,
                 the
                 walls
                 broken
                 downe
                 ,
                 the
                 gates
                 burnt
                 with
                 fire
                 .
                 Euer
                 since
                 the
                 furious
                 vastation
                 of
                 Nebuzaradan
                 ,
                 that
                 City
                 knew
                 no
                 better
                 termes
                 :
                 seldome
                 when
                 doth
                 the
                 spirituall
                 Ierusalem
                 fare
                 otherwise
                 in
                 respect
                 of
                 outward
                 estate
                 :
                 Externall
                 glory
                 and
                 magnificence
                 is
                 an
                 vnsure
                 note
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 .
              
               
                 Well
                 had
                 Nehemiah
                 hoped
                 that
                 the
                 gracious
                 edict
                 ,
                 and
                 beneficēce
                 of
                 Darius
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 successiue
                 patronage
                 of
                 his
                 Lord
                 Artaxerxes
                 had
                 by
                 the
                 continuance
                 of
                 twenty
                 yeares
                 fauour
                 aduanced
                 the
                 strength
                 and
                 glory
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 but
                 now
                 ,
                 finding
                 the
                 holy
                 City
                 
                 to
                 lie
                 still
                 in
                 the
                 dust
                 of
                 her
                 confusion
                 ,
                 neglected
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 despised
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 hee
                 sits
                 downe
                 and
                 weepes
                 ,
                 and
                 mournes
                 ,
                 and
                 fasts
                 ,
                 and
                 prayes
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 heauen
                 .
                 How
                 many
                 saw
                 those
                 ruines
                 ,
                 and
                 were
                 little
                 affected
                 ?
                 he
                 heares
                 of
                 them
                 a
                 far
                 off
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 thus
                 passionate
                 ?
                 How
                 many
                 were
                 vpon
                 this
                 sight
                 affected
                 with
                 a
                 fruitlesse
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 his
                 mourning
                 is
                 ioyned
                 with
                 the
                 indeuors
                 of
                 redresse
                 .
                 In
                 vaine
                 is
                 that
                 griefe
                 which
                 hath
                 no
                 other
                 end
                 then
                 it selfe
                 .
              
               
                 Nehemiah
                 is
                 resolued
                 to
                 kneele
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 his
                 master
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 repaire
                 of
                 his
                 Ierusalem
                 ;
                 he
                 dares
                 not
                 attempt
                 the
                 suit
                 till
                 hee
                 haue
                 begun
                 with
                 God
                 ;
                 This
                 good
                 Courtier
                 knew
                 well
                 that
                 the
                 hearts
                 of
                 these
                 earthly
                 Kings
                 are
                 in
                 the
                 ouer-ruling
                 
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 heauen
                 to
                 incline
                 whither
                 hee
                 pleaseth
                 :
                 Our
                 prayers
                 are
                 the
                 only
                 true
                 meanes
                 to
                 make
                 way
                 for
                 our
                 successe
                 ;
                 If
                 in
                 all
                 our
                 occasions
                 we
                 doe
                 not
                 begin
                 with
                 the
                 first
                 mouer
                 ,
                 the
                 course
                 is
                 preposterous
                 and
                 commonly
                 speeds
                 thereafter
                 .
              
               
                 Who
                 dares
                 censure
                 the
                 piety
                 of
                 Courtiers
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 finds
                 Nehemiah
                 standing
                 before
                 Artaxerxes
                 ?
                 Euen
                 the
                 Persian
                 Pallace
                 is
                 not
                 vncapable
                 of
                 a
                 Saint
                 :
                 No
                 man
                 that
                 waits
                 on
                 the
                 Altar
                 at
                 Ierusalem
                 can
                 compare
                 for
                 zeale
                 ,
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 waits
                 on
                 the
                 cup
                 of
                 a
                 Pagan
                 Monarch
                 :
                 The
                 mercies
                 of
                 God
                 are
                 vnlimited
                 to
                 places
                 ,
                 to
                 callings
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 armed
                 with
                 deuotions
                 ,
                 doth
                 Nehemiah
                 put
                 himselfe
                 into
                 
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 his
                 master
                 Artaxerxes
                 .
                 His
                 face
                 was
                 ouerclouded
                 with
                 a
                 deepe
                 sadnesse
                 ,
                 neither
                 was
                 hee
                 willing
                 to
                 cleare
                 it
                 .
                 The
                 King
                 easily
                 notes
                 the
                 disparity
                 of
                 the
                 countenance
                 of
                 the
                 bearer
                 ,
                 &
                 the
                 wine
                 that
                 he
                 beares
                 :
                 and
                 in
                 a
                 gracious
                 familiarity
                 askes
                 the
                 reason
                 of
                 such
                 vnwonted
                 change
                 ;
                 How
                 well
                 it
                 becomes
                 the
                 great
                 to
                 stoope
                 vnto
                 a
                 curteous
                 affability
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 exchange
                 words
                 of
                 respect
                 ,
                 euen
                 with
                 their
                 humble
                 vassalls
                 .
              
               
                 Nehemiah
                 had
                 not
                 been
                 so
                 long
                 in
                 the
                 Court
                 but
                 hee
                 knew
                 that
                 Princes
                 like
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 cheerefull
                 attendants
                 ;
                 neither
                 was
                 hee
                 wont
                 to
                 bring
                 any
                 other
                 face
                 into
                 that
                 presence
                 ,
                 then
                 smooth
                 ,
                 and
                 smiling
                 .
              
               
               
                 Greatnesse
                 vses
                 to
                 bee
                 full
                 of
                 suspition
                 ,
                 and
                 where
                 it
                 sees
                 a
                 deiection
                 ,
                 and
                 sowernesse
                 of
                 the
                 browes
                 ,
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 apprehend
                 some
                 sullē
                 thoughts
                 of
                 discontētment
                 ,
                 or
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 least
                 ,
                 construes
                 it
                 for
                 a
                 disrespect
                 to
                 that
                 soueraignty
                 ,
                 whose
                 beames
                 should
                 bee
                 of
                 power
                 to
                 disperse
                 all
                 our
                 inward
                 mists
                 :
                 Euen
                 good
                 manners
                 forbid
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 presse
                 into
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 a
                 Prince
                 ,
                 except
                 hee
                 can
                 either
                 lay
                 by
                 these
                 vnpleasing
                 passions
                 ,
                 or
                 hide
                 them
                 :
                 So
                 had
                 Nehemiah
                 hitherto
                 done
                 :
                 Now
                 ,
                 he
                 purposely
                 suffers
                 his
                 sorrow
                 to
                 looke
                 through
                 his
                 eies
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 may
                 worke
                 both
                 inquiry
                 ,
                 and
                 compassion
                 from
                 his
                 master
                 ;
                 neither
                 doth
                 hee
                 faile
                 of
                 his
                 hopes
                 in
                 either
                 ;
                 
                   Why
                   is
                   thy
                   countenance
                   sad
                
                 ,
                 
                 
                   seeing
                   thou
                   art
                   not
                   sicke
                
                 .
                 How
                 sensible
                 doe
                 we
                 thinke
                 the
                 father
                 of
                 mercies
                 is
                 of
                 all
                 our
                 pensiue
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 when
                 an
                 heathen
                 master
                 is
                 so
                 tender
                 of
                 a
                 seruāts
                 griefe
                 ?
                 How
                 ready
                 should
                 our
                 tongues
                 bee
                 to
                 lay
                 open
                 our
                 cares
                 to
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 all
                 comfort
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 see
                 Nehemiah
                 so
                 quicke
                 in
                 the
                 expressions
                 of
                 his
                 sorrow
                 to
                 an
                 vncertaine
                 eare
                 ?
              
               
                 
                   Let
                   the
                   King
                   liue
                   for
                   euer
                   :
                   Why
                   should
                   not
                   my
                   countenance
                   ,
                   bee
                   sad
                   when
                   the
                   City
                   the
                   place
                   of
                   my
                   father
                   sepulphres
                   lyeth
                   wast
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   gates
                   thereof
                   are
                   burnt
                   with
                   fire
                   .
                
                 Not
                 without
                 an
                 humble
                 preface
                 doth
                 Nehemiah
                 lay
                 forth
                 his
                 grieuance
                 ;
                 Complaints
                 haue
                 euer
                 an
                 vnpleasing
                 harshnesse
                 in
                 them
                 which
                 must
                 bee
                 taken
                 off
                 by
                 some
                 disscreet
                 
                 insinuation
                 :
                 Although
                 it
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 sound
                 well
                 in
                 the
                 generous
                 eare
                 of
                 Artaxerxes
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 seruant
                 was
                 so
                 carefull
                 for
                 the
                 honour
                 of
                 his
                 Countrey
                 ;
                 As
                 nature
                 hath
                 made
                 vs
                 all
                 members
                 of
                 a
                 community
                 and
                 hath
                 giuen
                 vs
                 common
                 interests
                 ,
                 so
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 most
                 pleasing
                 to
                 vs
                 ,
                 to
                 see
                 these
                 publike
                 cares
                 diuide
                 vs
                 from
                 our
                 owne
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 King
                 easily
                 decryes
                 a
                 secret
                 supplication
                 wrapt
                 vp
                 in
                 this
                 moanefull
                 answer
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 modest
                 suiter
                 was
                 afraid
                 to
                 disclose
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 he
                 helps
                 that
                 bashfull
                 motion
                 into
                 the
                 light
                 ;
                 
                   For
                   what
                   dost
                   thou
                   make
                   request
                   ?
                
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 praise
                 of
                 bounty
                 to
                 draw
                 on
                 the
                 iust
                 petitions
                 of
                 fearefull
                 suppliants
                 .
              
               
                 Nehemiah
                 dares
                 not
                 open
                 his
                 
                 mouth
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 till
                 his
                 heart
                 hath
                 opened
                 it selfe
                 by
                 a
                 sudden
                 eiaculation
                 to
                 his
                 God
                 ;
                 No
                 businesse
                 can
                 bee
                 so
                 hasty
                 ,
                 but
                 our
                 prayer
                 may
                 preuent
                 it
                 ;
                 the
                 wings
                 whereof
                 are
                 so
                 nimble
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 can
                 fly
                 vp
                 to
                 heauen
                 ,
                 and
                 solicit
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 bring
                 downe
                 an
                 answer
                 ,
                 before
                 euer
                 our
                 words
                 need
                 to
                 come
                 forth
                 of
                 our
                 lips
                 .
                 In
                 vaine
                 shall
                 we
                 hope
                 that
                 any
                 designe
                 of
                 ours
                 can
                 prosper
                 ,
                 if
                 wee
                 haue
                 not
                 first
                 sent
                 this
                 messenger
                 on
                 our
                 errād
                 .
              
               
                 After
                 this
                 silent
                 ,
                 and
                 insensible
                 preparation
                 ;
                 Nehemiah
                 moues
                 his
                 suit
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 ;
                 not
                 yet
                 at
                 once
                 ;
                 but
                 by
                 meet
                 degrees
                 ;
                 first
                 hee
                 craues
                 leaue
                 for
                 his
                 iourney
                 ,
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 building
                 :
                 then
                 he
                 craues
                 ayd
                 for
                 both
                 ;
                 Both
                 are
                 granted
                 ;
                 Nehemiah
                 departs
                 furnished
                 
                 with
                 letters
                 to
                 the
                 gouernours
                 ,
                 for
                 a
                 conuoy
                 ;
                 with
                 letters
                 to
                 the
                 keeper
                 of
                 the
                 Kings
                 forrest
                 for
                 timber
                 .
                 Not
                 more
                 full
                 of
                 desire
                 ,
                 then
                 hope
                 .
              
               
                 Who
                 euer
                 put
                 his
                 hand
                 to
                 any
                 great
                 worke
                 for
                 the
                 behoofe
                 of
                 Gods
                 Church
                 ,
                 without
                 opposition
                 ?
                 As
                 the
                 wals
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 found
                 busie
                 enemies
                 ,
                 so
                 shall
                 the
                 walls
                 of
                 the
                 City
                 ;
                 and
                 these
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 ;
                 as
                 they
                 promise
                 more
                 security
                 and
                 strength
                 to
                 
                   Ierusalem
                   :
                   Sanballat
                
                 the
                 Deputie-Lieutenant
                 of
                 the
                 Moabites
                 ,
                 and
                 Tobiab
                 ,
                 the
                 like
                 officer
                 to
                 the
                 Ammonites
                 ,
                 and
                 Geshem
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Arabians
                 ,
                 are
                 galled
                 with
                 enuy
                 at
                 the
                 ariuall
                 of
                 a
                 man
                 authorized
                 to
                 seek
                 the
                 welfare
                 of
                 the
                 children
                 of
                 Israel
                 :
                 There
                 cannot
                 bee
                 a
                 greater
                 
                 vexation
                 to
                 wicked
                 hearts
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 spiritual
                 Ierusalem
                 in
                 any
                 likelihood
                 of
                 prosperity
                 .
                 Euill
                 spirits
                 and
                 men
                 need
                 no
                 other
                 torment
                 ,
                 then
                 their
                 owne
                 despight
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 wise
                 Courtier
                 hath
                 learnt
                 that
                 secrecy
                 is
                 the
                 surest
                 way
                 of
                 any
                 important
                 dispatch
                 .
                 His
                 errand
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 be
                 known
                 to
                 the
                 gouernors
                 ;
                 their
                 furtherance
                 was
                 inioyned
                 for
                 the
                 prouision
                 of
                 materialls
                 ;
                 else
                 the
                 walls
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 had
                 ouer-lookt
                 the
                 first
                 notice
                 of
                 their
                 heathē-neighbors
                 .
                 Without
                 any
                 noise
                 doth
                 Nehemiah
                 arise
                 in
                 the
                 dead
                 of
                 night
                 ,
                 and
                 taking
                 some
                 few
                 into
                 his
                 companie
                 ,
                 none
                 into
                 his
                 counsaile
                 ,
                 hee
                 secretly
                 rounds
                 the
                 decayed
                 wals
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 and
                 viewes
                 the
                 breaches
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 obserues
                 the
                 gates
                 ;
                 and
                 returnes
                 home
                 in
                 silence
                 ,
                 ioying
                 in
                 himselfe
                 to
                 fore-see
                 those
                 reparations
                 ,
                 which
                 none
                 of
                 the
                 inhabitants
                 did
                 once
                 dreame
                 of
                 :
                 At
                 last
                 ,
                 when
                 hee
                 had
                 fully
                 digested
                 this
                 great
                 worke
                 in
                 his
                 owne
                 brest
                 ,
                 hee
                 cals
                 the
                 rulers
                 and
                 Citizens
                 together
                 ,
                 and
                 hauing
                 condoled
                 with
                 them
                 ,
                 the
                 common
                 distresse
                 ,
                 and
                 reproach
                 ,
                 hee
                 tells
                 them
                 of
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 his
                 God
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 good
                 vpon
                 him
                 ;
                 hee
                 shewes
                 them
                 the
                 gracious
                 commission
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 his
                 master
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 good
                 worke
                 .
                 They
                 answer
                 him
                 with
                 a
                 zealous
                 incouragement
                 of
                 each
                 other
                 ,
                 
                   Let
                   vs
                   rise
                   vp
                   and
                   build
                   ▪
                
                 Such
                 an
                 hearty
                 inuitation
                 countenanced
                 by
                 authority
                 hath
                 easily
                 strengthened
                 
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 the
                 multitude
                 ;
                 with
                 what
                 obseruance
                 and
                 dearnesse
                 doe
                 they
                 now
                 looke
                 vpon
                 their
                 vnexpected
                 patron
                 ?
                 how
                 do
                 they
                 honour
                 him
                 as
                 a
                 man
                 fent
                 from
                 heauen
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 welfare
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 ?
                 Euery
                 man
                 flyes
                 to
                 his
                 hodde
                 ,
                 and
                 trowell
                 ,
                 and
                 reioyces
                 to
                 second
                 so
                 noble
                 a
                 leader
                 ,
                 in
                 laying
                 a
                 stone
                 in
                 that
                 wall
                 of
                 their
                 common
                 defence
                 .
              
               
                 Those
                 emulous
                 neighbours
                 of
                 theirs
                 ,
                 
                   Sanballat
                   ,
                   Tobiah
                   ,
                   Geshem
                
                 ,
                 the
                 cheife
                 commanders
                 of
                 
                   Moab
                   ,
                   Ammon
                   ,
                   Arabia
                
                 ,
                 haue
                 soone
                 espyed
                 the
                 first
                 morter
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 laid
                 vpon
                 that
                 old
                 foundation
                 .
                 Enuy
                 is
                 vsually
                 more
                 quicke-sighted
                 then
                 loue
                 :
                 And
                 now
                 they
                 scornfully
                 apply
                 themselues
                 to
                 these
                 despised
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 and
                 thinke
                 to
                 scoffe
                 
                 them
                 out
                 of
                 their
                 worke
                 :
                 The
                 fauourablest
                 persecution
                 of
                 any
                 good
                 cause
                 is
                 the
                 lash
                 of
                 lewd
                 tongues
                 ;
                 whether
                 by
                 bitter
                 taunts
                 or
                 by
                 scurrilous
                 inuectiues
                 :
                 which
                 it
                 is
                 as
                 impossible
                 to
                 auoyd
                 ,
                 as
                 necessary
                 to
                 contemne
                 .
                 The
                 barking
                 of
                 these
                 dogs
                 doth
                 not
                 hinder
                 Nehemiah
                 from
                 walking
                 on
                 his
                 way
                 ;
                 professing
                 his
                 confidence
                 in
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 heauen
                 ,
                 whose
                 work
                 that
                 was
                 ;
                 he
                 shakes
                 off
                 their
                 impotent
                 malice
                 ,
                 and
                 goes
                 on
                 cheerfully
                 to
                 build
                 :
                 Euery
                 Israelite
                 knowes
                 his
                 station
                 .
                 Eliashib
                 the
                 high
                 Priest
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 that
                 sacred
                 tribe
                 put
                 the
                 first
                 hand
                 to
                 this
                 worke
                 ;
                 they
                 build
                 the
                 sheep-gate
                 ,
                 and
                 sanctifie
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 it
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 rest
                 .
                 As
                 the
                 first
                 fruits
                 of
                 the
                 field
                 ,
                 so
                 the
                 first
                 stones
                 
                 of
                 the
                 wall
                 ,
                 are
                 hallowed
                 to
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 consecration
                 of
                 those
                 deuout
                 agents
                 :
                 That
                 businesse
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 prosper
                 which
                 beginnes
                 with
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 No
                 man
                 was
                 idle
                 ,
                 no
                 part
                 was
                 intermitted
                 ;
                 All
                 Ierusalem
                 was
                 at
                 once
                 encompassed
                 with
                 busie
                 labourers
                 .
                 It
                 cannot
                 bee
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 ioynt-indeauors
                 of
                 faithfull
                 harts
                 must
                 raise
                 the
                 walles
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 Sanballat
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 brethren
                 ,
                 find
                 some
                 matter
                 to
                 spend
                 their
                 scoffes
                 vpon
                 ;
                 
                   What
                   doe
                   these
                   feeble
                   Iewes
                   ?
                   will
                   they
                   fortifie
                   themselues
                   ?
                   will
                   they
                   sacrifice
                   ?
                   will
                   they
                   make
                   an
                   end
                   in
                   a
                   day
                   ?
                   will
                   they
                   reuiue
                   the
                   stones
                   out
                   of
                   the
                   heapes
                   of
                   rubbish
                   which
                   are
                   burnt
                   ?
                
              
               
                 How
                 basely
                 do
                 carnall
                 minds
                 
                 thinke
                 of
                 the
                 proiects
                 ,
                 and
                 actions
                 of
                 Gods
                 children
                 ;
                 therefore
                 vilifying
                 them
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 measure
                 them
                 by
                 no
                 other
                 line
                 ,
                 then
                 outward
                 probability
                 .
                 Oh
                 foolish
                 Moabites
                 ,
                 this
                 worke
                 is
                 Gods
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 in
                 despight
                 of
                 all
                 your
                 tonges
                 and
                 hands
                 ,
                 it
                 shall
                 prosper
                 :
                 He
                 heares
                 you
                 whom
                 yee
                 haue
                 blasphemed
                 ,
                 and
                 shall
                 turne
                 your
                 reproach
                 vpon
                 your
                 own
                 heads
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 ,
                 thou
                 proud
                 Ammonite
                 ,
                 that
                 couldst
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   If
                   a
                   Foxe
                   goe
                   vpon
                   their
                   stone-wall
                   ,
                   hee
                   shall
                   breake
                   it
                   downe
                
                 ;
                 shalt
                 well
                 find
                 ,
                 that
                 all
                 the
                 woluish
                 troopes
                 of
                 your
                 confederats
                 shall
                 not
                 bee
                 able
                 to
                 remoue
                 one
                 stone
                 of
                 this
                 sure
                 fortification
                 ;
                 Whiles
                 Moab
                 and
                 Ammon
                 repine
                 and
                 bluster
                 in
                 vaine
                 this
                 wal
                 shal
                 rise
                 ,
                 &
                 when
                 Moab
                 &
                 Ammon
                 shal
                 
                 lye
                 in
                 the
                 dust
                 ,
                 this
                 wall
                 shall
                 stand
                 .
                 The
                 morter
                 that
                 hath
                 beene
                 tempered
                 with
                 so
                 many
                 teares
                 ,
                 and
                 layed
                 with
                 so
                 many
                 prayers
                 ,
                 cannot
                 but
                 out-last
                 all
                 the
                 flints
                 ,
                 and
                 marbles
                 of
                 humane
                 confidence
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 the
                 growth
                 of
                 this
                 wall
                 hath
                 turned
                 the
                 mirth
                 of
                 the
                 aduersaries
                 into
                 rage
                 :
                 These
                 
                   Moabites
                   ,
                   Ammonites
                   ,
                   Arabians
                   ,
                   Ashdodites
                
                 conspire
                 all
                 together
                 ,
                 to
                 fight
                 against
                 Ierusalem
                 ;
                 and
                 whiles
                 the
                 morter
                 is
                 yet
                 greene
                 ,
                 to
                 demolish
                 those
                 enuied
                 heapes
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 hath
                 this
                 City
                 offended
                 in
                 desiring
                 to
                 be
                 defenced
                 ?
                 what
                 wrong
                 could
                 it
                 be
                 to
                 wish
                 a
                 freedome
                 from
                 wrongs
                 ?
                 Were
                 this
                 people
                 so
                 mighty
                 ,
                 that
                 there
                 could
                 be
                 danger
                 in
                 ouer-powring
                 their
                 
                 neighbours
                 ,
                 or
                 in
                 resisting
                 a
                 common
                 soueraign
                 ,
                 there
                 might
                 haue
                 appeared
                 some
                 colour
                 for
                 this
                 hostile
                 opposition
                 ;
                 but
                 ,
                 alas
                 ;
                 what
                 could
                 a
                 despised
                 handfull
                 doe
                 to
                 the
                 preiudice
                 of
                 either
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 quarrell
                 enough
                 to
                 Ierusalem
                 that
                 it
                 would
                 not
                 be
                 miserable
                 .
              
               
                 Neither
                 is
                 it
                 otherwise
                 with
                 the
                 head
                 of
                 these
                 hellish
                 complices
                 ;
                 there
                 needs
                 no
                 other
                 cause
                 of
                 his
                 vtmost
                 fury
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 see
                 a
                 poor
                 soule
                 strugling
                 to
                 get
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 reach
                 of
                 his
                 tyrannie
                 .
                 So
                 doe
                 sauage
                 beasts
                 bristle
                 vp
                 themselues
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 the
                 most
                 fierce
                 assaults
                 when
                 they
                 are
                 in
                 danger
                 of
                 loosing
                 the
                 prey
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 had
                 once
                 seized
                 on
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 meane
                 while
                 ,
                 what
                 doth
                 Nehemiah
                 with
                 his
                 Iewes
                 for
                 their
                 
                 common
                 safety
                 ?
                 They
                 pray
                 ,
                 and
                 watch
                 ;
                 they
                 pray
                 vnto
                 God
                 ,
                 they
                 watch
                 against
                 the
                 enemy
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 ,
                 thus
                 shall
                 wee
                 happily
                 preuaile
                 against
                 those
                 spirituall
                 wickednesses
                 ,
                 which
                 war
                 against
                 our
                 soules
                 :
                 No
                 euill
                 can
                 surprize
                 vs
                 if
                 we
                 watch
                 ;
                 no
                 euill
                 can
                 hurt
                 vs
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 pray
                 ;
                 
                   This
                   is
                   the
                   victory
                   that
                   ouercomes
                   the
                   world
                   ,
                   euen
                   our
                   faith
                   .
                
              
               
                 There
                 was
                 need
                 of
                 a
                 continued
                 vigilancy
                 ;
                 the
                 enemy
                 was
                 not
                 more
                 malicious
                 ,
                 then
                 subtle
                 ,
                 and
                 had
                 said
                 ;
                 
                   They
                   shall
                   not
                   know
                   ,
                   neither
                   see
                   ,
                   till
                   wee
                   come
                   in
                   the
                   midst
                   among
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   slay
                   them
                   .
                
                 Open
                 force
                 is
                 not
                 so
                 dangerous
                 ,
                 as
                 close
                 dissimulation
                 ;
                 They
                 meant
                 to
                 seeme
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 whiles
                 they
                 were
                 Moabites
                 and
                 Ammonites
                 ;
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 
                 clothes
                 of
                 brethren
                 purposed
                 to
                 hide
                 murderers
                 .
                 Neuer
                 is
                 Satan
                 so
                 preuailent
                 ,
                 as
                 when
                 hee
                 comes
                 transformed
                 into
                 an
                 Angell
                 of
                 light
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 mercifull
                 prouidence
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 made
                 these
                 mens
                 tongues
                 the
                 blabs
                 of
                 their
                 owne
                 counsell
                 .
                 Many
                 a
                 fearfull
                 designe
                 had
                 prospered
                 ,
                 if
                 wickednesse
                 could
                 haue
                 beene
                 silent
                 .
                 Warning
                 is
                 a
                 lawfull
                 gard
                 to
                 a
                 wise
                 aduersary
                 :
                 Now
                 doth
                 Nehemiah
                 arme
                 his
                 people
                 ;
                 and
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 changes
                 their
                 trowels
                 into
                 swords
                 ,
                 &
                 speares
                 ,
                 and
                 bowes
                 ;
                 raising
                 vp
                 their
                 courage
                 with
                 a
                 vehement
                 exhortation
                 ,
                 to
                 remember
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 
                   great
                   ,
                   and
                   terrible
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   fight
                   for
                   their
                   brethren
                   ,
                   their
                   sonnes
                   ,
                   their
                   daughters
                   ,
                   their
                   wiues
                   ,
                
                 
                 and
                 their
                 houses
                 .
                 Nothing
                 can
                 so
                 harten
                 vs
                 to
                 the
                 encountring
                 of
                 any
                 euill
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 remembrance
                 of
                 that
                 infinite
                 power
                 and
                 wisdome
                 which
                 can
                 either
                 auert
                 ,
                 or
                 mittigate
                 ,
                 or
                 sanctifie
                 it
                 :
                 wee
                 could
                 not
                 faint
                 if
                 wee
                 did
                 not
                 forget
                 God.
                 
              
               
                 Necessity
                 vrges
                 a
                 man
                 to
                 fight
                 for
                 himself
                 ,
                 loue
                 inables
                 his
                 hand
                 to
                 fight
                 for
                 those
                 which
                 challēge
                 a
                 part
                 in
                 him
                 ;
                 where
                 loue
                 meets
                 with
                 necessity
                 ,
                 there
                 can
                 want
                 no
                 indeuor
                 of
                 victory
                 ;
                 Necessity
                 can
                 make
                 euen
                 cowards
                 ,
                 valiant
                 ;
                 loue
                 makes
                 the
                 valiant
                 ,
                 vnresistable
                 :
                 Nehemiah
                 doth
                 not
                 therefore
                 perswade
                 these
                 Iewes
                 to
                 fight
                 for
                 themselues
                 ,
                 but
                 for
                 theirs
                 :
                 The
                 inlargement
                 of
                 the
                 interest
                 ,
                 and
                 danger
                 ,
                 cannot
                 but
                 quicken
                 the
                 dullest
                 spirits
                 .
              
               
               
                 Discouered
                 counsels
                 are
                 alreadie
                 preuented
                 ;
                 These
                 serpents
                 dye
                 by
                 being
                 first
                 seene
                 ;
                 
                   When
                   the
                   enemies
                   heard
                   that
                   it
                   was
                   knowne
                   vnto
                   vs
                   ,
                
                 they
                 let
                 fall
                 their
                 plot
                 .
                 Could
                 wee
                 descry
                 the
                 enterprises
                 of
                 Satan
                 ,
                 that
                 tempter
                 would
                 returne
                 ashamed
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 safe
                 point
                 of
                 wisedome
                 to
                 carrie
                 a
                 iealous
                 eye
                 ouer
                 those
                 ,
                 whom
                 we
                 haue
                 once
                 found
                 hollow
                 ,
                 and
                 hostile
                 :
                 From
                 that
                 time
                 forth
                 Nehemiah
                 diuided
                 the
                 taske
                 ,
                 betwixt
                 the
                 trowell
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 sword
                 ;
                 so
                 disposing
                 of
                 euery
                 Israelite
                 ,
                 that
                 whiles
                 one
                 hand
                 was
                 a
                 Mason
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 was
                 a
                 souldier
                 :
                 one
                 is
                 for
                 worke
                 ,
                 the
                 other
                 for
                 defence
                 .
                 Oh
                 liuely
                 image
                 of
                 the
                 Church
                 militant
                 ,
                 wherein
                 euery
                 one
                 labours
                 ,
                 weaponed
                 ;
                 
                 wherein
                 there
                 is
                 neither
                 an
                 idle
                 souldier
                 ,
                 nor
                 a
                 secure
                 workman
                 :
                 euery
                 one
                 so
                 builds
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 he
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 ward
                 temptations
                 ;
                 euerie
                 one
                 so
                 wields
                 the
                 sword
                 of
                 the
                 spirit
                 ,
                 for
                 defence
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 withall
                 ,
                 hee
                 builds
                 vp
                 himselfe
                 in
                 his
                 most
                 holy
                 faith
                 ;
                 here
                 is
                 neither
                 a
                 fruitlesse
                 valour
                 ,
                 nor
                 an
                 vnsafe
                 diligence
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 what
                 can
                 our
                 weapons
                 auaile
                 vs
                 ,
                 if
                 there
                 be
                 not
                 meanes
                 to
                 warne
                 vs
                 of
                 an
                 enemie
                 ?
                 Without
                 a
                 Trumpet
                 we
                 are
                 armed
                 in
                 vain
                 .
                 
                   The
                   worke
                   is
                   great
                   and
                   large
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   are
                   separated
                   vpon
                   the
                   wall
                   ,
                   one
                   farre
                   from
                   another
                   :
                
                 Yea
                 ,
                 so
                 farre
                 as
                 the
                 vtmost
                 bounds
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 are
                 wee
                 separated
                 one
                 from
                 another
                 ,
                 vpon
                 the
                 wals
                 of
                 the
                 spirituall
                 Ierusalem
                 ;
                 onely
                 the
                 sacred
                 Trumpets
                 
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 call
                 vs
                 ,
                 who
                 are
                 distant
                 in
                 place
                 ,
                 to
                 a
                 combination
                 in
                 profession
                 .
                 And
                 who
                 are
                 those
                 Trumpets
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 publike
                 messengers
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 of
                 whom
                 God
                 hath
                 said
                 ;
                 
                   If
                   the
                   Watchmen
                   see
                   the
                
                 
                 
                   sword
                   come
                   ,
                   and
                   blow
                   not
                   the
                   trumpet
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   people
                   be
                   not
                   warned
                   ,
                   if
                   the
                   sword
                   come
                   ,
                   and
                   take
                   any
                   person
                   from
                   among
                   them
                   ,
                   hee
                   is
                   taken
                   away
                   in
                   his
                   iniquitie
                   ,
                   but
                   his
                   blood
                   will
                   I
                   require
                   at
                   the
                   watchmans
                   hand
                   .
                
                 Wo
                 bee
                 to
                 vs
                 if
                 we
                 sound
                 not
                 ;
                 if
                 the
                 sound
                 we
                 giue
                 be
                 vncertaine
                 :
                 wo
                 be
                 to
                 our
                 people
                 ,
                 if
                 when
                 we
                 premonish
                 them
                 of
                 enemies
                 ,
                 of
                 iudgements
                 ,
                 they
                 sit
                 still
                 vnmoued
                 ,
                 not
                 buckling
                 themselues
                 to
                 a
                 resistance
                 ,
                 to
                 a
                 preuention
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 mutuall
                 ayd
                 ,
                 to
                 which
                 these
                 Trumpets
                 inuite
                 vs
                 ;
                 wee
                 
                 might
                 fight
                 apart
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 signals
                 of
                 warre
                 ;
                 
                   In
                   what
                   place
                   yee
                   heare
                   the
                   sound
                   of
                   the
                   Trumpet
                   ,
                   resort
                   ye
                   thither
                   vnto
                   vs.
                
                 There
                 can
                 bee
                 no
                 safety
                 to
                 the
                 Church
                 ,
                 but
                 wher
                 euery
                 man
                 thinkes
                 his
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 welfare
                 consists
                 in
                 his
                 fellowes
                 ;
                 Conioyned
                 forces
                 may
                 prosper
                 ,
                 single
                 oppositions
                 are
                 desperare
                 :
                 All
                 hearts
                 and
                 hands
                 must
                 meet
                 in
                 the
                 common
                 quarrell
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 NEHEMIAH
                 
                   redressing
                   the
                   extortion
                   of
                   the
                
                 Iewes
                 .
              
               
                 WIth
                 what
                 difficultie
                 doe
                 these
                 miserable
                 Iewes
                 settle
                 in
                 their
                 Ierusalem
                 ?
                 The
                 feare
                 of
                 foraine
                 enemies
                 doth
                 not
                 more
                 afflict
                 them
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 extortion
                 of
                 their
                 owne
                 :
                 Dearth
                 is
                 added
                 vnto
                 warre
                 :
                 Miseries
                 doe
                 not
                 stay
                 for
                 a
                 mannerly
                 succession
                 to
                 each
                 other
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 a
                 rude
                 importunity
                 throng
                 in
                 ,
                 at
                 once
                 .
                 Babel
                 may
                 be
                 
                 built
                 with
                 ease
                 ,
                 but
                 whosoeuer
                 goes
                 about
                 to
                 raise
                 the
                 walls
                 of
                 Gods
                 Citie
                 ,
                 shall
                 haue
                 his
                 hands
                 full
                 :
                 The
                 incursion
                 of
                 publike
                 enemies
                 may
                 be
                 preuented
                 with
                 vigilancy
                 and
                 power
                 ;
                 but
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 defence
                 against
                 the
                 secret
                 gripes
                 of
                 oppression
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 remedy
                 ,
                 the
                 Iewes
                 are
                 so
                 taken
                 vp
                 with
                 their
                 trowel
                 ,
                 and
                 sword
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 cannot
                 attend
                 their
                 trades
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 ,
                 whiles
                 the
                 wall
                 did
                 rise
                 ,
                 their
                 estates
                 must
                 needs
                 impayre
                 :
                 Euen
                 in
                 the
                 cheapest
                 season
                 they
                 must
                 needs
                 be
                 poore
                 ,
                 that
                 earned
                 nothing
                 but
                 the
                 publike
                 safetie
                 ,
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 in
                 a
                 common
                 scarcity
                 ?
                 their
                 houses
                 ,
                 lands
                 ,
                 vineyards
                 are
                 therefore
                 morgaged
                 ,
                 yea
                 their
                 very
                 skins
                 are
                 sold
                 ,
                 for
                 corn
                 ,
                 
                 to
                 their
                 brethren
                 :
                 Necessity
                 forces
                 them
                 to
                 sell
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 it
                 was
                 cruelty
                 to
                 buy
                 ;
                 What
                 will
                 we
                 not
                 ,
                 what
                 must
                 we
                 not
                 part
                 with
                 ,
                 for
                 life
                 ?
                 The
                 couetous
                 rulers
                 did
                 not
                 consider
                 the
                 occasions
                 of
                 this
                 want
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 aduantage
                 .
                 Sometimes
                 ,
                 a
                 bargaine
                 may
                 bee
                 as
                 vnmercifull
                 as
                 a
                 robbery
                 :
                 Charity
                 must
                 be
                 the
                 rule
                 in
                 all
                 contracts
                 ;
                 the
                 violation
                 whereof
                 ,
                 whether
                 in
                 the
                 matter
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 price
                 ,
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 sinfull
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 could
                 not
                 bee
                 a
                 iuster
                 ground
                 of
                 expostulation
                 then
                 this
                 of
                 the
                 oppressed
                 
                   Iewes
                   :
                   Our
                   flesh
                   is
                   as
                   the
                   flesh
                   of
                   our
                   brethren
                   ,
                   our
                   children
                   as
                   their
                   children
                   ;
                   and
                   loe
                   ,
                   we
                   bring
                   into
                   bondage
                   our
                   sonnes
                   and
                   our
                   daughters
                   :
                
                 whiles
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 difference
                 in
                 nature
                 ,
                 why
                 should
                 there
                 bee
                 
                 such
                 an
                 iniurious
                 disproportion
                 in
                 condition
                 .
                 Euen
                 the
                 same
                 flesh
                 may
                 beare
                 a
                 iust
                 inequality
                 ;
                 Some
                 may
                 be
                 rulers
                 ,
                 whiles
                 others
                 are
                 subiect
                 ;
                 Some
                 wealthy
                 ,
                 others
                 poore
                 ;
                 but
                 why
                 those
                 wealthy
                 rulers
                 should
                 tyrannize
                 ouer
                 those
                 poore
                 inferiours
                 ,
                 and
                 turne
                 brotherhood
                 into
                 bondage
                 no
                 reason
                 can
                 be
                 giuen
                 but
                 lawlesse
                 ambition
                 ;
                 If
                 there
                 were
                 one
                 flesh
                 of
                 Peeres
                 ,
                 another
                 of
                 Peasants
                 ,
                 there
                 should
                 be
                 some
                 colour
                 for
                 the
                 proud
                 impositions
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 ,
                 as
                 because
                 the
                 flesh
                 of
                 beasts
                 is
                 in
                 a
                 lower
                 ranke
                 then
                 ours
                 ,
                 we
                 kill
                 ,
                 we
                 deuoure
                 it
                 at
                 pleasure
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 ,
                 since
                 the
                 large
                 body
                 of
                 mankinde
                 consists
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 flesh
                 ,
                 why
                 should
                 the
                 hand
                 strike
                 the
                 foot
                 ?
                 And
                 if
                 one
                 flesh
                 may
                 
                 challenge
                 meet
                 respects
                 from
                 vs
                 ,
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 one
                 spirit
                 ;
                 The
                 spirit
                 is
                 more
                 noble
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 flesh
                 is
                 base
                 ;
                 the
                 flesh
                 is
                 dead
                 without
                 the
                 spirit
                 ;
                 the
                 spirit
                 without
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 actiue
                 and
                 immortall
                 ;
                 Our
                 soule
                 ,
                 though
                 shapelesse
                 ,
                 and
                 immateriall
                 ,
                 is
                 more
                 apparently
                 one
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 flesh
                 ;
                 And
                 if
                 the
                 vnity
                 of
                 our
                 humane
                 spirit
                 call
                 vs
                 to
                 a
                 mutuall
                 care
                 ,
                 and
                 tendernesse
                 in
                 our
                 cariage
                 ,
                 each
                 to
                 other
                 ,
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 of
                 the
                 diuine
                 ?
                 by
                 that
                 we
                 are
                 men
                 ,
                 by
                 this
                 we
                 are
                 Christians
                 :
                 As
                 the
                 soule
                 animates
                 vs
                 to
                 a
                 naturall
                 life
                 ,
                 so
                 doth
                 Gods
                 Spirit
                 animate
                 the
                 soule
                 to
                 an
                 heauenly
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 so
                 one
                 ;
                 that
                 it
                 cannot
                 bee
                 deuided
                 .
                 How
                 should
                 that
                 one
                 spirit
                 cause
                 vs
                 so
                 farre
                 to
                 forget
                 all
                 naturall
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 ciuill
                 differences
                 ,
                 as
                 not
                 to
                 contemne
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 oppresse
                 any
                 whom
                 it
                 informeth
                 ?
              
               
                 They
                 are
                 not
                 Christians
                 ,
                 not
                 men
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 inioy
                 the
                 miseries
                 of
                 their
                 brethren
                 ,
                 whether
                 in
                 the
                 flesh
                 or
                 spirit
                 .
              
               
                 Good
                 Nehemiah
                 cannot
                 choose
                 but
                 bee
                 much
                 moued
                 at
                 the
                 barbarous
                 extortion
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 ,
                 like
                 an
                 vnpartiall
                 gouernour
                 ,
                 hee
                 rebukes
                 the
                 Rulers
                 and
                 Nobles
                 ,
                 whose
                 hand
                 was
                 thus
                 bloody
                 with
                 oppression
                 .
                 As
                 of
                 fishes
                 ,
                 so
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 the
                 lesser
                 are
                 a
                 prey
                 to
                 the
                 great
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 an
                 ill
                 vse
                 made
                 of
                 power
                 ,
                 whē
                 the
                 weight
                 of
                 it
                 serues
                 onely
                 to
                 crush
                 the
                 weake
                 .
                 There
                 were
                 no
                 liuing
                 amongst
                 men
                 had
                 not
                 God
                 ordained
                 higher
                 then
                 the
                 highest
                 ;
                 
                 and
                 yet
                 higher
                 then
                 they
                 .
                 Eminency
                 of
                 place
                 cannot
                 bee
                 better
                 improued
                 ,
                 then
                 by
                 taking
                 down
                 mighty
                 offenders
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 nobility
                 doe
                 embase
                 it selfe
                 to
                 any
                 foule
                 sinne
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 worthy
                 of
                 coertion
                 ,
                 by
                 how
                 much
                 the
                 person
                 is
                 of
                 greater
                 marke
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 iustice
                 of
                 this
                 reproofe
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 shame
                 impudence
                 it selfe
                 ;
                 
                   Wee
                   after
                   our
                   abilitie
                   haue
                   redeemed
                   our
                   brethren
                   the
                   Iewes
                   which
                   were
                   sold
                   to
                   the
                   heathen
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   you
                   sell
                   your
                   brethren
                   ,
                   or
                   shall
                   they
                   be
                   sold
                   to
                   vs
                   ?
                
                 Shall
                 they
                 finde
                 at
                 home
                 that
                 yoke
                 of
                 bondage
                 which
                 they
                 had
                 put
                 off
                 abroad
                 ?
                 whiles
                 they
                 are
                 still
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 shall
                 we
                 turne
                 Assyrians
                 ?
                 If
                 they
                 must
                 be
                 slaues
                 ,
                 why
                 not
                 rather
                 to
                 
                 enemies
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 brethren
                 ?
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 tollerable
                 were
                 a
                 forayne
                 seruitude
                 ,
                 then
                 a
                 domesticall
                 :
                 Be
                 ashamed
                 ,
                 ô
                 ye
                 Nobles
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 to
                 renue
                 Babylon
                 in
                 Ierusalem
                 .
                 I
                 maruell
                 not
                 if
                 the
                 offenders
                 be
                 stricken
                 dumbe
                 with
                 so
                 vnanswerable
                 an
                 expostulation
                 ;
                 Guiltinesse
                 ,
                 and
                 confusion
                 haue
                 stopt
                 their
                 mouthes
                 .
              
               
                 Many
                 of
                 those
                 who
                 haue
                 not
                 had
                 grace
                 enough
                 to
                 refraine
                 sin
                 ,
                 yet
                 are
                 not
                 so
                 vtterly
                 void
                 of
                 grace
                 as
                 to
                 maintaine
                 sinne
                 ;
                 Our
                 after-wits
                 are
                 able
                 to
                 discerne
                 a
                 kinde
                 of
                 vnreasonableness
                 in
                 those
                 wicked
                 actions
                 ,
                 which
                 the
                 first
                 appearance
                 represents
                 vnto
                 vs
                 plausible
                 .
                 Gaine
                 leads
                 in
                 sinne
                 ,
                 but
                 shame
                 followes
                 it
                 out
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 bold
                 and
                 witty
                 to
                 
                 beare
                 out
                 commodious
                 ,
                 or
                 pleasant
                 euills
                 ;
                 neither
                 could
                 these
                 Iewish
                 enormities
                 ,
                 haue
                 wanted
                 some
                 colours
                 of
                 defence
                 ;
                 Their
                 stocke
                 was
                 their
                 owne
                 ,
                 which
                 might
                 haue
                 beene
                 otherwise
                 improued
                 ,
                 to
                 no
                 lesse
                 profit
                 ;
                 The
                 offer
                 ,
                 the
                 suit
                 of
                 these
                 bargaines
                 was
                 from
                 the
                 sellers
                 ;
                 These
                 escheates
                 fell
                 into
                 their
                 hands
                 ,
                 vnsought
                 ;
                 neither
                 did
                 their
                 contract
                 cause
                 the
                 neede
                 of
                 their
                 brethren
                 ,
                 but
                 releeue
                 it
                 :
                 But
                 their
                 conscience
                 will
                 not
                 beare
                 this
                 plea.
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 whether
                 the
                 maintenance
                 of
                 the
                 least
                 euill
                 bee
                 not
                 worse
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 commission
                 of
                 the
                 greatest
                 ;
                 This
                 may
                 bee
                 of
                 frailty
                 ,
                 that
                 argues
                 obstinacy
                 :
                 There
                 is
                 hope
                 of
                 that
                 man
                 that
                 can
                 blush
                 ,
                 and
                 be
                 silent
                 .
              
               
               
                 After
                 conuiction
                 of
                 the
                 fact
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 seasonable
                 for
                 Nehemiah
                 ,
                 to
                 perswade
                 reformation
                 :
                 No
                 oratory
                 is
                 so
                 powerfull
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 of
                 mildnesse
                 :
                 especially
                 when
                 we
                 haue
                 to
                 doe
                 with
                 those
                 ,
                 who
                 either
                 through
                 stomach
                 ,
                 or
                 greatnesse
                 ,
                 may
                 not
                 indure
                 a
                 rough
                 reproofe
                 :
                 The
                 drops
                 that
                 fall
                 easily
                 vpon
                 the
                 corne
                 ,
                 ripen
                 ,
                 and
                 fill
                 the
                 eare
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 stormy
                 showers
                 that
                 fal
                 with
                 violence
                 ,
                 beat
                 down
                 the
                 stalkes
                 flat
                 to
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 and
                 lay
                 whole
                 fields
                 ,
                 without
                 hope
                 of
                 recouery
                 .
                 Who
                 can
                 resist
                 this
                 sweet
                 &
                 soueraign
                 reprehension
                 ;
                 
                   Ought
                   yee
                   not
                   to
                   walke
                   in
                   the
                   feare
                   of
                   our
                   God
                   ,
                   because
                   of
                   the
                   reproach
                   of
                   the
                   heathen
                   ,
                   our
                   enemies
                   ?
                
                 Did
                 we
                 dwell
                 alone
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 yet
                 the
                 feare
                 of
                 our
                 God
                 
                 should
                 ouer-awe
                 our
                 wayes
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 that
                 we
                 dwell
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 our
                 enemies
                 ,
                 whose
                 eies
                 are
                 bent
                 vpon
                 all
                 our
                 actions
                 ,
                 whose
                 tongues
                 are
                 as
                 ready
                 to
                 blaspheme
                 God
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 to
                 offend
                 him
                 ,
                 how
                 carefully
                 should
                 we
                 auoid
                 those
                 sins
                 ,
                 which
                 may
                 draw
                 shame
                 vpon
                 our
                 profession
                 ?
              
               
                 Now
                 ,
                 the
                 scandall
                 is
                 worse
                 then
                 the
                 fact
                 ;
                 Thus
                 ,
                 shall
                 religion
                 suffer
                 more
                 from
                 the
                 heathen
                 ,
                 then
                 our
                 brethren
                 doe
                 from
                 vs
                 :
                 If
                 iustice
                 ,
                 if
                 charity
                 cannot
                 sway
                 with
                 vs
                 ,
                 yet
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 scornfull
                 insultations
                 of
                 the
                 prophane
                 Gentiles
                 ,
                 afright
                 vs
                 frō
                 these
                 pressures
                 .
                 No
                 ingenuous
                 disposition
                 can
                 be
                 so
                 tender
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 disgrace
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 true
                 Israelite
                 is
                 of
                 the
                 reproch
                 of
                 his
                 God
                 :
                 What
                 is
                 it
                 that
                 
                 hee
                 will
                 not
                 rather
                 refraine
                 ,
                 doe
                 ,
                 suffer
                 ,
                 then
                 that
                 glorious
                 name
                 shall
                 hazard
                 a
                 blemish
                 ?
                 They
                 cannot
                 want
                 outward
                 retentiues
                 from
                 sin
                 ,
                 that
                 liue
                 either
                 among
                 friends
                 ,
                 or
                 enemies
                 ;
                 if
                 friends
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 grieued
                 ,
                 if
                 enemies
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 prouoked
                 :
                 Those
                 that
                 would
                 liue
                 well
                 ,
                 must
                 stand
                 in
                 awe
                 of
                 all
                 eyes
                 ;
                 Euen
                 those
                 that
                 are
                 without
                 the
                 Church
                 yet
                 may
                 not
                 bee
                 without
                 our
                 regard
                 :
                 No
                 person
                 can
                 bee
                 so
                 contemptible
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 his
                 censure
                 should
                 be
                 contemned
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 dissuading
                 from
                 sinne
                 ,
                 reason
                 it selfe
                 cannot
                 preuaile
                 more
                 then
                 example
                 .
                 
                   I
                   likewise
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   brethren
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   seruants
                   might
                   exact
                   of
                   them
                   money
                   ,
                   and
                   corne
                   .
                   But
                   from
                   the
                   time
                   that
                   I
                   was
                   appointed
                   to
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   charge
                   of
                   Iudah
                   ,
                   I
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   brethren
                   haue
                   not
                   eaten
                   the
                   bread
                   of
                   the
                   gouernour
                   .
                
                 Hee
                 shall
                 neuer
                 rule
                 well
                 ,
                 that
                 doth
                 all
                 that
                 hee
                 may
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 safe
                 for
                 either
                 part
                 ,
                 that
                 a
                 Prince
                 should
                 liue
                 at
                 the
                 height
                 of
                 his
                 power
                 :
                 And
                 if
                 the
                 greatest
                 abate
                 of
                 their
                 right
                 ,
                 is
                 it
                 for
                 inferiors
                 to
                 extort
                 ?
                 Had
                 Nehemiah
                 aimed
                 at
                 his
                 own
                 greatnesse
                 ,
                 no
                 man
                 could
                 haue
                 had
                 fairer
                 pretences
                 for
                 his
                 gaine
                 .
              
               
                 
                   The
                   former
                   gouernors
                   that
                   were
                   before
                   him
                   were
                   chargeable
                   vnto
                   the
                   people
                   ,
                   and
                   had
                   taken
                   of
                   them
                   bread
                   and
                   wine
                   ,
                   besides
                   fourty
                   shekels
                   of
                   siluer
                   .
                
                 His
                 foot
                 had
                 not
                 first
                 trod
                 in
                 this
                 commodious
                 path
                 ;
                 it
                 was
                 beaten
                 by
                 the
                 steps
                 of
                 his
                 predecessors
                 ;
                 neither
                 did
                 any
                 of
                 them
                 walke
                 beside
                 it
                 :
                 How
                 euer
                 it
                 
                 might
                 bee
                 enuious
                 to
                 raise
                 new
                 taxations
                 ,
                 yet
                 to
                 continue
                 those
                 he
                 found
                 vnrepined
                 at
                 ,
                 had
                 been
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 reach
                 of
                 exception
                 :
                 A
                 good
                 Gouernour
                 lookes
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 what
                 hath
                 beene
                 done
                 ,
                 as
                 what
                 should
                 bee
                 ;
                 Precedents
                 are
                 not
                 the
                 rule
                 ,
                 whereby
                 hee
                 rules
                 ,
                 but
                 iustice
                 ,
                 but
                 piety
                 .
                 
                   So
                   did
                   not
                   I
                   ,
                   because
                   of
                   the
                   feare
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   :
                
                 Lawes
                 are
                 not
                 a
                 straiter
                 curbe
                 to
                 subiects
                 ,
                 then
                 conscience
                 is
                 to
                 good
                 Princes
                 .
              
               
                 They
                 dare
                 not
                 doe
                 what
                 they
                 cannot
                 doe
                 charitably
                 :
                 what
                 aduantage
                 can
                 they
                 thinke
                 it
                 to
                 bee
                 from
                 vnder
                 the
                 controllment
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 heauen
                 notes
                 ,
                 and
                 punishes
                 their
                 offences
                 .
                 Who
                 so
                 walketh
                 by
                 this
                 rule
                 ,
                 can
                 neither
                 erre
                 ,
                 nor
                 mis-cary
                 ;
                 It
                 
                 is
                 not
                 trusting
                 to
                 the
                 externall
                 remedies
                 of
                 sinne
                 ,
                 either
                 they
                 are
                 not
                 alwaies
                 present
                 ;
                 or
                 if
                 present
                 ,
                 not
                 powerfull
                 enough
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 the
                 feare
                 of
                 God
                 haue
                 once
                 taken
                 vp
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 it
                 goes
                 euer
                 with
                 vs
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 strong
                 enough
                 to
                 ouer-maister
                 the
                 forceablest
                 temptation
                 .
              
               
                 Therefore
                 must
                 these
                 Iewes
                 follow
                 this
                 example
                 of
                 Nehemiah
                 ,
                 because
                 he
                 followed
                 not
                 the
                 example
                 of
                 his
                 predecessors
                 ;
                 because
                 he
                 left
                 their
                 euill
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 imitate
                 his
                 good
                 .
                 In
                 vaine
                 shall
                 rulers
                 aduise
                 against
                 their
                 owne
                 practice
                 ;
                 when
                 they
                 lead
                 the
                 way
                 ,
                 they
                 may
                 well
                 challenge
                 to
                 bee
                 followed
                 :
                 Seldome
                 hath
                 it
                 been
                 euer
                 seene
                 that
                 great
                 persons
                 haue
                 not
                 beene
                 seconded
                 in
                 euill
                 ,
                 why
                 should
                 not
                 their
                 power
                 serue
                 to
                 
                 make
                 patternes
                 of
                 their
                 vertues
                 ?
              
               
                 Thus
                 well
                 did
                 it
                 speed
                 with
                 Nehemiah
                 ;
                 his
                 mercifull
                 cariage
                 ,
                 and
                 zealous
                 suit
                 haue
                 drawne
                 the
                 Rulers
                 to
                 a
                 promise
                 of
                 restitution
                 ;
                 
                   We
                   will
                   restore
                   them
                   ,
                   and
                   will
                   require
                   nothing
                   of
                   them
                   ,
                   so
                   will
                   we
                   doe
                   as
                   thou
                   sayest
                   .
                
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 small
                 aduantage
                 that
                 these
                 Nobles
                 must
                 forgoe
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 releases
                 :
                 there
                 cannot
                 be
                 a
                 better
                 signe
                 of
                 a
                 sound
                 amendment
                 ,
                 thē
                 that
                 we
                 can
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 be
                 loosers
                 by
                 our
                 repentance
                 ;
                 Many
                 formall
                 penitents
                 haue
                 yeelded
                 to
                 part
                 with
                 so
                 much
                 of
                 their
                 sinne
                 ,
                 as
                 may
                 abate
                 nothing
                 of
                 their
                 profit
                 ;
                 as
                 if
                 these
                 Rulers
                 should
                 haue
                 beene
                 willing
                 to
                 restore
                 the
                 persons
                 ,
                 but
                 withall
                 should
                 haue
                 stood
                 stifly
                 to
                 require
                 their
                 sums
                 :
                 
                 This
                 whining
                 and
                 partiall
                 satisfaction
                 had
                 been
                 thanklesse
                 .
                 True
                 remorse
                 inlargeth
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 openeth
                 the
                 hand
                 to
                 a
                 bountifull
                 redemption
                 of
                 our
                 errors
                 .
              
               
                 Good
                 purposes
                 doe
                 too
                 often
                 coole
                 in
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 vanish
                 into
                 a
                 carelesse
                 forgetfulnesse
                 ;
                 Nehemiah
                 feared
                 this
                 issue
                 of
                 these
                 holy
                 resolutions
                 ;
                 and
                 therfore
                 he
                 prosecutes
                 them
                 in
                 their
                 first
                 heat
                 ;
                 not
                 leauing
                 these
                 promises
                 ,
                 till
                 he
                 had
                 secured
                 them
                 ,
                 with
                 an
                 oath
                 ;
                 The
                 Priests
                 are
                 called
                 for
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 their
                 mouthes
                 ,
                 the
                 adiuration
                 may
                 be
                 more
                 solemne
                 ,
                 &
                 sacred
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 best
                 point
                 of
                 wisedome
                 to
                 take
                 the
                 first
                 opportunity
                 of
                 fixing
                 good
                 motions
                 ,
                 which
                 otherwise
                 are
                 of
                 themselues
                 light
                 ,
                 &
                 sleightie
                 .
                 To
                 make
                 all
                 yet
                 more
                 sure
                 ,
                 
                 their
                 oathes
                 are
                 crosse-barred
                 with
                 his
                 execration
                 .
                 
                   Also
                   I
                   shooke
                   my
                   lap
                   ,
                   and
                   said
                   ,
                   so
                   God
                   shake
                   out
                   euery
                   man
                   from
                   his
                   house
                   ,
                   and
                   from
                   his
                   labour
                   that
                   performeth
                   not
                   this
                   promise
                   ,
                   euen
                   thus
                   be
                   he
                   shaken
                   out
                   ,
                   and
                   emptied
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   Congregation
                   said
                   ,
                   Amen
                   .
                
                 A
                 promise
                 ,
                 an
                 oath
                 ,
                 a
                 curse
                 ,
                 are
                 passed
                 vpon
                 this
                 act
                 ;
                 now
                 ,
                 no
                 Israelite
                 dares
                 falter
                 in
                 the
                 execution
                 :
                 When
                 we
                 haue
                 a
                 sin
                 in
                 chace
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 good
                 to
                 follow
                 it
                 home
                 ,
                 not
                 slackning
                 our
                 pursuit
                 till
                 we
                 haue
                 fully
                 preuailed
                 ;
                 and
                 when
                 it
                 is
                 once
                 falne
                 vnder
                 our
                 hands
                 ,
                 we
                 cannot
                 kill
                 it
                 too
                 much
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 Nehemiah
                 hauing
                 thus
                 happily
                 deliuered
                 his
                 people
                 frō
                 a
                 domesticall
                 captiuity
                 ,
                 commēds
                 his
                 seruice
                 to
                 the
                 gracious
                 remuneration
                 
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ;
                 
                   Thinke
                   vpon
                   me
                   my
                   God
                   ,
                   for
                   good
                   ,
                   according
                   to
                   all
                   that
                   I
                   haue
                   done
                   for
                   this
                   people
                
                 ;
                 Therfore
                 doth
                 hee
                 refuse
                 the
                 bread
                 of
                 the
                 Gouernour
                 ,
                 that
                 hee
                 may
                 receiue
                 the
                 reward
                 of
                 the
                 Gouernour
                 of
                 heauen
                 :
                 Had
                 hee
                 taken
                 a
                 temporary
                 recompence
                 ,
                 both
                 he
                 and
                 it
                 had
                 beene
                 forgotten
                 ,
                 now
                 he
                 hath
                 made
                 an
                 happy
                 change
                 for
                 eternity
                 .
                 Not
                 that
                 he
                 pleades
                 his
                 merit
                 ,
                 but
                 sues
                 for
                 mercy
                 ;
                 neither
                 doth
                 he
                 pray
                 to
                 bee
                 remembred
                 for
                 his
                 work
                 ,
                 but
                 according
                 to
                 his
                 worke
                 .
              
               
                 Our
                 good
                 deedes
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 well
                 accepted
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 they
                 shall
                 not
                 goe
                 vnrewarded
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 God
                 will
                 giue
                 ,
                 why
                 may
                 not
                 wee
                 craue
                 .
                 Doubtlesse
                 ,
                 as
                 we
                 may
                 offer
                 vp
                 our
                 honest
                 obediences
                 
                 vnto
                 God
                 ,
                 so
                 we
                 may
                 expect
                 and
                 beg
                 his
                 promised
                 retributions
                 ;
                 not
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 proud
                 conceit
                 of
                 the
                 worth
                 of
                 our
                 earnings
                 ,
                 who
                 at
                 the
                 best
                 are
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 vnprofitable
                 seruants
                 ;
                 but
                 out
                 of
                 a
                 faithfull
                 dependance
                 vpon
                 his
                 pact
                 of
                 bounty
                 ,
                 who
                 cannot
                 bee
                 lesse
                 then
                 his
                 word
                 :
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 doe
                 ought
                 that
                 is
                 good
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 thine
                 act
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 ours
                 ;
                 crowne
                 thine
                 owne
                 worke
                 in
                 vs
                 ,
                 and
                 take
                 thou
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 thine
                 own
                 mercies
                 .
              
               
                 Whiles
                 Nehemiah
                 is
                 busie
                 in
                 reforming
                 abuses
                 ,
                 at
                 home
                 ;
                 the
                 enemy
                 is
                 plotting
                 against
                 him
                 ,
                 abroad
                 ;
                 Sanballat
                 ,
                 and
                 Tobiah
                 ,
                 and
                 Geshem
                 the
                 Arabian
                 conspire
                 against
                 his
                 life
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 against
                 the
                 peace
                 of
                 Ierusalem
                 :
                 What
                 open
                 
                 hostility
                 could
                 not
                 do
                 ,
                 they
                 hope
                 to
                 effect
                 by
                 pretence
                 of
                 treaties
                 :
                 Foure
                 seuerall
                 messages
                 call
                 Nehemiah
                 to
                 a
                 friendly
                 meeting
                 .
                 Distrust
                 is
                 a
                 sure
                 gard
                 .
                 The
                 wise
                 gouernor
                 hath
                 learn'd
                 to
                 suspect
                 the
                 hollow
                 fauours
                 of
                 an
                 enemy
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 returne
                 them
                 ,
                 with
                 safe
                 and
                 iust
                 excuses
                 .
                 
                   I
                   cannot
                   come
                   downe
                   ,
                   why
                   should
                   the
                   worke
                   cease
                   whiles
                   I
                   leaue
                   it
                   ,
                   and
                   come
                   downe
                   to
                   you
                   ?
                
                 I
                 doe
                 not
                 heare
                 him
                 say
                 ,
                 You
                 intend
                 mischiefe
                 to
                 mee
                 ;
                 I
                 will
                 not
                 come
                 forth
                 to
                 you
                 ;
                 though
                 this
                 were
                 the
                 proper
                 cause
                 of
                 his
                 forbearance
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 hee
                 turnes
                 them
                 off
                 with
                 an
                 answer
                 ,
                 that
                 had
                 as
                 much
                 truth
                 ,
                 as
                 reseruednesse
                 .
                 Fraud
                 is
                 the
                 fitliest
                 answered
                 with
                 subtlety
                 :
                 Euen
                 innocencie
                 is
                 allowed
                 a
                 lawfull
                 craft
                 ;
                 That
                 
                 man
                 is
                 in
                 an
                 ill
                 case
                 ,
                 that
                 conceales
                 no
                 truth
                 from
                 an
                 aduersary
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 intreaties
                 cannot
                 doe
                 ,
                 shall
                 bee
                 attempted
                 by
                 threats
                 ;
                 Sanballats
                 seruant
                 comes
                 now
                 the
                 fifth
                 time
                 ,
                 with
                 an
                 open
                 letter
                 ,
                 importing
                 dangerous
                 intimation
                 ,
                 wherein
                 is
                 written
                 ,
                 
                   It
                   is
                   reported
                   among
                   the
                   heathen
                   and
                   Gashmu
                   saith
                   it
                   ,
                   that
                   the
                   Iewes
                   thinke
                   to
                   rebell
                   ;
                   for
                   which
                   cause
                   thou
                   buildest
                   the
                   wall
                   that
                   thou
                   mayest
                   be
                   their
                   King.
                   It
                   is
                   reported
                   :
                
                 and
                 what
                 falshood
                 may
                 not
                 plead
                 this
                 warant●●
                 What
                 can
                 be
                 more
                 lying
                 then
                 report
                 ?
                 
                   Among
                   the
                   beathen
                
                 :
                 and
                 who
                 is
                 more
                 Ethnick
                 then
                 Sanballat
                 ?
                 what
                 Pagan
                 can
                 be
                 worse
                 then
                 a
                 mungrel
                 Idolater
                 ?
                 
                   And
                   Gashmu
                   saith
                   it
                
                 ,
                 Aske
                 my
                 fellow
                 else
                 ;
                 This
                 Arabian
                 was
                 one
                 of
                 those
                 three
                 heads
                 
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 hostile
                 combination
                 ,
                 against
                 Ierusalem
                 ,
                 against
                 Nehemiah
                 ;
                 It
                 would
                 be
                 wide
                 with
                 innocēce
                 if
                 enemies
                 might
                 bee
                 allow'd
                 to
                 accuse
                 .
              
               
                 
                   That
                   the
                   Iewes
                   thinke
                   to
                   rebell
                   :
                
                 A
                 stale
                 suggestion
                 ,
                 but
                 ,
                 once
                 ,
                 powerfull
                 ;
                 Malice
                 hath
                 learn'd
                 to
                 miscall
                 all
                 actions
                 ;
                 where
                 the
                 hands
                 cannot
                 bee
                 taxed
                 ,
                 very
                 thoughts
                 are
                 preiudged
                 :
                 
                   For
                   which
                   cause
                   thou
                   buildest
                   the
                   wall
                   ,
                   that
                   thou
                   mayest
                   be
                   their
                   King
                
                 ;
                 Hee
                 was
                 neuer
                 true
                 Israelite
                 that
                 hath
                 not
                 passed
                 spightfull
                 slanders
                 ,
                 and
                 misconstructions
                 :
                 Artaxerxes
                 knew
                 his
                 seruant
                 too
                 well
                 ,
                 to
                 beleeue
                 any
                 rumour
                 ,
                 that
                 should
                 haue
                 beene
                 so
                 shamelesse
                 ;
                 The
                 ambition
                 of
                 Nehemiah
                 was
                 wel
                 known
                 to
                 reach
                 onely
                 to
                 the
                 cup
                 ,
                 not
                 to
                 
                 the
                 Scepter
                 of
                 his
                 Soueraign
                 :
                 And
                 yet
                 ,
                 to
                 make
                 vp
                 a
                 sound
                 tale
                 ,
                 
                   Prophets
                   are
                   suborned
                   to
                   preach
                   ,
                   There
                   is
                   a
                   King
                   in
                   Iudah
                   :
                
                 as
                 if
                 that
                 loyall
                 gouernor
                 had
                 corrupted
                 the
                 pulpits
                 also
                 ;
                 and
                 had
                 taught
                 them
                 the
                 language
                 of
                 treason
                 .
              
               
                 But
                 what
                 of
                 all
                 this
                 ?
                 what
                 if
                 some
                 false
                 tongue
                 haue
                 whispered
                 such
                 idle
                 tales
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 safe
                 for
                 thee
                 ,
                 
                   O
                   Nehemiah
                
                 ,
                 to
                 contemn
                 report
                 :
                 Perhaps
                 this
                 newes
                 shal
                 fly
                 to
                 the
                 Court
                 ,
                 and
                 worke
                 thee
                 a
                 deadly
                 displeasure
                 ere
                 thou
                 canst
                 know
                 thy selfe
                 traduced
                 ;
                 Come
                 therefore
                 ,
                 and
                 let
                 vs
                 take
                 counsell
                 together
                 :
                 Surely
                 that
                 man
                 cannot
                 be
                 sparing
                 of
                 any
                 thing
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 prodigall
                 of
                 his
                 reputation
                 .
                 If
                 ought
                 vnder
                 heauen
                 can
                 fetch
                 Nehemiah
                 out
                 of
                 his
                 hold
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 
                 care
                 of
                 his
                 fame
                 .
                 But
                 ,
                 that
                 wary
                 gouernour
                 sees
                 a
                 net
                 spred
                 neere
                 vnto
                 this
                 stall
                 ;
                 and
                 therfore
                 keeps
                 aloofe
                 ,
                 not
                 without
                 contempt
                 of
                 those
                 slie
                 deuises
                 .
                 
                   There
                   are
                   no
                   such
                   things
                   done
                   as
                   thou
                   sayest
                   ,
                   but
                   thou
                   fainest
                   them
                   out
                   of
                   thine
                   owne
                   heart
                   :
                
                 Some
                 imputations
                 are
                 best
                 answered
                 with
                 a
                 neglectiue
                 deniall
                 :
                 It
                 fals
                 out
                 often
                 that
                 plaine
                 dealing
                 puts
                 craft
                 out
                 of
                 countenāce
                 ,
              
               
                 Since
                 neither
                 force
                 nor
                 fraud
                 can
                 kill
                 Nehemiah
                 ,
                 they
                 will
                 now
                 try
                 to
                 draw
                 him
                 into
                 a
                 sinne
                 ,
                 and
                 thereby
                 into
                 a
                 reproach
                 ;
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 that
                 any
                 Prophets
                 tongue
                 should
                 be
                 mercenary
                 !
                 Shemaiah
                 the
                 Seer
                 ,
                 is
                 hyred
                 by
                 Tobiah
                 ,
                 and
                 Sanballat
                 ,
                 to
                 affright
                 the
                 Gouernour
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 noyse
                 of
                 his
                 intended
                 murder
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 aduise
                 him
                 for
                 shelter
                 ,
                 
                 to
                 flye
                 to
                 the
                 forbidden
                 refuge
                 of
                 the
                 Temple
                 .
                 The
                 colour
                 was
                 faire
                 .
                 Violence
                 is
                 meant
                 to
                 thy
                 person
                 ,
                 no
                 place
                 but
                 one
                 can
                 promise
                 thee
                 safetie
                 ;
                 The
                 City
                 hath
                 as
                 yet
                 no
                 gates
                 ;
                 come
                 therefore
                 ,
                 and
                 shut
                 thy selfe
                 vp
                 in
                 the
                 Temple
                 ,
                 there
                 onely
                 shalt
                 thou
                 be
                 free
                 from
                 all
                 assaults
                 .
              
               
                 And
                 what
                 if
                 Nehemiah
                 had
                 harkened
                 to
                 this
                 counsell
                 ?
                 Sinne
                 ,
                 and
                 shame
                 had
                 followed
                 ;
                 That
                 holy
                 place
                 was
                 for
                 none
                 but
                 persons
                 sacred
                 ;
                 such
                 as
                 were
                 priuiledged
                 by
                 blood
                 ,
                 and
                 function
                 ;
                 others
                 should
                 presume
                 ,
                 and
                 offend
                 in
                 entring
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 ,
                 what
                 would
                 the
                 people
                 say
                 ?
                 What
                 shall
                 become
                 of
                 vs
                 whiles
                 our
                 Gouernour
                 hides
                 his
                 head
                 for
                 feare
                 ?
                 When
                 shall
                 wee
                 finde
                 a
                 
                 Temple
                 to
                 secure
                 vs
                 ?
                 What
                 doe
                 wee
                 depending
                 vpon
                 a
                 cowardly
                 leader
                 ?
              
               
                 Well
                 did
                 Nehemiah
                 fore-cast
                 these
                 circumstances
                 ,
                 both
                 of
                 act
                 ,
                 and
                 euent
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 resoluing
                 to
                 distrust
                 a
                 Prophet
                 that
                 perswaded
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 violation
                 of
                 a
                 Law
                 ,
                 hee
                 reiects
                 the
                 motion
                 with
                 scorne
                 ;
                 
                   Should
                   such
                   a
                   man
                   as
                   I
                   flee
                   ?
                   Should
                   I
                   goe
                   into
                   the
                   Temple
                   to
                   saue
                   my
                   life
                   ?
                   I
                   will
                   not
                   goe
                   :
                
                 It
                 is
                 fit
                 for
                 great
                 persons
                 to
                 stand
                 vpon
                 the
                 honour
                 of
                 their
                 places
                 ;
                 Their
                 very
                 stations
                 should
                 put
                 those
                 spirits
                 into
                 them
                 ,
                 that
                 should
                 make
                 them
                 hate
                 to
                 stoope
                 vnto
                 base
                 conditions
                 .
              
               
                 Had
                 God
                 sent
                 this
                 message
                 ,
                 wee
                 know
                 hee
                 hath
                 power
                 to
                 dispence
                 with
                 his
                 owne
                 Lawes
                 ;
                 
                 but
                 well
                 might
                 the
                 contradiction
                 of
                 a
                 Law
                 argue
                 the
                 message
                 not
                 sent
                 of
                 God.
                 God
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 one
                 ,
                 so
                 doth
                 hee
                 perfitly
                 agree
                 with
                 himselfe
                 .
                 If
                 any
                 priuate
                 spirit
                 crosse
                 a
                 written
                 word
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 be
                 accursed
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 AHASVERVS
                 Feasting
                 ,
                 VASHTI
                 
                   cast
                   off
                
                 ,
                 ESTHER
                 chosen
                 .
              
               
                 WHat
                 bounds
                 can
                 
                 be
                 set
                 to
                 humane
                 ambition
                 ?
                 Ahasuerus
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 ,
                 Xerxes
                 ,
                 the
                 sonne
                 of
                 Darius
                 is
                 already
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 an
                 hundred
                 ,
                 and
                 seuen
                 and
                 twenty
                 Prouinces
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 fight
                 for
                 more
                 .
                 Hee
                 hath
                 newly
                 subdued
                 Egypt
                 ,
                 and
                 is
                 now
                 addressing
                 himself
                 for
                 the
                 conquest
                 of
                 Greece
                 .
                 Hee
                 cannot
                 hope
                 euer
                 
                 to
                 see
                 all
                 the
                 land
                 that
                 hee
                 possesseth
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 hee
                 cannot
                 be
                 quiet
                 ,
                 whiles
                 he
                 heares
                 of
                 more
                 .
                 Lesse
                 then
                 two
                 ells
                 of
                 earth
                 shall
                 ere
                 long
                 serue
                 him
                 ,
                 whom
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 a
                 whole
                 world
                 shall
                 scarce
                 satisfie
                 ;
                 In
                 vaine
                 shall
                 a
                 man
                 striue
                 to
                 haue
                 that
                 which
                 he
                 cannot
                 inioy
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 inioy
                 ought
                 by
                 mere
                 relation
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 windy
                 happinesse
                 that
                 is
                 sought
                 in
                 the
                 exaggeration
                 of
                 those
                 titles
                 ,
                 which
                 are
                 taken
                 vpon
                 others
                 credit
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 sense
                 of
                 the
                 owner
                 :
                 Nothing
                 can
                 fill
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 man
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 that
                 made
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 This
                 great
                 Monarch
                 ,
                 partly
                 in
                 triumph
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 victories
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 lately
                 wonne
                 in
                 Egypt
                 ,
                 and
                 partly
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 animation
                 of
                 his
                 Princes
                 ,
                 and
                 souldiers
                 ,
                 
                 to
                 his
                 future
                 exploits
                 ,
                 makes
                 a
                 feast
                 ,
                 like
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 royall
                 and
                 magnificent
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 is
                 greatnesse
                 if
                 it
                 bee
                 not
                 showed
                 ?
                 And
                 wherein
                 can
                 greatnesse
                 bee
                 better
                 showne
                 ,
                 then
                 in
                 the
                 atcheiuments
                 of
                 warre
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 intertainments
                 of
                 peace
                 ?
              
               
                 All
                 other
                 feasts
                 were
                 but
                 hunger
                 to
                 this
                 of
                 Ahasuerus
                 ,
                 whether
                 we
                 regard
                 the
                 number
                 of
                 guests
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 largenesse
                 of
                 preparation
                 ,
                 or
                 continuance
                 of
                 time
                 :
                 During
                 the
                 space
                 of
                 a
                 whole
                 halfe
                 yeare
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 tables
                 were
                 sumptuously
                 furnished
                 for
                 all
                 commers
                 from
                 India
                 ,
                 to
                 Ethyopia
                 ;
                 A
                 world
                 of
                 meat
                 was
                 euery
                 day
                 dressed
                 for
                 a
                 world
                 of
                 men
                 ;
                 Euery
                 meale
                 was
                 so
                 set
                 on
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 should
                 haue
                 beene
                 the
                 last
                 :
                 Yet
                 all
                 this
                 long
                 
                 feast
                 hath
                 an
                 end
                 ;
                 and
                 all
                 this
                 glory
                 is
                 shut
                 vp
                 in
                 forgetfulnesse
                 ;
                 What
                 is
                 Ahasuerus
                 the
                 better
                 ,
                 that
                 his
                 Peeres
                 then
                 said
                 ,
                 hee
                 was
                 incomparably
                 great
                 ?
                 What
                 are
                 his
                 Peeres
                 the
                 better
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 feasted
                 ?
                 Happy
                 is
                 he
                 that
                 eates
                 bread
                 ,
                 and
                 drinkes
                 new
                 wine
                 in
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 of
                 God
                 ;
                 this
                 banquet
                 is
                 for
                 eternity
                 ,
                 without
                 intermission
                 ,
                 without
                 satiety
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 variety
                 of
                 habits
                 ,
                 of
                 languages
                 ,
                 of
                 manners
                 ,
                 met
                 at
                 the
                 boards
                 of
                 Ahasuerus
                 ?
                 What
                 confluence
                 of
                 strange
                 guests
                 was
                 there
                 now
                 to
                 Shushan
                 ?
                 And
                 ,
                 lest
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 this
                 great
                 King
                 might
                 seeme
                 ,
                 like
                 some
                 coorse
                 picture
                 ,
                 only
                 faire
                 a
                 farre
                 off
                 ;
                 after
                 the
                 Princes
                 and
                 Nobles
                 of
                 the
                 remote
                 Prouinces
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 people
                 
                 of
                 Shushan
                 are
                 intertained
                 ,
                 for
                 seuen
                 daies
                 with
                 equall
                 pompe
                 and
                 state
                 ;
                 The
                 spacious
                 Court
                 of
                 the
                 Palace
                 is
                 turned
                 into
                 a
                 Royall
                 Hall
                 ,
                 the
                 walls
                 are
                 rich
                 hangings
                 ,
                 the
                 pillars
                 of
                 marble
                 ,
                 the
                 beds
                 of
                 siluer
                 and
                 gold
                 ,
                 the
                 pauement
                 of
                 porphirie
                 curiously
                 checkered
                 ;
                 The
                 wine
                 and
                 the
                 vessels
                 stroue
                 whether
                 should
                 bee
                 the
                 richer
                 ;
                 no
                 man
                 drunke
                 in
                 worse
                 then
                 gold
                 ;
                 and
                 whiles
                 the
                 mettall
                 was
                 the
                 same
                 ,
                 the
                 forme
                 of
                 each
                 cup
                 was
                 diuers
                 ;
                 the
                 attendants
                 was
                 answerable
                 to
                 the
                 cheare
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 freedome
                 matched
                 both
                 :
                 Here
                 was
                 no
                 compulsion
                 ,
                 either
                 to
                 the
                 measure
                 ,
                 or
                 quality
                 of
                 the
                 draught
                 ;
                 euery
                 mans
                 rule
                 was
                 his
                 owne
                 choice
                 .
                 Who
                 can
                 but
                 blush
                 to
                 see
                 forced
                 healths
                 in
                 Christian
                 
                 banquets
                 ,
                 when
                 the
                 ciuility
                 of
                 very
                 pagans
                 commands
                 liberty
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 cannot
                 but
                 enuy
                 the
                 modesty
                 of
                 heathen
                 Dames
                 ;
                 Vashti
                 the
                 Queene
                 ,
                 and
                 her
                 Ladies
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 the
                 seuerall
                 rankes
                 of
                 that
                 sexe
                 ,
                 feast
                 apart
                 ;
                 intertaining
                 each
                 other
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 bashfull
                 curtesie
                 ,
                 without
                 wantonnesse
                 ,
                 without
                 that
                 wild
                 scurrility
                 ,
                 which
                 vseth
                 to
                 haunt
                 promiscuous
                 meetings
                 :
                 Oh
                 shamefull
                 vnchastity
                 of
                 those
                 loose
                 Christians
                 ,
                 who
                 must
                 feed
                 their
                 lust
                 ,
                 whiles
                 they
                 fill
                 their
                 bellies
                 ;
                 and
                 thinke
                 the
                 feast
                 vnperfit
                 ,
                 where
                 they
                 may
                 not
                 sate
                 their
                 eye
                 no
                 lesse
                 then
                 their
                 palate
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 last
                 day
                 of
                 this
                 pompous
                 feast
                 is
                 now
                 come
                 :
                 King
                 Ahasuerus
                 is
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 cheerfull
                 ,
                 
                 by
                 how
                 much
                 his
                 guests
                 are
                 neerer
                 to
                 their
                 dismission
                 .
                 Euery
                 one
                 is
                 wont
                 to
                 close
                 vp
                 his
                 curtesie
                 with
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 passion
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 last
                 acts
                 vse
                 to
                 make
                 the
                 deeper
                 impression
                 ;
                 And
                 now
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 at
                 once
                 amaze
                 ,
                 and
                 indeare
                 the
                 beholders
                 ,
                 Vashti
                 the
                 Queene
                 in
                 all
                 her
                 royalty
                 ,
                 is
                 called
                 for
                 ;
                 Her
                 sight
                 shall
                 shut
                 vp
                 the
                 feast
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Princes
                 and
                 people
                 may
                 say
                 ,
                 How
                 happy
                 is
                 King
                 Ahasuerus
                 ,
                 not
                 so
                 much
                 in
                 this
                 greatnesse
                 ,
                 as
                 in
                 that
                 beauty
                 .
              
               
                 Seuen
                 officers
                 of
                 the
                 chamber
                 are
                 sent
                 to
                 cary
                 the
                 message
                 ,
                 to
                 attend
                 her
                 entrance
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 returned
                 with
                 a
                 deniall
                 :
                 Perhaps
                 Vashti
                 thought
                 ;
                 What
                 meanes
                 this
                 vncouth
                 motion
                 ?
                 More
                 then
                 sixe
                 moneths
                 hath
                 this
                 feast
                 continued
                 ;
                 
                 and
                 ,
                 all
                 this
                 while
                 wee
                 haue
                 inioyed
                 the
                 wonted
                 liberty
                 of
                 our
                 sexe
                 ;
                 Were
                 the
                 King
                 still
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 this
                 command
                 could
                 not
                 bee
                 sent
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 wine
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 hee
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 guiltie
                 of
                 this
                 errand
                 ;
                 Is
                 it
                 for
                 mee
                 to
                 humour
                 him
                 in
                 so
                 vaine
                 a
                 desire
                 ?
                 Will
                 it
                 agree
                 with
                 our
                 modest
                 reseruednesse
                 ,
                 to
                 offer
                 our selues
                 to
                 bee
                 gazed
                 at
                 by
                 millions
                 of
                 eyes
                 ?
                 Who
                 knowes
                 what
                 wanton
                 attempts
                 may
                 follow
                 vpon
                 this
                 vngouerned
                 excesse
                 ?
                 This
                 very
                 message
                 argues
                 that
                 wit
                 ,
                 and
                 reason
                 haue
                 yeelded
                 their
                 places
                 to
                 that
                 besotting
                 liquor
                 .
                 Nothing
                 but
                 absence
                 can
                 secure
                 vs
                 from
                 some
                 vnbeseeming
                 profer
                 ;
                 neither
                 doubt
                 I
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 King
                 when
                 he
                 returnes
                 to
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 will
                 giue
                 me
                 thankes
                 
                 for
                 so
                 wise
                 a
                 forbearance
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 ,
                 vpon
                 the
                 conceit
                 (
                 as
                 is
                 likely
                 )
                 that
                 her
                 presence
                 would
                 bee
                 either
                 needlesse
                 ,
                 or
                 vnsafe
                 .
                 Vashti
                 refuseth
                 to
                 come
                 .
                 Although
                 perhaps
                 her
                 great
                 spirits
                 thought
                 much
                 to
                 receiue
                 a
                 command
                 frō
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 officers
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 blood
                 that
                 is
                 once
                 inflamed
                 with
                 wine
                 ,
                 is
                 apt
                 to
                 boyle
                 with
                 rage
                 :
                 Ahasuerus
                 is
                 very
                 wroth
                 with
                 this
                 indigne
                 repulse
                 :
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 ostentation
                 of
                 his
                 glory
                 ,
                 and
                 might
                 ,
                 that
                 hee
                 affected
                 ,
                 before
                 those
                 Princes
                 ,
                 Peeres
                 ,
                 people
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 that
                 seemes
                 eclipsed
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 shutting
                 vp
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 magnificence
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 disgraceful
                 affront
                 of
                 a
                 woman
                 .
                 It
                 vexes
                 him
                 to
                 thinke
                 ,
                 that
                 those
                 Nobles
                 ,
                 whom
                 hee
                 meant
                 to
                 send
                 away
                 astonished
                 
                 with
                 the
                 admiration
                 of
                 his
                 power
                 ,
                 and
                 maiesty
                 ,
                 should
                 now
                 say
                 :
                 What
                 boots
                 it
                 Ahasuerus
                 to
                 rule
                 afarre
                 off
                 ,
                 when
                 hee
                 cannot
                 command
                 at
                 home
                 ?
                 In
                 vaine
                 doth
                 he
                 boast
                 to
                 gouerne
                 Kings
                 ,
                 whiles
                 hee
                 is
                 checked
                 by
                 a
                 woman
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 euer
                 were
                 the
                 intentions
                 of
                 Vashti
                 ,
                 surely
                 her
                 disobedience
                 was
                 inexcusable
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 a
                 good
                 wife
                 to
                 iudge
                 of
                 her
                 husbands
                 will
                 ,
                 but
                 to
                 execute
                 it
                 :
                 neither
                 wit
                 ,
                 nor
                 stomacke
                 may
                 carie
                 her
                 into
                 a
                 curious
                 inquisition
                 into
                 the
                 reasons
                 of
                 an
                 inioyned
                 charge
                 ,
                 much
                 lesse
                 to
                 a
                 resistance
                 :
                 but
                 in
                 an
                 hood-winkt
                 simplicity
                 she
                 must
                 follow
                 ,
                 whither
                 shee
                 is
                 led
                 ;
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 holds
                 her
                 chiefe
                 praise
                 to
                 consist
                 in
                 subiection
                 .
              
               
               
                 Where
                 should
                 the
                 perfection
                 of
                 wisedome
                 dwell
                 ,
                 if
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 Courts
                 of
                 great
                 Princes
                 ?
                 or
                 what
                 can
                 the
                 treasures
                 of
                 Monarchs
                 purchase
                 more
                 invaluably
                 precious
                 ,
                 then
                 learned
                 and
                 iudicious
                 attendance
                 ?
                 Or
                 who
                 can
                 be
                 so
                 fit
                 for
                 honour
                 as
                 the
                 wisest
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 doubt
                 how
                 Ahasuerus
                 could
                 haue
                 beene
                 so
                 great
                 ,
                 if
                 his
                 throne
                 had
                 not
                 beene
                 still
                 compassed
                 with
                 them
                 that
                 knew
                 the
                 times
                 ,
                 and
                 vnderstood
                 the
                 law
                 ,
                 and
                 iudgement
                 .
                 These
                 were
                 his
                 Oracles
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 doubts
                 :
                 These
                 are
                 now
                 consulted
                 in
                 this
                 difficulty
                 ;
                 neither
                 must
                 their
                 aduice
                 bee
                 secretly
                 whispered
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Kings
                 eare
                 ,
                 but
                 publikely
                 deliuered
                 in
                 the
                 audience
                 of
                 all
                 the
                 Princes
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 perillous
                 way
                 that
                 these
                 sages
                 
                 are
                 called
                 to
                 goe
                 ,
                 betwixt
                 an
                 husband
                 and
                 wife
                 ;
                 especially
                 of
                 such
                 power
                 ,
                 and
                 eminency
                 ;
                 yet
                 Memucan
                 feares
                 not
                 to
                 passe
                 an
                 heauie
                 sentence
                 against
                 Queen
                 
                   Vashti
                   .
                   Vashti
                   ,
                   the
                   Queene
                   hath
                   not
                   done
                   wrong
                   to
                   the
                   King
                   onely
                   ,
                   but
                   also
                   to
                   all
                   the
                   Princes
                   ,
                   and
                   all
                   the
                   people
                   ,
                   that
                   are
                   in
                   all
                   the
                   Prouinces
                   of
                   the
                   King
                   Ahasuerus
                   .
                
                 A
                 deepe
                 and
                 sore
                 commination
                 ;
                 iniuries
                 are
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 intolerable
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 dilated
                 vnto
                 more
                 ;
                 those
                 offences
                 which
                 are
                 of
                 narrow
                 extent
                 ,
                 may
                 receiue
                 an
                 easie
                 satisfaction
                 ;
                 the
                 amends
                 are
                 not
                 possible
                 ,
                 where
                 the
                 wrong
                 is
                 vniuersall
                 :
                 
                   For
                   this
                   deed
                   of
                   the
                   Queene
                   shall
                   come
                   abroad
                   to
                   all
                   women
                   ,
                   so
                   that
                   they
                   shall
                   despise
                   their
                   husbands
                   in
                   their
                   eyes
                   :
                
                 Indeed
                 so
                 publique
                 a
                 fact
                 must
                 needs
                 fly
                 ;
                 
                 That
                 concourse
                 gaue
                 fit
                 opportunity
                 to
                 diffuse
                 it
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 ouer
                 ;
                 The
                 examples
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 are
                 easily
                 drawne
                 into
                 rules
                 .
                 Bad
                 lessons
                 are
                 apt
                 to
                 be
                 taken
                 out
                 ;
                 as
                 honour
                 ,
                 so
                 contempt
                 fals
                 downe
                 from
                 the
                 head
                 to
                 the
                 skirts
                 ;
                 neuer
                 ascends
                 from
                 the
                 skirts
                 to
                 the
                 head
                 .
              
               
                 These
                 wise
                 men
                 are
                 so
                 much
                 the
                 more
                 sensible
                 of
                 this
                 danger
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 saw
                 it
                 more
                 likely
                 ,
                 the
                 case
                 might
                 proue
                 their
                 owne
                 .
                 
                   Likewise
                   shall
                   the
                   Ladies
                   of
                   Persia
                   and
                   Media
                   say
                   this
                   day
                   vnto
                   all
                   the
                   Kings
                   Princes
                   .
                
                 The
                 first
                 precedents
                 of
                 euill
                 must
                 bee
                 carefully
                 auoided
                 ,
                 if
                 wee
                 care
                 to
                 keepe
                 a
                 constant
                 order
                 in
                 good
                 .
                 Prudence
                 cannot
                 better
                 bestirre
                 it selfe
                 ,
                 then
                 in
                 keeping
                 mischiefe
                 from
                 home
                 .
              
               
               
                 The
                 foundation
                 of
                 this
                 doom
                 of
                 Memucan
                 is
                 not
                 laid
                 so
                 deep
                 for
                 nothing
                 ;
                 
                   If
                   it
                   please
                   the
                   King
                   let
                   there
                   goe
                   a
                   royall
                   commandement
                   from
                   him
                   ,
                   and
                   let
                   it
                   bee
                   written
                   among
                   the
                   lawes
                   of
                   the
                   Persians
                   ,
                   and
                   Medians
                   ,
                   that
                   it
                   bee
                   not
                   altered
                   ,
                   that
                   Vashti
                   come
                   no
                   more
                   before
                   Ahasuerus
                   ;
                   and
                   let
                   the
                   King
                   giue
                   her
                   royall
                   estate
                   to
                   another
                   that
                   is
                   better
                   then
                   she
                   .
                
                 How
                 bold
                 a
                 word
                 was
                 this
                 ,
                 and
                 how
                 hazardous
                 ?
                 Had
                 Ahasuerus
                 more
                 loued
                 the
                 beauty
                 of
                 Vashti
                 ,
                 then
                 his
                 honor
                 ,
                 Memucan
                 had
                 spoken
                 this
                 against
                 his
                 owne
                 life
                 :
                 Howsoeuer
                 ,
                 a
                 Queene
                 of
                 so
                 great
                 spirit
                 ,
                 could
                 not
                 want
                 strength
                 of
                 fauour
                 ,
                 and
                 faction
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Persian
                 Court
                 ;
                 which
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 take
                 fire
                 at
                 so
                 desperate
                 a
                 motiō
                 .
                 Faithfull
                 statesmen
                 ,
                 ouerlooking
                 priuate
                 
                 respects
                 ,
                 must
                 bend
                 their
                 eies
                 vpon
                 publique
                 dangers
                 ,
                 labouring
                 to
                 preuent
                 a
                 common
                 mischiefe
                 ,
                 though
                 with
                 the
                 aduenture
                 of
                 their
                 owne
                 .
                 Nature
                 had
                 taught
                 these
                 Pagans
                 the
                 necessitie
                 of
                 a
                 female
                 subiection
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 hate
                 and
                 scorne
                 of
                 a
                 proud
                 disobedience
                 .
                 They
                 haue
                 vnlearned
                 the
                 very
                 dictates
                 of
                 Nature
                 ,
                 that
                 can
                 abide
                 the
                 head
                 to
                 bee
                 set
                 below
                 the
                 ribbe
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 cannot
                 say
                 but
                 Vashti
                 was
                 worthy
                 of
                 a
                 sharpe
                 censure
                 ;
                 I
                 cannot
                 say
                 she
                 was
                 worthy
                 a
                 repudiation
                 .
                 This
                 plaister
                 drew
                 too
                 hard
                 ;
                 It
                 was
                 but
                 heathen
                 iustice
                 to
                 punish
                 the
                 wiues
                 disobedience
                 in
                 one
                 indifferent
                 act
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 diuorce
                 :
                 Nothing
                 but
                 the
                 violation
                 of
                 the
                 mariage-bed
                 ,
                 can
                 either
                 
                 breake
                 ,
                 or
                 vntye
                 the
                 knot
                 of
                 mariage
                 .
                 Had
                 she
                 not
                 been
                 a
                 Queen
                 ,
                 had
                 not
                 that
                 contemptuous
                 act
                 beene
                 publique
                 ,
                 the
                 sentence
                 had
                 not
                 beene
                 so
                 hard
                 ;
                 now
                 the
                 punishment
                 must
                 be
                 exemplary
                 ,
                 lest
                 the
                 sin
                 should
                 be
                 so
                 .
                 Many
                 a
                 one
                 had
                 smarted
                 lesse
                 ,
                 if
                 their
                 persons
                 ,
                 if
                 their
                 places
                 had
                 beene
                 meaner
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 King
                 ,
                 the
                 Princes
                 approue
                 this
                 heauy
                 iudgment
                 of
                 Memucan
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 in
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 faire
                 face
                 of
                 Vashti
                 ,
                 to
                 warrant
                 her
                 stomacke
                 :
                 No
                 doubt
                 many
                 messages
                 passed
                 ere
                 the
                 rigour
                 of
                 this
                 execution
                 :
                 That
                 great
                 hart
                 knows
                 not
                 to
                 relēt
                 ,
                 but
                 will
                 rather
                 break
                 ,
                 then
                 yeeld
                 to
                 an
                 humble
                 deprecation
                 .
                 When
                 the
                 stone
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 steele
                 meet
                 ,
                 fire
                 is
                 stricken
                 ;
                 it
                 is
                 a
                 soft
                 answer
                 that
                 appeaseth
                 wrath
                 .
                 
                 Vashti
                 is
                 cast
                 off
                 ,
                 Letters
                 are
                 sent
                 from
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 into
                 all
                 his
                 Prouinces
                 ,
                 to
                 command
                 that
                 euery
                 man
                 should
                 rule
                 at
                 home
                 ;
                 The
                 Court
                 affords
                 thē
                 an
                 awfull
                 patterne
                 of
                 authority
                 :
                 Had
                 not
                 Ahasuerus
                 doted
                 much
                 vpon
                 Vashties
                 beauty
                 ,
                 hee
                 had
                 not
                 called
                 her
                 forth
                 at
                 the
                 feast
                 ,
                 to
                 be
                 wōdredat
                 ,
                 by
                 his
                 Peeres
                 &
                 people
                 ;
                 yet
                 now
                 hee
                 so
                 feeles
                 the
                 wound
                 of
                 his
                 reputation
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 forgets
                 he
                 euer
                 felt
                 any
                 wound
                 of
                 his
                 affection
                 .
                 Euen
                 the
                 greatest
                 loue
                 may
                 be
                 ouer-strained
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 safe
                 presuming
                 vpon
                 the
                 deepest
                 assurances
                 of
                 dearnesse
                 :
                 There
                 is
                 no
                 heart
                 that
                 may
                 not
                 be
                 estranged
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 possible
                 that
                 great
                 Princes
                 should
                 want
                 soothing
                 vp
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 inclinations
                 ,
                 in
                 all
                 their
                 actions
                 :
                 
                 Whiles
                 Ahasuerus
                 is
                 following
                 the
                 chace
                 of
                 his
                 ambition
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 wars
                 of
                 Greece
                 ,
                 his
                 followers
                 are
                 prouiding
                 for
                 his
                 lust
                 at
                 home
                 ;
                 Nothing
                 could
                 sound
                 more
                 pleasing
                 to
                 a
                 carnall
                 eare
                 ,
                 then
                 that
                 all
                 the
                 faire
                 yong
                 virgins
                 ,
                 throughout
                 all
                 his
                 dominions
                 ,
                 should
                 be
                 gathered
                 into
                 his
                 palace
                 at
                 Shushan
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 assay
                 ,
                 and
                 choice
                 :
                 The
                 decree
                 is
                 soone
                 published
                 ;
                 The
                 charge
                 is
                 committed
                 to
                 Hege
                 ,
                 the
                 Kings
                 Chamberlain
                 ,
                 both
                 of
                 their
                 purification
                 ,
                 and
                 ornaments
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 strife
                 ,
                 what
                 emulation
                 was
                 now
                 ,
                 amongst
                 all
                 the
                 Persian
                 damosells
                 ,
                 that
                 either
                 were
                 ,
                 or
                 thought
                 themselues
                 faire
                 ?
                 Euery
                 one
                 hopes
                 to
                 bee
                 a
                 Queene
                 ;
                 and
                 sees
                 no
                 reason
                 why
                 any
                 other
                 
                 should
                 be
                 thought
                 more
                 excellent
                 ;
                 How
                 happy
                 were
                 wee
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 could
                 be
                 so
                 ambitious
                 of
                 our
                 espousalls
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 heauen
                 ?
              
               
                 Amongst
                 all
                 this
                 throng
                 of
                 Virgins
                 ,
                 God
                 hath
                 prouided
                 a
                 wife
                 for
                 Ahasuerus
                 ;
                 hauing
                 determined
                 his
                 choice
                 ,
                 where
                 most
                 aduantage
                 shall
                 rise
                 to
                 his
                 forlorne
                 people
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Iewes
                 were
                 miserably
                 scattered
                 ouer
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 in
                 that
                 wofull
                 deportation
                 vnder
                 Iechoniah
                 ;
                 scarce
                 an
                 handfull
                 of
                 them
                 returned
                 to
                 Ierusalem
                 ;
                 the
                 rest
                 remaine
                 still
                 dispersed
                 where
                 they
                 may
                 but
                 haue
                 leaue
                 to
                 liue
                 .
                 There
                 are
                 many
                 thousands
                 of
                 them
                 turned
                 ouer
                 with
                 the
                 Babylonian
                 Monarchy
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 Persian
                 ;
                 amōgst
                 the
                 rest
                 ,
                 was
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 the
                 sonne
                 
                 of
                 Iair
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 tribe
                 of
                 Beniamin
                 ;
                 a
                 man
                 of
                 no
                 meane
                 note
                 ,
                 or
                 ability
                 ;
                 who
                 ,
                 liuing
                 in
                 Shushan
                 ,
                 had
                 brought
                 vp
                 Hadassah
                 ,
                 or
                 Esther
                 ,
                 his
                 vncles
                 daughter
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 liberall
                 fashion
                 ;
                 It
                 was
                 happy
                 for
                 this
                 orphane
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 a
                 region
                 of
                 captiuity
                 ,
                 shee
                 light
                 into
                 such
                 good
                 hands
                 ;
                 Her
                 wise
                 kinsman
                 finds
                 it
                 fit
                 ,
                 that
                 her
                 breeding
                 ,
                 and
                 habit
                 shold
                 be
                 Persian-like
                 ;
                 In
                 outward
                 and
                 ciuill
                 formes
                 ,
                 there
                 was
                 no
                 need
                 to
                 vary
                 from
                 the
                 heathen
                 ;
                 her
                 religion
                 must
                 bee
                 her
                 owne
                 ;
                 the
                 rest
                 was
                 so
                 altogether
                 theirs
                 ,
                 that
                 her
                 very
                 nation
                 was
                 not
                 discerned
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 same
                 God
                 that
                 had
                 giuen
                 incomparable
                 beauty
                 to
                 this
                 Iewesse
                 ,
                 gaue
                 her
                 also
                 fauor
                 in
                 the
                 eies
                 of
                 Hegai
                 ,
                 the
                 keeper
                 of
                 the
                 
                 women
                 ;
                 Shee
                 is
                 not
                 only
                 taken
                 into
                 the
                 Persian
                 Court
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 selected
                 virgins
                 ,
                 but
                 obserued
                 with
                 more
                 then
                 ordinary
                 respect
                 ;
                 all
                 necessaries
                 for
                 her
                 speedie
                 purification
                 are
                 brought
                 to
                 her
                 ;
                 Seuen
                 maides
                 are
                 allowed
                 for
                 her
                 attendance
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 best
                 &
                 most
                 honorable
                 place
                 in
                 that
                 Seraglio
                 is
                 allotted
                 to
                 her
                 ;
                 As
                 if
                 this
                 great
                 officer
                 had
                 designed
                 her
                 for
                 a
                 Queene
                 ,
                 before
                 the
                 choice
                 of
                 his
                 master
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 strange
                 preparation
                 was
                 here
                 for
                 the
                 impure
                 bed
                 of
                 an
                 heathen
                 ?
                 Euery
                 Virgin
                 must
                 be
                 sixe
                 moneths
                 purified
                 with
                 oyle
                 of
                 myrrhe
                 ,
                 and
                 six
                 other
                 months
                 perfumed
                 with
                 sweet
                 odors
                 ,
                 besides
                 those
                 speciall
                 receits
                 ,
                 that
                 were
                 allowed
                 to
                 each
                 ,
                 vpon
                 their
                 
                 owne
                 election
                 :
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 what
                 care
                 ,
                 what
                 cost
                 is
                 requisite
                 to
                 that
                 soule
                 which
                 should
                 be
                 addressed
                 a
                 fit
                 Bride
                 for
                 thine
                 holy
                 and
                 glorious
                 Maiesty
                 ?
              
               
                 When
                 wee
                 haue
                 scoured
                 our selues
                 with
                 the
                 most
                 cleansing
                 oyle
                 of
                 our
                 repentance
                 ,
                 and
                 haue
                 perfumed
                 our selues
                 with
                 thy
                 best
                 graces
                 ,
                 and
                 our
                 perfectest
                 obedience
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 onely
                 praise
                 of
                 thy
                 mercy
                 ,
                 that
                 we
                 may
                 bee
                 accepted
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 other
                 Virgins
                 passed
                 their
                 probation
                 ,
                 vnregarded
                 ;
                 when
                 Esthers
                 turne
                 came
                 ,
                 though
                 shee
                 required
                 nothing
                 ;
                 but
                 tooke
                 what
                 was
                 giuen
                 her
                 ;
                 though
                 she
                 affected
                 nothing
                 ,
                 but
                 brought
                 that
                 face
                 ,
                 that
                 demeanure
                 ,
                 which
                 nature
                 had
                 cast
                 vpon
                 her
                 ,
                 no
                 eye
                 
                 sees
                 her
                 without
                 admiration
                 ;
                 the
                 King
                 takes
                 such
                 pleasure
                 in
                 her
                 beauty
                 ,
                 that
                 ,
                 contemning
                 all
                 the
                 other
                 vulgar
                 formes
                 ,
                 his
                 choyce
                 is
                 fully
                 fixed
                 vpon
                 her
                 ;
                 All
                 things
                 must
                 prosper
                 ,
                 where
                 God
                 hath
                 intended
                 the
                 suceesse
                 :
                 the
                 most
                 wise
                 prouidence
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 fetches
                 his
                 proiects
                 from
                 farre
                 ;
                 The
                 preseruation
                 and
                 aduantage
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 people
                 is
                 in
                 hand
                 ;
                 for
                 the
                 contriuing
                 of
                 this
                 ,
                 Vashti
                 shal
                 be
                 abandoned
                 ;
                 the
                 virgins
                 shall
                 be
                 chosen
                 ;
                 Esther
                 only
                 shall
                 please
                 
                   Ahasuerus
                   ;
                   Mordecai
                
                 shall
                 displease
                 
                   Haman
                   ;
                   Hamans
                
                 ruine
                 shall
                 raise
                 Mordecai
                 :
                 The
                 purposes
                 of
                 God
                 cannot
                 be
                 iudged
                 by
                 his
                 remote
                 actions
                 ;
                 only
                 the
                 accōplishment
                 showes
                 his
                 designes
                 ;
                 In
                 the
                 meane
                 time
                 ,
                 it
                 pleaseth
                 him
                 to
                 
                 looke
                 another
                 way
                 ,
                 then
                 hee
                 moues
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 worke
                 his
                 owne
                 ends
                 ,
                 by
                 arbitrary
                 ,
                 and
                 vnlikely
                 accidents
                 .
              
               
                 None
                 but
                 Esther
                 shall
                 succeed
                 Vashti
                 ;
                 she
                 onely
                 caries
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 Ahasuerus
                 from
                 all
                 her
                 sexe
                 ;
                 The
                 royall
                 Crowne
                 is
                 set
                 vpon
                 her
                 head
                 ;
                 And
                 ,
                 as
                 Vashti
                 was
                 cast
                 off
                 at
                 a
                 feast
                 ,
                 so
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 solemne
                 feast
                 shall
                 Esther
                 bee
                 espoused
                 ;
                 Here
                 wanted
                 no
                 triumph
                 ,
                 to
                 expresse
                 the
                 ioy
                 of
                 this
                 great
                 Bridegroom
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 the
                 world
                 might
                 witnesse
                 he
                 could
                 be
                 no
                 lesse
                 louing
                 ,
                 then
                 seuere
                 ,
                 all
                 his
                 Prouinces
                 shal
                 feele
                 the
                 pleasure
                 of
                 this
                 happy
                 match
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 immunities
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 rich
                 gifts
                 .
              
               
                 With
                 what
                 enuious
                 eyes
                 doe
                 we
                 thinke
                 Vashti
                 lookt
                 vpon
                 her
                 
                 glorious
                 riuall
                 ?
                 How
                 doth
                 shee
                 now
                 (
                 though
                 too
                 late
                 )
                 secretly
                 chide
                 her
                 peeuish
                 will
                 ,
                 that
                 had
                 thus
                 stript
                 her
                 of
                 her
                 royal
                 crown
                 ,
                 and
                 made
                 way
                 for
                 a
                 more
                 happy
                 successor
                 ?
                 Little
                 did
                 shee
                 thinke
                 her
                 refusall
                 could
                 haue
                 had
                 so
                 hainous
                 a
                 construction
                 :
                 Little
                 did
                 she
                 feare
                 ,
                 that
                 one
                 word
                 (
                 perhaps
                 not
                 ill
                 meant
                 )
                 should
                 haue
                 forfaited
                 her
                 husband
                 ,
                 her
                 crowne
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 that
                 she
                 was
                 .
                 Who
                 so
                 is
                 not
                 wise
                 enough
                 to
                 forecast
                 the
                 danger
                 of
                 an
                 offence
                 ,
                 or
                 indiscretion
                 ,
                 may
                 haue
                 leasure
                 enough
                 of
                 an
                 vnseasonable
                 repentance
                 .
              
               
                 That
                 minde
                 is
                 truly
                 great
                 and
                 noble
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 not
                 changed
                 with
                 the
                 hyest
                 prosperity
                 ;
                 Queen
                 Esther
                 cannot
                 forget
                 her
                 cozen
                 Mordecai
                 ;
                 No
                 pompe
                 can
                 make
                 her
                 sleight
                 
                 the
                 charge
                 of
                 so
                 deare
                 a
                 kinsman
                 :
                 In
                 all
                 her
                 royalty
                 ,
                 she
                 casts
                 her
                 eie
                 vpon
                 him
                 ,
                 amongst
                 the
                 throng
                 of
                 beholders
                 ,
                 but
                 shee
                 must
                 not
                 know
                 him
                 ;
                 her
                 obedience
                 keeps
                 her
                 in
                 awe
                 ,
                 and
                 will
                 not
                 suffer
                 her
                 to
                 draw
                 him
                 vp
                 with
                 her
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 participation
                 of
                 her
                 honor
                 ;
                 It
                 troubles
                 her
                 ,
                 not
                 a
                 little
                 ,
                 to
                 forbeare
                 this
                 duty
                 ;
                 but
                 shee
                 must
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 enough
                 for
                 her
                 ,
                 that
                 Mordecai
                 hath
                 commanded
                 her
                 not
                 to
                 be
                 acknowne
                 ,
                 who
                 ,
                 or
                 whose
                 she
                 was
                 .
              
               
                 Perhaps
                 the
                 wise
                 Iew
                 feared
                 ,
                 that
                 whiles
                 her
                 honour
                 was
                 yet
                 greene
                 ,
                 and
                 vnsetled
                 ,
                 the
                 notice
                 of
                 her
                 nation
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 a
                 despised
                 captiue
                 might
                 bee
                 some
                 blemish
                 to
                 her
                 in
                 that
                 proud
                 Court
                 ;
                 when
                 as
                 afterwards
                 ,
                 vpon
                 
                 the
                 merit
                 of
                 her
                 cariage
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 full
                 possession
                 of
                 all
                 harts
                 ,
                 her
                 name
                 might
                 dignifie
                 her
                 nation
                 ,
                 and
                 countermand
                 all
                 reproches
              
               
                 Mordecai
                 was
                 an
                 officer
                 in
                 the
                 Court
                 of
                 Ahasuerus
                 ;
                 his
                 seruice
                 called
                 him
                 daily
                 to
                 attend
                 in
                 the
                 Kings
                 gate
                 ;
                 Much
                 better
                 might
                 he
                 ,
                 being
                 a
                 Iew
                 ,
                 serue
                 a
                 Pagan
                 Master
                 ,
                 then
                 his
                 foster-daughter
                 might
                 ascend
                 to
                 a
                 Pagans
                 bed
                 .
              
               
                 If
                 the
                 necessity
                 or
                 conuenience
                 of
                 his
                 occasions
                 called
                 him
                 to
                 serue
                 ;
                 his
                 pietie
                 and
                 religion
                 called
                 him
                 to
                 faithfulnesse
                 in
                 his
                 seruice
                 :
                 Two
                 of
                 the
                 Kings
                 Chamberlaines
                 ,
                 Bigthana
                 ,
                 and
                 Teresh
                 ,
                 conspire
                 against
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 their
                 Soueraine
                 .
                 No
                 greatnesse
                 can
                 secure
                 from
                 trecherie
                 ,
                 or
                 violence
                 :
                 Hee
                 that
                 ruled
                 ouer
                 millions
                 of
                 
                 men
                 ,
                 through
                 an
                 hundred
                 ,
                 and
                 seuen
                 and
                 twenty
                 Prouinces
                 ,
                 cannot
                 assure
                 himselfe
                 from
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 a
                 villaine
                 ;
                 He
                 that
                 had
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 other
                 mens
                 liues
                 ,
                 is
                 in
                 danger
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 .
                 Happy
                 is
                 that
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 is
                 once
                 possessed
                 of
                 a
                 crown
                 incorruptible
                 ,
                 vnfadable
                 ,
                 reserued
                 for
                 him
                 in
                 heauen
                 :
                 no
                 force
                 ,
                 no
                 treason
                 can
                 reach
                 thither
                 ,
                 there
                 can
                 be
                 no
                 perill
                 of
                 either
                 violence
                 ,
                 or
                 forfaiture
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 likeliest
                 defence
                 of
                 the
                 person
                 of
                 any
                 Prince
                 ,
                 is
                 the
                 fidelity
                 of
                 his
                 attendants
                 :
                 Mordecai
                 ouer-hears
                 the
                 whispering
                 of
                 these
                 wicked
                 conspirators
                 ;
                 and
                 reueales
                 it
                 to
                 Esther
                 ;
                 she
                 (
                 as
                 glad
                 of
                 such
                 an
                 opportunity
                 to
                 commend
                 vnto
                 Ahasuerus
                 the
                 loyalty
                 of
                 him
                 whom
                 she
                 durst
                 but
                 secretly
                 honour
                 )
                 
                 reueales
                 it
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 ;
                 The
                 circumstances
                 are
                 examined
                 ,
                 the
                 plot
                 is
                 discouered
                 ,
                 the
                 traytors
                 executed
                 ,
                 the
                 seruice
                 recorded
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 Persian
                 Annalls
                 .
                 A
                 good
                 foundation
                 is
                 thus
                 laid
                 for
                 Mordecaies
                 aduancement
                 ,
                 which
                 yet
                 is
                 not
                 ouer-hastened
                 ,
                 on
                 either
                 part
                 ;
                 Worthy
                 dispositions
                 labour
                 onely
                 to
                 deserue
                 well
                 ,
                 leauing
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 their
                 remuneration
                 ,
                 to
                 them
                 ,
                 whom
                 it
                 concernes
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 fit
                 that
                 Gods
                 leasure
                 should
                 be
                 attended
                 in
                 all
                 his
                 designements
                 ;
                 The
                 houre
                 is
                 set
                 ,
                 when
                 Mordecai
                 shall
                 bee
                 raised
                 :
                 If
                 in
                 the
                 meane
                 time
                 there
                 be
                 an
                 interuention
                 ,
                 not
                 only
                 of
                 neglect
                 ,
                 but
                 of
                 feares
                 ,
                 and
                 dangers
                 ,
                 all
                 these
                 shall
                 make
                 his
                 honour
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 sweet
                 ,
                 more
                 precious
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 HAMAN
                 
                   disrespected
                   by
                
                 MORDECAI
                 .
                 MORDECAIS
                 
                   message
                   to
                
                 ESTHER
                 .
              
               
                 BEsides
                 the
                 charge
                 of
                 his
                 
                 office
                 ,
                 the
                 care
                 of
                 Esthers
                 prosperity
                 calls
                 Mordecai
                 to
                 the
                 Kings
                 gate
                 ;
                 and
                 fixes
                 him
                 there
                 :
                 With
                 what
                 inward
                 contentment
                 did
                 he
                 thinke
                 of
                 his
                 so
                 royall
                 pupill
                 ?
                 Here
                 I
                 sit
                 among
                 my
                 fellowes
                 ;
                 little
                 doth
                 the
                 world
                 thinke
                 ,
                 that
                 mine
                 adopted
                 child
                 sits
                 in
                 the
                 Throne
                 of
                 Persia
                 :
                 that
                 the
                 great
                 
                 Empresse
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 owes
                 her selfe
                 to
                 me
                 ;
                 I
                 might
                 haue
                 more
                 honor
                 ,
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 haue
                 so
                 much
                 secret
                 comfort
                 ,
                 if
                 al
                 Shushan
                 knew
                 what
                 interest
                 I
                 haue
                 in
                 Queene
                 Esther
                 .
              
               
                 Whiles
                 his
                 hart
                 is
                 taken
                 vp
                 with
                 these
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 who
                 should
                 come
                 ruffling
                 by
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 new-raised
                 fauorite
                 of
                 King
                 
                   Ahasuerus
                   ,
                   Haman
                
                 the
                 sonne
                 of
                 Ammedatha
                 the
                 Agagite
                 ?
                 Him
                 hath
                 the
                 great
                 King
                 inexpectedly
                 aduanced
                 ,
                 and
                 set
                 his
                 seat
                 aboue
                 all
                 the
                 Princes
                 that
                 were
                 with
                 him
                 :
                 The
                 gracious
                 respects
                 of
                 Princes
                 are
                 not
                 alwayes
                 led
                 by
                 merit
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 their
                 owne
                 will
                 ;
                 which
                 is
                 euer
                 affected
                 to
                 bee
                 so
                 much
                 the
                 freer
                 ,
                 as
                 themselues
                 would
                 bee
                 held
                 more
                 great
                 .
              
               
               
                 When
                 the
                 Sunne
                 shines
                 vpon
                 the
                 Diall
                 ,
                 euery
                 passenger
                 will
                 be
                 looking
                 at
                 it
                 ;
                 There
                 needed
                 no
                 command
                 of
                 reuerence
                 ,
                 where
                 Ahasuerus
                 was
                 pleased
                 to
                 countenance
                 ;
                 All
                 knees
                 will
                 bow
                 alone
                 euen
                 to
                 forbidden
                 Idols
                 of
                 honor
                 ;
                 how
                 much
                 more
                 where
                 royall
                 authority
                 inioynes
                 obeysance
                 ?
                 All
                 the
                 seruants
                 ,
                 all
                 the
                 subiects
                 of
                 King
                 Ahasuerus
                 are
                 willingly
                 prostrate
                 before
                 this
                 great
                 mignon
                 of
                 their
                 Souerayn
                 ;
                 onely
                 Mordecai
                 stands
                 stiffe
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 saw
                 nothing
                 more
                 then
                 a
                 man
                 in
                 that
                 proud
                 Agagite
                 .
              
               
                 They
                 are
                 not
                 obserued
                 that
                 do
                 as
                 the
                 most
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 any
                 one
                 man
                 shall
                 vary
                 from
                 the
                 multitude
                 ,
                 all
                 eyes
                 are
                 turned
                 vpon
                 him
                 :
                 Mordecaies
                 fellow-officers
                 note
                 this
                 
                 palpable
                 irreuerence
                 ,
                 and
                 expostulate
                 it
                 ;
                 
                   Why
                   transgressest
                   thou
                   the
                   Kings
                   commandements
                   ?
                
              
               
                 Considerest
                 thou
                 not
                 how
                 far
                 this
                 affront
                 reacheth
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 the
                 person
                 of
                 Haman
                 ,
                 whom
                 thou
                 refusest
                 to
                 adore
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 King
                 in
                 him
                 :
                 Neither
                 doe
                 we
                 regard
                 so
                 much
                 the
                 man
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 command
                 ;
                 Let
                 him
                 be
                 neuer
                 so
                 vile
                 whom
                 the
                 King
                 bids
                 to
                 bee
                 honoured
                 ,
                 with
                 what
                 safety
                 can
                 a
                 subiect
                 examine
                 the
                 charge
                 ,
                 or
                 resist
                 it
                 ?
                 his
                 vnworthinesse
                 cannot
                 dispence
                 with
                 our
                 loyalty
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 a
                 dangerous
                 wilfulnesse
                 should
                 it
                 be
                 to
                 incurre
                 the
                 forfaiture
                 of
                 thy
                 place
                 ,
                 of
                 thy
                 life
                 for
                 a
                 curtesie
                 ?
                 If
                 thou
                 wilt
                 not
                 bow
                 with
                 others
                 ,
                 expect
                 to
                 suffer
                 alone
                 ;
                 Perhaps
                 (
                 they
                 thought
                 )
                 
                 this
                 omission
                 was
                 vnheedy
                 ;
                 In
                 a
                 case
                 of
                 ignorance
                 ,
                 or
                 incogitancie
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 a
                 friendly
                 office
                 to
                 admonish
                 ;
                 the
                 sight
                 of
                 the
                 errour
                 had
                 beene
                 the
                 remedy
                 .
              
               
                 Mordecai
                 heares
                 their
                 challenge
                 ,
                 their
                 aduice
                 ;
                 and
                 thinks
                 good
                 to
                 answer
                 both
                 ,
                 with
                 silence
                 ;
                 as
                 willing
                 they
                 should
                 imagine
                 ,
                 his
                 inflexiblenesse
                 proceeded
                 from
                 a
                 resolution
                 ;
                 and
                 that
                 resolution
                 from
                 some
                 secret
                 grounds
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 needed
                 not
                 impart
                 :
                 at
                 last
                 yet
                 he
                 imparts
                 thus
                 much
                 :
                 Let
                 it
                 suffice
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 a
                 Iew
                 ,
                 and
                 Haman
                 an
                 Amalekite
                 .
              
               
                 After
                 a
                 priuate
                 expostulation
                 ,
                 the
                 continuance
                 of
                 that
                 open
                 neglect
                 is
                 construed
                 for
                 a
                 sullen
                 obstinacie
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 ,
                 the
                 monitors
                 themselues
                 grow
                 sensible
                 of
                 
                 the
                 contempt
                 :
                 Men
                 are
                 commonly
                 impatient
                 to
                 lose
                 the
                 thanke
                 of
                 their
                 indeuours
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 prone
                 to
                 hate
                 whom
                 they
                 cannot
                 reforme
                 .
                 Partly
                 therfore
                 to
                 picke
                 a
                 thanke
                 ,
                 and
                 partly
                 to
                 reuenge
                 this
                 contumacy
                 ,
                 these
                 officers
                 turne
                 informers
                 against
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 neither
                 meant
                 to
                 make
                 the
                 matter
                 fairer
                 then
                 it
                 was
                 ;
                 they
                 tell
                 Haman
                 how
                 proud
                 ,
                 and
                 stubborne
                 a
                 Iew
                 sate
                 amongst
                 them
                 ,
                 how
                 ill
                 they
                 could
                 brooke
                 so
                 saucie
                 an
                 affront
                 to
                 be
                 offered
                 to
                 his
                 greatnesse
                 ;
                 how
                 seriously
                 they
                 had
                 expostulated
                 ,
                 how
                 stomackfully
                 the
                 offender
                 persisted
                 ;
                 and
                 beseech
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 would
                 bee
                 pleased
                 in
                 his
                 next
                 passage
                 ,
                 to
                 cast
                 some
                 glances
                 that
                 way
                 ,
                 and
                 but
                 obserue
                 the
                 fashion
                 of
                 that
                 intolerable
                 
                 insolency
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 proud
                 Agagite
                 cannot
                 long
                 indure
                 the
                 very
                 expectation
                 of
                 such
                 an
                 indignity
                 ;
                 On
                 purpose
                 doth
                 he
                 stalk
                 thither
                 ,
                 with
                 higher
                 then
                 his
                 ordinary
                 steps
                 ;
                 snuffing
                 vp
                 the
                 aire
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 goes
                 ,
                 and
                 would
                 see
                 the
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 durst
                 deny
                 reuerence
                 to
                 the
                 greatest
                 Prince
                 of
                 Persia
                 .
              
               
                 Mordecai
                 holds
                 his
                 old
                 posture
                 ;
                 onely
                 hee
                 is
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 carelesse
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 sees
                 Haman
                 more
                 disdainfull
                 ,
                 and
                 imperious
                 ;
                 neither
                 of
                 them
                 goes
                 about
                 to
                 hide
                 his
                 passion
                 ;
                 one
                 lookt
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 hee
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 hate
                 the
                 pride
                 of
                 Haman
                 ;
                 the
                 other
                 lookt
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 said
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 plague
                 the
                 contempt
                 of
                 Mordecai
                 :
                 how
                 did
                 the
                 eies
                 of
                 Hamā
                 sparkle
                 with
                 fury
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 it
                 were
                 dart
                 
                 our
                 deadly
                 beames
                 in
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 that
                 despightfull
                 Iew
                 ?
                 How
                 did
                 he
                 swell
                 with
                 indignation
                 ;
                 and
                 then
                 againe
                 waxe
                 pale
                 with
                 anger
                 ?
                 shortly
                 ,
                 his
                 very
                 brow
                 and
                 his
                 motion
                 bad
                 Mordecai
                 looke
                 for
                 the
                 vtmost
                 of
                 reuenge
                 .
              
               
                 Mordecai
                 foresees
                 his
                 danger
                 ,
                 and
                 contemnes
                 it
                 ;
                 no
                 frownes
                 ,
                 no
                 threats
                 can
                 souple
                 those
                 ioints
                 :
                 he
                 may
                 breake
                 ,
                 he
                 will
                 not
                 bow
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 shall
                 we
                 say
                 then
                 to
                 this
                 obfirmed
                 resolution
                 of
                 Mordecai
                 ?
                 What
                 is
                 it
                 ,
                 what
                 can
                 it
                 be
                 ,
                 that
                 so
                 stiffens
                 the
                 knees
                 of
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 that
                 death
                 is
                 more
                 easie
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 then
                 their
                 incuruation
                 ?
                 Certainly
                 ,
                 if
                 meere
                 ciuility
                 were
                 in
                 question
                 ,
                 this
                 wilfull
                 irreuerence
                 to
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 Peere
                 ,
                 could
                 not
                 passe
                 without
                 the
                 iust
                 censure
                 of
                 a
                 rude
                 peruersnesse
                 ;
                 
                 It
                 is
                 religion
                 that
                 forbids
                 this
                 obeisāce
                 ,
                 &
                 tels
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 such
                 curtesie
                 could
                 not
                 bee
                 free
                 from
                 sinne
                 ;
                 Whether
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 that
                 more
                 then
                 humane
                 honor
                 was
                 required
                 to
                 this
                 new-erected
                 image
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 King
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 Persiās
                 were
                 euer
                 wont
                 to
                 bee
                 noted
                 for
                 too
                 much
                 lauishnesse
                 in
                 these
                 courtly
                 deuotions
                 :
                 Or
                 whether
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 ancient
                 curse
                 wherewith
                 God
                 had
                 branded
                 the
                 blood
                 ,
                 and
                 stocke
                 of
                 Haman
                 ,
                 made
                 it
                 vnlawfull
                 for
                 an
                 Israelite
                 to
                 giue
                 him
                 any
                 obseruance
                 :
                 For
                 the
                 Amalekites
                 (
                 of
                 whose
                 royall
                 line
                 Haman
                 was
                 descended
                 )
                 were
                 the
                 nation
                 ,
                 with
                 which
                 God
                 had
                 sworne
                 perpetuall
                 hostility
                 ;
                 and
                 whose
                 memory
                 hee
                 had
                 straitly
                 charged
                 
                 his
                 people
                 to
                 root
                 out
                 ,
                 from
                 vnder
                 
                 heauen
                 ;
                 How
                 may
                 I
                 (
                 thinks
                 he
                 )
                 adore
                 ,
                 where
                 God
                 commāds
                 me
                 to
                 detest
                 ?
                 How
                 may
                 I
                 professe
                 respect
                 ,
                 where
                 God
                 professeth
                 enmity
                 ?
                 How
                 may
                 I
                 contribute
                 to
                 the
                 establishment
                 of
                 that
                 seed
                 vpon
                 earth
                 ,
                 which
                 God
                 hath
                 charged
                 to
                 be
                 pull'd
                 vp
                 from
                 vnder
                 heauen
                 ?
                 Outward
                 actions
                 of
                 indifferency
                 ,
                 when
                 once
                 they
                 are
                 felt
                 to
                 trench
                 vpon
                 the
                 conscience
                 ,
                 lay
                 deepe
                 obligations
                 vpon
                 the
                 soule
                 ;
                 euen
                 whiles
                 they
                 are
                 most
                 sleighted
                 by
                 carelesse
                 hearts
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 what
                 a
                 flame
                 of
                 wrath
                 doth
                 Haman
                 liue
                 this
                 while
                 ?
                 wherewith
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 haue
                 consumed
                 his
                 owne
                 heart
                 ,
                 had
                 hee
                 not
                 giuen
                 vent
                 to
                 that
                 rage
                 in
                 his
                 assured
                 purposes
                 of
                 reuenge
                 :
                 
                 Great
                 mens
                 anger
                 is
                 like
                 to
                 themselues
                 ,
                 strong
                 ,
                 fierce
                 ,
                 ambitious
                 of
                 an
                 excessiue
                 satisfaction
                 .
                 Haman
                 scornes
                 to
                 take
                 vp
                 with
                 the
                 blood
                 of
                 Mordecai
                 ;
                 This
                 were
                 but
                 a
                 vulgar
                 amends
                 ;
                 Poore
                 men
                 can
                 kill
                 where
                 they
                 hate
                 ,
                 and
                 expiate
                 their
                 owne
                 wrong
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 a
                 single
                 enemie
                 :
                 Hamans
                 fury
                 shall
                 fly
                 an
                 higher
                 pitch
                 ;
                 Millions
                 of
                 threats
                 are
                 few
                 enow
                 to
                 bleed
                 for
                 this
                 offence
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 Iew
                 that
                 hath
                 despighted
                 him
                 ;
                 all
                 the
                 whole
                 nation
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 shall
                 perish
                 for
                 the
                 stomach
                 of
                 this
                 one
                 :
                 The
                 Monarchy
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 was
                 now
                 in
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 the
                 Persian
                 ,
                 as
                 Iudaea
                 was
                 within
                 this
                 compasse
                 ,
                 so
                 there
                 was
                 scarce
                 a
                 Iew
                 vpon
                 earth
                 ,
                 without
                 the
                 verge
                 of
                 the
                 Persian
                 dominions
                 :
                 
                 The
                 generation
                 ,
                 the
                 name
                 shall
                 now
                 dye
                 at
                 once
                 ;
                 Neither
                 shall
                 there
                 bee
                 any
                 memory
                 of
                 them
                 ;
                 but
                 this
                 ;
                 There
                 was
                 a
                 people
                 ,
                 which
                 hauing
                 beene
                 famous
                 through
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 for
                 three
                 thousand
                 ,
                 foure
                 hundred
                 ,
                 and
                 fourescore
                 yeares
                 ,
                 were
                 in
                 a
                 moment
                 ,
                 extinct
                 by
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Haman
                 for
                 default
                 of
                 a
                 courtesie
                 .
              
               
                 Perhaps
                 ,
                 that
                 hereditary
                 grudge
                 ,
                 and
                 old
                 antipathy
                 ,
                 that
                 was
                 betwixt
                 Israel
                 ,
                 and
                 Amalek
                 ,
                 stucke
                 still
                 in
                 the
                 heart
                 of
                 this
                 Agagite
                 ;
                 he
                 might
                 know
                 that
                 God
                 had
                 commanded
                 Israel
                 to
                 root
                 out
                 Amalek
                 from
                 vnder
                 heauen
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 therefore
                 an
                 Amalekite
                 will
                 bee
                 ready
                 to
                 take
                 this
                 aduātage
                 against
                 Israel
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 extreame
                 iniustice
                 to
                 dilate
                 the
                 punishment
                 ,
                 beyond
                 
                 the
                 offence
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 enwrap
                 thousands
                 of
                 innocents
                 within
                 the
                 trespasse
                 of
                 one
                 :
                 How
                 many
                 that
                 were
                 yet
                 vnborne
                 when
                 Haman
                 was
                 vnsaluted
                 ,
                 must
                 rue
                 the
                 fact
                 they
                 liued
                 not
                 to
                 know
                 ?
                 How
                 many
                 millions
                 of
                 Iewes
                 were
                 then
                 liuing
                 ,
                 that
                 knew
                 not
                 there
                 was
                 a
                 Mordecai
                 ?
                 all
                 of
                 them
                 are
                 fetcht
                 into
                 one
                 condicion
                 ,
                 and
                 must
                 suffer
                 ,
                 ere
                 they
                 can
                 know
                 their
                 offence
                 .
                 Oh
                 the
                 infinite
                 distance
                 betwixt
                 the
                 vniust
                 cruelty
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 iust
                 mercies
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ;
                 Euen
                 Caiphas
                 himselfe
                 could
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   It
                   is
                   better
                   that
                   one
                   man
                   dye
                   ,
                   then
                   that
                   all
                   the
                   people
                   should
                   perish
                
                 ;
                 and
                 here
                 Haman
                 can
                 say
                 ,
                 
                   It
                   is
                   better
                   that
                   all
                   the
                   people
                   should
                   perish
                   then
                   that
                   one
                   man
                   should
                   dye
                   .
                
                 Thy
                 mercy
                 ,
                 ô
                 God
                 ,
                 by
                 the
                 willing
                 
                 death
                 of
                 one
                 that
                 had
                 not
                 sinned
                 ,
                 hath
                 defrayed
                 the
                 iust
                 death
                 of
                 a
                 world
                 of
                 sinners
                 :
                 Whiles
                 the
                 iniurious
                 rigour
                 of
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 supposed
                 fault
                 of
                 one
                 ,
                 would
                 destroy
                 a
                 whole
                 nation
                 ,
                 that
                 had
                 not
                 offended
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 the
                 sinne
                 of
                 one
                 ,
                 death
                 raigned
                 ouer
                 all
                 ;
                 but
                 it
                 was
                 ,
                 because
                 all
                 sinned
                 in
                 that
                 one
                 :
                 had
                 not
                 all
                 men
                 beene
                 in
                 Adam
                 ,
                 all
                 had
                 not
                 falne
                 in
                 him
                 ,
                 all
                 had
                 not
                 dyed
                 in
                 him
                 ;
                 It
                 was
                 not
                 the
                 man
                 ,
                 but
                 mankind
                 that
                 fell
                 into
                 sinne
                 ,
                 and
                 by
                 sinne
                 ,
                 into
                 death
                 :
                 No
                 man
                 can
                 complaine
                 of
                 punishment
                 ,
                 whiles
                 no
                 man
                 can
                 exempt
                 himselfe
                 from
                 the
                 transgression
                 :
                 Vnmercifull
                 Haman
                 would
                 haue
                 imbrued
                 his
                 hands
                 in
                 that
                 blood
                 ,
                 which
                 hee
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 confesse
                 innocent
                 .
              
               
               
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 rare
                 thing
                 ,
                 if
                 the
                 height
                 of
                 fauour
                 cause
                 not
                 presumption
                 ;
                 Such
                 is
                 Hamans
                 :
                 greatnesse
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 takes
                 his
                 designe
                 for
                 granted
                 ,
                 ere
                 it
                 can
                 receiue
                 a
                 motion
                 ;
                 The
                 fittest
                 dayes
                 for
                 this
                 great
                 massacre
                 ,
                 are
                 determined
                 by
                 the
                 lots
                 of
                 their
                 common
                 diuination
                 ;
                 according
                 whereunto
                 ,
                 Haman
                 chooseth
                 the
                 houre
                 of
                 this
                 bloody
                 suit
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 ,
                 waited
                 on
                 by
                 opportunity
                 ,
                 he
                 addresseth
                 himselfe
                 to
                 King
                 
                   Ahasuerus
                   .
                   There
                   is
                   a
                   certaine
                   people
                   scattered
                   abroad
                   ,
                   and
                   dispersed
                   among
                   the
                   people
                   ,
                   in
                   all
                   the
                   Prouinces
                   of
                   the
                   Kingdome
                   ,
                   and
                   their
                   lawes
                   are
                   diuers
                   from
                   all
                   people
                   ;
                   neither
                   keepe
                   they
                   the
                   Kings
                   lawes
                   ,
                   therefore
                   it
                   is
                   not
                   for
                   the
                   Kings
                   profit
                   to
                   suffer
                   them
                   ;
                   If
                   it
                   please
                   the
                   King
                   ,
                   let
                   it
                   bee
                   written
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   be
                   destroyed
                   ,
                   and
                   I
                   will
                   pay
                   tenne
                
                 
                 
                   thousand
                   talents
                   of
                   siluer
                   to
                   the
                   hands
                   of
                   the
                   officers
                   .
                
                 With
                 what
                 cunning
                 hath
                 this
                 man
                 couched
                 his
                 malice
                 ?
                 He
                 doth
                 not
                 say
                 ,
                 There
                 is
                 a
                 Iew
                 that
                 hath
                 affronted
                 mee
                 ,
                 let
                 me
                 be
                 auenged
                 of
                 his
                 nation
                 ;
                 this
                 rancour
                 was
                 too
                 monstrous
                 to
                 be
                 confessed
                 ;
                 perhaps
                 this
                 suggestion
                 might
                 haue
                 bred
                 in
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 Ahasuerus
                 a
                 conceit
                 of
                 Hamans
                 ill
                 nature
                 ,
                 and
                 intolerable
                 immanity
                 ;
                 but
                 his
                 precences
                 are
                 plausible
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 driue
                 at
                 no
                 other
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 publique
                 good
                 ;
                 Euery
                 word
                 hath
                 his
                 insinuation
                 :
                 
                   It
                   is
                   a
                   scattered
                   people
                
                 ;
                 were
                 the
                 nation
                 intire
                 ,
                 their
                 maintenance
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 stand
                 with
                 the
                 Kings
                 honour
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 since
                 they
                 are
                 but
                 straglers
                 ,
                 as
                 their
                 losse
                 would
                 be
                 insensible
                 ,
                 so
                 their
                 continuance
                 ,
                 
                 and
                 mixture
                 cannot
                 but
                 be
                 preiudiciall
                 ;
                 It
                 was
                 not
                 the
                 fault
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 the
                 misery
                 of
                 these
                 poore
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 were
                 dispersed
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 their
                 dispersion
                 is
                 made
                 an
                 argument
                 of
                 their
                 extirpation
                 ;
                 therefore
                 must
                 they
                 be
                 destroyed
                 ,
                 from
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 because
                 they
                 were
                 scattered
                 ouer
                 the
                 earth
                 .
                 As
                 good
                 ,
                 so
                 euils
                 draw
                 on
                 each
                 other
                 ;
                 That
                 which
                 should
                 plead
                 for
                 pitty
                 in
                 the
                 well-affected
                 ,
                 is
                 a
                 motiue
                 to
                 cruelty
                 in
                 sauage
                 minds
                 .
                 Seldome
                 euer
                 hath
                 extremity
                 of
                 mischiefe
                 seized
                 ,
                 where
                 easier
                 afflictions
                 haue
                 not
                 beene
                 billeted
                 before
                 .
              
               
                 All
                 faith
                 full
                 Iewes
                 had
                 wont
                 to
                 say
                 vnto
                 God
                 ,
                 
                   Haue
                   mercy
                   vpon
                   vs
                   ,
                   O
                   God
                   ,
                   and
                   saue
                   vs
                   ,
                   for
                   our
                   soule
                   is
                   full
                   of
                   contempt
                   ,
                   and
                   we
                   are
                   scattered
                
                 
                 
                   amongst
                   the
                   heathen
                
                 ;
                 and
                 here
                 this
                 enemy
                 can
                 say
                 of
                 them
                 ,
                 to
                 
                   Ahasuerus
                   ,
                   Destroy
                   them
                   for
                   they
                   are
                   scattered
                
                 ;
                 Root
                 them
                 out
                 ,
                 for
                 they
                 are
                 contemned
                 ;
                 How
                 much
                 better
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 fall
                 into
                 the
                 hands
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 thē
                 of
                 men
                 ;
                 since
                 that
                 which
                 whets
                 the
                 sword
                 of
                 men
                 ,
                 works
                 commiseration
                 in
                 the
                 Almighty
                 :
                 Besides
                 the
                 dissipation
                 of
                 the
                 persons
                 ,
                 
                   Their
                   lawes
                   are
                   diuers
                   from
                   all
                   people
                   :
                
                 All
                 other
                 people
                 liue
                 by
                 thy
                 lawes
                 ,
                 they
                 onely
                 by
                 their
                 owne
                 :
                 and
                 how
                 can
                 this
                 singularity
                 of
                 their
                 fashions
                 ,
                 but
                 breed
                 disorder
                 ,
                 and
                 inconuenience
                 ?
                 Did
                 they
                 liue
                 in
                 some
                 corner
                 of
                 the
                 earth
                 apart
                 ,
                 their
                 difference
                 in
                 religion
                 and
                 gouernment
                 could
                 not
                 import
                 much
                 ;
                 now
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 are
                 dispersed
                 amongst
                 all
                 thy
                 
                 subiects
                 ,
                 vvhat
                 doe
                 these
                 vncouth
                 formes
                 of
                 theirs
                 ,
                 but
                 teach
                 all
                 the
                 vvorld
                 to
                 bee
                 irregular
                 ?
                 vvhy
                 should
                 they
                 liue
                 vnder
                 thy
                 protection
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 gouerned
                 by
                 thy
                 lawes
                 ?
              
               
                 Wicked
                 Haman
                 !
                 what
                 were
                 the
                 lawes
                 of
                 Israel
                 ,
                 but
                 the
                 lawes
                 of
                 God
                 ?
                 if
                 this
                 be
                 a
                 quarrell
                 ,
                 what
                 shall
                 the
                 death
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 bee
                 other
                 ,
                 then
                 martyrdome
                 ?
              
               
                 The
                 diuersity
                 of
                 iudgement
                 ,
                 and
                 practice
                 from
                 the
                 rest
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 hath
                 beene
                 an
                 old
                 ,
                 and
                 enuious
                 imputation
                 cast
                 vpō
                 Gods
                 Church
                 :
                 What
                 if
                 we
                 be
                 singled
                 from
                 others
                 ,
                 whiles
                 wee
                 walke
                 with
                 God
                 ?
                 In
                 matters
                 lawfull
                 ,
                 arbitrary
                 ,
                 indifferent
                 ,
                 wisedome
                 teacheth
                 vs
                 to
                 conforme
                 our selues
                 to
                 all
                 others
                 ;
                 but
                 ,
                 where
                 
                 God
                 hath
                 laid
                 a
                 speciall
                 imposition
                 vpon
                 vs
                 ,
                 we
                 must
                 either
                 vary
                 ,
                 or
                 sinne
                 :
                 The
                 greatest
                 glory
                 of
                 Israel
                 was
                 their
                 lawes
                 ,
                 wherein
                 they
                 as
                 far
                 exceeded
                 all
                 other
                 nations
                 ,
                 as
                 heauen
                 is
                 aboue
                 earth
                 ;
                 yet
                 ,
                 here
                 their
                 lawes
                 are
                 quarrelled
                 ,
                 and
                 are
                 made
                 the
                 inducements
                 of
                 their
                 destruction
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 possible
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 should
                 escape
                 persecution
                 ,
                 whiles
                 that
                 which
                 it
                 hath
                 good
                 is
                 maligned
                 ;
                 whiles
                 that
                 offēds
                 which
                 makes
                 it
                 happy
                 .
              
               
                 Yet
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 haue
                 lawes
                 of
                 their
                 owne
                 ,
                 were
                 not
                 so
                 vnsufferable
                 ,
                 if
                 withall
                 ,
                 they
                 did
                 obserue
                 thine
                 ,
                 ô
                 King
                 ,
                 but
                 these
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 vnconformable
                 ;
                 so
                 they
                 are
                 seditious
                 :
                 
                   They
                   keepe
                   not
                   the
                   King
                   lawes
                   :
                
                 Thou
                 slanderest
                 Haman
                 ;
                 
                 they
                 could
                 not
                 keepe
                 their
                 owne
                 lawes
                 ,
                 if
                 they
                 kept
                 not
                 the
                 Kings
                 ;
                 for
                 their
                 lawes
                 call
                 them
                 to
                 obedience
                 vnto
                 their
                 soueraignes
                 ;
                 and
                 adiudge
                 hell
                 to
                 the
                 rebellious
                 :
                 In
                 all
                 those
                 hundred
                 and
                 seuen
                 and
                 twenty
                 prouinces
                 ,
                 King
                 Ahasuerus
                 hath
                 no
                 subiects
                 ,
                 but
                 them
                 ;
                 They
                 obey
                 out
                 of
                 conscience
                 ,
                 others
                 out
                 of
                 feare
                 :
                 why
                 are
                 they
                 charged
                 with
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 doe
                 most
                 abhorre
                 ?
                 What
                 can
                 be
                 the
                 ground
                 of
                 this
                 crimination
                 ?
                 Ahasuerus
                 commanded
                 all
                 knees
                 to
                 bow
                 to
                 Haman
                 ;
                 A
                 Iew
                 onely
                 refuses
                 ;
                 Malicious
                 Haman
                 ;
                 He
                 that
                 refused
                 to
                 bow
                 vnto
                 thee
                 ,
                 had
                 sufficiently
                 approued
                 his
                 loyalty
                 to
                 
                   Ahasuerus
                   ;
                   Ahasuerus
                
                 had
                 not
                 been
                 ,
                 if
                 Mordecai
                 had
                 not
                 beene
                 a
                 good
                 subiect
                 ;
                 Hath
                 the
                 
                 King
                 no
                 lawes
                 ,
                 but
                 what
                 concerne
                 thine
                 adoration
                 ?
                 Set
                 aside
                 religion
                 (
                 wherein
                 the
                 Iew
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 present
                 if
                 not
                 actiue
                 ,
                 yet
                 passiue
                 obedience
                 )
                 and
                 name
                 that
                 Persian
                 law
                 ,
                 which
                 a
                 Iew
                 dares
                 break
                 .
              
               
                 As
                 I
                 neuer
                 yet
                 read
                 ,
                 or
                 heard
                 of
                 a
                 conscionable
                 Israelite
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 not
                 passed
                 vnder
                 this
                 calumniation
                 ,
                 so
                 I
                 cannot
                 yeeld
                 him
                 a
                 true
                 Israelite
                 ,
                 that
                 deserues
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 vaine
                 doth
                 hee
                 professe
                 to
                 acknowledge
                 a
                 God
                 ,
                 in
                 heauen
                 ,
                 that
                 denies
                 homage
                 to
                 his
                 deputy
                 on
                 earth
                 .
              
               
                 
                   It
                   is
                   not
                   for
                   the
                   Kings
                   profit
                   to
                   suffer
                   thē
                   .
                
                 Worldly
                 hearts
                 are
                 not
                 led
                 by
                 good
                 ,
                 or
                 euill
                 ,
                 but
                 by
                 profit
                 ,
                 or
                 losse
                 ;
                 neither
                 haue
                 they
                 grace
                 to
                 know
                 that
                 nothing
                 is
                 profitable
                 but
                 what
                 is
                 honest
                 ,
                 nothing
                 
                 so
                 desperately
                 incommodious
                 ,
                 as
                 wickednesse
                 ;
                 They
                 must
                 needs
                 offend
                 by
                 rule
                 that
                 measure
                 all
                 things
                 by
                 profit
                 ,
                 &
                 measure
                 profit
                 by
                 their
                 imagination
                 .
                 How
                 easie
                 is
                 it
                 to
                 suggest
                 strange
                 vntruths
                 ,
                 when
                 there
                 is
                 no
                 body
                 to
                 giue
                 an
                 answer
                 ?
                 False
                 Hamā
                 ,
                 hovv
                 is
                 it
                 not
                 for
                 the
                 Kings
                 profit
                 to
                 suffer
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ?
                 If
                 thou
                 construe
                 this
                 profit
                 ,
                 for
                 honor
                 ,
                 The
                 Kings
                 honor
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 subiects
                 ,
                 and
                 what
                 people
                 more
                 numerous
                 then
                 they
                 ?
                 If
                 for
                 gaine
                 ,
                 The
                 Kings
                 profit
                 is
                 in
                 the
                 largenesse
                 of
                 his
                 Tributes
                 ;
                 and
                 what
                 people
                 are
                 more
                 deepe
                 in
                 their
                 payments
                 ?
                 If
                 for
                 seruices
                 ?
                 what
                 people
                 are
                 more
                 officious
                 ?
                 How
                 can
                 it
                 stand
                 with
                 the
                 Kings
                 profit
                 to
                 bereaue
                 himselfe
                 
                 of
                 subiects
                 ,
                 his
                 subiects
                 of
                 their
                 liues
                 ,
                 his
                 Exchequer
                 of
                 their
                 tributes
                 ,
                 his
                 state
                 of
                 their
                 defence
                 ?
                 Hee
                 is
                 a
                 weake
                 polititian
                 that
                 knowes
                 not
                 to
                 guild
                 ouer
                 the
                 worst
                 proiect
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 pretence
                 of
                 publike
                 vtility
                 .
                 No
                 name
                 vnder
                 heauen
                 hath
                 made
                 so
                 many
                 fooles
                 ,
                 so
                 many
                 villaines
                 ,
                 as
                 this
                 of
                 profit
                 .
              
               
                 Lastly
                 ,
                 as
                 Ahasuerus
                 reapes
                 nothing
                 but
                 disprofit
                 by
                 the
                 liues
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 so
                 hee
                 shall
                 reape
                 no
                 small
                 profit
                 by
                 their
                 deaths
                 :
                 
                   I
                   will
                   pay
                   tenne
                   thousand
                   talents
                   of
                   siluer
                   to
                   the
                   Kings
                   treasuries
                   for
                   this
                   execution
                   .
                
                 If
                 reuenge
                 were
                 not
                 very
                 sweet
                 to
                 the
                 malicious
                 man
                 ,
                 hee
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 purchase
                 it
                 at
                 so
                 high
                 a
                 rate
                 ;
                 How
                 doe
                 we
                 see
                 daily
                 that
                 the
                 thirst
                 hereof
                 caries
                 
                 men
                 to
                 a
                 riotous
                 prodigality
                 of
                 estate
                 ,
                 body
                 ,
                 soule
                 ?
              
               
                 Cruell
                 Haman
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 couldst
                 haue
                 swim'd
                 in
                 a
                 whole
                 Sea
                 of
                 Iewish
                 blood
                 ,
                 if
                 thou
                 couldst
                 haue
                 raised
                 mountaines
                 of
                 their
                 carcasses
                 ;
                 if
                 thou
                 couldst
                 haue
                 made
                 all
                 Persia
                 thy
                 shambles
                 ;
                 who
                 would
                 haue
                 giuen
                 thee
                 one
                 farthing
                 for
                 all
                 those
                 piles
                 of
                 flesh
                 ,
                 for
                 all
                 those
                 streames
                 of
                 blood
                 ?
                 yea
                 who
                 would
                 not
                 rather
                 haue
                 beene
                 at
                 charge
                 for
                 the
                 auoyding
                 of
                 the
                 annoyances
                 of
                 those
                 slaughtered
                 bodies
                 ,
                 which
                 thou
                 offerest
                 to
                 buy
                 at
                 ten
                 thousand
                 talents
                 ?
                 It
                 were
                 an
                 happy
                 thing
                 ,
                 if
                 charitie
                 could
                 inlarge
                 it selfe
                 ,
                 but
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 malice
                 ;
                 if
                 the
                 preseruation
                 of
                 mankinde
                 could
                 be
                 so
                 much
                 beholden
                 to
                 our
                 bountie
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 destruction
                 .
              
               
               
                 Now
                 when
                 all
                 these
                 are
                 laid
                 together
                 ,
                 the
                 basenesse
                 and
                 dispersednesse
                 of
                 the
                 people
                 ,
                 the
                 diuersitie
                 of
                 their
                 lawes
                 ,
                 the
                 irregularitie
                 of
                 their
                 gouernment
                 ,
                 the
                 rebellion
                 of
                 their
                 practice
                 ,
                 the
                 inconuenience
                 of
                 their
                 toleration
                 ,
                 the
                 gaine
                 of
                 their
                 extirpation
                 ;
                 what
                 could
                 the
                 wit
                 or
                 art
                 of
                 man
                 deuise
                 more
                 insinuatiue
                 ,
                 more
                 likely
                 to
                 perswade
                 ?
                 How
                 could
                 it
                 bee
                 but
                 Ahasuerus
                 must
                 needs
                 thinke
                 (
                 since
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 suspect
                 the
                 ground
                 of
                 this
                 suit
                 ;
                 )
                 What
                 a
                 zealous
                 patriot
                 haue
                 I
                 raised
                 that
                 can
                 be
                 content
                 to
                 buy
                 off
                 the
                 incōmodity
                 of
                 the
                 state
                 ,
                 at
                 his
                 own
                 charge
                 ?
                 How
                 worthy
                 is
                 hee
                 rather
                 of
                 the
                 aide
                 both
                 of
                 my
                 power
                 ,
                 and
                 purse
                 ?
                 why
                 should
                 I
                 be
                 fee'd
                 to
                 ease
                 my
                 Kingdomes
                 of
                 
                 rebels
                 :
                 
                   The
                   siluer
                   is
                   giuen
                   to
                   thee
                   ,
                   the
                   people
                   also
                   ,
                   to
                   doe
                   with
                   them
                   as
                   seemeth
                   good
                   to
                   thee
                   :
                
                 Without
                 all
                 delay
                 ,
                 the
                 secretaries
                 are
                 call'd
                 to
                 write
                 the
                 warrants
                 ,
                 the
                 Kings
                 ring
                 is
                 giuen
                 to
                 seale
                 them
                 ,
                 the
                 posts
                 are
                 sent
                 out
                 to
                 cary
                 them
                 into
                 all
                 Prouinces
                 ;
                 The
                 day
                 is
                 set
                 wherein
                 all
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 of
                 all
                 ages
                 ,
                 of
                 both
                 sexes
                 ,
                 through
                 the
                 hundred
                 and
                 seuen
                 and
                 twenty
                 prouinces
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 shall
                 be
                 sacrificed
                 to
                 the
                 wrath
                 of
                 Haman
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 all
                 the
                 cariage
                 of
                 Ahasuerus
                 ,
                 who
                 sees
                 not
                 too
                 much
                 heddinesse
                 of
                 passion
                 ?
                 Vashti
                 is
                 cast
                 off
                 for
                 a
                 trifle
                 ;
                 the
                 Iewes
                 are
                 giuen
                 to
                 the
                 slaughter
                 for
                 nothing
                 ,
                 his
                 rage
                 in
                 the
                 one
                 ,
                 his
                 fauour
                 in
                 the
                 other
                 is
                 too
                 impotent
                 :
                 Hee
                 is
                 not
                 a
                 worse
                 husband
                 then
                 a
                 King
                 ;
                 the
                 
                 bare
                 word
                 of
                 Haman
                 is
                 enough
                 to
                 kill
                 so
                 many
                 subiects
                 :
                 No
                 disposition
                 can
                 bee
                 more
                 dangerous
                 in
                 great
                 persons
                 ,
                 then
                 violence
                 of
                 affectiō
                 mixed
                 with
                 credulity
                 .
                 Oh
                 the
                 seeming
                 inequality
                 of
                 humane
                 condicions
                 :
                 
                   The
                   King
                   and
                   Haman
                   sate
                   down
                   to
                   drink
                   ,
                   but
                   the
                   City
                   of
                   Shushan
                   was
                   perplexed
                   :
                
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 wofull
                 thing
                 to
                 see
                 great
                 ones
                 quaffe
                 the
                 teares
                 of
                 the
                 oppressed
                 ;
                 &
                 to
                 heare
                 them
                 make
                 musick
                 of
                 shriekes
                 .
              
               
                 With
                 what
                 lamentation
                 doe
                 we
                 thinke
                 all
                 the
                 Synagogues
                 of
                 Iewes
                 through
                 the
                 world
                 receiued
                 this
                 fatall
                 message
                 of
                 their
                 proclaimed
                 destruction
                 ?
                 How
                 doe
                 they
                 bemone
                 themselues
                 ,
                 each
                 to
                 other
                 ?
                 How
                 doe
                 their
                 conioyned
                 cries
                 fill
                 heauen
                 ,
                 and
                 earth
                 ?
                 But
                 aboue
                 all
                 ,
                 what
                 sack-cloth
                 and
                 
                 ashes
                 could
                 suffise
                 wofull
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 that
                 found
                 in
                 himselfe
                 the
                 occasion
                 of
                 all
                 this
                 slaughter
                 ?
                 What
                 soule
                 could
                 bee
                 capable
                 of
                 more
                 bitternesse
                 ,
                 then
                 he
                 felt
                 ?
                 Whiles
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 think
                 ,
                 Wretched
                 man
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 I
                 ,
                 that
                 haue
                 brought
                 all
                 this
                 calamity
                 vpon
                 my
                 nation
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 I
                 ,
                 that
                 haue
                 beene
                 the
                 ruine
                 of
                 my
                 people
                 :
                 wo
                 is
                 me
                 that
                 euer
                 I
                 put
                 my selfe
                 into
                 the
                 Court
                 ,
                 into
                 the
                 seruice
                 of
                 a
                 Pagan
                 ;
                 how
                 vnhappy
                 was
                 I
                 to
                 cast
                 my selfe
                 into
                 these
                 straits
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 must
                 either
                 honour
                 an
                 Agagite
                 ,
                 or
                 draw
                 a
                 vengeance
                 vpon
                 Israel
                 ?
                 Yet
                 how
                 could
                 I
                 imagine
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 flame
                 of
                 Hamans
                 rage
                 would
                 haue
                 broken
                 out
                 so
                 farre
                 ?
                 might
                 that
                 reuenge
                 haue
                 determined
                 in
                 my
                 blood
                 ,
                 how
                 happy
                 should
                 I
                 haue
                 been
                 ?
                 now
                 ,
                 I
                 haue
                 
                 brought
                 death
                 vpon
                 many
                 thousands
                 of
                 innocents
                 ,
                 that
                 cannot
                 know
                 wherefore
                 they
                 dye
                 ;
                 Why
                 did
                 I
                 not
                 hide
                 my selfe
                 rather
                 frō
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 that
                 proud
                 Amalekite
                 ?
                 Why
                 did
                 I
                 stand
                 out
                 in
                 contestation
                 with
                 so
                 ouer-powerfull
                 an
                 enemy
                 ?
                 Alas
                 ,
                 no
                 man
                 of
                 Israel
                 shall
                 so
                 much
                 as
                 liue
                 to
                 curse
                 me
                 ,
                 onely
                 mine
                 enemies
                 shall
                 record
                 my
                 name
                 ,
                 with
                 ignominy
                 ,
                 and
                 say
                 ,
                 Mordecai
                 was
                 the
                 bane
                 of
                 his
                 nation
                 .
                 Oh
                 ,
                 that
                 my
                 zeale
                 should
                 haue
                 reserued
                 mee
                 for
                 so
                 heauie
                 a
                 seruice
                 !
                 Where
                 now
                 are
                 those
                 vaine
                 ambitions
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 I
                 pleased
                 my selfe
                 in
                 this
                 great
                 match
                 of
                 Esther
                 ?
                 How
                 fondly
                 did
                 I
                 hope
                 by
                 this
                 vndue
                 meanes
                 to
                 raise
                 my selfe
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 people
                 ?
                 Yea
                 ,
                 is
                 not
                 this
                 carnall
                 presumption
                 
                 the
                 quarrell
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 against
                 me
                 ?
                 Doe
                 I
                 not
                 therefore
                 smart
                 from
                 these
                 Pagans
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 I
                 secretly
                 affected
                 this
                 vncircumcised
                 alliance
                 ?
                 Howsoeuer
                 it
                 bee
                 ,
                 yet
                 ,
                 ô
                 God
                 ,
                 what
                 haue
                 thy
                 people
                 done
                 ?
                 Oh
                 let
                 it
                 be
                 thy
                 iust
                 mercy
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 perish
                 alone
                 !
              
               
                 In
                 these
                 sad
                 thoughts
                 did
                 Mordecai
                 spend
                 his
                 hart
                 ,
                 vvhiles
                 hee
                 vvalked
                 mournfully
                 in
                 sackcloth
                 ,
                 before
                 that
                 gate
                 ,
                 wherein
                 he
                 vvas
                 wont
                 to
                 sit
                 ;
                 now
                 his
                 habit
                 bars
                 his
                 approach
                 ;
                 no
                 sackcloth
                 might
                 come
                 vvithin
                 the
                 Court
                 :
                 Lo
                 ,
                 that
                 vvhich
                 is
                 vvelcomest
                 in
                 the
                 court
                 of
                 heauen
                 ,
                 is
                 here
                 excluded
                 from
                 the
                 presence
                 of
                 this
                 earthly
                 royaltie
                 :
                 
                   A
                   broken
                   and
                   a
                   contrite
                   hart
                   ,
                   O
                   God
                   ,
                   thou
                   wilt
                   not
                   despise
                   .
                
              
               
                 Neither
                 did
                 it
                 a
                 little
                 adde
                 to
                 
                 the
                 sorrow
                 of
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 to
                 heare
                 the
                 bitter
                 insultations
                 of
                 his
                 former
                 monitors
                 :
                 
                   Did
                   wee
                   not
                   aduise
                   thee
                   better
                   ?
                   Did
                   we
                   not
                   foreadmonish
                   thee
                   of
                   thy
                   danger
                   ?
                   see
                   now
                   the
                   issue
                   of
                   thine
                   obstinacy
                   :
                
                 now
                 see
                 ,
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 for
                 thine
                 earthen
                 pitcher
                 to
                 knock
                 vvith
                 brasse
                 ?
                 now
                 ,
                 vvhere
                 is
                 the
                 man
                 that
                 vvould
                 needs
                 contest
                 vvith
                 Haman
                 ?
                 hast
                 thou
                 not
                 now
                 brought
                 thy
                 matters
                 to
                 a
                 fair
                 pass
                 ?
                 Thy
                 stomacke
                 had
                 long
                 owed
                 thee
                 a
                 spight
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 it
                 hath
                 paid
                 thee
                 ;
                 vvho
                 can
                 pitty
                 thy
                 wilfulnesse
                 ?
                 since
                 thou
                 vvouldest
                 needs
                 deride
                 our
                 counsell
                 ,
                 vvee
                 vvill
                 take
                 leaue
                 to
                 laugh
                 at
                 thy
                 sackcloth
                 .
                 Nothing
                 but
                 scornes
                 ,
                 and
                 griefes
                 ,
                 and
                 terrors
                 present
                 themselues
                 to
                 miserable
                 Mordecai
                 :
                 All
                 the
                 externall
                 buffets
                 of
                 aduersaries
                 
                 were
                 sleight
                 to
                 the
                 vvounds
                 that
                 he
                 both
                 made
                 ,
                 and
                 felt
                 in
                 his
                 owne
                 heart
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 perpetuall
                 intelligences
                 that
                 were
                 closely
                 held
                 betwixt
                 Esther
                 ,
                 and
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 could
                 not
                 suffer
                 his
                 publique
                 sorrow
                 to
                 bee
                 long
                 concealed
                 from
                 her
                 ;
                 The
                 newes
                 of
                 his
                 sackcloth
                 afflicts
                 her
                 ere
                 she
                 can
                 suspect
                 the
                 cause
                 ;
                 her
                 crowne
                 doth
                 but
                 clog
                 her
                 head
                 ,
                 vvhiles
                 shee
                 heares
                 of
                 his
                 ashes
                 ;
                 True
                 friendship
                 transformes
                 vs
                 into
                 the
                 condicion
                 of
                 those
                 vvee
                 loue
                 ;
                 and
                 if
                 it
                 cannot
                 raise
                 them
                 to
                 our
                 cheerfulnesse
                 ,
                 drawes
                 vs
                 downe
                 to
                 their
                 deiection
                 :
                 Faine
                 vvould
                 shee
                 vncase
                 her
                 foster-father
                 of
                 these
                 mournfull
                 vveeds
                 ;
                 and
                 change
                 his
                 sackcloth
                 for
                 tissue
                 ;
                 that
                 yet
                 ,
                 at
                 least
                 ,
                 his
                 cloathes
                 
                 might
                 not
                 hinder
                 his
                 accesse
                 to
                 her
                 presence
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 free
                 opening
                 of
                 his
                 griefes
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 but
                 a
                 sleight
                 sorrow
                 that
                 abides
                 to
                 take
                 in
                 outward
                 comforts
                 ;
                 Mordecai
                 refuses
                 that
                 kinde
                 offer
                 ;
                 and
                 vvould
                 haue
                 Esther
                 see
                 that
                 his
                 afflictiō
                 was
                 such
                 ,
                 as
                 that
                 hee
                 might
                 well
                 resolue
                 to
                 put
                 off
                 his
                 sackcloth
                 and
                 his
                 skin
                 at
                 once
                 ;
                 that
                 he
                 must
                 mourne
                 to
                 death
                 rather
                 then
                 see
                 her
                 face
                 to
                 liue
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 good
                 Queene
                 is
                 astonisht
                 with
                 this
                 constāt
                 humiliatiō
                 of
                 so
                 deare
                 a
                 friend
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 she
                 sends
                 Hatach
                 ,
                 a
                 trusty
                 (
                 though
                 a
                 Pagan
                 )
                 attendant
                 ,
                 to
                 inquire
                 into
                 the
                 occasion
                 of
                 this
                 so
                 irremediable
                 heauinesse
                 :
                 It
                 should
                 seeme
                 Esther
                 inquired
                 not
                 greatly
                 into
                 matters
                 of
                 state
                 ;
                 that
                 which
                 perplexed
                 all
                 
                 Shushan
                 ,
                 was
                 not
                 yet
                 knowne
                 to
                 her
                 ;
                 her
                 followers
                 ,
                 not
                 knowing
                 her
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 Iewesse
                 ,
                 conceiued
                 not
                 how
                 the
                 newes
                 might
                 concerne
                 her
                 ,
                 and
                 therefore
                 had
                 forborne
                 the
                 relation
                 :
                 Mordecai
                 first
                 informes
                 her
                 ,
                 by
                 her
                 messenger
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 decree
                 that
                 was
                 gone
                 out
                 against
                 all
                 her
                 nation
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 day
                 wherein
                 they
                 must
                 all
                 prepare
                 to
                 bleed
                 ,
                 of
                 the
                 summe
                 which
                 Haman
                 had
                 profered
                 for
                 their
                 heads
                 ,
                 &
                 deliuers
                 the
                 copy
                 of
                 that
                 bloody
                 Edict
                 ;
                 charging
                 her
                 ,
                 now
                 ,
                 if
                 euer
                 ,
                 to
                 bestirre
                 her selfe
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 improue
                 all
                 her
                 loue
                 ,
                 all
                 her
                 power
                 with
                 King
                 Ahasuerus
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 speedy
                 and
                 humble
                 supplication
                 for
                 the
                 sauing
                 of
                 the
                 life
                 (
                 not
                 of
                 himselfe
                 so
                 much
                 ,
                 as
                 )
                 of
                 her
                 people
                 .
              
               
               
                 It
                 was
                 tydings
                 able
                 to
                 confound
                 a
                 weake
                 heart
                 ;
                 and
                 hers
                 ,
                 so
                 much
                 the
                 more
                 ,
                 as
                 shee
                 could
                 apprehēd
                 nothing
                 but
                 impossibility
                 of
                 redresse
                 :
                 she
                 needs
                 but
                 to
                 put
                 Mordecai
                 in
                 mind
                 of
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 all
                 the
                 Kings
                 seruants
                 and
                 subiects
                 knew
                 well
                 enough
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 Persian
                 law
                 made
                 it
                 no
                 lesse
                 then
                 death
                 for
                 whom
                 soeuer
                 ,
                 man
                 ,
                 or
                 woman
                 ,
                 that
                 should
                 presse
                 into
                 the
                 inner
                 court
                 of
                 the
                 king
                 ,
                 vncalled
                 .
                 Nothing
                 but
                 the
                 royall
                 scepter
                 extended
                 ,
                 could
                 keepe
                 that
                 presumptuous
                 offender
                 from
                 the
                 graue
                 .
                 For
                 her
                 ,
                 thirty
                 dayes
                 were
                 now
                 passed
                 since
                 shee
                 was
                 called
                 in
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 ;
                 an
                 intermission
                 ,
                 that
                 might
                 bee
                 iustly
                 suspicious
                 ;
                 Whether
                 the
                 heate
                 of
                 his
                 first
                 affection
                 were
                 thus
                 soone
                 (
                 :
                 of
                 it
                 
                 selfe
                 )
                 allayed
                 towards
                 her
                 ;
                 or
                 whether
                 some
                 suggestions
                 of
                 a
                 secret
                 enemie
                 (
                 perhaps
                 his
                 Agagite
                 )
                 may
                 haue
                 set
                 him
                 off
                 ;
                 or
                 whether
                 some
                 more
                 pleasing
                 obiect
                 may
                 haue
                 laid
                 hold
                 on
                 his
                 eyes
                 ;
                 what
                 euer
                 it
                 might
                 be
                 ,
                 this
                 absēce
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 argue
                 some
                 strangenesse
                 ,
                 and
                 this
                 strangenesse
                 must
                 needs
                 imply
                 a
                 danger
                 in
                 her
                 bold
                 intrusion
                 :
                 Shee
                 could
                 bewaile
                 therfore
                 ,
                 she
                 could
                 not
                 hope
                 to
                 remedy
                 this
                 dismallday
                 of
                 her
                 people
                 .
                 This
                 answer
                 in
                 the
                 eares
                 of
                 Mordecai
                 sounded
                 truth
                 ,
                 but
                 weaknesse
                 ;
                 neither
                 can
                 he
                 take
                 vp
                 with
                 so
                 feeble
                 a
                 returne
                 ;
                 These
                 occasions
                 require
                 other
                 spirits
                 ,
                 other
                 resplutions
                 ,
                 which
                 must
                 bee
                 quickened
                 by
                 a
                 more
                 stirring
                 reply
                 :
                 )
                 
                   Thinke
                   not
                   with
                   thy selfe
                   that
                
                 
                 
                   thou
                   shalt
                   escape
                   in
                   the
                   Kings
                   house
                   ,
                   more
                   then
                   all
                   the
                   Iewes
                   .
                   For
                   if
                   thou
                   altogether
                   holdest
                   thy
                   peace
                   at
                   this
                   time
                   ,
                   then
                   shall
                   their
                   inlargement
                   ,
                   &
                   deliuerance
                   arise
                   to
                   the
                   Iewes
                   from
                   another
                   place
                   ,
                   but
                   thou
                   and
                   thy
                   fathers
                   house
                   shall
                   bee
                   destroyed
                   .
                   And
                   who
                   knoweth
                   whether
                   thou
                   art
                   comne
                   to
                   the
                   Kingdome
                   for
                   such
                   a
                   time
                   as
                   this
                   .
                
              
               
                 The
                 expectation
                 of
                 death
                 had
                 not
                 quailed
                 the
                 strong
                 heart
                 of
                 faithfull
                 Mordecai
                 ;
                 euen
                 ,
                 whiles
                 hee
                 mournes
                 ,
                 his
                 zeale
                 droupes
                 not
                 ;
                 there
                 could
                 haue
                 beene
                 no
                 life
                 in
                 that
                 brest
                 ,
                 which
                 this
                 message
                 could
                 not
                 haue
                 rouzed
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 then
                 ?
                 is
                 it
                 death
                 that
                 thou
                 fearest
                 in
                 this
                 attempt
                 of
                 thy
                 supplication
                 ;
                 what
                 other
                 thē
                 death
                 awaits
                 thee
                 in
                 the
                 neglect
                 of
                 it
                 ?
                 there
                 is
                 but
                 this
                 difference
                 ,
                 sue
                 ,
                 &
                 
                 thou
                 maist
                 die
                 ,
                 sue
                 not
                 ,
                 and
                 thou
                 must
                 dye
                 :
                 what
                 blood
                 hast
                 thou
                 but
                 Iewish
                 ?
                 and
                 if
                 these
                 vnalterable
                 edicts
                 exempt
                 no
                 liuing
                 soule
                 ,
                 what
                 shall
                 become
                 of
                 thine
                 ?
                 and
                 canst
                 thou
                 be
                 so
                 vainly
                 timerous
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 die
                 for
                 feare
                 of
                 death
                 ?
                 to
                 preferre
                 certaintie
                 of
                 danger
                 ,
                 before
                 a
                 possibility
                 of
                 hopes
                 ?
                 Away
                 with
                 this
                 weake
                 cowardise
                 vnworthy
                 of
                 an
                 Israelite
                 ,
                 vnworthy
                 of
                 a
                 Queene
                 :
                 But
                 if
                 faint
                 heartednesse
                 or
                 priuate
                 respects
                 shall
                 seale
                 vp
                 thy
                 lippes
                 ,
                 or
                 with-hold
                 thine
                 hand
                 from
                 the
                 ayde
                 of
                 thy
                 people
                 ;
                 if
                 thou
                 canst
                 so
                 farre
                 neglect
                 Gods
                 Church
                 ,
                 know
                 thou
                 that
                 God
                 will
                 not
                 neglect
                 it
                 ;
                 it
                 shall
                 not
                 be
                 in
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 Tyrans
                 to
                 root
                 out
                 his
                 chosen
                 seed
                 ;
                 that
                 holy
                 one
                 of
                 Israel
                 shall
                 rather
                 
                 worke
                 miracles
                 from
                 heauen
                 ,
                 thē
                 his
                 inheritance
                 shall
                 perish
                 vpon
                 earth
                 ?
                 and
                 how
                 iust
                 shall
                 it
                 then
                 be
                 for
                 that
                 iealous
                 God
                 ,
                 to
                 take
                 vengeance
                 vpon
                 thee
                 ,
                 and
                 thy
                 fathers
                 house
                 for
                 this
                 cold
                 vnhelpfulnesse
                 to
                 his
                 distressed
                 Church
                 ?
                 Suffer
                 me
                 therefore
                 to
                 adiure
                 thee
                 by
                 all
                 that
                 tendernesse
                 of
                 loue
                 ,
                 wherewith
                 I
                 haue
                 trained
                 vp
                 thine
                 orphane
                 infancie
                 ;
                 by
                 all
                 those
                 deare
                 and
                 thankfull
                 respects
                 which
                 thou
                 hast
                 vowed
                 to
                 mee
                 againe
                 ;
                 by
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 God
                 of
                 Israel
                 whom
                 wee
                 serue
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 awaken
                 and
                 stirre
                 vp
                 thine
                 holy
                 courage
                 ,
                 and
                 dare
                 to
                 aduenture
                 thy
                 life
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 sauing
                 of
                 many
                 ;
                 It
                 hath
                 pleased
                 the
                 Almighty
                 to
                 raise
                 thee
                 vp
                 to
                 that
                 height
                 of
                 honor
                 ,
                 which
                 our
                 progenitors
                 
                 could
                 little
                 expect
                 ;
                 why
                 shouldst
                 thou
                 bee
                 wanting
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 beene
                 so
                 bountifull
                 to
                 thee
                 ?
                 yea
                 why
                 should
                 I
                 not
                 thinke
                 that
                 God
                 hath
                 put
                 this
                 very
                 act
                 into
                 the
                 intendement
                 of
                 thine
                 exaltation
                 ?
                 hauing
                 on
                 purpose
                 thus
                 seasonably
                 hoysed
                 thee
                 vp
                 to
                 the
                 throne
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 rescue
                 his
                 poore
                 Church
                 from
                 an
                 vtter
                 ruine
                 ?
              
               
                 Oh
                 the
                 admirable
                 faith
                 of
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 that
                 shines
                 through
                 all
                 these
                 cloudes
                 ,
                 and
                 in
                 the
                 thickest
                 of
                 these
                 fogges
                 ,
                 descries
                 a
                 cheerfull
                 glimpse
                 of
                 deliuerance
                 ;
                 Hee
                 saw
                 the
                 day
                 of
                 their
                 common
                 destruction
                 enacted
                 ,
                 he
                 knew
                 the
                 Persian
                 decrees
                 to
                 be
                 vnalterable
                 ;
                 but
                 ,
                 withall
                 ,
                 hee
                 knew
                 there
                 was
                 a
                 Messias
                 to
                 come
                 ;
                 he
                 was
                 so
                 well
                 
                 acquainted
                 with
                 Gods
                 couenanted
                 assurances
                 to
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 can
                 through
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 those
                 bloody
                 resolutions
                 foresee
                 indemnity
                 to
                 Israel
                 ;
                 rather
                 trusting
                 the
                 promises
                 of
                 God
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 threats
                 of
                 men
                 .
                 This
                 is
                 the
                 victory
                 that
                 ouercomes
                 all
                 the
                 feares
                 ,
                 and
                 fury
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 euen
                 our
                 faith
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 quarrell
                 enough
                 against
                 any
                 person
                 ,
                 or
                 community
                 not
                 to
                 haue
                 been
                 aidfull
                 to
                 the
                 distresses
                 of
                 Gods
                 people
                 .
                 Not
                 to
                 ward
                 the
                 blow
                 ,
                 if
                 wee
                 may
                 ,
                 is
                 construed
                 for
                 little
                 better
                 then
                 striking
                 .
                 Till
                 we
                 haue
                 tryed
                 our
                 vtmost
                 ,
                 wee
                 know
                 not
                 whether
                 wee
                 haue
                 done
                 that
                 we
                 came
                 for
                 .
              
               
                 Mordecai
                 hath
                 said
                 enough
                 ;
                 These
                 words
                 haue
                 so
                 put
                 a
                 new
                 
                 life
                 into
                 Esther
                 ,
                 that
                 she
                 is
                 resolute
                 to
                 hazard
                 the
                 old
                 ;
                 
                   Goe
                   gather
                   together
                   all
                   the
                   Iewes
                   that
                   are
                   present
                   in
                   Shushan
                   ,
                   and
                   fast
                   ye
                   for
                   me
                   ,
                   and
                   neither
                   eate
                   nor
                   drinke
                   ,
                   three
                   daies
                   night
                   or
                   day
                   ;
                   I
                   also
                   and
                   my
                   maidens
                   will
                   fast
                   likewise
                   ,
                   and
                   so
                   will
                   I
                   goe
                   in
                   vnto
                   the
                   King
                   ,
                   (
                   which
                   is
                   not
                   according
                   to
                   the
                   law
                   )
                   and
                   if
                   I
                   perish
                   ,
                   I
                   perish
                   .
                
                 Heroicall
                 thoughts
                 doe
                 well
                 befit
                 great
                 actions
                 .
                 Life
                 can
                 neuer
                 be
                 better
                 aduentured
                 ,
                 then
                 where
                 it
                 shall
                 begaine
                 to
                 leese
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 There
                 can
                 bee
                 no
                 law
                 against
                 the
                 humble
                 deprecation
                 of
                 euils
                 ;
                 where
                 the
                 necessity
                 of
                 Gods
                 Church
                 calls
                 to
                 vs
                 ,
                 no
                 danger
                 ,
                 should
                 with-hold
                 vs
                 from
                 all
                 honest
                 meanes
                 of
                 releife
                 .
                 Deepe
                 humiliations
                 must
                 make
                 way
                 for
                 the
                 successe
                 of
                 great
                 enterprises
                 ,
                 
                 wee
                 are
                 most
                 capable
                 of
                 mercy
                 ,
                 vvhen
                 we
                 are
                 throughly
                 empty
                 :
                 A
                 short
                 hunger
                 doth
                 but
                 whet
                 the
                 appetite
                 ,
                 but
                 so
                 long
                 an
                 abstinence
                 meets
                 death
                 halfe
                 way
                 ,
                 to
                 preuent
                 it
                 ;
                 Well
                 may
                 they
                 inioyne
                 sharp
                 penances
                 vnto
                 others
                 ,
                 who
                 practise
                 it
                 vpon
                 themselues
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 Esther
                 that
                 must
                 hope
                 to
                 win
                 Ahasuerus
                 ,
                 yet
                 that
                 shall
                 be
                 macerated
                 with
                 fasting
                 ,
                 that
                 she
                 may
                 preuaile
                 .
                 A
                 carnall
                 heart
                 would
                 haue
                 pampered
                 the
                 flesh
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 might
                 allure
                 those
                 wanton
                 eyes
                 ;
                 shee
                 pines
                 it
                 ,
                 that
                 she
                 may
                 please
                 .
              
               
                 God
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 she
                 ,
                 must
                 work
                 the
                 hart
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ;
                 Faith
                 teaches
                 her
                 rather
                 to
                 trust
                 her
                 deuotions
                 ,
                 then
                 her
                 beauty
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 ESTHER
                 
                   suing
                   to
                
                 AHASVERVS
                 .
              
               
                 THE
                 Iewes
                 are
                 easily
                 
                 intreated
                 to
                 fast
                 ,
                 who
                 had
                 receiued
                 in
                 themselues
                 the
                 sentence
                 of
                 death
                 ;
                 what
                 pleasure
                 could
                 they
                 take
                 in
                 meat
                 ,
                 that
                 knew
                 what
                 day
                 they
                 must
                 eate
                 their
                 last
                 ?
                 The
                 three
                 dayes
                 of
                 abstinence
                 are
                 expired
                 ;
                 now
                 Esther
                 changes
                 her
                 spirits
                 ,
                 no
                 lesse
                 then
                 her
                 clothes
                 ;
                 Who
                 that
                 sees
                 that
                 face
                 ,
                 and
                 that
                 habit
                 ,
                 can
                 say
                 she
                 had
                 mourned
                 ,
                 she
                 had
                 fasted
                 ?
                 Neuer
                 did
                 her
                 royall
                 apparell
                 
                 become
                 her
                 so
                 well
                 .
                 That
                 God
                 before
                 whom
                 she
                 had
                 humbled
                 her selfe
                 ,
                 made
                 her
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 beautifull
                 ,
                 as
                 she
                 had
                 beene
                 more
                 deiected
                 ;
                 And
                 now
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 winning
                 confidence
                 ,
                 she
                 walks
                 into
                 the
                 inner
                 court
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 and
                 puts
                 her selfe
                 into
                 that
                 forbidden
                 presence
                 :
                 as
                 if
                 she
                 said
                 ;
                 Here
                 I
                 am
                 with
                 my
                 life
                 in
                 my
                 hand
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 please
                 the
                 King
                 to
                 take
                 it
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 ready
                 for
                 him
                 ;
                 Vashti
                 ,
                 my
                 predecessor
                 ,
                 forfaited
                 her
                 place
                 for
                 not
                 comming
                 when
                 she
                 was
                 called
                 ;
                 Esther
                 shall
                 now
                 hazard
                 the
                 forfaiture
                 of
                 her
                 life
                 ,
                 for
                 comming
                 when
                 she
                 is
                 not
                 called
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 necessity
                 ,
                 not
                 disobedience
                 that
                 hath
                 put
                 me
                 vpon
                 this
                 bold
                 approch
                 ;
                 according
                 to
                 thy
                 construction
                 ,
                 O
                 King
                 ,
                 I
                 doe
                 either
                 liue
                 or
                 
                 dye
                 ,
                 either
                 shall
                 be
                 welcome
                 .
                 The
                 inexpectednesse
                 of
                 pleasing
                 obiects
                 makes
                 them
                 many
                 times
                 the
                 more
                 acceptable
                 :
                 the
                 beautifull
                 countenance
                 ,
                 the
                 gracefull
                 demeanure
                 ,
                 and
                 goodly
                 presence
                 of
                 Esther
                 ,
                 haue
                 no
                 sooner
                 taken
                 the
                 eyes
                 ,
                 then
                 they
                 haue
                 rauished
                 the
                 hart
                 of
                 King
                 Ahasuerus
                 :
                 Loue
                 hath
                 soone
                 banished
                 all
                 dreadfulnesse
                 ;
                 
                   And
                   the
                   King
                   held
                   out
                   to
                   Esther
                   the
                   golden
                   scepter
                   that
                   was
                   in
                   his
                   hand
                   :
                
                 Moderate
                 intermission
                 is
                 so
                 farre
                 from
                 cooling
                 the
                 affection
                 ,
                 that
                 it
                 inflames
                 it
                 :
                 had
                 Esther
                 been
                 seene
                 euery
                 day
                 ,
                 perhaps
                 that
                 satiety
                 had
                 abated
                 of
                 the
                 height
                 of
                 her
                 welcome
                 ;
                 now
                 ,
                 three
                 and
                 thirty
                 dayes
                 retirednesse
                 hath
                 indeared
                 her
                 more
                 to
                 the
                 surfeted
                 eyes
                 of
                 Ahasuerus
                 .
              
               
               
                 Had
                 not
                 the
                 golden
                 Scepter
                 been
                 held
                 out
                 ,
                 where
                 had
                 Queen
                 Esther
                 beene
                 ?
                 The
                 Persian
                 Kings
                 affected
                 a
                 stern
                 awfulnesse
                 to
                 their
                 subiects
                 ;
                 It
                 was
                 death
                 to
                 solicit
                 them
                 ,
                 vncalled
                 ;
                 How
                 safe
                 ,
                 how
                 easie
                 ,
                 how
                 happy
                 a
                 thing
                 it
                 is
                 to
                 haue
                 to
                 doe
                 with
                 the
                 King
                 of
                 heauen
                 ,
                 who
                 is
                 so
                 pleased
                 with
                 our
                 accesse
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 solicits
                 sutors
                 ;
                 who
                 ,
                 as
                 he
                 is
                 vnweariable
                 with
                 our
                 requests
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 infinite
                 in
                 his
                 beneficences
                 !
              
               
                 How
                 gladly
                 doth
                 Esther
                 touch
                 the
                 top
                 of
                 that
                 Scepter
                 ,
                 by
                 which
                 shee
                 holds
                 her
                 life
                 ?
                 and
                 now
                 ,
                 whiles
                 she
                 thinks
                 it
                 well
                 that
                 she
                 may
                 liue
                 ,
                 she
                 receiues
                 besides
                 pardon
                 ,
                 fauour
                 :
                 
                   What
                   wilt
                   thou
                   Queene
                   Esther
                   ,
                   and
                   what
                   is
                   thy
                   request
                   ?
                   it
                   shall
                   be
                   giuen
                   thee
                   ,
                   euen
                   to
                   the
                   halfe
                   of
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   Kingdome
                
                 .
                 Commonly
                 ,
                 when
                 wee
                 feare
                 most
                 ,
                 wee
                 speed
                 best
                 ;
                 God
                 then
                 most
                 of
                 all
                 magnifies
                 his
                 bounty
                 to
                 vs
                 ,
                 when
                 we
                 haue
                 most
                 afflicted
                 our selues
                 .
                 Ouer-confident
                 expectations
                 are
                 seldome
                 but
                 disappointed
                 ;
                 whiles
                 humble
                 suspicions
                 goe
                 laughing
                 away
                 :
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 benefit
                 and
                 safety
                 of
                 but
                 one
                 peece
                 of
                 the
                 Kingdome
                 that
                 Esther
                 comes
                 to
                 sue
                 for
                 ,
                 and
                 behold
                 ,
                 Ahasuerus
                 offers
                 her
                 the
                 free
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 halfe
                 :
                 He
                 that
                 gaue
                 Haman
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 first
                 word
                 ,
                 the
                 liues
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 Iewish
                 subiects
                 ,
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 giue
                 Esther
                 halfe
                 his
                 Kingdome
                 ,
                 ere
                 she
                 aske
                 :
                 Now
                 shee
                 is
                 no
                 lesse
                 amazed
                 at
                 the
                 louing
                 munificence
                 of
                 Ahasuerus
                 ,
                 then
                 she
                 was
                 before
                 afraid
                 of
                 his
                 austerity
                 ;
                 
                   The
                   Kings
                   hart
                   is
                   in
                
                 
                 
                   the
                   hand
                   of
                   the
                   Lord
                   ,
                   as
                   the
                   riuers
                   of
                   water
                   ;
                   hee
                   turneth
                   it
                   whithersoeuer
                   hee
                   will.
                   
                
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 good
                 to
                 swallow
                 fauours
                 too
                 greedily
                 ,
                 lest
                 they
                 either
                 choke
                 vs
                 in
                 the
                 passage
                 ,
                 or
                 proue
                 hard
                 of
                 digestion
                 .
                 The
                 wise
                 Queene
                 ,
                 howeuer
                 shee
                 might
                 seeme
                 to
                 haue
                 a
                 faire
                 opportunity
                 offered
                 to
                 her
                 suit
                 ,
                 findes
                 it
                 not
                 good
                 to
                 apprehend
                 it
                 too
                 suddenly
                 ;
                 as
                 desiring
                 by
                 this
                 small
                 dilation
                 ,
                 to
                 prepare
                 the
                 eare
                 and
                 hart
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 for
                 so
                 important
                 a
                 request
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 ,
                 all
                 her
                 petition
                 ends
                 in
                 a
                 banquet
                 ;
                 
                   If
                   it
                   seeme
                   good
                   vnto
                   the
                   King
                   ,
                   let
                   the
                   King
                   and
                   Haman
                   come
                   this
                   day
                   vnto
                   the
                   banquet
                   ,
                   that
                   I
                   haue
                   prepared
                   for
                   him
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 an
                 easie
                 fauor
                 to
                 receiue
                 a
                 small
                 courtesie
                 ,
                 where
                 
                 we
                 offer
                 to
                 giue
                 great
                 .
                 Haman
                 is
                 called
                 ,
                 the
                 King
                 comes
                 to
                 Esthers
                 table
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 highly
                 pleased
                 with
                 his
                 entertainment
                 ,
                 hee
                 himselfe
                 solicits
                 her
                 to
                 propound
                 that
                 suit
                 ,
                 for
                 which
                 her
                 modesty
                 would
                 ,
                 but
                 durst
                 not
                 solicit
                 him
                 :
                 Bashfulnesse
                 shall
                 leese
                 nothing
                 at
                 the
                 hand
                 of
                 wel-gouerned
                 greatnesse
                 .
              
               
                 Yet
                 still
                 Esthers
                 suit
                 stickes
                 in
                 her
                 teeth
                 ,
                 and
                 dares
                 not
                 come
                 forth
                 without
                 a
                 further
                 preface
                 of
                 time
                 ,
                 and
                 expectation
                 ;
                 Another
                 banquet
                 must
                 passe
                 ,
                 ere
                 this
                 reckning
                 can
                 be
                 giuen
                 in
                 .
                 Other
                 suitors
                 wait
                 long
                 for
                 the
                 deliuerie
                 of
                 their
                 petition
                 ;
                 longer
                 for
                 the
                 receit
                 of
                 their
                 answer
                 :
                 Here
                 the
                 King
                 is
                 faine
                 to
                 wait
                 for
                 his
                 suit
                 :
                 Whether
                 Esthers
                 hart
                 would
                 
                 not
                 yet
                 serue
                 her
                 to
                 contest
                 with
                 so
                 strong
                 an
                 aduersary
                 ,
                 as
                 Haman
                 ,
                 without
                 further
                 recollection
                 ;
                 or
                 whether
                 she
                 desired
                 to
                 get
                 better
                 hold
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 by
                 indearing
                 him
                 with
                 so
                 pleasing
                 entertainments
                 ;
                 or
                 whether
                 shee
                 would
                 thus
                 ripen
                 her
                 hopes
                 ,
                 by
                 working
                 in
                 the
                 mind
                 of
                 king
                 Ahasuerus
                 a
                 fore-conceit
                 of
                 the
                 greatnesse
                 ,
                 and
                 difficulty
                 of
                 that
                 suit
                 ,
                 which
                 was
                 so
                 loath
                 to
                 come
                 forth
                 ;
                 or
                 ,
                 whether
                 she
                 meant
                 thus
                 to
                 giue
                 scope
                 to
                 the
                 pride
                 ,
                 and
                 malice
                 of
                 Haman
                 ,
                 for
                 his
                 more
                 certaine
                 ruine
                 :
                 Howsoeuer
                 it
                 were
                 ,
                 to
                 morrow
                 is
                 a
                 new
                 day
                 ,
                 set
                 for
                 Esthers
                 second
                 banquet
                 ,
                 &
                 third
                 petition
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 King
                 is
                 not
                 inuited
                 without
                 Haman
                 ;
                 Fauors
                 are
                 sometimes
                 done
                 to
                 men
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 purpose
                 of
                 
                 displeasure
                 ;
                 Doubtlesse
                 Haman
                 tasted
                 of
                 the
                 same
                 cates
                 with
                 his
                 master
                 ;
                 neither
                 could
                 hee
                 in
                 the
                 forehead
                 of
                 Esther
                 read
                 any
                 other
                 characters
                 ,
                 then
                 of
                 respect
                 ,
                 and
                 kind
                 applause
                 ,
                 yet
                 had
                 shee
                 then
                 ,
                 in
                 her
                 hopes
                 ,
                 disigned
                 him
                 to
                 a
                 iust
                 reuenge
                 .
                 Little
                 do
                 we
                 know
                 ,
                 by
                 outward
                 cariages
                 ,
                 in
                 what
                 termes
                 we
                 stand
                 with
                 either
                 God
                 or
                 men
                 .
              
               
                 Euery
                 little
                 winde
                 raiseth
                 vp
                 a
                 bubble
                 ;
                 How
                 is
                 Haman
                 now
                 exalted
                 in
                 himselfe
                 with
                 the
                 singular
                 grace
                 of
                 Queene
                 Esther
                 ;
                 and
                 begins
                 to
                 value
                 himselfe
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 ,
                 as
                 hee
                 sees
                 himselfe
                 higher
                 in
                 the
                 rate
                 of
                 others
                 opinion
                 .
              
               
                 Only
                 surly
                 ,
                 and
                 sullen
                 Mordecai
                 is
                 an
                 allay
                 to
                 his
                 happinesse
                 ;
                 No
                 
                 edict
                 of
                 death
                 can
                 bow
                 the
                 knees
                 of
                 that
                 stout
                 Iew
                 :
                 yea
                 the
                 notice
                 of
                 that
                 bloody
                 cruelty
                 of
                 this
                 Agagite
                 ,
                 haue
                 stiffned
                 them
                 so
                 much
                 the
                 more
                 :
                 Before
                 ,
                 he
                 lookt
                 at
                 Haman
                 as
                 an
                 Amalekite
                 ,
                 now
                 ,
                 as
                 a
                 persecutor
                 .
                 Disdaine
                 and
                 anger
                 looke
                 out
                 at
                 those
                 eyes
                 ,
                 and
                 bid
                 that
                 proud
                 enemy
                 doe
                 his
                 worst
                 .
                 No
                 doubt
                 ,
                 Mordecai
                 had
                 beene
                 listening
                 after
                 the
                 speed
                 of
                 Queen
                 Esther
                 ;
                 how
                 shee
                 came
                 in
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 how
                 she
                 was
                 welcom'd
                 with
                 the
                 golden
                 scepter
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 the
                 more
                 precious
                 words
                 of
                 Ahasuerus
                 ;
                 how
                 shee
                 had
                 intertained
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 how
                 shee
                 pleased
                 ;
                 the
                 newes
                 had
                 quit
                 his
                 sackcloth
                 ,
                 and
                 raised
                 his
                 courage
                 to
                 a
                 more
                 scornfull
                 neglect
                 of
                 his
                 professed
                 aduersary
                 .
              
               
               
                 Haman
                 comes
                 home
                 ,
                 I
                 know
                 not
                 whether
                 more
                 full
                 of
                 pride
                 ,
                 or
                 of
                 rage
                 ;
                 calls
                 an
                 inward
                 counsell
                 of
                 his
                 choise
                 friends
                 ,
                 together
                 with
                 his
                 wife
                 ;
                 makes
                 a
                 glorious
                 report
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 wealth
                 ,
                 magnificence
                 ,
                 height
                 of
                 fauor
                 ,
                 both
                 with
                 the
                 King
                 and
                 Queene
                 ;
                 and
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 after
                 all
                 his
                 sun-shine
                 ,
                 sets
                 in
                 this
                 cloudy
                 epilogue
                 ,
                 
                   Yet
                   all
                   this
                   auaileth
                   me
                   nothing
                   ,
                   so
                   long
                   as
                   I
                   see
                   Mordecai
                   the
                   Iew
                   sitting
                   at
                   the
                   Kings
                   gate
                   .
                
                 It
                 is
                 seldome
                 seene
                 that
                 God
                 allowes
                 euen
                 to
                 the
                 greatest
                 dearlings
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 a
                 perfect
                 contentment
                 ;
                 something
                 they
                 must
                 haue
                 to
                 complaine
                 of
                 ,
                 that
                 shall
                 giue
                 an
                 vnsauory
                 verdure
                 to
                 their
                 sweetest
                 morsels
                 ;
                 and
                 make
                 their
                 very
                 felicity
                 ,
                 miserable
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 wit
                 of
                 women
                 hath
                 wont
                 
                 to
                 be
                 noted
                 for
                 more
                 sudden
                 and
                 more
                 sharpe
                 .
                 Zeresh
                 the
                 wife
                 of
                 Haman
                 sets
                 on
                 foot
                 that
                 motion
                 of
                 speedy
                 reuenge
                 ,
                 which
                 is
                 applauded
                 by
                 the
                 rest
                 .
                 
                   Let
                   a
                   gallowes
                   be
                   made
                   of
                   fifty
                   cubits
                   high
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   morrow
                   ,
                   speake
                   thou
                   to
                   the
                   King
                   ,
                   that
                   Mordecai
                   may
                   be
                   hanged
                   thereon
                   ;
                   then
                   goe
                   thou
                   in
                   merily
                   with
                   the
                   King
                   ,
                   vnto
                   the
                   banquet
                   .
                
                 I
                 doe
                 not
                 heare
                 thē
                 say
                 ;
                 Be
                 patient
                 a
                 while
                 ,
                 thou
                 hast
                 already
                 set
                 Mordecai
                 his
                 last
                 day
                 ;
                 the
                 month
                 Adar
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 long
                 in
                 comming
                 ;
                 the
                 determination
                 of
                 his
                 death
                 hath
                 made
                 him
                 desperate
                 ,
                 let
                 him
                 in
                 the
                 meane
                 time
                 eate
                 his
                 owne
                 heart
                 in
                 enuy
                 at
                 thy
                 greatnesse
                 ;
                 but
                 they
                 rather
                 aduise
                 of
                 a
                 quicke
                 dispatch
                 .
                 Malice
                 is
                 a
                 thing
                 full
                 of
                 impatience
                 ,
                 and
                 hates
                 delay
                 of
                 execution
                 ,
                 next
                 vnto
                 
                 mercy
                 .
                 Whiles
                 any
                 grudge
                 lies
                 at
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 it
                 cannot
                 bee
                 freelie
                 cheerfull
                 .
                 Forced
                 smiles
                 are
                 but
                 the
                 hypocrisie
                 of
                 mirth
                 .
                 How
                 happy
                 were
                 it
                 for
                 vs
                 ,
                 if
                 we
                 could
                 be
                 so
                 zealously
                 carefull
                 to
                 remoue
                 the
                 hindrances
                 of
                 our
                 true
                 spirituall
                 ioy
                 ,
                 those
                 stubborne
                 corruptions
                 ,
                 that
                 will
                 not
                 stoope
                 to
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 grace
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 MORDECAI
                 
                   honored
                   by
                
                 HAMAN
                 .
              
               
                 THe
                 wit
                 of
                 Zeresh
                 had
                 like
                 to
                 haue
                 
                 gone
                 beyond
                 the
                 wit
                 of
                 Esther
                 ;
                 had
                 not
                 the
                 working
                 prouidence
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 contriued
                 these
                 euents
                 ,
                 beyond
                 all
                 hopes
                 ,
                 all
                 conceits
                 ,
                 Mordecai
                 had
                 beene
                 dispatched
                 ,
                 ere
                 Esters
                 secōd
                 banket
                 .
                 To
                 morrow
                 was
                 the
                 day
                 pitched
                 for
                 both
                 their
                 designes
                 ;
                 had
                 not
                 the
                 streame
                 beene
                 inexpectedly
                 turned
                 ,
                 in
                 vaine
                 had
                 the
                 Queene
                 blamed
                 her
                 delayes
                 ;
                 
                 Mordecaies
                 breakfast
                 had
                 preuented
                 Esthers
                 dinner
                 :
                 for
                 certainly
                 ,
                 hee
                 that
                 had
                 giuen
                 to
                 Haman
                 so
                 many
                 thousand
                 liues
                 ,
                 would
                 neuer
                 haue
                 made
                 dainty
                 ,
                 vpon
                 the
                 same
                 suit
                 ,
                 to
                 anticipate
                 one
                 of
                 those
                 ,
                 whom
                 he
                 had
                 condemned
                 to
                 the
                 slaughter
                 :
                 But
                 ,
                 God
                 meant
                 better
                 things
                 to
                 his
                 Church
                 ,
                 and
                 fetches
                 about
                 all
                 his
                 holy
                 purposes
                 ,
                 after
                 a
                 wonderfull
                 fashion
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 instant
                 of
                 oportunity
                 :
                 
                   Hee
                   that
                   keepeth
                   Israel
                   ,
                   and
                   neither
                   slumbreth
                   ,
                   nor
                   sleepeth
                   ,
                
                 causeth
                 sleepe
                 to
                 depart
                 that
                 night
                 from
                 him
                 that
                 had
                 decreed
                 to
                 root
                 out
                 Israel
                 .
                 Great
                 Ahasuerus
                 ,
                 that
                 commanded
                 an
                 hundred
                 and
                 seuen
                 and
                 twenty
                 prouinces
                 ,
                 cannot
                 command
                 an
                 houres
                 sleepe
                 .
                 Pouerty
                 is
                 rather
                 blessed
                 with
                 the
                 
                 freedome
                 of
                 rest
                 ,
                 then
                 vvealth
                 ,
                 and
                 power
                 :
                 Cares
                 and
                 surfet
                 vvith-hold
                 that
                 from
                 the
                 great
                 ,
                 vvhich
                 presseth
                 vpon
                 the
                 spare
                 diet
                 ,
                 and
                 labour
                 of
                 the
                 meanest
                 .
                 Nothing
                 is
                 more
                 tedious
                 then
                 an
                 eager
                 pursuit
                 of
                 denied
                 sleepe
                 :
                 vvhich
                 (
                 like
                 to
                 a
                 shadow
                 )
                 flyes
                 away
                 so
                 much
                 faster
                 ,
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 more
                 followed
                 :
                 Experience
                 tels
                 vs
                 ,
                 that
                 this
                 benefit
                 is
                 best
                 solicited
                 by
                 neglect
                 ;
                 and
                 soonest
                 found
                 when
                 vve
                 haue
                 forgotten
                 to
                 seeke
                 it
                 .
              
               
                 Whether
                 to
                 deceiue
                 the
                 time
                 ,
                 or
                 to
                 bestow
                 it
                 well
                 ;
                 Ahasuerus
                 shall
                 spend
                 his
                 restlesse
                 houres
                 in
                 the
                 Chronicles
                 of
                 his
                 time
                 .
                 Nothing
                 is
                 more
                 requisite
                 for
                 Princes
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 looke
                 backe
                 vpon
                 their
                 owne
                 actions
                 ,
                 and
                 euents
                 ,
                 and
                 those
                 of
                 their
                 predecessors
                 ;
                 
                 The
                 examination
                 of
                 fore-past
                 actions
                 makes
                 them
                 wise
                 ,
                 of
                 euents
                 ,
                 thankfull
                 ,
                 and
                 cautelous
                 .
              
               
                 Amongst
                 those
                 voluminous
                 registers
                 of
                 Acts
                 &
                 Monuments
                 ,
                 which
                 so
                 many
                 scores
                 of
                 prouinces
                 must
                 needs
                 yeeld
                 ,
                 the
                 booke
                 shall
                 open
                 vpon
                 Mordecaies
                 discouery
                 of
                 the
                 late
                 treason
                 of
                 the
                 two
                 Euruches
                 :
                 the
                 reader
                 is
                 turned
                 thither
                 ,
                 by
                 an
                 insensible
                 sway
                 of
                 prouidence
                 :
                 Our
                 most
                 arbitrary
                 or
                 casuall
                 actions
                 are
                 ouer-ruled
                 by
                 an
                 hand
                 in
                 heauen
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 King
                 now
                 feeles
                 afresh
                 the
                 danger
                 of
                 that
                 conspiracy
                 ;
                 and
                 (
                 as
                 great
                 spirits
                 abide
                 not
                 to
                 smother
                 or
                 bury
                 good
                 offices
                 )
                 in
                 quires
                 into
                 the
                 recompence
                 of
                 so
                 loyall
                 a
                 seruice
                 ,
                 
                   What
                   honour
                   and
                   dignity
                   bath
                   beene
                   done
                   to
                   Mordecai
                   for
                   this
                   ?
                
                 
                 Surely
                 Mordecai
                 did
                 but
                 his
                 duty
                 ;
                 he
                 had
                 hainously
                 sinned
                 ,
                 if
                 hee
                 had
                 not
                 reuealed
                 this
                 wicked
                 trechery
                 ;
                 yet
                 Ahasuerus
                 takes
                 thought
                 for
                 his
                 remuneratiō
                 :
                 How
                 much
                 more
                 carefull
                 art
                 thou
                 ,
                 ô
                 God
                 of
                 all
                 mercies
                 ,
                 to
                 reward
                 the
                 weake
                 obediences
                 of
                 thine
                 (
                 at
                 the
                 best
                 )
                 vnprofitable
                 seruants
                 ?
              
               
                 That
                 which
                 was
                 intended
                 to
                 procure
                 rest
                 ,
                 sets
                 it
                 off
                 ;
                 King
                 Ahasuerus
                 is
                 vnquiet
                 in
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 to
                 think
                 that
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 merit
                 should
                 lye
                 ,
                 but
                 so
                 long
                 ,
                 neglected
                 ;
                 neither
                 can
                 he
                 find
                 any
                 peace
                 in
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 till
                 hee
                 haue
                 giuen
                 order
                 for
                 a
                 speedy
                 retribution
                 :
                 hearing
                 therefore
                 by
                 his
                 seruants
                 ,
                 that
                 Haman
                 was
                 below
                 in
                 the
                 Court
                 ,
                 hee
                 sends
                 for
                 him
                 vp
                 ,
                 to
                 consult
                 with
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   What
                   should
                   be
                   done
                   to
                   the
                   man
                
                 
                 
                   whom
                   the
                   King
                   delighteth
                   to
                   honour
                   :
                
                 O
                 maruellous
                 concurrence
                 of
                 circumstances
                 ,
                 drawne
                 together
                 by
                 the
                 infinite
                 vvisedome
                 ,
                 and
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 :
                 Who
                 but
                 Haman
                 should
                 be
                 the
                 man
                 ?
                 And
                 vvhen
                 should
                 Haman
                 bee
                 called
                 to
                 aduise
                 of
                 Mordecaies
                 honour
                 ,
                 but
                 in
                 the
                 very
                 instant
                 ,
                 vvhen
                 hee
                 came
                 to
                 sue
                 for
                 Mordecaies
                 hanging
                 ?
                 Had
                 Ahasuerus
                 but
                 slept
                 that
                 night
                 ,
                 Mordecai
                 had
                 beene
                 that
                 morning
                 aduanced
                 fifty
                 cubits
                 higher
                 then
                 the
                 earth
                 ,
                 ere
                 the
                 king
                 could
                 haue
                 remembred
                 to
                 vvhō
                 he
                 vvas
                 beholden
                 .
              
               
                 What
                 shall
                 vvee
                 say
                 then
                 to
                 reconcile
                 these
                 crosse-passions
                 in
                 Ahasuerus
                 ?
                 Before
                 he
                 signed
                 that
                 decree
                 of
                 killing
                 all
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 hee
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 know
                 that
                 a
                 Iew
                 
                 had
                 saued
                 his
                 life
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 ,
                 after
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 enacted
                 the
                 slaughter
                 of
                 all
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 as
                 rebels
                 ,
                 he
                 is
                 giuing
                 order
                 to
                 honour
                 a
                 Iew
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 preseruer
                 .
                 It
                 were
                 strange
                 if
                 great
                 persons
                 in
                 the
                 multitude
                 of
                 their
                 distractions
                 should
                 not
                 let
                 fall
                 some
                 incongruities
                 .
              
               
                 Yet
                 ,
                 vvho
                 can
                 but
                 think
                 that
                 king
                 Ahasuerus
                 meant
                 vpon
                 some
                 second
                 thoughts
                 to
                 make
                 amends
                 to
                 Mordecai
                 ?
                 neither
                 can
                 he
                 choose
                 but
                 put
                 these
                 two
                 together
                 ;
                 The
                 Iewes
                 are
                 appointed
                 to
                 death
                 ,
                 at
                 the
                 suit
                 of
                 Haman
                 ;
                 This
                 Mordecai
                 is
                 a
                 Iew
                 ;
                 how
                 then
                 can
                 I
                 doe
                 more
                 grace
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 saued
                 my
                 life
                 ,
                 then
                 to
                 command
                 him
                 to
                 be
                 honored
                 by
                 that
                 man
                 who
                 vvould
                 spill
                 his
                 ?
              
               
                 When
                 Haman
                 heard
                 himselfe
                 
                 called
                 vp
                 to
                 the
                 bed-chamber
                 of
                 his
                 master
                 ,
                 he
                 thinks
                 himselfe
                 too
                 happy
                 in
                 so
                 early
                 an
                 oportunity
                 of
                 presenting
                 his
                 suit
                 ;
                 but
                 yet
                 more
                 in
                 the
                 pleasing
                 question
                 of
                 Ahasuerus
                 ;
                 vvherein
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 imagine
                 that
                 fauour
                 forced
                 it selfe
                 vpon
                 him
                 vvith
                 strange
                 importunity
                 ;
                 For
                 how
                 could
                 hee
                 conceiue
                 that
                 any
                 intention
                 of
                 more
                 then
                 ordinary
                 honor
                 could
                 fall
                 besides
                 himselfe
                 ?
                 Selfe-loue
                 ,
                 like
                 to
                 a
                 good
                 stomach
                 ,
                 drawes
                 to
                 it selfe
                 what
                 nourishment
                 it
                 likes
                 ;
                 and
                 casts
                 off
                 that
                 which
                 offends
                 it
                 .
                 Haman
                 will
                 bee
                 sure
                 to
                 bee
                 no
                 niggard
                 in
                 aduising
                 those
                 ceremonies
                 of
                 honour
                 ,
                 which
                 he
                 thinkes
                 meant
                 to
                 his
                 owne
                 person
                 .
                 Could
                 hee
                 haue
                 once
                 dreamed
                 that
                 this
                 grace
                 had
                 been
                 purposed
                 
                 to
                 any
                 vnder
                 heauen
                 ,
                 besides
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 beene
                 so
                 lauish
                 in
                 counselling
                 so
                 pompous
                 a
                 shew
                 of
                 excessiue
                 magnificence
                 .
                 Now
                 the
                 Kings
                 owne
                 royall
                 apparell
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 owne
                 Steed
                 is
                 not
                 sufficient
                 ,
                 except
                 the
                 royall
                 Crowne
                 also
                 make
                 vp
                 the
                 glory
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 who
                 shall
                 thus
                 triumph
                 in
                 the
                 kings
                 fauour
                 .
                 Yet
                 all
                 this
                 were
                 nothing
                 in
                 base
                 hands
                 :
                 The
                 actor
                 shall
                 be
                 the
                 best
                 part
                 of
                 this
                 great
                 pageant
                 .
                 
                   Let
                   this
                   apparell
                   ,
                   and
                   this
                   horse
                   ,
                   be
                   deliuered
                   to
                   one
                   of
                   the
                   Kings
                   most
                   noble
                   Princes
                   ,
                   that
                   they
                   may
                   aray
                   the
                   man
                   withall
                   ,
                   whom
                   the
                   King
                   delighteth
                   to
                   honour
                   ,
                   and
                   bring
                   him
                   on
                   horse
                   backe
                   through
                   the
                   streets
                   of
                   the
                   City
                   ,
                   and
                   proclaime
                   before
                   him
                   ,
                   Thus
                   shall
                   it
                   be
                   done
                   to
                   the
                   man
                   whom
                   the
                   King
                   delighteth
                   to
                   honour
                   .
                
                 
                 Honour
                 is
                 more
                 in
                 him
                 that
                 giues
                 ,
                 then
                 him
                 that
                 receiues
                 it
                 :
                 To
                 be
                 honoured
                 by
                 the
                 vnworthy
                 is
                 little
                 better
                 then
                 disgrace
                 ;
                 No
                 meaner
                 person
                 will
                 serue
                 to
                 attend
                 this
                 Agagite
                 ,
                 in
                 his
                 supposed
                 greatnesse
                 ,
                 then
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 noblest
                 Princes
                 .
                 The
                 ambition
                 is
                 too
                 high
                 flowne
                 that
                 seekes
                 glory
                 in
                 the
                 seruility
                 of
                 equals
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 place
                 addes
                 much
                 to
                 the
                 act
                 ;
                 There
                 is
                 small
                 hart
                 in
                 a
                 concealed
                 honour
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 nothing
                 vnlesse
                 the
                 streets
                 of
                 the
                 city
                 Shushan
                 be
                 witnesses
                 of
                 this
                 pompe
                 ,
                 and
                 ring
                 with
                 that
                 gracious
                 acclamation
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 vaine
                 harts
                 of
                 proud
                 men
                 can
                 easily
                 deuise
                 those
                 meanes
                 ,
                 whereby
                 they
                 may
                 best
                 set
                 out
                 themselues
                 .
                 Oh
                 that
                 wee
                 could
                 
                 equally
                 affect
                 the
                 meanes
                 of
                 true
                 and
                 immortall
                 glory
                 .
                 The
                 heart
                 of
                 man
                 is
                 neuer
                 so
                 cold
                 within
                 him
                 ,
                 as
                 when
                 from
                 the
                 height
                 of
                 the
                 expectation
                 of
                 good
                 ,
                 it
                 falls
                 into
                 a
                 sudden
                 sense
                 of
                 euill
                 :
                 So
                 did
                 this
                 
                   Agagites
                   .
                   Then
                   the
                   King
                   sayd
                   to
                   Haman
                   ,
                   make
                   hast
                   ,
                   and
                   take
                   the
                   apparell
                   ,
                   and
                   the
                   horse
                   ,
                   as
                   thou
                   hast
                   said
                   ,
                   and
                   doe
                   euen
                   so
                   to
                   Mordecai
                   the
                   Iew
                   ,
                   that
                   sitteth
                   at
                   the
                   Kings
                   gate
                   ;
                   Let
                   nothing
                   faile
                   of
                   all
                   that
                   thou
                   hast
                   said
                   .
                
                 How
                 was
                 Haman
                 thunder-stricken
                 with
                 this
                 killing
                 word
                 ?
                 
                   Doe
                   thou
                   so
                   to
                   Mordecai
                
                 ?
                 I
                 dare
                 say
                 all
                 the
                 honors
                 that
                 Ahasuerus
                 had
                 heaped
                 vpon
                 Haman
                 ,
                 cannot
                 counteruaile
                 this
                 one
                 vexation
                 :
                 Doubtlesse
                 ,
                 at
                 first
                 ,
                 he
                 distrusts
                 his
                 eare
                 ,
                 and
                 then
                 muzes
                 whether
                 the
                 King
                 be
                 in
                 earnest
                 ;
                 at
                 last
                 ,
                 when
                 
                 he
                 heares
                 the
                 charge
                 so
                 seriously
                 doubled
                 ,
                 and
                 findes
                 himselfe
                 forced
                 to
                 beleeue
                 it
                 ,
                 hee
                 beginnes
                 to
                 thinke
                 ,
                 What
                 meanes
                 this
                 vnconceiuable
                 alteration
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 no
                 man
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 Court
                 of
                 Persia
                 to
                 bee
                 pickt
                 out
                 for
                 extraordinary
                 honor
                 ,
                 but
                 Mordecai
                 ?
                 Is
                 there
                 no
                 man
                 to
                 bee
                 pickt
                 out
                 for
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 this
                 honour
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 but
                 Haman
                 ?
                 haue
                 I
                 but
                 one
                 proud
                 enemie
                 in
                 all
                 the
                 world
                 ,
                 and
                 am
                 I
                 singled
                 out
                 to
                 grace
                 him
                 ?
                 Did
                 it
                 gall
                 me
                 to
                 the
                 heart
                 ,
                 and
                 make
                 all
                 my
                 happinesse
                 tedious
                 vnto
                 mee
                 ,
                 to
                 see
                 that
                 this
                 Iew
                 would
                 not
                 bow
                 to
                 me
                 ,
                 &
                 must
                 I
                 now
                 bow
                 to
                 him
                 ?
                 That
                 which
                 he
                 would
                 rather
                 dye
                 ,
                 and
                 forfait
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 all
                 his
                 nation
                 ,
                 then
                 doe
                 to
                 mee
                 ,
                 notwithstanding
                 the
                 Kings
                 command
                 ;
                 
                 shall
                 I
                 bee
                 forced
                 by
                 the
                 Kings
                 command
                 to
                 doe
                 vnto
                 him
                 ?
                 Yea
                 ,
                 did
                 hee
                 refuse
                 to
                 giue
                 but
                 a
                 cap
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 knee
                 to
                 my
                 greatnesse
                 ;
                 and
                 must
                 I
                 lacquay
                 so
                 base
                 a
                 fellow
                 through
                 the
                 streets
                 ,
                 must
                 I
                 be
                 his
                 herald
                 to
                 proclaime
                 his
                 honour
                 through
                 all
                 Shushan
                 ?
                 Why
                 doe
                 I
                 not
                 let
                 the
                 King
                 know
                 the
                 insolent
                 affronts
                 that
                 hee
                 hath
                 offered
                 me
                 ?
                 Why
                 doe
                 I
                 not
                 signifie
                 to
                 my
                 Soueraigne
                 ,
                 that
                 my
                 errand
                 now
                 was
                 for
                 another
                 kinde
                 of
                 aduancement
                 to
                 Mordecai
                 ?
                 If
                 I
                 obtaine
                 not
                 my
                 desired
                 reuenge
                 ,
                 yet
                 ,
                 at
                 least
                 ,
                 I
                 shall
                 preuaile
                 so
                 far
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 exempt
                 my selfe
                 from
                 this
                 officious
                 attendance
                 vpon
                 so
                 vnequall
                 an
                 enemy
                 .
                 And
                 yet
                 ,
                 that
                 motiō
                 cānot
                 be
                 now
                 safe
                 ;
                 I
                 see
                 the
                 Kings
                 heart
                 is
                 (
                 vpon
                 what
                 groūd
                 
                 so
                 euer
                 )
                 bent
                 vpon
                 this
                 action
                 ;
                 should
                 I
                 flye
                 off
                 neuer
                 so
                 little
                 (
                 after
                 my
                 word
                 so
                 directly
                 passed
                 )
                 perhaps
                 my
                 coldnesse
                 ,
                 or
                 opposition
                 might
                 be
                 construed
                 as
                 some
                 wayward
                 contestation
                 with
                 my
                 master
                 :
                 Especially
                 ,
                 since
                 the
                 seruice
                 that
                 Mordecai
                 hath
                 done
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 is
                 of
                 an
                 higher
                 nature
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 despight
                 which
                 he
                 hath
                 done
                 to
                 mee
                 .
                 I
                 will
                 ,
                 I
                 must
                 giue
                 way
                 for
                 the
                 time
                 ;
                 mine
                 humble
                 yeeldance
                 ,
                 (
                 when
                 all
                 the
                 cariage
                 of
                 this
                 businesse
                 shall
                 bee
                 vnderderstood
                 )
                 shal
                 (
                 I
                 doubt
                 not
                 )
                 make
                 way
                 for
                 mine
                 intended
                 reuenge
                 :
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 I
                 will
                 honor
                 thee
                 now
                 ,
                 that
                 by
                 these
                 steps
                 ,
                 I
                 may
                 ere
                 long
                 raise
                 thee
                 many
                 cubits
                 higher
                 .
                 I
                 will
                 obey
                 the
                 command
                 of
                 my
                 soueraigne
                 in
                 obseruing
                 thee
                 ,
                 that
                 
                 he
                 may
                 reward
                 the
                 merit
                 of
                 my
                 loyalty
                 ,
                 in
                 thine
                 execution
                 .
              
               
                 Thus
                 resolued
                 ,
                 Haman
                 goes
                 forth
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 face
                 and
                 heart
                 full
                 of
                 distraction
                 ,
                 full
                 of
                 confusion
                 ;
                 and
                 addresses
                 himselfe
                 to
                 the
                 attyring
                 ,
                 to
                 the
                 attending
                 of
                 his
                 old
                 aduersary
                 ,
                 and
                 new
                 master
                 ,
                 Mordecai
                 ;
                 What
                 lookes
                 doe
                 we
                 now
                 think
                 were
                 cast
                 vpō
                 each
                 other
                 ,
                 at
                 their
                 first
                 greeting
                 ?
                 their
                 eyes
                 had
                 not
                 forgotten
                 their
                 old
                 language
                 ;
                 Certainly
                 ,
                 when
                 Mordecai
                 saw
                 Haman
                 come
                 into
                 the
                 roome
                 where
                 he
                 was
                 ,
                 he
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 thinke
                 ;
                 This
                 man
                 hath
                 long
                 thirsted
                 for
                 my
                 blood
                 ,
                 and
                 now
                 hee
                 comes
                 to
                 fetch
                 it
                 ;
                 I
                 shall
                 not
                 liue
                 to
                 see
                 the
                 successe
                 of
                 Esther
                 ,
                 or
                 the
                 fatall
                 day
                 of
                 my
                 nation
                 :
                 It
                 was
                 knowne
                 that
                 morning
                 in
                 the
                 
                 Court
                 ,
                 what
                 a
                 lofty
                 gibbet
                 Haman
                 had
                 prouided
                 for
                 Mordecai
                 ;
                 and
                 why
                 might
                 it
                 not
                 haue
                 comne
                 to
                 Mordecaies
                 eare
                 ?
                 What
                 could
                 he
                 therefore
                 now
                 imagine
                 other
                 ,
                 then
                 that
                 he
                 was
                 called
                 out
                 to
                 that
                 execution
                 ?
                 But
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 saw
                 the
                 royall
                 robe
                 that
                 Haman
                 brought
                 to
                 him
                 ;
                 he
                 thinks
                 ,
                 Is
                 it
                 not
                 enough
                 for
                 this
                 man
                 to
                 kill
                 mee
                 ,
                 but
                 he
                 must
                 mock
                 me
                 too
                 ,
                 What
                 an
                 addition
                 is
                 this
                 to
                 the
                 former
                 cruelty
                 ?
                 thus
                 to
                 insult
                 ,
                 and
                 play
                 vpon
                 my
                 last
                 distresse
                 ?
                 But
                 ,
                 when
                 he
                 yet
                 saw
                 the
                 royall
                 crowne
                 ready
                 to
                 be
                 set
                 on
                 his
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 Kings
                 owne
                 horse
                 richly
                 furnished
                 ,
                 at
                 his
                 gate
                 ,
                 and
                 found
                 himselfe
                 raised
                 by
                 Princely
                 hands
                 ,
                 into
                 that
                 royall
                 seat
                 ,
                 he
                 thinks
                 ;
                 what
                 may
                 all
                 this
                 meane
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 the
                 purpose
                 
                 of
                 mine
                 aduersary
                 that
                 I
                 shal
                 dye
                 in
                 state
                 ?
                 Would
                 he
                 haue
                 me
                 hangd
                 in
                 triumph
                 ?
                 At
                 last
                 ,
                 when
                 hee
                 sees
                 such
                 a
                 traine
                 of
                 Persian
                 Peeres
                 attending
                 him
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 graue
                 reuerence
                 ;
                 and
                 heares
                 Haman
                 proclaime
                 before
                 him
                 ,
                 
                   Thus
                   shall
                   it
                   bee
                   done
                   to
                   the
                   man
                   whom
                   the
                   King
                   delighteth
                   to
                   honour
                
                 ;
                 finding
                 this
                 pompe
                 to
                 be
                 serious
                 ,
                 &
                 well
                 meant
                 ,
                 hee
                 imagines
                 (
                 in
                 all
                 likelihood
                 )
                 that
                 this
                 inexpected
                 chāge
                 proceeds
                 from
                 the
                 suit
                 of
                 his
                 Esther
                 ;
                 now
                 ,
                 he
                 begins
                 to
                 lift
                 vp
                 his
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 hope
                 well
                 of
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 people
                 ,
                 and
                 could
                 not
                 but
                 say
                 within
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 not
                 fasted
                 for
                 nothing
                 .
                 O
                 the
                 wondrous
                 alteration
                 that
                 one
                 morning
                 hath
                 made
                 in
                 the
                 court
                 of
                 Persia
                 ;
                 he
                 that
                 was
                 yesternight
                 
                 despised
                 by
                 Hamans
                 footmen
                 ,
                 is
                 now
                 waited
                 on
                 by
                 Haman
                 ,
                 and
                 all
                 his
                 fellow-Princes
                 ;
                 Hee
                 that
                 yester-night
                 had
                 the
                 homage
                 of
                 all
                 knees
                 but
                 one
                 ,
                 and
                 was
                 ready
                 to
                 burst
                 for
                 the
                 lacke
                 of
                 that
                 ,
                 now
                 doth
                 obeysance
                 to
                 that
                 one
                 ,
                 by
                 whom
                 hee
                 was
                 wilfully
                 neglected
                 ;
                 It
                 was
                 not
                 Ahasuerus
                 that
                 wrought
                 this
                 strange
                 mutation
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 the
                 ouer-ruling
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 Almighty
                 ,
                 whose
                 immediate
                 hād
                 would
                 thus
                 preuent
                 Esthers
                 suit
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 might
                 challenge
                 all
                 the
                 thanke
                 to
                 himselfe
                 .
                 Whiles
                 Princes
                 haue
                 their
                 owne
                 wills
                 ,
                 they
                 must
                 doe
                 his
                 ;
                 and
                 shall
                 either
                 exalt
                 ,
                 or
                 depresse
                 according
                 to
                 diuine
                 appointment
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 should
                 commend
                 Hamans
                 obedience
                 in
                 his
                 humble
                 condiscent
                 
                 to
                 so
                 vnpleasing
                 ,
                 and
                 harsh
                 a
                 command
                 of
                 his
                 master
                 ,
                 were
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 that
                 either
                 he
                 durst
                 doe
                 no
                 other
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 hee
                 thus
                 stoopt
                 for
                 an
                 aduantage
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 a
                 thanklesse
                 respect
                 that
                 is
                 either
                 forced
                 ,
                 or
                 for
                 ends
                 :
                 True
                 subiection
                 is
                 free
                 and
                 absolute
                 ;
                 out
                 of
                 the
                 conscience
                 of
                 duty
                 ,
                 not
                 out
                 of
                 feares
                 ,
                 or
                 hopes
                 .
              
               
                 All
                 Shushan
                 is
                 in
                 an
                 amaze
                 at
                 this
                 sudden
                 glory
                 of
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 and
                 studies
                 how
                 to
                 reconcile
                 this
                 day
                 with
                 the
                 thirteenth
                 of
                 
                   Adar
                   ;
                   Mordecai
                
                 had
                 reason
                 to
                 hope
                 well
                 ;
                 It
                 could
                 not
                 stand
                 with
                 the
                 honour
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 to
                 kill
                 him
                 whom
                 he
                 saw
                 cause
                 to
                 aduance
                 ;
                 neither
                 could
                 this
                 be
                 any
                 other
                 ,
                 then
                 the
                 beginning
                 of
                 a
                 durable
                 promotion
                 ;
                 otherwise
                 ,
                 what
                 recompence
                 
                 had
                 at
                 houres
                 riding
                 beene
                 to
                 so
                 great
                 a
                 seruice
                 ?
              
               
                 On
                 the
                 other
                 side
                 ,
                 Haman
                 droupes
                 ,
                 and
                 hath
                 changed
                 passions
                 with
                 Mordecai
                 ;
                 Neither
                 was
                 that
                 Iew
                 euer
                 more
                 deeply
                 afflicted
                 with
                 the
                 decree
                 of
                 his
                 owne
                 death
                 ,
                 then
                 this
                 Agagite
                 was
                 with
                 that
                 Iewes
                 honour
                 .
                 How
                 heauy
                 doth
                 it
                 lye
                 at
                 Hamans
                 heart
                 ,
                 that
                 no
                 tongue
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 ,
                 might
                 serue
                 to
                 proclaime
                 Mordecai
                 happy
                 :
                 Euen
                 the
                 greatest
                 mignons
                 of
                 the
                 world
                 must
                 haue
                 their
                 turnes
                 of
                 sorrow
                 .
              
               
                 With
                 a
                 couered
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 a
                 deiected
                 countenance
                 ,
                 doth
                 hee
                 hasten
                 home
                 ,
                 and
                 longs
                 to
                 impart
                 his
                 griefe
                 ,
                 where
                 he
                 had
                 receiued
                 his
                 aduice
                 :
                 It
                 was
                 but
                 cold
                 comfort
                 that
                 hee
                 finds
                 from
                 his
                 wife
                 
                 Zeresh
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 friends
                 .
                 
                   If
                   Mordecai
                   be
                   of
                   the
                   seed
                   of
                   the
                   Iewes
                   ,
                   before
                   whom
                   thou
                   hast
                   begunne
                   to
                   fall
                   ,
                   thou
                   shalt
                   not
                   preuaile
                   against
                   him
                   ,
                   but
                   shalt
                   surely
                   fall
                   before
                   him
                   :
                
                 Out
                 of
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 Pagans
                 ,
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 hast
                 thou
                 ordained
                 strength
                 ,
                 that
                 thou
                 maist
                 still
                 the
                 enemy
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 auenger
                 .
                 What
                 credit
                 hath
                 thy
                 great
                 name
                 won
                 with
                 these
                 barbarous
                 nations
                 ,
                 that
                 they
                 can
                 out
                 of
                 all
                 experience
                 make
                 maximes
                 of
                 thine
                 vndoubted
                 protection
                 of
                 thy
                 people
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 certaine
                 ruine
                 of
                 their
                 aduersaries
                 ?
                 Men
                 finde
                 no
                 difference
                 in
                 themselues
                 ;
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 a
                 Iew
                 lookes
                 so
                 like
                 other
                 mens
                 ,
                 that
                 Esther
                 and
                 Mordecai
                 were
                 not
                 (
                 of
                 long
                 )
                 taken
                 for
                 what
                 they
                 were
                 :
                 He
                 that
                 made
                 them
                 ,
                 makes
                 the
                 distinction
                 betwixt
                 
                 them
                 ;
                 so
                 as
                 a
                 Iew
                 may
                 fall
                 before
                 a
                 Persian
                 ,
                 &
                 get
                 vp
                 ,
                 and
                 preuaile
                 ;
                 but
                 if
                 a
                 Persian
                 (
                 or
                 whosoeuer
                 of
                 the
                 Gentiles
                 )
                 begin
                 to
                 fall
                 before
                 a
                 Iew
                 ,
                 he
                 can
                 neither
                 stay
                 ,
                 nor
                 rise
                 :
                 There
                 is
                 an
                 inuisible
                 hand
                 of
                 omnipotency
                 that
                 strikes
                 in
                 for
                 his
                 owne
                 ,
                 and
                 confounds
                 their
                 opposites
                 .
                 O
                 God
                 ,
                 neither
                 is
                 thine
                 hand
                 shortned
                 ,
                 nor
                 thy
                 bowels
                 straitned
                 in
                 thee
                 ;
                 thou
                 art
                 still
                 and
                 euer
                 thy selfe
                 ;
                 If
                 wee
                 be
                 thy
                 true
                 spirituall
                 Israel
                 ,
                 neither
                 earth
                 nor
                 hell
                 shall
                 preuaile
                 against
                 vs
                 ;
                 we
                 shall
                 either
                 stand
                 sure
                 ,
                 or
                 surely
                 rise
                 ,
                 whiles
                 our
                 enemies
                 shall
                 lick
                 the
                 dust
                 .
              
            
             
               
               
                 HAMAN
                 hanged
                 .
                 MORDECAI
                 aduanced
                 .
              
               
                 HAmans
                 day
                 is
                 now
                 comne
                 ;
                 That
                 vengeāce
                 
                 which
                 hath
                 hitherto
                 slept
                 ,
                 is
                 now
                 awake
                 ,
                 and
                 rouzeth
                 vp
                 it selfe
                 to
                 a
                 iust
                 execution
                 ;
                 That
                 heauy
                 morning
                 was
                 but
                 the
                 preface
                 to
                 his
                 last
                 sorrow
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 sad
                 presage
                 of
                 his
                 friends
                 is
                 verified
                 in
                 the
                 speaking
                 ;
                 While
                 the
                 word
                 was
                 in
                 their
                 mouthes
                 ,
                 the
                 messengers
                 were
                 at
                 the
                 doore
                 to
                 fetch
                 Haman
                 to
                 his
                 funerall-banquet
                 .
              
               
               
                 How
                 little
                 do
                 we
                 know
                 what
                 is
                 towards
                 vs
                 ?
                 As
                 the
                 fishes
                 that
                 are
                 taken
                 in
                 an
                 euill
                 net
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 the
                 
                 birds
                 that
                 are
                 caught
                 in
                 the
                 snare
                 ,
                 so
                 are
                 the
                 sonnes
                 of
                 men
                 snared
                 in
                 an
                 euill
                 time
                 ,
                 when
                 it
                 falleth
                 suddenly
                 vpon
                 them
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 was
                 (
                 as
                 Haman
                 conceiued
                 )
                 the
                 onely
                 priuiledge
                 of
                 his
                 dearnesse
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 comfort
                 of
                 his
                 present
                 heauinesse
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 only
                 was
                 called
                 with
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 to
                 Esthers
                 banquet
                 ,
                 when
                 this
                 onely
                 was
                 meant
                 for
                 his
                 bane
                 :
                 The
                 face
                 of
                 this
                 inuitation
                 was
                 faire
                 ,
                 and
                 promised
                 much
                 ;
                 and
                 now
                 the
                 ingenuous
                 man
                 begins
                 to
                 set
                 good
                 constructions
                 vpon
                 all
                 euents
                 .
                 Surelv
                 (
                 thinkes
                 he
                 )
                 the
                 King
                 was
                 tyed
                 in
                 his
                 honor
                 to
                 giue
                 some
                 publique
                 gratification
                 to
                 Mordecai
                 ;
                 
                 so
                 good
                 an
                 office
                 could
                 deserue
                 no
                 lesse
                 ,
                 then
                 an
                 houres
                 glory
                 ;
                 But
                 little
                 doth
                 my
                 master
                 know
                 what
                 termes
                 there
                 are
                 betwixt
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 Mordecai
                 ;
                 had
                 he
                 fully
                 vnderstood
                 the
                 insolencies
                 of
                 this
                 Iew
                 ,
                 and
                 should
                 notwithstanding
                 haue
                 inioined
                 me
                 to
                 honour
                 him
                 ,
                 I
                 might
                 haue
                 had
                 iust
                 cause
                 to
                 complaine
                 of
                 disgrace
                 ,
                 and
                 disparagement
                 ;
                 but
                 now
                 ,
                 since
                 all
                 this
                 businesse
                 hath
                 beene
                 caried
                 in
                 ignorance
                 ,
                 and
                 casualty
                 ,
                 vvhy
                 doe
                 I
                 wrong
                 my selfe
                 in
                 being
                 too
                 much
                 affected
                 vvith
                 that
                 vvhich
                 was
                 not
                 ill
                 meant
                 ?
                 Had
                 either
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 or
                 Queene
                 ,
                 abated
                 ought
                 of
                 their
                 fauour
                 to
                 mee
                 ,
                 I
                 might
                 haue
                 dined
                 at
                 home
                 ;
                 now
                 this
                 renued
                 inuitation
                 argues
                 me
                 to
                 stand
                 right
                 in
                 the
                 grace
                 of
                 both
                 :
                 
                 And
                 why
                 may
                 not
                 I
                 hope
                 ,
                 this
                 day
                 ,
                 to
                 meet
                 with
                 a
                 good
                 occasion
                 of
                 my
                 desired
                 reuenge
                 ?
                 How
                 iust
                 will
                 it
                 seeme
                 to
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 same
                 man
                 whō
                 he
                 hath
                 publikely
                 rewarded
                 for
                 his
                 loyalty
                 ,
                 should
                 now
                 bee
                 publiquely
                 punished
                 for
                 his
                 disobedience
                 ?
              
               
                 With
                 such
                 like
                 thoughts
                 Haman
                 cheares
                 vp
                 himselfe
                 ;
                 and
                 addresses
                 himselfe
                 to
                 the
                 royall
                 banquet
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 coūtenāce
                 that
                 wold
                 fain
                 seem
                 to
                 forget
                 his
                 mornings
                 taske
                 :
                 Esther
                 workes
                 her
                 face
                 to
                 an
                 vnwilling
                 smile
                 vpon
                 that
                 hatefull
                 guest
                 ;
                 and
                 the
                 King
                 (
                 as
                 not
                 guilty
                 of
                 any
                 indignity
                 that
                 he
                 hath
                 put
                 vpon
                 his
                 fauorite
                 )
                 frames
                 himselfe
                 to
                 as
                 much
                 cheerfulness
                 ,
                 as
                 his
                 want
                 of
                 rest
                 would
                 permit
                 .
                 The
                 table
                 is
                 royally
                 furnished
                 
                 with
                 all
                 delicate
                 confections
                 ,
                 with
                 all
                 pleasing
                 liquors
                 :
                 King
                 Ahasuerus
                 so
                 eates
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 both
                 knew
                 hee
                 was
                 ,
                 and
                 meant
                 to
                 make
                 himselfe
                 ,
                 welcome
                 :
                 Haman
                 so
                 poures
                 in
                 ,
                 as
                 one
                 that
                 meant
                 to
                 drowne
                 his
                 cares
                 ;
                 And
                 now
                 ,
                 in
                 this
                 fulnesse
                 of
                 cheere
                 ,
                 the
                 King
                 hungers
                 for
                 that
                 long-delayed
                 suit
                 of
                 Queene
                 Esther
                 ;
                 Thrice
                 ,
                 hath
                 he
                 graciously
                 call'd
                 for
                 it
                 ;
                 and
                 (
                 as
                 a
                 man
                 constāt
                 to
                 his
                 owne
                 fauours
                 )
                 thrice
                 hath
                 he
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 same
                 words
                 vowed
                 the
                 performance
                 of
                 it
                 ,
                 though
                 to
                 the
                 halfe
                 of
                 his
                 Kingdome
                 :
                 It
                 falls
                 out
                 oftentimes
                 ,
                 that
                 when
                 large
                 promises
                 fall
                 suddenly
                 from
                 great
                 persons
                 ,
                 they
                 abate
                 by
                 leisure
                 ;
                 and
                 shrinke
                 vpon
                 cold
                 thoughts
                 ;
                 here
                 King
                 Ahasuerus
                 is
                 not
                 more
                 liberall
                 
                 in
                 his
                 offer
                 ,
                 then
                 firme
                 in
                 his
                 resolutions
                 ;
                 as
                 if
                 his
                 first
                 word
                 had
                 beene
                 ,
                 like
                 his
                 law
                 ,
                 vnalterable
                 .
                 I
                 am
                 ashamed
                 to
                 misse
                 that
                 steddinesse
                 in
                 Christians
                 ,
                 which
                 I
                 finde
                 in
                 a
                 Pagan
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 a
                 great
                 word
                 that
                 he
                 had
                 said
                 ,
                 yet
                 he
                 eates
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 as
                 ouer-lauishly
                 spoken
                 :
                 but
                 doubles
                 ,
                 and
                 trebbles
                 it
                 with
                 hearty
                 assurances
                 of
                 a
                 reall
                 prosecution
                 ;
                 whiles
                 those
                 tongues
                 which
                 professe
                 the
                 name
                 of
                 the
                 true
                 God
                 ,
                 say
                 ,
                 and
                 vnsay
                 at
                 pleasure
                 ;
                 recanting
                 their
                 good
                 purposes
                 ,
                 contradicting
                 their
                 owne
                 iust
                 ingagements
                 vpon
                 no
                 cause
                 ,
                 but
                 their
                 owne
                 changeablenesse
                 .
              
               
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 for
                 Queene
                 Esther
                 to
                 driue
                 off
                 any
                 longer
                 ,
                 the
                 same
                 wisedome
                 that
                 taught
                 her
                 to
                 deferre
                 her
                 suit
                 ,
                 now
                 teaches
                 her
                 to
                 
                 propound
                 it
                 ;
                 A
                 well
                 chosen
                 season
                 is
                 the
                 greatest
                 aduantage
                 of
                 any
                 action
                 ;
                 which
                 as
                 it
                 is
                 seldome
                 found
                 in
                 hast
                 ,
                 so
                 is
                 too
                 often
                 lost
                 in
                 delay
                 :
                 Now
                 therefore
                 with
                 an
                 humble
                 and
                 gracefull
                 obeysance
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 a
                 countenance
                 ful
                 of
                 modest
                 feare
                 ,
                 and
                 sad
                 grauity
                 ,
                 she
                 so
                 deliuers
                 her
                 petition
                 ,
                 that
                 the
                 King
                 might
                 see
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 necessity
                 that
                 both
                 forc't
                 it
                 vpon
                 her
                 ,
                 &
                 wrung
                 it
                 from
                 her
                 .
                 
                   If
                   I
                   haue
                   found
                   fauour
                   in
                   thy
                   sight
                   O
                   King
                   ,
                   and
                   if
                   it
                   please
                   the
                   King
                   ,
                   let
                   my
                   life
                   bee
                   giuen
                   me
                   at
                   my
                   petition
                   ,
                   and
                   my
                   people
                   at
                   my
                   request
                   :
                
                 Epectation
                 is
                 either
                 a
                 friend
                 or
                 an
                 enemy
                 ,
                 according
                 to
                 the
                 occasion
                 :
                 Ahasuerus
                 lookt
                 for
                 some
                 high
                 and
                 difficult
                 boon
                 ;
                 now
                 ,
                 that
                 he
                 heares
                 his
                 Queene
                 beg
                 for
                 her
                 life
                 ,
                 it
                 could
                 not
                 bee
                 ,
                 
                 but
                 that
                 the
                 surplusage
                 of
                 his
                 loue
                 to
                 her
                 must
                 be
                 turned
                 into
                 fury
                 against
                 her
                 aduersary
                 ;
                 and
                 his
                 zeale
                 must
                 bee
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 to
                 her
                 ,
                 as
                 her
                 suit
                 was
                 more
                 meek
                 &
                 humble
                 .
                 
                   For
                   we
                   are
                   sold
                   ,
                   I
                   and
                   my
                   people
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   destroyed
                   ,
                   to
                   be
                   slaine
                   ,
                   and
                   to
                   perish
                   ;
                   but
                   if
                   we
                   had
                   beene
                   sold
                   for
                   bondmen
                   ,
                   &
                   bondwome
                   ,
                   I
                   had
                   held
                   my
                   tongue
                   ,
                   although
                   the
                   enemy
                   could
                   not
                   counteruaile
                   the
                   Kings
                   damage
                   .
                
                 Crafty
                 men
                 are
                 sometimes
                 choaked
                 with
                 their
                 owne
                 plots
                 .
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 profer
                 of
                 ten
                 thousand
                 talents
                 wherewith
                 Haman
                 hoped
                 both
                 to
                 purchase
                 his
                 intended
                 reuenge
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 reputation
                 of
                 a
                 worthy
                 patriot
                 ;
                 that
                 summe
                 is
                 now
                 laid
                 in
                 his
                 dish
                 ,
                 for
                 a
                 iust
                 argument
                 of
                 malicious
                 corruption
                 ;
                 for
                 ,
                 well
                 might
                 Esther
                 plead
                 ;
                 If
                 wee
                 Iewes
                 
                 deserued
                 death
                 ,
                 what
                 needed
                 our
                 slaughter
                 to
                 be
                 bought
                 out
                 ?
                 and
                 if
                 we
                 deserued
                 it
                 not
                 ,
                 what
                 horrible
                 cruelty
                 was
                 it
                 to
                 set
                 a
                 price
                 vpon
                 innocent
                 blood
                 ?
                 It
                 is
                 not
                 any
                 offence
                 of
                 ours
                 ,
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 only
                 despight
                 of
                 an
                 enemy
                 that
                 hath
                 wrought
                 our
                 destruction
                 .
              
               
                 Besides
                 ,
                 now
                 it
                 appeares
                 the
                 King
                 was
                 abused
                 by
                 mis-information
                 ;
                 the
                 aduersary
                 suggested
                 that
                 the
                 life
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 could
                 not
                 stand
                 with
                 the
                 Kings
                 profit
                 ;
                 whereas
                 their
                 very
                 bondage
                 should
                 bee
                 more
                 damage
                 to
                 the
                 state
                 ,
                 thē
                 all
                 Hamans
                 worth
                 could
                 counteruaile
                 .
                 Truth
                 may
                 bee
                 smothered
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 cannot
                 dye
                 ;
                 it
                 may
                 be
                 disguised
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 will
                 bee
                 knowne
                 ;
                 it
                 may
                 bee
                 suppressed
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 will
                 triumph
                 .
              
               
               
                 But
                 what
                 shall
                 wee
                 say
                 to
                 so
                 harsh
                 an
                 aggrauation
                 ?
                 Could
                 Esther
                 haue
                 beene
                 silent
                 in
                 a
                 case
                 of
                 decreed
                 bondage
                 ;
                 who
                 is
                 now
                 so
                 vehement
                 in
                 a
                 case
                 of
                 death
                 ?
                 Certainly
                 ,
                 to
                 a
                 generous
                 nature
                 ,
                 death
                 is
                 farre
                 more
                 easie
                 then
                 bondage
                 ;
                 why
                 would
                 she
                 haue
                 indured
                 the
                 greater
                 ,
                 and
                 yet
                 so
                 abhorres
                 the
                 lesse
                 ?
                 Was
                 it
                 for
                 that
                 the
                 Iewes
                 were
                 already
                 too
                 well
                 inured
                 to
                 captiuity
                 ;
                 and
                 those
                 euils
                 are
                 more
                 tolerable
                 wherewith
                 wee
                 are
                 acquainted
                 :
                 Or
                 ,
                 was
                 it
                 ,
                 for
                 that
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 hopes
                 in
                 bondage
                 ,
                 none
                 in
                 death
                 ?
                 Surely
                 ,
                 either
                 of
                 them
                 were
                 lamentable
                 ,
                 and
                 such
                 as
                 might
                 deserue
                 her
                 humblest
                 deprecation
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 Queene
                 was
                 going
                 on
                 ,
                 to
                 haue
                 said
                 ,
                 But
                 ,
                 alas
                 ,
                 nothing
                 
                 will
                 satisfie
                 our
                 bloody
                 enemie
                 ,
                 saue
                 the
                 vtter
                 extirpation
                 of
                 mee
                 ,
                 and
                 my
                 nation
                 ;
                 when
                 the
                 impatient
                 rage
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 interrupts
                 her
                 sentence
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 ,
                 and
                 (
                 as
                 if
                 he
                 had
                 heard
                 too
                 much
                 already
                 ,
                 and
                 could
                 too
                 easily
                 supply
                 the
                 residue
                 of
                 her
                 cōplaint
                 )
                 snatches
                 the
                 word
                 out
                 of
                 her
                 mouth
                 ,
                 with
                 a
                 furious
                 demand
                 ;
                 
                   Who
                   is
                   he
                   ,
                   and
                   where
                   is
                   he
                   that
                   durst
                   presume
                   in
                   his
                   heart
                   to
                   doe
                   so
                   ?
                
                 It
                 was
                 the
                 interest
                 of
                 Queene
                 Esthers
                 person
                 that
                 raised
                 this
                 storme
                 in
                 Ahasuerus
                 ;
                 set
                 that
                 aside
                 ,
                 how
                 quietly
                 ,
                 how
                 merily
                 was
                 the
                 determined
                 massacre
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 formerly
                 digested
                 ?
                 Actions
                 haue
                 not
                 the
                 same
                 face
                 when
                 we
                 looke
                 vpon
                 them
                 with
                 contrary
                 affections
                 .
              
               
                 Now
                 Queene
                 Esther
                 musters
                 
                 vp
                 her
                 inward
                 forces
                 ,
                 and
                 with
                 an
                 vndaunted
                 courage
                 ,
                 fixing
                 her
                 angry
                 eyes
                 vpon
                 that
                 hated
                 Agagite
                 ,
                 shee
                 saies
                 ,
                 
                   The
                   aduersary
                   ,
                   and
                   enemy
                   is
                   this
                   wicked
                   Haman
                   .
                
                 The
                 word
                 was
                 loath
                 to
                 come
                 forth
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 strikes
                 home
                 at
                 the
                 last
                 .
                 Neuer
                 till
                 now
                 did
                 Haman
                 heare
                 his
                 true
                 title
                 ;
                 Before
                 some
                 had
                 stiled
                 him
                 ,
                 noble
                 ;
                 others
                 great
                 ;
                 some
                 ,
                 magnificent
                 ,
                 and
                 some
                 perhaps
                 ,
                 vertuous
                 ;
                 onely
                 Esther
                 giues
                 him
                 his
                 owne
                 ,
                 wicked
                 Haman
                 ;
                 Ill-deseruing
                 greatnesse
                 doth
                 in
                 vaine
                 promise
                 to
                 it selfe
                 a
                 perpetuitie
                 of
                 applause
                 :
                 If
                 our
                 waies
                 be
                 foule
                 ,
                 the
                 time
                 shall
                 come
                 ,
                 when
                 after
                 all
                 vaine
                 flattery
                 ,
                 after
                 all
                 our
                 momentanie
                 glory
                 ,
                 our
                 sins
                 shall
                 be
                 ript
                 vp
                 ;
                 and
                 our
                 iniquities
                 laid
                 before
                 vs
                 to
                 our
                 vtter
                 confusion
                 .
                 
                 With
                 what
                 consternation
                 did
                 Haman
                 now
                 stand
                 ?
                 How
                 doe
                 we
                 thinke
                 he
                 lookt
                 to
                 heare
                 himselfe
                 thus
                 enstyled
                 ,
                 thus
                 accused
                 ,
                 yea
                 ,
                 thus
                 condemned
                 ?
                 Certainly
                 ,
                 death
                 was
                 in
                 his
                 face
                 ,
                 and
                 horror
                 in
                 euery
                 of
                 his
                 ioynts
                 ;
                 no
                 sense
                 ,
                 no
                 limme
                 knowes
                 his
                 office
                 :
                 Faine
                 would
                 he
                 speake
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 tongue
                 falters
                 ,
                 and
                 his
                 lips
                 tremble
                 ;
                 faine
                 would
                 he
                 make
                 apologies
                 vpon
                 his
                 knees
                 ,
                 but
                 his
                 hart
                 failes
                 him
                 ;
                 and
                 tells
                 him
                 the
                 euidence
                 is
                 too
                 great
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 offence
                 aboue
                 all
                 pardon
                 :
                 Onely
                 guiltinesse
                 ,
                 and
                 feare
                 look
                 through
                 his
                 eyes
                 vpon
                 the
                 enraged
                 countenance
                 of
                 his
                 master
                 ;
                 which
                 now
                 bodes
                 nothing
                 to
                 him
                 but
                 reuenge
                 ,
                 and
                 death
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 what
                 a
                 passionate
                 distemper
                 
                 doth
                 this
                 banquet
                 shut
                 vp
                 ?
                 King
                 Ahasuerus
                 flyes
                 from
                 the
                 table
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 hee
                 had
                 beene
                 hurried
                 away
                 with
                 a
                 tempest
                 .
                 His
                 wrath
                 is
                 too
                 great
                 to
                 come
                 forth
                 at
                 his
                 mouth
                 ;
                 onely
                 his
                 eye
                 tels
                 Haman
                 that
                 he
                 hates
                 to
                 see
                 him
                 ,
                 &
                 vowes
                 to
                 see
                 his
                 dispatch
                 :
                 For
                 solitarinesse
                 ,
                 and
                 not
                 for
                 pleasure
                 ,
                 doth
                 hee
                 now
                 walke
                 into
                 his
                 garden
                 ;
                 and
                 thinkes
                 with
                 himselfe
                 ;
                 What
                 a
                 monster
                 haue
                 I
                 fauoured
                 ?
                 Is
                 it
                 possible
                 that
                 so
                 much
                 cruelty
                 and
                 presumption
                 should
                 harbour
                 in
                 a
                 brest
                 that
                 I
                 thought
                 ingenuous
                 ?
                 Could
                 I
                 bee
                 so
                 bewitched
                 as
                 to
                 passe
                 so
                 bloody
                 a
                 decree
                 ?
                 Is
                 my
                 credulity
                 thus
                 abused
                 by
                 the
                 trecherous
                 subtilty
                 of
                 a
                 miscreant
                 whom
                 I
                 trusted
                 ?
                 I
                 confesse
                 it
                 was
                 my
                 weake
                 rashnesse
                 to
                 yeeld
                 
                 vnto
                 so
                 prodigious
                 a
                 motion
                 ,
                 but
                 it
                 was
                 the
                 villany
                 of
                 this
                 Agagite
                 ,
                 to
                 circumuent
                 me
                 by
                 false
                 suggestions
                 ;
                 He
                 shall
                 pay
                 for
                 my
                 error
                 ;
                 the
                 world
                 shall
                 see
                 ,
                 that
                 as
                 I
                 exceeded
                 in
                 grace
                 ,
                 so
                 I
                 wil
                 not
                 come
                 short
                 in
                 iustice
                 .
                 Haman
                 ,
                 thy
                 guilty
                 blood
                 shall
                 expiate
                 that
                 innocent
                 blood
                 ,
                 which
                 thy
                 malice
                 might
                 haue
                 shed
                 .
              
               
                 In
                 the
                 meane
                 time
                 ,
                 Haman
                 ,
                 so
                 soone
                 as
                 euer
                 he
                 could
                 recouer
                 the
                 qualme
                 of
                 his
                 astonishment
                 ,
                 finding
                 himselfe
                 left
                 alone
                 with
                 Queene
                 Esther
                 ,
                 looseth
                 no
                 time
                 ,
                 spareth
                 no
                 breath
                 to
                 mitigate
                 her
                 anger
                 ,
                 which
                 had
                 made
                 way
                 to
                 his
                 destruction
                 .
                 Doubtlesse
                 ,
                 with
                 many
                 vowes
                 ,
                 and
                 teares
                 ,
                 and
                 deierations
                 ,
                 he
                 labours
                 to
                 cleare
                 his
                 intentions
                 to
                 her
                 person
                 ;
                 bewailing
                 
                 his
                 danger
                 ,
                 imploring
                 her
                 mercy
                 ,
                 confessing
                 the
                 vniust
                 extent
                 of
                 his
                 malice
                 ,
                 profering
                 indeauors
                 of
                 satisfaction
                 :
                 Wretched
                 man
                 that
                 I
                 am
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 condemned
                 before
                 I
                 speake
                 ,
                 and
                 when
                 I
                 haue
                 spoken
                 ,
                 I
                 am
                 condemned
                 :
                 Vpon
                 thy
                 sentence
                 ,
                 O
                 Queene
                 ,
                 I
                 see
                 death
                 awaits
                 for
                 me
                 ,
                 in
                 vaine
                 shall
                 I
                 seeke
                 to
                 auoid
                 it
                 ;
                 It
                 is
                 thy
                 will
                 that
                 I
                 should
                 perish
                 ;
                 but
                 let
                 that
                 little
                 breath
                 I
                 haue
                 left
                 ,
                 acquit
                 me
                 so
                 farre
                 with
                 thee
                 ,
                 as
                 to
                 call
                 heauen
                 and
                 earth
                 to
                 record
                 ,
                 that
                 in
                 regard
                 of
                 thee
                 ,
                 I
                 dye
                 innocent
                 :
                 It
                 is
                 true
                 that
                 mine
                 impetuous
                 malice
                 miscarried
                 me
                 against
                 the
                 nation
                 of
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 sake
                 of
                 one
                 stubborne
                 offender
                 ;
                 but
                 did
                 I
                 know
                 there
                 was
                 the
                 least
                 drop
                 of
                 Israelitish
                 blood
                 in
                 thy
                 sacred
                 
                 person
                 ?
                 could
                 I
                 suspect
                 that
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 or
                 that
                 people
                 ,
                 did
                 ought
                 concerne
                 thee
                 ?
                 Let
                 not
                 one
                 death
                 be
                 enough
                 for
                 me
                 if
                 I
                 would
                 euer
                 haue
                 entertained
                 any
                 thought
                 of
                 euill
                 against
                 nation
                 ,
                 or
                 man
                 ,
                 that
                 should
                 haue
                 cost
                 but
                 a
                 frowne
                 from
                 thee
                 :
                 All
                 the
                 court
                 of
                 Persia
                 can
                 sufficiently
                 witnesse
                 how
                 I
                 haue
                 magnified
                 and
                 adored
                 thee
                 ,
                 euer
                 since
                 the
                 royall
                 crowne
                 was
                 set
                 on
                 thy
                 head
                 ;
                 neither
                 did
                 I
                 euer
                 faile
                 to
                 doe
                 thee
                 all
                 good
                 offices
                 vnto
                 that
                 my
                 Soueraigne
                 Master
                 ,
                 whom
                 thou
                 hast
                 now
                 mortally
                 incensed
                 against
                 me
                 .
                 O
                 Queene
                 ,
                 no
                 hand
                 can
                 saue
                 my
                 life
                 ,
                 but
                 thine
                 ,
                 that
                 hath
                 as
                 good
                 as
                 bereaued
                 it
                 :
                 show
                 mercy
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 neuer
                 meant
                 but
                 loyalty
                 to
                 thee
                 :
                 As
                 euer
                 thou
                 
                 wouldst
                 oblige
                 an
                 humble
                 and
                 faithfull
                 vassall
                 to
                 thee
                 ,
                 as
                 euer
                 thou
                 vvouldst
                 honour
                 thy
                 name
                 ,
                 and
                 sexe
                 ,
                 with
                 the
                 praise
                 of
                 tender
                 compassion
                 ,
                 take
                 pitty
                 vpon
                 me
                 ,
                 and
                 spare
                 that
                 life
                 vvhich
                 shall
                 be
                 vowed
                 to
                 thy
                 seruice
                 :
                 and
                 ,
                 wheras
                 thy
                 displeasure
                 may
                 iustly
                 alledge
                 against
                 mee
                 that
                 rancorous
                 plot
                 for
                 the
                 extirpation
                 of
                 that
                 people
                 ,
                 vvhom
                 I
                 ,
                 too
                 late
                 ,
                 know
                 to
                 be
                 thine
                 ,
                 let
                 it
                 suffice
                 that
                 I
                 hate
                 ,
                 I
                 curse
                 mine
                 owne
                 cruelty
                 ;
                 and
                 onely
                 vpon
                 that
                 condition
                 shall
                 beg
                 the
                 repriuall
                 of
                 my
                 life
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 shall
                 worke
                 ,
                 and
                 procure
                 by
                 thy
                 gracious
                 ayd
                 ,
                 a
                 full
                 defeazance
                 of
                 that
                 vniust
                 execution
                 .
                 O
                 let
                 fall
                 vpon
                 thy
                 despairing
                 seruant
                 one
                 word
                 of
                 fauour
                 to
                 my
                 displeased
                 Master
                 ,
                 that
                 I
                 may
                 yet
                 liue
                 .
              
               
               
                 Whiles
                 hee
                 vvas
                 speaking
                 to
                 this
                 purpose
                 ,
                 hauing
                 prostrate
                 himselfe
                 (
                 for
                 the
                 more
                 humilitie
                 )
                 before
                 the
                 queene
                 ,
                 and
                 spread
                 his
                 armes
                 in
                 a
                 vehement
                 imploration
                 vp
                 to
                 her
                 bed
                 ;
                 the
                 King
                 comes
                 in
                 ,
                 and
                 ,
                 as
                 not
                 vnwilling
                 to
                 misconstrue
                 the
                 posture
                 of
                 him
                 ,
                 vvhom
                 he
                 now
                 hated
                 ,
                 saies
                 ,
                 
                   what
                   ,
                   will
                   hee
                   force
                   the
                   Queene
                   also
                   before
                   me
                   in
                   the
                   house
                   ?
                
                 That
                 vvhich
                 Haman
                 meant
                 as
                 an
                 humble
                 suppliant
                 ,
                 is
                 interpreted
                 as
                 from
                 a
                 presumptuous
                 offender
                 ;
                 How
                 oftmight
                 he
                 haue
                 done
                 so
                 ,
                 and
                 more
                 ,
                 vvhiles
                 he
                 vvas
                 in
                 fauour
                 ,
                 vncensured
                 ?
                 Actions
                 are
                 not
                 the
                 same
                 vvhen
                 the
                 man
                 alters
                 .
                 As
                 charity
                 makes
                 a
                 good
                 sense
                 of
                 doubtfull
                 occurrents
                 ,
                 so
                 preiudice
                 and
                 displeasure
                 takes
                 all
                 things
                 (
                 though
                 
                 well-meant
                 )
                 at
                 the
                 vvorst
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 an
                 easie
                 thing
                 to
                 picke
                 a
                 quarrell
                 ,
                 vvhere
                 vve
                 intend
                 a
                 mischiefe
                 .
              
               
                 The
                 wrath
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 is
                 as
                 a
                 messenger
                 of
                 death
                 :
                 Whiles
                 these
                 vvords
                 were
                 yet
                 in
                 the
                 mouth
                 of
                 
                   Ahasuerus
                   ,
                   Haman
                
                 ,
                 in
                 turning
                 his
                 head
                 towards
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 is
                 suddenly
                 muffled
                 for
                 his
                 execution
                 ;
                 he
                 shall
                 no
                 more
                 see
                 either
                 face
                 ,
                 or
                 Sun
                 :
                 he
                 shall
                 bee
                 seene
                 no
                 more
                 but
                 as
                 a
                 spectacle
                 of
                 shame
                 ,
                 and
                 horror
                 :
                 and
                 now
                 he
                 thinkes
                 ,
                 Wo
                 is
                 me
                 whose
                 eyes
                 serue
                 me
                 onely
                 to
                 foresee
                 the
                 approch
                 of
                 a
                 dishonourable
                 ,
                 and
                 painfull
                 death
                 !
                 what
                 am
                 I
                 the
                 better
                 to
                 haue
                 been
                 great
                 ?
                 O
                 that
                 I
                 had
                 neuer
                 beene
                 ,
                 Oh
                 that
                 I
                 could
                 not
                 be
                 :
                 How
                 too
                 truly
                 haue
                 Zeresh
                 and
                 my
                 friends
                 foretold
                 me
                 of
                 this
                 heauy
                 destiny
                 ?
                 
                 Now
                 am
                 I
                 ready
                 to
                 feele
                 what
                 it
                 is
                 that
                 I
                 meant
                 to
                 thousands
                 of
                 innocents
                 ;
                 I
                 shall
                 dye
                 with
                 paine
                 and
                 ignominie
                 :
                 Oh
                 that
                 the
                 conscience
                 of
                 mine
                 intended
                 murder
                 could
                 die
                 with
                 me
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 no
                 maruel
                 if
                 wicked
                 men
                 find
                 nothing
                 but
                 vtter
                 discomforts
                 in
                 their
                 end
                 :
                 rather
                 then
                 faile
                 ,
                 their
                 former
                 happinesse
                 shall
                 ioyne
                 with
                 their
                 imminent
                 miseries
                 ,
                 to
                 torment
                 thē
                 .
                 It
                 is
                 the
                 iust
                 iudgement
                 of
                 God
                 that
                 presumptuous
                 sinners
                 shold
                 be
                 swallowed
                 vp
                 of
                 those
                 euills
                 ,
                 which
                 they
                 would
                 not
                 feare
                 ;
                 Happy
                 is
                 that
                 man
                 ,
                 who
                 hath
                 grace
                 to
                 fore-see
                 ,
                 and
                 auoyd
                 those
                 waies
                 ,
                 which
                 will
                 lead
                 him
                 to
                 a
                 perfect
                 confusion
                 .
                 Happy
                 is
                 hee
                 that
                 hath
                 so
                 liued
                 that
                 hee
                 can
                 either
                 welcome
                 death
                 as
                 a
                 friend
                 ,
                 
                 or
                 defie
                 it
                 as
                 an
                 enemy
                 .
              
               
                 Who
                 was
                 euer
                 the
                 better
                 for
                 fauour
                 past
                 ?
                 those
                 that
                 had
                 before
                 kissed
                 the
                 feet
                 ,
                 and
                 smiled
                 in
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 Haman
                 ,
                 are
                 now
                 as
                 ready
                 to
                 couer
                 his
                 head
                 ,
                 and
                 helpe
                 him
                 to
                 the
                 gallowes
                 .
                 Harbonah
                 one
                 of
                 the
                 Chamberlaines
                 ,
                 seasonably
                 tells
                 the
                 King
                 how
                 stately
                 a
                 gibbet
                 Haman
                 had
                 newly
                 set
                 vp
                 for
                 well-deseruing
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 within
                 his
                 owne
                 palace
                 .
              
               
                 I
                 heare
                 not
                 one
                 man
                 open
                 his
                 mouth
                 to
                 intercede
                 for
                 the
                 offender
                 ,
                 to
                 pacifie
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 to
                 excuse
                 or
                 lesse
                 the
                 fact
                 ;
                 euery
                 one
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 pull
                 him
                 down
                 that
                 is
                 falling
                 ,
                 to
                 trample
                 on
                 him
                 that
                 is
                 downe
                 ;
                 yet
                 no
                 doubt
                 ,
                 there
                 were
                 some
                 of
                 these
                 Courtiers
                 whom
                 Haman
                 had
                 obliged
                 ;
                 Had
                 the
                 cause
                 been
                 
                 better
                 ,
                 thus
                 it
                 would
                 haue
                 beene
                 .
                 Euery
                 curre
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 fall
                 vpon
                 the
                 dog
                 that
                 he
                 sees
                 werryed
                 ;
                 But
                 here
                 ,
                 it
                 was
                 the
                 iust
                 hand
                 of
                 God
                 to
                 set
                 off
                 all
                 hearts
                 from
                 a
                 man
                 that
                 had
                 beene
                 so
                 vnreasonably
                 mercilesse
                 ;
                 and
                 to
                 raise
                 vp
                 enemies
                 (
                 euen
                 among
                 friēds
                 )
                 to
                 him
                 ,
                 that
                 had
                 professed
                 enmity
                 to
                 Gods
                 Church
                 :
                 So
                 let
                 thine
                 enemies
                 perish
                 ,
                 ô
                 Lord
                 ,
                 vnsuccored
                 ,
                 vnpitied
                 .
                 
                   Then
                   the
                   King
                   said
                   ,
                   hang
                   him
                   thereon
                   :
                
                 There
                 can
                 bee
                 no
                 truer
                 iustice
                 then
                 in
                 retaliation
                 ;
                 who
                 can
                 complaine
                 of
                 his
                 own
                 measure
                 :
                 
                   Behold
                   the
                   wicked
                   trauaileth
                
                 
                 
                   with
                   iniquity
                   ,
                   and
                   hath
                   conceiued
                   mischiefe
                   ,
                   and
                   brought
                   forth
                   falshood
                   .
                   He
                   made
                   a
                   pit
                   and
                   digged
                   it
                   ,
                   &
                   is
                   falne
                   into
                   the
                   ditch
                   that
                   hee
                   made
                   .
                   His
                   mischiefe
                   shall
                   returne
                   vpon
                   his
                
                 
                 
                   owne
                   head
                   ,
                   and
                   his
                   violent
                   dealing
                   shal
                   come
                   downe
                   vpon
                   his
                   owne
                   pate
                   .
                
              
               
                 There
                 hangs
                 Haman
                 ,
                 in
                 more
                 reproch
                 ,
                 then
                 euer
                 he
                 stood
                 in
                 honor
                 ;
                 and
                 Mordecai
                 (
                 who
                 is
                 now
                 first
                 knowne
                 for
                 what
                 hee
                 was
                 )
                 succeeds
                 his
                 fauour
                 ,
                 and
                 changes
                 inheritances
                 with
                 his
                 enemy
                 ;
                 for
                 whiles
                 Haman
                 inherits
                 the
                 gibbet
                 of
                 
                   Mordecai
                   ,
                   Mordecai
                
                 inherits
                 the
                 house
                 and
                 honor
                 of
                 Haman
                 .
                 O
                 Lord
                 ,
                 let
                 the
                 malice
                 of
                 the
                 wicked
                 come
                 to
                 an
                 end
                 ,
                 but
                 establish
                 thou
                 the
                 iust
                 .
              
               
                 One
                 houre
                 hath
                 changed
                 the
                 face
                 of
                 the
                 Persian
                 Court
                 ;
                 what
                 stability
                 is
                 there
                 in
                 earthly
                 greatnesse
                 ?
                 He
                 who
                 in
                 the
                 morning
                 all
                 knees
                 bowed
                 vnto
                 ,
                 as
                 more
                 then
                 a
                 man
                 ,
                 now
                 hangs
                 vp
                 like
                 a
                 despised
                 vermin
                 ,
                 for
                 a
                 prey
                 to
                 the
                 
                 rauens
                 :
                 He
                 ,
                 who
                 this
                 morning
                 was
                 destin'd
                 to
                 the
                 gallowes
                 ,
                 now
                 rules
                 ouer
                 Princes
                 ;
                 neither
                 was
                 it
                 for
                 nothing
                 ,
                 that
                 hee
                 this
                 day
                 rode
                 in
                 triumph
                 :
                 The
                 Kings
                 ring
                 that
                 was
                 taken
                 from
                 Haman
                 ,
                 is
                 now
                 giuen
                 to
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 as
                 the
                 pledge
                 of
                 his
                 authority
                 ;
                 and
                 hee
                 that
                 euen
                 now
                 sate
                 in
                 the
                 gate
                 ,
                 is
                 called
                 vp
                 next
                 to
                 the
                 throne
                 .
                 Wickednesse
                 ,
                 and
                 honest
                 innocence
                 haue
                 now
                 payd
                 their
                 debts
                 to
                 both
                 their
                 clients
                 .
              
               
                 Little
                 ioy
                 would
                 it
                 yet
                 haue
                 been
                 to
                 Esther
                 ,
                 that
                 her
                 enemy
                 was
                 dead
                 ,
                 her
                 kinsman
                 aduanced
                 ,
                 if
                 still
                 her
                 people
                 must
                 for
                 all
                 this
                 expect
                 their
                 fatall
                 day
                 :
                 Her
                 next
                 suit
                 therfore
                 is
                 for
                 the
                 safety
                 of
                 her
                 nation
                 ,
                 in
                 the
                 countermand
                 of
                 that
                 bloody
                 decree
                 ,
                 which
                 Haman
                 
                 had
                 obtained
                 against
                 them
                 :
                 That
                 which
                 was
                 surrepticiously
                 gotten
                 ,
                 and
                 rashly
                 giuen
                 ,
                 is
                 so
                 much
                 more
                 gladly
                 reuersed
                 ;
                 by
                 how
                 much
                 mercy
                 is
                 more
                 pleasing
                 to
                 a
                 good
                 nature
                 ,
                 then
                 cruell
                 iniustice
                 .
                 Mordecai
                 hath
                 power
                 to
                 endite
                 ,
                 seale
                 ,
                 send
                 out
                 letters
                 of
                 fauor
                 to
                 the
                 Iewes
                 ,
                 which
                 were
                 causlesly
                 sentenced
                 to
                 the
                 slaughter
                 .
                 If
                 a
                 Persian
                 law
                 might
                 not
                 be
                 reuersed
                 ,
                 yet
                 it
                 might
                 be
                 countercharged
                 :
                 Mordecai
                 may
                 not
                 write
                 ,
                 
                   Let
                   no
                   Iew
                   be
                   slaine
                
                 ,
                 he
                 may
                 write
                 ,
                 
                   Let
                   the
                   Iewes
                   meet
                   ,
                   and
                   stand
                   for
                   their
                   liues
                   against
                   those
                   that
                   would
                   slay
                   them
                   .
                
                 This
                 command
                 flyes
                 after
                 the
                 former
                 ,
                 so
                 fast
                 ,
                 as
                 if
                 it
                 would
                 ouer-take
                 that
                 ,
                 which
                 it
                 cannot
                 recall
                 ;
                 The
                 Iewes
                 are
                 reuiued
                 with
                 this
                 happy
                 tydings
                 ,
                 
                 that
                 they
                 may
                 haue
                 protection
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 enmity
                 ;
                 that
                 authority
                 will
                 not
                 be
                 their
                 executioner
                 ;
                 that
                 their
                 owne
                 hands
                 are
                 allowed
                 to
                 be
                 their
                 auengers
                 .
              
               
                 Who
                 would
                 imagine
                 that
                 after
                 publike
                 notice
                 of
                 this
                 alteratiō
                 at
                 the
                 Court
                 ;
                 when
                 the
                 world
                 could
                 not
                 choose
                 but
                 know
                 the
                 malicious
                 ground
                 of
                 that
                 wrongfull
                 edict
                 ,
                 the
                 shamefull
                 death
                 of
                 the
                 procurer
                 ,
                 the
                 power
                 of
                 the
                 party
                 opposite
                 ;
                 any
                 one
                 should
                 be
                 found
                 ,
                 throughout
                 all
                 the
                 prouinces
                 ,
                 that
                 would
                 once
                 lift
                 vp
                 his
                 hand
                 against
                 a
                 Iew
                 ?
                 that
                 ,
                 with
                 his
                 owne
                 danger
                 ,
                 would
                 indeauor
                 to
                 execute
                 a
                 controlled
                 decree
                 ?
                 The
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 should
                 cease
                 to
                 bee
                 it selfe
                 ,
                 if
                 it
                 wanted
                 malicious
                 persecution
                 ;
                 
                 there
                 needs
                 no
                 other
                 quarrell
                 thē
                 the
                 name
                 ,
                 the
                 religion
                 of
                 Israel
                 .
              
               
                 Notwithstanding
                 the
                 known
                 fauour
                 of
                 the
                 King
                 ,
                 and
                 the
                 patronage
                 of
                 Mordecai
                 ,
                 the
                 thirteenth
                 of
                 Adar
                 is
                 meant
                 to
                 be
                 a
                 bloody
                 day
                 ;
                 Haman
                 hath
                 too
                 many
                 abettors
                 in
                 the
                 Persian
                 dominions
                 ;
                 these
                 ioyne
                 together
                 to
                 performe
                 that
                 sentence
                 ,
                 whereof
                 the
                 author
                 repented
                 :
                 The
                 Iewes
                 take
                 hart
                 to
                 defend
                 themselues
                 ,
                 to
                 kill
                 their
                 murtherers
                 .
                 All
                 the
                 prouinces
                 are
                 turn'd
                 into
                 a
                 field
                 of
                 ciuill
                 war
                 ;
                 wherein
                 innocence
                 vanquisheth
                 malice
                 .
                 The
                 Iewes
                 are
                 victors
                 ,
                 &
                 not
                 onely
                 are
                 aliue
                 ,
                 but
                 are
                 feared
                 ;
                 the
                 most
                 resist
                 them
                 not
                 ,
                 many
                 assist
                 them
                 ,
                 &
                 some
                 become
                 theirs
                 :
                 The
                 countenance
                 of
                 the
                 great
                 leads
                 the
                 world
                 at
                 pleasure
                 ;
                 feare
                 
                 of
                 authority
                 swayes
                 thousands
                 that
                 are
                 not
                 guilty
                 of
                 a
                 consciēce
                 .
              
               
                 Yea
                 ,
                 besides
                 the
                 liberty
                 of
                 defence
                 ,
                 the
                 Iewes
                 are
                 now
                 made
                 their
                 owne
                 Iusticers
                 ;
                 That
                 there
                 may
                 be
                 none
                 left
                 from
                 the
                 loynes
                 of
                 that
                 accursed
                 Agagite
                 ,
                 (
                 who
                 wold
                 haue
                 left
                 none
                 of
                 the
                 Iewish
                 seed
                 )
                 they
                 slay
                 the
                 ten
                 sons
                 of
                 Haman
                 ;
                 &
                 obtaine
                 new
                 daies
                 of
                 further
                 executions
                 ;
                 Neither
                 can
                 death
                 satisfie
                 their
                 reuēge
                 ;
                 those
                 ten
                 sons
                 of
                 Haman
                 shall
                 ,
                 in
                 their
                 very
                 carcasses
                 beare
                 the
                 reproach
                 of
                 their
                 father
                 ,
                 and
                 hang
                 aloft
                 vpon
                 his
                 gallowes
                 .
              
               
                 Finally
                 ,
                 no
                 man
                 doth
                 ,
                 no
                 man
                 dares
                 frowne
                 vpon
                 a
                 Iew
                 ;
                 they
                 are
                 now
                 becomne
                 Lords
                 in
                 the
                 midst
                 of
                 their
                 captiuity
                 ;
                 no
                 maruell
                 if
                 they
                 ordaine
                 ,
                 and
                 celebrate
                 
                 their
                 ioyfull
                 Purim
                 ,
                 for
                 a
                 perpetuall
                 memory
                 ,
                 to
                 all
                 posterities
                 ,
                 of
                 their
                 happy
                 deliuerance
                 .
                 It
                 were
                 pity
                 that
                 the
                 Church
                 of
                 God
                 should
                 not
                 haue
                 sun-shines
                 ,
                 as
                 well
                 as
                 stormes
                 ,
                 and
                 should
                 not
                 meet
                 with
                 interchanges
                 of
                 ioy
                 in
                 their
                 warfare
                 ,
                 before
                 they
                 enter
                 vpon
                 the
                 vnchangeable
                 ioy
                 of
                 their
                 endlesse
                 triumph
                 .
              
            
             
               FINIS
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             
             
               Post-script
               to
               the
               READER
               .
            
             
               
                 I
                 May
                 not
                 but
                 tell
                 my
                 Reader
                 ,
                 there
                 was
                 a
                 mistaking
                 in
                 the
                 Post-script
                 of
                 my
                 late
                 large
                 volume
                 ;
                 Wherein
                 the
                 Printer
                 vndertooke
                 the
                 Authors
                 promise
                 ,
                 to
                 publish
                 no
                 more
                 ,
                 till
                 he
                 should
                 finish
                 his
                 whole
                 labour
                 ,
                 in
                 a
                 full
                 second
                 Tome
                 .
                 Whereas
                 I
                 onely
                 yeelded
                 ,
                 for
                 the
                 incouragement
                 of
                 the
                 buyer
                 ,
                 to
                 adde
                 nothing
                 to
                 the
                 first
                 .
                 Should
                 these
                 haue
                 stayed
                 the
                 leasure
                 of
                 my
                 meditations
                 vpon
                 the
                 new
                 Testament
                 ;
                 Some
                 readers
                 would
                 haue
                 complained
                 to
                 bee
                 held
                 too
                 long
                 fasting
                 ;
                 Euen
                 this
                 small
                 intermissiō
                 hath
                 beene
                 call'd
                 on
                 with
                 no
                 small
                 importunity
                 of
                 many
                 ;
                 whose
                 suggestion
                 was
                 no
                 other
                 then
                 iust
                 ;
                 that
                 ,
                 as
                 on
                 the
                 one
                 side
                 I
                 might
                 prouide
                 for
                 the
                 ease
                 of
                 many
                 buyers
                 by
                 an
                 entire
                 publication
                 :
                 So
                 ,
                 on
                 the
                 other
                 side
                 ,
                 I
                 should
                 discontent
                 no
                 fewer
                 ,
              
               
               
                 who
                 hauing
                 furnished
                 themselues
                 with
                 the
                 seuerall
                 volumes
                 of
                 my
                 Contemplations
                 already
                 published
                 ,
                 should
                 be
                 forced
                 to
                 breake
                 the
                 sute
                 ,
                 and
                 to
                 want
                 the
                 remaining
                 parts
                 .
                 Out
                 of
                 these
                 considerations
                 ,
                 I
                 was
                 not
                 vnwilling
                 to
                 send
                 forth
                 these
                 thoughts
                 ,
                 after
                 their
                 fellowes
                 ;
                 beseeching
                 my
                 reader
                 not
                 to
                 hasten
                 his
                 expectation
                 of
                 my
                 labours
                 vpon
                 the
                 residue
                 of
                 the
                 new
                 Testament
                 ,
                 which
                 ,
                 vpon
                 some
                 priuate
                 reasons
                 ,
                 haue
                 resolued
                 to
                 pace
                 more
                 slowly
                 towards
                 the
                 publike
                 light
                 .
                 God
                 make
                 these
                 ,
                 and
                 them
                 ,
                 as
                 profitable
                 ,
                 as
                 they
                 are
                 well
                 meant
                 to
                 the
                 Common
                 good
                 .
              
            
          
           
             
               Faults
               of
               the
               Presse
               .
            
             
               
                 
                   
                     For
                  
                   
                     Read
                  
                   
                     Page
                  
                   
                     Line
                  
                
                 
                   
                     hostilely
                  
                   
                     holily
                  
                   
                     74
                  
                   
                     1
                  
                
                 
                   
                     succeed
                  
                   
                     succeeded
                  
                   
                     248
                  
                   
                     12
                  
                
                 
                   
                     goale
                  
                   
                     gaole
                  
                   
                     314
                  
                   
                     16
                  
                
                 
                   
                     euer
                  
                   
                     euery
                  
                   
                     333
                  
                   
                     7
                  
                
                 
                   
                     with
                  
                   
                     wish
                  
                   
                     363
                  
                   
                     4
                  
                
                 
                   
                     when
                  
                   
                     where
                  
                   
                     426
                  
                   
                     vlt.
                     
                  
                
                 
                   
                     attendants
                  
                   
                     attendance
                  
                   
                     433
                  
                   
                     14
                  
                
                 
                   
                     commination
                  
                   
                     crimination
                  
                   
                     440
                  
                   
                     10
                  
                
                 
                   
                     threats
                  
                   
                     throates
                  
                   
                     468
                  
                   
                     11
                  
                
                 
                   
                     at
                  
                   
                     an
                  
                   
                     534
                  
                   
                     1
                  
                
              
            
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A02532-e470
           
             2
             Kings
             8.
             
          
           
             2
             Kings
             9.
             
          
           
             2
             Kings
             27
             
          
           
             Iob
             21.
             
          
           
             2
             Kings
             10.
             
          
           
             2
             Kings
             11
             ,
             &
             12.
             
             And
             2
             Chron.
             23.
             
             &
             24.
             
          
           
             2
             Kings
             13.
             
          
           
             2
             Chro.
             26
             And
             2
             King
             ,
             15.
             
          
           
             Vzziah
             ,
             Azariah
             .
          
           
             2
             King.
             16.
             
          
           
             2
             Chr.
             28.
             19.
             
          
           
             2
             Chr.
             28.
             20.
             
          
           
             2
             King.
             17.
             
          
           
             2
             Kings
             18.
             and
             19.
             
          
           
             2
             King.
             20.
             
          
           
             2
             King.
             21.
             
             And
             2
             Chor.
             33.
             
          
           
             2
             King.
             22.
             
             And
             23.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             Chro
             34.
             3.
             
          
           
             Deut.
             31.
             26.
             
          
           
             1
             Kin.
             13.
             2
             
          
           
             2
             King.
             23.
             vers
             29.
             
             And
             2
             Chro.
             35.
             vers
             20.
             2
             
             Chr.
             36.
             
          
        
         
           Notes for div A02532-e17960
           
             Esay
             44
             vlt
             
          
           
             Besides
             seruants
             7337.
             
          
           
             *
             Surnamed
             Long-hand
             .
          
           
             *
             The
             windfull
             .
          
           
             Nehemiah
             1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3
             ,
             4
             ,
             Chapt.
             
          
           
             Ezee.
             33.
             6.
             
          
           
             Ester
             1
             ,
             2.
             
          
           
             Ester
             3.
             4.
             
          
           
             Ex.
             17.
             16.
             
             Deu.
             25.
             19.
             
          
           
             Esther
             .
             5.
             
          
           
             Esther
             .
             6.
             
          
           
             Esther
             7.
             8.
             
          
           
             Eccles.
             9.
             12
             
          
           
             Psal
             .
             7.
             14.